Elementary School

Principal's Corner: 2012-13 FAQs

1) When is the first day of school?

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Branch: 8:00am to 3:00pm (Pre-school and KDG. only)

Main Building:8:30am to 3:30pm (1^st -8^th grades only)

Branch: Pre-school parents only can walk their child to the classroom or utilize Kiss-n-Go. Kindergarten parents please utilize Kiss-n-Go beginning at 7:40 am. Kiss-n-Go is available in the school's driveway. Students are considered tardy at 8:05am. If you want to remain with your child on the playground please walk, bike or park on Archer Street (adhere to parking signs).

Main Building: Please utilize our Kiss-n-Go program located on Federal Street beginning at 8:00 am. If you want to remain with your child on the playground please walk, bike or park on State Street. An email blast detailing Kiss-n-Go will be sent out on August 6th, September 3^rd and September 4^th. Students are considered tardy after 8:35 am.

Extended Day Program begins on the first day of school. Applications are now available on the school's website.

2) What are the school's address, phone, fax & website?

Branch Building- Kindergarten & Preschool

Address: 1915 S. Federal Street
Director: Mrs. Maria Lawrence - 773.534.9069
Phone: 773.534.9066
Fax: 773.534.9072

Main Building - 1st - 8th Grade

1212 S. Plymouth Court
Phone: 773.534.8690
Fax:773.534.8689

School School Website: https://southloopschool.net

3) What are the CPS websites?

General Information: http://www.cps.edu/Pages/home.aspx

Parent Portal for Student Grades: https://parent.cps.k12.il.us/pc/default.aspx?DistrictID=3000005

4) When is the Welcome Back to School Meet and Greet?

New Families Only: Friday, August 31, 2012 New families can meet their child's teacher: 2:30 to 3:30 pm and meet the Principal, Assistant Principal, Counselor, Director and staff members: 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

All Families- KDG- 8^th: Thursday, September 13, 2012 Hear an overview of their child's school year from the classroom teacher and enjoy an ice cream social sponsored by the Local School Council (LSC) from 6:15 to 7:00 pm.

7:00 -8:00 pm- 7^th and 8^th Grade Parents and Students Only will hear an overview of school policies, Student Code of Conduct, selective enrollment, selective prep, Leader in Me Program, high school selections, 2012- 2013 assessments, promotion policy and middle school expectations from Mrs. Shelton, Mr. Butler, and Mrs. Brewer. Note: If you have more than one child enrolled in the school please go to your youngest child's classroom first.

5) What is the Chicago Public School's 2012-2013 calendar?

School School is a regular track school. Go to this link to access the 2012-2013 CPS calendar:

http://www.cps.edu/Calendar/Pages/Calendar.aspx

Please be aware of students non-attendance days that occur during a calendar school year (holiday and non-holiday related) so you can arrange for childcare accordingly. Look for teacher professional development days, teacher institute days and winter and spring vacations.

6) What is the Extended Day Program?

An after-school program providing enrichment in academics and the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of creative programs from 3:30 - 6:00pm.A hot snack is provided to the students.

Kindergarten students enrolled in the Extended Day Program will be bussed to the Main Building for Extended Day programming and should be picked up by 6:00pm at the Main Building.

The 2012-2013 application and programming information is now available on the school's Website:

https://southloopschool.net/enrollment/extended-day-program

Contact Katie Svacier for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

7) What programs are available to students during the Extended Day Program?

There are many programs available for enrolled Extended Day students. Many programs are also available "a la carte" for students not enrolled in Extended Day. Samples of these programs are: Tae Kwon Do, Lookinglass Theatre, Hip Hop & Jazz Dance, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Daisies, Irish Dance, Sports, Music lessons, Chess Education, Anetra Art, and many more!

Please see the Extended Day Program booklet, upcoming email blasts from School School & the school's website for enrollment forms, more information and fees.

8) What are the health requirements to attend a Chicago Public School?

