Gordon-Reed Elementary Handbook
2022-2023
Welcome to Gordon-Reed Elementary!
The beginning of a year is always an exciting time, and we are looking forward to another successful year. We are excited, ready, and anticipating the arrival of your child!
At Annette Gordon-Reed Elementary, we believe that, in collaboration with parents and community members, Gordon-Reed Elementary will provide a safe, caring, and positive learning environment that celebrates diversity and instill a desire for learning while meeting the individual needs of all students. Our goal is to build relationships that empower students, and develop responsible, and confident leaders.
The 2022-2023 Conroe Independent School District Student/Parent Handbook is available to you online here. The purpose of this handbook addendum is to inform you of important information regarding day to day life at Gordon-Reed; however, at times it may be necessary to make a few changes during the school year. In this event, the addendum will be updated, as well as you will be notified via letter, email, or website. I want to encourage you to visit our school website at https://gordonreed.conroeisd.net/ as important information and events will be posted there frequently. In fact, you may want to bookmark this address for easy access.
Please be sure to give us every available phone number and contact we might need in case of an emergency. If your phone number changes throughout the year, please update our records by sending in a note with your child or emailing our registrar Linda Paredes at lparedes@conroeisd.net. I am looking forward to working together with you, and I feel certain that you will enjoy being a part of the Annette Gordon-Reed family! If we haven't had the opportunity to meet in person yet, please come by and introduce yourself. I look forward to working alongside all of you this year!
Shawn Creswell
Principal
Contact Information
School Phone Number: 936-709-4800
Shawn Creswell, Principal, screswell@conroeisd.net
Gabe Hernandez, Assistant Principal, Grades: PK, 1st, 3rd, 5th, ghernandez@conroeisd.net
Katy Sue Traicoff, Assistant Principal, Grades: K, 2nd, 4th, 6th, ktraicoff@conroeisd.net
Rachel James, Counselor, Grades: PK, 1st, 3rd, 5th, rjames@conroeisd.net
Ashley Wright, Counselor, Grades: K, 2nd, 4th, 6th, aywright@conroeisd.net
Linda Paredes, Registration & Attendance, lparedes@conroeisd.net
Patty Parrish, Secretary, pparrish@conroeisd.net
Lizi Johnston, Receptionist, aejohnston@conroeisd.net
April Simms, ARD Facilitator, aasimms@conroeisd.net
Ashton Fritz, Speech Language Pathologist, afritz@conroeisd.net
Diana Atchley, Nurse, datchley@conroeisd.net
Websites
Gordon-Reed Website: https://gordonreed.conroeisd.net/
Transportation Website: http://www.conroeisd.net/department/transportation/
Child Nutrition Website: http://www.conroeisd.net/department/child-nutrition/
Parent Access Center: http://www.conroeisd.net/parents/
CISD Calendar: http://tiny.conroeisd.net/tK9FN
School Supply Lists: http://tiny.conroeisd.net/XFqGr
Volunteer in CISD: http://www.conroeisd.net/parents/get-involved/
Attendance
If your child will not be at school for any reason, please notify the school registrar.. Upon returning from an absence, always send a note explaining the reason for the absence. Notifications may be sent via email. Please try to schedule routine medical appointments outside of school hours. Likewise, please schedule vacations during school holidays/long weekends. It is extremely important to maximize our instruction time.
- Tardies -Students must be in the school doors by 8:00 am. If late, they will be checked-in by a Gordon-Reed staff member. After 8:05 am, an adult must accompany the child to the front office to sign in tardy. Please make arrangements so that your child arrives on time. Each time your child is tardy, you will receive notification via email.
Building Visitors
All parents, visitors, and volunteers must:
- Enter through the front/main entrance only, all other exterior doors will remain locked.
- Anyone permitted to visit the campus will sign in and out at the front office.
- Present a valid, state issued ID to be scanned into the Raptor System.
- Visitor badges must be worn at all times when on campus and must be turned into the front office for checkout before leaving campus.
- Adhere to school dismissal procedures.
- Pick up students who need to leave early before 2:30pm.
