The Head of School is hired by the Board of Trustees to fulfill the mission of Silverwood School and to administer the program, hire and evaluate faculty, recruit and educate our students, oversee the curriculum, maintain the school’s financial soundness, and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.

If Parents Have Questions or Concerns About the Classroom

If parents have questions or concerns involving their child’s classroom, please address those concerns directly with the student’s teacher – the sooner the better. Talking with other parents, Board members, or the Head of School will not address the problem and will only delay the opportunity to solve it.

If after addressing the problem with the teacher directly concerned the problem persists, then the next step is to include the Team Leader and Head of School in the conversation who may choose to include the classroom teacher, Student Support Coordinator, and any other specialists appropriate in working the families to address a concern.

When a Problem Arises Between Students

If a student has a problem with another student, parents should strategize with the student on how to address the problem with the other student but should not step in and try to fix the problem for their child. To do so sends the message that the parent lacks confidence in the child’s ability to address the problem and denies the child an opportunity for growth and learning and to put into practice the communications skills they are learning at Silverwood.

If the problem continues, then the parent should alert the teacher but please allow the teacher to address the problem with the children directly involved. Parents are also encouraged to advise their child to approach the teacher and self advocate by asking for help (which is different from “tattling,” the point of which is to get someone in trouble, not necessarily solve the problem).

When a Problem Arises Between Adults

When a problem arises between two adults, they should address the problem openly, honestly, and directly with each other rather than talk about it with others who are not involved. To talk with others rather than try to resolve the issue directly is to foster gossip, which has no place in a culture of kindness and respect and which is counteractive to solving the problem.

Role of the Board of Trustees

Please note that the role of the Board of Trustees in any independent school is policy-making, and Trustees do not address issues related to the day-to-day operations of the school. The Board’s mission is to safeguard the financial health and institutional well-being of the school on behalf of our children and our children’s children. If parents contact Trustees about issues concerning a child, a teacher, or an administrator in the school; the Trustee is obligated to refer that person back to the individual at school who is best qualified to address the issue. This is a fundamental principle of good practice in an independent school and a good way to model direct, open, honest communication for our children.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS

Communicating with the Office and the Classrooms

In an effort to limit the number of classroom interruptions, only phone calls of a true emergency nature will be transferred to the classrooms. The office staff will take messages for all other kinds of phone calls and relay information to the classroom either by e-mail or by calling the classroom at lunchtime or between 2:50 – 3:00 p.m. Students may not make phone calls without permission from their teacher. Teachers will return calls or e-mails at their earliest convenience – the same day if possible, and within no longer than 24 hours. If you call the school or a teacher to leave a message, please also leave your e-mail address.

Parent – Teacher Communications

Parents are encouraged to speak directly to teachers about any specific questions, concerns, compliments or just to share information. Children learn best when they know that parents and teachers communicate often, well, and directly. You may:

· E-mail the teacher directly at his or her silverwoodschool.org e-mail address: firstname@silverwoodschool.org.

· Send a detailed note in the daily take-home folder (for Primary and Intermediate students).

· Call the school office and leave a message to be given to the specific teacher who will respond to your call the same day if possible and within 24 hours if not the same day.

· Parent login to the school’s website is parents and the parent password is sws14000

· Please check your e-mails daily for messages from teachers or from the Silverwood office. To keep expenses down and reduce paper waste, many communications are sent to families electronically.

Phones, Messages, and E-mails

Our phone system has two incoming lines. The office staff strives to answer calls personally, but if both incoming lines are in use or office personnel are not available, incoming calls are forwarded into voice mail. The office staffs checks messages frequently, but if a message is urgent, please feel free to call back. E-mail is checked throughout the day so it may be more convenient to email the office at office@silverwoodschool.org. In a true emergency, call Susan Radtke, Head of School, on her cell phone – 360- 286-3686. Please reserve this number for truly critical communication. Otherwise, please contact Ms. Radtke through the regular phone lines or at susan@silverwoodschool.org.

Staff – 2009-2010

Grades 1-2

Tracy Baltutat tracy@silverwoodschool.org

Lenora Bradley lenora@silverwoodschool.org

Brenda Home – Team Leader brenda@silverwoodschool.org

Nancy Danaher nancy@silverwoodschool.org

Grades 3-4

Vanessa Kasparek – Team Leader vanessa@silverwoodschool.org

Cindy Rathgeber cindy@silverwoodschool.org

Grades 5-6

Sue Cadden – Team Leader sue@silverwoodschool.org

Yvonne Rivera yvonne@silverwoodschool.org

Helen Kirkham art@silverwoodschool.org

Sarah Ullman sarah@silverwoodschool.org

Specialists

Helen Kirkham, Art, Webmaster art@silverwoodschool.org

Carol Taylor, Music carol@silverwoodschool.org

Yvonne Rivera, Spanish, Math, P.E. yvonne@silverwoodschool.org

Sarah Ullman, Environmental Science, P.E., Math sarah@silverwoodschool.org

Office

Susan Radtke, Head of School susan@silverwoodschool.org

Marcia Christen, Student Support Coordinator marcia@silverwoodschool.org

Sherri Gray, Business Manager sherri@silverwoodschool.org

Carol Taylor, Admin. Admissions Director carol@silverwoodschool.org

Ashley McComas, After School Homework Club Coordinator ashley@silverwoodschool.org

School Custodians: Hildo and Margaret Rodriguez

School Maintenance: Bill Paulsen

All Silverwood teachers strive to be accessible and have made a strong commitment to communication with their students’ parents. Time at school is precious, so impromptu requests for conversation just before school, right after school, or during teachers’ lunch and planning times are discouraged. Calls to teachers' homes should be reserved for emergencies and made no later than 8 p.m.

