PGCPS Code of Student Conduct
PGCPS Parents Rights and Responsibilities
Welcome to Potomac Landing
The policies and procedures in this handbook are the result of a concerted effort on the part of the staff and principal. This information has been carefully prepared so that it will become an integral part or our program.
The mission of the Prince George's County Public Schools is to ensure that all students acquire knowledge and develop the skills and work habits to enable them to become productive members of society. This mission is best accomplished when school personnel maintain high expectations for all students, create a positive school climate, ensure a safe and orderly school environment, monitor students' progress on a frequent basis, and promote effective home/school communication.
We believe that all Potomac Landing students wll achieve success. Your success in our school will be directly proportional to your efforts. Let us work together with spirit and pride to make our school a "special place where we can work together for your child's success".
School Hours
9:15 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.
Staff members are not on duty to watch students until 9:00 a.m. Please be sure your child does not arrive before the scheduled time.
Daily Schedule
9:00 a.m. - Students may enter the building
9:15 a.m. - Homeroom Period
9:20 a.m. - Morning Announcement
9:30 a.m. - Instruction Begins
11:15 a.m. - First Lunch Period
11:45 a.m. - Second Lunch Period
12:15 p.m. - Third Lunch Period
12:45 p.m. - Fourth Lunch Period
1:15 p.m. - Fifth Lunch Period
3:15 p.m. - Bus Riders Dismissed
3:20 p.m. - Before/After Care Dismissed
3:25 p.m. - Walker/Car Riders Dismissed
Visitors to the Building
All visitors to the school must report immediately to the office for a visitor's pass. If a visitor is in the hallway without a pass, they will be sent to the office to sign in. Parents are encouraged to visit their child's classroom and lunch period. As a courtesy to the teacher and students in each classroom, we ask that prior notice be given when planning a visit. During testing, the office will ask that you not visit the classroom until testing time is over. Please make appointments with teachers before school begins or after dismissal. Conferences cannot be held during instructional time.
Bus Transportation
Students residing outside 1.5 miles from the school will be provided bus transportation. Students not riding their assigned bus on a specific day are required to bring a note from their parents. The driver is in complete charge of the bus and students must obey the driver. Riding the bus is a privilege that can be denied. If a student looses that privilege, it is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation to and from school.
Homeroom Assignments
Homeroom classes are organized by reading groups. Each classroom teacher is assigned on average three directed groups. Student placement in a homeroom is based upon the reading group to which he or she is assigned.
Attendance Procedures
The importance of regular attendance cannot be over emphasized. It is extremely difficult to keep up with class work if attendance is irregular. Arrivals after 12:00 Noon are considered half day.
Absences
When a student is absent, his/her parents are required to call the school office by 9:15 a.m. on the day of the absence. If a child does not arrive at school, we want to be sure they are safe. A note explaining the absence should also be sent to school with the student when they return. Letters will be sent home periodically to inform parents of the total number of days a student has been absent if absences have been excessive.
Legal Excused Absences
The following are the only legally excused absences from school:
- Pupil Illness
- Quarantine
- Religious Holiday
- Death in the Family
- Court Summons
Tardiness
Students are to be in the their classroom at 9:15 a.m. A student arriving after 9:15 a.m. must report to the office for a tardy slip before reporting to class. All tardies are recorded on the attendance form. A good start is the most important part of the day. Consistent tardiness is usually detrimental to a student's success in school. Letters will be sent to inform parents of the total number of tardy days periodically, if in excess. If a tardy problem still continues after the parents have been notified then the matter will be turned over to the Pupil Personnel Worker.
Early Departure
There are no early departures after 3:00 p.m. A request for early departure should be sent in writing with your child in the morning with the reason included and a phone number where the parent may be reached that day. When possible, make medical and dental appointments outside of school hours. A child will only be released to a parent unless notified in writing that someone else will pick the child up.
Dismissal
Students are dismissed at 3:25 p.m. A ten-minute period prior to dsmissal is provided so students may get homework assignments and gather their belongings in preparation for dismissal.
If a parent wishes to have a student leave school in a different manner than usual, the parent must notify the office in writing with complete information as to how the student is to leave and with whom.
Students are not allowed to return to their classrooms unattended. We are always concerned about safety of our children. Staff members are not always available to provide supervision for your student after the school day has ended.
Emergency Closings or Delayed Openings
When it becomes necessary to close schools, dismiss early, or delay the opening of schools due to inclement weather or improper building conditions, an announcement will be made on the local media. Also, you will be able to find information on the Price George's County Board of Education website at www.pgcps.org.
It is possible for school personnel to contact a parent for every child enrolled; therefore, it is essential that children know exactly what to do in cases of emergency.
