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Absences / Homework Information   

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES

State Statute 118.15 (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/118/15) requires that all children of school age be in school during all days and hours that school is in session.  Students who must be out of school due to reasons of health or family emergency must return to school with a statement from parents, guardians, or physician to the attendance office.  Parents or guardians are expected to call the attendance office if their child is going to be out of school.  Students who skip a class or a school day or who exceed the 10 day/80 hours of parentally excused days are subject to disciplinary action.  Every time a student reaches the equivalent of 5 unexcused absences (40 hours), a referral to the school resource officer will be made and a truancy ticket (fine) will be issued.  Attendance records transfer with the student to any School District of Janesville middle school.

When a student is absent, it is important that the parent call as early as possible. A message can be left on the automated attendance line 24/7 at 608-743-6730 to report the absence. If a parent forgets to call, the school attendance clerk will make a telephone call to follow-up on the absence.

• The Board of Education policy states that parents must contact the school office when their child is absent. 
• Please give the following information: student’s name, homeroom teacher’s name, reason for absence and if you are requesting homework be gathered.
• Homework requested is not guaranteed to be ready until 3:15pm.
• In addition, parents may provide a written excuse for each absence when the child returns to school.
• After 10 unexcused absences, a student is considered Habitually Truant and a parent / guardian will be required to meet with the school principal and/or social worker to discuss the situation.

When a student is to be excused before the end of the school day for any reason (example: doctor or dentist appointment), a note from the parent must be written to the child's teacher. The office will then issue a yellow passport slip, which must be signed by the doctor or dentist and returned to the school office when the child returns. A parent or the adult who picks up the child MUST come into the school office - NOT the classroom or entryways, and sign the child out of the building before the child can be released during the school day. A passport DOES NOT take the place of a written note from parents regarding illness or other absences. 

After a child has been sick absent from school for two consecutive days our teachers will arrange for homework upon parent request. Parents may call or email your child's teacher and leave a message or send a written request. Homework can be picked up by 4:00 pm the day after it is requested.  Most students can make up their missed work upon return to school.

Emergency Drills/Evacuation Location

Fire drills are held at least once a month. We are able to evacuate the building in less than 2 minutes during these drills. Disaster drills (tornado) are held in the fall and spring and classes are assigned a safe place in the basement of the school. “Lockdown” drills are also scheduled twice during the year.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAMS

Our school qualifies for free breakfast for all students under the Community Eligibility Provision. This means that all students will be able to participate in our breakfast at no cost.  We will be taking part in the "Breakfast After the Bell" program. This insures that every student is offered a breakfast after the school day begins. This will also replace the daily snack and milk break, so you no longer need to supply a snack or send money for snack milk. 

The daily lunch menu is published in the Janesville Gazette, and sent home with each student.

The instructional day for children in grades K-5 is from 8:15 – 3:08 with a 20-minute LUNCH and a 25-minute RECESS in the daily schedule.

Messages During the School Day

We get many requests to give children messages during the school day. With each message request, we  are interrupting your child's entire classroom. Please do your best to have an after school plan in place. however, we do understand at times there re emergencies and are happy to assist. Please help us by keeping message requests to a minimum. We request that all messages about changes to dismissal are provided prior to 2:30 pm. 

LOST AND FOUND

Please mark your children’s clothing, boots, lunch boxes, etc., with tape or a marker. If they lose any article, please have them check the LOST AND FOUND lockers near the office. The amount of unclaimed lost clothing during the year is tremendous, and we are unable to return many of these articles because of no name. If glasses are lost, please check in the office.

Parent Information for Dropping-off / Picking-up Children at School
 

Arrival

Playground supervision will begin at 8:05 am. Students should not arrive at school before then.

 We do ask all drivers to observe the following guidelines.

• When ever students are present, the maximum speed limit on school grounds is 5 Miles Per Hour.
• Do carpool - this will help reduce the quantity of cars in the front and rear of the school.
• Do teach your children to cross the street only at the crosswalks.
• Do drive carefully when approaching a crosswalk. If the crosswalk has safety patrols, they cannot go into the street to direct traffic.
• Do observe the one-way signs when entering and exiting the two parking lots.
• Do not park in the crosswalk at any time.
• Do not double park or pick up a child in the passing lane of the driveway
• Do remember to Stop - Drop / Pick-Up - Go
• Do not park in the drive and leave your vehicle. Use the parking stalls or park in the street.

Dropping Off Children

• Do drop off all children in a car at one spot rather than two or three different ones
• Do keep the flow of traffic moving by pulling up as far as you can to drop off students
• Do not park between the bus/van signs. These are for handicapped students

All Janesville residents are required by law to follow these and other Janesville City Ordinances:

• 6.04.110 Pets are prohibited on leash or not
• 10.32.030 Obedience to crossing guards - violation with penalty
• 10.36.010 Prohibited acts: It is unlawful to block hinder or retard any street traffic, whether it is vehicular or otherwise including by receiving or discharging passengers from a vehicle in a lane designated for the movement of traffic.
• 10.40.025 No parking, stopping or standing contrary to official traffic or parking sign or marker - No Exceptions.
• 10.40.140 Vehicle left with motor running is prohibited. 

