WB School Policies

Below are the school policies for Walnut Bend Elementary. By clicking on the links highlighted in blue you will find the corresponding HISD policy for schools.

School Hours and Early Dismissal: Walnut Bend Elementary School hours for students: 7:35 AM - 2:45 PM. Students who are in our breakfast program should arrive at 7:00 AM. Students will not be allowed to enter classrooms before 7:35 AM. Teachers will be on duty at 7:20 AM to supervise students. For safety reasons, all students will remain outside the building until the first bell rings at 7:35 AM. At that time, students are allowed to enter the campus and must be seated in their classrooms by 7:45 AM. Any student arriving after 7:45 must report to the Main Office and collect a tardy slip.

Walnut Bend Elementary will be dismissed at 12:45 PM on the following days:

• Friday, October 5, 2007
• Friday, November 16, 2007
• Thursday, December 20, 2007
• Friday, February 15, 2008
• Friday, April 11, 2008
• Thursday, May 29, 2008

Tardy Policy: In order for your child to be successful in school, it is extremely important that he/she is on time every day. The beginning of the day sets the tone for learning. Often, directions and lesson introductions are made, making a late arrival disruptive to the learning climate and your child. The first bell rings at 7:35 AM, and the tardy bell rings at 7:45 AM. Students arriving after this time must report to the Main Office and collect a tardy slip. After the 5th tardy, a letter will be sent home informing you of the dates of your child's tardiness, and that another day of tardiness will result in after-school detention. After the 6th tardy, a letter will be sent indicating the date of your child's after-school detention. Additionally, every third tardy thereafter will result in another detention. Additionally, if students continue to be tardy, any and all privileges may be taken away.  Privileges to be taken away include recess, field lessons, class programs, big events such as the Fall Festival and Spring Talent Show, or anything that meets with the administrator’s permission.

Attendance: All students are clearly expected to be in attendance in their classes and to take advantage of the opportunity to learn and pass their courses. Students may not be given credit for a class unless the student is in attendance at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. Parents must send a written note to the teacher stating the reason for the absence/tardy. Students will be given the opportunity to make up all missed work in both excused and unexcused absences. A School Attendance Committee will review the records of all students whose attendance drops below the number of day required. The official attendance time is 9:00 AM!

Discipline and the Code of Student Conduct: All students at Walnut Bend Elementary will follow the HISD Code of Student Conduct. The purpose of our disciplinary policy is to insure the rights of each student to attend school in a safe, positive, and productive learning environment. The Eagles at Walnut Bend follow the I Care Rules. Students will be treated fairly and equitably. Discipline shall be based on a careful assessment of the circumstances of each case:

• 1. seriousness of the offense;
• 2. student’s age;
• 3. frequency of misconduct;
• 4. student’s attitude; and
• 5. potential effect of the misconduct on the school environment.

Consequences from the administrative staff for misbehavior include:

• 1. a student/administrator conference;
• 2. detention;
• 3. in-house suspension; (When a student’s behavior warrants removal from class for a period of time, but suspension from school is not deemed the most appropriate consequence.) and
• 4. suspension.

Rewards: Positive reinforcement and recognition of a job well done are a few ways to reward children. Teachers and staff will continually recognize WB students in a positive environment by presenting rewards for excellent behavior. Kids with Character Awards include:

• A sense of accomplishment
• Verbal praise

Classroom rewards: Each teacher has created a reward system (i.e. stickers, stamps, treasure box, contests) for students who exhibit good behavior, follow the I Care Rules, and complete assignments promptly.

Blue Ribbons: Students who are "caught being good" receive blue ribbons from Walnut Bend Staff. Five blue ribbons may be redeemed for special pencils and stickers from the assistant principal. Six blue ribbon winners are also chosen each week to receive special rewards for their good behavior.

Grading and Report Cards: At Walnut Bend, our goal is to produce successful, confident, and competent students. All grades will be determined by regular attendance, consistent daily preparation, promptness in completing assignments, and the quality of completed work.

