Donald P. Yates Primary School | ||
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STUDENT AND PARENT HANDBOOK 2008-2009 Donald P. Yates Primary 750 Mouse Creek Rd. NW Cleveland, TN. 37312 (423) 479-1723 (423) 472-2388 (Fax)
MISSION STATEMENT
STATEMENT OF BELIEFS
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Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools | ||
I. INTRODUCTION
Donald P. Yates Primary School, which began operation with the academic year 1993-94, is a part of the Cleveland City School System. Its operation is the responsibility of the Cleveland Board of Education and the Director of Schools. The principal of the school is their administrative representative and is responsible for its supervision. The school address is 750 Mouse Creek Road and the telephone number is 479-1723. Please use this address in any school correspondence and give it to officials of the next school your child may enter.
We are pleased that your child is a student at Yates Primary. We consider it a unique opportunity to help lay the foundation of your child's education for the first three years. It will be your interest, your attitude, and your cooperation that will determine the degree of success of the program at Yates Primary.
We suggest that you keep this handbook and refer to it often. The faculty and staff asks the cooperation of the parents and students in carrying out our policies.
II. STUDENT POPULATION
Students in grades K-2 and residing in the Yates Primary zone as specified by the offices of the Director of Schools will be allowed to enroll at the school when the following requirements are met:
A. Students enrolling in kindergarten must be five years old before October 1 of the current year. The certified birth certificate should be brought to the school at registration.
B. First grade enrollees must be six years old before October 1 and must have attended an approved kindergarten.
C. Kindergarten and first grade students who did not attend kindergarten in Cleveland City Schools must show evidence of a complete physical before school starts.
D. All students are required to have the necessary immunizations before entering school. Records of these are available from your doctor or the local health department.
After all city students have been served, other students may be accepted on a tuitional basis. Tuition students will not be accepted if class size approaches the recommended maximum.
III. ATTENDANCE
The importance of regular attendance cannot be over-emphasized. Unnecessary absenteeism almost invariably leads to poor academic progress. The following guidelines will serve as our policy:
A. The only acceptable excuses for student absences are personal illness, illness in the immediate family, death in the family, school sponsored trips authorized by Board policy, or special religious holidays observed by persons of that faith.
B. If a student is absent, a note must be sent by the parent or doctor, explaining the reason a maximum of 10 notes will be accepted from the parents. Absences beyond this number must be excused by a doctor's note or will be considered unexcused. Parents will be cited to Truancy Court once the 10 note rule has been reached and doctor’s notes aren’t sent.
A STUDENT MUST BE AT SCHOOL MORE THAN ONE-HALF DAY TO BE CONSIDERED PRESENT.
C. Students who are transported by their parents should schedule their time so they arrive at school at 8:00 a.m. If they wish to eat breakfast, they should plan on being at school by 7:30 a.m. Breakfast is served from 7:30 - 7:55. Students who arrive before 8:00 a.m. will report to the gym to await the 8:00 a.m. bell to report to classes. Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. are to proceed directly to classes.
D. Under no circumstances are parents to drop off children in the bus zone which is located at the gym entrance. The first offense will be a warning and thereafter citations will be given by the city police. All car riders are to be dropped off at the main entrance.
E. One of the most important lessons that we can teach our children is to be on time. Please make every effort to have your children at school on time. By learning this lesson early in life, we can help students to develop the sense of responsibility.
F. School begins promptly at 8:15 a.m., and all students should be in their classrooms by that time. Any student arriving after 8:15 a.m. is to come to the office with the parent to sign the “Check-In Sheet”. Parents are requested to leave your child at the office instead of walking them to class. This allows for the least amount of interruption to the classroom. The only acceptable reasons for tardiness and early check-out are personal and immediate family illness, death in the family, doctor or dental appointments, or a late bus. Because tardies have become a serious problem, we will be referring students to Truancy Court. After excessive tardies, a complaint will be filed, and the student/parents will be cited to a Truancy Court Hearing.
