sful learning experiences for your child.
This handbook was designed for parents and students. Please take the time necessary to thoroughly
read this handbook and share it with your child. It will provide important information that will help clarify and
answer questions you may have concerning school operations, policies, and procedures. If after reading this
handbook you have a question or a concern, please contact your childs teacher or the school office.
Your child is special. Our goal is that school, parent, and student work together to create a learning
atmosphere in which your child will belong, believe, and become.
Our Ross logo demonstrates that Belonging, Believing, and Becoming are interrelated essential
aspects of Ross School that intersect with the home, the community, and the world. These integral strands are
held together by our diverse students, parents, and staff members and are cyclical in that they do not end. We
truly believe that at Ross School students first belong, to develop a foundation for growth, then believe in
themselves and others, and then become through academic, social, and emotional growth. These words will
guide us as we plan for the future growth and excellence of our Ross School Community.
Sincerely,
Annette Isselhard
Principal REQUEST OF PARENTS
The staff asks that parents not go into their childs classroom during the school day to speak with a teacher, as
this interrupts all students instructional program. If you would like to speak in person with a teacher, please make
an appointment via a phone call or a note. In case of an emergency, arrangements can be made by one of the
secretaries, principal, or assistant principal for you to see the teacher immediately.
The staff also asks that you not go into a classroom at the beginning or end of the day. The teacher is helping the
children prepare for a successful beginning or ending of the day and is not in a position to effectively
communicate with you at this time. If you should have an immediate concern, feel free to notify one of the
secretaries. A message will be given to the teacher when it is least distracting for the children. Our staff
members want to help with any problem or concern you may have. They appreciate your consideration in
allowing them to spend uninterrupted time working with your child.
Please allow your children to ride the bus or walk to school rather than driving them. While riding the bus or
walking to school, students learn responsibility and continue to develop their socialization skills. This also
improves the traffic congestion at the beginning and end of the school day.
See that your child does not arrive at school prior to ten minutes before the starting time. See that your child rides
his/her assigned bus. Children are not allowed to ride a friends bus home without written permission.
Time your childs departure so he is at the bus stop for a VERY SHORT TIME. This greatly reduces bus stop
concerns/problems.
Talk with your child periodically about respect for the property of others as he/she goes to and from school.
In the event of a school field trip, please return the written permission note. Children will not be allowed to
participate in field trips without written parental permission.
Please read the Principals monthly newsletter. It will keep you informed of the happenings at school and will
advise you of upcoming events. It is important; it is our line of communication with you and will keep you in the
know.
PARENTS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
What you can do to help
1.
Read this booklet carefully.
2.
Check in with someone in the office prior to visiting or working in the building.
3.
Maintain a positive attitude about your child, the school, members of the school staff,
and school activities.
4.
If a problem occurs at school, get the facts first, then cooperate with the school to
devise a workable solution to the problem.
5.
Volunteer to help in school activities and programs.
6.
Attend all parent meetings. Learn what is going on at school.
7.
Attend school conferences for your child. Punctuality is always important.
8.
Make an effort to tell staff members when they have done something positive for and
with your child.
9.
Provide many opportunities for your child to develop responsibility and common sense.
10.
Be reasonable in your expectations for your child and his/her teacher.
11.
Support your child in completing his/her homework.
12.
Play with your child, talk with your child, read to your child - show your child that you
are interested and that you care.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
A child must have written parental permission to stay for any activities. (One note will suffice for the
duration of the activity). Parents must provide transportation for children remaining for after-school activities.
BREAKFAST PROGRAM
A before-school breakfast is available for all Ross students. Breakfast is served from 8:40-9:00 a.m.
Students may purchase their breakfast each morning as they arrive.
A breakfast menu will be available for all students.
BUS REGULATIONS
Riding the school bus can be a very pleasant experience for children depending to a great extent on the
behavior of passengers. Safety is of great importance, and rules established by Parkway must be obeyed.
Parents can help by going over these rules with their children. If necessary, reports of misconduct are submitted
by bus drivers to the principal. If a problem persists, the child may be excluded from bus service for an
appropriate period of time.
1.
Children must remain seated; hands must be kept inside windows.
2.
Inappropriate language is prohibited.
3.
Children may not eat or drink while riding the bus.
4.
Children are expected to talk normally to others nearby and refrain from
excessive noise.
5.
Nothing may be thrown from windows.
6.
Children must understand that anything causing the driver to divert his
attention from driving may result in an accident.
7.
Children should cross the street in front of the bus, never behind it.
8.
Children are expected to wait at bus stops without causing stress to others and
damage to homeowners property.
9.
Children are expected to ride the bus without causing stress or fear to another
child. COMMUNICATION
We will make every attempt to keep you informed through monthly newsletters and special
notices. We depend on our students to deliver these communications to you. All schoolwide notices will
be sent home with the oldest child in the family.
DISMISSAL POLICY
Please report to the office for early dismissal of your child. We will call your child from his/her classroom
to the office. Children are not to meet parents in the parking lot. Teachers have been requested not to release a
child to any adult without permission from the office. The policy is in effect during regular school hours. Please
advise the office if your child is to be picked up by someone other than a parent.
Children are not to go to another childs home after school unless the school has written permission from
the parent.
A note is needed if your child usually rides a bus but occasionally walks home. One note will suffice for
the entire year if your child is to determine when he/she walks; however, if he/she may walk only on specific days
designated by you, please send his teacher a note each time he walks. For 3rd-5th students who are riding
bicycles to school, a parent note is required.
Please send a note if you intend to pick up your child at school for a doctor or dentist appointment.
Please allow yourself enough time to have your child called to the office for dismissal after you arrive.
When picking up or dropping off your child at school, please use the lower level parking lot. For safety
reasons, we ask that you not drive into the upper drive or behind the school. The school buses use this area to
load and unload children.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
The telephone number for Ross School is 415-6700; fax number is 415-6712.
The Parent Connection number is 415-6727; absence number is 415-6726.
From time to time during the school year, it may become necessary to contact parents for an emergency
situation, such as illness or injury to a child. It is important that we have up-to-date phone numbers for each
parent and the number of two neighbors who can act for you, as well as the name and phone number of your
doctor and dentist.
HEALTH INFORMATION
A physical examination by a licensed physician is recommended for all students entering the Parkway
Schools and at the beginning of the third, sixth, and ninth grades. If your child has had a recent physical
examination, send a copy of the physicians examination record or Parkways Examination form to the school
nurse. If a child
is to be excused from the physical education program for more than three days, a note from the
physician stating the reason and number of days to be excused is required.
Parkway Health Policy indicates that a child must be fever-free for a period of 24 hours or more before
he/she can be allowed to return to school. This is done to ensure that the child does not spread contagious
disea