Norcross Elementary School | 150 Hunt St. Norcross Georgia, 30071 | 770- 448-2188 | Dr. Dora Hill, Principal
Mission , Vision and Beliefs
The mission of Norcross Elementary is to support students as they acquire the academic knowledge and skills necessary to meet or exceed local, state, and national standards.
Norcross Elementary Vision Statement
The vision of
Norcross Elementary Beliefs
We believe...
-in the partnership of the home, school, and
community in educating all children;
-that every
student has a right to a quality education in a
safe, child-centered environment;
-in
high and consistent academic and behavioral
expectations;
-that everyone has value
and deserves respect.
ATTENDANCE
Attending school regularly and
being on time makes a difference in a child's
education. Research has shown that a good
attendance record has a direct effect on a
student's grades. State law requires that
children attend school every day of the school
year. The attendance policy of
personal illness death in the immediate family religious holidays
instances where attendance would be hazardous.
Any time a child is absent you will receive a call from our computerized system. After five absences, a referral will be made to the school counselor. After ten absences, you will be contacted by the grade level administrator to develop a plan to address the situation. At Norcross Elementary, we consider more than ten absences excessive. All excessive absenteeism will be referred to the school social worker, and may possibly result in a court referral if unexcused absences continue to occur. We are concerned about your child when they are absent; please e-mail or telephone the school on the day your child is absent, or send a parent or doctor's note upon your child's return. Without this information, we will automatically code your child's absence as unexcused.
A student who leaves school before the official ending time must be signed out in the office by his/her parent or guardian. Parents must report to the receptionist, not the classroom. The receptionist will call the room for the child after a photo ID has been shown. Please remember that each time a child checks out early, we must call the classroom and disrupt instruction for everyone.
Perfect Attendance Recognition will not be given to any student whose late arrivals and/or early check-outs total more than five times for the school year.
Children will not be released from school at any unscheduled time without written explanation of the reason from parents. A parent wanting to sign out his/her child from school may do so by signing the "student check out card" in the reception area. For the safety of your child, you must produce a photo identification, such as a drivers license. Children are released from the office ONLY. Your child may NOT be checked out from the classroom or bus ramp. Children will be called to the Front Office where they will be released to the parent/guardian. The office will not check out students during school dismissal procedures (3:00 - 3:20 P.M. on regular school days and 12:30-12:50 P.M. on early release days). Please do not ask school personnel to make exceptions. Only Norcross Elementary faculty and staff are permitted to be on the bus ramp during dismissal.
A child will not be permitted to leave the school in the custody of any person other than the child's parent unless that person has written verified authorization from one of the child's parents. The name of the person picking up the child must be on the clinic card. As telephone numbers and situations change, please make sure you report this information to the school.
Telephone and Emergency Messages
The primary purpose of the school telephone is communication between parents and school personnel. It is not for student use. Students will not be allowed to call home for homework assignments, permission for field trips, parties, or after-school activities, etc. Classroom instruction cannot be interrupted to call students to the office to talk on the telephone or to pick up forgotten items. Emergency messages will be delivered to the student via the teacher. Students are not permitted to use telephones in teacher work rooms.
SCHOOL ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS Birth Certificate
Hearing,
Vision, and Dental Certificates
All students
must present a certificate of ear, eye, and
dental examination by the health department, a
physician or dentist licensed by the state of
Proof of
WITHDRAWAL
FROM SCHOOL
When withdrawing from a Gwinnett
County School, it is necessary for the student
to notify both his teacher and the office.
Withdrawal forms must be completed, bills paid,
lunch charges paid, textbooks and library books
returned before a student's record is cleared.
If a parent comes to school to withdraw his
child, he/she should go to the office, not the
classroom.
ILLNESSES/ACCIDENTS
If your
child becomes sick or injured while at school,
the school will contact you immediately and all
efforts will be made to keep your child
comfortable for a short period until you arrive.
Accurate and current telephone numbers, and
clinic information is critical in case of an
emergency. It is imperative that work, home
and emergency information be on file in the
clinic and updated when changes occur. This
includes people and telephone numbers listed on
the clinic card as emergency contacts.
In the event of an accident, the school will attempt to notify the parent/guardian immediately. Every effort will be made to render emergency treatment. If parents and/or emergency contacts cannot be located, 911 emergency personnel/services will be called by the school to check or render emergency treatment. It is important for you to have medical coverage for your child. In the event that your child is not covered under any health plan, you may want to consider applying for Peach Care, the accident plan offered from the school, or the accident insurance plan of your choice. Norcross Elementary can not assume responsibility for medical bills resulting from student accidents.
