Parent/Student Handbook

Storm delay and storm closures:

Go to: www.cherrycreekschools.org, to find out if Woodland is closed or on a delayed start.

When our school is on a storm delay:

• Woodland will start at 9:00 am and dismiss at 2:45 pm.(1:45 on Wednesdays) Do not bring your child until after 8:45 am.

• On storm delay days, ALL before school activities, field trips, and special school events will be canceled. 
• Before School Day Care  will be open at 6:30 am for students signed up for the program. 

 When school is closed:

• Before and After School Day Care programs at the closed schools will be canceled and closed.
• All activities scheduled in district facilities are canceled.
• If schools are closed due to severe weather, the District may extend the school year to make up for the missed days.  

Information is also available on our district website at www.cherrycreekschools.org.

Emergency Procedures:  Woodland will have multiple evacuation, lockdown and shelter in place drills.  In the event of a weather emergency during the school day, please remember that our concern is the safety of the children.  Children may be held after school if the weather is threatening.  

In the case of an actual emergency in the area the district may place Woodland on a Lockdown or Secure Perimeter. A Lockdown means there is no access in or out of the building until the district has cleared the building. A Secure Perimeter is when the children are brought in the building and there is access only through the main doors.

Please take a few minutes with your child and develop an emergency plan of your own.

Absences/Attendance/Tardiness

Daily attendance is one of the most important components of success in school.  Even if assignments are made up at a later date, a child who has been absent or tardy has missed the interaction and instruction that occurs in the classroom.  Students should only be absent from school in case of illness, unusual family difficulty, religious observances, or emergencies.  

When your child must be absent, please call the attendance line (720-886-1495) and leave your name, the student’s name, grade and teacher and the reason for absence. If we do not receive a phone call by 8:30 am here is the timeline for our process:

• 8:10-Attendance completed by teacher.
• 8:30-Powerschool pulls data and sends information to the auto attendance messaging system. 
• 8:45-Automated calls go out to contacts of the absent students. This process of pulling attendance data from Powerschool and sending it to the automated phone system should take around 15 minutes. This will take place from 8:30 – 8:45. 
• 8:45-Parents calling school to excuse their child’s absence
• 9:00-Office begins to call all emergency contact numbers 

Please ensure your child(ren) arrives at school on time. Any student arriving at school after 8:00 am will be considered tardy.  In conjunction with School Board Policy JHB, tardiness is defined as the appearance of a student without proper excuse after the scheduled time that class begins.  Because of the disruptive nature of tardiness and the detrimental effect upon the rights of the non-tardy student to uninterrupted learning, appropriate penalties may be imposed for excessive tardiness. More than ten tardies in any given year is considered excessive.  

***The Cherry Creek School District Attendance policy has been updated. All excessive absences and tardy communications will be sent directly from the district not from specific school sites. This communication will be coming from an automated system. See School Board Policy JH here. 

After School Pick Up

School ends at 2:45 pm. (1:45 pm on Wednesday)  Please designate an OUTSIDE meeting location.  After 2:50 pm (1:50 on Wednesday) all unsupervised children will be sent to the office, and parents will be notified.

Before and After School Program 

Woodland offers a childcare program before school, from 6:30 to 8:00 am, and after school from 2:45 to 6:00 pm. During early dismissal on Wednesday’s, Woodland offers care from 1:45 to 6:00 pm. Additionally, care is offered on most days with no school from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm. Please see the Extended Child Services link below for more information and rates.

Extended Child Services / Extended Child Services (cherrycreekschools.org)

Bicycles, Scooters, and Skateboards

Students are welcome to ride bicycles, scooters, and skateboards to school. Bicycles, scooters, and skateboards may not be ridden on school grounds. Students should dismount before crossing the street to arrive at school.  Bikes should be locked in the bike rack in front of the school. Scooters and skateboards can be stored inside the school.

