 |
Central Elementary School |
| Student Handbook |
MISSION STATEMENT
Magnolia Central Elementary School is working to bridge the gap between early childhood and adolescence. Our commitment is to provide an environment, which fosters a respect for learning that will promote success. Students are expected to reach their full potential in all educational endeavors with an emphasis on reaching proficiency in literacy and mathematics.
VISION STATEMENT
With the students, parents, community, and the school staff working together, each child will develop socially, intellectually and emotionally.
CORE BELIEF
1. We believe that children should develop a sense of community with their classroom and school.
2. We believe the parents, the children, the school staff, and the community should work together to maximize student achievement.
GOALS
1. Students will improve reading comprehension skills.
2. Students will improve skills in math procedures.
3. Students will improve problem-solving skills.
4. Students will demonstrate growth in written communication.
School Day
A. Daily Time Schedule:
First bell 8:00 a.m.
Tardy bell 8:05 a.m.
Fourth Grade Lunch 11:00 –11:30
Fifth Grade Lunch 11:55 –12:25
Sixth Grade Lunch 12:40 – 1:10
Dismiss: First bell 3:00 p.m.
Second Bell 3:l7 p.m.
B. Within the School Day
l. TIME TO ARRIVE AT SCHOOL. The ideal time to arrive at school is 7:55 a.m. If you do not ride a bus, try to arrive at this time. Students should not be on campus before 7:30. Of course, students who ride buses do not control their arrival time. Please do not be late. Students arriving after 8:05 a.m. are counted tardy.
2. TIME TO ENTER BUILDING EACH MORNING. A student may enter the building between 7:45 and 8:00 a.m. to go to the restroom in his/her grade wing. A student is allowed to enter the building when the weather is bad. Students should sit quietly in the hall beside their classrooms until their homeroom teacher arrives, or the duty teachers allow them to enter the classrooms.
3. PERMIT TO LEAVE CLASS. A student must have permission and obtain proper pass from his/her teacher to be out of class during class time. A student called by the office does not need a permit to leave class.
4. LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. If at any time a student needs to leave the campus, he/she may request permission in the office. A student will be released from school only under the following conditions:
a. Parent or authorized person comes to the office and requests the student.
b. Parent without a phone may send a written note requesting
permission for the student to leave at times other than lunch.
c. Students leaving campus for lunch must be checked out by their
parent/guardian in the main office.
5. TIME TO LEAVE SCHOOL. When the bell rings to dismiss school, students are to get their books and other needed properties and leave the building immediately and not re-enter. Students who ride late buses must wait in the proper area for the buses to arrive. Students who do not ride buses must go home immediately and not loiter around school.
A. 3:00 Bell --- Only students going home and riding the following
buses should leave on this bell. First Bell buses: Pig, Flag I, Tree I, Razorback I, Cake I
B. 3:17 Bell --- Walkers, car pick-ups, students riding to other campuses, and all other bus
riders should leave on this bell.
6. VISITS TO THE SCHOOL.
When parents visit Central Elementary School, please stop at the front desk for assistance. During class time teachers are busy with the students. Please do not expect the teacher to interrupt class work to discuss individual problems. Conferences may be scheduled through the office for these matters.
II. Attendance and Make-Up Regulations
A. Contacting the School
The attendance policy for our school requires a parent or guardian to contact the principal's office on or before the first day of a student's absence. Telephone calls or personal contacts are preferred, but written notes or letters are accepted with proper verification if a family does not have a telephone and does not have access to a business or a neighbor's phone. Telephone calls to the principal's office on the first day of a student's absence should be made as soon after 8:00 a.m. as possible. Calls made before an absence may be made between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Written notes or letters should be brought to the principal's office on the day the student returns to school. When the school is not contacted, the absence will be considered an unexcused absence and makeup work will not be given. No assignments will be provided for a student's absence of one day. Parents must notify the school before noon for assignments on the second day of a student's absence.
B. Attendance Policy
The Magnolia School District supports the philosophy that for students to receive maximum benefit
from the instructional program students must be in attendance at school. A student is expected to
attend school at all times when school is in session. Absences from school are acceptable only
when a student is ill, when a family emergency exists, or when the student is on official school
business. Students with excessive absences may be denied promotion or course needs to miss
school, the parent should notify the principal’s office on or before the first day of the student’s
absence.
