Absences – Certified Staff When a teacher must be absent from school, CMS policy requires that a substitute be hired. Substitutes are very difficult to secure, so it is imperative that staff members log on to CMS website, click on “jobs” and then click on “Smartfind” or 1-800-309-0661 to record the absence and secure a substitute as early as possible. Susan Baum is to be contacted for Log in information such as ID and passwords. This information should be obtained at the beginning of the school year if you do not already have it. All staff members are expected to call the school at 7am when they will be absent from school. If you know you will be absent

Always have a procedure!

Endhaven Elementary’s Staff Handbook

2014-2015

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again the following day, notify the financial secretary before 2:00 p.m. It is the teacher’s responsibility to supply detailed lesson plans when (s)he is absent from school. Absences–Instructional Assistants When an assistant must be absent, (s)he must notify the financial secretary by calling the school at 7am. The absence must also be recorded in the Smartfind system by loggin on to CMS website, clicking on “jobs” and then clicking on “Smartfind” or 1-800-309-0661 to record the absence and secure a substitute as early as possible. The financial secretary is to be contacted for Log in information such as ID and passwords. This information should be obtained at the beginning of the school year if you do not already have it. If you have an assigned morning and/or afternoon duty, it is your responsibility to secure coverage for that particular duty. In the event that you are unable to secure coverage for your assigned duty, you should alert the office. Absences – Students Students are required to be in school each day we are in session unless illness or some other important event prevents attendance. Excused absences, as directed by the State Department of Education, include the following:

Illness of student Death in the immediate family Quarantine Observance of a Religious Holiday Court or administrative proceedings

Upon returning to school, the student should provide the teacher with a written excuse from the parent or guardian indicating the specific reason for the absence. These excuses are to be kept on file by the classroom teacher until the end of the school year. The classroom teacher should closely monitor all student absences. Please note that we must allow the parent five school days to submit an excuse (verbal or written). Teachers are responsible for making attendance referrals to the Counselor. The teacher, Counselor, and attendance secretary share responsibility for sending out official letters to parents when a student has three, six, and ten

unexcused absences. The attendance secretary or counselor will assist in getting these letters prepared and mailed at the appropriate times.

Accident Report Forms A Student Accident Report is to be completed whenever a student is injured on School Board property or away from school property if the student is being supervised or transported by staff members or volunteers. Minor injuries are to be reported whether or not the child requires treatment from a physician or hospital. The accident report must be completed and filed by the end of that school day. Accident report forms are available in the office. Anytime a student is injured, the office and student’s parent are to be notified. It is the teacher’s responsibility to call the parent even if an office staff member has already called the parent. Arrival Procedures Arrival time for all certified staff

members is 7:30 a.m. Teacher Assistant’s arrival time is 8am. Check your mailbox and CMS email at

least twice daily (not during student contact time).

All staff members are expected to be in their classrooms or assigned duty posts at 7:45 a.m.

Staff members desiring to eat breakfast should eat in the cafeteria or lounge before 7:45 a.m.

Students will be dismissed from buses at 7:45 a.m.

The instructional day for students begins upon their arrival to class at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m.

The first bell will ring at 7:45 a.m. to signal the dismissal of the before-school program students.

All classroom teachers and other staff members without a specific duty are expected to stand outside their door to greet students and monitor hallways.

All teachers should have a routine procedure in place for beginning the school day (i.e. morning work).

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Assistant Work Hours A time clock will be used to monitor assistant hours. Actual time of arrival and departure must be accurately recorded each day. It is the responsibility of the Instructional Assistant to work with the Financial Secretary to ensure that proper procedures are being followed regarding the timeclock. Atmosphere of Learning Learning thrives best in a friendly atmosphere that makes children feel welcome and comfortable. The teacher is the key in creating a classroom environment that is emotionally and socially wholesome. Children are quick to reflect the attitudes of the teacher. If (s)he is pleasant and friendly, they usually respond the same way; if (s)he is genuinely interested and enthusiastic about the work of the class, they tend to react accordingly. Each teacher needs to:1. Respect each child as a person and

encourage all children to respect one another.

2. Accept students as they are and be genuinely interested in promotion of their all-around development.

3. Plan lessons thoroughly and stimulate all children to remain actively engaged in the learning process.

4. Help each child to capitalize on his/her strengths and to recognize and try to overcome his/her weaknesses.

5. Differentiate the learning process to further students’ feelings of worth and accomplishment.

Student achievement at the end of the year is directly related to the degree to which the teacher establishes good control of the classroom procedures in the very first week of the school year.

Attendance Policy Maintaining accurate attendance records is the responsibility of the classroom teacher as mandated by North Carolina Statutes. Students or parents should never be given the responsibility of taking daily attendance. Attendance is to be taken daily between 8:15- 8:30 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:15 a.m. must be marked tardy in the classroom.

Attendance should be entered into PowerSchool in the morning no later than 8:30 a.m. A student must be in attendance for at least three instructional hours to be marked present for the day. See Attendance Monitoring/Accounting Policy Code JHBB-R in CMS Policies & Procedures section.

Attendance at School Functions All certified staff members are expected to attend and support school and PTA

functionsthroughout the year. If you are unable to attend a required function, the principal should be notified in writing.

Birthday Celebrations It is school policy that birthday celebrations will not be held at school. Parents should be informed of this policy and reminded that special treats (cupcakes, cookies, etc.) can only be provided for the class to honor birthdays at lunch. You can also encourage parents to buy a book for the media center to replace a snack. Bloodborne Pathogens All staff members must be knowledgeable of the Bloodborne Pathogens policy. Specific training is required for staff members who may come in contact with bloodborne pathogens during the course of the day. All teachers have rubber gloves in their classrooms for potential use. Book Clubs Book clubs (Scholastic, Troll, etc.) are permissible if a parent volunteer handles the bookkeeping (collecting money and ordering books). Students may bring in checks made payable to the book club and the volunteer may write a personal check for cash collected. Do not receipt in your school cash receipt book. It is advisable that the classroom teacher review all orders before being mailed to the vendor.

Be organized, students want structure!

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Breakfast Breakfast is served from 7:45-8:15 a.m. Provisions will be made for bus riders who arrive late. Students who eat breakfast are required to report directly to the cafeteria and then to the classroom. Building Security Outside doors from the classroom should not be left propped open or unlocked when you take your class outside. Classroom and tutor room doors are to be locked at all times during the day when the room is not in use. The only access to the building should be through the front doors, back doors and side bus doors. Outside doors should be routinely closed when your class enters or exits the building. The building is secured each evening at 7:30 p.m. All staff members should plan to be out of the building by 7:00 p.m. at the latest. All staff members must lock their classroom door at the end of the day.Bulletin Board/Hallway DisplaysAll bulletin boards and hall displays should be the students’ work. Check student work for spelling, punctuation, etc., before the work is displayed. This includes club posters, announcements, signs, etc. that may be displayed at different times throughout the year. Keep your standards high and students will live up to them! Displays should reflect current work, be updated on a regular basis, and periodically reflect technology integration. If unedited work is displayed on bulletin boards, this should be noted on the board.

