Parent Handbook

Policies, procedures, and other important notes

Welcome to Laurel Hill Elementary School! We are very excited to have you as a member of our school community.

Below you will find information on our policies and procedures. It’s important to understand our rules and follow them. They have been created to protect the safety of your child and promote a quality instructional environment.

If you ever have questions about our policies, please don’t hesitate to call the Main Office at 703-551-5300 or e-mail our parent liaison Teresa Smith at @email

General Information

Grade Levels Served

  • Laurel Hill ES is an elementary school that serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
  • Preschool and Head Start Programs are not available at Laurel Hill.

Location

  • School Address: 8390 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079
  • FCPS Boundary Information: Find out if you're within the Laurel Hill boundaries

Important Phone Numbers

Schedules

Policies and Procedures

The following sections provide information on the rules we follow at Laurel Hill, how we do things and why we do them that way. Please read through these pages so that you informed on all the latest policies.

Absences and Attendance Policies

Arrival and Dismissal

Bicycles

Birthdays at School 

There are students in our school who have serious allergies. These allergies may include a variety of items, both food and non-food. Therefore, for student birthdays, we suggest a new way to celebrate. Instead of sending in food, please consider buying a book for the classroom in honor of your child's birthday. The teacher will add a bookplate with your child's name on it. This book will be a part of the classroom library for many years for children to enjoy in your child's honor. Donations of other non-edible items, such as pencils, are also welcome to commemorate your child's special day.

We appreciate your cooperation with our new method of celebrating birthdays in order to protect the health of each of our students. We have directed teachers and office staff to decline food treats. If you have questions or require further guidance, please contact our administration at 703-551-5300 or the school Public Health Nurse, Michele Brookhart, at 703-704-6116. Our goal is to allow all students to fully participate in activities while maintaining a safe learning environment.

Bringing Things to School 

The only time students should bring toys, games, etc., to school is when their teacher gives them permission to do so. The student assumes full responsibility for any item brought to school.
 
The following items should not be brought to school:

  • sports equipment

  • games (unless the teacher gives permission)

  • magazines (unless the teacher specifically requests them for a project)

  • cameras

  • iPods or other MP3 players

  • personal video or hand-held game players (Nintendo DS, PSP, GameBoy, etc.)

  • other electronic games

  • CD players

  • radios

  • laser pointers

  • trading cards.

Any prohibited items brought to school may be confiscated by school staff and will be returned only to the parent.

Please see the Cell Phone section for information on cell phones at school.

Cafeteria and School Meals

Cell Phones 

Use of cell phones during the school day is strictly prohibited unless authorized by the teacher. Teachers are able to designate parts of the school day where students can use cell phones to read, to scan QR codes, for research, etc. The teacher will designate when the students are able to use their cell phones.

When not in use, cell phones should be in backpacks, turned off.

Cell phones are considered personal electronic devices and use of them in school on FCPS networks is governed by the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. Parents and students are required to read and accept the acceptable use policy for student network access within the SR&R document. Permission to use a personal device is now acknowledged by signing the parent or guardian signature sheet.

If your child uses his or her cell phone inappropriately or the phone rings during the day, the phone will be confiscated and returned only to the parent.

Contact Information - Please Keep Us in the Loop!

Your emergency contact information is a key piece of paper in our office. Where we go, it goes. Even on field trips, one of our procedures is to take these emergency contact forms. This information is vital to us and to you. Phone numbers, addresses, and the names of those adults you permit to take your child from school should all be kept current. (If we don’t have your written permission through that form or other written means that allows us to verify your signature, we will not release your child to another adult.) You can update your information by calling our office (703-551-5300) or through a SIS parent account.

If you move or change your phone number, please notify the office staff as soon as possible. Current information is vital to us in case of an emergency! 

Dress Code

The Fairfax County Public Schools’ dress code is explained in the Student Responsibilities & Rights policy book given to every student at the beginning of the school year. Here at Laurel Hill we have some additional requirements, in order to ensure student safety.

Clothing worn to school should fit, be neat and clean, and conform to standards of decency. We prohibit:

  • clothing with improper language or images

  • sagging or low-cut pants, low-cut necklines, tube tops, halter tops, backless blouses or blouses with only ties in the back, and clothing constructed of see-through materials

  • shirts or blouses with “spaghetti” straps (all straps must be at least 2 inches wide)

  • head coverings, such as scarves or bandanas, unless required for religious or medical reasons

  • flip-flops, rubber shoes, or other shoes that do not stay on a child’s feet

  • shorts shorter than fingertip length, unless tights or pants are worn underneath

  • skirts that are higher than the top of the knees, unless shorts, pants or tights are worn underneath.

Note: Rubber-soled tennis shoes are required for PE and recess. Please make sure your child wears appropriate shoes for PE and recess to school each day.

Please write your child’s name on all clothing. Our Lost & Found gets very full!

For more information on the FCPS Dress Code, see Regulation 2613.5, Student Dress Code in Public Schools.

Field Trips 

During the school year classes may take field trips that relate directly to the regular instructional program. Field trips are paid for by the PTA, but parents may be asked to contribute funds to the cost of the trip.

Parents are often asked to help chaperone field trips, but the number of chaperones may be limited. Chaperones must be at least 21 years old. Younger siblings may not attend field trips.

If you are interested in chaperoning field trips for your child’s class, please contact your child’s teacher. For more information on FCPS field trips, see Regulation 5790, Field Trips—Planning and Conducting.

