Student HandbookKristie Beasley, Principal Mark Freshley, Assistant PrincipalSchool Phone (337)239-4966 School Fax (337)239-7082

www.vpsb.us“Together...Striving to Be the Best We Can Be!”“Every child, every day, whatever it takes!”

Dear Parents,

We are pleased that you are a part of the East Leesville Elementary Primary (PreK, K, 1) School community. We anticipate your involvement and cooperation in making this year successful for your child.This information has been prepared to help answer many questions students and parents usually have concerning the activities, procedures, and rules for the successful daily operation of East Leesville Elementary Primary School. We believe that by following these guidelines, you will help us have a safe, orderly school and will enable us to provide the best possible educational experiences for every student. Our faculty is proud of the tradition of academic excellence at East Leesville Elementary. We also take pride in providing a learning environment in which students can develop positive self-esteem and become responsible young community members.

Sincerely, The Administration and Faculty

Mission Statement:Together...striving to be the best we can be at E.L.E.At East Leesville Elementary, we believe that it is the responsibility of the faculty, staff, parents, and community to challenge students to develop to their highest potential academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.School Motto:“Together… Striving to be the best we can be at E.L.E.!”

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School Hours: LA4, K, 1 st School begins at 7:40 am and dismisses at 2:50 pm. Parent Pick Up will be held from 2:50 pm to 3:05 pm. 1st load buses will leave @ 2:50 pm. 2nd load buses will leave @ 3:15 pm.Head Start School begins at 7:45 am and dismisses at 1:45 pm. Parent drop off will be held from 7:30 am to 7:45 am. Parent pick up will be held from 1:45 pm to 2:00 pm in the classrooms. Parents will park in the back parking lot and check-out their student in the classroom. Head Start students may not be picked up in the school office.

Parent drop off/Parent pick up: LA4, K, 1st (7:10-7:35 am) (2:50-3:10 pm) @ gray gravel driveway No student is to be dropped off by a parent prior to 7:10 am. Students needing to eat breakfast will report directly to the cafeteria. Students MUST be dropped off no later than 7:25 am to eat breakfast in the cafeteria. All other students will report to their classrooms. Parent drop off ends at 7:35 am. Students must be walked in by an adult if they arrive after parent drop off closes. Students not in their classroom by 7:40 are considered tardy.

Parent pick up will begin @ 2:50 pm. Parents must remain in their vehicle in the pick-up line. VISOR NAME SIGNS MUST BE POSTED. All Parent drop off/Parent pick up will follow the gray gravel drive at the east end of our building.

Head Start (7:30-7:45 am) (1:45-2:00 pm)School begins at 7:45 am and dismisses at 1:45 pm for Headstart students only. Parent drop off will be held from 7:30 am to 7:45 am in the driveway of the Multi-purpose building. Parents will park in the back parking lot and pick up students in the classroom for check-out. Parent pick up will be held from 1:45 pm to 2:00 pm in the classrooms. Siblings in LA4, K, and 1 st may not be checked out at this time without being counted as a tardy/early out.

Reaching Parents: It is mandatory that we know where to reach parents at all times in case of an emergency!! Please provide a home, cell, business, and neighbor’s phone number as well as the name, address and phone number of your family doctor. This information must be placed on student information cards and registration sheets. Please do not send any child to school when he/she is ill. Contact both the teacher and the office with telephone number or address changes. Office: (337) 239-49663

The Value of Instructional Time: Interrupting class negatively impacts a learning environment. If you need to give your child a message, medication, homework, lunch money, supplies, etc., YOU MUST go to the office . The delivery of floral arrangements to students during school hours is discouraged. Only non-breakable items are acceptable. Balloons are not allowed! Students will be allowed to pick up these items in the office at the end of the school day.

Student’s private party invitations can ONLY be handed out in the classroom if every child receives an invitation.Standing in the hall while waiting on your child or teacher is disruptive to the learning environment. Please schedule conferences with your child’s teacher or administrator

by phone or note to prevent taking away valuable instructional time. Early check-outs must occur before 2:30 pm. Students must be signed out through the office by a parent or guardian.

