School Hours:

• 8:00-2:45

The school offices are open 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. There is an early dismissal for all students on Wednesdays: Heritage at 12:15 pm and Williams at 11:45 am. Unless students are in before-school programs, they are not to arrive at school prior to 7:00 am. Students are expected to leave campus when they are dismissed, as there is no campus supervision after 3:30 pm.

Tardy Policy
When students are tardy, they must report to the office for a late pass. This late pass ensures the student’s name will be removed from the daily absentee report. All students arriving after the last bell at 8:00 am will be counted as tardy unless the bus provided by the school was late.  Parents of students who are habitually tardy will be asked to meet with the administration in an effort to help the student realize that being tardy could result in discipline and/or referral to the truancy/attendance office. Due to our reporting system, three unexcused tardies turn into one unexcused absence.

Absentee Policy
As defined by the AZ State Law, absences are considered excessive when the number of absent days exceeds 10% of the number of days required. Thus, any student absent a combined total of 18 days, consecutive or nonconsecutive, excused or unexcused, is seen as truant and excessive. The only legal excuse for a child’s absence is personal illness of the student or a family emergency. Please do not ask your child to be excused for baby-sitting, shopping, haircuts, or minor matters. We will be working closely with all parents in order to curb excessive absenteeism.  Someone from the school will be making a call to the parents if a child is absent and the office has not been notified of the absence. Students are expected to attend school every day unless they are too sick to be in school as defined by the state statute, A.R.S 15-803.

Dress Code
To promote an attitude of self respect, healthful living and a positive learning environment, the following personal appearance standards have been established and are not negotiable:

• ALL students must wear a Heritage Elementary School shirt.
• Students must wear the school shirt with khaki or navy blue uniform pants or shorts (no denim). Pants and shorts must have a hemmed, not frayed, bottom and are not permitted to be “saggy” or worn below the waist. Shirts must be tucked in at all times.
• Female students may also wear khaki or navy blue skirts, skorts or overalls with the school shirts.
• Shorts, skirts & skorts must be NO SHORTER than 5 inches from the bended knee when sitting.
• No dresses are allowed.
• No “pajama” pants. No slippers. No flip-flops. No Heely’s or wheeled sneakers.
• Baggy, sagging or tight clothing is NOT acceptable.
• Tennis shoes are recommended.
• Students may wear sweatshirts or hoodies with our school logo or other solid colored sweatshirts with no other designs or logos over their uniform shirts. Any jacket or heavy coat with no designs or logos will be acceptable during cold weather. Students will not be allowed to wear sweatshirts, jackets or coats in warm weather (90 plus degrees)
• Students who continually wear their pants/shorts sagging or below the waist will be required to wear a belt for the remainder of the school year.
• No unusual haircuts, styles and colorings.

Parents, please read these rules carefully and discuss them with your child. Students who choose to wear inappropriate clothing to school will be sent to the office to call their parents to bring them an appropriate change of clothing. If his or her parents are not available to bring the student a change of clothing, the child will spend the day in In-School Suspension.

Homework
Homework is a natural extension of the school day. It is intended to provide independent practice and build study skills. Homework can also strengthen basic skills and reinforce study habits, as well as allow parents to see the quality of work their child is handing in. Any unfinished classwork is considered homework. If a student misses an assignment due to illness or other family problems, he/she is responsible to get the assignments from the teacher, or from another student. Parents can help their children by arranging a quiet, comfortable place at home for the students to work and by checking to see that assignments are completed. Teachers will assign homework almost every day. Please check with your child’s teacher about his/her homework policy.

Free and Reduced Lunch Program
Heritage Elementary School does have a Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Any family that is in need and qualifies for the program can rest assured that their personal information is kept confidential and their children’s needs are being taken care of at school. Every family fills out a Free and Reduced Lunch Form upon enrollment.

Afterschool Activities/Athletic Programs
The school offers after-school sports programs for boys and girls in fifth through eighth grades, and chess club to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. We also offer cheer, band, and drama after school. In order to participate in sports and other after-school activities, a student must be passing all classes with a grade of “C” or better and have a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian before being allowed to remain after school. Bus transportation will not be provided for after-school activities, therefore students will have to be picked up by their parents.

Peanut-Free Policy
Heritage Elementary maintains a strict Peanut-Free Policy on both campuses. Several of our students are violently allergic to nuts. Please find alternatives for your child’s lunch box. If you are sending snacks for your child’s class, please check the labels for things like peanut oil and the like.