FAQ
Mt. Vernon Elementary School
School Colors: Royal Blue, Black, White
School Mascot: Mustang
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Jacqueline Barber, Principal
Jill Gillikin, Assistant Principal
Kim Maguire, Assessment & Compliance Coordinator
SCHOOL HOURS
8:30 am First Bell/Student Arrival
8:40 am Tardy Bell/Classes Begin
3:20 am Dismissal
| Position | Name | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary III | Crystal Belcher | 757-898-0442 |
| Attendance Secretary | Hallie Sieg | 757-898-0497 |
| Cafeteria Manager | Teresa Benner | 757-867-7457 |
| School Counselors | Amy Hoerger | 757-898-0338 |
| Laura Sanlorenzo | 757-898-5333 | |
| School Nurse | Debbie Clark | 757-898-0347 |
| Library Media Specialist | Melissa Hendrix | 757-898-0480 |
| Instructional Innovation Coach | Kelly Watkins | 757-867-7440 |
Our Mission
The mission of the York County School Division is to engage all students in learning the skills and knowledge needed to make productive contributions in the world.
PARENT RESOURCES
Student Handbook and Conduct Code Booklet
Please refer to the Student Handbook and Conduct Code Booklet for important information about many topics including:
- Attendance Requirements
- School Calendar
- Conduct Code Violations and Consequences
- Fees
- Grading
- Homework Policy
- Honor Roll
- Network Services/Internet Acceptable Use (AUP) Policy
- Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Testing and Assessment
- Transportation
- ASPEN
School Website
Please refer to the school website for important information about many topics including:
- Athletics
- Clubs and Activities
- Curriculum Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Important Dates/Monthly Calendar
- Lunch/Breakfast Menus
- Parent Resources
- PTA Information
- Testing Dates
ASPEN Activation Parents of new students will receive an Activation Code during Open House or Back to School Night.
ATTENDANCE
Student achievement in school is directly tied to attendance. Schools are required by law to contact a parent/guardian when a student is absent from school. Please notify the Attendance Secretary, Mrs. Hallie Sieg at 898-0497 before 9:00 AM if your child is going to be absent. Pre-arranged absences must be requested in writing to the Principal. If a student is absent from class, it is required that a note and/or doctor’s excuse be sent with your child within 24 hours of his/her return to school. Notes should include the date(s) of the absence and the reason(s) for the absence. Attendance contracts may be implemented for students who accrue more than 5 days of unexcused absences in a school year. Up to 5 days of “family personal time” per school year will be approved by the Principal when a request is submitted in writing in advance of the absence.
EXTENDED ABSENCES
Parents must submit a written request to the principal (e-mail at kdenny@ycsd.york.va.us) prior to an extended absence for approval as a pre-arranged excused absence. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis with attendance and academic histories taken into consideration. Upon request, make-up work for routine absences will be provided within 24 hours. The number of days absent equals the number of days allowed to complete the make-up assignments (i.e. five days absent = five days to complete assignments). Parents are encouraged to request assignments during extended absences due to illness or check Aspen for posted assignments.
EARLY DISMISSAL
In order to maximize instructional time, please avoid picking up your child prior to dismissal time. If it is necessary to pick up your child early, please sign out your child through the main office. Please allow ample time for your child to be called from class. A student will not be called out of his/her class until a parent comes into the office and signs him/her out. Please be prepared to show a valid I.D. When possible, please send early dismissal notes or emails with the reason for the change to school on the day of the appointment.
BREAKFAST IN THE CLASSROOM
Our school participates in the Breakfast in the Classroom Program. Students have the option of having breakfast from the cafeteria each morning. Students eat their breakfast in the classroom prior to the conclusion of morning announcements.
LUNCH INFORMATION
Students will be assigned specific lunch times; this information will be communicated directly by the classroom teacher.
