Rivers Edge Elementary School General Information

Website http://schools.henrico.k12.va.us/riversedge

Address

11600 Holman Ridge Road Glen Allen, VA 23059

Office (804) 935-6760 Fax (804) 935-6668

Office Hours

7:00 – 4:00 Monday-Friday

Summer Office Hours

7:00 – 5:30 Monday-Thursday

Administration

Pamela James, Principal

Terry Larkin, Associate Principal

Shannon Hodges, Resource Teacher Anne Game, School Counselor

School Secretaries

Richele Jenkins Patty Anderson

Clinic Attendant

Cathy Gardner

School Mascot – Eagle

School Colors – Royal blue and silver

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Table of Contents

Principal’s Message .............................................................................................................................. 3

HCPS Mission Statement and Beliefs .............................................................................................. 4

HCPS Policies and Regulations ......................................................................................................... 4

Attendance .............................................................................................................................................. 5

Absences/Tardiness ............................................................................................................................ 5

Clinic .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

Conferences ............................................................................................................................................ 6

Dismissal .................................................................................................................................................. 7

Dress Code ............................................................................................................................................... 7

Early Dismissal ...................................................................................................................................... 8

Field Trips ............................................................................................................................................... 8

HCPS Code of Student Conduct ......................................................................................................... 9

Inclement Weather ............................................................................................................................... 9

Homework ............................................................................................................................................... 9

Lost and Found ...................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

Lunch and Snacks ................................................................................................................................ 10

Make-up Work ..................................................................................................................................... 11

Media Center ........................................................................................................................................ 11

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) ................................................................................................ 12

Parties ..................................................................................................................................................... 12

Report Cards ......................................................................................................................................... 12

School Pictures .................................................................................................................................... 13

Telephone ............................................................................................................................................. 13

Transportation .................................................................................................................................... 14

Walkers/Bike Riders........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

Visitors/Guests/Volunteers ............................................................................................................ 15

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Greetings from Rivers Edge!

On behalf of our faculty and staff, I’d like to welcome everyone to Rivers Edge Elementary School — home of the Eagles!

We are a diverse and engaged community of learners who are committed to the development of our students both inside and outside the classroom.

Our school theme for 2016-17 is “Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit.” Students will learn specifically about cooperation, generosity, acceptance, and confidence and will understand how those traits can help them to become leaders in their classroom, their school, and their community.

Please take some time to explore our school and PTA websites to find out more about Rivers Edge and how you can participate and volunteer. We are a successful school due to the commitment and support from our staff and PTA.

By working together, your child will be soaring higher and finding success at Rivers Edge.

Sincerely,

Pamela James, Principal pljames@henrico.k12.va.us (804) 935-6760

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HCPS Policies and Regulations A copy of the Policies and Regulations Manual of Henrico County Public Schools is

available to students, employees, and the public on the HCPS website (http://henricoschools.us/policies-regulations). Any person unable to access the

online policy may request a copy of the specific policy by contacting Records Management at 804- 652-3828.

Attendance In order to ensure success, students are expected to attend school each day on time. The regular school day for grades Kindergarten through Grade 5 is from 7:40 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.

Students may begin arriving at school at 7:20 a.m. Staff supervision is available beginning at that time.

Absences/Tardiness

Parents should call anytime after 7:00 a.m. and before 9:00 a.m. to inform the attendance secretary that their child will be absent.

When the student returns to school after an absence, parents are requested to

write a note to the school stating the dates and reason the student was absent from school. Email communication will not be accepted. Acceptable excuses for

temporary absence from school include:

1. Illness of pupil

2. Serious family illness that reasonably necessitates absence of pupil 3. Death in family

4. Special and recognized religious holidays regularly observed by followers of a particular faith

5. Medical appointments (please try to avoid scheduling during the school day

if possible)

6. Other reasons MAY BE approved by the principal when received in ADVANCE by signed written request.

Absences for out of town travel that do not meet the criteria above will be marked as unexcused absences.

Any absenteeism beyond 15 days in succession, regardless of the reason, requires a student to be withdrawn from our school.

Students arriving at school after 7:40 a.m. must report to the office with a parent

to sign in and receive a tardy chip before going to the classroom. Excessive tardiness (more than 5 unexcused) will result in parent contact.

Please notify the school when phone numbers change or a move is anticipated. If

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you should move from the school district/zone, your child(ren) must be withdrawn and registered at the proper school within your new school zone or a variance

requested.

