briarwood elementary school building the future, one student at a time 2014-2015 student handbook...

Briarwood Elementary School Building the Future, One Student at a Time 2014-2015 Student Handbook Briarwood Elementary School 265 Lovers Lane Bowling Green, KY 42103 (270) 782-5554 Our Vision Statement is: Developing leaders and life-long learners by teaching 21 st century skills as we celebrate our diversity

2014-2015 Calendar August 6 First Day of School September 1 Labor Day October 6-10 Fall Break November 26-28 Thanksgiving Break December 22-January 2 Christmas Break January 19 Martin Luther King Day February 16 Presidents Day March 19-20 PD Days April 3-10 Spring Break May 20 Last Day for Students

Guidelines for Success for Life-Long Learning We the Briarwood Family believe everyone should: Be Responsible Be Respectful Be a Team Player Be Willing to Learn

7 HABITS OF HAPPY KIDS 1)Be proactive 2)Begin with the end in mind 3)Put first things first 4)Think win-win 5)Seek first to understand, then be understood 6) Synergize 7) Sharpen the saw

Roles of the Stakeholders in a Childs Education Teacher Roles & Responsibilities The teacher will: 1. act as a positive role model in terms of dress, actions & behavior. 2. help to create and maintain a positive school climate, which promotes respect for the rights of all participants in the schooling process. 3. communicate to parents information that will help to foster parent involvement in the child's education. 4. adhere to strict rules of confidentiality as they apply to students and school matters. 5. implement disciplinary measures that will reward students for positive behaviors and will set up classroom guidelines to maintain a positive learning climate. 6. handle classroom disruptions fairly, firmly, and quickly. Counselor Roles & Responsibilities The counselor will: 1. help to create and maintain a positive school climate which promotes respect for the rights of all participants in the school process. 2. communicate to school personnel and parents information concerning agencies and resources that would assist with changing inappropriate behavior of students. 3. provide individual and group counseling as needed to help students resolve conflicts and modify behavior. 4. assist classroom teachers with parent conferences. 5. adhere to strict rules of confidentiality. 6. act as a positive role model in terms of dress, actions, and behavior. 7. teach classroom guidance lessons that will help students handle various types of situations. Principal Roles & Responsibilities The principal will: 1. make decisions that are best for children. 2. serve as a support for teachers which allows them to administer appropriate discipline measures to ensure a positive learning environment. 3. help to create and maintain a positive school climate which promotes respect for the rights of all participants in the school process. 4. administer discipline measures (in concert with teachers) fairly in accordance with the established discipline plan. 5. communicate school discipline plan to the school community by explanation at the school open house, publication in the student handbook, and individual conferences and conversations. Parent Roles & Responsibilities The parent will: 1. instill in their child a sense of responsibility and respect for students, faculty, staff, and school property. 2. aid their child in understanding and following the disciplinary procedures of the school. 3. see that their child attends school regularly and punctually. 4. act as a model in establishing positive attitudes toward the school and the school personnel. 5. instill in their child a personal need for an education. 6. respond appropriately and constructively to programs and discipline reports of their child. 7. take an active role in the school and the child's education. It takes us all to educate a child. Lets work together to ensure that our children know that we all desire for them to be successful!

Attendance School starts at 8:10 and ends at 3:10 Please call the school prior to 9:00 A.M. if you child is going to be absent. Follow each absence with a note that includes the date of the absence, the childs full name, parents name, and cause for absence. Notes are to be presented no later than five days from the date of the absence in order for them to be excused. In the event that a student misses 10 or more days, a statement from the doctor will be necessary in order for the absence to be excused. **The court system does not differentiate between a tardy and an absence. Your child is considered habitually truant and must be referred to the court system after 6 or more unexcused absences/tardies. Attendance Policy Warren County Board Policy 4390.01 states that pupils are required to attend school regularly and punctually. 4390.02 states: Any pupil who has been absent from school without a valid excuse for three (3) or more days, or tardy for three (3) or more days without a valid excuse is truant. Absence for less than half a school day without a valid excuse shall be regarded as being tardy. A pupil who has been reported as a truant (3) or more times (absent or tardy nine (9) or more times without a valid excuse) is a habitual truant. Parents will be notified when absences/tardies become a concern. This documentation will begin once a child has three or more unexcused absences/tardies with a phone call or face-to-face conversation. Letters will be sent home on the after 5 unexcused absences/tardies and a home visit will be made on the 6 th unexcused absence/tardy. All of this documentation will then be turned over to the Truant Officer of Warren County. A court date will then be assigned by the Court System. Warren County Schools, in cooperation with Mrs. Amy Milliken, Warren Countys Commonwealth Attorney, believes that in order to learn; become productive citizens; and develop good habits that will carry over to their adult life; regular and punctual attendance in school is essential.

