Charlestown Elementaryschool

CHARLESTOWN ELEMENTARYSCHOOL

PARENT/STUDENTHANDBOOK

CHARLESTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

550 Baltimore Street

Charlestown, MD 21914

Phone: 410-996-6240

Fax: 410-996-6242

George Whisner, Principal Patty Corder, Lead Secretary

August 2, 2016

Dear Charlestown Families,

The Faculty and Staff of Charlestown Elementary School look forward to working with you and your children. With your help and support we are confident that we can provide an excellent educational program that will ensure the growth of all of our students.

An important factor in the success of any program is communication. During the school year there will be many opportunities for communication between Charlestown and our families: CCPS/Charlestown websites at messages from School Messenger phone/e-mail program, monthly newsletters, special memos/flyers, the homework assignment notebooks in grades 1-5, parent conferences, the PTA, and special meetings, just to name a few.

This handbook is provided to assist you in understanding the policies, procedures, and practices that guide the operation of our school. It is a supplement to the Cecil County Public Schools information that each student receives at the beginning of the school year. We hope that you will refer to this handbook often and find it to be a useful tool. As questions arise, if the answers cannot be found in this handbook or any of the other school communications, please feel free to contact us at (410-996-6240).

Sincerely yours,

George Whisner

Charlestown Mission Statement

To provide a learning environment which fosters mutual respect among all members of the school community, emphasizes high expectations for student achievement, promotes positive perceptions and attitudes about learning, respects the individual needs of all learners and promotes a shared responsibility for the education of all students.

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WHOTOCALL(CharlestownSchoolNumber: 410-996-6240)

Becauseofthecomplexityofourschoolprograms,noonepersonknowsalloftheanswerstoallquestionsthatmayarise. Tohelpyougetthecorrectanswertoyourquestionsyoushould:

•Callyourchild'steacherorsendanotetogetanswerstoquestionsabouttheclassroom, schoolwork,assignments,and/orclassroombehavior. If prearrangedwiththeteacher,emailingmaybeaconvenientformofcommunication.

•Callthecounselorwhenreferredbytheteacherforspecialassistancewithyourchild'ssocialoremotionalneeds or if you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s well-being.

•Calltheprincipalwhenreferredbytheteacher,foraproblemnotsolvedbytheteacher,forspecialassistancewithyourchild'slearningorbehaviorproblems,withquestionsongeneralschoolpoliciesand/oractivities,andconcernsregardingcurriculum.

•Calltheschoolsecretarytoreportyourchild'sillnessifhe/shehasacontagiousdiseaseorwillbeabsentduetoanillness,torequestassignmentsforyourchildtodoat home,ortogetgeneralinformationaboutupcomingevents.

•Calltheschoolnursetoaskquestionsaboutmedicationsorotherhealthconcerns.

•Calltheleadassistantinthecafeteriatoinquireaboutschoolmealaccounts,snacks,orotheraspectsofthebreakfastandlunchprograms.

•Callthetransportationdepartment(410-287-4656)todiscussbusroutes,busstops,orothertransportationconcerns.

APPOINTMENTS/EARLY PICK-UP

Ifachildistobereleasedtoaparentortheirdesigneeforadoctor/dentistappointment,etc.,thechildshouldbringanotefromhometothiseffect.Thenotewillbesignedbytheofficestaffinthe morningandreturnedtotheteacher.Thepersonpickingupthe childmustcomeintotheoffice and sign him/her out. Identification must be available upon request by office personnel.

ARRIVALANDDISMISSALINFORMATION

Studentsmayarrivetoschoolat8:40AM if driven to school.If you arrive prior to this time, please remain in your car and in the drop-off line. Astaffmemberwillbeatthe drop-offareaat8:40tobegingreetingthechildrenandassistthemastheyarrive.Thesestudentswillgotothecafeteriauntil8:45 AMwhentheyjointhebusstudentsandtraveltotheirhomeroom.StudentsareexpectedtobeinHomeroomby8:50AMeachday.

PrivatecontractorsandtheschooldistrictfurnishthebusesforourschoolaccordingtotherulesandregulationsassetupbytheStateDepartmentofPublicInstruction.Childrenwholiveamileorlessfromschoolareconsidered"walkers."

Providingsafeandefficientschoolbustransportationforourstudentsrequiresthecooperationofeveryone-students,parents,busdrivers,andschoolstaff.TheCecilCountyPublicSchoolsDepartmentofTransportationhasdeveloped guidelinestitled, "ParentGuideforStudentTransportation."Itisrecommendedthatyoureadthisguideand discuss itscontentswithyourchild/children. Acopyisincludedinthefoldersenthomewiththestudentsat

thebeginningoftheschoolyear.Pleasecompletethelastpageandreturntoschoolwithyourchild.

The schoolbusdriverisexpectedtoenforcethe regulations ofpupil behavior while pupilsboard,ride,anddepartfromthebus.The driver mayrevokethe pupil's bus ridingprivilegeforoneschooldayforfailuretoobeytherules.Repeatedfailuretoobeythebusrulesmayresultinthelossofbusridingprivilegesformorethanoneday.

