Mission statement
     Literacy Philosophy
     Reading
     Teacher Strategies
     Homework Policy
     Student Conduct
     Student Rights
     Counseling and Guidance Services
     Services for Students with Special Needs
     Student Health Services
     Taking Medicine at School
     Arrival/Dismissal
     Bus Transportation
     Consequences of Misbehavior
     Absences & Tardies
     Emergency School Closings
     Emergency Contacts
     Cafeteria Operation
     Day Care Services
     Extended Day Activities
     Scouting Information
     Parent Visitation
     Telephone Use By Students
     Parent Involvement
     Durham Public Schools Internet Use

    WELCOME

    The administration and staff would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet School.

    The information in this handbook has been carefully prepared to help you succeed at Club Boulevard. It is organized in two sections. The first section focuses on how we address your child's academic, social and physical needs. Section two focuses on the information parents need. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the office (560-3918).

    Mission Statement

    Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet School is committed to a dynamic educational environment in which diversity and uniqueness are valued. Our school community fosters the development of dignity, self esteem and mutual respect. Challenging, creative, academic opportunities are provided through immersion in the humanities, authentic literature and the arts.

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    Literacy Philosophy

    At Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet, we believe that literacy is constructing the meaning of the world through print. Literacy is the basis of all learning. It encompasses reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing in all subject areas as defined by the N.C. Standard Course of Study.
    We believe that children need to use a combination of their own knowledge acquired through their experiences and the context of the story to construct meaning as they read and write. Therefore, we believe in building background knowledge and providing experiences through authentic literature, the arts, hands-on experiences, and field trips. We believe children learn to read, write, and speak by reading, writing and speaking. Students approach communication as a whole. Background knowledge and experiences contribute to literacy along with acquiring an understanding of how print works. It is our belief that life is connected to literature and literature is a reflection of life.

    At Club Boulevard, learning is a meaningful, active and enjoyable process. Because of our definition of literacy and the varied developmental levels of all students, our philosophy is to individualize instruction for all students. Our classrooms are child-centered, experience-rich, print-rich and language-rich environments that emphasize student choice. We are dedicated to providing each child with tools required for being literate members of society

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    Reading

    Reading is the most critical school skill and receives primary emphasis at Club Boulevard. Teachers and assistants read aloud to all students daily and independent reading is an important part of our curriculum.

    Studies show that when parents read with their children, especially during preschool years, this exposure to print is directly related to a child's reading success. As a child's reading abilities improve, so does the likelihood of a successful school career. Without reading skills, children are frustrated by school work and may lose confidence in themselves. This frustration can be a major cause of a child's problems in school.

    Please read to your children, whatever their ages, as often as you can. Go with them to the library and make reading a family activity. Limit television viewing and provide a quiet place for reading. If you show your child that you value reading and learning, your child will value them too.

    When Do You Teach Reading?

    When a child has a chance to hear poetry and one good story after another, day after day...They are being taught to read!

    When their year is a series of mind stretching, eye opening, eye filling trips...helping them know more solidly about their world ....They are being taught to read!

    When a child hears good adult language; when they have the fullest, freest chance to use their own language....They are being taught to read!

    When they create with blocks, communicate with paint, use their body freely as a means of expression ....They are being taught to read!

    When a child stares-- fascinated at a picture, or looks ever so carefully at a scale in a store, or at the life in his aquarium....They are being taught to read!

    When they hammer ever so carefully at the workbench, fashioning a birdhouse....They are being taught to read!

    When they use their whole body; two eyes, two hands, two arms, two legs, and knees and feet to pull themselves up a scary slanted climbing board....They are being taught to read!

