Whittier 24-25 Handbook.docx

**Whittier Elementary School** **Staff Handbook** ***Vision*** ***Whittier Elementary School pledges to provide our students with academic inquiries that catapults their pursuit in greater understanding that is bias-free in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, pioneering new self-explorati...

**Whittier Elementary School** **Staff Handbook** ***Vision*** ***Whittier Elementary School pledges to provide our students with academic inquiries that catapults their pursuit in greater understanding that is bias-free in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, pioneering new self-exploration discoveries, and contributors to their community.*** [ ] The Warrior Way --------------- Whittier Elementary School will embody the following core values. These values will inform and guide us in all aspects of what we do -- from the classroom to the community -- and help us create a positive, achievement-oriented school culture: **Results without Excuses or Shortcuts** We work hard every day to deliver on our instructional promise to provide an outstanding education for all our students. In pursuit of that mission, we have set ambitious, clearly measurable goals and strive to exceed expectations with exceptional regularity located in our comprehensive school plan. We will continuously use data to track our progress and to find out where we are doing well and where we are falling short. When we do not meet our goals, we own our shortcomings, admit our mistakes, and do not seek to blame external forces. **People Matter -- Mightily** We understand that the quality and commitment of our teachers, support staff, and school leader are what makes the real difference in the lives of our students. We want to make our classroom places where students want to learn. We strive to create work environment that is exceptionally professional, collegial, and stimulating and where everyone has a real voice, and the tools they need to be successful. **Excellence is a Habit** We strive to set the Whittier standard in all aspects of what we do. Rooted into our culture is a relentless pursuit of excellence, and we do not settle for "so-so" from our students or from ourselves. "Good enough" is simply not. We recognize that we must be a disciplined school that makes clear plans, establishes tangible goals, and has documented, replicable systems in order to sustain excellence over time. We will grow as fast as we can -- but as slow as we must -- to ensure excellence in every aspect of our work. To that end, we will resume collaborative planning three days a week because we are learners first, and teachers second! **Sweat the Small Stuff** We believe that countless unseen or overlooked details are the difference between the mediocre and the magnificent. In everything we do, we pay attention to even the smallest details to ensure smooth, predictable, and effective outcomes. We are motivated by the fact that our students pay the price when we fail to get the details right. **Team and Family** We are not islands working alone but integral parts of the larger Whittier Elementary School. We share in our collective success while celebrating the individual strengths of each person and school. ***[We care about one another, treat each other with respect, and work hard to preserve a sense of family]***. We have fun together, even when our responsibilities are taxing. We collaborate and share best practices, never letting competition overshadow the ultimate goal of excellence for every student. We respect and celebrate our differences, knowing that we are stronger as a team because of them. When we see our teammates struggling, we pitch in, knowing that our teammates will be there for us when we need it. Pillars ------- ### REACH **[Respect:]** We model respect to students, colleagues, and community members at all times by the way we interact with them as well as with each other. Our tone of voice conveys calmness, understanding, respect, and love. **[Enthusiasm:]** We strive to remain positive, productive, friendly, and pleasant, even during difficult times. We support each other. **[Achievement]** We have incredibly high standards for our ourselves and others. Whittier Elementary School community members work harder *and smarter*. We are strategic, deliberate, and purposeful in our work. **[Citizenship:]** Whittier Elementary School staff work together as a team. We collaborate. We look for ways to help each other out, especially in areas where we are strong. We all feel a sense of trusteeship for Whittier Elementary School, accepting responsibility for fixing problems. We support each other through kindness, empathy, and patience. We are honest with each other and with ourselves. **[Heartwork:]** We are all accountable for doing our jobs well and for constant improvement. We complete all our tasks on time and to the best of our ability. +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | **Tiffany | **Joshua | **Monai | **Jann'l | **Amy | | Johnson** | Wiley** | Chavers** | Henry** | Angrand/** | | | | | | | | **Principal | **Assistant | **Mathemati | **Literacy | **Special | | ** | Principal** | cs | Coach** | Education** | | | | Coach** | | | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | Responsibil | Responsibil | Responsibil | Responsibil | Responsibil | | ities | ities | ities | ities | ities | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | - Instruc | - Instruc | - LEAP | - ELA | - Profess | | tional | tional | Lead | LEAP | ional | | Leader | Leader | --K-5 | Lead | Develop | | | | Math | K-5 | ment | | - IMPACT | - IMPACT | | | | | Evaluat | Evaluat | - Math | - Teacher | | | ions | ions | LEAP | Coachin | | | | | Lead | g | - Teacher | | - Compreh | - Profess | | | Coachin | | ensive | ional | - Math | - Profess | g | | School | Develop | Initiat | ional | | | Plan | ment | ives | Develop | - Special | | | | | ment | Educati | | - Profess | - Data | - Math | | on | | ional | Lead | Interve | - Data | Initiat | | Develop | | ntion | Analyst | ives | | ment | - MTSS | | and | | | | Team | - I-Ready | Monitor | - Special | | - Data | Member | Monitor | (DIBEL, | Educati | | Lead | | | ANET) | on | | | - Monitor | - Team | | LEA | | - MTSS | ing | Buildin | - MTSS | | | Team | and | g | Member | - IEP | | Member | Managin | | | Complia | | | g | - Testing | - ILT | nce | | - ALT | the | Committ | Member | Special | | Team | Acceler | ee | | ist | | Member | ation | | - School | | | | Academi | - Compreh | Wide | - Manages | | - Employe | es | ensive | Instruc | Related | | e | | School | tion | Service | | Leave | - ALT | Plan -- | | Provide | | Approva | Team | Mathema | - ELA | rs | | l | Member | tics | Data | | | | | | Meeting | - Transpo | | - Field | - Teacher | - Data | s | rtation | | Trip | Surveys | Analyst | | | | Approva | | and | - FUNdati | - Accommo | | l | - School | Monitor | ons, | dations | | | Operati | (I-Read | ECE -- | Coordin | | - Staffin | ons: | y, | 3^rd^ | ator | | g | IRT | ANET) | Grade | | | | Entries | | | - Testing | | - Central | , | - Teacher | - Testing | Committ | | Office | Panoram | Coachin | Committ | ee | | Liaison | a | g | ee | Member | | | Survey, | | Member | | | - Facilit | Insight | - MTSS | | - MTSS | | ies | Survey, | Member | - ELA | LEAD | | Use | and | | Interve | | | Agreeme | Attenda | - ILT | ntion | - ILT | | nt | nce | Member | | Member | | | | | - ELA | | | - Communi | - Student | - Math | Initiat | | | ty | Discipl | Data | ives | | | Partner | ine | Meeting | | | | ships | | s | - Compreh | | | | - Climate | | ensive | | | - Supervi | & | | School | | | ses | Culture | | Plan- | | | Attenda | | | ELA | | | nce | - Technol | | | | | Complia | ogy | | | | | nce | Liaison | | | | | | | | | | | - Faculty | - New | | | | | Meeting | Teacher | | | | | s | Academy | | | | | | | | | | | - LSAT, | | | | | | SCAC, | | | | | | PTO | | | | | | | | | | | | - Personn | | | | | | el | | | | | | Managem | | | | | | ent | | | | | | | | | | | | - Parent | | | | | | and | | | | | | Communi | | | | | | ty | | | | | | Engagem | | | | | | ent | | | | | | | | | | | | - Special | | | | | | Educati | | | | | | on | | | | | | | | | | | | - Systems | | | | | | of Care | | | | | | Team | | | | | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Operations Team** | | | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | **Charelle Jeter** | **Cindy Martinez** | **Desmond McRae** | | | | | | Business Manager | Registrar | Custodial Foreman | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | Responsibilities | Responsibilities | Responsibilities | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | - SAF Account | - Enrollment/ | - Monitoring | | | Registration | custodial staff | | - Supply Management | Support | | | | | - Entering work | | - Text Management | - ASPEN POC | orders | | | | | | - Budget and | - Attendance Team | - Scheduling | | Procurement | Member | custodial | | | | assignments | | - Fundraiser | - Front office | | | | management | - Conducts building | | - Time and | | walkthroughs | | Attendance | - Family Engagement | | | | | - Point of contacts | | - Class Coverage | - Open House | for maintenance | | | | issues | | - Payroll | - Report Cards/ | | | | Progress Reports | | | - Requisitions | | | | | - ASPEN Parent | | | - Leave Requests | Portal POC | | | | | | | - School Security | | | | | | | | - Emergency Plans | | | | | | | | - School | | | | Operations: | | | | | | | | - Central Office | | | | Liaison | | | | | | | | - Operations | | | | Support (work | | | | order compliance, | | | | and entry) | | | | | | | | - Field Trip | | | | Management | | | | | | | | - School Master | | | | Calendar | | | | | | | | - School | | | | Communications | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | **Gabriel | **Heather | **Jessica | **Teresa | **Bradfor | **Kerel | | le | German** | O'Connell | Brown** | d | Thompson* | | Foxx** | | ** | | Stratton* | * | | | Social | | Attendanc | * | | | Psycholog | Worker | School | e | | Director | | ist | | Counselor | Counselor | **Ashton | of | | | | | | Green** | Climate | | | | | | | and | | | | | | STEM | Culture | | | | | | Specialis | | | | | | | t | | +===========+===========+===========+===========+===========+===========+ | Responsib | Responsib | Responsib | Responsib | Responsib | Responsib | | ilities | ilities | ilities | ilities | ilities | ilities | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | - MTSS | - PK3 | - Stude | - Stude | - Profe | - Stude | | Team | -- | nt | nt | ssional | nt | | Membe | 5^th^ | Suppo | Clima | Devel | Clima | | r | Grade | rt | te | opment | te | | | | Team | and | (Tech | and | | - IEP/E | - Stude | membe | Cultu | nology) | Cultu | | ligibilit | nt | r | re | | re | | y | suppo | | | - Testi | | | Team | rt | - Atten | - SBT | ng | - SBT | | | | dance | Entry | Commi | Entry | | - Speci | - Behav | team | | ttee | | | al | ior | membe | - Atten | Membe | - Atten | | Educa | inter | r | dance | r | dance | | tion | ventionis | | Team | | Team | | Stude | t | - 504 | membe | - Manag | membe | | nt | | Coord | r | es | r | | Suppo | - Stude | inator | | STEM | | | rt | nt | | - MTSS | Initi | | | | Suppo | - Media | Membe | atives | | | - Profe | rt | tions | r | | - MTSS | | ssional | Team | | | - Techn | Co-Co | | Devel | membe | - Maste | - Atten | ology | ordinator | | opment: | r | r | dance | Coord | | | MTSS, | | Sched | Inter | inator | | | and | - Atten | uler | ventions | | | | Speci | dance | | | - Class | - Behav | | al | team | - Griev | - Schoo | Dojo | ior | | Educa | membe | ance | l | POC | MTSS | | tion | r | and | Clima | | Inter | | | | Bully | te | | ventions | | - Evalu | - 504 | ing | | | | | ations | Team | Liais | - Check | | - Schoo | | | | on | -In/Check | | l | | | - Media | | -Out | | Clima | | | tions | - ALT | Conta | | te | | | | Membe | ct | | | | | - Menta | r | | | - Check | | | l | | - Morni | | -In/Check | | | Healt | - Testi | ng | | -Out | | | h | ng | Meeti | | Conta | | | Team | Coord | ngs | | ct | | | Membe | inator | | | | | | r | | - Closi | | - Morni | | | | - ASPEN | ng | | ng | | | - ALT | POC | Circl | | Meeti | | | Membe | | e | | ngs | | | r | | | | | | | | | - Stude | | - Bully | | | | | nt | | ing | | | | | ID's | | Liais | | | | | | | on | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Griev | | | | | | | ance | | | | | | | coord | | | | | | | inator | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Stude | | | | | | | nt | | | | | | | Satis | | | | | | | faction | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Stude | | | | | | | nt | | | | | | | Disci | | | | | | | pline | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ **Attendance (Staff)** All leave requests will be in accordance with the existing contractual agreement between the D.C. Board of Education and the Washington Teachers Union. Teachers may be granted sick, emergency, general or administrative leave. Staff members who know in advance that they are going to be absent, are to complete the Application for Leave via Peoplesoft. In case of an emergency or sudden illness, Ms. Johnson is to be contacted at **[301-412-6394]** or **202-499-0673 (work phone)** evenings between **[5:00pm and 11:00 pm]** or morning between **[6:00 am and 7:00 am]**. **[In these cases, the Application for Leave request is to be completed when the teacher returns to work.]