TheDiscoverySchool StudentHandbook
PhysicalEducation 22.CustodyRestrictions
23.Fees/Donations 24.ProceduresforInclementWeather
TitleIandSpecialEducation
Daycare
VisitorPass
l.PURPOSE
Thishandbookwaspreparedtogiveinformationabouttheschooltothestudentsandparentsof TheDiscoverySchool.Wehopeitwillhelpnewstudentsadjustquicklyandeasilytotheirnew environment,andwillprovetobeasourceofhelpfulinformationtoallstudents.
Parentsarewelcometovisitinthestudent'sclassroom,butpleasemakearrangementswiththe teacherinadvance.Somestudentsareverydistractedbyvisitorsandothersarenot.However, sometimestheparent’spresenceandhelpisinvaluable.Theteacher’sandstudents’dayis smootherifthey'renotunexpectedlyinterrupted.Avisitshouldnotbeusedforaconference.A parent-teacherconferenceshouldalwaysbescheduledaheadoftimesothattheteacheris preparedtodiscussyourchildanditalsoshouldbedoneprivately Teachershaveplanningtime dailyandschedulingaconferencepromptlyshouldnotbeaproblemeitherinpersonorby phone.Allvisitorsarerequiredtogobythemainofficeforavisitor’spass.AphotoIDwillbe required.Weappreciateyourcooperationinthismatter
TDSPhone615-441-4163
Fax615-740-6679
TDSCafeteria615-740-7613
DCBOE615-446-7571
2.SCHOOLNURSE
Wehaveafull-timeschoolnurse..Thenurseisheretoattendtomedicalemergenciesthathappen duringtheschoolday,sicknessesthatmayoccurduringthedayandtochildrenwhohave documentedmedicalconditions.Thenurseisnotheretobeaprimarycarefacilitator.Shecannot attendtoeveryincidentthathappenedoutsidetheschoolday.Withover200students,students cannotgotothenurseatwillorfornurturinguponrequest.Whenastudentrequeststoseethe nurse,theteacherwillusehis/herbestjudgmenttodetermineiftherequestisvalid.Many studentsrequesttovisitthenursetogetoutofclassortovisit.Somestudentswhomake excessiverequeststoseethenursewillnotbeallowedtocontinueifnomedicalconditionhas beenfoundpreviously.Thishasbecomeproblematicandwillbemonitoredclosely.
MEDICINES
Whenastudentneedstotakeprescribedmedicationatschoolthefollowingguidelinesapply: Writteninstructionssignedbytheparentandproviderwillberequiredandwill include:Child’sname,nameofmedication,nameofphysician,timetobe self‐administered,dosageanddirectionsforself‐administration,possibleside effects,ifknown;andterminationdateforself‐administrationofthemedication.
Themedicationmustbedeliveredtotheprincipal’sofficeand/ortotheschoolnurse, inpersonbytheparentorguardianofthestudentunlessthemedicationmustbe retainedbythestudentforimmediateself‐administration(i.e.,studentswithasthma). Onoccasionswhenoverthecountermedicinesmustbeadministeredthenthese medicinesmustbeinthesealed,unopened,andoriginalcontainer Itisnot anticipatedthesemedicineswillbeadministeredonanongoingbasiswithouta doctor’sorders.Ifthechildisunder12yearsofageandthelabelontheoverthe countermedicinestatesthatthemedicineisnottobegiventopersonsundertheage of12,aphysician’sordermustaccompanythemedicine.
-CAREOFSICKORINJUREDPUPILS
Emergencyformswillbecompletedatthebeginningofschool,orwhenapupilenrolls, containingthefollowinginformation:
A.Name,addressofparentsorguardianandhometelephone.Ifthisnumberoraddresschanges duringtheyearpleasenotifytheschooloffice.
B.Othertelephoneswhereparentsorguardianscanbereachedduringtheday.Itismost importantwehavetwoalternatephonenumbers.Ifthesenumberschange,pleasenotifyus.
C.Namesofrelativesorfriendswhocouldbecontactedifparentorguardiancannotbereached.
D.Familyphysician.
E.Nameofhospitaldesiredifinjuryorillnessisserious.
Whenillnessoccurs,parentswillbenotifiedandstudentswillbemadeascomfortableas possibleuntilsomeonecomesforthechild.Thenursewillnotcallaparentforeverystudent complaint.Ifthenursedoesnotthink,inherprofessionalopinion,thecomplaintwarrantsa phonecall,thechild’scomplaintwillbenotedandhe/shewillbesentbacktoclass.
-WHENANINJURYOCCURS
A.Firstaidwillbeadministered,ifneeded.
B.Minorinjurieswillbetreatedandstudentswillremaininschoolunderobservation.If,inthe judgmentofschoolofficials,medicaltreatmentorconsultationisadvisable,parents,guardians orotherdesignatedpersonswillbenotified.
C.SERIOUSINJURIES
Ambulancewillbecalledtotransportthestudenttothehospitallistedontheemergencycard. Atthesametimeparentsorguardianswillbenotified.Ifparentsorguardianscannotbelocated immediately,andthefamilyphysicianisnotavailable,theemergencyroomattendantsinthe hospitalwillcallanavailablephysician.
