Student Handbook

Welcome to Wea Ridge Elementary

The Tippecanoe School Corporation provides a comprehensive and well-rounded educational experience for all students. In support of Tippecanoe School Corporation's mission of maintaining the highest professional standards, honesty is expected at all levels. We strive to educate our students to reach their academic potential in an environment that encourages confidence, competence, and a desire for learning.

We look forward to creating partnerships with students, families, and staff. To review our operational standards and expectations, the TSC Board Policies and Guidelines can be viewed at any time on the TSC webpage.

Tami Jacobs, Principal

Josh Frauhiger, Assistant Principal

Brenda Garza, Principal Secretary

Angie Blann, General Secretary

Carrie Garriott, School Service Coordinator

Ruthie Fields, School Nurse

Regular attendance is important to successful achievement in school. 

• Compulsory Attendance:  Indiana law mandates compulsory attendance. Any student who demonstrates excessive absences/tardies is in violation of the state school attendance policy. Attendance shall be required of all School Corporation students, except those exempted under other provisions of Federal or State law, during the days and hours that the school is in session. 
• Reporting:  Student absences must be reported to the school office by 9:30 a.m. daily. Call 765-471-9321 to report your child’s absence. If your child has a medical appointment, please obtain an excuse from the doctor to give to the school upon your child’s return.
• Truancy: Any student who demonstrates excessive absences/tardies and is in violation of the state school attendance policy will be referred to Truancy Mediation. Truancy Mediation will determine what court action is warranted.

TSC Attendance Policy (Board Policy 5200): the full guidelines can be viewed at any time on the TSC webpage.

• Immunizations: According to Indiana Code 20-8.1-7-10.1 (1), when a student enrolls for the first time in a school corporation, a statement of the student's immunizations which shows that the student has received at least the minimum number of immunizations for the student's age will be supplied to the school by the parent or guardian. A student may not be permitted to attend school beyond the first day of school unless the school has authorized a twenty days waiver. Upon completion of the twenty days the student will be excluded from school if the immunizations remain incomplete. 
• Illness: Students with a fever over 100° should not attend school.Students should not return to school until symptoms have resolved, and they are fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. Students experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhea should not attend school.Student may return to school when symptoms have resolved, and there have been no occurrences of vomit/loose stool for 24 hours without medication. 
• Medications:
  • All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications must be FDA-approved and will be kept in the school health office. Your child may not carry any medication at school. All prescription and Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications must be in the original container with the current pharmacy or package, labeled correctly with the most current date, student’s name, dosage, frequency and match the current doctor’s orders on file with the health office. At no time can medications be transported by a student. Any change in prescription medication, dosage or time to be given must be in written form from the parent with an accompanying doctor’s order.
  • Written permission with instructions from the parent/guardian are required for all prescription and OTC medications. Permission forms are available at your school's health office and in the button marked Health Services Forms.
• Emergency Medications:
  • Your child may not carry any medication at school, with the exception of inhalers, diabetic supplies and epinephrine (Epipen). These emergency medications may be carried only with written permission from your child's physician and from the parent/guardian.
  • Students will keep emergency medications in the nurse’s office unless the school receives a physician’s note indicating the medication should be carried by the student. This physician's note will need to be updated and provided to the school annually. Students administering emergency medications outside of the nurse’s office will report to the nurse that the medication was administered.
• Return of Medications to Parent/Guardian:
  • Medications must be picked up in the health office by a parent, guardian, or designee who is at least 18 years old and with written permission from the parent/guardian. Medications (with the exception of emergency medications with permit to carry) CANNOT be sent to school or sent home with a student. Failure to comply with this may result in disciplinary action for your child.

• Law on Missing Children (SEA 416): Schools must require a student who initially enrolls in the school corporation in any grade to provide the name and address of the school the student last attended, if any, and a certified copy of the student's birth certificate or other reliable proof of the student's date of birth. If the birth certificate or other proof of the student's date of birth is not provided to the school within 30 days of the student's enrollment or if it appears inaccurate or fraudulent, the school must notify the Indiana Clearinghouse for Information on Missing Children, 1-800-831-9853.
• Building Security: All exterior doors of the school are kept locked. Visitors must ring the video doorbell at the main entrance and request entry into the building and into the secure vestibule. All visitors are required to identify themselves, state the nature of their visit, report to the office, and sign-in and sign-out before leaving. To enhance student safety and ensure accurate attendance tracking, we utilize a secure check-in and check-out system. A parent, guardian, or approved adult must visit the school office when picking a student up early or arriving after 9:00 a.m.. A student may only be picked up by someone approved on PowerSchool. Students are required to come into the office and verify with the office staff who is there to pick them up.  
• Fire, Tornado, and Security Drills: Fire, tornado, and security drills will be held periodically in order to familiarize each student with a safe and efficient exit or place of security. Every student must cooperate fully in order to ensure the safety of all students. Fire drills occur once a month. Tornado and security drills occur twice per semester.