Birthdays

• Birthdays are announced on the morning announcements.
• Birthday treats are allowed K-5 because birthdays are special, FUN, and exciting for kids! 
• Treats should be store bought-NO HOMEMADE because of allergies.
• Treats should be individual such as cupcakes, donuts, fruit kabobs, trail mix, pretzels, etc. NO sheet cakes.
• Ingredients should be listed on the package of treats. 
• No goodie bags. 
• No parties for individual students.
• Teachers will distribute treats at a time of their discretion. 

Cafeteria

Breakfast and lunch are free for all students.

Breakfast is served between 7:35 am and 8:00 am.  

Four lunch choices are offered daily ranging from a hot meal to yogurt.  A la carte items are available for those who wish.  You can pay online in the parent portal for a la carte purchases.   You will be notified when they have used their last a la carte credit. 

More information please click on the link below:

Food and Nutrition / Menus - Special Diet Information

If you are in need of free and reduced meal assistance, please fill out the application online.

Food and Nutrition / Free & Reduced Meals (cherrycreekschools.org)

Parents are welcome to join their children for lunch any time! When you arrive, sign in at the main office, wear a visitor’s badge and meet your child at the cafeteria. 

Cell Phones/Smart Watches 

Students are discouraged from bringing cellphones to school.  If a student brings a cell phone to school, it must be kept off from 8:00 am – 2:45 pm.  Students should leave their cell phone in their backpack during school hours. Smart watches are to be used for time only during the school day. If either the cell phone or the smart watch are being misused, the staff member will take the phone/watch for the remainder of the day and let families know. Students should not be communicating via cell or watch during the school day. 

Multilingual Learners Support

English Language Support is a program designed to help students whose first language is not English.  Students are assessed at the beginning of the year and placed in the ELS program according to their needs.  We use a co-teaching approach to increase the English listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills of the students.  Children are re-assessed throughout the year to see the progress they are making.

Homework

All students will have homework. Students will be expected to read daily as well as complete all assignments given by the teacher. Teachers try to follow the 10 minute rule: students should receive 10 minutes of homework per day in first grade, and 10 additional minutes each subsequent year, so that by fifth grade they are completing 50 minutes of homework daily. There will also be projects and other creative assignments given throughout the year that may require work at home. Students will need to be responsible to talk with the teacher if homework is not complete. Teachers, students, and families will work together to create a homework plan if needed.  

Leaving School During the School Day

As a general policy children should not leave school during school hours.  We recognize that scheduling a doctor’s or dental appointment during the school day is sometimes necessary.  In such cases a note/email should be sent to the child’s teacher in advance, and the parent must come to the office to sign the child out of school.  Children will not be called to the office until a parent arrives to sign out the child.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found is located by the cafeteria.  Please label all clothing and belongings.  Unclaimed items will be given to charitable organizations at the end of each trimester.

Newsletter

The official school communication bulletin is sent out electronically at the end of each month.  The newsletter contains important dates and information about the activities of the school.  The email addresses are pulled from the information you sign up with on my.cherrycreekschools.org at the beginning of each school year. Please contact the office if you are not receiving the newsletter.

Outdoor Supervision

Woodland provides outside supervision for children during recesses and as children are arriving at school from 7:45 am to 8:00 am. Staff supervising our school entrances, crosswalks, and bus loop at arrival and dismissal are in place for the safety of all our children and adults on the grounds and surrounding streets. Please follow their lead with regards to safety issues.

Party Invitations

Children may not distribute invitations for personal parties at school.  No invitations should be sent to school.

Severe Inclement Weather at Dismissal Time     

Colorado is a beautiful state with many bright, sunshiny days but on occasion the weather may become severe in a moment’s notice. For the safety of all our children it may be necessary to change the afternoon dismissal because of lightning, severe rain, tornado watch/warning, or other severe weather.  When the conditions are not safe for a regular dismissal the following guidelines will be put into place:

• Walking and bus riding children will be held in the classrooms until the severe weather has passed at which time they will be released.
• Parents & guardians picking up their children will enter the school through the building front doors. Children will be called down to the main office and parents must sign their children out of school. 

