West Salisbury Elementary Handbook 2023-2024

WEST SALISBURY ELEMENTARY 1321 West Road, Salisbury, MD 21801 410-677-5816 HOME OF THE TIGERS

2 WELCOME TO WEST SALISBURY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! The staff of West Salisbury Elementary School are pleased to have you as a member of our school family. Your time with us will be a pleasant and rewarding experience. West Salisbury Elementary School is a Title I school that instructs approximately 350 students in grades Prekindergarten-4 through 2nd grade. This handbook provides information that will answer questions you may have about school policies and procedures. We encourage you to read it and file it for future reference. We also welcome feedback from you that will help us make this handbook more “user friendly”. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of West Salisbury is to prepare students to be ready to learn, respectful to all, and become responsible and contributing citizens in our community and beyond. BELIEF STATEMENTS ✓ Student development is the foremost priority of our school. ✓ Education is multicultural. ✓ All students can learn and will be challenged to reach their full potential becoming confident, selfdirected, life-long learners. ✓ Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual needs whose diversity and talents will be respected. ✓ Students learn in different ways and will be provided with a variety of effective instructional approaches to support learning. ✓ Challenging expectations increase individual student performance. ✓ Students learn best when they have appropriate opportunities for success. ✓ Positive relationships and mutual respect will be the norm between students, parents, educators and the community. ✓ A safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student learning. ✓ Students learn to make appropriate decisions given a supportive and challenging learning environment. ✓ Students need not only be able to demonstrate their understanding of essential knowledge and skills in meaningful ways, but also need to be involved actively in problem solving and producing quality work. ✓ Students, parents, educators, and the community share the responsibility for advancing the paired school mission. SCHOOL SCHEDULE 8:15 A.M. Students may enter the building 8:45 A.M. Instruction begins 3:15 P.M. School Dismissal Begins 3:45 P.M. School Building Closes

3 PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a process for creating safer and more effective schools. PBIS is a systems approach to enhancing the capacity of schools to educate all children by developing researchbased, school-wide, and classroom discipline systems. The process focuses on improving a school’s ability to teach and support positive behavior for all students. PBIS provides systems for schools to design, implement, and evaluate effective school-wide, classroom, non-classroom, and student specific discipline plans. PBIS includes school-wide procedures and processes intended for all students, all staff and all settings. WEST SALISBURY CODE OF CONDUCT Expected behaviors are posted in all areas of the school. Respectful Responsible Ready On a daily basis, students will have the opportunity to earn “Tiger Paws”. If students would like to attend the monthly incentive, they must save the designated number of coupons to attend. Periodically throughout the year, students can also visit the “Tiger Cart” to buy items with their “Tiger Paws”. TIGER PLEDGE I am a West Salisbury Tiger and that I’m proud to be. You’ll know me by the choices I make and good behaviors you see. I am Ready to learn, Respectful to all, and accept responsibility. I know I can do grrrrr-eat things because I believe in me! CODE OF CONDUCT Wicomico County Public Schools uses the Code of Conduct as its policy for handling inappropriate and unacceptable behavior in school and at school-sponsored activities. Each family receives a copy of this Code to read and reference throughout the year. It is the guide of consequences used when inappropriate behaviors occur. We ask parents to support this Code of Conduct, thus increasing its effectiveness at school. This Code of Conduct will be used routinely by the administrators when assigning consequences for unacceptable behavior.

