Student Handbook

The Mill Pond staff is dedicated to creating and maintaining a positive and productive environment for all students.  Since student behavior and a quality learning climate are closely related, we believe it is worth the effort to encourage and reinforce cooperation and responsible behavior from our students. Our school-wide discipline plan is designed to bring about an increased recognition and promotion of good behavior.  If problems arise, we will work positively to find solutions.  If a student has difficulty assuming responsibility at school, parents may be asked to conference with us and/or support us in developing an appropriate plan for greater success. Staff and students at Mill Pond Elementary will work together to help each other reach their fullest potential.  Everyone will be treated with respect and dignity.  Mill Pond students show their best with:  Be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn. 

The District Behavior Policy, titled Rights and Responsibilities is a booklet that provides more information about students’ rights, responsibilities, discipline guidelines, as well as other district details and regulations.

Student cell phone or electronic communication devices used at school will follow Board Policy 3245.

In order to facilitate learning for all students, YCS requires that student dress and appearance follow health and safety standards and not cause disruption to the learning environment. Students who do not follow these guidelines will be asked to change their clothing, cover up, and/or contact home if necessary.

Heads: K-5 students must remove all headwear while in the building. Headwear includes hats, hoods, headbands with animal ears, bandanas and head wraps. (Exceptions will be made for medical, religious and other approved reasons.)
Torso: Clothing must cover stomachs, backs, shoulders, chests and undergarments.
Legs: Shorts, skirts and dresses must be longer than mid-thigh. Undergarments must be covered.
Feet: Footwear must be worn at all times appropriate to the activity. Strapless shoes and high heels are discouraged for safety.

Guidelines

• Clothing that promotes drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, is sexually suggestive, or displays inappropriate pictures or writing is prohibited.
• Any clothing worn in a manner identified as gang related is prohibited.
• Jewelry that can pose safety hazards is prohibited.
• Exceptions to dress code standards may be made for PE or school activities.

What students wear does affect the way they think about, and behave toward, their tasks at school, their peers, and adults. Please consider this as you help your child make appropriate choices for school clothes.

Schools are meant to be safe and inclusive environments where all students are protected from Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB), including in the classroom, on the school bus, in school sports, and during other school activities.

View the full definition of HIB, Sexual Harassment, Civil Rights and Gender Inclusive procedures.

Please do not allow students to bring more money to school than what is needed during the school day.  Valuables, electronics and all toys are to be left at home.  School personnel will not be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. 

You can visit our school’s website.  We appreciate your communication with us and encourage you to contact us with any questions, comments, and/or concerns you may have. 

To minimize disruptions in the classroom, we do not forward phone calls to staff during the school day. However, we are happy to take a message or put you through to the classroom before or after school. 

Communication Concerns

Please communicate student concerns as they arise. When you have a concern, please email the teacher or call the office to schedule a meeting. We will work as a team to create, implement, and monitor a plan of action to address the concern. 

Telephone or Email

During school hours, you can call our office to talk to a staff member before or after school.  Teachers do not have voicemail available to them.  However, our office staff will gladly give the message to your student’s teacher so they may return your call. If you prefer e-mail communication you can contact any staff member by using their firstname_lastname@ycs.wednet.edu (for example: rebecca_fowler@ycs.wednet.edu).

Extra costs do occur throughout the school year, including: meals, field trips, school pictures, etc.  There are also instances when students are asked to pay for lost or damaged books and equipment.  These assessments are made by the teacher, media specialist or principal as circumstances dictate. Any family needing financial assistance (scholarships) for their student’s school expenses are asked to contact the principal at 360.458.3400

Family Access is a web-based tool designed to give parents/guardians and students access to student information to support achievement. Students and parent/guardians each have their own access. 

Family Access/Qmlativ Login

Need help with your access or need to access tutorials?

• Attendance
• Grades/Academic Progress/Test Scores
• Class Schedules & Teacher Contacts
• Lunch Balances
• Conference Scheduling
• And much more!

Visit Family Access/Qmlativ Resources

One way to get involved in your student’s education is to join the Mill Pond Booster Club.  The Booster Club hosts many events and activities throughout the year and supports our school programs.  More information will be sent home at the beginning of the school year. 