If time permits this information will be sent out via the school‘s intercom, Blackboard Connect call and/or added to the school marquee. It may be necessary to call an inside dismissal at a moment’s notice. Parents can always call the main office if there is a question or for more information.

Special Education Services

Students learn best when provided with a safe and secure environment where they have a good balance of challenge and support.  We are committed to meeting the needs of diverse learners at Woodland Elementary.  It is our goal to educate students in the least restrictive environment while challenging them by setting high expectations of student success, presenting engaging learning activities, and promoting opportunities to foster self-determination skills.  Our special education team includes a Learning Disabilities Specialist, ILC Specialist, Speech-Language Pathologist, School Psychologist, Social worker, Occupational Therapist, and School Nurse. The team is available to assist teachers in making classroom modifications and accommodations, providing teaching strategies, and suggesting classroom management approaches. Our support also includes providing fair evaluations, transition services, and standards based goals to help students learn and grow to their potential.  We strive to aid students in developing the skills and abilities that will allow them to flourish in any situation whether in school, work, or the surrounding community.

Student Messages

Please make every possible attempt to make arrangements for after school pick up prior to the school day.  We realize emergencies come up, and we will do our best to deliver “change of plan messages.” Please call the office to leave your child an urgent message at 720-886-1400. 

Medical Matters

Woodland Nurse Clinic 720-886-1402   Fax 720-886-1488

Woodland has a full time nurse in the clinic during school hours.  Please keep her informed of your child’s health needs and let them know of any changes throughout the school year.

Illness 

When to Stay Home:

• Fever - 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and over, your child should stay home and not return to school until fever free for 24 hours.
• Vomiting/Diarrhea – With or without fever, children should stay home until symptom free for 24 hours.
• Strep Throat - Children should be able to return to school after 24 hours of appropriate medical treatment.
• Pink Eye (conjunctivitis) – Children with redness and mattering of the eye should be kept home and treated by a physician before returning to school.
• Any other questions regarding illness, please contact the nurse and/or your doctor.

Please keep in mind that if a student is well enough to be at school, then the student is well enough to go outside for recess.

Illness at School

Children will stay in the clinic until the parent arrives.  Please keep your emergency information updated so we can contact you as soon as possible if your child is sick or injured.

Medication

Medication cannot be taken at school unless given by the nurse or nurse designee.  Medication will not be accepted unless the district approved permission forms are complete and the medication is in the original container.  The permission forms for prescription medication are available on the CCSD Website or in the clinic. The permission forms for over-the-counter medications are available at my.cherrycreekschools.org.  Parents may come to school at any time to administer medication to their own children without permission forms; however, they must access their children by way of the main office.

Parent Opportunities

Woodland is building strong relationships with our families and encourages support and involvement.  As educators we believe that children learn best when parents take an active interest in their child’s education.   

School Accountability Committee

The Accountability Advisory Committee consists of teachers, the Principal, and parents.  The function of this committee is to act as an advisory group for the school improvement plan, budget, systems, and other school functions.  Other topics of interest to the committee are also discussed. The committee is a great way for families to become involved at Woodland. Please watch for dates and times.

VOICES

Each school in the CCSD has a VOICES team. It is composed of parents, families, and staff.  We discuss race, culture, equity, and diversity as it relates to school systems and structures, lived experiences at school, equitable practices, and any other aspect of the school. Our VOICES meetings are a place to build authentic relationships with all families while increasing success for all students. All families are welcome. Please watch for dates and times. 

PTCO

The Parent Teacher Community Organization is an important and active part of the school community and supports the school through various activities.  Our fund raising activities earn the money needed to provide enrichment programs and assemblies, materials for classroom use, and funds for supplemental programs and TA staffing.  Our hospitality representatives support the staff with food during conferences and various other times throughout the year.  We distribute grant requests to teachers and staff. All families are welcome. Please watch for dates and times.

