S.P. MORTON ELEMENTARY
FACULTYSTAFF HANDBOOK
20162017
Dr. Sherie Davis, Principal Mrs. Teri Pittman, Assistant Principal
Mr. James Holemon, Assistant Principal
PREFACE
The purpose of the Faculty Handbook is to provide information, as well as sources of
information, which faculty find beneficial. The Handbook describes the school’s history, vision
and mission, and defines the school’s principles of governance. In addition, the handbook
establishes the organization of the faculty. Faculty responsibilities, academic operating policies,
school promotion and retention procedures, and other policies are addressed within the
document. Where appropriate, this document links to original source material to ensure
current and accurate information. This handbook is the result of the work of many people,
complied by the faculty and staff. Corrections and additions to the Faculty Handbook may be
made to the electronic version as needed by school administration.
OUR VISION AT SPM IS THAT EVERY CHILD WILL BE A CURIOUS AND SUCCESSFUL LEARNER
WHO IS RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, AND PRODUCTIVE.
OUR MISSION AT SPM IS TO PROVIDE AN ENGAGING, PURPOSEFUL, INSPIRATIONAL, CURRICULUM, IN A NURTURING AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT IS MOLDED BY HIGH STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS TO DEVELOP RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, AND PRODUCTIVE
STUDENTS.
SPM FAMILY CREED AS A MEMBER OF THE S.P. MORTON FAMILY,
I AM COMMITTED TO BEING CURIOUS, PRODUCTIVE, RESPECTFUL, AND RESPONSIBLE
AS WE BUILD THE FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE
S.P. Morton Elementary School Morning and Afternoon Duties
20162017 Faculty/Staff Member Morning Duty (MF) Afternoon Duty (MF) Bond, D. BS Arrival BS Dismissal Blythe, W. BS Arrival BS Dismissal Ross, L. BS Arrival BS Dismissal Green, W. BS Arrival BS Dismissal Fournier, R. Bus 23 Arrival/Cafeteria Hall Exit Ramp A
Vinson, K. Cafeteria Myrick, A. Bus 23 Arrival Bus 23 Dismissal Moore, R. Main Hall Denne, S Bus Loop Myrick, R. Cafeteria Leave 3:10 Hinson, N. Peanut Duty Dismissal/Parent Pick room Smith, C. Cafeteria Geary, S. Exit Door to Ramp B/RM Exit Door to Ramp B Rauchenberger, J Preschool Students Bus Loop Rideout, P. Library – Staff/Students Parker, W. Bus Loop Bus Loop Wolfe, L. Bus Loop Bus Loop Sing, C. Parent Parking Lot AM Leave @ 3:10 Dawson, M. Reading Complex/ Library
Hall/K Hall Parent Pickup @ 2:45
Turner, S. Gym Hall/Main Hall Gym Hall/Main Hall Ford, J. Music Door Green W. Exit Door to Ramp A Leave @ 3:00 Blythe, R. First Grade Hall/Gym Hall Floater on call Fifth Grade Team Bus Loop Rickert, A. Front Main Entrance Library and K Hall Pittman, T. Cafeteria Parent Pickup room Holemon, J. Bus Loop Bus Loop
PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS\PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Morning announcements will be made daily at 8:05 a.m. and end by approximately 8:10 a.m. It is expected that all students\classrooms participate in reciting the pledge of Allegiance. All requested morning announcements must be turned in to the office secretary in written form prior to 8:00 a.m. Announcements will be read over the phone intercom at the beginning and/ or the ending of the each day. Teachers are asked to enforce the rule of silence when announcements are being made. Immediately following announcements a moment of silence will be observed. Teachers are to remind students to be respectful, no one should be talking or moving during the Pledge of Allegiance. Afternoon announcements will be made at 3:10 p.m. MENTOR\MENTEE PROGRAM New teachers to the school will have a mentor to provide answers to any questions, and refer them to the sources needed to address concerns.
New Teacher Position Mentor Teacher
Sharon Evans Kindergarten Melissa Mabry
Charlene WalkerBriggs Reading Specialist Dana Brittle
Betty ArcherWright Kindergarten Tessa Blow
Shonda RobbinsParker Kindergarten Cheryl HandshawRoyster
Raquez Moore Computer Skills Patricia Rideout
Abygail Staples Kindergarten Rhonda Culpepper
Jarad Ford Music Clinton Smith
Erin Stenger 2nd grade Kathleen Miller
Arlesa Johnson 2nd grade Nicole Greene
Ida Council 2nd Grade Rebecca Lowe
Travis McConnell 3rd grade Felicia Briggs
Vacancy 3rd Grade Ginger Davenport
Kelly Nolan 4th grade Sheryl Hardy
LaQueshia Rawls Kindergarten
Shannon Wade
Bobbi Schuermann 2nd grade
Lea Ann Baker
SCHOOL HOURS OF OPERATION Staff Hours: 7:40 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.** Bus Arrivals: 7:45 a.m. Student Hours: 8:15 a.m. 3:20 p.m. Students arriving after 8:20 a.m. should report to the office to receive a tardy pass. Early Dismissal: 1:20 (Lunch served) Early Arrival: In an effort to provide a safe and secure environment for students that are transported to school, we ask that students not be dropped off prior to 7:40 a.m. Bus Changes: Without a written request (no phone requests) from parents, a child may not be permitted to ride a different bus to or from home. ** Times may vary due to unforeseen circumstances with afternoon dismissal, meetings, etc. LEAVE PROCEDURES Sick Leave All staff members are to notify Ms. Paige before leaving school if you know you will need a substitute the next day. If an illness occurs in the evening, contact Mrs. Pittman (PreK2) at 7575047699 or Mr. Holemon (35) at 7575047715 by 9:00 P.M. If the emergency occurs after 9:00 P.M., contact should be made between 6:00 A.M. and 6:30 A.M. If unable to return to work the next day, call the office by 1:00 P.M. Personal Leave will not be approved on the day before or after a holiday. Sick days taken before or after a holiday will require a note from the physician. Habitual absences will initiate a review conference of your absences with the administration. ACCIDENTS/INJURIES Anytime a student or adult is injured, the office should be notified, as well as the nurse. Do not move the student or adult if the injury seems severe. Accident Report Forms are available in the clinic and should be completed as promptly as possible. It is better to error on the side of caution instead of getting a phone call from a parent or the superintendent’s office. If possible, send the student, accompanied by an adult or fellow student as the situation dictates, to the nurse. If you deem it best, ask the nurse and/or administration to come to the student or to the injured staff member. Should a staff member be injured, that injury must be reported immediately.
