Principal:		Belinda Cini
Assistant Principal:		LaWanda Carley
Enrollment:		@845
Established:		1985
Mascot:		Explorers
Colors:		Green, Blue, & White
Motto:		"Explore and Grow, Together We Can"
Student Hours:		7:45AM to 2:45PM
Office Hours:		7:15AM to 4:15PM (M-Th) 7:15AM to 4:00PM (Fri)

Registration Requirements

1. Proof of residence (mortgage, house title, lease agreement or current RRISD tax statement).

2. Official birth certificate, or passport. Kindergarten students must be five years of age on or before September 1, of the current school year.  First grade students must be six years of age on or before September 1.

3.  Immunization record from a physician or clinic.

4.  Social Security number requested (please bring the card).

5.  Withdrawal form from previous school.

Arrival at School

Students may enter the building at 7:20 a.m.  Students will report directly to their designated grade level area for a Morning Literacy Experience or to the cafeteria if they are purchasing breakfast. Students arriving after 7:40 a.m. should report directly to their classroom. To be considered on time, students must be in class by the 7:45 a.m. bell.

Parents are asked to drop students off in the car rider line or in the “hug zone” in the foyer area around the office. Students are encouraged to walk independently to their Morning Literacy Experience in order to facilitate the development of student responsibility and to minimize disruptions.  

Contacting Teachers

Every professional on campus is committed to the philosophy that parents and schools are powerful partnerships.  We want to accommodate parents in every possible way to keep them informed about their child’s educational program and progress.   At any time, if parents wish to speak with their child’s teacher, please send a note or call to schedule a conference.  Under no circumstances is it permissible to interrupt teachers for an unscheduled conference.    

Car Rider Arrival and Pickup

In order to ensure student safety, the front driveway is for RRISD school buses and daycare vans only before and after school.  The back driveway is for car riders.  Safety patrol is on duty in the morning and afternoon to assist car riders in loading and unloading.  We have limited visitor spaces in the front parking lot, but you will be able to park across the street and walk your child into the building.   For your safety, please remember to use the cross walk monitored by the crossing guard. 

Dismissal

The school day ends at 2:45 p.m. When the dismissal bell rings, daycare and bus riders will exit through the front doors and car riders, bike riders and walkers will exit through the back doors by the gym. There may be occasional Early Release Days scheduled during the school year. Students will be released at 12:45 p.m. on these days.  If there is a change in the way your child is to go home, please notify the teacher in writing.

Campus Security

Wells Branch is committed to maintaining the highest security on campus for the safety of our students.  All parents entering campus for any reason must sign in  at the office and wear a visitor’s badge at all times.     No exceptions will be made.  The back door will lock at 8:00 am and all other doors to the building except the front door will remain locked at all times. 

Arriving Late or Leaving Early

Students arriving between 7:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. go directly to class and the teacher will mark them tardy.  If you are bringing your child after 9:00 a.m., please walk him/her into the office and sign in.  During the school day, an authorized adult must sign all students in and out through the office.  The school’s staff is not to release a child to anyone without the assistance of the office staff.  Photo identification is required when checking out a child before the end of the school day.

Absence

Daily class attendance is important, but so is the health of your child.  If your child is ill, or needs to miss school, please call the Wells Branch Elementary absence line at 428-3404 each day your child is absent. 

A written note from parents is required when the student returns to school.  If an absence or tardy is due to a doctor’s appointment, notify the office that your child will be arriving late or leaving early due to an appointment with a health care professional. Please request a note from the doctor’s office for the attendance clerk. Students will be counted present if they begin classes or return to school on the same day of the appointment. State law requires students have 90% daily attendance as a condition for promotion to the next grade.  A child not in class at 9:00 a.m. will be marked absent for the day.

Religious Holidays

If before the absence the parent submits a written request, the absence will be excused. 

(TEA Code 25.087)

Withdrawal Procedures

Please notify the school office and your child’s teacher as soon as you know you will be moving.  All textbooks and library books must be returned or a fee will be assessed.  Please come to the office to sign the withdrawal form on your child’s last day.

