Gettysburg Elementary

Block G 2019-2020

Principal’s Message

Dr. Floyd Buchanan was the architect of the high standards upon which Clovis Unified is founded. He believed in competition, teamwork, and accountability. Competition, Doc said, whether athletically or academically, helped students and teachers strive to greater heights. He used these ideas in creating his model that challenged the District to provide students a way to be the best they could be in Mind, Body, and Spirit.

The Block “G” Award is the highest award a student may earn at Gettysburg. It is available to fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students and is awarded at the end of each semester. It presents a worthy challenge and is attainable through hard work, dedication, and forethought. The recipients of this award truly exemplify the concept of being the best you can be in Mind, Body, and Spirit.”

The criteria for earning this award reflect a broad base of participation, achievement, and service. In order to earn the award, a student must complete a minimum number of activities in the following categories:

•	Mind – Scholar/Co-Curricular •	Body – Athletics/Fitness
•	Spirit – Student Leadership/Community Service

This handbook provides specific guidelines and requirements governing the earning of points in each category. I encourage parents to work closely with students in planning and setting goals.

It is my hope that all students will actively pursue this award, making it a part of their planning for their total school experience. Whether or not the student actually receives the award, striving for it will enrich and enhance his/her educational foundation.

David Castro, Principal

PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENT

The school plays an important role in preparing children to lead successful and happy lives. This entails much more than merely teaching skills and imparting knowledge. The school must also provide a wide range of experiences for children and a framework within which their attitudes toward themselves and their environment can take shape. In essence, the school is a laboratory where children should assume a variety of roles and engage in diverse experiences in order to explore and develop the many facets of their unique personalities and talents. It stands to reason that a child who has had a broad base of participation in school activities and who has learned how to participate in a variety of settings will have a better understanding of his/her interests and abilities than one who has not. Moreover, there is strong evidence to suggest that such a child will be more apt to develop poise, self-confidence, and well-roundedness which are essential ingredients in exercising freedom of choice and decision-making as an adult.

The BLOCK “G” AWARD has four functions:
1. To motivate students to become active participants in the activities of their school.
2. To serve as a blueprint for parents and teachers to use in planning, encouraging, and setting goals with students regarding school involvement and achievement.
3. To reaffirm the importance of being responsible, well-rounded individuals and establish a definition of what that is and how to achieve these goals.
4. To recognize students who have met the criteria for the award.

Planning and commitment are the key factors in earning this award. This handbook outlines the criteria for achieving BLOCK “G”. We hope that it will be useful to parents, teachers, and students working together in pursuit of a worthwhile goal.

POINT REQUIREMENTS 4th Grade: 40 Points 5th Grade: 45 Points 6th Grade: 45 Points

Personal Conduct: Any student who is suspended or otherwise removed from school shall not be eligible for the Block G award during that semester. This will include students receiving more than one Notice of Unacceptable Behavior form requiring administrative intervention.

Attendance: Any student with 5 or more tardies and/or unexcused absences during the semester of application shall not be eligible for Block G.

MIND SCHOLARSHIP/CURRICULAR
Minimum of 15 points in this category

Principals Honor Roll – 4 points per quarter
Students earning a 4.0 GPA (straight A’s) on their report card earn 4 points for the quarter.

High Honor Roll - 3 points per quarter
Students earning a GPA of 3.6-3.9 on their report card will earn 3 points for the quarter.

Honor Roll - 2 points per quarter
Students earning a GPA of 3.25-3.5 on their report card will earn 2 point for the quarter. (No D’s, F’s, or N’s on report card)

Grade Improvement – 1 point in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter
Students may earn 1 point in 2nd, 3rd, and/or 4th quarter for one whole grade improvement in at least one subject with no decrease in any grades and no “N’s” or “U’s” on their report card. This is determined by comparing the latest report card grades with those of the most recent past quarter of the current school year.

Fantastic Four – 4 points per year
The student shall: demonstrate mastery of the basic math facts of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division by scoring 100 percent on the 100 fact sheet and 90 fact sheet in division in four minutes, three times. Students are eligible to earn points in this category one time during the school year.

