About Carlson Elementary School

No, we are a public school part of Chandler Unified School District.  Carlson Elementary is a “hybrid” school in that it offers both the “Classic” programming as most other Chandler schools as well as the Traditional (CTA) programming.  Parents may select which program they want for their child.  CTA enrollment, however, is based on class size and priority grouping (see question 3).

CUSD requires that you register your child at your home school once registration begins.  Should you be interested in attending an alternate CUSD school, you must submit an Open Enrollment application which can be turned in at your first school of choice and/or the district office.

How do you select your students? Students living in the Carlson attendance boundaries are guaranteed enrollment in the “Classic” programming, but not necessarily the CTA programming.  Students are accepted into the CTA programming according to the priorities listed below.  For CTA enrollment, students are prioritized based on address.

1. Priority 1 students are siblings.  These are students who are brothers and sisters of students already attending our school.
2. Priority 2 is for the students who live within the school boundary around the school (Gilbert Rd East to Greenfield Rd. / Chandler Heights South to Riggs Rd. AND Ocotillo South to Chandler Heights / Cooper to Gilbert).
3. Priority 3 is for students who live within the Chandler Unified School District boundaries.
4. Priority 4 is for students outside of the CUSD boundaries.  

Once priorities are established, we start to fill classrooms from those numbers, starting with Priority 1.  We then move onto Priority 2 continuing until that group is exhausted, then Priority 3 and Priority 4.

No, we do not have an entrance exam.

Carlson Elementary boundaries lie within 4 square miles (Gilbert Rd. East to Greenfield Rd.  and Chandler Heights South to Riggs Rd. AND  Ocotillo South to Chandler Heights / Cooper to Gilbert).

At this time, the district is paying for an all day Kindergarten program here at Carlson Elementary.  If there is enough interest in a half day program, the district will consider at each site.

Yes, every student enrolled here must have completed registration forms for their files.

Band and orchestra will fall within the school day.  These programs are open to 5th and 6th graders.

The Chandler School District does not assume responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, personal property.  Cell phones must be turned off and in backpacks at all times while on the school campus.  If a student has a cell phone out while on campus during the school day, or if the cell phone is a disruption or distraction in any way, it will be confiscated and the parent/guardian will need to come to the school office to pick it up. 

It is highly recommended that boys have their hair cut in a style that is not distracting and cut above the collar and over the ears. Unnatural hair color is prohibited.

Per the District Student Handbook “students will not be permitted to use the school telephone unless it is an emergency or for a matter the school officials deem necessary.  We believe that remembering homework and musical instruments, etc. is the student’s responsibility.  Therefore, phone calls for situations like these are not allowed.  In addition, please make arrangements for after school activities with your child at home (e.g. Boy Scout meetings, friends’ birthday parties, etc.).”

Students cannot wear shoes with wheels at school.  Carlson has a footwear policy that requires all opentoed shoes to be adhered to the heel.  Flip flops are not allowed.

School starts at 8:30 am, if a student is not in their seat or with their teacher at that time, they are considered tardy, regardless of the excuse.  Students must be signed in by a parent at this time.  It is important to know that excessive tardiness may result in an unexcused absence, 5 tardies equal one absence.

Students in grades 2-6 may ride bicycles to school with parent consent.  We suggest that the bike have a sturdy lock and be registered with the city.  Helmets are strongly recommended.

When requesting class work missed during an absence please contact the school office before 11:00 am to provide adequate time for the teacher to prepare materials to be sent home or picked up at the end of the school day.

We do have a hot lunch program, the menu is posted on our website.  Lunch is $2.50 for students, $3.00 for parents and visitors.  Once you have your student school identification number, an account can be set up on MyLunchMoney.com otherwise send in money with your student.

Students are serviced by the teacher in their classroom rather than a pull-out session with a specialist. Each student who qualifies for the program, will have an Individualized Language Learning Plan (ILLP) which will be monitored by the English Language Coordinator.  All teachers are SEI (Structured English Immersion) certified.

All grades will participate in lunch recess.  Additional recesses are scheduled by the grade levels with the following conditions: K-1 – Up to 2 additional recesses (15 minutes each) 2-6 – 1 additional recess (15 minutes).

This is a Standardized Test for the Assessment of Reading.  This computer generated test has students answering questions that assess their vocabulary and comprehension in a timed manner. Students are STAR tested once a quarter to identify present reading levels.  Each child will have an individual point goal which they will strive to reach.

