Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Parent Handbook
2010-2011
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Colfax Elementary School
9112 W. Market St.
Greensboro, North Carolina 27235
Tel: (336) 275-4332
Dear Parents,
This handbook contains basic information that will assist you and
your child in having a successful year. Please read all of the
information thoroughly and discuss it with your child. Contact us
if you have any questions or concerns. Also, please sign and
return the form that is being sent home to let us know you have
reviewed this handbook. Please return the signed form to your
child’s teacher.
Sincerely,
Michelle Thigpen,
Principal
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Colfax PTA
Welcome to Colfax Elementary! We are glad you are here and a part of our Colfax family. Our Colfax
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is just that – Parents AND Teachers! We are so blessed to have
participation from so many parents as well as teachers and other staff members volunteering in many
different ways. We can never have too many volunteers! You do not have to be a PTA member, nor do
you have to only volunteer through a PTA committee – the important thing is to share in your child’s
education. We hope you will find that our PTA is well aligned with that goal.
Please look over the Volunteer Handbook and sign up sheet that will be sent home with your child. If you
have any questions about volunteering, please contact Gloria Gleason, our volunteer coordinator, at
gloriawg@msn.com.
Our Colfax PTA executive committee is very excited about our school year and all the programs that we
will be able to provide for our children – both inside and outside of the classroom. During our school year,
we supply our staff with funds that assist them with purchasing items that they need as well as coordinate
programs that benefit all children. The members of our executive committee and their emails are listed at
the bottom of this letter.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me any time. I look forward to meeting and working
with each of you. I know it will be a great school year!
Karen Grube
PTA President 2010-2011
“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re
PRICELESS.”
Sherry Anderson
“…no matter how big government gets, and no matter how many services it provides, it
can never take the place of volunteers.”
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Ronald Reagan, 40th U.S. President
Table of Contents
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5
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August
20 First teacher workday
23 Open House 5:30 – 7:00 pm
25 First day of school
November
8 Report Cards Go Home
11 Veterans Day Holiday
12 Quarterly Awards Day
14 American Education Week
24-26 Holidays-Thanksgiving
December
6 2nd quarter Interim Reports Go Home
6-9 PTA Holiday Shop
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January
3 Teacher Workday
4 Students begin classes after holiday
7 Fun Run Kick Off Assembly
11 PTA School Wide Meeting – 7 PM
17 Martin L. King Holiday – No School
20 End of Grading Period
21 Protected Teacher Workday
Review PEPs
31 Report Cards Go Home
February
4 Quarterly Awards Program
16 Class Group Pictures
22 3rd Nine Weeks Interims Go Home
24 Early Release Day
25 Optional Teacher Workday
March
28 Grading Period Ends
29 Protected Teacher Workday
Parent/Teacher Conferences, Review PEPs
April
5 Report Cards go home
8 Quarterly Awards Program
12 Spring Pictures
15 Early Release Day
18 Optional Teacher Workday
19 Optional Teacher Workday
18-25 Spring Break For Students
29 Fun Run
May
TBA EOG Tests
3 5th Grade Graduation Pictures
9 4th Quarter Interim Reports Go Home
24 PTA School Wide Meeting – 7 PM
30 Memorial Day Holiday
June
7 K-2 EOY Awards Program
8 3-5 EOY Awards Program
9 Last Day of School/5th Grade Graduation
10, 13 & 14 Teacher Workdays
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Grading Scale
93.100 A
85.92 B
77.84 C
70.76 D
0-69 E
We encourage all parents to read this Student Handbook very carefully. Your thorough
knowledge of school procedures will facilitate your child’s success in school.
When you read this handbook, you will learn important information which will make the
school year easier for you and your child.
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ABSENCES/TARDIES/ ATTENDANCE
The goal of Guilford County Schools is to have at least 95% attendance. Colfax
Elementary seeks to have partnerships with parents to improve attendance and asks
that parents commit to this goal. Teachers will work with students to give extra help in
making up work missed due to absences. Intervention methods will be utilized after
excessive absences. Absence is excused for the following reasons: Illness, quarantine,
death in the family, medical appointment, court proceedings, education opportunities,
religious reasons or holidays. Suspensions are considered unexcused. An unexcused
absence is a student’s willful absence from school without the knowledge of the parent, or
a student’s absence from school without justifiable cause.
