Part I - Introduction

Nevitt Elementary School is located in the Tempe Elementary School District #3. It was built in
between two neighborhoods. Nevitt Elementary is a Title 1 school and they teach English,
Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, PE and music such as band and choir. They teach
Kindergarten through 5th grade. In each grade level, they have 5 classes. On average, they teach
26 to 28 students in a class. There are two special education classes, SPARK and SEALS.
SPARK stands for School Program for Actualizing Responsible Kids. The program is for
students whose behaviors are a danger to others as well as themselves. SEALS stands for
Structured Education for Alternate Learning Styles. The program is for mostly low functioning
autistic students who need high attention and care. The mission of Nevitt Elementary School is
"Learning for all Whatever it Takes".

Part II - The School and the School System

The School System has fifteen elementary schools, two K-8 schools, five middle schools, one
preschool and two specialty schools with a total of 12,000 students. In the chart below you will
see the statistics of how there are slightly more males than females at Nevitt Elementary. I
wasn’t able to find the statistics of the whole school district.

Male Female Total

Tempe School N/A N/A N/A

District

Nevitt Elementary 52% 48% 100%

Population of School System and School by Race & Ethnicity

System Total Nevitt Elementary

Asian or Pacific Islander 3% 1%
Black 5% 11%
Hispanic 45% 77%
Native American 6% 2%
White 38% 6%
Two or more races 3% 2%

As you can see, Nevitt Elementary is in a very hispanic dominated area. Almost all of their
students are hispanic.
Nevitt Elementary has a total of 74% of their students who receive free lunch and 9% receive
reduced lunch.

The demographics of teachers by race, ethnicity and gender is not public information and on the
website it says that I would have to request information like that from a superintendent.

The per pupil expenditure says that the average total spent at Nevitt Elementary is $9,549.

Part III - The Classroom

American Indian 0

Asian 0

Black 3

Hispanic 13

White 2

Total 19

The classroom that I observe is a resource room. Ms. Raju pulls students throughout the day
based on what subject they need more help in. At the beginning of the day, she starts with 5th
grade math. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 8:30 am, she helps one 4th grade boy
with math. On Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 8:30 am, she helps a small group of
5th grade students on low math. From 9:00 - 9:30, depending on the day, she is pulling kids from
class to help them with their reading. She pulls several different groups of students at different
times to teach them the skill that all the students of the group are struggling with. She either
comes to the class and pulls the students or calls and has them sent to her room. She helps with
all types of subjects including math, reading and writing.

Part IV - The Parent/Student Handbook

i. Attendance Policy

Excused Absences only acquire when their is a death in the family, doctor’s appointment, court
appearance for the child, illness, religious holidays (as defined by the parent), lack of
immunizations (5 days only), lice (3 days only), and deployment-related absences.
Documentation may be requested for these absences.
Unexcused Absences are caused by take your child to work day, caring for siblings, vacation,
failure to call the school, missed bus, lack of immunizations
(more than 5 days), lice (more than 3 days). Students will be withdrawn after 10 consecutive
absences. 3 unexcused absences will result in a call home. 5 unexcused absences will result in
the principal sending a letter home warning parent/guardian of possible court proceedings
if student’s absences continue. Possible home visit by school staff. 9 unexcused absences will
result in a staff member making a personal contact with the parent/guardian. 15 and 18
unexcused absences will result in the principal sending a letter home of possible court
proceedings if student’s absences continue. The parent/guardian and/or student may be issued a
citation for violation of Arizona Revised Statute A.R.S. §15-802. A citation would require that
the parent/guardian appear in court and consequences may include participation in a
Parent Truancy Class and program fees to attend the class. If convicted, it is a Class 3
Misdemeanor punishable by jail time and/or fine.

