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Arrival
@ 8:20 AM Classes
Begin @ 8:30 AM Dismissal
@ 2:45 Buses and Vans or @ 2:50 Walkers Please
try to plan your child's arrival at school so they
do not arrive prior to 8:20. There is no adult
supervision outside the building or at the crossing
locations and safety is a prime concern. Parents
accompanying students to school should plan on
leaving children at the school entrance. Parents
may also pick up children at the same location.
This will eliminate congestion at dismissal
time. The
entrance/exit doors designated for each class are
as follows: Kindergarten:
2nd Avenue/5th Street Grade
1, 2, 4: 1st Avenue/4th Street Grade
3, 5, 6: 1st Avenue/5th Street 11:05-11:35
Kindergarten 11:15-11:45
Grade 1 11:25-11:55
Grade 2 11:45-12:15
Grade 3 11:55-12:25
Grade 4 12:30-1:00
Grade 5 12:35-1:05
Grade 6
PARENTS
OR OTHER VISITORS MUST ALWAYS REPORT TO THE OFFICE
UPON ENTERING THE BUILDING. NO PARENT OR VISITOR IS
TO BE IN THE CAFETERIA OR CLASSROOM WITHOUT PRIOR
APPROVAL FROM THE PRINCIPAL. THIS WILL BE STRICTLY
ADHERED TO!! (WE DO WELCOME VOLUNTEERS WITH
VOLUNTEER BADGES.)
PARENTS
AND SAFETY This
policy is located in your parent handbook. The full
policy is located in the Elementary Discipline
Policy located inside the binder on the office
counter. Reminder-the
length of shorts is to be to the knee or close to
the knee. Students in short shorts will have
parents called to bring in different clothes. Also,
NO SANDALS should be worn to school as they are a
safety hazard. Shorts
are allowed during the months of May, June, August,
and September only. Reminder, NO sandals, only
closed toed and heel shoes.
We
need volunteers. Please call the school if you are
interested. We will then send a form home with your
child. W&J
parents are asked to keep any empty ink cartridges
from printers or fax machines over the summer. Have
your student bring them to school in August and
they will be sent in for credit for our school.
Thanks for your help! 1.
Notify the secretary if you change your address or
telephone number. This is very important. Be
assured that we do not give out unlisted
numbers. 2.
Notes are required for absences or
tardiness. 3.
Pupils are expected to go directly home from
school. (No stopping at local stores.) 4.
If your child will be absent temporarily for an
educational trip, the school will need 10 days
advance notice. Forms are available in the school
office. 5.
Parent Handbooks will be distributed to families in
the future. Please read this handbook carefully as
many answers to parents questions can be found in
this booklet.
W & J does have a parking problem during arrival and dismissal of students. The area on second avenue side of the building is marked for van and bus parking. No parents should be stopping in that area. On 1st Avenue there have been cars stopping in the middle of the street, blocking traffic and letting the motor run while they are waiting. This is a traffic violation and will be enforced. It is very dangerous to let the car run while it is not occupied. A Reminder to Parents All parents that are picking up at dismissal time MUST remain at the doors and wait for the teacher to bring the students to the door. This has gone very well this year and I thank you for your cooperation.
Dogs and other pets are not permitted on school property during the school day.
Once again we will be having breakfast for the students. Cost : $ .60 regular breakfast $ .30 reduced breakfast NOTE: Children approved for free or reduced price lunches are automatically approved for free or reduced price breakfast. Breakfast plus lunch money will be collected on Mondays or the first day of the week. Money will be placed in the same envelope. Starting Time: Doors open at 7:50 A.M. Students will report directly to class when dismissed from the cafeteria. Students are not to leave until dismissed. Patrols will be served at 7:40 A.M. so that they can report to their posts. Patents should accompany students to school since the school safety patrols do not go on duty until 8:00 A.M. Parents are not to go to the cafeteria. Children are not to arrive at the building before 7:45 A.M. for breakfast. Kindergarten students may not participate in the breakfast program.
