Family Handbook

The Family Handbook frames the basic expectations of and for the children and families enrolled in Katherine Delmar Burke School. It is a living document, revised annually and amended in response to community need. It is designed to help us create a climate in which we can continue to learn and grow together. The Handbook is designed to be a resource that families will use throughout their years at Burke's. It is augmented by other publications and communications throughout the school year. It is normally revised at the end of each school year, copies of the revised text distributed to school families as the next school year begins.

The policies and procedures described in the Family Handbook are written in the spirit of providing the most favorable climate for student growth and education and to create clarity in the partnership between Burke’s and its school parents that supports Burke’s students. Burke’s holds as essential that the partnership between parent and school is founded on mutual respect, good will, and productive dialogue.

The 2009-2010 Family Handbook is available for download as PDF documents by clicking the links below. Each document contains a number of Handbook sections. Contents are listed below:

2009-2010 Family Handbook - Part 1

I. General Information

• Attendance/Absence (Pp. 4-6)
  Overview/Absence & Lateness
  Excessive Tardiness/Unexcused Absence
  Parent’s/Guardian’s Absence From Home
  Missed Academic Work
• Daily Schedule (Pg. 6)
  Arrival/Pick-Up
  Early Dismissals/Pick-Up Schedules
  Access To Classrooms After Dismissal
• Drop-Off/Pick-Up Procedures (Pp. 19-21) Campus Use (Pp. 7-8)
  Bicycles, Scooters, Skateboards
  Cars On Campus
  Dogs On Campus
  Parking On Campus
  Visitors Sign-In/Out
• Food Service (Pg. 8)
• Lost And Found (Pg. 8)
• Playground: Volunteers (Pg. 8)
• Toys (Pg. 8)
• Umbrellas (Pg. 9)
• Uniform Code (Pg. 9 & Pg. 44)

2009-2010 Family Handbook - Part 2

II. Policies & Procedures

• Alpha Smarts, Writers, Recorders (Pg. 10)
• Cell Phones, Pagers, Electronics (Pg. 10)
• Class Sections (Pg. 10)
  Requesting A Teacher
• Communication (Pp. 10-12)
  E-Mail
  Parent/Guardian Letters & Flyers
  Telephone Messages: Faculty & Students
  Tuesday Notes/Website
• Conditions Of Enrollment (Pp. 13-15)
  Overview: Family Support
  Student Conduct
  Bullying/Unkindness
• Conditional Use Permit & Neighborhood Agreement (Pg. 15)
• Internet Access/Responsible Use (Pp. 15-17)
• Parties & Holiday Celebrations (Pp. 17-18)
• Student Fundraising (Pg. 18)
• Student Travel: Traffic Compliance Agreement (Pp. 18-22)
  Drop-Off, Pick-Up, Dismissals

III. Academic & Special Programs

• After-School And Other Programs (Pg. 23)
  After-School Enrichment (ASEP)
  Extended Care/US Study Hall
  Summer Camp
• [Foreign Languages/Study Skills (Pg.37)]
• Graduation Requirements (Pg. 24)
• High School Admissions (Pg. 24)
• Homework (Pp. 24-25)
• Library Guidelines (Pp. 25-26)
• Outdoor Education Trips (Pg. 26)
• Parent/Guardian Conferences (Pp. 26-27)
• Progress Reports (Pg. 27)
• Standardized Testing (Pg. 28)
• [US After School Sports Program (Pp. 45-49)]

IV. Health And Safety

• AIDS (Pg. 29)
• Child Abuse (Pg. 29)
• Emergency Preparedness (Pp. 29-30 & Pg. 35)
• Field Trips: Procedures (Pp. 31-32)
• Infectious/Contagious Conditions (Pg. 32)
• Lice (Pp. 32-33)
• Medical & Emergency Information (Pg. 34)
• Medication & Devices For Students (Pg. 34)
• Sexual Harassment (Pg. 34)

2009-2010 Family Handbook - Part 3

Appendix

• Emergency Preparedness Plan (Pg. 35)
• Facilities: Guidelines/Events Set-Up (Pg. 36)
• Foreign Languages/Study Skills (Pg. 37)
• Learning Services (Pp. 38-39)
• Parents’ Association (Pp. 40-41)
  Description And Calendar
  Officers, Committee Chairs, Room Parents
• PA Enrichment Funds (Pg. 42)
• Parent & Guardian/School Communication & Problem Solving (Pp. 43)
• Uniform Code (Pp. 44)
• Upper School After School Sports Program (Pp. 45-49)

Index

• Alphabetical Listing By Topic (Pg. 50)