Student & Family Handbook

Lakewood Elementary Appendix

 

 

17000 16th Dr. NE
Marysville, WA 98271

Mailing Address:
Lakewood Elementary
PO Box 40
North Lakewood, WA 98259

Main Office: (360) 652-4520
Fax Number: (360) 654-2039
Attendance Line: 360.652.4520, ext. 3

les.lwsd.wednet.edu

Email for attendance: Breann Fernandes, bfernandes@lwsd.wednet.edu

“Home of the Cougars”

Mission Statement

"As a learning community, we ensure high levels of learning for all by meeting students where they are at and guiding them step by step to academic, emotional and social success."

Principal’s Message

Dear Families,

Welcome to Lakewood Elementary, we value the opportunity to work with you and your child. Please know that all staff are ready to support the success of your child. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

We look forward to partnering with you in your child's education!

Sincerely,

Kristin Cortés, Principal
360-652-4520
kcortes@lwsd.wednet.edu

Administrators/Counselor

• Principal | Kristin Cortés | kcortes@lwsd.wednet.edu
• Dean of Students | Kari Hollands | khollands@lwsd.wednet.edu
• Counselor | Nicole Andrade | nandrade@lwsd.wednet.edu

Schoolwide Behavior Expectations

At Lakewood Elementary, each child is asked to follow the PAWS expectations. PAWS stands for: Practice Kindness, Always be Safe, We are Engaged and Show Respect. 

We are committed to recognizing and celebrating students who make positive choices in their behavior. Our approach to behavior management is proactive, providing a range of supports designed to meet the unique needs of every student. These supports may include individual behavior plans, a comprehensive school-wide social-emotional learning curriculum, positive reinforcement, and guidance from our counselor and related staff. When necessary, we work closely with parents to ensure that the appropriate supports are in place for each student.

If a student has multiple minor infractions or exhibits behavior that is significantly disruptive or unsafe, they may be referred to the building administrator to develop a plan or solution. When appropriate, this plan will be communicated to parents. We value and welcome family support in this process.

Schedules

Daily Schedule

• 8:20 a.m. Student Drop-Off
• 8:35 a.m. School Begins
• 3:15 p.m. School Ends

Early Release Fridays

• 1:45 p.m. Dismissal

Two-Hour Late Start

• School Begins at 10:35 a.m.

Early Release Half Days (Conferences and last day of school)

• 12:15 p.m. Dismissal

Recess and Lunch

Kindergarten and 1st Grade

• AM Recess 10:00 – 10:15
• Lunch 11:00 – 11:20
• Lunch Recess 11:20 – 11:35

2nd and 3rd Grade

• Lunch 11:50 – 12:10
• Lunch Recess 12:10 – 12:25
• PM Recess 1:00 – 1:15

4th and 5th Grade

• AM Recess 10:20 – 10:35 (5th grade only)
• Lunch 11:25 – 11:45
• Lunch Recess 11:45 – 12:00
• PM Recess 12:40 – 12:55 (4th grade only)

Conferences

• School Ends at 12:15 pm

Lunches

• K/1 11:00 – 11:20

• 2/3 11:50 – 12:10

• 4/5 11:25 – 11:45

Attendance

Attendance & Tardies

Regular school attendance is critical to your child’s learning progress. Everyday matters!

If you need to excuse your child’s absence (state the reason), please do one of the following:

• Email: lesoffice@lwsd.wednet.edu
• Call: 360-652-4520 ext. 4
• Send a note with your child or drop a note to the office.
• Go to Skyward and excuse your child’s absence.

Missed work can be arranged with your child’s teacher.

Our school goal is to have all children at school on time every day. Every day counts at Lakewood Elementary School! The School Day begins at 8:35 am. Your child will be marked tardy if they arrive at school after that time. If a student is not in school on time, their learning is disrupted. If a student is tardy, the parent must accompany them into the office to sign them in.

Not only is attendance essential for students’ success in school, but attendance is required by law (RCW.28A.225.010 and RCW 28A.225.015). Our curriculum is hands-on and often involves group work, in-class demonstrations, and hands-on activities. It is difficult to replicate these engaging lessons at home. We at LES are hopeful we can work together to ensure our students attend school regularly.

Here are some references that emphasize the importance of regular attendance:

• Attendance Works    
• Economic Policy Institute 
• Helping Students with School Refusal

Attendance is monitored daily at our school. If your child accumulates a certain number of absences, a notification letter will be automatically generated. This letter will be emailed to you and will also be recorded in your child's discipline records on Skyward. Notification letters are sent out at 3, 5, 7, and 10 absences. Additionally, a letter will be sent for excessive absences.

Unexcused Absences

• For each unexcused absence, you will receive an automated call notifying you of the absence.

Excessive Excused Absences

• If your child has 5 or more excused absences in a month, we will schedule a conference with you to discuss how we can work together to improve your child’s attendance.

Multiple Unexcused Absences

• If your child has 3 unexcused absences in a month, we will arrange a conference with you to address the issue.

