Stuart Burns Elementary Student Handbook by dcstn

Important Phone Numbers

Dickson County Board of Education 615-446-7571

Stuart-Burns Elementary School 615-446-2791

Transportation 615-740-5970

SBES Nurse 615-446-2791 Ext #86705

SBES Day Care 615-446-2398 (6:00-8:00 a.m., 2:30-6:00 p.m.)

SBES Cafeteria 615-441-4119

SBES Fax Number 615-441-4140

Special Education Office 615-446-2085

Dear Students and Families,

Welcome to Stuart-Burns Elementary School. I am privileged to serve you and your student in my capacity as principal. I am eager to collaborate with your family in the upcoming year as we strive to deliver the highest quality education to our students.

The start of a new school year is always an exciting time for students, offering a fresh beginning and a chance to set goals. Our aim at StuartBurns is to help students exceed their goals in all areas of their educational journey. We aspire to prepare confident, well-rounded, and responsible lifelong learners who will make meaningful contributions to their homes, communities, and the world. We hope that your child will look forward to each day at school and cultivate a genuine love for learning.

This handbook has been provided to address many of the questions you may have regarding our school, policies, and procedures. Our policies and procedures are designed to create a safe and orderly environment for all students. While academic achievement is a top priority at StuartBurns, the safety of your student takes precedence over all else. We kindly ask for your cooperation in adhering to the guidelines outlined in the following pages and encourage your student(s) to uphold the rules, policies, and procedures we have put in place. Please retain this handbook throughout the year for reference as needed.

We deeply value your support in all aspects and aim to collaborate as a team to meet the needs of your student. Your student will thrive with your assistance by providing academic support, volunteering at school, and contributing to our school through donations and fundraisers. Please communicate any student needs with us as we are committed to helping all students achieve success in every aspect. Together, we can ensure that this year is one of positive growth and accomplishment.

Thank you for your unwavering support of our school. We are excited for another successful year ahead!

Jessica Smith, Principal

SCHOOL DAY

OPENING

6:00 A.M. Daycare Opens: Circle the building and enter at the daycare entrance on the backside of the gym near the Kindergarten playground. Any student arriving prior to 7:10 should enroll in the daycare program.

7:10 A.M. Buses arrive at cafeteria doors. Car riders should enter at front office doors. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria with teacher supervision. K and 1st grade meet in the library, 2nd grade in the café, and 3-5 in the gym.

7:40 A.M. Parents Welcome: Please park in a designated space. Parents wishing to walk their students to class the first week should sign-in and wait in the front lobby until bus room is dismissed. After the first week of school, to limit outside visitors and help students learn independence, we ask that students do morning routines without help.

7:55 A.M. SBES Broadcast Begins and School Officially Begins: After the bell rings, students not in their classrooms are considered tardy. Please park in a designated space and escort your student to the door and sign your student in.

CLOSING

2:45 P.M. Cars may begin to line up at SBES. You must have an official SBES car rider strip to pick-up students. If you do not, you will be asked to park and proceed to the office through the front doors. A staff member will ask to see ID and will check it against the student’s official Skyward records. You will receive a new car rider tag for a cost of $1.00.

2:55 P.M. Student dismissal: Students will come outside and 4

stand at the appropriate number under the awnings and will be supervised by numerous SBES staff members.

Students will not be allowed to walk to their vehicles until the whistle blows for their safety. When the team of students is safely inside the vehicle, a staff member will motion a line of cars to exit as another group of students enters.

● Please be patient in August as new students and parents learn procedures; there may be delays. We will always put student safety first.

3:25

Any car riders not picked up will be sent to daycare and daycare charges will apply.

Thebuildingwillbeclosedat4:00eachdayexceptfor thosestudentsenrolledinthechildcareprogramor involvedinotherschoolactivities .

2:55-6:00 Day Care will remain open

ATTENDANCE

Attendance 6.200: Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and, therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session. The State requires all children ages 6 to 17, to attend school. The parent/guardian or other person having charge and control of a child must monitor the student’s attendance and is held responsible for the child’s regular school attendance. A student who has accumulated five (5) unexcused absences is subject to Dickson County Schools progressive truancy interventions. Any continued unexcused absences will result in referral to juvenile court.

Our Attendance Motto: Strive for Five. Our goal is for each student to have less than 5 absences within the school year to avoid progressive truancy interventions.

* An acceptable rate of attendance is 90%.

**A great rate of attendance is 95%.

To excuse an absence, you must send a signed and dated guardian note or doctor note to the main office each time your child is absent, tardy, or checks out of a school early.

