Dear Parents and Students:
Welcome to your child’s educational journey at Powers Ferry Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year! My primary role as principal is to ensure that instruction and learning is taking place in each classroom and to ensure a safe and orderly environment throughout the school building. Powers Ferry Elementary School is committed to providing all students opportunities to succeed academically and socially. A strong elementary education begins with a strong foundation in reading, math, and appropriate social skills. The Powers Ferry Elementary staff is dedicated to helping make this happen for each child.
It is my hope that you and your child will have a rewarding experience as a Powers Ferry Panther! In order for school to be a place for children to learn and grow, it is essential to create an environment of mutual respect. We want school to be a place to experience the excitement of learning, a place where the students, parents and school staff form a partnership. Working together, there is no limit to what we and our children can achieve. This parent/student handbook is only the introduction to your child’s school program. After reviewing it for general information, I encourage all parents and students to become actively involved in the Powers Ferry experience.
A strong partnership with parents is a crucial piece of helping to prepare students for their future. Parent involvement is critical and required here at Powers Ferry. Please plan to meet with your child’s teacher, watch for updates on grades, other classroom notes, and help your child with homework. These small steps show your child that school is important. Our staff works hard to keep parents informed. We will do this in a variety of ways including phone calls, paper communications, our school website, and the District’s website. We need all parents to download the ParentVue app and the CTLS Parent app. Student grades, attendance, class updates, and more can be accessed using the apps and through your email and text alerts.
On behalf of the Powers Ferry Staff, we want you to know that we look forward to working with each of you to ensure your children’s educational experiences are supportive, nurturing, and empowering! We ARE building competent and confident learners! We ARE Powers Ferry!
Best wishes for a successful and enjoyable year!
Sincerely,
Elayna Wilson
Principal
Resources:
ParentVue: All Contact information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.) and authorized student pick-ups should be maintained via ParentVue. Only the enrolling adult can view and make changes to ParentVue.
Absences - When a student is absent s/he must bring a written signed excuse upon to school. Failure to submit a note within 3 school days will result in the absence returning being marked unexcused. Please indicate the following information: Child’s name, Teacher’s name, Date(s) absent, Reason for absence.
After School Program (ASP) - ASP provides a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for the care of elementary students in Cobb Schools who attend face-to-face instruction. The program is available to students after school until 6:00 p.m. each day school is in session, including Early Release Days. The program does not operate on Student or District Holidays. ASP will be closed upon the CCSD announcement of inclement weather.
There is an annual registration fee of $20 per child as well as $10.00 per day. A late pick-up fee ($1.00 per minute) will be charged for each child picked up after 6:00 pm, payable at the time of pick-up.
Registration must be completed before the child participates in the program.
SCAN QR CODE FOR ASP REGISTRATION
ASP pickup authorizations are separate from ParentVue! Please make sure all authorizations to release are updated.
Birthday Treats - Celebrate your children in our school cafeteria without the hassle. Contact your school's café manager 3 weeks in advance to discuss how we can serve your birthday or holiday needs. Store bought cupcakes are allowed during lunch. No birthday parties, balloons, candles, decorations, or gifts will be allowed.
Bus - Students must be 8 years old or older to get off the bus without an adult. The Safe Rider form must be filled out by the 5th day the student is enrolled at Powers Ferry.
Car Riders - Parents must have a dismissal barcode from ParentVue to pick up students. Parents without a barcode will need to come into the front office with proper ID. If a new barcode is needed, you may print one from ParentVue or come into the office. Please drive slowly in the car rider lane. Please refrain from cell phone use.
Clinic - Please do not send sick children to school. They may return to school after 24 hours fever or vomiting free without the use of medication.
Dress Code – Please review and adhere to the dress code page as outlined in Cobb County School District Administrative Rule JCDB-R (excerpt below)
C. MINIMUM STANDARD OF DRESS:
All students shall maintain the following minimum standard:
1. Appropriate shoes shall be worn.
2. Midriffs shall be covered.
3. Appropriate under-garments shall be worn and may not be visible.
4. Strapless garments shall be worn with a jacket.
5. Tank-tops shall be worn with a jacket.
6. Appropriate shorts, as determined by the school administration, may be worn.
7. No caps, hats, bandanas nor hoods covering the head are to be worn in the school buildings during the school day unless there is a special activity during which they are deemed appropriate by the school administration. This excludes head coverings in accordance with sincerely help religious belief.
