Parent Handbook

	Lamont's Parent Handbook
	Visitors
	For the protection of the students and security in the school, it is required that any person entering the building reports directly to the main office before going to any other part of the school. All visitors must wear an identification badge. If you are picking up a student for early dismissal, please do so no later than 1:45 pm to avoid disrupting regular dismissal. No students will be permitted to leave the building with a visitor unless the visitor’s name is on the student’s family card and the student has been signed out at the school office.
	Attendance
	Pupils are expected to be in school every day. Regular and punctual attendance is important for pupil achievement. However, absences may be excused in the case of pupil illness and other family emergencies. The pupil should bring in a note, signed by the parent or guardian, when he/she returns to school with the dates of and reason for the absence. Parents/guardians are requested to call the office when a child is absent. Students are expected to arrive no later than 7:30 am daily. Students arriving after 7:45 am must report to the office before attending class to pick up a late slip.
	Emergency Cards
	At the beginning of the school year a family card is sent home with every child asking for their address, phone numbers and emergency contacts. It is very important to have the correct phone numbers when an emergency arises. Please keep this information up-to-date.
	Breakfast and Lunch
	The school cafeteria operates under the National School Lunch Program Act which provides funds to assist in the operation of a non-profit school lunch program. Menus are sent home at the beginning of each month. The first week of school every child will be given a Free/Reduced Lunch Application. This application must be filled out and returned to school. The application is then processed to determine if the family income meets the requirements to qualify to receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch. Breakfast Lunch Full Price: $1.10 $1.75 Reduced $0.30 $0.40 All children eat in the cafeteria, including those who bring their lunch from home. Walkers who eat breakfast at school should arrive by 7:15 am. Walkers arriving after 7:45 am will be sent to class.
	Inclement Weather
	When severe weather creates hazardous conditions, the regular school schedule may be suspended to ensure the students’ safety. It is the parents ‘/guardians’ responsibility to monitor news reports via television or radio stations. School closings can also be found at www.pgcps.org. Please do not call any of the radio stations, Board of Education, or the school. It is important that parents/guardians have some plan worked out with their children about where to go and what they should do if school is dismissed early. Please make sure your child understands these plans. It is impossible for school personnel to telephone every parent for instructions when emergencies occur.
	Health Room
	Prince George’s County does not permit the school’s nurse to administer medication without a written request by both the physician (indicating the child’s name, prescribed medication, dosage, and frequency) and the parents. Medication must be supplied in a legally labeled container and brought to school by an adult. All medications must be kept in the health room. No student may keep medication in their possession. All immunization records must be up-to-date and proof of these must be presented. Failure to comply will result in your child’s exclusion from school.
	Reporting Student Progress
	Reporting Periods: Mid- October to Mid- November: Written report and/or conference January: Written report or conference Mid–March to Mid–April: Written report or conference Last Day of School for Pupils: Final Report Card Interim Progress Reports are sent home to parents whose children are performing below a grade of C at the mid-point of each quarter. The reporting system in Prince George’s County has been designed to offer strength of both a report card and a parent-teacher conference. The teacher initiates the scheduling for the reporting conference, but the parent may request additional conferences by contacting the school. If the parent is unable to attend a scheduled conference during one of the reporting periods, this will result in the loss of an especially valuable contact between the home and school. Teachers attempt to reschedule parent conferences several times during the school year. Do not wait for the scheduled conference if your child appears to be having difficulties. Call the school and ask for a convenient time to meet with the teacher. Do this as often as necessary.
	Student Code of Conduct
	The Prince George’s County Board of Education recognizes two general categories which may result in a principal ordering a suspension. These two categories are Gross Misconduct and Persistent Disobedience. The following are examples of Gross Misconduct and Persistent Disobedience: Arson False alarms Fighting Fireworks or Explosives Inciting Others to Violence or Disruption Physical Attack and/or Threat Thereof Possession or Use of Weapons or Instruments Used as Such Possession, Use, or Distribution of Alcohol, Controlled Dangerous Substances, Controlled or Drug Paraphernalia Sexual Harassment Shakedown and/or Strong Arm Theft Use and Possession of Tobacco Vandalism Cheating Continued Class Disruption Disrespect Distribution of Unauthorized Written or Printed Material False Reports Forgery Gambling Insubordination Loitering Unauthorized sale or distribution of items other than alcohol, controlled dangerous substances or their look alike, or drug paraphernalia If your child uses inappropriate language, he/she may be subject to disciplinary action under the category of Persistent Disobedience or Gross Misconduct. If your child becomes involved in a criminal act that does not take place at school but your child’s presence at school disrupts the learning environment or is considered a danger to the students, the principal may request a suspension.
	Procedures for Implementing Short Term Suspension
	If the principal decides to place your child on a short-term suspension, efforts will be made to tell you either in person or by telephone that your child is being suspended and why. If the principal is not able to reach you, your child’s suspension will become effective at the end of the school day. When the principal has decided that your child will be suspended, you will be sent a copy of the Notification of Pupil’s Suspension Form with your child and a second copy will be mailed to you. You will be asked to contact the school immediately. If you have not contacted the school after three days, a second notice of the suspension will be mailed to you. The principal will give you an opportunity to have a conference promptly after the suspension.
	Procedures for Implementing a Long Term Suspension
	If the principal decides to place your child on a long term suspension, he or she will follow the same steps that are used for a short term suspension in notifying you about your child’s difficulty. The principal will contact either the school’s pupil personnel worker or the appropriate supervisor/assistant supervisor with information about your child’s suspension. One of these individuals will chair a conference, which will include you, your child and appropriate school personnel, to decide how long the suspension will last. At this conference, you, as the parent, will learn how long the suspension will last and what steps you can take to support your child and the steps that the school personnel can take. You may file an appeal if you are not satisfied with the actions taken by the school officials during a long term suspension conference.