2004 -
2005
PARENT HANDBOOK
BRISTOW RUN ELEMENTARY
"A TEAM ON TRACK FOR THE FUTURE"
BRISTOW
RUN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
8990 WORTHINGTON DRIVE
BRISTOW, VIRGINIA 20136
School Phone Number: (703) 753-7741 School Fax Number: (703) 753-7604
Principal - Andrew Buchheit
Asst. Principal - Jo Linda Toth
/brun/bristowrun.htm
Mr. Buchheit's E-Mail: buchhear@pwcs.edu
Ms. Toth's Email: tothjl@pwcs.edu
Office Hours 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
WELCOME TO BRISTOW RUN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We are looking forward to another Awesome year of working with you and your
children. This Panther folder serves as our parent handbook and contains
important information for you and your children and can also be used as a
folder for your children. Additional Panther folders can be purchased from the
school store. Our school motto is: "a Team on Track for the Future."
I believe that when teachers, staff, parents and students all work together as
a team; our children will have a more productive and successful year. Thank you
in advance for your assistance and support and for entrusting your children to
us. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at
(703) 753-7741. We look forward to teaching your children this year!
Sincerely,
Andrew Buchheit, Principal.
ATTENDANCE
It is the
responsibility of parents and guardians to see that their child attends school
regularly and on time every day. Every school day is important to the education
of your child. Research tells us that the best learning takes place during the
interaction of the teacher and child during class discussions. Simply making up
the missed work does not begin to take the place of actual class attendance.
Students who enter class tardy are disruptive to classroom instruction and can
have a challenging time getting into the classroom routine. The same holds true
for students who leave early. It is important that students are here for the
entire day. We urge you to schedule medical and other appointments so that they
do not conflict with class time. If it is necessary to leave school before the
regular dismissal time, send a written note to the teacher indicating your
intentions.
We discourage vacations during the school year. However, we know for a variety
of reasons they may occur. Please send a note or letter in advance to the
teacher and the principal informing the school of your plans. The principal has
the responsibility of approving prearranged absences. We realize in the case of
a family emergency that this may not be possible. Teachers are not required to
provide assignments in advance. We would encourage students to read, keep a
written journal and practice math facts while out of school. Students can
complete make up assignments when they return.
If your child is absent, please call the school at (703) 753-7741. This is for
your child's safety. If you do not contact the school, it will be necessary for
the school office to contact you. The parent should also send in a note upon
the student's return explaining the absence. The note is to be given to the
classroom teacher. Students with excused absences are allowed two days for every
day of absence to make up work. Students are responsible for making up work
when they are absent.
BRINGING THINGS TO SCHOOL
Students should not bring toys, games, comics, trading cards, tape recorders, radios, sports equipment, bikes, rollerblades, skates etc. to school unless they have been asked to by their teachers (i.e. show and tell). The student will assume responsibility for any item brought to school. Students should under no circumstances bring anything that can be seen or used as a weapon to school.
BUS PASSES
Whenever it is necessary for a student to ride a bus other than the one he/she is normally assigned or get off at another stop, parents must send a note to school. The office will approve these.
CLASSROOM VISITATION AND VOLUNTEERS
Parents are welcome to observe classes at school. Please call the school first and set up a mutually agreeable time with your child's teacher. Also, because classroom instruction is in progress, please do not have a conference with the teacher during the observation. Please do not walk your child to class on a daily basis. Our students need to accept the responsibility of getting ready for class. We also invite and encourage parents to volunteer at Bristow Run. There are many ways in which you can help. The Prince William County School System requires all school visitors to sign in at the office or the welcome table and leave photo id. Visitors/Volunteers will be issued a visitor's pass.
CODE OF BEHAVIOR AND STUDENT RECOGNITION
We have high
expectations of our students. We believe that self-discipline leads to sound
instructional growth. Proper discipline is expected at the bus stop, on the
bus, on the way to/from school, in the hallways and bathrooms, in the
classroom, at lunch, and on the playground. Teachers will review the Code of
Behavior and the Bristow Run Elementary School Behavior Plan with students. In
addition, the principal will hold Code of Behavior assemblies with the
students. At Bristow Run, we are committed to providing the most effective
learning environment, which maximizes instructional time for all. In order to
achieve this goal, we have established a clear discipline and student
recognition plan. In addition, we focus on specific character traits, trying to
make a positive difference at school and not giving putdowns.
We also believe it is important to recognize our students for their successes,
hard work, good attendance,
strong character and excellent behavior. Each day we encourage our students
"to work hard, try your best
and be kind and respectful." We will send home a copy of our
Behavior/Recognition Plan with all
students at the beginning of the school year.