DISMISSAL DURING SCHOOL HOURS

If a student needs to leave the school during school hours, they should bring a note from their parent/guardian to the office, stating the time the student needs to leave and the reason for leaving. A passport will be issued. This passport goes with the student to the appointment.and must be signed by the doctor, or dentist. It must be returned to the office when the student returns to school. Parents must come into the school office to sign their student out in order for them to be released.  In order to keep all students' safe at dismissal time, we ask that all early dismissals be completed prior to 2:45 pm.

If a student comes to school at 8:20 am or after the student must stop at the attendance office so their reported absence may be corrected.

Late Pick Up

If a parent is to be detained from picking a child up at dismissal time, the office should be notified so the child is not left standing outside the doors or at the curb. (The office is open from 7:30 A.M. until 3:30 P.M.) Late pickups should be rare. If late pick ups become frequent, Lincoln staff will work with the family to address the issue.

Picking Students up After School

Parents, guardians and others authorized to pick up students may walk up to the sidewalk in front of the building or wait for their students outside their grade level exit doors.

Bike and Skateboard Riding

Children who bring bicycles to school do so at their own risk.The school does not provide special supervision for the bike rack and will not be responsible for bikes that are damaged or stolen.

Bikes are to be parked and locked (students need to provide their own bike lock) in the bike racks provided.Although our safety patrol provides some supervision, bikes are the responsibility of their owners. Bikes and skateboards are not to be ridden on school grounds. Once a student enters Kennedy property, they must walk their bike or carry their skateboards on school grounds. 

Medications at School / Student Illness/Injury/Emergency Care

MEDICATION POLICY

All medication prescribed by a physician that is to be given at school, requires a permission form giving instructions, dosage, etc., signed by both physician and parent. This form is kept in the office along with the medication.

ILLNESS / INJURY/ EMERGENCY CARE DURING SCHOOL

If a child becomes ill during the school day, the parent will be contacted. If the parent cannot be reached, the emergency contact number will be called about picking up the child. If no one can be reached by phone, the child will remain at school until dismissal time. It is important that you notify the school of any phone number changes.

A. If your child has a minor accident, the following action will be taken:

• First Aid will be administered according to school approved procedures.
• Your child will be returned to class if he/she is all right.

B. If your child is unable to return to class because of illness or minor injury, the following steps will be taken:

• You will be contacted, and when arrangements have been made with you, your child be allowed to leave the school premises.
• If you are not available, the emergency contact number recorded on the student information card will be called. 
• Once contacted, you or the emergency contact will have the responsibility for providing transportation for your child to leave school in a timely manner.
• If we are unable to reach you or the emergency contact, your child will be kept at school and continued attempts will be made to reach you or the emergency contact.

C. If your child is in need of immediate medical attention, the following steps will be taken:

• First aid will be rendered immediately according to District approved procedures.
• Transportation to a medical facility will be arranged for your child.
• You will be called. If you cannot be reached, the emergency contact will be called.
• When necessary, if you or your designated emergency contact cannot be reached, your child will be taken to a local emergency room.

D. If your child receives a head injury during the school day, the following steps will be taken:

• First aid will be rendered immediately according to District approved procedures.
• A letter will be sent home with your child to inform you of the head bump/ injury and a call home will be placed to inform you of the head bump/injury.
• If your child is unable to return to class because of the head bump/injury or if school personnel feel that the head bump/ injury is serious, you will be contacted.

E. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device is available when the need arises.  An AED is a device that delivers an electric shock to the heart. For a person who has just experienced a sudden cardiac arrest, the electrical shock from an AED may help save the person's life. Persons on the Emergency Response Team in each school have received CPR and AED training through the American Red cross. These responders will bring the AED to emergency calls in the building.

We need your cooperation in putting this plan in effect for each child. Please insure that the emergency contact information on your child's Student Information Card and emergency contact information on Infinite Campus is accurate. Failure to provide the school with emergency contact information or with any other necessary up-to-date information will give the school district authority to provide emergency care as needed according to school approved procedures.

Emergency Procedures

Fire drills are held once a month.  We are able to evacuate the building in less than 2 minutes during these drills. Disaster drills (tornado) and lockdown drills are held in the fall and spring. Students are assigned a place in the building with their classmates and are taught how to assume a safe position in the event of such an emergency. Lockdowns are practiced twice a year with the staff and students. In a case of a lockdown, students will be kept at school and released when the "all clear" has been given by the municipal authorities.

Campus Messenger will service as our primary means of notification to let parents know when students will be released. 

