This information is supplemental to the District Student Handbook, as it deals specifically with matters as they affect Avondale East. Parents please remember to reference this information when consulting the District Student Handbook.

ATTENDANCE

Students must be in school in order to benefit from an education. If your child is ill and unable to attend school or is going to be late, please phone the office (274-6230) before 8:20 a.m. This allows us to notify the teacher before attendance is taken. If a child does not arrive at school and a parent had not notified us, we will attempt to locate the parent to ensure the safety of the child.

ARRIVAL

Children should not arrive at school prior to 8:10 a.m. No supervision is provided before that time. Students who eat breakfast should arrive between 7:50 & 8:20. All students who arrive in class after 8:30 a.m. are tardy.

DISMISSAL

School is dismissed at 3:30 p.m. When school is in session for a half day, dismissal is at 11:30. Students in grades K-2 will be dismissed through the Colfax entrance at the end of the school day. Preschool students will be dismissed at the front door. Students in grades 3-5 will exit through the west doors. If students are kept after school for more then 10 minutes, parents will be notified.

Students who leave class before 3:30 p.m. will be reported for attendance purposes in the same way those students are reported when tardy in the morning. Parents wishing to have their student leave before 3:30 must request the child at the school office. All students should be picked up within ten minutes after dismissal. The school office should be notified when a student will be picked up late.

TRUANCY

Kansas law requires that schools report truancy. A child whose absences are unexcused for three consecutive days, five days in a semester, or seven days in a year is considered truant.

BICYCLES

Children who ride bicycles to school must park them in the bike racks on the east side of the building. It is suggested that all bikes are locked and helmets stored in the classroom. Bicycles are stolen from schools all over the country. Avondale East is no exception. Riding double is not permitted because it is extremely dangerous. Riding on the sidewalks in front of the school is unacceptable. Bicyclists are expected to walk their bikes when in this crowded area.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Special education students and students who transfer from designated schools receive bus transportation to Avondale East. Because homes in our attendance area are less than a mile from the school, all other students who live in our area do not qualify for transportation.

COMER SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Avondale East is a “Comer School.” Fourteen Topeka elementary schools are participating in the Comer School Development Program. Dr. James P. Comer, a child psychiatrist at Yale University, developed this model for schools to promote close interactions among the school staff and parents and to ensure that children are motivated to learn and to succeed.

Avondale East parents and teachers work together to build dreams in the minds and hearts of children. Our goals are to improve the academic performance of students, to teach the importance of education, to develop the understanding and appreciation of various cultures, and to develop character and feelings of self worth in children.

If you want to be part of the Comer team, please contact the office. The Comer School Development Program offers a great opportunity for schools and parents to work together to make a difference in the lives of children.

COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS

Communication between the home and the school are vital to the success of children. Newsletters will be sent home periodically. Many teachers supplement this newsletter with classroom newsletters and memos. Special notices and flyers are also sent home regularly. Please watch for these publications. Parent conferences are scheduled at the end of the first and the middle of the third terms of school. This year the dates are October 28th , 29th and January 17h and 18th. An enrollment conference will also be available to parents in September. In addition, parents may request a conference at any time.

COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER

A Community Police Officer is assigned to the Hi-Crest area. The Officer will have an office at Avondale East, but will spend most of the time in the neighborhood. Emergencies should be reported directly to the Topeka Police Department by calling 368-9551 or 911.COUNTDOWN POLICY

Students cannot participate in Field Trips or Extra Curricular Activities if they receive a Discipline Referral to the office during the week of the activity.

DISCIPLINE

The heart of Avondale East’s discipline plan is the Lifelong Guidelines. All students are expected to follow these five basic rules:

  • Be trustworthy
  • Be truthful
  • Do your personal best
  • No putdowns
  • Be an active listener

In addition, students are taught to practice the life-skills of integrity, initiative, flexibility, perseverance, organization, sense of humor, effort, common sense, problem solving, responsibility, patience, friendship, curiosity, cooperation, courage, pride and caring.

The purpose of our school is to provide quality education for all students. No child will be permitted to disrupt the learning of the other children. We expect good behavior. We reward and recognize good behavior. Parent support makes our discipline plan work. Students receiving discipline referrals will not be permitted to participate or attend extra curriculum activities for five days. Example: (Field Trips, Skating Parties, Intramurals)

TEN WAYS TO IMPROVE DISCIPLINE

  1. Be a good role model for your children.
  2. Show your children you respect them. Encourage them to respect others.
  3. Show interest in what your student does in school.
  4. Stress the importance of good discipline with your child
  5. Talk to teachers about your child’s behavior.
  6. Watch your child’s behavior at home. If discipline problems occur, talk with your child and his/her teacher.
  7. Give your kids a chance to take part in making decisions about things that affect them.
  8. Praise your child.
  9. Spend 10 minutes each evening talking with your child about the school day.
  10. Be sure your child eats properly. Poor nutrition can cause discipline problems.

DRESS CODE

While we have great confidence in the judgment of parents in their selection of clothing for their children to wear, it is necessary to have certain school guidelines. We appreciate your understanding and your support of these rules.

Obviously distracting clothing such as very short or tight clothing, and potentially dangerous clothing such as loose suspender straps, should not be worn. Caps and hats are not permitted indoors except when entering or exiting the building.

Because of the strong role we take in teaching children to “say no” to drug and alcohol abuse, we do not permit the wearing of any clothing that advertises or promotes alcohol or drugs. Shirts or caps that carry vulgar or offensive words or pictures are not permitted, either. We promise to provide a school setting that promotes learning.