The instructional day for students is from 7:50 AM to 2:30 PM. The tardy
bell rings at 7:50 AM. It is imperative that students are ready to begin the day at 7:50
AM. Students may begin entering the building at 7:25 AM. Tardiness causes your child
to begin the day late and possibly could cause some difficulties to his/her having a
successful day. Students who arrive late to their classes miss valuable instructional
time. A tardy child disrupts the class, which has begun at 7:50 AM. We want children
at school, on time, ready to begin the day. If your child is tardy, you must bring
him/her to the office and sign him/her in. The student will be given a tardy slip at
the front office that must be given to the classroom teacher upon arrival. Please
do not just drop your child off and leave. This will help to ensure the safety of
your child.
School Hours:
Office.....................................................................................................................7:15-4:00
Staff.......................................................................................................................7:20-3:00
Students: Tardy.......................................................................................................7:50
Dismissal: K-1, daycare, car riders..........................................................2:30
All others..........................................................................2:35
Buses leave.....................................................................2:45
Family Trips:
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If your child is absent from school because of a family vacation, the absence
will automatically be coded as UNEXCUSED unless the following is done:
1. Send a note at least two weeks before the trip stating that the child will be absent, the
reason for the absence, and the dates the child will be out of school. Send this note to
the teacher, who will forward it to the principal. The principal will make the final
determination regarding either an excused or unexcused absence.
2. Students will be required to make up any work missed. Your child’s teacher will
gather work for the time of the absence and it must be turned in the day that your child
returns to school.
Failure to do so can result in lower grades and loss of learning. They must also do a
journal-writing, project, or report about their trip to turn in when they return.
Please contact your child’s teacher for assignment rubric.
3. Excused absences will only be considered for out of town trips when permission is
requested prior to the trip. Please do not take a trip and then expect the school to
excuse the absence.
If these procedures are followed your child’s absence will be coded EXCUSED. Please
note that there will be no exceptions to these procedures.
If your child is absent, please follow the guidelines given below from the State
Department of Public Instruction:
1. Send a note signed by a parent or guardian stating why the child was out of
school. Send the note on the day the student returns to school or within
three days after returning to school. Be specific and state: cold, sore throat,
etc. If your child must be absent for more than two days, please call the school.
The schools are required by law to withdraw a student who is absent ten
consecutive days without notification from parents. Students are excused for
lawful reasons. (See Guilford County Schools Code of Conduct Handbook.)
2. Please do not send your child to school with a fever. This can hinder the
recovery of your child and expose other children. Children should not return to
school until 24 hours after the temperature has returned to normal. Do not send a
child to school if he/she is vomiting.
3. If the child sees a doctor, have the doctor write a note explaining the illness
and how long he/she expects the child to be out of school.
4. If a child misses more than two consecutive days, please call and let us know
how long you expect him to be out of school. As an intervention method, the
school will call the home after 3 absences.
5. Tardies are recorded on class rosters and become part of a child’s permanent
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record. Students are considered tardy after 7:50 A.M. and must be signed
in by a parent at the front office. It is disruptive to the class when students
arrive late.
7. The school social worker becomes involved when excessive absences occur,
and a home visit will be made.
9. Teachers will record the number of absences and tardies on Interim Reports and
Report Cards.
10. When students under the age of 16 accumulate unlawful absences, their parents
will receive a notification under the North Carolina Compulsory Attendance Law,
which states that they are in violation of the law. The law states that:
Student Arrival
In the mornings, faculty members will be stationed at the car rider line from 7:25 to
7:50 a.m. to greet your child in the morning. Students should be dropped off at the loop
next to the bus parking lot and NOT at any other location. Please have your child ready
to exit your vehicle when you have pulled up to the main side walk. Parents who enter the
building after 7:50 with their child must secure a visitor's pass from the office, if you would
like to visit the classroom.
All students will enter the main building, using doors facing the bus lot, upon arrival.
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Dropping off and Picking up Students
When picking your child up in the afternoon, please remain in your car.