Whenaschoolbusisstoppedtoloadorunloadstudents andthebuslightsareflashing,itisillegaltopass theschoolbus.THISRULEALSOAPPLIESWHENTHEBUSESAREINTHESCHOOLDRIVEWAY.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be advised that students may not ride adifferent bus for visitation/play time with another student after school.Requests fora change in bus assignmentswill be granted onlyfordaycareaspartofregularroutineoremergency needs.

CARRIDERS(Pick-upTimebegins at3:35exceptonWednesdayswhen itbeginsat1:55.)

Parentschoosingtotransporttheirchildrenwillenterthe"StudentDropOff'areaandpullupnexttothecurb.Parentsshouldcontinueallthewaydownthecurbsideortothenextstoppedvehicle.Pleasedonotusethe"BusDropOff'area.Itmustremainclearforthebuses.Inaddition,wepreferyouremaininthepick-uploopifyouenterthebuildingtopickupyourchild.

CARRIDERLOOPPROCEDURES:

oThecarriderloopcontinuestoallowparentstheconvenienceofpickinguptheirchildreninatimelyfashiononadailybasis. Please do not come into the building; children are not dismissed until 3:35.

oPleaseremembertobeconsiderateoftheotherparentsandchildrenintheLoop.Ifyourchildhasbeendelayed,pleasemoveyourcarupandtothesideinordertokeepthelinemoving smoothly.

oWhenwaitingforyourchild,pleasepullupina single fileline, please do notpull into and park intheparkingspaces.

oPleasedonotcometoyourchild,yourchildwillbebroughttoyou.

oItisimportantthatyouarepatientwhenwaitingforyourchild;donotgoaroundthecarsthatareinlineaheadofyou.

oPleasebesuretosendanoteifyourchildwillbeintheLoopforaone-day pick-up. Notesforone-dayridersaredistributedat3:15PMtotheteachersto

ensurethatbothstudentsandteachersareawareofthischangefromthenormalroutine.

oIfyourchildwillbepickedupforaone-timeappointment,justsendawritten

notethatincludes thechild'snameandthenameoftheadultwhowillbe pickingthestudentup fromCharlestown.Pleasemakesurethattheadultbringsavalidlicensetoshowthefacultymemberincharge.

SPECIALTRANSPORTATIONARRANGEMENTS

Notestotheteacher/officemustbesentwiththestudentsinthemorning. Incidences include:

•Whenyouorsomeoneelsewillbepickingyourchildupafterschool.

•Whenyourchildistostayafterschool.

•Whenyourchildistorideabustoanotherestablishedbusstopduetodaycareorforanemergency situation only.

•Notesarerequiredfrombothsetsofparentsifachildisgoingtoanotherchild'shouseafterschoolbycar. Studentsmayrideadifferentbustoanotherchild'shousefordaycarepurposes only. Duetothelimitednumberofseats,thebusescannotaccommodatestudentsridingdifferentbusesfornon-daycarepurposes.

Ifastudentisnotridingabushome,thepersonpickingupthestudentmustreporttotheschoolofficetosignoutthestudentunlessyouaresigneduptousethecarriderloop.

Withoutanotefromaparent,onlythosepeoplelistedonyourchild'sinformationcardasallowedtopickupyourchildwillbeabletodoso.Forthesafetyofyourchild,ourofficestaffwillneedtoseeidentificationforpeoplewhomwedonotknow.

NOTE: Pleaseavoidcallstotheofficefortransportationchanges. Wemustreceiverequestsinwritingthedayoftheoccurrence. ChangesintransportationarrangementswillonlybeacceptedviaphonecallsinEMERGENCYSITUATIONSONLY. Theseemergencycalls mustbereceivedpriorto3:00p.m.andwrittenfollowupisrequiredforrecordkeeping.

WALKERS/BIKERIDERS

Students whowalkorrideabiketoschoolshouldcomedirectlytoschool inthemorningandgodirectlyhomeafterschool.Talktoyourchildaboutstayingsafeenroutetoandfromschool.Thosestudentswhorideabikeareexpectedtowearahelmetandwalktheirbikeswhileonschoolproperty.

ATTENDANCE andTARDINESS

The Attendance Policy for Cecil County Public Schools is summarized in the Students'RightsandResponsibilitiesHandbook. It is critical to build good attendance patterns. We will monitor attendance and the number of times children come to school late.

•Youcannotlearnanythingifyoudon'tattendschool.Therefore,plantocometoschooleveryday.Ifyoumustbeabsent,remembertobringaparentordoctor'snotetoexplaineveryabsence.

•Priorapprovalmustberequested inwritingforfamilyvacationstobecodedasalegalabsence. Theprincipalcangrantamaximumoffivedaysperschoolyear.

AdditionsforCharlestownElementarySchool:

•Pleasephonetheschoolwhenyourchildisabsentforanextendedperiodoftime.

•Ifyour childisabletoworkonschool assignmentsthathe/sheismissingduringhis/herabsence,pleasephonetheschoolbyI0:00AMsothatassignmentscanbegatheredandsenthomeby3:40PM.

•Whenyourchildarriveslatetoschool (after8:50AM),pleaseaccompanyhim/hertotheofficeso thatyoucansigninyourchild.Atardyslipwillbeprovidedforthechildtogivetohis/herteacher.Parentswillnotbepermittedtowalktheirchildtoclasswhentardy.

