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Parent Handbook

MISSION STATEMENT

The staff at William B. Wade Elementary believes that all children are capable of achieving success. Each child is afforded the opportunity to achieve with the use of a variety of instructional techniques. Our purpose is to develop the whole child by fostering his/her creativity, self-esteem, responsibility, cooperation, and the value of learning within a safe and secure environment. We believe cooperation between the child, the community, home and school must exist in order for maximum achievement.

KEEPING OUR SCHOOL SAFE AND ORDERLY

ABSENTEE HOTLINE – 301-932-4304

When your child is going to be absent, we ask you to call us. Please call anytime after 5 p.m. through 7 a.m. Leave a message on our voice mail. Include your child's name and teacher.

ACCIDENTS

If your child is injured at school, we will make him/her comfortable and begin appropriate first aid procedures.  If you cannot be reached, we will attempt to contact the emergency numbers you have listed on the student information cards. If your child needs to be transported to a hospital, an ambulance will be called. A school staff member will accompany your child to the hospital and stay with him/her until you arrive.

ARRIVAL

The doors open for students at 8:20 a.m. There is no adult supervision until 8:15 a.m. so we ask that they arrive no sooner than 8:15 a.m. If you drop your child off in the morning, please use the drop-off lane in the visitor parking lot (marked by orange cones), and move as far forward as possible. The intersection at the light can not be blocked by cars.

BICYCLES

Locks – Please be sure that your children, if they bring a bicycle to school, also bring and use a bicycle lock. We periodically have an unlocked bicycle stolen from our lot. Please continue to report immediately anything suspicious occurring where bicycles are kept. Remember that bicycles must be "walked" on school property by children and adults.

Helmet Law – Please remember that according to Maryland State Law, children must wear a helmet when riding their bicycles.

BREAKFAST/LUNCH PROGRAM

A breakfast and lunch program is provided to all students. We also have a computer system that allows you to prepay meals and keep a surplus amount of money on account. Meal Benefit applications will be sent home to all students with current meal price information.

BUS REGULATIONS

Students are assigned to ride specific school buses in bussed zones. Students are not allowed to ride a bus other than their assigned bus. Students on the ride to and from school are expected to use appropriate behavior. Students may be removed from riding the bus, if necessary.

CAFETERIA VISITOR GUIDELINES

As our population continues to grow, it has become necessary to suggest a few reminders regarding visiting the cafeteria and having lunch with students:

  1. Please be mindful that their teachers assign students seats. If you choose to have lunch with your child, please sit at one of the two empty tables with available seats for you and your child.
  2. We ask that you dine with your child only.
  3. We ask that you do not bring siblings into the cafeteria but if you do, please keep them with you at all times.
  4. Please do not allow your child to sit on your lap during lunch.
  5. Adhere to our policy of leaving the cafeteria during quiet time. The last ten minutes is reserved for going to the trash can and cleaning up.

CAR POOLING AND DROP OFF/PICK UP

If you drop off your child or pick up by car, please follow these rules:

  1. When dropping off, pull all the way forward as instructed. Drop your student off as quickly as possible. Use the "Kiss and Go" system in your car.
  2. Always drop off and pick up in the parking lot or other safe place. Drop off/pickup needs to be immediately next to the sidewalk, not where children have to cross parking lot traffic. Do not use the bus parking lot! We will help guide you the first few weeks. Please follow our instructions.
  3. Never block the intersection at the light! The police will ticket you.
  4. When picking up, pull all the way forward to the far end of the lot. This will allow others to park behind you.
  5. Exit at the far end of the lot.
  6. Pick up and drop off is also possible on St. James Drive.
  7. The only safe place to drop off your child is next to a sidewalk. Please do not drop children off in the parking lot where they have to cross traffic, as this is dangerous.

Parents, please try not to cross in front of parking lot traffic if you are coming into our school. Instead, let traffic move first before you cross. This will cause fewer traffic back-ups. Thank you for your cooperation.

We are very fortunate to have crossing guards on Smallwood Drive and Dorchester Circle. Please be sure that you and your children always follow the guard's instructions. Your children will follow your example.

Above all, we need your cooperation and "cool heads" when driving. The children are our main concern! Whenever possible, let your child walk. We are a community school and children are safe to walk or ride their bikes to and from school.

DISCIPLINE

A major goal of our staff at Wade Elementary is to establish an atmosphere throughout the school in which children will feel safe, secure, and happy and, in addition, will have a maximum opportunity to learn. We ask you to discuss with your child the importance and need for good behavior and a positive attitude while at school. Fighting, disrespect towards others, obscene language, or destruction of school property will not be tolerated. Students who break the rules continually or cause a serious problem will be handled through the office. Disciplinary action will occur and may result in suspension/expulsion from school.

