Welcome
Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year at
On behalf of the faculty and staff, I would like to extend an invitation for you to visit your child’s class, attend your child’s programs, and become an active participant in the PTA, its volunteer programs, and the School Improvement Process.
We are looking forward to a very exciting year of learning for your child and to building a collaborative relationship with your family. – Mark Pritts, Principal
Use of the School System’s Calendar Handbook
Each September, every student receives a copy of the Frederick County School System’s Calendar Handbook. The Calendar Handbook contains many useful facts about the school system’s policies, programs, and services. It should be used as a reference if questions arise during the school year. It contains important information about Programs, Services and Support, Policies and Procedures, Student Rights and Responsibilities, as well as, a complete School System Directory.
The Essential Curriculum
The essential curriculum defines the objectives our students will be held accountable for learning in each content area. These objectives address behaviors your child will need in real life such as effective communication, problem solving and critical thinking, citizenship, and social cooperation among others. You may review the essential curriculum on the fcps.org website at any time.
Grouping for Instruction
In elementary school, students are placed heterogeneously in classrooms for most of the day. Within the classroom, teachers are assigned at least three homogeneous reading groups and one or two homogeneous math groups. Teachers, administrators, and the reading specialist use multiple criteria when making placement decisions in reading and math. Considered are:
· classroom performance
· performance on county
assessments
· information provided by
specialists (speech and language
pathologist, resource teachers,
reading specialist, sp ed teachers)
Students also have the opportunity to work in flexible group structures. The teacher sets the criteria determining the composition and purpose of a group. Groups may be homogeneous, heterogeneous, total group, cooperative learning or small instructional.
Assessment
Throughout the school year, students are tested on the Frederick County Essential Curriculum. FCPS Assessments are given in language arts and math. The purpose of the assessments is to evaluate learning so that instruction can be adjusted to meet students’ needs and improve learning. Assessments also demonstrate whether schools, teachers, and students have met the objectives outlined in the essential curriculum. Assessments mirror instruction in the classroom and emphasize tasks students will do in real life. Assessments are kept by the classroom teacher in each child’s portfolio and are available for your review during parent-teacher conferences.
Homework
Homework is an activity assigned by the teacher to be done by the student at home. The purpose of the homework is to provide opportunities for your child to practice skills learned in the classroom. You should expect a reasonable amount of homework which is approximately ten minutes per grade level. For example, if your child is in second grade, 20 minutes of assigned homework might be expected. You can help at home by developing routines to establish good study habits.
1. Show an interest in your child’s homework by inviting him/her to share the assignment with you. Your interest will reinforce the importance of homework and of academic progress.
2. Establish a regular homework time each day and a quiet place to work.
3. Remember that homework is your child’s responsibility. Your child must be permitted to make a mistake in order to learn from it. If your child is consistently demonstrating a lack of understanding with assignments, contact the teacher.
Technology
We are very excited about the use of technology for both student learning and home/school communications at
Parents are encourage to email staff and use voicemail to maintain open communications with staff throughout the school year.
Visit our homepage on the internet at www.fcps.org.
Reporting System
Frederick County Public Schools uses a reporting system which includes interim reports and the report card. Interims may be used at any time between regular reporting dates to indicate notable achievement, improvement, or unsatisfactory work. Report cards are issued four times each year: November, February, April and June.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are held to discuss your child’s progress and to allow you the opportunity to examine samples of your child’s work to determine your child’s strengths and needs. Check the Calendar Handbook for dates of the scheduled conferences. Since these conferences are scheduled for short periods of time, think about what you want to learn from the conference and make notes of specific questions you would like to ask.
In addition, conferences may be held at any time at the request of the parent, teacher and/or administrator. Parents may freely discuss with school personnel any problems that directly affect their child’s school performance. If you wish to meet with school personnel, please arrange your visit in advance to ensure that the time is appropriate and does not interfere with planned activities. For example, in the morning before school begins, your child’s teacher is busy making final preparations for the school day, greeting early arrivers, and tutoring students, therefore, this would not be an appropriate time for an unscheduled conference.
Remember, if you are involved with your child’s school and teacher in a positive manner, you can help your child meet with success in school.
Discipline
Procedures and routines are the foundation for a school. They provides the basis for predictability and reliability, which in turn creates a structured environment where learning can occur. A self disciplined student is better able to perform and learn. To achieve this requires cooperation and understanding between the school and home. All students are expected to follow the established routines and rules for their individual classrooms and for the school. Failure to follow these routines or rules will result in progressive actions from reteaching the routine to warnings, time-outs, parent conferences, up to and including discipline referrals to the administration.
