School Handbook
CB Eller Elementary School
2025-2026 School Handbook
#DestinationSuccess
1288 CB Eller School Road, Elkin NC 28621
School Phone: 336-903-6100
School Fax: 336-566-4003
School Colors: Red, Black, and White
School Mascot: Trojan
August 8, 2025
Dear Trojan Families,
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! I am excited to share another school year with you all! I am filled with excitement and anticipation for the incredible adventures that await us this year in Trojan Country. Our theme for this year is #DestinationSuccess - Let’s FUEL OUR RIDE with POSITIVE ENERGY for a great school year! Please make plans to join us for Open House on Friday, August 22, 5:00-7:00 PM.
Here at CB Eller, we believe every student has the power to drive their own journey with purpose and positivity. As passengers on the Energy Bus, we will discover our strengths, fuel our mindset, and move forward with confidence. Together, we imagine the possibilities, believe in ourselves and each other, and achieve greatness through a shared vision. At CB Eller, we’re not just going through the motions - We are building leaders who drive with purpose. With the Trojan LEAD as our roadmap, we Learn Daily, Exceed Expectations, Act Responsibly, and Demonstrate Respect. Trojans don’t just ride - They LEAD the way!
We are energized by the amazing students, staff, families, and community that make up our school family! Our dedicated team has been working hard behind the scenes to fuel up for a new school year full of purpose, positivity, and growth. We're committed to creating a learning environment where every child feels empowered, supported, and ready to thrive on their journey. We’re also beyond grateful for the encouragement and support we receive from our incredible community! It helps keep our bus moving in the right direction! Thank you for riding with us, believing in our mission, and helping drive student success. If there’s ever a way that I can support you or your child along the ride, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s make this year unforgettable together!
You can reach me by email at [email protected] or by phone at 336-903-6100.
Together, we can make this school year extraordinary. Let’s climb aboard with purpose, stay fueled by positivity, and believe in the journey ahead. Great things happen when we ride together!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Stone
Principal
Wilkes County Schools Board-Approved Academic Calendar
DAILY SCHEDULE
Kindergarten Staggered Entry: Wilkes County Schools implements a staggered entry for kindergarten students. This transition period is aimed at helping ease rising kindergarten students into the school environment. This allows teachers to get to know each student in a small group setting to understand their unique learning styles and developmental levels. Kindergarten students will come to school only one of the first three days of school, August 25, 26, and 27. Kindergarten families will be notified of their child’s staggered entry date by August 19. All kindergarten students will begin attending school regularly on August 28.
CB Eller 2025-2026 FACULTY AND STAFF
STAY CONNECTED!
CB Eller Mission Statement:
2025-2026 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
The School Improvement Plan is developed and monitored by the School Leadership Team. School Leadership Team meetings are held one Wednesday a month at 3:45 in the school conference room. At times, and announced in advance, some School Leadership Team meetings may be held via Zoom.
Goals:
Goal 1: Eliminate opportunity gaps by 2027.
Goal 2: Improve school and district performance by 2027.
Goal 3: Increase educator preparedness to meet the needs of every student by 2027.
Access our Current Plan:
http://www.indistar.org/app/login.aspx
Guest Login - GuestS17622
Password - GuestS17622
Wilkes County Schools Board Policies
Please access the complete list of WCS Board of Education Policies here: https://www.wilkescountyschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=428377&type=d&pREC_ID=1331758
Wilkes County Schools Mission Statement
Wilkes County Schools are committed to excellence in teaching and to the belief that all students can learn. Our goal is to promote high expectations for student success through a partnership of school, home and community.
Wilkes County Schools Vision
Encourage, engage, empower, everyone, every day!
Wilkes County Schools Beliefs
Relationships, accountability, integrity, respect, effort, and success for all.
Due to challenges presented by Covid-19, our school will operate under different health protocols based on guidelines from the CDC, NCDHHS, NCDPI, and WCS. Please note that guidelines change frequently, and we will adjust as they do. This handbook is intended to address general guidelines and is not fully inclusive of all policies and procedures. Our school website will provide updated information throughout the year. Topics in this handbook are offered in alphabetical order. Please read with care.
AHERA NOTIFICATION
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires educational agencies
to inform employees, parents and students regarding certain asbestos related activities.
These include the availability of management plans, re-inspections, periodic surveillance
and response actions. The AHERA Management plan is available for public inspection at each school office,
central services administrative office and the maintenance office. Total re-inspections are conducted every three years and a periodic surveillance is conducted every six months. All response actions needed to maintain or control asbestos containing materials are carried out by the state accredited personnel or properly trained
maintenance personnel.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Absences
Students are expected to be present and punctual for all classes throughout the year. When a student returns to school following an absence, please send a note from a parent/guardian or physician to the classroom teacher stating the reason for the absence within 3 days. Handwritten parent notes will be limited to 6. Once a student reaches 6 absences with handwritten parent notes, a doctor’s note will be required. If the student fails to bring a note, the absence will be marked unexcused. According to NC state statute, parents will be sent a letter when a student has three, six, and ten UNEXCUSED absences. If a student has more than six total unexcused absences, a conference may be required with the school attendance committee. If a student has more than ten total unexcused absences, a second conference will be held and will include the district’s truancy officer. Office personnel, school counselors, school social worker, or teachers will call parents when there are questions or concerns about a student’s absences. Students and their parents are responsible for knowing the attendance policy.
Regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school. Most subjects are taught in sequence requiring the understanding of each concept in the order of its presentation. Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for a student and is regarded as a very serious problem.
The following list contains the only lawful reasons for school absence:
Excused Absences
The Wilkes County Board of Education shall excuse the temporary absence of a student upon showing of satisfactory evidence of one of the following reasons:
- Illness or injury
- Quarantine
- Medical or dental appointment
- Court or administrative proceeding
- Death in the immediate family
- Religious observance
- Educational opportunity (Refer to WCS Attendance Policy)
A student must be present at least ½ of the instructional day to be counted present. Lunch is not counted in the instructional hours of the school day. The importance of prompt and regular attendance cannot be too greatly emphasized. A good attendance record is related to high student achievement.
Tardies
Tardies are disruptive to the instructional day. A student is tardy if he/she is not in the classroom, seated and ready to begin morning work by 7:50 am. Tardies are noted on your child’s record. Each instance when a student is late to school or checks out of school early, whether the student returns to school or not, is counted as a tardy. Tardies are coded as excused or unexcused based upon the same criteria as an excused absence. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to get the student to school on time and to make sure that he/she is not tardy.
Check-In/Check-Out Procedures:
When a student arrives on the school grounds, he/she should report immediately to his/her designated area. When reporting to school late, a parent/guardian must accompany the student to the office to check in. Once a student has arrived on the school campus, he/she may not leave the grounds without parental permission and permission from the principal or assistant principal and must be signed out in the office.
Parents/legal guardians checking students out early must do so at the main office. The secretary/receptionist will assist parents/legal guardians in signing students out of school. Written permission is necessary for anyone other than parents/legal guardians to check out a student. Students checking out early, with someone other than parents/legal guardians, should bring a note to the office first thing in the morning, so the secretary/receptionist may verify any and all checkouts with the parents/legal guardians. A photo I.D. is required. School begins at 7:50 a.m. and ends at 3:05 p.m.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
At CB Eller, we follow the Trojan LEAD:
Learn Daily, Exceed Expectations, Act Responsibly, Demonstrate Respect
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORT (PBIS): Information for Parents
PBIS, positive behavioral interventions and supports is a part of our daily curriculum and is developed by each school to improve student behavior. It is used with all students across all environments (classroom, lunchroom, restrooms, hallways, playgrounds, buses) to help schools create effective learning environments. All schools in Wilkes County implement this behavior support system.
