Family Handbook

Anne Arundel County Public Schools distributes this handbook for parents and students to each student at the beginning of the school year. It is a guide to services and programs for parents at the county’s schools. It contains valuable information about instruction, student rights and responsibilities (containing the Code of Student Conduct and the new policy on school attire), health and welfare of students, transportation and other general information. Should any information contained in this handbook conflict with that found in the County Handbook, the County version takes precedence. Should you require information not in the handbook, please call the office.

Admissions

Arrival and Dismissal

Attendance

Awards

Band

Birthday Celebrations

Bus Conduct

Cancellation of School

Child Care

Classroom Party Guidelines

Code of Student Behavior

Communications/Newsletters

Counselor

Dress Code

Emergency Information

Fees

Field Trips

Food Service (Gator Galley)

Gators R Us School Store

Gifted/Talented/Advanced Programs

Gum

History of Our School

Rules for General Behavior

Student Government Association

Unauthorized Articles

Valuables

Visitors

Withdrawals

^Admissions

New kindergarten students for the school year 2005-06 must be 5 years old on or by September 30, 2005. Next school year 2006-07, they must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2006. A physical examination is required when a student enters our school for the first time. Ages must be verified by a birth certificate and immunizations records must be complete. Upper level students who are transferring from other schools should arrange to provide copies of their academic record to insure their admission to the proper classes.

^{Arrival
and Dismissal}

Parents delivering or picking up students at school should use the visitor/faculty parking lot. Students should not arrive at school before 8:45 AM. There will be no supervision for students who arrive earlier. School begins promptly at 9:10 AM. Students arriving later than 9:10 AM should enter the building through the front doors - check into the office before proceeding to classrooms.

School is dismissed at 3:30 PM. Parents should send a note to the teacher on the day when the student has to leave school before 3:30. The student will then meet the parent in the office at the appointed time. Car riders will be dismissed at 3:30. (Parents should remain in cars).

All unattended vehicles must be parked in designated parking spaces. We encourage all students to ride buses. There is limited space to discharge and pick up passengers. Children and adults create a hazardous situation when walking between cars to the parking area.

Regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school. Most subjects are taught in sequence, requiring the understanding of each concept in the order of its presentation. Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for a student and is regarded as a very serious problem.

The following list of circumstances are the only recognized excuses for school absence:

personal illness - quarantine - death in the family - religious holiday - court summons - state emergency

If your child has been absent from school, you must send a note the day he/she returns stating the reason for absence. A doctor’s certificate is required when a child is absent for more than three days. If we receive no communication from the parent after a child’s absence, we are forced to record the absence on cumulative records as A20 (unlawful absence).

The Maryland State Department of Education issued new regulations effective July 1, 2005. A student may be absent no more than one hour during the school day to be counted as present for the full day.

If a student arrives after 9:10 a.m. and by 10:10 a.m. and remains entire day - they will be counted as tardy.

If a student arrives after 10:10 a.m. and remains entire day – they will be counted as ½ day absence.

If a student arrives on time and leaves after 2:30 p.m., they will be counted as an early dismissal.

If a student arrives on time and leaves before 2:30 p.m. - they will be counted as a half-day absence.

If a student arrives on time and leaves during the school day for an appointment and arrives back to school after one hour - they will be counted as a half-day absence.

Students receive special recognition at the school through a variety of awards programs. These awards are intended to promote and recognize academic skills, athletic achievement, and various aspects of good citizenship. Teachers and parents are expected to promote these awards as an encouragement and an incentive towards special effort and achievement by the students. Some examples of recognition include academics, sports, student committees, attendance, and cultural achievements.

Our school has band classes available to students in grades four and five and string classes available to students in grades three, four and five. Students are taught during the school day for two half-hour sessions per week. Students must purchase or rent their own instruments. Students perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts.

We recognize students’ birthdays over the intercom each day and we’re happy to celebrate with your child. If you wish to send in treats for your child’s class, please let the teacher know your plans. Please do not send invitations for outside parties to school or pick up groups for parties at school. Feelings can be hurt in these situations and we ask your cooperation in this matter.