Celebrations
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved new student nutrition guidelines on July 1, 2014. We must adhere to these guidelines very carefully. Here are the highlights of the guidelines: Parents wanting their child to distribute birthday treats may only send in “store bought” treats. Homemade treats are not permitted due to allergy issues, safety, and sanitation concerns. Flowers and balloons are not allowed due to allergy and safety issues. Treats may be brought to the Commons during your child’s lunch period. Treats may only be distributed during the last 10 minutes of the lunch period. Parents may visit during lunch and help their child’s teacher pass out the birthday treat. Please contact your child's teacher to let them know you will be bringing birthday treats.
All treats may be brought to school with your child or you can bring them to the front office. Your child’s homeroom teacher will be able to provide you with more details about our procedures to make sure your child celebrates their special day.
We ask that parents refrain from bringing other items such as balloons, flowers, and candles. We will be unable to deliver any of these items to your child.
Students often request to pass out birthday invitations in their classrooms. Invitations may be passed out only if the entire class is invited or if all the girls or all the boys in the class are invited. Passing out invitations to the entire grade level is not permitted. Please contact your child’s teacher if your child plans to pass out birthday invitations at school.
Checking in and out
Anything that deviates from regular arrival/dismissal time
- Parents must come into the front office to check students in and out. A valid, state issued identification must be presented and you must be listed on the child’s emergency form.
- Parents are not permitted to walk directly to the classroom to pick up a student. To maximize instructional time and to minimize interruptions, teachers will be notified and students will proceed to the office.
- For safety reasons, we do not allow students to be checked out after 2:30 pm.
Communication
The Gordon-Reed staff is committed to keeping our students and parents informed.
All SMS messages received from the Conroe ISD District Office and Gordon-Reed Elementary will begin with "Conroe ISD" and come from the subscribe code 67587. If you have not yet opted-in to receive SMS messages, you can do so at any time throughout the school year by texting "Y" to 67587.
Our parent newsletter, Cub Courier, will provide regular communication to keep you informed of important information and pertinent dates and events.
We also encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Gordon-Reed Website which provides up-to-date school information. Various items can be viewed and printed including our calendar of school events and daily lunch menu. Our website also provides links to all teacher email accounts. Gordon-Reed Website
Communication is vital to our student’s success. Your child’s teacher will further explain their methods of communication at Parent Curriculum Meetings.
Conferences with Teachers
Parents are welcome to request a parent/teacher conference, if so desired. Please email your child's teacher to set up a conference. Teachers are available to conference during their scheduled conference time on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Teachers may hold a virtual or in-person parent conference based on parent preference.
Conference Times
Prekindergarten: 8:15-9:15
Kindergarten: 8:15-9:15
1st Grade: 9:20-10:20
2nd Grade: 9:20-10:20
3rd Grade: 10:25-11:25
4th Grade: 10:25-11:25
5th Grade: 1:00-2:00
6th Grade: 2:05-3:05
Dress Code
Our Gordon-Reed Cubs do a great job with the Conroe ISD Dress Code. To highlight questions we receive on occasion, here is a basic checklist:
- All hair color should be a natural hair color or color that does not cause a distraction for other students in the classroom
- Shorts should be mid-thigh or longer
- No tank tops/spaghetti straps
- No cosmetics
- No flip flops (students may wear sandals with a back strap)
- Shorts should be worn under dresses/skirts
- Our Cubs have P.E. everyday, so we encourage students to wear tennis shoes/closed toed shoes.
- Students should make sure their shirts are not offensive or violent
Parents will be contacted if their child is out of dress code. Appropriate clothes will need to be provided.
Early Release Dismissal
Conroe ISD has scheduled two early dismissal days this year. Gordon-Reed Elementary students will be dismissed at 12:10 p.m. on December 16, 2022 and May 25, 2023. Regular dismissal procedures will be followed on these days.
All students will be fed lunch on our early release days; however, lunch will be at a different scheduled time.
Electronic Devices (Student)
If a student brings an electronic device (cell phone, e-reader, iWatch, etc.), they bring them at their own risk. The school is not responsible for any damaged, lost or stolen electronic devices. The expectation is that cell phones are powered off when students enter the building and stored in a backpack until they exit the building. Any communication between parents and students during the school day must go through the office or teacher. Teachers will communicate with parents if there are times that personal electronic devices will be allowed to be used for classroom activities. Expectations for use will be communicated to students and students will be monitored to ensure the devices are being used properly. Students who do not comply with school procedures will have the device given to the grade level assistant principal who will contact the parent to discuss the concerns and plans moving forward.
