The Mustang Minute
Parent Newsletter
October
This is Tony Murray, Principal at Marlow Elementary with some important information about the many things going on in October at Marlow Elementary!
I hope the information in this newsletter will help keep you informed. Please contact your child's teacher or call the school at (912)728-3262 if you have any questions.
Tony Murray, Principal
Marlow Elementary School
Email: amurray@effingham.k12.ga.us
Website: http://mes.effinghamschools.com
Location: 5160 Hwy 17, Guyton, GA, USA
Phone: (912)728 - 3262
Facebook: facebook.com/marlowelementary
Please join our Marlow Elementary School Remind List
Parents, family, and friends can join either by....
- visiting http://rmd.at/ecsd-mles
- text @ecsd-mles to 81010
Readathon!
Upcoming Events
October 4 - Early Dismissal and Parent Teacher Conferences: October 4th, is an early release day for students as well as Parent / Teacher Conferences. Marlow Elementary will dismiss all students at 11:35 AM. Conferences will begin at noon and end at 6:00 PM. PLEASE EXPECT YOUR CHILD HOME EARLY ON THIS DAY.
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences Letter - English
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences Letter - Spanish
October 5th, 6th, and 9th are holidays for all students.
October 11 - Fall Picture Makeup Day - students making up Fall pictures may dress down for those pictures. This is also the last day of the First 9-Weeks.
October 13 - Pink Out Day! MES will wear pink to celebrate and remember those that have been touched by breast cancer. Students may wear a pink top with uniform bottoms.
October 17
- Dental Van on campus
- Malcolm Mitchell Reading Rally - 2nd graders participate
October 18 - Kona Ice Day
October 19 - Issue 1st 9 Weeks Report Cards
October 20 - Career Day: We will be hosting a Career Day for students on October 20th. We are excited to have many different types of vehicles on campus for the students to explore. We will also have interactive stations set up for the students to learn about many different career opportunities in our area.
October 23 - 27 - Red Ribbon Week: We will have themed dress down days as well as grade level competitions throughout the week.
October 25 - Math Fact Challenge #1 (4th and 5th Grades)
October 26 - PTO Meeting (2nd Grade Performs) 6:30 PM in the GYM
October 31 - Happy Halloween! Students may wear their favorite Halloween shirt or orange or black shirt with uniform bottoms. No costumes, hair coloring, or face paint.
Important Reminders
VERY INVOLVED PARENTS (VIP’S)
Marlow Elementary encourages volunteerism to assist teachers with various educational tasks. Look for school announcements for training, such as a required Mandated Reporter training that must be completed each year prior to volunteering. More information about volunteering opportunities will be sent home. Giving thirty minutes one day a month can make a huge difference.
PTO (PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION)
Marlow Elementary has an amazing PTO! They support our students and staff in many ways throughout the year. Please consider joining - the cost is $5.
DRESS CODE
Students in Kindergarten – Grade 5 are expected to wear uniforms that are in compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Effingham County Board of Education. Make sure that student socks meet dress code policy. Mohawk style/extreme haircuts and unusual hair color are not allowed. PreK students are not required to wear school uniforms, but must still follow the General Guidelines outlined in the Student and Parent Handbook.
BOOK BAGS AND WATER BOTTLES
Student book bags must be made entirely out of clear plastic or nylon mesh. Using wheeled book bags, travel carts or similar type items that are pushed or pulled are not allowed in school unless a medical reason for a waiver of this rule is documented with the school principal. Clear or mesh bookbags are required for all students. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles, but they must be in a clear container. No other drinks are allowed.
SCHOOL HOURS and TARDINESS
The school day for students begins at 7:45 and ends at 2:35. Students who arrive after 7:45 or leave before 2:35 will be considered tardy. Students wishing to eat breakfast must be in the cafe by 7:30. Breakfast ends at 7:40. Dismissal procedures begin at 2:35, with car riders & LEAP students being dismissed first. Please refer to the student handbook for the late arrival/early departure procedures & the attendance policy. LATE STUDENTS MUST BE SIGNED IN BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN.
