School Mission Statement=

The missio= n of W. M. Jenkins Elementary School

is to promote

academic achievem= ent, character development,

and citizenship i= n all students.

JENKINS SCHOOL PHIL= OSOPHY

= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp;

= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; We believe

...our curriculum should meet the diverse needs of our students.

...learning is a collaborative process with students, teachers, parents, and the community working together.

...a safe school environment is necessary for teaching and learning.

SCHOOL ARRIVAL and DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

ARRIVAL<= /span>

Th= e tardy bell rings and classes begin at 8:30 a.m. All students arriving to school p= rior to 8:15 must report to the gym where they will be supervised until permitte= d to arrive in the classrooms at 8:15 a.m. All students arriving to school prior to 8:00 a.m. must be enrolled = in the Community Schools Program and pay the required fees.

Br= eakfast is served daily beginning at 8:00 a.m.&nbs= p; Students needing to eat breakfast must be in the cafeteria no later = than 8:15 to allow sufficient time to eat breakfast and report to their classroom prior to the 8:30 tardy bell.

DISMISSAL

The school day ends at 3:00 p= .m. Car riders are to exit from the w= est door and be picked up in front of the cafeteria. Car riders must be picked up by 3:20 p.m.&= nbsp; Any car rider not picked up by 3:20 will be escorted to the gym to be supervised by the Kid Connection staff provided by the Community Schools Program. There is an expense for joining the Community Schools Program.

Walkers are to exit from the west door and will be escorted up the sidewalk to the crossing guard. They are asked to walk in line for their safety.

Students in the Kid Connection after-school program are to report to the gym. <= /o:p>

Bus students will remain in their classroom until their= bus arrives. Staff members will be on duty in dismissal areas. Children must br= ing a note if they are going home a different way than usual. Parents are asked= not to call the office with a change in plans for transportation home. A note is necessary and will be ke= pt on file.

TRAFFIC

All cars are to u= se the first driveway for parking and student drop-off or pick-up. Jenkins staff members supervise tr= affic duty for morning student drop off and afternoon student pick up. Six cars, numbers 1-6, unload stud= ents along the front sidewalk between 8:00 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. Additional staff supervision in the afternoon allows for ten cars, A-D and 1-6, to load students between 3:00 p= .m. and 3:20 p.m.

The traffic circl= e near the kindergarten entrance is for buses only. Parking and student drop-off in th= is area is prohibited.

ABSENCES=

St= udents are expected to attend school on a regular basis. Failure to do so will jeopardize t= he promotion of the student to the next grade.

Th= e State of North Carolina= clearly identifies valid, or lawful, absences. These lawful absences include illness or injury, quarantine, death i= n the immediate family, medical or dental appointments, court or administrative proceedings, religious observance, educational opportunity, or local school board policies. If your c= hild is absent from school for any of the above reasons and proper documentation= is provided to the school your child’s absence will be coded as “excused.” Inform= ing the school prior to an absence does not necessarily qualify the absence as “excused.” All ex= cused absences must qualify under the State Compulsory Attendance Law.

An= absence for any reason, other than the eight listed above, will be coded as “unexcused.” If t= he teacher, administrator, or attendance secretary is not properly notified of= the reason for an absence it will be coded “unexcused”. It is the responsibility of the pa= rent to inform the school if their child is absent for any reason. Please call the school the day your child will be absent from school or send a letter upon his/her return. Unexcused absences will be tallied= and investigated on a regular basis. Per North Carolina General Statute, principals are bound to notify parents in the event their child accumulates three or more unexcused absences. A form letter compo= sed by central office administrators is sent every 20 days to all parents, system = wide, to inform them of 3, 6, or 10 unexcused absences. Often times, parents fulfill all expectations of notifying Jenkins’ personnel regarding absences. However, the state of North Carolina requires the absentee l= etters to be sent to all children accumulating three or more absences.<= /span>

Fa= mily trips are often worthwhile although they may not be an excused absence. Our concerns are raised not by one= short trip, but when such absences are repeated and affect a child’s performance or commitment to daily attendance. Clarity on the policy for educatio= nal trips may assist you in making a family decision when planning time away fr= om school. An absence may be exc= used when it is demonstrated that the trip is a valid educational opportunity fo= r a student. The trip must be pla= nned solely for the purpose of education rather than an add-on to a business tri= p or family vacation. Such trips m= ust receive prior approval by the principal and will be approved only if the tr= ip can be directly aligned to the grade level North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

Pl= ease refer to the Hickory Public Schools Handbook for specific information regarding attendance.

TARDIES<= /span>

St= udents must be in their homeroom classroom by 8:30 a.m. Any student arriving after 8:30 a.m. w= ill be marked tardy and must go directly to the office with a parent to sign in and obtain a pass to class. Stude= nts who enter the classroom after 8:30 disrupt the instructional program and be= gin their day in a rushed manner.

The majority of Jenkins students are car riders. Be sure to take this into consider= ation when planning your morning routine and please help to ensure efficiency dur= ing the morning drop off. It is v= ery important that children learn at an early age that promptness and attentive= ness are important habits for successful adults. Be Courteous. Be On Time.

<= /p>

EARLY DISMISSAL

We encourage you to try to schedule your child’s doctor and dental appointments around school hours. If this is not possible, you must come to the office first to sign y= our child out. Submit a note in a= dvance to your child’s teacher. If someone other than the parent signs a chi= ld out, that person must have written permission from the parent before the ch= ild will be permitted to leave the building. A parent must also sign in students returning to school during the day. Parents may not go to the classroom during instructional hours to obtain a child. It is the duty of the office staff to protect the instructional time throughout the entire school day. To avoid such interrupti= ons the office staff will call the classroom for the student.

