Defeated Creek Elementary Student Handbook

Welcome to Defeated Creek Elementary School. Please read and discuss this handbook with your child/children. Our goal is to familiarize you with the policies of both our school and the Smith County School Board in hopes of avoiding possible misunderstandings. We look forward to a safe and successful school year.

On behalf of the entire staff, I would like welcome you to the Defeated Elementary School. We count it an honor to have the opportunity to work with you and your child over the next nine years of their education. We want you to take every opportunity to stay in contact with the school because we believe education is the joint responsibility of school and family. The need for your consistent involvement in your child’s education cannot be emphasized enough.

The first priority of Defeated Elementary School is a quality education for every student. We strive to hold high expectations for everyone in our building because we believe it to create the best atmosphere for quality education. You will have many opportunities during the year to celebrate student achievement during awards programs. These programs allow us to recognize student success and we hope you will share these times with us. These programs encourage our students to continue to be dedicated to learning.

In addition to our daily curriculum, there are many additional activities which we want our students to be active participants. Please watch for notices about these activities. We also have a very good Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The PTO meets each month to plan work to support the school in vital ways. Also, we request volunteers to schedule time with our school to assist us throughout the year. Help us to keep each of these strong.

Please take time to read this handbook carefully. A core belief of our school is that a safe and orderly environment maximizes learning. The items listed in this book are provided to help us realize this together. If there are any items that raise questions, feel free to give me a call.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Defeated Creek Elementary School is to help all students master core curriculum to prepare for quality futures in and out of school. The school is committed to providing a quality education to develop quality students for quality futures.

Beliefs

· The first priority of the Defeated Creek Elementary School is a quality education for every student.

· High expectations for all school personnel and students result in the best atmosphere for quality academic achievement.

· It is necessary to guide all students toward the attainment of academic standards and help them realize they can succeed at learning.

Defeated Creek Elementary Procedures and Policies

All visitors must check in with the principal before proceeding into the building.

All students arriving before 8:00 a.m. are to go directly to the gym. Students are not allowed in any other part of the building without permission of a teacher or staff member.

Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. are to go to the office for a tardy slip. If the student is given an unexcused tardy, the student is not allowed to make up missed classwork. An excused tardy is classified in the same manner as excused absences.

Students may be picked up in the gym after 3:00 p.m. Please wait in the front hall to pick up your child at 3:00 p.m. Please do not go to the classroom to get your child as this is very disruptive. If you choose to come into the building, park on the south end of the parking lot nearest Carthage. Do not block the driveway by leaving an unattended vehicle in the drop off lane. When picking up your child on or after 3:00 p.m., enter the school parking lot through the north end driveway.

A student must be at school for the majority of the school day to be counted present. The student must arrive before 11:15 a.m. or check out after 11:15 a.m. to be counted present.

The Smith County School Board and the State of Tennessee believe that regular attendance in school accompanied by the responsibility to study and participate in school activities is essential to the learning process. Students are expected to arrive at school promptly each day. Once a student arrives at school, he/she is expected to remain and attend class throughout the day.

When a child must be absent from school, a written parent/guardian note is required upon returning to school. Parent notes will excuse five absences for the entire school year. After five absences, all personal illness absences will require a doctor’s statement in order to be considered excused. After five unexcused absences, a student’s name will be given to the Smith County Truancy Board for further review. Student attendance will be monitored for the remainder of the school year and the following year. If a student receives any future unexcused absences after appearing before the Truancy Board, further action may be taken.

Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his designee, where applicable. Excused absences shall include:

1. Personal illness ( A doctor’s statement will be required after the fifth day of personal illness.)

6. Circumstances which in the judgment of the principal create emergencies over which the student has no control

Arrangements for make-up work (excused only) must be made by the student immediately upon the student’s return to school. All make-up work will be completed within 3 days of the student’s return to school. If a student fails to complete the make-up work in the time required, a zero will be earned for the make-up work. The above arrangements will be made so that class time is not taken from other students. TEACHERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THAT DAILY WORK MISSED WHILE ABSENT BE COMPLETED AT SCHOOL.

