Parent Handbook

Click on this link (PDF) to view a PDF of the 2024-25 Parent Handbook

James E. Moss Elementary School
4399 South 500 East SLC, UT 84107
Phone: 385-646-4930
Fax: 385-646-4931
School Website: https://schools.graniteschools.org/moss/
For easy communication please download and connect with the DOJO App (Free version)  

OFFICE STAFF
Principal…………………………Lindsay Adams
Assistant Principal…………….. Lee Basquin
Secretary………………………..Keri Crane
Attendance Secretary………….Sherry Anderson
Lunch Secretary/Manager……..Angela Kluge
Custodian………………………..Richard Hill Jr.

SCHOOL HOURS
Parent and student cooperation is requested in observing the daily school schedule.

8:30……………………………. Arrival time Supervision is not provided before school arrival time.
8:35……………………………. First Bell Rings Students will be brought into the building at this time and breakfast will be served in the classroom.
8:40……………………………. School Begins Students are late after 8:40.
3:20……………………………. School Dismisses
1:15……………………………. Early Release/Dismissal On Fridays and/or the last school day of “short” weeks

Preschool
M-Th: AM 8:15-11:15, PM 12:00-3:00

GRANITE SCHOOL DISTRICT
2024- 2025 CALENDAR
School Begins ………………………………………………………. Wednesday, August 14, 2024
School Ends …………………………………………………………. Thursday, May 29, 2025
Senior High School Graduation Ceremony …………….Tuesday, May 27, 2025 or Wednesday, May 28, 2025

School Calendar Summary
Total School Days (includes 2 compensatory days for Parent Teacher Conferences) ……………… 177 Days
Additional Teacher Contract Days (see below) ……………………………………………………………….. 12 Days
Orientation Meetings for Teachers New to the District …………………………………… Tuesday, July 30, 2024
All Teachers at Local Schools (4 Contract days) ….. Monday, August 5 through Thursday, August 8, 2024
Teacher Preparation Days …………………………………………………………………….. August 9, 12, 13, 2024
End-of-Term Days for Grading, Planning, & Professional Development (Contract days) ………….. 3 Days
Teacher Contract Days for Planning & Professional Development …………………………………………. 2 Days

Holidays and Other Days Schools Closed for Student Attendance
Labor Day ……………………………………………………………………………………….. Monday, September 2, 2024
Compensatory Day for SEP & Parent/Teacher Conferences ………….…. Friday, September 20, 2024
Fall Break …………………………………………………………………Thursday & Friday, October 10 & 11, 2024
Teacher Contract Day (student recess day) (1 Teacher Contract Day) …………. Monday, October 14, 2024 Teacher Contract Day (student recess day) (1 Teacher Contract Day) ….…….. Friday, November 1, 2024
Thanksgiving Break ……………………………. Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, November 27, 28 & 29, 2024
Winter Break …………………………………….. Monday, December 23, 2024 through Friday, January 3, 2025
Teacher Contract Day (student recess day) (1 Teacher Contract Day) ……………. Monday, January 6, 2025

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ………………………………………………………….. Monday, January 20, 2025
Compensatory Day for SEP Conferences (see schedule below) ………..…. Friday, February 14, 2025
Presidents’ Day …………………………………………………………………………….. Monday, February 17, 2025
Teacher Contract Day (student recess day) (1 Teacher Contract Day) ………… Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Teacher Contract Day (student recess day) (1 Teacher Contract Day) …………………. Friday, March 14, 2025
Spring Break ……………………………………………………….. Monday, April 7 through Friday, April 11, 2025
Compensatory Day (student and teacher recess day) ………………………………………… Friday, May 2, 2025
Memorial Day ……………………………………………………………………………………. Monday, May 26, 2025
Emergency Closure Make-up Day (no school unless needed for make-up day)……. Friday, May 30, 2025

ATTENDANCE

Granite School District is committed to ensuring a quality education for all students and are concerned when students miss instruction at school. Excessive absences hinder educational goals. According to Utah Compulsory Attendance Laws (Utah Code §53G-6-201 et. seq.), regular attendance is a shared responsibility of parents/guardians and students. Acceptable absences include illness, medical appointments, family emergencies, and pre-approved vacations. Please notify the school’s attendance secretary of any absences by calling 385-646-4930.

