 |
Allen
Elementary |
|
~Every Eagle Soars~! Parent-Student Handbook And School-Wide Discipline Plan
2007-2008
Allen Elementary School 5201 23rd Avenue Columbus, Georgia 31904
(706) 748-2418 Fax (705) 748-2415
allen.mcsdga.net
School Mascot – Eagle School Colors – Red and Gold
School Office Hours: 8:15 AM to 4:00 PM Mrs. Ruthie Hamlin, Principal Mrs. Pamela McCoy, Assistant Principal Mrs. Dianne Kelley, Secretary
School Hours First Bell 8:40 AM Tardy Bell 8:45 AM Dismissal 3:15 PM
Muscogee County Fifth District Welcome from your Principal Dear Students and
Parents/Guardians, School days at Allen are focused on effective teaching and learning. The Georgia Performance Standards are taught in all content areas. Our outstanding staff has been trained to differentiate instruction so that all learners have opportunity to succeed. We are including balanced assessments so that students will have many ways of demonstrating their learning. We feel that we get the best results when we teach students in the way that they learn best and assess them in a way that they can demonstrate what they have learned. Keeping communication strong between the school and home is critical for us to accomplish our mission. We will use agenda books and the internet to make sure that we are constantly in touch with you and you with us. As always, we welcome you to our school. We encourage parents to become full partners in the education of our students. This year we will enhance opportunities for parents to become active in the school. Parents will be asked to become volunteers and mentors throughout the school year. As the year gets underway and you see areas of concern or have suggestions for making our school even better, I encourage you to call or email me or Mrs. McCoy. Through our combined efforts, every child will soar. Students, we are looking forward to a great year. Make it the best school year you’ve ever had! Sincerely, Ruthie Hamlin We envision a school district in which: § Each student is given multiple opportunities to excel in his/her academic, social, emotional and physical development in a safe, nurturing environment. § Well-prepared, responsible, and caring employees are committed to excellence in education § Parents, community members, staff and students, are full partners in the education of children. The Muscogee County School District is committed to providing education experiences that will enable a student to become a lifelong learner, enter the work force with necessary skills and achieve academic and personal potential.
School Logo and Motto
~Every Eagle Soars!~ Just as the lighthouse guides the ships at sea through safe channels, the Muscogee County School District must carefully guide the students through the channels of learning enlightenment.
Academics The Georgia Performance Standards in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade: English Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies (A copy of all standards will be made available to parents upon request.) Pre-K teaches Georgia’s Pre-K Program Content Standards that are correlated with the Kindergarten Georgia Performance Standards. Grading Report cards go home every nine (9) weeks for Kindergarten through 5th Grade. Progress Reports are sent home at the halfway point each nine (9) weeks. Grades for 1st – 5th Grade: A = 100 – 90 B = 89 – 80 C = 79 - 70 F = 69 and Below Subjects Graded: Reading, English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Conduct Art, Music, and Physical Education are graded as “S” (satisfactory) or “N” (needs improvement). Kindergarten is graded using a checklist of
skills: Nine-Weeks Ending Dates First Nine Weeks Friday,October 12 Second Nine Weeks Friday, December 21 Third Nine Weeks Friday, March 7
Report Card Dates Wednesday, October 17 Wednesday, January 9 Wednesday, March 12 Friday, May 23
Progress Report Dates Thursday, September 12 Wednesday, November 14 Wednesday, February 6 Wednesday, April 16
Awards The following awards are given each nine weeks, at the semester and the end of the year. Students who have Principal’s List and Star Student are honored with Principal’s Lunch each nine weeks. All students receiving honors for the year are awarded at the end of the year Awards Programs: Principal’s List – Students who receive all A’s and an S in Art and Music. Honor Roll – Students who receive all A’s and B’s and S in Art and Music. B.U.G. – Students who have Brought Up Grades from the previous grading period. Star Student – Two students are chosen from each class for good citizenship. Perfect Attendance – Students who have not missed a day of school are honored. AR Reading Awards – Students are honored for reading.
