Cheltenham Elementary School : Parent Handbook

Welcome | School Info | Parent Handbook | Academic Program | Outside Organizations

Parent Handbook Girl working on the floor

Welcome to Cheltenham Elementary School!

This handbook is designed to inform parents about our school. We hope that you, the parents and guardians, find the information to be both informational and empowering.

Philosophy

We educate and nurture all children with the highest expectation for success in life.

Children are our foremost concern; therefore, we, the Cheltenham community, believe that each person is unique and capable of learning. Each child is provided with focused, meaningful instruction resulting in personal success. Mutual respect is the key to empowering students, staff, parents and community. Cheltenham Elementary highly values its community's diversity, dual-language abilities and its emphasis on providing a superb educational foundation. All members of our community are life-long learners and are challenged and supported to reach their fullest potential.

Attendance | Communication with School
Homework Policy Guidelines
Behavioral Expectations and Discipline
School Safety and Dress Code | Awards and Recognition
Health & Nutrition | Support Services

Teacher and children working in a group

ATTENDANCE

ATTENDANCE Colorado State Law requires students to attend school. At Cheltenham we expect all students to be here every day. Regular daily attendance is necessary for satisfactory academic progress.

Absences resulting from illness, injury, disability, or family emergencies will, under normal circumstances, be excused with proper notification/documentation such as a doctor’s note. Please call 303-825-3323 before 8:30 a.m. if your child is going to be absent.

If students have too many unexcused absences or are chronically tardy, the students and their families may be required to appear in court. When a child is absent our automated system will call home. Feel free to leave a message or call the school directly.

A child must have a doctor’s note child to be excused from dance/physical education or to be kept inside during playground activity. This will be cleared through the school nurse.

TARDIES

Students are tardy when they come to school after 8:20 a.m.
Students who arrive after 8:20 a.m. must go to the office, to be given a tardy slip in order to enter class.

LEAVING EARLY

Students are expected to be at school for the entire day (8:10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
Doctor or dentist appointments should be scheduled after school hours or during breaks whenever possible.
If, in the judgment of the school, early dismissals are impacting student achievement, a conference with the parents will be requested.
If it is absolutely necessary for a student to leave early please report to the office first. A parent or authorized adult (listed on the emergency contact) must sign them out through the office.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL TIMES

Children should arrive at school no earlier than 7:40 a.m. as there is no adult supervision.

Breakfast: 7:40-8:00 a.m.
School starts: 8:10 a.m.
School ends: 3:00 p.m.
Early Dismissal each Wednesday: 1:45 p.m.

All students are dismissed outside, unless specific circumstances have been approved. If you have two or more kids in school, choose a specific spot where you wish to meet them for pick up (i.e. the flag pole, playground …etc.)

Attendance | Communication with School
Homework Policy Guidelines
Behavioral Expectations and Discipline
School Safety and Dress Code | Awards and Recognition
Health & Nutrition | Support Services
To the top

Boy checking out a book in the library

COMMUNICATION WITH THE SCHOOL

School Visits- Parents are always welcomed at school.

If you want to visit a classroom, please stop at the office first. To maximize the effectiveness of your visit, we request you contact the teacher ahead of time.
When you are in a classroom observing, please don’t try to hold a conference with the teacher. This is disruptive to instruction and not fair to the other children in the classroom. Make an appointment to confer before or after school or at time the teacher and you can meet.
If you are unable to help in the classroom, there may be things you can do at home. Ask your child’s teacher.
Please contact our family coordinator if you are interested in volunteering.
Children from other schools are not permitted to visit Cheltenham with your child during school hours.

Written Communication from School

Communication is sent home daily with your child in a folder. This includes announcements, classroom news, information about parent night, and the monthly school newsletter and homework. Please check the folder daily.

Report Cards/Parent/Teacher Conferences

Report cards are issued three times a year, after each trimester grading period for students in grades K - 5th.
Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled two times a year in the fall & spring. Notification & a sign up sheet will be sent home.
You may request a conference at any time during the year. If you ever have a question, please don’t hesitate to telephone your child’s teacher.

Family Nights & Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)

The Cheltenham PTO mainly works on fundraising to help purchase books for every child to take home at least twice a year. Times will be announced in the monthly newsletter.

Family Nights cover a wide variety of educational topics for parents approximately once a month. Dates are noted on the calendar and reminders will be sent home.

COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL COMMITTEE (CSC)

The Collaborative School Committee is comprised of the school principal, teachers, classified staff members, parents and members of the business community. The committee meets at least 3 times a year. Meeting dates will be published in parent newsletters and posted on the parent bulletin board. The meetings are held in the Cheltenham LMC. The committee works to enhance student achievement and the school climate by engaging the school community in collaborative efforts supporting the school improvement plan goals. All are welcome to attend!

Girl writing

HOMEWORK POLICY GUIDELINES

It is recognized that all learning cannot be accomplished within the limited amount of time allotted for classroom instruction. Therefore homework is routinely assigned to all students in the Denver Public Schools. As the word implies, homework shall be completed outside the classroom.

Learning to read must be a priority and is best done by practicing reading. Children should spend significant amounts of time reading to an adult and reading independently. All children must read or be read to for a minimum of 20 minutes at home each night. This is a school-wide homework expectation.

HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS AND TIPS

Check with your child’s teacher as to the amount of homework your child is expected to complete.
A child should never have the excuse of having no homework. Reading a book or practicing math facts is always considered homework.

SCHOOL-WIDE HOMEWORK

Reading log - Read to or with your child daily for 20 minutes
Math log - practice counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication and/or division.
Other - Teacher selected activities to be done at home

HOMEWORK TIPS

Be interested in your child’s school work
Talk to your child daily about what was learned in school
Set a daily time and a quiet space for homework
Get to know your child’s teacher and contact him/her if you have questions/concerns
Praise and support your child’s homework efforts

Girl doing math

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS AND DISCIPLINE

The staff and parents at Cheltenham must work together to provide a safe and positive learning environment for all students. This successful partnership leads to productivity and achievement. We believe skills and habits developed in elementary school lay the foundation for success throughout life. Our goal is to create a safe atmosphere of caring, respect and trust among students, parents and staff; and to expect each student to reach his/her potential.

On occasion, you may receive notes or calls from your child’s teacher about having your child stay for “After-School Academy” offered daily from 3:00-3:15 p.m. When students do not follow school rules, we ask students to refocus by thinking about appropriate choices. Students complete a refocus form and then resume their participation in class. Because our staff cares about the time and instruction that students may miss during refocus periods, we offer “After-School Academy” so students make up any work missed. We care too much to let behavior interfere with learning.

SCHOOL RULES & ABSOLUTES

Use a soft voice.
Use polite language.
Keep hands and feet to self.
Keep area clean.
Follow directions.

Absolutes are actions that are not allowed at Cheltenham School:

No violence - verbal or physical
No drugs, alcohol or firearms
No disrespect for self or others

Additional behaviors that are not allowed include:

Stealing or damaging personal property or the property of others
Bringing items that do not relate to school activities (i.e. radios, headphones, large purses or bags, gum, candy, toys, etc.)
Wearing clothing that is distracting or symbolic of possible gang membership in any way (for example, baggy pants)

Students will show respect for self and others. Students will respect and follow all adult directions in a courteous manner.

Art class

SCHOOL SAFETY AND DRESS CODE

BUILDING ENTRY

For safety reasons, the only door that is unlocked during school hours is the front door of the building.

ALL VISITORS MUST SIGN IN AT THE FRONT OFFICE.

TRAFFIC PATTERNS

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Zones

Drop off or pick up children only if your vehicle is next to the curb out of the traffic lane.
Please unload and load your children quickly.
DO NOT use the parking lot as a place to drop your student off, unless you plan to park in a designated space. This poses safety concern to children walking to school through the parking lot.
Children leave the building from many different exits. Please be aware of the classroom number that your child is in and where your child will exit the building. All students exit the building where outdoor supervision is provided by teachers.

STUDENTS WALKING

Please use the crosswalk or street corners when crossing the street with your children.

We want the children to use the crosswalk whether they are with you or not. If children see adults not following this safety rule, they won’t follow it either.

DRESS CODE

It is our intent that our students know and understand appropriate dress and good grooming habits. There are several guidelines that will help parents determine what a child should or should not wear to school:

Is it neat and clean?
Will it be distracting to other students?
Will it impair the movement of the child?
Could the child suffer injury because of baggy clothes that do not fit well or shoes that may make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, or run?

