The School Day 

New this year, the school hours are from 7:45 am until 1:52 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Every third Wednesday, excluding spring break, the school days are from 7:45 am until 12:37 pm. This 12:37 pm early release only applies to the following dates:

• August 21, 2024
• September 18, 2024
• October 16, 2024
• November 20, 2024
• December 18, 2024
• January 15, 2025
• February 19, 2025
• March 26, 2025 (4th Wednesday)
• April 16, 2025
• May 21, 2025

Supervision of children begins at 7:15 am. Children are not permitted on campus before 7:15 am.

There are no public restrooms on campus. Restroom use is for faculty and staff personnel and students. In an emergency, please ask permission to use the restroom in the front office only.

Arriving at School

The tardy bell rings at 7:45 am. Students arriving between 7:45 am and 8:00 am can head right to their classrooms and the teacher will mark them tardy in the classroom.  At 8:00 am all students will go directly to the front office to be signed in tardy and then will be sent to their classroom. Kindergarten and First grade students must have a parent escort them to the office and their classroom. Parents must bring their PICTURE ID in with them to receive a visitors pass before walking their student to class while on campus.  Before leaving campus parents must return their visitor's pass to the office so that you can be signed out of the visitor database.

Attendance

A full school term for the State of Florida is 180 school days for students. All absences are recorded. Regular attendance is required by Florida Law; Section 232.09. The statute states, “Each parent of a child within the compulsory attendance age shall be responsible for such child’s school attendance as required by law.” Parents are requested to report reasons for absences by sending a note to the teacher following the child’s absence or sending an email to wiles@gm.sbac.edu regarding the absence.

Alachua County attendance officers receive computer-generated attendance reports and follow-up with school personnel on reasons for student absences. Repeated absences or tardiness are referred for further investigation. Attendance officers may call or visit parents when students have excessive absences or tardiness.

Check-out Procedures

Early Check Out ends at 1:30 pm on Monday-Friday.
Early Check Out ends at 12:00 pm on the early release Wednesdays listed above.
Thank you in advance for complying with this policy.
If at all possible, it is very important to allow your child to complete the entire school day.

Walking to School

Students must walk on the sidewalks provided and cross the roadways only at the designated crosswalks with the crossing guard.

Bus Riders

Bus students go directly to the bus loading area upon dismissal. Students will board the bus, find their seat and remain in their seat. Students are not permitted to exit the bus without the permission of the driver or supervising teacher. Students should go directly home after being dropped off at their bus stop. Children will not get off at a different stop without a note from home. Students must have a note from home and signed by the principal to ride a bus different from his/her regular bus.

Automobile Riders

All automobile traffic must use the car area in front of the school (main entrance). Single-lane traffic only is permitted in the car pick-up area. Cars will follow the established traffic pattern. Drivers are encouraged to pull up as far as possible next to the sidewalk. Please do not leave a car unattended in the loading zone. Parents must come into the front office to sign out any student not picked up on time.

SAFETY CONCERNS MANDATE THAT CHILDREN NOT BE PICKED UP OR DROPPED OFF IN THE BUS LOADING AREA!

Skateboards
    * Skateboards and dogs are not allowed on campus at any time. 

Changing Plans For Getting Home
    * Please make advance plans for getting home on rainy days or when the routine for getting home changes.
    * If there is a change, we ask that the request not be made via home, because we cannot verify the identity of the caller. Instead, a written note must be sent with your child to their teacher explaining how he|she is getting home, or you can email wiles@gm.sbac.edu with information about the change for dismissal. We thank you for your understanding and for adhering to this safety measure, as we take every precaution to keep our children safe. 

CHILDREN WHO NORMALLY RIDE THE BUS WILL BE PUT ON THE BUS UNLESS THEY HAVE A NOTE EXPLAINING HOW THEY ARE TO GET HOME. ALL CHILDREN WILL BE SENT HOME IN THEIR USUAL MANNER UNLESS THE SCHOOL IS NOTIFIED OF SPECIFIC CHANGES IN WRITING.

Extended Day Program
    * Information on costs and registration is available in the school office. This program is only provided when school is in session.

Guidelines For Student Conduct 
    * Parents are urged to help their children understand the expectations set forth by Wiles Elementary School and the School Board of Alachua County. The purpose of the behavior guidelines is to insure a happy, cooperative, safe environment for learning.
    * Students at Wiles Elementary are responsible for their personal behavior at all times. Members of the school community are expected to be polite and considerate of the rights of others.
    * Students are expected to cooperate with all teachers and staff members. Student teachers, visitors, and volunteers are to be treated with the same respect as teachers and staff.
    * Physical violence and threats are considered to be very serious forms of misbehavior and will not be tolerated at Wiles Elementary.
    * All students are expected to abide by the rules set forth in the School Board of Alachua County Code of Student Conduct. Failure to display appropriate behavior may result in loss of individual privileges or a conference between the parents and the teacher or principal.

