The ABC’s of Millersville Elementary



The ABC’s of Millersville Elementary2017-2018The MES Handbook contains our very own policies and procedures on many different subjects that may come up during each and every school year.-13801110 School Colors – Maroon & WhiteSchool Mascot – RoadrunnerParent & Community Involvement: Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Citizens Advisory Council (CAC)Millersville, MD 21035Phone – (410)222-3800Fax – (410)222-380200 School Colors – Maroon & WhiteSchool Mascot – RoadrunnerParent & Community Involvement: Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Citizens Advisory Council (CAC)Millersville, MD 21035Phone – (410)222-3800Fax – (410)222-3802Millersville Elementary School Personnel Roster– 2017-2018PrincipalIsaphine SmithAssistant PrincipalAmy WorrallRegional Assistant SuperintendentDr. Dawn LucarelliDirector of School PerformanceDr. Maisha GillinsSecretariesCheryl WadeGinger HoffmanCounselorMatthew BeckwithPsychologistStacie EhrenfeldMT: Millersville Elementary SchoolWThF: Pasadena Elementary School KindergartenJamie MauryMegan BollhorstChris ButtersGrade 1Nicky HallTracy BentleyHeather Neish Grade 2Crystal BuntzJenifer EndlichJulianna MeinhardtGrade 3Jennifer SzalankiewiczAllyson CabradilliaGrade 4Julie SauerKevin CabradilliaChristy JenkinsGrade 5Susan SheehyMegan BrumfieldArtDarlene MontaniMusicEllen NorrisRebecca Ritenour – BandKevin Wisniewski – StringsPhysical EducationWendy WarnerMediaAngela FoleyKathy WilliamsComputer LabBenjamin BoisseauTeacher AssistantsDonell Johnson – KG-TABarbara Stevenson-Sp. Ed-TATetyana Khalanych - Sp. Ed.-TADawn McWilliams-Sp. Ed-TAAmy Shifflett-Sp. Ed-TAReginal Carter–Sp. Ed. TSAAmanda Madero-Sp. Ed. TSA Tara Johnson-Sp. Ed. TSAApril Plunkett-Sp. Ed. PSASpecial EducationEmily MinnigerodeTerry HalstadDavina JulotKelly Prive (Autism)Teresa Williams (Autism)Speech Lauren Jackson Victoria SilverO.T. Debbie HainesKristin YipP.T.Amy HicksReadingElizabeth AbellRight Start AdvisorMaura Shaul ESOLHannah Floyd Health RoomCasey Banks - NurseElaine Petrucci – Health AssistantCafeteriaMaggie Adkins, ManagerPam SkinnerCustodiansJerry Carr, ChiefStephanie SharpsJeffrey BellHannah MoreDr. Leslie Kee, Program DirectorMelissa Krohn Michele JohnstonAmanda White Abdia ElliottJessica BrownLaura CahillAnn KerrDaniel HarpelChris Kowlessar Mindy ShoreAdmissionsNew kindergarten students for the school year 2017-18 must be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2017. A physical examination is required when a student enters school for the first time. Ages must be verified by a birth certificate (or other proof of birth) and immunization records must be complete. Parents of upper level students who are transferring from other schools should arrange to provide copies of their academic and immunization records to insure their admission to the proper classes.Arrival and DismissalThe Superintendent has reminded all of us of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ goal to create a safe and supportive learning environment that promotes academic achievement. We thank you for supporting our safe learning environment at Millersville Elementary School. Please be assured that when we work together, our school will be a safer place for all in our community.Parents delivering or picking up students at school should use the visitor/faculty parking lot. Students should arrive at school by 8:50am. Since instruction begins promptly at 9:15 am, students arriving after 9:15am MUST enter the building through the front door WITH A PARENT/GUARDIAN and MUST check into the office before proceeding to their classroom. All students are dismissed at 3:40pmParents are advised to send a note to the teacher on the morning when the student has to leave school before 3:00pm. For security reasons, it is critical that parents wait in their cars in the car rider line for their student(s). There is limited space to discharge and pick up students. Children and adults create a hazardous situation when walking between cars to the parking area. Please DO NOT park in the front bus lot to pick-up your student(s)! Any parent needing to pick up a student prior to dismissal is asked to do so no later than 3:00pm. Also, as a reminder, anyone who is not on the “Emergency Contact” form must have prior permission to pick up a student and WILL be asked for identification. AttendanceRegular healthy attendance is essential to a student’s success in school. Most subjects are taught in sequence, requiring the understanding of each concept in the order of its presentation. Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for a student and is regarded as a very serious problem.Also, the day your child is absent, you will automatically receive a Connect-Ed telephone message stating that your child is not in school that day and reminding you that a note needs to be submitted stating the reason for their absence upon their return to school. An absence note must be submitted within 3 days of the student’s return to school or it will remain coded as unexcused after 3 days. If a student is absent for six days or more, a doctor’s note is required for the student to return to school. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL OFFICE TO REPORT YOUR STUDENT’S ABSENCE! However, please feel free to email the teacher if you would like.Birthday CelebrationsWe recognize students’ birthdays over the intercom each day during the morning announcements and we are happy to celebrate with your child. Please do not send invitations for outside parties to school. Feelings can be hurt in these situations and we ask your cooperation in this matter. We can provide a roster of names; however, we CANNOT provide the addresses and/or phone numbers of the other students in your child’s class.Due to the County’s Wellness Policy, as well as Millersville Elementary School’s focus on nutrition, parents are asked to please consider alternatives to edible birthday treats. Edible birthday treats are not permitted. However, parents are permitted to send in goodie-bags containing NON-EDIBLE items that will be passed out at the end of the instructional day for students to take home.Bus ConductThe importance of stressing proper and safe conduct on school buses cannot be emphasized enough. It is extremely important that parents assume the responsibility to be at the bus stop to put their kindergarten children on the bus and meet them as they get off. Parents should be at the loading side of the bus.To help ensure safe bus conduct, please read the Board of Education Bus Behavior Expectations & Safety Requirements for All Students in the Student Handbook and review it with your child (ren). Misconduct will be dealt with by the principal. After the first violation, a loss of bus privileges may occur. Please see the AACPS 2017-2018 Student Handbook for further details regarding bus behavior.Cancellation/Delay/Early Dismissal of SchoolCancellation of school takes place only during extraordinary circumstances such as extreme weather, equipment failure, or public crisis. The school board and administrators are aware of the hardship which can be caused by an abrupt cancellation. Therefore, school will not be cancelled unless a significant safety risk has been created by unusual circumstances. In the event that conditions warrant school to be closed, AACPS will contact everyone through the Connect Ed automated telephone messaging system. Therefore, it is extremely important to contact the school when any of your contact information has changed. You can also check the school board website at for any closures or delays, or sign up on for school closure email notification. Announcements will be made on most Washington and Baltimore TV stations and radio stations.At times, the Board of Education will delay openings by 2 hours due to inclement weather. When schools have delayed openings, breakfast WILL NOT be served.There are also times when schools will close earlier than the normal 3:40pm dismissal. This usually occurs for snow, but is not limited to heat or water shortage, or other causes which warrant an early dismissal. Please have a plan in place for your child to follow in case this happens and you are not at home. Designate a neighbor or relative to look for your child coming off the bus. Phone lines are limited and we cannot allow students to call home.Car Rider/Bus Rider ChangesParents are strongly requested to send any car or bus rider changes in writing to the school that morning. These changes MUST be in writing to confirm your child’s preferred method of transportation for the afternoon commute. Due to safety and legal concerns, NO verbal request will be honored. You must provide a written note or email your child’s teacher or one of the secretary’s in the office. You are asked to make unexpected changes by 3:00pm since NO communication is made to the teachers after this time. This will ensure your child’s safety, prevent interruption of instructional time, and avoid any confusion at the end of the day. If you have a specific transportation schedule for your child, please submit it to the teacher at the beginning of the week. Classroom PartiesAt MES, we host two parties for the school year, Halloween and Valentine’s Day. In order to secure the safety of all MES children, younger siblings may not join their siblings for these parties. Code of Student BehaviorThe Anne Arundel County Public School Board of Education has revised the Code of Student Conduct. You will find the Code in handbooks which are distributed to each student at the beginning of each school year. Please read this book carefully to familiarize yourselves and your children with the Code of Behavior. We suggest that you review this each year, as changes may occur year to munication/NewslettersEach teacher and/or grade group distributes their own “newsletter” at various times on either a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.CounselorA professional counselor is a full-time staff member at our school. The school counselor wears many hats: advisor, counselor, consultant, teacher, program manager, facilitator, coordinator, and human development specialist. Most importantly, he is a visible, interacting force