I.   PHILOSOPHY

The faculty and administration of Whispering Forest Elementary School strive to provide for the intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and ethical needs of each student. We feel that developing a positive self-concept in each child is one of the most necessary steps in providing meaningful learning experiences.

In order to effectively enable students to function in our constantly and rapidly changing world, we must concern ourselves with teaching, thinking, and decision-making skills. The school will strive to provide an atmosphere in which each child learns how to practice concern for himself/herself while remembering the welfare of others. Furthermore, every attempt will be made to equip our students with fundamental skills upon which future success can be built.

II. CURRICULUM

 Grade Structure and Academics

Whispering Forest Elementary School encompasses grades pre-kindergarten through third grade.

Our curriculum is built upon Louisiana State Standards that can be accessed by our parents and guardians by going to the State Department of Education website. The link is www.louisianabelieves.com.

School Accreditation

Whispering Forest Elementary School along with all of the schools in St. Tammany Parish is accredited by the Louisiana State Department of Education and COGNIA. Accreditation is a voluntary method of quality assurance designed primarily to distinguish schools adhering to a set of educational standards. This accreditation means that Whispering Forest has met and maintains standards regarding curriculum, teacher certification, physical facility, and equipment.

Homework

Homework is an extension of the learning that takes place in school.  Homework can provide practice that reinforces classroom learning and can provide opportunities for independent study and creative thinking.

Make-up Work

Students who have excused absences are permitted to make up class work missed. This can be arranged with the classroom teacher.

Grading Policy

Please visit the St. Tammany Parish School Board website to review the system’s grading policy and Pupil Progression Plan.

 

www.stpsb.org/families

Policies and Procedures - St. Tammany Parish Public Schools

 

III. GENERAL STUDENT INFORMATION           

Birthday Parties

Students’ birthdays are recognized at school during the daily morning announcements. Students will be treated to recognition that includes a sticker and a small trinket to celebrate the occasion (pencil, candies, or restaurant coupon etc.). Students’ birthday parties may not be held at school. However, parents may send in store-bought treats to be enjoyed by classmates. Additionally, invitations for birthday parties may not be passed out at school unless all students in the classroom are to receive an invitation. Please do not send flowers or balloons.

Bus Transportation Changes

We cannot make bus changes unless it is in writing. The Transportation Department requires that the letter contain the child’s name, the bus number, bus stop, and the number of the adult that will be receiving the child when he/she gets off the bus. We are obligated to follow this procedure. No bus transportation requests can be processed by our office staff or the administration unless the letter is delivered to the office in the morning, emailed, or faxed to the office fax at (985) 641-3424 by 12 noon. No changes in bus transportation will be allowed after 12 noon each day.

Car Riders

Parents who pick up or drop off their children using the car line must not park and walk the children to/from the building unless they have a parent conference or some other school-related activity to attend.

• For the safety of the students, no CELL PHONE use during pick-up/drop-off. 
• Students are loaded into the vehicles (on the passenger side only) in the afternoon by the adults on duty. The children will line up at a colored cone designated by the duty teachers.  Please stop your vehicle and put it in park so that the door where your child will enter the vehicle is in line with this cone. Your child will be loaded when you come to a complete stop and are in park, and you are directing your attention to your child loading the vehicle. Please do not move your vehicle after you stop until the door has been closed. 
• We also ask that you do not wave your child to the vehicle.  Allow the duty teachers to direct the students while loading.
• A pre-identified W.F.E. tag must be displayed in the front window of the vehicle, identifying the child’s first and last name and grade level.
• If a tag is unavailable, you will be asked to park and visit the front office to verify authorization for pick up via emergency card. Please bring a valid ID.

Change of Address, Telephone, and Other Important Information

For emergency reasons, it is important that every student maintain an up-to-date address and telephone number record at the school office. Notify the school immediately if you have a change of address or telephone number during the school year. The school system has an automated phone message system to deliver important information as the need arises. Your up-to-date telephone number will ensure that the messages are delivered to your home.