• Harassment & Bullying: The School Board is committed to providing a safe, positive, productive, and nurturing educational environment for all of its students. Bullying behavior toward a student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.

Bullying, as defined in State law, means overt, unwanted, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications or images transmitted in any manner (including digitally or electronically), physical acts committed, aggression, or any other behaviors committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other student and create for the targeted student an objectively hostile school environment that: 

• places the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm to the targeted student's person or property; has a substantially detrimental effect on the targeted student's physical or mental health; has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student's academic performance; or has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, and privileges provided by the school.

TSC Bullying Policy (Board Policy 5517.01): the full guidelines can be viewed at any time on the TSC webpage.

• Title IX: Tippecanoe School Corporation prohibits sexual harassment of and by students and employees.
• Seclusion & Restraint: A student will not be subject to seclusion or restraint unless the student's behavior poses an imminent risk of injury to the student or others.

• Personal Communication Devices: Students are not permitted to have cell phones or personal electronics in their possession during instructional hours. All cell phones and personal electronics need to be placed and kept in the student's backpack. Devices are subject to confiscation by school personnel and returned to the student or the parent at the end of the school day.
• Plagiarism & Academic Integrity: Plagiarism, as defined by the Random House Dictionary, is "to steal (the language, ideas, or thoughts) from (another) representing them as one's own original work." It is expected that classroom teachers would use such occasions as educational opportunities for all students. Students are required to rely on their own knowledge, skills, and district-approved resources when completing school work.
• Responsible AI Use: To ensure the integrity of the educational process and to promote fair and equal opportunities for all students, unauthorized use of Artificial Intelligence ("Al") tools is strictly prohibited for the completion of school work. Teachers have the discretion to authorize students to use AI tools for research assistance, data analysis, language translation, writing assistance, and accessibility. In accordance with their teacher's direction, students are required to cite/identify work generated/created with the use of Al tools and explain/demonstrate how the Al tools were used in the creation of the work.
• Digital Citizenship: Any student found using Al/NLP tools to generate, distribute, or engage in cyberbullying, harassment, hate speech, or other unethical or harmful conduct will be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. 

TSC Technology Department information can be found on the TSC Webpage under the Departments tab labeled Technology.

The Tippecanoe School Corporation conducts an annual search for all children with disabilities from birth through age 21. The purpose of this search is to ensure that every child with a disability who resides within the Tippecanoe School Corporation boundaries is receiving the special education and related services that are their right under state (Article 7) and federal (IDEA) law.

If you are aware of any child suspected of having a disability, regardless of the severity, please contact your school's building principal or designated person, or the TSC Office of Special Education (765-474-2481) for information regarding referral procedures.

TSC Office of Special Education 

Elston Administration Center 

20 Elston Road Lafayette, IN 47909

• Principal: Mrs. Tami Jacobs
• Assistant Principal: Mr. Josh Frauhiger
• Phone: 765-471-9321
• Mascot/Colors: Wolf/Navy Blue & Gray

• School Hours: Doors remain locked until 8:40 a.m. Students arriving after 9:00 a.m. are considered tardy and must be signed in at the office. Dismissal begins at 3:20 p.m.
• Late Arrivals: Parents must walk their child into the building, report the reason for the late arrival, and sign their student in. 
• Cancellation and Closing

In the event of inclement weather, school may be closed or the starting time delayed. The same conditions may also necessitate early dismissal. The most expedient way to receive this information is by utilizing the TSC2Go App. 

• Child Care: The YMCA offers before and after-school programs.
• Delays: In the event of a two-hour delay, school starts at 10:50 a.m.
• Lunch/Recess Times

Kindergarten:  11:15-12:05

1st Grade:  11:30-12:20

2nd Grade:  11:50-12:40

3rd Grade & 2/3 HA:  12:10-1:00

4th Grade:  12:30-1:20

5th Grade:  12:45-1:35

• Breakfast and Lunch Payments: Go to www.myschoolbucks.com to pay for your child’s meals. This allows parents/guardians to see their child’s lunch account balance online.  

