MISSION STATEMENT & BELIEFS The mission statement of Madisonville Elementary School is: Our students will become thoughtful learners in our school and community. WE BELIEVE students, school personnel, guardians, and the community must commit to quality education and forge a partnership for success. WE BELIEVE learning is a lifelong process, and in partnership, we have the ability and obligation to nurture this process. WE BELIEVE behavioral expectations must be reasonably evolved, clearly stated, and quickly and consistently enforced. Our school must provide a safe and secure environment that is conducive to successful teaching and learning.
VISION To provide an exemplary school of lifelong learners, by incorporating best practices that will prepare students to be responsible and contributing members of a global society.
INSTRUCTION CURRICULUM The School System Strategic Plan calls for a written document that helps ensure uniform, high quality instructional resources across the school system. St Tammany Parish developed a curriculum that is taken directly from the Louisiana Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The document is locally developed and constantly reviewed and revised, from the classroom to the district level. The document is designed to guide instruction for all students and addresses the Louisiana Common Core State Standards (CCSS). One of the most useful aspects of the document is that teachers can access information online, from school or from home. The electronic, “living” document is correlated to district adopted texts, available materials and online resources. The CCSS serves as a guide to what teachers should teach and what students should know and be able to do. The framework for the curriculum is “Understanding by Design,” developed by Dr. Grant Wiggins, a renowned international educational consultant. The design builds on the basic skills and centers on larger concepts, enduring understandings, essential questions, and performance assessments. In day-to-day lesson planning, teachers have full discretion to modify, adjust, adapt or adopt the suggested activities found in the CCSS in order to meet the needs of the students in their classrooms. HELPFUL WEBSITES: http://www.stpsb.org/parents_curriculum.php - website for unit designs for parents on the GC http://www.corestandards.org/ - link to the CCSS 1
REPORT CARDS Kindergarten
Progress Reports are given for the first nine week grading period. Report cards are given for the second, third and fourth nine week periods. Grading policy is as follows: Outstanding, Satisfactory, Needs Improvement.
First Grade
Only work habit and conduct grades are given for the first nine week grading period. Subject area evaluations are given for the second, third and fourth 9 week periods. Grading policy is as follows: O, S, N, U (Unsatisfactory).
Second Grade
Report cards will be given for the first, second, third and fourth nine week periods. Grading policy is as follows: A= 93-100
B= 85-92
C= 75-84
D= 67-74
F= 66 & below
Report cards are designed to inform you of your child’s level of instruction, academic progress, and growth in desirable habits and conduct. The report card provides a means of communication between you and your child’s teacher which is very important to his/her success and happiness in school. You are encouraged to request conferences as needed. GRADING PERIODS End of first nine weeks: October 12, 2017 End of second nine weeks: December 20, 2017 End of third nine weeks: March 8, 2018 End of fourth nine weeks: May 23, 2018 Interim reports, if applicable, are sent home in the middle of each grading period.
SCHOOL HOURS AND CALENDARS SCHOOL HOURS School hours are 8:50 a.m. – 3:46 p.m.
CALENDARS SCHOOL WIDE (Madisonville Elementary School) For your convenience, important dates can be found on the school website, and a monthly calendar will be sent home with students at the beginning of each month. Weekly class newsletters are also a great source for upcoming dates. All calendars are subject to change. PARISH WIDE A district calendar can be found in the St. Tammany Parish Public Schools district handbook or on www.stpsb.org
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GUIDE FOR CAMPUS VISITS Thank you for coming to campus to spend time with your child! Your involvement shows you care, and your presence is what makes our school special. Please take a minute to familiarize yourself with the guidelines below for your visit on campus. EVERY PERSON ENTERING OUR CAMPUS MUST CHECK-IN AT THE MAIN OFFICE WITH A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE IN ORDER TO BE ISSUED A VISITOR’S BADGE.
While on campus, please understand that all information you see or hear pertaining to any student is STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. Please respect our students’ right to privacy after your visit by not sharing anything with others that may violate this right.
While attending school events and activities, we understand that taking pictures of your child is a big part of preserving the memories. However, parents are prohibited from taking pictures of other students. Also, please be mindful of placing school pictures on social media websites.
While on campus, please refrain from the use of cellphones, except in the case of emergency.
NO SMOKING ALLOWED. The St. Tammany Parish School Board policy on smoking is as follows: “The St. Tammany Parish School System prohibits smoking by faculty, staff, students, employees, or visitors in all buildings, centers, offices, vehicles, schools, or other property under the jurisdiction of this board during the work day.”
Help the students in whatever way you can, but please do not lift or pick up a child other than your own.
SIGN-IN All St. Tammany Parish schools have a visitor security system in place. EVERY PERSON ENTERING OUR CAMPUS MUST CHECK-IN AT THE MAIN OFFICE WITH A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE IN ORDER TO BE ISSUED A VISITOR’S BADGE. Your license will be scanned into our computer system, and a visitor badge will then be printed. It MUST BE WORN AND VISIBLE while on campus. Before leaving the campus, the badge must be returned to the office and scanned “out.” This procedure is for the safety of our students.
FAMILY ATTENDANCE POLICY Events and activities offered at Madisonville Elementary School are planned with your child in mind. All activities are age appropriate and designed to meet the needs of our students. Students in other grade levels will not be taken out of their instructional day to attend a sibling’s play or program. In an effort to convey important information to parents with no distractions, Open House is an “adult only” event. (See map)
PARKING & TRAFFIC A section of C.S. Owens (adjacent to the school) is CLOSED to through traffic from 8:50 a.m. – 3:46 a.m. on school days for the safety of our students located in “The Cottages.” When driving to our school, all drivers must enter C.S. Owens from east bound on Galatas ONLY, using a right turn. Cars will no longer be allowed to turn left onto C.S. Owens from Galatas Road coming from Highway 1077. All carline traffic will be routed down Dummyline Road to Galatas Road, then right onto C.S. Owens and into the Madisonville Elementary parking lot for drop-off. Parking during the day is available in the lot behind the school and on C.S. Owens, adjacent to the bus loop 3
between Hwy. 1077 and the locked gates. For special events, the church parking lot across the highway can be used for parking (except on Wednesdays). The large vacant lot on the corner of C.S. Owens and Highway 1077 will also be available for day and night functions, as long as the lot is dry at the time.
CAR LINE & CROSSING GUARD Always use the cross walk when entering the school grounds through carline in the morning and afternoon. As a reminder, C.S. Owens is a one way street during the times of morning and afternoon carline. Passing cars on C.S. Owens that are waiting in carline is a driving offense that can be ticketed by law enforcement. It would also be appreciated if all drivers would leave an opening in the car line at neighboring streets, and neighborhoods in the event that residents need to exit. MORNING: If you are bringing a child to school in the morning, the carline needs to be utilized as the method of dropping off students. At no time should a child be let out of the car in the parking lot or in the street to walk into school without a parent, prior to or after carline, as this poses a serious hazard to the student’s safety. The school parking lot is a one way entrance. Parking will continue to be available in the parking lot, but must be accessed through the carline entrance and exited through Gate 2 after the A.M. Bell. We also ask that unless you are coming to check into the office, please do not walk your child across the parking lot. AFTERNOON (See Appendix V concerning Dismissal): Please do not park and walk up to the school to pick up your child. This dangerous practice encourages young children to run (across traffic or away from the duty teacher) to their parents. It also slows down the loading process for everyone. Please be aware that our school has a crossing guard. You must pay attention to his direction when driving or walking in the school vicinity.
CARLINE MAPS
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PREPARATION FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE UNIFORMS AND DRESS CODE Madisonville Elementary School has a designated and approved logo, and it is the only appropriate logo for school attire. School logo shirts, jackets, and sweatshirts may be purchased throughout the school year in the main office. Mandated school uniforms are as follows:
SHIRTS may be one of the following: 1. WHITE or NAVY BLUE polo-style with a collar (with or without the school logo) 2. Madisonville Elementary School t-shirt in NAVY BLUE 3. Only solid WHITE or NAVY BLUE turtlenecks may be worn UNDER a M.E.S. shirt
PANTS/SHORTS/SKORTS/SKIRTS/JUMPERS must be: Solid TAN/KHAKI twill. NO Cargo pants, or sweat pants PLEASE.
SHOES: Flip-flops or backless thong sandals are not permitted. Tennis shoes must be worn on the days that a student attends P.E. class.
OTHER NOTES CONCERNING DRESS: A notice to parents will be sent home if a student is out of uniform. The minimum length of shorts, skorts, skirts and jumpers must be at the fingertip or below when standing erect with arms extended down the sides, and be not more than 5” above the knee. Uniforms must be worn at all times, unless otherwise specified for special events, etc. It is highly recommended that all clothing such as jackets, sweaters, and coats are permanently marked with the student’s first and last name, in the event items are lost. Headwear and gloves worn to school during cold weather should be placed in book bags or with jackets during class.
