Kenton School 2007-2008 Student Handbook
Code of Conduct

 

KENTON SCHOOL RULES:

 

          BE RESPECTFUL

          BE HONEST

          BE RESPONSIBLE

 

These rules are for every child in our school. Our students are learning what these rules look like in every area of the school. Being respectful, honest, and responsible should take place in the classroom, in the hallway, in the restroom, in the cafeteria, and on the playground. Students are earning positive reinforcement tickets for honoring our rules. These tickets can be collected and traded for admittance to Fun Friday each week.

Disorderly conduct, the illegal possession of weapons, and the illegal use, possession, distribution, and sale of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs by students is prohibited.

 

SCHOOL DAY – The school day at Kenton School begins promptly at 8:00. Every effort should be made to arrive at school before classes begin. The building opens for all students at 7:30. Breakfast is served from 7:30 until 7:45.   Students should arrive by 7:50 and are tardy after 8:00. Students must go to the office for a note to enter the classroom when they are tardy and will need a parent to sign them in. Three late tardies equal one unexcused absence.  Teachers welcome parental input and involvement, but are not able to talk with parents after 7:45 in the morning as they are supervising children and beginning their day. Please leave teacher messages in the office. Afternoon dismissal is at 3:10.  Buses load at 3:25 - 3:30.  Before- and After- School child care is available. For more info, call the school office.

 

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session. Please try to make appointments after school hours when possible.

Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his/her designee.  Excused absences shall include:

1.      Personal Illness

2.      Illness or death of  an immediate family member

3.      Extreme weather conditions

4.      Special religious observances

5.      Circumstances which in the judgment of the principal create emergencies over which the student has no control.

 

GCSD policy states that absences are excused by a written statement from the parent, doctor, dentist, funeral home, or officer of the court. A dentist visit is not an excuse for all day unless the dentist indicates why the child must be absent for the entire day. Only 5 parent notes can be accepted in a school year. After 3 unexcused absences the parent will receive a warning letter. After 5 unexcused absences in a school year, truancy may be filed against the parent which can result in court appearances and fines. If you have questions about your child's attendance, please call the school office.

 

DRESS CODE FOR STUDENTS IN K - 4

 

Physical Education days are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Tennis shoes are mandatory for class participation.

 

All students must be clean and wear appropriate clothing.

Sports caps or hats are not allowed for leisurewear, only for cold weather.

No see through tops, spaghetti strap tops, tank tops, halter tops or tops that are excessively low cut or tight are allowed.  Shirts may not be worn that reveal the stomach or mid-riff in any way.

Clothing that advertises drugs, alcohol, wrestling, displays profane or suggestive language, or clothing that is offensive to others may not be worn.

Shorts may be worn until October 1^st and may be worn beginning April 1^st.  Students in grades K-4 must follow the fingertip rule.  Shorts must be as long as the student's arms when stretched down to their side.  They may be no shorter than the fingertips.

Skirts may not be shorter than 4 inches above the knee.

Pants will be worn with the waistband around the waist and not sagging below the waist. 

No shirts with cut off, ragged sleeves can be worn.  Sleeveless shirts can be worn as long as the sleeve is hemmed and does not gape in the armhole.  Sleeveless shirts must cover the entire shoulder.

For safety and learning purposes, anything that is distracting to the normal school day will not be allowed.  This may include excessive jewelry, heelies, noise-producing items, light-up items, etc.

 

BUS BEHAVIOR is so important for the safety of everyone!  Riding a school bus is a privilege extended to students and this privilege can be removed at any time for disruptive or unsatisfactory conduct.  Behavior on the bus is a major concern because of the possible consequences of a driver trying to monitor poor behavior.  The same school rules of conduct apply on the bus.  Students should be quiet and courteous.  Eating or drinking is not allowed.  Arms and feet and other objects must be kept inside the bus.  Students must stay in their seats and listen to the driver.  Be aware that video cameras are placed on the buses.  Failure to obey bus rules will be dealt with in the following ways:

1^st Offense - Driver warns student

2^nd Offense - Driver brings student to the principal's office and appropriate punishment will be administered

3^rd Offense - Students will be suspended from the bus for an appropriate number of days

4th Offense - Parents will meet with the bus driver, principal, and transportation supervisor.  Student may be denied transportation for the remainder of the year if a workable solution is not found by officials.

Some behaviors such as fighting, profanity, etc. will result in immediate suspension without prior warnings.  Students can only ride their assigned bus unless the driver receives a note or call from the parent or school office giving permission to the student to ride an alternate bus.

 

DISCIPLINE - Inappropriate behavior will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Punishment selected depends on the nature of the behavior that is not acceptable, age of the student, and number of prior incidents. Consequences are recorded and may include:

- Verbal reprimand

- Time-out, missing an activity

- Writing assignment

- Contacting parents to notify them of the behavior problem

(by note or phone call)

- School suspension - In-school suspension is when a student is isolated in a room near the office.  Out-of-school suspension is when a student is not allowed on campus at anytime.

- After school detention

- The student is required to stay after school for one to two hours supervised by principal or teacher and arranged for in advance- Parent Meeting

- Parents are requested to come to school and discuss the behavior and help devise a plan. (A meeting is required when out of school suspension is used.)

- Corporal Punishment

- The parent will be contacted before paddling is administered.  A parent has the right to request their child NOT to be paddled.  By making this request the parents must take an active part in the discipline and be prepared to immediately take the student home for suspension.  This is also the procedure for a student who refuses a paddling.

 

Due to the seriousness of fighting and the implications that go with physical disagreements, the punishments for a fight is a possible 3-day suspension for students involved in a fight.  This applies even when a student hits back since that student has made a decision at that time to take part.  Punishment may be more severe for a fight that is more serious and injuries are sustained.  Anytime a student feels threatened or is about to be in a fight, he/she needs to make an adult aware of the situation.  Students who encourage fighting will also be punished.

"ZERO" TOLERANCE is the rule for weapons at school.  There are to be no weapons of any kind brought to school for any reason.

CELLULAR PHONES, MATCHES, LIGHTERS, and POCKET KNIVES should ALL be left at home. These will be taken and not returned.

Toys (including trading cards) should also be left at home, except with special permission from the teacher for show and tell purposes.

 

VERBAL THREATS / BULLYING / SEXUAL HARASSMENT- When a student threatens or harasses another student it is very serious.  School officials must take any type of verbal threats or verbal harassment seriously.  Parents who become aware of any type of bullying should contact the school. Students involved will be dealt with on an individual basis.

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER - In the case of inclement weather please DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL.  Listen to 97.5 radio or view channel 7 TV.  The radio station is called before the schools and we need our phones to alert bus drivers, etc.  In case of early dismissal have a plan made for your child and be sure he/she knows what to do.

 

FIRST AID - We treat minor injuries with first aid supplies.  If there is a potentially serious injury your child's teacher will notify you.  It is vitally important that if the information on your child's emergency form should change you notify us so you can be found in an emergency.  

 

MEDICATION PROCEDURE - These are the main points of the operational procedure for medications.  Remember medications are to ONLY be given by the school nurse or her designee.

-  It is necessary to have a signed consent form for ANY medication to be administered at the school.  These forms are in the office.  A signed physician's order must be in the office before any prescription medication can be given to a student.  All prescription medications must be in the original container, brought in by parent, and picked up by parent.  All over the counter medications must be in their original container also.

-  Any changes in prescription medications such as dosage or time will require a new form to be signed.

-  The school nurse will continue to have responsibility of administering the medications.  She is also available for parent consultations.

-   No student is to carry any medications at school.  Only parents may bring medications into the school.

-   All unused medications must be claimed at the end of the school year or they will be discarded.

 

BREAKFAST - Full price is $1.00 and reduced is $.30.  Extra juice or milk is $.40

LUNCH - Full price is $1.75 and $8.75 for a five day week.

                 Reduced lunch is $.40 or $2.00 for a five day week.

Lunch money must be paid each Monday and we can no longer charge lunch.  Should a child forget his money he may borrow the money in the office for one day's lunch, but only for one day.  When you pay for the entire week of lunches and the student misses or brings his lunch, those days are carried over to the following week.  If the student brings lunch, remember that no soft drink cans are allowed in the cafeteria. We like to have parents join us for lunch. Try to let us know of your visit by 10:00 AM. Adult lunches are $2.50, holiday meals are $4.00.

 

Forms for free or reduced lunches are available throughout the year if you should have a need.  This form is confidential and those who receive free or reduced lunches are not singled out in any way.  Free/reduced forms will be sent home at the beginning of the year and must be completed accurately and certified at the school before a child receives meals.  An income must be listed or the application will only be temporarily approved for 30 days.  During the school year we will have to verify income on a random selection so be sure that your form is accurate.

 

SNACKS and SPECIAL TREATS - Ice cream is available for students.  The cost is .50 per day. Ice cream time is at the discretion of each classroom teacher.  Birthday treats may be brought to celebrate at afternoon playtime.  Edible treats may only be "store bought" with ingredients listed.

 

TEXTBOOKS - A lost textbook fee is the cost of the book the school pays to replace that book.  Failure to pay a fine for a lost or damaged textbook or library book will result in:

 -  Refusal to issue any additional textbooks / library books until restitution is made.

 -  Not issuing student's report card or transcripts until fine is paid.

 

HEAD LICE - The school district policy concerning head lice is the student must not have any "nits" in their hair.  We have no way to detect if the nits are alive, will hatch, or if treatment was successful.  We require proof of treatment after a child has been determined to have head lice.  The box top or a note from a doctor or health department is proof.  This is embarrassing to children and not healthy for students.  If a student reaches an excessive amount of days missed due to head lice, he/she will be referred to the Truancy Board of the Gibson County Juvenile Judge.

 

QUESTIONS - If you have any questions about anything in this handbook or any other school-related matter, please contact the principal.

 

The success of our students is very important to the faculty and staff.  Nothing pleases us more than seeing a child learn and succeed.  If your student is having a problem we will work and talk with parents to find solutions to the problem. .All teachers are willing to visit with parents as needed.   We ask that you do not drop by to see a teacher because they are busy with students and cannot leave the classroom.  Call the office and schedule an appointment or request a phone call. We can make this a successful year TOGETHER!