School Handbook

Good attendance is critical for steady academic growth, and, by law, children are required to attend school. 

Please call the school office any time your child will not be in school. 

If you are asked to leave a voice mail, please give the following information:

• Name of the parent or guardian calling
• Student's name and grade
• Date(s) of absence
• Reason for absence; please be specific

Absences will only be excused for the following reasons:

• Illness
• Medical or dental appointment
• A family death or serious illness
• Court/judicial appearance
• Religious observations
• School-sponsored activities

Students who are late to school will be considered tardy.

Please make every effort to have your student at school on time. 

Additionally signing your child out in the afternoon prior to the end of the school day affects their attendance and learning. 

Students who become truant (inexcusably absent three consecutive days or five school days in any semester or seven days in a school year) will be reported to the Kansas Department for Children and Families in accordance with Board of Education Policy 1461. 
 

Students must live 2.5 miles or more from their assigned school to qualify for transportation to that school.

For questions about WPS transportation and busing, call 316-973-2190.

The district does offer the FirstView app that helps families track their student's school bus. Families will need a security code from the school office to use the app.
 

Morning drop off and afternoon pick up are done at Door 1 in front of the school. 

Please make every effort to join the drive-through car lane as we have limited parking. 

Please note that if you do not opt to come to the door to drop off/pick up a student, you may need to park off campus. 

Please do not park in the Pre-K parking spaces unless you have an orange tag that indicates you have a Pre-K student.

Parents and staff voted to standardize the dress code policy so students will wear uniforms when attending Ortiz.

We believe that all students should dress in a manner and style that promotes a positive, safe school climate, enhances self-image for students and prepares students for their future. 

Please help us follow the dress code by monitoring what your child wears to school. 

Approved Standardized Dress

Tops must be solid/plain navy blue, sky blue, white or hunter green.

• Sweaters, sweatshirts, T-shirt, polo shirt or lightweight jackets that are solid/plain navy blue, sky blue, white or hunter green. No spaghetti straps, please.
• Ortiz school spirit T-shirts and sweatshirts.
• College shirts on Wednesdays only (College Wear Wednesdays)
• Coats, non-uniform sweatshirts/jackets cannot be worn in the classroom.
• Parents are encouraged to write the child's name on the tag of coats, sweaters and sweatshirts.

Bottoms, dresses and jumpers must be solid/plain khaki, navy blue or black.

• Shorts, slacks, skirts, jumpers, skorts, capris, sweats or leggings that are solid/plain khaki, navy blue or black. No blue jeans or jeggings.
• Shorts may be worn under dresses, jumpers or skirts.

Clothing should be clean and fit correctly. Pants must fit correctly at the waist and length (sagging of pants is not acceptable). Skirts, dresses, jumpers and shorts must be longer than fingertip length when arms are extended at sides. Clothing should not be intentionally ripped or distressed. If clothing has a logo, it must not be bigger than a thumb print. Items can be purchased at any major store including Wal-Mart, Target, JC Penney, Academy Sports and Old Navy.

Unapproved Standardized Dress

• Any item that sends the message of gang affiliation, promotes drugs, alcohol, tobacco, profanity or other inappropriate topics.
• Inappropriate make-up or writing on the body.
• Excessive accessories, make-up, etc. that is a distraction to the learning environment. 
• Shoes that are not safe or conducive to student movement and physical activity, house shoes.

If students choose not to follow the Standardized Dress Code, a parent will be called to bring standardized dress to school or student will be changed into Ortiz loaner standardized dress. In repeat cases, a parent conference will be held to clarify the policy.

Dress Down Days

FINAL Friday: On the final Friday of the month that we are in school, our PTO sponsors $1 Dress Down Day.

• Money must be received in the office no later than the Thursday before at the close of the day. Money will NOT be accepted on Friday. Students who do not wish to participate, should wear regular standardized dress.
• Pajamas, costumes, house shoes, etc. are not allowed to be worn on $1 Dress Down Days.

Parents should notify the school nurse if there are any health conditions that may require medical attention, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc.

If a student becomes ill during the school day, they should request a pass to see the nurse. 

