Creighton’s Corner Elementary

Parent/Student Handbook

2011-2012

Kim Berkey, Principal

Dennis Racke, Assistant Principal

Michael Stine, Admin. Intern

23171 Minerva Drive

Ashburn, VA 20148

Office Hours:

7:15am – 3:45pm

Phone: 703-957-4480 Fax: 703-327-4164

Absentee Line: 703-957-4481

http://cmsweb2.lcps.org/creightonscorner

This handbook has been developed with the purpose of communicating school

policies, procedures, and services. Please take the time to read it over. This

document contains school information that you will find helpful throughout the

school year. Please keep it in a handy place for future reference.

Loudoun County Public Schools Creighton’s Corner Elementary School

23171 Minerva Drive

Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 703-957-4480

Fax: 703-327-4164

August 2011

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Creighton’s Corner Elementary, home of the Colts! If you’re new to us this year,

you’re definitely not alone! I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the information in this

handbook, volunteer at the school, and get involved with our PTA.

Here at Creighton’s Corner, students come first. We strive to “colt-ivate” excellence with a

school that is caring, safe, and orderly, which all help to foster a learning environment that is

conducive to student success. We focus on learning while also recognizing the diversity and

development of each child. Our students use a variety of resources and technology to enhance

their learning. We have effective, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable teachers who maximize

learning time by facilitating the instructional process and guiding each student to success.

The Loudoun County Public Schools curriculum provides students with learning opportunities

designed to support standards and benchmarks to achieve the skills necessary for them to become

positive and productive citizens. The curriculum is integrated and includes experiences that

make real-life connections.

At Creighton’s Corner, we believe that parents are an important part of the learning process.

Parents, teachers, and administrators must work together to help our children achieve high

academic and behavior expectations. If we work together, we can help every child realize their

greatest potential. With that said, we hope to see all our families as active members of the PTA,

a group with a great common interest - our children!

As you may know by now, our school is located in a high growth area. We currently serve many

neighborhoods, including approximately 10 which are still building houses. Since we opened,

our school has become a “Field of Dreams” where the phrase, “If you build it, they will come.”

especially holds true. A mere three years ago, it was my sincere honor and pleasure to open

Creighton’s Corner. When we opened our doors in September 2008, we had just 193 students.

Yes, you read that correctly I can honestly say that opening Creighton’s Corner was a labor of

love for me. Things have changed a bit since then and this fall we have reached the dubious

milestone of having over 1,000 students. With that growth comes new challenges. However,

even in a school this size, my priorities are still the same – providing a safe and caring

environment where your child can learn and grow, both academically and socially.

This year will be another exciting journey for all of us. On behalf of the entire staff, we are

looking forward to a great year and the opportunity to work with you and your child!

Sincerely,

Kim D. Berkey

SCHOOL CALENDAR

2011-2012

August 29 September 5

First Day of School for Students Holiday (Labor Day)

October 10 Holiday (Columbus Day)

November 4 End of the Grading Period

November 7 & 8

Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Days)

November 23-25 Holiday (Thanksgiving)

December 22 & 23/26-30

Winter Break

January 2 Winter Break (Classes resume January 3)

January 16 Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

January 20 End of Grading Period

January 23

Moveable Student Holiday* (Planning/Records/Conference Day)

February 20 Holiday (Presidents' Day)

March 30 End of Grading Period

April 2-6 Spring Break

April 9 May 28

Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Day) Holiday (Memorial Day)

June 8

Last Day of School for Students/End of Grading Period

*NOTE: Parents with child-care or other weekday scheduling concerns – dates of the Moveable Planning/Records/Conference Day between first and second semesters may change if the school calendar must be changed due to school closings for inclement weather or other emergencies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ATTENDANCE Absences

