Welcome to the Student Handbook
The following instructions are designed to answer questions and help with important reminders. Click on a topic for more information.
Click here to download student handbook.pdf.
Click here to download the progressive discipline plan.
After School Activities are provided for Art, Honor Choir, Japan Club, Book Club, and Jump Rope Activities by grade levels. Please watch news coming home for activities for your child's grade-level.
It is important that a child is at school each day to receive the maximum benefit from the classroom environment. Instruction and classroom participation that occur each day are important for learning. Please make attendance at school a priority. When a child is absent from school, the school must be provided with a written explanation or notified by phone (753-6881) to the nature of the absence. Students having excused absences will be allowed two days per absence to complete missed work. The student is responsible for making up all assignments, projects, and/or tests missed during the absence. As per Elko County School District policy, students must attend 90% of days enrolled. Attending less than this 90% may result in a student's loss of promotion in to the next grade.
An excused absence is as follows:
1. Doctor verified medical release.
2. Prearranged education experience outside at school.
3. Verified family emergencies.
4. Extended injury or illness which is doctor verified.
5. Absences directly related to a student's identified disability.
Medical/Dental Appointments: Please make arrangements for medical appointments before and after school when possible.
Unexcused absences are determined by the administrator. An unexcused absence constitutes a truancy.
The complete Elko County School District Attendance policy is available at the school site.
As transportation is provided across Lamoille Highway by District bussing, we encourage all students to not cross the Highway on foot or by bicycle. For those riding bicycles from areas on the west side of Lamoille Highway, please observe the same safety rules as automobile drivers (stopping at stop signs, riding single file on the right hand side of the street, etc.) For safety reasons, student and adult bicycles are not to be ridden on school property, but are to be parked at the closest available bike rack. Bicycles can be wonderful exercise and lots of fun, but with the busy morning traffic, we encourage everyone to wear a helmet and to be cautious.
Students are issued those supplies and books needed for the year. Students are responsible for the reasonable care of text books and other educational supplies. Willful neglect or destruction of school property will result in the student, through his parent(s) or guardian, being required to compensate for their replacement or repair.
Elko County School District policy allows students to ride a bus from home to school and from school back home. If a change of busses is required due to a change in residence, only notification of the bus driver is required. District policy does not allow for a bus change due to extra-curricular activities such as scouts, visiting friends, sports, etc. Only changes made on a permanent basis or for family emergencies are permitted. For further information regarding this policy, please contact Mr. Bill Hassett, Transportation Supervisor, at 738-4360.
Enjoy the ride to and from school by visiting quietly with friends, reading a book, completing homework assignment, or looking for scenery changes. Remember that a bus ride is a wonderful privilege and makes it much easier for mom and dad to get everyone to school.
Since unsafe and inappropriate behavior can threaten everyone's safety, Elko County School District policy states:
"When a student is guilty of misconduct, the driver will give the completed Misconduct Report to the school administrator. After disposition of the report, copies will be distributed to the student, parents, Transportation Department and the driver. The severity of student action may result in permanent suspension from the privilege of bus transportation. Suspension from bus transportation does not excuse the student from school attendance as required by the Compulsory Education Laws of the State of Nevada, N.R.A. 391.140."
Students are not allowed to use cell phones during school hours.
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In order to provide the safest possible environment, students may not leave campus without a pass and/or adult escort. A student may only be checked out of school by a parent, legal guardian, or the emergency contact person(s) as on file with the school office unless special arrangement(s) have been made in writing. Early check-outs are for excused absences only. (Consistent five-minute early check-outs are considered unexcused.) A parent must come to the office and sign the date and the time the student is leaving. A photo I.D. is required in the event that office personnel cannot verify parent/guardian identity. The student will be called from class to meet the parent in the office.
So that we all remain safe, students are not to leave the school grounds during the school day unless permission is granted through the office.
Be prepared! Except for a rare occasion, students are sent outside for short recess breaks. Please send children dressed appropriately warm on these days.
COMPUTER LAB - INTERNET AGREEMENT
Due to generous contributions from PTO, student fundraisers, and individual donations, Spring Creek Elementary has two wonderful computer labs. Please be aware that students must acquire licenses for computer lab use before this privilege is extended to them. Internet Agreements must be on file previous to student utilizing this application. For further information on this Internet Agreement, contact the school office or the classroom teacher.
So that each student is insured a safe, positive, and productive learning environment, a school discipline policy has been established. Careful consideration of each particular incident will include:
- seriousness of offense.