TSC Nutrition Services Department information can be found on the TSC Webpage under the Departments tab labeled Nutrition Services.

• Transportation Changes: Parents must notify the school office if arrangements, other than riding the bus, have been made. If no communication is received, the child will be placed on their usual bus or normal plan. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY CHANGE OF TRANSPORTATION AFTER 3:00!!
• Car Riders- Arrival 
  • Cars will enter the south entrance via S. 18^th Street (by the Middle School).
  • Cars will then drive on the access road between parking lots at the middle school and continue along the drive around the west side of the Middle School. 
  • Enter the parking lot on the north side of the Elementary School and keep right. Drop-off/pick-up will be in a designated lane and along the sidewalk.  
  • Cars will make a U-turn and proceed to the exit on E 430 South. 
  • For safety, students should only be dismissed from the passenger side (curb side) of the car. Students will be dismissed from the cars at 8:45 am. Please do not release students until a staff member opens the door at the main entrance.
• Car Riders- Dismissal:
  • The same procedures will take place when we dismiss at 3:20 pm. 
  • Parents need to wait in line and for safety purposes students will enter cars on the passenger side from the curb. 
  • Students will not be allowed to exit the building without adult supervision. Dismissal will not begin until a staff member is present. 
  • Do not park and walk to the curb to get your child or ask your child to walk across the parking lot to your car. This will cause an unsafe situation and disrupt the flow of vehicles.  
  • When it is your turn to pull forward, move your vehicle all the way to the end of the curb or as far forward as possible to fill all spaces.  Do not pull around other cars, stay in line.  
  • All adults should remain in their cars at all times. If a parent needs to enter the building with a child, please park in the designated spots and check in with the office.
• Bus Information: 
  • Buses load and unload at the rear of the building. 
  • Parents are not permitted to use the back parking lot during arrival and dismissal. 
  • Students are NOT to be dropped off in the back parking lot. 
  • Parents/guardians must notify the school office by 3:00 p.m. if arrangements other than riding the bus home are made. Otherwise, the student will ride the school bus.
  • Students may not ride home with a friend on a different bus.  
  • To prepare a student to ride a bus and get to the bus stop on time, students should do the following:
    • Arrive at pick-up point before the bus arrives.
    • Wait their turn to load and unload.
    • Be seated promptly, and avoid blocking the aisle. No one is permitted to save seats. Assigned seats are to be occupied each day.
    • Obtain permission from drivers to open and close windows.
    • Refrain from using loud, boisterous language.
    • Make other arrangements for transportation for large class projects, glass materials, or objects that obstruct the aisles, doors, or the view of the bus driver.
    • Remain seated until the bus has come to a full stop.
  • Parents/guardians and students are reminded that school bus transportation is a privilege. Failure to comply with the rules and regulations established by the TSC Transportation Department may result in the loss of this privilege.  
  • For any bus-related concerns, the TSC Transportation Department should be your first point of contact at (765) 772-1700.
  • My Ride K-12 gives parents/guardians access to their own secure data for bus stop location, route, and pickup times. The software is connected to GPS equipment on our buses to provide families with access to estimated times of arrival and departure times for their buses.
  • TSC Transportation Department information, including how to download My Ride K-12 app, can be found on the TSC Webpage under the Departments tab labeled Transportation.For any bus-related concerns, the TSC Transportation Department should be your first point of contact at (765) 772-1700.

• Dress Code: 
  • All shirts should have sleeves that cover the shoulders. Muscle/tank shirts, tube tops, spandex shorts, and bare midriffs are prohibited.  
  • Dresses, shorts, and skirts must be below fingertip length. 
  • Sweatshirt and jacket hoods are not allowed to be worn inside. Hats, hoods, bandanas, and bonnets may not be worn in the building. 
  • Shoes with wheels are not permitted.
• Recess: Outside recess is held unless the wind chill or actual temperature drops below 20 degrees. When the heat index reaches 100 or higher, indoor recess activities will be utilized.
• Personal Items: Valuable merchandise should not be sent to school. No toys should be sent to school.  Items must have prior approval from the classroom teacher.  Items brought from home are the owner’s responsibility and will remain in the classroom. The school cannot be held responsible for loss, theft, or breakage.  
• Lost and Found: Jackets, hats, mittens, etc., are often turned into the school office when found. Too often these items are not claimed. Parents/guardians are welcome to check the "Lost and Found" to claim misplaced items. Labeling easily lost items with your child's name is highly encouraged. Unclaimed items will be donated periodically.
• Holidays, Birthdays & Celebrations: Fall activities are centered around a seasonal theme, not a Halloween theme (Halloween is not celebrated). Birthday treats must be store-bought to identify ingredients for safety. Balloons and flowers are not permitted.