Newsletter and E-mail Updates

In keeping with the Silverwood commitment to use resources wisely, the school is reducing paper and printing use, and sending home most parent information via e-mail or making it available on the school website, www.silverwoodschool.org. The school community newsletter is available on the website, usually every other Friday. In addition, the Head of School sends occasional e-mails to families. The newsletter includes information about upcoming events, articles from the Head of School, the Board of Trustees, SPA and teachers, monthly calendars, classroom projects, field trips, volunteer opportunities and more. Parents are expected to read the newsletters and e-mailed communications. Please check e-mails regularly, inform the office of any e-mail address changes, and also check backpack mail daily. Most of the forms and other all-school communications are posted on the school website as well.

CLASSROOM AND STUDENT LIFE

Absences, Tardies, Early Departures, and Missed Homework

Your child should arrive at school between 8:10 and 8:25 a.m. Because classroom instruction begins promptly at 8:30, your child is tardy after 8:25 a.m. If your child is absent, please call the office 697-7626 or email office@silverwoodschool.org. If you would like to pick up a homework packet, please note the time you would like to have it available. The office will pass on the information to the teacher. Excessive absences and/or tardies will result in a meeting with the Head of School to discuss the impact on your student’s academic and school life and find a solution to the problem.

Silverwood strongly discourages extended absences from school for vacations, and taking vacation days during school days. Because of the experiential and hands-on nature of our educational approach, group work, and class discussions, most instruction cannot be replaced by workbooks or handouts.

Tardies and Early Departures-- Signing Students in and Signing out

Please choose one of the following options for reporting a late arrival:

1. Phone the office at 697-7526 and leave a message on voicemail.

2. E-mail the office at office@silverwoodschool.org

When you arrive at school late or after a mid-day appointment, come to the office with your child and sign in your child on the clipboard on the office counter. Your child will receive a tardy slip to take to class. PLEASE DO NOT drop off your child without following this procedure. Likewise when your child leaves school early, the adult driver must come to the office to sign out the student. This is an important security procedure that helps ensure the safety of your child.

Parents must also come to the office to sign in if they are on campus and not just dropping off or picking up their child. It is crucial that we know who is on campus (students, adults, and visitors) for the safety and well-being of our entire community.

Why It’s Important to Arrive at School On-Time

Late arrivals disrupt students and teachers who begin class work on time. Students who arrive late miss valuable information presented at the beginning of a class session. Children are most ready to learn when they have had a good night’s sleep, breakfast, an unhurried morning, and have arrived at school between 8:10 and 8:25 a.m. so they have time to get settled in prior to school beginning at 8:30 a.m. Sometimes, arriving late at school is unavoidable; please do all you can to ensure timely arrival at school. Parents of students who are frequently late will be contacted by the Head of School.

Backpack Mail

Parents of Primary and Intermediate students should check their child's backpack each day for homework and important information from the classroom and the office. Senior classroom students are expected to give handouts to their parents. Classroom teachers send weekly Homework Packets. Your child’s teacher will provide you with instructions on when these weekly homework packets are distributed and due.

Behavioral Expectations

Our mission statement challenges us to support our students in becoming “confident, compassionate citizens and skilled, life-long learners - literate, motivated, and intellectually adventurous.” Silverwood School approaches student behavior proactively with clear teacher expectations and through our Character Education Curriculum, school assemblies, community service projects, and student family program.

Silverwood students are expected to:

· Speak and act respectfully toward all members of the school community.

· Engage in their own learning and contribute appropriately to their group of fellow learners.

· Guard the physical safety of their peers and themselves. This includes regulating the intensity of games and movements to be appropriate to the setting and the people involved.

· Support their teachers, their classmates, and the academic and social goals of the school.

· Care for the school -- its buildings, grounds and environment.

We believe in addressing behavioral issues quickly and directly so students know their boundaries and our expectations and so all children feel safe - emotionally and physically.

Teachers communicate clear behavioral expectations at the beginning of the school year and use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. When necessary, teachers meet infractions of our behavioral expectations with logical consequences so all students can stay focused on learning. Teachers deal with minor disruptions through reminders, warnings, and consequences such as loss of recess time and/or a call or e-mail home.

More serious issues are dealt with by the Head of School and faculty together. Interventions may range from a problem-solving conference to parent contact to suspension. Restitution may be part of the natural consequences of our problem-solving process.

The Head of School may call for a roundtable discussion between teachers, parents, the student and a counselor/consultant at any time deemed necessary to address an unresolved problem.

Silverwood does not allow alcohol, drugs, flammables, weapons, or facsimile weapons on campus.

Inappropriate behavior such as defiance of a school rule or a teacher request, behavior that affects the safety of others, and behavioral issues that cannot be resolved in the classroom will result in a written communication to parents or an e-mail or phone call to parents informing them of the problem. Parents are to respond in writing or return the e-mail or phone call to talk with the teacher. These communications reinforce our expectation that our students act appropriately and as active problem-solvers.

Physical aggression will result in an immediate call to parents and may result in removal of the student from school that day. A student removed from school for behavioral infractions will not be allowed to return to school until a conference is held with a school representative, the parents, and the student.

A pattern of behavior incidents in a short time period could result in a short suspension. Continued unacceptable behavior will be addressed by the Head of School and will include a parent conference. Students who cannot control their behavior may be expelled from Silverwood.