- student's age.
- frequency of misbehavior.
- student's attitude.
- effect or potential effect of the misconduct on the school environment.
Consequences can include:
- a student/administrative conference;
- correcting the situation if possible;
- school detention;
- in-house suspension;
- after school suspension;
- out-of-school suspension;
- expulsion.
The Board of Trustees of the Elko County School District has adopted written rules of behavior prohibited while attending school within the District such as damage to school property, truancy, impertinence, possession or use of liquor or illicit drugs, use of tobacco, use of profane or vulgar language, disobedience, impairment of the health, safety or welfare of others (fighting), and possession of a dangerous weapon. The complete "Student Discipline Policy" is available at Spring Creek Elementary for review.
The responsibility for the appearance of the students of Spring Creek Elementary School, for the most part, rests with the parents and the students themselves. The following guidelines are enforced for the health and well-being of all students:
1. Footwear of some kind must be worn. Closed-toe shoes are encouraged. Flip-flops, however, are not allowed due to playground safety issues.
2. Clothes must be clean, neat, and must meet reasonable standards of health and hygiene. Baggy clothing will not be permitted.
3. Extremes are not permitted (swimwear, bare midriffs/chests, tank tops, etc.).
4. Appropriate shorts may be worn--weather permitting (no tank tops, etc.). Shorts must be below the knees.
5. Nothing that would damage school property may be worn.
6. Distracting attire (i.e., exposed underwear) and/or attire with inappropriate messages as determined by an administrator are not permitted.
7. Hats are acceptable, but need to be removed in the building as students are being taught social norms and standards of etiquette.
Students violating this standard will be asked to change, remove, or cover up with acceptable wear.
There are two types of early outs. The first type of early out is the day before a major holiday. These early outs allow for teacher and student travel around holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and summer vacation. The second type of early out is for teacher education and in-service. The district has professional development sessions scheduled this year and the Spring Creek schools also have a few early release days to complete curriculum coordination and other professional planning sessions. Early out days have increased from the past year. For early-outs, with the exception of parent conferences, students attend the "minimum day" requirement. This means that students are released "two hours" early. For Spring Creek Elementary this means 1:00 p.m. Early outs have been coordinated with Sage, Spring Creek Middle School and Spring Creek High School for parent convenience and for bus schedules. Lunch is served on these days. Two early-outs are scheduled at the elementary and middle school level for parent conferences. To coordinate with the high school bus runs (the high school has a regular day and no conferences), students are released "three hours" early. On parent conference days, students leave school at 12:00 p.m. and no lunch is served. So that afternoon kindergarten students are not short-changed in days of attendance, the schedule for kindergarten changes on early-out days:
AM from 8:30-11:15 a.m. changes to 8:30-10:15 a.m.
PM from 12:15-3:00 p.m. changes to 11:15-1:00 p.m.
Kindergarten students attend a regular day for parent conference days as substitute teachers cover classrooms.
Please see that current address and phone numbers are listed with the school along with an emergency contact person. This information is vital in case of emergency.
FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)
FERPA is a federal law that affords parents and students certain rights with respect to student education records.
- Parents and eligible students have the right to inspect and review a student's education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access.
- Parents and eligible students have the right to request the amendment of the student's education records they believe to be inaccurate or misleading.
- FERPA authorizes exceptions in disclosure of student's education records without consent; i.e., school officials to fulfill professional responsibilities, records sent to other schools which a student seeks or intends to enroll, and directory information publicly provided as designated by the Elko County School District (but not limited to name, address, telephone numbers, email address, date/place of birth, photographs or likenesses, audio and video tape, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, field of study, weight and height of members of athletic teams, enrollment status, dates of attendance, awards received, the most recent previous school attended, grade level, honor roll status, and class list).
Parents or eligible students may refuse to let the school designate any or all of those types of information about the student as directory information by notifying the school in writing that the parent or eligible student does not want any or all of this information designated as directory information. To review the complete FERPA federal law, contact the school office.
Field trips are wonderful learning experiences offered to each grade level. Field trip permission forms must be signed prior to participation. Unfortunately, notes and telephone calls from parents cannot be accepted.
In the event that a student is on a field trip, a student is not released from teacher supervision without approval from a Spring Creek Elementary School administrator. Please pre-arrange field trip check-outs by sending a written request to the office for approval previous to the event.
