Walter Bracken Magnet School

Our Vision: Bracken students will maintain high academic and behavioral
standards for the pursuit of continued success in Magnet programs.

School Handbook

Printable Version of Parent Handbook - Adobe Reader required

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We at Walter Bracken Magnet School for Math and Science Through Technology are looking forward to a wonderful year with your child. Our goal is to provide the most positive educational experience possible for your child and to ensure that the environment of the school is orderly, safe and secure.

To meet these goals we feel it is important that both you and your child are aware of the school’s expectations in terms of behavior and performance. This handbook includes a review of policies, procedures and regulations that are a part Walter Bracken Magnet School and the Clark County School District. PLEASE SIT DOWN WITH YOUR CHILD AND DISCUSS THIS HANDBOOK.

This handbook outlines the procedures to be followed to maintain a positive learning environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or visit our campus. Parents are always welcome at Walter Bracken Magnet School. Please call or stop by the office to schedule a classroom visit. We are glad to have you and your child as part of our school community.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Decker, Principal

___________________________

Walter Bracken Student Handbook

Expectations

Acceptance to Walter Bracken Magnet School is based on a geographical preference zone and upon lottery selection. While acceptance occurs without academic or behavioral screening, continued attendance in the magnet school program is considered a privilege, as there is an extensive waiting list for our programs. Therefore, accepted students are expected to maintain successful academic and behavioral standards to maintain placement in the program. Generally, once students are enrolled in a magnet school, they are to remain until they complete the program, unless the parent/guardian requests a return to the zoned school. A student may be returned to the zoned school when it is determined that he/she is unable to be successful in the magnet school program. A common goal of the staff, parents and students of Walter Bracken Magnet is to be responsible and treat one another with respect. We know that if everyone understands what is expected of him/her, very few behavior problems will occur. Two basic expectations for all students, parents and staff members of the Walter Bracken Community are as follows:

Treat others as you wish to be treated.
Be polite.
Use appropriate language.
Keep hands and feet to self/no fighting. Insubordination is not tolerated.

Responsibility

Always do your best.
Follow directions.
Walk in the building.
No gum or candy is allowed in school.
Take care of equipment/school property.
Be on time.

Curriculum

The goal of the magnet program is to create a curriculum that meets the needs of each individual student. Every effort will be made to ensure that the curriculum is both challenging and interesting for all students. Exploration courses will be available throughout the year with the option of student and parent choice of additional concepts that are outside of the curriculum. Parents are encouraged to work closely with our staff to determine the best choices for their child.

Grading

In accordance with the Clark County School District, it is the policy of the Walter Bracken Magnet School Community to grade students on the achievement of grade level skills. It is the responsibility of each teacher to regularly grade student work and to keep accurate records of grades. At the beginning of the year each teacher will communicate his/her specific grading policy to parents. Grades are based on a student’s performance on tests, participation in class, work assigned in class and homework. The percent that each of these will figure in a final quarter’s grade depends on the grade level, subject and teacher’s expectations. In general, as students get older, completion of class work, homework, special projects and reports will count more heavily in the final grade. Primary students require more immediate attention and help from the teacher, and less work is expected to be done independently. Work turned in late because of an unexcused absence, or because the student failed to meet the restated deadline, may be given reduced credit or no credit. Late work may require a note of explanation from parents. Work must be turned in to receive any credit. Students will be graded as follows:

A = 90 - 100% Excellent achievement of objectives

B = 80 - 89% Above average achievement of objectives

C = 70 - 79% Average achievement of objectives

D = 60 – 69% Below average achievement of objectives

F – Failure to meet acceptable standard of achievement

The following supplementary grading symbols are used for other subject and sub-skill areas:

E = Exceptional progress
S = Satisfactory progress
N = Needs improvemen
X = Not presently being evaluated

Please remember that a C grade is average and, as such, is an acceptable grade. Your child will be encouraged to continually achieve a higher quality of work. Parents should pay equal attention to the “success indicators.”

Unsatisfactory Progress Notices

Unsatisfactory notices will be sent home at the mid-point of each grading period to indicate that a child is not doing satisfactory work. If your child receives a notice, a conference with the teacher is recommended. You may contact the school office for an appointment.

Conferences

Keeping informed of student progress is important and conferences are encouraged. Since teachers' schedules vary, it is best to arrange appointments through the office. Teachers are unable to meet or speak with parents during class time, as this is a disruption to the learning process.

