Carman-Buckner Parent Handbook

Dear Parents and Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at Carman-Buckner Elementary School! We are excited to embark on this new academic journey with you and your children. As we begin this school year, we are enthusiastic and optimistic about the learning and growth ahead.

This Parent Handbook provides valuable information regarding our school procedures and policies. We believe that clear communication and understanding of our guidelines are crucial in creating a safe, productive, and supportive environment for all students. This handbook includes details on attendance policies, school hours, academic expectations, and much more. We encourage you to review this information carefully and keep it handy for future reference.

Carman-Buckner Elementary School is committed to fostering a strong partnership between school and home. When parents, families, and educators work together, our students are likelier to achieve their fullest potential. Your involvement and support are critical to our success, and we look forward to collaborating with you throughout the year. Whether participating in school events, volunteering, or supporting your child's learning at home, your engagement makes a significant difference.

As we embark on this school year, we are proud to uphold our charge for the school year: Our Passion, Their Potential. Together, we will continue to foster an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to achieve greatness.

We are deeply grateful for your trust in us to educate and care for your children. We are honored to be a part of their educational journey and look forward to a fantastic year filled with learning, growth, and Cougar Pride, made possible by our strong partnership.

Welcome to Carman-Buckner Elementary School!

Sincerely,

Robert Silva

Principal, Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Allie Lichtenstein

Assistant Principal, Carman-Buckner Elementary School

Main Office Phone Number: 224 - 303 - 1500

School Office Hours: 8:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Principal: Mr. Robert Silva

Assistant Principal: Ms. Allie Lichtenstein

Culture & Climate Specialist: Mr. Maurice Young

Lead Administrative Assistant: Ms. Denise Goolsby

Administrative Assistant: Ms. Jada Rice

Language Liaison: Ms. Martha Aleman Torres

A preferred future statement is a visioning tool to describe an ideal future outcome for a school community. It encapsulates the collective aspirations and goals of students, staff, and families, painting a vivid picture of what success looks like when everyone thrives. The Carman-Buckner Elementary School Preferred Future Statement guides decision-making and planning, ensuring that all efforts align toward creating an environment where students can achieve their fullest potential. By defining this desired future, the school can work more cohesively and strategically toward making it a reality.

Breakfast begins at 8:00 AM in our gym. Students may enter through Door #10 (the main office) and head directly to the gym. Students in Kindergarten (Door #9), First (Door #17), and Second (Door #17) grades who do not plan on eating breakfast may wait for their teacher at their assigned door. Third, fourth, and fifth-grade students may utilize the playgrounds and blacktop in the back of the building and wait for their teachers. The morning bell rings at 8:20 AM, with instruction beginning promptly at 8:30. Students who arrive after 8:30 will be marked tardy and must sign in at the main office. Breakfast will be available for tardy students.

Families must ensure children arrive at school on time. For student safety, avoiding disrupting traffic flow by parking or double parking in the drop-off/pick-up lane behind the school or in the staff parking lot off McAlister Avenue is crucial. If you need to enter the building or walk your child to their designated entry door, please park in the spaces next to the staff parking lot. Additional parking is available on McAlister Avenue. Helmholz Avenue is reserved exclusively for bus drop-off before school, pick-up after school and is closed to all other traffic.

Dismissal is at 3:03 PM. We ask families to follow the same procedures outlined above. Parents who park and pick-up their children should not block the parking lot lanes. Punctual pick-up is highly recommended. Students who stay after school must have a proper note and signed participation agreement from their classroom teacher or after-school club staff. It's crucial for parents to notify the main office if they are ever running late to pick up their child, as it helps ensure the safety and well-being of the students.

Kindergarten students dismiss from Door #9.

First and Second grade students dismiss from Door #17.

Third grade students dismiss from Door #16.

Fourth grade students dismiss from Door #1.

Fifth grade students dismiss from Door #3.

Third, fourth, and fifth-grade students may walk home from school. Upper elementary students may also pick up their younger siblings before walking home. Students in Kindergarten and first grade are signed out with their teachers during dismissal. Any student picked up after 3:13 PM must be signed out with a staff member at Door #10, regardless of age.

