PFE 2016-17 Check this out!
Important Back to School Information A-Z
“What Every Parent Needs to Know about PFE”
Main Line: 281-641-2100 Nurse’s Line: 281-641-2105
Counselor’s Line: 281-641-2107 Absence Line: 281-641-2119
Principal: TJ Hall
Assistant Principal: Bethany Harper
Counselor: Jennifer Vandenbrook
Nurse: Jeanelle Moser
ABSENCES
In the event your child is absent, parents MUST call 281-641-2119 to report the absence to school.
Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make the most of his or her education—to benefit from teacher-led and school activities, to build each day’s learning on the previous day’s, and to grow as an individual. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences. Two state laws—one dealing with the required presence of school-aged children in school, e.g., compulsory attendance, the other with how a child’s attendance affects the award of a student’s final grade or course credit—are of special interest to students and parents. Attendance policy and laws are discussed in the Humble ISD Parent/Student Handbook on pages 23-27.
As stated in the Humble ISD Parent/Student handbook, a written excuse for absence is requiredupon returning to school for the absence.
Please remember:
- If student is absent more than 3 consecutive days, a doctor’s note must be submitted.
- For health care or medical appointment, please provide a doctor’s note upon return to school.
- Absence notes should be submitted to the classroom teacher or front office upon return.
If possible, please schedule medical and dental appointments after school. This will minimize loss of valuable instructional time for your child, as well as classroom disruption.
Official Attendance-Taking Time at PFE is 10 AM!
The district must submit attendance of its students to TEA reflecting attendance at a specific time each day. Students not in attendance during the official attendance time of 10 am will be marked absent.
ARRIVAL
The building opens for supervision of students at 7:30 a.m. daily. For student safety, please do not leave your child outside unsupervised prior to 7:30 a.m. Students will report directly to classrooms upon arrival or to the cafeteria for breakfast. Instruction begins at 8:00 a.m. Tardy Bell rings at 8:05 a.m. Students who are present and punctual to school with NO TARDIES will be recognized each nine weeks.
Students should be dropped off in designated driveways closest to the building. For the safety of our students, please do NOT drop off or pick up students at the curbside of West Lake Houston Parkway, Pine Cup Drive, or in the faculty parking lot.
For security, all bikers need to LOCK UP bicycles daily. Bicycles should not be left overnight. No skateboards or roller blades permitted on campus.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS:
Ice cream treats can be purchased through the cafeteria and served at the end of lunch. Distribution of food treats and party invitations are not permitted at school. To order your ice cream treats, contact the Cafeteria Manager, Chawn Johnson 281-641-2108.
CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES
The last hour of the day is very important academic time in the classroom. During this time students receive instruction, homework assignments, practice organizational skills and receive important details for the next school day. We realize that emergencies arise and children must be picked up early. However, when children leave early on a regular basis, classrooms are disrupted and children are deprived of quality instructional time. This is not just a disruption for one student but for each student in the class.
For your child’s safety and to ensure your message is received in time for dismissal, send written requests for early pickup and/or changes in dismissal procedure to the teacher at the beginning of the school day. FAXED NOTE, VOICE MAIL OR EMAIL will NOT be accepted. Unexpected dismissal changes must be made prior to 2:30 through the front office. To prevent being blockedin the front circle drive during dismissal times,parents need to park in the faculty parking lot.
DISMISSAL BEGINS AT:
3:15 Walkers /Bikers/YMCA
3:18 Car Riders
3:20 Bus Riders/Day Care/Car Pools
Your promptness in picking up your child is very important. Supervision is not provided after 3:40. The front office closes at 4:00 p.m.
Dismissal will be at the same time and location daily, rain, shine, sleet, or snow. Walkers and bikers will be held at the school in the front hall until parent picks up student or weather clears. Please discuss a bad weather plan with your child(ren). Dismissal pickup tends to run slow at the beginning of the school year, bad weather days, and activity days. We appreciate your patience.
For the safety of our students, law prohibits cell phone use in school zones including arrival and dismissal lanes. Please be cautious of students by providing them the right of way when crossing lanes.
Car Plaques Required for Car Riders & Car Pools
To expedite the traffic flow and for student security, car plaques must be placed in the passenger side window (front right hand corner) of the vehicle or hung from the rear view mirror with hanger for the duration of the school year.Print your child’s name(s) and grade level neatly in large print on the car plaque with a black marker. Please request extra plaques or replacement plaques from the front office.
Car Poolers
Parent/Guardian of car poolers must present identification to pick up a color coded car pool plaque in the front foyer. Car Poolers are defined as three or more students in one vehicle. Car pools should be dropped off and picked up on the Pine Cup Drive driveway against the curb side of the building at the flagpole. Vehicles need to exit through the outer bus lane not the faculty parking lot.
For the safety of our students, please do not:
- park or pickup students in the bus lane by cafeteria doors.
- drop off or pickup students in the outside lane of the driveway entrance or in the faculty/visitor parking.