For example, while students may wear shorts, short shorts are considered inappropriate. Sagging shorts/pants, chains, and long belts are not allowed at Cheltenham School. Tank tops, halter-tops, mesh T-shirts, and any clothing with inappropriate messages will be unacceptable. While we realize that students wear hats as a part of their outfits, please be aware that Cheltenham School has a “Hats Off in the Building” policy, which applies to all boys and girls.

Children on the climbing wall.

STUDENT AWARDS AND REGOGNITION

CIA (CAUGHT IN THE ACT) SLIPS - recognize students who make appropriate choices and follow school rules. These slips are given by an adult. The child takes one portion home and the other is sent to the office. Every week a CIA drawing is held. The students’ names that are drawn receive a special prize.
SUPER CITIZEN - two students per grade level (1-5) will be recognized by each quarter at an awards assembly. Pictures will be displayed in the main hall showcase.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE - will be recognized by grade level each quarter at an awards assembly. Students who attain perfect attendance all year will receive recognition.
100% READING AND MATH LOGS - awards are for students who read 20 minutes each night, practice math games/facts, and turn in reading and math logs 100% of the time will be recognized each quarter at an awards assembly.
MILLION WORDS CAMPAIGN - students who read a million words will be recognized at the end of the year assembly.
READING AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL - recognizes academic achievement for students meeting and exceeding grade level proficiencies in reading. Students will be recognized each quarter at an awards assembly.
MOST IMPROVED STUDENT - recognizes the students whom have shown the most growth academically and socially. Students will be recognized each quarter at an awards assembly.
5th GRADE CONTINUATION - celebrates the accomplishments of the students leaving the 5th grade at Cheltenham for middle school.
KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION - celebrates the kindergarten students successfully completing kindergarten.

Girl doing math

HEALTH & NUTRITION

The school nurse is a resource to address students’ health needs, which require assistance at school; for example, asthma, seizures, diabetes and allergies. Please advise the school nurse of any acute or chronic health problems that may impact your child. The school nurse is in the building one to two days per week.

IMMUNIZATIONS

All students require up to date immunization records at the time of registration. If the immunization is not current or no waiver is filed two weeks after the beginning of school, the child’s school start date may be delayed. If you are unaware of the required immunizations please ask your family doctor or the school nurse.

ILLNESS OR INJURY

If a child becomes ill or is injured at school, the school nurse or member of the office staff will attempt to contact the parent and supervise the child until he/she is picked up. In case of an emergency we will call 911. Please keep your phone numbers on the emergency card updated. This information is very necessary for us in case of an emergency.

When should you keep your child at home?

If he/she has a fever of 101 degrees or above, keep your child at home until normal
If your child has diarrhea or is vomiting.
If your child has a rash that is indefinable.

Remember to notify the school office before 8:30 a.m. if your child is ill.

PRESCRIBED MEDICATION ONLY

If a child must be given medication at school, the following procedure must be followed: The parent and physician must sign a permission form (available in the nurse’s office), and the medication must be in its original bottle. Cough drops or any over the counter medicines are considered medication and can not be taken at school without following the above procedure.

NUTRITION & FOOD SERVICES

DPS Food and Nutrition services’ mission is to enhance student’s learning ability by providing quality nutritional meals.

Breakfast
Breakfast is served each morning at 7:40-8:00 a.m.

Food Prices Breakfast for adults costs $1.50;
Breakfast for children who do not attend DPS is $1.10.
A full lunch for adults costs $2.50 without milk or $2.90 with milk
For non-DPS students, lunch is $1.65.
Milk costs 40 cents.

No food can be taken outside of the cafeteria.

Children working on math

SUPPORT SERVICES

On-site Support Services

Cariño Child Care - is located on-site at Cheltenham and serves ages 5-12. Site Coordinator phone number: 720-424-8844. Hours are from 7:00 a.m. - 8:10 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Breakfast and snacks are served. Kindergarten hours are from 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Child care is available during school breaks.
Butterfly Hope - provides educational enrichment programs focusing on social skills, arts, science and gardening. Classes held during summer and some school breaks.
After School Programs - Information about program enrollment and dates will be sent home.
1. Reading Tutoring
2. Denver Scores - soccer and poetry (grades 3-5)
3. Art and Dance Classes
4. Math Tutoring (Grades 3-5)

Off-site Support Services

Boys and Girls Club - located across from the school on 16th Avenue. Phone Number: 303-893-8150
Girls Inc. - located across from the school on Colfax Street. Phone Number: 303-893-4363 ext. 105