The ABO School District is further dedicated in determining the needs of special service students including the challenged learners, as well as the accelerated students and will strive to offer educational programs that meet the needs of those qualified students.

Should any concerns or problems arise, the school asks that parents follow a chain-of-command process to resolve matters. This procedure works most efficiently when items are discussed first with the classroom teacher and then the administration, if necessary.

Agar-Blunt-Onida Schools, families, communities working together, educating individuals and inspiring life-long learning.

Kevin Pickner Superintendent/Elementary Principal

Dolly Christenson Secretary

Angie Hill Kindergarten

Stacey Widboom First & Second

Sondra Russell Third & Fourth

Randy Pool Fifth & Sixth

Mandy Lodmel Special Services

Tara Watson Title I

Jeanne McComsey Aide

Carol Crain Sped Aide

Gary Anderson Custodian

Colette Kemink Secretary

Angie Hill Kindergarten

Marquette Brink First

Tracy Wientjes Second

Linda Bollweg Third

Lisa Handcock Fourth

Tom Moore Fifth

Lynn Senftner Sixth & Vocal Music

Tawana Grueb Title I

Tara Watson Title I

Patti Jordre Special Services

Marlene Bechard Sped Aide

Wanda Meyer Art

Mark Senftner Physical Education

Sara Weischedel 6^th Band - Onida

Jackie Aspelin Librarian

Ashley Seeklander Counselor

Bridget Ambur Speech Services

Reading/Language Scott Foresman Reading Scott Foresman

c2000 Grades K – 6

Math Scott Foresman Math Scott Foresman

c2008 Grades PreK-6

Science Scott Foresman Scott Foresman

c2006 Grades K-6

Social Studies Harcourt Brace Soc. Studies Harcourt Brace

c2002 Grades K - 6

Student use: Moderate depreciation of textbooks can be expected each year, but excessive damage, defacing or lost books will result in fines or replacement costs.

Family $175.00

Grades 1 - 6 $ 25.00

Grades 7 - 12 $ 40.00

Adult Season Ticket $ 70.00

Varsity Events Students $3.00

Adults $5.00

GRADES 1- 6

Student Single Meal $ 1.90

20 Meal Ticket $38.00

GRADES 7-12

Student Single Meal $ 2.25

20 Meal Ticket $45.00

ADULTS

Adult Single Ticket $ 3.00

20 Meal Ticket $60.00

Student Milk Ticket (grades 1 - 6) $14.00 / Semester

Extra Milk at Lunch $.25

Applications for free and reduced lunches are available from the Business Manager’s office in Onida or from the Principal’s office in Blunt. This process is confidential and eligible families are strongly encouraged to make application.

Grades 1-2 will begin classes at 8:30 a.m. and will be dismissed at 3:20 p.m.

Grades 3-6 will begin classes at 8:30 a.m. and will be dismissed at 3:25 p.m.

Students should make every attempt not to arrive at school before 8:15 AM.

Students are not permitted in the building before 8:25 a.m. Exceptions to the rule may be granted by the classroom teacher or principal during inclement weather or special circumstances that have been pre-arranged by staff.

At the Blunt Center, ‘rural’ students will be allowed in the library until 8:00 AM, if riding with older brothers or sisters who ride the route bus to Onida.

Morning Kindergarten begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 11:15 a.m.

Afternoon Kindergarten begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m.

If there is a late start due to weather, one hour late Kindergarten will be in session and two hours late A.M. Kindergarten will not be in session.

However, P.M. Kindergarten will be held as usual.

Parents are requested not to send students to school before 8:15 a.m.

Students are to go home when school is dismissed. There is no supervision outside on the playgrounds after school is dismissed.

Students must remain at school unless they receive permission from the principal to leave or written permission from their parents/guardians. During lunch hour students are to remain at school unless they go home for lunch. Parents/guardians must send a signed note if their child is to eat at home. If a child eats at home every day, one note is sufficient for the entire year.

Except for illness there are few acceptable reasons for missing school. If a student becomes ill during school hours, he/she will not be excused from school unless a parent/guardian is notified. If a parent/guardian feels that it is necessary for a child to be absent for a reason other than illness, arrangements should be made with the teacher in advance and notification given to the office. The pupil must assume the responsibility for making up all work missed during the absences. If a student knows he/she will be absent beforehand, his/her work should be made up in advance. If a child is absent and the school does not receive notification before 8:30 a.m., the school will be contacting home or parental work place by telephone.

