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2015 - 2016

Marshall Elementary School

Parent Handbook A – Z

A community of learners inspiring minds to do great things!

Learn Strong! Live Strong! Marshall Strong!

Attendance line: 703.794.9421 School Office: 703.791.2099

School Hours:

9 a.m. - 3:40 p.m.

Bell Schedule:

8:45 a.m. First Bell Rings

9 a.m. Tardy Bell Rings

3:40 p.m. Dismissal Starts

Front Office Hours

8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Principal

Kris Waldrop

Waldroke@pwcs.edu

Assistant Principarokel

Debbie Quattlebaum

Quattld@pwcs.edu

Thurgood Marshall Elementary

12505 Kahns Road, Manassas, VA 20112

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MARSHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

STAFF ROSTER 2015 - 2016 Office

Principal Kris Waldrop

Assistant Principal Debbie Quattlebaum

Secretary Andrea Freeland

Office Assistant Stephanie Stannard

Bookkeeper Amy Dallaire

Nurse Amy Stitts

Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2

Cynthia Cole Rachel Applebaum Jennifer Cutting

Connie Louderback Michelle Flores Charlene Dempsey

Karen Stamp Amy Franklin June Jallah

Mallori Miller Brandy Lincoln

Brittany Ofcharka

Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Jessyca Barr Alison Cooper

Ann Fowler Kate Gentile Jodi Girvan

Cyrene Reyes Allison Hoak Janinne Imon

Amber Silva Amy Minning Jill Yezzi

Ann Quattrone Anthony Tompkins

Teacher Assistants SPED Gifted

Tonia Koob (K) Lauren Carter Laura Biendl, START

Cindy Posey (K) Brooke Leahy Kerri Lawrence, SIGNET

Sharon Turner (K)

Stephanie Lyle (k) Reading Specialist

Speech Susan Townsend

Anne Rice

Encore Jennie Murphy ESOL

Liz Walsh, PE School Support Team Committee Becky Tinsley

Ben Bernstein, Strings Theresa Grant, Psychologist

Ann Bovenzi, Art Amy Matlin, Social Worker Cafeteria

Kathy Boyle, TA for PE Annette Van Kleeck, Manager

Sarah Riechers, Music Christina Tapia, Cafeteria

Zenayda Andrade, Cafeteria

Professional School Counselors Custodians Maria Rivera, Cafeteria

Jessica Johnson Nelson Sevillano, Manager (night) Maria Lopez, Cafeteria

Jolie Atkins Leo Ortez(day)

Ana Hernandez (night)

Library

Julia Haggerty, Librarian Technical Specialist (TSpec)

Tammy Potter, Media Assistant/

Secretary Nancy VanMaenen

Instructional Technology Resource

Teacher (ITC)

Kristina Mangan

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Handbook This handbook has been prepared to familiarize you with some of the policies

and procedures that are unique to Marshall Elementary School. Please carefully

review this handbook and keep it for future reference. If you have any questions,

please do not hesitate to contact the school.

A

Allergies

Some members of our school community suffer from severe, life threatening

allergies. In our efforts to keep everyone safe, we are vigilant in screening all

food items brought into our building. Please contact our nurse, Amy Stitts to

discuss any specific allergy concerns for your child.

Some of the steps we take to ensure our students’ safety are listed below:

Students are provided with a designated eating area at lunch to help

eliminate exposure.

Teachers are given a list of students with food allergies at the start of each

year. To help minimize food allergy risk, the cafeteria staff is alerted through

flagging on each student’s account. This warning is triggered by the student’s

meal card.

On the door of each classroom where there is a known allergy a sign is posted

warning individuals of items that are restricted. Please follow posted

procedures in your children’s classrooms and throughout the school, so

everyone can remain healthy and safe at Marshall.

Our staff members are trained each year at the start of the year to ensure

they are familiar with the signs of an allergic reaction and proper responses.

Before each field trip medications are gathered and reviewed with staff

members.

Please refer to Regulation 757-2 for additional information on Allergic Reactions

and to access the required forms for treatment and administration of

medication for an allergic reaction.

