One TeAm, One DreAM
A Messagefrom
Dear VES Families,
Welcome to Vanleer Elementary and a new school year! I look forward to working with you and your child’s teacher to make this a productive and exciting year for your child.
Communication plays a vital role in a successful school year. Please help us by:
● Checking your child’s weekly folder on Tuesdays
● Keeping Skyward up to date with current emergency contact information
● Communicating with your child’s teacher via Dojo, Remind, or parent notes
● Checking our Facebook Page regularly
● Reading the Wildcat Weekly Newsletter
Also, please take the time to review this handbook with your child. It contains important information about our daily routines and expectations. Student safety and academic success are our top priorities at VES. The procedures outlined in this handbook were developed with these goals at the forefront.
After reviewing this handbook, please be sure to electronically sign your child’s online registration as confirmation that you have been informed of these important guidelines. I look forward to meeting and working with each of you to make this a successful year.
Sincerely,
Cindy Shelton
Our Beliefs
❖ Students are individuals with unique characteristics and interests.
❖ Students should have an equal opportunity to learn based on his/her needs, interest and abilities.
❖ All students can meet high academic goals
❖ Students learn best when content is relevant to their lives.
❖ Students learn best in a pleasant environment where the democratic process is modeled in tandem with clear goals and high expectations.
❖ The role of the classroom teacher is primarily as the facilitator of learning
❖ Commitment must be made for the appropriate use of all resources to their fullest extent.
❖ The school must be safe and child-oriented, while setting high expectations in preparing all students to become productive citizens.
Vanleer Pledge
As a Vanleer student, I will be responsible for my actions at all times. I will strive to be trustworthy and fair in and out of school. I will show respect in everything that I do. I will do my best to show compassion, love, and understanding to those around me because I care. I will use what I’ve learned to be a good citizen throughout my life.
School Day
Arrival
The school day will start at 7:50 A.M. each day. Students are expected to be seated in the bus room. If students arrive after 7:50 A.M., parents must accompany their child/children to the office to be checked in. Students should arrive at school no earlier than 7:10 A M each day School personnel will not be responsible in any way for children who arrive prior to 7:10A.M. Breakfast is served from 7:10-7:40 A.M. each morning. If students wish to eat school breakfast, they will go directly to the cafeteria. After eating breakfast, they will report to the gym to be seated. Students who arrive before 7:20 will be given extra recess in the morning on a rotating schedule based on grade levels as follows:
4th and 5th Grade - Mondays and Fridays
2nd and 3rd Grade - Tuesdays and Thursdays
Kindergarten and 1st - Wednesdays
Students are not allowed to go to the classroom until they are dismissed with their teacher at 7:45.
Dismissal
Dismissal begins at 3:00 P.M. with Car Riders and dismissed. Bus Riders will be dismissed to the back hallway beginning at 3:10 P.M.
If your child is a car rider, he/she will be walked to the vehicle when you drive up. Please remain in your car in line. To ensure the safety of all students, a limited number of students will be released to cars at one time. Car riders must be picked up by 3:25 P.M. Car riders not picked up by this time will be sent to the bus area to ride their regular bus home or to After-School Care. Parents will be charged appropriate fees for After-School Care if not picked up by 3:25.
Any change in the regular dismissal routine requires a note from the parent. If we do not have a note, we will send the child home the way they normally go home. If anyone other than a parent/guardian will be picking up the child, a note giving permission or a phone call to the school is necessary Any changes to the method for going home must be made by 2:30. Please be aware that whoever picks up your child other than you will be required to show identification if they do not have the school assigned car rider tag. This is not meant to be an inconvenience, but a safety precaution.
Bus riders will wait in the back hallway or outside in designated spots. Buses will be loaded by 3:30 P.M. At times buses may be delayed; students will not be allowed to call for other rides.
Attendance
o Questions regarding your child’s attendance record should be directed to Mrs. Angie Alberd at aalberd@dcstn.org or by calling the front office.
o Please call the office by 9:00 A.M. to request make-up work.
o Make up work may be ready after 2:00 P.M. or the next day.
o Students will be granted at least time equal to the number of days missed plus one day to make-up missed assignments or tests. Exceptions include pre-announced tests and assignments which will be due upon return.
Absences
o ALL ABSENCES are coded as Unexcused by default in Skyward. Written documentation must be presented to the office in order to be changed. Please write your child’s first and last name, teacher’s name, date and reason for the absence on the note.
o Per Dickson County Attendance Policy updated July 2023, the school will accept up to 5 parent notes per semester before additional documentation will be required to excuse the absence.
o The written parent note must be provided to the school within five school days of the student’s return to school.
Parent notes may be used for:
o Personal illness when the student did not visit a doctor,
o Illness of immediate family members (mother, father, brothers or sisters in the same household.
o Recognized religious holidays observed by the student’s faith and set aside as sacred by a religious denomination (may require a statement from the minister or other person recognized by the religious group to verify the cause for absence.)
o Other matters which have been pre-approved by the school administration on a case by case basis.
Other absences may be excused without a parent note. These absences would include:
o Death of an immediate family member including grandparents (up to three days),
o Deployment of or the return from deployment of a military parent/guardian (one day per occurrence),
o Any required attendance in court provided appropriate documentation is provided;
A student who becomes ill during the school day shall report to the school nurse. When required the parent will be contacted to determine the best care for the child. In the event the student is sent home this absence, for that day, will be excused and will not require or count as one of the parent notes for the semester. However any additional days absent will require a parent note or doctor's notes to be excused.
Extra-curricular activity that is non-school related may also be excused provided the absence is approved by the school administration seven days in advance and a review of attendance, grades and discipline warrant an excused absence. Absences approved as non-school related, extra-curricular activity will be counted as parent notes and only five per semester will be allowed.
PLEASE NOTE:
“Unexcused” is the default code in Skyward when a student is absent.
Parent/Doctor notes will prompt Mrs. Parker to log the excuse in the Skyward account to change the absence from Unexcused (U) to Excused (E) if it falls within the guidelines of an excused absence.
Please refer to the Dickson County School District’s Attendance Policy for more information.
Tardies / Early Check Outs
Tardies and early check-outs are reported as missed attendance of school hours per state guidelines.
Unexcused Tardy/Early Check-Out Procedures:
**Early check outs must be made before 2:45 P.M. **
● 3rd Unexcused Tardy/Early Check-Out: Letter to parent
● 4th Unexcused Tardy/Early Check-Out: Second written letter with a post script from administrator
● 5th Unexcused Tardy/Early Check-Out: Thirty minutes of recovery time for the student in the office to work on missed work.
Truancy
Truancy letters are automatically generated and sent home when a student reaches THREE unexcused absences. The purpose of these letters is to prompt the parent to 8
contact the school to resolve the unexcused absences by providing documentation or information on the reason for the absence. If the reasons are approved, the absences will be changed in Skyward to reflect “Excused.”
FIVE unexcused absences prompt a second letter to the parent/guardian. Please call the office to resolve these absences. A copy of this note is sent to Ms. Cindy Sensing at the Dickson County Truancy Court’s office.
If further unexcused absences occur, The DC Truancy Court may become involved in assisting families to increase their student’s attendance.
Please reference the DCSTN Attendance policy 6.200 linked above for more information on the Tiers of Intervention used to support students and families who meet these criteria.
Behavior/Discipline
VES Rules: Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be a Bucketfiller
Students will not bring toys, balls, trading cards, magazines to school unless expressly asked to do so by the teacher. We will not be responsible for lost or stolen items or electronics.
Students are not to “trade” or “buy” items from one another. Each classroom will develop rules and consequences. These will be sent home. Please review these with your child.
Below you will find the district wide matrix for consequences received when students are sent to the office. This is the guideline that VES will follow.
General Progressive Administrative Consequences for Office Referrals
The matrix below will be utilized for the following offenses: Learning Environment Disturbances to include, but not limited to:
Horseplay, hands/feet/objects on others, profane/abusive language, non-compliance, disruptive behavior, minor vandalism, minor theft, defiance, disrespect
Abbreviations:
ISS : In School Suspension
OSS: Out of School Suspension
SBP: School Based Behavior Plan
NDA: New Directions Academy
DHA: Disciplinary Hearing Authority
● After 4-6 weeks on a SBP data will be reviewed If no progress is being made a referral to the District Behavior team will be made
● These consequences run the school year and do not start over.
● In instances where applicable students may participate in restorative practices
Fighting: 2 actively involved participants
Assault: one-sided attack
Continued
and a DHA Use or Possession of Tobacco Products:
● 3rd Offense - 5 days OSS
● Additional offenses will result in out-of-school suspension and a DHA.
Zero Tolerance Offenses
● Examples: continued conduct prejudicial to good order, substantial threats, weapons and dangerous instruments, firearms, illegal substances, or aggravated assault
● Consequence: OSS pending DHA
Bus Referrals
● 1st Offense - verbal warning
● 2nd Offense - 1 day bus suspension
● 3rd Offense - 2 days bus suspension
● 4th Offense - 3 days bus suspension
● 5th Offense - 4 days bus suspension
● 6th Offense - 1 week bus suspension
● 7th Offense - 2 weeks bus suspension
● 8th Offense - removal of bus privileges for the remainder of the school year
As it pertains to both school and bus offenses, any day the Director closes Dickson County Schools will not be considered a day of suspension.
Damage to School Property
Damage to school property will be met with appropriate consequences. In most cases, the student will be expected to reimburse the school for whatever damage was done. Any property directly connected to the school, including buses, is covered by this rule.
RULES
● During lunch, food/drink purchased from the cafeteria that has been opened should not be taken out of the cafeteria.
● Students are expected to remain seated unless given permission and talk quietly during lunch in order to maintain a safe environment.
PAYMENTS
● Please complete the Free/Reduced lunch form - even if your family does not qualify.
● Send lunch payment in an envelope with your student’s name, number and amount listed on the outside.
● Make checks payable to Vanleer Elementary Food Service.
K-5 Student PRICES
All questions concerning lunch money should be directed to the cafeteria manager, Frances Self, at (615) 740-5761.
ell Phone Usage
Please see the following policy for Dickson County Schools regarding cell phones and personal communication devices
1 Studentsmaypossesswirelesscommunicationdevicesandpersonalelectronicdevices,whileon school 2 property
3 The device must beintheoffmodeandmustbekeptinabackpack,pocket,purseorsimilarpersonal 4 carry-all and may not be used during school hours without specific permission from the 5 principal/designee.
6 Personalwirelesscommunicationdeviceandpersonalelectronicdevicemeans:
7 (i)anydevicethatisownedorcontrolledbythestudentand/ortheirlegalguardian,and 8 (ii)hasthe capabilitytoprovidevoice,messagingorotherdatacommunicationbetweentwo 9 (2)ormoreparties. Theseinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
Cellphones;
16 Forstudentsprincipals/designeeswilldetermineappropriatetimeswhensuchdevicesmaybeused, 17 including:
18 1.Incaseofemergency; 19
20 2.Whenauthorizedbyateacherforeducationalpurposes; 21
22 3.Tomanagethestudent’shealth,asdocumentedinthestudent’sindividualhealthcareplan; 23
24 4.Whenthepossessionoruseisrequiredbythestudent’sindividualeducationprogram,504 25 plan,orindividuallearningplan;or 26
27 5.Whenthedeviceisbeingusedbyastudentwithadisabilityfortheoperationofassistive technologytoincrease,maintain,orimprovethestudent’sfunctionalcapabilities.1 28
VersionDate:July29,2025
<PolicyTitle><DescriptorCode>
1 At no time shall a student operate any device with video or picture taking capabilities in a locker room, 2 classroom, bathroom, or other location where such operation may violatetheprivacyrightof another 3 person.
4 A device used outside of this Policy, or other direction of Principal/designee, shall result in confiscation 5 of the device until such time as it may be released to the student’s parent/guardian, at the discretion of 6 the building Principal.Astudentinviolationofthispolicyissubjecttodisciplinary action.
7 Thestudentwhopossessesanysuchdeviceshallassumeresponsibilityforitsuseandcare.Atno time 8 shalltheschoolberesponsibleforpreventingtheft,lossordamagetophonesthatarebrought on 9 schoolproperty.
10 EMERGENCYCOMMUNICATIONPLAN
Intheeventofanemergencyorpossibleemergencyoccurringatschool,parent(s)/guardian(s) shallbe alertedbyDicksonCountySchools’messagingsystem,whichmayinclude:calls,emails and/ortext messages.
LegalReferencesCrossReferences
1.PublicActsof2025,ChapterNo.103CodeofConduct6.300
We encourage you to keep an open line of communication with your child’s teacher(s). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the teacher prior to calling an administrator. This allows everyone an opportunity to clearly communicate all aspects of the situation. If there are matters left unresolved, an administrator will be glad to help solve the problem with you.
Parent – Teacher Conferences
o Fall: November 3, 2025 from 11:00 - 7:00 pm
o Spring: March 3, 2026 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm
o Principal cshelton@dcstn.org
o Assistant Principal abaggett@dcstn.org
o Attendance Secretary aalberd@dcstn.org
Dickson County Schools Calendar: Please check the Dickson County Schools Calendar for dates concerning breaks, report cards, and other events. This will assist you in planning family vacations around scheduled breaks.
https://www.dcstn.org/events?start_date=2025-11-01&end_date=2025-11-30
Custody Restrictions
Vanleer Elementary School will uphold all legal documents including custody restrictions and parenting plans that are on file in our office. Please make sure the school has the most updated version at the beginning of each school year. As changes are made throughout the school year, please keep the school updated with current legal documents. We must make decisions based on the legal documents we have on file.
Student, Faculty and Staff members’ dress should be appropriate, clean and neat. The following expectations have been established:
● All hats will be removed upon entering the building.
● Shorts and skirts should be fingertip length or longer.
● Sleeveless shirts and tops must be at least 2 inches wide.
● Undergarments can not be exposed
● Leggings must be worn with tops that are fingertip length
● Pants or shorts may not have writing across the bottom.
● No tails.
● No tattoos or paint on the face.
● Flip flops or sandals are NOT recommended If they are worn to school please send another pair for recess and PE
Consequences will result for students who continually disregard the policy. Phone calls to bring appropriate clothing are possibilities.
Grading
PROGRESS REPORTS: K-5 students will receive a progress report each mid-nine weeks. Please refer to the school website and Facebook pages for specific dates.
REPORT CARDS: K-2 students receive a standards-based report card. 3-5 students receive a traditional numerically-calculated report card. Please refer to the school website and Facebook pages for specific dates.
Homework: Spiraling Homework and Reading fluency practice are examples of homework that could be assigned. Teachers will hold students responsible for completing homework assignments. If there is a problem with your student and the homework assignment, please contact your child’s teacher.
K-2 GRADING SCALE
Proficiency Range Description
3+
3
2 65% - 69%
Exceeding Expectations
The student has met and exceeded the end of year expectation as required for the grade-level standard The student grasps, applies, and extends the key concepts, processes, and skills for the grade level standard. At this level, the student likely demonstrates advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills. There is a high probability that the student is reading above grade level and has a deep comprehension of what has been read A student does not achieve mastery level until all parts of the standard are taught, assessed, and mastered. For many students, full mastery cannot be expected until the third or fourth quarter.
Above Expectations
The student has met and surpassed the end of year expectation as required for the grade-level standard The student grasps, applies, and extends the key concepts, processes, and skills for the grade level standard. A student does not achieve mastery level until all parts of the standard are taught, assessed, and mastered. For many students, full mastery cannot be expected until the third or fourth quarter
Meeting Expectations
The student has met the end of year expectation as required for the grade level-standard. The student grasps and applies the key concepts, processes, and skills for the grade-level standard A student does not achieve mastery level (3) until all parts of the standard are taught, assessed, and mastered. For many standards, full mastery cannot be expected until the third or fourth quarter.
Nearing Expectations
The student is nearing the end of year expectation as required for the grade-level standard. Additional instruction and support is needed The student demonstrates progress and is working toward grasping and applying the key concepts, processes, and skills for the grade-level standard.
The student is not meeting the expectation required for the grade-level standard Additional instruction and support is necessary. The student is experiencing difficulty grasping and applying the key concepts, processes, and skills for the grade-level standard.
3-5 GRADING SCALE
o A ……………………………….. 90 – 100 (Well Above Average)
o B 80 – 89 (Above Average)
o C 70 – 79 (Average)
o D ……………………………….. 60 – 69 (Below Average)
o F ………………………………… Below 60 (Well Below Average)
Nurse/Medical Information
When illness occurs, teachers will not contact parents to let them know their student is unwell. The student will be sent to the nurse for examination. The primary guardian or other listed contacts may be notified, and the student will be made as comfortable as possible until someone can come. The nurse will not call the parent of every student’s visit to the clinic. The nurse will use her professional judgment to determine if the complaint warrants parent/guardian contact and/or if the student will stay or return to class. Should a student be sent back to class, the teacher will notify the nurse if the student’s condition worsens.
In the event of a serious injury or threats of self-harm, an ambulance may be called to transport the student to the nearest hospital. The principal or her designee will ride with the student in the absence of the parent/guardian to the hospital and wait with the student until the parent/guardian arrives.
Information will be gathered by the teacher and the principal relative to the accident or injury indicating time, place, witnesses, etc. and complete an accident report. This report will be sent to the office of the DOS and the Finance office at the Board of Education.
The school nurse has the authority to give care to all students when deemed medically necessary by the nurse and/or principal.
Medications
If a student is required to take medication during the school hours, specially-trained staff members will assist in the self-administration of the medication. A medication authorization form must be completed for prescription medications. The medication must be delivered to the nurse in person by the parent/guardian of the student. Students should never bring/have medication at school. This includes vitamins. The parent/guardian is responsible for informing the designated official of any change in the student’s health or change in medication.
The school nurse will:
1. Keep all medication in a locked cabinet, except medication retained by a student per Physician’s order,
2. Return unused prescription to the parent/guardian only, and
3. Ensure that all guidelines developed by the Department of Health and the Department of Education are followed. Volunteer personnel, trained by a registered nurse, may administer glucagon in emergency situations to a student based on that student’s Individual Health Plan (IHP).
Remote Leaning Day Plans
In the event that Dickson County Schools has a remote learning day, students will bring home chromebooks with assignments downloaded into Google Classrooms to complete. Students who attend google meets and complete the assigned work will be counted as present for learning. Teachers will be available to answer parent and student questions during office hours.
Grades K-2
8:00-8:30
● Teachers will be available through google meets for ELA & MATH.
8:30-10:00
● Teachers will be available to support students and answer any questions.
Activity Choice Board
All students will complete a choice board for that day's activity. See chart below for your activity day.
3rd Grade Remote Learning Day
8:00 - 9:00 am ELA
● Work on required ELA assignments.
● 8:30-9:00 am Google Meet with Mrs. Sloan if you have questions.
9:00 - 10:00 am Math
● Work on required Math assignments.
● 9:30-10:00 am Google Meet with Mrs. Chasity if you have questions.
10:00 - 11:00 am Science and Social Studies
● Work on required Science and Social Studies assignments.
● 10:30-11:00 am Google Meet with Homeroom Teacher if you have questions.
Activity Choice Board
All students will complete a choice board for that day's activity. See chart below for your activity day.
4th Grade
Remote Learning Day
Allworkwillbecompletedinordertobe counted present for the day.TheGooglemeet linkisontheteachersGoogleClassroomhomepage.Googlemeettimesarebelowif students haveanyquestionsorneedassistancewithwork. Theworkwillberequiredand graded.Workwillneedtobecompletedbyallstudentsevenifthestudentjoinedthe meetornot.Duringthemeetinstructionsandhelpwillbegivenforthecompletionofthe assignment.Belowisthescheduleforthemeettimesandtheworkthathasbeen assigned.
Mrs.B’sMath
Mrs.HopeHR8:30-9:00
Mrs.Cassie’sHR9:30-10:00
Mrs.B’sHR10:30-11:00
Mrs.Hope’s ScienceandSocialStudies
Mrs.Cassie’s HR8:30-9:00
Mrs.B’sHR 9:30-10:00
Mrs.Hope’sHR10:30-11:00
Mrs.Cassie’s ELA
Mrs.B’sHR8:30-9:00
Mrs.Hope’sHR 9:30-10:00
Mrs.Cassie’sHR10:30-11:00
Activity: ActivityTeachershaveachoiceboardsetupintheirGoogle Classrooms.
RTI: RTITeacherswillhaveassignmentsintheirGoogle
Activity Choice Board
All students will complete a choice board for that day's activity. See chart below for your activity day.
VES 5th Grade
Day Plan
Google Meet 8:00-8:30 Office Hours 8:00-10:00
Google Meet 8:30-9:00 Office Hours 8:00-10:00
Activity Choice Board
Google Meet 9:00-9:30 Office Hours 8:00-10:00
All 5th graders at 10:00-10:30 will complete a choice board for that day's activity. See chart below for your activity day
School Safety
A full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) is on duty at Vanleer Elementary School daily. The SRO conducts safety checks and builds relationships with students and families. He is also available to assist with unauthorized visitors and any unbecoming conduct.
Per Dickson County Schools’ visitor guidelines, only visitors with essential business will be granted access to the building. Parents/Guardians may make an appointment 24 hours in advance to meet with an administrator or teacher/faculty member.
When visitors are invited inside the hallways of the building, the Raptor System will be used to scan the Driver’s License where a background check will be conducted. The office will issue the visitor a sticker with their name, destination, and photo.
Tennessee State Law requires safety drills be conducted routinely with students and staff in order to be proactive and prepared for emergencies (tornado, fire, earthquake, and intruder).
Weapons of any kind are prohibited on school campuses. Any weapon found will be confiscated, the authorities notified, and if necessary, the case will be petitioned to the proper court.
Student Enrollment/Withdrawal
All enrollment is completed online at the DCS website: www.dcstn.org
Parents & Students Student Enrollment Scroll to the bottom to see Student Enrollment. Choose the appropriate link to be led through the registration process. All necessary documents may be uploaded directly or emailed to aalberd@dcstn.org.
A detailed guide for PreK and Kindergarten enrollment can be found here: Pre-K & Kindergarten Enrollment Playbook
First time ever enrolling a student in Dickson County Schools? Skyward Account Creation
Have you before or do you currently have a Dickson County School student? You may access your Family Access portal for a direct link to enroll your child or Dickson County Schools Skyward under Family/Student Access.
24
If you do not have your login information for Family Access, you may click the Forgot your Login/Password? link, check your email for a reset link, or you may contact your child's school staff.
The ability to complete an application is turned on for all guardians in Family Access so please submit only one application per child.
Withdrawing from School
1. Once you have successfully registered with a new school, they will contact our office to send student records.
2. Return all school-owned materials to the building (Chromebook, charger, library books, etc.) and pay any outstanding balances (lunch, lost library book fee, etc.).
3. Collect all personal belongings from the classroom
4. The days between the last day attended at VES and the date of the request of records/start date at new school (whichever comes first) are coded as absences.
Technology
1. Please review the district policy for cell phones and personal communication devices. This does include smart watches.
2. A Chromebook/Charger is issued to every student. Chromebooks will be sent home routinely in order to allow students and families to become comfortable using this technology. These devices will be utilized in the event we encounter the need for a remote learning day. The parent is responsible for the replacement of technology that is damaged, destroyed or lost.
3. Protection Plans may be purchased for $40 through the office. This insurance will pay for replacement parts/damages if a computer is lost or damaged. The parent is responsible for the full cost of replacement parts/damages if no protection plan is purchased.
4. Protection Plans that are NOT USED roll over from year to year with the student.
5. If/When the Protection Plan is used, a new one must be purchased.
6. If a charger is lost or damaged, the parent can use the Protection Plan to cover the cost OR purchase a replacement on Amazon for less than $40.
Please Sign and Return Student Handbook
2025-2026
Assurance Statement:
My child and I have received a copy of the Vanleer Student Handbook. My child and I have read and discussed the contents of the handbook.
All threats will be taken seriously. Please advise your child not to make jokes about safety issues.
Parent Signature Date
Student Name Date
I DO NOT wish to have my child’s name or picture released for honor roll, academic or other school related functions.
Parent signature__________________________________________, date______________
Please sign and return this page to your child’s teacher.