Lowes Island Elementary School

STUDENT-PARENT HANDBOOK

2013-2014

Bruce Shafferman Principal

Assistant Principal Karis Brooks

20755 Whitewater Drive

Sterling, VA 20165 571-434-4450

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction School Calendar Faculty and Staff Attendance Absences Doctor Appointments Emergency Closings/Delayed School Hours Tardies Keeping Healthy Bee Stings and Severe Allergies Emergency Cards Medications at School Insurance Illness or Injury Physical Education Birthday and Food Guidelines Your School Day Class Structure and Schedule Changing After-School Arrangements Communicating with Parents Classroom Party Guidelines Field Trips Conferences Homework Fire Drills Party Invitations School Lunch School Library Report Cards School Supplies School Telephone Security Sign Out Snacks Visitors

Parent Volunteer Program Student Recognition Textbooks Equipment Usage Pictures Lost and Found Standards of Behavior Articles Brought to School Assemblies IPods & Tablets Cafeteria Behavior Discipline Gum Student Dress Search and FUTURA Transportation Bus Transportation Bike Riders Walking Traffic Regulations Ensuring a Successful School Year Alternative Celebration Ideas Handbook Acknowledgement

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August 16, 2013

Dear Parents,

Thank you for entrusting your children to the staff of Lowes Island Elementary as

together we seek to provide the best education possible for each and every child. It is an

honor to work in a community that values and commits their time and energy to provide the

best education possible for all children. I look forward to continuing our partnership during

the upcoming school year.

I have a dedicated and talented staff and we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the

children. Please know that we will do our very best to provide a meaningful and stimulating

environment for the children to learn. The entire staff is committed to providing creative

lessons to children on a daily basis that will address their needs in the academic program and

their growth as citizens of this nation. Should you ever have any questions or simply need

clarification of academic programs or school procedures, please do not hesitate to contact me

or any member of the staff.

This year, we will again post our yearly and monthly calendars using Google calendar.

Once we post all dates online, you will receive notice that you can access an up-to-date

calendar from Google.

I encourage each of you to be active members in your Lowes Island PTO. The PTO

provides support through the Volunteer Program, special family activities, and they develop a

generous budget designed to assist the needs of the children and staff. I commend the PTO

for their outstanding support.

In conclusion, I want to make sure that every parent knows that my door is always

open to parents. Many of you have come by to share an idea to improve the school or let me

know how much you appreciate the professional staff. I value these talks and encourage

parents to share your thoughts with me as we continue to work together to create a vibrant

community of learners here at Lowes Island. I hope parents will also join me during one of

three Principal’s Coffees spread throughout the year.

Thank you for taking time to read this Parent/Student Handbook. We look forward to

the best school year ever!

Sincerely,

Bruce Shafferman

Principal

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Main Calendar Dates for 2013 – 2014

* Parents are invited to attend any of our special activities throughout the school year! Please

check our website often for additions and updates.

August 29 Back to School Night at Lowes Island (Parents Only) 6:30 p.m. (Grades 1, 2 and morning kindergarten)

7:45 p.m. (Grades 3-5 and afternoon kindergarten) August 30 Open House for Students and Parents, 8:30–10 a.m. for grades 1-5 Morning Kindergarten (8:30-9:15 a.m.) Afternoon Kindergarten (9:15-10:00 a.m.) September 3 First Day of School! September 12 Volunteer Orientation 8:30 a.m. September 27 Principals Coffee 8:30 a.m. October 9 Fall Picture Day October 14 Columbus Day (Holiday) October 25 PTO Bingo October 30 SCA Pumpkin Contest October 31 Halloween Songfest November 1 End of 1

st nine weeks

November 4 & 5 Student Holidays (Planning/Records/Conference Day) November 18-22 American Education Week and Book Fair week November 27-29 Thanksgiving Holiday Nov 25- Dec 6 Yearbook Sale December 20 Holiday Songfest 8:30 a.m. Dec 23-Jan 1 Winter Break (Classes Resume January 2) January 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Holiday) January 24 End of 2

nd nine weeks

January 27 Moveable Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Day) (This date may change due to inclement weather.) February 6 First Semester Awards Assemblies for 1

st & 2

nd grades

February 7 First Semester Awards Assemblies for grades 3-5 February 17 President’s Day (Holiday) February 28 Lowes Island Variety Show 7:00 p.m. March 28 End of 3

rd nine weeks

March 31 Student Holiday (Planning Records/Conference Day)

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April 14-18 Spring Break April 9 Spring Picture Day April 25 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast May 20 Kindergarten Orientation 6:30-7:30 p.m. May 26 Memorial Day (Holiday) June 6 Olympic Field Day Grades K-5 8:30 a.m. June 12 5

th Grade Farewell Program & Activities

June 13 Last Day of School for Students

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FACULTY AND STAFF (2013 – 2014)