• School Enrollment: 370 (K-5)
• Year Established: 1958
• School Colors: Blue & Gold
• Mascot: Lion
• Motto: Where Greatness Begins
• Mission Statement: Lincoln School is dedicated to creating a community of learners that realizes the potential of each child in a safe and caring environment
• Defining Statement: Here at Lincoln Elementary, we are willing to be pushed beyond our comfort zones and take risks because we know that is precisely where innovation and growth occur. With strength, vision, and determination, we will change the educational paradigm. We are committed to "Building a Legacy since 1958"
• The school has approximately 370 students from Early Childhood through 5th grade. Of these 370 students, 72% are White, 18% Hispanic, 7% Black, 2% Asian, and 1% Native American.

• Our students with disabilities (14%) include a special education early childhood program (EC), learning disabilities (LD), emotional/behavioral disabilities (EBD), intellectual disabilities (ID), and pupils who receive speech and language (SL) services.

• We have been able to continue the strong academic history Lincoln has seen, including increased student achievement despite a high number of families from low socioeconomic backgrounds, by providing our children with an academically challenging and safe learning environment in which they can thrive and grow.

As a school with a low-income rate of 68%, Lincoln Elementary School receives federal Title I funds to support the learning of all students through a Schoolwide Title I Program. Schoolwide programs serve all children in a school. All staff, resources, and classes are part of the overall schoolwide program. The purpose is to ensure all students, including those most in need, are positioned to  meet the state's challenging academic standards.  Schoolwide Title I schools annually complete a needs assessment to identify the school’s strengths and areas for improvement in student achievement, develop strategies and actions steps to address how the goals identified will be achieved, and evaluates and updates the plan as needed.   

Schoolwide Title I schools are required to engage parents and families in the Title I planning and evaluation process as well as provide opportunities for parents and families to engage in supporting their child’s education.  Parents of children enrolled in Title I schools have the right to

• Timely information about services provided;
• Access to a description of the curriculum, the forms of assessment used to measure student progress, and the achievement levels of challenging state standards;
• Opportunities or meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children upon their request; 
• Response to their suggestions in a timely manner.

Copies of the Schoolwide Title I Plan and the Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy are available upon request. Please contact the school secretary at (phone number) or (email) to request a copy.

Visitors / Volunteers/ Chaperones

VISITORS

The experience of watching your child interact with others in a learning environment is something we encourage. We also know that when parents visit the classroom they give a child a feeling of cooperation between parents and teachers.  Parents are requested to contact their child's teacher in advance to seek approval to schedule a classroom visit.  All visitors must sign in with the school office and were a visible visitor's Badge during their stay.

For safety reasons, visitors who are participating in classroom activities or chaperones on field trips, etc. must complete a volunteer form for approval. Approval is good for the current school year, with a background check each following year.  Approved visitors must stop into the office to sign in and receive a visitor's badge.   

The final decision to accept or deny a visitor to the school, a classroom or on a field trip rests with the designated building or district administrator. 

Parents wishing to have lunch with their children must sign in with the school office and wear a visible visitor's badge during their stay, proceed directly to the lunch area, and sign out in the office after the lunch period.

Student visitors are allowed only with prior district approval, and teacher and principal permission.

For additional information on visiting or volunteering at your child's school, please refer to

• Board Policy 1230 and Administrative Regulation 1230.1 - Volunteers in Schools;]
• Board Policy 1240 and Administrative Regulation 1241.1 - Visitors to Schools
• Board Policy 1241 and Administrative Regulation 1241.1 Registered Sex
  • Offenders. The school District of Janesville recognizes its responsibility for the health and safety of all students and will take appropriate precautionary measures in situations where the District has been notified that a registered sex offender wishes to visit a school building or persons on school premises. 

For a volunteer/visitor form please visit our Community Page 

Field Trip Chaperone Guidelines

Thank you so much for volunteering to chaperone for Jefferson Elementary School field trip. Please read and follow the guidelines below to help ensure a safe and successful experience.

• Chaperones are required to follow current District and Rock County Health Department mandates; including the wearing of face masks 
• If you find out that you cannot be a chaperone, please contact the teacher immediately so other arrangements can be made.
• Stay alert to the whereabouts / activities of your group.  "Count heads" FREQUENTLY.
• Avoid being distracted by conversations with other adults.
• Remember that you are setting an example for the children, so please be respectful to the visited area and enforce school rules.
• Follow the directions of the teacher in charge.
• Refrain from drinking, smoking, bringing weapons or using profane language during the field trip. 
• Verbally correct students in a calm manner who are not following the rules (Please walk. Please do not talk during the performance, etc.) If the behavior continues, advise the classroom teacher of the problem.
• Follow the bus rules.
• Wear appropriate attire. Be sure all slogans on clothing and hats are suitable for the elementary school environment.  (NO adds for liquor, smoking materials or inappropriate language.)
• Smoking at a school activity is prohibited by law.
• For safety reasons and due to liability concerns, no siblings or other children will be allowed to accompany a chaperone.
• Supervise public bathrooms very carefully.
• Because this is a school sponsored trip, all students must stay with their assigned group and chaperone.
• If possible, please bring a cell phone with you for emergencies. Please provide that number to your child's teacher prior to the trip.