Community Strategic Plan - A Parents Guide
Our new Parent’s Guide to the CSP outlines the role parents play in DoDEA’s Community Strategic Plan. As a partner in education, parents are critical components of DoDEA’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP) and we believe parents can specifically help us make great strides in achieving our goals.
Click here for the pdf version of the CSP - A Parent's Guide

Registration Information

Click here to for registration information from Okinawa District Site

Required Immunizations
No student will be permitted to register for school until immunizations are updated and verification is obtained from local military immunization personnel or the Bechtel 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.

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School Transportation
Bus passes are required for a student to ride the school bus. The School Bus Office is located on Camp Foster in building 5821, phone 645-7820. Bus monitors are under the direct supervision of the 18th Support Group Bus Office. Parental concerns should be reported to the School Bus Transportation Office. The school supervises only the loading and unloading of the buses on the school grounds. Misconduct at the bus stop must be reported to the School Bus Office. The senior commanders on Okinawa have established the following bus rules:

• First incident of student misconduct, regardless of the type offense committed, as
  recorded on cameras and/or reported to Bus Barn supervisors by adult monitors or local
  national drivers, will result in 10 days suspension from riding the bus.
• Second incident of student misconduct documented on the same child will result in 30
  days suspension.
• The third incident of student misconduct documented on the same child will result in
  the child being permanently suspended from riding the school bus for the duration of
  the sponsor's tour on Okinawa.

Sponsors of children who ride the school bus must discuss proper bus conduct with their child and explain any consequences resulting from inappropriate behavior. Questions about discipline can be addressed to the school bus monitor supervisors at the School Bus Office. Students who fail to get off the bus at their assigned stop will be taken to the School Bus Office for pickup by the parent.

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DoDEA Curriculum Guides / Standards

Click here for the DoDEA Curriculum Standards

 

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.

Click here for Bechtel Test Results

Instructional Programs
In addition to our classroom teachers, Bechtel Elementary School has special subject and resource educators.
The special subject teachers include: two art teachers, two music teachers, two Japanese culture teachers, and two physical education (PE) teachers. Students by homeroom, in grades K-6, are scheduled to attend each of the classes on a rotating basis (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4).

Additional Specialists include:
1. Compensatory Education Program
Assists identified children in mathematics and reading through small individual group instruction.

2. Counseling/Guidance
The guidance counselors work with students, parents, and teachers to promote understanding of the school programs; assist in the identification of the needs of the students; and interpret the information to the parents and teachers.

3. English as a Second Language (ESL)
The ESL teachers work with children who have learned English as a second language or who have been raised in families where one or both parents are a non-native speaker of English.

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4. Gifted Education Teacher
The Gifted Education teacher provides services to 8 - 10% of the school population (exclusive of Kindergarten and first grade) through Gifted Education membership.
Gifted Education students are selected based on high academic achievement, intellectual ability, creative ability, and task commitment. The Gifted Education teacher also provides service to the entire school population through curriculum compacting and the provision of high interest activities. The school's Gifted Education team provides guidance in the selection of members as well as the direction of an enrichment program for the school.

5. Information Specialist
The information specialists inform students and teachers of the resources available in the Information Center (IC) and instruct them in proper use of these materials. They also correlate the IC instructional program with classroom instruction projects

6. Psychologist
The school psychologist services all BES children as needed with testing, diagnosing, and recommending specific actions for remediation. The school's psychologist serves as a consultant to the administration, teachers, and parents regarding student academic and behavioral concerns. Additionally, parenting classes may be offered. The psychologist is available to present in-services on topics of interest to school staff, PTA, and community groups on request.

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7. Language Support Specialist (LSS)
The LARS personnel assist teachers in improving classroom reading programs. Pupils with reading deficiencies are helped through individualized programs.

8. School Nurse
The school nurses work with educational and medical agencies to help plan, organize, implement, and evaluate the school health services. First aid is provided to ill and injured students and school personnel.