4 SIX DAY CYCLE Wicomico County Public Schools operate on a six-day schedule. Days are identified as A, B, C, D, E, and F. The daily cycle will always follow sequentially regardless of day(s) missed due to inclement weather closings, holidays, etc. Your student’s teacher will send home information at the start of the school year regarding the letter days your student has special area classes such as PE and Art. This will allow you to ensure they wear appropriate attire and shoes. PROOF OF RESIDENCY It is the responsibility of all parents/guardians to provide the school with proof of their current residency. This may be done in the form of a tax bill, rental lease, or utility bill. If you are new to the Chipman community from the previous year or have moved over the summer, you are required to provide the school with the proper documentation indicating your current mailing address. The school has the right to request updated documentation at any time. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact the office. After all school level intervention attempts are exhausted, a referral to the Wicomico County Truancy Reduction Program will be initiated. EMERGENCY INFORMATION Personal Data/Emergency Information sheets will be sent home with each child on the first day of school. It is imperative that all sheets be returned and fully completed. Emergency situations can arise rather frequently in a school this size. For your child’s health and safety, it is CRUCIAL that we have CURRENT emergency contact information. ATTENDANCE Regular and prompt attendance is necessary for a student to maintain satisfactory progress. According to Maryland law, it is a parent’s responsibility for their children to attend school. Excessive absences and tardiness from school are detrimental to the educational process. A doctor’s note or parent note is required for an absence to be excused. Five parent notes are accepted per year. Parents will receive a formal letter from the school following 3 and 5 unexcused student absences. Students with more than 5 unexcused absences in a marking term must successfully complete an Attendance Intervention Plan in order to avoid failing the marking term. ARRIVAL OF STUDENTS School doors are unlocked for students to enter at 8:15am each school day, except in the event of a 90-minute inclement weather delay. The car rider drop-off/pick-up area is in front of the school. When dropping students off please pull to the designated area so students can safely exit the car. If you need to get out of your vehicle and walk with your child, please park in our parking lot to escort your child. For the safety of your child, please see that they do not arrive before 8:15am as supervision of students is not provided by the staff until 8:15am. Arriving at school at the proper time, being well-rested, and well-groomed are critical factors to the success of all children. Students who arrive late for school, after 8:45 am, MUST BE SIGNED INTO THE FRONT OFFICE BY AN ADULT and a note provided to the office. They will receive a late slip before going to the classroom that must be presented to the classroom teacher before being admitted to the class. Teachers take attendance promptly at

5 8:45 a.m., and students not in the classroom at that time will be considered late and must be signed in at the front office. DISMISSAL OF STUDENTS Car rider dismissal begins at 3:10pm. Bus rider dismissal begins at 3:15pm and students are dismissed as their bus arrives. If you are picking up your child, please come to the office and your child’s classroom will be called for dismissal as no students will be released to an adult directly from the classroom. Anytime a student is picked up from the office, the adult must present valid identification to ensure student safety. West Salisbury Elementary School utilizes a computer-based system to scan identification against a national registry to ensure student safety. Students who are car riders will receive a bookbag tag and 2 vehicle car rider tags with corresponding numbers. The car tag must be displayed from the rear-view mirror when picking up your student(s). If a transportation change needs to be made for the day, a note must be sent in writing to the school office indicating the adult picking up. Unless we receive a note from the documented parent/guardian or the parent/guardian is onsite by 3:10pm, students who ride a bus will ride it home. Thank you for your understanding and support as we ensure the safety of all our West Salisbury students. ABSENCES FOR FAMILY TRIPS Where possible, please try to schedule family trips during times when school is not in session. These absences interfere with the students’ learning process. The County guideline for elementary students is as follows: • To be given consideration, a written request for vacation must be submitted at a minimum of 10 days in advance to the principal/designee. If approved, the maximum number of lawful days for family vacations and family trips for any school year must not exceed three (3) days. • Such absences may not occur during exam or state-mandated testing periods unless authorized by the principal/designee. While it is recognized that a trip cannot be considered a legal reason to be absent from school, it is felt that under the following circumstances, no punitive action should be taken. • The trip must be with the family or is parent sanctioned. • Circumstances and reasons should be fully discussed with the principal in advance. • All arrangements for homework, tests, etc. should be worked out with individual teachers a week in advance. Students are expected to complete all make-up work within a number of days equal to the time out of school. For extended absences, please consult the principal. For more information regarding student attendance procedures, visit the WCPS website at https://www.wicomicoschools.org/ and click on Attendance Policy. PARENT/COMMUNICATION We strongly believe that on-going and positive communication between home and school is crucial for your student’s success. We have several ways to keep you informed: • Automated Phone Calls & Emails: We utilize an automated phone call, sms, and email alert system through ThrillShare. This system is used to alert parents of upcoming events within our school and district. Please sure with the office the number that should receive these messages. Phone numbers must be accurate and up to date to receive the message. Be sure to notify the front office any time your home, cell, or work phone number changes. The system is also utilized to inform families of message from the school district, inform families of student absences, and in the invent of a weather-related