Per state law (Utah Code §53G-6-202 and 203), an Attendance Inquiry may be issued to parents/guardians if a student is absent at least five times in a school year. This directs them to meet with school support personnel or administration to discuss attendance.

Key Points:

• Students should attend school unless there’s an emergency, illness, accident, or approved activity.
• Parents should call 385-646-4930 on the first day of absence and send a note upon the student’s return.
• A doctor’s note may be required for extended illnesses.
• If a child cannot go out for recess, a signed note is needed for up to three days.
• Make-up work is required and should be completed promptly after returning.
• Parents can excuse up to 7 absences a year; parents will be notified of excessive absences, as required by law.

District Attendance Procedures

Excusal Notes must be received within ten (10) days following the return from an absence. The school may deny excusal notes that are received after that point in time.

1. After five (5) absent days within a school year, the school will mail the student/parent/guardian the First Attendance Inquiry letter notifying them of the attendance policy. 
2. After five (5) unexcused days within a school year, the school will mail the student/parent/guardian the Second Attendance Inquiry letter asking for their help with their student’s attendance. 
3. After ten (10) unexcused days of being absent within a school year, the school will mail the student/parent/guardian a Third Attendance Inquiry letter inviting the family to participate in Parent Attendance Workshops.
4. After fifteen (15) unexcused days of being absent within a school year, the school will mail the student/parent/guardian a Fourth Attendance Inquiry letter inviting the family to attend an Individual Attendance Support meeting to implement a Student Attendance Plan.

Tardiness:

Students are tardy after 8:40 am and must check in at the office before going to class. Tardy minutes accumulate and will be assessed individually.

Check-out Procedure:

If a student needs to leave during the school day, a parent or designated person with photo ID must check them out in the main office before 3:00 p.m. Regular attendance is crucial, but please do not send children who have a fever or who have recently vomited 2 or more times in a 24-hour period to school. We appreciate your support in maintaining healthy and regular attendance.

Please review the Granite School District flier on when to stay home and when to come to school.

FOCUS

All schools in Granite School District use the Focus online portal to communicate important information to families, including registration, class schedules, grades, attendance, etc.

District Policies

Several district forms must be signed digitally through Focus. Required forms Include:

1. Head injury Policy
2. School Safety
3. Internet Use Agreement
4. Movie Permission
5. District Handbook
6. For appropriate grade levels: Maturation Permission

The following are Optional forms:

1. Address and phone number update form
2. Update Student Race/Ethnicity Form
3. Fee Waiver Application
4. McKinney-Vento Application
5. Free/Reduced Lunch Application (for 2024-25 School year, Moss students and families do not need to complete this form, both breakfast and lunch are free)
6. American Indian Education Program (506 Form)

SCHOOL-HOME COMMUNICATION

Classroom teachers will primarily use the ClassDojo app to communicate with families. When necessary, you may also email teachers or call the front office.

Emergency phone numbers/contacts

Please notify the school of any changes in phone number or address. It is crucial to have updated contact information for you or a designee in case you or your child becomes ill or injured.

Emergencies and disasters

In emergencies, students will remain at school under teacher supervision unless relocation is absolutely necessary. We will attempt to send mass notifications via phone, email, or Dojo, but if these are unavailable, please tune in to local news stations for information from the district and school.

VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS

Visitors and volunteers are welcome at James E. Moss. All must check in at the office with ID and obtain a Visitor’s Pass before entering classrooms or school activities during the day, as per district policy.

Parent teacher association (PTA)

Join us at Moss Elementary and make a difference! Your $5 membership fee support exciting school activities. Get involved with PTA to contribute ideas for improving educational programs and participate in various school-wide events throughout the year. We need volunteers for classroom coordination, parties, vision screening, maturation, the Reflections program, field day, and providing extra student support. Your involvement is crucial to our success. Let’s make a difference together!

BUS

Students who ride the bus are expected to follow school behavior expectations. Students who do not follow these expectations will not be allowed to continue to ride the bus. If you would like to track the bus your student is on, you can create an account on the HereComesTheBus app.

