Working Together For A Safe and Secure Lakewood

For the children In trusting us with your children, we feel a bit like they are “our” children and like you we want them to have a safe and comfortable place to learn. In trusting us with your children, we feel a bit like they are “our” children and like you we want them to have a safe and comfortable place to learn. We are passionate about keeping them safe, promoting their academic achievement, and teaching them to be good citizens of a diverse community We are passionate about keeping them safe, promoting their academic achievement, and teaching them to be good citizens of a diverse community

Learning starts when children wake up. Learning starts when children wake up. Having a trustworthy routine in the morning helps children learn time- management. Having a trustworthy routine in the morning helps children learn time- management. Students learn to manage time by following your example. Students learn to manage time by following your example. Learning at school begins with either on-time bus arrival or car arrival. Learning at school begins with either on-time bus arrival or car arrival. The all-important morning routine

“Reliable expectations and routines encourage your child’s trust and make for easier transitions from home to school” Morning Arrivals

Driving to Lakewood Lindley Terrace is really a circle and comes out onto Wooton Parkway at two places. Lindley Terrace is really a circle and comes out onto Wooton Parkway at two places.

Knowing this, when traffic turning left out of Lakewood becomes crowded, you can turn right and come out at Wooton Parkway just a block away Knowing this, when traffic turning left out of Lakewood becomes crowded, you can turn right and come out at Wooton Parkway just a block away Note: If more students rode the school bus both ways, we would have fewer cars and less traffic. Note: If more students rode the school bus both ways, we would have fewer cars and less traffic. Avoiding Grid-lock

Special Morning Limits Only Buses are allowed in the Bus lot between 8AM and 4PM Only Buses are allowed in the Bus lot between 8AM and 4PM

The Lakewood Parking Lot

Please show your respect for our limited parking On days when large-scale events are taking place, we try to alert parents to park in the neighborhood or in the church parking lot On days when large-scale events are taking place, we try to alert parents to park in the neighborhood or in the church parking lot At times we will block spaces for staff with the traffic cones At times we will block spaces for staff with the traffic cones Please park elsewhere on these busy days (Field-trip chaperones, Book Fair days, etc.) Please park elsewhere on these busy days (Field-trip chaperones, Book Fair days, etc.)

Misuse of Handicapped Spaces It can get It can getexpensive!

Be patient with children /& other drivers Be patient with children /& other drivers Sometimes it is slow and frustrating Sometimes it is slow and frustrating Watch for people of all ages Watch for people of all ages Cones are there to protect the children by guiding drivers. Please respect them. Cones are there to protect the children by guiding drivers. Please respect them. Parking Lot Expectations

The first lessons of the morning As you pull in to Lakewood you join a line of people and your child sees that it is important to take turns, and that they are given time to get out of the car and walk toward the school. As you pull in to Lakewood you join a line of people and your child sees that it is important to take turns, and that they are given time to get out of the car and walk toward the school.

Lessons about respect Staff are in place at 8:40 to welcome and guide your children through a safe and orderly arrival. Staff are in place at 8:40 to welcome and guide your children through a safe and orderly arrival. Children remain on the school bus until school opens. Children remain on the school bus until school opens. Car riders are required to do the same. Car riders are required to do the same. Help us teach your children to respect Lakewood’s rules and schedules Help us teach your children to respect Lakewood’s rules and schedules

My child is upset and needs time! If your child is upset and has difficulty saying good-bye, does not want to get out of the car, and/or needs more time with you, pull ahead and out of line and park until they are ready. If your child is upset and has difficulty saying good-bye, does not want to get out of the car, and/or needs more time with you, pull ahead and out of line and park until they are ready. HOWEVER …………. HOWEVER ………….

RETURN TO THE DROP-OFF LINE! RETURN TO THE DROP-OFF LINE! This is important! It reinforces the message that you expect your child to get out independently and that you trust he or she will walk into the school. This is important! It reinforces the message that you expect your child to get out independently and that you trust he or she will walk into the school.

Lessons learned from arriving late: “The school routines don't apply to me;” “The school routines don't apply to me;” If I say I am “in a hurry” I can break the rules If I say I am “in a hurry” I can break the rules “I am special and I don’t have to follow the rules.” or “I don’t have to take turns” “I am special and I don’t have to follow the rules.” or “I don’t have to take turns” “It’s okay to cut into the front of the line.” “It’s okay to cut into the front of the line.”

