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Welcome our new and returning students and their families to Stevens Forest Elementary School. We are excited about the upcoming school year and look forward to our working together as partners in your child’s education. We invite all of our parents to share with us in the education of your children at Stevens Forest Elementary. We invite you to visit your child’s classroom, take part in the many volunteer opportunities that are available and become an active member of the Stevens Forest PTA. We also invite you to contact the school should you have any questions regarding your child’s educational progress or program at any time. A relationship between home and school based on open communication further ensures your child’s success in school and our ability to provide the best educational program. This page has been prepared for your convenience and information. If you have any questions, comments or concerns at any point in the school year we encourage you to contact us. Best wishes for a rewarding new school year.
Ron K. Morris, Principal
Sharon Lewandowski, Assistant Principal
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to create an environment in which all students have the desire to realize high personal and academic standards and to develop an understanding and appreciation of others through quality teaching and community support.
The Philosophy of SFES: We believe that public education is the foundation of our society’s strength and that its direction is primarily the responsibility of professional educators working cooperatively with the community. We believe that we should offer each student an equal opportunity to an appropriate education by accepting the students as individuals and maintaining high, but realistic, expectations for them. Accordingly, we will demonstrate and encourage the students to be respectful of others regardless of sex, race, culture, religion, or ability. We will provide a school climate that maintains excellence in all facets of education, maximizes each child’s potential, enhances the student’s self-image, promotes awareness of the importance of education, fosters a sense of belonging, and instills in each student a sense of responsibility to the school, to other people, and to self. Therefore, we will provide knowledge of the past, awareness of the present, and experiences in leadership and problem solving to prepare each student for productive participation in our society.
School Hours: School Hours Grades K – 5 9:00 AM-3:30 PM
Stevens Forest Behavior Expectations:
In order that all students may be as successful as possible, and to ensure a safe and orderly school envioronment, an appropriate standard of behavior must be established and reinforced during the course of the school day. Behavioral success at Stevens Forest will depend upon each student's willingness to follow our three guiding principles:
- Responsibility
- Respectfulness
- Readiness
Students who successfully follow these rules will receive recognition each day. Students who consistently fail to follow the standards of behavior are subject to a variety of progressive interventions and consequences including referral to the guidance counselor or school problem solving teams, as well as disciplinary action by the school administration including parent conferences, loss of privileges such as recess, or suspension from school. Additionally, parents should review the Howard County Code of Student Conduct that will be distributed at the start of the school year.
Entrance/Dismissal Procedures:
Entrance: Students will be permitted to enter the school building beginning at 8:45 AM. Students should not arrive prior to 8:45 AM as there is no supervision available for early arriving students. Safety patrols should arrive no earlier than 8:30 AM. All students will enter the school from the front entrance. Students transported to school by car may be dropped off directly in front of the school using the bus lane driveway and enter the school through the front entrance. Parents who wish to park their cars in the community association parking lots should escort their child safely across the parking areas to the sidewalk at the front of the school or the main entrance.
Dismissal: Bus riders and day care van riders will be dismissed at 3:25 PM. Students who walk to school will be dismissed next. Students who will be transported by car will be dismissed last. Parents of students who will transport their children home by car will be permitted into the bus lane driveway after the walkers have been dismissed. (Please form a line as directed.) All students will be dismissed through the front entrances. In order to dismiss students quickly and safely we ask that parents and other family members who will be picking up students await their exit outside the front entrances. Students must be picked up promptly as there is no available supervision after school.
Traveling To/From School Safely:
Parents and those who transport students by car are reminded to exercise caution while traveling on or near school property. Parking is only permitted in the neighborhood association lot. The bus lane is open at entrance and dismissal for drop-off and pickup only.
Students who walk to school should be reminded about traveling safely to/from school. Particularly, students should follow all safety rules and only cross Stevens Forest Road at the crossing guard at Kilimanjaro and Stevens Forest Roads. Safety Patrols are available to assist and supervise students. Safety Patrols must be obeyed by all the students.
Release of Pupils During School Hours:
Parents who desire a child be excused early from school must report to the office and sign the child out before taking the child from the school. Students will be called to the school office for dismissal upon the parent’s arrival.
Withdrawal From School:
If it is necessary to withdraw a child before the end of the school year, please inform the school several days in advance so there will be no waiting for transfer information. We will provide you with copies of your child’s immunization and birth certificate for your convenience if so needed. All school records will be forwarded to your child’s new school upon written request from that school.
