Middlesex Elementary School

823 Philpot Road

Locust Hill, VA 23092

(804) 758-2496, (804) 758-2369 (fax)

Danielle Daniel, Principal

Joshua Herring, Assistant Principal

Kristen Connelly, Dean of Students

School Hours: 8:15-3:15

Office Hours: 7:45-4:00

MISSION STATEMENT

The faculty and staff of Middlesex Elementary School, in partnership with parents and the community, are dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment. Our goal is for every student to reach their full potential and grow into a productive, responsible citizen within an ever-changing global society.

COLT CREED

COLTS are Caring, On-Task, Learning, Trustworthy, and Safe.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS

At Middlesex Elementary School, we value parents as essential partners. We believe that building strong relationships between the school and families is vital to student success. Parents can support their children by ensuring they arrive on time with necessary materials, such as paper, pencils, homework, bus notes, and signed forms. Every student will receive a communication folder; please check this daily for notes and school notices. Prompt responses help maintain clear and collaborative communication.

We believe in developing critical thinkers through inquiry, investigation, problem-solving, and collaboration. We encourage students to be open-minded and respectful when working with others. We invite families to be actively involved in the learning process. Daily reading is an excellent way to support academic success. Additionally, we ask parents to notify staff of any concerns or experiences that may impact their child's success. If you are unable to attend a scheduled conference, please notify the office or teacher at least one day in advance.

We encourage families to celebrate academic growth and collaborate with teachers to support students in areas of needed improvement. We look forward to celebrating your child's accomplishments throughout the year!

ATTENDANCE

Regular student attendance is essential for academic and social development. While we understand that illnesses and emergencies occur, we ask parents to provide a note if a child is tardy, absent, or unable to participate in physical education activities.

Unexcused or excessive absences (five days or more) may require an attendance conference with school administration and the truancy officer to develop an attendance plan.

STANDARDS-BASED GRADING

Standards-based grading is academic reporting based on a student's demonstration of mastery in specific skills. This approach allows for continued learning and provides families with detailed feedback regarding student progress.

This data helps parents understand their child's learning and allows educators to plan meaningful instruction aligned with academic needs. Throughout the year, achievement will be measured through formative and summative assessments, including rubrics, and reported using the following scale:

M – Meets Expectations (80-100% accuracy)

P – Progressing (60-79% accuracy)

LU – Limited  Understanding (59% accuracy or below)

In addition to the reporting of progress towards understanding of standards, students in 3rd - 5th grade will also receive a traditional letter grade based on the scale below.  Grades will reflect a weighted system equivalent to 60% for formative assessments & 40% for summative assessments.

A – 90% - 100%

B – 80% - 89%

C – 70% - 79%

D - 60% - 69%

F- 59% or below

Standards-based reporting provides specific feedback on student understanding as it aligns with the Virginia Standards of Learning. Student progress can be accessed through PowerSchool. Please contact your child’s teacher or school administration with any questions.

MORNING ARRIVAL PROCEDURE

• Students should not arrive or be dropped off before 7:45 a.m., as adult supervision is not available until that time. Front doors will remain locked until 7:45 a.m.

• Cars arriving to drop students off must enter the loop and stay to the left of the cones.

• Children must never be left on the sidewalk in front of the school unsupervised.  If no adult is on duty, you must remain with your child.

• When your child or children exit from your vehicle, please make sure they exit from the right side of your car to ensure their safety.

• Additional staff will be on duty this year, so that students may be dropped off anywhere along the sidewalk in the front loop.  Please assist us in making drop offs safe and efficient.

• Students arriving after 8:15 a.m. must be escorted to the main office for check-in and will receive a tardy pass.

AFTERNOON DISMISSAL PROCEDURE

To maximize instructional time, we ask that families avoid picking up students prior to dismissal. Please schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. Early dismissals between 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. disrupt the learning environment and will be limited to emergency situations.

If an early dismissal is necessary, please send a note that morning indicating the time and reason. You must come to the office to sign your student out. If someone other than a parent or legal guardian is picking up your child, advance notice and photo identification are required. For student safety, children will not be released to unrecognized individuals without proof of identity.

