Willis Elementary Student Handbook

School Day: 7:30-2:35

Doors Open: 7:30

Tardy Bell: 7:45

Dismissal: 2:35

Office Hours: 7:30-3:00

https://wes.floyd.k12.va.us/

Amber Gallimore-Principal

Amy Mello -Office Assistant/Bookkeeper

Luke Newhouse-SRO

Amanda Dulaney-School Nurse

Terri Burnette-Pre-K Teacher

Kearsten Grubb-Kindergarten Teacher

Lisa Bolt-1st Grade Teacher

Crystal Weaver-2nd Grade Teacher

Zachary Cornell-2nd Grade Teacher

Amy Bussey-3rd Grade Teacher

Dawn Higgins-4th & 5th Grade English and History Teacher

Laura Serr-4th & 5th Grade Math and Science Teacher

Hannah Davis- 6th & 7th Grade Math and Science Teacher

Danielle Perry 6th & 7th Grade English and History Teacher

Amy Baldwin-Library Media Specialist

Chelsea Gibbs-Music/Band Teacher

Jana Bush-PE Teacher

Josh Davis-Art Teacher

Jessica Bishop-Learning Lab Leader

Kenzee Chaffin-Student Advisor

Alicia Smith-Reading Specialist

Joey Hammel-Special Education Teacher

Phoebe Walker-Speech

Cara Good-EL Teacher

Cristina Dunfee-Gifted Specialist

Angie Boyd- Special Education

Adriana Webb-Special Education

Sheila Weeks- Special Education

Jackie Italiano-Pre -K

Monica Grubb-Literacy

Melissa Dalton-Manager

Candice Duncan

Tammy Harbour

Randall Weeks

Duane Weeks

Floyd County Public Schools has established policies and regulations to ensure the safety of students and staff. The FCPS Policy Manual is available on our division website: http://www.floyd.k12.va.us

All visitors are required to check in at the office upon arrival and check out at the office upon departure. WES uses a check-in computer system for student safety. All visitors must present a valid driver’s license or state-issued photo ID in the office before being admitted to any other part of the school. Please see our visitor expectations below:

Parents are provided communication through various platforms, including an automated phone call, email, and text messages for school-wide updates.Please make sure the most up to date email and phone number is updated in PowerSchool. FCPS teachers have the option to use the Remind App to text with families if they choose.

Willis Elementary will periodically practice a variety of emergency drills. Drills include fire, lockdown, earthquake, and tornado drills. Emergency procedures have been established and outlined in our school crisis plan, located in each classroom.

The Code of Virginia requires us to notify families at least 24 hours before a lockdown drill. Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students will be exempt from lockdown drills for the first 60 days of school. We will hold at least one lockdown drill after the first 60 days of school being in session.

Lockers are provided for students. Students are to use ONLY the locker assigned to them. Student lockers are school property and remain under the control of the school. Students are expected to assume full responsibility for the security of their lockers. School authorities, for any reason, however, may conduct periodic general inspections of lockers at any time without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant. (FCPS Policy JFG)

There is a direct correlation between student attendance and student achievement. Below you will find guidelines that will be used to determine if absences are excused or unexcused.

• When the student is absent, please notify the school.

• Please provide doctor's notes for all appointments when students are absent, tardy, or leave early.

• Any vacation/trip forms must be completed at least a week prior to the trip and must be approved by the principal for the absence to be excused and for the teachers to gather work.

• After 3 consecutive absences, days missed will be unexcused unless a doctor's note is provided.

• Excessive absences may be reviewed at the discretion of the school administration.

• Students who have five unexcused absences will be placed on an attendance plan

• Families of students who have ten unexcused absences will be required to attend an attendance conference.

• Students who have more than 10 days of unexcused absences are subject to a court referral.

In accordance with Floyd County Schools policy (File: JED‐R) parents/guardians are required to obtain approval from school administration prior to family trips taking place during the school year. Failure to comply with attendance protocol will result in an individual attendance plan, grade level retention and/or court action.

• Please note that, if approved, up to 5 days of absence for trips may be excused each year. To qualify for these excused days, it is important to complete all necessary documentation and obtain approval before the trip.

• Pending confirmation for excused absences, students are required to make up any assignments within three days of returning. If assignments are not completed and turned in the dates will be marked as unexcused.

• Please be advised that Prior Approval Trip requests may be denied based on a review of the student's attendance record from previous years. Consistent attendance is essential for academic success, and patterns of excessive absences in prior years may affect the approval of future trip requests.

Students must be fever-free without medication and have not vomited for 24 hours before returning to school.

All medications are required to be delivered to the school nurse by a parent or guardian. Students are not permitted to bring or transport medicine to and from school. All medications should remain at school. The Authorization for Medication Administration form is required to allow permission for designated school staff to give medication.

If a student is injured or ill, it is to be reported immediately to his/her teacher, nurse, or the office. If an injury occurs, an accident report will be completed and a copy will be sent home. For either illness or injury, the parent/guardian will be notified of the situation.

