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About Barnwell
Enrollment & Registration Requirements
Rules & Regulations
Suggested Classroom Supply Lists
ATTENDANCE
An important key to a student's success in school is regular
and punctual attendance. Students are expected to come to school
on time every day unless ill. Tardiness is not acceptable. Since
a student is considered tardy if s/he is not in her/his assigned
seat when the bell rings at 7:50 AM, students need to arrive at
school with sufficient time to get to class.
The following guidelines in regard to absences/tardies must
be observed:
1. Excused Absences: The Georgia Board of Education states that
students may be temporarily excused from school for personal illness,
serious illness or a death in the immediate family, recognized
religious holidays observed by one's faith, absences mandated
by government agencies or conditions which render school attendance
impossible or hazardous to one's health or safety. Students must
be in attendance at least one-half of the school day (3 hours)
to be counted present. Upon return to school, the student must
present the teacher with a specific written excuse for the absence.
2. Unexcused Absences: An unexcused absence is any absence not covered in the definition above. A student accompanying a family member on a business trip or vacation during regular school calendar is unexcused.
3. Make-up Work Due To Absences: Parents may request make-up work on the second day of an absence by calling the school before 9 AM. Requested assignments may be picked up in the school office after 2:30 PM or sent home with another student as designated by the parent. When students are absent for excused or unexcused reasons, the teacher will make a list of all important work missed and give it to the student upon return to school with a deadline for completion.
4. Late Arrivals: The student is responsible for being at school on time, unless the tardy is due to a late bus. When a student is late, the student misses important classroom instruction and creates a distraction to other students when entering the classroom. Parents must accompany tardy students to the office and sign them in. A student who is tardy five times during twenty consecutive school days without a satisfactory excuse will be referred to the school social worker/visiting teacher.
BUS CONDUCT
Safe school transportation is an important part of our school
program. Riding the bus is a privilege based on proper and courteous
behavior. The Fulton County Board of Education recognizes that
safe school bus operation is possible only with the cooperation
of students, parents, and school staff. Students must get on and
off the bus at their own bus stops.
Any change to regular transportation (car-rider or bus) requires a written request from the parent/guardian of the student. Permission for a child to ride a different bus and/or to be let off at a different stop is considered only for special circumstance concerning child care or family emergency. All requests must be approved by the principal or assistant principal.
While students are riding the bus, students are expected to:
1. Observe quiet conduct.
2. Stay in their seats while the bus is in motion.
3. Not throw any objects at any time.
4. Keep hands and feet to themselves.
5. Not have any food or drinks while on the bus.
6. Cooperate and be respectful of the bus driver at all times.
7. Act in a courteous and respectful manner at all times.
Remember:
1. Riding the bus is a privilege. Students who violate safety
rules may be suspended from riding the bus for one or more days.
2. The bus driver is in charge of the bus at all times.
CAFETERIA
Breakfast is served beginning at 7:20 AM in the cafeteria.
Breakfast and/or Lunch Meal Tickets can be purchased any morning in the cafeteria. Students can purchase meal tickets for a minimum of two weeks (10 days).
Barnwell's lunchroom conduct standards are intended to provide a pleasant environment for eating lunch. Proper table manners, courtesy, and adherence to procedures are expected.
Lunches brought to school by parents will be placed on a table inside the entrance of the cafeteria for students to pick up when they arrive for lunch. (See Food and Beverages)
CAR RIDERS
The car rider entrance is supervised each morning from 7:20-7:50
AM. Parents are requested to remain in the car rider line and
drop students off in supervised areas only. In consideration
of the safety of our students, parents are requested not to park
their cars and walk students across the driveways. The car
rider entrance doors close at 7:50 AM. After that time, parents
must sign students in at the front office.
Afternoon pick-up is supervised by assigned staff members from 2:15-2:35 PM. Parents picking up students are to remain in their cars in the car rider line. For the safety of our students, parents are requested not to park their cars and walk students across the driveways. Students are to remain at the entrance under the direct supervision of assigned adults until the appropriate vehicle is in position. Passing cars in the car rider line is dangerous and, therefore, not permitted. Late arriving parents (after 2:40), may pick up their children in the front office.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER
We must keep accurate records in case of an emergency. Please
send a note to your child's teacher and the front office indicating
any changes in address, phone numbers (home or office), or emergency
contact people as soon as possible.
CHANGES TO TRANSPORTATION
Parents are required to send a signed note to the school to indicate any changes in the regular afternoon transportation of their child. Changes in transportation must be approved by the administration.
