FUQUAY-VARINA ELEMENTARY

PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2016-2017

APPROPRIATE DRESS FOR FUQUAY STUDENTS

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A complete copy of the dress code adopted by the Wake County Public School System will be in your student handbook. Shirts and blouses must cover the stomach. Caps, hats, or scarves may not be worn indoors except for religious or other cultural custom requirements. Spaghetti straps, strapless shirts, halter tops, bike shorts, sagging pants, see-through clothing, exposed underwear, inappropriate slogans, and any slogans on the seats of students’ pants are not permitted. All shorts and skirts must be of a reasonable length. If your child is dressed inappropriately, we will contact you for a change of clothes. Skate shoes are not permitted at school at any time. For safety reasons, tennis shoes, sneakers, or some type of rubber-soled shoes must be worn for physical education classes and recess each day. Students who wear flip-flops, clogs, etc., will not be permitted to participate in recess or physical education activities.

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL ON TIME/SCHOOL HOURSSchool hours are 9:15-3:45. Our first bell rings at 8:45, when students may report to their classrooms. Students may not be dropped off at school before 8:45 unless they are enrolled in the Early Arrival Program. Students who are not enrolled in the Early Arrival program should remain with their parents until the 8:45 bell. Breakfast begins at 8:45, and students should be in their classrooms by 9:15. Students who arrive after 9:15 are considered tardy. Late arrival, after the school day has begun, puts children at a disadvantage because they miss valuable classroom instruction. If you arrive after 9:15, please escort your children into the front office. Teachers lose time from scheduled learning activities when they must stop to repeat instructions for children who are late. We appreciate your efforts in ensuring that your child arrives at school on time. Please note, if your child is tardy or absent you will receive an automated phone message from WCPSS. ALL STUDENTS WHO ARRIVE ON CAMPUS IN THE MORNING BY PRIVATE VEHICLE MUST USE THE CARPOOL AREA AND SYSTEM. These procedures are for your child’s safety and we thank you in advance for your diligence in this area. Please follow the procedures listed in the carpool section.

ATTENDANCE/LEAVING SCHOOLAbsence from school is excused for the following reasons: illness or injury; quarantine; death in the immediate family; medical or dental appointments; court when a student is under subpoena; religious observances; and participation in a valid educational opportunity. If your child is absent, please send a note to school when he/she returns. If we do not receive a note explaining that the absence was for one of the reasons listed, we must record the absence as unexcused. To be considered present at school, students must be in attendance at least one-half of the student school day. This time is 12:30 pm. Please refer to Board Policy 6000. We think every school day is important, so we hope you will schedule your family vacations during breaks or over the summer. Excused absences can be requested for religious reasons and for some educational reasons. Forms for requesting excused absences for either of these reasons are available through the office. These requests must be made in advance and submitted to the principal for review. Family trips, reunions, and vacations will

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not be considered excused absences. Parents may decide that a trip is in their family’s best interest and choose to accept it as an unexcused absence. For all absences, the student shall make up all work in a timely manner at the convenience of the teacher. The make-up work may be specific material missed by the student, reinforcement, or enrichment. If it is necessary for a parent to take his/her child from school during school hours, the parent should come to the office and sign the child out in the appropriate book on the desk in the office area. Office personnel will call your child from the classroom after you arrive. Teachers are not permitted to release students directly to parents during the school day, and they will ask the parent to return to the school office for authorization. If the student returns to school that day, he/she should report to the office with his/her parent, to be signed in and readmitted to class. If you have an unexpected transportation change that you cannot request in writing, please call the office prior to 3:00. We have a high volume of parents calling to request transportation changes and need time to notify your child’s teacher. The office staff spends an extraordinary amount of time each afternoon taking these calls. Please try to make arrangements with your child before the school day. BOOK BAGSWe ask that students not use rolling book bags. First, they are a safety concern as large groups of children walk in the hallways and to and from the buses in the morning and afternoon. Second, there is insufficient storage space in the classrooms for rolling book bags. If there is a medical concern, we will absolutely make accommodations.