Birthday Celebrations

Silverwood does not recognize student birthdays with snacks, but instead encourages families to donate a book to the school in honor of their child, make a donation to the Patty & Peggy Endowment for Excellence in Teaching, or underwrite a curriculum-linked and faculty-selected field trip. Teachers can provide you with a list of suggested books, or you may choose an age-appropriate award-winning book. To honor the student celebrating a birthday, the book or other donation will be shared with the class. On the inside cover page, you may dedicate your book to Silverwood in honor of your child’s birthday. If you are interested in underwriting a field trip in honor of your child’s birthday, please talk with the teacher about the upcoming field trips they have planned.

Sample of a book inscription:

To Silverwood School

In honor of Susie Smith’s seventh birthday

This tenth day of March, 2010.

Invitations – If you are inviting Silverwood students from your child’s class for a birthday party, please invite all the children in the class. If your child does not wish to include boys and girls together at his or her party, please invite all the girls or boys in your child’s class. Respect and inclusively are hallmarks of the Silverwood way, and we ask that parents as well as students model these virtues.

Computer Lab Usage and Standards

Silverwood’s resources include 45 student computers and a digital lab, an internal network, and internet access to support and facilitate our academic program. Our internet connection is filtered for explicit sexual and violent material. Since no filter system is 100% accurate, students are expected to avoid inappropriate websites. Any use of e-mail or instant messaging during the school day (including Before and After School Program time) must be for a school purpose or under the supervision of a teacher. Students are not allowed to change settings on any computer. A pattern of inappropriate use of school technology will result in a parent conference and suspension of student computer privileges. Gaming is prohibited unless under the supervision of a teacher and for educational purposes. Older students who are allowed access to the Internet sign an internet use contract provided by their teachers.

Cubbies (Student Storage)

Students have their own cubby spaces in which books, supplies and personal items are stored. Homework folders should be taken home every day. Food items should be removed at the end of each day. Teachers provide guidelines to students regarding how they may personalize their cubbies without causing distraction or damage. Students are to access their own cubbies only.

Curriculum

We value experiential, self-directed, and small group learning. Our program includes reading, creative and expository writing, grammar and usage, spelling, handwriting, math, cultural and social studies, science, environmental science, foreign language (Spanish), art, music, and physical education. Students also learn how to use technology as a tool for learning. All segments of our curriculum are required for all students. Exceptions are occasionally allowed for educational reasons.

Our teaching resources include five buildings, an art and ceramics studio with kiln, a half-gym, a mini-field, 18 acres with forest and stream environments, two greenhouses and a garden, a campus-wide computer network, high-speed internet access, a digital video editing studio and a variety of cameras, scanners, and printers. At Silverwood, technology is an important tool which supports the curriculum rather than being an end in itself.

Our program includes three two-year classrooms. The Primary Classroom (grades 1 and 2) is in The Barn, the Intermediate Classroom (grades 3 and 4) is in the Treehouse, and grades 5 and 6 are in the Senior Classroom Building north of the Commons.

For the most current information on our program, visit the Community page of our School Website at http://www.silverwoodschool.org/com.html and visit the Primary, Intermediate, and Senior Classroom pages. The login for the family web page is “parents” and the Password is “sws14000”. Please do not share this login or password outside of the current Silverwood families.

Student Support Services

The Student Support Coordinator assists parents and teachers with all services and resources that will support students’ learning at Silverwood School. The Coordinator is the liaison between teachers and parents. Support services might include referrals for counseling, educational testing and evaluation, speech therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration dysfunction therapy, attention deficit, or educational tutoring and creating behavioral plans for teachers and parents to follow.
You are encouraged to speak to the teacher and/or to the Student Support Coordinator if you have questions regarding your child(ren). The teaching staff may also refer you to the Student Support Coordinator for assistance. The coordinator can be reached at the above e-mail or phone number. The Coordinator may be asked by either a parent or a teacher to attend student conferences or other meetings to help provide the best possible learning for our students.

Deliveries to Students During the School Day

If Deliveries of flowers, gifts, etc., are received during the school day, they will be given to students at 3:15 p.m. so as not to disrupt learning of the recipient and other students.

Dress Expectations

Silverwood students are active and involved. They play outside several times on most days and have physical education classes. Students should dress in clothing and footwear that is appropriate for indoor and outdoor physical activity and should be prepared for cool weather and rain. Having a hooded raincoat, rubber boots, and slippers in their cubby is required; sweat shirts and sweat pants are recommended. Students who are not wearing weather-appropriate clothing may not be allowed to participate in outdoor activities. We strongly suggest keeping a change of clothing in students’ backpacks or cubbies. Also, since elementary children grow so fast, check periodically to ensure that footwear and jackets fit.

Our program also includes regular art classes, occasional gardening, and hands-on science, so clothing should be machine washable – and still might get stained.

For safety and cleanliness, bare feet are not allowed in classrooms or outdoors. Wheeled shoes such as Heelys are not allowed at school at any time.

Students are to dress in clothes which are clean, respectful, and appropriate for a learning environment. Please avoid “short” shorts, spaghetti-straps, tank tops, bare midriffs, and any messages which are controversial or potentially offensive. Shoes are required outdoors, and we strongly discourage sandals, so that children can run and play safely. Hats may be worn outside, but not inside in order to promote face-to-face communication among students and between students and their teachers.

FIELD TRIPS

Powerful learning takes place away from school. Field trips are an integral and important part of our program. Busses may be chartered for longer trips but parent volunteer drivers are needed for local ed-ventures.

We have established a responsibility sheet for all chaperones so that field trips are educational and enjoyable for all. If you volunteer to be a chaperone, the following information applies:

Teachers

· Bring the field trip notebook, kept in the office, which includes parent phone numbers (home/cell/work/etc.) and student medical information and releases.

· Bring student medications as appropriate (inhalers, diabetic test kit/juice, Epipens, etc.)