If it becomes necessary to pick up your child during the school day, please call the main office at 804-758-2496 as soon as possible.  The parent must come in and sign their child out and then the student will be called to come to the office for dismissal.  

Please notify the main office of any transportation changes before 12:00 p.m. Please note that the school cannot make changes to bus transportation.

CAR RIDER POLICY

Families of permanent car riders must complete an application to receive a unique family number. Pick-ups occur in the front loop under staff supervision. The car rider line starts in the visitor parking lot and is available at 3:00 p.m., with dismissal beginning at 3:10 p.m. All car riders should be picked up by 3:30 p.m. Students will not be dismissed from the office area to reduce congestion.  If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call our office for clarification.  Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep your child safe!

PARKING

Neither parents nor teachers are allowed to park along the bus loop. If you drop your child off, please use the parent drop-off area in front of the main office.  Buses unload from 7:45-8:15 and load from 3:15-3:45. “No Parking”, “Fire Lane”, “Handicapped Parking”, and specific staff spaces are posted where needed.  No students are to be dropped off in the front parking lot; students must be escorted to the front lobby.   Please ONLY park in designated parking spaces.

VISITING MIDDLESEX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

All visitors must present photo identification and sign in at the kiosk. Visitors must wear their provided badge visibly at all times and sign out at the kiosk before leaving. Staff members will inquire with any guest not displaying a pass to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

STUDENT MEDICATION

Accurate medication information is vital. A completed "Medication Administration Authorization Form" is required for all prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. Medicine must be in the original pharmacy-labeled container. Guardians must personally transport medication to and from the clinic; it is not permitted in student book bags or on buses. Remaining medication must be picked up by the last day of school. Please notify the school nurse of any changes in medication.

EMERGENCY CARDS

It is very important that the school has an accurate and complete emergency card for each student.  Our office needs a reliable secondary phone number in case the school cannot reach the primary contact.  Please notify the school of any changes in your address or telephone number as they occur.  Put your 911 address on the emergency card. If there is no change to your current address or contact phone numbers, let us know that as well.

FIELD TRIPS & FUNDRAISERS

Communication folders and weekly newsletters will be used to relay information regarding upcoming field trips, fundraisers, and school events.  All field trip, fundraiser, and event monies must be submitted by 11:00 a.m. on the designated due dates.  In order to plan successfully for student experiences, money and permission slips must be submitted by the designated due date.

POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS & SUPPORTS

Promoting social and emotional skills is critical to academic performance. We implement restorative discipline practices that allow for reflection. Social and emotional learning helps children recognize and manage emotions, enabling them to make responsible decisions.

At Middlesex Elementary School we expect our students to model behavior according to the ”Colt Creed”.  The Zones of Regulation are taught to students and used to guide students through identifying and regulating emotions.

 As Colts, students promise to be:

             Caring

             On task

             Learning       

             Trustworthy

        Safe

We believe that it is important to establish an encouraging and positive environment for students. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) allows staff to teach and reinforce positive social and emotional skills. Colt Horseshoes are used to highlight positive behavior demonstrated by students. Colt Horseshoes are given out by staff when students are caught exemplifying C.O.L.T.S. characteristics. Once horseshoe goals are met, students enjoy celebrating as a class.

DISCIPLINE

Disciplinary incidents will be written as a “Conduct Report” and sent home for parents to review, discuss, sign, and return.  A staff member will call and inform you to expect the Conduct Report.  The third Conduct Report may result in a formal Office Referral being written with more severe consequences (in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, etc.) which becomes part of your child’s permanent record.  Severe disciplinary incidents will result in an immediate formal “Office Referral”.  Consequences will be issued according to MCPS’ Policy as outlined in the Family Handbook.  It is imperative that you discuss with your child the importance of good behavior, respect, and cooperation.

If, at any time, you have any questions regarding our school-wide discipline policy, please feel free to call Mrs. Daniel, Principal, Mr. Herring, Assistant Principal, or Ms. Connelly, Dean of Students, for clarification at 804-758-2496.