THIS AGENDA BELONGS TO:

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1 THIS AGENDA BELONGS TO: Name: ODENTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Since 1892 Building a foundation for a lifetime of learning. Tracey Ahern Principal Pete Thompson Assistant Principal 1290 Odenton Road Odenton, Maryland Telephone: Health Room: Fax: The Anne Arundel County Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation or familial status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs. 1

2 PRINCIPAL S MESSAGE Odenton Elementary is dedicated to building a foundation for a lifetime of learning. We believe that the skills, knowledge, and attitude that students demonstrate in school and at home will impact them throughout their life. OUR MISSION & VISION MISSION: Odenton Elementary School is committed to high achievement for each student through a balanced, rigorous, and integrated instructional program in partnership with the home and community by: Monitoring student growth through on-going data analysis Using effective teaching techniques to differentiate instruction Modeling and expecting respectful, responsible, safe and productive behaviors VISION: Odenton Elementary School will provide a positive learning environment with high expectations through collaboration with all stakeholders. Staff: increased horizontal and vertical team collaboration to foster effective instructional practices. Student: engage in active learning to increase their own levels of achievement and to promote real life connections. Parents: support our school community by increasing involvement in the academic and social development of our children. ODENTON ELEMENTARY IS A PBIS SCHOOL Odenton is a PBIS school. PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is a process for creating a safe, inclusive school environment. PBIS is a systems approach to enhancing the capacity of schools to educate all children by developing research-based school-wide and classroom management systems. The process focuses on improving a school s ability to teach and support positive behavior for all students. Rather than a prescribed program, PBIS provides systems for schools to design, implement and evaluate effective school-wide, classroom, non-classroom, and student specific management plans. PBIS IS NOT a program or a curriculum. IT IS a team-based process for systematic problem solving, planning, and evaluation. It is an approach to creating a school-wide culture that includes: Consistent communication between families and classrooms Shared, positive behavior expectations in classrooms. Positive reinforcement that emphasizes intrinsic motivation Routines and procedures for non-classroom settings within the school environment. A continuum of supports to address a range of behaviors. OES s BE ON T.R.A.C.K. PROGRAM Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies As part of our PBIS program, students are reminded to meet expectations by being On T.R.A.C.K. Students are recognized for behaviors that exemplify positive character traits, including: T - Tenacious R - Ready to Learn A - Accountable C - Creative K - Kind HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION The staff consistently uses ClassDojo to communicate with families. Additionally, teachers in Grades 2-5 use a Daily Journal (DJ) and teachers in all grades use the weekly Wednesday Work Folder (WWF) to communicate concerns and progress with parents. Please check your child(ren) s DJ and WWF for notes from their teacher. Parents can also communicate with teachers by writing notes in the DJ or WWF. ***Students are required to have parents initial the DJ each evening.*** 2

3 PROHIBITED ITEMS Toys (including trading/gaming cards and electronic games) should be kept at home. With express approval from the teacher, some games and toys may be brought in for indoor recess or show-and-tell. Any toys that represent weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited in accordance with the Anne Arundel County Code of Conduct. Inappropriate toys that are brought to school will be kept by the teacher in a safe place and given to the parent directly or returned in June. Thank you for your cooperation. Fidget spinners are not allowed in school under any circumstances. ELECTRONIC DEVICE MISUSE Use of communication devices (such as cell phones), IPods, or other electronic devices during the school day or on school buses (unless in an emergency) is strictly prohibited. Any student found to be using an electronic device during the school day will have the item confiscated and kept in the school office until such time as a parent or guardian comes to retrieve the item. SECURITY ID SYSTEM Odenton Elementary is using a computer system to track visitors, volunteers, substitutes and others who visit our building. When you enter Odenton E. S., you will need to: Check in with the office. Show picture ID Print out an ID label, which will have your name and identify your purpose for this visit ( i.e. volunteer, visitor, field trip, etc) Check out in office. Thank you for helping to keep Odenton Elementary SAFE! PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION The Odenton Elementary PTA would like to welcome you to school. We are looking forward to meeting you and encourage you to join us in our endeavor to make this year special for all the children. OUR MISSION: To support and speak on behalf of the children in our school and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting our children. To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children. To encourage parent and public involvement in our school. We also try to make the year fun for the kids with special events, ongoing educational assistance programs and special recognition for a job well done. We encourage you to get involved with the PTA. We have something for everyone who desires to improve the school. There are opportunities to volunteer in the building and classrooms, at special events, and plenty of behind the scenes help for those who are not available during the day. We will function best when we all work together. odenton pta@gmail.com CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) functions in an advisory capacity to the Board of Education. It acts as an active sounding board when the Board of Education seeks advice on any given issue. The CAC provides a forum for public discussion of educational concerns. It informs the school and school board of differing interests and needs of the community it serves. The community is also informed by the CAC of different educational issues. Meetings are generally held several times a year, usually at the end of a PTA board meeting, and are open to all parents. People interested in serving on the committee should contact Ms. Ahern at school. CUSTODY PAPERS Parents who have court-awarded custody of their child must have the custody papers on file in the school office; otherwise the school must release a child to either natural parent. CHANGE OF ADDRESS & TELEPHONE It is extremely important that every parent maintain an up-to-date address and working telephone number record at the school office. Notify the school immediately if there is a change. 3