PRINCIPAL - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - BRUCE SHAFFERMAN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - KARIS BROOKS SECRETARIES - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SHARAL BURNETTE MARY ROYCE PARENT LIAISON------------------------------------ CINDY MUSA CLINIC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PATTY SNYDER KINDERGARTEN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - AMANDA BENTZEL

SARAH MARKEL KINDERGARTEN ASSISTANTS - - - - - - - - - SUZANNE APWISCH JAMAE TSCHINKEL FIRST GRADE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - JENNIFER CRIM ASHLEY HOTZ CHEYENNE STEUER

STEPHANIE WALSH JESSICA WOLFE

SECOND GRADE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- CIERA ABBATE

DAUN LEDWELL EMILY MEADOWS KELLY WILLIAMS THIRD GRADE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - JESSICA ANDERSON MATT CONNERS AMANDA FARRO

LOU ANN LACNY LISA MCKITTRICK

CHELSEA SALVATORE FOURTH GRADE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - BARBARA DALY

KAREN FEDDERSEN PATTY KELLY

ROBIN MCINNIS HANNAH OBERLANDER

FIFTH GRADE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DAMIAN KNECHT JULIA MARKS

SARA REISLER ALLYSON ROSEBERRY

LAUREN WOLZ

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RESOURCE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CAROLYN BARON ARLENE BUSHROD

ALYSSA CARLSON SHELBY HILL EMILY PHILLIPI

PARRY YOUSEFZADEH RESOURCE ASSISTANTS - - - - - - - - - - - - RACHEL ALLISON

DEBRA GRAVES CHRISTY MARGESON JOE MILLER BRANDY RACZYNSKI

MELANIE WETZEL

LIBRARY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PAIGE CRONLUND LIBRARY ASSISTANT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SHARON CARACCIOLO ART - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - COLLEEN HANLON MUSIC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - BETTY TATUM PHYSICAL EDUCATION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TRACEY KLOES

MIRIAM LEWIS GUIDANCE grades K-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FRAN JOHNSON GUIDANCE grades 2-5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - JESSICA KOLTZ SPEECH - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MARY PORTER TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE TEACHER- --- ALEX GRAY TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE ASSISTANT-- BRIAN CONTINO READING - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CATHY STALZER ELL - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - KATHRYN TURNER SEARCH--------------------------------------------- KRISTINA MYRICK SPANISH - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FLORIANA MASLYN CAFETERIA MANAGER - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MARIA ECHART CUSTODIANS - - - - - - - - - - -------------- - - - MILAGRO MENJIVAR JOSE OSORIO MARIA SANTOS ANTONIO SEGURA

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ATTENDANCE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ATTENDANCE

Attendance at school on a regular basis is vital. We ask that your child attend school each day he/she is healthy. It is disruptive to your child’s educational program when you remove him or her from school for trips or family outings. Although written assignments can be made up, the classroom activities and interactions with others in the school setting cannot be replaced. A student who is absent from school for an entire day or for one or more class periods, must bring a note written and signed by a parent or guardian. Students are excused for personal illness, a death in the family, medical or dental appointments, court appearances, religious holidays, illness in the immediate family, or emergencies that require the student to be absent. Medical documentation may be required. The principal will be the judge of the validity of any excuses. Students absent from class are expected to make up the missed assignments. Family vacations should be scheduled around the school holidays and will not be classified as an excused absence. ABSENCES When a student is unable to attend school, parents should call the absentee hotline before 9:00a.m. at 571-434-4451 or send an email to LIESAbsentee@lcps.org. Parents should give the student’s name and reason for the absence. If a parent does not call, the school will call the home to confirm the reason for the absence. If your child is absent due to illness and you would like to request homework, please make your request by 10:00a.m. so your teacher has time to prepare it. We will do our best to try and have the homework in the front office by 3:30p.m. for parent pick up. DOCTOR AND DENTIST APPOINTMENTS

Students are expected to make every effort to schedule doctor and dental appointments outside of school hours. However, when this is not possible, students will be excused for these appointments. If a child must leave school during the school day, the parent must come directly to the office to sign the child out. A member of the office staff will call the child

to the office. Parents should not go directly to the classroom to get the child. EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS

When schools are closed because of a special condition (severe weather), announcements to this effect are made over local radio, TV, and our ConnectEd message system beginning at 6:00 a.m. It is important that each child has a prearranged plan to follow if school closes early and an adult is not home. A form will be sent home in the fall and winter of each school year asking the parent to describe the plan. Please do not call the school and ask that special instructions be given to your child. In case of a delay in the opening of school by either one or two hours, announcements will be made over local radio and TV stations as well as the ConnectEd system. In case of a two hour delayed opening, each kindergarten session will meet for two hours: morning session 9:50 – 11:50a.m. and afternoon session 12:35- 2:35p.m. SCHOOL HOURS

School hours are from 7:50a.m. until 2:35 p.m. daily. Students who walk to school and those transported by parents should not arrive at school before 7:30a.m. The kindergarten morning session is from 7:50a.m. to 10:50 a.m., and the afternoon session is from 11:35 a.m. to 2:35p.m. Our office is open from 7:30A.M. to 4 P.M. Our building will be open each day between 7:30a.m. and 4:30p.m. For the safety of our staff, no one will be admitted after 4:30 p.m. TARDIES

Parents and children should make every effort to arrive to school each day on time. Children should be in their classrooms ready for instruction at 7:50a.m. to be considered on time! When a student arrives tardy, parents must escort their child to the office and assist him/her in obtaining a tardy pass to class. (Please do not walk your child directly to his/her classroom.) A child will not be admitted to class without the late pass. The principals will contact the parents of students who are habitually tardy. Please assist the school by making sure your child is in their classroom ready to begin the day by 7:50A.M.

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KEEPING HEALTHY

BEE STINGS AND SEVERE ALLERGIES If your child has severe reactions to bee or insect stings, foods or other allergies, please notify the classroom teacher and clinic aide so we may place the information in a special file. EMERGENCY CARDS

At the beginning of the school year, an emergency card is sent home with each student to list phone numbers or persons to contact in case of emergency. Please return the Emergency Card promptly. Emergency cards must be kept up-to-date. If you change your home address or phone numbers during the year, we ask that you inform us immediately. It is most important that we have correct information at all times. MEDICATION AT SCHOOL School personnel cannot administer any kind of medicine unless requested to do so in writing by the parent. The medication must be in its original container and MUST be brought into the school by the parent. No medication will be administered unless a parent has delivered it to the clinic assistant. Please do not send in all of the medication, only enough to be given during school hours. All medicine (including aspirin and cough drops) will be kept in the clinic during school hours. Any child, who is receiving medication on a regular, daily basis, such as Ritalin or asthma medication, must complete a Medical Release Form prior to the administration of such medication. INSURANCE

Student accident insurance is available. Application forms are distributed to all students at the beginning of the school year. Each student has a choice of 24 hour coverage or basic school time coverage. Please note that LCPS does not carry medical or accident insurance to cover students injured while at school.

ILLNESS OR INJURY

For the safety of your child and the other students in our school, children should not be sent to school sick. If your child has a fever, an upset stomach or a very bad cold, he/she should stay home and be given the time to get better! In the event of illness or injury, a student will be cared for temporarily by our clinic assistant. School personnel will render first aid treatment only. If emergency medical treatment is necessary, the parents will be contacted. An emergency telephone number for each student and the name and telephone number of the student’s family doctor must be on file at the school. It is also extremely important to give the school the name of a friend or relative that could be contacted in the event we cannot reach the parent. PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The staff believes that physical education is an important part of the educational experience. The development and maintenance of a healthy body is essential for physical well being and good mental health. We also believe attitude development is an important part of education. We attempt to create an atmosphere for the development of leadership, sportsmanship, and congeniality through our physical education program. P.E. classes with the Physical Education teacher are provided three times a week for all students in grades 1 – 5. Children are required to wear tennis

shoes for all physical education classes. The PE teachers administer a series of physical fitness tests in the fall and again in the spring. Our physical education teachers will monitor the test scores and plan strategies for the improvement of physical fitness among the students.

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BIRTHDAY AND CANDY GUIDELINES

In an effort to keep all children safe and healthy, Loudoun County Public Schools has

produced guidelines that do not allow any food to be brought in for a child’s birthday. We

will no longer allow cake, cupcakes, donuts, cookies, and other sweets on our school campus

in recognition of a child’s birthday.

Possible ways to recognize your child’s birthday at school with non-food items might include

fun pencils, stickers, board games or recess equipment for the classroom, library books, etc.

Parents may also refer to the Alternative Celebration Guidelines posted at the end of the

Student Handbook.

We would also ask that parents not bring in balloons or floral arrangements since these items

can cause a distraction in the instructional day. The school will also not use candy to reward

students.

