Dear parents, guardians, and students,

I am so excited to welcome all of you back for the 24- 25 School Year.  We have missed you all summer and it is time to get the learning started all over again. 

As the New Principal at Cedar Hill ES, I am excited to begin my journey with all of you in earnest.  Over the last few months, I have had amazing opportunities to get to know so many of you in so many different capacities. On my first day at Cedar Hill after meeting students, teachers and staff, I let my family know that I felt I had won the Lotto.  Well, that feeling has not changed.  Our students, teachers, staff, and parents are all looking for so much of the same things: We all want to ensure that Cedar Hill Elementary is a safe and appropriate learning environment where opportunities and access to learning are available to each and every student. 

For the 24-25 School Year, we plan to grow academically, culturally and as a community.  These expectations are dependent on all of us in order to be successful. 

Please take the time to review the Handbook to assure that we are all in partnership and to assure that our learning environment is the best for our students.  Once you have read through the handbook, please sign off on the last page and return to your child’s teacher.  

Know that we are here to collaborate with each and every one of you.  We are here to support and we are here to learn.  Do not be a stranger.  Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely, 

Mr. Patino

Cedar Hill Elementary School

Principal

Mr. Tony Patino

Assistant Principals

Tamika Beck – 1^st Grade, 4^th Grade, and School-Wide Testing

Demetria Smith— Kindergarten, 3^rd Grade and Special Education, Title I 

Lindsey Reddy ‐ 2^nd, 5th Grade, ESOL, MTSS, and Special Areas

Mascot: Titans

Colors: Silver, Blue, Neon Green

School Phone Numbers

Cedar Hill Elementary School Website Address: http://www.gcpsk12.org/cedarhilles

Other Discovery Cluster Schools

Principals

Board of Education Members

• Rachel Ruffin Stone, District I.
• Steven B. Knudsen, District II.
• Steve Gasper, District III.
• Dr. Adrienne Simmons, Chairperson, District IV.
• Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan, Vice Chairperson, District V.

Mission Statement

The Mission of Cedar Hill Elementary is to pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student, resulting in measured improvement against local, national and world-class standards.

Vision Statement

We envision Cedar Hill as a community of responsible, motivated, and empowered learners with knowledge and skills to maximize their individual potential to be productive citizens.

 Cedar Hill School Beliefs for all Learners

• Every Child is Unique: We believe that each child is a unique individual with their own strengths, interests, and learning styles, deserving of personalized attention and support.

• Safe and Supportive Environment: We believe in creating a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where all students, staff, and families feel respected, valued, and supported.

• Joy of Learning: We believe learning should be a joyful and engaging experience, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

• Collaborative Community: We believe that a strong partnership between students, parents, teachers, and the community is essential for promoting a positive and effective learning journey.

• Empowering Critical Thinking: We believe in cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to question and explore, preparing students to be active and informed citizens.

• Diversity and Respect: We believe in celebrating diversity, promoting cultural awareness, and teaching students to respect and appreciate different perspectives and backgrounds.

• Holistic Development: We believe in fostering the holistic development of each child—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically—enabling them to reach their full potential.

• Responsibility and Accountability: We believe in instilling values of responsibility, integrity, and accountability, helping students develop a strong sense of ethics and character.

• Innovative Teaching: We believe in staying up-to-date with educational research and embracing innovative teaching methods and strategies as well as the use of  technologies to enhance student learning experiences.

• Lifelong Learners: We believe that education is a lifelong journey, and we aim to inspire students to become curious, adaptable, and self-directed as well as self-motivated learners who are ready to face the challenges of the future.

Portrait of the Graduate

These are the six core competencies that articulate our community’s aspirations for all of our students in GCPS. 

Adaptability

Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Students

• work effectively in a climate of ambiguity and changing priorities, demonstrating flexibility when acclimating to various roles and situations.
• respond productively to feedback, praise, setbacks, and criticism; persevering to achieve success despite difficulty, opposition, and/or failure.
• are confident working independently and with diverse groups through various situations.

