Dover Elementary Student Handbook
2007-2008
Student/Parent
Form
Cover Page
Welcome from Principal
Mission & Beliefs
Directory & Calendar
Visitors & PTCO
General Information/Policies
-Accreditation
-Attendance
Policies and Procedures
*Absence from School
*Early Dismissal
*Emergency Dismissal
-Tardiness
-Truancy
Review Board
-Assembly
Programs
-Bullying / Intimidation
-Curriculum
-Discrimination /
Harassment of Students
-Drug-Free Environment
-ELL Policy Statement
-Extra Curricular Activities
-Family Engagement Policy
-Family Resource
Center, Stewart County Schools
-Fundraising
-Grading
Scale
-Guidance
and Counseling
-Health Services
-Involvement in
School Planning
-Homework Policy
-Kindergarten
Registration
-Parent-School
Communication
-Parent Teacher
Conferences
-Parking/Traffic
-Preschool Registration
-Student
Records
-Student
Rules/Guidelines
*Building Rules
*Bus Conduct
*Cafeteria
*Care of School Property
*Dress Items and Grooming
*Drug Dog
*Excuse from PE class
*School Playground Safety
*Searches and
Seizures
*Searches of Lockers
*Searches by Police
*Student Complaints
and Grievances
*Weapons and Dangerous
instruments
*Zero Tolerance
Visitors
Positive Behavior
Support Program
School Attendance Policy
Student Records
Acceptable Computer Network and Internet Use Policy
Federal Programs
Equal Educational Opportunities Nondiscrimination Policy
Character Counts
Student/Parent Form
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS STATEMENT TO SCHOOL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. KEEP THE HANDBOOK FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Student’s Name _____________________________
Homeroom teacher ___________________________
My child and I have received a copy of the Dover Elementary Student Handbook. This handbook includes rules, regulations, and policies for the 2007-2008 school year. We understand that our child is expected to read and become thoroughly familiar with these rules, regulations, and policies. We understand that our child is subject to the rules and punishments, which it provides.
________________________________ ____________________
Parent Signature Date
________________________________ ____________________
Student Signature Date
Dover Elementary
Student Handbook
2007-2008
Home of the Panthers
Dover Elementary School
1010 Moore Road P.O. Box 130 Dover, TN 37058
Ph: 931-232-5442 Fax: 931-232-3106
Principal: Bryan Saunders Assistant Principal: Eileen Smith
www.stewartcountyschools.net
Our mission, in partnership with the home and community, is to provide a diverse curriculum that empowers our students with the ability to meet all expected benchmarks, while being respectful, responsible, and prepared in their successive years of education.
Welcome to Dover Elementary School
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to a new school year. Dover Elementary School is a pre-K through fifth grade school. The beginning of another school year is an exciting and hopeful time for both parents and students. On behalf of the faculty and staff at DES, I would like to extend our best wishes for a productive, meaningful school year as well as an invitation to work together to make our school the best it can be.
This handbook is designed to provide information about the school’s policies and procedures as well as to answer any questions you or your child might have. Listed below are important points of interest for the 2007-2008 school year:
- Positive Behavior Support (PBS): PBS is a research-based, data-driven program that enforces positive student behavior while maximizing student achievement. More information will be forthcoming.
- School-Wide Rules:
DES will now be governed by three basic school-wide rules.
1. Be respectful.
2. Be responsible.
3. Be prepared.
- Computer Lab: DES now has two computer labs. These labs offer a variety of educational software programs for students in pre-k through 5th grade. The computer labs are available for students before and after school as well as at scheduled times during the day.
- Voicemail: Voice mail is available for all teachers to receive telephone messages from parents. Messages can be left at any time and will be returned within 24 hours.
- Family Engagement: DES is a “family-friendly” school. We encourage participation by family members at all levels of the decision-making process. Please read our Family Engagement Policy and make a commitment to become more involved in your child’s educational program.
This year presents the opportunity for both students and parents. Please feel free contact the administration and your child’s teacher if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Bryan Saunders
Principal
Mission & Beliefs
DOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
“Empowering Students to Achieve”
MISSION
Our mission, in partnership with the home and community, is to provide a diverse curriculum that empowers our students with the ability to meet all expected benchmarks, while being respectful, responsible, and prepared in their successive years of education.
