Welcome to Grafton Bethel Elementary School

GBE Handbook for Parents
and Students

Grafton Bethel's

Student/Parent

 Information

Absences

Upon the student's return to school, a note from the parent/guardian stating the reason for the student's absence on specific dates is required.  Acceptable excuses for absences include illness, death in the immediate family, doctor or dental appointments, and extenuating circumstances (which should be discussed with the principal).

Fifteen days of consecutive absences will result in withdrawal of the student from the attendance roll in accordance with state regulations.

Attendance and Promptness

The student day is from 8:45 to 3:11  The first bell rings at 8:30.  Please refrain from removing students during the instructional day.  If possible, please make dental or doctor appointments after school hours.

If a student is tardy to school, parents must provide a note indicating the reason for the tardiness.  In addition, the parent must sign the student in and secure a tardy slip from the office.  If a note is not provided by the parent, the tardy will be recorded as "unexcused".  Three unexcused tardies equals one unexcused absence.

Parent Drop-off and Afternoon Pick-up

Parents bringing children to school in the morning or picking children up after school are asked to unload or load from the rear-parking lot.  Please park and accompany your child into the building.

Bus Rules

Students have the privilege of using transportation provided by the county.  Safety standards are in place and all students are expected to act accordingly.  Children are assigned to a bus and may not ride another bus unless a note is provided and signed by the child’s teacher.  If a student is riding home with another student, both parents must send in a note granting permission.

For the established York County Bus Safety Rules see the Student Handbook under Transportation.

Cafeteria Prices

  
 Breakfast 

   $1.95  student

       Lunch     

   $1.85 student

$2.50 adult

$0.40 milk

      $0.50  ice cream

$0.75 Slushy
 

Child Care

Before and After school program for interested parents is provided by The Medallion School Partnerships.  Please call the school director for details.  595-8702

School Hours for the program are:

6:45 AM to 8:30 AM

3:11 PM to 6:00 PM

Call 595-8702
 

Classroom Observations

Parents wishing to observe in a classroom should contact the school principal in advance of the proposed observation to arrange an appropriate visitation schedule.

Parents must check in with the office and obtain a visitor’s pass before going into the classrooms.

Conferences

Teachers are available for conferences throughout the school year.  Please arrange a mutually convenient conference time by sending a note, an email, or a message on their classroom phone.
 

Conflict Resolution

A child’s ability to manage conflict is important. At Grafton Bethel, we incorporate Conflict Resolution Steps.  Please take a few minutes to review these steps with your child in the event that he/she is faced with a conflict situation. The steps are:

1.  Ignore The Behavior  

2.  Move Away

3.  Ask Politely To Stop

4.   Ask Firmly To Stop

5.   Give Warning

 6. Tell An Adult

Custodial Documentation

To assist in maintaining a safe environment for your child, we request that custodial papers be on file for any children who have custodial restrictions.

Early Dismissal

If your child needs to leave school early, please follow the procedures listed below:

1.      Send a written note to the teacher stating the date and time of parental pickup.

2.      Come to the office and sign the book for Early Release of Students.  An office personnel will contact the classroom teacher and have the child sent to the office.  Please do not go directly to the classroom.

3.      When it becomes necessary for someone else to pick up your child, a note granting permission, accompanied by a name and phone number of the authorized person, must be sent to school.

Early Morning Drop Offs

Parents must have permission from the principal prior to dropping off a child before the first bell (8:30).  Staff members are not available to supervise before school hours.  If needed, the Medallion School Partnerships offers before and after school care in the cafeteria.
 

Field Trips

Prior to field trips, teachers will send home permission slips.  Students must have a signed permission slip to participate in field trips.
 

Fire Drills

Fire drills will be conducted on a regular basis.  Students are expected to exit the building in an orderly manner to the location designated by their teacher.  If the alarm rings when students are in the hallway, they are to move to the nearest exit and evacuate the building.  If a student pulls the fire alarm, law enforcement will be notified.
 

