Family Handbook

State law requires students to attend school regularly and to be punctual, in accordance with State Law RCW 28A.225. Parents are to call Madrona Office at 206-631-4100 or send a note if your child is absent from school. Repeated unexcused absences will result in the Becca Bill process.

(Washington State’s Truancy Law)

One unexcused absence. The school must inform the parent when there is one unexcused absence. This is often done by a phone call home.

Three unexcused absences. On the third unexcused absence, the school is required to schedule a meeting with the parent/guardian and student to discuss the causes of the unexcused absences and find solutions to prevent further absences. This is a team effort.

Five unexcused absences within 30 days. The school must enter a into a written truancy agreement with the family, where the parent, student and school agree on the necessary steps to resolve the student’s attendance program.

Seven unexcused absences during a month or at the tenth unexcused absence within a school year. The school district will file a petition in juvenile court to order the student to attend the school. If this court order is violated, the court will call for a Contempt Hearing and the student could be ordered to do community service or spend time in juvenile detention. The parent may be fined up to $25 for each day of unexcused absence.

Excused Absences

The only legal excuses for absence from school are personal illness, serious illness or death in the immediate family, or medical appointments/ procedures.

Unexcused Absences

An unexcused absence is defined as any absence from school which is not due to illness, serious illness or death of immediate family, or medical appointments/procedures. Family vacations are considered unexcused absences.

HSD Truancy Officer

Veronique Chevallier-Gruschow 206-631-3267.

To ensure adequate supervision before school we ask that students do not arrive before 8:20 a.m. Parents will be called to pick up students who arrive before 8:20 a.m.

School begins at 8:45 a.m. Students that are not with their class at 8:45 a.m. are tardy and need to report to the office for a tardy slip. If your student is late to school please provide a note or phone call. Parents should drop off students who are late at the office, not in front of the school. Please do not escort students directly to the classroom.

As a safety precaution, we only release children to parents/guardians/emergency contacts. Although space is limited, feel free to list more names than the allowed by the other lines provided. If you need your child released early to someone other than the parent/guardian/emergency contact, please call or send a signed note to the office. Our office staff may ask for photo identification of anyone who comes to pick up your child.

Monday - Thursday

Friday

Unless otherwise posted on the district calendar.

Parents are welcome to visit their child’s classroom.  To do so you must pre-arrange with the classroom teacher at an agreeable date and time for the visit and your purpose.

We ask that the following rules be followed by visitors:

• Sign in at the office upon their arrival before going to assigned class.
• Be mindful that classes are in session when walking through the halls.
• Wear a visitors badge at all times; staff will then be aware that the adult checked in at the office.

Parent/community volunteers serve as a vital link between home and school by providing a variety of services. Home and school partnerships show children that school and learning are important. There are a variety of volunteer positions available for interested persons.  

In order to protect our children, the Washington State Legislature has mandated that all volunteers be cleared before being allowed to volunteer. Forms are available in the office and must be on file prior to the volunteer activity. This includes chaperoning field trips.

Invitations are not to be handed out at school unless they are for the whole class. Treats for classroom celebrations are acceptable but must be store bought or pre-packaged items only. Please coordinate with the classroom teacher in advance. Balloons are not allowed in the building.

Madrona has been fortunate enough to receive a grant which allows all students to enjoy a nutritious and free meal in their classroom at the start of the school day. Breakfast is served in the classroom between 8:45 a.m. and 9:05 a.m. each day. Lunch is also free for all students at Madrona.

Madrona families are not required to fill out a Free and Reduced Meal Application. If you receive a Family Income Survey, we encourage families to fill it out in order for Madrona to continue receiving the grant for all students to receive free meals.

If you also have students at other schools within the Highline School District, you will still need to fill out the Free and Reduced Meal Application.

Classroom teachers communicate students’ general progress with parents/guardians during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Parent-Teacher Conferences are held in November at which time the first report card will be given to the parents. Conferences will be held the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday immediately prior to Thanksgiving. During this 3-day conference period, there will be no school for students. However, students are expected to attend conferences with their parents/guardians.  Additional report cards will be sent home with students in the middle of March and again on the last day of the school year.

A parent/guardian may confer with his/her child’s teacher at any time during the school year. Make an appointment by either writing a note, sending an email to the teacher or by calling the school office 206-631-4100. 