Teacherandtheprincipalwillgatherallinformationrelativetoaccidentorinjuryindicating time,place,witness,etc.andcompleteanaccidentreport.Thisreportwillbesenttothe officeoftheDirectorofSchools.
3.OPENINGANDCLOSINGOFSCHOOLDAY
Ourschoolopensdailyat7:10a.m.whenour3busesdropourstudentsatthenorthdoor(door facingtheplayground).Asyoudropyourcarrideroffeachmorning,pleasebemindfulofour busedstudents.Studentsneedingbreakfastwillreporttothegymandallotherstudentswill reporttotheauditorium.Thethirtyminutesspentintheauditoriumwillbedesignatedasatime ofreadingforallstudents.Studentsarerequiredtobringabook.
Breakfastwillbeservedeachmorningfrom7:10-7:50.Carridersenteringthebuildingafter7:10 whodonotwanttoeatbreakfastshouldgodirectlytotheauditorium.Itwouldbegreattoplanto dropyourchildoffnolaterthan7:40.Studentswillbedismissedfromthegymandthe auditoriumat7:45towalktotheirclassrooms.Adultsarestationedthroughoutthebuildingto monitorstudentsandareavailabletohelpstudentsthatneedit.
The tardy bell will ring at7:55.Studentsarrivingafterthatbellareconsideredtardyandmustbe signed intotheofficebyaparentinordertobeissuedatardyslip.Tardyandearlycheckoutslips arefiledandmaintainedintheoffice.
Itisnecessaryforustohavereliableinformationabouthowyourchildistogohomeinthe afternoon.Youwillbeaskedbytheteachertoprovidethisinformationwhenyourchildenters school.Afterthat,anychangeintheregularroutine(suchasbeingpickedupearly,orbya differentperson,orridingadifferentbus,etc.)requiresanotefromtheparentoraphonecall fromaparentby2:40.However,pleasedonotcalldaily.Studentsneedtoknowhowtheyare gettinghomewhentheyarriveatschoolunlesssomethingcomesupduringthedaythatmakes thischangeunavoidable.Pleasegiveallnotestoyourhomeroomteacher.Ifwedonothavea note,wewillsendchildrenhometheregularway.Buseswillbedismissedat2:47eachday.DC teachers’childrenwillattenddaycareandavoidthecarriderline.Ourdismissalbellringsat 2:55eachday.K-2ndgradecarridersandanyolderbrothersandsisterswillbepickedupatthe northdoor(facestheplayground).3rd-5thgradecarriders,Taekwondostudentswillbepickedup atthegymdoor.Allcarridersnotpickedupby3:15willbeescortedtothegymandsignedinto daycare.Parentsarrivingafter3:15mayplantopickuptheirstudentinthegym.Therewillbea dropinfeeandparentsmaygetthisinformationfromourdaycaredirector,TinaHogin.Allcar ridersmaybepickedupIFanametagisdisplayedonthecar’sfrontvisor.Carswithoutaname tagwillbeaskedtoparkandcheckthestudentoutintheoffice.
4.ATTENDANCE
Recognizingthatabsenteeismisahindrancetoefficienteducationofstudentsandthat punctualityandregularityofattendanceaffectstheprogressofastudentatschool,theDickson CountyBoardofEducationhasadoptedthefollowingattendancepolicy.Theparent/guardianor otherpersonhavingchargeandcontrolofachildisheldresponsibleforthechild'sregularschool
attendance.
STUDENTATTENDANCE
GradesK-6:
Inordertomeettherequirementsforsatisfactoryattendance,astudentintheDicksonCounty SchoolSystemshallhaveanapprovedrecordofattendance.Anapprovedrecordofattendance isconsideredtobeninetypercent(90%)ineachclass.
AsstatedinTennesseeCodeAnnotated(T.C.A.)49-6-3007,section"G",achildlessthanseven (7)yearsofagewillbesubjecttothecompulsoryattendancelawafterbeingenrolledinthe DicksonCountySchoolSystemforaperiodofsix(6)weeks.
Definitions:
ABSENT:Meansastudentnotbeinginattendanceinregularlyscheduledclassesattheschool he/sheattends.Approvedschoolactivitiesdonotcountasanabsence.
PRESENT:Meansastudentbeinginattendanceinregularlyscheduledclassesattheschool he/sheattends.
EARLYDISMISSAL:Meansastudentleavingclassorschoolearly
TARDY:Arrivingtoclassafter7:55a.m.orleavingbeforeschoolisdismissedat2:55.
Whenastudentisabsentfromschooltheparent/guardianwillneedtonotifytheschoolofthe absence.Acalloremailtotheschoolsattendancesecretarywillalerttheschooloftheabsence.It willthenberequiredforawrittennotetobeprovidedtotheschooluponthestudentsreturn.The schoolwillacceptuptofive(5)parentnotespersemesterbeforeadditionaldocumentationwill berequiredtoexcusetheabsence.Thewrittenparentnotemustbeprovidedtotheschoolwithin three(3)schooldaysofthestudentsreturntoschool.Thewrittenparentnoteshallincludethe studentsname,grade,date(s)oftheabsence,reasonforabsence,parent/guardiansignature. Parentnotesmaybeusedfor:
●personalillnesswhenthestudentdidnotvisitadoctor,
●Illnessofimmediatefamilymembers(mother,father,brothersorsistersinthesame household).Parentswillberequiredtonotifytheschooladministrationassoonaspossibleand providewrittenverificationoftheneedtotendtoimmediatefamilymembers'health.
