Student Handbook
All information is subject to change.
TABLE of CONTENTS
Arrival and Dismissal of Car Riders
Release of Student Information
Student Code of Conduct and Discipline Policy
7:25 Bus and car students arrive at school. Breakfast begins.
7:55 Breakfast ends. First bell rings. Students report to homeroom.
8:00 Tardy bell rings. Instruction begins.
2:55 Car riders dismissed.
3:00 All bus riders dismissed.
Each student is provided with an agenda that goes home and back to school each day. The purpose of this agenda is to:
· record homework and classwork assignments each day
· record notes from teachers
· provide an effective and regular means of communication with parents
It is each child’s responsibility to have his/her agenda every day. Please review your child’s agenda daily to communicate with teachers. A replacement agenda will cost $5.00.
Our school buses are at, or close to, recommended capacity and no additional buses are available from the state. Additionally, for safety reasons we cannot accommodate daily changes to transportation. Therefore, the buses will be “closed” to students other than registered riders.
A Transportation Declaration must be completed for each student attending Lexington Four Schools. Each student’s parent or guardian must declare whether their child will be transported by personal car, day care van, or ride a school bus. A specific address for bus pickup and drop off must be provided. For safety reasons and over crowding, temporary transportation changes or request to go to a different location cannot be accommodated. If family circumstances change during the school year, which require a permanent change for transportation, you must file a new Transportation Declaration.
Parents should make arrangements in advance with neighbors or other family members to pick children up from school early or meet them at their home when unexpected circumstances occur.
Arrival
Bus students arrive after 7:25 in the morning and enter the school through the back door by the related arts wing. Students may either report to their assigned grade level morning area or report to the cafeteria for breakfast and then onto their assigned morning area.
Dismissal
Bus students are dismissed by teachers at the end of the day and exit the building through the hall door to the back of the building. Buses line up in the circle behind the school.
In the event that a bus breaks down or is running late, students will be kept on the bus and leave only with the instructions of the bus driver. For information concerning buses, please call the District Transportation Office at 568—1133.
Riding the bus for all students is a privilege. Students must adhere to the bus transportation rules at all times.
Minor offenses:
· Stay seated at all times
· Keep hands and other objects to yourself
· Do not place anything outside of the windows
· Remain quiet
· Sit only in assigned seats
· Follow all direction given by the bus driver
· Abusive language and gestures
Major offenses:
· Fighting
· Blatant disrespect
· Vandalism
· Opening an emergency exit
· Threats against others / harassment
· Weapon or any object that resembles a weapon
Students that choose not to follow the rules as stated are subject to suspension from the bus. Students suspended from riding the bus are still required to attend school on those days in accordance with the State if South Carolina.
At the end of the day, students are dismissed from the car rider area. Students are asked to remain behind the designated marked area until their ride arrives. Parents picking up students from the Elementary School will travel in the right hand lane only. There is no drop off or pick up of students in the bus circle behind the school. All children need to be picked up by 3:30 each day. If a student remains after this time they will be sent to the SES after-school program. The parent will be responsible for paying a $8.00 charge for after-school services. If late pick-up continues, the information will be given to the proper authorities.
Students are encouraged to remain in school for the full day. Should the need for an early dismissal arise, such as a medical/dental appointment or family crisis, the student should bring a written note stating: (1) the reason for early dismissal, (2) the name of the person who will pick up the student, (3) the time of dismissal, and (4) a telephone number so the note can be verified, if needed. This note should be turned in no later than the morning of the day for the early dismissal. The person picking up the student must come to the office to sign the student out. They should be listed on the sign out card as a person allowed to pick up your child and they will need a picture ID. Early signouts would be appropriate for medical/dental appointments or family crisis.
Students will be called to the office for early dismissal upon the arrival of the parent/guardian. Students may not be dismissed through the office after 2:30 p.m.
Students that are consistently dismissed from school early will be charged a tardy due to loss of instructional time.
Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. are considered tardy and should be walked to the office by an adult. A tardy slip is required to be admitted to class.
The State Compulsory Attendance Law requires parents to ensure their children attend school every day. The law allows each student ten LAWFUL days during one school year. A student must be in school for four hours in order to be counted present for a day. The importance of being in attendance and being on time is a valuable lesson for students to learn at an early age. Students are forming habits that will carry over to their careers and personal lives. Perfect attendance certificates are awarded at the end of each school year for students who have perfect attendance.
Absences are considered LAWFUL if the school is provided with a written excuse from a doctor, the court and/or a parent in cases of:
(1) personal illness,
(2) serious illness or death in the immediate family,
(3) recognized religious holiday of the student’s faith, or
(4) absences for activities approved in advance by the principal.
Parent notes are limited to 10 absences per school year. After the 10th parent note, all absences without an excuse from a licensed medical provider are considered unlawful. Medical excuses from a licensed medical provider are unlimited. In terms of critical, extended illnesses, the principal or his/her designee may waive absences beyond the ten days allowed by State law. A note from the parent is required to excuse the student for a death in the family. All absences will be kept in strict confidence within the staff of the school. A phone call CANNOT replace the written excuse.