· If needed, obtain a letter from the office identifying the group as being on a field trip and noting the date ferry reservations were made.

· Receive checks for the ferry as appropriate.

· Receive check(s) for admission, etc., to the field trip’s destination, if not pre-paid.

· Leave the office with a list of parent drivers’ cell phone numbers before departing and a list of drivers and the names of the children each driver will transport.

Students

· Do not bring money on field trips, unless instructed to do so by the teachers.

· Do not bring i-pods, cellphones, electronic games or other electronic devices, unless instructed to do so by the teachers.

· Are not to spend money on food, games, or souvenirs without prior approval.

· Are expected to behave in a respectful manner and to follow directions given by teachers, drivers, chaperones, and tour guides.

Drivers/Chaperones

When you accompany a group, we ask that you:

· Introduce yourself to the students and tell them how you wish to be addressed.

· Always know where your students are.

· Establish car rules from the beginning. Rules may address: music, radio station choices, food, language use, etc.

· Remember that your rules apply to your car!

· Check in with the supervising teacher for allowable boundaries on ferries and in public spaces.

· On the ferry, keep your students in one area and do not let them run around or be boisterous.

· If students have been given work packets, encourage them to complete these during the trip, in the car and on the ferry.

· Expect appropriate behavior. Please speak to a staff member if a child refuses to cooperate.

· Clarify with the supervising teacher under what (if any) circumstances students may shop or spend their own money.

· Please return any assigned student work packets to their teacher after the trip.

· Please do not bring snacks or treats or make any unplanned stops for treats for students in your car. Coordinate all snacks and stops with the supervising teacher.

· Please return your packet, including any receipts, to the office.

· Parent drivers will receive a packet that includes directions to the field trip destination, emergency phone numbers and names of the students they will transport.

· Carry a basic First Aid kit in your car.

Parent Drivers – For you to drive students other than your own, Silverwood must have on file a photocopy of your current auto insurance policy indicating the following minimum auto insurance coverage:

$100,000 per person bodily injury

$300,000 bodily injury per accident

$ 50,000 property damage ($100,000 is recommended, but not required, by our Broker)

Some insurance companies will issue a one-day waiver for these amounts. If you are unsure what coverage you have, please call your insurance company prior to committing to drive on a field trip. They may fax the coverage amounts from your policy in effect to the school at (360) 697-7537.

Since most policies expire or are renewed every six months, please be in the habit of sending us a copy of the new coverage, with dates the policy is in effect, when you receive it.

Drivers for school activities must report any traffic violations that have occurred in the past three years to the Head of School for review. Any failure to disclose criminal history or misrepresentation of the same could be grounds for losing the privilege of volunteering at Silverwood School.

Parents of field trip participants should leave car seats and booster seats, with the child’s name on them, in front of (or inside) the Commons if their child is being driven to and from a field trip by another parent or staff member. Parents must abide by all laws while on field trips, including use of seatbelts and booster seats.

Islandwood

Our Intermediate Classroom students attend a four day/three night educational program at Islandwood on Bainbridge Island. Students hike and study various science topics and work on team-building skills. Currently, Islandwood costs approximately $275 per student and the payment is usually due approximately two months before the event. See the “Tuition and Fees” section of this Handbook for more information.

Olympic Park Institute

Each school year, Senior Classroom students attend a five day/four night outdoor educational program at the Olympic Park Institute at the Rosemary Inn, a beautiful historical setting in the Olympic National Forest. Students hike and study science and ecology. They may also backpack and tent camp. Several parent chaperones are required to staff this trip and parent drivers are encouraged. Please contact the Senior Classroom teachers if you are interested. Parents of students with medical or other special needs get priority for chaperoning at OPI, followed by those whose presence will create a balance of male and female chaperones.

Silverwood strongly recommends that parents put some money away for OPI while their child is in the Primary and Intermediate grades to alleviate possible future financial difficulties when payment is due. Currently, OPI costs approximately $325 and is usually due in the autumn. See the “Tuition and Fees” section of this Handbook for more information.

Children’s Theatre

Students may see one or two plays each year at the Admiral Theatre in Bremerton, the Seattle Children's Theater in Seattle, or at other area theaters. Classes preview the plays and have follow-up activities. A frequent part of the field trip is a work packet that reinforces current learning and the play. Seattle trips usually involve chartering a bus and may include early arrival to school or late return to school.

Sixth Grade Trip

As part of the curriculum, sixth grade students travel to another location to participate in a program of study relating to one or more subjects they have studied during the year. The trip is a chance to put into action the learning skills that they have developed and to build confidence and independence. It is also an important part of helping students transition from elementary to junior high school.

Therefore, the Sixth Grade Trip is not a family trip, but one limited to the sixth graders, two Silverwood teachers, and occasionally a parent of a student with special medical needs. Sometimes, to ensure at least one male and female chaperone are present, a parent will be invited to accompany the group at his or her expense; a parent of a child with medical needs that require a parent’s presence will have priority. Otherwise, the Senior Classroom Team Coordinator or Head of School will contact interested parents and will make a decision as to which parent will accompany the group.

Silverwood reserves $150 for each year that your child is enrolled for the full school year and this non-refundable amount is applied to the cost of his or her Sixth Grade Trip, thus reducing, but not eliminating the cost to parents for this outstanding educational experience.

Previous groups have studied in Utah’s Lake Powell and Zion National Park, Colorado’s Gunnison River Valley; Florida’s Everglades and Keys for marine biology and water studies; Havasupai Canyon at Grand Canyon, Crow Canyon Archeological site in Crow Canyon, Colorado; The University of Arizona Astronomy Camp; Washington, D.C.; Ashland, Oregon's Shakespeare Festival; NASA Space Camp in Florida; Hawaii for the University of Hawaii's volcanology studies, Teton Science School, and other sites.

