Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

We are using this Handbook as a means of communication between the home and school. There are many policies, regulations and services discussed in these pages. Please read and keep this Handbook readily available throughout the year.

Many of your questions have been anticipated and are discussed in some detail. We are always available to clarify any school matter. The telephone numbers listed for key staff members will prove helpful. Do not hesitate to use them.

Close cooperation between the home and school is essential to promote the best interests of the child. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to visit our school and to attend scheduled meetings of parents/guardians and teachers. Mutual benefits accrue when there is a meaningful exchange of information between home and school.

It is hopeful that this Handbook will be helpful to you and your child and that it promotes understanding.

Thank you,

Connie Jones, Principal

Our school hours are 7:45 a.m. to 1:55 p.m. The doors are opened to admit students at 7:35 a.m. If your children walk to school, please check to be sure they are not leaving home too early. Breakfast is served from 7:35 to 7:50 a.m. They should not arrive at school before 7:35 a.m. There is no supervision prior to that time. Teachers use the time before school to prepare for the day’s instruction.

Students are required to attend school everyday. Absences may be excused in case of student illness, death in the family, quarantine, court summons, violent storms and observance of religious holidays. Please call the school between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. or send a note to the office the day of your child return. After three days of consecutive absences, a doctor’s certificate is desirable, and a parent note is necessary to explain any absence that does not need a doctor’s excuse. Please send the note to the child’s teacher. Consistent absence or late arrival will be referred to the County Pupil Services Office. If a student arrives at school between 7:50 to 8:05 a.m., he/she should report to the cafeteria for a late pass. If a student arrives after 8:05 a.m., he/she should report to the office for a tardy pass.

If it is necessary to close school, delay the opening or dismiss early due to an emergency, an announcement will be made on the radio and television. Listen to the radio! DO NOT call police, radio stations or the school. Each family should work out an emergency plan for early school closing. It is impossible for school personnel to contact a parent for every child enrolled, so it is important that children know exactly what to do and where to go during an early dismissal.

In the event of a one-hour delayed opening, school opens at 8:45 a.m. If there is a two-hour delayed opening, school opens at 9:45 a.m. In the event of one or two-hour delayed openings, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes will be held. Breakfast is served on the days of delayed openings. For one (1) hour delayed opening (8:45 a.m.), breakfast is served at 8:15 a.m. For a two (2) hour delayed opening (9:45 a.m.), breakfast is served at 9:15 a.m.

Teachers are not allowed to release students to anyone. Students are not allowed to walk home at any time during the school day. All parents/guardians must show proper identification to pick-up students for early release. The information on the family cards will determine who has the authority to pick-up a child. We reserve the right to release students to anyone except parent/guardian.

Students must have written permission from the teacher before using the phone, and this is only granted for emergencies. Students are not allowed to call home for lunches, homework, etc., and cannot be called from class to receive a call. Messages are relayed to children only in an emergency by the Administration. Cell phones must be turned off once on school grounds and remains off throughout the school day. Any student found out compliance, their phone shall be confiscated. All students must have written permission to remain after school for an activity.

A full-time health aide staffs the school health room. Health aides are not permitted to administer any medicines. Forms are available in the school to be completed by a doctor for any medications that must be taken at school. This refers to over-the-counter medications prescribed medications. Please check to see that a child is well before he comes to school. Due to limited facilities and personnel, a student who becomes ill at school may remain in the health room for 30 minutes, after which the parent will be called.

A student injured at school will be sent to the health room where minor scrapes and bruises will be attended. Parents are called when there is an injury to the head or back. In the event of a serious injury, if a parent cannot be located, the child is referred immediately to the doctor or hospital listed on the family card. If after being ill, a student is not sufficiently recovered to participate in physical education or go out to recess, that child is probably not ready to return to school. There are some exceptions, such as broken limbs. A doctor’s excuse is needed when a student is not able to participate in physical education. The law requires the regular participation of every child in physical education class unless declared unfit for the class by a doctor.

All medications require a written permission form from a physician specifying dosage, child’s name, and time medication is to be given, with authorization for us to allow the child to take the medication at school. We urge you to dispense all medications at home whenever possible. If medications must be brought to school, the Board of Education has established clearly defined guidelines, which are required to follow. Any medications, which are brought to school, must be left in the health room where they are placed in a locked facility. Policies further require that each child sign a log when he/she takes the medicine.

Non-prescription or over-the-counter drugs (e.g., Tylenol, Motrin, Dimetapp etc.) require a doctor’s permission and on file in the office. These policies have been instituted by the Board of Education in order to prevent children from taking an overdose accidentally, losing medicine, as well as to prevent the trading of medications among students. Questions regarding this policy or its clarification should be directed to the Administration or the health aide.

PARKING LOT

Only licensed daycare providers who have submitted the proper documentation and received a "Number" will be allowed in the parking lot circle from 7:30 to 7:50 am and from 1:30 to 2:00 pm.  All other moving vehicles must park in the parking lot.  This is for the protection of our children.

