Northwood school hours are 7:45 A.M. until 2:15 P.M.  Students are marked TARDY if they are not in the classroom by 7:45 A.M.  Please make every effort to have your children come to school ON TIME.  On the rare instance when buses or daycare vans arrive after 7:45 A.M., students are not counted tardy.  If you bring your child to school and you arrive after 7:45, you must park your car, come into the school, and personally sign in your child.

     Parents, we need your cooperation in order to provide our students with the safest school environment possible.  If you ever come to the school to check your child out before dismissal, you MUST come to the office to sign your child out and ask a secretary to call your child to the office.  You will be required to show picture identification at the front office.  For the protection and safety of our children, no one is allowed to go directly to the classroom any time of the day to get a child.  This policy is for the safety of the children, and WE MUST ENFORCE IT.  If a student must leave early, please write a note to the teacher informing him/her that you will be picking up your child early.  We also ask that you avoid picking up your child between 2:00 and 2:15, as this time is so close to dismissal.  Again, in the case you need to pick up your child early from school for an appointment, you MUST CHECK OUT THE STUDENT FROM THE OFFICE AND NOT PICK THE CHILD UP DIRECTLY FROM HIS/HER ROOM. 

NOTE:  To ensure the safety of our students, a picture I.D. is required to check out your child from school.

 Safe school transportation is an important part of our school program. Riding the bus is a privilege based on proper and courteous behavior.  The Fulton County Board of Education recognizes that safe school bus operation is possible only with the cooperation of students, parents, and school staff. Students must
get on and off the bus at their own bus stops.
 Any change to regular transportation (car-rider or bus) requires a written request from the parent/guardian of the student.  Permission for a child to ride a different bus and/or to be let off at a different stop is considered only for special circumstance concerning child care or family emergency. All requests must be approved by the principal or assistant principal.

While students are riding the bus, students are expected to:
• Observe quiet conduct.
• Stay in their seats while the bus is in motion.
• Not throw any objects at any time.
• Keep hands and feet to themselves.
• Not have any food or drinks while on the bus.
• Cooperate and be respectful of the bus driver at all times.
• Act in a courteous and respectful manner at all times.

Discipline:
• Riding the bus is a privilege. Students who violate safety rules may be suspended from riding the bus for one or more days.
• The bus driver is in charge of the bus at all times.

    Lisa Sutton, our cafeteria manager, and her staff are ready to serve all Northwood students delicious lunches and breakfasts.  The prices are:
                             BREAKFAST                                           LUNCH
               Students                         $           .80                          $      1.35
               Adults                            $         1.30                          $      2.40

     Students may pay for lunches for the week or for several weeks.  Please send a check on MONDAY MORNINGS made out to Northwood Cafeteria for the amount of lunches for which you would like to pay.  Be sure to include on the envelope with the check:

Child’s Name
Child’s Grade
Child’s Teacher
Amount of Check

New this year you may also pay for lunch on line or call a toll free number:

Parents are welcome to have lunch with their child.  Please observe the following procedures:

• Sign in at the front office.
• Put on a nametag.
• Meet your child in the cafeteria.
• It is requested that food not be brought in from McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, or any other outside restaurant.
• Sit with your child in the appropriate parent/visitor’s section.
• Say good-bye to your child in the cafeteria.
• Sign out in the front office.

 We look forward to having you join us for lunch. 

   Whenever you pack your child’s lunch, we ask that you NOT send any carbonated beverage in his/her lunch.  Also, any food that comes in a pop-top can MUST be put in another container (plastic container or plastic bag), as these pop-top cans have been known to cause injury to children.  We want your child to be safe and healthy.  Thank you for your cooperation.

 To increase our efforts to improve student achievement at Northwood, we have a schoolwide homework policy.  The goals of this policy are to reinforce skills being taught in the classroom, to increase the student’s success on achievement tests, to provide opportunities for parent involvement, and to develop responsibility.  When students have homework on a regular basis, they form strong study habits; and, thus, develop self-discipline. With these goals in mind, this policy is as follows:

Kindergarten Students have up to 15 minutes of homework three times a week to be completed at home with parents.

