Student Handbook
2016-2017
Lori Mounie, Principal – [email protected]
Roberta Branch, Assistant Principal – [email protected]
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Booker T. Washington Elementary School
204 Walnut Street
Suffolk, Virginia 23434
(757) 934-6226
September 2016
Dear Parent or Guardian:
It is with great pride and excitement that I write this letter of introduction to you as the newly
appointed Principal of Booker T. Washington Elementary School for the 2016-2017 school
year. This will be my thirtieth year in education and I can assure you I am as enthusiastic about
being here as if it were my first year teaching. My most recent administrative experience has
been shaped by four years of successful leadership as an Elementary Principal and four years
as an Elementary Assistant Principal, all in Suffolk Public Schools. I am elated to bring my skills
as an educational leader to Booker T. Washington Elementary School and to work with you as a
partner in education to ensure your child’s success.
Along with staff, I will work hard to continue the legacy of success established at Booker T.
Washington Elementary by building strong relationships with parents, students, staff, and
community partners. We will focus on character education initiatives, 21st Century skills,
fostering a nurturing safe environment for children, use of data to inform instruction, consistent
implementation of instructional strategies to increase students’ achievement, and providing
exciting and challenging enrichment opportunities for all students.
I anticipate a successful year as my team and I support the academic, social, and emotional
growth of your child here at Booker T. Washington Elementary School.
During the course of the year, it is my hope that we will work together to provide the students of
BTW the best possible opportunities in preparing them to be world class citizens ready to
master the challenges of the 21st Century with a solid foundation created here at our school. As
Principal, my door is always open and I welcome your input. Please feel free to stop in or call to
discuss any concerns, suggestions, or ideas to help make this the best year yet!
I look forward to working with you and your child.
In partnership,
Lori S. Mounie
Principal
Booker T. Washington Elementary
[email protected]
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BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Office Staff: Lori Mounie
Principal
Assistant Principal
Guidance Counselor
Secretary
Bookkeeper
Roberta Branch
Denise W. Singleton
Patrice Jones
Crystal Wiedenhoeft
SCHOOL PHONE NUMBER: 757-934-6226
SCHOOL FAX NUMBER: 757-925-5558
SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 a.m.—5:00p.m.
SCHOOL COLORS: Blue and Red
SCHOOL MASCOT: Booker the Bear
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BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MISSION, BELIEFS AND VISION STATEMENT
Our Mission:
Our mission is to provide a safe and positive environment, the resources
and the instruction to help each student succeed to his or her potential.
We Believe:
 Positive attitudes towards self and others enhance learning.
 Parental and community involvement in our school is essential.
 We must meet the academic needs of all children in a safe
environment.
 All children are capable of learning and achieving.
 Individual learning styles are addressed through all facets of
curriculum and instruction.
 Objectives are based on the needs of the students, the local
community, and society at large.
 Students are recognized for appropriate behaviors, achievement, and
success.
 Our curriculum is derived from a basic pool of knowledge, which
includes the Virginia Standards of Learning.
 As we prepare for the future, we shape the future.
Our Vision:
Our vision is to educate all children; physically, mentally and socially, to
prepare them for the challenges of the future.
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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
ARRIVAL and DISMISSAL
Arrival
The instructional day begins at 9:35 a.m. Students should not arrive prior to 9:05 a.m.,
as staff supervision is not in place until 9:05 a.m. If a student arrives after 9:35 a.m.,
he/she is considered tardy. When bringing a child to school after 9:35 a.m., a parent
must accompany the student into the building to sign him/her in. Assigned personnel
will be present when possible to control traffic in the morning and afternoon. Parking is
only allowed in the designated spaces. Parking in other areas may result in being
ticketed or towed. The Suffolk Police Department will periodically monitor traffic and
excessive speeding in the neighborhood. This is necessary to maintain a safe and
orderly environment in which parents can safely retrieve their children.
Dismissal
Students are dismissed each day at 3:50 p.m. Please make every effort not to
take your child from school during instructional time. Students miss valuable
instruction when picked up early from school.
If your child’s mode of transportation home changes at the last minute (ex: being picked
up instead of riding the bus or riding the bus; instead, of being picked up), you must
contact the office by 3:20 p.m. This will allow office personnel sufficient time to notify
the child’s teacher and write any needed correspondence to the bus driver. Students
will not be called to the office for pick-up until the parent or guardian arrives to
physically pick them up.
