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John C. Calhoun Elementary School

A Message from the Principal

Dear Families, On behalf of the faculty and staff, I would like to welcome you to the start of the 2012-2013 school year. We are very excited to have another rewarding year here at John C. Calhoun Elementary and are looking forward to another year of educating and inspiring the young people in this community. Our school has a rich tradition of combining academic excellence, with a sense of community responsibility and service, which is second to none. The continuation of this tradition is the goal of everyone connected to our school. We ask that you please read through this handbook and familiarize yourself with our schools procedures, rules and policies that will impact your child’s success in our school. These guidelines apply to every student at our school and are designed to ensure a positive, safe, learning environment for the students, staff and faculty. Reading and understanding the information in this handbook will answer most of the questions that may arise during the school year. Every student who walks through our doors is expected to do his or her best in academics and behavior. All students are expected to represent their homes and families in a positive manner. Our school provides each student with limitless possibilities in education and we are confident that through the joint efforts provided by the school, parents and community that everyone will have a successful year. Parent involvement is a key factor in the success of a child’s education. No student will achieve what he or she is capable of without parent involvement. Parents are encouraged to have a working relationship and open communication with their child’s teachers, staff and principal. Our faculty and staff are always eager to discuss our plans in the education and discipline of your child and we encourage you to support our plans at school, as well as, at home. There are several opportunities for volunteer involvement of community members and parents in our school and we welcome your interest in these situations. Please contact the school is you would like to volunteer your time and/or services. I am excited to have the opportunity to be the principal of John C. Calhoun Elementary School and am looking forward to seeing and hearing from you. Every decision that I make will reflect my top priority – the advancement and education of our students. With everyone cooperating and working for the benefit of the children we will ensure a safe and nurturing environment that will provide our student s with the best possible education offered in our state. Sincerely, Milton Scott Principal

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Mission Statement The mission of John C. Calhoun Elementary is to provide appropriate and

challenging learning experiences that give students the opportunity to succeed both academically and in life.

Philosophy and Beliefs Our philosophy of education is guided by the following beliefs:

• Every child has a right to a quality education that meets the student’s individual needs.

• Education is the foundation of the community.

• Quality education depends on involvement and shared responsibility of parents, students, educators, and community.

• Community and school should provide a safe, nurturing, and motivational learning environment.

• Lifelong learning is the key to the future.

• Discipline is a vital part of education.

• Effective teachers are essential for student success.

• All individuals have worth and dignity.

• Every student is capable of learning and can experience success.

• Respect for all should be modeled and encouraged.

Daily Procedures

Arrival In the morning, bus duty teachers arrive at 7:15 A.M. The first bus arrives at school around 7:20 A.M. No student should be dropped off at school before this time. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria from 7:25 until 7:50 A.M. Students who want to eat breakfast must arrive at school during this time. Students arriving at school after the breakfast period will not be able to eat breakfast in the cafeteria. Students will report to the playtorium upon arriving at school and begin reading while awaiting the beginning of classes. At 7:55 A.M., students will report to their classes with their teachers. Announcements will be made between 7:45 and 7:55 A.M. Attendance will be checked in the classroom. Tardiness Official school tardy time is 8:00 A.M. Instructional periods begin at 8:00 A.M. Students arriving at school at 8:00 A.M. will be considered tardy. Students arriving after 8:00 A.M. should report to the office to obtain a pass to class. Parents of tardy students

