Newton Elementary
2015-16
Parent & Student Handbook
Patrice Krueger, Principal
Jenny Breazeale, Asst. Principal
9761 County Road 32
Fairhope, AL 36532
Phone: (251) 990-3858
www.jlnewtonschool.com
Greetings!
It is with enthusiasm that I welcome you to the 2015-2016 school year! JL Newton School is
a wonderful place where we pride ourselves on high academic standards in an environment
full of love and learning. We have a fantastic year ahead of us, and I look forward to working
with you again this school year.
It is our goal to provide the highest quality of instruction to our students. JL Newton is an
Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Site (AMSTI). This approach to teaching math,
science, and technology incorporates hands-on, inquiry-based instruction with emphasis on
higher-order thinking and student discourse. Students confront problem solving through the
use of manipulatives and real-world situations that are meaningful, challenging, and exciting.
Through our partnership with Fairhope Education Enrichment Foundation (FEEF), we have
secured a part-time science lab teacher resulting in many students claiming science as their
favorite subject. We continue to use best practices when teaching students to read and write
including Reader and Writer’s Workshop and genre-based reading studies. Reading skills are
being taught across the curriculum and emphasized in our history resource, Social Studies
Weekly. Technology is used daily during instruction. Our lower grade classrooms are
furnished with interactive Promethean boards partially funded by our Fairhope City Council.
Students in K-2 have iPads for instructional purposes while MacBooks are used as a resource
in grades 3-6. Students will be taught to create and use tools such as Keynote, Powerpoints,
Blogs, Wikis, BoardBuilder, Popplet, Prezi, and others .
JL Newton Elementary is a Title I school and currently serves approximately 650 students. A
Title I parent meeting will be held during the first few weeks of school to explain how Title
funds can benefit our school. Our Parent Compact, Parent’s Right to Know, Parent
Involvement Plan, and other important information will be shared to outline roles and
responsibilities of both the school population and home population.
Our strength at JL Newton is largely credited to the supportive relationship between our
community, families, and our school staff. I urge you to openly communicate with your
child’s teacher and administrators. JL Newton School has an outstanding PTO who
volunteer time and efforts to provide needed resources for our school community. Please
consider joining our PTO, as there are numerous ways to get involved. Together, we can
make the upcoming year a truly valuable and memorable experience for your child.
It is my pleasure to serve as JL Newton’s principal, and I look forward to working with you
throughout the year.
Patrice Krueger
Principal
Newton Elementary Handbook
The Newton Elementary Handbook consists of general school information, policies, and
procedures. It, along with the Baldwin County Student Handbook, should be used as a
resource throughout the school year.
Newton Elementary Academic Mission Statement
Newton School-Where students are academically challenged and well prepared for the next
level of learning. We are supported by our dedicated administrators, faculty, parents, and the
Fairhope community.
Beliefs
Everyone can learn.
Learning is a lifelong process.
Everyone is unique and has value.
Problem solving is essential for growth.
Everyone needs to feel safe and secure at school.
Education is a shared responsibility.
Expectations for Students
Newton students are Respectful, Responsible, and Resourceful.
• Attend school daily and be on time.
• Apply yourself to achieve your greatest learning potential.
• Have an attitude of acceptance of fellow students and school personnel.
• Obey school rules and follow instructions from all adults.
• Respect the property of others, school building, and grounds.
.
Baldwin County Public Schools Mission Statement
In partnership with the community, the Baldwin County Public Schools’ mission is to
prepare ALL STUDENTS to graduate College and Career Ready through a culture of equity
and opportunity.
Baldwin County Vision Statement
Our vision is to foster a nurturing environment with high expectations for students to achieve
their potential and graduate with countless opportunities.
Motto
Embrace Opportunities….Discover Potential….Inspire Excellence
General School Information, Policies, and Procedures
Bell Schedule
7:15
7:20
7:40
7:45
7:50
2:45
2:50
Buses unload/Students enter cafeteria
Car riders unload and report to the cafeteria or classroom
Breakfast ends
Instruction begins: students should be in class by this time
Students are late and must report to office
Dismissal for car riders and first wave bus riders
Dismissal for second wave bus riders, walkers, bike riders, and after-school care
Students are required to be on time for school. It is the responsibility of the parents or guardian to make sure
students arrive on time each day and remain the entire day.