Student Release: For your child’s safety and well being, it is necessary to require
the following procedures:
•
Any adult picking up a student from school must be indicated on the student’s
emergency card. If someone not indicated on the emergency card is picking up
your child, you must submit a written notice. The adult must also bring a valid
picture I.D. A written note from a parent or guardian must be received before a
child can be released to any adult, whose name is not on the Emergency Card.
It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to keep the school updated
on current phone numbers and emergency contacts.
•
An adult, 18 years or older, must sign the necessary release ledger in the office
and the student will be called to the office. All students must be signed out in the
office before leaving school.
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ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to be in school except when ill or in cases of family emergencies.
Regular attendance is an important factor in your child’s achievement at school. Under
the promotion policy, a student who misses more than twenty (20) unexcused days can
be retained.
a. Absences: Parents are requested to send a note to school when the child
returns explaining the absence or no later than 5 days after the absence, if it is to
be considered an excused absence. Also, please notify the school if your child
will be absent for more than one day so that school work may be sent home.
b. Tardiness: Pupils must report to the office if they arrive after 9:35 a.m., to
receive a class admittance pass. Delayed bus arrivals do not constitute
tardiness.
BICYCLES
For safety reasons, students are not allowed to ride bicycles to and from school.
BOOK FEES
Students will be issued textbooks for the year at no charge. Students are responsible
for lost and/or damaged books and will be assessed a fee accordingly. These charges
also apply to library books.
B.T.W. CUB CORNER
The B.T.W. Cub Corner is a school store sponsored by the school. School supplies
such as pencils, erasers, rulers and paper are available.
BUSES
School buses are provided for the convenience of students and parents. This privilege
can be taken away from any student who endangers his/her own safety or the safety of
others. Should a student be suspended from riding a bus, it becomes the
responsibility of the parent to provide transportation for the child to and from
school. Please review the following regulations with your child.
Regulations
• All students must remain seated when the bus is in motion.
• All students should sit in their assigned seat.
• Keep hands, arms, and head inside the bus.
• Touching, fighting, and obscene language are forbidden.
• Students are not allowed to eat on the bus.
• The bus driver is in complete charge at all times and students must cooperate
with the bus driver at all times.
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•
•
•
•
Parents shall be notified if misconduct of a student continues. Students may be
denied the privilege of riding the bus temporarily or permanently.
Any damage to the bus other than from regular usage will be paid for by the
student or his/her parents.
Students must be at the bus stop at the scheduled time, both in the morning and
the afternoon.
Students shall be prohibited from bringing unnecessary items or dangerous
objects on the school bus.
PARENTS ARE PROHIBITED FROM BOARDING A SCHOOL BUS.
school administration for information or to express a concern.
Please call
Permission to Ride a Different Bus:
A note signed by the parent/guardian must be presented to the teacher during
homeroom period in the morning. Examples of the details that are needed in a bus note
are shown below:
Please allow my child, (Student’s Name), to ride (Route __), to/from (Address Where
You Want Child Dropped Off and/or Picked Up) on (Days and Dates). I may be
contacted at the following (Daytime Phone Number). __________________
(Parent Signature)
BREAKFAST / LUNCH PROCEDURES
All students will eat breakfast in their classroom and should report directly to their class
upon entering the building. Breakfast will be available at the breakfast stations each
morning. Staff members will be assigned to stations. Students are to return to
classrooms after picking up breakfast. Lunch will be served in the cafeteria.
CHILD CUSTODY
If you have legal custody of your child through a court order (or deed or separation),
please see that the administration (main office staff) has a current copy of this
document.
Please do not assume that school employees know about custody issues. Be sure we
know if any family member is not to pick-up your child from school. Please make sure
that this information is included on the school’s Emergency Information Card.
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CLINIC
The school nurse may conduct vision, hearing, and dental screenings throughout the
year. The clinic is open every day during school hours; however, parents must make
arrangements to pick up sick or injured children. Emergency cards are due in the office
and must be updated as needed. Parents or emergency contact persons will be notified
in case of an emergency. All medication must be brought in by a parent, and picked up
at the end of the year by a parent. If the student becomes ill during the school day, the
school nurse will assess him/her and determine the best course of action. Upon
determining the need to go home, the nurse or designee will make the proper
arrangements for contacting the student’s parents. If the parent cannot be contacted,
other person(s) on the student’s emergency card will be contacted. It is important to
update emergency contact information throughout the year.
State law prohibits the school nurse from dispensing any medication to students unless
the nurse has written permission from the child’s doctor. Medication is never to be sent
to school by a student.
