School Handbook

Good attendance is critical for steady academic growth, and, by law, children are required to attend school. 

Please call the school office any time your child will not be in school. 

If you are asked to leave a voice mail, please give the following information:

• Name of the parent or guardian calling
• Student's name and grade
• Date(s) of absence
• Reason for absence; please be specific

Absences will only be excused for the following reasons:

• Illness
• Medical or dental appointment
• A family death or serious illness
• Court/judicial appearance
• Religious observations
• School-sponsored activities
• Students who are late to school will be considered tardy. Please make every effort to have your student at school on time. 

Additionally signing your child out in the afternoon prior to the end of the school day affects their attendance and learning. 

Students who become truant (inexcusably absent three consecutive days or five school days in any semester or seven days in a school year) will be reported to the Kansas Department for Children and Families in accordance with Board of Education Policy 1461.

Students must live 2.5 miles or more from their assigned school to qualify for transportation to that school.

For questions about WPS transportation and busing, call 316-973-2190.

The district does offer the FirstView app that helps families track their student's school bus. Families will need a security code from the school office to use the app.

Our office hours are 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM.

Breakfast is served in the classrooms beginning at 8:50 AM.

School begins at 9:00 AM and dismisses at 4:10 PM.

Students may enter through the front of the school if being dropped off or walking. Bus riders will enter through the 19th street entrance. 

Breakfast is served in the classrooms at 8:50 a.m. We know how important it is that your child eats breakfast each day. Please have your child here by 8:50 if they plan to eat a school breakfast.

Dismissal begins at 4:10.

Approved bus riders will exit the 19th street doors with school staff. If your child is a bus rider but your plans have changed for the day, the office must be notified by 3:30 to ensure communication is made to their teacher and bus leaders.

Kindergarten-Fifth grade students that are walking home or being picked up by an approved guardian will wait with school staff on the lawn located on the North side of the building.

4th and 5th grade students with no siblings will exit their grade level door, on the SE side of the building, with school staff to walk home or be picked up by an approved guardian. 

Pre-K and ALS/MA students being picked up by an approved guardian will be dismissed from the front doors in the circle drive. These students are hand-to-hand dismissals!

 Help us model safety by using the crosswalks with your children before and after school.

If you have any questions, please contact the school office at (316) 973-8300. 

Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet Dress Code

STUDENT DRESS

Parents should use good judgment in sending students to school properly dressed.  Some items of clothing may be unacceptable if they cause a disruption to the educational process. 

Administration and/or teacher will advise the students.

Such items include, but are not limited to:

• Hats, ball caps, bandannas, and other head gear
• T-back tank tops, spaghetti straps and halter-tops
• Excessive hair color
• T-shirts advertising alcohol or tobacco products.
• Clothing deemed offensive or inappropriate.
• Apparel associated with gangs or gang symbols.
• Sagging pants, or skirts shorter than fingertip length
• Anything that disrupts the learning environment.

Also, please consider the weather outside when dressing your child for school.  Be sure to send a jacket or coat when necessary. Students may not wear hoodies in

Other:

· All clothing must be clean and free of large holes, rips, or frayed edges.

·No platform, wheeled, high heel, open-heeled or flip flop shoes may be worn.

· Clothing shall be sized correctly to fit the student (BOE policy 1473)

· No bandanas, hats, or headscarves are to be worn, except for religious purposes.

· No extreme hairstyles are allowed.

·No hoodies may be worn during the school day.

·Fanny packs are not allowed to be worn during the school day.

Parents should notify the school nurse if there are any health conditions that may require medical attention, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc.

If a student becomes ill during the school day, they should request a pass to see the nurse. 

Students who exhibit fever, sore throat or tonsillitis, any eruption of the skin or rash, any respiratory symptoms accompanied by a fever, severe cough or cold, or any eruption of the scalp, will be sent home.

Parents will be notified to pick up their student and must do so in a timely manner to limit exposure to other students and school staff.