Four Wells Branch Agreements

v    Attentive Listening

v    Appreciation / No Put-Downs

v    Mutual Respect

v    Right To Pass

Teachers will communicate classroom expectations and consequences through discussions in class and at parent orientation sessions. Detailed information regarding discipline is included in the Round Rock ISD Student Code of Conduct.
 

Classroom Visits

Building a partnership between home and school is important and we welcome you to visit your child’s classroom. In order to assure students receive uninterrupted instructional time, we ask you to observe the following guidelines:

v    Make an appointment with your child’s teacher at least 2 days in advance. This courtesy enables you to schedule the visit for maximum benefit.

v    Sign in at the office before going to the classroom.

v    Visits are limited to 30 minutes. You are welcome to return for additional visits of 30 minutes throughout the year.

v    Lessons must proceed as planned.  Please do not talk with the teacher during class time. If you wish to discuss your visit, or any other aspect of the school, please set up a conference with the teacher at a mutually convenient time.

v    Children may not visit the classroom during the school day but are welcome to join siblings for lunch. 

Communication

Communication between home and school contributes to school success. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher to share information, clarify questions, and get to know each other better.  The following identifies communication tools you can expect:

Folders – Folders containing class work, tests and school memos are sent home weekly, (Thursday) for parent review. Folders should be emptied, signed by the parent and returned the next day.   

Progress Reports – Progress reports are sent home to parents of students whose grades are declining or

below 75, midway through the nine-week grading period.

Parent/Teacher Conferences – Parents or teachers may request conferences anytime. Teachers are available for conferences during their conference time or after school. Twice during the school year, early release days are scheduled for parent conferences. Students are encouraged to attend their conference for goal setting and end of year review.

Report Cards – Report cards are issued every nine weeks. The district copy must be signed and returned. Any grade below 70 is failing.  Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade report cards will have stages of progress. The explanation of stages will be provided at the grade level parent orientation meeting.

Telephone - Classrooms are equipped with a telephone and each teacher has voice mail that will be used during instruction times and when the teacher is unavailable.  Teachers will provide their school phone number in all communication.

Classroom Deliveries

Lunches, homework, and backpacks are sometimes left behind.  Please bring all forgotten items to the office. Write the child’s and teacher’s name on the item and a staff member or volunteer will deliver it.  We encourage your support so we are able to maintain uninterrupted instructional time.

Emergency Contact

Parents must provide telephone numbers where they, or adult designees, may be reached in the event of illness or injury. Please send written notice if any contact numbers change during the year.  If your child needs emergency care and we cannot reach you, or others you have named to act in your place, we will call Emergency Medical Services. Parents are responsible for paying any medical bills for EMS and the hospital. 

Homework Assignments

Please see the WBE Homework Guidelines provided to all students on the first day of school. Additionally, each grade level will communicate specific homework expectations at the beginning of the year to students and parents. When parents call in their child's absence, they may request books and assignments b e sent to the office or make alternate arrangements for getting class work.  The requested work will be available after 3:00 p.m. Class assignments should be requested before 9:00 a.m.

Inclement Weather - School Closing

v    Parents should monitor the radio and television stations for early school closing bulletins.

v    All day care students will go on their day care buses unless we have other notification.

v    School buses will transport eligible riders to their designated bus stops.

v    If parents come to the school to check out their child, only office staff will dismiss the child. If you want someone else to pick up your child, please send a note giving permission for that individual to do so.

Lost and Found

Jackets, coats, sweaters, and lunch kits tend to get separated from their owners.  A Lost and Found box will be maintained for lost items. Items will be kept until claimed by their owner or until the end of each semester.  All unclaimed clothing will be donated to the Round Rock Clothes Closet.                                                

Lost or Damaged Textbooks and Library Book

Students must pay for lost and damaged books. A receipt will be issued for lost books. Fines for textbooks are collected in the office. Fines for lost library books are collected in the library.  

Birthday Parties

Student birthday celebrations are not allowed at school, nor can students/parents bring food to distribute to other students or the class as a whole.  Students may not pass out party invitations at school.

