TheDiscoverySchool StudentHandbook
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.
Visitorswillberestrictedtoscheduledmeetingsandspecialevents.
TDSPhone
615-441-4163
Fax 615-740-6679
TDSCafeteria 615-740-7613
DCBOE 615-446-7571
2. SCHOOLNURSE-MEDICATIONS
Wehaveafull-timeschoolnurse.. Thenurseisheretoattendtomedicalemergenciesthat happenduringtheschoolday,sicknessesthatmayoccurduringthedayandtochildrenwhohave documentedmedicalconditions. Thenurseisnotheretobeaprimarycarefacilitator. She cannotattendtoeveryincidentthathappenedoutsidetheschoolday. Withover200students, studentscannotgotothenurseatwillorfornurturinguponrequest. Whenastudentrequeststo seethenurse,theteacherwillusehis/herbestjudgmenttodetermineiftherequestisvalid. Manystudentsrequesttovisitthenursetogetoutofclassortovisit. Somestudentswhomake excessiverequeststoseethenursewillnotbeallowedtocontinueifnomedicalconditionhas beenfoundpreviously. Thishasbecomeproblematicandwillbemonitoredclosely.
Ifunderexceptionalcircumstancesachildisrequiredtotakenon-prescriptionorprescription medicationduringschoolhoursandtheparentcannotbeatschooltoadministerthemedication, onlytheprincipal,theprincipal’sdesignee,ortheschoolnursewillassistinself-administration ofthemedication,ifthestudentiscompetenttoself-administermedicinewiththeassistancein compliancewiththefollowingregulations.
Writteninstructionssignedbytheparentwillberequiredandwillinclude:
1. Child’sName;
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2. Nameofmedication;
3. Nameofphysician;
4. Timetobeself-administered;
5. Dosageanddirectionsforself-administration;
6. Possiblesideeffects,ifknown;and
7. Terminationdateforself-administrationofthemedication.
Themedicationmustbedeliveredtotheschoolornurse’sofficeinpersonbytheparentor guardianofthestudentunlessthemedicationmustberetainedbythestudentforimmediate self-administration(i.e.,studentswithasthma).
Volunteerpersonnel,trainedbyaregisterednurse,mayadministerglucagoninemergency situationstoastudentbasedonthatstudent’sIndividualHealthPlan(IHP).
Theadministrator/designeewill:
1. Informappropriateschoolpersonnelofthemedicationtobeself-administered;
2. Keepwritteninstructionsfromparentinstudent’srecord;
3. Keepanaccuraterecordoftheself-administrationofthemedication;
4. Keepallmedicationinalockedcabinetexceptmedicationretainedbyastudentper physician’sorder
5. Returnunusedprescriptiontotheparentorguardianonly;and
6. EnsurethatallguidelinesdevelopedbytheDepartmentofHealthandtheDepartmentof Educationarefollowed.
Theparentorguardianisresponsibleforinformingthedesignatedofficialofanychangeinthe student’shealthorchangeinmedication.
Attheendoftheschoolyearorwhenastudentmovesoutoftheschoolsystemanyunused medicationsareleftattheschool,thefollowingprocedureshallbeobservedafteratwoweek periodandafteranattempttocontacttheparentorguardian.
1. Theprincipalorhisdesigneeshallcountallpillsandrecordthenumber.
2. Inthepresenceofawitnesstheprincipalorhisdesigneeshalldisposeofallpills.
3. Theprincipalordesigneeandthewitnessmustsignanddatethatthepillshavebeen flushed.
4. Acopyofthisprocedureshallbekeptonfile.
Acopyofthispolicyshallbeprovidedtoaparentorguardianuponreceiptofarequestfor long-termadministrationofmedication.
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-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, guardianorotherdesignatedpersonwillbenotified.
C. SERIOUSINJURIES
Ambulancewillbecalledtotransportthestudenttothehospitallistedontheemergencycard. Atthesametimeparentsorguardianswillbenotified. Ifparentsorguardiancannotbelocated 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.
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Breakfastwillbeservedeachmorningfrom7:10-7:45.Carridersenteringthebuildingafter7:10 whodonotwanttoeatbreakfastshouldgodirectlytotheauditorium.Itwouldbegreattoplanto dropyourchildoffnolaterthan7:40. Studentswillbedismissedfromthegymandthe auditoriumat7:45towalktotheirclassrooms. Adultsarestationedthroughoutthebuildingto monitorstudentsandareavailabletohelpstudentsthatneedit.
Thetardybellwillringat7:55. Studentsarrivingafterthatbellareconsideredtardyandmustbe signedintotheofficebyaparentinordertobeissuedatardyslip.Tardyandearlycheckoutslips arefiledandmaintainedintheoffice.
