Sand Ridge Elementary

A Global Partner

2014-2015

Onslow County Schools

Administrative Staff

Mr. Rick Stout, Superintendent

Dr. Barry Collins, Asst. Superintendent

Dr. Lesley Eason, Asst. Superintendent

Jeffrey D. Hollamon, Finance Director

Sand Ridge Elementary

868 Sandridge Road

Hubert, NC28539

(910)326-5199

(910) 326-5622 (fax)

(email)

Harold J. Jurewicz Sr., Principal

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Welcome to Sand Ridge Elementary, a Global Partner. We hope you will enjoy your time with us and that your children will benefit educationally. We are proud of our school and its achievements. The purpose of our handbook is to keep you informed of schedules, rules, curriculum and the daily operation of our school.

ACCIDENTS

If a student is injured during the school day, the reporting procedure is as follows:

  • All accidents are reported to the nearest teacher or staff member.
  • The accident is reported to the administration or school nurse.
  • Parents are notified.
  • Sand Ridge assumes no responsibility for medical fees.
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL

School begins at 8:20 and students may arrive no earlier than 8:00. There is no supervision available prior to 8:00. Parents will drop off their children at the walkway area in front of the school. Staff members will be on duty to assist students into the building. Likewise, in the afternoons, all students will dismiss at 3:20from the walkway into waiting automobiles and through the rear of the building to waiting buses. Parents are to remain in their cars during arrival and dismissal times. Private motor vehicles are prohibited from being in the bus lot from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For your convenience, a Before School Program is offered by Onslow County Schools and an After School Program is offered by the Boys and Girls Club. The Before School Program is held Monday through Friday at 6:30 a.m. only during weeks when school is in session. If the start time for school is delayed, for example due to inclement weather, the Before School Program does not operate. Contact Onslow County Schools at 455-2211 to register for Before School Care. To register for After School Care, contact The Boys and Girls Club at 340-6364. There is a cost for these programs and students must register in order to participate.

ATTENDANCE

The Onslow County Board of Education Attendance Policy (#4400) is found in the Student Related Board of Education Policies booklet. When total absences (excused and unexcused) exceed 10 days per semester, further documentation will be required. Absences exceeding 20 per school year may result in retention. Extenuating circumstances shall be considered by the principal. Absences not documented will be referred to the appropriate authorities. Excessive tardies and early checkouts will be referred to the appropriate authorities and may also result in retention.

In order for students to be counted present, they must be in attendance until 11:50 or checked in prior to 11:50. Students are tardy after 8:20. Students should remain in school until 3:20 each day. North Carolina Public School Law considers the following as excused absences:

  1. Personal illness or injury
  1. Death in the immediate family
  1. Quarantine
  2. Educational Opportunity(prior approval from the principal is required)
  1. Medical or dental appointments
  2. Court or administrative proceedings
  3. Religious observances

Perfect attendance is awarded to students who are present for the entire school day with no tardies and no early checkouts.

AWARDS CRITERIA

Students in Grades 3-5 are recognized each nine weeks with certain awards. Included in these awards are:

  • Principal’s list: “A” in all subjects
  • Honor roll: “A” or “B” in all subjects
  • Reading Renaissance:meets Reading goal
  • Perfect Attendance: No absences or tardy/early checkouts
  • BUG: Bringing up two letter grades with no other letter grades falling

Our schedule for award celebrations on the final day of schoolis as follows:

Kindergarten 9:00 a.m.

1st Grade10:15 a.m.

2nd Grade11:15 a.m.

3rd Grade12:30 p.m.

4th Grade1:30 p.m.

5th Grade2:20 p.m.

BREAKFAST

Breakfast is served from 8:00 until 8:20. Students must go directly to the cafeteria when arriving on campus in order to eat breakfast.

BUS REGULATIONS

Because the safety of all our children is a top priority, it is imperative that all parents and students review the Onslow County Schools’ Student RelatedBoard of Education Policies and School Bus Safety Regulations Handbook. Of particular importance are School Bus Safety Student Conduct Rules and Misconduct on a School Vehicle. These policies will be enforced with parents and students receiving written notification of consequences based on severity of violations and prior rule infractions. Please remember that riding a school bus is a privilege and students who do not follow all bus rules are subject to losing that privilege.

CAFETERIA

Child Nutrition offers healthy meals every school daydesigned around USDA’s MY PLATE and the newly implemented nutrition standards for school meals supported by First Lady Michelle Obama. These guidelines restrict the amount of fat, sodium and sugar in our meal selections and encourage increased consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, and calcium rich foods. Well-balanced breakfasts and lunches are one of the cornerstones to success in the classroom and improving student’s academic performance. Menus are posted on the Onslow County Schools website at and in the local media.

Meal prices are $1.25 for breakfast and $2.00 for lunch.Families may apply for free and reduced priced meals based upon household size and income. Those who qualify for reduced price meals may have breakfast provided at no cost and $.40 for lunch. Families are responsible for all meal costs for food eaten by the student until the new application has been approved. Supplemental items are selected from a variety of healthy snacks and additional menu items may be purchased. Parent/Guardians may request that a message be placed on the child’s account to limit the types and amounts of items the student is permitted to purchase. If a student in grades K-8 has no money for meals, that student will be fed and the student’s cafeteria account will be charged for that meal. Parents are responsible for all meal charges. There will be no charging of individual food items at any time. Students who bring meals from home may purchase milk at the a la carte price of $.50 even if the child is qualified for free meals. Milk is included as a meal component for all pay statuses. A copy of the meal charge collection program is available at the school office, school cafeteria and for viewing on line at A parent/guardian may request a printout of their student’s cafeteria account. Prepayments are available online at Contact the cafeteria manager for any account information or with questions/concerns.

Children from families whose income falls within USDA income-eligibility guidelines may be eligible for either free or reduced price meals. Applications for meal benefits are available at the school office, school cafeteria and the Child Nutrition Central Office. Please apply for this program; it is beneficial for you and the school.

If your child was free or reduced last year, it is not an automatic approval this year. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new application unless the Child Nutrition office notified you in writing that your child is eligible for the new school year. Useone Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to: Child Nutrition Department, P. O. Box 99, Jacksonville, NC 28541 or bring it into our office at 200 Broadhurst Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28541. Our telephone number is (910) 478-3480.

Parents are responsible for all charges accrued until the date the application is approved. Students approved for free or reduced priced meals must choose a FUL L meal. Individual items and milk selections result in a la carte pricing. A la carte items are not available for charging.

CHARACTER EDUCATION

Recognizing the importance of good character, the Onslow County Board of Education has approved focused attention on the eight character traits: Respect, Self-discipline, Caring, Responsibility, Integrity, Cooperation, Citizenship, and Trustworthiness. These traits are infused into the curriculum in all grades. Assimilating these traits into students’ character will provide the foundation for them to contribute to a society that sees hope andlove rather than despair, optimism rather than pessimism, cooperation rather than isolation, and peace rather than violence.

CHECK IN – CHECK OUT (SEE ATTENDANCE)

Students coming to school after the day has begun (8:20) must be accompanied by a parent, sign in at the office and get a pass to class. Students who arrive after 11:50 AM or check out before 11:50 AM are counted absent for the entire day. Only custodial parents or persons with parental permission may remove a child from school. Sand Ridge office personnel will not release a child to relatives or friends without written notification by a custodial parent. Please do not check your child out of school during the last few minutes of the day. The last minutes of class time are equally important as the first minutes.Late arrivals and early checkouts are documented and considered when determining promotion.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Students are expected to uphold the Sand Ridge Elementary School code of conduct at all times.

“KEEP YOUR HANDS AND FEET TO YOURSELF”

We follow a Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) Model which includes a systematic approach to establish, teach and reinforce clear behavioral expectations.

Our school-wide expectations titled, “Guidelines for Success” are located at the end of this handbook along with specific information on the universal clip chart, a tool used to monitor, provide feedback and reinforce appropriate behavior in the school setting.

CONFERENCES

Parent-teacher conferences are our most important means of communication concerning the progress of our students. Parents are encouraged to schedule a conference with their child’s teacher early in the school year. Please call the school office to arrange for an appointment. Conferences are normally scheduled after school on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, please call 326-5199.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please make certain the school has current emergency information concerning where we may reach the parent/guardian. Please inform the school office if you move or if your telephonenumber changes during the school year. Our records must be current at all times.

CURRICULUM

Sand Ridge Elementary School teaches the curriculum as outlined by the guidelines established by the State of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. This information can be accessed on the website,

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

As students continue to work with resources that allow access to information via the internet, our teachers will following the Standards of Practice for Digital Learning and Teaching Environments and instructing students on the norms and expectations of appropriate and responsible behavior with regards to technology.

DRESS CODE

It is expected that students will be dressed and groomed in an appropriate manner for the age group of the individual. The responsibility for determining and enforcing standards of dress rests with the principal or his/her designee. Students considered in violation of the intent of these regulations shall be advised and requested to call home for a change of clothing. If the problem is not corrected immediately the student will be suspended.

Shorts and skirts of reasonable length are acceptable.

No halter-tops, spaghetti straps, tank tops, strapless tops, cutoffs, or apparel that exposes the midriff may be worn.

Flip-flops are highly discouraged at school.

Clothing with offensive or suggestive theme/language is not allowed.

Clothing that refers to any type of alcohol, drug, or act, which is illegal or hazardous to one’s health, is not permitted.

Hats, scarves, or head coverings of any type may not be worn in the building except for medical reasons.