4 DAILY SCHEDULE The school day is from 9:35 am to 4:00pm. Students are not allowed in the building prior to 9:15am since staff members are involved in planning and meetings. Children eating breakfast at school in the morning will be allowed to enter school at 8:55 am. This will be strictly enforced. It is important to note that no adult is on duty until 9:05am., and any student who is dropped off before 9:05am will not be attended by an adult. Doors remain open until 9:35 am. Any child reporting to school after doors are closed must be accompanied by an adult and report to the main office. Please do not try to confer with your child s teacher in the morning or during dismissal. They are busy getting the children and taking attendance. If you wish to talk to the teacher, please call and schedule an appointment with the teacher so that both of you can talk without interruptions. Everyone visiting the school must report to the main office to get a visitor or volunteer badge while in the building. STORMY DAYS & OTHER INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES Please complete the emergency dismissal form and return it to school promptly. Students may be released early in the event of a snowstorm or excessively heavy rain or lightning. Make certain your child is aware of these arrangements, which may be different than their regular routine. In cases such as loss of electricity or water, ice snow and other incidents that may cause school to be closed early, your child should know what emergency procedures to follow (i.e. follow normal procedures). Buses and Open Door should operate normally. Please discuss these procedures with your child so he/she will know what to expect. DISMISSAL CHANGES When a child is to be dismissed from school early, the parent must come to the office, sign the early dismissal book and then wait by the office for the child to come from the classroom. Please contact the school in advance (in writing whenever possible) to notify us of any dismissal changes. Please do not ask for early dismissal between 3:45pm and 4:00pm to insure a safe and organized dismissal. Be prepared to show the secretary some type of identification. If you send someone to the school and have not notified the office of the change, we cannot release your child to that person. STUDENT ATTIRE Odenton Elementary maintains a dress code in accordance with that of Anne Arundel County Public Schools (see the AACPS Student Handbook for more information). Students may not wear hats or headwear (with exceptions for religious or health reasons). Footwear must be secure no shoes without backs (i.e. flip-flops) are permitted. Any clothing with inappropriate content is prohibited, as are tank-tops with straps less than 1 inch wide. MEALS (BREAKFAST & LUNCH) We encourage students to pay for their meals on a weekly or monthly basis. Children frequently lose all or part of their money when they bring it in on a daily basis. Parents or students can purchase tickets on the morning in the school cafeteria for breakfast and lunch (make checks payable to OES. HEALTH PROGRAM Odenton Elementary is part of the expanding health service program in Anne Arundel County. A health assistant will supervise the health room each day. In addition, Odenton Elementary will split the services of a registered nurse (RN) with another school in SY Telephone:

5 MEDICAL CONCERNS & ADMINISTERING MEDICATION Parents should make the school aware of any medical problems a child might have. Only the health room staff may administer medicine to students at school. A medical authorization form will be sent home in the first newsletter in case you have a need for it. Please complete this whenever your child will need to take medication during the school day. This must be signed by a doctor. We are not allowed to even let children take cough drops, aspirin or medicated chap stick because of liability. Thank you for your cooperation. ATTENDANCE Attendance is a critical factor in any child s school success. Children should attend school every day, except in cases of illness or emergency. Please make sure to send in a note with your child after an absence has occurred within 3 days of returning to school. Notes received after 3 days cannot be excused. Regular attendance and promptness are good habits that are expected and appreciated at all levels of schooling. Commit to excellence in attendance! CHECK OUT THE ODENTON WEBSITE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR The elementary school counselor works with all children in the school. The counselor also works with the teachers, administrative staff, and parents. The services of the elementary school counselor focus on identifying and providing for the individual needs of all students. The student s needs can be met by recognizing the counselor as a child advocate. Some of the counselor s involvement focuses on : (1) consulting with teachers to identify needs of students, (2) helping parents learn effective skills for interacting with their children, and (3) consulting with he school psychologist, pupil personnel worker, and school principal to deliver appropriate services. In addition, the counselor strives to help each child learn to make choices that lead to responsible behavior. Classroom, group, and/or individual activities are provided. Some of these activities include building self-confidence and self-esteem, making decisions, adjusting to a new school, getting along with others, and developing organizational study skills. Very important information is listed on our website. Such as: Monthly Newsletter Faculty/Staff PTA School Events School Calendar Health Room Information on our school You may also Odenton Elementary at ODEE317@AACPS.org 5