Irving Elementary school

Lunch and Breakfast at Irving School 
Where can I get a menu?
What time does my child have lunch?
May I join my child for lunch?
May I take my child off the premises for lunch?
How do I know how much money is in my child's cafeteria account?
How can I make a payment on my child's cafeteria account?
When is breakfast served? 
What time should my child arrive for breakfast?
Does my bus rider get breakfast when the bus arrives late?

Lunch and Breakfast at Irving School

What Choices are offered for Lunch?
Students have a variety of choices for lunch.  Our menu repeats every three weeks, and the same menu is used all year long.  In addition to the hot lunch choice students may also choose from tuna sandwich, turkey, ham & cheese sandwich, peanut butter & jelly sandwich, chef salad, or yogurt with cheese and crackers.  These choices may vary, but when students choose the alternate entree? they also receive the sides for the day.
Students are not allowed to bring candy or pop from home.

Where can I get a menu?
Menus are sent home with students the first week of school.  Additional copies can be obtained from the office or online.

What is the School Special by Request?
Every third Thursday, the hot lunch is School special by Request.  These are special or trial lunches that our kitchen staff select. 

What time does my child have lunch?

May I join my child for lunch?
Parents are welcome to join their children for lunch.  If you would like to eat the school lunch, please call the office before 9:30 am so you can be added to the lunch count.  Parents pay as they go through the lunch line.  You may also bring a lunch from home or from a restaurant.  We ask that you please NOT bring soda.  Please remember to sign in at the office and get a visitor tag before go to the cafeteria.

May I take my child off the premises for lunch?
Parents may take their children out to lunch during their scheduled lunch period.  Students should be signed out in the office.  Students should return before their recess is over. Parents also need to sign their child back in when returning from lunch.

How do I know how much money is in my child's cafeteria account?
Contact Katie in the cafeteria (by phone or email) to verify your child's lunch balance.  Students receive payment reminders from the lunchroom, check your child's backpack.  Parents may also use www.mylunchmoney.com.  With mylunchmoney you can pay lunch accounts online, view balances, see student purchases and a spending history, set daily or weekly limits, and request low balance email reminders.

How can I make a payment on my child's cafeteria account?
We have a computerized system for our lunch and breakfast programs.  It is a prepayment system, not a charge account.  Lunch money should be sent to school in an envelope marked "lunch money".  Be sure the envelope is marked with your child's first and last name or student ID number.  Payment can be made with cash or check (made payable to Bloomington Public Schools Cafeteria).

When is breakfast served?
Breakfast is served daily from 8:20 - 8:40 A.M. for all students who walk or are dropped off by parents.  All bus students will eat breakfast between 8:40 - 8:55.  Students should not arrive before 8:20 and are to go directly to breakfast.  Students not eating breakfast should not arrive at school before 8:45.

What time should my walker or car rider arrive for breakfast?
Students who walk to school or are dropped off by parents should arrive for breakfast between 8:20 and 8:40 am.  Students riding a bus will eat breakfast between 8:40 - 8:55. 

Does my bus rider get breakfast when the bus arrives late?
Students may eat breakfast as soon as the bus arrives at school.  Students who arrive on a late bus will be given the option to eat breakfast.

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Medical

What if my child needs to take medication at school?
Students must have a medication authorization form on file at school in order to have both nonprescription (cough drops, lip balm, lotion, acetaminophen, allergy medication, etc.) and prescription medicine (inhaler, nebulizer, Epi-Pen, Benadryl, Tylenol, etc) at school.  This form must be completed and signed by a physician.  The parent/guardian should also sign the form.  Parents are welcome to come to school to dispense medicine. 

Is a dental exam required for my child?
State law requires kindergarten and second grade students to have a dental exam by May 15 of that school year.  Parents may utilize our free dental cleaning program in order to fulfill this requirement.  Please contact Nurse Holly for more information.

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Registration

How do I register my child in Irving School?
First you need to make sure you live within the boundary areas for our school.  You can do this by phoning the office at 827-8091 or by checking our online map.  You will need the FREE Adobe Reader to view this file.  If you do not have it, you can download it here for FREE!  Please keep in mind along the boundary edges, homes on the far side of the street may be in a different attendance area.  Additionally, all K-5 students requiring bilingual services attend Bent School.  Students can be registered during office hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm).  Students must be 5 years old on or before September 1, to be eligible for enrollment for the current school year.

What items do I need to bring to registration?
Parents/Guardians will need to bring the following to register a student:  2 proofs of residency (a lease agreement, bank closing papers, or utility bills), a certified copy of the student's birth certificate, a current physical and immunization records.  If your student is transferring, we will request the records from your child's previous school.  If you child has an Individualized Education Plan, commonly referred to as an IEP, it would be helpful if you bring a copy when you register.  Emergency contact phone numbers will also be helpful.

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Staying Informed

What is the best way to know what is going on at school?
Checking your child's backpack on a daily basis, reading the monthly Irving Newsletter, and reading classroom newsletters are the best ways to stay current on the events at Irving.  The Irving Newsletter is sent home with students each month;  it is also available on our website.

What is the best way to get in touch with my child's teacher?
Communication between parents and teachers is very important.  Please call, write a note, or send an email to your child's teacher anytime you have questions or concern.  Please be aware that responses will be made as soon as possible.  Sometimes, however, teachers may not have an opportunity to return calls or emails the same day.  Be assured that teachers will reply as soon as their schedules allow.