Search & Seizure Policy Regular Inspection School property, such as lockers and desks, are jointly held by the school and the student. School authorities have the right to conduct general inspection of all such property on a regular basis. During these inspections, items which are school property, such as overdue books, may be collected. Students should not expect privacy to items left in such locations. A single desk or locker may be searched if reasonable grounds exist to believe that evidence of a violation of the law or a school rule is contained therein. Reasonable Suspicion No pupil's outer clothing, pockets, or his or her personal effects (e.g., handbags, backpacks, etc.) shall be searched by authorized school personnel unless there are reasonable grounds to believe the search will reveal evidence that the pupil has violated or is violating either a school/district rule or the law. Search of a pupil's person shall be conducted only with the expressed authority of the Principal or designee. Authorized Personnel Searches of a pupil's person or his/her personal effects shall only be conducted by a certified person directly responsible for the conduct of the pupil, or the Principal, or designee. Witness When a search of a pupil's person is conducted, the person conducting the search shall have a witness. Personal Searches No search of a pupil shall be conducted in the presence of other students unless the situation warrants immediate attention. Strip Searches No strip searches of students shall be permitted. Illegal Items Illegal items (e.g. weapons, drugs, etc.) or other possessions reasonably determined by proper school authorities to be a threat to the pupils safety or to the safety of others may be seized by school officials. Other Disruptive Items Items which may be used to disrupt or interfere with the educational process may be removed from the student's possession by a staff member. Such items may be returned to the pupil or pupils parents by the staff member or through the Principals Office. Use of Video Cameras Video cameras may be installed in areas used for instruction and transportation to record student behavior. Evidence of student misbehavior recorded on video my be used to discipline students. Failure to Cooperate Students who fail to cooperate with school authorities when requested shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Cell Phone & Paging Devices Warren County Policy 4190.01 states: During the school instructional day or while being transported on any Warren County school bus, no student shall use or activate a personal telecommunications device while on school property or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity. Exceptions may be made by the Principal on a case-by-case basis. A personal telecommunications device is defined as one that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, or otherwise summons or delivers a communications to the processor. All phones are considered paging devices. Warren County Policy 4190.02 states: A person who discovers a student in possession of a paging device in violation of this action shall report the violation to the appropriate school administrator, who shall confiscate the device. Other disciplinary action by be evoked at the school level. (KRS 158.165) Homework Policy Site-based policy 20.04 states that students attending Briarwood Elementary School will have homework assigned and that it will vary with each grade level. Homework assignments will be meaningful and appropriate practice for what the child is learning in the classroom. The basic rule of thumb would be for homework that would take no more that ten minutes per grade level. It is our intention that homework will be used to reinforce skills that are currently being taught in the classroom.