MEDICATION
Administration of medication at school is
discouraged. However, if it is absolutely
necessary for the medication to be given at
school, the following information should be
included on a note from the parent/guardian:
Name, type, date, and dosage of medication to be
given.
Remember:
Medication cannot be left in the clinic over a weekend or holiday.
All medication must be brought to the clinic in the original container. Medication will not be administered unless all information is provided. Should it be necessary for a student to take a prescribed medication for any duration of time, please contact the clinic for specific instructions.
Please do
not send your child to school sick, with a
fever, or with a note requesting that the
teacher send him or her to the clinic. Be
considerate of other students by caring for your
child at home. It is the responsibility of the
parents to see that medical treatment is given
to their child.
It is the student's
responsibility to come to the clinic to take any
medicine.
Progress reports are given to students at the end of each nine week period. These progress reports will be sent home via the student in an envelope. The progress report envelope should be signed by the parent(s) and returned to the child's teacher. You are to keep the progress report itself.
First through Fifth Grade Grading:
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Kindergarten
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First
Grade
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Second-Fifth
Grade
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Conduct points may
include: positive classroom and school behaviors
when interacting with peers or with adults in
charge.
The
above guidelines provide grading consistency for
students at
Grading Periods
1st Nine weeks- ends
October 8th
2nd Nine weeks- ends December 18th
3rd
Nine weeks- ends March 11th
4th Nine weeks- ends May
19th
Textbooks
Norcross Elementary furnishes textbooks to all students. Each student is assigned books and is responsible for the care of the books issued. Loss or destruction of these books will result in payment to the school. Failure to pay for damaged or lost library and/or textbooks will result in the holding of your child's final report card.
Parents are encouraged to arrange a conference with teachers, counselors, or the administrators by telephoning the school office (770-448-2188) between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Your call will be returned within 24 hours to schedule the conference. Special parent-teacher conference days are provided on early release days: See the GCPS Schedule online
We encourage parents to visit their child's classes. For the protection of your child, all parents and visitors must check in through the office. During your visit the regular school program must continue, so please do not expect the teacher to talk with you at this time. As a courtesy to the teacher, please make a prior appointment for visitation. If the sole purpose of your visit is to observe your child working in class, please do not bring other children. ALL VISITORS MUST SIGN IN AND WEAR A VISITOR'S BADGE.
NO BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Student learning and achievement are the primary focus of Norcross Elementary. Therefore, no birthday celebrations will be able to take place during our instruction time. Please do not send party items to school for distribution.
In the event of severe weather or mechanical breakdown, school may be delayed or closed. Public announcements will be made on GCPS Television, on the school system's website (www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us), and via metro-Atlanta radio and television stations. Reports in the morning will be made between 6:00 A.M. and 6:30 A.M. If no report is heard, school will be in session. The same conditions may also necessitate early release. Please do not call the school. Lines must be kept open for emergencies.
Lost and Found
The lost
and found is located near the office in Building
"A". Articles left at the end of each nine weeks
will be donated to charity. All textbooks
found will be returned to the grade level
manager or office. Library books will be
returned to the
Personal Property
Students are asked not to bring large sums of money, expensive jewelry or expensive articles of clothing to school. For students who bring such items to school, the risk is assumed by the student and his/her parents. The school will not pay for lost or stolen items. Students are not permitted to sell items to other students.
The following articles should never be brought to school by a student: toys, radios, tape or CD players, beepers, video or cassette tapes, skateboards, cameras, cell phones, CD's, trading cards, or games such as Nintendo or Game Boy. Items of a prohibited nature will be confiscated and held for parent pickup.
Student Dress
Our students take pride in their personal cleanliness, neatness, and appropriate standards of dress. Students' and visitors' clothing should not distract from the learning process; therefore, students and visitors are to abide by the following rules:
Shoes are to be worn at all times.
Cleated, cleat like
shoes, and tennis/skate
shoes will not be worn at
No bare midriffs, halter tops, tube tops, tank tops, or fishnet jerseys. No sheer blouses or low-cut tops that are inappropriate for the classroom.
All shorts and skirts should be of appropriate length and no shorter than fingertip length.
No clothing with offensive language or pictures referring to violence or death including slogans mentioning alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
Bandannas, hats, sweatbands, or "do rags" can not be worn in the building.
