THE ABC’s OF GRAPEVINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
1801 Hall Johnson Road Grapevine, Texas 76051 (817) 251-5735 District Website: www.gcisd-k12.org Campus Website: www.gcisd-k12.org/1675 Campus Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/GrapevineElementary
Grapevine Elementary Contact Information
Principal
Liz Hilcher
[email protected]
Assistant Principal
Nancy Hale
[email protected]
Counselor
Angela Horn
[email protected]
Learning Liaison
Suzanne Barker
[email protected]
Nurse
Mary Oellermann
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant Gina Sharp
[email protected] Student Data Secretary Jessica Rickman
[email protected]
THE ABC’s OF GRAPEVINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Absences: According to state attendance regulations, we must have a parent letter or doctor’s note for any student absence within seven days of the absence. While your phone calls are greatly appreciated, they do not excuse an absence. Parent notes should be emailed to
[email protected] and the student’s homeroom teacher. Please reference the student’s first and last name along with the absence date and reason. Absences will only be considered excused in the case of illness, documented healthcare appointments, religious holidays and family funerals. District attendance letters will be sent home per district policy at 3, 5, and 10 absences. Attendance letters are required by state law in order to make parents aware of a student’s attendance. If you have any questions about your child’s attendance record at any time please contact the school office. Appointments: When your child has a doctor or dental appointment, please get a note from the doctor to excuse the time away from school. If your child arrives after 10:00 a.m. without a doctor's note, it will be counted as an absence, not a tardy. If your child leaves school before 10:00 a.m. for an appointment and does not return, a doctor’s note must be received or they will be considered absent for the day. Please do not call before you arrive to school, as the parent must be in the office before a student will be called from class for an appointment. No child will be called from class after 2:30 p.m. unless you have a family emergency. Please plan appointments accordingly. Arrival: Students arriving between 7:15 and 7:35 a.m. should report to the cafeteria (K – 2 students) or gym (3 – 5 students), where faculty members will supervise students. Any student arriving before 7:15 am should be checked in to KIDZU by a parent. The double doors to the main halls will be opened at 7:35 a.m. and students will be dismissed to their classrooms. The tardy bell rings at 7:40 a.m., and students should be in class ready to begin their day. Any student arriving after 7:40 a.m. will need to use the main entrance, located in the front of the building, to be “buzzed” in. We respectfully request that parents help instill an “independent start” in their child. Please encourage your child to walk independently to the cafeteria, gym or to their individual class should they arrive after 7:35 a.m. We invite parents to walk students to class the first three days of school. After the first three days of school, we ask that parents allow their kids to walk to class independently. Staff members are stationed throughout the building at 7:35 a.m. each morning to assist students. We will have extra staff available the first few days of school to assist students with locating their classroom. We have found that when students walk to class independently, they experience less separation anxiety and have a better start to their day. We request that parents avoid popping in during arrival for informal conferences with teachers. We respect your privacy and will not hold informal conferences during arrival when others are able to hear the conversation. Our teachers are happy to schedule conferences with parents and will gladly make phone calls or communicate through email, if preferred. Birthdays: Birthdays are special! Student birthdays may be recognized in the classroom at the end of the day. Birthday celebrations may not be conducted in the cafeteria while meals are being served. If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday at school, we recommend the following: donate a book to the library in your child’s name, choose a new pencil or cool eraser for each student in your child’s class. Due to the high number of students with food allergies, we are not allowed to celebrate with any food items. Students may distribute invitations only if they are including the entire class. If every student in the classroom is not receiving a birthday party invitation, parents are encouraged to use the PTA directory to send invitations in the mail. Birthday sweet treats or snacks will no longer be served. Flowers, balloons, etc… for students should not be delivered to the school (per the handbook). These will not be brought to the classrooms and cannot go home on the buses. So please reserve these type of gifts for home. Campus Communication: Establishing and maintaining open lines of communication between school and home is important for student success. In our efforts to be eco-friendly, most communication is electronic. To ensure you