^{The
importance of stressing proper and safe conduct on school buses cannot be
emphasized enough. It is extremely important that parents assume the
responsibility to be at the bus stop to put their kindergarten children on the
bus and meet them as they get off. Parents should be at the loading side
of the bus.}

^{To
help ensure safe conduct on the bus, the Board of Education has approved the
following:}

^{1st violation
Appropriate action by the principal, including a parent conference}

^{4th violation
Removal from all bus transportation for the remainder of the school year}

^{The
Transportation Policy further states that only pupils who have been assigned to
a specific bus may ride that bus. Therefore, please do not request that
your child ride home with a friend. Bus students must ride the bus home
unless the parents send written permission for the student to be picked up by
someone else or unless the parent/guardian picks him/her up.}

^{12.
Students are not permitted to carry animals or large instruments on the
bus.}

Please see page 15 of the AACPS 2005-2006 Student Handbook for further details regarding appropriate bus behavior.

^{Cancellation
of school takes place only during extraordinary circumstances such as extreme
weather, equipment failure, or public crisis. The school board and
administrators are aware of the hardship which can be caused by an abrupt
cancellation. Therefore, school will not be cancelled unless a significant
safety risk has been created by unusual circumstances. In the event that
conditions cause school to be closed, check the school board’s website www.aacps.org
for school closures or sign up on www.schoolsout.com
for school closure email; also announcements will be made on the following radio
stations, as well as most Washington or Baltimore TV stations:}

^{WASH 97.1 FM WNAV 1430 AM WBAL
1090 AM WTOP 1500 AM}

^{Please do not call
the school!}

^{Morning
kindergarten is cancelled for a 2-hour delayed opening. If schools close
early (see below) morning kindergarten classes are dismissed at 11:15 AM and
afternoon kindergarten is cancelled. Breakfast is not served when schools
are delayed opening for 2 hours.}

^{There
are times when schools will close earlier than the normal 3:30 PM dismissal.
This usually occurs for snow. However, heat, water shortage, or other
causes may bring about an early dismissal. Please have a plan for your
child to follow in case this happens and you are not at home. Designate a
neighbor or relative to look for your child coming off the bus. Phone
lines are limited and we cannot allow students to call home.}

^Child
Care

^{The Anne Arundel County
Department of Recreation and Parks is pleased to offer the extended day-child
care program for school-aged children at Davidsonville Elementary School.
The program operates in accordance with the public school schedule and any child
five years old through grade six is eligible for participation in the program.
Parents interested in the program should contact:}

Halloween and Valentine parties are scheduled yearly celebrations. It is recommended that the activities be planned on a grade level. Recommended time for the parties is one hour. The room team should send home a notice 7-10 days prior to the party that invites all parents to the party and suggests a specific item (food or craft) that each classroom helper should contribute. If money is needed for a special craft or snack, a dollar or two is the acceptable amount. We highly encourage that the Room Parent Volunteer Team use as many of the classroom helpers and other volunteers as possible. We also suggest that the Room Parent Volunteers team contact each other and arrange a meeting so that you may discuss the responsibilities of each team member. Each team can come up with their own ideas on how the responsibilities will be split up. There is no classroom space to safely accommodate visiting parents and preschoolers so we ask that NO SIBLINGS attend classroom parties.

^{Code
of Student Behavior}

^{The
Anne Arundel County Public School Board of Education recently approved a new
Code of Student Conduct. You will find the Code in handbooks which will be
distributed to each student. Please read this book carefully to
familiarize yourselves and your children with the Code of Behavior.}

^{Communications/Newsletters}

A newsletter containing items of interest to students and parents will be distributed on the last Wednesday of each month. Each grade group distributes a quarterly newsletter to parents

^Counselor

A professional counselor is a full-time staff member at our school. The school counselor wears many hats; advisory, counselor, consultant, teacher, program manager, facilitator, coordinator, and human development specialist. Most importantly, she’s a visible, interacting force working with the school and home teams so that they can reach a common goal … helping students maintain a happy and successful school life

^Dress
Code

According to the AACPS 2005-2006 Student Handbook, students should dress appropriately to create a respectful and safe environment in school. Clothes that create a disruptive environment or cause a health or safety hazard may not be worn

