Amboy Elementary
Parent Informational Packet
2017-2018
Amboy Elementary “Rockets”
101 Auburn Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118
Phone: 501-771-8185Fax: 501-771-8187
Allen E. Pennington, Principal
Abby Stone, Assistant Principal
Amboy Elementary
101 Auburn Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118
Allen E. Pennington, Principal
August 14, 2017
Welcome Parents and Students,
Welcome to a new school year. My name is Allen E. Pennington, and I am the Principal of Amboy Elementary School.
I am excited about the year ahead and am looking forward to a great school year.
We have many wonderful activities and learning experiences that your child will have an opportunity to participate in throughout the year. It will be our focus to provide each child with new challenges that will result in a positive and rewarding school experience. Academic emphasis on the core content areas of reading, language arts, science, social studies, and math will remain a priority as well as providing a personalized learning program that builds on each year to reach local and state standards. Instruction in the fine arts (music & art), technology, and physical education complete our program providing each student with the opportunity to develop areas of interest and skill.
As we begin this year, please remember that this is your school, and we welcome your involvement. I truly believe it takes a village to raise a child. Since we recognize that parents are their children’s first and most important teachers, we need your cooperation and involvement to provide them with the best education possible. Take time to talk with your children about their school experiences. Your interest and concern in their school progress will propel them to do their best. It is important that you continue contact with your children’s teachers and with me. Feel free to ask questions and communicate concerns so that we can build a partnership, which will ensure student achievement.
Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions. I look forward to fostering a close working relationship with you and your child throughout the school year to provide a productive and safe learning environment that supports student success.
Sincerely,
Allen E. Pennington, Principal
Amboy Elementary School
Amboy 2017-2018 Staff Assignments
(Subject to change)
Principal / Pennington, Allen / Assistant Principal / Abby StoneSpeech / Dukat, Heather / Special Education / Tibbs, Robin
Grade Pre K / Franklin,Calesha / Reading Recovery / Stacy, Leslie
Grade Pre K / Felton, Terri / Reading Recovery / Cathey, Kasey
Grade K / Dellinger, Kelsey / ELL / Moore, Audrey
Grade K / Weaver, Julie / Quest / Reyes-Lovins, Elena
Grade K / Goodwin, Katherine / OT / Sobkoviak, Julie
Grade K / Hritz, Rachel / PT / Roach, DeAnn
Grade 1 / Clement, Leslie / Nurse / Montgomery, Melissa
Grade 1 / McCall, Molly / Computer Lab / Privett, Brittany
Grade 1 / Arnold, Stefanie / Pre K Aide / Adams, LaShunda
Grade 2 / Pullen, Kirstin / Pre K Aide / Watson, Pam
Grade 2 / Hoanzl, Casey / ALE-Instructional Aide / Parker, Bentron
Grade 2 / Hill, Holly / Para Pro/ISS / Knowles, Tammy
Grade 3 / Crawford, Alicia / Instructional Aide / McBride, Gale
Grade 3 / Havens, Jessamy / ALE-Para Pro / Jones, Manuel
Grade 3 / Jones, Trinity / K Aide / Whittington, Ernetta
Grade 3/4 / Scott, Marcia / K Aide / Steverson, Ethelrene
Grade 4 / Moss, Karen / Principal Secretary / Skaggs, Jennifer
Grade 4 / Simmons, Klevon / Office Secretary / Kelley, TraNita
Grade 5- Math / McAuliffe, Tracy / Lead Custodian / Bryant, Ruthie
Grade 5-Literacy / Hutson, Hallie / Night Custodian / Pinkerton, Chad
Grade 5-Science / Slicer, Amy*** / Night Custodian / Dulaney, Marquis
Grade 5 (ALE) / Casavechia, Natalie / Crossing Guard/L Aide / Airoldi, Robert
PE / Gooch, Jeff / Crossing Guard/L Aide / Mariner, Shayla
Media / Orobona, Stephanie / Crossing Guard/L Aide / Matthews, Beverly
Music / Brewster, Elizabeth / Cafeteria Mgr. / Love, Caroline
Art / Penny, Teresa / Cafeteria / Harris, Claudia
Science Coach/ Interventionist 3-5 / Stell, Michell / Cafeteria / Evans, Tina
Literacy Coach K-5 / Rayburn, Andrea / Cafeteria / Williams, Jean
Counselor / Welch, Mary Claire
Literacy Interventionist / Wages, Courtney
*** Pending Board Approval
Amboy Elementary Mission/Vision Statement
We, the parents, staff, students, and community of Amboy Elementary continually strive for a school where students become responsible, life-long learners in a safe and enriched learning environment. All stake-holders will work as partners to foster student achievement and academic success to prepare world class students for a global society. Strengths are celebrated and diversity welcomed!
(subject to change)
Parent Center
Amboy Elementary School’s Parent Center, located in the main office, and accessible Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., offers many valuable resources that allow parents and teachers to work together as teams. The resources include audiovisuals (upon request), magazines, and take-home pamphlets. The collection is updated regularly, and is maintained by Ms. Stephanie Orobona, our media specialist.