Upon a child’s accumulation of more than 10 unlawful absences, a referral will be made to the appropriate agency unless circumstances warrant a waiver.
Our school/district policies require the following:
1) After three consecutive or a total of five unlawful absences, the principal or her designee will notify the parents/guardian of the absences in writing and set up a conference time to develop a Truant 1 Intervention Plan.
2) After the fifth consecutive or a total of 8 unlawful absences, the principal or her designee will notify the parent/guardian of the absences in writing and set up a conference time to develop a Truant 2 Intervention Plan and clarify the consequences of continued absences.
3) After 10th unlawful absence, the principal or his/her designee will notify the parents/guardians of the absences in writing and set up a conference time to develop a Truant 3 Intervention Plan. The Department of Social Services (DSS) will be invited and should participate in this conference. The parents/guardians will be referred to DSS and may be charged with “Educational Neglect” if any unlawful absences occur after this conference.
Parents are asked to call the main office to request assignments if a student has been absent for two or more consecutive days. Teachers will provide make-up work within 24 hours of a request. Teachers will permit students to make up work missed during an absence as long as the student makes appropriate arrangements with the teacher no later than the student’s fifth day back at school. The student must complete the work within 10 days after his/her return to school. It is the student’s responsibility to secure and complete all assignments within this time frame.
The appropriateness of dress is a subject on which opinions can and do vary. To be fashionably dressed is not necessarily to be appropriately dressed. Student dress and personal appearance must not be disruptive to the orderly function of the school learning environment. Students who are in violation of the dress code must correct the inappropriateness prior to being allowed to return to class.
Due to the need to provide a safe environment, it is always necessary for visitors to sign in at the main office and receive a visitor’s badge that gives them permission to be in the building. You are welcome to visit our school. If you wish to speak to your child’s teacher, we ask that you call for an appointment. Instructional time is valuable and cannot be interrupted for conferences. You are also invited to join your child to participate in our school breakfast and lunch program throughout the year. If you wish to bring a lunch box, books, etc., to your child, please leave it in the office, and it will be delivered to your child.
Field trips are considered an extension of classroom activities and are required to be correlated to learning objectives. To be fair to all parents and children, a parent may be limited to chaperone one field trip per year.
Volunteers, Mentors, and Field Trip Chaperones should sign the Conduct Standards form. In addition:
Field trips are paid in advance to vendors; therefore, refunds are not given for field trips.
A student’s name, grade, and school to which they are assigned are designated as directory information by school board policy and may be released upon request. There may be occasions where students will be asked to participate in a news release requiring an interview, photograph, or videotape in connection with a school story. If parents do not wish to have the directory information released and/or have their student participate in a school news story, the school principal should be notified in writing within 15 days of registering a child for the school year. DSS and law enforcement agencies have access to student information upon official request. In matters concerning custody, South Carolina law states, “Each parent, whether the custodial or noncustodial parent of the child, has equal access and the same right to obtain all educational records and medical records of their minor children.” Pursuant to this law, SES will provide academic information to both parents.
Any person entering the premises of any school in this state shall be deemed to have consented to a reasonable search of his person or effect.
The purpose of student school fees is to offset the cost of educational materials and supplies. Student fees for all third and fourth graders are $23.00. Fees will not be charged to students eligible for free lunch and will be pro rated for students eligible for reduced priced lunches, if the parents or guardian of these students so request in writing. Pro rated student fees are $6.25 per year.
Student insurance is available on an optional basis. Plans and rates vary and information is distributed during registration or when school begins. The school/district is not responsible for medical expenses and/or personal property loss.
Personal items will be the responsibility of the students and should be taken home each day. Children may not bring toys, trading cards, any electronic devices or other distracting materials to school unless authorized by the teacher. Any toy, etc., brought to school will be taken and released to the parent upon request. The parent must pick the item up in person. The school does not assume responsibility for lost or stolen personal items brought to school by students, parents, visitors, employees, etc. School safety prohibits weapons (real or look-alike) from being brought to school. The school is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen items.
According to Lexington School District Four practice, students are not allowed to use rolling book bags for safety reasons. Documented medical conditions are required for exceptions.
Students may elect to eat breakfast when arriving at school. Student breakfast prices are $4.00 per week; .80 cents per day. Reduced-price breakfast is $1.50 per week; .30 cents per day. Students approved for free lunches may receive free breakfasts. All students who are transported to school by car must be in the cafeteria by 7:50 a.m. in order to eat breakfast.
Nutritious and delicious lunches are served daily. We ask you to encourage your child to drink milk with lunch. If your child does not drink milk, you may send a thermos of juice or other suitable beverage. If your child is allergic to milk, you may send a note signed by a doctor that your child is not to have milk. In these instances, we will provide juice as the beverage. For safety reasons, students are not allowed to use the microwave.
Student lunches are $8.75 per week ($1.75 daily); reduced-price lunches are $2.00 per week (.40 cents daily). Your child will bring home a free/reduced lunch application the first day of school; others are available in the school office at any time. The completed form should be returned to the homeroom teacher. You will be notified by letter about your child’s eligibility for free or reduced price lunches. Free/Reduced lunch application forms may be requested at anytime during the year.
If your home address and/or phone number(s) change, please update our records with your new contact information. SES must have updated emergency contacts and telephone numbers for your child.
When enrolling a student at SES for the first time, a certificate of immunization, legal birth certificate, and social security card are required. Two proofs of residence are also required at the time of enrollment.
The daily functions of the library/media center are to provide materials and services appropriate to school curriculum; to provide materials and services that meet the information and recreational reading needs of our students; to assist learners in becoming effective users of information; and to foster the love of reading.
General Information
· The media center is opened from 7:25 a.m. until 3:15 p.m.
· Students may have two books checked out at a time.
· Books may be checked out for a two-week period.
· Lost and damaged books must be paid no later that the end of each school year.
· Lost and damaged books are the responsibility of the student who checked out the book.
· Internet use throughout the school is only with permission and directive of the teacher; students’ use will be monitored.
Party invitations should be mailed to classmates unless the entire class is included in a home party. If you would like to bring a birthday cake or cupcakes for your child’s class on his/her birthday, please contact your child’s teacher.
93-100…..A
85-92……B
77-84……C
70-76……D
0-69…….F
Sandhills Elementary School recognizes students for academic achievement and perfect attendance. Each Nine Weeks, award recipients will be acknowledged in their classrooms for the following awards:
Principal's List
A student must have all A's for the nine weeks in each subject including related arts.
Honor Roll
The student must have no grade lower than a B for the nine weeks in each subject including related arts.
Perfect Attendance
Recognition for perfect attendance will be awarded for students who attend all 45 days each nine weeks of school.
Yearly Awards
Students will be honored at the end-of-the-year Awards Ceremony. To qualify for yearly awards, students must have earned the respective nine weeks awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Nine Weeks.
1. RESPECT
“I will treat every person with dignity.”
2. SELF-CONTROL
“I will choose to do what is right regardless of my feelings.”
3. SAFETY
“I will promote the well-being of myself and others.”
At each grade level, the teacher posts and explains to the students the acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, and the established rewards and consequences. A copy of the classroom-level behavior plan will be sent home at the opening of school. This plan is designed to alleviate loss of instructional time due to classroom disruptions. The teacher will consistently enforce the rules, issue established consequences for unacceptable behavior, and reward expected behavior. If the teacher needs help in redirecting a student’s behavior, the teacher may seek assistance from the parents and other school personnel.
For discipline offenses that result from depletion of the five levels of infractions at the classroom level, the teacher will complete a discipline referral form that will be sent to an administrator.
Consequences at the administrative level may include:
· Student conference
· Work detail
· In-school suspension
· Out-of-school suspension.
· Corporal punishment (by signed parent permission form only)
For infractions pertaining to drugs, weapons, or physical altercations (fighting), the teacher will complete a discipline referral form that will be sent to an administrator.
· Consequences for violations of drugs, weapons, or physical altercations (fighting) will result in out-of-school suspension.
The administration has the discretion to assign consequences based on:
· outcome of an investigation
· student’s prior discipline record
Privacy laws do not allow the school to share information concerning other students. Only information pertaining to your child will be shared.
The Sandhills Elementary PTO invites you to support our children by becoming a member of our association. The PTO continues to be strong in service to the children of Sandhills Elementary. Our projects include raising money for educational needs, parent education through monthly meetings, and maintaining a strong volunteer program. Please join the PTO today! Your dues and energetic support will help us to continue our programs.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL (SIC)
The School Improvement Council consists of parents and community members elected by other parents and teachers elected by the faculty. This group meets as needed to assist in the preparation of the school’s strategic plan and to foster two-way communication between the school and community.
Sandhills Elementary is very fortunate to have active participation from parent and community volunteers. Our children and teachers could not accomplish their goals without the help of our volunteer program. If you
have any spare time you could give in various ways, please let your child’s teacher know or call the school office and leave your name and telephone number.
Lexington School District Four is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, creed, handicap, disability, or veteran status in employment or in the provision of educational opportunities and benefits.
Sexual harassment by Lexington School District Four employees or other students is prohibited. Any child who feels he/she has been the object of sexual harassment or any parent who feels his/her child has been the object of sexual harassment by an employee or another student is encouraged to file a complaint with the principal or assistant principal.
Sexual harassment may include but is not limited to: verbal harassment, including sexually offensive comments or slurs; physical harassment, including physical interference with movement or work; or visual harassment, such as sexually offensive cartoons, drawings, or posters. Sexual harassment is prohibited against members of the same sex as well as against members of the opposite sex.
All parents are asked to notify the school nurse at the beginning of the year if a student has a special physical condition, such as food or insect allergies. A doctor's confirmation must be on file in the student's permanent record for both prescription and nonprescription medication, including aspirin, cough drops, etc. Medication can only be distributed to students if the medication is in the original container and if the parent/guardian has completed a medication form. This form can be obtained from the school nurse.
The last Friday of each month is considered School Spirit Day. Students and teachers are asked to wear school colors of blue and red or their school shirts.
* Parents are expected to read, discuss, and explain to their child the policies and practices explained in the Sandhills Elementary School Student Agenda.