WELCOME TO THE HOME OF THE BUTNER BEARS!

Dear Parents:

Welcome to Butner Elementary School! We are delighted that you and your children are part of our school community. We assure you that we will do everything possible to make the learning environment at Butner Elementary School safe and nurturing for your children. We will also emphasize the highest academic standards and social behavior for all students.

Communication between the home and school is very important to ensure maximum benefit for children for their educational experience. We encourage you to visit the school often. We hope you will become involved in your child’s education through such programs as the Parent Teacher Association and the School Improvement Team, as well as volunteering at school.

If you have concerns about anything at school, please feel free to come in and discuss those concerns with the administrators. If one of the administrators is not available, please make an appointment with the secretary.

The partnership between home and school will guarantee success for students. As we form that partnership, we wish you and your children a successful, exciting school year.

Mrs. Sharon Hall
Principal

If your child is going to be absent, please notify us by 8:30 a.m. (907-0203). When your child returns to school, please send a note to your child's teacher stating the reason for the absence. Pupils are required to bring a note from parents when they are absent or tardy. Since we are acting "in loco parentis" during school hours and are responsible for your children, we must know where they are during these times. Children will not be excused from classes unless they have a note from parents. Sickness, family emergencies, and medical appointments will be excused absences. For the safety of your children, they will not be permitted to leave school grounds unless a parent signs them out. Work assignments missed due to the child's absence should be completed promptly upon return. If you know that you will be away for a few days, please notify the teacher 24 hours in advance to prepare the makeup work.

Students five years of age by October 16 of this school year may be enrolled in kindergarten; those six years of age by October 16 may enter first grade. Parents enrolling students during the school year are requested to bring school reports or report cards from the last school attended (at the time of registration). To register students, parents must present the following: child's social security card; certified birth certificate; sponsor's orders; lease agreement from housing and immunization record. If the sponsor is a stepparent, the sponsor must present a copy of the custody paperwork and marriage certificate.

Children must be four years old by October 16 to be eligible for preschool. Parents must complete the registration packet. North Carolina law requires that a completed physical form for all preschool and kindergarten students be presented to the school within the first thirty days of enrollment. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the student being withdrawn.

Parents have 30 days following enrollment to provide all required documentation. Failure to provide the necessary documentation will result in the student's withdrawal from school.

We recognize students' birthdays over the intercom and the teachers plan special recognition for students in the classroom. To protect instructional time, no birthday parties are to be held in the classroom, nor are invitations to birthday parties to be distributed at school. Subject to the teacher's discretion, simple birthday treats can be brought in by parents and distributed during snack or lunchtime. Cupcakes, not ice cream cakes or cakes that have to be cut, work best for these treats. Please do not have flowers, balloons or other gifts delivered to the school.

"Child-Find" is the ongoing process used by Department of Defense Schools and the military community to identify individuals (from birth to 21 years of age) who show indications that they might be in need of special education and related services.

P.O.C. is the Case Study Committee chairperson at Butner Elementary School (907-0203).

For complete information about discipline, please refer to Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary Guidance for Student Discipline at www.am.dodea.edu/ . After clicking on the web site, click on “Policies, Procedures, and Guidance.” Then, click on “Interim Discipline Guidance.” The information below is intended to summarize its most relevant points.

It is the policy of Butner Elementary School to maintain a safe and orderly environment. As part of our school's mission, every effort will be made to help students learn to demonstrate responsibility for their actions and decisions.

The staff of Butner Elementary School believes that:

• Students, parents and the school share the responsibility for creating the best possible learning environment.
• Student behavior/conduct which interferes with learning or with teacher instruction is unacceptable.
• All students are entitled to a safe, enjoyable, and rewarding school experience.

Rules for classroom behavior and positive and negative consequences are clearly communicated to students and parents in the discipline plans which are discussed with students and sent home at the beginning of the school year or when a new student joins the class.

Each teacher has an individual discipline plan which includes positive reinforcement for appropriate student behavior. The plan is discussed with students, posted in the classroom, and is made available to parents. Common to each teacher's plan are these steps to remediate inappropriate behavior:

• One-on-one counseling with the student.
• Counseling with student, and parent contacted by phone, note, or e-mail.
• Conference with parents.

Also, teachers may take additional steps which may include consequences such as loss of classroom privileges, loss of part/all of recess, etc.