Conferences

Our school year is divided into trimesters.  Formal family/teacher conferences are scheduled after the fall and winter trimesters.  However, teachers are happy to speak with parents throughout the year and will schedule additional conferences when the need arises.  Please keep your child’s teacher(s) aware of any concerns or questions you may have.  Contact teachers by phone or email to arrange a meeting time.  

Volunteering at School

You can tell your children you believe education is important, but by volunteering your time at Woodland you also show them.  Children love to see their parents helping out in the classroom and the library during the day or at special events on evenings and weekends.   Volunteers are crucial to the success of many of our programs.

Volunteers are needed in many classrooms to help with academic work and with parties for the children, in the library, in the art room, with technology, organizing the Book Fair, and hosting special events.  Please watch for information from our PTCO for volunteer opportunities or contact your child’s teacher.

Volunteers are required to fill out the Volunteer Agreement. Please go here to fill out the form.

Parking Lot Safety and Procedures

Drop Off/Pick UP Procedures

If you are dropping off children in the parking lot during the morning “high traffic times,” please pull all the way forward. DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF DOORS. Have children exit the vehicle on the curbside, closest to the school.  This practice keeps the traffic flow moving safely and fairly easily. Please do not park or leave your vehicle unattended in this area. If you need to leave your vehicle, please find a designated parking space in the lot or park along the streets adjoining the school.  For after school pick up please wait in the loop until your child can meet your car. You can also park along the adjoining streets at a designated meeting place you have predetermined with your child/ren.  See map below for drop off and pick up information.

Our Woodland parking lot is a one-way parking lot. Cars flow in, drive through the lane directly in front of the school, and exit by driving through the lot out onto South Blackstone Parkway or South Valleyhead Way. Please be patient, courteous and slow in our parking lot. 

Woodlands parking lot has limited parking spaces for cars/golf carts. When full, other parking options are along  South Blackstone Parkway or South Valleyhead Way. Remember to be respectful of our neighbors and do not block driveways or make U-turns in this area.  

Students may not be dropped off or picked up in the bus zone. Parking is not allowed in the service area in the.  This area is to remain clear for service vehicles, Waste Management, and cafeteria delivery vehicles. 

Remember that the handicapped parking spaces at the front of the building are reserved for those families who have handicapped designated license plates or tags. These spaces should not be used by anyone else for any reason.

Golf Carts

Golf carts will be treated the same as any other vehicle. Golf carts will be part of the regular flow of traffic in drop off and pick up. Golf parks will park in parking lot or on streets. Golf carts are NOT permitted to go on the sidewalks or in bus loop. 

Crosswalk Information

There are three designated crosswalks with three crossing guards for children to cross the street safely at arrival and dismissal times. Children and families should always use the crosswalks and follow the directions of our crossing guards.  The safety of our students is a top priority and our crossing guards are trained to keep students and adults safe before and after school.  Do not drop students off in the middle of the street. Park first, and then let children out of the vehicle.  Children can then cross the street, if necessary, at the crosswalks.

School Rules & District Policies on Student Behavior

Woodland’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

We believe the entire school staff is responsible for developing an atmosphere that facilitates a safe, cooperative, and emotionally secure learning environment.  Our goal is to teach students to be self-disciplined and responsible for their own behavior, and kind to others. We believe in teaching appropriate behavior – not punishment. As part of our ongoing commitment to providing a safe, orderly, and supportive learning environment for all students, we have standard operating procedures (SOPs). These guidelines are designed to ensure consistency, accountability, and clarity in our daily operations.

WLD Schoolwide SOPs (Families).pdf

The B’s 

Our school-wide system is called Positive Behavior Support Intervention or PBIS.  The students use Woodland’s “Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Brilliant and BOUNCE.” expectations to guide their behavior.  These are base expectations the students use in all areas of the school and are adjusted to be age appropriate at all grade levels. Each grade level also uses a specific discipline system appropriate for that age group.  The consequences and rewards built into each system reflect the developing social skills, emotional needs, and expected behavior of each child as they progress from pre- kindergarten through fifth grade.Some behaviors outlined in the CCSD Conduct and Discipline Code require actions aside from the SOPs. It is important to understand that at the end of the day, in most cases, each child has faced the consequences of that day’s behavior and may look forward to the next day with enthusiasm and a clean slate.

