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 Hilburn Drive Elementary School |
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7100 Hilburn Drive, Raleigh, NC 27613 919-571-6800School Hours 9:15am - 3:45pm |
About Hilburn |
Welcome Hawks! This page contains details about Hilburn's policies and procedures for a variety of subjects, updated for the 2008-2009 school year. Scroll further and you will find contact information and important calendar events! Please contact the school should you have any questions.
A Message from the PrincipalDear Parents, Welcome to Hilburn Drive Elementary School! Our school has long been recognized in the community for its strong academic performance and exceptional teaching practices. The staff here is committed to providing a safe, orderly, challenging and nurturing environment for your child. But it is our love and passion for children, our commitment to excellence and the high value we place on building meaningful relationships that truly makes Hilburn a special place to learn and grow. The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with helpful answers about Hilburn Drive Elementary School and to establish common procedures for all of us to follow. We have tried to provide as much information as possible. However, should you have any questions that have not been answered here, please call your child’s teacher or the school office. We hope you will read this handbook thoroughly and keep it available for reference throughout the school year. Each school year offers new challenges and opportunities for students, and this is especially true for the 2008-2009 academic year! We hope you will pursue some of the many opportunities that are available to support your child’s educational experience at Hilburn. We look forward to partnering with you as we work to make this school year a very successful one for your child. Sincerely, Gregory D. Ford, Principal
Our Mission Statement Hilburn Drive Elementary School strives for academic excellence by providing opportunities for each child to learn and grow in a nurturing atmosphere. Through mutual respect within the total school community, our children will develop into responsible and productive citizens.
Agendas
Arriving Late/Leaving EarlyPlease also see Attendance. Hilburn’s instructional day is from 9:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. For safety reasons, please do not drop off your child prior to 8:45 a.m. as there will be no adult supervision. It is imperative that students be present for the entire day. In those rare instances where a student arrives late or must leave early, parents are asked to sign students in when entering the building after 9:15 a.m. and sign them out when leaving before 3:45 p.m. An ID with your signature may be requested before a child is released. It is important for each person to sign his or her own name on the student locator card for this reason. Children will not be released without appropriate signatures and identification. Wake County Board Policy (6000.2) states “Parents must ensure that students attend and remain in school daily. To be considered present, a student must be in attendance at least one half of the student school day.” Based on our school hours, Hilburn Drive Elementary’s half day is at 12:30 p.m. Your child must arrive at school by 12:30 to be considered present for that day. If a parent/guardian chooses to pick up their child prior to 12:30 p.m., and does not return to school that day, the student will be considered absent. Students entering school after 12:30 p.m. will also be considered absent. Children who are habitually tardy in the morning or signed out early in the afternoons will be referred to the guidance counselor or principal. For the purposes of safety, security, and fostering student independence, parents may drop off and pick up students in the main office and not at the classroom doors.
Articles Not Allowed in School Students have many items at home that often prove to be disruptive to instruction or school procedures. These items deemed to be possible safety hazards should not be brought to school. Such items include diskmans, mp3 players, virtual pets, dolls, collectable cards, yo-yos, toys, paging devices, cell phones, hand-held video games, etc. If any of these items are seen by a staff member, they will be confiscated and turned into the office and must be picked up by the child’s parent/guardian. Glass bottles or canned drinks are not permitted in school. These items are potential safety hazards. Students who wish to bring a beverage from home for lunch may bring juice boxes. Balloons are not allowed at Hilburn. These items are a potential safety hazard to students with latex allergies.
Attendance Attendance at school is one of the best ways to help insure student success. We ask that parents respect the instructional day and schedule doctor appointments, etc. outside of the instructional day, whenever possible. Students need ample time in the morning to prepare for their day. Parents are requested to have children at school by 9:00 a.m. in order for them to be prepared for instruction to begin when the final bell rings at 9:15. When your child misses school, please send a note to your child’s teacher explaining the reason for the absence. If a student is tardy, he/she needs to check in at the office for an admission slip to class. You may also pick up a Request for Excused Absence form, two weeks prior, in the office if your child will be absent due to religious or educational reasons. Students are discouraged from taking family vacations during the school year due to lost instruction; administration will be reluctant to excuse such absences during the academic calendar year. We ask that you complete a Student Locator Card at the beginning of the year in the event that your child becomes ill and parent contact must be made. It is very important that we have more than one telephone number on file in order to locate parents in case of an emergency. If information on this card changes during the year, it is vital that you notify the school office to make the necessary changes. Only persons designated on the locator card will be allowed to pick up your child/children from school.
