POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Visitor Policy
Safety and security of our students and staff is a priority. All visitors entering the building must come to the main office and sign in the guest registry and state the purpose of your visit. You will be given a lanyard to wear during your visit - it indicates to staff that you have permission to be in the building. If your lanyard is not visible, staff will stop and ask you what you are doing.  
PE Day Attire
Students must wear proper gym shoes or they will sit out of gym class. Proper gym shoes are tennis shoes that cover the whole foot and can be tightened by laces or Velcro. Cleats, crocs, sandals, dress shoes, boots, flip flops, etc., are not acceptable. Suggested attire includes: Sweat pants, athletic shorts (elastic waist running shorts, work out shorts and basketball shorts), joggers/track pants, warm-ups pants, yoga pants, and leggings. T-shirts and sweatshirts.
Dress Code
​The Waters Elementary School student dress code supports equitable educational access for all students. It will be enforced consistently and in a manner that does not reinforce stereotypes or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income or body type/size. We expect that all students will dress in a way that is appropriate for the school day (or for school sponsored events), does not interfere with any student’s health or safety, or contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student.  This dress code will be implemented with “intent” as opposed to “literal” spirit, for example we will not be measuring anyone’s shorts with a ruler.

  • Clothing should be reflective of a learning environment that prepares students for higher learning and the workplace.
  • All students must be covered from mid-thigh to top of chest in non-see-through materials.
  • Tops cannot be strapless.
  • T-shirts, pins or other clothing with inappropriate, hateful or offensive messages or pictures are not allowed.
  • Footwear should be appropriate for school activities (gym, recess, going up and down stairs, science labs, etc).
  • Thin flip-flops and slippers can be a safety hazard and are inappropriate for school activities.
Wellness Program
In unison with CPS initiatives for health and wellness, Waters has implemented the following guidelines:
  • Food will not be used as a reward for success or good behavior
  • Taking away physical activity (such as recess or physical education) as a punishment will not be allowed
  • Birthdays and holidays will not be celebrated with food in the classroom (see below for alternatives)
 
Special Occasions
All celebrations must be coordinated and approved by the homeroom teacher. Please contact your child’s teacher regarding their specific classroom celebration policy. To acknowledge special occasions such as birthdays, we encourage families to celebrate with books.  Students can bring in their favorite book or donate a book to their school classroom library, to be read by the student or a guest reader. All donated books will be acknowledged with a sticker on the inside cover detailing the date and name of the birthday boy or girl. Students with summer birthdays can celebrate a “half-birthday.” 
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Allergies/Medical Issues
Please make sure both the office and your child’s homeroom teacher are aware of any allergies or medical issues your child may have. Please contact the school counselor to set up an appointment early in the school year to discuss any concerns and set up a plan of action. Our parent allergy liaison may also be able to answer some of your allergy related questions.

Food Allergy Precautions
The cafeteria school menu does not contain nuts. If your child brings their own lunch, please refrain from including any lunch items that include nuts. Waters staff encourages parents to continually remind their child not to share their lunch or someone else's lunch. Supervising lunchroom staff are vigilant about food sharing at lunchtime, especially with the younger students. 

Other Celebrations
Homeroom teachers will let students know if an in-class celebration (Valentine's day, Halloween, etc.) will occur. It is not mandatory for children to pass out items, but if you wish to participate please distribute small inexpensive items such as stickers, pencils, erasers, instead of food items. There will be times when food may be used for celebrating events such as the end of school year. All classroom celebrations will be coordinated by the classroom teacher and are responsible to ensure student health concerns are taken into consideration.
Late Pick-Up Policy
K-3: 
Children will be brought to the main office if a parent/guardian is not present at pick up. Contact the school at 773-534-5090 to let them know that you will be late. If this becomes a regular occurrence, parents may wish to contact Right at School to arrange for after-school activities. 

Grades 4-8:  
If you will be late picking up your child, please contact the office at 773-534-5090 to inform your child to wait on site.
  • Parents should establish an ongoing back-up plan with their child(ren) for late pick-ups
  • Parents should let their child know that if they don't see their parent at pick-up after 5 or 10 minutes, they should check in with office to see if they missed a message and/or to use office phone. 
  • If they have younger sibling (K-3) they should know that the younger child will be brought to the office.
Outdoor Recess in Winter Months
Children in grades 1-8 usually spend recess outside in the winter if the temperature is above 20°. Children in K have outdoor recess when the temperature is above 32°. Make sure they wear proper clothing. Wind chills and harsh conditions may affect this rule, but generally it's best for kids to run around outside.
No Snowball Throwing 
There is absolutely no snowball throwing on school grounds. This is for the safety of all children and adults. Please remind your children of this policy.  
Inclement Weather 
During inclement weather, students are welcome in the Annex until the bell rings at 8:15. Parents may join their children in the Annex. It may be crowded so try to arrive as close to the bell as possible. Extra staff, if needed, will help children to their classrooms from the Annex. Homeroom teachers, regardless of weather, will greet their students at assigned entrance doors at 8:15.
Spectator Conduct
All children attending a sporting or other Waters event after hours must have a parent/relative or guardian (over the age of 18) present. Children must be accompanied when entering/leaving the designated event. This includes trips to the bathroom and drinking fountain. At no time should a child be wandering around the building unsupervised. Please adhere to this policy to keep all of our children safe.