After taking all appropriate steps to correct the inappropriate behavior, teachers may make a referral to the office. A behavior, which is severe or endangers self or others, will be referred directly to the administration, bypassing the steps above.  

The sponsor is responsible for his/her dependents' actions. When serious incidents occur, sponsors will be notified. Additionally, we have the obligation to keep the military authorities informed of serious misbehavior. When children are suspended from school for any amount of time , the Office of the Assistant Superintendent will receive a copy of the suspension letter . Students who are suspended from school will serve their suspension out of school.  

Grounds for suspension/expulsion may include, but are not limited to:

• Causing, threatening or using physical force against another person.
• Possessing/selling or using a firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object.
• Engaging in, possessing, using, selling, dispensing, or being under the control of an illegal/controlled substance.
• Unlawfully possessing, offering, or arranging to sell any drug paraphernalia.
• Committing or attempting robbery or extortion.
• Damaging or attempting to damage personal or real property.
• Stealing or knowingly receiving stolen property.
• Possessing or using tobacco or nicotine products.
• Committing any lewd, indecent or obscene act or engaging in habitual profanity or vulgarity.
• Disrupting school activities or defying the authority of school staff members.
• Gambling.
• Presenting him/herself without authorization on the school grounds or buses.
• Engaging in the unauthorized use of portable communications devices (including beepers and cell phones), electronic games, portable radio and/or CD players, Ipods, personal computers, or other electronic devices during classes, unless specifically authorized by the principal.
• Cursing, gesturing, or verbally abusing any person, including abuse or harassment based on that person's race, religion, gender, creed, national origin, personal or physical attributes, disability, intellectual ability, or sexual orientation.
• Engaging in or threatening vandalism, arson, or destroying of the school building or property.
• Forging school documents, cheating on school projects or tests, or plagiarizing.
• Violating attendance rules.
• Violating any law, rule or regulation of the military installation or school.
• Being complicit in the violation of any rule described above. Students must promptly report knowledge of any rule violation to the teacher or principal.

On and around school buses, students will comply with the following behavior standards for school bus students 

• Comply with the Behavior Standards for School Bus students.
• Board and exit the bus in an orderly, safe manner.
• Ride the bus to which the student is assigned.
• Remain seated while on the bus.
• Talk with other passengers in a normal voice.
• Keep all parts of the body inside the bus windows.
• Keep aisles, steps, and empty seats free from obstruction.
• Remain fully and properly clothed.
• Treat the driver and fellow students with respect.
• Promptly comply with the bus driver's or monitor's instructions.

On or around school buses, students will not:

• Fight, push, shove, or trip other passengers.
• Use or possess unacceptable items (i.e., beepers/pagers, radios, tape players, or electronic games, etc.) identified in the school code of conduct.
• Push while boarding or exiting the bus.
• Exchange bus seats.
• Save seats for friends.
• Get on or off the bus while the bus is in motion.
• Make excessive noise or play electronic equipment without earplugs.
• Put objects out of bus windows or hang out of windows.
• Engage in horseplay.
• Obstruct aisles, steps, or seats.
• Engage in public displays of affection.
• Eat, drink, or litter on the bus.
• Use profane or abusive language or make obscene gestures.
• Spit.
• Harass or interfere with other students.
• Disrespect, distract, or interfere with the bus driver.
• Damage private property.
• Sit in the bus driver's seat.
• Open or try to open bus door.
• Throw or shoot objects inside or out of the bus.
• Tamper with bus controls or emergency equipment.
• Smoke on the bus or light matches.

When an emergency requires a student who normally walks to school or rides a bus to alter transportation arrangements , a written request must be submitted to the principal's office for approval . Requests must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the date the student needs to ride the bus.

Uniforms for students in grades preK – 4 are optional in Fort Bragg Schools. If you would like for your child to wear the adopted uniform for students in grades 5-9, please ask for a copy of the uniform policy.

We ask that you dress your children appropriately for the weather, in layers, and in a manner that keeps them safe and does not interfere with the learning atmosphere . Boys and girls are expected to be neat and clean in appearance and to wear clothing that is acceptable to the community. Hats and headgear, chains, and clothing with offensive language are not to be worn in the school. We also discourage unnatural hair colors, halter tops, shirts with spaghetti straps, baggy pants, shoes/boots with high heels, and flip flops or clogs. Parents will be contacted if children are inappropriately dressed. Students will then be sent home to change clothing. For shorts, a good rule of thumb is that the shorts should be no higher than a student's fingertips when the hands are at his/her side.