DARE

D.A.R.E. (Drug and Alcohol Resistance Program) and the Second Step curriculum are used as resources to teach children how to resist alcohol and drug abuse. Programs are offered for parents and the school cooperates with other agencies to offer help with alcohol and drug abuse information. For more information see the school counselor or nurse.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Children may also enroll in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire Kids, Boys Club, Girls’ Club, and a number of other activities in the Topeka community. Big Brother-Big Sisters, the YMCA, YWCA, and City Parks and Recreation offer additional resources for children. Contact the school principal or counselor for information about these programs.

Avondale East provides many after school programs for students. The school sponsors academic clubs, choir, intramurals, Campfire Kids, and Art After School.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

School starts on August 17, 2005. School will be in session from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

LUNCH/BREAKFAST PROGRAM

Hot lunches are available for children at school. Free or reduced price lunches are available to children whose parents meet certain income guidelines. Application forms are available at the office. The cost of lunches will be announced in August.

LUNCH WILL BE SERVED BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17. BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17.

PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION

All parents of Avondale East students are members of the Avondale East Parent/Teacher Organization. There are no dues. You are encouraged to participate in PTO activities and to serve as an officer chairperson or volunteer.

 

P.T.O. OFFICERS 2005-06 *

  • PRESIDENT Steven Wright/Cynthia Limbocker
  • VICE PRESIDENT Teresa Freeland
  • SECRETARY Kristy Rausch
  • TREASURER Pam Cullen
  • DCAC REPRESENTATIVE Ronald Lovelady
  • COAST GUARD COORDINATOR James Oseland
  • STAFF REPRESENTATIVE Duke Palmer

* New officers will be elected for 2006-07

The Avondale East PTO Board meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. All parents are welcome to attend these meetings. Additional general membership meetings will be scheduled as needed.

PICTURES

Individual pictures will be taken of all students in the fall. Information will be sent home and parents may order packages of the pictures for a certain price. Individual picture packets will not be made unless a paid order is placed when the pictures will be taken. Again, orders must be paid before the pictures are printed. Information will be sent home prior to picture day.

PRESCHOOL

Let’s Help and Title I provide a preschool program for three and four-year-old children who live in the Avondale East neighborhood. Fees are based on the family’s income. Enrollment information is available in the office or by calling 234-6208.

PROJECT ATTENTION

Community Action’s Project Attention is a unique school-based referral services that links students and school families with health and human services in Topeka and Shawnee County. Project Attention sponsors the Family Institute and coordinates volunteer efforts at the school. Cocoa Simmons is the contact person at Avondale East. She can be reached at 267-6999, 267-6997 or 235-9561.

REGISTRATION/ENROLLMENT

New student registration and room assignments are handled in the office. Birth certificate for kindergarten and new first grade students must be presented before enrollment is complete and your child is allowed to attend class. All children entering a Kansas school for the first time must also present the Kansas Certificate of Immunization and a Certified Birth Certificate before the child may attend classes.

SAFETY BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL

One of our greatest concerns is how to protect children from traffic hazards. Parents in front of the building create a most dangerous traffic situation after school. Please do not drop off or pick up children from the north lane of Golf Park or the east lane of Colfax. Don’t expose your child to this danger. In addition to being unsafe, it is illegal. The Topeka Police Department has been asked to enforce all traffic rules around schools in Topeka. Help us keep our students safe and unhurt.

S.P.M.T./SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL

The Avondale East School Planning and Management Team/School Site Council (SPMT) is an elected advisory board of staff, parents, and community members, which studies and makes recommendations for improving the education of students. Areas of study include academics, public relations, school climate, and staff development. The SPMT meets twice a month. Meetings are open to the public. All parents are encouraged to become a member of our SPMT.

SKATING PARTIES

The PTO has scheduled school skating parties on these dates throughout the year. These parties are held at Starlite Skate Center, 301 SE 45th street. Parents and other family members are welcome to join their children in skating. It is a fun activity and a good way to meet your child’s friends from school.

TEXTBOOK FEES

A rental fee covers all textbooks and workbooks that your child will use during the year. If family income is below a certain level, fees may be waived. Application may be made in the office. Weekly or monthly payments will be arranged, if requested. Parents and children are responsible for the care of books and the parents or students must pay for lost or damaged books.

U.S. COAST GURARD

Avondale East is fortunate to have the U.S. Coast Guard as our business partner. Coast Guard volunteers give countless hours of support to our school. They serve on school committees, help staff with activities, assist in the classroom and provide awards and a military color guard for school assemblies. The Coast Guard also donates hats, mittens, and socks for our children. The Coast Guard volunteers are positive role models for our students.

VOLUNTEERS

Many volunteers are needed and used to help provide an enriched education program for our children. Giving your time to help at the school is an excellent way to show your children you are interested in their education. It will also help you become better acquainted with our educational program. If you are a parent, grandparent, or a community member, you can be a volunteer. Please contact Denise Bailey (274-6230), our volunteer coordinator, if you are interested in helping at school.

Library volunteers are needed to work several half days each month. Orientation and training are provided and you will enjoy the work. Contact the librarian, Pat Barr, or Francis Goodwin.

Classroom volunteers are also needed. Many teachers offer opportunities for parent volunteers within the classrooms. Jobs include listening to, or reading to children, helping with individual lessons, bulletin board work, assisting with special projects, and playground activities.

Office volunteers are needed, too. Some tasks include helping with the PTO/School fundraisers, assisting with projects, lunchroom assistance, and bulletin boards.

North Central Accreditation

Avondale East is an accredited member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. We received our accreditation during the 2001-02 school year.

Title I. School Wide Plan

Our school wide Title Plan is designed so all students will benefit from improved student instruction and achievement in reading comprehension and higher order thinking and problem solving skills in math.