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YOUR SCHOOL DAY

CLASS STRUCTURE AND SCHEDULE

Each student is assigned to a self-contained class for most of the instructional day. Both small and large group instruction is utilized. The goal of Lowes Island Elementary is to provide meaningful instruction for each child, paying attention to individual abilities, needs, and interests. Pupils in grades 1 -5 also attend regularly scheduled classes for music, art, physical education and library. Students in grades 4-5 will also attend Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools (FLES). CHANGING AFTER-SCHOOL PLANS All children are expected to go home or to their child care provider each afternoon following the school day. If they will be visiting friends after school, please send in a written message giving your permission. The message should include the name of the child whose home he/she will be visiting. Children will not be allowed to use the school telephone to make such arrangements. COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS

Every effort is made to keep parents informed. The school will be sending communication home to parents via email again this year. It allows us to keep correspondence timely, and parents have expressed their approval of this format. Each teacher will post their “Monday Memo” newsletter on our school web page under their teacher name each week. The “Monday Memo” contains a quick glance at the academic focus as well as general teacher announcements for the week. Graded student work is sent home weekly for parents to view. Parents should review the papers and contact teachers should they have any questions. The school also sends home a monthly newsletter that contains general school news. Keeping informed will aid both the parent and child in keeping organized and knowledgeable about what is happening in the classroom and the school. FIELD TRIPS

Lowes Island Elementary students are afforded the opportunity to visit various places of educational interest in the Washington area to enrich their classroom experiences. The trips are usually taken in a

school bus under the supervision of the classroom teacher and other chaperones. Parents who chaperone a field trip may not bring other children on the trip. Parental permission is required before any student is taken on a field trip. CONFERENCES

The Lowes Island staff encourages frequent parent communications. All parents will be scheduled for a conference during the first grading period. Additional conferences may be requested by the parents or teacher as the need arises. Please do not just drop by unexpectedly for a conference with a staff member. Parents should call the school office to request a conference with the teacher or principal. Our staff prepares carefully for all parent conferences so advanced notice is required. HOMEWORK

Homework is an extension of the learning that takes place in school. Homework can provide practice that reinforces classroom learning and can provide opportunities for independent study, research and creative thinking. The LCPS guidelines for the amount of homework given each evening are as follows: children in grades one through three should be given no more than thirty minutes of homework at night; children in grades four and five should be given no more than sixty minutes of homework at night. Most teachers do not assign homework on Friday nights. Children in the primary grades are often asked to read nightly and study math facts for their homework assignment. This type of assignment is just as important as a written assignment and should be completed just as carefully as any other written work. Oftentimes teachers in the upper grades will assign children long-term projects. The expectation is that the children will learn to “pace themselves” and not save all the work for one or two nights. If you have a question about the amount of homework your child is receiving (too much or too little), please discuss this with your child’s teacher.

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The following “Homework Hints” will assist parents in providing the support needed for their children: 1. Provide a place to study that is quiet, well

lighted, and has adequate workspace. 2. Have paper, pencil, dictionary and any

other needed supplies handy. 3. Set specific study times and try to stick to

the schedule. 4. The TV and music should be off during

study time. 5. Check with your child daily to see if

homework has been assigned. 6. Check periodically to see if your child is

doing the homework correctly. 7. Make sure the homework is done neatly

and on time. 8. Motivate your child by using positive

remarks and techniques, rather than negative ones.

9. Show interest in your child’s homework by discussing the assignment and related materials.

10. Pay attention to your child’s daily work. Frequent attention stresses the importance of the work.

11. Help your child by reviewing assignments. Use flashcards, notes, etc. to study material. Have your child answer questions about the assignment.

12. Encourage your child to study for a test over several days. “Cramming” for a test is generally not successful, and does not replace learning that should take place over days or weeks.

13. Supervise any work that your child does on the Internet.

Take the time necessary to help your child develop good homework habits. As your child becomes more competent, you will not have to spend as much time helping with the homework. Students in grades 3 – 5 should utilize their homework agenda.

FIRE DRILLS

Fire drills held once a week during the first month of school and once a month thereafter, are mandatory by state law. During a fire drill each class has an escape route to an outside area that is a safe distance from the building. Children are moved to these designated areas in less than 90 seconds in a safe, quiet and orderly manner. Other emergency drills are

also practiced during the school year (tornado drill and intruder alert drill). LOWES ISLAND GUIDELINES FOR CLASSROOM PARTIES

These guidelines were established by the Leadership Team to assist teachers and parents in managing a classroom party. Please follow these guidelines in organizing one of the approved parties within the school. The team believes these guidelines will allow for a successful party enjoyed by everyone. Guideline Statements 1. The maximum timeframe for a classroom

party including eating, games, and/or special projects is one hour.

2. The room mom (dad) assisting with the organization of a classroom party should always forward party ideas and suggested invitation/announcements to the teacher prior to sending any information to other parents. All details about a classroom party should be approved in advance by the classroom teacher.