To ensure a smooth dismissal, we ask parents to notify the main office if their child will have an alternative dismissal plan. Our students who are provided transportation services will always be placed on the bus or in their cab unless contact is made with the main office or a note is provided stating the student will be picked up. The safety of our students is our number one priority. No student will be released to an adult not listed as an approved contact in the child's Infinite Campus. Please stop by the main office if you want to add or remove someone from your child's portal.

Full-day PreKindergarten students will arrive and dismiss from the outside door of their classroom [Mono- Ms. Bryant Door #6 and Dual- Ms. Chuga Door #7]. Parents must sign their child in and out daily. Students who take the bus will be transitioned from the bus to the school with a paraprofessional's assistance.

Half-day PreKindergarten students will enter and exit through Door #9. Classroom paraprofessionals will assist with arrival and dismissal. Parents must sign their child in and out daily. Students who take the bus will be transitioned from the bus to the school with a paraprofessional's assistance.

If your child needs to leave school early, we ask that a parent or guardian come to the main office to sign them out. We will call your child to the office upon your arrival. Please try your best to avoid picking up your child during lunch/recess or 30 minutes before dismissal.

Carman-Buckner has Early Release days throughout the school year. These occur on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Student dismissal on early release days will be at 1:03 PM. The following dates reflect our early release schedule:

August 28

September 11 & 25

October 9 & 23

November 13

December 11

January 15 & 29

February 12 & 26

March 12

April 9 & 23

May 14

These days are an excellent opportunity to schedule doctor and dental appointments.

Carman-Buckner Elementary School uses standard-based grading using the following rubric:

4- Extends Beyond Grade Level Standards

The student has demonstrated proficiency and can apply knowledge above and beyond the standard.

3-Meets Grade Level Standards

The student has mastered the standard.

2- Approaching Grade-Level Standards

The student is able to demonstrate some understanding of the concept required by the standard, but lacks proficiency in key areas.

1- Below Grade Level Standards

The student has difficulty demonstrating understanding and needs support to complete key tasks.

Additional support and enrichment opportunities are provided through after-school tutoring and the STARS program.

Consistent school attendance is crucial for your child's academic and social development. Regular attendance helps students keep up with daily lessons and assignments and fosters a sense of responsibility and routine that will benefit them throughout their lives.

When your child attends school daily, they engage more fully in learning. They participate in classroom activities, interact with their peers, and build relationships with their teachers. These interactions are vital for developing strong social skills and a sense of community. Regular attendance allows students to grasp and retain the material being taught, reducing the likelihood of falling behind and experiencing academic struggles.

We understand that sometimes absences are unavoidable due to illness or family emergencies. In these situations, your communication with us is vital. It allows us to support your child and ensure they receive any necessary make-up work. Parents should call the attendance line by 8:30 AM to report your child's absence. When absences are not reported to the main office, our Attendance Liaison Ms. Elvia Lechuga, will contact families. Failure to notify the main office, or respond to Ms. Lechuga, will result in an unexcused absence. We also encourage you to take the lead in scheduling appointments and family trips outside of school hours whenever possible to minimize disruptions to your child's education. An overview of our attendance policy and excused vs. unexcused absences is listed below.

It's important to understand that tardies and early dismissals significantly impact your child's attendance and learning. Every minute of missed instruction accumulates throughout the school year. For instance, if a student misses just fifteen minutes of instruction each day, this adds up to an hour and fifteen minutes of missed learning each week. Over time, these missed minutes can lead to gaps in your child's education, affecting their overall academic progress. Let's work together to ensure our students arrive on time and stay the entire school day to maximize their learning opportunities.

At Carman-Buckner Elementary School, we are committed to open communication with our families. We use a variety of technology-based tools to ensure that you receive important information and updates in a timely and efficient manner, reflecting our dedication to keeping you informed.

Remind is the district's preferred digital communication tool designed to help the school and educators improve communication through messages and announcements. You may join Carman-Buckner's Remind with this code: @carmanbuc. Teachers also have Remind accounts for their classrooms. Don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher with any questions regarding Remind usage.