Business on School Time No employee of the School Board may conduct personal business on school time. School Board property, equipment, or supplies shall not be used to conduct personal business or any other activity not connected with the school system. In keeping with School Board policy, no students may be tutored for pay on campus at any time.

Cafeteria Expectations & ProceduresThe lunch period is one to enjoy. Students should remain seated during lunch and use “inside voices” to talk with those at their tables. All staff members are to teach children self-management skills to maintain an appropriate noise level in the cafeteria. It is essential that classroom teachers, assigned teacher assistants and hired lunchroom monitors teach and reinforce behavior expectations daily.Cafeteria Guidelines: Teachers are expected to accompany

students to and from the cafeteria. Each class has an assigned table in the

cafeteria. Teachers must follow the assignment plan at all times.

It is critical that each class arrives at the scheduled time, sits at assigned table, and exits the cafeteria (walking out the door) at the scheduled time.

Students should prepare their tray by separating paper and food items for disposal in the line.

Helpers should be responsible to see that tables and chairs are wiped clean and the floor is swept before the next class sits down to have lunch.

Students are expected to wear nametags each day to lunch.

Iced tea will be available for adults only. Students who pay for lunch by the week

should report to the cafeteria each Monday morning. Checks should be made payable to the Endhaven Cafeteria and should include the student’s name, lunch number, and the teacher’s name.

Students must eat with their parent at designated parent tables. Friends of the student are not permitted to sit at the parent tables. Parents are not permitted to sit at tables assigned to classrooms.

Cafeteria procedures for students will be provided through the school wide discipline plan.

Management ideas you may like to consider: 1. Provide restroom breaks before/after lunch.

While emergencies are always exceptions, students are not permitted to use the restroom during lunch.

Choose your battles!

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2. Arrange the children according to main dish orders.

3. Select a host/helper for each table. 4. Select topics of conversation for the day. 5. Think of creative ways of teaching rules. 6. Invite the cafeteria manager to your class

to explain the duties of each employee and teach respect for the work of the cafeteria staff.

7. Think about seating arrangements. 8. Plan to repeat lessons in cafeteria rules

often.

Care of School Property Care and maintenance of the school building is the obligation of every member of the staff. Teachers should show and express pride in their classrooms. Setting high expectations and cleanliness can do this. As part of an established routine at the end-of-day, teachers should see that students pick up paper and crayons from the floor, clean out desks and cubby-holes, put materials away properly, and keep tables and desk tops clean. Cell Phones Please use professional judgment when using cell phones throughout the school day. Students should be supervised at all times. Cell phone use should be kept to a minimum when students are present or during meetings.

Changes in Students’ TransportationAll parents should complete a transportation form at the beginning of the school year. All requests for transportation changes (permanent or temporary) must be sent to the office each morning in your attendance envelope for approval. All transportation changes must be in writing from the parents. Students are not permitted to ride home on a different bus in order to attend a play date. Teachers should check with all students at the beginning of the day concerning transportation changes.

Character Education A character education program will be implemented by the guidance counselor.

Class Meetings All classroom teachers are encouraged to facilitate a class meeting weekly. Class meetings provide opportunities for students to learn problem-solving and social skills, such as listening, taking turns, hearing different points of view, negotiating, helping one another, taking responsibility for their own behavior, etc. Classroom DisplaysAppropriate displays should be featured in the classroom. Children’s work samples, including art and curriculum displays, are ideal. Use of commercial, store-bought items should be limited. DO NOT HANG MATERIALS FROM THE CEILING. Classrooms should be inviting to students, but not cluttered.Collection of Money/Receipting Any money collected from students must be receipted and turned in to the Financial Secretary by 10:00 a.m. the day the student gives it to you. This includes money for field trips, lost/damaged textbooks, or library books, etc. The original receipt (top, green copy) should be given to the student at the time money is collected. Do not take money home with you to write the receipts. All money must stay at school and be turned in for processing on the day it is received from the student.Please complete two money turn-in forms (provided in forms section) and submit them to the Financial Secretary. After making the deposit for the day, you will receive a master receipt for the money.It is imperative that everyone follows these guidelines for receipting money. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. Insurance and picture money do not need to be receipted. Picture money should be submitted to the office on a daily basis. Student Accident Insurance forms will be distributed in the student orientation packets. Parents and/or guardians should mail the application with payment directly to the insurance company.

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Communication Written communication (email, letter or note) to parents must be proofread and written in a professional manner. Keep a copy on file and a record of telephone conversations or other pertinent communications. If you have any reservations about a letter or email you plan to send, an administrator should read it. Remember that written items are permanent. Communication within the School:The following avenues are used to communicate within the school: Master calendar Weekly staff bulletin: Cougar Chronicle Message board in workroom Classroom phones CNN (Cougar News Network) Intercom Notes in mailboxes Emails

Communication between Home and School (Thursday Folders)These folders are to be sent home each Thursday with graded student work samples and pertinent school/classroom information. At a minimum, each classroom is required to send home a newsletter every two weeks. Your classroom newsletter should be in collaboration with your grade level news. Newsletter should include:

Curriculum updates Important dates Assessment information Student recognition Other important information

Special area teachers should also to collaborate to send home a special area newsletter once per quarter for each grade level. Parent volunteers must sign a statement of confidentiality when assisting with Thursday Folders.

Community Goals Our goal is to have 100% participation from our staff with PTA membership, the United Way campaign, and the Arts and Science Council. Confidentiality Comments and discussions regarding students’ personalities and records should

only be discussed with appropriate people in the education setting. Student behavior problems should not be part of public discussions. Professional discretion and courtesy should be used at all times in discussing all staff and district concerns. Parent volunteers who assist with managing Thursday folders are required to sign a confidentiality statement at the beginning of the year. Copy Policy Office Copier: Administrators and office staff have direct access to the copy machine in the front office. Teacher Copier: Copy machines should be used for 15 or less copies of each original item copied. Please plan with your team and combine your copy needs so that the Toshiba Copier or Risograph (RISO) machines can be utilized. Each classroom teacher will receive one case of paper per semester. Each grade level/team will have their own specific code to use when copying. Toshiba/RISO Copiers: These machines should be used for instructional purposes in making class sets of copies. Worksheets should be kept to a minimum and should only be used to reinforce skills learned. They should not be the only tools used for assessment. Cooperative learning, hands-on activities, research and group projects, etc. are expected. Each grade level/team will have their own specific code to use when copying.