SCHOOL FEES A school fee which will be assessed annually. Envelopes for this fee will go home at the beginning of the school year.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES School supply lists will be posted on our school website and copies can be obtained in the school office.
BOOK BAGS To ensure safety, rolling book bags are not permitted.
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VALUABLES All valuable items are to be left at home. These items include any and all games, electronics, collectibles, jewelry, and other personal items that are not part of the school supply list and uniform.
BOOKS The school staff urges all parents to encourage their children to take good care of assigned books and any materials furnished by the school. Students are responsible for all textbooks, classroom Accelerated Reader (A.R.) books, and library books issued to them during the school year. Parents are responsible for the cost of all lost or damaged books. All monies are recorded by the school bookkeeper and paid to the proper fund for replacement purposes. If a lost book is found, parents may return books in the condition in which they were issued to the student. In such cases, monies paid will be refunded.
FOOD SERVICES CAFETERIA OVERVIEW On the first day of school, students will receive an application for free or reduced priced meals. Only those who wish to apply need to return this form. If you feel your child is eligible for free or reduced meals, please submit the application in a timely manner. Some of the programs our school offers are based on these applications. BREAKFAST Breakfast is served daily, beginning at 8:20. Students eating breakfast at school must report to the cafeteria immediately upon arrival. Car riders having breakfast in the cafeteria must be finished by the time the morning bell rings. In the event that a bus is late, students will be allowed to eat breakfast before reporting to class. FAMILY DINING FAMILY DINING WILL BE ALLOWED DURING SEPTEMBER THROUGH APRIL with the exception of special event days due to limited space. Watch our monthly school calendar for this information. Special events include, but are not limited to, Grandparent’s Day, class parties, Field Day, Art Day, end of year programs, etc. For those who wish to dine with their child, the gazebo is the designated area for family dining. Because of this, weather may be a factor for consideration when coming to join a student for lunch. This special time is intended for you and your child only. Students will not be allowed to invite friends from the cafeteria table to join them on the gazebo. We encourage students and guests to eat lunch from our cafeteria due to the nutritional values of the healthy and balanced meals prepared daily for our students. If you plan on eating lunch with your child, it is imperative that you send a note to the homeroom teacher or call the school cafeteria at 985.845.3780 one day prior to the desired lunch date so that the cafeteria will not run short on food. Due to state funding policy, when coming to have lunch with your child, FAST FOOD WRAPPERS, BAGS, CONTAINERS, ETC… WITH LOGOS/ADVERTISEMENTS ARE NEVER ALLOWED IN THE CAFETERIA.
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Guidelines for Family Dining: Check the weather and call to make sure that special events are not scheduled. Write or call 1 day in advance informing our cafeteria staff if you would like to purchase a school lunch. Check-In at main office for visitor’s badge, and please return it upon leaving. Refrain from using cell phones while at Family Dining. Please keep all fast food on the gazebo.
CAFETERIA FEES A monthly calendar with breakfast and lunch menus, including costs, will be sent home with each student and posted on the school website. Monthly costs are noted on the bottom of the calendar. The menu is subject to change due to the availability of food items. 2016-2017 Prices are as follows: Breakfast:
75¢
Lunch:
$1.30
Reduced Breakfast:
30¢
Reduced Lunch:
40¢
Employee Breakfast:
$1.50
Employee Lunch:
$3.25
Payment is best made on a monthly basis. If this is not possible, you must pay weekly on Monday mornings. If your child brings his/her lunch and wants to purchase milk, the cost is 50¢ and should be paid daily. Cafeteria payments for lunch and breakfast can be paid through school or online by going to: www.stpsb.org and clicking on the ONLINE FEE PAYMENT link, MyPaymentsPlus →
All checks should be made payable to Madisonville Elementary or M.E.S. Payments should be sent in a sealed envelope with the following information written on the front of the envelope:
“LUNCH MONEY” Student’s full name Homeroom teacher’s name The amount of money enclosed The student’s Lunch I.D. Number
This information is very important, as teachers do not keep record of cafeteria payments. All envelopes will be forwarded to the cafeteria manager for payment entry. If you receive a late notice regarding your cafeteria bill, please remember to include the current week’s cafeteria fees along with past due amount when paying the bill. If you feel that the bill is incorrect, please contact the cafeteria manager, Darlene Randolph, at 985.845.3780. 7
ATTENDANCE POLICY Louisiana State Law states that elementary students may not miss more than ten (10) days of school for the entire school year unless the absences are a Type 1 - exempted, excused (see below). There are four categories of absences: Type 1 – Exempted, Excused – This type of absence is when a doctor’s note is provided. A doctor’s note must be turned in within two days of the student’s return. This does not count towards the ten days that a student may miss. Type 2 – Non-Exempted, Excused – This type of absence is when a parent/guardian sends a note stating the reason the child was out of school. These absences DO count towards the ten days a student may miss. Type 3 – Unexcused – This type of absence is when a student is absent and a note is not provided stating a valid reason for the absence. Type 4 – Suspension – This type of absence is when a student is suspended from school. Note: Cumulative unexcused tardiness and unexcused check-outs may be counted toward unexcused absences. For all absences, except for Type 1, students must make up seat time for absences over the 10 day limit. This seat time will be made up at Madisonville Elementary requiring the student to attend seat time over a period of several days assigned by Mrs. Candice Hickman, the Assistant Principal. Four hours of seat time must be made up to equal one day of absence. Students who exceed the attendance regulation and fail to make up seat time will be at risk to be retained for that grade the following year and parents will be required to attend an SAT (Student Assistance Team) meeting with administration. Overall, we would like to stress the importance of attending school to ensure your child’s success. If you have any questions regarding this attendance policy, please feel free to contact Mrs. Hickman at 985.845.3671 or email at
[email protected]. The school does not have to be notified daily if a child is going to be out sick. The office should be called only when a child has been out 3 consecutive days. In this case, a doctor’s note should be provided for the absence to be considered “excused.” Parents may call the school to arrange a pick-up time for missed work. We strongly encourage you to schedule medical and dental appointments, vacations, etc. during school holidays or after school hours.
TARDINESS Students arriving after instructional time begins at 8:50 a.m. are considered TARDY. Furthermore, a student is considered tardy if they are not through the green gates when the bell rings. Any student arriving after 8:50 a.m. must report to the office WITH AN ADULT in order to be marked present for the day. The student MUST be “signed in” by an adult in order for the student to receive credit for their attendance. If a doctor’s note is presented at the time of check-in, or within 2 days, the TARDY will be excused. Students with excessive UNEXCUSED TARDIES will be expected to serve DETENTION as follows: 5 UNEXCUSED TARDIES = 1 detention 10 UNEXCUSED TARDIES = 2 detentions 8
Detention notices will be sent home with the student, noting the time and location. Tardiness causes the loss of valuable instructional time and creates disruption to the classroom setting. Parents are urged to support the academic success of students by requiring and assisting students to be on time for school every day.
EARLY CHECK-OUT If your child has an appointment during school hours, please report to the main office to check/sign the student(s) out. Unless the appointment takes the entire school day, students are expected to attend class both before and after the appointment. If a doctor’s note is provided within 2 days, the check-out will be excused. Students with UNEXCUSED CHECK-OUTS will be expected to serve DETENTION as follows: 5 UNEXCUSED CHECK-OUTS = 1 detention 10 UNEXCUSED CHECK-OUTS = 2 detentions Detention notices will be sent home with the student, noting the time and location. Please do not be offended when we ask for identification when checking students out. It is merely a protective measure. If the student is to be picked up by anyone other than the legal custodial guardian listed on the student’s records, the person picking up/checking out the child must be listed on the EMERGENCY CARD. Anyone checking out a student MUST SHOW ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION. For classes located in the cottage area, students will be checked out from the cottage office. For classes located on the main campus, students will be checked out from the main office. When checking out your child, please remain in the office area until your child arrives from their class. TIME CONSTRAINTS Checking students out just before dismissal causes confusion in the child’s regular routine, therefore we ask that you refrain from checking out students after 3:30 p.m. except in the case of an emergency.
TRANSPORTATION GENERAL TRANSPORTATION We encourage the use of the STPSB bus transportation system. The car line can back up and cause your child to be tardy.
BUS RIDERS: GENERAL BUS INFORMATON General bus information including bus routes, rules, and regulations can be found on the St. Tammany Parish schools website at: http://www.stpsb.org/transportation .
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BUS CONDUCT Specific student behavior expectations are established for the safe and efficient operation of the school district transportation system in accordance with state laws and regulations. Transportation is considered an extension of the regular school program, and students who violate behavior expectations while riding a bus are subject to suspension from riding the bus and/or all other penalties established for misbehavior while students are not on the school premises. Copies of bus regulations are provided annually to all students. Administration reserves the right to suspend a student from riding the bus on any offense depending on the severity of the offense.
TRANSPORTATION OFFICE Any questions or concerns pertaining to the district transportation system should be directed to the school board transportation department at 985.898.3373.