We will open the car rider line at 2:15, after all children have exited the primary
playground. Please do not open the gates and move your car any further if children
are on this playground! Cars are to enter the entrance east of the bus parking lot and
proceed to the loop next to the main entrance. Students are assisted getting into cars by
teacher assistants. There will be four “stations,” with a teacher or assistant at each
station. Please have your child’s name displayed in the front window of your car, so that
a teacher can call out the name of the child as cars come around the circle and pull up
at one of the stations. For safety purposes, children are not allowed to leave the
supervised area in order to cross the parking lot to go to any cars without an adult.
Please do not park and wait in the front office area to pick up a child
that is walking out with the class. Also, car drivers are not to move out of the
carpool line as this could cause potential accidents.
Car riders may NOT be dropped off or picked up in any parking lots.
Early Pickup:
For the safety of your child, please report to the office for a visitor's pass, if you
must pick your child up early. We have the Ident-A-Kid computer system for you to
type in your child’s name and sign him out. Show your Identification at this time.
Only parents/guardians will be allowed to pick up children from school. If you wish to
have your child picked up by someone else, we must have advance written
permission from you. Do not walk across the parking lot, but please use the
sidewalk. Please park in the main school parking lot. The narrow parking lot on
West Market St. is for teachers ONLY. Please remember the instructional day ends
at 2:30 and refrain from picking up your child within 30 minutes of dismissal unless
there is an emergency. This will help ensure that valuable learning time is not lost.
ACCELERATED READER
STUDY ISLAND
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Study Island is a computerized study tool that is directly aligned with the NC Standard
Course of Study. Each kindergarten through fifth grade student will have a username
and password to access the site. Students that have web access at home will be able
to access the site at home.
BIRTHDAY/CLASS CELEBRATIONS
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Appropriate behavior will be rewarded and recognized regularly with positive
consequences. The greatest potential for injuries to children is during the time they are
riding the school bus. Students should take their seats and talk quietly to those seated
nearby. Students must obey the instructions of the bus driver. Parents should report any
bad driving habits to the transportation office (605-3305). Discipline problems should be
reported to the principal or assistant principal.
Quite often students invite friends to spend the night or attend a birthday party and
ride the school bus home with them. If there are one or two students involved, this does
not cause a major problem. However, when it involves more than two students, it does
create a seating problem on the bus. It is required that transportation for attending student
parties after school be provided by the parents instead of using the school bus. This
requirement is being made to insure that all students riding a bus have a seat and that
overcrowding does not become a problem. A written note from the parent/guardian is
required for these types of changes in transportation.
Students will not be allowed to go home with another student, take an alternate
route, or change means of transportation (car/bus, bus/car) without written permission
from the parents. The note must be given to the teacher who will send it to the office for
approval and give it back to the student. The student riding a bus will then give it to the
bus driver when they board the bus in the afternoon. The note must have the teacher’s
name, date, bus number, and the child’s first and last name.
We have operated in past years without serious injury to any child. We must
continue this record. Please talk to your child about his or her behavior on the bus.
We believe all students can act appropriately and safely while riding on a school bus.
We will not tolerate students stopping drivers from doing their jobs or preventing other
students from having safe transportation.
In order to guarantee your child and the other children riding the bus the safe
transportation they deserve, we are utilizing the following Discipline Plan:
1. Stay in your seat while the bus is moving. Keep all parts of your body and all
objects inside the bus.
2. No pushing, shoving, or fighting at any time.
3. No eating, drinking, loud talking or other inappropriate behavior on the bus at any
time.
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4. Follow the bus driver's directions the first time they are given.
5. Keep hands, arms, etc. to yourself and inside the bus.
6. Inappropriate language, cursing, and loud talking are not permitted.
7. Face the front and don’t turn around or stand up in the seat.
8. Food, drinks, chewing gum, radios and tape/CD players or hand held video games
are not permitted.
9. Be at your bus stop five minutes before the bus is due to arrive.
10. Do not run towards the bus until it comes to a complete stop. The bus will stop
about 15 feet in front of you to keep you safe.
11. Delaying the bus schedule is not permitted.
12. Fighting, weapons and smoking are not permitted.
13. No tampering with the bus. Stay out of the driver's area.
14. Meet the bus at designated stops only.
15. No unauthorized leaving of the bus while in route; parental permission is required in
writing to change your stop.
16. No horseplay, throwing trash, paper, and other objects or otherwise distracting the
driver's attention while the bus is in operation.
