- Elsanor Elementary
- Frequently Asked Questions....
Frequently Asked Questions
-
When is the first day of school for the 2024-2025 school year?
The first day of school is Thursday, August 8, 2024.
-
Where can I find a school calendar?
Here is the 2024-2025 school calendar.
Visit BCBE's District Calendar for all yearly school calendars.
For a school calendar, visit our school calendar on our web site or check with your student's homeroom teacher.
-
What is my school zone?
Click on the School Site Locator to type in your address to see the schools that serve your address. The web-based school locator page is provided as a fast-reference service. It is very important that you contact the schools it lists to ensure that the information is indeed correct.
-
Do you allow a student to attend a school out of zone?
In order to adequately project school facility needs in our rapidly growing county, currently the Board of Education only allows a zone variance – the ability to attend a school outside of one's own zone – in the case of extreme hardship, which is usually mostly medical in nature. Zone variances are not granted for the sake of convenience. If you believe you are eligible for a zone variance due to extreme hardship, please contact the principal of the school you wish your child to attend first.
If the principal agrees that the student meets the requirements for eligibility for a zone variance, the parent must complete a Zone Variance Request Form provided by the school they are requesting to attend and attach a statement as to the necessity of the zone variance.
For additional information, please review the Zone Variance Guidelines before submitting your request. All information and the request form is here.*Please note: If a student has a zone variance, it is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation for the child.
-
Where can I access information on the 7-12 Virtual School?
Please visit Baldwin County Virtual Schools for comprehensive information and to apply if you would like your student to attend Virtual School. This is for 7th-12th grade students only.
-
We are new to the BCBE school system. Is there information for me?
Yes! Please visit the Welcome to Baldwin County Public Schools page.
Also, here is a Relocation Guide. It is not a publication of Baldwin County Public Schools. An endorsement of the guide is neither expressed or implied.
-
How do I register my child?
Visit BCBE's Registration page to register your student.
For any registration questions, contact Carla Lucas @ Elsanor, Registrar. 251-947-5401 or email at CLucas@bcbe.org.
-
Are registration fees charged?
No, we do not charge registration fees.
-
What documents are needed to register a student?
1) Birth certificate (For age verification)
2) Social Security card [Social Security Card is not required, as per Federal guidance]
3) Two proofs of residence
One of these must be a recent utility bill with your Baldwin County address.
4) Withdrawal papers from last school attended, including transcript
5) Immunization form
All students are required by Alabama State Law to have an original certificate of immunization (IMM-50); copies are unacceptable. These certificates may be obtained from your local physician or Baldwin County Health Department in Robertsdale. The Health Department may be reached at 251.947.1910.
You will be required to complete an enrollment form for each student. These will be made available by the registrar or counselor when you visit the school. -
What are the immunization requirements?
Children entering school in the fall are required by Alabama Law to present a Certificate of Immunization formerly known as a “Blue Card." Children entering Kindergarten need boosters of DTaP, Polio, MMR and Varicella. These shots complete the childhood series for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTap), Polio (IPV), Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) and Varicella. Children age 11 and entering the 6th grade need a Tdap vaccination. In addition, children in this age group are strongly recommended to receive HPV (a cancer preventing vaccine) and MCV4 which protects against the most common types of meningitis. If you are unsure if your child needs immunizations, check with your pediatric provider or the local County Health Department. For more information, visit the Alabama Department of Public Health website.
-
What if I am not the legal guardian/custodian for a child? What do I need to do?
To enroll a student in the Baldwin County School System you must have legal custody of the student. Delegations of parental authority or powers of attorney will not be accepted. The enrolling guardian/custodian shall reside in the attendance zone in which enrollment is sought. The student being enrolled must actually reside with his/her guardian/custodian.
In addition to the matters noted in the preceding paragraph, it shall be the sole duty and responsibility of the enrolling guardian/custodian to provide all documentation otherwise required by the Baldwin County Board of Education as a prerequisite to enrollment.
Please see the School Guardianship Guidelines for complete details. -
My child currently attends public school in Baldwin County. How do I transfer my child to a new school?
