| Student Handbook |
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Notice to Parent/Guardians and Eligible Students of Rights SCHOOL POLICIES In order to gain a better understanding of certain phases of the school program, a statement of school policies is published from time to time. Policies may change as the need arises. When all persons abide by the policies, there is less misunderstanding and more efficiency in the smooth operation of theschool. Often little things contribute to the harmony and well being of all concerned in school operations. PLEASE ASSIST IN CARRYING OUT THESE POLICIES. Hall County Board of Education policies take precedence over school policies. Copies of board policies are available for review in the media center, the principal’s office, and the central office of the Board of Education. Attendance, Absences and Tardies A. A written excuse, signed by the parents, is required for each absence from school. The nature of the absence determines whether it is excusable. Work missed due to an excused absence may be made up according to Board of Education policy. B. Excused absences include the following: 1. Illnesses 2. Family emergencies 3. Pre-arranged doctor and dentist appointments 4. Authorized school activities 5. Special and religious holidays observed by the student’s faith 6. Conditions rendering school attendance impossible or hazardous to child’s health C. Unexcused absences include the following: 1. Absences from school with or without parents’ consent for reasons other than those considered excusable 2. Leaving school during school hours D. No child can receive an adequate education with chronic absences. Students are encouraged to attend school every day. E. Attendance at school is strongly encouraged. If a student has seven unexcused absences, his/her name will be reported to the school counselor. If a student misses more than ten (10) days, parents will be requested to have a conference with the school social worker. F. Tardiness occurs when a student arrives after 7:50 a.m. Children who are tardy should check in with the office before reporting to the classroom so their names may be removed from the absentee list. Persistent check-outs and tardies (more than 10) will result in a referral to the school counselor and possibly the school social worker. Accidents A. In spite of precautions and close supervision, accidents will occur. In case of accidents, the parents will be notified when possible. B. First aid will be administered and an accident report documented. C. In case of serious accident, action will come at the direction of the parents, if they can be contacted. D. In the event parents cannot be located and the accident constitutes an emergency, the child will be taken to After-School Care – YMCA A. We have an after-school program for our students. Cost to be determined by the YMCA. The time is 2:20 - 6:00 p.m. The after-school program runs concurrent with the students’ school calendar. Registration is required. This program is provided through the Arrival A. The school day begins at 7:48 a.m. Students should be in the classroom at 7:48 a.m. in order to not be counted tardy. B. Due to heavy car rider traffic in the mornings, it is suggested that you try to arrive prior to 7:35 a.m. to avoid long waits and the possibility of being tardy. C. The doors will not be open to the school building until 7:00 a.m. No one is on duty before this time. Breakfast will begin serving at 7:10 a.m. D. Any student arriving after 10:50 a.m. will be counted absent. E. Excessive unexcused tardiness will be reported to the school counselor and a possible referral to the school social worker. Athletics A. Teams in the various sports are sponsored by the B. The Booster Club administers the local program by providing coaches, equipment and leadership for all the teams in the C. Questions relative to this program should be directed to the D. If you choose for your child to participate in the Clubs/Extra Curricular Activities Clubs are scheduled to meet during Early Dismissal days during the school day to give every student an opportunity to participate. Dues will not be requested, however, for the success of the programs, donations are encouraged and will be accepted. There are extra-curricular activities that will meet after school and not during clubs: Chorus and Drama. The only exception will be the Junior Master Gardener club. It will meet both during Club Days and after school. Discipline A. The Hall County Code of Conduct will apply to all students in the Hall County School System. B. Our basic school rules are: 1. Respect one another, others’ property, and school property (keep school clean). 2. Walk on the right side of the hallway, hallways are quiet zones. 3. Be polite and have good manners. 4. Be prepared and do assignments. Dismissal A. Children will not be dismissed early except in cases of emergency. B. Any student departing before 10:50 a.m. will be counted absent. C. All check-outs will be made through the school office. D. No child will be permitted to leave early without written permission from the parent. E. No student will be released from the classroom unless: 1. The teacher is notified by intercom that the child is to check out 2. The school secretary or an aide physically calls for the child 3. The principal releases the child by written permission/note F. School dismissals due to inclement weather or other emergencies will be announced as soon as possible on all local radio stations. G. In the event that schools are closed during school hours, students and parents should have an understanding, in advance, of what they should do and where they should go to insure proper care and supervision. H. Daily dismissal time is 2:20. I. Students checking out must do so prior to 2:05 p.m. or wait until car riders are released at 2:20 p.m. J. It is encouraged that children have a house key available in the event that a mistake occurs regarding bus transportation. K. Any changes in afternoon transportation must be submitted to the office prior to 1:45 p.m. by either a written notice or phone call. Dress Code A. Students are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather conditions. B. Students are expected to observe the rules governing cleanliness, neatness, good grooming, and good taste in daily attire. C. The following guidelines have been established concerning student dress: 1. Shoes must be worn at all times. Tennis shoes must be worn for P.E. days. 2. Halter-tops, midriff tops or spaghetti straps are not to be worn. 3. Shirts with improper suggestions or advertising of any alcoholic drink or illegal substance will not be allowed at school. 