3. Decorations for a party should be kept to table decorations only. (Extra party decorations can often be in violation of the school fire code.) No confetti, glitter, or silly string is allowed in a party setting.

4. All food served to children should be separately packaged/individually wrapped unless it is being served to the children by an adult.

5. All food and decorations should be cleaned up immediately after the party. (The teacher and parents should establish a clean-up crew for the activity.)

PARTY INVITATIONS To avoid hurt feelings, children should not distribute party invitations or other types of invitations at school unless every child in the class will receive an invitation.

SCHOOL LUNCH

A nutritious breakfast and lunch are served each day in the cafeteria at a cost of $3.00 for lunch and $2.00 for breakfast. Milk (whole, 2 percent and chocolate) is sold daily for those who choose to pack their lunch. Lowes Island is proud to also offer a breakfast program open to all students. Students may enter the

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cafeteria between 7:30a.m. and 7:40a.m. to eat breakfast. Children are entitled to free or reduced breakfast or lunch if the family qualifies financially. All students will be given a form at the beginning of the school year. Forms may also be obtained from the office at any time of the year. A lunch menu will be electronically sent home monthly. Every child must eat lunch. (Only those children with a written note from their parent or physician will be excused from eating a lunch.) If a student forgets his/her lunch, he/she will be allowed to charge twice. When a student must charge a lunch and a negative balance is posted to their account, a reminder slip will be sent home with the student that day. When an account accrues three consecutive charges, the school will send a letter or a Connect ED message to the parents urging prompt payment and notifying them of the school’s willingness to work with them to alleviate the debt. Please include the student I.D. number on all lunch checks. Parents are encouraged to pay for student meals through “mySchoolBucks.” Prepaying for meals is a great way to simplify the early morning scramble. Use your credit card to prepay for meals online. Students who pack lunch are not allowed to bring glass containers to school.

We encourage parents to visit our cafeteria whenever possible and partake of a nutritious meal with your child. Lunch is served early on days designated as early dismissal.

Students are expected to talk quietly and demonstrate appropriate manners in the cafeteria.

o Sodas are not allowed in the lunchroom

during lunch hours. o Parents are encouraged to come and eat

with their children. o Please let the cafeteria manager know if

your child is on a special diet. The staff will work hard to accommodate special dietary needs.

o To best remain in compliance with the LCPS Food Allergen Guidelines, we strongly discourage parents from bringing in outside food or fast food during lunch.

SCHOOL LIBRARY

The library is open on a regularly scheduled basis and is supervised by the librarian. Library classes are held for grades K-5 weekly. Classes are held for the purpose of library instruction as well as for the enjoyment of the materials and books. Students are allowed to use the library with the permission of their classroom teacher. They may use the library to check out books or magazines, return books, do reference work, or work on special projects. There are no fines for overdue books, although, students will not be allowed to check out additional books until overdue books are returned. If a book cannot be found, the child will be assessed a fee to cover the cost of the book. Should the book be found, the money will be reimbursed.

The library collection is constantly updated and expanded. Books are chosen for either their educational or recreational value. A variety of audio-visual material is available through the library for teacher use in the classroom.

REPORT CARDS

The purpose of the report card is to inform parents of their children’s academic and social progress. Report cards are issued four times a year, about two weeks after the end of each nine week grading period. Any student who shows a marked drop in achievement, or who is doing poorly in any subject, will receive an interim report midway through the grading period to inform the parents of any problems. SCHOOL SUPPLIES School supplies such as notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers and book covers are on sale Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:40a.m. to 7:50a.m. in our school store. The supply list is on our school web page at www.loudoun.k12.va.us/schools/lowesisland SCHOOL TELEPHONE

Children may use the telephone in the office only in an emergency. Forgotten homework, lunches, notes, etc. are not considered emergencies. Please remind your child of this policy.

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SECURITY

All doors are locked during the instructional hours to maintain a safe environment for students and staff. Once the children are in the school in the morning, the doors will remain locked until 2:35p.m. In order to maintain a secure building during the instructional day, we will not open the front lobby door until dismissal at 2:35p.m. Anyone requesting admittance to the school will need to present proper identification and register in the office.

SIGN OUT

When a child must be picked up before our regular dismissal time (2:35p.m.), a parent or legal guardian must come into the office and sign out the child. Proper identification will be requested by the office staff. A member of the school staff will get the child from the classroom. Children will be released only to their parent or legal guardian unless we receive written notice that someone else will be picking them up. Parents should not go directly to the classrooms to pick up children or deliver items to the students.

