School Hours

School hours for students (Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade): 7:45 a.m. to 1:55 p.m. Staff members begin the day at 7:15 a.m. and end at 2:45 p.m. The office staff arrives a 7:00 a.m. Please do not call prior to that time. Students who get dropped off to school are asked to arrive no earlier than 7:30 a.m., fifteen minutes before school begins. Please do not drop off students earlier than 7:30 a.m. The earliest arrival time for students is 7:30 a.m.

Tardiness

Students who arrive late are marked tardy and should bring a note from home explaining the reason for the tardiness. Tardy students are to report directly to the nurse to receive a late pass to class.

Early Departures

Early dismissals require a note from the parent/guardian. The note should be given to the teacher first thing in the morning. The note is then sent to the office. If someone other than the parent is to pick up your child, you must send the school your written authorization. (If there is a custody problem with a student, please notify the office and the teacher.) This is to help ensure the safety of our students. Students will not be allowed to leave the building either unescorted or without written parental consent.

The parent/adult that is picking up your child is to report to the school office first and sign out the student. Parents must show picture identification at that time. The office staff will then notify the classroom teacher of the early departure.

Dismissal from School

Walkers are dismissed from school at 1:50 p.m. All other students are dismissed at 1:55 p.m. The walkers leave through specific exits. They should wait for brothers, sisters, and friends outside the building. Bus students are dismissed from their classrooms and walk directly to the front of the building and to their assigned bus.

Parents Picking Up Students

Students who are transported by private cars must be picked up at 1:50 p.m., when the walkers are dismissed.

Safety is a prime concern at Francis T. Evans Elementary School. The school safety plan is updated annually. It addresses everyday safety as well as emergency situations. We ask parents to support our efforts to provide a safe environment by reinforcing school rules with their children regarding behavior at school, on buses, and walking to and from school. We beseech parents to follow safe driving practices around our school and drop off and pick up students only at designated areas.

EARLY CLOSINGS & DELAYED OPENINGS

Emergency Dismissal Forms

The emergency dismissal forms provide the parents the opportunity to convey to the school the alternate plans for care and custody of their children when school closes early. Please go over these plans with your child so he/she will be familiar with the procedure. Make sure your child returns his/her emergency dismissal form to the school so that we have a record of your family emergency plan.

VISITORS

Every visitor must sign in at the office and receive a visitor’s pass before visiting any part of the school. Parents may not confer with teachers except at prearranged times.

Classroom Visitations

Parents are encouraged to visit the building during school hours provided instruction is not disturbed. It is important that you enter and exit the classroom quietly.   Classroom visits must be scheduled 24 hours prior to the visit.  If you would like to have a conference with the teacher, please be sure to schedule the meeting to ensure that the teacher will be available. Conferences with the teacher should be scheduled before or after school hours.

Telephone Calls

Students are only permitted to use the school telephone in an emergency.  The principal or secretary must give permission before the call is made. Students will not be given permission to use the pay telephone located in the hallway. We therefore need parent support by seeing to it that your children have written notes from home for early departures and for other special requests. Our office staff and telephone lines are needed for school business and emergencies.

Telephone Numbers

Main Office (301) 599-2480

Guidance Office (301) 599-2480

Health Room  (301) 599-2484

Cafeteria  (301) 599-2485

Attendance

Maryland Law (State Annotated Code – Education Article 7-301) requires regular attendance at school for children ages five to sixteen. Violations of this law set forth penalties to parents, guardians, or custodians of the children, of a fine not to exceed $50.00 per day of unlawful absence, or imprisonment for up to 10 days, or both.


Lawful (Excused) Absences

Death in the Immediate Family
Illness of the Student
Court Summons
Hazardous Weather Conditions
Principal – Approved
Observance of Religious Holiday
State of Emergency
Suspension
When a student returns to school after an absence, a note should be sent with him/her to the teacher. The note should include the date of the absence, the reason, and be signed by the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child.

If a student returns to school without a note, the teacher will issue a temporary note. If a note is not brought in on the third day, the absence will become unexcused.

Truancy

Any absence from school for reasons other than those listed above is unlawful. Parents will be contacted.

Make-up Work

A student with an excused absence will be permitted one day for each day absent to make up work. When students return to school, they should ask for missed assignments. Work will only be provided for excused absences.

Lunch

The cost of an elementary school lunch is $2.75 including milk. A la carte milk is $0.55. A computerized meal program is in operation at Francis T. Evans. Each student has/will have a 4-digit personal identification number (PIN#) in order to access his/her school account. Parents will be able to access, monitor, and pay directly into their child's lunch account online, at the www.MySchoolBucks.com website. Effective July 1, the Department of Food and Nutrition Services will no longer accept personal checks. The monthly school menu will also be available online.