CAFETERIA

We are excited about the opportunity to provide students and adults with nutritiousschoolbreakfastsandlunches. BothmealsareavailabletoallinterestedstudentsingradesPrekindergartenthroughFive. Amonthlymenuofmealsisprintedandsenthomewiththechildren.Thefederally sponsored freeand/or reduced meal program isavailable toalleligiblestudents. Applicationsaredistributedtoeachfamilyandareavailableuponrequestthroughout

theschoolyear.Allinformationisconfidential.

Ifyourchildforgetsorloseshis/herlunch,oryourchild'saccountbalanceislow,yourchildwillbe able to charge a lunch. Itisimportantthatstudentshavetherequiredamountofmoneywiththemeverydaythattheywillbeeatingameal.Onceyourchild'saccountreachesamaximumof$13.01forfullpricelunchpurchasesor$2.01forreducedpricelunches(studentswillreceivea one daycourtesymeal)ifyourchild'saccountisdeficient;theywillnotbeabletopurchasesnacksuntiltheiraccountisbroughtuptodate.

Youmaycreateanaccountandpayforyourchild'smealsonline.PleasevisittheCecilCountyPublicSchoolswebsiteandclickonFoodServicesintheAtoZlinks.Pleasenotethattheschooldoesnotlendmoney.

Pricesfor2016-2017

FullPriceReducedPrice

Free

BreakfastLunchMilk

Offeredtoallstudentsfreeofcharge.

$2.60$0.40

$0.50$0.50

NoCharge

No Charge

CHARACTER EDUCATION

Aspartofacountyinitiative,Charlestownwillcontinuetoincorporatecharacter educationasaschoolwideprogramofinstruction.Charactereducationisasoldaseducation itself.Downthroughhistory,educationhashadtwogreatgoals:to prepare studentsandtohelpthembecomegood citizens.Inthesetimesofchallengingsocialinfluences,theneedtohelp ourchildrenunderstand,develop,andadoptpositivecharactertraitshasincreased.Ourprograminvolvestheintroductionofeightcharactertraits.Eachtraitwillbeincorporatedonamonthlybasisataschool-widelevelandthroughclassroominstruction.

August/September – Respect February – Honesty

October– Responsibility March– Self Discipline

November/December – Caring April - Integrity

January – Justice May/June - Cooperation

Parentsarethechildren'sprimarymoraleducators.CharacterEducationhelpsschoolssupportthehomebyfosteringpersonal andcivicvirtuesthatarenecessary forourchildrento become productive members of society. Our hope is that the program will help young people be the best they can be by creating a school environment where civic virtues are expected, modeled, taught,

celebrated, and continually practiced.

CLASSROOM CELEBRATIONS

Informationforclassroomcelebrationswhichmaybeheldwillbesenthomeviaaletterfromtheteacher. Youmaybeaskedtocontributetothecelebrations. Theletterwillstatespecificsinthiscase.StudentbirthdayswillberecognizedonamonthlybasisbyourPTA.Students maynotcelebratetheirbirthdayswithtreatsbrought from home or purchased from a store and brought from home to share with their classmates duringtheschoolday. ForadditionalinformationpleaserequestacopyoftheCCPSWellnesspolicy.

ListedbelowarethesuggesteditemsforHealthyCelebrations:

Low-fatMilk/flavoredmilk100%Juice

Water/flavoredwater(calorie-free)Freshfruitassortment

FruitandcheesekabobsFruitw/whippedtopping100%fruitsnacksVegetabletrays

Cheese-cubes,stringcheesePretzels

Lowfatpopcorn GrahamcrackersVanillawafers FigNewton’sAnimalcrackers

Low-fat/Fat-free Pudding

Angelfoodcake- plain/topped withfruitSugar-freeGelatinw/fruit

Yogurt

Yogurtsmoothies

Yogurtparfaits/bananasplitsQuesadillaswithsalsa

Low-fatbreakfastorgranolabarsTrail/Cerealmixes

Pizzawithlowfattoppings(veggie,leanham,Canadianbacon)

Pizzadippers(pizzatoppingsandbreadonskewerwithmarinaradip)

Ham,cheese,orturkeysandwiches(withlowfatcondiments)

All fooditemsprovidedtostudentsmustbepreparedbyavendor/store/bakery

andarrivesealedintheoriginalpackagingwiththenutritionlabelaffixed.

CONFERENCES

Ifatanytimeduringtheschoolyearyouwouldliketohaveaconferencewithyourchild'steacher(s),feelfreetocalltheschoolandscheduleone.Teachersmayasktomeetwithyouatvarioustimesduringtheschoolyear.You andtheteacherarrangeconferencetimes; there is no day set aside in the county calendar for conferencing.

Pleasedonotjustdropbywiththeexpectationthatyouwill beabletoholdaconferencewithyourchild's teacher.Pleasecontacttheteacherandscheduleaconferenceatatimethatisconvenientforbothyouandyourchild'steacher.Stoppingbyinthemorningisnotthetimetoholdaconferencewiththeteacherasshe/heandthestudentsarepreparingforthedayahead.

CONTACTVIAE-MAIL

Ifyoue-mailyourchild's teacherduringtheschoolday,pleasedonotexpectanimmediatereply.Theteacher'sfirstresponsibilityisclassroominstructionandthesafetyofthestudents.Itisnotappropriateforthemtoanswere-mailduringinstruction.Ifyouhavenotreceivedaresponsewithinadayortwo;itmaybetoyourbenefittophonetheofficeandleaveamessagefortheteacherorsendashortnote inwithyourchild.Also,ifyouneedtoinformtheofficeofimportantinformationsuchastransportationormedicalneedsitisbesttocalltheofficeinsteadofsendingane-mail;manytimestherecipientmaybeperformingotherdailyresponsibilitiesand willchecke-mailonceallstudents have departedfortheday.

