Amelon ElementaryParent/Student Handbook

2021/2022

132 Amer Circle

Madison Heights, VA 24572

434-528-6498

Table of Contents:School Philosophy

Registration

2021/2022 ACPS Calendar

Communication with Families

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Visitor Procedures

Grading

Lesson Platform

Report Cards/Interims

School Hours/Transportation

Attendance

Moment of Silence

Pledge

Clinic/Medicine/Lice

Dress Code

Bus Rules

Car Riders

Discipline

Breakfast and Lunch

Class Parties / Food

Continued COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies

School PhilosophyThe purpose of our elementary schools is to provide rich and variedexperiences that meet all students’ intellectual, social, emotional, andphysical needs. We recognize that students are unique individuals withdiffering levels of achievement, cultural backgrounds, and interests.Therefore, the progress of all students is continuously evaluated andappropriate placement and learning opportunities are provided.Instructional emphasis is focused on students becoming competent inreading, communication skills, and fundamental skills of mathematics.

We believe all students are capable of learning and that high teacherexpectation assists students in reaching their fullest potential. We strive tocreate an atmosphere which challenges all students to become active,independent, motivated learners who think critically and creatively withconfidence in their abilities and self-worth. Furthermore, we believe opencommunication between the home and school is essential to help ensuresuccess for all students.

Amherst County elementary students have the opportunity to explore theirenvironment, to develop respect for themselves and others, and tobecome productive citizens prepared to meet challenges of a changingworld.

RegistrationElectronic registration is now available through the ParentPortal for Amherst County Public Schools. Parent/Guardians can now update student informationthrough a web portal that is accessed through the parentaccount and clicking on the eCollect forms or type in thisaddress:

https://ecollect.accelaschool.com/Amherst.

In order to proceed with the electronic registrationprocess, parents/guardians will need to have already setup an account on Parent Portal, you can contact theschool office to receive instructions on how to set up youraccount and associate your student with that account. You will still be required to provide proof of residencyfor any address changes.

2021/2022 ACPS Calendar

Communication with FamiliesThe school-wide communication platform for Amelon isClassDojo.ClassDojo is a school communication platform thatteachers, students, and families use every day to buildclose-knit communities by sharing what's being learned inthe classroom.

Be on the Look-Out for information about ClassDojo fromyour child’s homeroom teacher.

GUARDIANSHIP AND SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

The school will communicate solely with the physical custodial

parent/guardian. In cases of separated families, we ask that you

coordinate communication concerning student progress with

one another. We do not mail extra copies of school reports to

noncustodial family members. Exceptions are only made for a

Guardian ad Litem.

Parent/Teacher ConferencesConferences with teachers are available uponrequest. A conference may be requested by theteacher or by the parent. Please know that staying incontact with the teacher on your child’s progressthroughout the year is informative, helpful andfosters student success. Conferences may beface-to-face, phone or Google/Zoom meeting.

Visitor ProceduresAmelon Elementary welcomes and encourages parent/guardian interest and involvement in itsinstructional program. At the same time, we are mindful of our responsibility to create andmaintain an environment that is safe and conducive to learning. In order to do so we encourageour volunteers/visitors to follow procedures outlined below.

● Press the Buzzer on the outside of the building located to the right of the main doors.● Wait for someone to answer and let them know who you are and why you are visiting the

school.● When you enter the building, please wait in the vestibule for assistance.

While visiting school parents/guests are expected to treat all students, staff and otherparents in a respectful manner. As a courtesy to all, NO cell phone use while in the building.Threatening statements and/or profanity on school grounds will not be tolerated and could leadto disciplinary action by the School Board.

In order to assist in meeting one of our primary goals of ensuring student safety, all volunteersand chaperones are required to pass a background check prior to volunteering. All persons whovolunteer to work with students at all Amherst County Public Schools must be fingerprintedand complete paperwork with the Department of Social Services. This requirementextends to parents who chaperone field trips.