Class Parties

Students will be treated to two classroom parties, Winter Holiday and Spring Celebration. Room parents will be called upon to assist the teacher in planning and implementing activities for parties. The school will be the final determiner as to the appropriateness of the activities for the parties. Due to limited space, students will only be allowed 2 adult guests per party (no siblings, including children in a carrier or stroller). All treats must be store bought to ensure the safety of all students.

Compact/Policy(School/Parent/Student)

(District and Title I Requirement)

Whispering Forest Elementary School administration, faculty, staff and parents of  students participating in activities, services, and programs funded by Title I, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) agree that this compact outlines how the parents, the entire school staff, and the students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership that will help children achieve the State’s high standards.

This school-parent compact is in effect during school year 2025-2026.

School Responsibilities

Whispering Forest Elementary School will:

 

1. Provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the participating children to meet the State’s student academic achievement standards as follows: Using our district’s Guaranteed Curriculum (GC) ensures that the instruction and resources used by the teachers and students are directly aligned to State Standards.  Our teachers use a combination of formal and informal assessments throughout the school year to monitor students’ progress in relation to benchmarks.  Our system of discipline are also aligned to state standards using a program called Positive Behavior Supports and Interventions (PBIS) that provides a framework for schools to structure their programs.

 

2. Hold parent-teacher conferences (at least annually in elementary schools) during which this compact will be discussed as it relates to the individual child’s achievement.  Specifically, those conferences will be held when the need arises as determined by classwork, class participation, weekly assessments, progress reports, report cards, and more formal assessments such as DIBELS, iLEAP etc. 

 

3. Provide parents with frequent reports on their children’s progress.  Specifically, the school will provide information using students’ Take Home folders that will be sent home with the children every Monday.  Parents will also be provided with information in homework folders and/or student agendas daily.  Progress reports are sent home to parents’ mid-quarter for students that are performing below level.  All students receive report cards quarterly.

 

4. Provide parents reasonable access to staff.  Specifically, staff will be available for consultation with parents before and after school through phone and/or school conferences. The students’ agendas and take home/homework folders are another communication tool for parents and teachers. The school website has a direct link to the teachers’ e-mail. 

 

5. Provide parents opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child’s class, and to observe classroom activities, through PTA participation, classroom/workroom helpers, library assistants, cafeteria monitors, field trip chaperones, projects, literacy celebrations, parent meetings and a number of activities posted on our school/PTA website as well as teacher requests.

 

Parent Responsibilities

We, as parents, will support our children’s learning in the following ways:

 ·         Monitoring attendance.

·         Making sure that homework is completed.

·         Monitoring amount of television their children watch.

·         Volunteering in my child’s classroom.

·         Participating, as appropriate, in decisions relating to my children’s education.

·         Promoting positive use of my child’s extracurricular time.

·         Staying informed about my child’s education and communicating with the school by promptly reading all notices from the school or the school district either received by my child or by mail and responding, as appropriate.

·         Serving, to the extent possible, on policy advisory groups, such as being the Title I, Part A parent representative on the school’s School Action Plan, the Title I Policy Advisory Committee, the District-wide Policy Advisory Council, the State’s Committee of Practitioners, the School Support Team or other school advisory or policy groups.

 

Student Responsibilities

We, as students, will share the responsibility to improve our academic achievement and achieve the State’s high standards.  Specifically, we will:

 

·         Do my homework every day and ask for help when I need to.

·         Read at least 30 minutes every day outside of school time.

·         Give to my parents or the adult who is responsible for my welfare all notices and information received by me from my school every day.

 

Additional Required School Responsibilities

Whispering Forest Elementary School will:

 

1.           Involve parents in the planning, review, and improvement of the school’s parental involvement policy, in an organized, ongoing, and timely way.

 

2.           Involve parents in the joint development of any school-wide program plan, in an organized, ongoing, and timely way.