Why do we use Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports?
Schools that implement school-wide positive behavior interventions and support are schools that are interested in identifying and teaching expected student behaviors, finding ways to reinforce and reward those behaviors, and enforcing consistent meaningful consequences when violations occur. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a planned way to meet the behavioral needs of students in a school. Parents are important in the success and many choose to use a similar system at home. Our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports consists of three steps:
→ Step 1: Identify and Teach Expected Behavior
CB Eller Elementary has identified expectations across all environments, particularly those areas where data supports there are improvements needed. These expectations will be different in different areas of the school (cafeteria, classroom, etc.). Examples of expected behaviors, in all areas of our school, are taught within the first two weeks of school and retaught after long breaks (or as needed). The expectations are clearly posted throughout the buildings.
→ Step 2: Positively Reinforce and Reward Expected Behaviors
When students meet school-wide expectations, school staff will note their success with positive reinforcement. Students at CB Eller Elementary School will earn points or tickets by showing positive behavior. These points/tickets will be used for a variety of incentives that students will be able to earn, the main one being Friday Clubs. Extra rewards might include weekly drawings, special privileges, or recognition during student assemblies. All staff (principal, teachers, lunchroom staff, bus drivers, librarians, custodians, etc.) will use the system.
→ Step 3: Enforce Meaningful Consequences for Violations
In addition to teaching and rewarding positive behaviors, CB Eller Elementary School has identified a consistent way to respond to problem behavior when it occurs. This will help everyone to know what behaviors violate the expectations. Problem behaviors typically fall under the categories of minor or major problems. Minor behaviors are dealt with by building staff or the classroom teacher and major violations are managed by administrative staff. ** Note: 5 minor discipline incidents equal one office discipline referral.
Levels of School-Wide Support: Schools that use Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports create and maintain supports to meet the needs of all students. These supports are based on the understanding that specific behaviors need to be taught, not just expected. However, even with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in place, about 10-15% of students will need additional support to be successful. A continuum of support is described below.
→ Tier 1 - Universal systems of support (school-wide behavior support): Behavioral support is provided for ALL students throughout the school. These supports might include: social skills instruction, positive discipline that is proactive, behavior expectations that are taught, active supervision and monitoring, positive reinforcement, fair and corrective discipline, parent collaboration, or other means.
→ Tier 2 - Small group systems of support: This level of support provides additional help for 10-15% of students who need more support. Interventions are more intensive and are for a smaller number of students. They are often provided in small groups, and include: social skills groups, conflict resolution, self-management programs, adult mentors (checking in), small group instruction, or other means.
→ Tier 3 - Targeted systems of support (focused on the individual child): These systems of support are intensive and for a few students with problem behaviors. These supports are used when universal and group/classroom supports are not effective in teaching behavioral skills in all settings. About 5% of students need this more intensive level of support. It might include: individual academic support, intensive social skills instruction, functional behavior assessments (FBA), behavior intervention plans (BIP), supervision and monitoring, interagency collaboration, intensive collaboration with family, intensive family-based interventions when appropriate, or other means.
Family Involvement in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Teaching a behavior that schools expect to see works best when there is consistency across home and school settings. When a student has challenging behavior at school, a strong partnership between the school and family is important. Family involvement is a key feature when developing positive behavior support plans for students with special needs. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a school-wide approach to helping all students learn to self-manage behaviors. However, parent involvement is extremely important in all aspects of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. When parents are involved, outcomes for children are better.
BUS TRANSPORTATION EXPECTATIONS
School bus safety is one of our major concerns. The following rules are for the protection of all students who ride a bus. Riding a bus is a privilege; therefore, it is important that the rules are followed so those students may retain this privilege. Inappropriate behavior may result in the loss of that privilege. Suspension from the school bus does not permit or provide an excuse for the absence of a student from school. Please read the following rules carefully so that you and your child will know what is expected.
Students should follow these rules if using Bus Transportation:
- Respect and obey the driver.
- Be on time at the bus stop. Do not delay the bus schedule.
- Stay back from the roadway when waiting for a bus.
- Remain at the bus stop until the bus has come to a complete stop and the bus stop sign is extended.
- Look in both directions before crossing the road.
- Go quickly to your assigned seat and remain in that seat until disembarking.
- Do not distract the driver. Refrain from loud talking, playing, cursing, and horseplay.
- Remain seated and facing forward at all times.
- Keep all body parts and objects inside the bus and to yourself. Keep the aisles clear of objects and body parts.
- Refrain from throwing objects both inside and outside the bus.
- Cell phones and other electronic devices may not be used or visible on the bus.
- If your child misses his/her bus, never follow the bus so they can load at another stop. Please bring your child to school and drop him/her off in the car line.
- Please remember that riding the bus is a privilege and not a right. ALL bus rules must be followed at all times.
- A 6th grader or older needs to be visible for a 3rd grader or below to be dropped off. If the bus has to repeatedly bring a student back to school due to an adult not being present, this may result in bus suspension.
- Bus Rules and Regulations will be sent home with all students to be completed and signed by parents.
- Major incidents such as fighting, gross insubordination, and throwing objects on the bus will result in an immediate bus suspension depending on the administrator’s judgment of the severity of the incident.
- Students will be expected to follow all health and safety guidelines.
First Load Bus Riders will be dismissed to load buses at 3:08 daily. All students must have an accurate transportation form completed each year in order to ride the bus. This form should be updated if changes occur throughout the school year.
Students may not ride a bus other than their assigned bus or get off at any stop other than their designated stop without the written permission from the parent/guardian. Students who go home with each other must have written permission from both households. Permission will be granted only if there is space available. All requests from parents and/or guardians must be approved by the principal. Safe transportation of students is a serious matter and parents are expected to know, cooperate, and communicate with their child’s bus driver. Parental concerns about bus issues should be addressed to the school administration. At no time should a parent or other adult board a bus to discuss a problem. That is against the law and the person could be charged with trespassing. Every effort will be made to work with parents regarding your child’s behavior on the bus. However, a student’s refusal to obey bus rules jeopardizes the safety of everyone on the bus and cannot be tolerated.
BUS CONSEQUENCES
- First Infraction: Verbal Warning/Conference with Student and Parent
- Second Infraction: Bus Suspension 1-5 Days
- Third Infraction: Bus Suspension 5-10 Days
- Fourth Infraction: ISS/OSS/Suspension from riding the bus for the remainder of the school year.
CAFETERIA INFORMATION
Wilkes County Schools Child Nutrition is excited to be participating in Community Eligibility Provision for the 2024-2025 School Year. The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids act of 2014 introduced the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to school districts operating the National School Lunch and Breakfast program in low income areas. Every child will be provided a FREE school breakfast and lunch each day. If a family chooses to opt out of CEP or if a student chooses to buy a second meal, the child will pay the prices listed below. The online prepay option will still be available to allow parents to budget their student's ala carte purchases and avoid the need of sending cash to school.