Collaborative Leadership

Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Students

• build relationships with others through trust, compassion, and principled behaviors.
• have a win-win mindset as they seek and maximize opportunities to actively listen and elicit diverse perspectives and contributions from others, consistently seeking collective commitment from others.
• take risks and know how to develop, organize, and manage new technologies, initiatives, and/or ventures in order to positively impact their world, crafting inspiring visions and action as they do so.

• intentionally seek and engage opportunities to work with others towards a common purpose.Resourcefulness

Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Students

• innovate - translating original and inventive thinking into viable solutions.
• demonstrate originality, imagination, and new ways of thinking about things.
• transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, and relationships to create new or meaningful ideas, methods, or interpretations.
• transfer and adapt to learning from diverse experiences in order to access, select, and use resources (i.e. technology, media, financial, etc.) efficiently and wisely to achieve success.

Empathy

Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Students

• exhibit emotional intelligence (EQ) – they are introspective and self-aware. They understand and act on the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of other people.
• are curious about, value and embrace diverse cultures and unique perspectives through mutual respect and open dialogue.
• understand, negotiate, and balance diverse views and beliefs as they engage with others.

Critical Thinking

Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Students

• consistently reflect deeply about their own thinking and the “bigger picture”, integrating feedback from others and the world around them into their evolving understandings.
• consider the benefits and barriers of evolving technologies as they access those technologies to achieve their purposes.
• are mindful to analyze, evaluate, and assess solutions for complexity and impact on people and situations as they create or curate workable outcomes.
• are critical consumers of information.

Communication

Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Students

• articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written, and nonverbal communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts and for a range of purposes and audiences.
• listen effectively to understand knowledge, values, attitudes, and intentions.

Cedar Hill Elementary Policies and Procedures

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Students MAY NOT ENTER the building BEFORE 7:40 a.m. There are no staff members available to supervise students until 7:40 a.m. 

• If your child is participating in a before-school activity, they may not enter the building unless the teacher or staff member responsible for the student is present. Students may not be dropped off and left unattended outside of the school or at the front of the building. 
• Morning announcements and instruction for the day begin at 8:00 a.m. Please be sure your child arrives on time. Students who are not in their classrooms by 8:15 a.m. are tardy. 
• For morning breakfast, students in Kindergarten first go to their classrooms, drop off their backpacks, and then report to the cafeteria. Students in grades 1‐5 who eat breakfast at school will go directly to the cafeteria, pick up their meals, and proceed to their classrooms. Breakfast stops being served at 8:15 am. 
• If any car-rider students arrive after 8:05 a.m., parents must drive around to the front of the school and walk their student to the front of the school, and ring the doorbell. The students and the parents will then walk in, have the student checked in  and get a tardy pass from the front desk receptionist. (DO NOT DROP OFF YOUR CHILD WITHOUT CHECKING IN YOUR CHILD)

Arrival: 

          Busses: 

• Have your children ride the school bus whenever possible. It is the safest form of transportation, and children are never marked as tardy. 
• Please note that it is imperative that you are at the bus stop at the time the bus is scheduled to pick up your student(s).  

         Car Rider: 

• Due to traffic congestion and safety reasons, parents may not utilize the parking lot in front of the school for morning arrivals and afternoon pickups. Car Riders must use the drive‐through in the back of the school from 7:40 am to 8:05 a.m. for Drop-Offs; any time after this you need to take your child to the front office to check in.  Pick-Ups are from 2:45 to 3:10 p.m. The earlier you arrive, the shorter the line. Staff members will be outside to assist with loading and unloading students. Parents should follow the directions of the Staff Members. Please keep your music at a low volume and do not use your cell phone in line.

 Procedure for Morning Drop Off: 7:40 am to 8:05 am. 

