JJE 2007-2008 Handbook
The staff and administrators at John Johnson Elementary welcome students and parents to the 2007-08 school year. We are dedicated to providing the best possible education for our students, which will allow every student to achieve to his or her greatest potential. For this to be possible, it will require effort and cooperation from students, parents and teachers. We will communicate with our John Johnson families through monthly newsletters, teacher correspondence, EIS, and our website. In addition, progress reports (Paw Prints) will be sent home every three weeks. Our staff will make every effort to maintain a positive relationship between home and school. Communication and regular conferences are vital and we encourage parents to contact us if any problems arise. Our most successful students are those whose parents are informed and active in their school life. With your help, we are confident that this school year will be the best one ever!
MISSION
John Johnson administrators, faculty, and staff, along with parents, students, and community members believe that our students will meet or exceed state standards. We also strive to empower our students to become the best possible learners as well as knowledgeable and responsible citizens.
VISION
The John Johnson Elementary learning community will reflect an environment of high expectations of our administrators, faculty, staff, parents, and students. Members of our learning community will meet these expectations through:
● Being committed to continuous improvement and providing ongoing professional development
● Facilitating positive relationships between community members, parents, staff, students, and faculty
● Collaborating with one another on a regular basis on curriculum, instruction, individual students and school improvement initiatives; and
● Closely monitoring the academic progress of students and supporting those who require additional assistance.
HOURS
Office ……………7:15-4:00
Teachers …………7:25-3:25
Student Hours
7:15 Bus students arrive.
7:30 Walkers/Riders begin to arrive.
7:50 Announcements
8:00 Tardy bell---late students must go by office for a late slip
2:45 Dismissal of car riders and walkers
2:40 Dismissal of bus students
ARRIVAL
The safety of our students is our upmost concern. Please read carefully the guidelines for arrival and dismissal and help us have a safe and orderly campus.
Bus Students begin to arrive at 7:15 in the circular drive out back. PK students go directly to the classroom. K-2 students wait in the lunchroom. Grades 3-5 students wait in the gym. All bus students are supervised by staff members and are dismissed to classrooms at 7:30
Walkers should not arrive on campus before 7:30 and should go directly to the classroom. Students who need to cross West Street should wait at the main front gate for an adult to accompany them across the street.
Car Riders will be dropped off in two locations: in the circular drive out front or on the side (John Johnson Street.) Students may not begin to exit the cars until 7:30. Staff members or school patrol members will assist students exiting vehicles. Parents/Drivers should not get out of the cars or pull over to the side of either circular drive due to safety reasons. If you need to come into the building with your student, you must park in a space in the main parking lot.
DISMISSAL
You will provide the information for afternoon dismissal on the pink sheet provided in your beginning school packet. If there is a change in your child’s afternoon dismissal procedure, the school must have a note (i.e. a note to ride or not ride a bus, or ride in a different car pool) sent to school in the morning. Do not call the office to leave a message for your child concerning afternoon pickup; this should be taken care of before he/she comes to school and will only be allowed in case of emergency.
Bus and Daycare Vans – will dismiss at 2:40 in the back circular drive. Cars are not allowed on this back driveway at any time.
Walkers – will dismiss at 2:45. Staff members will assist students crossing West Street and John Johnson Street.
Car Riders – will dismiss at 2:45 in two locations: out front or on the side. Students should wait quietly for their name to be called. A staff member will load your student into your vehicle. This is a very BUSY and CONGESTED time of the day that will run smoothly if the following guidelines are followed:
Safety is our goal – please be patient while we load each car. Make sure your child is buckled up before you leave.
PULL ALL THE WAY UP! We can load several cars, but we need you to pull up to the teacher at the end of the pick-up area.
Patience! We try to get as many cars off West Street as possible, that means double “parking” cars on John Johnson Street – please be kind and let cars merge into one lane at the turn into the 4th/5th grade parking lot.
Have your “name card” in the front windshield so that we know whom to call to be loaded.
If you need to talk with your child’s teacher, or get out of your car for any reason, please pull into a parking space. Vehicles are not allowed to pull over on any part of the driveway between 7:30 and 8:00 am or between 2:30 and 3:00 pm.
Breakfast is free to all students and will be served in classrooms beginning at 7:30.