DISMISSAL

Pre-K, Kindergarten, bus riders and van riders are dismissed at 2:55 p.m. All other students are dismissed at 3:00 p.m. All students need to be picked up no later than 3:05 p.m., as there will be no supervision of students after this time. Please remind your child to go straight home at dismissal and check in before visiting friends.

DRESS CODE

Students are encouraged to dress in a clean, healthy and comfortable manner at all times. Please make sure shirts and tops with "sayings" printed on them are in good taste. No short-shorts, tank tops, tube tops, or spandex (bike) shorts are allowed. Make-up is not allowed. Please dress your child appropriately in ways that emanate his/her readiness to learn.

DROPPING OFF ITEMS/LUNCHES, HOMEWORK, ETC.

Please discuss with your child the importance of remembering lunches, homework, etc., before they leave home in the mornings. We can not call a class and interrupt to let a child know his/her lunch or homework has arrived. It will be the responsibility of the child to check in the office during the day to see if something was left for them.

EARLY DISMISSALS

Please refer to your parent calendar for two-hour early dismissal days. During these days, the staff will be involved in staff development activities, which allow us to keep up with current trends in education for the improvement of student achievement. On early dismissal days, there is no bus run at 11:00 a.m. Kindergarten parents may choose to go ahead and pick up their child at 11:00 a.m. or pick them up at 1:00 p.m.

 At times, due to inclement weather, we may dismiss early/arrive later than our normal hours. Television and radio stations will announce any changes in the schedule. You will also receive a special information letter with further information in the fall. Please do not call the school during these times about closings. Please let your child know what he/she is to do on these days.

EXCUSES FOR ABSENCES

Please send a written excuse the day your child returns to school so we may document the absence. Ask for a medical note when taking your child to the dentist or doctor. This will prevent receiving attendance letters for absences. See the section "From the Attendance Office". Notes will not be accepted after the third day the student has returned to school.

FOUL WEATHER PLAN

Periodic early-year storms (heavy rains or snow/ice) remind us schools can be closed well before the snow strikes. Please speak with your children now so they know what to do if schools are closed in an emergency. They need to know where they are to go, etc. Please tune in to the radio and television stations provided in the Parent/Calendar Handbook for station listings or call the hotline 301-934-7410 or 301-932-6656. Parents can be notified by e-mail of unscheduled delays, early dismissals or closings. Log on to www.schools-out.com to register to receive automatic e-mails at any web address whenever a change to the regular school schedule occurs. Parents can also log on to the site at any time to check the latest status for all schools.  Do not call the school.

FUND-RAISING

The school staff usually runs one large fund-raiser per year. We have been fortunate that this fund-raiser has been successful and has covered the extra items and priorities we have needed at Wade. Please help us to make this successful again. The products we see are of high quality and fully guaranteed or your money will be refunded. Our PTO also raises needed funds for the school during the year.

HOMEWORK

Homework is independent practice for the students. The teacher has already presented the assigned material. The purpose of homework is not to introduce new material but to provide practice on content, which the student understands.

Time and frequency of allocations of homework are:

  Grade 1      2      3      4        5

Few minutes………………………………………………..............................………60 minutes max

Suggested:

  (10 min.) (20 min.) (30 min.) (40 min.) (50 min.)

Frequency:

Minimum – 2 times a week; maximum – 4 times a week

Please help be a part of your child's homework by showing your interest, asking questions, and checking completed assignments.

ITEMS NOT ALLOWED IN SCHOOL

  1. Alcohol, tobacco in any form, and controlled dangerous substances (including look-a-likes).
  2. Weapons – including knives or other dangerous weapons.
  3. Money in school – students should not have extra money in school except what is needed for lunch, supplies, or school-sponsored activities.
  4. Toys/Radios – toys/radios should be kept at home unless pertinent to a school project or pre-arranged with a staff member. Students are not allowed to have cell phones in school.
  5. Animals – special arrangements must be made to bring in animals. Please do not bring pets on the school grounds.

Please keep in mind we always reserve the right to look through children's personal items (bags, lockers, etc.) if we suspect something not allowed may be kept there.

KEEPING EMERGENCY INFORMATION CURRENT

We have all had the experience of having to change telephone numbers at home and work. If your child has an emergency at school and we need to contact you or your designated "emergency" pick-up/coverage, do we have accurate and current telephone numbers for you at home and work? If not, send us the information as soon as possible.

LATE ARRIVALS

If your child is late arriving to school, please bring him/her to the office to sign in before reporting to class. A late arriving child must first report to the office to receive a late pass and have their name removed from the absentee list.

MEDICATION

The school can not administer medication, including Tylenol. Students who need to take prescribed medication must have the appropriate form signed by their physician before medication can be brought to school. The form must be on file in the school office and the medication must be in the original pharmacy container. Do not send medication to school by your child. Cough drops are a form of medicine and can not be carried around by the student. They must be brought to the health room and must be accompanied by a note from the parent.