receive campus news, please make sure both the school office and your classroom teacher have correct email addresses on file. Campus communication includes, but is not limited to: Campus and Teacher Websites: Both campus and grade level/teacher websites are updated regularly. Teacher websites can be accessed from the campus website at www.gcisd-k12.org/1675. Campus Facebook Page: Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GrapevineElementary. The campus Facebook page is used to share campus stories and communication updates and reminders. Conferences: Teachers will conduct at least one parent/teacher conferences during the first six weeks of school. Fall and spring student-led conferences will be held to discuss your child’s progress and goal-setting. If you need to speak with your child’s teacher during the year, please contact them directly to set up a conference. Campus administrators are available to meet with parents and teachers, as well. Grade Level and Teacher Newsletters: Many teachers and grade levels will send weekly newsletter updates. Monday Message from the Principal: The Monday Message is a weekly newsletter sent via email (School Messenger) by Mrs. Hilcher, and includes celebrations, updates, and calendar reminders. Teacher Blogs: Classroom teachers often use blogs to share their classroom learning journey. Blogs are a peek into life in your child’s classroom, and can be accessed from the teacher’s website. Twitter: Twitter is used to share campus stories. Follow our school on Twitter @GESStars. Many individual teachers also use Twitter and have accounts that start with @GES(last name). Our teachers and staff use #GESshineon if you’d like to follow the excitement! Campus Excellence Committee: The purpose of the Campus Excellence Committee (CEC) is to ensure a collaborative process between stakeholders in campus based decision making that focuses on student achievement, promotes continuous improvement, encourages risk taking and creativity, builds trust and mutual respect, promotes open communication, and creates a sense of community. The CEC meets afew times throughout the school year at 3:15 p.m. in the Learning Commons/Library. Daily Folders (STAR Folders): Each day, your child will come home with a STAR folder that contains important information such as a class newsletter, important notes about events that are taking place at the school, a behavior chart and class work. Please check folders and initial STAR behavior charts daily. Dismissal: All students will be escorted to their dismissal locations by a staff member. P lease do not arrange to meet your child in the foyer, work room or library after school. Students have designated pick up areas depending on their mode of transportation home. KidzU and daycare bus riders will be escorted to the cafeteria. Car riders and walkers have set locations outside the building that their teachers will escort them to, as well. Friendly reminders: dogs are not allowed on campus grounds due to student allergies; the small playground is reserved for KidzU until 6:30pm Monday through Friday.
Walkers: will meet their siblings, neighbors and/or walking parents and quickly proceed to the crosswalk nearest their homes. Walker Station areas should be cleared out within minutes of dismissal ● K-2 students walking to the northern crosswalk (Hall Johnson & Hazy Meadow) will be dismissed from the picnic table area only ● K-2 students walking to the southern crosswalk (Hall Johnson & Hughes) will only be dismissed from the area near the front entrance to the school only ● 3rd - 5th walkers will exit through the back foyer doors and proceed to their exit locations Car Rider: K-2nd grade car riders will be dismissed from the front circle drive. 3rd -5th grade older siblings will meet their younger siblings in the front circle drive. All other 3rd- 5th grade car riders will be dismissed from the back circle drive. Please display hang tags from the back of the passenger visor or hang from your rearview mirror. This will help the line move quickly and efficiently. Students will not be released to the parking lot areas. Bike/Scooter Rider: K-5th grade bike/scooter riders will dismiss from the racks in the back of the building. We encourage students to lock bikes/scooters at the racks upon arrival. GES will not be responsible for damaged or stolen property. Students must walk their bikes/scooters while on school property. KIDZU and Daycare: Students attending KIDZU after school will be checked in at the cafeteria at dismissal. K-5th grade students riding a daycare bus will be dismissed from the front circle drive. Siblings: 3rd – 5th grade students with younger siblings in K – 2nd grade will meet their younger siblings at the K-2nd grade Walker Station or in the front car rider line. Inclement Weather Dismissal: Please note that severe weather, including lightning, could delay dismissal to ensure student, parent and staff safety. We appreciate your patience on adjusted dismissal days. If you wish to pick up your walker in a car on rainy days, please call the front office to notify your child’s teacher prior to 2:30pm or email your child’s teacher prior to 1:00pm. Walkers: All walkers will be dismissed to their usual walker locations even on rainy days. ● K-2 students who walk north (toward the Hazy Meadows crosswalk) will be dismissed through the picnic table areas at the front of the school. ● K-2 students who walk south (toward the Hughes crosswalk) will be dismissed through the front foyer doors. ● 3-5 students will be exited through the back foyer doors. Car Riders: All car riders will be held inside the building on rainy days and proceed to their usual car loops as names are called. If your child is a car rider, please DO NOT walk up to the building and attempt to pick up your child on rainy days, as this slows down the dismissal process. If you plan to park and walk up to get your child, you will need to call ahead of time and make arrangements for your child to be dismissed with the walkers. ● ●
K-2 students and their older siblings will be held inside the K-2 hallway and exit through the picnic table area and proceed directly to their cars when their name is called. 3-5 students will be held in the gym and exit through the gym door directly to the back car loop when their name is called.
