Robert Frost Elementary
Challenge Center
OUR MISSION: TO EDUCATE AND PREPARE EACH STUDENT TO SUCCEED IN
A CHANGING WORLD
2016-2017
Parent/Guardian &
Student Handbook
1
ROBERT FROST ELEMENTARY
CHALLENGE CENTER
STUDENT DAY 7:52-2:45
OFFICE HOURS 7:00-4:00
PHONE 367-6170
3101 S. FOURTH AVE.
SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA 57105
​
PHONE 605-367-6170 / FAX​ 605-367-6071
2
Table of Contents
Robert Frost/Challenge Center Directory
Welcome From Principal Werner
Robert Frost/Challenge Center Expectations, Policies, Procedures, & Information
Accessibility
Activity Tickets
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Art Education
Attendance
Band & Orchestra
Birthday Celebrations
Breakfast & Lunch Program
Bullying & Harassment
Bussing
Character Education
Computer/Technology Usage
Detention
Discipline
Dress Expectations
Drop off and Pick up locations
Electronic Devices/Cell Phones
Extended School Day
Field Trips
Hearing Impaired
Homework
Immunization Requirements
Library
Medication at School
Music Education
Notice of Non-Discrimination
Parking and Traffic
Physical Education
Playground/Recess Time
PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization)
Protection of Pupil Rights
Amendment Notice and Consent/Opt-Responsive Classroom
Safety Patrol
School Nurse
Section 504 Plans
Special Education
Student Council
Visiting at School
Volunteer Information
Wake Up to Wellness
Appendix
3
4
5
6
6
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7
8
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Robert Frost and Challenge Center Staff
Office:
Principal: Ms. Colleen Werner
Administrator Intern: Mr. Mitch Lynch
Lead Secretary: Mrs. Kellie Crossway
Secretary: Mrs. Renee Hurley
Lunch Lady: Mrs. Joan Severson
Counselor, Mrs. Cox
Nurse: Mrs. Anderson
Speech Therapist, Mr. Haak
Classroom Teachers
Robert Frost:
Challenge Center:
Mrs. Knigge Kindergarten
Mrs. Dewey 3​rd​ Grade
Mrs. Ivey 2​nd​ Grade
Mrs. Dooley Kindergarten
Mr. Miller 3​rd​ Grade
Mrs. Jenkins 3​rd​ Grade
Mrs. Bell Kindergarten
Ms. Dewey 3rd Grade
Ms. Hindbjorgen 3​rd​ Grade
Mrs. Nettestad Kindergarten
Mrs. Valnes 4th Grade
Mrs. Brower 4​th​ Grade
Mrs. Nicholson 1​st​ Grade
Mrs. Schriever 4​th​ Grade
Mrs. Bleil 4​th​ Grade
Mrs. Sigl 1​st​ Grade
Mrs. Dumke 4​th​ Grade
Mrs. Appel 5​th​ Grade
Mrs. Howes 1​st​ Grade
Mrs. Peterson 5​th​ Grade
Mrs. Potter 5​th​ Grade
Mrs. Rames 2​nd​ Grade
Miss Wiley 5​th​ Grade
Mrs. Powell 2​nd​ Grade
Mrs. Ellis 5​th​ Grade
Mrs. Hofer 2​nd​ Grade
Mr. Peterson PE
Mr. Erickson Librarian
Mr. Struck PE
Mrs. Stavig LIA
Ms. Rhodes Art
Mrs. Boyle Resource
Mrs. Brunick Art
Ms. Neugebauer Resource
Mrs. Skadsen OT
Mrs. Moriarty Music
Mrs. Spangler Orchestra
Mrs. Hazard PT
Mrs. Michailidis Music
Mr. Jensen Band
Mrs. Bell Instructional Coach
4
Welcome to another great year at
Robert Frost and Challenge Center!
D​earItParents/Guardians,
is our pleasure to welcome you and your family to the Robert Frost/Challenge Center community.
The Robert Frost/Challenge Center staff and we look forward to working with your children as they learn and
grow this school year. We know that the most important adults in children’s lives – parents, guardians,
grandparents, etc. – are their “first” teachers, and so we offer our support to you in this important role. We wish
to partner with you in educating and preparing your child for our ever-changing world.
Our school’s first priority is to teach each of our students so that they can reach grade level expectations
at their fullest potential and to reach success in functioning in our social world. We want to provide you
information you need about our school so you may become an active partner in this endeavor. This
Parent/Guardian & Student Handbook contains general information about our school. Please reference it and
other materials in the parent/guardian folder throughout the school year.
We believe your involvement in your child’s education is very important. We encourage you to consider
the many ways you can be involved, no matter what kind of schedule you have. There are many opportunities to
engage in your child’s year of learning.