The front gate will be opened from 8:00 am until 2:30 pm each day . ELE students may not be called from the office to leave after 2:30 pm or before buses leave campus

General Parent Information: At the beginning of each month, there will be a school newsletter sent home with your child in the Daily Communication folder. Also, weekly newsletters from your child’s teacher will provide updated information regarding school and classroom activities and learning experiences. When you telephone to speak to your child’s teacher, the office staff will put a message in the teacher’s office box and your call will be returned during the teacher’s next break. The office staff will not interrupt class to call a teacher out of the classroom. Conferences will be scheduled during Specials (Library, Music, Technology, or P.E.). LA4 will schedule meetings during rest time. Head Start will meet after student dismissal.

Attendance - Absences & Tardies:

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In order to be considered for promotion, students MUST be in attendance a minimum of 167 days. The assistant principal, Mr. Freshley, is our attendance officer. In the case of excessive absences, parents will be required to submit written documentation for approval. For a student to receive an excused absence, we must have a signed excuse from medical personnel such as a doctor, dentist, psychologist, military personnel, a court approved excuse from judge, lawyer, court official, or funeral documentation. FOR AN ABSENCE TO BE CONSIDERED AS AN EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCE, STUDENTS HAVE 5 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THEIR ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL TO TURN IN THEIR EXCUSE. ANY EXCUSE TURNED IN AFTER 5 DAYS OF THE STUDENT’S ABSENCE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. UPON RECEIVING THE EXCUSE, THE OFFICE WILL DATE AND FILE THE EXCUSE IN THE MAIN OFFICE.

If a child is signed in after 7:40 am, he or she will be counted tardy. A conduct mark will be given for any tardy other than an official doctor/dental excuse. An attendance slip from the office is required for students to be admitted to the classroom.Kindergarten and First grade students who accumulate 5 or more unexcused absences in a semester will be assigned Saturday school. Students with more than 3 tardies/early outs in a six weeks will also be assigned Saturday school from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. This will allow students to recover missing required instructional minutes. If a student does not attend or the parent refuses to send them to Saturday School it will result in suspension. One day of Saturday school will recover 3 tardies or 1 unexcused absence. Head Start and LA-4 students can be dismissed from the program due to unexcused absences and/or tardies and/or early dismissals as stated in program guidelines.

Perfect Attendance Award - attending every minute of every instructional day of the school yearExcellent Attendance Award - missing a cumulative total of up to 3 days absent (ex. Tardies, early check out, Dr.’s appointment)

Bus Regulations: Students who ride buses shall follow the Vernon Parish bus rules and regulations at all times. After the bus drivers have noted inappropriate behavior, children will be brought to the principal’s office for appropriate discipline. The privileges of riding a bus can be withdrawn for a

varying number of days depending on the offense. While suspended from riding a bus, students are not permitted to ride another bus to school. Their parents must provide transportation to school while suspended from the bus.

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Change of Transportation: It is important to your child’s feeling of security to know where he/she will be going when school is dismissed. If there is going to be a change, you need to discuss this with your child prior to their leaving for school and put it in writing. ELE student transportation changes can not be made by phone or by fax. A signed note must be sent from home for a transportation change to occur. If a note is not sent, the usual transportation procedure for your child will be followed!! We cannot take your child’s word about a change. Secretaries are not permitted to accept changes by phone or by fax. This is for your child’s protection.Arriving at School: LA4, K, 1st Grade Students School begins at 7:40 am.

Buses 1st load buses (K-1 in town) @6:50 am 2nd load buses (K-12 rural routes) @7:00 am All K and 1 students eating breakfast will report to the cafeteria. K and 1 students will report to the designated hallways upon arrival of the 7:10 am duty team. All LA4 students will report to the music room and will be escorted to classrooms. Breakfast will be served to LA4 @ 8:00 am as a class. Head Start students will be served breakfast @ 7:45 am following student sign-in in the classroom.

Parent Drop Off 7:15 am - 7:35 am The building will open for parent drop off students at 7:10 am. Please see that your child is here by 7:35 am. No student is to be dropped off by a parent prior to 7:10 am. Students needing to eat breakfast will report directly to the cafeteria. Students MUST be dropped off no later than 7:25 am to eat breakfast in the cafeteria. All other students will report to their classrooms. Students who are tardy must be signed in by a parent in the office.Head Start Students School begins at 7:45 am.

Parent Drop Off 7:30 am – 7:45 am - Parent drop off will be held in the back parking lot at the multipurpose building.

Parent Pick Up 1:45 pm – 2:00 pm - Parents will park in the back parking lot and pick up students in the classroom for check-out.

