Newnan Crossing Elementary School

Newnan Crossing
Elementary School
STUDENT – PARENT
HANDBOOK
2015-2016
1267 Lower Fayetteville Road, Newnan, GA 30265
Office Phone: 770-254-2872
Fax: 770-304-5921
Cafeteria: 770-254-2868
Website: http://www.cowetaschools.org/nces
Administrative Staff
Principal
Terri Lassetter
[email protected]
Assistant Principal
Gwendolyn Melson
Assistant Principal
Kimberly Parten
Assistant Principal
Catherine Waczkowski
Counselor
Jennifer Kennemur
Registrar
Jody Elliott
Clerk
Gale Redding
Bookkeeper
Andrea Weston
Nurse
Becky Skidmore
Cafeteria Manager
Jennifer Ennis
[email protected]
After School Program
Laurie Holstein
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
(770) 254-2868 (after 2:30 pm)
Newnan Crossing Elementary School
Mission Statement
“Newnan Crossing Expects Success”
1267 Lower Fayetteville Road
Newnan, Georgia 30265
Telephone: 770-254-2872
FAX: 770-304-5921
Terri Lassetter, Principal
Gwen Melson, Assistant Principal
Kimberly Parten, Assistant Principal
Catherine Waczkowski, Assistant Principal
August 6, 2015
Dear Student and Parent:
The administration, faculty and staff of Newnan Crossing Elementary School welcome you to our
educational family. We trust that the 2015-2016 school year will be memorable and filled with many
new learning experiences and opportunities.
Parents and educators must continue to work closely together to nurture the development of
academic, social, and emotional skills which are necessary for all individuals to be successful. Our
goal is to assist each student in “soaring to success.”
The Parent–Student Handbook and the agenda are designed to give you an overview of our
programs, procedures, rules, and requirements. Please read all items carefully and discuss them with
your student.
We are excited about this year and we look forward to working with you. We hope our students and
parents will feel at home at Newnan Crossing. Please call us at anytime if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Terri Lassetter, Principal
[email protected]
Important Policies & Procedures
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
 Morning Car Riders should be dropped off in the car rider area located on the side of the building near the
cafeteria no earlier than 7:30 a.m. Students should be in their classrooms by 8:00 a.m. each morning. If you
wish to walk your child to the classroom, please park in the side parking lot. Children must be escorted to the
building from the parking lot for their safety. You may park on the grass. Please do not block the car rider
area where students are dropped off. In the mornings, we will unload children from cars in Lane 1 (next to the
portico, see map). Students need to open the car door and exit the cars quickly. Students should not
be dropped off prior to 7:30 a.m. Supervision is not available until that time. Please do
not enter the bus loading area located in the front between 7:00-8:30 and 1:00-3:15.
 Bus Riders are dropped off and loaded in the front of the school. Please do not enter the bus loading area
from 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Bus drivers may NOT let a child off the bus at any stop
other than his own without written and approved authorization.
 Tardy Students who arrive after 8:00 a.m. should report to the front office with a written excuse for the
tardiness. Parents are not allowed to accompany students to class after 8:00 a.m.
 Afternoon Car Riders will be dismissed at 2:30 p.m. each afternoon at the side of the school. Please follow
procedures as outlined later in this packet. The first couple of days the traffic will be difficult but it will
improve. Please consider letting your child ride the bus home because it is quicker.
 Students not picked up by 3:00 p.m. will be placed in the After School Program at a fee of $15.00 per day.
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES
 If there is a change in transportation, you must send a note in writing with the child’s name, the teacher’s
name, the specific change, and the specific days affected. Without a written note, no changes will be
made. We cannot accept changes by phone, fax or email. Please do not make transportation changes after
1:30 p.m. because we begin our dismissal procedures at 2:00 p.m. Afternoon transportation should be
consistent each day. Changes are strongly discouraged. Dismissal time is a very hectic time for us and we
need to concentrate on the safety of moving our students. Thanks for your assistance.
ABSENCES & EXCUSES
 In order to receive the maximum benefit from instructional activities, students are expected to be in school
each day unless excused for legitimate reasons. Good attendance habits positively impact the learning
process. While teachers and administrators are charged with the responsibility of providing worthwhile daily
activities for students, the students and their parents must assume responsibility for being punctual and
regular in attendance. It is the position of the Coweta County Board of Education that every day at school is
important and that no student ever be absent except for extraordinary reasons. The State Board of Education
provides for certain specific circumstances under which a child can be lawfully absent from school. Children
may be excused from school:
1. Who are personally ill and whose attendance in school would endanger their health or the health of
others.