GradingGrading Scale / Grades 2-5

Teachers will be using a 10-point grading scale when grading students’ work in gradessecond through fifth grades.

Scale Symbol Standard

98-100 A+ 4.093-97 A 4.090-92 A- 3.787-89 B+ 3.383-86 B 3.080-82 B- 2.7

77-79 C+ 2.373-76 C 2.070-72 C- 1.767-69 D+ 1.364-66 D 1.060-63 D- 0.70-59 F 0

Grades K-1S-Satisfactory=meets standards more than 85% of the time at grade levelP-Progressing=skill not yet masteredN-Needs Improvement

Note: Interim reports will be sent home at the halfway point of each grading period.

Note: The online learning platform for Amelon will be Canvas. Canvas may be used inthe classroom by teachers, homework may be assigned on Canvas and Canvas will beused if there is a school closure.

Students and/or their parents may request for the reconsideration of any learningresource utilized with the curriculum. Policy KLB and KLB-E should be used whenproviding this request to the school principal.

School Hours/TransportationParent and student cooperation is requested in observing the daily school schedule.

Car riders should arrive at school at 8:40AM, no earlier. If your child eats school breakfast,they should be here no later than 8:40AM.

The instructional day begins at 9:05AM, following attendance marking, morningannouncements, which includes; an observed moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. If your child arrives at school after 9:05AM, please bring the student to the main doors and letus know that you are here. The student will be counted “tardy”, receive a tardy slip and proceedto homeroom.

Car riders will be dismissed at 3:40PM and bus riders will begin dismissal at 3:45PM.

Bus riders will arrive and dismiss through the front entrance. Car riders will dismiss from thecafeteria and proceed to the car when their car rider number is called. Please make sure thatthe car tag with the number that your child(ren) has been assigned is visible (hanging from yourrear view mirror). You will be issued two car tags. Staff members will be on duty to supervise thearrival and dismissal process to ensure that our students come and go safely.

NOTES:

Please do not enter the bus loop in the mornings or afternoons. If you need to park to enterthe school in the morning or afternoons at arrival and dismissal times, we ask that you use thespaces in the car rider loop parking lot. The other parking lots are for faculty and staff only.

Please have your child(ren) ready to get out of the car quickly in the mornings and afternoons.We need to keep traffic flowing in order to prevent back-ups on Rt. 29. Please allow the schoolpersonnel to assist with opening and closing doors etc. If you need more time, please park in aparking spot in order for us to keep other traffic moving.

Two Hour Delay Schedule: In the event of a two hour delay, breakfast will not be served.Students should arrive at school at 10:40, no earlier. Dismissal will remain the same.

AttendanceAmherst County Public Schools believes that school attendance is directly related to academicachievement. Optimum student attendance is a cooperative effort. The Amherst County School Board

and Amherst County Public Schools expect parents and students to take active roles in accepting thatresponsibility.

Excused absences: Students who are absent MUST provide a written note from their parent/guardianwithin three (3) days of returning to school stating the reason for the absence. Notes submitted after threedays will NOT be excused.

Excused absences will only be granted for the following reasons:

Medical Condition or appointment verified by a doctor’s note.

An approved school-sponsored event.

Death or serious illness in the immediate family.

Personal required court appearances with documentation from the Court.

Approved pre-planned absences.

Extenuating circumstances which are determined by the principal or designee.

Personal illness verified by written notice from a parent/guardian. After written notes are submitted by aparent/guardian for 10 days of personal illness of a student, a doctor’s note or other documentation will berequired to excuse any future absences.

Attendance Reporting and Action

For each day the student is absent, a phone call, text, and/or email will be sent to the parent/guardian toadvise them that the student is absent.

On the fifth (5th) unexcused absence, school personnel shall ensure that direct contact is made with theparent, either in person or by phone, to obtain an explanation for the student’s absences and to explain tothe parent the consequences of continued nonattendance. An attendance plan is discussed anddeveloped with the parent.