SUBSTITUTE LESSON PLANS Your substitute lesson plans and a copy of your daily schedule and seating chart/groups should be left in yellow folder. Each teacher must develop an emergency set of lesson plans for use by the substitute when it is not possible to have regular substitute plans available. These plans will be used in the case of an emergency. Emergency plans will be kept on file in the office and are
due on September 19, 2016 and January 9, 2017. Uptodate lesson plans are to be kept in each teacher’s yellow substitute folder. EMERGENCY LESSON PLANS (Different from Substitute Plans) All teachers are required to complete an Emergency Lesson Plan Packet. Information in this packet should include the following:
● Lesson plans for three days ● Attendance and lunch count procedures (include student lunch #) ● Schedule of activities ● Fire drill procedures ● Names of helpful students ● Names of colleagues who can help ● Dismissal information ● Supplemental activities/additional teacher duties ● Students who require medication ● Students who have a behavioral modification plan or IEP modifications
STUDENT ATTENDANCE Attendance must be completed and submitted in PowerSchool No Later than 9:00 a.m. Students are tardy if they arrive after 8:20 a.m. Tardy students must be signed in and receive a tardy slip before going to their classroom. Do not accept tardy students into the classroom without a tardy slip from the office. If a student is allowed in the class without an office slip, the school records will not be accurate, and the food service count will be miscalculated. Please help to avoid this problem by following the procedures indicated. Your cooperation regarding this matter is appreciated. When students return to school from an absence theymust bring a note from home explaining the absence. These notes should be sent to the office each day for filing. The parent of any student logging excessive absences/tardies or exhibiting a pattern of chronic absences/tardiness should be contacted and the office should be notified. It is the responsibility of the teacher to speak with Guidance Services to craft a plan of how best to serve the student. Possible consequences and interventions for unexcused absences, tardiness, or excessive early checkouts may include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Afternoon Detention ● Community Service ● Counseling Group Participation ● Isolated Lunch ● Student/Parent Conferences ● TimeOut ● Referral to School Social Worker ● Referral to Juvenile Court
Students who must leave school during the day must be signed out through the office. Do not allow a child to leave school with anyone during the school day without permission from the office. If parents or persons picking up a child come to your room or the playground area, please direct them to the office to sign that child out. If the adult says that they already signed them out, call the office to verify. BUS NOTES Bus passes will be issued only to those students with written notes signed by parents\guardians. Notes are to be sent to the office. Teachers’ names should be on the note. Students who do not have written notes will be sent home by their normal mode of transportation. Teachers are not to take a student’s word that they are going home by an alternate mode of transportation. Teachers will be responsible for student’s supervision if they are left at school. Mailboxes should be checked eachmorning as you sign in, at lunch, and after dismissal if possible . SOCIAL MEDIA All staff members are prohibited from interacting with students on all social media platforms. It is strongly recommended that you do not interact with parents of students at S.P. Morton on social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, etc. Staff members do so at their own risk. However this does not prohibit staff members from joining or being a part of the social media community. Please be very careful what you say or email on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Employees will be solely responsible for anything that they say or post in the social media community. Do not post student pictures on personal social media pages. If you believe that your identity has been compromised please contact Administration immediately. COMMUNICATION NEWSLETTER Each teacher is expected to develop and send home a newsletter for parents. The newsletter should include pertinent information specific to your class. Examples include: upcoming activities, lessons, celebrations for good work, items needed for the classroom, etc. AT LEAST one newsletter should go home eachmonth. Retain a copy of each newsletter in your portfolio for the principal’s review at midyear conferences, endofthe year summative evaluations and other times the principal or assistant principal may deem necessary. All parent letters must be approved by administration before sending home. FRIDAY FOCUS Staff members will receive a weekly memo from the administration shared via email. MAILBOXES The mailboxes are located in the staff lounge. Please check your mail box in the morning and before leaving for the day. Please do not send students to pick up your mail, as the mail boxes contain confidential information.
TELEPHONES The telephones are our intercom. Notify the office immediately if your telephone does not work. Use your planning period nor time before or after school to make and receive phone calls. Teachers will not be called from class to receive phone calls unless it is an emergency. Otherwise, a message will be sent to you. Calls will not be transferred to your classroom unless there is an emergency. CELL PHONES – Cell phones should be in the silent or vibrate mode during school hours. Staff should use cell phones only when not supervising students (e.g. planning periods, before school, after school). DO NOT USE YOUR CELL PHONE TO TELEPHONE A PARENT DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME. CONFIDENTIALITY Comment and discussion regarding student personalities and records should only be discussed with appropriate people in the education setting. Student behavior problems should not be part of public discussions or staff lounge conversations. Professional discretion and courtesy should be used in discussing all staff and district concerns. EMAIL Each classroom teacher is encouraged to maintain a parent distribution list for their classroom for general distribution of nonconfidential information only. Student names or information should never be included in these communications. Information that should be sent out through this list are testing dates, quiz dates, school events, PTA dates, study guide information, event times and dates, etc. Always send the distribution list names in the Blind Copy box (bc): During orientation a form will be provided to you to ask parents if they wish to be included in this distribution list. Parent participation is not mandatory. PARENT CONTACT LOGS/COMMUNICATION Teachers are required to maintain a monthly contact log. Parent contact logs must be updated by the 5th of each month. Please include all parent contact on your list. This includes impromptu meetings in the grocery store, church, etc. The parent contact log is now located in Google Drive. REPORTING STUDENTS’ PROGRESS TO PARENTS Grades are to be maintained for each student in each content area for each grading period. PowerTeacher is expected to be current at all times. Assignments and tasks should be identified and dated five days after being graded . Students have five days tomake upmissed assignments, after five days they will receive an “F.” Parents should be notified by phone or in the student’s agenda when assignments have been missed. Periodically, the principal and/or the assistant principal may review electronic grade books for review. The principal will make the final decision in the grading and placement of all students in the school. Powerschool will be used to create interim reports and report cards in grades 15. Constructive comments must be on each student’s report card. All teachers are expected to send home a Communication
Folder each Tuesday. Inside the folders teachers are asked to place students’ work, reminders, newsletters, weekly progress reports and other information to keep parents informed about students’ progress MEETINGS Agendas and Minutes are required for all meetings.
Faculty Meetings
Wednesdays are to be reserved for general Faculty Meetings s. Staff meetings will be held on the 1st Wednesday of the month. Additional meetings may be called as needed. When possible , any additional meetings will be announced in advance. Meetings will usually be held in the media center at 3:45 p.m. Staff members who wish to add items to the agenda should see the administration the day prior to the staff meeting. Full staff meetings refer to all staff members attending. Faculty Meetings refer to licensed staff personnel. Please refrain from scheduling anything for Wednesday. Administration must be notified at least one day.
TRANSFORMATION TEAM MEETINGS/PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES (PLC) S.P. Morton Elementary Transformation Team will meet on 3rd Wednesdays of eachmonth at 3:45 p.m. Professional Learning Community meetings will be weekly. All agendas will be provided by administration and minutes from the PLCsmust be sent toMrs. Pittman andMr. Holemon via email by grade level representatives. Only administrationmay excuse attendance at these meetings; only literacy specialists may excuse participation in literacy professional learning and only Math Specialist may excuse participation in mathematics professional learning.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COLLABORATIVE PLANNING It is expected that PLC teams plan collaboratively at least once a week. These weekly collaborative meetings will be attended by the Catapult Team and a member of the administration. **Collaborative Planning Schedule is forthcoming DAILY LESSON PLANS/SCHEDULE Lesson plans are due every Friday evening by 7:00 P.M.** Plans will be reviewed by administrators, and comments/feedback will be emailed. Plans should also be available in your classroom at all times. Plans should be available in the green folder located on the back of your door. Lesson plans should reflect differentiated instruction. The SOL you are working on should be indicated with each lesson. All lesson plans should be completed on the LaserFocused StudentCentered SOL Lesson Plan Template lesson plan and reflect Marzano’s Strategies. Plans to start the year are due on September 2, 2016. Plans are to be uploaded in your Google folder.