Tardiness

Early Dismissal

Emergency School Closings/Delayed Openings

School Hours

Vacations

BEHAVIOR STANDARDS Articles Brought to School

Cafeteria Behavior

Discipline

Gum

Responsibilities Handbook

Student Dress

KEEPING HEALTHY Bee Stings and Severe Allergies

Emergency Cards

Illness or Injury

Insurance

Medication at School

Physical Education

THE SCHOOL DAY Adult Entry to the Building

Changing After-School Arrangements

Communicating with Parents

Conferences

Emergency Drills

Field Trips

Homework

Interruptions to Instruction

Lunch

Party Invitations

Report Cards

School Library

School Telephone/Cell Phones

Solicitation

Textbooks

Visitors

Volunteers

TRANSPORTATION & Bicycles

TRAFFIC PATTERNS Bus Transportation

Traffic Regulations

Walking

SNOW DELAYED OPENINGS &

EARLY CLOSING INFORMATION

ATTENDANCE

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ATTENDANCE

Attendance at school on a regular basis is vital. We ask that you have your child attend school

each day that he/she is healthy. It is disruptive to your child's educational program when you

remove him or her from school for trips or family outings. Although written assignments can be

made up, the classroom activities and interactions with others in the school setting cannot be

replicated.

ABSENCES

When a student is unable to attend school, parents are required to notify the school by

calling the Absentee Line prior to 8:30am. Our Absentee Line is 703-957-4481. Whenever

a student is absent from school, documentation is required to verify the reason for absence. Any absence not confirmed by the parent will be considered unexcused. If the parent has not

called the school to verify the absence, the school will make a reasonable effort to call the parent

to verify the day’s absence. Upon the student’s return to school, a written explanation from

a parent or guardian is required for each absence. The note should include: date(s) of

absence, reason for absence, and a signature of the parent/guardian.

Students may be excused for personal illness, death in the family, medical or dental

appointments, court appearances, religious holidays, illness in the immediate family, or

emergencies.

If a student is absent for more than 10 days or 10% of the total number of days of

membership, whichever is determined appropriate, the school will send a letter to the

parents requiring a physician’s note for all future absences. At the principal’s discretion,

contact may be made sooner or waived due to extenuating circumstances.

As per Loudoun County Public Schools guidelines, when a student accumulates five

unexcused absences, a referral will be made to the Attendance Officer.

VACATIONS

Families are strongly discouraged from taking children out of school for family

trips/vacations. We want to ensure that students do not miss important instructional time.

If a parent chooses to schedule a trip/vacation during the regular school term, a letter must

be sent to the Principal, Mrs. Berkey, at least one week prior to the trip. The letter must

have the following information:

1. Student’s name

2. Date(s) of absence

3. Reason for absence

4. Purpose of the trip

5. What (if any) educational enrichment activities will be completed by the child

during the trip.

6. Which of the child’s grade level Virginia SOLs will be covered by the activities listed

in #5.

(continued on next page)

If no letter is received by one week prior to the trip, the absences will automatically be

unexcused. In addition, it is important to know that writing a letter does not guarantee

that the absence(s) will be excused. A multitude of factors are used to determine if an

absence will be excused. If the absences will be unexcused, you will be notified prior to the

trip.

Upon returning to school, students are expected to complete work missed during their absence.

Teachers cannot predict exactly where they will be instructionally several days ahead since the

pace of instruction is dependent upon student understanding. As such, teachers will not

provide work for children prior to a trip. Instead, you should plan for your child to make-

up any missed work when they return to school.

ABSENCES – FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME

Virginia State Policy states that any child who is absent from school for 15 consecutive school

days must be withdrawn, regardless of the reason. If the extended absence is due to a family

trip, parents must notify our school office at least one week prior to the trip. If the extended

absence is due to an illness, please contact the Assistant Principal to discuss Homebound

Instruction.

Please note that if a child is withdrawn from school due to an extended absence, the parent

will need to register the child again prior to the child returning to school. For grade levels

where we are on overflow, a child may lose their spot at Creighton’s Corner for the

remainder of the year.

TARDINESS

Children should be in their classrooms at 7:50am. Occasional tardiness for valid reasons is

not a serious offense; however, repeated or habitual tardiness encourages the formation of

undesirable personal habits and disrupts the orderly instructional process of the school. If a

child arrives after 7:50am, he/she must report directly to the office for a tardy pass. A

parent must escort their child to the office and assist him/her in obtaining a tardy pass to

class. (Please make sure you bring your Driver’s License to enter using the security

system.) Your presence at check-in is required to ensure the safety and well-being of the student.