CRISISEMERGENCY RESPONSETEAM

CharlestownElementaryhasaCrisisEmergencyResponseTeam(CERT)madeupoftheschooladministrator,teachers,theleadsecretary,thecustodian,theschoolnurse,andsupportstaff.Itistheresponsibilityofthisteamtodevelop,makechangesto,andcarryouttheCrisisEmergencyResponsePlan.OurCERTworkswiththeschoolsystemandothercountyemergencyresponseagenciestoprovideforthesafetyandwell-beingofallstudents.Severaltimesthroughouttheyear,wewillconductpracticedrillstotestourplanandreviseitasneeded.

CULTURAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS

Charlestown doesprovideourstudentswithculturalenrichmentopportunitiesduringschoolyear.Theseprogramsincludesuchthingsasmusicalperformances,puppetshows,storytellers,dances,andtheatricalpresentations.TheseprogramsaremadeavailablethroughPTAfundingandoutsidegrants.Lookforthedatesandtimesofallprogramsinthe newslettersandonthewebsite.

DISCIPLINE (LocalSchoolproceduresaredefinedinaseparatepamphlet)

ItistheexpectationthatallCharlestownstudentswillrespecttherights,feelings, andpropertyofothers.Eachfamilywill receiveacopyoftheCCPS Students'RightsandResponsibilitiesHandbook.Pleasetakethetimetoreaditcarefullyandcompletethesignaturepagewhichshouldbereturnedtoschool.

Teacherswillreviewrulesandexpectationsforstudentbehavior according to our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports) program.(Please refer to the brochure sent home describing this program.) Studentswillbeadvisedthatbehaviorsinterfering withasafeandpositivelearningenvironmentwilllnotbetolerated.

Violationsofschoolorclassroomrulesmayresultinateacher/studentconference,alossofprivileges,anoteorphonecalltotheparent,aparent/teacherconference,areferraltotheoffice,adetention,orasuspension.

Detention:

Whilemoststudentsobeytheschoolrules,cooperatewithteachers,andcomplete assignments,teachersoccasionallymustassignafterschooldetentionstostudentswhodonotmeetexpectations.Whenadetentionisnecessary,theparentwillbenotifiedinadvanceso arrangementscanbemadefortransportation

DISTRIBUTIONOFMATERIALS(INCLUDINGPARTYINVITATIONS)

CecilCountyPublicSchoolsfollowsspecificguidelinesfordistributingmaterials tostudents.AspartofthepolicywhichisincludedintheCCPSschoolcalendarsenthomeatthebeginningoftheschoolyear,schoolsdonotpermitstudentstohandoutpartyinvitationsatschoolorontheschoolbus.Invitationsneedtobedistributedoutsideoftheschoolsetting.Also,pleaserememberwecannotgiveyoutheaddressesofyourchild'sclassmateseither.However,asaschool,weareabletodevelopadirectoryforeachclass.Informationpertainingtothedirectory

issenthomeintheopeningofschoolpacket.

DRESSCODE

CharlestownElementarywillfollowtheBoardofEducation'sdresscode.Studentdressshouldbeappropriatefortheweatherandactivity.Studentdressshouldnotposeahealthorsafetyhazardandshouldnotcauseaclassroomdisruption.Studentsarenotpermittedtowearflipflopsorsandalswithoutbackstrapsastheyposeadangerbothinschoolandontheplayground.Shoesshouldbeofappropriateheight,andshouldbesecuredonthefoot.Sneakersarerequiredforphysicaleducationandintegratedarts.Foradditionalinformation,pleaserefertotheCCPSDressCodeintheStudents'RightsandResponsibilitiesHandbook.

EDUCATIONALPARTNERSHIPS

BusinessPartners

Wearefortunateto haveYorkBuildingProductsCompany,Inc.asourbusinesspartner.Thecompany'sdonationoftimeandmoneyhelpstocontributetoproviding anexcellenteducationalprogram. If anypersonorbusinessisinterestedinformingapartnershipwithourschool,pleasecontacttheoffice.

ParentTeacherAssociation(PTA)

OurschoolhasanactiveParentTeacherAssociation.TheminimalmembershipfeeandvariousfundraisingeventsenablethePTAtosupportourschool.EveryoneisinvitedtoattendthemonthlyPTAmeetingsandtakeanactiverole.Meetingdateswillbeforthcoming.

