Tiger Tales Newsletter
Tiger Tales Newsletter
15 November
Greetings, SEMBACH Tigers!
As we settle into the second quarter, I want to remind everyone of our commitment to open communication and collaboration with our school community. We believe that strong connections with families are key to a positive learning environment, and we’re here to support you and your children every step of the way.
If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher(s) or to me directly:
Martha Enyeart Martha.enyeart@dodea.edu
Phone: 0611-143-545-1100
We value your partnership and look forward to working together to make this quarter a successful one for all our students.
Upcoming Dates/Events:
· Friday 22 November: Coffee Talk – Hosted by the Sembach Elementary Principal and Building Leaders. Stop in for a cup of coffee, tea, and a cookie or two to ask questions, meet other parents, or just to take a break from the cold morning air! We’ll be in the library from 0745-0815. Please join us!
· Wednesday 27 November – Friday 29 November: Thanksgiving Holiday – No School! Enjoy this wonderful holiday with family and friends!
· Friday 6 December: Sembach Holiday Tree Lighting, More info to come!
A big SUPER SHOUT OUT to Ms. Hartwig and our 1st and 2nd Grade students for performing such a fantastic Veterans Day Concert this week! The singing was beautiful, students also worked with Art Teacher, Ms. Bennett to create a stunning eagle mural which is proudly hung in the theater! Your hard work and beautiful voices truly showed appreciation for all the Veterans of the United States of America.
Looking Ahead:
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in the Sembach Elementary community. Whether through meetings, assemblies, or simply staying connected with our team, your engagement helps create a thriving school environment. Together, we are making this a fantastic school year for all our students.
Interested in VOLUNTEERING in our school? Please contact the front office, we’d LOVE for you to be a part of our school!
As always, please reach out if there is anything we can do to assist you. We’re here to ensure a wonderful experience for every child and family.
Wishing everyone a great weekend!
At Sembach Elementary School we strive to provide safe, nurturing, and engaging educational environments for all our students!
WE ARE, the SEMBACH TIGERS!
Martha Enyeart, Principal
Sembach Elementary School
Featured News
Activities
TIGER Awards Ceremony - Quarter 1
Follow us on Social Media
School Procedures
Attendance Policy
In accordance with the policy stated in DoDEA Regulation 2095.01, “School Attendance,” August 26, 2011, as amended, school attendance is mandatory. All students are required to attend school to ensure continuity of instruction and that they successfully meet academic standards and demonstrate continuous educational progress. School attendance is a joint responsibility between the parent or sponsor, student, classroom teacher, school personnel, and, in some cases, the Command. Students with excessive school absences (or tardiness) shall be monitored by the Student Support Team to assist in the completion of all required work and successful mastery of course objectives.
Daily student attendance is identified based upon a quarter of the school day formula. Students will be identified as present or absent, based on the following criteria:
- Absent up to 25% of the school day = absent one-quarter of the school day
- Absent between 26%–50% of the school day = absent one-half of the school day
- Absent 51%–75% of the school day = absent three-quarters of the school day
- Absent 76%–100% of the school day = full-day absence
DoDEA considers the following conditions to constitute reasonable cause for absence from school for reasons other than school-related activities:
- Personal illness;
- Medical, dental, or mental health appointment;
- Serious illness in the student’s immediate family;
- A death in the student’s immediate family or of a relative;
- Religious holiday;
- Emergency conditions such as fire, flood, or storm;
- Unique family circumstances warranting absence and coordinated with school administration;
- College visits that cannot be scheduled on non-school days; and
- A pandemic event.
Unexcused absences may result in school disciplinary actions. An absence from school or a class without written verification from a parent or sponsor will be unexcused. Student attendance is calculated based upon the date of enrollment in a DoDEA school, which may occur anytime during the school year. Student attendance monitoring is designed to provide a continuum of intervention and services to support families and children in keeping children in school and combating truancy and educational neglect. Parents should notify the school of their child’s absence 30 minutes after the start of the school day. Too many unexcused absences may trigger the Student Support Team to convene.
Related regulations
Bus Safety & Procedures 2022-2023
Within this pamphlet you will find all the information to help prepare you and your student for riding the bus this year.