Dickson County Policy outlines the following as excused absences from school:

1. The student's personal illness or hospitalization. A physician’s statement or parent conference may be required. If the illness or the hospitalization is to exceed ten (10) consecutive days, the parent/guardian may apply for homebound instruction.

2. An illness or incapacitating condition of a family member which requires the temporary help of a student. A physician's statement will be required.

3. A death in the immediate family. Family includes parents, step-parents, guardian, grandparents, brother, sister, stepbrother/sister, aunt and uncle. Appropriate documentation may be required.

4. Recognized religious holidays/events. Parents or guardians are requested to inform the school principal prior to a student being absent from school for religious holidays/events regularly observed by persons of their faith.**

5. Required court appearance. Verification from appropriate authorities must be provided.

6. Other emergency extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student which may be approved at the discretion of the principal.**

7. Students shall be excused for up to ten (10) days per school year, during the deployment cycle, of a parent or

guardian in active military service. Students shall be permitted to make up schoolwork missed during the excused absence.

** If your student needs to miss school for these or other reasons, please request a Pre-Approved Absence Request Form from the office. Fill it out with the reason for the absence and return it to Mrs. Fortner to review for approval at least seven days in advance.

Weacceptfive(5)parentnotespersemesterbefore additionaldocumentation,suchasdoctor’snote,willbe requiredtoexcuseanabsence.

Please also review the DCSTN Attendance Policy in its entirety.

Dickson County School Progressive Truancy Interventions:

● After 3 unexcused absences, parents/guardians will receive a notice letter via Skyward.

● After 5 unexcused absences, a referral is made to Juvenile Court.

Make-Up Work (more than one day of absence):

● Please call the office by 9:00 A.M. to make this request.

● You may come after 2:00 P.M. to retrieve the work.

● 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.

*Tardies and check-outs are reported as missed attendance of school hours per state guidelines.

Unexcused Tardy/Early Check-Out Procedures:

**Please check-out before 2:30 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

BRINGING ITEMS TO SCHOOL

Toys including balls, pets, extra money, trading cards, cards, magazines, electronic devices, DVDs, and CDs should not be brought to school unless specifically requested by the teacher. This includes things that can be used as toys such as calculators. Ereaders (Kindles) and other electronic devices are allowed if the teacher permits, however, they are brought at the student’s own risk. We will not be responsible for lost or stolen items or electronics.

Students are prohibited from selling any items in school for a fund raising activity unless it is a SBES or Dickson County Schools fundraiser.

CAFETERIA RULES

● The first 15 minutes of each class’s lunch time will be used to ensure students eat and will be accompanied by quiet. The last 15 minutes will be used for appropriate social interaction.

● Food purchased from the cafeteria should not be taken out of the cafeteria.

● Students are prohibited from selling candy and other merchandise to students.

● Parents may not bring snacks to serve to the class during lunch time. Please discuss with your child’s teacher to determine the best time for sharing special treats.

PAYMENTS

● Place lunch payment in an envelope with your student’s name, number, and amount.

● Please make checks payable to Stuart-Burns Food Service.

● Online payments can be made at https://www.k12paymentcenter.com/. You will need access to your child’s Student ID Number to begin the process. Be sure to choose premium service because as a resident of Dickson County the $10 fee has been waived.

PRICES

●

Pleasefilloutthefree/reducedlunchformyourstudent willbebringinghome. Ourdistrictandschoolreceives federalfundingbasedonfamilieswhoqualifyforthese services.Thankyou.

VISITORS DURING BREAKFAST OR LUNCH

● At this time due to limited space in our cafeteria shifts, we ask that there be no visitors during breakfast or lunch. Thank you for your understanding.

CARE OF SICK OR INJURED PUPILS

Enrollment cards used by office staff & nurse include:

● Name, address, and phone numbers of parents/guardians and other caregivers to be contacted

● Permission to take to the local emergency room in the event of an emergency

● Medications

● Custody Restrictions

When illness occurs, primary guardian or other listed contacts will be notified, and student will be made as comfortable as possible until someone can come. The nurse will not call a parent for every student complaint. The nurse will use her professional judgement to determine if the complaint warrants parent/guardian contact and/or if the stay may go back to the classroom. In the event of a serious injury or threats of self-harm, an ambulance will be called to transport the student to the hospital listed on emergency card. At the same time, parents/guardian will be notified. If parents/guardian cannot be located immediately, and the family physician is not available, the emergency room attendants in the hospital will call an available physician.

