Important Phone Numbers
Message from the Principal
Dear Students and Families,
Welcome to Charlotte Elementary School! I am honored to serve this community as principal here at CES We have many exciting opportunities planned for our students this year and are excited to begin.
Communication plays a vital role in a successful school year. You can help us by:
● accepting your child’s teacher’s invitation to Class Dojo as soon as possible,
● keeping phone numbers updated in Skyward to receive calls & text messages, &
● following us on Facebook @CharlotteElementary and Twitter @CESTigers5803
Please keep the phone numbers listed above so that you are able to easily contact us when needed
If you would like to be a part of our PTO, please send an email to CharlotteElemPTO@gmail.com. One of our PTO leaders will be glad to assist you in volunteering with us!
This handbook is created to be a resource to you and your student as we work together throughout the year. I look forward to another great year!
My best,
SaraCunningham
OPENING
6:00 A.M.
7:15 A.M.
7:45 A.M.
8:00 A.M.
CLOSING
2:55
3:00
3:25
3:25 – 6:00
School Day
Daycare opens – students should be signed in by an adult. Students arriving to school prior to 7:15 must enroll in the daycare program.
Buses arrive at the back entrance. Car riders should enter in the front drive. The car rider line should pull up to the office doors under the awning before dropping off. BREAKFAST IS SERVED FROM 7:15 – 7:45
Students are dismissed to classrooms from the gym.
School begins with the 8:00 bell – students not in classes at this time will be coded as tardy in Skyward. Excessive tardiness will result in communication with Mrs. Rachael Parker, CES Attendance Secretary, or Mrs. Cunningham.
Cars may begin to line up on campus in front of the office. Cars are not permitted to park in the parking lot or line up in the driveway to wait for dismissal. Doing so will result in your being asked to move to the end of the car rider line. Please be respectful of fellow parents/guardians who are waiting in line. In an interest in safety, our drive must remain open in case of an emergency.
Car Riders are released in groups to the car rider loop in groups of 10 cars at a time. You must have a car rider tag visible for your student(s) to be called. If you are in need of a tag or are picking up a student for whom you do not have a tag, please park and come to the office. NEW TAGS ARE NOT REQUIRED EACH SCHOOL YEAR
Students remaining in the car rider line will be sent to aftercare where a $12 drop in rate will be applied.
Aftercare is open to students who are enrolled at CES.
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Attendance
o Questions regarding your child’s attendance record should be directed to Mrs. Rachael Parker at rparker@dcstn.org or by calling the front office.
o Please call the office by 9:00 A.M. to request make-up work.
o Make up work may be ready after 2:00 P.M. or the next day.
o Students will be granted at least time equal to the number of days missed plus one day to make-up missed assignments or tests. Exceptions include pre-announced tests and assignments which will be due upon return.
Absences
o ALL ABSENCES are coded as Unexcused by default in Skyward. Written documentation must be presented to the office in order to be changed. Please write your child’s first and last name, teacher’s name, date and reason for the absence on the note.
o Per Dickson County Attendance Policy updated July 2023, the school will accept up to 5 parent notes per semester before additional documentation will be required to excuse the absence.
o The written parent note must be provided to the school within three school days of the student’s return to school.
Parent notes may be used for:
o Personal illness when the student did not visit a doctor,
o Illness of immediate family members (mother, father, brothers or sisters in the same household).
o Recognized religious holidays observed by the student’s faith and set aside as sacred by a religious denomination (may require a statement from the minister or other person recognized by the religious group to verify the cause for absence.)
o Other matters which have been pre-approved by the school administration on a case by case basis.
Other absences may be excused without a parent note. These absences would include:
o Death of an immediate family member including grandparents (up to three days),
o Deployment of or the return from deployment of a military parent/guardian (one day per occurrence),
o Any required attendance in court provided appropriate documentation is provided;
A student who becomes ill during the school day shall report to the school nurse. When required the parent will be contacted to determine the best care for the child. In the event the student is sent home this absence, for that day, will be excused and will not require or count as one of the parent notes for the semester. However any additional days absent will require a parent note or doctor's notes to be excused.
Extra-curricular activity that is non-school related may also be excused provided the absence is approved by the school administration seven days in advance and a review of attendance, grades and discipline warrant an excused absence. Absences approved as non-school related, extra-curricular activity will be counted as parent notes and only five per semester will be allowed.