Itisnecessaryforustohavereliableinformationabouthowyourchildistogohomeinthe afternoon. Youwillbeaskedbytheteachertoprovidethisinformationwhenyourchildenters school. Afterthat,anychangeintheregularroutine(suchasbeingpickedupearly,orbya differentperson,orridingadifferentbus,etc.)requiresanotefromtheparentoraphonecall fromaparentby2:30. However,pleasedonotcalldaily. Studentsneedtoknowhowtheyare gettinghomewhentheyarriveatschoolunlesssomethingcomesupduringthedaythatmakes thischangeunavoidable.Pleasegiveallnotestoyourhomeroomteacher. Ifwedonothavea note,wewillsendchildrenhometheregularway. Buseswillbedismissedat2:47eachday. DCteachers’childrenwillattenddaycareandavoidthecarriderline.Ourdismissalbellringsat 2:55eachday. K-2nd gradecarridersandanyolderbrothersandsisterswillbepickedupatthe northdoor(facestheplayground). 3rd-5th gradecarriders,TaekwondoandAcademystudents willbepickedupatthegymdoor. Allcarridersnotpickedupby3:15willbeescortedtothe gymandsignedintodaycare. Parentsarrivingafter3:15mayplantopickuptheirstudentinthe gym.Therewillbeadropinfeeandparentsmaygetthisinformationfromourdaycaredirector, TinaHogin AllcarridersmaybepickedupIFanametagisdisplayedonthecar’sfrontvisor. Carswithoutanametagwillbeaskedtoparkandcheckthestudentoutintheoffice.
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. Itwillthenberequiredforawrittennotetobeprovidedtotheschooluponthestudentsreturn. Theschoolwillacceptuptofive(5)parentnotespersemesterbeforeadditionaldocumentation willberequiredtoexcusetheabsence.Thewrittenparentnotemustbeprovidedtotheschool withinthree(3)schooldaysofthestudentsreturntoschool.Thewrittenparentnoteshallinclude thestudentsname,grade,date(s)oftheabsence,reasonforabsence,parent/guardiansignature. Parentnotesmaybeusedfor:
● personalillnesswhenthestudentdidnotvisitadoctor,
● Illnessofimmediatefamilymember(mother,father,brothersorsistersinthe samehousehold).Parentswillberequiredtonotifytheschooladministrationassoonaspossible andprovidewrittenverificationoftheneedtotendtoimmediatefamilymembers'health.
● Recognizedreligiousholidaysobservedbythestudent’sfaithandsetaside assacredbyareligiousdenomination.Theschooladministrationmayrequireastatementfrom theministerofotherpersonrecognizedbythereligiousgrouptoverifythecauseforabsence.
● Othermatterswhichhavebeenpre-approvedbytheschooladministrationona casebycasebasis.
Otherabsencesmaybeexcusedwithoutparentnotes.Theseabsenceswouldbeinclude:
● Deathofanimmediatefamilymemberincludinggrandparents(uptothreedays);
● Deploymentoforthereturnfromdeploymentofamilitaryparent/guardian(onedayper occurrence);
● Anyrequiredattendanceincourtprovidedappropriatedocumentationisprovided;
● Collegevisitswhicharepre-approvedbytheschooladministrationandlimitedtothree (3)peryearmaybeconsideredasfieldtripsprovidedappropriatedocumentation
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isreturnedtotheschool.Astudentwhobecomesillduringtheschooldayshallreporttothe schoolnurse.Whenrequiredtheparentwillbecontactedtodeterminethebestcareforthechild. Intheeventthestudentissenthomethisabsence,forthatday,willbeexcusedandwillnot requireorcountasoneoftheparentnotesforthesemester.Howeveranyadditionaldaysabsent willrequireaparentnoteordoctor'snotestobeexcused.
Extra-curricularactivitythatisnon-schoolrelatedmayalsobeexcusedprovidedtheabsenceis approvedbytheschooladministrationsevendaysinadvanceandareviewofattendance,grades anddisciplinewarrantanexcusedabsence.Absencesapprovedasnon-schoolrelated, extra-curricularactivitywillbecountedasparentnotesandonlyfivepersemesterwillbe allowed.
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 requireitbesignedoutbyparent/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,thestudentwillspend25minutesof recoverytimeintheISSroom. Aprincipalordesigneemaymakeaphonecalltotheparents. Uponthesixthormoretardy/checkout,aparentconferencemayberequested.After7unexcused tardy/earlycheckouts,theschool’sattendancereviewcommitteewillmeettodiscusstheissue andmakerecommendationstoremedytheproblem. Parentsareinvitedtoattendthismeeting.