Toys and Games
    * Toys, radios|tape players, and games (including electronic devices) should be left at home unless the teacher gives prior permission for them to be brought to school. If these items are brought to school, they will be collected and a parent may be requested to come pick them up. It is very important that students concentrate on learning while at school. Toys often distract the student from his/her lessons.

Weapons
    * Weapons and other dangerous objects, including pocketknives, are not permitted on school buses or the school grounds. Possession of a weapon is a serious offense and may result in suspension or expulsion from school. Refer to the Code of Student Conduct for specific details.

Gum, Candy, Etc.
    * Children may not eat during class without permission of the teacher. If food is brought to school, it should be put away until the child is seated in the lunchroom. In accordance with our District Wellness Program, we encourage parents to choose fruit or other nutritious snacks rather than candy.

Playground
Some important things to remember while playing are:
    * only one person on a swing
    * do not jump from the swing
    * be sure the slide is empty before you slide down
    * come down the slide feet first
    * throw only a ball on the playground
    * football is not allowed
    * do not wrestle or tackle another person

Bus Rules
It is a privilege to ride a school bus. Students are expected to follow the rules. Students must:
    * Obey the driver.
    * Stand off the roadway while waiting for buses.
    * Be at the bus stop on time.
    * Sit according to the seating chart.
    * Remain seated when the bus is in motion.
    * Keep arms and heads inside the windows.
    * Remain quiet. Unnecessary conversation with the driver is dangerous.
    * Observe classroom conduct at all times while aboard the bus.
    * Have no food or drink on the bus.
    * Whenever boarding or departing, cross the road 10 feet in front of the bus when the driver signals that it is clear to cross.
    * Ride only your assigned buses to and from school. Written permission, with principal approval, is required to get off at a different stop. Parents assume responsibility.
    * Pay for damage to school buses or property within 10 days after billing.
    * Have no large boxes, balloons, cages, firearms, knives, glass bottles, animals, reptiles, offensive materials, etc. on the buses.
    * Three bus reports or serious misconduct may result in either temporary or permanent suspension of the privilege of riding the school bus.

Bringing Money To School
    * Students should not be allowed to bring extra money to school unless a note is sent home for a school sponsored project.

Leaving School Early
    * Students are not permitted to leave during the school day without being checked out through the office. The parent|guardian must come to the office and sign the child out. The child will then be called from the class. In an effort to minimize disruptions in the classroom, we ask that early checkouts be reserved for emergency situations only. Please plan to make all doctor appointments, etc. after school hours. We thank you for your cooperation.
    * If someone other than the parent|guardian is to pick up the child, make sure the office has written authorization from the parent|guardian. It is the responsibility of the parent to notify any after-school daycare when a child is absent or has gone home directly from school.

WE MUST KNOW IF THERE IS SOMEONE WHO IS SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED FROM SEEING OR PICKING UP THE CHILD. THIS MUST BE NOTED ON THE EMERGENCY CARD. WHEN THIS PERSON IS A NATURAL PARENT OF THE CHILD, A COURT ORDER BARRING VISITATION MUST BE ON FILE IN THE CHILD’S RECORD.

Student Attire
    * Wiles follows the Dress Code set by the district. A link will be provided on our web page.

Art, Music and Physical Education
    * Each student participates in a regularly scheduled class for art, music, and physical education. Parents should help children select shoes and clothing appropriate to the activity of the day.

Lost and Found
    * The school maintains an area for claiming lost belongings. Parents should mark their children’s things with a permanent marker. The most frequently misplaced articles include: jackets, sweaters, sweat shirts, and lunch boxes. Items marked with the child’s first and last name are easy to return to their owner.

Getting The News
    * Newsletters and calendars about special events are sent home throughout the year. The Alachua County Public School’s communication office also provides a system for getting prerecorded phone messages to each home. This system is used to get important information out to parents. Children should be instructed to get an adult to the phone immediately if they answer the phone and hear a message from school. The message is repeated at the end of the tape, so you can get all of the information if you missed a part.
    * A calendar showing upcoming events, notes from the principal, and the cafeteria menu is sent home at the beginning of each month.

Field Trips
    * Field trips are planned as extensions of class activities. Parents and guardians are encouraged to volunteer as chaperons. Chaperons may not bring other children on the field trip. Volunteer applications must be completed each year and must be submitted at least one week prior to a field trip. An application must be on file for anyone who chaperons a field trip.
    * Should a student’s conduct indicate that he / she might present a safety or security risk while off the grounds, he/she may not be invited to participate in the field trip. In some cases, a parent or guardian might be required to personally chaperon the child as a condition for participation.
    * No child will be allowed to go on a field trip without a signed permission form. All students must ride the bus to attend a field trip.

