A Team/ Honor Roll

Honor Roll – Computation of Honor Roll begins in Third Grade.  Determination of eligibility for Honor Roll status will be completed for each nine weeks grading period.  Elementary students who meet Honor Roll requirements are those who present overall numeric grades of 85 or above in ALL academic subjects.  Note:  Citizenship and conduct grades will not be included for Honor Roll determination. 

A-Team – As with Honor Roll, the A-Team program begins in Third grade.  Elementary students must present numeric grades of 93 or above the first two grading periods for the first A-Team determination.  Numeric grades of 93 or above for the final two nine-week periods must be obtained by elementary students for the second A-Team determination.  Note: Only subjects where numeric grades are given will be considered for A-Team. Citizenship and conduct grades will not be included for A-Team determination. 

Attendance

School attendance is the responsibility of the student and the parent.  The North Carolina Compulsory School Attendance Law requires that every child between the ages of 7 and 16 will be enrolled in school and attending.  If a child under the age of 7 is enrolled, he/she is subject to the same attendance law.  In order to receive the maximum benefits from the educational opportunities offered, your child must attend school every day.  Vacations should be taken while school is not in session.  Students with perfect attendance will be recognized at a school-wide assembly at the end of the year.

            Absences – Students are limited to no more than 10 absences during the school year excused or unexcused.  After 10 absences, the student’s promotion to the next grade level is at risk.  All assignments missed during any absence must be completed within the time period set by the teacher.  In the event of an absence, a note of explanation signed by the parent or the guardian must be given to the data manager on the first day upon returning to school.  Parents may submit an absence excuse online by completing the Student Absence Excuse Form from Central’s web page.  

Ten or more absences will require students to make up time in after school tutoring at a designated time set by the principal.

            Tardies – All students are expected to arrive at school on time.  Any student not in class at 7:35 is tardy.  The only exception will be when the bus arrives late.  Car problems, oversleeping, etc. are unexcused.  A parent or guardian is to accompany the student to the office to check the student into school.  The student will obtain an admission slip and report to class.  Ten early dismissals and/or tardies will equal one absence.

            Early Dismissals – Parents are reminded that students need to be in class as much as possible.  However, we do realize that there are times when it is necessary to pick up a child early. (Parents picking up students for appointments before the 2:15 dismissal bell should come to the office no later than 1:45; otherwise, students will be released at 2:15.)   Please report to the office and notify the secretary.  Sign the child out and state the reason for leaving on the clipboard that is provided in the office.  Parents should wait for their child/children in the office.  Children are not allowed to leave with anyone other than their parent/guardian without written permission that has been verified by the administrative assistant.

             Note: Students are responsible for making up all work missed.

Car Riders

Car riders are to be brought no earlier than 7:20 and are to be picked up at 2:15.  In the mornings and afternoons, all students are to be dropped off or picked up at the designated area of the sidewalk near the bus parking lot. We cannot have 2 lanes of traffic. The traffic procedures have been developed to insure the safety of the children and we urge you not to compromise their safety.  Do not arrive before 2:00 p.m. to pick up children unless you are picking them up for early dismissal. 

Cell Phone Policy  (Wireless Communication Policy code 4201)

Elementary school students are not allowed to possess a wireless communication device at school during the instructional day unless in the opinion of the Principal a special circumstance exists that warrants approval.

    Consequences:  The consequences for visibility and/or use of a wireless communication device during instructional time in violation of this policy will be:

            First offense:  A warning will be issued to the student.  The wireless communication device will be confiscated by school personnel; offense logged in discipline database, and returned to the student at the end of the day.

            Second offense:  The wireless communication device will be confiscated; offense logged in discipline database, and held until a parent conference is conducted.

            Third offense and subsequent offenses:  Tiered in-school suspension, after-school detention and/or confiscation of wireless communication device ranging from one to ten days will be assigned as designated in the school student handbook. 

Communication

Throughout the school year, parents will receive various means of written communication. Teachers will send newsletters pertaining to individual classroom activities.  BLUE NOTES will be sent home from the office with your child on an as needed basis and will contain important school activities and calendar dates.  Parents with whom a student resides will also receive phone messages during evening hours throughout the year, as events or other information needs to be announced.  Parents who do not wish to receive phone messages must complete a waiver form to be removed from this system.

Discipline

One of the most important lessons education should teach is discipline.  It is the shared responsibility of the home and school to accomplish this goal.  The Discipline Policy for all students will be as follows:

Level I  

·        Any minor disruptive or inappropriate behavior in the classrooms, hallways, or on school grounds.