A nutritious lunch will be offered to all students with a menu determined by the lunchroom staff in conjunction with the food service director. The menu will be posted in the classrooms, on the JJE website, and it is also published weekly in The Post Searchlight. Parents are urged to prepay for meals on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. Checks should be made payable to John Johnson Elementary Lunchroom. Lunch money should be placed in an envelope with the following information written on the outside:
Child’s name, Social Security Number, Homeroom Teacher and Amount of Money
Students should place the envelope in the box in the lunchroom before school. Charges are not allowed.
Students eligible for free or reduced meals will need to complete and return the necessary form included in your beginning school packet. Children may bring lunches to school if they wish, however, soft drinks and restaurant meals in the original wrappings are not allowed.
Lunchroom Prices:
Lunch $1.15
Reduced Lunch $ .40
Extra Milk $ .30
Adult Lunch $2.50
**Separate letters about food allergies and check writing procedures are included.
All personal belongings should be labeled. This includes, but is not limited to, outdoor clothing, pencil boxes, book bags and lunch boxes. Lost and found items are turned into the school office and are stored for approximately one month.
Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit the school. All visitors are required to report to the school’s office upon entering the building. Each visitor must obtain a visitor’s pass before proceeding to the classrooms. If you would like to have a conference with your child’s teacher, Mrs. Varner or Dr. Aldridge, please call 248-2215 for an appointment.
The Decatur County School System is an open system and encourages parent/guardian/community participation and involvement.
To assure the safety of all students, visitors are required to check in at the office upon
arrival at school and obtain a visitor’s pass.
To maintain an optimal learning environment; visitors should arrange classroom visits with the principal in order to avoid testing days, field trips, or other similar preplanned group activities.
While visiting in classrooms, visitors should avoid activity which would distract students, such as walking about the room, talking to the teacher during class, or talking with students. The rights of all students to privacy and to a proper learning environment must be strictly observed. (Teacher/Parent conferences should be scheduled at other times.)
Visits should not be for the purpose of “monitoring” a teacher and generally should not exceed one hour in length. If the visitor has questions regarding the competence of a teacher, this matter should be properly addressed to the school principal.
When appropriate, the principal and/or administrator may choose to sit with the visitor during the visit.
If, at any time during the visit, the principal considers the classroom observation to be other than in the best interest of the students being served, he/she may terminate the visit.
No cell phones are allowed in the classrooms or hallways.
Appropriate attire is required for class visits and special events on campus.
ATTENDANCE
Good attendance is extremely important to success in school and students should develop good work habits by arriving ON TIME each day. REMEMBER.... students are late at 8:00 and announcements begin at 7:50. The Decatur County BOE Attendance policy is committed to ensuring that students have good attendance, which is necessary to adequate progress in school. Students with excessive, or unexcused, absences or tardies may be referred to the attendance committee and/or referral to court.
Any student who arrives at school after the 8:00 tardy bell must have a note from a parent/guardian stating the reason for being tardy or the tardy will be counted as unexcused. Students must report to the office for a tardy slip before going to class.
A doctor’s excuse or written excuse is required when a student is absent from school. Failure to bring an excuse within three days after returning to school shall constitute an unexcused absence. A student who has an excused absence is permitted to make-up work that has been assigned. Students will have three days to complete missed work. For each unexcused absence, a zero will be given for all work missed for which a grade was assigned. This work cannot be made up.
Students Signing Out Early
Please be advised that if your child is signed out early he/she is missing an important part of the school day. Leaving early other than for a doctor’s appointment or emergency will be counted as an unexcused absence and may greatly affect their grade. Signing out early should not be done to “beat the traffic”. Students will be called to the office when the person that is signing them out comes in to the office to do so. Students are responsible for making up any work missed.
Students are not allowed to leave school during school hours for any reason without the knowledge of their teacher and the administrator. Students must be signed in and out on the master sheet in the office by the parent/guardian whenever leaving and /or returning to school.
In the event that it is necessary for a child to change schools (in-county or out-of-county), the office must be contacted by the parent/guardian at least 24 hours prior to the actual withdrawal date. Upon notification, the appropriate records for the child will be sent to the new school.
HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS
We are committed to continually seeking to improve instruction for our students. We hope that as a parent, you will become involved in our school improvement initiatives as we continue to monitor student achievement and set high expectations. We encourage you to get to know your child’s teacher and the class routines and expectations. We are proud of the professional credentials of our teaching staff and will furnish to you, upon request, the professional qualifications of any of your student’s classroom teachers. This includes information concerning the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher is certified, the major fields and degrees held by the teacher, and the qualifications of any paraprofessional who provides services to your child.
CONFERENCES
Teachers are available for conferences on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during planning time and after 3:00. Teachers are on duty and are supervising students beginning at 7:25, so please schedule a meeting in advance so that you and the teacher are able to communicate without interruption.
DRESS CODE – Grades K-5
Students attending Decatur County Public Schools in Grades K through 5 must conform to the following dress code:
1. Hats and sunglasses may not be worn in the school building or on school buses.
Bookbags (other than clear or mesh) are not permissible on campus.
2. Shoes must be worn.
3. No tank tops, halter tops, shirts that expose the midriff or back, or see-through clothing allowed.
4. Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be fingertip length or longer when standing erect.
5. Proper undergarments must be worn.
6. Pants, shorts, and skirts must be the appropriate size for the student and must be worn at the appropriate waist level. Saggy pants and pants that expose undergarments can not be worn.
*The principal at each school may deem it necessary to restrict certain clothing, etc. The principal or principal’s designee will determine if attire is disruptive or inappropriate.
** Appropriate footwear (tennis shoes) are required on PE days.
MEDICATION IN SCHOOL
Prescription medicine must be in the prescription bottle with instructions, child’s name, and parental permission attached to the bottle. Medication must be administered by the school nurse. Special needs for nonprescription medication must be cleared and administered through the nurse. If your child will be taking medicine on a daily basis at school, please see the nurse in order to complete the appropriate paper work. Aspirin will not be given under any circumstances.
In case of illness or injury, a student will be cared for temporarily by the school nurse or by a member of the school staff. If treatment is necessary, the parent/guardian will be notified. We are prepared to treat minor scrapes and scratches as well as bites and stings. In case of an emergency, if the parent/guardian cannot be reached, we must have the student’s family doctor’s name on file in the office, as well as a signature on your child’s student information card giving us permission to secure medical attention in the event that you cannot be located. Please make sure that you sign the back of the student information card.
It is very important that every student maintain an up-to-date address and telephone number for home and emergency in the office. The parent/guardian must notify the school immediately if there is any change of address or telephone number during the school year.
DELIVERIES TO JOHN JOHNSON
Please do not send gifts, flowers, or balloons to students at school. This includes Valentine’s Day.
Teaches are more than happy to help parents arrange to celebrate birthdays at school. Please contact your child’s teacher for the best time to bring treats. Please remember that party invitations should not be given out at school unless the entire class is invited. When invitations are given to only a few students, feelings may be hurt and that is not the “Where everybody is somebody” spirit!
A – 90 -100
B – 80 - 89
C – 70 - 79
F - Below 70
E – Indicates the student is working below grade level.
PROMOTION AND RETENTION
Elementary schools abide by the Promotion and Retention of Students section of the Decatur County Board of Education policy. The complete section is found under descriptor code IHE. The following is a brief description of promotion standards and criteria:
Kindergarten – promotion will be based on satisfactory progress of the GKAP (Georgia Kindergarten Assessment Program) and the skills listed on the Kindergarten Report Card.
Grades 1 and 2 – promotion will be based on receiving passing grades (yearly average) in Reading and Math based on grade level performance. An “E” is considered behind grade level.
Also, students must pass the Reading and Math portion of the CRCT.
Grades 3, 4, and 5 – promotion will be based upon passing grades (yearly average) in Reading and Math based on grade level performance. An “E” is considered behind grade level. In addition to Reading and Math, students must also pass two out of the three academic subjects (English, Science and Social Studies). Also, students must pass the Reading and Math portions of the CRCT.
All grade levels will send home graded work on a weekly basis and Paw Prints every 3 weeks from grades 1-5. Paw Prints are progress reports on academics and behavior. If your child has more than one teacher, he/she will bring home grade-level policies for periodic student evaluation. Please feel free to contact the teacher for more information.