Clinic The clinic is available throughout the day to all students. However, children who are sick should remain at home. The purpose of the clinic is to provide emergency first aid and check for observable signs of illness that arise during the school day. When

a student goes to the clinic due to illness or injury, the clinic attendant will determine whether parent notification is required. Each child must have a

current emergency information card on file for notification purposes. The emergency card requests an alternate contact person and phone number. This person will be called to pick up your child in the event that we cannot contact you.

If there is ever a change in your emergency information, please notify the school office as soon as possible. For serious injuries or symptoms, school staff will call

911 before contacting parents. If a child has a fever or observable signs of illness, the parents are contacted to take the child home. Children who are found to have fevers/illnesses that warrant

concern will need to be picked up from school immediately. Children vomiting, having diarrhea, or exhibiting other symptoms indicating a possible significant or communicable condition will need to be picked up immediately. Please have

arrangements in place to accommodate such situations. Students must be fever free for 24 hours before returning. All communication regarding student

illness should run through the clinic during the instructional day. First Aid & Medications- Under certain conditions, school personnel or parents

may administer medications upon written parental request and a proper prescription or written clearance from a physician. All medications must be

transported to and from school by the parent/guardian. Physician’s prescription and/or written clearance giving the following information

must be submitted:

* Name of person to receive medication * Date of prescription * Exact dosage

* Exact time dosage is to be given

Conferences

Although report cards serve as a good means of communication, they may not always be sufficient for some individual situations. Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled in November and February. In addition, parents, as well as teachers, are

encouraged to initiate additional conference time to solve problems or discuss concerns related to a student’s academic progress. Since a teacher's time must be

devoted to his/her class and daily instruction, parents should plan to schedule an appointment in advance when desiring a conference with a teacher, rather than

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dropping by or stopping in during the school day. The best time for a parent- teacher conference is at the close of the school day after student dismissal.

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Dismissal Once dismissal routine is established, any changes will require a written note unless there is an emergency. If a last minute emergency requires a parent to call the

office to communicate a transportation change, the parent will be asked for identifying information for security purposes. Final approval will be made by the

principal. Changes in transportation should not be made for student play dates.

Dress Code Parents and students are asked to support a standard of dress that creates a

positive educational environment. Students are expected to dress in a manner that reflects pride in themselves and that is appropriate for the occasion.

Rivers Edge students must follow the Student Dress Code as specified in the HCPS

Code of Student Conduct: The administration of each elementary, middle and high school has the authority to notify students and parents of modifications to the dress code for spirit days and other school celebrations, as particular items pose a disruption, or as other circumstances warrant.

Students may not wear the following items unless otherwise stated:

1. Hoods, hats, or head coverings of any kind inside school buildings during

regular school hours, unless required for religious or medical reasons. 2. The following items worn on school grounds during regular school hours:

bandanas, do-rags, headscarves, hair picks, wave caps, large combs,

brushes, and rollers. 3. Sunglasses inside the school building unless prescribed by a physician.

4. Dresses, skirts, shorts, athletic shorts, and other similar clothing that are shorter than four inches above the knee even when worn with leggings or tights.

5. Messages on clothing, chains, jewelry, and personal belongings that pertain to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, gangs, vulgarity or that could reasonably cause a substantial disruption to the learning environment.

6. Spiked jewelry, chains, and items that could cause student injury.

7. Beachwear (which includes bathing suits and trunks) and sleepwear.

8. Clothing that reveals undergarments.

9. Cut-off jeans and cut-off sweat pants or torn, ripped, or slashed clothing that reveals undergarments or body parts excluded by other parts of this code.

10. Bedroom slippers or shoes with wheels also known as “wheelies.”

11. Clothing that reveals the midriff while sitting or standing.

12. Clothing that is excessively tight or skimpy, including biker pants and clothing with plunging necklines.

13. Clothing that is see-through, revealing, or resembles undergarments.

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14. Tube tops, halter-tops, halter-top dresses, strapless dresses or tops or dresses with spaghetti straps (female tops must be at least two inches wide

at the shoulder). 15. High heels or flip flops at the elementary level (elementary students are

encouraged to wear athletic shoes or closed toe shoes with a rubber sole and should wear such shoes for Physical Education and recess.).

16. Coats inside the school building during the school day as determined by the administrative staff depending on the school design and administrative ability to provide storage for coats.

Students must wear clothing as designed (buttoned, zippered, etc.). Students must wear pants on the hips, secured above the buttocks. Students may not:

1. Drape towels, shirts or shorts around the neck; 2. Roll down waistbands on shorts, pants, and skirts;

3. Wear clothing in any manner that reveals undergarments at any time;

4. Wear athletic basketball jerseys without wearing a t-shirt beneath the jersey;

Parents of students who violate the dress code will be contacted to provide

appropriate clothing for their children, if necessary.

