Once a week I will be sending home a low balance envelope so that you will be able to see how much money is in your child’s account.  If there is a + by the amount, that is what they have at this time.  If there is a – by the amount, that means they are in the negative and need money put in.  Any amount from $5.00 and under will be printed by the computer weekly.  If you do not want a letter sent weekly, please send a note requesting that we do not send a notice and make sure your child’s name and teacher is on the note.  If no money is in their account, a cheese sandwich and white milk will be provided for lunch and toast and white milk will be given at breakfast.  A full lunch is a main entrée, and two or three sides.  That includes their milk as a side.  When sending prepayment, please write the child’s first and last name on the check or envelope so we put the correct amount in the correct account.  NO SNACKS CAN BE TAKEN OUT OF ACCOUNTS.  ONLY CASH CAN BUY SNACKS AND ONLY 1 SNACK PER CHILD.  If you have any questions, please call.

Thank you,

Kathy Haley – 467-5550

Cafeteria Manager

Students are responsible for all textbooks and library books issued to them during the school year.   All lost or damaged books must be paid for promptly.  If a lost book is found, money paid will be refunded.

The Bierbaum teachers, principals, and staff have chosen a discipline management system which encourages and models self-discipline for students.  “Cooperative Discipline” focuses on changing behavior, not on shaming or embarrassing a student.  We know that students choose their behaviors in order to belong, and if they can not find a positive way to belong, they will choose a negative way.

When students misbehave, the teacher steps in firmly but respectfully.  The teacher encourages good behavior, and supports children’s personal growth.  Many techniques are used to help guide students in choosing appropriate behavior.  Below are listed behavior expectations for various locations throughout the school.  Logical consequences may be assigned for these rule infractions.

GENERAL SCHOOL RULES

1. Follow directions given the first time.
2. Stay in assigned areas at all times.
3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.  KHFOOTY
4. Show respect for others and their property.
5. Walk quietly when moving from one area to another.

PLAYGROUND RULES

1. Line up promptly when bell or whistle blows.
2. Use playground equipment in the proper manner.
3. Stay in designated play area.
4. Follow directions.
5. KHFOOTY

CAFETERIA RULES

1. Follow directions given the first time.
2. Walk at all times.
3. Noise level must be kept to a minimum.
4. Raise hand before leaving seat.
5. KHFOOTY

HALLWAY RULES

1. Walk to the right at all times.
2. Go directly to designated area.
3. Students must have a hall pass.
4. Noise must be kept to a minimum.
5. KHFOOTY

CONSEQUENCES FOR RULE INFRACTIONS

1. Interventions in the classroom with or without a discipline letter.
2. Parent contact with discipline letter or by phone.
3. Parent contact, conference and discipline letter.
4. Parent contact, after/before school detention/in school suspension and discipline letter.
5. Suspension pending parent conference, parent contact and discipline letter.
6. Suspension from school, parent contact and confirmation letter.
7. All policies and procedures can be found at mehlvilleschooldistrict.com.

Yearly/quarterly professional development days are given for the staff. For the 2009/2010 school year those dates will be September 16, October 13, November 12, December 8, January 27, February 24, March 26 and May10.  On those days school will dismiss 2 hours early.

Fire/Life Safety drills are necessary for the safety of the student, staff, and faculty.  Everyone should know the specific directions for reaching a point of safety from those areas of the school building in which he or she may be.  Specific information on such drills is posted in each room.

Your child’s teacher will be sending home a Health Information Form for you to complete.  Having this information returned promptly and correctly is of UTMOST importance.  A record of this information is kept in the school health room in case you need to be contacted.  Please make sure all telephone numbers and addresses are accurate and clearly written.  Remember to put the name and telephone number of persons who can be contacted in case you cannot be reached.  Please notify the school if you change address or telephone numbers during the year.  It is very important that our records are kept up-to-date.

Only medication which has been prescribed by a physician will be administered at school.  Medication must be brought to school in a container appropriately and currently labeled by the pharmacy or physician, with instructions for giving the medication.  A NOTE FROM THE PARENTS MUST ACCOMPANY THE MEDICATION.

Communication is an essential part of the educational process.  We feel it is very important for parents to keep in close contact with their child’s teacher concerning his/her progress.  For this reason, Parent –Teacher Conferences are scheduled at the middle of the 2^nd (October 19-22) and the 5^th (March 8-11) grading periods.

Report cards will be issued to students at the end of each 6 week grading period.  Report cards contain both academic and conduct grades.  Attendance will be reported on the report card.  Report cards may be kept by the parent but the envelope must be signed by the parent and returned to the classroom teacher.

Bierbaum provides a variety of options for volunteering.  Some of these options are the PTO, weekly folders, library volunteer and room parent.  You can see your child’s teacher or the office to volunteer for these or other activities.