If you have questions, concerns, or comments at ​any time during the school year, do not hesitate to call.
We are here to help.
Sincerely,
Colleen C. Werner
Robert Frost/Challenge Center
Elementary Principal
Mitch Lynch
Robert Frost/Challenge Center
Administrator Intern
5
Robert Frost/Challenge Center Expectations, Policies, Procedures, & Information
ACCESSIBILITY
Accessibility - Persons
​
with disabilities may contact the building principal or site administrator
at least 72 hours before the event to obtain reasonable accommodations needed to participate in
District programs or activities. If the principal or site administrator is unable to address the
request, concerns should be referred to the Supervisor of Health Services at the Instructional
Planning Center
ACTIVITY
TICKETS
Activity Tickets - Student
​
activity tickets to Lincoln, Washington and Roosevelt athletic contests are available to
elementary students. The
​
activity ticket that can be used by elementary students for Lincoln, Roosevelt,
and Washington athletic contests is again available for your students. The elementary student activity
ticket will again be different from the middle school and high school ticket.
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Arrival ​– Students who eat breakfast at school may arrive at 7:30 AM. No other students should
arrive before 7:40 AM unless they are meeting with a teacher or attending a meeting. Students should
go to the playground before school. Students enter through the playground doors only. To avoid
congestion at the doors, the first bell rings at 7:52 AM for students to line up and enter the building.
​
The second bell rings at 7:55. Students
are expected to be in their classroom ready for the day at 8:00
AM. Any student who arrives after 8:00 AM will need to get an “Admit to the Building” slip from the office before
going to class and will be counted tardy.
Dismissal ​– Classrooms begin preparing for dismissal at 2:40. Students who ride a day care van or are picked up by a
parent exit the building through their classroom designated exit doors on the playground (4th​ & 5th​ - south/west doors;
2​nd & 3rd​ - middle south doors; Kdg. & 1​st – doors east of playground). Students who ride day care vans are checked
off as they enter the van. Students who ride a bus are escorted to the bus by an EA or teacher to the bus pick up and
then checked off as they enter the bus. Students are to be seated on their bus by 2:50. If your child is to meet a sibling
or another student after school, please help them designate a meeting spot on the playground. Parent/Guardians who
wish to meet their child at their classroom door are required to sign-in and sign-out at the office and follow the security
procedures. It is recommended that parents/guardians meet children outside their dismissal door or another designated
location on the playground after school. Following these expectations helps to create a safe and orderly dismissal.
After school, students are expected to leave the school grounds immediately upon dismissal. Students must remain
inside the fenced area until their ride arrives. Supervision is provided until 3:00 pm.
ART EDUCATION
Art Classes ​– All elementary students receive 70 minutes of art instruction per week. In the primary
grades, instruction may be provided in two 35-minute sessions. In the intermediate grades, students
receive a 70-minute art class.
6
ATTENDANCE
Absences -
Regular attendance is very important for academic success. Gaps in understanding and classroom
experiences can result any time a student misses school. For this reason, families are encouraged to
schedule appointments, trips, and vacations during natural school breaks as much as possible.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) are expected to notify the school regarding a student’s absence prior to 8:00
AM on the day of the absence. An absence must be reported either by note, email or phone call.
If requested, students who were absent from school for any reason shall submit in written form the specific reasons for
their absence, the specific days or times they were absent and a signature of the parent/guardian. Schools may require
verification of absence from a doctor, dentist or other professional as deemed necessary by the principal.
After attendance is collected each morning, elementary and middle school office personnel begin calling
parents/guardians who have not notified the school regarding a student’s absence. Student safety is the main concern
and this procedure provides another check on a student’s absence.
Elementary School Attendance
●
●
●
Attendance will be tracked by the instructional minute. A student’s lunch period does not count towards
instructional minutes.
A student who reports within the first thirty minutes of the start of the school day (tardy), or leaves within the
last thirty minutes (leaving early) of the day will not be marked absent. Students arriving late, or leaving early,
will be checked-in, or checked-out, at the administrative office.
When a student has fifteen consecutive absences for skipping, or when the school is not-notified of the reason
for the absence, the student will be dropped from enrollment. The student may subsequently re-enroll at any
time at their home attendance center.
Frequent absences may require a variety of school and community interventions to be enacted such as the following:
1) an attendance concern meeting may be held with the parent/guardians to discuss the matter, 2) our school social
worker may visit the home, 3) a plan or contract may be written and agreed upon to ensure better attendance habits,
and/or, 4) a truancy petition may be filed. Ten or more absences per school year are considered “excessive” according
to the District’s attendance policy enacted in the fall of 2008. Students who have medical reasons for frequent
absences will need documented evidence of their condition. Parent/Guardians in these situations will need to work
closely with the administration and school nurse regarding medical issues which prevent their child from having
regular attendance. Families will receive a written communication regarding attendance after the fifth absence.