Grading periods for Walnut Bend Elementary are as follows:

1st Grading Period
August 27 to October 19
Report Cards - October 31, 2007

2nd Grading Period
October 22 to December 20
Report Cards - January 11, 2008

3rd Grading Period
January 7 to March 13
Report Cards - April 2, 2008

4th Grading Period
March 25 to May 29
Report Cards - May 29, 2008

Criteria for grading academic subjects:

• 90 - 100: Excellent quality of work - thorough mastery of subject
• 80 - 89: Good quality of work - above average with consistent effort
• 75 - 79: Satisfactory quality of work - average achievement
• 70 - 74: Below quality of work expected - below average achievement
• Below 70: Unsatisfactory quality of work - poor, not passing

Criteria for grading citizenship traits:

• E - Excellent quality of behavior, totally self-disciplined
• S - Satisfactory quality of behavior, cooperates readily
• P - Poor quality of behavior, below average
• U - Unsatisfactory quality of behavior, needs drastic improvement

Criteria for grading conduct: Citizenship traits are used in determining conduct grades.

• E: A minimum of 5 out of 6 E’s. No P’s or U’s.
• S: A combination of E’s and S’s. No more than 1 P and no U’s.
• P: A maximum of 1 U.

Promotion Standards: Students will be promoted only on the basis of academic achievement. All of the following criteria are required for promotion:

• a passing score on reading assessment instruments for grades 1-2, and the reading section of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge Skills (TAKS) for grade 3; students in grades 4-8 must pass the mathematics and reading sections of the TAKS;
• a score within one grade level of appropriate grade level placement in reading, mathematics on the Stanford 9/Aprenda, nationally norm-referenced achievement tests;
• our current course average requirements: 70 percent average of course grades, including a 70 percent or better grade in reading, language arts, and mathematics, and either science or social studies at grades 1st through 5th.

Medical Care: Any illness or injury will be reported to the classroom teacher who will then have the student report to the nurse. Parents will be contacted by the nurse. Emergency phone numbers on enrollment cards are important and must be listed in case we are unable to contact the parents. It is of paramount importance to the safety of our youngsters that parents’ home, business and emergency numbers be kept updated during the year. HISD Policy states: "School personnel are not to administer medical treatment or medication, including over-the-counter drugs". If your child is on a short term medication, such as an antibiotic, please schedule the dosage so that he receives a morning dose and the remaining doses when he returns from school in the afternoon. Please cooperate with us by following the above guidelines. The health and safety of your children are our prime concern. Pupils on long term medication who must have medication administered during the school hours may take medication only if a physician has stated in writing that the pupil should have a certain medication during school hours. Form #40.3740, which is available from the nurse, must be signed and on file before any long term medication may be given.

Releasing Students: Walnut Bend Elementary will release your child or children to persons at least 21 years of age and listed on your child's enrollment card. Walnut Bend staff will check the driver's license of the person picking up your child, as well as, the enrollment card of your child to make sure the person picking up your child is designated to do so in your absence. If the person picking up your child is not listed on the enrollment card, the WB staff will contact the parent to verify the identity of the person picking up the child and that they have been asked to do so.

Visiting the School:

• Visiting the School: Parents of Walnut Bend students are welcomed and encouraged to visit our school. Visitation must be restricted to the class in which your child is a member and scheduled at a time convenient for the class. Visits must be limited to not more than 15 minutes. (Please do not bring preschool age children when visiting a classroom.) Parents must sign in at the Main Office prior to going to the classroom and secure a color coded visitor's badge that must be worn when visiting classrooms. Teachers are instructed to request such a badge. Administrators at Walnut Bend as you to give consideration to the teacher and students when you visit by not interrupting instruction.
• Conferences: Parent teacher conferences are encouraged. A parent may request a conference by sending in a written note with the child to the teacher, calling the school office and leaving a telephone message or e-mail. Conferences will be scheduled during the teacher's planning time.
• Lunch: Feel free to enjoy lunch with your child any day! Parents may invite their child and one friend to have lunch at the picnic tables. Parents must sign in at the office and receive a lunch badge. Parents must return the badge to the office and sign out. Please do not take the children off campus for lunch.

HISD School Holidays