You will withdraw your child from the current school and bring those documents to your new school with two new proof of residency documents. Those documents must have the custodial name of that child.
-
Is there a BCBE student handbook that covers all policy related to students?
-
Is there an Elsanor Elementary student handbook that covers all policy related to students?
Yes! We have an Elsanor Elementary student handbook that incorporates BCBE policy and includes our own local school policies and procedures. Please read and refer to this for any questions you have about our school!
Visit the Elsanor Elementary Student Handbook.
-
Do you offer Pre-K classrooms?
Yes! We have one PreK classroom.
-
How do I apply for Pre-K?
Children who turn four years old by Sept. 2 of the attendance year are eligible to enroll in Pre-K in the Title I elementary school located in the attendance zone where they live. Pre-K is available in Title I schools only, and classes are limited. The Pre-K application period is during the month of February prior to the attendance year. To register your child for Pre-K you must have your child’s Certified Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, and two proofs of residence with the physical address of your residence (not a post office box).
Visit BCBE's Pre-K site for all information.
-
What is the student to teacher ratio?
This varies from grade to grade and is solely dependent upon enrollment each year.
-
Are tours of the school offered?
Yes! We would be happy to set up a tour for any family considering moving to our area or planning to register their children. Keep in mind that during a school tour, no classrooms will be visited to protect each student’s learning time. Please just call the front office at 251.947.5401 to arrange a tour.
-
What is the school address?
23440 US Highway 90
Robertsdale , AL 36567 -
How and where do I enter the school building?
Elsanor Elementary's single point of entry is our main front door.
Visitors will need a photo ID to enter. At the main entrance, all visitors press the button and show a photo ID to the camera and state their business. Office staff will greet visitors and unlock the door.
Please do not hold the front door open for those coming in behind you. Everyone must show an ID to be individually approved for entrance.
All persons who come to school, for any reason, must first come to the school office to sign-in and receive a Visitor's pass. Visitors may not go to the classrooms without permission from the principal or school personnel. Bypassing the school office and going to a classroom is prohibited. The safety of students is always first. Visitors are not allowed to interrupt class time.
-
What are the school office hours?
Office hours are from 7:15 to 4:00 each day.
-
What time does school start each day? When will my student be late?
School starts at 8:00 a.m. sharp each day. Students who arrive at 8:01 a.m. are marked tardy.
-
When does school dismiss?
Our school dismisses in stages.
3:00 p.m.: Car Rider students dismiss
3:15 p.m.: Buses dismiss
4:00 p.m.: School is closed
-
Is there any information on attendance?
Yes! We want your students at school! Please read the BCBE statement, released in 2019, on attendance.
-
Why is it important for my student to have good attendance?
Check out this website to see the impact that irregular attendance can have on your child.
-
How many absences can my child have?
In one school year, a student may have up to 9 absences with a parent note. These are excused absences.
Future absences for illness will require a physician’s note.
After the 9th absence with a parent note, any absences will be considered unexcused unless a doctor's note is received.
Students that go over 10 absences may be sent to early warning truancy. (Please reference the BCBE Student Handbook)
Per the BCBE Board Policy - Elementary and Middle School Students - a student may not exceed nine (9) unexcused absences per class per academic year. If a student misses more than half of a school day, a full absence will be accumulated. A student and a student’s parent or guardian shall be given written notice when a student’s unexcused absences exceed two (2) days. The student can be retained if unexcused absences exceed nine (9) unexcused absences per year. If the maximum number of unexcused absences is exceeded, the student and parent/guardian may petition the Attendance Committee for review of the reasons for the absences. Petition for review by the Attendance Committee at the school can be filled-out at any time after notification, but in any event, no later than 10 school days before the final day of the school year. The Attendance Committee shall review the student’s entire attendance record and documented excuses to determine whether to allow the student to pass.
-
What are the requirements for an excused absence?
The following are permissible reasons for excused absences (BOE policy 985):– Student illness– Inclement weather, which makes it dangerous for students to attend school (as announced by the Superintendent)– Legal quarantine– Death in the immediate family– Emergency condition as determined by the principal or superintendent– Absence to observe traditional religious holidays of local, national, or international origin when verified by the student's minister or religious leader.
