Hickory Point Student Handbook

This elementary student handbook has been prepared through the combined efforts of parents, staff and administration with the intention of providing you and your child(ren) with important information concerning Hickory Point School and District 27. The handbook is designed to serve as a guide for parents and students, so they better understand the policies and procedures designed to assist children’s educational experience. As the need arises during the school year, additional information will either be mailed or sent home with your child(ren). However, the information contained in this handbook should answer most questions you may have. Please carefully review this book with your child(ren) so their rights and responsibilities are understood.

Our Mission

Educating Students to Succeed in a Changing World

Our Core Values

• Pursue learning that develops individual growth, potential, and leadership to the fullest of our capacity.

• Commit to performance excellence as a learning community.

• Use performance results to honor our accomplishments, determine our needs, and improve learning experiences and achievements.

• Share the responsibility to learn and work in a collaborative environment.

• Adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior (both personal and organizational).

• Treat others with respect and value differences.

This mission statement was developed by a steering committee of parents, teachers and community members. It was approved by the Board of Education on April 21, 2005.

The habit of regular and faithful attendance is prerequisite to successful school life. Students should be absent only in cases of illness or emergency. The Board of Education directs the school administration and staff to enforce, on a consistent basis, all school regulations relative to school attendance. These regulations shall require that all absences shall be verified by phone, by the student’s parent or legal guardian. When a student is ill and unable to attend school, parents are asked to call the school office that morning (847.498.3830) by 8:00 a.m. to report the absence. Students absent for three or more consecutive days due to illness will be required to submit a written statement from a physician which includes the diagnoses for the extended absence.

If the office staff cannot personally answer the phone call, please leave a message including your child’s name, morning teacher and the reason for the absence. Parents who do not notify the school when their children are absent will receive a phone call from the office staff. This telephone message policy has been implemented in order to ensure the safety and security of your children.

Board of Education policy requires all student to be in full attendance for the entire school day. State attendance reporting regulations require a student must be in attendance 2.5 hours in both the morning and afternoon or be reported absent for the respective half day. Students arriving late, but within the 2.5 hour limit shall be considered tardy.

For example:

1. A student who arrives at 8:40 a.m. and attends more than 2.5 hours in the morning, between 8:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., is considered TARDY.
2. A student who arrives at 9:25 a.m. and attends less than 2.5 hours in the morning, between 8:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., is considered ABSENT HALF DAY morning.
3. A student who arrives at 1:40 p.m. and attends less than 2.5 hours between 11:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., is considered ABSENT HALF DAY.
4. A student who is present until 2:45 p.m. and attends more than 2.5 hours in the afternoon between 11:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., is considered EARLY DISMISSAL with written parent authorization.

This policy is in compliance with the ISBE attendance regulations and is strictly enforced. Children with chronic absences will receive a truancy letter from the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services.

The reasons for an excused absence shall include illness of a student or a family emergency such as a death in the family or a religious holiday. All other absences are unexcused even if the school office or teacher have been notified. Students absent for three or more consecutive days due to illness will be required to submit a written statement from a physician which includes the diagnoses for the extended absence.

Physical Education and recess are considered a part of the regular school day. If your child has been ill and returned to school he/she may be excused no more than two consecutive days from PE and/or recess by a written parent request. If an absence for more than three consecutive days is necessary, a note from a physician stating the reason is required.

If a child has been ill or disabled in any manner, a physician must verify any physical education limits upon that child’s return to school. If a physician feels that the child is able to participate in a physical education setting with limitations, those limitations must be clearly identified in the physician’s note. Once those restrictions have been lifted, a note from the physician is required in order for the student to resume normal physical education activities.

Students who are late to school must report to the office for a “tardy slip” before going to class. An excused tardy may be given for any written verification for medical purposes or family emergencies. Excused tardies are given for late buses. Unexcused tardies are defined as all other reasons.

