Parent/Student Handbook

2017 - 2018

Sheridan Elementary School 1139 Hillsboro Road

Orangeburg, South Carolina 29115

(803) 534-7504

http://ses.ocsd5.net

Sammie L. Gordon, Jr., Principal

Tonya L. Ramey, Assistant Principal

Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, race, creed, sex, color, national origin, religion, or handicap as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and such compliance should be directed to the Department of Human Resources, 578 Ellis Avenue, Orangeburg, South Carolina 29115; telephone number: (803) 534-5454.

SES

SES

August 1, 2017

Greetings Sheridan Superstars,

It is with great excitement that I welcome our returning families. And for those of you who are new to our

school, we are glad that you are joining the Sheridan Elementary School family. As your principal, I am looking

forward to the upcoming school year and the opportunity for Sheridan to be a part of your child’s/children’s

educational development.

Parents, we are looking forward to working with you in the upcoming school year. Your participation in your

child’s/children’s learning process has a significant impact on his/her/their educational achievement. Your

efforts to support our programs by helping your child/children with their homework, reading with them,

communicating with their teachers, participating in our school volunteer program are so beneficial to your child

and the success of our school.

This handbook is a guide to help you with general information about Sheridan Elementary School. Please

review it and use it as a reference for rules that will help promote excellence in education, safety in our school

environment and expectations for student behavior. You can find more information on our district’s code of

conduct for students and a copy of our district’s parent/student hand book on the OCSD5 website under the

parents heading. Click on parents, then select important information for parents.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of Sheridan

Elementary.

Again, welcome, thank you for being a part of our Sheridan Elementary School Family and remember

Superstars S.H.I.N.E.!

Educationally Yours,

Sammie L. Gordon Jr. Sammie L. Gordon Jr., Ed.S

Principal

Sheridan Elementary School’s Mission Statement OCSD5 exists to provide effective teaching and learning through equitable, high expectations and digital

learning environments to ensure academic success for all students through collaborative partnerships.

Sheridan Elementary School’s Vision Statement Sheridan Elementary will instill within all students life characteristics, world-class knowledge and skills while

preparing students to be college and career ready.

At Sheridan Elementary, we believe that: Students learning in a safe environment is our primary focus

Embracing change creates an environment for growth

Proficient use of technology is essential to success in a global society

Building positive character is essential

Parents are our partners

Sheridan Elementary School’s Goals: Increase student learning

Improve resource management

Improve human capital

Increase engagement

Safety above all else

Sheridan Elementary School

PARENT HANDBOOK

Student’s Name: _______________________________

Parent’s Signature _____________________ Date__________________

Please leave this form to your child’s homeroom teacher.

I, _________________________________, attest that (Parent: Please Print your name.)

I have received a copy of the Sheridan Elementary School Parent Handbook, and

will read and discuss this information with my child.

SES

Faculty /Staff

2017-2018

Administrative Team

Sammie L. Gordon, Jr., Principal

Tonya L. Ramey, Asst. Principal

Peggy Davis, Guidance Counselor

Dr. Windy Stephenson, Literacy Coach

Dawn Whitesides, Math Coach

Clerical Staff Detra Kennerly

Vanessa Jones, Executive Secretary Tamera Jamison Foushe Dotson, Receptionist Edith Perry

Health Room Pre-K Robyn Heaton, Nurse Inabinette Richardson, Teacher

Priscilla Garvain, TA

BMC Carmen Brown, Teacher

Blaine Hill Lynnae Wilson, TA Claire Goldmintz, Teacher Special Services Gwynette Polite, TA

Dana Caggiano, Resource Anitra Jackson, Speech Kindergarten

Kimberly Farmer, ESOL Teacher Veronica Lawrence, Teacher Jordone Massey, District Translator TBA, TA Markia Grier, 4th-5th Carla Tomson, Teacher Malathi Karem, 3rd-4th Andreal Snell, TA Fnu Poojah, 1st-2nd TBA, Teacher Barbara Johnson, TA Stephanie Hartzog, TA Sharmon, McMichael, TA Michelle Moorer, TA 1st Grade

Marilyn Brown, TA A’Sheona Gadson Kendra Williams, TA Nicole Ruff Amanda Steinmentz, GT Teacher Diana Newsome Elasha Leary, Mental Health Counselor 2nd Grade Related Arts Tamika Dickerson Rodney Ott, Art Myra Summers Gwendolyn Smith, Music Jesika Glisson Curtis Simmons, PE Michele’ Crane, Media Specialist 3rd Grade

Carolyn Connor, Media Assistant Jannie James Beverly Williams, Computer Lab Akua Polidore Autumn, Coulter Custodial Staff Vernon Jones, Building Supervisor 4th Grade

Rodrick Robinson Linda Dixon Kenneth Preston Shandrea Dowling-Hughes Imani Mickell Ashley Thurman

Cafeteria Staff 5th Grade

Curtis Keller, Café Manager Shavar Lester

Shaterrica Dickson, Cashier Karen Whaley Elizabeth Johnson Arlequanda Gates

Change of Student Information

Parents must notify the school in person if changes occur in contact

information. Parents must list as many phone numbers as possible

for contact in the event of an emergency at the school. Each student

is required to have at least two emergency contacts on file other than

the parent/legal guardian.