Deliveries: Gifts, such as flowers and balloons, for students should not be delivered to the school. These will not be delivered to the classroom. Disclosure Permission: Each year, the district must notify parents concerning disclosure of student directory information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Please refer to this page in the district “Student-Parent Handbook and Student Code of Conduct.” If you choose to check the box indicating that you
object to release of all directory information, your child’s name and/or picture cannot be in the yearbook, grade level programs, or PTA directory. Dress Code: We encourage students to be clean and well groomed at all times. Each student’s hair shall not obstruct vision and no extreme styles or colors are allowed. Hats, caps, sunglasses and/or other head coverings are not allowed in the building unless they are being worn for a campus activity. Shorts or skirts must allow students to be able to stand, sit and/or bend with modesty. These must be mid-thigh length when shoulders are relaxed. Shorts should be worn under skirts or dresses. Sleeveless tops must have the outside edge of the sleeve touch the outside edge of the shoulder. No revealing apparel such as halter-tops, tops with spaghetti straps, shirts that expose the midriff, or Spandex clothing is allowed. Gang related apparel, baggie pants, and clothing with suggestive messages are not allowed. Black soled shoes are not allowed on the gym floor. If your child wears sandals, plan to send a pair of tennis shoes to change into for P.E. classes. Refer to the GCISD Student-Parent Handbook and Student Code of Conduct for further information. Drop-Off: The front and back circle drives are the safest student drop off point. Please do not drop students off in the back parking lot or outside lane of the front drive, as this increases the potential for accidents. Be aware of your speed and exercise caution when driving on campus. Early Checkout: If your child is checked out early, it counts as a partial-day absence and will be considered unexcused. To excuse the absence, the student must bring a doctor’s note when they return to school. Students will not be called to the office until the parent has arrived and signed them out for the day. Additionally, students will not be called to the office for early release after 2:30 p.m. This helps ensure all students are prepared for dismissal and in the proper dismissal line with the assigned teacher before the 2:55 p.m. bell. We will work with parents in the event of an emergency. Electronic Devices: Use of electronic devices, including cell phones, is not permitted in the classrooms unless the teacher provides permission for the devices to be utilized for educational purposes. If students bring such items to school for before or after school use, each student is responsible for his/her items. Any electronic devices must remain in a student’s backpack and be turned off during the school day. The school is not responsible for the loss and/or damage of these items. Refer to the GCISD Student-Parent Handbook for additional information regarding electronic devices at school. Free/Reduced Lunch Forms: Application forms are available during registration and will be sent home with all students. They are also available from our Nutrition Services department, the GES main office, or online at www.schoollunchapp.com . Handbook: The GCISD Student-Parent Handbook and Student Code of Conduct is available online at www.gcisd-k12.org under “Parents and Students”. Homework: Homework is an opportunity to reinforce skills previously taught in the classroom. Students will be assigned Reading and Math homework nightly. Reading homework will include reading a designated number of minutes and responding to the book or books read. Math homework will include both skill review and a problem-solving component. Completing homework is a STAR behavior expectation. Illnesses: Students must stay home from school due to illness if any of the following are present: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
fever of 100 degrees or higher in the past 24 hours vomiting and/or diarrhea in the past 24 hours itchy, red eyes with discharge unknown rash head lice or nits jaundice ringworm of the scalp (until treatment has been started)
Internet Access: Grapevine Elementary has internet access available in the computer labs and classrooms. Students working on specific assignments are supervised by their teacher at all times and students are provided with clear directions for internet use. GCISD makes every effort to filter access to inappropriate websites, and a