It= is understood that early dismissal pertains to emergency situations or schedul= ed appointments only. This does not include early pickup. We ask that you foll= ow standard dismissal procedures by remaining in the car rider line. Early dismissals, like tardies, are an interruption to the instructional day= . Early dismissals will be monitored= and handled accordingly by building administrators. We thank you for your cooperation = and consideration of all students.

WITHDRAWAL OF STUDE= NTS

If you are moving= and withdrawing your child from school, please call or come by the school a few days prior to the withdrawal date. Your cooperation is always greatly appreciated.

STUDENT INFORMATION= FORM

During the first = week of school your child’s teacher will be sending home an information sh= eet for you to complete. This information is kept in the school office and classroom in case you need to = be contacted. Please make sure a= ll telephone numbers and addresses are accurate and clearly written. Remember to put the name and telep= hone number of a person who can be contacted in case you cannot be reached. Notify the school if you have a chang= e in address or telephone number(s) during the year.

Jenkins Character Commitment:

I = am a Jenkins student. I am respect= ful, responsible, caring and honest. I commit to making myself and my school bet= ter each day.

GENERAL SCHOOL RULE= S

Ex= emplary behavior is expected at all times to ensure a proper learning environment e= xists and to ensure all children are in a safe environment.

The Jenkins staff firmly believes in managing students through the teaching, modeling, and reinforcement of character development and procedures. <= /o:p>

Ou= r school wide rules, procedures and consequences are a result of the staff reaching consensus on expectations for all students, staff, and parents.

The four school rules at Jenk= ins Elementary are…

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Caring

Be Honest

To= clarify exactly what we are looking for in respectful, responsible, caring, and hon= est behavior the staff has identified specific behaviors, or procedures, to be exhibited throughout the school. We have defined what each rule “looks like” and what each student = is “to do” in the classroom, in the hallways, in the cafeteria, in= the restrooms, on the playground, and during school wide or large group assemblies.

We= call this list of rules and procedures “BOBCATS.” We are all Jenkins bobcats and we = are all expected to learn and model all the procedures noted. Students who foll= ow all the procedures will display “Behaviors Of the Best Children At= Our School.”

PBS Matrix

Social Contracts

All teachers will be teaching and reviewing the BOBCAT Matrix at the beginning = of each school year. In addition= to teaching and reviewing school wide procedures, all classroom teachers will = be guiding their students through the process of creating and implementing a social contract for their classroom. Social contracts are an effective way = to teach students to self-manage their behavior through positive reinforcement= and modeling.

The 4 Questions

The Four Questions asked by a= ll staff members when dealing with students not following the class contract a= nd school wide procedures are as follows.&nbs= p;

What are you do= ing?

What are you su= pposed to be doing?

Are you doing i= t?

What are you go= ing to do about it?

Consequence Pyramid

The Consequence Pyramid is a resource created to heighten awareness and understanding of possible consequences for student infractions. The pyramid was created with staff= and administration consensus to build consistency and fairness among all. Although administrators will be in= formed on an as need basis of any behavior concerns, Level 1 and Level 2 possible consequences will be assigned and put in place by the classroom teacher when deemed necessary. Level 3 and= Level 4 will warrant conversation and intervention involving the student, parent, teacher, and an administrator.

Consequence Pyramid

DISCIPLINE PROCEDUR= ES

The majority of student discipline is handled by the teacher or authorized adul= ts in accordance to individual classroom behavior management procedures. Mrs. Dischiavi (principal) or Mrs.= Lail (a= ssistant principal) will handle repeated misbehavior or an incident that requires immediate attention. Some or = all of the following consequences will be utilized for inappropriate behavior:

1. Conference with the student a= nd teacher

2. Restriction of privileges

3. Assigned to time-out in anoth= er classroom or the office

4. Notification to the parents w= ith a discipline report form mailed to the home and /or a phone call

5. Required conference with the parents

6. Apology to the persons involv= ed and restitution if there are damages

7. In School Suspension

8. Suspension from school

It= is our hope that a conference with the student will be enough to help the child understand what is expected. = We also believe that a child should make restitution for his or her poor choices. For example, “= If you hurt someone, you have to help that person.”

<= /p>

We= want children to take responsibility for their actions. We want them to learn from their mistakes. We plan to keep par= ents informed and involved. It is = often an inconvenience to be called at the job, but at times we recognize the necessity of parent awareness and involvement. Please talk to your child about ex= pected behaviors. Children who come = to school prepared to learn, willing to respect the rights of others, and read= y to follow the directions of school staff will enjoy themselves and have a successful year.

Bullying

Bu= llying will not be tolerated. At Jenkins,= we define bullying to be any verbal, mental, or physical action taken toward an individual or group causing emotional or physical stress or harm. Bullying = may be a single event or a repeated action toward one or more students. Each case will be investigated and handled immediately with stringent consequences. The following actions are among ma= ny that will be considered bullying and will not be tolerated.

&= nbsp; Cursing

&= nbsp; “Put Downs”

&= nbsp; Name Calling

&= nbsp; Verbal /Physical Threatening or Harm

&= nbsp; Excluding Others

Parents…=

Be= sure that your child understands that weapons are not permitted on school grounds – at the school or the bus stop.&nbs= p; This includes, but is not limited to, pocketknives, razors, guns of = any kind (real or play), lighters, or any object that could be used to harm or frighten others. If a child i= s in possession of any real or play weapon both the parent and school resource office will be contacted immediately to report to the school.

It is a felony to make a school bomb threat, start a fire, or pull a hoax involving= the school, classmates, or teachers. No student should start or communicate a rumor that would disrupt the secure environment of the school. Pa= rents, have a serious talk with your child ensuring that your child knows and makes the right choice. =

Cell phones, electronics and hand held games are not allowed at school. These items will be removed from t= he student and kept by the principal until a parent or guardian can meet with = the principal to obtain the item(s).