MESSAGE FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS

Each day there are times when the main office staff is continuously busy answering phones and working with routine duties. The number of callers leaving messages for students, or dropping off homework or lunches, on some days, is becoming overwhelming. We are averaging about thirty per day. Please understand there will be many times when the main office secretaries will be unable to get messages and items to students.

NOTICES TO PARENTS

A newsletter will go home with each report card. It contains important information.  Please take time to read it. A calendar will go home monthly that lists happenings throughout the month. Flyers, containing pertinent information and notices, are also distributed on Tuesdays throughout the school year by staff members. Important class information can be found in these notices therefore, please check your child's Tuesday folder.

PARENT SUPPORT

Wades' Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) is dedicated to supporting our teachers, and involving parents and the community in a wide variety of school functions while providing assistance in the educational process to our parents and students. Our group is always in need of volunteers for our various committees. Please watch for further information regarding meeting times and dates.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Open communication is an essential part of the educational program. It is important that parents and teachers keep in close contact.  Conferences can be initiated by parents or by your child's teacher. If you desire a conference please contact the teacher, in advance, so a time that is convenient for both parties can be reached.

PETS

Please do not bring pets to school when dropping off or picking up your children. Your pet may not bite or scratch, but some may if startled. It is just not worth the chance.

PICKING UP STUDENTS

Any person that is picking up a student must have a picture ID with them. Parents will be checked against the emergency or rolodex card. If the person picking up the child is not the child's parent or guardian and we do not have a note from the parent, the child will not be allowed to leave the building with them. A parent must send in a note, with the child or fax us, to have someone else pick up their child. Our fax number is 301-645-8793. Please remember "NO PICTURE ID, NO CHILD, And NO EXCEPTIONS!"

READING

Depending on age, all children should either be read to or spend 20-30 minutes reading for pleasure each day.

REFOCUS

In order to support students, who did not complete class work time was allocated for one teacher, at each grade level, to be available to help those students refocus their efforts and complete the missing work during the recess period. Their teacher assigns individual students to the Refocus Room. The Refocus Room is a different room each day, depending on which teacher has that duty. We believe that by having the students sit at a desk to complete their work, we are promoting a more positive approach to completing work. A teacher is available to assist any student who may have had difficulty completing the assignment in class or at home. We see this as being supportive to the student who may need that extra attention.

RESIDENCY CHANGE

Anytime during the school year if you change your residency, you need to notify the office immediately. Student information on the computer must be current at all times. If you move, please provide the school with two current utility bills: electric, cable, telephone, waste management, Gas and water & sewer. Each bill must be the whole bill that includes your name, address and current date. If you were living with a relative or friend when you registered your child for school, you completed a Statement of Residency, which we have on file. If you have since moved to a place of your own, you must also provide the school with proofs of residency. If information comes to us that you have moved and have not notified the school, you will receive a letter of possible withdrawal and a Pupil Personnel Worker will be notified to verify residency.

SCHOOL SAFETY

Weapons - No weapons or look-a-likes, including real or toy knives are allowed in school or on school property. Violations will result in suspension/expulsion and reporting to the police. We reserve the right to look through children's belongings if we suspect violations.

SCHOOL VISITS

Parents are encouraged to come to their child's school during normal operating hours. All visitors are asked to sign in at the main office and obtain a visitor's badge. Parents may either visit the classroom at the teacher's/school's invitation or request to make a formal observation of a classroom. Making an appointment with the school at least two (2) days in advance of an observation is not only a courtesy and a requirement, but enables you to schedule the observation for the maximum benefit. Teachers cannot stop teaching to confer with parents who stop by without an appointment. Parents may schedule up to two (2) classroom observations of 45 minutes in duration each grading period. Teachers will be happy to discuss the observation at a mutually convenient time. Parents are welcome to visit the cafeteria and eat lunch with their child. Principals may deny access to the school for any individual who has or may disrupt or disturb the learning environment or who lacks a valid or legal purpose for entering the school.

STUDENT INFORMATION CARD

During the first week of school, your child's teacher will be sending home an information card for you to complete. Having this information returned promptly and correctly is of utmost importance. This information is kept on file in the school office in case you need to be contacted. Please make sure all telephone numbers and addresses are accurate and clearly written. Remember to put the names and telephone numbers of local people, to be contacted, in case you cannot be reached. Please be advised that if you want your child to go home early with someone else listed or not listed on the emergency card, we need a note from the parent giving consent. Please notify the school if you change addresses or telephone numbers during the year.  It is very important that our records reflect any changes.

TOBACCO FREE ENVIRONMENT

All Charles County Schools have gone to a tobacco free environment. This means that there is to be no tobacco products used on school grounds, in any school building, or on any school related field trips, etc.

