Pioneer Elementary
Daily Schedule
2012-2013
8:55 A.M. K-5 Student Arrival Time
9:10 A.M. K-5 School Start Time/Flag Salute
9:45-10:00 4-5 Recess
11:05-11:20 K-3 Recess
12:00-12:10 K-1 Lunch Service
12:10-12:21 4-5 Lunch Service
12:25 CP 2/3-3 Lunch Service
12:45 K, 1, & 2 Lunch Recess Ends
1:00 4 & 5 Lunch Recess Ends
1:10 CP 2/3,2, and 3 Lunch Recess Ends
2:15-2:30 K-3 Recess
2:35-2:50 4-5 Recess
3:40 P.M. K-5 School Dismissal
*Please avoid picking your child up early, as instruction continues until 3:40 each day.
Please wait for walkers at the area in front of the school until your child arrives there
shortly after 3:40. Riders are picked-up in the rear of the school by the undercover area.
General Information
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
The school building is open to students at 8:55 A.M. Crossing guards are available to cross students starting at
8:50. Students who walk to school should not arrive before 8:55. Parents should note that there is no supervision for
students until 8:55. After the 8:55 bell, all students should walk to their classrooms or breakfast. If tardy after 9:15,
students should report to the office first in order to receive a late pass to class. Further, the playground gate will
remain closed until students can be dropped off in the undercover area.
BICYCLES, SCOOTERS, ROLLER BLADES, AND SKATEBOARDS
Bicycles, scooters, roller blades, and skateboards are to be walked on cement walkways on the school grounds in
order to avoid injuries, starting at the first crossing guard station on Eaglefield Dr. For bicycles, students are to walk
them to and from the bicycle racks and lock them there. Skateboards, scooters and any other item that is ridden are
also to be walked. They can be taken to the classroom as long as those items do not disrupt the educational process.
It is illegal for anyone under 16 to ride a motorized vehicle. All balls are to be carried (not bounced) from the first
crossing guard to school and back. It is recommended that all students riding bicycles, scooters, and skateboards wear
a safety helmet. Also, if a student is riding roller blades or shoes with wheels, they need to be taken off when
entering school property.
BOOKS and EQUIPMENT
Classroom and library books and equipment should be treated with respect at all times. Books must be returned in
good condition except for normal wear. The student is responsible for replacement costs if a book or other item is
damaged or lost and/or not returned at the end of the year. Final report cards will be held until needed payments have
been made, and students will not be able to check out books the following year until fines are paid.
CHANGE OF CONTACT INFORMATION
Parents should notify the office of the school of any changes in addresses, phone numbers, e-mail, or other contact
information so that we have your current contact information.
CHECK REQUIREMENTS
- Checks written to the Arlington School District or Pioneer Elementary must include printed household
information with name and address. The phone number must also be included but can be handwritten. The
student's first and last name and ID number must also be included. Checks with incomplete information will not be
accepted. Our school district has established the following policy for accepting checks and collecting bad checks:
For a check to be an acceptable form of payment it must include your current, full and accurate name, address and
telephone number. When paying by check you authorize the recovery of unpaid checks and the recovery of the state
allowed fee by means of electronic re-presentment. In addition, providing a non-sufficient funds check will result in
you being barred from writing checks to the school or district for the remainder of the school year.
CHILD CUSTODY ISSUES
All custody documents must be on file in the school office; however it is not the school's responsibility to interpret
the judgment regarding the custody of any student enrolled in our school. We will use official court documents to
help disseminate educational information to parents.
DISMISSAL ROUTINES
At dismissal, riders are picked up in the undercover area at the rear of the school. This area has comprehensive
supervision. If children are picked up in the front parking lot, they must walk with an adult from the school to the
car. We also ask that parents waiting to pick up their children in the main hallway please wait in that hallway either
along the brick wall or down the hallway next to the PTSA board. Please quietly respect the learning still taking
place in the classrooms and allow for easy access down the stairs and through doorways. Waiting areas
include the hallway by the PTSA Board and the brick wall. This will help us avoid congestion by the stairs and
main doorway. We also ask that all visitors picking up students sign-in and get a visitor badge.
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Instruction continues to the end of the school day at 3:40. Student pick-up begins then. All students not picked up
by 3:55 will be taken to the office. All students are to leave the school area when school is dismissed. Supervision
is not provided by the school unless students are part of an organized after school activity.
Students riding the bus will load buses at the northwest side of the building. Parents may not pick children up
in the parking lot near the school buses. Staff supervising the loading of buses have radios. If you happen to
be late, go to the front office and the staff will be radioed. They will remove your child from the bus and send them
to the office.