FIRE/SHELTER-IN-PLACE/EMERGENCY DRILLS
In case of a fire or emergency, there will be an evacuation plan posted in each classroom as well as a teacher emergency manual on hand per classroom. Each teacher will instruct students regarding specific procedures.
In case of emergency where students are not to evacuate the building (i.e., Shelter-in-Place), students and teacher will be notified and teachers will proceed with policies in the Emergency Handbook.
Spring Creek Elementary students have the right to personal respect, a safe environment, and protection from consistent offensive comment or behavior (i.e., bullying, name calling) or a single behavior that is demoralizing and/or invades privacy (i.e., flipping undergarments, de-pantsing, etc.). Any offenses are to be reported any offense to the teacher or principal. Please be aware that sexual harassment is subject to disciplinary and/or legal action.
Nevada Revised Statute (Chapter 388, Section 3-5) declares the following:
Harassment and Intimidation is Prohibited in Public Schools.
"Harassment" means a willful act or course of conduct that is not otherwise authorized by law and is:
Section 3:
1. Highly offensive to a reasonable person; and
2. Intended to cause and actually causes another person to suffer serious emotional distress.
Section 4: "Intimidation" means a willful act or course of conduct that is not otherwise authorized by law and;
1. Is highly offensive to a reasonable person; and
2. Poses a threat of immediate harm or actually inflicts harm to another person or to the property of another person.
Section 5: The legislature declares that:
1. A learning environment that is safe and respectful is essential for the pupils enrolled in the public schools in this state of achieving academic success and meet this state's high academic standards;
2. Any form of harassment or intimidation in public schools seriously interferes with the ability of teachers to teach in the classroom and the ability of pupils to learn;
3. The intended goal of the legislature is to ensure that:
(a) The public schools in this state provide a safe and respectful learning environment in which persons of differing beliefs, characteristics and back grounds can realize their full academic and personal potential; and
(b) All administrators, principals, teachers and other personnel of the school districts and public schools in this state demonstrate appropriate behavior on the premises of any public school by treating other persons, including, without limitation, pupils, with civility and respect and by refusing to tolerate harassment or intimidation; and
4. By declaring its goal that the public schools in this state provide a safe and respectful learning environment, the legislature is not advocating or requiring the acceptance of differing beliefs in a manner that would inhibit the freedom of expression, but is requiring that pupils with differing beliefs by free from abuse and harassment.
Section 6: A member of the board of trustees of a school district, any employee of the board of trustees, including, without limitation, an administration, principal, teacher or other staff member, or any pupil shall not engage in harassment or intimidation of the premises of any public school, at an activity sponsored by a public school or on any school bus.
Homework assignments are a part of the school program. Homework assignments will consist of long-range assignments, work not completed during the day, work on which the student needs additional practice, make-up work, or extra practice or discovery. Homework will not be assigned as busy work or for disciplinary purposes. In the event a child is consistently spending more than an hour on homework, please check into the cause for non-completion of work during the school day.
| Vaccine | Minimum Number of Doses Required |
| Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP, Tdap, DTP) |
FIVE |
| Hepatitis A (HAV) |
TWO (6 months between doses) |
| Hepatitis B (HBV) |
THREE (must be at least 24 weeks of age at time of dose 3) |
| Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) |
TWO (must be given after the 1st birthday with 4 weeks between doses) |
| Chickenpox (VZV) |
TWO (or history of chickenpox) (vaccine not needed if child has had the chicken pox) (the vaccine must be given after the 1st birthday with 3 months between doses for children less than 13 years and 4 weeks between doses for children age 13 and older) |
| Polio (IPV, OPV) |
FOUR (4th dose is not needed if the 3rd dose was given after the fourth birthday) |
Accident insurance for students is available through the school. Information concerning this insurance is available at the school office.
After the first few weeks of school, a late bus is provided on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for students needing academic support. School administrators may use the late bus option for after-school detention. Bus transportation is not available for other optional activities (i.e., honor choir, drama club, art or science activity, etc.). Teachers must give permission for any student to remain after school. Teacher supervision must be provided. Teachers notify parents previous to a child staying to ride the late bus. Administrator or office personnel will notify parents of students remaining for after-school detention.
Students are encouraged to read books and use other materials available in the school media center. Students are limited to having two books checked out at any time. The due date is two weeks following the check-out date, but the books may be returned sooner or renewed.
All articles should be turned into "lost and found." Large articles are placed in the lost and found cabinet. Small articles are given to the office. If an article is lost, check the lost and found as soon as possible.
