School Handbook

Good attendance is critical for steady academic growth, and, by law, children are required to attend school. 

Please call the school office any time your child will not be in school. 

If you are asked to leave a voice mail, please give the following information:

• Name of the parent or guardian calling
• Student's name and grade
• Date(s) of absence
• Reason for absence; please be specific

Absences will only be excused for the following reasons:

• Illness
• Medical or dental appointment
• A family death or serious illness
• Court/judicial appearance
• Religious observations
• School-sponsored activities

Students who are late to school will be considered tardy. Please make every effort to have your student at school on time. 

Signing your child out early in the afternoon prior to the end of the school day or later than three times counts as an absence.  If your student has an appointment and needs to leave early, please call the office.

Students who become truant (inexcusably absent three consecutive days or five school days in any semester or seven days in a school year) will be reported to the Kansas Department for Children and Families in accordance with Board of Education Policy 1461. 

Be on time! Stay all day!

Students must live 2.5 miles or more from their assigned school to qualify for transportation to that school.

For questions about WPS transportation and busing, call 316-973-2190.

The district does offer the FirstView app that helps families track their student's school bus. Families will need a security code from the school office to use the app.

DROP OFF: Our building opens at 7:30am. Parents enter in the farthest drive south of the building and drive around to the north, dropping off at door 28.

LATE ARRIVALS: Any time after 8am, parents are to call 973-9987 and send students through the front entrance.

PICK UP: Middle school pick up in the right hand lane on the south side of the building. Elementary pick up on the north end of the building, but still enter the south entrance and drive around to the north end of the building.

P147_ NON-STANDARD DRESS CODES 
This policy describes minimum dress code guidelines applicable to all schools in Wichita Public Schools (the “Non-standard Dress Code” or “USD 259 Student Dress Code Procedure”), and supplements any standardized dress code adopted by a school  pursuant to P1474 – Standardized Dress Codes. This policy is subject to and must be administered consistent with the  requirements of the District’s policies concerning non- discrimination, P0400 – Non-Discrimination Statement, P0900 Integration and Diversity, and P0910 Civil Rights Resolution. For dress code-related discipline, see P1474, concerning the Student Code of Conduct.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLEMENTAL PROCEDURES
1. Purpose 
a. The purpose of the USD 259 Student Dress Code Procedure is to maintain a positive school climate, uphold standards of respect and safety, and support effective teaching and learning.

2. Responsibilities and Rationale
a. School Responsibilities:
i. Foster academic achievement by minimizing disruptions and promoting a serious attitude towards learning.
ii. Maintain a safe and orderly learning environment by setting clear standards for attire.
iii. Promote community standards and positive behaviors among students, staff, and families.
iv. Ensure fairness and equality for all students, without discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, disability or sex.
b. Student Responsibilities:
i. Select attire and personal appearance that respects the educational setting and peers.
ii. Manage personal grooming and attire to align with the principles of this dress code. 
iii. Maintain personal hygiene in a way that is safe, healthy, respectful, and supports the educational environment.
c. Staff Responsibilities:
i. Identify violations of this policy visually and uniformly, without physical measurement or contact.
ii. Approach students respectfully regarding dress code compliance.
iii. Ensure consistent and fair application of the dress code policy.
iv. Remain aware of the District’s guidance on attire associated with gang affiliation, if any, to enforce this policy effectively. 
d. Administrative Responsibilities:
i. Conduct diligent reviews of reported dress code violations.
ii. Guide students in making appropriate attire choices.
iii. Implement fair consequences for dress code infractions, pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct.
iv. Ensure consistent application of the dress code across all activities.
v. Maintain awareness of attire linked to potential safety concerns.
vi. Establish clear guidelines for uniforms in sports and extracurricular activities. 
e. Exceptions:
i. Principals may grant dress code exceptions as described in P1474 – Standardized Dress Codes.

3. Dress Code Criteria
a. Appearance, Language on Clothing, Symbols, Tattoos, and Messages:
i. Any items worn (including socks, belts, jewelry, and hats) in schools must not show, reference, cause, or infer:
1. Profanity, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or weapons.
2. Violence, abuse, or suggestive and/or sexual messages.
3. Language, logos, or symbols on attire that promote hatred.
4. A disruption of the school learning environment.
5. Relationship or affiliation with gangs.
b. Head Coverings and Related Items:
i. Head coverings and related items:
1. Must not conceal identity such as face masks, ski masks, balaclavas, or hoods/stocking caps which cover the ear.
2. Exceptions shall be recognized in order to accommodate disabilities, medical conditions, or sincerely held religious beliefs, as provided more fully in P1474, regarding standard dress codes.
3. This restriction does not include items that are designed for hair maintenance.
ii. Hats
1. For elementary students, hats will be restricted to prevent disruptions , maintain focus in the classroom, and avoid hindering the development of essential classroom behavior and routines.
2. For secondary students, hats will be allowed to support personal expression and comfort, reflecting their greater maturity. However, hats must not create disruptions or safety risks.
a. Visibility: The hat must not obscure the student's face, ensuring clear identification by staff and security.
b. Safety: The hat must not create hazards, such by as obstructing visibility.
c. Non-Disruptive: The hat should not disrupt classroom activities.
c. Tops:
i. All tops must:
1. Cover the majority of the back and shoulders.
2. Cover the midriff and back when sitting or standing.
3. Be of sufficient thickness to prevent visibility of undergarments.
4. Provide coverage of personal areas.
5. Completely cover undergarments.
d. Bottoms:
i. All bottoms must:
1. Cover undergarments at all times.
2. Be of a safe and appropriate length (cannot drag on the floor or expose the upper thigh).
3. Be worn no lower than the natural waistline.
4. Provide coverage for personal areas.
e. Outerwear:
i. Students should not wear articles of attire that are disruptive to classroom learning environments or present safety concerns.
f. Footwear:
i. Footwear worn in schools must:
1. Be worn at all times.
2. Fit securely enough to the foot for safe movement.
3. Have a hard or rubber sole.
4. Not have such a high heel as to cause concern for safe movement throughout the school.
g. Jewelry, Piercings, Colognes, Perfumes, and Accessories:
i. Jewelry, piercings, colognes, perfumes, and accessories worn in schools must:
1. Not have an overwhelming fragrance.
2. Have no parts that may serve as a weapon.
h. Additional Statements:
i. Non-discrimination: The standardized dress regulations shall not include any requirements or be enforced in a manner that discriminates against a student on the basis of race, national origin, religion, disability or sex, or which otherwise violates the policies cited above.
ii. Consistent Standards: This policy shall be applied and enforced consistently and uniformly.
iii. Code of Conduct: Staff shall refer to the Code of Conduct for guidance in responding to violations of this policy, including non-compliance with staff direction and repeated violations.
iv. Offer of Compliant Clothing: Staff shall be required to offer students compliant clothing if a student is not wearing clothes that satisfy the dress code. Each school shall maintain a store of compliant items of clothing to offer to students who come to school wearing non-compliant dress.