BUS TRANSPORTATIONAll students who are bus riders are to ride to and from school on the bus that the transportation department has assigned to them. Students shall board and leave the bus only at the designated bus stops. The principal or assistant principal must approve any changes in bus assignments.Each student transported on a school vehicle must be considerate of the safety and well being of fellow passengers. Misconduct on the bus can distract the driver’s attention from his/her primary responsibility, which is to transport all students to and from school in a safe, orderly manner.Due to concerns of many citizens, the Wake County School Board has adopted specific rules and procedures to deal with bus transportation. These rules and procedures are listed below. Parents and students are asked to become familiar with these rules. 1. Show respect for the driver at all times.2. Enter and leave the bus without pushing or crowding.3. Be seated at all times while the bus is in motion.4. Talk using a quiet tone of voice and without profane or abusive language. Do not yell out of the windows.5. Keep the bus clean and avoid littering. 6. Refrain from consuming food or beverages on the bus.7. Remain in your seat without placing any part of your body out of the window, without climbing or jumping over seats, and without throwing objects.8. Refrain from fighting on the bus.

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9. Avoid tampering with bus and equipment. Refrain from touching emergency door or exits unless an emergency warrants use.

The driver of the school bus will report promptly to the principal or assistant principal any misconduct on the bus or disregard/violation of the driver’s instructions by students. The principal or assistant principal will follow the guidelines set by WCPSS as they relate to bus misconduct.The principal or assistant principal may exclude a student from the bus for disciplinary reasons, and the parents will be responsible for providing the student’s transportation to and from school during the period of such exclusion. A driver who determines that a student is unmanageable and that the misconduct of the student is placing the safety of the other passengers in jeopardy will complete a Bus Discipline Form. *First Offense:The assistant principal or principal will conference with the student regarding appropriate bus behavior and give him/her a warning not to repeat any inappropriate behaviors. A report will be sent home with the student that will need to be returned with the parent’s signature. *Second Offense:Another disciplinary conference will be held with the student. A consequence could be given depending on the infraction. The assistant principal or principal will call the parents regarding the incident and a report will be sent home with the student that will need to be returned with the parent’s signature. * If a student is involved in a fight or other dangerous activity or displays extreme disrespect towards the driver, he/she could be suspended from the bus on the 1st or 2nd offense.Third Offense:Another disciplinary conference will be held with the student. The parent will be called and notified of the situation and the number of days that the student will be suspended from the bus. (It will be the parent’s responsibility to transport the student to and from school for the entire suspension period.) Absences from school during the suspension period will be considered unexcused. Any further infraction will subject a student to an additional suspension from the bus.

Riding the school bus is a privilege. Improper conduct on the bus will result in that privilege being denied. Inappropriate behavior that distracts the bus driver’s attention is NEVER permitted. CAFETERIA MEALS (Current prices, subject to change.)Student Lunch full price-$2.25 reduced price-$.40Student Breakfast full price-$1.25 reduced price-free Meals may be paid for in advance. Checks payable to the Fuquay Varina Elementary Cafeteria should include the student’s name and lunch account number. Additional information about payment options can be found at www.myLunchMoney.com. These options include having your bank account or your credit card charged on the 1st of each

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month for payment of your child’s lunch money. Students who forget their money will be served unlimited fruits and vegetables. Questions about free and reduced lunch can be referred to (919) 856-2920.

CANDY AND GUMCandy may be used as an occasional treat, but will not be used as a reward or motivation to learn. Gum is not allowed at school at any time. CARPOOL All students who arrive on campus in the morning or leave in the afternoon by private vehicle must use the carpool area and system. It is extremely unsafe to park and walk through the bus loop and we appreciate you adhering to the carpool procedures. If you need to enter the building in the morning, we suggest that you drop off your child in carpool, park, and then walk to the building. For arrival, you may not drop your child off in the parking lot and have them walk across the bus lane to get into school. You may not park your car in the parking lot and walk your children into the building. You may not enter the building to pick up students in the lobby area at the end of the day. If you do not like to wait in the carpool line, you may arrive at 4:00 p.m. and can drive right up to pick up your children.