Please keep your emergency contact information up to date with both the teacher and office staff.

School board policy (BOE P5316) restricts school personnel from giving students any medication, including over-the-counter medication.

Medication is given only upon written request from both the parent/guardian and the student's physician. Students must also have received one dose of medication without an adverse reaction prior to any doses being given at school.

All medicine must be in the original container and be presented by a parent to the school nurse for safe keeping and scheduled administration. The container should be labelled with the following:

• Name of student
• Name of medication
• Directions for use
• Name of physician
• Name and address of pharmacy
• Date of prescription

The district uses the ParentVUE online portal to give parents to access information about their student's attendance, assignments and grades. ParentVUE allows parents to quickly and easily update their family contact information, which is vital in order to maintain strong home-to-school connections. 

Keeping students emotionally and physically safe at school is our number one priority. All students have the right to learn in an orderly environment that is free of disruption. We understand that from time to time, students may need additional practice meeting these expectations. We are trying to teach students academic and behavioral skills they will be using in the real world that will help them be successful adolescents and adults. Our staff will work closely with parents to ensure students learn to be responsible citizens and develop strategies for resolving conflicts

We provide breakfast for all students free of charge.

Lunch fees can depend on family income. Complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application annually to qualify for free lunch and adjustments to school fees. 

The district uses an app called School Cafe to allow families to see menus.

The district uses LINQ Connect to pay for meals.

For special dietary restrictions, please contact the school nurse. 

Field trips with our city and nearby sites of interest are scheduled by classroom teachers throughout the school year. These trips are designed to supplement different aspects of the classroom curriculum and intoduce students to resources within the community. Parents will be notified of the planned trip at least five days in advance and must sign a trip waiver for students to attend. If a student does not have a signed permission slip to attend the trip, they will not go. We will not accept verbal permission over the phone.

If there is a fee for the field trip, the money needs to be submitted at least three days prior to the scheduled trip. All field trips require the use of school buses. Parents are not able to transport students on field trips.

If a parent serves as a chaperone, they will need to complete the school district's volunteer process prior to the field trip

Having two recess periods a day offers students valuable opportunities for physical activity and social interaction, which are crucial for their overall well-being and development. During these breaks, they can unwind, play, and build friendships, contributing to a more balanced and engaged school experience. In the event of adverse weather conditions, indoor recess ensures that students remain safe and comfortable while still enjoying their break time. Prioritizing safety during both outdoor and indoor recess is essential to create a secure environment where children can thrive and enjoy their school day.

The safety of students, staff and parents is the Wichita Public Schools' greatest priority during the threat of dangerous conditions.

Emergency plans are in place should tornadoes, lightning, hail, snow or other dangerous circumstances present a safety concern. 

If schools are to be closed or activities cancelled or rescheduled due to weather conditions, the information will be posted on the Wichita Public Schools' website main page and displayed on all school websites.

Students are encouraged to regularly check the lost and found before and after school for any items they might have misplaced on the playground or in the gym. This practice helps them retrieve lost belongings and fosters a sense of responsibility for their personal items. Keeping the lost and found organized in the hallway ensures that all students have the opportunity to reclaim their belongings, contributing to a more efficient and caring school environment.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are a great way to stay involved in your child's education. Parents have the opportunity to discuss their child's progress, review assignments, learn about future projects and to strengthen the connection between home and school. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice a year in October and February. 

All visitors to the building, including parents, must sign in through our visitor management system HallPass.

Parents, caregivers and other relatives wanting to volunteer in the school or for field trips are required to register every year as a volunteer. Visit the Volunteer Registration page to complete your annual registration.

Parents wishing to bring treats for their child’s birthday must consult with the teacher beforehand. Parties will typically take place at the end of the day; however, celebration times may vary to accommodate specials and instructional block schedules. Due to the nature of structured classroom time, please reach out to the teacher to confirm the time that treats will be handed out. Please DO NOT ask that party invitations or other materials not pertaining to school functions be distributed in the classroom.