John Whistler

Elementary School

PARENT HANDBOOK
2016-2017

Mrs. Tiffany Phinn, Principal

Mrs. Katina Manuel, Assistant Principal

11533 S. Ada Street

Chicago, Illinois 60643
(773) 535-5560 Phone
(773) 535-5589 Fax
 Introduction to Parent-Student Handbook
We are using this handbook as a means of
building a community among parents, students
and staff.
Many of your questions have been
anticipated and are discussed in some detail. We are
always available to clarify any school matter. The
telephone numbers are listed for key concerns and
will prove helpful. Do not hesitate to use them.
Close cooperation between the home and
school is essential to promote the best interests of
the child. Parents are encouraged to visit school and
attend scheduled meetings of parents and teachers.
A more cohesive climate occurs when there is a
meaningful exchange of information between home
and school.
It is our hope that this information will be
helpful to you. We look forward to Changing Hope
into Certainty this school year.
Thank You,
Tiffany Phinn, Principal
Mission
The mission of John Whistler Elementary
School, in partnership with the entire community, is
to provide all students with a high quality education
through rigorous instruction while instilling our
core values of leadership, respect, teamwork,
honesty, and trust to build lifelong learners who
make a positive contribution to their community.
Vision
To ensure a safe and nurturing environment
which inspires EVERY student, EVERY day to
dream, to achieve excellence, and to learn without
limits.
School Hours
Students should not arrive before 8:20am AM.
Breakfast will be picked up upon entry into the
building and eaten in the classroom.
Intermediate (3rd-5th) and Upper Students (6th-8th)
Enter the Building in the back (south-east door).
Primary students enter the building at the north-
east door.
8:30 AM The School Day Begins
3:30 PM Student Dismissal
Morning and after school programs will be
held; however students will only be able to attend
with a signed permission form.
Attendance
Regular attendance contributes to success in
school. Our school-wide attendance goal is 96.5%.
Parents are urged to contact the school if an
extended absence is anticipated. (773) 535-5560. A
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written note containing the date(s) of the absence(s),
reason for the absence(s) signature of parents or
guardian is necessary upon your childs return. It is
important that you leave at least two current
emergency phone numbers with school officials in
case of a need to contact a parent or guardian.
The Chicago Board of Education states that
parents of children with 5 unexcused absences will
receive a warning letter. Parents of children with 10
unexcused absences will receive a certified letter to
notify them of possible court proceedings. If there is no
response to the certified letter, initiation of court
proceedings against the parent will be automatic.
State law mandates that children attend
school regularly. Parents/Guardians can be held
legally responsible for not sending their children to
school regularly and on time.
Regular attendance is a necessity in
pursuing excellence in education. A Valid Cause
for absence shall mean:
i. illness
ii. observance of a religious holiday;
iii. death in the immediate family;
iv. family emergency;
v. circumstances which cause reasonable
concern to the parent or legal guardian
for the safety or health of the student;
vi. other situations beyond the control of
the student as determined by the
principal, or designee, on a case-by-case
basis including, but not limited to,
homelessness and its attendant
difficulties.
Excused Absence shall mean an absence for
which there is a valid cause either:
i. known to the principal or designee;
ii. a note or letter signed by parent or
legal guardian setting forth such
cause.
Unexcused Absence shall mean an absence for
which there is no valid cause either:
i. known to principal of designee; or
ii. a note or letter signed by parent or
legal guardian.
Immediate Family shall mean:
i. parents,
ii. legal guardians,
iii. brothers/sisters, or
iv. aunts/uncles.
Truancy
Truant shall mean: a student absence
without a valid cause for a school day or portion of a
school day. Chronic Truant shall mean: a student
absent without a valid cause for 10% or more of the
regular attendance days.
Students who are repeatedly absent from
school without a valid excuse are considered truant.
Proper procedures will be implemented for students
who are repeatedly absent.
Early Dismissal and Illness
A student may be dismissed early providing the
following conditions are met:
A parent /guardian must come in person to
the office to request an early dismissal.
Students will only be released to persons on the
emergency form. If a student becomes ill, the parent
will be contacted. The same rule applies for
releasing students. No early dismissals will be
issued after 3:25 P.M. The final minutes of school are
important to the teacher and students. Homework
assignments are given and announcements are made
during this time.
Please note the following minutes are
needed to count towards a full day present,
half day present and full day absent:
300 minutes or more = full day present
299-150 minutes = half day present
149 minutes or fewer = full day absent
If your child is in grades 3, 6 or 8, they cannot have
more than (9) days of unexcused absences or they
will fail and have to attend summer school.
Tardiness
Children should arrive on the school grounds by
8:20 a.m. Children will be admitted to the building at
8:30a.m. The tardy bell rings at 8:40 a.m. Students must
sign in at the security desk when they are tardy.
Report Cards
The standard Board of Education report of
student progress is issued four (4) times a year at
ten-week intervals. See calendar for dates.
Homework Policy
The Chicago School Reform Board of Trustees
mandates that homework be regularly assigned to
students. Homework is a necessary component in
the sequence of a childs education and will be
assigned daily. Students are expected to complete all
homework assignments carefully and accurately and
to turn in completed assignments when due.
Grading System
Parents are encouraged to visit Parent Portal at
https://parent.cps.k12.il.us/pc/default.aspx weekly to
check student progress. Teachers enter a minimum of 2-3
grades per week for each student. Students are graded on
assessments (35%), classwork (25%), performance tasks
(20%), participation (15%), and homework (5%). If a
student is absent, they have the opportunity complete any
missed assignment for full credit within 2 days of return.
Students are graded using the following scale:
A 100-93
B 92-85
C 84-77
D 76-70
F 69 Below
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School Wide Behavior Management
Expectations for Behavior/School Rules