Tardiness and leaving early
1. Tardiness is defined as a student’s initial appearance to an assigned area after the designated starting time.
2. Leaving early is defined as the departure from an assigned area at any time before the designated ending time.
3. A student who is tardy, or leaves early,should report to the administrative/attendance office.
4. Teachers will emphasize the importance of being on time and explain the classroom rules and procedures for
tardiness. Tardiness sanctions should be consistently applied and should be sequential.
7
BAND & ORCHESTRA
Band & Orchestra – Students
​
in 5th grade are invited to participate in the band program. Students in 4th and 5th
grades are invited to participate in the orchestra program. Each student is allocated up to 80
minutes/week for small group, individual lessons, and large group rehearsal. Students who
bring their instruments in the morning must enter the building through entrance H on the
playground. Students may place them in Band/Orchestra room storage area for safekeeping.
Two band & orchestra concerts will be held at Robert Frost/Challenge Center Elementary
each school year. An “Informance” is performed in the fall and a concert in the spring. See PTO
​
Activities Calendar
for dates.
BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATIONS
Birthdays will be recognized on the day of the birthday. Weekend or holiday birthdays will be celebrated on the
preceding Friday or following Monday. If
​ a birthday is a summer birthday before school starts or after it ends in
June, ½ birthdays will be recognized. Students may bring birthday treats to school to celebrate with their class the
day of their birthday. Treats should be store-bought
​
in the original packaging due to many food allergies and other
food related medical reasons. Invitations to private parties outside of school must be mailed to the classmates’ homes.
The principal will recognize student birthdays with a card and a pencil or pen. No balloons should be brought to school
due to allergies. Please do not send or drop off balloon or gift deliveries for students.
BREAKFAST
& LUNCH PROGRAM
Breakfast – Students may eat breakfast between 7:30-7:55 each school day (except days of late starts due to inclement
​
weather). Meal
prices and more
Breakfast prices are as follows:
● $1.80 full price
● $.30 reduced price
● $2.10 adult.
Free and reduced lunch applications are available in the office.
Breakfast Menu calendar
Lunch Menu calendar
Lunch – Students have the choice of eating a packed lunch from home or purchasing a hot lunch. Students may
choose to purchase milk if they have a packed lunch or to bring their own drink. Soda drinks should not be packed in
students’ lunches. Each grade gets a 45-minute recess/lunch period.
​
Following are the lunch/recess periods: (classes
eat lunch first, then go out to recess)
●
●
●
●
●
●
Kdg.
3rd
4th
1st
2nd
5th
10:55-11:40
11:00-11:45
11:30-12:15
11:35-12:20
12:05-12:50
12:10-12:55
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Lunch prices are as follows:
●
●
●
●
$2.60 full price;
$.40 reduced price;
$3.30 adult;
$.30 milk for student/$.35 for adult
Guests at Lunch - Parents/Guardians, grandparents or other special guests are invited to join students for breakfast or
lunch any day of the week. If you are ordering a school lunch, please contact the office ([email protected]) by
8:30 the day of your lunch date with your order. We understand lunch with our students can be an enjoyable and
positive experience for our students, however with our enrollment this year, we must also be able to house everyone so
they can eat comfortably.
Application for Free & Reduced Breakfast & Lunch – Forms
​
to apply for the free and reduced breakfast and lunch
program are included in the “Welcome to Robert Frost/Challenge Center Elementary” information and can be obtained
at any time during the school year by calling or stopping by the school office. You can also apply online at
http://www.schoollunchapp.com.​
BULLYING
&
HARASSMENT
Bullying & Harassment - Any form of aggressive or abusive behavior in word or deed will not be tolerated at school.
The District’s discipline plan will be followed in the event that a student is responsible for
aggressive and abusive words or deeds. Students who experience or observe bullying or harassing
behaviors are expected to report the incidents to a staff member and a parent at home. Robert
Frost/Challenge Center and the whole school district has adopted the Olweus Bully Prevention
program that emphasizes the by-standers needing to report these behaviors. The staff will then
take the appropriate action.
Robert Frost/Challenge Center Elementary staff teaches critical social skills throughout the year to limit and eliminate
​
behaviors which are unsafe or disrespectful. A basic principle of the Responsive
Classroom Approach used by Robert
Frost/Challenge Center staff is that “the social curriculum is as important as the academic curriculum”. We will do all
that is needed to help children understand how to treat one another safely and with respect. The basic principles of the
Responsive Classroom Approach (listed later in this handbook) may be reinforced in homes as well to support
appropriate behaviors at home and school.
