2011 – 2012
Sully Elementary
“Be Great Today”
300 Circle Drive
Sterling, VA 20164
Office Phone: (571) 434-4570
FAX: (703) 444-7473
Attendance Line: (571) 434-4571
http://cmsweb2.lcps.org/sully/site/default.asp
SULLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME LETTER
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Sully Elementary School. Sully Elementary is a school rich in tradition and a welcoming
place for all of our families. We have over 400 students who are committed to improving their
academic skills each day. The staff at Sully is committed to each child as an individual and believes in
helping our children reach their full potential. At Sully, we celebrate and appreciate our diverse student
population and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to work as a learning community with children
from all around the world.
Our goal as a staff is to ensure that each child is provided with the best educational opportunities every
day. We focus on the needs of the individual child and work to help them achieve to their full
potential. Our school motto “Be Great Today” is the expectation we have for each child in our building.
We know our children can accomplish GREAT things throughout the school year.
The learning community at Sully is one in which we take great pride. We believe that we are an
important part of the community and welcome our community members as part of our school. We look
forward to continuing the journey of educating our children with your support. Together we can
achieve great things for our kids through an open partnership. Please feel free to contact us at anytime
with questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Timothy J. Martino
Principal
SULLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
300 Circle Drive
Sterling, Virginia 20164
Phone:
FAX:
Attendance:
Web Site:
571-434-4570
703-444-7473
571-434-4571
School Hours:
Office Hours:
School Doors:
7:50 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Open at 7:30 a.m.
AM Kindergarten:
PM Kindergarten:
AM STEP:
PM STEP:
AM Early Childhood:
7:50 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
11:35 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
7:50 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
11:35 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
7:50 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
http://cmsweb2.lcps.org/sully/site/default.asp
SCHOOL OFFICE STAFF
Principal
Assistant Principal
Attendance Secretary
Financial Secretary
Counselor
Health Clinic Aide
Parent Liaison
Timothy Martino
Shontel Simon
Maria Azuga
Nelida Bordatto
Lauren McCormick
Juana Loza-Espinoza
Heidi Venable
SULLY ELEMENTARY
PHILOSOPHY
Education is a life-long process in which the
school plays an integral part. The knowledge
and skills that are taught should have a direct
application to the students’ immediate concerns
as well as to those that they may face in the
future.
We believe school is a major influence in a
child’s life and therefore should foster an
environment that is stimulating, interesting,
appropriate, and varied. We are aware that each
child is an individual possessing special talents
and worth. The school will provide various
learning experiences so that each student will be
successful and reach his or her full potential. We
aspire to address children’s individual learning
styles through differentiated instruction.
Our school combines structure, guidance, and
discipline but also allows freedom within the
structure. We emphasize open communication,
parent awareness, and involvement. Maximum
development can best be achieved when teachers
and parents work together to help each child
accept his or her share of the responsibility for
learning.
INSTRUCTIONAL INFORMATION
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Any child in kindergarten through fifth grade
who resides in the Sully school zone may enroll
at Sully Elementary School. By state law,
students who will be five years old on or before
September 30 are eligible to enroll in
kindergarten. A child with an October 1 or later
birthday cannot be considered for enrollment.
Students enrolling in Loudoun County Public
Schools are required to provide the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
As our society changes, it is our endeavor to
recognize these changes and to adjust
accordingly.
At the same time, we must
remember our goal, which is the development of
productive citizens able to use the basic skills in
all academic and social areas.
OBJECTIVES
1.
To acquire competence in using the
basic learning skills.
2.
To develop opportunities for each
student.
3.
To promote critical thinking skills.
4.
To encourage emotional growth.
5.
To provide for physical growth.
6.
To provide for social growth.
7.
To provide opportunities for students to
become meaningful citizens.
5.
6.