PLEASE NOTE:
“Unexcused” is the default code in Skyward when a student is absent.
Parent/Doctor notes will prompt Mrs. Parker to log the excuse in the Skyward account to change the absence from Unexcused (U) to Excused (E) if it falls within the guidelines of an excused absence.
Please refer to the Dickson County School District’s Attendance Policy for more information.
Tardies / Early Check Outs
Tardies and early check-outs are reported as missed attendance of school hours per state guidelines.
Unexcused Tardy/Early Check-Out Procedures: **Early check outs must be made before 2:45 P.M. **
● 3rd Unexcused Tardy/Early Check-Out: Letter to parent
● 4th Unexcused Tardy/Early Check-Out: Second written letter with a post script from administrator
● 5th Unexcused Tardy/Early Check-Out: Thirty minutes of recovery time for the student in the office to work on missed work.
Truancy
Truancy letters are automatically generated and sent home when a student reaches THREE unexcused absences. The purpose of these letters is to prompt the parent to contact the school to “resolve” the unexcused absences by providing documentation or information on the reason for the absence. If the reasons are approved, the absences will be changed in Skyward to reflect Excused.
FIVE unexcused absences prompt a second letter to the parent/guardian.
Please call the office to resolve these absences. A copy of this note is sent to Ms. Cindy Sensing at the Dickson County Truancy Court’s office.
If further unexcused absences occur, The DC Truancy Court will become involved in assisting families to increase their student’s attendance.
Please reference the DCSTN Attendance policy 6.200 linked above for more information on the Tiers of Intervention used to support students and families who meet these criteria.
Student Enrollment
All enrollment is completed online at the DCS website: www.dcstn.org
Parents & Students Student Enrollment Scroll to the bottom to see Student Enrollment. Choose the appropriate link to be led through the registration process. All necessary documents may be uploaded directly or emailed to rparker@dcstn.org.
A detailed guide for PreK and Kindergarten enrollment can be found here: Pre-K & Kindergarten Enrollment Playbook
First time ever enrolling a student in Dickson County Schools? Skyward Account Creation
Have you before or do you currently have a Dickson County School student? You may access your Family Access portal for a direct link to enroll your child or Dickson County Schools Skyward under Family/Student Access.
If you do not have your login information for Family Access, you may click the Forgot your Login/Password? link, check your email for a reset link, or you may contact your child's school staff.
The ability to complete an application is turned on for all guardians in Family Access so please submit only one application per child
Withdrawing from School
1. Once you have successfully registered with a new school, they will contact our office to send student records.
2. Return all school-owned materials to the building (Chromebook, charger, library books, etc.) and pay any outstanding balances (lunch, lost library book fee, etc.).
3. Collect all personal belongings from the classroom
4. The days between the last day attended at CES and the date of the request of records/start date at new school (whichever comes first) are coded as absences.
Custody Restrictions
Charlotte Elementary School will uphold all legal documents including custody restrictions and parenting plans that are on file in our office. Please make sure the school has the most updated version at the beginning of each school year. As changes are made throughout the school year, please keep the school updated with current legal documents. We must make decisions based on the legal documents we have on file.
Technology
1. Students are not allowed to have technology devices (smart phones/watches/tablets, etc.) while at school. This includes bus room, cafeteria, and class changes. If a student has a device, it should be turned off and in a backpack at all times. Students may use phones/tablets on buses.
a. Phones confiscated by a teacher will be placed in the office’s safe until a parent comes to pick it up.
2. A Chromebook/Charger is issued to every student. It is the teacher’s discretion to keep them at school or allow students to take them home. However, the parent is responsible for the replacement of technology that is damaged, destroyed or lost.
3. Protection Plans may be purchased for $40 through the office. This insurance will pay for replacement parts/damages if a computer is lost or damaged. The parent is responsible for the full cost of replacement parts/damages if no protection plan is purchased.
4. Protection Plans that are NOT USED roll over from year to year with the student.
5. If the Protection Plan is used, a new one must be purchased.
6. If a charger is lost or damaged, the parent can use the Protection Plan to cover the cost OR purchase a replacement on Amazon for less than $40.
Bringing Items to School
Students will not bring toys, balls, trading cards, magazines to school unless expressly asked to do so by the teacher. We will not be responsible for lost or stolen items or electronics.