Before and After School Programs Hilburn Drive Elementary offers an early arrival program through the Finley YMCA. The program operates from 7:00 a.m. until the first bell rings at 8:45. The program is housed at Leesville Elementary School. Parents may register children for this program at any time during the school year if space is available. Registration forms are available in the office. The after school program, also operated by the Finley YMCA, begins at the end of the school day and runs until 6:00 p.m. The after school program is also housed at Leesville Elementary School. For more information about this program and to register, contact the Finley YMCA at 848-9622. You will also find cost and program information in the "Before & After Programs" link on Hilburn's website. Birthdays
Buses
Students are expected to cooperate with and obey the bus driver at all times.Parents/guardians assume responsibility for transportation to and from school for students on a school transfer and for those students who have been suspended off the bus. Failure to bring the student to school will be treated as truancy. Due to space and liability concerns, students may only ride the school bus to which they are assigned by WCPSS. Please make carpool arrangements if your child will be going to another student’s house after school. Be sure to send a permission note with this information to your child’s teacher. If a bus leaves campus after 4:15, a message will be posted on the school’s voice mail detailing the time of the departure.
Cafeteria
Students are not allowed to charge breakfast or lunch in the cafeteria. If students’ funds have been depleted, the school system allows them to choose unlimited fruits and vegetables (excluding potatoes) for lunch.
Issues relating to bus stops and bus drivers should be directed to our Sanderson transportation department at 508-9064. However, issues relating to student behavior can be addressed by the school bus driver and/or the school administrator.
Café Meal Prices Breakfast Full Price K-5 .80 Reduced Price .30 Adult A la Carte Lunch Full Price K-5 1.75 Reduced Price .40 Adult A la CarteMilk .50 Snacks .25-.75
Care of School PropertyWe have a beautiful campus! Everyone should take pride in the facilities at Hilburn Drive Elementary. Our goal is to keep our school tidy and clean year round. Students and staff are asked to do everything possible to help keep Hilburn clean and attractive. Students will be expected to clean up after themselves in the cafeteria daily. Good table manners start at home and are reinforced at school. Students will be held accountable for any damage or vandalism to school property. Students who witness vandalism should report it to a teacher or the office. As good citizens, we are all responsible for maintaining Hilburn Drive Elementary.
Car Pool, Bicycle and Walking Procedures
Parents should drive one way through the parking lot and through the car pool lane in a single line. For safety reasons, cones will be set up daily to prevent cars from driving straight into the car pool circle. Follow the arrows on the map below.
Students will be called by their assigned number when their vehicle approaches the building. Staff members will supervise as students walk around to board their vehicles. Students will board from the passenger side only. School age children should be able to safely open car doors and buckle their seatbelts without the assistance of an adult. Parents are to remain in their cars at all times to ensure safety and efficiency of the procedure. Please refrain from parking and walking up to the school to pick up your child during carpool. Entering the bus loop for drop off or pick up is not allowed.
Students may change modes of transportation only with written permission from the parent. Students need written permission from parents to ride with friends or neighbors. Students will not be allowed to use the school phone to make transportation arrangements unless it is an emergency. This is for the safety of our students. Children may walk or ride bicycles to school if they have written permission from their parents. These notes are to be filed with the child’s classroom teacher. If your child walks or rides a bike to school, please help them select the safest route. Please provide a safety helmet and a lock and chain to ensure the safety of the rider and the security of the bike. WCPSS is not responsible for stolen bicycles. No skateboards are allowed.
Change of Address/Phone NumbersPlease report all changes in home or work phone numbers and addresses immediately to the school. In the event of an emergency, parents/ guardians, or authorized individuals must be contacted before doctors/emergency personnel will treat a child. The importance of maintaining updated information cannot be overemphasized. Conferences
DisciplineThe Hilburn Drive Elementary staff teaches independence, respect for self and others, and other character traits in addition to the standard course of study. Maintaining a safe, orderly environment for our students is an important part of providing quality education. The classroom teacher will maintain classroom discipline to protect the school day and deter behavioral interruptions. Teachers and students will collectively construct their classroom rules, routines and consequences. Students will be sent to administration for disciplinary action after the teacher has taken steps to change and/or stop the inappropriate behavior. Any student involved in a fight or threatening another student will be sent to administration immediately. Students should always adhere to Hilburn’s School Rules:
All students are responsible for complying with and are expected to be familiar with WCPSS Code of Student Conduct and school board policies governing student behavior and conduct. All Code of Student Conduct policies are contained in the WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook, which is distributed to all students and parents at the beginning of each school year or upon enrollment in the WCPSS. If there is a conflict between the rules expressed in this handbook/agenda/planner and the Code of Student Conduct policies, the WCPSS Code of Student conduct policies shall take precedence.
