Handbook

	History, Mission & Values
	Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures

	School Hours
	School Visitors
	Parent Volunteers
	Home-School Communication
	Discipline
	School Closings
	Emergency Information
	Student Absences and Illnesses
	Pupil Accidents and Illness at School
	Student Vacations
	Early Dismissal / Late Arrival
	Homework
	Lunch
	Birthdays
	School-Business Partnerships

History, Mission & Values (Back to top)

A Little Gombert History

The Peter M. Gombert School is a community formed primarily of students who previously attended McCarty School. The school is named to honor a well-respected and admired Associate Superintendent of Indian Prairie District 204. The Gombert school colors are blue and white with a green accent, and our mascot is the Gator. For more information about Peter M. Gombert, click here.

Indian Prairie School District No. 204 Mission Statement

Our mission is:

To prepare all students to succeed in an ever-changing world through comprehensive programs and experiences in collaboration with family and community.

District Values

We know:

	Including and respecting all people strengthens public education;
	We cultivate a climate charged with enthusiasm for teaching and learning;
	We challenge all students to reach their potential;
	Our students must develop the skills to become life-long learners;
	Students learn best in a safe and caring environment;
	Education works best when the entire community participates and shares the responsibility.

School Hours (Back to top)

	Phone: 375-3700
	Attendance Line: 375-3704
	Office Hours: 7:45-4:15
	School Hours: 9:05-3:35
	AM Kindergarten: 9:05-11:50
	PM Kindergarten: 12:50-3:35

Parent Volunteers (Back to top)

Parent involvement is critical to school success. For parents who are able to donate time in the school, your help will be appreciated. Classroom teachers will address their needs for volunteers during curriculum night. The LMC (library media center) can often use some helping hands. Information will be sent home from Mr. Stedman concerning ways you can help in the LMC.

Home-School Communication (Back to top)

Parent s should receive regular written newsletters from their child’s teachers. The Gombert PTA, in conjunction with the school, sends out a monthly newsletter, the Gombert Gazette.  This will highlight special events, important dates, and provide timely information.

The district web page at www.ipsd.org contains general information about the district as well as a Gombert School web page (which will be up and running soon). The teachers also have access to email. The staff email addresses are first name_last name@ipsd.org, such as james_smith@ipsd.org.

Discipline (Back to top)

At Gombert, we believe a positive atmosphere establishes and encourages student growth and development. The focus of all intervention is on the development of positive behaviors through good choices and self-discipline. Self-discipline is a key to maintaining an effective learning environment. Students are expected to respect the rights and property of others. Any behavior that causes, or may cause, a staff member to recognize the potential for substantial injury, disruption, or interference with school activities or others’ rights will be addressed accordingly. Such behavior may occur on school grounds or on a school bus. Consequences for inappropriate behavior may include a warning, parent conference, suspension, and/or expulsion from school.

Classroom teachers will share their classroom behavioral expectations on Curriculum Night.

School Closings (Back to top)

In cases of bad weather or dangerous road conditions, school closings or early dismissals may be announced. Please do not call the school. District 204 usesWMAQ 670 AM, WGN 720 AM, WKKD 96 FM, and WYSY 108 FM to communicate such information.  For more information on school closings see our district home page at www.ipsd.org/school_closings.

Emergency Information (Back to top)

It is important that your Emergency Card information remain current throughout the year. Please update this information when there are changes such as phone numbers, emergency contact persons, employment status, etc. This information is critical to the welfare and care of your child.

Student Absences and Illnesses (Back to top)

Instructional time directly and positively affects student achievement. Seeing that a student maintains regular attendance requires a cooperative effort by the student, parents or guardians, and school personnel. However, children must not attend school when ill. In regard to a fever, children may return to school after being fever free for a 24-hour period.

If your child is going to be absent you must call the school office by 9:30 AM. In the event of an unreported absence, the office personnel will attempt to contact you.

To report an absence, call 375-3704 and leave the requested information.

Pupil Accidents and Illness at School (Back to top)

If a student becomes ill or has an accident at school, the following procedures will be followed:

	Provide immediate first aid and, if necessary, contact the paramedics.
	Contact school nurse as needed.
	Contact parents if possible.
	Contact emergency references, if parents are not available.
	Contact 911, if parents and emergency references are unavailable.

Student Vacations (Back to top)

Every effort should be made not to have students miss school for vacation purposes. When absences occur due to a vacation, students will not receive homework in advance. Experience has shown that learning in the classroom cannot be duplicated with independent work assignments. Work missed will have to be made up when the child returns.

Early dismissal / late arrival (Back to top)

A request to have the child's dismissed early should be sent in writing with a child on the morning of the dismissal. Parents must come to the school office, sign the child out of the office, and the student will be called to the office for pick-up. A child will be released only to his/her own parents unless other arrangements have been made. Late arrivals must report to the office before going to class. In the event of an emergency change in dismissal plans, please call the school office and speak to a person. Do not assume a message left on voice mail will be heard before students leave for the day.

Homework (Back to top)

Homework at the elementary level begins in an informal fashion but becomes more formal and requires more time and effort as the child progresses through each grade. Parents are expected to be sufficiently interested in their child's education to commit the time and energy needed to monitor/supervise their child's home study and thereby ensure that a reasonable effort was made to complete homework assignments. The use of assignment sheets or assignment notebooks is designed to teach students a way to organize and plan their time. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Lunch (Back to top)

Students in grades 1-5 have a 35-minute lunch/recess period. Sack lunches are necessary unless students are participating in the Gombert PTA Spirit Lunch program on Mondays. Milk is available and may be paid for by the year. Applications for free milk/lunch are available in the school office for those families who are experiencing financial difficulties.

We expect students in the lunchroom to respect the rights and property of others. Good manners are required. Students may lose appropriate privileges if they choose not to follow the lunch room rules.

Lunchroom rules include:

	Walk in the lunchroom.
	Remain seated unless you have permission to leave.
	Talk quietly.
	Raise your hand for assistance.
	Never throw anything.
	Clear the table and floor area near you.
	Discard all garbage and recyclables as directed.

	10:55 - 5th grades
	11:15 - 3rd grades
	11:40 - 2nd grades
	12:15 4th and  grades
	12:45 1st grade

Growing children are frequently hungry children. Classroom teachers may ask that students bring a nutritious snack to eat in the classroom at some time during the day.

Birthdays (Back to top)

Student birthdays (and half-birthdays for those during the summer months) will be announced during the morning announcements. Children will receive a commemorative gift such as a pencil from the office. If you do not wish to have your son’s or daughter’s birthday announced, please let the classroom teacher or the office know.

If you wish to commemorate your child’s birthday, please consider sending in a book or game as a gift for the classroom. Due to the large number of serious food allergies, we cannot allow students to bring in food for their birthdays. We appreciate your understanding and concern.

School-Business Partnerships (Back to top)

When schools, parents and the community work together, everyone can benefit. With this in mind, Gombert has formed three school business partnerships, and is open to forming more!

Presently, our students learn about money management and savings at the Gator Bank which is a partnership we have with Oakbrook Bank. Student tellers assist student customers in opening accounts and making transactions. Bank days will be listed in the Gator Gazette.

Ink jet and toner cartridges can be recycled at school Gombert receives money which can be used to enhance our educational program while being environmentally conscious. Thanks for the contribution!

If you or your company are interested in forming a school-business partnership, please call the school at 375-3700. 

This handbook was designed to supplement the Parent/Student handbook provided by the district.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact our office.