Cougar PrintThe Cougar Print is a newsletter created by the PTA and sent via the parent listserv every two weeks. This is another great avenue to communicate with the Endhaven community.Crisis Evacuation Plan All staff members must be familiar with our Safe School Plan located on the staff wiki. Teachers are responsible for having a classroom Emergency Kit containing an updated roster with parent contact information, student medications such as inhalers and Epi-pens and items to address minor injuries such as band-aids.

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Teachers usually use a small backpack for this that can be hung by the door and easily taken with you anytime you leave the classroom including fire drills, recess time, special area times and lunch. Cumulative Folders Cumulative folders are legal documents. They are to remain in the school’s administrative wing at all times and stored in the office filing cabinet overnight. If a student withdraws from school during the year, the cumulative folder must be updated and ready to be sent to the receiving school within 24 hours. Teachers will be issued a form (provided in forms section) on which to complete pertinent withdraw or transfer information. All cumulative folders must be updated at the end of the school year. Cursive Writing Expectations Students are introduced to cursive writing during the spring semester of the second grade. The review of individual letters, combined with procedures for joining letters, continues through the third grade. Cursive writing continues to be reinforced with instruction in fourth grade. Re-teaching and remediation are provided as necessary. All 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms are to post the cursive alphabet banner provided by the system. Custodial Services Bathrooms, classroom sinks, and floors will be cleaned daily. Students and teachers can assist our custodial staff greatly by picking up all paper, clips, pencils, and crayons from the floor before leaving at the end of the day. All chairs should be stacked at the end of the day. Food, bottles, and lunch boxes in classrooms and desks attract insects. Please see that these are removed or thrown away at the end of the day.

Daily Learning Objectives A list of learning objectives must be written each day at the beginning of each

instructional period or at the beginning of the day. Learning objectives inform students as to what they will be able to do at the end of the lesson and should: 1. begin with a verb (identify, compare,

create, justify, etc.)2. be written in child-friendly terms.

Daily Schedule A daily schedule should be posted in each classroom and outside classroom door and updated daily to reflect the day’s events. Include the date (vary… 8-25-10; August

25, 2010, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2010). Display in prominent place (preferably in

front of room). Use large print. Ensure optimum use of time.Please adhere to your daily schedule. Any schedule changes must be submitted in writing to the office staff. Discipline Every staff member should be thoroughly familiar with the CMS Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Character Education Handbook. Each person is responsible for good discipline. Each person's job becomes more difficult as one teacher allows a class to be loud in the hall, in the restroom, in his/her own room, or elsewhere. Excellent teaching usually results in excellent classroom behavior by students. All staff members are encouraged to try the following:1. Keep students actively engaged

throughout the class period with meaningful learning activities. Your enthusiasm and sincerity toward your own lessons and activities will go a long way toward positive student behavior.

2. Use positive rather than negative means to manage student behavior.

3. Post class rules – let the students know your expectations and be consistent with the enforcement of the rules.

4. Arrive on time to pick up your students from lunch, special area classes, etc.

5. Develop alternate or individualized behavior plans when the established classroom management plan is not effective.

Students must not be escorted to the office by another student or parent for misbehavior. Discipline should be handled in private and with professional dignity. Other children in a class do not

Demonstrate and maintain control!

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need to be exposed to a teacher/child confrontation. Please be aware of guests and parents who may be visiting. It is inappropriate to discuss discipline problems in the front office or commons areas as student confidentiality must be maintained at all times. Do not discuss a child with another parent for ANY reason. Discipline Referral Forms (Admin Team)In the event that a student needs to be immediately removed from the classroom, call the office for an administrator. Any student who requires administrative intervention must have a Discipline Referral Form completed by the staff member who witnessed the event. Students should only be referred to an administrator as a last resort. It is the teacher’s responsibility to contact the parent when discipline issues arise. You should keep a blank form in your room at all times. Refer to the school wide discipline plan for further details. Dismissal Procedures Teachers are responsible for maintaining updated documentation of how each student goes home. Each classroom teacher should keep an updated dismissal roster (provided in forms section) in the classroom and a copy in the office. End-of-day procedures should include a review of homework assignments, cleaning of student desks, and cleaning of the classroom. Students will be dismissed according to the specific schedule.

Dress Code Faculty and Staff: All staff members are expected to dress professionally. T-shirts, jeans, tank tops less than 3 fingers width or athletic pants may be worn only on teacher workdays if parent conferences are not being held. Each Friday is school or college spirit day when school colors or staff shirts may be worn with jeans. The appearance of all staff members should be a credit to our profession. Research clearly indicates that the teacher's manner of dress has a significant impact on the school climate as well as the student's attitude and performance at school. Students will behave in a manner that shows more respect for the teacher who is dressed professionally than for those who are not. Please use good judgment and remember that you are not only representing yourself, but also our school and profession. Staff members should not wear clothing or shoes that are not permitted of students---We provide the example. Students: Students are expected to adhere to the standards of cleanliness and dress that are compatible with the requirements of a productive and safe school environment. A student’s appearance, mode of dress, or condition of personal hygiene will not be permitted to disrupt the educational process or constitute a threat to the health or safety of others. Therefore, the following is included in our student dress policy:

The best shoes are those which hug the whole foot. Thongs and beach style rubber flip flops are safety hazards and are NOT permitted. No Heelies or wheeled shoes. Sneakers are required for physical education.

T-Shirt logos must be appropriate for elementary school. This means no tobacco or alcohol advertising, no drug or sexual messages, and no profanity.

Net shirts, bare midriffs, or other revealing attire are not acceptable. No spaghetti strap tops, tube tops, backless tops, halter tops allowed. Straps on tank tops and tank dresses must be the width of three fingers—or at least 2 inches.

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Pants and shorts must be worn at the waistline. No underwear should be revealed.

Shorts, Skirts, and dresses should be of reasonable length. A good rule of thumb to use is to let both arms hang naturally by your side. The shorts, skirt, or dress should touch the end of your fingertips.

Headgear, hats, sunglasses should not be worn inside the school except for medical, religious, or safety reasons.

No clothing, jewelry, or buttons with letters, initials, symbols, or wording that is obscene, offensive, inflammatory, or detrimental to the instructional process are allowed.

DSS Referrals All staff members should constantly be on the alert in observing changes that might indicate abuse, neglect, or dependency. Specific information about reporting child abuse, neglect, and dependency/child protection is provided in the CMS Policies & Procedures section. See an administrator or counselor to make a DSS report.Duty Schedule It is critical that we provide appropriate supervision and guidance of students. Special duty assignments will be limited as much as possible. It is imperative that any staff member on duty be present for that duty on time. Morning duty starts promptly at 7:45 a.m. each morning and 3:15 each afternoon.