●Recognizedreligiousholidaysobservedbythestudent’sfaithandsetasideassacred byareligiousdenomination.Theschooladministrationmayrequireastatementfromthe ministeroranotherpersonrecognizedbythereligiousgrouptoverifythecauseforabsence.
●Othermatterswhichhavebeenpre-approvedbytheschooladministrationonacase bycasebasis.
Otherabsencesmaybeexcusedwithoutparentnotes.Theseabsenceswouldbeinclude:
●Deathofanimmediatefamilymemberincludinggrandparents(uptothreedays);
●Deploymentoforthereturnfromdeploymentofamilitaryparent/guardian(oneday peroccurrence);
●Anyrequiredattendanceincourtprovidedappropriatedocumentationisprovided;
●Collegevisitswhicharepre-approvedbytheschooladministrationandlimitedto three(3)peryearmaybeconsideredasfieldtripsprovidedappropriatedocumentation isreturnedtotheschool.
Astudentwhobecomesillduringtheschooldayshallreporttotheschoolnurse.Whenrequired theparentwillbecontactedtodeterminethebestcareforthechild.Intheeventthestudentis senthomethisabsence,forthatday,willbeexcusedandwillnotrequireorcountasoneofthe parentnotesforthesemester Howeveranyadditionaldaysabsentwillrequireaparentnoteor doctor'snotestobeexcused.
Extra-curricularactivitythatisnon-schoolrelatedmayalsobeexcusedprovidedtheabsenceis approvedbytheschooladministrationsevendaysinadvanceandareviewofattendance,grades anddisciplinewarrantanexcusedabsence.Absencesapprovedasnon-schoolrelated, extra-curricularactivitywillbecountedasparentnotesandonlyfivepersemesterwillbe allowed.
IntheeventofaRemoteLearningDay,pleaseseetheattachedexpectationsandschedules.
5.TARDY-LATEARRIVALANDEARLYDISMISSAL
Whenastudentarrivesafterthedesignatedtimeforclassestobegintheyaretardytoschool.In theeventthetardywasduetobustransportation,thetardywillbeexcusedandnotcounttoward thestudentattendance.Thestudentwillberequiredtosigninwiththeschoolattendance secretaryaccordingtotheschoolprocedurefoundinthehandbookprovidedbyyourstudent’s school.Anyarrivaltoschoolafterfifteen(15)minutesoftheschoolstarttimewillbeconsidered alatearrival.
Latearrivalsorearlydismissalswillbeprocessedaccordingtotheschoolprocedurefoundinthe handbookprovidedbyyourstudent’sschool.Noearlydismissalsmaybeprocessedwithinthirty (30)minutesoftheendoftheschoolday.Studentsrequestinganearlydismissalshallprovide writtennoticefromtheparent/guardianaccordingtotheschoolprocedurefoundinthehandbook providedbyyourstudent’sschool.Schoolswillverifythenotepriortodismissingandmay requirehim/hertobesignedoutbyparent/guardianspriortoreleaseofthestudent. Parentsareurgedtoscheduledentalandmedicalappointmentsoutsideofschoolhours.When suchappointmentscannotbearranged,parentsmustsendawrittenrequestforanearlydismissal aspreviouslyexplained.Itisexpectedastudentwillreturntoschoolaftertheseappointments whenpossible.Appointmentswhichrequireearlydismissalorlatearrivalshouldalsobe scheduledtoavoidmissingmorethanhalftheschoolday.Afulldayabsenceisrecordedifa studentisnotinattendanceformorethanhalfoftheschoolday.Onceatotalofeight(8) absencesareaccumulated(excusedorunexcused)allotherabsenceswillbeconsidered unexcusedwithoutadoctor'snotepresentedwithin48hoursofthestudentsreturntoschool. Studentsareexpectedtobeintheirclassroomandreadytobegintheday'sactivitiesby7:55a.m. Parentswouldbehelpingchildrendevelopgoodhabitsiftheywouldhelptheirchildrenarriveon time.Ifastudentreportstoclassafterthe7:55bell,theywillcometothemainofficetogeta tardyslip.Whenastudentistardyorcheckedoutathirdtimeanditisunexcused,awritten reminderofthepolicywillbesenttotheparent.Whenastudenthasatardy/checkoutafourth timeanditisunexcused,asecondwrittenreminderwillbesentwithapostscriptfromthe
principal.Uponthefifthunexcusedtardy/checkout,thestudentwillspend25minutesofrecovery timeintheISSroom.Aprincipalordesigneemaymakeaphonecalltotheparents.Uponthe sixthormoretardy/checkout,aparentconferencemayberequested.After7unexcused tardy/earlycheckouts,theschool’sattendancereviewcommitteewillmeettodiscusstheissue andmakerecommendationstoremedytheproblem.Parentsareinvitedtoattendthismeeting. Ms.StormentwillforwardtheminutesofthemeetingtotheBoardofEducation.Thestudent mayberequiredtocontinuetorecovertheunexcusedtime.