Parents should notify the school nurse if there are any health conditions that may require medical attention, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc.

If a student becomes ill during the school day, they should request a pass to see the nurse. 

Students who exhibit fever, sore throat or tonsillitis, any eruption of the skin or rash, any respiratory symptoms accompanied by a fever, severe cough or cold, or any eruption of the scalp, will be sent home.

Parents will be notified to pick up their student and must do so in a timely manner to limit exposure to other students and school staff.

Please keep your emergency contact information up to date with both the teacher and office staff.

School board policy (BOE P5316) restricts school personnel from giving students any medication, including over-the-counter medication.

Medication is given only upon written request from both the parent/guardian and the student's physician. Students must also have received one dose of medication without an adverse reaction prior to any doses being given at school.

All medicine must be in the original container and be presented by a parent to the school nurse for safe keeping and scheduled administration. The container should be labelled with the following:

• Name of student
• Name of medication
• Directions for use
• Name of physician
• Name and address of pharmacy
• Date of prescription

The district uses the ParentVUE online portal to give parents to access information about their student's attendance, assignments and grades. ParentVUE allows parents to quickly and easily update their family contact information, which is vital in order to maintain strong home-to-school connections. 

Keeping students emotionally and physically safe at school is our number one priority. All students have the right to learn in an orderly environment that is free of disruption. We understand that from time to time, students may need additional practice meeting these expectations. We are trying to teach students academic and behavioral skills they will be using in the real world that will help them be successful adolescents and adults. Our staff will work closely with parents to ensure students learn to be responsible citizens and develop strategies for resolving conflicts.

We provide breakfast for all students free of charge.

Lunch fees can depend on family income. Complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application annually to qualify for free lunch and adjustments to school fees. 

The district uses an app called School Cafe to allow families to see menus.

The district uses LINQ Connect to pay for meals.

For special dietary restrictions, please contact the school nurse. 

Field trips with our city and nearby sites of interest are scheduled by classroom teachers throughout the school year. These trips are designed to supplement different aspects of the classroom curriculum and intoduce students to resources within the community. Parents will be notified of the planned trip at least five days in advance and must sign a trip waiver for students to attend. If a student does not have a signed permission slip to attend the trip, they will not go. We will not accept verbal permission over the phone.

If there is a fee for the field trip, the money needs to be submitted at least three days prior to the scheduled trip. All field trips require the use of school buses. Parents are not able to transport students on field trips.

If a parent serves as a chaperone, they will need to complete the school district's volunteer process prior to the field trip.

The safety of students, staff and parents is the Wichita Public Schools' greatest priority during the threat of dangerous conditions.

Emergency plans are in place should tornadoes, lightning, hail, snow or other dangerous circumstances present a safety concern. 

If schools are to be closed or activities cancelled or rescheduled due to weather conditions, the information will be posted on the Wichita Public Schools' website main page and displayed on all school websites.

Please check the rack by door 28, which is north of the cafe, for lost and found items.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are a great way to stay involved in your child's education. Parents have the opportunity to discuss their child's progress, review assignments, learn about future projects and to strengthen the connection between home and school. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice a year in October and February. 

Progress reports are provided to parents every quarter. Reviewing these reports is an essential component of parent involvement in their child's education. Please look for these reports and discuss them with your student. You may also log on to ParentVue for an ongoing list of grades provided by the teacher. If you have any concerns about these reports, contact your student's teacher.

All visitors to the building, including parents, must sign in through our visitor management system HallPass. A driver’s license will be required at check-in for any visitor.

Parents may visit the school and classroom at any time. All meetings with teachers need to be scheduled in advance. Children not enrolled at Caldwell are not permitted to visit classrooms unless accompanied by an adult.

Parents, caregivers and other relatives wanting to volunteer in the school or for field trips are required to register every year as a volunteer. Visit the Volunteer Registration page to complete your annual registration.

Please contact your child's teacher at least 48 hours in advance before bringing treats.

Teachers will send out notices when their class is planning a celebration and let you know how you can support the event.