Excused from PE
Physical education is an important part of a child’s educational experience and is required by State law. A written excuse is required in the event a child needs to be excused from participation in physical education. If he or she cannot participate for a period of more than five days, a doctor’s statement must be presented to the school. A note from the physician releasing the student to return to regular participation in physical education will also be required.
Gordon-Reed Spirit
Wednesdays are designated as “Character Day”. Students are encouraged to wear a Gordon-Reed character shirt or the color of the character trait of the month.
Fridays are “Spirit Day”. Teachers and students are encouraged to wear a Gordon-Reed shirt or school colors (blue, yellow, grey).
Gordon-Reed spirit wear will be sold prior to the year starting and will be delivered a few weeks into school. Gordon-Reed will not have extra shirts on hand to sell throughout the year.
Lunch/Snack Guidelines
The CISD lunch menu is posted on the CISD website. The website also provides in information regarding your child's lunch account.
There are several state laws that pertain to nutrition for children in the public schools. For more information, please see the CISD Elementary & Intermediate Student Handbook.
Lunch with your Child
Parents are welcome to join their child for lunch any day after August 24, 2022 during their scheduled lunchtime. We have designated parent/visitor tables for this special time with your child. Only your child will be able to join you at the visitor table. Lunch is an important social time for children with their friends. We encourage parents to consider the frequency in which they join their child for lunch during the school year.
Snacks
Grade level teachers will share more information about snack times and expectations.
Notice to Parents with Court Orders Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship
The Texas legislature passed a new law clarifying the Texas Family Code provision that sets out the rights and duties of parents when there is a court order affecting the parent-child relationship. The legislature clarified that “school activities”, as that term is used in the Family Code, includes, “school lunches, performances, and field trips.” Prior to the passing of this law, each Texas school district determined what activities were considered “school activities.” In compliance with the new law, effective at the beginning of this school year, when lunch is open to visitors, either parent may attend school lunch with his or her child, regardless of their period of possession, unless attending lunch is specifically prohibited by a court order. All parents are welcome to attend school performances. Field trips are limited to parents selected to serve as chaperones.
Parent Access Center
Parent Access Center (PAC) is the CISD system for parents which provides online access to all your child’s class assignments, assignment grades, test grades, student ID, as well as attendance, discipline, progress reports, and report cards. If you currently have a Parent Access Center account, there is no need to renew your account as you have had to do in previous years. Parents can register for a PAC account from the Conroe ISD home page under the Student/Parent link. Student data will not be available until school begins.
Personal Items
If your child leaves something important at home, please deliver to the front office, labeled with your child’s name and teacher’s name. Articles will then be delivered to the classroom. However, please work with your child to develop good habits of responsibility, helping them to be prepared every day.
Please write your child’s name on all sweaters, coats, backpacks, water bottles, and lunch kits. All students are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles to school. Water bottles should have a top that prevents spills. Only water is allowed.
iPods, electronic games, laser lights, toy guns, fidget spinners, and other toys should not be brought on the school campus unless they are used as part of a classroom project, or requested by the teacher. Knives or other dangerous objects are never allowed.
Report Cards and Grades
The school year is divided into four grading periods. In grades 3-6, report cards and progress reports will be available on Parent Access following the end of each grading period.
Prekindergarten-2nd grade are scored on a Standards Based Report card. More information regarding standards based reporting will be shared at the Parent Curriculum Overviews.
For students in grades 2-4 to be promoted from one grade level to the next, the students must attain an overall average of 70% for all subject areas and a grade of 70 or above in three of the following areas: Language Arts, Mathematics, and either Science or Social Studies. Students must be in attendance 90% of the total instructional days enrolled per year. Grading Guidelines will be provided by each teacher at Parent Curriculum Overviews.
Specific information regarding the number of grades collected and weight of each category can be found in CISD's Elementary/Intermediate Student Handbook.