Animals at School

Please do not bring animals to school or on the school grounds during school hours, this includes arrival and dismissal times.  Even the best behaved animals can get spooked or alarmed with the noise and commotion taking place at arrival and dismissal time. We have also found that many of our children have allergies and fears of animals.

District Expectations

At the beginning of each school year, parents and guardians have an opportunity to review a copy of the Cherry Creek School District’s Student Conduct and Discipline Rights and Responsibilities booklet when entering emergency information on my.cherrycreekschools.org.  Please read this carefully.  It is particularly important that your student understands the district policies.  You will be asked to sign-off indicating that you have read, understood and discussed these policies with your child.

The entire text of any Cherry Creek School District Board of Education Policy and/or Regulations may be accessed via the Cherry Creek School District website located at www.cherrycreekschools.org.

Dress Code

A safe and disciplined learning environment is essential to a quality, learning program.  District-wide standards on student attire are intended to help students concentrate on schoolwork, reduce discipline problems, and improve school order and safety.  The Board of Education recognizes that students have a right to express themselves through dress and personal appearance; however, students shall not wear apparel that is deemed disruptive or potentially disruptive to the classroom environment or the maintenance of a safe and orderly school.

Any student deemed in violation of the dress code shall be required to change into appropriate clothing or make arrangements to have appropriate clothing brought to school immediately.

The following items are not acceptable in the school building, on school grounds, or at school activities:

• Inappropriately sheer, tight, short or low-cut clothing which bares or exposes traditionally private parts of the body.
• Clothing, paraphernalia, grooming, jewelry, accessories, or body adornments that are or contain any words or pictures that are obscene, libelous, sexual, or gang related; or that promote any activity prohibited by the student code of conduct, including the use of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons; or that threaten the safety or welfare of any person, or otherwise disrupt the teaching learning process.

Not many of these dress code issues arise at the elementary school level; however, we do want to warn parents that our students do not always make wise choices in clothing.  Since our students have recess every day, often in inclement weather, and may have physical education classes, it is best to follow these guidelines:

• Students shall not wear exposed spaghetti straps, show bare midriffs, or wear shorts/skirts shorter than the tips of their fingers when arms and hands are extended to their sides.
• Students should have shoes suitable for running and playing every day.  Some shoes can be hazardous on the playground. Flip flops should not be worn at school.
• Students should have appropriate outdoor clothing (rain jackets, winter coats, mittens or gloves and hats) with them each day when appropriate.  Recess is only canceled in the event of extremely inclement weather.
• Jewelry that may catch on playground equipment (dangling earrings or long necklaces) may not be appropriate for school.  Items that are noisy, like multiple bracelets, are not a good idea either.

Please mark your student’s belongings with their name.  Items go astray on a regular basis.  We also recommend that valuable jewelry or belongings stay at home where they are safe.

Playground

All playground rules are based on our need for safety and kindness to each other.  We have found that safety concerns increase as greater numbers of children share the same spaces and equipment. Our goal is to keep kids safe, allow them the exercise and play time they need, and help them with social interactions that arise. The adults supervising recesses may change or adapt rules in response to any situation or activity that they consider a concern.

Supervision

A staff member supervises students at all times during every recess.  In general, this means that students may not be in any area (either inside the building or outside) unless a staff member is present.  Since we need to know where every child is, students must ask a staff member for permission before leaving the playground, therefore being able to follow-up as to when the student will be expected to return.  

Safety

No one is allowed to enter the playground area or interact with students on the playground without first signing in at the office and receiving a visitor’s pass.  This includes talking with students or handing things to students over the fence.  Staff member(s) on duty may request that groups of children play in specific areas.  Students need to be within sight of a supervising adult at all times.

