student handbook 14-15

Tar River Elementary School

Go Terrapins! Student Handbook

2014-2015

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Tar River Elementary School 2642 Philo White Road Franklinton, N.C. 27525

Phone Numbers Office: (919) 528-2767

Fax: (919) 528-2774 Cafeteria: (919) 528-2791

Email Contacts

Receptionist Lisa Preddy: [email protected]

Principal:

Assistant Principal Erin Robbins: [email protected]

Counselor Brandi Jacobs: [email protected]

ECP Contact Sam Buckham: [email protected]

Teachers: Go to School System Website > Tar River Elementary > Staff

Nurse Cindy Newton: [email protected]

Student Information Data Manager Amy Lue: [email protected]

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Table of Contents

School Calendar 4 Title I: Family Involvement Policy 7 School Map 8 School Hours 9 Attendance/Absences 9 Make-Up Work 10 Tardy 10 Checking Students In/Out 11 Change of Transportation 11 Court Orders 11 Bus Riders 11 Car Riders 12 Bus Lot at Dismissal 12 Meals 12 Dress Code 13 Toys, iPods, etc. 14 Fees/Fines 14 Homework Policy 14 Internet/Intranet 15 Illness 16 Communicable Disease Prevention & Control 17 Immunization Policy 17 Medication 18 Dental Screenings 18 Student Information 18 Student Insurance 19 Flowers and Balloons 19 Hazardous Weather 19 Student Records (CUMs) 19 Report Cards/Grading Scale 19 Conferences 20 Achievement Testing: Local 20 Achievement Testing: State 21 Promotion and Retention 21 Behavior and Discipline 22 Inappropriate Behavior and Consequences 23 GCS Student Transportation Policies and Procedures 29

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Tar River Elementary School 2014 – 2015

Calendar of Events

August 21 Open House 4:00-4:30 pm, 4:30-5:00 pm, 5-5:30 pm, or 5:30-6:00 pm

25 First Day of School for Students 7:55 am – 3:10 pm

(Kindergarten is staggered over four days. Date of entry was mailed.) September

(Grade 3 Beginning of Grade English Language Arts/Reading Test will be given between the

11th & 15th day of the school year.)

1 Labor Day Holiday, No School

12/19 Back to School Dance

K-2 3:30-4:30 pm

Grades 3-5 6:00-8:00 pm

18 Title I Annual Meeting & Curriculum Night K-5

6-6:45 pm Title I Meeting

6:50-7:20 & 7:25-7:55 Classroom Rotations

23 Fall Pictures (Prepay)

24 Progress Reports

October 8 Ident-a-Kid Pictures 9:00 am

9 Family Night (ideas to use at home for all subjects)/Dinner 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

20-31 Bookfair

23-24 4th Grade Field Trip to the Mountains

24 Costume Dance

K-2 3:30-4:30 pm

Grades 3-5 6:00-8:00 pm

28 End of 1st Quarter

31 Okay for students and staff to wear costumes to school

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November 4 Teacher Workday, No School for Students & Parent/Teacher Conferences TBD

5-7 5th Grade Field Trip to Washington, DC

6 Fall Picture Make-up & Retake Day

11 Veterans Day Holiday, No School

26 Early Release Day 11:30 am

27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday, No School

December 3 Progress Reports


22-Jan. 2 Winter Break, No School

January 5 School resumes for students 7:55 am – 3:10 pm

22 End of 2nd Quarter

19 Martin Luther King Holiday, no school

23 Teacher Workday, no school for students


29 Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm

February 1 Winter Blues Festival 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

22 Father/Daughter Dance 5:00 pm dinner and dance begins at 6:30 pm

25 Progress Reports

March 19 Spring Pictures and Class Pictures

27 End of 3rd Quarter


30 – April 3 Spring Break, No School

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April 6 Teacher Workday, no school for students

7-11 Bookfair


9 Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm

29 Boosterthon Kick-Off

29-May 8 Boosterthon

May (EOG testing will begin at the end of this month for grades 3-5)

6 Progress Reports

8 Boosterthon Fun Run

15 K-2 Field Day 9:00 am start

22 3-5 Field Day 9:00 am start

25 Memorial Day Holiday, No School

June 9-10 4th Grade Field Trip to the Coast


11 Last Day of School for Students

17 Report Card Pick-Up* 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

* If you want the report card mailed, you must give your child’s teacher a self-addressed and stamped envelope (and all fines must be paid).

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We, the staff of Tar River Elementary School, believe that student achievement is dependent upon the number and quality of interactions among families, school, and students. Positive outcomes occur most often when true partnerships are established between home and school.

Title I services, in collaboration with the classroom teachers, offer eligible students additional opportunities to master the curriculum as stated in the North Carolina Common Core and Essential Standards.

We recognize that families are their child’s first teacher, and we will make every effort to complement, expand, and support the learning that takes place in the home. To do this we will provide:

Ø Curriculum Open House – activities will take place to explain and discuss the Title I Program, as well as, state and local expectations for achievement and promotion.

Ø Conferences – will be scheduled periodically during the year to inform

families of a student’s progress.

Ø Family Workshops/Materials – topics will cover curriculum areas, study skills, and family needs.

We will annually offer to families an opportunity to review the effectiveness of our program because we are committed to continuous improvement of all components of the school. We will strive to work together to solve problems and to upgrade the structure and framework of the school environment.

Please be a partner with us!

Tar River Elementary School

Title I Family Involvement Policy

2014 - 2015

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Map

Morning bell rings at 7:55, tardy bell at 8:00, & front doors lock at 8:00. Afternoon bell rings at 3:10 and front doors unlock during dismissal.