Dismissal time at any school can be hectic for everyone. We are asking that parents assist the school by not picking up their children between 2:20p.m. and 2:35p.m. Parents who need to pick up their child before the end of the day must do so before 2:20p.m. This procedure is being implemented to assist the safe and orderly dismissal of all students at the end of the school day. Thank you for your understanding with this safety procedure. SNACKS

Children in all grades are encouraged to bring in a light snack each day – cheese, crackers or fruit are always appropriate. It is not necessary to send in a drink with your child. Your child’s teacher will let you know if any child in the class has any type of food allergies. VISITORS

Visitors to Lowes Island Elementary are always welcome. However, in order to protect instructional time, interruptions to the classrooms are kept to a minimum. Any items such as forgotten books, homework, lunches and any messages will be forwarded to the students. All visitors entering the school must stop by the office to get a “Visitor’s

Badge” before visiting a classroom! Please do not go directly to your child’s classroom. Additionally, we ask that you not drop by a teacher’s classroom unexpectedly for a conference. Please call and arrange a time with the teacher. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!! PARENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Our Parent Volunteer Program is organized through the PTO. Parents are invited to share their talents and expertise in many ways throughout the school. The basic requirements for volunteer service are an interest and pleasure in working with children and a commitment to volunteering. Parents can assist teachers in the following activities: classroom tutors, aides, storybook readers, art, computer aides, field trip chaperone, or community resource person. Parents can also provide clerical assistance to office staff as well as the classroom teachers. Additionally, we are always in need of parental assistance for the many PTO activities that take place during the year. The PTO is a tremendous asset to Lowes Island Elementary. The PTO officers for 2013 – 2014 are: Co-Presidents: Mrs. Megan Mancuso Mrs. Carol Sherry Vice President: Mrs. Carolyn McCormick Treasurer: Mrs. Martha Daniel Secretary: Mrs. Kim Schroeder The PTO officers have been busy planning programs for our school family and have put together a plan that will support the educational programs at Lowes Island Elementary. We encourage each family to be ACTIVE participants in your PTO during the 2013– 2014 school year. The PTO Board assists the officers in planning and administering the PTO. STUDENT RECOGNITION

Students are recognized on a regular basis at Lowes Island. Assemblies will be held to recognize students in such areas as academic excellence, citizenship, improvement and effort. We encourage parents to attend these important assemblies.

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TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks are provided to all students in Loudoun County. Students are responsible for all books loaned to them and for any loss or damage. If a book is lost, misused or damaged beyond reasonable repair, the student shall replace the book. Textbooks are not for sale to students. Parents should carefully check books at the beginning of the year and return the signed book loan form to the school. EQUIPMENT USAGE

Our school contains a variety of educational, safety and maintenance equipment. Students should not use or handle equipment unless they have been specifically authorized to do so. When school equipment is damaged through negligence or unauthorized use, the party at fault is held financially responsible. PICTURES

Lowes Island Elementary School provides students an opportunity to have school pictures made in the fall and spring of each year. The school also contracts with the photographer to make a class picture and publish a color yearbook. The fall pictures have a traditional background and are a more formal pose. They will be taken Oct 9, 2013. The spring pictures are casual featuring either a contemporary background or an environmental background. They will be taken on April 10, 2014. Students are encouraged to wear bright, colorful clothing for their pictures.

LOST AND FOUND

The school has a Lost and Found area located in the hallway near the recess door. Students and parents are encouraged to check the Lost and Found area should an item be misplaced. All unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity at the end of each grading period.

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STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

The purpose of the student being in school is to learn. A student learns by actively engaging, paying attention to the teacher, asking questions, and studying. If a student does not understand something or is worried about something, he/she should discuss the problem with the teacher. The principal and guidance counselor are also willing to assist students or parents. The following guidelines are listed to help students understand behavioral standards for Lowes Island: ARTICLES BROUGHT TO SCHOOL

The school encourages children to bring educationally-related items with them for sharing. However, these items should be of interest and value to the entire class and should be connected with some phase of study. Extremely valuable items and those creating danger to others (knives, guns of any kind, slingshots, and matches) should not be brought to school. Parents should make themselves aware of the School Board Policy regarding weapons in the school. Students who bring such items to school will be severely reprimanded. Toys, electronic games and toy weapons, should not be brought to school. Live animals may be brought only with prior permission of the principal. ASSEMBLIES Children should sit with their parents during evening assemblies or other special programs so that parents can monitor their behavior. It is important for the audience to provide a quiet, respectful environment for all performers. Evening Performances:

1. The audience should remain in their seats.

2. Following the performance, quickly evacuate the bleachers and ensure children remain off. Safety is of utmost importance, so we want to ensure children aren’t playing on the bleachers.

