Policies and Procedures

New kindergarten students must be five (5) years old before October 1 of the school year in which they are enrolling.  First grade students must be six (6) years old before October 1.

The following documents are required for school registration:

• certified birth certificate
• social security card
• 3 current proofs of residence or assignment letter
• student’s last report card, if applicable
• name and complete address of the former school, if applicable
• Louisiana State Health Card (form MCH 14A or revised 1/70 stating proof of immunizations)
• student transfer letter if the student is transferring from another St. Tammany Parish School

Arrival:  8:00a.m. - 8:30 a.m. School begins at 8:30 a.m.  All students entering the school after 8:30 a.m. will be marked “TARDY” and must be checked in through the office by an adult.

Dismissal begins at 3:30 p.m.  All students should be picked up from the car line no later than 3:50 p.m.

There are several half days written into the school calendar (see full calendar for exact dates).  On these days, expect that your child will arrive home three (3) hours earlier than usual.  This means, instead of dismissal beginning at 3:30 p.m., half day dismissal will begin at 12:30 p.m. If the half day requires that you change your child’s after school transportation, you must provide a written note to your child's teacher.

School attendance is imperative, not only to satisfy requirements of the law but to help ensure student achievement and success. Every missed day of school is a missed opportunity to learn.

Students are expected to be in attendance every day scheduled by the St. Tammany Parish School Board.

Absences Procedures

Excuses for all absences must be presented in writing to the school principal or designee within five (5) school days of the absence. The note must include the student’s full name, days of absence, reason for absence and/or doctor’s verification, parent/guardian signature and date of signature. Failure to send the note within five (5) school days of the absence will result in an unexcused absence.

Schools must administer attendance regulations in accordance with State and locally adopted policies.

We encourage you to send your child on the bus.  Please talk to your child about the importance of good behavior on the school bus.  Please review the following bus with your child:

For the safety of all, the students are expected to always:

1)    be completely seated facing the front of the bus

2)    keep hands and feet to themselves

3)    talk in a low (normal) tone of voice

If the above rules are consistently broken, your child may lose bus privileges. Students repeatedly not following the rules will receive a bus conduct report and can possibly be removed from the bus.

To determine your child’s bus please driver and stop, please visit the bus stop locator at https://webquery.stpsb.org/livewq/webquery/

For School Year 2026-2027, breakfast and lunch meals are free for all students.

The nationally recognized St. Tammany Parish Public School System Child Nutrition Program’s mission is to provide good nutrition that fuels successful learning. We provide a variety of healthy food choices, meeting USDA standards.

Menus can be accessed by clicking School Meals tab on the website.

*You may join your child for lunch on any day of the week.

Please be aware that for safety, visitors are not allowed on the playground or in the classroom during recess.

*Please wait until after Labor Day to visit for lunch so that we can get our routines and procedures set.

Please contact the cafeteria manager, at 641-8334 if you have any questions.

For the safety of our students and staff, please read carefully.

SAFETY EXPECTATIONS

• Please pay attention and stay off your cell phones.
• Do not exit your vehicle for any reason.
• Do not pass around other vehicles.

• There are specific numbered pick up/drop off spots. A CCE staff member will open the REAR PASSENGER SIDE door to assist your child.

• Cars will not be allowed to proceed until all students have exited/entered their respective vehicles safely. The duty person in spot 1 will signal the first car to proceed, and the rest may follow
• Absolutely no walk-ups are allowed.

CAR SIGNS

Only parents/legal guardians with school issued car signs will have their children released to them. If someone other than you is picking up your child, they must have the school issued car sign. We are trusting that you have given this person the car rider sign.

If you need more than one school issued sign, let us know. Please hang the school issued car sign from your rearview mirror until your child enters your car.

If you do not have the sign, you will be directed to park and have your ID checked in the office. Once verified that you are the parent/legal guardian then you will be issued written authorization, which must be presented to the staff member on duty. You will have to get back in the car line to pick our child up.

ARRIVAL 8:00 am - 8:30 am.

• Any students arriving after 8:30 must be walked into the office by an adult and signed is as tardy.
• A duty person will open the PASSENGER SIDE door to assist your child.
• Please do not exit your vehicle for any reason or pass around other vehicles.
• Wait for the signal to move forward.

DISMISSAL 3:30-3:50

• Line up begins at 2:45. Please park by the designated sign. Remain in your vehicle at all times. You will be signaled to pull forward when dismissal begins.
• If your child is not picked up by 4:00, you will be charged a fee. Your ID will be verified against the emergency card.

Thank you for reviewing our procedures. Please remember that our policy is centered around the safety of our students and staff. Please exercise patience, especially at the beginning of the year, as we get into the groove. It WILL get better! Also, bus transportation is always another safe option!

