Wentworth
Elementary
School
Student/Parent Handbook
2012 - 2013
“Laying the Foundation for 21st Century Learning through Academics and Technology.”
Soaring to Success!
8806 NC 87
Reidsville, NC 27320
336-634-3250
WENTWORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL Robin Finberg
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Estellé Gullett
SECRETARY/BOOK KEEPER Vickie Oakley
SECRETARY/NC WISE Stacey Wilson
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER Susan Long
COUNSELOR Tracey Anderson
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST Holli Farr
SCHOOL NURSE Amanda Perkins
SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE Jason Haney
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
SCHOOL OFFICES 634-3250, Fax # 342-9380
WENTWORTH CHILD CARE PROGRAM 342-8562
RCS HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE LINE (HAL) 623-3689
RCS WEATHER LINE 623-1385
RCS PARENT RESOURCE CENTERS 623-8098 (Eden)
342-8588 (Reidsville)
WEBSITE ADDRESSES
WENTWORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL http://www.rock.k12.nc.us/Went/index.htm
http://www.teacherweb.com
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM http://www.rock.k12.nc.us
NC DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION http://www.ncpublicschools.edu
DAILY SCHEDULE
8:10 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. Student School Day (Students are TARDY if not in
class by 8:10 a.m. or have left school before 2:50 p.m.)
6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. School-Age Child Care Program hours
7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Teacher and Assistant working hours
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. School Office hours
SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
The purpose of Wentworth School is to provide the best learning environment possible for students. We, the faculty, take full responsibility for providing a safe and comfortable environment, adequate materials, and a competent well-qualified staff.
Students are responsible for putting forth their best effort in completing all schoolwork. Students also will conduct themselves in a manner respectful to the rights of the entire school community.
Parent involvement and support are essential in the educational process. It is the joint responsibility of parents and teachers to be aware of the students’ needs and growth.
OUR MISSION
Wentworth School, in partnership with home and community, will provide a safe, nurturing environment in which high quality learning opportunities are provided in order that all students achieve their individual potential and are prepared to become responsible and productive citizens of the 21st century.
VISION
Laying the foundation for 21st century learning through academics and technology.
HONOR ROLL REQUIREMENTS
A Honor Roll - Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 who have final grades for a six week period of all A’s (93-100)
A/B Honor Roll - Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 who have final grades for a six week period of a combination of A’s (93-100) and B’s (85-92) or all B’s (85-92).
CONFERENCES
If you wish to talk with a staff member about your child, please arrange an appointment in order to eliminate interruption of instruction. Teachers are available to schedule conferences from 7:30-8:00 a.m. and from 2:50-3:30 p.m. on days when teachers are not involved in meetings before or after school.
ALC (ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTER)/ASD (AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION)
ALC and ASD (After School Detention) are consequences for inappropriate student behaviors. Assignment of ALC or ASD is at the discretion of administrators, after teachers have implemented classroom behavior plans and have referred a student to the office. ALC occurs during the day. ASD is held after school until 4:00 p.m. ALC and ASD are not used for bus discipline.
RELEASE OF STUDENT INFORMATION
Federal law permits a school unit to identify certain student information as “Directory Information” which may be released publicly without the permission of the parent. However, parents or guardians may object to the release of any or all of this information without their consent. If so, parents must provide WRITTEN notification to the district within 15 days of the opening of the new school year. (See RCS Handbook for additional information.)
Rockingham County Schools forwards education records to other agencies or institutions that have requested the records and in which the student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled as long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student's enrollment or transfer. Parental consent is not required before personally identifiable information (including special education records when appropriate) is released to school officials at receiving schools.
TARDINESS (RCS Policy)
Tardiness is defined as “late entry” and as “early departure”. Students are expected to be in class from 8:10 a.m. until 2:50 p.m. every day.
Rockingham County Schools Tardy Policy:
Parents must sign students in the office in order for the student to receive a pass to class whenever tardy:
▫ 1-4 tardies/early dismissals – Student receives reminder note
▫ 5 tardies/early dismissals – A letter requiring parent signature will be sent home
▫ 10 tardies/early dismissals – Parent conference with principal and school social worker
▫ 12 tardies/early dismissals – Student is ineligible for ANNUAL perfect attendance award
▫ 15+ tardies/early dismissals – Student will be assigned after school detention until 3:30 p.m.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
· Students should not arrive at school prior to 7:30 a.m. There is NO STAFF SUPERVISION prior to 7:30 a.m. except for students who are enrolled in the child care program. Students arriving before 7:55 a.m. must report to the gym where they must wait for teachers to take them to their classrooms by 8:00 a.m. Parents and visitors are not allowed to wait in the gym. Students are not allowed down the halls before 8:00 a.m.
· Students should leave school at 2:50 p.m. (Cars picking up car-riders should be in the parking lot no later than 3:00 p.m. OUR GOAL: All students riding in cars are gone from campus by 3:10. After 3:10 students will need to be signed out in the office.)
· If circumstances are such that parents cannot drop off or pickup on time, please contact our School-Age Child Care Program at 342-8562.
CHECK-IN and CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES
· Students arriving after the official beginning time (8:10 a.m.) must be brought into the office and be signed in by an adult. The student will then be sent to the classroom with the proper late pass.
· Parents must not go directly to a classroom. This may cause a disruption in the educational process. All adults must sign in at the office where they will be given a visitor/volunteer pass that must be worn while on the campus.
· Students should be checked out during the school day only for reasons related to illness or extreme circumstances. *Please make dental and doctor appointments after school hours or on students’ days off whenever possible. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE CHECKED OUT AFTER 2:30 P.M., EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCIES.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
· Students should not be picked up between 8:10 a.m. and 2:50 p.m. unless a note has been provided to the classroom teacher the morning of the early departure date by the legal guardian or unless an emergency has arisen.