Students are not to “trade” or “buy” items from one another.
Cafeteria
RULES
● During lunch, food/drink purchased from the cafeteria that has been opened should not be taken out of the cafeteria. There are two microwaves to accommodate all students.
● Birthday snacks will not be distributed during lunch. Please discuss with the teacher to determine the best time to share special treats as well as any dietary restrictions of students in your child’s classroom.
PAYMENTS
● Send lunch payment in an envelope with your student’s name, number and amount listed on the outside.
● Make checks payable to Charlotte Elementary Food Service.
K-5 Student PRICES
All questions concerning lunch money should be directed to the cafeteria manager, Amanda Sensing, at (615) 740-5810.
School Safety
A full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) is on duty at Charlotte Elementary School daily. The SRO conducts safety checks, builds relationships with students and families. He is also available to assist with unauthorized visitors and any unbecoming conduct.
Per Dickson County Schools’ visitor guidelines, only visitors with essential business will be granted access to the building. Parents/Guardians may make an appointment 24 hours in advance to meet with an administrator or teacher/faculty member. When visitors are invited inside the hallways of the building, the Raptor System will be used to scan the Driver’s License where a background check will be conducted. The office will issue the visitor a sticker with their name, destination, and photo.
Tennessee State Law requires safety drills be conducted routinely with students and staff in order to be proactive and prepared for emergencies (tornado, fire, earthquake, and intruder).
Weapons of any kind are prohibited on school campuses. Any weapon found will be confiscated, the authorities notified, and if necessary, the case will be petitioned to the proper court.
Damage to School Property
Damage to school property will be met with appropriate consequences. In most cases, the student will be expected to reimburse the school for whatever damage was done. Any property directly connected to the school, including buses, is covered by this rule.
Dress Code
All students and staff should be dressed appropriately, clean and neat. The following items of clothing are deemed inappropriate for school:
o Hats and/or hoods (unless specified by a teacher/administrator)
o Crop Tops
o Flip flops
o Any shorts or skirt shorter than fingertip length.
o Leggings worn with a top shorter than fingertip length
o Any sleeveless shirt with less than a two inch width (spaghetti strap)
o Any reference to sex, tobacco, drugs, alcohol or violence
o Pants or shorts with writing across the backside
o Any clothing that will not stay in place or that shows undergarments
Parent – School Communication
We encourage you to keep an open line of communication with your child’s teacher(s). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the teacher prior to calling an administrator. This allows everyone an opportunity to clearly communicate all aspects of the situation. If there are matters left unresolved, an administrator will be glad to help problem solve with you. All teachers utilize Class Dojo as their primary form of communication Please register with your student’s teacher the first week of school. If you need a code, please call or email the teacher.
Open House: July 30, 2024 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Parent – Teacher Conferences
o Fall: November 4, 2024 from 11:00 - 7:00 pm
o Spring: March 7, 2024 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm
o Principal scunningham@dcstn.org
o Assistant Principal ccaldwell@dcstn.org
o Attendance Secretary rparker@dcstn.org
o School Counselor cwalker@dcstn.org
Facebook: Follow us @CharlotteElementary
Twitter: Follow us @CESTigers5803
Instagram: Follow us @cestigers
NEWSLETTERS
o Class: A weekly newsletter will be sent home each Monday.
PROGRESS REPORTS: K-5 students will receive a progress report each mid-nine weeks. Please refer to the school website and Facebook pages for specific dates.
REPORT CARDS: K-2 students receive a standards-based report card. 3-5 students receive a traditional numerically-calculated report card. Please refer to the school website and Facebook pages for specific dates.
K-2 GRADING SCALE
o 1…………………………………..No progress toward mastery
o 2- ………………………………...Slight progress toward mastery
o 2 …………………………………Appropriate progress toward mastery
o 2+ ………………………………..Mastery of a partial standard
o 3 …………………………………End of the year Standard Mastery
3-5 GRADING SCALE
o A ……………………………….. 90 – 100 (Well Above Average)
o B ………………………………... 80 – 89 (Above Average)
o C ……………………………….. 70 – 79 (Average)
o D ……………………………….. 60 – 69 (Below Average)
o F ………………………………… Below 60 (Well Below Average)
Homework
Spiraling Homework and Reading fluency practice are examples of homework that could be assigned. Teachers will hold students responsible for completing homework assignments. If there is a problem with your student and the homework assignment, please contact your child’s teacher.