PARAPROFESSIONAL PLANS Daily responsibilities/plans for paraprofessionals must be written in a separate notebook or clearly identified in lesson plan books . Plans for paraprofessionals give them a sense of direction and eliminate time being taken away from instruction to explain his/her daily assignment. Paraprofessionals’ schedules should be posted in all the classes that are visited. Paraprofessionals will be observed providing instruction at least twice per year. The principal will periodically do classroom visitations and check lesson plans. CHALKBOARD CONFIGURATION AGENDA/SCHEDULE Every teacher should post a classroom agenda/schedule in the room and follow the master schedule given to you. The agenda/schedule provides students a full picture of their day. It also provides clarity to observers/evaluators – where you are in your instructional day, what has come before, what will come next, etc. Your agenda/schedule should also reflect your bell ringers or “Do Now” activities (activities you have planned for students to engage them in immediate instruction once they enter the classroom (e.g. first thing in the morning, after lunch, after recess, etc.). **A diagram for the continuity of the Daily Agenda will be provided to you. STANDARDS OF LEARNING (SOL) The Standards of Learning developed by the State Board of Education focus on four core subject areas: Mathematics, Science, English and Social Science. Teachers are expected to teach the SOL’s during lessons along with other grade appropriate skills. Teachers in need of a copy of the new Standards of Learning must make the request. Standardized testing of the SOL’s will be administered to all 3rd through 5th grade students. This test will be administered during the spring of 2016. Teachers should utilize the Essential Knowledge, Pacing Guides, Curriculum, Curriculum Frameworks, and SOL Blueprints in all planning sessions. The Standards of Learning may be found at the following website: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing INTERRUPTION – FREE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME All efforts will be made by the office to ensure that instructional time is uninterrupted. To ensure this, the following procedures will be observed:
● Parents and visitors will be required to report to the office when entering the building.
● Parents and visitors who are allowed in the building beyond the office must wear a Visitor’s Badge. For security reasons, it is every staff member’s responsibility to ensure that visitors without badges are directed to the office.
● Parents that wish to visit the classroom during instructional time must make arrangements with the teacher or administration prior to the classroom visit.
● Students will not be summoned to the office, except in urgent situations. ● Students will not be withheld from any scheduled class for punishment. ● Teachers will not be called to receive telephone calls, unless it is an emergency. A
message will be taken and placed in the teacher’s box.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SUPPORTS Classroom management is different than discipline! Effectively managing your classroom is an essential part of maintaining control and discipline. An effective teacher manages a classroom. An ineffective teacher disciplines a classroom. The number one problem in the classroom is not discipline; it is the lack of procedures and routines. Classroom management deals with the procedures that must be established at the beginning of the school year. Students must know how you want them to begin the day, pass in papers, sharpen their pencils, line up, etc. Procedures must be rehearsed over and over again until the students do them automatically. When this happens, you have a routine. Think about how children learn. Will telling them a procedure one time allow them the opportunity to learn it? That will work for some, but not for all. Your procedures should be visible in the classroom, at least until the procedure becomes routine. List step by step instructions so that the students can learn exactly what you expect of them. Earlier grades may wish to use pictures, illustrations or photographs. From the beginning, know what you are going to do every minute of the day, quarter, semester and year, and do it! Students must be shown respect and you must expect it back from them. The key to maintaining classroom control is respect. BE CONSISTENT!Minor discipline cases are best handled by the teacher. If trivial items are referred to the principal, his/her effectiveness for problems of a more serious nature will be lessened and children soon become aware of the ineffectiveness of the classroom teacher. If there is ever a situation where a child needs to be removed from the classroom, call the principal for assistance. Students should not be "removed from the classroom.” Situations of this sort are to be discussed with the principal and then a course of action plan will be set up. If you get to a point that you and/or the student need a break, please make arrangements to send the student to a buddy room. A buddy room is another teacher’s classroom. In that classroom, there should be a place for the child to sit and think about what they have done or cool off. This is sort of a “time out.” Youmay want to refer to this space as “The Second Chance Chair,” “The Better Choice Chair,” or by some other positive reference. Students will complete a “Think Sheet” to reflect on why they were sent to the classroom.
FCPS DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES The Franklin City Administration and teaching staff believes strongly in the idea of helping students learn selfdiscipline and selfrespect. They are deeply committed to promoting good citizenship and students’ awareness of the rights of others. The staff is encouraged to provide positive reinforcement of students’ good behavior through incentive, rewards, individual behavioral contracts and continual use of appropriate praise for students’ positive actions and manners. When disciplinary action becomes necessary, the following sequence is implemented in most cases:
● The teacher tries to handle the problem at the classroom level and give the student the opportunity to resolve the matter.
● If the problem persists, the teacher is expected to notify the parent/guardians to report the behavior and ask for support.
● If the problem is still evident, the principal or assistant principal confers with the student and decides an appropriate consequences.
● If necessary, the teacher or administrator arranges for a conference with the parent/guardian.
In the event of disciplinary infractions, a student may be referred immediately to the administration using the FCPS Disciplinary Referral Form . Parents/guardians are then notified in writing of the infraction and the disciplinary action taken. Depending on the severity of the student’s misbehavior, consequences may include by are not limited to one or more of the following:
➢ Conduct Notice ➢ Phone call home ➢ Parent/guardian/teacher conference ➢ Loss of free time ➢ Loss of special privileges ➢ Timeout ➢ Discipline Referrals ➢ Afterschool detention ➢ Saturday Detention ➢ Inschool suspension ➢ Outofschool suspension ➢ Alternative Placement
➢ Longterm suspension or Expulsion Principals and administrators can suspend students for up to 10 days. Due process is mandatory for all suspensions. The parent can be notified of the suspension writing in person, by telephone, and in writing; however, a suspension letter must be sent to the parent on the day of the suspension. (See attached letters for male and female students) Any oral or written notice to the parent of a student who is suspended from school shall include notification of the length of the suspension, information regarding the availability of communitybased education, alternative education or intervention programs, and the student’s right to return to school upon the expiration of the suspension. Due Process
● The Principal notifies the student and the parent that the child has committed an offense.
● The student is given an opportunity to hear the charges and present his/her case to the building level administration. The student should give a written statement of the incident using the attached Student Statement form.
● The student and parent are informed of the suspension. Behavioral Contract Any student suspended for five (5) or more consecutive days will be placed under a Behavioral Contract by the principal or assistant principal for the remainder of the current school year. The contract must be signed by both the student and parent/guardian for readmittance to school. Discipline Committee Hearings / Placement Steps Code of Conduct infractions that warrant suspension over 10 daysmust be referred toMrs. Gail C. Wade, Director of Human Resources/Administrative Services for a Disciplinary Committee hearing. The principal or assistant principal informs the student and parent that the student will be suspended for 10 days, with a recommendation for longterm suspension or expulsion to the Superintendent and that a hearing with the Discipline Committee will be scheduled. The school sends a Discipline Packet within two working days of the suspension to Mrs. Gail C. Wade, Director of Human Resources/Administrative Services. A Discipline Committee Hearing will be scheduled within ten (10) days of the first day of suspension. The Discipline Packet must include:
➢ Notification if the child is classified as regular education or special education
➢ Student profile from Powerschool including attendance, schedule, grades ➢ Copy of Suspension letter ➢ Picture of evidence (weapon, drugs or paraphernalia, etc.) ➢ Signed incident reports (see attached forms) This must include a detailed summary
of the incident and its investigation and should include written narratives from the administrator, student and eyewitnesses or other involved persons when appropriate.
➢ Discipline Record and copies of Disciplinary Referral Forms for the current school year only.
➢ Teacher’s reports for each class ➢ Guidance Counselor report ➢ Report of interventions/referrals attempted ➢ Most recent report card and interim report ➢ If the student has an IEP, attached copy of manifestation hearing minutes. A
manifestation determination is required if the school is considering a recommendation that constitutes a change in placement for a special education student who has violated a code of the student conduct that applies to all students. The manifestation hearing must take place prior to the Discipline Committee hearing.
➢ If the student has a 504 Plan, attached copy of the plan. ➢ Copy of receipt of Student Code of Conduct signed by parent and student.
