About Our School
Homer Drive Elementary School
Contact Information
Principal: Mellow Tatmon
Address: 8950 Homer Drive, Beaumont, TX, 77708
Phone: 409-617-6225 Fax: 409-617-6248
School Mascot & Colors
Mascot: Bobcats| Colors: Red and Black
Campus History, Vision and Mission
History
Homer Drive Elementary opened as a 4th and 5th-grade campus in October of 1990 with Dr. Norman Traylor as principal. After his tenure, Ava Colbert served as principal from 1997 to 2016. Upon her retirement, Dr. Paul Shipman was named as the new the new principal of Homer Drive until 2018, followed by Dr. Belinda George. Mellow Tatmon is the current principal of Homer Drive.
The campus was uniquely designed as a brown and white structure with a bright turquoise roof divided into four separate structures. The school was uniquely designed to house the two grade levels separately. The main building was called the administration building. The remaining building served as a cafetorium. Homer Drive was the first school in the district equipped with wiring for computers. In 2011, as part of the bond election, a new Pre-K wing was added. Homer Drive maintains an enrollment of over 700 scholars in grades Pre-K through 5th grade.
Vision Statement
In collaboration with our community, Homer Drive Elementary is transforming into a model school where scholars can achieve their fullest academic and social-emotional potential.
Mission Statement
The mission of Homer Drive Elementary is to ensure that the scholars are provided the opportunity to learn the needed skills, values, and knowledge to be an important part of our school and community.
Grades Served
Pre-Kindergarten - 5th Grade
School Hours
School Start Time: 8:25 AM
School Dismissal Time: 3:55 PM
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
Morning Drop-Off Procedures
- No one will be on duty before 7:30 am. DO NOT DROP OFF STUDENTS BEFORE 7:30 a.m.
- All students who are car riders will be dropped off in front of the gym. Staff will be on duty to greet students.
- Students who ride to school on a bus or daycare van will be dropped off in the bus zone in front of the school. Car Riders should not be dropped off in the bus/daycare zone.
- Breakfast will be served from 7:30 am until 8:00 a.m.
- K-5th-grade students will be held in the gym. At 8:10 a.m., they will be brought to their buildings.
- Pre-K students will remain in the cafeteria for breakfast with their teachers and teacher’s assistants.
- It is very important that students are on time for school. Instruction begins promptly at 8:25 a.m.
Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures
- The afternoon pickup procedures were developed to ensure that all students are safe during dismissal. Afternoon pickup is one of the busiest and most dangerous times on a school campus. Please do your part to help our students get home safely.
- For the security of our students, the entrance doors will be locked at 2:30 pm. You will be required to wait outside until the dismissal bell rings at 3:55 pm.
- Anyone needing to park or leave their vehicle should use marked parking spaces.
- Parking in fire lanes is prohibited at all times.
- School buses and day care vans will pick up students in the driveway in front of the school. Parking in this area is prohibited.
- Students who are car riders will be escorted to the gym to be picked up. Parents may enter the carpool line from the driveway on the right side of the gym.
- Traffic is usually heavy on the first days of school. It does not last. Please be patient.
- School dismisses at 3:55 p.m. All students should be picked up promptly. Afternoon duty staff are released at 4:30 p.m. Any student who has not been picked up before 4:30 p.m. will be brought to the front office. Parents who consistently pick up students late will be reported to the proper authorities.
- THANK YOU in advance for following the drop-off and pick-up procedures.
Uniform and Dress Code Information
Dress and Grooming
Grooming Standards
Students should maintain personal hygiene and grooming habits that reflect readiness for school and work. This includes clean clothing, moderate scents, and hairstyles or grooming that do not disrupt the learning environment or create safety concerns.
Special Events and Exceptions
- Administrators may set specific dress guidelines for events, performances, spirit days, sports uniforms, or field trips.
- Students engaged in workplace or industry training must follow all relevant expectations for dress, grooming, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Reasonable accommodations will be made for students’ religious, cultural, or medical needs. Please contact a campus administrator for assistance.
