Policies and Procedures

Students Allowed on Campus: 8:20 am

Tardy Bell: 8:50 am 

Dismissal Bell: 3:50 pm

Half-Day Dismissal Bell: 12:50 pm

UNIFORM BOTTOMS:

Color: Tan or Khaki Style:

• Pants
• Shorts
• Skorts
• Jumpers (Khaki Only)

Length: Uniform bottoms must extend past the fingertips of the student when their arms are placed to their side.

UNIFORM TOPS:

Color: Navy Blue or White Style or any PES shirt/top

• White or Navy Polo-style shirt, short or long sleeve
• Navy t-shirt with or without school logo, short or long sleeves
• Any PES event, grade-level, Blue Ribbon, or Spirit Shirt

SHOES:

• Must be close-toed, tennis shoe-style shoes.
• Crocs, sandals, and strapless sandals are not allowed.

BACKPACKS:

Pre-K / Kindergarten:

●        Pre-K and Kindergarten students should carry a two-handle tote bag.

●        Two-handle tote bags are developmentally appropriate to allow students to access their materials independently.

●        Uniform use of tote bags across our Pre-K/Kindergarten students is expected to help ensure student safety – this helps our staff identify our younger students to help support them throughout Campus.

●        All Pre-K/Kindergarten parents are asked to adhere to PES’s tote bag in lieu of backpacks. Totes with the PES emblem may be purchased through the PTA.

Grades 1-3: Students will wear or carry backpacks or messenger book bags.

NO ROLLING BACKPACKS will be permitted at school for safety reasons. Exceptions must be applied for within ten (10) days from the first day the child comes to school. Exceptions must be applied for annually.

School Spirit Day: School-wide dress down/dress-up days are announced at the discretion of the principal. Communication regarding these types of dress-down/dress-up days will be provided via the school's communication systems. Teachers will also provide this information in their weekly classroom overviews. 

School attendance is imperative, not only to satisfy requirements of the law but to help ensure student achievement and success. Every missed day of school is a missed opportunity to learn. As per State policy, St. Tammany Parish Public schools are responsible for enforcing the following requirements:

• Students are expected to be in attendance every student activity day scheduled by the St. Tammany Parish School Board.
• Schools must administer attendance regulations in accordance with State and locally adopted policies.
• In order to be eligible to receive credit for courses passed, high school students may not have more than five (5) days of unexcused absences and/or suspensions/expulsions per full credit course.
• Elementary students may not have more than ten (10) days of unexcused absences, and/or suspensions/expulsions per year. Students in grades K-8 who miss more than three (3) hours of instructional time during the school day will be considered absent for the entire day.
• Students participating in school sponsored activities/field trips that necessitate their being away from school shall be considered to be present and shall be given the opportunity to make up work.

Types of Absences and Attendance

There are three types of absences a student may obtain: Type One: Excused; Type Two: Unexcused; and Type Three: Suspensions/Expulsions. A student who is absent (excused or unexcused), including a suspended student, shall be allowed to submit missed assignments and tests, and shall be eligible to receive the same academic credit and grades originally available when work is completed satisfactorily. However, the final grade/course credit can be withheld if the minimum seat time requirements have not been met. The number of days allotted for make-up work is equal to the total number of consecutive school days the student was absent. After the student receives the missed assignments, the student has the same number of days to complete the work as the number of days missed.

Type One Absence: Excused

Excused absences are not considered for purposes of truancy, including absences incurred due to extenuating circumstances and will not be counted against students in determining whether a student meets attendance requirements.

The excused absences are defined in the attendance policy as the following:

• Extended personal physical or emotional illness as verified by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed in the state.
• Extended hospital stay as verified by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed in the state.
• Extended recuperation from an accident as verified by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed in the state.
• Extended contagious disease within a family in which a student is absent as verified by a dentist or physician licensed in the state.
• Quarantine due to prolonged exposure to or direct contact with a person diagnosed with a contagious, deadly disease, as ordered by state or local health officials.
• Observance of special and recognized holidays of the student’s own faith with documentation provided.
• Visitation with an immediate family member who is a member of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard of a state and such immediate family member has been called to duty for or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting with proper documentation. These absences shall not exceed five days per school year.
• Travel for educational purposes. These absences must be approved prior to the travel with the supporting documentation submitted to the principal. Verification of the educational experience must be submitted upon return to school.
• Death in the immediate family with documentation. These absences shall not exceed five days.
• National catastrophe and/or disaster.
• A student may be absent related to the student’s mental health for up to three days in any school year, and such absences shall be excused when documentation/verification is submitted in accordance with the student handbook. The student shall be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Upon the return to school following the second day of mental health absence in any school year, the student shall be referred to the appropriate school support personnel for guidance in addressing the underlying issue, which may include referral to medical services outside of the school setting.
• Student personal illness or serious illness in the family.
• Pregnant and parenting students at a minimum of 10 days after the birth of a child as verified by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed in the state

Type Two: Unexcused Absences

Unexcused absences are any absence not meeting the requirements set forth in the excused absence definition, including but not limited to absences due to any job (including agriculture and domestic services, even in their own homes or for their own parents or tutors) unless it is part of an approved instructional program.  These absences count against the student when determining whether the student meets attendance requirements.