Growth and Development Class
Fifth grade students will be taught a human growth and development lesson as required by TN State law. This lesson covers changes to the human body while developing into adolescents. Parents WILL BE notified prior to the class and must make a written request to opt their student out of the lesson. The school nurse facilitates the discussion for female students. The male students’ lesson is led by Coach Taylor Sherrill. Prior notice of the class will be sent home with an “opt-out” option.
Physical Education
All students are required by TN State Law to participate in PE classes. Students must wear proper shoes while in gym class. Any student who cannot take PE due to a medical condition should bring in a signed note from the parent and/or physician.
Care of Sick and Injured Students
Enrollment cards used by the office staff and nurse include:
o Name, Address, and phone numbers of parents/guardians and other caregivers to be contacted,
o Permission to take to the local emergency room in the event of an emergency,
o Medications
o Custody Restrictions
When illness occurs, teachers will not contact parents to let them know their student is unwell. The student will be sent to the nurse for examination. The primary guardian or other listed contacts may be notified, and the student will be made as comfortable as possible until someone can come. The nurse will not call the parent of every student’s visit to the clinic. The nurse will use her professional judgment to determine if the complaint warrants parent/guardian contact and/or if the student will stay or return to class. Should a student be sent back to class, the teacher will notify the nurse if the student’s condition worsens.
In the event of a serious injury or threats of self-harm, an ambulance may be called to transport the student to the nearest hospital. The principal or her designee will ride with the student in the absence of the parent/guardian to the hospital and wait with the student until the parent/guardian arrives.
Information will be gathered by the teacher and the principal relative to the accident or injury indicating time, place, witnesses, etc. and complete an accident report. This report will be sent to the office of the DOS and the Finance office at the Board of Education.
The school nurse has the authority to give care to all students when deemed medically necessary by the nurse and/or principal.
Medications
If a student is required to take medication during the school hours, specially-trained staff members will assist in the self-administration of the medication. A medication authorization form must be completed for prescription medications. The medication must be delivered to the nurse in person by the parent/guardian of the student. The parent/guardian is responsible for informing the designated official of any change in the student’s health or change in medication.
The school nurse will:
1. Keep all medication in a locked cabinet, except medication retained by a student per Physician’s order,
2. Return unused prescription to the parent/guardian only, and
3. Ensure that all guidelines developed by the Department of Health and the Department of Education are followed.
Volunteer personnel, trained by a registered nurse, may administer glucagon in emergency situations to a student based on that student’s Individual Health Plan (IHP).
Behavior System
Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) is a framework for supporting students’ behavioral, academic, social and emotional health. Schools who implement PBIS see improved academic performance, reduced bullying behaviors, and a reduced number of office discipline referrals and suspensions.
R - Be Respectful
O - Take Ownership
A - Achieve
Goals
R - Be Responsible
R * O * A * R
At Charlotte Elementary, we are educating caring, independent and responsible humans. As such, it is the goal of all CES faculty & staff to help students realize the strength and autonomy that lies within each of them. Self-discipline through respect, ownership, goal setting and responsibility are very important to leading a successful life.
CES will focus on providing Positive Reinforcements and Interventions throughout the school year. Some of these include:
● Each grading period, CES will host pep rallies for all students to celebrate student accomplishments in all areas: academics, attendance, behavior, and improvements.
● Students who receive NO MAJORS and have 2 or LESS MINORS each grading period will be invited to a Reward Party during their Creative Arts class.
● Students will have the opportunity to show ownership by voting on the theme of the party. In the past, themes have included: karaoke, glow parties, movies and more.