DRESS CODE

= Appropriate dress shows a commitment to the responsibility of personal safety, comfort,= and learning. The following artic= les and alterations are deemed inappropriate and are not permitted.<= /span>

= Not permitted for students. =

§ = short shorts/skorts/or skirts (with or without leggin= gs worn underneath). All article= s must be fingertip length.

§ = alterations to one’s body or natural appearance (i.e. pierci= ngs [other than ears], unnatural hair color, permanent or semi-permanent tattoo= s.

§ = midriff tops, tank tops, spaghetti straps, or backless tops. Sleeveless tops covering the top o= f the shoulder are permitted.

§ = flip flops – defined as “a f= lat, casual thong sandal that is free at the back”.

§ = baggy pants that drag the ground or hang below the waist

§ = head gear – hats, scarves, etc.

§ = attire or accessories that distract student attention, display violence, gang-rela= ted accessories, or inappropriate language.&nb= sp; The school reserves the right to deem any language on clothing as in= appropriate.

= Students who dress inappropriately will contact parents for a change of clothing to = be brought to the school. Those = who are not dressed appropriately will not be permitted to participate in activities that will compromise the understanding of appropriate Jenkins at= tire or their safety; activities such as recess, PE class, mileage club, or scho= ol field trips.

= SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION

All students who live 1.5 mil= es or more from school are eligible for bus transportation. Buses travel only on state maintai= ned roads. Misbehavior on a bus i= s not tolerated. Bus discipline inc= ludes a student warning notification of parents for the first offense, a one-day suspension of bus privilege for the second offense, a three day suspension = for the third offense. A child will lose the privilege of riding the bus for= the remainder of the year if repetitive bus suspensions do not correct the behavior. Parents will be notified by telephone of the suspension of bus privileges and a copy of the discipline report. Riding a s= chool bus is a privilege.

School bus riders are expected to obey the following ru= les in the interest of safety:

A. Be on time for= the bus. Ride only your assigned = bus.

B. Stay out of the street while waiting for the bus.

C. Board the bus = in a single line and in an orderly manner.

D. Be seated prom= ptly without disturbing others.

E. Remain seated = while the bus is moving.

F. If the bus dri= ver assigns seats, sit only in your assigned seat.

G. Do not shout o= r make loud noises. Use only languag= e that would be proper in the classroom.

H. Keep aisles cl= ear of books, lunch boxes, bags, etc.

I. Respect others= and keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

J. Keep arms, han= ds, head, and other objects inside the bus.

K. Do not eat or = drink on the bus.

L. Do not throw o= bjects from the bus or inside the bus.

M. Help keep the = bus clean. Do not litter.

School buses are assigned to routes with stops established by the Hickory Public Schools transportation coordinator. S= tudents who wish to ride a bus to which they are not assigned or to get off at a different stop, will need a note from his/her parent. Submit this request to the teacher= for approval.

= General Discipline Reminders<= /o:p>

&= nbsp; The school bus is considered school grounds.

1.&n= bsp; Appropriate shoes and clothing must be worn at all times.

2.&n= bsp; Possession of a weapon, or anything that looks like a weapon, may result in suspension from school and/or the bus and will automatically involve the police.<= /o:p>

3.&n= bsp; Bullying in any form, verbal or physical, will not be tolerated and will result in In-School Suspension, Out of School Suspension and/or suspension from the school bus.

4.&n= bsp; Communication devices (cell phones, pagers, etc.) are not permitted on school grounds.

5.&n= bsp; Toys and electronic games or devices are not permitted on school grounds.

SERVICES and COMMUNICATION

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS P= ROGRAM

The Community Schools Program offers Before-School Care and After-School Care during the school year. Day Care and Summer Camp is also o= ffered on most non-school days. Information about schedule, time, and fees are available in the scho= ol office. You may also call Jenkins’ Community Schools at 324-0787.

FOOD SERVICES<= /o:p>

Nutritious breakf= asts and lunches are served daily. It is now easy to pay for lunch by the day, week, month, or even year. Students may put money into their individual account for meals any day of the week. Parents also have the option of on= -line billing for student meals. Vi= sit www.lunchprepay.com. Please send the money or check to = the teacher in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and the teacher’s name printed on the outside. Each student is assigned a “= lunch number” and encouraged to memorize the number. This helps to manage individual ac= counts and keeps the lunch line moving smoothly at mealtime. On the first day of school, studen= ts will receive an application for free or reduced-price meals. Anyone applying for these meals sh= ould complete the application and return it immediately for approval. = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; =

= &nb= sp; Breakfast Breakfast 5-days Lunc= h &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Lunch 5-days &n= bsp; = ;

Reduced &= nbsp; $.30 &= nbsp; $1.50 &= nbsp; $.40 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; $2.00 &= nbsp;

Paid Regular &= nbsp; $1.00 &= nbsp; $5.00 &= nbsp; $1.75 &= nbsp; $8.75

Adult &= nbsp; &nbs= p; A la Carte = ; &n= bsp; = ; A la Carte = ; <= /span>

Milk &= nbsp; &nbs= p; $.55

Prices are subjec= t to change.

Charged Meals<= /o:p>

The Child Nutrition Programs operate as a non-profit business enterprise fund separate from Hickory Publ= ic Schools and support the total education of each child by providing nutritious meals.

Students who pay full or redu= ced prices for meals are expected to provide payment either on a daily basis or= by pre-paying. However, the Board recognizes that periodically students may be unable to pay for a meal on a particular day. On such occas= ions, students will be allowed to charge meals; however, once a student accrues t= hree (3) days of charged meals, full or reduced price meal charge privileges sha= ll be suspended. Charge privileg= es for an “alternate meal” will be provided to the student. Once the student’s account h= as been paid in full, the student may choose from the regular meal menu and ch= arge privileges will be reinstated.