6 delay. In addition to the phone calls, an email also goes out which includes the information shared in the call. Be sure to have your email on file with the school office. • School Facebook: Be sure to look for us on Facebook by going to https://www.facebook.com/wcboewse! School celebrations with pictures are frequently published along with important information and upcoming dates. • School Instagram: Be sure to look for us on Instagram @westsalisburyelem or by going to https://www.instagram.com/westsalisburyelem/! School celebrations with pictures are frequently published along with important information and upcoming dates. • School Website: Our school website is https://wse.wicomicoschools.org/o/westsalisbury . On the school website, you will find Title I information, important documents, parent resources, our School Improvement Plan, upcoming events, staff directory, and other announcements. • Agenda: Agendas will be provided for all students in 1st and 2nd grades. The agenda serves important functions including parent-teacher notes and homework assignments. Teachers check agendas daily and we ask that families check their student’s agenda every night. HOMEWORK Homework is an extension of the learning taught by the classroom teacher. Families can support their student’s completion of homework by: • Providing a quiet workspace with all necessary supplies • Setting a time and routine for doing homework each night • Checking to see if assignments are completed in a neat and conscientious manner • Having the student read or be read to nightly BIRTHDAYS Children love to celebrate their birthdays with classmates. Families may provide an treat that is store-bought, individually wrapped, and the box/container unopened. This is for the safety of all students and staff. The treat will be shared during the student’s lunch period or snack at the teacher’s discretion to ensure there is minimal interruptions to instruction. Although small items like pencils or stickers can also be provided by the family, it is not permitted to hold a meal or birthday party with balloons and gifts for any child. Please do not bring in balloons, flowers, or gifts for your child’s birthday. No more than two parents may bring in the birthday snack. BREAKFAST/LUNCH Breakfast is served in all homeroom classes from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. This school year, all West Salisbury students will receive meals at no cost to them. Menus are sent home every month and will be posted on Class Dojo and school website. We are asking every family to complete a free meals application. Application forms may be completed and submitted online or can be obtained from the school office during the school year. CAFETERIA BEHAVIOR 1. Table manners are a must and are to be displayed at all times. 2. Quiet conversations are permissible until the last 5 minutes of each shift. 3. Students who do not follow Cafeteria Code of Conduct may be asked to change seats/tables. 4. Students must move throughout the cafeteria in an orderly fashion and cannot get up without permission. Students must sit at assigned tables/seats. 5. Each class is responsible for the cleanliness of their area. 6. Sodas, drinks in glass containers, large bags of candy, large bags of chips, and chewing gum are not permitted. 7. Students are responsible for knowing their lunch account number each day.