Arrival
For the safety and welfare of the students, arrival at school should be between 8:30 a.m. and 8:55 a.m. It is imperative that no children arrive before 8:30 a.m. since no adult supervision can be provided prior to that time. The instructional school day is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Walkers are asked to enter the building from the front doors. The following routine has been established for morning car riders. Car riders should be dropped off in front of the school in the car rider traffic loop between 8:30-8:55 a.m. Cars should drive in a single file line to the school car rider entrance where a staff member will be standing. Children should exit on the passenger side of the car, if possible. Please wait for the car in front of you to move forward, and please do not pass unless motioned on by the duty person. For the safety of the students, please adhere strictly to these guidelines.
Tardiness
Students arriving at school after 9:00 a.m. must report to the office and get a “Late Slip” to give to his/her teacher. The child should have a note from the parents indicating the reason for the lateness.
Early Dismissal
We encourage you to try to schedule your child’s doctor and dental appointments around school hours. If this is not possible, you must come to the office to sign your child out. If someone other than the parent signs the child out, that person must have written permission from the parent before the child will be permitted to leave the building. You may be asked to present a picture ID.
Dismissal
If you need to pick up your child during the school day, you must report to the office. No child will be dismissed directly from the classroom. In addition, no student will be allowed to leave school with anyone other than the parent or legal guardian unless written permission is presented to the school office. All individuals with whom a child leaves during the school day must “sign-out” in the office.
Should a parent wish to pick up a child after school instead of the child riding the bus, a note must be sent to the school, otherwise, the child will be placed on the bus.
Children will always ride the bus to which they have been assigned except in cases of emergency. In this case, a note must be written by the parent and presented to the school office so approval can be given. It will be honored by the office if there is room on the bus and it does not require an additional stop. If no note is presented, the child will be placed on his/her regularly assigned bus. Additionally, if a child is riding a bus to the home of another student, a note must be presented by that
parent, as well. Adults and students in the middle and high school may not ride the elementary school busses. Your cooperation with this procedure is greatly appreciated and enables us to ensure that children arrive safely where they should be.
Walkers and car riders will be dismissed at 3:30 p.m. These students will be called for dismissal through the announcement system, so please be sure your child knows if he/she is to walk or be picked up. Walkers exit the building through the car rider entrance/exit door and are escorted by an adult to the Crossing Guard. Bus students will be called to line up at the front office hallway and then will be escorted to the bus. It is a good idea to help your child memorize his/her bus number, if known, before the school year begins.
Car riders are dismissed at the car rider entrance/dismissal location in the front of the school. Cars will line up in front of the school in the car rider traffic loop. Students will wait inside the school in the hallway and be escorted to the cars as their rides arrive by staff. We ask your cooperation in following these procedures and discussing your personal pick-up/dismissal instructions with your child prior to the start of school.
Bus Conduct
Riding the bus is a privilege. This privilege may be temporarily denied or permanently revoked if the behavior of your child jeopardizes the safety of others on the bus. Please review proper bus conduct with your child.
Crossing Guards
The Middletown Town Council assigns crossing guards and children are encouraged to cross the streets only where guards are on duty.
Written Excuses
State law requires a written excuse any time a child is absent. The excuse should be received by the school within two days of the absence and should include the date of the absence, the reason for the absence, and the signature of the parent/guardian. Without this information, the absence is coded as unexcused.
A written excuse is required when a child arrives at school past 9:00 a.m.
A written excuse from a physician is necessary for a long range restriction from physical education activities.
Students are expected to play outside, weather permitting, so please dress them appropriately. If your child is unable to go outside for recess, a written note from the parent/guardian is required.
Attendance
Regular attendance is vital for your child to meet with success in school since research shows that student achievement is directly related to attendance. If your child is reluctant to attend, contact the school so we can work with you in solving the problem.
Request for Make-Up Work
When a student is absent, parents may request make-up work. Students who are absent for one day will receive work missed from the teacher the following day. Parents may request make-up work for students that will be absent for more than one day by calling the office. The teacher needs 24 hours notice to get the work together and to the office. The parent may then pick up the student’s missed work from the office on the following day.
Parents may also request work for a student that they know in advance will be missing school (due to illness, injury, death in the family, vacation, etc.). The parent/guardian should request in writing the dates that the child will be missing school. Upon proper notification, the teacher will give the work to the student the day prior to the absence.
Please remember that the classroom teachers must have a 24-hour notice for make-up work. This 24-hour period allows teachers the time needed to gather texts, supplies, and/or materials and to provide them to the office for parent pick up.
