family handbook - fulton county schools

Welcome to Birmingham Falls Elementary School

Family Handbook 2014-2015

Principal, Windy Bottoms Ed.S.

Assistant Principal, Tresa Cheatham Ed.D.

Mission Statement:

Building the Foundation of Excellence for all Students

Vision Statement:

The Birmingham Falls Elementary Community envisions a school of excellence that…

Supports and challenges students and staff to reach their full potential.

Fosters a safe and friendly school environment.

Provides exceptional instruction and strives to increase student achievement.

Integrates technology to prepare students for current and future challenges.

Promotes cooperation between school, home, and community.

Inspires students to be independent thinkers, collaborative team members, and passionate

life-long learners.

BFES Family Handbook

Birmingham Falls Elementary School Student Handbook Table of Contents

ABSENCES ................................................................................................................................................................... 6

ACCIDENTS ................................................................................................................................................................. 6

ARTICLES BROUGHT FROM HOME ....................................................................................................................... 6

ATTENDANCE ............................................................................................................................................................ 6

BICYCLES .................................................................................................................................................................... 7

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS .................................................................................................................................... 7

BULLYING ................................................................................................................................................................... 8

BUS SAFETY ............................................................................................................................................................... 8

CAFETERIA INFORMATION .................................................................................................................................... 8

CARPOOL .................................................................................................................................................................... 9

CELL PHONES ........................................................................................................................................................... 10

CHARTER SYSTEM – Cohort 3 ................................................................................................................................ 10

CHEWING GUM ........................................................................................................................................................ 11

CLASSROOM VISITS ............................................................................................................................................... 11

CLINIC INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................................... 12

COMMUNICATION .................................................................................................................................................. 12

CURRICULUM SUPPORT TEACHER ..................................................................................................................... 13

DAYCARE RIDERS ................................................................................................................................................... 13

DISCIPLINE ............................................................................................................................................................... 13

DRESS CODE ............................................................................................................................................................. 13

DRILLS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 14

EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM (E.I.P.) ........................................................................................................ 14

EARLY RELEASE OF STUDENTS .......................................................................................................................... 14

EMERGENCY EVACUATION & SCHOOL CLOSING .......................................................................................... 15

EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN’S SERVICES ............................................................................................................. 15

FIELD DAY ................................................................................................................................................................ 15

FIELD TRIPS .............................................................................................................................................................. 15

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE....................................................................................................................................... 16

FOUNDATION ........................................................................................................................................................... 16

GIFTS FOR FULTON COUNTY PERSONNEl ........................................................................................................ 17

GRADING ................................................................................................................................................................... 17

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING ............................................................................................................................ 17

GUIDED READING ................................................................................................................................................... 18

HEAD LICE PROCEDURES ..................................................................................................................................... 18

HOMEWORK ............................................................................................................................................................. 18


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INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM ................................................................................................................................. 19

INSURANCE .............................................................................................................................................................. 19

INTERNET PROTECTION ........................................................................................................................................ 19

LOCAL SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL ............................................................................................................... 19

LSAC BOARD MEMBERS 2014-2015 ..................................................................................................................... 20

LOST AND FOUND ................................................................................................................................................... 20

MONEY ...................................................................................................................................................................... 20

MUSIC ........................................................................................................................................................................ 20

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ........................................................................................................................................ 21

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) ............................................................................................................ 21

PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD 2014-2015 ..................................................................................................................... 21

PARTIES ..................................................................................................................................................................... 22

PERSONNEL CONCERNS ........................................................................................................................................ 22

PETS AND ANIMALS ............................................................................................................................................... 23

PHYSICAL EDUCATION ......................................................................................................................................... 23

PICTURES .................................................................................................................................................................. 23

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ...................................................................................................................................... 23

RECORDS ................................................................................................................................................................... 23

REGISTRATION ........................................................................................................................................................ 23

REPORT CARDS vs. PROGRESS REPORTS ...................................................................................................... 24

ROOM REPRESENTATIVES .................................................................................................................................... 24

SIGNED PAPERS ....................................................................................................................................................... 24

SECURITY .................................................................................................................................................................. 24

SOCIAL WORKER .................................................................................................................................................... 25

STUDENT PLACEMENT .......................................................................................................................................... 25

STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM (SST) .......................................................................................................................... 26

TALENTED & GIFTED (TAG) ................................................................................................................................. 26

TARDIES .................................................................................................................................................................... 26

TESTING .................................................................................................................................................................... 27

TEXTBOOKS ............................................................................................................................................................. 27

TRANSPORTATION CHANGES .............................................................................................................................. 27

UPDATING INFORMATION .................................................................................................................................... 27

VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS TO THE BUILDING ........................................................................................... 28

WALKERS .................................................................................................................................................................. 28

WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES .............................................................................................................................. 29

2014-2015 FULTON COUNTY CALENDAR ........................................................................................................... 30


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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF & ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STAFF

School Hours: 7:40am – 2:20pm

Windy A. Bottoms, Ed.S.

Principal

[email protected]

770-667-2820 x 124

Tresa Cheatham, Ed.D.

Assistant Principal

[email protected]

770-667-6820 x125

Adowa Sweet

Curriculum Support Specialist

[email protected]

770-667-2820 x 128

Bessie Battles

Guidance Counselor

[email protected]

770-667-2820 x137

Melanie Barrow

Instructional Support Teacher

[email protected]

770-667-2820 x 131

Heidi Berke

Bookkeeper/Principal’s Sect.

[email protected]

770-667-2820 x 134

Colleen Zeller

Front Office Secretary

[email protected]

770-667-2820 x 120

Deidre Fann

Data and Records Coordinator

[email protected]

770-667-2820 x 135

Janet Adams

Clinic Assistant

[email protected]

770-667-2820 x 130

School Telephone

(770) 667-2820

School Fax

(770) 667-2806

Cafeteria

(770) 667-2805

North Fulton Transportation

(770) 667-2970

mailto:[email protected]










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BIRMINGHAM FALLS ES

QUICK FACTS

WHOM TO CONTACT Curriculum Concerns: (1) Classroom Teacher

(2) C.S.T. Adowa Sweet [email protected] 770-667-2820 x128

Discipline Concerns: (1) Classroom Teacher

(2) Assistant Principal: Tresa Cheatham, Ed.D. [email protected] 770-667-2820 x 125

Bus Concerns: Assistant Principal: Tresa Cheatham, Ed.D.

[email protected] 770-667-2820 x 125

Cafeteria Concerns: Cafeteria Manager: Tonya Tatum 770-667-2820 x 150 [email protected]

Assistant Principal: Tresa Cheatham, Ed.D. [email protected]

770-667-2820 x 125 Records Concerns: Data Clerk: Deidre Fann

[email protected] 770-667-2820 x 135 Medical Concerns: Clinic Aide: Janet Adams

[email protected] 770-667-2820 x 130

Homework Requests Transportation Changes General Information: Front Office: 770-667-2820 X 0









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ABSENCES Students are required to provide a written excuse from their parent/legal guardian when absent. Excessive

absences and/or tardies will be referred to the administration for follow-up. Students who check in after

11:20 a.m. or leave before 10:40 a.m. are considered absent for the day. Please notify the clinic and your

child’s teacher if your child has a contagious disease or an extended illness.

The Georgia Board of Education lawfully excuses students for the following reasons: personal illness, death in the immediate family, and special and recognized holidays observed by their faith. Students will have the opportunity to complete homework and class work missed because of an excused absence. Such opportunities to complete work may not be possible for unexcused absences.

ACCIDENTS When accidents occur, necessary first aid will be administered, and a clinic slip will be sent home to inform you of clinic visits. Minor scrapes may be treated with first aid in the classroom. Please reinforce with your child that any accident not witnessed by an adult should immediately be reported to a teacher or the clinic aide. See “CLINIC” for additional information.

ARTICLES BROUGHT FROM HOME No live animals are to be brought to school without an administrator’s permission. Students are not to bring

toys and are discouraged from bringing expensive items to school such as ipods, ipads or cell phones

including collectibles. If these items are damaged or stolen, the school will not be responsible for their

replacement.

ATTENDANCE School hours for students are 7:40 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. Students who are not in their classroom by 7:40 a.m. are considered tardy and should get a tardy slip from the office. Students who check in after 11:20 a.m. are considered absent for the day. When your child arrives late to school, please accompany your child into the building, sign in at the front office, and get a tardy slip from the secretary. Staff supervision of students begins at 7:10 a.m. Students may be checked out early by a parent or legal guardian when necessary. Parents are required to show a picture ID when checking out students. Students being checked out will be called to the office to meet their parent. Students may not be dismissed with parents directly from the classroom without a pre-checkout form which can be obtained from the front office secretaries. If you need to check out a student at the end of the day, we ask that you do so before 2:00 p.m. After 2:00 p.m. the office cannot call classrooms for students to be checked out. Preplanned Approved absences must be in writing to the principal 2 weeks prior to absence. Please try to plan vacations, trips, and doctor and dental appointments when they will not interfere with school. Students who are absent must bring a written excuse signed by a parent or guardian the day the student returns to school. Written excuses are kept on file at school.


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During the 2004 Georgia State legislative session, House Bill 1190, Section 10 - Minimum Number of Unexcused Absences - 20-2690.1, was passed. This law adds responsibilities for parents and guardians of school-aged children who have five or more days of unexcused absences. Once a student has accumulated five days of unexcused absences, it is considered a misdemeanor offense

and all Georgia schools are required, by law, to notify parents in writing of the possible repercussions. The

parent of any child who accumulates five or more days of unexcused absences could be subject to one or

more of the following penalties at the discretion of the court:

A fine not less than $25.00 and not greater than $100.00

Imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, or community service

In addition, Birmingham Falls Elementary School will query our student attendance program every 20 days and teachers will notify parents of any student who has accumulated three or more days of unexcused absences or tardies. A letter from the BFES administration will be sent home once your child accumulates five or more days of unexcused absences or tardies outlining the above possible consequences. A social worker referral is automatically made once your child has accumulated more than five days of unexcused absences or tardies. Therefore, if your child is absent from school, it is critical you send a written note of explanation when the child returns to school. Unusual circumstances regarding the absence of a student should be put in writing addressed to the attention of Principal Bottoms.

BICYCLES Birmingham Falls students are permitted to ride their bicycles to and from school. Students under the age of ten must have an adult accompany them. Helmets are mandatory for all students choosing to ride bicycles to school. Bikes may be parked at the curb in the bike rack.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Our Local School Advisory Council (LSAC) in collaboration with our school based leadership team has agreed to update this policy due to the increasing number of students with food allergies and our focus on health and wellness. Each day, birthdays are recognized on our closed circuit televised morning news show. Students receive a birthday pencil from the administrative team on their special day. Parents are welcome to send in one small birthday item such as pencils, stickers, or other “trinkets”. These items may come in with the student or be dropped at the front desk prior to recess time for the student’s birthday. The classroom teacher and birthday student will hand out these special items. Edible treats may be sent in for student’s birthday, in lieu of a trinket. Store-bought treats that come in must be dropped off at the front desk and given out by the teacher in the classroom to ensure that our students with food allergies are safe to consume the item. All items sent in must be left at the front desk before 9:30 A.M. Any edible birthday treat nutritional information must be shared with families 48 hours prior to distribution.


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BULLYING The Fulton County Board of Education prohibits bullying at any location or activity under the jurisdiction of the school system. Any student who engages in bullying may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Each complaint of bullying will be promptly investigated. The school system prohibits retaliatory behavior against any complainant or any participant in the complaint process. Please refer to the Fulton County Discipline Handbook for further information. If your child is bullied at school or on the school bus, please inform the assistant principal as soon as possible.

BUS SAFETY Students need to be aware that all rules governing student conduct while on campus/school property apply while students are on the school bus. Because of the additional safety factors and for the protection of the driver and students on the bus, school principals have the authority to impose an immediate suspension from the school bus for both serious offenses and for minor violations. School bus drivers have the authority to assign seats or move students. School Board consequences will occur after the bus driver has communicated verbal and/or written warnings and has tried intervention strategies and the problem continues. Examples of possible consequences are: verbal/written warning, parent conference, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension and/or bus suspension. depending on the severity of the offense. Bus discipline does not preclude additional sanctions as provided in policy, procedures, school rules, or federal, state and local laws.

1st Bus Offense Student conference will be held with an administrator.

2nd Bus Offense Student may be placed on bus probation and parent will be notified that on the next

bus offense, the student may be suspended from the bus.

3rd Bus Offense Student may be suspended from riding the bus for one or two days with parent

contact or notification.

4th Bus Offense Student may be suspended from riding the bus for two or three days with parent

conference required.

5th Bus Offense Student may be suspended from riding the bus for three days with a parent

conference required.

6th Bus Offense Student may be suspended from riding the bus for three to five days with parent conference required before student returns to school.

Please note that cell phone usage is not allowed on the bus.

CAFETERIA INFORMATION The school participates in the school lunch and breakfast programs. The prices for the 2014-2015 school year are as follows:

Student Lunch: $ 2.25 Student Breakfast: $ 1.05 Reduced Lunch: $ .40 Reduced Breakfast: $ .30

Milk/Punch: $ .50 Adult Breakfast: $ 1.55 Adult Lunch: $ 3.25


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Birmingham Falls utilizes a prepaid credit card meal program. Parents may prepay for meals or food/beverage items up to one full school year. The cafeteria menu is available on-line through the Birmingham Falls website at www.birminghamfalls.com. Breakfast is served from 7:10 a.m. until 7:40 a.m. each morning. Several choices are offered for breakfast

and lunch. Parents may also prevent their child from purchasing certain items by contacting the cafeteria

manager. You may reach the cafeteria manager at 770-667-2805.

If your child forgets his/her lunch, he/she will be able to charge a school lunch and pay the cafeteria the next school day. Charging is discouraged. The charge Limit for Elementary Schools is $9.00. If your child exceeds the charge limit he/she will be provided an alternate meal for lunch. No charges will be permitted the last two weeks of the school year.

Children need nutritious meals to learn; therefore, Fulton County Schools offer healthy meals that are reasonably priced. Free and reduced priced meals are available for students whose families qualify financially. Free and reduced lunch applications may be picked up in the cafeteria. The process for completing the application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals is as follows:

Parents/guardians must complete one application per household.

The application should be returned to the cafeteria manager at the school of the youngest child.

New students to Fulton County will pay for meals until the household application is approved.

Returning students will maintain last year’s meal status until the application is approved.

The approval process will be completed within ten days.

Meals may be charged in an emergency situation; however, charges must be re-paid the following day. Charges are not permitted for juice and extra milk or any extra food. No charges will be allowed the last two weeks of the school year.

Beginning August 25th, parents may eat breakfast or lunch with their children. When having meals at school, please sign in with the front office and obtain a visitor badge. Please plan to meet the class in the atrium in front of the cafeteria. A visitor’s table will be reserved for parents choosing to dine with students near or on the stage. Students may invite one friend to join him/her at the visitor lunch table. If there is room at the student’s class lunch table, the parent may choose to sit with the class during lunch. We ask that you say good-bye to your child in the cafeteria, instead of following the class out to the atrium. Please do not bring treats for your child’s class to share in the cafeteria. All treats must be left at the front desk before 9:30 A.M.

CARPOOL Morning: Please help us keep our students safe and your child’s morning commute stress-free by allowing

them to ride the school bus. If you choose to carpool your children, we ask that you adhere to our school

guidelines.

Children may enter the building in the morning beginning at 7:10 a.m.

We do not provide supervision prior to 7:10am.

Please do not allow your child to wait outside the front door of the school prior to this time without

supervision.

http://www.birminghamfalls.com/


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Please follow the designated traffic pattern and do not attempt to pass cars in front of you. The

orange cones are placed strategically to maximize the safety of our students, their parents and our

staff.

Drivers should form a single line in front of the school where they will stop for children to enter or exit

the car. Students may exit/enter cars from curbside only.

Students should have all of their belongings together in order to make a smooth transition from the

car to the school entrance.

Students may not be dropped off in the staff parking lot or in the school bus loading area.

Students are not permitted to cross through the parking lot without an adult accompanying them.

If your child needs assistance getting out of the car in the morning or to unload items, please park

and walk him/her into the building.

Staff members are available in the building to assist our students each morning. We ask that parents

do not walk their children to their classrooms.

Afternoon: Dismissal will begin at 2:20 p.m. A school-issued yellow carpool card will be required to pick up

your child from the carpool line. If you do not have your child’s yellow card, you will be directed to the front

office to pick up your child. Please bring your identification. If you misplace your carpool card, you may

obtain a new one at the front office.

Student safety is our number one priority so please report any carpool safety concerns you observe to

Principal Bottoms.

CELL PHONES According to Fulton County Board of Education Policy and Procedure concerning Disruption and Interference

with School: “Elementary students are prohibited from possessing cellular telephones at any time.”

Students who are found with cell phones shall have the device confiscated by the school

administrator, and the parent will be called and asked to pick up the device from school. Parents

are asked to turn their phones to “silent or vibrate” when in the school building. If you must

take/make a cell phone call, you are asked to step outside of the building.

CHARTER SYSTEM – COHORT 3 Welcome back to another fabulous year here at Birmingham Falls Elementary School! We have had a smooth start to the 2014-2015 school year. We have been busy this summer so please let me introduce you to some new people, processes, and possibilities! I. Cohort 2 in FCS System Charter Process Fulton County Schools became a charter system 2 years ago. This means that each Fulton County school will have more local decision-making authority and the flexibility to implement innovative ideas and strategies to create educational opportunities that meet the needs of their students and school communities. Each charter system school will have a School Governance Council (SGC) that will play a critical role in the success of each school. Each SGC will be comprised of


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• 3 parents/guardians • 2 teachers • 2 community members • 2 school employees • the principal (non-voting) • 2 students (high school only, non-voting).

The SGC will work with school leadership and the community to help determine the long-term direction of the school, design innovative solutions to increase academic achievement, and serve as school ambassadors to the local community. Birmingham Falls Elementary School is a member of “Cohort 3.” The 2014-15 school year will serve as our planning year. The election and appointment of School Governance Council members will occur this Fall and governance training for SGC members will be provided in Spring 2015. Each of the parent/guardian members of the SGC must be elected by the parents/guardians of Birmingham Falls Elementary School. As a parent/guardian of Birmingham Falls Elementary School, you will have the opportunity to run for a SGC position and/or vote for parent/guardian representatives to serve on our SGC. At the beginning of the school year district representatives will be hosting community meetings to explain what it means to be a part of the charter system, the role of the SGC, and the SGC elections process. We will also provide information about this process in print form and at various meetings at our school. We are very excited about our transition into the charter system and the exciting opportunities that this endeavor will create for our students. We hope that you will attend the community and school information sessions to learn more about the process and consider running for a position on the SGC. In the meantime, if you would like more information about the charter system or to learn about the experiences of Cohort 2 schools, visit www.fultonschools.org/chartersystem.

CHEWING GUM Chewing gum on school property or school buses is not permitted.

CLASSROOM VISITS Birmingham Falls Elementary School strives to provide the best education possible for your child. We ask your cooperation in not visiting classrooms unannounced. If you would like to set up an observation, please contact the Curriculum Support Teacher (CST) to set a date and time for a 30-minute visit. Visits are not the time to conference with your child’s teacher. Regular classroom instruction will continue during your visit. Please follow these guidelines when observing in a classroom:

Visitations need to be scheduled through the CST or assistant principal at least 24 hours prior to the observation.

Introduce yourself to the secretary and inform them why you are visiting.

Please sign in and put on a visitor badge.

School personnel will escort you to the classroom.

Please do not interact with students or the teacher during your observation, as instructional time is

http://www.fultonschools.org/chartersystem


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very valuable.

Please maintain confidentiality regarding the performance level and placement of individual students in the classroom.

A thirty-minute time limit is placed on an observation. At the end of that time please sign out in the office.

The CST is available to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

CLINIC INFORMATION Birmingham Falls Elementary is concerned about the health and well-being of your child. Please keep the school informed about allergies, diseases, or other medical conditions to which your child may be exposed. The clinic should have a written record of your child’s condition and specific instructions for their care. Please do not send your child to school unless they have been ‘fever free’ (without the use of medicine) for 24 hours. A parent or guardian will be called to pick up a student if he/she vomits, has a fever, or diarrhea during school hours. All medication given at school must first be sent in by the parent along with a completed ‘Authorization to Give Medicine at School’ form; prescription medications require a doctor’s signature. Forms are available in the school clinic and on the BFES website. All signed forms from you and/or your doctor may be faxed directly to the office at (770) 667-2806. If your child requires medication during the school day, he/she must go to the clinic to have it dispensed. The medicine must be in its original labeled container (no baggies). Please remember that most items purchased in the pharmacy section of your local store are classified as ‘medicine’ by FCBOE. This includes cough drops, eye drops and muscle creams. Expired medicine will not be dispensed by the clinic.

IMPORTANT

Please notify the front office and clinic if emergency numbers, work numbers or home numbers change. It is very important that the school be able to contact a parent/guardian in the event of an emergency. For the safety of your child, please notify the school in writing if both parents are out of town, and someone else will be acting as guardian in your absence.

COMMUNICATION The home and school communication connection is very important. Following are some tips on staying informed about your child’s educational experience: Friday Papers: Every Friday students bring home folders that may contain important school

announcements and graded schoolwork. School Messenger: Important school announcements, the school newsletter, changes and events are

announced through an email blast via School Messenger. If an email address was


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provided during the initial student registration, that email address will be used for school messenger, unless changed or updated through Home Access Center.

The Bobcat Scoop: One bi-weekly electronic newsletter from the school will be sent out on alternating Thursdays. News from the Foundation and the PTA will be in this newsletter. If you have information to submit please email it to [email protected] for approval.

Phone Calls/ Teachers are unavailable to take phone calls during instructional time. Please feel Email: free to contact your child’s teacher by email to request a phone call. If email is not

accessible, contact the front office. Written Notes: Most communication can be handled with a written note. Please be sure to let your

child know that he/she has a note for the teacher. All notes regarding transportation home must be approved by the office and include a parent/guardian signature.

Conferences: Fulton County Schools set aside two days, one in the fall and one in the spring, for parent-teacher conferences. You may also request a conference with your child’s teacher at any mutually agreeable time.

CURRICULUM SUPPORT TEACHER The Curriculum Support Teacher (CST) helps to implement the Fulton County curriculum and Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS). The CST is involved in staff development, student placement, data analysis, grade level planning and communication. The CST serves as a liaison between parents, teachers, and administration. New students entering the school are evaluated by the CST for suggested placement within reading and math programs. If you have questions involving curriculum, please contact our CST.

DAYCARE RIDERS Students riding daycare vehicles will load and unload near the cafeteria side of the school. Cars arriving to pick up students should not park in the area designated for the buses along the curb on the side of the building. If a daycare student is absent from school or will not be attending daycare for any reason, the parent must notify the daycare provider.

DISCIPLINE The Fulton County Code of Conduct and Discipline Handbook is provided to each family at the start of the school year.

DRESS CODE

BIRMINGHAM FALLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DRESS CODE (As per Fulton County Board of Education Policy)

No short-shorts or mini-skirts are to be worn. Shorts and culottes must be worn at the child’s middle fingertip length.

No hats, curlers, bandanas, sweatbands, sunglasses, or gloves are to be worn during school hours. This applies to both male and female students.



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Extremes in hairstyles such as Mohawks and extreme hair colors or spray-in hair paint are not permitted.

No bare midriffs, spaghetti strap tank tops, fish-net shirts, halter tops, T-shirts with ripped sleeve openings or other ripped clothing or see-through clothing is to be worn.

Pajamas may only be worn to school on designated pajama day.

All T-shirts must be in good taste. No suggestive wording or illustrations or advertisements for alcoholic beverages will be allowed.

Pants at any length between the knee and ankle are acceptable.

Make-up is inappropriate at the elementary level. This includes, but is not limited to, lipstick, colored hair spray, and glitter body paint.

Students should wear shoes that are appropriate for daily outdoor recess as well as walking down the schools’ long hallways. Tennis shoes/sneakers, or closed-toe shoes are strongly urged, for safety reasons. SNEAKERS WITH WHEELS (HEELIES) ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE WORN TO SCHOOL.

Students are expected to honor the dress code so that valuable instructional time is not spent examining attire to determine appropriateness. Students will be notified of any exceptions to the dress code (Field Day, Spirit Days, etc.) and any other changes or additional requests.

Teachers and school personnel will be accountable for the dress code standard being followed by the students and will report any infractions to the administration who will contact a parent to bring an immediate change of clothing to the school.

DRILLS Safety and security are top priorities at Birmingham Falls Elementary School. In order to provide a safe learning environment for our students, we hold fire, tornado, emergency evacuation and intruder drills. These drills are practiced on a regular basis in order for staff and students to know the procedure in case of a real emergency. City of Milton and county emergency departments are also directly involved and know the school’s plan should the need ever arise to deal with an emergency situation. Visitors and volunteers are expected to participate.

EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM (E.I.P.) The Early Intervention Program provides additional instructional to support K-5 students who are performing

below grade level and who meet eligibility criteria to develop the necessary academic skills to reach grade

level performance. Supplementary instruction is provided by additional certified teachers in a heterogeneous

regular classroom or in a small group setting.

EARLY RELEASE OF STUDENTS To check your child out of school early, please come to the front office. Please be prepared to show positive identification and the secretary will call the classroom to have your child dismissed. To assist the office in the dismissal process, we ask that all student checkouts occur BEFORE 2:00 p.m. For the safety of all of our students, children may not be released directly to the parent from the classroom unless a “pre-checkout form” has been completed. If you are a volunteer in your child’s classroom and wish to have them dismissed early, we ask that you stop at the front desk and ask for a “pre-checkout form.” After


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the form has been signed by the secretary, take your copy to the classroom to give to the teacher. After you have finished in the classroom, you may take your child with you from the classroom. Only those parties that you have listed as emergency contacts may check your child out of school. Otherwise, written confirmation will be required.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION & SCHOOL CLOSING In the event that school must be closed due to inclement weather, the most up-to-date information will be provided on local radio and television stations. Parents should listen to WSB radio AM 750, 95.5 FM or television for current information. You may also monitor the Fulton County Schools webpage at www.fultonschools.org, for up-to-the-minute information regarding school closings. Please do not contact or come to the school. School telephones and personnel will be utilized in order to follow emergency procedures to ensure the safety of the children. Birmingham Falls Elementary has developed a detailed emergency evacuation plan which will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis. Evacuation drills are practiced throughout the school year. This plan will be followed should any emergency occur during the school day. Please be sure to have a completed emergency school closing form on file for your child. You will receive this form from your child’s teacher during the first week of school.

EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN’S SERVICES Exceptional Children’s Services are provided for eligible students and begin with the RIT (Response to Intervention) and then referral to the Student Support Team (SST). Interventions and data collection are a requirement of this process. Students placed in special education programs must meet state eligibility criteria. All student placements are based on a referral process, individual evaluation, and parent consent. The Counselor and the Instructional Support Teacher can answer questions about this process.

FIELD DAY Field Day is held each year during the month of May. Days are set aside for outdoor games and field activities for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Parent volunteers and teachers supervise each class as they participate.

FIELD TRIPS Field trips are planned to supplement and enrich the total instructional program. Every student must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian before he/she can attend a field trip. A donation may be requested to help pay for the trip. No child will be denied permission to attend field trips due to inability to pay. If a family is unable to pay for a field trip, please submit a confidential letter to the school counselor or Principal Bottoms. Every effort will be made to ensure participation of all children. Parents who are interested in being a chaperone for field trips must have completed the online Volunteer Training and Orientation class. Siblings are not permitted to attend field trips. At the teacher’s discretion, students with poor discipline records (2 or more office referrals) may be prohibited from attending field trips.


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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Our school will never deny a child access to any school-related activity because of financial hardship. This includes field trips and any school-sanctioned enrichment programs. If you are in need of financial assistance in order for your child to participate in any Birmingham Falls Elementary program, please put your request in writing and address it to the school counselor or Principal Bottoms. All requests for financial assistance are confidential and handled privately between the parent and the principal.

FOUNDATION The Birmingham Falls Foundation (a.k.a. BFF or 'The Foundation') is a 501(c)3 and Georgia non-profit organization with one simple goal - to help create the best possible educational experience for ALL students at Birmingham Falls Elementary School (BFES). The focus of the Foundation is fundraising to support our school. ALL donations to the BFF are 100% tax deductible. The Birmingham Falls Foundation is run entirely by volunteers, so please consider getting involved.

FOUNDATION BOARD 2014-2015 President - Lillie Pozatek [email protected] Vice President - Scott Holloway [email protected] Secretary - Kelly Rosen [email protected] Treasurer - Graeme Payne [email protected] Parliamentarian - Philip Daniels [email protected]

Voting Members At Large- Craig Rubino Jennifer Labbadia-Colon [email protected] [email protected] Tim Lester Donna Choate [email protected] [email protected] Ann Nath [email protected] Administration (non voting): Windy A. Bottoms, Principal Tresa Cheatham, Ph.D., A.P












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[email protected] [email protected] Adowa Sweet [email protected] Teachers(non voting): Amanda Malone Kandace Ivarie [email protected] [email protected] PTA (non voting): Andrea Bartels Chris Thiel [email protected] [email protected]

GIFTS FOR FULTON COUNTY PERSONNEL Fulton County Board of Education Policy requires that gifts meet the following guidelines: an individual gift with a value of $25.00 or less, or a group gift with a value of $10.00 or less per contributor, not to exceed $500.00.

GRADING Students in Fulton County attend school for 178 days which is divided into two semesters. The following academic grading scale shall be used in kindergarten and first grade. S Satisfactory N Needs to Improve U Unsatisfactory NG No Grade Letter grades (A, B, C, and F) and numeric grades will be used on report cards and transcripts for students in grades two through five. The following academic grading scale shall be used: A 90 and Above B 80-89 C 70-79 F Below 70 NG No Grade

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING Our guidance counselor provides individual or small group counseling to children; conducts classroom guidance lessons on a regular schedule; works with school personnel to foster a positive learning environment for students; assists parents in understanding children and developing positive attitudes, techniques, and strategies essential for constructive child rearing; and assists parents and children in obtaining specific school and community services. The school counselor runs our Core Essentials and Bully Prevention programs.









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GUIDED READING Guided reading is a teaching approach that is designed to help individual students learn how to process a variety of increasingly challenging texts with understanding and fluency. Guided reading occurs in a small-group setting because the small group allows for interactions among readers that benefit them all. The teacher selects and introduces texts to readers, sometimes supports them while reading the text, engages the readers in discussion, and performs a mini-lesson after the reading. Sometimes after reading a text, the teacher extends the meaning of the text through writing, text analysis, or another learning activity. In the upper elementary grades focusing on literature study, comprehension, and word analysis will enrich more advanced readers.

HEAD LICE PROCEDURES Birmingham Falls fosters a safe and happy school environment for our students and staff. Head lice are very common amongst school-aged children and are not a cause for alarm. To control the spread of head lice, we (school and parents) must be diligent with our efforts. If head lice or nits are found:

Notify the school.

Complete the lice treatment before you send your child to school.

Accompany your child to the clinic upon their return to school to be checked.

Continue diligent treatment at home by combing out nits.

Your child may not return to school until there are no active lice or no evidence of live lice.

If head lice or nits are not found:

Do not begin any special treatment. Using chemical lice treatments has not been proven to be preventative, and is not recommended.

Instruct your child not to share personal items such as combs, brushes, scarves, hats or coats with other children. Lice are spread by contact; they do not jump from one person to the next.

HOMEWORK Homework is a necessary part of each student’s educational program designed to reinforce skills taught in the classroom, increase student success, develop student responsibility, and provide opportunity for parent involvement. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns regarding homework. It is the student’s responsibility to know what the homework assignments are and to complete all homework assignments on time. Some assignments are long range and require additional planning time at home for completion. Teachers will communicate expectations with students and parents through a variety of methods (email, Friday Folders, Newsletters etc.). Students are asked to check at the front office for homework assignments, projects, and/or instruments which may have been delivered by a parent. If a student is absent due to illness, requests for work must be received in the office by 9:00 a.m. Work can be picked up at the end of the day or sent home with another student. If you bring in homework or books that your child forgot, they will be placed in the teacher’s mailbox. This procedure is in place to limit the number of interruptions during classroom instruction time. Kindergarten-

Grade 1: Only Reading and/or Math homework will be assigned No more than 20 minutes combined.


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Grades 2-5: Reading, ELA, Word Study, and Math ONLY. Only ELA and Math teachers will assign daily

homework to eliminate too many assignments per night. When grade levels assign cross-curricular projects, teams will collaborate and the ELA teachers will be responsible for the reading/writing/research component. The homeroom teachers will not assign homework in addition to but may assign homework in place of "the usual" homework.

Homework is no more than 10 minutes per grade level including reading. If homework is lasting longer than this, please contact your child’s ELA or math teacher and or the CST.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM Fulton County Schools provide a continuous achievement educational model designed to meet the individual needs of all learners. In addition to the classroom teacher, all Fulton County elementary schools provide Music, Art, and Physical Education teachers as well as a Technology Specialist, a Guidance Counselor, and a Media Specialist to support the total instructional program for children. The curriculum reflects the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS). The Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS) provide a consistent framework to prepare students for success in college and/or the 21st century workplace. These standards represent a common sense next step from the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). This link will bring you to the “CCGPS” directly if you would like more detailed information about the content please visit https://www.georgiastandards.org/Common-Core/Pages/default.aspx to learn more about Common Core. If you have questions regarding the instructional program, please contact our Curriculum Support Teacher.

INSURANCE School insurance is offered to every student who enrolls. A parent can choose accident insurance that covers school hours only (including the bus) or covers the entire 24-hour day, 12 months of the year. Coverage also applies to field trips both overnight and daytime.

INTERNET PROTECTION Internet access is available at Birmingham Falls in support of the instructional program. The Fulton County School System complies with the Children’s Internet Protection Act. There is filtering in place that blocks access to material that may be inappropriate for your child. Web sites are permitted or denied upon review of the school Media Committee. Acceptable use of the Internet is established in Board Policy/Procedure IFBGA, Electronic Network Access at: http://www.boarddocs.com/ga/fcss/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=8AHSN753516A .

LOCAL SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL The objective of the Local School Advisory Council is to assist and advise the local school in coordinating resources to maximize educational opportunities for children and increase student achievement. Its function is to assess school programs and services and establish goals to improve these areas as well as act as an advisory group to the local school administration. The committee is made up of parents, teachers, members of the community and business partners. Meetings are publicized and open to the public. Minutes of all meetings are available at www.birminghamfalls.com.

https://www.georgiastandards.org/Common-Core/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.boarddocs.com/ga/fcss/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=8AHSN753516A



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LSAC BOARD MEMBERS 2014-2015 Principal: Windy A. Bottoms

[email protected] Chairperson: Lisa Cauley [email protected] Vice Chairperson: Jennifer Bechtel [email protected] Secretary: Aileen Ciampa [email protected] PTA Co-presidents: Chris Thiel Andrea Bartles

[email protected] [email protected] Teacher Representatives: Angelle Blaske Mike Dykes [email protected] [email protected]

Foundation Representative: Lillie Pozatek

[email protected]

Parent Business Person: Andrew Furman [email protected]

Apparel Image

LOST AND FOUND All lost and found items are housed on the back custodial hall. Please help us get things back to students by putting names on all jackets, coats, sweaters, lunchboxes and backpacks. A few times per year all items not claimed will be donated to various charities throughout metro Atlanta.

MONEY All cash/checks sent to school should be placed in a sealed envelope and labeled with the child’s name, teacher’s name, and the purpose for which the money is being sent. Please send the exact amount, as neither the classroom teacher nor the office is able to make change.

MUSIC Chorus is available for students in grades 3, 4 and 5. Concerts are held annually as well as special programs throughout the school year.












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NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND No Child Left Behind is federal legislation amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Its goal is to have all children performing on grade level. Many of the requirements of the Act are already in place in Fulton County Schools. Fulton County Schools is approaching the Act as a system-wide effort to improve student achievement in all schools and at all grade levels. In compliance with the requirements of the No Child Left Behind statute, Fulton County Schools informs parents that they may request information about the professional qualifications of their student’s teacher(s). The following information may be requested:

Whether the teacher has met the Georgia Professional Standards Commission requirements for certification for the grade level and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;

Whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency or other provisional status through which Georgia qualifications or certification criteria have been waived;

The college major and any graduate certification or degree held by the teacher;

Whether the student is provided services by paraprofessionals, and if so, their qualification.

If you wish to request information concerning your child’s teacher’s qualification, please contact the principal.

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) The Birmingham Falls Elementary PTA supports the mission and objectives of the National PTA organization. The PTA encourages all parents, faculty, staff and community members to join our membership organization. The PTA plays a vital role in the success of our school. Many parents volunteer their time, financial resources, and special talents in various ways, as they become partners in their children’s education.

PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD 2014-2015 Co-Presidents: Chris Thiel Andrea Bartles

678-910-7885 770-751-0537 [email protected] [email protected]

Parliamentarian: Donna Choate [email protected] 770-569-4648 Secretary: Laura Sayre 678-687-8642 [email protected] Treasurer: Christine Montes 770-866-1766 [email protected]







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VP of Communications : Kelly Schriver Beth Telipsky

[email protected] [email protected] 404-915-8776 678-571-1528

VP of Curriculum Enrichment: Jodi Anton Ann Nath [email protected] [email protected] 845-548-3481 678-763-2601

VP of Membership: Stephanie Mynatt [email protected]

404-316-3412

VP of Staff and Student Services: Leslie Popp Claire Stenger 404-734-7837 770-664-1810 [email protected] [email protected]

VP of Ways and Means: Pam Teft Keri Bryne 678-376-9594 714-403-8544 [email protected] [email protected] PTA Meetings: Please refer to the Activity Calendar under the Current Events tab through our school website at www.birminghamfalls.com for meeting times and location.

PARKING All curbs painted red are NO PARKING areas.

PARTIES Two parties are scheduled for the school year: Winter Holiday Party and End of the School Year Party. The parties are scheduled for one hour and this time frame should be honored. If parents would like to reserve a specific inside or outside location for the party, other than the classroom, they must see the secretary or bookkeeper for a building usage form. The use of outside vendors and/or rental equipment is discouraged and will need to be approved, 30 days in advance, by the administrative team.

Valentine’s Day will include a valentine exchange and allow for the room mom to coordinate one treat and/or goodie bag to be sent in and distributed by the classroom teacher toward the end of the day.

PERSONNEL CONCERNS All issues concerning school personnel should first be directed to the staff member in question. If no resolution can be made, you may submit your concerns via email or you may call the school to speak with Principal Bottoms.












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PETS AND ANIMALS Classroom pets are kept at the discretion of the classroom teacher with administrator approval. Please notify your child’s teacher if your child suffers from allergies.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION All students receive P.E. twice weekly. In addition, a daily recess is provided with the classroom teacher. Students should dress appropriately for P.E., which should include athletic or tennis shoes and shorts/pants for girls. The P.E. teachers will not allow students to participate if they are not dressed out in proper P.E. attire. Students must have written permission from a parent/guardian to miss a P.E. class. Missing several P.E. classes requires a note from a doctor.

PICTURES Individual student pictures are taken during the Fall and Spring. Class pictures are taken in the Spring. There are no retakes of Spring pictures due to time constraints. Our vendor for school pictures is BPI Photography. Any questions or concerns should be directed to their office at (770) 887-3080.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Within the first hour of each school day, students in each Fulton County School shall be afforded the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Students not participating in the recitation of the Pledge may stand and refrain from reciting the Pledge or remain seated. Immediately following the Pledge of Allegiance, both students and faculty shall be given the opportunity, if they so desire, to observe a short period of time for silent reflection. The period of silent reflection shall be governed by the following:

The length of time should not exceed sixty (60) seconds.

Students or faculty who do not wish to engage in silent reflection will refrain from any act that would interfere with the reflection of others. The period of silent reflection shall not be intended or conducted as a religious exercise.

RECORDS Parents or legal guardians have the right to examine their child’s records and to have them explained. Principals, counselors, teachers, and other authorized personnel who have responsibility for supervising, instructing, or helping a student will have access to that student’s records. No third party releases will occur without written permission from the parent. When parents are requesting student records and/or applications to be completed for private schools, all requests should be delivered to the school office for processing. Records/transcripts will be mailed via U.S. Mail and not hand-delivered by the parent. Records for recommendation status from teachers will be mailed from this school to the requesting institution.

REGISTRATION New and returning students must reside in the Birmingham Falls ES school zone. The following documents must be furnished for all students entering a Fulton County School for the first time:


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An original copy of the student’s birth certificate

An Georgia Certificate of Immunization

A Georgia Certificate of Eye, Ear, and Dental Screening

Notarized affidavit of residency with two proofs of residency

Social Security Card or wavier

REPORT CARDS VS. PROGRESS REPORTS Progress Skills Checklists are sent home three (3) times during the school year. Report Cards are sent home every nine (9) weeks. If you have questions concerning your child’s grades, please contact the classroom teacher.

ROOM REPRESENTATIVES Room Representatives are selected for each class to help the teacher and coordinate volunteers and activities. All volunteers participating as a room representative must complete Volunteer Training. (See Volunteer Training)

SIGNED PAPERS Work samples are sent home every other Friday from the classroom teacher. Parents should review these papers and then return them to school the next day. If you have questions concerning class work, please contact your child’s teacher. Parents will be notified of failing grades or grades that are typically “out of character” via email in a timely manner.

SECURITY Birmingham Falls Elementary School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for your children. A new locked entry system has been installed which has visual and audio capabilities that allow our front office personnel to view visitors and volunteers on a monitor before granting entry into the school. All doors will be locked at 8:00 a.m. and re-opened at 1:30pm. This new system was funded by eSPLOST (the one-penny sales tax for education), and will provide greater security to our school by making sure all visitors and volunteers are acknowledged and accounted for. When you approach our front entrance, you will see a small box that looks like a doorbell with a camera. You will press the call button and speak into the intercom. One of our school staff members will ask some questions about your visit prior to granting you entry into the school. Only one person may enter the building at a time. Upon entrance, you will then proceed to the front office to finish checking in. All guests to our building – including parents, volunteers and first-time visitors – will be required to complete an initial registration process. We value your time and will try to make this as quick and simple as possible. Volunteers will now have the ability to register online and only once. This new system will keep track of your information which will enable you to volunteer at multiple schools. First-time visitors will be required to present our front desk receptionist with their driver’s license or another


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form of government photo identification. We respectfully ask for your patience and cooperation in presenting your valid state identification when checking in at the school. We feel certain this will be another proactive step in keeping our schools safe.

We pride ourselves on being friendly and welcoming to everyone who enters our building. However, we have many students and family members which means we may not always recognize every person who visits our school, so please be patient and understanding if this process takes a little more time to determine who you are. All first time visitors and volunteers must present a government issued photo identification to the front desk. Your photo identification will be scanned and verified against the Sex Offender databases in all fifty (50) states. Upon approval, a printed visitor or volunteer badge will be issued and must be visibly worn while you are in the building. Visitors or volunteers without a badge will be asked to return to the office to obtain one. Additionally, when checking out a student, please be prepared to show a picture I.D. This is for your child’s protection. Thank you for helping us continue to provide a safe environment.

SOCIAL WORKER A social worker is available to students to assist with situations that may involve the home: (i.e. attendance, tardies, personal needs, and family concerns). Birmingham Falls Elementary School takes seriously their responsibility to consider the safety of all of our students both during and after school. Child Protective Services assists with these efforts by establishing the following guidelines for the amount of time and ages of children who may be left unsupervised or supervised by a child under 18 years of age.

Children eight years and under should NEVER be left alone.

Children between the ages of nine and 12 may be left alone for brief periods of time (less than two hours when the child is determined to be mature by the parent/caretaker.)

Children ages 13 and older may be left alone and may perform the role of baby-sitter as authorized by the parent/caretaker. It is advisable to limit this time to 12 hours or less and only when the child is determined mature by the parent/caretaker. It is also suggested that those children over the age 13 caring for others should have participated in a course on baby-sitting.

STUDENT PLACEMENT The school makes every effort to ensure student placement in a class where his/her needs will best be met. A variety of items influence classroom placement including the number of boys and girls, the total number of students, test results, and Language Arts and Math levels. Due to the complexity of this process, parent requests for specific teachers cannot be honored. Any concerns regarding student placement should be directed to the CST or the principal in writing. Occasionally, in order to meet state class size guidelines, new classes need to be formed or existing classes need to be collapsed requiring the reassignment of students to a new teacher. We will make every effort to ensure that such transitions are smooth.


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If you would like to request a change of student placement, the procedure is as follows:

Student must first spend 10 days in assigned class.

A Change of Placement Request form is completed and submitted to CST.

A placement team comprised of our Principal, Asst. Principal, CST, Counselor and Teacher Representative and parents will be scheduled to review and determine placement.

STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM (SST) The SST is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of teachers, counselors, administrators, specialists, and parents who work together to develop methods for helping all children succeed in school. The SST process includes the following stages: identification of needs, formulation of an action plan, implementation of strategies, and monitoring of progress. The team’s efforts may include some or all of the following activities:

Review of student records

Analysis of student work

Observation of the student in the classroom

Development of written plan of interventions and data collection

Review of progress after the designated intervention period

General screening in the areas of hearing and vision The SST committee may consider an academic achievement, and/or ability screening as a further means of gathering information. Any parent or school staff member may initiate a referral to the SST.

TALENTED & GIFTED (TAG) The Talented and Gifted Program identifies gifted students based upon State Board of Education Rule 160-4-2-.38. All Fulton County Students are screened for the gifted program twice a year (August / January). If a student is referred for the gifted program, the school must gather information in the areas of multiple criteria: mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation. Students must qualify in three of the four areas of multiple criteria in order to be eligible for gifted services. Specific questions regarding TAG eligibility may be directed to Sherry Wiedman, Coordinator, at [email protected] or Angelle Blaske at [email protected].

TARDIES School begins at 7:40 a.m. and ends at 2:20 p.m. Students who are not in their classrooms by 7:40 a.m. are considered tardy and should get a tardy slip from the office. Students who are tardy must be accompanied to the office by a parent to be signed in. Students arriving after 11:20 a.m. are considered absent for the day. Students who ride the bus to school are not considered tardy even if their bus arrives after 7:40 a.m. Excessive tardiness of three or more per month in grades K-5 will result in a letter of Notification of Excessive Tardiness from the school. Continued tardiness may result in a referral to the school social worker.




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TESTING Testing is an integral part of our educational system in helping us assess and meet students’ needs. The tests are administered in accordance with the State of Georgia Testing Program. The following standardized tests are administered to the students during the year: Kindergarten GKIDS Assessment Ongoing

Grades 3 & 5 Iowa Test of Basic Skills October Grades 3 & 5 Georgia Writing Assessment March

Grades 3-5 CRCT (Criterion Reference Test) April

*Parents of 3rd and 5th Grade Students

As required by Georgia law, all 3rd grade students MUST PASS the reading section of the CRCT and all 5th grade students MUST PASS both the reading and math sections of the CRCT in order to be promoted to the next grade level.

TEXTBOOKS Our Curriculum is based on the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS). Textbooks are used as resources to support our standards. They do not reflect the exact curriculum. Textbooks are furnished to all students. Students are expected to take care of all books and return them undamaged at the end of the year or before he/she withdraws from school. If a textbook is lost or damaged, a fee will be charged.

TRANSPORTATION CHANGES If you have a transportation change for your child, please submit a Change of Dismissal Form or a written note to your child’s teacher. Requests may only be made by the student’s parent or guardian. Changes in a child’s regular method of transportation must be turned in to the office by 9:00 a.m. for approval. Written confirmation of a change of dismissal is required. Unless the school is notified in writing, students will be sent home in their normal manner. Do not verbally tell your child of a transportation change without following up with written confirmation sent to the front office. Please Note: Emailed transportation changes and notes written in a student’s agenda will can not be accepted. You may contact the Front Office Secretary at 770-667-2820 in the event of a last minute change and the information will be relayed to the student and teacher before the end of the day. IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ONLY, the principal or assistant principal may grant a one-time bus change. North Transportation must be contacted at 770-667-2970 if an ongoing change becomes necessary.

UPDATING INFORMATION It is important that in an emergency we are able to contact you. Please keep your address, home and work phone numbers, and emergency contacts updated at all times. If you are out of town, the school must be notified in writing (teacher and office) of who will be responsible for your child during the absence.


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VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS TO THE BUILDING Each school year, anyone who volunteers or visits a classroom must complete the mandatory volunteer training on Child Abuse Reporting as required by the state of Georgia. We value your time and will try to make this as quick and simple as possible. Volunteers will now have the ability to register online and only once. The new system will keep track of your information which will enable you to volunteer at multiple schools. You may access this training through the Fulton County website at: http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/sup/comm/Pages/partnersvolunteers.aspx . Once training is complete, you will then be asked to complete the on line Volunteer Application. Please wait for a confirmation email from Fulton County Schools before visiting or volunteering in a classroom as this process may take up to 48 hours. The school will then be notified of your training and will allow you to work in the classroom or other areas of the building. All visitors and volunteers that enter the school are required bring their government issued identification to sign in at the office. A printed visitor or volunteer badge will be issued and must be worn during your time at our school. Confidentiality regarding students you are working with or have observed during your volunteer services is required. Contact the PTA, classroom teacher, Media Specialist, Technology Specialist or the Local School Advisory Committee to see where help is needed.

Chaperoning: When acting as a Chaperone on a field trip or school sponsored activity, you will be responsible for a group of children. You must have completed the Volunteer Training in order to chaperone a field trip and use the school-provided transportation unless it is unavailable.

Copy Center: All documents copied must be for classroom use only. Due to copy write laws, workbooks may not be copied in their entirety. Do not copy student work or official documents. Children are not allowed in the Copy Center.

Restrooms: Volunteers may not use student restrooms. Please use the restrooms located throughout the building.

Student Discipline: Volunteers are not permitted to discipline the students. Please ask a teacher for assistance.

Siblings: Volunteers may not bring young children or other visitors to school when performing duties in the building.

WALKERS Students who walk to school should arrive at school after 7:10 a.m. In the afternoon, walkers will be dismissed with car riders and daycare van riders. Please advise your children to follow the sidewalks, obey safety rules, and promptly enter or leave the school grounds. Students should enter and exit the building through the main entrance only and are to follow the directives of the staff on hand.

http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/sup/comm/Pages/partnersvolunteers.aspx


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WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES Families leaving the Birmingham Falls Elementary School district will need to contact the Data Clerk for procedures. All library books and textbooks should be returned to school and any cafeteria charges should be cleared. School records will be forwarded to the new school upon their request.


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2014-2015 FULTON COUNTY CALENDAR

First Semester Second Semester

July 31 / August 1 January 5 Professional Learning Day Teacher Workday August 4-8 January 6 Preplanning First Day of Second Semester August 8 January 19 Sneak – A – Peek M. L. King Jr. Birthday (school closed) August 11 February 16 First Day of School President’s Day (school closed) September 1 March 13

Labor Day (school closed) Teacher Workday (students off) October 13 April 6-10 Columbus Day (school closed) Spring Break

October 14 May 22 Teacher Workday (students off) Last Day of School

November 24-28 May 25

Thanksgiving Holidays (school closed) Memorial Day Holiday December 19 May 26-27 Last Day of First Semester Post Planning December 22 – January 2 Winter Holidays

*A detailed school calendar is linked to our school’s website at

family handbook - fulton county schools

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