History Day/Science Fair Club – 3-5 points 3rd quarter
Students may earn 3 points the 3rd quarter for participating in the History Day/Science Fair Club and completing a project outside of the classroom in accordance with the guidelines provided by

the advisor and earning a minimum of a “C” on a History Day or Science Fair Project. One additional point for receiving an award at the CHS Area competition. One additional point for receiving an award at Valley competition.

Recorder Benchmarks – 1-3 points per semester
4th grade students will earn 1 point for passing the benchmark for 6 pieces of music; 2 points for passing the benchmark for 12 pieces of music; 3 points for passing the benchmark for 16 pieces of music.

Oral Interpretation – 2 points in the 2nd semester
Students may earn 2 points the second semester for participating in all practices and the Oral Interpretation competition.

Drama Production – 2 points in the 1st semester
Students may earn 2 points the first semester for participating in all practices and the drama production.

GATE – 2 points per semester
Students may earn 2 points per semester if the student qualifies for GATE and meets all the responsibilities of the GATE program as outlined by the GATE advisor.

Essay/Poster – 1-2 points per quarter
Students may earn 1 point per quarter for participation in any essay or poster contest. Students will receive one additional point for receiving an award at the district, county, state, or national level.

Star Reader – 2 points per Quarter
Students must read books, pass the assessment and accumulate the required amount of points for his/her grade level during the quarter. Students must take the STAR reading assessment at the beginning of the year and at the end of each quarter and read books at their independent reading level (IDL) as monitored by the teacher.
4th grade – 20 points per quarter 5th grade – 25 points per quarter 6th grade – 30 points per quarter

SBAC Results (prior year) – 2-6 points the first semester
Students will earn 2 points for scoring “Standard Met” or 3 points for scoring “Standard Exceeded” on the previous year’s SBAC ELA.
Students will earn 2 points for scoring “Standard Met” or 3 points for scoring “Standard Exceed on the previous year’s SBAC Math.

District Assessments – 2-6 points in the 2nd semester
Students will earn 2 points per semester for scoring “Standard Met” or 3 points for scoring “Standard Exceeded” on the iCAL.
Students will earn 2 points per semester for scoring “Standard Met” or 3 points for scoring “Standard Exceeded” on the CAASPP Interim Comprehensive Assessment (ICA)

BODY ATHLETICS/FITNESS Minimum of 3 points in this category

Code of Conduct
Co-curricular activities are an integral part of our total school program. It is an opportunity to allow all students to acquire progressively the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that lead to maximum development within their individual capabilities. It also affords the student an opportunity to develop social skills needed in order to be a well-adjusted individual. Upon entering a sport or other co-curricular activity, students agree to participate in accordance with the following Code of Conduct:

• The participant will maintain a satisfactory level of scholarship (“C” or 2.0 G.P.A.) and demonstrate satisfactory behavior and citizenship.

• The participant must show good character in and out of the classroom. If a student athlete is involved in inappropriate/unacceptable behavior they can be removed from the team.

• The participant is expected to participate in the activity in a positive manner. The student is to show proper conduct, strive to learn, grow in skills, and contribute to the group effort to the best of his/her ability.

• The participant will not arbitrarily or unilaterally quit an activity. Normally, there is a one-week grace period during which the student may join an activity and decide if he/she wishes to continue. A student may drop the activity only after consultation between the student, coach or advisor, and the principal.

• The participant is expected to respect and properly care for all property and equipment issued in conjunction with the activity. Team uniforms are the property of the school. Students who negligently lose or cause undue damage to a uniform will be charged for their replacement.

Team membership in sports is open to all students who want to participate. Students are assigned to teams based on their ability.

Fall
	Winter
	Spring
	
Football
	Boys Basketball
	Baseball/Softball
	
Girls Volleyball
	Girls Basketball
	Boys Volleyball
	
Cross Country
	Wrestling
	Track
	
Pep/Cheer
	Pep/Cheer
	Pep/Cheer

Physical Fitness Assessment – 3-4 points the 2nd semester
Students will earn 3 points in the 2nd semester if they score in the Healthy Fitness Zone in all five (5) areas of the PFA. One (1) additional point will be awarded to those students who score in the 85th percentile on the mile run and pull-up categories.

