Information for Parents and Students
Emergency Plans and Drills | Cancellation of School | Emergency Information | AHERA Public Notification | Communication With Home | Ivy League | Lost and Found | Market Day | Patrol People | Telephone Messages | Traffic Flow | Vacations | Volunteers | Student Lunch/Recess | Lunches and Birthday Treats | Valuables | Student Recognition
Emergency Plans and Drills
Each classroom has posted evacuation procedures for students pertaining to fire and disaster drills. Students are expected to follow procedures and obey instructions from their teachers in the event of a drill. McAuliffe School will conduct fire/disaster drills so that the students become aware and familiar with the routine. Please refer to the District Handbook/Calendar for further information regarding emergency plans. If building evacuation is required, we will be transported to Prairie View Middle School.
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Cancellation of School
Cancellation of school takes place only during circumstances such as extreme weather, equipment failure, or public crisis. Because of the hardship, which can be caused, school is not usually cancelled unless a significant safety risk has been created by unusual circumstances. If you signed up for “XPEDITE”, the electronic messaging system for Kirby School District 140, you will be notified of emergency closings. If you do not want to be part of the Xpedite System, please contact the office.
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Emergency Information
In the event of an emergency, we will make every effort to contact parents. If we are unable to do so, the school will contact the person listed as an alternate in case of emergency. It is extremely important for your child’s safety that we have up-to-date emergency information on file. Without written consent, students will only be released to adults who are listed on your Emergency Information Form.
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AHERA Public Notification
Based upon the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) requirements, it is the responsibility of Kirby School District 140 to inform each parent/guardian that our asbestos management plans are available for review.
Asbestos Management Plans, six-month inspections, three-year re-inspections, and past abatement projects that have occurred during the summertime or on an emergency basis are available for your review at the District Office.
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Communication With Home
The McAuliffe monthly calendar and newsletter will be posted on our website, ksd140.org. Click on the link to McAuliffe School. If you would like a hard copy, please contact our office at 429-4565.
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Ivy League
The Ivy League is a before and after school care program that will be housed at our school. This is a separate company from the school. If you need information, please contact Ivy League directly at 815-464-1265.
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Lost and Found
During the school year, many articles of clothing – and other items such as jewelry, lunch boxes, glasses, and other personal belongings – end up in the school office “lost and found”. The “lost and found” will be open for inspection during office hours. The articles will be prominently displayed at a school function near the end of the school year. Unclaimed “lost and found” articles may be donated to a not-for-profit organization after the end of the school year.
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Market Day
Our PTO conducts a monthly Market Day Program. Information is sent home each month detailing items available for purchase.
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Patrol People
Some of our fifth graders will be selected to be patrol people. These students are trained and take their responsibility very seriously. They make sure during entrance and dismissal times that the students stay on the sidewalks surrounding the school. They also alert the supervisor to any problems before or after school in which our students may be involved. We appreciate the support of the parents who model courteous and safe practices during our arrivals and dismissals. Please remind your child to follow the directions of our patrol people and crossing guards.
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Telephone Messages
Only in extreme emergencies is it possible to deliver telephone messages to individual students. It is very disruptive to the students when classrooms are interrupted during a lesson.
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Traffic Flow
Cars are prohibited from driving on the school premises during the hours of 7:45 A.M. to 8:10 A.M. and 2:15 P.M. to 2:45 P.M. Students are to walk on the sidewalks to their respective areas. With this procedure, we will eliminate any unnecessary risk. Please remember that the safety of our children should always be a priority. Parents of Kindergarten students, during arrival and pick-up times, should adhere to our policy of parking and walking to pick up or drop off students. Safety is our major concern not convenience!
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Vacations
AVOID SCHEDULING ANY VACATIONS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR If you are planning a trip, please let the office and the classroom teacher know at least ONE WEEK prior to the trip. Student absences will be marked as unexcused during this time. Work missed during this time is neither eligible to be graded nor factored into student’s final grade.
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Volunteers
Volunteers may be needed during the school year for various activities. Please contact a PTO Board member and/or your child’s teacher if you would like to volunteer for a specific program. Be sure to come to the office and complete a Volunteer/Non-Employee Acknowledgement of Non-Criminal Background form on your first visit each school year. You will need a photo ID in order to complete the form. When entering the building, you are required to sign in at the office and receive a visitor’s pass.