CLINIC
The clinic is staffed by a clinic aide to help with emergencies
and to dispense medication. Students must have a clinic pass signed
by the teacher in order to go to the clinic. Sick students who
are contagious must not be sent to school. When a student becomes
ill at school, the parent must arrange for the student to be taken
home.
DISCIPLINE
Fulton County discipline guidelines are sent home with every
student during the first week of school. Additionally, each teacher
sends home classroom expectations on the first day of school.
Students and parents should read and review the guidelines of
both Barnwell Elementary School and Fulton County. We believe
that students should develop responsibility for their behavior
and academic success. It is our duty to help them make good choices.
Parental support and open communication enable us to maintain
a positive learning environment for students.
EMERGENCY CLOSING OF SCHOOL:
Radio station WSB (750 AM) is the official Fulton County Board
of Education news channel. It is vital that students and parents
have a plan should the school close during the day! Please
discuss emergency plans, so students will know what to do in case
of an emergency as to which neighbor's home s/he should go to
if parents are not home.
FIELD TRIPS
All field trips are an outgrowth of the instructional program
and are approved by the principal. Each student must have a signed
permission slip from her/his parent or guardian to go on any field
trips. Permission may not be given over the phone. No child will
be denied permission to attend field trips due to inability to
pay.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Any snacks or meals sent to school from home should be nutritious.
Students are not permitted to bring carbonated drinks, drinks
in glass containers, candy or gum. Parents joining their children
for lunch are asked NOT to bring food from outside vendors
(fast food, etc.)
HOMEWORK
It is the student's responsibility to know what the homework
assignments are and to complete all homework assignments on time.
Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday. Some assignments
are long range and require additional planning time at home for
completion. Teachers will communicate expectations with students
and parents through grade level letters, during Open House and
during Curriculum Nights. Students are expected to check at the
front office for homework assignments, projects, and/or instruments
which may have been delivered by a parent. Office phones may not
be used by students to phone home to request forgotten items.
Once school has been dismissed, students WILL NOT be allowed
to re-enter the classrooms to get any forgotten items.
INSURANCE
Optional student accident insurance is offered to all students
through the Board of Education each year. Information about the
policy and program will be sent home the first week of school.
Checks should be made payable to Reliance National.
LOST AND FOUND
All clothing and personal items should be marked with the
student's name to assist with returning it to the proper owner.
There are two lost and found areas in the school. Smaller items,
such as rings, wallets, and keys are located in the office. Larger
items, such as coats, sweaters, lunchboxes, backpacks, etc., are
located on the racks behind the Media Center. Lost and Found articles
are taken to local charities at the end of each semester.
MEDIA CENTER
Our Media Center hours are 7:20 - 2:35. Respect for books and
all media center materials is enforced at all times. The media
center is a quiet place for learning and reading. Return books
on time to insure continued checkout of materials.
MEDICINE
Students who need to take medication during the school day
must follow these guidelines:
1. Fulton County School System policy states that no student
is allowed to hand-carry medications to or from school; parents
are required to deliver medications to the office in person.
2. Prescribed medication in the original container and
the Authorization For Prescription Medication form,
signed by both the prescribing doctor and the parent, must
be taken to the office immediately upon student's arrival at school.
An authorized school employee will assist in administering all
medications. Students may not keep any medications in the classroom,
and teachers are not permitted to dispense medications to students.
A copy of the required form is sent home at the beginning of the
school year. Additional copies are available in the clinic. The
completed form must accompany the medication, so be sure
to take this form to your physician whenever your child is ill.
3. Non-prescription medicines are to be given to the clinic
along with an Authorization For Non-Prescription Medication
form completed by the parent. Again, no medications are
to be kept in the classroom. A copy of the required form is sent
home at the beginning of the school year. Additional copies are
available in the clinic.
PAGERS / CELL PHONES
According to Fulton County Board of Education Policy and Procedure
concerning Disruption and Interference with school: "A student
shall not carry a pocket pager, cellular telephone or other electronic
communication device on school property, on school buses, or at
school-sponsored activities, except for health (or other unusual
reasons) with principal and area executive director approval for
specific times with a signed application from a parent or guardian."
PARENT CONFERENCES
We regard parents as partners in the education of their children.
To enable the school to plan an effective educational program
to meet the needs of each child, we consider it important to have
regularly scheduled conferences with parents. A parent-teacher
conference is scheduled for the first semester of the school year,
and additional conferences may be scheduled as necessary or requested.
These may be initiated by the parent, teacher, or principal and
held at a mutually agreeable time.