Homework Policy

The Clark County School District’s policy is that homework be assigned daily from Monday through Thursday. This is the minimum requirement. Additional homework assignments may be assigned to meet student needs, focus on special projects, or complete make-up work. The purpose of homework is to practice and maintain previously learned skills and develop newly taught skills. Additionally, homework builds student responsibility, develops study skills, and promotes parental/guardian involvement in the child’s education. Each child should expect approximately 10 minutes of homework per year in school. This is based on how long it takes the average child to complete an assignment. Some children may complete the same assignment in less time, and some will need more time. Along with regular homework, your child should be reading at least 20 minutes a night at the primary level and longer in the intermediate grades. A quiet and well-lit space should be provided for homework. Parents can participate by examining the work, but not completing it for the child.

GRADE              AVERAGE HOMEWORK TIME                   READING
K                         5-10 minutes                                                    5-10 minutes
1                         10 minutes                                                        10-15 minutes
2                         20 minutes                                                        20 minutes
3                         30 minutes                                                        20 + minute
4                         40 minutes                                                        20 + minutes
5                         50 minutes                                                        20 + minutes

School Visits

All parents are welcome to visit Walter Bracken Magnet School to participate in our program. Please inform the office and set up a time with the teacher to visit. All visitors are required to sign in and obtain a visitor’s pass.

Birthdays

Many parents enjoy sharing their child's birthday with the classmates at school. So that we can maintain the routine of instruction in the classroom we would ask that parents prearrange with the classroom teacher to bring in any treats for the class. The treats that are brought in will be distributed at lunch time or at the very end of the day.

Library Policy

Students may check out books from the library. Books are checked out for one week, and may be renewed. Please be aware that students are responsible for the books they check out. If a book is lost or damaged, the student must pay for it. Pencils may be purchased in the library.

The main goals of the library program are to develop effective users of information and to promote a love of reading. Various reading incentive programs will be held throughout the year, such as the Scholastic Reading Counts Program. Parents are encouraged to become involved in their children’s reading by listening to them read, talking about the story, reading together, or having the child read to family members.

Emergency, Illness and Injury

If your child becomes ill or is injured during school hours, he/she will be sent to the nurse’s office. You will be contacted to pick up your child so that he/she may be properly cared for at home. It is essential for the school to have emergency data: a current phone number for your residence and place of employment and emergency numbers in case of accident or illness. If this information changes during the school year, please notify the school immediately. Clark County School District provides a school nurse for one or two days per week, and a qualified First Aid Safety Assistant is available during the school day. Elementary schools do not have facilities to care for sick or injured children for an extended period of time.

Medication

If a child under a physician’s care is well enough to be in school, but requires medication during the school day, Form CCF-643 (Medication Release – Legal Release Information Regarding Medication During School Hours)- must be completed by the parent/guardian and placed on file in the school office. Complete instructions and guidelines for receiving medication at school are outlined in a separate “Elementary School Health Services” brochure. Please refer to this brochure for answers to some of the common problems and questions about school and health. If you need further information, please call the School Nurse for assistance.
Under no circumstances is the school allowed to give any medication without a prescription and a signed medical release.

Attendance and Truancy

School attendance is vital to your child’s academic success in school. This last legislative session, the laws about school truancy were changed to reduce the high rate of habitual truants in schools. The Following information outlines the major provision of the regulations:

Attendance enforcement is a shared responsibility between the Clark County School District and the student’s parent/guardian
Student tardiness is a serious disruption to the educational program and infringes on the educational rights of other students.
A student who exceeds twenty (20) absences during the school year MAY be retained in the current grade.
Unavoidable medical and dental appointments that cannot be scheduled any other time and that result in a partial day absence do not count in the absence total for purposes of attendance enforcement.
A student that is declared truant three (3) times during a school year could be referred for educational neglect.
Parents are to request make-up work within three (3) days of the absence.
Student shall be allowed a minimum of three (3) days to complete make-up work.

The following terms are used in the new regulation:

Truancy: When a student is absent from school and neither the parent nor the school knows the whereabouts of the student (i.e. playing hooky, ditching school)

Pre-arranged Absences: When a parent/guardian informs the school in advance that their child will be absent. Pre-arranged absences are always excused, but count toward the student’s total number of absences. An elementary student MAY be required to repeat the current grade if the total number of absences exceeds twenty (20) for the school year.