• Physical Exam: any student entering kindergarten, 6^th grade, 9^th grade, or entering a CPS school for the first time. Due October 12, 2012.
• Immunization Record: any student entering kindergarten, 6^th grade, 9^th grade, or entering a CPS school for the first time. Due October 12, 2012.
• Dental Exam: any student entering kindergarten, 2^nd and 6^th grade or entering a CPS school for the first time. Due October 12, 2012.
• Vision Exam: any student entering kindergarten or entering a CPS school for the first time. Due October 12, 2012.
• Tdap Immunization for all incoming 6^th graders. Due by October 12, 2012

Please visit the following website for details and forms:
http://www.cps.edu/Programs/Wellness_and_transportation/Pages/Wellnessandtransportation.aspx

Waivers based on religious or medical reasons must be submitted in writing as described in the Board of Education policy.
Please visit: http://policy.cps.k12.il.us/Default.aspx and reference- Policy 704.1

9) What happens if I miss the deadline for health requirement forms?

Your child may not attend school until the requirements are met. These days of missed school do not count as an excused absence.

10) What is School School's uniform policy?

• Navy blue pants or capris. Navy blue shorts, skirts, or dresses to the knee. No stripes, polka dots or other markings (name brand logos). Jeans or black pants are NOT permitted.
• White shirts, with or without a collar. Tank tops are NOT permitted. Only the School School logo or motto will be permitted on shirts - no other logos or markings are permitted.
• Sweaters & sweatshirts in white or navy blue.
• Outerwear (coats & jackets), stockings/tights/socks, shoes and hair accessories are at your discretion.
• Shoes should be appropriate for school activities, including recess. Flip flops and sandals are not permitted.
• Gym shoes and a gym uniform are required for gym days or the student will not be allowed to participate. Gym uniforms can only be purchased through the PR Store. Order forms are available in the main office or the school's website.
• School Uniforms are sold at PR Store, Target, Sears, JC Penney's, Children's Place and Land's End. Uniform items are also available in our Resale Shop which will be open periodically throughout the school year.
• PR Store offers a variety of School School's spirit wear: Gym uniforms, School spirit wear, School Way T-shirt and School Logo uniforms. Contact (312) 225-8600 or prstoresouthloop.com for more information. Fax (773) 253-8424.
• Land's End offers a School Rewards Program - for each purchase Land's End will contribute up to 3% of the net sales to School School. Our preferred school number is: 900121088.

11) What is School School's gym uniform policy?

Gym uniforms are available only at the PR Store.

Your student will be assigned a particular day of the week for gym class. On this day the required uniform is:

• Top: School School Gym Shirt
• Bottom: Your choice of School School Gym shorts or sweatpants.
• Shoes: Gym shoes are required on gym day in order to participate in the gym activities for the safety of your student and the maintenance of our facilities.
• Contact Toni Hill for more information: (312) 225-8600 or prstoresouthloop.com. Fax (773) 253-8424.

12) Are there exceptions to the School School uniform policy?

There are several opportunities throughout the year, such as:

• Spirit Wear Fridays: On Fridays students may wear a School Way t-shirt, previous years spirit wear shirt, or any other School School produced shirt. If you are new to School School contact the PRStore at 312 225-8600 or prstoresouthloop.com
• Picture Day: School pictures are taken in the fall and spring. Students do not wear their school uniform on these days.
• Sports Days: Throughout the school year, School celebrates Chicago's sports teams by allowing students to wear shirts/jerseys and jeans of our winning sports teams (Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, White Sox, and Cubs). These dates are announced via the email blasts. Purchase these items early in the school year.

13) What is the student school fee for all KDG. - 8^th grade students?

The student school fee is $75.00 per child. (Two children per family limit).

This fee covers the cost of consumable instructional supplies, resource materials and/or classroom supplies. This fee is collected by classroom teachers during the first week of school. Payment can be made in the form of cash, money orders, or checks made payable to Friends & Family of School School. Credit card forms are available through this link.