Todas las politicas del Codigo de Conducta Estudiantil se encuentran en el manual de WCPSS de Estudiantes/Padres, el cual se distribuye a todos los padres y estudiantes al principio de cada ano escolar o al matricularse en el WCPSS. Si hay un conflicto entre las reglas expresadas en este manual de Estu diantes/Padres y el manual/agenda/planificador de la escuela de su hijo (a) las reglas expresadas en est e manual deben tomar prioridad.
Early Release DaysThe following four days have been designated as Early Release days for our students. The staff will participate in staff development on these days. YMCA will operate on an early schedule to accommodate students in their program on these days. School will end and students will be dismissed at 12:45 p.m. on:September 25 October 16 February 12 March 5 Any student picked up prior to 12:30 PM will be considered absent on these days. Educational Field Trips Properly supervised and planned educational field trips are an important part of the instructional program. A signed permission form from a parent/guardian is required for all field trips. Parents who wish to chaperone are not permitted to ride a WCPSS bus. All chaperones are required to have a Level 3 or 4 volunteer status. (See volunteer section.) Forgotten ItemsAny item a child has left at home may be brought to the office. School personnel will make sure the item is delivered to the student. In order to protect instructional time, visitors are not permitted to go directly to the classrooms. Homework PlanHomework is a vital aspect of the learning experience. It should be given the same professional attention as class work. The teacher will introduce a concept or skill and provide guided practice before making a homework assignment. Homework is provided to:
Parents should provide their child the time and location for uninterrupted study. It is recommended that the location be free of distractions such as T.V., music, etc.
Parents may request homework and other assignments for a child absent at least 2 days. Requests should be made before noon in order to provide ample time for the teacher to prepare the homework packet. These items will be available after 4 PM on the day the request is made. Inclement WeatherIn case of snow and other dangerous weather or emergency situations, a decision may be made to close or delay school. These decisions are made by WCPSS after the National Weather Service and local weather bureaus have been consulted. As soon as a decision is made, local radio and television stations are notified and a notice is posted on the system’s web page at http://www.wcpss.net . Please do not call the school because telephone lines must be kept open so that we can receive updated information. Refer to the WCPSS calendar for make up day information. In the event school closes early due to inclement weather, the same procedures are followed.
Medical Matters When students become sick or hurt during the school day, parents will be called. In order to do this, we need to keep accurate directory information at all times. Please keep your child’s teacher and the school office informed of any changes that occur in addresses, phone numbers and emergency contact persons. Children must be fever free for 24 hours, without medication, before returning to school because of the chance of a relapse and still being contagious. Please also keep your child home if they have vomited within a 24-hour period. Sick children do not need to be at school where they cannot do their best work. Please notify the school when your child has a contagious illness such as chicken pox or lice. For the safety of all students, and the comfort of the sick child, we require that students return to school only after the child is well again. Office staff may request a written note from the child’s pediatrician granting permission for the child’s readmission to school. If your child has a special health condition that the school needs to be aware of and prepared to handle, it is the parent’s responsibility to provide written documentation of this need. We will send home forms for you to complete at the beginning of the school year to gather this information. The school nurse will work with staff to ensure that your child’s medical needs are met. School personnel are prohibited from giving children any medication without Form 1702 signed by the child’s doctor. This form is available in the school office and most area pediatrician’s offices. The medicine and completed form must be taken to the office by an adult for medication to be administered by the office staff.
ParkingPlease park in designated parking spaces only when visiting the school. Exits, entrances, and fire lanes should remain open for emergency vehicles at all times. Double parking is prohibited.
School Insurance School accident and dental insurance information will be sent home during the first several days of school. If you wish to purchase dental insurance, please mail the application directly to the company. Accident insurance envelopes should be returned to your child’s teacher as soon as possible.
School-Wide Drills Every precaution is taken to insure the safety of your child during school hours. Monthly fire drills and periodic severe weather and emergency lockdown drills are performed to make certain students learn proper safety procedures and adhere to all safety guidelines.
Student Dress Parents and guardians are asked to use good judgment with regard to proper school dress. Short shorts, bare midriffs (boys and girls), spaghetti straps, halter tops and other distracting clothing are not considered acceptable attire. Students will be expected to keep their pants pulled to their waist. “Sagging” is not acceptable at Hilburn Drive Elementary. Hats and other head gear may not be worn in the building at any time. These guidelines are designed to help provide an instructional atmosphere and assist with security measures.
Telephone Messages
TextbooksTextbooks and library books are furnished to your child by the school system on a loan basis and should be treated as borrowed property. Students must pay for the loss or abuse of textbooks and library books.