Excused Absence
An excused absence means that the student was absent with the parent's
knowledge and consent for one of the following reasons:
a. Illness of the student
b. Serious illness in the immediate family
c. Death in the immediate family
d. Appearance in court
e. School/community/church activities
f. Doctor and dental appointments
g. Other reasons not listed above can be considered for an excused absence if the parent/guardians make requests to the building principal as far in advance of the absence as possible. A failure to make an advanced request will result in the absence being treated as unexcused.
If an absence is excused, it means only that the student has the privilege of making up the work missed. No credit is allowed unless the work is actually made up to the satisfaction of the teacher(s) involved. It will be the responsibility of the student to see the teacher(s) within a reasonable time after an absence and arrange to make up the work missed at the convenience of the teacher. A student with an excused absence will be given one day more than the number of days absent to make up work missed. Excessive absences, excused and/or unexcused, can lead to academic failure and loss of eligibility for extra-curricular activities.
When a student has accumulated ten excused absences in a semester, the school must receive written verification for any additional absences. Such
absences not verified will be considered unexcused.
Unexcused Absences
An unexcused absence means that the student was absent for some reason other than the ones listed for an excused absence. For absences of this type, no credit for makeup work will be permitted.
Truancy means that a student was absent without prior knowledge and/or approval of the parents. Truancy is considered an unexcused absence for which an additional penalty may be assessed.
When a student has accumulated five unexcused absences in a semester, the parent will be contacted by mail concerning the student's attendance and explaining the attendance policy.
An accumulation of ten unexcused absences in a semester will be considered excessive. The school district will notify the parent, and to comply with state law, will also notify the prosecuting authority. The student's parents/guardians shall be subject to civil penalty in such an amount as a court of competent jurisdiction, presiding in the presence of a representative of the school district, may prescribe, but not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) plus costs of court and any reasonable fees assessed by the court.
If a student fourteen years of age or older is no longer attending school, the district is required by Act 473 to notify the Department of Finance and Administration, which has the authority to suspend his/her driver's license.
C. Tardies
One trait of a good student is to be prompt and on time; therefore, we admonish every student to make every effort not to be tardy. Tardies may also occur during the day when students are requested to leave the classroom early for lunch pickup, doctor appointments, etc. Please check the daily schedule when scheduling such appointments. When students are called from the classroom, instruction is interrupted for the entire class.
III. Report Card Symbols
Academic Subjects
A – 90-100 B- 80-89 C-70-79 D- 60-69 F-59 and below
IV. Pupil Services
A. Cafeteria. The cafeteria, a non-profit school-operated service, provides well-balanced meals with milk. The cafeteria is open for students who wish to purchase breakfast or lunch there. Students are not allowed to take food from the cafeteria. Students who wish to bring lunches to school are required to eat these in the cafeteria.
Prices
Lunch --- $ 1.00
Reduced Lunch --- $ .40
Breakfast --- $ .65
Reduced Breakfast --- $.30
Milk --- $ .25
B. Snack Bar. A snack bar is operated at the school and is open at noon recess only. The cost of all items available in the snack bar is $.60.
C. Student Insurance. Accident insurance is available to students at a reasonable cost that includes the school day or for a 24-hour period. All students participating in athletics are required to have some form of insurance.
D. Accidents or Illness at School. The person responsible for the first aid treatment on that campus will care for any student who becomes ill or injured at school. The parent or guardian will be notified if possible. If necessary, the family physician may be called. The school assumes no responsibility for financial obligations involved in treatment.
E. Use of the Telephone. No student will be permitted to use the office telephone except for school
purposes or in case of emergency. Before using the telephone, students must have permission from the
principal or the person in charge. Students will be called from class in case of emergency only.
F. Lost and Found. Students who have lost an article should report it to the office and check the Lost and
Found box. If a student finds an article on the school grounds, it should be brought to the principal’s
office and put in the Lost and Found box. The school is not responsible for any item left by a student
after school hours. Students are encouraged to leave valuable articles at home and to have all personal
items labeled for identification.
