Hillside Elementary School
Established 1998
ONLINE Student Handbook
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance is critical to your child's success in school. All students have the responsibility to be in school ON TIME and on a REGULAR BASIS. When child is absent from school, a written explanation is required upon the child's return to school
If your child will be absent or tardy from school, please leave a message on the ABSENTEE Phone-In Line (571) 252-2171. This line is open 24 hours a day. State Law requires that schools contact parents when a child is absent from school. The purpose of this legislation is to ensure the safety of your child. The parent/guardian of any student whose absence has not been accounted for will be telephoned for verication.
The school day officially begins at 7:50 AM and ends at 2:35 PM.
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Should a student need to stay after school for make-up work or for an activity, parents are informed and permission is sought beforehand!
BICYCLES/SCOOTERS/ROLLER BLADES
Students are premitted to use this equipment on their way to and from school with permission of a parent or guardian. Students MUST WEAR HELMETS and follow all safety rules. Once on school grounds, students are to walk their bike to the bike rack. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that students use a bike lock. Scooters must be collapsed and carried on school property. We cannot be responsible for lost or stolen equipment. Heelies or roller blades are not permitted at school. Parents will be called to bring other footwear if a student is found wearing these at school.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast is now available for students from 7:30 AM to 7:50 AM EACH MORNING. A monthly breakfast menu is available at the county web site or by CLICKING HERE. Payment for breakfast will follow the same procedure as for lunch. (See LUNCH listed further down on this page)
BUS INFORMATION
It is EXTREMELY important that we take the necessary precautions in transporting students safely to and from school. We ask your cooperation in the following:
1. Please REVIEW bus safety with your child including APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR at the bus stop.
2. If your child is to take a different bus home, a WRITTEN NOTE must be presented to the child's teacher upon arrival to school. The child will then be sent to the office to get a bus pass. Students who DO NOT HAVE WRITTEN permission will not be allowed to ride any other bus and will be SENT HOME THEIR USUAL WAY!
No animals, pets or other living creatures are permitted to be carried on the school bus. Additionally, NO GLASS containers may be carried on the bus.
CAR TRANSPORTATION
If you are transporting your child to school by car, we ask that you FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS given by the uniformed crossing guard and OBEY ALL TRAFFIC SIGNS around the school. Please drop off and pick up your child at designated drop off and pick up points (Kiss and Go). It is critical that everyone respect the safety laws the forbid the passing of school buses when students are loading/unloading and the FLASHING lights are on.
CELEBRATIONS
During the school year, parent volunteers may find a need to collect money for group gifts or class projects. It is the policy of our school that participation in contributions of tis kind is completely optional and no parent should feel obligated to contribute.
CHILD ABUSE and NEGLECT
CLINIC and MEDICATIONS
The school clinic is located in the main office area and is attended by a clinic aide who can administer first aid if necessary. Beds are available for students who become ill and are awaiting to be picked up by thier parent/guardian. When a child becomes ill at school, the parent/guardian or other designated person will be notified ant requested to make arrangements for the child to be picked up. THEREFORE, it is very IMPORTANT that EMERGENCY information be CURRENT. Please NOTIFY the OFFICE of any change in emergency information immediately!
DELAYED OPENINGS and EARLY CLOSINGS
IF SCHOOL is DELAYED ONE HOUR: All programs will operate as usual except that they will start ONE HOUR LATE (8:50 instead of 7:50). EXCEPTION: Afternoon kindergarten will begin on time!
DRESS CODE for STUDENTS
While we recognize that the responsibility for proper attire and grooming of students rests with parents, we request that you send your child to school dressed in an appropriate manner. ALL SHIRTS and BLOUSES should cover the SHOULDERS, MIDRIFF and CHEST areas. Spaghetti style straps are unacceptable. SHORTS and SKIRT lengths should touch at least to the fingertips.
Clothing with OFFENSIVE wording or images will NOT BE PERMITTED.
EMERGENCY INFO FORM
FIELD TRIPS
HOMEWORK
The scope and style of homework is defined by each teacher or grade level. ALL HOMEWORK that is assigned will be based on one or more of the following purposes:
to practice skills that have introduced and developed in the class
to complete unfinished work or projects
to relate understandings and skills developed at school to everyday life
to enrich the school program by pursuing activities that can be shared with classmates the following day
When a child is ill, requests for homework may be made to the classroom teacher to catch up on days missed. Homework will NOT BE GIVEN in advance of instruction because of family vacations. In keeping with the above stated purposes, it is our policy to distribute homework after classroom instruction. If students miss instructional days for vacation or family business, class work may be obtained upon returning to class.