• Please drive all the way around the circle for the maximum number of vehicles to unload at one time.  After coming to a stop, your child will open the vehicle door and exit your car on the passenger side only. Parents should not get out of the vehicle to unload their child. If you need to unbuckle your child, please make sure that you’re aware that other families are waiting to drop off their student. Please do not pass the vehicles in front of you (this is for the safety of the children). Please remember that the car rider lane is not the place to sign papers, check homework, or finish breakfast, as this creates a hold up in the line and can impact timely drop off. Upon exiting the car‐rider line, you may only turn right on to Sugarloaf Hwy. If needed, you may U‐turn at the intersection of Town Park and Dunhill subdivisions. This facilitates a faster car line for everyone. The car rider line will close at 8:05 a.m. Once the gate is locked, you must drive to the front of the school, park in a parking space, and walk your child across the bus lane. At 8:15 a.m., your child is considered tardy, and you must check them in at the front office. (DO NOT DROP OFF YOUR CHILD WITHOUT CHECKING IN YOUR CHILD/ A PARENT MUST ACCOMPANY THE STUDENT(S) TO CHECK THEM IN)

Dismissal  

• Early checkouts must be before 2:00 pm.
• At dismissal, students will be dismissed first as car riders, daycare buses, and walkers to their dismissal locations. 
• Students will then be dismissed to their buses as their buses are called.  All bus calls consist of a projected bus number and an announcement. 
• We will not release any student to an adult from the bus lane. For the security of all of our students, students must be checked out through the office where identification can be verified. Please know that your children’s safety is our utmost concern. 

          Procedure for Afternoon Pickup: 2:40 pm to 3:10 p.m. 

• In the afternoon, students will be dismissed from the cafeteria. Please pull around the circle upon entering the gate, and your child will be called to your vehicle by a staff member. DO NOT PASS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU unless instructed by car rider staff to keep the line moving. Parents should not get out of the vehicle to load their child. If you need to buckle your child, please be aware that other families are waiting to pick up their student. Please stay in line with the other vehicles and follow the directions of staff members.
• Students not picked up by 3:10 p.m. will be taken to the front office. If you are late, please park in front of the school, bring a photo ID, and sign your child out in the front office. The person checking out the student MUST be listed on the registration form or entered in Synergy. If the person isn’t listed, then they may not check the student out.
• Please note that all children in Kindergarten and First grade must have a trusted guardian present at the bus stop in order for the child to be released. If no one is present to pick-up the Kindergarten or First grade student, the bus will return to the school and a documented parent/guardian must come to the school to pick them up. An older sibling from school can accompany a Kindergarten or First grade student in getting off the bus.

Early Check Out 

• Dismissal begins at 2:40 p.m. When you must check your students out of school early, they will only be released from the front office. Teachers are instructed not to release students to any adult without notification from the office. State law requires we request a photo ID when you sign your child out of school. Also, in order to check out a student, the person checking out the student must be on the list of people who can check out the student. No student will be called for checkout until a parent or guardian is present and a photo ID has been checked.
• Students must be present for 3 1/2 hours to be considered present for the day. Early student checkout must be completed prior to 2:00 p.m.

Change in Normal Procedure. 

• If your child is not going home their normal way, a note must be sent to the teacher on that day to change their transportation. All changes in transportation must be in writing. Students will be transported home normally without a note from the parent or guardian. Should an emergency arise during the day, plans must be changed. Please contact the school office before noon. You must scan or fax a signed note and a copy of your picture identification to verify that it is a legal parent/guardian calling to change your child’s transportation home—The school Fax # 678‐377‐8980. Please set a consistent schedule for your child.

ATTENDANCE

• A minimum attendance level is required to attain the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum. The responsibility of school attendance is that of both parents and students. The Superintendent has designated the minimum attendance levels in procedure consistent with state standards. 
• The school will notify the parent or guardian on the day of the student’s absence. Student absence will remain unexcused until a written excuse, signed by the parent, is sent to their teacher. The parent or guardian must send in the excuse note within three days of the student returning to school. After three days, the attendance will remain as unexcused absences. (We will accept any form of written communication to help the student receive an excused absence status)
• According to the State’s Attendance Protocol, when a student accumulates five, ten, and/or fifteen unexcused absences, an attendance letter will be mailed, and a certified mail return receipt will be requested. 
• Please remember that your students will miss instructional time when they are tardy or are checked out early. If a student is consistently late or is checked out early, it will affect perfect attendance for them. 