G. Guidance Services. Guidance services are available for every student in the school. These services include assistance with educational planning, interpretation of test scores, study habits, social and home concerns, or any question the student may feel he/she would like to discuss with the counselors.
H. Homeroom. Each student is assigned to a homeroom. The student may or may not have several
teachers during the day, but the homeroom teacher is the student’s closest advisor and counselor in
school matters.
I. Peer Mediation. Any student may get assistance with a conflict or problem from the Peer Mediation Program. Central’s Peer Mediator, known as Peace Patrol, are students that have been trained in techniques that help other students solve their own conflicts and problems. The Peace Patrol will be available during recesses and some activity periods. Any student needing help in resolving a conflict can get assistance from a mediator during those times.
J. Sage Program. Sage is a program designed to provide students who need challenging and enriching academic experiences in addition to those provided in the regular classroom. Through careful, comprehensive identification procedures students with special educational needs are identified. The program is provided to those students most in need.
Identification procedures insure inclusion of students from all cultural and economic backgrounds.
The identification process includes:
Nomination – Students may be nominated for the program by school personnel, parents, students, and community members.
Screening Procedures – A committee of professional educators compiles existing data and gathers additional data, if necessary, to render a placement recommendation. No single criteria or cut-off score is used to include or exclude a student.
Placement – Parents are informed of placement options and must give permission for their child to participate.
Review – Placement is reviewed annually to determine appropriateness of the placement.
V. Procedures for Medicine at School
No drug or medicinal preparation, except for medicines or medications approved for first aid by the
Arkansas School First Aid guidelines, will be administered to a student on any school premises by school
personnel unless the student requires the medication to attend school and unless a physician’s or
pharmacist’s written order and/or prescription label with instructions, as well as a written request from
the child’s parents/guardians are received by the school. Emergency drugs such as epinephrine should
have a “standing order” from a physician for use in an emergency.
Medication Policy Guidelines
l. Physician’s or pharmacist’s written order and/or label on prescription bottle must be provided; the student’s name, name of medication, the dosage and time to be given and recommended interval between doses must be included.
2. A Medication Authorization and Release form must be completed and signed by the parent or guardian.
3. All medication must be in the original container with the student’s name on the label. Parents may have their pharmacist provide two labeled bottles. One for home and one for school.
4. No medication to be given three times a day or less will be given at school.
These can be given outside of school hours.
5. Non-prescribed drugs will not be administered by school personnel except in
extenuating circumstances.
6. *All medication will be stored in the school office in a locked cabinet. The Medication Authorization forms will be filed alphabetically in a folder near the medication.
7. It is the responsibility of the student to report to the school office to take his/her medication each day.
8. Parents of students in grades K-9 are responsible for transporting medication to and from school; any remaining medication will not be sent home with these students by school personnel. Medication remaining at the end of the school year will be destroyed.
VI. Student Attitudes and Conduct
A. School Spirit. School spirit means loyalty to all functions of the school. Loyal students support their school and do their utmost to keep their scholastic and activity standards at the highest possible level. School spirit has the following characteristics:
l. COURTESY - toward teachers, administrators, fellow students, and officials of all school activities.
2. PRIDE - in everything our school endeavors to accomplish and has accomplished.
3. SPORTSMANSHIP - the ability to win or lose gracefully.
4. RESPONSIBILITY – the ability to accept responsibility for ones actions particularly in regard to
maintaining and respecting physical school grounds and facilities.
B. School Authority Over Students. Students are under the jurisdiction of Magnolia Public Schools on school grounds at any time, off the school grounds at a school activity, function, or event, or on a school bus. Students riding a bus, private vehicle, or walking to school are expected to remain on campus once they arrive.
A student must, upon request, identify himself/herself to the proper school authorities in the school building, on the school grounds, or at school sponsored events.
C. Student Responsibility for School Property. A student is expected to help make the school attractive by keeping desks, walls, and restrooms clean; by putting waste paper and trash in trashcans; by taking care of the shrubs, and by otherwise observing good housekeeping habits. A student should take care of and conserve all school property and supplies. Parents of minor students under the age of 18 and living with the parents may be liable for damages caused by said minor.