ClassDojo is used in schools to promote positive behavior intervention support. Teachers and staff can share information through photos, videos, and messages. Students can also receive DojoPoints for demonstrating positive behaviors.

Our school also has a Facebook page that you can follow. District information, reminders, flyers, and photos will always be shared on our page. Please feel free to give us a like!

At Carman-Buckner Elementary School, we are committed to fostering a positive learning environment to support student success. We promote and teach all of our students to adhere to a set of behavior expectations, ensuring that positive learning and teaching occurs in each classroom. Our four key behavior expectations, which are displayed in every room, are: Personal Best, Always Respectful, Work Hard and Safety First, or P.A.W.S. Students must be courteous to school staff, peers, and others across all school settings.

For the safety of our children, we require that all visitors (including parents/guardians) check in at the main office when visiting our school. This procedure allows us to carefully protect the safety of our school environment and issue you a visitor’s sticker, a “signal” to our students and staff that you have checked in with us. We encourage families to visit their child’s classroom and be involved in their education. However, teachers cannot stop and discuss a student’s progress during instructional time. Please get in touch with your child’s teacher to set up a time to visit the classroom.

Families and community volunteers enrich our schools by supporting educational activities, providing additional resources, and fostering a strong sense of community. Their involvement enhances student learning experiences and helps create a positive school environment. All volunteers must complete the district's volunteer process to maintain a secure and welcoming space for our students and staff.

Carman-Buckner Elementary School is proud to partner with HACES to continue our Parent Mentor program. Parent mentors work with classroom teachers to provide additional support to students for two hours per day, four days a week, for a minimum of 100 hours. Our parent mentors are supported by weekly training on classroom instructional practices and leadership training. Parent mentors will receive a stipend at the end of the 100 hours. Please contact the main office, our our Parent Mentor Coordinator Ms. Maria Gallegos, if you are interested in this fantastic opportunity.

Joining the PTO offers parents a unique opportunity to actively participate in their child's education and school community. Through the PTO, parents can collaborate with teachers and staff to enhance school programs, organize events, and fundraise for essential resources. This involvement not only strengthens the school community but also allows parents to directly impact their child's learning environment directly, fostering a sense of partnership and support that benefits everyone.

If children require medication during school hours, parents must pick up a medication release form from our nurse, Mr. David Anslow. Medication release forms must be filled out by a doctor. Nobody, including the nurse, can administer medications (including cough drops) without prior doctor permission and completion of the medication release form.

Students should not bring any electronics from home, except for personal cell phones. All cell phones must be turned off and kept in the child's backpack or handed over to the teacher for safekeeping. The school is not responsible for the loss of any electronic devices brought from home. If these items cause a disruption to the learning environment, they will be turned into the main office for parent pick-up.

Riding the bus is a privilege. The school district has adopted strict rules of behavior for students to protect them while riding the bus to and from school.

If the parent/guardian of a PreKindergarten or Kindergarten student is away from the designated drop-off area, the student will return to Carman-Buckner for your immediate pickup.

Call Illinois Central Bus Company at (847) 249 - 4100 if you have bus transportation questions. Unless transportation services are provided, families are responsible for transportation for students staying for afterschool clubs and activities.

Field trips are an excellent extension of student learning. They provide students with hands-on experiences to enhance their learning experience. Each grade level will participate in one district-sponsored field trip each year. Additional field trips are determined based on suggestions and proposals from grade-level teachers. We encourage families to help chaperone field trips. If you are interested, please see the volunteer section above.

Afterschool activities at the elementary school level offer diverse opportunities for students to explore their interests and develop new skills. There's something for everyone, from sports programs that promote physical fitness and teamwork to clubs that ignite creativity and curiosity. Additionally, tutoring sessions provide extra academic support, helping students reinforce classroom learning and achieve their full potential. These activities enrich students' educational experiences and foster a sense of community and belonging. Tutoring and club sign up will occur from August 26 to August 30 in the gym.