If your child is going to have a change of dismissal routine, such as being picked up instead of riding a bus or being
picked up by another parent, please send a note with that information to school or call the office. We cannot
change the dismissal routine of a child unless we have notification from the parent. Also, we ask that
students not change their own dismissal routine through the use of their cell phone. Finally, please do not
leave a change of routine message on a teacher's voicemail in case they did not have a chance to get that
message by the end of the day.
EARLY DISMISSAL OF STUDENTS
Students are dismissed early through the school office in order to ensure student safety. The parent or guardian must
come to the school office to sign the child out.
FAMILY ACCESS INFORMATION
Family Access is our new "all in one stop" Internet site for access to student information. From this site, you are
able to access student grades, make deposits for their lunches, and view attendance or other family information.
Training for using this site will take place during each elementary school's open house, and a handbook is available
to download through our school and district web site. Finally, in order to gain access to this site, parents and
guardians can obtain usernames and passwords in the school office.
INTERNET RULES
I will only use the Internet when I have permission from the teacher.
I will only go into the area of the Internet that my teacher gives me permission to.
I will tell my teacher right away if I find information that makes me feel uncomfortable.
I will not give out any personal information such as telephone number, address, and school name without permission.
*** Consequences for breaking the rules include losing Internet privileges at the school and
subject to discipline. See Exceptional Misconduct Policy 3241P (Electronic Information
Systems)
IXL.com
IXL.com is a math web site that each student at Pioneer Elementary has a license for. Your child's teacher will
provide each student with a username and password, as well as provide instruction for key activities that will help
your child. This program connects with our state standards and is also used at school to both prepare students for
new learning as well as reinforce learning taking place in the classroom.
LIBRARY FINES
We are fortunate to have a wide variety of books for students to check out so they can read at home. Upon
occasion, a student may lose their book and be required to pay a fine to replace it. If the books are found, they must
be returned to the library within 90 day in order to have the money refunded. After 90 days, the book belongs to the
student or can be donated to the school.
LOST AND FOUND
Found items are kept along the brick wall near the multi-purpose room entrance. Found items that identified with a
child's name will be returned. With this in mind, please remember to label your child's clothing. Parents are
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encouraged to check the Lost and Found for missing items. Items not claimed will be given to a charitable
organization.
PETS
Many in our community walk their dogs to school. We want to remind people to keep dogs and pets outside the
building due to allergies and fleas. Given that some students are afraid of dogs, please keep them away from the
immediate area of the exits so that students feel comfortable exiting the building. The dog waiting area is located on
the sidewalk next to the handicapped parking area. Also, please clean up after you animal when on the field or
on school grounds.
PLAYGROUND TOYS AND EQUIPMENT
Other than playground equipment, such as basketballs and playground balls, we ask that students not bring toys to
school unless there is a special event in the classroom. Students will be able to select from a number of appropriate
toys and playground equipment provided for their use at recess time. Recently, a number of students have been
bringing smaller glitter balls and other smaller bouncy balls out to recess. Should the student lose these items, we
cannot guarantee recovery. These, along with other playground balls brought from home, are brought at the
students' risk.
PTSA (PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT ASSOCIATION)
To encourage parent participation in our school, Pioneer Elementary has scheduled their night meetings as published
in the Arlington Public Schools Calendar. PTSA provides opportunities for parental participation during the school
day: room parent, classroom volunteer, make-and take-it volunteer, field trip supervisor, etc. The PTSA also
sponsors informational meetings. PTSA encourages direct involvement in our school. It sponsors a variety of
community wide projects to help foster citizenship and pride in our students. If you have any questions, please
contact the PTSA officers through the school at 618-6230.
REPORTING TO PARENTS
Arlington Public Elementary Schools are on a trimester reporting schedule. Report cards are provided online to
parents at the end of the school year or as a paper copy upon request. Teachers will use Family Access to
communicate ongoing student progress. Goal setting parent conferences are held in late October/early November.
These conferences are intended to give parents an opportunity to meet with the teacher and set academic goals. Parent
conferences will also be held in late March to discuss your child's academic progress.
SCHOOL CROSSINGS
Crossing guards will be stationed at the crosswalk near Eaglefield Drive and Champions Drive and at the
first crosswalk west of the school entrance on Eaglefield Drive at 8:50 a.m. and at 3:40. Students are asked to
walk on the south sidewalk along Eaglefield Drive for their safety. Upon entering school property, students will
walk only on the sidewalks, not in the parking lots or on the street. Students who are walking are to use the
concrete walkways and refrain from walking on the road, parking lots, grass areas, shortcuts, or neighbors' property.
