Potter-Burns School "A Regents Commended School"

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

I extend a warm thank-you for making my first year as principal an enjoyable one. The school year went by so quickly. I hope you have a most enjoyable summer and I look forward to seeing you in the fall. The first day of the 2008-2009 School Year is Wednesday, August 27th. We will have our Welcome Back Celebration Night on Tuesday, August 26th at 6:00pm. This will take the place of the First Day/First Night held in the past. Boys and Girls don't forget to read over the summer.

Have a great vacation!

Sincerely,

Mrs. McWilliams

Parents/Guardians please review the Potter-Burns Notes below.

POTTER-BURNS NOTES

ONE WAY STREETS

JUST A REMINDER THAT BOTH CARTER AND PULLEN AVENUE ARE ONE-WAY STREETS FROM 8:00 AM through 9:00 AM, AND FROM 2:00 PM UNTIL 3:00 PM. THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN HELPING TO CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS!!

CITY ORDINANCES

There have been some complaints in the past from parents regarding dogs brought to school. There is a city ordinance that indicates that dogs are not allowed on school property. For the safety of our children, please refrain from bringing your dogs to school. Thank you for your cooperation. Regarding the parking outside our school for ice cream vendors, the city ordinance indicates that ice cream vendors are to to at least 1000 feet from the school. When necessary, the vendors will be reminded of this ordinance.

SCHOOL SECURITY

Just a reminder that the Superintendent has issued a directive that all visitors and parents must report to the office upon arrival to ensure the safety and security for the entire school community. If you need to speak to a teacher or other staff member, you must come to the office where we will check on the availability of the staff member. It may be necessary for you to make an appointment with the staff member. I will do my best to be of assistance to you regarding your need or concern. Thank you for your cooperation.

INAPPROPRIATE TOYS/ITEMS

Please be advised that students should not bring any toys or items that resemble a weapon to school. THESE INCLUDE ANY EXPLODING CAPS OR POPPERS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A STORE NEARBY THAT SELLS THESE ITEMS. THE BOX CLEARLY STATES THAT THESE ARE FIREWORKS AND SHOULD BE USED ONLY WITH ADULT SUPERVISION. Bringing these items to school will result in a suspension from school. Thanks for your cooperation.

TRUANCY COURT

Judge Jeremiah recently instituted a Truancy Court for the elementary schools. Any child who is excessively absent will have a referral form completed and sent to the court. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO BE IN SCHOOL ON TIME AND EVERY DAY EXCEPT FOR ILLNESS. Thanks for your cooperation.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

WE NEED PARENT VOLUNTEERS. If you would like to help, I encourage you to come to the office to apply as a volunteer. We could use help to manage traffic outside in the morning before school and at dismissal time. There may also be other areas of need as well. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated!

SCHOOL PLAYGROUND

Children must be supervised to play on the equipment.
To ensure their safety: NO CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED TO PLAY ON THE EQUIPMENT BEFORE SCHOOL OR UNTIL 3:05 PM IN THE AFTERNOON AFTER SCHOOL. YOUR COOPERATION IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE CHILDREN. When children are dismissed, they must remain with the teacher outside to ensure that a parent has picked them up. THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION!

UNIVERSAL BREAKFAST

The Universal Breakfast program is continuing this year. All students in grades 1-6 can receive breakfast free of charge. Breakfast begins at 8:05 AM and ends at 8:25 AM.

EARLY DISMISSALS

You must follow the district policy regarding early dismissals if you are dismissing your child before the school day ends. This policy states that you must send a note to the school with your child and follow up with a phone call. This practice is for the safety of your child. Additionally, when you come to sign your child out for early dismissal, you may be asked for a driver's license or another form of picture ID. Thank you for your cooperation!

In the event of an emergency early dismissal due to inclement weather, please listen to the area radio and television stations for information. The school department will try its best to give parents as much notice as possible. Please check with your after school provider, (YMCA, Boys/Girls Club, etc.) as to their policy if school is canceled. Due to the large number of Potter-Burns students, phone calls to parents cannot be made. Thanks for your understanding.

TARDIES

Any student who arrives to school after 8:45 AM is considered late. The Student Handbook indicates that each unexcused tardy will result in a day of detention. Please do your best to have your child on time and in school every day so he/she does not miss important instructional time. Tardies often occur when children oversleep. It is important for your child to retire at an appropriate time in the evening that will result in a good night's sleep. The recommendation for elementary children is at least eight hours. There is data to support that sleep deprivation negatively impacts student performance. To this end, it is vital that students receive plenty of sleep and arise at an appropriate time so that he/she will be on time for school. In the event that your child is late for school, he/she must have a note with a reasonable excuse explaining the tardiness. The Department of Education looks closely at attendance and tardies in all public schools.

ABSENCES

PLEASE NOTE THAT WHEN A CHILD IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL, YOU MUST CALL THAT MORNING AND ALSO SEND A NOTE TO SCHOOL WHEN YOUR CHILD RETURNS. ATTENDANCE IS LINKED TO SCHOOL PERFORMANCE. WE MUST MAINTAIN A 90% DAILY ATTENDANCE RATE. EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO TAKE FAMILY VACATIONS DURING DESIGNATED SCHOOL VACATIONS OR DAYS OFF AS DETERMINED BY OUR SCHOOL DEPARTMENT AND INDICATED ON THE SCHOOL CALENDAR. TEN(10) CONSECUTIVE ABSENCES WILL RESULT IN THE STUDENT BEING DROPPED. STUDENTS MUST THEN RE-ENROLL UPON RETURNING. ADDITIONALLY, WE CANNOT HOLD ANY SPOTS. IF THE CLASSROOM OR GRADE BECOMES OVERCROWDED DURING YOUR CHILD'S ABSENCE, HE/SHE MAY HAVE TO ATTEND ANOTHER SCHOOL.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CELL PHONES

ELECTRONIC DEVICES MUST BE LEFT AT HOME. THIS INCLUDES i-PODS, NINTENDO, PLAY STATIONS, ETC. THE SCHOOL CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH ITEMS IN THE EVENT THAT THEY ARE LOST OR STOLEN. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY CAN BE A DISTRACTION TO THE TEACHING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. ADDITIONALLY, SOME STUDENTS CARRY CELL PHONES FOR THEIR PERSONAL SAFETY WHEN WALKING TO AND FROM SCHOOL. IN THIS CASE, THE CELL PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF UPON ENTERING THE SCHOOL, REMAIN OFF, AND IN THE STUDENT'S BACKPACK DURING THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DAY. ANY CELL PHONE IN USE DURING SCHOOL HOURS WILL BE CONFISCATED AND RETURNED WHEN A PARENT COMES IN TO PICK IT UP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!

MORNING DROP OFF:

Children should arrive to school by 8:25 AM to line up with their class. This will help to avoid you having to come to the front door of the building to gain entrance. ALL DOORS ARE LOCKED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE STUDENTS AND STAFF. ALL PARENTS AND VISITORS ENTERING THE BUILDING MUST COME IN FROM THE FRONT DOOR AND REPORT TO THE OFFICE. THE SIDE CAFETERIA DOOR ENTRANCE WILL BE CLOSED AT 8:30 AM. ALL STUDENTS ARRIVING AFTER THAT TIME WILL HAVE TO ENTER FROM THE FRONT DOOR.

THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION!
TOGETHER WE MAKE OUR SCHOOL A SUCCESS!

Mrs. McWilliams