17. FAILURE TO OBSERVE ESTABLISHED SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS
WILL RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
Subsequent incidents:
Driver gives discipline form to school administrator who conferences with the
student(s) involved to investigate and follow through with incident according to the GCS
student handbook. The Discipline Form will be given to the student which has to be
signed by the parent(s) and returned to the office. If the student is suspended from the
bus, the form must be signed and returned before the student is permitted to ride the
bus again. Parents will be called if a student is suspended from the bus.
The transportation policy has already been discussed with your child. Please
discuss it with him again to be sure it is understood. Thank you for your support of our
program.
CAFETERIA
Breakfast and lunch are served daily. You may view the menu for the month on the
GCS website. You are welcome to have lunch with your child: Parents are encouraged
to refrain from bringing fast food items to the cafeteria for lunch. Iced tea is available
for adults. Also, please sign in at the office before going to the cafeteria. If you want to
eat with your child, please sit with his/her class at their lunch table.
Students may buy a prepared lunch, including milk, from the cafeteria, or they
may bring their lunches from home. We have plain, chocolate, and skim milk available.
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Students eat lunch in the cafeteria. If you plan to pay weekly or monthly by check, you
may make checks out to Colfax Elementary School Cafeteria. Place the cash or check
in an envelope and send it to school the first day of the week. The child's name and
teacher's name should be written on the outside of the envelope.
Breakfast starts at 7:25 a.m. Students are expected to be in their classes by 7:50.
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Nutrition Program during breakfast and lunch until the last child is served the
meal. Also included:
Elementary Schools- no soft drinks sold at any time; bottled water is
available in every school that has beverage vending; no snack vending.
Middle Schools- caffeine-free, diet soft drinks and bottled water are
available in every school that has beverage vending. Snack vending in all
schools shall meet the Proficient Level of the NC Eat Smart Nutrition
Standards. Seventy-five percent of snack vending products shall not
have more than 200 calories per portion.
High Schools- caffeine-free, diet soft drinks and bottled water are
available in every school that has beverage vending. Snack vending in all
schools shall meet the Proficient Level of the NC Eat Smart Nutrition
Standards. Seventy-five percent of snack vending products shall not
have more than 200 calories per portion.
• Food or beverages shall not be withheld as punishment.
Lunch prices:
Full Price Reduced
K-5 $ 2.30 $ .40
SNACKS
Parents are encouraged to follow the guidelines of the healthy student policy
when sending snacks to school and refrain from sending snacks high in sugar content.
CHILD CUSTODY
If you and your spouse are separated or divorced and there is a court order
stating that the ex-spouse is not to visit the child at school or pick him up at school, we
must have a copy of that signed, court document on file in the school office. The only
way we can comply with the court’s order is to have a copy to present to the ex-spouse
should the situation arise where this is needed. It is your responsibility to get this
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information to us.
This request is to protect your child, and we ask that you cooperate with us by
providing these papers. If you have questions or concerns about custody issues regarding
your children, be sure to discuss these with your child’s teacher. In addition, please
contact the principal or assistant principal.
See GCS Code of Conduct Student Handbook. All student dress should be
appropriate and safe without causing the child embarrassment.
We realize that each student is an individual who makes choices about ways of
dressing and grooming but we must maintain a dress code to ensure attention to
academics. To maintain a positive learning environment and to en courage development
of positive self-esteem, we ask that each student come to school fully dressed and
groomed in an appropriate manner. Any style of clothing or make-up that disrupts the
learning environment or is harmful to the health of the student will not be allowed.
Clothing that advertises illegal items for minors to purchase or possess will not be
allowed. Overt or implied obscene language, expressions or gestures will not be
permitted on any type of clothing.
• No tops with spaghetti straps or half shirts (shirts must meet the top of the pants).
• No bare midriffs and tops must fit appropriate to avoid indecent exposure.
• Skirts, shorts and dresses must be an appropriate length. Judge the
length by having your child drop her hands to the sides of her legs. If her hands
touch bare legs, then the outfit is too short.
• No bandannas, headbands, or hats on any part of the body.
• Pants or shorts must rest on the waist.
• If wearing pants, both pant legs must remain down.