Proof of residency: Parents seeking
admission for a student shall present proof
that the student actually resides within the
attendance area of the school in which the
parent is seeking to enroll him/her. A signed
deed, settlement papers, a mortgage
statement, or lease agreement for the address
must be presented as proof of residency.
Completed Loudoun County Registration Form.
Original Birth Certificate or other acceptable birth
record.
Valid Physical Examination Form, which:
 has been performed within twelve
months of entry into kindergarten or
elementary school;
 has been completed and signed by a
qualified physician licensed in the U.S.,
physician’s assistant, or licensed nurse
practitioner;
 includes vision and hearing results;
 indicates that a comprehensive physical
was done, including a screen for irondeficiency anemia, hemoglobin, or
hematocrit, and a urinalysis.
Immunization Record: Documentation for
certain immunizations, signed by a licensed
physician or local health department
employee:
 DtaP, DTP, DT, or Td – minimum 3
doses. At least 1 dose after 4th birthday.
 Polio – minimum of 3 doses. At least
one dose after 4th birthday.
 Hepatitis B – minimum of 3 doses if
born after 01/01/94.
 Measles, Mumps, Rubella – minimum
of 2 measles, 1 mumps, and 1 rubella.
 Varicella – all susceptible children born
on and after 01/01/97.
Signed permission from parents to request
student records from the child's previous
school, if applicable.
ABSENCES OR TARDINESS
Good attendance is an important dimension of a
child’s success in learning. Although teachers
endeavor to provide assistance when students
have been absent, there are many learning
experiences that cannot be duplicated. Poor
student attendance patterns formed in elementary
school correlate highly with student high school
problems of disinterest, inappropriate behavior,
and/or truancy. Students are expected to be in
school every day unless they are ill.
Children who arrive after 7:50 a.m. should
report to the office accompanied by a parent
for a tardy pass before going to the classroom.
When your child will be absent from school,
please send a note with another child or call the
school at (571) 434-4570 before 7:50 a.m.
Information relating to lengthy absences should
be made directly to the teacher by note or phone
and to the Attendance Line at 571-434-4571.
A written explanation from the parent or
guardian is required for each absence. The
pupil should present this note on the first day
back in school. Valid reasons for absence
includes:
personal illness, death in the
immediate
family,
medical
or
dental
appointments, approved religious holidays, and
court appearances. Vacations do not fall within
this concept.
Students absent from the
classroom are required to make up the work
missed. The initiative for making up missed
assignments is the responsibility of the pupil
under the teacher’s guidance.
AIPHONE SYSTEM
When visiting Sully you will be asked to “buzz”
yourself in. Once you push the buzzer, one of
the ladies in the office will answer. Please have
ID available to show through the camera. Once
your reason for visiting has been verified you
will be given granted entrance in the building.
Please proceed directly to the office and sign in.
AFTER–SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS
All children are expected to go home or to their
child care provider after school. If the child will
be visiting friends after school, please send in a
written note giving your permission. The note
should include the name of the child whose
home he/she will be visiting. Children will not
be allowed to use the school telephone to make
such arrangements.
ALLERGIES
The school needs to know if a child is allergic to
substances or animals, and the proper emergency
treatment. In some situations, special medication
is required to be kept at the school so that it may
be administered immediately.
ARTICLES BROUGHT TO SCHOOL
The school encourages children to bring to
school items for sharing, as permitted by our
teachers. Items for sharing should be of interest
and value to the class and should be connected
with some phase of study. Extremely valuable
items should not be brought, and the school will
not assume liability for lost or stolen articles. No
live animals should be brought to school. ALL
toys and games should be left at home. Scooters,
roller skates, and skateboards should not be
brought to school. Weapons, firecrackers, and
other items as identified in the Loudoun County
Student Handbook are strictly prohibited. Any
items brought to school will be confiscated from
the student.
BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE
Students will be recognized for exhibiting Sully
Cornerstone behaviors. These behaviors are
excellent
attendance,
citizenship,
effort,
leadership, scholarship and improvement in
math, reading and writing.