Silverwood strongly recommends that parents put some money away for the sixth grade trip while their child is in the Primary and Intermediate grades to alleviate possible future financial difficulties when payment is due. A part of tuition goes toward the cost of the trip, but will never cover the cost of the trip in its entirety. Currently, typical out-of-pocket costs for the Sixth Grade Trip are $500-$750.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Immunizations

State law requires us to have a completed Certificate of Immunization form in our office for each child by the first day of school. Parents are required to complete the form before turning it in to the office. Students cannot begin school until this form has been completed and turned in to the office. For a complete list of required immunizations, see:

http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/documents/vacreqschool09.pdf

For the Certificate of Immunization Form, see:

http://www.doh.wa.gov/CFh/Immunize/documents/certimmunstatus.pdf

We are required to inform parents of sixth graders about the availability of information on HPV disease. General information on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine is available on the Washington State Department of Health website at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-hpv.pdf

A fact sheet with more detailed information on HPV disease and the vaccine is also available from the Department of Health at: www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/documents/hpvvaccinefactsheet.pdf

Starting July 1, 2009, Washington State law requires that children attending 6^th grade must show proof of:

Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination if he/she is 11 years old and it has been five years since he/she received a DTaP, DT, or Td vaccine.

As of July 1, 2008, proof of immunity to chickenpox is required of children in grades 2, 3, and 6. These children need one dose; parental documentation of disease is acceptable. Please provide the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccination date, approximate date of illness, or results from a blood test that show he/she is immune.

Please call the office if you wish to claim an exemption to any or all of the above immunizations, and indicate this desire on the immunization form. In the event of an outbreak, children not immunized will be sent home from school and not allowed to return until the outbreak is over.

Sick or Injured Student Procedures

Silverwood School has a medical advisor and other physician consultants. This medical advisor, a pediatrician, approves our procedures for handling sickness and injuries.

Illness

Children with a fever at or higher than 100 degrees, a severe cold or sore throat, or other infectious condition must be kept at home. Children must be fever-free, without fever-reducing medication, for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school.

Students who become ill at school are escorted to the office by another student. If the child needs to go home, an office staff member will contact the parent to take their child home. They will call the numbers, in the order indicated, on the Emergency Information form.

If a child's temperature is 100 degrees or above, or if the child vomits, the child will be sent home.

If a child's temperature is below 100 degrees, he or she will be asked to rest for awhile and may be sent back to class. If it's obvious a child is sick (listless, pale, etc.) or the teacher recommends sending him or her home, the parent will be contacted and asked to pick the child up from school.

Fever

Children must be fever-free, without fever-reducing medication, for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school.

Parents should alert teachers to any medication which may affect a child's behavior, performance or energy level at school.

Head Lice

1. Head lice are an inconvenience, but are not a danger or a disease.

2. It is likely that every school child will experience head lice or a possible exposure sometime in his or her school career.

3. This is not a sign of poor hygiene; it comes up eventually for many families and schools.

4. The best ways to keep from getting or spreading head lice are to maintain consistent practices like not sharing combs and brushes or hats and for parents to examine their child’s hair and scalp occasionally.

5. If you find that your child has lice or nits, please contact the school office.

In consultation with our Medical Advisor and based on information from “Instructions for Pediatric Patients” and the American Academy of Pediatrics, our position on lice is that children who have been properly treated need not be excluded from school even if eggs are still visible. If you see any live lice, however, please contact the Head of School before sending your child to school.

Pink Eye

Children diagnosed with pink eye may return to school once they are receiving treatment for it.

Ringworm

Children with ringworm may attend school only if they are being treated for it because it is highly contagious. If it is discovered while at school, the child will be sent home until treatment begins.

Scabies

Scabies are mites that get under the skin. If a teacher suspects that a child has scabies (intense itching, usually between the fingers) and red skin, the child will be sent to the office. The parent will be called and asked to take the child to a doctor for diagnosis. Scabies is highly contagious.

Injuries

In the case of a serious injury, the school will call 9-1-1 and then contact the parent using the phone numbers, in the order indicated by the parent on the child’s Emergency Information Sheet.

If a child bumps his or her head, teachers will send him or her to the office for observation and an ice pack. The office will:

a) evaluate the student for symptoms of serious injury

b) call the parent to tell them what happened and to ask them to look for a special form that will be sent home and

c) send home a form with the child that explains how the accident occurred, when it occurred, and what possible symptoms to look for if a concussion is present.

Medications at school

Students are not permitted to possess or transport prescription or non-prescription medications at school because of the possibility of their sharing them and the ensuing issues of liability. Parents/Guardians must bring medication to the office in its original container with the child's name clearly marked on the container.

Prescription medications

The office will give prescription medications only to students for whom a "Request for Medicine at School" form has been completed and signed by both a parent/guardian and a physician. No exceptions will be made. Forms are available in the office and also on the website. This form is school-year specific and must be completed each year.

Parents are welcome to give their own children prescription medication at school if they are unable to get the "Request for Medicine at School" form completed before the child needs the medication.

Scoliosis Screening

Fifth graders receive a scoliosis screening performed by a medical professional, usually a nurse from the Olympic Educational Service District. Parents may opt to have their child not screened by completing the permission slip accordingly.

Vision and Hearing Screening

Thanks to Silverwood parents and alumni parents who volunteer their time and professional expertise, students have their hearing and vision tested in the fall. Results are sent home only for those students who appear to need additional testing.