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Program Information

School Hours

Students must be with their parent/guardian or be enrolled in the Before-School Program if they arrive before 7:35 am. We cannot provide supervision prior to 7:35 am, except in the Before-School program. Breakfast is served from 7:35 am – 7:55 am. The bell rings at 7:55 am. Bus riders are dismissed at 3:10 pm. Car riders are dismissed at 3:15 pm. On an Early Release Day the bell for bus riders is 11:30 am and car riders is 11:35 am.

Attendance/Absences

It is the responsibility of the principal to enforce the provisions of the Compulsory Attendance Law. If violation of the law is suspected, the principal shall notify the county attendance officer. The officer shall conduct an investigation and work with the student and his/her family to analyze the causes and determine steps to eliminate the problem. The officer has the authority to report and verify, on oath, the necessary criminal warrants for the prosecution of violations of the Compulsory Attendance Law. When a student returns to school following an absence, he/she must bring a written excuse from his/her parent (or guardian) stating a reason for the absence. A telephone call or word-of-mouth will not substitute for the note. A physician’s statement must be turned in after an extended illness. The state computer system (PowerSchool) defaults all absences to unexcused. If a note is turned in to the classroom teacher on the first day of returning to school, the unexcused absence will be changed to an excused absence only if the reason for the absence fits the state criteria for an excused absence. If a note comes in after the first day of returning to school the absence will not be changed to excused. A student must be present at least one-half of the school day (11:30) in order to be recorded present for that day*. If a student is absent, the following reasons shall code the absence “lawful”: 1. illness or injury 2. quarantine 3. death in the immediate family 4. medical or dental appointments 5. court or administrative proceedings if the child is a party to the action or under subpoena as a witness 6. religious observances 7. educational opportunity (approval for such absence must be gained prior to the absence)

8. medically fragile (severe or life threatening physical condition) 9. suspension from school

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All other absences shall be coded “unlawful” or truancy. PowerSchool will automatically call all homes when a child is absent. The principal, in writing, will notify parents when their child has taken the third (3rd) and sixth (6th) unlawful absence. After ten (10) accumulated unlawful absences, the family members must meet with the Principal as well as other agency’s representatives from across the county. If a solution to the attendance problem does not occur then the district attorney will be notified or a complaint will be filed with the juvenile intake counselor. Accumulation of absences in excess of sixteen (16), whether lawful or unlawful, constitutes a valid reason for retention. * In order for a student to earn Perfect Attendance for the year, they must not be tardy or leave early any day during the year unless they have a doctor’s note.

Make-Up Work

Students lawfully absent from school will be given the opportunity to make-up missed assignments (work cannot be made up on unexcused absences); however, arrangements to make-up work must be made upon the student’s immediate return to school. It is not the responsibility of the teacher to remember to give students make-up work. All make-up work must be completed within two days for each day the student was absent. Students may get make-up work before returning to school if the absence is more than one day. Please call the school in the morning requesting the missed work. In order to protect instructional time, teachers will gather missed work during planning or after school only. Therefore, we require a 24-hour notice prior to pick-up.

Tardy

A student shall be considered tardy if (s)he has not reported to his/her classroom by 8:00.* Since our front doors are locked after 8:00, parents are not to drop students off after 8:00. When tardy, a parent must ring the doorbell, come in, and sign their child in at the office. The child will get a tardy slip to be admitted to class. A child is not permitted to sign him/herself in! If tardy, a parent/guardian may not escort the child to class. An excused tardy includes, but are not limited to the following: morning doctor or dental appointment; child was sick but felt better and wanted to come to school; loss of power at home; or car trouble on the way to school. An unexcused tardy includes, but are not limited to the following: child was tired from a late night activity; child refusing to come to school; car does not work (child could take a bus); or parent overslept. *If students are eating breakfast in the cafeteria in the morning, children should be dropped off with a reasonable amount of time for them to eat and dismiss from the cafeteria at 7:55

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am so that they may arrive on time to class. Students will be issued a tardy pass if they are in the cafeteria still eating at 8:00 am.

Checking Students In/Out

Students arriving or leaving from school any time during the school hours must be signed in or out of the school office by an authorized family member. No student may be picked up early after 2:30. Written permission is required for a student to leave the school grounds with anyone other than a parent/guardian. Please be prepared to have identification checked. For safety reasons, parents/guardians are not allowed to go to the classroom to get a child. You are to remain inside the office area and the staff will call for your child to come to the office. A parent/guardian should never remove a child from the bus line.

Change of Transportation

For safety reasons, changes of transportation must be in writing to your child’s teacher. We will not be able to make changes based on a phone call or a child’s word. A child will be sent home by their regular means of transportation if a written note is not received. In cases of major emergencies, such as parent is unexpectedly at the hospital, a phone call will suffice. The office staff will determine if the emergency warrants a change in transportation by phone.

Court Orders

If a child is only to be picked up by a custodial parent or guardian, a copy of the current court order must be on file in the school office.

Bus Riders

Students receive information regarding bus rules and regulations and the rules are also listed at the back of this handbook in the section on discipline. Please read this information to be familiarized with the policies. If you have any questions, please call the Principal or Assistant Principal. According to North Carolina General Statutes, riding a school bus is a privilege and not a right. Parents are responsible for getting students to and from school at appropriate times when suspensions occur. Students must not stay at home when suspended off a bus. State law requires attendance at school. Students must have a written note from a parent/guardian if they are to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop.

Car Riders

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Students are not to arrive at school before 7:35 (unless in Before-School) and should not be picked up before 3:15. Any student left at school prior to 7:35 or after 3:30 will not be supervised by an adult unless the Principal has approved the change in time. The instructional day should not be disturbed. We ask that you do not pick your child up early. Not only does your child miss out on instruction when picked up early, but you also take away academic time from all the other students in the classroom since the teacher must stop instruction to get your child ready to leave. Parents are to remain in their vehicle in a single file line. You will be issued a card with your child’s name and homeroom teacher. These must be placed visibly in your window. If you do not have a card, you will be asked to park and walk across to pick up your child. This is an issue of safety and we appreciate your cooperation. You will be told which pick up location number your child will be waiting at and a safety patrol member or staff member will bring him/her to your car along the front sidewalk. Parking along the sidewalk stops the movement of our dismissal line so is therefore not allowed. There are plenty of designated parking spaces if a family member wishes to leave their vehicle.

Bus Lot at Dismissal The bus lot on Tar River’s campus is strictly for the use of our school buses during the regularly scheduled school day (with exception of our Exceptional Children’s Program students who require handicap accessibility). Parents will not be allowed to pick up After School children before our car rider dismissal time via the bus lot. You will need to park in the front lot and walk into the building to sign out your child. Parents will also not be allowed to wait for their child in the bus lot while our bus students are leaving at the end of the school day to get their child from the bus line. All transportation changes are to take place through the front office and your child should be picked up in the carpool line during car rider dismissal. Adherence to these policies ensures the safety of our students during this busy transition time.

Meals

Breakfast and lunch prices are as follows:

Breakfast Lunch Elementary Full Price $1.00 Elementary Full Price $2.10 Reduced Price $0.30 Reduced Price $0.40 Adult Price $2.00 (or a la carte) Adult Price $3.50 (or a la carte)

Lunch consists of one entrée, one vegetable and one fruit or two vegetables, one bread and one milk. Additional items can be purchased: cookie ice cream milk

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$0.40 $0.75 $0.50 (when not purchasing a meal)

Checks are to be made payable to Tar River Elementary School Cafeteria. Please include the child’s name and lunch number when writing a check. Applications for free and reduced meals are available in the school office and should be returned as soon as possible. They were also handed out at our Open House. Charges: Our policy is that no student should go hungry due to forgotten lunch money. A student may charge to their lunch account up to $4.00. A student will not be allowed to charge if an account shows a balance of -$4.00 or higher. A lunch will be provided which consists of a sandwich (usually peanut butter and jelly) and a drink of juice. Breakfast and a la Carte (ex. ice cream and cookies) items may not be charged at any time. Ice Cream and Cookies: We would like for all our students to eat a well-balanced lunch. We encourage our students to take advantage of the opportunity to eat a nutritious, healthy meal that is provided by our school or bring a healthy lunch from home. Our school staff will discourage students from using their lunch money to make a meal of ice cream, cookies, and other snack items. Children need a well-balanced lunch in order to be productive and successful learners in the afternoon. Please help us communicate with your child about good eating habits.

Dress Code

All students are expected to dress neatly in clothes that are suitable for school. The following clothing items are not allowed in school: • thin-strap tank tops, off-the-shoulder shirts, short shorts or shirts/tops that expose

the midriff or chest areas or clothing which exposes a student’s undergarments will not be allowed

• shorts or skirts that are shorter than 4 inches above the knee • tight shorts (ex. biker shorts) • Hats, doo-rags, sweat bands, bandanas, scarves or other similar types of headgear

cannot be worn inside the building. This includes being tied around the leg or hanging out of pockets.

• Shoes must be worn at all times. Tennis shoes are required for participation in recess and Physical Education.

• Athletic attire will not be considered appropriate for regular classroom dress. • Jewelry, belts, chains, bracelets, or other types of accessories that pose a threat to the

safety of the student may not be worn during PE. • No apparel with letters, initials, symbols, or pictures that the administration or faculty

consider offensive to others. • No sagging of pants. Pants must be worn to the hip. No undergarments should be

exposed. • Mesh shirts must have t-shirts worn underneath. • The straps of a shirt cannot be thinner than the width of three fingers.

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The administration reserves the right to rule on appropriateness and acceptability. Inappropriate clothing must be changed either by the parent bringing a change of clothing or the student changing into clothing provided by the school

Toys, iPods, Etc.

Students must leave toys, trading cards, iPods or other music devices, electronic games, etc. at home. These same items are not allowed on the buses or in our Before or After School programs. Items will be collected and kept in the office until parents pick them up from the Principal. Many parents would like for their child to have a cell phone at school in case of an emergency. This is fine, however, the cell phone must remain in the child’s bookbag and be turned off as to not interrupt the instructional day.

Fees/Fines

All fees including day care costs, lost or damaged book fines, picture fees, and lunch costs must be paid on time. Failure to do so will result in action by the Principal to recover the money/item. Checks will be accepted as payment for fees, fines, fieldtrips, and fundraisers. If a check is written and bounces, no more checks will be accepted for the remainder of the year from that family. In addition, your check will be turned over to ChecXchange, a service who will electronically debit your account.

Homework Policy

Teachers are expected to give lesson practice or elaboration assignments each night school is in session, except Fridays. No homework should be assigned for weekends or holidays. Students (and all siblings) will be exempt from homework on evenings when we have a function at school, if they and/or their parents attend the event. Time and amount of homework varies by grade, however, reading should be assigned nightly. Homework is due on the teacher’s assigned due date for all students. The parent should send a note to the teacher if an emergency took place that prevented a child from completing their homework. The teachers will determine if the excuse warrants an assignment being turned in late for full credit. Example of an accepted excuse: had to go to the emergency room last night. Example of an unaccepted excuse: got home late from a ball game. When parents support their child’s schoolwork, children show more interest in school, learn more, get higher grades, learn to be responsible, score higher on achievement tests and succeed. Good habits that start in school can last a lifetime! Doing your child’s homework or giving them too much guidance demeans the value of the homework – for your child to do the critical thinking.