In addition, the school will require the reason for lateness. If a child arrives unaccompanied and

documentation is not provided by the parent, the tardy will be unexcused. If a student is tardy

10 times, a letter will be sent to the parent as notification of the school’s concern for the

student’s non-attendance, and a physician’s note may be required for any future

tardies/absences. As per Loudoun County Public Schools guidelines, if the pattern of tardiness

does not improve, a referral will be made to the Attendance Officer.

EARLY DISMISSAL If you need your child to leave school early, please send a note to the teacher in the morning. If

circumstances arise during the day which creates the need for your child to be dismissed early,

please come to the school office and ask the secretary to call for your child. Please do not go

directly to the classroom. Teachers will not dismiss a child unless the office calls for them.

**Please note that to maximize instructional time, we only call students out of class once

the parent has arrived in the office.

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS/DELAYED OPENINGS When schools close because of a special condition (such as severe weather), announcements to

this effect are made over local radio and TV stations. You can also access this information

through the Loudoun County Web Page at www.lcps.org. The information on the LCPS Web

Page is updated regularly and there is a notification service that you can sign-up for if you

choose. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL WHEN YOU SUSPECT A POSSIBLE

EARLY CLOSING. The school phone lines must remain open for us to receive instructions

from the School Board Office and emergency personnel.

It is important that each child has a prearranged plan to follow if school closes early and an adult is not home. With your first day packet, you will receive an “Emergency Early

Dismissal” form which needs to be completed and returned to school. It is important that

you state clearly what your child is to do in the case of an early dismissal. Unfortunately, the

school cannot call home for each of our students during an early dismissal, so your child

needs to understand his/her early dismissal plan.

In case of a delay in the opening of school by either one or two hours, announcements will be

made over local radio stations and TV stations. In addition, LCPS will utilize the ConnectEd

message system to relay this information.

If school is delayed one hour – all programs will operate as usual, but they will start one hour

late. Exception – afternoon kindergarten will begin on time.

If school is delayed two hours – the following programs would be altered:

Morning kindergarten classes will begin two hours late (9:50am) and last for two hours,

dismissing one hour late at 11:50am.

Afternoon kindergarten classes will begin one our late (12:35pm) and last for two hours,

dismissing on time at 2:35pm.

FUTURA will operate as usual, but it will start two hours late.

SCHOOL HOURS

School hours are from 7:50am until 2:35pm daily. Students may enter the building beginning

at 7:30am. They are not permitted to arrive before this time because staff members are not

on duty for supervision. Parents who drop students off prior to 7:30am will be contacted

by the Principal or designee to resolve the problem.

AM Kindergarten is from 7:50am to 10:50am.

PM Kindergarten is from 11:35am to 2:35pm.

Our building will be open daily from 7:15am to 3:45pm.

BEHAVIOR STANDARDS

ARTICLES BROUGHT TO SCHOOL

The school encourages children to bring educationally related items with them for sharing.

However, these items should be of interest and value to the entire class and should be connected

with some phase of study. Extremely valuable items and those creating danger to others

(iPods, electronic games, knives, guns of any kind, slingshots, matches, etc.) should not be

brought to school.

Parents should make themselves aware of the School Board Policy regarding weapons in

the school. This is taken seriously and students who bring such items to school will be severely

reprimanded.

Toys, including any type of trading cards and toy weapons, should not be brought to school

for use during school hours. If your child is involved in CASA, they may bring items to use at

CASA, but must keep them in their book bags during school hours. The school is not liable for

items you send in for use at CASA. Live animals may be brought only with the prior

permission of the Principal.

CAFETERIA BEHAVIOR

Students are expected to sit quietly in the cafeteria and enjoy their food with friends. Good table

manners and conversation in a normal voice are encouraged. Once seated at their assigned table,

children are not allowed out of their seats, unless they have permission from the adult on duty.