The hot lunch program at Spring Creek Elementary is a convenience. This service begins the first day of school and continues through the last day of school. Students are encouraged to pay weekly or monthly, but may pay daily. Free and reduced lunch applications are available at the office. Current lunch prices are as follows:
Student Lunch: $2.50 per day Adult Lunch: $3.50 per day
Milk for Sack Lunch: $0.50 per milk
Prices are subject to change year to year. Charges are allowed only in an emergency, as a courtesy. Please see that money loaned is returned promptly and a positive balance is maintained.
Students who are required to take any type of medication during school hours, must have on file in the school nurse's office a Prescription Medical Authorization form signed by the prescribing physician/practitioner and the parent or guardian. The prescription label is not considered to be authorization from a physician to allow the school nurse to administer medication.
All mediations must be contained in a current pharmacy container labeled with the student's name, prescriber's name, date, medication, dosage, and time to be given. Any change in type, frequency or amounts of medications will require a new prescription Medication Authorization Form.
In the event circumstances make it impossible to fulfill the above referenced procedure, and it is imperative that a student have the medication, it will be given for two days only. The parent/ guardian must write or telephone this special request to the nurse. However, it is required that continued medication can be provided only upon following the above stated procedure.
New students will need to register at the office. Each student will need to provide the transfer of all school records, immunization records, and a birth certificate. No student will be admitted without these records.
Power School is a web-based student management system used by the Elko County School District. Parents can review attendance, homework status, and grades with the proper ID. More information can be obtained from the school office.
Classes will not be interrupted for phone messages from parents. Voice mail is available for each classroom. Please make all arrangements prior to school time with your child.
The PTA is a parent/teacher association developed to help improve our school system. Each year the PTA organization helps with incentive programs for the students, volunteer ditto pool and teacher aids, and fundraisers for extra equipment and school improvements. Our PTA officers for 2007-2008 are:
| President | Valerie Zunino |
| Vice-President | Jolene Duncan |
| Secretary | Elaine Hunter |
| Treasurer | Laura Bonich |
| Co-Officer | Melissa Baisley |
| Co-Officer | Mercedes Woster |
All meetings begin at 3:10 p.m. in the Spring Creek Elementary Library.
No educational records or information about a student are provided to any individual who makes inquiries via telephone or fax machine without prior written authorization for release of confidential records and proof of identification. If information is requested in person, identification will be required before any information is released. Student records are released to schools that send a record request which must be authorized by a parent/guardian. If a parent requests to view cumulative academic files, identification will be required before any records are released for viewing purposes. A school counselor, secretary or administrator must be present during the viewing process.
REPORT CARDS/ CONFERENCES/TESTING
Report cards for grades K - 5 are issued at each nine-week interval throughout the school year for a total of four such reports. Informal conferences between teacher and parents are welcome. However, in order to maintain the school schedules, these meetings are encouraged to be arranged in advance. The most appropriate time for such meetings is previous to or after school. Parent conferences are scheduled at the end of the first nine weeks and at the end of the third nine weeks.
In order to evaluate thoroughly each student's progress and achievement, a comprehensive testing program is scheduled during the fall of the year.
Students that are ill should not be in attendance at school. Please do not request that children remain "indoors" during the day as students must always be supervised, and this does not allow for teachers to leave their rooms. If the child is well enough to attend school and is not in a condition to jeopardize the health of others, but has been requested by a doctor to remain indoors, please send this verification.
A child will not be given any medical/aspirin as diagnosed by the child. If a child is on a doctor's prescription, please provide the school nurse with a copy of the doctor's prescribed orders along with the medication. Medication for these rare instances will only be dispensed by the school nurse. No prescription drug is allowed in a student's desk.
If for any reason school should be closed, please listen to these radio stations: KRJC 95.3 FM or KELK 1240 AM. The superintendent will make the final determination on any school closing. There is an "Alert" page on the District website that will also advise of any school closures (www.elko.k12.nv.us).
Students participate in basic health screening (i.e., height, weight, vision, hearing, etc.) along with academic screenings (i.e., speech and language, reading, math, etc.). Should further evaluation be needed, parents will be contacted for permission to conduct a more thorough assessment.
Student rules at Spring Creek Elementary are easy to remember:
- LISTEN ATTENTIVELY
- APPRECIATION -- NO PUT DOWNS
- RIGHT TO PASS
- RIGHT TO CONFIDENTIALITY
Reminders for safety and conscientiousness are helpful and include the following:
Be Safe
Never run or play in the hallways.