Morning Arrival and Afternoon Dismissal Procedures
All students in the Newton School District are eligible to ride the bus. If you are unable to drop off
your child between 7:20 and 7:45 am, or are unable to pick up prior to 3:10 p.m., then please contact
the front office for bus transportation information. We also encourage carpooling for those who drive
to school.
Car Riders: Student safety is our primary concern. All drivers are expected to follow directions of
teachers on duty and be respectful towards those assisting and directing traffic. For the safety of our students
and duty teachers, drivers while on school campus should not use cell phones and other electronic devices.
Drivers may be asked to circle and reenter carline if electronic devices are in use or if carline numbers are
not displayed.
o Car riders should not arrive on campus prior to 7:20 a.m. Supervision is not available and
doors will remain locked.
o Car riders in grades K-6 will enter car line from CR32 in either of two accessible lanes.
Drivers will follow directions of teachers on duty.
o Car riders will enter the building through the main lobby and report directly to either the
cafeteria for breakfast or to the classroom.
o Parents should remain in cars while in carline.
o In an effort to keep traffic flowing, parents should park cars when students need assistance
unloading and remember to sign in through the front office for a visitor’s pass upon entering
the building.
o PreK parents who have children in older grades must drop off upper grade students first and
then enter the PreK zone by 7:45am. PreK students must be walked into the cafeteria and
signed in at 7:45 a.m. with the PreK teachers.
o Afternoon car riders will dismiss on first bell at 2:45 p.m. and be seated until their number is
called. Once called, students will proceed to the loading zone entrance and wait for directions
of the duty teacher as when to load.
o Students should walk quickly to cars down the center yellow line.
o Number cards should be flipped to the smiley face  upon loading.
o All car riders should be picked up by 3:10 p.m. Bus transportation or our after-school care
program is available if you are unable to pick up your child by
3:10 p.m. daily. Registration and payment are required prior to attending ASCC. Please
contact the school office for more information.
*Morning and afternoon carline procedures should be followed as noted in the attachment.
Bus Riders:
Students who live in the Newton School district are eligible to ride a bus to school and
from school to home. Students will be assigned to a bus based on the student’s home residence.
Transportation methods should be consistent, and students will not be transported to alternate locations
(friend’s/relative’s homes, daycares, or after-school activities). If a student’s drop off location needs to
change (same bus only), a note must be sent to the office for approval. If approved, the office staff will sign
and return to the student who will give it to the bus driver when entering the bus. Due to limited seating on
buses, students may not ride home on a bus other than the assigned bus.
Buses will arrive on campus at approximately 7:15a.m. All bus riders will enter through the cafeteria and
will eat breakfast or be seated until dismissed to classrooms.
Bus riders, bike riders, walkers, and after-school care students will dismiss on second bell at 2:50 p.m.
Students should follow all bus rules and procedures as reviewed by the driver. Bus transportation is a
privilege and those not behaving appropriately may be suspended from
the bus.
General Bus Rules
1. Stay off the road while waiting for the bus.
2. Cross in front of the bus after it is stopped, and the stop sign
is out.
3. Keep all body parts and items inside the bus.
4. Remain seated until it is time to exit.
5. Sit in your designated seat, and stay there throughout the trip.
6. Keep voice to a whisper and use appropriate language.
7. Do not share or swap items on the bus.
8. Help keep the bus neat, clean and in good condition.
9. No eating or drinking on the bus.
10. Treat others as you want to be treated.
11. Be respectful and follow all rules of the driver.
12. Electronic devices should not be used on the bus.
Late Arrival/Tardies:
Research has proven a direct correlation between school attendance and
student achievement. Please make every effort to have your child at school prior to 7:45. The first bell
sounds at 7:45 a.m. and students should be present and ready for instruction. Students not in classrooms by
7:50 will have to report to the office along with a parent or guardian. Please keep in mind that fifth and sixth
graders have a long walk and may need locker time prior to entering the classroom. Visitors are encouraged
to go to classrooms between 7:30 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. when necessary. Once instruction begins, we will not
interrupt teachers.
Tardiness disrupts the teacher, classmates, and can lead to anxiety on behalf of the student entering late
when trying to catch up on missed instructions. Please make every effort to have your child at school on time
and remain all day. Persistent problems with tardies or early dismissals may result in disciplinary action.
