Registration

DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR REGISTRATION:

• Copy of sponsor's orders with children listed as command-sponsored family members
• DEROS paperwork/verification (if any)
• Immunizations Certificate
• Birth certificate or Passport (kindergarten, first grade and SureStart)

ELIGIBILITY FOR ENROLLMENT: Department of Defense Instruction 1342.1 governs eligibility for enrollment in the DoD Dependents School. Basically, all command-sponsored school age family members of military and civilian personnel assigned to this area are eligible for enrollment on a tuition-free basis. Other people should contact the Principal for determination of eligibility and category of enrollment.

PRE-REGISTRATION occurs in mid-May. An accurate enrollment at each grade level is essential for planning purposes, so please provide the necessary documentation to the School Registrar during Pre-registration week or at your earliest convenience if you are unavailable that week.

For more registration information, the Cummings Registrar may be reached at 011-81-176-64-4174 (from US) or 0176-64-4174 (from Japan).

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS: No student will be permitted to register for school until immunizations are updated and verification is obtained from local military immunization personnel at the Misawa AB Hospital or the Cummings ES Nurse. School officials require DSPA Form 122.1 (Jan 94)-DoDDS Certification of Immunization at the time of registration. This form will be placed in the official school records. DSPA Form 122.1 can be obtained at the school office.

PUPIL PLACEMENT: Placement of students in classes, grades, and special programs is the responsibility of and within the authority of the school principal. Placement will be made on the basis of report cards, transcripts, age, and other pertinent data. Parents are strongly urged to advise the school of special needs and education goals to assist in proper placement.

KINDERGARTEN SCREENING: All Kindergarten students are screened in the Fall. The screening will be based on the FIRST STEP Screening Test for Evaluating Preschoolers. Screening will include vision and hearing testing by the School Nurse and initial screening by the English as a Second Language (ESL) Specialist. Staff members involved in screening process include the Kindergarten teachers and aides, School Nurse, Special Education Specialist, Speech Pathologist, and the Occupational Therapist from Education Development and Intervention Services (EDIS).

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Helping Your Child Learn

Children learn best when families and school work together. As a parent or guardian, you can help your child by doing the following:

• Spend some time talking and listening to your child—one on one—every day.
  
• Encourage reading. Spend time listening to your child read. Read to your children if they are not ready to read alone yet.
  
• Provide resource materials—such as dictionaries, reference books, or globes—and encourage their use.
  
• Work out a good study schedule at home—at a regular time and place.
  
• Talk with your child about school work. Go over homework with your child to see that it is carefully done. Make encouraging comments, particularly when your child is having a difficult time.
  
• If your child’s teacher uses one, check the assignment notebook on a regular basis.
  
• Love your child enough to say NO when necessary.
  
• Praise your child, not only for good work, but also for their appropriate behavior, and cooperative attitude at home and school.
  
• Actively participate in school as much as you can by attending performances, volunteering at the school, and chaperoning field trips.
  
• Make learning a celebration!

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Dress Code

Students are expected to be neatly groomed and dressed appropriately for the day’s activities. Student dress and personal grooming are the responsibility of students and their parents. The school administration reserves the right to advise parents when students come to school dressed in a manner that is disruptive, in poor taste, or affecting the health or safety of the student or classmates. (i.e. "Flip-flop" sandals are not really appropriate at school as children are running, climbing, etc.)

For PE class, students will need clean sneakers (inside use only) with non-marking soles. It helps if students can leave their PE shoes at school.

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School/Home Connection

Your opinion is important, and we need your perspective to improve our programs. Cummings ES encourages open lines of communication between professional educators and parents or guardians in order to create the best learning environment for children. Communication resources and persons include—but are not limited to—progress reports, notes, conferences, the Parent Newsletter, Parent Handbook, our Website, and the telephone, the PTO, SAC, Guidance Counselor, and the Administration.

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Parent Newsletter

Throughout the school year, you will be advised of school happenings via our Parent Newsletter which is sent home on a "twice monthly" basis. Related flyers and reminders will be attached to the newsletters to advise you of important events and dates. Your child’s teacher may also send home newsletters periodically.

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Academic Programs at CES

Besides the "basic skills subjects", students attend classes in art, music, physical education, and Host Nation (Japanese language and culture). There are programs for students with special needs; speech, reading, math, learning impaired, ESL (English as a Second Language), and TAG (Talented and Gifted).

The curriculum at CES is structured by DoDEA standards which involve a scope and sequence of skills. The North Central Accreditation Association visits overseas schools regularly to ensure an educational program of highest quality.