BUSSING
Bussing - School Bus Inc. provides all bus transportation for the Sioux Falls School District.
Students who ride the bus are required to follow safety and social rules so that everyone has a
​
safe and comfortable ride to and from school. Please refer to the school
districts SMART bus
ride policy located on the district webpage for further information. ​Students should report to
their bus stop 5 minutes early in the morning and be on the bus by 2:50 after school.
Teachers will be sure to dismiss students by 2:43 so that students may safely board buses in a timely manner. Some
field trips also utilize buses for transportation. Buses drop-off and pick-up on the east side of Robert Frost/Challenge
Center Elementary. ​Parents/Guardians and staff may not drive in or park in the designated bus parking areas at
any time.
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CHARACTER EDUCATION
Character Education – ​Students will be taught appropriate social skills daily and encouraged to develop qualities of
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship on a daily basis through
the ​Responsive Classroom Approach. At all times, students and adults are expected to treat each
other with respect and kindness at Robert Frost/Challenge Center Elementary. The counselor
and staff will teach and reinforce appropriate behavior. In addition, the staff will select students
monthly to be recognized for their outstanding character. These students will be nominated by
staff and reviewed and selected by a team of teachers and support staff.
COMPUTER/TECHNOLOGY USAGE
Computer/Technology Usage – Students will use Chromebooks, computers, ipads, and ipods in the classroom on a
daily basis. A half lab is set up in the library for whole class lessons. K-2 have seven iPads in their
classrooms. In our 3rd​ through 5th​ grade classrooms students are issued individual Chromebooks for
daily use in the classroom. Students and parents are to sign a loan agreement stating they agree to the
responsibilities detailed on the agreement. Families are also be given the opportunity to purchase
insurance on the Chromebooks through the district. The use of these technology resources is a
privilege, not a right. Misuse, recklessness, and attempts of accessing inappropriate websites may cause a student to
lose this privilege temporarily or for the duration of the school year.
DETENTION
Detention – A student may be required to serve a detention for inappropriate behavior, or
incomplete assignments. Parents/Guardians will be notified in advance of a scheduled detention.
DISCIPLINE
Discipline –​ Robert Frost/Challenge Center Elementary is committed to providing a safe and nurturing
environment for children to learn and grow within. Expectations for behavior will be clearly taught and
enforced throughout the school year. Our school’s “low level behavior plan” uses Logical Consequence
Tickets to alert students and their parent/guardians of minor infractions they have committed in the school day. (See
Appendix for “Robert Frost/Challenge Center’s Low Level Behavior Plan”). By addressing the smaller infractions and
teaching appropriate social skills, it is hoped that most major discipline problems can be avoided. Continued minor
misbehavior and major infractions will result in an office referral and consequences will be administered according to
the District Discipline Consequence Plan (See ​School District website or handout at open house).
DRESS
EXPECTATIONS
Students’ dress, hair or body art should not distract from the educational process in any way.
Undergarments should not show and tops and bottoms ​must meet in the middle.​ ​Pants must be
worn to cover one’s bottom completely.​ (No butt cleavage or underwear sticking out) Girls are
not to wear spaghetti strap tops. Students should dress according to the weather conditions. It is
advised that students have a sweatshirt or light jacket at school even when the weather is
predicted to be warm since mornings are often very cool and weather can be unpredictable. Students will be expected
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to go outside for all recesses unless it is raining or snowing heavily or if the temperature or wind chill dips below zero
degrees. If any family does not have the means to provide proper clothing for their child during extreme weather
conditions, they should contact the school’s guidance counselor, Mrs. Cox, to seek resources available.
DROP
OFF AND
PICK
UP
PROCEDURES
AND EXPECTATIONS
In order to expedite drop off and pick up for families and keep children safe, all traffic for Robert Frost/Challenge
Center Elementary ​must enter the parent drop off lane from 40​th Street driving from South to North. It is imperative
that all cars drive all the way forward so all students may exit simultaneously and another fleet of cars may drive up
and drop off. This will keep the traffic moving smoothly and in a timely manner. If cars continuously do not pull
forward, it affects the amount of cars able to enter the drop off lane and slows traffic flow. Only allow students to exit
your car on the right side so that they can step directly onto the sidewalk. Do not let students exit on the left side of
your car as this will force them to walk in between cars dropping off their students. This is not safe for your child.
**Please do not pull into parking spots on the west side of the drive through. No
students getting dropped off in the IPC lot and cutting between cars and walking
across the drive through .**
During drop-off and pick-up times, there will be no
​ parking​ in the drive-through drop-off.