Instructional Program

Pre-Kindergarten students attend half-day sessions in a class of approximately 20 students. Kindergarten students attend all-day sessions in classes of approximately 22 students. Primary classes for grades one and two also average approximately 22 students. Kindergarten through grade five students receive reading/language arts instruction daily. Students have opportunities for hands-on instruction using manipulatives to aid student understanding of key mathematical concepts, ideas, and practices. Instructional blocks in both content areas allow opportunities for students to work in small, flexible groupings to reinforce skill attainment and writing experiences. Students receive music, physical education, and media instruction by specialists in each of the areas. Special education service is provided in a variety of formats. Inclusion instruction and pullout programs occur for special education students. Talented and gifted students receive pullout instruction. The core curricular programs are all based on the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards. These standards incorporate the Common Core State Standards.

Reading Resource

The reading specialist is available to assist students in improving reading skills that may interfere with satisfactory progress in the classroom reading program.

Special Education

The special education resource program serves children identified by the Admission/Review/Dismissal Team, according to their prescribed individual educational programs. While the programs are tailored to meet individual needs, the general aims include:

• Meeting academic criteria successfully
• Enhancing basic study skills
• Building self-esteem
• Coordinating child’s program with all involved educators
• Administering assessments
• Communicating with home to keep individual programs current and meaningful
• Advocating rights and needs of children
• Additional children may be served as space permits

TAG Program

Those students identified through the screening process for Prince George's County Public Schools are provided with activities designed by the county to enrich their educational experiences.

Speech Therapy

The itinerant speech therapist tests and works with students having difficulty with articulation, language, stuttering, voice and/or auditory processing.

SIT

The School Instructional Team (SIT) meets monthly to address individual needs of students. Parents wishing to have a child screened for learning problems, social problems and/or the gifted and talented programs should ask the child’s teacher to refer him/her to SIT.

PEER MEDIATION

The Peer Mediation programs will be available to help students resolve conflicts. Students will learn to identify the skills to enhance the communication process and to build appropriate communication skills.

REPORT CARD & CONFERENCES

A child’s progress in school is of importance to both the home and the school. The reporting system in Prince Georges County is designed to offer the strength of both a report card and a parent-teacher conference. Report cards are issued four times during the year for grades kindergarten through five. The final report is issued at the close of the school year. A parent-teacher conference, for students in grades K-5, is scheduled at the convenience of the parent and teacher during one of the reporting periods. The teacher initiates the scheduling for the reporting conferences, but either parent or teacher may request additional conferences. If the parent is unable to attend a scheduled reporting conference during one for the reporting periods, this will result in the loss of an especially valuable contact between the school and the home. When a conference is held, the parent is given a copy of the written report for that period.

Grades eligible for use on report cards are as follows:

K-1

PR-Proficient

IP- In Process

EM- Emerging

ND- Needs Development



Grades 2-5

A – Excellent Progress

B – Above Average Progress

C – Average Progress

D – Below Average Progress

E – Unsatisfactory Progress

Factors used to determine K-5 student grades are

* Classwork

*Homework

* Assessments

At the midpoint of each reporting period, an interim progress report is issued to parents of students with grade averages, at the time, of “D” or “E” in any subject area. This alerts parents of a problem midway through the grading period when improvement can still be made.

This reporting system enables the home and the school to share information about each student’s progress.

Homework

Francis T. Evans recognizes homework as an integral and necessary part of the educational program of each student. The purpose of homework is to reinforce, supplement, and enrich work done in the classroom, to promote competency in skills, and to help students learn to manage time effectively.

We recommend that definite home study habits be developed and maintained each day. These include:

Establishing a set time when homework will be completed.
Providing the proper environment- light, quiet, and freedom from distraction.
Providing the necessary supplies.
Offering assistance in the form of guidance. However, do not complete assignments for your child.

Honor Roll

For each grading period, students in grade 3-5 who earn all grades of “A” and/or “B” on their report card will be recognized. There will be three levels of recognition: students with “A” and “B” in work habits in behavior; students with “A” and “B” in all areas; and students with all “A” grades. Since children in Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade do not receive “A” and “B” grades, they will not be included. Teachers will plan an appropriate recognition in those grades. 

Counseling & Guidance

The guidance counselor at Francis T. Evans is here to assist all students. Counselors enable individuals to realize their uniqueness, potential, and feelings of self worth. The guidance program is developmental in nature and has the following objectives. The guidance program will:

Facilitate the personal and academic growth of all students.
Ensure the development of educational and career decision-making skills of all students.
Promote the development of interpersonal skills among all students.
Provide services to the school community, which will facilitate the growth and learning of all students.

Citizenship & Conduct

Students’ conduct in school must be acceptable and appropriate at all times. It must not interfere with the learning of other students or the safe and orderly learning environment at Francis T. Evans. Disrespectful language will not be tolerated.

Students are responsible for following all school and classroom rules. Students are also expected to display quiet and orderly conduct in the hallways, walking to all destinations. Every member in the building has the authority to direct students on their conduct and responsibilities. Infractions to school policies are subject to disciplinary action.

THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

The County Code of Student Conduct is published each fall. Parents are expected to become active participants in their child’s learning by encouraging positive attitudes toward work and school.