Breakfast and lunch prices for the 2025-2026 school term are as follows:
PK-5 Breakfast: $ 2.00 Adults/Staff Breakfast: $ 3.25
PK-5 Lunch: $ 3.00 Adults/Staff Lunch $ 5.00
Visitors During Lunch:
Parents/Guardians wishing to eat lunch with their child must check in at the front office upon arrival to receive a pass before entering the main school building. Lunch visitors must remain in the cafeteria and must check out in the office promptly at the end of their child’s lunch period. Visitors may not accompany students to the classroom or to any other part of the building. Visitors are permitted to eat lunch with their child only at a separate table in the cafeteria. Due to FERPA, no other students will be permitted to sit at the same table. During EOG testing weeks, early dismissal days, and other times of the year when schedules are modified, visitors will be limited and will not be allowed to eat lunch with students.
- According to federal law, no food or drink from other businesses is to be brought by parents, students, or staff into the cafeteria. Federal and state law also prohibits student use of carbonated beverages during regular lunch hours. Please do not allow your child to bring these beverages to school.
Cafeteria Behavior Expectations:
- Students are to practice good manners in the cafeteria. Running, pushing, kicking, tripping, breaking in line, throwing food, tampering with other students’ food, popping milk cartons, or other disruptive behaviors will not be tolerated and can lead to silent lunch and/or other disciplinary action.
- Students must talk in low voices. When several classes are gathered, even soft talk produces much noise.
- Students are to pick up all food and utensils as they go through the serving line. Students are to remain seated during meals. Feet are not to be on seats.
- Students are to use good table manners. This includes picking up and cleaning up all items dropped.
- Students who pack lunch will remain with the group and follow the same procedures & regulations.
CLASSROOM PLACEMENT POLICY
We do our best to make sure all students have the best school experience possible. Our goal is to provide fair and equitable treatment for all children as a means to encourage and support their learning. Teachers consider many factors as they recommend placement for your child. Please rely on our professional judgment and trust that we will place children to provide the best possible learning environment. Parent requests for specific teachers will not be considered. In rare cases, it can be helpful for us to know if there are circumstances that would have a serious negative impact on the student or create a conflict of interest for the family. In these cases, please state your concerns in writing to the principal.
CAR LINE PROCEDURES
Arrival Procedures: Carline begins at 7:20 am daily. For safety, students cannot be dropped off before 7:20 am. Please wait in line until our staff is outside to open car doors for students. All car riders will need to use the carline for drop off. Please make sure not to pass other cars as it is dangerous and can cause serious injury. Please load and unload students from the right side of the vehicle when possible. Due to safety reasons, parents are not allowed to walk students to their classes. The only exception is Kindergarten students on their first day. There will be staff available to walk students to their classes as needed. Parents and visitors will not be permitted inside the building before school. Parents must schedule meetings with teachers in advance before visiting classrooms. Please understand that this is for student safety and to preserve instructional time. If you have a scheduled appointment, please sign in at the front office. The school day begins promptly at 7:50 am. Students will be tardy if they arrive after 7:50 am. Anyone arriving after 7:50 am must park in the visitor parking lot and be escorted by a guardian to the office for an admission slip before entering the building.
Dismissal Procedures: Bus Riders will be dismissed at 3:05 and Car Riders will be dismissed at 3:08 daily. The carline will begin to load after buses have departed from the parking lot. No cars should pull past the gate to the back of the school until after the buses have departed. Each student will be provided with 2 Car Rider Tags. You may pick these tags up at our Open House event. Car Tags must be displayed in the driver’s windshield and clearly visible to school staff throughout the car line to ensure students are safely dismissed to the correct cars. Any cars not displaying a Car Tag will be asked to park and sign their child out in the front office. Please make sure not to pass other cars as it is dangerous and can cause serious injury. Please load and unload students from the right side of the vehicle when possible. Students must stay behind the line until called by staff. If you misplace your car tag, please request a new car tag from the office.
COMMUNICATION
Phone Calls: In order to ensure uninterrupted class time, teachers will not be allowed to answer phone calls during the school day. We will be happy to take a message and have the teacher return the call after school. Please be respectful to the school office personnel and make all arrangements with your child about school departure prior to dropping him/her off at school. If an emergency arises, please contact the school before 2:30 in order to ensure your child receives the message.
Remind: Our school and individual classroom teachers will utilize Remind as a messaging system to share information with individual students, classrooms, and the whole school. Messages may be sent to classroom teachers and teachers will respond as they have time.
Urgent Communication Needs and Transportation Changes
For transportation changes or any urgent messages, please call the school office or send an email through the “Contact Us” button on our school website. This will send a direct email to our office staff who will be happy to help.
CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS
It is vital that any court orders pertaining to the custody of a child be on file at the school. If you have a court order pertaining to the custody of a child, please be sure that the child’s teacher has been informed. A copy of the court order will be on file with the child’s teacher and in the school office. These must be kept current, so if there are any changes, notify the school as soon as possible.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
School Disruptions: No student shall, by the use of passive resistance, noise, threat, fear, intimidation, coercion, force, violence or any other form of conduct, intentionally cause the disruption of any lawful function, mission or process of the school to which he is assigned or any other school in the school system, nor urge any other student to engage in such conduct. No student shall, on or off school premises, engage in any protest, march, picket, or sit-in or similar activity which has as its purpose the disruption of any lawful function, mission, or process of the school to which the student is assigned or to any other school in the school system (G.S. 115C-391; 115C-288g).
Bomb Threats: Bomb threats are very serious offenses and will be dealt with in an official and legal manner. Offenders will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
False Fire Alarms: Pulling a fire alarm falsely is against the law. Anyone pulling a fire alarm falsely will be prosecuted.
Cell Phones: Students who utilize their cell phone or other technology to disseminate threats, communicate false information or cyber bully other students, publish photographs taken at school or home that disrupt the learning environment or suggest questions of student safety will face discipline as determined by WCS Policy and CB Eller administration. Discipline is at the discretion of the superintendent and school administration.
In-School Suspension: Any student who is assigned in-school suspension (ISS) for a full day by the administration, will report to the office room from 7:50 until 3:05 pm. Students who have received in-school suspension as a consequence multiple times may be out of school suspended by the administration. Students may also be considered for alternative placements if behavior is a continuous issue. If a student is assigned to ISS for a full day by administration, they may not attend any school functions, field trips, sporting events, or participate in a sport in which they are playing (practice and/or game).
Dismissal, Suspension, and Expulsion: The suspension and/or expulsion of a student from school is viewed by the school as the most serious student punishment. A student may be suspended for a particular act; or for continuous/consistent acts or violations of policy. The basis for suspension and expulsion of students in the public school is outlined in G.S. 115C-391. The principal of a school or his designee, shall have authority to suspend for a period of 10 days or less any student who willfully violates policies of conduct established by the local school board; provided that a student suspended pursuant to this subsection shall be provided an opportunity to take any quarterly, semester or grading period examinations missed during the suspension period. Any student whose actions endanger the health or well-being of students or staff will be assigned OSS. Students who violate substance abuse policy will be assigned to OSS. They must make up work according to the county attendance policy. The suspended student is forbidden from entering any school or any school grounds (except for a prearranged conference with an administrator), attending any day or night school functions, including weekend functions of the Wilkes County Schools, or riding a school bus during the term of the suspension. Violation of this provision shall be cause for additional disciplinary action.