Homework
    * Homework is a planned extension of school activities. Its purpose may be to reinforce important facts or skills, or to enrich a subject through personal experimentation or research. Correctly used, it helps develop self-discipline and a sense of responsibility.
    * If a student frequently needs a good deal more time than seems appropriate, the parent should request a conference with the child’s teacher. Homework should be completed and returned to class within the allowed time limit. If an emergency prevents a child from being able to complete the assignment, the parent is encouraged to contact the teacher so that adjustments may be made.

Bringing Animals To School
    * Animals may not be brought to school without prior permission from the teacher. The cage used should adequately provide for ventilation, food, and water, as well as insure the safety of the animal and the children. Dangerous or poisonous animals are not permitted.
    * An adult must transport the animal to and from school. Animals are not allowed on the school bus.

Library Media Center 
    * The school Media Center is open to students and parents at any time during the school day. Students come to the Media Center individually, in small groups, and with their class.
    * The Media Center is a place for everyone to enjoy. Students may talk quietly, but not disturb others. It is a place for recreational reading, research, browsing, and instruction.
    * The school is required by the School Board of Alachua County and the State of Florida to collect from a pupil/parent/guardian the purchase price (or percentage thereof, depending on the age of the material) of any material a student has lost, damaged, or destroyed.
    * All students are expected to take proper care of school materials that are used at school or taken home. Parents can help by reinforcing responsible use of these materials at home.

Cafeteria
    * The cafeteria at Wiles Elementary serves breakfast and lunch daily. Breakfast is served between 7:15 am and 7:35 am. 

    * The cost for a regular-priced lunch is $2.50 and breakfast $1.50.

    * Families can apply for free and reduced meals by clicking here.

    * Students may bring extra money for healthy snacks from the serving line.

Lunchroom Conduct
Basic rules to remember while in the cafeteria are:
    * Talk quietly to people at your table.
    * Stay at your table.
    * Follow the traffic pattern.
    * Do not trade or share food.
    * Wait for a host or teacher to dismiss you from the table.
    * Put silverware, trash, and trays in their proper disposals.
    * Leave your area clean.
    * Always use your best manners.

Visiting the School
    * Volunteers are welcome at Wiles Elementary.
    * Volunteers must go through a screening process.
    * For the safety of our school community, all visitors and volunteers are required to check in through the front office upon arrival on campus.

Parent-Teacher Conference
    * It is our hope that communication between the home and school will be ongoing. The School Board’s policy of not setting formal conference days supports the belief that parent-teacher conferences should be scheduled as needed throughout the year. We value the opportunity to talk with parents about the child’s progress.
    * Either parents or teachers may request conferences. Parent-teacher conferences need to be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. If a parent wishes to set up a conference time, he / she may contact the teacher either with a written note or by calling the school at 955-6717.
    * School personnel only observe classes. Teacher permission in advance is required to observe your child during instructional time for a maximum of 30-45 minutes.

Class Parties and Special Occasions
    * Birthday parties are not conducted at school. However, a parent may bring a treat to share with the child’s class during lunch. Arrangements should be made with the child’s teacher ahead of time due to many students having food allergies. 
    * Invitations to private parties, unless issued to every student in the class, may not be distributed at school.
    * Deliveries for students (flowers, balloons, etc.) cannot be accepted at school. Such deliveries can be a disruption of the class as well as a problem for the child going home. Balloons are a safety hazard on the school bus.

Reporting Pupil Progress 
    * Report cards are sent home at regular intervals throughout the year. Teachers may also send home interim reports during the grading period. Parents may request an interim report if they have a specific concern about progress in a subject area. Report card receipts should be signed and returned to school.

Student Emergency Cards
    * The school must have an emergency card on file for each student with current names and telephone numbers of people to contact in case of an emergency and who is allowed to pick up your child. If any of the information changes, please come to the school office with your Picture ID to update the information.

Parent Teacher Association
    * Our Parent Teacher Association does a tremendous job of promoting a positive educational program. We invite all parent/guardians to become actively involved in any of the many PTA-sponsored activities. As a volunteer, room mother, Board member, or officer, you can make a meaningful contribution. Get involved and be a part of the team!

School Advisory Council (SAC)
The School Advisory Council advises the principal on issues of school-wide concern and will be instrumental in the on-going process of the development, implementation, and evaluation of a School Improvement Plan which addresses the seven state goals:
    * Readiness to start school
    * Student performance
    * Learning environment
    * Safety and environment
    * Teachers and staff
    * Adult literacy
All meetings are open to the public.

Katherine Munn, Principal
Kimball Wiles Elementary School
352-955-6955
munnkl followed by the ending @gm.sbac.edu