DRESS CODE
All students are expected to dress appropriately and maintain a reasonable appearance. The Prince William County Schools' Code of Behavior has addressed several areas that are considered improper dress in any Prince William County school. Students are required to dress modestly and meet the standards of health, safety, cleanliness and decency. Their attire shall not be disruptive to the learning environment. We are requesting that students not wear the following articles of clothing to school: articles of clothing that advertise and/or promote the use of drugs or alcohol, or that display vulgar and/or inappropriate language or images, outside jackets worn inside the building, pants worn below the waistline, hats, scarves, headbands, or any other type of head covering unless related to one's religious beliefs or practices; sunglasses, beachwear, sleeping apparel, undergarments worn as outer garments, white undershirts worn alone, halter tops, half-shirts, t-shirts and sweatshirts with waist-length arm holes, clothing that is too short or tight, see-through garments, bare midriff, long dresses, strapless dresses, spaghetti straps, tube or tank tops, bedroom slippers, flip-flops, high heels, shoes with cleats, shoes with wheels, socks only, jewelry or other items which could be regarded or used as a weapon. Shorts may be worn but must be longer than the end of the student's fingertips when arms are extended downward. Students must wear shoes. If sandals or clogs are worn, they should have a strap around the heel. We encourage children to wear sneakers or rubber soled shoes since they will be going outside for P.E. and recess. 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. Additional information is contained in the Code of Behavior.
HOMEWORK
The purpose of homework is to provide drill or practice of an idea already presented by a teacher. Homework may consist of activities or projects, which enrich, enhance, and extend a school experience, provide real-life application of a subject being studied, and/or develop an appreciation of a community resource. Homework will be incorporated as an integral part of the instructional program. The instructional objectives of homework and the weighting of homework in determining grades will be communicated to students and parents. All students should read or be read to at least 15-20 minutes a night depending on grade level requirements.
ILLNESS AND INJURY
Children may become ill or get injured at school. Whenever this happens, the school will contact the parent. All parents must provide the school with the name and telephone number of a person who can be contacted in cases of emergencies. It is very important that parents update emergency numbers as changes of the contact person occur.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
As the snow season approaches, please be sure you have made your children aware of what to do if schools are closed, open late, or close early. Parents should be particularly clear in their instructions regarding what to do if schools close early. A little advance planning will certainly help ease everyone's mind. Additional information will be provided to you.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
Language
arts, mathematics, social studies, and science are the four major areas of
study.
Students in grades kg-5 receive instruction in art, music, and physical
education. All students have library, guidance and computer lab. Fifth grade
students may elect to take strings. Reading resource, special education, and
gifted education services are also available. Please contact our assistant
principal for special education concerns, our gifted resource teacher for
information on the gifted education program and our reading resource teacher or
the classroom teacher for information on reading strategies.
LOST AND FOUND
Articles lost
by students are kept in the office where they can be claimed by students or
parents.
Periodically, articles will be displayed for identification purposes. Articles
not claimed after a reasonable length of time will be donated to a charitable organization.
Parents are requested to label all articles with their child's name.
LUNCHES
It is particularly important that students eat a wholesome meal at lunch. Nutritious lunches are available every day in the Bristow Run cafeteria. In addition to the complete lunch, fruit, milk, ice cream and desserts are offered at a reasonable price. Students who forget to bring lunch money can charge with the cafeteria cashier. A note will be sent notifying parents of the charge. Parents should send payment the next school day. Any student with two unpaid charge slips will not be permitted to charge again until the debt is paid. Lunch tickets are available for purchase. Checks should be made payable to Prince William County Food Service. Kg. students can purchase school snack.
MEDICATION
1. It is the
intent of the Prince William County School System to assist
parent(s)/guardian(s) by giving needed medication to students so that the
student may maintain school attendance.
2. It is the parent(s)/guardian(s) responsibility to provide the following for
prescription or non-prescription medication:
a. The parent(s)/guardian(s) needs to sign the Release and Indemnification
Agreement requesting Prince William Schools to dispense medication.
b. A written statement (pharmacy labels will be acceptable) from the
parent(s)/guardian(s) designating:
1. The title of the prescription or non-prescription medication; 2.The required
dosage; 3. The time intervals and 4. The duration of administration
c. Medication shall be in the original container.
3. If medication requires refrigeration, parents should check with the school
before sending in the medication to see if refrigerated storage is available.
Health Department rules do not permit the storage of medication in food
services' refrigerators.
4. The school will not be responsible for lost or spilled medications.
5. Parents need to bring the medication to the office themselves. Students are
not allowed to bring medication to school.
6. Students are not allowed to keep any medication in their possession while at
school. However, students may keep in their possession certain medication such
as prescription inhalers, bee sting medication, etc. Parents must make this
request of the school in writing.