School Times
Please Remember: Any time a student is tardy or checked out, this will affect his/her perfect attendance.
- 7:00a.m.-7:50a.m. Breakfast/Morning Routines
- 7:50a.m. Tardy Bell/ Moment of Silence/ Announcements
- 7:51 a.m. Class Instruction Begins
- 2:00p.m. Doors Locked (No students will be checked out after this time.)
- 2:30p.m. Instructional Day Ends/Dismissal
Your child's safety is very important to us. We have put systems in place to promote safety for every student. With your assistance and cooperation, this should be a successful process.
ENTERING THE BUILDING:
ALL visitors are asked to go to the office first, sign in, and obtain a visitor’s pass in order to go throughout the building. Pre-K parents may escort their student(s) to the outside classroom doors and sign them in. Parents that arrive after 7:50 p.m. must enter the office, sign the student(s) in tardy, and escort the student(s) to the outside classroom doors.
MORNING ARRIVAL:
*7:00 a.m. – 7:50 a.m. Breakfast/Morning Routine: As you enter the building, feel free to escort your child to the cafeteria to eat breakfast or to their grade level wing to be seated on the floor. Feel free to drop off any materials to the class room. There will be staff members in various areas to assist. After Wednesday, August 17, 2016, each visitor will be required to stop by the office, sign the visitor’s sheets, and get a pass before having access to the main areas. All students will go to the cafeteria to eat breakfast if desired. Students arriving on buses will enter the school through the single door under the awning. All other students will enter the front of the building and walk in a single-file line to the cafeteria for breakfast. As your child arrives daily, they are encouraged to enter the building in an orderly manner. If they are going to eat breakfast, they will go directly to the cafeteria. If they choose not to eat, they must go to their grade level wing and be seated quietly in the discovery area until their teacher arrives to escort them to class. There will be duty staff to receive them each morning. If you are bringing your student to class in the morning, please help us and the flow of traffic by parking your car in a parking space out of the drop off lane. Remember to sign in on the visitors’ sheet and get a pass. To ensure safety for students, any adult without a pass will be instructed to return to the office to obtain one.
Parents of car riders are asked to drive in the drop of lane in front of the school to drop-off your student(s). Please pull up as far as possible. There will be morning duty staff there to assist with the flow of traffic and to ensure your child enters the building safely. Please refrain from exiting your vehicle or parking in the drop-off lane. This slows up the flow of traffic.
*7:50 a.m. -2:30 p.m. Instructional Hours: If you need to visit with a teacher, please call the office to schedule a conference. Feel free to also reach teachers via email and phone calls. If your child arrives after 7:50 a.m., a parent or guardian is required to come in the building and sign them in at the office. If you choose to visit the classroom, you are only allowed to visit no more than fifteen (15) minutes. Remember, this is instruction time, not time to hold a conference or evaluate the teacher (that is my responsibility). This is your opportunity to observe your child.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES:
*2:30 p.m. End of Instruction/Dismissal: When the bell rings, any student that is riding buses and daycare vans will be seated in the cafeteria. They will wait until given permission to exit the back of the building by duty staff. Parents are asked not to drive to the back to get any students. In order for our buses and daycare vans to have a clear path to leave, please refrain from parking near the curb near the back of the school or in the flow of traffic. Please utilize available parking spaces. We also ask all parents of students that walk to remain outside by the flagpole or near the back doors to receive your student(s). They will be escorted out by a member of the staff. During inclement weather, please feel free to wait under the awning and against the wall not to block the flow of traffic coming out of those doors.
Car riders will be seated in the main hallway near the office and K-1 wing. They must wait until the duty staff calls their name to exit the front of the building. Parents are asked to drive in the pick-up lane near the curb, closest to the building, to receive your student(s). You will receive a decal with your student(s) name on it to display in your front windshield to help us identify your child quickly. Students will be waiting inside until they are called by a staff member to exit the building and load into their vehicle. Please refrain from exiting your car and walking to the building to receive your child. Please remain in your vehicle.(After the first week of school, we will not call ANY student from the door.) Once you leave the parking lot, please exit to the right that leads to MacArthur Drive in order to ensure a steady flow of traffic.
*Any changes in transportation must be in writing and must include your signature and date and given to the students teacher. *
For safety reasons, we are asking that the building is clear of parents between 2:20 p.m. -2:30 p.m. Pre-K parents must park in available parking spots to avoid slowing down or stopping the flow of traffic.
Please remember that every child's safety is our first priority. Again, your assistance and cooperation is greatly appreciated.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Parents are the key. Research indicates that you are the most powerful influence in your child’s career choice.
At Amboy Elementary School, we want parents to be involved and to feel welcome. When parents are involved, students achieve more regardless of socio-economic status, racial background, or the parents’ educational level. Higher student achievement is related to parent involvement. Research shows that higher grades and test scores, better attendance, and completed homework are a result of parent involvement.
This Parent Informational Packet will provide resources and information to help you become involved in the education of your child. The following items are included in this packet:
- Important phone numbers and web addresses
- Ways for parents to be involved at Amboy Elementary
- Activities planned by the Parental Involvement Committee
- How parents can communicate in a regular, two-way, and meaningful manner with your child’s teacher and the school principal
If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We want to work together with you to help your child reach his or her full potential.
