School Handbook
Welcome to Price-Harris Communication Magnet Elementary School!
In the section below, we've provided all the information you need to know for you and your student to thrive as part of the Price-Harris Magnet Elementary family.
Getting Ready for School
- Attendance Expectations
- Dress Code
- Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
- Health Services and Medications
- ParentVUE - Communication from School
- Transportation
Attendance Expectations
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.
Dress Code
We desire to have a learning environment that is free from distractions.
Parents/guardians are expected to use good judgment in sending students to school properly dressed and groomed. During the winter, students are expected to dress warmly as outside recesses are held if weather permits so plan on children going outside for recess every day.
The following are the specific dress code expectations that our students will follow while they attend Price-Harris Magnet School:
- Pants and shorts must fit and not be baggy, sagging, or worn skintight. Undergarments worn but should not be visible.
- No spaghetti straps, midriff, tank tops or halter tops are allowed at any age.
- Skirts and dresses must be long enough to extend past the fingertips when arms are resting naturally at the sides.
- Hats, ball caps, distracting headbands, bandanas, and other similar types of head gear are not allowed. The exception is when hats may be worn on identified hat Spirit Days, outdoor field trips, and field day. If they become a distraction at all they will lose privileges to wear them in the future.
- Costumes are not allowed unless there is a specified Spirit Day or event. Those exceptions will be communicated with parents ahead of time.
- Head coverings due to religious and medical purposes are acceptable, as are appropriate headbands/scarves for hair that are not large, flashy, or disruptive to learning.
- Clothing is not allowed if it is deemed offensive or inappropriate. Teachers can address any clothing item that is excessively disruptive to the learning environment.
- Students should wear appropriate footwear for school, including tennis shoes every day with special consideration on days he/she has PE. No flip flops, or house shoes (shoes without solid soles) are allowed. Heels are not appropriate for school unless it is a special occasion. Students who wear heels should bring extra shoes for recess and P.E. If your student wears crocs, they must be worn with the strap on the back of their foot.
Students will be asked to correct any dress violations if possible or be loaned an appropriate piece of clothing (if available; or may call home for a replacement) when wearing clothing that is inappropriate. Repeated offenses will result in communication between the principal, student and/or parent.
Student Dress Violations
In an effort to promote self-respect the following measures will be taken in order to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment:
- All teachers will request student compliance with the dress expectations in classrooms and hallways.
- Teachers will allow students to correct the situation before proceeding with any further corrective measures.
- Failure to comply with teacher requests may result in disciplinary action due to non-compliance.
Student Options:
- Change or correct the item violating the dress code.
- Call parent for assistance.
Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
Arrival
As you can imagine, getting over 400 students to class safely takes some organization and cooperation.
To help promote a safe, orderly environment in the morning, students should enter through the following doors during the following times:
- Morning Latchkey - Door 12 (South by Parking Lot) - 6:45-8:30 a.m.
- Breakfast - Enter by grade level doors and proceed to cafeteria - 8:50-9 a.m.
- Bus riders - Door 7 (Cafeteria) - 8:45-9 a.m.
- Pre-K - Door 12 (South by Parking Lot) - 8:50-9 a.m.
- Kindergarten and 1st graders - Door 4 (North B Hall) - 8:50-9 a.m.
- 2nd & 3rd graders - Door 3 (West facing Armour) - 8:50-9 a.m.
- 4th & 5th graders - Door 2 (West facing Armour) - 8:50-9 a.m.
- Tardy students and visitors - Door 1 (Main entrance) - After 9 a.m.
Dismissal
- Latchkey (KG-2nd) - Room B10 - 4:10 p.m.
- Latchkey (3rd-5th) - Room A33 - 4:10 p.m.
- Bus riders - Cafeteria - 4:10 p.m.
- Pre-K - Door 12 - 4:05 p.m.
- Kindergarten and 1st graders - Door 4 - 4:10 p.m.
- 2nd and 3rd graders - Door 3 - 4:10 p.m.
- 4th and 5th graders - Door 2 - 4:10 p.m.
Health Services and Medications
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
ParentVUE - Communication from School
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.
Transportation
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.
During the School Day
Behavior Expectations
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.
Bullying
We take bullying very seriously.
Bullying is defined as 1) purposeful behavior that intends to cause harm or distress, 2) is usually repeated over time, and 3) occurs in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power.
Forms of bullying are: 1) Physical, 2) Cyber, and 3) occurs in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power.
Witnesses of bullying are to tell the bully to stop, tell and adult, and reach out in friendship to the victim.
If your child is experiencing bullying at school, please contact your child's teacher or school administration and let them know about it right away.
It is important to remember that we cannot act in situations that we know nothing about.
Families and students are also encouraged to use the SPEAK Up Anonymous Tip Program.
The district’s Crime Stoppers in Schools program has created the Speak Up program, which allows students, staff and parents the ability to send anonymous tips through a secure website, app or phone number.
The funding for this service is provided by Crime Stoppers of Wichita and Sedgwick County, a division of The Wichita Metro Crime Commission.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is words or behaviors that are sexual in nature and are unwanted and unwelcome.
Sexual harassment could be touching or grabbing body parts, touching or rubbing onself in front of another, sending or delivering unwanted and unwelcome messages, notes or pictures with sexual content, sexual gestures, looks, jokes, comments or noises.
Sexual harassment is not tolerated in Wichita Public Schools.
All complaints of sexual harassment will be investigated completely and when the complaint is made.
All efforts will be made to provide confidentiality, to the extent possible, for all people involved.
Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
False complaints will also result in disciplinary action.
Cell Phone Policy
School Meals
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
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 introduce 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 registration process prior to the field trip.
Lost and Found
The lost and found clothing rack can be found in the cafeteria.
If you find clothing items or backpacks, you may leave them at the lost and found.
If you find higher value or small-sized items of value, please turn them into one of the office staff.
If you discover that you lost an item during the school day, please check both of these places before reporting it.
Note: Price-Harris is not responsible for lost or misplaced personal items. Please remember to secure your valuable belongings with your homeroom teacher.
Recess
Price-Harris playground is north of the school, and includes the playground equipment, basketball courts, and the fields surrounding the school.
Students should not be in the building during outdoor recess unless given permission by an adult.
Students should expect to go outside for recess everyday unless inclement weather or extreme temperatures prevents it; and should dress accordingly.
For safety reasons and the number of students participating at recess, students must comply with recess supervisors’ requests and instructions promptly and without argument.
Failure to follow the recess expectations may result in loss of recess privileges.
The following table displays the lunch/recess times as well as areas of the playground available to students by age group.
Grade Level | Lunch Time | Recess Time |
Kindergarten | 11:10-11:30 a.m. | 11:30-11:50 a.m. |
1st Grade | 11:30-11:50 a.m. | 11:10-11:30 a.m. |
2nd Grade | 12:00-12:20 p.m. | 12:20-12:40 p.m. |
3rd Grade | 12:00-12:20 p.m. | 12:20-12:40 p.m. |
4th Grade | 12:20-12:40 p.m. | 12:00-12:20 p.m. |
5th Grade | 12:20-12:40 p.m. | 12:00-12:20 p.m. |
Classroom Recess
In the event of inside recess, students will play games in classrooms and recess personnel will rotate between rooms to monitor students.
Second Recess
According to district expectations, elementary students have a 15 minute recess built into the daily schedule in addition to the lunchtime recess.
Classroom teachers are expected to supervise this recess and provide active exercise opportunities during this time, even when indoor recess is applicable.
Weather Information
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' main webpage and displayed on all school websites.
Family Engagement
- Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Progress Reports
- Visiting and Volunteering
- Classroom Celebrations
- Parent Involvement and PTO
Parent-Teacher Conferences
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.
Progress Reports
Progress reports are provided to parents every quarter. Reviewing these reports is an essential component of parent involvement in their child's education.
Please look for these reports and discuss them with your student.
You may also log on to ParentVue for an ongoing list of grades provided by the teacher.
If you have any concerns about these reports, contact your student's teacher.
Visiting and Volunteering
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.
Classroom Celebrations
Student birthday celebrations involving food or snacks at school will be at the discretion and guidance of the classroom teacher.
The classroom teacher will communicate to parents any guidance and expectations for the way in which birthday celebrations are done in their class.
Parents who want to bring treats for their child’s birthday at school will follow the teacher guidelines and need to let teachers know at least a day ahead of time so teachers can plan accordingly.
To help with the school district’s Wellness Policy P7500 – healthy treats are encouraged.
Clear drinks snacks without frosting are also encouraged to help reduce carpet staining.
Students are not allowed to pass out birthday party invitations at school unless the entire class is invited to attend the party.
Parent Involvement and PTO
Research shows that parents who are involved in the school and their child’s education lead to students performing with:
- Higher grades, test scores and graduation rates
- Better school attendance
- Increased motivation, better self-esteem
- Lower rates of suspension
- Decreased use of drugs and alcohol
- Fewer instances of violent behavior
The Price-Harris Parent Teacher Organization consists of all members of the Price-Harris community having interest in the school and its activities.
The PTO initiates and sponsors a wide variety of programs and events for the benefit of the students and school.
Profits from fundraising projects are returned to the school for the benefit of all the students.
In addition, the PTO publishes a student directory, organizes/communicates events with other parents, and provides every student with a T-shirt and yearbook annually.
You can follow their public page on Facebook (Price-Harris PTO) and join their private group (Price-Harris PTO and Families group).
Knowing that parent involvement is crucial to a student’s success, we ask that every MAGNET and NEIGHBORHOOD family join the school’s PTO.
When parents volunteer for the school, they must still report to the office first and check in through Hall Pass.
There are a variety of ways to offer your services, including but not limited to:
- Assisting with PTO and school events such as: Monster Mash, BINGO Night, Field Day, Career Day, field trips, book fair, etc.
- Sign-up through Dillons to donate to Price-Harris
- Attending Site Council, PTO meetings, and Spirit Nights at local restaurants and businesses
- Supporting the Fall Fundraiser by collecting donations
- Volunteering as a Room Parent, or to help with tasks like distributing T-shirts, providing dinner for staff on conference days or food for events, and making flyers
- Providing other services such as: helping with clubs, organizing an event, donating items for Silent Auction, or sharing your special talent to help with the betterment of the school or events.
There will be an opportunity during enrollment to sign-up to volunteer for PTO committees and events.
Other ways you can help your child at PRICE-HARRIS
- Know, understand and commit to support the PRICE-HARRIS expectations
- Commit to participating in events and Parent/Teacher/Student conferences
- Support the PRICE-HARRIS policies as written in the Parent Handbook (behavior and academic)
- Check agendas daily and keep lines of communication open between student, parent and teacher
- Monitor students grades and assignments through the ParentVue account
- Help your student get to school every day and on time
- Talk to your student about their assignments and encourage them to get all work in by the deadline