Oak Brook Student Handbook
2022-2023
Dear Families,
The mission and vision of Oak Brook Elementary School is aligned with the mission and vision of the Parkway School District. We strive to help each of our students develop into a capable, curious, caring and confident learner ready for challenges faced in school and in life. Oak Brook Elementary School staff members believe every child is capable of achieving and successfully learning skills needed to function in our ever-changing world. We take our commitment to meeting the needs of our students very seriously.
We believe parents are the first teachers of our students. If our students are going to be successful, a strong home-school partnership is essential. We encourage you to be an active participant in your child’s education, volunteer at school, stop by and have lunch with your child and be involved in your child’s learning process.
Two-way communication between staff and families is essential for student success. We all strive to do what is best for each student, and open lines of communication are the first step to ensuring student success.
At Oak Brook, not only do we focus on academics, we also focus on the development of students with strong positive character traits. To help with this, our staff focuses on character instruction grounded in our five core values of Character Education. Those values include: Responsibility, Self-Control, Integrity, Kindness and Respect.
We look forward to partnering with you and your family for a successful school year. If at any time you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Shirley - Principal
Dr. Ashley Deckelman - Assistant Principal
Arrival & Dismissal
Arrival
Back doors open at 7:20
Students are allowed to go to their classrooms at 7:20
Tardy bell rings at 7:35; students are tardy if they arrive in their classroom after 7:35 (if students are dropped off right at 7:35, they will most likely be tardy because they will not get to their classrooms before the tardy bell rings)
Parent Drop Off
Parents drop off in the back of the school starting at 7:20.
Drive to the back of the school and circle the playground.
The first stop is right by the basketball court.
After dropping your child off, you drive back to the front of the school and exit through the parking lot.
Please be sure to stop at the stop sign before the bus circle. Buses entering the circle have the right of way.
If it is after 7:35 and no one is in the back, you must take your child to the front entrance and come in with your child because he/she will need to be signed in at the office.
Bus Riders
The Parkway Transportation Department provides transportation to all eligible Oak Brook students
Riders should be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before their scheduled pick up time
The bus will drop students off in front of the school where they will be greeted by Oak Brook staff
There are staff members stationed throughout the school to ensure students arrive to their classrooms safely
Walkers
Students walking to school should access the school grounds through the path between Red Oak Plantation Drive and the Oak Brook School track.
We ask that no students walk along Big Bend Rd. to get to school. This has been identified as a hazard zone for walkers and we have been unable to get it designated as a school zone with a reduced speed limit.
Dismissal
School is dismissed at 2:30 pm.
Parent Pick Up
Parents picking up students should stop by the office and register for a numbered Oak Brook Hang tag (each family will be assigned a number and receive 2 hang tags with that number)
Beginning at 2:20, parents should drive to the back of the school and wait in their cars (using the same areas as we use in the morning for arrival)
After 2:20, car riders will not be dismissed out the front doors
Oak Brook staff will dismiss students based on arrival and will only dismiss them to the cars with the correct hang tag number
If students are riding home with another family, a car rider pass will be issued for that day so staff members can ensure students ride home with the correct family
Adventure Club
Students who attend Adventure Club will be dismissed directly to Adventure Club
Adventure Club staff will account for all students by taking attendance
If a child normally attends Adventure Club, he/she will be required to attend unless a note is sent from home informing staff of a change in routine
Bus Riders
Teachers will walk students to the buses each afternoon.
Students must ride their assigned bus home and get off at their bus stop.
Walkers
Walkers should use the same route as they used coming to school. Once again, we ask that no students walk along Big Bend Rd. to get to school. This has been identified as a hazard zone for walkers and we have been unable to get it designated as a school zone with a reduced speed limit.
They will be dismissed out the back door when the dismissal bell rings.
Change in Dismissal Routine
We will send your child home his/her normal way unless we hear from you via email, phone or note. Please take note of the items below:
Notify the office staff and your child’s teacher as soon as possible - and prior to 2:15 pm. Early notification is important as teachers and staff work each day to ensure the safety of all of our students. Notification may occur in one of the following ways:
Written note sent with your child and given to his/her teacher
Email sent to your child’s teacher and office staff (bschroeder@parkwayschools.net, lwillkie@parkwayschools.net) (areed1@parkwayschools.net) Please make sure you send the email to all of the staff members listed above.
Phone call to the office (314) 415-6550 prior to 2:15
If notification is received late, your child may be dismissed using his/her normal routine. There have been times when we have received notification too late to make the change
If your child is going home with another family, both students need a note.