Tablets and Ipods

Tablets and Ipods are prohibited on school grounds during the instructional day. They are also prohibited on school field trips unless the principal makes an exception.

CAFETERIA BEHAVIOR

Students are expected to sit quietly in the cafeteria and enjoy their food and friends. Good table manners and conversation in a normal voice are stressed. Once seated at their assigned table, children are not allowed out of their seats, unless they have permission from the adult on duty. Students are expected to eat their own lunch and will not be allowed to trade food. Children who do not display appropriate cafeteria behavior may be asked to move to another cafeteria table or eat lunch in the office. It is important that you talk with your children about appropriate cafeteria behavior, as well as the need to respect the lunch monitors that are on duty in the cafeteria.

DISCIPLINE

Teachers have the authority and responsibility to maintain discipline in the classroom. Each teacher will compose a behavior plan and share the plan with students and parents at the beginning of the school year. When a student is having a problem the teacher may: conference with the student, conference with the parents, or administer various disciplinary procedures. Children who continually disregard classroom or school rules may be sent to the assistant principal or principal’s office. The principals may: 1. Give the student a very stern warning. 2. Take privileges away from the student. 3. Separate the student from classmates. 4. Notify the parents of continuing

problems and/or schedule a school conference.

5. Assign the student to in-school suspension or after school detention.

6. Suspend the student from school.

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GUM

Children are NOT allowed to chew gum on the school bus or at school. STUDENT DRESS

The major purpose of school is to learn and to ensure that learning does take place. It is imperative that children are able to focus first and foremost on their studies. The following types of clothing should not be worn in school: tight clothing, short shorts, short dresses, tops with spaghetti straps, tops that expose the midriff area, sagging pants, any clothing with inappropriate symbols, pictures or language, and any clothing that may be distracting to other students.

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Students should also not use cosmetics, body glitter/paint, and hair coloring. Please have your child ask one of the principals or his/her teacher if he/she has a question about what is appropriate for school. Finally, we have a “no hats in the building” policy for all adults and all children at Lowes Island. The exception to this policy will be announced Spirit Days.

Please help your child follow these

policies.

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SEARCH AND FUTURA

Search is an enrichment provided by Loudoun County Public Schools for children in grades K-3. Search focuses on thinking skills and is designed to foster an environment in which students are encouraged to think critically and to develop an excitement for learning and discovery. Identifying intellectually gifted children is usually delayed until the end of the 3rd grade when more information is available.

FUTURA is a center-based enrichment program for identified children in grades 4 and 5. Students are transported by bus from their base schools to their designated center. Each grade level student attends one full day each week.

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TRANSPORTATION

BUS TRANSPORTATION Free bus transportation is provided to all students who live more than eight-tenths of a mile from school. The Transportation Department will assure safe transit of all bus riders. In addition, we try to instill in the pupils the need for maintaining reasonable orderliness while riding to and from school and to respect the bus driver. Children are expected to display appropriate behavior while waiting at the bus stop each morning. Parents are responsible for their children’s behavior at the bus stops and any child who repeatedly has bus-stop problems may be asked to go to another bus stop or lose bus-riding privileges. Unless accompanied by an adult, all children assigned to ride a bus must ride the bus and are not allowed to walk home! BIKE RIDERS Children, in grades 3-5, who live within walking distance of the school, are allowed to ride their bikes to school. Younger children may be granted permission provided they are accompanied by a parent. Any child wishing to ride his/her bike to school must complete a “Bike Riding Contract” to be signed by the parents and principal. Children must have the permission of the principal before they begin riding their bikes to school. Children riding their bikes to school MUST wear a bike helmet. Bike safety rules must be followed at all times. Bike racks will be available at the school for children to park their bikes. Children riding bikes should always use a bike lock as the school will not be responsible for the bikes during the day. Bikes must be walked through the tunnel and on school property. For the safety of all students, all children (including preschoolers) will not be allowed to (store or) ride skateboards, scooters or roller blades on school property.

WALKING If your child is walking to school, please take time to go over safety rules such as always walking on the sidewalk, crossing streets carefully, and going straight home after school. Children are required to use the tunnels on Whitewater Drive and Lowes Island Blvd to enter the school property. Unless accompanied by an adult, all children must use the tunnel to cross these streets. Children should always use sidewalks and walking paths on their way to and from school. We want to be good neighbors to our friends around the school, so children should not walk through people’s yards to get home. Parents, please emphasize this “rule” to your children! TRAFFIC REGULATIONS Please follow all directional signs upon entering and exiting the school parking areas. Car traffic will be prohibited in the bus loops directly in front of the building in the morning between 7:20 and 8:10a.m. and in the afternoon between 2:00 and 2:55 p.m. To ensure student safety the following procedures will be followed: 1. Parents who want to park and walk

their children to the lobby area, may turn right as you enter the school property and park in the front parking lot.