A student will not be allowed to make-up their work for unexcused absences and a grade of zero will be given for assignments on the day of the absence. Suspended days are unexcused absences and no make-up work will be given. Any administrative decision regarding attendance may be appealed initially to the director of schools and ultimately to the Board. An appeal shall be made in writing to the director of schools within five (5) days following the action or the report of action whichever is later.

When inclement weather is to the extent to warrant school closing, the public media will be notified so an announcement can be made. When school is not in session due to snow or inclement weather, all scheduled elementary athletic events in which students are involved will be postponed or canceled. Out-of-county tournaments and other activities will be at the discretion of the principal.

When school opens late, breakfast will be served. Breakfast will not be served if school is delayed 2 hours.

Breakfast is offered to all students beginning at 7:20 a.m. and ending at 7:55 a.m. Breakfast may be paid for in line. It is preferred that breakfast be paid at least weekly. You may pay for breakfast in the same method lunch is paid.

All students that qualify for free or reduced meals are begged to participate. Our school presently has 60 percent of its students receiving this federal assistance. Because of this, the school receives financial aid in the areas of Title 1, food service, and other instructional programs. Also, area day cares receive financial assistance based on our percentage of free and reduced participation. Students are in no way identified as free or reduced because the meal program is all computerized. We strongly encourage those students that are eligible for free or reduced meals to enroll so these programs can continue.

All students are encouraged to eat lunch at school, but students may bring their lunch. The school cannot provide a place to keep lunches brought from home cold or heated. Federal regulations do not allow students to buy drinks or food from the vending machines during the lunch period. You may pay for lunch as far in advance as you like. Enclose the cost of both breakfast and lunch in an envelope. Label your child’s name, the amount to be applied to breakfast and the amount to be applied to lunch, and the total amount enclosed. The school prefers to collect meal money on Friday for the coming week, but any day is allowable. School board policy does not permit the school to allow students to charge meals. We can permit a three-day grace period. After this, the school is permitted by the school board to refuse to serve those students.

We welcome all parents to have lunch with us. Please notify the school when you plan to eat lunch with your child.

The school provides vending machines for students to use. Vending will offer nutritious foods for students. Students may use the machines at the discretion of the individual teacher and principal. The use of the vending machines is a privilege and may be suspended at any time. Denying a student use of the vending machines may be used as a method of discipline.

The school provides a telephone in the office for use in case of an emergency. Students are to have permission before using the telephone. Any unauthorized use of the phone will be subject to disciplinary action.

Smith County has a closed policy on out-of-county students. Students who reside in Smith County my attend any school within the county. It is recommended that each child attend school in their home area; however, at the beginning of each school year, parents may enroll their children in the school of their choice. Once a student has enrolled, transfers to other county schools will be permitted only under the following conditions: 1) the student’s parents/legal guardian move to a new school area; 2) a student begins school outside his/her home school area at the beginning of the school year and then decides to transfer back to his/her home school. However, the student would not be able to transfer again from this school unless the parent/legal guardian moves into another school area; 3) if there is a school-related problem that prompts the transfer, the problem must be resolved before a transfer can occur; and 4) the parent may request, in writing, to be placed on the Board agenda, then appear, with the student, before the Board and describe a valid reason for their request to change schools.

Students shall dress and groom in clean, neat and modest manner so as not to distract or interfere with the operation of the school. When a student is attired in a manner, which is likely to cause disruption or interference with the operation of the school, the principal shall take appropriate action. Clothing and/or appearance that disrupt the educational process by drawing undesirable attention to the wearer will not be allowed. All apparel or accessories worn to school may not display or advertise the following: Gang affiliation or gang sign; Tobacco products; Alcoholic products; Drugs or drug paraphernalia; Sexual themes; Ethnic groups or signs; Racist overtures; Other suggestive or offensive sayings or graphics.