 

3.           Hold an annual meeting to inform parents of the school’s participation in Title I, Part A programs, and to explain the Title I, Part A requirements, and the right of parents to be involved in Title I, Part A programs.  The school will convene the meeting at a convenient time to parents, and will offer a flexible number of additional parental involvement meetings, such as in the morning or evening, so that as many parents as possible are able to attend.  The school will invite to this meeting all parents of children participating in Title I, Part A programs (participating students), and will encourage them to attend. 

 

4.           Provide information to parents of participating students in an understandable and uniform format, including alternative formats upon the request of parents with disabilities, and, to the extent practicable, in a language that parents can understand.

 

5.           Provide to parents of participating children information in a timely manner about Title I, Part A programs that includes a description and explanation of the school’s curriculum, the forms of academic assessment used to measure children’s progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet.

 

6.           On the request of parents, provide opportunities for regular meetings for parents to formulate suggestions, and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions about the education of their children.  The school will respond to any such suggestions as soon as practicably possible.

 

7.           Provide to each parent an individual student report about the performance of their child on the State assessment in at least math, language arts and reading.

 

8.           Provide each parent timely notice when their child has been assigned or has been taught for four (4) or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified.

 

Dismissal

We ask that parents avoid checking students out early unless there is a family emergency. It is requested that medical appointments be after school hours. Students will only be dismissed to parents, legal guardian, or person authorized by the parent designated on the emergency card. For the safety of their children, parents may not pick up their children directly from the classroom. This is done by the office staff. The student will be called to the office by the intercom. Because dismissal time is a busy time for the office staff, students may not be checked out, except due to emergencies, after 2:40 PM. Change of transportation requests should be made in written form, or in person to the office early in the morning that day before noon. Late changes cause problems for the office, the teacher, and your child.  

Dress Code

All students are expected to comply with all aspects of the dress code as adopted by the St. Tammany Parish School Board. At Whispering Forest, all students wear hunter or forest green polo-style uniform shirts. Shirts embroidered with the school logo can be purchased from various local vendors.  Uniform bottoms will be khaki colored. Students may wear shorts, skirts, skorts, pants, jumpers, or overalls which are purchased at any location.  School spirit shirts can be worn on Spirit Days with any khaki bottom. Hats or caps may not be worn. Cold weather hats may be worn when the need arises.  They may not be worn inside the building. 

The children are physically active each day at school during recess, physical education, and class activities. Appropriate footwear should be worn each day.  The best type of shoes includes those that can be tied and/or securely fastened, those not opened in the front or back, and those that are the proper size for your child’s foot. An improper shoe can be a risk to the child’s safety and be a deterrent to your child’s best performance here at school. Please do not send your child to school in any type other than those mentioned. The wearing of tennis shoes on your child’s physical education days is highly recommended.

Wearing jewelry is discouraged to avoid loss or damage of these items. 

The principal shall be the final interpreter of the dress code.  Failure to comply may result in the student being sent home.

Education of Children and Youth in Homeless Situations

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law passed in 1987 to help people experiencing homelessness. The Act requires states and school districts to make sure students in homeless situations can attend and succeed in school. The McKinney-Vento Act applies to all children and youth who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including all children who are living in the following situations:

·         Doubled-up housing with other families or friends because they lost their home or their family is having temporary financial problems

·         Living in a motel/hotel because of economic hardship or loss of housing

·         Living in an emergency or transitional shelter, domestic violence shelter, or in a runaway/homeless youth shelter

·         Living in a vehicle of any kind; campground without running water and/or electricity; abandoned building; substandard housing; bus/train station

·         Abandoned in a hospital

Children and youth in homeless situations have the right to the following:

·         Attend and succeed in school no matter where they live or how long they have lived there

·         Enroll in a school despite the lack of a permanent address or lack of school and immunization records or birth certificates and other documents

·         Receive services comparable to those offered to non-homeless children and youth

·         Get transportation to school, if feasible

·         Access educationally related support services

 

Should you or your child meet these qualifications; please contact your school’s main office or guidance office to complete a form for consideration.