Parents wishing to walk their child/children to the playground before school may park on 40​th​ Street.
After school ​please do not park on 40th street in the coned off area ​as this area is reserved for day care vans.
All traffic must respect school zone speed limits and respectfully yield to cross-walks. Failure to follow traffic laws
may result in citations by law enforcement officials.
Parents/guardians must pull all the way forward to drop off or pick up their student and student(s) must be ready or
present when stopping to allow traffic to continue to flow. There is no parking at any time before, during, or after
school in the drive through. For student safety, children may only exit or enter cars on the right side.
**Students and parents are advised to avoid walking between cars as it is unsafe**
PARKING LOT:​ Our Robert Frost/Challenge Center parking lot is for our staff. Please do not park or drop off in
the parking lot. ·
WALKING STUDENTS:​ All students walking to and from school must go directly to and from school on
designated safe routes. They must adhere to the direction of safety patrol teams and Robert Frost/Challenge Center
staff.
BICYCLES:​ Bicycles are to be parked in the racks located next to the playground upon arrival at school. Students
are required to ​walk their bikes when on school property. Students are not permitted to gather around the bicycle racks
during school hours. Students are encouraged to have their bicycles registered and licensed with the Sioux Falls Police
Department.
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ELECTRONIC
DEVICES/CELL PHONES
Electronic Devices – ​Bringing electronic devices to school is discouraged. They may be lost, damaged, borrowed and
not returned, or stolen. If a student brings a device to school, it must remain in the student's backpack. Robert
Frost/Challenge Center staff will not be held responsible for damaged or lost devices.
Cell Phones​ – Some parents may permit students to have a cell phone in their backpack at school
for security reasons and information relaying. Cell phones must be powered down and left in the
student’s backpack during the school day and only used on the way to and from school.
Elementary students are not allowed to use cell phones on a school bus unless given permission
by a teacher or bus driver during a field trip.
EXTENDED
SCHOOL DAY
Extended School Day – Students may receive additional learning assistance after school or to
complete expected assignments and projects. This assistance may be scheduled from 2:45-3:30 on
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, students may stay after school to work while
being assisted by a teacher. Parents/Guardians will be notified in advance if a student needs to stay
for this extended period.
Early Release
In the event of inclimate weather and an early release, parents are asked to complete a form at Open
House, detailing the plan for such an event.
FIELD
TRIPS
Field Trips – ​Throughout the school year, field trips which enhance the curriculum may be
scheduled by the classroom teacher. Information about field trips will be provided to families
in advance and permission for participation must be obtained prior to the activity.
Parents/Guardians who volunteer to drive students on field trips, must complete an “Sioux
Falls School District Volunteer Registration Form ” (obtained through the classroom teacher
or school office) stating that the driver meets the requirements of having a valid driver’s
license, owning comprehensive liability and property damage insurance, and having no careless/exhibition driving or
driving under the influence violations in the past two years. They must also complete the online background check
located at ​www.sf.k12.sd.us/volunteer and provide a copy of auto insurance and the driver’s license to be kept on file
at the school. Some field trips will use school bus transportation.
HEARING
IMPAIRED
Hearing Impaired - ​For Relay services for the hearing impaired: dial 711, then the desired
number.
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HOMEWORK
Homework - Students
​
will be given homework as an opportunity to deepen their understanding,
practice, and improve their skills. Homework will vary in length and content based on the grade
level of the student. On an average, students can expect approximately 10 minutes of homework
x the grade level they are currently a student (for example 3rd​ grade x 10 minutes = 30 minutes of
homework). Students who do not complete expected homework and reading assignments may lose recess privileges or
be assigned to an “extended learning period” after school.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL 13-28-7.1) requires that any pupil entering school or an early childhood program,
shall, prior to admission, be required to present certification from a licensed physician that the child has received or is
in the process of receiving adequate immunization against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, rubeola, rubella, mumps,
tetanus, meningitis, and varicella according to recommendations provided by the Department of Health. The
Department of Health may modify or delete any of the required immunizations. Failure to have an up-to-date
immunization record may exclude you from school until the requirement is met. Exclusion from school for failure to
complete health requirements does not exempt a child from mandatory school attendance. Truancy procedures will be
followed.
LIBRARY
Library – Each
​
classroom will have a 35-minute library instructional session with our certified librarian each week.
The sessions will teach children research and literacy skills. Students will have the opportunity to
check out books and magazines from the library during class sessions as well as other times
throughout the school day. The library is available for students between 7:40 AM and 3:30 PM
daily. Library materials need to be returned promptly in order for students to be able to
continually check out additional resources.