Early Dismissal – Students For the safety of each child, parents/guardians must come to the office to sign students out for early dismissal. The classroom teacher will be notified by intercom to send the student to the office for dismissal. Do not release students to parents who come to your classroom.

Email Communication All staff members are expected to check their CMS email account at least twice per day, upon arrival and before leaving in the afternoons. A weekly staff bulletin will be published by the Administrative Team each Friday. Staff members needing to publish information in the weekly update should email the information to Peg by Thursday afternoon. Emergency Locator Cards Emergency locator cards are kept on file in the office. It is the teacher’s responsibility to make sure each child has a card on file and that the student’s phone number, address, and parent work numbers are up-to-date.Evacuation Procedures Evacuation maps must be posted by the exit door. Review procedures with students periodically. Whenever the fire alarm sounds, everyone must evacuate the building immediately. Teachers should take a head count and make sure all students are out of the building. The office staff will call school security and the fire station. We must remain outside until the Fire Marshall has inspected the building and gives the “ALL-CLEAR” to re-enter. Exceptional Children’s Folders Each child who is enrolled in an Exceptional Children’s Program has an Exceptional Children’s (EC) folder. The EC folder contains all the information concerning the child’s referral and placement. All original Individual Education Programs (IEP) are housed in the child’s EC folder. All information in the EC folder is confidential. All information must be maintained in a certain order for audit purposes, so teachers should not change the placement of any information in the EC folder. Teachers are encouraged to review their children’s EC folder on a regular basis. All classroom accommodations documented on a student’s IEP must be provided on a daily basis.

Enforce our student expectations!

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Field Trips Field trips are important educational experiences for all children. In-county and out-of-county field trip requests are to be submitted to the financial secretary four weeks in advance of the trip date. If using chartered buses, a requisition must be completed at the time you fill out the Field Trip Request form. The financial secretary will give to the AP who will submit field trip requests to the Transportation Department. Teachers are responsible for completing and sending home the permission forms for field trips at least two weeks before the scheduled trip. Refer to the CMS Field Trip Handbook for a description of all required field trips. Non-required field trips should support curriculum objectives and be an extension of classroom activities. All requests must be submitted by May 1st.Changes in the lunch procedure must be cleared with the cafeteria manager at least two weeks prior to special activities and field trips in order for lunches to be ordered or cancelled. Signed permission forms should be turned into the front office the morning of the field trip. Please put your name on the top permission slip. Teachers are responsible for making arrangements for any student who will not be participating in the field trip. A child will not be kept from attending a field trip for financial reasons. Please see an administrator or counselor for assistance. Every effort should be made to include all students. Field trips are not to be used as an incentive for behavior. If a field trip is an educational experience, all children will have the opportunity to participate. If you anticipate having problems with a particular student, parents should be contacted and given the opportunity to go with their child on the trip. Additional staff members can also be assigned to go with the student if necessary. This must be approved by an administrator.

Administrative approval must be given before a student is not allowed to participate in a field trip.Fire Drills The purpose of fire exit drills is to ensure the safe evacuation of the building through all available exits. Order and control are the top priorities of the drill. While speed is desirable, it is secondary to the maintenance of proper order and calmness. Proper drills, therefore, should establish habits for an orderly exit and prevent panic in case of an actual fire. Upon the sound of the fire alarm and as directed by the teacher, each class should:1. Quickly and quietly form a line, without

obtaining personal items, and move in an orderly line, without running, toward exits. Teachers should walk beside the class.

2. Have the first child in line hold the door for the remainder of the class; have the last student out of the room shut the door.

3. Leave in an orderly fashion and return likewise.

4. Staff members must be familiar with all exit maps. Exit maps must be posted in each classroom.

5. Proceed to a pre-determined point on the grounds, sufficiently far away from the building and out of the way of other groups and fire department operators.

6. Students should stand in a silent and orderly line until the signal for return to the building is given.

7. Students should return to the building one class at a time.

8. All staff members must exit the building during a fire drill except for those who have a duty, specific to the fire drill.

Food Policy Recent changes in society and our environment necessitate that we use foods in the classroom with a measure of caution. Increases in food-borne pathogens that can cause severe illness and a great increase in the number of children with potentially lethal food allergies dictate that care be taken with foods brought from home and eaten in school. The following cautions are to be followed in all schools in order to protect the health and safety of children and staff: Any food shared in school must be from

an inspected commercial facility and

Fairness for all students!

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must be labeled with its contents (Ex: Harris Teeter cupcakes, with a printed list of ingredients from the HT bakery).

Fresh fruit and vegetables may be shared, but must be thoroughly washed.

Avoid using a knife that has been used to cut sandwiches with peanut butter, cheese, or meat, to cut anything else. Cross contamination could lead to allergic reactions or food poisoning.

Under no circumstances should the following foods be brought in from homes: ground beef products – hamburgers,

casseroles, or any dishes containing ground beef

venison (deer meet) in any form unpasteurized milk, juices, or products

made with unpasteurized milk (such as butter, cheese, or ice cream)

Food products made from peanuts and/or tree nuts

Fundraising Our PTA works closely with our staff in order to alleviate any fundraising needs. Fundraising events are not to occur unless they have been approved by the principal.

Grade Level Team Leader Each team has a grade-level team leader. The responsibilities of grade-level team leaders are as follows:A. To represent their team members at

monthly grade level chair meetings.B. To facilitate planning and business

meetings with their team. C. To communicate information to team

members.D. To cooperatively plan with team members

for the organization and implementation of the curriculum in accordance with CMS expectations.

E. To requisition, inventory, coordinate, and distribute materials for their grade level.

F. To coordinate the team’s lesson planning with respect to School Improvement Plan initiatives.

G. To assist with the orientation of substitutes teachers and new teachers.

H. To serve as the contact person for the grade level.

I. To perform any other duties as assigned by the Administrative Team.

Grading Grade books are instruments of legal public records. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), every student has the right to know his/her grades. Grades are to be recorded in the grade book or in PowerSchool for each subject area to substantiate the grade given on students' report cards. A date that the grade was given should be indicated as well as a description of the skill/ assignment. There should be consistency among a grade level regarding the number of grades entered for each subject area. The grades of any student should not be

available to other students or parents. Teachers must not call for grades to be

given orally. Teachers should consider student progress

towards mastery of objectives when assigning a final grade.

Final grades should not be based solely on work assigned for practice purposes.

Teachers must establish guiding principles and consistent grading practices as a grade level to ensure fairness and consistency for all students.

Refer to the schoolwide grading policy for more details.

Hallway Procedures and ExpectationsClasses should walk without talking in a single file line, on the right-hand side of the hallway. Please stand at the corner to monitor all students at all times. Teachers must monitor students while students are changing classes. Hallways must remain quiet at all times. Unless a student is with an adult, no student is to be in the hallways without a hall pass. This includes going to the restroom, media center, office, another classroom, etc. Procedures can also be found in the school wide discipline plan.Head Gear

Give students respect!