Principals or their designees= will work with parents/guardians to determine the best method to ensure payment = of meal costs for students who have exceeded their charge privileges.

FEDERAL LUNCH PROGRAM:

Federal Lunch Program guidelines entitle every student = to a school lunch and prohibit alternate lunch plans from replacing the school l= unch options. All students must pa= rtake in the school lunch program during the regular school day regardless of the fact that a healthy lunch may be provided from another source or activity.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> In addition, snacks and food relat= ed activities may not be offered/sold to students until after the last student= is served lunch and the cafeteria is “closed” for the day. Bake sales, meal related activitie= s, etc. may not take place until the last student is served which is approxima= tely 1:30 for the 2009-2010 school year. I have included the Federal Lunch Program guidelines below for your reference. Exceptions to the policies are clarified below and will also include light snacks brought from home intended to surpass appetite before or after lunch.

= ; &n= bsp;

&= nbsp; Any food related activity that competes with the school food service program by keeping the students from coming to the cafeteria to partake of the lunch or breakfast meal is considered to be in "competition" with the non-profit school food service program.&nb= sp; Cultural activities, tasting parties, etc. that occur as part of the educational lesson would not be considered competitive foods unless they are offered in lieu of the lunch or breakfast program. After the cafeteria= has closed for the day and the last child has been served, foods and snacks may= be served, sold, given away, etc. in other parts of the school environs by oth= er parties outside of the Child Nutrition Programs. Please be aware of t= hese regulations as events of varying definitions, times, etc. are being planned= so as not to be in violation resulting in Child Nutrition monies being taken a= way and the school system being made to pay for the lost revenues.

Remember:

Every student must go to= the cafeteria to be offered a school lunch every day lunch is served.

Food sales and food rela= ted activities cannot take place until after the last class is served at 1= :30 p.m.

=

Special Lunches:

Carbonated sodas and dri= nks are not permitted.

Food from outside vendor= s is not permitted in the cafeteria. Outside food sources are in direct competition with the Federal Lunch Program and presents a concern for some children who do not have= the opportunity for such a treat. If lunches from outside vendors are brought for student lunches= the visitor/s will be asked to eat at the mall picnic tables or the outside picnic tables with their child (only).

Student= s may not leave the cafeteria to eat lunch with anyone other than a Jenkins staff member or their parent/guardian unless parent approval is provided. Students are w= elcome to dine with other families at the assigned lunch tables in the cafete= ria.

HEALTHY KIDS

To= support our efforts in promoting healthy kids we encourage you to provide healthy s= elections such as fruit, vegetables, cheese, and crackers for individual or class sna= cks and special occasion treats. As a staff we will be making a conscious effor= t to provide healthy foods for all students.&nb= sp;

INSURANCE

=

Student accident insurance is available for Jenkins students. Cost and coverage information can = be found by accessing the link on the Jenkins home page. Checks should be mailed dir= ectly to the insurance company.

HEALTH SERVICES

=

Th= rough a partnership between Hicko= ry Public Schools and = Catawba County Health Department Jenkins is staffed two days a week with a register= ed nurse.        =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =

If= your child has a health condition that requires care during the school day, or m= ay require emergency care, please contact the School Nurse. She will assist you with developin= g a health care plan to keep your child safe and healthy at school.<= /span>

If= your child becomes ill at school we= will contact parents immediately. = If we cannot reach you we will use the emergency contact information you have provided. Please remember to = keep all phone numbers current in the event we need to contact you. Always consi= der how we could locate you incase your child were injured. Children running a fever or vomiti= ng are not permitted to be at school. In this case, you or an emergency contact will be called immediately to come a= nd get your child. We are not equipped to keep sick children at school. <= /o:p>

In= cluded in the health program: assistance to staff to understand and carry out the medication policy, communicable disease control, health screenings, medical= and dental referrals, assessment of chronic health problems, and management of acute illness and injury. =

<= /p>
Immunizations

Immunizations are required by law for children to attend school in NC. Parents/guardians must provide a Certificate of Immunization, from t= he doctor’s office or clinic where the shots were received, within 30 da= ys of enrollment in school. Stud= ents not meeting the requirements of this law will be excluded/suspended from school. The following immuniz= ations are required:

        &= nbsp; DTP/DtaP – 5 doses

        &= nbsp; Polio – 4 doses

        &= nbsp; Measles – 2 doses, the first dose MUST be on/after 12 months of age

        &= nbsp; Mumps – 1 dose

        &= nbsp; Rubella – 1 dose

        &= nbsp; HIB – 1 dose

        &= nbsp; Hepatitis B – 3 doses for students born after 7/1/94

        &= nbsp; Varicella – 1 dose for students born after 4/1/= 01

Im= munization schedules may vary depending on the age of your child and dates the shots w= ere given. The School Nurse will = review your child’s immunizations for completeness and may contact you if additional shots are required. Contact the School Nurse (Jennifer Moser 828-455-3092) if you have questions or need assistance with your child’s immunizations.

Medications (prescription and non-prescription) = will be administered by trained school

personnel under the following conditions:

·         The medication is required to be given during school hours

·         The medication is prescribed by the student’s physician=

·         A “Parent/Guardian Request for Medication/Physician’s Authoriz= ation” form is completed and signed by the parent and physician (form available fr= om school office)

·         Prescription medication is brought to the school by the parent in an original container = from the pharmacy. The container m= ust have a current label with the child’s name, doctor’s name, name= of medication, and directions for how the medication is to be given.

·         Non-prescription medication must be brought to the school by the parent in the original container.

All medications are stored in a locked area.&n= bsp; Students requiring emergency medications and supplies (inhalers, EPI pens, insulin, diabetes supplies) may carry them as ordered by their physic= ian.

