Cato Elementary School Guidelines and Procedures 2017-2018
Theme: “Owl Power”
Shyrel W. Lee, P rincipal
[email protected]
Mascot: Owl and Colors: Green and White
Pulaski County Special School District 9906 Jacksonville-Cato Road Sherwood, AR 72120 Phone (501) 833-1160 Fax (501) 833-1167 cato.pcssd.org
Cato Owls: Quick Reference and Procedures
The Cato Faculty and Staff welcome you to a great new school year! We are looking forward to having an exciting learning experience with you and your child. It is our desire to partner with you to make your child’s learning opportunities the best possible for 2017-2018. Throughout the year we will hold parent/teacher conferences, PTA meetings and offer other occasions to keep you informed about your child’s progress as well as allow you occasions to provide your input regarding what is going on in our school. We want you to feel comfortable and welcome to share your time, talents, and concerns in an effort to ensure that your child excels! The following procedures have been developed to better serve you and your child. We ask that you read these procedures and explain them to any and all members of your family who will be involved with your child at Cato. For specific and additional information regarding PCSSD’s policies and procedures refer to the PCSSD Parent/Student Handbook located on the district’s website: pcssd.org. Thank you for your cooperation and support. Due to Safety and Security Reasons only Pre-K parents will be permitted to walk their child to the classroom after the second day of school. This will be enforced by the district and Cato staff.
New School Hours: 7:45 am to 2:45 pm. Students must be with their teacher/class at
7:45 am. Attendance & Tardy Policy – Your child must attend school on time and regularly to benefit and prepare for future learning. Carefully read the Student Attendance Policy outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook. Poor attendance can cause your child to struggle academically, respond inappropriately, and possibly be recommended for retention due to missed instruction. Students who arrive after 7:45 am must be checked-in by an adult. The student will be documented as tardy. All students are expected to be with their teachers and begin their school day at 7:45 am. Parents of students who are chronically tardy and absent will be notified by phone, letter, and/or requested to meet with the principal and/or counselor. The Registrar will enter attendance information daily and adhere to the Attendance Policy outlined in the PCSSD Parent/Student Handbook. Tardiness will disqualify your child from certain honors or awards. We strongly discourage you from checking-out your child early unless it is due to a doctor’s appointment or family emergency. Teachers must be allowed time to summarize the school day, assign homework, and/or send home notes prior to the end of the day. Arrival – Car Riders, Bus Riders, Walkers, & Bikers enter the building at 7:15 am. Staff members will be on duty at that time. · Students who eat breakfast report directly to the cafeteria. After breakfast those students report to their assigned supervised duty area. Breakfast schedule: 7:15 am – 7:40 am · Students who do not eat breakfast report directly to the bus duty areas.
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For all students’ safety parents dropping off students are to use the front drive in the parking lot area. Pull forward to the end of the awning in the mornings to allow all students to unload safely. Help keep our students and families safe by driving with caution. Dismissal - In the afternoons please do not block the bus loading and day care van driveway between the school and playground. Pull forward to the end of the awning. All car riders will be issued a hanging car rider sign. The duty teacher will call for your child to come out of the building when he/she sees your child’s name tag. Pre-K parents are to use the other circular drive opposite of the front parking lot. Do not leave your cars unattended or block the drive. If you need to talk to your child’s teacher park in a parking slot. Duty teachers will supervise walkers and bike riders. We ask that you encourage your child to go directly home. Contact the school immediately if your child has any problems. If you need to check-out your child, for safety reasons, park in a parking slot in the parking lot. Never leave your engine running and/or leave a child alone in the car. Let’s work together to keep our children safe! Medication – You must complete and submit a medication consent form to either the school Nurse Waggoner or Mrs. Joyce, registrar, for your child. The nurse and designated school staff cannot legally administer your child’s medication without consent. Make sure you complete your child’s health history form at the beginning of the new school year. If your child has food allergies please inform the nurse and the cafeteria manager.
Volunteering and Chaperoning Field Trips – If you would like to volunteer and/or chaperone on field trips you must go the the PCSSD website (pcssd.org) and select the image “I want to volunteer!” Complete the online application with the Secure Volunteer system. After your information has been reviewed you will be notified by email when you have been approved. You will receive a Secure Volunteer ID card to verify your background screen has been completed. For safety reasons, this process must be completed and you will be asked to show school staff your Secure ID card prior to volunteering and chaperoning students. School Discipline and Pride – The Cato Team will send you a copy of your child’s classroom rules, procedures, and consequences. We urge you to remind your child to follow all adults’ directions; use positive and kind words; keep his/her hands and feet to her/himself; participate in class by completing class and homework assignments on time; follow school bus rules and procedures for safety; and get help from the staff if he/she has a problem. We need to hear from you if your child has a problem. Always feel free to contact me by email,
[email protected], or phone, 833-1160 fax 833.1167. The cato Team and I will continuously review the rules and procedures with your child. Bullying (of any kind) will not be tolerated. PCSSD’s definition of bullying is the intentional harassment, intimidation, humiliation, ridicule, defamation, threat or incitement of violence by a student against another student or a school employee. Bullying may occur through a written, verbal, electronic or physical act that causes or creates a clear and present danger or physical harm of damage to school or student property.