Student in kindergarten through grade two receive report cards three times a year. In addition to the teacher's comments, skill achievement is evaluated as follows: 

• Meeting district expectations.
• Making progress, but not meeting district standards.
• Not making expected progress towards meeting district expectations.

Students, teachers, administrators and parents must work together to promote a healthy and productive learning climate. A solid partnership between the home and the school is important for the well being of the student.

We believe each student has the right:

• To live and learn in a school environment that is conductive to learning.
• To physical and emotional safety.
• To be recognized as an individual and be treated with dignity and respect.
• To take a risk, accept responsibility for the action, and learn from the experience.
• To due process with fact finding.
• To pride and ownership in the school.
• To discipline that is developmentally appropriate.
• To consistent attention to the rules and consequences by staff, administration and Board.

We believe the teachers, administration and Board have the responsibility to communicate and work cooperatively with parents regarding student school behavior, but it is recognized that the school has the responsibility to take appropriate measures to assure order and the safety of students and staff.

Students are expected to dress appropriately and exercise good personal hygiene in respect to their daily appearance. Please remember shirts should cover the midriff and be of the appropriate length during warm weather months. School officials may regulate dress and hairstyles when such styles present a health or safety hazard or a disruption to the educational program.

Students are expected to exercise good taste in the manner in which they address each other and their teachers in both written and oral communication. Vulgarities and disrespectful language will not be tolerated, and students who use this type of language will be subject to disciplinary action.

If schools should be closed because of an emergency, prior to the start of the school day, parents will be notified through the District’s emergency notification system. Parents can expect to receive an automated phone call, email, and text message. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide the schools with updated contact information. Emergency closing information is also available through the district website, WGN’s Emergency Closing website, local major radio and TV sources and the district’s social media sites. Please do not call the school during these emergencies.

In the event of an emergency occurring during the school day while children are in attendance, the Superintendent of Schools will initiate the District emergency notification system. Additionally, appropriate action will be taken to ensure the safety of students.

Safety is our top priority. On-going safety threats to schools exist and challenge our District to constantly evaluate our safety protocols, practices and training. Northbrook School District 27 has created a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan designed to protect the students and staff and to respond in the event of a critical incident. The emergency preparedness plan follows the National Incident Management System (NIMS) incorporating Incident Command System protocol; which includes training, drills, practices and procedures in order to create a comprehensive emergency response plan. Emergency response drills are practiced with students and staff throughout the school year.

Northbrook School District 27 operates video monitoring systems for safety and security. With Board approval, the Superintendent or designee shall determine all locations where video cameras will be placed. Video cameras may be used to record activity in areas where individuals have no reasonable expectation of privacy. Cameras will be placed to monitor building exteriors and entrances. School buses are equipped with video cameras.

Students are expected to remain in school during lunch unless prior arrangements have been made for them to leave school. Students will be walked to the lunchroom at the beginning of their lunch period with all the items they need to eat. Classrooms are off limits to students during lunch time unless the student has permission from a teacher to spend the time with that teacher. Lunches are only to be eaten in the lunchroom.

The time allotted for lunch and recess is 45 minutes. Children spend half of this time in the lunchroom and the other half at recess.

On occasion, parents bring a lunch to school for their children. We ask that sack lunches be brought and left on the lunch cart in the office. The school office will not accept food deliveries from restaurants in a child’s name. Please do not arrange food deliveries to the school for your child, as that delivery will be refused. Parents are not allowed to provide lunch for anyone other than their own child.

The school staff provides supervision during the lunch and recess period.

Supervision for the lunchroom and recess is provided by the school. If students go home for lunch, they should have a note in the school office and must be signed out an and back in the school office by a parent.

Birthdays are special days at Hickory Point. However, we ask that birthdays be celebrated with books. Edible treats are not allowed at the school. Children may bring a book to share with the class or donate a birthday gift book to the classroom library. Each classroom teacher will share specific details for their class with parents during Curriculum Night.