DRESS AND GROOMING
In keeping with the Wilkes County Schools dress code and in order to provide and preserve a safe and neutral learning environment without disruptions, students are required to dress and groom themselves in a professional manner conducive to learning and leadership. School staff will be diligent and equitable in addressing dress code concerns with students. Appearance of clothing which is disruptive, obscene or which endangers the health or safety of students or others is prohibited. All rooms are air-conditioned and students should dress accordingly. Administrators have the responsibility and right to determine what is disruptive to the school environment. These decisions will be made in accordance with, but not limited to guidelines:
- Students may not wear articles of clothing that display or promote advertisements of alcoholic beverages, drugs, profanity, and/or pictures offensive to other individuals or groups.
- No chains, spikes or other accessories that may pose a safety hazard.
- No costumes or face painting. Exceptions may be made by administration for special events.
- Shoes must be worn at all times. No cleats or skates. Tennis shoes or sneakers will be required for all students participating in physical education classes.
- Students are not to wear caps, hats, toboggans, bandanas, hoods, or any other item considered to be headgear inside any school building. Being able to identify people in our building is paramount to safety.
- Exposed undergarments are not permitted.
- Bottoms must meet the following guidelines:
- All shorts, pants and skirts should be a modest and non-distracting fit and appropriate for the student’s physical development.
- Pants, shorts, skirts or dresses must be of at-least upper-thigh length and not have holes or rips that expose undergarments or skin in a revealing or provocative manner.
- Shirts must meet the following guidelines:
- Have straps that cover shoulders (No spaghetti straps, halter tops or tube tops, off shoulder shirts, racerbacks, etc.)
- No visible skin below the armpit line (in the front or back).
- Must be long enough to cover midriff AND back while standing, sitting, or leaning over.
- Additional dress requirements may be made for students who come to school with inappropriate clothing and/or appearances that are disruptive to the learning environment.
- Visitors should also adhere to our school’s dress code requirements.
Students not meeting the expectations of this dress code will be asked to change, may be provided with clothing resources at the school, or parents/guardians may be contacted to help provide students with appropriate clothing for the remainder of the day. Students who repeatedly fail or refuse to meet these expectations may be assigned school discipline, up to and including out of school suspension.
ENCORE CLASSES AND RECESS
Students will follow a six-day rotation in order to attend art, music, media and physical education classes. These rotations will be fixed and will be available from your classroom teacher. We will have outdoor recess on days students do not have PE class, weather permitting. Teachers may choose to offer extra recess on occasion for additional physical activity or as a reward. Please make sure that your child wears play clothes and sturdy shoes for outdoor play each day.
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and Student Records
Parents have the right to inspect and review education records and to seek to amend inaccurate education records. Parents must provide written consent before the disclosure of personally identifiable information from student education records, except as otherwise provided by law. Directory information can be displayed by the school unless parents request it not be made public. Parents should submit all requests in writing to the principal. Parents will be notified and will have the right to opt out prior to the participation of a student in a protected information survey. Parents have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Reference Board Policy 4700 Student Records and NC General Statute 115C402.15
- All student records will be accurate, current, and maintained with appropriate measures of security and confidentiality. The principal is responsible for meeting all legal requirements pertaining to the maintenance, review, and release of records retained at the school.
- Annual Notification of Rights
The principal is responsible for providing eligible students and parents with annual notification of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The notice must contain all information required by federal law and regulations. The school district does not have to individually notify parents or eligible students of their rights, but must provide the notice in a manner reasonably likely to inform the parents and eligible students of their rights. Effective notice must be provided to parents or eligible students who are disabled or whose primary or home language is not English.
- Review, Release of Records to Parent, Guardian, or Eligible Student
A parent, guardian, or eligible student (one who is at least 18 years old or is married) will be allowed access to the student's records upon proper request. A formal review of a student's complete records will be conducted only in the presence of the principal or his or her designee. School personnel will not destroy any educational records if there is an outstanding request to inspect or review the records.
A parent, guardian, or eligible student has the right to challenge an item in the student record believed to be inaccurate or inappropriate. The principal will examine a request to amend a student record item and respond in writing to the person who challenges the item. Subsequent steps, if necessary, will follow the student grievance procedures as provided in Board of Education policy 1740/4010, Student and Parent Grievance Procedure.
- Release of Records to Others
Student records will be released promptly when a student transfers to another school, and in other circumstances specifically permitted by law. Written permission by a parent, guardian, or eligible student is required for the release of a student's records in any other circumstance.
- Directory information on students may be utilized by the school district, individual schools, or organizations, after providing proper notice and the opportunity to object to the parent, guardian, or eligible student (Board of Education policy 1310/4002, Parental Involvement). The following information is considered to be directory information:
- student's name;
- address;
- telephone listing;
- date and place of birth;
- participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
- weight and height of members of athletic team;
- dates of attendance;
- diplomas, certification, and awards received;
- most recent previous school or education at institution attended by the student; and
- pictures or videos taken on buses, school grounds, in school buildings, and at school activities unless the picture or video may reveal confidential information about a student.
Decisions to provide directory information to outside organizations must be approved by the superintendent or his or her designee. If information is to be provided to outside organizations, parents, guardians, and eligible students should be notified of this potential use. The school district is not to discriminate between requests for directory information from organizations that are similar in purpose. If directory information is made available to persons or organizations which make students aware of occupational or educational options, the school district will provide access on the same basis to recruiters of the military forces of the State or United States for the purpose of informing students of educational and career opportunities available in the military.
Students with recognized exceptionalities will be accorded all rights in regards to their records as provided by state and federal law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
Records cannot be withheld from a valid request by a parent, eligible student, or school for any reason, including in order to collect fines assessed to the parent or student.
- Surveys, Evaluation
No student will be required, as a part of any applicable program, to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning:
- political affiliations;
- mental and psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student or the student's family;
- sex behavior and attitudes;
- illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, and demeaning behavior;
- critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
- legally recognized privileged and comparable relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers; or
- income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips within our county and to nearby points of interest are scheduled by various classroom teachers throughout the school. These trips are designed to supplement different aspects of the classroom curriculum and to introduce students to the resources of the community. Parents will receive notices of field trips well in advance of the scheduled trip date and will be asked to sign field trip permission forms. Money may be requested from each student to help defray transportation or facility use costs. Some field trips may need a minimal number of parent chaperones, while others may not need any chaperones. NO SCHOOL FIELD TRIP CAN INCLUDE A CHILD WHO IS NOT ENROLLED AS A STUDENT BECAUSE OF LIABILITY ISSUES. Due to our Title 1 School status, visits to gift shops will not be part of any field trips. If chaperoning parents wish to visit a gift shop, you will need to wait until after the bus has left the premises. Field trip money is non-refundable. **Parents attending a field trip must be a Level 2 volunteer certified to chaperone field trips.
GIFTS FOR STUDENTS
Because of the time factor, possible mix-ups, and problems on the bus, the school office is not able to accept gifts for students, such as balloons, flowers, food, etc. Students are not allowed to bring or possess balloons, flowers, glass vases, etc. on campus, due to safety issues.
GRIEVANCE POLICY
It is the policy of the Wilkes County Board of Education that each student, regardless of age, race, sex, religion, color, creed, national origin, or handicapping condition, shall have the right to present for resolution all complaints of problems arising from the student role and shall be encouraged to do so without fear of recrimination. The Board of Education requires that every effort should be made to insure that each student shall receive fair and impartial treatment. To that end, the Board hereby adopts grievance procedures that are intended to facilitate the handling of all student/teacher/principal complaints and resolution of problems. The complete Grievance Policy and Procedure can be viewed on the Wilkes County Schools website at www.wilkes.k12.nc.us.
