HOLLYWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Where Everyone Is A Star!
Bi-Weekly Newsletter (Padre Carta) En Espanol
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PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK
Mission Statement
The Hollywood staff, teachers, parents, and community believe that an optimal learning environment provides students with opportunities to develop a positive attitude toward education, themselves, and others. Our mission is for students to acquire responsibility and self-direction; to gain knowledge that will promote a lifetime of learning; to think creatively and critically using higher order thinking skills; to participate in a variety of active learning experiences; to develop social and environmental commitment consciousness; to express ideas and options; and to derive pleasure from learning.
School Hours
Students: 7:45 a.m. - 1:55 p.m.
Teachers: 7:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Arrival At School
Students may enter the building at 7:35 a.m. and go directly to class. Children eating breakfast may enter the cafeteria at 7:30. Children arriving before 7:35 are outside unsupervised until the 7:35 bell rings. In the morning, parents may drop off students. Please drive through the teachers' parking lot on the left as you enter the school driveway; then, turn right to exit. DO NOT ENTER THE CIRCLE. Do not pass another car at the drop off site.
Tardiness
Children who arrive in school after the 7:45 bell rings must stop in the office to be removed from the absent list, and are considered tardy.
Attendance
All students are expected to attend school regularly in accordance with the Public School Laws and By Laws of Maryland.
All Excused Absences: Death in the immediate family; illness; quarantine; court summons; violent storm; observance of religious holidays; State emergency; school-approved work or activity; suspension. Parents are urged to telephone the school on any day their child is to be out. Absence from school for any other reasons than those listed above are considered unlawful absences.
Upon returning to school from an absence, it is requested that a pupil bring a written note from his/her parent or guardian stating the reason for absence. Pupils at all grade levels must complete make-up work or receive a zero, which will be averaged with other grades. Assignments will be given upon the student's return.
School Lunch Program
Breakfast and lunch are available to all students. The cost of meals is subject to change each year and a notice will be sent home to advise parents of the pricing. All students are expected to have lunch. The cafeteria has a PIN system for all students. Parents need to deposit money into their students' account. Please be aware of how long the money will last. The office will no longer loan lunch money! If students forget their lunch money, they will provided a cheese sandwich and milk. There will be no exceptions; this is a Board of Education policy.
Medication At School
Students are permitted to take medication at school only when absolutely necessary and only under supervision of school personnel. Every effort should be made to reserve the taking of medication for non-school hours. All medication at school must be brought to the school office accompanied by a Physician's Medication Authorization form. Forms are available in the school office. Appropriate containers and directions for taking the medication are mandatory.
Health Room
Health Room services are limited. All injuries and illnesses are monitored in the Health Room by the school nurse or office personnel. As treatment is limited and restricted, emergency numbers must be included on all family cards and updated as needed. Parents are notified of injuries or illnesses as soon as they can be reached. The school nurse's phone number is 301-513-5904.
School Closed Due to Emergencies
In case it should become necessary to delay the opening of school because of the weather or other emergency conditions, an announcement will be broadcast over the following radio stations: WRC, WPGC, WWDC, WGAY, WMAL, WOL, WTOP, and WEAM before 6:30 a.m. Early school closings will also be announced. You may also access the information from the school system website, www.pgcps.org. If you do not hear the announcement, you should assume school is open. Please do not call the school or police; you can call the Board of Education at 301-952-6000 and press 9 on the menu. It will advise you of school closings, school delays, or early dismissal.
An emergency plan will be sent home for parents to complete. It is essential that students know what they are expected to do in the case of an emergency closing during the school day. Please do not ask that they call someone, we have limited time and phone lines.
Visitors
Parents are urged to visit the school, meet the teachers, and observe the methods of instruction. Parents who desire to visit the school or talk with teachers are asked to call the office at 513-5900 to arrange their visit. Trying to meet with teachers at unscheduled times is disruptive to the teacher and students.
ALL VISITORS MUST SECURE PERMISSION FROM THE OFFICE TO VISIT ANY ROOM OR PERSONNEL WITHIN.
Before and After School Child Care
B & A school child care is available at Hollywood. The hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. and 1:55 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For further information, call the school. (The B & A office at 301-513-5919.)
School-Wide Discipline Plan
In an effort to provide each child with the educational climate they deserve, our staff has developed the following school-wide discipline plan.
Our School Rules:
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Follow teacher directions
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Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
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Raise your hand to speak and wait to be called on
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Be ready to work when class begins
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Show respect to people and property
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Leave gum, candy, and toys at home (this includes radios & CDs with headphones)
Consequences: during the course of a day if a student chooses to break a rule:
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1st time - warning (name on board)
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2nd time - one check - 10 minutes of detention (during recess)
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3rd time - two checks - 20 minutes of detention (during recess)
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4th time - 3 checks - 20 minutes of detention (during recess) and parent is notified with a letter brought home by the child
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5th time - 4 checks - 20 minutes of detention, parent is notified, and student is sent to the assistant principal/principal.