On most days, pupils will be expected to participate in outdoor physical education activities and recess periods to release their energies, to exercise, and to enjoy the pleasure of playing games with their classmates . Please have your children wear tennis shoes or shoes with closed toes and heels each day. If children are dressed appropriately, there is no threat to their health from engaging in these activities. Unless children have a note from their physician, they will not be allowed to remain indoors during recess.

Please maintain current and accurate home, cellular and work phone numbers on file in the school office . It is important to us, and your child, that we be able to contact you, or your emergency designee, in the event of illness or other emergency. Therefore, we request that we be notified of any changes in phone numbers throughout the year. You may do this by completing a change form in the school office. Remember that teachers cannot make long distance calls from their classrooms, so it is important to obtain a local phone number.  

Emergency Contact Persons

In case of an emergency or if your child gets sick during the school day, parents will be notified first. If you cannot be reached, it is important that we have an alternate phone number of friends or neighbors who can take care of your child until you can be notified . Please keep this information current and accurate at all times.

• Instructional Support Services Teacher -provides remediation to students in grades 1-4 who experience difficulty with the basic subjects of reading and math.
• Reading Resource Teacher -provides remedial services to students in the area of reading in grades 1-4.
• Read 180 Teacher -provides reading remediation to students in grades 3-4.
• Special Education Teacher -provides a range of services to students with mild to severe disabilities.
• ESL Teacher -provides services to students who have a first language other than English and are limited in English speaking and/or proficiency skills.
• Occupational Therapist -provides services to students with significant problems in small muscle development/coordination.
• Physical Therapist -provides services to students with significant problems with large muscle development/ coordination.
• School Psychologist -conducts student evaluations and consults with classroom teachers regarding adjustment of instruction or behavior.
• Speech/Language Therapist -evaluates and provides consultation and therapy for students with articulation, voice, fluency and language disorders.
• Gifted Education Teacher -evaluates and provides consultation to classroom teachers and/or direct instruction to gifted students.

Butner Elementary School is one of the nine schools for dependent children on Fort Bragg . Headquarters for Department of Defense Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) is located in Peachtree City, Georgia.

The schools are financed primarily by appropriated funds from Congress. They are well-supplied with textbooks, library books, technology & audio-visual equipment. We depend on parents to provide other supplies that we request at the beginning of the school year. We believe that your children's education in these dependent schools is comparable to that received in the better schools in the United States . Recent studies have shown that DDESS students score higher than the national average in most subject areas.

Children in the primary grades (PreK-4) are engaged in learning which is developmentally appropriate. Developmentally Appropriate Practice involves looking at curriculum in a way that takes into account both a child's chronological age and his/her individual level of development. Learning takes place on a continuum in which the same expectation is not held for each child at the same time. Children learn and respond at different times and in a variety of ways. We engage children in active learning that provides for the varied needs of the whole child.

This Developmentally Appropriate Practice reflects state-of-the-art research and the most innovative teaching and learning practices currently used in many other states.

The instructional program at Butner Elementary School is organized in broad areas, including: reading/language arts; social studies; mathematics; science; art; music; physical education; health; and safety. Instruction in the primary grades is often organized around thematic units that integrate various curricular areas. Provision is made for consistent teaching of work and study skills. The curriculum is organized so that children of varying abilities and interests can work together in groups, with each child engaged in tasks on his own instructional level.

All of the DODEA schools use the same curriculum standards to guide instruction. Use of these standards helps students to benefit from seamless instruction as they move from one location to the next.

We ask that parents assist the school staff in preventing students from bringing the following items to school because they interfere with the learning process.

• Animals (Unless a teacher gives permission for a science project, etc)
• Radios, Cassettes, CD players, Ipods Cards
• Toys or other novelty items Gum - Candy
• Knives (real or toy) Razor Blades
• Guns (any variety) Darts
• Caps (exploding kind) Roller Blades
• Skate Boards Scooters/Heelies
• Cellular Phones DVDs
• Electronic Games Videos
• CD's Other items that interfere with instruction

When children bring any of these items to school, the classroom teacher or administrator will hold the item until a parent comes for it.  