DES BELIEFS
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A students' learning needs should be the primary focus of all decisions impacting the work of the school.
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Each child should be provided with a developmentally appropriate learning environment in order to reach their maximum potential.
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The school shall employ a variety of instructional strategies and ongoing assessment to increase student learning.
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All stakeholders, such as teachers, administration, parents, and community members, should share the responsibility for educating students.
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Strong parental involvement raises the academic achievement of students.
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Accessibility to technology will enhance student learning.
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Highly qualified teachers and trained support staff create an effective school environment.
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Dover Elementary School provides a safe and positive learning environment.
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The Advisory Council serves as a decision-making body that supports our school policies and beliefs.
VISION
Our school's vision, in collaboration with parents and the community, is to provide a safe, orderly environment that will encourage and stimulate students academically. We will incorporate research based teaching strategies and interventions to accommodate the learning styles of our individual students. While maintaining an environment conducive to learning, students will share in the responsibility for continuous achievement. Being prepared to face each learning experience, students will have appropriate tools that serve as a foundation for the remaining years of their education.
DES DESIRED RESULTS OF STUDENT LEARNING
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Students will demonstrate desirable work habits and attitudes in order to be responsible citizens in a democracy.
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Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively using the four forms of communication: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
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Students will demonstrate the skills of critical thinking and will apply appropriate problem solving techniques.
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Students will demonstrate respect for self and others and appreciate the diversity of all individuals.
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Students will apply basic knowledge of current technology.
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Students will demonstrate effective reading comprehension sills.
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Students will demonstrate the ability to use a variety of resources to help them acquire skills.
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Students will demonstrate the ability to transfer academic and nonacademic skills from various subject areas to events in everyday life.
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Students will demonstrate the ability to make appropriate choices that enhance personal and social responsibilities.
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Students will demonstrate basic mathematical skills.
Directory & Calendar
School Telephone Directory
DES Main Office 232-5442
DES Cafeteria 232-8702
Board of Education 232-5176
Stewart County High School 232-5179
Stewart County Middle School 232-9112
North Stewart Elementary 232-5505
The Center for Teaching and Learning 232-5351
Visitors
VISITORS
Parents are encouraged to visit the school for conferences and school activities. In compliance with State Law Board Policy, visitors must report to the office to receive and wear a visitor’s pass. This is designed to ensure the safety of all students and staff. We ask that parents contact the school and schedule meetings with teachers prior to coming to school. Meetings will be scheduled during the teacher’s planning time in order to prevent the disruption of the students’ daily schedule.
DISTRICT SCHOOL CALENDAR
August 2 Registration day, abbreviated day for students
August 6 First full day of school
September 3 Labor Day Holiday (schools closed)
October 8-12 Fall Break (no school for students)
October 23 DES Parent/Teacher Conference 3:00-9:00 pm (school in session)
November 12 Veterans Day Holiday (schools closed)
November 19-20 Staff Development (no school for students)
November 21-23 Thanksgiving Holiday (schools closed)
December 20 Abbreviated day for Students
December 21-January 2 Christmas/Winter Break (schools closed)
January 3-4 Staff Development (no school for students)
January 21 Martin Luther King Holiday (schools closed)
February 18 President’s Day Holiday (schools closed)
February 28 DES Parent/Teacher Conference 3:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. (school in session)
March 17-24 Spring Break (schools closed)
May 21-22 No school for students
May 23 Last day of school, abbreviated day for students
DOVER ELEMENTARY PTCO
The objective of the PTCO is to promote the welfare of all children through a working partnership among the parents, educators, and the community at large. We encourage everyone, parents and community members alike, who are concerned about the welfare of children, to use PTCO as a means for becoming involved in education. The PTCO sends information home at the beginning of each school year about their activities and how to become a member.
OPEN HOUSE
The DES open house will be August 14 from 6:00-7:30. Please report to the gym at 6:00 if you are in the building at this time for a short introduction. You may come anytime to school from 6:00-7:30. Refreshments will be served.