Testing
GKAP-R Kindergarten Nablieri Kindergarten and First Grade Georgia Writing Test Third Grade and Fifth Grade ITBS (Standardized Test) Third Grade and Fifth Grade CRCT First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades COGAT Third Grade and selected Fifth Grade Students
Resource Education Students who experience difficulty with their work may be referred by the teacher or the parent to the Student Support Team (SST). The SST meeting will bring the teacher(s), the guidance counselor, an administrator and the parents of the student together to discuss the nature of the student’s need and plan instructional strategies for the student. The plan for improvement will be monitored and a follow-up meeting called to determine further strategies if the student does not show progress. The following programs are available to support individual learning needs: Special Education Classes Focused Reading Classes After School Tutorial (Pending Funding)
Gifted Program Students in grades 1-5 may qualify for Gifted Education with scores on standardized tests. In addition, teachers or parents may refer students that they feel may be gifted who do not have qualifying scores. Those students will be tested individually to determine if they quality. Students accepted in Gifted Education are transported once weekly on MCSD buses to St. Elmo and returned to Allen at the end of the school day. The Director of Gifted Education is Mrs. Libby Housand. Promotion/Retention Policy Retention is appropriate when the student’s developmental needs are such that retention of the student is beneficial. Records and progress of any student being considered for retention must be referred to an internal review Placement Committee. Parents will be involved in the process. Only in exceptional circumstances shall a student remain in the elementary grades more than one (1) additional year. Georgia law requires that 3rd grade students score on grade level on the Reading portion of the CRCT test. It requires that 5th grade students score on grade level in Reading and Math on the CRCT test. Summer remediation and a retest are offered to those who do not pass initially. Students who miss fifteen or more days of school will be retained for lack of attendance. Supplies
Attendance
Georgia law requires school attendance. Excused absences or tardies are
Students must bring in a written note stating the reason for the absence within three school days after the absence. A student may request make-up work for an excused absence. It must be arranged within three school days after the last absence. Unexcused absences
Credit for Classes
Homebound Instruction Students with prolonged absences (10 or more days) should seek assistance from the principal for homebound instruction. The school will provide a Hospital/Homebound Referral form to be completed and signed by a physician indicating that the students is unable to attend school. The form should be returned to the school or Columbus Roberts Center. Unexcused Tardies
Arrival and Dismissal Students should arrive at school after to 8:15 AM. No supervision is provided prior to 8:15 and the school cannot be responsible for students dropped off early. Allen will have Universal Breakfast (no cost breakfast for all students) this school year. Students who arrive at 8:15 will go to the gym and sit quietly until 8:30. Students will enter the building at 8:30, pick up their breakfast, and go directly to their classrooms. At 8:40 the opening bell will signal the beginning of class. Students who arrive after 8:45 will be tardy. Students who ride in cars or buses must be dropped off at the driveway on the left side of the school. Parents may not drop off students at the front of the building.
(No student will be released without their car number being presented. This is a safety measure for parents, students, and the school. There will be no exceptions.)
School Bus Transportation Students who live more than 1 ½ miles from the school are eligible for school bus transportation. Bus schedules will be provided for eligible students.
Food Service Breakfast will be served to all students without charge. This is a new service provided by the school district to encourage good nutrition and healthy eating habits. Breakfast will be served to students on their way into their classrooms each morning at 8:30. Students will eat their breakfasts in the classroom. School Food Service provides a healthy lunch choice for students every day. Students may bring their own lunches from home. Restaurant containers are not allowed in the cafeteria. Parents are encouraged to have lunch with their children. They may bring food from restaurants to share with their child. It must be eaten in the courtyard. School lunch may be purchased to eat in the cafeteria with the students. No additional food can be served to students before the end of the last lunch period each day. The food service staff will accommodate food allergies when documentation from a doctor is provided. Weekly payments are requested on Mondays. Checks should be made payable to Allen School Cafeteria. Charges are restricted to three (3) days, with no charges allowed the last month of school. Students will be provided an alternative meal after they reach their charge limit. Parents are encouraged to complete a free or reduced meals application and send it to the cafeteria manager. Lunch Prices: Daily $1.35 Reduced $ .40 Weekly 6.75 Weekly 2.00
Visitors Prices: Breakfast $1.50 Lunch $3.50 The School Food Service Number at Allen is (706) 748-2434. Parental Involvement
Parents are our most important partners in education for our students. Parent conferences are encouraged. Please call the school to arrange a conference before or after school. Interruption of instructional time for conferences is not allowed during the school day. SST and IEP meetings will be scheduled in advance and teachers will make plans for instruction to continue in their absence. Parent mentors and parent volunteers are greatly needed. If you have any time to volunteer at the school, please sign up during the registration process or in the office. Appropriate training and a schedule will be provided to get you involved. Parents may visit classes as needs arise. In order to limit class disruptions, these visits should be arranged through a school administrator. Please help us respect your child’s learning time and the teachers’ teaching time by helping us limit interruptions to instruction. Help us maintain security by wearing a visitors badge when you are in the building. All visitors are asked to enter the building through the front door and proceed immediately to the office. All outside doors are locked for school security. Ring the doorbell beside the front door to be admitted. We really appreciate it when you come to school; it lets your child know you value education. PTA Allen has a strong PTA membership that works to provide excellent resources for the school. Through the efforts of the PTA, we have new desks in grades two (2) through five (5). We have field trips, rewards, and other support that enriches our learning. Thank you PTA for all that you do for us.