Students MAY NOT car= ry prescription or non-prescription medications with them, EXCEPT as indicated above.

MEDICATION POLICY

The Hickory Public School System has imposed strict guidelines for the administering of medici= nes at school. If a student is to= be given any medication, the parent must complete a form titled “Request= for Medications to be Given During School Hours”. The child’s physi= cian must also sign the form. These medication permission forms must be on file in the school office before any medication is given. A copy o= f the medication form can be picked up in the school health room or in the school office after meeting with school nurse.   No medication may be in a child’s possession.<= /span>

Health Screenings. Each child must have a health assessment by a physician or approved health care provider before entering kindergarten. Students= in selected grades participate in health screenings throughout the year for vi= sual acuity, dental, hearing, and height/weight/body mass index. The goals of these screenings are = to identify health concerns that could interfere with a child’s ability = to learn and to promote health lifestyles. Parents and guardians are notified = of abnormal findings and encouraged to contact the child’s health care provider for evaluation and treatment as indicated. Parents who choose not to have the= ir child participate in the health screenings must notify the school nurse to = opt out of this service. The School Nurse is available for consultation and assistance with meeting the health care needs of students. Please contact the school if you h= ave questions or concerns about health screenings.

COUNSELING SERVICES=

Co= unseling services in the schools are available to help children with any problems wh= ich may be interfering with their ability to learn. Individual counseling services are= available by request for every student in the school and confidentiality is always maintained. Requests for coun= seling can be made by the student, the parent, teachers or administration. Group counseling is also available= and is provided throughout the year as needed.= Our counselor, Mrs. Browder, is available for consultation with pare= nts, teachers and outside professionals and agencies.

=

CONFERENCES

=

Cooperation betwe= en school and home is necessary for a successful school year. Through conferen= ces, parents and teachers gain a better insight into the child’s needs, as well as any particular difficulties he/she may have. All parents are expected to attend one parent/teacher conference du= ring the first grading period and a second conference by year end.

=

Teachers will schedule additi= onal conferences as needed throughout the school year. Parents may be invited to come to = their child’s classroom or in certain situations may be contacted by phone.= It is a parent’s responsibil= ity to stay abreast of their child’s strengths and weaknesses. Some parents may be invited to a student-led conference during the school year.

WEB PAGE/E-MAIL

We encourage all parents to frequently visit the Hickory Public Schools websit= e at www.hickoryschools.net. This website allows you to visit t= he websites of all schools in Hickory Public School System. Various links allow you to access = an array of information to keep you abreast of what is happening not only at J= enkins but of happenings in the schools district wide. Through the Hickory Public Schools website you can access the school lunch menu, the school calendar, curriculum links, weather reports, system wide announcements, and links for student learning. =

Al= l Hickory Public School employees have an em= ail account that we encourage parents to utilize as a convenient means of communication. Teacher email addresses can be accessed from their home page. All Hickory Public Schools email addresses are the employee’s last name, first two letters of their fi= rst name followed by @hickoryschools.net (i.e. John Doe Doejo@hickoryschools.net). Be sure to visit your child’s classroom teacher’s web page. The web page is a means of communicating school news such as the cla= ss calendar, units of study, field trips, and class highlights.

<= /p>
<= /p>
<= /p>
<= /p>
GIFTS & CELEBRATIONS=

Two class parties with refres= hments are allowed each year planned by the teacher and grade parent chairperson.&nb= sp; Birthday parties with favors or refreshments are not permitted. = If you wish to bring a treat to celebrate your child’s birthday the treat is to be eaten in the cafeteria during the lunch period. Teachers recommend alternative celebrations. A book or game donated to the class or a “reading party”= is a suggested alternative to sugary treats and favors that will allow all students to participate. We d= o not interrupt lessons to make special occasion deliveries to the classroom.

The friendships that begin at school are very important to a child’s social development. Quite often students get together = off school grounds for fun times and recreation. While this is encouraged, party invitations to such events should be sent via the mail rather than distribu= ted at school. Passing out invita= tions at school takes the focus off instruction and often leads to hurt feelings = when some classmates are excluded. Party invitations will only be distributed during the last ten minutes of the instructional day and only if every child in the classroom is to receive an invitation. School personnel = are not permitted to share student addresses or telephone numbers. Please refer to the student direct= ory for student contact information.

<= /p>
<= /p>
INSTRUCTION=

=

ENTRANCE REQUIREMEN= TS

=

Students entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before August 31^st. All students entering a North Caro= lina school for the first time must have a State certified birth certificate, Certificate of Immunizations, North Carolina Health Assessment, two proofs = of residency, and a Social Security card.

=

=

HICKORY PUBLIC SCHO= OLS PROMOTION STANDARDS

Hi= ckory Public Schools has an accountability standard that is in place at the Elementary School Level. In o= rder to be promoted, students have to obtain a certain level in reading and math. Students in grades 1, 2= , and 4 fall under the Local Promotion Standards. Students in grades 3 and 5 fall un= der the State Gateway Standards. = Listed below are the different Grade Level Proficiency Standards. If a student does not meet the proficiency standards in both areas, an appeals process will take place to determine appropriate grade placement for the following school year. Specific promotion criteria is contingent upon current School Board Policy.

    = ;         =

        &= nbsp;          1^st= Grade -    Reading – Must be at Level 16 at the end of the year.

Math – Proficient (Level 3) in 3 out of the 5 Math Strands (with one of the strands being Numeration)

2nd Grade -   = ; Reading – Must be at Level 22 at the end of the year.