^{I.
Students have the right and responsibility to choose their attire and to arrange
their personal appearance in a manner which is healthy, safe, inoffensive and
not disruptive to the educational process. Accordingly, students are
prohibited from wearing clothing, hats, jewelry, bookbags or other articles of
personal appearance which:}

^{D.
may create a significant risk of a material and substantial disruption to the
educational}^{process or the operation of the school.}

^{II.
In addition, except in individual cases as approved by the principal of a
school, the following specific items are not permitted:}

^{B.
hats, caps, hoods or other head wear except as required for health, safety or
religious purposes; and}

^{C.
clothing worn in such a manner so as to reveal underwear or bare skin between
the upper chest and mid-thigh.}

^{III.
This policy shall apply to all students in all school buildings during the
regular school day and at such other times and locations as designated by the
principal, except that the prohibitions set forth in subsections (A) (B) and (C)
of Section I shall apply to all students at all times on all Board of Education
property, including in school buildings and on school grounds; on all school
buses and other school vehicles; and at all school, school-related or
Board-sponsored activities, including but not limited to, school field trips and
school sporting events, whether such activities are held on school property or
at locations off school property, including private businesses or commercial
establishments.}

^{In
case of emergency, each student is required to have on file at school the
following information:}

^{If
for any reason the above information changes during the school year,

please contact the school office immediately.}

^Fees

^{When
you send money to school, please enclose it in an envelope and mark it with your
child’s name, teacher’s name and designate payment purposes.}

On occasions, we plan field trips for educational purposes. All students are expected to go on field trips; they are part of our curriculum. All students will be transported on county approved buses. Students are expected to travel from school and back on the approved transportation. Prior to each field trip, information about the trip is sent to parents along with the permission slip. We must have parental permission for students to go on field trips.

^{Breakfast is available for all students each morning in the cafeteria from 8:45
a.m. to 9:05 a.m. Hot lunches are also served daily in the cafeteria.}

^{To
reduce the complications associated with carrying breakfast/lunch money to
school, all food purchases can be paid for in advance by opening a Prepaid
Account for your child in the cafeteria. All you have to do is send a
check made payable to “DES Cafeteria” in an envelope with your child’s
name and lunch account # on it for the amount you would like to prepay.
You may send one check for all siblings with each name noted. You can
prepay for one month on the account. Your child should bring their payment
to the office in the morning, not during lunch.}

^{The
account can be used for 1 lunch and 1 breakfast each day. With a signed
note from the parents indicating permission to use the account for all
additional a la carte purchases like snacks and ice cream, the account can be
used for all extras. Any money remaining on the account at the end of the
school year will be refunded by the last day of school.}

^{For
children with milk allergies, 8oz. of juice can be substituted for milk with a
signed note from your doctor.}

^{The
daily menu for our school lunch program is determined by Anne Arundel County
Food & Nutrition Services. The menu is sent home monthly in advance.
It is also published weekly in the local newspapers.}

^{Gators
R Us School Store}

^{The
PTO sells a variety of school supplies by the Media Center on designated days
before classes begin. Please check the newsletter for store opening
information.}

^{Our
school has a policy which prohibits the use of gum during school hours.
Students are expected to comply with all aspects of this policy. This
policy extends to field trips.}

^{Gifted/Talented/Advanced
Programs}

^{Anne
Arundel County Public Schools provides a menu of flexible and multi-faceted
programs, grades K-12, which enable students to develop demonstrated and
potential talents in challenging learning environments. This continuum of
services is offered in all elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as in
community settings such as Anne Arundel Community College, Maryland Hall for the
Creative Arts, and the United States Naval Academy.}

^{Through differentiated
instruction in the regular classroom, flexible grouping, gifted/talented
curricular resources, and special in-school and afterschool programs, students
are given many stimulating and enriching opportunities to develop their talents
and pursue their interests.}

^{Another facet of gifted
and talented services involves Mrs. Colleen Cleveland, a site-based Talent
Development Teacher, who implements the consultation and collaboration model.
While serving our school for three days per week, she provides teachers with
strategies to ensure rigorous and meaningful learning experiences that enrich
and extend the curriculum.}

^{For additional
information about programs countywide, call the Coordinator of
Gifted/Talented/Advanced Programs at 410-222-5430 or visit the G/T website at www.aacps.org.}

