The BES staff and I welcome you and your family to Burlington Elementary School!
We want you to know it is a pleasure to have you as a part of the BES family, where the BESTimes occur. We hope this will be a successful year for you, filled with a great deal of learning.

The pages of this handbook are full of information about your school that you will find useful. I suggest you go through the entire handbook quickly at first. Then go back and read the pages that apply to you. It is our hope that this handbook will be helpful to you and your family throughout the year.

Parents, I urge you to be a part of your child’s education at home and at school. Close cooperation between home and school is essential to promote the best interests of your child. We encourage you to visit school, volunteer in the classroom, attend family events, and attend scheduled parent teacher conferences. (See calendar in handbook for dates.) You will be receiving a monthly newsletter that will keep you informed of upcoming events, and provide suggestions for your involvement at home. We know that parents are vital partners in the important job of educating the children of our community!

Students, the BES staff and I intend to do our very best to support your learning this year. We expect you to also do your best, which will help you learn important skills and make you feel proud of yourself.

You will have the BESTime at BES because you attend one of the BEST schools in Colorado!

Sincerely,

Deborah James
BES Principal

“ Students, staff, families and the community work together to continually improve academic performance and citizenship in a caring, supportive and safe environment.”
(BES Mission)

BES Mission:
“Students, staff, families and community work together to continually improve academic performance and citizenship in a caring, supportive and safe environment.”

2009-2010 Burlington Elementary Goals

The state median growth percentile is always 50, so it is useful to examine substantial differences from 50 when looking for high and low growth.

Burlington Elementary School Learning Community will increase the median student growth percentile of 37 to at least 50 for male 4th grade students on the Reading CSAP at the end of the 2009 – 2010 academic year. This will be done while maintaining/improving the female median growth percentile of 55.

Burlington Elementary School Learning Community will increase the median student growth percentile of 42 to at least 50 for male 4th grade students and for minority 4th grade students on the Writing CSAP at the end of the 2009 – 2010 academic year. This will be done while maintaining/improving the female median growth percentile of 66.

Burlington Elementary School Learning Community will strive to maintain the high median student growth percentile of 82 for all students on the Math CSAP at the end of the 2009-2010 academic year.

Burlington Elementary School Learning Community will strive to meet or exceed the state average on the Reading, Writing and Math 3rd and 4th Grade CSAP assessments.

Burlington Elementary School Learning Community will endeavor to intervene early in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade and move at least 70% of students who are identified as intensive and strategic to benchmark by the end of 2nd grade, as measured on the DIBELS Benchmark Assessment probes.

EMERGENCY CLOSING & 2-HOUR DELAY PROCEDURES

School Cancellation – If the decision is made to cancel school, radio stations – KNAB Burlington (AM-1140 and FM-104.1), KKCI Goodland (FM-102.5), KWGB Goodland (FM-97.9), KLOE Goodland (AM-730), KGCR Brewster (FM-107.7), and KOA Denver (AM-850) will be asked to announce that the district will be closed. Radio stations will be informed of the decision by 6:00 a.m.

Two-hour Delayed Start- If adverse weather conditions appear to be developing or conditions may be improving; the start of school may be delayed for two hours.

Radio stations will be informed by 6:00 a.m. that the starting time for district school will be delayed by two hours. The decision whether schools will be open or closed will be made prior to 8:00 a.m. If the decision is to open schools, the two-hour delayed start will be honored and no additional announcement will be made. If the decision is to cancel school, radio stations will be informed by 8:00 a.m.

Please be advised, the purpose of the two-hour delay is to determine if school will close for the remainder of the day. Students cannot be dropped off at school until it has been determined that school will be in session. Students may not be dropped off until after 9:45 a.m. if school is delayed. In the event of a two-hour delay, morning preschool will be held for the shorter time period. Buses will operate as well. The buses will be two hours later than normal in picking up the students.

2-hour delayed starting times – BES – 10:00 a.m.
BMS – 10:00 a.m.
BHS – 10:00 a.m.

BURLINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BELL SCHEDULE 2009-2010
FIRST BELL – 7:55 A.M.
SCHOOL BEGINS – 8:00 A.M.

K-1 AM Recess 9:45-10:00

2009-2010
LUNCH SCHEDULE
K LUNCH eat @ 11:15            recess @ 11:35           return to class 11:55
1st LUNCH recess 11:35           eat 11:55                       return to class 12:15
2nd LUNCH recess 11:30          eat 11:50                      return to class 12:10
3rd LUNCH recess 12:00           eat 12:20                       return to class 12:40
4th LUNCH recess 12:05           eat 12:25                       return to class 12:45

P.M. RECESS
(No PM recess on Early Release Wednesday)
K-2 recess 2:15-2:30 3-4 recess 2:00-2:15

SCHOOL DISMISSAL @ 3:15 Mon, Tues, Thur, and Fridays
Wednesday early release @ 2:05

ATTENDANCE- Please call the school by 8:30 a.m. if your child is ill or if you need to make arrangements for them to be gone. If you have not called, the school will be contacting you. Regular attendance is key to a successful educational experience.

TARDIES- School begins at 8:00 a.m. Set a good example and have your child here no later than 7:55 a.m. WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO HAVE STUDENTS COME BEFORE 7:45 AM. although, by special arrangement with your child’s teacher, students may come before 7:50 a.m. For students to receive perfect attendance they can have no more than five tardies per quarter. The school day is broken up into 4 periods. Missing 15 minutes or more is counted as at least one-fourth of a day absent.

LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAY- Students may leave the school grounds during school hours only with a written or verbal request from their parent or guardian. The teacher and school personnel must be informed any time your child is leaving school before the regular dismissal time. The adult responsible for taking a student out of school must sign out in the office before leaving and again if the child returns to school the same day. Children will not be dismissed at the request of an adult if the identity of that adult has not been established.

PARENT VISITATION-You are always welcome and encouraged to visit the school at any time. PLEASE CHECK IN at the office anytime before going to a room, even if you volunteer on a regular basis. When visiting your child’s classroom, prior arrangements made with a teacher are appreciated.

BUS REMINDERS- If your child is not going home on the bus, a note or call from you is required. If your child who doesn’t usually ride the bus is going with a bus student, a note or call from the parent is required. If we do not get notification from the parent, we will make a bus student ride the bus home.

PLEASE CALL BY 2:30 TO NOTIFY THE OFFICE OF AFTER-SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS FOR STUDENTS.

CLOTHING FOR CHILDREN: Due to the ever-changing weather here in Colorado, children are not allowed to wear shorts after the time change in the fall. If they do come with shorts, we will call and ask that you bring them some pants. Shorts will be allowed after May 1st. Be sure to send proper clothing for children on cool, cold days (jackets, mittens, hats, etc.). This is important because we cannot provide clothing for all the children. On wet, damp or snowy days please include proper footgear for your children. We do try to go outside on most days. Please have the child’s name in their coats, boots, caps, gloves and mittens. We have as many as 200 articles of clothing that go unclaimed each year because there is no way to identify who lost them. During warm weather months, the children should wear clothing that covers most of the shoulders and all of the stomach. No tube tops, tank tops, muscle shirts or halter-tops are allowed.

HAT POLICY – Students will be allowed to wear hats to and from school and on recess. Hats will not be allowed to be worn in the classroom or lunchroom. Exceptions to this would be: 1) Any special hat day requested by the classroom teacher, 2) Any special hat day we have school wide.

WEATHER: During bad weather, listen to KNAB 1140 AM or 104.1 FM for any notice of school dismissal.

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL: Students will be allowed on the playground at 7:45 a.m. as school personnel will be available to supervise at this time. DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF BEFORE 7:45 a.m. Students will not be allowed in the building until the first bell rings at 7:55 a.m., unless they are scheduled to attend a morning extended day class, or have an appointment with their teacher. On bad weather days (rainy, snowy or 15 degrees or below including wind chill) students will go to the cafeteria and sit with their class until the 7:55 bell. Parents are welcome to come to the office to purchase lunch tickets before school. Students may come to the office and purchase lunch tickets before school.