• STUDENTS SHOULD WEAR SHOES WITH CLOSED TOE AND HEEL (NO
Wheelies) FOR THEIR SAFETY. Flip flops, wheelies, crocs, and sandals are
not safe or appropriate for PE/recess. Tennis shoes are required for
PE/recess every day in order to participate. Parents will be contacted to bring a
change of clothes/shoes if needed.
• Students are expected to hang up their large jackets in their rooms upon arrival.
A student may choose to wear an additional sweater or sweatshirt when needed.
EMERGENCIES AT SCHOOL
During the school year, there may be times that the school will need to get in
touch with you regarding your child’s welfare. Whenever you leave home, you should
be sure that those persons whom you have listed as persons the school can contact in
case of an emergency know where you can be reached. Should your phone number
change or become disconnected, BE SURE you let the school know. We do not
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want a serious situation to occur and not be able to find a family member. Please keep
emergency information updated at all times. It is most important for your child to
know you can be reached.
Many parents request that the school call them or another individual to pick up their
child in the event of early dismissal. WE CANNOT HONOR THIS REQUEST. Our phone
lines become completely tied up on early dismissal days and it is very hard to get an open
line. Keeping this in mind, do not list on the form you will receive that you want to be
called. Also, do not tell your child to call you. LET YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER KNOW
WHAT YOUR PLANS WILL BE DURING SUCH AN EMERGENCY. All children should
be taught what to do in case of an emergency closing. Please be sure this information is
clear and up to date and with your child’s teacher.
FIELD TRIPS
Teachers will request additional chaperones only when needed for safety or
required for a certain child/adult ratio by the site visited. Please do not promise your
child that you will chaperone a trip during the year without prior approval from your
child’s teacher.
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There are numerous opportunities to share a special time with your child and
volunteer within the classrooms during the school year. These include activities such as:
Reading Buddies, Class Volunteers, Brush Strokes, Lunch Buddies, Fall Festival, Book
Fair, Holiday Shop, Skate Night, Field Day, Class Picnics, American Education Week, and
Reading Rangers which you may attend with your child. Any volunteer who works with
children in the school MUST have a Criminal Records Check. Please complete this
at the beginning of the year if you plan to volunteer.
HEAD LICE
Head lice can be a reoccurring problem in any school setting. Should your child
have head lice:
1. You will be notified to pick up your child. An accompanying letter will give you
directions for dealing with the lice.
3. After shampooing the hair, you will need to pull ALL nits off the hair shaft.
5. Before your child may return to his class, you will need to bring him to the school
office. Office personnel will check your child’s hair to determine that there are no
nits remaining. If your child still has nits, he will not be allowed to return to class
until the hair is free of nits.
ILLNESSES AT SCHOOL
A public health nurse visits our school each week. She oversees the general
health supervision of students. If for some reason you would like for the nurse to see
your child, please call the school or send a note to that effect to your child’s teacher.
Parents are notified by telephone when their child is sick at school. Be sure that
you provide specific instructions where you may be reached in case of an emergency.
If you cannot be reached, the school will call the person(s) you have listed on the
registration form and data card. It is difficult for a child to have to remain at school when
he is sick and we cannot reach parents.
It is important that we have current phone numbers where the parent or other
designated person may be reached. Please contact the school any time these
names or numbers change.
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IMMUNIZATIONS AND PHYSICAL EXAMS
4 OVP (Oral Polio Vaccine) If 3rd dose is after 4th birthday, 4th dose is not
required.
2nd MMR Given at least 30 days after 1st MMR is required for those who
entered kindergarten after July 1, 1994.
1 Varicella One dose required for all children born after April 1, 2001.
5th Grade Parents: North Carolina Law states that a booster dose of
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is required for individuals attending
public school who are entering 6th Grade if 5 or more years have passes since
the last dose of Tetanus/Diphtheria Toxoid.
Individuals who began their tetanus/ Diphtheria Toxoid (Td) series on or after the
age of seven years shall be required to have only three (3) doses of Td of which one
must have been within the past ten years. A minimum of 6 months is recommended
between the 2nd and 3rd dose.
Proof of these immunizations, with the dates received and a doctor or clinic
signature must be presented to the school within 30 CALENDAR DAYS after the first
day of attendance. If the proof of immunization is not presented within 30 CALENDAR
DAYS, it is the responsibility of the principal to exclude the child from school until that
proof is received or until the child begins an immunization schedule.
