Helena Elementary Student Handbook
2018-2019
A Message from the Principal
Welcome to a new school year at Helena Elementary! We hope that you have had an enjoyable and relaxing summer and are ready for an exciting and successful school year.
This school information handbook is designed to acquaint you with the daily operation of our school and our school system. We urge you to read the information contained within the document and use it as a reference throughout the school year.
We hope that you find it helpful.
Everyone plays an important role in the success of our school!
Helena has a longstanding and proud tradition of excellence!
As always we will work together as a TEAM to make great things happen!
We look forward to an awesome 2018-2019 school year.
#makeanimpact
Chrystal Welch Clayton, Ed.S.
Principal Helena Elementary School
About Us
Helena Elementary School Vision
On the Road to Excellence
Helena Elementary School Mission
Our mission is to collaboratively partner with families and our community to prepare our children to become life-long learners and leaders that positively impact the world.
#makeanimpact
Website: https://www.pcsnc.org/Domain/10
Location: 355 Helena-Moriah Road, Timberlake, NC, United States
Phone: (336)364-7715
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helenaelementaryschool/
Twitter: @HelenaHornets
Enrollment at Helena Elementary
To attend Helena Elementary School, a student must maintain a legal residence in the Helena district. Legal residence is defined as the full-time residence of the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian. Children may not live with family members who live in our district to attend Helena unless that family member has legal custody of the child. Exceptions to this requirement may only be made by the Person County Board of Education.
School Hours
Students at Helena should be in their assigned classroom by 8:25 when the tardy bell rings. Students who arrive after this time must be checked in through the office.
Since teachers are not on duty until 7:55 a.m. students are not allowed to enter the school building prior to this time. There is no supervision for students who arrive prior to 8:00. Students who arrive prior to this time should be enrolled in the school day care. Recommended arrival time for students is 8:00 – 8:15 a.m.
Students are dismissed at 3:00 p.m. Parents who transport their children should be prompt in picking them up or enroll them in the after school program. Parents are not permitted to wait for students on the sidewalks or breeze-way of the school due to safety issues.Person County Schools Calendar
Updating Student Information in Power School
YOU DO NOT NEED A SNAPCODE IF YOU HAD A PARENT PORTAL ACCOUNT DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
Quick Access for
Important Notices from PCS
Please take time to review this important information from the Person County School System
All parents will receive a copy of the Parent Gazette on Monday, August 28th. This along with the School-Wide Discipline plan should be reviewed carefully. Please note the changes to the discipline policy.
A signature of receipt is required as a part of updating online Student Information.
AHERA
The purpose of this notice is to inform you of the school system’s response to these regulations and of the system’s attempts to provide for the safety of students and employees.
A signature of receipt is required as a part of updating online Student Information.
IPM
This notice is being distributed to comply with the North Carolina School Children’s Health Act. Person County Schools has an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy to comply with this law. IPM is a holistic, preventive approach to managing pests that minimize pesticide use in our schools and on school grounds. IPM is explained further in the school’s Pest Management Policy, which can be viewed in the school office.
A signature of receipt is required as a part of updating online Student Information.
Tobacco Free Policy
This includes inside of vehicles that are parked on campus (Car Rider Line) and the use of e-cigarettes.
School-Wide Expectations
Disciplinary issues will be handled by the principal and assistant principal if actions taken by the teacher and/or bus driver have not been effective in reducing the problem behaviors.
Please take the time to review the PBIS Plan for the school and the bus.
Attendance
Prompt, regular attendance at school is very important. Parents should always make an effort to contact the school when their child is absent. When a student returns to school following an absence, he/she MUST bring a written note from the parent/guardian to explain the reason for the absence. Work missed because of an excused absence from school may be made up.
Absences due to family trips/vacations will be unexcused absences. There is a form on the PCS website if parents wish to request that a trip be considered an educational experience. Please note: If the primary purpose of the trip is a family vacation, the absence will not be approved.
Parents will receive attendance information with each report card. They will also receive letters if their child has excessive and/or unexcused absences from school. Please pay close attention to the Attendance Policy for the Person County School System.
Early Checkouts From School
Parents are encouraged to make medical or other appointments for their child outside the school day when possible. When it is necessary for the child to be dismissed early, the parent or legal guardian must check the student out through the main office so we will have a record of the child’s departure time. Parents are not permitted to go directly to the classroom to pick up a child. If parents wish to have someone else check out their child, we must have written permission from the parent for the child to leave with that individual. Anyone who picks up a child should be prepared to provide a photo ID to office personnel.