A written note from the parents or guardians will excuse absences for up to but not exceeding nine absences in grades K-8 and four absences in grades 9-12. Future absences for illness will require a doctor's note in order to be excused. -
When do unexcused absences become an issue?
1. First Truancy/unexcused absence (warning)(i) Parent/guardian shall be notified by the school principal or designee that the student was truant and the date of the truancy.(ii) Parent/guardian shall also be provided with a copy of Alabama’s compulsory school attendance laws and advised of the penalties that can be applied and the procedures that shall be followed in the event that other unexcused absences occur.
2. Second Truancy/unexcused absence (written notification)Parents will be sent a letter from the school notifying them of actions that willbe taken by the school and courts should truancies continue.
3. Third Truancy/unexcused absence (school conference)Parents will participate in a truancy intervention conference at the school with the school principal and/or designee (counselor, social worker, lead teacher, etc..). The school files a truancy report with the County Attendance Officer.
4. Fourth Truancy/unexcused absence (district level intervention)The County Attendance Office will notify parents or legal guardians of legal actions related to non-attendance.
5. Fifth Truancy/unexcused absence –(referral to Early Warning Truancy Prevention Program)(i) The parent, guardian, or person having control of the childshall (1) attend a conference with the attendance officer and principal or his/her designee and/or (2) participate in the early warning program provided by the juvenile court.(ii) Attendance at one of these conferences shall be mandatory except where prior arrangements have been made or an emergency exists.(iii) Failure to appear at the school conference and/or to appear at the early warning program may result in the filing of a complaint/petition against the parent under Code of Ala. 1975, §16-28-12(c) (failure to cooperate), or a truancy against the child, whichever is appropriate.
6. No earlier than seventh unexcused absence.(i) File complaint/petition against the child and/or parent/guardian, if appropriate.
-
What counts as being tardy?
All check-outs and check-ins count as tardies.
-
How do I check out my student?
Parents or guardians must check their child out through the front office of the school. No child will be allowed to leave campus without the express consent of their parent or guardian. Early checkouts are discouraged; however, in the case of a medical necessity, it is requested that a doctor's note is submitted to the office the next day.
-
What are the rules for early check-out?
Check-outs up to 11:30 will be considered a full day of absence for the student. All early check-outs need to take place prior to 2:00 p.m. Please do not request an early dismissal after 2:00 p.m.; the last hour is valuable instructional and review time. Appointments should be scheduled after school hours.
-
What is the address of your Facebook Page?
Please remember that our school Facebook page is a source to provide information. It is not a place to vent. If you have a question or concern, please send a private message. Any negative comments will be deleted.
-
Is the school featured on any other social media sites?
No. All information can be found on our school website and Facebook page.
-
How can I contact my student's teacher?
You are welcome to call the main office at 251.947.5401 to leave a message for your student's teacher.
You can also email the teacher by going to the Teacher and Staff tab on this website and clicking on the email link provided by each teacher's name.
And, of course, you can always send a note to school with your student.
-
Who should I contact if I have a problem?
If you feel that your child is having difficulty in any particular class, please contact the teacher to schedule an appointment. If the problem is occurring outside the bounds of a particular classroom, e.g., on the bus or in the cafeteria, please contact the principal.
-
I would like to set up a conference. How do I do that?
Parents are encouraged to visit the school to confer with teachers and administrators. Appointments for conferences should be made by calling the school office at 251.947.5401 or emailing your student's teacher. Conferences cannot be scheduled during instructional time. Arrangements should be made with the teacher to discuss concerns about a student's grade, work, or behavior before contacting the principal or BCBE. If you need to discuss a concern with an administrator, please call the school office for an appointment.
-
What bus does my student ride?
In order to verify which bus comes to your area, please contact the front office for assistance at 251.947.5401.
For any questions for the county, please visit BCBE's Transportation page.
-
What is my student's bus route?
In order to verify which bus comes to your area, please contact the front office for assistance at 251.947.5401.
For any questions for the county, please visit BCBE's Transportation page.
-
What time is morning pickup for my student to ride the bus?
