Information & Procedures
School Day:
The school day for students begins at 8:35 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday is early day for all students. School ends at 1:15 each Wednesday to allow teachers time to plan for the coming week. Times for kindergarten sessions are: 8:35 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. (morning session); and 12:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.(afternoon session). Early day sessions are 8:35 to 10:35 (morning) and 11:15 to 1:15 (afternoon.) Students are to line up outside the building at the entrance closest to their classroom and wait for their teacher to take them inside. All students are expected to be in their seats ready to begin the day before the tardy bell rings at 8:35 each morning. Students who arrive early for school will be expected to stay outside during periods of good weather. During periods of inclement weather, students will be allowed to sit in the main hall (no earlier than 8:10 a.m.). Students who are loud or disruptive will be asked to wait outside. Students will not be allowed to leave the school grounds during school hours without proper permission.
Tardiness:
It is important that students be on time. When students are late, they miss valuable learning time and also interrupt teaching and learning activities for others. Each child should arrive to begin the days activities on time. If a child is late, they need to get a tardy slip from the office before going to class.
Attendance:
Regular school attendance is required by Utah State Law, but more importantly, it should be remembered that learning is an on-going process with each concept solidly attached to those that precede and those that follow. Therefore, to ensure that concepts and skills are consistently learned, regular school attendance is a must. We encourage children not to be allowed to stay home unless they are ill. Following an absence, a written excuse explaining the reason for the absence and the date of the absence should be addressed to the child’s teacher. The procedure set forth in Murray School District Policy will be followed.
Visitors:
Please notify the office before visiting anyone at the school. District policy does not allow for visitors in the classroom unless they are there for a viable educational purpose. We do not allow student visitors (such as former students, relatives or friends of current students) at any time during the school day.
Volunteers:
We encourage parents and others to volunteer in the school. When volunteers do come into the school we ask that you check in at the office and sign the log and indicate the number of hours you have donated. You must also wear a visitor name badge while in the school.
Student Dismissal:
It is imperative that children stay on the school grounds from the time of their arrival until dismissed. No child is to leave the school grounds during regular school hours for any reason unless he/she has written permission from his/her parents and has been checked out at the office by a parent prior to leaving school.
School Fees:
We do not charge fees for participation in school programs at McMillan School. Parents may be asked to make a donation toward an activity from time to time. Students who are unable to make the donation will still participate in the activity.
Communication:
There are many means of communicating with teachers available to you. In addition to the traditional note to the teacher, you may also send e-mail or leave a voice mail message with anyone in the school. We encourage parents to use the new means of communication we have at our disposal. They were put in place for the express purpose of making teachers more available to parents and students. All teacher e-mail addresses and voice mail extensions are listed on the school web site. Feel free to call, or e-mail, anytime you feel the need.
Care of Textbooks, Library Books, Etc.:
Students are responsible for all textbooks and library books issued to them during the school year. All lost or damaged books must be paid for. All monies collected are recorded by the school secretary and paid to the proper fund for replacement purposes. If a lost book is found, money paid will be refunded.
School Behavior:
Crucial to each child’s education is a climate that fosters active participation in learning without disruptive influences. It is expected that every child will behave in a manner that allows all children the opportunity to learn to their maximum potential. This requires responsible behavior in class, on the playground, on buses, walking to and from school, and in other school-related activities. If situations develop where a student’s behavior is so disruptive that it interferes with the learning and safety of others, appropriate action will be taken. Guidelines contained in McMillan School Wide Discipline Plan will be followed.
Recess:
We feel it is important for students to go outside during recess time. We ask parents to see that their children are appropriately dressed for the weather conditions. On most days students will be expected to go outside. However, on exceptionally cold or stormy days, they will be allowed to stay in. We realize at times a child may be required to stay in because of an illness or an injury. If your child has had a serious illness or injury requiring him/her to remain indoors for more than three consecutive days, please phone the principal to make special arrangements. For an illness that may require your child to stay inside for an occasional school day, send a note to the teacher for each day that the child needs to stay indoors.
Illness or Injury at School:
If your child becomes seriously ill or is injured seriously at school, we will contact you immediately. If we cannot reach you, we will use the emergency contact information you have provided. Please remember, we cannot keep seriously ill or injured children at school, and may send a child home with the person you have designated as an emergency contact. If we cannot reach you or your emergency contacts we are authorized to seek medical help for your child, and may call the paramedics, an ambulance, or transport your child to the emergency room.
Lost and Found:
Please label all clothes, lunch boxes, sorts equipment, etc., your child brings to school. We donated several unmarked items to a charitable organization during June. We would like to prevent as much clothing loss as possible. If you lose an item, please check the Lost and Found box. We recommend that toys and personal items be kept at home.
Personal Property:
Skateboards, rollerblades, and skates are not allowed at school. Students are discouraged from bringing personal property such as i-pods, money, toys, etc. to school. The school will not be responsible for damage or loss of personal property.
Bicycles and Scooters:
Please walk bicycles and scooters on and off the school grounds. Bikes should be placed in the bike rack and locked. During the school day the bicycle rack is off limits to students.
Children Leaving the School Grounds:
It is imperative that children stay on the school grounds from the time of their arrival until dismissed. No child is to leave the school grounds during regular school hours for any reason unless he/she has written permission from his/her parents and has checked out at the office prior to leaving school.
Telephone Use:
School phones are not for student use except in emergencies. A note or pass from the teacher allows a student use of the phone.
Cell phones:
Students are not to use cell phones at school. If they must have one with them, it is to remain turned off and in their backpack. If the student violates this policy, the phone will be taken by the teacher and returned at the end of the school day. If there is a second violation the parent must come pick the phone up from the office.
Classroom Food Treats:
There is some concern over the advisability of allowing children to bring home-prepared treats to school. The Salt Lake County Health Department’s regulations state that it is illegal and not a wise practice. With this in mind, our policy at McMillan is that you please don’t send home made treats to school for holiday treats or birthday treats. These include cookies, cupcakes, etc. that have been made at home. Appropriate treats that could be brought are fruits, packaged candy, or pastries from a commercial bakery. Gold Medal Schools ask that we do not provide food incentives for students and that we provide healthy options at class parties.
Thank you for your cooperation with these policies!