Type Three: Suspensions/Expulsions

Suspensions/Expulsions are absences in which a student is not in attendance in the regular instructional setting due to disciplinary actions imposed by the school. The absence is not considered for purposes of truancy unless the student was assigned to an alternative site and is not in attendance at the assigned alternative site.   These absences count against the student when determining whether the student meets attendance requirements and truancy; if the student was assigned to an alternative school, but was not in attendance.

Absences Procedures

Excuses for all absences must be presented in writing to the school principal or designee within five (5) school days of the absence. The note must include the student’s full name, days of absence, reason for absence and/or doctor’s verification, parent/guardian signature and date of signature. Failure to send the note within five (5) school days of the absence will result in an unexcused absence.

In elementary through junior high school, when a student accumulates their third (3), fifth (5), and tenth (10) unexcused absence, notification will be made to the parents/guardians that their child may have to make up seat time based on the number of unexcused absences accumulated. Students who have 10 or more unexcused absences will be required to make up seat time and their missing assignments in order to retain their course grade/credit.  

In high school, when a student accumulates their third (3) and fifth (5) unexcused absence a notification will be made to the parents/guardians that their child will have to make up seat time for any unexcused absence over 5 (five).  Students who have over five (5) unexcused absences per full credit course will be required to make up seat time and their missing assignments for each full credit course, in order to retain their course grade/credit.

Seat Time Recovery Requirement

Students in danger of failing due to excessive unexcused absences may be allowed to make up missed seat time held outside of the regular school day. The makeup sessions must be completed before the end of the current semester for high school students and the end of the year for elementary/junior high students.

Truancy

Parents will receive notification of the State truancy policy at the beginning of the school year. Any juvenile student who is habitually absent or tardy from school will be reported as a truant child to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, the family and/or juvenile court according to the provisions of Louisiana Children’s Code regarding families in need of services.  Louisiana law requires the parent or legal guardian of a truant student shall ensure that the student makes up missed school work by attending after-school tutoring sessions, weekend make-up classes, or other remediation opportunities, as determined by the school board until the student has caught up with his/her school work.  The parent shall also attend meetings at the school on at least a monthly basis relative to the student’s progress until the student has caught up on his/her missed work.

Tardiness

Students who frequently arrive late for school lose valuable instructional time, learn unproductive work habits for the future, and create needless disruption to the school and classroom setting. The district has a policy for tardiness that is enforced to help ensure the maximum, high-quality instructional time for all students at the school. Parents are urged to support the academic success of students by requiring and assisting students to be on time for school every day.

CHECK-IN PROCEDURES:

Beginning at 8:50 am and beyond, parents must park in an identified parking spot in the Front Loop to accompany their child to check-in as tardy in the Front Office. No student will report to campus after 8:50am for school without the accompaniment of a parent/guardian. Parents will be called back to the school to comply should the student be dropped off after 8:50am unescorted. No exceptions.

Students that arrive on campus between 8:45am and 8:50am will be issued a pass to class. However, students arriving on campus after 8:45am will be issued a tardy slip and their attendance records will indicate a tardy arrival.

Students that arrive to campus tardy for reasons that were stated in the Excused Absences section of this handbook will be marked EXCUSED. If a student does not have an adequate reason for being late, they will be  given an UNEXCUSED tardy slip.

The St. Tammany Parish School Board utilizes an automated calling system for attendance. If your child is checked in after attendance has been posted, you will receive a call stating that your child is absent. If you feel this is an error, please call the office to confirm your child is in class.

CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES:

Students will only be permitted to be checked out from school by their parent, legal guardian or authorized person(s) designated on the Emergency Card. The authorized individual checking-out a student must present an identification card in order to check-out a student. No exceptions.

Individuals are not able to call the school prior to arriving on campus in order to begin the check-out process. All check-outs must be conducted in person.

Office personnel will verify your identification with our online Student Information System or the student’s emergency card, input the check-out in the student’s attendance records, then call the student to the office. The authorized person will then sign the back of the student’s emergency card. Please plan to allow the office 10-15 minutes for your child to pack and come to the office.

For safety concerns during the Dismissal Process, no Check-Outs will occur after 3:15pm daily unless previously scheduled with the Front Office personnel by 12:00pm. No exceptions.

Carline begins promptly at 8:20am in the morning and 3:50pm in the afternoons. Gates will be closed to end carline at 8:45am and 4:20pm, respectively. Please avoid blocking any roadway or entrance/exit to neighborhoods or neighboring businesses, refrain from cell phone use and any distractions while driving, and drive slowly and avoid passing other vehicles. Ensure your current school year carline sign is hanging from the rearview mirror or front right corner of the windshield (required in the PM carline pickup). 

Students are expected to carry items independently from the carline to their classrooms. If a student is arriving on campus with large projects, birthday treats, etc., please pull around to the front of campus, park your vehicle, and take these items to the front office.