G. The school day is from 8:15 to 3:15. Kindergarten students are dismissed at 2:55 due to traffic conditions. All early dismissals will be handled through the office. Students are to be checked out by a parent or legal guardian. A student being checked out before 11:30 a.m. or arriving after this time will be considered absent for the day.
H. Students will be permitted to leave the school after classes have begun only when a parent or a person designated in writing by the parent comes to the office to officially check the student out. Some type of identification may be requested at the time of check out. This policy is necessary for the safety and well-being of all school children. If you feel it may be necessary for someone other than yourself to pick up your child, a student release card must be on file in the office with the names of those persons who can check out your child. If the person is not on the card, your child will not be released.
I. Individual students will not be excused from participation in physical education class unless a note is received from the parent indicating a legitimate reason. Requests for students to be excused from P.E. for any length of time exceeding one day must be accompanied by a note
J. Parents must request permission from the Principal, through a letter for a prior arranged absence a week in advance. The parent will then arrange make-up work through the classroom teacher.
K. The principal is required to notify attendance personnel when a student reaches the second day of unexcused absences and any absences thereafter. After five days of unexcused absences, a complaint may be filed and the student/parents may be cited to a Truancy Court Hearing.
L. It is understood that sickness will occur during the school year. We want to make it possible for students to make up missed work as soon as possible. It is requested that you not ask for work unless the child misses more than one day of school at a time. You may call the office as early as possible requesting assignments. Teachers will get this work together during their planning time and it will be placed on the counter in the office by 2:00 p.m. Requesting and doing make-up work for days absent is the responsibility of the student.
IV. MATERIALS FEE
There is a general instructional fee authorized by the Board of Education. This fee is payable on the first day of school and checks should be made payable to Yates Primary. MATERIAL FEES AND LUNCHES CANNOT BE PAID WITH THE SAME CHECK. The fees will be waived for any child who receives free or reduced-price lunch.
V. MEALS
Meal Prices:
- Breakfast All Students $1.25
- Lunch Elementary 2.00
Adult Meals
- Breakfast Faculty/Staff $1.50
- Lunch Faculty/Staff 3.00
- Breakfast Visitor 2.00
- Lunch Visitor 3.75
- Holiday Meals Visitor 5.00
A. CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO CLEVELAND CITY SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE. Meals may be paid for as far in advance as you would like. The cafeteria will send you a pink slip informing you when the balance is $1.00. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL A STUDENT BE ABLE TO CHARGE A LUNCH.
B. If you wish to pack a lunch for your child, you may purchase milk or juice for 30 cents per carton. No bottled or canned drinks are permitted.
C. Parents and other adults are welcome to eat lunch in the cafeteria but must inform the cafeteria NO LATER THAN 8:30 a.m. on the day of the visit.
The cafeteria phone number is 339-2846. PARENTS ARE REQUESTED TO PURCHASE THE LUNCH SERVED IN THE CAFETERIA WHEN EATING WITH THEIR CHILD. Because of labor and the high cost of food, there will be a $5.00 charge for visitors for holiday lunches.
D. Parents should make a decision to either pack a child's lunch or purchase a cafeteria meal. Cola drinks are not to be a part of a child’s lunch. The practice of parents bringing hamburgers or other food purchased at a fast food restaurant is NOT permitted. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.
E. Breakfast is served each morning from 7:30 -7:55. NO ONE WILL BE SERVED AFTER 7:55 A.M.
VI. NOTES FROM HOME
To assist school personnel in student safety and keeping accurate records, parents are requested to sent a note from home if a child is:
- returning to school following an absence
- tardy
- excused from activities such as recess and physical education
- leaving school before the 3:15 p.m. dismissal
- NOT riding the bus, or being picked up by parent
- experiencing a change that requires a change in the school routing
- released to a person not listed on the emergency contact form
Parents will receive progress reports every nine weeks during the school year. Mid-term reports are also sent home to inform the parent of any needs. Provision will be made for teacher-parent conferences as the need arises. If you would like to schedule a conference, contact the school secretary. Report cards are sent home one week after the end of each nine-week period.