PARENT / TEACHER COMMUNICATION
Open communication between school and home is essential. Parent
conferences, phone calls, grades, newsletters, samples of classwork,
Student Planners and progress reports are all ways that parents
are kept up-to-date with the progress of their children. When
work is sent home, parents are requested to review the work with
their child, sign the papers, and return the packet the following
day. Parent signature verifies acknowledgment of all papers
attached. Parents who have concerns or questions are encouraged
to contact their child's teacher.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
We welcome all volunteers. Volunteers are used to assist in
the classroom, media center, school store, and staff the various
PTA programs. If you have a special skill or talent to share with
children or a particular task you want to do as a volunteer, please
call your child's teacher or a PTA Board member. Much volunteer
work can be done at home or at school.
All volunteers are asked to sign-in at the office on the sign-in computer. After signing in, the computer will print a name tag for you or you may pick up your volunteer name tag located on the rack opposite the office. For security reasons, please wear your name tag at all times when working at Barnwell. Storage for purses and other objects can be a challenge; when volunteering, it is best to bring with you only items needed for the job. Please be mindful of appropriate attire.
We ask that volunteers adhere to the policy of no children in the following areas: teachers' workrooms, copy rooms, office workroom and laminating room.
PARKING
Please do not park in the fire lanes. Parking is available
in the upper parking lot and the lot at the car rider entrance.
PARTIES / FOOD IN CLASSROOM
Barnwell celebrates a Winter Holiday Party and an End of Year
Party in each classroom. Arrangements for these events will be
coordinated by the teacher and room parents.
Birthday parties are not school functions. However, parents may contact their child's teacher concerning refreshments and/or recognition of these events. No personal party invitations may be distributed at school.
PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION
Barnwell Elementary has the privilege of working together
with local businesses for the betterment of education and the
children of our community. These partners, listed near the front
of the calendar, give their time and financial support to many
of our programs.
PHONE USAGE
Students are not allowed to use the phone unless the teacher
or principal deems the request an emergency, such as clarification
of dismissal. Students may not use the phone to request forgotten
items such as books, homework, signed papers, planners, instruments,
field trip permission forms, contracts, etc. Our goal is to assist
our children in the development of responsibility.
PTA
We at Barnwell strongly believe that our students cannot receive
the best possible educational experiences without the involvement
of both parent and teacher. The PTA programs provide educational
as well as fun experiences for the students and their families
throughout the school year. We are very proud of the Barnwell
PTA and encourage every parent to join. Please take the time to
look over and acquaint yourself with the PTA Executive Board listed
in the calendar and on this website. A list of committees is also
provided so that you may determine which committee is of interest
to you. Please don't hesitate to call the committee chair to volunteer.
RECYCLING
Barnwell is very pleased and excited to be a part of a continuing
effort to help the environment. Recycling newspapers, telephone
books, and paper are the focus of our efforts.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
All new students must have an Eye, Ear and Dental certificate,
as well as proof of immunizations, on Georgia state forms.
A certified copy of their birth certificate is also required.
Recent Georgia legislation (Georgia Code 20-2-150) states, "No
child or youth shall be admitted to any public school of the state
until the parent or guardian provides the proper school authority
an official copy of that child's social security number."
The law further provides that parents or guardians who object
to this may receive a wavier by signing a statement objecting
to this requirement. For additional information, click here.
REPORT CARDS
Report Cards are issued every nine weeks. In addition,
a progress skills checklist will be sent home three times each
year (fall, winter, and end of year). Grades of S, N, U, and NG
will be used for students in grades K and 1; grades of A, B, C,
F, and NG will be used for students in grades 2 through 5.
If you have any concerns regarding these reports, please contact
your child's teacher.
SAFE & DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS
The Fulton County School System takes seriously its responsibility
to educate its students in a safe and drug-free environment. Therefore,
weapons, drugs, and gang activity will not be tolerated.
Students who violate Board of Education rules or State laws related
to these offenses will be disciplined in accordance with Fulton
County policy and state laws.
SAFETY PROCEDURES
Barnwell Elementary School has a comprehensive safety and security
plan in place. A committee of staff members and parents reviews
the plan each year to insure full compliance and to revise areas
as necessary.
SCHOOL DRESS CODE
According to Fulton County Administrative Procedures JD-Student
Dress, students are expected to dress and groom themselves in
such a way as to reflect neatness, cleanliness and safety. Students
are to dress in such a manner as to not interfere with the educational
program or the orderly operation of the school. Extremes in dress
will not be permitted. Examples are: lack of cleanliness in person
or dress; shoelessness; "short-shorts;" "running
shorts;" "bike shorts;" bare midriffs; tank tops;
"see-through" clothing or apparel which designates gangs
or similar groups. All shirts, T-shirts must be in good taste.
