2005-2006
Student Handbook
Principal's Message *
Philosophy of Education *
Philosophy of Classroom Behavior
Student Dress Code *
Academics * Report Cards *
Honor Roll *
Attendance Policy
Perfect Attendance *
Leaving School Sign-out
Procedures * Food Service *
Medication
Counseling * Media Center
* Telephone * Visitors *
Miscellaneous *
Certification
School Clinic *
Car Rider Procedures
The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint you with some of the opportunities you have at Northwest Laurens Elementary and to familiarize you with our school routine. While you are here, I challenge you to commit yourself to our educational programs giving your best effort at all times. I encourage you to pursue your academic goals with enthusiasm and to become involved in various school activities. Let us together have the spirit and pride to do things that will make Northwest Laurens truly outstanding.
John M. Warren
Principal
Northwest Laurens exists to educate students
by providing them with opportunities to develop the abilities that their
potential and efforts will allow. The school recognizes individual
differences and needs, and it seeks to provide for these through a
comprehensive curriculum. A variety of extracurricular activities and events
promotes social growth and progress. We believe that the total education of
a child must be shared by the school, the students, the parents and the
community.
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PHILOSOPHY OF CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
It is important for students to show respect
toward adults and classmates. Student behavior that disrupts the class and
keeps other students from learning is unacceptable. The teacher will work
with parents and administrators to eliminate inappropriate behavior.
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Research has indicated that there is a distinct relationship between students’ attire and their classroom behavior, attitude and achievement. A dress code which prevents a student’s appearance from distracting the important business of learning is enforced. Teachers will make a personal appearance check of their students each day. Any attire deemed inappropriate will be called to the attention of both the student and parent, and then the student will be referred to the office to make arrangements for a change of clothing. Failure to secure proper clothing may result in In-School Suspension.
· Shirts/blouses must be buttoned, snapped or zipped to prevent mid-section/chest from showing.
· Pants must be worn at natural waist.
· Shoes must be worn at all times (tied, buckled or otherwise secured to feet). Tennis type shoes are recommended for PE class.
· Halter tops, muscle shirts or tank tops are not permitted.
· Girls’ skirts should not be shorter than two inches above the top of knee.
· Shorts should be walking length.
· Sunglasses are not permitted except by a doctor’s prescription.
· Hats and caps are not permitted to be worn in the building.
Clothing should not advertise alcohol,
tobacco, satanic cults, promote violence or display vulgar language. Jeans
should not be spot-bleached, tie-dyed, patched, unhemmed or have holes in
them. The student dress code will apply for all school activities such as
field trips or PTO.
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Educational progress and accomplishments must be evaluated and recorded in terms of numerical grades.
The following criteria will be used to establish uniformity:
1. Passing grades range from 70-100.
2. All work to be made up by the student must be done within five (5) school days after return from absences.
3.
An incomplete (I) will be
shown on the report card, but will not be recorded on permanent records. An
incomplete will automatically become an F (failure) if the work is not made
up during the allotted five (5) days.
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Report cards will be issued to each student at the end of each nine (9) week grading period by the homeroom teacher.
PE, art, music, computer and conduct will
receive a grade of S (satisfactory), N (needs improvement) or U
(unsatisfactory). Academic subjects will receive numerical grades. The
numerical breakdown is excellent (90-100), good (80-89), satisfactory
(70-79) and unsatisfactory is below 70.
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Students in the 3rd,
4th and 5th grades with a 90 or above overall average in Reading, Language
Arts (language arts: writing, spelling and English), Mathematics, Science
and Social Studies will be recognized as honor roll students. These students
will be given an HONOR ROLL sticker after the first nine weeks to place on
the family vehicle. A second sticker may be purchased for $1.00 each to
place on additional vehicles.