2. In whose immediate family there is a serious illness or death which would reasonably necessitate the
absence from school.
3. On a special and recognized religious holiday observed by their faith.
4. When conditions render such attendance impossible or hazardous to their health and safety (i.e. snow
day).
 Upon returning to school (within 3 days), students must bring written documentation stating the date
and reason for the absence with the signature of a parent/guardian, doctor, dentist, or judge. Without
this timely written notification, absences will be marked as Unexcused.
 When extended absenteeism is a result of major illness or injury or other extenuating circumstances, the
student may receive academic credit through use of the homebound services or other administratively
approved procedures.
EARLY SIGN OUTS (DURING THE SCHOOL DAY)
 A student leaving before dismissal time must be signed out in the front office prior to 2:00 p.m. Identification
will be checked and your name must be listed on the emergency card. Dismissal time is a very busy time for
us and we must focus on the safety of our children. Parents coming in to sign a child out should park in the
parking lot located on the side of the school. Please do not enter the bus loading area.
CAFETERIA
 Student Lunches are $2.50; Reduced Student Lunch $.40; Breakfast $1.00; Reduced Student Breakfast $.30
(Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. until 7:55 a.m.)
 Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are sent home at the beginning of the school year. Please complete them
immediately and return them to school if you are interested in that program
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 Ice Cream is $1.00 and will be sold daily. 1 – 5 graders may purchase ice cream after eating their lunch.
Other grades may have ice cream at another time. Your child’s teacher will inform you.
 Please do not share food items with other students due to allergies or medical issues.
PARTIES
 Birthdays: Please do not bring cake and balloons to the cafeteria or classrooms for birthdays. You are
welcome to come and eat with your child on their birthday. Your child’s teacher will recognize your child in
the classroom for their birthday. Please do not pass out invitations to private parties at school.
 Classroom parties will be held at Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
MEDIA CENTER
 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders may check out one book at a time. 4th & 5th may check out two books at a time.
Students with overdue book fines may not check out another book until the fines are cleared up. We do not
charge fees for overdue books. Books are checked out for one week.
ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
 Teachers will send home Success Over All Roadblocks (SOAR) packets home on Mondays. Please review
them and return them on Tuesdays.
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 Annual Title I Meeting and Open House will be held on Thursday, September 3 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30
p.m. Teachers will share information concerning the curriculum for your student as well as other information.
 To protect instructional time and for the safety of your children, non- school aged children are not permitted
during the instructional school day (8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.).
RECESS
Our students receive 15 minutes of unstructured recess time each day. On rainy days, teachers provide alternate
activities in the classroom to provide for this time. Recess is an excellent motivator for some students to
encourage them to complete their academic work or improve their classroom behavior. Recess may be withheld
at teacher discretion. During recess time, if a student is causing conflict or hurts another student, the student can
forfeit his time or some of his time, to participate in recess for safety reasons. We believe it is very important to
provide a safe environment for our students during the unstructured recess time. We believe recess is important
because it provides students with a time to socialize with their peers by playing and talking. Teachers encourage
students during recess time to get along with each other and to work together as well as this time provides
exercise for the students by running and playing.
Student Fun Day/Field Day Event
During the school day, students who receive a 90 or above in Citizenship each 9 weeks will participate in the Fun
Day/Field Day Event in May. Parents are invited to attend this event with their NCES student. This event is a
time for parents to enjoy with your NCES student and to make them feel special. Please refrain from bringing
non-school aged children because they will be unable to participate in the events due to the number of students,
time and liability.
Title I
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We will host our Annual Title I Meeting on September 3 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Anytime during the school year
you are welcome to contact Terri Lassetter, Principal at [email protected] or call at 770-254-2872
to give input on the Title I Plan which includes the Parent Involvement Plan and the Student-Parent-Teacher
Compacts. The Parent Involvement Plan and the Compacts are located on the school website at:
http://www.cowetaschools.org/nces/.
If you would like to receive messages via text from the school,
text @ newnanc to 770-609-4518.
You can opt out of receiving messages at any time by replying
“unsubscribe@newnanc”
NCES Car Rider Procedures
GENERAL PROCEDURES:
 For the safety of our children, please DO NOT USE YOUR CELL PHONE while in the car rider area.
