Student / Parent Handbook HERTFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL (Grades 3-5) John Lassiter, 252.426.7166 Principal ​ fax: 252.426.7293 603 Dobbs Street Hertford, NC 27944 Dear Panther Family: Hertford Grammar School strives to provide every child with an exceptional education. Our school serves approximately 400 students in grades 3, 4 and 5. HGS is a Title I school and we are proud of our dedicated, experienced staff and enthusiastic learners! As the demands of teaching children increase, it becomes more evident that we all need to work together to ensure that our children reach their fullest potential. We believe it is everyone’s responsibility to empower children with the creative, intellectual and decision-making skills necessary to become successful. With that in mind, we invite you to be an active participant at Hertford Grammar School. Whether you are a classroom volunteer, a member of the parent/teacher/student association or a member of one of our school committees, you are encouraged to be involved. Research clearly demonstrates that parent participation in their child’s school coincides with a greater likelihood of academic success. It is our desire to keep you informed of all that is taking place at Hertford Grammar School. If, at any time, you have questions or concerns that arise, please do not hesitate to give your child’s teacher or me a call. My contact information is [email protected]. We appreciate the opportunity to serve your child and value your contributions as a partner in education. Sincerely, John R Lassiter Perquimans County Schools Ms. Tanya Turner Mr. James R. Bunch Superintendent Assistant Superintendent The Board of Education meets the fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Board of Education office. Any changes in this schedule will be announced. The meetings are open to the public and we invite you to attend. Board of Education Office: 411 S. Edenton Road Street Hertford, NC 27944 Mission: Perquimans County Schools provide a 21st Century personalized education and ensure career readiness for every child, every day. Vision: Perquimans County Schools, in partnership with family and community, will educate all students in a safe and nurturing environment to thrive in a global society. The Perquimans County School System does not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, handicapping conditions, pregnancy, parental or marital status, or disability in any of its educational or employment programs or activities. STUDENT AND PARENT HANDBOOK Hertford Grammar School Motto "My Best Today, Even Better Tomorrow" Mission To inspire each student to become the best version of themselves; personally and academically. Vision To become a regionally recognized, community-focused school, focused on preparing our students to be resilient thinkers who embrace technology as a powerful tool for learning. Core Beliefs Student Learning Curriculum & Instruction ➔ Relationships are fundamental to student ➔ We teach the NCSCOS to provide a solid learning. educational foundation for our students. ➔ All students can learn.. All students have ➔ We use relevant and age-appropriate talents, skills, and unique abilities. instructional strategies. ➔ Parent partnerships and support are a crucial ➔ We see technology as a tool to deepen content part of student learning. knowledge and personalize skill practice. “Students don't care how much you know until they “Education is all a matter of building bridges.” know how much you care.” ~Anonymous ~ Ralph Ellison Technology Assessment & Data ➔ We believe students should be taught how to ➔ Students are more than a test score. use technology as a tool for learning. ➔ Assessments provide teachers information on ➔ Technology can make a teacher more efficient what curriculum has been mastered and what and more effective, but it can never replace the needs to be retaught. work a teacher does. ➔ Data is a tool to help teachers improve the ➔ Technology has a growing role in our world. quality of education we can provide students. “Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers is “Data that sit unused are no different from data that we transformational.” ~George Couros never collected in the 1st place. ~Doug Fisher & Nancy Frey General Guidelines for Students at HGS (Instructional Day: 7:55 AM – 3:10 PM) (Office Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM) Academically Gifted - Advanced Academics: Perquimans County Schools understands that advanced ​ academic, creative, and leadership potential can be found in all ethnic, geographic, and socio-economic groups. Students that have exceptional academic or intellectual potential must be recognized, challenged, and nurtured through differentiated services beyond those, which are ordinarily provided by the regular education programs. Perquimans County Schools updated the District AIG plan