Early Dismissal

Although it is discouraged, students may be dismissed from school before the end of the regular school day under the following conditions:

1. When a written request from parent or guardian has been received in advance of

dismissal time, the request should state the reason for leaving, the exact time of dismissal, the mode of transportation to be used, and with whom the student will be leaving. This request must be approved in the office.

2. When a parent or guardian comes to the school office and requests the release of

his/her child, the student will then be called to the office to meet the parent. Parents are requested to sign their child out in the office for early dismissal, and should always be prepared to present a government-issued picture ID.

3. At no time will the school release a child to anyone other than the parent or legal

guardian without a written request or permission from the parent. Please understand that this is for your child’s protection.

Field Trips

Field trips are part of the instructional program. When field trips are taken, a field trip permission form will be sent home for parents to sign, date, and return. If this

form is not on file in the school, the child will not be allowed to participate. Permission to attend a field trip will not be accepted over the phone.

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HCPS Code of Student Conduct Our pride in Rivers Edge begins with the quality of behavior that our students demonstrate on a daily basis. Our expectations are based on respect and responsibility. Every student is responsible for following school rules and respecting the rights of others.

The classroom teacher is responsible for the majority of student discipline. Each teacher/grade develops a class management plan that rewards appropriate behavior, has strategies to prevent unacceptable behavior, and prescribes corrective action when necessary.

Classroom expectations are used to develop school rules/expectations. School expectations are all supported by the HCPS Code of Student Conduct. Habitual or significant violations of classroom or school expectations, or the HCPS Code of Student Conduct will be referred to an administrator.

The general behavior standards for Rivers Edge Elementary students are specified

in the Henrico County Public Schools Code of Student Conduct. A copy is distributed to each student. The last page of the booklet must be dated, signed,

and returned to your child’s teacher. There are prescribed corrective actions listed in the Code of Conduct for each violation.

The Code of Student Conduct covers students from the time they leave home in the morning until he/she returns in the afternoon, including school buses, bus stops,

and walking to and from school. Classroom and school expectations, and the HCPS Code of Student Conduct are taught at a developmentally appropriate level the first week of school and reviewed throughout the year.

http://henricoschools.us/pdf/Schools/CodeOfStudentConduct.pdf

Inclement Weather

School closings or cancellations are authorized by Henrico County’s Superintendent

of Schools. If schools close early due to inclement weather conditions or other emergency situations, announcements will be made on most local television and

radio stations or check the HCPS website at http://henricoschools.us. Please do not call the school because school telephone lines are needed for instructions from Central Office and for emergencies.

Students will be sent home via their normal mode of transportation in the event of an early school closing. Please make arrangements for someone to meet the

bus/provide supervision accordingly.

Homework

Homework is designed to develop responsibility, develop independent work/study

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habits, and reinforce the learning process that takes place during the school day. It

is imperative that students complete their homework each day in order to progress. Parents are encouraged to emphasize the importance of establishing strong habits

within the homework routine. The following are time guidelines for homework.

Kindergarten – no specific time allotment Grades 1-2 – 30 minutes

Grade 3 – 40 minutes

Grades 4-5 – 60 minutes

Lunch and Snacks Lunch is an important part of the daily routine and a time for students to socialize with friends. Students are expected to demonstrate behavior and manners as if they were at the holiday dinner table. Students are encouraged to use the

bathroom before lunch so that we can limit the number of students who are out of the cafeteria at one time. It also helps the monitors who need to be available to

assist students. The following are expectations for the R.E.E.S. cafeteria:

Go through the lunch line quickly and quietly. Get all food, utensils, and snacks at the condiment table before sitting down.

Raise your hand when someone or something is needed.

Remain in your seat until permission is given to leave. Eat your own food; food should not be given away, shared, or traded.

Clean your area of all trash and spills before leaving. Parents are strongly encouraged to put funds in their child’s lunch account by signing up for MySchoolBucks at http://henricoschools.us/online-services/ or by

sending in cash or check on a weekly or monthly basis. A monthly menu is provided online at (henrico.nutrislice.com/menu/rivers-edge). If a student forgets their lunch or there are insufficient funds in their lunch account, an emergency

lunch will be provided. Parents are welcome to eat lunch with students on special occasions. Please help build independence by only coming to visit on special occasions. Parents

should check in at the office, receive a visitor’s pass, display it in clear view, and wait outside the cafeteria for your child’s class. Only your child may accompany you to the visitor’s table. This way you can enjoy your special time with

your son/daughter. For safety reasons, younger siblings are not able to eat in the cafeteria.