EachJanuarythecyclestartsoverwiththebeginningofthesecondsemester.Acceptable reasonsfortardinessandearlycheckoutsmightinclude:illness,physicianstatementrelatedto thetardyorearlycheckout,deathinimmediatefamily,proofofrequiredcourtappearance, recognizedreligiousholiday,ororganizedcultural/educationalactivity,priorprincipalapproval duetofamilytravel,parentleavesorreturnsfromactivemilitaryservice,oranyotherreason deemedacceptablebytheprincipal.Unexcusedtardiesandearlycheckoutsmightinclude personal,oversleepingandwantingtogetaheadoftraffic.Allfamilytripsthatinterferewith schoolattendanceneedtobeapprovedbytheprincipal.
6.WITHDRAWINGFROMSCHOOL
Anystudentwithdrawingfromschoolmustbeclearedthroughtheoffice.Allhisobligations mustbeclearedbeforeatranscriptofhisrecordwillbeforwardedtohisnewschool.Permanent recordsandtranscriptstravelfromschooltoschool.Wedonotrelinquishoriginalrecordsto parents,butwillbegladtomakecopiesforyouwhennecessary.
7.BUSES
Informationaboutbusesandbusroutescanbeobtainedbycalling740-5970.Busrulesand procedureswillbesenthomeseparatelyfromtheTransportationDepartmentbythebusdriver.
8.SCHOOLSUPPLIES
Schoolsupplylistsaresenthomewiththestudentsatthebeginningoftheyearandwealsopost themontheschoolwebsiteandsocialmediaapproximatelyafewweeksbeforethebeginningof theschoolyear.Suggestedlargeramountsofsuppliesarelistedastheyareusedallyear.We suggestthesequantitiesastheyarecheaperatthistime.However,youmaysendadditional suppliesatalatertime,ifyouprefer.Pleasebeawareyourchildmayneedtoreplenishsome suppliesduringtheyear.Wealsomakesuggestionsregardingbrandnameswhenwehavefound thespecificbrandnameisconsiderablybetterinquality.Whateveryousendisappreciated.
9.DRESSANDGROOMING
The Discovery School follows a uniform dresscodepolicy.Allpants,skirts,jumpers,shorts, and skortsmustbeblack,khakiornavy.Skirts,skorts,shorts,andjumpersshouldbewalking
length(noshorterthanfingertiplength).Shirtsmaybesleeveless,short,orlong-sleeved,but musthaveacollar.Turtlenecksareacceptable.Solidcoloredsweatersand/or sweatshirts/hoodies(withnoorsmallemblem/writing)maybewornovercollaredshirts. Uniformshirtsdonothavetobetuckedinbutshouldnothangbelowthehipline.
OnFridays(andotherdesignateddressdowndays),DicksonCountySchoolsDressCodeRules shouldbefollowed.Inaddition,allstudentsmustremovehatsuponenteringthebuilding. Clothingselectionsmustcoverthemidriffandback,aswellasbeingappropriateinlength. Skirt,shorts,andjumperlengthscanbenoshorterthanfingertiplengthwhenhandsareheldby theside.Tanktops,dresseswithstrapslessthan3fingersinwidth,andbikingshortsarenot acceptable.Clothingshouldfitproperly-notbeexcessivelytightorlooseandinanyway droopyorsagging.Parentsshouldrefrainfromallowingtheirchildtowearclothingor accessorieswhichadvertisedrugs,alcohol,sex,gangactivity,violence,tobacco,oranytypeof disrespect.Headbandsandscarvesshouldnotbedisruptiveandtakeawayfromclassroom learning.
Alldresscodeviolationswillbereportedtotheparent,andweappreciateyourcooperationin enforcingtheserules.
Rules:
1.Allstudentsmustremovehatsuponenteringthebuilding*.Sweatbands,bandanas,visors, scarves,combs,noserings,oranybodypiercingotherthanearsarenotallowed. Sunglassesmaynotbeworninsidethebuilding.(*Wedooffera“HatDay”asareward occasionally.)
2.Nohaircolorthatisunnatural,i.e.,blue,green,pink,truered,etc.ortattoosthatcausea distraction.Hairornamentsthatcauseadistractionshouldnotbeworn,i.e.,headbandswith kittenears,unicornhorns,etc.Distractionisdeterminedbytheteacher.
3.Shoesarerequiredtobewornfromthetimeastudentleaveshomeuntiltheyreturnhome. Baseball,soccerandfootballcleatsarenottobewornforthesafebeingofyourchild. “Heelies”arealsonotallowed.Flipflopsarediscouragedasthechildrenstepontheir backsinline,theytriponthestairsandgetmulchundertheirfeetontheplayground. Yourchildisrequiredtohaveappropriateshoeswhentheyarescheduledtohave physicaleducationclasses.