Students are expected to eat their own lunch and will not be allowed to trade food. Children who

display inappropriate cafeteria behavior may be asked to move to another cafeteria table or eat

lunch in the office.

DISCIPLINE

Teachers have the authority and responsibility to maintain discipline in the classroom. When a

student is having a problem the teacher may: conference with the student, conference with the

parents, or use classroom disciplinary procedures. Children who continually disregard classroom

or school rules may be sent to an administrator. Depending upon the situation, the administrator

may:

1. Give the student a very stern warning.

2. Take privileges away from the student.

3. Separate the student from his classmates.

4. Assign work to be done.

5. Notify the parents of continuing problems.

6. Assign the student to in-school suspension.

7. Suspend the student from school.

GUM

Children are not allowed to chew gum on the school bus, or any time during school hours.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES HANDBOOK

In the beginning of each school year, every LCPS student receives a handbook setting forth

system rules and expectations for student behavior. This year, it will not be sent home as a hard

copy. Instead, it is available on the LCPS website at www.lcps.org under “Permanent Links.” It

is incumbent upon every parent to read this document carefully and help students

understand the rules and expectations our county has set forth.

STUDENT DRESS

The purpose of school is to learn. Student dress and appearance should be conducive to the

learning environment. Any clothing that distracts from learning is prohibited. This includes

any clothing that is very tight, short dresses, short skirts, and short shorts. Halter tops,

spaghetti-strap tops, tops that expose the midriff, saggy pants, clothing with inappropriate

language, symbols, or pictures, and cosmetics are all considered inappropriate for

elementary school. In addition, hats and bandanas/scarves are not to be worn in the building.

For safety reasons, shoes with wheels in the sole are prohibited while at school.

KEEPING HEALTHY

BEE STINGS AND SEVERE ALLERGIES

If your child has severe reactions to bee or insect stings, foods, or other allergies, please notify

the classroom teacher and school Health Clinic Assistant so that we may place the information in

a health file and coordinate a medical plan if needed.

EMERGENCY CARDS

At the beginning of the school year, a card is sent home with each student to list phone numbers

and persons to contact in case of an emergency. This emergency card is very important, so

please return it as soon as possible. Emergency cards should be kept up-to-date. If you move

or change your phone number during the year, we ask that you inform us immediately. We

must be able to reach you or an emergency contact if your child is sick or injured.

ILLNESS or INJURY

In case of illness or injury, a student will be cared for by our clinic aide. School personnel will

render first aid treatment only. If emergency medical treatment is necessary, the parents will be

contacted and if needed, 911 will be called. An emergency telephone number for parents and the

name and telephone number of the student's family doctor must be on file at the school. It is also

extremely important to give the school the name of a friend or relative that could be contacted in

the event we cannot reach the parent. (This information is contained on the emergency card.)

When a child becomes ill at school, the parent/guardian or designated emergency contact will be

notified and requested to make arrangements for the child to go home. It is very important that

the information on the Emergency Card be current and updated as changes occur.

A child who shows symptoms of illness (fever over 99.9, sever cough, etc.) or a

communicable disease SHOULD NOT be sent to school. A child must be fever free and/or

vomit free for 24 hours prior to his/her return to school.

INSURANCE Student accident insurance is available. Application forms are distributed to all students at the

beginning of the school year. Each student has a choice of 24-hour coverage or basic coverage.

LCPS does not carry medical or accident insurance to cover students injured at school.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

If a student needs to take medication while at school, the parent must supply the following

information on the required medical form:

1. Type of medicine

2. Dosage

3. Times to be given

4. Possible side effects

5. Parent/Guardian signature.

(continued on next page)

Medication must be in the original container labeled with the student’s name. All medicine,

prescription or over-the-counter, will be kept in the clinic during school hours. This

includes aspirin, cough drops, etc.