School Day Schedule

★The school day begins at 7:45 a.m. Students who arrive

after 8:00 a.m. must be signed in by an adult! Please do

not drop students off after 8:00 a.m. without coming inside.

★Students should not arrive any earlier than 7:15 a.m.

★Carpool students will be allowed to eat breakfast between

7:15 a.m. – 7:40 a.m.

★Students are dismissed at 2:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

★All students must be picked up no later than 3:30 p.m.

★Early dismissal every 4th Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m.

★Students should never be dismissed early from school unless

there is a family emergency.

★Students who are continually late to school or dismissed early

will be reported to the district’s attendance office.

Parents are requested to ensure that students arrive on time

and are picked up promptly after school.

Procedures for Children Left by Parents

after School is Dismissed

Keeping children safe is of utmost importance in Orangeburg

Consolidated School District Five. For that reason, district

administrators, teachers and staff are very concerned when children

are left at school beyond dismissal. When this happens, it leaves

children vulnerable to any number of situations that could

compromise their safety. This could, in turn, lead to school and

district liability and may even subject parents to charges of parental

neglect.

Elementary School Late Pick-Up Procedures

1st time: Phone call to parents; Verbal Warning

2nd time: Phone call to parents; Verbal & Written Warning

3rd time: Phone call to parents; Law Enforcement will be contacted

and the Department of Social Services

These procedures will be in place for all students; even those

who have lost the privilege to ride the bus.

Note: Discretion will be used by the principal and the responding law

enforcement office as to whether a child should be placed in

protective custody and whether DSS should become involved. There

must be at least 2 incidences of the child not being picked up before

the school asks for law enforcement intervention.

Transportation

If there is a change in your child’s method of transportation home,

please send a written note to your child’s teacher. For your child’s

safety changes over the phone will not be accepted. We are not

able to verify who is calling to make changes over the phone.

Buses

All students in OCSD5 who ride a bus are subject to regulations,

which includes the following:

1. School bus transportation is a privilege which may be

withdrawn for inappropriate behavior.

2. The bus driver is in complete charge of the bus and its

occupants at all times.

3. Parents who have an emergency and need to get their child(ren)

off the bus after the buses are loaded, must come into the office,

show valid picture ID, and be given a pass from the front office

staff.

4. An adult must always be home to receive students from the

school bus daily.

Morning Drop-Off and Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures

Buses and Daycare will drop-off using the Sheridan Street entrance

(back of the school) and will pick-up students using the Hillsboro

Road. entrance (front of school)

Car riders must be dropped-off using the Hillsboro Road entrance

(front of school) and picked-up in the carpool area on Sheridan Street

(back of school).

Carpool Traffic Safety Tips

Mornings: Students should exit from the right side of the car onto

the sidewalk. Please do not let students exit the vehicle from the

driver’s side. If arriving at school late, an adult must sign students

in at the front.

Afternoons: Carpool students must be picked up using the

Sheridan Street entrance. Traffic should move in two single file

lines. Please follow the traffic patterns. Do not exit your car or

park to retrieve a student. Students will be walked to your vehicle

by a faculty member. We are asking that you please do not get out

of your vehicle.

All of the above procedures were designed with student safety in

mind. Please comply so that traffic will move quickly and smoothly.

Help us keep all students safe! Your cooperation is greatly

appreciated.

Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five is not responsible for

vehicles parked or left unattended on school property.

Parking

There are limited open parking slots in the parking lot for parents

and/or guests to use. Parents are encouraged to use parking in an

available parking space. Parents may also park along the curb in

front of the school. However, it is imperative that all drivers return to

their car by (2:00 p.m.) if you are parked in the bus pick up area.

This is to ensure that the buses are not blocked and student pick up

can begin immediately at dismissal time.

Student Transfer/Withdrawal

Children going from one school to another within OCSD5 are

regarded as transfers. A student is enrolled until a legal guardian

completes the withdrawal/transfer form. After 10 consecutive

absences, students will be automatically withdrawn from the

system.

Tardy/Absences

Students are considered tardy after 8:00 am. An adult must sign

students in at the front office after 8:00 am.

Please remember to send excuses to school if your child has been

absent. South Carolina does have a compulsory attendance law

implemented in Orangeburg County. If a student is absent from

school three consecutive days without prior excuse, the teacher is

to call the parents and report this to the office.

Dismissal

Students will not be released after 2:15 pm. An exception will be

made if there is a valid family emergency.

(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday)

Students will not be released on Early Dismissal Tuesdays after

12:45 pm.

Communication

Questions and/or concerns and where to direct them:

If you are wondering to whom you should speak regarding a particular question or concern, the following list can be your guide.

Questions or concerns regarding:

Your child, his/her class or teacher(s) or questions about curriculum should be taken directly to your child’s teacher. If more help is needed, contact an Administrator.

General school business including school calendar of events, items for the newsletter, openings and closings for school, and so forth should be directed to the school office personnel.

By making your child's school attendance a priority, you will be

taking an important step in supporting your child's school

success, and setting a good example.