While we understand special circumstances arise, arrangements for change in dismissal need to be made before school starts.
Students should not plan changes during school time.
Dismissal During School Hours
At times, it is necessary to pick up your student from school before regular dismissal. To ensure the safety of all students, please follow the following procedures.
Notify the teacher ahead of time (if possible).
Please come to the front door and push the button to contact the office. An office staff member will take the information and then bring your child to the vestibule area.
Attendance
Regular attendance and punctuality relate positively toward school achievement and a child's self-worth. Irregular attendance creates insecurity and stifles learning. When a student is tardy, he/she should report to the office and obtain a late pass for the teacher. If your child is absent, please report the absence by phone to the office.
The absence may be called in from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. at 314-415-6576. After 7:30 a.m., please contact the office at 314-415-6550.
For prolonged absences or absences with extenuating circumstances, please contact the principal and teacher as soon as possible so we can support your child and you as much as possible.
Oak Brook operates a Dial Safe program, which means we will call if we have not heard from you. Contact with the district social worker will be made regarding any student with a history of excessive absences or tardies unrelated to documented illnesses.
Behavior Expectations
Oak Brook students and staff have worked together to create a list of “Eagle Expectations.” These expectations guide what behavior should look like throughout our school. Each expectation is grounded in one of our 5 core values. Please review these expectations with your child.
Student Bullying
At Oak Brook, we understand and value the importance of students having positive relationships with staff members and with each other. We believe these relationships are paramount to a well-rounded education that focuses not only on academics but also on character development. To help with student development teachers, counselors, staff and administrators work each day to teach students lessons focused on our core values of respect, responsibility, self-control, kindness, and integrity. Although we proactively teach students and work with them to avoid bullying issues, there are times when bullying occurs. When it does, we will address it accordingly. If your child comes home and shares incidents with you, we ask that you contact your child’s teacher and/or the office. An open line of communication is the best way to address issues that occur.
As a public educational institution, the Parkway Board of Education believes all students need a safe learning environment. Accordingly, district staff will not tolerate bullying behavior. This policy applies to behavior on all Parkway property, including Parkway and Special School District buses and bus stops, as well as Parkway events.
Bullying is intimidation, unwanted aggressive behavior or harassment that is repetitive or substantially likely to be repeated and causes a reasonable student to fear for his or her safety or property; substantially interferes with the educational performance, opportunities, or benefits of any student without exception; or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school. Bullying may occur when there is a real or perceived power imbalance including but not limited to position of control, physical strength, social status, manipulation, and/or age/size. Bullying also includes any threat of retaliation for reporting such acts.
Bullying generally does not include:
single acts of social rejection or unintentional social exclusion
mutual arguments, disagreements or fights
While these actions can cause great distress and may result in disciplinary consequences, they may not be examples of bullying as defined by the policy.
Types of Bullying:
Verbal or Nonverbal bullying is communicating damaging or malicious messages. Verbal or nonverbal bullying may include but is not limited to:
Teasing
Name-calling
Making inappropriate sexual comments
Taunting
Threatening to cause harm
Making malicious gestures or expressions
Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying may include but is not limited to:
Using peer pressure to coerce, gain compliance or demean another person
Excluding someone with malicious intent
Telling other students not to associate or be friends with someone with malicious intent
Spreading rumors about someone
Embarrassing someone in public
Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying may include but is not limited to:
Gestures
Hitting/kicking/pinching/slapping
Spitting
Tripping/pushing
Taking someone’s things without permission
Inappropriate touching or unwanted contact
Intentionally getting in someone’s personal space
Defacing/destroying another person’s work or property
Cyberbullying is a form of bullying committed by transmission of a communication, including but not limited to, a message, text, sound or image, by means of an electronic device including, but not limited to, a telephone, wireless telephone, or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager, and/or via social media The District has jurisdiction over cyberbullying that uses the District’s technology resources or that originates on District property, at a District activity or on District or Special School District transportation. Even when cyberbullying does not involve District property, activities or technology resources, the District may impose consequences and discipline for those who engage in cyberbullying if there is a sufficient connection to the educational environment, the behavior materially and substantially disrupts the educational environment, the communication involves a threat as defined by law, or the District is otherwise allowed by law to address the behavior.
