APS STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY DESCRIPTOR CODE: JB
In support of student success, the Atlanta Board of Education expects students to be present at school and to arrive and depart on time in accordance with the provisions of the Georgia compulsory attendance law. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §20- 02-0690.1, parents, guardians or other persons having control or charge of students are liable for the students’ attendance in school. In view of the negative effects of excessive student tardiness and absenteeism on student performance, the Board expects local schools to initiate programs to assist students in improving their attendance and punctuality. Furthermore, the Board authorizes the Superintendent to establish administrative regulations to implement this policy.

APS STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES POLICY – DESCRIPTOR CODE: JBD
The Atlanta Board of Education recognizes that daily attendance at school is required for student success. In accordance with the provisions of state board rule 160-5-1-.10, Student Attendance, the Atlanta Board of Education defines acceptable excuses for being absent from school as:

• Personal illness of the student and/or a situation in which attendance in school would endanger the health of the student or the health of others.  Serious illness or death in the immediate family of the student that would reasonably necessitate absence from school.
• Special and recognized religious holidays observed by the faith of the student that necessitate absence from school.
• Mandates by the school or other governmental agencies, such as pre-induction physical examination for service in the armed forces, a court order or out-of-school suspension.
• Weather or other environmental conditions preventing a student from getting to school or rendering school attendance hazardous to the health or safety of the student.
• Voter registration or voting in a public election, not to exceed one (1) day per school year.
• Five (5) days or fewer per school year for a child of a military or National Guard parent who is called to duty in a combat zone or combat-supporting post or for a student whose parent is on leave from such an assignment.
• Students participating in an activity or program sponsored by 4-H must be counted present at school and cannot be counted absent, either excused or unexcused, for time missed fro school while participating.

Morningside Elementary School recognizes that birthdays are a special day for our students. We must also ensure that parties and celebrations do not disrupt the instructional day or interfere with the health and safety of all of our students. As part of our school wellness program, parents, visitors, staff, and students should not bring food into the school to share with students with the exception of two parties per year. To clarify, parents and visitors cannot bring in birthday cupcakes, donuts, or other treats to share with children on their child’s birthday. This is a part of our strong wellness program. Parents are encouraged to donate a book to the library.

Distributing party invitations to classmates while at school is not permitted. Please utilize the school directory and the USPS. 

Parents are encouraged to have lunch with your child or bring your own child a special treat or special lunch.  Parents are welcome to send in a low cost non-food treat:  such as stickers, birthday pencils, tiny fidgets, (no toy weapons of any kind)  etc… Due to latex allergies, we do not do balloons.  

We ask that you not request our teachers or staff to make an exception for your child on his or her birthday.  Making an exception for one child means we must make an exception for all, and that defeats the purpose of the policy. Teachers are also not allowed to distribute private party invitations for students.

You may fill out an application to check qualification for a free or reduced lunch through the "Federal Eligibility Program – FEA".  Apply for eligibility through the FEA Application.

FEA Application

Breakfast is $1.50 and lunch is $3.00.  You can pre-pay for breakfast and/or lunches at MySchoolBucks.

Pre-Pay Meals at MySchoolBucks

Breakfast will be served in the MES cafeteria from 7:15am-7:40am.  "Grab & Go" breakfast will be available for students who arrive in the cafe from 7:40 - 7:45am, and students will eat those breakfasts in the classroom. The cafe closes at 7:45am, but any students from late buses will always be accommodated and provided breakfast in the cafe.  Most of our buses are here on time.  We ask our carpool and walker students eating breakfast to please arrive early with the plan to provide time to eat breakfast at school.  At 7:45am, the bell rings and the day officially starts!

All students have a 30 minute lunch time built into the school day as a part of their schedule.  Depending on the lunch time, teachers may allow a snack time where you could pack a healthy snack for your student(s).  Teachers will communicate that information directly with parents.  

APS Nutrition Menu

All field trip dates and times will be communicated to families by the grade levels!

MES Field Trip Policy Regarding Chaperones:

1. All chaperones are required to arrive at the school and check into Raptor
2. Chaperones must provide their own transportation to and from the field trip venue
3. All students (even chaperones' students) must ride the bus to and from the field trip venue
4. Only pre-determined chaperones may join field trips (While we understand that many parents would like to join a school field trip, trips are not open to all parents paying their own way and meeting the class at the venue). 
5. No student check-outs from field trip venues
6. No student late arrivals to field trip venues

Contributions help pay for the cost of field trip entry fees, field trip transportation, and in-school learning experiences such as High Touch High Tech. 

SchoolCash Online is an easy to use and safe way to pay for your children’s school fees. Now, with a few clicks, you can pay for your child’s yearbook, class trips and so much more from your own home. All you have to do is register an account, attach your children and in no time you will be able to make payments online. SchoolCash Online accepts many different payment forms.

Register at SchoolCashOnline

Help us keep MES from becoming MESS! Please make a regular habit of checking the MES Lost and Found for any of your family's treasures that may have gone missing around the school. 

Lost and Found Donation Days

To ensure that the Lost and Found doesn't become too out of control, our volunteers donate all unclaimed treasures on a monthly basis. Donation dates will be communicated in the Digital Dolphin.

Please note: We never donate anything that is labeled with a student's name! These items are held separately, and we make every effort to return them to their rightful owners. So please label your lunchboxes, backpacks, hoodies, jackets, hats, water bottles, and anything else your child might bring to school with them!

Lost and Found Volunteers

It takes a dedicated crew to keep our Lost and Found under control. The MES PTA coordinates a volunteer crew throughout the year to organize our Lost and Found and pull together the monthly donation piles.

For questions about (or to volunteer with) the Lost and Found, please contact Tiffany Torbert.
tiffanytorbert@gmail.com

The APS Student Handbook is a summary of policies, laws and regulations that affect students.   The Student Handbook is published on an annual basis.  However, Georgia State laws, Georgia State Board of Education bylaws, and Atlanta Board of Education policies and administrative regulations enacted after the publication of the student handbook shall supersede the statements and references contained in the current publication.  This means that the laws and rules in the handbook are subject to change or may be amended. Please check the Atlanta Public Schools website for the most current version of Georgia State laws, Georgia State Board of Education bylaws, and Atlanta Board of Education policies and administrative regulations.