A large blue plastic "Lost and Found" storage box is located in the hallway near the guidance office. Children and parents should check the Lost & Found whenever anything is lost. Items such as watches, glasses, and money are turned in to the office.

Butner offers a breakfast and a lunch program. The menu is posted in the Paraglide , the Fayetteville-Observer Times , the web site at www.am.dodea.edu/bragg/ and the Community Channel . Breakfast will be served to participating K-4 students from 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Please do not send students early for breakfast. No one is available to supervise them.

Breakfast and lunch may be paid daily or prepaid weekly or monthly. You may pay by cash, check, or money order. You may also prepay and check the balance of your child's account online at LunchPrepay.com. Children who forget their lunch money may charge their lunch for one day. The collection clerk will give a charge slip to children who do not have their money. The amount of the charge must be paid to the collection clerk the following school day. Payments may be made between 7:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Children may also bring their lunch from home. Milk is available in the lunchroom or children can bring a nutritious drink from home.

Due to the necessity of maximum security for our youngsters, students will not be allowed off the school grounds during the lunch hour unless parents sign them out and accompany them.

Parents may occasionally join their children at any time for lunch. Students remain under the supervision of the school employees and school rules, even when parents join them in the cafeteria. We ask parents to work cooperatively with the school staff members to support the school and cafeteria rules. Food and drinks from restaurants are not permitted in the school cafeteria.

We respectfully request that parents ensure that candy and sodas are not brought to school. Milk may be purchased for sack lunches.

Money and valuable items should not be brought to school unless absolutely necessary.

The school cannot be responsible for losses.

Please be sure that your child's full name is on every article he/she brings to school. This identification protects you from loss and is a great help to the teacher.

If you move off post during the school year, you must write a letter to the Assistant Superintendent requesting permission for your child to attend Butner School for the remainder of the school year. If you move to another set of quarters , and the quarters are in a different school attendance area, your children will need to change schools during the school year.

Children four years of age by 16 October of this school year may be enrolled in pre-kindergarten. Pre-Kindergarten is a half-day program. Classes are small, allowing the teacher to provide individualized instruction. With the assistance of an instructional aide, the preschool teacher provides a program designed to prepare the children to make academic progress when they enter kindergarten. A parent, or a responsible adult, must accompany any preK student to and from school. PreK students will not be allowed to walk to or from school with older elementary siblings or friends.

The Parent Teacher Association at Butner Elementary School is an active organization. Parents and teachers work together on various fund-raising activities that benefit the entire school. Past fund-raisers included: school pictures; book fairs; General Mills Boxtops; Pennies for Butner; roller skating parties; pizza nights; and spirit wear, etc. The money raised from these projects has been used to purchase materials for special projects, school presentations, and for support of the educational program. Butner PTA also promotes an active volunteer program. We hope you will join the PTA and participate in PTA activities this year.

Butner teachers use at least four basic methods of reporting student progress to parents: telephone calls; newsletters; progress reports; report cards; and parent/teacher conferences.

Report cards are sent home on the dates listed on the Ft. Bragg Schools Calendar. Conference dates are also included on that calendar.

The emphasis of the school health program is maintenance of health and prevention of illness. A full time school nurse is assigned to Butner School .

Medications given at school should be kept to a minimum but may be given if required for the child to remain in school. Parents are reminded of the following school system requirements:

• Parents must submit the Ft. Bragg Schools Physician's School Medication Form/Release of Liability Form.
• Students must not transport medication.
• Parents should bring the medicine to the school nurse.
• Medication must have the correct pharmacy label intact. Non-prescription medication will not be given unless accompanied by a written doctor's order and supplied in the container with the appropriate label intact.

* Parents must complete a permission form for medicine to be administered by school personnel.

Children with the following symptoms should not be sent to school or brought to school for evaluation by the nurse:

• a temperature of 100 degrees or over
• nausea and/or vomiting
• acute cold symptoms
• sore throats
• persistent coughs
• red, swollen and/or draining eyes or rashes
• earaches
• toothaches
• diarrhea

Children will be sent outside for recess unless a written statement from a physician is provided stating:

• the child has a certain health problem
• that the child should remain inside
• the length of time this should be in effect

During the year, health screenings are conducted. Any time notification is sent home regarding a child's failure to pass a particular screening, the written follow-up by the health care provider should be returned for the student's school health file. If no communication about the follow-up is returned to the school, the nurse will assume that no follow-up was done.