Math – Proficient (Level 3) in 3 out of the 5 Math Strands (with one of the stands being Numeration)

3^rd Grade - =     Reading – Must score a Level 3 or a Level 2 with 1 SE on the EOG

    = ;            &n= bsp; Math – Must score a Level 3 or a Level 2 with 1 SE on the EOG

4^th Grade - =     Reading – Must score a Level 3 or a Level 2 with 1 SE on the EOG

Math – Must score a Lev= el 3 or a Level 2 with 1 SE on the EOG

        &= nbsp;          5^th= Grade -     Read= ing – Must score a Level 3 or a Level 2 with 1 SE on the EOG

Math – Must score a Lev= el 3 or a Level 2 with 1 SE on the EOG

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

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The Developmental Preschool P= rogram of the Hickory Public Schools is a child-centered program. We provide a warm, nurturing envir= onment that encourages the development of the “whole child.” Children eligible for attendance at our elementary school sites must be three or fou= r by August 31. Children must also= live in the school district of the school for which they apply. Applications for admission must be= submitted in the early spring before a child can be considered. Children qualifying for Title I se= rvices are accepted according to those with the greatest need first. Children identified with a prescho= ol disability are accepted upon completion of a thorough evaluation and placem= ent committee decision. Part-time= and “split” placements will not be considered in this program. Fee-paying children will be select= ed on a first-come, first serve basis.

EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

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Classes and progr= ams are available for children with special needs. The children are placed in the pro= grams in accordance with North Carolin= a guidelines. We offer an Academically Gifted Program, Resource Classes, Speech Therapy, Physical and Occupational Therapy, and Psychological Services.

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ESL PROGRAM

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Students whose pr= imary language is not English receive additional support. This service is provided in a sepa= rate classroom to offer small group instruction.

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PHYSICAL EDUCATION<= o:p>

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Students at Jenki= ns receive weekly instruction in Physical Education. The program encourages good physic= al development, organized games, team cooperation, and good sportsmanship.

ART

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All children at J= enkins receive instruction in art once a week by a certified art specialist. Art g= ives each child the opportunity to create and appreciate the past and present contributions of art and artists. In addition, students are given the chanc= e to have their artwork entered in the Paul Whitener Memorial Art Contest. This event is held each spring at = the Hickory Museum of Art. <= /o:p>

MUSIC

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Students at Jenkins School receive weekly instruction = by a certified music specialist. E= ach school year all students will have the opportunity to participate in a grade level performance. Creating, responding to, and performing music are the fundamental music processes in which humans engage. Therefor= e, developing musical perception, observation, communication and the creative process is the primary goal of this program.

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MEDIA CENTER

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Our school media = center is a source of pride and is a vital part of our instructional program. Through a rotation of regularly scheduled classes and open library time, students are encouraged to explore= the many books and resource materials available. To foster reading, the media center offers a school-wide reading program called Accelerated Reader. Our students have access to an onl= ine card catalog and numerous electronic reference sources. In order to maintai= n an adequate collection, pupils, teachers, and parents must cooperate to see th= at materials are returned in good condition.&= nbsp; If materials are not returned, a charge equal to the replacement pri= ce is made.

COMPUTER LAB

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Jenkins Elementar= y is fortunate to have a fully networked computer lab located in the media cente= r as well as a 30 unit mobile lap top station for our students and staff. Students utilize technology to pra= ctice word processing, design presentations, conduct research, analyze data, and participate in on-line studies and communications. The Hickory Public Schools Student Handbook explains the policy of granting all students permission to access = the internet. Parents who do not = permit their child/ren to address the internet on scho= ol grounds must submit an “opt out” letter to the classroom teacher. HPS maintains a prog= ram that provides protection and limits areas a student may access on the Internet. Students are expect= ed to respect the privilege of equipment use.

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STUDENT COUNCIL

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The purpose of the Student Council is to develop leadership skills, promote a spirit of democr= acy, and to encourage cooperation and participation in school activities. The Council consists of a President and Vice-President, with two representatives from each class in grades 1-5. The President and Vice-Presidents are chosen from grades 4 and 5. All officers = and members must maintain a C or above average in all subjects, and must exemplify a high standard of conduct and citizenship. Our teachers provide the guidance = to enable the Student Council to accomplish their goals.

CARE OF TEXTBOOKS, LIBRARY BOOKS, ETC.

Books are very expensive. We urge parents to encourage their children to take good care of their books and any materials that have been furnished by the school.&nb= sp; Students are responsible for all textbooks and library books issued = to them during the year. Fees are charged for lost or damaged books. Money from these fees will be used to purchase replacement books. I= f the book is found, the money will be returned.=

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SCHOOL SUPPLIES

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Students are expe= cted to come to school with the necessary supplies to learn. Teachers will provide a list of su= pplies needed at the beginning of the school year. All students should have paper and pencils daily. Paper, pencils= , and erasers may be purchased from the supply machine in the west stairway. Student fees for instructional mat= erials are $12.00 per year.   All grade level school supply lists can be found on the Jenkins home website at= http://www.hickorysc= hools.net/schools/Jenkins.

HOMEWORK POLICY

= Homework is an important part of every child’s education. Concepts that are introduced in cl= ass must be practiced at home to ensure mastery.

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Homework is given...

To practice and enrich s= kills and concepts, extend learning and stimulate discussion.

To foster independent st= udy skills.

To develop responsibilit= y for bringing home books and assignments, completing work and returning assignments on time.

To enhance parent awaren= ess of student progress.

To emphasize the importa= nce of independent practice and application.

=

Teachers will:

Assign developmentally appropriate homework Monday-Thursday.

Ensure that homework is a review of material already introduced in class.

Review homework daily and provide feedback to all students.&nbs= p;

Differentiate homework assignments to meet individual student needs.

Consider homework effort= when determining grades.

Post daily assignments o= n the class webpage.

Parents can help by:

Scheduling homework arou= nd extra-curricular activities.

Establishing a quiet tim= e and place to complete homework.