Report cards and parent-teacher conferences are scheduled throughout the school year.  However, you should address student concerns as they arise.  When you have a concern, please call the office to schedule a meeting.

Students will need to bring their own supplies as listed on the classroom supply list.  The list of supplies is available in the front office and is also included in on the school website.  

Visitors need to sign in and out at the office and pick up a visitor’s badge.  As a courtesy to our teaching staff and to coordinate their schedule with yours, please make an appointment to meet with the principal, counselor or your student’s teacher. Visitors are not allowed on the playground at any time with the exception of Family Luncheon Days.

As we work to create a safe and respectful learning environment, volunteers are asked to: 

• Sign in and out at the front office

• Wear a visit badge when working in the school 

• Honor the privacy of students 

• Be sure to allow time to check in at the office. 

• If you are unable to be here at the arranged date and time, please notify the teacher. 

• Parent volunteers are not allowed on the playground.

Volunteers are a vital part of our students' education. To volunteer in a school during the school year, an application must be completed online. All volunteers must receive clearance through the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) before volunteering. Clearance is granted for one school year only.

If you have a student volunteer, please have them contact the office. They will need to complete the online volunteer application as well as our volunteer application letter that will need to be signed by the teacher you are volunteering with, the parent or guardian, and the student. Please contact the office with any questions.

Volunteers can work directly with the office, a classroom teacher, our Booster Club, or other school programs.

Apply Online to Volunteer

CUPCAKES, TREATS, GOODY BAGS, BALLOONS, FLOWERS, ETC. ARE NOT ALLOWED. 

Below are some of the reasons they are not allowed.

• To minimize disruptions to the instructional day.

• To minimize sugary or unhealthy treats and the impact they have on our students’ health and wellbeing.

• To create an atmosphere of equity among our students.

• To reduce possible food allergens and latex allergens in the classroom. 

• To follow the guidelines for food in schools.

Please be assured, staff members will continue to recognize birthdays in special ways. We ask for your cooperation as we continue to work together to create the best environment for your children. Students will follow teacher protocol when passing out invitations. Students who do not receive an invitation may experience hurt feelings, which in turn disrupts the classroom environment. Teachers will not give out class lists or pass invitations out to students. 

Sometimes during the school year, we face the possibility of inclement weather and school closure or schedule changes.  Typically, families will be notified of emergency schedule changes by an automated phone call, email and/or text. 

 Stay informed about Emergency Closures & Delays by

• Updating your Family Access email and home & cell numbers
• Opting In for Text Messaging (Text YES to 67587)
• Visiting the district website for detailed information and updates
• Following Yelm Community Schools on Facebook and Twitter
• Signing up for FLASH Alert to receive an email notice.
• Following other media outlets
• It is requested that parents/guardians do not call the media stations for closure information. 

We conduct regular fire drills to acquaint the students with the sounds of the fire alarm and evacuation procedures.  There will also be occasional earthquake and intruder drills throughout the year.  These drills are in accordance with the emergency plan coordinated throughout the school district.  

At Mill Pond Elementary, we feel that field trips are a very valuable educational experience.  When a class is scheduled to go on a field trip, you will receive the information and a permission form to sign.  Unfortunately, students will not be allowed to leave school without a signed parent permission form on hand prior to departure. Students with fines/fees will need to pay these before a field trip. Parents wishing to accompany their child on a field trip as a chaperone must have completed a Volunteer Disclosure Form and have passed a background check.  This form must be completed each year.  Forms are available in the office. Siblings are not allowed to accompany Mill Pond students on field trips because siblings are not covered by school insurance.  If a parent volunteers to chaperone, they must find daycare for other children.

Found items are kept in or near the school office.  Found items that are identified with the student’s name will be returned.  With this in mind, please remember to label your student’s clothing and supplies.  Items not claimed will be given to a charitable organization.  Articles lost on buses are usually kept by the individual driver for a period of time and are then turned into the lost and found department at the bus garage.  You may contact the bus garage at 458-3300.

We have many opportunities to communicate information with our families.  Our newsletter has timely information on upcoming events, activities, and news about what is happening at Mill Pond and around the Yelm community. The Mill Pond Paw Press will be posted on the website as well as sent electronically to the email on file.

