PARENT/STUDENT INFORMATION

Halethorpe Elementary School
Mission Statement

Halethorpe Elementary School is a community of teachers, students, administrators, families, and support staff dedicated to providing a caring, safe, nurturing, and intellectually stimulating environment, where students are challenged to maximize their unique potential to become life long learners and responsible citizens.

ATTENDANCE

To maintain good scholastic performance, students must attend school regularly. The State of Maryland sets standards for attendance at 94% for satisfactory (absent no more than 11 days per school year) and 96% for excellent (absent for no more than 7 days per school year.) It is also very important that your child arrives to school on time each and every day.

We are proud that we have reached Excellent status for attendance and we continue to strive to maintain this status.

All absences must be accounted for on the day the students return. Students are required to present a note to their homeroom teacher upon return to school. The note must include date(s) absent, reason for absence, and parent/ guardian signature.

If a student is ill and absent for more than 5 days, he/she must present a doctor's certificate. Absence notes and certificates are kept on file. Absences without notes (within 5 school days) will be coded as "unexcused." Vacations will be coded as "unexcused absences", based on BCPS policy. It is suggested that parents make a written request that work be provided if the child is absent due to a vacation. Letters will be sent quarterly to keep parents informed of absences and/or lateness if they exceed 4 for that quarter.

AWARDS CRITERIA
ATTENDANCE:

• No more than 2 absences or tardiness.
  Certificate enclosed with report card.

EFFORT:

• 13 "1's and/or 2's" for effort - includes all areas.
  Certificate enclosed with report card.

FIRST HONOR ROLL:

• 4 or more A's, B's for all other academic subjects. Certificate enclosed with report card.

SECOND HONOR ROLL:

• Combination of A's and B's and no C's for academic subjects. Certificate enclosed with report card.

HIGH FLYERS:

• Students who meet the criteria for effort, and either first or second honors, students must meet the grade level requirement for reading, and have satisfactory attendance. Students will receive a special discount certificate to be used at local businesses and will be invited to participate in a special activity each quart. 

BEELINE
Read The Beeline to your child and/or let your child read The Beeline to you. What a meaningful way to learn all that you can about the exciting things that are going on at Halethorpe!

BOOKS OF HONOR
Books of Honor may be donated to the Halethorpe Elementary School Library to commemorate a special birthday, to wish someone well, to honor someone who has passed away, or for any reason in the world. See Mrs. Thurston for details and a form or check in The Beeline.

BUS STOP SAFETY
Children of all ages should be properly supervised at the bus stop each morning. If children arrive at the stop too early or if there is no adult supervision, the children may be at risk for potential danger. Parents should make arrangements so that children are safe from oncoming traffic, potential strangers, altercations with each other, etc., by supervising the children yourself or by working it out with your neighbors to take turns watching the children.

CAFETERIA POLICY
An account can be opened where money is deposited and your child can use a debit type card, which is kept in the cafeteria so money does not need to be carried to school - each day. Our Cafeteria Manager would be happy to discuss this with you and answer any questions that you may have. Please call her at (410) 887-1406.

Children who arrive in the cafeteria without lunch or lunch money will not be permitted to return to their classrooms or use the phone in the office at lunchtime. They will be given two options. They will be permitted to borrow lunch money as long as they have no outstanding debts from previous loans.
they will be given the option of cheese & crackers or peanut butter & jelly, which will be provided at no charge.

Please remind your child to remember to bring his or her lunch and/or lunch money to the cafeteria.

School Breakfast: 8:50-9:15am* *Free for those who qualify. Reduced - $.30 for those who qualify.
$1- for all other students.

School Lunch: 11:10am-1:30pm* *Free for those who qualify. Reduced - $.40 for those who qualify.
$2.50 - for all other students. Applications for free and reduced lunch are available in the front office. Please complete the application to be considered for free and reduced meals.

CARRIERS
The youngest child in the school is the "carrier" and will receive all school notices to - take home for the other children in his/her family.

CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT
It is the legal responsibility of a teacher and an administrator to report suspected child abuse or neglect. The procedures are very specific. They will be reviewed in detail with all staff members at the beginning of each school year when each teacher will be given a copy of the current procedures.

CHILD CUSTODY INFORMATION
In cases of marital separation, we are being asked with greater frequency by custodial parents to deny certain legal rights to non-custodial parents. The following information indicates the position of the Baltimore County Public Schools on such matters.

