Arp Elementary School
Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year at Arp Elementary School. We are so excited about this school year and the many accomplishments that are to come. Your child is going to grow academically, physically, and emotionally and we are excited to be a part of his/her growth. The following information will let you know about routines and procedures. Additionally, there are several forms that need to be completed and returned to your child’s teacher
EARLY MORNINGS – The elementary school campus will open at 7:30 am. Faculty and staff members are not on campus to supervise students prior to 7:30.
JUMPSTART – All students Kindergarten through 5th grade will attend Jumpstart each day in the cafeteria after reporting to their classes. Jumpstart will begin at 7:45 am. If you bring your child to school, please remember that our day begins promptly at 7:45 am everyday.
SCHOOL HOURS – The school day will begin at 7:45 am and end at 3:30 pm. Our teachers are teaching from the beginning of school until the very end of the school day. Parents who bring students late and/or pick them up before the end of the day, disrupt not only their own child’s education, but the education of others. Attendance will be taken in the morning and in the afternoon. Students who arrive late or leave early will be subject to attendance policy guidelines and consequences. Students absent during these attendance times are subject to grade-level failure if they do not meet state mandatory attendance policies.
BUILDING ENTRANCE – Parents must check in at the office and should only enter the school by the doors at the west (main office side) entrance. All other doors will be locked at all times.
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES – If it is necessary to change afternoon transportation for your child, it is essential that you notify the school before 12:00 pm. After 12:00 pm, students may not be notified of changes in afternoon transportation. This will be strictly enforced.
VISITORS – All visitors must check in with the office upon arriving at the elementary school. Visitors are not allowed to enter classrooms or wait in the hallways without the permission of the principal or assistant principal. All visitors must have a pass at all times. Persons who are not campus employees and who do not have a visitor’s pass must, by law, be treated as security threats.
CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS – Classroom disruptions, no matter how brief, are disruptions. Schedule conferences with your child’s teacher. Do not expect your child’s teacher to be able to conference with you without an appointment. Do not go into halls or classrooms without permission from the administration at any time during the school day.
PICK-UP/DROP-OFF – Car riders will be dropped off and picked up at the west (main office) entrance. Parents should not exit their cars, but wait until their child is directed to them. It is not necessary for parents to escort their child into the building or to escort them from the building. Drive slowly, do not block traffic, and proceed with caution to assure student safety. Students should be at that morning assigned area 7:45. Car riders will be dismissed at 3:25.
ATTENDANCE – Students are required to attend school at least 90% of instructional days. Absences in excess of 10% can jeopardize promotion. Send a note of explanation from the parent/guardian with the child’s full name and date of absence. Notes should be given to the homeroom teacher. Excessive absences will be reported as truancy.
COMMUNICATION – Your child will have a designated folder that will be sent home daily. You will receive a weekly agenda from your child’s teacher or grade level. Please check this folder daily and make sure that you have received notes from the office, notes from your child’s teacher, graded work, homework, etc. Students are required to have this folder signed and return it to their teacher each day. Please feel free to communicate with your child’s teacher using this folder. If you are not receiving information from your child’s teacher or the school on a daily basis, please contact your child’s teacher to discuss this issue.
GRADES/PROGRESS REPORTS– Grades of 70 or above in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies are required to pass each six weeks. If your child is mastering all work a three-week progress report will be sent home to help keep you informed of your student’s progress. If your child is not mastering all required work, a conference will be set up to meet with you and discuss the three-week progress report. Report cards will be issued every six weeks according to the dates listed on the school calendar.
SAFETY – For safety reasons, parents will not be allowed to wait in the building until school is dismissed. Additionally standing and waiting outside for children to be dismissed creates a risk for your child and all children. Please wait in your car for your child to be delivered to you.
MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL– The principal and assistant principal’s most important job is to be in the classrooms. Therefore, we are available to meet with parents by appointment only. Arp ISD policy requires that parents follow the chain of command with regard to complaints. Parents must address issues with the teacher or staff member prior to meeting with the principal.
MEAL PRICES –
Pre-K through 3rd Breakfast - $1.00 full $0.30 reduced Lunch - $1.50 full $0.40 reduced
4th through 12th Breakfast - $1.00 full $0.30 reduced Lunch - $1.75 full $0.40 reduced
SCHOOL CALENDAR – Refer to throughout the year.
DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT PLAN – see Discipline Management Policy in this packet.
We look forward to working with and getting to know you and your child. Please know that we welcome your involvement and encourage your participation at Arp Elementary. We realize that these procedures may be inconvenient for some parents, but it is necessary to have these routines and precautions in place to protect our children. For the safety, confidentiality, and academic well being of all students, the procedure/routines outlined above will apply to all parents and will be enforced.
THESE ITEMS MUST BE RETURNED TO YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER TOMORROW
1. Application for Free/Reduced Lunch – MUST FILL OUT AND SIGN. If your child does not qualify for reduced meals, simply write child’s name on form and N/A.
2. Registration Form – with 911 address and Post Office Box if necessary.
911 address is required!
3. Home Language Survey (only if new to district)
4. Migrant Survey (only if new to district)
5. Arp ISD Student Handbook Acknowledgement Form
6. Arp Elementary Field Trip Permission Slip
7. Directory Information
8. Media Release (only sign and return if your child cannot participate)
9. Learning Compact
10. Corporal Punishment (Discipline Management) Form
11. Emergency Contact Information (remember to update this in office as needed)
12. Health Information Sheet
Again, we are looking forward to a great year with your child! Thank you in advance for your commitment to your child’s education.
Sincerely,
Wendy Jaye Popescu
Principal, Arp Elementary
