Student Handbook 

Academic

Academic Expectations 

The Corbin South Elementary School community is committed to helping each child develop effective work habits and academic independence. Daily, as well as long-term assignments, provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills and to take pride in their learning.

Academic Honors Program

South Elementary participates in the President’s Education Awards Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). The program honors those students who have achieved high academic goals by their hard work and dedication to learning.  

·        President’s Award For Educational Excellence:  Student’s who earn all A’s throughout the academic year will receive a certificate signed by the President, the U.S. secretary of Education and their principal. A congratulatory letter from the President is included with the award as well as a lapel pin, inscribed with the Presidential Seal.

·        President’s Award for Educational Achievement:  The purpose of this award is to recognize students that show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development in their academic subjects but do not meet the criteria for the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. 

 Homework 

Homework is an integral part of the instructional process. It represents an extension of the teachers directed practice activities into the home where the student does independent practice of similar learning activities. Homework should also be used to extend students cognitive ability by helping them work toward high levels of thinking. These assignments take the form of projects, reports, term papers and research projects.  

It should be understood that each grade level serves as the foundation for the next. Homework is introduced in the elementary school years to encourage responsibility as well as good study habits and study skills. The appropriate ranges of hours per week of homework to be assigned are as follows:  

             3rd Grade                     2 hours/ week

             4^th Grade                     4 hours / week

             5^th Grade                     5 hours / week

 Assessments and Testing  

A variety of assessments are used to measure the academic progress of South Elementary School students and to monitor our educational programs. Classroom teachers administer informal assessments. In addition, students participate in Kentucky ’s Core Content Assessment during the month of April. Students are tested in the following areas:

 Student Placement Policy

Each grade level will have a placement committee consisting of all teachers in that grade, the principal and special needs instructors or consultants. Students will be placed for the next school year no earlier than May 1 and no later than June 30 of the preceding year.

Students will be placed randomly and fairly with care being taken to create a well-balanced heterogeneous grouping in each classroom. An effort shall be made to equalize the number of boys and girls and the academic abilities including the special needs children in each classroom.

 Because of the difficulty of creating a well-balanced heterogeneous grouping in each classroom, which is believed to be the best learning environment, request for certain classrooms or teachers will not be taken. If there is a special problem or reason a particular child should or should not be placed in a particular classroom, such requests shall be presented to the appropriate placement committee in writing and signed by the parent no later than April 30, of the preceding year. No class shall exceed state capsize.

 Each placement request will be considered by the placement committee and the parents may be asked to appear before the placement committee to present further explanation. The committee will notify the parents in writing of its decision. The placement committee’s decision may be appealed by appearing in person before the Council. The principal will continue placement after conferring with the committee and Council. The Council’s decision is final.

 New students will be randomly placed in the classroom with fewest students. All students receiving specially designed instruction through Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will be exempt from the above policy due to the individual needs of the child, the time required to conduct Admission Release Committee (ARC) meetings, and the time needed to write an Individual Education Program (IEP) for each child. It is necessary to begin placement by April 1. Special consideration will be taken in the placement of students under IDEA.

  Student Progress Reports

Parents will be informed of their child’s progress in the following ways:  

·        Student work will be sent home on a regular basis

·        Parent / Teacher conferences will be scheduled as needed

·        Telephone conferences

·        Report cards will be sent home every nine weeks   

Arrival and Dismissal

 School Hours 

Students are to report to the lunchroom or gym each morning. Students will be sent to their classrooms at 7:40 am . Class will begin promptly at 7:45 am . Students will be dismissed at 2:45 pm .

Attendance 

Attendance Policy 

Pupils are required to attend regularly and punctually the school in which they are enrolled (Corbin Board of Education Policy 09.123). There is a direct correlation between attendance and achievement. In addition to achieving academically, students learn through regular attendance and punctuality, to be responsible and develop good work habits and self-discipline.

Attendance Expectations 

1.      Truancy Defined:  Any pupil who has been absent from school without valid excuse for three (3) days or more or tardy three (3) days or more is a truant. A pupil who has been reported as truant three (3) or more times is a habitual truant. Absence for less than a half-day shall be considered tardiness. More than two (2) hours shall be considered a half-day.

2.      Excused absences (not considered truant)

·        Death or severe illness in the pupil’s immediate family which is defined as parent and/or guardian, step-parent, brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, and first cousin;

·        Illness of the pupil (written verification from a medical professional will be required after the fifth absence and written verification from parent / guardian will be required for absences 1-5;

·        Clinical appointments that cannot be scheduled outside of regular school hours (written verification is required);

·        Participation in school-related activities approved by the principal;

·        Religious holidays and practices

·        One (1) day for attendance at the Kentucky State Fair;

·        Other valid reasons as determined by the principal.

3.      Absence Defined:  A pupil absent 35-84% of the school day is recorded absent for one half-day. A pupil absent for at least 85% of the school day is recorded for one full day. These percentages are applicable regardless of the length of the scheduled day. For example, absence less than 2 hours is tardiness, 2 – 5 hours of absence will be counted ½ day absence and 5 –6 hours of absence will be counted one full day absence.

If the student is ill and will miss more than five (5) consecutive days, a home / hospital teacher can be assigned and is recommended. Forms may be obtained at the Corbin Board of Education (606-528-1303).

4.      Absence Verification

·        A parent / guardian shall verify a student’s absence by calling the school on the day of the absence.

·        A written request to be excused should accompany the student on the day he/she returns to school. Any parent/guardian request for an excused absence should reflect one of the reasons listed above. The school reserves the right to accept up to five (5) parent notes.

·        Absences that are not properly verified shall be considered unexcused.

·        If after three days the parents/guardians have not complied with the correct procedure, the absences of the child will then be marked unexcused. The principal reserves the right to accept excuses based upon extenuating circumstances.

·        After a total of three (3) absences (unexcused) during a nine-week period, the parent / guardian will be notified. If deemed necessary, a parent/teacher conference may be requested.

·        For the students who are absent five (5) or more days for personal illness, the parent/guardian shall be required to provide the school with written verification from a medical professional.

·        Repeated absences may lead to a home visit, retention in same grade and/or court action.

·        The school reserves the right to accept up to five (5) parent notes per year.

5.      Make-Up Work:  Students shall be allowed to complete make-up work for excused absences. Requesting make-up work is the responsibility of the student who will be allowed an amount of time equal to the number of days absent to complete the assignments. When a student is absent, missed assignments may be picked up after 2:45 pm by calling the school / classroom teacher in advance ( by 12:00 noon ).  

A student having 15 or more absences in one nine week period (excused or unexcused) and not on homebound status will not receive grades for the nine week period in which the absences occur, unless the student’s team of teachers can verify that all class work has been satisfactorily completed.

6.      Tardies:  A student who arrives at school after 7:45 am is considered tardy and must be signed-in by a parent/guardian in the office before he/she will be admitted to class. The student will receive an admission slip to class. No child will be admitted to class without an admission slip.

·        A student who is checked out before 2:45 pm is also recorded as tardy and must be checked out in the office.

·        Absence any time during the school day less than two (2) hours (or ½ day) shall be considered tardiness.

7.      Excused Tardies

·        Excused tardies coincide with the definition of excused absences above.

·        Students arriving after 7:45 am , leaving and returning during the school day, or before 2:45 pm must be signed-in or out by a parent/guardian.

·        The reason for the tardiness must be indicated on the sign-in/out sheet.

·        The parent/guardian signature on the sign-in/out sheet will serve as written verification for that particular tardiness.

·        After three (3) tardies (unexcused) during a nine-week period, parent/guardians will be notified. If deemed necessary, a parent/teacher conference may be requested.

 Behavior

 Behavioral Expectations

A joint effort between home and school is essential to prepare students to become responsible people.  

The South Elementary School community is committed to fostering respect for all people, places, and things. We have defined expectations that provide a safe learning environment. When an expectation is not met, procedures have been established to guide the students to take the responsibility to modify their own behavior. These procedures will be shared regularly with students in every classroom to ensure a cooperative and positive learning environment. The South Elementary School is dedicated to this commitment.

Encouragement is our foundation to positive behavior. When a South Elementary School expectation has not been met, any one or a combination of the following consequences will occur: 

•    A reminder will be given to expected behaviors

•    Teacher / Student conference

•     Parent notification

•     Loss of privileges

•      Parent conference

•      Office referral

•      In-school detention

•     After-school detention (Saturday School)

•     Suspension  

Dress Code   

In order to promote an environment conducive to learning, the South Elementary expectation for personal appearance prohibits the following:  

·        Spaghetti strap, low-cut or see-through clothing

·        Clothing shorter than six (6) inches from the bend of the knee or shorter than a five-inch inseam

·        Sagging or baggy clothing displaying undergarments or that are excessively baggy or long such as long coats

·        Hats, caps, head covering or gloves

·        Lack of proper undergarments

·        Sun glasses

·        Clothing with holes or tears above the knee

·        Clothing which exposes bare backs, shoulders or midriffs

·        Clothing advertising or promoting alcohol, tobacco or drugs

·        Clothing, accessories or displayed items with print viewed as obscene, sexually suggestive, discriminatory or promoting violence

·        Accessories associated with cults, gangs, intended for wear by animals or that do not promote traditional dress, i.e. chains of any kind, ropes, collars, insignias, etc.

·        All visible body piercing, with the exception of earrings, that could serve as a safety risk or a disruption to the educational process

·        Any hair color or style that is disruptive to the educational process.

  General Information 

Care of School Property

Students are responsible for all textbooks, library books and other materials issued during the school year. Parents will be assessed a replacement fee for all lost / damaged books or materials.

 Food Service

South Elementary participates in the Federal Free Lunch Program. Applications are available in the school office.  

Breakfast is served each morning from 7:15 am to 7:30 am . The price of a student breakfast is $.60 / $.30 for reduced.  

Each student has a 25 - minute lunch period. Students may purchase lunch or bring lunch from home. A hot lunch is served daily ($1.40 / $.40 for reduced).

 Lost and Found

Articles found on school property will be placed in the “Lost and Found” barrel located near the cafeteria. Parents are requested to clearly mark lunch boxes, coats and other easily lost articles. Unclaimed items will be disposed of monthly.

 Parent – Teacher Organization (PTO)

Parents are encouraged to join and become active members in our PTO.

 Telephone Use 

Students are to request the use of the classroom phones when a call home is necessary. This privilege is for school related needs. In order to foster student responsibility, calls home for forgotten items are not permitted.

 Health and Safety Information and Services

 Administration of Medication

The school nurse will dispense all medications. A medication authorization form must be on file in the school office.

 Lice Policy

Upon the discovery of head lice, the infected student’s parents will be notified and the child will not be allowed to return to school until he/she has been treated for lice. If the child returns to school with any nits, dead or alive, he/she may not return to class and will be sent home.

 Building Security

Exterior doors of the building remain locked except the front entrance. Everyone entering the building during the school day shall identify themselves as visitors in the school office. 

Code of Acceptable Behavior

Offenses and Punishments –School administrators shall have the discretion to determine the seriousness of the offense and the disciplinary action taken.  Serious offenses that are punishable if the action would be a criminal act as an adult will be forwarded as needed to the appropriate legal authorities. 

            The following list of “Offenses and Punishments” contains most violations. This list is not to be considered as a complete list of offenses. 

• D = Detention
• ·        In School Detention
• ·        After School Detention
• SD = Saturday Detention
• SU = Suspension   
• EX = Expulsion  
• BP = Board Policy

Abuse of fire alarms or extinguishers	unjustified use of alarms or extinguishers	SD to SU
Assault of School Personnel or Student	any type of physical attack on a student or staff member	SD to EX
Assemblies	inappropriate behavior	1st - one D, 2nd - two D's, 3rd - 2 days, SU to EX
Bus	Violation of bus rules	1st - one D, 2nd - two D's, 3rd - SU from bus
Cell phones/paging devices (School will not be responsible for lost phones)	Students are not to have cell phones during the instructional day	D to SD
Cheating	copying work, using notes, verbal or written assistance on test. Both giving and receiving will receive the same punishment	D-SU, 0 on work based on discretion of principal
Chewing Gum	Gum is not allowed	D
Classroom disruption	an intentional act, behavior, or conduct in the classroom, in the school building, or upon school grounds that disrupts the educational process	D to SD
Commission of Sexual Acts	commission or attempted commission of sexual intercourse, rape, sodomy or indecent exposure.	SU to EX
Computer Misconduct	tampering or willful alteration of  another user's files and/or non-approved use of computers.  Electronic media/internet misuse	SD-SU
Detention	missing after school detention	SD
Dismissal	leaving on the wrong release group	D
Disrespect shown to staff	any word or action by a student that shows a lack of regard for the teacher/staff's personal or professional dignity	SD to SU
Dress Policy	inappropriate clothing or any attire that violates the school dress code policy	1st warning, 2nd - D, 3rd - SD
Drugs/Alcohol	possession, use, attempt to sell, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, look-alike drugs or mood altering substances and/or possession of drug paraphernalia	SU to EX
Endangering the Safety of Others	any behavior that endangers another person such as throwing snowballs, pencils, shooting fireworks, making unnecessary emergency calls, etc...	D to SU
Extortion	the solicitations of money or something of value from another student, regardless of the amount, in return for protection, or in connection with a threat to inflict harm	SD to EX
Failure to Complete Assignments	failure to turn in assignments within the time specified	D to SD
Field trip Misbehavior	misbehaving on school related trips	D to SU
Lunchroom Misconduct	this includes leaving tray, making unnecessary messes, throwing food and other items, placing food on or about another person, yelling or screaming out, entering or leaving the cafeteria without proper permission and other like offenses	D to SD
Forgery	the act of falsely using the name of another person of falsifying documents of any correspondence (absences-excuses) from or to the school.  Examples include, but are not limited to, detention notes, doctor notes, notes from home and use of another student's  work.	SD
Gambling	the act of betting either monetarily or otherwise. Example include, but are not limited to flipping for coins, playing cards, rolling dice, or other like games	D to EX
Harrassment	Students who harass or discriminate against an employee or another student on the basis of race, color, nation origin, age, religion, marital status, political beliefs, sex, or disability	D to EX
Inappropriate touching	physical contact such as hugging, kissing, and caressing	SD
Lack of Cooperation	failure of a student to comply with teacher instructions	D to SD
Leaving assigned area without permission
Lying	not telling the truth to staff	D to SD
Possession, display or distribution of obscene materials or objects	possession or circulation of materials or objects considered by local community standards to be obscene	SD to SU
Prescription/Over the Counter Drugs	students are not to have in their possession prescribed and over the counter medications at schools.  Medications of the type must be submitted at the office in accordance with school policy	D to SD
Promoting fighting	promoting a fight by any means	SD
Refusing to accept discipline by a teacher	any act that constitutes defiance	D to SD
Running	running in school building	Warning to D
Selling and/or trading items	students are prohibited from buying and/or selling or trading of items not previously approved by the building principal	D to SD
Skipping class	failure to report to class without consent of proper school authority	SD to SU
Skipping Saturday Detention	failure to report for detention without consent of proper school authority	3 days in school suspension
Terrorist Threatening	threats to commit any crime likely to result in death or serious physical injury to another person or likely to result in substantial property damage: or intentionally making false statements for the purpose of causing evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation	SD to EX
Theft	taking or possessing the property of others	D to SU
Use of profane language	use of any language, act, expression, or remark that is offensive to modesty or decency	D to SU
Vandalism of Property	willful or malicious destruction or defacement of property	SD to SU
Verbal Abuse and/or Threats	intentional or willful maligning or gross insult of another	SD to SU
Tobacco	use or possession of tobacco products, matches or lighters, or tobacco containers on school property or at school functions-counseling recommended - Board Policy 09.4232	1st - 2 SD 2nd - 3 days SU 3rd - EX
Weapons	possession or use of any object, weapon, or look alike weapon that would do harm to someone such as a knife, firearm, etc...	SD to EX

 

After School Detention—Instructional staff and administrators may assign students to after school detention. After school detention is held on Tuesday and Thursday from 2:45 to 4:20. A parent notice will indicate the date, time, and reason for the detention.

 In School Detention or In School Suspension-- Administrators may assign students to in school detention or suspension. In School Detention is held in the Safe Room during the school day for a period of time to be determined by the principal. A parent notice will indicate the date, length of time, and reason for the detention. Students in the Safe room will work on classroom work provided by their teachers.

 Safe Crisis Management may be used to restrain your child if they endanger themselves, others or attempt to destroy school property.

 The staff of Corbin South Elementary is committed to providing a quality education with high expectations that will enable all students to learn behavioral and academic lessons that will guide them through life.

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