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must accompany their children into the school office to sign them in and record the reason for the tardy. Continued and chronic tardiness is an attendance problem and will be handled in the same manner as attendance problems. Please make sure your child arrives at school on time. Departure All students will be dismissed beginning at 2:40 P.M. To avoid dangerous traffic congestion, students will be assigned to one of two dismissal times. “First Car Riders” and walkers will be dismissed at 2:40. Buses will be dismissed beginning at 2:40. “Second Car Riders” will be dismissed at 2:55. Car riders will be picked up at the covered walkway next to the parking lot. Early Dismissal Students who are dismissed early must remain at school until 11:30 A.M. to be counted present for that day. When a child is dismissed early, the child must be signed out in the office by the parent or guardian. A sign-out sheet is located on the counter in the office. If a child is dismissed early and will return to school that same day, the parent or guardian must sign the child out and back in again in the office. A child must be present for at least one-half school day (3 ½ hours) to be counted present for that day. Change of Transportation A child must travel home by the same method each day. If it becomes necessary for your child to go home by a different method, the child will need to bring a written note from home stating the need for the change. The note must be signed by the parent or guardian. Changing the method of transportation by phone will be done only in emergency situations.

A student must have a note signed by a parent or guardian to change the normal

method of transportation.

Visitor Policy John C. Calhoun Elementary School operates on a controlled open-door policy. All visitors with business at the school are welcome. For the protection of students and school personnel, visitors must report directly to the office upon arriving at the school and entering the building to sign in. No visitor should go to any part of the building or the playground without first coming by the office. Appointments for teacher conferences should be made in advance to prevent interrupting the learning process.

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Health and Safety A registered nurse will be on call at JCCE at designated times. This LPN will be able to assist school personnel with the health needs of the students and the dispensing of medication. “No-Nit” Policy Abbeville County has adopted a “No-Nit” Policy for dealing with head lice. If a student has an active infestation of head lice, the school will notify the parents who will pick up the child. The parent will be informed about treatment procedures and the documentation that will be needed to return to school. At no time will a student be allowed to return to school without proof of treatment and a screening by the school nurse or school personnel. Even though a child has been treated for head lice, he/she will not be allowed to attend school if there is any evidence of nits (lice eggs) or live lice found after examination by the school nurse or school personnel. A student will be allowed to return to school after an examination by the school nurse or designated school personnel reveals that there are no lice eggs or adult lice present. If a student has received 2 shampoo treatments within a 30-day period and there is still evidence of either adult lice or lice eggs, the student will be referred to the Health Department or their family physician. The student must bring a statement indicating he/she has been seen by Health Department personnel or his/her family physician. Medications If a child needs to be given prescription medication at school, the parent or guardian must obtain a permission form from the school and have it completed and signed by the doctor. The parent must sign and return the form to the school along with the prescription bottle containing the medication, giving the school permission to give the medication. Generally, students who take medication at school are those who are on a long-term schedule. Students who have short-term medications are given the medications before coming to school in the morning and after arriving home in the afternoon. If a child needs to be given non-prescription medication at school, the parent must come by the school and complete a permission form before the medication can be given. It is not necessary to take this permission form to the doctor. Whenever possible, the medication should be given before coming to school in the morning and after arriving home in the afternoon.

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Change of Address/Telephone Number It is vitally important that the school has on file a current, correct address and telephone number for each child. At the beginning of the year, student information cards will be sent home. These cards should be completed with the current, accurate information. If your address or telephone number changes at any time during the school year, please notify the school office so that our records can be updated.

Please notify the school of any changes in address and/or telephone number.

Lost and Found Lost items which are found at school are turned over to the office for safekeeping until the rightful owner claims the lost property. Lost items are kept in the office for three weeks to allow students and parents sufficient opportunity to claim the property. At the end of the three-week period, the items are turned over to charity to help needy families. To prevent the loss or theft of your child’s property, write your child’s name on all personal property. Telephone Use Use of the telephone by students is limited to emergency calls and school business calls only. Calls for permission to attend movies, to attend field trips, to ride buses with friends, etc. will not be permitted. These matters should be addressed at home. School Store JCCE will operate a school store where students can purchase school supplies such as pencils, pens, notebook paper, rulers, etc. The school store will be open in the mornings from 7:45 until 7:55. JCCE will also operate a school store in the cafeteria where students can purchase nutritious snacks. This school store will be open during lunch periods so that students can purchase items when they finish eating their lunches. Students must eat a nutritious lunch before visiting the school store. Classroom Parties Classroom party plans are under the control of the school/school district. Special classroom parties are held, usually twice a year, once at Christmas and at another holiday. Your child’s teacher will inform you about party plans. The passing out of invitations to private parties is strongly discouraged and is permissible only if each student in the class is given an invitation.