Tobacco Policy

Silverwood School does not allow the use of tobacco on campus at any time under any circumstances. This includes smoking and chewing tobacco. This restriction applies to buildings, cars, and all outdoor premises.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Specifically, Silverwood prohibits the possession, manufacture, sale, purchase and use of alcohol or illegal drugs on school premises or while on school business.

Weapons and Flammables Policy

Silverwood School strives to maintain a safe school environment for students, staff and visitors. We recognize the expectation of students, staff, parents, and patrons to be safe on school premises and at school activities. Accordingly, it is a violation of school policy and Washington State law (RCW 9.41.280 Possessing Dangerous Weapons on School Facilities) for anyone to carry onto school premises, school-provided transportation, or other facilities being used for school activities any firearm, dangerous weapon, or other object capable of producing bodily harm as defined in this policy and under Washington law.

A weapon or dangerous instrument includes, but is not limited to:

Any firearm;
device commonly known as "nun-chu-ka sticks", consisting of two or more lengths of wood, metal, plastic, or similar substance connected with wire, rope, or other means;
Any device, commonly known as "throwing stars", which are multi-pointed, metal objects designed to embed upon impact from any aspect;
Any air gun, including any air pistol or air rifle, designed to propel a BB, pellet, or other projectile by the discharge of compressed air, carbon dioxide, or other gas;
Any portable device manufactured to function as a weapon and which is commonly known as a stun gun, including a projectile stun gun which projects wired probes that are attached to the device that emit an electrical charge designed to administer to a person or an animal an electric shock, charge, or impulse;
Any device, object, or instrument which is used or intended to be used as a weapon with the intent to injure a person by an electric shock, charge, or impulse;
Any device of the kind usually known as sling shot, sand club or mental knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;
Any explosive device.

Additionally, no persons shall use articles designed for other purposes (laser pointers, belts, scissors, etc.) to inflict bodily harm and/or intimidate. Such use will be treated as the possession and use of a dangerous weapon. This policy is not meant to interfere with the instruction or the use of appropriate equipment and tools by students or non-students.

Certain very limited exceptions to the dangerous weapons policy are set forth in RCW 9.41.280. With specific regard to firearms, these include, in part:

Any person in possession of a pistol who has been issued a license under RCW 9.41.070, or is exempt from the licensing requirement by RCW 9.41.060, while picking up or dropping off a student;
Any non-student at least eighteen years of age legally in possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon that is secured within an attended vehicle or concealed from view within a locked unattended vehicle while conducting legitimate business at the school;
Any non-student at least eighteen years of age who is in lawful possession of an unloaded firearm, secured in a vehicle while conducting legitimate business at the school;
Any law enforcement officer of the federal, state, or local government agency.

While Silverwood School recognizes the right to carry firearms under the limited exceptions indicated above, it strongly urges all students, staff, parents, and patrons to refrain from carrying any dangerous weapons, particularly firearms, onto school premises, school-provided transportation, or other facilities being used for school activities at any time and whether or not authorized under Washington law. The safety of our students, staff, parents, and patrons is our highest priority.

In compliance with Washington law, the Head of School will post "GUN-FREE ZONE" signs around school facilities giving warning of the prohibition of the possession of firearms on school grounds.

The school will act to enforce this policy and take appropriate action against any individual who violates this policy. All reports regarding the possession or use of dangerous weapons will be investigated. Student discipline for violation of this policy will depend upon specific circumstances and may include confiscation, student and/or parent conference, suspension,

and/or dismissal.

Emergency Preparedness

Schools are asked by local agencies to be ready to feed and house students for up to three days in case of natural disaster. Silverwood teachers and staff are trained in emergency preparedness, first aid, and CPR. The Silverwood School maintains three-day survival ration kits for each child. Families are also asked to provide a personalized emergency comfort kit each September. In the event of a disaster, students are to be picked up as soon as the roads are declared safe for travel. Rest assured that all Silverwood children will be cared for by faculty and staff until parents or a parental designee has arrived. When completing the Emergency Form, the school encourages parents to consider adding several names to increase the likelihood a student can leave school and join a friend at home when parents are unavailable. Parents should also be conscientious in providing the school with a three-day supply of any medications (with instructions) a child may need. (See medications.)

HOMEWORK

Silverwood homework practices are research-based and our assignments are curriculum-driven. Other than practice for necessary skills like spelling and math facts, students benefit most from project-style assignments which involve family input, are relevant, are creative, and are designed for a positive outcome. In addition to regular, age-appropriate homework, students are expected to read often and regularly from a wide variety of genres and in subject matters that interest them.

During Back-to-School Curriculum Night, teachers will present information about the curriculum and their expectations for homework, both nightly and weekly, and how they will communicate homework expectations with parents.

Homework is intended to reinforce, not introduce, skills; so children should not struggle with the concepts in their homework assignments. At anytime, if a parent has questions about homework, please review the child’s planner (if he or she is in the Senior Classroom) and the weekly homework packets. If a student is uncertain about a homework assignment, parents should encourage the student to call a classmate or to talk with or e-mail the teacher well in advance of the homework due date. Some teachers also post homework assignments on their blogs (web logs), accessible via links from the school web site.

HOMEWORK CLUB (Before and After School Program)

Students who arrive before 8:10 a.m. or are not picked up by 3:30 p.m. are automatically sent to the Before School or After School Homework Program, and parents are billed for this care each month. For more information about these programs, see the relevant handout.

LUNCH AND RECESS

Students are to bring a nutritious snack, a nutritious lunch, and a beverage to school each day. All waste resulting from each child’s lunch and snack will be packed home and will not be disposed of at school. This is in keeping with Silverwood’s commitment to teach and practice environmentally sound use of resources, so please consider how to minimize waste when packing school snacks and lunches.