10.RECESS/PLAYGROUNDRULES
Recessisanimportantpartoftheschooldayforthesocialandphysicalgrowthandwellbeingof thestudents.Wewantallchildrentogettohavefreeplayeachdayanda30minuterecessperiod isincludedineachteacher’sschedule.Itmaybenecessary,however,tohaveastudentwalk insteadoffreeplayasaconsequenceforbehavior.Intheeventofastudentbeingbehindin his/herwork,recesstimemaybeusedtomakeupmissedworkoratest.Thefollowingruleswill beobservedwhenontheplayground(pleaseseeBehaviorExpectationsMatrix).
11.CHEWINGGUMANDCANDY
Studentsarenottochewgumorhavehardcandyduringtheschoolday.Thishelpsuskeepour desks,chairsandfloorscleaner Itwillalsopreventastudentfromgettingchokedaseasily Candyorotherfooditemsarenottobeeatenduringtheschooldayotherthanatappropriate times.Pleasedonotsendhardcandyorgumtoyourchild’sclass.
Studentsareprohibitedfromsellinganyitemstootherstudentsasafundraisingactivityfor anothergroupotherthanourschool.
12.DISCIPLINE
Wewouldliketocreateanenvironmentofself-disciplineatTheDiscoverySchool.Wewould likeforeachchildtolearntotakeresponsibilityforhis/herbehavior.Thiscanonlybe accomplishedifachildlearnsthereareconsequencesfortheiractionsandtheymustaccept thoseconsequences.
Wedonotwanttomistreatanychild,butwefeelwewouldnotberesponsibleunlessweteach responsibilitytogowithrights.Pleasebesupportiveofus.
Ourtwoschoolrulesare:
1.Followdirections.
2.Keepyourhandsandfeettoyourself.
Classroomrulesandproceduresaresenthomebytheteacher.Ifastudentrefusestocomply withtheschoolandclassrules,theteacherwilltryvariousinterventions.Ifastudentcontinues toignoretheschoolandclassrules,theywillbesenttotheofficeforconsequences.Thiswill includeadiscussionaboutwhatistheappropriatebehavior,whyhe/sheshouldcomplywiththe rulesandotherchoicesthatcouldhavebeenmadebythestudent.AstudentingradesK-1sent totheofficefordisciplinaryactionmayreceiveonehourofin-schoolsuspension(ISS)forthe firstoffense.Ingrades2-5,thestudentmayreceivetwohoursinISS.Consequencesfor returningtotheofficewillbeexplained.Thesecondtimeastudentissenttotheoffice,students inK-1mayreceivetwohoursinISSandstudentsingrades2-5mayreceivefourhoursinISS. Again,consequencesforreturningtotheofficewillbeexplained.Thethirdtimeastudentis senttotheoffice,studentsinK-1mayreceivefourhoursinISSandstudentsingrades2-5may receiveafulldayofISS.Aslipwillbesenthomewithyourchildforyoutosign.Thiswillkeep youinformedofthebehavioryourchildhasexhibitedandtheconsequencesthataddressthat behavior.Ifthein-schoolsuspensionslipisnotsignedandreturnedthefollowingday,the studentwillreturntoin-schoolsuspensionforrecess.
ElementaryDivisionDisciplinePlan-StudentHandbook
AlternativeSchoolwillbeconsideredasanoptionafterthefollowingstepshavebeentaken.
1.Astudenthasbeenplacedinin-schoolsuspensionforaminimumof20hours.
2.Aconferencewithparentshasbeenheldorrequested.
3.Parentshavebeennotifiedabouttheirchild’sbehavior
4.Thestudenthasbeenreferredtotheguidancecounselor
5.Abehavioralplanhasbeenimplementedbyschoolpersonnel.
6.Theparenthasacknowledgedinwritingthereceiptofthecounty-widedisciplinecode.
7.Thestudenthasbeensuspendedoutofschoolforatleastoneday.
TDSwillfollowthebullying/harassmentdefinitionsandproceduresasdetailedintheDickson CountySchoolsParent-StudentHandbook.Inadditiontoourguidanceclasses,ourteachersuse manyteachableopportunitiesthatoccurduringthedaytomakesurethatovertimeourstudents haveaclearunderstandingofthedefinitionofbullying.
Thereisadifferencebetweenbullyingandpeerconflict.
Conflictisastrugglebetweentwoormorepeoplewhoperceivetheyhaveincompatiblegoalsor desires.Conflictoccursnaturallyasweinteractwithoneanother Itisanormalpartoflifethat wewillnotalwaysagreewithotherpeopleaboutthethingswewant,whatwethink,orwhatwe wanttodo.Mostconflictsariseinthemomentbecausepeopleofthesamerelativeamountof powerseethesamesituationfromtwodifferentpointsofview Whenoneorbothpeoplehave theskillstoresolvethedisputesothatbothsetsofneedsaremet,thesameconflictbetweenthe sametwopeoplemostlikelywillnotberepeated.
Bullyingbehaviorisverydifferentfromconflict.Itisbehaviorthatisintendedtocausesome kindofharm.Thepersondoingthebullyingpurposelysaysordoessomethingtohurtthetarget ofhis/herbehavior Thereisalwaysanimbalanceofpower(physicalorsocial)orstrength betweenthepersondoingthebullyingandthetargetofthebehavior Thepersondoingthe bullyingmaybephysicallybiggerorstrongerormaybeolderorhavegreatersocialstatusor socialpowerthanthepersonbeingtargeted.Althoughbullyingcanoccurinasingleincident,it isusuallyapatternofbehaviorrepeatedovertimeandcantakemanyforms–physical,verbal,or social.