It is important that parents make great choices in our carpool line by adhering to the following carpool behaviors:

1. Have a Positive Attitude● Be patient, kind and friendly to other drivers and staff

2. Be a Distraction Free Driver● Put away your cell phone, secure your pet and no children in your lap while

driving 3. Honor Procedures

● Post your number, mind the cones and release children out of the passenger side of the car

4. Model Safety● Keep children buckled up and GO SLOW!

Highlights of procedures for a.m. carpool· Parents will enter the carpool line at the entrance off of Johnson Pond Road. The front circle will be used for unloading all bus, day care and cab students. Due to the large volume of traffic at times, we will divert the carpool line through to the back carpool circle to accommodate the number of vehicles and to provide a safer location than waiting on Johnson Pond Road. You will not be able to enter or exit the parking lot during carpool hours unless you away from the carpool line. · Carpool begins at 8:45 a.m. and will be attended by Fuquay staff. We will assign staff members to strategic locations to ensure children’s safety. Students will be directed to enter the building through the main entrance. Students may not arrive at school before 8:45 unless they are enrolled in the FVES Early Arrival Program.

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· We have a designated area at the front of the drop off area for a staff member to assist children with unloading. Otherwise, students will be opening car doors rather than waiting for staff members. Highlights of procedures for p.m. carpool· Parents will enter the carpool line at the entrance off of Johnson Pond Road for loading in the back circle.· Again, we will divert the carpool to the back carpool circle to accommodate the volume of cars. · Students may not be signed out through the office after 3:20 p.m.· Children will be seated quietly in the multipurpose room until their carpool numbers are called, at which time they will proceed outside to the designated cone and be assisted by our staff and safety patrol.

● All carpool students should be picked up by 4:00 p.m. If you arrive after 4:00 p.m., please sign your child out in the office.

● Parents should not wait in the school at dismissal time for carpool students. All students should be picked up in the carpool line by vehicle.

● Please note inclement weather may cause a delay or temporary halt in the dismissal procedure and we appreciate your patience in these types of situations.

CCK/Pre-K CARPOOL

Carpool for pre-k and CCK students will be held at the end of the kindergarten hall. Parents will be instructed to turn at the blue Fuquay School/Park sign and drive all the way down to the lower parking lot behind the field to loop around. (please do not turn around in the gravel driveway near the trailers) The passenger-side doors of the cars should be facing the building. One TA will be positioned at the road and one TA will be standing at the door. 3 cars will be loaded at a time by the assigned TA at the road; parents will be allowed to exit the car to load and unload their child & buckle/unbuckle carseats but will notbe allowed to walk their child to/from the door in order to keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible. If a parent/teacher needs to conference, that needs to be arranged for another time & place. Older siblings of students may be picked up/dropped off at pre-k/CCK carpool but need to come straight to the kindergarten hall after school in a timely manner. If the pre-k student/CCK student is absent, the older sibling will need to go to big carpool that day(s).

CHANGE OF ADDRESS, NAME, OR PHONE NUMBERPlease notify the school office or your child’s teacher of any change in address or phone numbers so that we have accurate, up-to-date information for all students. All parents must provide us a phone number (work, mobile, pager, etc.) where they can be reached during the school day in case of an emergency.

CLASS DOJO Teachers are expected to communicate student accolades and concerns via Class DOJO. Students will earn points for expected behavior and can lose points for

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failure to follow expectations. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions about Class DOJO.

CONFERENCESOur teachers are committed to planning interesting, challenging lessons for all of our students, and we work hard to eliminate unnecessary disruptions to the very important work our students and teachers do during the school day. Therefore, we request that you schedule conferences in advance with your children’s teachers. Teachers use their time before the students arrive in the morning, their planning periods, and frequently their lunch breaks to plan instruction for your children. They are required to attend meetings many afternoons. Unexpected conferences can put them, and your children, behind before they even get started. Scheduling conferences in advance will help your child and all the other children in the class.

CUSTODY/VISITATION AGREEMENTSJudges’ orders regarding custody and visitation are kept on file in the school office so that staff are aware of who is authorized to pick up a child. Please make sure that the school receives an official copy of the judge’s ruling as we are not required to honor a parent/guardian’s interpretation of a court order. Any changes in court orders should be given to the office as soon as possible.