The Discipline Committee must convene the hearing within ten (10) days of the first day of suspension. The Discipline Committee will be chaired by the Director of Human Resources/Administrative Services and will consist of the Director of Instruction, another school principal, the school Guidance Counselor and the Director of Special Education (as needed). The student, parent/guardian must be in attendance. The principal has the burden of proof and shall present the evidence to the Discipline Committee first. Five folders should be brought to the hearing. The parties shall produce such additional evidence as the Discipline Committee may deem necessary. The Discipline Committee will be the judge of the relevancy andmateriality of the evidence. Deliberations and recommendation we will be made by the Discipline Committee after the recommending school principal, student and parent/guardian leave. The Discipline Committee shall provide its decision and recommendation, including the supporting reasons, to the Superintendent. The Superintendent will make a ruling for regular education students based on the information provided by the Discipline Committee. If the Superintendent is considering a change of placement for a special education student, he/she will make a recommendation to the IEP team for consideration. The IEP team will make appropriate placement decisions and inform the Superintendent of their decision. IEP procedures must be followed. Following the ruling of the Superintendent, the student’s parent/guardian shall be provided with written notice which shall include:
➢ The disciplinary action applied; ➢ The terms or conditions of readmission, if any; ➢ The duration of the disciplinary action; ➢ A statement declaring whether the student is eligible to return to school or attend an
appropriate alternative education program approved by the School Board or an adult education program offered by the division during or after the expulsion. If neither option applies, a statement that the student may petition the School Board for readmission after one calendar year from the date of his expulsion; and
➢ The availability of communitybased education, training and intervention programs. ➢ The student or his/her parent/guardian may appeal the ruling of the Superintendent to
the School Board. If applicable, the appeal to the School Board must be in writing and must be filed with the Superintendent within five (5) calendar days after the notice of the Superintendent’s decision. Failure to file a written appeal within the specified time will constitute a waiver of the right to an appeal. The full School Board will decide the appeal upon the record of the case within thirty (30) calendar days of the request for an appeal and communicate its decision in writing to the students and his/ her parent/guardian. Such written notice shall include any changes in: (1) the duration of the suspension; (2) the availability of communitybased education, training, and intervention programs; and/or (3) eligibility to return to school or return to school or attend an alternative education program. No statements, witnesses or evidence may be presented at this appeal unless specifically requested by the Chairman of the Board. SP MORTON HOUSE RULES
● Be Responsible ● Be Respectful ● Be Productive
SP MORTON ELEMENTARY BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS See appendix A POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES THESE CONSEQUENCES ARE INTENDED TO SCAFFOLD
1. VERBAL WARNING WITH POSITIVE REDIRECTION
2. TIME OUT WITH PERSONAL REFLECTION
3. WRITTEN WARNING WITH PARENT CONTACT
4. CONSULTATION WITH THERAPEUTIC SERVICE (IF APPLICABLE)
5. DISCIPLINE REFERRAL
6. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE
*FIGHTING, HITTING, USE OF PROFANITY, VULGAR ACTS, BULLYING, OR SEVERE CASES OF DISRESPECT TOWARD AN ADULT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ADMINISTRATIVE ATTENTION. PROCEDURES FOR REMOVING STUDENTS FROM CLASS When you determine a student needs to be removed from the instructional environment. Follow the following procedures:
1. Call the main office and request an administrator 2. Keep the student in your classroom and attempt to deescalate the situation 3. DO NOT SEND THEM TO THE OFFICE! 4. Do not send students to timeout without instructions from administration. 5. When the administrator or designee arrives, the teacher and administrator will
confer, and the following may occur: A. Student will be removed from class B. Student will be counseled and allowed to return to the instructional
environment C. If the student is removed, a referral must be written
PROCEDURES FOR WRITING REFERRALS A referral should be written for chronic behavior issues and/or severe misconduct. Please make sure all PBIS interventions have been documented before resulting to a referral. Please adhere to the following:
1. Fill out all relevant components of the referral form (i.e. name, date, address, etc.) 2. Contact the parent to make them aware of the referral. 3. Record dates and times of parent contact. 4. Record an objective, nonjudgmental description of the incident. Refrain from using
other students’ names. In recording profanity – write the words verbatim 5. After 14 are completed submit the referral to administration (PreK2 Mrs. Pittman)
and (Mr. Holemon 35). Do not wait until the end of the day to turn in a referral. Discipline will be handled on the day of the infraction. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the referral to the administration prior to student dismissal.
S.P. MORTON ELEMENTARY EXPECTATIONS OF STAFF
Staff will be expected to:
● Listen to students and speak in a calm, authoritative, and respectful voice
● Treat each student fairly and be available to answer student questions
● Be a good role model and make contributions for the good of our school
● Adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the employee handbook
ASSEMBLIES Assemblies are a regular scheduled part of the curriculum that are designed to be educational as well as entertaining experiences. They also provide one of the few opportunities in school for students to learn formal audience behavior. Regardless of the type of program, courtesy requires that the student body be respectful and appreciative. In live entertainment, unlike radio, television, or movies the performers are very conscious of their audience. It is the individual teacher's responsibility to instruct students that all talking, whispering, whistling, stamping of feet and booing are discourteous. Teachers are to escort their individual classes to the assembly site. All teachers should be seated with their classes and help them supervise all students. A seating chart dictate will where classes will sit for every assembly. CAFETERIA/FOOD SERVICES The cafeteria staff works directly under the supervision of the Principal/Assistant Principal. All problems related to the operation of the cafeteria should be referred to the Principal/Assistant Principal. Staff members are prohibited in the kitchen area. Please do not send students to the cafeteria to get your lunch or other materials. Breakfast Procedures:
● Breakfast is served from 7:458:15. ● All students will report directly to their class from the bus terminal to eat breakfast in
the classroom.
Lunchroom Procedures:
● Classes will go to the lunchroom (single, straight, and silent) under the supervision of the teacher at the time indicated. The lunch schedule must be followed; if your schedule
calls for time in at 11:00 a.m. and out at 11:25 a.m., children are to be in the cafeteria promptly at 11:00 a.m. and are dismissed from the table by 11:25 a.m.
● The table and floor areamust be cleaned promptly so that the area is ready for the next class to be seated.
● K2 teachers will be responsible for bringing their students scan cards. ● 35 students will be responsible for remembering and punching in their numbers.
Children should be lined up as follows:
● Students buying milk first in line. ● Students buying full lunches next in line. ● Students bringing lunch and not buying at the end of the line.
See Appendix A for cafeteria behavior expectations
● Students will sit at the assigned tables and leave the cafeteria as a class. ● Students are expected to keep their voices low and to exercise good behavior and
manners at all times. Talking at tables will be permitted but if abused, this privilegemay be revoked.