** If two or more days of leave is requested, you **[must communicate]** with the Principal. If a teacher **[cannot log-on/attend]** for work due to illness **[he/she shall notify]** the Principal as soon as possible. **[All employees are requested]** to **[call]** the **[Principal]** themselves to request leave unless you are incapacitated due to illness. The employee must submit a medical certificate as documentation in support of such absences. Only three days of general leave are granted during the school year. General leave must be requested and approved two weeks prior to the expected absence. **[The normal workday: ]** - **[Teachers, and other ET-15 is from 8:00 am until 3:30 pm]** - **[Instructional Aides 8:00am until 4:30pm]** - **[12-Month Employees 8:00am until 4:30pm]** Failure to follow the established policies on time and attendance will be reflected on evaluations. Please refer to your IMPACT book under Core Professionalism. **Attendance (Students)** Attendance (Students) Attendance is to be entered into to Aspen before 9:30 each day. Teachers are required to contact parents when students are absent. All attendance notes and communication should be entered into Aspen daily. Attendance records are legal documents and may be subpoenaed by the courts. It is imperative that these records are current, accurate, and complete. Students are not allowed to leave school without reporting to the main office. A parent or guardian is required to sign out all early dismissals in the main office. **What absences are considered excused, and how should excuse note documentation be submitted to the school?** Except for the addition of required immunization related attendance codes, DCPS legal excuse reasons remain the same as the 24-25 School Year (SY) and can be found in the DCPS Attendance and Truancy Policy (an updated version for the 24-25 SY will be made available prior to the start of school). Excuse notes may be submitted electronically to Ms. Brown. If a family is unable to submit documentation electronically due to challenges with technology, the family should contact Ms. Brown and maintain a copy of the documentation for record reconciliation. **Birthday Parties** Classroom birthday parties are recommended to be held during lunch or during the last 15 mins of the school day. Parents should be encouraged to have birthday parties outside of school. **Bulletin Boards/Learning Stations** Students' work, pictures, word walls, charts, maps and other materials displayed on the bulletin boards are to be a functional part of the learning environment and should reflect the current unit of study. All bulletin boards must be current and [updated monthly] with student work!!! Teachers should take turns updating the bulletin boards located in the hallway by your class. All teachers are required to have a functional word wall in their classroom. Daily objectives and standards should be posted on white boards daily. **First Floor: Hallway Bulletin Board Schedule Month** **Location** Across from main office Next to custodial office Behind security desk Across from new library (next to stem) In front of security desk -------------- ------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- **Theme** The Whittier Way Math Here We Grow Reading Climate and Culture **October** Brown Chavers H. Moore Henry Thompson **November** Gilliam Blackett Edwards Fiorini Angrand **December** Leblanc Camp Lee Greenglass German **January** Bond Bray Fuller Black Foxx **February** Noel Lewis M. Moore Glassman O\'Connell **March** Concha Stewart Mtewa Duncan Neill-Johnson **April** C. Martinez Fullmore Lytle Worthy Santiago **May** Ortiz Robinson Flowers Gregory X. Martinez **June** Green Post       **Back-to-School Night:** Parents are invited to participate in our annual "Back-To-School" night on August 22^nd^ at 5:00pm -- 7:00 pm. Please plan in advance to be present and ready to facilitate for families during our Back-to-School Night event. As a reminder, it is each Educator's professional obligation to attend this important event that affords teachers the opportunity to meet parents and set the tone for a positive and successful school year. This is a very important event for our parents. With all that has happened during this year, it is especially critical that we put our best foot forward and help the parents see the many things that we are doing to help students. **Please be prepared to:** · Be positive. · Present a brief background of yourself. · Provide professional contact information. · Explain your plan for instructional delivery, i.e. multiple activities, transition between activities. · Explain homework philosophy. · Discuss course outline, PARCC test preparation (where applicable), and common core standards · Distribute a syllabus/newsletter to each family. · Encourage parents to email or call to share concerns. Explain we have 24-48 hours to respond to e-mails or phone call **Canvas:** 1. All teachers will maintain and update Canvas Course Companions. 