| “BEARAMBLE”
NORTHSIDE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT
We
the students, parents, and staff of Northside Elementary in order too
ensure a more effective school, dedicate ourselves to the belief that
all students have the right and the ability to learn. Our mission is to
work together to provide a positive learning environment with high expectations
for all.
MISSION
“EDUCATE THE WORLD - START WITH ME”
NORTHSIDE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
We
believe our responsibility as educators is to provide experiences that
will enhance the academic, social, and physical growth of our students.
We hold as our goal the enabling of our students to become successful
individuals capable of adapting well in our ever-changing, democratic,
and increasingly global environment. As a school we recognize, accept,
and value individual differences and strive to respond to these differences.
We feel the success of this philosophy is dependent upon the cooperation
of the school, home, and community.
Code
of Conduct
In
order to make every day a positive learning experience, I will...
Listen
and follow directions at all times
Use
good self-control (keep hands, feet, and other objects to self).
Use
a quiet voice
Raise
my hand to talk in classes.
Come
prepared for class with assignments and supplies.
Stay
on task in assigned areas.
Respect
each person’s right to feel safe and appreciated.
Be
the best that I can be at all times.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
Daily
Schedule
School
Attendance
Buses
Departure
Discipline
Cafeteria
Prices
Child
Nutrition
Dress
Code
Parent
-Teacher Conferences
After
School Care Program
Telephones
and Messages
Health
and Immunization
Visitors
Fire
and Tornado Drills
Field
Trips
Vandalism
and Property Damage
Personal
Belongings
Textbooks
& Materials
Skateboards
Radios,
Tape Players, and Toys
Medication
Accidents/Illnesses
Emergency
Contact
Change
of Address
PTA
DAILY
SCHEDULE
7:30
Students may enter building and report to their classroom
or the cafeteria for breakfast.
7:30
Breakfast begins
7:55
Breakfast ends - the cafeteria will close to all students
except those arriving by a late bus.
8:00
Students in class - instruction begins
2:30
Students dismissed
The
school assumes no liability of or supervision for unattended students
prior to 7:30 or after 2:40 unless directly involved in a school-sponsored
function.
SCHOOL
STORE
The
school store will be open each morning from 7:35 - 7:50 Pencils, paper,
erasers, and other classroom supplies will be on sale.
SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE
The
Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Board of Education believes that prompt and
continuous attendance during the school term is essential for a child
to profit from education. The board further believes that class attendance
is a factor related to achievement in school. Therefore, students are
expected to be in school every day unless it is absolutely necessary that
they be absent. All students between the ages of seven (7) and sixteen
(16) years of age must attend school continuously for the periods of time
the regular session is observed. It is the responsibility of the parents
or guardians to ensure that students attend school regularly and on time.
A school calendar is included in this handbook. The school day begins
at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m.
Attendance
In
order to be considered in attendance, a student must be present in school
for the school day or at a place other than the school with the approval
of the appropriate official for the purpose of attending an authorized
school activity. Such activities may include field trips, athletic contests,
student conventions, musical festivals, or any similar approved activity.
Regulations
from the state of North Carolina allow students to be recorded present
if they are in attendance one-half of the instructional day. Please remember,
however, that instructional activities occur all day . Attendance
is a factor related to achievement. Students are encouraged to
arrive on time and stay the full day.
Lawful
Absences
The
principal shall have the right to excuse a student temporarily from attendance
on account of sickness or other unavoidable cause that does not constitute
an unlawful absence as defined by the State Board of Education. The following
shall constitute valid/lawful excuses for the temporary non-attendance
of a student at school provided satisfactory evidence of the
excuse is provided to the appropriate school official:
1.
Illness or injury :
2.
Quarantine :
3.
Death in the Immediate Family :
4.
Medical or Dental Appointments :
5.
Court or Administrative Procedures :
6.
Religious Observation :
•
Immediate Demands of the Farm or Home
8.
Educational Opportunity:
Unlawful
Absences
All other absences not defined as “lawful”.
If the school does not receive written or verbal notification for the
absence on the return date, the absence will be coded unlawful. After
ten consecutive days of unlawful absences, the student will be withdrawn
effective the day following the last day of attendance.
Tardies
Students
transported by Bus
Students
riding on buses that arrive late are not marked tardy on school records.
(Teachers are informed of late bus arrivals by public address announcements.)
Students
transported by car
Students
are expected to be on time for the beginning of school. The school day
begins at 8:00 a.m. Students arriving late to school are required
to sign in at the main office. Students arriving to school late without
the knowledge of their parents will be considered truant.
Parents
or guardians will receive written notification of habitual tardiness in
writing from the school with a copy being sent to the attendance counselor.
BUSES
Please
refer to the system Guide for Parents and Students 2004/05 for specific
rules and regulations for riding buses. Keep in mind that riding a bus
is a privilege, not a right. It is absolutely necessary that students
follow rules of good conduct and obey the driver. Video cameras will be
placed on buses to monitor student behavior. It is against state law for
any unauthorized person (student or adult) to board a bus. Communication
with bus drivers should be handled through the school administration.
DEPARTURE
If
it is NECESSARY for a student to ride a different bus,
*attend the Boys’ or Girls’ Club, remain after school, or in any way change
the normal method of departure, the student MUST BRING A NOTE
TO THE TEACHER INDICATING SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE STUDENT SHOULD DO .
(This is very important for the safety of your child.)
Permission
to ride a different bus or to get off the regular bus at a different
stop is granted only by the office. The office requires a written request
from the parent. Telephone callers requesting changes in plans will be
asked to verify identity.
Early
Departure
If
it is NECESSARY for a student to leave school early,
the teacher MUST have written permission from the parent. Before a student
leaves the school property, the parent/guardian must
sign the student out in the office. (The office maintains the right to
request identification before releasing a student.) The office will then
call the student’s teacher asking the student to come to the office. If
a student returns to school after being permitted to leave, he/she MUST
sign back in. Habitual requests for early departure shall be reported
to the attendance counselor for investigation.
SCHOOL
LEVEL DISCIPLINE PLAN
Northside
Elementary School will follow the Discipline Policies and Procedures as
established by the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank School Board of Education.
Northside staff adopted a Safe Schools Plan in 1998-99. This plan is viewed
as a living document that is revised periodically with input from staff,
students, and parents. The district and school plans will be reviewed
with students in classrooms. Copies of both plans will be sent to parents
who will be asked to review them at home. A form verifying review at home
will be requested. Expectations of responsible behavior are reinforced
throughout the school environment with positive feedback given to students
who meet expectations and follow guidelines for success. When minor misbehavior
occurs, staff will view the misbehavior as a teaching opportunity, responding
with calm, consistent corrections or consequences. We will work collaboratively
with parents to establish cooperative relationships that will make a difference
in our students’ behavior at school and beyond. In order to empower young
people with a positive attitude, class meetings will remain an integral
part of the classroom management plan. Several other programs and materials
will be used in classrooms in order to teach children to behave appropriately
in a learning environment and to meet their four basic needs each school
day.
NORTHSIDE
ELEMENTARY SAFE SCHOOLS PLAN
The
purpose of the Northside Elementary Safe Schools Plan is to focus on strategies
that will result in a secure, orderly environment for learning. The components
address preparing students for responsible citizenship, dealing with emergencies,
and providing a clean and safe physical environment.
This
plan follows the pattern of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools
Safe Schools Plan. It is developed under the leadership of the NES School
Improvement Team with input from representatives of all stakeholders.
Copies of the adopted plan will be provided for each staff member, each
school family, and will be placed in several locations on campus (i.e.
media center, parent resource center, office e, counselor’s office, etc.)
PREPARING
STUDENTS FOR RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP
Introduction
The
ultimate purpose of education is to provide opportunities for students
to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to live successfully in
the world. These include but are not limited to academics (reading, writing,
mathematics, etc.) Of equal importance are self-discipline, judgment,
social interest, the ability to make good choices, and a sense of responsibility.
Learning
in Northside Elementary classrooms is an active process. Students use
a variety of materials in various parts of the classroom and the campus.
Students work together in partnerships and in teams. Learning does not
always take place alone in one single desk. Demonstrating respect for
a variety of opinions and points of view and for personal space is crucial.
Therefore, students need to be able to assume responsibility for their
own behavior. This also means that teaching what appropriate behavior
looks and sounds like is a valued part of the daily curriculum.
Northside
Elementary School will follow the discipline Policies and Procedures as
established by the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Board of Education.
Guidelines
for Staff for Teaching Responsibility and Self-Control
All
staff members contribute to Northside’s friendly, inviting environment.
We set the tone through actions and attitudes. Our continuous support
and encouragement of students will be demonstrated through four important
procedures.
1.
We will teach expectations for responsible behavior in every
school environment by relating student actions to our guidelines for success.
We will encourage students to be responsible, to always try to do their
best, to cooperate with others, and to treat everyone with dignity and
respect. In order to accomplish this the following methods will be used:
·
Cooperative Discipline
·
Quality Teacher-Student Interactions
·
Cooperative Relationships In and Beyond
the Classroom
·
Direct Instruction Using Programs like Skills for Growing and D.A.R.E.
·
Class Meetings
2.
We will provide positive feedback to students when they are
meeting expectations and following the guidelines for success.
•
When minor misbehavior occurs, staff will view the misbehavior
as a teaching opportunity responding with calm, consistent corrections
or consequences.
•
We will work collaboratively with parents.
Class
Meetings
Class
meetings will be conducted at least once a week in each classroom at Northside
Elementary. The major benefits of class meetings to students are summarized
in the “Significant Seven”:
1.
Empowering students to feel capable.
2.
Empowering students of feel genuinely needed (contributing).
3.
Empowering students to feel in control of their responses
to events.
4.
Development of interpersonal skills of self-discipline and
self-control.
5.
Development of interpersonal skills of cooperation, sharing,
empathizing, etc.
6.
Providing opportunities to learn from mistakes.
•
Development of judgment skills.
CAFETERIA
PRICES
Child
(K-5) Reduced Adult
Breakfast
.90 .30 1.25
Lunch
1.45 .40 2.50
Extra
Milk .50
Ice
Cream .50
CHILD
NUTRITION
Research
indicates that nutritious, well-balanced meals improve student performance.
Therefore, breakfast and lunch are available to all students in the Elizabeth
City-Pasquotank Public School System provided by the School Food Services
Department? If school is delayed one hour, breakfast will still be served.
If school is delayed two hours, breakfast WILL NOT be served. Menus are
prepared and served under USDA guidelines. These guidelines require five
food items (milk, meat or meat alternate, vegetable, fruit, and bread
or bread alternate) to be offered to each student. School cafeterias operate
under the “offer versus serve”. This practice allows the student to decline
as many as two of the five items. Each student must choose at least three
items. The three to five items above provide opportunities for nutritious,
well-balanced meals.
Menus
What’s for Lunch? How
About Breakfast?
Lunch
menus are printed in the Sunday edition of The Daily Advance, copies are
provided to students, and are broadcast daily on area radio stations and
on Channel 8. In addition to the regular menu, a salad bar is available.
During cold weather hot soup and sandwiches are also available. Supplemental
sale items are available in the cafeteria at Northside Elementary School.
Application
forms for free and reduced price meals are available in the school office.
Applications for the program must be made each year and a form must be
completed for each child in the family.
Students
may bring lunches prepared at home. Parents are requested to pack nutritional
lunches and snacks for students . Soft drinks and or
candy are discouraged.
Salad
Bar Policies for Students and Adults
•
Salad bar lunch is considered single service-- one
trip ; a second trip is $2.50.
•
No Sharing .
Pick up amounts and items only for yourself.
Schedules
Breakfast
is served to students in grades 1-5 between 7:30 and 7:55 a.m.
Service
to kindergarten begins at 8:00 a.m.
Exceptions:
1.
Students who arrive on late buses before 9:00 a.m. will be served breakfast.
2.
Delayed school openings:
One-hour
delay--breakfast will be served. The menu will be cereal, milk
and fruit or juice .
Two-hour
delay--breakfast will not be served.
3.
Early dismissal of school:
Lunch
is served to Pre-K through 5 between 10:40 and 12:15.
Visitors
Parents are welcome! Adult lunches cost
$2.50. A child’s face lights up when mom and/or dad come for lunch .
Advance notice is not usually needed on occasions like this.
Reservations
are needed when special events are taking place and large crowds are anticipated.
For example, School Lunch Week, Lunch and Learn, and other special event
days need lunch counts in advance. At those times, numbers are needed
about two weeks in advance. Teachers will request reservations on special
event days.
School
cafeterias are required to operate on a daily basis. They are challenged
to prepare only amounts anticipated to be served each day. Therefore,
reservations are needed when larger than usual numbers are coming for
lunch. Your cooperation on days like this will be appreciated.
**School
Food Service Charge Policy...
Students
will be allowed to charge meals for a period not to exceed 5 school days.
All charges must be paid one school day following this period. No other
charges will be allowed until this amount has been paid. Should the student/parent
fail to pay the charged amount for 5 school days following this period,
charge privileges will be suspended for the remainder of the
school year. A child who has exceeded charge limits and does not have
lunch money will be cared for and served a sandwich and a carton of milk.
*
This charge policy was developed for emergencies only.
GROOMING
AND DRESS CODE
Students
have the right to determine their patterns of dress and grooming, provided
that such dress and grooming do not interfere with the health and safety
of themselves or others and do not interfere with the educational process
of the school. Shorts and/or mini skirts
may be no shorter than mid thigh (above the finger tips with the hands
placed by side) and tops should not reveal any part of the chest,
sides, or back. Flip-flops, sagging pants, tee shirts with obscene or
vulgar language, Johnson shirts or shirts advertising drugs, alcohol or
tobacco should not be worn.
The
dress and personal appearance of pupils greatly affects their performance
and general school morale. The school requests that parents outfit their
children in clothing which is conducive to learning and which contributes
positive behavior. Weather conditions should also be taken into consideration
when dressing students. The principal may ask those not properly groomed
and dressed to return home and change to suitable attire.
Parent-Teacher
Conference
Conferences
may be scheduled at any time throughout the school year by writing a note
to the teacher, calling the school office. Teachers will be scheduling
conferences with parents throughout the school year to discuss academic
progress and any special needs that arise. At the end of the first and
third quarters, conferences will be scheduled for all parents. Teachers
will be sensitive to work schedules and will try hard to accommodate parent
requests.
AFTER
SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM
Northside
Elementary School will conduct an after school care program. Information
about the program can be obtained from the school office. The office phone
number is 335-2033.
TELEPHONE
AND MESSAGES
School
phones are for office use only. Students will not be allowed to use the
office phone for personal calls except in an emergency and with staff
permission.
Messages
will not be delivered to students during class except in emergency situations.
HEALTH
/IMMUNIZATION
The
North Carolina Immunization Law requires that all students be to be immunized.
Students in grades K-12 must show evidence of at least four doses of diphtheria,
pertussis, tetanus (DPT) and oral polio (OPV) vaccines. In addition, measles,
mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) are required for school attendance. Students
entering kindergarten and first grade must have at least one booster dose
of MMR, DPT and OPV on or after their fourth birthday. Non-compliance
with this immunization requirement may result in suspension from school.
VISITORS
Visitors
are invited and welcome at all times. In order for the school administration
to be aware of a visitor’s presence, everyone must report to
the school office upon arrival on campus and receive a visitor’s pass.
FIRE
AND TORNADO DRILLS
Emergency
drills are held monthly. Procedures are taught in each classroom. Students
should carefully follow all procedures. Teachers will teach and review
safety procedures throughout the school year.
FIELD
TRIPS
Students
must have their parent’s permission in writing before they are allowed
to go on ANY school trip. Any school trip, no matter how far, is considered
to be under the policies set up by the school and the Board of Education.
In
order to secure maximum education benefit from a field experience, pupils
will be oriented for the trip in advance. There will be adequate follow-up
and tie-in of field trip experiences with classroom activities and discussions
after the trip.
VANDALISM
AND PROPERTY DAMAGE
The
construction and maintenance of our school buildings and their contents
are a cost to the taxpayers. Students who destroy or vandalize school
property will be required to pay for loss or damage they inflict. If students
willfully destroy school property, suspension from school may be necessary.
If a student happens to damage school property by accident, he/she should
report it to a teacher or to the office immediately.
PERSONAL
BELONGINGS
All
of your child’s belongings (sweaters, hats, lunch boxes, notebooks, coats,
etc.) should be labeled with some type permanent marker. In case items
are lost, they may be relocated more easily if they are marked.
A
Lost and Found Department will be designated in the building.
TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS
All
basic texts, library books, classroom library books, calculators and other
instructional materials are available to students for their use during
the school year. All are to be kept clean and handled with care. Students
are strongly encouraged not to lend materials checked out to them to other
students. Students will be required to pay for lost or damaged materials
issued to them.
SKATEBOARDS
Students are not permitted to ride skateboards/roller
blades on campus. Any student who rides his/her skateboard/roller blades
on campus may have it confiscated by a staff member and returned to the
student at the staff member’s discretion.
RADIOS,
TAPE PLAYERS AND TOYS
Any radio or tape player brought to school
may be confiscated by staff members and returned to the student at the
staff member’s discretion. Toys should not be brought to school unless
the teacher specifically requests them. (Example: for show and tell)
MEDICATION
Students
will be administered medicine by a designated school employee. In order
for this to occur, an authorization form must be submitted and signed
by the physician and either a parent or guardian. The form will be kept
on file until the end of the school year. All medication will be secured
in the school office. A copy of the required form can be obtained from
the school office.
ACCIDENTS/ILLNESS
In
the event of illness at school or minor accidents needing medical attention,
the school will notify parents as soon as possible. A parent or other
responsible adult must be reached and give permission before any student
will be allowed to leave school. If we cannot contact a parent, we will
use the emergency contact information you have provided. Please make sure
the emergency information is up to date at the school, should there be
any changes.
Upon
return to school the student must present a note from a parent in order
to be readmitted to class. Students who leave without the proper clearance,
regardless of the reason, will be considered truant.
EMERGENCY
CONTACT
In
every student’s file there should be a local emergency contact - the person
to contact in case the parent cannot be reached in an emergency. This
information is requested at the time of registration and updated each
August and throughout the year as needed.
CHANGE
OF ADDRESS
Parents
are requested to keep the school informed of any changes of address or
telephone number. This information is necessary in case of emergency.
Unpublished telephone numbers will be kept confidential.
PTA
PTA is the only nationwide, non-profit,
volunteer organization whose sole purpose is service to children. We believe
that cooperation between parents and school is essential for student success
and a happy school experience. The Parent-Teacher Association is an integral
part of the school-community cooperative effort, and all parents and interested
community members are encouraged to join the PTA. Information concerning
PTA meetings, programs, and projects will be sent to parents throughout
the school year.
PTA
Officers for the 2004-2005 school year are:
President
- Mrs. Recail Foley
Vice
President - Mrs. Shelly Jones
Treasurer - Robin Harris
Secretary
-Mrs. Kim Jordan
I
have read the Northside Student/Parent Handbook with my child/children
and have shared the various responsibilities, rules, policies, and services
with them.
I
understand that if I have any questions regarding these specific sections
or any of the information present in this guide, I should contact the
appropriate school representative.
Signature
of Parent/Guardian __________________________________
Date
_____________________
_______________________________________________________________
I
have read the Northside Student/Parent Handbook with my parents/guardians
and have shared the various responsibilities, rules, policies, and services
with them.
I
also understand that if I have any questions regarding any of the information
present in this handbook, I should ask my teacher or my principal.
Signature
of Student ______________________________________
Date
__________________
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