Leaving School:1. If a student leaves during the school day, parents must check him/her out in the office. The child will then be called to the office after the student is signed out. (8:00 am - 2:30 pm) ELE students may not be called from the office to leave after 2:30 pm. Classes will be walking to buses for dismissal and this causes confusion. Early check-outs must occur before 2:30 pm. Students must be signed out through the office by a parent or guardian. 2. Please do not go directly to the classroom. Standing in the hall while waiting on your child or the teacher is disruptive to instructional time. You may wait for them in the office area.

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Moving From This School: Parents must come to the school office and fill out a transfer form at least 24 hours prior to the withdrawal date. This will enable the teacher to prepare the necessary forms for your child to transfer to the new school. It will expedite the withdrawal process if the parents ensure that all school property (textbooks, library books, etc.) has been returned AND all fees (including lunch money) owed must be paid in full.

Mandatory Change of Clothes: Every student MUST have a change of weather appropriate clothes on campus. Send a top,

bottom, underwear, and socks. Uniform or non-uniform is acceptable. Ziploc bags are provided by the school for storage of change of clothes. Replace the change of clothes as they are used . Volunteers/Visitors: All volunteers and visitors must sign in at our office and will be asked to wear an ID badge while on ELE campus.

Medication/Emergencies/Illness: If a child is injured or becomes ill at school, we will notify the parents and render simple first aid only. School personnel are not allowed to administer any medication unless paperwork/documentation is completed by parent AND a doctor. Parents needing to check in medication with doctor’s orders can report to the office between 8:00 am and 10:00 am.

Field Trips: When a field trip is to be taken, your child will bring home a permission form giving the destination and date. This form must be signed and returned to the teacher before your child will be allowed to go on the trip. **ALL students will travel to field trip destination on the school sponsored bus. If a parent would like to provide transportation on the return trip, then you must sign out your own child with the teacher. *Field trip money is non-refundable.

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is for Remain Safe

School-wide Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) Plan:

is for Respect Everyone

is for Obey Rules

is for Act Responsibly

Cafeteria Information/Guidelines:

Cafeteria Manager - Mrs. Joiner Phone # 239-3299

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Extra milk or juice: $0.50

All students attending East Leesville Elementary receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. You are welcome to send a lunch from home with any student that does not wish to eat the cafeteria meal.

Any K or 1st grade student wishing to eat breakfast must go directly to the cafeteria after getting off of the bus. LA4 and Head Start students will be escorted to breakfast. “Fast food” items and carbonated beverages are NOT permitted. Students that bring their lunch may purchase a milk for 50¢.

Snacks/treats brought for the class must be store bought/pre-packaged.

Water bottles brought to school must contain water only. Please do not send other beverages.

School Uniform Information 1. The school uniform policy will be part of the school dress code and will require the following colors and

styles:a. Khaki bottoms--pants, shorts, jumpers, skorts, culottes, etc. (NO JEANS or SWEAT PANTS) Brown or

black belt is optional. Black or white tops-- shirts/blouses/ turtlenecks/sweaters, etc., with a collar.

**MUST BE OXFORD OR POLO STYLE WITH A SLEEVE.**9

b. Shirts/blouses must have a collar. c. No designer labels will be worn on the clothes.d. No tee-shirts will be worn except the school spirit shirt. These will be worn on special days designated

by the principal. Khaki bottoms will be worn with the school spirit shirt.e. Shoe styles are optional. Backless sandals and shoes that have a heel higher than 1 inch are not

permitted.f. No cleats, “blinking” shoes, caps/hats, or sunglasses will be allowed.g. Hair must be neat, clean, cut off the eyes, and be a naturally occurring hair color.h. Hair designs or hair styles that distract from the learning environment will be prohibited.

2. Any special occasions for different attire approved by the principal will be allowed. (ELE SPIRIT shirts may be worn on Fridays with khaki bottoms.)

3. Students entering E.L.E. will be allowed two weeks to purchase uniforms and comply with policy. After this grace period, students attending school without proper uniform will not be allowed to go to class. Parents will be called to pick them up or bring the proper uniform. Continued flagrant violation of the uniform policy will result in students being suspended from school.