DELAY OR CLOSING OF SCHOOL

Information on closing or delay of school due to inclement weather is available at http://www.wcpss.net/ on television, on the radio, on our Twitter account and on our website http://www.wcpss.net/fuquayvarinaes. Make-up days are determined by district officials and will be announced once they are determined. Please do not bring your child to school early when we have a delayed opening. The decision to delay school due to severe weather is for the safety of staff as well as students, and no one will be here to supervise your children. Delay of school also means a delay in the early arrival program for the same amount of time. Breakfast will not be served if there is a weather delay Early dismissal of school also means a cancellation of the after school program. Make-up days will be announced once the county has determined what they will be. In the case of half days, students must be in attendance for the entire ½ day to receive credit for attendance. Late arrivals and early departures will be counted absent. **Please ensure that your child knows what to do in a inclement weather situation. We will send your child home the normal way unless we have other communication.

DIRECTORY INFORMATIONDirectory information (student’s name, grade, school, dates of attendance) may be made public without permission unless a parent/guardian annually requests that information not

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be released. In addition, news and educational organizations may photograph individuals or groups of students as they engage in the educational process. If you object to the release of directory information and/or your child being photographed, please notify the school office in writing within 20 days of receipt of this notice.

DISMISSALUnless we receive written instructions from you to the contrary, we will always send a child home his/her usual way. Any transportation changes must be requested in writing by a parent or legal guardian. If your child will ride home with another student, we need notes from both families. If you have an unexpected transportation change that you cannot request in writing, please call the school office prior to 3:00 and we will notify your child’s teacher. If a student is to be picked up by someone other than a parent, a note must be sent to the teacher stating who will pick the child up. If we are not familiar with the person who you send to pick up your child, we will ask for identification. ALL STUDENTS WHO LEAVE CAMPUS IN THE AFTERNOON BY PRIVATE VEHICLE MUST USE THE CARPOOL AREA AND SYSTEM. YOU MAY NOT ENTER THE BUILDING TO PICK UP STUDENTS IN THE LOBBY AREA. Due to safety of your students, we ask that students either arrive and dismiss to and from campus via carpool or bus transportation. If you plan on having your student walking or riding a bike to and from school, please talk to an administrator to discuss your safety plan. If you find it necessary to check your child out of school early, please do so before 3:20 pm. We are unable to check children out after 3:20 as we are preparing for dismissal.

Please sign up for Twitter in order to receive tweets about bus departure from campus each day.

ALL DISMISSALS THROUGH THE OFFICE ARE BEFORE 3:20 pm. WHY?

To ensure a safe and orderly dismissal by office staff.To limit traffic in the building when students are moving to various dismissal areas

But what if… My child has an appointment… Send the teacher a note so the teacher can be sure that the student has all necessary materials and assignments ready when called. Check your child out in the office before 3:20 pm.

I’ve been called to pick up a sick child… Of course we will get your child the minute you arrive.

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DOGSIf you bring your dog to school at drop-off or dismissal time, please have him/her wait in your car. Dogs in cars in the carpool lane should be restrained. Service animals, of course, are permitted around and inside the building at any time.

EARLY RELEASE DAYSEarly release dates for 2016-2017 are: September 9, September 30, October 21, December 2, January 20 and February 10th. We will dismiss at 1:15 pm on these days.