Up Until 8:20am/3:50pm: Please wait to enter campus at the posted street lamp sign on the street leading up to the carline gates. This will allow staff members to access campus without hazards. Cars are asked to begin moving towards the carline loop at 8:20am from West Causeway Approach. AM & PM Carline begins at the posted sign on the street light.  Do NOT pull past the sign until a carline duty member waves you forward at 8:20am or 3:51pm. Pulling on to campus earlier than these times creates traffic hazards for community members accessing campus that are not part of caline. If you have pulled past the sign before the identified time, you will be asked to exit campus and rejoin carline. Please do not block the crosswalk during AM or PM carline lineup.

From 8:20-8:45am/3:50pm-4:20pm: Staff will begin the morning arrival process promptly at 8:20am.

• There are color-coded unloading bays to stop and park your car. Please pull all the way forward and come to a complete stop at the next available unloading bay. During this time ensure your current year carline sign is hanging in the designated locations specified above.
• Staff members will open the car door for your student(s) to exit the vehicle. Students will exit to the PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ONLY. 
• Students are expected to be unbuckled once the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Staff will not be able to assist with unbuckling students. Parents/guardians are asked to assist with unbuckling students secured in a car seat. If necessary, parents are able to pull forward past the unloading bays to unbuckle their children.
• Do NOT exit your car.  Should you or your child need additional time or support during morning arrival, please let a duty teacher know and pull to the top of the carline loop.  If additional assistance is needed, please request an administrator to assist. 

At the 8:45pm BELL/4:20pm the carline will end and the gates will be closed and locked and duty teachers will leave the designated duty spot.

Beginning at 8:45am and beyond, parents must park in an identified parking spot in the Front Loop to accompany their child to check-in as tardy in the Front Office. Students will have from 8:45am until 8:50am to arrive at their classrooms before being considered tardy.

If a driver does not have the approved carline sign for the current school year, they will be asked to park in the front parking lot and present state identification to collect their student.  Only adults on the student’s emergency card will be able to pick up their student from the front office. 

Beginning at 4:20pm and beyond, students will be escorted to aftercare child services.

• First Occurrence: Warning and a review of the handbook policy
• Second Occurrence: $10 fee, per child, to be applied to the student’s My Payments Plus account
• Third Occurrence: $15 fee, per child, to be applied to the student’s My Payments Plus account
• Fourth Occurrence: $25 fee, per child, to be applied to the student’s My Payments Plus account
• Fifth Occurrence: $155 monthly fee, per child, to be applied to the student’s My Payments Plus account. Additionally, aFINS referral referral will be made. FINS (Families In Need of Services) is part of the Youth Service Bureau, an agency that helps families reach their full potential.

Transportation Changes

Any and all transportation changes must be written and signed by the parent and received by the school by 12:00pm. This note should be sent with the student and directed to the classroom teacher upon a student's arrival. The note should state: Date, child's name, the description of the change in transportation, method of transportation, and the receiving parent/guardian's name and phone number. 

If transportation changes cannot be made in person or in writing before noon: An email sent to front office staff, with a scanned picture of the parent’s/guardian’s license and the specific transportation changes must be emailed before 3:00. Our front office cannot guarantee transportation changes sent after 3:00 will be made. In the instance a parent or guardian needs to have another authorized individual pick up your student, please ensure the current year carline sign is provided to that person to ensure smooth carline processes. Otherwise, the authorized pick-up adult will be required to report to the front office and present state identification in order to receive your student.

If the above transportation guidelines are not followed we will assume that your child is to go home in the same manner he/she arrived at school or as directed by the classroom teacher based on prior information.

If at all possible, please encourage your child to ride his/her bus to and from school. For the safety of all children, and our faculty/staff, transportation cannot be and will not be made by fax or over the telephone. No exceptions.

You need to have an emergency backup plan in place in case you are not able to receive your child from the bus, car line or child care. This is where you may want to consider listing additional names of trusted neighbors or friends on your child’s emergency card that your child can go home with in the event you are unable to get them. 

Bus drivers are not to drop off any student at a bus stop unsupervised. The student will be driven back to school by the bus driver if an adult is not waiting outside at the stop for the student.

Any and all transportation changes must be written and signed by the parent and received by the school by 12:00pm. This note should be sent with the student and directed to the classroom teacher upon a student's arrival. The note should state: date, child's name, the description of the change in transportation, method of transportation, and the receiving parent/guardian's name and phone number.  

If transportation changes cannot be made in person or in writing before noon: An email sent to front office staff, with a scanned picture of the parent’s/guardian’s license and the specific transportation changes must be emailed before 3:00. Our front office cannot guarantee transportation changes sent after 3:00 will be made. In the instance a parent or guardian submits a transportation change for a student to leave campus by way of carline instead of bus, please ensure the current year carline sign is displayed in the designated locations. See the Carline processes section for more details. Additionally, a parent or guardian needs to have another authorized individual pick up your student through the carline, please ensure the current year carline sign is provided to that person to ensure smooth carline processes. Otherwise, the authorized pick-up adult will be required to report to the front office and present state identification in order to receive your student.