SCHOOL-WIDE BEHAVIOR REWARDS
Tickets for ROAR store
Positive Behavior Referral Reward Parties Pep Rallies Pie Hard
Minors: Minors will be given to a student when he/she has consistently disobeyed classroom rules within a school day The consequence of a minor is lost recess time Once a student has acquired 3 minors within a grading period, the student will obtain a major Repeatedly disobeying rules could result in an immediate minor Each 9 weeks begins a new cycle
Offense
Inappropriate Language: use of unsuitable words or body language or calling names
Lying/Cheating: making a false statement or being dishonest to gain academic advantage
Minor Classroom Disruption: interfering with learning environment
Examples
calling another student stupid, saying shut-up, or eye-rolling cursing others
cheating on tests, copying work, or lying to staff
cooperative learning, shared projects, or think-pair-share
talking, tapping objects, noises, blurting out, or getting out of seat continuous interruptions or turning over furniture
Not Following Directions: passive noncompliant acts not working, off-task, unprepared, or talking back yelling at staff or leaving classroom without permission
Physical Contact: inappropriate touching with hands or feet which did not result in injury pushing or horseplay hitting or kicking
Other Disobeying Rules
making faces, property misuse, or inappropriate comments
Breaking objects, bullying, inappropriate gestures, touching or drawings
***Students in grades 3-5 who earn 7 classroom checks in one week will be issued a minor***
Majors: All majors warrant an office referral Major consequences will accumulate throughout the school year and do not start over
Offense
Examples
3 Minors: When a student accumulates 3 minors within a 9 weeks period, a major office referral will be given
Continued Horseplay repeated hands, feet, or objects on others fighting or assault
Profane Language cursing minor name-calling
Non-Compliance continued verbal or physical refusal minor passive acts
Disruptions continued or large learning disruptions minor disruptions
Minor Vandalism damage to school property of value insignificant damage
Minor Theft theft of property of value insignificant value
Major Defiance/Disrespect yelling at staff, leaving without permission, or refusing to leave minor frustration
Transient Threats frustrated utterances without real intent substantive threats
General
Progressive Administrative Consequences for Majors
Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
1st Offense: 1 hour ISS
2nd Offense: 2 hours ISS
3rd Offense: 4 hours ISS
4th Offense: 1 full day ISS
3rd – 5th Grades
1st Offense: 2 hours ISS
2nd Offense: 4 hours ISS
3rd Offense: 1 full day ISS
4th Offense: 2 full days ISS
5th Offense: 2 full days ISS & create behavior plan
6th Offense: 1 day of OSS (unexcused)
7th Offense: 2 days of OSS (unexcused)
8th Offense: 3 days OSS (In-lieu of Suspension Possible)
9th Offense: 4 days OSS (In-lieu of Suspension Possible)
10th Offense: OSS pending Disciplinary Hearing Authority (DHA)
Fighting: 2 actively involved participants
Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
1st Offense: 1 full day ISS
2nd Offense: 2 days OSS
3rd – 5th Grades
1st Offense: 3 days OSS
2nd Offense: 5 days OSS
Continued fighting will result in out-of-school suspension and a DHA
Assault: one-sided attack
Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
1st Offense: 2 days OSS
2nd Offense: 4 days OSS
3rd – 5th Grades
1st Offense: 3 days OSS
2nd Offense: 5 days OSS
Continued fighting will result in out-of-school suspension and a DHA.
Use or Possession of Tobacco Products:
All instances will be accompanied by a summons to juvenile court
● 1st Offense - 3 days ISS
● 2nd Offense - 1 day OSS
● 3rd Offense - 5 days OSS
● Additional offenses will result in out-of-school suspension and a DHA
Zero Tolerance Offenses
● Examples: continued conduct prejudicial to good order, substantial threats, weapons and dangerous instruments, firearms, illegal substances, or aggravated assault
● Consequence: OSS pending DHA
Bus Referrals
● 1st Offense - verbal warning
● 2nd Offense - 1 day bus suspension
● 3rd Offense - 2 days bus suspension
● 4th Offense - 3 days bus suspension
● 5th Offense - 4 days bus suspension
● 6th Offense - 1 week bus suspension
● 7th Offense - 2 weeks bus suspension
● 8th Offense - removal of bus privileges for the remainder of the school year
As it pertains to both school and bus offenses, any day the Director closes Dickson County Schools will not be considered a day of suspension.
Please Sign and Return
I have read the 2024-2025 updated school-wide CES Student Handbook. and reviewed its contents with my child.
Please select one of the following to inform your child’s teacher about health screening permissions.
Yes, my child can participate in health screenings at CES. No, my child may not participate in health screenings at CES.
Please select one of the following to give/restrict permission for your child to be pictured in our school’s yearbook.
Yes, my child can be photographed for the yearbook. No, my child may not be photographed for the yearbook.
Parent Signature
Student Name
Date
Date
Please detach this page and return to school. The handbook is for your reference.