1. Baltimore County Public Schools must at all times take a neutral position in these cases and remain totally removed from the marital conflict.
2. Records and access to information are accessible to non-custodial parents under law unless there is a court order stating otherwise.
3. In addition to accessibility of records, we cannot deny to non-custodial parents the right to see and converse with their child under the same conditions custodial parents are allowed to do so in the school unless there is a court order on file stating otherwise. The burden of proof for verifying this rests with the custodial parent and not the school.
4. If children change residence to live with non-custodial parents causing ~ transfer of schools, the records must follow the children. A custodial parent, under these conditions, cannot ask that records be held up as a means to force the return of the children.
5. For children living with one of the separated parents, we must assume in the absence of any legal evidence to the contrary the parent with whom they live will be responsible for decisions regarding educational programs, release of records, etc.

CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM
The PTA provides funding for our cultural arts programs for students. A schedule of these programs will be distributed at the beginning of each school year. Programs support the curriculum and tie in to our school-wide values program. A student is selected from each class monthly and is honored at our monthly assembly for displaying outstanding values, for meeting a personal goal, or for showing improvement in the values in the Halethorpe Code.

DISCIPLINE - STUDENT The entire school recites the Halethorpe Code each morning.

1. I am responsible.
2. I am respectful.
3. I am prepared.
4. I am safe.
5. 1 am compassionate.
6. I am honest.
7. I appreciate differences in all people.

Students are responsible for their behavior. Teachers are responsible for monitoring student behavior and for communicating to the parents when there is a problem or concern. Teachers have the full support of the administration in enforcing the guidelines established in the Student Behavior Handbook. Sending students to the office should be the LAST resort in the disciplining of a student. Parent contact by the teacher early is essential in dealing with a student discipline pattern. Documentation of student behavior is essential to gain parent support.
Interim progress reports are also used as a way to alert parents about behavior concerns in addition to academic concerns.

A copy of the behavior referral is sent home with each child who is referred to the office due to a discipline problem. A parent's signature is required. Lunch detention, after school detention, or in school detention are used as a consequence when necessary. A required parent conference is used when other means of discipline fails. A suspension from school will result if a child has violated the guidelines in the student behavior handbook. Chronic disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. The guidance counselor and/or school . psychologist will be involved in helping resolve chronic behavior problems.

DRESS CODE GUIDELINES
Students are expected to dress modestly. Students are prohibited to wear skintight clothing. (leggings are an exception) Undergarments should not be visible.
Students are prohibited to wear clothing with foul or unacceptable language or language pertaining to alcohol, drugs, sex, smoking, etc. Skirts/shorts must be reasonable length. Pants must be at waist level and cover undergarments completely even when a shirt is not tucked in.

If baggy pants are worn, a belt must be worn to keep them at waist level. Pants cannot be worn a way that would put a child in danger of tripping or falling. Students are expected to wear appropriate shoes for physical education on assigned days along with proper attire.

No make up, skin glitter, or rainbow colored hair dye or paint permitted. Shoes must be supportive and protective of children's feet.

For students in ~grades 4 & 5:

• Students are prohibited to wear bare midriff shirts or blouses. Students are prohibited to wear spaghetti string tops.

EARLY PICK UP FROM SCHOOL
When it is necessary for you to pick up your children from school early for a doctor's appointment, dental appointment, etc. the children are to remain in the classroom until the parent arrives at school. When you arrive in the office, we will call your child down to the office to be dismissed. Students will be released to a parent or designee listed on the child's emergency card only if the office has been informed by the parent.

FIELD TRIPS
Field trips are encouraged when they support, enhance, and supplement the curriculum. A reasonable number of trips will be planned each year. Money cannot be refunded for transportation costs or for any prepaid ticket or admission prices. All money and permission slips must be into the office at least three days prior to the trip. Please send in payment by check or provide the exact amount for field trips, pictures, and other payments made. It is helpful if you would pay for each payment requested separately in order to maintain accurate bookkeeping_ records.
Parents of students who do not have the funds for a field trip should contact the teacher or principal in writing so that other arrangements can be made. The PTA has a fund to help defray the cost of field trips for special circumstances.

HOMEWORK POLICY
The purpose of homework is to provide reinforcement of a skill for the purpose of student improvement. It can also serve as a tool for communication with the parent regarding the child's progress as well as an indication of what is being covered in class.