General Information/Policies
Accreditation
Dover Elementary School provides a quality educational program for all students. The school meets the state standards for public schools in Tennessee. Dover Elementary School is fully accredited by the Commission on Elementary and Middle Schools Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Attendance Policies and Procedures
(State and County Policies included separately on pages 20-22)
*Absence from School
Prompt and regular attendance is essential in order to derive maximum benefit from the instructional program and to develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline, and responsibility. There is a direct relationship between poor school attendance and academic failure.
The faculty and staff at Dover Elementary School believe that each school day is important for mastering the curriculum set by state guidelines. This curriculum is also the basis for the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). If students are not at school, we cannot teach them. It is by law the parents’ responsibility to see that their children are in school on time each school day. Sickness, deaths in family and medical appointments are all valid examples of excused absences. If your child has a fever or is in an infectious phase of a contagious disease we ask the parent to keep him/her at home.
Parents should telephone the school or send a note by their child explaining the absence(s) upon the child’s return to school. The telephone message or note should convey the following information: student’s name, parent’s name, date of absence, reason for absence, teacher’s name or grade.
Students are responsible for making up missed assignments when absent. Incomplete assignments due to absence will result in an incomplete on the report card. Work should be made up within five school days (upon returning to school). After this time, an incomplete will be recorded as a failure. Only in the event that absences exceed three consecutive days will homework be collected and sent home. Following three consecutive absences, parents may call the school and request missed assignments.
*Early Dismissal
Parents may pick up students early by coming to the office prior to 2:15. Please be aware that an early dismissal is also a tardy and is discouraged. For dismissals after 2:15, parents should go to the pick-up line to the right of the building. Only those persons listed on the emergency card will be allowed to obtain an early dismissal for a student. Any person picking up a student should be prepared to present identification.
Excessive early dismissals from school are discouraged. Instructional time is very important to your child’s education. The end of the day usually is a time for last minute instructions, announcements, and homework assignments. It would of great benefit for your child to be present at this time.
*Emergency Dismissal
School may be canceled in advance of the scheduled day. In such cases, local radio and television stations (channels 2, 4, and 5) will carry the notice of cancellation. Patents can also call 232-4000 for school closing information.
In case of cancellation during the school day, we will release buses and car riders at the time designated by the county office. A form will be sent home with each child to determine where he/she is to go if school is called off. If we do not have this information on file, students will be instructed to dismiss as they normally do.
*Tardiness
Morning classes begin promptly at 7:45 a.m. Excessive tardiness causes disruption to teaching and learning in the classroom. It is the parents’ responsibility to see that children arrive at school on time. Unless you are in your classroom at 7:45, you will be considered tardy. Tardy students must get an admission slip from the office. Excessive tardiness may result in referral to the Truancy Review Board.
*Truancy Review Board
The Stewart County Truancy Board is a body of concerned citizens who recognize the necessity of regular school attendance. This is a joint effort by the school, juvenile court, law enforcement, and community health agencies. The mission and purpose of the Truancy Review Board is to:
1. Insure compliance with compulsory attendance laws and Board of Education policies.
2. Send a generalized message to truancy population that compulsory attendance laws will be enforced.
3. Advise and educate parents of their rights and responsibilities.
4. Reduce amount of dropouts and retention rates due to non-attendance.
5. Decrease time of Attendance Supervisor for prosecuting cases in court.
This board is in effect and will meet once a month on Wednesday mornings at the Stewart County Court House. Referrals to the Truancy Review Board will be based on students who have demonstrated a history of truancy. For more information please contact Marian Page at 232-5176.
Assembly Programs
Assembly programs are usually held the day after report cards are sent home to recognize those students with outstanding achievement. Notification of assembly dates and times will be noted on each report card and posted on the school sign.
Students shall be provided a safe learning environment. It shall be a violation for any student to bully, intimidate or create a hostile educational environment for another student. Bullying and intimidation are defined as either physically harming a student or damaging his/her property, or knowingly placing the student in reasonable fear of such, or creating a hostile educational environment. This includes conduct taking place on school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided transportation, or at any official school bus stop immediately before boarding and immediately following de-boarding.
Alleged victims of the above-referenced offenses shall report these incidents immediately to a teacher, counselor or building administrator. Any allegation shall be fully investigated by a complaint manager.