Checking your child̵= 7;s planner to be aware of assignments.

Encouraging your child t= o be responsible and think independently.

Reviewing completed home= work assignments to encourage quality work.

Contacting your child= 217;s teacher if homework consistently exceeds the estimated times for completion. <= o:p>

K, 1^{st<=
/sup>
& 2^nd Grade Homework}

Average time spent per n= ight on homework assignments and related activities.        <= /span>Kindergarten -10 minutes       &= nbsp;    1^st grade -20 minutes             &= nbsp; 2^nd grade -30 minutes

In additionR= 30;

Students should read, or= be read to, approximately 20 minutes each night to satisfy weekly reading assignments as determined by the classroom teacher. =

3^{rd, 4^th,
& 5^th Grade Homework}

Average time of one hour= spent per night on homework assignments and related activities&= nbsp;

In addition…

Students should read approximately 2 ½ hours per week to satisfy reading assignments= as determined by the classroom teacher.

FIELD TRIPS

Each grade plans several educational field trips related to the North Carolina Standard Cour= se of Study. Funds are available= for students who have the need for financial assistance. Parent chaperones are essential and appreciated. Parents who offe= r to chaperone students may not bring any child not on the class roster, as this would distract from the responsibility and purpose of supervising Jenkins students. We do not purchase extra tickets for families who wish to join the class field tr= ip.

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We= transport all children to field trips by bus only, not in cars. For a child to ride home in a car = you must carefully ensure the following is done no less than one day prior to the scheduled field trip.

For parents transporting= their own child – Parents must submit a written note to the principal one day pr= ior to the field trip indicating their intentions of transporting their ch= ild home from the school field trip. Parents must also sign their child out on the standard “E= arly Dismissal” form that will be given to the teacher prior to depar= ture from Jenkins.

For parents transporting= a student other than their own child – For a child to ride home from a fi= eld trip with an adult other than their parent prior notification is required. Parents wishin= g for their child to ride home with an adult, instead of the activity bus, m= ust submit a letter no later than one day prior to the trip. In doing so, parents must ind= icate with whom their child is to be transported by and identify both the expected point of departure and final destination of where the child i= s to be dropped. There will be no exceptions. Parents must also sign out all children they will be transporting on the standard “Early Dismissal” form that will be given to the teacher prior to depar= ture from Jenkins.

SCHOOL PICTURES

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Individual and group pictures= will be taken in the fall and spring. Notices will be sent home indicating the date, time, and cost. &n= bsp;

VISITORS=

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For the safety of= our students, all visitors are required to report directly to the main office, log in= at the volunteer computer station , and take a visitor’s pass prior to visiting a classroom or staff member. Visitors are to respect instructional time and not interrupt or distract the teacher or students.

VOLUNTEERS

Vo= lunteers are critical to the success of our students and are valued members of the Jenkins school and community. Parents, guardians, and community members are all encouraged to be volunteers at Jenkins. Intere= sted persons should contact the school office, their child’s teacher or the PTA Volunteer Coordinator to offer their services. Teachers, administrators, and the Jenkins PTA make a concentrated effort to align the talents and interests of our volunteers to where they are best suited. Whether our volunteers come to tut= or, read to a child, have lunch with a child, or to offer clerical assistance t= hey are benefiting the life a child. To further ensure the safety of our students, all volunteers are screened thro= ugh an on line security website provided by the North Carolina Department of Pu= blic Instruction.

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PTA

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All parents and teachers are strongly encouraged to join the PTA. PTA membership funds benefit the P= TA general budget allocated to school wide needs. The PTA members work hard to help = our school through fund raising, communication, and enriching academic opportunities. The PTA publis= hes a monthly newsletter with the lunch menu and student events. You can contact the PTA by calling (327-3491), extension 234 or by e-mailing JNKPTA@hickoryschools.net   Join the PTA and get involve= d!

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Parent Involvem= ent Policy

2010-2011<= /o:p>

In= an effort to involve parents in the development and ongoing support of our Par= ent Involvement Policy at Jenkins Elementary, we will: &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;                          =

-&nb= sp;         work with parents serving on the School Improvement Team, PTA Board, or other sc= hool teams.

-&nb= sp;         share the Parent Involvement Policy with all parents by sending it home at the beginning of the school year and by sharing it at the opening PTA program e= ach Fall.

-&nb= sp;         maintain a binder containing the Parent Involvement Policy, the School Improvement P= lan, PTA minutes, and Leadership Team minutes for review by all parties upon request.

In= an effort to involve parents in the process of school improvement, we will:

-&nb= sp;         solicit parent input in developing the School Improvement Plan, Title 1 plan, and in planning parent involvement programs and activities. This= will be implemented through parents serving on the School Improvement Team, PTA Board, or other school teams.

-&nb= sp;         actively recruit parents, focusing on representation of the total school population,= to serve on various parent/teacher teams.

In= an effort to plan and implement effective parent involvement activities to imp= rove student academic achievement and school performance, we will: &n= bsp;            = ;         =

-&nb= sp;         periodically provide information about NCLB requirements, program services, and parent support topics through parent information nights and/or school newsletters.=

-&nb= sp;         pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with parent involvement activi= ties to enhance parental participation in school-related meetings and training sessions.

-&nb= sp;         provide a variety of opportunities and strategies to improve parent involvement at = the school.

-&nb= sp;         arrange school meetings at a variety of times in community locations and conduct in-home conferences if necessary.

In= an effort to evaluate and improve the content and effectiveness of the school = and district’s educational programs, we will:            = ;

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;

-&nb= sp;         solicit parent evaluation of school programs and services through the HPS survey ea= ch spring. Notify parents of any= and all HPS and/or Jenkins surveys through newsletters. Results of this survey = will be shared with all stakeholders and used to evaluate and write the school T= itle 1 Plan and School Improvement Plan.