Visitors/VolunteersParents are always welcome at our school, and there are many opportunities for volunteering! Please note that district policy requires that all school visitors report to the office and sign in when entering the building and wear a Visitor’s badge. The staff of Hilburn Drive is committed to ensuring and protecting the instructional workday; therefore, spontaneous classroom visits are not permitted because they disrupt the instructional program. Please do not just “show up” at your child’s classroom to talk with the teacher, expect a conference, or to observe your child. These interruptions interfere with teaching and learning. Our teachers want to meet with you. Please send a note, email or call the school to schedule an appointment. We appreciate your willingness to adhere to these policies and procedures. WCPSS has organized volunteer services in the schools to improve student safety. Therefore, they have grouped activities based on a volunteer’s contact with students and supervision by school staff. There are 4 levels of volunteers. Levels 1 & 2 are activities that have no solitary time with students. Levels 3 & 4 are activities involving direct contact with students under limited supervision. Levels 3 & 4 both require a criminal background check.
2008-2009 School Calendar Information
Aug. 25 First Day of School Sept. 1 Labor Day Holiday Sept. 25 Early Release Oct. 10 Teacher Workday Oct. 16 Early Release Oct. 31 First Quarter Ends Nov. 3 Teacher Workday Nov. 4 Teacher Workday Nov. 7 Report Cards are Issued Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day Holiday Nov. 26-28 Thanksgiving Holiday Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Winter Break Jan. 19 MLK Holiday Jan. 23 Second Quarter Ends Jan. 26 Teacher Workday Jan. 30 Report Cards are Issued Feb. 12 Early Release Feb. 16 Teacher Workday March 5 Early Release April 3 Third Quarter Ends April 6-13 Spring Break April 16 Report Cards are Issued May 25 Vacation Day June 10 Last Day of School and Report Cards are Issued
Weather Makeup Days
Nov. 4 April 6 Nov. 26 April 7 Dec. 22 April 8 Jan. 2 April 9 Feb. 16 May 25
2008-2009 School Contact Information
School Office 571-6800 Sherry Tomasso………Receptionist Gina Sanchez…………Secretary Denise Isaacs…………Data Manager Cheryl Fenner………...Assistant Principal Gregory Ford……………..Principal
Cafeteria 571-6818 Debbie Robinson Cafe Manager
Counseling 571-6806 Kelsy Augst Counselor
Media Center 571-6812 Michelle Benson Media Specialist Judi Rice Media Assistant
Transportation 508-9064
YMCA 848-9622
Hilburn Drive Elementary School 7100 Hilburn Drive Raleigh, NC 27613 (919) 571-6800 (Phone) (919) 571-6804 (Fax)
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| © 2009 Wake County Public School System |
All students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will use agendas (classroom planners) to develop essential planning skills related to learning and academic success. These booklets will also provide a means of daily home/school communication. Parents should review their child’s agenda daily and encourage use of the resource information included. Cost to each student for an agenda is $2.00. The PTA and the school will fund the remaining costs of the agendas. 
Birthday invitations should be mailed from a child’s home. Birthday snacks should be shared in the cafeteria during scheduled lunch times. Prior teacher notification is appreciated. Balloons are not allowed at Hilburn, as they are potential safety hazards to students with latex allergies. 
The Wake County Public School System provides bus transportation for students who live in our base area. This service is a privilege, which may be revoked if children exhibit inappropriate behavior or violate safety rules. Violation of safety rules or inappropriate behavior may result in bus suspensions for either short term or the remainder of the school year. At Hilburn, the safety of all our students comes first in school and on the school bus; therefore, compliance of the following rules is absolutely necessary: 
A hot breakfast and lunch are served each day by our wonderful cafeteria staff. Meals can be purchased daily, but it is recommended that students deposit funds into their individual accounts to cover meals for the week or month. Milk, snacks, and desserts can be purchased separately. Parents can specify that funds in the account be used to purchase lunch only or lunch and snacks. Deposits are made in the cafeteria. Please include your child’s or children’s ID# on all checks. Parents/guardians are encouraged to have lunch with their children during the school year. Please send a note to your child’s teacher when you plan to visit in case there is a schedule change. 
We ask that parents utilize carpool when picking up your child at dismissal. This process is essential for the protection of our students and it helps ensure a smooth dismissal. If you need to pick up your child for an appointment, please do so prior to 3:15. When picking up your child in Car Pool, you must display the issued carpool tag on your rear view mirror. Car pool tags will be available during Open House in August. 
Conferences are an excellent way of keeping you informed of the overall progress of your child’s schoolwork. Your child’s teacher will contact you to schedule a conference at least twice during the year. You may also request a conference at any time if you have questions or concerns.
Reinforce, maintain, enrich, and extend skills and concepts taught in class
Parents/guardians are asked to make after school arrangements with their children before they leave home. Changes in transportation should be in writing and submitted to your child’s teacher. Messages for students will be delivered at the end of the instructional day in order to protect teachers’ instructional time. Messages for teachers will be placed in their mailboxes. Calls will be returned within 24 hours.