Students staying for the After School Homework Club Program are encouraged to bring an additional nutritious snack.

SPA sponsors pizza lunches approximately every other Friday. Parents may purchase pizza lunches for an entire semester via a sign-up sheet sent home in September and January. See the newsletters on the website for specific pizza lunch dates. For safety reasons, only senior students are allowed to use the microwaves for lunch. For safety reasons, Primary and Intermediate students DO NOT use the microwave ovens. Soda pop is not allowed in student lunches or for snacks.

On pizza lunch days, please remember to send a morning snack as usual.

SNACKS

To meet the dietary and caloric needs of all our children, families are to provide a nutritious and fulfilling snack for their child each morning.

Snack suggestions:

*Peanut allergies are becoming more common in school-age children. Silverwood maintains a “Peanut-free” table in the lunch room. Please encourage your children to be aware and careful when consuming peanuts, peanut butter, or any product which may contain peanuts and to wash their hands thoroughly immediately after eating.

These snacks are not recommended: Doughnuts, cupcakes, candy, fruit roll-ups, cookies, etc. Gum is not allowed except by teacher permission.

MATURATION AND PUBERTY CLASS

Typically, fourth grade girls and their mothers or female guardians meet with the educator for one evening at the home of a Silverwood family to learn about menstruation. On alternating years, fifth and sixth graders gather in gender-specific and mixed classes to learn how puberty changes their bodies. This curriculum includes the reproductive systems, hygiene, sexual intercourse, conception, birth, STDS and HIV prevention.

PETS

Pets are allowed at school only with prior teacher approval. Pets are NOT allowed on campus at other times because of hygiene and allergy issues.

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

The Silverwood school directory is given only to Silverwood parents and staff. It includes parent names, student names and grade levels, home address, home telephone number, and e-mail addresses. Silverwood Directory information is not to be shared with anyone outside our community and is not to be used for any commercial or personal purpose not related to Silverwood School.

PLAYGROUND AND RECESS RULES

Children learn playground rules during the first days of school. They include:

1. Follow directions. Listen to playground monitors and do exactly as they say the first time.

2. Play safely. No fighting or wrestling; no throwing anything except balls. No throwing balls inappropriately, such as at a person’s head.

3. Use good manners and good language.

4. Respect each others’ games and activities. Include everyone who wants to play.

5. Use equipment and areas as they are intended to be used.

Playground consequences vary by the severity of the infraction, but typically are:

1. Verbal warning

2. Five-minute time-out

3. Forfeit recess

4. Parent call

Physical boundaries for recess play depends on the responsibility exercised by each group of students and are adjusted as necessary.

SCHOOL PICTURES

Individual school pictures and class pictures are taken each September. Re-takes of pictures are scheduled approximately 3-4 weeks after pictures are received by parents. Flyers are sent home the first week of school.

SERVICE LEARNING AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

Silverwood encourages students to share their talents, abilities, time and effort with others through community service projects. The Silverwood community service program focus on service learning and engages students in age-appropriate projects that involve student time and work. Watch the Newsletter for announcements of upcoming service opportunities and for our examination of how Silverwood can be involved in our community in ways which promote our students’ “generosity of spirit” (from the school’s values statement).

STANDARDIZED TESTING

Each spring, third, fourth, and fifth graders take the Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT). Third graders take a “practice” MAT for familiarization. Sixth grade students are given the same battery of junior high math placement tests which are administered to Central Kitsap and North Kitsap 6^th graders. This could include tests such as the CoGat (Cognitive Abilities Test), the Degrees of Reading Power test, and an algebra readiness test. Silverwood coordinates with both North and Central Kitsap School Districts to ensure our students are prepared for 7^th grade course placement with whatever testing and assessment is required. Silverwood does not participate in the WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) although we do build WASL questions and challenges into our curriculum so that students will be familiar with the test format and prepared for it if they attend a public school in Washington for junior high.

STUDENT PROGRESS EVALUATION AND REPORT CARDS

Evaluation of student academic progress is based on classroom observation, assignments, tests, reports, projects, and other assessments and is reported to parents on report cards, or anytime the parent or the teacher makes an appointment to discuss student progress.

· Every family has a parent – teacher conference in October and again in February with the homeroom teacher specialist teachers. This is an opportunity to review progress, ask questions, and share student goals.

· Parents receive student report cards in January and June.

· Additional parent-teacher conferences may be scheduled as needed.

Silverwood is committed to keeping parents well-informed. Please let teachers know if additional information about progress or a conference is needed. Please make requests for information in advance so teachers have time to prepare for a meaningful conference with you.

SUMMER PROGRAM

Silverwood School offers a summer program for our students and the public. See newsletters in the late winter and early spring for the Summer Program schedule of classes.

VALUABLES – TOYS, JEWELRY, PAGERS, CELL PHONES, MONEY, ETC.

Students are not to bring toys, jewelry, GameBoys, personal computer games, pagers, cell phones, i-pods, other electronics, or significant amounts of cash to school.

FAMILY PARTICIPATION POLICY

Silverwood believes that family commitment and participation directly enhance each child's experience and the school environment. Therefore, each of our families is required to contribute 12 hours of volunteer to Silverwood per school year. Any hours not completed at the end of the school year will be billed to the family at a rate of $20.00 per hour. Please update the “Volunteer Hours” binder in the office as you work volunteer hours at Silverwood.

The following is a list of some activities that count toward the requirement:

· Grounds Maintenance: Check the school’s ongoing work job list online or come to a work party.