Students who wish to learn should be able to do so in an environment that is positive for learning. To help develop that environment, the Code of Student Conduct

Describes the positive environment
Specifies conduct which is disruptive of such an environment.
Standardizes and makes uniform those procedures to be used in responding to conduct problems.
Assumes equally the rights of students in disciplinary situations.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

Francis T. Evans is committed to providing safe and orderly classrooms and school. When classrooms are orderly, teachers are able to teach and students are able to learn. While we will continue to work to establish alternative strategies to provide a means of remediation and adjustment for inappropriate behavior, school staff will adhere to current policies that require that students be suspended for certain offenses. School staff members will not tolerate violence and chronically disruptive behavior.

STUDENT REFERRAL/INTERVENTION CENTER

Students may be assigned to the Student Referral/Intervention Center by the administration for disrupting the classroom, fighting, or other infractions outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Students assigned to the Referral/Intervention Center will receive a note, phone call, or both to inform parents of the infraction. Students who do not follow the rules in the detention room will be suspended from school. Students will receive problem-solving and prevention counseling as well as class work to be completed that day.

TRANSPORTATION

Students are assigned to the bus that transports them and must ride that bus only. Emergency transportation changes in pick-up or drop-off must be approved by the administration via a note from the parents the morning of the emergency. No telephone changes will be accepted.

Students should be at their bus stops before the scheduled pick-up time (at least 10 minutes early.)

Missing the bus is not an excuse for tardiness.

Procedures for Changing a Bus Schedule

The following procedures are required to change a bus schedule for a student.



Bus Changes for Pick-Up and Drop-Off at a Babysitter

The bus change form must be completed indicating the exact address for the babysitter, including the zip code. Circle the word “baby-sitter” to ensure that the Office of Transportation is aware that the student’s address has not changed.



Bus Changes for Pick-Up and/or Drop-Off at a New Address

A bus change form must be completed indicating the new home address of the student.

Change of address must include a copy of a lease or deed with the new address and parent’s/guardian’s name.

New family cards and a new student registration form must also be completed with the new address and phone number.

BUS BEHAVIOR/RULES 

Students must behave in a way that is safe and courteous to the bus driver, other students, and others. Appropriate behavior means being seated at all times, using soft voices, and being orderly

The following bus rules should be reviewed with your child(ren):

Maintain appropriate conduct

   *  Avoid use of profanity or loud talking on the bus
   *  Remain seated at all times
   *  No eating, drinking, or smoking
   *  Do not litter or vandalize the bus in any way
   *  Keep hands to self (no pushing, shoving or fighting)
   *  Keep hands and objects inside the bus
   *  Keep aisles clear (of objects, feet, etc.)
   *  The driver is the authority on the bus. He/she has the right to assign seats or to ask your child(ren) to modify their behavior.

Students who must go home with a friend on a different bus must bring a written request from parent to an administrator for this purpose.

LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER

The library/media center is one technology component at our school and includes a Media Production Studio. In the library/media center you will find multimedia such as video, filmstrips, transparencies, records, tapes, vertical files, and magazines. Books to enrich the curriculum and to provide leisure- reading materials are also housed in the Media Center.

The library/media center is open one-half hour before and after the instructional day for the exchange of material.

TEXTBOOKS AND LIBRARY BOOKS

Each student is responsible for textbooks issued to him/her. Textbooks are to be covered at all times. Lost books must be replaced through payment for new books. Damaged books must be replaced or repaired. Likewise, library books that a student checks out must be returned, or the cost of the books must be paid.

PERSONAL POSSESSIONS

Label your child’s possessions so that lost items can be returned.  Do not write the phone number or name where it is visible on personal possessions for safety reasons. The school is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

MEDICATION

Prescription and over-the-counter medicine is never to be sent to school with a student. Parents must fill out a special form issued by the school nurse and completed by the child’s doctor for medicine to be administered at school.

CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT

It is a felony for school officials to fail to report suspected child abuse to the proper authorities. Our school will report suspected child neglect as well.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

In April, for siblings of current students, a special early registration is held for students who will be attending kindergarten at Francis T. Evans in the upcoming school year.  Parents or guardians must register them in person, at the school, during the designated registration period.

SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are citizens who desire to contribute to the program through the wide variety of specialized abilities and talents that they bring to it. They serve to free the professionals to perform the functions for which they are best trained. Volunteers supplement and enrich the efforts of the professional.

Francis T. Evans Elementary School needs a strong volunteer program; mothers, fathers, grandparents, senior citizens and young adults are welcome. Volunteers can work in several areas: classroom volunteer, media center, and PTA volunteer. Contact your child’s teacher or the volunteer coordinator.

PTA

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) holds monthly meetings. Notices are sent home regarding exact dates, times and agenda items. All parents and teachers are strongly encouraged to join and participate in the PTA. Educational events, fundraisers, and socials benefit the students, teachers, parents and the community.