Phone:
731-645-3131
Fax:
731-645-9756
McNairy County Website: www.mcnairy.org
Selmer Elementary Website: www.mcnairy.org/ses/
Dear Parents & Students,
Welcome to
On behalf of the faculty and staff, we extend an
invitation for you to visit our school, attend your child’s programs, and
become an active member in the PTO and volunteer program. We are very happy to have you and your child
with us at
Sincerely,
Carolyn
Giesler, Principal
Pam
Killingsworth, Assistant Principal
2005-06
August 4 “Meet Your
Teacher”,
August 5 Orientation for
Kindergarten Students and Parents.
August 8 First Day of School for Grades
1,2,3,4
August 9 -18 Special Kindergarten
Schedule (will be explained at kindergarten orientation)
August 22 First Full Day for
all Kindergarten Students
August
August 25-26 Fall Pictures will be
taken.
September 5 Labor Day – School is
Dismissed.
September 6 Turn-In Day for PTO
Memberships.
September 16 Kickoff Day for Fall PTO
Fundraiser. Top selling grade gets a pizza party.
September 19 PTO
Meeting,
September 27 Order
Turn-In Day for PTO Fall Fundraiser.
September 30 Fall
Carnival (
October 3 Fall
Pictures will be coming home.
October 10 – 12 Fall
Break (School is dismissed.)
October 18 Fall
Picture Re-Take Day
October 20 Parent-Teacher
Conference,
October (last week) Fundraiser
Merchandise should be ready for Pick-Up by Parents (Watch for Note.)
November 10 Family
Fun Night - Kindergarten & Grade One
(
November 11 Scott
Shupe Animal Assembly Program,
November 15 Money
Turn-In Day for PTO Fundraiser.
November 17 Family
Fun Night – Grades Two, Three, & Four (
November 23,24,25 School
is Dismissed for Thanksgiving holidays.
December Breakfast
with Santa,
December 6,7,8
December 12 PTO
Program,
December 16 Early
School Dismissal at
December 19 – January 3 School is Dismissed for Christmas Holidays.
January 4 Classes
Resume at
January 11 Class
Pictures will be taken in SES Library (During School Day).
January 12 Report
cards for second nine-week period will come home.
January 16 School
is Dismissed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
February 1 Kick-Off
for Relay For Life Activities (Coke Products
February 15 Money
Turn-In Day for Coke Products
February 17 School
is Dismissed for Students (Teachers’ Professional Development Day)
February 20 School
is Dismissed for Presidents’ Day.
February 21 Class
Pictures will come Home.
March 1,2,3 Book
Fair ( During School Day).
March 6 PTO
Program,
March 8,9 Spring
Pictures will be taken. (Notes will be sent home when schedules are made.)
March 13 -17 School
is dismissed for Spring Break.
March 21 PTO
Krispy Kreme Donut
March 23 Kindergarten & Grade 1 - School-wide
Family Fun Night,
March 30 Grades
2, 3, & 4 - School-wide Family Fun Night,
March 28 Report
Cards for Third Quarter will come home.
April 3 Kindergarten
Registration (During the School Day throughout April).
April 12 Kindergarten
Cap & Gown Pictures will be taken.
April 14 School
is dismissed for Good Friday.
April 17 - 28 Terra
Nova Tests for Grades 1-4.
May 1, 2, 3 End-of-Year
Kindergarten Testing
May 5 Spring
Fling Field Day (Parents are invited to bring Pre-School children.)
May 9 Otis
Lennon Tests are administered in Grade 1.
May 12 School
is dismissed.
May “Relay
for Life” in
May 22 PTO
Meeting,
May 24 Kindergarten
Program, in Selmer Elementary Gym, at
May 25 Records
and Reports Day for Teachers (Students are dismissed from school all day.)
May 26 Last
Day of School – Students pick up report cards and are dismissed at
June 6 - 29 Summer
School for those Students who have not met the academic requirement of their
grade level. We also have a special
Kindergarten Program in June for those students entering Kindergarten in the
Fall.
By creating and supporting a dynamic
system of teaching and learning for all students,
instill a love for learning in the heart of every child we touch so that each one will grow to be a lifelong learner, as evidenced through attendance records, academics
performance and assessments, and teacher observation.