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    Teacher Strategies

    A Teacher's Parent Test (Materials needed: Paper & Pencil)

    1. If you read aloud to your child this week, draw a body on your paper. You have begun to build a very basic part of him.
    2. If you have read stories about someone like him, a neighborhood like yours, put arms on the body. You have helped him find his place and to reach out and enrich his world.
    3. If you and your child read for a specific purpose--to look up a phone number, read a recipe, or follow a road map, put a head on his shoulders. You have given him a key to unlock information.
    4. If you read a comic, a cartoon, or a funny story to your child, put a hat on his head. You have given your child something extra that adds color to his life and plants the seeds of a sense of humor.
    5. If you have read to your child about something new to him - different customs, values, or environments - put legs on his body. You have helped him walk out into the world.
    6. If you have read a variety of fantasy, fairy tales, folk tales, true tales and stories of make believe, put clothes on your child. You have added new dimensions to his life.
    7. If you have shared a poem with him, put a sun in the sky. You have brought beauty and color into his life.

    Questions and Answers
    Parents always want to make certain that their children are being taught the basics. Here is a list of questions and answers that parents have asked over the past several years prompted by changes in instructional strategies.

    1. Do we teach phonics?
    Explanation: Yes, we teach letter/sound relationships as one strategy used within the context of reading and writing in all content areas.

    2. How are textbooks used?
    Explanation: Textbooks are one of many educational resources. Textbooks are used in our classrooms for research, supplemental lessons, daily exercises and extra practice.

    3. How is "Invented Spelling" taught? What is "Invented Spelling"?
    Explanation: "Invented spelling" or developmental spelling is a process in which the child says the words slowly and writes what he/she hears. Developmental spelling is encouraged so the child's writing is not interrupted. As the child begins to read and experience more print, self-corrections will begin to occur. Developmental spelling is accepted in grades K-2.

    4.How does the teacher measure my child's progress?
    Explanation: Measuring your child's success is an ongoing process. Information about your child's progress is gathered through journal writing, writer's workshop, child/teacher conferences, portfolios, observation surveys, running records and informal reading inventories. Math progress is measured by quarterly assessment portfolios, rubics and daily alignments.

    5.How will I know how my child is doing?
    Explanation: Talk to your child. Take the opportunity to read with your child and discuss his/her writing. Participate in conferences and contact the teacher if you have questions or concerns.

    6. Why is there so much talking?
    Explanation: Students learn by sharing, discussing, clarifying and supporting their ideas through personal interaction. This interaction encourages respect and appreciation for each other's points of view. Students practice communication strategies such as learning to listen constructively and agreeing or disagreeing as part of negotiating conflicts.

    7. Where is my child's school work?
    Explanation: Student work can be found in portfolios, exhibited in hallways, and in individual writing folders. All this work can be reviewed at any time by parents. This work will also be reviewed with the teacher at two mandatory parent/teacher conferences, which fall at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters.

    8. What can I expect for Homework?
    Explanation: Homework is assigned to reinforce the work that is going on in each classroom. Homework is designed to address specific objectives in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and give students the opportunity to practice skills or enrich classroom learning. An honest effort should be expended each night by your child. Feel free to contact your child's teacher if you have any questions concerning homework, or the amount of time it takes them to complete the homework.

    9. How do we teach "the skills"?
    Explanation: Specific skills are taught as tools to achieve desired learning outcomes as defined by the N.C. Standard Course of Study and our magnet curriculum. This can be accomplished through individual, small groups, or whole class instruction. Every skill must be taught as a connected part of the whole learning process.

    10. Why aren't students reading and writing the same thing?
    Explanation: All children experience a variety of printed materials, not necessarily at the same time or in the same way. Individual choices allow each child to work at the appropriate level for his/her achievement and interests. When children are allowed to make choices, they are more motivated to read and write.

    11. What is the writing process?
    Explanation: Teachers and students help each other with all of the writing process. Until a child becomes comfortable expressing an important message in writing, too much emphasis on spelling, grammar, and handwriting impedes the main intent of writing-- which is to communicate. In the writing process, children may spend time generating ideas for projects. Sometimes in collaboration with peers through artwork, they may write (or tell) a rough draft (or sloppy copy) in order to develop their ideas. They may get feedback from others about what they have written. They may write a revised version of the piece. When a child has reason to present his piece for others to read, he or she may work on improving spelling and handwriting, making it the best he/she can at that time in his /her development. When pieces of writing have gone through drafting, sharing, revising and editing, students may publish their work in an appropriate way--- such as mailing a pen-pal letter, putting a poster in the hall or making a book.