VOLUNTEERS

All volunteers will be required to attend an orientation session. Volunteers should plan to attend one of three orientation sessions held at the beginning of the school year. The times, of the meetings, will be sent home to parents via the students. Parents, who come in during the school year, may schedule an orientation through the Volunteer Coordinator. Volunteer hours are 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

WITHDRAWAL OF STUDENTS

If you are moving and will be withdrawing your children from school, please come by the office a week prior to the withdrawal date to fill out a Request for Withdrawal form. This will give the office ample time to complete the necessary paperwork.

PLAYGROUND SAFETY

Safety on the playground is a concern that we all have. Even with the best supervision, accidents do happen. Students can help prevent many accidents by "playing safe" on all of the equipment. Go over the following safety tips with your children and strongly encourage them to "play safe" at ALL TIMES.  Parents, please help us by teaching and following these rules when you supervise your children on the playground before and after school and on weekends.

GENERAL RULES

  1. Only objects approved by the person on duty may be used on the playground.
  2. Students must have special permission from their teacher to bring and use equipment/toys from home.
  3. Polite behavior is expected at all times.
  4. The playground equipment must be used correctly at all times and the area must be clear before using any equipment.
  5. Stay within the playground boundaries at all times.
  6. A student must get permission from the person on duty to enter the building while out at recess.

SPECIAL RULES

  1. Swings:  Swing sitting down and straight. Keep the swings the same distance from the ground. Do not shorten the chains. Always stop the swing before getting off. Only one person per swing. If you are not swinging, avoid the swing area.
  2. Slides:  Always go down feet first, seated and one person at a time. Keep all foreign objects (rocks, cars, toys, etc.) off the slide.
  3. Horizontal Ladders: Everyone goes in the same direction using only their hands. Do not climb on the top of this piece of equipment.
  4. Jungle Gym: Use for climbing only.
  5. Team Games: Pick fair teams. Follow all of the rules. Avoid hitting exterior doors and the trailers with the balls. Put all equipment away at the end of the play period and BE A GOOD SPORT!

If you have any questions regarding any of the above, please call the school.

FROM THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE

We, at William B. Wade, encourage our students to come to school every day. We realize that is not always possible. In case your child is absent, here are some things you, as parents, should know:

  1. If you know your child will be out of school for an extended period of time, please write a note to the teacher to be given to the attendance clerk. This will give your child's teacher an appropriate amount of time to get together any work that your child will need and also let the attendance clerk know how to code the absence.
  2. When you know your child will be absent, call the school at 301-932-4304 and leave a message on the Attendance Hotline with the student's name and teacher's name.
  3. If your child misses a day of school, please send a note the next day explaining why he/she was absent even though you have called the school. The absence must be documented in writing. The note should include the student's name, the date(s) of absence, the reason, and the parent's signature. Notes will not be accepted after the third day back at school.
  4. Students who visit a doctor/dentist should present a note on the physician's letterhead. Presenting a doctor's note will code the absence M2 (medical).
  5. When your child has missed 5 or more days, you will receive a letter from the Principal.
  6. When your child has missed 10 or more days, you will receive a letter from the Principal. When your child has missed 15 days or more, you will receive a letter from the Pupil Personnel Worker. A meeting date and time will be set to discuss a Contract of Attendance.
  7. When your child has missed 20 days or more, you will receive a letter from the Principal requesting a meeting and a possible meeting with the hearing officer at the Central Office to determine the causes of the absences.
  8. set the time for ½ day absence if you arrive to school one hour after school has begun or if you take your child out one hour before school dismisses. Every time your child enters school after the late bell has rung, (8:35 a.m.), your child is marked tardy. When your child leaves school early, (2:01 p.m. or later), your child is also marked tardy. Three (3) tardies = ½ day absence. Six (6) tardies = 1 full day absence.
  9. Different codes are used for tardies and absences. Listed are the codes:
    • A parent signs a child in late with a reason – code 21 – reason was given
    • No parent comes in to sign the child in late – code 22 – parent indifference
    • Parent does not send in a note stating a reason for the student's absence – code 22 – parent indifference
    • Parent sends in a note stating child was absent for anything but student illness – code 21 – reason was given
    • Parent sends in note stating child was absent due to illness – code 02 – student illness
    • Parent sends in doctor's note – code M2 – medical
      • Medical notes will also hold off an attendance letter.
    • Twice a week, attendance reports are run and the computer automatically generates attendance letters. The type of letter depends on how many days absent and the codes.

These are just a few things that will help you and your child have a successful school year. If you have any questions about attendance, please contact our attendance clerk.

Glossary of Terms

Thank you so much for taking the time to look over this pamphlet. We hope it has been helpful and has been able to answer some of the questions you may have about what is going on at William B. Wade Elementary. Please do not hesitate to call us at 301-932-4304 if you have any questions. We will be glad to answer them

The Staff of William B. Wade Elementary School