Sully students who are unable to conform to
classroom or cafeteria guidelines and
expectations have consequences. If the situation
is of a serious nature or negatively impacts the
learning environment, the parents will be notified
and appropriate action taken.
CANCELLATIONS
Schools may be closed due to inclement weather
or any other emergency. The closings are
announced over WAGE (1200 AM) and most
Washington area radio and TV stations as early
as 6:00 a.m.
CELL PHONES
Cell phones should not be ringing during the
school day and students are not permitted to talk
on them during school hours. If you have a
message for your child, please call the office.
Any cell phone used during the school day will
be confiscated.
CONFERENCES
Before the end of the first grading period, all
parents will be contacted to schedule a
conference with the classroom teacher to discuss
student progress, strengths, and weaknesses.
Parents are encouraged to also request
conferences when a need arises.
CROSSING GUARDS
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has posted
Crossing Guards at the following locations.
Parents, please make sure your children know
where to cross.
 Circle Drive at the School Driveway
 Circle Drive and Holly Avenue near
the LCSA Water Tower
 Circle Drive and Holly Avenue –
Pembrooke Townhouses
 Fillmore Avenue and Circle Drive
These crossing areas are supervised in the
morning from 7:20 a.m. until 7:55 a.m. and in
the afternoon from 2:30 p.m. until 3:50 p.m.
DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY
Any student who causes deliberate damage to
school property will be expected to pay for
repairs or replacement, whichever is necessary.
DELAYED OPENING
When road conditions are not satisfactory, the
opening of school may be delayed for one or two
hours. A one-hour delayed opening causes no
additional changes other than a one-hour late
start in the program at Sully Elementary.
However, a two-hour delayed opening would
necessitate the following changes to the
kindergarten and STEP programs:
 Classes for A.M. kindergarten and
STEP will meet from 9:50 – 11:50 a.m.
 Classes for P.M. kindergarten and
STEP will meet from 12:35 – 2:35 p.m.
This change will mean that all kindergarten
and STEP children will have at least a two –
hour session whether we open one or two
hours late.
DRESS CODE
The primary responsibility for the proper dress
and grooming of students rests with the parent or
guardian of each student. The school has the
responsibility, however, to see that the
cleanliness, dress, and grooming of students does
not present a danger to the health or safety of
themselves or fellow classmates. In addition, it
should not prevent them from performing their
regular required school activities nor should it
cause a disruption of the function of the school.
Hats or bandannas are not permitted to be worn
in the building during school hours unless it is
part of a Student Council Association sponsored
School Spirit Day.
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
The possession, use, or distribution of drugs or
alcohol on school property is prohibited by law.
Students who violate this law will be subject to
criminal prosecution as well as school
punishment. A more detailed explanation of this
policy is available in the school office and
library.
DOCTOR AND DENTIST APPOINTMENTS
Parents are expected to make every effort to
schedule student’s doctor and/or dental
appointments outside of school hours. However,
when this is not possible, students will be
excused for these appointments. If a child must
leave school during the school day, the parent
must come directly to the office to sign the child
out.
EARLY CLOSINGS
When it is necessary to close schools in Loudoun
County due to snow, ice or other emergency
conditions, announcements are made over local
radio and TV stations. You can hear the
announcement over the following TV and radio
stations:
WAGE – 1200 AM
WTOP – 1500 AM
WASH – 97.1 FM
WMAL – 630 AM
WAVA – 105.9 FM
WMZQ – 98.7 FM
WINC – 92.5 FM
WJLA – TV7
WZYQ – 103.9 FM
WRC – TV4
In the event of early closing due to weather or
other causes, each student must have specific
instructions for getting home or to the day care
provider. Each family will be required to have an
early dismissal plan on file with the school at the
start of the school year. School personnel cannot
call parents nor should parents call the school as
the phone lines need to be kept open for
emergencies and instructions from the central
office.