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IMMUNIZATIONS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM STUDENTS’ HEALTH
CARE PROVIDER.
A physical exam is required for all new kindergarten students. The Kindergarten
Health Assessment may be picked up in the school office. By law, the Kindergarten
Health Assessment Form must be completed and signed by a licensed physician or
clinic and all necessary immunizations completed within 30 days of enrollment in school
to avoid exclusion from school. This is required by state law and strictly enforced.
Label your child’s personal belongings such as coats, caps, sweater, books,
lunch boxes, etc. If items are lost, call the school or send a note to the teacher. We will
make an attempt to locate the lost article. Labeling does help us find lost items and
makes your child responsible for his belongings. All unclaimed items are donated to
charity.
MEDIA CENTER
Students are also reminded that fees are charged for lost or damaged library books
that are checked out to them. If a lost book is found after the fee has been paid and is in
good condition, the money will be refunded. Payments for lost or damaged books should
be given to the media specialist. Payments can be by check (payable to Colfax
Elementary) or with exact change. The media center cannot make change for fees
collected.
MEDICINES (PRESCRIBED)
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instructions by the physician or health-care clinician and a signed permission by the
parent must be on file in the school office before any medication will be dispensed. (A
permission form is available at the front office.) Medication must be delivered in
person by the parent or guardian at the time the Authorization of Medication for a
Student form is submitted. All medications shall be administered in the form and
manner as directed by the physician and according to the instructions prescribed. The
labeled container shall include the name of the student, the name of the drug, the
frequency, the dosage, and the description of the anticipated reactions of the
student to the medication. Whenever the medication is changed by the physician, the
parent is responsible for informing the school and personally delivering the medication
to school. Do not send medication to school by a child.
MEDICINES (NON-PRESCRIBED)
The Colfax PTA needs the participation of all parents. We have an excellent
history of having a strong and involved PTA. Please join the PTA at Open House.
Everything that the PTA does goes directly towards assisting the students, staff and
school community have a successful school year. There are many opportunities to be
involved in your child’s education through the PTA committees. We welcome your input
and collaboration.
Parents are encouraged to have conferences with their child’s teacher. If you
have questions concerning your child's progress, please contact the school and set up a
conference. Teachers will contact parents for conferences at the end of the 1st and 3rd
quarters and as needed. Parent-teacher conferences may be held before or after school
has been dismissed for the day, on teacher workdays, or during the day at the discretion
of the teacher and according to her planning time. Please do not call or come during the
instructional day to conference with the teacher without prior notice. She/he has
obligations to other children. Teachers have been instructed not to engage in extended
conversations with parents during the instructional day. If an emergency conference is
necessary, arrangements must be made through the school administration.
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If for some reason you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment, please notify the
teacher and reschedule a conference ASAP.
PARKING
In the interest of safety, we are requesting that you follow this plan:
Do not pull into the bus parking lot in the front of the school in the mornings or
afternoons when buses are unloading and loading. At all times, car riders must
be dropped off and picked up at the car rider area ONLY! This is for the safety of
all children.
*** Please note the RESERVED PARKING signs in the parking lot. These signs have
been posted to reserve these few spaces for the administration and office staff. We may
need to leave during the day for meetings or to go to the bank, and we need close
access to the building. We appreciate your thoughtfulness in this matter.
In accordance with the Guilford County Board of Education Policy (JR) and the
Family Rights and Privacy Act, we want to inform you of your rights concerning access
to student information. Please note these pertinent sections from our policy.
Parents must submit a written request to the principal requesting a time to meet if the
parents wish to preview their child’s record.
The Board of Education directs that promotion and retention of students in the
school system shall be made in the best interest of the student. A variety of factors should
be considered and carefully evaluated before promotion and retention decisions are made
namely academic progress, social maturity, age, and psychological and physical needs.
Students should be assigned to the grade level that provides the student the best
opportunity for progressing in his educational development.
North Carolina public school students are required to meet statewide standards for
promotion from grades 3, 5, 8 and high school graduation. The standards, also called
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Gateways, will ensure that students are working at grade level in reading, math and writing
before being promoted to the next grade.