9. Teacher of the Communication Impaired
The CI teachers provide screening, diagnostic, and therapy services on an individual or group basis for any child having a speech/language/hearing disorder. “Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and/or Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI 1342.12), “Provision of Early Intervention Special Ed Services to Eligible DoD Dependents in Overseas Areas.

10. Teacher for the Learning Impaired
The LI teachers provide services for the students identified as having a learning disability as defined in the “Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and/or Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI 1342.12), “Provision of Early Intervention Special Ed Services to Eligible to DoD Dependents in Overseas Areas.

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11. Teacher for the Preschool children with disabilities
The PSCD teacher provides services for preschool age students identified as having disabilities as defined in the “Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and/or Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI 1342.12), “Provision of Early Intervention Special Ed Services to Eligible DoD Dependents in Overseas Areas.

12. Educational Assessor
The Educational Assessor conducts assessments primarily in areas of cognitive processing and academic achievement for special education eligibility requirements and triennial review documentation. The Assessor also provides diagnostic assessments for students with Individual Education Programs who may need further evaluation to determine if there is a need for a significant change in eligibility, an identified need for a related service, or need to add an area of service. The Assessor position is designed to support the Child Study Committee during the assessment phase of the special education process.

(SAC) School Advisory Committee
The Bechtel Elementary School Advisory Committee is the elected forum in which five (5) parents and five (5) school staff members represent the school community and faculty. The committee's purpose is to make recommendations to the principal concerning school-related matters to include budget, curriculum and instruction, policies, and support functions. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact any member of the SAC or come to our monthly meetings. The SAC meets at 1515 on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Further information is published on Bechtel Elementary School's BESTNet site.

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PTO) Parent Teacher Organization
We invite you to join the Bechtel Elementary School Team (BEST) PTO! Bechtel PTO organizes numerous events throughout the year. It is only through the time and effort of our PTO volunteers that we are able to offer the Fall Festival, Popcorn Fridays, Family Nights, Book Fairs, Box Top Collections, the School Store, and Square One Art. The money these PTO events raise support a wide variety of school programs and help fulfill teachers’ requests for classroom materials.

We greatly appreciate any support you can give! Meetings are announced via BESTNet site within the Bulldog Bulletin. All parents and Community members are welcome. With your help we can make this the BEST school year ever!!! bechtelpto@yahoo.com
Click here for the Bechtel PTO Website

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Parent Newsletter - Bechtel Bulldog
Parent newsletters are posted weekly on our BESTnet, our school's password protect Intranet site. They are updated at least weekly, but often times on a daily basis as changes are warranted.

School Volunteering Opportunities
Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in the school by becoming involved in special projects, instructional activities, school functions, and study trips. Volunteers are always needed and are a vital part of the total school program. They assist in classrooms, in special subject and resource rooms, and in educational support areas. There is an active American Red Cross (ARC) Volunteer Program in the school. Parent volunteers need to complete the ARC Volunteer Orientation. Contact the school office or the American Red Cross Volunteer Coordinator if you or interested friends would like to volunteer time at the school.

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School Hours
Sure Start thru 6th Grade 0830 - 1500
School Office 0730 - 1600

Students walking or arriving by car to school should arrive no earlier than 0815 hrs for safety reasons.  Students under direct parent supervision may be on campus for previously scheduled meetings.   Students are to line up and wait quietly in their designated area until the first bell rings at 0825 hrs.  Each teacher lets all their students enter the classroom at that time.

Student Rights and Responsibilities
The Department of Defense Dependents School says that you as a student have certain rights and responsibilities.