 

Emergency Closing of School

School closings, because of severe weather, will be announced on major radios, TV stations, via STPPS App, and through text messages if signed up to receive them. Unscheduled closings may also occur; it is important for students to know where to go when school is dismissed early. Please be sure to include this information on your child’s emergency card.

Field Trips

Field trips at Whispering Forest are closely tied to the curriculum, and they are designed to enhance the classroom experience by providing hands-on real life experiences for the children. The field trips are paid for through money collected from the students. These fees are based upon the total cost of the trip (transportation, entry fees etc.). The fees are not refundable since the cost of the trip is determined by factors that are set before hand and payment is made in advance. 

Please understand that when the children return to school they will have a follow up activity to do directly related to the trip.

 Several other guidelines for adults selected by the teachers to serve as chaperones that must also be adhered to, they are:

1.  Each field trip will have 2-4 parent chaperones, unless the teacher is notified by the administration to the contrary. Only parents or legal guardians may serve as chaperones. We want these trips to be an educational bonding experience for the children and their parents.

2.  If parents are selected to be chaperones, a letter will be sent to them by the teacher to indicate the cost of the trip and their responsibilities as a chaperone on the trip. Chaperones must provide their own transportation.

3.  Parent chaperones must remain with their assigned groups for the duration of the field trip.

4.  Chaperones are expected to follow the school dress codes.

5.  Chaperones are not to use personal cell phones during the time they are responsible for the children on a field trip.

6.  Tobacco products are prohibited on any and all school related trips and function.

7.  Chaperones may not purchase items for the children in the gift shop. 

     Chaperones should not allow children to purchase items either.  

 Food Services

Breakfast is served each day from 7:50 to 8:20 (2026-27). There is no charge for breakfast or lunch for the 2025-2026 school year.

No child will be allowed to leave school for lunch. Federal regulations prohibit a student from bringing cans or bottles of drink into the cafeteria. Foods from fast food restaurants are not permitted under the federal lunch program.

The school is not responsible for lost or stolen possessions. Each student is responsible for his/her property.

Students are not permitted to bring cards of any kind, toys, computers, radios, games, iPads or iPods, CD players or other similar devices, to school except for special activities approved by the principal. A student who is caught stealing from classmates and/or the school could be suspended as a consequence for his/her actions.

Medication

Students will not be allowed to have any medication in their possession at school. By State Law, personnel in the office cannot administer medication. When special circumstances exist for a health problem for a long duration the following procedure is followed:

1.       Written orders from a physician detailing the name of the drug, dosage, and time interval medication is taken.

2.       Written request and permission from the parent or guardian of the student requesting that the school district comply with the physician’s order.

3.       Medication must be brought to school by the parent or guardian in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or physician.

4.       Each medication given must be recorded in a medication log which includes the date, time, dosage, and signature of the person giving the medication.

5.       Parents must fill out a Request for Administering Medication at School Form.  This form can be obtained from the office.

 

Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)

Whispering Forest Elementary School has an excellent PTA Executive Board who is committed to assisting the administration and staff in developing an outstanding school. All parents are encouraged to become members of the PTA and to actively participate.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Scheduled parental conferences for parents are required of students in Pre-kindergarten through third grade who are not performing at the level of expectations.

The most advantageous conference will be one in which a team approach is utilized, where all the individuals and information possible to help solve the particular problem are used. Parents must call the school office in advance to set up a time when these individuals might meet with the parent to confer and assist.

It is not appropriate to call the administration before you contact the teacher with a concern. You are asked to talk with the teacher about your concerns first. Conferences may be scheduled by calling the office at 641-3400 or by emailing your student’s teacher.

Visitors to Whispering Forest

An individual visiting the school for any reason must first report to the office with a valid ID. If it should be necessary to speak with a student or teacher directly, the office personnel will make the proper arrangements. All visitors must have a visitors’ pass from the office to visit the school. This pass is good for the duration of the time a visitor is on campus on that day. Passes may not be used for more than one day. Visiting at any time should be arranged through the office. It is not appropriate to go to a classroom to conference with a teacher during instructional time or during the time a teacher is on duty. 