14) What are the arrival protocols? What are the dismissal protocols?

ARRIVALS:  The school day begins for Pre-School at 8:00 am and ends at 6:00 pm. The free breakfast program will begin at 8:00am (please arrive by 8:15 am).

Kindergarten located at the Branch Building school day begins at 8:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm.

Kindergarten students may arrive at 7:40am.The free Breakfast Program in the classroom will begin promptly at 8:00 am.

The school day begins for 1^st - 8^th grades at the Main Building at 8:30am and ends at 3:30pm.

Students may arrive at 8:00am for morning playground time (supervision is provided) and participate in the free breakfast program (8:00 am to 8:30 pm). School School offers a free breakfast program to all students. No application or enrollment is required.

Branch & Main Building: If driving and dropping off your child, please use the KISS-n-GO program and follow the flow of traffic pattern. Kiss-n-Go is staffed by parent volunteers to assist students getting out of the car and keep traffic flowing. Please remember to follow the "School Way" - Be Safe, Be Respectful & Be Responsible!

DISMISSAL:  Main Building Traffic Flow Pattern - This procedure is followed from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Please pick-up curb side only. Enter on 14^th State Street. Come to a complete stop at Stop sign. Drive east to 14^th Federal Street. Come to a complete stop at Stop sign. Head north on 12th Federal Street. Make a right turn into the parking lot. Head east. Come to a complete Stop (students are crossing). Make a right turn. Drive south to exit school grounds. Adhere to all Stop signs.Use northbound Federal Street to access the school and to exit on southbound Plymouth at all times (this includes extended day hours also). Continue to make a complete circle if parking is unavailable. Please do not leave your car. Students cannot wait unattended without an adult in the park. Middle School parents this policy will be strictly enforced. See website for a detailed picture of the traffic flow. Please do not make a right or left turn on 13^th Street.

15) What are the lunch meal options for all Pre-school -8^th grade students?

There are three options for lunch: A monthly breakfast and lunch menu will be available on the school's website.

Your child may bring a lunch from home. Please Note: School School is a gum, candy, and nut free school! Please do not send any of these items to school with your child. If your child brings a "Lunchable" to school, please open the package & remove the candy, gum or nut product. Do not send glass bottles, can soda, large chip bags, candy or excessive sweets (to avoid sharing and promote healthy eating).

• Lunch for Pre-school cost $2.25 per day.
• Lunch for K-8 is provided daily. Current lunch price - $2.25 per day. Reduced price lunch is $0.40 per day. Students may purchase milk only for $0.35. Please send cash only (exact change) in an envelope (daily, weekly or monthly) labeled with your child's name and room number directly to the lunchroom manager, Ms. Betty at the Main Building or Mrs. Dominique at the Branch.
• School has partnered with Gourmet Gorilla a local Organic brown bag lunch and snack program available for Pre-K thru 8 grades. Visit www.gorillakids.com for information. This program can be utilized for the Extended Day Program snack ordering also.
• Free and Reduced lunch applications will be available on the first day of school. Students must pay for lunch on the first day of school until they are approved for free or reduced lunch.

Although we are a "nut free" school, there are some nut alternatives we can suggest in lieu of peanut butter or almond butter. Students may bring lunch items to include Sunflower Seed Spread(Sunbutter) or Soy Nut Butter since neither of these contains actual nuts. These items are available at Trader Joe's & Whole Foods.

A "nut" is not just a peanut but also includes tree nuts such as almond, brazil, cashew, chestnut, hazelnut, macadamia nut, pecan, pine, pistachio or walnut. In consideration of all of our students, please refrain from all NUT products! We have students with severe nut allergies, please follow the School Way and adhere to this school-wide policy.

Students enrolled in the extended day program should bring an extra healthy snack (fruit cup, fruit, fruit snacks, and health bar)

16) What is a typical day for a Kdg - 8^th Grade?