Remember — every day counts!

Discipline

It is necessary that children learn to develop self-discipline in order

to further their learning. We ask that you discuss the importance of

and need for good behavior, a positive attitude at school, and review

the district’s Code of Conduct. We will not tolerate fighting, bullying,

disrespect towards others, obscene language/gestures, or

destruction of school, bus or personal property. Students who break

the rules will be sent to an administrator and will receive

consequences accordingly using the Code of Conduct. All

students who are involved in a fight will automatically be suspended.

Teachers will remove disruptive students who interfere with the

learning of others. Students who bring weapons and knives to school

suspended immediately and will be considered for expulsion.

Sheridan follows and implements the District’s Code of

Conduct.

The Behavior Modification Center

The Behavior Modification Center (BMC) is designed to handle

diverse discipline problems. Minor and Intermediate infractions may

be considered for BMC. Major offenses do not qualify for the BMC

Program (Refer to the Code of Conduct). The BMC Center is a

place where students will be counseled and corrected for

inappropriate behavior so as to prevent the reoccurrence of

negative behaviors. Students sent to BMC will continue their

academic work and receive appropriate intervention to create a

more positive attitude. Depending on the infraction that occurred, a

student’s time in BMC is varied. The use of the center enables

students to stay in school and continue with their academics, as

well as to counsel for rule infractions.

Selling Items at School

Children are not allowed to sell any items on school grounds.

Dress Code /Academic Attire

All students enrolled at Sheridan Elementary School are required to

wear school academic attire. The Orangeburg Consolidated School

District Five School Board supports the implementation of school

academic attire in all elementary schools.

The school academic attire is as follows:

★Solid white, light blue, or navy shirt of blouses, which must be

tucked in at all times

★Navy blue bottoms: slacks, knee length shorts, skirts, skorts, or

jumpers

★Jeans are not allowed

★No flip-flops or open-toe shoes

★Parents are responsible for their child(ren) wearing uniforms

every day

★Parents will be notified if their child(ren) is out of academic attire

by their teacher. Parents are also responsible for bringing the

correct attire

Wearing items or clothing that could pose a safety threat to

oneself or others (heavy chains, studded bracelets, etc.) are not

allowed.

Visitors Dress Code

The purpose of a school-wide dress code is to establish a school

environment that supports a productive academic atmosphere,

which supports students’ learning and reflects the educational

values of the staff and the parents.

The following items of clothing/accessories are considered inappropriate and/or disruptive to the educational process and are unacceptable for school attire:

Strapless, halter or tube tops worn without a blouse/sweater cover-up to include tank tops with less than two inches of fabric across the shoulder on each side

Bare midriffs or open back shirts

Short shorts or skirts, un-hemmed shorts, tight athletic shorts, rolled up short shorts

Undergarments showing (i.e., baggy pants worn below the waist and low rider jeans, bras or sports bras) or lack of undergarments

Emblems, lettering, or pictures related to drugs, alcohol, sex, or profanity

Any items of clothing or manner of wearing clothing which contributes to the disruption of a productive learning environment and the safe operation of the school

Articles Prohibited at School

Problems may arise if students bring articles to school which may

be hazardous to the safety of others or interfere in some way with

school procedures. The following items are prohibited on school

grounds: drug paraphernalia, weapons, toy guns, glass containers,

etc. Students are asked to leave cell phones, cameras, electronic

devices, toys, jewelry and other personal items at home.

School Assemblies/Field Trips

An image of the school is determined by the way students conduct

themselves at school assemblies and on field trips. Each student is

personally responsible for the impression that is made by the school

as a whole. No student will be allowed to go on a field trip without

parental permission. Unless approved by the principal, uniforms will

be worn on all field trips. Field trips are earned privileges; therefore,

students with excessive classroom behavior problems may or may

not be allowed to go on field trips unless the teacher specifies they

may attend with a legal guardian or designee over the age of 21.

Visitors

For the safety of Sheridan Elementary, all visitors (including parents)

must sign in at the front office. Please come to the Hillsboro Road

entrance (front of the school). All other entrances will be locked

during the school day. Visitors will not be allowed on school campus

or in the buildings unless they have signed in at the main office and

received a visitor’s pass to wear during their visit. Please remember

to sign out upon departure. Side exit doors are for emergencies only!

Please use Sheridan’s main entrance doors when exiting the

building.

School Volunteers

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact

Guidance Counselor at 803-534-7504. We encourage you to

volunteer. Your help and support are necessary in order to promote

excellence in our school. All volunteers must be cleared through a

SLED background check prior to serving in the school.

Words and music by:

Gwendolyn Smith

2004

Alma Mater

Our gratitude to Sheridan School

For happy days we know.

Where teachers’ love and helpfulness,

Uphold us as we grow.

Our gratitude to Sheridan School

we pledge to do our best.

The love we share is kind and true

no matter what the test.

Our gratitude to Sheridan School

We’re here to say today.

The paths we take will lead us to

success along the way.

REFRAIN:

Oh Sheridan, Oh Sheridan,

Your memories we’ll hold dear.

An live our lives in thankfulness,

For all that we’ve learned here.