No pants or jeans with holes/rips either at the knee or above, or unhemmed bottoms.
No tight fitting clothes including stretch, elastic or spandex pants.
"Sagging" pants are considered inappropriate dress. Students will be referred to the clinic to receive a belt.
No trading or swapping clothing at school is permitted.
No drawings or gang symbols are permitted on clothing, bodies, books, or personal items. Action to be taken: If a student comes to school in clothing which is considered inappropriate by the school staff, he/she will be asked to call his/her parents to bring something acceptable or provided clothing from the clinic clothes bank.
Nutrition Program Guidelines
The daily menu can be viewed on the GCPS Nutrition web site www.gcsnp@gwinnett.K12.ga.us
Free and Reduced-Priced Meals: All Students are eligible to apply for these meals. Applications are available in the office. Students returning to Norcross have 30 days in which to reapply and still continue to be eligible for free or reduced lunch. Students new to Norcross can not receive free or reduced meals until the application has been approved. Students approved for the reduced-price meals should use the prepay system.
Prepaid Meals: Students may prepay for multiple meals. The cafeteria accepts checks for payment of full
Charged Meals: Students are allowed to make up to five charges on their account. Breakfast cannot be charged. No one is allowed a sixth charge, thus only an alternate meal will be provided. We hope that by informing you of the charge policy in advance, we will avoid any problems in regards to this matter throughout the school year.
Refunds: In the event
that money remains in your child's account at
the end of the year, you may request a refund in
writing. Please make the written request prior
to the last day of school. However, you may
choose to roll-over remaining funds to the
following year, if your child will be continuing
in the
Your child will be served nutritious meals daily. Please contact the Cafeteria Manager if you have any questions or concerns by calling 770-417-2496. If your child has a food allergy, please notify your child's teacher, the cafeteria manager, and the grade level administrator.
Snacks: Parents who provide their students with snacks should make certain that these are nutritious and contain no chocolate. We recommend fruits or vegetables. No glass bottles, cans, or soft drinks are permitted to be brought from home. In addition, students will not be able to bring into the cafeteria large bags of chips, or other unhealthy snacks.
Lunch with your child: Parents are always welcome to have lunch with their child; however, please do not bring fast food into the cafeteria for your child to eat. You will be able to purchase a lunch upon arrival in the cafeteria. Please call the front office or ask your child's teacher for his/her lunch time.
Moment of SilenceSPECIAL PROGRAMS
After School Program
Academic support for homework and other
areas of need is provided Monday through
Thursday (3:20-5:00 P.M.). The fee is $20.00 per
nine-week session, and must be paid in advance.
Bus transportation is provided.
Counseling
Norcross
is fortunate to have two counselors. The purpose
of the counseling program is to help each
individual student achieve his highest growth
mentally, intellectually, emotionally, and
socially. This is done through individual
counseling, small groups, and classroom
guidance. The counselors are also available for
parent and student conferences.
Care Team
The Care
Team is a support program for students and their
families to provide for the social, emotional,
and economic well-being of the Norcross
community.
Extra Curricular
Activities
Chess, Drama, Math,
Spanish, Chorus, and Art clubs meet on a weekly basis for designated
grade levels. Student Council, Safety Patrols,
and Junior Beta Club meetings are held on a
regular basis.
Gifted Education Program
The Gwinnett County Public Schools gifted
education program serves students in grades K -
12 by providing academic challenges for those
who are intellectually advanced. The gifted
program is called FOCUS at the elementary level.
Any responsible person who has knowledge of a
student's intellectual abilities may refer a
student to the local school's gifted referral
committee. The classes offer accelerated
learning and enriched academic curriculum
experiences that focus on and extend Gwinnett
County Public Schools' Academic Knowledge and
Skills.
Students are identified
and placed in gifted education based on criteria
established by the
Junior Achievement
A
nonprofit organization devoted to teaching
children economics, business, financial
responsibility, and other life skills. Junior
Achievement provides training for parent and
community volunteers to deliver lessons to
individual classrooms.
Student Support Team
(SST)
The purpose of the student support
team is to assist classroom teachers in
developing and implementing a variety of
teaching strategies that encourage and help
identified students perform successfully in the
classroom. Classroom teachers, administrators,
or parents identify students with academic or
behavior concerns. Parents are invited to all
SST meetings.
Student Support Team (SST) can be comprised of any three or more of the following: a teacher, school counselor, administrator, school psychologist, and the parent. Others who are able to bring pertinent information, may also be present at these meetings.