EMERGENCY CARDS

Studentsmustturninanemergencyformcontainingaccurateinformationincluding contactsincaseofaccidentorillness.Thisformmustbekeptuptodateandavailableattheschooloffice.Besuretohavethelatesttelephonenumberslisted.Ifanychangesoccur throughouttheyear,pleasenotifytheofficeinwritingimmediately.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

IncaseofpossibleschoolclosingsorlateopeningsduetoinclementweatherorotheremergenciesyouwillbenotifiedthroughtheSchoolMessengerphone/e-mailprogramandannouncementswillbemadeoverthefollowingradio and televisionstations.If noannouncementismade,youcanassumethatweareoperatingonanormalschedule.YoumayalsochecktheCecilCountyPublicSchoolswebsiteat

WXCY-l03.7FM-HavredeGraceWAMD-970AM-Aberdeen

WBAL-l090AM-BaltimoreWDEL-1150AM-WilmingtonWSTW-93.7FM-Wilmington

WQSR-l02.7FM-BaltimoreWJBR-99.5FM-WilmingtonWLIF-I02FM-BaltimoreWOEL-89.9FM-Elkton

WPOC-93FM-Baltimore

WMARTV-Ch.2-BaltimoreWBAL TV-Ch.11-BaltimoreWJZTV-Ch.13-Baltimore

Pleasehaveanemergencyplanavailableshouldchildrenbedismissedearly.Secondaryschoolsaredismissedfirst,followedbyelementaryschools.

FIELDTRIPS

Werecognizetherearemanyvaluablelearningexperiencesbeyondourschoolbuilding.Ourteachersplanfieldtrips,whichareintegratedintotheir classroomstudyandthemes.Aparent'swrittenpermissionisrequiredforachildtoparticipate. Ifaparent doesnotgiveconsent,arrangementswillbe

madeforthechildtostayinschoolwithanotherclassfortheday. Ifaparentdoesnotgiveconsentandkeepsthechildhomefromschool,itisconsideredanunlawfulabsence.

Oftentimesstudentsarechargedafeetohelpcoverthecostofthetransportationoradmission. Pleasenotifytheteacherassoonaspossibleifyoucannotaffordthetrip.Theschoolwilltrytomakeprovisionstohelpwiththecostofthefieldtripforthestudentonly.

SchoolCashonlineisavailable. Goto:

Theschoolwillexercisecareinitstravelarrangementsandthecareofthestudentsonthetrip.Whileon thetrip,eachstudentwillbesupervisedbyanadult.Theuseofthefollowingitemsisprohibitedbystudentsoradults:tobacco,drugs,alcohol,chewinggum,CD,Cassette,iPodandMP3players,electronicgames,andweapons.Studentsandparentswhobehave inappropriately whileattendingafieldtripmaylosetheprivilegeofattendingfuturefieldtrips.

Somefieldtripsallowforparentchaperoneswhileothersdonot.Chaperonesareexpectedtotravelwiththestudentsbybus.

GRADINGGUIDELINESFORMAKE-UPWORK,LATEWORKRETAKES

Throughouttheschoolyear,circumstanceswillariseinwhichstudentsneedtheopportunitytocompletemissingworkorretakecertainassignments.

Make-UpWork

•Regardlessofreasonforabsence,aminimumoftwoclassdaystocompletemake-upworkwillbeallowedforeachdayofabsence.

•Gradedassignmentswillreceivefullcreditifturnedinwithintheallottedtime.

•Ifassignmentsareturned inaftertheallottedtime,5%oftheearnedpercentage scoreforeachdaybeyondwillbededucted. Agradeof50%isthefloor.

•Iftheabsence(s)occurattheendofthemarkingperiod,anincompletemaybeissued.

LateWork

•Regardlessofreason,lateassignmentswillbegraded.

•Lateassignmentswillreceivea5%deductionforeachdayaftertheduedate.Lateassignmentswillcontinuetoreceivea5%deductionforeachdaynotsubmitteduntiltheyreachthe50%floor.

•Workduethedayofanabsenceisdueonthedaythestudentreturns.

•Extracreditworktosupplementastudent'sgradewillnotbeassignedoraccepted.

Retakes

•Studentswillhavetheopportunitytoretakeanysummativeassignment for subjects receiving letter grades,regardlessofthescoreonthefirsttakingand/orofthereason.

•Summativeassignmentretakeswilloccurinaccordancewiththefollowingcriteria...

oStudentswilltakethesameorcomparableassignment.

oStudentscanretakesummativeassignmentsonce.

oStudentswillreceivethehighergradeofthetwoassignments,notanaverageorcombination

ofthetwogrades.

oStudentswill retake the assignment within two weeks (10school days) after the initial assignmenthasbeengradedandreturned.

•Teacherswillofferatimeandlocationforretakestooccur.

•Teachersarenotrequiredtoprovideadditionalinstructionbetweentheinitialcompletionoftheassignmentandtheensuingretake.

•Studentsshouldbeencouragedtotakefulladvantageofopportunitiestodemonstratetheirmasteryofcontentbypreparingforandcompletingallassignmentswheninitiallygiven.

•Cheatingand/orplagiarismviolateabasicunderstandingbetweenstudentandteacherthatworksubmittedishis/herown.

•Ifastudentcommits anactofacademicdishonesty,s/hewillreceivedisciplinaryactionbutwillbeallowedtocompletearetakeofacomparableassignmentforfullcredit.

HEALTH ANDMEDICATION

Aregisterednurseservesonafull-timebasisatCharlestownElementarySchool.Intheeventastudentistooilltoremainintheclassroom,he/shewillbesenttothenurse.Thenursewillassessthesituation.Ifthechildistoosicktostayatschool,thenursewillcontactaparentbyphone.Parentsareexpectedtoarrivewithin30minutesofreceivingthecall.

Periodically,thenursechecksthephysicalwell-beingofthestudents.Concernsfoundduringthesescreeningsarereportedtotheparents. Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecontact

thenurseassoonaspossible.