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Delivery of Flowers and Gifts for Students Due to a county-wide policy related to school bus safety, no deliveries to students can be accepted by the school for distribution during the school day. School Pictures School pictures are taken in the fall and in the spring. Information will be sent home in advance of each school picture day. Kindergarten graduation pictures will also be taken in the spring. Our school pictures are taken by qualified photographers and satisfaction is guaranteed. School Delays/Closings Due to Inclement Weather During the winter months, school may be closed or delayed due to bad weather. For information on school closings and delays, you should listen to the following television and/or radio stations for official notification. Ordinarily, information about delays/closings will be available by 6:00 A.M. If you do not hear a closing/delay announcement, you should assume that schools are on their regular schedule. Do not call the school or district office for information about closings/delays. Telephone lines must be kept open.

Radio Stations WANS - Anderson - 107.3 FM WFBC - Greenville - 93.7 FM WRIX - Anderson - 103.1 FM WSCZ - Greenwood - 96.7 FM WSSL - Greenville - 100.5 FM WZLA - Abbeville - 92.9 FM

Television Stations

WLOS-TV - Asheville - Channel 13 WSPA-TV - Spartanburg - Channel 7 WYFF-TV - Greenville - Channel 4 Abbeville Cablevision - Channel 32

Financial Information

School Fees The School Board has set the school materials fee at $12.00 per student. The school materials fee is used to purchase materials and supplies that are used by the students in the classroom. Fees may be paid in quarterly installments of $3.00 per nine weeks. If a child receives free or reduced priced meals, the parent may request and receive a waiver of school fees. Student Insurance The school district offers student insurance through the Standard Insurance Company. School-time or 24-hour coverage accident insurance can be purchased at the school.

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Cafeteria Meals: Breakfast and Lunch JCCE offers both breakfast and lunch meals to students. Cafeteria meals can be purchased at the school. Parents can also apply for free or reduced meals by completing an application showing the family’s level of income. Applications are approved/disapproved based on the number of family members and the level of income. Since the district is using a new family application, all children in your family can be qualified by completing a single application. Breakfast JCCE will offer breakfast at no cost to all students beginning this school year. This “No Cost” breakfast is a new concept that, hopefully, will encourage all students to eat a good breakfast. Breakfast is served from 7:25 until 7:50 A.M. If your child is a car rider, you will want to have him/her arrive at school by 7:40 A.M. so he/she may eat before class begins. The cafeteria will stop serving breakfast at 7:50 A.M. so they can prepare for lunch. Lunch Students may pay for lunch on a daily basis or they may buy meal tickets good for a two-week (10-day) period. The cost for lunch for full-pay students is $1.25 per day or $12.50 for two weeks. For students receiving reduced-price meals, the cost is $0.40 per day or $4.00 for two weeks. An adult lunch costs $2.75 per meal. Extra milk can also be purchased on the serving line for $0.35. Notes will be sent home with your child telling you when he/she has two tickets left. This is done to insure that a new ticket is purchased before the old ticket is used. Lunch money will be accepted daily. The district policy states that there will be no charged lunches. Lost and Found: Textbooks and Library Books When a student is issued a textbook or a library book, the student assumes the responsibility for maintaining the textbook or library book in good condition and for returning it to the school at the appropriate time. Students are responsible for the costs of lost textbooks and library books. State law prohibits schools from issuing new textbooks to students before they pay for their lost or damaged textbooks. PTO Fundraisers Parents who agree to help the PTO with fundraisers are responsible for distributing all purchased items to the purchaser and collecting and turning all monies over to the PTO treasurer. Normally, this can be done by sending the money to your child’s teacher or by bringing the money to the school. If you are not given a receipt, always ask the person to whom the money is given for a receipt. This money is used by the PTO for various special projects that help improve the school.