Students who exhibit fever, sore throat or tonsillitis, any eruption of the skin or rash, any respiratory symptoms accompanied by a fever, severe cough or cold, or any eruption of the scalp, will be sent home.

Parents will be notified to pick up their student and must do so in a timely manner to limit exposure to other students and school staff.

Please keep your emergency contact information up to date with both the teacher and office staff.

School board policy (BOE P5316) restricts school personnel from giving students any medication, including over-the-counter medication.

Medication is given only upon written request from both the parent/guardian and the student's physician. Students must also have received one dose of medication without an adverse reaction prior to any doses being given at school.

All medicine must be in the original container and be presented by a parent to the school nurse for safe keeping and scheduled administration.

The container should be labelled with the following:

• Name of student
• Name of medication
• Directions for use
• Name of physician
• Name and address of pharmacy
• Date of prescription

The district uses the ParentVUE online portal to give parents to access information about their student's attendance, assignments and grades.

ParentVUE allows parents to quickly and easily update their family contact information, which is vital in order to maintain strong home-to-school connections. 

Ortiz also uses Seesaw as a communication tool. Please make sure that you are connected to your student's teacher in the Seesaw app. If you need assistance getting connected, please contact your students teacher for directions.

Keeping students emotionally and physically safe at school is our number one priority.

All students have the right to learn in an orderly environment that is free of disruption.

We understand that from time to time, students may need additional practice meeting these expectations.

We are trying to teach students academic and behavioral skills they will be using in the real world that will help them be successful adolescents and adults.

Our staff will work closely with parents to ensure students learn to be responsible citizens and develop strategies for resolving conflicts.

We provide breakfast for all students free of charge.

Lunch fees can depend on family income. Complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application annually to qualify for free lunch and adjustments to school fees. 

The district uses an app called School Cafe to allow families to see menus.

The district uses LINQ Connect to pay for meals.

For special dietary restrictions, please contact the school nurse. 

Field trips with our city and nearby sites of interest are scheduled by classroom teachers throughout the school year.

These trips are designed to supplement different aspects of the classroom curriculum and introduce students to resources within the community.

Parents will be notified of the planned trip at least five days in advance and must sign a trip waiver for students to attend.

If a student does not have a signed permission slip to attend the trip, they will not go.

We will not accept verbal permission over the phone.

If there is a fee for the field trip, the money needs to be submitted at least three days prior to the scheduled trip.

All field trips require the use of school buses. Parents are not able to transport students on field trips.

If a parent serves as a chaperone, they will need to complete the school district's volunteer registration process prior to the field trip.
 

Lost and found items will be located down the hallway by the second double doors underneath the lunch box table. You will also see a hanging rack with items hung up that is lost and found as well. If your student is missing an item, you can notify the teacher and they will assist your student in looking for the item. If you come to the school yourself you'll have to check in the office first in order to walk down and look for the missing item. 

The safety of students, staff and parents is the Wichita Public Schools' greatest priority during the threat of dangerous conditions.

Emergency plans are in place should tornadoes, lightning, hail, snow or other dangerous circumstances present a safety concern. 

If schools are to be closed or activities cancelled or rescheduled due to weather conditions, the information will be posted on the Wichita Public Schools' main webpage and displayed on all school websites.
 

Parent-Teacher Conferences are a great way to stay involved in your child's education.

Parents have the opportunity to discuss their child's progress, review assignments, learn about future projects and to strengthen the connection between home and school. 

Parent Teacher Conferences are held twice a year in October and February. 
 

Progress reports are provided to parents every quarter.

Reviewing these reports is an essential component of parent involvement in their child's education.

Please look for these reports and discuss them with your student.

You may also log on to ParentVue for an ongoing list of grades provided by the teacher.

If you have any concerns about these reports, contact your student's teacher.

All visitors to the building, including parents, must sign in through our visitor management system HallPass.

Parents, caregivers and other relatives wanting to volunteer in the school or for field trips are required to register every year as a volunteer.

Visit the Volunteer Registration page to complete your annual registration.
 

Parents are welcome to send pre-packaged treats with their child to celebrate a birthday with their class. Birthday treats will be distributed at the teacher's discretion so as not to interrupt the learning environment. Teachers will communicate specific classroom procedures.