·        Littering or leaving trash

·        Possession of cell hones, pagers, GameBoys or any other electronic devise (confiscated) (see Wireless Communication Policy 4201)

·        Passing in the cafeteria line

·        Being in an unauthorized area

·        Food or drink in classrooms, halls

    Consequence: Teacher/Classroom Discipline policy (may include silent lunch, restricted   

    activities, or other discipline as assigned by the teacher and/or principal.)

Level II

·        Chronic level I offender

·        Habitual disruption in classroom

·        Disrespectful behavior

·        Inappropriate social behavior

·        Inappropriate language/Profanity

·        Horseplay/Arguments/Disagreements

·        Cheating

·        Giving False Information

    Consequence: First offense- 1 day in Alternative Learning Center (ALC)

                            Second offense- 2 days in Alternative Learning Center (ALC)

                            Third and subsequent offenses- 1 day Out of School Suspension (OSS) or                                Alternative School Campus

Alternative Learning Center:  Students will be assigned to an in-house classroom (ALC)

for Level II discipline offenses for a maximum of 2 days.  While in ALC, students will be supervised and will be assigned class work by his/her classroom teacher.  The students will participate in their normal physical education class.  Students will only participate in ALC two times before moving to a Level III discipline procedure.

        Level III

·        Chronic level II offender

·        Fighting

·        Bullying/Directed Profanity

·        Any act that endangers the health or safety of others

·        Theft or Destruction of private or school property.

·        Possession of dangerous objects or weapons

·        Possession of tobacco products or tobacco paraphernalia (lighters, matches, etc.)  1^st offense 

·        Sale, use, possession or distribution of drugs/alcohol

·        Sexual Harassment

·        Possession of weapons

·        Arson

·        Blatant insubordination/incorrigible attitude

·        Any act that shocks the social conscience

·        Substantial disruption of school

·        Bomb and Terrorism Threats/Hoax

·        Threats or intimidation

·        Assault of school employee or student

   Consequence: May result in suspension or expulsion as determined by the principal and/or superintendent.

Emergency Drills

The safety of your child is one of our greatest concerns.  The school holds regular drills to teach pupils to respond calmly in the event of an emergency. (These include Evacuation, Fire drills, Lock Down practice & Tornado drills.)

Emergency Phone Numbers

In the event your child becomes ill or is injured at school and requires your presence, the school must always be informed of a work telephone number or emergency number.  If you change employers, notify the school of the change and the new phone number as soon as you make the change.

Food/Drinks  -  Food and drinks will not be allowed in the classrooms. Students are not allowed to bring bottled or canned drinks from home. Chewing gum is not allowed at school. 

Health Services / Medications

School staff cannot administer any medication (over the counter or prescription) to a student without having a medication form that has been completed and signed by the parent and the child’s physician.  To insure the safety of the students, the medication must be in the original container and brought to the office along WITH THE MEDICATION FORM BY THE PARENT.  No exceptions can be made.  Do not send any medication with students on the bus.  The school nurse will be in our school once a week and on call the other days.  Medicines prescribed three times a day may be given before school, immediately following school and at bedtime.

Reminder:  Elementary children need to have their hair checked by a parent at least once a week for head lice.  Head lice are most common among this age group.  Head lice are very small grayish-white insects with dark edges that are found only on humans.  It is sometimes easier to detect the presence of head lice by finding nits in the child’s hair.  If your child scratches their head a lot, you

should check closely for nits. The school needs to be notified whenever head lice are found so that

appropriate measures can be taken to prevent spreading.  Neither lice nor nits (eggs) can live on books, furniture, carpet, etc.  Since the school does not serve as a continuous dwelling place for students, it cannot harbor lice or nits.

 Homework – As a parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that your child completes and returns homework assignments daily.  Students who fail to turn in homework will be subject to classroom discipline.

Immunizations – Students enrolling in kindergarten for the first time are required by North Carolina to have all immunizations completed and a kindergarten physical before the first day of school.  Failure to provide documentation to the school office or the school nurse will result in the student not being allowed to remain in school.

Internet Information – The entire school has access to the Internet – in the classrooms, computer lab and the media center.  It is our policy that students do not use the Internet without the supervision of a staff member.  A permission form (provided by the school system and on-line) signed by the parent is also required. 

Library/Media Center – Students may check out and return books on a weekly basis.  If books are damaged or are not returned, parents will be expected to pay the amount equal to the current replacement price.