· Shoes that might mar, cut, or otherwise damage school property must not be worn.

· Shorts are allowed for all grades. Shorts and skirts must come to the top of the knee area.

· Pierced ears with appropriate jewelry are acceptable. Other pierced body parts with attached jewelry are not to be worn.

· Black/white or other makeup that suggests death, gang, cult, or Satanism is not allowed

· All shirts must be able to be tucked in when the student is seated, or an undershirt must be worn to prevent skin from being exposed.

First Offense: Remove to isolated area or parent called to remove items from student

Second Offense: Suspended one day with parent returning to school with student

Only mesh or see-through backpacks will be allowed in grades K-12 in all county schools.

A permission form is required (obtainable from the principal) from the parent giving the teacher permission to assist the child when taking the prescribed drug. The medicine is to be in the original prescription bottle with the directions on the label as prescribed by the doctor.

School personnel will not administer over-the-counter medications unless requested specifically by the parent or legal guardian. A signed statement from the parent detailing the dosage to be administered, the time(s) for administration and the ailment for which the medication is being dispensed must accompany the request. A permission form for over the counter medication is available from the principal.

When head lice are discovered at school the parents of the child will be notified immediately. If the parents cannot be reached, the student will be placed in an area that would minimize exposure to other students.

1. Evidence of treatment is required from the parent. This may be a box top from the shampoo, Health Department or doctor’s verification.

2. The principal or his designee will inspect the student. If any lice or nits are found the student is not allowed to return.

Students must not grab other children’s feet or hands while on the monkey bars

Students in grades 5 through 8 will be exempt from final tests if they meet the following criterion:

Students who have attained the necessary grade average will be exempted only if a parent has signed the appropriate form acknowledging awareness of the exemption and gives permission for the student not to attend school on the day of the exam(s). Each student that does not attend school on those exam days must have a parental consent form on file at the school. Final tests are given only in grades seven and eight.

Principal’s List, Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance

· Principal’s List students consist of those students who on the honor roll along with perfect attendance.

· Honor roll students will be determined by having an overall average of 93-100 for any one six week period.

· Perfect attendance is granted to those students who have no absences. Students who are tardy still qualify for perfect attendance.

Students who meet these standards, and who do not request otherwise, will have their names submitted to the principal for release to the news media.

Valedictorian will be defined as the student with the total highest academic average. Salutatorian will be defined as the student with the second highest academic average. Averages will be determined with the following guidelines:

1. The student must have a minimum of 27 academic grades. Non-academic grades are music, art, PE, band, etc.

4. Grades of “S” , “E” , etc. will not be considered for Valedictorian or Salutatorian

5. Student’s assigned letter grades will be assigned number grades as follows:

A+ = 99 A = 97 A- = 93

Promotion/Retention

The school will make every attempt to provide an educational opportunity in which each child can make progress. In cases where progress is not evident, the guiding philosophy shall be as follows. Students will be retained only when it is in their best interest as determined by the principal, teacher(s) and parent.

The school bus is an extension of school activity; therefore, students shall conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with the established standards for safety and classroom behavior. Students are under the supervision and control of the bus driver while on his/her bus, and all reasonable directions given by him shall be followed. The principal of the student transported shall be informed by the bus driver of any serious discipline problems and may be called upon to assist if necessary.

A student may be denied the privilege of riding the bus if the principal determines that his behavior is such as to cause disruption on the bus, or if he disobeys state or local rules and regulation pertaining to student transportation. The suspension of a student from riding the school bus shall follow the same procedures as for any other school suspension.

Any student who gets off the bus at any point between the pick-up point and school must present the bus driver with a note authorized from the parent or the principal of the school that the student attends. Any student wishing to ride a bus other than his designated bus must have written parental permission and the approval of the principal or his designee. Students who transfer from bus to bus while in route to and from school shall be expected to abide by the discipline policies adopted by the Board and rules adopted by the staff of the terminal school.