MEDICATIONS
AT SCHOOL
Medications at School – ​In order for any medications to be given at school, authorization must
be provided by the student’s physician on an annual basis. This includes all prescription and
over-the-counter medication. The authorization, dosage, and time of day to administer the
medication must be included on the documentation. Forms to authorize trained school personnel
to give the medication to a student may be obtained in the school office. Parents/Guardians are
asked to update the medication authorization if the child’s medication changes during the school year. The
parent/guardian is responsible for transporting medications to/from school. Students should not transport any
medications. It is advised that parents/guardians administer medications as much as possible outside of the school day.
Cough drops are the only exception, these may be sent daily with only the needed number of drops and a parent
permission form completed. (form in appendix)
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MUSIC EDUCATION
Music Classes – ​Each elementary classroom will have music instruction classes two times each week
at 35 minutes per session. Our 5​th grade will put on a vocal concert in the fall semester and 2​nd grade in
the spring semester. Check the PTO Activities calendar for dates.
NOTICE
OF NONDISCRIMINATION/EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY
Notice of Non-Discrimination - ​In an effort to provide a safe, respectful educational environment,
the District prohibits discrimination in its policies, employment practices and programs on the basis
of race, color, creed, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or ancestry.
In addition, the District shall not discriminate in the opportunities for students on the basis of
parental status, marital status, or pregnancy, nor shall such students be excluded from any program
or activity, including any class or any extra-curricular activity. Prohibited acts of discrimination
include racial, sexual, ethnic or other types of slurs, insults, intimidation, harassment and other
conduct directed toward another person in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (discrimination based on disability); Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964 (discrimination based on national origin or race); Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (discrimination
based on gender); and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (discrimination based on age).
Individuals with concerns or inquiries about discrimination are encouraged to attempt to resolve the grievance
informally by working with the administrator most directly involved in the situation. If resolution is not achieved, the
following persons have been designated to handle inquiries and formal complaints regarding the application of
non-discrimination policies:
● Assistant Superintendent, 201 East 38​th​ Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105-5898, (605) 367-7816.
● Section 504 (discrimination based on disability): Supervisor-Health Services, 201 East 38th​ Street, Sioux
Falls, SD 57105-5898, (605) 367-7933.In the event resolution of discrimination issues has not been
addressed by the District, inquiries may be referred to the Kansas City Office, Office of Civil Rights, US
Department of Education, 8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2037, Kansas City, MO 64114-3302. (816)
268-0550; FAX# (816) 823-1404, email [email protected]
For Relay services for the hearing impaired: dial 711, then the desired number.
PARKING &
TRAFFIC AROUND THE SCHOOL
Parking & Traffic Around the School – Safe
​
parking and driving around the school is critical. No
​ one should
drive in and/or park on the east side of the school in the bus parking or on 40th street in
the daycare drop-off coned area and pick-up area at any time. Drivers should follow speed
limits (15 mph in the school zone) and traffic signs to ensure safety for students and vehicles, as
well as orderliness around the school. Violators of the traffic and parking rules may result in
ticketing by police officers. No
​
students should ever be dropped off in the middle of the
street. (this
​
could result in a $125 fine) Parking and drop off is prohibited in the handicapped
parking area in front of the school and in the parking lot.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE) – Each
​
elementary classroom will have physical education classes two times each week
at 35 minutes per session. Students
​
in 4th
​ & 5th
​ grade are expected to bring gym clothes to
14
change into during their physical education sessions. Younger students do not need to change clothes for gym
classes, but should wear comfortable and safe shoes and clothing on PE days. In the spring of the year, the school has
a Fabulous Field Day for all elementary students.
PLAYGROUND/RECESS TIME – Students
​
will have regular scheduled recess breaks on the playground daily. Each
grade has 20 minutes of recess at the noon hour. Besides the noon recess, all
grades are scheduled for one 20 min. recess. Additional recesses may be
scheduled and taken by grades k-2 on an “as needed” basis. Recess time may
occasionally need to be used by students to provide educational support for
students or for discipline reasons. Students are expected to follow playground expectations (see ​Appendix) so recess
may be a safe and respectful experience for all.
PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PT0)
Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) – The
​
Robert Frost/Challenge Center PTO welcomes parents/guardians and
educators to become involved in this organization. The purpose of the PTO is to support students,
the educational process, and to provide community-building experiences for our school. Some of
the activities sponsored by the PTO include: roller-skating parties, science fair, Robert Frost Day,
book fairs, movie night at Robert Frost/Challenge Center, and the art show and ice cream social.