Arrival

Students who are brought to school should arrive no earlier than 5 minutes

before the bell. Students who gather earlier than this can create an unsafe

situation because supervision is limited at this time. All students should line up at

the doors and wait for the duty teacher to admit them into the building at 8:45

a.m. In the case of inclement weather, students will wait as a group inside the

school.

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School Hours

9 a.m. - 3:40 p.m. – School is in Session

Front Office Hours

8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Bell Schedule: First Bell rings at 8:45 a.m. / Tardy Bell rings at 9 a.m. /

Dismissal starts at 3:40 p.m. **Students who arrive after 9 a.m. must be

signed in by their parent or guardian at the front desk.

Attendance and Tardies

Absentee Line: 703.794.9421 Please call the absentee line if your child will be

absent from school. In addition to phone contact, a written statement which

includes the reason for the absence (and is signed by a parent) is required. As

required by county regulation, you will receive a phone call if we do not hear

from you when your child is absent. (See Regulation 724-1)

Please remember to call the office, even if you send the teacher an email. This

ensures that the office staff will have accurate information. Teachers often do

not have the opportunity to check their email until after school. Occasionally,

we have interruptions of service or substitutes in the building who cannot access

a teacher’s email. While email is convenient, it is not always a reliable source to

get information of this type to the attendance secretary in a timely manner. If

you are requesting homework, teachers have very little time during the school

day without students present, so homework may not be available until the next

day. Homework must be picked up in the office by 4:30 p.m. According to

PWCS policy, teachers shall not be required to provide work in advance of the

absence.

Under Virginia Law, students are responsible for attending school every day that

school is in session. Absences, tardies, and/or early dismissals must have

documented approval from a parent/guardian and/or school personnel.

According to PWCS Regulation 724-1, absences shall be excused on the basis of

verified contact with the parent for the following reasons:

Personal illness of the student;

Medical and dental examination and/or treatment of the student when

such appointments cannot be scheduled other than during school hours;

Death in the family of the parent or guardian;

Observation of a religious holiday; and

Emergency conditions in the student’s home which require help from the

student in caring for the sick or injured; however, regular use of this excuse

or requests for absences for an extended period of time shall be referred

to Student Services for evaluation.

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B

Birthday Celebrations!

We love to help you and your children commemorate their birthday! It is very

important that they are recognized on such a special day. The PTO, Parent

Advisory, and Staff will continuously try to come up with special activities and

opportunities to acknowledge your child. As part of the Virginia Healthy

Initiatives, sweet treats during the day are discouraged.

You can help your child come up with fun, creative, and imaginative ideas to

make their day special. Children love to get pencils, erasers, and stickers, which

are much healthier than frosting laden cupcakes. Parents are welcome to

come and read a favorite story to the class or have lunch with your child.

We also heed the growing number of serious food allergies in the classrooms

and are always concerned about the safety and well being of every child.

Children may pass out invitations to home celebrations at the very end of the

day only if everyone in the classroom is invited.

Breakfast

Marshall has a breakfast program open to all students and staff. Breakfast

begins at 8:45 a.m. If you are eligible for free or reduced lunch, then you are

also eligible for free or reduced breakfast.

BYO Device A new revision to Regulation 295-1 (PWCS Acceptable Use and Internet Safety

Policy) allows the use of personally owned devices (smart phones, tablets, E-

readers, etc.) by students within the PWCS classrooms.

Students will now be able to use these personal devices to enhance their

educational experience. PWCS has established a Guest Network that will

require students to use an access code to utilize their devices in the school

building. PWCS has established network filters to protect students from

accessing inappropriate websites. Students will be required to follow all of the

guidelines of Regulation 295-1 (PWCS Acceptable Use and Internet Safety

Policy) when using their devices.

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Buses

Buses let children off in the bus circle. Vehicles are not allowed into the bus

circle. For information regarding buses, please call the PWC Department of

Transportation Central District office at (703) 791-0255. The staff at Marshall does

not have the authority to change routes or pick up and drop off locations.