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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
TheDiscoverySchoolfollowsauniformdresscodepolicy. Allpants,skirts,jumpers,shorts, andskortsmustbeblack,khakiornavy.Skirts,skorts,shorts,andjumpersshouldbewalking length(noshorterthanfingertiplength).Shirtsmaybesleeveless,short,orlong-sleeved,but musthaveacollar. Turtlenecksareacceptable. Solidcoloredsweatersand/or sweatshirts/hoodies(withnoorsmallemblem/writing)maybewornovercollaredshirts.
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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.,headbands withkittenears,unicornhorns,etc. Distractionisdeterminedbytheteacher.
3. Shoesarerequiredtobewornfromthetimeastudentleaveshomeuntiltheyreturnhome. Baseball,soccerandfootballcleatsarenottobewornforthesafebeingofyourchild. “Heelies”arealsonotallowed. Flipflopsarediscouragedasthechildrenstepontheir backsinline,theytriponthestairsandgetmulchundertheirfeetontheplayground. Yourchildisrequiredtohaveappropriateshoeswhentheyarescheduledtohave physicaleducationclasses.
10. RECESS/PLAYGROUNDRULES
Recessisanimportantpartoftheschooldayforthesocialandphysicalgrowthandwellbeingof thestudents. Wewantallchildrentogettohavefreeplayeachdayanda30minuterecess periodisincludedineachteacher’sschedule. Itmaybenecessary,however,tohaveastudent walkinsteadoffreeplayasaconsequenceforbehavior. Intheeventofastudentbeingbehindin his/herwork,recesstimemaybeusedtomakeupmissedworkoratest. Thefollowingrules willbeobservedwhenontheplayground(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.
CopyofElementaryDivisionDisciplinePlanforStudentHandbook Aslipwillbesenthomewithyourchildforyoutosign. Thiswillkeepyouinformedofthe behavioryourchildhasexhibitedandtheconsequencesthataddressthatbehavior. Ifthe in-schoolsuspensionslipisnotsignedandreturnedthefollowingday,thestudentwillreturnto in-schoolsuspensionforrecess.
AlternativeSchoolwillbeconsideredasanoptionafterthefollowingstepshavebeentaken.
1. Astudenthasbeenplacedinin-schoolsuspensionforaminimumof20hours.
2. Aconferencewithparentshasbeenheldorrequested.
3. Parentshavebeennotifiedabouttheirchild’sbehavior.
4. Thestudenthasbeenreferredtotheguidancecounselor.
5. Abehavioralplanhasbeenimplementedbyschoolpersonnel.
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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 bullyingmakebephysicallybiggerorstrongerormaybeolderorhavegreatersocialstatusor 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. Phonesandsmartwatchesarediscouraged,however,iftheyarebroughttoschoolto haveaftertheschoolday,theyshouldremaininthebackpackandallsoundsturnedoff. Studentsarenotallowedtocallortextduringtheschoolday,fromapersonaldevice.
14. DAMAGETOPROPERTY
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Damagingpropertyinanywaywillbemetwithsuitablepunishment,andthestudentwillbe expectedtoreimbursetheschoolforwhateverdamagewasdone. Anypropertydirectly connectedtotheschoolinanyway,aswellasanyschoolbus,iscoveredbythisrule. (Students maybeinstructedtocleanupdamage,i.e.,erasemarksonwallorwashwallsordesks.)
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. If yourchildisabsent,creditwillbegivenonhisnextweek'slunchorbreakfast. Accordingto schoolboardpolicy,aswellasstateandfederalregulations,nostudentmaychargebreakfast. StudentsingradesK-5willbeallowedonedayoflunchchargeinthecafeteria. Noalacarte itemswillbecharged.
Insomeschools,extrasoralacarteitemsmaybeofferedforsaleatpricespostedinthecafeteria. DessertisnotapartoftheNationalSchoolLunchrequirementsandmaybechargedfor separately.
Breakfastwillbeservedeachmorningfrom7:00a.m.until7:45a.m.(Breakfastisnotservedon dayswhenschoolstartslateduetoweather.)
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16. COMMUNICABLEDISEASES
Itshallbethedutyoftheschoolauthoritiestoexcludeanychildwhoisinfectedwithor suspectedofhavingthefollowingdiseases:measles,rubella,mumps,infectioushepatitis, chickenpox,pediculosis(headlice),scabiesandotherillnessesdesignatedbythelocalhealth officerasrequiringexclusion.
Ifoneoftheseillnessesorconditionsissuspected,theteacherorprincipalshouldreferthechild totheschoolhealthnurse,ifavailable. Ifthereisnoschoolhealthnurse,thechildshouldbesent homewiththerecommendationthatthechild'sphysicianbecontactedfordiagnosisand treatment. Thechildshallbeexcludedfromschooluntilschoolpersonnelhavereceived satisfactoryevidencethechildhasbeentreated.
