Welcome BELLFORT EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Parent Orientation 2019

Welcome BELLFORT EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Parent Orientation, 2019 The Global Graduate!

The Global Graduate… 2

Vision: In an environment where love and learning co-exist, we will ensure students are mastering the social-emotional and academic skills that will prepare them to be successful in elementary school and beyond. Mission Statement: Our mission at Bellfort ECC is to build a loving and safe environment for all students, so that the foundation for learning will be developed and established beyond our school walls.

Bellfort ECC Is Not A Daycare ■ Bellfort ECC functions under the policies of HISD and the Texas Education Agency. ■ Once students receive a state ID number, they must attend school –daily. ■ Students and parents must follow the student code of conduct and work with the school to ensure a safe environment for all students and staff. ■ Students must be potty-trained.

Attendance • Our attendance goal is 98 every day%. • Attendance is recorded at 9: 30 am. • 5 or more absences will result in a parent conference. • Students must have a written note upon returning to school after an absence. • Chancery Districtwide Telephone System

Safety First

Student Dress Code Girls: Tops: White, yellow, navy blue or light blue top; size appropriate and tucked in at all times. Bottoms: Navy blue or khaki pants (long); jumpers, shorts, skirts, or skorts and should be at knee length; size appropriate. Belts should be used when appropriate. It is highly recommended that girls wear biker-style shorts when wearing skirts or jumpers. Socks can be white, navy blue or black. For safety purposes, shoes must be closed-toed. Expensive jewelry should not be worn. All coats, jackets, hats and any other non-uniform color sweaters or sweatshirts will be removed when in the school building. Please write your child’s name on the inside of their coat/jacket, this will make it easier for students to claim misplaced outerwear. *Parents/Guardians are responsible for dressing his/her child in the mandatory school-wide uniform.

Student Dress Code Boys: Tops: White, yellow, navy blue or light blue top (short or long sleeve); size appropriate and tucked in at all times. Bottoms: navy blue or khaki pants, shorts, size appropriate. Belts should be used when appropriate. Socks can be white, navy blue or black. For safety purposes, shoes must be closed-toed. Expensive jewelry should not be worn. All coats, jackets, hats and any other non-uniform color sweaters or sweatshirts will be removed when in the school building.

Arrival and Dismissal Arrival: Breakfast: Instruction: Tardy 7: 00 – 7: 30 – 2: 50 7: 45 (Parent must escort student to the front office and sign in at the front desk. ) Teachers are unable to conference with parents during arrival and dismissal.

STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL ■ Remain in the car. ■ Carpool lane – Driveway on Bellfort Street, make a right turn onto first driveway. Parents will be issued car tags. ■ Car tags must be visible on the rear view mirror for student pick-up. ■ Parents/cars without car tags will have to park and go to the office with their driver’s license for pick-up verification. ■ Children are not placed in cars unless the car has a car tag issued by the teacher. There absolutely no exceptions. ■ Private Buses ONLY – Front Driveway in front of the building on the Bellfort Street side. ■ Rainy Day – Same procedures. ■ The Carpool lane is a No Cell Phone Zone.

First Days Students must have a badge everyday. ■ Students may be escorted to the classroom door for the first three days of school by parents or guardians. ■ You must arrive prior to 7: 30 am to escort your child to class. ■ Students are dropped off at the cafeteria door on day 4/August 29 th They will be escorted to their morning designated arrival locations by Bellfort ECC staff. ■ Anxious students will wait in the literacy lab with their parents until staff is available to assist. ■ Students arriving after 7: 30 a. m. will be escorted to class by Bellfort ECC staff or parent volunteers. ■ When the 7: 30 bell rings, it is time to begin the day, parents will be asked to exit the building. ■ By week 2, all students should be dropped off in the car pool lane. ■ Students will wait in designated areas until 7: 30 a. m. ■ Students are dismissed by Bellfort ECC staff and volunteers daily.

Early Pick-Up ■ Send a written note to your child’s teacher. ■ Pick-up your child before 2: 30 for all appointments or emergencies. ■ Bellfort ECC Staff is unable to accommodate early pick-up after 2: 30 p. m. ■ The names of all adults eligible to pick-up your child must be on the enrollment card.

Social Development

Project Class Social Skills Schoolwide Discipline Management Program District Student Code of Conduct ■ ■ ■ Follow Instructions Pay Attention Ask Permission Get The Teacher’s Attention Accept No Accept Feedback

Conscious Discipline ■ Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive emotional intelligence and classroom management system that integrates all domains of learning (social, emotional, physical, cultural and cognitive) into one seamless curriculum. For the 2019 -2020 we will integrate the conscious discipline system with Project Class’ discipline management system. ■ Components of Conscious Discipline that will be integrated with Project Class: ■ Morning Greetings ■ Student commitments (Student commitments will align with Project Class Social Skills) ■ Unity Songs ■ Daily Routines ■ Morning Message ■ Breathing Exercises ■ Safe Place ■ Friend and Family Board