If needed, further evaluation and possible testing can result. For more information about SST, please contact your child's teacher or grade level administrator.
Norcross Cluster Schools:Norcross Elementary is a member of the Norcross community of schools, referred to as the Norcross Cluster. The cluster concept is intended to strengthen the sense of community from elementary to high school and to involve all members of the community in a joint partnership.
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School
Board 3rd District
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Beaver
Ridge Elementary
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NORCROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RULES
1. Be RESPECTFUL
2.
Be RELIABLE
3. BE
RESPONSIBLE
Norcross Elementary
Schoolwide Expectations and
Consequences
Norcross Elementary
provides a safe, orderly environment that allows
students to learn. Dedicated administrators,
teachers, staff, eager students, and involved
parents work together to create classrooms with
few disruptions where learning can thrive.
In order to pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student, the following expectations are in effect every day of the school year:
· BE RESPECTFUL
· BE RELIABLE
· BE
RESPONSIBLE
If a student does not
abide by these expectations, the following
schoolwide discipline plan
is in place:
1st – Verbal
Warning
2nd – Note to
Parent in the Assignment Planner
3rd – Time Out in the
Classroom
4th – Time Out in
Another Classroom
5th –
Telephone Conference with Parent
6th – Parent Teacher
Conference
7th –
Administrative Referral
Note: For extreme behavior, a referral will be written and an administrator will be called immediately.
The classroom teacher is the best person to establish and maintain the discipline expectations. Therefore, teachers discuss the expectations with their classes and review the expectations throughout the school year.
Gwinnett
The following does not
represent the complete policies and procedures
of the
Elementary Student
Conduct Behavior Code (Modified
Version)
The following rules
apply when a student is:
on school grounds;
at a school activity, function or event that is held off school grounds, or any place where the student is under the jurisdiction of school authorities; or
on the way to or from school.
We want
Interrupt learning and teaching.
Damage or attempt to damage or take, or attempt to take the property of the school.
Damage or attempt to damage or take, or attempt to take the personal property of others.
Hit, kick, bite, threaten, or use disrespectful language with staff (teachers, bus drivers, etc.).
Hit, kick, bite, threaten, or use disrespectful language with other students. Bullying will not be tolerated.
Possess or use weapons at school. This rule applies to real weapons (guns, knives, firecrackers, etc.) as well as toy weapons; and weapons that are workable or not workable; and to any object that could be used as a weapon or destructive device.
Have, use, or give others alcohol or drugs, at school. This rule also covers any substances students pretend to be alcohol or drugs.
Disobey directions or commands of teachers, administrators, bus drivers, or any other school personnel in charge.
Touch himself, herself, or others inappropriately. Make inappropriate gestures or comments.
Miss school or class without an excused absence.
Act dangerously or inappropriately at any time.
Zero Tolerance
Students have the right to be
safe in school. Parents and other citizens
expect our schools to be safe, too. GPCS has a
"zero tolerance" policy which states that any
student involved with gangs, drugs, or weapons
in our schools or on
Discipline Panels
Some
misbehavior may call for long-term discipline
action, in accordance with state law. A "local
discipline committee" reviews incidents for
students in grades K-3. A system wide "student
disciplinary panel" hears evidence concerning
charges of misconduct that have been brought
against students in grades 4-12. Panels review
cases which, if proven, may require students to
be suspended for 10 or more school days. The
panel determines whether a student violated the
Student Conduct Behavior Code and determines an
appropriate punishment. Parents may appeal a
panel's decision to the
Interviews and Searches
The principal of each school, or his or her designee, has the authority to interview students in order to investigate and punish student misconduct. School authorities also may search a student and his or her personal belongings (purse, book bag, etc.) if they have reason to believe the student is in possession of something illegal or dangerous at school, or possess an item belonging to another student or the school.
Drug-Free Schools
The
School Bus Discipline
Expectations for good behavior also extend beyond the classroom to the school bus. Proper bus behavior is a safety issue. Students receive instruction every year in how to safely ride the bus. In addition, bus riding procedures are reviewed once a month to remind students of the safety rules. Bus safety rules teach students to do these things:
Follow the directions of the driver at all times.
Safely wait for, board, and exit the bus only at the assigned stops.
Stay properly seated at all times.
Keep hands, arms, and legs away from windows.
Talk quietly. Loud voices and profanity are not allowed.
Help keep the bus clean and in good, safe condition.
