History

The Francis Howell School District has the longest running year-round school program in the United States.  Inaugurated in 1969, the year-round schedule is followed at all district elementary schools.  (Secondary schools follow a nine-month program).  The school calendar is divided into nine-week cycles.  At the end of each nine weeks there is an approximate three-week “cycle break” or vacation.  The vacation between school years is approximately five to six weeks.

 

Henderson Elementary School opened its doors in July 1985 (1st quarter was temporarily housed at Francis Howell North and 2nd quarter began in the new building) for the 1985-1986 school year.  The Eagle was selected as the school mascot and green and white were chosen as the school colors.

 

Mission, Vision and Values

 

Together we Grow, Forever we Learn

 

 

At Henderson Elementary we will establish high standards for student achievement by:

1. Promoting quality, student-centered learning where children are creative and responsible independent thinkers and problem solvers.

·        We will communicate, teach and model risk taking, problem solving, independence and life-long learning.

·        We will speak and act respectfully to students, colleagues, and parents.

·        We will be aware of students’ needs and foster student risk-taking.

2. Establishing a safe, happy, and motivating environment while respecting individual differences in students and adults.
   • We will communicate national, state, district, and school expectations to the community.
   • We will teach and support the Francis Howell School District curriculum daily.
   • We will have focused and open communication among grade levels and departments.
3. Working collaboratively with students, colleagues, and parents to achieve our shared educational purpose by developing partnerships that foster the values and initiatives of Henderson Elementary.  As a collaborative team, we will promote high levels of achievement by:
   • Defining what we want students to learn.
   • Measuring their progress against a common standard.
   • Establishing interventions to meet all needs.
   • Continually improving our instructional practices by: 

·        Keeping abreast of current educational research.

·        Participating in professional development.

·        Supporting a challenging student-centered curriculum with high expectation.

 

Communication

Our teachers welcome and encourage communication with parents! Every faculty member at Henderson Elementary uses e-mail on a daily basis.

 

E-mail addresses are as follows:   Teachers’firstname.lastname @fhsdschools.org

 

Additionally you may go to the school’s webpage at: http://cms.fhsdschools.org/Default.aspx?alias=cms.fhsdschools.org/henderson and link to the Henderson web page.

 

Each teacher has a telephone in their room.  Your child’s teacher will communicate their phone number to you at Open House.

 

Getting Involved

There are a wide variety of activities and organizations in which students and parents can become involved.  Activities include the following:

Parent/Family Involvement                       Student Extra-Curricular                                                    

Parent Volunteer                                      Choir

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)         Intramurals                                                         

Parent Involvement Committee

Room Parent                                     Student Council

School Improvement Team                       Running Club (4^th Quarter)

Family Movie Night                           Safety Patrol

EagleFest (School Carnival)

      Skate Nights

 

All school sponsored and PTO sponsored events are family events.  Parents are expected to be present at these activities with their child.

 

Violence-Free Policy And Student Behavior

Henderson Elementary School promotes a safe, violence-free environment to ensure a quality education for all students.  

 

Students are expected to behave in a courteous and safe manner.  Teachers have the authority and responsibility to maintain class discipline.  Class rules/norms, rewards and consequences are communicated and the Francis Howell School District Elementary Code of Conduct is sent home annually.  We expect peaceful coexistence and safety for all students.   Quarterly assemblies recognize and celebrate students for the character traits of respect, responsibility and perseverance.

 

Attendance /Absenteeism

Regular attendance is an important component of the educational process for your child.  Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, affect a child’s academic success.  If it becomes necessary for your child to be absent, please notify the office within the first half hour of school.  Please call the school office at 636-851-5200 ext 5233, 5244 or 5199.   A note to your child’s teacher is required upon the student’s return with a reason stated for the absence.  Please refer to the Francis Howell School District Attendance and Earned Credit Policy for more details concerning attendance.