working with the school and home teams so that they can reach a common goal….helping students maintain a happy and successful school life.Dress CodeAccording to the AACPS 2017-2018 Student Handbook, students should dress appropriately to create a respectful and safe environment in school. Clothes that create a disruptive environment or cause a health or safety hazard may not be worn. Please refer to the Dress Code in its entirety in the AACPS Student Handbook.Headwear: may be worn for health, safety, or religious reasons.Shoes: no bare feet are allowedClothing:Cannot show profanity, obscenity, violence, or symbols of hateCannot promote alcohol, tobacco, or drugsCannot promote gang colors or gang related signsCannot show underwearCannot show bare skin between upper chest and mid-thighEmergency InformationIn case of an emergency, each child is required to have the following information on file at the school:Parent(s)/Guardian(s) namesComplete up to date addressHome phone and parent(s)work and/or cell phone numbersCurrent email address(es)Emergency phone number(s) of two (2) relatives or friends OTHER THAN PARENTSPhysician’s name and phoneMedical alert informationPick-up authorization (i.e.: are both parents authorized to pick up?)PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR EMERGENCY FORM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! IF FOR ANY REASON THE ABOVE INFORMATION CHANGES AT ANY TIME, PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE IMMEDIATELY!FeesWhen you send money to school, please enclose it in an envelope and label it with your child’s name, teacher’s name, and designate payment purposes. All checks are to be made out to Millersville Elementary School. Field TripsField trips are planned for educational purposes. All students are expected to participate in field trips since they are a part of our curriculum. All students will be transported on county buses. Students are expected to travel from school and back on the approved transportation. Prior to each field trip, information about the trip is sent to parents along with the permission slip. We MUST have parental permission for students to go on field trips.Food ServiceBreakfast is available for all students each morning in the cafeteria from 8:50am. to 9:10am. Hot lunches are also served daily in the cafeteria. Free breakfast/lunch is available to any child whose family qualifies. Applications are available in the school office.School Meal PricesBreakfast$1.50Reduced$0.30Adult Breakfast$1.90Lunch$2.75Reduced$0.40Adult Lunch$3.65Milk$0.55Water8oz.--.50/16oz.--$1.00Ice Cream$0.50 to $1.00Sun Chips, Pretzels, &/or Goldfish$0.60 to $0.80Snack Cakes & Various Cookies$.50 to $1.00To reduce the complications associated with carrying breakfast/lunch money to school; all food purchases can be paid for in advance by opening a pre-paid account for your child in the cafeteria. All you have to do is send a check made payable to “MES Cafeteria” in an envelope with your child’s name on it. If you have more than one child, you may write a check and place their names in the memo field on the check and the check will be disbursed equally on each child’s account. The account can be used for 1 (one) breakfast and/or 1 (one) lunch each day. With a signed note from the parents indicating permission to use the account for all additional a la carte purchases, the account can be used for all extras such as snacks. Check out AACPS Food and Nutrition Services online for more information about the new online pre-pay!Gifted/Talented/Advanced ProgramsAnne Arundel County Public Schools provides a menu of flexible and multi-faceted programs, grades K-12, which enable students to develop demonstrated and potential talents in challenging learning environments. MES is an ALPS school and all MES teachers are ALPS teachers. As a Full Implementation Advanced Learning Programs (ALPs) school, each Millersville student in Grades 3-5 will participate in one or more ALPs trails to meet the needs of our continuum of learners. ALPs schools provide three instructional “trails” to provide more advanced opportunities for all students in grades three, four and five. For additional information about programs countywide, call the Coordinator of Gifted/Talented/Advanced Learning at 410-222-5430 or . Click on the Curriculum/Instruction tab, click Advanced Studies, and then click Advanced Learner Programs. MSDE Primary Talent Development information for grades K-2 can also be found at .GumOur school has a policy which prohibits the use of gum during school hours. Students are expected to comply with all aspects of this policy, which extends to field trips.HomeworkHomework assignments are a regular, expected, and logical outgrowth of classroom learning and experiences. The type, quantity, and frequency of homework assigned will depend on the teacher’s judgment of the students’ needs and ability to complete the work within a reasonable time. As appropriate, short or long-term assignments will be given. Homework assignments should support student accomplishment of course outcomes. Homework assignments also have