School Handbook

Welcome to Black Traditional Magnet!

In the section below, we've provided all the information you need to know for you and your student to thrive as part of the Black Traditional Magnet Elementary.

Getting Ready for School

Attendance Expectations

Good attendance is critical for steady academic growth, and, by law, children are required to attend school. Students are considered tardy if they do not arrive in their classroom by 9:00 a.m.

Please call the school office any time your child will not be in school.

If you are asked to leave a voice mail, please give the following information:

Name of the parent or guardian calling
Student's name and grade
Date(s) of absence
Reason for absence; please be specific

Absences will only be excused for the following reasons:

Illness
Medical or dental appointment
A family death or serious illness
Court/judicial appearance
Religious observations
School-sponsored activities

In order to be excused for medical/dental appointments, the office must have a doctor’s note with the date your student missed school.

Students will be counted as inexcusably absent if we do not: receive a phone call the day they are absent, receive a doctor’s note, or if the reason is not excusable. We must be notified within 72 hours of the absence to excuse the absence.

For prior approval of absences (vacation or other foreseeable extended absences from school), please fill out a “Prior Approval” form in the front office, before the absence and let the student’s teacher know which days your student will be absent. The Principal reserves the right to excuse/not excuse all prior approval requests to be absent from school. All student work missed while absent for extended time must be completed and returned to your student’s teacher.

Signing signing your child out in the afternoon prior to the end of the school day affects their attendance and learning.

Students who become truant (inexcusably absent three consecutive days or five school days in any semester or seven days in a school year) will be reported to the Kansas Department for Children and Families in accordance with Board of Education Policy 1461.

Transportation

Pick Up and Drop Off Procedures

Dress Code

Color and Style Restrictions: Students must wear solid-colored shirts in “flag” red, white, or navy blue, with polo or oxford collars and no logos, pictures, or writing—except for Black Traditional Magnet logos on spirit shirts. Bottoms must be navy blue, khaki (tan), or black slacks, and may include tailored shorts, skorts, skirts, capris, or jumpers that are longer than mid-thigh. Layering items such as sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, turtlenecks, and vests must also be in dress code colors, and hoods must remain off during school hours.

Fit and Length Requirements: All clothing must be properly sized to fit the student appropriately. Shorts, skirts, and similar items must be longer than mid-thigh. Leggings or tights are only permitted under skirts, skorts, or jumpers and must be in dress code colors—navy blue, khaki, or black. Clothing that is excessively torn or ripped is not allowed.

Layering and Outerwear: Students may wear solid-colored sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, turtlenecks, and vests in dress code colors over their uniform shirts. Hoods must remain down while inside the school building. These items must not have inappropriate designs or logos, and layering must comply with the overall dress code.

Footwear and Accessories: Shoes must be closed-toe and closed-heel, with tennis shoes being the preferred option. Flip-flops, slides, Crocs, sandals, and heelies are not allowed. While students may choose their sock color, socks must not feature inappropriate designs. Hats and caps are not permitted, though religious headgear is allowed for religious purposes only.

School Spirit and Exceptions: Black Traditional Magnet spirit T-shirts and sweatshirts with the school logo may be worn with uniform pants any day of the week. On “Think College Thursday,” students may wear college shirts or sweatshirts with uniform pants, though jerseys are not allowed. Free dress days may be designated by the principal, and student attire on those days must still comply with the district’s non-standard dress code policy.

Health Services and Medications

Parents should notify the school nurse if there are any health conditions that may require medical attention, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc.

If a student becomes ill during the school day, they should request a pass to see the nurse.

Students who exhibit fever, sore throat or tonsillitis, any eruption of the skin or rash, any respiratory symptoms accompanied by a fever, severe cough or cold, or any eruption of the scalp, will be sent home.

Parents will be notified to pick up their student and must do so in a timely manner to limit exposure to other students and school staff.

Please keep your emergency contact information up to date with both the teacher and office staff.

School board policy (BOE P5316) restricts school personnel from giving students any medication, including over-the-counter medication.

Medication is given only upon written request from both the parent/guardian and the student's physician. Students must also have received one dose of medication without an adverse reaction prior to any doses being given at school.

All medicine must be in the original container and be presented by a parent to the school nurse for safe keeping and scheduled administration. The container should be labelled with the following:

Name of student
Name of medication
Directions for use
Name of physician
Name and address of pharmacy
Date of prescription

ParentVue - Communication from School

During the School Day

Behavior Expectations

Keeping students emotionally and physically safe at school is our number one priority. All students have the right to learn in an orderly environment that is free of disruption. We understand that from time to time, students may need additional practice meeting these expectations. We are trying to teach students academic and behavioral skills they will be using in the real world that will help them be successful adolescents and adults. Our staff will work closely with parents to ensure students learn to be responsible citizens and develop strategies for resolving conflicts.

Bullying

We take bullying very seriously.

Bullying is defined as 1) purposeful behavior that intends to cause harm or distress, 2) is usually repeated over time, and 3) occurs in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power. Forms of bullying are: 1) Physical, 2) Cyber, and 3) occurs in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power. Forms of bullying are: 1) Physical, 2) Cyber, and 3) Relational Aggression. Witnesses of bullying are to tell the bully to stop, tell and adult, and reach out in friendship to the victim.

If your child is experiencing bullying at school, please contact your child's teacher or school administration and let them know about it right away. It is important to remember that we cannot act in situations that we know nothing about.

Families and students are also encouraged to use the SPEAK Up Anonymous Tip Program. The district’s Crime Stoppers in Schools program has created the Speak Up program, which allows students, staff and parents the ability to send anonymous tips through a secure website, app or phone number. The funding for this service is provided by Crime Stoppers of Wichita and Sedgwick County, a division of The Wichita Metro Crime Commission.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is words or behaviors that are sexual in nature and are unwanted and unwelcome. Sexual harassment could be touching or grabbing body parts, touching or rubbing onself in front of another, sending or delivering unwanted and unwelcome messages, notes or pictures with sexual content, sexual gestures, looks, jokes, comments or noises. Sexual harassment is not tolerated in Wichita Public Schools.

All complaints of sexual harassment will be investigated completely and when the complaint is made. All efforts will be made to provide confidentiality, to the extent possible, for all people involved. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. False complaints will also result in disciplinary action.

Cell Phone Policy

School Meals

We provide breakfast for all students free of charge.

Lunch fees can depend on family income. Complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application annually to qualify for free lunch and adjustments to school fees.

The district uses an app called School Cafe to allow families to see menus.

The district uses LINQ Connect to pay for meals.

For special dietary restrictions, please contact the school nurse.

Weather Information

The safety of students, staff and parents is the Wichita Public Schools' greatest priority during the threat of dangerous conditions.

Emergency plans are in place should tornadoes, lightning, hail, snow or other dangerous circumstances present a safety concern.

If schools are to be closed or activities cancelled or rescheduled due to weather conditions, the information will be posted on the Wichita Public Schools' website main page and displayed on all school websites.

Family Engagement

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Progress Reports

Progress reports are provided to parents every quarter. Reviewing these reports is an essential component of parent involvement in their child's education. Please look for these reports and discuss them with your student. You may also log on to ParentVue for an ongoing list of grades provided by the teacher. If you have any concerns about these reports, contact your student's teacher.