SIGNING IN/OUT
It is important for all visitors or volunteers to sign in at the office for both security and safety reasons. At this
time, we may ask to check identification, and you will receive a visitors badge also. We also ask that visitors signout
when leaving so that we know you are no longer in the building in case of emergency. This will help us to
account for you in case of emergency evacuation and also ensure that all inside the building are approved to be at
Pioneer.
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STUDENTS WALKING SAFELY
Please help your child become familiar with your route by walking it together. Teach your child to cross the street
only at safe locations. Also, practice good pedestrian behaviors with your child when walking the route together and
following these safety recommendations:
• Wait for crossing guards before crossing where they are usually posted.
• Stop at the curb before crossing the street.
• Walk, don't run, across the street.
• Cross at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks whenever possible.
• Look left, right, and left again before crossing.
• Walk facing traffic if possible.
• Make sure drivers see you before crossing in front of them.
• Watch out for driveways, alleys, or other places where cars may have trouble seeing you.
• Wear white clothing or reflectors when walking at night.
• Cross at least 10 feet in front of a school bus.
Along with the habits above, it is recommended that children who are walking to school know of safe neighbors
they can go to in case of a situation that causes the child to be scared. Ideally, children would walk in a large group
with an adult. You can set up a "walking bus route" where a group of students is joined both other students and
parents along the walk route. Finally, should there be a situation where a child is approached, lured, or threatened
by a stranger, we recommend that 911 is called so they can respond.
WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL
As soon as a parent/guardian knows their child will be moving from the district, they should notify the office to insure that all bills are paid and
books returned. In order to make a smooth transition to your new school, parents are invited to come by the school office to complete the
withdrawal of their children.
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PIONEER ELEMENTARY
STUDENT BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES
As a school community, we teach student expectations and responsible behavior, encouraging students to follow the five
guidelines below. When minor misbehavior occurs, it is viewed as a teaching opportunity and a chance to respond with
calm, consistent corrections or consequences. We work collaboratively to solve problems that are chronic or severe in
nature. The establishment of an effective discipline plan is an ongoing process and input from all who are impacted is
invited.
The Big Five
• Use kind words, actions, and manners.
• Walk at all times in designated areas.
• Keep hands, feet, and objects to self.
• Listen to and follow directions.
• Use appropriate voice level and tone.
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Hallways
Trailblazer Behavior
• Walk in a straight line on the right side of the hallway
• Stop at intersections and wait your turn
• Stay with your class
The Big Five
• Use kind words, actions, and manners (be aware of person
in front and behind you)
• Walk at all times in designated areas (always walk)
• Keep hands, feet, objects to self (off of walls and windows)
• Listen to and follow directions
• Appropriate voice level and tone
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Playground
Trailblazer Behavior
• Contact an adult if you see a stranger or animal (look for
visitors tag)
• Games are to be played by school rules (no tag)
• Respect games already in play (no changing rules, chasing
equip. through game, taking equip.)
• Stay within boundaries
• Think before acting
• Use passes to enter the building
• Use school equipment correctly (only provided equipment; no
rocks, pinecones, small animals)
The Big Five
• Use kind words, actions, and manners (sportsmanship)
• Walk at all times in designated areas (under covered areas)
• Keep hands, feet, objects to self
• Listen to and follow directions
• Appropriate voice level and tone
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Lunch Room
Trailblazer Behavior
• Hold tray correctly (both hands)
• Pick up supplies in one trip (milk, utensils, napkins,
condiments)
• Eat only your own food
• Sit appropriately at tables (feet on floor, facing table)
• Clean your area (completely and wipe)
• Be seated and raise your hand to be excused (after
cleaning your space)
The Big Five
• Use kind words, actions, and manners (let anyone sit next to
you)
• Walk at all times in designated areas
• Keep hands, feet, objects to self
• Listen to and follow directions (from all adults)
• Appropriate voice level and tone (quiet voice)
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Assemblies
Trailblazer Behavior
• Attention to speaker/performance (eyes focused on
performance)
• Clap at appropriate times (no hooting or hollering)
• Enter and exit appropriately (with teacher)
• Stay seated until directed to stand (criss-cross applesauce if
an option)
The Big Five
• Use kind words, actions, and manners
• Walk at all times in designated areas
• Keep hands, feet, objects to self
• Listen to and follow directions
• Appropriate voice level and tone
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Arrival & Dismissal