SPECIAL SERVICES AT BES

PRESCHOOL
The Burlington Elementary Preschool serves children who are 4 years old by June 1st of the school term. One group attends class in the mornings and another group attends class in the afternoon on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Each class attends a minimum of 360 hours per year. Bus transportation to and from school is provided for the students living outside the city limits. The BES Preschool also serves 3 year olds who are 3 years old by June 1st of the school term. They attend two mornings a week for a minimum of 160 hours per year. Parents provide transportation. Ms. Irma Reents and Ms. Jennifer Olaiz are the preschool directors. Ms. Leann Carlin and Ms. Karen Sharp are the preschool aides.

COUNSELING

Counseling services are available for BES students. Ms. Brenda Miltenberger, the BMS school counselor, will see students individually or in small groups. Additionally, she has resources on a variety of topics for parents to check out. Parents who have concerns about academic, behavioral, or personal needs of their child are encouraged to contact Ms. Miltenberger.

SPEECH/LANGUAGE

Speech/language services in the RE-6J District are provided by a Speech/Language Pathologist who is employed by East Central BOCES. The role of the SLP is to identify and treat children with moderate to severe articulation, voice, fluency and functional communication disorders and developmental language delays. A child suspected of having a speech/language disability should be referred to the BOCES assessment team for multi-educational testing after obtaining written permission to assess from the parents. When assessment is completed the child’s eligibility for speech/language services is determined at a Special Education staffing. The SLP may routinely screen the speech/language skills of all students in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades at the beginning of the school year. In addition, regular education students at any grade level can be screened by the SLP at the teacher’s request. If requested by the teacher, the SLP can provide consultation and conduct classroom observations of students who have not been referred for assessment and are not enrolled in Special Education. Ms.Bixenman is the Speech/Language Pathologist.

ELPA

The ESL (English as a Second Language) Program is a supplemental educational program designed to provide instruction in the English language in all four areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing to qualified students. Students are identified for the program at registration when parents fill out the Home Language Survey. If there is an influence of another language in the home, students are assessed with CELA (Colorado English Language Assessment) Placement test to determine their language proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. ELPA state funds are provided for two years of service and then our district continues language instruction until the student reaches the fluent level on all four areas of the CELA, which is given every January. It takes 5-7 years to learn another language, so the ESL program is a vital part of that process. Ms. JoAnn Anderson is the ESL teacher. Ms. Margie Hernandez is the aide

MIGRANT PROGRAM

The Migrant program is a supplemental educational program for qualifying students. To qualify for this program the family must be involved with agriculture and move frequently. This is a pull-out program (30-50 min./day) with the main focus of instruction in language arts, reading, writing, and vocabulary. Students are provided instruction at their level. A full-time bilingual aide is also available to help provide instruction. Students are eligible to be in the migrant program for 3 years, once they settle in a community. There is a Migrant PAC, which meets annually to provide an opportunity for the migrant parents to express needs and concerns of their child’s education, as well as parent training through speakers and videos. Ms. JoAnn Anderson is the teacher; Ms. Hernandez is the aide.

TITLE I

Title I is a federally funded program designed to help students with language arts skills. Title I is designed to supplement the existing language arts programs and may not take the place of services that the district is required to provide under Federal, State or Local laws. It’s main objective is to assist children with skills they have not yet mastered. Title I students are selected and identified on the basis of a body of assessment evidence. Sources of information for identification purposes can include DIBELS, Benchmark, Individual Reading Inventory CELA, Key Math and CSAP assessments as well as teacher referral, parental request, informal diagnosis, records of academic performance, or annotated observations by professional staff. Selecting children to be served should be based on students with the greatest educational need. Ms. Wedel is the teacher. Ms. Hinkhouse is the Aide.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Public Law 94-142 requires a free and appropriate education for every handicapped child in the United States, from infancy through age 21. This means that a child with a specific learning disability, when identified by testing, has a right to be given appropriate individual instruction by teachers who have had special training. Appropriate instruction may also mean modified methods and expectations in the regular classroom. This law requires that an IEP (Individual Education Plan), be developed for each child who needs special education. This written plan will be revised each year. The special education team, including the parents, will work out the program. The team will have in mind your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses and immediate needs based on how he or she has been doing in the regular class. Ms. Wilkening is the Special Education teacher. Ms. Campbell, Ms. Brisendine are the aides.