Daily activities include reading, social studies, science, math, writing, computer class, recess, lunch and weekly gym, library, music, art and band (4^th-8^th only).

Please note that the lunch period is 20 minutes and the recess period is 25 minutes, so please prepare your child accordingly. Specific details about your child's academic programming will be given by each teacher at the September 13^th Welcome Back to School Open House at 6:15 pm.

17) Will my child have recess?

If the weather is over 40 degrees F and not raining, recess will be outdoors on the playground. If the weather is below 40 degrees F, raining or snowing then indoor recess will occur in the classroom or the gymnasium.

18) How do I contact my child's teacher?

The ideal way to access your teacher is via email. Every teacher will provide an email address for home-school communication. Teachers may have additional communication methods available to families (classroom website, room parents or classroom google page). All staff contact information is provided on the school's website.

Please note: teachers will not be able to accept any phone calls during the school day. A phone message will be placed in the teacher's mailbox. Your phone call should be returned within 24 hours.

You may request a conference in writing with a teacher on Mondays, Wednesdays- Fridays at a time convenient for you and the teacher. All conferences are by appointment and must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Teachers may also request conferences with parents. Please be aware that the parent-teacher conferences at report card pick-up time are limited to 10 minutes and strictly adhered to. If you would like to have a longer discussion, contact the teacher to arrange a separate time.

19) What do I do when my child is absent from school?

Send a note to the teacher the next day your child returns to school stating the reason for and the date of the absence. It is not necessary to call the main office to inform the school of your child's absence.

20) What are the venues of communication from the school?

• The school website: https://southloopschool.net/ - check this frequently as information is updated regularly. Review the monthly calendar for upcoming events.
• Email blasts: weekly email blasts titled "Week-at-a-Glance."
• Daily blasts: provide school-related information/updates. Contact Mr. Berlanga at (773) 534-8646 if you are not receiving Email Blasts.

• Room Parents: Each classroom will have a designated room parent(s) who will be responsible for formulating a classroom email list. The room parent also assists the teacher in providing up to date information to the class.
• Report Card Pick-up and distribution: A 1^st and 3^rd quarter conference with your child's teachers to discuss your child's academic performance. 2^nd and 4^th quarter report cards are sent home with your child.
• Mid-quarter progress report: A report detailing your child's progress prior to the end of a grading period. This is the time to schedule parent conferences if your child is below a 'C" in any area.
• Parent Portal: Provides a daily account of your child's academic performance. You can view grades, class and home assignments and attendance. New families only: request a pin number from Mrs. Jackson or Ms. Wilson, our school clerks, to access your child's grades.
• Classroom websites: Provide important classroom information.
• Local School Council Meetings: 6:15 pm every second Wednesday of the month.

21) How are birthdays celebrated?

In order to decrease emphasis on sweets and disruption to the school day, School School instituted a "no treats" policy for birthdays. If you would like to send something to school with your child to commemorate their birthday, please donate your child's favorite book to the classroom in lieu of food items.

22) How are holidays celebrated?

School School will have academic or creative projects throughout the year associated with certain secular holidays. These curriculum-based projects will be selected for their emphasis on the educational, cultural and creative value of a holiday. Projects are coordinated by the teachers and/or room parents and implemented at the discretion of the individual teachers. In order to preserve the academic environment of the school and decrease the emphasis on treats, School School does not participate in holiday celebrations or parties for any holidays, including Halloween, April Fools Day, St. Patrick's Day, Valentine Day etc.

23) What are the volunteer opportunities at the school?

School School welcomes parent and community volunteers throughout the school year. A parent led Volunteer Coordinators group exists to create and facilitate opportunities to maximize and fully utilize parent involvement in support of Elementary School. To participate in school activities CPS requires you to complete a CPS Volunteer Background Check form.