Click here to learn more about DoDEA's Curriculum Standards

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School Improvement Plan / Accreditation

Each DoDDS school develops a plan to improve the educational program offered to its students. The faculty assesses children's academic and social needs, set goals toward meeting those needs, and determines the resources available. A committee of faculty members and parents guides this process of school improvement, monitoring and assessing progress toward goal attainment.

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Standardized Testing

All DoDDS students in Grades 3-6 are administered the TerraNova Multiple Assessment Test during the second semester. Academic subjects tested include reading, math, social studies, science, and language arts. Fifth grade students also participate in a writing assessment during the Spring Semester.

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Specialists

Cummings ES has a full staff of specialists who provide special instruction and assistance to students, parents, and faculty. In addition to their classroom teachers, children in Grades 1-6 receive instruction from the following specialists:

COUNSELOR: The Counselor provides psycho-educational services. These services include educational counseling to students and parents. The counselor identifies students with specific learning needs and/or adaptive behavior deficiencies that interfere with learning, completes achievement assessments, and /or psycho-educational evaluations. The counselor provides individual student and group counseling; coordinates the testing program; and assists staff in interpretation of test results and in implementing appropriate programs.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL): ESL instruction is available to students whose native language is other than English. ESL students-participate in a wide range of language activities.

HOST NATION SPECIALIST:. The Host Nation Specialist (teacher of Japanese culture) works with grades 1-6. The aim of the Host Nation program is to stimulate an awareness of the Japanese culture, history, language, and traditions. The culture teacher also advises and assists in organizing school field trips and visitations.

INFORMATION (MEDIA )SPECIALIST: The mission of the Information Center program is to ensure that CES students and faculty become effective users of ideas and information. This mission is accomplished by providing intellectual and physical access to materials in all formats, providing instruction to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing, and using information and ideas, and working with other educators to design learning strategies to meet the needs of individual students.

MUSIC: The music specialist provides instruction in creating, performing, listening to and analyzing music for students and serves as a resource person for the classroom teacher. The sequential program of study in music is based on the nine National Standards for Arts Education endorsed by the Music Educators National Conference. These standards identify what our children must know and be able to do as they discover who they are and who they can become.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION: The PE teacher works with all students and acts as a consultant in the areas of PE for the classroom teachers. The physical education program includes development of athletic skills and sportsmanship, attainment of personal goals and meeting challenges.

SCHOOL NURSE: The School Nurse works with students, parents, teachers, and the community in a number of aspects of health education. Large group, small group, and individual instruction are used. Drug and sex education are part of the curriculum. Our school nurse serves as a health education coordinator for the entire school. Vision, hearing, and scoliosis screening will also be completed by the school nurse.

TALENTED AND GIFTED PROGRAM (TAG): The TAG teacher works with students to achieve optimum development of skills and mastery of knowledge by conducting assigned subject matter or grade-level(s) instruction within the school.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: The Learning Specialists work with students in conjunction with the school nurse, faculty, Misawa AB schools' psychologist, Educational Developmental Intervention Services staff (EDIS), and the community. Students receiving assistance include those with achievement difficulties, memory or perceptual problems, or other learning difficulties.

SPEECH PATHOLOGIST: The Speech Pathologist assists in diagnosing speech and language delays. These delays are in the areas of articulation, stuttering, voice disorders, and receptive or expressive language. The Speech Pathologist works closely with the Learning Impaired teacher as well as with the classroom teachers.

SURE START: The Sure Start program is based on the successful Head Start Program implemented for those children needing more time and attention to achieve school readiness. The program takes place between 0800-1400 hrs. Applications for this specialized program are available in the main office and at other locations on base. Students must meet specific eligibility requirements for enrollment.

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Student Progress Reports

Progress reports are issued four times a year; each report follows a nine week quarter. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled at the end of the first quarter.. A student must attend school a minimum of twenty instructional days before receiving a progress report.

Reporting student progress is a complex undertaking. DoDDS has scheduled one teacher workday per quarter for the teachers to use to complete these reports.

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Discipline Policy

Good discipline at Cummings ES is extremely important to the success of the school program. Effective schools are orderly and safe places, with clearly established routines and procedures.

Without consistent school discipline, students cannot realize their greatest opportunity for growth.

FIVE GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CES STUDENTS: Cummings ES has five rules that are posted all areas:

1. Behave so others can learn.
2. Obey all school adults promptly.
3. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
4. Take care of each other so no one gets hurt.
5. Respect school and personal property.

AREAS WHERE RULES ARE ENFORCED: Policies and administrative procedures concerning student conduct apply:

• while on school property.
  
• while en route between school and home, to include school buses.
  
• during the lunch period.
  