In order to ensure a safe and secure learning environment free of drugs, violence and dangerous weapons, any student who engages in the following behaviors shall be expelled for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. The director of schools shall have the authority to modify this suspension on a case-by-case basis. For the purposes of this section, “expelled” means removed from the pupil’s regular school or removed from school attendance altogether, as determined by the school official. Nothing in this section shall be constructed to prohibit the assignment of such students to an alternative school. Zero tolerance acts are as follows:

1. Students who bring or posses a narcotic or stimulant drug, including marijuana, or dangerous weapon onto a school bus, onto school property or any school event or activity.

2. Any student who while on a bus, on school property, or while attending any school event or activity (a) possess a drug or dangerous weapon or; (b) commits battery upon a teacher, principal, administrator or any other employee of a local education agency.

Any student while on a school bus, on school property, or while attending any school event possessing drug paraphernalia, alcoholic beverages, or intoxicated (either by drugs or alcohol) will be subject to suspension up to a maximum of 20 school days.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT Grades K-6

Approved by Board 9-19-00

Student offenses are in four categories. Most of these are listed below. Administrators are responsible for discipline and will classify any offense not listed below unless directed by the Board of Education.

CATEGORY I---Offenses to be administered by the school that may result in, reprimand, loss of privilege, detention (where

applicable), corporal punishment, time-out, or suspension due to severity of incident.

2. Three unexcused tardies (class or school) or unexcused early dismissals per six weeks

3. Refusing to participate in required school activities (wellness activities, reading instructions, etc.)

5. Conduct that disrupts the peace or good order of the school or the learning environment, (impudence, profanity, disorderly conduct, and disregard for authority, etc.)

CATEGORY II---Offenses that may result in suspension. Any student suspended will not be allowed to participate in any

1^st time Category II Offense---3 days suspension or in-school suspension (where applicable)

8. Insubordination (not following the directive from a teacher, administrator, or other school system employee)

17. Receipt, sale, possession or distribution of stolen property (reported to legal authorities)

CATEGORY III---these offenses are subject to suspension up to a maximum of 20 days.

2. Possession/sale/distribution of drug paraphernalia (including rolling papers)

3. Pulling fire alarm or otherwise causing one to sound when no fire or smoke is visible

5. Possession or detonation of an incendiary or explosive material (firecracker or greater, as well as, stink/smoke bomb, poppers, etc.)

CATEGORY IV---There will zero tolerance for the following offenses. These offenses will be reported to the director of schools and to law enforcement officials.

3. Possession or distribution of illegal drugs or controlled substance, including marijuana

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT Grades 7-12

Student offenses are in four categories. Most of these are listed below. In no way shall this list of violations or consequences be considered all inclusive. Administrators are responsible for discipline and will classify any offense not listed below unless directed by the Board of Education. Tennessee State Law gives the principal, or his/her designee, the authority to discipline students who violate school board policies or school rules. In instances where violations are severe enough to warrant doing so, the principal may choose to by pass one or more of the preliminary steps. Numerous violations of different offenses may be considered cumulative by the principal/designee, and appropriate consequences may be assigned.

CATEGORY I---Offenses to be administered by the school that may result in loss of privilege, detention, corporal punishment, alternative school, or suspension due to severity of incident.

3. Refusing to participate in required school activities (wellness activities, reading instructions, etc.)

5. Conduct that disrupts the peace or good order of the school or the learning environment (impudence, profanity, disorderly conduct, and disregard for authority, etc.)

CATEGORY II---Offenses that may result in suspension or alternative school placement. Any student suspended or placed in alternative school will not be allowed to participate in any school function including field trips, athletic practices or contest, etc.