If the above transportation guidelines are not followed we will assume that your child is to go home in the same manner he/she arrived at school or as directed by the classroom teacher based on prior information.

Bus Information:

The bus assignment will be issued based on residency documentation only. For all transportation questions, such as bus schedules, driver assignments, driver phone numbers, etc., please contact the Transportation Department at 985-898-3373.

In order to help ensure the safety of all students, parents are strongly encouraged to discuss with their child the bus guidelines and bus rules provided below. Please utilize the language that we view our school buses as an extension of our school day and campus. We expect students to follow bus driver’s directives and instructions similar to that of their teacher.

• Always follow the instructions of the bus driver.
• Remain completely seated and face the front of the bus.
• Keep hands and feet to oneself.
• Talk in a low tone of voice and never use unacceptable/inappropriate language.
• All person items must remain inside the student’s backpacks at all times. This includes, but is not limited to, toys, stuffed animals, trinkets, electronic devices.
• IDs should remain around the
• If there is any concern about the student’s safety or welfare on the bus please report the concern directly to the bus driver. If the concern persists contact the school’s disciplinarian.

CHILD CARE DIRECTORS:

AM Director - Mrs. Suzi Kloiber: Suzanne.Kloiber@stpsb.org

PM Director - Mrs. Mae Arthur: Mae.Arthur@stpsb.org

The phone number for child care services is 985-502-3529. This number will only be answered during Child Care times. Please note AM/PM Directors will not be able to check emails while in AM/PM care.

CHILDCARE PROGRAM DETAILS:

AM/PM Care Registration forms will be sent home in 1st Day packets and will be available electronically on our School’s Website under the Childcare Tab for families in need of this support.

• The parents of registered students MUST receive an email from either Program Director prior to starting AM/PM Care.
• Payment is due on the 1st of each month.
• Unpaid payments will result in a late fee of $20.00 after the 5th of the month.
• If payment is not made by the 10th of the month, your child will not be permitted to AM/PM Care until payment is made. Timely payment is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. Repeated late payments will result in removal from the program.
• The Child Care program will follow the same school calendar as the school, with the following exceptions:
• Aftercare services will NOT be provided on ½ days of school.
• Afterschool care will NOT be provided on the Fridays of the local Mardi Gras Parades.

AM (Before Care) 6:50 - 8:20 am

• Children arriving to Campus before 8:20am MUST attend morning/before care.
• For safety reasons, parents/guardians MUST walk their child onto Campus to be signed-into AM Care daily

PM (After Care) 3:50 - 6:00 pm

• Aftercare check-out begin at 4:25 pm daily following PES’s Bus Dismissal
• Students will only be released from PM Care to an authorized individual on the child’s Emergency Contact Card after verification with personal identification
• Due to safety concerns with day to day transportation, Pre-K and Kindergarten students may only attend aftercare on a full-time monthly basis.
• PM/Aftercare Drop-Ins (Later Parent pick-up from Carline / Student returned to Campus from Buses) will incur a progressive fee for after-hours supervision:
• Children not picked up in Carline each afternoon by 4:21 pm or students who are returned by STPPS buses due to a parent/guardian not being at the designated bus stop will be supervised after hours in the PES after care program. The following progression of related Drop-In Fees will be charged to parents via My Payments Plus for repeated occurrences:
• Afterschool care ends at 6:00 pm. Any pickup after 6:00 pm will incur a late fee: $15 for 1-15 minutes, $30 for 15-30 minutes and so on. After 30 minutes, Administration and Local Law Enforcement will be notified.

Students will not be permitted to attend before or after care if:

• Students are picked up late more than THREE TIMES PER YEAR from after care.
• The Child Care Director has documented three behaviors (on PES “short forms” for minor behaviors) that impact the safety and welfare of students and/or staff members.
• PES administration, with the consultation of Child Care Directors, determines that a major incident has occurred warranting the further removal of the student from before or after care programs.

Every student is responsible for adhering to the St. Tammany Parish Handbook on Attendance, Discipline and Student Records. A digital version of this document is available online at:

https://www.stpsb.org/our-district/policies-and-procedures/district-handbook

SCHOOL-WIDE BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS:

At Pontchartrain Elementary, our top priority is to develop dynamic life-long leaders and learners who are collaboratively empowered to lead their own learning by being proactive and setting goals. By prioritizing what matters, thinking win-win, and listening first, we work together as a community to continually grow. In fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive culture for all learners, we spread our wings as leaders—strong in character, kind in heart, and ready for the future.

Students who model these 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders are rewarded “Eagle Bucks,” throughout the year. Students are able to spend their Eagle Bucks on rewards with administrations, office staff, and selective teachers. Students are also able to spend their Eagle Bucks in Pete’s General Store, which is an on-campus store filled with toys and prizes.

Our students attend Morning Meetings and receive weekly lessons on these habits throughout the school year. Additionally, our students recite Pete's Pledge daily. All students are explicitly taught the PES Pledge and how it drives our school culture and develops them as leaders. The pledge serves as a focal point for any school behavior anywhere on campus (hallway, playground, classroom, cafeteria, etc.). Teachers review these expectations daily with our students. We encourage parents to discuss this pledge with their children and apply it to various aspects of their homelife.