4. Hats may not be worn in the building. 5. Gang related attire may not be worn. 6. No “Heelies” (shoes with wheels) will be allowed. D. Students inappropriately dressed for school may be sent home to be properly attired, or may ask parents to bring a change of clothes to the school. E. No form of body piercing will be allowed (except for earrings). Tattoos must be covered. F. Shorts and skirts should be appropriate length. Finger tips must touch hemline. G. Undergarments should never be exposed at any time. H. Administration reserves the right to use discretion for appropriate dress. Grading Policy/Standards-Based Report Cards Hall County Schools will be implementing a Standards-Based Report Card for grades K-3. What you will find different about the report cards in grades 1- 3 is that they do not report students’ progress with traditional grades. Rather, you will see on the report cards the standards each student is expected to master in each grade level and a rating of how the student is progressing at each progress reporting period. The ratings are numbers one, two, three, or four for each standard. Corresponding explanations for each number appear at the top of the report card. The numbers represent progress attainment for the student during the current reporting period, stating that the student has made little progress, inconsistent progress, grade-level progress, or exceeding progress. The Kindergarten report card will reflect the same measures as the Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS). These numbers should not be looked upon as grades. They are indications of how students are performing at a particular point in time. With a standards-based curriculum, standards should be met by the end of the school year, not at the end of a reporting period. Additionally, all standards may not be assessed every reporting period; therefore, when you receive the report cards at the end of each reporting period, there may be some standards that are not scored. Seven schools in Homework A. Your child will have homework assignments to do quite frequently. This does not mean assignments will be made in every subject every night. When your child does not have a specific assignment, he/she would benefit from reading any type of appropriate materials. B. Homework will serve to reinforce materials already explained in class and will serve to follow-up lesson presentations. Homework will also serve to teach a child responsibility. He/she is responsible to do the homework, bring it to school, and turn it in to the teacher. C. If your child is having extreme difficulty with homework, or if it is taking more than the following guidelines (K – 15 minutes, 1st – 15-20 minutes, 2nd – 30 minutes, 3rd – 30 minutes, 4th – 30-45 minutes, 5th – 45 minutes-1 hour) to complete homework, he/she may be placed in the wrong level or may have developed poor study habits. If you feel this is a problem, please contact the teacher. D. No homework assignments are made on the weekend except when a child needs to complete assignments not completed during the week. shows that reading is a powerful means of developing literacy, of devloping reading comprehension ability, writing style, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling. Your child will be required to read a certain number of minutes per week, which will be documented. He or she may read anything, and we encourage them to read a variety of materials. Below is a list of different types of materials (genres) your child may choose to read. Please make sure to list books/materials read and the amount of time spent reading. Initial your child’s folder each time they read. If your child reads while under someone else’s supervision, that adult should sign the folder. Thank you for supporting our efforts to help your child and for making reading an important part of your child’s education. *Students who meet their individual reading goals will be rewarded with Field Day activities at the end of the year.* Immunization/Communicable Diseases A. Students new to the Hall County School System must present a birth certificate, a social security card and a properly completed immunization certificate before they will be allowed to enroll in school. B. Any currently enrolled student who does not have an adequately documented immunization certificate on file may be asked to withdraw from school until such a certificate is obtained. C. Parents are responsible for maintaining adequate immunization records. D. Parents should immediately report the health status of their child to the school nurse if a physician diagnoses a communicable disease. Instructional Interruptions A. Deliveries of flowers, candy, or balloons to students are not permitted. Such interruptions may disrupt learning. B. PARENTS OR VISITORS ARE NOT TO GO TO THE CLASSROOM DURING SCHOOL HOURS UNLESS PERMISSION IS GRANTED BY THE PRINCIPAL. It is the policy of the school not to interrupt classes. This policy also insures your child’s safety. C. It is not necessary to bring a child’s forgotten homework, lunch money, or textbooks to school. Calling him/her to the office disrupts learning. Such situations can be corrected the next day. D. Students are not allowed to use the telephone except in an emergency. Students are also prohibited from using school vending machines during the school day. E. F. Frequent check-outs do interupt classroom instruction. Lost and Found A. Label articles belonging to students (coats, purses, lunch boxes, etc.) B. Unclaimed articles found at school are brought to the office pending claim by the proper owner. Those not claimed are given to charity twice a year. C. Students losing articles are encouraged to check lost and found so that they may recover these lost items. D. Lost and Found will be located near the lunchroom. Lunches A. Students are not permitted to go home for lunch since lunch is a part of the regular school program. B. Students may either purchase a hot lunch from the lunchroom or bring a lunch from home in a nondescript bag/box and purchase milk from the lunchroom. Soft drinks are not allowed. C. Breakfast is served from 7:00 - 7:40 daily. *”Grab and Go” will be available after 7:30. D. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the lunch program since, ordinarily, lunch served in the lunchroom is superior to a lunch brought in a paper bag. E. Students are encouraged to pay for lunches on a monthly basis. This can be done by cash, check, or online (mealpayplus.com). F. Students forgetting their lunch money may charge their lunches until the next day. G. Commercial fast food is not allowed to be brought into the cafeteria – As per state guidelines. H. Any request for a special diet from the lunchroom will be available only with a certificate from the child’s doctor stating the health problem. If you wish for your child to have limitations on certain food choices, please contact the school nutrition director. Medications A. ALL medication must be taken directly to the school nurse. Do not send medication with your child on the bus. B. Medications received at school in unlabeled bottles, pills in zip-lock baggies and aluminum foil will NOT be administered. C. Non-prescription medications (over-the-counter medications, i.e. Tylenol) must be brought to the school by parent or guardian in the ORIGINAL container along with a written parental request that includes parent contact phone number, and directions for administering that states the frequency, dose and length of administration. D. Prescription medications must be brought to the school by parents or guardian in the ORIGINAL prescription container labeled with the student’s name, date prescribed, instruction for administering, name of drug, name of issuing physician, expiration date, and route medication is to be given. E. Schools will dispense medication only as directed on the ORIGINAL prescription labeled container. If changes in the medication, dosage, and/or time of administration are requested, a new ORIGINAL container must be provided. F. For ALL medications to be administered, the parent/guardian must provide specific instructions, including related equipment needed if necessary, on the “Medication Permission Form.” G. A “Medication Administration Record” shall be kept relative to each medication administered. This record will include student’s name, date, medication administered, time, and signature of school personnel who supervised said medication administration. STUDENT INTERNET APPROPRIATE USE Due to the nature of the Internet, it is neither practical nor possible for the Board of Education to enforce compliance with user rules at all times. Accordingly, parents and students must recognize that students will be required to make independent decisions and use good judgment in their use of the Internet. Therefore, parents must participate in the decision about whether to allow their children access to the Internet and must communicate their own expectations to their children regarding its use. As a parent/guardian of this student, I accept the following conditions: I understand that Internet access is designed for educational purposes and that the school will attempt to discourage access to objectionable material and communications that are intended to exploit, harass or abuse students. However, I recognize it is impossible for the school to restrict access to all objectionable material, and I will not hold the school responsible for materials acquired or contacts made on the network. I understand that a variety of inappropriate and offensive materials are available over the Internet and that it may be possible for my child to access these materials if he/she chooses to behave irresponsibly. I also understand that it is possible for undesirable or illintended individuals to communicate with my child over the Internet, that there is no practical means for the school to prevent this from happening, and that my child must take responsibility to avoid such communications if they are initiated. While I authorize the staff to monitor any communications to or from my child on the Internet, I recognize that it is not possible for the school to monitor all such communications. I have determined that the benefits of my child having access to the Internet outweigh potential risks. I understand that any conduct that is in conflict with these responsibilities is inappropriate, and such behavior may result in the termination of access and possible disciplinary action. I have reviewed these responsibilities with my child, and I hereby grant permission to the school to provide Internet network access. I agree to compensate the school for any expenses or costs it incurs as a result of my child’s violation of the Internet policy or administrative procedure. Parent Conferences A. Parents are always welcome to discuss any problems with the principal, teacher or counselor. B. Parent conferences are by appointment only. Please call or email the teacher for an appointment. These conferences should take place between 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Teachers are responsible for scheduling their own appointments. Parties A. Two parties per year are permitted for each grade level. No individual birthday parties are permitted. However, if parents wish to bring treats for their child’s class, please notify your child’s teacher for an appropriate time and arrangements. B. Personal invitations are not allowed to be distributed at school. School Hours A. Students are not permitted in the building prior to 7:00 a.m. All students should be picked up no later than 2:45 p.m. B. Students who are not picked up in a timely fashion will be referred to the school social worker. Snacks A. Students are permitted to bring small snacks to school. These snacks should be nutritious and contain only a minimal amount of sugar. B. Soft drinks are not allowed. Supplies A. Students are responsible for providing their own school supplies. These supplies vary depending upon the students’ grade levels. The supply list will be given to you by your child’s assigned teacher. B. Rolling book bags are not permitted due to accidents and injuries that they have caused. If you have already purchased a rolling book bag, the student may carry it on school campus, but may not roll it on school campus. We will ask the students to carry the book bags instead of rolling them down the hallways or on the sidewalks.
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