Childrenwhoneedtotakemedicationduringtheschooldaymusthave themedicineinalabeledcontainer.Themedicineneedstobebroughttoschoolbyaparent.Studentscannottransport medicationstoschool.Themedicinemustbeaccompaniedbyaphysician'sauthorizationform(which canbeobtainedfromtheschoolnurse).Boththeparentandthedoctormustcompletetheform.Nomedication(includingoverthecountermedication)willbe given without doctor's permission. Medicationsneedtobedispensedinfrontofschoolofficials.

HOMEWORK

Homeworkassignmentsareareinforcementofschoolworkfromthatdayorpreviousdays.Homeworkforanaverageability childvariesintimedependingonthegradelevel.Parentsshouldtrytoprovideaquietplacetostudyandencouragecompletionoftheassignments. Pleasedonotdoyourchild'shomework. Help

shouldbegivenonlywhennecessary. Homeworkfortheweekendorholidaysisatthediscretionoftheteacher. Eachteacherdetermineshomeworkmake-upprocedures. It is the student’s responsibility to see that all necessary materials are taken home each day to complete the assigned homework.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Ifce1iaininfectiousdiseasesarediscovered,astudentmaybesenthomesothatpropermedicaltreatmentcanbeobtainedassoonaspossibleandfortheprotectionoftheotherstudentsandstaff.Thesediseasesinclude:

•IMPETIGO-Iftheareaisproperlytreatedandcovered,thestudentmayremaininschoolprovidedanotefromthedoctorisbroughttoschool.

•CONJUNCTIVITIS(PINKEYE)-Studentsareexcludedfromschooluntileyesareclearorthestudenthasbeenonantibioticforatleast24hours.

•RINGWORM OFSCALP-Iftheareaisproperlytreated,thestudentmayremaininschoolwithanotefromthedoctorsayingthatthestudentmay beadmitted.

•HEADLICE-Headliceareseenmostfrequentlyintheelementaryschools,butmaybeseeninanyone.Thebestwaytofightheadliceistocheckyourchild'shaireverydaytoseeifyouseeanyevidenceofthem.Headlicearevery,verytinybugsthatattachthemselvestothehairandthenlaytheireggs.Theeggsare"glued"ontothehairandcanonlyberemovedbypullingthemoff.Childrengetheadlicebyhavingtheirhairindirectcontactwithanotherpersonwhohasbugs.Theycanalsogetitbysharingcombs,brushes,hairties,orbeingincontactwithpillows,furniture,clothing,mattressesandotheritemswherea childwithlicehaslaidtheirhead.

HOWDOICHECKFORLICEOREGGS(NITS)?

•Youshouldworkinanareawithabrightlightorsitnearawindowwithsunlight. Thismakesiteasierforyoutoseetheliceoreggs(nits).

•Separate thehairintosmallsections,I0-15strandsofhairatatime. Youcanusehairclips,rubberbands,orbarrettestohelpseparatethesectionsofhair.

•Lookateachstrandofhaircarefullyforanythingthatisattachedtothehair.

•Lookforanysmallbugsthatmaybecrawlingthroughthehair. Theycanbeassmallasthepointofapenciltothesizeofasesameseed.

WHATDOIDOWHENIFINDLICEOREGGS(NITS)?

•Treatthechild'shairwithliceshampooifyouhavenotrecentlytreated. YoucangettheliceshampooorNIXcremerinseatanydrugstore,supermarketorattheCecilCountyHealthDepartment.

•Pleasefollowthedirectionsonhowtousetheliceshampoosincetheyarenotallthesame.

•IfyouhaverecentlyusedaliceshampooorNixcremerinse,youjustneedtopicktheliceoreggs(nits)offuntiltheyarecompletelygone.

•Ifyoufindlivelice(crawlingbugs)ornits(eggs),andyouhavenottreatedthechildrecently,youneedtousealiceshampoo.

•Donotre-washthehairfor48hours(2days)aftertreatingthehair.

•PULLINGTHEEGGSOFFTHEHAIRISTHEBESTWAYTOGETRIDOFTHEHEADLICE.IF YOUMISSEVENONEEGGORLOUSE,YOURCHILDWILLCONTINUETOHAVELICE.

oUseyourfingersorafinetoothmetalcomb(likeadog'sfleacomb)topulltheegg(nit)offthe

hair.Thisisaverylongprocessandmaytakehours,butitmustbedone.

•Placetheegg(nit)orlouseinatrashcanlinedwithaplasticbagthatcanbethrownawaywhenyou'refinished.

•Youwillneedtocheckallmembersofyourfamilyandfriendsthathavebeenincontactwiththechildtobesuretheydonothaveanysignsofliceoreggs.

•Youwillalsoneedtovacuumyourhouse,washbedlinens,pillows,stuffedanimals,clothingthechildhaswornoranythingelsehis/herheadhascomeincontactwith. Useahotdryertodrytheitemsforatleast30

minutesaftertheyarewashed. Anythingthatcannotbewashedmustbeplacedinasealedplasticbagfortwoweeks.

•Boilcombs,brushes,hairties,andbarrettesforIOminutes.

WHENCANMYCHILDRETURNTO SCHOOL?