If your student arrives 30 min late or is dismissed 30 min early: 

They will miss 2.5 hrs a week

          They will miss 1 day & 2 hrs a month

          They will miss 6 days a semester

          They will miss 12 days a school year

• School attendance is an essential part of student success and achievement. Certain absences are considered to be excused according to state guidelines.

Excused Absences ‐ State Board of Education Rule 160‐5‐1‐.10 defines the following as excused absences:

• Personal illness or attendance in school endangers a student’s health or the health of others.
• A serious illness or death in the student’s immediate family necessitating absence from school.
• A court order or an order by a government agency, including pre‐induction physical examinations for service in the armed forces, mandating absence from school.
• Observing religious holidays
• Serving as pages for the Georgia General Assembly
• A student whose parent or legal guardian is in military service of the United States or the National Guard, and such parent or legal guardian has been called to duty for or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, shall be granted excused absences, up to a maximum of five school days per year, for the day or days missed from school to visit with their parent or legal guardian before deployment or while on leave.

School work will be provided for a student who has an excused absence. Teachers are expected to support all 

students due to an excused absence. 

AWARDS ‐ Student Recognition/ Criteria

• Recognizing students is extremely important as it enhances self‐esteem and encourages students to set high goals. Teachers use a variety of techniques within their classrooms to recognize student achievement in academics and behavior on a daily basis. In addition, students are honored school-wide in the following ways:  White Ribbons and Certificates. 

• Principal’s Honor Roll – Awarded 1^st and 2nd  Semester.

Criteria: Kindergarten & 1^st Grade: All E’s on the report card and E or S in Special Area performance. Grades 2-5: All A’s on the report card (grades 2‐5) and E or S in Special Area performance. 

• Honor Roll – Awarded 1^st and 2^nd Semester.

Criteria: 1^st Grade: All E’s and S’s on the report card. Grades 2‐5: All A’s and B’s on the report card and S in Special Area performance.

• Perfect Attendance Award –Awarded 1^st and 2^nd Semester.

Criteria: To qualify for Perfect attendance: Students may not have more than five tardy check‐ins or early checkouts during the quarterly grading period and no more than five for the school year. Students must be present for most of the day (minimum 3 ½ hours per day). To be considered present for the day, students cannot be checked out before 11:30 a.m. and must be checked in for the day before 11:30 a.m.

Terrific Titans Celebration – Awarded Once a month.

At Cedar Hill Elementary, we take great pride in nurturing our students’ character and behavior development. As part of our commitment to fostering positive values and qualities, we host the “Terrific Titans” monthly student recognition ceremony.

Selection Process: Every month, our dedicated classroom teachers carefully select one exceptional student from their class who consistently demonstrates the character traits and behaviors aligned with our school-wide P.A.T.H. behavior expectations plan. These traits include the following:

• Being Prepared: Students who consistently come to school ready to learn with their materials and assignments.
• Accepting Responsibility: Students who take ownership of their actions and responsibilities in and outside the classroom.
• Trying Their Best: Students who demonstrate a strong work ethic and a commitment to improving themselves.
• Having Respect: Students who show kindness, empathy, and respect for others.

Recognition: The chosen Terrific Titan of the Month is celebrated in various ways. They receive a certificate of achievement and a small prize. Their photograph is prominently displayed in the school’s main hallway and featured in our monthly newsletter.

Invitation to Parents: If your child is chosen as the Terrific Titan of the Month in their classroom, we warmly invite you to attend the recognition ceremony. This is a special occasion where we celebrate your child’s exemplary behavior and character development. Their achievements deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated!

In an attempt to protect instructional time, birthday celebrations are only permitted during lunch. As an additional health and safety precaution, we ask that all food items brought in for birthday celebrations be store-bought in the original packaging with the nutrition label attached. Preferred items are cupcakes, donuts, or ice cream (ice Cream can be purchased in the cafeteria). Please no cakes. Parents are not allowed to bring treats for select students; you must provide a treat for the entire class to celebrate your student’s birthday at school. The teacher may distribute birthday invitations to private birthday celebrations as long as every student in the class receives an invitation.