PWCS Transportation Regulations 433-1 and 745-1 clearly outline the Code of

Behavior for students riding the bus and the consequences if the Code of

Behavior is not strictly followed. Riding the bus is a privilege, violation of the bus

rules may result in suspension. Repeated misconduct may result in permanent

loss of bus privileges. (Regulation 433.05-0-14 and 433-1) The link for bus

schedules can be found on the PWCS home page under transportation.

Bus Rules:

1. OBEY DRIVER’S INSTRUCTIONS.

2. BE SEATED IMMEDIATELY. REMAIN THERE.

3. SHARE SEATS EQUALLY.

4. BE COURTEOUS, RESPECT PROPERTY.

5. STAY INSIDE BUS, KEEP AISLES CLEAR.

6. LEAVE BUS EQUIPMENT ALONE.

7. OBSERVE GOOD CONDUCT.

8. NOT PERMITTED

SMOKING GLASS OBJECTS

PROFANITY LOUD NOISE

FIRE FIGHTING

LARGE OBJECTS HORSEPLAY

EATING DRINKING

TRASH VANDALISM

WEAPONS THREATS

9. OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM DRIVER BEFORE USING CELL PHONES/WIRELESS

COMMUNICATION DEVICES.

*DRIVER IS REQUIRED TO REPORT VIOLATORS

C

Car Pool Lane for Parent Drop Off/Pick Up

We have an established traffic lane called “Car Pool Lane” designated as a

safe place for adults in private vehicles to load and unload children. This

route is a single lane of traffic, separate from the school bus loop and the

parking lot, which helps us to avoid problems, associated with moving cars

ATTACHMENT III

Notice 433.05-0-14

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intermingling with buses and parked cars. It also establishes a pedestrian

traffic pattern to protect our students. Please drive slowly and carefully when

entering and exiting the school grounds. The safety of our students and staff

depends on it.

AM Parent Drop Off Procedures

Begin unloading your children at 8:45 a.m.

The Car Pool Lane is a single file lane which arcs in front of the main

entrance of the school.

Teachers will be on duty to guide cars and students from 8:45 to 9:00 a.m.

Pull forward as far as possible before unloading in the Car Pool Lane. For

safety, students should not exit the car before rounding the corner into the

Car Pool Lane.

Say “good bye” and let students out of your vehicle as soon as you stop.

You must quickly escort any child exiting from the passenger side of the

car, to the curb, to ensure their safety.

If exiting the car cannot be done quickly, you should park in the parking

lot and walk your child to the building. Children cannot walk in the

parking lot unescorted.

Do not pass any other vehicles in the drop off/pick up lane; it is a single

lane with children exiting from both sides of the car.

Exit the Car Pool Lane promptly but slowly.

Observe safety rules to keep the flow of traffic moving.

Do not park in the Car Pool Lane or leave car unattended at any time.

The tardy bell rings at 9 a.m. and the children should be in their rooms

before it rings.

Students arriving after the bell should be accompanied to the office by

an adult. A sign at the entrance to the Car Pool Lane will indicate that

the bell has rung.

You do NOT need a number to drop off in the morning.

PM Parent Pick Up

YOU WILL NEED A NUMBER TO PICK UP your child the in carpool lane.

Please complete the registration for a carpool number that is available in

the front office.

Your Carpool Number must be displayed at all times.

Carpool pick-up starts at 3:40 p.m. and ends at 3:50 p.m., students who

are not picked up by 3:50 p.m. will be waiting in the office and must be

signed out.

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Please remember that your carpool number will serve the same purpose

as a driver’s license to pick up your child. If your number is lost or stolen

please let the office know immediately so that we can assign you a

different number.

All individuals picking up students should be listed on your child’s

emergency card.

By giving your number to another individual, you are giving permission for

that person to pick up your child.

Students will be lined up by grade level, at the Carpool Lane, waiting to

be picked up by an authorized adult, as designated on their current

emergency card. A staff member may ask for identification or require a

driver to go to the school office to verify authorization before allowing a

student to enter a car. There are various reasons this could happen, we

appreciate your cooperation.

