Principal’s Message

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year at Sneads Elementary School.  This handbook is written to provide you with useful information that will help you understand the day-to-day procedures and policies of our school.  Students, we hope you are excited about being at SES and that you plan to make the MOST of the opportunities offered to you.  Parents and family members, we look forward to working together with you.  You are vital to your child’s education.  Let’s make this the BEST year ever!

Cheryl McDaniel, Principal

 

School Office

The office is open from 7:30 A.M. until 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.  We are here to help in any way possible.  Visitors, please report to the office when arriving on campus to receive a visitor’s pass.

 

Arrival at School- Car Riders

The car drop off and pick up area is in the front of the school.  Parents, it is against state law for cars and buses to use the same entrance, loading or unloading, so please do not come in the back gate.  Under no circumstances should students be dropped off at the rear entrance of the school.  This is for buses only, by state law and is for the safety of your child.  Also, please do not drop children off at the front of school before someone is on duty.  If an emergency situation arises, please contact the office if you need to leave your child early.  We will work with you in emergency situations.  Upon arriving at school, students eating breakfast at school should go immediately to the cafeteria.  Otherwise, they should go to the area outside the classroom to wait for the bell.  Students should stay in this area and not wander on campus.  In the event of inclement weather, each grade group will go to a designated indoor area.    

 

Bus Transportation

Statistics show that a school bus is the safest method of student transportation.  School bus routes and stops are determined by the District Transportation Office (482-9613) and are designed in consideration of safety and efficiency.  The Transportation Supervisor must approve any changes in bus stops.  If your child is getting off at a different stop or riding different bus, please send a note to the office.  Students should bring their notes to the office in the morning to get a school stamp for the bus driver.  Also, please try to let your child know any changes about where they will be going after school before they leave home in the morning and send a note stating the change.  Students are given a copy of bus rules at the beginning of the year and are expected to comply to keep our buses safe.  Failure to do so may result in suspension or expulsion from the bus. 

 

Departure

Students who are car riders will be taken to the front of the school for car pick up.  Bus students will be taken to the bus ramp at the rear of the school, along with walkers.  Walkers will be dismissed once all buses have exited the school grounds.

 

 

Afternoon Car Riders

You will receive a copy of the Car Loading Procedure with detailed specific instructions.  In the afternoon, parents will be expected to wait in line to pick up their children.  It is not fair to all the parents who sit in line and wait for other parents to pull around and break line.  Be a good example to your child and follow the procedures and be courteous to other parents.  Thanks to all the parents who follow the rules.  You are appreciated.  We realize there are times when you will need to pick up your child early for appointments, but please try to do so no later than 2:15. This should not happen often. 

 

Please try to let the office know by 2:00 of that day if there are changes in transportation for a student so that we are able to get the message to the student and teacher. 

 

Attendance

Students who attend school regularly will experience greater academic success than students who are absent.  Students are expected to attend all of their classes each day unless the school excuses them.  If a child is absent, please send a written excuse.  Excuses for absence should be turned in within 3 days of the absence.  A parent note will be accepted for any FOUR absences during a nine week period.  Any other absences, after the fourth absence, will only be excused with a note from a doctor or dentist, a funeral program of an immediate family member, religious holiday or documentation for a legal reason.  Absence from school without permission is a serious violation of School Board Policy and Florida School Law.  After the fourth unexcused absence in a nine week period, a mandatory child study team will be held to develop strategies to improve attendance.  Further unexcused absences will result in referral to truancy court. 

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Tardiness

Our first student bell rings at 7:40.  Students are tardy after 7:50 a.m.  Any student arriving after 7:50 a.m. should report to the office in order to be marked present for the day. Our reading block begins promptly each morning and it is so important for students to be here.  Students who are consistently tardy will miss important academic instruction, which will affect achievement.  Students who have four tardies or four early checkouts in a nine week period will be referred for a child study team to work together to ensure that the child is in attendance and on time. 