Students may either present a written excuse signed by the parent/guardian at his/her first appearance following an absence or the parents may call the school to inform us of the absences.

Students will have double the amount of time missed to make up their work for excused absences. Example: one day missed, two days to make it up. If all work is not completed in the time allowed, no credit will be given.

Report cards will be issued every nine weeks as well as at quarterly mid-terms. Parent-teacher conferences will be held twice, once in the fall and once in the spring. Both parents/guardians are strongly urged to attend these conferences. This is an excellent opportunity for the school and home to work closely together in a unified effort. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of the district ‘parent portal’ technology resource, which provides secure student information concerning their own children along with calendar and daily announcements.

All students in the elementary school will be promoted upon satisfactory completion of the required school years work and maintaining a passing grade in all of the ‘core’ curricular subjects (math, reading, science, & social studies).

Before any student is retained, a conference will be held involving the student’s parents, teacher(s), and principal. The merits of retention or promotion shall be discussed and a decision will be made as to what action would most benefit the student.

Communicable diseases are easily transmitted in schools. This has been a cause for concern for parents/guardians, teachers, and administrators. The control of these diseases require close collaboration of parents/guardians, school personnel and health care professionals.

AIDS/HIV Infection: person should not be excluded, unless he or she poses a threat to others for transmission of the virus.

Chicken Pox: exclude until pox are dry and scabbed

E. coli 0157:H7: person may attend school with physician’s permission

Fifth’s Disease: person my attend school with physicians permission

Giardia: person should not be excluded if he or she can practice independent hygiene and is not longer symptomatic

Hepatitis A: exclude for one week after onset of jaundice or for those who do not develop jaundice exclude for one week after onset of symptoms

Hepatitis B: do not need to be excluded (Utilize Universal Precautions)

Hepatitis C: do not need to be excluded (Utilize Universal Precautions)

Herpes Simplex: do not need to be excluded (Utilize Universal Precautions)

Impetigo: exclude until affected area is dry and being treated

Measles: may return to school 7 days after being diagnosed with measles

Mononucleosis: may attend school as directed by physician

Mumps: exclude until swelling has disappeared

Head lice: exclude until morning after first treatment, school personnel or designated health care provider may inspect students upon returning to school

Pink-eye: exclude until under treatment and eye has cleared or with a physician’s written permission

Ring Worm: do not exclude, but area must be covered and under treatment

Rubella: exclude until 4 days after onset

Salmonella and Shigella: exclude until diarrhea subsides, use good hand washing upon return to school

Scabies: exclude until after treatment has been initiated

Streptococcal Infections: exclude until 24 hours after first treatment has been initiated

Tuberculosis Infections: must provide proof of a medical evaluation which rules out infections TB. May attend school pending medical evaluation unless symptomatic for active TB disease.

Tuberculosis Disease: exclude until physician and Department of Health determine person is not infectious

South Dakota State Law (SDCL 13-28-7.1) requires immunization for each student entering school in grades K-12. In compliance with the law, students will be excluded from attending if they do not meet minimum requirements or if they are not in the process of being immunized. Contact the school or your family doctor about immunization requirements. South Dakota State Laws require a certified birth certificate for all students new to the district. This includes Pre-school, Kindergarten, and new students who have transferred into this district.

Students/parents/guardians are not allowed to bring pets/animals to the school due to the danger of transmitting communicable diseases such as rabies. These diseases may affect school aged children or school staff and could be life threatening in nature.

Each student is required to attend physical education class unless they have a written excuse from a doctor (long-term) or the parents/guardians (short-term). Students in grades K-6 are required to have soft soled, non marking shoes and any other attire deemed necessary by the instructor.

Fighting, abusive behavior and harassment will not be tolerated during school hours or at school sponsored activities. Discipline due to this behavior will be at the discretion of the building principal. Gum, candy and pop products will not be allowed in the school during regular hours, except under special circumstances with permission by the classroom teacher or principal.

Bullying is not acceptable on school grounds or at any school related activity. It is the expectation of the District that teachers, other employees or students observing this activity will intervene or promptly bring the behavior to the attention of a teacher, administrator or other adult. Failure to report or to cooperate in an investigation of bullying may be considered an act of bullying.

Schools should be an example of what is required regarding the observance and respect for law in society at large. Schools also must be highly conscious of the health, safety, and welfare of students, staff, and the public.

