Herman L. Horn Elementary

1002 Ruddell Road

Vinton, VA 24179

Phone: 540-857-5007

FAX: 540-857-5062

Website: https://hlhorn.rcps.us/

PRINCIPAL: Julie Sandzimier

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Theresa Kabath

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Brenda Mullins

BOOKKEEPER: Sherry Nicely

SCHOOL NURSE: Judy Flinchum

On behalf of the faculty and staff, I want to welcome you to Herman L. Horn Elementary School. We look forward to working with you and your child this school year, as we form a partnership to help promote academic, social, and emotional success.

7:30 am – Office Opens/Students May Be Dropped Off

7:45 am – Student Day Begins

2:25 pm – Student Dismissal

3:45 pm– Office Closes

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Students should be dropped off between 7:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. There will be no supervision for students prior to 7:30 am.

CHANGES IN TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE 1:30 p.m.

Students arriving after the 7:45 am will be marked TARDY.

Remember that Roanoke County Policy states that five tardies or early check-outs without legal/medical documentation are equal to one absence.

In the event that your student arrives to school after 7:45, a parent or guardian must accompany the student to the office for check-in. Please do not drop your child off in front of the school and not escort him/her into the office.

New this year, parents/guardians can report their child's absence by completing an online form. The form can be found on the main page of the school website. Just look for Absence Form and click on the link below. Online forms need to be submitted by 9:00 am each day.

Absence Form

Why the Concern in Elementary School?

Attendance has been increasingly the focus of attention among school divisions and educators. In fact, the Virginia Department of Education Standards of Accreditation includes chronic absenteeism a factor in determining if a school meets accreditation standards. According to research, regular attendance is a significant factor in a student’s success:

• Chronic absenteeism correlates to low academic achievement.
  
• Absenteeism is a powerful predictor of dropout rates.
  
• Absenteeism has been linked to poor outcomes later in life.

Truancy is the act of accruing one or more unexcused absences, where the parent is unaware of or does not support the student’s absence, or where the parent’s provided reason for the absence is not acceptable to the school administration.

Missed instruction, regardless of the reason, can have significant academic consequences. Therefore, the broader emphasis is on improving attendance for every student.

Roanoke County Attendance Policy

Excused Absences and Tardies

Parents of students who are absent or tardy must inform the school in writing of the reason for the absence or tardy no later than upon the student’s return to school (emailed message is acceptable). School staff records the student’s absence or tardy for each day as “excused” or “unexcused”. Please be aware that, if absences and tardies that are excused solely by parent explanation become excessive, the school will require additional documentation in order to ensure compliance with the compulsory school attendance law.

Acceptable Excuses

1. Absences and tardies are excused for the following reasons with written explanation from the parent:

• illness of the student;
• approval from administration prior to the absence;
• death in family/funeral;
• school-sponsored activities; and
• observance of a nationally recognized religious holiday if such holiday is verified and the school is notified in advance.

2. Absences and tardies are excused for the following reasons with appropriate written documentation:

• hospitalization or extended illness (with documentation from physician);
• doctor or dental appointment (with documentation from physician’s or dentist’s office); or
• mandatory court appearance (with court documentation)

Excessive Absences or Tardies Without Adequate Written Documentation

If absences or tardies excused solely based on parent explanation become excessive, the school will require additional documentation in order to ensure compliance with the compulsory student attendance law. Such additional documentation may include written documentation from a physician treating the student for a chronic or extended illness or court documentation resulting from student involvement in a legal matter. School principals and school counselors regularly collaborate with school social workers to monitor student attendance and communicate with students, parents, and families regarding excessive absences unsupported by adequate documentation.

For the purposes of avoiding excessive tardiness to school that results in frequent loss of instructional time, five (5) tardies to or check-outs from school without adequate written documentation will be considered the equivalent of one (1) absence.

Treats

We realize celebrating a birthday is a big deal, especially for our students; however, in light of various dietary restrictions for many of our students, we kindly ask that students who want to share a birthday treat include only non-edible treats.