Having the ‘last word’ is not positive!

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Hats, scarves covering the majority of the head, etc. are not to be worn by students or staff unless it is a designated day.

Health Room The health room is to be used for emergencies only. Students who appear to be sick or hurt should be brought to the office and the parent/guardian called. Please use sound judgment to determine if a student really needs the services of the health room. Some students are chronic complainers and are frequently sent to the health room unnecessarily. Simply sending students to the health room for a Band-Aid or to wash their hands is not necessary. A teacher should be reasonably sure that a student's trip to the health room is required. If you feel that an injury or illness is serious enough to warrant a visit to the health room, parents must be notified. A visit to the health room does not automatically result in a parent contact; it is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure that parents are contacted. Teachers will be given a basic supply of first aid materials to use in the classroom for minor emergencies. Please review each child’s cumulative folder carefully and make note of any physical problems (asthma, allergic reaction to bee stings, certain foods, etc.) of which you should be aware.Homework Policy Homework is a necessary part of the learning process and must be a meaningful extension of clearly defined classroom activities. Homework assignments should help a student develop responsibility and independent study skills. The teacher will grade/check homework and return it to the student in a timely manner. Grade levels should establish guidelines for homework assignments to ensure consistency and fairness from class to class. See Homework Policy Code IKB-R in CMS Policies & Procedures section. Guidelines for Teachers: 1. Homework is defined as any schoolwork

that is required to be done outside of the regular instructional day, and includes

assignments of short-term and long-term duration.

2. Homework assessment and grading procedures must be clearly defined and communicated to students and parents.

3. Grades for homework should have a limited effect in determining a student's final grade.

4. Each homework assignment should have clearly stated purposes and be an extension of class work.

5. Homework should be age-appropriate in terms of content, activities, and length of assignment. 

6. Homework should be assigned with awareness of the home resources available to a student and the family.

7. Homework shall not be assigned for disciplinary purposes.

A student who misses homework assignments or other assignments or due dates because of absences, whether excused or unexcused, must be allowed to make up the work.  Arrangements for completing the work should be made within five school days of the student's return to school and should include a schedule for completion of the work. For elementary students, the teacher must initiate the contact with the student regarding such work. In all circumstances, homework and other assignments must be accepted, even when turned in after the designated due date.  In keeping with CMS policy, credit for late work shall be awarded according to the following guidelines: a. If the student was present in class on the

due date, the work may be given less credit;

b. If the student was not present in class on the due date because of an excused absence, full credit shall be given for the completed work;

c. If the student was not present in class on the due date because of an unexcused absence, the work may be given less credit.

Average Homework Time: Average homework times are suggested only and are not meant to be minimum or maximum times.  The time varies with the subject area, content matter, teacher, the student's ability, and the complexity of the assigned task. Students’ reading records should be checked regularly. Take special

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projects into consideration when assigning homework. Students should be held accountable for completing assigned homework.

Grade

Suggested Time

K – 1 15 minutes each night which includes reading time

2 20 minutes each night which includes reading time

3 30 minutes each night which includes reading time

4 40 minutes each night which includes reading time

5 50 minutes each night which includes reading time

Inclement Weather Occasionally, inclement weather conditions created by snow or other storms may make it difficult for employees to get to work.  The Board of Education, however, makes every effort to remain operational in case of poor weather and will not be closed due to such conditions unless employees have obtained information to the contrary.  If the Board of Education is forced to close schools or other facilities due to adverse weather, employees and students will be notified in accordance with procedures established by the Superintendent. Although no employee should take unnecessary risks, employees are encouraged to report to work as close to their regular work time as possible if facilities remain open. See Inclement Weather Procedures in CMS Policies & Procedures section.Internet Access Policy CMS requires that each school keep on file an Acceptable Use Policy form signed by each student and his/her parent or guardian. Teachers are expected to review the policy at the beginning of each year and send home the Acceptable Use Policy for any student that does not have one on file.

Intervention Team Referrals The referral process for assisting students in getting needed services can become lengthy. It is therefore imperative that the teacher initiate a referral as soon as academic, attendance, or behavioral concerns arise. The first step in the referral process is to speak with the counselor and secure the initial referral packet. It is essential that all steps be followed in an appropriate sequence. The counselor or grade-level chair person can assist in answering any questions about the process. In the process, you will be asked to make two contacts with the parents before the student is brought to the Intervention Team. Under no circumstances should you suggest to the parent that a student is in need of medication or that (s)he will be tested. Testing is completed only after the Intervention Team has determined that testing is appropriate. Inventory All instructional materials/equipment received in the front office will be initially processed and delivered to the receiving teacher to check the contents listed on the packing slip. Documented items include: all electrical items such as pencil sharpeners, CD players, etc., all technology equipment, any items donated or purchased through fund-raisers, any item brought in from another source (EC, TD, etc.). Procedures for receiving inventory:1. Receive packing slip and items ordered

from office.2. Inspect order for accuracy.3. Verify that the order is complete (check

packing slip).4. Return all paperwork, including packing

slip, to Bobbie.5. Add pertinent information (serial #, model

#, etc.) to the Inventory by Room form kept in your classroom.

6. Make a copy of the revised classroom inventory and submit it to our MMIS coordinator.

Inform parents about child’s behavior and academics!

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Keys Each staff member is responsible for his/her room key issued at the beginning of the school year. All classrooms and tutor rooms should be locked when they are not in use.

Lamination Student work, materials that will be used for only a short time, or materials that are purchased laminated, are not to be laminated. Leaving Early/Arriving Late If it becomes necessary to leave campus prior to the end of the workday, staff members need to sign the off-campus sign out log. Leaving prior to 1:30 or arriving after 9:30 will result in a ½ day absence. An administrator must approve all requests for early leave or late arrival in advance by signing a submitted Early Leave/Late Arrival form. Forms are located in the teacher workroom. Lesson Plans Lesson plans must reflect district grade-level expectations, goals and objectives. All certified staff members are required to have lesson plans for the week completed by Monday morning. In addition, when an assistant is working with a small group of students during workshop times, a written plan must be available that includes the names of the students and lesson description. All lesson plan books should be located on the teacher’s desk and be accessible to administrators during informal and formal observations.

Lesson plans should be neatly written or typed and detailed enough to be clearly understood. Lesson plan formats must include the elements of effective lesson plan design: Lesson Objective – Indicate the specific numerical objective from Common Core standards or Essential Standards along with a description of the targeted kill/concept(s) (i.e. 4.04, 4.05 – Stem & Leaf Plots). Teacher Input – A description of how the teacher will model the skill/strategy and a description of a student activity that clearly reflects application and/or practice of the skill/strategy (guided and/or independent practice). This is where the majority of the information should be written – this is the ‘meat’ of the plan.