PROTECTION
OF PUPIL RIGHTS AMENDMENT NOTICE AND CONSENT/OPT-OUT FOR SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
​
PPRA - The
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. § 123h, requires school districts to notify
parents/guardians and obtain consent or allow parents/guardians to opt their children out of
participating in certain school activities. These activities include a student survey, analysis, or
evaluation that concerns one or more of the following eight areas (“protected information
surveys”):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
Sex behavior or attitudes;
Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or
Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.
This requirement also applies to the collection, disclosure or use of student information for marketing purposes
(“marketing surveys”), and certain physical exams and screenings.
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When a protected information activity is scheduled during the school year, the district will provide parents, within a
reasonable period of time prior to the administration of the surveys and activities, notification of the surveys and
activities and an opportunity to opt their child out, as well as an opportunity to review the surveys. (Please note that
this notice and consent/opt-out transfers from parents to any student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor
under State law.)
RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM APPROACH
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Responsive Classroom Approach - The Responsive
​
Classroom Approach
​
is a model for teaching
and learning that fosters safe, challenging, and joyful classrooms and schools. Since
​
1981,
thousands of classroom teachers and hundreds of schools have used the Responsive
​
Classroom
Approach to help create learning environments where children thrive academically, socially, and
emotionally. Robert Frost/Challenge Center Elementary Staff will use this approach school-wide.
There are seven basic principles which provide the foundation for this approach:
The social curriculum is as important as the academic curriculum.
How children learn is as important as what they learn: Process and content go hand in hand.
The greatest cognitive growth occurs through social interaction.
To be successful academically and socially, children need a set of social skills: cooperation, assertion,
responsibility, empathy, and self-control.
Knowing the children we teach-individually, culturally, and developmentally-is as important as knowing the
content we teach.
Knowing the families of the children we teach and working with them as partners is essential to children's
education.
How the adults at school work together is as important as their individual competence: Lasting change begins
with the adult community.
SAFETY
PATROL
​
​
Safety Patrol – Robert
Frost/Challenge Center 5th​ grade students serve
as Safety Patrol officers
throughout the school year to provide safety for children as they cross intersections on their way
to and from school. The 5th graders assigned to this duty are volunteers and need to report on
time and complete their duty according to the training they are provided. Fluorescent-colored
vests are located in the 5​th grade classrooms for students to wear during their duty. These must
be worn outside of their jackets or coats. Morning safety patrols need to be at their post no later
than 7:40 AM. Afternoon safety patrols will be released from their classroom a couple of minutes before the 2:45 bell
to get to their post and will remain there until 3:00 PM. Students and their families will be provided a safety patrol
schedule for duty times. If a student is unable to fulfill their duty, they are responsible for arranging for a substitute
with their teacher beforehand. If the safety patrol student is ill the day of their duty, he/she should call another safety
patrol student to arrange for a replacement. Rain slickers are provided for student patrols during wet weather.​ If the
temperatures or wind chill dip below zero, safety patrol students do not need to report to their post.
SCHOOL NURSE
School Nurse – ​A part-time nurse provides medical advisement and assistance at our school on a
weekly basis. The nurse oversees and directs services for students who have allergies, medication
needs, and other specialized care. Our school nurse oversees medical-social reports required for
student evaluations.
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SECTION 504 PLANS
Section 504 Plans – ​Students, who have a condition that may impede their learning, but does not fall under the
auspices of special education, may have a 504 Plan that is developed cooperatively with the
classroom teacher, parents/guardians, student, 504 coordinator, and principal. The teacher is
expected to make all accommodations as outlined on a 504 Accommodation Plan. Plans must be
reviewed annually with the parents. Please consult the Student Teacher Assistance Team
coordinators or the principal for initiating or reviewing a 504 plan.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is designed to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability and
requires that qualified individuals be provided equal access to educational program and services. Policy AC/AC-R,
Equal Opportunity/Non-discrimination, prohibits discrimination based upon disability. The Sioux Falls School District
must identify and evaluate students who may be eligible due to the following conditions:
1. A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (i.e. caring for one’s
self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning or working) or
2. A record of having an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or
3. An impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
If you think your child might be eligible for a Section 504 plan and in need of accommodations to access education
services, please contact the principal at your school.
If parents/guardians disagree with the Section 504 services for their child, contact the principal and if not resolved,
contact the Health Services Supervisor at the Instructional Planning Center. ​Policy and Regulations ACE and
ACE-R (Foundations and Basic commitments), which outline specific policy and grievance procedures, can be found
on the Sioux Falls School District web site at ​www.sf.k12.sd.us
The designated District 504 Coordinator is: Health Services Supervisor, 201 E. 38th​ Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105,
(605) 367-7933.