EARLY DISMISSAL
A student who must leave school early should
bring a note to the teacher that clearly states the
reason and the expected dismissal time. If the
teacher has this information in the morning,
he/she may be able to have the student ready for
dismissal with appropriate assignments. No child
will be permitted to leave without permission
from a parent or guardian.
If you are picking your child up early, you
must sign in at the office and your child will
be called by our office staff.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips always relate to the curriculum and
extend what the student has learned in the
classroom. School buses are used for local
transportation with school personnel and parents
responsible for supervision. Parental permission
and proper classroom behavior are required
before any pupil is taken on a field trip.
FIRE DRILLS AND SAFETY
Schools are required by law to have a fire drill
once a week during September and one fire drill
per month thereafter. Other measures are taken
as well to ensure the safety of all students. Staff
members develop and are trained in a Tornado
Drill Plan, an Emergency Response Plan, Shelter
in Place, and an Intruder in the Building Plan.
HOMEWORK
Homework assignments will vary according to
the grade level, the individual needs of a student,
the ability of a student, and the day of the week.
Homework is not usually assigned on weekends;
however, students may be expected to complete
unfinished class work or work assignments
missed due to absence over a weekend. Primary
children should not average more than thirty
minutes daily on homework; students in grades
four and five should not average more than one
hour.
HEALTH CLINIC
The school clinic is located in the office area and
is staffed by a health aide. Soap, water, and
band-aids are the usual remedies for cuts and
scrapes. If it is considered necessary, parents are
called to pick up a child.
When a child becomes ill at school, the
parent/guardian or designated adult will be
notified and requested to make arrangements for
the child to go home. It is therefore very
important that the contact information on the
emergency form be current and updated as
changes occur.
A child who shows symptoms of illness (fever,
severe cough, etc.) or a communicable disease
SHOULD NOT be sent to school. Arrangements
should be made for the child to remain at home
until well enough to return to school.
All medication is kept and administered in the
school clinic. Any medication must have the
child’s name on the original container with the
physician’s directions for administering. All
medication must be hand carried to the clinic by
the parent or another responsible adult. Children
are not permitted to carry medication to or from
school. In addition, a Medication Form must be
completed. Forms are available in the clinic. No
medication will be given to a student without this
information.
HEALTH SCREENINGS
A vision screening will be conducted for all third
graders and new students during the first month of
school. A hearing screening is performed on all
third graders and students new to Loudoun County
Schools. A dental inspection will be conducted for
those students who have returned the appropriate
dental form. Fine and gross motor screenings are
done during the first 60 days of entrance.
INJURIES
Any injury (other than superficial wounds) shall be
reported immediately to the parents or guardians. A
quick, common sense appraisal shall dictate the
sequence of action to be taken in the event of
serious injuries or illnesses that occur during school
hours. It is important that telephone numbers and
other information on the emergency card be correct
in order for the school to reach the parent or
responsible adult in the case of an emergency.
Please notify the office immediately of any changes.
INSURANCE
Information concerning the school insurance is
made available to you at the beginning of the school
year.
LUNCH SERVICES
Our school provides a nutritious hot lunch for our
students. Students may pay for lunch on a daily,
weekly, or monthly basis. Milk may be purchased
to accompany a packed lunch. Ice pops or snacks
are also sold in the cafeteria. Students will be
permitted to charge lunch up to three times, but
must make full payment before being allowed
additional charges. Students who forget their lunch
or lunch money will be given a peanut butter and
jelly or cheese sandwich.
Free or Reduced Lunch Program applications are
sent home at the beginning of each school year.
These forms must be completed and returned to the
school before we can authorize free or reduced
lunches.
Cafeteria Prices 2011-2012
Breakfast - $ 2.00
Lunch - $3.00
Adult Lunch - $4.00
*Parents are asked not to bring fast food into
the cafeteria.
Meal Payments
The LCPS Food Services Department has
teamed up with Café Prepay to provide lunch
payments via the Internet. Parents can access the
web at www.pay4lunch.com. Payments must be
made in 20-lunch increments.