value in teaching students to assume responsibility for self-improvement and in exercising self-discipline and independence in attending to and completing a task.The average amount of expected daily homework, all subjects combined, is:Grade 110 minutesGrade 220 minutesGrade 330 minutesGrade 440 minutesGrade 550 minutesIf an assignment appears too difficult for a child, or if an extraordinary amount of time is being spent, a note from the parent expressing the difficulty will excuse the child that evening from completing the problem work. The student’s grade for daily homework is included in the “Work Habits” component of the report card.Hours (School)Office hours7:30am -4:00pmSchool hours9:15am-3:40pmLunch hours11:30 am-1:00 pmKindergarten: 11:35-12:00 First Grade Lunch: 11:30-11:55Second Grade Lunch: 12:00-12:25Third Grade Lunch: 12:30-12:55Fourth Grade Lunch: 12:05-12:30Fifth Grade Lunch: 12:35-1:00Illness or InjuryIt is important that we know at all times how parents may be contacted. We maintain a file of emergency telephone numbers in the office and health room. If there is a change in your address, home, cell, or office telephone number, or medical information, please notify the school immediately of the change(s)!Lost and FoundThere are “Lost and Found” bins in the cafeteria. If your child loses something, he or she should first check with the teacher, and then check the bins in the cafeteria. Many lost items are never claimed. We ask that you label all sweaters, coats, hats, lunch boxes, backpacks, and the like with your child’s name. Unclaimed articles are donated to charity before Winter Break and at the end of the school year.Lunchroom VisitationTo be consistent with the County’s Wellness Policy, as well as Millersville Elementary School’s focus on Team Nutrition, parents are asked to refrain from bringing fast-food lunches into the cafeteria. When parents bring fast-food, which includes soda, this creates an unnecessary disruption to the lunch routine. Please help us to create a safe, orderly, and healthy environment in the cafeteria. Due to limited space siblings and toddlers in strollers are not permitted.Music/Band/StringsAll children at our school are enrolled in two music classes per week. The music program provides opportunities for children to develop music skills and have a better understanding and enjoyment of music. The basic elements of music are presented to the students through various cycles of experience involving singing, playing instruments, listening, movement, expression, and music reading. Our school has band classes available to students in grades four and five, and string classes available to students in grades three, four, and five. Students are taught during the school day for two half hour sessions per week. Students must purchase or rent their own instruments. Students perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts. Band, strings, and chorus are elective courses, and students receive a quarterly grade based upon their performance. Students who have a successful start to the year are expected to continue throughout the entire school year. In addition, students are responsible for any classwork that they miss during their half hour of instrumental or chorus instruction.Students that opt to play larger band and strings instruments should also be aware that there is a county rule regarding these large instruments on buses. The rule states that if the instrument does not fit on a lap or under a seat, it will not be permitted on a bus. If your child plays an instrument that cannot ride the bus, please make sure you have separate transportation plans for their lesson days. On sparsely populated buses, we usually try to work around the large instrument issue, but on full buses, it is a problem. Also, many elementary age students struggle carrying the larger instruments up the bus steps, down the aisle, and back down the bus steps, often bumping other children in the process. Students are responsible for remembering to bring their instrument and music folder to school on Band and Strings days. If a student forgets their instrument, please do NOT bring it to school for them. Students will no longer be allowed to call home from classrooms or the office to have instruments dropped off for them. The office is extremely busy as well as crowded and cannot accommodate instruments. Please review the Band and Strings schedule with your child and discuss your routine for ensuring the instrument and music folder get to school on the correct days. In the event your child does forget, they should still attend class so they can learn the new material to practice at home. We realize that all students occasionally forget, but we also are trying to teach our young musicians to be more responsible citizens.NurseMillersville Elementary School has a part-time nurse and a full-time LPN assigned to the school. The school nurse should be contacted regarding medications, illnesses, and related absences, and for other health issues. The nurse’s office is in the health room. Parent VolunteersMillersville Elementary School considers its