What will the student doAssessment – How the teacher will measure whether or not students have achieved the objective (The student will (TSW) identify the mode and median of a given set of numbers using a stem & leaf plot). Teacher Observation (TO) should not be used as a sole method of assessment. In addition to the essential lesson plan elements, Differentiated Instruction plans must include: identification of the flexible groups based

on analyzed data detailed plans that describe the

teacher’s/support person(s) instruction for his/her group(s), and

a student activity for guided practiceSee Elementary Classroom Essentials and Regional Expectations in Resources section.Lockdown Reminders In the event of an emergency requiring all doors to be secured, an announcement will be made over the intercom for a “Lockdown.” All doors must be locked, including tutor room doors. An “ALL-CLEAR” announcement will be made when normal operations can be resumed.

Substitute teachers must be made aware of lockdown procedures. To ensure the safety of all students, teachers must leave detailed

Listen to co-workers for ideas!

Kid friendly!

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information concerning “LOCKDOWN” procedures in the substitute folder. You are also encouraged to post lockdown procedures near the classroom door.

Long-Distance Telephone Calls Only office phones have long distance access. Lost & Found These items are periodically displayed so students and/or parents can claim their belongings. Items not claimed at the end of the first and second semesters are donated to a charitable organization. Lounge The staff lounge should be kept neat and tidy for all to enjoy. When you have finished with sodas or snacks, be sure to discard all trash so that the next person can enjoy a clean room. Do not leave dirty dishes, pots, or trays in the sink or on the counter. All cafeteria dishes, utensils, and trays must be returned immediately to the cafeteria. All items placed in the refrigerator should be labeled with your name and removed at the end of the day. The faculty lounge and soft drink machine are off-limits to students. Lunch Applications/Status All students with a previous status of free or reduced lunch are permitted to eat a plate lunch within the first ten days of school until all applications are processed. Advise students that applications must be returned immediately. Send completed applications to the office as soon as possible on a daily basis.

Magazine SubscriptionsStudents are responsible for paying for magazine subscriptions (i.e. Time for Kids).

Maintenance Requests All maintenance requests must be submitted in writing to the Financial Secretary. Master Calendar The master calendar is kept electronically and can be found at http://endhavenstaff.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/ Many other important staff documents can also be found at this site. Additions and deletions to the master calendar should be submitted via email or in writing to Peg. The calendar is updated instantly as changes are made.

Medical Emergencies If a medical emergency occurs in the classroom, the front office should be called immediately. Be prepared to give a brief description of the emergency and your room number or location so that the information can be conveyed to our first responders. An Accident Report must be completed for all accidents that occur at school for both students and staff members. This is a liability issue – please make sure you always complete this form.If you are on the playground when a medical emergency occurs, seek help from another adult on the playground and walkie-talkie the office. If another adult is not available to assist, the teacher should remain with the injured student while sending two students to the front office for help or to obtain the walkie-talkie. In life threatening situations, call 911 immediately and notify the front office. Medication Policy A procedure is in place for students who require medication during the course of the school day. A medical plan must be in place for students with severe medical conditions. Mid-Quarter Progress Reports Mid-Quarter Progress Reports are issued midway through each nine-week grading period to inform parents of their child’s academic progress before final grades are assigned. We encourage you to talk with your students and their parents/guardians

Model the behavior you want from your class!

15

if problems are indicated on the report. Progress reports are to be signed and returned promptly. Parents must be kept informed of student progress.Afternoon Broadcast: Cougar Network News - CNN The afternoon broadcast, the Cougar Network News (CNN), is an important means of communication. It is critical that all morning work stop during the broadcast and that students and staff members pay attention and listen to the broadcast – We set the example! All students and staff are encouraged to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance in the morning.

MyPD MyPD is a course registration system for employees. It is designed for you to be able to register for classes as well as track renewal credits. You MUST register yourself for all courses you wish to attend and receive credit for. Administration is not able to add people to the registration list once the class has closed.

Normal Working Hours It is recognized that professional duties and responsibilities extend beyond student contact hours to include time for such activities as additional planning and evaluating, meetings, staff development, parent conferences, sponsoring activities, and participation in Open House, Curriculum Nights, and PTA meetings and special events.

Office The school office is for conducting school business. Please do not hold conferences, long conversations, or make phone calls in the office as it interrupts normal operations. When you do have business to transact in the office, please do so quietly so the office staff will be able to conduct phone conversations. A professional work environment must be maintained at all times. Please do not discuss student issues in the office.

Parent Conferences All teachers will hold parent conferences at the end of the first grading quarter. Report cards will be given to the parents at these conferences. Teachers should request other conferences when students are having academic difficulty or other specific problems. Parents must be made aware of these before report cards are sent home. All parent conferences should begin with a positive comment about the child. Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) The PTA is an integral part of our successful school operation. Certified staff members are expected to support the PTA by their membership, attendance, and involvement. Parties Instructional time is valuable and is to be protected. The PTA sponsors two celebrations each year at winter break and at the end of the year. Our PTA also will sponsor Fall Treats and Valentine Treats.Personal Calls When personal calls for the staff are received, a member of the office staff will take a message and place it in your mailbox. You will not be called to the telephone unless it is an emergency or you have advised the office staff that you are expecting an important call (please be

Never let students know what it takes to push your buttons!

Organize your class so you have visual contact with the entire class!

Praise students!

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specific with the time and nature of call). This information should be recorded on the message board in the front office. The office staff realizes that unusual circumstances do arise and they will do their best to accommodate you.Personal Education Plans The State Board of Education mandates that local schools develop a Personal Education Plan (PEP) for any student who is academically at-risk. Parents are included in the development, implementation, and ongoing review of this plan (G.S. 115C-105.41). Quarterly parent conferences should be scheduled for all students who have a PEP in place. Official PEP development and monitoring letters can be downloaded from the Resources section of the CMS Intranet. Phone CallsParent phone calls are to be returned within 24 hours. Make every effort to make good news calls as often as possible.

Personal Leave Personal leave forms must be completed two weeks in advance and can only be used by certified staff members. All Absence Request Forms must have an absence code recorded before they will be approved. Days without pay are used only after all sick leave and annual leave have been depleted.Physical Activity State Requirement Weekly physical activity for 150 minutes (25–30 min. /day) is a state mandated requirement. This time allotment includes the formal PE class with the special area teacher. This daily physical activity time allotment also includes restroom and water breaks as well as transition times. Check with the PE teacher for classroom energizers and other PE activities. Physical Activity time may also be broken down into a few short time periods and still meet state requirements. Note: Students cannot be denied physical activity for disciplinary reasons or because

missed class work or homework assignments. Exercise cannot be used as punishment.

