About
Holcomb Elementary is a school where students, families, staff and community work in partnership to create a safe, inclusive, and equitable educational experience for every learner.
Attendance
It has been proven that children who have good attendance are more successful in school. Please be sure to have your child/children here on time. Students who are consistently absent and/or tardy are at a clear disadvantage. All students who arrive after 7:55 am must sign in at the office with a parent. If your child is sick please report the absence by calling 503-785-8100 by 8:15 am. Also, please make every effort to schedule appointments and vacations so as not to interfere with the school day. We are here to support you and your family so that your children can be successful learners. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for help with attendance or tardies. Thank you for your partnership in reaching our goal of every child having a 95% or higher attendance rate.
Conferences
Individual conferences with parents are held twice each year. See the school calendar for specific dates. Teachers may request to meet with parents throughout the year. We hope that parents will call or visit us when they are questions or concerns. Please see our Contact page for staff phone numbers and email addresses.
Counselor
The school counselor helps students, parents, and staff. The counselor teaches guidance topics in the classroom, helps parents and teachers with student behavior issues, and acts as a liaison between school and community services. The counselor serves as a resource for the entire Holcomb school community. The counselor works with students in small groups as well as teaching whole classes and sees students individually. Please see our Contact page if you would like to contact our school counselor.
Health and Medication
When a child is found to be ill at school we will contact the parents or guardians and the child is usually sent home until the condition clears or a doctor advises that school attendance is approved. As stated above, attendance is important; however, parents should not allow a child to come to school sick, with an undiagnosed rash, or with some other questionable condition. Please communicate with us so we can work together to support your child when he/she experiences illness during the school year.
There are times when students need to take medication at school. State law requires that the school follow certain procedures. Please be aware of the following:
Prescription medication should be administered at school only if the prescribed frequency requires it to be given during school hours.
Non-prescription medication means only commercially prepared, non-alcohol based medication to be taken at a school that is necessary for the student to remain in school. This is limited to eye, nose and cough drops, cough suppressants, analgesics, decongestants, antihistamines, topical antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and antacids.
Medication needs to be brought to school by the parent in the original container.
A medication permission form needs to be filled out and signed by the parent. This form may be obtained in the school office.
Homework
We believe homework can be beneficial to a student's growth and development as a life-long learner. By successfully completing homework assignments, students learn to be responsible, broaden their understanding of how and where learning can take place, and benefit from extended practice time. We also believe that family time and extracurricular activities are critical for student success.
Teachers will use discretion in making assignments keeping in mind the age and ability level of the students. All children are encouraged to read at home at least 20 minutes each night.
The following time chart is a suggested guide for average students:
Grade levels:
K-3: Approximately 20 minutes per day
4-5: Approximately 30 minutes per day
Parents can have a positive influence on the success of homework. The following guidelines have proven successful:
Set a specific time each day for homework (i.e. right after school, just before dinner, before TV, etc.).
Have a specific place for children to do homework (i.e. a quiet place, away from distractions).
Take an interest in their homework, encourage them. Be positive about what they do.
Ask questions of the teacher if there is any confusion about the homework.
Hours
Grades K through 5
Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.: 7:55 - 2:10 p.m.
Wednesdays: 7:55 - 1:10 p.m.
ITeam
The ITeam is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of the counselor, speech pathologist, special education teacher, ELL teacher, classroom teachers and the principal. The goal of this team is to care for and about student success in our school. The teams meet every week to discuss students who are experiencing academic, attendance, social, or behavioral difficulties. After interventions have been tried, and if challenges still exist, the team and the parent will discuss the possibility for further evaluation of the student.
Items Not Allowed At School
In keeping with Oregon City School District Dress Code Policy, students are expected to wear appropriate, suitable clothes for school. The Holcomb School Staff will prohibit student dress or grooming practices that: present a hazard to the health or safety of the student or to others in the school, interfere with school work, create disorder or disrupt the educational program, and prevent the student from achieving his/her educational objectives.
Any article of clothing that advertises beer, wine, drugs, or inappropriate information.
Clothes with profane or suggestive remarks.