SchoolMessenger® is the automated telephone notification system we use to communicate school delays, closures, and other important events at Mill Pond.   Please be sure to keep your telephone contact information up-to-date so we can communicate timely information.

Dropping Off Students At School

Please wait until 9:10 a.m. to drop off your student.  Pull forward to the white line, when pulling up to the curb.  Do not leave your vehicle unattended.  If you need to enter the school, please use the parking area.  Please be very cautious pulling away from the curb. Wednesday drop off on late arrival Wednesdays is 10:10 a.m.

Picking Up Students From School

To ensure the safety of our students, all students who are picked up from school during the day must be signed out in the log book in the vestibule. When picking up students early, once your student has been signed out, we will call them down. If someone other than a parent is picking up the student, be sure you send written authorization or email the office indicating that. Please do not ask your student to meet you in the parking lot.  As school attendance is important and early pick-ups are disruptive to the educational process; we encourage parents to wait until school is dismissed before picking up their child.

End of Day Procedures

If your student is parent pick-up please pick them up in the gym. If you are late getting here and the gym doors are closed, you will need to sign them out and pick them up in the office. Please note school does get out at 3:45 pm. Please communicate any updates or changes to your students end of day procedure by emailing mp_attendance@ycs.wednet.edu by 2:30. Verbal changes WILL NOT be accepted.

Busing 

Unless other arrangements have been made by a parent or guardian, students are expected to be transported from Mill Pond by bus at the end of each school day.  Our bus drivers review the bus rules with students at the beginning of the year.  If you have questions about busing or need a copy of the rules, please call our transportation department at 360.458.3300. Please communicate any updates or changes to your students end of day procedure by emailing mp_attendance@ycs.wednet.edu by 2:30. Verbal changes WILL NOT be accepted.

Bicycle/Walking 

Mill Pond now has a walking zone around the Mill Pond campus. Please see the transportation webpage to view the zone.  Riding bikes to Mill Pond is allowed, we recommend students use bike locks for protection of their property. All students riding bikes are expected to wear safety helmets. For safety reasons, scooters, skateboards, and other alternative modes of transportation are not allowed. Bikes, scooters, skate boards, or any type of motorized vehicle may not be ridden on the school sidewalks.  

Placement 

The assignment of students to classrooms is a task requiring careful planning by the school staff.  Admin will work with teachers to create class lists for the upcoming school year.

Retention 

If the topic of retention arises staff and admin will meet with families to make a final determination.The final decision regarding whether or not to retain will always be made in the best interest of the child.  

State Learning Standards

Grade level learning standards provide details about what students should know and be able to do in each grade level.  Standards are aligned from kindergarten through grade 10 so that parents, students, and teachers can see how skills and knowledge build from year to year.  Standards are developed for each content area and can be found by visiting the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) website.  

Homework

We believe that homework is an important part of the learning process.  Homework reinforces skills taught in class and gives students an opportunity to practice these skills independently.  It also fosters a sense of responsibility and provides an additional opportunity for communication between school and home.  Parents can help by expecting their child to complete assignments and to turn them in on time.  Teachers will provide homework for absent students providing the absence is excused (as detailed in the School Board Attendance Policies).  Parents may contact our office to request homework for an absent student.  24 hours notice is required for the processing of all homework requests. 

The district is dedicated to promoting and instilling principles of digital citizenship and media literacy in students and encourages guardians to play an active role in the process of educating students. While the district takes great care to monitor and filter inappropriate websites, students are expected to be responsible users of their access and the educational technology tools made available.  For a complete list of Student Responsible Use Guidelines, review the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and/or Policy and Procedure 2022/P on the district website.

Responsible Use Policy (English | Spanish)

Students will be given a unique user login and password to access educational technology tools.  The login portal icon is available at the top of the school and district website for students to access at school or home. It is essential students keep this information private to ensure security of their school files and online accounts.

Students will be provided a laptop to use at school and at home. There is a $10 Assurance fee which covers all repair costs for any accidental damage to student Chromebooks and reduced replacement costs if loss or theft occurs which will be applied to the students account at the beginning of each school year. Review all other fees for loss, stolen or intentional damages.

