ATTENDANCE  

If your child is ill, or for any other reason will be not attending school for the day, please let the school know as soon as possible. It is very important that your child be in attendance every possible date. Absences create major obstacles for teachers and inhibits academic growth for both those absent and those who have to have learning delayed because of make-up instruction being given. Parents are expected to plan family vacations during the school vacation time. Please do not use children for baby-sitting during the school day or schedule student health appointments during school time.

DAILY SCHEDULE  

THE FIRST BELL RINGS 5 MINUTES BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS. Your child should be at school before the first bell. Children are not to be at school more than 30 minutes prior to the start of the school unless they are participating in a school activity. All students are dismissed 30 minutes early on Friday. Minimal supervision is provided for approximately 1/2 hour before after school.

PARENTS ARE TO PICK UP THEIR STUDENTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER SCHOOL.

STUDENT CHECKOUT  

For their protection, students are not allowed to leave campus without being released through the office. Parents must sign students out of the office if children must leave during the day.

P.E. EXCUSED ACTIVITIES  

If your child's P.E. activities need to be restricted for more than a week, we will need a doctor's statement. For less than a week, a note from you will do.

SCHOOL VISITS  

We encourage parents to come to school frequently to visit their child's classroom and be actively involved by volunteering. For reasons of safety and to help us keep track of campus visitors, we ask parents to report to the office before going to a child's class. This is especially important if you plan to observe your child's class for any length of time.

During these observations small children need to be left at home since young children may distract students. We also ask parents to avoid conversations with the teachers during such visits, so the teacher may conduct class as usual. Siblings or non-Franklin students are not permitted to attend class with Franklin students.

PHONE CALLS TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL  

If you find it necessary to talk with your child's teacher during the day, please call before or after school. Teachers cannot leave their classrooms unattended, so it is extremely difficult for them to come to the phone during class time.

REGISTRATION  

To register your youngster in a Mesa school for the first time, you will need a certified copy of the student's birth certificate or other reliable evidence of identity and age, such as a baptismal certificate.

For the 2000-2001 school year, children should be 5 years old before September 1 before enrolling in kindergarten. To enter first grade, a child should be 6 years old before that date.

The school maintains health records on each child. An immunization record must be completed and in our files before a child may attend school

HEALTH SERVICES  

Through health services, in addition to medical care, students receive instruction in nutrition, cleanliness, dental care and basic safety and health rules. If at any time your family is faced with an unusual health situation which could affect your child's performance in school, please notify the school nurse.

Parents must complete an Emergency Medical Referral Card for each of their children. Tell us how to contact you or another responsible, agreeable adult if your child's becomes ill or is injured at school. List health problems, including allergies to foods, medicine and insect bites. Please let us know if your address, home phone, business phone, or emergency number changes during the school year.

Like you, we want to do what is best for your child. If we cannot reach you in emergency, we will call paramedics who may decide an ambulance should be called. The cost of this service is the parent's responsibility.

School personnel are often asked to administer medication to students. When it necessary for the student to take medication during school hours, school personnel may cooperate if the following conditions are met:

• Whether a prescription drug or an over -the-counter drug, the medication must come in its original container. The pharmaceutical label must be on the container of any prescription drug.
• The parent must provide written direction to the school that the medication be administered.
• For students on campus, medication shall be kept in the the health office. Where necessary, students may carry asthma inhalers if written permission is provided by a medical doctor and a parent.

Generally, health-services staff administers any necessary medication with the exceptions made for such things as field trips or community-based education.

INSURANCE  

The district does not carry insurance for the students' medical or dental cost if they are injured during school activities. Parents are responsible for their child's insurance. An optional school-day or 24-hour accident policy is available at school through a private agency for a nominal cost. Information on the policy goes home with each child in the fall. Parents may pick up additional forms and purchase the insurance anytime throughout the school year.

BICYCLES  

A parking rack is available for students who ride bicycles to school. To prevent bicycles thefts, parents should make sure that children have and use bicycle locks. For the children's safety, we recommend that students in second grade and under not bicycles to school. In past years, the more serious bicycle accidents involving Mesa Unified School District students generally involved younger students. Students are not permitted to ride bicycles on the school campus. We also encourage children to wear helmets as a standard safety precaution.

STUDENTS BIRTHDAYS  

Students birthdays are recognized, however, no other treats or birthday recognition's are permitted. Please be sensitive to the feelings of other children on campus and do not pass out party invitations on campus. Balloons, flowers, etc. are not permitted to be delivered to students at school. Such practices are very disruptive to the instructional process and foster disappointment and resentment. The school recognizes the fact that families care deeply for their children, and we encourage you to show that care in appropriate manner by celebrating your child's birthday away from school.

LOST AND FOUND  

Please put your child's name on clothing and all other personal belongings brought to school. Lost items are stored at school until their owners claim them. Please check with us if your youngster loses something at school. Periodically, when the "lost and found" becomes too full, we donate everything to a charitable group.

GIFTS FOR TEACHERS  

By Mesa Public Schools district policy, teachers are not permitted to accept gifts, gratuities, etc. It is recommended that students and parents express their feelings of appreciation for teachers through thoughtful notes or handmade cards. Parents are encouraged to share feelings of appreciation for teachers to the Franklin Parent Council, the principals, and the Mesa Public Schools district officials.

DAMAGE OR LOSS OF SCHOOL PROPERTY  

If a student damages or losses school property, parents will be billed for replacement or restoration costs. The school expects parents to teach their children personal responsibility by insisting on respect for public property.