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We ask that parents do the following:

1. Set up a study area where your child can do homework each day. Choose the spot together. A good study area is quiet, comfortable for your child, well lit and properly supplied with plenty of paper and pencils.

2. Schedule daily homework times and see that your child sticks to them! 3. Although sports, clubs, and other after school activities are important, homework must take

a priority. Complete homework prior to going to other activities so your child will not be too tired to complete it later.

4. Be on hand, if possible. Try to schedule homework times when you can be around to monitor. If you cannot be present, set up a routine where homework is checked as soon as you get home for completeness and quality. You need to show your child that homework has importance – like a job.

5. Keep distractions to a minimum. Other siblings, loud noises, TV, etc can distract your child’s attention and make it hard for them to concentrate.

6. Team up with the teachers. Together, we can help your child put in a winning effort. • Regularly contact the teacher via notes, email (see the teacher’s

Web page), or set up a conference. • Attend Parent/Teacher Conferences. • Know what’s expected on the quality of homework produced. • Discuss any homework problems and check your child’s assignments

nightly. • Be sure to review papers and projects your child brings home. • Attend our Curriculum & Family Nights to learn about grade level academic expectations.

To Access The Teacher’s Web page: ⇒ Go to http://www.gcs.k12.nc.us ⇒ Click on the search bar “Select a School” at the upper left of screen. ⇒ Click on “Tar River Elementary.” ⇒ Click on “Teacher Webpages” located on the top bar. ⇒ Click on your child’s teacher name.

Internet/Intranet

Parent written permission is required before students are allowed to access the Internet. Parent permission is not required before using Intranet because students are only exposed to the information the teacher has previewed and saved to the local server. Acceptable Use: class assignments and academic research Unacceptable Use: • using someone else’s identity and password • advertising or doing business on the Internet • participating in any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the

Internet, or any of the agencies that are connected to the Internet

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• access or use of criminal speech, inappropriate language, violations of another person’s privacy, abuse of resources, copyright infringement or plagiarism, and violations of personal safety

• visiting inappropriate websites • performing unauthorized web searches • navigating to sites other than that which the teacher has assigned or deemed permissible

during instructional time, independent work, or free time • opening personal (home) email Consequences of Unacceptable Use: Parents will be notified. Users who use the network inappropriately will be provided with an opportunity to respond to the allegation before the network account can be revoked permanently. However, the account may be revoked temporarily until the charges are resolved. Administration reserves the right to revoke technology privileges for an amount of time appropriate to the student’s misuse.

Illness

FEVER Although variations occur, an elevation of the body’s temperature to 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7C) or above is generally considered fever and a possible sign of illness. Therefore, parent/guardian should be contacted to take student home under the following conditions: 1. Temperature of 100.5 degrees or higher. 2. Temperature of 100 degrees or higher when accompanied by other indicators of

beginning illness, such as: -Known exposure to communicable illness -Extreme malaise -Headache -Nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain. -Symptoms of upper respiratory infection

*Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever>100 degrees, with cough should keep away from others as much as possible, stay home, and not attend school or go into the community (except to seek medical care or for other necessities) for at least 24 hours after fever is gone without the use of fever reducing medication. ** Students cannot attend evening school events if they have left early or been absent that day due illness (e.g. attending a school dance).

LICE

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Anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, can get head lice. Head lice are passed from person to person by direct contact or on shared objects (combs, towels, etc.) Dogs, cats, and other pets do not play a role in the spread of human lice. Students found to have head lice will be sent home immediately for treatment. To keep this problem under control, parents should conduct periodic checks at home. The school should be notified if lice are found.

Communicable Disease Prevention & Control Students are excluded from school in cases of communicable disease. When a student is suspected of having one of the following diseases, it is the responsibility of the parent to take the child to their health care provider for verification and treatment before he/she can return to school. Chicken Pox: Student is excluded from school until ALL blisters have formed

scabs. Ringworm: Student is excluded from school until treatment is started. Scabies: Student is excluded from school until one treatment with prescription medication is completed. Pink Eye: Student is excluded from school until 24 hours after appropriate treatment has started. Impetigo: Student is excluded from school until appropriate treatment has started. Fifths Disease: Children with Fifth’s Disease should not be excluded from school

since they are not contagious once the rash occurs. Note: Pregnant women in contact with an infected child between three days and two weeks before the rash should speak with their doctor.

Immunization Policy

According to North Carolina public law, all students must be fully immunized before they may enter school. New students entering Granville County Schools have 30 days to present their immunization records to school personnel or be excluded from school. A student presently enrolled in the Granville County Schools must have a completed immunization record or be scheduled to complete it. If this is not the case, then the student will be excluded from school. ******FIFTH GRADERS………Students must receive a booster dose of DTaP (tetnus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine before entering the 6th grade or by age 12! Don’t forget to get your shot after you leave us but before entry to Middle School. Each incoming student should have the following:

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• 5 doses of DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) The last dose needs to be on or after the fourth birthday.

• 4 doses of polio If the third dose is on or after the fourth birthday -three doses will be accepted.

• 2 doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) First dose must be on or after the first birthday and the second dose before enrolling in school.

• 1-4 doses of HIB Not required after age 5. • 3 Hepatitis doses If born on or after July 1, 1994. • 1 Varicella If born on or after April 1, 2001.