Bus transportation is a privilege, not a right, and along with this privilege comes parental responsibility for the behavior of your Student. Students are responsible for complying with the Bus Rules and conducting themselves in a safe and proper manner. Inappropriate behavior by your Student may result in the loss of bus service which would require you to transport your child to school.
Transporting your Student in a safe and secure environment is our primary concern. We work in partnership with parents, students, drivers, and school staff to ensure that your child's school bus experience is a positive experience and is conducted in an appropriate environment.
We ask that you notify our office immediately or the administration office of the school if you have concerns about your Students' bus ride. Your prompt reporting will have a great impact on our ability to address behavior or safety concerns quickly and appropriately. Please be assured that your concerns are our concerns and that we take the SAFE transportation of your children as an extremely serious and important job!
On occasions you will see an additional adult on the bus, they are not a Bus Monitor. They are Security Attendants and their duties are in Force Protection.
The bus driver is responsible for reporting discipline issues to the bus office. Bus drivers are not required to speak English. If you have any issues with a driver please do not engage with them, please report it to the bus office.
Safety Information
German Law does not require traffic to stop for a bus loading and unloading. Children should NEVER cross in front or behind the bus! They should wait until the bus has cleared the stop and if available find the closest cross walk.
When taking your children to or picking them up at the bus stop:
- Arrive at the stop at least 5 min before the bus
- Park well away from the stop itself
- Stay with your child at the stop until the bus arrives/departs
- Do not drive up or park at the stop itself
- Do not wait across the street
- Do not chase the bus or try to flag it down
DO NOT have your child cross the street in front or behind the bus!
Occasionally, a student will miss their stop on the return run. If a student is not completely comfortable that a stop is the proper one, or they miss their normal stop remaining on the bus is the safest thing to do.
The bus company and the SBO have procedures for getting the students to the proper stop or return to the school for parent pickup.
If for your child loses his/her bus pass, please notify this office for us to regenerate a new one.
**Drivers are authorized to write a misbehavior report for a student without a pass. **
Is the bus late?
Delays may occur during the school year for many different reasons. In case of a delay, in excess of 20 minutes, the bus office will notify AFN The Eagle, the Schools, and notify the parents via email, if time permits.
If the bus hasn't arrived after 20 minutes and you haven't heard of a delay, please call the school.
**Please have a plan for your children in case of extreme delays to ensure they aren't standing in inclement weather for long periods of time. **
Inclement Weather
Weather conditions during the winter months can cause delays or cancellation of bus services. The decision to delay the start of the school day, release schools early, or cancel the school day altogether rests with the Base Commander. Delays are normally determined and announced via AFN stations, ADHOC and email beginning at 0630 hours.
Several villages in the KMC have stops that are often inaccessible during inclement weather even when most of the routes have no problems. The families living in those villages receive specific information on procedures to get to an alternate bus stop during inclement weather.
*Bus Rules*
- Obey the driver or adult.
- Enter and exit the bus safely, and always show your bus pass.
- Stay properly seated and use seatbelts when available.
- Keep your hands, feet, and other body parts to yourself.
- Do not throw things.
- Put nothing out of the window.
- Remain quiet and do not disturb the driver or others.
- No profanity, indecency, smoking, prohibited items, or vandalism.
- Do not eat, drink, or chew gum.
- Be responsible, be safe.
Special Notice
STUDENTS IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 2ND GRADE
Children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade are our littlest passengers and most vulnerable to accidents going to/from and waiting at bus stops. They need your supervision to keep them safe.
- Please take your children to the bus stop.
- Wait with them.
- Meet them when they return.
The driver will not let these students off the bus unless the child sees the parent/adult. If no one is there to pick up the child, the bus office will try to contact you and ask to meet your child at the stop. If the bus office can't reach you the child will be returned to the appropriate school.
Related regulations
Lost and Found
Parents are urged to clearly and permanently mark belongings with your child’s name: jackets, boots, raincoats, sweaters, eyeglasses, watches and all other personal property in order that they may be returned if misplaced. The “Lost and Found” is located outside of the school’s Information Center (library). Unclaimed items are disposed of at the end of the school year if they cannot be successfully donated to a local charity.
"High Value Items" will be kept secure in the main office.
