We strongly encourage parents and students to review the following information. These are the most common questions that are asked during the course of the school year.

Please note these are common general questions and are not meant to be all inclusive of the many guidelines and policies for our school and district. View the CCSD59 Family Reference Guide for complete information.

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GETTING TO AND FROM SCHOOL

What are the school hours?

Please click here to see current school hours.

What do I need to know about absence, attendance and tardiness?

No pupils should be in the building before 8:20 A.M. except by special permission.

School begins at 8:45 A.M. Students who are not in their homeroom/first period class when the bell rings will be considered tardy and must obtain a tardy slip from the main office. Repeated tardiness will result in parent contact and/or student disciplinary action.

Parents must call in all absences to the school office at (847) 593-4398 by 9:30 A.M. each day a student is absent. A phone recorder will be available to accept short phone messages if a parent wishes to report a student absence before the school office opens.

If a call is not received, a parent will be contacted at home or at work. We greatly appreciate efforts made by parents to complete these calls as early as possible, and before 9:30 A.M.. If a parent cannot be reached and we suspect the possibility of truancy, the local police department may be contacted.

Excessive absences may prevent students from being included in student activities. On the day a student is absent, participation/attendance at after school/evening activities is not allowed without an administratorʼs permission.

If a student is going to be absent for an extended period of time, parents may call to request assignments be collected.

Please click here to see information in the Family Reference Guide about attendance.

Where do I drop off my child and/or park?

Students can be dropped off at the school “kiss and drop” parking lot or along Cypress Drive. Parents/guardians can park in designated parking spots within our parking lot, or along the nearby streets. Please adhere to safety signs along the roadways and refrain from parking or driving through the bus drop off area during arrival and/or dismissal.

What if my child bikes or walks to school?

Students who ride their bikes to school are asked to make sure that they have a lock for their bike. A bike rack is available on the west side of the building. Students who walk to school should not arrive before 8:20 A.M.

Where can my child keep a backpack?

Students will either be assigned a locker where they can store their backpacks, or there will be a designated space in their classroom for their personal items.

What do I do if my child needs an early dismissal?

If it should be necessary for a student to be dismissed from school early, a request must be written by the parent stating the time and reason for the early dismissal. All requests must be presented to the office when students enter the building in the morning. The office will issue an early dismissal pass for the student to present to teachers. Parents must come to the office to sign their children out of school before picking them up for departure.

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IMPORTANT SCHOOL POLICIES

WHAT IS THE SCHOOL POLICY ON BULLYING?

All members of our school community have the right to enjoy their learning and leisure time free from any form of bullying or harassment. District 59 will not tolerate harmful unkind actions or remarks, even if they lack malicious intent. We expect students, staff, and parents to support this policy by reporting all incidents of bullying. Reports can be made online via the Report a Concern Form, or to any staff member when school is in session. All allegations of bullying are investigated and documented by building administrators or their designee.

Bullying
Bullying is defined as physical, psychological or verbal attack(s) against an individual or group of individuals by a person or group of persons, causing, or potentially causing

• Physical harm
• Psychological harm
• Lasting emotional distress
• An imbalance of power
• Exclusion of the victim(s) from participation in, and/or enjoyment of any program or activity offered or sponsored by the school district

Bullying may be an isolated incident but is more often a series of incidents occurring over a period of time. Bullying takes various forms, including, but not limited to, harassment, threats, intimidation, spreading rumors, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, theft, humiliation, causing social or psychological isolation, extortion, destruction of property, or retaliation for alleging an act of bullying. It can occur in person, in writing, and online.

Bullying can be addressed in many ways, including but not limited to, restorative justice, mediation, behavior agreements, punitive measures, supports, and interventions.

Social Conflict
Social conflict differs from bullying in that social conflict is a disagreement between two people or two groups that can possibly involve accusations, name calling, and loud, emotionally-driven arguing. Social conflict also differs from bullying because

• There is not an imbalance of power
• The conflict is likely not repeated
• There is not lasting distress, physical harm, or psychological harm
• Social conflict is expected to occur because we do not always agree with others, and we see situations from different perspectives.

Social conflict can be addressed in many ways, including but not limited to, restorative chats, mediation, behavior agreements, and/or other forms of conflict resolution.

Cyberbullying
“Cyberbullying” is considered a form of bullying and is defined as the use of e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, pagers, cell phones, or other forms of information technology to bully, harass, embarrass, threaten, or intimidate someone. Students who engage in such activity on school grounds or who engage in such activity off campus and create a material disruption of school operations shall be subject to penalties for bullying and harassment as well as possible criminal penalties. Students’ home and personal Internet use can have an impact on the school and on other students. If a student’s personal Internet expression – such as a threatening message to another student or a violent website – creates a likelihood of material disruption of the school’s operations, that student may face school discipline and criminal penalties.

Please view the district’s entire policy about bullying and student behavior by clicking here.

What do I need to know about the school dress code?

Studentsʼ dress and grooming must not disrupt the educational process, interfere with the maintenance of a positive teaching and learning climate, or compromise reasonable standards of health, safety, and decency.