CecilCountyPublicSchoolshasa"NoNit"policywhichmeansthatstudentsmaynotattendschooluntiltheirhairistotallyfreeofliveliceoreggs(nits). Whenthechildreturnstoschool,aparentorresponsibleadultmustcomewiththemtobepresentwhentheirheadischeckedbytheschoolnurse.

WHODOICALLIFIHAVEQUESTIONS?

•Yourschoolnurse

•Yourchild'sdoctor

•TheCecilCountyHealthDepartment 410-996-5100

•TheSchoolNurseCoordinatorforCecilCountyPublicSchools 4I0-996-6330

REMEMBER-DAILYCHECKINGAND PICKINGARETHE KEYSTOCONTROLLINGLICE!

PARENTPARTICIPATION

Weencourageallparentstotakeanactivepartinyourchild'seducation.Your child'seducationisenhancedbyparentalparticipation.

•Talkwithyourchildeachdayaboutwhatishappeninginhis/herclasses.

•Lookoverandhelpwithhomeworkassignments,butplease, letyourchilddothem.

•Readwithyourchildeveryday.

•Readourschoolnewslettersandrespondtoquestionnairesandsurveys.

•Become amemberofCharlestown'sPTA.

•Attendconferencesandmeetings.

•Chaperoneclasstripsandattendschoolperformances.

•Joinourvolunteerprogram.

ThesearejustafewwaysthatCharlestownwelcomesparentparticipation.Ifyouare interestedinotherwaystobecomeinvolved,pleasecontacttheschoolofficeoryourchild'steacher.

PROHIBITEDITEMS

The followingarticlesarenotpermittedatschoolforsafetyreasons,possiblelossortheft,andthedisruptionoftheschoolprogram:

TobaccoSkateBoards

DrugsHardBalls

ChewingGumRubberCoatedHardBalls

MatchesKnivesofanykind

FireworksofanykindGuns

*Pagers/CellPhonesCD/Cassette/iPod/MP3Players

ElectronicGamesAllTradingCardsOtherportableelectronicitems(suchasKindles)

*Cellphonesaretobeturnedoffandstoredinalocker(ifitisnecessaryforastudenttobringacellphone onschoolpremises).

PROGRESS REPORTS/INTERIMS

Progressreportsforgrades1through5willbegivenoutfour timesayear; reports for PreKindergarten and Kindergarten will be given out three times a year. Interimsaredistributedfourtimesperyearatthehalfwaypointofeachmarkingtermforstudentsingrades1through5only;one exception-grade1doesnotdistributeinterimsduringthefirstterm.

RESTRICTED DISMISSAL/CUSTODY

Some families are separated by divorce or other circumstances. Thereareoftenrestrictionsplaceduponpartiesfromcourtcustodydecrees.

Iftherearespecialconsiderationsregardingyourchild,pleaseprovide

copiesofcourtdocumentstotheoffice.Iftherearechangesinthesedocuments,pleaseletthe officeknowassoonaspossible.Studentswithrestrictedcustodyarrangementswillnotbereleasedtoanyoneotherthantheauthorizedperson(s)namedintheofficerecords.Pleasebe awarethattheschoolcannotlegallyrestrictanon-custodialparentfrompickinguphis/herchildunlesscustodypapersareonfileintheschooloffice.

SCHOOLDAY

StudentsareexpectedtobeinHomeroomby8:50AMeachday.

PleaseNote:Studentsmayarrivetoschoolno earlier than8:40AM.Studentswho arrive at 8:40 AM willgotothecafeteriauntil8:45AM.Theywilljointhebusstudentsat8:45 AMandtravelto theirhomeroom.Studentswhoarrivetooearlywillbemonitoredandparentswillbenotifiedofthe concern.

Monday,Tuesday,
Thursday,Friday / Grades K-5
8:45AM-3:45PM
Prekindergarten
8:45 A.M.- 11:50 A.M.
Wednesday / Grades K-5
8:45AM–2:00PM
Prekindergarten
8:45 A.M.–11:00 AM

Wednesday -EarlyDismissal

EachWednesday,allelementarystudents aredismissedat2:00 PM.Youwillneedtomakearrangementstoreceiveyourchild/childrenattheearliertimeeachWednesday.

Theearlierdismissalallowsthestafftimeforin-servicetrainingandstaffdevelopment;conferences;collaborativeplanningtimeforteamsofteachers;SchoolImprovementTeam,specialeducation,faculty,andteammeetings.

SCHOOLIMPROVEMENT TEAM

TheSchoolImprovementTeam(SIT)existstopromotecontinuousimprovementofthe instructionalprogramatCharlestownElementarySchool.SITconsistsofstaffmembersandparents. Ifyouhaveaninterestpleasecontacttheprincipal.

SCHOOLPICTURES

Schoolpicturesaretakentwotimesduringtheschoolyear,onceinthefallandonceinthespring.Fallpicturesaretobepre-paidwhichmeansstudentsbringpaymentinthecompany'senvelopeonthedaypicturesaretobetaken.

Fall picture day is on September 14, 2016

Fall picture make up day in on November 16, 2016

Throughouttheschoolyearitispossiblethatschoolstaffwillbetakingphotographsofvariousactivities.Thesephotoswillbeutilizedinschooldisplays,onourschoolbulletinboard,inthenewspaper,andschoolyearbook.Shouldyouwishforyourchildnottobephotographed,pleasesendanotetoMr. Whisner.