Safety Guidlelines
- We regularly conduct campus safety drills and will be teaching your child procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. These drills include regular fire drills, shelter in place, lock out, lock down and a medical response drill.
- We work relentlessly to develop relationships and trust with our students so they always feel there is someone with whom they can talk. Students are encouraged to report safety concerns to school staff as soon as possible. In addition, the Conroe ISD Police Department monitors the Kid Chat hotline (1-800-KidChat) and the Anonymous Alerts app, which allows for anonymous communication regarding an incident or issue.
School Clinic
If your child gets sick at school, they will be sent to the school clinic. Parents will be contacted if necessary. If we are unable to reach you, emergency contacts will be called. Please visit with our school nurse if your child has any health concerns.
Illness/Absence
If your child is ill with fever over 100 degrees or illness like symptoms, please keep your child home. Students should be fever free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
- If your child will be absent due to illness, email the school nurse, Diana Atchley, at datchley@conroeisd.net
Medications
- Adults must bring any medications to the school clinic and give specific information before medication can be dispensed at school. All medication will be documented.
- Please do not send medications with your student to school.
For students who will have allergy or asthma medications at school, please obtain an allergy and asthma action plan from your child's doctor prior to dropping off the medication.
School Hours
8:00 am-3:10 pm
School begins promptly at 8:00 am and dismisses at 3:10 pm. Plan to arrive at school between 7:30 am and 8:00 am. Supervision is not available before 7:30 am. Do not leave students unattended at the school before 7:30am. The doors to the school do not open until 7:30am.
- 7:30 am- Students are welcomed into the building and enjoy breakfast or social time in the cafeteria.
- 7:45 am- Students are dismissed to their classrooms.
- 8:00 am- Morning announcements begin
- 8:05 am- Students arriving to school after 8:05 am must be signed in by an adult at the front desk and marked tardy.
Student ID
All students are issued a 6 digit ID number upon registration. This number is used in the cafeteria line, library check out, online log ins, bus registration.
The ID number can be found on Parent Access.
If you are a new student to Gordon-Reed or have any questions, please contact the front office at 936-709-4800.
Transportation
All students will receive a bar code tag that will be scanned before leaving the building during dismissal. Please be sure this tag remains on your child’s backpack all year.
Bus Riders-
Bus transportation is available to all Gordon-Reed students . Bus service must be requested through the CISD transportation department yearly. The Transportation Department website contains bus arrival and departure times and valuable safety information which will help you teach your children about bus safety. Please note that bus route adjustments may be made during the school year due to changes in student and neighborhood populations. Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students will not be dropped off at a stop unless a parent is present. If you need to have an older sibling or non guardian receive your child off the bus, a supervision waiver form will need to be completed. http://www.conroeisd.net/department/transportation/
After 4:00pm, any concerns regarding bus transportation should be directed to The Conroe School Transportation Center at 936-709-7940.
Daycare Pickup- If your child typically attends daycare and will be absent for any reason, please notify the daycare.
YMCA- Students are dismissed to the gym and remain in the care of YMCA employees until they are picked up by parents.
Car Riders – Car Riders will exit the building through the front doors of the school.
In order for the Car Rider line to run as quickly and safely as possible, please adhere to the following:
Family car tags, provided by the school, must be placed in the car's windshield.
A staff member will scan your tag into our car rider app which will then display in the classrooms. Annette Gordon-Reed staff will meet students in the school foyer to scan their dismissal tag and direct them to the appropriate numbered loading area.
If your child requires a car seat/booster seat, please have it located on the passenger side of your car. Please teach your child to buckle themselves in/out.
Please remain in your car and assist with backpacks and instruments from inside your vehicle.
Use of a cell phone is prohibited while in the car rider line or while driving in an active school zone.
Transportation Changes
All transportation changes must be received in writing by 2:00 p.m. We must have changes in writing. Please send an email to gordon-reedtransportation@conroeisd.net or fill out a form in the front office. Please include the date, your child’s full name, teacher name, bus number (if applicable), and your name.
Please send a new note for each day the change occurs; we cannot accept notes for multiple days or with multiple changes. District policy states that a student may only ride the bus they are registered to ride; students may not have a transportation change to ride a different bus.
Above all, if you have a problem and need our help, please call us. The safety of our students is our top priority!