-&nb= sp;         provide parents with a list of SCOS objectives for their child’s grade level.=

-&nb= sp;         provide parents with information regarding state and local assessment procedures and student achievement standards.

-&nb= sp;         provide parents with information on how they can partner with teachers to improve t= he academic achievement of their children. (i.e. homework strategies, daily reading requirements, course outline aligned with the NC SCOS, syllabus of = content of study and related field trips, etc.)

-&nb= sp;         provide information through parent meetings, school newsletters, and website update= s.

In= an effort to provide materials, training and resource avenues to help parents = work with their children to improve their children’s academic achievement,= we will:      &n= bsp;            = ;

-&nb= sp;         provide at least two parent night activities during the school year that will engage parents and train parents to provide instructional support at home.

-&nb= sp;         provide ongoing communication to parents regarding their children’s academic needs and offer resources for the parents to use to help their children at home. (i.e. Study Island, Accelerated Reader, Accelerated Math, etc.)

In= an effort to provide quality communication with parents, we will:        &= nbsp;

-&nb= sp;         hold parent/teacher conferences at least twice a year.

-&nb= sp;         send home academic progress reports every three weeks.

-&nb= sp;         send home various information regarding Title 1 and other school programs.<= /o:p>

-&nb= sp;         inform parents that all School Improvement Team and PTA Board meetings are open for all to attend.

-&nb= sp;         inform parents that school administrators, teachers and Title 1 staff are available for conferences at any time throughout the year.

-&nb= sp;         encourage parents to visit their child’s classroom and to become involved in sc= hool activities and programs.

-&nb= sp;         provide information regarding Title 1 program services, teacher availability, conta= ct information, and parent involvement opportunities.

-&nb= sp;         provide, to the greatest extent possible, information in the home language for all students.

-&nb= sp;         encourage parents to utilize the HPS and individual school websites and email to enha= nce parent/teacher communication.

In= an effort to educate our administration, teachers, and school staff of the educational value of parent/teacher partnerships, we will:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;          =

-&nb= sp;         provide parents the opportunity during parent nights to share ideas about improving= the school and student achievement.

-&nb= sp;         provide information to teachers on successful parent involvement strategies and programs.

In= order to ensure the success of all students attending Jenkins Elementary, it is imperative for students, parents, teachers, and school administrators to work as a team. We ask that all of these stakehold= ers read, and sign, the Student-Parent= -Teacher-Administrator Agreement form.

Adoption of the Parent Involvement Policy

Th= e Parent Involvement Policy has been developed jointly with, and agreed upon by pare= nt representatives and staff members of Jenkins Elementary. This policy was adopted on

Ju= ly 22, 2010. This policy will be rev= iewed annually and necessary changes and additions will be made.

Stu= dent-Parent-Teacher-Administrator Agreement

This agreement will be signed= by Mrs. Dischiavi and distributed to all classroom teachers to review with the= ir students during the first week of school.&= nbsp; Teachers, students, and parent signatures are required prior to returning the agreement to the classroom teacher to be filed as a part of t= he students annual portfolio.

W. = M. Jenkins Elementary School

Stu= dent-Parent-Teacher-Administrator Agreement

= We know that learning can take place only when there is a combination of effort, interes= t, and motivation. As we are all committed to ____________________________’s progress in school, we are going to do our best to promote his/her achievement. This agreement is a promise to work together. <= /p>
=

= We believe that this agreement can be fulfilled by our team effort. Together we can improve teaching a= nd learning.

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As a student I pledge to:

&   Work as hard as I can on my classroom and homework assignments.

&   Discuss with my parents what I am learning in school.

&   Follow all school rules and procedures.

&   Ask my teacher questions when I don’t understand something.

&   Check out and read a book from the Jenkins School library or t= he public library at least once a week.

&   Practice Jenkins Character Education Traits at all times.

___________________________________________________

        =             &nb= sp;            =        Student Signature   &= nbsp;                  =             &nb= sp;            Date

<= /b>

As a parent I pledge to:=

&=    Review and monitor my child&#= 8217;s schoolwork on a daily basis.

&   Provide a quiet study time at home, encourage good study habits, and confirm that a= ll homework is completed daily.

&   Talk with my child about his/her school activities everyday.
&   Reinforce all school rules and procedures.

&   Monitor my child’s progress by attending school conferences, reviewing schoolwork, and talking with appropriate school personnel.

&   Encourage my child to read by reading to him/her and by reading myself.

&   Ensure my child comes to school on time and ready to learn.

&   Guide my child in their choice of TV programs, gaming selections, and encourage personal discipline and development.

___________________________________________________

Parent Signature        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;              =              Date

=

As a teacher I pledge to:

&   Provide a rigorous and relevant instructional program differentiated to meet the ne= eds of all students.

&   Provide motivating and interesting learning experiences in my classroom.=

&   Explain my expectations, instructional goals and grading system to students and parents.

&   Explain the Code of Student Conduct (BOBCAT Matrix) to the student and his/her parent(s).

&   Communicate and cooperate with each parent to provide the best education possible.=

&   Explore techniques and supporting materials to assist each student in working to th= eir fullest potential.

&   Model Jenkins Character Education Traits at all times.

___________________________________________________

          Teacher Signature        &= nbsp;              =            Date

<= /b>

As a principal/administrator I pledge to:

&   Create a welcoming environment for students and parents.

&   Communicate to students and parents the school’s mission and goals.

&   Ensure a safe and orderly learning environment.

&   Act as the instructional leader by supporting teachers in their classrooms.

&   Provide the appropriate in-service training for teachers and parents.

&   Assure positive relationships are established and maintained among all educational stakeholders.

___________________________________________________

Administrator / Principal Signature        =              Date<= o:p>

=