Miscellaneous Items

School Store

Emmitsburg Elementary School operates a school store for the convenience of families and students. Its hours are from 8:10 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. each day. If your child attends afternoon prekindergarten, please contact the school office.

Lost or Damaged Books

Families are responsible for the cost of lost or damaged text and library books (less 10% cost per year of use). If you have paid for a lost book and it is found, you will be reimbursed.
Please help your child keep his/her textbooks covered, as this helps us keep our books in good condition.

Parties and Birthdays

Each classroom will have two parties a year. One will be a Valentine’s Day party and the other will be an end of the year picnic. Room mothers will help teachers arrange the parties.
The celebration of an individual student’s birthday may occur with the prior approval of the child’s teacher. Due to time limitations, this must take the form of a small treat (cupcake, brownie, etc.) that can either be distributed at lunch or at a transition period during the day.
In order to reduce the loss of instructional time and to prevent hurt feelings, students will not be permitted to distribute invitations to private parties at school.

Transfer / Withdrawals

Please follow the following procedures when you are transferring your child from our school

· Notify the school office of the EXACT date you will withdraw your child.
· Give the school the name and address of your child’s new school.
· A copy of a Maryland Transfer Form and your child’s immunization record will be sent home with them on his/her last day at our school.
· Permanent records will be sent directly to the new school upon the written request of that school.

Student Dress

Students should be appropriately dressed while attending school and school functions. Dress should be appropriate for the age group involved and should not create a disruptive influence on the educational program. Clothing should not depict activities or situations of violence, advertise alcoholic beverages or drugs (including tobacco), and should provide adequate covering. If a student wears an article of clothing that is inappropriate, he/she will be asked to turn his/her shirt inside out or to wear a shirt provided by the school. Students will be asked to hang up all outerwear during the instructional day. Hats are not to be worn in the building except on announced special days. Please help your child use good judgement as he/she dresses for school each morning.

Toys

Toys (anything to “play with”) brought to school usually will create a disturbance or become a distraction to class work. Therefore, students are not allowed to bring toys to school unless they are given permission by the teacher to bring them for a special purpose. Toys taken from children will be kept in the office and may be picked up by the parent.

Outside Activities

Staff members may decide if a child will go out based on current weather conditions and appropriate dress.

Weapons Reminder

It is unlawful for students to possess or use any weapon on school property. Students who have or use a weapon on school property will be suspended from school and the police will be notified of the incident. A weapon is any object designed to harm another physically or an object, which is used in a way that can physically harm another. Our school is committed to providing each of our students with a safe environment and we will do all we can to carry out that responsibility including, if necessary, conducting searches.

Tobacco-Free Zone

A reminder that the use of any kind of tobacco products on Frederick County Public School property or during any school sponsored activities, including field trips, PTA events, etc. are prohibited at all times. This includes when students are being brought to or leaving school and all after-hour events on school property.

Security at Emmitsburg

Our school staff will take every precaution to assure the safety and well being of our students.

In the event of an emergency, the school administration receives information from the school system’s central office under the direction of law enforcement and emergency agencies that are responsible for coordinating the community’s response.

Our school has specific plans in place that provide us direction for a variety of situations. Depending on the nature of the incidents, a school may be directed to

· dismiss students early
· shelter in place (partial or full lockdown)
· evacuate students to an alternative location, or
· establish an emergency shelter for the community

If the school is instructed to protect students by keeping them inside, family members may not be permitted to pick up children until it is safe to do so. This will last no longer than necessary for safety purposes. Local media will be used to make announcements, using the following codes:

Code Green – (Usual routine) - no change in normal procedures and activities

Code Yellow – (Heightened alert) – be aware that the usual routines may
change; stay tuned.

Code Orange – (Partial lockdown) – only authorized access to building, no
students allowed outside unsupervised, activities conducted
as usual inside the building.

Code Red – (Full lockdown) – doors will be locked, no one enters or leaves,
Students and staff stay inside until crisis situation clears.

During the school year, we may conduct various drills to practice our plans, so that students will know how to react in a particular situation.

Buckle-Up

Please be sure that all students are buckled in their car seats before leaving school property. We care about our students – your children.

Posting Student Work

In an effort to celebrate the accomplishments of our students, it has been our procedure to allow students to have their graded work displayed in their classrooms and throughout the building. In many instances, students have actually selected the work that they would like to have showcased.

If for any reason, you do not want your child’s graded work to be displayed, please send a note to the principal and she will distribute this information to the school staff.