Students are responsible for the textbooks assigned to them and for library books they check out. 

Students may use a school phone to contact parents/guardians after receiving permission from their teacher. If you need to speak with your child, we will arrange for him/her to return your call during recess. Be aware that the office becomes extremely busy at the end of the day so changes to daily routine (how to get home, who to walk with, where to go after school) need to be arranged before students come to school.

Medication may not be given to your child without a written physician’s order. This includes over-the-counter medicines, eye ointment, eye drops, ear medications, nose spray, and cough drops.  If it is necessary for medicine to be administered at school, parents need to provide the following:

• A physician’s order which includes name(s) of the medicine and the time(s) and amount(s) to be dispensed.
• A medical authorization form signed by the parent and doctor giving school personnel permission to administer the medication. These forms are available in the office.
• All medication must be in pharmacy containers and will be stored in the school office.

Only trained personnel will administer the medication. No medications may be in your child’s possession while at school.

For the protection of your child, Washington State Law requires that we have a Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) on file for each student. This certificate must be presented at the time the student is registered for school. These forms and current immunization guidelines are available in the school office. 

If your child’s record shows that immunizations are needed, the school nurse will contact you. All immunizations are the parents’ responsibility. Immunizations will not be given at school.

The school staff is trained to administer first aid for minor injuries.  In the event of a serious injury, 911 will be called. Parents/guardians will be notified as soon as possible of all serious injuries.

If a student becomes ill, parents/guardians will be called to take the child home. If we are unable to reach the parent/guardian, we will contact the designated emergency contact.  If this person is not available, we will keep your child in our health room until someone can be reached. Please  keep your child home if he/she has a fever, has vomited or has had diarrhea in the past 24 hours, otherwise they are expected to be at school.

If your child should become ill during the night or is sick in the morning, please do not send him/her to school.

The school nurse should be contacted if your child has a communicable disease such as measles, chicken pox, German measles, mumps, scarlet fever, fifth disease, whooping cough, hepatitis, or AIDS. Please contact the nurse if your child has any health related concerns.

If your student is found to have lice, we will call home. The student needs to be treated before returning to school. It is important to know that lice causes no health problems. They are strictly a nuisance and once treated a student should return to school.

Regular head checks at home will assist early identification of this condition. Please notify the school if your child has head lice.

Bullying is defined as unfair and one-sided. It happens when someone keeps hurting, frightening, threatening, or excluding someone on purpose.

Examples of bullying include:

• Hurting someone physically
• Taking or damaging another person’s things
• Ganging up on someone
• Teasing someone
• Using put-downs, such as insulting someone’s race or gender
• Touching or showing private parts
• Spreading rumors or gossiping about someone
• Excluding someone or trying to get other kids not to play with him/her

Madrona staff will do the following to prevent bullying and help students feel safe at school:

• Closely supervise students in all areas of the school and playground
• Watch for signs of bullying and stop it when it happens
• Educate our children about violence prevention, anti-bullying practices and teach appropriate social/emotional skills
• Respond quickly and sensitively to bullying reports
• Take seriously parents’ concerns about bullying
• Look into all reported bullying incidents
• Assign consequences for bullying based on school discipline guidelines
• Provide immediate consequences for retaliation against students who report bullying

Madrona students will do the following to prevent bullying:

• Treat everyone respectfully
• Refuse to bully others
• Refuse to let others be bullied
• Refuse to watch, laugh, or join in when someone is being bullied
• Try to include everyone in play, especially those who are often left out
• Report bullying to an adult

District Ombudsman, Isuzu Niizuma Arambula, 206-631-3104

The goal of the Madrona discipline policy is to ensure student safety and to increase responsible behavior by having clearly defined behavior expectations that are taught, practiced, and reinforced. The expectations emphasize safety and common courtesy and sense. They describe the excellent behavior currently practiced by the vast majority of Madrona students.  All staff members encourage responsible behavior through positive interactions and feedback to students. As consequences, verbal reminders and feedback are used to help students be more successful. Logical consequences are used when behavior is recurrent.  Problem solving, conflict resolution, and restitution form the basis of all discipline and will be progressive in most  situations.

Minor Infractions: All minor infractions are handled on the spot, i.e., in the classroom, on the playground, or other areas of the school. Examples of minor infractions include blurting out in class, not following directions or a classroom rule, chewing gum, etc. Minor infractions may result in an “Oops! Form” which must be signed and returned by a parent or guardian.  If behaviors continue, this may result in an Office Discipline Referral.