Please make sure that the school has your most current home, work, and/or cell phone numbers, and up-to-date emergency contact information. If information changes, please inform the office.

Students are expected to follow the following rules and expectations while in the cafeteria.

During this school year, all students are eligible to receive one breakfast and one lunch each day free of charge.

• Any purchases of items that do not make up a meal or additional purchases are available à la carte.

You can add money for extra food, snacks, and ice cream to your child's account through My School Bucks, www.myschoolbucks.com.

School menus can be found at the following link: https://floydva.nutrislice.com/menu

Please remind your child that we do not share food at school because there are many students at school with food allergies and medical conditions.

Students are not permitted to use the microwave.

Ice cream is sold on Friday's each week to students for $1. Pre-K does not participate in ice cream.

Snacks are sold in the cafeteria during lunch for an additional cost. Some of the included snacks are chips and Rice Krispie Treats. Snacks are only sold to grades 3 and up.

To help ensure the safety of all students, any food brought into the school by students, parents, or visitors must be approved by the school nurse before it is distributed or consumed. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Birthday treats
• Donated snacks
• Food for classroom parties or celebrations
• Food intended to be shared during lunch periods

The school nurse will review ingredients to ensure that the food does not pose a risk to students with food allergies or other dietary restrictions. Food should not be distributed until approval has been received.

Parents are encouraged to contact the school nurse in advance when planning to bring food for a classroom event or celebration. The school reserves the right to prohibit any food item that may present a health or safety concern for students.

Students are not permitted to share food brought from home with other students during lunch or throughout the school day without prior approval from school staff.

The school day is from 7:30 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. Instructional time must be protected to provide an environment conducive to learning. Daily routine announcements are made at 7:45 a.m. Students should remain respectfully quiet during all announcements. Other interruptions are kept to a minimum.

Attendance and prompt arrival are important. Valuable instructional time can be lost by tardiness, leaving early, or absenteeism.

Willis Elementary School follows the Standards of Learning set by the Virginia Department of Education. A complete list of the standards can be found on the VDOE website, http://www.doe.virginia.gov/.

Homework is given to students at the discretion of the teacher.

Textbooks and library books are provided for the students at no charge. However, the student is responsible for the care of the books. The school reserves the right to levy fines for damaged or lost books.

Students are expected to follow the expectations below while using chromebooks:

Insurance is available each year for families to purchase. Please see the attached Chromebook insurance form for more details on the cost and information regarding Chromebook insurance. Chromebook insurance only covers accidental damage to chromebooks.

Students are expected to be good digital citizens. Using technology is a privilege that can be lost if a student inappropriately uses their device.

To foster a focused learning environment and support the well-being of students, Floyd County Public Schools adheres to a cell phone-free policy during instructional hours, in alignment with Virginia’s Executive Order 33 on cell phone-free education. The following policy applies to all student-owned communication devices, including cell phones, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, and other personal electronic communication devices.

1. General Policy

• Device Storage: During instructional hours, defined as the start-of-day bell until the end-of-day dismissal bell, student devices must be powered off and stored in designated locations (e.g., in student locker, or personal vehicle). Devices are not permitted to be on the student’s person during this time.
• Unstructured Time and Off-Hours: High school students may use devices on campus before or after school hours. Elementary school students may bring devices to school if turned off and stored but may not use them on campus at any time.
• Staff Modeling: Staff members are expected to refrain from using personal devices during instructional time to set a positive example, limiting personal cell phone use to planning periods or non-instructional times.

2. Internet Access and Security

• Unfiltered Internet Prohibition: Under no circumstances may any student device access unfiltered Internet connections during the school day.
• Approved Communication Platforms: All school-related digital communication must occur through school-issued devices or approved platforms. Staff and students are prohibited from using personal communication devices for school-related communications during the instructional day.

3. Photography and Recording Restrictions
Students may not use personal electronic devices to take photographs, record video, or capture audio without the explicit permission of school personnel.

• Unauthorized recording or photographing of school activities, personnel, or students is strictly prohibited and may lead to disciplinary action.

4. Medical and Special Needs Exemptions

• Health-Related Device Use: Exemptions for device use related to health monitoring (e.g., diabetes monitoring apps) must be documented in the student’s 504 plan, IEP, or individualized health care plan. All medical exceptions must be reviewed and approved by the school nurse or designated school administrator.
• Assistive Technology for Accessibility: Students with disabilities who require assistive technology or specific applications for communication support may use school-provided devices where possible, with any exceptions formally approved in their educational plan.

5. Emergency Protocols

• School-Based Emergencies: In case of an emergency, school personnel will determine if stored devices may be used by students to communicate with parents, per the school’s established emergency communication plan.
• Family-Based Emergencies: Parents needing to reach students during instructional hours should contact the school’s main office, which will facilitate any urgent communication.

6. Division Responsibility and Liability

• No Liability for Personal Devices: The school division is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal devices brought to school or to school activities. Students who choose to bring personal devices to school do so at their own risk.
• Approved Device Options: For approved use, students will be provided with school-issued technology that meets instructional and accessibility needs, adhering to Floyd County Public Schools’ technology use standards.