Pete's Pledge: I pledge to be safe, be responsible, be respectful and to be kind. For myself, my school, my community and my country. 

PES DISCIPLINE PLAN:

The Discipline Plan at Pontchartrain Elementary School is developed with the following characteristics in mind:

• Proactive - Our educators will partner with parents and school resources as behavioral challenges or barriers to learning begin to appear.
• Preventative - Our school will take the necessary steps to ensure all teachers can teach all students and all students can learn from all educators.
• Progressive - Our educators and school will utilize the processes and interventions the St. Tammany School System has put in place to be responsive within a tiered model of support.

Additionally, we incorporated the following beliefs when developing the school-wide discipline plan:

●  We believe that Parents:

• value their child’s education and ensure that their child is attending school regularly, on time, and prepared to learn every day.
• play an important role in their child’s success at school.
• recognize they are a vital partner in their child’s education.
• benefit from daily conversations with their child about their school day related to academics and behaviors.

●   We believe that Educators:

•  treat each individual child with respect, dignity, and love.
• are most successful when partnered with parents and collaborating with school-level supports and resources.
• want the best for all students at all times.
• are responsible for the safety, care and welfare of their students during the instructional day.

●   We believe that Students:

• learn best in an environment that fosters love, encourages discovery, and values progress over perfection.
• be accountable for their own decisions, learn from their mistakes, and have an opportunity to start each school day on.
• recognize the important role in contributing to their classroom and school by meeting the daily PES Pledge expectations of being safe, responsible, respectful, and kind.
• benefit from daily, meaningful conversations with the adults in their lives about their school day.

Teachers develop their Classroom Management Plans that focus on positive reinforcement and problem-solving techniques, all of which are built within out belief statements. The plans are unique to each teacher’s classroom, students, style, and pedagogy. These plans are intended to be proactive and preventative and should include, but are not limited to:

• redirection prompts: closing proximity to the student, verbal warnings, visual cues, etc…
• reflections (verbal or written.
• time out with a “buddy teacher” (adult mentor)
• parental contact
• reteaching expectations
• behavior conference
• restorative practices
• cooldown strategies
• classroom procedures

All teachers will use a behavior communication calendar for each student. The purpose of this calendar is to communicate your child’s daily behavior and behavioral progress throughout the year.

MINOR BEHAVIOR INFRACTIONS:

Minor behaviors can be documented in one of three main ways: on the student’s behavior calendar, on a “Think Sheet Form,” and/or on a formal “Short Forms.” These forms of behavioral documentation are not part of the student’s permanent record nor do they “follow” a student from school-to-school.

 If the student continues to demonstrate a pattern of behavioral or social-emotional need, the classroom teacher and/or Administration, through the TAT process (Teachers Assistance Team) will become involved with the school counselor, parent, teacher and student to develop an individual behavior plan that will enable the student to make more positive choices. Additionally, teachers have the autonomy to administer any of the three Tiers of behavior forms listed above. Administration has the right to investigate any discipline action and modify, if necessary, based on evidence and documentation received through the investigation itself.

MAJOR BEHAVIOR INFRACTIONS:

Parents will be contacted within 24 hours (from the time that school administration is made aware) of any major discipline concerns that occur at school or on the school bus.

Students that cause any major disruptions as outlined in the St. Tammany Parish District Handbook, as well as the list of possible offenses below, will be referred to the office immediately and possibly be written up on a Louisiana State Department Behavior Report, which will be documented formally. These Louisiana State Department Behavior Reports are often referred to as major forms or “long forms.” These documents do become part of the student’s permanent record within the state education system.

In an effort to help the student make better choices and remediate their behavior, logical consequences that promote understanding and self-confidence will be implemented.

Student’s behaviors that have caused major disruptions to the learning environment (school or classroom) or have significantly impacted another student’s school day can have consequences outlined in the STPSB District Handbook for Parents and Students

TAT (TEACHER ASSISTANCE TEAM):

This committee is composed of the school’s classroom teachers, administration, and student support services to address specific barriers that prevent a student from reaching their potential. The purpose of this committee is to be proactive in ensuring students and teachers receive support, interventions, and guidance on maximizing their achievement.

Teachers or school administration may assign a TAT committee meeting for student’s behavioral support or interventions at any time.

PES BULLYING POLICY:

Pontchartrain Elementary School is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all individuals that attend or visit the school. Our learning environment is not one that tolerates bullying of any kind. Bullying can be defined as hurting someone physically, emotionally or socially. Bullying is a one-sided, repeated act involving an imbalance of power that makes someone feel threatened, hurt, scared or isolated on purpose. Pontchartrain students are expected to treat each other in a safe, respectful, responsible and kind manner at all times.

When field trips are scheduled, written permission must be given by the parent or legal guardian and a fee paid for the student to attend through My Payments Plus.