Car Riders
All car riders are to be picked up in the front circle drive of the building on West Lake Houston Parkway. Vehicles should form two lanes in the front circle driveway. We recommend picking up Kinder, First,Second and Third graders from the inside lane closest to curb and Fourth and Fifth graders in the outside lane. Older sibling is to dismiss with the younger child.
Communication:
Stay connected to PFE by reading our weekly parent newsletter, The PF Flyer, downloading the Humble Independent School DistrictApp (available on the App Store), by accessing our Pine Forest Elementary website, and following us on Twitter. The PF Flyer is located on the Pine Forest website and via email from the homeroom teacher on Fridays beginning in September. Also check out our new electronic marquee for quick reminders located in front of PFE. See handout in Back to School Packet titled Get Connected(HISD APP) for directions.
Dismissal Locations
Kindergarten will dismiss from Kinder door at ramp.
1st grade will dismiss from the 101/102 hallway.
2ndgrade will dismiss from the 105/106 hallway.
3rd grade will dismiss from the 203/204 hallway.
4th grade and 5th will dismiss from front main hallway.
(4thgrade - seated on cafeteria side of hallway.)
(5th grade - seated on office window side.)
DRESS CODE
Any form of dress or grooming that attracts undue attention, is unsafe, disrupts school, or detracts from the learning process is not acceptable. Please refer to the Humble ISD Parent/Student Handbook for clarification. No short shorts/skirts, spaghetti or halter tops, strapless tops, low cut shirts, hats, or backless shoes including flip flops. No baggie pants revealing under garments permitted.
EARLY RELEASE DATES
Mark your calendars. Please make transportation arrangements for early dismissal times begin at:
11:40 car riders, car poolers, day care,
11:45 bus riders
12 NOON walkers, bikers, YMCA
Lunch will be served. We recommend sack lunches on the following Early Release Days:
August 26
September 14
October 5
October 26,27 (Parent/Teacher Conferences)
November 9
December 16 (Lunch not served.)
February 1
April 5
May 17
June 2 (Lunch not served.)
EMERGENCY
In the event of an emergency where students must be evacuated from PFE, the alternative sites are Oak Forest Elementary 281-641-2800 and second site, Atascocita Middle School
281-641-4600. Notification of alternate site will be communicated through School Messenger/HISD APP and PFE marquee/website.
EXPECTATIONS – The Four Bs
All Panthers will be:“Choose to make it a GREAT day and
Responsible. always look for the BEST in others!”
Respectful.
Safe.
A Learner.
GRADES– eSchool Home Access
Stay informed. Retrieve your child’s grades weekly by logging into the Home Access Center.
- Use internet Explorer (version 5.5 or later) and navigate to the following URL:
- When logging into Home Access Center for the first time, click the ‘here’ link at the
bottom of the window.
- Follow the online instructions to set up a user account. A password will be generated and sent to the email address that the district has on record.
- When you log into the Home Access Center, a default start up page will be displayed. Click
on the tabs at the top of the window to view different areas of Home Access Center.
For assistance accessing Home Access, contact school attendance specialist,
Lisa King at 281-641-2103.
Progress Report Dates: Week of September 19, November 20, February 22, April 24
Report Card Dates: October 28, January 6, March 24, June 2
Home Access App Information coming soon!
ITEMS LEFT AT HOME
To keep classroom interruptions to a minimum, forgotten items should be left on the assigned cart in the front foyer. All items including lunches must be labeled with child’s name and teacher’s name.
LATE WORK POLICY
Assignments and tests must be completed and turned in on the assigned date in order to receive full credit. Any assignment not submitted upon the request of the teacher will be considered late work. Student grades will be deducted no more than 10 total pointsfor late work. A grade of zero (0) will be recorded if the completed assignment has not been turned in by the end of the fifth day. Please monitor your child’s grades weekly on the Home Access Center (HAC).
LOST & FOUND
Please label your child’s belongings with his/her first and last name. Labeled items are returned to your child. The Lost and Found is located by the music room near the front foyer. Lost and Found is cleaned out every nine weeks. Unclaimed items are donated to local charities at the end of each semester (December/June).
MAKEUP WORK POLICY
Immediately upon returning to school, the student must contact teacher(s) concerning make up work and deadlines for completing assignments. Parent/guardian may request make up work from the teacher after a student has been absent for more than three days. Please allow 24 hours for work to be gathered for the student’s absences. Students have one day to make up work for each day absent.
MEALS
Menu Hotline: 281-641-5838
Breakfast: Student $1.40/Adult $2.00 (7:30 am– 7:55 am)
Students eating breakfast at school should arrive prior to 7:45 a.m. to purchase breakfast and eat at the assigned tables in the cafeteria. Cafeteria closes at 7:55 a.m. for students to arrive on time to class.
Lunch: Student $2.20/Adult $3.50
LUNCH TIMES:
10:35-11:05 Kindergarten
11:10-11:40 First Grade
11:00-11:30 Second Grade
11:35-12:05 Third Grade
12:15-12:45 Fourth Grade
11:50-12:20 Fifth Grade
Food is prepared daily based on student lunch count at PFE. If parents are planning to purchase a meal also, please RSVP the cafeteria manager, Chawn Johnson, at 281-641-2108.