EVENING/WEEKEND EVENTSStudents may not attend evening or weekend events unless supervised by an adult. (They may not be dropped off and then picked up. A supervising adult must be present, and the student must stay with the adult at all times.) The same expectations for student behavior apply at evening and weekend events as during the school day, including our dress code. FIELD TRIPSParent or legal guardian permission is required for student participation in field trips. We must have the signed permission slip before a student can leave school. It is very disappointing to a student when he or she is left behind, but we have no choice. There will be no exceptions to this policy.Parents who participate in field trips may not bring pre-school age siblings or siblings from other classes. Students participating in field trips must travel to and from the event with their classmates. FOOD BROUGHT TO SCHOOLFood-related illness caused by improperly prepared food brought in from the community is a public concern. In an effort to reduce the risk of a food-related illness with our students, we request that parents refrain from bringing in certain home-prepared foods and/or foods from noncommercial sources. High-risk foods are foods of animal origin (eggs, meat, milk, etc.). Additionally, the number one cause of foodborne illness is improper temperature control. Foods that need refrigeration (meat and cooked vegetable salads, milk, meat, etc.) carry the most risk. Under no circumstances should the following food items be brought in from homes: · Ground beef products (hamburgers, casseroles, or dishes containing ground beef)· Venison in any form · Unpasteurized milk or juices or products made from unpasteurized milk (such as butter, cheese, or ice cream). These foods have traditionally been involved in E. coli outbreaks and young children are particularly susceptible to this organism.The following drier foods carry a lower risk. These foods are accepted with relatively small risk for classroom activities:· Cookies· Cakes with commercial frosting (avoid cream fillings)· Fruit pies (avoid cream and custard pies and pastries)· Breads not containing pieces of fruits or vegetables· Canned, bottled, and boxed drinks

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Any fresh fruits or vegetables brought in should be from commercial sources and washed thoroughly before being eaten. Again, we want to keep our students safe and need your support in following the food guidelines. (Information and guidelines provided by the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources.) HEALTH ROOM/MEDICATION POLICIESThe Health Room is located near the receptionist/office area. This area is for students who are ill or injured and are waiting to be picked up. Sick students do not belong at school. Your child will be sent home if he/she has the following symptoms:

● Temperature of 100 degrees or higher (A child should remain at home for 24 hours after the temperature has returned to normal, without medication.)

● Nausea, vomiting (A child should remain at home for 12 hours after being sent home for throwing up.);

● Severe headache;● Diarrhea;● Red, watery eyes with yellowish discharge;● Undiagnosed rash; and/or● Head lice. (Students will need to be checked upon returning to school to control

outbreaks in the school.)School officials may administer medications to students only if one of the two following guidelines is met:1. The Parent Request and Physician Order for Medication (Form 1702) is completed and in the possession of school officials. The physician must sign this form. The medication must have a current prescription label, including the child’s name, medication name, doctor’s name, and the directions clearly marked on the container. For long-term medications, the request must be updated at the beginning of each school year and any time there is a change in the time given or the dosage prescribed. The medication prescribed and the container must match Form 1702.2. Children who may need to take short-term medications (2 weeks or less) also need a completed Form 1702 requesting school personnel to administer the short-term medication (i.e., antibiotics, ointments, lotions, or syrups). The medication must be in the container dispensed by the pharmacy (request two bottles or containers from the pharmacy, one for home and one for school, for your convenience), and it must have the current prescription label on it with the child’s name, medication, doctor’s name, and the directions clearly marked on the label.

For non-prescription medication (i.e., cough syrup, cough drops, Benadryl, Tylenol, etc.) a completed Form 1702 must also be present. (If your child’s doctor wants your child to take a nonprescription drug at school, you need to request that the doctor write a note which will have directions for dispensing the medicine.)Please note: No medication will be administered without a 1702. All medications must be brought to the school by the parent. If this is not possible, arrangements must be made with the principal or the bus driver to transport the medication.

HOMEWORK POLICYThe following are school-wide expectations for homework:

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FVES utilizes homework to enrich, remediate and reinforce standards that have already been taught in class.

Fuquay-Varina’s homework policy aligns with the guidelines of WCPSS Board policy 5510. The following are average daily time frames a student may spend on homework according to their grade level:

Kindergarten: 10 minutes plus 10 minutes of readingFirst Grade: 15 minutes plus 10 minutes of readingSecond Grade: 15 minutes plus 20 minutes of readingThird Grade: 20 minutes plus 20 minutes of readingFourth Grade: 30 minutes plus 20 minutes of readingFifth Grade: 40 minutes plus 30 minutes of reading

Requests for assignments for an absent student can be received the day of the student’s absence before noon or the day the student returns to school. The assignments will be available for pick up in the office the following morning if requested when a student is absent. Please remember teachers will not be interrupted while teaching to produce student assignments. For absences of one to three days, the student will have one day for each day absent. For absences exceeding three days, the student may have two days for each day absent to make up the work. Special consideration will be given in the case of an extended absence due to injury or chronic illness.