HEALTHFUL LIVING NOTIFICATION
All students must participate in Healthful Living Education classes in grades Kindergarten through 9th grade (G.S.115C-81[e]). The nature of Health Education often includes the discussion of sensitive topics. In these situations, health teachers, school nurses and school counselors are trained for appropriate and accurate content as well as proper teaching methods. A parent may request that his/her child be excluded from certain health topics due to religious/personal beliefs by contacting the school principal in writing. These students will be given an alternative health assignment during that time.
The School Children’s Health Act
The School Children’s Health Act requires all North Carolina school districts to notify parents and guardians of pesticides that they expect will be applied during the upcoming year. We want to notify you that the following pesticides could be used at your child’s school this year.
Name of Pesticide Product Active Ingredient(s)
DuPont Advion Ant Gel Indoxacarb (S-Enantiomer)
Prescrip. Treatment Cy-Kick CS Cyfluthrin
Talstar Professional Insecticide Bifenthrin
MaxForce Roach Bait Gel Fipronil
Contrac All Weather Blox Bromadiolone
Alpine WSG Dinotefuran
PT Alpine F & BB Dinotefuran
CB-80 Pyrethrins
Taurus S-C Fipronil
Wilkes County Schools has implemented an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. This can help reduce or even eliminate the risks of pesticides by using simple, low-cost methods. With proper training, planning and effective communication among affected parties, IPM can prevent pest problems, reduce the need for pesticide application and greatly improve the quality of the school environment.
If you have any questions, please contact Bergie Speaks, Maintenance Director, at (336) 667-2021.
HEALTH PROCEDURES
Any serious injury or illness will be reported to parents. If a child becomes ill or is injured at school, he/she should tell the teacher who may send the child to the office. The following procedures will be followed:
∙Parents will be notified that the student is ill/injured if the condition is serious enough for the parent to come pick up the child.
∙In cases of illnesses or injuries requiring emergency medical attention, the student may be taken directly to the hospital and parents will be notified immediately.
Parents have the following obligations:
∙ If a student has a fever over 100, vomiting, or diarrhea, he/she should stay at home and not attend school for 24 hours with no fever medication.
∙ When a student returns to school, the parent/guardian must send a note within 3 days explaining why the student was absent or a doctor’s statement if the student visited the doctor. (See Wilkes County Schools Attendance Policy)
Covid-19 Exposures
Based on current CDC guidance, we are recommending, but not requiring, students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate for five days from the start of symptoms or the date they test positive (if they do not have symptoms). If a fever is present, students or staff should wait to return until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. School nurses can assist any parents/guardians or staff who need help with this. Students will need a parent or doctor note for an absence to be excused as we will no longer use the quarantine codes of the previous school years.
HEALTH SCREENING
The health of your child is important to you and to Wilkes County Schools. Throughout the school year, screening programs are organized to identify health needs. The screenings are performed by school nurses, speech language pathologists, dental hygienists, volunteers, and other trained school personnel. This is a valuable health service to our students. Parents are notified in writing when any health problem appears to need further evaluation by medical doctors, dentists, eye doctors, or other health care providers. This referral form needs to be returned to the school nurse after medical treatment is received. Screenings may include the following areas:
- Vision
- Hearing
- Height and Weight
- Blood Pressure
- Dental
- BMI (Body Mass Index)
Any parent/legal guardian who does not wish to have his/her child participate in this screening program should notify the school principal in writing at the beginning of the school year.
HOMEWORK
Homework will be assigned according to the Homework Policy 3135 adopted by the Wilkes County Board of Education. All homework assigned will be used to supplement and strengthen the students’ regular class work. Students will be held responsible for turning in homework completed and on the date it was due. A student who has been absent from school should request homework assignments from the teacher.
IMMUNIZATIONS
State law requires that up-to-date immunization records MUST be on file in the school office within 30 days of entering/enrolling in the school.
4 DPT’s – 3 doses by age 1 year and 1 booster dose on or after the 4th birthday.
3 Polio – 2 doses by age two years and 1 booster due on or after 4th birthday.
2 Measles – Mumps – Rubella
1 HIB – between the ages of 15 months and 5 years of age.
TdAP – Before entering grade 6
LOST AND FOUND
Students who lose articles at school should check the “lost and found” area to see if these items have been turned in. Students who find articles should turn them in to the office. We suggest that items of clothing should have the student’s name in them. Lost and found items which are not claimed in a reasonable period of time will be donated to charity.
MEDICATION PROCEDURES
The school’s policy of giving medications to students by any school personnel is very strict. If your child must have medication of any type, including over the counter medicine, given during school hours, parent/guardian has the following choices:
- The parent/guardian may come to school and give the medication to the student at the appropriate time.
- The parent/guardian may get a medication form from the school and have the doctor indicate on the form the drug, dose, time to be given, and be sure that the doctor signs the form.
- The parent/guardian may discuss with the doctor an alternative schedule of medication so that it can be given outside of school hours.
NAME CHANGES/PREFERRED NAMES
Students will be called by their legal names, unless the school obtains documentation from parents/guardians regarding a preferred name to be used. North Carolina General Statute § 115C-76.45 requires a public-school unit to notify a parent prior to any changes in the name or pronoun used for a student in school records or by school personnel. If you would like to request a preferred name change for your student, please contact the school office to obtain the necessary documentation.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT (Public Notice)
In compliance with federal laws, Wilkes County Schools administers all locally operated educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, marital status, pregnancy, military service, disability, or gender as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its implementing federal regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator and/or the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of
Education. Questions or concerns should be directed to:
Dr. Westley Wood, Assistant Superintendent: Title II
Ms. Jennifer Blankenship, Director of Exceptional Children: ADA
Mrs. Callie Grubb, Chief Academic Officer: Title 1, ESL/Title III, Federal Programs
Mr. David Johnson, Director of Secondary Education/School Safety/Athletics/CTE: Title IX
Dr. Dion Stocks, Director of Testing & Accountability/Cultural Arts: Section 504/MTSS
Wilkes County Schools
613 Cherry Street
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
Phone: (336) 667-1121
Updated: 7/22/25
PERSONAL VALUABLES AND PROHIBITED ITEMS
Do not bring large sums of money or valuable items such as jewelry to school. Every effort will be made to teach honesty and protect your property. The school will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items and will not make efforts to recover these items.
The following items are not permitted at school:
- Guns or Knives: It is a violation of state and federal laws to carry guns, knives, or other concealed weapons on school grounds.
- Fireworks: State and federal laws prohibit the selling or use of fireworks on school property.
- Skateboards: For safety reasons, and insurance liabilities, skateboards, wheeled skates, or sneaker skates are not permitted at school.
- Radios, boomboxes, electronic or battery powered game devices, CD/MP3 players, laser pointers, cameras and other electronic devices deemed inappropriate by school personnel are not permitted on school grounds except on special occasions designated by the school, such as field trips, festivals, reward days, etc.
- Rolling book bags are not permitted.
- Chewing gum may not be chewed at school or on the bus.
- Cell phones may not be seen or heard during school hours (see WCS policy 4304)
PTO
PTO stands for Parent-Teacher Organization. The PTO consists of parents and teachers working together to support and enrich all students at CBEES. We support school staff, help promote student self-esteem, and assist efforts to solve school needs through volunteers and funding. All parents of CBEES students are encouraged to participate in PTO activities and attend meetings. There is no fee to join PTO. All are welcome! If you are interested in joining PTO, please call the office for more information.