Textbooks
Textbooks are provided on a loan basis. There are no textbook rental fees. However, students are expected to return all books in the same condition in which they were received or to pay for any damages or losses. The Board of Education Policy 6161.1 stipulates that students will not be promoted to the next grade until they have either returned the textbook or paid for the loss.
Homework
Homework is considered a learning activity related to the experience within school. Its purposes are to supplement and to enrich work done in the classroom, to provide for individual interest, to promote competency in skills and subject matter, to help students' use of a variety of sources of information. As a general rule, the amount of work will increase as the child advancesin school. Completion of homework assignments is considered as a grading factor in most subjects.
Make Up Assignments
Each student is responsible for completing all make up assignments for excused absences. Assignments that are not made up will be reflected in the student's grade.
Family Cards
All parents are requested to complete two family cards. One will be maintained in the office and the other will be maintained in the health room. These cards are extremely important and should be returned immediately to the school. Please be sure that both sides are completed. Also, be sure to sign the cards. The information provided is used by the school to reach parents in case of an emergency. It also provides information on where your child must go in case schools close early. It is important that these cards be kept up to date with your family information. Please notify the office if you have a change in information.
Personal Property
The school takes no responsibilty for the personal property of students. Therefore, radios, tape players, CD players, video games, collector cards, excess money, etc. must not be brought to school. These items will be taken from the student and only returned to the parent. We ask that you clearly mark clothing, books, lunch boxes, etc. with the student's name.
Lost and Found
Articles found in and around the school are placed in our lost and found boxes in the WPLS studio in the rear of the Media Center. Please inquire in the office regarding lost items.
Newsletters Each month, you will receive a calendar of events, activities and lunch menus. Please remind your child to bring the calendars home. We hope that this calendar will be convenient for your long range planning.
Dress Code
Uniform code
Potomac Landing is a UNIFORM school!
Students may wear clothing from these choices to meet our PLES uniform codes.
TOPS: ONLY -- light blue collared tops; such as polos, oxford shirts, blouses, dress shirts, school uniform navy blue jacket and/or navy blue sweater.
BOTTOMS: ONLY -- Navy blue bottoms such as ie. dress pants, slacks, skorts, skirt about knee length, shorts (below end of fingertips when placed flat at leg side.) NO JEANS.
SHOES: ONLY -- All black sneakers, no accent colors or different colored logos OR all black dress shoes.
SOCKS/stockings: ONLY -- White, light blue, black.
Students will wear non-uniform clothing only on designated non-uniform Fridays. Check the Events calendar for more details pertaining to these dress down days.
Parent Conferences
Parent conferences are held at the end of each grading period. A parent or teacher may schedule a conference at other times during the year as well. We are most willing to arrange a conference and ask that you contact the office or teacher to request a conference. PLEASE DO NOT DROP IN FOR A CONFERENCE WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT.
Pupil Progress
Report cards are issued at the end of each nine-week grading period. Grades are determined by daily classroom participation, preparation and completion of homework, and the application of learned skills demonstrated tests. The purpose of a report card is to help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the student and to help the teacher evaluate each student to adjust instruction accordingly.
Honor Roll
Students in grade three, four, five and six earning a 3.0 to 4.0 GPA will be placed on our honor role at the end of the grading period (student must earn all As and/or Bs only). All grades on the report card are considered in the final grade point average. Grades that are Cs, D, or Es will not be factored into Honor Roll status.
Rubric
Teachers and students use a rubric or evaluation guideline to judge the quality of assignments a student completes.
This is an example of a rubric:
3 - On time, complete and followed all directions.
2 - May or may not be on time, nearly completed, did not follow all instructions.
1 - Not on time and incomplete.
0 - Failed to submit or did not follow any direction.
Teachers and students together may adjust the criteria to match assignments.
Field Trips
Field trips are an extension of our instructional program. Students are encouraged to participate. We ask that parents encourage their children's participation and ensure that permission slips are returned by the due date. SIGNED PERMISSION SLIPS AND MONEY MUST BE RETURNED BY THE DUE DATE PRIOR TO THE ACTIVITY IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND. Please be advised that this payment is NON-REFUNDABLE if your child cancels participation.
Discipline
Our school adheres to the CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT as adopted by our Board of Education. The primary purpose of the disciplinary policy is to provide an atmosphere that is conducive to learning.
At Potomac Landing, courtesy and good manners are emphasized at all times and in all places in the building. We expect our students to respect the rights of others, abide by the authority of their teachers and other adult staff, and maintain school property free from damage and vandalism. We ask our parents to support and assist the school in implementing our disciplinary program. Our goal is not to punish, but to emphasize the fact that we all must live together, and those who choose to disregard the rules must accept the consequences for their behavior.
Assertive Discipline priciples are used to compliment classroom management strategies. Students are given warnings (e.g. name on board and time out period) as an opportunity to improve behavior.