Please pay attention to the directions of the school staff who are directing

traffic and monitoring the children.

Please encourage your children to walk down the sidewalk to enter

vehicles as soon as possible. Several cars will be loaded at one time.

Children will only be permitted to enter a car on the left side, unless

accompanied from the sidewalk to the car door by a staff member or

parent.

Children will only be dismissed from the Carpool Lane or the school office.

Parents are asked not to stand across the parking lot and have a child

walk to them.

When waiting in the Carpool Lane, please ensure you are not blocking

the entrance or the exit to the bus circle.

All students in the Carpool Lane area are reminded that all school and

classroom rules still apply, even after the dismissal bell has rung.

Code of Behavior and Elementary Handbook

Please carefully read the PWCS Code of Behavior available to view online this

year. Paper copies will be available in the office upon request. These are

reviewed with all students in September. It is the family’s responsibility to follow

all county policies that are outlined in these documents. The signature of the

parent and child on the back of the emergency card is our indication that you

have read and agreed to the Code of Conduct.

Any look-alike weapons (as described in the Code of Behavior) brought to

school will result in disciplinary action. Speak with your child about making

verbal or physical threats to other students or staff. Such actions create serious

situations and consequences. (PWCS Regulation 775)

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Computer Lab/Technology

Our computer lab is equipped with up to date computers and networked

printers. All students visit the lab to work on programs which cover math,

science, social studies, and word processing. The lab is also used for reading

and math remediation, as well as enrichment. Classrooms also have computers

and interactive whiteboards. See Regulation 295-1 (PWCS Acceptable Use and

Internet Safety Policy).

Communication

Every effort is made to keep you informed. All of our upcoming events and

important information can be found on our website.

Please check our School Fusion site at least weekly.

http://marshalles.schools.pwcs.edu/

Please remember to check your child’s book bags for important information

from the teacher.

Verbal communication is also important to us. Phone calls, conferences, parent

surveys, PTO informational meetings, Marshall Advisory Council meetings, and

Back-to-School Nights (September 28 grades K – 2 and September 29 for grades

3 – 5) are just a few of the ways we try to share information with our parents

about our educational programs and our students’ progress and

accomplishments.

Parents may contact teachers by phone or email. Please keep in mind that

teachers cannot accept phone calls during instructional hours. If you leave a

message for the teacher they will return your call, usually within 48 hours (or

sooner).

Staff email addresses are available on the School Fusion homepage if you prefer

to email your child’s teacher. Please keep in mind that teachers spend most of

their day with students. Checking email and returning calls during the day is

sometimes difficult for teachers as they have very little free time. Teachers are

asked to respond to parent communication within 48 hours. An acceptable

response could include a request to set a time to talk by phone or in person.

While email is an easy way to communicate, teachers are asked to limit the

amount of time they spend on the computer during the instructional day. We

want our teachers to be able to focus on the students. Our teachers are

informed that information shared by email is to be factual information. (Time of

events, dates of tests or assignments, etc.) Behavioral concerns or academic

discussions are usually more effective when they are done in person or by

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phone. Teachers will make every effort to return phone calls and emails as soon

as possible, if you need an immediate response or feel your needs are not being

met, please contact Kris Waldrop, Principal Debbie Quattlebaum, Assistant

Principal at 703.791.2099.

D

Dismissal

How will your student go home? ALL STUDENTS WILL GO HOME DAILY BY THE

TRANSPORTATION METHOD DESIGNATED BY THEIR PARENTS. If your child will be

going home by a different method you must send a note in letting the teacher

know. Without a note, teachers will be required to send a student home by the

normal designated method. Please do not use email to communicate dismissal

changes to the teacher. Front office staff and teachers often do not have the

opportunity to check their email until after school. Occasionally, we have

interruptions of service or substitutes in the building who cannot access a

teacher’s email. While email is convenient, it is not always a reliable source to

get information of this type to teachers in a timely manner.