2. All teachers will collect student work and provide feedback within Canvas. **Cell Phone** The use of cell phones during instructional delivery is prohibited except with regard to necessary parent communications and communication to the main office. As a courtesy to your colleagues, please silence these devices while carrying out professional responsibilities. The cellular phone may only be used: during an emergency situation where the life or health of a student or staff member is in present danger; before or after school; and during planning time or lunch breaks. **Core Professionalism** This component measures four basic tenets of professionalism: having no unexcused absences; having no unexcused late arrivals; following the policies and procedures of your school (or program) and the school system; and interacting with colleagues, students, families, and community members in a respectful manner. Employees are subject to deductions in Core Professionalism for negligence to adhere to: the guidelines in this document (General School Policies); the Municipal Regulations of the District Columbia Public Schools; the collective bargaining agreement between the Washington Teachers' Union and DCPS; the student handbook; and/or any other regulations established by the school and DCPS. **Grade-Level Family Engagement** Teams are required to host one grade-level family engagement per quarter which is in alignment to the CSC. **Classroom Environment** All teachers are expected to create a teaching-learning environment that is orderly, safe, stimulating, and caring. Classroom must reflect diversity, equity, and inclusion. **Collaborative Planning:** Collaborative planning takes place Tuesday - Thursday daily from 8:10-8:40am. The members of the professional development team will meet monthly to review data and determine the topics for collaborative planning. Individuals and groups of teachers are responsible for presenting during these sessions. A collaborative planning calendar will be distributed at the beginning of each month. All staff members are expected to attend all collaborative planning on time. **Committees/Clubs:** ⮚ All staff members must **SPONSOR** at least one committee and serve on two other committees each semester. To go the extra mile, staff members should **SPONSOR** two events per semester. No more than two people shall sponsor an event. **SPONSORS** are responsible for communicating with admin, notifying families, creating flyers, and holding meetings. ⮚ **No more** than five people may sign up for a committee. ⮚ Committees must be signed up for by September 15^th^ ⮚ Attendance at the final event does not make you a member of a particular committee (i.e. assisting with planning and execution of Awards Day or Career Day activities etc. constitutes membership on a committee). ⮚ Committees should begin meeting at least one month prior to their scheduled events (i.e. African American History Month Committee should begin meeting at the beginning of January). ⮚ Meeting notes, and pictures of the event are to be shared with administration. **Communication:** Information will be communicated via email, TEAMS and ClassDojo. It is the expectation for staff to check these sources daily and promptly respond to messages and requests. **Communicating with Parents:** Schools have a responsibility to keep parents informed of the educational progress of their children. ⮚ Please remember that parents are a part of educational team; keep your communication with them respectful at all times. ⮚ Take the time to contact parents early in the school year and establish a rapport. ⮚ All written communication to parents must be approved in advanced by the principal. ⮚ Communication with parents can be in the form of telephone calls, letters, emails and virtual conferences. ⮚ Parents have the right to request that written communication be translated into their home language. ⮚ Telephone calls, and emails from parents should be responded to within 24 hours. ⮚ If necessary, you may request an interpreter to assist you during parent conferences or at community meetings by calling the Office of Bi-Lingual Education at (800) 367-9559 Client ID 511049/Access Code 701001(202) 576-8854. **Communications with Parents:** · Principal Johnson will send out the Weekly Updates every Friday to all families. · Newsletter: Every grade level, and Department team is required to prepare a monthly newsletter. The first newsletter should be available to disseminate to families on September 3, 2024. Please CC: Admin on all emails sent to families. · Email: Go Green! Information will be sent to teachers on a regular basis through DCPS email and many parents may choose this as their main mode of communication. Parents are typically very responsive to frequent email communication regarding upcoming tests, quizzes, projects, and field trips. Ongoing parent communication to your entire class is an effective way to maintain communication with our families. Please be professional in all correspondence. Please BC or CC Principal Johnson on delicate emails to parents. · Progress reports and Report Cards: These will be reviewed by the supervising administrator each marking period by the deadlines provided. Always include growth producing feedback comments that share at least one positive followed by constructive and supportive ideas to build mastery in areas of concern. · Regular communication with the parents or guardians of our students is encouraged. Each teacher should make every effort to contact each parent once a month. A log should be kept of parent calls including the positive phone calls at the start of the year in addition to the mandated recording of parent contact in ASPEN. Additionally, building strong relationships with parents is a priority at Whittier Elementary School. One way that we hope to cultivate stronger relationships within our community is by leveraging ongoing communication. +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Newsletter Distribution Date | +=======================================================================+ | September 3, 2024 December 2, 2024 March 3, 2025 | | ------------------- ------------------ --------------- | | October 1, 2024 January 2, 2025 April 1, 2025 | | November 1, 2024 February 3, 2025 May 1, 2025 | | June 2, 2025 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ **Communication With Outside Entities:** All communications and/or requests to a DCPS school officer should be made with the approval of the principal or designee. The principal or designee should approve all communication regarding school business. Staff members are not to sign or enter into contracts or incur any debt in the name of the school. Staff members will be responsible for all bills incurred without the approval of the principal. **Contract** All teachers are expected to review the collective bargaining agreement between the District of Columbia Public Schools and the Washington Teachers' Union and adhere to the established guidelines. **Corporal Punishment** Corporal punishment is prohibited by DCPS. Corporal punishment is defined as the use or attempted use of physical force upon or against students, either intentionally or unintentionally or with reckless disregard for the student's safety, as punishment or in an attempt to modify the behavior, thought or attitude of a student. The use of corporal punishment in any form is strictly prohibited in DCPS. No student should be subject of infliction of corporal punishment by any teacher, student, administrator or student personnel. No teacher, administrator, student or other person shall subject a student to corporal punishment or condone the use of corporal punishment by any person under his or her supervision or control. Permission to administer corporal punishment shall not be sought or accepted from any parent, guardian or school official. Conduct prohibited by this section includes actual or attempted physical contact of any type against a student neither prompted by reasonable efforts at self-defense nor accidental or playful nature. Examples of prohibited contact include, but are not limited to the following: - Shoving - Striking - Grabbing - Shaking - Hitting - Throwing of objects and - Unreasonable restraint The nature of the amount of physical contact necessary for self-defense shall be dependent upon the factual circumstances of each case. All allegations of the use of corporal punishment shall be promptly investigated. Discipline shall be administered against any employee who violates this section. Students shall be permitted, but not required, to testify at any proceeding related to the allegation of corporal punishment. **Confidentiality of Student-Disclosed Information:** According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), under no circumstance should confidential information be discussed openly in the presence of others or with those who do not have a legitimate need to know. Information disclosed by students, parents, staff, or others in the context of their professional relationship with staff, whether identified as confidential or not, should not be used in casual conversation or in ways which are not consistent with this regulation or the advice of a supervisor/administrator. Furthermore, confidential student information should not be shared via email or other digital platforms. Staff members who fail to comply with this regulation may be subject to disciplinary action. **Cornerstones:** - Cornerstones for SY24-25 are embedded throughout the Canvas Course Companions in all content areas. - Cornerstone is an interdisciplinary curriculum embedded with equity, SEL, and trauma informed practices to re-engage every student at the start of the school year. **Customer Service** Customer Service that we as employees provide our customers is simply about doing our job, by providing great customer service in a professional, courteous and friendly way. It's all about employees being team players within our schools and departments that include respect for our work environment, our customers and other employees. Have a great attitude. You have little or no control over many things in life, but you do have control over one essential quality: your attitude. Employees who make an effort to have a positive and cheerful attitude typically reach many of their goals and usually are happier and more fulfilled. What Customers look for: - Friendliness - Be polite and courteous to your customer; greet them with a smile - both on the phone and in person. - Fairness - Treat everyone justly and impartially - your customers are everyone - parents, students, district employees, your boss, the community. - Understanding - Listen carefully to the customer and their questions without interrupting and ask questions for clarification if necessary. - Information - Own your customer; get the information for the customer instead of passing them around. - Professionalism - Be courteous; give the customer your full attention; make them feel heard, understood, liked, respected, helped, appreciated and respected - Accuracy - Be careful and complete - Responsiveness - Be timely - Be a fantastic fixer - Apologize, listen and empathize, fix the problem quickly and fairly, offer atonement, keep your promises and follow up. Always use customer friendly words or phrases when talking to a customer on the phone or in person. **Damage and Lost Property** Teachers are responsible for school property and will be liable for such property when lost or damaged. Teachers are responsible for the supervision of students using school property. The teacher shall report in writing any lost, damaged, or destroyed school property to the principal/designee immediately upon becoming aware of such loss, damage or destruction. **Discipline** The rules of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations prohibit corporal punishment. Whittier Elementary School has a school-wide discipline plan that outlines appropriate responses for certain behaviors. All students are expected to respect the rights of others. Discipline is a necessity for the total benefit of all children in our care as well as for the instructional program. A school and a classroom cannot function effectively as a learning community when there is constant disruption. It is expected that all staff members adhere to the rules established in the school-wide policy. Effective classroom management and good discipline lead to a better teaching and learning environment. From the moment the first child enters your classroom, standards of good behavior are to be established. The teacher is responsible for the discipline and classroom management of each assigned student. - Every effort should be made to contact parents when academic, behavioral and attendance issues arise. - Teachers should refer to the school-wide discipline policy when addressing student behavior. - Always enforce all school rules and respond to inappropriate behavior whenever it occurs. We believe that the most effective results are obtained through a good relationship and close communication between the school and the home. We seek complete cooperation in this effort. We are interested in the welfare and total development of each child. Together we can build the best possible habits within all children. **Disciplinary Actions** Staff members subject themselves to adverse actions when they fail to comply with policies and procedures. Disciplinary actions are subjected