Marvin Family and Student Handbook 2026-2027

Dear Marvin Community,

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!

We are excited to partner with you to ensure your child(ren) experiences the best education possible. We strive to build a welcoming and inviting environment to help our learners reach their academic potential. Our goal is to provide a personalized learning experience to help build the leaders of tomorrow. In this handbook, you will find the information you need to positively contribute to the operation of the school and participate in your child’s learning. If you have any questions, you can contact the school, and we will work to support you and your family.

Sincerely,

The Marvin Staff

Our Mission

Reaching and Teaching Every Child

Our Vision

Marvin Elementary will provide a quality education in partnership with parents and the community. We will present a caring, safe, and stimulating learning environment that ensures all students are equipped to meet the challenges of education, work and life. We will achieve this by providing children with rigorous opportunities for growth, integrating technology and understanding how each student learns best.

School Mascot: We are the Marvin Stars!

Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) Universals:

A Marvin Leader SHINES!

• Shows accountability,
• Has community pride,
• Invests in their learning,
• Nurtures a growth mindset,
• Embraces diversity, and is
• Success-oriented.

Arrival Procedures

All arrival procedures are designed to keep students safe. We appreciate your cooperation with these procedures.

• School begins at 8:40 a.m. Students arriving after 8:40 will be marked tardy and should be accompanied by an adult to the main office.
• Students are not permitted on school grounds or in the building before 8:15 a.m. unless they attend extended-day programs.
• Car riders must be dropped off between 8:15 and 8:35 a.m. on the south side of the building where they will enter through the cafeteria door. For the safety of the students, car riders may not be dropped off in the east lot of the front lot while buses are present. Cafeteria doors will be locked at 8:35 a.m. Any car riders arriving after 8:35 a.m. should come to the main entrance. Please be courteous to other drivers and keep in mind the safety of students during arrivals.
• Y Club (before-school care) participants will enter through the cafeteria door, which is locked. Please ring the doorbell for entry. To arrange on-site childcare, please reach out to the YMCA at (314) 962-9450. Other providers in the area also transport students to and from school. Members of the Marvin staff are not available for supervision before 8:15 a.m. unless it is part of an extended-day activity.
• Bus riders and daycare vans will unload in front of the building. No cars may use the front while buses are present.
• Walkers/bike riders will enter the building through the front door between 8:15 and 8:35 a.m. Students should not arrive before 8:15 a.m. Bikes must be locked to the bike rack. Marvin Elementary is not liable for lost or stolen bicycles.

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Arrival & Dismissal Map

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Attendance / Absences

Because regular and punctual attendance is essential to a student’s success in school, staff members work closely with families to achieve good student attendance.

• For your child’s academic success, they must be engaged in Marvin's classes and coursework every single day.
• We recognize there will be times when you need to keep your child home due to illness. When your child is experiencing fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other significant symptoms that require a doctor’s visit, please keep your child home and notify the school via the attendance line at (314) 493-6431.
• Please try to schedule routine doctor and dentist appointments outside of the school day. When your student misses school for these appointments, please provide documentation to make the absence excused.
• Please expect to receive letters and phone calls should your child exceed six (6) days of absences.
• Contact a counselor or social worker if you need support with attendance:
  • Amy Bourland, social worker (bourlanda@ritenourschools.org)
  • Demetra Crocker, counselor (crockerd@ritenourschools.org)
  • Amanda Weiler, counselor (weilera@ritenourschools.org)
• For more information regarding district attendance, please refer to the Ritenour Parent and Student Handbook (available in mid-August 2026 on the district website).

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Behavior

Marvin Elementary is a Positive Behavior and Interventions and Support School (PBIS).

Marvin’s PBIS Universal Beliefs:

• A Marvin leader SHINES!
  • Shows accountability: Marvin Stars show accountability by always giving their best effort. They understand everyone makes mistakes. The most important part is to accept the consequences and try to do better next time.
  • Has community pride: All students are expected to treat their school and learning materials with care and respect. Whether in the cafeteria, the bathroom, or your classroom, your individual efforts will help make us all proud to be Marvin Stars!
  • Invests in their learning: Marvin students are expected to give their best effort every day. Students use their time along with the tools, strategies and suggestions from the teacher to advance their learning.
  • Nurtures a growth mindset: All students are expected to persevere and think positively when they are presented with challenges. Students are encouraged to change the phrases “I can’t” or “I won’t” to “I can” or “I will be able to.”
  • Embraces diversity: All students at Marvin come from different backgrounds and experiences. When we support and appreciate all of these differences, it builds the strength of our community and ensures everyone feels like they belong at Marvin Elementary.
  • Success-oriented: Marvin's students are focused on success. They determine what success looks like, and they set goals, make a plan to achieve them, and work hard. They also celebrate one another’s successes and are committed to supporting each other. We believe that we will grow when we try our best.
• Our kindergarten students work on the 3 Cs: Being Calm, Caring and Cooperative.
• We will proactively teach leadership skills, character education, social skills, and daily routines and expectations throughout the school day and year.
• Students are expected to uphold these values. We also work to ensure students understand that their actions can have positive and negative consequences.
• The Ritenour Parent-Student Handbook outlines disciplinary offenses and potential consequences. That handbook can be found on the Ritenour website, beginning in mid-August 2026.
• We strive to create an inclusive environment where every student feels a sense of belonging. We will make every effort to be positive and proactive with your child in helping them develop socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. We need your help as parents to model and reinforce school-appropriate behaviors. Following school rules, such as arrival and dismissal procedures, is one way to model appropriate behavior for your child.
• If you need assistance supporting your child’s social, emotional or behavioral development, we have interventions both in the school and resources outside the school that can provide additional support. Please contact our school counselor or social worker for more information.

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Bicycle Policy

• Students in grades 4-5 may ride bicycles to school.
• Elementary students must have their parent’s/guardians’ written permission and their principal’s approval.
• Students are legally required to wear safety helmets when riding their bikes to school.
• Students should walk their bikes on school property, park their bikes in the bike rack and attach it to the rack with a safety lock.
• The school is not responsible for damages, losses, or theft of bikes and related equipment.
• Students should not arrive at school before 8:15 a.m.
• Skateboards, in-line skates, roller blades and scooters are not allowed on school property at any time.
• Parents/guardians are encouraged to review safety practices with their children and to determine the safest route to and from school.

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Breakfast

• Breakfast is free for all Ritenour students every day.
• If your child is eating breakfast, please have them to school between 8:15 and 8:30 to ensure they have plenty of time to eat.
• Kindergarten and first grade students will eat breakfast in the cafeteria. Parents should not accompany students to breakfast. We have staff ready to assist them in finding the cafeteria.
• Second through fifth grade students will get their breakfast in the cafeteria and take it to their classroom to eat.

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Cellphones

Many families choose to send their children to school with cell phones for safety reasons. The district is not responsible for lost, stolen or confiscated cell phones, computers, headphones or other technological devices brought to school.

According to Ritenour Board of Education Policy, JFCD, students are prohibited from displaying or using personal communication devices during the school day. The entire policy (JFCD) can be viewed here. Classroom teachers will provide students with a space to lock up cell phones in the morning and return them to students at the end of school.

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Class Celebrations & Birthday Treats

Marvin Elementary strives to create a healthy environment for learning. We work to limit the number of opportunities for sweet treats offered at school.

• Please do not send sweet treats for birthdays. We will celebrate birthdays on the morning announcements each day.
• Each class at Marvin will celebrate two class parties: Winter Celebration (December) and Friendship Parties (February).
• Parents may send items for the class parties. Please organize with your child’s teacher. Healthy options with limited sweet treats and junk food are encouraged. All items must be commercially made and must comply with the district allergy policy.
• Ritenour’s Website offers guidance for healthy alternatives.

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Classroom Visits

• All visits to the classroom must be pre-arranged with the school principal and classroom teacher.
• There is district paperwork that must be filled out before any classroom visitors.
• We have a legal obligation to keep student academic progress confidential and provide a nondisruptive educational environment. Please note that confidentiality regarding our students is paramount, and visitors to the classroom must agree to respect the rights of the school staff and the students, and refrain from sharing any information observed during the visit.
• We ask that you please do not interrupt the teacher or lesson. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the teacher to have a conversation during noninstructional hours.

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Communication

• Please make sure your phone numbers and email addresses are up to date with the office, and notify the office of any changes. It is extremely important that we have a way to contact you should an emergency arise.
• Regular communication will be sent home from your child’s teacher. At the beginning of the year, teachers will establish a preferred communication method. Marvin staff are asked to have an electronic communication method. Most teachers use Seesaw, Class Dojo or Remind. We encourage you to download these apps to help establish regular communication. If the electronic communication system isn’t working for your family, please contact your child’s teacher or principal.
• School communication includes our newsletter, Facebook updates, Peachjar electronic flyers, and text/email/phone message communication blasts.
• Teachers are busy instructing students during the day and will not have the opportunity to respond to parents while they supervise students. You can leave staff members messages via email or voicemail, and we will contact you as soon as possible. You can message teachers on apps like ClassDojo as well.
• Download the Ritenour app to get up-to-date information at your fingertips, including breakfast and lunch menus, staff directories and streaming news.

