What do I need to do to pick up my child early from school?

If you will be picking your child up early from school, always bring a drivers license for identification.  Make sure anyone else picking up your child is aware of this and comes to the office with some form of ID.

Can I come to school and have lunch with my child?

All visitors coming for lunch will need to show their ID in the front office to make sure they are on the orange emergency card and are authorized to visit a child.

All visitors to our campus must sign-in and receive a visitors badge in the front office.  Get in the habit of always bringing your ID when coming to school.  Even if you have showed a staff member your ID in the past, they may not be in the office when you return, so it is a good idea to have it with you at all times.  In addition, you can only have lunch with your child; you cannot take another student to the Covered Play Area, even if you have permission from that parent.  You are welcome to purchase lunch in the cafeteria or bring a lunch for your child.  Check the Hawk Happenings newsletter for lunch times or call the front office.

Can I walk my new child to class on their first day of school?

Parents cannot walk their children to class, even on the first day of school.  On the first day of school, all students will be directed or escorted to the cafeteria or covered play area by 5^th grade Safety Patrol students, teacher’s aides and parent volunteers.  If you register a child later in the school year, the same will apply.  You will need to say good-bye in the office and if necessary, the teacher can call you after school to inform you of how your child’s day went.

Can I come to school after 1:30 to pick up my child?

To avoid unnecessary interruptions to the classrooms during dismissal time, we ask that you call the office before 1:30 and let us know when you need to pick up your child so we can have your child waiting in the office when you arrive.  This avoids us trying to locate your child after classes have already been dismissed, while we are trying to dismiss the remainder of the school.  

If I get to the car rider loop and there are no Safety Patrol students on the curb, what should I do?

If you get to the car rider loop and there are no Safety Patrol students or adults on the curb, your child is late to school and cannot be dropped off.  You will need to drive around to the front office and come inside to sign-in your child.  DO NOT JUST DROP OFF YOUR CHILD; YOU NEED TO ACCOMPANY HIM/HER IN THE OFFICE.  In addition, you cannot walk your child to class if he/she is late, no matter how much begging they will do in the office. 

What do I need to do if my child is absent from school?

If your child is absent from school, an excuse note needs to be sent to the teacher when the child returns to school.  Any absence over 2 days requires a doctor’s note in order for it to be excused.  There is no need to call the front office if your child is out 1-2 days.  After 2 days, give the office a call to let us know, so we can inform the teacher.  We will accept a doctor’s note that is faxed to us.

If my child will be going home a different way than he/she normally goes home, what do I need to do?

You will need to send a CLE Transportation Note (available in the office) or any other written note to your child’s teacher when your child has a change in his/her transportation. DO NOT just verbally tell your child he/she will be going home a different way.  The teacher needs a written note.  This also includes if your child will be getting off at a different stop on the same bus.

How can I stay informed about activities/events happening at school since my child isn’t good about bringing notes home?

A way to stay informed is to read the School Digest in the Local Section of the Stuart News and the Palm Beach Post in the Sunday paper.  It lists all the school in the county and what has been happening and what is schedule for the upcoming weeks.  In addition, the PTA puts out the Hawk Happenings newsletter that goes home in the backpacks the 1^st or 2^nd week of each month.

Can I make an appointment to meet with my child’s teacher?

You can make an appointment with your child’s teacher at anytime by calling the front office.  Keep in mind that there are scheduled conferences every month.  Whenever Interim Reports or Report Cards are sent home, a conference date is scheduled, usually the next week.  Notes are sent home with Interims and Report Cards to remind parents to call the office to make an appointment if necessary or if the teacher requested a conference.  All conferences are limited to 15 minutes. 

Can I volunteer in my child’s classroom?

You are not allowed to volunteer in your child’s class, but you can come for special parties/activities in the classroom. 

Where else can I volunteer at school?

There are many opportunities for volunteering at CLE.  First you will need to complete a volunteer form to let the Volunteer Coordinators know where and when you would like to volunteer.  When you do start volunteering, a background check will need to be completed if you will be working with students who are not under the direct supervision of a School Board employee.  This means if you will be working with students outside of a classroom in small groups away from the teacher, you will need a background check.  If you will always be in the classroom with the teacher present at all times, you will not need a background check.  Please be aware that there is a charge of approximately $23 for each background check and they are good for two years.

Can I go on field trips with my child’s class?

As soon as you find out about a field trip, let your child’s teacher because there is only a limited amount of room on the bus and at certain locations.  If your child’s teacher needs you to be a “Chaperone” for the trip, you will need to already have a background check on file since it is a timely process.  A chaperone would be responsible to take a group of children to the bathroom or another location away from the teacher for a short period of time.  If you do not have a background check and there is room on the bus, you may be able to attend the field trip and just be responsible for your own child.

Is there a school bookstore?

The Hawks Nest is Crystal Lake Elementary bookstore.  It is located in the Multi-Purpose Room and is open most mornings from 7:30-7:50. 

Where can I purchase a CLE t-shirt?

CLE t-shirts can be purchased in the front office at any time.  All shirts are $7.00.

If my child is out sick, can I pick up any missed work?

If your child is out sick, you can call the front office to make a homework request.  The office will call you when the work is sent to the office.  Do not come in and expect to get homework while you wait.  If you call early enough in the morning and the teacher has not had his/her planning time yet, he/she may be able to get some work together.  Please keep in mind that teachers have meetings during planning times and after school that may not allow them to put together work the day you make the request.

If I have an unexpected appointment, meeting, emergency, etc. that will require me to change my child’s transportation during the day, what should I do?

If you find out during the day that you need to change your child’s transportation, call the front office and make a transportation change.  This includes your child leaving school early, not going home the regular way or someone else picking up.  If your change involves Extended Day, you will need to also call them so they are aware of the change.

How do I find out how much money is in my child’s lunch account? 

Any cafeteria questions can be directed to cafeteria staff at 219-1533.

Where is your school located?

Crystal Lake Elementary is located off Kanner Highway (Rt. 76) on 96^th Street in Stuart.  We are 2 lights west of I95 and the turnpike on Kanner Hwy.  If you are coming from I95, you will need to take exit 101 (Stuart/Indiantown exit) and head west on Kanner Hwy.  Make a right at the 2^nd light at 96^th Street and we at the 1^st light.

What do I do if my child needs to take medicine at school?

If your child needs to take medicine (daily, when needed or for a short period of time) a Form #135 needs to be completed.  This form can be picked up in the front office and will need to be completed and signed by the doctor.  DO NOT send your child in with any medication, even with Form #135.  All medicine needs to be dropped off and picked up by the parent.