CAR RIDERS: ARRIVAL TIME Our school day begins at 8:50 a.m. Students arriving in cars must arrive between 8:20 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. Teachers are not on duty until 8:20 a.m. Car riders eating breakfast at school must arrive in the cafeteria no later than 8:35 a.m. and be finished by the time the morning bell rings. There is only one school entrance for parents and visitors. The green gates located on C.S. Owens Road serve as our official entrance, which can be accessed from the school parking lot. The bus loop is used for school buses only. No cars or private vehicles are allowed in the bus loop due to safety concerns. PROCEDURE FOR DRIVERS Students arriving in cars must be dropped off and picked up ONLY in the car line. A MES faculty member will help your child out of your vehicle. For your child’s safety, parents absolutely may NOT drop children off in the middle of the parking lot. If you arrive late, it is necessary to walk your child to the office to check them in. Students MUST BE CHECKED IN/OUT WITH AN ADULT’S SIGNATURE. Please have your child ready to exit the car upon stopping. Time spent gathering bags, coats, and giving a last hug adds up quickly and makes the line move more slowly. This is a good opportunity to teach the children consideration for others. Afternoon car line begins dismissal at 3:46. Please do not block parked cars or exiting cars. If you arrive early, please park in the designated car line areas being mindful of posted parking restrictions. For the safety of your child and others, please refrain from using cell phones while in the car line. CARLINE NAME TAGS All students will receive a CARLINE NAME TAG during the first days of school. Write your child’s name in BIG, BLACK, BOLD letters, and place it on your rear view mirror with the name facing out. This identification keeps the line moving smoothly. Please use the carline name tag all year because duty teams rotate. If the name tag is not displayed, you will be asked to park and go to the main office to verify the party picking up your child so that the car line can continue moving. If additional carline name tags are needed, notify the office. 10
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES Your students’ safety is our top priority; the following guidelines must be enforced: Any student needing to use a different form of transportation at the end of the day MUST give his/her teacher written notification from the parent the day of the change. For your child’s safety, we CANNOT rely on verbal notification from the child. Students who are going to another student’s home MUST also bring written permission from the parent. We WILL NOT accept transportation changes via fax, email or telephone. Transportation change notification must include the following: •Child’s Full Name •Bus Driver’s Name •Teacher’s Name •Bus Number •Grade •Parent/Guardian’s Signature Without a note, the student will be instructed to follow his/her regular transportation procedure.
PARENT/GUARDIAN AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Madisonville Elementary School will provide a partnership of students, school personnel, parents, guardians, and community, which will enhance the self-worth of all and foster a love of learning. To ensure effective involvement of parents and to support this partnership, we shall provide activities that encourage participation and involvement of all members of the school community.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES Only when a child feels that there is understanding, appreciation, and active cooperation between home and school, can he/she do their best in their school work. Through conferences, parents and teachers gain a better insight into the child’s needs, interests, potential and growth, as well as any particular difficulties he/she may have. If at any time a child would benefit from a parent/teacher conference, the faculty is available before and after school by appointment only. To be assured of an appointment, please call in advance. During parties or other school programs is not the proper time to conference. The administration asks that if you have concerns regarding your child, please conference with the teacher first before contacting the principal or assistant principal. You may contact teachers through email, by calling the school office, or by sending a note with your child.
PTA (Parent Teacher Association) Madisonville Elementary School has a very active PTA. The Parent-Teacher Association provides an excellent opportunity for establishing better communication between parents and teachers. This is a great opportunity for parents to learn about campus life and to support our school. We encourage you to join our Parent-Teacher Association. Look for information to be sent home at the beginning of the school year. You can also view a current list of PTA officers, committees, committee chair people, and upcoming events and opportunities on our school website. Our PTA e-mail is:
[email protected]
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TEACHER RECOGNITION Parents are welcomed to send individual gifts to their child’s teacher. Money MAY NOT be collected at any time for recognition purposes. In addition, we ask that parents refrain from organizing birthday parties and/or showers for teachers.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS Community Partners is a program in which local businesses, as well as individuals, have the opportunity to support our school through generous donations of goods, services and/or financial support. Our Community Partners are recognized by receiving a certificate and by having their name/logo proudly displayed on our Leader Board in the school gymnasium. Contact our office at 985.845.3671 for further details.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS Volunteers enrich our students’ learning experience. We could not provide the many activities and services to our students without the help of our wonderful volunteers! We encourage and greatly appreciate family and community participation. Volunteers help in the reading programs, in classrooms as teacher’s helpers, and with countless school and PTA projects. All volunteers must receive a Visitor’s Badge upon each visit to our campus. (Please see SIGN-IN on page 10.) Please log your volunteer hours in the book located in the parent workroom, as our school gains recognition by the St. Tammany Parish School Board for these hours. When you agree to volunteer, we ask that no siblings accompany you. Our students need your undivided attention. Volunteers are asked to uphold the confidentiality and privacy rights of the students at Madisonville Elementary School. (Please see GUIDE FOR CAMPUS VISITS.)
CLASS PARTIES We will have two formal holiday parties – winter and spring. You will receive notice as to the date and time as the holidays approach. Please adhere to the specific times announced. These events will last approximately 45 minutes. DUE TO LIMITED SPACE, SIBLINGS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND CLASS PARTIES. Birthday Party Invitations – Students may hand out party invitations during the school day if the entire class receives one or if “all boys” or “all girls” are to receive one. This is done to protect the feelings of all children. Birthday treats (cupcakes, etc.) must have prior approval from the teacher. Please do not send balloons or flowers to school for your child. Parents may drop treats off in the office. Please write your child’s name, as well as the teacher’s name on food items or anything left in the main office.
CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS Madisonville Elementary School recognizes the importance of the school-home partnership in supporting productive learning experiences for students. Parents are welcomed to spend time at school to become familiar with the educational program and to get to know the staff members. An occasional classroom visit of 30 minutes may be scheduled through the principal. Advance notice is required so that the visit will not be disruptive to the instructional program or daily routine. A one-day notice is helpful. The visitor should share the purpose of the visit to assist school personnel in scheduling the observation. A classroom observation is not the time to engage the teacher in a conference about the child’s progress or ask questions of the teacher. In order to minimize distractions that could result from changes in classroom routine, visitors may not interact with the 12
teacher or any students during instructional time or otherwise interfere with instruction. Visitors may not remove any materials or supplies from the classroom unless authorized to do so. The principal reserves the right to deny request to observe in the classroom in cases where she believes that the visit may be disruptive. A parent-teacher conference can be scheduled at the parent’s request. Parents are not allowed to enter the classrooms before or after the school day has ended, unless an appointment has been scheduled. EVERY PERSON ENTERING OUR CAMPUS MUST CHECK-IN AT THE MAIN OFFICE WITH A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE IN ORDER TO BE ISSUED A VISITOR’S BADGE.
FIELD TRIPS CHAPERONES Parents may be asked to help chaperone for a field trip. You will receive a Parent Chaperone Responsibility Form to sign and return to school before the field trip. We ask that you abide by these rules. Many factors will decide the number of chaperones needed. In accordance with the school board policy, there will be no smoking on school grounds or while chaperoning on school related field trips. While on a field trip, we ask that chaperones follow the school policy noted in this handbook under GUIDE FOR CAMPUS VISITS. In addition, please refrain from cell phone use while chaperoning field trips, except in the case of an emergency. The purpose of the chaperone is to supervise a class group of 4-6 students. Parents who are not attending a particular field trip want to feel assured that their child is being well supervised. We ask that chaperones give their total attention to the students. School policy is that students must ride on the bus to and from a field trip. If a child is going to be checked out after a field trip, your child MUST be checked out from the main/cottage office with your signature and time of check out. Any printed badges that were given to parents by the office should be returned to the office, either directly or by a teacher. FIELD TRIP FEES & PERMISSION SLIPS Permission slips are required for all trips. A deadline for payment will always accompany the permission slip. This deadline is final. Event sponsors require advance notice; therefore, the deadline is strictly enforced. Ample time will be given to pay any fees.
STUDENT WELFARE SAFETY & SECURITY CAMPUS ADMITTANCE FOR ADULTS EVERY PERSON ENTERING OUR CAMPUS MUST CHECK-IN AT THE MAIN OFFICE WITH A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE IN ORDER TO BE ISSUED A VISITOR’S BADGE. Please see SIGN-IN, page 10. CAMPUS SECURITY Nine (9) security cameras are currently installed throughout our campus. The cameras have been installed in strategic areas and monitor our school campus 7 days a week/24 hours per day.