Specifically, the following is prohibited at school or at school-sponsored events:

• Clothing which displays or implies, with words or graphics, any of the following:
  • The use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal substances
  • Sexual, vulgar, lewd, or indecent meanings or connotations
  • Identification with a gang or with any group whose purpose or effect is to interfere with the operation of the school or school activities or with the safety and security of students and staff
  • Depiction of violence in any form
• Coats, jackets, caps, bandanas and hats- except when arriving at or departing from school, or attending after school activities

• Clothing/accessories that may damage school property or be readily used as a weapon

In addition:

• Students should be covered from shoulder to mid-thigh with solid material at all times
• Undergarments should never be showing
• Pants must be at waist level and tank tops must cover area above and below shoulder
• Skirts and shorts must be worn at a reasonable length (no shorter than an arms length when arms and fingers are fully extended at sides of the body)

Students may be warned or asked to change objectionable clothing. Students who repeatedly do not comply with the student appearance policy are subject to further disciplinary action.

What is the policy on cell phones for students?

Cell phone use is not permitted in the school. Cell phones are allowed in school under the condition that the phone will be kept in the locker and turned off.

Phone use can occur before or after school hours outside the school building. If a phone is found with the student during the school day, or the student operates the phone during the school day, the phone will be confiscated and placed in the school safe until the end of the day. Repeated offenses will result in having a parent come to school to retrieve their student’s phone.

Parents are asked to help us enforce this policy and are also asked to refrain from calling or texting their child during the school day while classes are in session.

If a student really needs to make a call during the school day, a teacher can give permission to use the classroom phone. Students can also use the office phone in some instances. Students may also use their own cell phone outside of the school after school is dismissed.

What is the school policy on lockers?

Students in several grade levels are issued hall lockers. It is important to remember:

• Lockers remain the property of the school and can be inspected at any time by teachers or administrators
• Lockers are used only for storing books, clothing, and items necessary for school- money and other valuables should never be left in lockers
• Lockers are to be kept clean and orderly, and students will be held responsible for any damage to locks or lockers
• No decorations are allowed on the outside of the locker

What if I need to bring my child an item that was forgotten?

If you need to bring your child an item that was left at home, please come to the front entrance. You can leave the item in the front office and the secretaries will call your child down to the office to retrieve the item.

Students who must leave school due to an appointment should bring a note to the office or have a parent call. Students will not be dismissed from class until a parent or guardian has arrived to pick up the student.

What if my child will need to take medications at school?

For medication to be administered during the school day, a written order from the physician, detailing medication, dosage, and time intervals to be given must be on file. The required form to be used for both the parent and physician is available at the school office and is called the Medication Authorization Form, available on this page.

Non-prescription drugs also require a written order from the physician. Documented permission from the parent or guardian must also be on file in the school health office to permit the child to receive medication during school hours.

With the exception of asthma medication to be self-administered by the student, all medications must be delivered personally by the parent to a school representative in a container, properly labeled by a pharmacy or a physician.

The district reserves the right to reject any request for the administration of medication in the school. Students in possession of prescription or non-prescription medications in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action.

Important Information about Asthma Medication

A student may possess and self-administer asthma medication on school grounds, at school activities, while under the supervision of school personnel, or before and after normal school activities, when:

• The medication has been prescribed by a physician, a physician’s assistant or an advanced practice registered nurse possessing the proper authority to prescribe medication
• The student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) have provided the school nurse with written authorization for the self-administration of medication and a written statement from the student’s physician, physician assistant or advance practice registered nurse that states the following:’
  • The name and purpose of the medication
  • The prescribed dosage
  • The time or times at which or special circumstances under which the medication is to be administered
• The student or guardian(s) have signed and submitted the district’s “Hold Harmless and Indemnity Agreement for the Self-Administration of Asthma Medication” form, available on this page.

My child has a life threatening allergy or medical condition. What do I need to know?

Please click here for  additional information.

How does the school utilize security cameras?

As part of the District’s ongoing efforts to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our students and staff, the District has placed security cameras in public areas, both inside and outside the school. The following outlines the purpose of the security cameras:

• Providing a deterrent for inappropriate behavior by students
• Provide information to assist the investigation into student misconduct
• Provide information for managing, preventing, and disciplining inappropriate student behavior
• Provide information to assist in the prevention of student violence, bullying, and vandalism

WHEN CAN I EXPECT REPORT CARDS?

As these dates are subject to change depending on school closings for inclement weather, please refer to the school calendar for the most up to date information on end of grading periods and report card distribution.

Families and students have the ability to access student grades any time through Skyward Family Access. Students and parents/guardians can sign in using the username and password given to them at the beginning of the school year.

How do I get information concerning the identification of registered sex offenders?

Visit the Illinois Sex Offender Information website.

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EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

What clubs or activities are available, and how does my child join?

There will be a number of clubs or activities that will be available to students throughout the year.

Some examples of clubs that were sponsored in the past include: Girls on the Run, Chorus, Technology Club, and Weather Club to name a few. Information about the clubs will be provided in our school newsletter and permission slips will go home with students who are interested in participating in the different clubs.

What sports are available, and how does my child join?

Although an organized sports program is not offered at the elementary school level in CCSD59, students can participate in intramural sports such as volleyball and basketball at Robert Frost. Information about these activities will be highlighted in our school newsletter.

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PARENT/GUARDIAN VOLUNTEERING

CAN I VOLUNTEER AT SCHOOL?

Robert Frost Elementary School would like to partner with parents to help our students be successful and grow academically. Please consider volunteering for at least one activity at our school! We have many opportunities from joining committees from supervising events to organizing at home projects, as well as participating in school and joining our PTO. We need your help!