To reduce interruptions, we request that fast food be brought to students on Fridays.
Due to Texas Guidelines, providing food for other students is prohibited.
Parents can only bring lunch for their child.
On STAAR Testing Days, please help us to prevent students from rushing through their tests by not visiting during lunch or scheduling appointments for your child. Building IS CLOSED to all visitors on official testing dates including lunch time!
To promote healthy eating habits, money placed into your child’s lunch account is for purchasing one meal at breakfast and/or one meal at lunch. District’s policy is that all purchases come through the child’s account.
All lunch account questions/concerns should be referred to cafeteria manager, Chawn Johnson, at 281-641-2108 or Humble ISD Food Service Department at 281-641-8460.
Food may not be shared by students due to possible food allergies.
PETS
Family pets are not permitted at arrival and dismissal areas nor in the building.
PTA - We encourage you to become a part of our PTA!!!!
The Pine Forest PTA is a volunteer organization made up of our parents and educators dedicated to the welfare, social, and academic enrichment of all students at Pine Forest Elementary. Pine Forest’s PTA works in conjunction with PFE’s staff and its families to identify and support a wide variety of programs and activities to benefit our students and their families.
What has PTA done for our school?
Over the years, the Pine Forest PTA has been instrumental in providing many items and programs for our school. These items include a variety of classroom enrichment materials, literacy library resources, technology (iPad/Chromebook carts), library books, campus beautification projects, and special motivational programs. PTA also supports cultural and educational opportunities for our students and their families through Art, Music, and Literature. Lastly, we work hard to provide fun events for the whole family such as the Fall Festival, our school carnival.
RETEACH/RETEST POLICY:
Our policy is to ensure that students have an opportunity to master the district’s curricular objectives. Re-teaching in the district may be integrated into lessons during guided practice and may be apart of the explanation phase when checking for understanding is done. The teacher will determine when re-teaching should be scheduled. For critical skills, it will be done immediately; for reoccurring skills it may be deferred.
After re-teaching, the teacher may use a variety of reassessment techniques to determine mastery. These techniques may include oral questioning, observation, retesting, demonstration, and an additional assignment, or an alternative for the assignment. This applies to all forms of assessment.
SNACK TIME:
Snack time during the school day varies by teacher schedule. Healthy snacks should only be eaten during designated times. Snacks are not permitted during arrival and dismissal time. Snacks may not be shared by students due to possible food allergies.
SPECIAL PFE EVENTS: “Save the Date!”
Wisdom Wednesdays – Wear a college shirt.
Spirit Fridays – Show your Panther Pride by wearing red or a school spirit shirt.
September 20Fall Student Picture Day
October 15Fall Fest - School Carnival sponsored by the PFE PTA
November 11 Veteran’s Day Tribute
November 18 Thanksgiving Feast
December 15Polar Express Day & Kinder Winter Party (2:00)
December 16Grades 1-5 Winter Parties (10:30)
January31Spring Picture Day (individual, class, and club)
February 10Friendship Parties - Grades K-5 (2:00)
April/May TBASuper Kids Day - Grades K-5
May/June TBAEnd of Year Awards Day Celebrations and Picnics Grades K-5
Plus Performances, Field Trips, & much more!!!!!
Check out our Pine Forest Website throughout the school year for details of Special Events!
STAAR:
The State of Texas of Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The TEKS are designed to prepare students to succeed in college and careers and to compete globally. STAAR is designed as a vertical system; just as the TEKS are structured with alignment of one grade level to the next. STAAR Assessment is given to students in grades 3-5.
Please mark the following dates on your calendar. Avoid absences or making appointments on these dates. Encourage your child to get a good night sleep the night prior to testing (at least 8 hours) and to eat a healthy breakfast.
Please no visitors on the testing dates listed below:
March 28 - Math – Grade 5, Writing - Grade 4
March 29 - Reading – Grade 5
May 8 - Math – Grades 3 & 4, Grade 5 Retest
May 9 - Reading – Grades 3 & 4, Grade 5 Retest
May 10 – Science - Grade 5
TARDY POLICY
Classes begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Tardy Bell rings at 8:05 a.m.
Please help us to instill positive work ethic in our students by being punctual and present.
At Pine Forest, all students K-5th grade are expected to be responsible by attending school regularly and by being on time to class for three important reasons:
1) To derive maximum benefits from the instructional program.
2) To develop life long habits of punctuality, self discipline, and responsibility.
3) To prevent disruption to instruction in the class.
Discipline measures will be addressed for excessive tardiness and late pick ups (after 3:40).
Tardy Consequences per Nine Weeks:
4th Tardy – Parent notification by teacher
5th Tardy – Referral to Administration
VISITORS:
Parents, guardians, and volunteers are welcome. To ensure the safety of our children, please check in at the security vestibule in the front foyer by presenting your driver’s license each time you visit our school and by wearing your visitor’s badge for identification on your upper body.Prior to leaving, return your badge to the front foyer for check out.
On field trip days, parents are encouraged to meet in the parking lot and follow the bus or wait in the foyer for departure.
Please remember, no visitors on STAAR testing days.
Visiting the Classroom Areas of the Building -