1. Come to school on time and prepared for
learning with materials, completed
assignments, and supplies
2. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself
3. Use appropriate language at all times
4. Cooperate with requests of teachers and
other staff in the school setting (refusal to
comply with reasonable requests will not be
tolerated)
5. Refrain from bringing disruptive, harmful
or illegal items to school
6. Refrain from bringing unhealthy snacks to
school (chips, candy, gum, sunflower seeds,
etc.)
Consequences and Rewards/Incentives
Consequences for violating the school and Chicago
Public Schools are:
1st violation Warning
2nd violation Teacher & Student Conference
and student complete a Behavior Log
3rd violation Detention-Parent Notification
(letters or phone calls)
4th violation Teacher, Student, and
Administrator Conference
5th violation Parent, Teacher, Student
Conference and Detention (Administrator will
be requested at the discretion of the teacher)
6th violation or violation of UDC Groups 4-5 In
School or Out of School Suspension
RewardsThe classroom teacher will implement
various rewards and incentives in the classroom,
and will cooperate with the school wide reward
system. In addition, students will receive Panther
Paws.
School Dress Code
L Pants, T-shirts, sweatshirts, or hats with obscene
or vulgar language are prohibited.
L Shorts may be worn only in P.E. class. Knee
length shorts may be worn on warm days.
L Body piercing is not allowed (This includes
earrings for girls only. Male students are
NOT to wear earrings).
L Mini-skirts and leggings are not to be
worn.
L Any clothing with gang signs or logos is
strictly forbidden.
L Boys hairstyles with gang signs cut in
them are forbidden.
L Coats, hats and hoodies must be hung up
and may not be worn in the classroom.
L Cell phones are to be turned into the office
upon arrival and can be retrieved at
dismissal. Students are not to have cell phones
in the classroom. All other electronic devices
L will be confiscated and only returned to the
parent.
L Toys or items that can be used or mistaken
for weapons are not allowed and will be
confiscated.
L Novelty belts, oversized buckles,
medallions, and chains are not to be worn.
L Pants are not to be worn below the waist
L Tank tops, jerseys, black, red, or blue t-
shirts are not to be worn.
L Belly tops are not be worn (Exposure to the
mid-drift is not allowed)
L Rubber bands are not to be worn around
the legs
L House shoes, flip flops may not be worn
Student Code of Conduct
Whistler School implements the CPS
Student Code of Conduct.
The Chicago Board of Education has
adopted a Student Code of Conduct that outlines
rules for student behavior and rules for
implementing the code. The code specifically lists
certain behaviors that are against the rules, suggests
minimum and maximum penalties for violating
rules, and procedures that must be followed when
discipline matters are dealt with by school officials.
The code also includes rights and responsibilities of
students, parents, and staff. The rules are intended
to provide and maintain a safe and effective learning
environment. A copy of the Student Code of
Conduct is sent home at the beginning of the year.
Additional copies are available in the office.
Zero Tolerance
The Chicago School Reform Board of
Trustees, the governing body of the Chicago Public
Schools, is responsible for establishing policies
under which all schools must operate. To this end a
Uniform Discipline Code (CDC) has been adopted
to promote desirable student behavior. This code
expects ALL students enrolled in
Chicago Public
Schools to accept responsibility for their
actions and behavior. A Zero
Tolerance Policy is enforced for all
students who commit acts of misconduct,
which disrupt the orderly educational process.
To ensure an environment conducive to learning, a
School Wide Behavior Management Plan and
detention center have been established at Whistler
School. In accordance with the Zero Tolerance
Policy disruptive students will be assigned a 1-
hour detention after the regular school day in
accordance with the school wide plan.
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Failure to serve an assigned detention may
result in an out of school suspension. We encourage
you to support our efforts to provide a positive
learning environment for all students.
Whistler School Expectations
The following is a list of expectations and safety
precautions for Whistler students.
J Treat fellow students and all adults with
respectful language and actions.
J Enter the building quietly everyday.
J Walk quietly in the hallways.
J Use the washrooms in an appropriate
manner and practice good personal hygiene.
J Use containers in the building and on the
playground to dispose of paper/trash.
Lunch Program
All Whistler School participates in the
federally subsidized breakfast and lunch program.
Universal Breakfast and Lunch are free for all
Whistler students. Breakfast is served from 8:30-
8:45am. Breakfast is picked up upon entry into the
building and eaten in the classroom. Students
should not arrive before 8:20am.
Lunchroom Expectations
The lunchroom is a place for students to
enjoy their meals. The following rules are in place to
ensure that lunch is a pleasant experience for all.
1. Enter/Exit the lunchroom quietly and orderly.
2. Only one of each item is to be picked up when
getting lunch.
3. Keep all food on tray while eating lunch.
4. Talk in a moderate tone. (6-inch voice)
5. Remain seated in assigned section until
dismissed.
6. Raise hand for permission to get up.
7. Throw all trash in containers.
8. Leave tables/floor clean of paper/trash.
In addition to the above rules, rough playing,
fighting, and throwing food are not allowed.
Disciplinary action will be enforced for those
students who fail to comply.
Inclement Weather Plan
During those days when the weather is
considered too harsh for students to be outside
(rain/snow, temperatures below 32 degrees),
students will be allowed to enter the building and
wait quietly in an assigned areas in the school.
Lost and Found
Parents are requested to check for lost items
in the main office. After one month all clothing will
be donated to the local shelter.
Visitors
All persons entering the school are required
to enter through the front door, sign the visitors log
and check in at the main office before attempting to
 proceed to any part of the building. The
school clerk will issue a visitors pass. For parents
requesting to visit a child in class, this must be
arranged and approved by Administration. Once
approved, security must escort the parent/guardian
to and from the desired classroom. Parents are not
permitted to freely roam around the building. This
procedure is part of our security plan for the safety
and well being of all those in the building.