Office Pick Up

In order to provide the safest possible environment for our children,

parents must sign out their children on the designated binder in the front

office. Be prepared to show picture identification. No child will be

dismissed directly from the classroom to anyone other than school

personnel. Teachers are instructed NOT to release students from the

classroom directly to anyone appearing at the classroom other than local

school personnel. (Regulation 724-3) Please notify teachers in writing if

your child will be leaving early.

Early Dismissal

Other than regular end of the day dismissal, all students must be signed

out by their parent or guardian through the front office. No child will be

dismissed directly from the classroom to anyone other than school

personnel. Teachers are instructed NOT to release students from the

classroom directly to anyone appearing at the classroom other than local

school personnel. (Regulation 724-3) Please notify teachers in writing if

your child will be leaving early. Students will only be dismissed to those

adults listed on the emergency card.

According to Regulation 724-1 absences shall be excused for personal

illness, medical, and dental examination when such appointments cannot

be scheduled other than during school hours, and observation of a

religious holiday. Please do not pick up your child early for other reasons.

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It is very important that they attend school for the full instructional day. If a

student returns to school the same day, they need to be signed in again.

If it is absolutely necessary that you pick up your child prior to the end of

the school day, a note should be sent to the teacher and in emergency

cases you may call the office. You will be asked to follow-up with an

email or fax. (Fax: 703.791.0032) Parents or authorized persons must report

to the school office upon entering the building and sign out the child. For

safety purposes, no child will be dismissed from the classroom without

being signed out. Please have a photo ID for the release of the child.

Children will not be dismissed between 3:20 p.m. and dismissal time, unless

there is a dire emergency. The procedure for getting a child from the

classroom, their belongings, etc., and signing them out is time consuming,

as opposed to regular dismissal when the teachers have procedures in

place to ensure your child gathers homework, coats, and other necessary

materials.

Tardies and absences are calculated on PWCS’s automatic computer

program.

Tardies

The tardy bell rings at 9 a.m. and children should be in their rooms before

it rings. Students who arrive after the tardy bell has rung must obtain a

Tardy Slip from the staff at the front desk. Students who ride the bus will

NOT be considered tardy.

Dress

Student dress and overall appearance must meet the basic standards of health,

safety, cleanliness, and decency. Students are not permitted to wear or display

items which can cause a disruption to the educational process. (This includes

items that represent drugs, alcohol products, gang membership or which

promote violence.) (See Regulation 734)

The Prince William County School Division Code of Behavior has addressed

several areas that are considered improper dress in any Prince William County

school. The following items are not allowed to be worn in school: outside jackets,

pants worn below the waistline, hats, scarves, skull caps, headbands, visors or

any other type of head covering unless related to one’s religious beliefs or

practices, sunglasses, beachwear (including rubber flip-flops), sleeping apparel,

undergarments worn as outer garments, clothing that is too short or tight, see-

through garments, clothing with suggestive signs, slogans or pictures, bare

midriff, strapless, spaghetti straps, tank tops, bare feet, bedroom slippers, socks

only, cleats, jewelry or other items which could be regarded or used as a

weapon.

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Students will be asked to remove these items or we will try to find a suitable

change of clothes for them. If we are unable to do so, a parent will be called to

bring appropriate clothing.

E

Emergency Contact Information And Parent Portal

As part of the implementation of the new student information system, Parent

Portal is the program that all schools use to display student information and

allow parents to update their contact and emergency information online.

Parents who had a Parent Portal login account last year do not have to register

online and may logon this year with their same user name and password.

Parents who do not have a Parent Portal login can register online to obtain their

login. After you register online you will receive an email from us with your user

name and password. Dates will be posted on our Web site when you can come

to school to verify your identification before you begin using the Parent Portal.

F

Free and Reduced Lunch Paperwork

Families who need assistance are reminded that paperwork must be completed

every school year. Forms are available in our office or on the PWCS website at

http://menus.departments.pwcs.edu/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1373

982/File/Application/Mealapplication-English.pdf. This information is kept

confidential. Please contact our office at 703.791.2099 with questions.