Rivers Edge has moved away from outside “treats” being shared with the

entire class during lunch or during the instructional day. This would include not being able to bring cupcakes/baked items/doughnuts, etc. to the cafeteria to be given out to your child’ s class mates during lunch to celebrate students’

birthdays.

Families are still welcomed to bring in a special lunch for their own student as we

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are not restricting what each family decides to serve their own child.

If a student brings his/her own lunch, it should contain nutritious items and all

utensils and condiments, including forks, spoons, napkins, and any dressings.

Lunches brought from home should contain nutritious drinks. Carbonated sodas are not permitted.

Classroom teachers have a separate dining area. School staff and a paid lunch

monitor supervise students during lunch. Parents who prepay for student meals should monitor these funds carefully. If

funds are depleted faster than anticipated, parents may put a “lunch only” flag on the student’s account. This means the student may only purchase lunch and a

drink; they may not purchase any a la carte items.

Make-up Work

If a student is absent fewer than three consecutive days, any schoolwork missed may be made up when the student returns to school. The number of days absent

plus one is the general guideline to complete missed work. Teachers will be happy to work out a reasonable make-up timetable for you. Tests will be given as soon as possible after a child returns to school.

A homework buddy system is encouraged to provide students a friend from whom they can receive assignments when they are absent for a day or two. In order to minimize interruptions to the instructional day, make-up work will be available after

2:30 p.m. for pick-up if requested by the parent by 10:00 a.m.

Media Center

Our Library Media Center’s goal is to provide the fullest intellectual and physical access to information and ideas for a diverse population whose needs are rapidly

growing. Students in grades K-2 will be scheduled weekly for 30 minutes. Individuals or small groups of children in grades 3-5 may use the Library Media Center

independently as often as necessary. Students will be scheduled for instructional time with the librarian as instructional goals are identified. The librarian and teachers will plan to integrate content curriculum with literature enrichment and/or

informational/media skills.

All students are strongly encouraged to visit the library at least once a week. They may come at any time during the day with a specific purpose, such as daily check- out/return books, to do research, or to complete assignments.

The HCPS policy for lost or damaged library books is:

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* Lost/Damaged Hard Cover Book $16.00 * Lost/Damaged Soft Cover Book $ 5.00

Books must be paid for when a bill is presented. If a book is lost, paid for, and

then found, the school will reimburse the parent for the amount paid.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The PTA offers many opportunities to become acquainted and work with other parents, teachers, and staff members at Rivers Edge Elementary School. Parents are encouraged to become a member of the PTA and are urged to attend the meetings.

Interesting, informative, and entertaining programs are planned throughout the year. The PTA communicates through a monthly newsletter and through notices

sent home in your child’s “communication folder”. Visit the REES PTA website at http://www.reespta.org/

Parties

School Board policy allows each class to have one party during the school year. The classroom teacher and room parent will organize the party.

Party invitations are not permitted in school. Please be aware that Rivers Edge Elementary School celebrates your child’s birthday on the morning announcements and by giving each child a birthday pencil.

Parents can also send in information for their child to be included on the PTA Birthday Bulletin Board. Interested families can participate in the Rivers Edge

Birthday Clubs including the Birthday Book Club, Fitness Fund Club, Music Fund Club, or Art Fund Club. Information about these clubs is sent home at the beginning of each school year.

Report Cards

Four nine–week pupil evaluation periods are designated for the school year. Interim reports are sent home halfway through each period to KG and 1st graders. Parents should sign and return all report cards or interim reports. Parents may

monitor grades for students in grades 2-5 using the Power School Parent Portal. Different symbols are used on report cards to communicate student progress. Please refer to the report card for specific areas under each academic content area,

as well as work habits and conduct.

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In grades KG and 1st, work is evaluated using a scale of 4 to 1.

4: Student performance consistently meets or

exceeds standard/expectations and student consistently produces outstanding work.

3: Student performance usually meets

standard/expectation and student consistently produces acceptable work. 2: Student performance is approaching standard/expectation and student

inconsistently applies learned skills.

1: Student performance is below standard/expectation and student frequently requires re-teaching.

In grades 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, work in language arts, math, science, and social

studies will be evaluated using the following scale:

A 90 – 100 Excellent

B 80 – 89 Very Good

C 70 – 79 Satisfactory D 65 – 69 Marginal Progress

F below 65 Failing

In physical education, music, art, work habits, and conduct, the S, N scale will be used to indicate satisfactory achievement or an area that needs improvement.

