Parent Handbook

Our Mission
The Meadow Point Community provides an equitable education that honors diversity and fosters self-awareness and empathy, while building upon our students’ assets to positively impact our world!

Our Vision
Love Myself, Care for Community, Make a Difference

Our District Values
Growth Mindset, Equity, Whole Wellbeing, Engagement, Relationships

Motto
Be Here. Be You. Belong!

Gabriela Zuno, Principal
Lindsay Folker, Assistant Principal

Daily Schedule

6:30 am     Kidz Klub Opens

7:30 am     School Office Opens

7:30–7:50 am Breakfast Served – Students enter through the cafeteria door

7:50 am     Students arrive at school / Entry Bell

Guardians must not to drop off children before 7:50 am as there is no supervision available unless students are eating breakfast and will be supervised in the the cafeteria.

8:00 am     Second Bell – Classes Begin

2:45 pm     Classes Dismiss (Students are out at 1:45 on Wednesdays)

4:00 pm     School Office Closes

6:00 pm     Kidz Klub Closes

Arrival / Dismissal

• The first bell will ring at 7:50 am.  
  Students are not to be on school grounds before this time, unless they are enrolled in Kidz Klub or are eating breakfast. Only those students coming for breakfast (serving begins at 7:30 a.m.) will be allowed in the building and should enter through the cafeteria door. Please respect the schedule and monitor your child’s departure from home so that they will not arrive at school before 7:50 am.
• When the first bell rings, staff will open one door by the back parking lot and the front door.
  Students can come in any time between 7:50 and 8:00 and should make their way to his or her classroom. Guardians will not accompany their children into the building for security and educational reasons. Parents/Guardians need to access the building through the front door and will need to check in at the front office. 
• Students who are not in their classrooms by 8:00 am are marked tardy. Students who arrive late will be given a late pass and sent to class.  
• School dismisses at 2:45 pm (1:45 on Wednesdays).  
  All students should either walk home or be picked up no later than 2:45 pm (1:45 on Wednesdays). Students may not remain on the playground after school unless supervised by an adult. Please make sure that your child knows the arrangements for after school, such as who will pick them up, where they are going, etc. In the event of inclement weather, dismissal may be delayed for students’ safety.

Absences, Attendance & Tardies

Guardians are to leave a message on the 24-hour attendance line (720-886-8695) to report the absence of their child.
Guardians should leave the following information:  

• Guardian’s name
• Child’s name
• Teacher
• Date(s) of absence
• Reason for absence

Children absent from school for five days or more or for reasons other than illness or a family emergency need to receive prior approval from the principal in order for it to be considered an excused absence.

Guardians are encouraged to schedule vacation and/or doctor’s appointments during school breaks. There is a significant, negative impact on a child’s education when they miss school or are chronically tardy. Excessive absences or tardies are defined as missing 5% of the school year and are subject to specific attendance plans developed by the family and principal.

Animals at School and on School Grounds

Please do not bring animals to school (including during arrival and dismissal) unless you have prior permission from the office. Numerous students are allergic to fur and/or frightened of animals. There is also the possibility of children being bitten by an excited animal. Thank you for leaving your pet at home.

Behavior Expectations

One of the keys to a positive school experience is a behavior expectation structure that promotes the development of responsible behavior. The emphasis at Meadow Point Elementary is on maintaining an atmosphere that is conducive to learning, working, achieving, and developing basic values.

At Meadow Point, we celebrate being part of a sleuth (a group of bears). Our students learn to Love Myself, Care for Community, and Make a Difference and these behaviors cover all of the responsibility’s students are taught. Our goal is to develop Great Grizzlies and that all students feel that they belong to the Sleuth.

When a student does not exhibit behaviors that demonstrate respect, responsibility, or safety, they will work to fix the situation with the guidance and support of an adult. Depending on the nature, seriousness, and/or frequency of the problem, appropriate action will be taken. Consequences/Actions based on the behavior may include the following: restorative conversation, missing recess, correcting a mistake, staying after school, replacing broken or stolen property, losing use of equipment, community service, guardian conference/contact, alternative to suspension assignment, and in or out-of-school suspensions.