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Dismissal Procedures

All dismissal procedures are designed to keep students safe. We appreciate your cooperation with these procedures.

Uninterrupted learning time is important. Please ensure your child knows their dismissal plan before they leave for school. During the first week of school, dismissal can last longer than normal. We ask for your patience during this time.

• School ends at 3:35 p.m.
• Walkers are released at the end of the sidewalk on Gordon Avenue. Parents may stand at the end of the sidewalk to meet their students. Students will not be placed into cars from this location. Students needing to cross Gordon Avenue will do so under teacher supervision. Kindergarten and first grade students must walk with an adult or older sibling (this must be communicated with the student’s teacher). Parents are not allowed to park on the lot or along Gordon Avenue (between Jonelle Court and the lot) to pick up students who are listed as walkers.
• All car riders will be dismissed from the cafeteria. Parents should travel south on Gordon Avenue and make a right-hand turn into the back parking lot and exit onto St. Charles Rock Road. Parents should display the name card with the student’s last name in the left front window of the car.
• Y Club participants are escorted to the cafeteria. Parents should ring the cafeteria bell to pick up their student(s).
• Bus riders will be escorted to their bus. Remember, kindergarten and first grade students must be with an older sibling or have someone at the bus stop, or they will be returned to the school for a parent/guardian to pick up. Students must get off at their assigned bus stop.
• Transportation changes must be made through the main office. If a parent needs to change the way a student will be going home, please send a signed note and call the office at (314) 493-6430. The office cannot make any changes to a student’s transportation after 3 p.m. This ensures all students arrive safely at their after-school destination.
• Several area daycare centers also pick up students. Ritenour does not promote or endorse any specific daycare provider but can give you the names of centers transporting students to school.

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Dress Code

• Students should come to school in clothes appropriate for the weather.
• Gym or athletic shoes should be worn daily since students will go outside and access the playground equipment and/or play athletic games at recess.
• Students should not wear clothes that are offensive or disruptive to the educational environment.

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EARLY DISMISSAL

• Instruction occurs in classrooms until the end of the day, so please make every effort to keep your students in class.
• The office will not call students out of the classrooms after 3 p.m. unless administrators have approved the dismissal prior to that day. Calls to classrooms at the end of the day are disruptive to the classroom environment.
• For safety reasons, a photo ID is required for early dismissal.

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EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Please update your emergency contact information in the Parent Portal. You will have peace of mind knowing we have updated information to reach you or others in emergency situations. Please indicate if your child is allowed to be released with your emergency contacts.

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FAMILY EVENTS & FIELD TRIPS

• We want our students to have a fun and joyful learning experience at Marvin. We work hard to plan meaningful and engaging lessons, and provide fun activities and events.
• We partner with our PTO, The VIPs, to provide enriching experiences. Please reach out to learn how you can support these events!
• Field trips enrich instruction and help introduce or conclude a unit of study. Students must have a permission slip signed by a parent/guardian to go on a field trip. For the safety of students, verbal permission is not permissible. In situations where the safety of a student is in question due to the nature of the field trip or prior behavior by the student, 504 & IEP teams will determine if the student should or should not attend. If the student does not have a 504 plan or IEP, the building principal will determine whether the student will participate in the field trip or conditions that need to be in place to ensure student safety. Parents must contact the school nurse if any medications are to accompany their student on the trip. Adult volunteers who assist with field trips must complete a Volunteer Application before participating. See VIPs & Volunteering for more information.

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Head Lice

The National Association of School Nurses and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend the following practices in regard to head lice:

• Students should not be excluded from school due to head lice.
• The school should provide parents with information to support them in treating head lice if needed.
• Head lice do not jump. Students can only contract lice from direct head-to-head contact.
• If we notice head lice on a child, the school nurse will notify the parent.

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Independence

Developing independence is a process that begins now and continues until students reach maturity. Some ways to encourage your students to become independent are:

• Make sure they can button, zip, tie shoes, and develop other self-care skills.
• Encourage students to attempt homework and coursework on their own.

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Keep Personal Belongings At Home

Every year, students bring toys and other items to school that can become disruptive to the educational process. We ask that they only bring to school what directly relates to their school work.

• Please check your child’s backpack daily.
• The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken items brought from home.

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Lost & Found

If you are missing any items, please check our lost and found area. We will have the items out at conferences and other events. We donate all unclaimed items to local charities or sell them to stores for funds to support student activities.

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Lunch

School lunch is free for all students.

