Parents

Across the country, school safety practices are evolving. At USD 305, we have been expanding our strategies to be more comprehensive and increase options for responding to safety concerns.

This year, all Salina USD 305 schools are implementing age appropriate A.L.I.C.E. (alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate) strategies. This proactive approach is not step-by-step, but rather options that can be used in response to a threatening intruder. The method moves beyond a passive lockdown-only approach. It empowers people to make decisions that best fit an emergency.

We all share the priority of keeping our schools safe. Throughout the year, students are involved in safety drills. You can help reinforce school safety by asking your students about what they have practiced at school.

We also ask for your support in reminding students that if they “see something, say something” and for you to seek information from school officials whenever there are questions or concerns about what is happening in our schools. In turn, we are committed to providing up-to-date information on our websites and communications when safety concerns arise.

Depending upon the situation, emergency messages are sent by text, phone and email. To review your contact information and ensure it is up to date click here. 

At Salina USD 305 our commitment to keeping school safe means continuous review, practice and improvement of district and building crisis plans. If you have any questions about how A.L.I.C.E. or any other safety drills have been practiced at your student’s school, please contact your principal. Thank you for your support.

To find a great job and meaningful work in public service to Kansas and its citizens:
https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center/

Click Agency Information to find a Career Information link: 
http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Skyward for Parents
USD 305 District Contacts
Nondiscrimination Statement 
Maps to Schools

Question: Can I have my PED's (MP3', IPod, gaming system, cell phone, etc.) at school? 
Answer: Yes, but each student assumes the responsibility of their property. Opportunity Now assumes NO responsibility for anything lost broken, or stolen. 

Question: Can I use my PED's in class? 
Answer: Only when on BLUE LEVEL and permission has been granted by the teacher. Students on WHITE LEVEL  DO NOT have the opportunity to use PED's and should not expect permission to be granted to use these items, even during free time. 

Question: Can I use my PED at lunch if I am on White Level? 
Answer: Yes. The use of cell phones or other PED's is not restricted during non-instructional times, such as passing periods and lunch. HOWEVER, if they become a  distraction, then any staff can ask you to put your PED's away and you are expected to comply. 

Question: Can I use the courtyard whenever I'm angry? 
Answer: No. With staff permission, you can go up front and ask administration permission to go outside to cool down as part of recovery. 

Question: Can I have a visitor at school? 
Answer: Yes, but only with permission from an administrator. They are required to call the front desk to schedule a day for the visit. 5 days notice is preferred. Times for visitation are 11:20 - 11:45. If your visitor will be eating lunch, that must be set ahead of time and paid for before the day of visit. 

Question: Can I leave campus to get lunch? 
Answer: No. Lunches are closed unless given permission from administrator. 

Education starts at school and continues at home. There are plenty of things that you, as parents, can do at home to help your child along a strong developmental path. Here are some helpful tips to give your child an advantage at home, which will transfer to the classroom.

Read, Read, Read
Reading is an important cognitive function for children to learn. Take every opportunity you can to read with your child. Make the kitchen, living room, and their bedrooms, into “reading zones” and devote some time every day to reading short stories, homework, or anything that is particularly challenging for them.

Make it Fun!
Games can be exceptional learning tools. Board games, card games, memory games and word games subtly engage a child in learning essential problem solving skills, while ensuring they have fun! Showing them how much fun learning can be will make them more eager to learn.

Embrace Technology
Computers, tablets, and mobile devices have access to all sorts of educational resources that can help your child learn in a collection of different ways. From games to writing to reading, technology offers a number of different ways to engage kids as they learn. Don’t be scared to let them get used to technology, the sooner they learn about the devices, the more comfortable they will be when using them in the future.

Encouragement is Golden
Remember to encourage your children through the learning process. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in helping a developing mind absorb information. Mistakes should not be cause for concern. Instead, view them as learning opportunities and help your child realize where, and how, they can improve.

Count, Write, Read
Practice, repetition, and routine help a young mind develop skills faster, and become more comfortable with the skills they already have. Set time aside to count with your children, let them write stories for you, and read them together. This little bit of effort can make a world of difference in the long run.

Elementary Hours
8:15-2:10

Lunch @11-11:20

Here are some fun activities/tips/tricks that make learning engaging, as well as, informative:

• Set aside time to write and read short stories to each other.
• Find a board game that the whole family can play and have some fun (board games usually involve problem solving, math, writing, and many other transferable skills).
• Read from a variety of sources – expose your children to different ways of writing and thinking
• Play rhyming games – rhyming games help with improvisational skills and vocabulary.
• Don’t limit yourself to a certain writing or vocabulary level – try new things and see what develops quicker than others.
• Write different styles – experiment with different styles to broaden their skills.
• Read together – dedicate time to read separate stories in the same room or the same story
• Encourage them to explore art – different artistic expressions can go simultaneously with higher-level skills. Poetry is relatable to writing as much as music is to math.
• Talk to your kids. Discuss what they did that day in school, what they liked, what they didn’t.
• Make every day activities educational – engage your child to skim the paper for things, help you make shopping lists, or dictate recipes. Little things like this build transferable skills that help in a collection of different areas.
• Encourage their curiosity.
• Motivate with reward, applause, or recognition.
• Routines are good – they set boundaries, time limits, schedules, and things to look forward to.
• Talk about word families. Point out words that are related to other words and help build an early relationship with language, logic, and deduction.
• Listen to music. Music can train children in subconscious, subtle manners – making them more receptive to lessons they may consider boring otherwise.
• Look up words – don’t let your children remain confused. If they come across words they don’t understand, help them look it up and work through them.
• Share family stories and talk regularly.
• Go on adventures. Going camping, to museums, or sporting events exposes them to a completely new world of excite to experience.
• Play games like I-Spy, where you engage multiple senses, deduction and problem solving.
• Help your child keep a diary. Read it through with them, as this is both a good way to learn writing skills, speaking skills, and reading skills.