PARENTS AND STUDENTS
WELCOME BLAINE PRIMARY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS!
The staff at Blaine Primary School is committed to uniting family, staff, community, and students in a partnership that provides opportunities to enable children to fully develop their individual potential. Our vision is to maintain high standards and consistent expectations as we focus on developing a solid academic foundation as well as self-management and mutual respect.
Dear Blaine Primary School Families,
On behalf of Blaine Primary School, I am pleased to welcome you to the start of a new academic year. As we prepare for the exciting journey ahead, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our School Family Handbook, which is designed to provide you with important information about our school policies, procedures, and expectations.
The School Family Handbook is an essential tool that will help you understand our approach to teaching and learning, as well as our commitment to providing a safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environment for all students. In the handbook, you will find a wide range of topics including: our vision, mission, and values, behavior expectations and discipline procedures, student and family support services, parent involvement and communication, pick up and drop off procedures, attendance policies, and much more! You can quickly access a topic by clicking on it from the table of contents.
We encourage you to review the handbook carefully and to use it as a reference throughout the year. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our school or office. We are here to support you and your child every step of the way.
We are excited to have you and your child as part of our Blaine Primary School Family and look forward to a successful and rewarding academic year ahead.
Sincerely,
Michelle McKeown
Principal
GENERAL INFORMATION
EMERGENCY DRILLS:
The safety of our children is one of our greatest concerns. The school holds the following drills * fire * earthquake *lockout *lockdown. Below is the language and procedures used in the event of an actual emergency.
FIELD TRIPS:
Field trips, which require bus transportation will require a signed permission slip provided by the teacher before your child may participate. Sack lunches will also be required for all day trips and can be bought from school in advance if needed. Students must ride the bus to the trip destination and back to the school. Walking field trips may only require the signed permission slip. Parent volunteers are required to drive themselves to the field trip destination. It is preferred that no siblings attend.
IN CASE OF SEVERE WEATHER:
If there are any schedule changes, our District will notify families via the School District App. You will also receive a robocall indicating the change. Local radio stations are informed including; KGMI (AM 790), KPUG (AM 1170), KAFE (FM 104.1) KOMO 4, KING 5, KIRO 7, and KCPQ 13. In addition, our Snow Line Number is 360-332-0789 and our District Website is www.blainesd.org.
NO HOMEWORK POLICY:
A no homework policy is a practice adopted by some schools that eliminates or significantly reduces the amount of homework assigned to students. Homework can be a source of stress and anxiety for students, and that it may not be an effective way to promote learning. By eliminating homework, students have more time to engage in extracurricular activities, spend time with family and friends, and pursue their own interests. Additionally, students may feel more motivated to learn if they are not burdened with excessive homework.
STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTING:
Reporting Student Progress:
We will report student progress four times during the year. Report cards will be sent to parents in January and June and progress reports will be given to families during conference weeks in November and April. Families may get progress reports at any other time by contacting the teacher.
Conferences:
Academic success is a priority to Blaine Primary School.
Scheduled Conferences are in November and again in April. Conferences provide an opportunity for exchanging information and concerns.
Families are encouraged to meet regularly with the classroom teacher. All teachers are available to meet before and after school if more conferences are needed. Please call your child’s teacher for an appointment.
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES
DRESS CODE:
Children must be dressed appropriately, especially for inclement weather. Coats will be required at our discretion as we will have recess rain or shine. We also encourage you to have an extra change of clothes in your child’s backpack at all times. In warmer weather please do not send your child wearing spaghetti strap t-shirts. (Under a sweater is fine.) Head coverings for non-religious purposes must be removed when they reach their classrooms. Children will need appropriate shoes for P.E. and the playground (Please wear well fitted shoes for safety issues). We do not allow the following on clothing worn to school: logos or symbols with gang affiliation, advertising for alcohol, tobacco or drugs. This includes accessories (hats, belts, bracelets etc.) We will contact parents if we run across a dress code issue. Heelies (shoes with wheels) are not allowed. Please label your students’ coats, water bottles, and personal items.
INFORMATION CHANGES:
It is very important that we have updated information in case your child becomes ill or is injured at school. Please notify our office if you have any changes to the following: new telephone number, address, emergency numbers, or place of employment for either parent.
REQUESTS FOR CHANGE IN PLACEMENT:
Our system of placing students in classrooms is a thoughtful process that involves countless hours of gathering input and collaboration among our teachers. We consider various factors like how students learn, their social interactions, academic abilities, and any extra support they may need. The aim is to create balanced classrooms where all students can be successful and get the support they need.
Our teachers are dedicated to supporting every student in their care and value input and collaboration from families if something isn't working. However, sometimes parents may feel their child's placement isn't quite right. If you're considering requesting a change, here's what to do:
Share your concerns with your child's teacher.
If your concerns aren't resolved, you can meet with an administrator. A summary of your concerns will be shared with both you and your child's teacher.
A meeting involving teachers and other involved staff will take place to discuss concerns.
Student observation will be completed by the counselor, psych/psych assistant, or an administrator - data collection will be taken on behavior, student/student interactions, student/teacher dynamics.
We'll work together to find solutions and share them with you.
We'll give the solutions at least three weeks to see if they help.
After that, we'll revisit the decision with you.
We want every child to feel happy and supported in our school, and we'll do our best to resolve any concerns that arise to ensure your child's needs are met.
THINGS TO KEEP AT HOME:
Please do not bring personal toys (except on designated share days?), Pokemon cards, trading cards, electronic handheld devices such as Game systems, iPods, cell phones, watch phones etc. from home. No chewing gum, or hard candy. Do not send energy drinks or pop in your child’s lunch. Weapons Free Zone: NO GUNS, KNIVES OR SWORDS (THIS INCLUDES TOYS)
NONDISCRIMINATION
Blaine School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator: Lindsay Nowakowski, lnowakowski@blainesd.org, 360-332-5881; Title IX Officer: Christine Anderson, canderson@blainesd.org, 360-332-5881; Section 504 Coordinator: Lindsay Nowakowski, lnowakowski@blainesd.org, 360-332-5881. You can report discrimination and discriminatory harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Civil Rights Coordinator, listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint. For a copy of your district’s nondiscrimination policy and procedure, contact your school or district office or view it online here: www.blainesd.org Policy 3210 and Procedure 3210P.
updated 03.13.24