Also, please drive slowly at all times while on the Newnan Crossing campus.
MORNING DROP OFF (use lane 1):
 Use only lane 1 to drop off students between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. DO NOT drop off your child until
7:30 a.m. which is when there will be adults present to supervise. Parents, please remain in your
cars as we unload children. Please ask your child to exit the car quickly when your car has come to a
stopped position. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Let’s work together to keep our children
safe as they enter and exit cars at the school.
 Also, you may park in a parking space and escort your child across the cross walk to the school
beginning at 7:30 a.m. Children must be escorted from the parking lot across the cross walk for their
safety. Do not drop students off in the parking lot. You must escort them to the school building.
 Please do not enter the bus loading zone located in the front of the school between the hours of 7:00-8:30
a.m. and 1:00 -3:15 p.m.
AFTERNOON PICK UP (use Lane 1, 2, and 3)
 You must have an official Newnan Crossing Car Rider sign posted in the front window of your car. These
Car Rider signs are given to ALL students at the beginning of the school year, or whenever they register
during the school year. Replacement copies may be requested from the front office for $1 each. If you do
not have your sign, you will need to park your car in the parking lot area and show ID in the front office
before your child will be released to you. This is for your child’s safety.

Car riders may be picked up between 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. If they have not been picked up by 3:00
p.m., they will go to the After School Program. The ASP charges a $15.00 drop-in fee for this service.

Drive in through the side entrance and get in line. The line splits into three lanes. Pull into one of these
lanes and stop beside the side portico entrance.

When directed, pull forward beside the cafeteria and your child will be loaded into your car. Do not leave
until directed to do so.
Parking Area
Pass-through
Lane 3
Lane 2
Lane 1
Side Entrance
Offices
Front
Lobby
Cafeteria
Kitchen
Positive Behavior Plan for Students and Awards
Each student will receive one “Scout” Tag and chain to collect SCOUT Tags during their enrollment at
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Newnan Crossing Elementary. Scout Tags are awarded during the 9 weeks ceremonies for 3 – 5
nd
graders; end of year ceremonies or in the classrooms for K – 2 .
Our faculty and staff are committed to teach children to respect others, accept responsibility and self
control. The expectations for each are in the school will be taught to the children. Please help us by
reviewing these expectations with your child. Students will receive “gotchas” from Faculty and Staff.
When a student earns 10 Gotchas, the student will have a special choice award such as: Eat with a
friend at lunch, Assist the Art Teacher, Sit in the Teacher’s Chair, Extra Computer Time, etc. The teacher
will work with the student concerning the special choice award. Also, students may earn a “Gotcha”
Scout tag when they earn 100 Gotchas for the school year.
Setting
Expectation
Respect
Others
Hallway
Bus
The Eagle’s Cafe
Restroom
Playground/Recess
*Walk in a straight
nd
line in the 2
square from the wall
*Keep a distance of
two squares in front
of you
*Look at displayed
work with your eyes
*Listen and follow
directions the first
time
*Wait your turn
*Allow others to
pass
*Keep bus clean
*Sit properly in the
seat
*Use an indoor
voice
*Sit quietly when
an adult is talking
*Listen and follow
directions the first
time
*Stand quietly in line
as you wait to receive
your tray.
*Say nice things or
nothing at all
*Use your inside voice
*Use appropriate table
manners
*Listen and follow
directions the first time
*Wait your turn
*Keep your eyes
in your own stall
*Aim for the
appropriate target
*Allow others a turn
*Say nice things or
nothing at all
*Solve problems with
words
*Play nicely with others
*Listen and follow
directions the first time
Accept
Responsibility
*Remain quiet so
you will not disturb
other classes
*Always walk
*When you reach a
corner or
intersection Stop
and look before
proceeding
*Walk on the right
side
*Be safe and
report problems to
Adult
*Always keep all
items inside your
bookbag
*Walk to your table
*Stay seated
*Raise your hand if
you have a question
*Use the bathroom
before or after lunch
*Keep your table clean
*Keep the floor around
your table clean
*Get items you need
prior to sitting
*Know your lunch
number
*Remain quiet when
lights are off
*Walk to line up quietly
when directed
*Stand in a straight
line as you wait for
your teacher
*Flush toilet
*Wash hands
*Put paper in
trash
*Go quietly and
quickly
*Report problems
to Teacher
*only one student
in a stall at a time
*Use equipment
correctly and return
after use
*Follow game rules
*Be safe and report
problems to teacher
Self Control
*Keep hands behind
your back and feet
on the floor
*Keep hands and
feet to self and out
of aisle
*Keep your hands and
feet to yourself
*Be aware of your
surroundings
*Touch and eat only
your food
*Keep hands,
feet and eyes to
self
*Use your hands and
feet appropriately
Accelerated Reader
(examples of award tags)
The Accelerated Reader program is designed to enhance the reading skills of all readers. The classroom
teacher will set student point goals and reading level goals, and encourage student progress. The media center
provides AR reading materials and tests at all levels and will continue to expand our holdings in this area.