• Students will have at least two options to choose from at lunch.
• Please let the school nurse know if you have any food allergies so that we can accommodate meals.
• Students may bring a plastic or metal water bottle to school. We encourage limiting candy and soda sent to school. Please do not send glass containers to school.
• Students may bring their own lunch or breakfast to school. Please ensure items do not require being heated. If a student brings their own lunch, they may purchase milk for 50 cents or juice for 45 cents.
• Families are allowed to join their children for lunch. Please come in at the student’s assigned lunch time. You will need to sign in at the front office.

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Meeting with The Teacher Or Principals

Staff members are always willing to meet with parents to review student learning or help resolve a situation.

• Please note that staff have supervision and other such requirements during the day. We want to be welcoming and supportive. Calling and making an appointment is required to ensure that the staff member is available and able to give you the attention you deserve.

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Nurse

A full-time registered nurse (RN) is available at school to treat minor injuries and health issues, assist with health-related emergencies and provide health screenings.

• The nurse is responsible for maintaining health records, distributing medications and contacting parents concerning students’ health problems.
• Please contact the school nurse if a child has any special medications or restrictions. For our nurse to distribute medications, we must have a doctor’s permission on file.
• The nurse is not authorized to provide diagnoses for students or families nor to be a substitute for family physicians or regular health care providers.
• At Marvin, Nurse Lamar Cunningham, MSN, BSN is available via:
  • Email – cunninghaml@ritenourschools.org
  • Office Direct Line (314) 493-6438
  • Fax (314) 493-6439
  • Extension 6401 if you call the school’s main line

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Outside Recess

We will make every attempt to allow students time outside daily. Research shows that recess helps social and physical development. It also provides an opportunity for students to release energy to help them focus on their afternoon studies.

• Please ensure your child dresses appropriately for the current weather conditions.
• Students should wear athletic shoes each day for safety since there is mulch in the playground area.
• We follow Missouri guidelines for outdoor activities:
• Missouri recommends students have a minimum of one recess period of 20 minutes per day.
• Students will stay indoors if there is precipitation or the wind chill or the temperature goes below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. If the heat index or temperature goes above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, students will stay indoors for recess.
• There may be other situations when administrators keep students inside, as well.
• If your child needs to be inside for medical reasons, please contact the school nurse to coordinate the doctor’s recommendations.
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Parent-Teacher Conferences

• Report cards are standards-based, which means that students are evaluated based on their progress toward year-end goals. The report cards will be sent home at the end of the first and second semesters.
• Information about parent-teacher conferences will be coming soon.
• Fall conferences will focus on setting goals for the year, and spring conferences will provide students with an opportunity to show their families their learning.
• SSD teachers, library/art/music/PE teachers, interventionists, English Learner teachers, counselors, and other Marvin staff will be available during conferences.

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Partnership

• When we work together, your child will make the most progress possible.
• In partnership, we suggest:
  • Ensuring your child has a regular bedtime and sleeping pattern
  • Providing a quiet, conducive spot for homework and virtual coursework during Alternate Method of Instruction (AMI) days
  • Talking to your child about their school day
  • Assisting your child with skills when needed
  • Staying informed about school and classroom events and projects
  • Following building expectations
• The expectations you can hold us to include:
  • Providing daily lessons incorporating reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and social/emotional skills
  • Caring about you and your child
  • Providing classroom communities that seek to engage and invite children
  • Providing a safe learning environment
  • Providing quality instruction
  • Recognizing and giving extra support when needed
  • Communicating regularly with you

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Reading

• The only way a student becomes a better reader is to practice reading.
• Please set aside time nightly to read to or with your child. Most teachers ask students to read or be read to for 20 additional minutes nightly.
• Students whose parents read with them nightly do better academically.
• English learners benefit from reading in their home language and English.

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Safety

• All visitors to the building must report to the office, no matter what time of day.
• Visitors will not be allowed through the building and must remain in the office.
• We will ask any person picking up a student to be able to present a valid ID to ensure that the person has permission to pick up the child.
• We conduct emergency drills throughout the year as part of our district and school safety plans. These drills include fire, tornado, earthquake, and intruder drills. Staff also receive annual training on these procedures.
• We will make every effort to provide your child with a safe classroom and school environment.

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School Supply Lists

Please visit the Ritenour website to view school supply lists. They are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, French, and Vietnamese.

• We frequently need extra boxes of tissues and boxes of pencils.

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Specials Classes

Students will participate in five special classes each week. These include art, music, library, and two sections of P.E. Specials last 50 minutes a day.