CONFERENCES
Your child's teacher welcomes the opportunity to discuss your child's progress with you.
Although conference days have been scheduled, we encourage you to arrange
conferences when you have concerns. Parents must contact the teacher to schedule a
conference date. Instructional time will not be interrupted to hold parent
conferences. Conferences may be scheduled before 9:35 am, after 3:50 pm or during
your child’s teacher’s planning period.
DAILY SCHEDULE
9:05 a.m. Students arrive at school
Breakfast begins
9:35 a.m. Instruction begins
3:50 p.m. Dismissal
Parents are urged NOT to pick up students before 3:50 p.m.
DISCIPLINE
It is believed that self-discipline is the best form of control for any group of individuals.
When students do not exercise self-control, it becomes our duty to impose methods; to
insure proper individual and group behavior. Conduct Notices or Discipline Referrals will
be sent home to inform parents about their child's behavior. Parent conferences can be
requested by either the teacher or principal to discuss student conduct.
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The following school-wide rules are enforced to assure a safe and orderly environment:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Follow Directions Quickly.
Raise Your Hand for Permission to Speak.
Raise Your Hand for Permission to Leave Your Seat.
Make Smart Choices.
Keep Your Teacher’s Rules.
Fighting, hitting, use of profanity, vulgar acts, bullying or severe cases of disrespect to
an adult could result in Out-of-School Suspension the first time.
Any violations of the above policies may result in disciplinary action.
Possible Disciplinary Consequences
• Written Warning
• Parent Conference with Teacher and/or Administrator
• May Not Return to School without a Parent
• May Not Return without an Attending Parent
• In-School Suspension
• Out-of- School Suspension Pending Parent Conference
• Out-of-School Suspension
• Administrative Hearing
School administration will attempt to make phone contact; as well. A message will be
left if parents are unavailable. If administrators are unable to contact parents, the
referral will be mailed to the address on file.
Students are not permitted to bring toys, games, MP3 players, cell phones, iPods,
sports cards, pets, playstations or any other similar device to school. If items are
brought to school, they will be confiscated and kept for parents to pick up. Loss of such
items is the sole responsibility of the student. Students are strongly encouraged to
leave excess money at home. Toy guns and knives will be dealt with as real
weapons.
DISCIPLINE AND SCHOOL JURISDICTION
The authority of the school over the conduct of students extends to the following
locations:
1. On the school grounds before, during, and after school hours.
2. On the school grounds; as either a spectator or a participant, and any
other time when the school is being used by a school group.
3. Off the school grounds at any school-related activity, function, or event as
a participant or a spectator.
4. During the time spent at bus stops waiting for the bus and on school bus
transportation.
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DISTRICT WELLNESS POLICY
Special celebrations may not take the place of school lunch. Any special celebrations
must be coordinated with Food & Nutrition Services or be conducted after the last lunch
period. All special celebrations must first be approved by the building principal. Only
pre-packaged snacks which meet the nutritional requirements will be allowed when
snacks are solicited.
DRESS CODE FOR STUDENTS
All students are expected to maintain good grooming habits and appropriate dress.
Clothing should promote a positive image, be of acceptable social standards, and
should not be offensive or distracting to the learning environment. Students failing to
comply with the Student Dress Code will be advised accordingly and parents may be
contacted to bring a change of clothing.
The following clothing will not be worn in school:
1.
Suggestive or revealing attire, which shall include any article of clothing that
does not cover the midriff, back, or shoulders, reveals cleavage, or exposes
undergarments
2.
Clothes having rips or tears above the knees
3.
“Sagging” pants and shorts not securely fastened around the waist
4.
Skirts, dresses, and shorts that rise above the fingertips when the arms are
stretched downward
5.
Any article of clothing that advertises alcohol, or an illegal substance, depicts
lewd graphics, displays offensive or obscene language, promotes violence or is
gang related
6.
Clothing with slogans or words across the buttocks
7.
Head coverings unless worn for religious or medical reasons
8.
Flip flops, open toed shoes, slippers, athletic slides, and roller shoes (Heely’s)
9.
Any accessory that advertises alcohol, or an illegal substance, depicts lewd
graphics, displays offensive or obscene language, promotes violence or is gang
related
10. Sunglasses, wallet chains, and necklaces that hang below the sternum
11. Sleepwear
FAMILY LIFE
The Family Life program taught to students in grades 4 and 5. This program is an OPTOUT program for all students. If a parent wishes his/her child not to participate, the
appropriate opt-out form must be completed and submitted to the school office
prior to the first Family Life class day. The opt-out form is available in the office.