On the sixth (6th) unexcused absence, the school will notify the parent/guardian and the student that theyneed to attend a truancy review conference. The principal or other school personnel, the student, and thestudent’s parent/guardian shall develop a written plan to resolve the student’s nonattendance.

On the seventh (7th) unexcused absence, the ACPS Student Accountability Coordinator shall file atruancy petition with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. This proceeding may be againstboth the parent/guardian and the student.

Excessive Tardiness and Early Dismissals:

The academic standards, which have been set by the state, make it very important that your child attendschool all day every day. Two of the most important times during an instructional day are first thing in themorning, when students are settling in and preparing for learning and

the last minutes of the afternoon, when the day is being summarized and learning is being solidified.

Excessive tardies and early dismissals will be monitored and addressed by the principal or his/herdesignee.

Moment of Silence

Teachers and students will observe a daily minute of silence in accordancewith Virginia State law. During the one-minute period of silence, studentsare to remain seated and silent without making any distracting display sothat each student may, in the exercise of his/her individual choice, meditate,pray, or engage in any other silent activity which does not interfere with,distract, or impede other students in the like exercise of individual choice.Disciplinary action will result if students fail to adhere to the policy.

Pledge of AllegianceState regulations require that students stand (if able) and recite the Pledgeof Allegiance while facing the flag with their right hand over their hearts. If aparent or legal guardian objects on religious, philosophical, or othergrounds, he/she may conference with the principal to seek an exemptionfrom this requirement.

Clinic

The Health Assistant is available to assist students throughout the day. If a studentbecomes ill at school, he/she should report to his/her teacher who will send him/her tothe clinic with a written pass. Should a student need to be sent home, the nurse willcontact the student’s parent or emergency contact.

MedicineStudents who need medication during the day must have a written order from aphysician as well as a parent’s signature before any medication will be administered. Aform is available in the office or clinic. Please see the school health assistant for furtherinstructions.

Head LiceOccasionally young children will contract head lice. To avoid exposure, please cautionyour child against using someone else’s comb or brush, wearing someone else’s hat orhair bow, or wearing someone else’s coat or sweater. If your child should contract headlice, consult your doctor or pharmacist for treatment advice. In addition, inform theschool. If your child is found to have head lice during the school day, someone on thestudent’s emergency contact form will be called to come pick him/her up immediately. Achild must be rechecked and cleared by the school health assistant prior to returning toclass.

Dress CodeStudents are encouraged to dress in a neat and attractive manner that reflects pride inthemselves and their school. We rely on parents’ good judgement as to what studentsshould wear. However, we are listing some clothing that is not allowed in schoolbecause it may be offensive to some or disruptive to the learning environment. Closedtoe shoes such as tennis shoes are preferred because of their conduciveness tophysical activity and play as well as protecting the feet from injury.

Clothing not allowed

Halter tops or tank tops

See-through shirts

Bare midriffs

Clothing that advertises tobacco, alcohol, and the like

Clothing with offensive language, symbols, or pictures

Clothing displaying weapons

Shorts, dresses or skirts that do not reach as far down the legs as the fingertips whenarms are hanging straight down

Pants that do not fit at the waist, but hang

Hats or head dresses

Sundresses that are styled with halter or tank tops

Apparel that can imply gang membership

Apparel that can cause a significant disruption to the classroom learning environment

NOTE: If a student comes to school and is in violation of the dress code, aparent/guardian will be called to bring them appropriate clothing or pick them up fromschool.

Bus TransportationFor the safety of your children the following behavior is required by the Code ofVirginia:

Students will remain seated while on the bus.

Students will not fight or use obscene language.

Students will keep heads, hands, arms, etc. and belongings inside the bus.

Students will not eat, drink, smoke or chew tobacco on the bus.

Students will not litter.

Vandals will pay for bus damage.

Students will be at loading places on time.

Students must use the same loading and unloading place.