Students are STAR tested once a quarter to identify present reading levels.  Each child will have an individual point goal which they will strive to reach.  AR goals will be determined by the percentage of points received.  Once a child has finished reading a book, they will take a test specific to that book on the computer to see how well they comprehend the content of the book.  Students get excited about accumulating points and seeing their results immediately.  Teachers grade on the percentage correct as well as the percentage towards goal.

Our school implements this character building program with the 6 pillars of character throughout the year:  be a good citizen, be caring, be fair, be respectful, be responsible and be trustworthy.

For the “Classic” programming, we use the district adopted McGraw-Hill “My Math” program which closely follows our state standards.  For the CTA programming, we use the Saxon math program for grades K-4 and McGraw-Hill/Glencoe Math for grades 5-6.  It is an advanced program where students operate and are instructed on standards one year ahead of grade level.  For additional information please visit our Curriculum link on the Carlson Elementary website.

These are the basic fundamentals of our reading program, the Spalding method. A phonogram is a single letter, or a fixed combination of two, three or four letters, that is the symbol for one sound in a given word.  English has seventy common phonograms (26 letters and 44 fixed combinations of two, three and four letters) that represent the forty-five basic sounds used in speaking.  Phonograms are identified by their sound or sounds, whenever practical and not by their letter names. (Example: “a” as in at, navy and father)  Young children learn to recognize and say the sounds of the single-letter phonograms in any order.  The teacher shows the printed cards, says the sounds precisely and then listens while students say all the sounds for each phonogram.  Students are tested on the knowledge of their phonograms every week.

We have the Art Masterpiece program.  This is a national art enrichment program that uses reproductions of fine works of art to promote art literacy in elementary school age children.  This wonderful program is taught by our great team of parent volunteers.

We have a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) that helps the school with fundraisers, Champion Spirit wear, hospitality, room parents and assemblies.  If you are looking for something that directly impacts the way Carlson Elementary functions, we have a Site Based Council (SBA).  They meet every other month.  Council members are made up of teachers, support staff, administrators, parents and an outside community member.  Site Based Councils were mandated by the Education Reform Act of 1993 as part of the Act’s decentralization of decision making.  A primary interest of Site Based Councils is to empower those closest to the learner, school administrators, teachers, parents and community members.

We do not currently have any CATS (Chandler’s gifted program) programs offered at Carlson and do not anticipate any programs opening up in the future.  CATS programming is offered at select site throughout the district based on your home school.  All students in grades 2-6 are provided opportunity to be tested for acceptance into the CATS program each school year.  Testing for the upcoming school year will take place in January and February on site at Carlson Elementary.  Further information regarding the Chandler CATS programming can be directed to the Assistant Director of Gifted Education, at the district Instructional Resource Center – 480-224-3700.

District bussing is not available to those families living in the direct square mile that Carlson Elementary resides (Gilbert-Lindsay / Chandler Heights-Riggs).  These students may ride their bikes, walk, or be dropped off and picked up.  However, if you live in the remaining three square miles (LindsayGreenfield / Chandler Heights-Riggs OR Cooper-Gilbert / Ocotillo-Chandler Heights) you will be eligible for district bus service.  At your time of registration, we will ask you to complete a pink transportation form that alerts our transportation department of your eligibility to receive bussing.  Transportation will be in contact with you over the summer to establish the route locations and times.  Please note that students attending Carlson Elementary on Open Enrollment (outside of the Carlson boundaries) are not eligible to receive district bus services.  Transportation to and from Carlson will be the responsibility of the parents.  Unlike the other CTA schools of choice, students living in the Carlson boundary and attending the CTA program, will still be eligible to receive bus service. 

We ask that parents commit to one year for whichever program they select and are accepted into.  Typically, students who may experience additional challenge with the advanced math program or homework load will be provided support within the classroom to assist with their challenge.  Should the placement continue to be overwhelmingly burdensome for the student, we will convene a meeting with parents, student, and administration to discuss possible options.  The CTA placement remains a lottery acceptance based on class size so students who have already been accepted into the “Classic” side of Carlson will remain with that program for the full year.  Changing programs, if a parent wishes, is recommended to be done over the summer prior to the start of a new school year.

Environmental requests will be made available to parents in April of each school year.  These requests provide opportunity for parents to tell us some academic and social information about their child so that we can facilitate the best placement for them the following school year.  Our intent is to create balanced classrooms with respect to gender, ethnicity, and basic academic information gleaned from student files.  Specific teacher requests are not facilitated with this process.  Placement changes are not made once class lists are developed.  Parent concerns about student placement should be directed to the site administrator with note that placement changes, if required, are made only at the direction of the principal.