Cyberbullying may include but is not limited to:
Spreading rumors or personal information
Posting or sharing embarrassing/inappropriate pictures or videos
Creating fake profiles or websites intended to demean
The principal of each building is designated as the individual to receive and investigate reports of bullying. The principal may designate additional administrators and/or counselors to receive and investigate reports of bullying in the principal’s absence or at the principal’s discretion. Students shall report incidents of bullying to school staff so they can be investigated and resolved. Any district employee who has firsthand knowledge of bullying behavior is required to report such conduct as soon as possible but no more than two calendar days after becoming aware of the incident or reported allegation. The report must be in writing and must be made to the building principal or other designated school official. Following the reported allegation, the principal or designee will complete the investigation as soon as possible but no more than ten school days from the date of the written report unless good cause exists to extend the investigation. Depending on the age of the student(s) and the circumstances, the response to bullying can range from a restorative process for those involved to the offending student(s) being suspended from school. Bullying of students is prohibited under Standard 5 of Policy JK, Student Discipline.
Student Discipline
Please read and become familiar with Parkway Policy JK.BP, Student Discipline, provided by the district. Although the “Standards of Conduct” and the academic/behavior intervention plan defined in Policy JK.BP, Student Discipline, apply to all students, specific consequences for violations of these standards by students with disabilities will be determined in accordance with Policy JKF.BP, Disciplining Students with Disabilities.
Interrogations and Searches
Birthday Celebrations
We realize birthdays are a fun time to celebrate, and we will celebrate at school. In the classroom, students will be able to select an activity from a teacher-created menu of choices. Each grade level will share a menu of choices from which each student will be able to choose on his/her birthday. Each grade level creates its own list for the students to choose from on their birthdays (or ½ birthdays for students who have birthdays when school is not in session).
We ask that no treats, of any kind, be sent to school with your child. If treats are sent to school, they will be sent home with your child.
Bus Transportation
The district provides transportation for eligible students from Oak Brook School. Students must comply with the following regulations and responsibilities at the bus stop and when riding the bus.
If a child does not meet expectations, the bus driver will inform the principals. Repeat offenders may lose the right to ride the bus.
If a student should miss the bus home from school, he/she may call home from the office.
Cafeteria
Our cafeteria offers a balanced hot lunch. Students use a personal identification number (PIN) to make purchases from their personal cafeteria "Bank Account." This account is used for purchasing meals and a la carte items. More information about school lunches including menus and how to deposit money into your child’s lunch account may be found at the following page:
Students who bring their lunch may still buy items in the cafeteria including milk or juice.
Community Education
Confidentiality
Dress
Educational Equity
The Parkway School District and Oak Brook Elementary are committed to the success of each student enrolled in our schools. In order to accomplish this, the district will create an educational environment that emphasizes equity in the opportunities created for all students. More information about educational equity may be found at the link below.
Emergency Contacts & Closure
Each year, parents and guardians are asked to update information using the Annual Family Profile Update through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. This information is critical for daily operations and emergencies. Please complete these online forms thoroughly for your child's best interest. Maintaining accurate information throughout the year is essential for ongoing communication.
Schools may close unexpectedly due to severe weather, power failure, heating problems, etc. Please make sure you have completed the Google Inclement Weather Form we email you during the first month of school. Announcements will be made through phone, television, website and the Parkway app; we will use the form to determine how your child will be sent home if we dismiss early.
Family Educational Rights (FERPA)
Food at School
Oak Brook follows the Food Safety Expectations of the Parkway School District Health Services Department. These expectations are as follows:
Classrooms are food-free whenever possible
Students may bring a snack for their own consumption (to prevent possible cross-contamination that could impact the health of students with allergies, classes may have an advisory to avoid snacks with particular allergens)
Food may not be brought from home to share class-wide
Safe and inclusive ways to celebrate without food will be used for birthday celebrations and classroom parties
Food will not be used as a reward or motivator
Thank you for working with us to keep all of our students safe. If you have a question, please do not hesitate to contact an administrator or Mrs. Rothrock, Oak Brook School Nurse.
Forgotten Items
Health Information
If your child will not be attending school for any reason, it is very important for you to call and notify the school office of the reason for the absence. This helps us to keep track of illnesses among our students. It also helps us be assured that your child is safe at home.
For the health of your child, other students, and school staff, it is important to know when your child should stay home due to illness. Students should stay home, and parents call the school nurse, if students experience any of the following symptoms:
Fever of 100 or higher in the past 24 hours
Undiagnosed rash that is accompanied by fever or itching
Bad cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Vomiting, nausea or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
Sore throat with swollen glands in the neck
Symptoms of being sick such as unusually tired, irritable, pale or having difficulty waking
Loss of taste or smell
Congestion/Runny Nose
Fatigue/muscle or body aches
If your child has strep throat or another bacterial infection, he/she should stay home until the antibiotic has been given for at least 24 hours and your health care provider has given permission for your child to return to school. We encourage you to seek medical attention when your child is sick and to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations about returning to school and other social activities.