● Talking is not permitted between tables or with another class. ● Students are responsible for leaving their tables and seats clean and dry for the class
that will follow. ● Teachers are to go through the line with their students. ● Teachers will eat with their students until further direction from administration. ● Chewing gum is not allowed in the school unless during a designated day by
administration. DIRECTORY INFORMATION According to federal law, parent and students are notified that “Directory Information” will be released as deemed necessary by school officials. The following items are Directory Information: student’s name, parent’s name, address, telephone number, date, and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities, and sports, height, and weight of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most recent previous school attended and photograph. Parents or eligible students will have ten (10) school days after the annual public notice to view the student’s directory information and to provide written notice to the school that they choose to not have this information released. Unless prior written notice is received, the school district may disclose any of those items designated as directory information without prior written consent. Check with Guidance and/or the office before YOU release any information. DUPLICATING MACHINES Copier machines will be located throughout the campus. Extreme care is to be exercised when using copiers and any other school equipment. Please do not attempt anymajor repairs. Notify
the office immediately when a copier is malfunctioning. Put a sign on the copier indicating that it is “out of order.” Machines most often malfunction when they overheat and are overused. Plan well in advance and make any copies in advance also. Students should never be left idle or unsupervised because a teacher is “making copies.” Students should not be sent to the office with notes indicating that a teacher needs a secretary tomake copies immediately. Students should NEVER be permitted to use any copiers. Copiers are for school work. No church programs, personal items, etc. should be copied using FCPS equipment. Employees will be assigned a CODE and must enter that fourdigit code BEFORE making any copies. The same code will be effective for any and all copiers located on the campus. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES – Refer to the FCPS Crisis Manual for clarification All emergency procedures should be posted in the red folder on the back of your door. Teachers should instruct their classes in the proper procedure for emergency drills. It is important to review the procedures throughout the school year. Teachers will normally be alerted when we are planning a test or drill. Remember to take your grade book and log sheet to count students. Fire Alarm Teachers should lead their students from the building when the fire alarm sounds. Take grade books, one sheet of green construction paper and one sheet of red construction paper and proceed in orderly fashion to the designated area. Once there, teachers should take a head count and keep the classes together pending further instructions. If a child is missing, do not reenter the building. Notify office personnel and other designees in your area (e.g. Ms Stevens, Mr. Smith, etc.). Display your green paper if all is well and every student is out and accounted for. Display your red paper if there is a question or concern. Do not attempt to go back in the building, notify office staff or firemen in charge immediately. Students should stand with back to the building – straight line, NO TALKING . The teacher faces her class and the building. Remain in your area until the all clear signature is given. Tornado – Teachers should lead students to their designated areas (See Appendix D). Once there students kneel, place interlocked fingers covering the back of the neck (not the top of the head). If in an area that prevents kneeling (e.g. restrooms), students should stand close together, facing the walls with interlocked fingers covering the back of the neck. Remain in position until the all clear signal is given. Review these procedures with the students. Earthquake Immediately take cover under anything that will provide some measure of protection from falling objects. Immediately after the crisis, calmly evacuate the building, following the procedure for a fire drill. If people are hurt and/or trapped in the room, the first order of business is to get everyone else to safety, then notify the administrator that people are hurt or trapped and their location. Keep your classes together pending further instructions. Stay away from power lines, poles, trees, and buildings. Utilities should be shut off, and no one should reenter the building unless it have been declared safe.
Hostage Situation – All doors should be locked throughout the day. You may put a magnet in the door frame to help students with entering/leaving the classroom. In the event of a hostage situation, simply take the magnet out and the door will be locked. If a hostage crisis occurs in your room, try to communicate calmly with the perpetrator. Try to get the person to let you relay his demands to the office, thereby alerting the office to the situation. If a hostage situation occurs outside the classroom, it is the staff’s responsibility to keep students safe. Until other directions are given, lock classroom (lab, media center, etc.) doors and gather students against the wall nearest to the hallway. If an intruder attempts to enter the locked room, try to exit by other means. TAKE WHAT ACTION YOU NEED TO KEEP STUDENTS SAFE. BE CALM. THINK. Bomb Threat In the event of a bomb threat, notify the office immediately. If the building needs to be evacuated, follow the fire evacuation plan. FCPS has developed a Crisis Plan and has (June 2013) adopted new policies related to crises. It is important that every faculty and staff member be well familiar with these procedures. You may download the Crisis Plan and the policies online at http://www.fcpsva.org/Policy%20Manual/index.html FAMILIES Faculty should not have their children, boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses or other relatives in the room with them during instructional time, unless there is an emergency and prior approval has been granted. Still, this arrangement should be for a limited time. If you have a need, please discuss it with the principals. Faculty should also not have their children in the building after school or on teacher work days and professional learning days. Please make arrangements for child care. SCHOOL NURSE/CLINIC The school nurse, Ms. Patricia Mason will conduct, vision, hearing, and dental screenings throughout the year. The clinic is open every day during school hours; however, parents must make arrangements to pick up sick or injured children. Emergency cards are due in the office andmust be updated as needed. Parents, or emergency contact persons, will be notified in case of an emergency. All medication must be brought in by a parent, and picked up at the end of the year by a parent. If the student becomes ill during the school day, the school nurse will assess him\her and determine the best course of action. Upon determining the need to go home, the nurse or designee will make the proper arrangements by contacting the student’s parents. If the parent cannot be contacted, other person(s) on the student’s emergency card will be contacted. Whenever a student is sent to the office for an injury or sickness the parent will be notified by the nurse’s office that day either by note or by phone. State law prohibits the school nurse from dispensing any medication to students unless the nurse has written permission from the child’s doctor. Parents shouldn’t send cough drops,
cough medicine or aspirin to school with a child. All students taking medication (including inhalers) must have a doctor’s note on file in the clinic at the beginning of the school year. Medication sent to the school must be given to the bus driver and enclosed in a container or bag. All medication must be properly labeled with student’s name clearly printed on the bottle. Medication is never to be sent to school by a student. All students who visit the clinic other than routine medication visits will receive a clinic notice that must go home to the parent. Do not send a student to the clinic without this form. FIELD TRIPS All offcampus field trips must be approved in advance by the principal, Transportation and Curriculum/Instruction Director. Each grade level must decide on at least one grade level field trip. The trip must be educational and tied to the curriculum. Field Trip forms may be secured from the school secretary. A copy of the form should be submitted to the principal for approval at least 2 months in advance. The Director of Transportation will determine final availability of busses. Teachers should have a complete itinerary to be sent home with students with a permission form. NO student may leave campus without a signed permission slip. A note signed by the parent will suffice as a permission slip as long as it has the date, parent signature and states that the parent gives permission for the child to go to the specified location. All trips should be scheduled to depart from school no earlier than 7:00 a.m. andmust return to school no later than 2:45 p.m. No field trips for grades 35 will be scheduled betweenMay 1st and whatever is the last day of SOL testing for the given school year. Field trips and activities are scheduled to be an extension of the school curriculum. All students must ride the school bus. Adults may be asked to assist on the field trip if extra supervision is necessary. However, parents may not ride the school bus. Final decision concerning adult participation on field trips and activities will be made by the classroom teacher and/or principal. Adults who help on a field trip may not bring other children. Parents or relatives who assist are expected to follow the direction of the teacher and follow all school rules. No nonemployee adult should be left alone with a group of students. Please have all groups stay together with at least one teacher. All adults are to be amodel for the students. All adults must stay with their assigned group. No drinking, smoking or profanity in the presence of students or during the trip. Any parent that will be attending the field trip must receive a letter from the teacher (s) clearly stating the expectations. Students should be aware that field trips are an extension of school and therefore all school rules apply. There is a great deal of responsibility on the teacher involved with a field trip. If you are concerned about a student attending a field trip, please discuss the matter with the principal BEFORE excluding anyone. Before such a decision is made, parents must have been called by the teacher, explaining that you are concerned about “Johnny’s” behavior. Youmust explain that if his/her behavior doesn’t improve (give specifics), he/she may not be able to attend the field trip. That parent contact must be documented in writing. The first communication of a concernmust be at aminimum two weeks before the scheduled trip. Students and parents must be given an opportunity to