· Fundraising: Participate in the planning and execution of our two fundraising events, the Annual Campaign and the Auction.

· Attend SPA Meetings and Parent Education events; work on SPA-sponsored functions, such as the September welcome picnic, Spring Fling, and family events.

· Serve on a committee of the Board of Trustees.

· Drive for Field Trips. Drivers must meet Silverwood’s insurance requirements. See “Field Trip” section for detail.

· Work on special projects requested by Silverwood staff such as technical support for computers, special events, and scheduled classroom activities.

· Assist in the Office: copying, collating, data input, filing, updating outside white board, running errands.

Volunteer hours must meet school needs. Volunteers may be parents, parents of alumni, grandparents, or older alumni. Volunteers are coordinated by the Silverwood Parents Association and the Head of School. If you have a question about volunteer hours, please contact the office.

School Volunteer and Visitor Check-In and Check-Out

For safety and security reasons, all parents, grandparents and other volunteers on campus and/or going on field trips are required to report immediately to the office upon arrival at school to sign in and receive a Visitor/Volunteer badge or sticker. When volunteers leave, return to the office to sign out. This is also a good time to update the Volunteer Hours binder in the office.

Observation in the Classroom

Silverwood welcomes classroom observations for a brief pre-arranged visit after the first several weeks of school. Prior to visiting a classroom, lunchroom, or other areas of the campus, please sign-in at the office, and then sign out when leaving. Contact the teacher to schedule a classroom visit.

Silverwood Parents Association

All Silverwood parents are members of the Silverwood Parent Association (SPA). SPA is chartered by the Board of Trustees to support the families and programs of the school by hosting events and programs to meet the needs of Silverwood families by assisting the Head of School and the faculty as needed and by supporting the Development Committee of the Board in its fundraising activities, particularly the annual auction. SPA hosts working meetings as well as evening educational and recreational events. SPA welcomes suggestions and ideas.

2009-10 SPA officers include:

Bill Adams, President

Matt Clifton, Vice-President

Carlee Frank, Secretary

Lianne Tabata, Volunteer Coordinator

Please feel free to contact SPA officers individually.

Guidelines for Student Behavior during Parent Meetings

SPA provides supervision for Silverwood families’ pre-school and elementary children so parents can attend various school meetings in the evenings. Because of the wide range of ages and developmental levels, the following guidelines are enforced:

· Each child is signed in and out by his or her parent.

· When computers are in use, school rules regarding appropriateness of web sites and games are upheld. (If your own family has a more lenient policy, please remind your child that the school’s rules are in effect.)

· Physical boundaries are set by the caregivers based on the weather. Children must adhere to the boundaries stated by the caregivers even if different from the school day boundaries.

· If there is a discipline problem:

o The caregiver immediately addresses the issue with student.

o The caregiver gives the child time apart from other students.

o The caregiver notifies the parent at the end of the session (or sooner if the inappropriate behavior is severe).

Silverwood’s parent meetings are scheduled to be as convenient and family-oriented as possible. Please review the stated guidelines with your child to ensure smooth interactions both with caregivers and other children.

SCHEDULE

School Day

Arrival: 8:10 - 8:25 a.m.

Class hours: 8:30 - 3:15 p.m.

Lunch/Recess: 12:15 – 1:00 p.m.

Pick-up: 3:15 - 3:30 p.m.

Office hours during school year: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Students must be picked up by 3:30 p.m. unless they are attending the After School Homework Club. If a child arrives after school begin or leaves before the end of the school day, please report to the office to sign the Child Check Out/Check In sheet. For safety reasons it is vital the school know when a child leaves the campus early.

Children who are not picked up by 3:30 p.m. go to the After School Homework Club and parents are charged the minimum fee of $7. See the current Before and After School Homework Club handout for more detailed information.

Silverwood requires authorization and identification when anyone other than a parent or established carpool is picking up a student. Notify the school of a pick-up or drop-off change via a note to the teacher, a call to the office, or an e-mail both to the office and teacher.

Please make every effort to be timely. It is important for students to be in the classroom when the day begins and ends. Also, it is not possible to accommodate or ensure safety of students arriving before or leaving after scheduled times. Under no circumstances should a child be dropped off without signing him or her in with a staff person in the office.

Number of School Days

The State of Washington requires 1,000 hours of classroom time or 180 days of attendance (with half days for in-service counting toward the 180) for public and non-public schools. Silverwood’s school day is longer than those in our local public schools and we take only full-days for teacher in-service meetings. For 2009-10, Silverwood will have 166 student days which is 1,079 student hours compared to fewer hours for North Kitsap School District and for Central Kitsap School District (in 2007-08 1,049 and 1,038 respectively). Silverwood does not have early release days so our student days are 6.7 hours.

Teacher In-Service Days

Teacher in-service days serve several functions. In-service days allow time for Silverwood teachers to refine curriculum, coordinate curriculum across all grade levels, and work together on other curricular issues. In-service days also provide time for working on report cards and allow group planning time and education for Silverwood teachers. Please see the school calendar handout or online calendar for a complete listing of in-service days.

COST OF EDUCATION

Tuition and Fees

For those exercising the monthly tuition payment, tuition is due on the first of each month, April through March, unless otherwise arranged with the Head of School. The office does not send statements or reminders each month. It is the family's responsibility to keep payments current. Tuition for the each academic year is determined by the Board of Trustees.

Silverwood relies on tuition to meet its budget and the school may take legal action to collect unpaid tuition.

Tuition Assistance

Diversity Statement

Tobacco Policy

Drug and Alcohol Policy

HOMEWORK CLUB (Before and After School Program)

SNACKS

Guidelines for Student Behavior during Parent Meetings