1^st time Category II offense---3 days suspension or alternative school or corporal punishment

8. Insubordination (not following the directive from a teacher, administrator, or other school system employee)

9. Leaving school grounds or class without permission, including the lunch period

18. Receipt, sale, possession, or distribution of stolen property (reported to legal authorities)

CATEGORY III---these offenses are subject to suspension up to a maximum of 20 days.

3. Pulling fire alarm or otherwise causing one to sound when no fire or smoke is visible

5. Possession or detonation of an incendiary or explosive material (firecracker or greater, as well as, stink/smoke bomb, poppers, etc.)

CATEGORY IV---There will be zero tolerance for the following offenses. These offenses will be reported to the director of schools and to law enforcement officials.

3. Possession or distribution of illegal drugs or controlled substance, including marijuana

The administration of Smith County schools is authorized to carry out disciplinary and related procedures necessary for the successful operation of the school under the Tennessee Law concerning suspension and disciplinary action. Tennessee Law allows principals to suspend students for good and sufficient reason upon satisfaction of due process.

POLICY AGAINST HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT

General Statement

The Smith County Board of Education is committed to safeguarding the right of students and employees within the school system to learn and work in an environment that is free from all forms of harassment and/or sexual harassment.

It is the policy of the Smith County school system to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from harassment of any type. The school system prohibits any form of sexual harassment or harassment based upon age, religion, disability or race/national origin.

It shall be a violation of this policy for any student or employee of the school system to harass a student or an employee through conduct or communication in any form as defined by this policy.

Harassment Defined and Prohibited

It is the policy of the Smith County Board of Education not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, national origin, creed, religion, age, marital status, or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies as required by the herein-referenced federal statues. Any employee or student of this school system shall be punished for infractions of this policy as provided herein.

Reporting Procedures

Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of harassment or sexual harassment by a student or an employee of the school system, or any third person with knowledge or belief of conduct that may constitute harassment or sexual harassment should report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate school system official as designated by this policy. The school system encourages the reporting party or complaint to use the report form available from the principal of each school or available from the school system central office.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 require school districts to have officially adopted policy statements of nondiscrimination on the basis of sex, handicap, national origin, and race.

“It is the policy of the Smith County Board of Education not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, national origin, creed, age, marital status, or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by Title VI and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Educational amendments and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is also the policy of this district that the curriculum materials utilized reflect the cultural and racial diversity present in the United States and the variety of careers, roles, and life-styles open to women as well as men in our society. One of the objectives of the total curriculum and teaching strategies is to reduce stereotyping and to eliminate bias on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, religion, and disability. The curriculum should foster respect and appreciation for the cultural adversity found in our country and an awareness of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of each individual as a member of a pluralistic society.”

Inquires regarding compliance may be directed to the Title VI, Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator, (207 North Main Street B, Carthage, TN 37030 (735-9625).

Parent Rights

· Parents may request information about qualification of teachers and paraprofessionals who instruct their child.

· Parents may request that their child’s name, address and telephone number not be released to a military recruiter.

· Parents have a right to transfer their child to another school within the district if they are the victims of a violent crime at school.

We value your role in working to help your child achieve high academic standards. It is our responsibility to join together to help your child achieve the State’s high standards. The following is an outline of some of the ways you, your child, and the school staff can build and maintain a partnership to share the responsibility for improving your child’s academic achievement.

! Provide you with assistance in understanding academic achievement standards and assessments and how to monitor your child’s progress

! Provide opportunities for ongoing communication between you and teachers through, at a minimum:

· Opportunities to talk with staff, volunteer in class, and observe classroom activities.

! Monitor television watching and encourage positive use of your child’s extra-curricular time

! Attend parent-teacher conferences and participate, when appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of your child.

! Give to my parents or the adult that is responsible for my welfare all notices and information received by me from my school every day.

Please sign and review this School/Parent/Student Compact with your child. This Compact may be discussed with you during a parent-teacher conference as it relates to your child’s school progress. Thank you for your support and involvement in your child’s education.