SCHOOL NURSE

Ms. Christy Lindenschmidt will be in the building on an on-call basis. She will arrange for health screenings and is responsible for the ongoing health program in the school.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Burlington Elementary School is a school where parents help their children have the BESTimes!

Of course you are always involved as you show interest in what your child is doing in school on a daily basis. Look at their papers, ask questions and show them that you care.

ROOM PARENTS- You may be asked to help in this way. Moms and dads play an ongoing support role in helping with special parties and observances. If you can’t be a room parent, you can help the parent in charge of the parties. The parent in charge should ask other parents to bring treats or supplies, NOT TO DONATE MONEY.

CLASSROOM VOLUNTEER- Come on a regular or pre-arranged basis to assist students (and the teacher). This is scheduled through the classroom teacher to best meet the needs of the student.

FIELD TRIPS/SPECIAL EVENTS-Parents may be asked to make a one-time commitment to support a scheduled activity or event.

PAC (PARENT ACTIVITY COMMITTEE)- This group meets as needed to work on special projects for the school such as the Science Fair, Book Fair, Author’s conference and other special projects.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES-You or the teacher may request a conference to discuss your child’s progress at any time; scheduled conferences are on Wednesday October 21st and Thursday October 22nd, Wednesday February 10th and Thursday February 11th. Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled to discuss the progress of your child it is vital you attend.

BES ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE- This group helps to continually assess the educational program of BES. The committee will meet on a quarterly basis.

LUNCHROOM INFORMATION

LUNCH MISCELLANEOUS- A lunch menu will be sent home each month. Lunch costs per month are highlighted in the monthly newsletter. The prices for lunch are as follows: student lunches are $2.00, reduced lunches are $.40, and adult lunches are $2.85. Please pay the lunch bills at the beginning of each month. A note is sent home after one lunch charge. If lunches are not paid, a statement will be sent home. If payment is not made, the principal will call. The principal calls after the third charge. Students need to bring a sack lunch after the third charge or until their lunch account has been paid to date. There will be no charges allowed during the month of May. Please do not bring a lunch from a fast food restaurant to school for your child. It is fine to take them out to eat during their lunch period for special occasions. Let the office know of this before 8:30 a.m. so it will be reflected on the daily lunch count. POP IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE LUNCHROOM.

EATING SECONDS
Seconds will not be given unless the student’s tray is clean. By law, the students have to take the entrée or main dish and two other items. If the main dish is hamburger on a bun, pizza, or a sandwich this is considered two items. The students would have to take the hamburger on a bun and milk and this would be their three items. As long as the students have three items it is considered a full meal. For example, a student could take the main dish, fruit and milk and this counts or a student could take the main dish, a vegetable, and milk and this would count. There are many different combinations a student could take, so if they do not like something, they do not have to take it.

VISITING SCHOOL AND EATING LUNCH
Visitors need to call before 8:30 a.m. if they plan on eating lunch with a student. We must be firm at these timely lunch reservations so that the cooks are able to prepare a sufficient amount of food for students and quests.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR

At BES we have implemented the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) program. PBS is a framework for school-wide behavior to establish behavioral expectations for students. We have four school-wide behaviors that align with the Middle School. (See next page for behaviors.) We have developed a plan to teach these behaviors and how to apply them in various settings. In addition, we have established a program to acknowledge and reward positive student behavior that is related to the four behaviors. Students are issued WOW tickets by staff when they demonstrate positive behavior. Random drawings of WOW tickets are held weekly to reward students. By focusing on positive behavior we can reduce negative behavior and actions.