Medication

All medication (prescribed and over-the-counter medication) should not be administered by any school personnel under any circumstances unless authorized in writing by the health care provider. Those individuals administering medicine must complete training each year. At no time will the school supply medication for students (e.g. Tylenol). Medication must be supplied by the parent to the office staff (do not give to a bus driver) and kept in a locked cabinet. All medication bottles shall be properly labeled with the student’s name, name of the medication, dosage, how administered, time administered, and physician’s name for prescribed medication. The school office must have on file a School Medication Form completed by the physician and signed by a parent before any medication (including over-the-counter medication) can be administered. Forms can be obtained in the school office or online at Granville County School’s Website. Students are not allowed to bring the medicine to school. Parents/guardians must bring the medicine to the school’s office and sign it in.

Dental Screenings As a part of our regular school preventive dental health program, the NC Oral Health Screening, Division of Public Health may conduct dental screening for children in grades K and 5.

Student Information

Notify the school’s PowerSchool Data Manager, Mrs. Lue, to change addresses, telephone numbers, places of employment, etc., as it is very important we have accurate student information at all times. Please have on file at school several emergency numbers at which you may be contacted. We must have proof of residency on any change of address (rental agreement, purchase contract, gas, electric, or water bill). If a student’s name is changed, we must have a copy of a new revised birth certificate.

Student Insurance

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Students will bring home information regarding student insurance at the beginning of the school year. Parents will contract directly with the company and not through the school.

Flowers and Balloons

Delivery of flowers and balloons to individuals in the school will be permitted after 1:00 p.m. Students may not take the items onto the school bus.

Hazardous Weather

Households will be called by our Connect 5 system to inform of delays or closings. It is very important that the school always has your current phone number, cell number, and email address as the Connect 5 calling system will contact all three. In addition, you can contact: WCBQ 1340 AM WHNC 890 AM WPTF 68 AM WIZS 1450 AM WDNC 620 AM WRAL 101 FM WRAL Channel 5 TV WTVD Channel 11 TV

Granville County Schools web page: www.gcs.k12.nc.us If there is a delayed opening, the Before-School Program will begin at 8:00 am. If there is an early closing or school is closed, the After School Program will be canceled. The Before/After School Programs will not operate if we have school on a Saturday (as a make-up day).

Student Records (CUMs)

Requests from parents who wish to review the cumulative record folder shall be made to the principal or the guidance counselor. When a request for review of records is received from a parent a review shall be scheduled. The appointment date should be as early as possible but never later than 45 days after the request was made (Board Policy #711). The inspection and review shall be made in the office of the principal.

Report Cards/Grading Scale

Students receive a report card at the end of each nine weeks. Grades given indicate an evaluation of the progress your child is making. Mid-way through each quarter a student shall receive a progress report. Refer to the school calendar at the front of this book for exact dates. Subjects on the report card for K-2 are rated on a 4 point scale:

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1 = Well Below Grade Level 2 = Approaching Grade Level 3 = Proficient 4 = Highly Proficient The report card grades of students in Grades 3-5 are calculated with percentages. The following grade scale applies: A = 100 – 93 B = 92 – 85 C = 84 – 77 D = 76 – 70 F = 69 or below

Please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope at the end of the school year, if you wish to have your child’s report card mailed to your home at the beginning of the summer.

Conferences

If you wish to have a conference with your child’s teacher, please make an appointment at least 24 hours in advance. Do not hesitate to call or email the teacher if you have concerns about what is happening at school. The instructional day will not be disturbed, therefore, if you call a teacher during teaching time, the front office will take a message and the teacher will contact you either during their planning time or after school. Please do not stop for an unscheduled “mini-conference” at the start of the school day. All teachers have been instructed to interact with their students immediately upon entering the classroom and not conduct hallway meetings.

Achievement Testing: Local

Reading: Every child in grades K-5 will be tested a minimum of three times per year following the required assessment guidelines as stipulated by Granville County Schools and the State of North Carolina. Every child in grades K-5 will be tested four times per year with a Granville County Discovery Education assessment. Math: Every child in grades K-5 will be tested four times per year with a Granville County Discovery Education assessment. K-2 will complete a Math Summative Assessment required by the State of North Carolina. Science: Every child in grade 5 will be testing three times per year with a Granville County Discovery Education assessment. CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test): Every child in third grade will take this test (usually in October). It assesses a student’s verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal skills. This test is primarily used for teacher information and AIG identification. More information will be provided by the AIG teacher.

Achievement Testing: State

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Beginning-of-Grade (BOG3): Standardized English Language Arts/Reading test given (between the 11th and 15th day of the school year) to grade three students to function as a pretest and a measure for growth reporting at the end of the school year following the administration of the EOG. End-of-Grade Tests (EOG): These test are given to grades 3, 4, and 5 in the areas of reading and math. Fifth Grade will also take a science EOG. These tests must be administered within the last 10 days of the school year. Achievement Level Ranges: Effective in the 2013-14 school year, the State now reports student proficiency using 5 achievement levels. Please note that a Level 3 identifies students who are prepared for the next grade, but do not meet the college-and-career readiness standard. Level 5 Denotes Superior Command of knowledge and skills Level 4 Denotes Solid Command of knowledge and skills Level 3 Denotes Sufficient Command of knowledge and skills Level 2 Denotes Partial Command of knowledge and skills Level 1 Denotes Limited Command of knowledge and skills

The EOG compares how much gain your child has made from their previous test (Grade 3 – BOG; Grades 4-5 – EOG) to their posttest (present end of year test). The state has determined the amount of gain your child must meet to reach their individual expected growth goal, but unfortunately do not inform us until July after the test has been completed. In other words, it is not “good enough” to meet the required proficiency of a Level 3, 4, or 5. Your child needs to make their expected gain. This test will be a factor for promotion in Grades 3 and 5.