REPORTS OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Progress Reports will be issued after the end of each quarterly grading period. Please sign progress reports and return them to school the next day. Look at the progress reports carefully, noting not only the progress grade, but also the level upon which your child is working.
Grade K-5 Scoring Rubric
4 - Exceeds end of year grade level expectations
3 - Meets end of year grade level expectations
2 - Progressing toward end of year grade level expectations
1 - Limited progress toward end of year grade level expectations
0 - No progress toward end of year grade level expectations
Art, PE, Music, Behavior
S - Satisfactory
N - Needs improvement
Your child receives a grade according to his/her ability. If you have questions as to how a grade was determined, please ask your child’s teacher for clarification. Conferences with teachers are encouraged, and they may be scheduled as needed. We ask that you schedule a conference during a time when the teacher is not involved in instruction or supervision of students.
SAFETY PROTOCOLS
The safety of students and staff is our highest priority. To keep everyone safe, we will practice proper safety measures including frequent hand washing/sanitizing, social distancing, and regular cleaning. We will follow all guidelines in the NC Public Health Toolkit and in the WCS plan. Systematic cleaning and sanitizing protocols are being used in all areas of the school. Hand sanitizing stations will be available in every classroom and at every entrance. Any student who becomes symptomatic during the day will be closely monitored by a staff member until a parent arrives. Please send a non-breakable, refillable water bottle that has a spill-proof top to school each day. It is important for students to stay hydrated throughout the day to stay healthy. Only water should be sent in water bottles. Water fountains are available for bottle refill.
Standard Response Protocol: Our school has adopted The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol. The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is based on an all hazards approach as opposed to individual scenarios. Like the Incident Command System (ICS), SRP utilizes clear common language while allowing for flexibility in protocol. The premise is simple - there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. When communicating these, the action is labeled with a “Term of Art” and is then followed by a “Directive.” Execution of the action is performed by active participants, including students, staff, teachers and first responders. The SRP is based on the following actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
Emergency Drills
Emergency drill procedures are included in our school’s safety plan. Procedures are established for fire drills, intruder alerts, evacuation, bomb threats, and severe weather. These procedures are explained to students and practiced with students periodically during the year. Students are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate and responsible manner during all emergency drills. We hope never to have an actual emergency, but no “horseplay or kidding around” will be acceptable during emergency drills.
Safety Questions:
Should parents come to the school during a SECURE event? Probably not. Every effort is made
to conduct classes as normal during a secure event. Additionally, parents may be asked to stay outside during a Secure event.
What if parents need to pick up their student? Depending on the situation, it may
not be safe to release the student. As the situation evolves, SECURE might change to a Monitored Entry
and/or Controlled Release.
Will parents be notified when a school goes into a SECURE event? When a secure event is brief or the hazard is non-violent, like a wild animal on the playground, there may not be a need to notify parents while the Secure is in place. With longer or more dangerous events, the school should notify parents that the school has increased their security.
Should parents come to the school during a LOCKDOWN event? The natural inclination for parents is to go to the school during a Lockdown. Understandable, but perhaps problematic. If there is a threat inside the building, law enforcement will be responding. It is unlikely that parents will be granted access to the building or even the campus. If parents are already in the school, they will be instructed to Lockdown as
well.
Should parents text their students? The school recognizes the importance of communication
between parents and students during a Lockdown event. Parents should be aware though, during the initial period of a Lockdown, it may not be safe for students to text their parents. As the situation resolves, students may be asked to update their parents on a regular basis. In some cases, students may be evacuated and transported off-site for a student-parent reunification.
What about unannounced drills? The school may conduct unscheduled drills, however it is highly discouraged to conduct one without announcing that it as a drill. That’s called an unannounced drill and can cause undue concern and stress. Parents should recognize that the school will always inform students
that it is a drill during the initial announcement. It’s important to differentiate between a drill and an exercise. A drill is used to create the “Muscle Memory” associated with a practiced action. There is no simulation of an
event; this is simply performing the action. An exercise simulates an actual event to test the capacity of personnel and equipment.
SNACKS AND PARTY POLICY
Wilkes County Schools permits two classroom parties per year during the school day, and these must be taken during the last hour of the day, at the teacher’s discretion. This policy does not allow us to permit birthday parties for individual children. A small snack (such as a snack cake, etc.) can be sent to school for a class or daily snack. Any items brought by parents for snacks should be individually sealed and wrapped. No homemade items can be brought into the school for snacks. Please work with your child’s teacher when sending in snacks for birthdays. Snack items can be left at the front office desk for delivery to classrooms. Parents are not permitted to attend classroom snack time as this causes a disruption to the learning environment and snack is a small part of the school day, in which instruction continues.
Please send a non-breakable, refillable water bottle that has a spill-proof top to school each day. It is important for students to stay hydrated throughout the day to stay healthy. Only water should be sent in water bottles. Water fountains are available for bottle refill.
STUDENT INSURANCE PROGRAM
Membership in a group accident insurance program will be made available to students each year. In arranging for this insurance, the Wilkes County Board of Education will make every reasonable attempt to identify a company offering comprehensive insurance at economical rates. Information on the plan will be made available through the schools. Purchase of this insurance will constitute an agreement between the student and/or parent and the insurance company, not with the school district. The school district does not assume any contractual responsibility for expenses not covered by insurance.
TECHNOLOGY
WCS will provide every K-5 student with a Chromebook for use at school during the school day. Parents/guardians must read and sign the Chromebook technology agreement annually. Parents who sign the agreement are responsible for damages resulting from neglect or abuse and for the full cost of the device if it is lost or damaged under the child’s use. WCS provides safe filtered logins via Google. Elementary students should always be supervised when working online at school and at home. As a reminder, keep computers in common areas of your home. Do not allow computers, tablets, or phones into kids’ private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms. Teach your child to keep all personal information, including passwords and photos, private. Parents can provide consent for enabling student webcams.
TESTING NOTIFICATION
This letter is intended to inform you that your student will take districtwide and state-mandated tests this
school year as reflected online at www.wilkescountyschools.org. You will find a general testing calendar on
the Accountability page of Wilkes County Schools website.
Per 16 N.C. Admin Code 06D .0307–Test Administration in Public Schools, “(g) LEAs shall, at the beginning of each school year, provide information to students and parents or guardians advising them of the district wide and State-mandated tests that students will be required to take during that school year. In addition, LEAs shall advise students and parents or guardians of the dates the tests will be administered and how the results from the tests will be used. Also, information provided to parents shall include whether the State Board of Education or the local board of education requires the test(s). (h) LEAs shall report scores resulting from the administration of State mandated tests from the Annual Testing Program to students and parents or guardians no later than 30 days after the test is administered and along with available score interpretation information within 30 days from receipt of the scores and interpretive documentation.”
N.C. Admin. Code 06G .0315 requires all public-school students in membership (i.e., enrolled in a school) in grades 3 through 8 and high school courses requiring an end-of-course assessment, to participate in the Annual Testing Program. North Carolina does not allow any student to opt out of required state testing. The only exceptions granted are for a limited number of students who meet certain eligibility requirements or have extenuating circumstances primarily related to a significant medical emergency or condition and are unable to participate in a specific test administration.
N.C. Admin Code 06D .0309 requires schools to use end-of-course (EOC) tests as “at least twenty percent (20%) of the student’s final grade.” As such, a student’s grade for these courses and overall grade-point-average calculation may be negatively impacted by not taking the required EOC state tests. Wilkes County Schools also includes EOG scores for grades 6-8 as 20% of the final average as well.