BUSES
To find your child’s bus stop, download the York County School Division app and to MY STOP or CLICK HERE to go to the YCSD e-link. Riding the bus to school is a privilege. Inappropriate behavior on a school bus may result in suspension from riding the bus as well as suspension from school.
BUS NOTES
When a student rides home on the bus with another student, the school must have written permission from the parent of each student. These notes must include date, both students' complete names, and parent signature with contact number. These notes must be submitted to the office in the morning so that the student can receive a bus pass. In order to ensure accuracy and safety during dismissal, no phone calls, faxes, or emails will be accepted after 3:00 p.m. Please make all transportation arrangements with your child before the beginning of the school day.
Blackboard Messages
Blackboard contacts parents via the phone system, email and text messaging for any outreach school messages, attendance messages, late bus notifications or emergency situations that may arise at school. If you have any changes to your home, work or cell phone number, please contact the office at 898-0497 so you will continue to receive these important messages. Download the York County School Division app and follow Mt. Vernon in order to receive all notifications.
DRESS CODE
Please refer to the division dress code in the Student Handbook and Conduct Code for general guidelines regarding student dress. Concerns regarding student dress will be handled on an individual basis and all decisions by administrators are final. Parents may be asked to deliver appropriate clothing to school should a dress code violation occur.
DROPPING OFF STUDENTS
Due to traffic congestion, students are encouraged to ride the school bus. Parents who transport their child to school in the morning should drop him/her off in the designated drop-off zones located in the front parking lot. Students may not be dropped off on Mt. Vernon Drive or Villa Way. Students who are brought to school by private means of transportation should arrive no earlier than 8:30 a.m. For the safety of all students, please refrain from using your cell phone while in the drop-off or pick-up lines and avoid getting out of the car to assist children in exiting. School personnel will assist your child in exiting the vehicle.
FOOD AND SNACK RESTRICTIONS
For the health and safety of all of our students, food snacks are not permitted in the classrooms or cafeteria to celebrate birthdays or “Star of the Week”. Classroom celebrations for holidays or the conclusion of units of study are permitted at the discretion of the classroom teacher. Classroom events will be planned by the teacher in conjunction with the nurse and room parent while considering individual dietary restrictions of the class members.
Parents are permitted to bring outside food to students during lunch period. The food should be for your family’s consumption only, and cannot be shared with other students.
FORGOTTEN SCHOOL ITEMS
It is a disruption to instruction for students to pick up items from the office throughout the day. Students will not be permitted to call home for these items. Forgotten items may be left in the main office and students will collect their belongings at a non-instructional time. Thank you in advance for supporting our efforts to encourage student responsibility.
GRADING SCALE
A = (90-100); B = (80-89); C = (70-79); D = (64-69); F = (0-63)
HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
Parents are encouraged to e-mail or call teachers if they have questions or concerns. All teachers have classroom phones and individualized e-mail accounts. Parents should expect a response from the teacher within 24 hours of the initial contact, excluding weekends or holidays. Requests that require immediate attention should be directed to the main office. All classroom phones are set to voicemail during school day.
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE AND NURSE
Enrollment Information and Health Update Forms will be distributed to all students to be completed and returned to school. Please notify the school nurse, Debbie Clark, by phone at 898-0347 or email at dclark@ycsd.york.va.us about changes in medical history, updated immunizations, emergency contact information, or changes in phone numbers and home address. It is imperative that all phone numbers and email addresses be accurate and written legibly so that the school is able to contact you in case of an emergency.
VISITOR PROCEDURES
For the protection of all students and staff, entrance doors are locked during the school day. All visitors must request entry to the school building through the security system and report to the main office to sign in, state reason for visit, and receive a visitor’s badge. A driver’s license or state ID will be required for check in. All classroom visits must be scheduled in advance with classroom teacher and/or the principal.
VOLUNTEERS
Our school welcomes volunteers to assist with school activities. For more information concerning volunteering, please contact the main office (898-0480). Non-parent volunteers, including grandparents, must complete a non-parent volunteer form (please download from the York County School Division website).