Parents are always welcome! We must be sure that when parents visit that we have knowledge of these visits, and the visits do not interfere with the duties of our teachers or other school personnel. These policies are also used to ensure the safety of the students and school personnel and to reduce classroom interruptions which result in loss of instructional time.

           IV. GENERAL CONDUCT RULES

Education is a parental responsibility, only part of which is delegated to the school. In order to help create an atmosphere which encourages learning according to our school philosophy, it is necessary that certain levels of conduct and discipline be maintained. To achieve this end, certain guidelines are to be followed by the students.

  

WHISPERING FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-WIDE    

POSTIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION AND SUPPORTS (PBIS)

DISCIPLINE PLAN

 

At Whispering Forest Elementary, our goal is to provide a safe, positive learning environment for all students. To do so, each student must be in a school climate that is satisfying and productive, without the disruptive behavior by any student infringing upon the rights of others.

Home and school alike must share the responsibility of teaching appropriate behavior. By working together, we can ensure positive student conduct. Discipline is essential in developing accountability, responsibility and respect for others, self and property.

         

Our Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) program at Whispering Forest is modeled after the state’s PBIS model. Each school in St. Tammany Public School System has adopted a similar plan that meets the needs of the school’s population and disciplinary concerns. 

 

Our PBIS committee that meets every month has completed a plan that includes the following components: a pledge that lists the expectations of all members of the WFE community, rules of conduct for specific areas of the campus, school-wide posters reminding students of the expectations and rules of the program, classroom and school-wide incentives for positive student behavior, and a recognition system both classroom and school-wide to bring attention to the positive examples in our school.  The program is designed to be proactive and to be flexible to best meet the needs of the children and staff.

 

Each classroom teacher will provide the student and his/her parents a set of classroom rules and consequences, review the school’s PBIS plan, and the St. Tammany Parish Discipline Plan. The faculty will spend time teaching and modeling the appropriate behaviors in all school settings, e.g., in the classroom, hallways, cafeteria, bus transportation, playground, restrooms and lunchroom. The teacher will review the rules and expectations to the children at the beginning of the year, and as needed throughout the year. The faculty and staff will continue to ensure that students receive assistance, encouragement, praise and specific feedback regarding their many positive, social and academic gains. 

 

OUR PBS EXPECTATIONS PLEDGE

Expectations for Student Behavior

The school-wide positive behavior discipline policy in effect at Whispering Forest Elementary School consists of rules to be followed, a reward system for good behavior and consequences for inappropriate behavior.  In an effort to present a positive and consistent discipline program, each student will be taught to demonstrate wise choices regarding his/her behavior.  Knowing the rules and consequences beforehand will help each child to make choices that will reflect citizenship and caring skills.

 

 

Rules in Other School Settings 

 

Assembly Rules

  1.    Sit with legs crossed and hands in your lap.

  2.    Stop, look, and listen when the assembly begins.

  3.    At the end of the assembly, look at your teacher, and remain           seated until directions are given.

 

Cafeteria Rules

  1.  Keep your hands and feet to yourself.

  2.  Use an inside voice when talking.

  3.  Practice good table manners.

  4.  Listen to the adults on duty.

 

Hallway Rules

 1.   Walk facing forward on the right.

 2.   Move quietly down the hall in ABC order.

 3.   Be kind and do not touch the displays on the walls or your  

       classmates.