^{History of
Our School}

^{“The
history of our school is very interesting. In the old days, each community
in our school community had its own school. Birdsville, Rutland, and
Governor’s Bridge schools had only one room each. Davidsonville at that
time had two rooms. Among the teachers of these schools, we find people
who lived in the community - Mrs. Ida Knighton, Miss Mary Lee, Mrs. Jessie Belle
Burke, Mrs. Alma Beck, Miss Amy Hopkins, and Mr. Bradley Jones.}

^{The
schools were small wooden buildings. They were heated by pot-bellied
stoves that burned wood or coal until they were replaced by cool burning jacket
stoves in 1924. Kerosene lamps lighted the buildings. Water was
brought in buckets from wells. Outdoor toilets were used. Children
walked to school, rode horseback or came in buggies. In back of the
schools were stalls where the horses were fed and kept until the return trip
home.}

^{About
1926, the Davidsonville School had so few children that it was made a one-room
school. In 1927, the school was rebuilt. This time it had three
rooms. The Governor’s Bridge and Rutland Schools were closed.
These children were brought to the Davidsonville School by bus. Another
bus took the older children to Annapolis to high school. In 1929, the
Birdsville School was closed and the children came to Davidsonville. The
school grew and a large room was added for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade
children. The school continued to be a three-room school except for two
years when the attendance decreased and it was a two-teacher school.}

^{Many
improvements were made at the school. About 1937 the PTA and the Board of
Education had electric lights installed. In 1947 a new well was dug and a
room above it for bathrooms and a janitor’s closet was built. Drinking
fountains, bathrooms, and an oil-burning furnace were installed.}

^{In
recent years, the PTA has purchased a strip film projector, a sound movie
projector, an electric refrigerator, and a power mower.”}

^{From
“Discovering our School Community” by Mildred R. Watkins, Principal and
Teacher 1952-53}

^Homework

^{“Homework
assignments are a regular, expected, and logical outgrowth of classroom learning
and experiences. The type, quantity, and frequency of homework assigned
will depend on the teacher’s judgment of the students’ needs and ability to
complete the work within a reasonable time. As appropriate, short or
long-term assignments will be given. Homework assignments should support
student accomplishment of course outcomes. Homework assignments also have
value in teaching students to assume responsibility for self-improvement and in
exercising self-discipline and independence in attending to and completing a
task.”}

^{If
an assignment appears too difficult for a child and it can’t be done or if an
extraordinary amount of time is being spent, a note from the parent expressing
the difficulty will excuse the child that evening from completing the problem
work. If on a given evening there is an activity that keeps a child from
completing the homework, a note from a parent explaining the reason will gain an
extension. The student’s grade for daily homework is included in the
work habits component of the report card.}

^{Human
Relations Committee}

^{Teachers:
Suzy Wyatt                 Julie
Sandmann         Mary Stanley}

^{Peggy Sullivan Diane
Barry
Allyson Werner}

^{The
principal of each school shall be responsible for the establishment and
implementation of a Human Relations Program based on the goals and objectives of
the Anne Arundel County Human Relations Guide. The Human Relations
Committee will meet once a month from 8:15 to 9:00 AM.}

^{The
integration of a positive, on-going human relations program in every school is
essential in guiding students, families, communities and staff toward
facilitating positive interactions in our pluralistic society.}

^{The
vehicle of achieving these goals is based on a three-pronged premises that:}

^{It
is important that we know at all times how parents may be contacted. We
maintain a file of emergency telephone numbers in the office and in the health
room.}

^{If
there is a change in your address, home or office telephone number, emergency
telephone number, or medical information, please notify the school immediately.}

^{School
insurance will be offered at the beginning of each school year. The cost
is small compared to the potential cost of medical care. Parents are
encouraged to take advantage of this service.}

There are “Lost and Found” bins in the cafeteria. If your child loses something, he or she should first check with the teacher, and then check the boxes in the cafeteria. Many lost items are never claimed! We ask that you label all sweaters, coats, hats, lunch boxes, back packs, and the like with your child’s name. Unclaimed articles are donated to charity before Winter Break and at the end of the school year.