Homework
Each night, students may have homework assigned to them. Homework may consist of any combination of the following activities:
Nightly reading on the student’s designated reading level
Videos assigned to be watched before a lesson is taught as an introduction to material
Study and review unit content for assessments
Basic facts not requiring at-home instruction of new content
Internet Access / Computer Usage
Oak Brook students and staff are provided access to our district computer network. Students gain access through Chromebooks and/or computers in each classroom and the library. At all times, under all conditions, every individual who uses a computer is required to abide by the rules. Failure to do so may result in loss of computer privileges at school and/or loss of access to the student’s district-assigned Google account.
General Rules
Work only on the machine to which you have been assigned
Keep hands off others’ machines
Show respect for all individuals and their work
Handle all equipment with care and respect
Only go to assigned websites or complete tasks as directed by the teacher
Library Media Center
Oak Brook has an excellent Library Media Center (library) for student and adult use. The library is open daily for students and teachers to check out books, work on projects and make general use of library resources.
Books are checked out for a set period of time and may be renewed as needed. Three books may be checked out at a time (one for kindergarten).
If a book is lost or damaged, the student should check the library shelf first, then the classroom and at home. If the book cannot be found, it is the family’s responsibility to pay for the book.
Lost and Found
Money at School
MOSAICS
Notice of Non-Discrimination
Title IX Information
Unwelcome Comments or Behavior from Employees or Other Students (Title IX)
The Parkway School District is committed to creating a welcoming school environment for all students. While part of our curriculum focuses on developing our elementary school students’ social skills and peer interactions, the District recognizes that there are certain behaviors that cannot be tolerated. For example, students or adults making repeated inappropriate or unwelcome comments about another student’s body or private areas, or an adult or student inappropriately touching another student. For more information and examples of unwelcome conduct or behavior, please see District Board Policy Guideline JICA.G, Sexual Harassment.
Sometimes it is hard to recognize whether certain conduct is worth reporting to the counselor, principal, Dr. Baugus, or Dr. Mathison. The District encourages all students and parents to report any comment or behavior they see as a concern, even if it is based on a rumor.
Oak Brook News
Weekly news updates inform Oak Brook parents of school functions. These updates are sent electronically to all parents with email addresses on file with the school. Important events are also posted on the Oak Brook website.
Some updates may also be made via the Oak Brook Facebook page.
Parenting Plans
Parkway Food Pantry
PTO
Oak Brook School is fortunate to have an active PTO. It functions as a service arm to our school. All parents and teachers are considered members of this organization. The organization is supportive in making our school a pleasant and productive environment. Members of the PTO collectively sponsor garden club activities, classroom parties, staff appreciation activities, monthly events/meetings, annual fundraisers, "Gifts to the School”, Help Team, and numerous other activities to benefit students. The PTO will publish a schedule of meetings and events at the beginning of the school year. As additions or changes are made, families will be notified. Please consider attending and be watching for more information.
Classroom Parties
Two school-wide parties occur during the year. The PTO's VP of Parent Involvement sets the general party guidelines, and grade level parents plan the meetings. We will have a party in November focusing on being thankful and one in February focusing on friendship. Parties will occur from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., and exact dates may be found on the Oak Brook calendar.
No food treats, of any kind, will be served during the party, following the Food Safety Expectations from the Parkway School District Health Services Department.
Party Invitations (out of school)
Personal Belongings
Physical Education
Physical Education is an integral part of the curriculum at Oak Brook.
The students participate in their street clothes. We encourage loose clothing for freedom of movement.
For safety reasons, students should wear tennis shoes during physical education class.
During winter months when heavier shoes are worn, tennis shoes may remain in the classroom.
Please label these shoes with your child's name.
Students must present a written consent from a physician to be excused from physical education class.
Pictures
Playground Rules
For general playground rules, see the Eagle Expectations chart. Each teacher teaches these expectations and rules. Students must follow the directions of all supervisors for safety. Students habitually experiencing difficulty will be reported to the parents and the office. The physical education teachers will reinforce playground rules while in physical education classes.