Monday Folder/Friday Folder/Weekly Newsletter:
A weekly school newsletter is sent home each Friday in this parent handbook folder (known as the Friday Folder) with the youngest and/or only child in each family. This is a VITAL form of communication between the school and the home. It contains information about our school, special events, and weekly communication from the principal. Please read the Stevens Forest Newsletter every Friday and keep it available for handy reference during the coming week. The Friday Folder will also contain other important notices for parents to review. Completed student work and team notices will be sent home each Monday in the Monday Folder.
Special Programs:
Several “special” programs are offered in the school:
• Music/Instrumental Programs: String instrument instruction is offered to students in grades 3-5. Wind and percussion instrument lessons are offered for those in grades 4 and 5. Instruction is held during the school day. Information is sent home at the start of the school year regarding the instrumental music program.
• Media Center: The Media Center has a wide range of print and non-print materials which children use extensively. Parents are asked to remind children of their responsibility in caring for and returning borrowed books on time. If a book is lost, parents are requested to remit the cost of the book.
• Physical Education: Physical Education classes are held for all children in grades K-5. Please dress your child in clothing suitable for very active play - especially tennis shoes.
• The Gifted and Talented Program: The Gifted/Talented Program has two components. The Enrichment Triad (grades 1-5) offers all students the opportunity to work on projects to enrich and expand their knowledge under the direction of the G/T teacher. The Mathematics Program (grades 4-5) provides mathematics instruction for those students who demonstrate an above-level understanding and motivation in the area of mathematics. A parent meeting regarding the G/T program is held at the start of each school year. Please contact the G/T teacher if you have any questions.
• Howard County Health Department: The Howard County Health Department works closely with the schools offering the following services: hearing testing, vision testing, and mental hygiene clinics. For further information, please contact the health room.
• Student Support Services: Student support services are provided by several staff members at Stevens Forest. The Guidance Counselor addresses the needs of children with regard to personal and academic growth. The Guidance Counselor provides classroom guidance sessions, group guidance, peer mediation, and individual counseling sessions for students. The Guidance Counselor also provides support services to both parents and staff. Pupil Personnel Services are offered through the Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) who works with students with significant adjustment problems in school such as poor attendance, poor or irregular academic achievement, or behavioral difficulties. The PPW may provide intervention through home visits, conferences or referrals to specialists or community agencies. Our School Psychologist is also available to meet with students experiencing extreme emotional or academic difficulties. The school psychologist is also available to meet with parents. Please contact the main office to speak with any member of the student support services team.
Testing Program:
Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 are given the MSA (Maryland School Assessment) on an annual basis. Students in grade 2 will receive an annual achievement test in the spring of each school year. Parents will receive a report of their child’s performance on both of these measures. Students in the primary grades (K-2) are tested regularly in reading using Howard County assessments. Students in grades 3-5 receive quarterly reading assessments developed by the school system. Howard County assessments in mathematics are administered twice yearly in the form of a pre-test and a post-test. Unit assessments may also be administered in mathematics as well. Teachers will also evaluate student progress using a wide variety of traditional as well as non-traditional assessment measures. Questions regarding your child’s performance on assessments may be directed to his/her teacher or the school administration.
Absence From School:
Regular attendance at school is necessary for students to make maximum educational progress as well as to participate fully in the educational program provided at Stevens Forest. All students are expected to attend school regularly. Lawful absences from school include (1) illness of the child (2) death in the immediate family (3) court summons and (4) observance of a religious holiday. Students who are absent from school must provide a note stating the date and reason for the absence upon their return to school. Absences without a note are considered unexcused.
The principal must approve absences from school for vacations during the school year. Please submit vacation requests in writing to the principal prior to the absence. Students will be permitted to make up schoolwork for all lawful absences including absences due to vacation. Teachers will determine whether schoolwork missed for vacation purposes will be made up prior to or after the absence.
An absence totaling one and one-half hours, whether at the start (late arrival), the end (early dismissal) and/or in the middle of the school day will constitute a half-day absence from school.