Excused Absences: When a student is physically or mentally unable to attend school due to a medical appointment or illness
When the parent/guardian explains the cause of an absence within three (3) days after the student returns to school
When the approval of the teacher or principal has been given for an unavoidable absence due to an emergency
When a student is participating in a school sanctioned activity outside the classroom during regular school hours, as approved by the principal or designee
When a student is absent due to a required court appearance or a required religious holiday

Unexcused Absences: When a parent/guardian fails to notify the school to excuse the student’s absence within three (3) days after the pupil returns to school
When a parent/guardian willfully and knowingly refuses or fails to require the student’s attendance in school

Tardy: When a student is not physically present in the classroom at the start of the instructional day. A tardy becomes a ½ day absence if more than one hour and fifty-five minutes is missed and becomes a full day absence if more than 3 ¾ hours is missed of the instructional day

Make-Up Work: That assigned classroom work which can be made up following an absence (i.e. worksheets, text book assignments, etc.) It is virtually impossible to make up work directly related to oral instruction and discussion provided by the teacher, classroom discussions, video presentation, guest speakers, etc. ·

Educational Neglect: A student with a significant number of unexcused absences may be classified as a truant and three (3) truancy events in a school year may trigger a referral for educational neglect.

Due Process: The parent/guardian of a student with excessive absences shall be notified by the school in writing of the absences and the parent/guardian has three (3) days to respond in writing to the notice to appeal the decision. The administrator shall review the records for any suspected errors or extenuating circumstances and make a final determination of the accuracy of the attendance records.

The goal of attendance enforcement is to: ·
-increase student achievement through improved attendance
-communicate to parent/guardians the importance of regular attendance·
-communicate the value of the educational opportunities provided by our instructional staff
-collaborate with parents in developing a plan to promote your child’s success in school through daily attendance

Weapons

There are stringent guidelines, according to Nevada State Law and C.C.S.D. Regulation 5141.1, regarding weapons. Please be sure that the following items DO NOT come to school with your child:

Guns, knives, other weapons (including but not limited to razor blades, ice picks, dirks or other sharp instruments, nunchakus, brass knuckles, pipes, Chinese stars, Billy clubs and machetes),
Inflammable material (including but not limited to bombs, fireworks, or firecrackers, or any other items that may cause bodily injury or death.)

Please talk to your child about the importance of these regulations. When we have reasonable safety concerns, backpacks and/or desks will be searched. Be advised also that if weapons are found in your child’s possession, he/she can and will be suspended.

Personal Belongings

Many personal items brought to school are lost or broken. It is impossible for the school to assume responsibility for such items as radios, tape recorders, toys, roller blades, pets, sports equipment and money. The best way to prevent loss of personal items is to leave them at home. Dangerous items such as bats, skates, skateboards and hardballs are not allowed on campus. Pokemon or other collectable items are never allowed on campus and will be confiscated. A parent/guardian will have to pick up the items at the school office.

Lost and Found

Lost and found clothing and lunch pails are displayed in the multipurpose room. Loss of these items will be greatly reduced if they are clearly labeled with your child’s name and room number.

Assemblies and Special Programs

A number of assemblies and special programs are scheduled for students throughout the year. These include programs that will extend and reinforce the school curriculum. Students are expected to be courteous and respectful during assemblies. Many teachers schedule field trips during the year. Field trips reinforce curricular objectives and provide a fun enhancement to the school routine.

Early Dismissal Policy

Extreme care is exercised at all times in the release of children to adults. If it is necessary to remove your child from school prior to dismissal time, please contact the Bracken office to make arrangements. If it is necessary for your child to go to a medical appointment during school hours, he/she should bring a note from you stating the time he/she is to be dismissed. At that time you will be required to sign the office release log and will be asked to show a photo ID prior to your child’s release.

A CHILD WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO A PERSON WHO IS NOT LISTED ON THE ENROLLMENT CARD.

If you have someone you would like to add to your child’s enrollment card, please come to the school office and update this information. If an adult comes in to pick up your child, and he/she is not listed on the child’s enrollment card, you will be contacted to verify that this particular person is authorized to take your child.

Parking, Loading and Unloading

There is limited parking available. Parents need to park, then meet children on the blacktop area after school. This will ensure the safety of all our students. Older students should meet his/her younger siblings and take them to the prearranged place. Since safety is always a concern please use caution and care when driving around the school and in the parking lot. On those occasions when parents must retrieve their children during the school day, the school parking lot may be used. The front parking lot should not be used to pick up children in the morning or after school. The front parking lot is for busses and staff parking. Parents who volunteer during the day or who need to visit the office may park in the front parking lot during the school day. Please utilize the back parking lot off of 27^th Street. DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE CLASSROOM, BUT REPORT TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE.