 

Early Release

Children being picked up early for appointments, etc. must be signed out in the office.  While early checkouts are unavoidable at times due to valid appointments, etc., four early checkouts in a nine week period require referral to a child study team.   

 

Emergency Information

Emergency information cards are sent home for parents to complete at the beginning of the school year.  It is extremely important to provide the school with this information in order for the school to be able to contact you in case of an emergency.  If there is a change in your home address, home telephone number, or work telephone number, please let the office know so that we will be able to contact you if needed. 

 

Planners/Take Home Folders

Student planners (grades 2-5) and Take Home Folders (grades K & 1) are used as a daily communication tool between the teacher and home.  Please check your child’s planner or folder each day.  Conduct grades, homework assignments, important notes, etc. will be in this folder.  The planners are provided to each student at no cost.  Students, please keep up with your agenda. 

 

 

 

Tuesday Treasures

Each Tuesday we publish the Tuesday Treasures, our newsletter.  This is the primary communicator from our school to you.  This weekly newsletter will contain information about coming events, highlight activities, and provide student recognition. 

 

Report Cards and Conferences

Report cards for grades are issued every nine weeks.  Progress Reports are sent home in the middle of each grading period.  The grading system for our county is as follows:

A  =  90 – 100     B  =  80 – 89     C  =  70 – 79     D  =  60 – 69     F  =  59 and below

S’s, N’s, and U’s are given in some subject areas.  Students should return signed report cards as quickly as possible. 

 

The kindergarten report card is a skills checklist that indicates S (satisfactory) or N (not mastered) of required skills.  

 

Promotion Requirements for Reading

Jackson County has requirements for promotion in reading for grades K-2.  A meeting will be held at the beginning of the year to make sure that parents are aware of the requirements.  These include knowing a required number of letters, sounds, reading fluency and sight words.  Please note that the District Pupil Progression plan also requires a yearly average grade in reading of C or higher for promotion in first and second grade.  

 

Students in first and second grade receive a “Reading Progress Report for Promotion” each nine weeks.  Requirements for promotion to the next grade and your child’s progress toward this are indicated in the areas of fluency and sight words.  

 

Students in third grade must pass the Reading FCAT for promotion to 4th grade.  The District Pupil Progression Plan also states that elementary students having a yearly average of F in reading or math are to be retained.  

 

Parents will be notified at the beginning of the second semester if a child’s lack of progress may affect promotion.

 

Reading Progress Monitoring

All students will be given the Florida Assessments for Instruction In Reading (FAIR) to progress monitor reading achievement.  This assessment replaces the DIBELS.  This initial screening is to assess letter naming and sounds, phonemic awareness (kindergarten), word reading (end of kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade) and reading comprehension (grades 3-5).  Students in need will also be given additional diagnostic inventories.  Results of these assessments are used to identify students who are at risk in reading in order to provide additional remediation instruction and to target specific area of need in reading.   These assessments are given three times during the school year. 

 

Standardized Testing

State and district standardized tests are administered in the spring each year.  Students in grades 3-5 are given the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).  Third grade students are assessed in reading and math; fourth grade students are assessed in writing, reading, and math; fifth grade students are assessed in reading, math, and science.  Students in grade 3 must score 2 or higher on the reading portion of the FCAT to be promoted to 4th grade.  Students in grades Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade are given the Stanford 10 Achievement Test in reading comprehension and math problem solving. 

 

Textbooks, Library Books, and Other Materials

Textbooks are a tremendous cost to our school budget and should be taken care of.  Students are responsible for all textbooks, library books, and other school materials issued to them during the school year.  All lost or damaged books and materials must be paid for before another book can be issued. 

Homework

Homework is important in the learning process in that it extends the active involvement beyond the classroom and teaches students responsibility.  Homework is an excellent way for the parent to keep abreast of his/her child’s progress.  Students can expect these approximate amounts of homework: Grades 1-2: up to 30 minutes per night, Grade 3: up to 1 hour per night, Grades 4-5: up to 1½ hours per night

 

Accelerated Reader

Sneads Elementary School is an active participant in the Accelerated Reading Program.  The purpose of this program is to enhance reading, comprehension and critical thinking skills that are so important to the success of all students.  Students are awarded points based on reading books and taking tests demonstrating comprehension of the book.  Individual yearly goals are set for each student, along with a school goal being set.  As progression toward the goal is reached, students are given rewards along the way.  It is very important for your child/children to read at home each day to help them meet goals.

 

Field Trips

Field trips are a fun part of your child’s educational experience.  School board policy requires that each child have a notarized permission/medical treatment form that will cover all field trips for the year.  This form is provided at the beginning of the year.  Then, with each field trip, a form specifically for that trip must be signed, but does not require notarization.  For your convenience, we have two notaries in our office. The administrative staff reserves the right to exclude students whose behavior may disrupt the field trip.  Parents may be asked or may volunteer to accompany a class as chaperones.  The district policy prohibits parents from riding the bus due to insurance stipulations.

 

Food Service Program

Breakfast is available to ALL students at NO CHARGE regardless of lunch status.  Students are served breakfast in the cafeteria from 7:20 until the tardy bell.  Hot lunches can be purchased daily ($1.75) and snacks can be purchased during snack time.  Some students may qualify for a free or reduced-priced lunch depending on family income and number in the household. The income level for reduced lunch is surprisingly not too low, and we encourage you to complete the lunch form as it may save you over the course of the year paying lunch money.  Students must complete the form EACH year to qualify.  In the event a student forgets or loses his/her lunch money, a lunch charge can be arranged in the cafeteria.  No more than three charges are permitted until the cafeteria is reimbursed.  Students with three charges will receive an alternative meal with a peanut butter sandwich and will not go hungry.  If your child constantly forgets or loses his/her lunch money, it is suggested that you arrange for a pre-paid lunch. Advance payment for lunches may be made on Monday or Tuesday of each week or can be paid on-line through www.mealpay.com.  Check should be made out to Sneads Elementary School Cafeteria.  You can advance pay as many days as you wish. Students may also bring lunch to school. 

l.   Students bringing lunches from home may purchase milk separately.

2.  Ala carte items may be purchased only if a lunch is bought or brought.

3.  NO GLASS BOTTLED DRINKS PERMITTED ON CAMPUS FOR SAFETY REASONS

4.  Parents are welcome to eat with students in the cafeteria.

 

Lunchroom Expectations and Procedures

1. Students should display good manners.

2. Students are to stay in their seat at all times.  Lunch duty personnel will attend to needs if students will raise hands. 

3. Students are to use a quiet voice at all times.

4. When the lights go out, it means there is too much noise and talking should stop.

5. Students are to line up to leave in an orderly fashion.  There is absolutely NO RUNNING.

6. Before leaving, students should clean up their area.

 

Student Dress Code

Clothing worn to school should be in good taste and appropriate to the age of the student.  Some types of clothing that should not be worn to school are:

1.  Shorts at a length shorter than fingertips when the arms are held at the side of the body

2.  Bare midriffs, backless shirts, tank tops with straps less than three inches (for older students), or any other shirt that reveals an inappropriate amount of the body, as judged by the teacher

3.  Shoes with cleats or more than 1” heels (shoes are mandatory and appropriate tennis shoes should be worn on PE days)

4.  T-shirts with distracting or offensive emblems, pictures, and/or words

5. Hats and caps (hats can be worn on cold days, but must be removed upon entering the class; caps can be worn on field day)

6. Any clothing that is a distraction to other students

 

Discipline

In order that we might spend a majority of our time recognizing good behavior, we have only a few school-wide rules.  These rules were established to be conducive to promoting academic and character development learning.  Through following rules and procedures, and through other components of our character education program, Character First, our goal is to instill basic core values in our students. 

The rules for students of Sneads Elementary are consistent campus-wide and apply before, during, and after school anywhere on campus.  All staff will assist in enforcing these rules.

School Wide Expectancies:  Show respect and responsibility

                                                Exhibit good manners

                                                Serve and care for others

SPECIFIC RULES: 

1.  Follow directions from all SES staff.

2.  Walk quietly in a line and keep to the right of the walkway.

3.  Keep your hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.

4.  Use appropriate language.

5.  Be on time and prepared for class.

6.  Show respect for all faculty and staff.

7.  No gum, hats, toys, electronic toys or items are allowed at school.  The teacher or the principal will collect unauthorized items brought to school.  State law allows students to bring cell phones to school.  These must be kept out of sight (in backpack or purse) and turned off except in case of emergency. 

Some consequences that may be used for misbehavior are loss of free time, parent notification, parent conference, in-school suspension, or parent being called to pick the child up.  Jackson County School Board policy allows for corporal punishment.  This is done as a last measure and for extreme or repeated offenses.         

     

The following behaviors will result in immediate notification to parents to come pick a student up:  serious fighting; possession of objects considered dangerous; causing a major disruption to the educational process in the classroom

     Effective July 1, 1996, public school teachers within the state of Florida have the authority to remove chronically disruptive students from their classrooms.  This Florida Statute 232.27l (see Code of Conduct) affords this authority to teachers.  This was passed to address the student who has repeatedly interfered with the teachers’ ability to teach and for other students to learn or whose behavior is so seriously disruptive that the teacher cannot teach or the students learn.  The statute provides that the only way an ejected student may be placed back in the teacher’s classroom are l) the teacher agrees to take the offending student back, or 2) a placement review committee consisting of at least three persons directs that the student be placed back in the classroom.  If a teacher removes a student from class, the principal may place the student in another appropriate classroom or in in-school suspension or expulsion.  The student may be prohibited from attending or participating in school-sponsored or school related activities.    

 

Jackson County Code of Conduct

 The Jackson County School Board has mandated a Code of Student Conduct and a copy is provided to each family which outlines the district policies on discipline.  Corporal punishment may be administered to a child following the Due Process Procedure.  A teacher or principal may administer corporal punishment only in the presence of another adult who is informed beforehand, and in the student’s presence, of the reason for the punishment.  Parents, if you prefer corporal punishment not to be administered, please send this in writing to the school office.  However, you must realize that your child will not be allowed to disrupt the learning process.  Other discipline techniques will be used, such as you being called to pick up your child.  GUNS, KNIVES, AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ARE PROHIBITED IN ALL SCHOOLS AND AT ALL SCHOOL ACTIVITIES IN JACKSON COUNTY.  STUDENTS WHO ARE APPREHENDED FOR VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY WILL BE SUSPENDED AND/OR EXPELLED.  We are fortunate at Sneads Elementary School that we have not been faced with dealing with serious discipline such as these.  For other behavior which disciplinary action is needed, refer to the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.

 

Health Room

We are fortunate to have a health room staffed by an LPN to assist with student health needs.  This position is provided by the Jackson County Health Department.  Should your child get sick or injured at school, the health room nurse will contact you.  Please help us by making sure we have up to date contact numbers on emergency cards.  Should your child have any conditions that need to be brought to our attention, please make sure it is noted on the emergency card and that the nurse and teacher are aware of the situation.  Some medical conditions require a care plan for school and the nurse will meet with parents and school staff to develop this plan. 

 

Medication

A parent or other responsible adult must bring medication to and from school and sign it in at the health room.  Florida law prohibits children from bringing medicines to and from school and home. This includes over the counter medicine.   Medicine must be in the original container with the prescription label on it.  Label must contain the following:

 

     1.  The correct name of the child.

     2.  Name of the medicine.

     3.  A current date.

     4.  Correct dosage of medicine to be given.

     5.  Expiration date.

     6.  Doctor’s Name

 

A Medication Permission Form (JC-09l) must be filled out and signed by a parent before medicine can be administered.  Medication must not exceed a 30-day supply.  It is recommended that medication, which needs to be given 3 times a day, should be given at home unless otherwise stated by the doctor.  Please give medication at home if at all possible.

 

Contagious Diseases

A child who has been absent because of a contagious disease or illness, such as chicken pox, measles, scarlet fever, etc., must have written approval from the Jackson County Health Department or family physician sent to the school office before returning to school.

 

Head Lice

Head lice do not carry any disease, nor does their presence mean that your child is dirty.  However, to prevent further spread in the school, this condition should be treated at once.  You may wish to consult your doctor or follow the recommendations given from the health room.  Upon return to school, you must accompany your child to the school health clinic to receive clearance to re-enter class.  The School Board Policy is that your child must be free of nits to return to class.

 

Student Information/Confidentiality

 We would like to make you aware of the law, which protects the rights of pupils and students and their parents or guardians with respect to pupil and student records, and reports as created, maintained and used by public educational institutions in the state.  The intent of the Legislature is that pupils and students and their parents or guardians shall have rights of access, rights of challenge, and rights of privacy with respect to such records and reports.  The Jackson County School Board, by policy, supports the law, which gives protection to every parent, guardian, pupil, and student entitled to rights relating to pupil and student records.  The authority and reference for this notice of confidentiality is Florida Statute 228.093, Pupil and student records and reports; rights of parents, guardians, pupil and students’ notification; penalty.  The complete text of this statute may be reviewed at the district office.  The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a Federal law, requires that Sneads Elementary, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s educational records.  However, we may disclose appropriately designated directory information without written consent unless you have advised the school otherwise.  The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the school to include this type of information in certain school publications.  Examples include the yearbook, student of the month or other recognition lists, graduation or play programs listing student names.  Directory information, which is general information that is not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can be disclosed to outside organizations, such as newspapers or companies that publish yearbooks, without parent’s prior written consent.  You must notify Sneads Elementary in writing by September 4 if you do not want the school to disclose directory information (student name, grade level, photograph, honors and awards received) without your prior written consent.

 

 

Parent-Teacher Organization

Our P.T.O., which consists of all parents of Sneads Elementary Students and all staff members, has been instrumental in supporting and improving our school.  Each year our P.T.O. sponsors fund raising activities and all parents are urged to participate.  All proceeds are used to assist with projects for all students, such as new playground equipment, a new school sign, and activities for students.

 

Volunteers

Parents and guardians are encouraged to volunteer at the school.  We have been fortunate to receive the Golden School Award for volunteer hours for several years.  Volunteers are required to complete a volunteer application for background screening.  Volunteering can be done on a regular basis, such as one on one tutoring/mentoring with a child and assisting a classroom teacher on a regular basis, or as needed such as with our fall and spring carnivals.  Interested persons should contact the school at (850) 482-9003.  All volunteers are asked to sign in at the office so that a log of time can be kept. 

 

School Advisory Council

Sneads Elementary Advisory Improvement Council is composed of elected parents, teachers, and appointed community and/or business leaders.  School Advisory Council elections are held when vacancies occur.  You are encouraged to get involved as a member.  You may contact the school office at (850) 482-9003.  ALL parents are invited to attend School Advisory Council meetings.  These are advertised in the school newsletter and community newspapers.

 
Notice to Parents of Students with Disabilities

The following important information regarding your child’s exceptional student education services can be accessed online at the Jackson County School Board website, http://web.jackson.k12.fl.us/ese.  There is a link to Exceptional Student Education, and the informational brochures listed: 1)Least Restrictive Environment Consideration Related to Individual Education Plans; 2) Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities: A Guide for Families Involved in Transition Planning; 3)High School Diploma Options for Students with Disabilities

 

Jackson County School Safety Hotline 850-482-1217

This line is to report information about guns, drugs, weapons, criminal activities or other information the school needs to know.  Follow the instructions and leave a recorded message.  This is an anonymous call.  The School Safety Hotline is monitored at the Superintendent’s office.  For further information call 850-482-1291.  Jackson County Public Schools have a Crisis Management Plan that outlines emergency procedures.