Students who are regularly in attendance at school will not only make maximum educational progress but will receive special recognition at the end of the school year. Families of students who are excessively absent from school will be referred for intervention to the school’s guidance counselor, administration and possibly the Pupil Personnel Worker for referral to the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Late Arrivals:
Students who arrive after 9:05 AM will be considered tardy and must report to the main office for a late pass to their classroom. Students who are excessively tardy miss important directions and organizational time at the start of the school day. Additionally, they may disrupt the classroom as they enter after the school day has begun. We encourage students to arrive promptly at school each day.
Visiting During School Hours:
We encourage all parents to visit their child’s classroom throughout the school year. Upon arrival at the school, please sign in at the main office and obtain a visitor’s pass. We ask that parents not escort their children to their classroom at the start of the school day or pick them up from the classroom at the end of the day. These are busy times for both the teacher and students. Students should enter and exit the building on their own. If you need to speak to your child’s teacher during the school day please call or leave a message in the school office.
Student Dress Code:
Students are expected to dress in an appropriate manner each day. Students should be appropriately dressed to engage in the variety of activities they will encounter at school. Students should be dressed in a manner so as not to disrupt the educational process at the school. Students should not wear clothing that advertises drugs, alcohol or any item that would be seen as profane or inappropriate for school or unduly exposes or reveals skin or undergarments.
Field Trips:
In order to provide activities which either extend concepts taught in school or provide experiences not available in the curriculum, field trips are provided. Most field trips do include a fee for transportation and admissions cost, where applicable. Every effort is made to keep field trip costs reasonable. Parents are welcome to assist as chaperones as needed. In cases where the number of chaperones must be limited, chaperones will be selected first from those parents who have not had the opportunity to chaperone on any previous field trip and/or by random lottery. Siblings are prohibited from accompanying parents on field trips due to insurance liability regulations.
Bicycle Racks:
It is advised that children use bicycle locks to secure their bicycles in the bicycle racks provided. The school cannot assume responsibility for loss or damage to bicycles. Please emphasize good bicycle safety and manners to your children if they ride their bicycles to/from school. All students who ride bicycles to/from school should wear helmets. Students should walk their bicycles while on school property.
Homework Policy:
It is recognized that all learning cannot be accomplished within the amount of time allotted for classroom instruction. Therefore, homework is routinely assigned to our students at SFES. Homework provides an opportunity for students to review newly acquired skills and information as well as to extend their learning. Each grade level team and/or teacher will provide written homework policies at the start of the school year. These policies will be shared with parents.
Breakfast/Lunch Program:
A balanced hot lunch is served daily in our school, following a county prepared menu. Students bringing their own bag lunches may purchase milk and snacks. The price of lunches for elementary school students is $1.75 and milk is $0.40. A listing of snack prices will be published in the cafeteria. (All prices are subject to change) Students who forget their lunch/lunch money may borrow lunch money from their team Instructional Assistants for lunch only. No money will be loaned for snacks. It is understood that money loaned will be returned the following school day to your child’s team Instructional Assistant. Free and reduced lunches are available to those children who meet federal guidelines. Confidential forms are available in the school’s office.
Student breakfasts are available in the cafeteria. The cost for breakfast is $1.00. Students may enter the building at 8:45 AM to purchase breakfast. Breakfast is available between 8:45 and 9:00 AM.
Lost and Found:
Lost articles are kept in a box in the cafeteria. Small items (glasses, keys, etc.) will be kept in the main office. Your child may look for lost articles during lunch time and before/after school. Lost articles not claimed will be donated to charity twice per school year. Please label your child’s belongings whenever possible.
Reporting Student Progress:
Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher at any point in the school year to discuss their child’s educational progress. Scheduled parent/teacher conferences will be held two times per school year. Interim progress reports will be distributed to all students halfway through each marking period. Report cards will be distributed four times per school year. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions regarding your child’s report card or progress.
Telephone Calls:
The office phone is for use by school system employees for business and emergency use. Students will not be permitted to use the telephone for forgotten items or for other non-emergency situations. Incoming messages will be passed to students in emergency situations. However, it is very difficult to pass messages to children after 3:00 PM as this is a busy time for teachers, students and office staff. For the safety of your child, please notify the front office of messages for students before 2:30 PM.
Weather Announcements:
When school is to be closed or opened late due to inclement weather, announcements will be made over local radio stations prior to 7:30 AM. As winter approaches, a complete listing will be sent home in the Friday Folders with exact radio and TV stations which carry these important announcements. Please refrain from calling the main office for information so that the telephone lines remain open for emergency calls.