School Arrival-8:20 a.m.

For everyone’s safety, please DO NOT allow your child to arrive at school earlier than 8:20 a.m. Supervision will NOT be available prior to that time. School Departure-3:25 p.m.

Students will meet brothers, sisters and friends at the bus or at the playground gates on N. 27th Street. Parents should also meet their children at the classroom numbers. DO NOT WAIT AT SCHOOL EXIT DOORS, AS IT CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD. Students who miss their ride or bus should report to the office immediately. Students who are not picked up by 3:35 p.m. do not have supervision and an attendance officer will be called if your child is not enrolled in Safekey.

Lunchroom

Students at Walter Bracken Magnet have a thirty-minute lunch and recess period. After approximately fifteen minutes in the lunchroom, students are dismissed to the playground. Those students needing more time to eat are allowed to remain in the lunchroom. Students should demonstrate responsible behavior in the lunchroom. Students must walk in an orderly manner, remain seated at assigned tables, talk quietly and be courteous. Students are expected to behave in the school lunchroom in the same courteous manner as they would at home. Parents are welcome to join their child for lunch. A special table will be set aside for this. All visitors on campus must obtain a visitor's pass prior to proceeding to the lunchroom.

Playground

Equipment, such as jump ropes and balls may we checked out on the playground. Students are expected to use equipment properly and follow game rules established in the physical education program. Students should not bring their own toys or equipment unless requested by a teacher. The physical education teacher will provide opportunities for students to participate in organized games.

Students are expected to play safely in assigned playground areas during lunch recess:

Running around the playground equipment is dangerous and not allowed. Rough play and tricks on the playground equipment are not permitted.
Climbing fences or on the roof to retrieve balls is not allowed.
Running around the building is not permitted. Students must remain on the playground area.
Freeze bell – The freeze bell is the first bell that rings before school and at lunch recess. Students are to get off of the play equipment, step out of the tetherball ring, stand quietly and face the school building until a whistle is blown signaling them to walk quietly to their assigned destinations

General Playground Rules:
1.   Show Respect
2.   Be a Good Sport
3.   Follow P.E. Rules
4.   Freeze
5.   Walk on the Blacktop
(These are posted throughout the school.)

Discipline

Good behavior is expected of all students to ensure a positive learning environment. Each class has a discipline plan in effect, which requires the cooperation of staff, students and parents. Your child’s teacher will communicate with you regarding classroom and playground rules. You will be notified if your child’s behavior needs your attention. Repeated misbehavior may result in a conference among the teacher, student and parent. Frequent communication between the school and home is encouraged.

Harassment Policy

A new policy is in effect prohibiting all forms of student harassment. In summary, the policy states:

Harassment is any verbal, visual or physical conduct which is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it adversely affects or has the purpose or logical consequence of interfering with the student’s educational program or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive school atmosphere.
“Harassment, whether it is by students, staff or third parties in the community, is strictly prohibited, and will subject the perpetrator to disciplinary action.”
“Harassment, regardless of its basis, is prohibited.”

Common types of harassment include, but are not limited to: unwanted touching, threats, slurs, epithets, verbal abuse, derogatory comments, gestures or pictures, unwelcome jokes or propositions, graphic comments about an individual’s body, display of sexually suggestive objects in the educational environment, and retaliation against an individual who reports a violation of this policy. Any student who feels that he or she is a victim of harassment should contact his or her teacher or principal. Copies of the full policy are available in the school office.

Student Store

Students may purchase snacks at the student store during lunchtime. Snacks include items such as popcorn, popsicles and beef jerky. All items are 50 cents.

School Telephone

The school office is the center of activities and is busy at all times. The school telephone may be used by students in case of emergency or necessity; however, it should be used with discretion – not to obtain permission to visit with friends, etc. Encourage your child to use good judgment in phone use and to be patient when the lines are busy.

Phone Messages

Parent to student phone messages should be kept at a minimum. Please make arrangements prior to school for transportation messages. A message to a student involves disruption of a class, use of clerical time, and a possible violation of the Family Rights and Privacy Act. There is no way to positively verify the legal parent or guardian over the phone. If you have an emergency, and therefore need to contact your child, please come to the office and provide identification.