Gang related clothing or items.
Flip flops, open-toes shoes and sandals are discouraged due to possible injury. Please encourage shoes that are appropriate for recess and P.E. activities
Hats and sunglasses are not to be worn in the school building.
Students are discouraged from bringing cell phones, smart watches, iPods, iPads or other electronic devices. Students are not to bring skateboards, roller blades, shoe skates, scooters, electronic games, toys, balls, miscellaneous games, trading cards, or other personal items. Students should not bring large amounts of money. School staff cannot guarantee the security and safety of these items. They will be confiscated if school staff discovers them.
Students are not to buy or sell toys or products at school.
Gum is not allowed at school.
Leaving School
Student safety is our number one priority. Students must have written permission before they will be allowed to leave school with anyone other than their parents.
A student must have written permission from home and permission of the teacher or school office if he/she is to remain on the school grounds after dismissal. Children planning to visit a friend after school or go home by a different route than usual must have a note from their parents permitting them to do so. Such permission slips should be presented by the student to the school office where they can be approved and logged.
Students are expected to leave promptly at dismissal time unless asked by their teachers to remain at school. However, the child's parents will be notified before this is done.
Parents and others are requested to sign an early release form in the office before taking children from school.
Library
The Media Center (Library) at Holcomb has materials to meet the individual interests and educational needs of all students. In order to ensure that all the children will have the use of materials, we ask that each child take responsibility for returning their materials in good condition and on time.
Parents can help their children take responsibility for materials they check out of the media center by:
Helping your child find a special place to keep their books and other media materials.
Helping your child to understand the value of library materials and how to care for them.
Following the legal copyright guidelines in the duplication of non-print materials (computer software, video cassettes, audio cassettes, etc.).
Helping your child remember the day of the week that his/her class is scheduled for library checkout. With your help, your child can then return his/her library books to the library on time.
Parents may be required to pay replacement costs for lost and damaged library books and magazines. Replacement costs are as follows:
Hardback books $20.00
Paperback books $10.00
Magazines $5.00
Meals at School
Students success at school depends upon many conditions including access to nutritious meals. We know that when students are well fed they are more likely to succeed. At Holcomb, we provide all students with access to breakfast and lunch. Students who participate in an after-school program get access to an afternoon meal.
In addition to these meals, our counseling department offers resources for individual families who may need additional support to accessing food at home. Feeding children at school are one of the many ways that we try to ensure that every child has a successful school experience. In the summertime, we provide free lunch to all children 0-18 years along with a free library program.
Please contact the school office if your family, or if you know of a family, who may need help accessing free meals at school or additional food programs.
The OCSD uses a meal purchasing program called Mealtime. Students are registered even if they bring their lunch every day. There are a lot of benefits of this program which include;
- Allows families to deposit funds from home.
- Allows families to track cafeteria purchases.
- Provides anonymity and confidentiality for children that qualify for free or reduced meals.
One feature of the program is finger recognition. Finger recognition technology has been used in cafeterias around the country for over a decade. Each student will have their finger scanned to examine a few points of their fingerprint and generate a unique number based on those points. It is important to note that this is not a fingerprint and cannot be turned into a fingerprint. The finger recognition feature has some very important benefits, which include improving meal services, by increasing the speed of check out and ensures the correct student is being charged for the food they purchase.
For additional information about MealTime and finger scanning or to opt-out you can visit the following page: Nutrition Services
Breakfast at School
We serve breakfast from 7:30-8:00. When students arrive at school they can enter the cafeteria where they will be greeted by staff and get time to enjoy a nutritious breakfast. At 7:55 am we begin encouraging students to finish their breakfast and head to class as school begins promptly at 8:00 am. Those students who have not had enough time to eat are allowed to take their breakfast with them to class. Students who arrive late to school are still given access to breakfast or to a snack if needed. Please see the district website for breakfast menus. Please contact the school office if you have any questions about breakfast at Holcomb.
