After School Arrangements
Attendance/Tardy/Leaving School
Bus Routes
Car Pool
Communicable Diseases
Early Arrivals and After School Care
Emergency Information
Field Trips
Food Services
Homework
Inclement Weather
Lost & Found
Prescription Medicine
School Schedule
Student Illness
Student Records
Volunteers
Request for Educational Leave
Wake County Student/Parent Handbook (WCPSS.net)

After School Arrangements
1. Any changes in bus transportation (such as riding a bus other than the regularly assigned bus) will require a note signed by the parent and presented to the teacher on the day the change is needed.

2. Parents who pick up children from school should send a written statement to the teacher at the beginning of the school year. All children should be picked up by 4:00 P.M. Please phone the school office only in case of an emergency.

3. If a child needs to go to a regularly scheduled daycare facility, scouting program, etc., after school hours, the parent is required to send a written notification to the teacher. The teacher needs to know by what means each student is to go home, and if this is to change, a written note should be sent to the teacher. If your child will not be riding his/her daycare van, please notify the daycare center.

4. If your child is to go home with a classmate after school, both the hosting and visiting students must bring notes from their parents indicating the planned visit and transportation plans. Both students are to report to the school office on the morning of the planned visit with their notes.

5. No student will be permitted to ride home after school hours with anyone other than his/her parent, unless the child brings a note from his/her parent requesting such.

6. Students are not allowed to leave the school campus during the day without an appropriate adult.

Attendance/Tardy/Leaving School
1. A student who leaves school for any reason during the day is counted absent for the day unless he/she returns and the combined time in school is equal to half the regular school day or three hours.

2. Students may leave with a parent for dental or doctor's appointments with prior notice to the child's teacher. Whenever possible, make appointments before school hours, after school hours or during track out time.

3. If it is necessary for a parent to take his/her child from school during school hours, come to the office. A sign-out sheet is on the desk in the front office. Office personnel will call the classroom and have your child come to the office. If the student returns to school, he/she should report to the office for readmission.

4. When your child is absent, you should call the office on the day of the absence. On the day they return, you must send a written excuse to the school (email is acceptable) which includes the following information:

• Your child's name
• Dates of absence or tardiness
• Specific cause of absence or tardiness
• Your signature and daytime phone number

5. If a student is tardy, he/she must check in at the office for an admission slip to the classroom. When a child is tardy, it interrupts the child's routine and the routine of the class.

6. Any student who has been absent from school for a total of 6 unexcused days will be notified in writing. At 10 unexcused days, parent(s)/guardian(s) may be held liable in court for student absences per NC State Law (115C-378). The law requires compulsory school attendance up to age 16. Failure of a parent/guardian to affect a child's attendance is a violation of this statute. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) may be prosecuted if these absences cannot be justified under the established attendance policy (Board Policy 6000). If found guilty, parent(s)/guardian(s) may be subject to a fine, imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court.

At 10 total absences (excused and/or unexcused), parent(s)/guardian(s) must send a doctor's note for any future absence to be excused. At 30 total absences, a student can be retained per Board Policy 6000.7. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child's attendance, please contact the School Social Worker at 363-2865.

An absence is excused if the following conditions exist:

A. Illness or injury which makes the student physically unable to attend school.
B. Isolation ordered by the State Board of Health or the Wake County Health Department.
C. Death in family.
D. Medical, dental, or other appointment with a health care provider for the student or for a child for whom the student is a custodial parent.
E. Court when a student is under subpoena.
F. Religious observance, as suggested by the religion of the student or the student's parents.
G. Participation in a valid educational opportunity, such as travel with prior approval, as documented on the "Request for Excused Absence for Educational Reasons."
H. A catastrophic event or natural disaster.

7. If you would like to take your child out of school for religious or educational reasons, you must fill out a "Request for Excused Absence" form. This request will require the approval of the principal. These forms may be obtained from the school office and must be filled out at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled absence. Family trips and reunions will not be considered excused absences. You may choose to take your child(ren) out of school for these events and they will be allowed to make up their work.

Bus Routes
Riding the bus is a privilege and students must follow the rules discussed at the beginning of the school year or risk losing the service. For information or questions about routes or bus service you may contact the transportation office at 380-3690. Problems with student behavior on a bus assigned to Salem Elementary should be referred to an administrator at 363-2865.