Students must cross the street 10-15 feet in front of the school bus.

Students may only ride the bus that they are assigned by the Division Superintendent or his dulyauthorized agent.

Students are not permitted to cross a dual highway when loading or unloading a school bus.

Students will not obstruct the aisle or exits with any objects.

Parents, guardians, custodians, or other persons responsible for students inkindergarten through fifth grades are to be visible to the bus driver whenstudents are picked up and dropped off at home.

Note:

We will work closely with parents to ensure that school bus behavior is carefullycontrolled. The bus will need to be free from noise and distractions, so that drivers cansafely transport students to and from school.

BUS TRANSFERS

Students are expected to ride their assigned buses. Permission to ride another bus willbe granted only if a parent sends written permission. All changes in a student’stransportation must be made to the school in writing or through email, preferably in themorning. DUE toCOVID there are no transfers being accepted at this time.

VIOLATIONS OF BUS CONDUCT RULES

Amherst County School Board policy requires all students to conduct themselves in amanner that will permit the safest possible transportation for all passengers. Anyoccurrences violating bus conduct rules could result in the student’s bus privilegesbeing revoked for the remainder of the school year.

Car RidersA number of Amelon Elementary School students are transported to andfrom school by car. Students who do not ride to school on schoolbuses should arrive at school no earlier than 8:40AM. Staff membersare not available to supervise children until that time. Parents who pick uptheir children at the end of the school day should remember that dismissaltime is 3:40PM for Car Riders. Only in emergency situations shouldstudents be picked up before that time.

Student Release

Any changes to a student’s dismissal routine including a parent requestingthat a relative or friend pick a child up from school must be submitted inwritten form or through an email that we can print for our records andgiven/sent to the school office in the morning. The office staff is busy withdismissal in the afternoons, so please avoid giving them student dismissalinformation at that time.

Dismissal arrangements for students cannot be accepted over thetelephone. If you call in dismissal arrangements, you will be asked to emailus the information. Parents are encouraged to establish and maintainregular dismissal routines for the stability of their children and to avoidconfusion.

DisciplineOne of the most important lessons education should teach is discipline. It is the sharedresponsibility of the home and school to accomplish this goal. It is the training thatdevelops self-control, character, orderliness, and efficiency. Discipline is the key to good

conduct and proper consideration for other people. Good discipline is maintained byrecognizing and praising good behavior and taking corrective action when necessary.

Students are expected to put forth their best effort and to conduct themselves at alltimes in a manner that promotes a safe, orderly learning environment.

School and classroom rules and expected behavior are explained to the children. Anybehavior or inappropriate language which causes a disruption to the learningatmosphere or which infringes upon the rights of others in the school will not betolerated and may subject the student to corrective measures. Acceptable correctionmay include, but is not limited to the following:

1. Teacher-student private conference

2. Denial of privileges or preferred activities

3. Time-out

4. Communication with parent via Class Dojo, telephone, or conference

5. Referral to School Counselor

6. Referral to Principal/Assistant Principal

7. Administrative Conference (parent must come in for a conference)

8. Suspension from school

Please refer to the policy manual on the ACPS website for further details.

Amelon will continue to initiate the Three R’s! Amelon Bulldogs will show:

Respect

Responsibility

ResilienceThe Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) is a data-driven decision makingframework for establishing the academic, behavioral and social-emotional supportsneeded for a school to be an effective learning environment for all students.

Breakfast and LunchSchool Breakfast and Lunch are FREE to ALL StudentsDaily!

Students who choose to pack a lunch should not bring incarbonated beverages. No sodas are allowed. Pleasepack appropriate juices and water.

Water bottles are recommended for all students. We willcontinue to utilize the water filling stations as opposed tousing the water fountains.

Note: Due to COVID, No Outside Food may bebrought into the classroom for parties until futurenotice.

Continued COVID-19 Mitigation StrategiesPlease refer to the ACPS webpage and social mediaplatforms for updates as they may be changing often.