Parent Volunteers
School volunteers are needed to assist the
school staff in their day-to-day activities.
Volunteers assist the staff in the following areas:
classroom, library, office, and student supervision in
the lunchroom, hallways, and playground. The
Board of Education requires 1 adult chaperone per
every 10 students going on a field trip. Parents are
always invited to accompany classes on school field
trips.

Applications for parent

volunteers may be obtained in the school office.

WANTED: 1 PARENT FOR EACH

CLASSROOM.
Please register with your childs teacher as
soon as possible and complete the Parent Volunteer
Packet, which is required and will be forwarded to
Central Office.

Local School Council (LSC)

The local school council is a locally
based management team composed of the
principal, two teachers, one paraprofessional,
six parents and two community residents. The
LSC is responsible for selecting and evaluating
the principal, assisting in the design of the
School Improvement Plan, budgetary oversight
and maintaining an effective partnership
between all school leaders. If you want a voice
and a vote on school policy and operations, join
the LSC. WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Clubs/Activities/Sports
Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, Cheer
Leaders, Basketball, Track, Band, Culinary
Program, Student Council, Wrestling

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 John Whistler Elementary School
Staff Organization
2016-2017

The Year of Elevation

Tiffany S. Phinn- Principal
Katina M. Manuel- Assistant Principal
Joanna M. Jackson- Counselor/ Case Manager
John Andrasco- Chief Engineer
Collette M. Nightingale- School Clerk

Teaching Staff

Pre-K Liena Naliwajko

Primary Cluster Betty Armstrong
Kindergarten Monai Semper
st
1 Grade Diane Villarreal
nd
2 Grade Jacinta Whitlow-Jones
Primary Resource Nicole Spearman
rd
3 Grade Marcella Alexander
th
4 Grade Shuronda Turner
th
5 Grade Eboni Mixon
Int. Resource Patricia Knox
Int/Upper Cluster Patti Jackson
th
6 Grade Melissa Clark
th
7 Grade Benae Cartright
th
8 Grade Erin Sienkiewicz
Upper Resource Alexis Thorpe
Music Myra Hamp
Physical Education James Daniel

Educational Support Staff

Pre-K Assistant Adrianna Stewart

SECA Charniece Fleming
SECA Brittany Avery
SECA Samuel Mathis
SECA Augustus McGill
Security Donald Flowers
Cafeteria Manager Michelle Langston
Porter Marcus McKinnis
Custodian Harvey Batts
Custodian Norris McNeal