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Student Lunch/Recess
The students have a 40-minute lunch/recess period each day. Students have approximately 20-25 minutes to eat lunch and at least 15 minutes of outdoor recess, weather permitting. We will have outdoor lunch recess unless extreme weather conditions exist and the safety of our students would be jeopardized. Indoor recess will be held in the event of extreme weather conditions. Please have your child dress themselves accordingly.
Temperature or Wind Chill |
25° and above |
Students go outside |
20° - 25° |
Students can go outside for a shortened period |
Below 20° |
Students stay inside |
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Lunches and Birthday Treats
Children need to come to school with their lunch. Occasionally, parents bring lunches for special occasions. Please do not bring fountain drinks from fast food restaurants due to spills. There are grade level bins located in the foyer. Simply use the marker available to label the room number, along with your child’s name, and leave the lunch in the appropriate grade level bin.
Classroom birthday treats need to be dropped off in the office. A staff member will deliver the treats to the classroom. Please keep treats simple and follow guidelines outlined by your child’s teacher. Healthy treats or non-edible treats are preferred.
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Valuables
Common sense and consideration is the best guide in determining whether or not to bring personal possessions to school. The school administrator and staff cannot be responsible for valuables, which students bring to school. Students should leave all valuables at home. Do not bring possessions such as, but not limited to: electronic games, collector cards, beanie babies, valuable jewelry, CD players, iPods, or any MP3 players. HEELYS SHOES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN SCHOOL OR AT AFTER-SCHOOL ROLLER SKATING PARTIES.
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Student Recognition
Christa McAuliffe School has student recognition programs that are developmentally appropriate for children, intrinsically rewarding as
possible, and motivating to the students. The following is a list of some of our building's student recognition programs.
Accelerated Reader – an easy to use computer-based tool that inspires students to read more and better books. Each student selects his or her own reading material. With the book completed, the student works through a computerized multiple choice test. Upon completing each test, the students get immediate feedback in the form of reading points. The points are based on the length and reading level of the book, and on the student’s test score. The reading points provide instant reinforcement for the student’s efforts. Recognition is given to students accumulating various totals of AR points.
Summer Reading Club/Wall of Fame – students who achieve their monthly reading goals will have their name added to the McAuliffe Readers Wall of Fame.
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) – at the conclusion of the eight-week program, fifth graders receive a certificate for satisfactorily completing the program.
Intermediate Service Center (ISC) IV –
sponsors the Math Olympiad and Science Fair. Criteria have been established through the ISC with our GATE personnel serving as facilitators for each event.
Math Masters –Students achieving grade-level appropriate goals of Math Facts will have their names displayed on our Math Masters bulletin board.
Physical Education Program – McAuliffe's Physical Education Program is striving to assist each student in improving their "personal best". Each month, students will chart their progress in a variety of activities that will help strengthen their upper body (rope climb); improve leg strength and cardiovascular fitness (timed jog); core strength and proper body alignment (balance); leg/arm strength, agility and plyometrics (10 second fitness jumps); and hand-eye coordination and brain development (juggling, strings and cup stacking). Sports and games will be played daily to teach teamwork, discipline, cooperation, organizational skills and more. A folder will be kept by each student and shared with their parent(s) at the end of the year, demonstrating their progress and achievements in each activity. Personal achievement is intrinsically rewarding.
Weekly Reader 6 Hour Club – reading incentive program whereby students who complete 6 hours of individual reading will receive a free ticket to Great America.
Tinley Park Crime Prevention Committee Coloring Book Contest – sponsored by the Tinley Park Police Department. This allows K through 8 children to submit pictures depicting suggested crime prevention topics for possible publication in the Tinley Park Crime Prevention Coloring Book. Awards are given to all participants. Outstanding posters, as judged by the police department, receive an additional award.
Tinley Park Fire Prevention Poster Contest- entered by children throughout the district. The Tinley Park Fire Department establishes criteria in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week. Awards are given to all participants. Outstanding posters, as judged by the fire department, receive an additional award.
Student Birthdays- Students' birthdays are announced on morning announcements. Students names are listed in the lunchroom during the month of their birthday. June, July and August birthdays will be acknowledged during the school year. Each month, students will be acknowledged during a lunch period and receive a birthday pencil.
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