Please feel free to contact your child’s school or Wilkes County Schools Accountability Department for more information.
THERAPY DOG
We are excited that our therapy dog, Pepper will be joining us on Music Class days again this school year! Pepper is a one-year-old female Goldendoodle. Pepper passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and has taken the Alliance of Therapy Dog test. We want to share some information about the benefits of having a therapy dog in school as well as answer some potential questions.
Benefits of Having a Therapy Dog in Schools:
- Increased self-esteem and positive interactions between staff and students.
- Decreased blood pressure and increased physical stimulation.
- Increased memory and problem-solving skills.
- Increase in positive mood; places students at ease and increases socialization with others.
- Studies have shown an increase in student reading skills when they are given opportunities to
- read to an accepting, non-judgmental audience such as a therapy dog.
Concerns and Considerations:
- Pepper has a non-shedding coat, which is often suitable for students with allergies.
- Pepper will only interact with students who want to work with her. This is to be mindful of
- students who may not like dogs or have a fear of them. Research has shown that working with
- Therapy dogs often decrease one’s fear of animals.
- Pepper will wear a collar and be on a leash when she is not in the music room.
- Pepper lives with our music teacher, and gets lots of attention from Mrs. Ferguson’s family.
- She is socialized with children and large crowds. Pepper has attended teacher workdays, large bike races, church youth group meetings, and frequents parks regularly.
- Pepper has up-to-date vaccinations and takes monthly medication for fleas, ticks, & heartworms.
- Pepper is washed and groomed regularly. She sees a professional groomer every other month.
- Pepper will have access to food, and water and be given multiple opportunities to be outside
- for bathroom breaks during the day. In addition, Pepper will have a designated area in the music room for students to visit when Mrs. Ferguson does not have class.
- Pepper will be slowly acclimated to the school environment before being utilized in the music classroom for any extended period of time. She will spend class time in her crate for the first few weeks. As she and the students get to know the expectations of having a Therapy Dog, Pepper will spend more time outside her crate in the music room. If there is a fear or concern in any class Pepper will stay in the crate for that music period.
We are extremely excited to have Pepper as part of our Trojan family and believe that her influence is a positive one for staff and students. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Stone directly.
TITLE I
PARENTS’ RIGHT TO KNOW LETTER/INFORMATION
As a parent / legal guardian of a student at C.B. Eller Elementary School, please know that we receive Federal Title I funds under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to assist students in meeting state achievement standards. Throughout the school year, we will be providing you with important information about this law and your child’s education. This letter / notice lets you know about your right to request information about the qualifications of the classroom and building staff working with your child.
At C.B. Eller Elementary School, we are very proud of our teachers / staff and feel they are ready for the coming school year, and are prepared to give your child a high-quality education. At a Title I School, we must meet federal regulations related to teacher qualification as defined in ESSA. These regulations allow you to learn more about your child’s teachers’ training and credentials. We are happy to provide this information to you upon request. At any time you may ask:
- Whether the teacher met state qualifications and certification requirements for the grade level and subject he/she is teaching,
- Whether the teacher received an emergency or conditional certificate through which state qualifications were waived, and
- What undergraduate or graduate degrees the teacher holds, including graduate certificates and additional degrees, and major(s) or area(s) of concentration.
You may also ask whether your child receives help from a paraprofessional. If your child receives this assistance, we can provide you with information about the paraprofessional’s qualifications.
ESSA includes additional right-to-know requests. At any time parents and family members can request:
- Information on policies regarding student participation in assessment and procedures for option our, and
- Information on required assessment that include
- subject matter tested,
- purpose of the test,
- source of time it takes students to complete the test, and
- time and formation of disseminating results.
Our staff is committed to helping your child develop the academic knowledge and critical thinking they need to succeed in school and beyond. That commitment includes making sure all of our teachers and paraprofessionals meet applicable North Carolina requirements.
If you have any questions about your child’s assignment to a teacher or paraprofessional, please call C.B. Eller Elementary School at (336)-903-6100.
2025-2026 TITLE I PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY
Policy Involvement: We welcome parent and family involvement and feedback! C.B. Eller Elementary School's Parent and Family Engagement Plan and information regarding our school's participation in and requirements of Title I and Parent's Right to Know will be presented during our Back to School Open House event and during Parent Advisory Team/PTO meetings. Parents are invited to complete a yearly parental involvement survey, attend District Parental Advisory Counsel meetings at Central Services, and attend Parent Advisory meetings at the school. Parent Involvement is documented by signatures on attendance sheets. Agendas and notes are provided in the school Title I documentation. These meetings are offered in the evening, after working hours, for the convenience of our stakeholders. All information is provided in a language and format understandable to our stakeholders. If needed, interpreters are also present for support and clarification of any communication. The School Leadership/Improvement Team also has parent representation, and these meetings are held as open meetings monthly. Meeting information is printed in our school handbook and on the school website. The School Improvement Plan is developed and monitored by the School Leadership Team. School Leadership Team meetings are held one Wednesday a month at 3:45 in the school conference room. At times, and announced in advance, some School Leadership Team meetings may be held via Zoom. The District and School Title 1 Parent and Family Engagement Policies will be included and distributed in our annual Student/Family Handbook. Parents return a signed form stating that they have received this information. Parents may contact the school via phone or email at any time with feedback, questions, and suggestions.
Shared Responsibility for High Student Academic Achievement: The School-Parent Compact is a communication tool to support achievement for parents, school staff and students. The Compact is an agreement on how each person (school staff, family, and student) will support each other in ensuring that the student is successful. The parent compact will be presented at our Back to School Open House event and during Parent Advisory Team/PTO meetings. During these times, we survey and solicit feedback as we develop our Parent and Family Engagement Policy. Parents, students, teachers, and administrators are asked to review the compact and sign stating that they agree to follow the stated expectations. Parents are invited to conferences with their child's teacher quarterly. Teachers are available to answer or address any academic concerns. Three curriculum/parent night events are planned to provide opportunities for parents to learn new ways to support their child's learning.
Building Capacity for Involvement: C.B. Eller Elementary School provides three school-wide parent nights a year with a curriculum focus so that parents can learn new skills to assist their children at home. These events are congruent with our PTO meetings and student musical performances. These nights are established to provide parents with strategies in each curricular area to help their child be successful. The school also sends out a weekly calendar/newsletter that includes upcoming dates and strategies to help students. Parents are encouraged to participate in school activities. C.B. Eller also conducts other grade-level specific informational meetings for parents such as Third Grade Read to Achieve Night and Kindergarten Fun Times. These meetings are planned throughout the school year. Classroom Celebrations, Step it Up Night, and collaborative events with PTO are some of the other activities C.B. Eller conducts during the school year. C.B. Eller teachers and students also facilitate family conferences to provide opportunities for collaboration regarding the progress of the children. Events are advertised through Remind, monthly newsletters, weekly School Messenger phone and email messages, and social media. All information is translated and shared in Spanish as well as English.
Accessibility: Many of the programs offered at C.B. Eller will be scheduled in the evenings after work hours. Information regarding scheduling of all events will be available on the school website, social media, and on Remind. Our school and individual classroom teachers utilize Remind as a messaging system to share information with individual students, classrooms, and the whole school. Our school also utilizes Facebook and Instagram as a means of communication with families and the community. When necessary, paper copies of information are sent home with students. Our teachers will provide flexible scheduling for individual parent-teacher conferences. C.B. Eller also has an interpreter who attends meetings/conferences, makes phone calls, and translates all publications, agendas, and documents so that Spanish-speaking families have access to school information.