The school system supplies most of the necessary instructional materials for each child. However, there is a limit to the number of smaller items, which can be supplied. Students are asked to bring certain materials to school. During the first week of school, each grade level will make known to the students and parents the supplies that will be needed. If parents have access to usable paper or supplies, please consider giving them to the school.

Toys will be confiscated and kept in the office until picked up by the parent. Chewing gum is not permitted. Live animals and insects are permitted only upon approval of Science Lab teacher.

Coats, backpacks, and/or lunchboxes left in the cafeteria will be on the stage for pick up. Lost glasses and keys are left in the office. Parents should encourage children to check the office for lost articles. Possessions should be clearly marked for there is little the school can do to recover lost articles. Extra money and valuable items should not be brought to school.

The price of a full lunch includes milk. Since the price of lunch is subject to change, we will notify you each year of the cost for the current year. Milk is available for purchase for those students who bring their lunch. If desired, ice cream can be purchased. All students who plan to buy lunch must be counted each day. We participate in the satellite lunch program with much of our food preparation being completed at another school. We must send an accurate lunch count each morning. Students must put money on their lunch account prior to going to class. Money may be placed on students’ account months in advance. Students who fail to put money on their account in the morning may be required to wait until the end of their lunch period before being served. This ensures that all students who ordered will be served the scheduled menu.

We continually survey our playground situation to ensure the safety of all children. Safe play and the adherence to all school recess rules is the responsibility of every student. We provide appropriate recess balls for the children to use in playing soccer or kickball games; therefore, children are not permitted to bring them from home. Carrying a ball to school can present safety hazards for both walking and bus riding students. We do not provide footballs for recess use. The playing of football or bringing a football to school is forbidden. Bats and baseballs are not permitted on our playground except under the direction of a teacher during physical education classes. All recess games must be explained to and approved by the recess duty teacher. Games, which are not approved, are forbidden on the school playground. Special Note: Any games that involve pushing, shoving, kicking or hitting are forbidden. Balls may not be thrown at anyone at anytime.

TEXTBOOKS, LIBRARY BOOKS AND WORKBOOKS

It is a time-honored tradition of the public schools in this county to extend the free use of textbooks and other similar study guides to students upon the express condition that such materials are returned in the same basic condition as issued, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Also, the proper use of textbooks, and similar materials is part of the educational process.

No student may be advanced to a higher grade unless the student, in addition to receiving a passing grade:

Textbooks are provided free of charge and must be kept covered. Children must pay for all lost or damaged books. Report cards and promotions are withheld until such fees are paid -A Board of Education Policy No. 6161.1. Note: Inexpensive book covers may be made by using a paper grocery store bag.

Homework is an important part of the instructional program. The classroom teachers determine the nature and length of the assignments. Teachers will inform parents of their specific homework requirements and grading policy. Students will be assigned and expected to complete homework everyday of the week (Monday through Friday).

District Heights Elementary School has adopted the Mandatory Uniform Policy developed by the Prince George’s County Public School System.  All students will be required to wear uniforms everyday of the week (5 days).

Please read carefully the Mandatory Uniform Dress Code below.  All questions regarding this policy may be directed to the principal, Connie Jones.  Thank you for your continued support of a quality education for all students.

1. Uniforms of nationally recognized youth organizations such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are on regular meetings days.
2. A Uniform policy does not prevent a student from wearing a button, armband or other item guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution unless the button or other item is related to gangs, gang membership, or gang activity.
3. The wearing of a school uniform violates a student’s or their family’s religious beliefs. (Documentation required)

OPT-OUT PROCESS IN A MANDATORY UNIFORM SCHOOL

All students must have written permission from a parent/guardian to participate in an after school activity. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Audio Visual: Students helping to provide communication through use of television.

Math Club: Primary Club for K-3^rd Grade and Intermediate Club for 4^th-6^th Grades.

Chorus: Composed of 4th, 5^th and 6^th Grade students who learn good singing techniques, how to interpret music symbols and how to sing in various chorus styles.

Concert Band: Composed of 4^th, 5^th and 6^th Grade students who learn good instrumental techniques, how to read instrumental materials.

Safety Patrols: Composed of 5^th and 6^th Grade students who have been recommended by teachers and approved by the principal. These members are selected for leadership, reliability and conduct.

DHES has a new School-based Parent Liaison.  Some of the goals of the Parent Liaison are:

        •          Work with parents/guardians to help them demonstrate an improved understanding of school policies, procedures and educational requirements

•          Establish and maintain ongoing dialogue between parents, guardians and teachers

•          Help parents/guardians to understand what is expected of students

•          Assist parents/guardians to become better teachers

•          Assist parents/guardians to continue a learning environment at home

•          Encourage attendance and timeliness

•          Encourage parents/guardians to volunteer for student centered activities

•          Motivate parents/guardians to join and become active members of the PTA

•          Set up and monitor a Parent/Community resource room

Please visit our Parent/Guardian Resource Room located on the primary wing.  We look forward to your continued participation in our school.