 

School Day, Arrival & Pick-Up

Students may enter their classrooms at 8:55 a.m.  The school day begins at 9:10 a.m. and ends at 4:05 p. m.  There is no supervision for students arriving before 8:55 a.m.

 

If a student arrives after the 9:10 a.m. bell, he/she will be considered tardy and must be checked in by a parent/guardian in the office before reporting to the classroom.  Parents should not escort students to the classroom if they arrive late.  Students will take an admit slip to the teacher.

 

If your child should need to leave school early for any reason, a note should be sent with your child in the morning to the teacher’s attention.  When picking up a child, the parent/guardian must sign the student out in the office.  The student will be dismissed from his/her classroom via the office intercom, as teachers are not allowed to dismiss students from their classrooms.  Parents may wait in the office or lobby for their child. Any time a student arrives late to school or leaves early from school, it will be noted on their report card and counted against their attendance.

                                  Tardy Information

·        9:10: - 9:45      Tardy

·        9:45 – 10:20     Partial Day Absence

·        3:35 – 4:05       Tardy for the end of the day

·        3:00 – 3:35       Partial Day Absence

Dismissal

Need to include info (lisa has it) about dismissal and picking what they do and that our lobby is off limits

 

Transportation

Laidlaw is the bus company that is subcontracted to provide transportation for students to and from school. Students are required to ride the bus to which they have been assigned.  The District does not allow students to ride any bus to school or home from school other than the assigned bus.  Please see the District Code of Conduct (‘Assertive Bus Discipline Code’) for guidelines regarding riding the school bus and read through the bus rules with your child.  Remember that students who do not obey these rules may forfeit the privilege of bus transportation.

Laidlaw Bus Transportation:       Steve Jones, Manager 636-441-7654

 

Academic Offerings

The following list is a compilation of the academic services, which Henderson Elementary and the Francis Howell School District provide:

Communication Arts (Reading, Writing, Spelling)  Math

Science                                                           Social Studies

Health                                                             Reading Classes

Art, Music, Physical Education and Writing           Spectra/Gifted Guidance/Counseling                                              Special Education                            

Library Checkout and Skills                           Computer Lab

                       

Recess

Weather permitting students have at least one recess daily.  Shorter recesses may be scheduled on days of extreme temperature.  Decisions to have outdoor recess during cold or hot weather depend upon temperature and wind chill factor or heat index so students should always dress for weather conditions.  Students have supervised free time in the classroom when weather prevents outside recess.

                          Wind Chill   15 degrees to 0 degrees = 10 minute recess

                                                   Below 0 degrees = inside recess

                               Heat Index 95 degrees to 100 degrees = 10 minute recess

                                                   Over 100 degrees = inside recess

 

Lunch Program

Sodexho is the food service company that the District has subcontracted to provide hot and cold lunches.  The cost for lunch is $1.80, which includes milk and/or juice.  Students who wish to purchase only milk or juice may do so for $0.50.  The cafeteria at Henderson Elementary has a computerized meal accounting system.  Lunch prepayment may be made into your child’s account and is recommended.  For those children paying daily, the money should be sent in a clearly marked envelope, with “lunch money” the child’s name, child’s school ID number, teacher’s name and amount enclosed.

 

All checks should be made payable to the Francis Howell School District. Please include your driver’s license number on checks.

 

Menus are sent home on a monthly basis.  Menus are also printed in the St. Charles’/St. Peters’ Journals and available on line at http://www.fhsdschools.org/FHSDParents/Lunch/tabid/192/Default.aspx When balances are at zero, students are allowed to charge lunch one time.  This charge must be paid before another charge will be allowed.  

 

Contact information for Sodexho:

Henderson Cashier:        636-851-5257

Henderson Kitchen Manager:  636-851-5258

Free and Reduced Lunch Information 636-851-6054

Octavio Pino, Director            636-851-6022

 

Homework 

Homework is an important and integral part of the educational process.  Properly designed homework helps students develop responsibility, independence, and time management skills.  Homework also provides an important channel of communication between home and school. 

 

Homework is not sent home on the first day of an absence.   Should your child be absent three days in succession; homework will be available on the third day should you request it.  Homework will not be given in advance for a family vacation. Regular attendance and conscientious homework completion are two essential ingredients for success.

 

The Nurse’s Office And Medicine Administration

Students are sent with a pass from their teacher to the Nurse, who is in charge of the health office.  If an illness or injury is serious, the student’s parents will be called.

 

MEDICATION PROCEDURE:  Prescription and non-prescription medicine given by the nurse, principal or designee shall be restricted to NECESSARY meds that cannot be given on an alternate schedule.

 

1) Prescription meds must come in the original container with a label affixed by pharmacy or physician and must be accompanied by a physician’s written order on the Francis Howell Parent Request for Prescription Med. form with written parent permission on the same form.

 

2) Non-prescription meds must come in the original container and must be accompanied by the non-prescription version of the afore mentioned form with completed info and both physician’s and parent’s signatures.

 

3) No stock supply of medicine (other than Tylenol*) is available to students except for certain topical first-aid ointments and disinfectants.  *Tylenol may be administered to

your child 4 times per year provided you sign the permission slip sent at the beginning of the school year.

 

By state law students must have all required immunizations completed and on file in order to attend school.

 

A student found to have head lice must be picked up immediately.  A letter will be sent home with the child.  The student may return after treatment and removal of nits.  The school nurse must check the student before returning to class.

 

 

 

 

Henderson Art Department Expectations

The following behavior rules are set up to help each student be successful in studying and participating in the Visual Arts.

1.        I will be respectful.

A.     Have positive cooperation, attitude and effort (on-task).

B.     Use only appropriate comments and actions toward others.

C.     Raise your hand to speak.

D.     Enter and exit the art room quietly. 

2.        I will be responsible.

A.     Come to class prepared (art notebook, paint shirt, requested supplies).

B.     Listen to all instructions before beginning assignments.

C.     Properly care for all supplies, tools and work areas.

D.     Complete assigned work during class period.

E.     Clean up when directed.

3.        I will use self-control

A.     Listen during instructions

B.     Appropriate talking during studio time

C.     Stay seated unless given permission to get up

D.     Listen before beginning assignment

E.     Follow all safety instructions

4.        I will practice safety.

A.     Listen to and follow all safety instructions when using art materials.

B.     Stay properly seated (chair on floor, feet down) until given permission to leave your seat.

·         ALL students need a paint shirt—old, adult size T-shirt with child’s name.

·         Students, 1^st thru 5^th grade, need an art notebook throughout the year---simple paperboard with 3 prongs and 2 pockets is best.

 

Henderson Music Department Expectations

The following rules have been established to insure that each child has a positive and successful learning experience in music class.

1.  I will be respectful.

        A.   Enter and exit quietly.

        B.   Raise your hand to speak.

        c.     Use kind words.

2.  I will be responsible.

        A.   Follow directions.

        B.   Properly care for books, instruments and materials.

        C.   Come to class prepared (soprano recorders for 4^th and 5^th grade students during                       recorder unit).

        D.    Stay on task.

3.  I will act in a safe way.

        A.   Keep hands, feet and objects to self.

        B.   Use instruments and supplies in an appropriate manner.

 

 

 

Henderson Eagles Physical Education

 

WELCOME I Get ready to have fun and work toward staying physically fit in Physical Education at Henderson Elementary where the Eagles Soar!! The goal of this class is to use Physical Education as a full partner in the educational process and appreciate the contributions it can make to the development of the "whole" child for a lifetime of physical activity.