Once accepted into the CTA program, your child will automatically be enrolled the next year should you choose to remain in the CTA program.  A form will be sent home each year asking you to indicate your program preference for the following year.  Please note that students attending on Open Enrollment must complete a new Open Enrollment form each year and acceptance is based on attendance, class size, and the Open Enrollment priority listing which can be found on the district website under “Open Enrollment.”  Additionally, while we make every attempt to accept siblings of existing CTA students into the CTA program as well, circumstances may dictate that acceptance is not able to be completed in which case you will be offered the sister-school option of enrolling into the “classic” programming.

School at Carlson starts at 8:30am so at 8:25am the first bell will ring indicating that it is time for you to line up to be escorted into the school.  Your teachers will meet you at the designated spot and escort you to your classroom.

There will be line indicators (cones and signs) on both the Kindergarten and grades 1-6 playground.  These signs will have your grade and teacher’s name so you’ll know exactly where to stand to wait for your teacher.  Remember that if you have any questions, look for the adults in the orange vests and they can help you find the spot you need to stand in.

School starts at 8:30am but we’d like you to have a little time to play before school starts.  So, students can come on campus anytime after 8:05am and report to the playground for recreation time.  Duty teachers will be on campus at 8:05am to supervise you.

Once you pick up the bus at your designated bus stop, it will drop you off at Carlson Elementary where duty teachers will greet you and direct you to the playground.  Kindergarten students will be escorted to the kindergarten playground by a duty teacher once all kinder students arrive safely from the bus.

Teachers and duty staff will help you before and after school to make sure you know which bus you need to get on and off of each day.  It will take a few days, but soon you’ll be a pro at riding the bus and knowing where to go.  Don’t worry – we’ll help you every step of the way! 

School ends at 3:00pm so all students in grades Kindergarten through sixth grade will be dismissed at 3:00pm.  Don’t worry – there will be a bell that indicates when the dismissal time is.

If you are participating in after school clubs or attending Kids Express after school care, then yes you will stay on campus after school dismisses.  Moms and dads will come pick you up after the clubs/activities end.

Absolutely there will.  We will have playground equipment available for students to use on the fields, basketball courts, etc.  Playground equipment will be kept in one location outside for all grades to make use of.  Please remember to return the balls and jump ropes to the proper bins so other students can use them when they come out to play.

You bet!  Each playground has swings and a large play structure that is covered by a shade to keep it from getting to hot.  Only students in grade K-3 are allowed on the play structure in the early morning (before school recess).

You bet!  Each playground has swings and a large play structure that is covered by a shade to keep it from getting to hot.  Only students in grade K-3 are allowed on the play structure in the early morning (before school recess).

Baseballs and bats are not allowed at Chandler elementary schools unless used in the PE program.  Because they are hard and can hurt someone if not used appropriately, hardballs and bats are not to be used on the recess fields.

While we don’t have an official volleyball net on the field, you will learn how to play volleyball and enjoy opportunities to play during PE.  Perhaps we can even arrange for 6th graders vs. Carlson staff volleyball match!!!

Football too will be taught in PE class, but you can also play football with your friends on the playground field.  REMEMBER – the only kind of football allowed is “Touch” football – NO TACKLE at Carlson Elementary.

YES!  We will have Running Club at Carlson.  It will be held two days a week and will start after the October Intersession and run through third quarter (end of March).  Students will have opportunities to run in the district races as well.  We’ll need lots of help organizing running club – so talk to your moms and dads and have them come out to help!

Don’t worry, at 8:05, or once you get on campus, you can come into the cafeteria and pick up a quick breakfast item to fill your tummies before school starts.  Breakfast prices will be sent out to parents at Meet the Teacher.  Remember that all breakfast needs to be eaten and completed by 8:25 when the first bell rings so you aren’t late getting to class.

Of course you get to each lunch.  Carlson elementary students will eat lunch first and then go out to recess.  In the MPR, during lunch, students will sit with their classes at assigned tables.  Sixth graders get to choose among three-four different tables sitting with their friends from other classes if they wish.  Remember that cafeteria rules apply – no yelling, stay seated, raise your hands to throw food away or go to the bathroom, if you need additional food raise your hand to ask for help, clear your plates and make sure your tables are picked up before going outside for recess.

You bet they can.  Carlson Elementary loves that parents want to come have lunch with their kids so parents are welcome to come and eat with their children as long as they sign in at the front office and get a visitor’s badge.

We are working on a program that will allow for students who participate in the “News Club” to do announcements.  It may take us a few weeks to get the club up and running, but hopefully students will get to participate in helping deliver the announcements for the school.