Cash and checks are not accepted to pay for field trip fees. Field trip fees will only be accepted through My Payments Plus. Field trip fees are used to pay for bus transportation and admission to the scheduled field trip site. As per District guidelines, students may only travel to and from Field Trips on the School Bus

A deadline for payment will always accompany the permission slip. This deadline is final. The deadline must be strictly enforced. The reason for the deadline is because all admission payments must be made in advance. Ample time will be given to pay any fees.

Additionally, only children enrolled in the class attending the field trip at Pontchartrain Elementary School may attend school-sponsored field trips (NO SIBLINGS).

CHAPERONES:

Depending on the space limitations of selected trips, allotted Field Trip chaperones permitted will vary. Teachers will randomly select parent chaperones in a fair and equitable way to ensure equal access for all interested parents. The teacher will notify you in advance if you have been selected as a chaperone. The purpose of the chaperone is to supervise a class group of 4-6 students. All chaperones must come to the office and sign in to receive a name tag. If the field trip requires a chaperone fee, you will be notified of how to pay. 

Chaperones MUST provide their own transportation to and from the field trip and fill out a chaperone form. 

Parents are NOT permitted to check a child out during a field trip. (With the exception of a medical emergency.) 

Chaperones should not take pictures or videos of any children other than your own, due to confidentiality laws.

Parents dropping off a student lunch will place the lunch box (with the child’s name clearly on the box) in the front office. Follow the step-by-step instructions in the front office. Attach the appropriate delivery sheet on it in the front office. The front office staff will ensure it is delivered to the student before or at their assigned lunch time.

CAFETERIA REMINDERS:

As a school-based decision due to safety and student privacy concerns, parents and guests are not permitted to attend Breakfast with students.

Parents dropping off a student lunch will fill out a Delivery Slip and give it to office personnel. They will get it to the teacher. No student contact is required for this exchange.

Beginning the week after Labor Day, parents and guests will be permitted to eat lunch with their child. This time is to allow the students to adjust to their new daily routines and to build independence and positive relationships with peers.

Younger siblings are not allowed to eat with their siblings. Please refrain from bringing younger siblings/children to eat with students. This is your time with your PES child. Make it a special time for them alone. You may ONLY eat with your child, not with your child’s friends, due to allergy, safety and student privacy/confidentiality.

Your child is not required to eat a school breakfast or lunch. He/she may bring their lunch from home. For questions regarding menu, or menu changes please call the cafeteria directly at 985-674-0983 between the hours of 7:00am and 2:00pm.

KINDERGARTEN:

A District letter is sent home explaining the report card process at the end of the 1^st 9-wk. grading quarter. Report Cards are given for the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th nine-week periods.

Students will receive grades for Reading, English Language Arts and Mathematics, Conduct (Social/Emotional Development and Fine Motor Development)

The grading policy for Kindergarten students is as follows:

• O - Outstanding / Meets or exceeds stated goals
• S - Satisfactory / Meets stated goals Progress
• N - Needs support / Progressing toward stated goals

1st Grade, 2nd Grade and 3rd Grade: 

• Report Cards will be given for the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th nine-week periods.
• Grades A, B, C, D, F will be assigned in Math, Reading, Language, Spelling, Science and Social Studies for each of the four quarter marking periods

The grading policy is as follows:

• A – 90-100
• B – 80-89
• C – 70-79
• D – 60-69
• F – 59 and below

PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN STPSB PUPIL PROGRESSION PLAN:

Kindergarten: The criterion for promotion to first grade for kindergarten students is based on satisfactory progress at the end of the fourth grading period, as reported on the St. Tammany Parish Kindergarten Student Evaluation Report. Students showing not mastered/needs more time to master the standards on all available criteria will be referred to the School Building Level Committee (SBLC) to determine promotion or retention. Children who have not attended kindergarten must demonstrate satisfactory performance on a series of academic readiness tests, letters and sounds inventory, math assessment, and Richard Gentry’s Spelling Assessment.

1^st Grade: If a student in first grade receives an “F” (Unsatisfactory/Not grasping stated standards) in reading or math as indicated on the fourth grading period, the School Building Level Committee (SBLC) shall review available data pertaining to the student’s reading or math proficiency to determine promotion or retention. The reading or math proficiency of the student shall be determined by using the informal teacher assessment portfolio, which includes a collection of the following: DIBELS assessment results three times per year, writing sample, word recognition test, reading series assessments, math sample, spelling assessment, and any other pertinent information. A variety of assessments shall be included, i.e. portfolios, journals, written tests, projects, checklists, writing samples, interviews, observations, and anecdotal records.

2^nd Grade: To be promoted at the end of 2nd grade, a student shall pass the following: Reading and Math and Any two of these subjects: Language Arts, Science, and/or Social Studies

3^rd Grade: To be promoted at the end of 3rd grade, a student shall pass the following: English Language Arts and Math and one of these subjects: Science or Social Studies

Please put your child’s name on ALL of the personal property that he/she brings to school (coats, sweaters, school bags), so that we can keep lost property to a minimum.

We do have a lost and found location. (In the hallway between the Gym and Library). Items found will be placed in that location.