KINDERGARTEN SNACK
The kindergarten will have a daily snack break. There is yearly charge to cover the cost of this service. Please check with your child's teacher for further information.
Remember that Hillside is a TREAT FREE school for BIRTHDAYS! Please see our policy in the SCHOOL PARTIES section further down this page.
LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER
The library is open during the school day. Each class has a weekly scheduled library period. During this period, the librarian instructs the students on library procedure and media center materials.
The Librarian allows students who are researching a subject to use the resources of the library INDIVIDUALLY or in SMALL GROUPS during the school day.
LUNCH
Hot lunches are prepared by the school cafeteria staff. A monthly lunch menu and costs for various options is available at the county web site or by CLICKING HERE. Students may purchase milk to go with a lunch brought from home. STUDENTS are NOT PERMITTED to CHARGE LUNCH. Those students who do not bring lunch from home or money to purchase lunch will be provided with a bologna or cheese sandwich.
Lunch may be purchased DAILY or PAID for IN ADVANCE. If you wish to purchase lunch in advance, you may either send a check payable to THE COUNTY of LOUDOUN or pay through CAFE PREPAY at http://www.pay4lunch.com/. A handling fee will be charged to your credit card for the use of this service. A check may be written for any amount and your child's account will be credited. Additional information is available at www.lcps.org/meals.
MOVING/RELOCATION
Please NOTIFY the Hillside office if you are MOVING! If your relocation is in Loudoun County but out of the Hillside attendance area, a form is available to request special permission to remain at Hillside for the duration of the school year. Transportation will need to be provided by the PARENTS in such a case. If you are moving out of Loudoun County, even if temporarily, contact the Hillside office for instructions and the REQUIRED attendance forms.
NEWSLETTER
A school newsletter will be available ON-LINE or as a hard copy ONCE PER MONTH. Parents are asked to read tis publication carefully as it is our primary means of keeping YOU INFORMED about school news and activities.
PARENT CONFERENCES
PTO (HOPE)
A strong parent organization is vital to the success of Hillside Elementary. Hillside's Organization of Parents and Educators (HOPE) works to inform and communicate with parents, sponsor social events for the school community, raise funds to enhance the school's instructional program, and coordinate the volunteer program. All parents are encouraged to join and be active members of HOPE. Meeting dates for HOPE will be announced in the HOPE and school newsletters.
PICTURES
Individual school pictures will be taken in the fall by a professional photographer. These pictures will appear in the school yearbook which will be offered for sale at the end of the school year. We will also take class pictures in the spring and individual pictures with a choice of backgrounds at that time. Purchasing any of the picture packages offered is OPTIONAL.
REGISTRATION
REPORT CARDS
SAFETY DRILLS
SCHOOL PARTIES/BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Each classroom will be permitted to have three parties during the school year. DUE TO the number of students with SEVERE allergies, it is IMPERATIVE that you work with the CLASSROOM TEACHER in ADVANCE, to discuss FOODS and/or SNACKS that are to be shared by the class.
Also, Hillside has become a TREAT FREE SCHOOL as part of our program to promote a healthy lifestyle for all children. Instead of sending food items for BIRTHDAYS, please send in a piece of sports equipment, a class book, art supplies, stickers, erasers, pencils or other nonfood itemS in your child’s honor. Feel free to check with your child’s teacher for needed supplies or suggestions.
SPIRIT DAY
TARDINESS
TECHNOLOGY
TESTING
TEXTBOOKS
All textbooks are LOANED to students free of charge. The PARENT, however, assumes responsibility of compensating the school for book loss and/or unreasonable damage. A book contract is brought home early in the school year for both parent and student signatures.
VISITORS
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers play an extremely important role in the entire educational process. They improve instruction by permitting more individual help to students under the direction of the classroom teacher. They enrich the curriculum by adding the experience of the volunteers' special interests and hobbies to the knowledge of the classroom teachers.
***If you have any comments, concerns or corrections with regard to this ONLINE Student Handbook, PLEASE CONTACT the Hillside office @ 571-252-2170