PTA Officers 2007-2008 President Dawna Hermanson Vice President Susan Pratt Secretary Mandy Brown Treasurer Anna Salinas
PTA Meeting Dates and Special Events August 7 Orientation August 21 Back to School Barbecue September 7 Grandparents’ Breakfast September 18 PTA Meeting October 12 Fall Festival November 2, Donuts for Dads & Special People December 3-7 Santa’s Secret Shop December 4 PTA Meeting January 15 Movie Night March 4 PTA Meeting April 25 Field Day – 9 AM – 3 PM May 6 PTA Meeting May 9 Muffins for Moms & Special People May 20 Talent Dinner Theatre
School Picture Dates Fall Pictures August 29, 2007 Ident A Kid September 12, 2007 Fall Picture Retakes October 17, 2007 Christmas Pictures November 28, 2007 Spring Pictures April 2, 2008
Local School Council The Local School Council meets four times annually. Scheduled meetings will be publicized. Local School Council Members: Mrs. Misty Rogers Parent/Para Professional Mrs. Anita Wattenbarger Parent Mrs. Paula Jacobson Parent Mrs. Smithie Vaughn Community Pastor Sammy Whaley Community Mr. Henry J. Stinson Community Mrs. Peggy Robinson Teacher Mrs. Susan Williams Teacher Mrs. Ruthie Hamlin Principal
Student Health and Safety
Medication
Contagious Conditions Students who have a communicable disease that threatens the health or safety of the school community may not attend school. Students who are found to have evidence of head lice and/or visible nits may not return to school until he or she has been treated and all nits are moved from the hair. Parents must return to school with their child and have them checked by the nurse after they have been treated and all nits removed. Proof of treatment is required (empty product box with the name clearly visible). You must remain with your child until he/she has been checked and cleared to return to class. Student Accident Insurance The Muscogee County School District offers student accident insurance to all students at a nominal fee. Please contact the school office if you are interested in obtaining coverage. If you do not wish to have the coverage, your child’s health insurance is your responsibility. The MCSD does not carry health coverage on students. Emergency Procedures Allen Elementary Emergency Preparedness Plan includes procedures for severe weather, bomb threats, fire, nuclear attack, civil disorder, and intruders. A copy of the plan is available in the office. When the school is involved in implementation of any emergency procedure, students must remain in place until the all clear is sounded. If there should be a need to evacuate the building, the first point of evacuation is to the Arnold Middle School gym. If that site should not be available, we will evacuate to Ephworth United Methodist Church, 2400 Devonshire Drive. Parents will receive information through the MCSD central office communications center and local radio and television stations. Student Conduct
Eagles SOAR Program SOAR is a conduct plan designed to allow teachers to teach and students to learn. It encourages appropriate behavior and responsible choices. SOAR provides a clear, structured, and consistent set of expectations. The plan is age appropriate and consistently enforced so that students will understand that they are responsible for their own choices regarding school behavior.
Parents will receive notification of points lost and the offense(s) for which points were deducted. The Student Agenda book will record daily conduct as well as daily assignments. Parents are urged to use the agenda book for on-going communication throughout the school year. School Rules
Consequences for Misbehavior 1st Infraction Student will lose one (1) SOAR point. 2nd Infraction Student will lose another SOAR point and will write out an action plan during the time-out in the classroom (optional for grades K-1). 3rd Infraction Student will lose one (1)SOAR point and will also fill out a telephone script about the misbehavior. The student will then call the parent and read the telephone script. Grade K-1 teachers not using action plans will call the parent. Two (2) or more phone scripts in one (1) week will result in In-School Suspension. 4th Infraction The student will lose another SOAR (1) point and will go to in-school suspension with an office referral. In-School Suspension
An administrator calls the parent(s).
An administrator calls the parent(s).
A parent conference is held with the teacher and an administrator.
A parent conference is held with the teacher and an administrator. Out of School Suspension
Saturday School
Serious incidents as outlined in the Muscogee County School District Behavior Code and Discipline Policy Handbook will result in automatic office referral and a loss of five (5) SOAR points. Students are accountable for all elements of the Muscogee County School District Code of Conduct. Dress Code Students are expected to dress appropriately for school as well as to come prepared to participate safely in all school activities. Any student dressed in a manner considered distracting, unsafe, or inappropriate will be asked to call home and make arrangements for a change of clothing before they return to class.
Money and Valuables All monies for PTA, school pictures, tee shirts, etc. should be sent in an envelope clearly marked with your child’s name, teacher, and the purpose for the money. Please do not allow your child to bring large sums of money or valuable items to school. The school cannot and does not assume responsibility for lost, misplaced, or stolen money or valuable articles. Cell phones are not allowed. Toys or other personal items brought to school without permission will be confiscated and turned in to the office until a parent comes to school to retrieve the item. * * * * * * * * * The purpose of this handbook is to provide students and parents guidelines for all students to receive a safe and disruption-free education. We appreciate your support in making Allen Elementary a safe and productive learning environment. |