parent permission to use web-based material was a part of registration. KIDZU: KidzU offers before-school care beginning at 6:30 a.m., and after- school child care until 6:30 p.m. Information and a fee schedule can be found on the district and campus website. Late Pick-Up: We understand that there will be unexpected circumstances when you may be unable to pick up your child at 2:55 p.m. When students have not been picked up by 3:10 p.m., we will begin calling parents. At 3:15 p.m. please be aware students may be checked in to KIDZU (there is a fee for this service). Lunch Schedule: Pre-K - 10:20-10:50am Kindergarten - 10:20-10:50am 1st grade - 10:50-11:20am 2nd grade - 11:50-12:20pm 3rd grade - 11:20-11:50am 4th grade - 12:10-12:40pm 5th grade - 12:35-1:05pm
Visiting your child for lunch is a special treat. When visiting your child for lunch, please sit at the visitor tables by the cafeteria windows. Students may not invite friends to sit at the visitor table. Please make sure you sign-in in the office before going to the cafeteria, and sign-out before leaving. Lost and Found: Please clearly label everything that comes to school with your child with his/her first and last name. During the school year unclaimed articles of clothing are displayed in Lost and Found in the cafeteria. If your child is missing a sweater, jacket, coat, lunch box, etc., periodically take time during the year to check Lost and Found. After providing parents with adequate notification, remaining Lost and Found items are donated to a local charity each school year. Meals: Student lunches are $2.70; breakfast is $1.45 and is served from 7:15-7:35 a.m. You may send a check or cash to pay for your child’s meal. You may also pay online (see district website for details). A computerized account will be kept and your child will charge his/her meals against their balance. Extra snacks are available at an additional charge. All meal payments are to be taken to the cafeteria manager in the morning. All prices are subject to change. Parents have the option to restrict items purchased by students. Please refer to the first page of the GCISD school menu for the “Note on Meal Account Form”. Medicine: If your child will receive medicine at school, please refer to the Student Parent Handbook section on “Medicines at School.” Medication may NOT be given unless these conditions are met, and students may not keep medicine in their backpacks or desks (cough drops can be stored in the clinic). Medication Authorization Forms are located in the nurse’s office. Nurse Mary can be reached at (817) 251-5742 or
[email protected]. Office Hours: Grapevine Elementary School office hours are from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily. Office phones will be forwarded to voicemail at 3:30 p.m. Parking: Visitor parking is not allowed in the front circle drive before 7:45AM. Spaces in the front circle and in the back parking lot are available for visitors. Please note that our doorbell is located at the front door. In the back parking lot, we ask that parents and visitors respect the reserved two rows of spaces for our staff. During special events, parking will be at a premium. We encourage families to carpool or walk to school for these events. Pets: For the safety of our students and your pets, we request that pets not be brought to school. This includes bringing pets to student arrival and dismissal. While your pet may be friendly, many children have pet allergies
and/or are afraid of animals and large groups of people and traffic can be upsetting to pets. We appreciate your support in this effort. Playgrounds: The playgrounds are not supervised by GES staff before or after school. Students will not be released to meet their parents on the playground. If your family plans on visiting one of our playgrounds after school, students will need to be picked up at the “Walker Station.” The small playground is reserved for KidzU until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. PTA: GES has a very active PTA and we encourage you to participate. An invitation to join PTA is included in online registration. More information regarding PTA membership and opportunities to volunteer will be sent home at the beginning of the school year. PTA meetings are scheduled throughout the school year on Thursday evenings, and various activities, including the GES Carnival, are planned each semester. Report Cards/Progress Reports: At the end of every six weeks, a report will be sent home with your child stating the progress being made and any areas of needed improvement. Your child’s report card will come home every nine weeks. Both of these items need to be reviewed, signed, and returned to the homeroom teacher. School Hours: 7:40 a.m.