13.TOYS,PETS,EXTRAMONEY,CD’sANDDVD’s,PHONESandELECTRONICITEMS.
Toysincludingballs,pets,extramoney,tradingcards,cards,magazines,electronicdevices, DVDs,andCDsshouldnotbebroughttoschoolunlessspecificallyrequestedbytheteacher. Thisincludesthingsthatcanbeusedastoyssuchasphones.E-readers(Kindles)areallowedif theteacherpermits,however,theyarebroughtatthestudent’sownrisk.Wewillnotbe responsibleforlostorstolenelectronics.Studentsareresponsibleforanypersonalitemsbrought toschool.Phonesandsmartwatchesarenotallowed,however,iftheyarebroughttoschool
during theschoolday,theywillremaininthebackpackpoweredoff.Studentsarenot allowedtocallortextduringtheschoolday,fromapersonaldevice.
14.DAMAGETOPROPERTY
Damagingpropertyinanywaywillbemetwithsuitablepunishment,andthestudentwillbe expectedtoreimbursetheschoolforwhateverdamagewasdone.Anypropertydirectly connectedtotheschoolinanyway,aswellasanyschoolbus,iscoveredbythisrule.(Students maybeinstructedtocleanupdamage,i.e.,erasemarksonwallsorwashwallsordesks.)
15.LUNCHPERIOD
Eachclasswillbescheduledforathirtyminutelunchperiod.Theclasseswillgotolunchinan orderlyfashionatadesignatedtime.Studentswillbeexpectedtocompletetheirmealinthe allottedtimeandwillnotbeallowedtotakefoodoutofthecafeteria.
CAFETERIARULES:
1.Followdirections
2.Usegoodmanners.
3.Raiseyourhandforhelp.
4.Stayinyourseatuntilanadulttellsyoutogetup.
5.Talkinaquietvoice
6.Keephandsandfeettoyourself.
*SeeBehaviorExpectationsMatrix
Noglassbottleddrinksshouldbebroughttoschool.Ifyourchildbringsadrinkfromhome,it shouldbeinanon-glasscontainer.
Alllunchmoneywillbepaidtolunchroompersonnelforlunchorbreakfast.Pleasesendyour child'slunchorbreakfastmoneyonthefirstdayoftheweekwiththeirname(firstandlast),their teacher'snameandtheirlunchnumberontheoutsideofanenvelope.Yourchildshouldgive theirlunchmoneytotheirhomeroomteacheronthefirstdayoftheweek.Yourchildmaypay forbreakfastwhentheygothroughthebreakfastlineeachmorningortheycanpayforafull week,monthoryear PleasemakecheckspayabletoTheDiscoverySchoolFoodService.Ifyour childisabsent,creditwillbegivenonhisnextweek'slunchorbreakfast.Accordingtoschool boardpolicy,aswellasstateandfederalregulations,nostudentmaychargebreakfast.Students ingradesK-5willbeallowedonedayoflunchchargeinthecafeteria.Noalacarteitemswillbe charged.
Insomeschools,extrasoralacarteitemsmaybeofferedforsaleatpricespostedinthecafeteria. DessertisnotapartoftheNationalSchoolLunchrequirementsandmaybechargedfor separately
Breakfastwillbeservedeachmorningfrom7:00a.m.until7:50a.m.(Breakfastisnotservedon dayswhenschoolstartslateduetoweather.)
16.COMMUNICABLEDISEASES
Itshallbethedutyoftheschoolauthoritiestoexcludeanychildfromschoolwhoisinfectedwithor suspectedofhavingthefollowingdiseases:measles,rubella,mumps,chickenpox,pediculosis(head lice),scabies,and/orotherillnessesdesignatedbythelocalhealthofficerasrequiringexclusion. Itshallbetheresponsibilityoftheprincipal/designeetonotifytheparentsintheeventthechildhas pediculosis(headlice).Aletterwillbesenthomewiththechildexplainingthecondition, requirementsforreadmission,anddeadlinesforsatisfactorycompletionoftreatment. Inordertoreturntoschoolastudentmustbeexaminedbyaschoolhealthofficialandfoundtobe freeofheadlice.Astudentwillbeexpectedtohavemetallboardrequirementsfortreatmentandbe backinschoolnolaterthanonedayfollowingexclusionforheadlice.Alldaysinexcessofthe allowableperiodwillbemarkedasun‐excusedandreferredtotheattendancedirectorattheproper time.
17.PROVISIONOFTEXTBOOKS
Theparentagreementslipmustbesignedandreturnedtotheteacherbeforebookswillbeissued. Eachstudentwillbefurnishedwithasufficientsupplyoftextbooksforallhissubjects.Attheend ofaunitofstudy,allbookspreviouslydistributedtothestudentswillbereturnedtotheteacher. Theteacherwillexaminethebook,andifithasbeeninanywayundulyabused,mutilated,lostor destroyed,achargewillbeissuedagainstthestudent.Hewillbeexpectedtopayforthedamageas soonaspossible.
