School Information

Mission Statement
East Lake Elementary exists to establish a collaborative learning community among parents, faculty, staff, students, and the community in an effort to increase student achievement.

About The School
East Lake Elementary was built in 2000. ELE is a K-5 school that also houses two Pre K classes. ELE is a Title I school. ELE uses the latest technology and serves a diverse population of just over 650 students.

Leadership
Principal:  Jasmine Farrow
Assistant Principal:  Melissa Coffelt

Bell Times
7:25 a.m. – 2:55 p.m.

Hours of Operation
7:30-7:50 AM – Breakfast is served.
7:30-7:55 AM – Students go to their morning arrival locations.
7:55 AM – School begins.
2:55 PM – Students are dismissed.

The Hamilton County Board of Education believes in the establishment of a tradition of regular school attendance for each student. This establishes the first step toward a successful academic career culminating in a high school diploma and is an essential concept to teach for the job market. Considering the importance of school attendance, the following policy has been adopted this year for all Hamilton County Schools.

Any student missing 5 days or more will be turned over to a social worker.
Students with excessive tardies will be turned over to a social worker.
East Lake Elementary has been assigned a Truancy Officer that will conduct home visits when absences or tardies reach an excessive amount.

DOCUMENTATION OF ABSENCE
A Doctor’s statement of reason for absence must be sent to school upon the student’s return for an absence to be excused. Absences without a Doctor’s statement will be considered unexcused. After five (5) absences a social worker referral will be filled out.

CATEGORIES OF EXCUSED ABSENCES

• Personal illness, including doctor and dental appointments (doctor excuse required)
• Death in immediate family (obituary or funeral program required)
• Religious holiday (prior approval required)
• Documented court appearance for the student

STATE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
In accordance with The No Child Left Behind Act, the state requires each school to have 93% attendance or greater each day. East Lake’s goal is to have 100%!

Davida Phillips – School Counselor
phillips_davida@hcde.org

The mission of East Lake Elementary’s comprehensive school counseling program is to provide a program of services for K-5 students to help them become effective, successful students that grow into responsible and fulfilled adults. Our program addresses academic, social and emotional needs of all students.

School Counseling Services Offered:

• Classroom Character Education Lessons
• Student Success Small Groups
• Individual Counseling
• Referral Assistance Services
• School-Based Consultation with teachers, parents, and specialists.
• Classroom Observations

Academic Development          

• Study skills         
• Organizational skills        
• Time management       

Social Development

• Friendship skills
• Social skills
• Conflict resolution
• Peer pressure

Emotional Development

• Emotional awareness
• Self-regulation/self-control
• Growth mindset
• Coping skills

To make a referral for your child to see the school counselor please fill out this form

EARLY MORNING ARRIVALS
Students should not arrive at school before 7:30 AM as teachers do not go on duty to supervise until this time. Students who arrive early will stand outside the building until the doors open at 7:30 AM.

TARDY STUDENTS
Parents must bring students that arrive after 8:00 AM to the office to sign in and get a tardy pass before they can go to the classroom.

DISMISSAL
Early dismissals are a loss of learning time. If your child has a doctor’s appointment and needs to be dismissed early, write the teacher a note so that the child and teacher can prepare for him/her to leave early. Remember to have your child bring back the doctor’s excuse, because this is time out of school. Students will not be dismissed early from the office after 2:15 PM unless for a medical emergency of the student. We treat early dismissal the same way we treat a tardy. It is time away from school.

LATE PICKUPS
Please make sure if your child is to be a car rider that you have them picked up by 3:00 PM.  After this point it is a late pick up. If you live in the East Lake Elementary Zone there is bus service for most of our students. We will contact the proper authorities if a child is left after the school hours. School hours are from 8:00 AM-3:00 PM.

Cross Country

The Cross-Country meet is Saturday September 15. The races start at 9:00 am and continue til 12:00. The third graders will run first and 5th graders will be the last runners. Come out and support us is if you can. We will be racing at the Chickamauga Dam swimming area. Tryouts for the Cross Country team are Thursday September 6 at 3:30 at the East Lake Park. A parent must be present for a student to tryout.

Thanks,
Coach Mac

Coach Mac’s Autumn Exercise tip: Fall is one of the best times to get outside and get some exercise. So take advantage of the awesome autumn weather and take a walk, ride your bike or go for a run with your child.

If your child will be receiving free or reduced lunch, you must fill out a new form every year. Last year’s form will not be accepted.

Hamilton County Lunch application is available online. You can go to the website below to fill yours out!

http://www.hamilton.schoollunchapp.com/

The purpose of a school dress code is to provide additional opportunities for increased school safety, to encourage our students to experience a greater sense of school identity and belonging, to encourage an improvement in student behavior, to reduce school clothing costs, to encourage a high level of program participation, and to improve and expand academic excellence.

• Shirts:  collar shirts in a solid color (navy blue, light blue, pale yellow, or white),  an East Lake Elementary T-shirt
• Sweater/Sweatshirt:  NO HOODS, solid color (navy blue, pale blue, pale yellow, or white)
• Pants, Shorts, Skirts, Jumpers, Skorts:  no jeans or cargos, solid color (navy or khaki), must be longer than the student’s finger tips standing straight
• Belts: must be black or brown
• Socks: must be worn
• Shoes: no open toes or open heels, no sandals, no boots, and no slippers

Exclusions:

• No hooded sweatshirts
• No blue jean jackets
• No colored leggings
• No writing on any clothing
• No long necklaces or long earrings for safety reasons
• No purses
• No colored shirts underneath uniform shirts

All students must carry clear backpacks.

We ask that all parents and visitors entering our building dress appropriately. This is a learning environment, and we are trying to set good examples for our children.

1. Be positive.  Smile and greet others.  Be encouraging when sharing ideas.
2. Be a problem solver.  Talk out problems using positive words.  Try to solve the problem before asking for help.  Be an active listener.
3. Be present.  Be aware of your hands and feet.  Be ready to be an active learner.  Be here on time.  Your classmates are counting on you.
4. Be proactive.  Bring all necessary materials.  Respond appropriately and in a respective manner.  Remove your jacket before entering the hallway.  Always think of ways to improve your work.