· Identification will be required by anyone who comes to pick up a student. We ask that parents be responsible for informing all people who you have given written permission to check your child out of school early that we may request identification and that we will be checking the emergency card to be sure the parents have listed them as having parental permission to pick up the student. *A child will NOT be allowed to leave with a person picking up a child if that person’s name is NOT listed on the emergency card and morning note has been provided.
· Students must attend school for at least half the day in order to be counted present for the day. At Wentworth, 11:30 a.m. is the half day mark.
· Due to safety concerns, we can not accept changes in rider ship or early pick ups over the phone. Thank you for helping us with these procedures to ensure the safety of your child.
FORFEITURE OF PROMOTION FOR
NON-ATTENDANCE
Grades K-5: Students with more than 20 absences in a year, including out-of-school suspension, will be subject to retention.
APPEAL PROCEDURE:
Parents or students who believe excessive absences causing retention are due to extenuating circumstances may appeal the decision to the principal or his/her designee. The appeal must be made within five (5) school days following receipt of the notification letter. The principal or designee will act on the appeal or refer it to an Appeal Committee for a decision. The principal may make a final decision regarding promotion or retention when extenuating circumstances exist.
Board Policy Reference: Policy #4400 Attendance
WRITTEN NOTES TO TEACHERS
Written messages must be sent and given to your child’s teacher in the morning when:
§ your child is to be a car rider (different from regular procedure); no changes will be accepted by phone due to safety concerns
§ your child should stay inside during PE/playtime
§ you request a conference with your child’s teacher
§ someone other than yourself will pick up your child from school; no changes will be accepted by phone due to safety concerns
§ you plan to check-out your child early for doctor appointment, etc.
§ your child has been absent from school, telling the reason for the absence; all notes for a child’s absence must be received within 3 days of the child’s return to be coded excused
* If we do not have a written note, we will follow the normal routine for your child.
* Please do not make phone calls to the office to report changes.
LEGAL/CUSTODY ISSUES
Students enrolled in our school are to be in the care of and live in the residence of their parent/legal guardian. Legal opinion states that either parent has an equal right to a child unless one of them has a current legal (court) document preventing such privileges. In order to honor requests restricting parental rights to visit or pick up a child, proper COURT documents must be on file at school.
*Student school information is to be shared only with the legal guardian(s) unless written permission is granted by the guardian(s).
SCHOOL CLOSINGS FOR BAD WEATHER
During times when you think bad weather such as snow, ice, or flooding may cause school to be cancelled or students to be released early listen to your radio or television. WFMY and WGHP usually have closings listed on the websites as well. The web addresses are www.wfmy2.com and www.wghp.com. As soon as a decision is made about closing school, IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE AIR. In addition, an Alert Now message will be sent and a special phone message can be heard by dialing 623-1385. Please do not call teachers, staff, or principal.
EMERGENCY CARDS
The school must always be informed as to emergency contacts, phone numbers, etc. in case your child becomes ill or is injured at school. Please keep the emergency card updated if you move or your information changes during the year.
TELEPHONE USE
The school telephone is for business use only. Children are to use the phone only in case of emergency.
If you wish to speak to a teacher, leave your name and number and your call will be returned as soon as possible. We want to use every minute possible to enhance your child’s education.
SCHOOL STORE
Vending machines are provided for purchase of pencils, pens, erasers, and paper. Machines will be emptied each day of all money as required by Rockingham County School Board Policy. All other supplies should be purchased out of school.
SCHOOL INSURANCE
Parents should be aware that the neither the Rockingham County School System nor Wentworth Elementary School provide insurance to cover accidents that happen to students at school or on a field trip. Parents should consider purchasing insurance that is offered to them through the school system to supplement their existing policies. Brochures outlining current policy costs and information are sent home at the beginning of the school year and are also available in the school office.
ILLNESS
Please be sure to communicate to the teachers any special medical needs your child may have, especially allergic reactions to bee stings or foods.
We ask that you keep your child home if he/she appears ill. If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or more, is vomiting, or has diarrhea please keep him/her at home.
We support the recommendation of the Health Department that a child be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school. In case of fever, the fever must be gone 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
MEDICATION
It is a parent’s responsibility to provide the school with a new medication form each year or if there is a change in medication and/or dosage during the school year. Please contact the school nurse or the front office to obtain this form.
Administering Medication to Students
The Board recognizes that under certain circumstances it may be necessary for students to take medication during school hours or after school hours while participating in extracurricular activities. To minimize disruptions during the school day, medications should be taken at home whenever feasible. The General Statutes permit school employees, when authorized by the Board, to administer medication prescribed by a licensed health care provider upon the written request of the parent or guardian. Rockingham County School Board authorizes school personnel to administer medication to students in case of chronic health problems or to students with unusual health problems where emergency measures are required.
School personnel may administer prescription and/or over-the-counter medication to students at school only if the licensed health care provider deems it necessary for the medication to be given during school hours and the parent or guardian and licensed health care provider makes a signed request in writing. Medication shall be administered in accordance with the licensed health care provider’s written instructions and procedures.
Following the RCS medical advisor’s protocol, the school nurse is permitted to administer over-the-counter medication to a student with parental permission. For emergencies arising from an unidentified allergic reaction, the school will follow the school’s medical advisor’s protocol regarding epinephrine administration.
The school will assume no responsibility for students who self-medicate or for the transportation of medication to and from school. Students who self-medicate must follow the administrative rules regarding self-medication procedures or risk possible violation of the Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco provisions of Student Behavior Policy #4300.