Lunch/Breakfast Program

Student lunch - $2.05, including milk

Breakfast - $1.35

Reduced Breakfast - $.30

Reduced lunch - $.40

Milk - $.50

Juice - $.50 (provided for students with milk allergy)

Adult lunch - $2.50

Adult Breakfast $1.50

Menus are provided by Food Service. You may pre-purchase meals by sending a check payable to Round Rock ISD. Place the money/check in an envelope with the child’s name, teacher’s name, and pin number written on the front. Lunches may not be charged.  A reminder will be sent if your child’s account is below $2.00.  A sandwich and milk will be provided if a child forgets his/her money.  Applications for free and reduced lunch are available in the office. You are welcome to join your child for lunch.  Please sign in and out through the office, and wear your badge at all times.  For the safety of all children, it is very important that all visitors are identified. If you wish to order a lunch, please notify your child’s teacher with a note before school.  

Medication

We cannot provide medication for students. Parents must send any medication to the school nurse that is needed during school hours or kept for emergency use.

When medication must be at school, Texas law requires that it be furnished in its ORIGINAL LABELED CONTAINER and with the parent’s signed WRITTEN REQUEST and DIRECTIONS. The container and your notes must include: student’s name, name of the medication, purpose of medication, dose, time of day or when it is needed and how the medication is to be taken. Include telephone numbers where you can be called if there are concerns. THE SCHOOL REQUIRES THAT ALL MEDICINE BE CHECKED INTO THE NURSE’S OFFICE.  Please do not let your child carry medication to school.  It is best if an adult brings the medication to the nurse. Medication forms are available in the nurse’s office and the school office. 

PTA

Our PTA is committed to providing enrichment opportunities for our students and community. Please support our PTA by completing the membership card and sending the membership fee in the envelope provided by your child’s teacher. PTA general meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the WBE cafeteria on the following Tuesdays: September 8, 2009 - October 13, 2009 - November 10, 2009 - December 8, 2009 - January 12, 2010 - February 9, 2010 - March 9, 2010 - April 13, 2010 and May 11, 2009.

Supplies

School Supply lists are available in the office or can be downloaded from here.

Site-Based Advisory Committee

Our SBAC is composed of parents, campus and central office staff, and community members who are interested in school improvement.  Meeting dates and agendas are posted and all interested persons are welcome to attend.

Special Programs

The following are special programs provided at Wells Branch Elementary:

• English as a Second Language/ Pre-K
• Dyslexia Services
• Reading Recovery
• Section 504 Services
• Special Education Services and Programs
• Student Assistance In Learning (SAIL)
• Talented and Gifted Programs (TAG)

Telephone – Student Use

Students must receive permission before using school phones. Students should arrange for transportation, lunch, after school plans, etc. prior to arriving at school.   Our office will deliver messages, however students cannot be directly contacted by phone during instructional time.

Toys and other Personal Items

Cell phones, toys (including baseball and other cards), skateboards, roller blades, roller blade tennis shoes, electronic games, radios, walkman and headphones, etc. are not allowed at school. Show-and-Tell items must have prior approval from the teacher.  Pocket and penknives are considered weapons and are not permitted on campus. 

Electronic Communication Devices

Electronic or imaging devices, including cellular phones, are not permitted to be visible, used, or emit audible sounds during the school day. Violations will be handled by confiscating the device, notifying the parents, and charging an administration fee of $15.00 BEFORE releasing the device to the parents.

Volunteer Opportunities

There is no better way to feel a part of a school than to become involved as a volunteer.  From planting flowers to serving as a committee chair, we have the perfect fit for you and your interests.  Please contact our PTA president, librarian, counselor, secretary, nurse, or any staff member for ideas on how you can contribute to an outstanding education program. 

Items Not Covered

You may refer to the RRISD Student-Parent Handbook & Student Code of Conduct for other District information; however, if you have questions we want to help.  Please contact our office staff at 428-3400.  If we cannot answer your question, we will put you in contact with someone who can.  Together - we can do more.  Let us know what you need.