Parental support helps establish good habits of attendance and promptness.
Early Dismissals/Check-outs:
Research has proven a direct correlation between school
attendance and student achievement. Any time a student arrives late or checks out early, he or she is missing
important instructional time. Students are engaged from bell to bell, and the end of the day is just as critical
as mid-day. In addition, students are often getting final instructions and transitioning during this time. Please
make every effort to avoid late arrivals and early dismissals. When necessary, a legal guardian or designee
with proper I.D. may check out a student through the front office; however, students will not be called
during the last few minutes of the day or during transitional times. Checkouts will not occur after 2:30 unless
deemed an emergency.
o Please remember the last hour of the day is important instructional time. This is particularly
true for our 6th graders who switch classes.
o Appointments should be made for after school hours unless an emergency. We realize this is
not always possible. The nature of the absence will determine if the absence is excused.
Please provide documentation upon return, as only excused absences will permit make up
work.
o Students will only be released to those on the emergency contact list and with a valid picture
I.D. Updates must be made in person in the school office. We do not take requests or changes
over the phone.
Changes in Dismissal:
If your child has a change in dismissal, please send a note to your child’s teacher. Changes in dismissal are
not taken over the telephone or via email. With approximately 625 students and limited staff, we cannot
guarantee the delivery or security of requests. Often, email is not checked until after dismissal, and a
substitute will not have email access. Please help us by following this policy and making sure all
communication is given to the student in writing to share with his/her teacher.
Attendance and Make-up Work: It is critical that students arrive at school on time, ready to
learn, and stay all day unless ill or in case of emergency. Please see the BCPS Student Handbook for
attendance policies, procedures, make-up work, and what constitutes an excused/unexcused absence.
Administrative approved absences will be considered when received in advance (2 weeks preferred) and in
exclusion of the first 40 days of school and three weeks prior to state testing. Attendance history, including
early dismissals and tardies, whether excused or unexcused, will be taken into consideration by
administration when determining approved absences.
Students are encouraged to discuss missed work with teachers immediately upon return to school. If
necessary, please contact your child’s teacher via email or written note in your child’s agenda for the
quickest response regarding makeup work. You may also call the school office and leave a message for the
teacher to return your call.
Homeroom:
Class assignments are made based on multiple criteria to include academic levels, gender,
socioeconomic status, ethnicity, special needs, special services, and enrichment as well as other factors.
Teacher requests are not accepted and homeroom assignments are temporary during the first weeks of school
as adjustments are sometimes necessary. If your child’s homeroom is changed, you will be notified in
writing by the principal.
Volunteers:
J. Larry Newton is a top school in Baldwin County partially because our parents and
community care enough to volunteer their time, resources, and talents. It takes teamwork to set and maintain
the high standards of our school. If you can be a room parent, tutor, serve on one of our many PTO
committees, help keep our campus beautiful, be a guest speaker, or assist our teachers, then we have a place
for you! Please let us know how we can get you connected and involved.
Classroom volunteers are appreciated! Volunteers may be scheduled in advance through the classroom
teacher and must check in through the office upon arrival. The classroom teacher will notify the front office
of when to expect a classroom visitor. (See BCPS Handbook)
Visitors:
A visitor is anyone who is not employed at J. Larry Newton Elementary School. ALL visitors
should go directly to the office when entering school grounds to state the purpose for the visit and to receive
a visitor’s pass. Teachers will notify the office when to expect a visitor. Student safety and the maintaining
of quality instructional time are priority. Visitors are expected to dress appropriately while on school
grounds and follow class procedures as requested by the teacher. All schools prohibit drugs, alcohol,
tobacco, and weapons. Use of profanity is also prohibited (verbal, written, or by gestures) at Newton
Elementary.
Occasionally, a parent or family member may want to have lunch with a student. Lunch visitors are welcome
to eat our cafeteria lunch and sit at a designated visitor table with the student. All lunch visitors must be
listed on the contact list or accompanied by the guardian. Lunch visitors should sign in at the front office and
receive a visitor pass prior to waiting outside the cafeteria doors for the class to arrive. When lunch
concludes and students exit the cafeteria, visitors should immediately return to the front office and sign out.