Dress Code The teachers, guidance counselor, assistant principal, principal, and family members will deal with any situation that arises that is considered disruptive to the instructional process on an individual basis. Shorts, skirts, and dresses: must be no shorter than mid thigh length. A good measure for this is that the bottom of the shorts/skirt should extend to the fingertips when the arms are held naturally to the side of the body. Hats: (of any kind; i.e. ball caps, hats, scarves) may not be worn by male or females in school unless they are necessary for health, safety, or religious purposes. Hats may be worn outside during recess for sun protection and during special hat days when announced. Shoes: are required at all times. Sneakers are required for physical education class. Families are encouraged to keep an extra pair of inexpensive sneakers in their childs locker. Roller blade shoes and heelies are not allowed. Sunglasses: shall not be worn inside the school building without a medical excuse; a doctors note must be presented beforehand. Hair: shall be clean and well groomed. Distracting extremes shall not be permitted. Pants: must be worn at the waist and must remain there consistently through normal activity, without having to be held up by the hands. Shirts: should cover the midriff with all normal movement and be an appropriate neck length. If the shirt is sleeveless, it must have wide shoulder straps and no large armholes. Thin, spaghetti straps are not allowed for 3rd grade 6th grade. Hooded shirts: may be worn, but inside the building, hoods will not be worn. Patches, emblems, and clothing depicting vulgarity or advertising alcoholic beverages or illegal substances shall not be permitted. Briarwood

School-wide Expectations Morning Procedures Morning Meeting Hallways Cafeteria Bathrooms Playground Afternoon Bus Riders Car Riders/Walkers

School-Wide Procedures Morning Procedures The building will be open at 7:40 to welcome students. Students CANNOT be dropped off along the front sidewalk. Students will either report to the gym or the cafeteria. **ANY STUDENT THAT DESIRES TO EAT BREAKFAST MUST BE IN THE BUILDING PRIOR TO 7:55** Cafeteria: Get in line; get breakfast; have a seat. When leaving breakfast, stop by restroom, wash your hands, and proceed to the gym. Students are not to leave the gym once seated unless given permission by Ms. Deere. Students will remain seated for Morning Meeting and exit following the plan covered by their teacher. Students who arrive to school with items too large to carry into the bleachers will place items along the wall in the gym. Morning Meeting Morning Meeting is part of the instructional day and therefore, is not optional. Students not seated by 8:10 will be counted tardy. This becomes part of a childs attendance record. The Pledge of Allegiance and a patriotic song will be a daily part of Morning Meeting. Morning Meeting will be a time to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and teachers. Hallway Procedures Level 0 will be observed while walking anywhere in the building. Level 1 will be used while waiting in line. This is to be decided by the teacher and based on student behavior. Teachers, parents and any adults in the building will model guideline behaviors at all times. Students will be taught to walk in single file on the right side of the hall while keeping their hands and feet to themselves. If a student is in the hallway alone, the student will be expected to walk on the right side of the hallway. When walking outside under the awning by the P2/P3 classrooms, students will remain at a Level 0 Voice Level all the way out to the car rider loop. This will help to keep the classrooms from being disturbed by students in route to the playground. Children will NOT be allowed to play on the sidewalks outside the classrooms and under the awning. Bathroom Procedures All students using the restrooms will keep their hands and feet to themselves. Students will be allowed to talk quietly. Absolutely no yelling or loud talking will be allowed in the restrooms. Only one person may enter a stall at one time. If a stall door is shut, students should knock before pushing on the door. Students should flush the toilet after use. If toilet does not flush automatically, the manual button should be used. All individuals should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, dry hands carefully, and not play in the water or splash water on the floors or on others. Upon exiting the bathroom, students should line up in single file in their designated area.

School-Wide Procedures Afternoon Procedures There is NO front door pick-up. Students are dismissed to either the bus loop, car-rider line, walker or bike rider, or to the Community Education Afterschool Program. The teachers will be positioned at their classroom doors during dismissal and ensure that all students listen as buses are called. The order of dismissal is a follows: Car riders After School Program Buses Walker/Bicycle Riders Staff Children At 3:20 teachers will make the accommodations in their hallways as decided by their team. When called, students will move immediately to the designated area without stopping along the way. Students will walk on the right side of the hallways and in a single file line at a zero voice level. Bus Dismissal When the student's bus color is called, the student will leave the classroom; walk on the right side of the hallway; join others going to the same bus and walk in a single line with a zero voice level. Students will stop at the adult who is holding the bus sign before moving to the next location. The students will proceed only when the adult directs them. The students will use a low voice level as they proceed to the bus rider area. Adults supervising the hallways will look for model behavior to reward. Car Rider/Walker Dismissal The primary students will exit through the Bell Tower on the right side of the hallway. Preschool and P1 students will be at the front of the car rider lines. P4-6th grade students will stop at the end of the trophy case until dismissed to the car rider area. TEACHERS WILL NOT ALLOW CAR RIDERS TO STAY IN THEIR ROOMS ONCE CAR RIDERS HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON LOADING A LARGE NUMBER OF CARS AND THIS HOLDS UP THE PROCESS. The students will form three straight lines between the white markings on the car rider sidewalks. The students will remain at a Level 0 voice level in order to hear their names and numbers called. The students will walk along the outer edge of the sidewalk (near the grass) when they hear their name and number called. The student will stand in the numbered box until the car comes to a complete stop before leaving the curb. Students will open their own car doors if a monitor is assisting more than one car at a time.