8. Clothing or ornamentation that does any of the following is prohibited: a. Displays or advertises substances illegal for minors. b. Displays suggestive phrases, designs, markings, or profanities. c. Advocates, promotes, or suggests illegal activity.
*At Powers Ferry students may wear shorts/skirts that are finger-tip length when hands are at side. Clothing with holes above the knee shall be worn with tights or leggings underneath.
Early Checkout – Student early checkout ends at 1:45 PM. From 1:45 PM until dismissal begins (2:15 PM), transitions are in progress from various areas of the school and playground area, making it difficult to get changes to teachers. Transportation changes must be made in ParentVue before 1:40. Please make sure all approved pick up contacts are updated in ParentVue. We cannot release a child to anyone not on the approved list.
Early Dismissal Due to Inclement Weather – Occasionally, it becomes necessary to dismiss school early due to inclement weather. When this situation arises, please listen to WSB radio and television, or visit the Cobb County School District web site at www.cobbk12.org. The school bus will deliver students to their regular stops. Each student should have an inclement weather plan on ParentVue. The After School Program may not operate if school is dismissed early due to inclement weather.
Evening Events - Students need to be accompanied by an adult at all evening events held at the school.
Lunch - Parents are always welcome to eat with their children. If you choose to eat lunch with your children, please meet them in the cafeteria at their lunchtime. Please enjoy a school lunch or a sack lunch from home. We ask that you refrain from bringing in food from outside restaurants. When lunch has concluded, please say your goodbyes as your child exits the cafeteria. A nutritionally balanced lunch as prescribed by state and federal standards is served each day in the school café’. Parents may prepay for school meals by the day, week, month, or semester or a student may bring cash. Students who bring their lunch may purchase milk or fruit juice. Please make sure that your child has money for meals each day or pre-pay by the week or month.
Prepay for Lunch or Students Activities on: MyPaymentsPlus.com
Lost and Found – Unclaimed clothing items found in the building or on the grounds will be placed in the lost and found box, which is located near the back parking area. Money, eyeglasses, keys, or other items of value will be kept in the school office. Please label all clothing, lunchboxes, etc. with your child’s first and last name, so that lost items can quickly be returned to the proper owners. At the end of each month, unclaimed lost items (clothes, gloves, and toys) will be donated to needy families or a charitable organization. We are not able to hold onto lost items longer than that, as theybecome a fire hazard.
Medication - Medication is administered at school under very specific conditions. No student may administer medication to themselves or others. Each prescription medication requires written permission from a doctor specifying dosage and time to be given. "Authorization to Give Medication at School" forms are available in the clinic at the school for parents/guardians to complete. It is important to remember that students may not transport any prescription medication containing a controlled substance. These must be brought to school by a parent/guardian or other designated adult. All medication, with the school permission slip, must be stored and dispensed in the clinic by the nurse.
Morning Arrival - Students may be dropped off from 7:15-7:50. The breakfast program closes at 7:45. The tardy bell rings at 7:50. After 7:50, students are considered tardy, and parents should come in to sign their child(ren) in for the day.
Parking - Parking is limited. Please do not park along the red curb in front of the school. This is designated as a fire lane, and any cars parked in this area are subject to be ticketed per the Fire Marshal. Please do not park in the handicapped space (subject to ticket), unless you are legally allowed to do so.
Payments - All payments, with designated envelope (ASP, Field trips, etc.) can be dropped in the black dropbox at the front door or large black safe outside the cafeteria. Online payments are available at MyPaymentsPlus.com. Please request any refunds in writing.
Visitors - Visitors must show picture ID before entering the building, then sign in at the front office, and get a visitors pass. Visitors to the classroom need to communicate with the child’s teacher at least 24 hours in advance. Visitors are allowed to stay up to 1 hour. This is to minimize instructional disruptions.