 

MEDICAL EXCUSES: If your child is temporarily disabled and unable to participate, please send a note from home with the date, reason for excuse, and how long your child should be excused. A parent note is acceptable for two (2) consecutive classes.  If your child needs to be excused for more than 2 classes, please ask your physician to write a note indicating the reason for the excused absence.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

EXPECTATION #1 – Be Safe

A.    Tennis shoes (Tie or Velcro) Socks

B.    No gum or candy

C.    Follow safety instruction for each activity   

EXPECTATION #2 – Be Respectful

        A.   Enter and exit quietly

        B.   Keep all hands, feet and other objects to yourself

        C.   Show good sportsmanship

        D.   Listen when teacher is speaking  

EXPECTATION #3 – Be Responsible

        A.   Stay on task

        B.   Know and follow rules

        C.   Take care of equipment

 

* An added note about jewelry:

 

In accordance with the Francis Howell School District's concern for student’s welfare, the following safety rule for all physical education classes shall be put into effect:

 

All jewelry must be removed before participating in physical education class. Jewelry includes ear studs and other body jewelry, watches and rings, as well as hanging jewelry.

 

The P.E. team is looking forward to having the opportunity to "Physically Educate" your child.

 

 

 

Spectra

Spectra is the name given to the gifted education program in the Francis Howell School District.  The classroom teacher can refer students who are at least six years old and have resided in the district for one month.  Student referrals are screened using the composite scores from the most recently administered achievement test along with other district screening guidelines.  Students who qualify are evaluated in 4 areas: general intellectual ability, abstract thinking, nomination points, and divergent thinking.   These students are in the top 3 percent of the student population in regard to academic ability.  Placement in the program continues as long as the student resides in the FHSD.  For further information contact the Spectra Facilitator, Jennifer Burk at 636-851-5210. 

 

Special Education

The Francis Howell School District offers services in Special Education for all disabilities.  The district has testing teams to help each building screen and test children who are experiencing difficulties in the school setting.  If you suspect your child is experiencing problems at school, contact your child’s classroom teacher.

 

Visiting Classrooms

Parents are welcome to visit our school and classrooms.  To ensure that such visitations are meaningful and reasonable, visitations should be scheduled in advance with the teacher and principal.  All visitors are required to sign in at the office when entering the building, obtain a visitor’s pass, and check in with the principal before entering classrooms. 

 

Report Cards – Parent Teacher Conferences

There will be four formal reporting times during the school year.  Each report card will note progress in all subjects being assessed.  Two formal parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled (one in September and one in the March).  Parents are encouraged to attend scheduled parent-teacher conferences.  In order to accommodate as many parents’ schedules as possible, conferences are held during two different evening time slots.

 

Please come prepared with any questions or concerns and talk to the teacher about relevant information or issues regarding your child’s education.   Additional conferences may be scheduled at any time during the year upon request by the parent, teacher, counselor or building administrators.  It is very important to the Henderson Staff to keep open and

frequent communication with parents.

 

Weather Procedures & School Closing

The Francis Howell School District will announce procedures for inclement weather (including school closings, the use of a snow schedule and early dismissal) on local radio stations (i.e., KMOX 1120 AM and 98 FM), as well as local television stations; Channels 2, 4, 5, and 30.  Announcements will be made starting no earlier than 5:30 a. m.School closing information is also available via email. 

 

Please access http://sup.fhsdschools.org/enews.asp to sign up for E-NEWS.

 

If it is announced that school will close due to inclement weather, all schools in the district will close for that day.  Also, any before and after school activities are cancelled.

 

When it is announced that a snow schedule will be followed, buses will run about an hour late and all schools will open one hour later than usual.  It is expected that this will make it possible to have school on a number of days when road conditions improve after rush hour traffic.  During this schedule schools will be dismissed at the normal time.

 

If schools should have to close early for worsening weather conditions, the radio and television stations will be asked to announce how much earlier than normal buses will be leaving the schools.  This information will also be sent on ENEWS if you have signed up to receive ENEWS. 

 

Clothing Identification

All clothing should be marked with the child’s full name to help in returning lost articles to the proper person.  Location for lost and found items is provided near the library.  Unclaimed articles will be donated to a charitable organization twice a year.