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RESTROOM POLICY (concerning adults) For the safety of all students, Madisonville Elementary School has implemented a restroom policy. All restrooms throughout the campus are designated as child OR adult restrooms, with the exception of the sickroom restroom. Adults are never allowed in the children’s restrooms and children are never allowed in the adult restrooms. Any incidence of this policy being ignored should be reported to the school administration immediately. SAFE AND DRUG FREE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES ACT (SDFSCA) The purpose of the SDFSCA is to support programs that: (1) prevent violence in and around schools; (2) prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs; (3) involve parents and communities; and (4) are coordinated with related Federal, State, school, and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment that promotes student academic achievement. Components of this act include:
SAFETY AND RED RIBBON WEEK PARENT INFORMATION DISSEMINATION ACT 171 COMPLIANCE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION DRUG FREE ZONE AWARENESS SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Students are expected to show kindness and respect towards one another in their words and actions. Disrespect that includes jokes, comments, gestures, or touching that is unwelcome or sexual in nature is not allowed. Immediately report any such behaviors to a counselor, a teacher, the principal, or assistant principal. EMERGENCY GUIDE FOR PARENTS Important Emergency Contact Information
Go to www.stpsb.org or mobile.stpsb.org To Download and Install the STPPS INFO ON-THE-GO App:
1. 2. 3. 4.
Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Search "St. Tammany Public Schools" Select “Get” then “Install” (You will need to know your Apple or Google account password) After it has installed select "Open" (iOS 8.0 or higher is needed)
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter, https://twitter.com/stppschoolsWatch STPSB channel 13, A T & T U-verse channel 99 or Charter Cable channel 198
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Call the System Emergency Hotline at 1.866.750.7489 Tune into local TV stations, radio stations and news websites for alerts Information Parents Need If Emergencies Arise at School or in the Community
Safe Environments for Learning - A Top Priority Safety is a priority for the St. Tammany Parish Public School System. We work in partnership with law enforcement, parish government, emergency responders and emergency preparedness officials to coordinate emergency response plans in order to ensure everyone acts swiftly and effectively in emergency situations. Emergency plans are reviewed regularly and school leaders conduct drills throughout the school year to make certain students and staff members know the proper emergency procedures. Principals are available to discuss emergency plans and answer any questions you might have about safety. Parents and caretakers can help us by understanding what schools will do in an emergency and cooperating with school and emergency officials. Parents Have a Key Role in Emergency Response During an emergency situation, school and emergency officials must act quickly to secure schools in order to safeguard students and staff. Parents and caregivers can assist greatly by being prepared before an emergency. Here are a few critical things you can do:
Make certain school officials always have accurate contact information on file, including home and cell phone numbers. Parents no longer have to sign up for emergency alerts. St. Tammany Parish Public Schools now have a system which automatically generates emergency messages based on contact information from school based emergency cards. Please make certain all of your child’s information is up to date and correct on the emergency card at your child’s school. Please be sure to include your home number and your cell number if applicable. Provide your school with contact information for adults authorized as emergency contacts for your child. Talk to your child about what to do and how to contact you in an emergency. Stay informed about potentially serious weather situations. Let your child and school officials know if you anticipate being unavailable, out of town or difficult to reach for an extended period of time. Notify school officials or the Crimestoppers Safe School Hotline at 1.877.903.7867 if you see or hear of anything that could create a danger at school. In the event of an emergency, monitor www.stpsb.org, our mobile website, mobile.stpsb.org, Channel 13, St. Tammany Parish Schools on Facebook, and STPPSchools on Twitter.
Emergency School Closings An emergency may require the closing of a school or all schools for a short period of time to help ensure the safety of students, staff, parents and others in the community. Notification of emergency closings is given as soon as possible so parents and caregivers can make arrangements. Early or Delayed School Dismissal School lock-downs or forecasts of exceptionally hazardous driving conditions may cause delayed dismissal of students or early dismissal of students from school.
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In case of delayed dismissal, students may arrive at their bus drop-off sites later than usual. If school officials are not able to notify parents about early dismissal or closing, students may be kept at school until parents can arrange for students to be picked up. Threatening Weather In cases of threatening weather, school system officials work with the U. S. Weather Service, parish government, local law enforcement officials and emergency preparedness officials to make decisions about early dismissal or school closings. If an evacuation of our campus becomes necessary, the relocation point would be First Baptist Church of Covington, 16333 Highway 1085, Covington, LA 70433. Even with the assistance of these officials, weather conditions are difficult to predict. When schools are open during severe weather conditions, the school system will respect parental judgment about whether their children should attend school. Absences in such cases will be excused and students will be allowed to make up missed schoolwork. Emergency Release of Students to Parents During an emergency, schools have special procedures for a secure release of your child from school if evacuation during the school day is required.
All adults will need a government-issued photo ID (such as driver’s license, passport, military ID) to pick up students. Students will be released ONLY to persons who have been designated as emergency contacts on the student emergency card kept on file at the school. Non-custodial parents who may pick up students must be listed on the student emergency card as a guardian. Parents will be notified through the school system web site at www.stpsb.org, the school system TV station, the local media and through other communication systems about when and how to pick up students.
CONFIDENTIALITY Confidentiality is the obligation to refrain from disclosing any information obtained in confidence. Our staff is trained to keep and protect any confidential information and records concerning the students at Madisonville Elementary School. Confidentiality is based on four basic principles: Respect for an individual’s right to privacy Respect for human relationships in which personal information is shared Appreciation for the importance of confidentiality to both individuals and society Expectations that those who pledge to safeguard confidential information will do so MEDIA RELEASES & INTERNET ACCESS Media release forms are sent home the first week of school. Students may only be photographed, videotaped, etc. for publication if this form is signed and on file in the school office. If for any reason you do not want your 16
child photographed, we would appreciate you calling this to our attention verbally in addition to noting this on the release form. Internet access forms are also sent home to newly enrolled students. If a form is not signed or returned, the student will be denied internet access.
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR/MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS The need for expanding school counseling programs has become more acute due to the teaching profession’s increased understanding of how non-academic forces impact the school’s learning environment. We have these services available as needed or requested by parents for individual, small group, and large group activities. As mandated by the St. Tammany Parish School Board, students in grades K-8 will receive instruction on the topic of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Education and Reporting. All materials used in the instruction may be previewed by contacting the school administration. We would also like to encourage you to talk to your child about this topic as well as other general safety issues. Other services provided by our school counselor/mental health provider include, but are not limited to: Academic, Pre-Career & Personal/Social Development Character Education Anti-Bullying Program (including the reporting of incidents) Parental Resources & Support Sexual /Child Abuse Prevention (including the reporting of) Threat of Violence/Self Injurious Behavior (including the reporting of) Conflict Resolution
PHYSICAL HEALTH STUDENT ILLNESSES/CONDITIONS In an effort to maintain a safe and healthy environment in school, the following guidelines should be followed regarding student illness. The guidelines are meant to provide simple and effective precautions against the transmission of disease and/or infection as well as decrease the risk of exposure for all students and school personnel.
FEVER – Students should remain home and be fever free (below 100°) for 24 hours. VOMITING / DIARRHEA – If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea before school, please keep him/her home from school until it has subsided for at least 24 hours. RASHES – All persistent rashes should be seen by a doctor for proper diagnosis in order to determine the communicability of the rash. NURSES CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE VARIOUS RASHES. NASAL DISCHARGE – If your child has a discolored (yellow to green) nasal discharge, this may indicate an infection, thus your child may need to see a physician. 17
HEAD LICE – All students with head lice are to be checked back into school through our main office. Students may not return until they have been cleared by the school nurse or the trained school secretaries. Doctor’s notes and Health Unit slips are not acceptable. An excused absence will be issued for two (2) days only. RINGWORM – All ringworms must be covered while at school. Ringworm on the scalp must be seen by a doctor. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES – Report all communicable diseases to the school – i.e. Chickenpox (Varicella), Fifths Disease, etc… CHICKEN POX – All chickenpox (Varicella) sores must be completely dry before the student can return to school. If any of the above conditions occur, the parent is notified and could be asked to remove the child from school to seek medical attention. EMERGENCY CARDS & CHANGE OF STUDENT INFORMATION Because of the age of our students, it is essential that the school has up-to-date information for each child. This information is written on the EMERGENCY CARDS each school year and kept in the office IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. Please notify the school immediately if you have any changes including phone numbers, addresses, contact names or any changes in After School Care arrangements. This information is essential in helping us provide care for your child promptly and efficiently during an emergency. If your phone is disconnected, please inform us immediately. Please include cell and work phone numbers on ALL forms. Adding additional contacts to your child’s emergency card must be done in person and acceptable identification will be required before doing so. SCHOOL NURSE A registered nurse is assigned to Madisonville Elementary and on-site, one day per week. The nurse is also on call every day and returns to our school for emergencies and consultation when needed. If our school nurse notices something that should be checked by a doctor, she will contact parent/guardians by phone or letter. The nurse also conducts vision and hearing screenings annually for pre-k, kindergarten and first grade. She monitors student health records as well. HEALTH CONCERNS If your child has any health conditions that require additional information or special directions, you MUST have a doctor’s note indicating the condition and the procedure to be followed. Oftentimes, parents tell us that their child has allergies, but we have no doctor’s note indicating such. In order for us to withhold food products, (i.e. dairy products) or give medication, we MUST have a doctor’s order. THIS MUST BE UPDATED EVERY SCHOOL YEAR. MEDICATIONS The St. Tammany Parish School System has imposed strict guidelines for administering medications at school. If your child is taking long term medication or emergency medication such as asthma inhalers or EpiPens, you may request a St. Tammany Parish medication form from the school office and have it completed by your physician. The medication will then be administered through the office by trained staff. If there are any changes in medication, a new form must be completed by the parent and doctor before a new medicine or dosage is given. Do not send cough syrup, cough drops, aspirin, or any other over-the-counter medication to school with any child. Parents may come to school, sign a “Medical Note” form, and administer medicine if necessary.