Invitations

Birthday and other private party invitations may not be passed out to classmates at school. Nor can the school share a classmate's contact information with another family. We understand that this is an inconvenience, but we are obligated to protect the privacy of each student and follow the practice of all Roanoke County elementary schools.

Breakfast and Lunch

Herman L. Horn will be participating in the Community Eligibility Provision meal program. This means that each student breakfast and lunch will be free (each student is eligible to take one complete meal at no charge at each meal service).

If you plan to each lunch with your child and want to purchase a meal, the cost is $4.75.

Link to Lunch Menu

Snacks and Drinks

Teachers will allow students one snack break per day. Students are encourage to bring a healthy snack to school. They may also bring a water bottle with a secure closing. Water bottle filling stations are available throughout the building. Juices and other sugary drinks are not allowed for consumption in the classroom. Students may bring those items for lunch. SODAS are not allowed in school at lunch or snack time

Morning Car Riders

Parents and guardians will drop off students in the upper school loop accessed from Mountain View Road. Drop off starts at 7:30 and ends at 7:45. Car riders arriving to HLH after 7:45 will need to drive around to the front entrance, park and escort the student into the building.

For the safety of the students and staff:

1. Drive slowly and exercise caution.
2. Students should remain in the car until a staff member greets him/her.
3. Have students prepared and ready to exit the car when a staff member approaches the car.
4. Avoid cell phone use while in the car rider line.
5. Keep goodbyes short and sweet and drive off without distracting the student.
6. Please have students exit the car from the passenger side of the car to prevent them from crossing in front of another vehicle.
7. Do NOT pass cars in other vehicles rider line.
8. Obey traffic patterns noted on the picture below.

Afternoon Pick-Up

Afternoon pickups will still take place near the gym entrance of school beginning at 2:25. Cars will enter the parking lot from the left entrance and follow the arrows through the lot. Students will be dismissed from the side gym doors and staff will escort each child to the car. Windshield signs with student names have been provided for each family. Please make sure these are visible at the time of your arrival to help make the process more efficient. If you a friend or relative is picking up your student, you must call the office to let us know. They will be asked to show ID.

For the safety of the students and staff:

1. Please have students enter the car from the passenger side.
2. Do NOT pass other vehicles in the car rider line.
3. Drive slowly and exercise caution.
4. Avoid cell phone use when in the car rider line.
5. Obey traffic patterns noted on the picture below.

Preschool Drop Off and Pick Up

Preschool pick drop-off and pick-up will follow the same procedures as all other students. If a preschool parent feels that more time is needed to assist students getting buckled/unbuckled in the car seat, you are free to park in the parking lot and walk students to the front door.

STUDENT DRESS CODE

Roanoke County Public Schools respects students’ rights to express themselves in the way they dress. All students who attend Roanoke County Public Schools are also expected to respect the school community by dressing appropriately for a K-12 educational environment. Student attire should facilitate participation in learning as well as the health and safety of students and the adults that supervise them. This policy is intended to provide guidance for students, staff, and parents.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Clothing must cover areas from one armpit across to the other armpit, down to approximately 3 to 4 inches in length on the upper thighs. Tops must have shoulder straps. Rips or tears in clothing should be lower than the 3 to 4 inches in length.
2. Shoes must be worn at all times and should be safe for the school environment (pajamas, bedroom shoes or slippers shall not be worn, except for school activities approved by the principal).
3. See-through or mesh garments must not be worn without appropriate coverage underneath that meet the minimum requirements of the dress code.
4. Headgear including hats, hoodies, and caps are not allowed unless permitted for religious, medical, or other reason by school administration.
5. Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.

Additional Requirements:

1. Clothing may not depict, imply, advertise, or advocate illegal, violent, or lewd conduct, weapons, or the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances.
2. Clothing may not depict or imply pornography, nudity, or sexual acts.
3. Clothing may not display or imply vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene language or images.
4. Clothing may not state, imply, or depict hate speech/imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected classification.
5. Sunglasses may not be worn inside the building.
6. Clothing and accessories that endanger student or staff safety may not be worn.
7. Apparel, jewelry, accessories, tattoos, or manner of grooming that, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark or any other attribute, denotes membership in a gang that advocates illegal or disruptive behavior is prohibited.