Clothing

We go outside for recesses every school day regardless of the weather unless it is extremely cold or raining.  Please have children wear appropriate clothing and shoes for recess.  Flip flops are not safe on the playground. When there is snow on the ground, students should be wearing snow boots, snow pants, gloves and coats to be in the snow.  

Competitive Games

We do NOT play competitive games on the playground.  There is no tackling, pushing, biting, kicking or tripping.  Everyone should know and agree to the rules before game play begins.

General Rules

• Slides - Do not climb or stand on the outside of the tubes, do not climb up inside slides.  Slide down feet first and face up.
• Playground Structures - Do not climb over or on railing or crossbars in any area.  Do not pull on, or "tag" students who are on the structures.
• Swings - Do not swing sideways, twist, run through or jump off swings.

Wood chips and gravel stay on the ground.

No fighting or play fighting.

No throwing snowballs or ice or rocks.

Please do not bring toys or equipment from home - toys and equipment are provided.

All other situations are dealt with at the discretion of the staff member(s) on duty unless specifically covered by Cherry Creek School District policy.

Safety

Your child’s safety is of utmost concern to our staff.  Our staff undergoes safety planning and training, and our safety team meets regularly.  As a result of these conversations, district guidelines, and our site based decisions; we have instituted procedures to enhance our school’s security.  Our intent is to remain community friendly and as open to the public as possible.  With your assistance, we can ensure that the school’s focus is on learning.

Building Entry/Exit:

-Exterior doors will remain locked during the school day.  Staff, students and visitors are strictly prohibited from giving access to anyone seeking entry through any door other than the main entrance.

-The main entrance will be the only public access to our building and will remain locked throughout the day. Please press the doorbell to speak to the office staff. They will grant you entrance to the building.

-Access to the before & after care program will be through the cafeteria beginning at 6:30 am and again after 2:45 pm. (1:45 pm on Wednesday)

Sign in, ID’s and Badges:

-All school staff and district personnel will wear ID badges.  

-All visitors must sign in and provide a photo ID at the main entrance in order to enter the school. All visitors will use the VERKADA system.

-All visitors need to have their IDs with them at ALL times (even if our staff knows you).

-Students/staff will report to the office or to a school staff member if they notice an individual in the building without a proper badge or visitor’s pass.

-Individuals without a proper badge or pass will be escorted to the office.

-Children are not permitted to leave school without being signed out at the front office.

-Children will only be released to individuals authorized by parents or guardians online at my.cherrycreekschools.org.

Please note that the above regulations also apply to visitors on the playground.  Children are prohibited from talking with ANYONE who is not wearing a badge.   Please come to the office to sign in before approaching the playground during school hours.

After-hours Building Access and Procedures:

-Students who wish to retrieve materials beyond the school day must do so prior to 4:00 pm and must be accompanied by a staff member or registered visitor.

-After 2:45 pm (1:45 pm on Wednesday), all students who wish to stay and play on the playgrounds, MUST be accompanied by an adult over 18 years old. 

-After school hours clubs, groups, and other meetings in our building must provide access to their program through the front door only and will dismiss as a group through the front door under the leader’s supervision.  Sponsors must ensure that doors are attended by an adult 18 years old or older and not propped or unlocked.  Students dismissed from these activities will be released only through the front door as parents arrive.  Sponsors will remain until all children have been picked up.

Toys

Toys and personal items should be left at home unless there is a special occasion indicated by the teacher. 

Cherry Creek School District Policies

Cherry Creek School District is committed to ensuring a safe learning and teaching environment for everyone. Because our academic standards are high, it's important that we keep classrooms orderly and productive so students can learn.  In keeping with our mission "To inspire every student to think, to learn, to achieve, to care," we have created a code of discipline to help all of us meet these goals. Please take time to read this code and discuss it with all the students in your home so that rules - and consequences - are clearly understood. 

The entire text of any school district policy and/or regulation is available on request from the principal’s office at the school or from the school district administration office located at 4610 S. Ulster St., Suite 1001, Denver, CO 80237 Additionally, all district policies may be accessed via the Cherry Creek School District website.