Superintendent's Region

Vision
Synergy: is the energy or force created by combining two or more elements or groups so that performance of the combination is higher than that of the sum of the individual elements.

Region Superintendent Jeremy Hauser

The East Region is dedicated to improving student achievement through student opportunity for a quality education and two-way communication between parents and schools. East Region administrators stand ready to assist parents with concerns and questions. However, the vast majority of issues are best resolved at the school level when the appropriate personnel are contacted.

Your child's teacher. the office staff, or the school office manager is available to answer questions and address your concerns at Bracken Magnet School. If an issue or concern is not resolved at this level, administrative intervention is available; please contact Kathleen Decker the school's principal at 799-7095.

The school principal is the key administrator to assist in resolving issues or concerns. If the principal has not been involved, and the parent or guardian contacts the East Region office requesting resolution, he or she will be referred back to the school principal. The East Region is committed to resolving concerns and issues, however the first step in resolving issues must begin at the school level.Thank you for your understandingThe East Region Team

Dress Code

The Clark County School District (CCSD) reserves the right to insist that the dress and grooming of students be within the limits of generally accepted community standards and that students shall be required to show proper attention to personal cleanliness. Students’ dress, personal appearance and conduct are required to be of such character as to not disrupt or detract from the educational environment of the school. Any style that tends to diminish instructional effectiveness or discipline control by teachers, or which is a potential safety hazard, is not acceptable.

The Walter Bracken community has chosen to wear school uniforms. Uniforms are optional, however they are encouraged. The school uniform is a basic school shirt with either tan ao navy blue pants, shorts or skirts. If your child does not wear a uniform the school district regulation for student dress must be adhered to.

CCSD Regulation 5131 stipulates the following:

Wearing shoes with soles is required. (No sandals, open toe shoes or thongs).
Wearing crop tops, strapless, low-cut clothing, clothing with slits, or tops and outfits that provide minimum coverage is prohibited.
No spaghetti straps are permitted.
All sleeveless shirts must have straps at least three inches wide and must cover the shoulder.
All attire must reach within five inches from the top of the kneecap.
If shorts are worn, they must be hemmed, without fraying.
The wearing of headgear (hats) on campus, except for authorized athletic practices or activities, is prohibited.
Slogans or advertising on clothing, which by their controversial or obscene nature disrupt the educational setting, are prohibited.
No spiked or studded clothing is allowed.
The principal shall retain the authority to grant exceptions for special occasions and/or conditions.
Baggy pants, long belts and chains ARE NOT allowed on campus.

For the safety of students, tennis shoes are requested for P.E.

Bicycles/Skateboards/Rollerblades

Students riding bicycles to travel to and from school should observe common safety rules. No bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades are allowed on the playground, in the bus parking or the parking lot at the side of the school. Racks and a locked enclosure are available for bicycles; however, students who ride them must have a lock to secure their bicycles inside the enclosure. Please remember that expensive bicycles are at risk for theft and vandalism during school hours. The school assumes NO RESPONSIBILITY for theft or damage. Due to safety reasons, Kindergarten students are not allowed to bring bikes to school.

Safekey

Safekey is a before and after school supervised program for school children. The program is a service provided by the Las Vegas Recreation Department. For more information regarding the SAFEKEY Program, call 229-2526.

Textbooks

Textbooks are furnished by the school district. However, the students must pay for books that are lost or badly damaged.

Transportation

Riding the bus is a privilege. Students who live farther than two miles from school are eligible for bus transportation. Strict rules of behavior for students have been adopted by the school district in order to protect the safety of the students. Safety is a priority at Walter Bracken Magnet. The bus driver will issue citations to students who do not obey school bus regulations. If a student misses his/her bus after school, he/she is to report to the school office immediately.

School Records

Twenty-four hour notice is required for copies of report cards or test results.

Address Change

It is very important that the school has current information regarding all students. If for any reason the information that we have on record for address or telephone numbers changes you need to notify the office as soon as possible. Please stop by the office to make any adjustments in the student information that is on file.

Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)

We would like a very active Parent-Teacher Association, and we hope you will join us. The PTA works to exemplify the cooperation between parents and school that builds the best educational environment for children. Please consider participating in this worthwhile group.

Vision Synergy: is the energy or force created by combining two or more elements or groups so that performance of the combination is higher than that of the sum of the individual elements.

Vision
Synergy: is the energy or force created by combining two or more elements or groups so that performance of the combination is higher than that of the sum of the individual elements.