School Pictures

Our school picture vendor will photograph students in the fall and spring. Retake opportunities will be available upon request for fall pictures only. To purchase pictures, a prepayment is required. Detailed information will be sent home via student backpack mail.

Pictures of students are periodically taken during the instructional day. These pictures are often used for school activities, such as the Rivers Edge Yearbook or

classroom projects. These pictures are not placed on the school web site. Please be sure to complete the Media Release form sent home during the first week of school to indicate your preference about having your child’s picture taken.

Telephone

Because of the high volume of telephone traffic and limited number of telephones, students will not be permitted to use the telephone during the instructional day to call home for forgotten items.

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Transportation All requests for transportation changes should be received in writing by noon on the day of the requested change. To avoid confusion at dismissal time and to ensure your child’s safety, the school cannot honor requests made by phone or email.

Bus

Riding the school bus is a privilege. Whether riding the bus on a daily basis or for a field trip, students are expected to obey the rules of the bus as stated in the Code of Conduct, and follow their driver’s directions at all times.

Students are required to get on and off at the same bus stop each day. Henrico County’s Code of Student Conduct and REES Expectations are in

effect on all buses and at all bus stops. It is required that students remain seated and reasonably quiet while on

the bus.

Misbehavior on the bus may result in this privilege being revoked.

KINDERGARTEN PARENTS: HCPS School Board Policy requires that a parent, guardian, or other authorized adult accompany a kindergarten student to the school

bus stop in the morning, and be present when the student is dropped off at the end of the school day. If a parent, guardian, or other authorized adult is not present at

the bus stop at the end of the school day, the school bus driver is required to return the kindergarten student to their assigned school, and the parent will be called to pick their child up at school. Please note that the driver will require anyone

who meets the kindergarten student at the bus stop to provide a picture ID (DMV driver’s license or any Federal, State, or Government issued ID) to

compare to the list that is provided to the bus driver with the names of the authorized adults who have permission to meet the student at the bus stop. If the person does not have a picture ID or refuses to provide the

necessary picture ID, then the child will be returned to his/her assigned school and the parent will be contacted to come and pick their child up at

school. Please remember to carry your picture ID with you to the bus stop every day. Failure to comply with this request may result in your child losing the privilege of riding the bus home.

Car Riders

For the safety of every student, parents who drop off or pick up children at school should do so with extreme caution and must use the pick up/drop off lane in front of the school. Make sure you have a Car Pool Rider Pick Up ID in the front, right- hand side of the dashboard with your child(ren)’s name(s) and teacher(s)’s name(s) written in large black letters. Two ”Car Pool Rider Pick Up IDs” may be

picked up during Open House. The first car in the line should pull around the circle as far as possible, so we can dismiss several students at a time. Staff members will look through the front window to see your child’s name and then call for that student. Your child will be released to walk around to the car. Please teach your

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child to get settled quickly, so you can pull away allowing the next group of students to be dismissed. Please note: If you do not have the pick-up card, you will be asked to park your car and go inside to the office with a photo ID to get your child.

Students still waiting at 2:20 will be taken to the office. Parents will need to walk into the office to sign-out students.

Visitors/Guests/Volunteers

In an effort to safeguard the well-being of every student attending Rivers Edge

Elementary, all visitors, guests, and volunteers must report to the office upon arrival. All doors will be secured in order to ensure safety, and all visitors

should use the intercom/buzzer system in order to enter the school. Parents can drop off forgotten textbooks, lunches, lunch money in the office. Such items will be forwarded to students in a timely fashion. All visitors, parents, and volunteers

must wear a nametag while in the building. When your visit is complete, please sign out through the main office. This ensures the school’s ability to account

for visitors in the case of an emergency. While we appreciate parent volunteers and scheduled visits to the classroom, we cannot accommodate unannounced visits from parents before or during the school day. Please help our staff each morning by giving them time with students between 7:20-7:40 and only visit the classroom when a pre-arranged visit is scheduled.

The following is a list of guidelines that all volunteers should be familiar with for the

volunteer program to be successful:

If a volunteer is unable to fulfill a commitment on any occasion, the

volunteer should notify the teacher, office, or the PTA volunteer coordinator. Volunteers should not bring pre-school age children when volunteering. The

school’s insurance policy does not cover this group of children and they are often a distraction.

Volunteers should not interrupt the instructional program or a teacher’s planning period to discuss matters concerning his or her individual child.