improve before the field trip is taken away. If it is decided that “Johnny” is unsafe and unable to go on the trip, teachers will need to make another phone call and explain the decision to the parent. Please be conscious of your responsibilities for supervision on the trip, including the bus. Options for any student unable to join a trip because of behavior should be communicated to the parent. Options are:
● Stay with another class/teacher at school. ● TimeOut
If the parent decides to keep the child at home, (s)he will be marked absent. It will be an unexcused absence. GRADE LEVEL CHAIRPERSONS Grade level chairs are responsible for facilitating grade level team meetings, distributing supplies, making grade level concerns/needs known, ordering textbooks and materials and other duties not specifically specified. They will represent their grade level team at a monthly meeting with the principal, assistant principal and instructional and discipline leads – Reading Specialists, Math Specialist. The lead school counselor will also join these meetings. The Grade Level Representatives will serve as liaison between their team and the principal. Grade Level Chairpersons for 20162017: Bright Stars Rep. – Rhonda Culpepper Kindergarten Rep. Shannon RaifordWade First Grade Rep. – Melissa Mabry Second Grade Rep. – Lee Ann Baker Third Grade Rep. – Felicia Briggs Fourth Grade Rep. – Sheryl Hardy Fifth Grade Rep. – Rebecca Lowe Resource Rep. – Pat Rideout Teacher Assistant Rep. Calvin Sing GRADING & REPORT CARDS All teachers should keep an accurate record of each student's progress during the school year. Each teacher is responsible for recording accurate grades whether using an online system or paper documents. During 20162017 school year, SP Morton Elementary will operate on a nineweek grading system. Students and parents should not be surprised when they receive report cards or final endoftheyear promotion or retention notices. Please keep them informed and up to date about progress or lack thereof. Do not make the mistake of thinking that only a fixed percentage of students can receive A's, B's, etc. Conduct "grades" based on attitude, cooperation, citizenship, etc. should be reported
separately from the regular grade for that subject. A student should never fail because of his or her behavior. Report card comments should be clear, concise, specific and reflective of the student’s performance. There should be alignment between/among grades, comments and test scores (benchmarks, teachermade, formative assessments, SOLs). Since grades are a reflection of what students know/don’t know, grades should be taken from work finished in class, not from homework. It is our belief that grades should reflect what a student knows. Therefore, things that inflate or deflate grades will not be included in the grade book – e.g. penalties for late work, penalties for behavior, penalties for not putting names on papers, etc. ABSENCES & GRADING Absences shall not penalize student grades if the following conditions are met: 1 Absences are justified and validated for excused reasons. 2. Makeup work for all absences is completed satisfactorily. (Although an absence may be considered “unexcused,” makeup work for approved, prearranged absences will be permitted. The parent should see the teacher(s) within five (5) days to secure makeup work and must adhere to the teacher’s procedures for completion and timeline for submission. When students are suspended shortterm (1–10 days), work missed will not count for or against their final grade. Suspended students shall make up those tests and assignments that the teachers determine will have an impact on the student’s final grade andmastery of course content. Assignments that the teacher does not require to bemade up will not count toward a student’s final grade. Students are responsible for making arrangements and completing makeup work within the timeline specified by the local school. GRADING SCALE Student progress is reported at the end of each grading period (Report Cards) and periodically during the grading period (Interim Reports). SP Morton Elementary will operate a nine (9) week grading period during the 20162017 school year. Progress Reports will be sent home at the end of each third week. These reports are designed to keep parents informed of student progress and any teacher concerns. It is the expectation that parents sign and return these reports the day following receipt. Parents are also encouraged to contact teachers and schedule student/parent/teacher conferences at the first sign of student struggle. GRADING SCALES – (FCPS Policy IKEA) The following scale is used to assess Kindergarteners and 1st graders’ progress: E = Exemplary (Surpasses Standards)
N = Needs to Improve S = Satisfactory U = Unsatisfactory For students in grades 2–5, student performance is graded using the following scale: 90%100% A excellent progress 80%89% B above average progress 70%79% C average progress 60%69% D below average progress Below 60% F failure Teachers will schedule a facetoface student/parent/teacher conference any time a grade of D or F is reported. Documentation of such conferences will be filed with the principal. GRADES DISTRIBUTION The number of grades are subject to change.
Grades 12 Subjects Minimum Number of Grades
Reading 10
Writing 10
Mathematics 10
History/Social Studies 9
Science 9
Total 48
Grades 35 Categories Minimum Number of Grades
Percentages
Homework/Class Participation
7 10%
Classwork=open book/closed book
8 30%
Quizzes 5 20%
Tests/Benchmarks 3 25%
Project 1 15%
Total 24 100%
GRADE SCHEDULING Elementary schools grade schedule. — The grade schedule for elementary schools will be as follows: Grades per nine weeks: Kindergarten students are graded in the core content areas of Reading, Writing, Mathematics, History/Social Studies and Science. Students are assessed based on the division’s pacing guide. Student portfolios are maintained. Grades per nine weeks: There will be aminimum number of grades per nine weeks for students in grades K through 5 in the core content areas of Reading, Writing, Mathematics, History/Social Studies and Science as set forth below. Students should have ample guided practice time and review before being given the test for mastery of a given concept or skill. The teacher is expected to re teach when necessary. HOMEWORK Homework extends learning activities beyond the classroom. It reinforces learning by giving a child an opportunity to use his or her knowledge. It also provides an opportunity for parents to become involved in the educational development of their child. Homework should be well planned, purposeful, and not repetitious. It should not be monotonous, time consuming, busy work. Homework assignments should be reasonable. Teachers should consider students’ home resources when assigning homework. All students can be assigned homeworkMonday through Thursday only. Homework is not to be assigned on PTA nights. Homework should be checked each day but not graded, and count no more than 10% of students’ grade. SCHEDULING This year we have a schoolwide master schedule in place. The master schedule must be followed and may not be deviated from without permission of the principal. During the Reading block time should be allotted for reading aloud, shared, independent and guided reading. It should also include interactive, guided and independent writing.
STUDENT SUPERVISION The following guidelines have been established to help determine homework assignments: Purpose of homework
● To meet individual student needs ● To strengthen skills ● To aid in establishing and furthering responsibility ● To reinforce work to be done in the class ● To carry on class related activities
Recommendations
● Assignment of work which has been explained and is understood by the student ● Consider suggestions made by the students for homework ● Necessary resources should be available at school for students who do not have them at
home ● Consider the child’s home environment, extracurricular activities, and hobbies
*Homework guidelines will be determined during grade level meetings and they will be data driven.* Students are to be supervised at all times during the day. Assigned staff members will supervise bus arrivals according to the Duty Schedule. At dismissal, students will be supervised until they have boarded the bus. Each teacher homeroom is expected to stand in their classroom doorway during arrival and follow afternoon dismissal procedures. Teachers are too closely supervise their class while on the playground. Assistants are not to take students outside on a regular basis. Bright Start/Kindergarten students should be accompanied by a teacher, teacher assistant, or another student when in the hallway with a pass. If any student must travel in the hall without an adult the sending teacher must also give them a hall pass. Students are to be escorted by a teacher to and from their resource classes. It is important to follow the schedule to avoid a period of no supervision. It is also important for resource teachers to be ready to receive students when they arrive, and to dismiss students on time. Students will use restrooms according to the teacher’s scheduled restroom break and established procedures. Students who must go individually must have a hall pass. Students will be escorted to the cafeteria by the classroom teacher and will be supervised until the class has passed through the line. *Teachers need to actively supervise students while on the playground and grade level teams will have the autonomy to delineate supervisory positions*
STUDENT WORK DISPLAYED Student work should be displayed on the wall in the hallway aligned with the appropriate SOL standard. Displays should be changed every two to three week. PROMOTION/RETENTION
● See FCPS policy IKEA
While the principal may make a recommendation to the superintendent for promotion with exception, there must be justification for the decision (evidence that the student can successfully navigate the next grade’s curriculum). It is absolutely crucial that:
● There is alignment between report card grades, test (benchmark, formative assessment, other teachermade, etc.) scores, report card comments and other communication with parents.