The following are grade/subject specific expectations for the completion and grading of homework:

● Homework will be reviewed by the teacher to ensure students have an understanding of the material. Grades will not be taken on daily homework; however, completion of homework will be factored when reporting a student’s work habit grade.

● Homework will not be given as punishment or behavior consequence.

ILLNESSES Fuquay Varina has a health room where students will be sent if they are sick. The office staff will handle situations as they occur. Parents are generally called to make a decision as to whether a child should stay at school or go home. Temperatures 100 degrees or higher automatically results in a child going home. The child must be free of fever for 24 hours before returning to school. Additional symptoms, such as an undiagnosed rash, head lice, pinkeye, vomiting or diarrhea require immediate pick up by a parent.

INTERNET USESchool computers will be used only for instructional purposes. Schools will no longer send the “Parental Request to Deny Access” form home to all students at the beginning of a school year. The following information has been added to the WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook:Student Internet/Email Opt Out OptionYou have the option of denying your child access to the Internet and/or prohibiting him/her from obtaining a district issued email account. To exercise this option, please complete and return the Parental Request to Deny Access form provided by your school.

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INVITATIONS/REQUESTS FOR CLASS LISTSThe PTA Directory is the best source for class information. Teachers and staff members cannot assist with this process. It is preferred that invitations to parties are mailed or emailed from home. However, if your child brings invitations to school for a party at home, please make sure all children in the class are invited. Otherwise, please make other arrangements to distribute invitations outside of the school environment.

LEAVING A MESSAGE FOR TEACHERSTeachers are in the classroom providing instruction to your children. Email and telephone messages will be returned. Please allow a 24-hour return on these. Please do not contact teachers at home unless they have confirmed that it is okay to do so. The instructional day is important for our students. The morning arrival time is especially important as it sets the tone for the day. Parents are not permitted in classrooms unless they are volunteering or have a conference. Please do not plan to drop in or touch base with a teacher as it takes precious time away from our students.

LOST AND FOUNDPlease label your child’s personal belongings. This will help teachers and staff members locate lost items. Do not allow your child to bring extra money, valuable items, toys, trading cards, iPods, Nooks/Kindles, radios, or sports equipment to school unless prior written approval has been communicated directly from a child’s teacher or your child is a part of a BYOD classroom. We will not assume responsibility for the security of such items. A lost and found bin is located in the health room. Once per month, a table will be set up in hallway near the art room for students to view. If your child has lost an item, please encourage him or her to check this bin. Clothing and other items not claimed by the end of each academic quarter will be donated to charity. PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA)Fuquay Varina parents are encouraged to join the PTA. The PTA provides a great deal of support to the school and its students. The PTA also organizes many of the “extras” that make school fun such as cultural arts assemblies, the science fair, spiritwear, family nights, book fairs, directories for contact information, and visits by guest speakers. Parents interested in participating on PTA committees should look for more information in the school newsletter. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TEAMS (PLT)A PLT is a team meeting with a specific purpose: teachers get together to (a) review student data, (b) discuss strategies for individual students, and (c) exchange teaching strategies and methods. The driving force behind PLTs is student achievement. It is a collaborative approach that WCPSS and Fuquay Varina staff have implemented to improve instruction for your child.

SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCES/BIRTHDAYSWake County Board of Education Policy states that all activities that take place within the school during a school day should be based on “learning experiences” for the children and cannot be approved if they are purely for entertainment or for birthday recognition. Parents

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wishing to bring birthday refreshments during snack should make prior arrangements with the teacher. Parents who choose to send food items for any occasion must comply with regulations (see Food Brought to School). Having flowers and balloons delivered to the school is disruptive to the learning environment, so please plan for those items to be delivered at home. We value our instructional time; therefore, teachers will not be hosting parties in their classrooms. Food from outside sources for whole class celebrations may not be eaten in the cafeteria. This is against Child Nutrition Services guidelines and may result in our school being fined.