D. Textbooks and Library Books. Students will be assessed fines for damaged or abused textbooks or library books. Lost textbooks or library books must be paid for as soon as possible and not later than the end of the current six weeks.
E. Computer Usage. Students working in the school's computer labs or classrooms must use the equipment as instructed by the teachers. Any tampering, abuse, or misuse of the equipment will jeopardize the student's ability to remain in the class and will subject the student to disciplinary action. If monetary restitution is involved, the student will be responsible for reimbursement.
F. Classroom Conduct. The student must conform to the patterns of good conduct that are set up by the teachers and also bring his/her books and other working materials to class each day. A student is not to leave the classroom during the class period except in an emergency and then only after the teacher has given a pass for the student to take with him/her.
G. Discipline. One of education's most important lessons is self-discipline. While it does not appear as a subject, it underlies the whole educational structure. It is the training that develops self-control, character, orderliness, and efficiency. It is the key to good conduct and proper consideration for other people. The school reserves the right to punish behavior, which is subversive to good, order and discipline in the schools, even though such behavior is not specified in the written rules.
*Discipline policies included in this handbook are supplemental to and fall within the guidelines established in Maintaining a Good School Atmosphere.
The following are Central Elementary School rules:
1. Insult or Abuse of a Teacher. According to Arkansas Code 6-17-106, any person who shall abuse or insult a public school teacher while that teacher is performing normal and regular or assigned school responsibilities shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine.
2. Students should comply with reasonable directions or commands of teachers, student teachers, substitute teachers, teacher aides, principals, administrative personnel, superintendent, school bus drivers, or other authorized personnel. Students are considered insubordinate when they refuse to obey any rule or regulation of the school or the reasonable instructions of school district personnel.
3. Pushing, loud talk, or boisterous acts are not considered good conduct in the halls.
4. In case of fighting, both students are subject to punishment.
5. Students should not use profanity.
6. Order is expected during assemblies. Students will be corrected in assemblies if the need arises.
7. Students are expected to leave all rooms in which they have classes in an orderly manner. Teachers are asked to help students develop this habit by checking the rooms to see that they are so left.
8. The behavior displayed by the students on the school ground is extremely important. Students should cooperate in trying to improve the appearance of the campus itself, as well as the activities that take place thereon.
9. Students are expected to bring proper materials (paper, pencils, books, etc.) to class daily.
10. Students should not use violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, harassment, fear, passive resistance, or any other conduct intentionally to cause a disruption.
11. Students are expected to show respect to other students at all times. Improper comments, inappropriate physical contact, or immoral gestures will not be tolerated. Students found guilty of any action that can be
considered sexual harassment will be punished accordingly.
12. A student should not encourage other students to violate any rule or school board policy.
13. Students should not participate in any activity, which may be termed gambling or wagering where the stakes are money or any other objects of value.
14. A student should not cause or attempt to cause physical injury to a school employee, fellow student, or any other individual.
15. A student shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to school property or steal or attempt to steal school property.
16. A student shall not steal or attempt to steal property belonging to another student, the school or public or private property under jurisdiction of the school.
17. Smoking is not permitted on or about the campus or on school-sponsored buses.
18. Students are not to bring cups, bottles, or any other litter from places of
business to the school ground. Students should place all litter in the
proper receptacles.
19. Students are not allowed to use, have in their possession or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or any unprescribed drug. Possession of alcoholic beverages or unprescribed drug will result in an l0 day suspension. In addition, local authorities will be notified.
20. The school is not responsible for any personal items of students at school or on the bus. This includes coats, hats, lunchboxes, school supplies, basketballs, footballs, or money.
21. It is not recommended that students bring toys to school. If any item of this nature is brought, it must be approved by the office first, and with the understanding that the school is NOT responsible for any item that is lost, damaged, or stolen. Items should be labeled (purses, notebooks, lunchboxes, etc.) for identification.