Itshallbetheresponsibilityoftheprincipalorschoolnursetonotifytheparentsintheeventa childhaspediculosis(headlice). Aletterwillbesenthomewiththechildexplainingthe condition,requirementsforreadmission,anddeadlinesforsatisfactorycompletionoftreatment. Inordertoreturntoschoolastudentmustbeexaminedbyaschoolhealthofficialandfoundto beheadliceandnitfree.
AstudentwillbeexpectedtohavemetallBoardrequirementsfortreatmentandbebackin schoolnolaterthanoneschooldayfollowingexclusionforheadlice. Alldaysinexcessofthe allowableperiodwillbemarkedasunexcusedandreferredtotheattendancedirectoratthe propertime.
17. PROVISIONOFTEXTBOOKS
Theparentagreementslipmustbesignedandreturnedtotheteacherbeforebookswillbeissued. Eachstudentwillbefurnishedwithasufficientsupplyoftextbooksforallhissubjects. Attheend ofaunitofstudy,allbookspreviouslydistributedtothestudentswillbereturnedtotheteacher. Theteacherwillexaminethebook,andifithasbeeninanywayundulyabused,mutilated,lostor destroyed,achargewillbeissuedagainstthestudent. Hewillbeexpectedtopayforthedamageas soonaspossible.
18. REPORTINGOFPUPILPROGRESS
Eachstudentwillreceiveareportcardfourtimesayear. Reportcardswillbesenthomeafterthe endofeachnineweeks. Parentsshouldtaketimetogoovereachareaofthecardandtogivepraise andencouragementtothechild. Thecardshouldbesignedandreturnedtoschoolthefollowing day. Sometypeofprogressreport(paperstobesigned)willbesenttoparentsweeklyanda mid-quarterlyreportwillbesenthomequarterly. Thesewillneedtobereviewed,signedand 14 | Page
returnedthenextschoolday
Promotionorretentionofastudentisadecisionwhichultimatelyhastobemadeeachyear The personwhoismostabletomakethisdecisionistheclassroomteacher Therefore,inaccordance withthepolicyoftheDicksonCountyBoardofEducation,statingthePrincipalultimatelydecides, TheDiscoverySchoolinveststheclassroomteacher(‘s)opinionwhendecidingwhetherornota studentistobepromoted. Wewillconsidereachchild'slevelofability,achievementandmaturity inmakingthisdecision,buttheprimarymeasureofthestudent'sachievementwillbetheteachers' determinationofthestudent'smasteryofthebasicskillsassetforthbytheTennesseeDepartment ofEducationandassupplementedbythelocaleducationagency Eachstudentmustmeetorexceed theminimumcompetenciesapprovedbytheBoardforthatgradeorsubject.
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,&2nd gradesastandardbasedreportcardwillbeusedastheprogress 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. Thesupplies willvaryforeachclassbutmayincludepaper,workbooks,WeeklyReaders,charts,teaching aids,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. TheremayalsobeanInTouchmessageonyourphonemessagesystem.
D. Whenschoolsaretore-openfollowingweatherclosing,thesameinformation procedureswillbefollowed. Thisdecisionwillbemadeasearlyaspossible.
2. SCHOOLCLOSESBEFOREREGULARTIME
A.TheDirectorofSchoolswillhaveonfiletelephonenumberswhereallbusdriverscanbe reachedduringtheday. TheDirector,inconsultationwithpeopleinallpartsof thecounty,determinesthatroadsareorwillbehazardousbeforeregularclosingtime.
B.DirectorofSchool’sofficewillnotifyallbusdriverstoassembleattheschools.
C.RadioandTVstationswillbenotifiedofthetimeschoolwillclose. Parentsshould listentoanappropriatestationifitappearsschoolmaycloseearly. Theschoolis notifiedatthesametimetheradioandTVstationsarenotified.
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. For30or45minutesdailystudentsaregroupedaccordingtoneedfor instruction. Atthistime,studentsmayhavearegulareducationteacher,TitleIteacher,special educationteacherorateacherassistant. Weutilizeallavailablehelpinordertoformsmaller groupsforintensive,specificinstruction.
26. DAYCARE
AftercareisavailabletostudentsatTheDiscoverySchool. Theprogramopensat2:55p.m.,and closesat6:00p.m. Daycareisavailableforonlyschoolagechildrenanditisavailableduring thesummersandothervacationdays. Ifyouareinterestedinthisprogram,contactourchild careSiteDirectorat441-4163after3:00p.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.
COVID-19Policy: Visitorswillberestrictedtoscheduledmeetingsandspecialevents.
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