    • Not everything we write goes to the final draft stage.
    • Pieces of writing usually stay at school, even if not finished, so that they may be continued.
    • Often computers are used throughout the writing process.
    • Spelling, grammar, writing, reading, and handwriting improve steadily when used frequently in meaningful context.

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    Homework Policy

    Kindergarten

    First Semester:

    • Parents can help their children work on the responsibility of becoming an independent member of the school community(i.e. carrying book bags each day, unpacking book bag and turning in items, caring for their library book, tying shoes, zipping jackets, etc.).
    • Parents can read classroom newsletters to be aware of and help reinforce concepts being taught in the classroom.
    • Occasionally, "family" projects will be sent home to be completed together. Reading to your child 10-15 minutes each day is encouraged.
    Second Semester:
    • Book-in-a-Bag books will be sent home Monday-Thursday to be read each evening and returned the next day.
    • Additional homework may be sent home as needed for the whole class or individual students.
    First Grade
    • First grade homework consists of nightly required reading with an adult using book-in-a-bag books or others, a weekly math activity, and "word wall practice." Approximately 15-30 minutes nightly.
    Second Grade
    • Reading: Each child is required to read 20 minutes each night. Folders are checked on a regular basis to insure that the children are reading and/or being read to.
    • Math: Math homework is an extension of what is taught in the classroom and is given on a regular basis. We also use problem solving math programs which are either Math Super Stars or Home Team Math.
    • Spelling: The children are given a spelling list each Monday and tested on Friday. Each child is expected to study and learn their spelling words throughout the week.

    Third through Fifth Grade
    Parents can expect their children to spend about an hour each night completing homework. This covers the areas below:

    • Reading: Each child is required to read 30 minutes each night from various sources. Reading related assignments such as reading log, reading letter, or comprehension activities are checked weekly as a part of this assignment.

    • Math: Math assignments given weekly are an extension of what is being studied in the classroom. Weekly problem solving activities are also assigned.
    • Spelling/Word Study: There will be a weekly spelling list and test using words from classroom activities. Activities may also be assigned relating to classroom research and themes.

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    STUDENT CONDUCT

    Learning good conduct, how to be pleasant and friendly with other people, and learning respect for other people and their property are some of the most important lessons to be learned in school. Learning good conduct is something to be proud of and something that will help everyone. Being kind and thoughtful to others helps children learn to be kind and thoughtful throughout their lives. Good conduct is learned by practicing good manners everyday. This practice comes by working and playing together. The grownups at Club Boulevard want to help the children learn good conduct so that our school will be a place we enjoy and a place where we all can work.

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    STUDENT RIGHTS

    The overall guideline for good conduct is to learn to be responsible for one's own behavior and to be polite and respectful to others. The following school rules framed as the student's rights have been established for all areas in the school:
    • All students have a right to be happy and to be treated fairly in this school/classroom.
    • All students have a right to be safe in this school/classroom.
    • All students have a right to hear and be heard in this school/classroom.
    • All students have a right to learn in this school/classroom.
    • All students have a right to be themselves in this school/classroom.

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    COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE SERVICES

    Our school counselors are Magda Corredor and Laura Shaw. The counselors serve the needs of students at all grade levels by providing both in-class guidance education and individual counseling sessions. The counselor is an invaluable resource for parents who have concerns about their child's development or who need information about community resources for meeting family or personal needs. The guidance program at Club Boulevard tries to provide as many services as possible to all the children in the school.

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    SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

    Children with special needs are provided services in six major categories: learning disabled, physically handicapped, educable mentally handicapped, behaviorally/emotionally handicapped, academically gifted, and speech and language. These programs are available for students who have been identified through state/local guidelines in one of these areas at all grade levels. Most of the services provided are on a resource basis -- i.e., students meet regularly with special teachers for specific instruction in their designated exceptionality but remain in their classrooms for the majority of the day.

