Mission Statement
Dirksen Primary School’s Mission is to provide a nurturing and collaborative learning environment that enables all learners to be successful.

Values

• TEACHING/LEARNING: We will provide the conditions for ech child we come in contact with to learn.
• SAFE ENVIRONMENT: We will provide a safe and nurturing climate that is conducive to learning throughout the school.
• CURRICULUM/ASSESSMENT: We will teach to the agreed upon state standards and district objectives and provide evidence of each student's achievement.
• TEAMWORK: We will treat all members of the school community with respect.
• COMMUNICATION/COLLABORATION: We will communicate and collaborate with the members of the school community.

Mascot
Our school mascot is SOAR, the eagle.

School Song
You're our special school.
You're a great place to learn.
And loyal to you we will stay.
You're the future of the land we love -
The home of the Eagles so brave.
For friendships true under red and the blue
Where wisdom's torch does shine.
As the years go by, we won't forget.
Let's remember Dirksen School.

D-I-R-K-S-E-N

Dirksen, Dirksen, Dirksen!

Dirksen School Pledge
I pledge to try to do my best, every single day. Listening, learning and being fair, when I work and play. Keeping hands and feet to myself, trating others with respect, making sure our things are neat, is what we should expect. I’ll listen when my teacher speaks and follow every rule. I pledge I’ll be a good citizen in my classroom and my school.

Dirksen School’s Instructional Design
Dirksen Primary School, a 2003 NCLB Blue Ribbon School Recipient, is a learning opportunity school. The school is organized into Kindergarten-1st and 2nd-3rd planning/instructional teams to address each students social and learning needs, to plan and implement curricular activities, and to foster the Dirksen spirit throughout the school. Each child is registered in a home area but also participates in planned activities with other children throughout the school. Language Arts, Mathematics, and Writing activities provide the primary focus for planning by teacher in each team. Social Studies and Science are integrated into the primary curriculum. An emphasis is placed on reading, listening, speaking, writing, thinking, and hands-on problem solving. Each area of curriculum is important and contributes to the total development of the child; therefore, children are provided the necessary resources to be successful. These resources include specialists in physical education, music education, learning center/technology instruction, literacy instruction (Title I and Reading Recovery), special education and enrichment education.

Dirksen School’s Discipline/Character Education Plan
In order to fulfill Dirksen School’s Mission to provide a nurturing and collaborative learning environment that enables all learners to be successful, ALL Dirksen Students and Staff understand and utilize the “I Care” Discipline/Character Education Plan…

“I Care” Rules for Student Behavior:
#1 Listening: We listen to each other.
#2 Cooperation: Hands and feet are for helping not hurting.
#3 Speaking: We use “I Care” Language.
#4 Caring: We care about each other’s feelings.
#5 Responsibility: We are responsible for what we say and do.

“Build Your Champion Character” for Student Social/Emotional Growth
August/September Character Focus: I Care Rules/Responsibilities
October Character Focus: STARS (Self-Control)
Nov-Dec Character Focus: Responsibility
January Character Focus: Fairness
February Character Focus: Caring
March Character Focus: Trustworthy
April Character Focus: Respect
May Character Focus: Citizenship

“I Care”Rules and Character Recognition Process
Student’s efforts to follow the “I Care” Rules and Character Components will be recognized on a regular basis. The following recognitions will be used to support the school-wide discipline/character process:
· All students will receive “I Care” and/or “Build Your Character” Certificates from their teacher and other staff during the year that share specific examples of the child “living” the I Care Rules and Character Components.
· Learning Center, PE, and Music Staff will give T.E.A.M Stickers to individual classes when they follow/model the “I Care” Rules and Character Components during Learning Center, PE or Music Activity Time.
· Principal and Lunch/Recess staff will give T.E.A.M Points when they follow/model the “I Care” Rules and Character Components during Morning Recess and Lunch/Recess.

“I Care” Rules Consequences
Students need to have consistent consequences provided by all staff members when they choose to not follow the Dirksen School “I Care” Rules. There are three (3) levels of Misconduct that are defined in the Pekin #108 Primary Discipline Handbook:

· Level 1 – Acts that are minor but interfere with normal classroom operation, school operation, and/or bus operation. Most Level 1 Misconduct is addressed through consistent enforcement of Classroom and School “I Care” Rule consequences.

· Level 2 – Behaviors that disrupt the learning climate of the classroom, school, and/or bus operation. Level 2 Misconduct is referred to Principal for disciplinary action. A “Referral to Principal” slip should accompany student. The principal will meet with the student(s) and/or personnel to determine the consequences. A Notice of the Misbehavior will be sent home by the Principal to the family for signature and return. The Principal will maintain a record of the offense and disciplinary action taken.

Level 3 (Serious Misconduct) - Any behaviors or acts that would endanger the health and safety of others in the school and/or are in violation of the law. Level 3 Serious Misconduct is immediately referred to the principal for disciplinary action. The principal will meet with the student(s) and/or personnel to determine the consequences. A Phone Notification by the Principal regarding the Misbehavior will be made to family. The Principal will maintain a record of the offense and disciplinary action taken.

Hours

School Hours
Monday-Friday 8:40 AM - 3:10 PM

Office Hours
Monday-Friday 7:45 AM - 3:45 PM

Lunch
Session 1: 12:35 PM - 1:20 PM
Session 2: 12:50 PM - 1:35 PM