The administration at each school reserves the right to determine what constitutes appropriate dress. Students who do not adhere to these guidelines will not be allowed to attend class. Parents will be called if appropriate clothing is not available or the student refuses dress-code appropriate clothing.

Lunch Visitors

Parents may join their student for lunch on occasion. Visitor tables are set up in the cafeteria to allow space for you to eat with your child. Classmates are not permitted to join you and your student, even if their parent calls to give permission. If bringing food, you may only bring food for your student.

School lunch visits may begin after Labor Day to allow time for students to learn routines, procedures and lunchroom expectations.

Lunch Deliveries

Door Dash, Uber Eats, and other means of food delivery are prohibited for students at school.

Medications Prescribed for Individual Students

Employees of Roanoke County School Board may give medication prescribed for individual students only pursuant to the written order of a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and with written permission from the student's parent or guardian. Such medicine must be in the original container and delivered to the principal, school nurse, or school division designee by the parent or guardian of the student. Parents must also deliver the necessary supplies with which to administer medications (ex. syringes, spacers).

Nonprescription Medications

Employees of Roanoke County School Board may give nonprescription medication to students only with the written permission of the parent or guardian. Such permission shall include the name of the medication, the required dosage of the medication, and the time the medicine is to be given. Such medicine must be in an unopened original container and delivered to the principal, school nurse, or school division designee by the parent or guardian of the student

Herbal Remedies and Over the Counter Supplements not approved by the FDA

Requests by a parent/guardian for a herbal remedy and/or over the counter supplement to be given to a student which is not approved by the FDA will require a written order from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner along with written permission from the student's parent or guardian. The herbal remedy/over the counter supplement must be in an unopened, original container and delivered to the principal, school nurse, or school division designee by the parent or guardian of the student.

For more information regarding the administration of medicines at school, please click on the link below.

The use, possession, or control of any personal mobile device, including but not limited to mobile phones and other communication devices, by persons under the supervision of school officials on school board property is subject to all School Board policies and procedures, school rules, and this regulation.

Elementary and Middle School students may possess a personal mobile device on school property, provided that the device must be 'off' (or in airplane mode) and kept out of sight at all times during the school day, including the bus ride to and from school.

The use or display of mobile devices in a restroom or locker room is strictly prohibited.

Students may not use any device to photograph, video record, or audio record any verbal or physical altercations between students on school grounds or during school activities or to record any school staff members addressing specific disciplinary situation involving students on school grounds or during school activities.

Personal mobile devices are brought to school at the student's and parents' own risk. RCPS is not responsible for loss, theft, damage, or other associated cost of any personal mobile device and students are responsible for securing their device at all times.

The School Division reserves the right to inspect personal mobile devices and their content if reasonable suspicion exists that School Division policies or local, state, or federal laws have been violated. The scope of the search must be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and no excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the suspected infraction.

All parents and guardians are encouraged to join the PTO. It is a great way for you to become engaged and help support our students and teachers. 100% of the membership fees stays with the school. We have many fun events planned for this year, but we need your help. Please be on the lookout for membership information coming home with your student.

For more information and updates, find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hlhpto

1. Proper behavior is required to, from and at bus stops and while riding the bus to assure that the rights of others are respected.
2. School bus transportation is provided for many Roanoke County students. This service exists for elementary, middle and high school students to and from school, instructional field trips, athletic trips, special after-school activities, and from base schools to locations where specialized educational programs are available.
3. It is important to know that riding a school bus is a privilege. Students who do not behave on the school bus may have the privilege of riding revoked for a specified time or permanently. The driver of the bus has the authority to and the responsibility for maintaining order and providing a safe environment. When the driver requires assistance to resolve a potentially harmful situation on the bus, the schools served by the driver will render assistance.
4. Behavior on Buses

• Students are expected to behave on the bus in the same way that they are expected to behave in the classroom.
  