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    STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES

    Our certified nurse is from the Durham Public Health Department and visits our school one day each week. She is available to examine any student who is sick or who is suspected by the teacher of having a communicable disease. Parents may also refer their children to the nurse by calling the school office.

    Students are given vision, hearing, and speech screening each year. Teachers periodically record weight and height. Additionally, dental hygiene is taught to all children, as is good nutrition.

    Infectious diseases, including head lice and ringworm, are a part of elementary school life. If such a disease is suspected in your child's classroom, parents will be advised to take the necessary precautions. If a student becomes infected, the parent will be asked to come for the student and take him or her to a physician. Students are not permitted to return to school without providing the teacher with proof that the disease is being treated.

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    TAKING MEDICINE AT SCHOOL

    The Durham Public Schools' Board of Education discourages the practice of students taking medication during the school day. Only in unusual situations and with precise attention to the regulations of School Board Policy #4130 will students be given medication during the school day. The policy covers over-the-counter medications as well as prescription drugs. Any medications required to be taken at school cannot be administered by school personnel until a formal form is filled out by the child's physician and is on file in the school office. For more information about this subject, contact the school office or your child's

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    ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL OF STUDENTS

    • The school day begins at 9:00 am and ends for students at 3:30 pm. Students are tardy after 9:00 am.
    • Car-riders should be dropped off and picked up at the rear entrance on Chamberlain Avenue. Glendale Avenue is heavily traveled, and under no circumstances should parents drop off or plan to pick up students on the Glendale Street side of the building during the peak traffic hours. This side is reserved for buses only.
    • No student may come to school before 8:45 am unless he/she is enrolled in the before-school care program. All outside doors will remain locked until 8:45. Children should not be dropped off and left to find an open door.
    • Parents bringing their children to before-school or picking their children up from after-school care will enter the building from the Glendale Office Entrance. Students who walk to and from school should be aware of the busy traffic on Club Boulevard and should follow the directions of the Crossing Guard.
    • Parents must inform teachers of any changes in dismissal procedures.
    • No change in the dismissal routine is permitted without a note or phone call from the parent. Phone calls to change plans should be reserved for emergencies.

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    BUS TRANSPORTATION

    Magnet Schools provide transportation for all students outside the half mile walk zone, since you have chosen to come here, you are guaranteed transportation. Transportation is not provided for students within the 1/2 mile walk zone. Parents, you can help keep our children safe by teaching them the following rules of conduct on the bus.
    • The bus driver is responsible for each child and is in charge of the bus, just as a teacher is in charge of the classroom.
    • In the morning, students should wait at the bus stop without playing, teasing, or running into the street.
    • Students must go directly to their seats and stay seated until they are told to exit the bus.
    • Students should talk quietly and should keep their hands to themselves.
    • Feet should be kept out of the aisle and off the seats.
    • Eating or drinking is not permitted.
    • For the sake of safety, hands and heads should be kept inside the bus.
    • There will be no pushing, horseplay, or fighting on the bus.


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    CONSEQUENCES OF MISBEHAVIOR

    • The driver will report the misbehavior to the Principal/Assistant Principal.
    • If the problem is severe, the Principal/Assistant Principal will contact the parent.
    • Repeated misbehavior will result in a student being suspended from riding the bus. Fighting on the bus can result in suspension the first time it occurs.

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    ABSENCES & TARDIES

    Attendance at school is important. There is no substitute for the uninterrupted personal contact between teachers and students in the classroom environment where learning experiences are carefully planned by the teachers. Students with good attendance generally achieve higher levels of learning than those with poor attendance.

    Lawful excused absences include illness or injury, death in the immediate family, medical or dental appointments, court or administrative proceedings, religious observances, documents and any pre-approved (by the principal) educational opportunities. It is the recommendation of the administration and faculty that children come to school regularly and that families abide by the law.

    It is recommended that family vacations not be planned during the instructional calendar.

    When a student returns to school following an absence, he/she should bring a note of explanation.

    The building will be open to students at 8:45 am. The instructional day begins at 9:00 a.m. It is important for each child to have a good start by being on time. In the event that it is necessary for your child to come to school late, we request that you escort your child to the office and sign him/her in. This ensures that your child is acknowledged as present and safely gets to their class. If excessive tardies do occur, parents will be contacted.

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    EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING

    Weather-related problems or other emergencies that endanger the school community and force the superintendent to close all or part of the schools are announced repeatedly on local radio and television stations. School may be either canceled for the day or delayed, usually for two hours. If school is delayed, buses will run their regular routes, but two hours later. Breakfast is not served when school is delayed.

    Subsequent closings will be announced on the 11 p.m. radio and/or television news, and again in the morning. The morning announcements are the more reliable.

    If bad weather strikes during the school day, early closing time will also be announced by the local media. Parents should make arrangements to receive their children at the announced closing time. School buses will run normal routes following the dismissal.

    The After-School Program will not operate when school is closed early. The school calendar shows when "snow days" will be made up, and the school will send home advance notices regarding make-up days.

    An Emergency Dismissal Card, filed in the office, will be filled out by each child's family. Information needs to be current as related to child care, address, telephone and job information changes. A current telephone number is essential.

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    EMERGENCY CONTACTS

    Accidents and sudden illness are a fact of school life. If your child should need medical attention, your approval would be required. Please advise either the teacher or the office of the changes in your work or home phone number or your address. If you do not have a telephone, we must have the number of a relative or neighbor.

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    CAFETERIA OPERATION

    Students may pay for breakfast and/or lunch by the week or daily. Many families choose to pay by the week because of the convenience. Weekly payments are collected the first school day of the week. Checks, a safer way of paying, should be made payable to Club Boulevard School Cafeteria. All snacks are paid for daily and cannot be put in the child's account. Applications for free or reduced prices may be requested at any time from the school office. Student prices are as follows:

    Full-Price Breakfast:  $.80
    Reduced Price Breakfast: $.30
    Full-Price Lunch:  $1.25
    Reduced Price Lunch:  $.40
    Extra Milk:  $.35
    Ice Cream: $.40

    • Parents are invited to join us for breakfast or lunch. Adult meals cost $1.10 (breakfast) and $2.25 (lunch). If parents/guests are planning to eat lunch with their children, they are asked to call the cafeteria 560-3496 the morning of the day they plan to come to lunch.
    • Children who bring their lunches may purchase milk, sold by the day. Parents may request that fruit juice be substituted for milk for children unable to digest milk properly. Any special dietary considerations need to be put in writing, to the attention of the cafeteria manager, Ms. Glenda Collins, ie: food allergies, or no pork products.
    • Lunches prepared at home should include a balanced meal and should include items which do not spoil when kept at room temperature for several hours. Unbreakable thermos containers for beverages or soups are a must for school children. Glass bottles and canned drinks are not allowed. Soft drinks (sodas) should not be sent to school for lunch.

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    DAY-CARE SERVICES

    Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet School offers both before and after-school programs. These programs are operated in our school by employees of the Durham Public Schools Community Education Department. Our director is Sonia Hodges. The Before-School Program operates from 6:45 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. and costs $45.00 per school month, per child, up to two children. The After-School Care Program operates from 3:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and costs $125.00 per school month for the first child and $100.00 for the second child. There is no additional charge for more than two children per family. There is a $15.00 registration fee per child. The adult-to-child ratio for each program is 1:15. A healthy snack is provided each afternoon. These programs operate only on days when students are in school.
    For more information about these programs call Community Education (560-3816).

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    EXTENDED DAY ACTIVITIES

    Again this year Club Boulevard, as part of our magnet program, will offer an Extended Day Program. This Program will extend the Humanities, Literature and the Arts themes into Enrichment programs offered in the Extended Day, after school hours. There will be a new course selection every nine weeks. These fee-based classes will be available to all Club Boulevard children. For After-School children the fees will be adjusted, and scholarships will be available on a funds available basis. The Extended Day activities/classes will be taught by teachers and/or professional members of the community. Please be looking for the available literature. If you have questions or suggestions please contact the school office.