Shorts must at least fingertip length. Hats are not permitted
in the building at any time. Parents and students will be notified
of any exceptions to the dress code, such as field days, etc.
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS
Children need healthy meals to learn; therefore, the Fulton County Schools (FCS) offers healthy meals that are reasonably priced. At elementary schools, the price for breakfast is $0.80 and for lunch it is $1.35. Families meeting specific income requirements may be eligible for Free and Reduced-Price Meals and can apply for this program through applications available at each school.
As of July 1, 2005, the process for completing these applications changed. This means that households no longer need to complete a separate application for each student. Instead, they will complete one application listing all household members and identifying students who attend a Fulton County School (FCS).
New Process:
Parents/guardians must complete one application per household indicating the school attended for each student
The application should be returned to the school cafeteria manager of the youngest student
New students to FCS will pay for meals until the household application is approved
Returning FCS students will maintain last year’s meal status until the application is approved
The approval process will be completed within 10 days.
For more information about Free and Reduced-Price Meals or the new application process, contact the FCS School Nutrition Program at 404-669-8960.
SCHOOL PICTURES
Individual student pictures are taken in the Fall and the
Spring. Class pictures are taken in the fall. There are no retakes
on spring pictures due to time restraints. Check the calendar,
BearGram, and fliers for dates.
SCHOOL STORE
The School Store is open every morning from 7:20-7:45 AM for
students to purchase materials they may need for school use. Items
include, but are not limited to, pencils, erasers, notebooks,
crayons, markers, rulers, and student planners.
SECURITY
Exterior doors to the building are locked once the school
day begins. Visitors are requested to enter the building using
the front doors.
All adults in our building must wear a name tag. Fulton County employees wear printed name tags or photo I.D.'s. Parents, volunteers, or other guests obtain name tags when signing in through our office. All visitors are required to check in through the office upon arrival on the campus. Student release cards are maintained in the office giving the school the parent's list of authorized persons to pick up children. School personnel will ask for identification (driver's license) before releasing a student.
SPIRIT DAYS
Barnwell students, staff and volunteers are encouraged to
wear "Spirit Wear" or the school colors, red and white
on Spirit Days. The PTA sells school T-shirts which are great
for Spirit Day. All Skate Days are also school spirit days.
STUDENT PLANNERS
Each student in grades 1-5 will receive a Student Planner
provided by the Barnwell PTA and Barnwell Elementary. Planners
are used to record assignments and as a means of communication
between school and home. Should a student lose the planner, the
student is expected to purchase a replacement from the School
Store.
TEXTBOOKS / LIBRARY BOOKS
Textbooks and library books are the property of Fulton County
Schools. They should be used with care and returned in good condition.
Students are financially responsible for books which are lost,
stolen, or damaged beyond use.
TOYS, GAMES, VALUABLES
Students are not to bring toys, games, cards, portable CD players,
radios, or any other such item to school at any time. Additionally,
students are requested not to bring anything considered "valuable"
to school and be put at risk of losing or misplacing the item.
Parents are asked to be aware of what students bring to school,
and if in doubt as to acceptability, contact the teacher. School
personnel cannot be responsible for lost or broken personal items.
VISITORS / CLASSROOM VISITATION
Visitors must check in and out through the office. Parents
may observe classes by coordinating these visits with the teacher
in advance. Classroom observations are limited in length and should
not interrupt instruction.
VOICE MAIL
When you call Barnwell, you will be connected to a voice mail
message system. You may leave a message for any staff member by
dialing that staff member's voice mail box. A directory of voice
mail box numbers is available when you call and a list of voice
mail boxes will be published in the student directory. Voice mail
box numbers are also listed in the "Contact" section of this website. To leave
an urgent message press 0. Teachers do not have telephones in
their classrooms but will check their voice mail after school
daily.
WEATHER CONDITIONS, EXTREME:
1. At all times, information from the National Weather Service
is monitored by office staff. A weather radio provides the most
current information and special weather alerts.
2. The safety of all students is our primary concern. Please understand
that communication with the school may be difficult if not impossible
in emergency situations.
3. Students will be moved to an area in the building designated
for safety of children during a tornado.
4. Bus drivers are trained in procedures to ensure the safety
of children during inclement weather.
5. Parents should listen to WSB radio and television for current
information.