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FIRE/WEATHER DRILLS
During the first month of school, fire drills will be practiced weekly and once a month
thereafter. Weather drills will be held at least twice a semester.
HOMEWORK
Homework is an important and beneficial way to reinforce skills, practice, research and
study. The Suffolk School Board has established a division-wide policy, which provides
for individual student differences.
The following time allocations are recommended:
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grades 3, 4, & 5
up to 30 minutes per day
up to 45 minutes per day
up to 60 minutes per day
up to 90 minutes per day
INTERIM REPORTS
Students will receive interim reports mid-way through each nine week grading period.
LIBRARY
Students attend regularly scheduled library classes, at least once each week. Students
are instructed on the use of the library, they check out books for reading enjoyment, and
they check out books to participate in the Accelerated Reader Program. Although there
are no overdue fines charged, books that are lost or damaged must be paid for by the
student. Students may come each day to exchange books during a scheduled open
library time. The open library time is set according to library classes.
MEDICATION
In case of illness or accident, parents will be contacted to arrange transportation home.
We need your telephone number at home, at work, and the number of a friend or
relative if we are unable to get in touch with either parent.
a.) MEDICAL TREATMENT: When a student becomes seriously ill or injured,
the parent/guardian will be contacted immediately by the school nurse.
School personnel may not diagnose, give medication, nor administer
treatment beyond basic first aid.
b.) MEDICATION: School employees may not administer internal medicine to a
student. If routine medication must be taken by a child during the school day,
it must be given by the school nurse. In these cases a medication form must
be completed by the physician and signed by the parent. Parents must bring
any routine medication to the office in a prescription bottle and give it to the
school nurse. Do not send cough drops, cough medicine or aspirin to school
with a child. All students taking medication (including inhalers) must have a
doctor’s note on file in the clinic at the beginning of the school year. Do not
send medication to school with your child on the bus. Over the counter
medication such as aspirin, cough syrups, etc. cannot be given at school.
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PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held once during the school year. Parent Teacher
Conference Day will take place February 13, 2017.
PROGRESS REPORTS & REPORT CARDS
Please review Suffolk Public School’s Promotion Policy. Report Cards are distributed
every 9 weeks and Interim Reports are distributed every 4½ weeks before the end of
each reporting period.
RECOGNITIONS
Students are recognized for the following accomplishments throughout the school year:
Character Counts, Principal’s List, Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, and B.U.G. Club.
An awards assembly will be held after report cards are issued each nine weeks.
The criteria for Principal’s List, Honor Roll, B.U.G. Club, and Perfect Attendance
are as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
Principal’s List- Students receive this award if they earn all A’s and checks in all
categories of Citizenship and conduct.
Honor Roll- Students receive this award if they earn all A’s and B’s (Citizenship
and conduct grades do not factor into this award).
STAR Award-(kindergarten only) Students receive this award if they earn all G’s
B.U.G. Club – Starting the second nine-weeks grading period, students in
grades 1-5 may earn B.U.G. Club status by “Bringing Up Grades”. To qualify,
students must raise one letter grade in at least one subject area without the other
subject areas dropping.
Perfect Attendance- Students receive this award if they have not missed any
school days for the entire nine-weeks grading period.
Character Traits
September—Respect
October-Responsibility
November-Self Discipline
December-Kindness
January-Perseverance
February-Honesty
March-Courtesy
April-Cooperation
May-Fairness
June-School Safety
STANDARDS OF LEARNING
The Standards of Learning (SOL) represent the minimum learning objectives for every
Virginia school child in the key academic areas of language arts, reading, mathematics,
science, and social studies. Elementary students in grades three, four, and five
participate in the Virginia Standards of Learning Assessment Program. Students in
grades one and two participate in locally developed assessments.
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VISITORS
All visitors and parents must to report to the school’s main office upon entering the
school building. When visiting any area outside of the office, visitors will have to sign-in
and receive a visitor’s pass from office personnel. Parents will not be allowed to visit
classrooms during instructional time unless an appointment has been scheduled
with the teacher.
VOLUNTEERS
All volunteers need to complete a Suffolk Public schools volunteer form. Volunteers
must be checked by the Virginia Sex Registry for approval.
WALKING STUDENTS
Several students walk to and from school daily. A safety guard monitors the crossing of
Walnut Street each day. Written permission is needed from parents who wish for their
child to walk home.
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