2. Car riders should be dropped off and picked up along the sidewalk on the left side of the building parking area. Please pull forward to the end of the sidewalk to allow as many cars to stop as possible.

3. Be sure to utilize the appropriate traffic lane when preparing to turn into the parking lot.

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4. Please make sure your child is ready to exit from your car immediately when you pull up to the drop-off point. Please drop children off along the sidewalk. Do not wait

to pull up to a “preferred door.” This will back-up the traffic.

5. Children may enter the school through either gym side doors.

6. Children may not arrive prior to 7:30a.m. and should go directly to their classroom at that time.

7. If parents pick up their children in the car-rider area in the afternoon, they must obtain a child visor sign from the school office.

8. Teachers will begin supervision of students at 7:30 a.m. Staff will unlock the school doors and wave people into the school at that time.

9. Parents are asked not to pass vehicles in the drop-off lane when children are being dropped off.

10. Children are not allowed to be dropped off in any of the parking areas. If a parent wishes to drop off or pick up a child from any of the parking areas, the parent must park his/her car and MUST accompany the child across the parking lot and onto the sidewalk. Please remember that in order to use the handicapped spaces, you must have a handicapped license or sticker on your car.

SAFE WALKING and DRIVING PRACTICES SHOULD ALWAYS BE FOLLOWED. PLEASE REMEMBER THESE RULES AND PROCEDURES ARE FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILD. PLEASE BE PATIENT.

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ENSURING A SUCCESSFUL YEAR AT LOWES ISLAND

Our School and Teachers Will:

� Create a positive climate which is safe and secure, fosters positive self-esteem and promotes high, yet reasonable expectations for all students.

� Keep families informed about what children are learning throughout the year, and about issues that impact their child’s learning.

� Communicate with families, in a timely manner, about school meetings and events and about informational and instructional programs in our school.

� Assign homework that reflects classroom learning. � Include families in classroom activities whenever possible. � Provide opportunities for parent-teacher conferences. � Foster positive school/home relations by communicating in a clear and concise manner, solving

problems in a cooperative manner and demonstrating respect to children and their families. Our Students Will:

� Come to school rested and well-nourished with a positive attitude and ready to learn. � Come to school on time every day. � Complete daily assignments/homework in a neat and timely manner. � Actively participate in school work and activities. � Talk with their families every day about what happened in school and what they are learning. � Follow directions in order to understand what teachers expect each day. � Ask questions when they don’t understand something. � Read every day. � Agree with their parents on what and how much TV to watch and use of video games. � Recognize individual differences in the classroom and school, and encourage others to do their

best. � Use good strategies to solve problems and conflicts. � Be kind and respectful to school personnel, classmates and school property. � Always follow the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Our Families and Parents Will: � Send children to school on-time, rested and well-nourished. � Demonstrate a positive attitude toward school, learning and success. Daily attendance is vital. � Take time daily for meaningful conversation with their children about school, problem-solving,

and making good choices. � Communicate regularly with their children’s teacher to foster and support positive school-home

relations. � Visit the school to see their children’s work, volunteer, and attend school events and PTO

meetings and activities. � Monitor and assist children with their homework, providing a quiet, positive environment for

work. � Limit and monitor their television and video-games. � Encourage friends, neighbors and businesses to become partners in supporting the school

community. � Hold high, yet reasonable expectations, for their children’s performance without placing

extraordinary pressures on them. � Encourage children to do their best, believing they can succeed in school!

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ALTERNATIVE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IDEAS FOR

ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

The following list was reviewed by the Lowes Island Leadership Team as possible alternative celebration ideas for parents wanting to recognize a child’s birthday at school. Parents should always discuss these ideas or others with the classroom teacher prior to bringing anything in for a child’s birthday.

� Instant (digital or Polaroid) picture with the class. � The birthday child is the line leader for the day and gets to wear a special hat or crown. � Special birthday seat – the birthday child gets to sit by the teacher for the day or a close

friend. � Bubbles outside at recess. � Birthday child donates a book, game, recess equipment, or musical instrument to the

classroom. � Birthday child can donate materials for a class project relating to the class curriculum. � Birthday child can donate a game for indoor recess. � Postcards (local ones, zoo, museum, etc.). � Containers (fancy boxes, bags, baskets). � Wooden building sets ($1 each at craft stores, often on sale). � Stickers � Post-it-Notes � Mini picture frames (cardboard is fine). � Show and Tell for birthday child – show favorite things or baby pictures. � Parent/grandparent comes in to read a book or play games with students or the teacher

reads the book that the birthday child lends to the class.