Any child who is receiving medication on a regular, daily basis that is prescribed by a

doctor must have a completed Medication Form prior to the administration of the

medicine. Parents must transport all medication in the original container. Students may

not transport medication in their backpack.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION Physical education is an important part of the educational experience. The development and

maintenance of a healthy body is essential for physical well being and good mental health. We

also believe that attitude development is an important part of education. We attempt to create an

atmosphere for the development of leadership, sportsmanship, and congeniality through our

physical education program. P.E. classes with the Physical Education teacher are provided three

times a week for all students in grades 1-5. If your child needs to be excused from P.E. for a

health reason, you will need to write a note to the P.E. teacher. If there are circumstances

where the child needs an extended excuse from P.E. or restriction from certain activities, the

school may request a note from a physician. Any child excused from P.E. class must also sit

out of physical activity during recess time. Children must wear tennis shoes with solid,

rubber soles for all physical education classes.

THE SCHOOL DAY

ADULT ENTRY TO THE BUILDING

We have a locked security system with a video camera surveillance system to screen adults that

access our building during instructional hours. You will be asked to produce your driver’s

license to verify your identity. Each adult will be asked to state the purpose of their visit to our

school. If identity cannot be verified or purpose of the visit cannot be established, the office

staff may deny access to the building. Once admitted, please go directly to the office and

please do not allow unscreened visitors to gain access with you.

CHANGING AFTER-SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS

All children are expected to go home or to their child care provider each afternoon. Any change

from the original dismissal plan must be given to the teacher in writing. If a student will be

visiting friends after school, please send in a note giving your permission. The note should

include the name of the child whose home he/she will be visiting. If we do not receive written

directions from the parent, the child will follow their normal daily dismissal plan.

Children will not be allowed to use the school telephone to make such arrangements during

instructional time.

**In order to make sure your child goes home the correct way, we must have

all changes in dismissal plans by no later than 1pm.

**Please refrain from using tiny paper or Post-Its for notes. It is far too easy

for these to get overlooked and we wouldn’t want your child to go home the

wrong way!

COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS Every effort is made to keep parents informed of what is happening at school. A school

newsletter that contains general school news is published each month. Each teacher also

provides a monthly newsletter, as well as other communications. It is essential that parents

take the time each evening to go through your child's backpack. Most schoolwork will be

sent home in the Friday Folder. Keeping informed will aid both the parent and child in keeping

organized and knowledgeable about what is happening in the classroom and the school.

CONFERENCES Our staff encourages frequent parent communications. All parents will be scheduled for a

conference during the first grading period. This is an important meeting to determine your

child’s academic strengths and areas needing improvement. It is also an opportunity for you to

establish a line of communication with your child’s teacher. The parents or teacher may request

additional conferences as the need arises. Please do not just drop by for an impromptu

conference with a staff member. Parents should contact the teacher ahead of time to

schedule a conference.

EMERGENCY DRILLS Fire drills are mandated by state law. Fire drills will be held once a week during the first month

of school and once a month thereafter. During a fire drill, each class has an exit route to an

outside area that is a safe distance from the building. Children are moved to these designated

areas in less than 90 seconds in a safe, quiet, and orderly manner. Other emergency drills such

as tornado, school lockout, and a school-wide evacuation drills are also practiced during the

school year. A school response plan is reviewed several times over the course of the school

year. Should you have specific questions about emergency response, please contact the Assistant

Principal or Principal.

FIELD TRIPS Field trips are an important extension of the curriculum. Teachers are encouraged to take field

trips to sites which are relevant to class studies. Parents are informed prior to the trip and are

asked for their written permission.

Parents are often asked to act as chaperones on field trips. As a chaperone, it is important that

you are vigilant in supervising the students you are responsible for. Parents who

chaperone a field trip may not bring other children on the trip.

If a parent will be driving his/her child home from a field trip, prior permission from an

administrator must be obtained.

HOMEWORK Homework is an extension of the learning that takes place in school. Homework can provide

practice that reinforces classroom learning and can provide opportunities for independent study,

research, and creative thinking. Parents can help their children by arranging a quiet, comfortable

place for the students to work and by seeing that assignments are completed. The LCPS

guidelines for the amount of homework given each evening are as follows: children in

grades one through three should be given no more than thirty minutes of homework each

night; children in grades four and five should be given no more than sixty minutes of

homework a night. Children in the primary grades are often asked to read nightly and study

math facts for their homework assignment.