• The letter grades the children earn are based on the grading scale percentages that have been established in TSC Policy 5421:

(A= 90%-100%)    (B= 80%-89%)    (C= 70%-79%)    (D= 60%-69%)   (F= 59% & Below)

• Students absent from school are responsible for work and information missed. Generally, students have one or two days to submit all make-up work.  Make-up work that is not completed, or unsatisfactorily submitted to the teacher, may result in an unsatisfactory grade. 
• Indiana Academic Standards: The Indiana Academic Standards serve as a guide for all instruction that takes place at Wea Ridge Elementary School. The standards for each grade level, and subject area, can be found on the Indiana Department of Education’s website, located at: https://www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-academic-standards/
• Title 1: Available for students having difficulty in reading and math based on test scores and teacher recommendations.

• PTO: Wea Ridge Elementary has an active PTO. Every parent and teacher is automatically a member and welcome to attend all meetings.
• Lunch Visits: Because of space limitations, parents eating lunch in the cafeteria is not an option. Parents may take their child off school grounds for lunch but must sign them out and back in. Outside/to-go drinks (e.g., Starbucks) and fast food are not permitted.
• Parent/Teacher Conferences: We will hold Parent/Teacher conferences in the fall and spring to discuss your child’s progress. Your child’s teacher will share scheduling information. Only one conference will be scheduled per child. 
• Building Security: Visitors must ring the video doorbell at the main entrance and request entry into the secure vestibule after identifying themselves and the nature of their visit.
• Lunch Visits: Parents/guardians may eat with their child by picking them up and taking them out for lunch; the student must be signed in and out. Parents/guardians should not deliver restaurant food to school for their child's lunch.
• Telephone Calling:  Teachers and students are not to be called from class unless an emergency exists. Voicemail messages may be left for teachers and staff members. Students are not allowed to use the school phones unless an emergency exists and they have permission from the supervising adult. Urgent messages for students will be delivered to classrooms.
• Parent/Teacher Conferences: We will hold Parent/Teacher conferences in the fall and spring to discuss your child’s progress. Your child’s teacher will share scheduling information. Only one conference will be scheduled per child.
• Volunteers: In an effort to continue our due diligence with regard to providing a safe environment for our students and staff, we require all volunteers having ongoing contact with children and/or supervising students (field trips, etc.) to have cleared an expanded criminal background check. These background checks are conducted through the Background Investigation Bureau (BIB).

The criminal background check will search national sex offender databases, court records, etc. The cost of the criminal history check is $20.45 (base cost) and is paid for by the volunteer through a link on our website: SecureVolunteer.

Once approved, the volunteer will receive a TSC Volunteer identification card that will be valid for a period of three (3) years. If you volunteer in multiple buildings, you will only need to complete one background check.

Volunteer background checks may take several business days to process so it is important to plan ahead. We appreciate your understanding of this important safety guideline. 

• Volunteering & Visitors: Visitors are welcome for volunteer/special events between 9:00 a.m. and 3:20 p.m.. Classroom volunteer visits must be pre-arranged with the teacher. Parents/Guardians are not allowed to just go sit in the classroom.

TSC Volunteers (Board Policy 8120): the full guidelines can be viewed at any time on the TSC webpage.

Field trips are an essential part of our curriculum, offering students unique learning experiences outside the traditional classroom.

Chaperone Guidelines: All field trips will be announced in advance. Classroom teachers will determine if parent volunteers are needed and manage the number of attendees. Please note that chaperones are expected to chaperone other students during the trip. To qualify as a chaperone, you must have an approved background check on file through TSC’s approved vendor.   

Wea Ridge Elementary values open, balanced communication. Please contact your child's teacher first regarding any academic or social-emotional questions. During school hours, call the office for urgent messages; classroom calls go to voicemail to minimize interruptions. Teachers check messages before/after school and during prep time. Emails are typically answered within 24 hours. To support teacher well-being, messages sent after hours or on weekends will be addressed the following school day. Follow our social media for school updates, maintaining positive comments to model best behaviors. Stay informed via the TSC2GO App, school websites, and the Parent Portal. The Timberwolf Tales newsletter is emailed monthly from the school office to our families. This communication contains important information about the school, the calendar of upcoming school events, and activities.