   To facilitate prompt, appropriate communication between the home and school, parents, guardians, or

   persons having charge or control of a student should notify the school immediately when there is a change in 

   the student’s address and/or phone number as listed in school records.

For emergency purposes, we must have updated information on each student. Please notify the school office and teacher in writing of any changes and send two new proofs of residency to the office for address changes.

Furthermore, it is a best practice to have multiple friends or family on the Emergency Contact List.  If there were an emergency, it would allow us to contact someone who can pick up the student.

It is important to keep interruptions to Instruction to a minimum. If you must bring books, lunches, or other supplies to your child during the day, you may leave the items in the school office. Teachers are not available to confer with parents while they have students in their classes. If you want to meet with your child’s teacher, you must make an appointment. No parents will be permitted to go to their child’s classroom unless there has been a planned visit with that teacher. 

CLINIC (Mercedes Dyer) 678‐377‐8998

Cedar Hill provides limited health care services to our students. Our clinic staff administers basic first aid services, prescription drugs, and long‐term medication. Over‐the‐counter medication will be administered only when a parent’s request is furnished in writing for a specific reason and day. When your child is ill or running a temperature, please do not send them to school and risk the health of others. Parents will be

called if students are too sick to remain in school, if they are seriously injured, if they are running a temperature of 101 degrees or more, or if we believe your child needs further medical attention. Children can return to school 24 hours after the fever or stomach irregularities have returned to normal.

If the student misses any school days, the parents are responsible to send a note to school in order to have the student have an excused absence. 

Allergy Emergency Plan ‐ If your child has ever experienced a severe allergic reaction to food, medication, or insects, you must complete an Allergy Emergency Plan.

All medication should be transported to the school by an adult. Please do not send medication to school with students. Additionally, student medication must be brought to school in the original labeled container prepared by the pharmacy, doctor, or pharmaceutical company (i.e., no envelopes, foil, or baggies). 

Students are not allowed to bring any prescription or over‐the‐counter medication to school.

According to school bus rules, students are not permitted to have any controlled substances (Ritalin, Adderall, etc.) on the bus. (Asthma inhalers and epi‐pens are allowed).

The clinic depends on donations for supplies such as Band‐Aids, zipper-lock sandwich bags, thermometer covers, and tissues. Monetary contributions may also be made as provided on the contribution form distributed on Meet Your Teacher Day/Registration.

Furthermore, if a student is required to take any medication the following procedure needs to be followed: 

• Medication needs to be dropped off by an adult (students can't transport) 
• Medication t needs to be in the original prescription bottle with label or if it is over the counter in the original box. 

Parents will also have to complete an Administration of Medication Request Form that will be filled out with the Clinic Worker.

 Messages to Teachers and Students

Phone calls are received from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. so that instructional time is not interrupted. Messages for teachers are taken, and phone calls are returned within 48 hours. Please refer to the Cedar Hill website, http://www.gcpsk12.org/cedarhilles, for answers to informational questions such as lunch menus, schedules, upcoming events, etc. Teacher email is also available in this form: first name.last name@gcpsk12.org. Emails are not instant messages, so please do not expect an immediate response. We will deliver only emergency messages to students and teachers during the school day.

Ongoing communications regarding your child’s behavior choices and progress as well as celebrations will occur throughout the school year. Newsletters will be sent home at least once a month in student Friday folders or through Parent Square. Please make sure you check your child’s folder on Fridays or over the weekend and return it to school on Monday. Also, check your child’s eClass for daily and weekly information.

Conferences are held during Early Release Days on October 23rd and 24th and March 5th and 6th . Students will be dismissed at noon each day. Conferences will be scheduled through PTCfast. Teachers will make every effort to arrange them for your convenience. Other meetings are held throughout the school year at the parent, teacher, or administrator’s request.

“To improve academic achievement, solve difficult education concerns, and share ideas for school improvement” are a few reasons the state legislature in House Bill 1187 established School Councils. Cedar Hill’s School Council meets each quarter to provide advice and make recommendations to the principal and/or Board of Education on student activities and achievement matters. Items may include:

* School calendar * School codes for conduct and dress

*Curriculum, program goals, and priorities * budget priorities

*school‐community communication * School progress and student achievement

Council members are elected, maintain a school‐wide perspective on issues, and participate in council meetings, information, and training programs. They are a link between the School Council and the community. Members encourage the participation of others within the school community and work to improve student achievement and performance. Cedar Hill’s Council includes teachers, parents, community business representatives, and our principal. Visitors are always welcome.