For primary grades:
up to thirty minutes per night is considered reasonable.

For intermediate grades: up to one hour.

Children should have an opportunity to read nightly. If your child is spending a great deal of time on homework or if the homework is confusing or too difficult, please communicate this to your child's teacher. Use the student planner as a communication tool. Help support your child by monitoring assignments to make sure they are completed. Please provide a quiet place so that your child can work with interruptions kept to a minimum.

HOMEROOM PARENTS We need one Room Parent from every classroom to help coordinate special class activities and events. The "Room Parent" will contact parents of the children in the homeroom when help is needed.
Any parent who wishes to be a "Room Parent" should indicate so on the PTA volunteer form given to you in September. A parent volunteer coordinator will contact parents who wish to volunteer.

INCLEMENT WEATHER & SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION
The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for the final decision, based on available information and in consultation with transportation and other directors.

The safety of Baltimore County's children and employees is the most important factor in determining whether or not to close or delay school. School officials consider current road conditions, current precipitation and forecasts for weather throughout the day, amount of snow or ice already on the ground or roads, building and parking lot conditions, temperature, and other factors. The superintendent strives to make any decision by 5:30 am before many buses begin their routes and in time to notify radio and television stations. Sometimes, however, the decision is unable to be made until later in the morning. School system closings or delays will be announced by the following media outlets or by calling the Baltimore County Public Schools main telephone line at (410) 887-5555.

TELEVISION:
WBAL (NBC, Channel 11)
WMAR (ABC, Channel 2)
WJZ (CBS, Channel 13)
WBFF (FOX, Channel 45)
The Education Channel (Comcast Cable Channel 73)

RADIO:
WBAL (1090 AM)
WLIF (102 FM)
WPOC (93.1 FM)
WQSR (105.7)
WTTR (1470 AM)
WGRX (100.7 FM)
WXYV (103 FM)
WCBM (680 AM)
WRBS (95.1 FM)
SHADOW NEWS (92Q)
METRO NEWS STATIONS

THE INDEPENDENT LEARNER

• An independent learner is one who:
• Follows written and or directions step-by-step the first time given. Comes to the task prepared with material and eager to learn.
• Asks necessary questions.
• Completes homework and class-work accurately, neatly, and on time.
• Uses available resources, (word lists, charts, dictionaries, thesauruses).
• Tries to proofread and check for logical answers.

MEDICATION
Students are never permitted TV take their own medication. The school nurse will strictly enforce the school medication policy as established by the Health Department. All medication brought to school l students is to be promptly delivered to the school nurse. Doctors' orders are to accompany a prescription if it to be dispensed in school by the nurse.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION All students must wear athletic shoe/tennis shoes in order to participate in physical education classes. This policy is for your child's safety. Athletic shoes/tennis shoes provide better support to the foot and ankle during vigorous physical] activity and should have shoelaces or Velcro to keep the shoe securely on your child's foot. No platform or clog tern shoes are allowed. Therefore, in the best interest of your child's safety, any shoe other than an athletic shoe/ tennis shoe is not appropriate footwear for physical education class. PLAYGROUND SAFETY Students are not permitted to be on the playground before school or after school during dismissal, unless a parent or adult is with them to
supervise.

1. NO RUNNING OR TAG GAMES INSIDE THE PLAYGROUND AREA.
2. NO PLAYING WITH OR THROWING WOOD CHIPS IN THE
   PLAYGROUND AREA.
3. NO SITTING OR STANDING ON TOP OF ANY EQUIPMENT.
4. NO JUMPING OFF ANY EQUIPMENT AT HIGH LEVELS.
5. NO OVER CROWDING PIECES OF EQUIPMENT.
6. WATCH FOR OTHER CHILDREN'S FINGERS WHEN CLIMBING.
7. NO RUNNING OR CLIMBING UP THE SLIDING BOARDS. ALWAYS GO DOWN ON YOUR BACK SIDES WITH FEET FIRST.
8. STUDENTS SHOULD .WAIT PATIENTLY FOR THEIR TURN.
9. ONLY ONE PERSON AT A TIME ON THE SLIDING BOARDS, CLIMBING LADDERS AND CLIMBING RINGS.
10. NO RUNNING OR WALKING UNDER THE CLIMBING LADDER WHEN SOMEONE IS USING IT.