Major Infractions: All major infractions will be referred to the principal or designee and will result in an Office Discipline Referral to be signed and returned. Major infractions include behaviors such as assault, defiance, fighting, and harassment.

Common Areas

Madrona has established procedures/routines for all common areas. Common areas are the playground, hallways, cafeteria, restrooms, library and the school grounds. Students are taught these procedures so that they understand what behaviors will contribute to a safe and productive learning environment.

Playground Use

People who would like to use Madrona’s outdoor basketball courts, soccer field or other recreational activities may do so when school is not in session. The playground use is limited to students, staff, and designated volunteers during school hours. Indoor facility use must go through the Building Permit Use request form through the district facilities department.

Personal Property

(Including cell phones)

Personal items such as toys, electronic games, cell phones, cameras, radios, etc. are not allowed at school. The school is not responsible for valuables or toys that students bring to school. If a student brings a cell phone per parent permission, it must remain in a backpack and turned off.  Any use of a cell phone once on school property will result in the phone being taken and held in the office until a parent can pick it up.

Custody/Legal Documents

Both Washington State Law and Highline School District policy require that current custody papers for children of divorced parents be on file in the office. Documents must be issued in Washington State, as those from other states are not honored in this state.  Questions regarding custody issues and disputes should be referred to your attorney.

Emergency Cards are kept in the office. These cards must be completed each year.  In the event of an emergency, it is imperative that we know where the children are to go, who can pick them up, current phone numbers, and how to reach parents/family contacts. Please notify the office of any changes that take place during the school year.

(Emergency Changes to the School Schedule)

In the event of an emergency closure, the most accurate report can be found at www.highlineschools.org.

In addition, Highline Public Schools will notify the news media and www.schoolreport.org.  Stay tuned to area radio or television stations for an announcement that will tell you of any school closures, 1 or 2 hour delays, or limited bus transportation.

We conduct fire, earthquake, and lockdown drills so that our students will be prepared in case of an emergency. If you are visiting the school during one of our drills, please follow the drill procedures along with our students and staff.

Please do not call the school - we need the phone lines open for emergencies. You will be notified if your child is hurt. We have staff trained in first-aid to help in case of an emergency.

Please establish a routine for your child’s transportation to and from school. Students who walk home from school are expected to do so immediately after school. If they wish to go to a friend’s house, students must make arrangements before coming to school or after they arrive home. Students who ride the bus must report directly to their school bus line in the gym. Students who are picked up are expected to wait for their rides in the car pickup area in front of the school. If a child has not been picked up by 3:30 p.m., the office will attempt to contact a parent/guardian/emergency contact.

During arrival (8:20-8:40) and dismissal (3:15 Monday-Thursday and 1:45 Friday) times students should be dropped off at the curb in front of the main entrance to the school.  At dismissal, please pick up students at the curb after the cross-walk in the designated pick up area.

Traffic is ONE way –single lane only

Parents/guardians who drive their children to and from school are asked to abide by the following expectations:

1. Students are to be dropped off and picked up in the designated Car Pick-Up Area.
2. Students are to remain on the sidewalk until their ride arrives.
3. Drivers must remain in their cars, unless parked in a designated parking spot.
4. Do not park in the drive through lane, you must remain in your car.
5. If your student is not waiting when you arrive, please park in a designated parking spot. Cars are not allowed in the bus loop.

School bus service is provided for students living more than one mile from school.  Each student is responsible to be at his/her assigned bus stop on time. 

If you have any questions regarding bus service, please call the Transportation Office at (206) 631-7502.

School bus drivers have the authority to discipline students for misconduct related to school district rules. Each student is expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Highline School District for Bus Riders. Please see “15 School Bus Safety Rules” for specific expectations. Misbehavior on the bus may result in short term suspension from the bus. Ongoing misbehaviors may result in suspension for the remainder of the school year. Parents/guardians will be notified of misconduct slips written for their child.

• Be Safe:
  • Hands and feet to self and inside bus at all times
  • Stay in your seat
• Be Respectful:
  • Cooperate with the driver (driver can assign seats)
  • Level 1 voice
• Be Responsible
  • Be on time
  • Clean up after yourself
  • No food, drink, balloons or potted plants allowed