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Bus Safety – Your child must follow the bus rules and procedures to ensure he/she arrives to school and returns home safely. A bus assembly will be held at the beginning of the school year to review the rules and safety procedures. Our School Resource Officer and the Transportation Director, will be invited to discuss bus safety and encourage students to follow the bus procedures. Homework Policy – Each grade level (K-5) team will share the expected homework policy and procedures. Your child should read, study spelling words/patterns, complete math problems, and/or write each evening. Have conversations with your child each evening about what he/she has learned. If you know or think that your child is struggling please contact your child’s teacher or the school principal immediately. Toys, Electronics, Cards, etc. - Students are not permitted to bring toys, electronics, balls, make-up (of any kind) to school. The student will receive a warning and you will receive a phone call about the item the student brought to school. The second time the item is brought to school the principal will keep it until a parent comes to school to claim it. Communications between Home and School – Communication is a vital part of student success. All students will be given a parent/teacher communicator and students in 1st through 5th will be issued a grade level specific agenda. Check your child’s communicator and agenda daily so that you can stay informed regarding their learning. Review the folders and agendas daily to find out what your child is learning and expected to do for homework. You may use them to write notes to your child’s teacher as well. You will receive a school code to use to check your child’s assignments and grades on the website. Feel free to come by the school if you need to access the internet. You will receive a school calendar with important dates to remember, school events, and a PTA tentative meeting and program schedule. Teachers will send home newsletters and important information about lessons on a regular basis. Our school uses a phone call-out system to contact you regarding important reminders, attendance, and other relevant school information. Take time to listen to the messages so you will know what is going on in your child’s school. Concerns and Complaints – The Cato Staff and I desire to establish and maintain an open line of communications with all stakeholders (you, students, community members, business, etc.). If you have a concern and/or complaint please feel free to contact your child’s teacher and/or me immediately. We are here to serve you and your child, and it is our goal to ensure that your child is safe, educated, and respected. Contact Information - PLEASE make sure we have your current phone number and emergency contacts for your child. Reminder: Refer to the PCSSD Parent/Student Handbook which is located on the PCSSD website. Thank you for your cooperation and support!
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Please return this f orm signed to your child’s teacher. Cato
lementary School E Guidelines & Procedures Receipt 2017-2018 _____________________ _____________ ___________________ Student’s Name Date Grade/ Teacher The Statement below must be signed and returned to the homeroom teacher within one (1) week after the student receives it. We have received and read the Cato Guidelines and Procedures, we understand that the student must adhere to them while he/she is at school, on the bus, at the bus stop, or in attendance at school sponsored activities. _________________________ Student Signature _________________________ Parent Signature _________________________ Date
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2017-2018 Cato Elementary School Parent Compact Kindergarten through 5th Grade
A Learning Partnership between Home and School The Cato Staff will:
As a Cato Parent, I will:
Be prepared and teach your child every day
Make sure my child is on time and prepared for the school day. I will send a note each time my child misses school to explain the absence.
Provide a safe and orderly school environment that is conducive to learning. Communicate high expectations for every student. Enforce homework policy established by the school staff. Monitor proper use of technology within the classroom Principal: Shyrel W. Lee__________ Teacher: _______________________
As a Cato student, I will: Be prepared to learn and participate with necessary supplies.
Review the school rules and procedures with my child. Help my child to accept consequences for negative behavior and to recognize their positive behavior and good work.
Be respectful to others and to myself. Observe and obey school and classroom rules.
Communicate with teachers to follow my child’s progress. Check with my child daily for useful information sent home from school.
Share all papers, assignment notebook, or communication folder with my parent and return signed materials to my teacher.
Monitor my child’s homework and make sure study time is in a quiet place.
Take responsibility for my learning by completing classwork and homework
Monitor proper use of technology in the home environment
Commit to proper use of technology at home and at school
Parent: _________________________ Phone Number: __________________
Student: ________________________ Grade: _________________________
Cato Elementary 9906 Jacksonville/Cato Road Sherwood, AR 72120 Phone: 501-833-1160
“Owl Power”
PARENTAL INVOLEMENT PLAN 2016-2017 INTRODUCTION Cato Elementary Mission: The Cato Elementary Team will improve student achievement and prepare all students for college and careers by using research-based instructional materials and strategies as well as evaluate student growth through both formative and summative assessments. In an effort to accomplish the mission of Cato Elementary School, the school is committed to involving teachers, parents, community members and students. The Cato Elementary School agrees to implement the following statutory requirement: ● The Cato Elementary School will put into operation programs, activities and procedures for the involvement of parents in the school with Title I, Part A programs consistent with section 1118 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act(ESEA). Those programs, activities, and procedures will be planned and operated with meaningful consultation with parents of participating children.
