Keheley Elementary School |
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KEHELEY ELEMENTARY School Handbook The Keheley Elementary School staff has written and endorsed an instructional plan that strives to offer each student the optimum opportunity to develop academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Each student and staff member will work together in an educational environment characterized by competence, confidence, understanding, respect, and mutual trust. The instructional placement of students will be within these categories: • Early Primary: Students in Kindergarten Enhancing this instructional program will be the Support Personnel in the areas of Media, Speech, Target, Physical Education, Music, Art, Special Education and Guidance. Parents will be invited to review progress during regularly scheduled conference periods. Progress reports will be sent at the halfway point if needed. Kindergarten through fifth grade report cards will be sent home every nine weeks. The total instructional program will be presented during the August Open House. Please check the calendar for these dates. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM The After School Program (ASP) will begin on Monday, August 13, 2007. The hours are 2:30 pm–6:00 pm Monday through Friday. The ASP will operate as an extension of the instructional day for Keheley students and will function under the guidelines established by the Cobb County School District. All children must be registered before attending ASP. There is a one-time $10 registration fee per child. Applications for the program are available at Sneak-A-Peak and in the office after that date. Students may be enrolled on a regular weekly basis or on a “drop-in” basis. Fees are $35.00 a week or $7.00 a day for each child (fees are subject to change). Payment is due the first day a child attends each week. ASP is a pre-paid program. Payment envelopes should be placed in the school safe in the lobby. A student’s account can not go over $21.00 (3 days) past due. Students will not be allowed to stay in the ASP program again until the balance owed is paid in full. Activities (such as P.E., music, art, karate, chess, games, movies, computer, etc.) are planned by staff members, and a nutritious snack is provided daily. This is included in your fee. However, on occasion ASP may plan a field trip or a special program for your child for which an additional fee may be requested. We are happy to offer after school care to our families who need this service. We will continually work to modify and improve our program to meet the needs of our children at Keheley. COBB COUNTY ADVANCED LEARNING PROGRAM (Gifted Services, Elementary) Georgia law defines a gifted student as “...a student who demonstrates a high degree of intellectual and/or creative ability(ies), exhibits an exceptionally high degree of motivation, and/or excels in specific academic fields, and who needs special instruction and/or special ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her abilities.” Cobb County provides services for identified gifted students at all levels. The gifted program is designed to meet the very specific needs of these students and extend competencies in the areas of cognitive skills, learning skills, research and reference skills, communication skills, and metacognitive skills beyond the experience of the regular classroom. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for gifted services, the criteria must be met in three of the following areas: 1. Mental Ability: • 96th percentile on a national normed test
2. Achievement • 90th percentile on Total Reading, Total Math, or Composite on a national
3. Creativity • 90th percentile on a nationally normed test
4. Motivation • Superior rating on a standardized motivation rating scale *A qualifying score on a nationally normed test is required to meet the criteria in at least one area. Identification Elementary students have several opportunities for evaluation for gifted services. Requirements for gifted eligibility are determined by state rule and include standardized test criteria as well as performance criteria. Students eligible for gifted services in other Georgia schools are also eligible in Cobb County School district once eligibility has been verified. Gifted Transfer Students: A student already participating in a gifted program in Georgia will most likely be transferred into the Cobb County program. However, the student’s records and test data will be reviewed by the eligibility committee before a final placement decision is made. Students who transfer from out-of-state must meet Georgia requirements for placement in the Cobb County Gifted Curriculum: Gifted services must meet quality curriculum objectives while providing differentiated curriculum based on the assessed needs of the study. The curriculum blends instruction in math, science, social studies, and language arts into units that examine central themes, issues, problems, and topics. Fundamental to curriculum developed for gifted students are learning experiences that develop the use of thinking skills and processes. This instruction enables students to apply these skills and make informed decisions, to understand and apply concepts, to make judgments and to define, create, and implement strategies for solving problems. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Parents: Please feel free to review Cobb County Board of Education Policies and Cobb County School District Administrative Rules at your leisure. Rules governing student behavior and/or school procedures can be accessed online at the Cobb County Web Site, www.cobbk12.org under “Policy, Planning & Support, Administrative Rules”. The following procedures represent general reference areas but are not inclusive of all Rules or local school policy. Please review these carefully: ABSENCES: Instructional time in an elementary school is structured sequentially. Family vacations should be planned with the school calendar in mind to prevent children from missing essential skills. When a student is absent, he/she must bring in a written, signed excuse upon returning to school. It is the principal’s responsibility to monitor student attendance, and excessive absences will be addressed. (GA Code Section 20-2-690-1(b); Cobb County School District Administrative Rule JE) ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL GROUNDS: Children may not leave the school grounds during regular school hours unless called for by the office. Children will be released only to their parents unless the school has been notified otherwise in writing. (Please refer to the section “Excuses” for more information.) ACCIDENTS, ILLNESS and MEDICATIONS: Our clinic nurse is trained to treat minor emergencies and to dispense medications when needed. No medications will be dispensed in the classroom. A medication form must be completed by parents prior to dispensing of medicines (prescription or non-prescription). Over-the-counter drugs must be maintained in their original container. Prescription drugs must also be in their original container, bear the name of the patient, the name of the physician prescribing the medication, and the pharmacy filling the prescription. Authorization forms may be obtained at the school or online. To find forms online, go to www.cobbk12.org . Locate “General Information” on the left side of the page and click on “School Health Services”. Find forms on the right side of the page (http://www.cobbk12.org/schoolhealth/index.htm). Clinic hours are from 8:00 am to 2:30 PM daily. It is of utmost importance that we maintain a clinic card on file for reference and that parents keep information current on this card for emergency treatment purposes. If a child is suspected of having a communicable disease, parents will be called to pick up the child from the school and seek a physician’s diagnosis prior to returning the student to a classroom. This local school procedure is for the safety and best interest of all our students. Please do not send children to school who feel ill or who have had a temperature over 100 within 24 hours. ARRIVAL TIME: Students should not arrive prior to 7:20 AM as there is no one to supervise them. Students who do arrive prior to 7:20 AM are not the responsibility of the Keheley Elementary staff and are not to report to classrooms until 7:20 AM. School will begin following the 7:50 AM announcements. Students arriving after 7:50 AM are considered “tardy.” ATTENDANCE: Regular school attendance is required by Georgia law (20-2-690-1) for all children between the ages of six and sixteen. Regular attendance means actual attendance of a pupil during the entire day of school. We solicit your co-operation in planning appointments that do not interrupt school hours. A school calendar with marked holidays is incorporated in the handbook to assist in vacation planning. A student who attends a half day or more of school is counted present (e.g. 7:50 AM to 11:15 AM is a half day). A student arriving at school after 7:50 AM is counted tardy. AWARDS AND STUDENT RECOGNITION: Criteria and guidelines for awards and recognition are established by members of the school Leadership Team. Perfect attendance certificates recognize students who have NO absences and no more than two tardies. BOOKS: Textbooks for the children are provided through county and state funds without cost to the child’s parents or guardians. In compliance with the textbook policy, all charges for lost or damaged textbooks must be paid in order to issue replacements or transfer records to other systems. All textbooks issued to children will be their responsibility should the books be lost, damaged, or stolen. BREAKFAST: A nutritious breakfast will be served daily in the Keheley cafeteria from 7:15 – 7:40. The food selections include fruit and fruit juice, enriched breads, breakfast meats and milk. Student breakfast prices are $1.00. Menus will be sent home and are also available online at http://www.cobbk12.org/departments/bs/bsfoodservices/SchoolMenuPages/index.htm . DISCIPLINE: As part of our commitment to each child’s development of citizenship, the following expectations were developed by staff and students. These expectations will be discussed in each classroom during the first weeks of school so that a consistent and safe school-wide learning environment will be established for all Keheley students. All disciplinary actions at Keheley will be in keeping with Cobb County Elementary Student Code of Conduct. Citizenship Statement: We, the Keheley Cougars, will respect others and ourselves. We will accept personal responsibility for our actions and our attitudes. We will show civility to all and through our commitment and cooperation, will help to ensure the safety of our school and community. Keheley Citizenship Expectations: At Keheley, we will not tolerate hurtful acts or violence such as any mean look, word, sign or act that hurts a person’s body, feelings or things.