Each pickup time varies depending on the route. If you are unsure of the time, you can call the office at 251.947.5401 and we can give you an estimated pickup time.
For any questions for the county, please visit BCBE's Transportation page.
-
What time can I expect the bus to arrive at my home after school?
Each drop off time varies depending on the route. If you are unsure of the time, you can call the office at 251.947.5401 and we can give you an estimated drop off time.
For any questions for the county, please visit BCBE's Transportation page.
-
My student will be a car rider. How does car rider line work?
Morning Car Rider Line takes place from 7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. each day.
Afternoon Car Rider Line takes place from 3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. each day.
Each person picking up a student in car line must have an Elsanor Elementary Car Tag. Families are allowed 2 car tags each year. Additional tags are $5 each. Please call Mrs. Terri at 251-947-5401 if you need assistance with this.
MORNING CAR RIDERS7:15-7:30 Drop off at West Wing Breezeway7:30-8:00 Drop off at Front Door Awning1. Students may be dropped off in car line starting at 7:15 by our West building. Staff members will be directing car line traffic. We do not allow any students to be dropped off before 7:15.
2. Do NOT pass other vehicles in car line.
3. Have your student ready to get out on their own. All students must exit the vehicle on the PASSENGER side. If you have to assist your child, you’ll need to pull into a parking place and park, then walk with the child to the front door.
4. Kindergarten and First Grade parents may walk their child to class on the first two days of school ONLY.
5. Parents are not allowed to get out of their vehicles in car line.
6. Bus pick up/drop off times may vary just a little the first couple of weeks of school. Please be patient.
7. Please remember that it is illegal to pass a stopped bus - watch for the blinking lights and sign.
8. Please have your car rider sign visible for the staff member to easily see the student’s name in afternoon car line. If you do not have a car sign, you’ll have to park and come inside the school and present your ID in order to pick up your child.
9. If you come to the school, you MUST show a current ID at the door (hold it up to the buzzer camera). Even if you are a known person, you will need your ID. These are all measures to keep our students and staff safe. -
How can I change my student's mode of transportation?
A written note, signed by a parent or guardian, is required to change a student's method of afternoon transportation. It is important to arrange transportation before you child leaves for school each morning.
We CANNOT arrange a change of afternoon transportation over the telephone. Students may NOT verbally tell teachers how they are to get home.
Only one way of afternoon dismissal is allowed. Students may not be dropped off at a residence that is not their primary residences without permission from an administrator.
-
What is the student Dress Code?
Please see pages 33-35 of the BCBE Parent and Student Handbook for the current dress code.
-
Do you have a school Spirit shirt?
Yes we do! Spirit shirts can be purchased online at Costa Prints. Official school spirit shirts from this year or previous years can be worn any day of the week. Please contact the office at 251.947.5401 or your child's homeroom teacher for more information.
-
How can I find the school supply lists?
Please view school supplies here, contact the school at 251.947.5401, or visit our Elsanor Facebook page, for more information.
-
Do you offer After School care?
Yes!
After School Childcare is offered at many schools in Baldwin County.
All registration is online.
-
Where can I learn about the Child Nutrition program?
-
Do you serve breakfast? How much does it cost?
Yes, we do serve breakfast. Students can eat breakfast in the cafeteria from 7:15 until 7:45.
For the 2024-2025 school year, ALL students will receive free breakfast.
-
What are the full lunch prices for students and adults?
For the 2024-2025 school year, ALL students will receive free lunch.
Adult prices are yet to be posted.
-
Where can I find the school menus?
For the school menu, please visit Elsanor's Menus.
-
Can I bring restaurant-wrapped food in the cafeteria?
No. It is a law that food brought to the cafeteria cannot be wrapped in or poured in anything with a restaurant logo or other identifying marks. To bring a restaurant meal to your student for lunch, you must transfer the food and the drink to plain, unmarked wraps and containers.
-
When does my student go to lunch?
PreKindergarten: 12:00-12:30
Kindergarten: 12:30-1:00
First Grade: 11:45-12:15
Second Grade: 11:05-11:35 (L. Howard & Robinson); 11:10-11:40 (Shackelford)
Third Grade: 11:10-11:40 (C. Howard); 11:20-11:50 (Carabin & Sawyer)
Fourth Grade: 11:20-11:50
Fifth Grade: 10:45-11:15 (Noon and Norman); 10:50-11:20 (Waters)
Sixth Grade: 10:30-11:00
-
Do you have a snack bar?