parent volunteers a very special resource. Volunteers enable the school to provide many programs and activities for your children. Parents are encouraged to help in all classrooms, programs, and extracurricular activities. Parents desiring to volunteer at the school should contact the PTO Chairperson of Volunteers and/or the School’s Volunteer Coordinator, Mrs. Abell and Mr. Beckwith.Physical EducationThe staff at Millersville Elementary School 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 that attitude development is an important part of our education. We attempt to create an atmosphere for the development of leadership, sportsmanship, and congeniality through our physical education program. Physical education classes are provided twice each week for all students. Students must wear gym shoes on physical education days.PicturesIndividual pictures as well as class group photos and a 5th grade panoramic are scheduled each year. In the fall, individual photos are taken and the class group photos are taken in the spring along with the 5th grade panoramic photo. PromotionA promotion ceremony is held for the 5th grade students and their parents each year on the very last day of school.PsychologistA staff psychologist visits the school two days per week. They are specially trained problem-solvers to link mental health to learning and behavior.Rules for General BehaviorWe want your child to have successful learning experiences in school. In order for this to happen, students must follow the rules which have been made to help provide for a pleasant, orderly learning environment. Please help by discussing the rules of the AACPS Student Handbook as well as the Millersville Handbook with your child to help them understand that certain behaviors are acceptable, while others are not. Regardless of the efforts of parents and teachers, there are times when a child may exhibit behaviors which are not acceptable in school. When this occurs, there are various steps/interventions taken for offenses. Part of our job, at home and at school, is to help a child learn the behaviors and habits which will help him/her become a responsible, productive, citizen not only for the present, but for the future.Safety and SecurityThe following statement was issued by the Office of School Security:“Millersville Elementary School is equipped with a video camera system. It covers selected interior and exterior public portions of the building and grounds. It is NOT monitored constantly, but it is monitored during emergency situations during certain events, when the safety or security of students may be in questions, authorized personnel from local, state, or federal police or fire emergency units may be given access to view images projected on the camera system. If you have any questions about the system, you should call the Supervisor of School Security at 410-222-5083.”“The safety of all students and staff in Anne Arundel County Public Schools is of utmost importance to all of us.? Our school will continue to utilize an electronic system for checking in all visitors.? The system is called V Soft by Raptor Ware.? When you visit our school, you will be asked to present a driver’s license to a staff person in the school office.? This card will be scanned and the following information will be collected:? your photo, your name, and your date of birth.? This information will be utilized to check you in, create an ID badge, and compare your information against sexual offender databases throughout the country.? If your name appears on any of the lists or you refuse to allow the use of your ID, you will not be allowed access to the school.? On future visits to a school at which you have previously registered, you will only be asked to show your ID as your name will be selected from an existing list of previous visitors.? You will also be asked to check out with the office upon leaving the school so that we know you are no longer in the building.? You will be required to check into the system even if you are only coming to school to pick up your child.? The information collected will not be shared outside of the school and is kept on a secure server.? Your assistance in keeping our students safe is appreciated.” If you have any questions, please contact James D. Batten, Supervisor in the Office of School Security, at 410-222-5634.Parents are not permitted to wait in the lobby for the dismissal of car riders. For security reasons, it is critical that parents wait in their cars in the car rider line for their student (s). Also, as a reminder, anyone who is not on the “Emergency Contact” must have prior permission to pick up a student and WILL be asked for identification. Additionally, any parent who has a meeting following dismissal is asked to wait UNTIL the building is clear from dismissal procedures before entering the building.All our staff members, as well as visitors, MUST wear Identification or Visitor/Volunteer Badges, as required by the Board of Education. All outside doors must be locked at all times. Teachers and parents are asked to double check that doors are locked once