• Art: Students will study how artists express ideas and their culture through imagery. Students will explore their creativity and produce artwork inspired by the world around them and other artists. In doing so, they will develop artistic skills and problem-solving strategies. Students are asked to bring in an art shirt to wear while painting. This can be an old short-sleeved shirt.
• Library: Students will use the Marvin Library Media Center regularly for inquiry, skill instruction, and reading pleasure. An important component of the Marvin Library curriculum is developing digital citizenship and online safety skills. All students can checkbooks out weekly according to the library's expectations. Families will be notified of any fees related to lost or damaged books.
• Bookmobile: In addition to the library, the Ritenour School District partners with the St. Louis County Library’s (SLCL) Bookmobile Program. Through this monthly opportunity, students can sign up for a library card and choose books from the SLCL collection. Students must have an SLCL card on file to check out books. Please visit slcl.org for more information. The Bookmobile usually visits Marvin Elementary on the last Wednesday and Thursday of each month.
• Music: Students will study fundamental principles of music, including singing, rhythm, and instruments through composition and performance activities. Students will also explore cross-curricular and cultural connections in music. Marvin offers a before-school orchestra class for fourth and fifth grade students to learn violin and cello. There are a limited number of seats and instruments available for the program. Information and expectations about this program will be shared with all fourth and fifth grade students and families.
• Physical Education (P.E.): In P.E., students learn various skills related to sports and physical activity. They also learn about sportsmanship and about how to develop a healthy lifestyle. Athletic shoes should be worn daily for P.E. and recess.

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Student Placement-Teacher Selection

• We have 100% highly qualified teachers for every class at Marvin Elementary.
• Each May, we go through an arduous process of developing classes for the following year that will benefit all students. If you have information to share about what kind of learner your child is that would help us make a good decision, please share that information with us.
• We do not take parent requests for specific teachers but will consider what environment best matches a student’s learning needs.
• Kindergarten placement goes through a trial period at the beginning of the year as we get to know your student as a learner. Therefore, your child’s teacher may change within the first two weeks of school. We will communicate these changes at the Kindergarten Meet-the-Teacher Night.

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Technology

• Students will be issued a Ritenour Chromebook that is specific to them.
• For students to be able to take home technology, guardians will need to either purchase or waive insurance through One2One Risk Management. This can be done during Open House or before school starts through the Ritenour Website. To complete this process, you will need your student’s Ritenour ID which can be found in the Parent Portal.
• If you don’t have internet access at your residence, please reach out to the office or your child’s teacher or counselor for resources.
• For help with Google accounts, as well as support for devices issued to students please email techsupport@ritenourschools.org or call (314) 493-6085.
• When devices are damaged or lost, please contact your child’s teacher or the office. Your student will be placed on a list to have their device exchanged at the earliest opportunity that one is available.
  • The district technology department will assess problems with devices and attempt to resolve them. Charges not covered by insurance will be added to student accounts.

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Telephone Use

• Each classroom has a telephone for the teacher to be able to contact parents, and the school office in the case of emergency.
• These telephones are not meant for student use. Students will only be allowed to use telephones in case of emergency and under the supervision of a staff member.
• Please make after-school arrangements for your child prior to the beginning of the school day. If plans change, please call the office before 3 p.m. to notify the school. The office will communicate with your child and their teacher.

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VIPs – Very Involved Parents

Marvin’s Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is called the VIPs. Families and school staff partner to enrich the learning experience of the entire Marvin community.

• The VIPs meet at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Interpreters and childcare will be available.
• The 2026-2027 planned meeting dates are: Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Jan. 11, Feb. 8, April 5, and May 10
• The goal of the PTO is to support the school and community. The PTO raises funds for student field trips and special events and organizes community-building events for families.
• We also share learning updates with our PTO. Please join us if you would like to volunteer or have an idea to share.
• Marvin’s VIPs will reimburse the fees related to becoming an RSD volunteer once you serve at two events.

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Volunteering

Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back to your community and help Ritenour students. Marvin offers many ways to get involved. Volunteer opportunities include: Volunteer tutors, garden and courtyard maintenance, library assistants, copy assistants, and field trip monitors.

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Process For Volunteering In Ritenour

1. Register with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services using the attached Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) Worker Registration form.
   • A one-time fee is required at the time of registration. The fee is $15 if registration is submitted online and can be paid by debit or credit card with a convenience fee of $1.25 added for processing the electronic payment. The FCSR registration is for a lifetime, and the registrant must contact the FCSR if their name or contact information changes. Additional instructions can be found on the second page of the form.
2. Volunteers must also fill out the volunteer application and return it to the school office. This form must be updated annually.

Any person who wishes to volunteer or observe in a Ritenour School District school must complete a volunteer information form. You may reach out to the office for assistance with this process.

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