Cafeteria Procedures Upon entering the cafeteria: All students are to be given the opportunity to go to the bathroom prior to entering the cafeteria for lunch. If students need to go to the bathroom during lunch, they must obtain permission from a supervisor. Students are NOT to leave their seats in the lunchroom without permission from a cafeteria supervisor. Students will enter the cafeteria with zero voice levels and stay in a single line. They will stop at the black line before the milk cooler when getting ready to enter the food line. Only one student at the milk cooler at a time. While getting food: Students may purchase a lunch from the cafeteria or bring their lunch from home. There will be no outside lunches from restaurants brought into the cafeteria. SODAS AND OTHER CARBONATED BEVERAGES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN LUNCHES BROUGHT FROM HOME. Students walk through the line and get their food single file. If they want to buy extra items other then their tray of food (ice cream, nabs, etc.) they have to get them as they go through the line. Students will not be able to go back up and purchase extra items once they are seated. Students will walk to their table and place their tray on the table. If students forget an item from the line, they raise their hand, look at the supervisor in the eye, and indicate the item they forget. Once permission is given, the student will be allowed to walk up and get the item they forgot.

Cafeteria Procedures While eating their lunch: Students will sit on their seats, keeping their hands and feet to themselves. If food is accidentally dropped on the table or floor, they will pick it up. If the floor needs further cleaning, they will raise their hand to obtain help from a supervisor. Students may talk quietly at the lunch table to students close to them while eating. If a guest comes to eat lunch with a student, only the guest and the student can sit at the round tables. Students may only ask a friend to sit with them if it has been approved by a supervisor. When emptying their trays: The lunch monitor will come to the table to dismiss the students. The students will pick up everything on the floor and table to discard. The monitor will dismiss one side of the table at a time. The students will walk to the trash can at the end of the table following in single file. The students will put their forks in the basket and stack their plates neatly. While lining up to leave after lunch: Students will walk over to their designated area and form a straight line against the wall...ready to exit the cafeteria. Students will stand with a level 1 voice level and hands to themselves. Students will be picked up at the assigned time by their teacher and led out of the cafeteria in a single file line with a 0 voice level.

Bus Expectations The Warren County School System now supports common expectations for the students that ride buses. These expectations will be taught and enforced across the district. There are three expectations for each student on the buses that serve Warren County Schools. These expectations are: Be responsible Use respect Safety first 1.Students will arrive at the bus stop approximately five minutes prior to bus arrival. 2.Students will board the bus holding on to the bus rail. 3.Students will keep their bottom on the seat and their back to the seat at all times. 4.Feet will remain on the floor and not on the seat in front of them. 5.Backpacks and belongings will be placed in their laps. 6.Students will sit quietly using a level two voice. 7.Students will face forward at all times. 8.Students will stay seated until the bus come to a complete stop. 9.Students will exit the bus using the handrail. 10.Bus drivers will use give me five when asking for students attention. 11.Students will cross in front of the bus at a safe distance so the bus driver can see them at all times.