Funding: C.B. Eller utilizes Title I Parent and Family Engagement funds to provide yearly mailings, informational handouts to promote student attendance, study habits, exceptional children services, and any other information for parents to help their students be successful. Digital copies of the student/family handbook will be printed for each family to inform families of the Parent Family Engagement Policy, and other procedures and information parents need to stay informed and involved in the school community. These documents are available for printing by request. The Title I Parent Compact is printed for each family. Monthly school calendars and newsletters will be printed and sent home with each student, to inform families of dates of events such as PTO nights and parent nights. Information and communication is also shared via Remind, the school website, and social media. Supplies are also purchased for take-home bags on our parent nights and for incoming kindergarten students’ families to prepare them for beginning school in the fall. C.B. Eller additionally employs Parent Liaison to help with communication to parents: via phone, in person conferences, social media posting, distribution and collection of School Newsletters, School/Family/Student Compact, Student Release of Image Permission Forms, Parent Night Sign-in Sheets, English/Spanish translations for parent letters, and other communications with families.
2025-2026 SCHOOL/FAMILY/STUDENT COMPACT
CB Eller Elementary School believes that education takes place both at home and at school, and that parents and guardians should be active partners in the education of their children. With this partnership, parents, guardians, and school staff commit to be mutually supportive, working together to enhance each child’s development and to insure the success of CB Eller Elementary School. The purpose of this compact is to establish a commitment between home and school. This agreement is to be based on mutual trust and the shared vision that CB Eller Elementary School will be a community of learning, committed to excellence for all.
Wilkes County Schools Mission Statement: Wilkes County Schools are committed to excellence in teaching and to the belief that all students can learn. Our goal is to promote high expectations for student success through a partnership of school, home and community.
Responsibilities of CB Eller Elementary School and Principal: As a community of learners and as the principal of CB Eller Elementary School, I will
- provide an academic program that fulfills the goals expressed in the county’s mission statement;
- communicate honestly and frequently regarding student progress and inform parents of student disciplinary actions which involve the administration;
- encourage parent involvement/visits which are supportive of effective instruction and a positive school climate;
- refer students for the services of the social worker/guidance counselor/nurse when deemed necessary; and
- make a good faith effort to resolve parent and student concerns.
I agree to follow the expectations set forth in this compact.
_________________________ 8/6/25
Principal Date
Responsibilities of CB Eller Elementary School Staff: As the staff of CB Eller Elementary School, we will
- prepare lessons that are interesting, challenging and appropriate for the student;
- create a safe and positive school environment by
- treating each student with dignity and respect,
- designing rules and procedures which enhance learning,
- modeling an interest in learning and good citizenship,
- communicating honestly and frequently regarding student progress and fulfillment of responsibilities, and
- recognizing appropriate behavior and rewarding academic excellence.
Responsibilities of the Family: As family members, we will
- model attitudes and behaviors that support CB Eller Elementary School;
- show respect to the teachers and staff by word and deed, both at school and away from school;
- contact the teacher whenever there is a problem and communicate directly and honestly, only with those involved;
- show that the family values the importance of school by having students
- arrive on time and remain the full length of the school day,
- comply with the school calendar for vacations,
- attend to everyday health/cleanliness needs,
- return requested information/forms/fund raising money/fees in a timely and accurate way;
- enhance learning by
- reading every night
- monitoring the completion of homework, projects and classwork,
- assisting with remedial assignments,
- making a plan to obtain make-up assignments and monitoring their completion,
- establishing a time, place and routine for study at home,
- attending school functions and parent conferences,
- insuring that my child has proper rest, nutrition and recreation to promote well-being and a readiness to learn, and
- supporting decisions of teacher/school with regard to discipline and academic achievement. In cases of doubt, I will contact the teacher first.
Responsibilities of the Student: As a student at CB Eller Elementary School, I will
- exercise my right to an excellent education and demonstrate that I can learn by succeeding;
- maximize learning by making good use of time by
- arriving on time and staying the full day,
- staying on task during the learning periods,
- exhibiting attitudes and behaviors that help my learning and that of others,
- using time out of school wisely;
- cooperate honestly and respectfully with teachers and other staff members;
- follow directions and accept new challenges;
- cooperate with schoolmates, follow school rules and respect the rights of others;
- cooperate with parents in preparing for school each day;
- come to school prepared, complete and turn in assignments, homework and projects as directed, and on time;
- assist in communications by taking home and delivering school notes, newsletters and other correspondence;
- represent the school positively on field trips and outings; and
- set an example as a good role model for younger students.
I agree to follow the expectations set forth in this compact.
TOBACCO POLICY
Our campus is Tobacco Free…..every day, by everyone. Please refer to Wilkes County Schools Policy 7251.
VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
We welcome guests to our school including parents and volunteers. Under the most recent guidance, schools are permitted to allow non-essential visitors. Parent conferences and essential meetings may occasionally be held at school, and we will invite parent volunteers on occasion. Visitors for these events should follow all current guidelines for schools. Visitors will be allowed only if you have a scheduled appointment. It is necessary that ALL visitors and parents come to the front office upon arrival to receive a pass before entering the main school building during a regular school day. If you need to come to school during the school day, please ring the bell located to the left of our front doors at our main entrance. An office staff member will greet you, buzz you into the lobby area, and help get you signed in on our visitor log. All visitors will be asked for their photo ID. For Safety, Parents/Guardians may not enter the doors to the hallways in the mornings at arrival or afternoons at dismissal. Staff will be available at each door to greet children and ensure they make it to their destination. Conferences before school and after school must be scheduled with the classroom teacher. If you contact the school, the teacher will be glad to return your call or send a note to verify a specific date and time.
Volunteers are needed and appreciated at CBEES. Areas for volunteering include tutoring, assisting with school events, fundraising, helping on car line, chaperoning field trips, grounds beautification, and working in the media center, classrooms and office. Volunteers are required to complete a Volunteer Application/Background Check which is accessible through the WCS website under the Parents tab —> Volunteer Application. We encourage you to complete the volunteer application early in the year so that you can begin working directly with students and teachers. We have a new system this year and ALL volunteers must reapply. Chaperones for field trips must complete the Level 2 Volunteer check. Please contact the school if you have any questions regarding the completion of the Volunteer Application and Background Check. Thank you for all you do to make CBEES great!
WEATHER
When snow or other severe weather conditions occur, it will sometimes be necessary to cancel school, delay the opening of school, or dismiss classes early. The Wilkes County Schools Central Services will make an announcement of cancellations, delays, or dismissals as soon as a decision is made. Announcements will be made through the School Messenger System. In addition you may listen to a local radio or television station or check Wilkes County Schools’ website at www.wilkes.k12.nc.us for information. If no announcement is made, school will open or dismiss as usual. Please do not call the school for information since telephone lines must be kept open for emergencies and other vital public service announcements when the weather is bad.
To avoid disruptions in your schedule, please complete the student Inclement Weather Plan and make plans early in the year for your child care arrangements in the case of early dismissal or school closure due to snow, ice, or other severe weather. It is very important to keep this plan up to date. If circumstances change it is the parent/legal guardian’s responsibility to let the school know of these changes.