Oftentimes teachers will assign long-term projects such as reports, research, or projects. The

expectation is that the children will learn to "pace themselves" and not save all of the work for

one or two nights. If you have a question about the amount of homework your child is

receiving (too much or too little) please discuss this with your child's teacher.

Reasonable make-up work is required of students who have been absent. If your child

misses school for a family trip, teachers will have his/her make-up work ready when you

return. Teachers will not have assignments ready for students prior to the trip.

INTERRUPTIONS TO INSTRUCTION

Please arrange after school plans prior to your child’s departure from home. Reminders

such as attendance at an after school activity or change in babysitter should be done before your

child arrives at school. Careful planning will eliminate classroom interruptions. If you are

delivering an item to your child during the school day, please bring it to the office and we will

see that it is delivered. Please respect the instructional staff’s working time and our students’

learning time.

LUNCH A nutritious lunch is served each day in the cafeteria. Milk is sold daily for those who choose to

pack their lunch. Children should not bring glass containers to school. Ice cream and chips are

also sold on designated days of the week.

When a child has $6.00 left in their account, we will stamp their hand with a horse so you know

to send in money. In addition, we send a ConnectEd message on Tuesdays when a child’s lunch

account balance is $6.00 or below. Please note that children will not be permitted to charge

lunch if there is no money in the lunch account. Also, children will not be permitted to call

home for lunch. The best way to prevent any “lunch crisis” is to establish a lunch account

of $6.50 for your child.

We ask that every child establishes a lunch account with a minimum balance of $6.50 for

emergencies that may arise, such as a forgotten lunch, spilled drink in the lunch box, etc.

This enables your child to get a hot meal or drink and take care of the situation without having to

call home. Please be sure to send $6.50 (cash or check) to your child’s teacher. Label the

envelope with your child’s name, teacher’s name, and student number. The cafeteria manager

will establish the account.

You can replenish your child’s lunch account by sending a check to school or by going on line to

www.pay4lunch.com. Please note that the online system may take three days to process the

money into your child’s lunch account.

Students are entitled to free or reduced price lunches or snack if the family qualifies. Forms are

sent home with every student at the beginning of school. Forms may also be obtained from the

office at any time of the year.

Cafeteria prices are as follows:

Student Breakfast - $2.00 Reduced Student Breakfast: 30¢

Student Lunch - $3.00 Reduced Student Lunch: 40¢

Adult Lunch - $4.00

PARTY INVITATIONS

To avoid hurt feelings, children should not distribute party invitations at school unless

every child in the class will receive an invitation.

REPORT CARDS The purpose of the report card is to inform parents of their children's academic and social

progress. Children in K-2 will use specific coding to help parents understand the progress their

child is making in the primary skills as well as personal development. In grades 3-5 are recorded

in the major subject areas as well as social and work habits. Report cards are issued four times a

year, about two weeks after the end of each nine-week grading period. Any student who shows a

marked drop in achievement, or who is doing poorly in any subject, will receive an interim report

midway through the grading period to inform the parents of any problems.

SCHOOL LIBRARY The library is open on a regularly scheduled basis and is supervised by the librarian. Library

classes are held for grades K-5 weekly. Classes are held for the purpose of library instruction

(continued on next page)

and to develop an enjoyment of the materials and books that are available. Students are allowed

to use the library during open library hours with the permission of their classroom teacher. They

may use the library to check out books or magazines, return books, do reference work, or work

on special projects. There is no fine for overdue books; although students will not be

allowed to check out additional books until overdue books are returned. If a book is lost or

damaged, the parent will be assessed a fee to cover the replacement cost of the book.

The library collection is constantly updated and expanded. Books are chosen for either their

educational or recreational value.

SCHOOL TELEPHONE/CELL PHONES Children may use the telephone in the office only in an emergency. Forgotten homework,

lunches, notes, etc., are not considered emergencies. Please remind your child of this. Cell

phones are permitted on school grounds, but should be off during school hours. Students are

not permitted to use their cell phone during school hours.