Promotion and Retention

Students in grades K-2 MUST: 1. Perform at or above grade level on Granville County Schools’ K-2 Assessment/Report

Card (reading, writing, and math) in order to be eligible for promotion. Level 3 or 4 is passing.

2. Not miss more than 16 days of school during the year (excused and unexcused). If not…Parents will be kept informed of a child’s progress. A Personal Education Plan may be developed. If performance is still significantly below grade level then at the end of the school year retention is possible. A child performing below grade level two years in a row will be recommended for retention.

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Students in Grade 3 - New State policy (Read to Achieve – House Bill 950/S.L. 2012-142 Section 7A) was implemented in the 2013-2014 school year. A student must pass the English Language Arts/Reading EOG. If not, the following flowchart applies: 1. Take the Read to Achieve Alternative Assessment. If does not pass, then 2. Retakes the EOG. If does not pass, then 3. Enrolls in a reading summer camp.* At the end of the summer camp the student is

reassessed using the Read to Achieve Alternative Assessment. If does not pass, then 4. The student is placed in a fourth grade classroom, but will be retested during the school

year to determine if the retention label can be removed. * If a child does not attend the summer camp then they are automatically retained to a third grade classroom.

Students in Grade 4 MUST: 1. Have a passing grade (70 or higher) in English Language Arts and Math for the year. 2. Not miss more than 16 days of school during the year (excused and unexcused).

Students in Grade 5 MUST: 1. Have a passing grade (70 or higher) in English Language Arts and Math for the year. 2. Score a level 3, 4, or 5 on the EOG tests in English Language Arts/Reading and

Mathematics. 3. Not miss more than 16 days of school during the year (excused and unexcused).

Behavior and Discipline

School Goals: 1. To provide a safe and orderly environment for learning. 2. To foster cooperation among students and staff. 3. To promote independent behavior. 4. To promote respect and to protect the rights and property of others. The Big Do’s! 1. Work Hard! 2. Learn A Lot! 3. Have Fun! The Big Don’ts! 1. No Violence – Verbal and Physical 2. No Drugs and Alcohol 3. No Disrespect (self and others) We have implemented a “Positive School Climate Program” called Time To Teach. This program involves teaching expected behaviors to students, rewarding those who follow those behaviors and holding those accountable who misbehave. Your child may use the

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term REFOCUS. This is when he or she has chosen not to follow expected behaviors, and when we have asked him or her to tell us how might have been a better way to act. Thus, we are helping them to become responsible citizens and promoting independent thinking skills. When a child is in REFOCUS he/she will be seated in a quiet area (either in their classroom or another teacher’s classroom), asked to think about their inappropriate behavior, and to come up with a positive alternative. They may do this orally (Kindergarten) or on a written REFOCUS form. If your child has been to REFOCUS, it does not mean that they have been bad. It means that they are trying to identify those behaviors, which were beginning to affect their academic performance. There are, however, some behaviors, which require immediate intervention. We will never use REFOCUS with such behaviors. More severe consequences will be applied as outline in the next section of this handbook.

Inappropriate Behavior and Consequences

Maintaining discipline and an orderly climate in our public school is essential for teaching, learning, and proper child development. We stress that the individual student is responsible for his/her behavior. Any assignment of In-School Suspension (ISS) should be immediate for Kindergarten (due to attention span toward inappropriate behavior) and the next day for grades 1-5. This wait period is to allow teachers the time to gather work for the ISS stay. An ECP (Exceptional Children’s’ Program) child must be pulled out of ISS for their allotted time with the resource teacher. Rule 1: Compliance with Directions (Disruptive Behavior) Teacher should first ask the questions: Can I teach? Can the student learn? Can other students learn? If any of these questions are answered “no” the child needs to refocus.* The teacher should always maintain a calm, matter-of-fact demeanor. Refocus is not a punishment, but rather a time to reflect on one’s actions so that one may act more appropriately the next time. Students should not rush through this process. Reflections that respond to who, what, when, where, and why statements are valuable and mandatory.

• Three Refocuses in One Day: Two refocuses within one day is all that is allowed (all staff combined). If a student gets a third refocus within the same day, a referral should be written to the office for (K) ½ day ISS and (1-5) 1 day ISS.

• Five Refocuses in a Week: Five refocuses within a week (Monday – Friday) will have the consequence of the student being assigned to Wednesday Academy (3:20-4:05). The refocuses (3 in the same day) in which a student goes to ISS does not count towards Wednesday Academy due to Double Jeopardy ruling. If a student does not report to Wednesday Academy, ISS will be assigned for the next day.

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• Wednesday Academy 3 out of 4 Weeks: If a student goes to Wednesday Academy

3 out of 4 weeks, a conference must be called including parent, child, teacher(s), administrator, and counselor. A contract should be developed for the student that will be in effect for two months. The contract should stipulate that the student should have no more than 2 refocuses within a week. After two weeks, the contract should be evaluated. If the student is successful, the process should continue. If progress has not been made, the people mentioned above shall reconvene. Student shall not go to Wednesday Academy, but be assigned ISS for 1 day (1/2 day for Kindergarten). After two months of success with the contract, the committee should reconvene. The student, parents, and teacher(s) should be praised for their hard work and the student will be released from the contract.

*If behaviors are extreme, the classroom teacher will determine if a discipline referral to the office is appropriate.

Rule 2: Disruption of School

Without Resulting in Violence (Disruptive Behavior)

• Consequence: Referral to the office and/or counselor. Office staff will transfer student to the time-out room for a “cooling down period’. Person in charge will judge when a student is calm enough to go back to class. If longer than 30 minutes, parent will be notified.