Grading Criteria

Academic

(Grades K-2 and Resource Classes)  

S = Satisfactory

P =Progressing

N = Needs Improvement

V = Not Evaluated

(Grades 3-5)

A = 92-100=Excellent

B = 84-91=Good

C = 75-83=Average

D = 67-74=Poor

F = 0-66=Failing

V = Not Evaluated 

Honor Roll

A Honor Roll

Grades 3,4,5

Criteria = All A’s

A/B Honor Roll

Grades 3,4,5

Criteria = A’s and B’s

Homework Policy

Homework is intended to be an extension of the instruction that a student receives in the classroom.  The specific amount of homework may vary.  The following are suggested amounts:

K-1 (30 minutes a night, including reading)

2-5 (45 minutes a night, including reading)

Please contact the classroom teacher if the student repeatedly exceeds the recommended time frames.

Illness and Injury

The clinic staff will notify parents immediately if a student has an accident or becomes ill during the school day.  Please provide us with an emergency telephone number in the event you can't be reached.

Interim Reports/ Report Cards

Other Important Dates

Lost and Found

The school is not responsible for lost articles.  Lost and found articles will be placed in the tub by the fish tank.  Unclaimed articles will be donated to a local charity  in January and June.

Medication

Medication to be dispensed at school must be in the original container.  A note must be sent with the medication indicating the name of the doctor, the name of the medication, the amount, and time it is to be taken and be given to the nurse by the parent.  Students are not allowed to carry medication to and from school.  Any questions, please call the school nurse at 890-1006

Parking

Parking is available in front and behind the school.  Please avoid parking directly in front of the school during posted bus arrival/dismissal times:

8:15-9:00

3:00-3:30

Parking is also prohibited along the yellow curb. This is the fire lane and must be kept open.

Phone Calls

Parents are asked to make after-school arrangements with children before they leave home.  Students will not be called from class to receive personal phone calls.  Messages will be taken and delivered to students and teachers.

School Phone Numbers:

Office:  898-0350

Clinic:  890-1006

Cafeteria:  890-1008

Guidance:  833-2110

Transportation:  898-0344

Fax:  898-0359

Physical Education Excuses

Physical education is an integral part of the curriculum.  Children will not be excused from physical education activities unless a note is received from a parent.  A note from a physician is required for long-term exclusion from physical education activities.  A note is required to return to physical education activities after long-term exclusion.

PTA

The PTA is very involved in our school.  All parents and teachers are urged to become members and to become active participants.  Dues are $5.00.  Each year, the PTA sponsors a Spell a Thon project..  With the help of all parents, the project has been very successful and allows the PTA to fund many important activities at the school.

Registration Requirements

Physical with Immunization Record

Original State Certified  Birth Certificate

Social Security Number/Card

      Proof of Residence

Safety of Walking Students

In some cases, students are permitted to walk to school.  Permission is needed from the school principal.  Please teach your child the route you wish him/her to take to and from school.  Teach him/her to take the same route every day.  Remind your child to cross the street at the appropriate location.

School Hours

School Pictures and  Yearbooks

Individual pictures are taken in the fall and spring.  Group pictures are taken in the spring.  Yearbooks are available for purchase in the spring.

School Parties

Two classroom parties are permitted per school year.  The exchange of gifts is discouraged.  Birthday treats should be sent to the office and will be distributed to the children in the cafeteria after lunch.  Private party invitations should NOT be distributed at school or on the bus.

Student Recognition

Grafton Bethel students are recognized for achievement in many areas.  Honor Rolls recognizing academic achievements are posted and published at the end of each quarter in the local newspaper and on the School Division website.

Toys and Games

Personal toys and games, such as trading cards and video games, i-pods, are NOT allowed on campus during school hours.

Visitors

All visitors and volunteers must report to the office where they will be issued a Visitor's Pass. 

Students from other schools inside or outside the county are forbidden to come on the campus of another school without a specific reason.                                          

Volunteers

We welcome your help as a volunteer!  Many opportunities are available.  Please contact the school or the PTA for more information. Remember to sign in in the office for a visitor's badge and to log in your time spent volunteering.