Café Prepay will add a 6% handling fee to
offset administrative costs for processing the
transaction. VISA, MasterCard and Discover
credit cards are accepted for payment. Follow
these instructions to get started:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Locate your child’s student identification
number (found on their report cards); and,
Have your credit card handy.
Log
on
to
the
internet
at
http://www.pay4lunch.com
Click on the Make Payment button.
Click on the Loudoun County Public
Schools button.
Click on Sully Elementary School.
Click on the Prepay button.
Follow the instructions on the screen.
If payment is made by check and your check is
returned for any reason by the bank, the face
amount of the check will be resubmitted
electronically by E-Cap, Electronic Check
Alliance Processing Company, along with a state
allowed fee. When you pay for your child’s
meals by check, you authorize LCPS Food
Service Department and E-CAP to electronically
debit your bank account for the amount owed up
to and including any additional fee allowed by
law if the check is returned unpaid for any
reason.
All payments made by 7:00 a.m. will be posted
to your child’s account that same day. If you
have any questions or need additional
information, please call the LCPS Food Service
Office at (571) 252-1010.
Lunch Visitors
Parents and other visitors are always welcome to
have lunch at school. The cost is $4.00 for
visitors. We would appreciate a call or note
before 9:00 a.m. so that the cafeteria staff can be
notified. As always, please sign-in at the office
upon arrival.
Snack – Kindergarten and Grades 1 - 5
Students in grades K –5 may bring a nutritious
snack to school as permitted by his/her teacher.
Sully Elementary has a liaison to assist in
enhancing communication between home and
school. Our liaison assists in translating, with
registration for school, provides information
about County services available to families, as
well as serves as part of the school’s welcoming
committee on the opening day of the school year.
Please call the school office to contact the parent
liaison.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Parent volunteers are greatly appreciated at Sully
School. They provide assistance to teachers,
students, and office staff. Volunteers are needed
during the school day to assist with checking the
attendance call in line, laminating, photocopying,
classroom helpers and more. Parent volunteers
also are needed for after school events.
PARTIES
A class will have no more than three 30-minute
parties each year. Birthday parties are not given
at the school. In order to create a healthier
environment for the students, we will no longer
be accepting cake, cupcakes, cookies, and other
sweets as birthday treats. Goodie Bags are not
permitted. Another idea would be to donate a
book in your child’s name to the school library
or your child’s classroom. Birthday invitations
can not be distributed at school.
PTO
The Sully School PTO meets once each month in
the school library. The PTO enhances the
education of the children through its support of
school activities, programs and staff, and with
financial aid for additional educational materials.
Information about PTO activities will be sent
home the first week of school. More information
about parent groups can be found on the Sully
web site.
MESSAGES
In order to protect instructional time,
interruptions to pupils are kept to a minimum;
therefore any non-school personnel entering the
school for any reason must stop at the office.
Any items (lunches, books, etc.) and messages
will be forwarded by the office.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards are sent home four times each year.
When a student is having academic difficulty,
the teacher will either call the parent or send a
note to the parent. Interim reports are sent home
midway through the marking period to
communicate areas of concern. Report cards are
sent home at the end of each marking period.
For the 2011-2012 school year you can expect
report cards to be sent home on the following
dates: November 16, February 1, April 18, and
on June 13 report cards will be mailed home.
PARENT LIASION
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Students are encouraged to participate in
additional activities during school and after
school. Below are some opportunities children
will be provided during the school year.
Accelerated Reading Program
Grades 1-5 participate in this program. Students
read designated books and then answer questions
on a computer test. Students are recognized for
their work at our quarterly awards program.
Chess Club
Students meet biweekly as part of a round robin
tournament designed to foster chess skills, critical
thinking skills, and sportsmanship. All levels are
encouraged to participate from beginners to those
students who are accomplished chess players.