Grades 1-3 All teachers give homework a minimum of three times per week with assignments ranging from 15-30 minutes.

Grades 4, 5 All teachers will give homework a minimum of three times per week with assignments ranging from 30-60 minutes.

 Please note: Homework is defined as any assignment which promotes the student’s ability to retain, maintain, and increase learning to be completed at home.  This does not include class work that was not completed.  Students in grades four and five will also have long-range assignments such as projects, reports, etc.  An assignment to “read a library book” may be above and beyond the routine daily homework assignment. 

If your child is out sick for more than one day and you would like to request homework from the teacher, please call the school before 10:30 A.M. so that the teacher will be able to check his/her box and get the work ready by the end of the school day. 

    Each year we have a number of Fulton County students injured at school through accidents whose families do not carry any type of medical insurance whatsoever.  Whenever these families contact Fulton County Schools regarding the bills, frustration may compound the injury incurred by their child.  Basic coverage for accidents and dental costs approximately $26.00 for the entire school year.  Other options are available.
   Several coverages are offered, including dental and basic and preferred levels of benefits for various levels of activities: School-Time, 24-Hour (which includes breaks and summer), Spring Football, and Fall Football for high school students.
    In summary, if no other medical and/or dental coverage is in place, the Student Insurance is the only source of payment for injuries occurring to a student.  Forms for student accident insurance plans are given to every student.  For additional forms, please come to the Northwood office.

       Our clinic cannot provide any common medication (such as Tylenol, cough drops, etc.) to students unless the student’s parent/guardian has sent the medication to the clinic for the child’s use with a completed Authorization for Non-Prescription Medication form with the specified medication.  The medication must be sent to the clinic in the original container, clearly labeled with the child’s name on it. 
      Prescription medication needs to be clearly labeled and sent to the clinic with a completed Authorization for Prescription Medication form signed by the doctor.  Both of these forms are available from our clinic.  Thank you for your continued cooperation.

1.  What should I do if my child needs to change his/her afternoon transportation home? 

All changes in transportation require a note from a parent or guardian (bus to carpool to bus, etc.)  A note needs to be sent to the classroom teacher explaining the change, a phone number to contact if further information is needed, and a parent signature.  Long-term bus changes need to be submitted to the Fulton County Transportation Department for approval prior to the date requested.

Parents, if you need to change the way you want your child to come home (other than the way the teacher has been told that your child will be coming home each day), please send a written note to his/her teacher the morning of the change.  If a teacher does not have a written note, he/she will send your child home the same way he routinely goes home. We realize that occasionally an emergency might arise after your child has already left for school requiring a change in his/her way home that day.  In such a rare instance, please call the school no later than NOON, as we want our children to be prepared for dismissal.  For security and safety purposes, we ask that you please DO NOT use emails or a fax to change daily transportation.   If you need to check your child out early, please do so no later than 2:00 P.M. in order to help our dismissal continue to run smoothly.  If your child rides a daycare bus, please be sure to let the daycare know that he/she will not be on the daycare bus that day.

2.  Can my child change buses or get off the school bus at another child’s house? 

Students are not allowed to change buses at all except in extreme emergencies.  These changes must be made by written request from the parent and must be approved by an administrator.  Students are not allowed to change bus stops unless the parent sends written permission to the bus driver.

In addition, if your child rides a daycare bus, please be sure to let the daycare know that he/she will not be on the daycare bus that day.

3.  Is my child considered tardy if he/she arrives in carpool before 7:45 A.M. but does not reach the classroom until after 7:45 A.M.? 

Students arriving by carpool must be in their classroom by 7:45 A.M.  Students are considered tardy (late) after that time.  Parents using carpool are encouraged to drop off their children between 7:15 and 7:35 A.M. to avoid their child being tardy.  As a reminder, all students riding buses are not counted tardy if the bus arrives after 7:45 A.M.  We encourage all students to ride the bus.  Late arrival in the classroom is disruptive to the learning environment in the classroom, and students miss important information when they arrive late.