The privacy and anonymity of all parties and witnesses to complaints will be respected. However, because an individual’s need for confidentiality must be balanced with obligations to cooperate with police investigations or legal proceedings, to provide due process to the accused, to conduct a thorough investigation or to take necessary action to resolve a complaint the identity of parties and witnesses may be disclosed in appropriate circumstances to individuals with a need to know.
A substantiated charge against an employee shall result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. A substantiated charge against a student may result in corrective or disciplinary action up to and including suspension.
There will be no retaliation against any person who reports harassment or participates in an investigation. However, any employee who refuses to cooperate or gives false information during the course of any investigation may be subject to disciplinary action. The willful filing of a false report will itself be considered harassment and will be treated as such.
Dover Elementary uses the State of Tennessee Curriculum Standards and The Blueprint for Learning as the basis for instruction. More information is available on the state website: www.state.tn.us/education
Discrimination/ Harassment of Students
Discrimination/harassment toward a student by an employee or another student will not be tolerated. Discrimination/ harassment is defined as conduct, advances, gestures or words either written or spoken of a sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious nature which:
- Interferes with the student’s work or educational opportunities.
- Creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environment.
- Implies that submission to such conduct is made an explicit or implicit term of receiving grades or credit.
- Implies that submission to or rejection of such conduct will be used as a basis for determining the student’s grades and/or participation in a student activity.
Victims of discrimination/harassment should report these incidences to an appropriate school official. Confidentiality will be maintained and no reprisals or retaliation will occur as a result of good faith reporting of charges of discrimination/harassment.
In determining whether alleged conduct constitutes discrimination/harassment, all of the circumstances, including the nature of the conduct and the context in which the alleged conduct occurred will be investigated. The principal shall be responsible for investigating all complaints of discrimination/harassment. If satisfactory resolution of the complaint is not reached, the student may appeal the matter to the Director of Schools, and ultimately, to the Board of Education.
In order to protect the rights of students, to safeguard the learning environment, and to contribute to a drug-free community, students will not possess, distribute or be under the influence of illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages in school buildings or on school grounds, in school vehicles or buses, or at any school sponsored activity at any time, whether on or off school grounds.
Upon information that a student is suspected of violating this policy, the principal of the school shall be notified immediately. If it is determined that this policy has indeed been violated, the principal shall notify the student’s parent or guardian and the appropriate law enforcement officials. A student who unlawfully possesses any narcotic, stimulant, prescription drug or other controlled substance shall be subject to suspension for a period of not less than one calendar year. The director of schools shall have the authority to modify this suspension requirement on a case-by-case basis.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Policy is designed to set minimum standards for Tennessee school districts in providing services to non-English language background (NELB) students who are also limited English proficient (LEP). These students are referred to as English Language Learners (ELLs).
States, districts and schools are required to provide specialized programs for LEP students to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1965 and T.C.A. 4-21-90. This ESL policy has two purposes. First, it establishes the minimum required compliance components for ESL programs in Tennessee. Second, it provides a framework for implementing effective educational programs for ELLs. The Policy includes these components: anti-discriminatory policies and practices, identification of English Language Learners, parental notification and rights, service delivery models, and staffing ratios. For more information, contact Mrs. Marian Page at the Board of Education, 232-5176.
Extra Curricular Activities
Activities
*Accelerated Reading Program – point and award based program for students in grades 1-5
*Accelerated Math Program – point and award based program for students in grades 1-5
*Character Counts – see info on inside of back cover
*Just Say No – drug and alcohol intervention program in our 2nd grade provided by the City of Dover
*KATS – Kids Against Tobacco Substances program in our 3rd grade provided by SCHS HOSA CLUB.
*Presidential Physical Fitness Program – PE students in grades 4-5
*4-H – program provided by the Agriculture Extension Office in grades 4-5
*Yearbook Staff – students in 5th grade participate in creating the DES yearbook
Clubs
*ABC club – for kindergarten students
*100’s club – for kindergarten students
*Popcorn club- book reading program for kindergarten students
*BEAR club – book reading program for 1st grade
*Honors club – for 4th and 5th grade students
*Honors Club
The purpose of this club shall be to promote the ideas of honesty, service, morality, ethical conduct and leadership among elementary
school students. Students in fourth and fifth grades are eligible to join the Honors Club at the end of the second grading period if his/her
average is a 90 or above. More information is sent home when a student has met the requirements to join.
Family Engagement Policy (Code 4.502)
The school district shall be governed by the statutory definition of parent involvement as cited in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), and shall carry out programs, activities and procedures in accordance with this definition.
The Board shall implement the following as required by federal and state legislation:
1. The school district will put into operation activities and procedures for the involvement of parent s in all of its schools. Those programs, activities and procedures will be planned and operated with meaningful consultation with parents with parents.
2. The school district shall incorporate activities and strategies that support this district wide family and community engagement policy into its Tennessee Comprehensive System wide Planning Process (TCSPP).
3. The TCSPP shall include procedures by which parents may learn about the course of study for their children and have access to all learning materials.
4. The TCSPP shall include strategies for parent participation in the district’s schools which are designed to improve parent and teacher cooperation in such areas as homework, attendance and discipline.
5. If the school district’s TCSPP is not satisfactory to the parents, the school district shall submit any parent comments with the plan when the school district submits the plan to the State Department of Education.
6. To the extent practicable, the school district and its schools shall provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing information and school reports in an understandable and uniform format and including alternative formats upon request, and, to the extent practicable, in a language parents understand.
7. The school district shall appoint a Family and Community Advisory Council that will annually assess, through consultation with parents, the effectiveness of the Family and Community Engagement Program and determine what action needs to be taken, if any, to increase parental and community participation. In order to accomplish this, each advisory council shall be composed of representatives from parents of students in elementary, middle and high schools, community business leaders, a member of the school board, and representatives from the school district.
8. Every school district shall ensure Title I schools are in compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act.
Family Resource Center, Stewart County Schools
When school systems create resource centers devoted to parent’s needs they provide a signal that parents are welcome in the building. These centers typically are places where parents can gather informally, receive free educational material, and receive information on school-related issues. In some cases resource centers sponsor classes or workshops for parents. The Stewart County School & Family Resource Center is located in rooms E6 and E7. We have many educational games, file folder skill games and educational CD’s for parents, students and teachers. Please feel free to visit the Dover Elementary Family Resource Center. Stop by the office for your visitor’s pass and see the many resources available to you and your children. This service is provided to you by the Tennessee Department of Education, Title 1, and the Stewart County School System. Our Family Resource Coordinators are Nancy Spiers and Gayle Lee. They can be reached by calling DES (232-5442) or by email at nancyspiers@stewart.tn.us or gaylelee@stewart.k12.tn.us.
School Fundraising
Dover Elementary School students and parents are asked to take part in 2 fundraising events per year. The first fundraiser is with the USA Fundraising Company and will begin in August. This is our large fundraiser for the year. The second fundraiser will take place in the spring. The DES Advisory Council has approved both of these fundraisers. Participation on the part of every student is encouraged, however, it is optional. Any parent wishing to donate money instead of having his/her child take part in the fundraiser is welcome to do so. DES will receive one hundred percent of any donation that is given.
Student Fundraising
Various school clubs or organizations may have fundraisers within the school year. Fundraising by students is not allowed during class time. Students may only solicit support from faculty/staff members before or after school hours, or during a staff member’s planning time.
Report cards will be sent home six times a year. Report cards go home five days following the end of the grading period. Parents must sign and return the cards to the classroom teacher. Dover Elementary has adopted the following grading scale for grades 2-5.
90-100 A (outstanding)
80-89 B (above average)
73-79 C (average)
70-72 D (below average)
Below 70 F (unacceptable)
Guidance and Counseling
The guidance counselor is Mrs. Gayla Grise and her office can be reached at 232-5442. Her office is located in the main office area and provides a setting for individual students, small groups and families to conference with her or other staff to ensure that all students are successful and happy in school. She offers a comprehensive, developmental program that includes classroom guidance, small group sessions for students with common concerns, and individual counseling. This counseling is based upon the belief that each person has the right to respect and dignity as a unique human being, the right to self-direction and self-development, the right to privacy, and the responsibility for decisions reached. Parents can call her at any time to set up a phone conference or a conference at school.
Health Services (Code 6.401 TRR/MS 0502-1-3)
*Medication (Code 6.405 TCA 49-5-415)
Students are NOT permitted to bring prescription or non-prescription drugs to school. All medicine must be brought to the office by the parent or guardian. Forms must be completed by the parent or guardian and/or physician in order for any medication to be administered to the student.
*Immunizations (Codes 6.203, 6.402 TCA 49-6-3008(b), TCA 49-6-5001)
All students enrolling in the State of Tennessee must have their immunizations up-to-date. Shot records can be taken to the Stewart County Health Department. They will in turn give the student a “green form” which is proof of immunizations.
*Lice Screenings
The school nurse will conduct lice screenings in all grades. All new students will be screened upon enrollment.
INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL PLANNING
*Advisory Council
Dover Elementary School involves all stakeholders in the decision making process. The decision making team (Advisory Council) at DES is
comprised of teachers, parents, administrators, and staff members. Meetings are generally held the last Tuesday of every month at 3:05 in the school
library. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or address the council should contact the school at 232-5442 to be placed on the agenda.
*School Improvement Planning
School improvement is a continuous process utilized in Tennessee schools to ensure that schools are meeting all students’ needs. School Improvement teams are one way to begin building the professional learning communities needed to support the continuous improvement
effort. These teams are charged with learning to effectively use data to determine student performance goals and to use research to identify
strategies and interventions to achieve these goals. School-wide planning includes all constituencies involved in the school. The quest for
tools to improve student learning will be sustained throughout the continuous school improvement process. Each school develops or
updates a School Improvement Plan every year. If you would like to be a part of your child’s School Improvement Planning Team, please
contact the school’s administration.
**Effective Schools Survey
Part of the information used for the School Improvement Plan is obtained through this survey sent home in November. If you do not receive
this survey, you may contact Leta Joiner at the Board of Education, 232-5176.
*Parent Teacher Community Organization
The objective of the PTCO is to promote the welfare of all children through a working partnership among the parents, educators, and the community at large. We encourage everyone, parents and community members alike, who are concerned about the welfare of children, to use PTCO as a means for becoming involved in education. The PTCO sends information home at the beginning of each school year about their activities and how to become a member.
HOMEWORK POLICY (Code 4.6011)
Homework is the out-of class tasks that a student is assigned as an extension of classroom work. This is not to be confused with guided practice that is often done near the close of the class period. Homework which is properly designed, carefully planned, and geared to the development of the individual student enhances the education of students. Among the important purposes for homework are the following:
1. To reinforce/supplement classroom work
2. To instill responsibility in the student
3. To prepare students for upcoming class topics
4. To teach student to work independently
5. To demonstrate proficiency
6. To teach students organizational and time-management skills
In order to be meaningful, this homework shall be assigned along the following guidelines:
1. All homework should be graduated in the amount and type according to the needs and the abilities of the students involved.
2. All homework should be meaningful in content and quality and designed as a worthwhile supplement to good classroom teaching and not given as busy work or punishment.
3. All homework should be designed to help teach good habits and techniques in independent study.
4. There should be flexibility and differences in the assignment to individual students. These should stem from real needs and the consideration of the total educational background of the individual student.
5. Homework should be reasonable in view of the student’s situation. Health, housing conditions, extracurricular activities, outside work or responsibility, leisure time activity, and conflicting demands of home and school should not be allowed to become a frustrating and damaging combination for the student.
6. Homework should not be used to replace or reduce supervised study, which should take place during school hours. This type of study usually achieves better results than homework.
7. Homework is more effective if a conference with the parents results in understanding of purpose and ways in which help at home can best be offered.
8. There should be a cooperative effort on the part of teachers to coordinate homework assignment so that students are not overburdened with excessive quantities of homework. (Special efforts should be make to evenly disperse assignment in order to avoid overloads at some times and no homework at other times.)
9. When a teacher decides that a student is developing a pattern of not completing homework, the teacher shall notify the student’s parents.
10. Homework shall not require the use of reference material not readily available in most homes, school libraries or the public library.
*Quality of homework
1. The teacher should accept responsibility for making sure students understand not just what is to be done but why and how it should be done. The assignment must have a legitimate educational goal; it shall not be used as punishment.
2. This type of homework assignments should be designed to help students develop a variety of study skills. These could be reading assignment, written homework, drills or long-term projects.
3. All completed homework shall be examined by the teacher and student and mistakes should be corrected.
4. The work should be meaningful to the student.
5. Students should be able to complete homework in a reasonable time. The time frame varies according to age, level of material, difficulty, and student ability.
6. All written homework must be neat and represent the student’s ability.
*Evaluation of Homework
Teachers must ascertain that all students understand the evaluation procedures. Students expect and deserve recognition of the work they have done, so therefore, the work should be evaluated. This evaluation should be in one of the following forms:
1. An appropriate oral or written comment
2. Sharing with the class, another class or principal
3. Class discussion
4. Independent or class project
5. Formal grade given by the teacher. Among the criterion used for evaluation will be:
a. completeness
b. correctness
c. weight factors determined by the teacher
d. did student follow instructions
e. timeliness
Kindergarten Registration
A kindergarten pre-registration is held in the spring of each year. If you have a child that will attend kindergarten next year, please plan to attend this meeting. The date and time of this meeting will be well advertised in advance.
Parent-School Communication
If parents have a concern about their child’s experience at Dover Elementary School, they are strongly encouraged to communicate that concern with the school. Effective education is built upon open communication. We are sincerely concerned about any problems, which might arise during the year. We may not always see eye-to-eye on every concern, but we will listen.
If a parent would like to request a meeting, normally a child’s teacher is the first point of contact. A note asking the teacher to call a specific number at a designated time often works well. If you telephone, you may ask for the teacher’s voice mail. The office staff will gladly connect you to the teacher’s voice mail. Teachers are required to check their messages at least once a day. If you would like to request a conference, a time will be set up to speak with the teacher during his/her planning time. It is the policy of Dover Elementary School to not interfere with a teacher’s instructional time unless absolutely necessary.
If after speaking with your child’s teacher, you are not satisfied or the problem is not resolved, you may want to request a meeting with the administration. This can be set up by calling the school and speaking with the Principal or Assistant Principal.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are a valuable way of keeping up-to-date on your child’s progress and learning what you as a parent can do to help them. There is at least one school wide conference scheduled each year. This year there will be one on Tuesday, October 23 from 3:00-9:00 and also Thursday February 28 from 3:00-9:00. Parents with concerns should feel free to initiate other conferences by contacting their child's teacher.
At times the teacher will indicate a desire for a conference on the student’s report card, or the teacher may contact the parent. A visit to the school may prove to be the best investment of time that a parent can make in their child’s education.
*Morning
Buses will unload at the front entrance in the morning beginning at 7:10. Car riders should be dropped off only at the side entrance in the morning beginning at 7:10. Dropping students off at the front entrance is unsafe due to the arrival of morning buses.
*Afternoon
Buses will load at the front entrance in the afternoon at 2:45 and 3:00. Car riders will load at 2:30 at the side entrance only. Do not pick up children at the front entrance after 2:15. Buses may block you in and doing so congests the area so that buses cannot park in their normal parking spots. This is also a safety issue as we do not want students crossing in front of moving buses.
Stewart County School System offers preschool services to those children who are four years old on or before September 30 of the current school year and meet eligibility requirements. In come and educational needs are considered first in the selection process. Parents must complete an application to be considered for one of the eighty slots that are available to county residents. For additional information, pease contact the Board of Education at 232-5176.
A pre-school pre-registration is held in the spring of each year. If you have a child that you want to attend pre-school next year, please plan to attend this meeting. The date and time of this meeting will be well advertised in advance.
School Supplies
School supplies may be purchased from a “bookstore” cart in the front lobby in the mornings before 7:45.
Student Records
Parents have the right of access to their child’s entire cumulative record kept at the school. Children do not have access to these records
while they are minors. If you wish to see a record, please make the arrangement though the school counselor. Access is available to both
natural parents regardless of their present marital status unless the school is otherwise directed by a court order. Besides parents and staff
with a need to know, no one else is given this information. Additional information on student records and parents' rights to these records is
provided in an additional section of this handbook, beginning on page 23.
Student Rules/Guidelines
*Building Rules
- Students from car-riders may enter the building after 7:10 a.m. and students from buses may enter the building after 7:10 a.m. There will be no supervision prior to 7:10 a.m.
- All students will be dismissed through the office. Parents are not to go to the classrooms unless they have cleared it through the office prior to the visit and are wearing a visitor’s pass.
- Chewing gum is prohibited.
4. Obscene or vulgar language will not be tolerated at DES.
- No student may ride motorbikes or bicycles on campus, nor should they be on the playground after school hours.
- Radios, electronic games, toys, etc. or other items that could cause disruptions are not to be brought to school. The teachers may collect any items that cause a disruption to the learning process. These items must be picked up by the parents at the end of the school year or at the discretion of the administration.
- Cellular telephones and pagers are not allowed at school. These items will be confiscated.
- During assemblies, courtesy should always be shown to our guests. Entering and leaving the assemblies are to be done quietly and orderly. The appearance of someone on the stage or at the microphone is the automatic sign for silence. Misbehavior in assembly programs will result in disciplinary action.
- Soliciting and/or sales by individuals or non-school groups are not permitted. School clubs and organizations must secure permission from the principal to sell items of any type at a school sponsored activity. This must be approved by the Director of Schools and approved by the Board of Education.
10. School supplies will be available to purchase between 7:15 and 7:40 in the school lobby.
- A note is required from the parents if their child is riding a different bus that day, getting off the bus at a different location, being picked up by anyone other than the people listed on the child’s emergency card, or being picked up by a parent after school when the child usually rides the bus home. The note should contain the date, phone number where parent/guardian can be reached, specific transportation instructions, and signature of parent/guardian. At DES, we strive to provide your child with the most safe and stable environment possible. With this in mind, we encourage you to ensure that your child knows exactly what transportation arrangements have been make for him/her arriving at school each day. In the past, our office has been flooded with calls at the end of the day requesting changes in transportation for students going home after school. Please contact the office before 1:45 to request the change of a student’s bus number for that afternoon. This ensures enough time to notify the student of the bus change before the dismissal of school.
12. Please check the lost and found located in the gym for any item you have misplaced.
13. DES is not responsible for money and valuables brought to school by students.
- Students are not to place anything on the outside of lockers unless it enhances school spirit or student performance.
*Bus Conduct
1. To insure safety, everyone is under the supervision of the bus driver on the bus. Passengers must respond promptly to instructions given by the bus driver including seating assignments.
2. The bus is an extension of the classroom and all rules of behavior for students as specified by School Board Policy and the School Handbook Manual are applicable.
3. Food, drink, and candy on the bus are prohibited except in unusual circumstances as specified by the bus driver or Supervisor of Transportation.
4. Animals, oversized objects (including balloons), and glass containers are not permitted. Flammable items are not to be on the bus including cigarettes lighters or matches.
5. Passengers must observe conduct similar to that in the classroom. Ordinary conversation is permitted. Horseplay, unruly behavior, abusive, obscene language or gestures are not acceptable.
6. Keep aisles and step-off platform clear at all times.
7. The student should never extend any portion of the body outside bus windows. Objects are not to be thrown from the bus.
8. Students are to sit in the seats. Students should not attempt to move about while the bus is in motion but remain seated until the bus stops.
9. Damage to the bus must be paid for by the student/guardian. Bus service will not be provided until this is done or arrangements are made.
10. Regular pickup time schedules must be observed by the student.
11. Students must wait at the proper stop and never stand in the road.
12. Students are to wait for the drivers signal before crossing the road to board the bus. Students are to cross well in front of the bus.
13. Observe driver’s instructions when loading or unloading.
14. Drivers will not unload passengers at places other than the regular stops near their home or at school without proper authorization from the parent and school officials.
15. Failure to follow regulations, procedures, or bus driver directions may result in suspension from bus service.
16. Parents/guardians should never board a bus to talk to the driver. Any issue or problem should be addressed at the school.
--SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY--
*Cafeteria
Lunch money for the entire week is due on the first day of each week. Lunches are available for $1.40 and breakfast for .75 per day. If you have a question or concern about you lunch accounts please call the DES cafeteria at 232-8702.
We expect our students to obey all general school rules while in the cafeteria.
We also expect o