Parent Participation:
We urge parents to join and support the PTA by attending all meetings and PTA sponsored activities. We are privileged to have a very active and supportive parent group at Stevens Forest and we look forward to another successful year. Our school has an active Parent Volunteer Program. Parents are invited to participate in this program. Information regarding volunteer opportunities will be distributed at the start of the school year.
Requests for Information by Outside Agencies:
Requests for school information regarding a student at SFES by individuals outside the school system (such as doctors, psychologists, counselors) will only be forwarded with written permission from the student’s parents. Please contact your child’s teacher or the administration when requesting such information.
Where Can I Go for Help?
Parents who are concerned regarding their child’s academic, behavioral, social and/or emotional growth should contact their child’s teacher. Should concerns persist, school support staff (guidance counselor, school psychologist) and the administration are most willing to meet with parents and students to improve progress. Students experiencing continuing difficulties may also be referred to the school’s Instructional Intervention Team (IIT) for support or intervention. The IIT is a multidisciplinary problem solving team which utilizes the Instructional Consultation model. Parents will be encouraged to become part of this team. In cases where a student may be suspected of having an educational disability, a referral may be made to the school’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) Team for their consideration and possible special education placement. Parents who request testing for special education will be invited to attend a meeting to discuss the request with the IEP Team. A decision regarding the need for testing will be made at that meeting. In all cases it is only with mutual support and communication between home and school that a child’s educational progress be improved.
Accident and Illness:
The Health Room is staffed by a Health Assistant during school hours. First aid and TLC are dispensed to all cuts, bruises, headaches, tummy aches, and minor “emergencies." No medication is dispensed without the written authorization of the child’s doctor. Should your child require medication during the school day, please check with our health assistant to make sure all proper forms and instructions are on file. An emergency card is kept in the office for each child enrolled in the school. Please make sure any changes in phone numbers, addresses, work information and designated emergency contact persons are reported to the office as soon as possible. If you are called to pick up your child due to illness, please do so promptly.
Medication Guidelines:
The following guidelines for medication have been established by the Howard County Department of Education:
1. Before giving any medication, the principal shall have written permission from a parent and have complete written instructions from the prescribing physician, including date of order, identification of drug by name, dosage, time and circumstances of administration, length of time medication is to be continued, reason for prescription, and possible side effects. This information should be provided on the Howard County Department of Education form which can be obtained from the Health Assistant.
2. All medication should be clearly labeled with the student’s name and time and amount of medication to be taken. The principal or designee (usually the Health Assistant) is responsible for observing while the student takes the medication to assure that it is done in accordance with the physician’s written instructions and the medicine label.
3. School personnel are not allowed to administer any type of medication without all data as described in Item 1 being complete.
Child Abuse:
All students suspected of being physically/sexually abused or neglected will be referred to the Department of Social Services for possible investigation. All teachers and staff members must report such incidents by school board policy and by law.
Student Accident Insurance:
A student accident insurance program providing broad coverage at nominal cost to parents is available to all students. Information will be sent home at the start of the school year.
Tobacco Free Environment:
All Howard County School property is tobacco free. There is no smoking on school property or during school sponsored activities (field trips, etc.).
Important School Board Policies: It is our goal to provide a safe and orderly school environment for children at school. In keeping with that goal, it is important to inform all parents and students of specific Board of Education policies related to school safety:
• Weapons: The Board of Education believes that the presence on school property of weapons poses a serious threat to the safety and well-being of students and staff. It is unlawful for any student to carry or possess any rifle, gun, knife, pepper spray, or deadly weapon of any kind on any public school property of the state of Maryland. A student is deemed to be in violation of this policy if that student carries or possesses any weapon or any other object or implement intended to cause harm to another or used in such a way as to cause harm to another student. This also includes toy weapons or “look-alikes." Any student found in violation of this policy will be immediately suspended from school and the police will be notified.
• Student Assault on School Staff: The Board of Education recognizes the need for a school environment that is orderly and safe. This environment must allow school staff to be free from any physical assault by students. Physical assault is defined as “the willful touching of another person by the aggressor or by some substance or force put in motion by the aggressor or by some other person and not otherwise privileged.” Any student who is found in violation of this policy will be immediately suspended, the case referred to the Office of the Superintendent, and the police notified.
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