Between 2 – 7 days of Unexcused Absences in a Month

We will collaborate with you to develop a mutual agreement aimed at helping your child attend school regularly.

• We will convene an IEP or 504 meeting.

After 7 Unexcused Absences

• We will convene a Community Engagement Board (CEB) meeting to provide additional support to your family and student, ensuring that your child can consistently access their learning.

Legal Intervention

If your child accumulates more than 7 unexcused absences in a month or 15 in a year, and previous steps have not been successful, we may file a petition with the courts to further support your child’s education.

Our primary goal is to work in partnership with you to ensure that your child attends school every day, giving them the best opportunity for success in their learning.

Late Arrival/Early Dismissal

Students arriving after the school day has started must be checked in at the office by an adult. If a  student needs to be picked up early, the adult picking them up must present a valid ID and be  listed in Skyward or have written permission from a legal guardian. Students who are ill will be  checked out through the school nurse.

Students are required to remain on campus throughout the school day. For safety reasons, students must stay on campus from the time of arrival until the end of the school day unless excused through the office.

For the safety of everyone, all students should leave campus after dismissal (unless they are participating in a school-sponsored event supervised by a staff member).

Student Drop-Off/Pick-Up

Pick-up Notifications

If you need to pick up your child during the school day or change their end-of-day transportation plans, please notify the school by 2:30 pm via phone at 360.652.4520 EXT. 3. This includes switching from bus transportation to parent pickup. If someone other than the residential parent or guardian is picking up your child, a written authorization from the parent or guardian must be provided in advance.

Morning Drop-off

For your child's safety, please ensure they exit your vehicle on the driver's side to avoid oncoming traffic. Parents are asked to remain in their vehicles during drop-off. To drop off your child, please enter at the Middle School Entrance and proceed to the right (facing North) towards LES. Signs will guide you to the designated drop-off area. Ensure your child is ready to exit the car promptly upon arrival. Please be aware that students may not be dropped off before 8:20 a.m. For safety reasons, parking on the street is not permitted, and students should not walk up the grass or sidewalk.

Afternoon Pick-up

At the end of the school day, when picking up students, guardians/parents should wait outside the main entrance, forming a line along the fence. School staff will assist in connecting students with their families at the designated parent pick-up area. To ensure safety and efficiency, students will only be released to guardians/parents who are in the line.

GUARDIANS/PARENTS MUST CHECK IN WITH A STAFF MEMBER BEFORE THEIR CHILD IS RELEASED FROM THE WAITING AREA.

If you need to meet with your child’s teacher, please sign in at the office, and we will check their availability.

Visitors/Volunteers

We look forward to welcoming volunteers into our school. If you are interested in volunteering in your student's classroom or as a district volunteer, please complete a volunteer application. We require at least two weeks to process the application before your first volunteer opportunity. Completed applications are good for two years.

Applications are available on the district website .

• English Application 
• Spanish Application 
• Volunteer Handbook

Scheduling Visits

To ensure minimal disruption to classroom activities, we kindly ask that you arrange any visits with the teacher or building administrator at least 24 hours in advance.

Visitor Check-In

For the safety and security of our students, all visitors and parents are required to check in at the office upon arrival. You must present your ID. You will be asked to register and obtain a visitor badge, which must be worn at all times while in the building. Please proceed to the classroom only at the pre-approved time.

Volunteering at Lakewood Elementary

Volunteers play an important role at Lakewood Elementary, assisting in various capacities such as classroom helpers, field trip chaperones, library aides, and more. We strongly encourage all parents to get involved and contribute to the enriching experience of early childhood education. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact your child’s teacher or the school office. Please note that non-school-age siblings are not permitted to accompany you while volunteering; however, they are welcome at school for family events.

Skyward Access

You can access information about your student on Skyward Family Access. This is where you can see your student’s attendance.

Dress Code

Students' dress and hygiene should contribute positively to the instructional atmosphere at Lakewood Elementary School (LES). Attire should be appropriate for the learning environment and in accordance with Lakewood School District Policy 3224, ensuring the following:

• Fosters a positive, safe, and healthy environment within the school.
• Ensures compliance with health and safety standards and adheres to municipal and state
• laws.
• Avoids any potential disruptions to the instructional program.

Clothing with profanity, suggestive comments and/or designs, weapons, or clothing advertising alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or gang affiliation is not acceptable. Students should wear clothing suitable for wet and/or cold days. Shirts should cover the belly, and all undergarments are to remain hidden. Tennis shoes or sneakers need to be worn on PE days. We also discourage sandals because it is difficult to play at recess in them. Flip-flops should not be worn at school. If a student is dressed inappropriately, parents will be contacted and asked to bring more appropriate clothing. If available, alternative clothing will be provided for the student to wear for the duration of the day. Please return those items to school after washing. For more information regarding appropriate dress at school, please see School Board Policy 3224.