BELIEFS
Our Staff Believes:
CONTENTS OF HANDBOOK
01. After-School
Program
02. Annual
Notice to Parents
03. Arrival/Departure
of Students
04. Asbestos
Statement
05. Attendance
06. Bus Riding
Procedures
07. Cafeteria
Rules
08. Care of
Property
09. Change of
Address/Telephone
10. Delivery of
Gifts to School
11. Discipline/School
Discipline Policy
12. Emergency
Closings
13. Enrollment
14. General
Rules
15. Head Lice
Procedures
16. Ideas for
Helping Your Child
17. Incomplete
Assignments
18. Injuries,
Illnesses – Emergency Friend
19. Interrogations
and Searches
20. Leaving
School During the School Day
21. McNairy
County Internet/Electronic Media Acceptable Use Policy
22. Medical
Conditions/Medication Policy
23. Money
(Lunch, Milk Break, & Supplies)
24. Parental
Rights Under the No Child Left Behind Legislation
25. Parent-Teacher
Conference
26. Parent-Teacher
Organization (PTO)
27. Playground
Rules
28. Promotion
and Retention
29. Report Cards
– Grading
30. School
Safety Inspections and Safety Plans
31. Special
Programs
32. Student
Dress
33. Telephone
Use
34. Transfer
Option for Students Victimized by Violent Crime at School
35. Transportation
Change
36. Visitors
37. Weapons
& Dangerous Instruments
38. Withdrawal
and Transfer Procedure
The After-School Program meets each day
that school is in session for the full day (
The After-School Program goes from
02. Annual Notice to Parents
In
compliance with state and federal law, the McNairy County School district will
provide to each protected student with a disability without discrimination or
cost to the student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations
which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the
benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum
extent appropriate to the student’s abilities.
In order to qualify as a protected student with a disability, the child
must be of school age with a physical or mental disability which substantially
limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school
program.
These
services and protections for “protected students who are disabled” are distinct
from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled (or
seeking enrollment) in special educational programs.
For
further information on the evaluation procedures and provisions of services to
protected handicapped students, contact
Sue Prather at 731-645-6010.
03. Arrival/Departure
of Students
All students being transported in cars must be in
their classrooms, unpacked, and ready to begin classes at
Students arriving before
Students arriving in cars may unload at the walkways
at the east side of the campus or at the walkway beside the gym. All vehicles unloading at the east gate must
exit
No cars may unload in front of the office before
The school day begins promptly at
The school day goes to
Please note that tardies and early checkouts
accumulate into a day’s absence.
Any change in departure of students must have a note
or telephone call from parent.
04. Asbestos
Statement
This
is to certify that
05. Attendance
The school day begins promptly at
When students arrive at school late, or leave school
early, they are counted absent for the “periods” missed. Students who are habitually tardy, or
those students whose parents are frequently checking them out early,
will receive no credit for the instruction missed. Parents are cautioned that frequent absences
will result in an “Incomplete” or “Failing” on school reports and report
cards. Parents must notify the school
office of their child’s absence. Failure
to do so will result in an “unexcused” absence.
Parents who pick up their child’s missed assignments
must do so no earlier than
Success in school depends greatly on the student’s
attendance. Many times absences are
unavoidable, and the school will work with parents whose child is sick or
misses because of a family emergency.
Occasional absences cause some learning disruptions, but frequent
absentees can reduce a student’s academic achievement. When a child is absent for any reason,
parents must call the office on the first day of the absence or send a note the
first day the child returns to school.
When a child must be absent for a dental or a medical visit, parents are
asked to get a physician’s statement which will be kept on file in the school
office. When a child is absent or
unexcused for five aggregate days, parents will receive a notification letter
from the school office, and the truant officer will be provided a record of the
student’s attendance. In the event of
habitual tardies, early checkouts, and/or absences, the parent will be required
to appear before the Truancy Board.
Excessive absenteeism will be referred to the juvenile court authorities.
Perfect Attendance certificates are awarded to students who do not
miss any part of a day during the school year.
06. Bus Riding Procedures
McNairy
The school bus is an extension of school activity;
therefore, the Board expects students to conduct themselves on the bus
in a manner consistent with
the established standards for safety and classroom behavior. School bus transportation is authorized only
for students regularly enrolled in public school in grades K-12. This is a privilege to enjoy rather than a
right.