MORNING CAR RIDER DROP OFF PROCEDURES
Students who are transported to school by car can only be dropped off in the front circle in the mornings NO EARLIER THAN 7:00. Parents should not put students out of the car unless there is a staff member on duty at the sidewalk. Students are not to be dropped off or picked up in any other area of the school. Walkups from the parking lot are not allowed after August 7th. Students may be escorted to class up until that date. After August 7th, parents will drop them off through the car rider line as outlined above. Do not attempt to pull out of the line of traffic and go around other cars. This can endanger lives. It is recommended that car riders arrive by 7:15 to avoid traffic delays.
AFTERNOON CAR RIDER PICK UP PROCEDURES
To ensure the safety of all students and to make student pick-up as quick as possible, the following procedures will be used for student pick-up:
◆Due to safety concerns we do not have a walk-up pick-up line.
◆Parents of car riders will be given a car rider form to complete. This form will be kept on file at school throughout the school year. Any changes that are necessary in the information must be made through the school office. This form will contain the names of people who will be picking up the student.
◆The School will issue “HANG TAGS” for each person listed on the Car Rider form (up to two). This tag must be displayed on the rearview mirror of the vehicle picking up the student. Additional Hang Tags are available for a fee of $3.00 each.
◆ At no time should a parent get out of the car and leave the car in the pick-up line. If it is necessary to get out of the car, the car must be parked in a parking space, however please note that students being signed out early must be done so prior to 2:15.
◆ Anyone in the pick-up line without the HANG TAG displayed must show proof of ID and may be asked to park in a designated area.
◆The pick-up area gets very congested at pick-up time. Parents are reminded to drive very cautiously in this area. Please do not attempt to pull out of the line of traffic and go around other cars. This can endanger lives.
There will be an assigned faculty member on duty in the AM and PM at the gates. Parents of students who live in the connecting communities of Covered Bridge or Royal Oaks can walk his/her child to class up until August 7, 2023. After this date, parents will release his/her child to the adult at the gate and parents will no longer walk students from the gate to the outer back doors. The gate will be locked at 7:45AM. If your child reaches the gate and it is locked, you will need to bring them to the front door and sign them in at the front office.
SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION REQUEST
If a student is to be sent home in a manner different than the usual way, a note must be sent to the teacher no later than the morning of the requested change. This note must include: Student’s name (first and last), the date of change, the manner in which the student should be transported (bus, car, walker) and a phone number where the parent/guardian can be reached the day of the request. The school may call to verify the note. Notes for bus changes MUST include the bus route number and the physical address where the student will be released. Notes for car riders MUST include the name of the person picking up the student. Any changes in transportation that arise during the school day are to be called in to the office before 1:30 the day of the change. Text messaging apps and email cannot be accepted.
EARLY DISMISSAL
No student will be allowed to leave the school grounds during the school day unless picked up by a parent, legal guardian or authorized adult. When a student is to be picked up early, the parent should send a note to the teacher explaining the time and reason for the early departure.
The parent or other authorized adult must sign the student out in the front office before 2:15. LEGAL PICTURE IDENTIFICATION IS REQUIRED.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Participation in P.E. class is required unless a written excuse from the parent or legal guardian is received stating that the student has an illness or condition that prohibits participation. A parent/guardian note may excuse a student from participation for up to two consecutive P.E. days of non-participation. For more than 2 days, a doctor’s note will be required. On days that students have P. E., appropriate dress is important so the students can fully participate in physical activities. Only athletic shoes are allowed on the gym floor. Additionally, to prevent injury, appropriate athletic shoes are recommended for recess activities.