22. The following items are NOT to be brought to school:
a. Skate boards
b. Baseball bats and any type of hard ball (tennis balls and soft rubber balls are acceptable)
c. Noisy shoes, metal cleats, Christmas bells, and other noisemakers
d. Video games, record players, tape recorders, walkmans, or radios
e. Electronic communication devices such as paging devices, beepers or cellular phones. A telephone/electronic communication device found in possession of a student will be seized by school personnel and returned only to the parent/guardian. If a second offense occurs, the device will not be returned until the end of the school year.
f. Hand-held laser pointers. No student shall possess a hand-held laser pointer on school property, on the school bus, or at school bus stops without the supervision of a teacher. Any hand-held laser pointer will be seized by school personnel or law enforcement and returned only to the parent/guardian. If a second offense occurs, the device will not be returned until after the end of the school year.
g. Any type of chemical spray
h. Weapons - Possession of weapons, such as knives and guns, will result in immediate suspension, pending investigation, which will lead to expulsion. In addition, the student will forfeit the weapon, and it will not be returned.
i. Fireworks - Students are not to explode any type of fireworks or have them in their possession at any time
j. Cigarettes and cigarette lighters or any tobacco substance are not to be brought to school. Violation will result in punishment, and the student will forfeit the item(s), which will not be returned to the student.
k. Any items or activities that cause a conflict or is considered dangerous to any student may be defined as unacceptable materials or activities.
23. Sunglasses are not to be worn inside the building.
24. Hats are not to be worn inside the building at any time. Scarves, bandanas, headbands and kerchiefs (worn as a head covering) are not allowed on campus.
25. Students are discouraged from distributing any party invitations at school. The student must obtain permission from his/her homeroom teacher before being permitted to do so.
26. Student solicitation of any kind is not permitted at school.
Playground Rules:
1. Students should stay away from the fences and shrubs to the north at all times. No limbs or branches are to be broken from the bushes or trees or used in any way.
2. Students are not allowed to sit or play in any of the windows.
3. The boundary line between Junior High and Central is an imaginary line at the end of the fence. Students should never go beyond this point without permission.
4. Students are at no time allowed to go into any street bordering the school. If a ball goes into the parking lot, street, or over the fence it must be retrieved by an adult.
5. Students should never climb the poles or posts of the walkways. Students are not permitted to get on top of the walkways to retrieve a ball, Frisbee, etc.
6. Students are not allowed to do any kind of gymnastics on the playground-no forward or backward flips, handstands, tumbling, or handsprings.
7. Students must never engage in play fighting with other students.
8. Students are not allowed to demonstrate or use any type of karate moves.
9. Tackle football games are not permitted at any time. Football must always be played on the grassy area beyond the play area.
10. The picnic tables are for eating snacks, not to be jumped over or stood on.
11. Students are not allowed to use rocks on the playground in any way, and rocks are not to be brought into the school.
12. No games of chase or running are allowed before school. The playground area is too congested at this time.
13. Basketballs and kick balls should always be played with away from the buildings and covered walkways.
14. Dodge ball may be played with a kick ball only and only against the cafeteria wall. Do not throw balls against the buildings with windows.
15. At no time should a football or basketball be thrown directly at another person, but passing a football or basketball to a receiver is permissible. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.
16. At the end of the recess, students are responsible for homeroom balls and jump ropes.
17. No snacks (food or drink) are allowed in the "Play Area." Snacks must be eaten in designated snack area only.
.
18. The wooden platforms are not to be used for playing "King of the Mountain." No shoving, pushing, or wrestling is to be done on any of the equipment.
19. Swings - One person per swing--NO MORE.
20. Do not stand in the pathway of the swings (front or back).
21. No bailing or jumping out of the swings while they are in motion. Get in or out of the swings while still.
22. Swings must be shared and turns must be taken.
23. The play area is off limits to students after school that may be waiting on buses.
24. When the bell rings to signal the end of recess, students are to stop their activities, and walk to their lines. IMMEDIATELY.
25. Students are not to be on the playground between 3:00 and 3:17 p.m. or while waiting on a bus or ride after 3:17 p.m. During After-School Tutoring, only students in the program will be allowed on the playground between 3:17 – 3:30.
These rules are for the students' safety and should be observed at all times.
**The school district reserves the right to punish behavior, which is not conducive to go