Carpool
Carpool students arriving for the regular school day will enter on the right side of the school and proceed to the designated drop off area. Please stay in a single line and follow the directions of the adults on duty. All drivers should drive slowly and allow ample time for picking up children. We all must focus on student safety. Please do not double park in the carpool line or pass the line. Students may only be picked up in the carpool area. You may not enter the building to pick up students. Students must be picked up by 4:00 P.M. If you arrive after 4:00 P.M., your child will be taken to the office and you must come in and sign them out. Please do not park in the carpool line before 3:30 P.M.

Morning Drop-Off:

• You may drop your child off in the "Carpool Drop-Off" zone between 8:45 and 9:10. We will have staff on duty to help students as necessary.
• Please stay in your lane until you reach the area past the handicapped-parking zone at the end of the sidewalk overhang. You may then carefully merge with other traffic.
• Do not start the drop-off until the staff is in place on duty and signal students to exit cars.
• Students are not allowed to cross the carpool line from the parking lot without being under the direct supervision of their parent or guardian. This area is designated as a "Hand Hold Zone."
• When walking across the carpool line, please wait for the cars in line to key up to the first drop-off spot and stop before you proceed.

Afternoon Pick-Up:

• Cabs park in the designated area by the mailboxes. Do not park in this area. This will help speed up dismissal in the afternoon.
• Daycare vans will continue to park in the handicapped area, as will parents of students that require special consideration.
• Do not park your car and walk up to the dismissal area to pick up students. Please stay in the carpool line as we are all in a rush in the afternoon.
• Students may not cross the carpool line to the parking lot without being under the direct supervision of their parent or guardian. This area is designated as a "Hand Holding Zone."
• When walking across the carpool line, please wait for the cars in line to key up to the first pick-up space and stop before you proceed.
• Do not change lanes until you have moved through the carpool area past the handicapped-parking zone at the end of the sidewalk overhang.
• If you are entering the parking lot in the afternoon for any reason, use the left lane.
• Do not block the entrance to the Middle School parking lot as they have students arriving for and leaving athletic events in the afternoon during our dismissal time.
• Do not cut in line at the turn if cars are keyed-up along the road to enter the carpool area.
• Place an 8” X 10” paper with your child's name in large, bold, dark letters in the front window of the car. Some parents use a child clothes hanger with the sign on it and place the hanger on the rear view mirror when approaching the caller.

Communicable Diseases
The Board of Education has developed a policy concerning students and staff members with life-threatening communicable diseases that may pose a threat to the health and safety of students and staff. Such situations are to be reported to the principal and/or to the employee's immediate supervisor. The Superintendent will select an interdisciplinary committee to study the situation and make specific recommendations. Each case is considered on a case-by-case basis. All deliberations shall be kept strictly confidential.

Early Arrivals and After School Care
Early arrival care is provided for students at Salem Elementary by the Salem Elementary staff. After school care is provided by the Cary YMCA at Turner Creek Elementary. After School information and applications are available by contacting the Cary YMCA at 469-9622. Before School information and applications are available by contacting Salem Elementary at 363-2865. These programs provide a safe and stimulating environment for students whose family situation requires childcare before and after school hours.

Emergency Information
Please give your child's teacher and the office the name and phone number of a relative, neighbor or friend who can be contacted in case of an emergency when you cannot be reached. If this situation changes during the year, please notify the office and the teacher. See the Emergency Information section of the Wake County Student/Parent Handbook for more information.

Field Trips
Field trips are designed as an educational experience for students at Salem Elementary. They meet curriculum needs at each grade level. Field trips are an extension of the classroom into the community. They are an excellent opportunity for all students to experience the rich community in which they live. If you plan to volunteer for a field trip, you will need to make other arrangements for younger siblings.

Food Services
Students planning to eat school-prepared food may purchase a meal ticket to cover the cost for up to twenty days. In the memo section of your check please indicate the lunch account number and whether the money is for lunch or snacks or both.

Lunch Costs:
Student: $ 1.75 $ .40 (reduced rate)
Adult: a la carte Milk: $.50
Breakfast Costs:
Student: $ .80: $ .30 (reduced rate)
Adults: a la carte

If you pack a bag lunch, please include fruit juice instead of sodas. Also, do not send in any glass containers or bottles, as they are safety hazards. We ask that you not bring in food from an outside source (e.g., Wendy's, McDonald's, etc.) for you or your child to eat during the lunch period.

Parents are welcome to join their child(ren) for lunch on any school day. There is no need for advance reservations. We will sponsor "Family Breakfasts" and special lunches advertised through newsletters or student folders. Questions about lunch accounts or general food service may be directed to the cafeteria manager at 363-2970.