G

Grading Periods

The schedule for interims, grading periods and report cards can be found at

PWCS web site under the Calendar tab. (School Calendar)

http://pwcs.accountability.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=

146716

2015 - 2016 Schedule:

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Interims Go Home: Oct. 9, Dec. 18, Mar.15, May 27

End of Grading Period for Report Card: Oct. 30, Jan. 29, Apr 15, Jun. 17

Report Cards Go Home: Nov. 10, Feb. 9, Apr. 26, Last Day of School (June17)

H

Holidays

As a school division, the following holidays are observed and students do not

attend school.

Holidays include:

Veterans Day – November 11

Thanksgiving Break – November 25, 26, 27

Winter Break – December 21 – January 4

Martin Luther King Day – January 18

Presidents' Day – February 15 (Potential make up day #1)

Spring Break – March 21 - 28

Memorial Day – May 30

I

Illness

When deciding whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the

following guidelines.

FEVER-Your child should stay home with a temperature greater than 100

degrees. They should return to school only after their temperature has been

below 100, without fever medications, for at least 24 hours.

Keep your child home under the following conditions:

VOMITING and DIARRHEA-even if just once

FREQUENT COUGH-if congested (wet) or croup-sounding cough

EXCESSIVE NASAL CONGESTION-with runny nose or frequent need to blow

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Colds are the most contagious during the first 48 hours.

A child who has started antibiotics needs to be on the medication for 24

hours before being considered non-contagious and able to return to

school.

Please remember it is an extremely long day for a child who is sent to school ill.

Remaining at home will help minimize the spread of the infections and viruses in

the classroom.

We appreciate your help with keeping all our Marshall students healthy and

ready to learn.

Please contact our school nurse, Amy Stitts, R.N., if you have any questions or

concerns. (703.791.2099)

Interims

Your child will receive an Interim report at the mid-point of the grading period.

These reports are designed to keep you informed, but will contain less specific

information than your child’s actual report card.

2015 - 2016 Schedule:

Interims Go Home: Oct. 9, Dec. 18, Mar. 15, May 27

J

Join

Join in on the fun by becoming a member of the PTO, attend Parent Advisory

meetings, or volunteer at school or from home. See our Marshall web page at

http://marshalles.schools.pwcs.edu/ for more information.

L

Library

Students are welcome to come to the library to check out books daily from the

library. The library is part of the encore block. Lessons taught in the library are

an extension of the grade level's curriculum.

The number of books to be checked out depends on the grade level:

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Kindergarten: 1 book

1st and 2nd grades: 2 books

3rd grade: 3 books and 1 magazine (magazines are checked out over- night)

4th and 5th grades: 3 books and 1 magazine (magazines are checked out

overnight). Students may check out one Playaway, which counts a book.

Books are checked out for 2 weeks. Students with overdue items are not

charged with a fine, but will not be allowed to check out again until the late

item is returned to the library.

Students are responsible for paying for lost books, magazines, and Playaways.

The price varies according to the title. The student will need to pay for the lost

item before checking out any more items from the library.

Lunch

Elementary student lunch prices for this year will be $2.45 and include a “hot”

lunch, sun butter and jelly lunch, chef salad lunch, or yogurt lunch. Students on

a reduced plan pay $.40 for lunch. A la carte items are also available. Lunch

tickets can be purchased for any number of days. Remember that checks

should always include the name of your child as well as the teacher’s name.

Parents may write a check made out to Prince William County School Food

Services (PWCSFS). Breakfast can be purchased for $1.40 and a reduced

breakfast is $.30. Milk is $.65. An adult meal is $3.40 and an adult breakfast is

$2.00. Menus are located in the elementary school calendar.

Students may buy lunch or milk daily. Meals are purchased on a credit basis for

any number of days desired. For your convenience, you may pre-pay with a

credit or debit card by going to http://www.mylunchmoney.com. This site offers

valuable information regarding all Food and Nutrition Services. Parents are

invited to come and have lunch with their children at any time, as long as they

sign in at the front desk first.