● That parents be kept informed of the student’s progress or lack thereof. ● That documentation of parent communication (letters, telephone calls, facetoface
conferences) be maintained over a period of time – not just the last few days of school. ● That documentation of intervention including, as appropriate, referral to Child Study
and inclusion in other schoolbased interventions (or at least the recommendation to parents for such) be maintained over a period of time.
SP Morton will adhere to these procedures:
1. List of possible retentions is given to the principal at the end of the second nine weeks. This list should be accompanied by the student’s RTI package 2. The office drafts a letter for each teacher to send home. 3. New list of possible retained students to the office after 3rd quarter. Note: This is the last time to add a student to the list. The same documentation from #1 above must accompany the list. 4. The office drafts a second letter for each teacher to send home. 5. Final list of retainers, along with documentation, to the office by the 2nd Friday in May. 6. The principal shall have the final say as to who will be retained.
While the principal may make a recommendation to the superintendent for promotion with exception, there must be justification for the decision (evidence that the student can
successfully navigate the next grade’s curriculum). In the event that the teacher fails to provide justification, any documentation or accurate documentation, the student will be promoted.
GUIDANCE SERVICES Guidance services are available to every student in the school. The student determines directions and goals in counseling. With the counselor, a student may discuss and explore freely and in confidence any problem or feelings that are personally important. During counseling, these concerns may be talked through and examined, alternatives explored, and decisions made about future courses of action. Should the student find that special and/or additional assistance of some sort is needed, the counselor will assist in finding such help as may be needed. Should you have concern about any of your students, check with the counselor. Together, you can form a plan to best serve the needs of the student.
PARENTS, VOLUNTEERS & VISITORS Guests are welcome in our school building. In order for these guests to be received properly, the office should be notified in advance. All guests are required to sign in the office and receive a visitor's pass before reporting to the classroom. Parents desiring to volunteer must be approved through the FCPS Human Resource Office. Please note: parent volunteers are NOT to grade papers or have access to private student data. This is a FERPA violation. Do not allow parents to enter student grades or attendance or perform any activities in PowerSchool or any other data system. Parent volunteers are not to be left alone with children unless a background check has been performed. RECESS Recess schedules are included in this handbook. Teachers should adhere to this schedule. If times are changed, the office staff should be notified. Children should not be sent to the office to spend their recess time. ALL teachers share playground supervision. Teachers should be constantly moving to monitor the full play area. This is not a time for teachers to sit and chat without supervising students. Parents should be sure that their child’s clothing is suitable for outside activities. Indoor activities should be planned during inclement weather. Recess is not optional – children need to go outside, and their teacher needs to take them. Follow these guidelines for weather restrictions on taking students outside for recess. Please note that these temperatures include the heat index/wind chill. It is your responsibility to check the weather conditions prior to going outside.
● 90100 degrees – Children can stay out but please be sure children have plenty of water ● 3290 degrees – Children can stay out for an unlimited amount of time ● 2032 degrees – Children can stay out for 510 minutes ● <20 degrees – Plan an inside movement activity.
Virginia mandates physical education in grades K7, and requires daily recess in elementary school. The state requires all school districts to implement a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity each week for elementary students, but this may be any combination of physical education classes, extracurricular athletics, or other programs and physical activities deemed appropriate by the local school board. Going outside is not an option unless the weather prevents such. Fifth grade students will not be permitted on the playground, they will access the area on the Oak street side. PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION General P.T.A. meetings will be held each month, except January. All staff members are asked to continuously encourage parents to join our PTA. All teachers and staff members are encouraged to join the PTA. All licensed personnel are encouraged to attend at least four of the nine P.T.A. meetings, two each per semester. ROOM PARTIES Our primary mission is teaching and learning, thus we will make every effort to protect our instructional day. We ask that staff respect the following guidelines for parties and celebrations. Birthdays: Birthdays will be celebrated outside the school day. A parent may provide packaged cupcakes to be enjoyed during school lunch, however, no other snacks may be shared and no other time of the day may be taken for these occasions. Holidays: SP Morton teachers will celebrate two holiday seasons – winter and spring. Winter parties will occur within the last week of school before the winter break (December) and within the last week of school before the spring break (March or April). NOTE: Flowers and/or balloons for events such as Valentine’s Day, birthdays, endoftheyear promotion, etc. should be shared at home. They may not be allowed in classrooms, in the cafeteria, on the bus or in the promotion services area (cafeteria or gym). Invitations to outofschool parties and events must be distributed outside the school. Other: Other celebrations will occur as follows:
● EndoftheYear parties (planned by teacher) ● Earned parties (e.g. March of Dimes, fundraisers, etc.)
SECURITY
The safety of the students and staff is very important. All outside doors will be locked. There will be two access points for visitors to the building. The access point by the Oak Street playground and the Morton Street main entrance are the ONLY two entrances for parents and visitors.
Instruct students that they should NEVER open the door to allow a parent or visitor into the building. Inform parents of the same. ALL visitors should buzz for entrance and wait for the secretary or other office personnel to provide building access. Key cards must be kept secure at all times. Key cards are assigned to FCPS employees only. Cards are not assigned to substitutes, PTA members, volunteers, vendors, consultants, etc. Employee children should also not have key cards in their possession. No student is to have the access code. Parents and visitors will be admitted into the school building by office staff. Do not wedge any door open. All staff must enter the building through the front door. Staff should not go out the door by the Art Room and try to reenter by the front door. All classroom doors should be prelocked in case of an emergency. CLUBS AND ORGANIZATION – Subject to be changed
Safety Patrol
The S. P. Morton safety patrol, sponsored by American Automobile Association, was established
to provide 4th and 5th grade students the opportunity to assist in supervising the daytoday
morning and afternoon movement in the building. It also provides the “juniors and seniors” at
S. P. Morton the opportunity to serve as role models to the younger students. The chance to
serve as a safety patrol is a privilege provided to those students who work hard in class, and
who have respect for themselves, their classmates, and their teachers.
Fourth and fifth grade students are initially chosen for safety patrol through teacher
recommendations. Students may also submit a letter of interest if they would like to be
considered for safety patrol. All students submitting their own personal request must be
approved by their teachers and an administrator before being allowed to be a safety patroller.
Recycling
In order to promote awareness of alternative methods of paper waste disposal at S. P. Morton
in Franklin, all students at S. P. Morton engage in recycling of fine paper through our paper
recycling program. Each homeroom has two SCA representatives that are in charge of
maintaining their classroom’s bins. They are to monitor the items being put in the bins and
remove any nonrecyclable materials; they must educate their homerooms on what can and
cannot be recycled; and take the bins to the storage area located on the stage for bagging one
day a week. During these times 5th grade recycling captains are stationed on the stage to
oversee the bagging process. A partnering system is used for those classrooms not having
homerooms. Certain homeroom representatives are in charge of monitoring and picking up
their partner’s bins, along with their homerooms.
Student Council Association
The S. P. Morton Student Council Association has been established to provide students the
opportunity to plan and implement ideas that will benefit the school and/or the community.