Students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly manner at all times. When such is not the case, teachers will attempt to work with students in an effort to help the students improve self-discipline. This may include such measures as counseling, denial of privileges, conferencing with parents, time-out, detention, in-school suspension, or corporal punishment. If the situation is serious, any or all of the steps listed above may be by-passed with the student being taken directly to the principal. In case of a threat to harm or hurt a child, in school suspension will be administered until the case is investigated. If a child is guilty of the threat, one day of ISS will be administered.
IX. DRESS CODE
A. The top garment (blouse or shirt) must meet or overlap the bottom garment. No halter tops and no bare midriffs.
B. Garments with questionable graphics or wording will not be tolerated.
C. No hats or caps will be worn inside the building.
D. In compliance with a state health and safety regulation, shoes must be worn at all times.
E. Tennis shoes should be worn on the days that students go to the gym.
F. Shoes that have hidden skates are not allowed.
G. Back-packs with rollers are not allowed.
H. No hair coloring or dyes.
Students who dress in a manner which is immodest or disruptive to the learning atmosphere of the school will be counseled individually by an appropriate staff member. Continued failure to dress appropriately would be considered a flagrant violation of school rulers and would be handled as such according to the discipline procedure.
The principal's office will be in constant contact with the Civil Defense by way of emergency weather radio so that early warning can be received concerning possible severe weather. Pupils will be sent home only if we are sure there is sufficient time to get them there before severe weather strikes. Parents are urged not to come to the school for children if the severe weather is already in the immediate area since students would be safer at school than traveling under these conditions. Disaster drills will be held regularly at the school so the children will be familiar with the safety areas and procedures. If it becomes necessary to send students home, that decision will be made by the office of the director of school and not the building principal. Parents are advised to listen to local radio stations in these situation.
Parents and other school patrons are welcome to visit the school at any time. HOWEVER, ALL VISITORS MUST REPORT TO THE OFFICE FOR APPROVAL. TO DO OTHERWISE IS TRESPASSING.
This procedure is necessary to keep undesirables from entering the building at will. Our first concern is the safety and well being of the children. If you wish a conference with a teacher, please phone ahead so an appropriate time can be determined. Teachers cannot abandon classroom duties to speak with everyone who walks into the building. Your courtesy will be appreciated.
The parent and child assume the responsibility for the proper use and return of all text and library books. Reimbursement will be required for lost or damaged books. Students who fail to return or pay for lost or damaged books can be denied privileges such as Field Day or Awards Day activities.
A permission slip signed by parent or guardian is required before a student may participate in a field trip experience. NO verbal permission will be accepted.
A. Education Field Trip--Educational field trips are part of the academic program.
B. Reward Trip--Yates School recognizes students, because of some particularly outstanding effort, deserve a special award. When field trips are planned as a reward, some students may lose the privilege of participation. Teachers will inform students of the conditions by which they could be denied participation in a reward field trip well in advance.
The Cleveland City Schools is fortunate to have the services of a registered nurse. The nurse serves all nine schools for a half-day and is on-call for emergencies.
MEDICATION
No school official or teacher will routinely dispense medication to students except in unique situations in which a child's health is dependent upon medical aid. If under exceptional circumstances a child is required to take oral medication during school hours and the parent cannot be at school to administer the medication, only the principal or the principal's designee will administer the medication incompliance with following regulations:
Written instructions signed by the parent and Physician will be required. these forms are available from the office. NO VERBAL PERMISSION WILL BE GRANTED.
Child's name
Name of medication
Name of physician
Time to be administered
Dosage
Possible side effects, if known
Termination date for administering the medication
The medication must be in the original container.