• You have the right to an education. However, it is your responsibility to follow school rules and respect the rights of others. It is also your responsibility to come to school (unless you are sick), to respect school property, and to complete the assignments the teachers give you.
• You have the right to say what you think and believe. It is your responsibility though, to be sure that this does not hurt others or stop them from saying what they think and believe. It is also your responsibility to tell the truth and use language appropriate for school.
• You have the right to ask questions about the school. It is your responsibility to act politely and respect others' rights also.
• You have the right to go to a school that is safe and to learn as much as you are able. It is your responsibility to respect other's rights and follow all school rules so others can learn and feel safe.
  

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Attendance
Student attendance in school is necessary for the educational process to occur. All students enrolled in DoDDS schools must attend classes regularly and punctually in order to remain enrolled.
DoD 1342.6-M-1 requires that the installation commander will: "encourage all educable, eligible dependents who have not completed high school to attend either DoD dependents schools or a regular program of formal instruction in the local school system; to enroll in a tuition school; or to enroll in an independent study program by correspondence". Adherence to the school attendance policy is the responsibility of the parents and students.

1. Absences
We feel that daily attendance of students is vital for their educational growth and development. However, we recognize that absence from school is necessary under certain conditions. Every effort must be made by parents/legal guardians and students to keep absences and tardiness to a minimum. Excused absences are granted for: student illness; family emergency (Emergency Leave); medical care which can not be handled during non-school hours; and religious observances.

Students are to stay current with assigned class work and are responsible for the work missed during their absence from class. Parents are asked to complete and return to school a Request for Pre-planned Absence Assignment Makeup form at least one week PRIOR to the scheduled absence. Assignments and materials given out during a student's absence will be placed in a folder and given to the student upon his/her return. The student will be allowed a number of school days equal to his/her days absent to complete and turn in assignments missed during the absence.

Absences associated with other reasons such as family trips or non-medical reasons are considered unexcused absences. Make-up assistance for unexcused absences is not mandatory and is at the discretion of the teacher.
When a student has been absent (excused or unexcused), the parent or guardian is to send a signed note giving the reason for the student absence to school with their child.

Truancy - Any student who is absent from school without the knowledge and permission of his/her sponsor/parent/legal guardian or school authorities is truant. A student who, after
reporting to school, skips or leaves a class or school without excused permission is truant.

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2. Tardiness Procedures
Students are expected to arrive at school by 0825 hrs for the first bell.  Students, who arrive late for school after the 0830 hrs tardy bell, will not be admitted to class without a tardy slip from the office.  The parent, guardian, or accompanying adult are required to sign the student in to receive a tardy slip before he/she proceeds to the classroom.  Our policy is to expect a written explanation from the parent or sponsor (after the fact, if they are not present to sign in their child) for both tardiness and absences.  In the event of multiple or excessively late tardiness, parents may be contacted by phone.  If a student is tardy due to government transportation they are considered "excused”.

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Discipline
The responsibility for a student's behavior and conduct is his/her own and that of his/her parents/guardians. The entire faculty and staff at Bechtel Elementary School (BES) have the goal to establish an atmosphere throughout the school in which children will feel safe, secure and happy in addition to providing the maximum opportunity to learn.

In an effort to accomplish this goal, we have developed a school-wide discipline plan. The plan specifies rules that cover the behaviors we expect from our students. Each teacher has posted expected classroom behaviors that have been explained to the students. A copy will be sent home with each child to be discussed with the parents.

Students who choose to break rules will receive appropriate consequences and students who follow the rules will receive positive reinforcement.

Children at Bechtel Elementary School have a right to learn and teachers have the right to teach in a safe and positive atmosphere with a minimum of disruption. BES students are expected to maintain standards of behavior which show recognition and consideration of the rights of others and that contribute to a productive educational atmosphere.

The BES Guiding Principles for Behavior are:
1. Be respectful.
2. Be courteous.
3. Treat others with respect and kindness.