M

Medication

Every effort should be made for students to take their medications at home. If

taking medicine at school is necessary, parents must deliver the medicine to

school in the prescription container and it must not exceed the expiration date.

PWCS policy does not permit students to transport medication to and from

school (See Regulation 757-4). A PWCS Medical Authorization form, signed by a

physician, must be completed for school staff to administer prescription

medication. Any changes in medication must be submitted on a new

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authorization form. All medicines will be discarded on the last day of school if

not picked up by the parent.

Please note, the following forms are needed and most require a doctor’s

signature:

Prescription and nonprescription medication: Over-the-counter or

Prescribed Medication Authorization Form-attachment I-Section A of

Regulation 757-4

Asthma: Asthma Action Plan and Authorization for Medication-

attachment I of Regulation 757-5

Epipens: Food Allergy Plan-attachment III of Regulation 757-2

Our nurse, Amy Stitts, will be happy to review this with you. (703.791.2099) Forms

are available on the PWCS web page or in our office.

N

O

OBSERVATIONS

Parents/Legal Guardians are educational partners. Please contact Kris Waldrop,

Principal at 703.791.2099 or by email at huebnedm@pwcs.edu, if you wish to

request to observe your child’s classroom. We will be happy to work with you to

arrange a mutually agreeable time.

P

Parent Organizations

There are two formal parent organizations at TMES involving parents and staff:

the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and the Marshall Advisory Council.

The PTO is a unified non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to promote

the welfare of children through educational means. PTO meetings take place

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monthly. Please see the PTO link on our web site for more information,

explanations, and details on these fun activities. All meetings are open to the

public and parents are encouraged to attend.

Marshall Advisory Council generates community input for the annual strategic

school plan. Representatives consisting of parents as well as teachers meet

monthly. All meetings are open to the public and parents are encouraged to

attend.

Parking

Please do not park along the yellow “No Parking Zone” curbs.

Traffic can become very heavy in the morning. We encourage you to

have your students ride the buses to ease traffic congestion.

Do not park in the Receiving Area, which needs to remain clear for

deliveries.

There are designated handicapped parking spots located in the main parking

lot. Only vehicles with DMV approved stickers should use those parking spaces.

Remember: It is illegal to pass a school bus loading or unloading students.

(Code of Virginia 46.2-844).

Parking for Special Events

Whenever the school has a special event such as Back to School Night, Bingo,

festivals, etc., please remember you can parallel park on the side of the road by

the bus circle (but not in fire lane). You may also park on the white concrete top

playground. Please do not park along Kahns Road, as you will be ticketed, and

possibly towed.

Pets

According to Prince William County regulation 271-1, animals should be brought

to school to serve a specific instructional purpose. Because of growing allergy

concerns, pets are permitted only in specific cases. Please discuss with your

teacher and an administrator in advance if you would like to bring a pet to

school.

Placement

Class lists are carefully studied by the staff in order to assure the best learning

environment and community for each individual student. As parents, you are

an important part of that community. In the spring of each year, we encourage

your input as to the type of learning environment in which you feel your child

learns best. We also want to know of any special circumstances that might

affect your child’s placement. We also certainly understand if you decide not

to provide any additional information.

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If you wish input, please send a written letter or email to the Principal, Kris

Waldrop at huebnedm@pwcs.edu. Due to the importance of creating a

balance in each classroom, we will not be able to take any requests for specific

teachers. There have been instances where teachers change grade levels or

move to other buildings over the summer. If you have had personal experiences

with a teacher and wish your child NOT to be placed in their room, you may

indicate the name and specific reasons in a letter.

Phone numbers

Office: 703.791.2099 Absentee Line: 703.794.9421

FAX: 703.791.0032 Cafeteria: 703.791.0034

SACC: 703.791.8252 SACC Main Office: 703.791.8844

Photos

Individual Student pictures will be taken in the fall and spring. Information will be

sent home regarding photo purchases. Pre-school aged children or anyone

else who desires may also have a picture made on the days of school pictures.

The date will be announced in advance.