Game Club
Students meet every other week to play various
board games. Students of all grade levels are
welcomed. The game club meets from 2:45-3:30
p.m.
Early Bird Reading Club
Students meet every Tuesday and Thursday on the
stage in the cafeteria beginning at 7:15 am. This
allows student some quiet time to read prior to
beginning their school day.
SCA
Students are elected by their peers to represent
each class in the Student Council Association.
SCA members attend monthly meetings, plan
spirit days, collect for numerous community
service projects, and raise funds used to purchase
supplies to make our school a better place.
Word Masters
Students primarily from grades 3-5 can participate
in this optional program. The students are given up
to 25 words. From these lists eight challenges are
created, and students must learn the definitions of
these words to solve word analogies such as:
ROPE: RELAXED:BELT. Choices could be,
(tense/slim/loose/leather) – the answer would be
loose.
TESTING PROGRAMS
The Commonwealth of Virginia prescribes that
certain standardized tests be given to students
during the course of the school year. In addition,
Loudoun County Schools may give supplemental
standardized tests to monitor the effectiveness of
the instructional program and to evaluate the
achievement of students. The classroom teacher
and the school administration communicate the
dates and the purposes of tests to parents via
letter or the school’s newsletter. Parents are
permitted access to and may obtain copies of
their child’s test scores. The classroom teacher
and the administration are available to help with
the interpretation of these scores during the
course of the school year.
TEXTBOOKS
All textbooks are loaned to the students free of
charge, and a contract is signed by parents and
students each year. The parent assumes the
responsibility of compensating the school for
book loss and/or unreasonable damage.
TRAFFIC PATTERN
Parents who drop off or pick up their child at
Sully are reminded that safety is our first
priority. Cars are not allowed in the bus loop in
the morning, unless directed by school staff.
Parents who wish to park and bring their child
into the school must park in the side parking lot.
All parents that are dropping off their child are to
pull into the “KISS and GO” lane. Students are
to exit on the passenger side of the vehicle where
school personnel will be available to assist. If
parents are directed into the bus lane, please
follow the same procedure. Parents are not to
park in either lane and go into the school
building.
TELEPHONE
Students may use the telephone in the office only
in an emergency. Forgotten homework, lunches,
notes, etc. are not considered emergencies.
WEAPONS
Possession or use of a weapon by a student while under the control or supervision of school system
personnel or on school property is prohibited. The term “weapon” is intended to be construed broadly and
includes any instrument or device which, by its design or use, is capable of causing injury, harm, or threat
of injury or harm to the physical well-being of another person. Any student in violation of this policy shall
have the weapon confiscated by school officials. A more detailed explanation of this policy is available in
the school office and library.
YEARBOOKS
A yearbook will be published and distributed at the end of the school year. A flyer stating the cost of the
yearbook will be sent home with your child. Additional yearbooks will not be available at the end of the
school year; therefore, if your child wants to purchase a yearbook, it must be purchased at the time of sale.
“BE GREAT TODAY”
2011-12 School Calendar
August 29
September 5
October 10
November 4
November 7-8
November 23-25
December 22-23/26-30
January 2
January 16
January 20
January 23
February 20
March 30
April 2-6
April 9
May 28
June 8
First Day of School for Students
Holiday (Labor Day)
Holiday (Columbus Day)
End of the Grading Period
Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Days)
Holiday (Thanksgiving)
Winter Break
Winter Break (Classes Resume January 3)
Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
End of Grading Period
MOVEABLE Student Holiday* (Planning/Records/Conference Day)
Holiday (Presidents' Day)
End of Grading Period
Student Holiday (Spring Break)
Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Day)
Holiday (Memorial Day)
Last Day of School for Students/End of Grading Period
*NOTE: Parents with child-care or other weekday scheduling concerns - Dates of the Moveable
Planning/Records/Conference Day between first and second semesters may change if the school
calendar must be changed due to school closings for inclement weather or other emergencies.