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Transportation

We live in a busing area.  How can I find out what the bus schedule is for my child?
Please call the school office with busing questions.

What should I do if I need to change my child's bus stop?
Please call the office at 827-8091 to make bus changes.  It may require 2 - 3 business days in order for changes to be effective.  Changes will not be made for a one day or a short term basis.

Can my child ride the bus home with a friend?
Due to safety concerns and space issues, students may only ride the bus to which they are assigned.  Please call the office in the event of a family emergency.

What should I do if my child will be going home a different way than normal?
Children will only be allowed to go home a different way if the teacher receives a note from a parent or guardian.

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Visiting Irving

When can I visit Irving School?
It is always best to arrange visits with your child's teacher in advance.  Scheduled visits allow you and the teacher to identify the types of activities that would be the most informative and interesting for you to observe.  All visitors, including parents, are required by state law to first sign in at the office before heading to the classroom or lunchroom - even if you are only planning a quick visit.  Tours of our school must be planned in advance with the counselor.  Many grade levels hold special daytime events where parents are invited.

Where should I park while visiting Irving School?
The best place to park is along Jackson Street or Mill Street.  Please avoid parking on Mason Street from 8:30-9:00 am and from 3:00-3:30 pm.  This is reserved for buses and is closely monitored by the Bloomington Police Department for violators.


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Winter Weather

How will I know if school is closed due to inclement weather?
The announcement of a school closing for any reason will be posted on the District87 website and Irving's website under "Announcements".  Parents should also tune to WJBC (AM 1230) to listen for closings.


Do students go outside for recess during the winter?
Weather permitting, students go outside for recess when the temperature (including wind chill) is 20? or above.  Please make sure students are dressed appropriately with coats, hats, and gloves as needed.


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Other Common Questions

What should I do if I have moved or changed contact information?
It is important to make sure we have your most current contact information on file.  Please call or send a note with your child so that we can keep our records up to date.  It is also important that students have at least two local emergency contacts.  Emergency contacts are called only when we cannot reach a parent or guardian.  If you move out of Irving's area during the school year, your child can remain at Irving for the rest of that same school year as long as you provide timely transportation to and from school.

Does Irving have a lost and found?
We have a cabinet for lost and found items in the cafeteria hallway.  There are often a wide variety of hats, gloves, coats, and jackets in our lost and found.  Small items such as glasses, books, and jewelry are kept in the office.  Parents are encouraged to stop by any time to check our lost and found.

What should I do if my child forgot homework at school?
Students may come back to school until 4:00 to retrieve forgotten homework.  Students (or parents) should first stop in the office to have a staff member accompany them to the classroom.

What should I do if my child forgot something at home?
Forgotten items may be left in the office.  A staff member will make sure items are delivered to the classroom or teacher's mailbox.

What is the best way to learn about volunteer opportunities at Irving School?
There are many opportunities to volunteer at Irving School.  Parents can fill out a PTO volunteer sing-up sheet when they register for school.  This sign-up sheet includes a variety of short and long term situations.  Attending PTO meetings is another great way to learn about upcoming volunteer positions.  Occasionally there may also be field trips which require adult supervision; talk to your child's teacher.  If you are interested in volunteering to help a student who would benefit from one-on-one interactions, please contact the principal.

What types of extracurricular activities are offered at Irving School?
Students in fifth grade have the opportunity at the beginning of the year to sign up to participate in band or orchestra as well as volunteer as safety patrols.  Bloomington Parks and Recreation sponsors organized team sports (volleyball, flag football, basketball, and track) for fourth and fifth grade students throughout the year.  First, second, third, fourth, and fifth grade students can participate in Student Council.  Third through fifth grade students may choose to participate in Junior Great Books.  Terrific Tuesdays is a group of seniors who mentor a group of students beginning when they are in third grade and follow them through fifth grade.  A group of men belonging to the 100 Black Men Organization mentor fifth grade boys each year.  Finally, an After School Reading Program runs from December through March for third through fifth grade students wanting to improve and enhance their reading skills.  From time to time special Art opportunities may be offered to students as well as Mr. Graham's hockey club for fourth and fifth grade students.

What can I do to help celebrate my child's birthday at school?
Each teacher has a different routine for acknowledging your child's special day.  Please contact your child's teacher before making any plans.  Please keep the following in mind:
    -All treats should be relatively mess free and easily distributed to students
    -Individual servings are encouraged
    -Treats should be brought to the office by 9:00 am
    -Drinks may not be okay.  Ask first.  If drinks are acceptable, please make sure they are individual servings
    -Please include disposable plates, napkins, and all necessary utensils
    -Although we discourage balloons or flowers delivered to students at school, they will remain in the office until the end of the day.

Students may distribute party invitations at school only if they are given to all the students (or all the girls or all the boys) in the classroom.  We cannot provide home addresses.  Parents may also choose to donate a book in honor of their child's birthday to the Irving School Library.  Contact Ms. Jacobs for additional information.

What is the School Store?
Our School Store sells school supplies such as pencils, pens, paper, spiral notebooks, markers, colored pencils, erasers, and glue.  Items will vary throughout the year.  The School Store is sponsored by our Student Council with the help of parent volunteers and is open on Wednesday mornings from 8:40 to 9:00.
   

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