Planning: Learning Teams The purpose of team planning is to promote consistency throughout the grade level with regards to curriculum, resources, common assessments and support for students and teachers. All needed materials (staff handbook, calendars, instructional materials, etc.) should be prepared in advance. Grade level chairs are responsible for setting and publishing the agenda prior to planning sessions. All grade-level planning meetings must have a curriculum focus . Playground Guidelines & ExpectationsThe following general rules and guidelines should be followed to promote a safe and enjoyable playground environment. 1. It is critical that teachers and/or

teacher assistants monitor students at all times while on the playground. Active supervision with consistent enforcement of rules is required.

2. Classroom teachers/teacher assistant, or the assigned substitute, must accompany students to the playground and circulate to monitor students and not visit with other staff members who are on the black top or playground at the same time.

3. Students are asked to play with friends in their own class.

4. An organized play activity should be provided one time during the week.

5. Students are not permitted to play rough games (i.e. tackle football, burn ball, dodge ball, etc.).

6. Students are not permitted to play on the steps, near the stair rails, or near the mobile units. They should remain on the black top or on the playground equipment.

7. The use of sidewalk chalk is permitted on the black top only. Children must not write on sidewalks, walls, or steps. Please monitor the use of sidewalk chalk carefully.

Positive Discipline Philosophy Positive discipline is the foundation of our school-wide discipline program. All staff members are expected to foster cooperation, problem-solving skills, and mutual respect in children. Every adult in our school is responsible for every student in our school.

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Positive discipline will help you to: (1) create a climate that enhances academic

learning; (2) instill valuable social skills and positive

behavior through the use of class meetings; and

(3) understand the motivation behind students’ behavior instead of looking for causes.

Classroom procedures are to be taught and practiced with students during the first two weeks of school. The classroom behavior management plan should be submitted to administration within the first two weeks of the school year. Classroom rules, consequences and rewards are to be displayed in the classroom.

Professional Library All items must be checked out and returned by due dates to the library. Teachers will be held financially responsible for any items that are not returned.

Projects Consideration should be given to children who may need extra support or resources in completing assigned projects. Teachers should make every effort to ensure that all children are successful. Class time for working on projects should not take priority over providing direct instruction during curriculum blocks. Instructional time devoted to individual or group project presentations should be limited in duration, purposeful, and efficiently managed. Quality time-on-task for all students must be a priority. When assigning projects, please be mindful of the guidelines for the number of minutes spent on homework. Projects assigned should be consistent across the team and/or grade level. Close collaboration among team members is vital in ensuring that students are not assigned excessive amounts of homework/projects. A grading rubric should be provided to parents when the project is assigned. A maximum of two outside of school projects (1 per semester) may be assigned each year.

Report Cards Official report cards are issued every nine weeks according to dates on the district calendar. The purpose of report cards is to inform parents of the student’s achievement, his/her individual effort set forth, and evidence of his/her being self-motivated. All final grades should be supported with easily interpretable data recorded in a grade book. Teachers are expected to adhere to the state grading scale for letter grades. Remember that the report card is a permanent record and comments should be carefully thought out before they are written. Comments are not required for only the first quarter report card since parent/teacher conferences are held. Comments are required for all progress reports and report cards, quarters 2, 3, and 4.

Safety Audits CMS auditors will conduct at least one safety audit each year. Teachers and staff are responsible for being familiar with audit procedures and following the safety/monitoring guidelines provided. Remember to position yourself so that all students can be monitored at all times. Endhaven’s safe schools plan can be found at http://endhavenstaff.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/Safety Tips Students must be supervised at ALL

times by a certified teacher or instructional assistant.

All students should ALWAYS use the buddy system during transitions to the restroom, office, cafeteria, media center, etc.

Remember – do not take misbehavior personally!

Say “please” and “thank you” as much as possible!

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Teachers are asked to lock classroom doors and tutor room doors when rooms are not occupied.

All staff members should keep a watchful eye on areas adjacent to their classrooms, hallways, and open areas.

All visitors must have an official VISITOR BADGE visibly displayed.

Strangers should be reported immediately to the office.

Schedule – Classroom Class schedules will be kept on file for scheduling observations and for locating students. All permanent changes in schedules must be approved by the administrative staff. In the event of a permanent schedule change, the teacher must revise the schedule and provide an updated copy to the office staff. Written notification of a temporary schedule or location change should be given to the office staff 24 hours in advance. See Schedule/Location Change in forms section. School Board Policies The Board of Education’s Policy Book is available on the CMS Intranet for your information and reference.SnacksWhenever foods are brought to school for students’ snacks, choices that are low in sugar and fat content should be considered. The following are some healthy snack suggestions: pretzels, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, ginger snaps, carrot sticks, dried fruit, apple or banana slices, and peanut butter or cheese crackers. Healthy nutrition needs to be taught by example in school and at home. Help all children be healthy and ready to learn.Special Area ClassesStudents are required to wear nametags to all special area classes. Teachers must accompany students in the hallway to each special area class. Special area teachers and classroom teachers should communicate on a routine basis concerning behavior of students and curriculum objectives. If discipline problems arise during a special area

class, it is the responsibility of the special area teacher to address the behavior issue, alert the teacher and contact parents. It is critical that all teachers adhere to the schedule and meet required pick-up and drop-off times.Staff Development All staff members are expected to fulfill the necessary required in-service days according to the district calendar. All staff members must register for courses via MyPD.

Staff Meetings Wednesday afternoons are designated as staff development and meeting days. Staff meetings will be held on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Staff members are expected to notify administration in writing if they will be unable to attend a staff meeting or if they will need to leave early or arrive late to a meeting. Please try to avoid scheduling personal appointments on Wednesday afternoons.

Staff Member’s Children Please adhere to the following expectations: Staff member’s children are not to

attend committee or staff meetings that are held on Wednesdays.

On teacher workdays, staff member’s children can be brought to school, but should remain in your classroom/office throughout the day. Children are not to attend any meeting or luncheon the staff is having. Please make arrangements to feed your children another way.

Student Agendas Students in grades K – 5 should use agendas to record daily homework assignments. Each day the teacher is to check each child’s student agenda. Daily, the teacher and parent are to initial the student agenda. The teacher is to respond to any comments the parents have made. Teachers are encouraged to send home notes in the student agendas with good news as well as notes to discuss academic and behavioral concerns.