OTHER STUDENT CONCERNS 18
STUDENT ASSISTANCE TEAM (SAT) Concerns involving student achievement, behavior, health, or communication, which cannot be resolved at the classroom level will be referred by the teacher to the SAT (Student Assistance Team) in an attempt to resolve the problem. The SAT at Madisonville Elementary meets weekly to provide assistance for teachers, parents, and students. The committee is comprised of the Technology Resource Teacher, a speech therapist, and a Pupil Appraisal member, and the teacher. Parents are notified in advance and are requested to attend the conference. The overall goal of the SAT is the coordination among the committee, agencies, and individuals responsible for learning, in order to assist individual students in obtaining a successful education.
SPECIAL EDUCATION & SUPPORT SERVICES Madisonville Elementary School offers a range of special education services for qualifying students. These services include speech/language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, adapted physical education, assistive technology, preschool early intervention, 504 services, and several resource settings for students who need additional academic support in Math, English/Language Arts, and/or Science and Social Studies. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that determines whether a child qualifies for special education services. IDEA defines a “child with a disability” as one who may have one or more of the following impairments: mental retardation, hearing impairments, speech or language impairments, visual impairments, serious emotional impairments, orthopedic impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, or specific learning disabilities. See http://idea.ed.gov for more information. INSURANCE Student accident insurance is available for Madisonville Elementary students. Cost and coverage information will be available at the beginning of school. KIDS IN TRANSITION (K.I.T.) Education of Children and Youth in Homeless Situations The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law passed in 1987 to help people experiencing homelessness. The Act requires states and school districts to make sure students in homeless situations can attend and succeed in school. The McKinney-Vento Act applies to all children and youth who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are living in the following situations:
Doubled-up housing with other families or friends because they lost their home or their family is having temporary financial problems; Living in a motel/hotel because of economic hardship or loss of housing; Living in an emergency or transitional shelter, domestic violence shelter, or in a runaway/homeless youth shelter; Living in a vehicle of any kind, trailer park or campground without running water or electricity, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus/train station; Awaiting foster care placement; or Abandoned in a hospital. 19
Children and youth in homeless situations have the right to the following:
Enroll in school despite the lack of a permanent address or lack of school and immunization records, or birth certificates and other documents; Attend and succeed in school no matter where they live or how long they have lived there; Receive services comparable to those offered to non-homeless children and youth; Get transportation to school; Access educationally related support services; Make sure that disagreements between students and schools are resolved quickly.
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMS INTRODUCTION Both programs offer a three or five day per week option. Our mission is to provide students with: An inclusive child care program that is safe and nurturing, in a comfortable environment. A cultural, enriching program that promotes the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of each child. A program that meets the highest quality of child care standards.
DROP-INS ARE NOT ACCEPTED ELIGIBILITY Children must be in grades K-2 at Madisonville Elementary and be able to use the restroom facilities without adult assistance to be eligible for enrollment. A child may be enrolled in the program at any time. If a child requires special services, a conference with administration must be held before attending.
REGISTRATION Both programs will begin offering services on August 11, 2017. The parent or guardian must complete the registration packet and provide all of the necessary emergency information before their child may attend. There is an annual registration fee of $10.00 for each child AND each program. Fees are payable by check, cash, or money order and must be included with the registration packet. Checks must be made payable to: Madisonville Elementary School or M.E.S. Please indicate your child’s first and last name on the check and envelope and the days being paid. Please keep your receipts. It is necessary that the parent or guardian complete the Special Needs Form if their child(ren) has special needs that are to be met in the child care program. Food allergies are to be included in these special needs. Special needs students will begin attendance after a conference is held with the director, at which time a start date will be discussed. If the student has an IEP/504 Plan, the parent must inform the director of such and provide copies.
FEE SCHEDULE AND PAYMENT POLICY 20
Salaries, supplies and administrative expenses are supported entirely by Before & After Care fees. Fee payment is due no later than the 3rd school day of the month. A $10 Late Fee will be imposed for late payments received after the 7th of each month, AND the child’s participation will be suspended until payment is received. Fees are paid to reserve an entire month of childcare according to the option agreement, regardless of the actual number of days/hours the child attends. A Before & After School Care envelope will be provided in the take home packet for registration forms, fees, and monthly fees. 5 Days per week, Monthly Rate: 3 Days per week, Monthly Rate:
BEFORE SCHOOL CARE RATES $100 for 1st child, $50 for each additional child $60 for 1st child, $30 for each additional child
5 Days per week, Monthly Rate: 3 Days per week, Monthly Rate:
AFTER SCHOOL CARE RATES $150 for 1st child, $100 for each additional child $120 for 1st child, $50 for each additional child
(August fees are pro-rated for kindergarten students)
ATTENDANCE & HOURS OF OPERATION Madisonville Elementary’s Before & After School Care programs will follow the same school calendar as the St. Tammany Parish Schools. (When there is a school holiday, there are no childcare services.) AFTER SCHOOL CARE SERVICES WILL NOT BE PROVIDED ON ½ DAYS OF SCHOOL. There are two days during Mardi Gras season that the After School Care program will close at 5:00 p.m. This is due to the Mandeville parade route.
NORMAL PROGRAM HOURS Before School Care Hours: After School Care Hours:
7:20 a.m – 8:20 a.m. (GYM) 4:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (GYM)
If a student is enrolled in the three day a week After Care option, the parent is responsible for submitting the child’s weekly schedule to the homeroom teacher on Monday of each week. DROP-INS ARE NOT ACCEPTED (This jeopardizes the safety and security of students.) If a student is absent from a school day, they may not attend Before or After School Care that day. If a parent checks out a child from school for the day, they may not return for After Care. If a child becomes ill while attending Before or After School Care, the parent/guardian listed on the registration form will be contacted immediately to pick up the child from the program. The After Care program closes at 6:00 p.m. Parents will be charged a $10.00 late pick-up fee for each 15 minutes (1-15 minutes; 16-30 minutes; 31-45 minutes, etc). Late fees are due upon student pick-up - through cash, check, or money orders. Before & After School Care telephone number is 985.845.3328.
RELEASE OF CHILDREN Children must be picked up from After Care by a parent or guardian. No child will be allowed to leave the program with someone other than the parent or guardian unless written permission is given to the After Care staff. No one under driving age is allowed to sign out a child. Proper identification will be required. PROCEDURES FOR CHILDREN NOT PICKED UP BY 7:00 P.M. OR ONE HOUR AFTER CLOSING TIME: If neither parent(s) nor emergency contacts can be reached and there has been no communication from parent/guardian, 21
the local police will be called and the child released to them. A police officer will sign the child(ren) out. If the police do not find someone to take the child, they will then notify Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS).
SNACKS A nutritious, small snack will be provided during After Scholl care each day. The staff is not responsible if the child will not eat the snack provided for that day. Children may bring a snack from home.
DISCIPLINE All students are expected to follow the same rules and procedures as required during regular school hours. The child care program is an extension of the school day. The Director will use the school’s regular discipline form for documentation and communication with parents. A student may be removed from participation in the program for habitual or flagrant violations.
HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY If a child has any of the following conditions, the parent will be notified to pick up the child immediately: a suspected contagious disease, fever over 100 degrees, vomiting, or diarrhea. In case of accident or illness, parents of the child will be called immediately.
DISPENSING MEDICATION In May of 1993, the Louisiana Legislature enacted ACT 87 (L.A.R.S. 17436.1), relative to the administration of medication in schools. This act covers all prescription and non-prescription drugs. In accordance with ACT 87, the St. Tammany Parish School Board has formulated the following guidelines to be used when a child has to receive medication during school hours. The Before and/or After Child Care program Director will be responsible for working with the school office and parents if medication is needed by the child during the program hours.
No medication shall be administered to, or self-administered by any student without an order from a Louisiana or adjacent state licensed physician or dentist and a letter of request and authorization from the student’s parent or guardian. No medication shall be administered to, or self-administered by any student unless it is provided to the school in a container properly labeled by a registered pharmacist. A registered nurse employed by the St. Tammany Parish School Board will review the physician’s order and the parent’s request. The registered nurse will then assess the specific child in the educational setting to determine if delegation of administration of the medication by a trained non-licensed health professional is acceptable. In order to ensure proper identification of students receiving medication we are requesting the parent to submit a recent photo of the student attached to the medication folder. Medication must be brought to school and retrieved when completed by a responsible adult. NO MEDICATION will be received at school or sent home via a student. If your child requires medication for an acute illness, we encourage you to work with your physician to schedule doses that can be given at home. Long-term illness and medication may require administration during school hours. It is recommended that the Child Care Director work with the school office personnel to make a copy of the student’s Emergency Card that would list any medical concerns or medications that are being taken by the student. This would be an additional form of information to the Child Care program. 22
IRS STATEMENTS Before & After Care programs do not provide an itemized statement for tax purposes. Please keep your receipts and cancelled checks for an accurate account of your childcare expenses.
PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITIES
Adhering to the drop-off, pick-up times of the Before & After Care programs as follows: Before Care – Children should be dropped off NO EARLIER than 7:20 a.m. After Care – Children should be picked up NO LATER than 6:00 p.m. or the close of the program; the local police will be called if children are remaining after 7:00 p.m. or one hour from close of program without parental notification.* Adhering to the guidelines of the St. Tammany Parish Student Handbook and any policy and/or procedure of the School System. Adhering to the payment schedule of the programs. Notifying the Before and/or After School Child Care staff if: 1. Any data on the registration form changes (telephone numbers, addresses, etc.); 2. Their child is in attendance at school but, though registered to attend, will not be attending Before and/or After School Care on any given day; 3. There is a change in the daily departure routine; 4. Their child is withdrawing from the program; 5. Their child’s participation is limited due to health or other impairments; 6. Their child has any special concerns/needs that the Program Director and Principal should be aware of, in order for the child to be successful in the program.
*If a student is picked up late habitually (3 times or more), aftercare services may be discontinued. If this should become an issue, please contact the principal to discuss the matter. A child may be removed from the program if a parent does not meet the above responsibilities on a consistent basis.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION & SUPPORT PLAN (PBIS) MES promotes a positive and safe school environment by teaching children expected behaviors. We also teach and encourage the “Golden Rule”: Treat others the way you want to be treated.
FISH! PHILOSOPHY FISH! Philosophy - Be a Bucket Filler Be There Choose Your Attitude Make Their Day Have Fun The FISH! Philosophy includes four simple, interconnected practices: Be There: When people need you, they need all of you. Setting aside distractions and judgments to be fully present is a sign of respect. It improves communication and strengthens relationships. Choose Your Attitude: To actually choose how you respond to life, not just react, you must be intentional. When you get up, decide who you want to "be" today. Moment-to-moment awareness is key. Ask yourself throughout 23
the day, "What is my attitude right now? Is it helping the people who depend on me? Is it helping me to be most effective?" Make Their Day: Simple gestures of thoughtfulness, thanks and recognition make people feel appreciated and valued. When you make someone else feel good, you feel good too. Have Fun: You can be serious about your work without taking yourself so seriously. Play is a mindset more than a specific activity. It allows you to throw yourself with enthusiasm and creativity into whatever you are doing, in a way that is natural, not forced. "Playing” with ideas helps you find solutions to everyday challenges. Through The FISH! Philosophy, we build stronger relationships with the people in our lives.
CHAMPS OVERVIEW Madisonville Elementary has implemented CHAMPS as a school-wide model to encourage positive student behavior and to motivate students to be active, responsible learners. The idea behind CHAMPS is to enhance students engagement and learning by empowering school personnel with techniques to help all students make responsible and respectful choices. The CHAMPS beliefs include: All students must be treated with dignity and respect. Students should be taught skills and behaviors necessary for success. Staff members should encourage motivation through positive interactions and building relationships with students. Students’ misbehavior provides a teaching opportunity. The following acronyms will be used to teach and clarify school-wide and classroom rules: C – Conversation (What level of talk can the students use during this activity?) H – Help (How can students ask for help during this activity?) A – Activity (What is the task/objective of this activity?) M – Movement (What is the movement during this activity?) P – Participation (What does appropriate student behavior look like/sound like during this activity?) S – Success! If we follow these rules we will achieve SUCCESS! Each student’s behavior will be communicated to parents daily, through a PBIS Communication “Minnow Log” to be found in the student’s binder or folder. If no letter is circled on the PBIS Communication Log, your child has made good choices for the day. If R, M, or S is circled, your child has received one of the following: R = Reflection Form M= Minor Discipline Form S = State Discipline Form For a copy of these forms, please see appendix. If a student has received a reflection sheet, the student will be asked to sit in a designated area in his or her classroom to complete a reflection form. This sheet will allow the student time to reflect on: What happened; 24
Why he/she did what they did; Better choices he/she could have made What he/she will do next time
The teacher will review the reflection sheet with the student (providing assistance when needed), sign it, and place it in the student’s binder/folder. Parents should then discuss the sheet with their child, sign it, and return it to school the following day. At times, a student’s behavior will warrant a Minor or State Discipline form to be written. These circumstances include behaviors such as fighting, cursing or any habitual, specific behavior. Teachers will manage minor behaviors. Major behaviors will be reported on the State Discipline form and will be handled by administration. CHAMPS EXPECTATIONS
School Expectations The following are expected behaviors for all students, faculty, and staff members. These school rules should be taught, understood and implemented by all.
Classroom Expectations Individual classroom rules are posted in each classroom.
Inside Hallway Expectations Conversation – Level 0 - No talking. Help – Raise your hand or report to the nearest adult. Activity – Walk safely in the hallway. Movement – Walk on the correct side and in your own personal space. Participation – Everyone will walk to their destination. Success – Success will be achieved by all. Outside Walkway Expectations Conversation – Level 1 - Whisper. Help – Raise your hand or report to the nearest adult. Activity – Walk safely in the walkway. Movement – Walk on the correct side and in your own personal space. Participation – Everyone will walk to their destination. Success – Success will be achieved by all. Restroom Expectations Conversation – Level 0-No talking is needed in the bathroom. Help – Return to your classroom or find an adult. Activity – Use the bathroom, wash your hands, and return to class. Movement – Walk safely in your own space to and from the bathroom. Participation – Use the bathroom alone, but always walk with a partner. Success – Success will be achieved by all. Playground/Cement Expectations 25
Conversation – Level 4 (when playing) Level 0 (after the bell) Help – Report to the duty teacher. Activity – Recess/lining up Movement – Walk on the cement/pea gravel. Swing and slide at one time. Walk or run on the grass. Participation – Taking turns, playing fair, making safe choices Success – Success will be achieved by all.
Bus Area Expectations Conversation – Level 0 – No Talking Help – Raise your hand. Activity – Sit on your bottom. Movement – Stay seated until your bus is called. Participation – All bus riders Success – Success will be achieved by all. Car Line Expectations Conversation – Level 0 - No Conversation Help – Raise your hand. Activity – Sit down, bottom to bottom. Movement – Stay seated until your name is called. Participation – All car riders Success – Success will be achieved by all. Cafeteria Expectations Conversation – Level 0 - No talking while students are being served. (Red Light) Level 2 - Quiet Conversation (Yellow Light) Help – Raise your hand. Activity – Sit in your seat. Eat your breakfast/lunch neatly. Movement – Stay seated until you have permission to get up. Participation – All students Success – Success will be achieved by all.
REINFORCEMENT / REWARD PLAN OFF THE CHARTS (pictured on right) Clothespin “CLIPS” are moved up and down a chart posted in the classroom to help students monitor positive and negative choices throughout their school day.
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CLASSROOM REWARDS – Each teacher has his/her own individual classroom reward program.
GOLDEN FISH TICKETS – Golden Fish Tickets are tickets used school-wide – classroom, playground, cafeteria and bus – to acknowledge students making good choices and following school expectations. Golden Fish Tickets are placed in a box for each grade level. Each week, 5 Golden Fish Tickets will be chosen from each grade level to receive a special prize from the office to celebrate their success.
MAGNIFICENT MINNOWS – Each nine weeks students will be recognized by their teachers for going above and beyond school expectations. These students will be recognized as Magnificent Minnows. The administration will receive a written statement from the teacher and the students will be invited to a Magnificent Minnow Celebration. The written statements will be shared with parents, along with an invitation to the Magnificent Minnow Celebration. CHAMPO – Each class will be working towards a specific goal to be identified by the classroom teacher. When the goal is reached, each class will receive recognition on the Morning Broadcast and a certificate. FISH FOCUS – Each nine weeks the PBIS committee analyzes the discipline data that identifies an area of instructional focus. The teachers incorporate this Fish Focus into their instruction throughout the month. The Fish Focus is displayed in the school cafeteria, printed in the PTA newsletter & “Minnow Log,” and on the school website.
DISCIPLINE MINOR INFRACTIONS (Classroom Managed) Behavior Abusive language Inappropriate language Profanity Defiance/disrespect/ Insubordination/ non-compliance Disruption Dress code violation Fighting/physical aggression Forgery/theft Tease/taunt Lying/Cheating Property damage Other
Definition Low-intensity instance of inappropriate language including swearing, name calling or use of words in an inappropriate way. Brief or low-intensity failure to respond to adult requests Low-intensity, but inappropriate disruption Student wears clothing that does not fit within the dress code guidelines practiced by the school district. Not serious, but inappropriate physical disruption. Student is in possession of, having passed on, or being responsible for removing someone else’s property or has signed a person’s name without that person’s permission. Student delivers disrespectful message (verbal or gestural) to another person. Student delivers message that is untrue and/or deliberately violates rules. Low-intensity misuse of property Any other minor behaviors that do not fall within the above categories.