Information regarding cancellations, delays, and early closings is announced on local radio stations (WFMD 930 AM and WFRE 99.9 FM),
Student Information Form
During the first week of school your child’s teacher will be sending home two information cards for you to complete. This information is kept in the school office and health suite in case you need to be contacted. Please make sure all telephone numbers and addresses are accurate and clearly written. Remember to put the name and telephone number of a person who can be contacted in case you cannot be reached. Please notify the school if you change addresses or telephone numbers during the year. Current and accurate information is essential if an emergency arises and the school must locate the parent due to injury, sickness, or educational issues.
A copy of custodial papers must be filed with the school if there are any special custodial arrangements.
Guidance
The guidance counselor works with students in a variety of settings: total class, small group, or individually. Emphasized are areas such as personal and school growth, decision making, self esteem, and positive interactions with others. If you would like to speak with the counselor, please contact Janice Police, our school guidance counselor.
Services (CASS)
The CASS program provides support to families in the
Volunteer Program
The volunteer is any interested person who is willing to donate his/her time to support our school. This service can occur in many ways. Some volunteers work directly with children in the classroom or may help out in the library. Others may work for the teacher preparing materials to be used in the instructional program. Still others assist as homeroom mothers organizing events. Volunteers may even provide services from home by completing tasks (cutting, pasting, coloring, etc.) or offering babysitting for other volunteers. Our students and staff would be most grateful for any time you can offer. An orientation will be held in the fall for all volunteers.
Parent/Teachers Association (PTA)
Communications
Several different forms of correspondence are utilized to enhance communication between the school and the home. Your child will receive a “Thursday Envelope” each week. The envelope will contain notices and important papers from the school, the community, and the PTA. Please check this envelope every Thursday, sign it, and return it to school on Monday. You may also use the envelope to send correspondence to the school.
All second grade students have assignment agendas that they should bring home every evening. Students write assignments in the agenda daily and parents should check and sign agendas daily. Each team will also send home a statement of the curricular objectives and information for the year.
The PTA publishes a newsletter each month. In general, a monthly calendar of events is sent home on the first of the month and the newsletter is sent home in the Thursday Envelope. The newsletter has information concerning planned school events and other important school information.
E-mail
Each staff member is available through E-mail. Addresses are the same except for the individual staff member’s name. For example: mark.pritts@fcps.org
Parties
Two parties are held each year. The dates will be determined by our school staff. Parents in cooperation with the classroom teacher may help plan the parties for the students. Specific information will be sent home as the year program.
In the fall of 2007 the MPS Leadership Team decided to implement a new policy for celebrating student birthdays at school that is very similar to the one used at
In order to reduce the loss of instructional time and to prevent hurt feelings, students may not distribute party invitations at school.
Visitation
Parents/guardians are always welcome to visit our school, however, for security reasons you are expected to report to the office, sign in, and get a visitor’s badge prior to going through the building.
Your cooperation with this state law is appreciated.
School Lunch Program
Students may bring a bag lunch from home or purchase a lunch from school. They may pay cash daily or purchase meal tickets from the cafeteria. The meal tickets will be labeled with the student’s name and punched as meals are consumed. Meals do not have to be purchased on a consecutive, daily basis. Instead, the tickets can be used as the student wishes.
(Prices subject to change)
Full child’s breakfast $1.10
Full child’s lunch $2.00
Full adult’s lunch $3.75
Milk $ .40
If the need arises, students will be permitted to charge their lunches. Students will be expected to pay for the charged lunch the following day. You will receive notification that a lunch was charged from the Cafeteria Site Assistant.
Free and reduced cost lunches are offered to those families who qualify. Applications and guidelines will be sent home on the first day of school.
Students’ lunch periods are approximately 20 minutes long with the option to remain an additional 15 minutes if needed. There are staff members who are available to assist with opening packaging or drink containers, but it is helpful if you work with your child to do this himself/herself. Parents/guardians are always welcome to eat lunch with their child/children. Your child’s teacher can give you the time of day that his/her class is scheduled for lunch. Please remember to sign in and get a visitor’s badge from the office.
Outside Recess
Generally, students have an outside recess period once on the daily classroom schedule. Notes are needed for children who are to remain inside during outside play periods. In most cases, if a child is not well enough to play outside, he is not well enough to be in school.
A note signed by a physician is necessary for a long-range restriction from physical education activities and/or outdoor recesses.
Health and Safety
The Health Technician, under the direction of a Health Department Registered Nurse, is on-site to provide the following services:
*Administration of medication
*Health room services
*Monitoring immunization records
If a child sustains a serious injury or shows an elevated temperature, the parents/guardians or your emergency contact, as noted on your child’s emergency card, will be notified. For this reason, your correct, current address and telephone number must be on file in the office by the end of the first week of school. Please notify us immediately of any change.