SPECIALS

All students in kindergarten and grades 1 – 5 attend the following special area classes weekly: Art, Integrated Arts, Media, Music, and Physical Education. Fourth and Fifth graders have an opportunity to join Band or Strings. Our prekindergarten students visit the media center weekly to learn about book and to check out books.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Partofthelearningprocessistodevelopindividual responsibility. Yourchildshouldberesponsible forsuchitems as gym sneakers, musical instruments, paper,pencils,money,lunches,librarybooks,andtextbooks. Ifpossible,pleasehaveyourchild'spropertyclearlymarkedwithnameandgrade. Westrivetoavoidcallshomefor forgotten items. Please note that it is the student'sresponsibility andnomorethantwocourtesycallswhenbepermitted.

STUDENTSERVICETEAM

The Student Services Team was developed tosupportinstructionintheschoolbyprovidingcommunity

linkages,agencylinkages,casemanagement,problemsolving,andpreventativeplanning.The teamconsistsoftheclassroomteacher,theprincipal,theinstructionalsupportteachers, the buildingspecialeducationcoordinator,theschoolcounselor,theschoolpsychologist,thepupilpersonnelworker,theschoolnurse,andanoutsidecounselorfromthecommunityorganizationcalledUpperBayCounselingandSupportServices.Itisbased onthe idea that academic successisnotmerelyaffectedbyschoolenvironmentandcurriculumdelivery.Homeandcommunityfactorsaswellasbehavioralissuesimpactschoolperformance.Theteam'sexistenceisbasedonbringingtogetherpeoplewhocanaddresstheneedsofthewholechild.

Anystudentnotmeetingwithsuccessmaybereferredtotheteam.Theteammembers suggeststrategiestohelpthestudent.Ifitisdeterminednecessarybytheteam,astudentmaybereferredforspecialeducationservicesorastudentsuccessplanmaybedeveloped.

SchoolCounselor

StudentSupportServices

OurcounselorisavailableeverydayatCharlestown.Thecounselorprovidesservicestoallstudents,parents,and staff.Servicesincludeclassroomlessons,smallgroupcounseling,individualcounseling,consultation,andparenteducation.Theparent,theteacher,orthestudent maymakereferrals. Parentsmayreachthecounselorbycallingtheschooloffice.

Psychological Services

Theschoolpsychologistservestheneedsofallourchildren.Whenrequestedandwithparentpermission,thepsychologistwilladministerindividualteststoachild,make recommendationstoteachersandparentsonthefindings,andconsultwithparentsandteachersastheneedindicates.Parentrequestsforpsychologicalservicesmustbereferredtothespecial educationbuildingcoordinator.

SpeechandLanguageServices

Aspeechpathologistservesthechildreninourschool.Aspeechpathologistisavailable toworkwithstudentsweeklyandtoteststudentswhohavebeenreferred throughthespecialeducationprocess.Childrenwhohavebeenreferredforspeechserviceswillnotbetestedoradmittedintothe programwithoutparentpermission.

SpecialEducationServices

Whenrequestedandwithparentpermission,thespecialeducationbuildingcoordinator willadministerindividualteststoachildandmakerecommendationstoteachersandparentsonthefindings.Studentswillnotbeadmittedintothespecialeducationprogramwithoutparentperm1ss1on.Parentrequestsforspecialeducationtestingmustbereferredtothespecialeducationbuildingcoordinator.

Studentsinthespecialeducationprogramwillbemonitoredandreviewedonanannual

basis.

TRANSFERS

Ifyoufinditnecessarytowithdraw/transferyourchildduringtheschoolyear,please notifytheofficeassoonaspossible.Thiswillgivetheteacherstimetocompleteatransfercardforeachchildleaving.Thesetransfercardsmaybetakentothenextschool.Recordsmustbemailedbyustothereceivingschool. Wecannotreleaserecordstoparents/guardians.

VISITORS

VisitorsarealwayswelcomeatCharlestown;however,accordingtoMarylandStateLaw,Article27,ALLVISITORSTOTHESCHOOLMUSTREPORTTOTHEOFFICEbefore

visitinganyclassroomoremployeeassignedtotheschool.Theschool'sfirstresponsibilityistoprovideforthesafetyofourstudents.Undernocircumstanceswillachildbereleasedfromaclassroom,thecafeteria,ortheplaygroundtoanyonewithoutpermissionfromtheoffice.

Allvisitorsshouldusethemainentranceoftheschool.Allotherdoorsarekeptlockedduringschoolhours.

Uponentering,visitorsshouldreporttothemainofficewheretheywillbeaskedtosigninandpickupavisitor'sbadge.Beforeleavingschool,visitorsareaskedtoreturnthebadgetothemainofficeandsignout.

Whenvisitingtheschool,pleasedonotparkinfrontofthebuildinginthedriveway.Itis absolutelynecessarythatthefirelanebekeptopenforbuses,themailtruck,firetrucks,ambulances,etc. Pleaseusetheparkinglotonthesideoftheschool.

WEEKLY COMMUNICATION

Allgradelevelswillbesendinghomesome type ofweeklycommunicator.Theweeklycommunication process will provide parents with important messages from the school and the classroom as well as student work.

Our Vision for Students & Adults:

Achieving, Believing, Succeeding!