The above general school-wide rules include but are not limited to the following guidelines:
1. Students will be respectful to all faculty, staff members and classmates. Unacceptable language or any other forms of disrespect will not be tolerated.
2. Students will keep hands, feet and other objects to themselves. Fighting or threats are NOT permitted. Use of profanity is not permitted.
3. Students are to follow the teacher's classroom management plan as explained and posted
in the classroom.
4. Students will walk quietly in hallways at all times.
5. Skateboards, scooters, roller blades, CD players, heelys, bay blades, valuable items, games, trading cards, laser lights and all toys will be kept at home.
6. Bicycles are to be walked on the school campus and locked in the bike racks during school
hours.
7. Gum is not allowed on the school campus.

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Dress Code
We encourage children to take pride in their appearance at all times. Good grooming is a necessary part of education. When a student comes to school, he/she should wear no dress items, which might cause health, safety or maintenance problems. The stomach must be covered and no spaghetti straps are allowed. Students should wear well fitting and safe shoes or sneakers. "Flip-flops" present a safety problem and are not to be worn to school. Students’ pants may not drag below their shoes. Students should dress appropriately for weather conditions, PE classes, etc. Please mark your child's name on any outer garments worn to school. Hats and bandanas are not appropriate wear for parents, staff or children in the school environment.

Homework
It is DoDDS policy to assign homework as appropriate to all students capable of completing assignments independently. Homework is based on each student's individual needs, interests, and abilities. It is used for reinforcement and enrichment activities. Homework, which has no specific educational purpose, is not assigned. Please help your child by providing a scheduled time, a quiet study area, and your cooperation and encouragement needed to complete assignments.

The amount of homework time will vary by grade level and by teacher. A general rule is 10 minutes of homework per grade level.   A 2nd grader could expect 20 minutes of homework under this guidance.  The amount of time for primary grades could range from 15 to 20 minutes per day and extend to 30 minutes or more a day for upper grades.
Each child works at his/her own pace, so the amount of time needed to complete specific assignments may differ. The types of homework may vary to enable the student to have experience/practice in reading, writing, computational skills, and other subject areas during a given week. If you have questions about homework, please contact the classroom teacher.

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Instructional Programs
In addition to our classroom teachers, Bechtel Elementary School has special subject and resource educators.
The special subject teachers include: two art teachers, two music teachers, two Japanese culture teachers, and two physical education (PE) teachers. Students by homeroom, in grades K-6, are scheduled to attend each of the classes on a rotating basis (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4).

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After School Activities
There are a variety of after-school student activities available for BES students. In the past, we have offered: Art Club, Choir, Computer Club, Chess Club, Gardening Club, Safety Patrol, Homework Club, School Newspaper, Student Leadership, Basketball, Fitness club, Geography Club, Music, Eisa, Hand bells, and Spanish Club. We look forward to adding different activities this year. Most activities are held after school from 1500-1600 hrs on Tuesdays or Thursdays with two after-school activity buses available to take bus-pass students home. Further information and details will be published under a separate cover at the end of September.

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Study Trips
Study trips are an integral part of the instructional program and an excellent way to acquaint students with the unique nature of Okinawa. Only walking study trips and/or study trips with transportation provided by contracted buses are authorized. The use of privately owned vehicles (POVs) is not authorized.

Parents are required to give written permission for their children to participate in study trips. Verbal permission by telephone is not sufficient. For each planned study trip, your child will bring home a Parent Permission Slip form for your signature. Please return the signed form to the teacher as soon as possible. Chaperones are not to bring younger children with them in order that they can devote all their attention to the students.

The education and safety of all students is the responsibility of the classroom teacher. If a teacher has determined that an individual student has repeatedly demonstrated inappropriate behavior at school, the parent may be required to attend the study trip in order to supervise the student. If the parent is unable to attend, the homeroom teacher will coordinate and plan educational activities at school for the student.

School Store
The PTO School Store, run by parent volunteers, provides a service to our students and funds for the PTO. Items sold include: school T-shirts, as well as smaller items such as pencils, erasers, rulers and holiday specialties.

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