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SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
ABSENCES
Instructional time in an elementary school is structured and sequential.
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 a written signed excuse upon returning to school.
Please indicate the following information: child’s name, teacher’s name,
date(s), reason for absence, signature of parent or guardian.
Excused Absences include:
· When personally
ill and when attendance in school would endanger their health or the
health of others.
· When there is a
serious illness or death in their immediate family which would reasonably
necessitate absence from school
· On special and
recognized religious holidays observed by their faith
Absences from school
grounds: Children will be released only to their parents and/or guardians
unless the school has been authorized otherwise in writing. If a child
must leave early, a parent or authorized adult must come into the office
and sign the child out. The child will be called to the office to be
released. Identification will be required.
ACCIDENTS &
ILLNESSES
If a child has an accident during the day requiring outside medical
attention, we will contact a parent. If a parent cannot be contacted, we
will take the child to a local emergency room provided a medical release
has been signed. Judgement in such cases is at the discretion of the
school authorities, and parents assume financial responsibility. Please
keep updated phone numbers on file in the front office.
ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS
Admission requirements for admission to Cobb County Schools are
established in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia and
policies of the Cobb County School System.
AGE
Children who are five (5) years of age on or before September 1 are
eligible for kindergarten
Children who are six (6) years of age on or before September 1 are
eligible for first grade.
RESIDENCE
In order for a student to be admitted to Cobb County Schools, the
parent/guardian shall provide proof of residency. Any one or more of the
following will be required:
Home ownership title or security deed in the name of the
parent/guardian
Lease or rental agreement
Current utility bill (gas, telephone, power, water)
Current Georgia’s driver’s license
Current bank, credit union or other financial institution
documentation
Voter registration documentation from Cobb County
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
A
birth certificate with legal seal must be presented at registration.
GEORGIA CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION
It is required by law that your child be immunized. Immunization may be
obtained through your private physician or the Cobb County Health
Department. The state of Georgia now requires that all children born
after January 1, 1992 receive a three (3) dose series of Hepatitis B
vaccine prior to entering kindergarten.
EYE, EAR AND DENTAL CERTIFICATE
It is also required by law that each child have this certificate. This
can be obtained at a private physician or the health department.
CUSTODY PAPERS
We encourage parents to supply a complete set of custody papers for your
child’s records.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
Based on Georgia law (Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Code Section
20-1-150), parents must provide the Social Security number for children
who are enrolled in public school in Georgia. If a parent wishes not to
divulge the child’s social security number to the school, they must have a
notarized waiver form on file. That form becomes a part of the student’s
permanent record.
AFTER SCHOOL
PROGRAM
The After School Program (ASP) operates on the days that school is in
session; hours are 2:20 pm –
6:00 pm Monday – Friday. It will function under the guidelines as
established by the Cobb County Board of Education. Registration for the
program is required prior to attendance. Application forms are available
in the front office. Parents are required to designate whether their
child will attend ASP at Big Shanty or Kennesaw. They may NOT change
sites during the school year unless a written request for a permanent
change is approved by the principal of your home school. ASP
transportation to your school of choice will be provided by Cobb County.
They will only run one shuttle bus and students who miss that bus will
remain in ASP at their home school and parents will be notified that they
will have to pick them up at the home school and pay the $7.00 fee at that
time. ASP services are available to parents on a pre-paid basis only.
You must pay directly to the site where your child attends ASP. It is
advisable for parents to register and pre-pay one day of ASP for an
emergency or last minute situations. There is a $10 nonrefundable
registration fee. All unused funds will be refunded to
the parents at the end of the school year when you make that request in
writing to the bookkeeper.
ATTENDANCE
Regular school attendance is required by law for children between the ages
of seven and sixteen. Regular attendance means actual attendance of a
pupil during the entire day of school. We solicit your cooperation in
planning appointments that do not interrupt school hours. The Cobb
County Board of Education requires that schools keep proper attendance
records on all students. These records shall be open to inspection by the
school social worker. We promote prompt and regular attendance for all
students.
BOOKS
Textbooks for the children are provided through the 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 books 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.
BUS CONDUCT
All students transported within the Cobb County School System shall behave
in a manner which is conducive to their safety and welfare. Behavior of
students on school buses is considered an extension of the classroom
behavior. Students who fail to respond to direction of the bus drivers
shall be reported to the school principal who may deny the student bus
transportation. Students shall observe the following code of conduct
established for the Cobb County Public Schools:
1. Students must
show proper respect to the driver at all times and obey all driver
instructions.
2. Large toys,
insects, glass bottles, animals, plastic bags, straight or safety pins,
skateboards or objectionable items are not permitted.