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    SCOUTING PROGRAM

    Club Boulevard, as part of its humanities magnet theme, sponsors and scout troops for first through fifth grade students. These are led by parents and community volunteers. Scouts meet every Wednesday from 3:45-4:45. If your child is in the after school program, they go directly there after scouts is over. If you think your child might be interested, please contact the school office.

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    PARENT VISITATION

    Parents are always welcome at Club Boulevard. If you wish to visit your child's classroom, please arrange with your child's teacher a time that is mutually acceptable.When you enter the school building, please sign in in the office and get a visitor's badge to wear.

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    TELEPHONE USE BY STUDENTS

    Except in cases of an emergency, students are not allowed to use the school telephone.

    The following reasons are not emergencies: calling home because the student forgot something; asking parental permission to go home with a friend; making arrangements for getting home. Matters such as these should be taken care of in advance of the school day. The school office is usually busy and crowded, especially at the start and the close of the day.

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    PARENT INVOLVEMENT

    SBDM-R: The Site-Based Decision Making committee at each Durham Public School is responsible for assessing the student achievement in each school, designing strategies for improvement of student achievement, providing necessary staff development, using available resources to implement changes in the area of student achievement, communicating decisions about student achievement to the community and continually evaluating the results of all student achievement.

    PTA: The Parent / Teacher Association is one of our biggest school assets. With Members of the PTA help with such things as: Volunteering their time in the classrooms, fund raising activities, teacher appreciation week, grounds and garden up keep, hospitality for performances, fifth grade graduation celebration and much ,much more.

    Family Resource Center: The FRC is located in trailer #1, behind the school. It is run by the FRC Advisory Board which consists of staff members and parents. Their mission is to meet the needs of the students and their families by providing services specific to  those needs. (i.e tutorial services for students, workshops for parents, special events; family field trips and Multicultural Fair)

    For more information on Parent Involvement, you may call the school or visit our website www.dpsnc.net in the "Principal Corner" section.

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    DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS: INTERNET GUIDELINES FOR USER ACCOUNTS

    The Durham Public Schools System is pleased to announce that it can now offer students access to the Internet via the district computer network. The internet is an extremely valuable educational tool which allows students access to material from millions of databases and libraries from all corners of the world. In the Durham Public Schools, our intent is to use this access to achieve ours and your educational objectives for your child. Parents, however, should be aware some sites may include illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive material. The internet is an exceptional learning vehicle, but it is possible that students may find ways to access this questionable material. Because of this material, we are requiring all students to obtain signed parental permission. The parents or guardian must sign the Student Internet Use Permission Form, which must be returned to the Media Specialist at that student's school. Student's without the signed form on file will not be given Internet access.

    Listed below are the guidelines for Internet access:

    • Internet access is available to Durham Public Schools students and staff for educational purposes.
    • Users are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in any other school-sponsored activity.
    • Access to the Internet is a privilege-- not a right. This privilege entails responsibility on the part of the users.
    • Users accept the responsibility for all material received and/or stored in their user account.
    • Users will not download copyrighted software, inappropriate text and graphic files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the network.
    • Users have the responsibility to report inappropriate use of the network and violations of privacy by others to the Network Account Manager.
    • Users will not employ the Network for commercial purposes.
    • Users will not use a computer account or password other than their own.
    • Users will not use electronic mail to harass others including but not limited to, the use of vulgar or offensive language and terms.
    • Users will not send chain letters over the network or "broadcast" messages to lists or individuals which would cause congestion of networks or otherwise interfere with the work of others.
    • Users will not intentionally access and/or retrieve sexually explicit, vulgar, or otherwise inappropriate materials.
    • Users will not intentionally waste computing resources.
    • Users will not damage computers, computer systems, or computing networks.

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