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. All field trips are planned by the classroom teacher. The cost for transportation is divided equally among participating students. Advance written notice of all field trips is sent to parents who must sign a permission slip allowing their child to participate. Verbal permission will not be accepted. In addition, an emergency card must be on file with the classroom teacher.
Parents assisting teachers as chaperones on a field trip should remember that they will have students in their care and, therefore, cannot bring younger siblings.
The safety patrol program is under the guidance of Mr. Harris, with the supervision by an officer of the Prince George's County Police department. The students are chosen with special emphasis upon reliability and good behavior. Patrol duties involve crossing the children safely at crosswalks.
The safety of children is of primary concern to us. Safety, school pride, discipline, and responsible decision-making go hand in hand. Children from our fifth grade serve our school as safety patrols. They are chosen on the basis of their willingness to obey the rules, to respect authority, and to cooperate in maintaining safety and accepting responsibility. We ask your cooperation in impressing upon your child the importance of obeying the patrols as they are insuring your child's safety when he is under their supervision.
Information will be sent home a week before the scheduled day for taking pictures. There will be a prepay packet offering several picture options. Envelopes for your picture selection and money will be sent home the day prior to the picture day.
The pink school bulletins and newsletters will be used to communicate what is happening at Pointer Ridge. The first bulletin is lengthy and also includes some items that are to be completed and returned to school. To keep you abreast of school happenings, a newsletter will be sent home with all students every other Friday. All newsletters will be a bright pink, to make it easily identifiable. Additional reminders and classroom information may be sent home periodically via fliers, letters and classroom newsletters. A monthly menu is provided by the county for all students.
If you have information, questions or concerns, please feel free to call us. We welcome open communication. Teachers are available before (7:20-7:40) or after school (2:00-2:40) for phone calls and scheduled conferences. Teachers are unable to leave their classes during the instructional day and may not be interrupted for consultation.
The school office opens at 7:10 A.M. and closes at 3:15 P.M. All students receive the Pointer Ridge Calendar & Handbook on the first day of school.
The new School-Based Parent Liaison has been established to
help parents with the sometimes challenging task of navigating the school
system. Additionally, the Parent Liaison will offer workshops on interesting
topics like Helping Your Child with Homework, ADHD, Self-Care, Learning the
County/City Government and much more. The Parent Liaison will house a wealth of
information and resources in the Parent Resource Room, and will also work
closely with the PTA and local governments throughout the school year to provide
parents with the support and resources to help children achieve academic
success. To view documents the Parent Liaison has uploaded for your information,
please
click here. If you have any questions/concerns or would like to
discuss any community resources and activities, please call that office at
301-390-0220 ext. 232 between 8am-3pm.
The instrumental music program is designed to encourage all participants to explore and develop their musical abilities by learning to play an instrument and to have opportunities to perform for their friends and family. All fifth grade students are encouraged to participate in the instrumental music program.
Group lessons are given in school during the school day. It is expected that parents will rent or buy the needed instrument. The first three to four months are considered to be a trial period during which the child can decide whether he/she enjoys the experience enough to continue, and the teacher can determine whether the instrument is truly appropriate for the student. After this step, most students do continue.
A Media Center is more than a library. It is a vital part of the school. A Media Center is books, audiovisual materials, fun, learning, but most of all, it is a part of a child's school life, a child's classroom, and a child's educational growth. The teacher and the Media Specialist work together planning lessons and skills which will teach and enrich the child in every grade, subject, and learning process. The teacher and the Media Specialist also work together in helping children to learn to use all types of books and audiovisual equipment (computers, pictures, television, radio, CDs, tapes, cassettes, DVDs, etc.) as sources of information and entertainment. For information about our school's Media Center programs, go to http://teacherweb.com/MD/PointerRidgeElem/LibraryMediaCenter/.
The Media Specialist also encourages students to participate in the annual Prince George's County Write-A-Book Competition. Guidelines for entries may be found at http://www.pgcps.pg.k12.md.us/~pointer/w_a_book.html#top.
Teachers use the following criteria to recognize students monthly:
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Pointer Ridge students in grades five participate in this exciting
competition every year. Matches can be viewed on PGCPS
TV 96. The viewing schedule is also
listed. Click here for a list of
Science Bowl Dates
and more.
SCIENCE FAIR
A science fair gives students the chance to think and work independently, develop and refine individual science interests, and engage in critical thinking. All students in grades 4 and 5 are required to complete a science fair project with accompanying Research Report. Primary students in grades 1 - 3 will work cooperatively with their classmates on a project and may also submit an individual project if desired.
Materials have been developed by the Prince George's
County Public Schools to help students and parents to have a rewarding science
fair experience. A Science Fair Project Planning Journal is provided for
students to assist in the planning and completion of the project. The packet of
materials, Parent Involvement in Science Fair Projects, has also been
developed, to provide acceptable guidelines for parents who wish to serve as
coaches for their students who will be conducting science research through the
science fair project.
The Destination Imagination program promotes divergent thinking in students from Kindergarten through college. This program offers students a unique opportunity to participate in challenging and motivating activities both inside and outside their regular classroom curriculum. Students learn to work with others as a team. They develop self-confidence by creating solutions, evaluating their ideas and making final decisions. They develop their creative skills through problem solving and independent thinking. Hence, the Destination Imagination Program makes learning fun. Please contact the school if you are interested in being an Destination Imagination coach or if you need more information.