After the first few weeks of school our student council sponsors (teachers) will set up a meeting with all those fifth and sixth graders who are interested in running for Carlson Elementary Student Council Officers.  You will have a set of requirements you have to fulfill and then your name will be placed on a ballot to be voted upon by your peers in grades 3-6.  After the officer positions are filled, students will be selected, in their homerooms, for the class representative positions.  Usually each class has 2 representatives from grades three through six.  The sponsors will establish when the meeting dates are.  There will be lots of activities for Student Council to involve themselves in so get ready to be busy!

Absolutely!  We will have a Carlson Choir you can participate in.  We will host a drama club to prepare for our annual play presentation.  Many of our teachers will host a variety of clubs for students after school.  As well, there will be lots of classes offered by our Community Education department like robotics, young Rembrandts art classes, soccer and basketball classes, pom and cheer, dance class, etc.  More information will be sent home after school starts that will tell you how you can sign up for these cool opportunities.

Okay boys and girls, you know that this is school right?  Of course you will have to do homework.  It is important to remember that the only way you will get better at something is to practice it, and that is exactly why homework is important.  You can plan on having homework each night Monday through Thursday.  We don’t usually give homework over the weekend unless there are projects that are being worked on.  Of course the weekend is a great time to practice your reading though or work on your math facts.

Grade levels will plan their field trips at the beginning of the year.  We will be asking parents to contribute money through a program called Tax Credit to help classrooms get to go on field trips.

We love Science Camp at Carlson Elementary so yes – you can plan to attend Science Camp.  However, because our enrollment will be pretty small the first year, we are anticipating taking both the fifth and sixth graders our first year and then taking the next year off.  This is an activity that is A LOT of work and involves a lot of planning so we will need your parents help in planning and support by giving money through our Tax Credit program so we can afford to go and have lots of fun.

Of course you will be able to.  Even though you may not all be in the same classrooms, you will get to participate in recess and lunch with all the other students in your grade.  Students in grades 1-6 will have one additional recess scheduled in addition to lunch recess.  Your teachers will determine whether or not your recess is in the morning or afternoon.  Kindergarten students will get two short recesses scheduled in addition to their lunch recess.  Lunch recesses last about 20 minutes while morning or afternoon recesses will last only 15 minutes.

Yes you will.  All students in grades K-4 will get to participate in music and PE twice during the 6-day rotation.  Students in Music will report to the music classroom where they will get to learn about music, play instruments, and practice singing.  PE class will be held inside and outside depending upon the weather.  Students will learn about all the different sports and physical activities that help you to build a strong body.

We will have a library.  Mrs. Ryan, our Media Specialist, will conduct library classes one day during the 6-day rotation.  She will also host another day in the computer lab during the 6-day rotation.  So all students in grades K-6 will have one day in the Media Center and one day in the computer lab.

Actually, Carlson Elementary will have TWO computer labs.  One lab will be used by grades K-3 and the other will be used by grades 4-6.  These labs will be located right off the Media Center.  Teachers and Mrs. Ryan, our Media Specialist, will take students into the labs to complete projects and use technology to enhance their understanding of what they are learning.

Band and Orchestra class will be offered to any students in grades 5-6 who are interested in learning how to play an instrument.  These classes will be offered during the school day – not before or after school.  Students are asked to commit to the entire year as they learn to play their instrument.  Changes in the schedule will only be made at semester based on feedback and meetings held by the principal and parents.  Band and Orchestra concerts will be scheduled throughout the year to allow students to showcase what they learn.

Our awesome PTO has lots of great activities planned for you including a Spring Carnival, a “Back to School” bash, and a variety of other activities that will help to get you in the mood to be a Carlson Champion – and yes, you will get to buy smoothies at school.

If you are in second grade or above, you are allowed to ride your bike to school.  Scooters (not electric or gas powered) are allowed too.  Remember that it is important to always wear a helmet if you’re riding your bike or scooter.

Students who are being picked up after school will report to the front of the school where they will wait in their grade level lines to be picked up by parents.  Fortunately we have a nice big Shade Structure for you to wait under so you don’t have to stand in the hot sun.  It is very important that you help us out by keeping an eye out for your car.  We will have lots of duty teachers out there who will be able to help escort you to the correct car and make sure you get home safe and sound.

 We will usually all be out there until about 3:15 as we work to get everyone in their appropriate cars.  Students who haven’t been picked up by 3:15 will be escorted into the front office to wait for their rides and call home to make sure they are being picked up.  Don’t worry – we won’t let you stand out in the hot sun all day or make you wait outside all alone.

Your teacher will have a form for your parents to fill out that lets us know if you have brothers or sisters you will be meeting up with.  We will work with you and your parents to designate a spot in the school for you to meet up with your brothers and sisters and then report to wherever you need to go.  Nobody gets lost at Carlson!