4.  When I bring my child into the building, may I walk him/her down to the classroom to speak with the teacher?

Please sign your child into the building at the front desk when you come in and give them a pink tardy slip to give to their teacher.  We ask that if you need to talk with your child’s teacher, please leave a note in the front office for the teacher to call you to talk or to schedule an appointment.  Your cooperation is very much appreciated.

    Here are a few Q&A’s to help you understand the policy on attendance.

Q: What time is a student marked “tardy?”
A: A student is tardy when he/she is not in the classroom by 7:45 A.M.

Q: If my child has a doctor’s appointment first thing in the morning or during the middle of the school day, is he/she marked absent?
A: To be counted as present, a child must be IN SCHOOL for 3 hours of instructional time.  Lunch is not considered to be instructional time.

Q: If I send an excuse for an absence due to illness or a doctor’s excuse for my child’s absence, is the absence “erased?”
A: No.  Absences with a medical excuse are marked as a medically excused (MED) absence.  If the parent or doctor does not send a note, the absence is marked unexcused (UNX).

Q: Should my child make up work for any excused or unexcused absence?
A: Students and parents are encouraged to request make-up work for any absence.  If a child is absent for more than one day, please call the school for homework assignments before 10:30 A.M.  (See web site www.northwoodelementary.com LINK - Parents Guide)

Q: How does Northwood help you to be on time and have good attendance?
A: Encouragement, phone calls and letters from teachers and administrators, and motivational charts of attendance are just a few examples of how we work together as a team to promote good attendance.

• If your child has a moderate fever or if he is too sick to enjoy group activities, please keep him out of school.  The child will need rest, plenty of fluids, and possibly medication.
• If your child has a fever, is vomiting, or has diarrhea, readmit him to school 24 hours after symptoms subside.  Use this time for rest and regaining energy.
• If your child has a rash, he cannot be readmitted to school without a note from a doctor with a diagnosis.
• If your child has strep throat, pink eye with discharge, impetigo, or another bacterial infection, keep your child out of school for 24 hours after he has started taking his medication.
• Ear infections are not contagious; your child may attend school while he is taking medication if he feels well enough.
• Instruct your child to use tissue to wipe his nose and to cover his mouth when coughing.  Coughing not only spreads germs, but is also very disruptive to others in the classroom.
• Encourage your child to wash his hands frequently.
• If your child needs medication given during school hours, remember that the appropriate form (prescription medication form or non-prescription medication form) must be completed and signed by the parent for non-prescription and the doctor and parent for prescription. 

    Please give your child the gift of responsibility.  If your child forgets his homework, please do not come back after school for this material.  Your child has several options, including calling a friend, reviewing material learned in class, or reading a book.  Consequences for not doing homework should be handled by the teacher when the homework is due.  We believe students should be responsible for their actions, and this is one way we can teach them.
    If your child forgets his/her lunch money he/she may charge lunch for the day.  We do not allow children to call home for lunch money.  This is another example for teaching children responsibility for either bringing their lunch money or their lunch.
    If your child forgets his band instrument, please do not bring the instrument to school.  Again, our teachers have talked to the students about the consequences of not being prepared for class.  We hope you will support us in teaching responsibility, as the relationship between home and school is directly connected.

      Parents, if you bring your children to school or pick them up in the afternoon in the carpool line, we ask you to PLEASE adhere to the following rules for carpool line:

1. Pull all the way around the circle so that multiple cars can unload at once.

2. Do not pass another car in the carpool circle under any circumstances.

3. Do not let your child out on the driver's side from the front or back door.

4. Wait until your car is next to the sidewalk before letting your child out of the car.

5. Please do not stop in the carpool circle to sign notes or weekly papers.  Make sure children are ready to get out when you stop.

6. Please show respect to everyone when dropping off your child or waiting for dismissal.

    An increasing number of  parents are dropping their children off in the parking lot rather than coming around the circle where we can oversee their safety.  Many cars are pulling into parking spaces and then backing out while other parents are letting their children out in this same parking area.  This is a serious situation, and we must insist (for the safety of Northwood students) that you drop your children off in the carpool circle.  If you do not come through the carpool line, we ask that you park your car and escort your child into the building.  Thank you for your cooperation.
    We also must ask that you not park in the reserved or handicapped parking spaces.  We have several students with broken legs or in a  wheelchair, and these parents MUST have access to handicapped spaces at all times.  Cars improperly parked in a handicapped space may be ticketed (maximum fine $500) and/or towed.  Thank you for your cooperation.