With Physical Contact without Intent to Injure (Aggressive Behavior)

• Kindergarten Consequence: 1/2 day ISS, parent notified • Grades 1 – 5 Consequence: 1 day ISS, parent notified

Resulting in Violence with Intent to Injure (Fighting)

• Grades K - 3 Consequence: Sequential Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) (1 day, 2 days, 3 days…), parent notified

• Grades 4 - 5 Consequence: OSS suspension (1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 10 days, recommendation for long-term), parent notified

Disrespect to Authority – Willful Defiance (Insubordination)

• First Offense: o Kindergarten Consequence: 1/2 day ISS, parent notified o Grades 1 – 5 Consequence: 1 day ISS, parent notified

• Further Offenses: o Sequential OSS (1 day, 2 days, 3 days, etc.), parent notified

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Skipping Class/Leaving Classroom Without Permission/Being in a Location Other Than Where Instructed to Be (Skipping Class)


• Further Offenses o 1 day OSS, parent notified

Making Noises/Acting Out (Disruptive Behavior)

• First Offense: Referral to the office and/or counselor. Office staff will transfer student to the time-out room for a “cooling down period’. Person in charge will judge when a student is calm enough to go back to class. If longer than 30 minutes, parent will be notified.

• Further Offenses: o Kindergarten Consequence: 1/2 day ISS, parent notified o Grades 1 – 5 Consequence: 1 day ISS, parent notified

Horseplay Resulting With Contact (Disruptive Behavior)

• Kindergarten Consequence: 1/2 day ISS, parent notified • Grades 1 – 5 Consequence: 1 day ISS, parent notified

Cursing and Abusive Language (Inappropriate Language/Disrespect)


• Further Offenses: o Kindergarten Consequence: 1/2 day ISS, parent notified o Grade 1: 1 day ISS, parent notified o Grades 2 – 5 Consequence: 1 day ISS, parent notified

Abusive Language in Regards to Race/Religion/Handicapping Condition (Harassment – Verbal)

• Each Offense: Sequential OSS (1 day, 2 days, 3 days, etc.), parent notified Uncivil (Rude) Manner at Extracurricular Activity (Disruptive Behavior)

• Each Offense: o Kindergarten Consequence: 1/2 day ISS, parent notified o Grades 1 – 5 Consequence: 1 day ISS, parent notified o In addition, student may be excluded from the next extracurricular

activity at the discretion of administration.

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Improper Literature/Illustrations (Inappropriate Items on School Property) • First Offense

o Item confiscated, parent notified o Grades 2-5 will also include 1 day ISS

• Further Offenses: o Kindergarten Consequence: ½ day ISS, parent notified o Grade 1: 1 day ISS, parent notified o Grades 2-5: 1 day OSS, parent notified

Improper Usage of Technology (see page 7)

• First Offense: o Conference with administration, parent notified

• Further Offenses: o Loss of technology use: Duration will be determined by the severity

of the misuse of technology

Disruption of ISS (Disruptive Behavior) • All Offenses: Sequential OSS (1 day, 3 days, 5 days, etc.), parent notified

Rule 3: Assault with a Weapon

Assault involving use of a weapon

• All Offenses: OSS suspension, referral to counselor, parent notified, notification of police, and possible recommendation to Board of Education for long term suspension.

Rule 4: Threatening Acts (Communicating Threats) To Another Student – Threaten to do Bodily Harm or Extortion

• First Offense: o Kindergarten Consequence: 1/2 day ISS, referral to counselor, parent

notified o Grades 1 – 5 Consequence: 1 day ISS, referral to counselor, parent

notified • Further Offenses:

o Sequential OSS (1 day, 2 days, 3 days, etc.) with possible recommendation to the Board of Education for long term suspension

To Another Student - Threaten to Kill, Threaten to Bring a Gun or Another Weapon to School to do Harm

• First Offense: o Kindergarten Consequence: 1/2 day ISS, referral to counselor, parent

notified

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o Grades 1 – 5 Consequence: 1 day ISS, referral to counselor, parent notified

• Further Offenses: o Sequential OSS (1 day, 2 days, 3 days, etc.) with possible

recommendation to the Board of Education for long term suspension.

To a Teacher – Including Verbal, Written, or Physical Harm • First Offense:

o All Grades: 3 days OSS, referral to Family Counseling, parent notified • Second Offense:

o All Grades: 10 days OSS, parent notified, recommendation to the Board of Education for long term suspension, police notified

Rule 5: Weapons Possession of a Weapon (Not a Gun or Explosives)

• First Offense: o Grades K-2 Consequence: 1 day OSS, referral to counselor, parent

notified, police notified o Grades 3-5 Consequence: 3 days OSS, referral to counselor, parent

notified, police notified • Second Offense:

o All Grades: Sequential OSS, referral to counselor, parent notified, police notified

Communicating a Threat with a Weapon (Not a Gun or Explosives)

• First Offense: o All Grades: 5 days OSS, referral to counselor, parent notified, police

notified • Second Offense:

o All Grades: 10 days OSS, referral to counselor, parent notified, police notified, recommendation to Board of Education for long term suspension.