No other locations on campus should be visited without approval from the front office staff. In rare cases,
lunch visits may create a disruption in a child's routine or the operation of the school (ex. your child gets too
upset each time you leave). If this occurs, then we may meet to discuss limiting visits.
Parent/Teacher Conferences:
Parents, teachers, and administrators are a team! We welcome and encourage conferences to discuss student
progress and other concerns; therefore, a parent-teacher conference should take place during first semester.
Conferences may be scheduled before or after school, or during the teacher’s daily planning time. Please
remember that instructional time is valuable and teachers will not be able to meet without an appointment.
The best method of setting up a conference is via email, note in the agenda, or by leaving a message for the
teacher at the front office.
Uniform Policy: Please see the BCPS Student Handbook for the county uniform policy and discipline
policy. In addition, Newton students will be allowed to wear light blue polo shirts and other Newton
approved shirts on assigned days of the week. We are pleased to have a uniform closet available for anyone
who may need uniforms. There is no cost to fill a Wal-Mart bag of items. Any monetary donations will be
used to buy items such as socks, underwear, and belts.
Monday: Current PTO Shirt
Wednesday: Fairhope High School Spirit Shirt, Fairhope Girl/Guy Shirt, or Fairhope Fountain Shirt
Thursday: Club shirts
Friday: Current Grade Level Newton Spirit Shirt
Medication & School Medical Information:
J. Larry Newton is fortunate to have a school
nurse on campus to assist with student medical needs, health education, and emergencies. Please see the
BCBS for county medical information.
Please do not send any type of medication (prescription or over-the-counter) to school with your child. All
medication must be brought to the school nurse by a parent and in the original container. If your child needs
medicine during the school day, the nurse will work with you to complete proper paperwork.
Physical Education & Excused Participation:
A physician’s note must be on file in the
front office if it becomes necessary for a child to not participate in P.E. class due to injury or illness.
Students not participating will report to PE with the rest of the class and follow directions from the PE
teacher regarding nonparticipation.
Break: Students may bring a healthy snack and drink or purchase one on their grade level assigned days
(all snacks cost $1.00). Break allows time to go to the restroom, nourish the body and have movement. It is
not a recess time, although occasionally classes may go outside during break. Candy and carbonated
beverages are not allowed at school for break or as part of lunches.
Identification of Property and Lost/Found: Please label all of your child’s property
including books, bookbags, jackets, sweaters, lunch boxes, etc. Lost and found items can be located either in
the gym or front office. Articles not claimed will be donated to Goodwill on a regular basis.
Forgotten Items:
Please make sure that students have all necessary items in hand prior to arriving to
school. Delivery of supplies, materials, paperwork, snacks, lunches and other items result in interruption of
instructional time. Office staff will only accept essential items.
Telephone Usage and Electronic Devices:
The telephone is reserved for school
business. Students will only be allowed to use the phone in an emergency situation and with both teacher
and office approval. Please make sure your child knows what to do for rainy days, early dismissal days, or
in case of emergency. Students may not use the phone to call home for the delivery of forgotten items.
Newton is an elementary school, and students are not allowed to have cell phones at school or on the bus.
Any electronic devices with the capability to record images are not allowed.
Homework and Agendas:
Homework is assigned to reinforce what has already been taught at
school or to initiate thinking about what’s ahead. As a guideline, completion time for homework should
typically take about 10 minutes in first grade with an additional 10 minutes added each year thereafter.
(1st=10 min. /2nd=20 min./ 3rd=30 min./ 4th=40 min. /5th =50 min./ 6th =60 min.) If your child is struggling
with homework, please send your child’s teacher a note in the agenda. Agendas should be used daily in
grades K-6 for homework and parent/teacher communication
Grades
Newton’s grading system follows that of Baldwin County Public Schools.
A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70=79
D=60-69
F=59-0
Please check your child’s grades on a regular basis and communicate with your child’s teacher as needed.
Grades can be check electronically through INOW with your child’s personal username and password. If you
do not know your child’s username/password, you may come to the school office with a picture I.D. to
request another copy. Classroom teachers will send home student work for your review.
Promotion/Retention: Promotion or retention of a student is based on the student's academic
performance and school attendance. The decision to promote or retain is a professional one and ultimately
the responsibility of the principal and teacher with parental input taken into consideration. Parent/teacher
conferences and ongoing communication are highly recommended, especially for students with academic
deficiencies. The BCPS Student Handbook addresses retention as related to absences.