Your teachers will have all the supplies you need to get all your work done in class.  You should probably bring a backpack to hold your work in, bring a lunch if you do not want hot lunch, and any special supplies that you might want for your own (own set of markers, own pencils, etc).  Remember to have your mom and dad label your backpack and lunch box with your name and teacher’s name.

Carlson Elementary will not require students to wear uniforms.  We do have a dress code though that your moms and dads can look at on our website to make sure you are dressed appropriately.  It is very similar to the other schools you have probably attended (no spaghetti straps, no short shorts, no saggy pants, no heelies, etc).  Fridays will almost always be our Spirit Days wear we will want all our students to wear the school colors (maroon and gold) and/or Carlson t-shirts.  Our PTO will be selling t-shirts at Meet the Teacher.

It will depend on the classroom, but most of our classrooms will have students desks that you will get to have as your own for the school year.  All CTA classrooms will have desks for their students.

Mr. Schlueter loves to read too and Carlson Elementary will do everything we can to promote good reading habits.  You will get to participate in Accelerated Reader by selecting books you wish to read and then taking a test to see how well you understood the book.  Each student will set a goal at the beginning of each quarter for the number of books they want to read.  They will be able to monitor the goal in the classroom.  As well, Mrs. Ryan, will be hosting the “Millionaire’s Club” which will be open to celebrating those students who reach the goal of reading one million words or more over the course of the year.  Finally, if you are in fifth or sixth grade you will have the chance to participate in “Battle of the Books” where you get to work as a team and compete with other teams to demonstrate your understanding of different books you read.  More information will be given to you once school starts.

If you come to school late, you will have to check in at the front office and sign in so we know you are here.  It is important that your mom or dad sign you in at the front office when they drop you off.  Once the 8:30am bell rings, all the gates will be closed so you will have to come through the front office to get in to the school where you will be able to sign in and go directly to your class.

They sure can, but they will need to come into the front office to sign you out and let us know you are being picked up.  Your moms and dads will remain in the front office while they wait for you to come from your class.  We would sure like it if your mom or dads called the front office to let us know ahead of time that they are coming so we can have you ready to go.  It is important to remember though that we don’t want you leaving school early or getting to school late all the time.  The best way for you to make sure you learn all the important material you have to learn is for you to be in the classroom during the whole day.

Birthdays are always a special time so absolutely you will get to.  Student birthdays will be read over the announcements daily and students will be invited to the office to pick up their birthday pencil.  As well, each month, we will be celebrating the “Birthday Book Club” where your mom and dads can pay for you to select a new library book that will be dedicated to you and placed in our library for students to enjoy.  You of course will get to check the book out first and celebrate with all the other students who have birthdays that month.  Finally, you mom and dads are welcome to bring in goodies to celebrate your birthday (cupcakes, muffins, etc), but they have to be store bought not home-baked.

Students will get out of school early on days when we have Parent/Teacher Conferences.  These days are in August and February.  On these days you will be dismissed from school at 11:30am.

If you don’t feel well during the day or if you get hurt at school, you will be escorted to the nurse’s office, where Mrs. Franco will take care of you.  If we have to call your mom and dad, we will do that from the nurse’s office.  It will be very important that your mom and dad complete the Emergency Card with all the right contact information in the event we need to contact them during the school day.

Sure, we have lots of students who take medication during the school day.  Any medicine that your mom or dad need you to take at school has to be brought to the health office and kept there while you are at school.  Remind your mom and dad to look at the school website to read about bringing medicine to school so they know to follow the correct rules.

At Carlson, we love to have volunteers so yes they can.  It will be important that they check with the teacher to get a schedule in place.  Each classroom will have a “Room Mom” assigned to take care of scheduling events and volunteers.

Yes we will have some assemblies during the year to celebrate all the “cool” things going on at Carlson Elementary.  Mr. Schlueter, your principal, will be hosting 6 different “Champion” assemblies where students who demonstrate the best character will be honored.  These assemblies are fun because we get to play loud music, dance, and celebrate all the student successes we’ve had so far.  Keep your ears tuned for more information once school starts.

While sandals are permissible at school, we really think you should be wearing close-toed shoes which are safer when you are out on the playground running around and playing.  Of course, you will have to wear tennis shoes on the days you have PE.

At Carlson we have a program that teaches students how to deal with bullies and how to handle tough situations with their peers.  It is called Second Step and will be taught in the classroom.  Of course, if you ever feel unsafe or hurt in any way you will want to talk to your teacher and/or report the problem to Mr. Schlueter, your principal.