18.REPORTINGOFPUPILPROGRESS
Eachstudentwillreceiveareportcardfourtimesayear.Reportcardswillbesenthomeafterthe endofeachnineweeks.Parentsshouldtaketimetogoovereachareaofthecardandtogivepraise andencouragementtothechild.Thecardshouldbesignedandreturnedtoschoolthefollowingday. Sometypeofprogressreport(paperstobesigned)willbesenttoparentsweeklyanda mid-quarterlyreportwillbesenthomequarterly.Thesewillneedtobereviewed,signedand returnedthenextschoolday.
Promotionorretentionofastudentisadecisionwhichultimatelyhastobemadeeachyear The personwhoismostabletomakethisdecisionistheclassroomteacher.Therefore,inaccordance withthepolicyoftheDicksonCountyBoardofEducation,statingthePrincipalultimatelydecides, TheDiscoverySchoolinveststheclassroomteacher(‘s)opinionwhendecidingwhetherornota studentistobepromoted.Wewillconsidereachchild'slevelofability,achievementandmaturityin
makingthisdecision,buttheprimarymeasureofthestudent'sachievementwillbetheteachers' determinationofthestudent'smasteryofthebasicskillsassetforthbytheTennesseeDepartmentof Educationandassupplementedbythelocaleducationagency Eachstudentmustmeetorexceedthe minimumcompetenciesapprovedbytheBoardforthatgradeorsubject.
Attendancerecordsmaybeusedindeterminingtheawardingofgrades,thepassingofcourseor promotionandretention.
Thebasicgradingsystemforsubject-areagradesistobeexpressedbytheletters"A","B","C", "D",and"F",withcorrespondingnumericalvalues.
A..................................90-100
B..................................80-89
C..................................70-79
D..................................60-69
F...................................Below60
Forkindergarten,1st ,&2ndgradesastandardbasedreportcardwillbeusedastheprogress report.Aminimumpercentageinallareasofthecurriculumisrequiredforpromotion.Grades 3-5willusethebasicgradingsysteminReading,Math,Spelling,Language/English,Science andSocialStudies.Ingrades1and2,E,S,andN,aslistedbelow,willbeusedinHandwriting, SocialStudies,Health/Science,Music,Art,andPhysicalEducation.Conductismarkedwhen improvementisnecessary.
PhysicalEducation,Handwriting,Art,Music,andConductshallbemarkedasfollowsingrades 3-5:
E....................................Excellent
S....................................Satisfactory
N....................................NeedsImprovement
19.USEOFSCHOOLPHONE
A.Studentswhoneedtousethephonemaydosowiththeirteacher’spermission.
B.Studentswhowishtoseeifafriendmaycomehomewiththemwillnotbeallowedtousethe phone.Thesearrangementsshouldbemadepriortocomingtoschool.
20.MESSAGES
A.Pleasemakesureyourchildknowswheretheyshouldgoeachafternoonsodailyphone callsarenotnecessary Childrenfindsecurityinknowinghowtheyaretogohomeeachday Whenthischangesdailyorwhentheymustwaitonaphonecalldailythiscreatesunrestinthe student.Pleasechooseonewaytogohomedailyandonlymakechangeswhenabsolutely
necessary Ifthesephonecallsareabsolutelynecessary,pleasecallbefore2:30asthisiswhen messagesaredelivered.Wecannotguaranteeanyphonecallmadeafter2:30changinghowto gohomecanbedelivered.
B.Ifparentsneedtotalktotheirchild'steacher,itwillbeinthebestinterestofalliftheteacher canreturnthephonecallduringtheirplanningtime.
21.PHYSICALEDUCATION
AllstudentsareexpectedtotakeP.E.onaregularbasis.AnystudentwhocannottakeP.E. becauseofmedicalreasonsshouldmakecertaintheirteacherandtheP.E.teacherisawareofthis fact.Adoctor'sexcusemustbeprovidedifastudentisunabletoparticipateonaregularbasis.
22.CUSTODYRESTRICTIONS
Theschoolisinterestedinthewelfareofeverychildandwillseektoprotectthatwelfareinany waypossible.Werealizetherearedifficultsituationsinsomeinstanceswhichresultinone parentplacingcustodyrestrictionsonanother.
Iftherearecustodyrestrictions,itistheresponsibilityoftheparenttoseethattheschoolhasa copyofthecourtorderonfile.Theschoolmusthavethecourtorderonfileifschoolpersonnel aretoabidebyitsrestrictions.Wewilldoourbesttoabidebythecourtorder.However,please donotputusinthemiddleofthesearguments.Weonlyneedtoknowwhatisnecessaryto educatethechild.Whenyoucompletetheenrollmentcard,pleaselistthepeoplethatyougive yourpermissiontopick-upyourchildfromschool.
23.FEES/DONATIONS
Werequesta$30.00donationtocoverinstructionalmaterialsandsupplies.Thesupplieswill varyforeachclassbutmayincludepaper,workbooks,WeeklyReaders,charts,teachingaids, kits,artsupplies,musicandlibrarymaterials,physicaleducationmaterialsandmaterialsfor guidanceclasses.PleasepaythismoneybySeptember1.Ifyourchildqualifiesforfreeor reducedlunches,theyalsoqualifytohavethisfeewaived.
24.PROCEDURESFORINCLEMENTWEATHER
l.SCHOOLSDONOTOPEN
A.TheDirectorofSchoolsdetermineswhetherornotroadsarehazardousbeforeschool busesbeginroutes.
B.TheDirectorofSchoolswillsenda‘Tweet’andnotifythelocalradiostationandTV stationsofthedecisionandthisisinturnbroadcastfrequently.
C.Arecordingismadeforthecounty-wideschoolinformationnumber:441-1994.This recordingwilltellwhetherschoolwillopenorbeclosedintheeventofbadweather There
mayalsobeanInTouchmessageonyourphonemessagesystem.
D.Whenschoolsaretore-openfollowingweatherclosing,thesameinformation procedureswillbefollowed.Thisdecisionwillbemadeasearlyaspossible.
2.SCHOOLCLOSESBEFOREREGULARTIME
A.TheDirectorofSchoolswillhaveonfiletelephonenumberswhereallbusdriverscanbe reachedduringtheday TheDirector,inconsultationwithpeopleinallpartsofthecounty, determinesthatroadsareorwillbehazardousbeforeregularclosingtime.
B.TheDirectorofSchool’sofficewillnotifyallbusdriverstoassembleattheschools.
C.RadioandTVstationswillbenotifiedofthetimeschoolwillclose.Parentsshouldlisten toanappropriatestationifitappearsschoolmaycloseearly.Theschoolisnotifiedatthesame timetheradioandTVstationsarenotified.
D.Parentswhowantchildrentogotoaplaceotherthantheregularbusstopshouldleave instructionswiththeschool.Thisisparticularlyimportantforsmallchildren.These plansshouldbemadeinadvanceratherthancallingtheschoolonthatday.
25.TITLEIandSPECIALEDUCATION
TitleIisafederallyfundededucationprogramdesignedtoprovideadditionalresourcesfor studentswhomayhavetroublemeetinghighacademicstandardsinreadingand/ormath.Each yearacommitteemadeupofTDSteachers,administrators,andparentsmeettodecidehowbest tousetheTitleIresourcesavailabletotheschool.TitleIfundsareusedatTDStoprovide trainedteachersandassistantsforone-on-oneandsmallgroupassistancesothatallstudentscan besuccessful.
Specialeducationprovidesremedialandenrichmenthelpforchildrenwhohavebeenreferred, testedandcertifiedasdisabledinanareawhichqualifiesthemfortheprogram.Childrenmay receivehelpinmanyareas:reading,math,spelling,visualandauditoryperception,etc.The specialeducationteacherdesignsandimplementsanIndividualEducationalPlanforeach identifiedchild.
Bothspecialprogramsincludeshort-termandlong-termgoalsandstressindividualized instruction.Thegoalofbothprogramsisthesame:tohelpchildrenfunctionmore independentlyandsuccessfullyinaregularclassroomsetting.Cooperationandcommunication areessentialbetweentheclassroomteacherandthespecialeducationteacherorinterventionist. Childrenintheseprogramsshallnotbepenalizedbecausetheydonothaveasmuchtimeinthe classroomasotherstudents.Theyarenotrequiredtofinishassignmentsbeforetheyleavefor theirspecialclassortoaccomplishanymorethantheirtimeandabilitywillallowintheregular classroom.Childrenshallnotbedisciplinedbywithholdingtheirremedialorresourcetime. Specialeducationteacheralongwiththeregulareducationteacherwilldeterminegradesfor studentswithanIEP.
TheTitleIteacherdoesnotgivegrades.
RTI–ResponsetoInterventionisaprogrammandatedbythestatewhereallstudentsaretoget extrahelp,whenneeded.WeaddressthismandatethroughaPowerLearningBlock(PLB).For 30,45or60minutesdailystudentsaregroupedaccordingtoneedforinstruction.Atthistime, studentsmayhavearegulareducationteacher,TitleIteacher,specialeducationteacherora teacherassistant.Weutilizeallavailablehelpinordertoformsmallergroupsforintensive, specificinstruction.
26.DAYCARE
AftercareisavailabletostudentsatTheDiscoverySchool.Theprogramopensat2:55p.m.,and closesat6:00p.m.Daycareisavailableforonlyschoolagechildrenanditisavailableduringthe summersandothervacationdays.Ifyouareinterestedinthisprogram,contactourchildcare SiteDirectorat441-4163after3:00p.m.
27.VISITORPASS
Alloutsideschooldoorsarelockedfrom7:55-2:55eachschoolday Wehavethispolicyforthe safetyofallourchildrenandtocomplywithstaterecommendations.Anytimeyouenterthe building,goimmediatelytotheofficetoreceiveavisitor'spass.Pleasedonotgotoateacher's doorwithoutavisitor'spass.Also,pleasedonotaskateachertohaveaconferencewithyou whentheyhaveaclass.Therearetimeseachdaytheycantalkwithyou,ifyoucallaheadand makearrangements.Thisisinplaceforthesafetyandwell-beingofallourstudents.