in spring of 2019 with input from staff, parents and the community. Arrival: Student hours are from 7:55 AM - 3:10 PM. Students who participate in the Early Bird program will ​ ​ be housed in the media center until 7:40 each day. The Early Bird time varies from year to year. Students are monitored by a staff member until dismissed to the classrooms at 7:40 am. Attendance/Absences: A. Attendance Records – School officials shall keep an accurate record of attendance. Attendance ​ records will be used to enforce the Compulsory Attendance Law of North Carolina. B. Tardiness – Students who arrive to school after 7:55 AM are considered late for class. Students who ​ are late must sign-in and have a note to enter class. An adult needs to accompany your child when they are late. a. Students who are signed out early are also counted as tardy. *Students with excessive numbers of absences or tardies will be referred to the JAC. Referrals may resulted in a report to the Department of Social Services. Please make attendance a priority this year. If an emergency arises leading to extended absence, please make contact a school administrator or the school nurse. Bus Transportation: ​ Perquimans County Schools makes every effort to ensure each student safe transportation to and from school each day. Students are encouraged to utilize school buses for transportation to and from school. Riding the bus is a privilege and the student is responsible for behaving in a manner, which will ensure the safety of all passengers. All students shall follow the directions of the bus driver for loading, unloading, seating assignment, and conduct on the bus. Failure to follow any and all rules and regulations while riding a bus may result in the student’s bus riding privileges being denied on a temporary and/or permanent basis. Bus Stop & Crossing Procedures: ​ Students in Grades 3-12 are not required to have anyone present at the bus stop drop off. 1. Students should arrive at their bus stop 5 minutes prior to scheduled pick up time. 2. Students should stand 12 feet away from traffic as they wait. 3. Once the bus comes to a stop, students should wait for the stop arm to extend. a. If the student must cross the road in order to load/unload the bus: i. The driver will be hold their palm up for the student to wait for traffic to stop ii. Students should stop to look both ways then check again. When it is okay the driver will give the student a “thumbs up” and then point in the direction they will walk to cross the street. Students should remove ear buds & hoods before crossing the street. 4. Students should look for moving traffic both ways as they walk across the street. 5. Students should cross in front of the bus in full view of the driver. Bus Rules: 1. Upon boarding the bus, students should go directly to their assigned seats and remain seated, facing forward during the entire ride. 2. Students should speak quietly while on the bus. 3. Students should keep the aisles clear at all times. a. Balloons and glass containers should not be brought on the bus. b. Large instruments and book bags should be kept on the students lap during the duration of the ride. 4. Students should follow the directions given by their bus drivers in a respectful manner. Under no circumstance should a Parent/Guardian board a bus. Violators will be prosecuted. For student disciplinary issues, please contact your child’s school. For issues regarding Transportation employees, please contact Perquimans County Schools Transportation Department. ​ The State of North Carolina and the Perquimans County Board of Education consider the following offenses reason to remove a student from a bus: 1. Delaying the bus schedule. 2. Fighting, smoking, using profanity or refusing to obey the instructions of the bus driver. 3. Tampering with the bus. 4. Refusing to meet the bus at the designated stop. 5. Unauthorized leaving of the bus when en-route to or from the school. 6. Playing, throwing trash or other objects 7. Failure to observe established safety rules and regulations Alternate Bus Stop Procedures: If a student needs to ride to an alternate bus stop, a parent/guardian must complete a Parent Application for Alternate Transportation form. Completed forms should be turned in to the student’s school office by 10:00 am on the Monday prior to the change. Anything received after this time will not be guaranteed transportation to/from the alternate stop. Forms will be approved by school administration, then forwarded to the Transportation Department for bus assignment and final approval. Upon Transportation’s approval, the school will contact the parent/guardian indicated on the form of the stop’s approval. “As Needed” bus amendments will no longer be accepted. In a true emergency situation, a parent/guardian may call the school to arrange for alternate transportation at the discretion of school administration.