The daily lunch cost is $1.25 for full price lunches and $ .40 for reduced lunches. Students are to bring their lunch money to school each Monday and the cafeteria personnel will record the sales. All checks should be made payable to " The Altoona Area School District". If students forget their money, we will extend them the courtesy of receiving a lunch; however, every effort should be made to reimburse the school as soon as possible. If you have questions, please call Betty Worley F.S.C at 946-8270.
Milk will be available for kindergarten students every day. Kindergarten students may purchase milk for $ .30 per half pint or $ 1.00 per week. Money is to be brought in the first school day of the week. To apply for Free Milk, complete an application as soon as possible.
At times during the school year, children need to be sent home due to illness, accidents, or other emergencies. The school will contact the parents or guardians so that they may come to the school and assume responsibility for that child. Parents should report to the office upon entering the building, and your child will report to the office to be dismissed. You must then sign your child out in the notebook on the counter.
The school recognizes that parents cannot always schedule doctor or dentist appointments after school hours. If parents have a reason to take their child out of school during the day a NOTE MUST BE SENT TO THE CHILD'S TEACHER NO LATER THAN THE MORNING OF THE APPOINTMENT DAY. The note should explain why the child is to be released, the time, and who will pick up the student. Parents must first report to the office for their child. Changes in dismissal destination for a child after school should be accompanied by a note from home. The bus or van driver should also have a note in the morning if the child is not returning home by school transportation. Only those students scheduled to ride our District bus or van can ride them to or from school.
Written excuses are required for all absences when the child returns to school. When a parent's written excuse is not received, the absence is considered "unexcused". Sending an excuse does no necessarily mean that the absence is excused. Reasons such as "away from home" and "Overslept" are not excused absences. Excused absence includes illness of the child, death in the immediate family and approved temporary absences permitted for educational trips at parent's expense. Children who are late for school need to have a note from home as to the reason for their tardiness. Parents must bring students into school and into the office. In our attempt to keep children safe, we need to know if there is a legitimate reason or if a child was just "dilly-dallying" when school guards would not be on their posts. All students coming to school late must report to the office before going to class.
There is no use of tobacco products in any areas of the schools in the Altoona Area School District, in district vehicles, or on surrounding school property. This regulation applies to students, staff, parents, and visitors. The health of our students id of major concern and we seek to avoid the very dangers of tobacco products and "secondhand" smoke. At W & J parents are reminded that smoking is prohibited outside all school doors, sidewalks and outside steps surrounding the building.
The Altoona Area School District has banned skateboarding on any of it's properties. The board have caused extensive damage to steps and lawn areas. It is also a very dangerous activity to engage in without proper head gear. The district will prosecute offenders. We have announced this to K-6th grade students but your help is also needed.
In order to teach students responsibility, students can not return to their classrooms at the end of the day for books or other items forgotten. This will also elevate the problem of students being accused to taking someone else's belongings. Staff has meetings after the students leave and can not be responsible for overseeing a student's retrieval of homework, books, sweaters, etc.
This principal is very pleased with our W & J students and the way they are following our safety dress standards. One problem remains and that is with some of the girls. We highly recommend tennis shoes as the students go outside daily. Sandals, heels, platforms. mules, clogs, etc. are a safety hazard and should not be worn.
When the bus is stopped on the roadway, the red lights will begin flashing. Flashing stop arms on the driver's side of the bus will serve as an added reminder to motorists that they must stop at least 10 feet in front or behind the bus. Vehicles may not proceed until the red lights are no longer flashing.
Snow Days On snow days, a decision will be reached whether to have a two (2) hour delay and/or close school. The purpose of the two-hour delay is to give our custodians time to have sidewalks cleared. In most cases, the district will start with a delay and upgrade to a closing if said closing is warranted. When on a two-hour delay, students would report to school two hours later(10:30) than the normal starting time (8:30). On a two-hour delay there will be no morning Kindergarten or Breakfast program. Please listen to one of our local radio stations for information on school delays and/or closings due to heavy accumulations of snow. You can also watch the A.A.S.D. Access TV Channel 11.
There will be no making of throwing or snowballs. Students who make snowballs and/or throw them will receive a suspension from school. A student in one elementary school lost vision in an eye due to a rock inside a thrown snowball. Please, parents stress this rule with your children.