PTA

The Lakewood Elementary PTA is chartered by and affiliated with the Washington State PTA. The PTA's purpose is to serve the needs and the desires of members in promoting the health, welfare, safety, and education of children. Through fundraising projects, the PTA provides financial assistance for assemblies, school materials, playground equipment, and student activities. We encourage you to join and support our PTA.

Please consider joining our PTA. To join the PTA complete the Online Membership Form.

Our PTA can be reached at lespta306@gmail.com or call the school line at 360.652.4520.

SWAG: You can order tee shirts/sweatshirts and other SWAG through our PTA.

Personal Items

To maintain a focused and productive learning environment at Lakewood Elementary School (LES), we ask that personal items, such as toys and electronic devices, remain at home. These items can be distracting and are at risk of being lost, broken, or stolen. We do not allow any type of sports balls, fidgets (that are not teacher approved), makeup, or toys in general to be brought to school.

We understand that many families rely on cell phones for communication before and after school. If students bring cell phones to school, they do so at their own risk. Cell phones must remain off and stored in backpacks during school hours. Smartwatches are okay as watches, but students will be asked to put them away if they are used as electronic devices. Students who need to contact a parent during the school day may access a school phone.

If a personal item becomes a distraction in the classroom, the student will receive a warning and be instructed to keep the item in their backpack. If the disruption continues, the item will be confiscated and held by a school administrator until it is picked up by a parent.

Lost & Found

The Lost and Found cart is located in the main foyer near the playground doors. Please regularly check the Lost and Found for any missing items such as clothing, school supplies, and other personal belongings. Clearly labeling your child’s items—like clothing and lunch boxes—with their name makes it much easier to identify and return them. Unclaimed items are donated to Kids’ Kloset monthly throughout the school year.

Celebrations/Birthdays

To maintain sensitivity to the feelings and needs of all students and to respect the learning environment, please refrain from giving gifts or distributing invitations for parties or similar events at school. The only exception to this policy is when invitations are distributed to all students in the class. For special occasions, Lakewood Elementary School does not permit the delivery of gifts, balloons, or flowers to students during the school day. This policy is in place to maintain an uninterrupted learning environment, address allergy concerns, and manage space limitations. All such deliveries will be declined.

Other Food Items

We do not allow gum at school as it has become a distraction and an issue with littering. Students can bring snacks to school if their teacher has a designated snack time. Please check with your student’s teacher. Water is allowed in the classroom and all other drinks (such as juice, soda, etc.) can be eaten during your student’s lunchtime.

Interpreter

Parent involvement is vital to every child’s education. Your input is welcome, and your participation is encouraged. If you need an interpreter, please contact our district office at 360-652-4500.

Interprete

La participación de los padres es vital para la educación de todos los niños. Su aporte es bienvenido y su participación es alentada. Si necesita un intérprete, comuníquese con nuestra oficina del distrito al 360-652-4500.

Устный переводчик

Участие родителей жизненно важно для образования каждого ребенка. Ваш вклад приветствуется, и ваше участие приветствуется. Если Вам нужен переводчик, обратитесь в наш районный офис по телефону 360-652-4500.

Перекладач

Залучення батьків є життєво важливим для навчання кожної дитини. Ваш внесок вітається, і ваша участь заохочується. Якщо Вам потрібен перекладач, зверніться до нашого районного офісу за номером 360-652-4500.

مترجم

مشاركة الوالدين أمر حيوي لتعليم كل طفل. نرحب بمدخالتكم ، ويتم تشجيع مشاركتكم. إذا كنت بحاجة إلى مترجم ، فيرجى االتصال بمكتب

المنطقة على الرقم 4500-652-360

Chromebook/Network Use Policy

The Chromebook Use Agreement can be found HERE. The board policy #2023 and #2022P outline the full expectations.

Expectations

• Must be held with two hands when transporting.
• Chromebooks to be treated with respect...no defacing, drawing, or putting stickers on them.
• Charging in the Computer on Wheels (COWS) when not in use.
• Students should keep their passwords private.
• At no time should the internet or Chromebook be used for illegal use, bullying, intimidation, or harassment.
• Keep food and drinks away from the Chromebook.
• Understand that all electronic communication, activities, and files accessed in the district-provided technology or networks are not private and may be viewed, monitored, and/or archived by the district at any time.

Doordash/Uber Eats – Outside Food 

We do not allow Door Dash, Uber Eats, or any professional food deliveries to come to the school. This is for safety reasons. Students who bring outside food or beverages to school will need to finish them before entering the classroom or put away for lunchtime. For instance, if a student has a Starbucks drink, they will be asked to finish it before joining their class.

Video Surveillance 

In the interest of the safety and security of students, staff, visitors, and property, video surveillance equipment is present and visible in many areas of the LES campus. It will be understood that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in these areas. Students will be held responsible for any violations of school discipline rules caught by the cameras.

Video recordings shall be considered student education records, and any release or viewing of such records shall be in accordance with current law. Videos containing evidence of violation of student conduct rules and/or state or federal law shall be retained until the issue of the misconduct has been settled.

Updated: 12/5/24