In the case of a severe disruption on the part of the student (use of profanity, insubordination, or fighting), the student is sent directly to the principal with a discipline referral or a bus referral. The parent is notified and the discipline referral is sent home to be signed and returned the following day. The discipline referral may result in an in-school or out-of-school suspension or a detention.
Students who behave appropriately will be positively rewarded with positive notes home, praise, lunch with the principal, and other special activities.
Each teacher reviews this plan with the students along with certain modifications when necessary. Our plan is in effect throughout the school day: in halls, music, lunchroom, P.E., playground, before and after school, walking to and from school, and at the bus stop and on the bus. We ask that you review this plan with your child.
Student Bus Rider Responsibilities
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Be at the designated stop five to ten minutes prior to pick-up time.
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Ride only the bus to which you are assigned.
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Remain seated while the bus is in motion; keep noise down by talking in normal conversational tones only; maintain normal classroom standard of conduct.
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No eating or drinking on the bus; no toys, animals, or other non-school related objects.
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Do not extend arms, hands, head or any object from bus windows, or throw any object from the bus. This is extremely dangerous.
Walker Responsibilities
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Cross the street at corners with the safety patrol.
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Look where you are going at all times.
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No playing on the way to and from school (no tag games, etc.)
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No skateboards.
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Follow the direction of the safety patrol.
Bicycles
Bicycle racks are provided on the school grounds. Students riding bikes to school should do so with parent approval. Each student should lock his/her bike securely. Students are to walk bikes across the street and walk them on the school grounds. It is a Maryland Law that all children riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards must wear a helmet.
Safety Patrols
Students from grades five and six are selected for safety patrol positions on the basis of teacher recommendation and student interest. Safety patrols assist in getting students to and from school safely. They are trained by the Prince George's County Police Department Safety Division and are supervised by the Safety Patrol Sponsor.
Homework Policy and Grading Factors
We encourage you to work with your child as they complete their homework. This is how you, as a parent, can learn about what your child is doing in school, and how well your child is progressing. All homework needs to be returned on time. Homework will include a variety of concepts and skills previously covered in the classroom. Below are the specific policies for each grade level:
I. Homework Policies
A. Kindergarten
Kindergarten will have a couple of homework assignments each week, due the following day. A record will be kept of homework assignments returned. It is important to encourage completion of all homework assignments. Daily papers should be reviewed nightly by parents.
The Kindergarten Progress Report is a developmental check sheet which is sent home at the end of each quarter. The parent-teacher conference is an important component of the kindergarten program. These conferences are held from November through April. You will be notified of your conference time.
B. Grades 1-6
Homework is assigned four nights a week, Monday through Thursday. If homework is not turned in on time, it will reflect on the student's grades. Papers will be corrected and returned promptly. Please review and discuss the corrected papers with your child. Long-term assignments may be given, as well.
Teachers at all grade levels will have specific homework routines and organization for assignments. These are discussed at Back-To-School Night.
II. Grading Factors
A. Grades 1 & 2
The first and second grade report cards reflect students' progress according to a list of skills under each subject area. A "1" indicates that the student is making satisfactory progress, and a "2" indicates that more time is needed in that area. Students' participation, class work and homework are important factors in determining their progress.
B. Grades 3 - 6
The following factors will be included in determining students' grades:
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Competence (mastery of subject matter - tests)
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Assignments and preparation
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Participation
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Daily work habits
C. Music
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Participation
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Skill Development
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Affective Response (interest & enjoyment)
D. Physical Education
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Participation
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Skill Development
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Knowledge of activity
Student progress in mastering specific skills in each curriculum area will be emphasized throughout the school year. The development of effective work/study habits will be an important part of student performance in each area of the curriculum.
Interim Progress Reports
When a student's progress in any subject is less than satisfactory, half-way through the grading period, an Interim Progress Report is sent home. The report lists the subject area of concern and the contributing factors. Two copies of the form will be sent home. Parents are to sign the yellow copy, return it to school, and retain the parent copy.
Parent Conferences
The parent-teacher conference is a vital part of the pupil reporting system which enables parents to personally participate. Since this is an important meeting, we encourage parents or guardians to attend. When a conference form comes home, please respond immediately by returning it the next day. If you would like to schedule a conference, please call the school at (301)513-5900 and leave a message for your child's teacher to arrange a visit.
Field Trips
Field trips are an integral part of the instructional program. The purpose of a field trip is to provide educational experiences, related to a student's study, which are beyond the immediate school environment. Parent permission is required for all student participation in field trips. All students are expected to attend the field trip. If there is a financial problem, please notify the principal, this information will be kept confidential.