ALBURTIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

STUDENT AND PARENT INFORMATION

General Information

Daily time schedule

Wednesday early dismissal

Emergency school closings

Kindergarten modified schedule

Faculty and Staff Page

Absences and Illnesses

Drug Policy

Homework

Indoor recess

Information changes

Lock down drills

Lunch costs

Medical information

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Parking and Safety

Report cards

School calendar

School concerns

Special instructions from parents

Student behavior

Weapons

Daily Time Schedule

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Office hours

8:40 a.m. - 8:55 a.m.Students arrive

No students should be in the building before 8:40

8:55 a.m.Opening exercises/instructional day begins

3:30 p.m.Dismissal begins (except Wednesdays when dismissal

begins at 1:30 p.m.)

8:55 a.m. -11:35 a.m.A.M. Kindergarten schedule

12:25 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.P.M. Kindergarten schedule except Wednesdays

All elementary schools in the East Penn School District dismiss at 1:30 pm every Wednesday.

If serious weather conditions make travel dangerous, the district will either close school or operate on a delayed schedule. Listen early to your local radio or TV station during these times for altered schedules. Please note that a delay may turn into a closing if weather conditions fail to improve. Parents are requested not to call the schools regarding school closings; the announcements will be made frequently enough to make telephone calls unnecessary.

Early dismissals due to threatening weather or unexpected events will be announced in the same manner. Always make certain that your child knows where to go when no one is at home. If someone else is to pick up your child on such days the school must be notified. Without your consent we cannot release your child to any other individual.

Any emergency evacuation or dismissal during the school day will be announced on local radio and TV stations.

The Kindergarten Modified Schedule will be in effect for delayed starts and parent conferences. Following is the information you will need.

1. One hour delay: The morning session begins one hour late.

AM students report to bus stops or school building one hour late.

The PM session will follow the regular schedule.

2. Two hour delay:

AM students ride the regular bus with pickup delayed two hours

and report to school for a 10:55 start. Dismissal will be at 12:35 p.m. -

one hour later than usual.

PM students will ride the regular bus with pickup delayed one hour

and report to school at 1:25 p.m. - one hour later than usual.

Dismissal will remain at the regular time - 3:30 p.m.

1. AM students follow normal bus pickup times and starting time -

8:55 a.m. Dismissal will be at 10:35 a.m.

2. PM students will ride the regular bus with pickup moved up one

hour and report to school at 11:25 a.m. - one hour earlier than usual.

Dismissal will be at 1:30 p.m. with the other students.

When your child is ill the evening before or day of school, please keep him/her at home. Children who run a fever, vomit, experience diarrhea, coughing, or sore throat or other cold/flu related symptoms are not ready for a rigorous day of school. They need at least 24 hours rest before returning to school.

When your child is absent from school a standard excuse card which is furnished by the school district must be completed and sent back to school on the day the child returns. This excuse card should indicate the dates of absence, the reason for absence, and the signature of the parent or guardian. The excuse card must be returned within three school days with an acceptable reason for absence or the absence must be noted as illegal.

The misuse of drugs is a serious problem with legal, physical and social implications for the school and community. Drug use, possession and/or distribution on school property are forbidden. Persons carrying or storing unauthorized drugs or inhalants of any kind will be disciplined according to the EPSD Board Drug Awareness Policy.

Homework is an integral part of the learning process and an important component of the curriculum. Evaluation of school progress at all instructional levels includes performance in home assignments as well as in class work.

Following are guidelines generally followed by our teachers. Homework will be assigned on a regular basis, Monday through Thursday for all students in grades 1 and 2. Some exceptions may result because of special circumstances.

Grade 1 - 10-15 minutes TOTAL

Grade 2 - 15-20 minutes TOTAL

It is important that parents be aware of their child’s teacher’s homework policy, provide a suitable study area for the child in the home, encourage independence in completion of homework assignments and be available to assist in reinforcement of basic skills. Please contact your child’s teacher if concerns or questions arise about homework.

In order to provide children with a change of environment at least once during the day, children will go outside every possible day after lunch. We ask that parents monitor daily weather forecasts and send children dressed appropriately with gloves/mittens, hats, and warm footwear if needed.

Indoor recess is held when the weather is too severe to permit outside recess. Factors such as the air temperature, wind chill, precipitation, etc. are taken into account when determining whether children will be permitted to go outside for recess. However, it is probably best to presume that outdoor recess will be held and plan accordingly unless extremes in weather exist.

It is important to notify the school of any change of telephone number, address, emergency number, or place of employment of either parent.

Lock down drills are regularly held to practice procedures that allow us to quickly secure the building if needed.

Please check the EPSD school calendar or the East Penn web site and click on Food Service for information about the school lunch program.

•Emergency cards - During the first week of school, your child will receive two Emergency Cards from his/her teacher. These cards must be kept up-to-date throughout the year so please make certain that you contact the office when there is a change in address, telephone number or parental status.

•Illness - See Absence/Illness section

•Taking Medication at School - See attachment at end of handbook

Our school’s PTO is an active, interested, and involved group of parents who do wonderful things for our school. Please read all the information you receive from them and seriously consider giving of your time and talents to help all the children in our school.

At Alburtis it is imperative that no one park in the bus loading/unloading zone immediately in front of the building at any time. Bus traffic makes it a dangerous place for anyone in that vicinity and we want to take all necessary safety precautions to assure that everyone’s safety is foremost in our minds. Therefore, we request that all parking be in the designated spots on the side of the building. All children must be accompanied by an adult when they cross the parking lot area or street at all times.

Written progress reports are issued in January, April and June in kindergarten. Students in grades one and two receive report cards every nine weeks or four times during a school year.

The East Penn School District publishes an annual calendar that contains important dates, telephone numbers, policies, medical information, snow emergency bus stops, school board meetings, and much more. Each family will receive one calendar when the school year begins.

When parents feel that they have a school concern or problem, they should be addressed directly to the person involved. If the situation is not resolved, the next proper recourse is consulting with the principal. We would appreciate cooperation from all parents regarding this procedure.

When it is necessary for a child to deviate from his normal routine, a note from the parents must be presented to the teacher. These changes include riding or walking to an address other than his/her own, being picked up by a parent when the student usually walks or rides the bus, etc.

One of our goals is teaching students to behave in an appropriate manner and to take responsibility for all their actions. This responsibility is the key to good conduct and proper consideration for other people. Students showing disrespect or violating the classroom, cafeteria, or playground rules will be disciplined accordingly.

Repeated or serious offenses will result in a referral to the principal and/or involvement of the parents to resolve the situation.

The district’s School Board Weapons Policy states that weapons and replica weapons are forbidden on school property. The possession or use of any instrument to harm, threaten, or harass another person could result in suspension, expulsion, and involvement with local police. The School Board and staff members are serious about maintaining a safe environment for everyone. Parental support is a must, so please monitor what your child brings to school. Our school has a "zero tolerance" policy for weapons.