Head Lice - The Altoona Area School District has a "nit-free" policy. Any student sent home with head lice must be seen by the school nurse before they can return to class. Parents must call the nurse to set up an appointment (946-8403, Ext. 104). Due to reasons of confidentiality and to protect a child's self esteem, it is not policy to notify other parents of children who have or are reported to have head lice. A measure the school has taken is to provide individual plastic bags for coats, hats, and other personal items. This should help prevent possible spread of lice through personal items that come in contact with other students. Please contact your school nurse if you need further information on head lice.
Kid Health Insurance - A statewide program to help uninsured children receive health care is available and covers physician, prescription, surgery, dental, and eye exams at free or low-cost. For information call: Bon Secours Hospital 949-4311 Altoona Hospital 1-800-258-4677 Family Resource Center 941-7711
Immunization Update - A very important part of your child's health is to make sure that your child is properly immunized. This will not only help to ensure compliance with school requirements, but also it will help to insure that your child is adequately protected from many serious infections. All children that entered Kindergarten or 1st grade for the first time in 1997-1998 year were required to have three (3) Hepatitis shots, a second MMR ( Measles, Mumps, Rubella), as well as the fourth (4th) DT (Diphtheria and Tetanus) given after the fourth birthday. Another requirement has been added for the year 2001-2002. All children kindergarten through 12th grade will be required to have the second Measles (preferably MMR). Please review your child's immunization record to determine if he/she meets the mandates. It may be that the required shots have been given, but have not been submitted to the school nurse. At the end of the 1998-1999 school year, you would have received a notice requesting you to update your child's immunization records. If you have not returned it to the school nurse, please do so at your earliest convenience so your child's immunization records can be updated as required. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Adams at W & J School ( 946-8403, Ext. 104).
Students Absences - Reminder, if your child is going to be absent from school please leave a message on your child's teacher's voice mail. The teacher will call home for those students who are absent because no message was placed on the voice mail. This too is being done for your child's safety.
Will you be able to afford college for your child? A program known as the Tuition Account Program (TAP) is available for all Pennsylvania residents. Get Tomorrow's tuition at the today costs. Call 1-800-440-4000 for information.
ALTOONA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT ELEMENTARY MOTTO SUPERIOR SERVICE SUPERIOR QUALITY ACTIVE PARTICIPATION CONSTANT INNOVATION ALTOONA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT The primary mission of the Altoona Area School District is to deliver the written curriculum in a thorough and efficient manner to every school age student and measure said delivery to its purported effect. The primary missions are to instruct students on standards of behavior which should include, but not be limited to: manners, responsibility, reliability, dependability, self-discipline, self-esteem, and perseverance, and to become partners with our Community in economic revitalization and development.
SCHOOL PARTIES Elementary School Policy allows for two building parties/celebrations each year. Your child's room mothers/fathers may ask for your help. At W&J we are having our Holiday party on December 19th and our Valentine's Party on February 14th. Kindergarten A.M. parties will start at 10:00 A.M. All primary parties will start at 1:30 P.M. and intermediate at 2:00 P.M. Please do not send in treats for the class for your child's birthday or at any other times as it is not permitted.
FIND TIME TO GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL When parents are involved with their children's education, their kids learn more. But with today's busy work schedules, it's often very hard for parents to get involved. Here are some suggestions that may make participation easier right now: When you want or need to go to our child's school for a meeting or an event, ask your employer for time off as far in advance as possible. Even if you only have one hour a week to spare, most schools can put that hour to good use. Let the principal or teacher know of your time problems. They may have projects you can work on at home. Consider putting other interests or hobbies on hold. You may find that time you usually spend on other things can be put toward volunteering or attending school meetings. |
Parking During Arrival and Dismissal
No Dogs Allowed
Breakfast Program
New Free and Reduced Multi-child Application for
Lunches
Kindergarten Milk Program
Illness
or Accident During School
Early Dismissal Policy
Student Attendance and Tardy Notes
Smoke Free School
No Skateboarding on School Property
Student Responsibility
Student
Dress Standards
Bus Safety Laws
Snowball
College Money