2012 2013 Student Handbook

							Donald E. Cline Elementary
          School




    Student Handbook
        2012-2013
                    What Time Does School Start?
                    Students may arrive as early as 8:00 a.m. The doors do not
                    open any earlier, so please adhere to this time. Each student must be in
                    his or her classroom before 8:30 a.m. to avoid being counted tardy.

      What if I need to drop my child off early?
      Our teachers do not arrive prior to 8:00 a.m., so school staff will not be
      in the building to provide supervision for your child. Please contact the
      Children’s Collaborative 859-653-2520 to arrange an earlier drop off time if needed.

                            Where do I drop my child off in the mornings if I choose
                            to drive him or her to school?
                            Anytime after 8:00 a.m., until 8:25 a.m. you may drive around
                            the back of the school and drop your child at the gym doors.
                            This is a drop off point only. Please do not get out of your
                            car while in the line. If you need to sign your child’s agenda,
                            write a note or help them out of the car; you will need to
                            park in a parking spot. If the gym doors are not unlocked,
                            you will need to wait with your child until they are opened.
                            Please do not bring children to the front of the building, this
                            is for buses only. After 8:25 a.m., you will need to walk your
                            child into the building. After 8:30 a.m. they will need to be
                            signed in for the day.

     What if my child is sick and cannot come to school?
     Please make sure you call the school to report the absence
     859-781-4544 ext 100 by 9:00a.m. A written note must be provided
     following the absence to ensure that it is excused. If you
     take your child to the Dr., please ask for a note before
     leaving the dr. office to cover each day of absence.
     Three parent notes will be accepted for valid reasons per semester.
     If your child is running a fever 100.0 or greater they must be free
     of signs/symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school.

                                  What if my child is late for school?
                                  You will need to sign your child in at the office any
                                  school day 8:30 AM or later. Please call the school at
                                  859-781-4544 to notify the office if you know you are
                                  going to be late to school.

         What hours will my child be in school?
         All day students attend 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
         8:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. for morning Kindergarten
         8:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. for morning Preschool
         12:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. for afternoon Preschool
         (preschool students do not attend school on Fridays)

                   What do I do for my child during inclement weather?
                   If school is canceled due to inclement weather, please tune into your local
                   television and radio stations. We will follow the instructions that you
                   have give on the enrollment sheet if school closes early for any reason.
                   The office staff is unable to make outgoing calls during this time.

What if my child forgot his snack, backpack, homework, etc? You may bring
to school and it will located where the teacher can find it. We do not interrupt
class during instructional time for any reason.


                  Where is “Lost and Found”?
                  We have a lost and found cabinet on the outside of the office. Items are taken
                  out of the cabinet when full and displayed for children to claim. If unclaimed
                  at this time, they will be donated to our FRC or another organization
  What if my child has a cell phone?
 There is a cell phone policy form that you and your child will need to
 complete together. Cell phones need to be in lockers and left turned off
 during the school

                    What if my child has an IPOD or electronic game?
                    Children should not bring any toys or any electronics to school.


 What if I want to change my child’s transportation or let them
 go home with a friend after school?
 The parent/guardian should send a note with your child, including the
 following information: child’s first and last name, teacher’s name,
 who is picking up your child or what address and what bus is taking
 your child to, and a phone number where you can be reached if we
 have questions. All request for transportation changes must be
 written No changes will be accepted after 2:45 p.m. to assure
 that your child receives the correct information in a timely manner.

                       What if I choose to have my child be a car rider after school?
                       Please park in a parking spot and come into the gym doors after 3:10
                       PM and sign your child/children out on the sign out sheet. You may
                       need to show a picture I. D. so please have it with you. Students may
                       leave when car riders have been dismissed..

    What if my child needs medicine during the school day?
    All medication, including over the counter mediations, must be brought
    to school by a parent or guardian. Under no circumstances are students
    permitted to carry medication to or from school. Please see the office
    for the correct form to have completed by your physician should you
    need this.


                  What if my child needs to miss Physical Education or Recess due
                  to illness or injury?
                  An excuse from the Dr. must be provided listing specific
                  restrictions and must include the dates of the restrictions.



What if I want to volunteer during the school day?
Please check in with the office staff. All volunteers are required to sign
in and wear a visitor’s pass. Volunteers are to be pre arranged with the
teacher and the teacher must notify the office of your visit before
allowing you to go to a classroom. Simply visiting a classroom is
disruptive and should be avoided.


                      What if I want to go on a field trip with my child?
                      You must have a state background check completed before going on
                      any field trip with you child. The process takes four to six weeks to be
                      completed. A driver’s license or state I. D. must be provided along with
                      completed form. It’s best to complete at the beginning of the school
                      year so that you do not miss an opportunity to go on a field trip with
                      your child. No exceptions will be made to this policy.

 Are there any safety issues I need to be aware of?
 Doors – should be opened by office staff
 Buses – please do not pass loading buses
 Parking – please park in designated spots only
 .                     .
What if my child wants to eat breakfast at school in mornings?
We strongly encourage your child to eat breakfast every morning,
either at home or school. Breakfast starts at 8:00 a.m., so if you
drive your child to school, please make sure your child is here at
8:00 a.m. to enable him/her time to eat breakfast.
                           What if my child wants to buy breakfast or lunch at
                           school?
                           Breakfast and Lunch costs are as follows: lunch is
                           $2.00 and breakfast cost is $1.00. You may send in
                           money and the cafeteria will assign an account for
                           your child. As your child purchases lunch or
                           breakfast the cafeteria staff will deduct that cost daily
                           from your child’s account.
     May I eat breakfast or lunch with my child?
     If you wish to eat breakfast/or lunch with your child, sign
     in at the office and wear a visitor’s pass. You may also
     bring a packed meal for you and your child or go through
     the cafeteria and purchase your meal. No fast food or
     sodas are allowed.
                          What if my child wants to pack his or her lunch?
                          Children may bring a packed lunch as long as it is
                          nutritious. An example would be a cheese sandwich,
                          carrot sticks, an apple, and a fruit drink. Lunches with all
                          sugar or chips do not aide your child’s brain in learning.
                          No sodas are allowed.


     May my child have a water bottle in class?
     Yes, but unflavored water in a water bottle with a
     pull up lid is the only drink allowed in class.




                              Healthy Snacks

Vegetables                                     Baked Chips
Fruit                                          Yogurt
Granola Bars without Chocolate Chi             Jello Cups
Cereal Bars                                    Raisins
Pretzels                                       Trail Mix
Cheese Crackers                                Animal Crackers
Air Popped Popcorn                             Wheat Crackers
Dried Fruit                                    English Muffins
Gold Fish Crackers                             Rice Cakes
String Cheese                                  Baked Tortilla Chips with Salsa
Dry Cereal (healthy choices only)              Bagels
Vanilla Wafers                                 Frozen Fruit Bars
Sun Chips

Snacks full of sugar slow down learning. Healthy snacks impact brain power.
          THINK BRAIN POWER!
Individually packed snacks save time when distributing them to the class!!
           Educational/Training

       •   Each grade level planning meeting, faculty meetings and professional
           development meetings will begin with a brain gym activity or physical activity
           that can be used in the classroom.
       •   On a monthly basis, teachers will receive brain gym and brain-based
           information for the school nurse and principal. This information will be added
           to the teacher’s monthly documentation folders and will be used as a resource
           throughout the year.
       •   Parent education classes/nights will be held to inform and educate parents
           about the value and importance of health and wellness.
       •   The Panther Press Newsletter will feature a health and wellness column to
           inform parents and students of ways to enhance healthy lifestyles.
       •   Staff will be encouraged to develop personal fitness and nutrition goals which
           will be recognized and celebrated.
       •   Opportunities for staff to collaborate and support one another in personal
           fitness and nutrition goals will be organized and encouraged on a monthly
           basis.
       •   A health and wellness resource area will be created in the library for teachers
           and staff to share resources such as videos and books.




                              Health and Wellness Policy
•All students shall engage in at least 10 minutes of planned moderate to vigorous
physical activity each day, utilizing the Take 10 Program. This program will be
implemented by every classroom teacher, and monitored by the school nurse and
principal.
•Each student shall participate in physical education class at least one time per week.
To ensure maximum physical education time per week, the school scheduling
committee will review the master schedule on an annual basis.
•Each student shall have at least 10 minutes a day of supervised recess, preferably
outdoors, during which the school staff shall encourage moderate to vigorous physical
activity verbally. The school shall provide space and equipment to make that activity
possible and appealing to students.
•Teachers shall make all reasonable efforts to avoid long periods when students are
physically inactive. When possible, physical activity should be integrated into learning
activities. When that is not possible, students should be given periodic breaks during
which they are encouraged to stand and be moderately active.
•Students missing recess must be permitted to release physical energy by walking,
running, moving, skipping, etc. A variety of interventions must be tried before the loss
of recess is utilized.
•Each day, all students will participate in a brain-gym activity over the morning news.
•Behavior and academic incentive parties/positive reinforcements should be physical in
nature. For instance, reward parties could be a game of kick ball, party at the park,
dances, etc.
•Water bottles will be encouraged and allowed in all classrooms.
•All snacks/treats must be healthy or support core content instruction with approval of
an administrator.
•All school events will model healthy choices by providing healthy snacks and
beverages provided with the exception of 1 party per semester.
                     Dress Code

In order to promote a safe, respectful environment conducive to learning, Cline
Elementary School students are expected to adhere to the following dress code policy.

       Procedures:
   1. Tops and bottoms must overlap at all times, including when the arms are
       raised.
   2. Pants/slacks are to be worn at the waist. No sagging, bagging or dragging.
   3. All apparel must be size appropriate, worn in a manner which it was designed,
       and free from inappropriate holes, rips, tears, cuts, or frays.
   4. Shoes must be worn in a safe and secure manner, staying tied, strapped,
       buckled or fastened at all times. No shoes with wheels attached or flip
       flops/thong sandals. Shoes should be activity appropriate.
   5. Visible body piercing will be allowed only in the ear.
   6. No undergarments may be visible at any time. See-through apparel is not
       permitted.
   7. Hair must be of a natural color (no purple, orange, green, or other unnatural
       color will be permitted)
   8. Any make-up must be natural looking and applied in non-attention getting
       manner.
   9. Any clothing or accessories (jewelry, belt buckles, etc.) with obscene, crude,
       writing or symbols pertaining to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, racial
       content, gang or anything deemed inappropriate, unsafe, offensive, or
       disruptive to the educational process is not permitted.
   10. Hats or hoods are not permitted to be worn inside the school building. This
       does not include winter caps or hoods when worn outside the school building.
   11. Shoulder straps must be three adult fingers width unless an additional shirt is
       worn over the shirt.
   12. Shorts, dresses, skirts, or skorts must not be shorter than fingertip length.
       Shorts may be worn until fall break and after spring break.

   •   Administration has the flexibility to make adjustments and reserves the right to
       render decisions involving dress not specifically included in this document. All
       cases will be evaluated on an individual basis.

   •   Any questions regarding any item or aspect of clothing or appearance should be
       presented to the administration prior to arriving at school. If a student cannot
       comply with the standardized code of dress described above based on religious
       belief or disability, a parent/guardian may write a letter explaining the situation
       to the administration of Cline Elementary.

   •   If a student is wearing something that does not follow these guidelines, every
       attempt will be made to reach the parent/guardian so that new clothing may be
       brought to school. In the event that a parent/guardian cannot be reached, the
       school will provide clothing for the student to wear if available.

   •   “Dress For Success.”
                        Attendance Policy
Objective: It is essential for each child to be present on a regular basis to make normal
continuous progress in school.

Students are required to attend school each day unless they are sick, or a death occurs
in the family. Parents are required to contact the school by 9:00 am on the day they
are absent and must also send a written note when the student returns to school.
This note must be dated, signed by a parent or guardian, and must state the number of
days absent. The note must be turned into the office within five school days of the
absence, or it will automatically be unexcused.

Unexcused absences include truancy or being kept out of school by parents for any
reason other than illness or death in the immediate family. The principal, or designee,
may excuse some types of absences but must do so in advance. When absences are
considered to be unexcused, work of the day is automatically assigned a zero, and the
teacher is under no obligation to help the student make up assignments of material
covered on that day. Work from an excused absence which is not made up after a
reasonable amount of time will automatically receive a failing grade.

A student is considered truant if he/she has been absent or tardy for three or more
days without a valid excuse according to KRS 159.150. In accordance with Campbell
County School's policy three unexcused tardies will equal one unexcused absence. If
unexcused absences or tardies continue, charges could be filed against the parent or
student in court.

Absences due to minor causes such as pleasure trips, shopping trips, and social
engagements are regarded as inexcusable. Should your student be absent for a cause
such as this, the student will not be allowed to make up (for credit) the missed work
except under certain conditions, depending upon prior arrangement. A parent
conference may be called when a student becomes an attendance problem.

Pre-arranged absences - Parents who plan to take their children out of school for
extended periods, must notify the principal. The parent must send a written
notification for the student to be absent. Each of the student’s teachers will be notified
in advance in order for the student to make up missed work. Parents are cautioned
that absences of this nature may cause a student to receive a lower grade due to the
fact that they miss all verbal instruction during their absence. The assigned written
work may or may not maintain their grade. For this reason, parents are cautioned
against making requests of this nature unless it is absolutely necessary.

Early sign out - The parent that finds it necessary to sign a child out of school earlier
than dismissal time must provide written notification. The note must include the date,
the time of dismissal, and the reason for dismissal. The student will be considered
tardy or half day absence, depending upon the time of dismissal, unless the student is
sent home by the school for illness or injury. These are unexcused until a doctor’s note
or other excused note is provided to the school.

Cline Elementary will accept up to three parent notes (one note per day) each semester
due to excuse illness related absences. Any absences without an official doctor’s note
beyond the three day per semester maximum will be UNEXCUSED. If parents wish to
have the principal use his/her discretion for special circumstances, they will need to
contact the principal, or designee in writing with this request. The principal, or
designee, will consider the attendance record of the child in this situation. In order for
an early dismissal or late arrival to be excused, the parent/guardian must request
principal approval in writing.
                           ANTI-BUYLLING POLICY STATEMENT

Good discipline is essential to the success of any school. All student behavior is based
upon self-respect and consideration of the rights of others. Students have the
responsibility to know and respect the rules of the school. Teachers and administrators
have the responsibility to be sure that all students know and understand the rules. All
teachers shall enforce and promote such discipline that is in the best interest of the pupils
and the school. Bullying behavior is not tolerated at our school. Bullying behavior is
defined as repeated, persistent negative actions, over time, showing an imbalance of power
which is purposeful and not accidental.


What is the Campbell County Family Resource Center and Who Can Benefit?

Family Resource Centers in Kentucky schools were created as part of the Kentucky
Educational Reform Act. The FRC receives a state grant based on the number of
students eligible for free school meals. However, once a center has been established,
all families with students at the school can use the services, regardless of income.
Services will be especially beneficial for those families with youngsters who are at risk
of not performing very well at school.
The FRC Coordinator works with the school administration and teachers to help
children succeed at school. The Coordinator works with families to help overcome
barriers that may interfere with school success.
The FRC assists in finding quality and affordable child-care and child-care assistance if
needed. We help expectant and first time parents with resources and support so that
children enter school ready to learn. The FRC is a resource for help in the community.
The FRC assists to help families meet basic needs. The FRC Coordinator serves on
school committees and assists in events and programs that support education. As
funding and resources allow, we offer programs to parents that will educate and
strengthen the family. We maintain a lending library for parents, with resources not
just for special situations but about normal child development, too.
There is a myth in our community that it is shameful to look for assistance, whether it
is with basic needs or questions about parenting and families; transitioning to
elementary school or into middle school, learning effective discipline techniques, or
children’s health or social/emotional issues. The myth is just that – not true. Parents
who use all resources at hand will experience the most success with their children and
the children will have the most success at school.
The Campbell County Family Resource Center serves the families of students at Cline
and Crossroads Elementary. The FRC at Cline is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays
from 8:00AM – 3:00 PM. The phone number is 442-3565. The center is located in an
office off the gym by the gym doors. The center coordinator is Kriste Swanson.
(Center coordinator is at the Crossroads office 859-442-3586 on Monday, Tuesdays and
Fridays)
An advisory council of parents, school staff and community partners helps to steer the
work of the FRC. Parents are always needed to serve on the council that meets six
times a year. The Council meetings are open to the public.