Homework
Homework should be a part of the instructional experiences of each student. We feel that it is a purposeful continuation or extension of the instructional program to be accomplished by the student outside the regular classroom setting.

Each student spends a major part of the weekday in class. Since there are other valuable experiences to be gained outside of school, homework shall be carefully planned regarding its purpose and appropriateness.

Inclement Weather
Now is the time to plan for early dismissal. Some children become very concerned if their usual patterns are disrupted. We prefer these arrangements be made in advance. We do not have adequate phones to deal with a large number of students that need immediate directions for home.

The radio and television stations will announce all WCPSS school closings, late openings, or early closings. If it begins to snow or sleet or if there appears the possibility of strong wind, please listen to the radio or TV for early school closings. If the opening of school is to be delayed, announcements will be made by 6:00 A.M. on local radio and TV.

Lost and Found
Please put name labels on students' personal belongings. These markings will help school personnel locate lost items. Do not allow your child(ren) to bring extra money, valuable items, toys, trading cards, radios or sports equipment unless prior written approval has been given by the child's teacher. We will not assume responsibility for the security of such items.

A lost and found box will be placed in the school for clothing found on campus. If your child has lost an item, please encourage them to check this box. Clothing and other items not claimed by the end of each semester will be donated to charity.

Prescription Medicine
Medication can be distributed in the Health Room only after receiving the proper form (# 1702) from the doctor, signed by the parents. The form may be obtained from our office prior to school opening. Please make sure we have this information prior to the beginning of school if medication is to be administered to your child by staff. All medications must be checked into the school by the parent.

All medication must be secured daily. Antibiotic medication may be administered if it remains in the prescription bottle until the contents are used. Questions may be forwarded to Mary Morris at 557-1042.

School Schedule
Our school day is 9:15 A.M. until 3:45 P.M. Early arrivals will operate from 7:00 A.M. to 8:45 A.M. Children should not arrive on campus before 8:45 A.M. unless they are in the early arrivals program. Students who arrive after 9:15 A.M. are considered tardy and must report to the office.

Student Illness
Sick children do not belong at school. The Wake County Public School system and the Wake County Health Department have developed a handbook regarding illnesses and diseases. Children exhibiting the following symptoms will be sent home (or should remain at home): fever, nausea, vomiting, headaches, diarrhea, red or watery eyes with yellow discharge, or an undiagnosed rash. Children should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

Student Records
Student records may be review by parents in the presence of an administrator. If you wish to review your child's school record you may notify the school and set up an appointment to review the record with the appropriate personnel.

Volunteers
All families attending Salem Elementary are asked to volunteer on a monthly basis. It is our expectation that when you cannot fulfill your commitment to an activity you make every effort to get another parent to cover your absence. Volunteering at Salem Elementary is a critical part of our school community and the day-to-day operations of the school. It is essential that all parents volunteer in the school. If you need ideas about volunteering you may contact a classroom teacher.

All parents MUST come through the front lobby for sign-in and a badge prior to volunteering. Please do not open side doors for people to enter the building. Instead, direct them to the office for check-in.

The Wake County Public School System has a process that started in 2004 for parent volunteers. ALL volunteers must register at any Wake County Public School prior to volunteering. This applies to all individuals who volunteer in any capacity whether it is for the classroom, field trips, clubs or PTA.

Please make sure you come by Salem Elementary to register as soon as possible. You will be registered on the school's intranet system; therefore, your information will not be accessible through the internet. It is important that you come into the front office to register, especially if you intend on going on a field trip. This level requires a background check, and it takes at least two weeks for the clearances to go through.

If you have any questions concerning volunteer clearances, please contact Sue Caronna at 363-2865. As always, thank you for all you do for our school to make it a safe learning place for our students.

Request for Educational Leave
An absence may be excused in advance for educational reasons. The parent must complete the form #1710 "Request for Excused Absence for Educational Reasons." By signing the document, the parent assures the school that the absence meets the requirements of the law for excused absences. An excused absence for educational reasons means the intent of the experience should have been educational from the outset and comparable to that which the student would have experienced in school. Family trips and vacations that were not designed to be educational will not be excused. The law provides principals with the latitude to determine when the cumulative effects of such absences are of such duration as to interfere with the education of the student.

In addition, the Principal agrees that activities are worthwhile experiences however; they often do not meet the criteria for the absence to be excused on educational grounds. Most teachers are willing to work with parents and students to ensure students maintain good academic standing.