7 BUS RULES/BUS SAFETY School buses will bring students to our new bus ramp accessed from Adventist Drive. Only students who ride a Wicomico County School Bus will load and unload students in that area. The following are school bus rules for Wicomico County: 1. The bus driver has absolute control of the bus and of the conduct of those on it. You are expected to obey your bus driver. 2. If students have to cross the road when boarding or leaving the bus, WALK IN FRONT OF THE BUS. Your driver can then warn you of danger. Look both ways before crossing the road. 3. Students are to enter and leave the bus by the front door. The back door is for emergency use only. DO NOT touch it except in case of emergency. 4. Students are expected to promptly take the seat assigned to them. 5. Students are to sit facing forward, keeping hands, arms, and head inside the bus window, and keeping feet, legs, books, and belongings out of the aisle. 6. Chewing gum or eating on the bus is not permitted. 7. Students are to help the driver keep the bus clean. 8. Smoking and profane language will not be tolerated on the bus. 9. Ordinary conversation is permissible. 10. Consequences imposed by the driver/school administration range from one to 30 days off of the school bus. Repeated offenses may result in suspension for the remainder of the school year. WICOMICO COUNTY SCHOOL BUS DISCIPLINE POLICY Students who fail to abide by the bus rules will be disciplined. Bus drivers have the right to suspend a student from riding the bus for a period of one day. Administration may suspend students for additional days. Parents will be notified of suspensions. The School Bus Discipline Policy is as follows: 1st Offense: Referral to the principal’s office. Discipline at the discretion of the principal or designee. 2nd Offense: Referral to the principal’s office. Discipline at the discretion of the principal or designee. 3rd Offense: Referral to the Transportation Office. Conference with the Supervisor of Transportation, parent, and student must be held (and the driver, if deemed necessary). The student will be removed from the bus until a satisfactory conference is held. 4th Offense: Automatic 30 school days off the bus. 5th Offense: Automatic removal for the remainder of the school year.

8 FIELD TRIPS A single class, grade level, or combination of classes frequently take field trips. They are not, however, a requirement. Field trips are taken at the discretion of the teachers at each grade level and must be curriculumoriented with specific objectives taught prior to the trip and appropriate extension activities conducted after the trip. When trips are taken, it is most important that all members of the class attend. Otherwise, several lessons will have no meaning for the students who do not attend. If this creates a financial problem for the family, please call the school principal to discuss possible arrangements for assistance; such calls will be kept confidential. The cost of field trips is determined by the number of people attending, busing, and admittance fees. It is impossible to refund money paid for trips if, for any reason, a person cannot participate since we assess the absolute minimum to pay for the expenses listed above. Written notice and permission slips will be provided by the homeroom teacher and any questions regarding the field trip should be directed to the homeroom teacher. FIRE DRILLS & SAFETY DRILLS A variety of drills including fire and safety, will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the school year. If you are in the building during one of these drills, please follow the directives of the school personnel. Drills of this nature are practiced with the children and staff, in order to ensure their safety and well-being. MEDICATION All prescriptions and all non-prescription medications that are given during school hours require a physician’s medication form signed by a doctor. This includes cough drops, cough syrup, Tylenol, etc. All medicine must be brought to school by an adult in the original medicine container and turned in to the school nurse. Students are NOT permitted to bring medicines to and from school at any time. Students are also not permitted to keep medicines in their possession during the school day. If you have any concerns regarding this policy, please contact the school nurse. MIDTERM PROGRESS REPORTS/REPORT CARDS Midterm progress reports are distributed four times per year in the middle of each marking term for grades 1 and 2. Prekindergarten-3, Prekindergarten-4, and Kindergarten provide midterm progress reports during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th terms only. End of term Report Cards are distributed four times per year. Following each midterm progress report and end of term report card, families have the opportunity to conference with their student’s teacher regarding progress, strategies, and tips for home. All midterm progress reports and end of term report cards are published to Family Portal for a limited window. Be sure to login to Family Portal to access these items; reminders will be posted to school website, social media, and through the automated system. Prekindergarten/Kindergarten Grades Report cards in Prekindergarten-4 and Kindergarten use the following designations for achievement: PR – Proficient IP – In Process ND – Needs Development NY – Not Yet

9 First and Second Grades Grade O, S, NI or U A, B, C, D or E First Grade Handwriting, Special Areas Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies Second Grade Handwriting, Special Areas Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies VISITORS TO SCHOOL When anyone visits schools in Wicomico County, they must first stop and sign-in using the Raptor system at the school office. This is most important for the protection and safety of all students. This reminder is posted on each entrance door of our school. Remember that the education and safety of children are our first concerns.

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