For more information on FCPS field trips, see Regulation 5790, Field Trips—Planning and Conducting. 

Homework 

Homework reinforces skills taught in the classroom and enriches the school experience. Teachers consider the maturity level and abilities of the child when assigning homework. Contact the teacher if you have concerns about your child’s homework.

Inclement Weather Schedule 

Kiss and Ride

Parent Communication 

Personally Owned Electronic Devices - Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

FCPS offers students access to district computers, the Internet, and an array of technology resources to promote educational excellence.  Each student is responsible for his/her use of technology whether personal or district-provided.  While using district or personal technology resources on or near school property, in school vehicles, and at school-sponsored events, as well as using the district’s technology resources via remote access, each student must act in a manner consistent with school, district, and legal guidelines. 

Your child may bring his or her personally owned computing device such as (iPad, Kindle, Nook, or cellphone) for instructional use in FCPS.  Uses of these devices for unrelated activities beyond or outside the FCPS educational program are prohibited.  If you agree to allow your student to use his or her own device, please note that FCPS is not responsible for any device or data loss, theft, damage, or other associated costs of replacement or repair incurred during the school day or at home as a result of participation in the program.  In addition, school staff will not be able to store, support, or troubleshoot student owned devices and the student takes full responsibility for the device and appropriately securing the devices when not in use. 

For more information, please see: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/bring-your-own-device-byod.

PTA (Parent Teacher Association)

Laurel Hill enjoys the support of an active Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). This organization is run entirely by parent volunteers. Throughout the year, the PTA sponsors social events, fundraisers, and educational programs to enrich the educational experience of all children and celebrate our families.

Please get involved and help support our school. Membership costs just $10 per person! For more information, call the school office at 703-551-5300 or visit the LHES PTA website at http://lhespta.com. 

Safety & Security Procedures

Check-In Required
We welcome parents in our school. You are welcome to have lunch with your child and volunteer in the classroom or other areas of the school. It is important to make an appointment with the teacher to visit or volunteer in the classroom.

In order to ensure a safe environment for students and staff members, all visitors must follow certain procedures every time they come to school:

  • During the school day, all visitors must enter through Door #1, the main entrance. All visitors must be buzzed in, as this door - like all outside doors - is locked during school hours. When you press the button to enter, one of our office staff members will likely ask you why you are visiting. This is to help assure the safety of all of our students and staff members.

  • All visitors to our building during the school day must sign in in the Front Office. We now have a new high-tech visitor/volunteer check-in system called “Scholar Chip,” which replaces our old laptop and yellow badge system. If you come to school for any reason such as meeting with a teacher or principal, having lunch with your  child, putting money on your child’s lunch account, or volunteering you will have to check in using this new system. You will need a valid driver’s license, DMV identification card, military ID, or passport to use this system. It is quick and easy to use, and if you have any trouble our office staff will be there to assist you. When you check in, you will scan your identification, have your picture taken, and be issued a special badge (similar to the old yellow Visitor and Volunteer badges).  You must check out using the barcode printed on the pass that is issued to you.

    We hope this new system will streamline our check-in/check-out process and become a more efficient way to keep track of who is in the school building.

These procedures allow us to know who is in the building, where they are in the building, and the reason for their visit. This information not only helps us protect everyone in the building, but it also is critical in case there is an emergency, such as a fire.

Kiss and Ride Traffic
Our Kiss and Ride route was established by school and county safety officials. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in following these directions:

  • To get to Kiss and Ride, drive north on Silverbrook Rd., turn right onto Laurel Crest, then turn right into the school. Cars cannot turn left into the school during arrival and dismissal.

  • The neighborhood association asks parents not to park in the community center parking lot.

  • Bring your child’s Kiss & Ride number. Without it, you will need to go to the Office and present a photo ID to pick up your child.

  • Drop your child off in the Kiss and Ride area only, not on Laurel Crest Drive, in the neighboring recreation center parking lot, or in any other areas of the Laurel Hill parking lot. (This includes the bus parking lot closest to Silverbrook Road; no cars will be allowed to enter or exit that lot during the arrival or dismissal window.)

  • Pull your car forward as far as possible in the line.

  • Make sure your child enters and exits your car on the building side.

  • Turn right when exiting the school parking lot.

  • Plan ahead! Rushing can cause accidents, injuries, and stress!

  • ALWAYS follow the directions of the adults directing traffic.

  • For everyone’s safety, PLEASE turn off your cell phone!

School Health Room Services 

School Transportation

Visiting the School and Volunteering 

Visitors

Parents are welcome in the school. However, classroom visits must be scheduled in advance with the teacher. All visitors to the school are required to report to the school office, sign in as a visitor, show a picture ID, and get an identification badge. Please see our Safety Concerns above section for more details.

Please note: Visitors may not visit or watch children on the playground without signing in in the office and coordinating with the classroom teacher.

Volunteers

Laurel Hill School enjoys the support of an extensive volunteer program. Volunteers may work with students, assist in the library, help with classroom projects, perform clerical jobs, prepare instructional materials, or work on PTA programs and projects. Volunteers can also work on projects sent home with their child. There are MANY ways to help, and volunteers are always welcome!

Contact your child’s classroom teacher, our parent liaison, the school office, or the PTA to find out how you can participate. You can also find a current list of volunteer opportunities on our Get Involved page.