Sheridan School HANDBOOK

2009 - 2010

Jim Cooper, Principal

Phone - (309) 828-2359

Fax - (309) 829-3209

E-mail – cooperj@district87.org

The faculty and staff of Sheridan School welcome you and your family.  We will do our best to offer your child the best possible education, and we will strive to make that education interesting and exciting.  We ask for your support and that you actively participate in your child’s education.  Please come to Open House, conferences, and the many special events we have during the year.

This handbook has been prepared to make sure parents and students know and understand the policies and practices of Bloomington District 87 and Sheridan School.  Please review the material in this handbook and talk with your child(ren) about the importance of following rules and making good choices.

Sheridan School is a great place to be, children are encouraged to succeed, parents are involved in the learning process, and the community supports our children and our schools.  I look forward to continuing to work with all of you who are returning and meeting those of you who are new to Sheridan.  I hope we can continue to work together, as partners, in your child’s education.  Please contact me if I can be of any assistance.  

                                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                                              Jim Cooper

                                                                                                Principal, Sheridan School

SHERIDAN SCHOOL MISSION

Sheridan School Works with the home and community to promote the development of each child’s ability to internalize self-discipline, responsibility, motivation, creativity, and self-esteem.  Sheridan challenges the student to reach his / her highest academic potential to prepare for a productive life.

SHERIDAN SCHOOL STUDENT MISSION

SHERIDAN

HAS

ACHIEVING

RESPONSIBLE

KIND

STUDENTS

SHERIDAN SCHOOL VISION

Each Sheridan School student will be an engaged learner working at or beyond his / her ability.

In our school:

            Teachers are leaders.

            Parents are partners.

            Students are winners.

SHERIDAN SCHOOL PBIS STATEMENT

Sheridan students are:

• Ready

• Respectful

• Responsible

• Safe

ARRIVAL / DISMISSAL

Students are not to arrive before 8:45 AM unless they are participating in the YWCA before school program.  No adult supervision occurs at the entrance doors until then.  Students should be picked up promptly at 3:15 PM.  Thanks!

ABSENCES

State law requires schools and parents to attempt to contact each other when a child is absent.  Please help us out by calling school before 9:30 if your child is going to be absent.  Sheridan School’s phone number is 828-2359.  If you are unable to call, please try to send a note with a brother, sister, friend, or neighbor with the reason for the absence and a signature.  Work missed during an absence is required to be completed.

BEHAVIOR /RULES

Sheridan School has achieving, responsible, and kind students who take pride in their school.  We are proud of our students who make good choices and follow school rules.  We have many positive programs in place to encourage and promote a safe, happy, and orderly environment for learning.  We will not tolerate behaviors and actions that disrupt the education of others.  Your support, as parents, is necessary to help us maintain an environment where students can learn.

Students who demonstrate gross misconduct, excessive absenteeism, and /or a lack of concern for academic achievement may be denied participation in after school activities, field trips, or other special school activities.

Our rules are simple and not negotiable.

• Children’s behavior must allow our teachers to teach.

• Children may not be verbally or physically abusive.

BREAKFAST

Sheridan School provides a daily breakfast for all students between 9:00 and 9:15.  Breakfast at home is still recommended.  All students receive free breakfast and lunch at Sheridan School due to a special federal grant.

TELEPHONE

Students may use the phone if they have permission from faculty or office personnel.  The phone will not be available if assignments are forgotten, to arrange to have a friend over, or for other personal reasons.  We hope this policy will encourage our students to be responsible and plan ahead.  Phone calls and messages to students are discouraged to prevent interruptions to classrooms and the possibility of miscommunications.  Please call only in the case of an emergency.

VISITORS

Visitors are welcome at Sheridan School.  However, for safety purposes we require all visitors to sign in at the office and obtain a visitor name tag.  If you would like to talk with a specific teacher, we ask that you make an appointment to meet with him or her during a free period so classes are not interrupted.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

The YWCA offers a before and after school care program at Sheridan School.  Please call the YWCA at 662-0461 for more information.  The Bloomington Park District provides after school athletic activities for fourth and fifth grade boys and girls.  Applications for interested students are available throughout the year.

SAFETY PATROL & CROSSING GUARDS

Crossing Guards are located at the corner of Hinshaw and Locust, and the corner of Hinshaw and Market.  We have Safety Patrols stationed at Livingston and Blackstone, Livingston and Walnut, Hinshaw and Walnut, and Hinshaw and Chestnut.  Children should follow the most direct route home.  Directions of the guard or patrol person are to followed exactly by all students.  Students must cross at corners where patrols are posted.  These guidelines must be followed to insure student safety.

GAMES & TOYS

Students are not to bring headsets, games, toys, or cards to school.  These items have proven to be a distraction at school and we want to spend our time learning.

PTA

The Sheridan School PTA meets the first Tuesday of every month in the Learning Center at 6:30.  Everyone is invited to attend meetings and help make an impact at Sheridan School.

Current information

Contact information in the office should have current and correct phone numbers and addresses.  If you move, or if your telephone number changes during the year, please contact school immediately with corrected information.  Your children are important to all of us at Sheridan School and we must be able to reach you in case of an emergency.

Messages / change of after school plans

If you have a change in after school plans please write a note or call us.  Messages can be delivered in the case of an emergency.  Please try to have a standard after school routine for your children, so we don’t have to interrupt class for your message.  Many times students will tell us they are to go someplace different and we have no information on a change.  If we cannot reach you we will have the student go where they usually do after school.  Messages called in after 3:00 may not be able to be delivered.

Traffic

 After school traffic and parking is a definite problem around Sheridan School.  Please remember that traffic only moves westbound on Walnut Street from 3:00 to 3:30 each day.  Also, parking is not allowed on the back blacktop during the day to make sure there is room for physical education classes and recess.