EARLY DISMISSALS AND TRANSPORTATION CHANGES: If it is necessary to change your child’s usual means of going home, the teacher must have a note from you stating this (for example: bus rider to car rider, or ASP to car rider, etc.) If you plan to pick up your child some time during the school day (for a doctor’s appointment, etc.), please send the teacher a note so your child can be prepared to leave. Parents who come to the school to check out a student must sign the child out in the front office. In order to minimize the loss of instructional time, students will not be called to the office until a parent arrives to check the child out. Early checkout of students must be completed by 2:00. No classroom calls for students will occur after 2:00 PM due to afternoon announcements and end of day classroom reflections and routines. Please do not pick up your child between 2:00 and 2:20 unless you have an emergency. Thank you. For students’ safety, please attempt to keep telephone transportation changes to a minimum. Telephone requests for transportation changes will only be accepted until 2:00 PM unless it is an emergency. EMERGENCIES: Should there be an emergency and you need to pick up your child prior to regular dismissal, you must come by the school office. There is a sign-out form for you to complete. Do not go directly to the class, as teachers will not release students in this manner. Your child’s protection is our concern, and we solicit your cooperation in following this procedure. Please establish a family “Emergency Plan” so that students and teachers will know how your child will go home should the school close for an emergency (ex.: inclement weather). The teacher will request a copy of this information during the first weeks of school. EXCUSES: When children are absent we must receive a written excuse within 3 days of the student’s return to school as per Cobb County regulation. Absenteeism due to travel or vacation is not an excused absence. For more information, see Administrative Rule JE. HEARING, VISION AND DENTAL EXAMINATION: Volunteer parents and/or school personnel will be trained to administer hearing and vision screening at Keheley for students new to Cobb County Schools. It is the responsibility of the parent to obtain the dental examination and bring this record to school on Georgia DHR Form 3300. (This form may be obtained from a local dentist or county health department.) FACILITY USE: Any organizations or functions which use the Keheley facilities or grounds, such as Little League Sports or individual soccer practice, must be scheduled with the school. Scout meetings (Boy, Girl, Brownies, Cubs) must also be scheduled. Limitation and cancellations of contracts will be scheduled on a first-come first-served basis. In consideration of teaching, planning and conference times, meetings cannot begin until 3:00 PM. Please call (770) 528-6671 at the Cobb County School District office for facility use information. FIELD TRIPS: A field trip is defined as “a planned educational experience directly related to and correlated with a particular unit of study or a specialized function of the school” (as quoted from the Cobb County School District Administrative Rules IFCB). Administrators will approve only those trips that can be shown to have a direct and meaningful relationship to the curriculum. All field trips are determined and scheduled by the teachers and administrators. IMMUNIZATIONS: All students must submit to the school a certificate of immunization completed by a Georgia doctor or health officer. This certificate must be on the form provided by the State, Form 3231. If religious beliefs prohibit immunization, an official waiver must be secured from the Cobb County Board of Education (Rule JLC, Student Welfare: Waiver of Immunizations, Form JLC-4). Students entering sixth grade must have two MMR shots after their first birthday and provide proof of this immunization (Form 3231) to school personnel for their permanent record. INSTRUCTIONAL TIME: The cooperative goal of home and school is to provide the best educational experience possible. Therefore, we solicit your cooperation in guarding valuable instructional time. Please do not “drop in” to the classrooms to visit, or arrive at the child’s classroom for early dismissal. If a teacher conference is needed, please call or come by the school office for an appointment. Teachers will be glad to return calls at the close of their instructional day. Do not make a habit of picking students up prior to afternoon dismissal. INVITATIONS: Invitations for private parties or events (birthday parties, etc) are allowed to be sent home only if all students in the class are invited. Teachers cannot send home invitations for selected students from a child’s classroom. LUNCHES: A nutritious and attractive lunch is served daily at Keheley. All students are required to eat in the dining room whether they buy lunch or bring it from home. Menus for the month will be distributed to students to assist in your child’s lunch planning. Parents are welcome to join us for lunch. Please pick up a visitors pass in the front lobby if you are dining with your child (adult lunch - $2.50, child lunch - $1.60, milk - $.50). Carbonated drinks are not allowed in our school dining room. In support of our school lunch program, we ask that you do not bring in food from restaurants or fast food. The lunchroom phone number is 678-494-7837. We are proud of our wonderful school lunch program and encourage students to participate! (Lunch prices subject to change—please check with the school office.) Lunch menus, class times for lunch, and meal-pay may be accessed from the Keheley web site at www.cobbk12.org/~keheley . Keheley uses the following procedure for lunch. If a child realizes s/he has forgotten lunch money, we will allow him/her to contact the parents before 8:30 AM. Parents can then arrange to bring lunch or lunch money to the school office before lunchtime. Parents may also prepay students’ lunches online at https://www.mealpayplus.com/. PARENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: There are a number of areas in which parents may give time to better our school, such as special program assistance, the Media Center and the front office. Please do your part to become more involved in your child’s education at Keheley as home/school partnerships build student successes! We invite you to volunteer; we need you! PARTIES: Cobb County Board of Education Administrative Rule JJB stipulates that only one party is allowed each year. This party is held just prior to the winter holidays. Please do not request parties at other times of the year. In an effort to protect the sensitivity of all children, students are not allowed to distribute party invitations to classmates while at school. Administrative Rule JJB also prohibits delivering flower or balloon arrangements to students at school. PERFORMING ARTS AND CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM: We will see a variety of cultural arts programs throughout the school year. A specified donation from parents covers the cost of both transportation and the program. PERSONAL ITEMS AND WEAPONS: Students are not to bring any personal playthings, novelties, pets, equipment, etc., to school unless given permission by a member of the staff. Knives, weapons, or look-alikes of any sort are strictly prohibited by the Cobb County School District Administrative Rules. Please review Administrative Rule JICDA-E (Student Code of Conduct, Section II, Paragraph Y) regarding weapons. PERSONAL REFLECTION: A state law requires public school students be offered the opportunity for a moment of quiet reflection each school day. This opportunity will be afforded to Keheley students each morning. PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Physical Education instruction is required by Georgia law and participation is mandatory except for health reasons. A written note from a physician or parent explaining the nature of the illness or injury must be presented to the physical education instructor and state specifically the length of restricted time before normal participation can be resumed. Everyday school dress is acceptable for participating in physical education activities. Flat, POLICIES: Current Cobb County Board of Education policies may be found at the Cobb County School District Website, http://www.cobbk12.org , for your review. The link to Administrative Rules contains information on the district’s instructional program, as well as student activities and conduct. Should you need clarification of any rule, please contact an administrator. Local school policy is contained in this Handbook and is based on input from teachers, students and parents. Please read each section carefully and discuss these policies with your children. SCHOOL CLOSINGS/INCLEMENT WEATHER: Please remember not to call the school regarding school closings. Turn to local TV and radio stations for information about school closings or early dismissals. Plan ahead with your children so they will know where to go should the school close before you can get home. Have a friend, neighbor or relative available to supervise children who are delivered home by the bus at an earlier time than usual. If you normally pick up your child by car in the afternoon, please have a “backup” plan ahead of time. Teachers will follow instructions given to them by you on the Inclement Weather Plan form should we have an occasion to dismiss prior to our regular time. For the safety and security of our students, please notify teachers in writing of updated phone numbers and names of persons who may pick up your children. On cold or rainy days, please allow your child to ride the bus as usual. Driving your child to the bus stop can avoid having the child stand in the cold or rain. If you choose to bring your child to school on a rainy day, please allow sufficient time so that you will arrive by 7:45. SCHOOL COUNCIL: Keheley has a School Council that meets at least four times each school year. The purpose of this council is to promote positive interaction and communication between school and community. The council is made up of the principal, two elected parents, two elected staff members, and two business members. All meetings are announced and are open to the public. SCHOOL INSURANCE: School accident insurance will be available to students at the beginning of school. Specific information will be sent to you. SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Cobb County School District Administrative Rules govern sexual harassment and student, teacher and staff behavior. This information can be found in Administrative Rule JICK on the district web site. SUSPENSION: The power of suspension is vested in the school administration and this action is deemed serious. In every case involving suspension, parents will be notified. The length of suspension may vary according to the factors/seriousness of the offense and is an administrative decision. Proper discipline will be enforced at Keheley, for it is the feeling of the administration TARDINESS: Children who arrive after school begins are tardy. Please sign your child in at the office where he/she will get an admittance slip to the classroom. Children are tardy after 7:50 am. Five tardies or more during each 9-week reporting period are considered excessive and disruptive to the student’s instructional program. Please make an effort to have your children arrive on time each morning. It is the duty of the principal to monitor late arrival of students. TELEPHONE MESSAGES/STUDENT CALLS HOME: Please be sure your child has all the instructions and necessary materials for the day prior to leaving for school. Out-going calls by students must be approved. Teachers are unable to receive calls during their instructional day. Do not call teachers during school hours. The secretary will relay messages to the teachers and your call will be returned later. TRANSFERS: Request for transfer from one school to another when no physical move is involved must be directed to the Cobb County Office of Policy and Planning. Keheley cannot accept transfers outside its attendance area unless it has been cleared through the central office. TRAFFIC SAFETY: All precautions are taken at the school to ensure safe crossings. There are safety officers assigned to help students cross streets at both the front and back of the school. TRANSPORTATION: Transportation has requested that students not ride buses other than their assigned buses unless it is for childcare purposes. A STUDENT MUST HAVE A NOTE FROM HOME IN ORDER TO RIDE ANOTHER BUS. Students must board and depart buses at their assigned stop. Bus drivers will NOT drop off students at another stop without a note. Safety rules and regulations have been developed for all bus riders. Each student who rides the bus is expected to obey these rules. When rules are broken, the privilege of riding the bus will be interrupted. We encourage parents to help instill the rules of conduct to bring about an atmosphere of respect and safety for one another. The behavior of students on school buses is considered an extension of classroom behavior. Maintaining proper conduct while on the bus shall be the joint responsibility of the student, parent, bus driver and school officials. Students must show proper respect to the driver at all times and obey all driver instructions. Students shall observe the following code of conduct established by the Cobb County Public Schools:
VANDALISM: Deliberate and willful destruction of school property will not be tolerated. After hours vandalism will be reported to the police immediately and charges will be brought against the offender(s). Parents are responsible to replace property that is maliciously destroyed by a student Cobb County Administrative Rule JICDA-E (Student Code of Conduct, Section II, Paragraph T, Property Related Offenses). Should you observe vandalism at our school, please try to remember an auto tag number and call the Cobb County Police department or the school. VISITOR PASSES: Two of our primary goals at Keheley are to provide a safe and secure environment for all students and to ensure that students have the uninterrupted instructional time to which they are entitled. To help us achieve these two goals, each visitor or volunteer must obtain a visitor badge before entering the classroom or dining area. This is imperative in our efforts to keep unauthorized visitors out of the building. Please enter the school only at the front entrance for the security and safety of our students. We discourage “drop in” visits to the classrooms. We DO ENCOURAGE scheduled conferences and welcome your role as a Keheley volunteer! We believe that home/school communication helps create a positive educational environment. This can best be accomplished during non-instructional time. Please be sure to wear your badge when working in our school. We appreciate and thank our many volunteers! COBB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION COBB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION School Board Members – Information on each of the School Board members may be found on the Cobb County School District Web Site, http://www.cobbk12.org/board/index.htm Superintendent Mr. Fred Sanderson Post 1 Lindsey Tippins, Chairman Board of Education members are elected countywide in partisan elections for four year staggered terms. The Board elects its own chairman and vice-chairman and appoints the superintendent. Keheley is under Post 4. RESPONSES TO CIVIL RIGHTS CONCERNS Policies of the Cobb County Board of Education require full compliance with all federal and state non-discrimination laws. This compliance policy is inclusive of the following federal laws: • Civil Rights Act of 1964: Title VI and Title VII, along with Title IX Educational Amendments • Age Discrimination In Employment Act of 1967(ADEA) • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 • Public Law 101-476, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: Titles I, II and III (ADA) The list of individuals designated to handle inquiries regarding the District’s non-discrimination policies may be found on the Cobb County School District Human Resources web page in the Diversity Management section on the right. (http://www.cobbk12.org/hr/ )
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