Any items left at the end of each quarter will be donated to local charities.

Children should only bring what is required for the day’s learning activities. We ask that TOYS, TRADING CARDS, TRINKETS, STUFFED ANIMALS, EXPENSIVE JEWELRY, or any other distractions be left at home. Each child is responsible for their own personal property. The school will not be responsible for lost or stolen items that are not authorized for educational purposes described within our Tier I curriculum or teacher-assigned projects.

CONTAGIOUS CONDITIONS:

• Please DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WITH FEVER, VOMITING, DIARRHEA, LICE, OR OTHER SYMPTOMS OF A CONTAGIOUS CONDITIONS. You will be contacted to pick your child up if they display signs of being sick or has a temperature of 100^o or more.
• It is not necessary to call the school to notify us your child is absent, unless it is an extended illness of three days or more.
• If your child has a communicable disease, please inform the school as soon as possible. It is necessary for the school to monitor the other students/staff that were exposed to the disease.
• We request that no child be sent to school until he/she has been free of fever, vomiting, or diarrhea for a minimum of 24 hours. 

INJURIES:

The office personnel will assess injuries and give band aids and/or ice packs on an as-needed-basis. Any injury above the neck warrants a phone call to the parent/guardian.

MEDICATION POLICY:

Students will not be allowed to have any medicine in their possession at school. This includes prescription and non-prescription medication, such as cough drops, eye/ear drops, aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, creams of all kinds, medicated lip balm, etc.

School personnel cannot and will not administer medication unless special circumstances exist for a health problem.

Act 87 relative to the administration of medication in the school, mandates the following criteria be met prior to prescription OR non-prescription medication being dispensed in the school setting (forms are available in the PES office):

• A current written order from a Louisiana licensed physician/dentist
• A current written authorization from the parent/guardian
• Medication must be delivered to the school by a responsible parent/guardian during school hours.
• Medication must be received in bottle/package with label attached and counted by authorized school personnel in the presence of the responsible parent/guardian during school hours.

The School System has introduced an online payment processing system. MyPaymentsPlus, for the convenience of parents for a variety of school fees related to school lunch, before and after school care, and field trips.

Parents may log on to the online pay service on our School System web site at http://stpsb.org/ and pay designated fees using e-check or MasterCard, Visa, or Discover cards. Parents will not be charged a user fee for this service and all school fees charged to parents will be the same whether paid online or at the school through checks and cash.

The payments can be made online by parents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. MyPaymentsPlus does not save or store bank or credit card information.

The teachers will send students to the office with one or two buddies.

All Pre-K and Kindergarten children are required to have one complete change of clothes in a labeled zip-lock bag in their cubby every day. Other children who are still prone to accidents should also carry a change of clothes in a zip-lock bag in their backpack. If an accident occurs, please ensure a fresh set of clothing is sent to school the next school day.

The office has clean clothes for playground accidents.

Parents are asked to launder the “loaner” clothes and return them to the office.

The only non-PES/STPSB employees allowed on campus are essential visitors (parents/guardians who have been given direct permission to be on campus for a parent-teacher-conference, a TAT/SBLC/504/IEP meeting, or other principal approved meeting/conference) and volunteers cleared through STPSB central office. Please see the bullet points below regarding visitor expectations:

• All visitors/volunteers are required to sign in and secure a visitor’s pass. Anyone on campus without a visitor’s pass will be asked to return to the office. 
• To receive a visitor’s pass, you must provide a picture ID in the office.  The picture ID must be used every time to print a name badge. The district’s electronic identification system allows school officials to scan a visitor’s driver’s license/ identification card, in order to track visitor entry and exit, prepare visitor badges and link visitors to the National Registry of Sex Offenders.
• When your visit is over, you must sign-out in the office.
• Anyone given permission to be on campus as an essential visitor (with a visitor’s pass from the front office) is to proceed directly to the agreed-upon location upon entry.  Upon the conclusion of the meeting or conference the approved visitor is to report directly to the front office to sign out.  Failure to comply with this policy will result in the school administration limiting future visits.
• Please remind grandparents, older siblings and special friends to have a picture ID when they visit PES. No one will be permitted past the office without a picture ID.
• ONLY PERSONS LISTED ON THE EMERGENCY CARD MAY CHECK YOUR CHILD OUT.
• Visitors who wish to enhance the instructional program are welcomed at school.
• For obvious safety reasons, visitors ARE NOT ALLOWED to enter the playground.
• Parents are not allowed to enter the classrooms before or after school hours unless an appointment has been scheduled.
• Restroom Policy: For the safety of students, adults must use the office restrooms only. Any incidents of this policy being ignored should be reported to the school administration immediately.
• Birthday parties with visitors present are not authorized.