AR Parties: Students who meet their reading goal each 9 weeks will participate in the AR Party for K – 2
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receive AR Scout tags for 3 – 5 . Readers of the month will be selected and recognized.
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and
Student of the Month
Each month one student from each homeroom will be recognized as the Student of the Month. The student will
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receive a “Student of Month” Scout Tag at the 9 week ceremony for grades 3 -5 and K-2 will receive their
award in the classroom. The student is selected based on: Conduct Grades/Behavior and Characterhardworking, helping others, being kind to others, etc.
Bus Rider of the Month and Car Rider of the Month
Each month one bus rider from each bus and one Car Rider per grade level will be recognized as the Bus Rider
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or Car Rider of the Month. The student will receive a Scout Tag at the 9 week ceremony for grades 3 -5 and
nd
K-2 will receive their award in the classroom. The student is selected based on character – helping others,
being kind to others, following rules, etc.
Honor Roll
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The Honor Roll program is designed to recognize academic achievement in grades 3 – 5 . Each 9 weeks
students who receive all A’s and all A’s & B’s will be recognized each 9 weeks and receive an “Honor Roll”
Scout Tag. End of Year Averages (All A’s and A’s & B’s) will be used to recognize students at the End of the
Year Award Ceremony.
Athletic/Good Sportsmanship
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Each month one student per grade level 3 – 5 is selected for Athletic Scout Tag. The student is selected
based on: good Sportsmanship, leadership and athletic skill or improvement.
Artistic
Each month one student per grade level 3 – 5 will be recognized as “Artist of the Month”. The student is
selected based on creativity, ethics – behavior, hardworking and helpfulness.
Most Improved
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Each 9 weeks a student in grades 3 – 5 will be selected based on: academic improvement, dedication to
academic success and determination
9 Week Awards
All
Met 9 week
goals
A’s and B’s
2nd
–
Grades
1st Nine Weeks (Blue Awards)
2nd Nine Weeks (Yellow Awards)
3rd Nine Weeks (Green Awards)
4th Nine Weeks (Red Awards)
End of Year
(Criteria on page 9)
5th
3rd
5th
–
Grades
100%
Conduct
Grade
100%
Conduct
Grade
All Grades
All Grades
All A’s
3rd – 5th
Grades
Most
Improved
3rd – 5th
Grades
END OF YEAR AWARDS
Type of Award
Attendance Awards
Citizenship
Accelerated Reader
Math Masters
2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th
Details of Award & type of recognition
 Perfect Attn: will receive a “Attendance” Scout Tag (no more
than 5 tardies)
 Good Attendance: will receive an “Attendance” Scout Tag (if
absent 1 to 3 days and not more than five tardies)
Will receive a “Citizenship” Scout Tag. This is for students who
earned an “A” (90 or above) in conduct for all year (each 9
weeks).
 AR Club tag awards
 6 hour Reading Awards – students participating earn a six
flags ticket.
Completion of Math Fact Sheets/Mad Minute Math within a
given time will receive a “Math Masters” Scout Tag.
Based upon grade level Standards
Principal’s Awards for grades 4th & 5th
Highest 3 Averages for 4th and 5th graders in Reading, Math,
Lang Arts, Science and Social Studies for grade levels – students
will receive a trophy and “Principal Award” Scout Tag
All A’s end of year average
All A’s & B’s end of year average
Spelling Bee
2nd Grade Academic
Acievement
1st Grade Awards
Kindergarten Award
“Honor Roll” Scout Tag for grades 3rd, 4th, & 5th
“Honor Roll” Scout Tag 3rd, 4th, & 5th
Tags awarded at Spelling Bee
Trophies awarded to top 3 place winners at the end of the year
Awarded to students for Academic Achievement



Fluency Tags – student reached 60 words in a minute
200 Fry Word – Student mastered all 200 FRY Words
Conduct Bead – Good conduct each nine weeks
Students will receive STAR TAG for completing Kindergarten
requirements
Newnan Crossing Elementary
Club and Organization Information 2015-2016
Club Name
Beta Club
Student
Council
4th & 5th Grade
Chorus
Membership
Membership is by
invitation extended to
all students who earned
an A in their end-of-theyear average for 4th
grade. The student must
maintain an A average
throughout the 5th grade
year and will be on
probation if the overall
average falls below an A
at report card time. A
student with a C or
lower will be
automatically exited
from the club.