 

 

Appearance and Dress

Everyone is expected to wear appropriate school clothing and to be neat, clean and modest. Appearance should not be disruptive to the learning environment.  For reasons of health and safety, shoes must be worn at all times.  A teacher or administrator may determine a student’s attire to be inappropriate, and consequences may result.  Students may not wear clothing, which bears obscene or even “suggestive” words or pictures.  Exposed underwear, items advertising drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products are inappropriate.  Hats, caps and sunglasses should not be worn in the building, except for special interest days.

   

 

Valuables

Please do not bring valuable items to school.  This includes toys, radios, CD’s, cameras, cell phones, video games, dolls, ipods, jewelry, collector items, expensive pieces of clothing, etc.  Students should bring only the minimum amount of money necessary to purchase lunch.  School personnel cannot be responsible for these possessions.

 

 

 

 

Homebound Instruction

Homebound instruction is available to students who, because of the nature of their condition, are unable to attend school.  When a student will be out of school for more than three weeks, the parent should contact Alternative Learning at the Administration Building, 851-4007, to request a Homebound Application Form, eligibility information and guidelines.

 

Once a Homebound Application has been completed, a homebound consideration meeting is held with the student’s educational team and parent.  Communication between the classroom teacher and the homebound teacher is essential to ensure that the student is progressing satisfactorily with their studies.

 

Vacation Station

Vacation Station is a tuition-based program that provides before and after school care, as well as full day cycle break care.  Hours are from 6:30 a.m. – 8:55 a.m. and 4:05 p. m. - 6:00 p.m. when school is in session, and 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. during cycle break.  Vacation Station also provides snow day care and after school care on early release days.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Henderson’s Vacation Station Coordinator at 851-5222.

 

Full Day Preschool

Full day preschool/childcare programming for 3-5 year olds is available at Henderson, Elementary school. The full day program operates on a year round basis.  For enrollment and tuition information, call our Hackmann Early Childhood Family Education site at 636-851-6200.

 

Francis Howell Half Day Preschool

2555 Hackmann Road, St. Charles, MO  63303     (636) 851-6200     

 

What do we offer?

The Francis Howell Preschool is one component of the Early Childhood program.  It is an integrated program that meets children’s educational needs and is developmentally appropriate for all children.  Experiences are provided to stimulate learning in the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development areas so that all children may reach their potential through developmentally appropriate activities.  Each child is viewed as a unique person with an individual pattern and timing of growth and development.

 

Who is working with your child?

The Francis Howell Preschool employs teachers with degrees in Early Childhood or Early Childhood Special Education, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and well-trained Teacher Assistants who prepare the environment for children and their interaction with peers and adults. 

 

What is our philosophy?

The Francis Howell Preschool operates under the philosophy that learning is child-centered, process oriented, and choice driven.  A variety of learning opportunities are provided, such as dramatic play, blocks, science, math, games, puzzles, books, art, music, and motor skill development.  Instruction is organized in thematic units across the content areas.  Children learn through play in a safe environment that fosters discovery while building on each child’s strengths.  Teachers and parent helpers facilitate the development of self-control in children by using positive guidance techniques such as modeling and encouraging appropriate behaviors, redirecting, and setting clear limits. 

 

What is the curriculum?

The Francis Howell Preschool implements a developmentally appropriate practices curriculum.  The focus is on hands-on learning from experiencing a wide variety of classroom activities.  Each activity is chosen based on the developmental skills of the children.  This practice promotes independence and enhances thinking skills.  All classrooms are well equipped with developmentally appropriate materials.  All children are exposed to technology, as all classrooms are equipped with computers with appropriate games and activities to enhance language and problem solving skills.  All sites have kitchen facilities and outdoor play areas designed for young children.  The preschool implements the pre-kindergarten “Growing With Mathematics” curriculum which is also used in our K-5 elementary schools.  We assess developmental progress using the Work Sampling System.

 

Board or Education

The Board of Education normally meets twice monthly, the first and third Thursday, at 7:oo p. m.  Meetings are held at the administration office, 4545 Central School Road. The public is cordially invited to attend.