Taking medications during the school day is discouraged. There are occasions, however, when it is deemed necessary by a physician for a child to receive medication during the school day. In these cases,
1. No medication (prescribed or non-prescribed) will be administered in school
without the parent’s/guardian’s written authorization and a physician’s statement or prescription. Parental consent and a physician’s statement or prescription label are required for each illness and medication ordered.
2. It is the parent’s responsibility to arrange for the delivery of properly labeled medication to the school. All medication must be in the original container.
3. The first full day’s dosage of any new prescription must be given at home.
4. The school must have on file a Physician’s Medication Authorization for Prescription and Non-Prescription Medication form.
5. The parent must submit a new form to the school each time there is a change in dosage or time of administration.
6. All medication will be stored in a secure area in the school and accessible only to authorized personnel.
7. One week after expiration of the physician’s order, the parent must arrange for the collection of any unused portion of the medication. Medication not claimed by the parent within one week of expiration will be disposed of.
8. The administration of non-prescribed medication is discouraged by the school system. In some cases, it may be preferable or necessary for the child’s parent to come to the school to administer the medicine. No child is allowed to keep any medication on his/her person.
9. Please notify the school if your child has any health problems such as asthma, allergies to bee stings or food, or if your child contracts a communicable disease such as measles, chicken pox, etc. In addition, if your child has any restrictions for play due to health related issues, the school should be informed.
Parent Information
Parents must advise the school when they move, change home or emergency phone numbers, or place of employment. Current and accurate information is essential if an emergency arises and the school must locate the parent due to injury, sickness or educational issues.
Lost and Found
Every year, several boxes of unclaimed clothing are given to needy organizations. It is to the advantage of children and their parents to mark and label clothing.
Lost and Damaged Books
Parents are responsible for the cost of lost or abused books (less 10% cost per year of use.) Books found may be redeemed within that year only.
Office Phone
Students are not to use the school office phone to call home for forgotten homework, permission to go to a friend’s, etc.
Field Trips
Throughout the year, field trips will be scheduled to enhance the curriculum at each grade level. Parents must give permission for students to participate in field trips. Forms will be sent to parents prior to each trip with information about the trip including times, transportation arrangements, lunch instructions, and any additional costs, if necessary. If permission is not given, an alternative activity will be scheduled.
Parent volunteers are often needed for field trips. The teacher will send information home asking for volunteers when necessary. Often times this is done on a lottery basis. Parents who chaperone field trips must take the transportation provided for the students and must adhere to the guidelines set up by the classroom teacher. Siblings may not attend field trips. The classroom teacher can provide further information about field trips as needed.
Fire Drills and Safety
A minimum of 10 fire drills will be held each year so that children are prepared in case of fire. Please be aware that these drills may not all be held on pleasant, sunny, warm days.
A comprehensive safety plan has also been developed for our school. All staff members have been trained to follow the safety plan in case of emergency, and the plan is practiced with the students.
Smoke-Free Environment
The Frederick County Board of Education has adopted a tobacco-free environment policy. This policy states that the sale or use of tobacco products in any form is prohibited in school buildings at all times, all year. The sale or use of tobacco products in any form is prohibited on school grounds by anyone who uses, leases, or otherwise occupies FCPS property for any purpose whether or not school is in session. We appreciate your support of this effort to ensure a safer, healthier environment for everyone.
Weapons
The Frederick County Board of Education has adopted a policy regarding weapon possession. Students, parents/guardians, teachers or any visitors are forbidden to have weapons or look-alike weapons on school property. Possession of a fire arm, loaded or unloaded, or other weapons including pocket knives can carry severe disciplinary action up to permanent removal from Frederick County Public Schools.
Dress Code
Students are not to wear clothing, which advertises alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and/or clothing that supports or implies violence or sexual activities. Students who wear clothing that is inappropriate will be asked to change or to turn clothing inside out. Students are not to wear clothing that is revealing or suggestive such as crop and tank tops. Hats are not to be worn inside the building. Heavy weight outerwear is not permitted to be worn in class. Students may find it helpful to have available a sweater or sweatshirt on days when the air-conditioning is operating. Children should wear shoes that tie or fasten in some way. They should avoid flip-flops, open sandals, clogs, or platform soles.
Character Counts
FCPS incorporates the Six Pillars of Character Counts into the daily operation and curriculum of its schools. The Six Pillars of Character are as follows:
Be Responsible
Be Respectful
Be Trustworthy
Be Fair
Be Caring
Be a Good Citizen
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