Consequences ■ Stop and Think Time ■ Conduct Notice or Anecdotal Notes ■ Phone Call by teacher ■ Parent Conference with teacher ■ Administrative Conference ■ Project CLASS Sessions –Group/Individual ■ Student may be placed in another classroom ■ Severe Behaviors = hitting, biting, temper tantrums, screaming, inappropriate language, running around the classroom and the building ■ Parents must arrive within a 45 minute time block to assist with the inappropriate behavior. ■ Behavior Contract generated with progress deadlines ■ Student may be removed from participating in special events (field trips, Splash Day, etc. ) ■ Parent in-class assistance ■ Behavior Referral to Support Services

Cafeteria Etiquette ■ Federally Funded-Strict Guidelines ■ The first 12 weeks focus on manners, using an inside voice, using a napkin, using utensils, opening milk, carrying a tray, keeping food on the tray/plate, and not eating off of another student’s tray. ■ Menus are provided by Food Services and will be sent home monthly. ■ Soda, candy, and other non-nutritious snacks are not permitted. ■ Sharing of food is not permitted. Parents and siblings cannot eat off a student’s plate.

Academics

Curriculum ■ ■ ■ ■ HISD Curriculum Frog Street Press, State Adoption Everyday Counts Calendar Math Growing With Math Multisensory lessons and activities Literacy focused instruction Science, Physical Education, Literacy Lab ■ Guided Math ■ Guided Reading

Assessment Literacy/Math Assessments (3 times a year) ■ Used to plan instruction and determine growth ■ Grade Speed- District grading system ■ Report Cards – 12 week periods ■ Portfolios – student work

Communication/Home Connections ■ Contact your child’s teacher before or after school, or during planning time. ■ Monthly Calendar ■ Homework Binder ■ Flyers and Letters ■ School Website ■ School Call-outs ■ School Marquee

Parent Conferences ■ It takes collaboration and teamwork between the parents, teachers, and administration to help our students reach their end of the year goals. Bellfort ECC staff want your students to succeed. Therefore, Bellfort ECC parents: ■ Will attend at least 2 conferences a year (noted on school calendar). ■ Conferences will focus on student progress in academic and social development. ■ May also be included in IAT conferences. ■ Will participate in two-way conversations. ■ The length of a conference is 15 -20 min. ■ Some conferences may be required administrators.

Grade Speed ■ http: //www. houstonisd. org/ ■ Click on Parents and Students Section and follow instructions ■ You will need: HISD ID (fill out form from registrar, address, and social security number.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES • • • Cafeteria Volunteer Classroom Volunteer Special Events PTO Dismissal Volunteer * Must be VIPS approved.

Title I Schoolwide • Federal Funding • Parent Meetings will be announced. • Parent Questionnaire • Parent/School Notifications • Parent Quality Assurance Standards

Shared Decision-Making Committee ■ Governing Board of Bellfort ECC ■ Consists of teachers, administration, parents, community members, and non-instructional personnel ■ 1 Business Partner ■ 1 Community Member ■ Meetings are held quarterly on the 3 rd Thursday @ 9: 00 am.

School Sponsored Events ■ Fieldtrips – Only Bellfort ECC Students ■ Parents must have a VIPS form on file before the event in order to volunteer ■ Siblings are not allowed in classrooms due to space limitations and safety ■ School-age students are not allowed on campus during the regular school day ■ FAMILY NIGHT EVENTS are for the entire family!

Medical Policy ■ Health Inventories must be accurate and complete. ■ Immunizations – Must be up to date to be and remain enrolled. ■ Medication will not be administered without a doctor’s authorization form. ■ First Dose - If a student requires medication in the morning, the first dose should be administered by the parent at home. ■ Food allergies- Notify the office, additional information is needed. ■ Accidents –Bellfort ECC staff will notify parents. ■ Potty Policy- Student should be potty trained. Every child needs to have a change of clothing in their backpacks.

MONEY • Breakfast and Lunch are free for all students at Bellfort ECC. • If your child has severe allergies, it is recommended that you send a lunch from home. The process for providing a lunch variation takes time. • Parents /guardians will complete a form that will be sent home within the next few weeks. The form must be returned to the teacher the next school day. • Money collected from students for special events, fieldtrips, parties, etc. must be sent to the teacher in a sealed envelope with the amount, the student’s name, and the teacher’s name on the front.

Miscellaneous, But Important… ■ Label all student materials, jackets, clothing, back packs (no rolling), etc. ■ Regular size towels or baby blankets may be used during rest time. They will be sent home each week to be washed (Pre-K) only. ■ Practice good hygiene care with your child such as washing hands, toileting needs, and blowing your nose. ■ Open House Dates: ■ October 29 th (PK) 3: 30 – 5: 00 ■ October 30 th (K) 3: 30 – 5: 00 ■ (Bring student supplies with you). ■ Appropriate dress is required of all adults entering the school grounds. ( Short -shorts, halter tops, pajamas, see-through clothing, and sagging pants, are not appropriate campus attire. )

Parents can pay $10. 00 for your child's name and birthday on the marquis. ■ T-shirts can be pre-ordered for 12. 00 per shirt.

T-Shirts

Bellfort Early Childhood Center “Where Little People Do Big Things” $ 15. 00

EARLY LEARNING IN PREKINDERGARTEN/KINDER PROVIDES THE FOUNDATION FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS IN GRADES 1 -12.