• CPS volunteer application: http://www.cps.edu/Pages/CommunityresourcesVolunteeropportunities.aspx

It takes several weeks for the approval process to be completed by CPS so please submit forms as soon as possible. We encourage you to submit your forms over the summer in order to be approved by the start of the school year.

• For more information please contact the Volunteer Coordinators at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

At School School, there are several volunteer opportunities including but not limited to:

• Kiss & Go Safety Patrol
• Scholastic Book Fair
• Heritage Celebration events
• Family Fun Nights
• Field Trip Chaperones
• Clean & Green/Landscaping
• Fundraising Events
• And so much more...

Activities taking place in the classroom are coordinated directly by the individual teacher or room parents while most school wide activities are coordinated by parent lead committees.

24) What is the Local School Council (LSC)?

The LSC - consists of the principal, 6 parents, 2 teachers, 2 community members and 1 paraprofessional. The LSC promotes school development and the implementation of school improvement. Members are elected every 2 years. LSC meetings are held the 2^nd Wednesday of each month at 6:15 pm in the Main Building. The meetings are open to the public and are an important venue for gaining information about the school. If you are unable to attend the LSC meetings, meeting minutes will be posted on the school website. The LSC lead 3 committees that welcome parent involvement:

• Finance committee- help support fundraising initiatives
• Communications committee- help market the school
• Family Involvement Group (FIG) - parent group whose mission is to encourage family involvement at School School. FIG organizes the Family Fun nights and other social events during the school year.

To become involved in any committee, please contact the School School Volunteer Coordinators at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

25) What is Friends & Family of School School, Inc.?

Friends & Family of School School, Inc. is a non-profit or not for profit fundraising group for School School. Friends & Family works in conjunction with the Finance Committee of the LSC and operates with a four person parent organized board in order to facilitate financial transactions between families/community and School School. Donations made to Friends & Family are tax deductible per IRS guidelines. These donations are allocated to serve the interest and needs of all School students.

26) When are School Picture Days?

Fall picture day is November 13, 2012 for pre-school to seventh grade only. Picture retake day will take place on December 4, 2012. Spring picture day for pre-school to seventh grade only is on April 9, 2013. Students can wear their own preferred clothing on this day and school uniform is not required. Pictures taken in the fall picture session will appear in the yearbook and class photo. The purchase of picture packages and yearbooks are optional. Eighth grade picture day is on January 17, 2013 and retake day is on February 5, 2013.

27) What is the protocol for my child if they have a medical condition or medical needs?

All parents must complete the Student Medical Information and Emergency Action Plan forms located on the school's website. Notification and documentation must be given to the school nurse, the classroom teacher and/or Mr. Mitch in Extended Day on the first day of school if your child have any drug or food allergies or any underlying health condition such as but not limited to: diabetes, asthma, sickle cell, heart condition, severe allergies or requires administration of medication during the school day. Please provide the classroom teacher with 4 wallet size or larger pictures of your child.

28) Is there a school nurse?

A school nurse is assigned to School School two days per week, primarily to assist in medical form documentation and review students with ongoing medical conditions. The nurse's schedule is determined by CPS and may or may not be available at all times. If your child is ill on a day that the nurse is not present, your child will be sent to the office and you will be contacted by an office staff member.

If your child has a fever above 100.4, you will need to make arrangements to immediately pick up your child from school.

29) What is the school supply list?

Classroom supply lists are available now. These may be updated by mid-August for specific requirements from your teacher.

30) What is the PBIS End of the YEAR Carnival?

The carnival is a reward for students who follow "the School Way" Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible all school year. Students will not be permitted to attend the carnival who had one or more of the following infractions: suspension, detention (5 or more), not wearing school uniform, excessive discipline referrals, or not following the School Way on a consistent basis. Primary teachers use the colored card system for improving behavior. Students having 10 or more warnings cards or red cards will not be permitted to attend the carnival.

 

The Elementary School Handbook contains detailed information about School's protocols. The Following School Information, Policies, and Procedures are in Alphabetical Order.