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A student should be in attendance at school unless he is sick, there is a death in the family, he is summoned to court or there is an emergency that parents can justify to school authorities. After an absence, students are expected to bring a note signed by the parent or guardian, or a doctor’s statement explaining the reason for the absence. Excuses should be presented within three days of returning to school. A class admittance slip will be given to the student and marked excused or unexcused for them to present to their teacher. Students arriving after 8:10 a.m. will be considered tardy and must report to the school office to get a tardy slip for admission to class.
Schedule for school hours:
Buses arrive 7:45 a.m.
Homeroom begins 8:00 a.m.
Tardy Bell rings 8:10 a.m.
Quiet Reflection occurs 8:26 - 8:27 a.m.
First Period begins 8:30 a.m.
Car Riders load 2:30 p.m.
Bus Riders load 2:40 p.m.
Personnel depart 3:45 p.m.
Students who encounter long-term illness may
be eligible for the Hospital Homebound Program and should make application
for this program when they anticipate being absent for 10 or more days due
to personal illness. Students with excessive absences will be referred to
the Laurens County School Board Office.
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Students attending school for 180 days will
be awarded a certificate for perfect attendance. Students who sign out of
school before 1 p.m. more than five (5) days will not be eligible for a
perfect attendance certificate.
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LEAVING SCHOOL SIGN-OUT PROCEDURES
Students my leave school under the following conditions:
1. A telephone call from parent to confirm early dismissal.
2. A note from home approved by an administrator.
3. Parent, guardian or designee must come into the office to sign a student out.
4. Students will be called from class over the intercom rather than parents going to the classroom. Please follow this procedure to help us with your child’s safety.
5. Do not come to the office to sign
students out after 2:15 P.M.. Students that are picked up after 2:15 should
be picked up in either the front car rider area or the back car rider area.
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Laurens County Schools provide breakfast and
lunch at no cost for students in grades PK-5. We encourage all students to
participate in our school food service program.
If a
parent chooses for their child to not participate in the school food service
program, they may sign an opt-out form available in the office.
If a student chooses to eat
two meals: the second breakfast will cost $1.50 and the second lunch will
cost $2.00. Extra items such as ice cream, cookies, pizza and drinks may be
purchased on a cash basis. If a student chooses to bring food or beverages
from home to consume in the cafeteria, it must be transported in a lunch box
or bag. Beverages in glass containers are not permitted. Car riders who are
eating breakfast at school must be in the cafeteria by 8:00 a.m.
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All medication must be left in the clinic
for safekeeping. Students will be allowed to take prescribed medicine by
going to the clinic to get their medicine at the prescribed time. Students
can pick up their medicine at the end of the school day. Send all
medications in original or prescription containers. Be sure that the child’s
name is on the container.
(See School
Clinic page in handbook.)
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Counseling is provided in elementary schools
to help students develop academically, personally and socially. The
counselor is available to meet the needs of all students pre-kindergarten
through fifth grade. Students may participate in individual counseling,
group counseling or guidance classes. During individual counseling, a
student will talk to the counselor alone. In group counseling, a student may
talk to the counselor with other boys and girls about similar concerns. All
students in a classroom participate during guidance classes, discussing
topics such as study skills, values clarification, peer relationships,
decision-making skills, etc. The counselor works with administrators,
teachers, parents and community resource personnel for the betterment of the
student’s life.
Visit
Counselors' Corner for more information.
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The Media Center has a
flexible schedule. Teachers may bring their classes whenever and as often as
it is needed. Teachers sign up for a time slot on a calendar posted in the
Media Center. The Media Center is open to individual students and classes
during the entire school day, each day of the school year. The Media
Specialists are responsible for audio-visual equipment used throughout the
school.
Visit
Librarians' Corner for more information.
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The telephone is for business use only. No
social calls are to be made or received on the school telephone. Students
will not be called to the office for a phone call. The office will take
messages which are important and deliver them by intercom at 2:30 p.m.
Students are allowed to call home only if they are sick. Unless an emergency
arises, students should be given instructions for after school departure
before leaving home each morning rather than parents calling the school with
messages during the day.