      We also ask that you have an extra dose of patience if you are in the carpool line.  We do not want to take a chance on any Northwood student being injured due to your being in a hurry.  Please help us keep our children safe.  Thank you!

NOTE:  To ensure the safety of our students, a picture I.D. is required to check out your child from school.

    Because of the world situation, we are using every precaution for tight security at Northwood Elementary.  Every door in the building is locked during the entire day.  The only door available is located at the main entrance in front of the office.  You must use that door, sign in at the visitor desk, get a nametag, and then sign out when you leave the building.  If you do not have on a Northwood nametag, you will be stopped in the halls and questioned by a Northwood employee.  Please adhere to these requests for the safety of every Northwood student. 
    The Northwood faculty and staff has a routine emergency plan each year.  EVERY faculty member and staff member has been thoroughly versed on his/her role in case of an emergency.

      In the event of inclement weather that occurs during the school day, we are asking that all parents assume the responsibility for monitoring the radio (WSB 750 AM on your dial) and television announcements for possible early school closing.  If you hear that schools will close at a time other than the regular time, PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL.  Follow the emergency plan that you completed for the school last week.  Please be sure to make arrangements with a neighbor if you are a working parent and/or will not be at home when your child arrives.  IT IS IMPORTANT TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR CHILD WHICH NEIGHBOR'S HOME TO GO TO IN CASE OF ANY EMERGENCIES.  PLEASE DISCUSS THIS PLAN BEFORE AN EMERGENCY ARISES.

     Parents, please help us update your child's current information so that we can immediately get in touch with you in case of an emergency. You may either complete the form below and send it to the front office OR you may directly e-mail Nan Hermann, our registrar, and notify her of updated information.  Her e-mail address is hermann@fulton.k12.ga.us , and she would be more than happy to update your information as soon as she receives your email.

Information Changes/Updates

Child's Name: _______________________________ 
Grade/Teacher: ______________________________

Only complete the CHANGES/UPDATES below.  Please leave the items blank if there are no changes.

Home address: _________________________________
Home phone: _________________________________

People authorized to pick up my child: _______________________________________________________________

Mother's work place:  ___________________________
                                    (Business name and full address) 
Mother's work phone: __________________________
Mother's cell phone or pager: ____________________ 
Mother's occupation: __________________________ 

Father's work place: _____________________________ 
                                     (Business name and full address )
Father's work phone: ____________________________ 
Father's cell phone or pager:_______________________ 
Father's occupation: _____________________________

      We have the most wonderful volunteers, and we want our PTA to be recognized by Fulton County for all of your hours.  Each time you are in the school (or do something for the school at home), please follow the procedures below:

1. Sign in at the computer every time you are in the school.

2. Your volunteer hours will automatically be logged when you sign in and out at the front table. 

      We want your efforts to be counted!  We appreciate every minute you are giving to Northwood Elementary!

Cafeteria - Lisa Sutton, Manager                                                                                              770-552-6396

Counseling concerns, family issues - Counselors, Betsy Allen (Grades K-2) and                        770-552-6390
Tracey Roberts (Grades 3-5)                                                                                                   

Curriculum - Curriculum Support Teacher, Danielle Evangelista                                                 770-552-6390

PTA issues and events - Lisa Anderson, President                                                                    770-552-8055

Records and registration - Nan Hermann, Data Clerk                                                               770-552-6390
(attendance, immunization, birth certificates, eye-ear-dental forms, transcripts)

School policies and issues - Sheila Michael, Principal; Susan Dixon, Principal's Secretary          770-552-6390

Student discipline and bus issues - Ritu Ahuja, Assistant Principal                                             770-552-6390

Special education - Mary Thompson, Instructional Support Teacher                                         770-552-6390

TAG program - Diane Gustafson or Lori Ros, TAG teachers                                                    770-552-6390

Web site - Bill Haynes