-2:55 p.m. 7:15 a.m. – Building opens, staff on duty in cafeteria and gym 7:35 a.m. – Students released to class 7:40 a.m. - Tardy bell rings/class begins 2:55 p.m. - Dismissal bell rings, students are released from class Secure Entrances: All GCISD campuses will remain locked throughout the school day. All visitors should proceed to the front entrance of the building and press the intercom button located on the wall by the far left entry door. Designated campus personnel will respond and determine whom the visitor(s) is/are and the purpose of the visit. Once access is granted, visitors must check in with the front office through Raptor. This system is used to track visitors, students, faculty, contractors and volunteers at our schools, thus providing a more secure, closely monitored environment for our students. Per district policy, all visitors will be required to show a valid ID upon each visit to the school. S.T.A.R. Behaviors = Success: Grapevine Elementary has adopted a common set of student expectations. These expectations are aligned with GCISD character education as well as College and Career Readiness Standards, and focus on building capacity in students to be productive citizens in our community. Each letter in the word STAR stands for a different component involved in ensuring a safe and productive learning environment. Behavior expectations are written with a positive presupposition, and require that students recognize that they are in control of their actions. Parents will be informed daily of their child’s behavior on the calendar found in the STAR folder. Once you have reviewed the STAR folder, please initial or sign your child’s behavior chart. Safety: 1. 2. 3. 4.
I can sit correctly in all environments. I can keep my hands, feet, and objects to self. I can use kind words with and about others. I can keep my school bully free.
Transitions: 1. 2. 3. 4.
I can walk appropriately in my class line and in the hallways. I can remain quiet in learning zones. I can follow directions. I can move from one activity to another in a timely manner.
Attitude: 1. 2.
I can treat others the way I would like to be treated. I can do the right thing without being asked.
3. 4.
I can choose positive actions and moods. I can take ownership for my actions.
Responsibility: 1. I can be prepared for learning (assignments/homework, attire, and supplies). 2. I can listen and speak at appropriate times. 3. I can show respect for adults, self, and others. 4. I can keep our school clean. 5. I can use good digital citizenship.
Student Activities: – Extracurricular activities provide enrichment and extension opportunities for students. Student activities currently offered include: National Elementary Honor Society, Student Council, Running Club, Choir, Instrumental Ensemble, KC Club, Safety Patrol, Garden Club, Art Club, Cheerleading, and special events such as Destination Imagination. All after school activities will dismiss from the back of the building. Student Success Ceremonies: Student Success Ceremonies are held at the end of each school year and are an opportunity to recognize students for their accomplishments. Tardies: A student will be considered tardy if they are not in his/her classroom when the 7:40 am tardy bell rings. According to state attendance laws, tardies are considered a partial day absence, so please be mindful of the number of tardies your child receives. A large amount of tardies can negatively affect your student’s overall attendance record. Transportation Changes: To ensure the message is communicated to the teacher and the child, all changes in transportation must be made by 1:30 p.m. We encourage parents to email the teacher with transportation changes. We will work with parents in the event of an emergency. Visitors: We always want you to feel welcome to visit the school. For the safety of all, district policy requires all volunteers and visitors to our building sign-in with the Raptor system and receive a visitor badge in the front office. If you are not wearing a badge, you will be stopped by a staff member and escorted to the office to obtain a badge. Please remember to sign out from the front office when you leave. Per district policy, all visitors will be asked to show a valid ID upon each campus visit. Volunteers: We love our parent volunteers! If you would like to volunteer in the classroom or the school library, help with class parties, attend field trips, etc., please complete the application process. In order to volunteer at GES, or around GCISD, all volunteers must complete the following two steps: (1) Read the Volunteer Handbook, watch the appropriate video included in the handbook and electronically sign the volunteer verification form. (2) Complete the volunteer background check. The following link takes you to the online Volunteer Handbook and background check: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=474 Please be sure you've reviewed the handbook and completed all requirements prior to signing up to volunteer at GES.