A dangerous weapon is defined as any firearm, or air gun, knife, or device, instrument, material or substance, whether animate or inanimate, which is

calculated or designed to inflict death or serious bodily harm. No firearms are permitted on any school premises, school vehicle or any vehicle used for school purposes, in any school building or other building or premises used for school functions.

An exception would be weapons under the control of law enforcement personnel, starting guns while in use at athletic events, firearms or air guns at fire ranges, gun shows, and authorized supervised school training sessions for the use of firearms.

Any student bringing a firearm to school shall be expelled for not less than twelve (12) months and will be referred to law enforcement authorities. The superintendent shall have the authority to recommend to the school board that this expulsion requirement be modified on a case-by-case basis. This policy shall be implemented in a manner consistent with IDEA and Section 504. For the purpose of this portion of this policy, the term "firearm" includes any weapon which is designed to expel a projectile by action of an explosive, the frame or receiver of any such weapon, a muffler or silencer for a weapon, or any explosive, including any poison gas.

According to South Dakota law SDCL 22-14A-24 through 22-14A-27, enacted by the 2002 legislature, the communication of a terrorist threat or hoax is a criminal offense and can carry felony penalties.

This is of special importance to the educational arena because the new law redefines terrorist threats. Actions that were previously considered pranks or vandalism may now rise to criminal activity in some circumstances. These activities can be verbal, written or physical in nature and people who engage in such actions could face serious criminal penalties or repercussions.

School dress should be neat, clean, and appropriate for both boys and girls. Parents/guardians should be instrumental in assisting students to make wise selections of clothing for school wear. Dress and appearance that cause a disruption of the educational process or present health and safety problems shall not be permitted. Make certain students dress according to the weather conditions for that day. Snow boots are a requirement for the winter season. If your child (K-6) does not wear snow boots when deemed necessary, they must remain on the sidewalk. Shorts are only allowed in August, September, and May. Short shorts, tank tops or spaghetti straps will not be allowed. Sandals are not allowed to be worn at recess. Clothing that contains inappropriate language or graphics are not allowed, therefore, students will be required to call home for new clothing if they are wearing such items. No caps or hats will be allowed to be worn in the building.

Each year a number of items are turned into the lost and found. We urge parents to mark all pieces of clothing with the child’s name. Indelible ink on tape, securely sewn on, is one of the best methods. Lost articles may be picked up from the custodians. Remind students to report any lost articles promptly to their teacher.

Children are discouraged from bringing large amounts of money or valuables to school. The practice of leaving such things in or on a desk, locker, or in the halls is tempting fate. The school will not be responsible for these matters.

Please notify the school, well in advance, if you’re planning to leave the community. Identify the school which the student will be attending so school records can be transferred to that school immediately. Parents/guardians are urged to stop at the Elementary Principal’s office to sign a release form which gives the school permission to transfer all school records.

Please notify the schools, if there is a change in telephone numbers or addresses during the year so the school is able to keep our registration cards correct and up to date.

Special reading and math instruction will be available for qualified elementary students who are experiencing identified difficulties in these curriculum areas. Instruction received in the Title I Program is over and above the regular instruction in the classroom.

Teachers and students WILL NOT be called from class to answer the telephone except in cases of emergency. The office telephones should not be used by students except in cases of emergency. After school activities should be planned ahead of time.

Calls can be made with permission and only if there is an urgent need for the student to contact a parent.

Bicycles will be parked in the bike rack and are not to be ridden during school hours. Students are not allowed to borrow another person’s bike to go home during lunch.

Please send a note of permission to the Principal’s office to administer aspirin or any other medication. The parent/guardian must send any medication with instructions for administering to the office where it will be labeled and kept for the student. All medication will be kept in a locked file within the office. Teachers are not allowed to administer medications. Prescription medications need to be in a prescription labeled bottle.

In the event a student becomes ill or is injured at school, he or she is asked to report to the Elementary office. The office will make every effort to contact the parents or guardians prior to releasing the student. The parent, guardian or designee must then pick up their child. In the event the parents or guardians cannot be reached, an emergency or relative’s phone number should be provided and on file in the school office.

Supervision of the playground begins with the morning recess (8:15) and ends at dismissal time (3:25). Students should not bring hard balls, play guns, water pistols, roller blades, heelie shoes, skateboards, or any kind of pocket knives to school for obvious reasons. All tackling games, or any games involving hard body contact cannot be permitted on the playground. Snowballing on the way to or from school or around the buildings is dangerous and is not allowed.

Recess is a chance for students to have a break from class work and enjoy some fresh air and exercise. Therefore, ALL students are expected to go outside during recess.