We look forward to a safe and successful year at Cypress Cove Elementary!

Cypress Cove Administration

There will be no check outs after 3:00.

In order to build consistent and effective communication between the home and school, ongoing communication will be provided to parents that provides information about the school’s curriculum, how progress is measured, Title I program and students’ academic progress. Examples of methods used to communicate are as follows:

• Meet and Greet
• Open House
• Robo Calls
• JCampus/JPams
• Student Handbook
• Classroom Newsletters
• Conference (in person, phone, letter)
• Educational Materials (books, at home learning packets, home-connect activities)
• Meetings (at varied times)
• PTA meetings
• Teacher Newsletters (weekly)
• Phone Calls
• Report Cards
• Parent-Teacher Conferences- (minimum of 2) will be held to discuss with parents the progress of their child, individual student assessments, proficiency level, and the expectations for the grade level
• School-Parent Compact- outlines how parents, school staff and students share the responsibility for improving learning.

We have a counselor and Mental Health Provider (MHP) based at Cypress Cove Elementary.  In addition to whole group responsibilities, they are available to assist individual students and parents.  You may contact them by calling the office.

Red shirt (collared, golf-type, short sleeve with 2 or 3 buttons). Shirts with the Cypress Cove Elementary eagle design are available, or the child may wear a plain red shirt (logo optional).

Khaki bottoms - pants, shorts, skirt, jumper - but not denim (shorts or tights can be worn under skirts or dresses.)

The red CCE t-shirt or sweatshirt (sold at school) may be worn on “spirit days” and on field trips. Sweatshirts can be worn any day.

Caps and hats are banned from school campuses during regular school hours. Caps worn to school during cold weather should be placed in book bags or with jackets during class.   For safety, appropriate shoes should be worn daily for P.E. and playground activities. As per parish dress code policy, beach sandals or backless rubber thong sandals are not permitted.  See the district handbook for more details.

Children are not to be checked out after 3:00 p.m. 

Please make every effort to schedule doctor and dentist appointments outside of school hours.  When this is not  possible, students will be dismissed for these special appointments.  Please remember to present a note from the attending doctor when the child returns.

Frequently tardy or early check-out (3:00p.m. or before) students will be brought to the attention of the supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.  Ex. If you check your child out at 3:00 p.m. for 1 week, your child has missed over 2 hours of school, which makes a difference!

In case of emergency, each student is required to have on file at the school office the following information:

• Parent(s) or guardian(s) name(s).
• Complete up-to-date address.
• Home phone and parent(s) work phone number(s).
• Emergency phone numbers.  Please list several people that we could contact in case we can not reach you.
• CUSTODY - If this involves YOUR child,
• REMEMBER, we must have a copy of the custody agreement in the school office which has been signed by a judge. 
• FURTHERMORE, any changes must be presented in person.
• We must have a copy of any updated legal changes.
• Only persons listed on your child’s emergency card will be allowed to pick up your child.
• Changes in emergency information must be made in person.  This information will not be taken over the phone.

Field trips are planned by teachers to enrich the basic curriculum.  The information and cost of trips will be sent home throughout the school year prior to any trip. For liability purposes, all students must ride the school bus to and from field trips.  Parents wishing to check their student out from a field trip must return to school and sign the student out in the school office after the field trip. Parents who volunteer to be chaperones for the field trip may not bring siblings.  Students not attending a field trip should attend school that day and will be instructed in another class for the duration of the field trip.

In case of illness or injury, a child will be cared for temporarily by a member of the school staff or the school nurse if she is on campus. Parents will be contacted and ill children are expected to be taken home, ex. temperature of 100^o or above, vomiting or diarrhea. If parents cannot be contacted and emergency medical treatment is necessary, the child will be taken to the emergency room.  REMEMBER THE

IMPORTANCE OF ACCURATE, CURRENT EMERGENCY NUMBERS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE.

*            Remember, no child may be checked out without presenting an I.D.

*            A child will not be dismissed to anyone who is not listed on the emergency card.

State law requires that every child who is admitted to public school must have evidence of a vaccination for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio.  Also required is a rubella/rubeola vaccination and a tuberculin skin test, and the hepatitis series.

Our school is learning and practicing the 7 Habits of Leader In Me. You might even hear your child speak about it at home! The habits are:

1. Be Proactive
2. Begin With the End in Mind
3. Put First Things First
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw

Below are our school expectations. 