You are also welcome to purchase a celebration book from the library in honor of your child’s special day. A plaque will be placed in front of the book honoring the birth of your child. SCHOOL MESSENGERSchool Messenger is an automated notification system for attendance and general announcements to Fuquay Varina families via the telephone. Please let the front office know if you are not receiving these automated messages. SCHOOL NURSEFuquay Varina has a school nurse assigned from the Wake County Human Services who is on campus one day each week. The school nurse provides vision and hearing screening for students referred by teachers after a school wide screening is done by a staff member. The school nurse also assists families of students who may require an individual health plan due to medical conditions or severe allergies. STUDENT BEHAVIORAs a community of learners, we all deserve an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. To this end, all students are responsible for complying with and are expected to be familiar with the WCPSS Code of Conduct and school policies governing student behavior and conduct. All Code of Student Conduct policies are contained in the WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook, which is distributed to all students and parents at the beginning of each school year or upon enrollment in the WCPSS. If there is a conflict between the rules expressed in this handbook/agenda/planner and the Code of Student Conduct policies, the WCPSS Code of Conduct policies shall take precedence. Please review the code of conduct with your children each year, noting the code of conduct under WCPSS Board Policy 6410 and the Harassment and Bullying Board Policy 6414. After reviewing the WCPSS handbook, students and parents should sign and return the verification and agreement form in the front of the handbook.

Fuquay Varina is an Exemplar Positive Behavior Intervention SchoolThe purpose of Positive Behavior and Intervention Support (PBIS) is to improve overall

classroom and school climate to achieve higher academic performance for all students. PBIS teaches behavior through proactive practices, instead of reactions to inappropriate

behaviors. These are the FAST behaviors for the four common areas of our school. behaviors are

reviewed with students at the beginning of each school year and reinforced throughout the school year.

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FVES Rockets are FAST in the classrooms

FFocused

Focus on the person and what’s being said

Listen with your eyes

Keep quiet while

another is speaking

Stay on task

AAccounta

ble

Use time wisely

Completeassignments on time

Communicate clearly

and honestly

with parents

Take responsibility for your

actions and

academics

SSuccessf

ul

Have a positive attitude

Be prepared by having required supplies for class

Keep assignmen

ts organized

Contribute to small

and large group

discussions

TTeam Player

Do your BEST

everyday

Treat others like you want

to be treated

Work well with your

teammates

Find time to be a leader

High Expectations in the hallways

FFocused

Walk quietly on the third block

Do my best not to interrupt other classes

AAccountable

Go directly to my location

Keep hands to myself

SSuccessful

Be courteous to other classes

Walk quietly on the right side facing forward

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TTeam Player

Use manners

Remember personal space of others

FVES High expectations in the cafeteria

FFocused

Eat first, talk

second

Talk to the peers at my table

only

Line up quietly

AAccountable

Get everything

needed before sitting down

Throw away trash

properly

Clean up after myself

SSuccessful

Remain seated until

excused

Raise my hand for

emergencies only

TTeam Player

Use manners

Use inside voice

Keep hands to myself

FVES High expectations in the restroom

FFocused

Throw paper

towels in trash

Use restroom quickly

and quietly

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AAccountable

Conserve water,

soap, and paper towels

Leave school

supplies outside

the restroom

SSuccessful

Wash my hands with soap and

water

Report danger in restroom

to an adult

TTeam Player

Respect the

privacy of others

Patiently take my

turn

Leave areas neat, clean and dry

Special teachers, such as the music, art, computer, PE, and special education teachers, have FAST behaviors specifically for their classrooms as well.

DoJo points are earned by students when they are caught doing something good. Students can lose DoJo points for not meeting expectations. Parents receive immediate notifications when points are either earned or lost through their phones.