After the second bell, students are late. He or she needs to sign in at the front office and get a “Tardy” slip to give to his or her teacher. After the second bell, students are late. He or she needs to sign in at the front office and get a “Tardy” slip to give to his or her teacher. Late Arrivals

Some parents have developed the habit of dropping a child at the church parking lot by Glen Road. This is a dangerous option putting children at risk crossing the busy bus entry and should be avoided. Some parents have developed the habit of dropping a child at the church parking lot by Glen Road. This is a dangerous option putting children at risk crossing the busy bus entry and should be avoided.

Hold your child’s hand to cross this busy street or have them follow the side-walk which leads to the main entrance. Hold your child’s hand to cross this busy street or have them follow the side-walk which leads to the main entrance.

Procedures for visitors All who are not daily staff at Lakewood are required to sign in at the front Office and display their MCPS identification or a special visitor badge issued to them. All who are not daily staff at Lakewood are required to sign in at the front Office and display their MCPS identification or a special visitor badge issued to them. The Badge is for a specific purpose. It is not permission to visit or peek-in on classrooms and disrupt instruction. The Badge is for a specific purpose. It is not permission to visit or peek-in on classrooms and disrupt instruction.

Visitors – Friends and Strangers While none of us want to be considered “strangers” at our child’s school and many are no strangers to the staff. HOWEVER, to all the children who do not know you, you are an unknown – a stranger. While none of us want to be considered “strangers” at our child’s school and many are no strangers to the staff. HOWEVER, to all the children who do not know you, you are an unknown – a stranger. MCPS requires everyone who works or visits a school to wear identification. The badge reflects to all that you have signed-in and are respectful of Lakewood’s rules and expectations. MCPS requires everyone who works or visits a school to wear identification. The badge reflects to all that you have signed-in and are respectful of Lakewood’s rules and expectations.

“Just-” is not an excuse! “I just have to take his lunch box to him” “I just have to take his lunch box to him” “I just have to run this to the cafeteria” “I just have to run this to the cafeteria” “I just have to tell Mr. or Mrs. ____ something” “I just have to tell Mr. or Mrs. ____ something” “I just have to give him his inhaler” “I just have to give him his inhaler” “I just want to tell my child something” “I just want to tell my child something” “I just have to give her the permission slip left in the car” “I just have to give her the permission slip left in the car” Please follow the rules at Lakewood!

Visitor Sign-Out Anyone who signs in – is expected to sign out in the office and surrender their identification before leaving. Anyone who signs in – is expected to sign out in the office and surrender their identification before leaving. While some parents may consider this an inconvenience, these procedures are in place as an effort to keep your child safe. While some parents may consider this an inconvenience, these procedures are in place as an effort to keep your child safe.

(As arranged with each teacher) (As arranged with each teacher) Phone messages Phone messages Notes sent home with students Notes sent home with students Notes in their assignment calendar Notes in their assignment calendar Scheduled meetings when requested Scheduled meetings when requested Teachers are not prepared for “Drop-In” conferences. Make an appointment so they have the time to prepare to answer your questions Teachers are not prepared for “Drop-In” conferences. Make an appointment so they have the time to prepare to answer your questions Contact with Teachers

Parking Lot Departure Children belong in one of only three classifications for dismissal: Children belong in one of only three classifications for dismissal: Bus – Riders Bus – Riders Walkers Walkers Car-Riders Car-Riders

Departure Groups Bus riders are supervised by staff and patrols and are called as buses arrive. Students stay in class and are dismissed when their bus is called. Bus riders are supervised by staff and patrols and are called as buses arrive. Students stay in class and are dismissed when their bus is called.

If your child misses the bus He or she will wait in the office while staff contact parents to arrange pick-up. He or she will wait in the office while staff contact parents to arrange pick-up. It is important to keep your contact information current. It is important to keep your contact information current.

Car pool / Car Riders Car-riders meet in the main hallway and are escorted outside to the car pick-up circle. Car-riders meet in the main hallway and are escorted outside to the car pick-up circle.

Walkers Walkers Supervision of walkers ends once they leave the school entrance. Walkers are considered able to leave the school grounds and walk directly home. Walkers Supervision of walkers ends once they leave the school entrance. Walkers are considered able to leave the school grounds and walk directly home.

Picking your child up early If you need to pick your child up early, remember that the end of the day is difficult for both children and teachers. If you need to pick your child up early, remember that the end of the day is difficult for both children and teachers. For this reason MCPS has a policy that children are not paged to the office after 2:30PM. Pick them up before 2:30 or wait for your child to exit the school following his or her usual routine. For this reason MCPS has a policy that children are not paged to the office after 2:30PM. Pick them up before 2:30 or wait for your child to exit the school following his or her usual routine.