RULES FOR KIDS TO SURF BY
ust as in the real world, danger exists for children in the online world. To make the Internet a safe experience for kids, Larry Magid, founder of the SafeKids Web site, www.safekids.com, offers this contract for parents to share with their children:

• I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents' permission.
• I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information on the Internet that makes me feel uncomfortable.
• I will never agree to get together with someone I have met online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, we will meet in a public place, and I will bring my mother or father along.
• I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.
• I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I get such a message, I will tell my parents right
  away so that they can contact the online service and report it.
• I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide on the times of day and length of time that I can
  be online, and the appropriate areas on the Internet for me to visit.

SCHEDULE
School doors open at 9:00 am for all students. In inclement weather we will permit the children to enter the bus hallway at 8:50 am. We do not have staff on duty to supervise before then. The cafeteria will be open at 8:45 am for those children who are purchasing breakfast. Students will be allowed to enter the building to go to the cafeteria for breakfast at 8:45 am. Our bus loop will be open for parents to drop off children in the morning until approximately 8:50 am or until the first bus arrives and to pick up children in the afternoon until approximately 3:45 pin or until the first bus arrives. To ensure the safety of the children, once the buses start arriving, CARS MAY NOT ENTER the bus loop. Parents who drop off or pick up children from am or pm half day kindergarten or pre-k classes, may not pass the buses in the bus loop and are asked to wait until the buses leave the bus loop before continuing.

School Hours:
9:15 am - 3:45 pm Grades K-5 Walkers & car riders dismissed at 3:35 pm

Bus dismissal - 3:45 pm 9:15 - 11:45 am - Pre-K 1:15 -3:45 pm - Pre-K

SCHOOL STORE - THE HIVE The Hive will be open for students in each grade level. A schedule will be provided.

STANDARDIZED TESTING Standardized tests are given _ each year. The testing schedule will be published as soon as it is available. PLEASE DO. NOT SCHEDULE VACATIONS DURING TESTING DAYS FOR YOUR CHILD. PLEASE GIVE YOUR CHILD THE BENEFIT OF TAKING THE TESTS WITH HIS OR HER CLASSMATES. THIS WILL BENEFIT YOUR CHILD.

THINK ABOUT IT
Children benefit from routines. When events occur in a predictable and orderly way, children feel safe, secure and in control of their world.

Authors R. Clark, D. Hawkins, and B. Vachon, in their book "The School-Savvy Parent: 365 Insider Tips to Help You Help Your Child," list some routines that will make your child's school day start right and end right.

• Aim for a consistent morning routine. Follow a regular schedule for getting up, eating and taking care of chores. This will set the stage for a productive day.
  
• Send your child off to school with a kiss, a hug and the words, "Have a great day - I love you."
  
• It's important for your child to be on time for school and to stay for the entire day. When kids arrive late or leave early, they may miss announcements and disrupt other students. Whenever possible, schedule doctor and dentists appointments during non-school hours.
  
• Valuable information may be waiting for you inside your child's backpack. Look through it every night, checking for assignments or notes from the teacher. Check the Monday Folder and read the Monday Message.
  
• Always ask, "How did your day go?" Also ask what your child did at school. If the answer is "Nothing," ask more specific questions. "What are you learning about in social studies?" "How did your science experiment turn out?"
  
• Set a consistent homework time. Provide a quiet, orderly place where your child can study. Make it a rule not to let the phone, TV, or computer games interfere with study time.
  
• Set a bedtime for your child. Stick to it during the school year, even in the spring when the day: grow longer.
  
• Don't give up if you s1il from your routine.
  
• Get back on track as quickly as you can.

  VISITORS
  All visitors are required to report to the office before going to a classroom for any reason. Visitors are required to wear a visitor's badge. Your cooperation is needed in maintaining school security. Please let us know if you find an outside door unlocked during the school day. Be conscious of visitors' in the building, and alert the office of any concerns.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED There are many opportunities for volunteers to help at our school. Some students need help with reading and others would benefit from having a mentor to help them develop social/emotional skills. Our classroom teachers, art teacher, school nurse, and librarian need volunteers. There are opportunities for volunteers to help run the school store, to help with the yearbook, to help with coverage for classes, to bake refreshments for school wide events, etc. Please complete a volunteer form if you are interested in volunteering.