PARENT ORGANIZATIONS
The Bristow
Run P.T.A. exists to promote the educational welfare of our children. Parents
are encouraged to join & participate in the activities of the P.T.A. We are
always looking for new ideas!!
The Bristow Run Advisory Council consists of parent & teacher
representatives. The Advisory Council advises the principal on the development,
implementation and evaluation of the school plan.
PARENT REQUEST TO MOVE STUDENT TO ANOTHER CLASS
At Bristow
Run, we take great care when forming classes. We consider many, different
variables when creating each class of students. This means your child may not
be placed in a class with the same teacher that his/her older sibling had or
with his/her best friend. We believe all our teachers are excellent and that
your child will have an outstanding year as they learn to adjust to different
teaching styles and classroom environments. We also feel that moving students
from one classroom to another is not always in the best interest of the student
being moved, the classroom he/she is moving from or the classroom he/she is
moving to. For these reasons, we tend not to move students very often and look
at any requests to move a student very carefully and in a precise manner. I
have outlined the procedures we will follow in the event you request a
different teacher for your child:
Step 1 - Meeting with the Classroom Teacher - When you believe your child is
unhappy or uncomfortable in her/his class, you must first meet with your
child's teacher to discuss the situation. More often than not, this meeting
will resolve your concerns.
Step 2 - Consulting with our school Guidance Counselor If after meeting with
your child's teacher, you still have concerns, you will need to contact our
school guidance counselor to set up an appointment with her and your child's
teacher to further discuss your concerns. Many times, this consultation will
resolve any concerns you have. The counselor may also meet with your child.
Step 3 - Intervention Planning conference - If concerns are still present, the
counselor, you and your child's teacher will discuss issues and mediation
strategies. The mediation strategies will be implemented for at least two
weeks. At the end of this time, the guidance counselor will follow-up with you.
Step 4 - Formal Written Request to Principal -In the unlikely event that
you/the teacher feel(s) that the issues or concerns have not been resolved and
a transfer is preferred, the principal is contacted. A written request for your
child's transfer is required from you. In this request, you must specify the
reason(s) you feel your child should be transferred. (Please note: All formal
written requests to move your child after your child has been in class for more
than twelve weeks will be strongly discouraged.) A conference with you, the
principal, the guidance counselor, and, possibly, your child's teacher may be
scheduled to discuss your concerns. A decision for or against the transfer will
be made as soon as feasible. Please note: The principal will make the final
decision regarding the new teacher. Neither the parent nor the student will
choose the teacher.
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS FROM PARENTS
During the
year, parents may have questions or concerns. If this is a classroom issue, it
is
important that parents contact the teacher first. If you wish to meet with the
administration to discuss your child's progress, classroom atmosphere, teacher,
and/or any other issue, please know that the teacher will be invited to the
meeting.
REPORT CARDS AND INTERIMS
Report cards are sent home every nine weeks. Interim reports are sent every 4 1/2 weeks.
STUDENT SAFETY AND SECURITY
To help
ensure the safety and security of our students, these procedures will be
followed:
1. All parents and visitors must report to the school office or Welcome Table
directly upon
entering the school. The Prince William County School System requires that all
visitors sign in
and leave photo identification. Visitors will then be issued a visitor's pass.
2. We have the "buddy system" for when students move from one part of
the school to another.
3. Keep your child's emergency information card, on file in the office,
up-to-date with valid phone numbers, emergency contact persons, and persons
designated to pick up your child from school.
4. Train your children not to become involved with strangers or to accept
rides, etc. and to report such occurrences to a responsible adult.
5. Parents, please notify the school immediately of any potentially serious or
unusual situations involving friends or relatives who may try to contact your
child at school. Our only interest in knowing this very private type of
information is for the protection of our students and staff.
6. Do not allow your older children in middle or high school to
"drop-in" for an unannounced visit. We do not issue visitor
privileges to older students during regular school hours or even after school
unless proper arrangements are made through the office.
7. Parents, please make appointments for conferring with your child's teacher.
"Drop-in" conferences are distracting and not always possible.
8. Be alert to strangers, unusual happenings or "cruising vehicles"
in your neighborhood. Please report unusual happenings, or potentially serious
problems, to the appropriate authorities and to the school.
9. We have an overall Emergency Plan to deal with specific safety issues.
10. Students must be signed out in the office and will not be released to
anyone other than those listed on the emergency cards without written
authorization.
TEXTBOOKS AND LIBRARY BOOKS
Students and parents are responsible for all books issued to them by their teachers or borrowed from the library. Parents will be asked to make restitution for all damaged or lost books.