ii. Dress Code

Closed toe shoes must be worn at all times. Jewelry shall not be worn if it presents a safety
hazard. Profane or defamatory writing on clothing or jewelry is not acceptable. No hats are to be
worn inside unless for properly approved occupational safety headgear required for special
classes. Gang related personalization isn’t allowed on anything. Obscene language or symbols,
or symbols of drugs, sex, alcohol or tobacco on clothing are expressly prohibited. School
uniforms are to be worn at all times unless there's a special day (i.e., holidays, spirit days).
Students will be allowed to wear protective outside clothing. Please properly mark your child’s
jacket, sweater,
lunch box, etc., with your child’s full name so that these items are easily identifiable. Lost and
found areas are provided in the schools for lost articles.

iii. Behavior Expectations/Consequences

Any violation for academics such as cheating, forgery, lying and plagiarism is at first a warning
and can go up to a short term suspension. Any aggression such as reckless behavior up to assault
can go from a warning to expulsion. Any use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs can start with
short term suspension and end with expulsion. Arson can start with short term suspension and
end with expulsion. Bus privileges can be taken away if needed. If a student has dangerous items
such as air soft guns, laser pointer, mace, tear gas, etc. can get you a short suspension or
expulsion. Harassment, bullying, threats or intimidation will get you a student conference; all the
way to expulsion. Disobeying any rule in the handbook will not be tolerated.

iv. Parents Expectations

Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education. As part of the Title I
parental involvement policy (Section 1118 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965), each school receiving Title I funds will develop a school-parent compact that outlines
how parents, school staff, and students will share responsibility for improving student
achievement. Parents need to be involved in creating a policy that establishes expectations for
parental involvement and the means for carrying out the requirements. Tempe School District #3
has multiple opportunities such as annual meetings held on campus and school site council
meetings that are held regularly to seek input from parents. Parents have the job of making sure
their child and others are safe at school.

v. Health and Safety

All students are required to be in physical education unless given a reasonable excuse such as a
doctor's note from a medical provider. If your child is ill, do not bring them to school. If you go
to a health provider, bring a note to excuse the absence. If antibiotics are prescribed, the student
must complete 24 hours of medication dosage before returning to school. The student should be
fever-free for 24 hours (temperature below 99.8°F without the use of fever reducing medications)
before returning to school. The student must be free of diarrhea and vomiting for 24 hours before
returning to school. Children who require medications during school hours must have written
parent/guardian permission on a school medication form. Prescription medication must be
provided to the health office staff in the current, original container with the child’s name on the
prescription label. Medication cannot be sent to and from school with students. Parents/guardians
must make arrangements to deliver and pick up medication from the school health office. The
person picking up medication must be a parent or guardian, sibling 18 years or older, a family
member or friend over the age of 18 as specified by the parent in writing or by telephone. The
school does not provide health insurance for students. You may, however, purchase insurance
through a private company. Insurance information is available from the school office. State law
requires students to have immunizations to attend school. Students who have not started the
immunizations or are overdue for the next dose will be excluded from school. Upon enrollment
into an Arizona school, parents must provide the child’s shot record that has been signed by a
doctor’s office or medical clinic. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis
(DTP), Tetanus, Diphtheria and adult dose of Pertussis (Tdap), Polio (OPV/IPV), Measles,
Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Haemophilus Influenzae b Conjugate (HIB), Varicella (Var) and
Meningococcal (MCV4) are all required immunizations that students must have in order to
attend school. The Maricopa County Department of Public Health offers immunizations to
children younger than 18 years old who are uninsured. Head lice are confirmed by the
identification of a live louse on the head. Parents are encouraged to check their child’s hair
weekly and consult your school health office staff as a resource. Students identified with live lice
will be sent home from school and should remain at home until properly treated and lice-free.
Staff will be conducting hearing and vision screening throughout the school year. Please contact
the school health office if you have questions about screening performed at your student’s grade
level. If you have concerns about your student’s vision or hearing and would like him/her to be
screened, please contact the health office to make that request. Results of screening are
confidential. Parents/guardians will be notified of results only if there are concerns about their
child’s screening results. Parents/guardians who do not want their child to participate in
vision/hearing screening at school must contact the school health office to obtain a waiver of
participation form.

Part V - Reflection

With all the information that I have gathered, Nevitt Elementary School is an amazing
environment for everyone. For being a Title 1 school, they strive to make sure that every student
is getting the best education possible.