VOLUNTEERS:

The front office staff is in charge of our PES Parental Involvement Program with permission and guidance from the school administration. We expect many hours to be logged at our school by terrific parents and grandparents. Please review school expectations for volunteers below:

• Our PES Parental Involvement Program allows more individualized instruction and really helps our teachers.
• If you are interested, the office will send out a sign-up letter after school begins. We really appreciate our great volunteers
• It is our firm belief at Pontchartrain Elementary that a partnership between parents and the school is an essential element in providing the best education possible for each student.
• To this end, we have developed an extensive parental involvement program and sincerely encourage parents to become actively engaged in the education of their child and the children of Pontchartrain Elementary.
• The PES Parental Involvement Program includes opportunities for communication, participation in school activities, volunteering, and participation in decision-making processes.
• All volunteers must sign in at the office and wear a visitor pass.
• All volunteers are required to complete a Confidentiality Form for the protection of our students and their families’ privacy. These forms are kept in the office.
• Volunteer parents will want to wear comfortable clothing. However, please ensure your clothing is school-appropriate.
• We strongly request that volunteer parents refrain from using cell phones at school unless in an emergency situation.
• No pictures or video are allowed of other students due to confidentiality laws.

PARTIES:

Birthday parties are not allowed at school. We ask that birthday invitations be taken care of at home or through the use of social media whenever possible to not interrupt classroom instruction and learning.

Birthday treats and/or invitations MUST be cleared with the classroom teacher in advance as to not interfere with teaching and learning in the classroom. Additionally, if treats or goodies are sent to class, please send enough for all students in class to enjoy.

Individual serving items that are pre wrapped or prepacked from the manufacturer such as cupcakes or cookies may be sent to school for birthdays as arranged with the teacher and will be handed out at the teacher’s discretion.

PETS: 

Students and visitors are not allowed to bring any type of pet to school at any time due to health and safety concerns of others.

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION, EDUCATION, AND REPORTING PROGRAM: 

As mandated by the St. Tammany Parish School Board, students in grades K – 8 will receive instruction on the topic of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Education, and Reporting.

All materials that will be used in the instruction may be previewed by contacting the school administration. We would also like to encourage you to talk with your child about this topic as well as other general safety issues.

ELECTRONIC "WIRELESS" DEVICES/CELL PHOBE POLICY: 

The St. Tammany Parish School Board desires to promote an environment that is conducive to instruction and learning therefore, students are discouraged from having cell phones or other electronic devices at school. However, if students come to campus with electronic devices, they must be powered off and remain in students’ backpacks throughout the entirety of the day.

Under this policy, the term “wireless devices” includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, smart watches, cameras (of any sort) and text messaging devices. Examples include, but are not limited to: handheld gaming systems, flip cameras, laptops/tablets, book readers, IPod/MP3 players, etc…

The use of any of these devices is prohibited and will result in discipline, according to policy. This prohibition shall be strictly construed in favor of protecting the privacy of all individuals. Any student in possession of an electronic device will have them confiscated by the administration and will only be returned to a parent/guardian.

KIDS IN TRANSITION (K.I.T.)

Education of Children and Youth in Homeless Situations: The McKinney- Vento Act is a federal law passed in 1987 to help people experiencing homelessness. The Act requires states and school districts to make sure students in homeless situations can attend and succeed in school. The McKinney-Vento Act applies to all children and youth who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are living in the following situations:

• Doubled-up housing with other families/friends due to loss of home or their family is having temporary financial problems
• Living in a motel/hotel because of economic hardship or loss of housing
• Living in an emergency or transitional shelter, domestic violence shelter, or in a runaway/homeless youth shelter
• Living in a vehicle of any kind; trailer park or campground without running water and/or electricity; abandoned building; substandard housing; bus/train station
• Awaiting foster care placement or abandoned in a hospital

Children and youth in homeless situations have the right to the following:

• Attend and succeed in school no matter where they live or how long they have lived there.
• Enroll in a school despite the lack of a permanent address or lack of school and immunization records, or birth certificates and other documents.
• Receive services comparable to those offered to non-homeless children and youth.
• Get transportation to school, if feasible.
• Access educationally related support services.

Should you or your child meet these qualifications, please contact the school’s front office or school counselor to complete a form for consideration.

MEDIA RELEASES: 

• Media release forms are sent home the first week of school. Students may only be photographed, video-taped, etc. for publication if this form is signed and on file in the school office.
• If for any reason you do not want your child photographed, you need to call this to our attention verbally in addition to noting this on the release form. 
• Internet access forms are also sent home to newly enrolled student. If a form is not signed and returned, the student will be denied internet access. 

STUDENT EMERGENCY CARDS: 

• A student emergency card will be sent home with your child during the first week of school. It is imperative that this card be returned to school IMMEDIATELY so that we will be able to reach someone in an emergency.
• If this information changes during the year, please notify the office.
• Address changes will require 3 proofs of residency.
• The contacts listed on the card are the only persons allowed to check your child out of school. 
• Please notify the office IMMEDIATELY if there are any custody concerns.
• In order to comply with a custody order, we are required to have custody papers signed by a judge within the child’s permanent folder. The most recently signed court documents will guide the PES front office and administration on the safety of your children.

Weather Emergencies:

School closing due to weather emergencies will be posted on the local news and the school board website, www.stpsb.org. All STPSB severe weather guidelines will be adhered to in case of emergency conditions during school hours.