7. Consequences for Policy Violations

First Offense

• Device confiscated and securely stored in office.
• Parent/guardian contact.
• Student may pick up at the end of the school day.

Second Offense

• Device confiscated and securely stored in office.
• Parent/guardian contact.
• Parent/guardian must pick up.

Third Offense

• Device confiscated and securely stored in office.
• Parent/guardian contact.
• Parent/guardian must pick up and meet with administration to develop a plan for compliance.
• Student assigned one day of In School Suspension (ISS).

Fourth Offense

• Device confiscated and securely stored in office.
• Parent/guardian contact.
• Parent/guardian must pick up.
• Student assigned two days of In School Suspension (ISS).
• Student loses the privilege of bringing a device to school for the remainder of the school year.

Refusal to Hand Over Phone

• Parent/guardian contact.
• Student assigned one day of Out of School Suspension (OSS)
• Subsequent refusals will result in additional days of out-of-school suspension and loss of privilege to bring a device to school for the remainder of the school year.

In alignment with the cell phone-free policy, wireless headphones and smartwatches are not permitted, as they can connect to cell phones.

Students are expected to follow the guidelines below while in the hallway:

Students are not allowed to have or chew gum on school grounds or buses. This policy helps maintain a clean campus and supports a respectful learning environment for all.

Some classrooms may allow students to have snacks during the day. Candy is not considered a snack. If they are allowed they need to be individualized portions. Students are not permitted to bring full size bags of chips or candy. It is at the teacher's discretion if they decide to offer snack time in their classroom.

Bullying is defined as any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim. It involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor and the victim. It is repeated over time and causes severe emotional trauma. Bullying does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, arguments, or peer conflict. The Floyd County School Code of Student Conduct outlines the consequences for bullying.

If you witness or experience any behavior that may be bullying, report it to the teacher or staff member you are with immediately. Do not wait to tell your classroom teacher later. The quicker it is reported the quicker it can be resolved.

A student’s dress and appearance shall not be such that it causes disruption, distracts others from the educational process, or creates health or safety problems. (FCPS Policy JFC-R)

Students in violation of the dress code will be required to change into proper and more appropriate clothing. If necessary, parents will be contacted to provide appropriate attire. Repeat offenders of the dress code will be subject to disciplinary action.

Students must remove hats, hoods, and sunglasses when entering the building. Hats may be worn on special, designated occasions.

Students are prohibited from bringing toys or entertainment devices to school. This rule has been established because such devices may cause disruption in the classroom and interfere with the learning process.

Fidget devices are intended to be used as a support tool for students who are experiencing difficulty with self-regulation, focus, or feelings of being overwhelmed. Fidgets are not permitted for general student use during the school day,

If a teacher, counselor, administrator, or other staff member determines that a student would benefit from the use of a fidget device, permission may be granted on a case-by-case basis. The use of any fidget must support the student's learning and must not cause a distraction to the student or others.

Both the state of Virginia and Floyd County Schools have adopted the model code of conduct. Families should refer to the code of conduct found on the district website for specific information. The code of conduct is a tiered support system designed to support students while teaching appropriate behaviors.

Students in grades 6 and 7 have the exciting opportunity to try out for middle school sports teams hosted at Floyd County High School. In order to participate, all students must have a current physical on file that is valid for the 2025–2026 school year.

Participation also requires adherence to all guidelines set forth by Floyd County High School (FCHS), Floyd County Public Schools (FCPS), and the Virginia High School League (VHSL). This includes meeting attendance requirements and consistently demonstrating appropriate conduct in accordance with school expectations.

Students are expected to be in their seat, face forward, keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself, and use a quiet voice while on the bus.

The principal may suspend or revoke the riding privileges of students and/or take other disciplinary actions for students who have disciplinary problems on the bus. Parents/guardians of children whose behavior and misconduct on school buses violates the Student Code of Conduct or otherwise endangers the health, safety and welfare of other riders shall be notified that their child faces the loss of school bus riding privileges and/or other disciplinary actions. (FCPS Policy JFCC-R)

Students must have parent/guardian permission to stay after school, ride the activity bus for a designated activity, or ride a different bus. Students are not permitted to call home during the school day to arrange transportation changes. If parent/guardian permission has not been provided, the student will follow their normal dismissal procedure.

Parents/guardians should notify the school office of any transportation changes by 2:00 p.m. The office will not make phone calls to determine a student's daily transportation arrangements. If the school does not receive notification of a change, it will be assumed that the student will use their regular method of transportation.

If a student will be going home with another student, written or verbal permission from the parent/guardian of both students is required before the change can be approved.

Car rider drop off begins at 7:30 a.m. We kindly ask that you not line up prior to 7:25 am to help keep the traffic from backing up into the main road. If your child needs to eat breakfast, they need to be dropped off as close to 7:30 as possible to ensure enough time to pick up their breakfast and arrive at class on time.

Car rider dismissal begins at 2:35 p.m. We kindly ask that families do not begin lining up before 2:20 p.m.

Students will be dismissed to buses at 2:35 p.m