SOLICITATION According to school board policy 8-4, elementary schools shall not participate in the collection

of funds for charitable or other organizations, or otherwise permit students to engage in such

activities on school premises. To abide by this policy, we ask that our students not bring items

from a non-school organization to sell to staff and students. Examples of this include older

siblings fund raising items, sports fundraising items, Girl Scout cookies, Boy Scout popcorn, etc.

TEXTBOOKS Textbooks are provided to all students in Loudoun County free of charge. However, the parent

assumes the responsibility of compensating the school for book loss and/or damage. If a book is

lost, misused, or damaged beyond reasonable repair, the parent must pay to replace the

book. Textbooks are not for sale to students. Parents should carefully check books at the

beginning of the year and return the signed book loan form to the school.

VISITORS

We try to maintain a friendly and welcoming environment, while at the same time striving to

maintain high standards of safety for your children.

Visitors are always welcome! To ensure the safety of students and staff, parents or other

visitors must go directly to the office before visiting any other area of the building. All

visitors entering the school must sign in and wear a "Visitor Badge" while in the building.

In order to protect instructional time, interruptions to the classrooms are kept to a minimum.

Office personnel will forward any items such as forgotten books, homework, lunches, etc., and

any messages to the students. We ask that you not drop by a teacher's classroom unexpectedly

for a conference. (This includes arrival and dismissal times.) Instead, please call and arrange

a time with the teacher, so you can have his or her full attention!

If a staff member observes a visitor who is not wearing a Visitor Badge, he/she

will ask the visitor to report to the office and get a badge. Your cooperation

with this LCPS policy is greatly appreciated!

VOLUNTEERS Parents are invited to share their talents and expertise in many ways throughout our school. The

basic requirements for volunteer service are an interest and pleasure in working with children

and a commitment to volunteering.

Parents can assist teachers in the following activities: classroom tutors, aides, storybook readers,

art, computer aides, field trip chaperone, or a community resource person. Parents can also

provide clerical assistance to office staff, as well the classroom teachers. Additionally, we are

always in need of parental assistance for the many PTA activities that take place during the year.

All volunteers who work directly with children must show proof of a tuberculosis test. This

documentation will be kept on record in the school office.

While volunteering, there may be times that you see or hear things that are considered

confidential. As you can imagine, we expect that all our volunteers will use discretion and

maintain confidentiality regarding anything they see or hear while volunteering in the

building.

TRANSPORTATION

AND TRAFFIC PATTERNS

BICYCLES

Due to safety concerns, bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, motorbikes, skate boards, roller

skates, in-line skates, and heelies are not permitted at school.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Bus routes and stops are planned and established by the LCPS Transportation Department.

Students will receive instruction in Bus Safety Rules at the beginning of each school year. It is

extremely important that we take the necessary precautions in transporting students safely to and

from the school. We appreciate your cooperation with the following:

1. Please review the bus safety rules with your child, including safety at the bus stop. Stress

the importance of following these safety rules at all times.

2. If your child is to take a different bus or get off at a different bus stop, a written

note must be given to the teacher. The office will then issue a bus pass to your child.

3. No live pets of any kind may be transported on the school bus.

4. No glass containers are permitted.

5. Bus transportation to and from school is a privilege, there fore any student who

does not abide by the bus safety rules may have their bus riding privileges

suspended.

Children are expected to display appropriate behavior while waiting at the bus stop.

Parents are responsible for their child’s behavior at the bus stop and any child who

repeatedly has bus-stop problems may be asked to go to another bus stop, or may lose bus-

riding privileges.

PONY EXPRESS

Our parent drop-off lane is called the Pony Express. In the morning, students may be dropped

off from 7:30am to 7:50am. Classes begin promptly at 7:50am. Per LCPS policy, students

arriving after 7:50am should be escorted to the office by a parent.

If you choose to drive your child to school, please help us keep our children safe and traffic

flowing smoothly by following these guidelines:

For any student being driven to school, vehicles must use the 2nd

Minerva Drive entrance. Please stay to the right and make your way around to the portico outside the music room. This is

our Pony Express Lane. Please remember to pull as far forward as possible to keep the flow

of traffic moving. For safety, children should exit from the passenger side of the vehicle onto

the sidewalk. For the safety of our students, please DO NOT PASS other cars that are in

front of you.