DROP OFF & PICK UP PROCEDURES
AM Walkers
1. Crossing guards will be at Rustic Way and Worthington and at Braided Stream
and Worthington from
8:10 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. to assist students in crossing the street.
2. Walking students may enter the building at 8:15 am. Students will report to
the gym until 8:20 am.
3. Bicycles, skateboards, and roller blades are not permitted.
AM Drop Off (Parents Driving Students)
1. We have a student drop off area in front of the school. Please keep cars in
a single file. If you need or
wish to park, use the visitor parking spaces. Please do not leave an unattended
car in the drop off lane.
Students will be admitted to the building at 8:15 am. They will go to the gym.
AM Pick Up/PM Drop off (Kindergarten)
1. These procedures apply only if you plan to pick up or drop off your kindergarten
child.
2. AM parents may wait outside on the front sidewalk or inside the building. I
am asking that the
kindergarten teacher/assistant "hand off" your child to you. Please
let the teacher know if you will be
picking up your child. Parents, please let us know if you have pick up changes.
Please do not leave an
unattended car in the drop off lane.
3. If you plan to drop off your PM students, please come to the front sidewalk.
You may park in a visitor
space. Once AM students are either on the bus or have been given to their
parents, please "hand off"
your child to the teacher/assistant.
Afternoon Pick up
1. Walkers : If you are planning to pick up your child and you live in a
walking area, my suggestion is to either wait at the bottom of the hill on
Worthington Drive, meet your child at Rustic Way, or meet your child at Braided
Stream/Lawrence. Crossing guards are on duty from 3:00-3:30 pm. Walkers exit
the building through the cafeteria and out the side exit door. You may also
wait for your child on the sidewalk.
2. Bus riders and Pickups: If it is necessary to pick up your child, form a
single line in the student drop off lane. Please do not leave your car. We will
dismiss the children to the gym. We will have staff members assisting in the
loading of students from the gym exit. This is primarily for student's safety.
If you will be picking up your child on a daily basis, please complete a daily
pick up form. Please do not block the bus entrance/exit areas.
Important Note: Please do not arrive early and ask to pick up your child unless
you have an appointment. Instruction continues until 3:00 pm. If you need to
pick up your child for an appointment, please plan to arrive by 2:30 pm. Please
report to the office. Once we begin bus dismissal, cars will not be permitted
to leave until buses have been dismissed. All parties picking up a student from
the office must show a photo id and be listed on the student's emergency card.
THE BRISTOW RUN PLEDGE
"I will remember to be respectful, kind, trustworthy and a good citizen. I will be responsible for my actions, work hard and try my best. I will seek to make a positive difference at school."
SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
GOAL #1.1
Increase the percent of students who meet or exceed achievement performance levels.
GOAL #1.2 - Reduce the achievement gap for students of all backgrounds.
GOAL #2.2 Increase safe, responsible and healthy student behavior
GOAL #3.2 Develop and maintain strong school community partnerships tied to
improved student
achievement and work relations.
GOAL #3.3 Provide meaningful volunteer involvement
"A TEAM ON TRACK FOR THE FUTURE" - Working together - we do
everything better!
As a
- To attend school every day and be on time to all classes.
- To come to school prepared with books, paper, pencil, and any materials and
assignment as directed by teachers.
- To obey the directions of all Bristow Run staff members and follow the school
discipline plan.
- To maintain a positive attitude toward learning and believe in my ability to
succeed.
- To respect myself and the rights and property of others, strive for 5 in
character and make a positive difference at school.
The staff of Bristow Run Elementary accepts the responsibility:
- To provide a quality instructional program in an integrated setting for each
student.
- To provide an orderly classroom and safe school environment.
- To develop programs and activities which will respond to the social,
emotional, personal, and physical developmental needs of each student.
- To assist parents in helping their children develop self-discipline,
self-respect, and self-confidence to participate in school as a responsible
member.
-
As the parent of a Bristow Run Elementary student, it is my responsibility:
- To send my child to school each day on time, prepared with all necessary
materials, well-rested, and properly dressed.
- To check my child's work and homework on a regular basis.
- To provide my child with suitable study conditions at home (desk or table,
lights, books and supplies).
- To communicate with my child's teachers when I am concerned about my child's
work or health.
BRISTOW RUN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT
Bristow Run Elementary School is committed to the belief that all children will
learn to their fullest potential in a safe, respectful and motivating
environment of high expectations and continuous improvement in partnership with
our parents and community.
School hours:
1st - 5th GRADE SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Doors Open:
Morning class:
"I will remember to be respectful, kind, trustworthy and a good citizen. I
will be responsible for my actions, work hard and try my best. I will seek to
make a positive difference at school."
The