School Counselors

 DaNai Black 678‐377‐8990: Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade

Maret Paschal 678‐377‐8994: 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade

Our school guidance counselors assist teachers, parents, and students to develop positive achievement in both academic and social adjustment. The counselor works with parents and students individually, in small groups, and classroom activities.

DISCIPLINE

Our students are citizens of our school community. All students deserve a positive and orderly environment for learning. To achieve this, Cedar Hill students have clear expectations for behavior and school rules consistent with our district-supported Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. (PBIS)

Program and Gwinnett County Public Schools’ student management and discipline policies.

The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS): PBIS is a proven framework that offers practices and strategies designed to benefit all students. This comprehensive program is aimed at achieving several important goals:

• Enhancing Academic Performance: By fostering a positive and supportive school culture, PBIS helps our students excel academically.
• Improving Safety: Through proactive approaches, PBIS ensures the safety and well-being of every student.
• Decreasing Problem Behavior: PBIS equips students with the skills and tools to make positive choices and reduce disruptive behavior.

Establishing a Positive School Culture: We aim to create a school environment where respect, responsibility, and kindness are celebrated

Consequences of Student Behavior Infractions -Cedar Hill administrators have broad discretion to determine consequences for student behavior infractions. The range of consequences for violations assigned by a local school administrator may include, without limitation:

• Warning *Administrative Detention * In‐School Suspension
• Administrative Hallway * Out-of-School Suspension
• OSS Pending Disciplinary Panel Hearing

When a Disciplinary Referral Form is mailed home, please discuss the violation and comments with your child, sign the form indicating that you have seen it, and return it on the next school day. Your cooperation and support are greatly appreciated in supporting appropriate behavior choices.  Please return the signed portion of the form to the school upon the student’s return to school.

DRESS CODE

• Clothing should fit appropriately. Pants and shorts must be worn at the waist at all times. Belts must be worn if pants do not fit at the waist: no muscle shirts, halter tops, or spaghetti straps.
• Shorts, skirts, and dresses must not be shorter than fingertips when extended naturally.
• Clothing and jewelry that are associated with gang activity are not acceptable. This includes sagging pants or shorts, pants cut off at the knees and worn with knee socks, long belts, and bandannas. Hats, scarves, bandannas, other head garments, and sweatbands are allowed only on designated “hat days.”
• Hoods that are attached to jackets and sweatshirts may not be worn inside the school.
• The following articles of clothing are not allowed: bare midriff clothing, clothing with holes, rips, or intentional frays, visible undergarments, and see-through or backless clothing, and articles of clothing with inappropriate messaging.
• Shoes should be appropriate for all school activities, including TDPE and PE. Flip Flops should not be worn for safety reasons. Sandals must have a strap around the ankle. 
• Clothing deemed distracting in the classroom should not be worn to school.
• Hair wigs are allowed for medical reasons.

We request that all who visit our school consider their dress code in order to maintain the decorum of a place of learning. 

EMERGENCY DRILLS

Fire drills are held monthly throughout the school year. A tornado (severe weather) drill is held on the date designated by the State of Georgia. Security drills, such as lockdowns and evacuations, will also be held throughout the year.

Field Trips are a privilege. Students may not be permitted to attend field trips if there are safety or supervision concerns or a reason “deemed appropriate” by the administrators. Note that expectations for student behavior on field trips are the same as if the student were at school.

FOOD DELIVERY

Food cannot be delivered to students during the school day by food delivery establishments, including but not limited to Uber Eats, DoorDash, or GrubHub. 

FOOD SERVICES (Cafeteria, 678‐377‐8988)

Cedar Hill is pleased to serve our students a nutritious, healthy meal every day school is in session. An essential part of our nutritional program is modeling healthy nutrition habits.  It is an expectation that if you are visiting your student, that the student and the visitor can enjoy a school meal. 