TEXTBOOKS
Students are responsible for the textbooks and library books issued to them. This responsibility includes keeping the books in good condition and not losing the book. At the end of the school year if the book is damaged the student will be charged a fine for the damage done to the book. If the book is lost, the student will have to pay the replacement cost of the book. Textbooks are required to be covered.
A report card on the progress of each student is issued each nine weeks. This report is given to the student to take home and will not be mailed. The parent/guardian should sign the envelope and return it to the school the following day. Parents may keep the report card.
DISCIPLINE
All elementary schools in Decatur County abide by the local board policy JCD, Student Behavior and Conduct Regulations. John Johnson Elementary is committed to maintaining a well-disciplined atmosphere where children will have the greatest opportunities to learn. We believe that discipline is an on-going process, which helps students learn to be responsible and capable of making choices that are in the best interest of others, as well as themselves. We believe students need guidance, rules, and consistency in the enforcement of rules. We also feel that is the joint responsibility of the parents/guardians and teachers to praise and reinforce appropriate behavior. We have established a strong, positive discipline program which includes specific school-wide behavior expectations and consequences. Positive reinforcement will occur when good behavior is exhibited. A listing of the school wide procedures is included for you to review with your student at home.
For severe or recurring discipline problems, parents/guardians will be expected to be involved as a part of the adult team working to help the student improve his/her behavior. Compliance with the standards of conduct adopted by John Johnson is mandatory for every student.
Major Offenses:
Major offenses include, but are not limited to the following:
Hitting, rough or physical abuse
Throwing objects
Defiance of authority
Disrespectful/abusive language or actions
Bullying
Continuous, disruptive behavior
Willful destruction of property
Interventions include, but are not limited to, the following:
Discipline notice
Conference with Parent/Guardian
Loss of privilege
Paddling
ISS (In School Suspension) at Hutto. Student will receive credit for work completed in ISS.
OSS (Out of School Suspension) Students not allowed to make up work and will receive zeros.
Serious Offenses
Serious discipline offenses include, but are not limited to, the following:
Physical assault on a school employee
Possession of a dangerous weapon, or the use of an object
The use, possession, or sale of alcoholic substances, narcotics, or other noxious substances
The use, possession, or sale of explosive devices
Interventions include, but are not limited to, the following:
Automatic suspension from school
Expulsion
BUS INFORMATION
DCBOE’s Transportation Department is responsible for transporting students in the safest manner possible using trained drivers and buses which are monitored for safety and efficiency. In order to assure safety on the bus, students must use appropriate behavior while boarding, deboarding, or riding the bus. Discipline offenses will be written up by the bus driver and submitted to the principal. A progressive list of consequences begins with a warning for the first offense and expulsion from bus for the remainder of the school year for the sixth offense. If your student rides the bus, please review the following guidelines frequently. Students who follow these guidelines have great experiences with school transportation.
Students must be at the bus stop at the time the bus is scheduled to arrive.
Students must not cross the road to board the bus until the bus arrives.
Students must cross in front of the bus.
Students must not stand on the road while waiting for the bus.
Students must conduct themselves in an orderly manner and respect private property while waiting for the bus.
Students must use service entrance door.
Students should cross the road at least 10 feet in front of the bus after looking both ways.
Students should walk and not run to the bus.
Students must have a written request from a parent/guardian in order to be let off at a different bus stop. This request must be signed by the principal of the school.
Students must remain in the seat while the bus is in motion.
Students must keep arms and head inside the bus.
Students must not throw objects on the bus or out of the windows.
Students must not distract the bus driver.
No food or drinks are allowed on the bus.
No live animals are allowed on the bus.
Students must not litter on the bus.
Students must not bring items on the bus which may endanger the health or safety of others.
Students must not use inappropriate language on the bus.
Students must respect the authority of the bus driver.
Students may not be abusive or aggressive.
Students must comply with the Board of Education policies and regulation.
SCHOOL WIDE RULES AND PROCEDURES
Be courteous to others at all times.
Respect yourself, staff, and other students.
Respect school property and keep your school clean.
Go directly to and from your destination.
All students will obey all staff members on campus.