• during or while going to or coming from all school-sponsored events and activities that affect the missions or operations of the school including field trips, assemblies, and evening school-related activities.
  

CLASSROOM POLICY: Each teacher has the option to send a classroom-specific discipline plan home the first week of the school year.

CONSEQUENCES FOR A BREACH OF DISCIPLINE: If a breach of discipline occurs, the school's policy is to first try classroom intervention techniques (consequences).

Consequences for breaking the rules and incentives for obeying the rules are developed by each grade level. When consequences are applied without any success, a discipline slip is sent home.

DISCIPLINE SLIPS: Discipline slips are designed to provide information to the parent. The slips are a consequence and they themselves don't become a part of the permanent school record. Discipline slips are a 3-part form. Parents receive the original white copy, which must be signed and returned the next day. The teacher keeps the pink copy in the classroom. The yellow copy is kept in the school administrative office for the course of the school year.

REPEAT OFFENDERS: The homeroom teacher is responsible for monitoring the discipline slips for their students. If a student receives 4 or more discipline slips within one calendar month, that student is subject to suspension.

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR WEAPONS: There is zero tolerance for weapons of any kind on school grounds. If students are found with a weapon, they will be subjected to school disciplinary measures ranging from suspension to expulsion. If it can cause bodily harm or be perceived as a threatening object that instills fear, it is a weapon.

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Absences and Written Excuses

There are a total of 183 instructional days in a school year. Regular school attendance is of great importance to a child to ensure his/her successful achievement.

ABSENCES: All absences must be followed with a written excuse to the teacher from the parent, stating reason and date(s) of the absence. In cases of absences of three days or more, due to illness, the School Nurse should be called at 226-2651

EARLY WITHDRAWAL: DoDDS provides for early withdrawal of any student whose sponsors are permanently assigned to another base prior to the end of the school year. For the student to earn full credit for the year, the earliest withdrawal date is on or about May 19. Sponsors must present PCS orders to justify request for early withdrawal. Sponsors who wish to withdraw their children for non-PCS reasons are not accorded this DoDDS provision and students are expected to complete the school year.

MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS: Parents are requested to avoid making appointments for students during school hours whenever possible. Dental and medical personnel work hard to be accommodating in this matter. Should your child need to be absent for a hospital appointment, notify the teacher in advance.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCE: Absences associated with other reasons (i.e. baby-sitting) are considered unexcused. A child should not be asked to baby-sit for a younger child during the school day. Excessive unexcused absences are considered an instance of neglect.

FAMILY TRIPS: Family trips provide worthwhile learning experiences; however, school absences cause gaps in a child's academic skills. All attempts should be made to travel when it doesn't interfere with regularly scheduled school days. If parents do plan a trip during the school year, please notify your child's teacher at least one week prior to departure.

Volunteers—A Vital Resource at Cummings ES

Volunteers can be found at the school every day—doing such great things as assisting students in the classroom with their projects, lending a hand to the staff in the main office, tutoring students, supervising the children on the playground at recess, helping produce the Parent Newsletter, correcting school homework, or assisting children in the computer lab.

Please let us know if you can help us!

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Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)

The PTO is an organization of school and community members whose major goal is in support of the school program. Financial as well as physical support is given generously. Meetings are announced in the Parent Newsletter. This year's offices are listed below:

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Parliamentarian
• Book Fair Chairperson
• School Store Chairperson
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Teacher Representative
• Membership Chairperson

PTO meetings and activities are announced through the Parent Newsletter. All parents are encouraged to get involved in the meetings and functions sponsored by PTO. This organization presents the best opportunity for teachers and parents to meet and grow as a school community.

Fund-raising projects which require parent volunteers include, but are not limited to Book Fair, Popcorn Sales, School Store, School Pictures, and Services Bazaar.

If you would like to help with any of these projects, please contact one of the officers, leave a note in the PTO basket (where the teachers' boxes are located), or attend one of the general membership meetings.

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School Advisory Committee (SAC)

PURPOSE OF SAC: Each school in DoDDS has its own School Advisory Committee or SAC. SAC is strictly an advisory body that has no budget and is restricted from fundraising. SAC functions somewhat like School Boards at public schools in the U.S. with one notable exception-SAC has no power to hire or fire teachers or administrators.

Throughout the year, SAC:

• Reviews CES policies and programs currently in place
• Helps resolve safety issues and other community concerns about CES
• Lobbies for change when a current situation needs improvement
• Encourages community involvement in the education of children
  

COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Contact a SAC member if you
have any concerns about your child's school.

If the issue can be handled by the SAC, it will be brought up at a SAC meeting.
If the issue is beyond the scope of SAC, a SAC member will help direct you to the person or agency who can help you.