NURSE’S CLINIC
If a student is suspected of having head lice, the school nurse is to be notified. Students will not be allowed to remain in class with nits or live bugs. Parents will be called to pick up the student from school to treat his/her head at home in a proper manner. The school nurse will provide current information on cleaning and prevention. A student who has been sent home with head lice/nits must be escorted to school for clearance through the nurse before returning to class.
Please note that students cannot ride the bus until they are cleared by the nurse. If students have diarrhea/vomit and/or have fever, they must remain home until they are 24 hours symptom free. Please return all medical action plans to school within 2 weeks of school starting. NO medications may be transported by students.
PARTIES and OTHER CELEBRATIONS
◆ Flowers, balloons, toys or any similar items may not be sent or brought to students at school.
◆Parties will be held at Christmas and Easter and will be coordinated by the teacher and room parent. Goody bags will be given to students on Halloween and Valentine’s Day. Our school welcomes parents at school parties. We do encourage parents to leave siblings at home for two reasons:
1) Since parties are for students, this is a unique opportunity to make it special for your student, free of distractions from younger siblings, and
2) Refreshments, party favors and activities can only be offered to enrolled students.
◆Each student may have cookies, cupcakes or doughnuts supplied for the class one time during the year. Parents must make arrangements with the teacher in advance. If approved by the teacher, the treats must be delivered to the school office prior to 10AM. In the event that two students in the same class share a birthday, the teacher will make the final decision on which days the treats can be shared with the class. The teacher will get the treats from the office and will give them to the students. All cupcakes or cookies must be in disposable containers and properly covered. Treats will be eaten in the lunchroom. Birthday invitations cannot be handed out to classmates at school unless a student decides to invite his/her entire class.
LUNCH / BREAKFAST
Elementary meal prices are as follows: Breakfast $1.75 daily ($0.30 reduced) and Lunch is $2.75 daily ($0.40 reduced)
The Effingham County School District is requesting all families to complete and submit a Free and Reduced Meal/Benefit Application before the start of school. This application is used not only for reduced pricing on school meals but also for a variety of things including reduced price on testing and funding for the school district. The application for free or reduced price meals is now available. We urge you to take a few minutes to complete the application now so that it can be processed before the start of school and approved statuses can be in place when your student(s) return on August 3rd. This is a family application so only one application needs to be submitted with all students and household members listed. Please remember that a new application must be submitted every school year.
You may complete the application online ONLINE MEAL APPLICATION
LUNCH VISITS and PROCEDURES
Parents may have lunch with their child. This must be done through a call to the school office. Due to seating constraints, visitors must call prior to 10AM to ensure seat availability. If buying a school lunch, advance notification is requested so the lunchroom staff will be prepared. Tables are provided in the commons area for you to eat with your child. Parents are only allowed to eat with their own child. It is not allowable for permission to be given for other students to join parents as guests at the lunch table, even with a written note. Student lunches from home must be packed in a lunch box & will be eaten as packed. Home lunches will not be heated at school. No drinks should be in cans or bottles. No carbonated drinks are allowed. Please note that there are occasions when lunch schedules have to be adjusted to accommodate testing and other activities at school and a lunch date with your child may not be possible.
SAFETY
- Student safety is our top priority at Marlow Elementary. We have many safety measures in place, beginning with our Resource Officer - Gary Jarriell. The building and all classroom doors are always locked and all visitors must provide an ID before entering the main building.
- Students will practice good hygiene while at school. Staff members will have students wash hands throughout the school day.
- Hand sanitizer is available throughout the building and in all classes.
- Ecovasive will be used again this school year. This company sprays our building to kill viruses on surfaces. Our first service is on July 30th before students arrive.
- Extra cleaning in our building is a top priority. All bathrooms will be cleaned and high touch areas disinfected throughout the day.
- Student masks are optional, but they are not required for any student. If you do have your child wear a mask during the school day, please give them instructions on wearing the mask at your home. Our teachers and staff cannot ask students to put their masks on or take them off. Masks should be free of all writing.
Dress code for students