Students who check out prior to 12:25 p.m. will be counted absent for the day. Students must be in school four (4) hours to be counted present.
Tardies
Transportation
School bus transportation is provided for all students who live in the Helena district.. Appropriate behavior is expected at all times to insure the safety of all students on the bus. Review the link below regarding Bus Conduct. Repeated failure to follow these rules may result in suspension from the bus.
A written note is required for transportation changes and must be approved by the principal or assistant principal. While we understand that circumstances may occasionally make it necessary to change transportation plans after your child has left for school, please keep this to a minimum. If we do not have a note from the parent, the child will go home in their usual manner.
If a child will ride the bus at any time during the year, please be sure the Bus Information Sheet has been completed. This would include the possibility of riding less than 5 times for the whole school year.
Examples of this would be, but are not limited to:
Last minute change of plan, transportation is needed.
Emergency dismissal (snow, storm, etc.)
Day Care
Day care for Helena students is available before and after school in the cafeteria. The center operates from 6:00 – 7:55 a.m. and from 3:00 – 6:15 p.m. Cost and availability can be obtained from the daycare director.
Parking and Traffic
Please Read Carefully
Parents dropping off children may use the circle drive in front of the school. No one is to park along this drive at any time. Parking is available in the front parking lot. Parent are not permitted to pull into the bus lot for drop off or walk-ins. The parking lot beside the building is for bus parking only. Cars should not enter this parking lot during school hours unless directed by a faculty member.
Please do not arrive on campus in the afternoons prior to 2:30 p.m. Also, please do not pass the car line at any time especially once the line starts moving. This creates a very dangerous situation. The campus speed limit is 15 mph.
Parents are required to wait in the car line to pick up/drop off children. Failure to follow traffic procedures could result in restrictions during drop off/release times. Please be alert at all times while driving on campus to ensure the safety of our children.
Click the Link Below to View the Traffic Pattern
Emergency Information
It is vital that we have accurate contact information on how to reach each child’s parents/legal guardians. Please update your information in PowerSchool when a change in contact and/or contact number is needed. This includes home/cell/work numbers. You are also required to list the names and phone numbers for at least two people we can contact in an emergency if parents/legal guardians cannot be reached.
A Message from the School Nurse
If you have a child that has a medical condition, will need to have medication at school, or has dietary restrictions, please stop by the health table that will be set up during Open House. There will be blank medication forms, nutrition forms, and emergency action plan forms available.
If a student needs to take any medication during the school day (including over the counter medications), we must have a medication form signed by the parent and physician. This form will indicate the medication and dosage information. Prescription medications must be in a current prescription bottle. Non-prescription medications must be in the original container. Aspirin will not be dispensed at the school. The school nurse can answer questions you may have about medications. Medication forms must be updated annually.
Please fill out the appropriate forms and return them on the first day of school.
Student Health Information Sheet
Complete and Return if Needed
Homework
Cafeteria Operation
The health and well-being of our students is very important to us. Well-nourished students take better advantage of the learning process. Breakfast and lunch are provided daily in the school cafeteria for any child. Due to a new provision in school meal program regulations, there will be no charge for meals served during the school year. That means a free healthy breakfast and lunch will be made available to all students wishing to participate! Families do not need to complete a meal benefit application to receive this benefit. Students wishing to purchase extra items will still need to bring money for those items. Parents wishing to pay online may do so at www.k12paymentcenter.com.
Parents will need their child’s student identification number to use this service. Breakfast and lunch menus can be found online at https://www.pcsnc.org/domain/30 and on the Helena Elementary School webpage.
Lunches brought from home should include a balanced meal and should not require refrigeration to stay fresh. Also, please do not send food that needs to be heated in a microwave.
We encourage parents to join us for lunch when their schedule allows. Several reminders are in order.
Food purchased from “fast food” or other restaurants is not permitted in the cafeteria
Soft drinks are not allowed in the cafeteria
Visiting and Conferences
Parents and other family members are welcome to visit our school. All visitors are required to report to the school office when they arrive on campus to register and receive a visitor’s pass. Visitors also need to sign out when they leave.
We do ask that you see your child’s teacher after school hours and that class is not interrupted for you to talk to the teacher in person or by phone. When classes are interrupted, your child and all other class members lose valuable instructional time.
Parent/ teacher conferences are scheduled for every child at the end of the first grading period. Additional conferences will be scheduled at the end of other grading periods for students who are struggling academically. Teachers will contact parents to schedule those conferences. Conferences may be scheduled at any time at the request of the parent or teacher.