Be Polite
No shouting, loud talking, or boisterous behavior.
PROPERTY
Respect Others
Never get into another student's desk.
Show Honesty
Bring any lost possessions to the lost and found.
Be Safe
The playground at school is under direct supervision of the building principal or teachers in charge during the designated school day. Students using these grounds other than at the designated time will do so without supervision.
Be Without Injury
No snowball/rock throwing. Tackle football is prohibited. Unfortunately, roller blades and skateboards must also be prohibited.
Be Sensible
No standing on monkey bars.
Be Considerate
No fighting.
Be Conscientious
Keep all balls away from windows.
Be Aware
No one is allowed inside the building during recess without a pass.
Be Smart
Use common sense at all times to avoid getting hurt, hurting others, and getting in trouble.
Be Safe & Clean
Candy or chewing gum is not allowed on the playground.
Be Well-Mannered
Profanity is prohibited.
Be Wise
Do not bring extra money or valuable possessions to school (i.e., ghetto blasters, remote control cars, CD's, Christmas toys, etc.)
Be Healthy
Do not bring any medicine to school. Check with the school nurse if a doctor has given a prescription.
Be Cautious
Do not ever leave school during the day without checking with the office.
Be Organized
Once seated, do not change places.
Be Well-Mannered
Eat politely and use good table manners.
Be Clean
Clear table of trash.
Be Patient
Leave for recess only when excused.
Tardiness and the disruption it causes is inconsiderate of others; however, it is preferred that a student be tardy rather than absent. Parents are encouraged to have their children to school on time. If a student is more than 5 minutes late, they must have a tardy slip from the office to be admitted to class. After 5 tardies, parents will receive a letter of warning. After 10 tardies, the students will meet with an administrator and a letter will be mailed to parents. After 15 tardies, parents must meet with an administrator. Parents are encouraged to not disturb class by early dismissals.
Use of the telephone by students is limited to emergency calls and school business calls only. Calls for permission to attend parties and ride busses with friends, etc., will not be permitted due to the overwhelming amount of time involved and the miscommunication that can occur. These matters should be taken care of at home. A phone pass issued by the student's teacher is required before the telephone may be used.
Due to the adoption of A.B. 486, the Elko County School District has issued the following position regarding Habitual Truancy:
Notice is hereby given that under NRS 62.224, the penalty imposed for habitual truancy (first time offense) is a fine of $100.00. The second or any subsequent time the child is found to be a habitual truant, the penalty is a $200.00 fine and performance of not more than 10 hours of community service. A pupil shall be deemed a truant if he or she is absent from school without the approval of the principal of the school which the pupil attends. The pupil who has been declared a truant three or more times within one school year must be declared a habitual truant. After a pupil is deemed a habitual truant, the school will issue a citation to the pupil and the parent or guardian which will direct the pupil to appear in Juvenile Court for adjudication.
All individuals who are not Spring Creek Elementary School personnel must check in at the office and obtain a "Visitor" or "Volunteer" sticker. The sticker must be worn in such a manner to be visible to all students and staff members. All visitors and volunteers must sign in and out at the office. This practice helps keep our students safe and helps us to be accountable for building visitors during emergencies. Students: Student visitors are welcomed when accompanied by an adult. Student guests (same age-level) are welcomed for a brief visit. Please check with the classroom teacher(s) to find an hour or less of class time that would be least intrusive or a time that might be beneficial to the classroom (i.e., guest speaker). Student visitors must be checked in and out at the office by an adult (emergency number and name are needed). Students not attending Elko County Schools may not be transported by regular school bus routes. Student visitors accompanied by an adult are invited to attend and watch field days or assemblies (providing there is available space); however, such guests may not participate in field day activities.
Any student withdrawing from Spring Creek Elementary will be missed! Students should be accompanied by the parent and should check with his/her teacher in seeing that all books are returned to the classroom and library. The parent and student must also notify the office so that lunch accounts are cleared and school records can be sent to the new attendance area.
Kindergarten A.M.--8:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Kindergarten P.M.--12:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Grades 1 - 5--8:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
| A.M. Recess/Mile Club | Lunch | Lunch Recess | P.M. Recess | |
| Grade 1 | ||||
| Grade 2 | ||||
| Grade 3 | ||||
| Grade 4 | ||||
| Grade 5 |
Contact Information
Address:
7 Licht Parkway
Spring Creek, Nevada 89815
Telephone:
775-753-6881
Fax
775-753-1074
Information:
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