DRESS CODE

James E. Moss is committed to fostering a learning environment that promotes respect, equity, and professionalism. If student attire violates dress code requirements they will have the option to call home for clothes or borrow something from the office.

• Clothing should be clean and in good condition.
• Clothing should not feature offensive language, symbols, or imagery, including anything that promotes violence, gang activity, discrimination, sexual behavior or illegal activities, such as drug use.
• Students must wear clothing that covers undergarments, buttocks, chest, and midriff. It must not be sheer.
• Tops must have straps and cover the torso.
• Pants, jeans, skirt, and shorts must be worn at the waist.
• Skirts and shorts should reach at least the mid-thigh.
• Footwear should close-toed and appropriate for recess activities. Flip-flops and sandals are not considered safe for school.
• Hats and hoods are not allowed indoors. Religious head coverings are permitted.
• Any item of clothing that causes disruption to the professional educational atmosphere is prohibited.

School administration reserves the right to modify the dress code as needed to ensure student safety.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

• Students are prohibited from using cell phones or other personal electronic devices (e.g., smart watches, tablets, computers) during the school day. While students are on school grounds or school bus, devices are expected to be off and kept in backpacks or with the teacher for pickup at the end of the day.
• Devices with cameras or recording capabilities are not allowed in restrooms at any time.
• If a student is found using a device during the day or in an inappropriate location, it will be confiscated and must be picked up by a parent or guardian.
• Parents/guardians should contact students by calling the front office during the school day. Students can also contact parents/guardians by calling from the front office.

SCHOOL SAFETY

Student Conduct

For the safety of students, staff and visitors to our schools, The Granite District Board of Education has strict school safety and conduct policies. These policies are designed to provide a safe, positive environment where learning comes first. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

The following activities are prohibited:

1. Any threat or act of violence
2. Possession of a genuine or simulated weapon, explosive, noxious or flammable material
3. Any type of gang activity
4. Criminal behavior
5. Destruction or defacement of school property
6. Bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual exposure, sexting or hazing
7. Conduct at locations away from the school that threatens or does harm to the school or person associated with the school

For students who choose to engage in these types of behaviors, consequences may include but are not limited to:

1. Mandatory Parent/Guardian conference at school and/or district office
2. Suspension from school
3. Referral to law enforcement
4. Placement in alternative education programs
5. Safe Course and/or Conduct Course
6. Severe consequences may be imposed for any incident involving weapons.
7. Other consequences may be imposed and action steps appropriate for the specific circumstance.

Safe walking/biking

Bicycles and scooters must be locked at the bike rack and cannot be ridden on school grounds. Students are responsible for their personal property (including books, balls, etc.) Moss Elementary does not assume liability for loss or damage. Bike registration is available through city/county law enforcement agencies.

Please remember that walking students have the right-of-way on the sidewalk. STAY ALERT AND BE CAREFUL!

1. Use sidewalks and designated crosswalks only.
2. Wait for direction from the Safety Patrol before crossing.
3. WALK bikes and scooters on school grounds.
4. Obey pedestrian safety rules.

Parent Parking and Drop-off Zones

The Drop-off Zone is the YELLOW curb next to the school. For safety, please remain with your car in this area. Only one lane, marked by large orange cones, is designated for dropping off students. Please avoid stopping or parking in this curb-side area to prevent traffic congestion. When leaving, only go straight or turn right out of the parking lot. Parents may use parking slots on the west side/front of building or park across the street and use the crosswalk. Students and parents should ONLY use designated crosswalks. Unauthorized vehicles should not use the employee/bus driveway.

BIRTHDAY BOOKS

Instead of bringing treats or toys to school for your child’s birthday, consider donating to the Moss Library Birthday Book fund. This money goes towards purchasing a new book for the school library. A special label will feature your child’s name, age, and the donation year inside the book, and the book will be showcased in the Birthday Book display for all students to see and enjoy.

PERSONAL ITEMS FROM HOME

Please label all personal items (coats, lunch containers, backpacks, etc.) with the student’s first and last name. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity as they accumulate. Contact the office to check the Lost and Found for any missing items.