Please notify your child’s teacher and the cafeteria manager if your child has a food allergy in order to substitute milk with juice as part of the regular daily diet documentation.

Payment Information 

Money for school lunch may be added to your student’s account by using https://www2.mypaymentsplus.com. If you cannot put money in your student’s account online, please send the money in a sealed envelope with the student’s name and teacher’s name printed on the outside of the envelope and the check. Please send separate checks for each child. Students and adults will use their same meal account for lunch and breakfast. If you plan for your child to have breakfast and lunch, be sure to deposit enough money in their account to cover both meals.

Prepaying by Internet or Phone for Lunch & Breakfast

You can prepay by internet or phone anytime, anywhere… Log on to www.mealpayplus.com. Register your child into the K‐12 school lunch prepayment system. Make a prepayment to your child’s meal account using the secure website or call (888) 633‐3250 and make your payment over the phone.

Elementary students will only be allowed to charge up to $11.25. After $11.25, students will not be permitted additional charges. However, our cafeteria will provide the child with one item from the serving line and milk. Students receive a charge slip indicating the amount due; additional money is needed the following day. No lunch charges are permitted after April 30^th. We appreciate parental assistance in reminding students to bring lunch money and frequently checking with children when additional payments are needed. It isn’t very comforting to children to be without lunch money.

Breakfast Program 

Our cafeteria also provides a nutritious breakfast program. Breakfast is served from 7:35 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. only. The serving lines will be closed at 8:15 a.m. If your child qualifies for the free/reduced lunch program, they also qualify for the free/reduced breakfast program. Student breakfast is $1.50. The reduced price is

$.30. Extra milk is $.40. An adult breakfast is $2.50. Our breakfast consists of nutritious items that are simple and quick for the students to pick up and allow them enough time to be in their classroom on time.

Lunch Program 

Our cafeteria serves a nutritious lunch of choices of entrees, vegetables, and fruit daily. The cost of a student lunch is $2.25 per day. The reduced meal price is $ .40. Extra milk is $.40. An adult meal costs $4.00. Additional lunch items are available for sale each day. A list of items and their costs is posted on the monthly menus and the Cedar Hill website at http://www.gcpsk12.org/cedarhilles. If you do not want your child to charge additional items on their regular account, notify the cafeteria to flag the account.

Students are welcome to bring a packed lunch, although refrigeration and microwaves are not available for student use. 

Identification is required to eat lunch with your student. One of the two visitors must be the enrolling parent or listed on the student’s emergency contact list. Cafeteria space is limited; therefore, we ask parents to limit the number of visitors to no more than two adults per visit. Students may sit with their parent/visitor at the parent table; however, classmates will not be allowed to eat with another student’s visitors. Lunch visits will be limited if there is a school wide conflict/event  such as testing or student events.

During lunch visits, food from the outside from any restaurant will not be permitted.  For example, parents will not be permitted to bring pizza, Chic-Fil-A, Zaxby’s, McDonalds and etc.

Ice Cream Sales—Ice cream is sold on Wednesdays and Fridays during lunch. All items are $1. Please do not send students with bills larger than $5.

GRADING

Report cards will be sent home at the end of each Semester. Progress Reports will be shared with students and their parent/guardian on weeks 4, 7, 10, 13 and 16. Otherwise, parents can review their child’s grades online through the GCPS Parent Portal.

• Kindergarten and First Grade 

The grading scale is as follows: 

E = Excellent, S = Satisfactory, N = Needs Improvement,  U = Unsatisfactory. 

Kindergarten students receive a rubric to indicate progress.

• Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade 

The grading scale is as follows:

90% and above A shall indicate excellent progress

80% - 89% B shall indicate above average progress

70% - 79% C shall indicate average progress

0% - 69% U/F shall indicate unsatisfactory progress/failure of acceptable progress

MAKE‐UP WORK

Assignments missed during an excused short‐term or long‐term absence will be made up upon return. If the parent feels the student is able to work at home, a message requesting make‐up work received before 9:00

a.m. can be honored. Requests for make‐up work received later in the day (after 9:00 a.m.) will be honored the following day. Students who miss ten days or more may be eligible for homebound Instruction. Contact an administrator for details concerning homebound Instruction. 