Yes, we do! Students will be able to purchase snacks at the snack bar during their break each day. All snacks cost $1.00.
-
When does my student go to PE?
PreKindergarten: 11:20-11:50
Kindergarten: 11:55-12:25
First Grade: 12:30-1:00
Second Grade: 1:05-1:35 (L. Howard & Robinson): 1:40-2:10 (Shackelford)
Third Grade: 1:40-2:10 (C. Howard); 2:15-2:45 (Carabin & Sawyer)
Fourth Grade: 8:15-8:45 (Brackin & Platt); 8:50-9:20 (Witherington)
Fifth Grade: 8:50-9:20 (Waters); 9:30-10:00 (Noon & Norman)
Sixth Grade: 10:00-10:30
-
How can I check my student's grades online?
All Baldwin County schools use the PowerSchool information system for recording grades and attendance. Visit PowerSchool SIS to access the portal. At the beginning of the school year, you will be provided with a user id and password for each of your children who are enrolled in school. You may then access online grades by going to the website for your child's school, clicking on the online grades icon in the upper left panel, and entering the user id and password. You will be able to view your child's grades for each course, along with attendance and discipline records.
Please protect this confidential information. Should you misplace it, you must request it in person from the school registrar. No passwords will be provided over the phone. -
My student needs or has an IEP/504 plan--what do I do?
The Baldwin County Board of Education will provide special education services to students in the district with an active Individualized Education Plan (IEP). To help make this transition as smooth as possible if you are transferring in to Baldwin County, it is important to provide a copy of your child's most recent IEP and evaluation at registration, if the information is available. If the IEP is available, it will be implemented as written (including services comparable to those in the IEP from the previous school). Additional records, if needed, will be requested from the previous school. A special education teacher will contact the parent/guardian to schedule a meeting to review these services and determine if further evaluations are needed to meet the Alabama Administrative Code (AAC) criteria.
-
What is the procedure and criteria for placement in the district's Gifted Education Program?
Baldwin County Public Schools offers services for gifted and talented students in first grade through twelfth grade. All parents have the right to refer their child for the district's Gifted Education Program. For more information on the Gifted Program, visit BCBE's Gifted Education Department.
-
What do I do if my child takes medication?
Your child will receive medication from a licensed nurse or a trained medication assistant. The school nurses are required to follow the Alabama Board of Nursing and the State Department of Education standards and guidelines in order to administer medications in the schools. All medication assistants receive a maximum of 12 hours medication training before permission is granted to assist with medication administration. A Prescriber/Parent Authorization Form must be signed before a child may receive prescription medication. The Prescriber/ Parent Authorization form is here. For more information, please visit BCBE's Health Services.
-
My child requires a special medical procedure to attend school. Is there a nurse at my child's school? If not, where can I find assistance?
The school system has a Registered School Nurse and/or a Licensed Practical Nurse assigned to each school. If your child requires a special medical procedure, the child’s physician will need to provide medical orders for your child’s care. Please contact the Supervisor of Health Services or your assigned school nurse before the planned date of enrollment. This will allow the nurse adequate time to plan for your child's arrival and ensure a smooth transition to your new school. The Health Services Supervisor can be reached at 251-239-4327. The school’s office personnel will provide you the contact information for your child’s assigned school nurse.
-
My child is being bullied. What should I do?
Please visit BCBE's bullying policy for all information and related forms.
-
My student is attending a field trip. Can I meet the class at the location? What is needed for a parent attending the field trip?
For safety reasons, parents may not meet their student at the field trip location. Chaperoning spots are limited. Teachers will have directives on how to volunteer as a field trip approaches. All chaperones will have to ride the bus to and from the field trip location.
-
How do I pay online for items, including field trips, during the year?
You can pay online using MySchoolBucks.
Notes reminding you about items for sale or upcoming field trips will be sent home in a timely manner with paying directions.