For more detailed information on policies regarding student conduct and discipline, see the CCSD Student Conduct Handbook (available on the district website and must be reviewed by guardians).

Before and Aftercare program - Kidz Klub

The focus of this fee-based program is to provide a safe environment for educational and recreational activities for students in kindergarten thru 5th grade.  Students are supervised at all times and expected to follow the same behavior guidelines as during the school day.  This is an excellent program designed to support your childcare needs.  

• The program operates each school day from 6:30 am to 8:00 a.m. and from 2:45 pm to 6:00 pm (1:45 to 6:00 on Wednesdays) 
• On non-contact days and during the summer, the hours are from 6:30 am. to 6:00 pm
• They are closed on weekends and some national holidays

Registration is required; this is not meant to be a “drop-in” daycare. Please contact the director at 720-886-8624 for program fees, availability and registration information.

Bicycles, Rollerblades, Skateboards, or Scooters

It is the responsibility of the guardian to determine whether their child can safely ride a bicycle or other “vehicle” to and from school.

• Bicycles, skateboards, and scooters must be always walked on school property. They are not to be ridden on school grounds
• Locking the bicycle or scooter in the bike racks provided or skateboard in the skateboard rack provided is the responsibility of the student
• Students must obey all safety/traffic rules when riding to and from school
• Students should always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle

Due to safety and storage issues, skateboards, rollerblades, or scooters are NOT to be brought inside the school. School personnel cannot be responsible for lost or stolen property.

Cell Phones and Electronics

Bringing a cell phone to school is discouraged. If a guardian decides a cell phone is necessary for safety reasons, the phone must remain in the student’s backpack during school hours and must remain off.

Use of personal electronics (cell phones, iPads, smart watches etc.) is not allowed during the school day (this includes outdoor/indoor recesses). Once the school day begins, electronics must remain in the student’s backpack.

A violation of this rule will result in the cell phone and /or the electronic device being taken away until a guardian can pick it up from school and could result in a permanent ban of the device. Both students and guardians understand the school will not be responsible for any stolen or damaged electronics if the child chooses to bring them to school.

Celebrations / Treats

For the safety of all students, any classroom treats must be store-bought and non-edible (such as pencils, stickers, or small trinkets). We appreciate your support in keeping our celebrations safe and fun.
 

Communication with Teachers and Staff

E-mail is encouraged as an effective and efficient means for communication. Staff will also utilize Talking Points, an app that will act like sending and receiving a text, to communicate.  Talking Points translates communication as well.

Guardians can usually contact their child’s teacher by phone before or after school.  In order to ensure a quality conversation, guardians should always schedule an appointment if requesting a conference at school. Unless it is an emergency, teachers will not be interrupted during class time to take a phone call.

In order to ensure that concerns are resolved respectfully and equitably, guardians are expected to maintain communication with their child’s teacher. Administrators will assist in resolutions after all attempts have been made to resolve a concern between the teacher and guardian.

Dress Code

Please refer to district policy JICAB for the full policy.
A safe and disciplined learning environment is essential to a quality educational program. District-wide standards on student attire are intended to help students concentrate on schoolwork, reduce discipline problems, and improve school order and safety. The Board recognizes that students have a right to express themselves through dress and personal appearance; however, students shall not wear apparel that is deemed disruptive or potentially disruptive to the classroom environment or to the maintenance of a safe and orderly school. Any student deemed in violation of the dress code shall be required to change into appropriate clothing or make arrangements to have appropriate clothing brought to school immediately. 

Late Arrivals

Children who arrive after the starting time (8:00 am) must check in with the school office before going to class.