Emergency Information Cards Each student will be required to have on file in the office an Emergency Information Card. The emergency card is filled out at the beginning of the school year. The information on this card, supplied by the parent/guardian of the student, authorizes school personnel to make necessary emergency arrangements in the event of any accident or illness of the student or emergency school closing. At such times, parents are sometimes difficult to reach and treatment need not be delayed. It is necessary that we have at least three emergency numbers listed on the back of the card. Every attempt will be made to reach the parents first. School personnel reserve the right to ask for identification of a person requesting access to a child. Only those individuals whose names appear on the card will be allowed to check the student out of school and/or eat lunch with the student. These cards will be available during Open House. We hope parents will take the time to fill them out at that time. The cards need to be filled out completely and accurately. Please, take your time in supplying the information requested. Should you need to take the card home and fill it out, please return the card immediately to school. This information needs to be updated throughout the school year. It is very important that you list at least two neighbors, family members or friends that you trust to make decisions concerning your child(ren). We need the phone numbers, as well as any cell numbers.

Medication 1.All medicine to be taken by the student must be brought to the school office. 2.All medication must be brought to the school by a parent/guardian. 3.A Medication Form must be completed by the parent/guardian. 4.Non-prescription medicine (Tylenol, cough syrup, Neosporin, cough drops, etc.) will only be administered for three days without a written physicians note. 5.Medicine is kept in a safe, locked location with only trained personnel administering this medicine. 6.A daily medicine log is kept in the office. 7.School personnel are prohibited from giving Tylenol, Advil, etc. to any student unless the proper procedures as listed above are followed. Medicine should never be sent to school with the student.

Food and Beverage Due to the influx of food being brought into the school. the Faculty, Staff and Cafeteria Personnel feel it necessary to adhere to the Competitive Food and Beverage Sale and Service Requirements as stated in 702 KAR 6:090. 702 KAR 6:090. Competitive food and beverage sales and service requirements. Statutory Authority: KRS 156.031, 156.035, 156.070, 156.160, 7CFR 210.11 NECESSITY AND FUNCTION: This regulation is promulgated under the authority of the State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education's statutory mandates to implement federal education assistance programs and to protect the physical welfare and safety of public school children, and is needed to carry out the Congressional intent of the National School Lunch Act of 1946, the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and all amendments thereto. This regulation is necessary to ensure that students have an opportunity to fully avail themselves of at least one meal planned with their dietary and nutritional needs in mind. Section 1. (1) this regulation deals with the sale and service of food and beverages in competition with the School Breakfast Program or the National School Lunch Program, by reason of such being conducted by student or parent organizations of school personnel through food sales, snack bars, or vending machines on the school campus. (2) The sale or serving of any food or beverage item to students in competition will the School Breakfast Program or the National School Lunch Program shall be prohibited on the school campus during the school day until one-half (1/2) hour after the close of the last lunch serving period. Adopted: March 14, 1990 by the Warren County Board of Education Therefore, we will request that no food be brought in to the cafeteria by visitors to our building. SODAS AND OTHER CARBONATED DRINKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED DURING LUNCH OR BREAKFAST. No bottled or canned carbonated beverages will be allowed in the cafeteria while school meals are being served. Please do not pack these in student lunches. Please remember when bringing in snacks for whole classes that only store-bought snacks are allowed.

ODDS & ENDS Leaving School Grounds: No student is permitted to leave school grounds during the school day unless a parent or authorized adult signs the child out in the school office. School Visitors Parents, Guardians, relatives, Central Office employees, and community members are welcome to visit the school at anytime. However, if visitors plan to talk with teachers, a conference must be scheduled. All visitors must sign in at the office prior to entering any other part of the building. Lunch Visitors Individuals coming to school for lunch are asked to wait in the Bell Tower for the class. These visitors are not to go to the classroom before or after lunch. Scheduling Conferences Parents/Guardians that desire to conference with a teacher should call or email in order to schedule the conference. Conferences can also be scheduled though Mr. Kupchella or Mrs. Jones. Conferences will need to take place during the teachers planning period, before school, or after school. Sickness If a child is running a temperature or is sick to his/her stomach, a parent will be called to pick up the child. Even the slightest of temperature can suggest that the child has something that might be contagious. Therefore, we have an obligation to protect all parties from any infectious conditions.

briarwood elementary school building the future, one student at a time 2014-2015 student handbook...

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