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All About MetroWest |
Administration
Principal: Patricia Smith
Assistant Principals: Bibiana Gavillan
and James Weis
CRT: Denise Samuelson
Guidance:Val Dobson
School Hours
9:00 - 3:15 M, T, Th, F
9:00 - 2:15 W
Home of the Mighty Orcas
School Colors
Green
and Yellow
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Students should NOT arrive at school prior to 8:45 a.m.
unless eating breakfast at school or enrolled in the morning Extended
Day Care program (Extended Day is available at a nominal cost for students
who need to be supervised prior to 8:45 a.m.) Upon arrival students
should go to breakfast or their assigned classroom and wait quietly
until the 9:00 a.m. bell rings. At dismissal, students should go directly
to their assigned pick-up area (bus or car loading). Walkers exit the
campus immediately and go directly home. Dismissal during school hours
is discouraged. It will be necessary to send a written note (including
date) if you change your child's mode of transportation. |
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Regular attendance is required by law. When a child is absent, parents are requested to notify the school by 8:45 a.m. on the day of the absence. Written excuses are required when the student returns to school. Notify the school if your child is absent in excess of three (3) consecutive days. When students accumulate five (5) unexcused absences, the school shall notify the parent and must institute interventions. A social worker may visit your home to determine the reason for the absences. If the student accumulates 10 unexcused absences, the school MUST report the student to the school social worker. When the student accumulates 15 days of unexcused absences the student will be reported to CINS/FINS (Children in Need of Services/Families in Need of Services) as a habitual truant. For long term illness a student may be eligible for hospital/homebound services. The school day begins at 9:00 a.m. It is important for students to be prepared and on time. Students arriving between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. must report to their classroom and are considered TARDY. Students arriving after 9:30 a.m. must report to the office for a tardy slip. Tardies are indicated on the report card. Parents will be notified and a social worker will be contacted if tardies are excessive. An excused tardy or absence includes a written reason due to illness, safety, medical need, pre-approved educational or religious activity.
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Students may ride bikes providing the following safety rules are followed. Use a bike lock. Do not double lock with friends. Wear a bike helmet. Walk the bike on school campus. Use a backpack or basket to carry belongings. Park bike in bike rack. No bikes are to remain on campus overnight. The school does not assume any responsibility for bikes parked in the bike rack. Skateboarding and rollerblading are NOT permitted on campus at any time.
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School bus transportation is a privilege provided to eligible students. Students are assigned to a specific bus. Exceptions to this may be granted by the principal in cases of emergency. All requests for an emergency change in bus assignment must be in the form of a signed note from the parent or guardian and approved by the principal. The bus driver is required to pick-up and drop-off students ONLY at assigned stops. Students are to behave responsibly at all times while on the bus, as if they were in school. All student misconduct will be reported to the principal, assistant principal, or dean. Continued misbehavior on the bus will be cause for suspension of the bus privilege and it will be the responsibility of the parents to provide transportation to and from school. Transportation concerns can be reported to the central office at (407) 317-3800.
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Breakfast is served daily from 8:35-9:00 a.m. Students eligible for free or reduced lunch are also eligible for free or reduced breakfast. Applications for reduced or free meals are available each year in the office. After completing and returning the required form, you will be notified if you have met the criteria. Until you receive approval, parents are required to pay for the school meals or send lunch from home. Other students are encouraged to make advanced payment for lunches and/or breakfast on Monday of each week. Checks made payable to: MetroWest Elementary School should be placed in a sealed envelope with the following information printed on the outside: Student Name If sending cash, please enclose the exact amount. Students may bring a packed lunch from home. Milk must be served with purchased lunches unless a medical statement prohibiting it is provided to the lunchroom manager. No sodas, candy, or gum should be sent in packed lunch. Sharing, exchanging, or taking food back to the classroom is prohibited. Parents are encouraged to eat lunch with their child, but please do not bring fast food lunches to school for your child. Lunch charges are discouraged and MUST be paid the following school day. If more than three (3) charges accrue a peanut butter sandwich will be provided to your child. No charges are allowed the last two weeks of the school year. If you have any questions concerning lunches or charges please call (407) 249-6330 ext. 226.
All students transported to and from school must enter and exit the campus in the school's designated driveway. Supervision is provided to ensure student safety at the front of the school. Please refer to the map of the MetroWest campus for arrival and dismissal information. Patience while waiting to load and unload students from cars is greatly appreciated.
The clinic is available for authorized medication distribution and emergencies only. Parents must complete an emergency form with names and phone numbers of adults authorized to pick up your child if you cannot be reached. In an emergency, 911 may be called. Under NO circumstances will any medication be given to anyone without a completed authorization form or physician's order. Authorization forms are available in the office. Parents must bring medication to the school office immediately upon arrival at school. All medication must be in the original container with prescription/pharmacy label intact.
Our discipline policy provides the guidelines for maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment for all students. We believe that all children should have positive experiences that encourage academic achievement as well as emotional and social development. All disciplinary action taken by the principal, assistant principal, dean, or designee is intended to help the child accept responsibility. Parents will be informed by phone, written note, or a formal disciplinary form. Teamwork between the parent and teacher is essential. A copy of the Orange County Code of Student Conduct is given to each student. Please read and discuss it with your child. This pamphlet informs you of the rights of a student, the rules that must be followed, and the consequences which will be administered. Students are expected to be responsible, respectful, and complete assigned tasks. Hats, toys, pets, candy, gum, soda, etc. are not allowed at school. Conduct expectations include: Respect for others, Responsibility for actions, Obedience and Respect for adults and maintenance of a litter free campus.
Parents having sole custody of a child with any specialized court orders that restrain a natural parent from coming in contact with the child should notify the office of these circumstances immediately. Legal documents of this type MUST be included in the child's records.
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Cleanliness, neatness, and modesty are expected standards for everyone at school. Shoes should be sturdy and worn at all times. Socks are desirable. It is important that clothing is safe and not distracting. The following items are not acceptable: thongs, clogs, slip-on shoes, short shorts or skirts, tee shirts with inappropriate language or pictures. Caps and hats may be worn to school but must be removed inside buildings. Parental guidance is recommended. To facilitate arrival and dismissal of students, the following traffic flow has been designed. All 3rd-5th graders who do not have siblings in K-2 will be dropped off and picked up in the south loop only. All K-2nd graders and 3rd-5th graders who have siblings in K-2 will be dropped off and picked up at the PLC.. Please note that two lanes merge into one at the PLC. when cars reach the drop-off and pick-up area. For safety reasons, no students should cross traffic to get to the vehicle. Please help us keep your children safe by following these guidelines. Thanks!
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Before and after school day care is offered for students for a nominal fee. Our Extended Day Program offers students a variety of activities including organized crafts, outside play, study time, enrichment activities, field trips and snacks. Please contact the Extended Day Coordinator at (407) 521-3325 for more information. |
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Homework should be based on the individual needs of the student. In general, elementary students should be able to complete homework in 30 minutes. Special projects, studying for a test etc. could require additional time. All assigned homework should be collected, evaluated and recorded by the teacher. Students are encouraged to read, share reading with a family member, practice math and share new learning with family members. Homework should be assigned Monday through Thursday of each full school week. Enrichment activities can be assigned as needed. |
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Parents and friends of the school can help through the ADDitions Volunteer Program. WE NEED YOU! We welcome your services and encourage you to become involved. We make every effort to match teacher requests and parent interests to provide the best assistance for our students. You must be an approved ADDitions volunteer to help out in any classroom function or field trip. To learn more and to complete your online application, visit http://volunteer.ocps.net.
Notice
of Non-Discrimination: |