Trailblazer Behavior
• Wait in designated areas
• Help others get where they need to be
• Arrive and leave on time (not running in when bell is ringing)
• Appropriate language/topic of discussion in line
• Follow bus and pick-up rules (respect drivers and allow them
to do their job)
• Enter and exit through correct doors
The Big Five
• Use kind words, actions, and manners
• Walk at all times in designated areas
• Keep hands, feet, objects to self
• Listen to and follow directions
• Appropriate voice level and tone
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Bathroom
Trailblazer Behavior
• Give people privacy
• Keep feet on floor
• Flush toilet and wash hands (one time)
• Clean up after yourself (keep water in sink, put towels in
garbage can, use supplies for intended purposes only)
• Return directly to classroom
The Big Five
• Use kind words, actions, and manners
• Walk at all times in designated areas
• Keep hands, feet, objects to self
• Listen to and follow directions
• Appropriate voice level and tone
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TERRIFIC TRAILBLAZER PROGRAM
The TERRIFIC TRAILBLAZER Program is a student recognition program designed to teach and encourage
appropriate student behavior. The Pioneer Staff focuses on the Big 5 expectations throughout the year, student's
work habits and positive social skills to help children succeed in school, at home and to be responsible citizens. We
will focus on a specific Big 5 Expectation as we celebrate what's "right" with students while enabling them to
develop knowledge and life skills for enhancing ethical and responsible behavior. This focus will help to promote
citizenship and social skills in Pioneer's students. Each month, two or three students from each classroom who
practice those positive behaviors are recognized in front of their grade level at the end of the month.
Big 5 Focus Expectation for the 2012-2013 School Year
"Use Kind Words Actions and Manners"
Terrific Trailblazer Positive Recognition
We're adding a "Fill Your Bucket" bulletin board, which will be on the large b-board by the elevator. Staff can fill
out a small recognition slips with a student name and information that finished the sentence "I noticed . . . . . . ."
These names will be called out at the end of the day on Friday with the slips posted on the bulletin board. These
will support recognizing students who are following the Big 5 expectations, especially related to using kind words
and actions.
Social Skills/Anti Bullying Education
At Pioneer Elementary, we believe in the importance of students learning social skills and anti-bullying
strategies. For the 2012-2013 school year, Kindergarten through 2nd grade students will receive instruction using
Second Steps and 3rd through 5th grade students will receive instruction using Steps to Respect. This learning will
take place once a week within the classroom and delivered by the classroom teacher and other support staff, such as
our counselor, Mark Dolan. In order to further reinforce the key concepts learned through this curriculum, the
character traits for this year fit the key vocabulary found within these research-based materials. As a building, we
will focus on verbal bullying this year which also fits our Big 5 focus.
Reporting Bullying Behaviors
Should your child share of student behaviors taking place at school that intimidate or scare them, please notify
your child's teacher or someone in our school office. We have many strategies to promote a safe environment for
each student, and the sooner we have the information, the better we are able to address it in a proactive and prompt
way. Students can also bring home an incident report to write up, or work on one alongside an adult at school
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What to Do About Bullying: Tips for Parents
1. Encourage your child to report bullying incidents to you.
▪ Validate your child's feelings by letting him/her know that it is normal to feel hurt, sad, scared,
angry, etc.
▪ Let your child know that s/he has made the right choice by reporting the incident(s) to you and
assure your child that s/he is not to blame.
▪ Help your child be specific in describing bullying incidents: who, what, where, when. (Look for
patterns or evidence of repeated bullying behaviors.)
2. Ask your child how s/he has tried to stop the bullying.
3. Coach your child in possible alternatives.
▪ Avoidance is often the best strategy.
▪ Play in a different place. ▪ Play a different game.
▪ Stay near a supervising adult when bullying is likely to occur.
▪ Look for ways to find new friends.
▪ Involve your child in social activities outside of school.
4. Treat the school as your ally.
▪ Share your child's concerns and specific information about bullying incidents with appropriate
school personnel.
▪ Work with school staff to protect your child from possible retaliation.
▪ Establish a plan with the school and your child for dealing with future bullying incidents.
5. Encourage your child to seek help and to report bullying incidents to someone s/he feels safe
with at the school:
▪ Adult in charge of a specific activity or area (such as the playground, lunchroom, field trips, bus
lines, gym, classroom)
▪ Teacher ▪ Counselor ▪ Principal
6. Use school personnel and other parents as resources in finding positive ways to encourage
respectful behaviors at school.
▪ Volunteer time to help supervise on field trips, on the playground, or in the lunchroom.
▪ Become an advocate for schoolwide bullying prevention programs and policies.