Head and Facial Coverings
Head coverings may be worn while passing between buildings, but must be removed indoors unless required for religious or medical reasons. School or district administration may require documentation to support religious or medical exemptions. Headbands that are no wider than three inches may be worn throughout the school day.
Facial coverings are not permitted unless required for a documented medical condition.
Backpacks
All backpacks must be clear or mesh.
Not Permitted at Any Grade Level
- Clothing with images, logos, or language that is offensive, vulgar, sexually suggestive, or promotes drugs, alcohol, weapons, tobacco, violence, or illegal activity. See policy FNCF(LEGAL).
- Bottoms with holes, tears, frays, or cuts that reveal skin above the knee.
- Torn or see-through clothing.
- Gang-related symbols or paraphernalia as identified by local law enforcement or school officials.
- Pajamas, slippers, blankets, or items intended for sleepwear.
- Clothing or accessories that expose undergarments, including sagging pants and sheer fabrics without appropriate layers.
- Items that present safety risks, such as chains, spikes, or accessories that could be used as weapons.
Compliance
Students must comply with the dress code at all times while on campus, attending school functions, or representing the school in any capacity.
Enforcement
When a student’s attire or grooming violates the dress code, they will be asked to correct it in a respectful and discreet manner. Options may include, but are not limited to, changing into appropriate attire, adjusting the item, calling home for a change of clothes, etc. Repeated or serious violations may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Final decisions about dress code concerns will be made by campus administrators, using professional judgment and the standards outlined above.
Elementary School
A uniform dress code has been established for all Elementary students. The uniform shall consist of:
Tops
Polo-style shirts in white, red, or blue are required.
Bottoms
Khaki, Navy Blue, Black, or blue jeans are acceptable. Uniform dresses are acceptable. There should be no designer names visible. Shorts, skirts, and dresses should be no shorter than three inches above the knee, both front and back (this includes the slit of a dress or skirt).
Footwear
Tennis shoes must be worn. No slip-ons. All shoes must have backs.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
When a student is absent from school, please:
- Call the Attendance Office to report the absence. (409) 617-6226
- Send a note to the Attendance Office when your child returns to school stating the student’s first and last name, student ID#, teacher’s name, the date of the absence, and the reason for the absence. Notes will not be accepted after 5 days of the student’s return.
REMINDER
Texas law requires BISD to take the student/parent to court for truancy if:
- The student is absent 10 times in a 6-month period, and the absences are unexcused.
- The student misses 3 times in a 4-week period, and the absences are unexcused.
If your student arrives at school after the 8:25 a.m. bell, they must be signed in by an adult over the age of 18 in the front office. Please remember, we want to work with you and your child in order to provide the best education possible. Help us by ensuring your child is on time and at school every day.
HOMEROOM TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS
Students are placed in homeroom classes by the counselor and principal. These assignments are based on many factors. All homeroom assignments are final. NO schedule changes will be made unless deemed necessary by the principal. If you have a concern about your child’s homeroom assignment, you may submit it in writing to the attendance clerk in the front office.
Lunch and Breakfast Information
Every student is eligible to eat breakfast and lunch free of charge. View the daily lunch menu here.
EATING WITH STUDENTS
Although we are not able to accommodate visitors for breakfast, parents are welcome to eat lunch with their child(ren). Parents should report to the office to receive a visitor’s pass to be worn at all times while on campus. After lunch, parents are required to leave the building. While on campus, visitors are not allowed to talk to, take pictures of, or video record other students.
- Tuesdays: PreK - 2nd grade lunch visitor day
- Thursdays: 3rd - 5th grade lunch visitor day
VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
ALL visitors must report to the front office (NO EXCEPTIONS). A visitor’s pass will be issued and must be worn when you are in the school building. In order to receive a visitor’s pass, you must present your ID to the clerk in the front office.
SCHOOL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Parents are encouraged to volunteer on our campus. We urge you to get involved to help tutor students, chaperone field trips, or assist classroom teachers. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up using this online volunteer application. A new application must be submitted annually.
SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS
Students will often be given notes to take home. Please encourage your child to bring these to your attention. Monthly calendars are also sent home with students in the first week of the month. We will also use the district-wide communication app, ClassDojo. Finally, please follow our Homer Drive Facebook page.