Possession of Firearm

• First Offense: o All Grades: 10 days OSS, referral to counselor, parent notified, police

notified, recommendation to School Board for long term suspension. Rule 6: Theft/Vandalism (Theft/Property Loss or Damage)

• First Offense: o Kindergarten: ½ day ISS, restitution, parent notified, referral to

counselor

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o Grades 1 – 5: 1 day ISS, restitution, parent notified, referral to counselor

• Further Offenses: o All Grades: Sequential OSS (1 day, 2 days, 3 days, etc.), restitution,

parent notified, referral to counselor Rule 7: Tobacco (Possession of Tobacco)

• First Offense: o Kindergarten: ½ day ISS, parent notified, referral to counselor o Grades 1 – 5: 1 day ISS, parent notified, referral to counselor

• Further Offenses: o All Grades: Sequential OSS, parent notified, referral to counselor

Rule 8: Drugs/Alcohol (Possession of Alcohol/Use of Alcohol/Possession of

Marijuana/Possession of Controlled Substance/Use of Controlled Substance)

• First Offense: o 10 days OSS, parent notified, police notified, referral to Family

Counselor plus the student will be required to undergo a substance abuse assessment and comply with the recommendations set forth by the substance abuse professional and school administrator. Failure to comply with the requirements shall result in automatic suspension for the remainder of the school year.

Rule 9: Cheating and Plagiarism (Honor Code Violation)

• First Offense: o All Grades: Grade of zero on assignment/test, parent notified

• Further Offenses: o Kindergarten: ½ day ISS, parent notified, referral to counselor o Grades 1 – 5: Sequential ISS (1 day, 2 days, 3 days, etc.), parent

notified, referral to counselor Rule 10: Sexual Harassment/Harassment Verbal and/or Gestures

• First Offense: o Kindergarten Consequence: ½ day ISS, parent notified, referral to

counselor o Grades 1 – 5 Consequence: Sequential ISS (1 day, 2 days, 3 days,

etc.), parent notified, referral to counselor • Further Offenses:

o All Grades: OSS, parent notified, referral to counselor, possible recommendation to Board of Education for long term suspension

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Physical Contact • First Offense:

o Kindergarten Consequence: ½ day ISS, parent notified, referral to counselor

o Grades 1 – 5 Consequence: Sequential ISS (1 day, 2 days, 3 days, etc.), parent notified, referral to counselor

• Further Offenses: 1 o All Grades: 10 days OSS, parent notified, referral to counselor,

notification of police, possible recommendation to the Board of Education long term suspension

Rule 11: Selling or Trading of Toys, Cards, Electronic Equipment, Etc. On Campus

or the Bus (Inappropriate Items on School Property) • All Offenses (Buyer and Seller):

o Kindergarten Consequence: Return of money/item, ½ day ISS, parent notified

o Grades 1 – 5 Consequence: Return of money/item, 1 day ISS, parent notified

Reminder: A student may not be involved in/attend any extra-curricular school function (assembly, field trip, dance, field day, etc.) on the same day they are in ISS or OSS. See Granville County Schools Code of Conduct booklet for further details.

GCS Student Transportation (Bus) Policies and Procedures

The first concern of the Transportation Department is to transport each student to and from school safely. Our safety record in Granville County is excellent and by working together, we can maintain that record. Riding a school bus is a privilege and not a right. All student riders are subject to the laws, rules, and regulations set by the state of North Carolina and the Granville County Board of Education and are expected to abide by them. In order to provide a safe bus ride every day, students must take their responsibility for following bus safety and proper conduct rules seriously. Student Safety Rules Include:

• Students must be on time at the bus stops. Buses cannot wait for students. • Keep your hands, head, etc. inside the bus at all times. • Leave the bus only with the bus driver’s permission. • Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and the stop arm and crossing bar to open

before getting on or off the bus. • Cross the road in front of the bus only. Look both ways.

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• Always enter and leave the bus by the front door except in case of emergency. • Wait at the proper bus stop and never enter the roadway while waiting for the bus. • Students may only ride their assigned bus and will be picked up and allowed to depart

only at their designated bus stop unless they have written permission to do otherwise from their parents or guardians and permission from the principal.

Student Rules for Bus Behavior Include:

• Follow all Granville County Schools’ rules for student conduct and all directions given by the bus driver.

• Stay in your seat at all times. • Respect the driver and fellow passengers. • Keep your voice at a normal conversational level. • No use of a cell phone is permitted on the bus except in an emergency as determined by

the driver. • No chewing gum, eating, drinking, or smoking on the bus.

Consequences For Inappropriate Bus Behavior (Bus Misbehavior) Students choose whether or not to follow the rules. If a student chooses to break the rules, the consequences are as follows: 1st report of misconduct = verbal warning from the driver

2nd report of misconduct = written notice or a phone call to the parent or guardian from the Principal 3rd report of misconduct = 3 day suspension from the bus* 4th report of misconduct = 5 day suspension from the bus* 5th report of misconduct = 10 day suspension from the bus* 6th report of misconduct = loss of bus privileges for the remainder of the school year*

* Bus suspensions include all GCS buses: yellow buses or activity buses used for fieldtrip. The following behaviors include but are not limited to actions, which will result in an automatic suspension from the bus:

• Fighting • Tampering with safety equipment • Interfering with the safe operation of the bus • Profanity or threatening remarks • Disrespectful behavior • Opening or leaving through the emergency door unless required by a true emergency • Damaging the school bus – Damaging a school bus will also result in a minimum $35.00

fine. This fine must be paid before a student is allowed to ride the bus again. • Any act that compromises the safety of the student and/or the other passengers and bus

driver.

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Family members and guardians are reminded that it is unlawful for non-riders, including family members or guardians to step onto a bus. Only Tar River Elementary students may be on and ride our buses. If a student is suspended off of the bus, it is the parents’ responsibility to get their child to school. The principal must follow attendance policy and law if a child misses school. A child cannot be dropped off before 7:35 or picked up after 3:30. If a parent is unable to meet these times, Before School and After School programs are available.

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We are looking forward to a great year!!

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student handbook 14-15

Documents