Photograph Release Policy:

The Marshall web site is a tool to communicate with school families, teachers,

prospective students, and the larger community. To enhance this experience

we use photos to show student involvement in various activities.

In addition, there will be times that we will invite the Local News to our school to

cover an event and your child's picture may be taken.

In order for students' images to appear on the Marshall website or any news

publication, it is not required, however recommended that we obtain parental

permission. Please see Regulation 295-2 for the form, or contact our front office

and we will be glad to provide you with a copy.

Q

Questions?

Please visit our school web site (http://marshalles.schools.pwcs.edu) to read the

Parent Handbook, calendar, and teacher pages for the answers to your

questions.

R

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Recess Due to safety concerns, students may be restricted from activities due to

inappropriate footwear. In addition, if your child is not able to participate in

physical activities, please send in a note.

Report Cards

The schedule for interims, grading periods and report cards can be found at

PWCS web site under the Calendar tab. (School Calendar)

http://pwcs.accountability.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=

146716

2015 - 2016 Schedule:

End of Grading Period for Report Card: Oct. 30, Jan. 29, Apr 15, Jun. 17

Report Cards Go Home: Nov. 10, Feb. 9, Apr. 26, Last Day of School (June17)

S

School Age Child Care Program (AlphaBest)

Before and after school care will again be available through the School Age

Child Care Program coordinated by PWCS. If you are interested in this program,

contact the AlphaBest Main Office at 703.791.8844. During the school year, the

Marshall AlphaBest number is 703.791.8252.

School Wide Expectations (S.O.A.R)

At Marshall Elementary School we believe all students, staff, and parents should

feel safe, comfortable, and respected while at school. We are all committed to

ensuring that students are not being distracted from learning and we realize that

we need to work together to create an environment where teachers can teach

and students can learn. In order to achieve these goals, we have initiated our

school-wide S.O.A.R. program. We will work with our students to create and

communicate school wide expectations that show good character and quality

student behavior. (S.O.A.R stands for Safe, Organized, Accountable, Respectful)

Strings

Strings will be offered to 5th graders at Marshall. The students will be responsible

for providing the instrument. Students are able to participate in BOTH music and

strings.

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Substitute Teachers Your child may have a substitute teacher due to the illness of their teacher. We

try our very best to find quality and experienced substitutes. Long Term

Substitutes must be degreed. The grade level team will work with the “subs” to

ensure continuation of curriculum. An occasion may arise in an emergency or if

we cannot engage a substitute, your child may go into another teacher’s

classroom. This is a last resort due to availability.

T

Tutoring

We have many requests for Marshall teachers to tutor children and we wish to

help out our students and parents as much as possible. To avoid a Conflict of

Interest (Regulation 503.02-1), the following guidelines shall be followed:

Teachers may tutor students at school outside of their contract hours

(8:20 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.).

Teachers may not tutor children assigned in their homeroom. A list of

available tutors is available in the front office.

V

Visiting

For the safety and security of our children, all visitors and volunteers in the

building during school hours must report to the front desk to sign in. Prince

William County Schools require that photo identification be left with the front

desk. You will be given a visitor’s badge that must be visibly worn at all times.

Your photo identification will be returned to you when you sign out and return

your visitor’s badge. (Regulation 501.06-1)

Volunteers

Classroom volunteers schedule their times with the teacher prior to coming in to

help. All volunteers must sign a confidentiality agreement prior to volunteering.

Please bear in mind that the beginning and closing of the school day is very

busy with teacher intensive preparation time with students and not an

appropriate time to converse with your child’s teacher. If you wish to talk with a

teacher, please leave a message with the office for the teacher to contact you

as soon as possible.

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If you have an item that needs to be delivered to your student, the office staff

will ensure your child receives it. Thank you for your understanding and

cooperation. By working together we can continue to make Marshall

Elementary School a truly outstanding place for our children to learn and grow.

W

Website

The schools web address is http://marshalles.schools.pwcs.edu. You can also go

to the Prince William County site at http://www.pwcs.edu, click on schools,

select elementary schools, and then click on our school.