If we need to change the departure plan Without written permission, the child will be sent home in the usual way. Without written permission, the child will be sent home in the usual way.

Half-days / Early Dismissal These are listed on the MCPS calendar These are listed on the MCPS calendar Arrival remains the same Arrival remains the same Morning instruction is shortened Morning instruction is shortened Lunch is served early Lunch is served early There is no recess on half-days There is no recess on half-days Students return to class after lunch Students return to class after lunch Dismissal is at 12:55pm Dismissal is at 12:55pm

Parents are notified by phone Parents are notified by phone Alerts go out to local TV and radio media Alerts go out to local TV and radio media Parents who pick their children up will be asked to come directly to the school Parents who pick their children up will be asked to come directly to the school Children who ride buses take their usual bus and should be met at their bus stop Children who ride buses take their usual bus and should be met at their bus stop Early closing

Late Opening When bad weather is upon us, MCPS may decide that a late opening is the best option to keep students and staff safe. When bad weather is upon us, MCPS may decide that a late opening is the best option to keep students and staff safe. Information regarding late opening is available on the MCPS web-site Information regarding late opening is available on the MCPS web-site There will also be alerts on local TV and radio stations There will also be alerts on local TV and radio stations Such decisions are usually made by 6AM Such decisions are usually made by 6AM

In case of severe weather We at Lakewood have detailed plans in place to protect your child’s safety as well as methods for reuniting you and your child following a storm or other event. We at Lakewood have detailed plans in place to protect your child’s safety as well as methods for reuniting you and your child following a storm or other event. Just as with fire-drills, we take emergency preparedness very seriously and practice evacuations and sheltering several times during the year. Just as with fire-drills, we take emergency preparedness very seriously and practice evacuations and sheltering several times during the year.

The Discipline Model (not punishment) A disciplinarian has to do 4 things: A disciplinarian has to do 4 things: 1. Teach the child what is expected 1. Teach the child what is expected 2. Practice success while coaching the child 2. Practice success while coaching the child 3. Observe success and praise the child’s accomplishment 3. Observe success and praise the child’s accomplishment 4. Acknowledge to the child that they can be trusted to do it well on their own 4. Acknowledge to the child that they can be trusted to do it well on their own This leaves the child with a feeling of accomplishment and confidence. It also establishes the adult as a person who is a resource for their success. This leaves the child with a feeling of accomplishment and confidence. It also establishes the adult as a person who is a resource for their success. When you know how to do something well, and you do something else, you made a poor choice. When you know how to do something well, and you do something else, you made a poor choice.

The Punishment Model If you are not certain how to do something correctly, and someone is constantly “catching you” doing wrong, that person is someone you want to avoid. If you are not certain how to do something correctly, and someone is constantly “catching you” doing wrong, that person is someone you want to avoid. The punisher is energized when they witness “wrong- doing.” They are “finding fault.” The punisher is energized when they witness “wrong- doing.” They are “finding fault.” De careful not to turn this into a philosophy with dangerous consequences and say: “Don’t let me catch you doing that!” This neither tells them to refrain from doing it, nor does it tell them what to do instead. De careful not to turn this into a philosophy with dangerous consequences and say: “Don’t let me catch you doing that!” This neither tells them to refrain from doing it, nor does it tell them what to do instead. As one student said to another: “I’ve never been caught!” As one student said to another: “I’ve never been caught!”

Illness – Children are in close contact with their classmates. This makes it easy for children to pass germs along to others Illness – Children are in close contact with their classmates. This makes it easy for children to pass germs along to others Frequent hand-washing is the best way to minimize the transmission of germs Frequent hand-washing is the best way to minimize the transmission of germs To protect other students and teachers, it is vital that you keep your child home when he or she is sick. We understand this may be difficult, but it is necessary to insure a healthy environment for all. To protect other students and teachers, it is vital that you keep your child home when he or she is sick. We understand this may be difficult, but it is necessary to insure a healthy environment for all. Health Issues

Because food allergies can be so severe, we stress that students keep their lunch to themselves and refrain from sharing food Because food allergies can be so severe, we stress that students keep their lunch to themselves and refrain from sharing food Children with Allergies

Students sent to the health room are signed in and examined by the school nurse Students sent to the health room are signed in and examined by the school nurse In most cases treatment involves an ice pack or a bandage. In most cases treatment involves an ice pack or a bandage. In more severe instances a parent is notified. In more severe instances a parent is notified. If warranted, the school will call an ambulance while the nurse notifies the parents If warranted, the school will call an ambulance while the nurse notifies the parents Health Room Procedures