Minor Infractions Plan 1. Teacher will move closer to student and provide verbal or nonverbal warning. 2. Brief student /teacher conference away from peers.
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3. Time Out/Reflection/”Rehearsal Time” 4. Parent Conference
MAJOR INFRACTIONS (Administrative Intervention) Behavior Abusive language Inappropriate language Profanity Alcohol Combustibles Defiance/disrespect/ Insubordination/ Non-compliance Fighting/physical aggression Other drugs Property damage Tobacco Violation of bus rules Bullying
Sexual offense/ misconduct Other
Definition High-intensity instance of inappropriate language including swearing, name calling or use of words in an inappropriate way. Student is in possession of or is using alcohol containers, and/or imitations. Student is in possession of substances/objects readily capable of causing bodily harm and/or property damage (matches, lighters, firecrackers, gasoline lighter fluid). High-intensity: Refusal to follow directions, talking back and/or socially rude intentions.
Actions involving serious physical contact where injury may occur (e.g. hitting, punching, hitting with an object, kicking, hair pulling, scratching, etc.) Student is in possession of or is using illegal drugs/substances or imitations Student participates in an activity that results in substantial destruction or disfigurement of property. Student is in possession of or is using tobacco. See Safe Procedures For School Bus Riders As defined by Act 861 of 2012, bullying is a pattern of one or more of the following: • Gestures, including but not limited to obscene gestures and making faces; • Written, electronic, or verbal communications, including, but not limited to calling names, threatening harm, taunting, malicious teasing, or spreading untrue rumors; • Electronic communication including but is not limited to a communication or image transmitted by email, instant message, text message, blog, or social networking website through the use of a telephone, mobile phone, pager, computer, or other electronic device; • Physical acts including but not limited to hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, choking, damaging personal property, or unauthorized use of personal property; • Repeatedly and purposefully shunning or excluding from activities Student subjects an individual to lewd sexual gestures or exposing private body parts.
Problem behavior causing this referral is not listed above. Staff noting this behavior will specify the problem behavior observed. *Crisis Management plan is in effect to handle crisis/emergency situations. Major Infractions Plan 1. Any major infraction will result in documentation on the Louisiana Department of Education Discipline Form. 2. Depending on the nature of the infraction, one or more of the following disciplinary actions may occur: (See handbook on Attendance, Discipline and Student Records for explanations)
Student Reprimand Teacher-Student-Parent-Administrator Conference Detention Exclusion Refer to: Counselor, MHP, SAT In School Support on a different campus Second Chance “In School Support” – Madisonville Elementary participates in an “In School Support” program. This program is held at Lancaster Elementary School and is designed as a behavior intervention to be used when Madisonville Elementary has exhausted all interventions with a student. If a child is assigned to in school support, the parent is notified in advance and the arrangements will be discussed. Transportation to Lancaster Elementary is
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the responsibility of the parent. The child’s classroom teacher will be responsible for supplying the work for the day. The students will be given credit for completed work.
Suspension If a student is suspended out-of-school, he/she will have an opportunity to make up any missed assignments. The maximum grade available will be 100%. The work must be completed and turned in by the due date. The number of days the student has to make up their work will be determined by the amount of days the student was suspended. For example, if the student was suspended for 3 days, he/she will have 3 days to complete the assignment from the date of his/her return to school. If the student fails to turn in assignment(s) by the due date, he/she may receive a zero. MES will send a form letter home with the suspension papers explaining the policy to parent/student. Disciplinary Reassignment Expulsion Police Notification
EMERGENCY CRISIS INCIDENTS See St. Tammany Parish Schools Handbook or website at: www.stpsb.org/parents_emergency.php
COMMUNICATION OVERVIEW Consistent and clear communication is a key element for your child’s success in school. Please keep an open line of communication between your child, his or her teacher and yourself. Each day, engage your child in dialogue about his or her day at school. Let your child know that school is important and that people continue to use the knowledge that they acquired in elementary school. Below you will find convenient options to “keep in touch.” It is also a good idea to look through your child’s folders on a nightly basis since many notes and reminders are sent home from the office by way of your child’s folder. Teachers also communicate general class information through the use of weekly class newsletters that are sent home.
SCHOOL AND CLASS WEBSITES Madisonville Elementary has a website: http://madisonvilleelementary.stpsb.org
TEACHER E-MAIL Any teacher may be contacted through the St. Tammany Parish School Board e-mail system. You may access teacher e-mail by typing in his/her first name, a period, last name, @stpsb.org (i.e.
[email protected]).
NEWSLETTER A newsletter, The Lighthouse Lagniappe, is coordinated and published by the PTA and will be sent home with your child monthly. It can be found on the school website, shown above. The newsletter contains current and 29
upcoming events, PTA news, classroom news, and timely information from the administration. This publication will provide parents and community members the opportunity to work together on behalf of the school. Contact the PTA at
[email protected] or
[email protected] if you would like the opportunity to advertise your business in the newsletter. As hard as we try, there may be occasions when the newsletter may be late.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Office Fax After Care Cafeteria Other Important Numbers STPSB Central Office STPSB Child Welfare and Attendance STPSB School Nurse STPSB Transportation
985.845.3671 985.845.1393 985.845.3328 (3:16 – 6:00 p.m.) 985.845.3780
985.892.2276 985.898.3370 985.898.3370 985.898.3373
LIBRARY PERMISSION SLIPS Permission slips are sent home with first and second grade students in the first few weeks of school for parents to sign stating whether or not they will allow their children to check out books. (Kindergarten students will receive the permission slips in October). This permission slip must be returned before your child will be allowed to check out any book.
STUDENT GUIDELINES Library skills will be taught throughout the school year. The librarian will also be working with the Kindergarten, First and Second grade teachers correlating topics with library activities. Students will be allowed to check out books with their parent’s and teacher’s permission starting at different times, depending on their grade level. Students will attend a minimum of one library period per week.
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS Volunteering to help in our school library is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the school. Among many things, library volunteers can help by: Re-shelving books Guiding students with positive book selection Reading books to students
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WITHDRAWAL Please contact the school office several days prior to withdrawing your child, as this allows the staff and teachers time to complete necessary paperwork. When withdrawing a child from our school, please check to see what (if any) library and textbooks your child has checked out in his/her name. Your cooperation will save you time and money in avoiding lost book fees, and it ensures that records can be sent without delay.
LOST AND FOUND Items are sometimes left in the buildings or on the playground. All unclaimed articles are sent to the “Lost and Found” box where such items can be claimed. This box is located across from the PTA Workroom. Please put names on sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets. At the end of each nine weeks, unclaimed items will be donated to a charity.
MASCOT, LOGO, AND SCHOOL COLORS Our school colors are navy, yellow and red. Our school mascot is the minnow. The lighthouse is a historic figure in Madisonville area and has been chosen as our school logo.
SCHOOL PICTURES Pictures are taken by a professional photographer three times per school year. This includes a fall portrait sitting, a spring portrait sitting and a group class photo. The dates of the pictures will be announced in a note sent home and on the school calendar. The purchase of these pictures is optional.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS Community Partners is a program in which local businesses, as well as individuals, have the opportunity to support our school through generous donations of goods, services and/or financial support. Our Community Partners are recognized by receiving a certificate and by having their name/logo proudly displayed on our Leader Board in the school gymnasium. Contact our office at 985.845.3671 for further details.
YEARBOOK Our school has an annual yearbook. A note will go home with students stating the price and details. Purchase of the yearbook is optional.
HOMEWORK Homework is important in the learning process because it extends active involvement beyond the classroom. The time a student spends in class is not enough to ensure good learning. Homework is also a way for parents to keep abreast of a child’s progress. Good communication between home and school and mutual cooperation are imperative in fostering the full development of the student’s potential. Please check with your child’s teacher throughout the year concerning homework. If your child has trouble with homework or spends an inordinate amount of time on it, you should consult the teacher. Homework Responsibilities STUDENT: 31
1. To bring home assignments and materials 2. To return completed assignments on time TEACHERS: 1. To provide appropriate and meaningful assignments and to ensure students’ understanding of the assignments 2. To explain homework policy and procedures to students and parents at the beginning of the year 3. To place value on completed work by discussing the assignment 4. Using homework to help keep track of individual student’s learning PARENTS: 1. To provide a quiet, non-distracting area for the student to do their homework 2. To provide the tools necessary for completion of homework assignments 3. To place value on completed work by discussing the assignment 4. To provide encouragement and support
SCHOOL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES GENERAL MILLS BOX TOP$ Collect specified Box Top$ and our school will receive CASH! Each Box Top$ coupon is worth 10¢ for our school. You can clip Box Top$ coupons from hundreds of your favorite products, like General Mills products and partnering brands, like Cheerios®, Betty Crocker®, Hefty®, Juicy Juice®, Ziploc®, Kleenex® and many more! Our school has the potential to earn up to $20,000 each year through the original Box Top$ program! When your child turns in 25 Box Top$, he/she will get to choose a prize from the prize box. 25 BOX TOP$ MUST BE ADHERED TO AN 8.5 X 11” PAGE BEFORE A STUDENT CAN GO TO THE OFFICE TO CHOOSE A PRIZE. Students bringing loose box top$ will be sent back to class without a prize, until they are adhered to a sheet of paper. A BOX TOP form for printing can be found on the school website.