In the event resolution of discrimination issues has not been addressed by the District, inquiries may be referred to the
Kansas City Office, Office of Civil Rights, US Department of Education, 8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2037, Kansas
City, MO 64114-3302. (816) 268-0550; FAX# (816) 823-1404, email [email protected]
SPECIAL
EDUCATION
Special Education – ​Special educational programming is provided to students who need additional assistance,
therapy, or an alternative curriculum. Children who receive resource room assistance, speech
therapy, occupational therapy, or physical therapy have an individualized education plan. Children
are identified for special services through a recommendation process that includes the classroom
teacher, our SAT team, and testing for needed services. When a student is served by an individual
education plan (IEP), an annual meeting is held to review progress and to develop a new plan for
services. This meeting involves teachers, parents/guardians, therapists, and any other individuals who are part of the
team involved in the programming needs of the child.
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STUDENT
COUNCIL
Student Council –Student
​
representatives are selected from each 4​th & 5th​ grade section to
serve on Robert Frost/Challenge Center’s Student Council. Students are selected from each
section in these grades through a process which requires that the student writes an essay about
their desire and intent for being a member of this governing group, a review of the essays by
the guidance counselor, principal, and teachers, and through a review of the students’ present
and past character, effort, and interest in the common good for all Robert Frost/Challenge
Center students. The Student Council is often involved in charitable projects, special
school-wide activities, voicing their thoughts and ideas to individuals involved in decisions that affect the school, and
supporting school events.
VISITING
AT SCHOOL
Visiting at School – ​Parents/Guardians, grandparents, and other family members are encouraged to visit the school.
Upon arrival, all visitors must sign-in in the office and exchange their government issued ID for a building visitor’s
badge. When departing, visitors must return to the office and sign out and return the badge
for their ID. Visitors are welcomed to assist in the classroom while present. If a visitor
would like to become a volunteer at school, a volunteer registration form must be completed.
See the section on “Volunteer Information” for additional notes on this subject. Unauthorized
visitors based on court order documents will be restricted from contact with students when
the school is provided a copy of such records.
VOLUNTEER
INFORMATION
Volunteer Information – ​Robert Frost/Challenge Center Elementary welcomes the
involvement of school volunteers. A wide range of opportunities is available for volunteer involvement in
our school. Any person who works without pay on a regular or occasional basis is considered a volunteer
​
and is subject to registration and approval. All
volunteers must fill out the Sioux Falls School District
Volunteer Registration Form on an annual basis. The building principal will check the names of all
volunteers against the Sex Offender Registry. After the principal checks the names against the Sex Offender
Registry and has approved volunteers to work at Robert Frost/Challenge Center Elementary, the volunteers’
names are submitted to the Human Resources Department of the Sioux Falls School District on a volunteer
workers form. Volunteers then may begin working volunteering in the school. Volunteers
​
who may be
required to work with a student/or students without direct supervision, on or off school grounds, will be
required to undergo a criminal background investigation conducted by the Human Resources Department.
Parents/Guardians or other volunteers who volunteer to drive students to a school activity are required to
complete the Sioux Falls School District Activity Driver Certification Form and the on line volunteer’s
background check.
Unsupervised Volunteer
Volunteer Registration Form
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Volunteer Information Handbook
WAKE UP
TO
WELLNESS
To provide parents opportunities to network and meet their children’s friends and families, the last Friday of the
each quarter our PTO and Fuel Up to Play 60 Wellness Council will sponsor “Wake Up to Wellness” for our
Robert Frost/Challenge Center families. Each quarter families from two grade levels will be invited to come and
enjoy a Healthy breakfast with their child. “Wake Up to Wellness” will be held in our multi-purpose room.
Serving will begin at 7:00AM.
● November 6​th​ - Kindergarten and Third Grade families
● January 21​st​ – First and Fourth Grade families
● April 1st – Second and Fifth Grade families
Appendix
Robert Frost/Challenge Center Elementary School PATH Route
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Robert Frost/Challenge Center Expectations
Robert Frost/Challenge Center “Low-Level” behavior Plan
Policy KI School/Community/Home Relations—Visitors to Schools
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
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Always Believe in Children
In their ​Abilities.
​
​Brilliance.
​
​Courage.
​
​Dreams.
​
​Energy.
​
​Future.
​
​Gifts.
​
​Humor.
​
Innocence.
​
Journey.
​ ​
​Kindness.
​
​Learning.
​
​Magic.
​
​Needs.
​
​Outlook.
​
​Potential.
​
Questions.
​
Reach.
​ ​
Success.
​ ​
​Talent.
​
​Uniqueness.
​
​Victories.
​
​Wonder.
​
​Excellence.
​
Youth.
​
​Zest.
​
Believe in all the promise and possibilities children hold.
It’s as simple as ABC.
E.L. Anderson
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