Frequently Asked Questions

It’s our goal to make your life easier by keeping you as informed as possible. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions, so you can access important information quickly and efficiently. If you have additional questions, be sure to contact us with your concerns.

General FAQ

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What time should I drop off and pick up my child?

We ask that parents drop off their children in the front of the office area. Please tell your students to proceed through the building to their proper playground area. Playground supervision begins at 7:45 a.m. Please do not bring students to school before this time. The first bell rings at 8:10 a.m., and the tardy bell rings at 8:15 a.m.

We dismiss students at 2:55 p.m. Teachers will dismiss walkers and students for parent pick up at this time. Bus riders will remain in the classroom until we call their bus over the intercom. Please call our school office before 1:30 p.m. with any transportation changes for that day.

What if my child needs medication or becomes ill at school?

The school has a full-time health aide and a part time registered nurse on duty to administer our health program.

Medication
Please complete a Medication Release form available in the school office if your child needs to take any medication during the school day. We do not dispense medication, including Tylenol, at school without a written order from a physician or parent. We require our students to keep medicine in the school nurse's office, in the original prescription container, with the student's name on it. JBES students do not carry medication with them when at school.

Illness
We will notify you if your child becomes ill at school. The best place for an ill child is at home in the care of an adult. If your child is ill or injured, please consult a doctor before sending your child to school.

When will I have a conference with my child's teacher?

Parent-teacher conferences provide an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and unique needs with his or her teacher. You will receive notification of scheduled conference dates via student notices and our school calendar. You may also contact our school office to schedule an appointment whenever you feel the need. Involved parents make a big difference, and we welcome your interest and participation.

What behavior do you expect from Jack Barnes students?

We expect students to...

Be responsible for their own actions.
Show respect to each other and to all adults on campus.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to themselves. Walk on the sidewalks and in the building.
Play safely on the playground equipment.
Stay clear of all “water” (rainy days, sprinklers).
Use appropriate language. (Do not use profane, threatening, or abusive language).
Follow all bus rules.
Keep our school clean.
Treat the cafeteria with respect, and display good manners at all times.
Treat school property with respect.

We do not allow...

Gum
Toys, games, sports equipment, and dolls.
Squirt guns or any water holding device.
Glass containers (use plastic).
Items for sale.
Any radios, headphones, cassette players, CD players, mp3 players, iPods, cell phones, etc.
Skateboards, roller blades, scooters, hard baseballs, bats, etc.
Collector cards (baseball, Pokemon, etc.)
Knives, sharp objects, weapons, or look-a-likes.
Any item which interferes with instruction or causes a distraction.

How can I stay informed about my child's studies and school events?

We strongly recommend that parents and students read the Jack Barnes Student Handbook, which we carefully wrote for the benefit of our Jack Barnes Elementary family. The important information and guidelines we’ve provided here help create a safe environment of respect, academic excellence, and character development. We also invite you to visit this website often to stay updated on the latest news and information.

What if my child is absent or tardy?

Absences and tardiness disrupt learning and can slow or even prevent your child's success. We encourage you to schedule doctor, dentist, and other appointments during off-school hours. If an absence is unavoidable, please call our school attendance line at (480) 987-7400 or email us.

Can I visit or volunteer in my child's classroom?

We welcome and encourage parental involvement. When you wish to volunteer, please contact our school office for specific dates and times. Please sign in at the school office before proceeding to the classroom. We will issue you a visitor badge and provide any special instructions. Your participation sets a wonderful example for our students. We appreciate your interest and involvement.

What is the dress code at Jack Barnes Elementary School?

We believe that our students' appearance is an important part of the learning environment. We encourage our students to follow the following dress code and to avoid any potentially distracting or harmful clothing and accessories. When necessary, we ask parents to provide a change of clothing.

Jack Barnes students keep themselves well groomed and neatly dressed at all times.
Students wear shoes at all times. Students wear athletic shoes on P.E. days.
No backless shoes or backless sandals. No flip flops. No heelies.
No gang-related attire. This prohibits bandannas, memory shirts, and headgear.
No hats in the building.
No see-through shirts, bare-midriff shirts, or clothing which is backless or revealing.

Does Jack Barnes Elementary have a gifted students program?

Jack Barnes Elementary provides an Enhanced Learning Program (ELP) for students in grades 2–6. This is a pullout program where students work with the ELP teacher one day per week depending on the student’s grade level. We accept student recommendations from parents, classroom teachers, principal, school psychologist, or resource teachers. We utilize the COGAT Test to evaluate recommended students. Students will be eligible for placement in the gifted program if they score at the 97th percentile on any of the placement measures of the approved test.

Can my child eat lunch and/or breakfast at Jack Barnes Elementary School?

We offer our students a healthy and nutritious breakfast and lunch every school day. We have lunch first followed by 20 minutes of recess. Students may pay for lunches each day, or parents can put money into their child's lunch account.

We offer free or reduced-price lunches to eligible students. Please call or stop by our school office to learn more and complete a confidential application.

For the most current meal prices, please view our Child Nutrition page where you can find prices, menus, nutritional information, and more.

Cafeteria Rules

Walk in quietly.
Keep hands, feet, food, and other objects to yourself.
Be polite.
Use inside voices.
Remain in your seat until we dismiss you.
Eat only your own food.
Clean up if you spill.
Raise your hand for help.
Be respectful to the adults in charge.
Clean your table and the floor in your seating area of food and litter before leaving.