Review All Fees

Kindergarten, first, and second grade students are given Early Reading and Early Math assessments in October, January, and May.  Second through fifth grade students will be given a computerized diagnostic test to determine grade level skill attainment for reading and math called the FAST Test.  This will be given in the fall, winter, and spring.  Third through fifth grade students will also take state testing (Smarter Balanced Assessment and WCAS).

In Yelm Community Schools, textbooks are loaned free of charge.  Please remind your child to be careful with school books and library books.  Parents are responsible for replacing damaged or lost books. 

Meal Service

The breakfast and lunch program is provided by our district’s Food Service department. Breakfast is served 9:10 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Lunch is served 11:15 a.m. – 12:55 p.m.   Menus are available on the website at www.ycs.wednet.edu/foodservice. If your student requires special accommodations regarding dietary restrictions, please provide medical  documentation signed by a physician to the health room. We will not accommodate personal preferences.

Meal Costs

Please check the website for an updated fee schedule.

Free and Reduced Meals

Meal benefits are available to families that meet income guidelines.  Free and Reduced applications are available online through Skyward Family Access. Paper applications are available at school upon request or on our Food Service website.

If you have questions regarding your child’s meal account, please contact your school. For assistance with Free and Reduced application, please contact the district Food Service Department at 360.400.1151.

Online Payments

As a convenience to families, Yelm Community Schools provides an easy way to make online payments from home or work, 24/7. With just one login, you can make payments for any child in your household using Discover, VISA, or MasterCard credit or debit cards.

Online payments can be used to replenish a student’s food service account or pay for any existing fines or fees, such as class fees, athletic fees, or ASB activities.

Yelm Community Schools is fully compliant with all data protection laws, including PCI Data Security Standards. Yelm School District does not store your billing or payment information at any time. Any personal information you enter related to your credit card through this website is purged immediately. Any contact information you enter is stored for your convenience when using our website. Information you provide to us will only be used by Yelm Community Schools. We will never sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

Online Payment

Life Threatening Illness

If your child has an illness, which has the potential to cause death during the school day YCS must be made aware prior to the student’s first day of school. Examples of these conditions would be seizures, diabetes, allergies requiring an Epi Pen, severe asthma and/or any other condition that is considered to be life threatening. Parents/guardians are responsible to report this information to the Registered Nurse assigned to that school. Parents/guardians must provide the medication in its original container along with the medication authorization form prior to the first day of school. Students will be excluded from school until these requirements are met. (RCW 28A.210.320, District Policy 3413)

Immunizations

In order to protect children against a number of childhood diseases, Washington State Law requires that all children enrolled to YCS be immunized against varicella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, rubella, mumps and hepatitis b as appropriate.  Parents may submit the Exemption from Immunization form. However, students will be excluded from school if they do not meet the requirements of the law. (RCW 28A.210.060, District Policy 3413)

Infectious Disease

In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain communicable diseases YCS will comply with the State Board of Health rules and regulations within the most current Infectious Disease Control Guide, provided by the State Department of Health and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. (District Policy 3414)

Medications

YCS requires signed authorization forms for the dispensing of any prescription or non-prescription medicines to students.  Forms must be signed by the physician as well as the parent/guardian and are available from the office.  Physicians may fax this information to our school at 360.458.6315. All medications must be delivered to and picked up from the school by the parent/guardian in the original container. Most medications can be dispensed by the parent/guardian before or after school. Please ask your healthcare provider for guidance on medication delivery times. (RCW 28A.210.260 & 270, District Policy 3416)

As a convenience to families, Yelm Community Schools provides an easy way to make online payments from home or work, 24/7. With just one login, you can make payments for any child in your household using Discover, VISA, or MasterCard credit or debit cards.

Online payments can be used to replenish a student’s food service account or pay for any existing fines or fees, such as class fees, athletic fees, or ASB activities.

Yelm Community Schools is fully compliant with all data protection laws, including PCI Data Security Standards. Yelm School District does not store your billing or payment information at any time. Any personal information you enter related to your credit card through this website is purged immediately. Any contact information you enter is stored for your convenience when using our website. Information you provide to us will only be used by Yelm Community Schools. We will never sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

Online Payment

Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, our school counselor works with school staff, parents and the community to create a caring climate and atmosphere.  By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, our school counselor can help students achieve academic success.  Please contact the main office for assistance from our school counselor.