Pupil Transfers
Please let the office and teacher know as soon as possible if you are planning to transfer your child to another school. This will ensure that the transfer form will be ready on your child's last day. The cumulative folder will be sent to the new school upon request. A release form must be signed by a parent or guardian in order for records to be sent out of the local area.
Student Records
All records maintained by the school are open for review by the child's parents or guardian. These records may not be released to anyone outside the school without written permission from the parent or guardian. If you wish to review your child's records, please contact the office to set up an appointment. An administrator will be in attendance to review the record with you.
Health Room Services
A full time nurse staffs the school health room. When the nurse is absent, the secretaries administer first aid, but are extremely limited by law in what they do.
A student who becomes ill at school will be sent to the health room. If the child feels better, they will be allowed to return to class. If not, the parent will be contacted to pick the child up.
A student injured at school will be sent to the health room. Minor scrapes and bruises will be bandaged and/or packed in ice. Parents will be called if the injury is more serious. In case of serious injury, if the parent cannot be contacted, the child is referred immediately to the doctor or hospital on the family card, 911 is called and the child is taken to the hospital. An administrative member will accompany the child.
Bringing medication to school without proper consent is not allowed. Medication must be retained in the health room at all times. A medication form must be on file for each individual situation that requires medicine to be taken. These forms are available in the office. No prescription drug will be accepted unless a registered pharmacist has labeled the drug. A physician must complete the medication form. No over-the-counter medicine will be dispensed without a medication form completed by the physician.
Birthday Parties lunch room policy
Due to the large amount of time birthday parties take from classroom instruction, we ask that a monetary donation be made to the Potomac Landing Birthday Book Club in place of a party. A book will be purchased equivalent in value of the amount of your donation. Birthday Book Club Memberships last only for the current school year. Students receive recognition with the special bookplate acknowledging their contribution and are also honored during the morning announcements on WPLS. A parent or guardian may help their child celebrate his/her birthday during that child's designated lunch period within the cafeteria. NO classroom parties permitted.
Lunch
Our school has a "satellite" lunch program. Meals are prepared in the kitchen at Friendly High School and then are transported to our kitchen. It is important that students arrive to school on time so that an accurate count can be reported to our cafeteria staff and they have adequate time to order the number of lunches required for that day. The cost of lunch is $1.75 milk or juice is $.40, and breakfast is $1.10.
Each student has his or her own account for our lunch/breakfast program. Money may be deposited into your child's account on a daily basis or in advance. Students are given on account number that they must enter into the computer when purchasing lunch/breakfast. All checks are to be made payable to Food and Nutrition Services. The cafeteria staff will inform students when their account is low on funds.
It is the policy of Prince George's County Public Schools Food Service Department that no lunch may be purchased on credit. As a courtesy to you, if your child has lost or forgotten to bring money, a peanut butter or cheese sandwich with water will be provided.
As a part of the educational program, our staff encourages the development of responsibility among students. We ask thaat you support us in our efforts by reminding your child to be prepared to purchase or bring their lunch daily.
Parent Teacher Organization
Parents are encouraged to join and actively participate in our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Our PTO is independent of any affiliation with a county or state organization. Therefore, all membership dues and fund raising income are directed towards providing benefits for our school only.
Student Council
The Student Council consists of representatives from grades one through six. This organization allows students to accept responsibility and utilize leadership skills. The Student Council provides an opportunity for students to have input in school rules and procedures. It also serves as welcoming commity to new students.
School Planning and Managment Team
The School Planning and Management Team (SPMT) is a committee of teachers, support staff, parents and pricipal who share in the governing and management of school activities and programs. This vehicle provides an opportunity for educators, parents and community leaders to share in the planning of the instructional program. Long and short problem solving and evaluation are all conducted in a "no fault" atmosphere. Success of the SPMT's efforts lead to the establishment of a positive school climate that aids student learning and social development.
Safety Patrols
Fifth and sixth grade students serve as safety patrols for our school. Their classroom teachers recommend them. Good ctizenship is required for participation. Safety patrols are expected to exhibit responsible behavior at their post and during the school day. Their job is extremely important to the safety of all students at Potomac Landing. A Price George's County Police Department Safety Officer and a school staff member are sponsors for our patrols.
Volunteers
We encourage family members of our students to join our Volunteer Program. Volunteers play an essential role in the success of our children's education. Volunteers help us provide the best possible education for all students. Please contact your child's classromm teacher or our PTO Volunteer Coordinator if you wish to volunteer your services.
Parking
Private vehicles may not park along the yellow curb marked NO PARKING IN FIRE LANE or NO PARKING IN BUS LANE. Visitors to the school may park in the school parking lot. Parents dropping off or picking up students may not enter the driveway. Persons violating this regulation or driving at unsafe speeds in the driveway will be reported to the police department. The safety of our children is of the utmost importance to us. All precautions against serious accidents must be taken.