and not limited to verbal and written reprimands, AWOL, suspensions and termination. +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Important Dates for Teachers & | | | Staff | | +===================================+===================================+ | Holidays | Faculty Meetings | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - No School: October 14, 2024 | - September 6, 2024 | | | | | - Character Parade: October 31, | - October 4, 2024 | | 2024 | | | | - November 1, 2024 | | - No School: November 11, 2024 | | | | - December 6, 2024 | | - No School: November 27-29, | | | 2024 | - January 2, 2025 | | | | | - Winter Break: December 23, | - February 7, 2025 | | 2024 -- January 1, 2025 | | | | - March 7, 2025 | | - No School: February 17, 2025 | | | | - April 4, 2025 | | - No School: March 14, 2025 | | | | - May 2, 2025 | | - Spring Break: April 12 -- | | | April 18 | | | | | | - Staff Appreciation Week: May | | | 4 -- May 9 | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Newsletter Due Dates | Coffee with the Principal | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - September 3, 2024 | - September 6, 2024 | | | | | - October 1, 2024 | - October 4, 2024 | | | | | - November 1, 2024 | - November 1, 2024 | | | | | - December 2, 2024 | - December 6, 2024 | | | | | - January 2, 2025 | - January 3, 2025 | | | | | - February 3, 2025 | - February 7, 2025 | | | | | - March 3, 2025 | - March 7, 2025 | | | | | - April 1, 2025 | - April 4, 2025 | | | | | - May 1, 2025 | - May 2, 2025 | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Open Houses | Team Building | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Back to School Night Block | - Oct: K-2 Math/ELA LEAP | | Party: August 22, 2024 | | | | - Nov: Instr. Coaches, Angrand, | | - School Beautification Day: | & Thompson | | August 24, 2024 | | | | - Dec: Admin | | - Open House: November 1, 2024 | | | | - Jan: 3-5 Math/ELA LEAP | | - Open House: December 6, 2024 | | | | - Feb: ELL/SpEd Department | | - Open House: January 3, 2025 | | | | - Mar: Special Subjects Team | | - Open House: January 11, 2025 | | | | - Apr: Behavior Support Team | | - Open House: March 21, 2025 | | | | - May: ECE | | - Virtual Open House: April 5, | | | 2025 | - Jun: Admin | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | PTO Meetings | ALT Team Meetings | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - In-Person Meeting: October | - September 9, 2024 | | 17, 2024 | | | | - October 7, 2024 | | - PTO Gala: November 16, 2024 | | | | - November 18, 2024 | | - Virtual Meeting: November 21, | | | 2024 | - December 9, 2024 | | | | | - Virtual Meeting: January 23, | - January 13, 2025 | | 2025 | | | | - March 10, 2025 | | - Virtual Meeting: February 20, | | | 2025 | - April 21, 2025 | | | | | - In-Person Meeting: March 20, | | | 2025 | | | | | | - In-Person Meeting: April 24, | | | 2025 | | | | | | - In-Person Meeting: May 22, | | | 2025 | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | School & Teacher Events | Parent-Teacher Conferences | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - First Day of School: August | - Alternate PTC: Sat, Oct. 5, | | 26, 2024 | '24 | | | | | - BOY Testing Begins: August | - Conference Day: October 10, | | 27, 2024 | 2024 | | | | | - ECE First Day of School: | - Alternate PTC: Sat, Feb. 8, | | August 29, 2024 | '25 | | | | | - Fire Drill: September 4, 2024 | - Conference Day: March 13, | | | 2025 | | - Ongoing Fire Drills: Monthly | | | [on each first | | | Friday] | | | | | | - BOY Testing Ends: September | | | 20, 2024 | | | | | | - District PD Day: October 11, | | | 2024 | | | | | | - School-Based PD/Records Day: | | | November 4, 2024 | | | | | | - MOY Testing Begins: January | | | 9, 2025 | | | | | | - School-Based PD/Records Day: | | | January 17, 2025 | | | | | | - MOY Testing Ends: February | | | 10, 2025 | | | | | | - District PD Day: February 14, | | | 2025 | | | | | | - School-Based PD/Records Day: | | | April 7, 2025 | | | | | | - DC-CAPE Pep Rally: April 11, | | | 2025 | | | | | | - EOY Testing Begins: May 6, | | | 2025 | | | | | | - Gold Checkpoint: Tuesdays, | | | May 27 -- June 6 | | | | | | - DC-CAPE Picnic: May 29, 2025 | | | | | | - EOY Testing Ends: June 6, | | | 2025 | | | | | | - Field Day: June 12, 2025 | | | | | | - Last Day of School: June 17, | | | 2025 | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | | Family Engagement Events | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | | - Hispanic Heritage Day | | | Festival: September 20, 2024 | | | | | | - Middle School Fair: November | | | 6, 2024 | | | | | | - Awards Assembly: February 6, | | | 2025 | | | | | | - Black History Month Cookout: | | | February 27, 2025 | | | | | | - STEM Fair: April 10, 2025 | | | | | | - Sneak Peak Day: April 4, 2025 | | | | | | - Whittier Family & Enrollment | | | Day: April 26, 2025 | | | | | | - AAPINH Festival: May 15, 2025 | | | | | | - International Day Festival: | | | June 9, 2025 | | | | | | - Awards Assembly: June 10, | | | 2025 | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | | School-Wide Field Trip Days | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | | - October 9, 2024 | | | | | | - January 16, 2025 | | | | | | - March 12, 2025 | | | | | | - May 30, 2025 | | | | | | - June 11, 2025 | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ **Dress Code** Whittier Elementary School recognizes that teachers and other professional educators are role models for the students with whom they come in contact with during and after school hours. As role models, teachers, and staff should be conscious of their dress and grooming and how it may affect students and parents. Teachers and staff are expected to dress in a professional and appropriate manner that will be most conducive to the educational environment. Professional dress is required: collared shirts, neckties, jackets, blazers, and slacks for men; skirts, slacks, blouse, jackets, blazers, dresses, and suits for women. Some employees may wear the school uniform, and these staff members are expected to represent themselves in a professional manner as well. Please be advised that staff members who wear the following will be asked to change or leave the premises until such a time, as their attire is acceptable. - Tank tops with thin straps - Tube style tops or dresses (Please be mindful that sweaters do not always make