Mile Club – 2 points the 1st semester
Students who run the mile within the Healthy Fitness Zone as defined by the PFT testing guide will earn 2 points.

Sports - 3-4 points per sport; track – 2-4 points
Students will earn 3 points for participating on a team for a full season in accordance with the Code of Conduct. Students will earn 1 additional point for winning the league championship. Students will earn 2 points for participating in track in accordance with the Code of Conduct. Students will earn 1 additional point for winning a medal in the Area track meet. Students will earn 1 additional point for winning a medal in the District track meet.

Pep & Cheer - 3 points per semester
Students will earn 3 points per semester for participating on the pep/cheer squad in accordance with the Code of Conduct and the cheer participation contract.

Outside Involvement – 1 point per semester
Students may earn one point for an outside activity related to a co-curricular activity. Student must participate a minimum of 40 hours. Must have prior approval from the principal and submit the Outside Involvement form.

Spirit Squad – 2 points per semester
Students may earn 2 points per semester for participating on the Spirit Squad in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

Manager – 1 point per quarter
Students may earn 1 point per quarter for serving as the manager of a Gettysburg athletic team. Student must have approval from the coach. The manager must attend all practices and games in order to earn the point.

SPIRIT
STUDENT LEADERSHIP/COMMUNITY SERVICE Minimum of 15 points in this category

3 STAR General – 2 points per quarter
Students may earn 2 points per quarter if he/she doesn’t receive a Notice of Unacceptable Behavior (NUB) during the quarter.

Attendance – 2-3 points per quarter
Students will earn 3 points per quarter for perfect attendance and no tardies. Students who have no more than 2 excused absences and/or no more than 2 tardies will earn 2 points per quarter. Students who receive a Letter of Concern or have been through the SARB process will not receive any points. Students who have been on Independent Study during the quarter will not be eligible for attendance points. Students who have been suspended will not be eligible for attendance points.

Student Council – 3 points per semester
Students may earn 3 points per semester for being elected to serve on the student council and serving for the full semester.

Student Council Speech – 1 point per semester
Students may earn 1 point for giving a speech, but were not elected to a student council position.

Class Senator – 3 points per semester
Students may earn 3 points per semester for serving as a class senator on the student council.

Principal Advisory Council (PAC) – 1 point per semester Students may earn 1 point per semester for serving on PAC.

Cross Age Tutor – 1 point per quarter
Cross-age tutoring entails providing help to other students. A cross age tutor may be involved in working with another student or in another class (during recess/lunch time). The teacher will closely monitor and assign helpful techniques that work for both the tutor and the child being helped. The teacher must validate that the student has constructively worked with and assisted another student or group of students at least five 5 days during the quarter. The 5 days must be completed with the same teacher. This excludes whole class cross-age reading buddies.

The teacher must validate that the student has constructively worked with and assisted another student for at least 10 days. The 10 days must be completed with the same teacher. Cross Age tutoring assignments will be specific in nature, controlled, and scheduled by the teacher. Excludes Reading Buddy Program.

Athlete of Character – 1 point per semester
Students who are identified as an “Athlete of Character” by an opposing team at away games will be awarded 1 point during the season and semester it was received.

Cafeteria Helper - 1 point per quarter
Students may earn 1 point per quarter for working in the cafeteria. Students must work at least two days per quarter. Students must sign in to receive credit.

Library Helper -1 point per quarter
Students may earn 1 point per quarter for assisting the library tech during non-class time.

Safety Patrol – 2 points per quarter
Students may earn 2 points per quarter for 2 weeks of service. Student must be on time and follow procedures.

Campus Beautification – 2 points per quarter
Students may earn 2 points per quarter for 2 weeks of service. Student must follow procedures.

Chess Club - 1 point per semester
Students may earn 1 point per semester for actively participating in the Chess Club.

Community Involvement – 1 point per quarter
Students may earn 1 point per quarter for completing a community service project that must be approved by the advisor. Students must complete 2 hours of service to earn 1 point. Examples of community service: Project Linus, volunteering at The Cat House on the Kings, Miss Winkles, volunteering with a senior citizens center.