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Visitors and parents are welcome on campus,
but should sign in at the office and receive a visitor’s sticker before
going to the classroom.
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Students are not to bring toys, tapes, CDs,
pagers, cell phones or any electronic devices to school.
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CERTIFICATION
In compliance with the requirements of the No
Child Left Behind statute, the Laurens County Board of Education informs
parents of their right to request information about the professional
qualifications of their child’s teacher(s) and paraprofessional(s). The
following information may be requested: (1) teacher certification, (2)
college major/certification or degree(s), and/or (3) paraprofessional
qualifications. If a parent wishes to request information concerning their
child’s teacher(s) and/or the paraprofessional(s) that provide educational
services, the parent must provide a written request to the school principal.
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SCHOOL CLINIC
All students must have a completed and signed
Permission and Health History Form before any treatment
other than emergency care and basic first-aid can be given.
In the event of serious illness or injury you will be notified immediately and appropriate care given.
Medications should not be given at school unless absolutely necessary. Medications are a parental responsibility. An adult must bring and pick up all medications. Under no circumstance should medication be transported by bus.
All medications other than the ones listed on the permission form for occasional use, (Tylenol, Tums etc.) will require written instruction and signature. Medication must be in the original container. Pharmacists will gladly make extra, labeled bottles for prescription medications to be used at school. Any medication not in original containers (baggies, envelopes etc.) will not be administered and held for pick up by an adult.
Parents are responsible for supplying medications, keeping medication and contact information current, and supplying any device needed to administer the medications. Students are responsible for coming to the clinic at the correct time to take medications. The school cannot be held responsible for missed doses, although we will try our best to make sure this doesn’t happen.
Any child who is to carry emergency medications, epi-pens or inhalers, must have emergency care plans and authorization forms completed and signed by their doctor. These may be picked up in the clinic.
The following will require a Medication Authorization Form filled out and signed by a physician: These are available at the school and on nwle.com’s Nurse page.
- All prescription medications. Antibiotics prescribed three times a day should be given at home unless the doctor specifies a time and reason to give at school.
- Any over-the-counter medication that is not age appropriate, or any dosage that is greater than recommended standards. Read all labels.
- Any over-the-counter medication that is given routinely for longer than one week.
A student should stay home with these symptoms:
· a fever of 100.4 degrees or more, and should remain at home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal.
· vomiting or diarrhea, and should remain at home for 24 hours after it has stopped.
· persistent cough.
· widespread rash.
· open or draining skin sores.
· inflamed or draining eyes or ears.
Students with these symptoms at school may be sent home until well, or cleared by a doctor.
Get useful information on children's
health-related issues and contact Mrs. Murray on her
Nurse
Murray web page.
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CAR
RIDER PROCEDURES
2005 - 2006
Front Car Riders
A.M. Students
may be dropped off in the front car rider line from 7:40 – 8:10.
Students should not
be dropped off in the parking lot.
P.M. Students
will move from their rooms to the cafeteria at 2:30 in preparation
for front pick up. A teacher or paraprofessional will escort Pre-K and
Kindergarten students to the cafeteria. Siblings and carpools will be placed
together in the cafeteria. The time for front car rider pick up is 2:40 –
3:05.
Back Car Riders
A.M. Students
may be dropped off in the back car rider line from 7:45 - 8:10.
Do not enter the back gate before 7:45.
Buses must be allowed to enter the lot
without vehicles
obstructing their path.
P.M. Students will be taken to the back car rider area by their teachers as bus riders are dismissed between 2:30 and 2:35. Students may be picked up in the back car rider line from 2:45 - 3:05. Do not enter the back gate before 2:40. Buses must be allowed to enter the lot without vehicles obstructing their path.
The car rider procedures are designed to provide a safe and orderly
environment
for students to be transported to and from
Northwest Laurens Elementary School. We thank you in advance for your adherence
to these procedures.
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