you enter the building. The custodial crew will also check the security of the doors throughout the day. Please be sure to discuss with your child that students ARE NOT permitted to open outside doors for ANY parents and/or visitors. We understand that this is difficult to monitor since our children are so trusting and happy to help when people come to our doors. Everyone must ring the bell at the front door to gain access to our building. Be sure to face the camera (which is where you ring the bell) so you can be seen by the office staff. When asked, please state your name and the reason for your visit, prior to being buzzed into the building. Any visitors coming in for ANY reason MUST check into the office to obtain a visitor’s pass. No one is permitted to go beyond the office without a pass. Your badge MUST be worn and we ask that you place it where it is visible. Staff members are obligated to look for these badges on visitors and/or volunteers and direct anyone without one back to the main office. Please do not be offended if a staff member questions you since that is their job.Science FairEach year our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students present a Science Fair. Entries are displayed for all students to view. This activity is one of the highlights of our academic year. Parents are encouraged to support this activity and to promote the participation of their children in the Science Fair.Speech Language PathologistA Speech Language Pathologist is a member of our staff. Students whose speech and language impacts their ability to fully participate in class can work with the therapist. If any parent is concerned about their child’s speech or language, the parent should talk to their child’s teacher or contact the Speech Language Pathologist.Substitute TeachersEvery student will be taught periodically by a substitute teacher. The most common reason for using substitute teachers occurs when the regular teacher is ill. However, substitutes are also used when regular teachers are absent for other various reasons. Students are expected to be extra courteous to substitute teachers while still continuing to follow the rules of the classroom.TardinessExcessive tardiness will not be tolerated as this interferes with total class instruction. When students have dental or medical appointments before they come to school, they should bring a note from the doctor or dentist with them. These late arrivals are excused. If excessive tardiness occurs, parents will be invited in for a conference to discuss excessive tardiness and work with the school guidance counselor and administration. Continued unexcused tardiness will be reported to the Pupil Personnel Department.Tobacco-Free SchoolBoard of Education Policy 800.30 states, “The sale or use of tobacco in any form is prohibited at all times (24 hours a day, every day) in all system-owned or leased buildings, vehicles, and on all school grounds.” This includes the parking areas!Transcript RequestsThe first request for copies of transcripts to be sent to other schools will be free. Any requests for transcripts after the first one will be charged at a rate of $0.25 per page plus the cost of postage. If a parent requests a copy of their student’s file, or any portion of the file, the charge for the copies is $.25 per page.Unauthorized ArticlesCommon sense and consideration is the best guide in determining whether or not to bring personal possessions to school. In general, student should not bring toys, electronics, or unusual items to school unless they are intended for a specific purpose in the classroom. Children should not bring candy or other items of any kind to sell to students. Trading cards are also prohibited and will be held by the teacher until the parent picks them up.ValuablesThe school administrators and staff cannot be responsible for valuables which students bring to school. It is recommended that students leave all valuables at home (including jewelry). If special circumstances make it necessary for a student to bring substantial cash or other important possessions to school, these items can be safeguarded by registering and leaving them in the main office.VisitorsParents are welcome and are encouraged to visit the school. All visitors are required to report to the school office upon entering the building. Visitor’s must sign in and obtain a visitor’s badge, which MUST be worn during the entire visit through the building. Visitors must also return to the office to turn in their badge and sign out. See also “Safety and Security.”WithdrawalsPlease advise the school office as far in advance as possible, or at least business days, if you will be moving from our school attendance area. This will give the enrollment secretary sufficient time to prepare the necessary papers for transfer. Students must have a transfer form in order to enter another public school in the state of Maryland. The note to the school should include the last day your child will be attending at Millersville, as well as the location of the new school. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download