MEETINGS: SAC generally meets once a month during the school year. The public is welcome to attend any SAC meeting. A limited time is available at each meeting for new business that is not on the agenda.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Here at CES, SAC has 11 official members: 8 Voting Members (4 parents, 4 professional educators) are elected by parents and serve for 2 years on a voluntary basis. Elections are held in April. The 3 Non-Voting Members are the Principal, Assistant Principal, and School's Officer.

CONTACTING A SAC MEMBER: You have a variety of options for contacting a SAC member: use the telephone, drop off a letter in the SAC box located on the counter in the front office, send a note marked for SAC to school with your child, or write to SAC c/o the school using the MPS address on the contact page of this website.

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Transportation

The DoDEA Pacific/Guam Transportation Division administers school bus transportation for Misawa AB. The Misawa Student Transportation Office (STO) will register and assign authorized students to buses. Misawa STO will issue the required bus pass. Please call DSN 226-9119 or 81-0176-64-9119 for more information on transporting students to school. Students who live in the 800 area of Misawa AB are authorized transportation to Cummings Elementary School . All students who live in the North Housing Area are within the one-mile walking distance from the school.

Below are the behavior guidelines from Pacific Transportation Division that we expect students to follow when riding the school bus:

BEHAVIOR STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL BUS STUDENTS

ON AND AROUND SCHOOL BUSES STUDENTS WILL:

• Board and exit the bus in an orderly, safe manner.
• Present bus pass when boarding the bus and upon demand.
• Remain seated while on the bus.
• Talk with other passengers in a normal voice.
• Keep all parts of the body inside the bus windows.
• Keep aisles, steps, and empty seats free from obstruction.
• Remain fully and properly clothed.
• Treat the driver and fellow students with respect.
• Promptly comply with the bus driver's or monitor's instructions.
• Treat the bus and other private property with care.
• Comply with the Behavior Standards for School Bus Students.

ON OR AROUND SCHOOL BUSES STUDENTS WILL NOT:

• Fight, push, shove, or trip other passengers.
• Stand or move while the bus is in motion.
• Open windows or extend any item or part of the body from the bus.
• Participate in/or encourage horseplay.
• Use any spray such as, hair spray, perfume or deodorant.
• Run, jump, and swing on ceiling or seat rails.
• Throw or shoot objects in any way.
• Ride unauthorized bus; loan bus pass to another person.
• Litter in or outside of the bus.
• Consume food or drink to include gum and candy.
• Spit or use saliva in any manner.
• Play radios, walkmans, discmans, etc. or play any electronic games
• Use profanity, make derogatory racial, ethnic, sexual remarks, or use obscene gestures or speech.
• Harass or create an intimidating environment.
• Burn material including cigarettes or pipes.
• Possess or use knives or guns.
• Possess pornographic material or gamble.
• Vandalize the school bus.
• Possess illegal drugs or alcohol.
• Assault other individuals
• Use or possess unacceptable items identified in the school Code of Conduct

Bus Safety and Security

The safety of our children is paramount to every member of this community and all of us have an active role. Misawa STO transports over 425 DoDDS students daily to the three schools on base. We have numerous school bus routes, on and off base, with over 60 bus stops. Our community has an exemplary school bus safety record because of the parents, school personnel, transportation office personnel, 35 th FW/Safety, and 35 th FW/Security Force Squadron working together. We look forward to continuing to work together for another accident free year.

Transportation is available for eligible DoDDS students who live outside the school's walking area and within school districting lines. To ride the bus, students must have a current bus pass. To obtain a bus pass, parents must come to the Misawa STO to register their child. We will also need the student to be with you because we issue only picture ID’s. To ensure that transportation personnel are available to assist you in registering your student, please call Misawa STO at 226-9119 before visiting our office in Building 514 main base.

All bus riders must have a school bus pass to ride the school bus to school and home. There will be no exceptions to this policy. This is for the security of children. No student may change his/her daily commuting (home-to-school) transportation service without the parent notifying Misawa STO. Parents are required to coordinate all transportation changes through the Misawa STO. The Misawa student transportation service provides school bus service on a reimbursement basis with the 35 th Transportation Squadron.

Pedestrian Safety

Children need to exercise extreme caution when near roadways. Although speed limits on the base are well controlled, all children should constantly demonstrate safe pedestrian habits. The following rules apply to families living on or off base:

• Cross the street ONLY at crosswalks (Parents, too, please).
• Look both ways before entering the crosswalk.
• Wait for oncoming vehicles to stop before crossing.
• Walk on sidewalks - stay off of the roads.
• Do not talk or get into cars of strangers.

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