HOMEWORK

Home study is a necessary part of each student’s educational program. Some assignments are very brief in nature, and others require extended planning. Parents are advised to plan and supervise daily study time at home. If your child has no current assignments, the time can be used for reading or practicing math.

We encourage all of our students to read for 20 minutes each night.

INCLEMENT WEATHER/CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL

In the event of severe weather or other conditions, Gwinnett schools may be closed. Announcements will be made over metro radio and TV stations. If no report is heard, the school will be in session. You may also check the GCPS website at http://www.gcpsk12.org. In the event of an early closing, we will follow the instructions where your child should go that you complete on the inclement weather form.

Cedar Hill Elementary School wishes to meet the needs of all of our students and families. If any family member needs assistance or has any questions regarding mobility-impaired issues or handicap access, please contact the principal at 770‐962‐5015.

Other than eyeglasses, jewelry, money, or keys, items found in hallways, playground, or cafeteria – are placed in lost and found outside the cafeteria’s side door. Students should check this area to retrieve lost items. Unclaimed items are donated to charity organizations quarterly.

FAMILY CENTER AND SUPPORT

Parents are vital partners in their children’s education. Each family will receive a copy of our Parent Involvement Plan. This plan is also available on our website at http://www.gcpsk12.org/cedarhilles.

Dr. Aisha House, Parent Instructional Coordinator. –770‐822‐1263 or Maria A. Vigorita, Parent Outreach Liaison ‐678‐377‐8997 

Our Parent Engagement Center is open during school hours. The Parent Engagement Center is for every family in our school. The Parent Center stands ready to serve your needs, especially supporting your efforts to help your children with their schoolwork. Please take advantage of the Center. 

The Family Center encourages parents to volunteer at our school.  There are many different ways in which a parent can support the school as a volunteer.  Please reach out to Dr. House or Ms. Vigorita if you are interested in volunteering.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS (ESSA)

In compliance with the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) statute, Cedar Hill ES informs parents that you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher. The following information may be requested: certification, college major/graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and paraprofessional qualifications if paraprofessional services are provided. Please contact the principal to request information concerning your child’s teacher’s qualifications.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Copies of your entrance documents will be made, and originals will be returned to you. No additional copies will be made.

Birth Certificate: All students entering school for the first time in K or 1st Grade must present an official birth certificate at the time of registration. Children must be five years old on or before September 1 to participate in Kindergarten. Children must be six years old on or before September 1 to participate in first grade.

Immunization Certificate 

All students enrolling in a Georgia school must present an official Georgia Department of Human Resources Certificate of Immunization (form 3231). Any student without the required form will not be allowed to enter school until the form is on file. [State law O.C.G.A. 20‐2771(h).]

Hearing, Vision, Dental, and Nutrition Screening 

All students entering a Georgia public school for the first time must present the screening form from the health department, a physician and/or dentist licensed by the State of Georgia. This certificate must be an official Georgia Department of Human Resources form (form 3300).

Proof of Residency

The school requires proof of residency, which must be verified by presenting a current utility bill (excluding telephone bills) with one of the following documents: a non‐contingent sales contract, current lease/rental agreement, most recent income tax return, current paycheck stub, current Medicaid card, current residential property tax statement or bill, current warranty or Quickclaim Deed, current home purchase agreement, or

current homeowner’s insurance policy. 

An exception: A deed without an address is acceptable if accompanied by two utility bills (excluding telephone bills) with the same address in the attendance zone. A contingency contract is not acceptable. A notarized residency affidavit is also required if there is no housing document in the parent or guardian’s name. Affidavits are available in the front office or on our website.

Individual school pictures are taken in September. Class and individual pictures are taken in March. Information and order forms are sent home prior to picture day.

We intend to offer some limited school supplies, snacks and fidget toys. The items range in price from $1 to $5.  The school store will be open in the mornings every Thursday during student arrival. THERE ARE NO RETURNS AND NO RECEIPTS!!