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Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Character Education Handbook All staff members are expected to be thoroughly familiar with and enforce the rules stated in the CMS Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Character Education Handbook. This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the expected behavior of students while they are on the bus, at school, and involved in school-sponsored activities. In addition, consequences for inappropriate behavior are clearly spelled out. All students and parents are required to read this handbook, sign the pledge form in the back of the handbook agreeing to adhere to the guidelines established within, and return the form to the school. Please plan to review this handbook with your students on a regular basis. Substitute Teachers To facilitate order in your classroom during your absence, be sure to furnish the substitute with clear and definite assignments. It is the responsibility of the team chair to check with a sub at the end of the day to get details regarding any issues or problems that day. In an obvious place, leave a substitute folder containing the following:1. General expectations and classroom rules;2. A list of daily routines/procedures (morning

routines, lunch, restroom use, outdoor recess, dismissal, etc.);

3. Student rosters along with pertinent medical concerns and instructional needs;

4. Your daily schedule (special schedules for students – resource, speech, etc.);

5. Location of books, A.V. equipment needed, etc.;

6. Suggested classroom helpers; 7. Lockdown procedures; 8. Name and room number of a colleague

who might help a substitute teacher; and 9. A set of emergency lesson plans (at least

three days).

Supervision of Students Children must be supervised at all times. A student cannot be left alone in the hallway or in a classroom to work. Supplies See the financial secretary about ordering supplies. Any supplies not used should be returned to the financial secretary for

restocking. Students are responsible for supplying the following: crayons, colored pencils, notebook paper, pencils, scissors, and glue sticks.

Talent Development Program (TD) The goal of the TD program, known as the "Catalyst" model at the elementary level, is to provide rigorous curriculum and academic opportunities whereby each student may reach a classroom performance consistent with his/her intellectual ability. The implementation of the program at Endhaven is a joint effort by the classroom teacher and talent development teachers who use the technique of "consultation and collaboration" as they develop curriculum and deliver instruction.

Tardy Policy The tardy bell will ring at 8:15 a.m. Students arriving after 8:15 a.m. must

report to the office to sign in and obtain a tardy/admit slip. If a student enters the class without a slip, the student is to return to the office for one.

Students arriving late for school due to a delayed bus are not to be marked tardy or penalized for incomplete morning assignments.

Teacher Evaluation Teachers are evaluated in a number of ways. This includes, but is not limited to formal observations, informal observations, walk through observations, snapshot observations, three-minute observations, and professional development.

Teamwork is the key to our success!

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Teacher Workdays Staff members must sign in on ALL teacher workdays. Certified staff and non-members MUST use the Smartfind system for ALL absences including teacher workdays. Please DO NOT wait until the last minute to complete this process, as it will delay the payroll reporting process. Teacher workday hours are 8:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Technology Technology should be an integral part of planning and instruction. The classroom teacher is responsible for planning lessons, delivering instruction, and monitoring student use of technology in the classroom. Student use of the Internet must be monitored at all times. Students must have returned an Acceptable Use form in order to access the Internet at school. Our school Web site will be updated by the Technology Facilitator. Textbook Accountability Procedures All teachers (classroom, special area, support, EC, etc.) are responsible for textbooks and related instructional materials. Care should be given to providing classroom security for the textbooks. Each time textbooks are issued or returned by teachers, a record of the transaction will be made.

GUIDELINES FOR ISSUING TEXTBOOKS

1.

All classroom teachers issuing textbooks will maintain a list of student names and book numbers. A textbook log will be given to each teacher before the arrival of students.

2.

Textbooks are assigned to students by number. The condition of the book should be noted and the student's name is to be printed in ink inside the front cover.

3.

The teacher is responsible for checking numbers and issuing appropriate charges for lost or damaged books.At the end of each nine-week period, all teachers should conduct a textbook check. Students who have lost or damaged books should pay at that time. In no case should another book be issued to that student until the lost or damaged fee has been paid (students who owe fees for textbooks may be given a book for class use only).

4.

Parents should be notified in writing when books are lost or damaged.

5.

Students who transfer must return their textbooks before they leave. If a student is transferring to another CMS school, consumable books should be sent with the student.

Textbooks – Lost/DamagedWhen textbooks are lost or damaged, the teacher should fill out a Student Financial Obligation form. Students will be expected to take their copy of this notice home to their parents. If fees are not returned, please make a copy of your original notice and send a copy to parents through the U.S. mail.

Tornado Information Please note that a “tornado watch” indicates that weather conditions are appropriate for a potential tornado. The “tornado warning” means that a tornado has been sighted within a 20-mile radius. In the event that a warning is sounded, all students and staff should proceed immediately to their assigned places.

TutoringStaff members may not tutor students in their current class for pay. Tutoring of a student in another class for pay must occur off campus. School resources and facilities may not be used to tutor students for pay. Please see administration for questions or clarification.

Video Use in the Classroom All teachers are required to follow CMS guidelines in the use of classroom videos. Videos must serve an instructional purpose and must correlate to the Essential Standards and/or Common Core standards. In most cases, excerpts should be selected rather than showing an entire video. Prior approval from the principal is required for any video that is not housed

Victory can be found outside of the box!

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in the Media Center collection. Under no circumstance is a PG, PG-13, or R-Rated movie to be shown in any elementary school. Visitors Visitors MUST report to the office to sign in on the volunteer computer and obtain a visitor’s badge. Visitors without a badge cannot be allowed into the classrooms. Volunteers Volunteers are an invaluable component of our overall school success. Children whose parents are involved in school value education more because they see that their greatest role models, their parents, value education. CMS has developed the Volunteer Management System as a means to record volunteer time. The primary focus of the program is to ensure our students’ safety at school. All school volunteers need to visit the CMS Volunteer Web site to register as a volunteer.

Weekly Staff Update A weekly staff bulletin (Cougar Chronicle) is published each Friday. All staff members are required to read the update. Information to be published in the update should be sent via email to Peg by Thursday afternoon. Please type the information you would like to include exactly as you would like it to appear in the update.

WIKISEach classroom teacher, special area teacher and certified support staff member is to create and update a Wiki. K-2 teachers must each create their own wiki space. A grade level wiki with links to teacher pages is not acceptable. For departmentalized teams in grades 3-5, a wiki must be created for each team. For example, 3rd grade will have 3 team wikis, 4th grade will have 2 and 5th grade will have one. However, it is the responsibility of that team member teaching the subject

area to update the wiki. Wikis are to be updated on a weekly basis and will be checked each Monday for updates. This is a vital communication tool with parents. Workroom Supplies such as pens, pencils, tape, scissors, and staples will be available for your use in the workroom. Please make sure you return all these supplies to their proper location so the next person will have the convenience of using them. If materials need to be replenished, please see the front office secretary.

The purpose of this handbook is to supplement the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District policies, regulations, and procedures, and to outline policies and practices that are particular to our school. It is hoped that in the interest of good organization and understanding among all staff members, this handbook will be studied carefully and referenced as often as possible. This handbook will be updated yearly and distributed to all staff electronically.

Watch how you speak to students and what your say!

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