Students riding a bus are under the supervision and
control of the bus driver while on the bus, and all reasonable directions given
by the driver shall be followed.
Any student may be denied the privilege of riding the
bus if it is determined by the principal or his designee that the student’s
behavior is such as to cause disruption on the bus or that the student has
disobeyed state or local rules and regulations pertaining to student
transportation and/or behavior. Students
suspended from one bus in the system are suspended from all buses. Any student who earns a suspension during the
last part of the school year will be subject to serving the remainder of the
suspension the following year. If a
student’s transportation assignment is to be changed, adequate notice shall be
given to the student and/or his parent(s).
Discipline procedures have been adopted to both
instill and maintain acceptable behavior at its optimum while students are
riding our school buses. While it is the
desire of the Board that no student lose transportation privileges, it is,
nevertheless, the responsibility of each student riding a school bus to be
aware of and obey effective behavior guidelines and safety procedures.
Safety Procedures: Boarding/Leaving a Bus:
While Riding the Bus:
General Information:
Pupil Transportation –
Appeals Process
In most cases, it is desirable for a student and/or
his parent or guardian and the involved bus driver to resolve problems through
free and informal communication. If,
however, the informal process is not chosen or fails to satisfy either party,
that party shall proceed immediately with the complaint by adhering to the
following steps in the appeals process:
Step 1:
Principal
Step 2:
Supervisor of Transportation
Step 3:
Superintendent
Step 4: Board
of Education
07. Cafeteria Rules
Nutritious meals are essential for the physical
well-being and the learning ability of each child. Wholesome “Type A” lunches and breakfasts are
served. Applications for free or reduced
meals are sent home at the beginning of the school year and are available in
the school office during the year.
“Ala Carte” food items may be purchased with the
school lunch, e.g. fruit juice, ice cream, etc.
No student is permitted to purchase more than two ala carte items with
his/her lunch.
Every effort will be made to insure that an
atmosphere exists in the cafeteria for all students to enjoy a wholesome and
tasty meal. The following rules must be
followed to maintain that positive atmosphere:
Ø
Enter the
cafeteria in a single line.
Ø
Choose items that
make a “Type A” meal; a cafeteria staff member will assist students in making
their selection.
Ø
Students should
know their “Meal Number” when they reach the register and be prepared to enter
those numbers.
Ø
Students may not
return to the serving line once they are seated. Students must get napkins, silverware, and
food items as they go through the serving line.
Ø
Sit at assigned
tables.
Ø
Talk in an
“inside voice” to other students at your table.
Ø
Raise your hand
if you need help from the assistants.
Ø
Remain seated
until dismissed by your teacher.
Ø
Be sure no food
is left on the table, seats, or floor.
Students are responsible for leaving their seating areas ready for the
next group.
Ø
Students will be
charged for damage to cafeteria utensils that are intentionally damaged.
Ø
Parents may not
bring fast food meals for students to eat in the cafeteria.
Ø
No cans or glass
bottles are permitted. Students are
encouraged to drink milk. Drinks may be
brought in plastic bottles no larger than eight ounces.
Ø
Leave the
cafeteria quietly.
Ø
In accordance
with McNairy County Policy, students can charge no more than five days.
08. Care of Property
Please label
all coats, book bags, lunchboxes, and personal items with your child’s
name. Writing the child’s name on
his/her belongings will allow us to promptly return the item if it is lost.
Please discourage your child from bringing more money
than he/she needs to spend at school.
There will be no charge for textbooks except for math
workbooks in kindergarten, grade one, and grade two. All parents should
understand that their children are responsible for the care and safekeeping of
textbooks and library books which are provided for their use. Students will be required to pay for lost
and/or damaged items issued by the school.
Respect and pride in the school’s appearance should
be instilled in each child. Students
should keep their desks and the area around them neat. Marking on desks, walls, restrooms, etc. will
be considered destruction of school property.
09. Change of Address/Telephone
Parents are required to furnish the school office
with a current phone number for an emergency. Your child’s teacher should be notified
immediately when there is a change in your address or telephone number.
