1907 Stony Point Rd.

Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 435-9521 Fax (704) 435-5777
Principal: Dustin Bridges

Assistant Principal: Jenna Hamby

Principals Message

Mission Statement

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome back for another exciting
school year at Washington Elementary. I am
looking forward to all of the great things in
store for you this year.
At Washington Elementary, our staff is
passionate about teaching, learning, and
helping each child reach their potential. I am
honored to serve as principal of such a
dedicated staff. I see the hard work they put
forth each day to ensure that your children are
challenged to be the best that they can be.
It is an honor to work in such a
supportive community. I know that, together,
we will accomplish great things this year.

At Washington Elementary School, we

aspire to become a preeminent school in our
region.
This possibility is realized every day in our
classrooms where teachers deliver quality
instruction and provide a nurturing
environment. These are our top priorities.
Inside our classrooms, students are using
technology, reading challenging texts,
discussing big ideas, learning the arts, and
conducting experiments with science kits.
By providing rich opportunities for
learning, modeling good citizenship, and
maintaining high expectations, we aim to
inspire a generation of future leaders.
Our success will come from our students.
Our students are our future--and at Washington
Elementary, the future is in good hands.

Thank you for your continuous support,

Dr. Dustin Bridges

School Hours
Administrative Staff7:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
Teaching staff..7:30 a.m. 3:15 p.m.
Students.8:10 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
Gym opens for early arrivals..7:30 a.m.
Doors open for students..7:45 a.m.
Breakfast service begins.7:30 a.m.
Breakfast service ends.8:10 a.m.
Buses arrive.7:45 a.m.
Desired arrival for car riders...7:45 a.m.
Tardy bell rings...8:10 a.m.
Dismissal...3:00 p.m.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Car Riders Arrival
All car riders are expected to be dropped off at
the front office each morning. Students arriving
between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. will report directly
to the cafeteria and remain there until they are
dismissed to go to their classrooms at 7:45 a.m.
Students arriving before 7:30 a.m. should be
enrolled in our Before School Care Program. No
students should be dropped off prior to 7:30
a.m.
If students arrive after 8:10 a.m. they are marked
tardy. For the safety of our students, they must
be walked in the front entrance to the office
and signed in by an adult.
Dismissal
Students are dismissed at 3:00 p.m. Parents are
requested to stay in their cars for dismissal. Each
family will be given a car tag with your childs
name. Please hang this tag on the rear-view
mirror of your car. Car tags will be available at a
table at Parent Orientation or in the office. For
safety, students must be placed in cars by a
Washington faculty member.
Early Dismissals
Students who leave school early for any reason
must be signed out in the school office by a
parent/guardian before the student is allowed
to leave the classroom. The receptionist will call
the student to the office. If someone other than
a parent/guardian is to sign a student out,
written permission from the parent must be
provided.
Instructional time is greatly valued at
Washington. Parents are asked not to check out
students early from school on a routine basis.
Please remember that a total of three
unexcused early dismissals constitute an
absence. Notes from dental or doctor visits will
allow us to mark the early dismissal excused.
We ask that no early dismissals or changes in
transportation take place after 2:30 p.m.

Transportation To and
From School
Bus Riders
Students who ride
a bus will load and
unload in the area
designated
specifically for the
buses. For the
safety of the students, only buses are allowed in
the bus parking lot. Students will go directly to
the cafeteria upon arrival at school. The primary
purpose of school buses is to transport students
from home to school and return safely. To
accomplish this purpose, a discipline plan will
be enforced on the buses. The following rules
must be followed:
o Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself
and inside the bus.
o Remain seated in assigned seat.
o No eating or drinking.
o No MP3 players, toys, cell phones or
other electronic devices.
o Obey the bus driver at all times.
Please remind your child that riding the bus is a
privilege. Strict guidelines are in place and will
be followed to ensure the safety of all students.

If a student is going to ride a different bus or ride

the same bus but get off at a different location,
a written request including the following
information must be provided:
1. Students Name
2. Bus number student is to ride
3. Students destination
4. Date(s) student is to ride the bus
5. Signature of parent/guardian
6. Name of the students teacher
7. A phone number where parent can be
reached
A student will NOT be allowed to make a
change to a different bus or get off at a different
stop without approved written permission from
the parent or guardian.

Food Services
Breakfast and lunch are served daily in the
cafeteria. Students who eat breakfast should go
eat before going to their classroom. Parents are
encouraged to have lunch with their children. If a
student is allergic to milk, peanut butter, nuts, or any
other items, the school will need a medical
statement from a doctor indicating the allergy.
Breakfast and Lunch Prices
Breakfast
Regular
$1.30
Reduced
$0

Lunch
$1.75
$0.40

Checks should be made payable to Washington

Elementary School. The money will be placed in
your childs meal account. LunchPrepay.com, listed
on the countys website is a very convenient way to
pay for your childs lunch and to check balances.
Parents are encouraged to use this. It can carry
over from week to week and from year to year. You
may put any amount of money on the meal
account at any time.
Report Cards and Parent-Teacher Conferences
Report cards will be issued at the end of each nine
weeks. Progress reports will be sent home between
each report period. During the first nine weeks
grading period, conferences will be scheduled with
every parent. Parents or teachers may request
conferences at other times throughout the year. To
arrange a conference, send a note to your childs
teacher or call the school. Conferences need to be
scheduled in advanced.
Progress Report Dates:
September 25, December 4, February 26, May 7
Report Card Dates:
November 6, January 29, April 16, June 9
Parent-Teacher Conference Dates:
October 9, March 5

Student Illness at School

We will make every effort to take care of a sick
child. If it is felt that the child should go home, we
will contact you. If a childs fever registers 100 or
higher during the school day, parents will be
required to pick up the student immediately. In
case of injury, we will also notify you. Please make
sure we have an emergency contact for your child
and current names and work numbers. In the event
we cannot locate the parents/guardians, we will
contact the emergency contact person.
Medication
If under exceptional circumstances a child is
required to use medication during school hours, the
office staff designee will administer the medication
in compliance with the Cleveland County Board
policy. Medications include all over the counter
medication such as Tylenol, cough drops, itch
cream, etc. which must meet the following
requirements:
1. A medication form must be completed and
signed by a physician. New medication forms
must be completed each school year.
2. The parent must supply the medication to the
school in a container labeled by the
pharmacist.

No Nit Policy-Head Lice

Cleveland County Schools has a no nit policy
regarding head lice. This means a student with nits
or lice cannot come to school. After your child is
lice and nit free he/she may return to school. Before
the student can return to the classroom, a check by
designated school personnel will be done to ensure
they are lice and nit free. If nits or lice are found,
you will be contacted and your child will not be
allowed to remain at school.

Visitors
Visitors are always welcome. However, for the safety of our students, all parents and visitors must report to the
office before visiting any area of the school. All visitors must sign in and obtain a visitors sticker.
Uninterrupted instructional time is vitally important for students to succeed. Please help us protect that instructional
time. Observations or visits in a classroom must be planned in advance with approval from administration.