Students may not be dropped off in the parking lot. (NO EXCEPTIONS) Creighton’s

Corner staff members are on duty each morning to welcome your child into the building,

(continued on next page)

allowing you to remain in your car. If your child needs assistance with a child lock, heavy door,

etc., please wave to a staff member and we’ll be glad to help Students should be ready to get

out of the car as soon as you stop at the sidewalk.

If for some reason, you need to get out of your car in order to drop-off your child, you

should park in a parking space and walk your child across to the sidewalk.

In the afternoon, if you are picking up a child, please be in the Pony Express at 2:35pm.

Students will wait in the building until we call for them. Please be sure to have a blue

placard in your window with your child’s name on it. Placards are available in the main

office.

TRAFFIC FLOW AND REGULATIONS

Please follow all directional signs in the school parking areas. We have four designated

visitor parking spaces (and plenty of others that are unmarked). Please refrain from

parking in the Pony Express lane, even for a quick trip into the school. If you park in the

Pony Express lane, you will be asked to move.

For safety reasons, car traffic is prohibited in the bus loop during school hours. If you

park in the bus loop, you will be asked to move.

To ensure student safety, the following procedures will be followed:

1. As you enter the school property, all cars should drive to the second entrance of the

school. A car line will form in front of the music entrance; this is our Pony Express

lane. If you cannot pull into the Pony Express lane because traffic is backed up, a

car line will form on Minerva Drive turning right into the school.

2. Children should be dropped off along the sidewalk in front of the music room

entrance. Please pull as far forward as possible, to allow as many cars to unload as

possible. All children should get out of their car the first time it stops at the

sidewalk. Parents should remain in the car – we can assist any students who need

help.

3. For the safety of our students, do not pass other vehicles in the Pony Express lane.

4. Children are not allowed to be dropped off in any of the parking spaces. If a parent

chooses to drop-off a child in a parking space, the parent must park his/her car and

accompany the child across the parking lot and onto the sidewalk. 5. Morning Kindergarten students who are car riders will be picked up in the Pony Express

lane at dismissal.

6. The afternoon dismissal line for cars is on the front left side of the building in the Pony

Express lane. Cars should pull all the way forward to allow as many cars to get into the

line as possible.

WALKING

Per the LCPS Transportation Department, due to ongoing heavy construction traffic in

close proximity to the school and for the safety of students who live on the other side of

Minerva Drive, Transportation will provide a bus stop at the corner of Minerva and

Gardenwalk. We strongly encourage parents to utilize this bus stop.

**Students who walk do so at their own risk. (continued on next page)

If parents in the Gardenwalk, Minerva, Virginia Rose, Waterleaf, and Fallen Hills areas

choose to have their child walk to school, please understand that we do not have a crossing

guard assigned to us from the Sheriff’s Department and we are not permitted to place a

“civilian” in the road to act as a crossing guard. However, we will have a staff member

posted as an observer on the corner of our school property at Gardenwalk and the bus

entrance.

In future years, we will only have an official “walking zone” if the Loudoun County

Sherriff’s Department determines that we qualify for a crossing guard.

Creighton’s Corner Elementary School

1 Hour Delay

Kindergarten AM 8:50-10:50am

Kindergarten PM 11:35am-2:35pm

Grades 1-5 8:50am-2:35pm

2 Hour Delay

Kindergarten AM 9:50-11:50am

Kindergarten PM 12:35-2:35pm

Grades 1-5 9:50am-2:35pm

1 Hour Early Closing

Students are dismissed at 1:35pm, lunch is served, and all after school

activities (including CASA) are canceled.

2 Hour Early Closing

Kindergarten AM class is dismissed at 10:50am.

Kindergarten PM class is canceled.

Grades 1 – 5 Dismissal is at 12:35pm, lunch is served early, and all

afternoon activities (including CASA) are canceled.