^{All children at our school are enrolled in
two music classes per week for 30 minutes each. The music program provides
opportunities for children to develop music skills and have a better
understanding and enjoyment of music. The basic elements of music are
presented to students through basic elements of music and presented to students
through various cycles of experience involving singing, playing instruments,
listening, movement, expression and music reading.}

^Nurse

^{Davidsonville
Elementary School has a part-time nurse and a full-time nursing assistant
assigned to the school. The school nurse should be contacted regarding
medications, illnesses and related absences, and for other health issues.
The nurse’s office is in the health room.}

^{Davidsonville
Elementary School considers its parent volunteers a very special resource.
Parents are encouraged to help in all classrooms, programs, and extracurricular
activities. Parents desiring to volunteer at the school should contact the
PTO Chairman of Volunteers and/or the school’s Volunteer Coordinator.}

^{Volunteers
enable the school to provide many programs and activities for your children.
We invite you to participate in any of the activities listed on pages 6-8.}

^{The
staff at Davidsonville Elementary School believes that physical education is an
important part of the educational experience. The development and
maintenance of a healthy body is essential for physical well-being and good
mental health. We also believe that attitude development is an important
part of our education. We attempt to create an atmosphere for the
development of leadership, sportsmanship and congeniality through our physical
education program. Physical education classes are provided twice each week
for all students. Students must wear gym shoes on physical education days.}

Individual pictures and the Grade 5 Panoramic Picture will be taken on September 29, 2005. Class group pictures and individual “spring special” pictures will be taken on March 24, 2006. A school yearbook can be ordered during the school year.

^{A
staff psychologist visits the school one day each week. She provides the
teaching staff with different kinds of evaluation tools. The psychologist
is available to parents who have special concerns about their children.}

^{Rules
for General Behavior}

^{We
want your child to have successful learning experiences in school. In
order for this to happen, students must follow the rules which have been made to
help provide for a pleasant, orderly learning environment. Please help by
discussing the following rules with your child to help him/her understand that
certain behaviors are acceptable while others are not.}

^{Regardless
of the efforts of parents and teachers, there are times when a child may exhibit
behaviors which are not acceptable in school. When this occurs, the
following steps are usually taken for successive offenses:}

^{There
are times when the teacher may feel that it will help a child to have him stay
after school. In this case, the parent will be notified so that
arrangements can be made for him to be picked up at school.}

^{Part
of our job (at home and at school) is to help a child learn the behaviors and
habits which will help him become a responsible, productive citizen not only for
the present, but for the future.}

^{Safety
Patrol}

^{Responsible
fifth graders are selected in the fall and spring. Mrs. Michele Smith
trains the students to assist staff personnel during arrival and dismissal
times.}

^{Each
year our students present an all-school science fair. Entries are
displayed for all students to view. This activity is one of the highlights
of our academic year. Davidsonville Elementary students have won awards
during recent years. Parents are encouraged to support this activity and
to promote the participation of their children in the science fair.}

^{A
speech therapist is a member of our staff. Students who are referred by
their teachers can work with the therapist on a regular basis. If any
parent feels a child’s speech difficulties are interfering with academic
progress, the parent should schedule a conference with the speech therapist.}

^{A
parent can help his/her child be aware of skills and techniques which make
learning easier and more enjoyable. The following are student guidelines
for achieving good study habits.}

^{6.
Strive to do the very best work possible. Just “getting by” is not a
worthwhile goal.}

^{The
Davidsonville Student Government Association is a student leadership program
designed to provide opportunities and experiences that allow students to utilize
leadership skills. Students participate in the decision-making process
using long and short-range goal setting, and developing a plan of action for
implementation of their goals. This program promotes independent thinking
and responsibility. Student officers are elected in a school-wide election
conducted and supervised by homeroom representatives. Meetings are held
monthly and are conducted by students who maintain order using Roberts Rules of
Parliamentary Procedure.}

^{Every
student will be taught periodically by a substitute teacher. The most
common reason for using substitute teachers occurs when the regular teacher is
ill. However, substitutes are also used when regular teachers are on leave
for personal business, professional training, or family emergency.
Students are expected to be extra courteous to substitute teachers.}

^{Each
teacher will furnish his/her students with an exact list of supplies needed for
the year. These supplies are modestly priced and easy to obtain. A
basic list contains the following items: pencils, ruled paper, crayons,
scissors and washable glue.}

