Volume 1 August 2007

Juanita B. Ellis, Principal

                                 THE MUSTANG TIMES

                                     SPECIAL EDITION

WELCOME BACK

We welcome all of our wonderful students, parents, and community leaders to Stewart Street Accelerated School for another term. The information, policies and procedures in this newsletter have been carefully prepared so that it can serve as a ready reference throughout the year. Newsletters will be sent home monthly so that parents will have an up-to-date knowledge of school events and skills that are being taught I the classroom.

WELCOME NEW PERSONNEL

We welcome our new bright and talented teachers: Tia Bradwell, Renee' Davis, Antoinette Deen, Nicole Dixon, Dianne Grandstaff, Kimi Green, Antonia Hover, David Lang, Shayla Lightfoot-Brown, Margaret Moore, Monya Newmyer, Harriett Pete, Maya Rozier, Deborah Shaffer, Melissa Zulli. We would also like to welcome our two new Assistant Principals: Mr. Robert Lewis and Ms. Valencia Denson.

HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS

At Stewart Street Elementary, we strive to hire and retain highly qualified teachers. Fortunately, most of our teachers are highly qualified. However, we currently have a few newly hired teachers

who are working toward certification. This certification process should be completed within a few months.

CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION

All parents will receive a booklet, as last year, on the criteria for progressing from one grade to the next. The booklet should arrive in about 2 weeks. They will be sent home by students. Parents are required to sign and return the letter in the back of the booklet.

BUS LOADING AREA/FRONT CIRCLE

Parents are asked not to enter the bus loading area in the mornings from 7:45 a.m. -9:00 a.m. and in the afternoon from 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.. This is for the safety of all students. Please be cooperative.

STUDENT ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE

We need the help of all parents to assure that each student arrives and departs in a safe manner. SUPERVISION BEGINS AT 7:30 A.M.; THEREFORE, STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON CAMPUS BEFORE THIS TIME.

ATTENDANCE

Please send your child to school on time every day. School starts at 8:40. If your child is going to eat breakfast at school, please have your child to school by 8:15 each morning.

STUDENT PICK UP

Please use extreme caution in dropping off and picking up students. Please use the area near the parking lot and sidewalk. The parking lot is a one-way drive. Please do not block the traffic area by backing up in the street. An adult is on duty near this area. Be careful of the NO PARKING AREAS. DO NOT PARK IN RESTRICTED AREAS.

LUNCH/BREAKFAST PROGRAM

The school provides a breakfast and a hot lunch program. Food prices are as follows: Full price for student lunch is $1.25. Reduced price for lunch is 40�.

For the first ten days of school, all students will be on the same fee status as last school term until a new application is approved. If your child paid for lunch last term, please send the amount listed on this newsletter for the meal. All new students to the district will pay full price until the application is approved.

FREE AND REDUCED MEALS

Some students may qualify for free or reduced price meals. A
free lunch application was given to all students the first day of school. THE DEADLINE FOR RETURNING THE APPLICATION IS Friday, August 31st.

If your child's application is not returned by this date, you will have to pay the full price for your child's meals until the application is processed..

FOODS NOT ALLOWED

If students are allergic to milk & other foods, parents need to provide a statement from the doctor. The lunchroom will then provide a juice or alter the menu. Junk food, soda pop and punch drinks are not allowed in the lunchroom. Students may purchase pure juice.

DISCIPLINE

We allow no student to disrupt the learning environment; therefore, there are 6 (six) behaviors that are not negotiable. Students may be suspended from 2-5 days if they:

1. Fight (physically throwing blows)

2. Hitting a staff member

3. Severe repeated disruptions

4. Stealing

5. Drugs

6. Weapons

If a student commits a criminal act, he/she will be expelled.
Please read your child's classroom discipline plan that was sent home.

STEWART STREET RULES

1. Show respect for self and others.

2. Keep hands, feet, and objects to self.

3. Be prepared for class and do your best work.

4. Use nice language only.

5. Listen first, then follow directions.

DRESS CODE

Students at SSES are expected to wear uniforms. Students should wear the uniform combinations each week as outlined below:

Monday- Orange Polo & Khaki Bottoms

Tuesday-White Polo & Navy or Black Bottoms.

Wednesday-Orange Polo & Khaki Bottoms

Thursday-White Polo & Navy or Black Bottoms

Friday-School t-shirt & Khaki Bottom

Students should wear white socks, black or brown belt, White or Black tennis shoes or any closed in flat shoes.

ITEMS NOT ALLOWED AT SCHOOL

We request that the following items not be brought to school: beepers, toys, candy, drinks, hats (except for weather), food, sun-glasses, radios, CD players, video games, explosive devices, weapons, etc. Students cannot use cellular phones during the school day.

If these items are brought to school, they will be taken. Toys will not be returned until the last day of school unless the parent comes to pick them up. More severe actions will be taken for weapons and drugs.

P.T.A.

The first P.T.A. Drive has been planned for September 6, 2007at 6:00 p.m. Please make plans to come out and talk to your child's teacher and receive other important information.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Parents may purchase insurance for school and non-school hours for a nominal fee. Each student will be given an insurance application. Please return the application and money by Friday, September 7^th.

VISITING SCHOOL TEACHER CONFERENCES

We ask parents to always report to the office before going to classrooms. The best time to visit and conference with teachers is on their planning period. All teachers are also free to conference from 3:20-3:50 p.m. This helps to minimize classroom disruptions. The office can assist in scheduling conferences/visitations.

VOLUNTEERS

We invite you to become a school volunteer. Please call the front office (627-3145) or come by the school if you are willing to volunteer or serve as a mentor.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER