PISGAH FOREST

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PARENT AND STUDENT

HANDBOOK2010-2011

Mike Bailey, Principal

Marie Dean, Lead Teacher

Transylvania County Schools does not discriminate with regard

to race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, religion,

marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, and/or other

characteristics protected by law.

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 provides, “No

person...shall, on the basis of sex be excluded from

participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to

discrimination under any education program or activity receiving

federal financial assistance.”

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provides, “No

otherwise qualified handicapped individual...shall, solely by

reason of his handicap be excluded form participation in, be

denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under

any education program or activity receiving Federal financial

assistance.”

The Title IX and 504 contact for Transylvania County Schools

may be contacted for further information at Rosenwald Lane,

Brevard, NC 28712. Office telephone (828) 884-6173.

Welcome

The staff of Pisgah Forest Elementary School welcomes you, whether you arenew to the school or returning. If there is anything we can do to help you or ifyou have questions, please feel free to contact the school at 877-4481. We areall looking forward to an exciting year.

INVITATION TO PARENTSWe need YOU to be involved.

Pisgah Forest Elementary School has many opportunities for students to learn andgrow. We are a school looking to the future with hope for great things for ourstudents and the community. It is for our students, your children, that wededicate our work. Without your involvement, a major part of our success wouldnot be possible. Please be involved with your child’s education. We havenumerous opportunities for volunteers. We also encourage you to have lunch,read and do homework with your child and communicate with the school.Parent-school partnerships mean successful learning and growing for children.Feel free to contact the school for more information about volunteeropportunities.

MISSION STATEMENT

Pisgah Forest will work together with parents and community to aid in the growthand development of all students, equipping them to become respectful,responsible, independent-thinking citizens, who are prepared for continuedlearning opportunities in life.

BELIEF STATEMENTS

1) We believe that all children can learn and achieve their expected learning goals.

2) We believe that skills and knowledge empower students to be independentthinkers and lifelong learners.

3) We believe that educational achievement requires accountability from students,staff, parents, and community using a multitude of human and financial resourcesto meet the needs of all students.

4) We believe that mutual respect between staff, students and parents willfoster a safe and positive learning environment.

TYPICAL SCHOOL DAYThe doors open for students at 7:45 AM. (See Before and After School Day Carefor additional information.) The warning bell rings at 8:05 and classes begin at8:10. A child arriving at 8:10 or later is tardy and must be signed in through theoffice. You will receive a schedule from your child’s teacher that shows whatyour child will be doing throughout the day, including lunch and specials times.The first bell for dismissal rings at 2:55 for first bus load and back lot car riders.The bell for walkers and side lot car riders (see Car Riders under Transportationfor additional information) rings at 3:00. The last bus load bell rings at 3:25.

ATTENDANCENorth Carolina law requires attendance in public school, private school orhome school for all students between the ages of 7 and 16. Children underthe age of 7 are subject to the public school attendance law as long as they

are enrolled in public school.LEGAL REFERENCES

The Transylvania County Board of Education is committed to enforcing the NCState Laws relating to compulsory attendance. These are:

GS 7A-561 Juvenile IntakeGS 115C-378 Compulsory AttendanceGS 115C-379-383 Methods of EnforcementGS 115C-391 Suspensions/ExpulsionsNCAE 6E.0100-0104

The Board believes that regular school attendance is one of the key factors relatedto school achievement. Responsibility for regular school attendance resides withthe parent/guardian and the individual student.

Attendance Defined

To be considered in attendance, a student must be present in the school for atleast one-half of the school day (11:30) or at a place other than school with theapproval of the appropriate school official to attend an authorized school activity.

Attendance Excuse

Local school systems (LEA’s) shall excuse the temporary absence of a studentupon a showing of satisfactory evidence (such as a parent or doctor’s note) of oneof the following basis:

1) Illness or injury prevents the student form being physically able toattend school.

2) The local health officer of the State Board of Health orders the isolationof the student.

3) The student is absent due to the death of a member of the immediatefamily.

4) The student has a medical or dental appointment or the school principalhas approved such an appointment in advance. In most cases or unlessthe student is ill these appointments should not cause a full dayabsence.

5) The student is party to or is under subpoena as a witness in theproceedings of a court or administrative tribunal.

6) The student has obtained prior approval from the principal to be absentdue to the observance of an event required or suggested by the religionof the student or the student’s parents.

7) The student obtains prior approval from the principal to take advantageof a valid educational opportunity, such as travel.

ALL absences count towards the 10 absence limit required by theTransylvania School Board attendance poliy.

Enforcement

Each LEA must enforce the state laws and regulations, which relate tocompulsory attendance. LEA’s may adopt rules, which allow teachers toconsider a student’s absences in the computation of grades.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REGULATIONS

Excused/Unexcused Absences

Absences shall be coded “excused” or “unexcused” as determined by theprincipal based on available information. Absences not defined as excused andabsences for which there is no explanation given shall be coded unexcused.Please send notes and/or verification for absences to school within two (2)school days after the student’s return to prevent an unexcused absence.Dental or medical appointments must have a doctor’s note to be consideredexcused. Parent notes are acceptable for illness. If a student accumulates 6 ormore unexcused absences, a warning letter will be sent to the parent or guardian.Letters will be sent to parents/guardians on the third, fifth, and tenth absences.The school social worker or School Resource Officer may contact parents orguardians as well.

Makeup Work for Student Absences

Students are expected to make up all work missed within the same number ofdays as the number of absences. The principal may adjust the deadline inextenuating circumstances. Parents are required to request prior approval foreducational travel at least five (5) days in advance to allow teachers to prepareappropriate makeup work. There is a form in the office that can be picked upduring school hours. Not all trips are educational and will not be automaticallyapproved. If an educational trip puts your child over ten days of absences, it willnot be approved. A student may take only one educational trip per year. Teachersare not required to prepare makeup work for a student who has an unexcusedabsence. Graded work not completed due to an unexcused absence will berecorded as failing except under extenuating circumstances determined by theprincipal.

Excessive Absences

Students exceeding ten (10) absences (excused or unexcused) in one school yearshall not be promoted to the next grade except by a determination of the principalupon review of the student’s record and /or gains derived from attendance lab orsummer school if they are available. It is to the parent’s advantage to send awritten excuse every time the child misses a day. Although medical notes are notrequired, a medical note will help in the decision making process neededconcerning attendance lab and/or summer school attendance if they are available.

Chronic Illness/Conditions

A doctor’s verification of an illness/condition that is likely to result in thefrequent absence of a student shall be placed in the student’s health file annually.

Tardiness and Early Dismissals

It is very important for students to attend school every day for the full day.Students who arrive at school after 8:10 AM or leave before 2:55 PM for medicalappointments or for other reasons should bring a note stating the reason for thetardy or early dismissal and give it to the office staff. Please come by the office,if you need to get your child before the end of the school day and sign your childout. Students will be called to the office once you arrive at school. (See PerfectAttendance Awards!)

Perfect Attendance Awards

Yearly Perfect Attendance Awards will be given to students who were not absentfor any reason and were tardy (morning or afternoon) no more than 3 times. Ifstudents are picked up before the school day ends, they will accrue an afternoontardy which will count against perfect attendance for the year. Monthly perfectattendance awards are given each nine weeks to those students who had noabsences or no morning/afternoon tardiness during the school month.

AWARDS

The awards program is revised on a regular basis by the Awards Committee toensure an opportunity to recognize as many students as possible. ROPE andcorporate sponsors fund the awards program. Parents are welcome to attend allassemblies.

BAD WEATHER

If school is on a two-hour delay, buses will run two hours later than normal. Theschool will open at 9:45 for car riders. Classes will begin at 10:00. If school iscanceled or delayed because of inclement weather, it will be announced on localradio, TV and the Transylvania County Schools information hot line (884-4157).Transylvania County Schools subscribes to an alert notification system to provideinstant notification for parents in cases of school closings/delays or otheremergency situations. Instructions on accessing the web site, updating yourinformation, etc. will be provided at the beginning of the year. There is a spaceon your child’s emergency sheet to let us know how your child is to go home ifschool is dismissed early. Please do not ask the school to call you personally. Inan early dismissal situation we do not have enough phone lines or time to do this.Please let your child know what he is to do on bad weather days.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE

The Before and After School Care program provides care for students (K-5) as aservice to working parents. It operates between 6:45 and 7:45 a.m. and fromdismissal until 6:00 p.m on regular school days. If school is dismissed before11 :00 a.m., After School Care will not be provided. The program is fullycertified by the NC Department of Human Resources. Your child must be pre-

registered before entering the program. Registration forms are available at PisgahForest Elementary School, 1076 Ecusta Road, Brevard. Parents must bringstudents in and sign them in for morning care in the cafeteria, and should enterthrough the side entrance at the cafeteria end of the school. Parents must come inand sign out their children in the afternoons.

CAFETERIA PROGRAM

Breakfast is free for all students at every school and is served from 7:45 until8:10 a.m.

Each day over 80% of all students enjoy lunch prepared by our Child NutritionStaff, or students can bring food from home. Students may not leave campusduring lunch shifts. Students may charge only two lunches on their accounts.Additional charges will not be accepted. Debts are paid in the cafeteria. Theftfrom the cafeteria will result in disciplinary action.

Free and Reduced Lunch applications are available on the web site(www.tcsnc.org). Click on, Departments, Child Nutrition, then Free ReducedLunch Applications. Completed forms should be faxed to 885-7395 or sent inhard copy to the Child Nutrition Department. All information remainsconfidential.

Lunch Fees: Lunch $2.25 Reduced Lunch $.40 Milk $.50

CHECKS

Personal checks are accepted by PFES, the cafeteria and by ROPE. There will bea $20 charge for any returned checks.

CLOTHING/GROOMING

All students, staff, and visitors are required to wear shoes on school grounds. Inselecting shoes and clothes, please remember physical education is taught two orthree times a week and students will be outside for breaks during the daywhenever the weather permits. Please dress your child appropriately toparticipate in outside activities. As a safety matter, students should not wearthick clogs or shoes with spike heels. Even on the days students don’t havephysical education, they have outside playtime and often walk or run the track.Please help us to avoid unnecessary ankle injuries or falls. Students are expectedto be modestly dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean and neat and is nota health or safety hazard to themselves or others.

The Board of Education prohibits clothing or grooming that, in the principalsjudgment may reasonably be expected to cause disruption or interfere withnormal school operation. School administrators reserve the right to monitor theappropriateness of student dress and grooming. Hats, other head coverings, and

sunglasses may not be worn in the building. Clothing displaying offensivelanguage, alcohol or tobacco symbols and/or illegal products are not permitted.All clothing should be comfortable but shirts with spaghetti straps, halter tops, orthat show midriffs or have bare backs are not appropriate. If a student is wearinglow-rise pants, shirts should cover the top of the pants. Short skirts or shortshorts are also inappropriate. As a rule of thumb, if students stand with theirarms at their sides, the bottom of the skirt or shorts should be below theirfingertips.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE (JHCC)A student diagnosed as having a communicable disease or a related conditionshall not be denied access to public schools unless it is determined that thestudent is too ill to attend school, presents a health risk to others, or otherwiseis denied admission by North Carolina General Statutes. In all cases of severecontagious disease (e.g., HIV/AIDS, HBV, HCV), strict adherence to controlregulations as defined by general statute and/or the North Carolina Departmentof Health and Human Resources, shall be required. All decisions regardingthe educational status of a student with a severe contagious disease shallfollow the steps outlined in the procedures adopted by the superintendent.Legal Ref.G.S. 115C-36; G.S. 130A-136, -142 and -143; 10 NCAC 7A.0209(d)(3); 10 NCAC 7A.0211

COMPUTER USEA copy of Transylvania County Schools’ Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) must beread, signed by the parent/guardian, and on file at Pisgah Forest ElementarySchool if a student is allowed to have internet access.

STUDENT CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR

Transylvania County Board of Education Policy

• Student behavior is expected to demonstrate respect ans considerationfor the rights of others.

• Every student has rights granted under federal and state laws.

• The responsibility for student conduct rests with the student and isshared by the parents/guardians.

A student’s behavior, whether it be in class, in school, on school grounds, at aschool-related function, or in the community, is of legitimate concern to schoolofficials if the behavior poses a threat to the well being of other students and/orschool personnel or interferes with the educational process. Any interruption ofthe educational process is serious and may warrant some form of disciplinaryaction. A copy of the Transylvania County Board of Education Policy JFC-R isavailable upon request.

Compliance with the Conduct/Discipline Policy is mandatory.

The possession or carrying onto school property of any weapon (including apocket knife) will result in expulsion or long term suspension and referral to

law enforcement authorities for possible criminal charges.

Behaviors that may result in expulsion or LONG-TERM SUSPENSION.Suspension (longer than 10 days)

(1) Acts causing material and substantial disruption to theeducational process.

(2) Willful and/or persistent disobedience and/or disregard ofschool rules.

(3) Use, possession, or sale of alcoholic or intoxicating beveragesor illegal use of any controlled substance.

(4) Assault or battery or threats toward school personnel, students,or any other person.

(5) Possessing, carrying, or using a weapon or anything that couldbe considered a weapon or dangerous objects-guns, knives,explosives, firecrackers, smoke bombs, razor, ice pick,slingshot, metallic knuckles, or any other weapon of like kindin keeping with the provisions of North Carolina Law (GS 14-269.2).

(6) Theft, attempted theft, willful defacement or damage to schoolor private property while under school jurisdiction.

(7) Bullying, harassment, or discriminatory behavior or language. Transylvania County Schools will not tolerate inappropriate behavior orlanguage which results in harassment, bullying, or discrimination based onrace, color, religion, pregnancy, political affiliation or belief, age, gender,national origin, physical or handicapping condition, marital or parentalstatus, participation in classes, sports or other activities.

Any student who believes he has been the victim of such behavior shouldreport it to the principal who will investigate and determine furtherappropriate action. The procedures for dealing with this are described indetail in Policy ACB-R.

All matters involving interpersonal human relations complaints shall remainconfidential.

Acts of retaliation against a student for filing a report under the provisionsof this policy will not be tolerated.

A student 18 years of age or the parent or guardian of any student facing seriousdisciplinary measures may request a hearing before the principal or assistantprincipal/lead teacher. Any disciplinary decision made by a school official maybe appealed.

These behaviors may result in SHORT-TERM SUSPENSION. Behaviors that may result in suspension for fewer than 10 days or corporal punishment.

(1) Disobedience and/or disregard of school rules.(2) Failure to identify oneself to a member of the faculty on request.(3) Failure to follow reasonable instructions of a staff member.(4) Use or possession of any tobacco product, a cigarette lighter, or

matches.(5) Profanity or vulgarity.(6) Disorderly, disruptive or dangerous acts in school buildings or

on school property.(7) Truancy or skipping class.(8) Persistent tardiness.(9) Bullying, harassment, or discriminatory behavior or language.

North Carolina Reportable Offenses:According to NC G.S. 115C-12(21), the principal is required to report thefollowing seventeen incidents of crime and violence to law enforcement and tothe State Board of Education:

1. Assault resulting in serious injury.2. Assault involving use of a weapon.3. Assault on School Personnel.4. Bomb Threat5. Burning of or attempting to burn a school building.6. Death by other than natural causes.7. Kidnapping8. Possession of alcoholic beverages.9. Possession of a controlled substance in Violation of the Law.10.Possession of a Firearm or Powerful Explosive.11.Possession of a Weapon.12.Rape13.Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon.14.Robbery without a Dangerous Weapon.15.Sexual Assault (Not Involving Rape or Sexual Offense).16.Sexual Offense.17.Taking Indecent Liberties with a Minor.

A copy of the complete policy is available in the office at Pisgah ForestElementary School and at the Morris Education Center. Related investigationswill be handled by law enforcement, not by the school.

CONFERENCES

Parents are encouraged to set up conferences with the teachers or the principal asneeded. Teachers are available before and after school and during their planningtime. Please call for an appointment so we can have materials ready for you toreview or to include other professionals as needed. Teachers are not available fordrop in conferences during the school day, so please schedule your conferenceappointments in advance.

COUNSELING PROGRAM

PFES has a full time professional counselor on staff. Her primary assignment isto assist students in adjusting to situations that interfere with the students' abilityto learn. This is accomplished through classroom guidance and group and/orindividual counseling. She will also assist parents and teachers in achieving thisgoal. She will contact each student in some capacity during the year. Her jobdescription is specifically addressed in NC Statute #8-53.4 (School CounselorPrivilege) which requires the counselor to keep confidential any information achild or parent may share. The counselor also serves as a child advocate and willhelp parents contact the appropriate agencies for additional help. She does not doindividual, long-term therapy.

COURSE CREDIT AND PROMOTIONTransylvania County Schools seeks to assure that student achievement ismeaningful and promotion and course credit accurately reflect each student’sability to handle material. Criteria for promotion and course credit incorporateperformance on classroom assignments and tests as well as achievement on NorthCarolina standardized assessments/tests. North Carolina expects students toachieve at least on year of academic growth every year the student is in school.Standardized end-of-grade and end-of-course tests have been carefullyconstructed to measure students’ progress and assess their ability to handle thenext level of material. Students, parents, and schools share the responsibility forstudent success.

Teachers at every school will strive to keep parents and students informed abouteach student’s progress throughout the year. Schools will have an interventionprogram to help students during the school year. All students in grades 3 throughhigh school will participate in End of Grade and End of Course testing. Successon these tests and in classroom performance are required for promotion andcourse credit. Students who do not meet the test standards will be given anopportunity to retest at the end of the semester and/or school year.

Opportunities for Students Not Meeting the Test StandardThe teacher shall confer with the parent/guardian of students not meeting teststandars. Parental contact shall be initiated within two (2) working days of theteacher’s receipt of test results. The teacher shall discuss (via telephone or inperson) with the parent/guardian the following options for grades 3-8:

• Retest with remediation (minimum of 5 hours and maximum of 10 hoursper subject test depending on individual student’s needs).

• Students who score within one Standard Error of Measure of a Level IIIafter the retest may be promoted by the principal if also passing teacherstandards with a C or higher.

• Waiver Review Committee to recommend grade retention, additionalremediation and retesting, or promotion for students not scoring within oneStandard Error of Measure of a level III.

Students participating in the above remedial option(s) shall be given theopportunity to retest on the designated retest day(s). A minimum of five (5)hours and a maximum of ten (10) hours of remedial instruction shall be providedbefore the first End-of-Course or End-of-Grade retest.Students who do not score at least a Level II on an End-of-Grade or End-of-Course test are not required to participate in retesting, but their parents mayrequest in writing to continue with retesting in order to meet the promotion orcourse credit standard. The parent(s) of a student who scores a Level II on andEnd-of-Course test, but whose class average is too low to eventually pass thecourse, shall request in writing if they wish to waive the remediation requirement;however, the student is still required to take the retest.Remediation and retesting for all End of Grade and End of Course tests will bescheduled during teacher work days and in the days immediately following theend of year. The dates and length of summer remediation will vary by studentaccording to the number of subjects being addressed. All summer remediationand retesting will be complete no later than the last week of June.

D.A.R.E.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program is presented to all grade levels.A local law enforcement officer, specially trained in drug education, will meetwith all students. The fifth grade classes receive an intensive program to assistthem in handling negative peer pressure and saying no to drugs. At the end of theprogram, the fifth graders who complete the program will participate in a specialDARE graduation.

DIABETES CARE PLAN

All parents/guardians who have a diabetic child and desire that their child beconsidered for a Diabetic Care Plan must submit a written request to the principalof their school. Packets of information regarding the process are available in eachschool’s office. If you desire additional information, please contact the school.

Policy requires us to have a form on file for each child indicating whether or notthe parent/guardian requests a Diabetes Care Plan.

EMERGENCY DRILLS

A monthly fire drill is required by law and is an important safety precaution. Aspart of this drill the fire alarm will be sound. It is essential that everyone,including visitors, leave the building by the prescribed route as quickly aspossible. Emergency exit routes are posted in each room in the building.Students should follow directions and remain outside the building untilinstructions are given.

Tornado drills are also an important safety precaution. Five consecutive longrings of the bell will be the signal to follow directions to nearest safe area.Students will remain in that safe area until further directions are given.

Code Red and Code Yellow drills are also regularly practiced. Teachers willreview with students the proper procedure for these drills. All visitors mustfollow the procedure according to the location in which they find themselves atthe time of the drill.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

Affords parents and students over 18 years of age certain rights with respect tothe student’s educational records:

1. The right to inspect and review student’s records within a reasonableamount of time.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational recordsthat the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate or misleading.

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable informationcontained in the student’s records, except to the extent that FERPAauthorizes disclosure without consent.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Educationconcerning alleged failures by the school to comply with requirements ofFERPA.

Complaints may be addressed to :Family Policy Compliance OfficeU.S. Department of Education400 Maryland Avenue, SWWashington, D.C. 20201-4605

FIELD TRIPS

Students participating in a school sponsored field trip must have a written fieldtrip permission slip on file prior to the trip. Permission cannot be granted over thephone. Trips outside the U.S. Shall not be sponsored or approved by the school.(Policy IICA, IICA-R)

FUND RAISERS

ROPE or student activity groups sponsor occasional fund raisers. You willreceive written information on these as they occur. Participation in fund raisers isoptional and it is completely acceptable for your child not to participate. If yourchild does participate, we ask that you assist in the fund raising. Students are notpermitted to sell items door to door to promote funds for school projects.

Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (as defined by USDA Dietary Guidelines)are strongly discouraged from being sold as the primary item of a school based orschool sponsored fund raiser.

GENERAL SCHOOL RULES

1. Students will respect and obey all staff members and volunteers.2. Students will respect each other.3. Students will walk safely in school and stay in designated areas.4. Students will not talk in any posted Quiet Zones.5. Students will dress appropriately. No head coverings and non-

prescription sunglasses will be worn in the building.6. Students will respect school property.7. Students will not bring weapons or dangerous objects to school.8. Students will not make threats.9. No electronic devices (hand held games, radios, CD or MP3 players,

etc.) are permitted on school grounds or on the buses. Exceptions willbe made only with prior approval from the principal or lead teacher.

GIFTED EDUCATION ACCESS STATEMENT

If you believe your child performs or shows potential to perform at substantiallyhigh levels of achievement when compared to others of his or her age, experienceor environment, or if you think your child exhibits high performance capability inintellectual areas, your child may need differentiated educational services beyondthose ordinarily provided by the regular education program. Contact TamiraCarbuhn, 877-4481, for information about the referral process and programoptions.

Transylvania County Schools’ gifted education document is a comprehensive K-12 plan that reflects the gifted legislation and the guidelines set forth by the StateDepartment of Education. The plan identifies and establishes procedures for

providing appropriate educational services to each academically or intellectuallygifted student. Copies of the entire plan may be viewed at PFES upon request.

GIFTS

Please do not send gifts, cards, flowers or balloons to your child at school. Westrive to protect learning time by keeping classroom interruptions to a minimum.If flowers or balloons are delivered, they will not be accepted.

HOME MADE FOODS FOR CLASSROOM OR

SCHOOL-BASED CELEBRATION

Due to the significant increase in food allergies and food-borne illness, onlycommercially prepared items with a list of ingredients shall be used forclassroom or school-based celebrations during the school day. (Policy JHCA:Student Wellness)

Ice cream is available for purchase by students on Fridays ($.50)

If your child brings a lunch to school, do not pack soft drinks or glass containers.Your child does not have access to a microwave.

All children will receive information to bring home to parents re: Free andReduced food programs. The Federal funding for many of our instructionalprograms is based on this information. Even if you need assistance filling out theform, please contact the school office or Carolyn Barton at 884-6173.

ILLNESS OR INJURY

If a student suddenly becomes seriously ill or is injured the parent/guardian oremergency contact person will be contacted to come for the student or to meetthe student at a medical facility. Please keep phone numbers forparents/guardians/emergency contacts up to date. Also be sure emergencymedical information (allergies, special conditions) is current.

If a parent/guardian or emergency contact person cannot be reached and thestudent needs to be taken to a medical facility, the family will be responsible forthe cost of services, including EMS transportation if deemed necessary.

No student will be taken home or sent home (in an emergency situation) unless aparent/guardian or someone designated by the parent/guardian is at home toaccept the responsibility for the student.

IMMUNIZATIONS Physicians may exempt students from immunizations for health reasons. Those

who object on religious grounds may also be exempt. Otherwise, within 30calendar days of the date of enrollment, all students enrolled in NC Public

Schools are required to provide proof of immunizations and medical information.Details of documentation are available on the school district web site(www.tcsnc.org/district_information/just_for_parents/initial_entry_requirements)

INITIAL ENTRY AND IMMUNIZATIONS

Students enrolling for the first time must present a certified copy of birthcertificate. Students transferring from another school system must also provide acompleted Educational Residency Affidavit/Disciplinary Status Affidavit form.

INTERROGATIONS OF STUDENTS (Policy JFG)The Transylvania County Board of Education will not prohibit law enforcementagents from attempting to question students at school if any of the followingconditions exist:

1. Parental Consent2. A court order involving the student(s)3. A warrant involving the student(s)

Any of the three stated conditions provide sufficient justification for lawenforcement agents to escort students to other locations for questioning. Shoulda law enforcement agent present a court order or warrant for a student, reasonableefforts will be made to contact the parents if they have not been previouslynotified.

INVITATIONS

The school cannot give out other students’ addresses or telephone numbers.Unless you are giving invitations to the entire class, please do not sendinvitations to be given out at school.

LEGAL CUSTODY

According to North Carolina law, both parents have legal custody of minorchildren, unless a court has decreed otherwise and either parent can pick up thechild or remove the child from school. If a parent has a custody agreement or acurrent restraining order against a person, it is imperative that the school hascopies of these orders immediately. Please let the SRO and/or schooladministrators know of any changes or extraordinary circumstances as soon aspossible.

MEDICATION

School staff may administer medication to students at school only if a doctoror parent/guardian/health care provider deems it necessary for the medication(prescription or non-prescription) to be given during school hours. The parent/guardian must make a request in writing on form JHCD-E1. Form JHCD-E1can be downloaded from the Board of Education Policy web site

under..............Board of Education, click on Policies and Regulations, SchoolBoard Policy Manual......or obtained from the school. Medications shall beadministered in accordance with the instructions on Form JHCD-E1. Amedication log will be maintained for each student receiving medicationadministered by school personnel. School personnel and the Board ofEducation assume no liability for complications or side effects of medicationwhen administered in accordance with the instructions provided by the parent/guardian/health care provider or doctor.

1.Prescription Medication must be in a container with a pharmacist’s label.2.Non-prescription medication must be in the original container.3.The parent/guardian must deliver medication to a school staff member. No medication will be transported on the school bus except in emergency.4.Medications must be removed from the school premises when medicationadministration has been completed. The school will dispose of medicationsleft more than two weeks after the completion date.

MESSAGES

Please be sure to let your child know how he/she is to get home daily beforecoming to school. Should you need to get a message to your child, call the officeand you will be connected to your child’s teacher’s voice mail. Please call priorto 2:30 to ensure your child’s teacher has time to deliver the message beforedismissal time.

Telephone calls to teachers during the school day disrupt instruction. Therefore,do not expect to reach your child’s teacher between 7:45 A.M. and 3:15 P.M.Telephone calls to teachers will be forwarded to the teacher’s voice mail.Teachers will return messages during the school day at their convenience.

PESTICIDE NOTICEStudents’ parents/guardians as well as school staff are entitled to notification and,to the extent possible, will be notified of the schedule of pesticide use on schoolproperty at least 72 hours in advance. This notification may be Instant Alerttelephone notice.

PICTURES AND YEARBOOKS

During the first weeks of school, a photographer will take pictures of eachstudent enrolled at Pisgah Forest Elementary School. The pictures are used incumulative folders and in the school year book. Pictures will also be for sale toparents. You are not obligated in any way to purchase pictures.

Yearbooks will go on sale in the early fall. Prices will be determined at that time.You may choose to make one full payment or two partial payments. You will begiven a receipt when you make your payment. Please keep this as your record ofpurchase. We order very few extra books. Therefore, if you do not prepaychances are very small that you can purchase a yearbook at the end of the schoolyear. Yearbooks will be distributed the last week of school.

PROJECT CHILD FIND The Division of Exceptional Children’s Services is looking for all children andyouth ages 3-21 with special needs. Many physically, emotionally, or mentallyhandicapped children may need help which they are not receiving. The first stepin helping these children is to find them. Contact Transylvania County Schools at884-3113.

RELEASE OF STUDENT INFORMATION

From time to time the Transylvania County School System makes informationabout school activities or students’ achievement public through local newspapersand/or other media, on the school web site, in yearbooks, or in printed programsat public events.

Published information about students can include name and/or photograph,school, grade level, participation in officially recognized activities and sports(height, weight for members of athletic teams), degrees, honors, awards, namesof student’s parents/guardians and community in which they reside.

Types of information:

� Newspaper releases of honor roll lists, announcements of student’soutstanding achievements, awards or scholarships; articles of interest to thecommunity about special activities or programs at a school; photographs inwhich students are seen and possibly identified by name

Announcements might contain school name, grade level of student, parents’name and community of residence. Example: “Johnny Smith, winner of theScience Award, is a fourth grader at Pisgah Forest Elementary School. He is theson of Mary and John Smith of Pisgah Forest.”

� Athletic programs and sporting events with lists of team members (height andweight for some sports)

� School yearbooks/annuals with students’ names, grade level, photographs � Programs for school plays or talent shows, graduation� Unidentified photographs of students in the newspaper or on the school

system web site.

Parents/Guardians may request that no information be released to the newsmedia, used on the web, or published in any form that will be distributed to thepublic. To do so, please request from your child’s school guidance office a formrefusing release of public information. Sign it and return it to the guidanceoffice within the first 20 days of school or first 20 days of the student’senrollment.

SEARCHES OF STUDENTS (JFGA)The Transylvania County Board of Education feels that students should be freefrom unreasonable search and seizure by school officials. School officials maysearch a student when a reasonable suspicion exists that the student has violated aschool rule or broken a law.

Since student lockers are school property, they may be inspected at any time.

Police Involvement: When law enforcement authorities have initiated the search,or are directly involved in the search, the search will be conducted under criminallaw standars rather than under the provisions of this policy.

STUDENT RIGHTS OF PRIVACY (JFJ)Student privacy interests shall be respected. Therefore, to preserve expectationsof privacy in the student’s personal and home life, the student shall not berequired to participate in the intentional solicitation, as a part of the instructionalprogram, matters relating to his/her personal life, those of his/her family, orhis/her status within the family.

TRANSPORTATION

Car Riders/Others

Car riders and walkers should arrive at school no earlier than 7:45 and no laterthan 8:10. Have children ready to unload when you pull up. Unloading carsshould form a single line until the area is reached where the line will become adouble line. Morning drop off for all car riders is in the back lot at the recreationdepartment parking lot. Staff members and the SRO will be on hand to assist withunloading. There should be no front of school car traffic in the mornings or in theafternoon until 3:45 or later due to bus traffic. There should be no sidelot/cafeteria drop offs in the mornings. Parent/guardians should walk studentsinto the cafeteria and sign their child in for before school care if arriving before7:45 a.m. Side lot is for faculty parking and faculty traffic only in the morningsafter 7:45, there should be no parent traffic or student drop off in the side lotunless before 7:45 and parents are signing children into before school care.

Each afternoon K-2 children report to back lot and 3-5 children report to side lotat the cafeteria entrance for parent pick up. If a family has children at both K-2and 3-5, all children should report for pick up at the back lot.

Afternoon car rider pick up for 3-5 children will take place at the side entrance tothe school. Drivers should enter the access road between Davidson River Schooland PFE. Please stay in a single line until the pick up area is reached, where twolanes for pick up will occur. Buses unload and load at the front entrance of theschool. Visitor parking during the school day remains in the spaces in front of theschool and visitors should still use the front entrance and sign in at the mainoffice before entering the main school building areas.

Students going home by car with another student must have notes givingpermission from both parents.

If children are not picked up by 3:20 p.m., we will begin calling those peoplelisted on the information sheets to pick up the student and/or the child willbe sent to the after school program. Parents will be responsible for any feesincurred.

At no time should cars be left unattended in the traffic lanes used forloading/unloading, or emergency vehicle traffic. If a parent needs to enter thebuilding, the vehicle should be parked in the designated parking areas for visitorsin the front of the building. Additional visitor parking is available in theRecreation Department lot. Davidson River School parking lots are for the use ofDRS students, faculty, and parents. Please be mindful of the fire zone areas inthe front of the school and do not park along the curbs in front of the schooland leave your vehicle unattended at any time during the school day anduntil after 3:45.

Parents must notify the school, in writing, when a child is to go home differentlythan normal. If your child is going home with another student, both parents mustsend in notes.

After the first week of school, parents are encouraged not to walk their childrento class in the morning or pick them up inside the building in the afternoon. Wetry to foster responsibility in students and have them become independent. Forthe general safety of our students and your children, we respectfully ask that youremain in your cars for pick up, and not enter the building to take your child asthey enter the lobby or hallways.

School Board Policy

The Transylvania County Board of Education recognizes the importance of safetyon school buses as related to student welfare and an efficient transportationsystem. Misbehavior in any form on a bus is a safety hazard and will not be

tolerated. Minor offenses will merit a warning, and repeated minor offenses orserious misbehavior will result in parent notification, punishment and suspensionfrom the bus. A student could lose bus privileges immediately for seriousmisbehavior.Misbehavior on the school bus includes pushing or shoving; putting hands, arms,or legs out the window; getting off at an unauthorized stop; indecent language;not keeping assigned seats; use of tobacco; boisterous and/or distractingbehavior; and eating or drinking on the bus.

Serious misbehavior on the bus includes fighting on the bus or at the bus stop,throwing objects, tampering with the emergency door or other bus parts, and anyother inappropriate behavior that creates an immediate dangerous situation. Thismisbehavior receives a three-day first offense suspension and the parents arenotified. A second offense warrants a five day suspension. A third offense willresult in a suspension for ten days. (Full policy available upon request).

School Bus Policy

Good bus riders are: on time, stand at the stops and do not interfere with traffic orother people’s property, cross the road only when the bus arm is extended(looking both ways before crossing), wait in turn to load or unload the bus, sit inassigned seats, remain seated while the bus is in motion, leaves bulky or largearticles at home for parents to bring to school, talks quietly, and keeps their handsto themselves.

Students who bring notes to ride the bus home with another student must get thisapproved in the office to assure there is room on the bus. Both students musthave parental notes.

TCS Board Policy EEAB-R requires all students riding buses to be at theirstops on time. Buses shall not wait for students who are not at the stop whenthe bus arrives.

Video cameras have been installed in all the county’s yellow buses.Infractions occurring on the school bus may result in suspension from thebus as well as school based discipline as outlined in the discipline section ofthis handbook.

TOBACCO FREE ENVIRONMENT POLICY GBK/KGCNo tobacco use is allowed in buildings, on campus, in school vehicles (orvehicles used for school related transportation), or at school sponsored events.No student may possess tobacco products, matches, or lighters.

VISITORSIn order to keep classroom interruptions to a minimum and to better managevisitors please read the following reminder. All visitors, parents, and guardianswait in the lobby. Do not go to individual classrooms unless it has been pre-approved for you to volunteer or observe. If items such as money, notes,messages, lunch, snack, books, etc. need to be given to a student, school staff willdeliver it to the student. Do not go to individual classrooms to pick up your childor to drop them off. Please wait in the lobby and your child will be brought downto you.

WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONThe use of electronic devices including but not limited to cell phones, laserpointers, paging devices, two-way radios, iPods, any device possessingphotographic capabilities, CD/MP3 players, electronic games, PDA, Blue Toothdevice, etc. can be a disruption to the instructional process and create a safetyhazard on a school bus. Elementary students may not bring wirelesscommunication and/or electronic devices to school.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE MEDICATION ADMINISTRATIONDURING THE SCHOOL HOURS

The policy of Transylvania County Schools is that school staff will administer nomedication during school hours unless deemed necessary by a physician or healthcare provider/parent and that person completes the administration form.

School staff will administer medication only orally, topically, or through abreathing treatment, such as a nebulizer or inhaler. Transylvania County Schoolswill comply with the provisions of G.S. 115C-307c which states that non-medicalpersonnel cannot be required to do medical procedures in the school setting.Injections will be administered only in cases of extreme emergency, such asallergic reactions or diabetic crises.

Prescription medication will only be administered from an appropriate container,properly labeled by a pharmacist, including pertinent dosage information for theschool situation. Non-prescription medication must be in the original container.No medication will be administered that is not properly labeled.

Parents/guardians are responsible for providing medication to schools inappropriately labeled containers, as listed above, along with necessaryadministration supplies. The medication will be delivered by the parent/guardianto a school staff member. No medication will be transported on the school buswith the exception of emergency medications.

Any student requiring medication administration during school hours must havethe back page of this form completed by parent and health care provider.

JHCD E-1Transylvania County Schools

Request for Medication To Be Given During School Hours

Please note important information on the back of this form

To be completed by the health care provider for prescription drug(s) and by theparent/guardian for over the administration of prescription drug(s) and/or non-prescriptiondrugs for more than three consecutive school days. Parent signature is required on thisform for all administration of medication(s) even self-medication for high school students.

Student name: ____________________________________________________________Last Name First Name Middle Initial

School: _________________________________________________________________

Medication and dosage: ____________________________________________________

Administration instructions: _________________________________________________

Significant information: ____________________________________________________

Dates for duration of medication administration: ________________________________

Health Care provider’s signature: _________________________ Date: ______________

Health Care provider’s phone #: __________________________ DEA # _____________

To be completed by parent/guardian:

I am aware of the Transylvania County Schools medication policies. I give my permissionfor the above named student to receive this medication during school hours. I understandthat the school undertakes no responsibility for the administration of the medication. Alicensed health care provider has prescribed this medication. I release the TransylvaniaCounty School Board and their agents and employees from any and all liability that mayresult from my child’s taking the prescribed medication.

Signature of Parent/Guardian:_____________________________ Date: _____________

Phone #: __________________________

PFES HandbookThe handbook is designed to give you and your child an overview of

the basic rules and regulations for the school and for Transylvania

County Schools. Please go over the handbook with your child, sign

and return this form to your child’s teacher.

_____ My child and I have gone over the handbook and have no

questions.

_____ My child and I have gone over the handbook and have

questions. Please have someone call me to discuss my questions.

Signed __________________________

Parent of ________________________

Thank you for your help. We look forward to a great school year.