COMMUNITY COFFEE CASH FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM Cut out and collect UPC’s/Proof of Purchase from Community Coffee products including Red Bag Coffee Products, Mochasippi Bottled Coffee Drinks, Private Reserve Coffee Products, Community Tea Products and Coffee Related Products. Send them to school and our school will receive CASH upon redemption! Please note that the UPC & Proof of Purchase seals may vary slightly in appearance by product line. When your child turns in 25 Community proofs of purchase, he/she will get to pick a prize from the prize box. 25 PROOFS OF PURCHASE MUST BE ADHERED TO AN 8.5 X 11” PAGE BEFORE A STUDENT CAN GO TO THE OFFICE TO CHOOSE A PRIZE. Students bringing loose proofs of purchase will be sent back to class without a prize, until they are adhered to a sheet of paper.
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AMAZONSMILE AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
Watch for other school funding opportunities that will be sent home with your children throughout the year.
APPENDICES Kindergarten Reflection Form - I 1st & 2nd Grade Reflection Form - II School-Wide Discipline Form (Minor) - III LA Dept. of Education Discipline Form (Major) - IV
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Contents MISSION STATEMENT & BELIEFS .......................................................................................................................................... 1 VISION ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 INSTRUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 CURRICULUM .......................................................................................................................................................................... 1 REPORT CARDS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2 GRADING PERIODS .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 SCHOOL HOURS AND CALENDARS ....................................................................................................................................... 2 SCHOOL HOURS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2 CALENDARS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 2 GUIDE FOR CAMPUS VISITS ................................................................................................................................................. 3 SIGN-IN .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 FAMILY ATTENDANCE POLICY .................................................................................................................................................. 3 PARKING & TRAFFIC ................................................................................................................................................................. 3 CAR LINE & CROSSING GUARD ................................................................................................................................................. 4 CARLINE MAPS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 PREPARATION FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE .......................................................................................................................... 5 UNIFORMS AND DRESS CODE .................................................................................................................................................. 5 SCHOOL FEES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5 SCHOOL SUPPLIES .................................................................................................................................................................... 5 BOOK BAGS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
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VALUABLES .............................................................................................................................................................................. 6 BOOKS ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 FOOD SERVICES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6 CAFETERIA OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 ATTENDANCE POLICY ........................................................................................................................................................... 8 TARDINESS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 8 EARLY CHECK-OUT ................................................................................................................................................................... 9 TIME CONSTRAINTS............................................................................................................................................................. 9 TRANSPORTATION ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 GENERAL TRANSPORTATION ................................................................................................................................................... 9 BUS RIDERS: ............................................................................................................................................................................. 9 GENERAL BUS INFORMATON .............................................................................................................................................. 9 BUS CONDUCT ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 TRANSPORTATION OFFICE ................................................................................................................................................ 10 CAR RIDERS: ........................................................................................................................................................................... 10 ARRIVAL TIME ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 PROCEDURE FOR DRIVERS ................................................................................................................................................ 10 CARLINE NAME TAGS ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 TRANSPORTATION CHANGES ................................................................................................................................................ 11 PARENT/GUARDIAN AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES ......................................................................... 11 PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................... 11 PTA (PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION) ........................................................................................................................................... 11 TEACHER RECOGNITION ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 COMMUNITY PARTNERS........................................................................................................................................................ 12 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS .............................................................................................................................. 12 CLASS PARTIES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 12 CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS ................................................................................................................................................ 12 FIELD TRIPS ............................................................................................................................................................................ 13 CHAPERONES..................................................................................................................................................................... 13 FIELD TRIP FEES & PERMISSION SLIPS ............................................................................................................................... 13 STUDENT WELFARE............................................................................................................................................................ 13 SAFETY & SECURITY ............................................................................................................................................................... 13 CAMPUS ADMITTANCE FOR ADULTS ................................................................................................................................ 13 CAMPUS SECURITY ............................................................................................................................................................ 13 RESTROOM POLICY (concerning adults) ............................................................................................................................ 14 SAFE AND DRUG FREE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES ACT (SDFSCA) ............................................................................... 14 EMERGENCY GUIDE FOR PARENTS.................................................................................................................................... 14 CONFIDENTIALITY .............................................................................................................................................................. 16 MEDIA RELEASES & INTERNET ACCESS.............................................................................................................................. 16 MENTAL HEALTH ................................................................................................................................................................... 17 COUNSELOR/MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS ...................................................................................................................... 17 PHYSICAL HEALTH .................................................................................................................................................................. 17
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STUDENT ILLNESSES/CONDITIONS .................................................................................................................................... 17 EMERGENCY CARDS & CHANGE OF STUDENT INFORMATION .......................................................................................... 18 SCHOOL NURSE ................................................................................................................................................................. 18 HEALTH CONCERNS ........................................................................................................................................................... 18 MEDICATIONS ................................................................................................................................................................... 18 OTHER STUDENT CONCERNS ................................................................................................................................................. 18 STUDENT ASSISTANCE TEAM (SAT) ................................................................................................................................... 19 SPECIAL EDUCATION & SUPPORT SERVICES........................................................................................................................... 19 INSURANCE ....................................................................................................................................................................... 19 KIDS IN TRANSITION (K.I.T.) ............................................................................................................................................... 19 BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMS ..................................................................................................................... 20 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20 ELIGIBILITY ............................................................................................................................................................................. 20 REGISTRATION ....................................................................................................................................................................... 20 FEE SCHEDULE AND PAYMENT POLICY .................................................................................................................................. 20 BEFORE SCHOOL CARE RATES ........................................................................................................................................... 21 AFTER SCHOOL CARE RATES .............................................................................................................................................. 21 ATTENDANCE & HOURS OF OPERATION ................................................................................................................................ 21 RELEASE OF CHILDREN ........................................................................................................................................................... 21 SNACKS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 22 DISCIPLINE ............................................................................................................................................................................. 22 HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY ................................................................................................................................................. 22 DISPENSING MEDICATION ..................................................................................................................................................... 22 IRS STATEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................... 23 PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................................................................. 23 POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION & SUPPORT PLAN (PBIS) ........................................................................................... 23 FISH! PHILOSOPHY ................................................................................................................................................................. 23 CHAMPS OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................................................................. 24 CHAMPS EXPECTATIONS ................................................................................................................................................... 25 REINFORCEMENT / REWARD PLAN ........................................................................................................................................ 26 DISCIPLINE ............................................................................................................................................................................. 27 MINOR INFRACTIONS (Classroom Managed) .................................................................................................................... 27 MAJOR INFRACTIONS (Administrative Intervention) ......................................................................................................... 28 EMERGENCY CRISIS INCIDENTS ......................................................................................................................................... 29 COMMUNICATION ............................................................................................................................................................. 29 OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................................................. 29 SCHOOL AND CLASS WEBSITES .............................................................................................................................................. 29 TEACHER E-MAIL .................................................................................................................................................................... 29 NEWSLETTER ......................................................................................................................................................................... 29 IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS ............................................................................................................................................. 30 LIBRARY ............................................................................................................................................................................. 30 PERMISSION SLIPS ................................................................................................................................................................. 30
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STUDENT GUIDELINES ........................................................................................................................................................... 30 LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS ........................................................................................................................................................... 30 MISCELLANEOUS ............................................................................................................................................................... 30 WITHDRAWAL ....................................................................................................................................................................... 31 LOST AND FOUND .................................................................................................................................................................. 31 MASCOT, LOGO, AND SCHOOL COLORS ................................................................................................................................. 31 SCHOOL PICTURES ................................................................................................................................................................. 31 COMMUNITY PARTNERS........................................................................................................................................................ 31 YEARBOOK ............................................................................................................................................................................. 31 HOMEWORK .......................................................................................................................................................................... 31 SCHOOL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ................................................................................................................................... 32 GENERAL MILLS BOX TOP$..................................................................................................................................................... 32 COMMUNITY COFFEE CASH FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM .......................................................................................................... 32 APPENDICES KINDERGARTEN REFLECTION FORM - I ............................................................................................................................................ 33 1ST & 2ND GRADE REFLECTION FORM - II ......................................................................................................................................... 33 SCHOOL-WIDE DISCIPLINE FORM (MINOR) - III ............................................................................................................................... 33 LA DEPT. OF EDUCATION DISCIPLINE FORM (MAJOR) - IV ................................................................................................................. 33
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