10. Delivery of Gifts to School
Delivery of personal gifts to
students at school shall comply with the following criteria:
Ø
Containers of
gifts (flowers, etc.) shall be made of rubberized plastic or paper. Glass containers and balloons shall be
prohibited.
Ø
Size of gifts
shall not exceed eighteen inches (18”) in height or width.
Ø
Deliveries shall
not be made earlier than
Ø
Subject to the
wishes of the principal, the person making the delivery, or his representative
may be required to remain at the school to assist in sorting, delivery, etc. of
the gifts until all deliveries to the students have been completed.
11. Discipline/School Discipline
Policy
One of the most important lessons education should
teach our students is self-discipline.
While discipline does not appear as a subject, discipline underlies the
whole educational structure. It is the
training that develops self-control,
character, orderliness, and efficiency.
Discipline is the key to good conduct and proper consideration for other
people.
The school will not tolerate fighting, disrespect
toward others, obscene language, or destruction of school property. Parents will be notified when students break
rules. Students who do not follow school
rules will be placed in in-school detention or will be suspended to appear
before the disciplinary board.
A copy of the classroom discipline plan will be sent
home. Please read the behavior
expectations and consequences carefully.
Positive reinforcement will be used to reward appropriate behavior. When any student fails to follow the steps in
the classroom discipline plan, that student will be referred to the school
office. The follow discipline options
will be used:
Ø
Corporal Punishment:
Unless a parent refuses for a
child to be paddled, the board policy does allow paddling. There is a place to make such requests on the
student’s registration form. Any
paddling is administered in the presence of a witness and a form is completed
for that incident.
Ø
In-School Detention:
A student will be removed from
his/her classroom and assigned to the detention area, where he/she will remain
for a part of a day up to five days (depending on the offense). A discipline referral form is completed prior
to assignment of a student to in-school detention.
Ø
Alternative School: When a student has five (5)
office referrals, or if a student commits an offense for which he/she must be
removed from school, the student will be placed in the off-campus alternative
school.
Ø
Suspension: A student may be suspended from school for one to ten
days without appearing before the disciplinary hearing authority.
Ø
Referral to a Disciplinary Hearing Authority: When
the above measures have been tried, and when that student’s disruptive behavior
continues, the student will be suspended to appear before the Disciplinary
Board. Assault of another student or
staff member or possession of a knife,
gun, or weapon can result in an automatic school suspension and referral to a
juvenile authority or crisis team.
Ø
Parents will be informed through telephone calls,
notes, and conferences. Any student
referred to the office for detention will bring home a copy of the discipline
referral form for parents to sign and return to school with comments. Parents are encouraged to schedule a
conference with the teacher.
12. Emergency Closings
In making the decision to close schools, the director
of schools considers many factors which relate to the fundamental concern for
safety and health of students.
Local radio stations will broadcast school closings,
as well as
If the weather becomes severe during the school day,
and school is dismissed early, an announcement will be made regarding dismissal
time. The teacher will refer to the
directions given by parents as to whether the child will ride the bus or be
picked up. Parents are asked to complete
the registration form and promptly return it to the child’s teacher; this form
has detailed questions regarding early dismissal of school.
13. Enrollment
Selmer Elementary’s enrollment consists of
kindergarten through grade four and a county-wide CDC special education program
for students. All kindergarten students must be five years of age before
October 1st. Kindergarten is a mandatory requirement in the State of
Upon
registering a student at
14. General Rules
15. Head Lice Procedures
16. Ideas for Helping Your Child
17. Incomplete
Assignments
The student is responsible for
completing all work missed during absences.
The work of a student whose grades are satisfactory, but are withheld
because of failure to complete the required work shall be reported as
“Incomplete”. If the Incomplete is not
removed within the following nine weeks, it will then become an “F” or Failing.
18. Injuries, Illnesses – Emergency Friend
Parents or guardians will be notified when a child
becomes ill or sustains any injury that will prevent him/her from participating
in regular planned activities. When
parent/guardian is notified of child’s injury or illness, the parent is
expected to pick up the child.
The student registration form which is completed
annually contains accurate information on how to contact parents, neighbors, or
friends to be called in case of an accident or emergency. This information must be kept up-to-date and
on file in the school office. Parents should notify the child’s teacher
immediately whenever there is a change in the child’s address or telephone
number, both at home and at parent’s place of employment.