Cafeteria:

• Quiet
• Hands to self

 Hall:

• Quiet
•  Walk on the blue line
• Hands to self

Bathroom:

•  Quiet
• Hands to self
• Flush and Wash

Playground

• Hands and Feet to self
• Be nice and take turns
• Freeze on Knees when bell rings
• Listen to duty teachers

Long term medication cannot be administered by the school without the appropriate forms completed by a doctor.  These forms are available in the office. All medicine must be kept in the office.  Any change in medication will require a new form.  All medicine must be brought in by a parent or guardian and must be kept in a prescription bottle that matches the prescription information on the form.  Please pick up any remaining medicine at the end of the school year.  It will be disposed of if not picked up.  Children are not to transport or have any medicine with them at any time.

Heidi Boudoin is a registered nurse assigned to Cypress Cove students.  She coordinates yearly vision and hearing screenings for Pre-K,  kindergarten, and first grade students.  Dates for these screenings will be provided when scheduled.

She monitors student health and immunization records, provides first aid, and informs the parent if medical attention is needed.  She also administers medications to students who have a physician's order on file at school. 

The Cypress Cove Elementary faculty, staff, parents, and students share the responsibility for educating the whole child.  Parents are a key component in this process.  Communication between school and home is a vital link to ensure that students understand the importance of academic excellence.  Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education through the many activities provided by the school and/or PTA. 

Cypress Cove Elementary encourages parent participation in all aspects of the school operation.  Volunteering is encouraged in order to enhance the effectiveness of all student learning opportunities.

REMINDER:  All visitors must check in at the office. You must have a valid form of identification to check in to the school.

We will have three (3) parties this year.   Room parents will contact parents for help with refreshments or games.

HALLOWEEN:

The Halloween party will have a “happy - not scary” theme.

CHRISTMAS:

Teachers handle this party with some variations, so specific details will be sent home from your child’s teacher at the appropriate time.

EASTER:

Depending on the weather, many classes choose to have egg hunts or relay activities outside.  Your child’s teacher will send specific information at the appropriate time.

BIRTHDAYS:

Some parents send in a birthday treat.  That is entirely up to you. However, keep it simple and be courteous by informing the teacher ahead of time.  Treats cannot be eaten before lunch.  Birthday party invitations should be taken care of at home unless the ENTIRE class is invited.  Balloons or flower deliveries to students are not allowed.

PBIS is a proactive way to deal with behaviors.  Students are taught how to behave or “going to school” behaviors.  This program is built on positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviors as well as consequences and learning opportunities for inappropriate behaviors. At Cypress Cove Elementary our expectations are: 

Care

Connect

Enjoy

 We encourage you to join our Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).  Our school needs and appreciates your support! 

Click the link below for membership and T-shirt sales.

http://CCE.givebacks.com

Report cards are made available on JPams at the end of each grading period.

GRADING AND PROMOTIONAL POLICY

Pre-Kindergarten

2^nd and 4^th quarter: Teacher will contact parents to schedule conferences to discuss progress.

Kindergarten

Content area grades are: Reading, Language Arts, Math, and Conduct.

2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th quarter:

O - Outstanding/Exceeds stated goals

S - Satisfactory/Meets stated goals

N - Needs Support/Progressing toward stated goals

First Grade

Content areas graded are: Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. 

Grading scale is A, B, C, D, F for content areas and O, S, N, U for conduct.

ParentsRighttoKnowandBestPracticesEnglish.pdf

If a child is to go to anywhere other than their regular destination or is going home a different way, you must send a written request to his/her teacher.  This request will be sent to the office to be approved.

Telephone and email requests will not be accepted.

When sending someone to pick up your child from carline.  This person must come to the office prior to 3:00 pm, present identification, and receive written notification for your child to be released.  They will then return to the carline to pick up the child.  The duty teacher will ask for the written authorization prior to releasing the child for dismissal. Remember, no one is allowed to take a child from school unless he or she is listed on the emergency card.

Visitors are welcome at Cypress Cove Elementary,  but the safety of your child is always our priority.  The St. Tammany Parish School Board has implemented a system to confirm the identification of anyone checking into the office.  On your visit to the school, please be prepared to present your driver’s license to be scanned, which will produce a visitor’s pass.

Every person 18 and over MUST have a valid, state issued ID, passport/visa, or military/federal identification card. We also accept LA Wallet. We do NOT accept pictures of any of the above.

•  All visitors must report to the school office immediately upon arrival.
•  No person shall go on school grounds or in any building without authority of the school office.
•  Visitors must receive an “official” visitor’s pass that must be worn the entire time while on campus.
•  Upon departing, visitors must report back to the school office to turn in the visitor’s pass.
•  Parents shall not visit the classroom unannounced for any reason.
•  Adult restrooms are located in the office for your use.

Please contact the school office several days prior to your move, as this allows the staff enough time to complete the necessary paperwork. You should check to see if library books, textbooks and lunch money are due.  This will save you time when you withdraw your child and will help to ensure that records can be sent without delay.  You must come to the office on the student’s last day to sign the Transfer/Withdrawal form.