ABSENCES & EXCUSES
In accordance with Board policy, only the following absences shall be considered excused absences, provided that in such instances parental confirmation has been received for the reason of the absence:
1. Illness
2. The existence of a family emergency or other family situations which have received prior approval by the principal;
3. Death or serious illness in the immediate family;
4. Observance of recognized holidays observed by his/her faith; or
5. Attendance at a medical appointment or an appointment with government agency.
All other absences will be unexcused.
When a student returns to school after being absent, he/she shall bring a written statement within five (5) school daysfrom the parents with an explanation of the reason for the absence and the date of the absence. Students who have unexcused tardies or absences shall be disciplined accordingly. No makeup work shall be allowed if the absence is unexcused.
How to contact us and acquire information
Administrative Director of Elementary Education, Ms. Rosie Coleman:
AmboyElementary School Phone Number: 501-771-8185
Amboy Elementary School Fax Number: 501-907-5736
North Little Rock School District Web Site, which includes a link to Amboy Elementary School:
Principal, Mr. Allen E. Pennington:
Assistant Principal, Mrs. Abby Stone:
Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Mary Claire Welch:
Principal’s Secretary, Ms. Jennifer Skaggs:
Office Secretary, Ms.TraNita Kelley:
Parent Facilitator: Mrs. Courtney Wages:
Parent Teacher Conferences – Don’t Miss Them!!!
Parent conferences and other school sponsored events are critical for staying informed about your child’s progress, viewing samples of your child’s work, and sharing ideas for improvement. As conferences are usually tightly scheduled, be sure to arrive on time or early to get the most of the meeting.
Remember one of the main purposes of the parent conferences is to address your concerns. So, don’t feel as if you are putting the teacher out by asking questions. If you have specific questions, make a list beforehand. This will ensure all your concerns are addressed.
Also, don’t be shy if you have advice to offer about your child. No one knows your child better than you do, and the teacher will benefit greatly from your ideas.
Parent Teacher Conferences are planned for the following dates:
- September 21& 22, 2017
- February 15 & 16, 2017
More information about these conferences will come in the future. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to talk to your child’s teacher, contact the office at 501-771-8185. By working together we can ensure your child’s educational journey is a success!!
Dear Parents,
Please remember that North Little Rock School District requires students to abide by district dress code. Listed below is the dress code required for students K-8.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to give me a call at 501-771-8185.
Thank you so much for your cooperation,
Allen E. Pennington, Principal
Amboy Elementary School
Student Uniform Dress Code:
Our uniform colors are:
Shirts:
Any solid colored polo shirt with no logos
Bottoms:
Solid Navy or Solid Khaki (NO JEANS)
Shoes:
Open-toed shoes, shoes with wheels, sandals, and slides are prohibited
Backpacks:
Clear or Mesh Only
Parents will be contacted, by the teacher, (verbal or written) if students are out of uniform.
ACT ASPIRE TESTING
Arkansas law requires that all public school students shall participate in a statewide program of educational assessments per Ark. Code Ann. §§ 6-15-419, 6-15-433, 6-15-2009. The Arkansas State Board of Education has adopted the ACT Aspire summative assessment for the 2015-16 school year.
The ACT Aspire end-of-year summative assessment will be used to assess all Arkansas public school students in grades 3-10 unless they qualify for an alternate assessment. Each student will participate in English, reading, writing, math and science tests.
Important Dates
PARENT CONFERENCE DATES
September 21 & 22, 2017
February 15 & 16, 2017
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
(No Students)
January 2, 2017
March 16, 2017
NO SCHOOL
September 4, 2017Labor Day
November 20 - 24, 2017Fall Break
December 18 - January 1Winter Break
January 2, 2017Teacher Work Day
March 19 – 23, 2017Spring Break
May 28, 2017Memorial Day
May 25, 2017Last Day of School
May 29 – June 1, 2017Inclement Weather Make Up
Breakfast and Lunch Fees
Great news for you and your elementary student(s)!
All elementary students in the North Little Rock School District can receive a free healthy breakfast and lunch at school during the 2017-2018 school year.
You do not have to pay any money or fill out any forms.
You do need to send your elementary child(ren) to school between the hours of 7:20 and 7:50 a.m. Breakfast will be part of the academic day. Lunch will be served by scheduled grade.
Our school is getting free meals for all elementary students as part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) through a choice for schools called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). We are excited and ready to serve our elementary students, plus save you time and
money.
AdultsBreakfast$2.10
Lunch$3.75
Extra milk $0.45
ABOUT AMBOY ELEMENTARY
Principal: Allen E. Pennington
Assistant Principal: Abby Stone
Number of students: 450
Number of certified staff: 31
Number of classified staff: 7
Number of other support staff: 24
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Gifted and Talented Program – QUESTSTRIVE
Fully Automated Media CenterTitle 1 School
NLRHS – STARSReading RecoveryMath Olympiad
Full Time CounselorResource ClassesParent Center