The SCA meets after school throughout the school year to monitor their plan, update the
progress of events, and to solicit new ideas. The two SCA representatives per class are voted in
by their peers in grades 3, 4, and 5. Fourth and fifth graders are eligible to run for an SCA
officer position. The 5th graders may run for all offices; the 4th graders may run for all offices
except President. The offices are – President, VicePresident, Secretary, Treasurer, and Safety
Patrol.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
It is your responsibility to become familiar with the information in the Student/Parent Handbook. Classroom practices should follow the information contained in the handbook.
FCPS POLICIES Faculty and staff members are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with all Franklin City Public Schools local Board Policies. These can be found at www.fcpsva.org
S.P. Morton Elementary School
Schedule 2016-17
Kindergarten First Second
Breakfast/ReadAloud/Homeroom
8:008:30
Breakfast/ReadAloud/Homeroom
8:008:15
Breakfast/ReadAloud/Homeroom
8:008:15
Specials
8:309:20
Reading
8:159:52
Math
8:159:20
Reading
9:2511:00
SSR & Writing
9:5510:15
Specials
9:2510:15
Specials
10:2011:10
Lunch
11:0011:30
Lunch
11:1511:45
Reading
10:2011:55
Recess
11:5012:00
Reading
11:3511:55
Math
12:051:25
Lunch
12:12:30
Math
12:001:00
Recess
12:3512:45
Remediation
1:051:55
Remediation/Enrichment
1:302:30
Remediation/Enrichment
12:501:50
Recess 2:002:20
Science/Social Studies
2:303:20
SSR & Writing
1:552:30
Science/Social Studies
2:253:20
Science/ Social Studies
2:303:20
Third Grade
McConnell (Reading)
Greene
(Math)
Vacancy
(Social Studies/Science)
Briggs Latta
8:008:15 Drop Everything and Read
(Homeroom
Drop Everything and Read
(Homeroom
Drop Everything and Read (Homeroom
8:008:15 Drop Everything and Read
(Homeroom)
Drop Everything and Read (Homeroom)
8:1510:10 Reading
(McConnell
HR)
Math (Greene’s
HR)
8:159:52
Science/S.S (McKenna HR)
8:159:15
8:1510:10 Reading
(Briggs HR)
Math (Latta HR)
8:159:52
SuccessMaker Math 9:55
10:10
Remediation
9:1510:10
9:5510:10
Math Successmaker
10:1212:05 Reading (McKenna’s
HR)
Math (McConnell’s
HR)
10:1211:50
Science/SS (Greene’s HR)
10:1211:12
10:1211:12 Social Studies (Briggs HR)
Science
(Latta HR)
SuccessMaker Math
11:5512:05
Remediation
11:1512:05
11:1512:05 Remediation
12:0712:22 Recess 12:0712:22 Recess
12:251:05 Specials 12:251:05 Specials
1:071:32 Lunch 1:071:32 Lunch
1:353:20 Reading (Greene HR)
Math (McKenna’s
HR)
1:353:00
Science/SS
(McConnell’s HR)
1:352:35
1:353:20 Reading
(Latta HR)
Math
(Briggs HR)
1:353:00
SuccessMaker Math
3:053:20
Remediation
2:353:20
SuccessMaker
Math
3:05:3:20
Fourth Grade
Hardy
(Reading)
Fillhart
(Math)
Nolan
(Reading)
Jones
(Math)
8:008:15 Drop Everything and Read (Homeroom)
Drop Everything and Read (Homeroom
Drop Everything and Read (Homeroom
Drop Everything and Read (Homeroom
8:1510:15
Reading(Hardy HR) Math (Fillhart HR) Reading (Nolan HR) Math (Jones HR)
10:1712:17
Reading (Fillhart HR) Math (Hardy HR) Reading (Jones HR) Math (Nolan HR)
12:2012:45 Lunch
12:501:00 Recess
1:021:45 Social Studies (Fillhart HR) Science (Hardy HR) Social Studies (Jones HR)
Science (Nolan HR)
1:472:30 Specials
2:323:20 Back to Home Room Remediation
Fifth Grade
Lowe Miller Taylor Davenport
8:008:15 Drop Everything and Read Drop Everything and Read
Drop Everything and Read
Drop Everything and Read
8:159:30 Reading (Lowe’s HR) Math (Miller’s HR) Social Studies (Taylor’s HR)
Science (Davenport’s HR)
9:3210:47 Reading (Davenport HR) Math (Lowe’s HR) Social Studies
(Miller’s HR)
Science (Taylor HR)
10:4912:04 Reading (Taylor’s HR) Math (Davenport HR) Social Studies
(Lowe’s HR)
Science (Miller’s HR)
12:06 1:20 Reading (Miller’s HR) Math (Taylor’s HR) Social Studies (Davenport HR)
Science (Lowe’s HR)
1:251:50 Lunch
1:502:00 Recess
2:052:35 Back to Home Room Remediation/Enrichment
2:373:20 Specials
Specials schedule
2016-2017 Kindergarten (8:309:20)
Day RaifordWade
Rawls Evans ArcherWright Robins Parker
Sec 1 Sec 2 Sec 3 Sec 4 Sec 5
Monday Art Library Computer Lab PE Music
Tuesday Music Art Library Computer Lab PE
Wednesday PE Music Art Library Computer Lab
Thursday Computer Lab
PE Music Art Library
Friday Library Computer Lab
PE Music Art
First Grade (10:2011:10)
Day Gurganus Handshaw Royster
Cross Mabry Dover
Sec 1 Sec 2 Sec 3 Sec 4 Sec 5
Monday Art Library Computer Lab
PE Music
Tuesday Music Art Library Computer Lab PE
Wednesday PE Music Art Library Computer Lab
Thursday Computer Lab
PE Music Art Library
Friday Library Computer Lab PE Music Art
Second Grade (9:2510:15)
Day Staples Council Stenger Schuermann
Baker Johnson
Sec 1 Sec 2 Sec 3 Sec 4 Sec 5 Sec 6
Monday Art Library Computer Lab
PE Music SPLIT
Tuesday Music Art Library Computer Lab
PE STUDENTS
Wednesday
PE Music Art Library Computer Lab
Thursday Computer Lab
PE Music Art Library
Friday Library Computer PE Music Art
Third Grade (12:251:05)
Day Latta Cooper McConnell Briggs Vacany
Sec 1 Sec 2 Sec 3 Sec 4 Sec 5
Monday Art Library Computer Lab
PE Music
Tuesday Music Art Library Computer Lab
PE
Wednesday PE Music Art Library Computer Lab
Thursday Computer Lab
PE Music Art Library
Friday Library Computer PE Music Art
Fourth Grade (1:472:30)
Day Hardy Fillhart Jones Nolan
Sec 1 Sec 2 Sec 3 Sec 4
Monday Art Library Computer Lab PE
Tuesday Music Art Library Computer Lab
Wednesday PE Music Art Library
Thursday Computer Lab
PE Music Art
Friday Library Computer Lab PE Music
Fifth Grade (2:373:20)
Day Lowe Taylor Davenport Miller Moore
Sec 1 Sec 2 Sec 3 Sec 4
Monday Art Library Music P.E. AVID
Tuesday Music Art P.E Library AVID
Wednesday P.E. Music Library Art AVID
Thursday Library PE Art Music AVID
Friday Art Library Music P.E AVID
Lowe Taylor Davenport Miller
Blue Week Sec 1 Sec 2 Sec 3 Sec 4
Gold Week Sec 2 Sec 3 Sec 4 Sec 1
Red Week Sec 3 Sec 4 Sec 1 Sec 2
Green Week Sec 4 Sec 1 Sec 2 Sec 3
**MondayWednesday selected Fifth grade students will report for AVID with Mr. Moore. Thursday and Friday they will report to their regular Specials with their homerooms**