TOBACCO-FREE SCHOOLSWake County Public School System policy is that all school system property is smoke-free. This policy is intended to promote a healthy working and learning environment, and applies to all students, employees, and visitors of the school system. TOYS/ELECTRONIC DEVICESStudents may not bring toys of any kind to school, except for Show and Tell. Toys brought for Show and Tell must be kept in book bags for the rest of the school day. School personnel cannot be responsible for the safety of toys brought to school for Show and Tell. Teachers will send home communication to you if it is a show and tell time for your child. Electronic devices that are not a part of our BYOD program are not permitted at school, except with special permission. If you feel your child must have a cell phone or pager, it should remain in the backpack in the Off position. If a student’s cell phone disrupts instruction, your child’s teacher may request that you pick it up in the office. VISITORSWe want you to feel welcome at Fuquay Varina Elementary, but please understand that our first priority must be safety. We ask that you join our safety efforts by always entering the school ONLY through the front doors by the office. The front doors to the building are open for arrival between 8:45 and 9:15. After 9:15 only the door closest to the office is unlocked. The doors near the cafeteria and gym are locked at all times. Our students and staff have

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been instructed that they are not to open any locked exterior doors, so please do not knock on those doors and ask them to disobey school rules. All doors are locked at 5:00 unless there is an evening event scheduled. All visitors are required to check in at the office and to wear a visitor’s picture badge while on the premises. While it may seem like an inconvenience, following this procedure helps ensure the safety of all of our students and staff. There are no exceptions to this requirement. Visits to classrooms and conferences with teachers should be scheduled in advance so as not to disrupt the instructional program. Lunches, homework, and other items students have forgotten at home must be left in the office rather than taken to the classroom, as this interrupts classroom instruction.

VOLUNTEERSWe welcome and encourage you to volunteer at school! Please make arrangements in advance with your child’s teacher and come join us! So that you can give your full attention to your volunteer responsibilities, we ask that you not bring younger siblings with you. To protect our children, the Wake County Public School System requires that all volunteers participate in an on-line registration process. Volunteers must register each year for Literacy lunch, tutoring, and field trips. Volunteers must go through this process every year! We issue volunteer badges to let staff members know the clearance of individuals. When you volunteer, please check in as a volunteer in the office and wear your badge at all times. Volunteer opportunities should end by 3:15 to allow you to check out your child by 3:20, if desired. If your volunteer activities go past 3:15 you may pick up your child the regular way, or remain in the classroom until 3:45. MISSION STATEMENT: Wake County Public School System will provide a relevant and engaging education and will graduate students who are collaborative, creative, effective communicators and critical thinkers. VISION STATEMENT: FVES will create a culture that promotes collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking so that every student becomes a productive, successful global citizen. CORE BELIEFS:Every student is uniquely capable and deserves to be challenged and engaged in relevant, rigorous, and meaningful learning each day.

Every student is expected to learn, grow, and succeed while we eliminate the ability to predict achievement based on socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity.

Well-supported, highly effective, and dedicated principals, teachers, and staff are essential to success for all students.

The Board of Education, superintendent, and all staff, while sustaining best practices, will promote and support a culture of continuous improvement, risk taking, and innovation that results in a high-performing organization focused on student achievement.

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The Board of Education, superintendent, and all staff value a diverse school community that is inviting, respectful, inclusive, flexible, and supportive.

The Wake County residents value a strong public school system and will partner to provide the support and resources to fully realize our shared vision, accomplish the mission, and sustain our core beliefs.

Value Statement: All children through hard work and persistence can show academic growth. Highly effective principals and teachers with the ability to adapt are the key to improving student growth in student achievement. All stakeholders, including teachers, administrators and students, use data to ensure all students achieve growth.

Students learn in different ways. They have different capabilities, interests, and needs, and we are committed to accommodating these differences while challenging each student to achieve excellence. We celebrate the cultural diversity of our population and take every opportunity to incorporate that diversity into our students’ social and intellectual development. We are committed to maintaining a safe, caring, and supportive environment that is conducive to learning and teaching.Learning is a collaborative effort among staff, students, families, and the community. Effective communication among all is essential for our students to be successful. Welcome to Fuquay Varina Elementary. We are glad you are here! Heather Johnson, Principal Kelly Bradshaw, Assistant Principal

Interims Report Card

Q1- Week of September 26 November 4 (Day 48)

Q2- Week of December 5 February 3 (Day 99)

Q3- Week of February 27 April 7 (Day 137)

Q4- Week of May 8 June 9 (day 180)

Please click HERE to view the WCPSS Traditional School Calendar or go to www.wcpss.net under the parents tab for more information.

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