Lost and Found Items -  Lost and found articles not claimed within a reasonable amount of time will be given to a needy organization or discarded.  To avoid losing your child’s possessions, please write your child’s name on all clothing and personal items that are brought to school.  Small articles that are found on campus are turned in to the office.  Articles of clothing that are found are placed in the school’s Lost and Found box in the gym lobby.

Parent / Teacher Conferences – The instructional day is not a time for unscheduled conferences or classroom interruptions.  To schedule parent/teacher conferences, email or leave a message for your child’s teacher.   Please follow our visitors’ procedures when you come for a conference. Teachers will schedule 2 conferences per year (one per semester).

Physical Education -   All students are offered physical education.  A written notice to the physical education teacher is necessary if a student cannot fully participate.  A written medical doctor’s excuse may be necessary if the student has continued limitations.  Students are expected to dress for participation (tennis shoes and comfortable clothing).  Flip-flops and sandals are not allowed.

Prime Time – Quality childcare is provided in our Prime Time program.  Prime Time childcare is available from 6:00 a.m. until the beginning of the school day and after school until 6:00 p.m.  In case of early dismissal of school due to inclement weather, Prime Time will not be open.

PTO   Our Parent -Teacher Organization has been and continues to be very active in assisting the teachers with various educational and fun-filled activities.  The financial support has also provided a variety of opportunities for our students.  The PTO meeting dates are TBA.

School Supplies – The teachers will provide a supply list for each class. Each student should come to school with the necessary school supplies every day.  Any materials not directly related to classroom instruction (toys, electronic games, cards, etc.) will be taken away and held for parents to claim.

Student Attire – Students are encouraged to dress in a neat and attractive manner that reflects pride in their school. Flip Flops or loose type shoes are not allowed at school. Tank tops with less than 3” straps, spaghetti straps, back-less, midriff-revealing tops, short-shorts or clothing with tobacco or alcohol advertising are not allowed at school.  Students will be sent home due to inappropriate attire.  Some tattoos, or other fad accessories may be deemed inappropriate at school and will be addressed on an individual basis.  Wallet chains are NOT allowed.  Parents will be called to bring appropriate clothing.

Telephone – The school telephone is for business calls only.  Necessary plans should be made with children before they leave home in the morning.  If you wish to speak to a teacher, you may leave your number with the secretary and the teacher will return your call after school dismisses or during their planning time.

Textbooks – Textbooks are furnished by the school system.  If textbooks are lost or damaged, parents or guardians will be charged accordingly.

Toys, Games, etc. –  Students are not to bring any type of toy, electronic games, trading cards, etc. to school as they interfere with students’ attention in class.  The school is not responsible for items lost or stolen. Teachers may take away any of the above to be kept for parents to claim. Repeat offenses will be referred to discipline policy.

Visitors on Campus –   For the protection of the students and security in the school, parents and visitors are required to follow the procedures listed below:

1.      Report to the office upon entering the building

2.      Sign in on the visitor/volunteer computer in the office

3.      Secure a name tag to wear for duration of visit

4.      Do not interrupt a class; please wait outside the cafeteria for your child’s class when coming for lunch.

5.      Sign out on the visitor/volunteer computer in the office

Reminder:  students will not be permitted to leave the building with a visitor unless this has been approved through the school office.  Visitors are not to go into any classroom without prior approval from the principal.

Volunteer Program – All parents are encouraged to take an active part in their child’s education through the volunteer program.  Contact the school for information concerning our volunteer program.  Volunteers should sign in on the visitor/volunteer computer (located in the office) which will print name tags to be worn while on campus. Volunteers should sign out when finished volunteering.  This keeps track of our volunteer hours which are reported to the Iredell-Statesville Schools Administrative office. 

Weapons and Threats –  The Iredell-Statesville School System has a zero tolerance policy for weapons on campus.  Toy weapons or anything that resembles a weapon are considered a violation of policy.  Verbal intimidation or threatening comments are also taken very seriously and may result in suspension from school and/or referral to law enforcement.

Weather – School will be in session unless the weather creates hazardous conditions.  On doubtful mornings, the local radio and television stations will announce the school system’s decision.  You will also receive a phone message from our school system prior to 6:30 am if school is going to be closed unless you complete the waiver form stating you wish not to be included in this messaging system.  Prime Time will not operate when school closes for bad weather or emergency dismissal.  Emergency Dismissal forms will be sent home to be completed and returned to the school.