Change of Address and Phone Number: It is required that you inform the office
immediately if your home address changes or if telephone numbers and emergency contact numbers change.
Changes need to be made in person at the front office. We must be able to reach you or an emergency
contact when needed.
Only students living in the Newton School District are eligible to attend Newton School unless the building
principal has first approved a zone variance. When the primary residence of a student changes, the principal
must immediately be notified of the address change. If the student is no longer zoned for Newton School,
then the parent will need to withdraw the student from Newton. Zone variance requests should be submitted
immediately to the principal for consideration.
Delivery of Items to Students and Birthdays: It is important that all necessary items
students need for the school day are brought to school each morning by your child. Delivery of forgotten
items interrupt instructional time. In the case of emergency deliveries (ex: lunch box), items should be
labeled and brought to the school office. Office staff will deliver the items at a convenient time. Invitations
may be distributed at school only if everyone in the class receives one or if all boys/all girls receive an
invitation. Flowers, balloons, gifts, etc. may not be delivered to students at school either by businesses or
individuals. The school is providing an opportunity for parents to purchase a Special Birthday Package for
the entire class. The office will deliver special Birthday Snack during the child’s scheduled snack time.
Cafeteria: School cafeteria menus and prices are available at www.bcbe.org. Please see the BCPS
Student Handbook for details when a student requires a special diet plan. Monthly lunch menus are also
displayed on the website.
Students and the Media – Public Notice: Occasionally, representatives of the news media
seek access to public schools within the Baldwin County Public School System. Quite often, these visits
involve filming, taping and interviewing students. Further, students are sometimes filmed, taped or
interviewed in the production of educational or promotional material for use by the Baldwin County Public
School System. If you object to your child being filmed, photographed, taped, or interviewed, you must
notify the principal of your school in writing. Be advised that while every effort will be made to honor your
written request, parents should also make sure their children understand these wishes.
Discipline:
An orderly school environment and student discipline is extremely important to the local
school program and vital to the development of citizenship. Please see the BCPS Student Handbook for
discipline policies and procedures. Please note that alternatives to out-of-school suspension will be assigned
whenever possible. Please notify administration if there are discipline concerns.
Riding the bus is a privilege. Students are expected to follow all safety rules during transport and while
loading and departing. Students not following procedures may be suspended from the bus.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Fire and Severe Weather: In case of fire, an alarm will sound alerting evacuation of the building.
An evacuation plan is posted in each classroom. Students will remain quiet and wait until an “all clear” is
given. Teachers will instruct children regarding specific procedures. Practice drills will take place
throughout the year.
In case of severe weather, an alarm will sound. Students will move to their designated areas and assume the
"tornado position”. Students will remain quiet and wait until an “all clear” is given. Teachers will instruct
children regarding specific procedures. Practice drills will take place throughout the year.
Lockdown: In the event of a lockdown, an auditory warning will be made over the intercom.
Each
teacher will instruct students regarding specific procedures. The school will remain on lockdown until the
principal or designee, in coordination with the Baldwin County Public School System and/or local
authorities, has given clearance. Parents will not be allowed to check out students until after clearance.
Field Trips and Activities: Field trips are considered an extension of classroom learning.
Advance notification of trips will be given with the date, cost, and the deadline for payment. A completed
permission slip, signed by the parent/guardian, is required for all field trips. Once reservations and bus
arrangements have been made, refunds will not be given.
Chaperones are typically limited in number and may include parents/guardians, or grandparents of students.
Chaperones are expected to assist the teacher with supervision of students including during transportation.
Field trips are designed and planned for school-age students in a particular class or group. Siblings (unless
adult age) are not permitted to be part of the trip.
Students who receive disciplinary referrals in the same quarter as a planned trip may not be allowed to
participate. This will be subject to the principal’s discretion.
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO):
J. Larry Newton is fortunate to have an outstanding,
supportive PTO. The PTO board works with administration and families to provide resources to teachers and
students. In order to make this possible, several fundraisers and events occur during the year. This year our
PTO will be sharing with you some of the many activities they have planned for our school as there is
always an opportunity to serve or to volunteer. We invite and encourage you to join Newton’s PTO and
work with us to make Newton Elementary what we already know it to be…the best school in Baldwin
County!