Special Days Halloween – Costume parade Halloween – Costume parade Valentines Day – Classes may have parties Valentines Day – Classes may have parties Field Day – Outdoor & In-door sports Field Day – Outdoor & In-door sports Evening Concerts – Family and guests are welcome Evening Concerts – Family and guests are welcome Book-Fair days – Special morning book sales Book-Fair days – Special morning book sales Major Field-Trips – May require parent chaperones Major Field-Trips – May require parent chaperones Career Day – Invited guests describe their professions Career Day – Invited guests describe their professions 5 th Grade Graduation – 5 th Grade achievements are honored with family and friends 5 th Grade Graduation – 5 th Grade achievements are honored with family and friends

Special Lakewood Vocabulary Ask your child about them Self to self Self to self In-door/out-door voices In-door/out-door voices Hurt feelings Hurt feelings Bad language Bad language Lunch bunch Lunch bunch SOS SOS Nertz Nertz LSA LSA Wednesday Folders Wednesday Folders Specials Specials Manager’s Choice Manager’s Choice In for recess In for recess Birthday pencil Birthday pencil

Things to Practice with your child Your address Your address Your phone numbers Your phone numbers Your name (if different from your child) Your name (if different from your child) Your child’s school computer Login & Password Your child’s school computer Login & Password Your child’s cafeteria account number Your child’s cafeteria account number

Alert us to your child’s life-changes Parent travel Parent travel Death of a pet Death of a pet Illness of a close relative Illness of a close relative Parental conflict Parental conflict Medical scare (cancer) you think you are hiding from your child Medical scare (cancer) you think you are hiding from your child Pending surgery Pending surgery Pregnancy Pregnancy Etc. Etc.

Help us keep Lakewood a safe and secure place to learn! Your cooperation with the staff and other parents will provide real-life examples of how we work together at school for the safety and well-being of all. Your cooperation with the staff and other parents will provide real-life examples of how we work together at school for the safety and well-being of all.

A final request In the same way your children need your help practicing things they learn in school, Lakewood staff needs your help to maintain a reliable and positive educational experience In the same way your children need your help practicing things they learn in school, Lakewood staff needs your help to maintain a reliable and positive educational experience Be familiar with your child’s routines Be familiar with your child’s routines Communicate with your child’s teacher Communicate with your child’s teacher Review Lakewood expectations with your child Review Lakewood expectations with your child Set an example of participation & cooperation Set an example of participation & cooperation Value what your child shares with you from school Value what your child shares with you from school Sign and return permission forms promptly Sign and return permission forms promptly Respond to teacher messages to collaborate in success Respond to teacher messages to collaborate in success

Discipline - Coach Children thrive on guidance in terms of how to succeed. Children thrive on guidance in terms of how to succeed. When our children fail to succeed, parents and educators must strive to provide basic tools for success ….. AND When our children fail to succeed, parents and educators must strive to provide basic tools for success ….. AND Give opportunities to practice success with adult support Give opportunities to practice success with adult support Both of these components are required for a child’s sense of self and self-confidence. Both of these components are required for a child’s sense of self and self-confidence.

Lakewood – Eagle Expectations The expectations handout provides examples of what we are looking for once a child has achieved some self- discipline The expectations handout provides examples of what we are looking for once a child has achieved some self- discipline You will notice that there is a section of Level 1 through 3 behaviors which outlines some behaviors which require us to act so as to keep Lakewood a safe and successful place for learning You will notice that there is a section of Level 1 through 3 behaviors which outlines some behaviors which require us to act so as to keep Lakewood a safe and successful place for learning Please note that our first response is always to “re-teach” the expectation and describe the correct behavior in whatever situation arises Please note that our first response is always to “re-teach” the expectation and describe the correct behavior in whatever situation arises

When we call parents for help In the event we contact you for help with your child’s behavior, please use the Lakewood Expectations handout as a home guide. In the event we contact you for help with your child’s behavior, please use the Lakewood Expectations handout as a home guide. Our intent when reporting an incident is to add practice at success, not embarrass or punish students. Our intent when reporting an incident is to add practice at success, not embarrass or punish students. This provides students with feelings of success both at home and at school, and you witness their effort. This provides students with feelings of success both at home and at school, and you witness their effort. This promotes the feeling that all adults expect, appreciate, and enjoy the success of our Lakewood community members. This promotes the feeling that all adults expect, appreciate, and enjoy the success of our Lakewood community members.