Any misbehavior that occurs in the school setting will be dealt with in a respectful manner. All students will be treated with dignity and respect. Appropriate consequences for any misbehavior will be given as necessary and parents will be notified when the misbehavior is of a serious nature. Parental notification will occur as needed. Parents are encouraged to contact the school concerning any discipline concerns they may have.

HEALTH CONCERNS/MEDICATIONS

If your child becomes ill, suffers an injury requiring your attention, or appears to have possible symptoms of a communicable disease, you will be notified and asked to pick up your child. By doing this, we are protecting both your child’s health and the health of the other children in the school. If you cannot be reached at home or work, the school will contact the emergency party you have indicated on your child’s enrollment form.

If children require any form of medication during the school day, arrangements may be made that would enable the office to administer the medication. These arrangements include a signed physician/parent request for administration of medication form (available in the school office) with medication in the original container from the pharmacy. An adult should bring the medication to school. School personnel cannot administer medication without the proper documentation on file.

IMPORTANT MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

CUSTODY INFORMATION AND RESTRAINING ORDERS
Custody and restraining orders must be on file in the school office. It is vital that you keep the office informed in writing if there is a legal ruling that an individual is restricted from seeing your child during the school day. Non-custodial parents may receive school bulletins, report cards and other school communications upon request.

STUDENT USE OF TELEPHONE

The school phone is for business purposes. Students will be allowed to use the phone for school related situations (illness, injury, etc.). Students will not be permitted to use the phone to arrange social events. Students are not allowed to use cell phones during school hours.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Students are discouraged from bringing personal items to school unless requested to do so (i.e. “Show and Tell.”). Radios, CD’s, sports equipment, trading cards, and toys should be kept at home. The district is not responsible for damage to or loss of personal property that is brought to school.
SKATEBOARDS – are not allowed at school.
ROLLERBLADES – may be worn to school but need to be taken off or put on outside and not worn in the building or on the playground.
BICYCLES/SCOOTERS - should be parked in the school bike rack. A good locking device used through the frame of the back wheel is advised. The school assumes no responsibility for bicycles. Parents are urged to discuss bicycle safety with their children before allowing them to ride their bicycles to school. All bicycle riders are encouraged to wear safety helmets.

ROOM PARTIES, BIRTHDAY PROCEDURES

We have room parties for the following holidays: Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. The teachers will ask for parents to volunteer to organize these parties. When organizing the party, parents should bring food or supplies, no donations of money. Flowers and balloons should not be sent to students at school, as they can be disruptive to their learning as well as the learning of their classmates. Flowers and balloons that are sent to school will be kept in the office for pick-up at the end of the day.

Please do not send birthday invitations to school to have them passed out. In order to protect students’ feelings, it would be better to hand deliver the invitations at another time or mail them.

NEWSLETTERS

Newsletters are sent home on a monthly basis and will be mailed directly to your house. A monthly calendar of events will be included in the letter.

DISTRICT POLICIES

Tobacco-Free Schools File: ADC

Activity Transportation Policy File: EEAEC-R

Student Transportation in Private Vehicles File: EEAG

Health Education File: IHAM

Family Life/Sex Education File: IHAMB

Homework File: IKB

Grading/Assessment Systems File: IKA

Equal Educational Opportunities File: JB

Use of Cell Phones and Pagers File: JICA

Code of Conduct File: JICDA

Rules & Procedures for Students Participating in File: JJI-R
Athletics and Activities

Administering Medicines to Students File: JLCD

Use of Physical Intervention Administering Meds. File: JLCD-R

District Title I Parent Involvement File: KBA

BURLINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students, staff, families and the community work together to continually improve academic performance and citizenship in a caring, supportive and safe environment.

Burlington

Education

Students

Teachers

Safe

Valued

Learning Community

Innovative

Research Based

High Achieving

Responsible Citizens

Independent Learners

Professional

Collaborating

Supporting Individual Needs