these items professional for school/work attire.) - Body suits - Leggings/Stretch Pants - Clothing that exposes the midriff or excessive cleavage and/or is otherwise excessively revealing. Sneakers/tennis shoes, shorts, t-shirts, jeans, and other casual clothing are strongly discouraged (unless they are suitable for the job being performed or special event like Field Day). Friday's will be designated as dress down day (school t-shirt day). On these days staff members are permitted to wear jeans with a school t-shirt. Jeans should not be ripped or contain holes. Repeated patterns of inappropriate dress will be documented and are subject to progressive discipline procedures. **Duty** Staff members are requested to review the master schedule and adhere to the duty schedules for morning duty, cafeteria duty, playground duty, inclement weather and dismissal duty. Staff members are required to report to duty posts on time and remain on their posts until the scheduled timeframe concludes. **Events Calendar** Due to the many wonderful activities at hosted at Whittier, it is imperative that the principal is aware of all events taking place that involves Whittier students and teachers. In order to facilitate that process a master calendar will be maintained by administration. All scheduled visitors, events, and field trips should be approved prior to scheduling. **Faculty Meetings** The principal schedules faculty meetings once a month. It is the expectation that all staff members attend these meetings. Staff members should notify the principal if they are unable to attend the meeting. **Field Trips** Field trips are and extension of the instructional program. All trips will be made with a specific purpose and conclude with a follow-up activity. All requests for trips must be approved by the principal two weeks in advanced of the proposed date. Request form for field trips and be found on the Educator's Portal and in the main office. It is the responsibility of the trip sponsor to communicate a plan for students who will not attend the field trip. Chaperons are required for all field trips. The appropriate guidelines are Early Childhood -- 1 adult for every 5 students; Grades Kindergarten -- Fifth Grades -- I adult for every 10 students. Field Trip Policies and Procedures: - All field trips more than 30 miles require approval from the principal and the instructional superintendent 30 days in advance. - No checks will be accepted for field trips. - All local filed trips shall be approved at **least two weeks in advance**. - Teachers must account for all monies received. - Teachers must keep a list of all students who bring money and give appropriate receipt. - Money will be deposited in the school fund; the business manager will issue checks. - All students must have a signed permission slip appropriately completed by the sponsoring teacher along with the signature from the parent/guardian. - Students who earn three or more documented referrals will not be permitted to attend the next field trip. - Students who've left the building without permission will not be permitted to attend field trips for the remainder of the year. Field Trip QuickBase Application: - Trip Sponsor Access: To create their first trip, trip sponsors should go to the application using [this link](https://octo.quickbase.com/db/bsrwq4v7g) and request to be linked to their school using the form at the top of their dashboard. Questions: please email. - Permission Slip Upload Requirements: Uploading permission slips is optional for day trips under 50 miles -- schools still need to collect and store these at the school level. Please note, that for overnight trips, trips over 50 miles, and international trips, permission slips must be uploaded for final approval. - Reminder: Student Rosters: Email rosters to Principal Johnson and AP Wiley. **2024 Financial Transactions** Staff must obtain **prior** written authorization from the principal for all financial transactions that require payment by the administration. **Food and Nutrition** All beverages and snack foods provided by or sold in DCPS or provided by organizations partnering in our schools, whether through vending machines, a la carte lines, snack bars, school stores, or fundraisers must meet the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools and the DC Healthy Schools Act (to include Healthier US Schools Challenge Gold Award Level) nutritional standards. - Schools will prohibit third parties other than school related organizations and school meal service providers from selling food or beverages of any type to students on school property from 90 minutes before the school day begins until 90 minutes after the school day ends. - Schools will not use food and beverages that do not meet the nutritional standards in classroom celebrations, or as incentives, prizes, or awards. - Schools will not use or withhold any food or beverage as reward or punishment - Schools will only market and promote foods and beverages that meet the nutritional standards - Schools will limit celebrations that involve food or beverages during the school day to no more than one party per class per month Schools will encourage teachers and families to only bring food and beverages that meet the following nutritional standards on school grounds, including in student lunches from home. - The requirements of this section do not apply to food and drinks available only to faculty and staff members, food provided at no cost by parents, food sold or provided at official after-school events and adult education programs, and food not consumed or marketed to students. Nutritional Standards: +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Portion Size | - Snacks \ - Maintain a log of team in conducting an ongoing evaluation of students' progress. - Work with the principal to complete team responsibilities when necessary. - Plan intervention strategies for potential failures and dropouts. - Refer students for academic and behavior services. **Grading Policy** Parents should be regularly notified about both positive and negative progress of their children. At mid-advisory parents receive a progress report. The report indicates for each subject, progress that is satisfactory or in need of improvement. The report is mailed home. At the end of each advisory, parents receive the students' report card. Please follow the DCPS