The medication must be delivered to the principal's office in person by the parent or guardian of the student unless the medication must be retained by the student for immediate administration. (i.e. students with asthma)
A child must be free of fever, vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.
The parent or guardian is responsible for informing the designated official of any change in the student's health or change in medication.
PERSONAL PROPERTY/MONEY/VALUABLES
To prevent losses, please mark all items (coats, shoes, lunch boxes, etc.) with your child's name and room number. A lost-and-found box is maintained for unmarked personal property turned into the school office. Please do not allow your child to bring item such as hand-held video games, radios, CD or tape players, toys, cell phones or beepers to school. These items are disruptive to learning and are easily lost. Students should not bring excessive money or valuables (jewelry, heirlooms, collectibles, one- of- a- kind pieces, etc,) to school. Money should only be brought in an amount necessary for lunch or other school items. Schools are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen property.
Please do not send flowers and balloons to children at school.
It is felt that a child is honored far more by sharing in the celebration at home rather than at school. The issuance of invitations to private parties is prohibited unless all classmates are invited.
Instead of bringing birthday treats for your child to share, it is recommended that a book be placed in the library or your child's room in his/her honor.
The Yates Parent - Teacher Organization is a concerned, active group working in cooperation with school staff for continued improvement of the school. You will be notified of meeting times.
Parent Volunteer Program
A Parent Volunteer Program utilizes volunteers as helpers to the classroom teachers. These volunteers assist with clerical duties, record-keeping, or tutoring. A PTO officer coordinates this program. If you are interested in this program, please contact the school.
Adopt-A-School Program
In August, 1993, Yates School joined with Wal-Mart in the Adopt-A-School Program. During the first year of this adoption, a cooperative program was established.
Wesley Memorial Untied Methodist church is our church adopted partner
Extended School Program
Cleveland City Schools sponsors an extended day program after school until 6:00 p.m. for children in Kindergarten, first and second grades. There is a cost for this program. For further information, call 504-6378.
CLEVELAND CITY SCHOOLS MEDIA STATEMENT
"Publicity is an integral part of the regular school program for Cleveland City Schools. Therefore, if you do not want your child in any story, picture or video for publicity in the media, please notify the school in writing within two weeks after the first day of school or within two weeks after registration."
Cleveland City Schools Nondiscrimination Policy
Cleveland City Schools will not tolerate discrimination or harassment from employee to employee, employee to student, or student to student on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, or disability. Anyone who feels he/she has been grieved in regard to any of the aforementioned categories may file a grievance with the Supervisor of Instruction for Cleveland City Schools. A grievance form may be obtained in the school office or the central Administrative Office Building. A grievance may also be filed with the U.S. Office of Civil Rights. For detailed information, refer to the Cleveland City School Board of Education Policies Discrimination/Harassment of Employees, (5,500), Discrimination/Harassment of Students (6,304), and Student Concerns, Complaints, and Grievances,(6,305). Copies of these policies may be obtained at any school or they can be accessed at our website at http://www.clevelandschools.org.
The Board of Education has the following Corporal Punishment Policy:
Any principal, assistant principal, or teacher may use corporal punishment in a reasonable manner against any student for good cause in order to maintain discipline and order within the public schools in accordance with the following guidelines:
A. Corporal punishment shall be determined only after less stringent measures have been documented and failed or if the conduct of a student is of such nature that corporal punishment is the only reasonable form of punishment under the circumstances.
B. Parents or guardians may submit a letter annually to the principal requesting that no corporal punishment be administered to their children. If such a letter is sent, this form of discipline will not be used.
Zero Tolerance
In order to ensure a safe and secure learning environment, the following offenses will not be tolerated:
Possession of weapons and dangerous instrument
Drugs
Firearms
Battery
Violators of these offenses shall be subject to suspension and/or expulsion from school.
(See School Board Policy,(6.309).