^{Excessive
tardiness will not be tolerated as this interferes with total class instruction.
When students have dental or medical appointments before they come to school,
they should bring a note from the doctor or dentist with them. These
“tardies” are excused. Parents will be invited in for a conference to
discuss excessive tardiness and work with the school guidance counselor and
administration. Continued unexcused tardiness will be reported to the
Pupil Personnel Department.}

^{The
office telephone is a business phone and is not to be used by students, except
in emergencies. Students are not allowed to use the phone to make personal
arrangements (such as requesting permission to go to another child’s home
after school.)}

^Textbooks

^{The
pupil shall be held responsible for the careful use and protection of the books,
materials, and equipment loaned or assigned to him. Textbooks carried
between school and home must be covered. Upon the request of the
principal, the pupil shall return these items in good condition, allowing for
normal usage. Failure of the pupil to comply with this procedure shall
require the principal to assess the loss or damage for the pupil to pay to the
school.}

^{Tobacco-Free
School}

^{Board of Education Policy
800.30 states, “The sale or use of tobacco in any form is prohibited at all
times (24 hours a day, every day) in all system-owned or leased buildings,
vehicles, and on all school grounds.” This includes the parking areas!}

^{Transcript
Requests}

The first request for copies of transcripts to be sent to other schools will be free. Any requests for transcripts after the first one will be charged $2.00 per request. This fee includes the cost of copying and mailing.

^{Unauthorized
Articles}

^{Common
sense and consideration is the best guide in determining whether or not to bring
personal possessions to school. In general, students should not bring toys
or unusual items to school unless they are intended for a specific purpose in
the classroom. Children should not bring candy or other items to sell to
students.}

^Valuables

^{The
school administrators and staff cannot be responsible for valuables which
students bring to school. It is recommended that students leave all
valuables at home (including jewelry). If special circumstances make it
necessary for a student to bring substantial cash or other important possessions
to school, these items can be safeguarded by registering them and leaving them
in the main office.}

^Visitors

^{Parents
are welcome and are encouraged to visit the school. All visitors are
required to report to the school office upon entering the building.
Visitors must sign in and obtain a visitor’s badge. Please return to the
office to sign out.}

^Withdrawals

^{Please
advise the school office as far in advance as possible if it becomes necessary
for you to move from our school area. This will give us sufficient time to
prepare the necessary papers for transfer. Students must have a transfer
form in order to enter another public school in the State of Maryland. The
note to the school should include the last day your child will be attending, and
also your new location.}

Davidsonville Elementary
Family Handbook

2006-2007

^Admissions

^{Arrival
and Dismissal}

^{WASH 97.1 FM WNAV 1430 AM WBAL
1090 AM WTOP 1500 AM}

^{Please do not call
the school!}

^Child
Care

^{Code
of Student Behavior}

^{Communications/Newsletters}

^Counselor

^Dress
Code

^Fees

^{Gators
R Us School Store}

^{Gifted/Talented/Advanced
Programs}

^{History of
Our School}

^Homework

^{Human
Relations Committee}

^{Teachers:
Suzy Wyatt                 Julie
Sandmann         Mary Stanley}

^{Peggy Sullivan Diane
Barry
Allyson Werner}

^Nurse

^{Rules
for General Behavior}

^{Safety
Patrol}

^Textbooks

^{Tobacco-Free
School}

^{Transcript
Requests}

^{Unauthorized
Articles}

^Valuables

^Visitors

^Withdrawals

Davidsonville Elementary Family Handbook

2006-2007

WASH 97.1 FM WNAV 1430 AM WBAL 1090 AM WTOP 1500 AM

Please do not call the school!

Teachers: Suzy Wyatt Julie Sandmann Mary Stanley

Peggy Sullivan Diane Barry Allyson Werner

Davidsonville Elementary
Family Handbook

^{WASH 97.1 FM WNAV 1430 AM WBAL
1090 AM WTOP 1500 AM}

^{Please do not call
the school!}

^{Teachers:
Suzy Wyatt Julie
Sandmann Mary Stanley}

^{Peggy Sullivan Diane
Barry
Allyson Werner}