EARLY RELEASE

In order to provide staff development to our employees, students will be released at 12:35 on the following dates: September 10, October 8, February 11, March 11, and April 8.

E-MAIL

All faculty members may be contacted via e-mail. Likewise, if you provide SRE with an e-mail address, we can send information to you in a timely fashion.

EMERGENCY DRILLS

Fire drills, severe weather drills and crisis drills are conducted in accordance with state and local regulations. It is vital that the importance of participating seriously in these drills is stressed to all students.

END OF GRADE TESTING (See also GRADING POLICY and PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS

Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 are assessed in reading, writing, mathematics and science (grade 5 only). These achievement tests are the North Carolina criterion-referenced tests based on the curriculum established by the State of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Level III proficiency on these tests is consistent with on-grade level mastery and is required in order for a child to be considered for promotion.

In July 2012, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation to “ensure that every student read at or above grade level by the end of third grade.” This Read to Achieve component of the Excellent Public Schools Act includes the following:

  • A comprehensive plan for reading achievement.
  • A developmental screening and Kindergarten entry assessment.
  • A process for facilitating early grade reading proficiency.
  • The elimination of social promotion for 3rd grade students not at grade level in reading.

Students entering Kindergarten, beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, will be administered a Kindergarten Entry Assessment (KEA) within 30 days of enrollment. The KEA will assess students’ readiness for kindergarten as well as their educational, social, and developmental strengths and needs. These assessments will continue at the beginning, middle, and end of the year in Kindergarten through 3rd grade.

In addition to the Reading 3D assessments, 3rdgrade, students are administered a Beginning of Grade test in Reading to determine their readiness for 3rd grade reading standards. Students in 3rd grade will also complete assessments on EOG-style reading passages in order to document grade level proficiency on the NC Reading Standard Course of Study. Finally, students in 3rd grade will take the North Carolina End0of-Grade Test at the end of the year. Students are required to demonstrate proficiency on 3rd grade standards in order to be promoted to 4th grade.

FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS

Pursuant to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, (FERPA) the Onslow County Board of Education has adopted a written policy governing all the rights of parents and students under FERPA. Copies of this policy may be found in the Superintendent’s office and in the principal’s and counselor’s office of each school within the unit. The Onslow County Board of Education classifies the following as directory information: student’s name, school, and grade level, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, and degrees and awards received. School officials may release this information to any person without the consent of the parents or the student. Any parent or eligible student who objects to the release of any or all of this information without his/her consent must notify in writing the principal of the school where the records are kept within the first 30 days of each school year. The objection must state what information the parent of the student does not want to be classified as directory information. If no objection is received within the first 30 days of the school year, the information will be classified as directory information until the beginning of the next school year.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are a vital part of our educational program and will be taken when appropriate to the curriculum. Teachers will inform parents of the trip, the purpose and any cost to the students. Students must have a parent-signed permission form prior to going off campus to any event. Efforts will be made to keep costs at a minimum; however, transportation, driver expenses and fuel must be calculated when determining student costs. Parents who serve as chaperones for field trips must be fingerprinted a minimum of 14 days prior to accompanying children on the trip. Fingerprinting is scheduled at the central office. Details are available in our media center. It is our intent for every student to participate in these trips; however, students may be restricted from going on trips for disciplinary reasons, as determined by administration. Parents will be notified if this should become an issue.

FUNDRAISING

Sand Ridge Elementary School participates in a variety of fundraising activities to benefit the school or otheragencies. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • SAT Scholarship
  • Relay for Life
  • Jump Rope for Heart
  • Heifer International
  • Local Charities
GENERAL SCHOOL POLICIES

It is our belief that Sand Ridge Elementary School should be a place for learning where students may pursue an education in an atmosphere free of fear, indignities, danger, and disruptions. Students should not only develop their academic talents, but the school also insists they develop a respect for each other, that they practice fair play, that they respect the property rights of others, that they conduct themselves in such a way as to not interfere with the safety or with the educational opportunities of others, and that they obey classroom and school rules.

  1. Be courteous and respectful toward all.
  2. Remain quiet and orderly on school grounds.
  3. Running is prohibited in the building or areas as directed by staff.
  4. The sale of any articles or services, as well as the solicitation of funds for any service/cause is prohibited on the school grounds unless approved by the administration.
  1. Electronic devices such as cell phones, tape players, games, and any “toy” items are prohibited.
  2. Abusive language, cursing, obscene gestures and bullying toward another person are not tolerated.
  1. Students are expected to show respect to all teachers, substitute teachers, and staff members. Any disrespect may result in out-of-school suspension.

GRADES

Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2:report cards each grading period– performance scale: Above Grade Level, On Grade Level, and Below Grade Level

Grades 3-5:report cards each grading period - grading Scale: A=93-100 B=85-92 C=77-84 D=70-76 F≤69.