Leaving School Early

Anyone picking up a child before the end of the school day must check the child out from the school office.  The child will then be called to the office upon the guardian’s arrival.   If anyone other than the guardian or guardian is to pick up a child from school, prior arrangements must be made through the school office; otherwise, only those individuals listed as an emergency contact in PowerSchool are allowed to sign out a child from school.  Anyone checking a child out of school early is expected to come into the school and show identification at the office. Once the person picking up is verified we will call the student to come down to the office. 

Lightning Procedures During Dismissal

Sometimes afternoon thunderstorms in Colorado develop with lightning. In the event of lightning near Meadow Point during dismissal, the following steps will be taken:  

• The school administrator, after consulting with weather apps, will decide if the students should be kept in the building until the lightning subsides
• If guardians are on property, they will be able to come into the building and check their child out
• Otherwise, the students will be released with normal dismissal procedures when the lightning has passed

Lost and Found

Please be sure that all of your child’s personal items (coats, gloves, backpacks, etc.) are clearly marked for identification. A lost and found rack is located by the nurse’s office that can be checked at anytime once guardians have checked in at the front office. Please ask office staff for the location of Lost and Found if you need help. Items that are unclaimed for over a four-week period are donated to charity. Small items such as glasses, jewelry, keys, etc. are kept in the school office.

Lunch Program

Although breakfast and lunch are provided this year due to a new Colorado law, it is important to apply for free and reduced prices if you think you qualify. This status allows families help outside of just breakfast and lunch. A Free and Reduced-Price School Meal Application is available on-line. Fore more information, please call the kitchen at 720-886-8663.

Because of the new Colorado law, breakfast and lunch are provided for all students. Menus for breakfast and lunch are on a cycle rotation. Please refer to Food and Nutrition Services for meal prices, menus, nutritional information and any other questions regarding the lunch program. Food Service uses a computerized system to keep track of each student’s accounts for a la carte (snack) items. Please refer to Food and Nutrition Services if you would like to add money to your child’s account for a la carte items. 

Nurse / Clinic

Meadow Point has a full-time nurse on staff.  The nurse is available to administer first aid, provide temporary care for ill children and dispense medication.  

• If your child has a fever of 100.4 degrees or greater, please keep them home.
• If a student becomes ill or injured at school, basic first aid will be given and the guardians will be notified. The responsibility for further care rests with the guardian or family physician. If the nurse is unable to reach you, the emergency contact numbers on file will be used. Please make sure this information is always current.
• Contact the school nurse if your child will require any medication at school on a regular basis, including asthma inhalers or Epi-pens.
• State laws govern the dispensing of medication at school. Most medication can be administered at home either before or after school. Prescription medication must be in the original container (stating the child’s name and dosage) accompanied by a doctor’s and guardian’s written permission. The doctor may fax the permission; it is the guardians’ responsibility to make these arrangements.
• All non-prescription/over the counter medication must be in the original container, accompanied by a guardian’s written permission and labeled with the child’s name.
• Students may not self-administer medication at school. All medication, including asthma inhalers, must be kept in the clinic and administered by the nurse.
• If your child contracts the flu, strep throat, chicken pox, or any other contagious disease, please inform the school nurse immediately.
• If your child cannot participate in PE class or outdoor recess due to health reasons, a doctor’s note is required, stating the reason and length of time.

Parent Involvement Opportunities

School Advisory Committee (SAC)

The SAC is comprised of guardian representatives who assist in defining Meadow Point’s goals and developing school improvement plans. This council is a branch of the overall school governance which reviews the school program and assists in making decisions which benefit children. The SAC meets quarterly. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please email the principal.

Meadow Point Guardian-Teacher Community Organization

The Meadow Point Educational PTCO is a local self-governing unit whose main purpose is to promote a positive school climate. The PTCO meets monthly. For more information about PTCO contact the main office at 720-886-8600.

PASS (Partnership for Academically Successful Students)

The purpose of this team is to work with family and community members to share resources, support one another and to improve the overall academic achievement of our students of color. We need guardian input and diverse perspectives to create an environment where our students achieve at their highest level and our school is culturally responsive to the needs of all. Please contact the principal at 720-886-8600 for more details.

