Getting to School

Arrival and Dismissal

ARRIVAL

TEACHERS ARE NOT ON DUTY TO SUPERVISE CHILDREN BEFORE 7:15 A.M. except for breakfast supervisors.

The school cannot be responsible for students who arrive earlier than the time stated above.  School doors open at 7:00 am for breakfast participants only. Otherwise, the doors will open at 7:15. Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria from 7:00 am to 7:20 am. School starts at 7:30 am.  Families can walk their child to the classroom on the first 4 days of school (Tuesday August 20th through Friday August 23rd). 

TARDINESS

Children are expected to be punctual in arriving at their assigned areas.  They are expected to be in the assigned place and ready to work when the second bell rings at 7:30am.  Any student who is not in class at the appropriate time will report to the office for a tardy slip.   Students who arrive after 8:40 am are considered absent one-half day.

BREAKFAST IN THE CAFETERIA

To ensure that all students have access to a nutritious breakfast to start their day, fostering an environment conducive to learning and academic success. Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria from 7:00 am to 7:20 am. The cafeteria will not serve breakfast after 7:20 am. It is important that students arrive at school on time to eat breakfast. Breakfast service begins promptly at 7:00 am and ends at 7:20 am. Students are encouraged to arrive early to ensure they have adequate time to eat. Students must arrive at school on time to participate in the breakfast program. The cafeteria doors will close at 7:20 am, and no exceptions will be made. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring their children arrive on time. Teachers and staff will remind students of the breakfast schedule. A nutritious breakfast is vital for students' concentration and overall performance throughout the school day. The breakfast menu will be designed to provide balanced and healthy options.

DISMISSAL

Children are expected to remain at school until dismissal time, unless the parent or legal guardian obtains an official release of the student from the office. Parents/guardians are asked to please schedule appointments after the school day to avoid the need for a late arrival or early dismissal.  If it becomes necessary for students to be excused from school for a medical appointment or other unavoidable emergency, the parents/guardians come to the office and sign out the child.  Students will not be released to anyone not on a student information card unless the office receives written permission from the parent/guardian.  Early pick-up should not become a regular practice.  Valuable class instruction is missed and students do not get full educational benefits if they leave early.  Students leaving prior to 1:25 pm will be considered absent one-half day.   A photo ID is always required for any person picking up a student from school early & always has to be done in the main office.  Disney has a cut-off of 2:15 to pick up students early.  If a parent arrives after 2:15 for early pick-up, office staff will remind parent that they will need to wait until dismissal time as students & teachers are preparing to leave for the day & it’s not always easy to find students.

Attendance

If your child cannot come to school, you need to report the absence and the reason for the absence to the school attendance office before 9:00 a.m.  Please do this for every absence.  If you do not contact the school for an absence it will be considered an unexcused absence with no explanation.  Our automated system will call you to verify if you do not and will remind you to please call the absence in.   The phone number for the attendance clerk is (918)925-1483.  School attendance is a very important part of the student’s learning process. Parents are, by law, accountable for their child’s attendance. Students attending elementary schools should be in attendance a minimum of ninety percent (90%) of the instructional time scheduled for that school (or grade) and make satisfactory academic progress in order to be unconditionally recommended for promotion to the next grade. Students’ attendance records with less than 90% attendance of the scheduled instructional time may be recommended for retention. 

Attendance problems requiring action: Students who have ten consecutive unexplained absences will be withdrawn and will have to re-enroll.  After 5 unexplained consecutive absences your child will be logged as truant and you will receive a letter.  Excessive unexcused absences are grounds for interventions by school personnel and referral to the District Attorney’s/Department of Human Service office for non-compliance of State Laws regarding compulsory school attendance. Students with excessive absences may be retained.  

Following are reasons for excusing absences:

• Student illness, if a doctor’s note is provided to the school's attendance clerk
• Death in the immediate family
• Observance of a religious holiday

While attendance is important, sick children should not be sent to school. These guidelines may help parents to determine if your child is too sick to come to school:

• Fever of 100º F or above within the past 24 hours (students must be fever free with no medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school after a fever)
• Continuous or frequent cough, vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
• An unidentified rash
• Open, draining wounds. Minor abrasions should be kept covered with a clean dressing while at school
• Head lice
• Any communicable disease
• Specific instructions or advice of your physician

Attendance Incentive and Awards Programs are an effort to promote and reward regular attendance, each school will establish an incentive awards program. Some rewards for Disney students are:  

• Monthly rewards for perfect attendance including free dress passes, pencils &/or coupons for free food 
• Quarterly rewards for perfect attendance including free dress passes, pencils, certificates, ribbons, coupons for free food, or trophies
• Popcorn, ice cream & candy parties for classes with perfect attendance 

A direct relationship exists between attendance and academic progress. It is our hope that by working together we can maximize your child’s potential for a successful school year. See TPS Policy 2204 for more information on attendance. 

Chronic Absenteeism

Chronic absenteeism is defined by the Oklahoma State Department of Education as absences totaling 10% or more of the required days of attendance within a school year, equaling 16 days. Chronic absenteeism is in violation of the compulsory attendance law. The Attendance Committee will meet regularly to review individual student attendance. Parents and students will be notified of trends and/or absences that are excessive or chronic.