Safety Rules
Safety Rules for Using the Swings Safety Rules for the Slide
-One person at a time on each swing -One person at a time on the slide
-Stay seated at all times -Going up slides is not permitted
-Do not swing side to side or twist swings -Slide feet first and on your bottom
-Do not run in front of or in back of swing area -Go down the slide after the person in front of
-Do not jump off the swing you is off the slide
General Safety Rules for all Equipment
-Always keep your head above your feet
-No climbing on top of structures
-No running on or jumping off of equipment
-Respect others rights to use the equipment by not blocking their access
Four Square Rules
The squares (or circles) are numbered 1 – 4. Number 1 is the serving square and Number 4 is the starting. The object of the game is to get to square Number 1 and to stay there as long as possible.
The serve must be two hands underhand. After the serve all types of hits are allowed, but no one catches or carries the ball.
Play starts with the person in square Number 1 bouncing the ball and hitting with two hands underhand to number 3 square.
When the ball comes to your square, let it bounce once, then hit it to another square. Continue playing in this manner until an error is made.
When an error is made, the player who committed the error goes to square 4 or to the end of the waiting line if there is one.
All players who remain in the game move forward one square towards square Number 1 and fill in the square that was vacated. Play starts over.
When in doubt, call yourself out.
This is an individual game. No teams are allowed.
Interference may be called if other people are in the way of play.
Four Square Errors (player who commits the error goes out)
Hitting the ball with one hand on the serve
Hitting the ball overhand on the serve
Hitting the ball before it bounces
Allowing the ball to bounce more than one time before hitting it
Ball landing on a line
Catching, carrying or holding a return volley
Allowing the ball to touch any part of the body except the hands
Kickball Rules
Kicking team provides their own pitcher. If the pitcher catches the ball it is a do over.
Everyone on the kicking team kicks one time (including the pitcher) and then the teams trade places (the fielding team comes in and kicks).
Every time the team comes in to kick, the lead off kicker goes to the end of the line and the rest of the students stay in the same order. This way everyone gets to lead off.
No outs are counted.
At no time can a ball ever be thrown at a student. (This is a Parkway School District Rule.)
Tie goes to the runner.
Infield fly rule; if a ball is caught in the infield the runners get to go back to the base they came from. When we play with the third and fourth graders free backs are given all the time because many of the students are still learning the game.
A ball that goes foul before passing first or third base is a foul. A ball that passes over first or third base and then goes outside the baseline is a fair ball.
Kick the ball from the home plate area.
Progress Reports
Safety Drills
School Hours
School hours are 7:35 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Students may enter the building through the back door beginning at 7:20 a.m. and are expected to depart at 2:30 p.m.
Although school dismisses at 2:30 pm, Adventure Club is in session until 6:00 pm. To ensure the safety of students who attend Adventure Club, we ask that parents, students and the public avoid using the playground until after 6:00 pm.
Services and Rights for Students with Disabilities
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, protects students with disabilities. More information may be found using the link below.
Smoking
Parkway School District prohibits smoking inside our building or anywhere on the outer premises.
Strangers
Student Placement/Teacher Assignment
In the spring, your student's teacher creates an information card about your child indicating the level of functioning in reading, math, and other pertinent information. Teachers, counselors, principals, reading specialists, and resource room teachers confer to compose the upcoming year’s teacher/classroom rosters accessing the information cards.
They form classes considering the following:
Relationship of teacher and student for addressing specific needs
Attention that some students are placed/not placed in the same classroom
Equal distribution of boys to girls and varying achievement levels
Care that every teacher has a balanced, heterogeneous group of students
If you have an educational or placement concern regarding your child, a parental input form is provided in the spring. An email with your child’s placement information will be sent to parents the week before school starts. If you do not receive an email by the Friday before school starts, please contact the office.
Student Placement in kindergarten will occur during the 2nd week of school. Students will be placed based on observations and data collected during the first days of class. If you would like more information about kindergarten placement, please contact Dr. Shirley.
Student Records
Parents may inspect and review their child’s education/health records upon request. Submit a written request to the principal identifying the record(s) you would like to review. The principal or other appropriate school administrator will arrange access.
Likewise, Parkway School District discloses information from a student’s education/health records only with the written consent of the parent and/or eligible student.
Textbooks and Supplies
Use of Telephones
Withdrawal and Transfer
Contact Us
Dr. Deckelman - adeckelman@parkwayschools.net
Dr. Shirley - cshirley@parkwayschools.net
Oak Brook Elementary School Information
Email: cshirley@parkwayschools.net
Website: https://www.parkwayschools.net/Domain/19
Location: 510 Big Bend Road, Ballwin, MO, USA
Phone: 314.415.6551
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakBrookElementary/