Student Handbook

2011-2012

NEBO ELEMENTARY

1. DROP-OFF/PICK-UP PROCEDURES: Students who ride in cars to school will be dropped off and will enter the building immediately upon arrival. All students should be in their classrooms by 8:10; the tardy bell rings at 8:15. In the afternoon, all car riders will be taken to the cafeteria before being dismissed to parents or to their car. If your child is a car rider, you will be given mirror tags. Each person who picks your child up will have to have a mirror tag. You must wait in the car for your child to be called out to the car. We have over 200 car riders. It is important that you follow this procedure for the safety of our children. Students should be picked up as soon as possible after school dismisses - no later than 3:10. If you have a problem getting here early, you might want to check into our afterschool program. Do not go to the cafeteria door to pick up students. Details about car rider procedures will be given out at the beginning of school.  If you have to go to the office for a new car tag, you will need to get back in the car line to pick up your child.  If you are later than 3:10, you will need to come inside to pick up your child and fill out an afterschool form.  We have no adults on duty after 3:10.

2. EARLY ARRIVERS: Any child who arrives to school between 7:30-7:50 will go directly to the cafeteria. A staff member will supervise children who arrive to school between 7:30-7:50. At 7:50 the students may eat breakfast or go directly to their classrooms. Our first priority at Nebo is the safety of our students, and we will not allow our students to placed in danger. If at all possible, children should not be brought to school until 8:00, at which time they can go directly to their classrooms.  (If students need to arrive before 7:30, we have a before school program that operates at Nebo Elementary.)

3.  CHANGES IN AFTERNOON TRANSPORTATION:  If your child will be going home by a different means (a car rider instead of riding the bus, riding a different bus, getting off at a different stop, etc.) please tell your child in the morning and send a note to the teacher.  Except in an emergency, transportation changes should not be made through phone messages.  We will not be able to accept continual phone messages about transportation.  It is too confusing for the child.  If your child does not have a note to go home a different way, then your child will go home the regulart way.

4.  BAD WEATHER: Bad weather forms are sent home with each student. Please decide in advance what your child should do in the event of bad weather/early school dismissal and return the form to your child's teacher immediately. Staff members will not be able to make calls to parents on bad weather days. The phone lines are tied up or may go out, completely, leaving us without the means to make contact.

5.  LATE ARRIVERS: It is good for students to learn the habit of punctuality by being at school on time (by 8:10) each morning. Lost instructional time due to tardiness can never be regained. Students arriving at school after the tardy bell rings at 8:15 will have to sign in at the office. Three (3) tardies will equal to one (1) absence. When a student is tardy, the entire class is interrupted. Some classes have special class at 8:30 and it is upsetting to the late arrivers to be in this situation. All tardies are considered unexcused.

6. EARLY CHECKOUT: Please do not pick children up from school during school hours. Please schedule appointments at times other than school hours. Frequent unnecessary checkouts result in much lost instructional time. Three (3) early checkouts will equal to one absence.

*Parents must check students out at the office. Our teachers will not let anyone take a student unless the office has officially notified them. If either parent comes to the school to get a child, the child will be released to the parent. The exception is when one parent has legal custody that places restrictions on the other parent. If you have custody of your child under these circumstances, you need to file a copy of the legal papers in the school office. Legal papers must be on file in the school office in order for us to honor them. The principal and the teacher should be made aware of these restrictions.

Please notify the school by note when someone other than the parent is to pick up the child. Otherwise, your child will be released only to a parent.

7. ATTENDANCE: ********VERY IMPORTANT*********

Our county board has adopted a new attendance policy, "McDowell County Schools Policy to Reduce Elementary Schools' Absenteeism." It is very important that parents read this policy carefully. The policy will be sent home with each student. We will ask you to sign the form in your child's packet to let us know you have read the policy.

8. VALUABLES: We discourage children from bringing any considerable amount of money to school. We also request that expensive jewelry, radios, cards, pogs, cameras, tape players, CD players and other expensive equipment be left at home. The school cannot be responsible for protecting the possessions of its many students. In addition, these items distract students from the instructional program.

9. DRESS: Clothing which is disruptive, provocative, or obscene shall not be worn at Nebo Elementary School. No midriff should be showing. No spaghetti straps or one shoulder tops should be worn. If these types of tops are worn another top should be worn over them. The McDowell County Schools dress code is being sent home with each student in the assignment book.

We still observe the rules of good manners, so we do not allow the wearing of hats inside the building. On special dress-up days, hats may be allowed: but teachers have the authority to ask that a hat be removed if it causes a distraction.

10. WEAPONS: It is against state law for anyone to be in possession of a weapon on school property. This includes knives of any kind (pocket knives no matter how small, kitchen knives, butcher knives, etc.), guns or any item that could be used as a weapon. Students who are in possession of a weapon at school can be suspended from school; the weapon will be confiscated, and turned over to the Sheriff's Department. Any item used to harm another student could be considered a weapon. In addition, toy weapons are not allowed at school. This policy applies regardless of the age of the student.11. GAMBLING, TRADING & SELLING: Students shall not participate in any event, action or statement that relies on chance for the monetary advantage of one participant at the expense of others. This includes exchanging items of value, as well as, currency, and extends to keeping score for later settlement. Students shall not sell or trade any items at school.

12. VERBAL ABUSE/DISRESPECT: Verbal abuse is any serious or persistent action that prevents an orderly and peaceful learning experience for any individual. Students must respect each other and respond to direction given by any school staff member. Disrespect of a staff member will not be tolerated. Cursing or using abusive language, including remarks intended to demean a person's race, religion, sex, national origin, handicapping condition, or intellectual ability are specifically prohibited. It is our policy that students, staff, parents, volunteers and any visitors at Nebo Elementary School will be treated with respect.

13. LOST ITEM IDENTIFICATION: All children's clothing, lunch boxes, book bags, wallets, etc. should be clearly marked with the student's name. That makes it easier to return lost items to their owners. Please have your child check with the teacher, bus driver and office promptly when something is lost. It is amazing how many lost items are never claimed each year at school. Please assist us by writing your child's name on all items. Items not claimed are given to charitable organizations.

14. PARENT CONFERENCES: Parents desiring a conference with a teacher should call the school office at 652-4737. The teacher will call you back to schedule a conference time that is suitable for both of you. Teachers will not be called from the classroom to take telephone calls. We strive to protect our teachers' instructional time with students.

When you have a concern with a teacher, please give the teacher the courtesy of having an opportunity to resolve the concerns before involving the principal. If the problem is not resolved after the parent-teacher conference, the principal should be contacted to schedule a conference. We are very willing to sit down together to discuss any concern, and we firmly believe there are workable solutions to every problem if everyone works together.

15. ROLLING BOOK BAGS: Rolling book bags are not allowed.

16. CHEWING GUM: Chewing gum is not permitted at Nebo Elementary School. Gum is not allowed on our school buses. Chewing gum damages furniture, carpeting and floors. Parents are requested to insist that their children leave their chewing gum at home.

17.  COMMUNICATION:  We believe communication is extremely important for the success of our students.  If you have a question or concern, please contact the teacher by phone or email right away.

18. HOMEWORK: It is suggested that parents set aside a special time each evening for home study. There is no substitute for study at home to reinforce what students are learning at school. Parents are requested to monitor homework, and to contact the teacher if you have any questions or concerns. If you suspect a problem, contact the teacher immediately.

19. HOMEWORK FOR ABSENT STUDENTS: Call in advance to let the teacher know that you will be picking up your child's work. Pick up the work at the office after school hours. Teachers are responsible for the progress of the students in the classroom and cannot afford to interrupt instructional time. Teachers will be happy to leave work for you at the office to be picked up after hours.

20. CLASSWORK: Classwork should be completed during class.

21. AN ORDERLY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT: The principal and teachers at Nebo Elementary School strive to provide educational opportunities that will be both stimulating and beneficial to our students. It is our sincere expectation that each and every student in our school will be courteous, happy, and achieve to the best of his or her abilities.

*If every student displays a good attitude toward the teachers and school in general, there will be no need for disciplinary action. The disruptive influence of a few students will not be allowed to interfere with the educational opportunities of the vast majority of students. Firm disciplinary measures will be levied against those who refuse to follow reasonable instructions. We will work with parents to guide our students to become capable and productive students and citizens.

22. CORPORAL PUNISHMENT: State law provides that principals, assistant principals, and teachers may use reasonable force, including corporal punishment, to control behavior, or to remove a student from the scene in those situations when necessary. If corporal punishment is administered to your child, you will be notified by mail as required by board policy.

23. DISCIPLINE REPORTS: There are some students who from time to time become disruptive. In most cases, the teacher will correct the problem. Teachers will keep parents informed about student behavior. If your child is sent to the principal's office for disciplining a "Student Behavior Disciplinary Action Report" form will be completed. A copy will be mailed home for parents to sign. It is the student's responsibility to return the signed copy to the school office. We depend on our parents to help us correct the student's improper behavior, so we will keep you informed.

24. BUS BEHAVIOR: Whether riding a yellow school bus or activity bus, students are expected to observe bus safety rules. Remain seated. Nothing should be thrown. No body part should be outside a window. Pencils, pens and other sharp objects should be kept in book bags. Eating, drinking, and gum are not permitted. Everyone should keep hands and feet to themselves. Rough-housing and yelling are unacceptable. Show respect for the bus driver. Our main concern on our buses is the safety of our students. We will not allow anyone to put lives in danger. Students who do not observe our bus rules will lose the privilege of riding the bus. We will follow a strict procedure on bus discipline. A copy of this procedure will be sent home with each child.

25. CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER: It is very important that you notify the office if your address changes or a new telephone number is secured during the school year. If you are a working parent, please be sure that we have your current work number in case of an emergency. If your child gets sick at school we must have a telephone number. List several emergency numbers on your child's emergency information sheet, so that if one person is not available we will have a back-up number to call.

26. SPECIAL HEALTH CONCERNS: I your child has any health condition such as diabetes, seizures, severe reactions to bee or insect stings, foods or other allergies, please notify the office and the nurse in writing so that we may place necessary information in s special file.

27. ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION AT SCHOOL: Administration of medications during school hours by school personnel should be kept to a minimum. Every effort should be made by the parent to secure physician permission to adjust the dosage of medication so that it can be given at home before or after school hours. *A physician's signature is required on a completed "Request For Medication" form before the school can administer prescription medication. The parent must bring the medication to school in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacist or the physician.

28. FLOWER DELIVERY TO STUDENTS: In order to continue allowing florist deliveries to schools, we are asking that there be NO glass containers or balloons as these constitute safety hazards. Therefore, schools will not accept orders which do not comply with these guidelines.

29. IF YOUR CHILD FORGETS LUNCH MONEY: McDowell County Schools will send information home with each student concerning lack of lunch money.

30. VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are welcomed at Nebo Elementary. Any volunteers should stop by the front desk to receive a visitors pass. Also, volunteers should not be accompanied by small children, as they can cause disruptions to the teachers and distractions to students during instructional time.

31. SCHOOL WEBSITE: Nebo Elementary School maintains a website which features current events at the school as well as lunch menus, student handbook, school calendar, etc. Visit the school website at www.nebo.mcdowell.k12.nc.us.

32. P.E. CLOTHING: Students should wear appropriate clothes to school. For safety reasons, students should wear tennis shoes on the gym floor. Students can trip and fall in sandals and other types of shoes.

33. PARTY INVITATIONS: Please do not send birthday or other party invitations to school unless there is one for everyone in the class. This causes hurt feelings among students.

34. FIRST DAY PAPERWORK: Please read policies and other information carefully that are contained in the packet sent home the first day of school Return any papers that need to be signed to the classroom teacher.

35.  Contagious Disease:  To help prevent the spread of infectious disease
*Students need to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school
*Antibiotics need to be given for 24 hours before returning to school
*Practice frequent hand washing at school and home
*Teach how to prevent the spread of germs by washing hands, covering mouth while coughing or sneezing

PLAYGROUND RULES:

Safety for our students is our primary concern.

*Children must play within boundary lines so they are in clear visibility of the teachers.  1-3 playground and kindergarten playground - students play inside the area marked by blue benches.  Stay out of all wooded areas.  4-6 playground - students play inside the fences.  Students should not be outside the fences on the back side of the playground.  Stay out of all wooded areas.

*No walking up slides
*No picking up or throwing rocks
*Sit in swings
*No jumping out of swings
*No swinging side to side or pushing other children in swings
*No walking between swings - walk around the swing area
*Children should keep hands to themselves - do not pull on other children or their clothing.
*Children should not climb on top of monkey bars or other climbing apparatus.
*Children should not play by windows or doors of the school.
*Children should keep shoes on at all times.