Lunch at School
Students have 20 minutes to enjoy their lunch at school. This is the same amount of time at all of the elementary schools in the district. Students who buy hot lunch are typically able to move through the line in 3-5 minutes. As the year moves along and as students get used to the routines of lunch the line time is reduced further. Fifteen minutes to eat is typically enough time for students to completely eat their meal. One challenge that we face is students spending time visiting with peers and forgetting to eat until the final few minutes. We have attempted to correct this problem in a few ways, one is by allowing students to have recess before lunchtime to socialize and have physical activity. Another way is that we now use Mealtime which has reduced the amount of time that it takes for a child to get through the lunch line. We also have our lunch room supervisors who lookout for those kiddos who are talking and encourage them to eat.
If you have concerns about your child eating please let us know. We can support you by connecting with your child and seeing that they have eaten their lunch. Please contact the school office if you have any questions about lunch at Holcomb.
Meal menus can be found online at Sodexo. Additional information including meal prices and free and reduced applications can be found on the district website.
Parties
School district policy allows two room parties a year. Parents of students may send store-bought treats for class parties. No home prepared foods are allowed due to County Health Department regulations.
Arrangements for parties held at homes are to be made outside the school. If children are going directly to a party from school, a note giving parental permission must be presented to the office before the children leave the school. See our "Leaving School" section for more information.
Report Cards
Report cards will be sent home with students at the end of each grading period. End-of-the-year report cards will be mailed home to students.
Rules
Holcomb school expects students to follow the three school rules developed by the students and staff:
Be Safe
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Hallway students will...
Walk in a quiet, orderly manner.
Go directly to their destination.
Not disturb hall property, etc.
Cafeteria students will...
Go through the lunch line in a quiet, orderly manner.
Talk to immediate neighbors, but not from table-to-table.
Stay seated until lunch is finished and it's time for recess.
Eat food in the cafeteria only.
Not play with or throw food.
Before leaving, clean table and pick up all trash and food from the floor.
Leave the cafeteria in a quiet, orderly manner.
Recess students will...
Play in the designated area.
Follow directions of adults (safety).
Use equipment appropriately.
Return promptly to the classroom when bell rings.
Obey four school rules.
Keep hands and feet to yourself.
Not play "chasing" games.
Actively play positive outside games, etc.
Visit with friends at the picnic benches.
Have fun with other children.
Be Safe. Be Respectful. Be Responsible.
Student safety is our top priority. Fighting or physical aggression towards students or staff is taken very seriously and could result in severe consequences.
Weapons are not allowed at school. Serious consequences will occur if weapons are brought to school (as per Federal and State laws and District board policy). Please review the Code of Conduct for more information. Harassment of any type will not be tolerated at Holcomb School. The district is committed to maintaining a learning environment that is free of harassment.
Site Council
Holcomb School has a Site Council composed of classroom teachers, specialists, classified staff, parents, and the principal. The council meets monthly, or more often as needed. The Site Council addresses issues that affect the school's instructional program, student behavior, and staff development.
Student Management
The goal of student behavior expectations is to ensure our school has a learning environment where all students feel challenged, involved and comfortable.
Students are responsible for behavior that exhibits respect for human dignity and individual differences.
Students and staff share the responsibility of maintaining a safe and orderly climate that promotes and encourages learning.
Students have the right to know the guidelines for expected behavior and be assured that they are consistent throughout our school. Our primary goal is to prepare students to be contributing members of a democratic society.
Students should recognize that they are in jeopardy of losing their rights when their actions infringe on the rights, needs, or property of others.
Student Recognition
Positive school behavior themes, attendance, and improvement will be recognized throughout the year. We are proud of our Holcomb students and their accomplishments.
Visitors
We welcome visitors at Holcomb School at any time. Our only request is that they be considerate and try not to distract children and teachers from their work. For special classroom visitations, and as a courtesy to the teacher, please call ahead to make special arrangements with that teacher prior to your visit.
All visitors must sign in and out on forms provided in the office. Please wear a visitor badge while you are in the building. These badges may be found by the sign-in sheet, and they let the students and staff know that you belong here. People in the building without a visitor's badge will be kindly asked to stop in the office and get one. We pay close attention to visitors in the building in order to promote the utmost safety for our students and staff.