If you need to speak with an administrator, we ask that you contact the school to set up a time for a meeting. Meetings may be set up in advance before or after the school day. Please remember that we too have very busy schedules and many required meetings are scheduled well in advance. Calling to set up a meeting time, will provide us with more time to effectively address a concern.
The administrators will make every effort to return phone messages within 24 hours.
If you need immediate assistance, the best line of contact is email.
Chrystal Welch Clayton, Principal claytonch@person.k12.nc.us
Kelli Kiser, Assistant Principal kiserk@person.k12.nc.usParental Support and Involvement
We encourage you to show interest in your child’s education by supporting the efforts of the school and asking him/her to talk with you about the day and what was learned. Educators and parents must realize that high standards are necessary, that virtually all students can attain those standards, and that hard work is the key to learning. There are no “shortcuts” in the learning process. Hard work and sustained effort are necessary. Parent support and student effort are very important in the level of success our children attain. Let’s give every child the chance to succeed by working together!
Volunteers
Helena is fortunate to have many parents and community members who are willing to volunteer to help our students. All volunteers who work with children are required to submit a volunteer application which will allow the district to conduct a criminal background check. This includes parents who chaperone field trips.
Anyone wishing to volunteer does need to reapply this school year even if they were approved last year.
Helena Elementary APT (Association of Parents and Teachers) is our own version of PTA. All funds raised directly support our Students and Teachers.
A fee for joining is NOT required.
Board Meetings are scheduled monthly. Any parent wishing to attend is invited.
If you are interested in working with our APT, please contact an active Board Member listed in the Welcome Letter.
Meeting Dates are also included.
APT Volunteer
Important School Level Reminders
Dress Code
Expensive clothing is not necessary for school. We do expect students to come to school clean and dressed appropriately. Many types of clothing that are fashionable are not appropriate for elementary students. Please see the dress code information in the PCS Code of Conduct.
Educational Field Trips
Field trips are taken by all grade levels during the year. These trips are planned as an extension of classroom instruction. You will receive information and are required to sign a permission form for your child to participate.
We usually have more parents who want to chaperone than we can accommodate. Parents going on Field Trips must be approved volunteers. You cannot be considered to be a chaperone unless you are approved in advance.
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO RIDE THE BUS ON FIELD TRIPS. Permission to return from a field trip with a parent will only be granted to those that are approved volunteers for the trips, to only the child of the parent who is an approved volunteer, and with at least 3 days approval from Administration.
Personal Items
Students have a cubby and a desk in which to put their personal items. Please label all items especially coats, sweaters, and lunch boxes. Please remember that students should not bring valuable items or large amounts of money at any time.
Electronic Devices
Students are encouraged not to bring electronic devices to school. If a student brings a cell phone to school and it is not on silence, we will follow the protocol in the PCS Code of Conduct and the phone will be confiscated and returned based on the details listed in the policy.
Students in Grades 3-5 are permitted to Bring Their Own Devices on Special Occasions
The form must be completed and submitted to Administration BEFORE Use.
Use of this device must follow the AUP for the county.
PE Information
Students must wear tennis shoes daily to PE. Students are not permitted to wear boots, flip flops, or Crocs....dress shoes with no grips on the bottom are not allowed.
Please note that the grass can be damp for the morning classes. It is suggested that they bring an older pair of shoes. We do not go out if the grass is over the ankles normally, but will be out often as the grass has been mowed in order to cover units that need a larger space due to safety and effectiveness.
Students must have a doctor's note if have to sit out more than 1 day due to illness or injury.
PE Coaches
Classroom Celebrations
Classroom celebrations are controlled by the school and are limited to three per year. Each classroom is encouraged to have one Grade Parent per class. Birthday parties for students may not be held at school. Cupcakes at lunch are acceptable as a birthday celebration but other “party” items are not permitted. The school is not permitted to provide addressed and invitations to private parties will not be distributed at school.
School Pictures
Twice a year, students will have the opportunity to have individual pictures taken by a professional photographer. Payment is expected when the pictures are taken. Class group pictures are taken in the spring. Participation in the school picture program is voluntary. All students will have a picture taken in the fall since those are used for our yearbook. 5th
grade students will have the opportunity to have a cap and gown picture taken in the spring.
Deliveries of Flowers, Balloons, and Similar Items
Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have questions.
Chrystal Welch Clayton, Principal
Kelli Williams Kiser, Assistant Principal