 

Line BASIC

  1.  Line up in ABC order.

  2.  Walk slowly in a single file line following the leader. 

  3.  Place hands at your side or fingers to your lips.

  4.  Keep own place in line without pushing or shoving.

 

Playground Rules

1.  Teachers release the students to the playground for recess.

2.  Play safely.

3.  Ask permission to enter the building.

4.  When recess ends, walk to your class line.

 

Use of Restroom Rules

1.  Use the restroom quickly, quietly and appropriately.

2.  Use good hygiene by flushing the toilet and washing your hands

3.  One student per stall at a time.

4.  Use doors, fixtures, and dispensers appropriately.

5.  Leave stall doors unlocked after use.

 

Other School-Wide Discipline Information

Whole School Quiet Symbol

Whole School Quiet Symbol is 1,2,3.

Action:  One finger up, two fingers up, and three fingers up.

Meaning:              One finger             = Stop Talking

                             Two fingers           = Listen to the Speaker

                             Three fingers        = Set an Example for Others   

 

Minor Offenses

Most offenses will be handled “on the spot”, by the staff member. Students will know what poor judgment was on their part and will be helped to formulate more acceptable alternatives for the future. Appropriate interventions can include time out, call home, or a written note sent home. Detentions may be assigned at the teacher’s discretion. Continuous minor offenses may result in a major offense.

 

Major Offenses

If an offense is considered severe or highly dangerous, the appropriate level of consequences will be determined by the severity of the act. When sending students to the office for disciplinary intervention, staff members will submit a written behavior report describing the student’s specific behavior(s). The principal will investigate the offense and listen to the explanations of the offense from the student and any witnesses. The student will be removed from class and the parents contacted. Depending on the seriousness of the major offense, the past performance of a student and the circumstances surrounding the offense, administrative action may occur at any level determined by the principal.

 

Each student will receive all the positive support we can obtain to help him/her stay in school. The staff will modify this discipline policy to support any child.

 

System Bullying Policy

Any student who believes that they have been, or is currently, the victim of bullying or any student, parent, or legal guardian, who witnesses bullying or has good reason to believe bullying is taking place, may report the situation to a school official, who in turn shall report the student to the principal or the principal’s designee. A student, or parent or legal guardian, may also report concerns regarding bullying to a teacher, counselor, other school employee, or to any chaperone supervising a school function or activity. Any such report shall remain confidential.

The reporting of incidents of bullying shall be made on the Bullying Report Form, which shall include an affirmation of truth. Any bullying report submitted, regardless of recipient, shall use this form, but additional information may be provided.

See STPSB.ORG for the full policy on bullying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Title I

Parents’ Right to Know

 

PARENTS’ RIGHT TO KNOW The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires school districts to inform parents and families about their right to receive information on the professional qualifications of their children’s teachers.  https://www.stpsb.org/families/title1 Parents and families have the right to know: ·         Whether all employed personnel have met state qualification and licensing criteria for the position they hold within the school ·         If any personnel is employed under provisional status where state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived ·         All college degrees and general areas of certification held by teachers, and qualifications of the paraprofessionals ·         Whether their child receives services by paraprofessionals and their qualifications Teacher Certification/Degree Information can be verified at www.teachlouisiana.net

PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES St. Tammany Parish Public School System believes that Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) is important for children to achieve success. Parents and families are key partners with the schools. PFE includes programs, services, and activities at the school and district level.

Parent and Family Engagement Best Practices

 

 

District Responsibilities

School Responsibilities

·      Involve families in developing and reviewing the district's PFE Plan ·      Hold yearly Stakeholders meeting and PFE roundtable planning meetings ·      Support STPPS Title I schools in planning and carrying out their PFE activities ·      Annually review and monitor PFE activities and school-wide programs outlined in the School Advancement Plans Review the district survey results from the MRA and use results to plan future PFE programs and adjust PFE policies and procedures

·      Invite parents to school meetings highlighting their school's educational programs, curriculum, and PFE opportunities ·      Offer PFE activities at various times which support learning goals at home ·      Involve parents in the planning, review, and implementation of PFE activities ·      Provide families with opportunities to volunteer, participate, and observe in the school and classroom ·      Maintain 2-way communication with families ·      Provide each student with the Compact for Student Success outlining responsibilities of students, parents, and teachers in the educational process Support all students in their effort to achieve success