• Bus conduct rules are posted on all buses, and misconduct by any student on the bus, at a bus stop or going to or from a bus stop, will be reported to the school administrator by the bus driver.
• Buses are equipped with video cameras that record the activities on the bus and may be used by the school administrator in determining appropriate disciplinary action resulting from misconduct on the bus.

• Students needing to ride a different bus from the one regularly assigned must have a note from a parent/guardian and signed by a school administrator before riding the different bus.

• Students are expected to be at their bus stop five (5) minutes prior to the time the bus arrives.
• Misconduct of students at the bus stop or going to or from a bus stop may result in disciplinary action by the school administrator.

• Bus drivers are obligated to report any misconduct of a student that they may observe.
• Fighting, assault, cursing, possession of tobacco products or controlled substances, sexual harassment and possession of weapons are examples of offenses that a driver must report to a school administrator.

NOTE: Pre K, Kindergarten and First Grade students must have a parent, adult who is listed on the student’s emergency card, or an individual who is at least 14 years of age at the bus stop (visible to the bus driver) in the afternoon to receive them. The parent must provide written permission, which is pre-approved by the school administration, for individuals not listed on the emergency card and for any minor (age 14 to 17) in the afternoon to receive them. If a parent, other adults listed on the student’s emergency card, or the pre-approved adult or minor is not at the bus stop, the child will be kept on the bus and returned to the elementary school.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a framework or approach used in schools to promote positive behavior and improve overall school climate. PBIS focuses on creating a positive and supportive learning environment by teaching and reinforcing appropriate behaviors, rather than just punishing negative behaviors.

The key principles of PBIS include:

• Prevention: PBIS emphasizes proactive strategies to prevent behavior problems from occurring in the first place. This includes establishing clear expectations for behavior and teaching students the skills they need to meet those expectations.
• Positive reinforcement: PBIS promotes the use of positive reinforcement to recognize and reward desired behaviors. This can include verbal praise, tokens, privileges, or other incentives that motivate students to continue displaying positive behaviors.
• Data-based decision making: PBIS encourages the use of data to inform decision making. Schools collect and analyze data on behavior patterns to identify areas of concern, set goals, and track progress over time. This data-driven approach helps schools to make informed decisions about interventions and supports.
• Multi-tiered system of support: PBIS is typically implemented using a multi-tiered system of support. It provides different levels of intervention based on the intensity of a student's behavioral needs. Universal supports are provided to all students, while additional targeted supports are available for students who require more assistance. Intensive individualized supports are offered to a small number of students with significant behavioral challenges.

PBIS has been found to be effective in reducing problem behaviors, improving social-emotional skills, and creating a positive school climate. It emphasizes a proactive and positive approach to behavior management, focusing on prevention, teaching, and reinforcing positive behaviors.

Below is the Behavior Matrices we use at HLH to teach positive behavioral expectations throughout various settings of the school.

Virginia legal code makes it a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly make a false statement concerning the residency of a child in a particular school division or school attendance zone for the purpose of avoiding tuition charges or enrollment in a school outside the attendance zone in which the student resides.

A change in address at any point in the school year, must be reported to the school office.

Safety is a primary concern at Herman L. Horn Elementary School. The school safety crisis plan is updated annually and addresses everyday safety, as well as emergency situations. ALL outside doors are locked and access to the building is only available through the front office.

When visiting the school, please have your photo ID ready to scan in the Raptor kiosk in the front vestibule. A VISITOR’S BADGE will be printed and you will be required to wear it for the entirety of your visit. If you need to see your child, he/she will be called to the office. This is necessary for the safety and protection of students and to cut down on classroom disruptions.

We ask parents to support our efforts to provide a safe environment by reinforcing school rules with their children regarding behavior in the school building, on buses, and on the playground.

We also want to remind drivers to practice safe driving around our school during drop-off and pick-up times and park ONLY in specified areas.

Each student and parent/guardian is required to sign a Student Conduct of Behavior at the start of the school year. To help remind you of the agreement signed, you may click on the link below to review the document.