McLean County 
Unit District No. 5 Homepage Link

Principal:  Ed Heineman           

Colene Hoose
Elementary
600 Grandview Drive
Normal, IL 61761 

Office
309.862.3440
Attendance
309.862.3525
Fax
309.862.3419

Colene Hoose Elementary’s Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the school’s office hours?

A. The school’s office is open from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm.

Q. When can students arrive at school?

A. Students should plan to arrive at school AFTER 7:55 AM unless other arrangements have been made with the principal or students are participating in supervised activities.  There is no supervision prior to 7:55 AM.  The opening bell rings at 8:10 and the students are expected to be seated and ready to begin at 8:15.

Q. When is the best time to call and talk to a teacher?

A. Pease call the school office to leave a message for a teacher.  Teaching time is protected.  The teacher will return your call after school or at their earliest convenience.  All teachers may also be contacted via email through the Hoose website (http://www.unit5.org/hoose/staff.html ).  Please do not enter a classroom unannounced and expect a meeting or conference.

Q. Which radio station should I listen to for school closings?

A. WJBC 1230 AM, WBNQ 101.5 FM, WIHN 96.7 FM, WBWN 104.1 FM, WGLT 89.1 FM, or WWCT 106 FM provide school closing information. The Unit 5 website will also have this information. www.unit5.org  Please do not call the school office or the Unit Office for this information.

Q. Which radio station should I listen to for early dismissals due to inclement weather such as snow or excessive heat?

A. The decision to dismiss early due to inclement weather is made before 11:00 AM and the media will be notified at that time. WJBC 1230 AM, WBNQ 101.5 FM, WIHN 96.7 FM, WBWN 104.1 FM, WGLT 89.1 FM, or WWCT 106 FM provides early dismissal information. The Unit 5 website will also have this information. www.unit5.org. Please do not call the school office or the Unit Office for this information.  If nothing has been announced by 11:00 AM, it will be a full day of school as usual.

Please arrange with your children what they are to do in case of early dismissal.  It is difficult for last minute arrangements to be made for students.

All school functions are canceled when school is dismissed early.

Q. Who do I call to report that my child will be absent?

A. Colene Hoose Elementary has an attendance hotline (862-3525). This hotline is for absences ONLY.  Anytime students cannot attend school, their parents or guardians must call the school attendance hotline before 9:00 AM to report the reason for the absence.  The hotline is available for use 24 hours a day.  Homework may be requested through the attendance hotline and will be available for pickup in the office after 3:30 PM. 

Sick children should not be at school.  Do not send children to school if they have a fever, recently vomited, have diarrhea, a rash, signs of respiratory infection, infectious disease, head lice, and any illness that may be transferred to other students.

Q. Are there any student fees?

A. There is a registration/book rental fee. This fee may be waved or reduced for students who qualify for the free/reduced lunch program.   Assignment notebooks can be purchased for $3 and yearbooks for $12 each.

Q. Whom do I see about medical information pertaining to my child?

A. The school nurse should be given necessary medical information at registration or on a need to know basis.

Q. Where can students receive vaccinations?

A. Students can get vaccinations through the local health department or from their doctor.

Q. When is physical exam and vaccination information due?

A. All physical exam and vaccination information is due on the FIRST DAY that the student attends school.

Q. What should I do if my child needs to take medication at school?

A. There is a medication policy form in the student handbook that needs to be filled out for any medication that needs to be taken during school hours. Over the counter medicines (cough drops, aspirin, etc.) must also be taken at the nurses office and have the completed form signed by a doctor.

Q. Where do I find information about field trips?

A. All field trip information is on all permission slips, classroom newsletters, and on our web page calendar.

Q. Under what weather conditions do the students have indoor recess?

A. Students will be outside for recess unless it is raining at the time of recess or the wind chill or temperature outside is 19° F or lower.

 Q. How much does a school lunch cost?

A. The cost of a student lunch for the 2006-2007 school year is $1.55 and an adult lunch is $2.05.  Parents wishing to eat lunch with their children must notify the school office by 9:00 AM.  White or chocolate milk can be purchased for $.35 for those eating cold lunch or wanting extra milk with their hot lunch.

Q. What should I do when my child needs lunch money?

A. Please make checks payable to Hoose Elementary. Students are encouraged to purchase lunch tickets on Mondays or the first day of the school week.  Students may borrow up to 3 lunch tickets only, no more tickets can be borrowed until those are paid back to the office.

Q. What time do students eat lunch and recess?

A.     

Grades: 2& 3       Lunch: 11:05-11:30           Recess: 11:30-11:55  

Individual teachers will schedule other recess time if necessary.

Q. What times to the bells ring and for what reason?

Our bell schedule is as follows:

Q. What should I do if I have to pick up my child early or during school hours?

A. Parents send a note with the child that is to be given to his/her teacher. Students that leave during the school day are to be picked up and signed out in the school office.

Q. When are students dismissed?

A. Bus riders are dismissed at 2:57 PM.  The rest of the students are dismissed at 3:00. 

Q. Can my child ride the bus home with a friend?

A. Parents should call transportation at 452-0428 because some buses are full and do not have room for extra passengers. Once transportation has approved your child to ride a bus parents should write a note giving their child permission. This note must be turned into your child's teacher. 

Q. Is there a PTA or PTO at Hoose Elementary? How do I get involved?

A. The Hoose Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is proud to provide both volunteer and monetary support to benefit school activities throughout the year. Parents can become a member by paying a yearly fee of $3.  The PTO meets monthly. All interested Hoose parents are welcome to attend. Special meetings are also held as needed. Money raised from PTO memberships is put into a gift fund to purchase items for the school.

 Registration is a good time to sign up, or you may contact the PTO president at any time if you wish.  Please visit the Hoose PTO website at http://www.unit5.org/hoose/PTO/PTO.htm.

This page designed and maintained by Jim Broach
 | Last updated  | ©2001 Colene Hoose Elementary School