The teacher and the principal will gather all information relative to accident or injury indicating time, place, witness, etc. and complete an accident report. This report will be sent to the office of the Director of Schools.

CHEWING GUM AND CANDY

Please do not send gum with your child to school. Students are not allowed to chew gum during a regular school day. This helps us keep our desks, chairs, and floors cleaner.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

It shall be the duty of the school authorities to exclude any child from school who is infected with or suspected of having the following diseases: measles, rubella, mumps, chicken pox, pediculosis (head lice), scabies, and/or other illnesses designated by the local health officer as requiring exclusion. It shall be the responsibility of the principal /designee to notify the parents in the event the child has pediculosis (head lice). A letter will be sent home with the child explaining the condition, requirements for readmission, and deadlines for satisfactory completion of treatment.

In order to return to school a student must be examined by a school health official and found to be free of head lice. A student will be expected to have met all board requirements for treatment and be back in school no later than one day following exclusion for head lice. All days in excess of the allowable period will be marked as un-excused and referred to the attendance director at the proper time.

CUSTODY RESTRICTIONS

The school is interested in the welfare of every student and will seek to protect that welfare in any way possible. We realize there

are difficult situations in some instances which result in one parent placing custody restrictions on another. If there are custody restrictions, it is the responsibility of the parent to see that the school has a copy of the court order on file. The school must have the court order on file if school personnel are to abide by its restrictions. When you complete and update Skyward enrollment information, please list the people that you grant permission to pick-up your child from school. It is your responsibility to notify the front office of any changes in student information and/or custody restrictions.

DAYCARE

Daycare is available to students at Stuart-Burns Elementary School. The program opens at 6:00 a.m., and closes at 6:00 p.m. Daycare is available for only school-age children, and it is available during the summers and other vacation days. If you are interested in this program, contact our child care Site Director, Cathy Jones.

DISCIPLINE

SCHOOL RULES: R.O.A.R.

● Responsibility – Be Responsible

● Ownership – Take Ownership for Actions

● Attitude – Have a Positive Attitude

● Respect – Be Respectful

CLASSROOM RULES: Each classroom teacher also has a discipline policy and classroom procedures.

PBIS: We would like to create an environment of self-discipline at Stuart Burns Elementary where each student takes responsibility for his/her behavior. This can only be accomplished if a student learns there are consequences for his/her actions and they must

accept those consequences. We will be using a Positive Behavior Incentive System program again this year. Our PBIS system includes goal setting, points for positive behaviors, and an assembly and Bobcat Bash each nine weeks. More information will be sent home with your student.

SBES CODE OF CONDUCT

At Stuart-Burns we believe in our students. In order to promote an environment where active learning can take place, we adhere to the R.O.A.R. philosophy.

Consequences in the event inappropriate behaviors do occur: **Administration has discretion to assign discipline as warranted.

ISS = In-School Suspension

OSS = Out-of-School Suspension

DHA = Disciplinary Hearing at Central Office to include the Director of Student Services, SBES administration, parents/guardians, and student.

Assault

Bus Conduct

1st offense: (K-2) 1 day of ISS

(3-5) 3 days of OSS

2nd offense: (K-2) 2 days of OSS (3-5) 5 days of OSS

3rd offense: (K-2) 3 days of OSS (3-5) OSS pending a DHA

1st offense: Verbal Warning

2nd offense: Suspension from bus 1 day

3rd offense: Suspension from bus 2 days

4th offense: Suspension from bus 3 days

5th offense: Suspension from bus 4 days

6th offense: Suspension from bus 5 days

7th offense: Suspension from bus 10 days

8th offense: Permanent Suspension from bus

Learning

We will follow the SBES Behavior Flowchart Environment of classroom interventions. Office Referrals

Disturbances will follow the Elementary Division’s Discipline Plan.

Fighting

Harassment/

Bullying

1st offense: (K-2) 1 day of ISS (3-5) 3 days of OSS

2nd offense: (K-2) 2 days of OSS (3-5) 5 days of OSS

3rd offense: (K-2) 3 days of OSS (3-5) OSS pending a DHA

Referral to Guidance and Administration

Parent Contact & Investigation Conducted Confirmed cases will follow the Elementary Division’s Discipline Plan.

Illegal use or

1st offense: 3 days of ISS. SRO involvement. possession of 2nd offense: 1 day of OSS. SRO involvement. tobacco/

3rd offense: 5 days of OSS. SRO involvement. Non-THC vaping 4th offense: OSS pending DHA. products

Persistent Violation

Student petitioned to a DHA Hearing Of School Rules

Threats:

Referral to Guidance and Administration

Parent Contact & Threat Assessment

Conducted - SRO Involvement if Warranted Will follow the Elementary Division’s Discipline Plan

Severe Threat/ OSS pending DHA

Mass Threat

ZERO TOLERANCE: Possession of or use of illegal substances on school property, weapons, possession of firearms, threats of mass violence, and aggravated assault. Confirmed cases will be OSS pending DHA and involve law enforcement cooperation.

DRESS AND GROOMING SHIRTS

● Clothing selections must cover the midriff and back.

● Tank tops, sun dresses or shirts with “spaghetti” straps, biking shorts, spandex pants and fishnet clothing are not acceptable attire for school. Sleeveless blouses are allowed as long as they fit under the arms and are at least two inches wide on each shoulder.

● No clothing or accessories will be allowed which advertises drugs, alcohol, sex, gang activity, violence tobacco, or any clothing article that promotes disrespectful attitudes or that which may cause a distraction for others. DRESSES/SKIRTS/SHORTS

● The length can be no shorter than finger length when hands are held by the side.

PANTS

● Leggings are allowed as long as something is worn over them of the length allowed above.

● Clothing should fit properly, not excessively tight or loose. SHOES

● Shoes are always required to be worn at school.

● Baseball, soccer, and football cleats are not to be worn for the safety of our students.

● Flip flops are not advised as students’ footwear. Your student is required to have tennis shoes when scheduled for PE classes.

OTHER

● Remove hats and hoods upon entering the building.

● Sweatbands, bandanas, combs, nose rings, or any body piercing other than ears are not allowed.

● Sunglasses may not be worn inside the building.

● No hair color or style that causes a distraction to student learning is allowed.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

SCHOOLS CLOSED

● The Director of Schools (DOS) determines whether or not roads are hazardous before school buses begin routes.

● The DOS makes an InTouch phone call, tweets, and notifies the local radio station and TV stations of the decision.

SCHOOLS CLOSING EARLY

● The Director of Schools in consultation with people in all parts of the county determines that roads are or will be hazardous before regular closing time.

● The DOS will alert schools and will make an InTouch phone call.

● Radio and TV stations also will be notified of the time school will close.

● During your Skyward enrollment process yearly, you will outline how your student should go home in the event of an early school closure.

MEDICINES & OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION

When a student needs to take prescribed medication at school the following guidelines apply: Written instructions signed by the parent and provider will be required and will include: Child’s name, name of medication, name of physician, time to be self-administered, dosage and directions for self-administration, possible side effects, if known; and termination date for self-administration of the medication. The medication must be delivered to the principal’s office and/or to the school nurse, in person by the parent or guardian of the student unless the medication must be retained by the student for immediate self-administration (i.e., students with asthma).

On occasions when over the counter medicines must be administered then these medicines must be in the sealed, unopened, and original container. It is not anticipated these medicines will be administered on an ongoing basis without a doctor’s orders. If the child is under 12 years of age and the label on the over the counter medicine states that the medicine is not to be given to persons under the age of 12, a physician’s order must accompany the medicine.

HEALTH SCREENINGS

Dickson County Schools offers health screenings to all students in the appropriate grade levels. Trained school personnel, school nurses, student nurses and approved volunteers will complete all screenings with strict adherence to confidentiality of each child and adolescent screened. The following areas may be screened: blood pressure, hearing, vision, dental, height/weight, and scoliosis. If we screen your child and find any deviations from a normal screening, we will contact you concerning this matter. Please note there will be no charge for these services. A parent or guardian may obtain copies of health screen results through the Skyward parent.

ANNUAL INFORMATION REGARDING MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE

Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by the type of bacteria known as meningococcus. These illnesses are often severe and can be deadly. They include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia). These bacteria spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions like spit (e.g., by living in close quarters, kissing).

Doctors treat meningococcal disease with antibiotics, but quick medical attention is extremely important. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best defense against meningococcal disease.

Meningitis symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck. There are often other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, or confusion. Later symptoms of bacterial meningitis can be very serious (seizures or coma).

More information regarding meningococcal disease can be found on the Center for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) website.

ANNUAL INFORMATION REGARDING INFLUENZA

Influenza, also known as flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. Flu is different from a cold, and usually comes on suddenly and can last 7-10 days. It is spread mainly by coughing, sneezing, and close contact.

Symptoms include: fever/chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache, runny or stuffy nose. Flu can also lead to pneumonia and blood infections, and cause diarrhea and seizures in children.

The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccine each year. Flu vaccine has been shown to reduce flu

related illnesses and the risk of serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization or even death. Vaccines are available at your primary care provider’s office or at the local health department.

More information regarding influenza can be found on the Center for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) website.

PARENT-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION CONFERENCES

● Fall: November 4, 2024 (12:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.)

● Spring: April 1, 2025 (4:30 - 7:00 p.m.)

E-MAIL

● Principal jessicasmith@dcstn.org

● Assistant Principal arachford@dcstn.org

● Attendance Secretary kwalker@dcstn.org

CLASS DOJO: Teachers communicate primarily through Dojo.

FACEBOOK Group: SBES Bobcats

TWITTER: Follow us @sbes_bobcats

MESSAGES

● If you are changing the way your student is regularly transported home, please let the homeroom teacher know. If something arises during the school day, please call the office prior to 2:15.

● If you would like to speak to the teacher, please call the office to leave a message or email the teacher. The teacher will return your call in a timely manner during planning time or after school if possible. You may also Dojo

message your student’s teacher, and he/she will respond at the earliest convenience.

NEWSLETTERS

● Class: A weekly classroom newsletter will be sent home each Monday.

● School: A monthly school newsletter will be sent home each month.

PROGRESS REPORTS: K-5 students will receive a progress report each mid-nine weeks. Please refer to the SBES newsletter for specific dates.

REPORT CARDS: K-2 students will receive a standards-based report card. 3-5 students will receive a traditional grades-based report card. Please see the SBES newsletter for specific dates. The basic grading system for subject-area grades 3rd - 5th is to be expressed by the letters "A", "B", "C", "D", and "F", with corresponding numerical values.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

All students are expected to take P. E. class twice within a 6-day period. This participation is in congruence with the TN physical activity law. Any student who cannot participate due to medical reasons should provide a doctor’s excuse to the P.E. teachers.

SCHOOL PHONE

Students who need to use the phone may do so with their teacher’s permission.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

SPECIAL EDUCATION: Helping every student at SBES achieve regardless of their disabilities is the goal of the Special Education Department. SBES offers support services for students with special needs as agreed upon by the student’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan). These services are designed to meet the student’s individual needs based on their identified disability. The IEP Team determines the level of services for each student. The Team strives to provide the least restrictive environment (LRE) for all students.

RTI: Response to Intervention is a program mandated by the state where all students are to receive extra help or enrichment, when needed. We address this mandate through a Power Learning Block (PLB). For 45 minutes daily, students are grouped according to need for instruction as determined by benchmark tests given three times per year. At this time, students may have a regular education teacher, special education teacher or a teacher assistant. We utilize all available help in order to form smaller groups for intensive, specific instruction.

STUDENT DONATION TO CLASSROOMS

SBES will be collecting a voluntary $30 donation from each of our students. This donation is used by your student’s teacher to fund classroom activities that extend beyond workbooks and other consumable materials provided by the Board of Education. Your student’s teacher will be happy to answer specific questions regarding how this is used in his or her classroom.

Our school system remains grateful for the support it receives from the citizens of Dickson County.

TEXTBOOKS

The parent agreement slip must be signed and returned to the teacher before books will be issued. Each student will be furnished textbooks for all subjects. At the end of a unit of study, all books previously distributed to the students will be returned to the teacher. The teacher will examine the book, and if it has been in any way unduly abused, mutilated, lost or destroyed, a charge will be issued against the student. He or she will be expected to pay for the damage as soon as possible.

VISITORS

● For the safety of our students and staff, all outside school doors are secured and locked from 8:00 A.M. until 2:55 P.M. each school day. A buzzer is located outside in front of the school office where parents/visitors may be buzzed into the building.

● All visitors must sign in and present a driver’s license or valid ID. The ID is run through our Raptor Security System for safety and security. Each visitor must also wear a visitor’s badge.

● Classroom Visit: Please make arrangements with the teacher in advance if you would like to visit your student’s classroom. The school day is smoother if classes are not unexpectedly interrupted. A visit should not be used for a conference.

● Communication with Teacher: A parent-teacher conference should always be scheduled ahead of time so that the teacher is prepared to discuss your student and is not required to neglect care of other students or duties.

WITHDRAWING FROM SCHOOL

1. Notify the attendance secretary.

2. Pay all school debts.

3. Fill out withdrawal form.

4. Return Chromebook, charger, and all school textbooks.

Stuart Burns Elementary Student Handbook