guidelines when completing these reports. Progress report and report card due dates can be found on the master calendar. All teachers should maintain a grade book, and student portfolio. Middle school teachers must enter the grades in ASPEN. Any student receiving an \"F\" at progress report time should be afforded the opportunity to improve their grade. Teachers should complete the following steps: Portfolios are to be maintained for all students. Portfolios should include the following items: o Records of diagnostic and interim assessment data. o Dated samples of students work in varying subject areas. This information could also reflect anecdotal observations of behavior, student work in centers, guided discoveries, small group instruction, and other work that has been created. o Other relevant information as deemed by the teacher. Teachers should maintain a communication log in Aspen that demonstrates sequence of communication. The communication log should include dates of conferences held and contact with parent via email or phone. Reporting student progress to parents/guardians: o The primary responsibility for evaluating the work of the student shall rest with the teacher. In the event that any grade shall be challenged, the teacher must produce tangible, pertinent, detailed, and dated records to substantiate the grade given. o If the student is failing a course or grade, the teacher shall notify the students' parent/guardian, and the principal, as soon as such is determined, but in no case later than mid-advisory. A copy shall be given to the parent/guardian before the end of the advisory. The teacher shall hold mandatory conference. In addition, students who are failing should be referred to the MTSS team. o It is expected that each teacher will maintain documentation such as portfolios, grade books, student work samples, records of all parent conferences and contacts, copies of deficiencies and other data to substantiate any grade that is given. o Report cards should be thoughtfully and carefully prepared as an evaluation of the student\'s work. o Teacher comments should accurately reflect the students' performance and be free from spelling and grammatical errors. Teacher's Responsibilities for Mark Entry The primary responsibility for evaluating the work of the student shall rest with the teacher (WTU 19.1.1, DCMR 2200.4). According to the WTU agreement, the teacher must produce tangible, pertinent, detailed and dated records to substantiate the grade given and must maintain accurate and current records at all times. Teachers are to enter their own grades by posted deadlines. District of Columbia Municipal Regulations clarify that parents and students will be informed in writing on a regular basis through both progress reports and report cards of the progress made toward achieving the content standards and must be notified in a timely fashion if the student is in danger of failing the course. **IMPACT and Marks** Teachers can be held accountable for not entering marks in a timely fashion through IMPACT, using Core Professionalism---Policies & Procedures (CP3) or Commitment to the School Community (CSC4 and CSC1). Mark entry is a contractual obligation; it is also a critical DCPS procedure for timely communication with students and their families. Entering Marks after Mark Entry Deadline Teachers are given a week to enter grades---from Records Day at the end of the term through the following Friday at 11:59 p.m. After the posted deadline, all teachers are locked out of grade entry. **Grading Policy: Elementary** **PreK**: Teachers will continue to use the Teaching Strategies GOLD system for documenting children's progress and development across developmental domains. Report cards will be generated through GOLD. **K-5**: Term grade calculations are based on student engagement, practice, and application, and assessment. Grades are recorded as 1-4 (or no mark) with sub marks for skills. **Kindergarten through fifth grade receive marks 1 through 4 to indicate the degree of achievement in each content area as follows:** ---------- --------------------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------- **Mark** **Degree of Achievement** **Definition** **Numeric Value** **4** **Advanced** **Exceeds the standard for mastery** **90-100%** **3** **Proficient** **Meets the standard for mastery** **80-89%** **2** **Basic** **Approaching the standard for mastery** **65-79%** **1** **Below Basic** **Does not meet the standard for mastery** **Less than 65%** ---------- --------------------------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------- **For skills or/expectations within subject areas, sub-marks shall be given as follows:** -------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- **Sub mark** **Degree of achievement** **Definition** **Numeric Value** **S** **Secure** **Demonstrates mastery of a specific skill** **80-100%** **D** **Developing** **Demonstrates partial or inconsistent mastery of a specific skill** **65-79%** **B** **Beginning** **Demonstrates minimal mastery of a specific skill** **Less than 65%** **N** **Skill not introduced** -------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- **Teachers will post a minimum of 2 grades every 10 days and must post at least 9 assignments to post a term grade.** **LEAP:** **Leap seminars will be held every Tuesday and Wednesday. Please adhere to the schedule below.** **Time** **Tuesday/Wednesday** -------------------- ---------------------------------- -------------- **8:45am-9:45am** **Special Subject Team Meeting** **9:50am-10:50am** **ECE** **11am-12pm** **ELA K-1** **Math K-1** **1pm-2pm** **ELA 2-3** **Math 2-3** **2:15pm-3:15pm** **ELA 4-5** **Math 4-5** - **Special Education Compliance Meetings will be held every other Monday at 8:10am.** - **MTSS Leadership Team Meeting every Friday at 9:10am-9:40am.** - **Attendance Team every Tuesday 10am-10:30am** - **Behavior Team every Wednesday at 10am-10:30am.** - **Committee planning every Friday.** **Mandated Reporting:** DCPS employees must continue to report all instances of known or suspected child abuse or neglect to the District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) at 202-671-SAFE (7233) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). When in doubt, contact the DC Comprehensive Alternative Resolution & Equity Team (CARE Team) at 202-442-5405 or