Quiet courteous behavior
Go directly to and from destination
Clean up litter
Walk in an orderly single file line with the class
Use fountains only for drinking
Stand free of doorways and exits
Stay to “your right” and near the wall when walking, and keep hands and feet to yourself
Students must have a hall pass while in the hall, unless they are with an adult
Cafeteria
The cafeteria is a place to talk quietly, not to scream, whistle or yell.
Enter and exit quietly and orderly, one at a time.
Stand in a single file line and use a soft voice.
Use good manners in speaking to lunchroom workers and others.
Pick up necessary items in cafeteria line first time through.
At a table, only talk to your neighbors beside you and in front of you.
Practice good eating habits.
Remain in seat unless given permission to leave.
Clean personal space including stool before leaving.
Students are to put trays and trash in window one student at a time.
Flush toilet and wash hands after each use.
Place paper towels in trash cans.
Individual use of stall and urinals (1 per stall).
Use appropriate behavior in restroom.
Designated monitors are to report any problems to the teacher.
Sit and respond appropriately.
Use good manners.
Talk very quietly before and after assembly.
Listen quietly to performance.
Playground
Do not run going from or coming into the building.
Refrain from karate, wrestling, hitting, flipping, and fighting on the playground. No physical contact games (No Frisbee, football, etc.).
Do not climb the fence.
Use playground equipment with care.
NOTE: Wood chips and rocks are to remain in their designated areas.
Shoes must be worn at all times.
No pushing each other in the swings.
Use slide correctly. Do not slide backwards, on stomach, or in any position other than the correct way. No climbing up the slide.
Stay in designated boundaries. The boundaries are the fence and the edge of the butterfly garden.
Sit at picnic tables or benches to eat snacks.
PUT TRASH in containers.
Walk to line up with your class.
Walk to and from the library quietly.
Each student must have a pass to go to the library.
Speak softly in a whisper voice in the library.
Students need to use the shelf markers when selecting books.
Students are responsible for turning in books.
Do not push in line while checking in or out books.
Only one student at a time can check in and out books at the computer.
Upon arrival each student should either report to the classroom except for bus students. Do not come to school before 7:30.
Walk quietly to classroom and follow individual teacher’s classroom procedures.
Go directly to classroom, picking up breakfast from the cart. Do not stop at the bathroom or the library.
Leave in an orderly fashion.
Students should exit the building with an adult. Students should not enter any building after dismissal
All students need to cross the street with an adult.
When the fire drill bell rings, line up quietly and orderly.
Walk down the hallway quietly.
While outside in line, stay orderly in a single file line until the bell rings to come back inside.
When the drill sounds, walk quietly outside the doorway and get into the position your teacher has shown you.
Severe Weather Causing School to be Cancelled
In the case of severe weather and threats of unsafe conditions for attending schools, the Superintendent shall make the decision to close schools. The public will be notified by local radio and television stations of by calling the Superintendent’s Hotline by dialing 246-6331, ext. 7001.
THE JOHN JOHNSON HONOR CODE
Students at JJE will abide by the following honor code. Students in Grades 3-5 will discuss the Honor Code at length with the school counselor and sign a pledge that they will abide by the honor code.
First, Honor demands that an honorable person shall not lie, cheat, or steal.
Second, that being part of the JJE body carries with it the responsibility to follow those standards of conduct, which govern an “honorable” person in every walk of life.
Third, that, since the integrity or value of the grades earned by the student must depend in large degree upon the Honor Code, all students in every class must regard themselves as particularly bound by their honor not to cheat in any form, and as likewise bound in honor not to fail to report any cheating that comes to their knowledge.
Fourth, that copying from others or using the ideas of another person (students or parents) and not giving credit is plagiarism. This is a form of cheating because you are trying to use others’ work as yours, without giving proper credit.
Fifth, because the need of equal access to library and classroom materials is essential in any school community, it is a violation of the Honor Code to fail to check out a book taken from the library, or to remove materials from the classroom without proper authorization.
Sexual harassment is unlawful and unacceptable in the school or workplace. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is illegal. Because of the importance we place on these types of issues, this school has instituted a procedure for investigating harassment complaints. It is our policy to investigate and resolve these issues in a prompt manner. If you have been harassed, or another’s conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment, please notify the principal.