Report cards will be issued every nine weeks and progress reports at the mid-point
of each grading period. You should expect to receive report cards and progress reports at
these times.
We feel that these two reports convey to you, the parent, how your child is doing.
As a parent, we ask that you take the time to look over both very carefully so you will be
aware of your child's progress. Parents are required to sign these reports and return them
to school.
We assume the responsibility of sending these reports, but we cannot assume the
responsibility of the follow-up of these reports at home.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards are issued each nine weeks. (See School/PTA Calendar for report
card dates). Conferences will also be held at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters. Other
conferences may be set up throughout the year at your request and/or at the request of
the teacher.
When you call the school (275-4332) during the instructional day you will be
asked to leave a voice message for the teacher to return your call unless it is an
emergency. She/he will return your call within 24 hours.
Interim reports will be sent home with students four weeks before the report
cards. Teachers will keep you informed of your child’s daily progress through the
weekly envelope. Study that work carefully. Test results will also be sent home. If you
have questions about the grades and would like to help your child review, call the
teacher. Always talk with your child about the contents of the weekly folder.
HOMEWORK
Guilford County Board of Education policy CLA states that “Each school shall
have a seven (7) member Community School Advisory Council composed of five
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citizens of that attendance zone and one teacher elected by the faculty of the school”.
Four (4) members must be parents of children attending that school. Parent
participation on the School Leadership Team may substitute for the School
Advisory Council. At Colfax, we would like to have 3 parents on the Leadership
Team, who are elected in the spring for two year terms.
Parents who do not reside in the school attendance zone but whose children
attend the school by an approved transfer shall be classified as residents of the
attendance zone. Legal guardians shall have the same status as parents.
No employee of the Board may serve on the Council except as an elected faculty
member. No individual may serve on more than one Council at a time. Each Council
shall meet at least once each semester. The Leadership Team meets once per month
on the first Wednesday of the month after school. Additional meetings may be called by
the principal and/or the chairman as deemed necessary. All meetings of the Council
shall be open to the public with meeting dates posted at least five (5) school days in
advance of the meeting at the area in each school designated for announcements.
The entire staff at Colfax Elementary School has the goal of establishing an
atmosphere where children will feel safe, secure, happy, and responsible.
In an effort to accomplish this goal, each teacher has established rules and
consequences for their classroom. They will send a letter home at the beginning of the
school year outlining rules, rewards, and consequences. Please go over these with your
child.
Our School-wide Rules are:
All students are expected to follow the school rules at all times.
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Cafeteria Behavior
1. Enter and leave the cafeteria in a quiet and orderly manner. No running.
2. A red cup will be placed on the tables when the students arrive. This
means no talking for the first ten minutes. After the first 10 minutes
this will change to a green cup and the children can talk. If they talk
too loudly, the red cup will be placed back on the table and there will
be no talking for 5 more minutes.
Children are expected to talk softly during the allowed times, using an inside
voice.
3. Speak only to school staff while in the serving line.
4. Practice good manners and eating habits.
5. Keep hands and feet to yourself.
6. Do not change seats once you are seated.
7. Face forward in your seat.
8. Talk to the people at your table only. (The people on your left, right and
across from you.)
9. Stay in your seat at all times and raise your hand for help.
10. Keep the area where you eat clean and throw away trays when directed to
do so.
11. Line up quietly when directed.
Hallway Regulations
1. Students should walk quietly on the right hand side of the hall.
2. There will be absolutely no running in the halls.
3. Students are expected to keep hands and feet off the walls.
Restroom Regulations
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expected behaviors. Please read this system-wide Code of Conduct carefully with
your child, sign the form enclosed, and return it to your child’s teacher. If students
cannot follow rules, parents will be contacted and disciplinary measures will be taken.
TESTING
1. Talk with your child and explain the importance of testing. We do not want to
stress the importance of testing to the point that the child becomes very
nervous and does not do his best. However, we do want each child to
understand that the tests are important and he should take the time to do his
best.
2. Be sure your child gets adequate rest each night and eats a good breakfast each
morning.
3. Your child’s attendance during testing week is very important. If your child is
sick, do not place the testing above the health of your child. Please be aware
that your child needs to be here unless sickness is a factor.
