Dear Parents and Students,
The staff of Coalton Elementary School welcomes each child and plans to assist him/her in achieving lifelong success. We also welcome parents as partners in education. We hope there will be an open communication between school and home. Please do not hesitate to ask questions. We have high expectations for all children and hope to work with you to ensure that they our students grow in knowledge for a lifetime of success. The following information will be helpful to you:

Departure for Parents Picking Up Students:

• Please park across the road in the parking lot when picking up your children after school.  The bus duty attendant is responsible for students/parents crossing the road.  Cars that park in the lane beside the school cause visibility issues when trying to pull out with the buses lined up and loading/unloading students.

• Please remember to sign your child out in the office when picking him/her up at the end of the school day.

Visitors to School:

• Our school has an electronic security system. Before entering the school, you will be required to buzz the office from the front doors. Each visitor will need to sign in at the office and receive a pass.

• In order to monitor visitors in the building, provide a safe school environment, and minimize classroom interruptions, visitors should arrange in advance to speak with teachers during their daily planning periods.

• Please check with the office for the times you may schedule a conference with a particular teacher.

Private Transportation and Departures:

• Parents should not bring students to school prior to 8:00 a.m.  The school cannot provide supervision and cannot be responsible for unattended students.

• Our instructional start time is 8:15 a.m. and our dismissal time is 3:25 p.m. Please try to avoid dropping your child off late or picking him/her up early unless it is necessary for a scheduled appointment. We understand that sometimes emergencies arise, but such late arrivals and early departures disrupt the learning process and instructional time for the entire class.

• All students are to leave the building at dismissal time.

• Students are to go directly home after school.  If they are to go anywhere other than home or a childcare provider, a note from the parent is needed.  If the child is going home with another child, a note from BOTH PARENTS is necessary.

• Once students arrive at school, they are expected to stay on school grounds during the school day. Parents who wish to pick up their children during the day need to stop by the office and sign out at the secretary's desk. The school would appreciate it if parents would NOT take children out of school during the instructional day unless deemed absolutely necessary.  Whenever possible, appointments should be made before or after school hours.

• If you child is absent, please send an excuse to school stating the reason.  The school is required to keep a record of days absent.

• The only person(s) your child is allowed to leave with are ones listed on the emergency care form.

School Closings:

When weather conditions are bad, parents are encouraged to listen to radio or tv stations to determine if school is delayed or closed.  There is also a county line at 304-636-9150.  We also have a phone line called Parent-Link that calls each home number listed on the emergency care form to inform you of school closings and other happenings.

Medication:

Prescription medication has to have a physician's order from filled out and brought to the school with the prescription bottle.  If possible, all medication should be given at home.  Non-prescriptions cannot be given to a child by any staff person. Please do not send over-the-counter medicine to school with your child.  You are welcome to come to school and give the medicine to your child if needed.

PTA:

We encourage parents to become involved in the Parent-Teacher Association.  Various fund raisers occur throughout the year.  We appreciate your participation and assistancce with these.
All meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. 

Fire Drills and Codes:

Regular fire drills are conducted according to the guidelines set forth by the fire marshal. A minimum of 10 fire drills are required each year.  We also regularly practice different weather-related and emergency procedures.

Parent-Teacher Conferences:

There will be two parent teacher conferences scheduled during the school year.  There will be one each semester.  We remind parents that you are always welcome to call the school to request a conference with your child's teacher(s) and/or school principal.

Newsletters:

CES will send out a newsletter and calendar each month to keep you informed about the many activities going on at school.  

Backpacks:

We suggest that all students have a backpack to carry books, assignments, and materials to and from school.  We do not recommend backpacks with wheels. They do not fit in lockers and are a fire hazard if left in the hallway.

Food Service Program:

Breakfast and lunch are served daily.  If a bus is late, children are still able to eat breakfast.  Parents are welcome to eat breakfast or lunch with their children.  Parents need to check in at the office and purchase a meal ticket. Due to daily deposits, please bring the correct amount:  $3.00 for breakfast and $3.75 for lunch. Extra milk is .35 and must be paid on a daily basis.  Again, please send the correct amount.
"In accordance with federal law and US Department of Agriculture Policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability and retaliation."

Band and Choir:

Fifth grade students will have the opportunity to participate in the Coalton Band. The band instrument and instruction book are the responsibility of the parent. A trial rental program is recommended. Band is a graded class, and students are expected to practice their instrument weekly.  Grades are based on student performance and in-class participation.

Physical Education:

Physical Education requires students to wear tennis shoes or sneakers. For safety reasons, students should not wear:  flip flops, sandals, high heels, slip-on types, or clogs.

Dresscode:

While we recognize that choice of attire and grooming are matters of personal expression and are subject to current styles and trends, we expect students to come to school dressed in good taste. any article of apparel that is determined by teachers and principal to be disruptive to the learning environment or hazardous to the health and safety of students or teachers shall not be permitted. Students and parents need to be weather conscious.  Please wear coats when weather is bad, and there is a possibility of going out for recess.

Toys:

Toys, games, music devices, etc., should remain at home unless permission has been given by the child's teacher to bring them.  They may only be used at recess.  Trading cards are not permitted at school. The school cannot be responsible for items brought to school.

Fund-Raising Participation:

We remind parents that all fund-raising activities are optional. Money raised will be targeted to specific programs.

Cell Phones:

Students are not allowed to use cell phones during the school day.  In an emergency, the student is sent to the office, and a phone call is made there.