VOLUNTEER PLAN ( 5.01.1.2 ; 5.01.3)
Cato Elementary encourages volunteers (parents and community) to visit the school. Through the participation of the Parent-Teacher Association, a volunteer survey will be sent home to parents during the second week of school. This survey enlisted the help of parents and guardians in providing assistance to our teachers and staff in the following areas: PTA, Media Center Volunteers, Chaperone Field Trips, Thanksgiving/Specials Day Lunches with Students, Fall Carnival, Holiday Shop, Teacher Luncheons, Holiday Parties, Field Day Activities, Fifth Grade Promotion, Grandparents’ Day, and Dads Who Give a Hoot. PTA meetings are held throughout the year. The meetings’ main focus is to enable the parents to be informed about ways they can be involved with the school, so that their child will be successful and productive.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES/MEETINGS (5.01.1.5)
Each school year the Leadership Team Committee of Cato Elementary School will schedule the following activities in compliance with ACTS 397, 603, and 307: ● The Cato Elementary School will host 2 Family Nights to meet the requirements of ACT 397 of 2009 and the needs of students. Parents and students will be engaged in literacy and math activities. Title I funds will be used to provide refreshments and materials. (Teachers will help organize, prepare and conduct activities for the event). ● The Cato Elementary School will host a Title I meeting to provide parents with information about the Curriculum, RenPlace, and Smart Core. ● The Cato Elementary School enlist parents to serve on different committees: (monitoring/equity committee, PTA, parent involvement) ● The Cato Elementary School PTA has scheduled the following meetings for the 2017-2018 school year: August 11th- Open House; September 7th–Bingo; September 21st-Family Craft Night; October 5th- 4th and 5th grade perform; October 27th –Fall Festival; December 7th-2nd and 3rd grade perform; December 4th – 8th –Santa Shop; February 1st-kindergarten and 1st grade perform & nominations; April 5th- Pre-k perform & elections; May 23rd-5th grade graduation PARENT INFORMATION CENTER In compliance with ACT 603, Cato Elementary School has an area by the front entrance of the school designated as the Cato Parent Center. This area has items that may be checked out by the parents to use at home such as: learning games, backpack activities, books, brochures on responsible parenting, pamphlets on helping with homework, etc.
PARENT COMMUNICATIONS (5.01.1.6)
At the beginning of each school year, the parents/guardians are provided with a Cato Elementary School Handbook, which outlines policies of the school. Other communications from the school include: Agendas, Communicator folders K-5, E-School(HAC), Phone Calls (Alert Now and teacher calls), School Notes, Weekly Newsletters from each class, Parent/Teacher Conferences—(State mandated twice yearly and other times as needed), Marque, FACEBOOK Cato PTA page, Class DoJo Internet capabilities are offered to parents to use at the school in the computer lab.
PARENT VISITATION
Parents are encouraged to visit at any time. All visitors are required to sign in and receive a visitor’s pass from the office.
PARENT FACILITATOR
The parent facilitator for the 2017-2018 school year is LuAnne Bryan, Media Specialist.
SCHOOLS PARENT COMPACT (5.01.1.2)
School staff, parents, and students will develop a school-parent-teacher-student compact. This compact will outline how parents, school staff, and students shall share the responsibility for improving student academic achievement preparing them to be successful in the future.
Cato Elementary PARENTAL INVOLEMENT PLAN Snapshot Principal : Shyrel Lee
Mission Statement:
The Cato Elementary Team will improve student achievement and prepare all students for college and careers by using research-based instructional materials and strategies as well as evaluate student growth through both formative and summative assessments.
Plan snapshot Volunteer Opportunities PTA, Media Center, Field Trips, Thanksgiving Luncheon, Fall Carnival, Holiday Shop, Teacher Luncheons, HolidayParties, Field Day, 5th Grade Promotion, Encourager, Grandparent’s Day , Dads Who Give a Hoot Planned Activities/Meetings PTA meetings, Family Nights, Open House, Title I meeting Parent Information Center Located in the front of the school. Check out materials that you may use at home to help your child Parent Communications Opportunities for parent/teacher communications are: Agendas, HAC (http://www.pcssd.org click on link in the bottom right Area of the webpage), Phone Calls(Alert Now), School notes, Weekly Newsletters from class, 2 Parent/Teacher conferences Cato PTA Facebook page, Remind101, Class DoJo Parent Visitation Parents are encouraged to visit Cato Elementary. Please be sure to sign in at the front office. School’s Parent Compact Parents, Students and Teachers sharing the responsibility for improving student academic achievement Cato Elementary School 9906 Jacksonville/Cato Road Sherwood, AR 72120 (501)833-1160 http://www.pcssd.org/ Parent Facilitator: LuAnne Bryan “Owl Power”