3. Tobacco,
illegal drugs, alcohol and weapons or look-alikes are prohibited.
4. Students will
keep their arms and head inside the bus at all times.
5. Nothing is to
be thrown in to or out of the bus.
6. The use of
obscene language or gestures is prohibited.
7. Unnecessary
noise is prohibited.
8. Destruction or
defacing school property is prohibited.
9. Food, gum or
drinks cannot be consumed on the bus.
10. Drivers are
required to assign seats to elementary and middle school students.
11. Students must be
seated at all times unless otherwise directed by the driver.
12. Students must be
quiet at all railroad crossings.
13. When crossing a
street is necessary, students will wait for the driver to signal to cross
the street and then cross in front of the bus in full view of the driver.
14. The emergency
door, windows and hatches are to be used only at the direction of the
driver.
15. Students are to
be at the bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled time and are to
wait in an orderly manner. The bus is not considered late until five
minutes past the scheduled time.
16. Students may be
allowed to ride a bus and to disembark at a bus stop other than that
assigned for their residence provided the parent/guardian submits a
request in writing to the principal for approval.
17. Any other
disruptive behavior will be referred to the principal as deemed necessary
to insure safe transportation of students.
CAR RIDERS AND DAY CARE BUS RIDERS
Car riders and children who ride day care buses are dismissed from Big
Shanty at 2:10 pm and Kennesaw Elementary at 2:15 pm. Prompt pick up of
your child is necessary. Any student not picked up by 2:45 pm will be
placed in the After School Program at their home school and at the
parent’s expense of $7.00 per day per child. Car riders are to be dropped
off and picked up in front of the schools at the designated area. NO
CHILD MAY BE DROPPED OFF BEFORE 7:15 AM. Cars may not be left
unattended. Parents are asked to stay in one line in the car pool lane.
Do NOT park and cross in front of the traffic with your students or
dismiss your child in spots that are not designated. Please adhere to
these rules for the safety of all of our staff and students.
CHARACTER
EDUCATION
All schools in our district participate in Character Education
instruction. (This year’s schedule is in this handbook). At Big Shanty
and Kennesaw, we believe that Character Education is a continuous process
of positive development which should reinforce the positive qualities we
all want to see in today’s youth. Each week, we focus on a different
Character quality. The first minutes of each day are devoted to teaching
this program. Please take the time to discuss and review the character
words with your child each week.
COMMUNICATION
DEVICES
Students are not allowed to use or wear
beepers, cell phones or other electronic communication devices at school
during the regular school day or at school sponsored events. This
includes “look-alikes”.
COMMUNICATION WITH
PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Both Big Shanty and Kennesaw have communication folders that go home each
Thursday with your student. This folder will be an important tool for
communication between you and the teacher/school. Be sure to look over
that folder each Thursday. Other forms of communication that each school
provides are:
Announcements over the school intercom, placing information on the
marquee, this handbook, phonemaster and the school’s websites. Please
take the time to read this handbook and listen to phonemaster as that will
be your sources of information for upcoming events at each school.
CONFERENCES
A conference with your
child’s teacher is the best means of learning how your child is performing
in school. Every parent is asked to attend a scheduled conference each year. Requests for additional conferences can be made by
the parent or the teacher or by calling the school. We ask that you not
drop in unannounced for a conference. The teacher may have a prior
commitment. Conferences are in October. STUDENTS ARE DISMISSED
AT 12:30 EACH DAY DURING
CONFERENCE WEEK.
CLINIC
Please
refer to the Cobb County School District link attached
http://www.cobbk12.org/schoolhealth/index.htm
CONFLICT
Conflict is a very natural part of life. We do take the time to teach
children conflict resolution sills. Parents are the most significant
influence in a child’s life. We need parental support in teaching and
promoting nonviolent management of conflict. If a child experiences a
conflict for which he/she may need some help, our counselors are available
to assist.
CONTRIBUTIONS,
DONATIONS AND GRANTS
In conformity with the State Board of Education rules and regulations,
voluntary contributions, donations or grants may be received from
interested citizens for support of the educational program of the Cobb
County School District. Incidental to this, citizens may contribute
toward expenditures for materials, supplies, equipment and activities. No
student may be charged either tuition or fees as a condition of enrollment
or full participation in the instructional program. Pursuant to law ICGA
20-2-671, admission to all Cobb County Public Schools shall be gratuitous
to all eligible children residing within the Cobb County District.
DISCIPLINE
Our objective at Big Shanty and Kennesaw is to teach students self-control
and responsibility. We expect and insist on proper behavior and conduct
so that optimal learning may take place. When necessary, we employ
approved methods of dealing with unacceptable behavior.
DRESS CODE
Students’ dress should be neat and allow for maximum comfort and
flexibility. Students’ dress should also allow us to maintain an
environment that is conducive to learning. Therefore, students should
adhere to the following dress code:
· Hats, caps,
bandanas or headbands are not worn in school, unless announced for special
occasions.
· Clothing with
obscene or suggestive language is not permitted.
· Clothing which
promotes violence, gangs or is racially insensitive is not permitted.
· Crop tops,
halter tops, tank tops, or muscle shirts that expose the midriff are not
allowed.
· Clothing that
advertises alcohol, sex, drugs, or tobacco will not be allowed.
· The students
attend PE on a regular basis and participate in daily outdoor activities,
therefore, tennis shoes are recommended for their comfort and safety.
Students violating the dress code will be given the opportunity to change
clothes or they may be sent home.
Additional guidelines may be provided by specific grade levels.
EARLY RELEASE DAYS
Opportunities for staff development for the teaching staff will be
accommodated though three (3) early release days during the
school year. THE STUDENTS WILL BE DISMISSED TWO HOURS EARLIER THAN USUAL
ON THESE DAYS. The additional staff development time will greatly benefit
the teaching staff as we work to better define and monitor our progress in
delivering a quality instructional program. Please see the calendar for
dates and make appropriate arrangements to have your child picked up early
on those dates.
EMERGENCIES
Should there be an emergency and you need to pick up your child, come to
the school office. There is a sign out sheet. DO NOT go directly to the
classrooms for students as the teacher will not release your child without
office approval. Your child’s protection is our concern and we solicit
your cooperation in following this procedure.
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.” We believe that there is a definite place for
this educational experience in the instructional program. All field trips
are approved by the principal based on their direct and meaningful
relationship to the curriculum. Donations are requested from the parent
for each field trip. No student will be denied the opportunity to attend
but if adequate donations are not collected, the field trip may be
cancelled. Please know that during extenuating circumstances, field trip
plans may have to be changed at the last minute.
HOMEWORK
Homework is designed to benefit the student in the following ways: skills
practice, review, reference work, special projects and reports. It also
trains a child in good work habits, promotes responsibility and affords
the opportunity for an increase in self-direction. Another goal of
homework is to help a student learn to budget time. The amount and type
of homework assigned is determined by the needs of the individual
student. Homework grades may only be reflected in the work and study
habits section of the report card.
We encourage active parent participation in their child’s progress through
their support and supervision of homework assignments. It is a direct
means of communication that tells parents a great deal about what is being
done at school. Parents can also help with homework by providing the
right atmosphere for studying.
INVITATIONS
All invitations to private parties should be handled outside of school.
Invitations may not be distributed at school.
INCLEMENT
WEATHER
When the Cobb County School System is going to be closed because of
inclement weather, the decision for closing schools is usually made by
6:00 am and given to the radio and television stations. The closings are
usually announced right after the headlines on the hour and continuously
scroll along the bottom of the TVscreen. In the event of early dismissal
due to inclement weather, students will be sent home following the
instructions on the inclement weather form. Each parent/guardian is
responsible for completing this form and keeping it updated. The After
School Program will be cancelled when there is an early school closing.
INSTRUCTIONAL TIME
According to Georgia law, the length of the school day for students in
kindergarten through third grade must be at least 4 ½ hours, exclusive of
lunch and recess periods. In addition, the length of the school day for
students in grades 4 and 5 must be at least six (6) hours, exclusive of
lunch and recess periods. The hours for Big Shanty are 7:45 am-2:10 pm.
The hours for Kennesaw Elementary are 7:50am-2:15pm.
LOST AND FOUND
We suggest that you mark,
stamp or sew your child’s name in all clothing worn to school, as well as
book bags and lunch boxes. The school will hold lost items only a
reasonable amount of time, after which they will be given to a charitable
organization. You may come and look over the collection of lost and found
items at any time during school hours.
LUNCH PROGRAM
A
nutritious and attractive lunch is served daily. All students are
required to eat in the cafeteria whether they buy lunch or bring it from
home. Regular participants in the lunch program are encouraged to pay
weekly or monthly in advance. Advance payments are made in the
cafeteria. Credits may be used at any time. Make checks payable your
child’s home school and please use a separate check for each child so the
correct account can be credited. Be sure to include your child’s name and
teacher on the check. WE ASK THAT FAST FOODS AND CARBONATED DRINKS NOT
BE BROUGHT INTO THE CAFETERIA. Regular priced lunches are $1.60 for
students, $2.50 for adults. Milk is .50 and ice cream is .60.
MAKE –UP WORK
Neither classwork nor homework will be sent home when a child is absent
only one day. This work can be made up when the child returns to
school. A request for make-up work should be made 24 hours prior to the
parent picking it up in the front office. Homework will NOT be given to a
sibling or another student to transport.
MEDIA CENTER
The Media Center is designed to serve the total school population in
several areas of service. The Media Center is open to students during
school hours. Books will be circulated for a maximum of two weeks. There
is no late fine, although children are not allowed to check out additional
books until overdue books are returned or paid for. Books which are
damaged beyond repair, through neglect or misuse, must be purchased by the
student. Lost books are the responsibility of the child who checked out
the book and must be purchased by the student if not returned by the last
day of school.
MEDICATIONS
All medication will be dispensed through the school clinic provided a
signed authorization form is completed.. A school employee, or adult
volunteer may, with written permission from the child’s parent/guardian,
assist the child in taking medication. Prescription drugs must be in the
original container, bear the name of the patient, the name of the
physician prescribing the medication, the dosage and the name of the
pharmacy filling the prescription. If a student requires emergency
treatment involving hypodermic injection, prior approval must be obtained
by using the required form. Written parental consent for the
administration of medication to the pupil is required (1) for each
discrete illness and for each medication ordered, whether given
simultaneously or sequentially and (2) twice a school year for a chronic
illness requiring long term administration.
MESSAGES
Please be sure that your child comes to school with all the instructions
and supplies needed to ensure a successful day of school. If an emergency
should arise, please leave a note in the office which will be delivered to
the teacher/student. Messages to students and/or teachers should be kept
to an absolute minimum so as to preserve the instructional day. NO
STUDENT WILL BE TAKEN OUT OF CLASS TO COME TO THE PHONE. Transportation
changes must be submitted in writing. As a security measure, telephone
changes will NOT be accepted. Faxed requests will be accepted prior to
1:20 PM if the parent’s signature is included. For the safety and
security of our students, please limit all changes to emergency situations
only.
PARTIES
Cobb Board of Education policy stipulates that only one class party is
allowed each year. That party is held just prior to Winter Holidays.
Please do not request parties at other times of the year. A birthday
snack may be sent to school for your child’s birthday. These snacks will
be enjoyed at an appropriate time decided by the teacher. Please let the
teacher know 24 hours in advance if you plan to send in a snack.
Important:
Items such as balloons, flowers and other gifts may not be delivered to a
student at school.
PERSONAL ITEMS
Students are not to bring any personal playthings, novelties, pets,
equipment, etc. to school unless given permission by a member of the
staff. Toys, video games and play items will be confiscated and held for
parental pick-up.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education is an essential part of the educational curriculum of
Cobb County Schools. Students should wear lace up shoes, preferably
tennis shoes, for physical education classes. Keeping the safety of each
student foremost, no sandals, stacks, boots or clogs should be worn to
P.E. Students are not required to dress out for physical education, but
they should wear appropriate clothing for participation in activities such
as tumbling or gymnastics.
Non-participation: students requesting an excuse from total participation
in P.E. for any duration or restrictive participation for more than five
(5) consecutive days after returning to school, must have a physician’s
statement specifying the type of illness or injury and the nature and
duration of the restriction.
PICTURES
Individual pictures will be taken this school year. Individual and class
pictures will also be taken at mid-year.
PLEDGE
OF
ALLEGIANCE
Each morning, students in the Cobb County School System shall be afforded
the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America. Students participating in the recitation of the
Pledge will be expected to stand, face the flag and recite the Pledge in
unison. Students not participating in the recitation of the Pledge may a)
stand and refrain from reciting the Pledge, or b) remain seated. Georgia
Code Section 20-2-286 states: “each student in the public schools of this
state shall be afforded the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance
to the flag of the United States of America during each school day. It
shall be the duty of each local board of education to establish a policy
setting the time and manner for recitation of the Pledge. Such policy
shall be established in writing and shall be distributed to each teacher
within the school.”
PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES
Cobb County Policy JDCAB/C – consuming, possessing, storing alcoholic
beverages, illegal drugs, or being under the influence of alcoholic
beverages and/or drugs, narcotics, hallucinogens, amphetamines,
barbiturates, marijuana, or any other substance listed under the Georgia
Controlled Substance Act, on school property, school buses, or at a school
sponsored event is prohibited. A student shall not falsely identify a
substance to be alcohol or other drugs, Sniffing or being under the
influence of inhalants is prohibited. Students are prohibited from
bringing drug related paraphernalia to school. Possession of all
prescription medication must be in compliance with Policy JGCD. Students
are prohibited from bringing diet pills, caffeine pills or other
stimulants to school. Possession of all over-the-counter medication must
be in compliance with Policy JGCD.
REGISTRATION
Students must be registered each year by parents or legal guardians. For
all new kindergarten and first grade students, a spring registration is
conducted. The registration date is announced in the newspaper. For all
current students, a registration form is sent home in the spring which
parents must update and sign.
REPORT CARDS
Elementary schools in Cobb County use the 9 week grading period. Report
cards are issued at the end of each nine week period. Parents will
receive regular communication regarding student progress throughout the 9
week period. Each report card is a compilation of the total work for the
grading period. Kindergarten report cards are based on a 12 week cycle.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
POLICY
It is the policy of the Cobb County Board of Education that students shall
be able to enjoy an educational environment free from all forms of
discrimination, including sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is
unlawful under federal law and is specifically prohibited by the Board of
Education and will not be tolerated. Please refer to policies JAB and GAB
for the specific definition and compliant filing procedures. A copy is
available on Cobb’s website at
www.cobb.k12.ga.us.
SOLICITATION
No person, firm, corporation or business shall enter school property
during the hours of operation for any purpose of selling, trading or
bartering merchandise of any kind to a student, employee, school club or
organization, nor shall any of the above enter school property for the
purpose of soliciting money from a student, employee, school club or
organization for any purpose other than approved exceptions. All school
fund-raising drives shall meet guidelines established by the Cobb County
Board of Education and receive approval of the principal. Door to door
solicitation by students is prohibited.
TARDINESS
School begins promptly at Big Shanty at 7:45 am and at Kennesaw Elementary
at 7:50 am. It is very important that students arrive at school on time.
When students are tardy, class is interrupted, instruction is missed, and
a bad habit may be instilled in the student. Parents MUST accompany tardy
students into the office for sign in. Tardy slips will be obtained in the
office so that the student will be admitted into the classroom. Perfect
attendance certificates are given to students who are neither absent nor
tardy during the school year.
VANDALISM
Deliberate and willful destruction of school property cannot and will not
be tolerated. Offenders will be dealt with accordingly. After hours
vandalism will be reported to the police immediately and charges brought
against the offenders. Parents are responsible for property maliciously
destroyed by a student.
VISITORS
Parents and other visitors to our school are welcome. We enjoy the
opportunity to share our school and its programs with others. For the
safety of our students and to preserve the instructional time, however,
all visitors must report to the office immediately upon entering the
school. Each visitor is asked to sign in and wear a visitor’s sticker to
visit any part of the building. With your cooperation, our children will
remain safe and instructional time will be preserved. WE ASK THAT
YOU NOT VISIT CLASSROOMS UNLESS THE TEACHER HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF YOUR
VISIT IN ADVANCE. We must insure that all disruptions to the instructional program
are minimized and unannounced visits can be disruptive to the learning
process. Thank you for your cooperation.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers play an increasingly vital role in the total educational
program. A school volunteer is an adult who is willing to give time and
talent to help our students as a member of the education team. Please
contact the school office, your child’s teacher, or a PTA/PTSA officer to
become involved. Volunteers must sign in each time they enter the
building.
WEAPON POLICY
A
student shall not use or threaten to use, or sell, attempt to sell or
conspire to sell, or possess, handle, or transmit or cause to be
transmitted, a weapon, either concealed or open to view, on school
property, as hereinafter defined. School property includes, but is not
limited to 1) the land and improvements which constitute the school, 2)
any other property and building where school function or activity is
conducted, 3) any bus or other vehicle used in connection with school
functions and activities, including but not limited to, school buses,
buses leased by the School District and privately owned vehicles used for
transportation to and from school activities, and 4) personal belongings,
automobiles, or other vehicles which are located on school property. This
policy also covers look alike weapons (toy guns, knives, etc). A
suspension may be assigned for a minimum of one (1) day up to an including
the last day of the current school quarter or semester. An expulsion is
an suspension that runs beyond the current school quarter or semester. A
copy of this policy (JCDAC) was be sent home with students at the
beginning of the school year and will be given to parents who register
their children at a later date. Please review this policy with your
child.
WITHDRAWAL
PROCEDURE
When a student is going to withdraw from school, he/she should bring a
note from the parent/guardian stating the last day the student will be in
attendance, the area the family is moving to, and the school the student
will be attending. The student should give the note to his/her teacher
who will then send this information to the front office. The teacher will
give the student a copy of a withdrawal form to take to his/her new
school. Our office staff needs a minimum of 24 hours notice in order to
process the paperwork. If you have a student attending both Big Shanty
and Kennesaw, you most notify both schools.
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