Student Council
members are elected by
their peers to represent
their homeroom classes.
One student per 4th and
5th grade homerooms.
They are expected to
demonstrate leadership
skills, speak in front of
their class, and
demonstrate
responsibility and
organization. To qualify
for student council, a
child must be in 4th or
5th grade, have a conduct
grade of B or better, and
be able to stay after
school for 1 hour a
month.
Chorus tryouts are open
to any 4th or 5th grader
who is interested in
singing and whose
parents can arrange to
pick them up from
school once a week on
Tuesdays or Thursdays.
Mission
Advisor
a) To promote
ideals of
character,
service, and
leadership.
b) To encourage
students to have
high academic
standards.
Kelly
Duggan
Past/planned Activities
Past activities have included helping mulch
the playground; serving the elderly and
shut-ins in our community by visiting and
bringing cards and supplies; selling candy
grams to raise money for 5th grade charity;
and NCES Channel 7 news broadcast plan,
procedure and anchor.
a) To foster
cooperation
among students,
faculty, and
administration
b) To establish
an effective
system of
student
participation by
providing
students with a
voice
c) To promote
good
sportsmanship
To encourage a
love of singing
and to develop
4th and 5th
graders to their
fullest vocal
potential at their
own stage of
development
Holly
Miller
Susan
Frazier
Bethany
LukehartGroth
Past activities have included the sale of
candy grams, raising money for Relay for
Life, running the school store, and
performing hall monitoring duty.
Planned activities include regular practices
and two concerts, one in December and one
in March. Select students will also be
attending the Coweta County Honor
Chorus.
Academic Bowl
Science
Olympiad
Eagle News
Academic Bowl is open
to any interested 4th and
5th grade students.
Students are selected by
try-outs which include a
written test and a
competition in a
jeopardy-style buzzer
test. Team members are
composed of top scoring
students.
Science Olympiad is
open to any interested
4th & 5th grade students.
Students are selected by
try-outs which include a
paper/project.
(10 students will be
selected)
Eagle News is open to
interested upcoming
4th/5th grade students.
Students are selected by
try-outs. Students must
have excellent
attendance, behavior
and good speaking
skills. Try Outs are held
in May of the preceding
year.
Track Team
4th and 5th students try
out with the PE Coaches
Scout Team
Flag Team
Students are chosen
because of his/her
outstanding leadership
skills, academic stability,
and his/her high level of
responsibility at
school.
The Flag Team is
selected through
nominations made by
the 4th grade teachers
of students who have
good conduct, passing
grades and good
attendance.
a) To promote
good
sportsmanship
b) To promote
growth, both
academically
and socially
a) To promote
good
sportsmanship
b) To promote
growth, both
academically
and socially
a) To promote
student
leadership
b) To promote
growth, both
academically
and socially
a)To promote
good
sportsmanship
a)To foster
cooperation
among students,
faculty, and
administration
Promote
leadership,
honor and
respect towards
classmates, our
school and our
nation's flag
Julie
Bowdoin
Brandi
Devine
Becky
Hitchcock
Doug
Vinson
Planned activities will include try-outs,
regular practices, and meets beginning in
January.
Planned activities will include try-outs,
regular meetings & competitions.
Laurie
Fambro
Nicole
Lanier
Planned activities will include try outs and
regular meetings to record Eagle News
Jessica
Little
Annual Track Meet
Coach
Kelly
Jennifer
Kennemur
Debbie
Bouchard
PE Teacher will award Scout Tags to
students selected to the track team.
This team helps with many tasks around
the school, such as: delivering packages to
classrooms, watering plants throughout the
building, assisting the counselor with the
GOTCHA Program, working with younger
students on various tasks, helping develop
Character Education skits and ideas for the
school, as well as many other activities.
This team will raise and retire the flag each
school day while they promote pride in
United States and our school.