Guardian Volunteers

Guardian volunteers are always needed in our school. Volunteers may work in the classroom with small groups of students or perform clerical tasks at school or home. Volunteers also help in the library, workroom or with special events such as field trips. Please contact our Guardian Liaison at 720-886-8655 to discuss which opportunity you would be interested in.

Parking Policy and Student Drop Off Area

To ensure the safety of our students, staff and visitors, please adhere to the following guidelines:

If leaving your car to walk with your child, ALWAYS park in a legal zone.

Student Drop Off Lane:  Guardians using this area must drop their child off along the curb.  This area is a single lane wide so that guardians can stop along the curb and then pull forward when exiting.

• Students should only exit the car on the passenger side
• Guardians using this area should always drive as far forward in the lane as possible before stopping to help with traffic flow and reduce street back up
• When dropping off and picking students up in this area, guardians SHOULD NOT double park NOR leave the car unattended
• At pick up students should, again, only enter the car on the passenger side from the curb
• There is to be NO PARKING in the drop off lane as it is an emergency vehicle access lane

Personal Property

Personal objects of value are to be brought to school only during special occasions when a teacher has given permission. Playground equipment is provided by the school. Toys and other items are not permitted at school. We cannot be responsible for any loss or damage to students’ personal property.

Recess

Students are expected to have some outside recess time each day unless the weather is severe. If it is 20 degrees or colder, students may be staying inside. Students should wear appropriate outdoor clothing for participation in outdoor recess.

School Day - Early Dismissal

In the event of inclement weather or other circumstances, school may be dismissed early. The school/district will send school wide communication to alert guardians/guardians about an early dismissal. Guardians must check the district website for current information if weather conditions suggest an early dismissal is possible.

School Entrances

To prevent any unauthorized persons from entering the building during school hours, all entrances are locked. Please do not knock on other entrance doors requesting entrance from teachers or students. Anyone entering the building is asked to use the main entrance and report to the school office before proceeding anywhere else in the school. All visitors must wear a “visitor badge.” Although we welcome guardians and community members to visit our school, we also want to ensure our students are safe at all times. Guardians waiting to meet their children at school dismissal time should wait outside near the designated doors in which students exit. Standing near classroom doors presents a distraction to our students’ learning environments.

Telephone Use

The school telephone may be used by children for emergencies and for schoolwork purposes only. Arrangements to go to a friend’s house after school should be made at home before coming to school. Phone calls to make play arrangements are not allowed. We would appreciate you limiting messages to your child through the office for emergency situations only. Student messages will only be delivered at the end of the day.

Thursday Folders

Every Thursday a folder is sent home with your child which contains schoolwork, classroom news, and news of school meetings and events.  

Thursday Emails

On most Thursdays (or other weekdays when more immediate communication is necessary) an email about current district and school events will go to our guardian email list. This list is generated from the information provided when registering or updating your contact information. Please ensure that we have a current email address and phone numbers. Email and phone calls are both a critical line of communication from the school to guardians.

Websites
The school and district websites provide valuable information about our school and district. Guardians are encouraged to visit both sites to learn more or find the answers to questions.  Please visit the Meadow Point Elementary website at MeadowPoint.CherryCreekSchools.org and the district site at CherryCreekSchools.org

Weather Delay / Closure Information

The District will report severe weather delays and school closures via:

• School and District websites CherryCreekSchools.org
• Parents will be notified via the Connect automated message system
• Posted on District social media Facebook and Instagram
• Local television and radio broadcasts

In the event of a school closure, you will receive a “Connect” automated message early that morning. Guardians are urged to make the necessary emergency plan with their children in the event school is cancelled for that day. At other times, the District may announce adjustments in the start and/or dismissal times of our school. 

If Meadow Point is on a delayed start, school will begin one hour later at 9:00 am (students may arrive at 8:50 am) and all before school activities will be cancelled. In an effort to keep our phone lines open during these situations, please visit the school or district website, check television or radio, check the district's Facebook and Instagram - please do not call the school.