The PEN

A PES Handbook has been created to provide a more comprehensive guide that outlines procedures and expectations for students, parents, and staff within our school community.

This handbook should serve as a guide to ensure consistency in school rules and routines that promote a positive, safe, productive learning environment.

Please take a moment to review information regarding school routines, academic standards, behavioral expectations, communication protocols, and resources available.

The PES Handbook can be found on our school website in the Newsletter tab. For easy access, click here.

Getting your child to school on time, every day can ensure your child has a chance to succeed in school.

Maryland has a Compulsory Attendance Law: Children between the ages of 5 and 18 shall attend public school regularly during the entire school year unless otherwise enrolled in a private school, approved home instruction, or home teaching through the school. Parents may be charged in District Court for failure to see that their children attend school. Parents can be found guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a ne per day of unlawful absence, or imprisonment.

Please contact the Principal or Counselor if your child starts to demonstrate school avoidance behavior.

As a school counselor I work along side teachers and parents to help students develop socially and emotionally, and to help remove any barriers they have to learning. My role is to assist and support students to ensure their success at school.

I provide:

• Monthly classroom lessons on a variety of developmentally appropriate topics such as personal safety, goal setting, social interaction, academic success, problem-solving and communication skills.

• Personal safety lessons at all grade levels include learning about safe/unsafe touches related to sexual abuse (Erin’s Law). Students in grades 3-5 will also learn about the dangers of drugs (Start Talking Maryland). More detailed information will be sent to parents before these lessons are taught.

• Small group counseling and short-term individual counseling on identified topics, as needed. Consultation with school staff and parents to assist with behavior management and developmental challenges.
  

• School counseling and parent resources are available online here.

  This helpful article has suggestions for how to handle it when your child is refusing to go to school.

If I can be of assistance, please contact me.

Michele Noble, School Counselor

1. Reading on Grade Level 📖: Studies show that consistent attendance from Pre-K gives the best start for early literacy development. Students who aren't reading on grade level by 3rd grade have a lower chance of graduating.

2. Joining Classmates on Exciting Field Trips 🚌: Don't miss out on hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom, like visits to museums, outdoor education centers, science centers, and musical performances. These enriching experiences help students figure out their passions.

3. Forming Lasting Friendships 😍: Attending daily allows students to foster strong social bonds and an inclusive peer network. Even if not all friendships work out, developing the skills is only possible with ongoing interaction. Students who develop their social skills through school attendance have more positive relationships, overall.

4. Developing Effective Study Habits Early ⏰: Good attendance instills vital skills like punctuality, time management and self-discipline. A big part of succeeding is learning how to learn.

5. Demonstrating Responsibility and Commitment 🙌: Employers value established patterns of dedication and follow-through. Whether students are getting after school jobs in high school, or securing employment after graduation, good work habits are formed by consistent school attendance starting in elementary school.

6. Maximizing Instructional Time with Teachers ✍🏽: Fewer disruptions means more personalized learning and academic support. Sometimes, students don't come to school because they're struggling with the material in class and staying home is a way to avoid it. But the better choice is to come to school -- that's where the support is. The more time students have with their teachers, the more successful they will be.

7. Greater Self-Esteem and Confidence 😁: Not having to play catch-up reduces stress and boosts self-assurance. This is exactly what will carry students successfully through graduation and beyond.

8. Higher Grade Point Averages 🚀: Abundant research links stellar attendance to higher GPAs and test scores. In fact, one study shows that the #1 reason students fail a course is from being absent.

New student orientation is planned for Thursday, August 22. We will begin promptly at 12:30-1:30pm, in advance of school wide sneak-a-peek. This orientation is targeted for students NEW to Pasadena Elementary. This orientation will give a school overview, provide a school tour, and give families new to PES a chance to have general questions answered. Students new to the Specialty Site Autism Program should plan to skip this session and only attend Specialty Site's sneak-a-peek from 10-11am.

Pre-K and Kindergarten Orientation/Back to School occurred on August 14. If you missed this opportunity, feel free to attend on August 22 at 12:30pm.

If attending new student orientation, please plan to arrive early with state issued identification so that we can sign-in via the Raptor school security system. All adults will be required to have identification.

Parking is extremely limited. Please consider carpooling or walking if possible.

Students are invited to Sneak-a-Peek on Thursday, August 22.

• Students enrolled in the Specialty Site Autism Program are invited from 10-11am. This time is reserved for students in the following homeroom classes: Bennett, Brusio, Cartelli, and Sprague. This session is specific to the Specialty Site Autism Program.

• Students enrolled in Pasadena Elementary grades PK - 5 are invited from 2-3pm.

If attending, this is a time to drop off classroom supplies, place items in a locker, tour the school, visit former teachers, and meet new friends.

Sneak-a-peek is a drop in event, but will end promptly at 3pm. Please consider carpooling or walking if possible. Parking is extremely limited.

Sneak-a-peek postcards were mailed on August 16 to enrolled students. Postcards will identify homeroom teacher and classroom number.

Health Room staff will be onsite for parents/guardians to discuss medical concerns and allergies, update health care action plans for medical conditions, and to drop off medications and doctor orders.

We look forward to seeing you!