We are happy for you to visit Colfax Elementary at any time to spend some time
in your child’s learning environment. You are welcome to volunteer and/or observe in
the classroom. You may come to school to have lunch with your child. If possible,
please contact the teacher ahead of time. When you come to school to pick up your
child early, please go directly to the office to sign out your child. Do not retrieve your
child from the classroom. When you come to school to visit, always enter through the
front door of the building and pick up a Visitor’s Pass in the office. This is for
everyone’s protection. No one will be allowed down the hallways without a Visitor’s
Pass. This is for everyone’s safety.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
The Colfax PTA is looking forward to an exciting year. It is our hope that each of
you will become involved in school activities throughout the year. Any time that you can
give to your child and to Colfax Elementary School will be rewarding for you and
valuable to your child. Encourage grandparents, friends, and co-workers to volunteer,
also.
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Some of the volunteer opportunities listed below are some of the areas where
your help is essential. Check the Volunteer Handout for other opportunities!
1. Room representatives for each class will be needed to help with stations,
tutoring, reading/math buddies, class parties, to weigh and measure our children,
and to recruit other Moms or Dads to help on special occasions. Co-room
representatives are recommended.
2. We will need assistance in the Media Center whenever you can give it! Reading
to our children, helping with Media Center activities, checking out books, and
straightening shelves - you name it!
3. We need two people each day to help in the office to answer the phone and help
visitors. This is greatly needed to allow secretaries to do other important tasks. If
you can help one day a week for a few hours, please let us know!
5. Please see the PTA calendar of events. Attend the membership meetings,
the Book Fair, and all school sponsored events.
Character Education
http://www.gcsnc.com/charactered/index.html
The benefit of strong character can’t be measured by any test. Rather, it’s
demonstrated during those common instances when our students are given the
opportunity to think for themselves. Simply put, character is about making the right
choices. And if we can emphasize it from the moment a child begins school,
character development can equip students with the tools and
motivation necessary to be the change they wish to see in the world.
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Area for Improvement:
By June 2011, at least 50% of students will engage in civic education, character
education and service learning through curriculum integration.
Strategy 1:
Implement school-wide and classroom-level activities to support the monthly
district character traits.
Strategy 2:
Provide opportunities for students to build and use citizenship skills.
Strategy 3:
Provide opportunities for students to participate in service learning.
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KINDNESS
November / December
Teaching Tolerance Month Being considerate, courteous, helpful, and understanding of others.
Veteran’s Day Showing care, compassion, friendship, and generosity. Treating others
Kids’ Vote as you would like to be treated.
Mix It Up Day
National No-Bullying Month
Merry Giving
March INTEGRITY
Volunteer Greensboro’ Human
Having the inner strength to be truthful, trustworthy, and honest in all
Race things. Acting justly and honorably.
SELF DISCIPLINE
April
National Volunteer Week Demonstrating hard work and commitment to purpose. Regulating
Global Youth Service Day yourself for improvement and restraining from inappropriate behaviors.
Earth Day Being in proper control of your words, actions, impulses, and desires.
Doing your best in all situations.
The links below provide a variety of resources and activities to support and
to engage our youth in service learning:
http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/parent_teacher_leader/resources/parent_tea
cher_leader_resources.aspx
http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/parent_teacher_leader/resources/hfhlessons.
aspx
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http://www.gysd.org/
http:// www.ncpublicschools.org/servicelearning
www.abcdbooks.org
www.americaspromise.org
www.earthecho.org
www.fsu.edu/~flserve
www.kidsconsortium.org
www.learnandserve.org
www.ecs.org/nclc
www.dropoutprevention.org
www.servicelearning.org
www.service-learningpartnership.org
www.nylc.org
www.rmcdenver.com
www.rootshoots.org
www.slprovidersnetwork.org
www.servicelearningtexas.org
www.whatkidscando.org
www.childrenforchildren.org
www.ysa.org
1. Classroom Teacher
If you have any concern that relates to the instruction or to the classroom
behavior of your child, you should arrange a conference with your child’s teacher.
If you feel unsuccessful after the initial conference, ask the teacher for further
information or clarification. If after this conference, you still have a concern, make
an appointment with both the principal and the teacher.
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2. Principal – Michelle Thigpen, Principal
6. Board of Education
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