* Concerns will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by administration.Vernon Parish School Board adopted dress code for students is partnered with our uniform policy. {EX- Jewelry: Male students may not wear earrings; female students are permitted to wear stud earrings in ears only.}

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School Holidays

Six Week Grading Periods

1st Six Weeks – Aug. 9, 2019 – Sept. 20, 2019 2nd Six Weeks - Sept. 23, 2019 – Nov. 1, 20193rd Six Weeks – Nov. 4, 2019 – Dec. 20, 2019 4th Six Weeks – Jan. 7, 2020 – Feb. 14, 20205th Six Weeks –Feb 18, 2020 – March 27, 20206th Six Weeks – March 30, 2020 – May 22, 2020

School Wide Goal*ALL students will reach high standards, attaining satisfactory on the English Language Arts and Math Spring 2020 assessments.

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August 30, 2019 ½ Day Dismissal / Teacher InserviceSeptember 2, 2019 Labor DayOctober 3, 2019 Parent Teacher ConferenceOctober 4, 2019 Vernon Parish FairOctober 14, 2019 Columbus DayOctober 25, 2019 HS Homecoming (½ Day Dismissal) November 11, 2019 Veterans’ DayNovember 25-29, 2019 Thanksgiving BreakDecember 20, 2019 ½ Day Dismissal / Teacher InserviceDecember 23 - January 6, 2020 Christmas BreakJanuary 20, 2020 Martin Luther King DayFebruary 14, 2020 Parent Teacher ConferenceFebruary 17, 2020 Presidents’ DayFebruary 24-25, 2020 Mardi GrasApril 10 - April 17, 2020 Easter Break May 22, 2020 Last Day of School for Students (Half day)

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Important Phone NumbersEast Leesville Elementary School 239-4966East Leesville Elementary Cafeteria 239-3299East Leesville Elementary Nurse 392-6383East Leesville Elementary Head Start Office 238-1485East Leesville Elementary Title I 392-8792East Leesville Elementary Library 239-2362

Vernon Parish School Board Office 239-3041Vernon Parish Head Start Office 239-6899Vernon Parish LA4 Office 537-5145

Leesville City Police Department 238-0331Vernon Parish Sheriff Department 238-1311Leesville Fire Department 239-2722Poison Control 1-800-256-9822

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Vernon Parish Motto: Every Child, Every Day, Whatever It Takes!Vernon Parish Vision Statement: The Vernon Parish School System is committed to educating and preparing every student for the challenge of tomorrow’s world.Vernon Parish Mission Statement:

The Vernon Parish School Board is committed to providing an education that incorporates effective instruction that is rigorous and relevant which every student needs for academic and personal achievement. The board believes that a positive school climate should exist where experiences and lessons support the personalized needs of students as they transition through school and into tomorrow’s world. The board also believes that the educational process within the school district is a partnership, which involves parents, educators, and the community. Through this partnership we will produce well-educated, character-oriented and well-rounded individuals.

Parents Right to Know:The Public Records Act insures that all public records are available upon request for review. Louisiana teaching certificates are public records.

Therefore, the public using various methods may review teacher certification/qualification. Parents have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of their child’s teachers. In an effort to keep our parents informed about qualifications of their child’s teacher or teachers, the administration directs all concerns regarding teacher qualifications to the Louisiana Department of Education’s web site at www.state.la.us/lde/index.htm/

From the home page, you may access “Teach Louisiana”. At this site, under “public access to teacher certification”, you may find, by last name, your child’s teacher or teachers qualifications/certification areas. If your child has a substitute teacher four or more weeks, you will be notified in writing. Parents have a right to request information about the qualifications of the substitute teacher. In this case, you may contact the administration of East Leesville Elementary.

There are Louisiana Parental Information and Resources centers are available to help parents with information and/or concerns regarding teacher qualifications and other information requests. Louisiana PROMISE Parent Information & Resource Centers (Louisiana PIRC) are funded by the United States Department of Education and administered by Volunteers of America of North Louisiana. Louisiana PIRC promotes the educational success of children by offering services to Louisiana parents and educators.Louisiana PIRC has five specific goals:

1. Assist parents and educators in knowing and understanding the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act;2. Develop effective partnerships between schools and parents to garner greater participation in education;3. Create a supportive network of Louisiana education and family strengthening to promote greater resources for Louisiana families;4. Provide technical assistance to the Louisiana Department of education, local agencies, and schools to promote effective parental involvement

policies;5. Provide programs and resources for parents to prepare their children for school.

Louisiana PIRC offers services statewide.MAIN OFFICE:

Volunteers of America Highland Center520 Olive StreetSuites C-4Shreveport, LA 71104 (318) 429-6968

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