Please keep the nurse informed if your child develops a communicable condition like Chicken Pox, Measles, Ringworm, Impetigo, etc.

If you have any questions with regard to the school health program or your child's involvement in the program, please feel free to call the school nurse at 907-0203.

Students in grades K-4 attend Art, Music, Media and Physical Education classes. Children should wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes with low heels and closed toes for P. E. classes and daily recess.

WE EXPECT ALL BUTNER STUDENTS TO:

• Remain on school grounds unless permission to leave is granted by the administration.
• Use the playground and its equipment in a safe manner.
• Obey the rules of proper conduct while walking directly to school and home.
• Respect property belonging to the school and others.
• Bring only necessary materials to school and leave unsafe or expensive items at home.
• Treat people the same way you like to be treated.
• Help keep the school campus clean.
• Assume responsibility for your academic performance.
• Be on time.

Study trips at Butner Elementary School serve important functions. They supplement the curriculum and teach our students about the culture that surrounds them.

Parents sign permission slips for each field trip. Failure to return the signed permission slip will mean that the child will be unable to go on the trip with the class. Students must travel on the bus with the class, not in privately owned vehicles.

If you agree to chaperone a class on a study trip, please make arrangements for other children in the family to be cared for outside the school. Preschool children or brother/sisters from other classrooms will not be allowed to accompany you on the study trips.

If a student develops a history of behavior problems including actions that could jeopardize the safety of him/herself and others, parents may be specifically requested to chaperone a study trip. If the parent is unavailable, alternate activities may be planned for the student to remain at school.

Staff members may be reached by calling Butner Elementary School Office at 907-0203. Please leave a message that teachers will return at their earliest convenience . Teachers do not have long distance calling access from their classrooms, so please obtain local phone numbers.

Students are not to use the telephone without permission from the teacher or other school officials. The use of school telephones by students is primarily reserved for EMERGENCY situations.

Please keep your requests for us to deliver telephone messages to your children to an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM. This type of request forces us to interrupt classes and interferes with the learning process.

Car Riders  

Parking is very limited at Butner. Whenever possible, please walk your child or carpool with neighbors to help us reduce the car traffic. PreK students enter and exit at the Bastogne St. entrance. PreK parents must park in a marked space and walk their child to the preK door. K-4 parents need to use the drop-off/pick-up area at the Normandy St. entrance. Assistants will help your child get out of the car on the passenger side. Please do not let your child get out on the driver's side. Park only in handicapped areas if you have a handicapped sticker. No parents should double park or let their children off in the parking lot . If you must park, please park in a marked space only and walk your child to the crosswalk. If all parking spaces are taken, you may park on one of the side streets in the housing areas and walk to the school. Inje Place is the closest street to the Normandy St. entrance. Elbe St. is the closest street to the Bastogne St. entrance. All students must be picked up on time in the afternoon. Sponsors will be contacted if children are repeatedly picked up late.

Walkers  

Students who walk to and from school are encouraged to use sidewalks, cross streets at designated crosswalks, and use manned crosswalks, whenever possible. Students must not arrive at school earlier than 8:05 a.m. Parents who are meeting students should wait outside the building.

All visitors to the school are to report to the office to sign in and get a Visitor's Badge.

No visitors should go to any classroom for any reason without first checking with the office.

Parents are always welcome to visit our classrooms to talk to our teachers about their children. However, all visitations of this nature should be cleared with the classroom teacher a day or so in advance. Unscheduled arrivals by parents may needlessly interrupt instruction . Parent/teacher conferences will be scheduled after the school day has ended . Parents should not interrupt classes to speak with teachers. We discourage parents from bringing large strollers into the building when large numbers of visitors are present. Strollers can present a safety hazard.

For the past several years Butner Elementary School has had a very successful school volunteer program. It is our hope that volunteering can continue to be an integral part of our school program this year. Some ways the volunteers can give services to the school are:

• Assist in the Media Center
• Work with groups of students or individuals
• Prepare materials for teachers
• Share special talents
• Correct papers for teachers (no grading)
• Assist with the health screening
• Help in the lunchroom
• Assist with special activities

If you plan to relocate during the school year, please come to the office approximately one week before your child's last day of school. At that time, our office will supply you with an exit survey and a transfer request form. Please give this form to your child's new school when you arrive at your destination. Students will receive grades if they have attended 20 or more days during the marking period.