Students riding school buses may not:
Eat, drink, chew gum, or bring
tobacco products on the bus.
Riding the school bus is a privilege. Students who do not follow the rules may lose that privilege.
School Safety Hotline (770) 822-6513
Students and parents play a critical role in keeping their schools safe. To aid in that effort, the school system operates a confidential hotline. If a parent or child thinks that someone is carrying a weapon, drugs, or alcohol on school property, they can call (770) 822-6513. You do not have to give your name.
Homeless Children and Youth
The Stewart B. McKinney/Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Act ensures the educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. It provides legal protections for children and youth in homeless situations to enroll in, attend, and succeed in school and preschool programs. In accordance with this law, Gwinnett County Public Schools affords homeless children and youth equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education such as Head Start, Even Start, State Pre-K, and Title I Preschool Programs as provided to other students. Homeless children and youth will have access to education and other services that he/she needs to have an opportunity to meet the same challenging state student academic achievement standards to which all students are held. Please contact individual schools for further information.
Student Complaints and Grievances
The Gwinnett County Board of Education is committed to providing an environment free of sexual harassment and all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, or handicap. If a student believes he/she is being mistreated on account of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or handicap, the student may utilize the three step procedure outlined in Procedure P.JCE which is summarized as follows:
Step I
If a student has a complaint of discrimination or unfair treatment he/she should report concerns to the principal, the local school's Title IX coordinator, teachers, counselors, or other school administrators. If a student is not satisfied that a complaint presented to a member of the school staff has been resolved satisfactorily, the student or his/her parent may request a meeting with the principal following which the principal will inform the parent in writing of his/her decision on the complaint.
Step II
If after meeting with the school principal, the student is not satisfied with the principal's decision, a written appeal may be submitted to the School Improvement Team member for that school within ten working days of the receipt of the principal's decision. The appeal must give specific reasons for reconsideration, state precisely the reasons for dissatisfaction with the principal's decision, and be limited to the matter under review.
Step III
A complaint may be reviewed by the district Title IX coordinator. To file a complaint with the district Title IX coordinator, send a letter detailing the complaint to Ms. Joyce Spraggs, Office of Title IX Coordinator, Gwinnett County Public Schools, 52 Gwinnett Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045; telephone number 770-682-8507.
Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 is an
Act which prohibits discrimination against
persons with handicaps in any program receiving
federal financial assistance. The Act defines a
person with a handicap as anyone who: (1) has a
mental or physical impairment which
substantially limits one or more major life
activities (major life activities include
activities such as caring for one's self,
performing manual tasks, walking, seeing,
hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and
working); (2) has a record of such an
impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such an
impairment.
In order to fulfill its obligation under Section 504, the school district recognizes a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and students. No discrimination of any person with a handicap will knowingly be permitted in any of the programs and practices of the school system.
School districts have specific responsibilities under the Act, which include the responsibility to identify, evaluate, and if a student is determined to be eligible under Section 504, to afford accommodations providing access to appropriate educational services.
If a student, parent or guardian on behalf of a student desires to file a complaint under Section 504, contact Ms. Crissie Bowen at 770-277-4489.
Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA")
Parents
have certain rights with respect to student
educational records pursuant to the Federal
Education Rights and Privacy Act. These rights
transfer to the student when the student reaches
the age of eighteen (18) or attends a school
beyond the high school level. These rights are
summarized as follows:
The right to inspect and review student educational records maintained by the school;
An opportunity to challenge the content of the student educational records;
The right to notice of what information the school has designated as directory information and a reasonable time after such notice to inform the school that the designated information should not be released without prior consent;
The right for student educational records (other than directory information) to only be released upon written consent to any individual, agency, or organization other than (A) other school officials within the local educational agency with legitimate educational interests; (B) following notification, other school systems in which the student seeks to enroll; (C) specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes; (D) in connection with the student's application for financial aid; (E) state and local officials pursuant to State law; (F) organizations conducting studies on behalf of the school; (G) accrediting organizations; (H) parents of a dependent student as defined in section 152 or Title 26; (I) in connection with an emergency if necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons; and (J) in compliance with judicial order or pursuant to any lawfully issued subpoena when the educational agency provides proper notification in advance of the compliance.
Privacy
Parents and
students are notified that they have a right to
expect privacy in educational records.
Accordingly, only school system staff, their
agents, representatives, and/or consultants have
access to student records on a discernible need
to know basis. If educational records are
requested or subpoenaed by others, parents or
adult students will be
notified
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