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Money Brought to School For safety factors, students should not bring large amounts of money to school. As a general rule of thumb, no student should have more than 5 dollars at any time unless the student is bringing a payment for meals or a field trip. Outstanding Debts Outstanding debts, such as unpaid school fees, unpaid picture costs, unpaid breakfast and lunch tickets, unpaid money collected for PTO sales, unpaid lost or damaged library books, and unpaid lost or damaged textbooks, adversely affect the school’s ability to provide materials for all students. Grades will not be issued to students at the end of the school year who have not turned in all their books and have outstanding debts at the school.

Attendance

Regular attendance at school is vital to school success and student achievement. Students will be expected to attend school everyday unless it is necessary for a student to be absent for a lawful reason. If a student has to be absent, the student should present a written excuse to the teacher upon returning to school. If a child was sick and did not visit a doctor, the parent should write an excuse stating the reason for the absence, the date of the absence, and the current telephone number. An absence is approved if it is a lawful absence. Students are considered lawfully absent when: 1. they are ill and their attendance in school would endanger their health or the health of

others; 2. there is a death or serious illness in their immediate family; or 3. there is a recognized religious holiday of their faith. Students will be considered unlawfully absent when: 1) they are willfully absent from school without the knowledge of their parents; or 2) they are absent without acceptable cause with the knowledge of their parents. When a child is unlawfully absent for three consecutive days or a total of five days, the child is considered truant . A meeting must be held with the parent to develop an Attendance Intervention Plan to ensure that the child comes to school. This information is recorded in the child’s permanent record and follows the child throughout his/her school career. If the child continues to be unlawfully absent, the child is considered to still be truant. If a child continues to be truant, the Department of Social Services must be contacted to investigate and determine if there is sufficient evidence to pursue a legal course of parental neglect.

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Homebound Instruction If a student has to be absent for an extended time due to medical reasons, the student can apply for homebound instruction. You can call the guidance counselor for further details regarding the procedures for applying for homebound instruction. Perfect Attendance To qualify for perfect attendance, a student must be present at school each day of the year. Students who are not present at school because of illness, suspension, or some other reason do not qualify for perfect attendance.

Program Offerings Regular Education John C. Calhoun Elementary School is a pre-K through grade 5 school that offers a wide range of regular and special education programs for both students and parents. The 4-year-old child development class is a full-day program that provides readiness activities for qualifying students. The full-day, 5-year-old kindergarten classes provide additional readiness activities for students. In grades 1 through 5, JCCE offers a standard curriculum of basic educational study: language arts, mathematics, science/health, social studies, art, music, and physical education. Gifted and Talented Education Students in grades 3 through 5 may qualify for the gifted and talented program. Students are selected for this program based on the results of their standardized testing, IQ tests, and teacher and/or parent recommendation. Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) Students in kindergarten through grade 5 visit the Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) Lab daily for practice lessons. During this period, students are able to do additional work on reading, math, science, and writing skills. Special Education Services A wide range of special services are offered through the speech, resource, and the self-contained classrooms. Students who qualify for these programs receive additional educational support through teachers specially trained for their needs. At JCCE, these services are provided in the regular classroom as much as possible.

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Student Support Services JCCE offers a wide range of student support services to assist students with academic, emotional, and social development. These services include the following: Guidance - John C. Calhoun Elementary School employees a full-time, certified, guidance counselor to assist students and parents with academic, behavioral, emotional, and social problems. The four components of the comprehensive guidance program include guidance curriculum (class guidance), individual services, system support, and responsive services. Services include classroom instruction, small-group counseling, individual counseling, parenting classes, and consultation. Student Support Team - Students who are experiencing difficulty in school may be referred to the Student Support Team. The Student Support Team is composed of the guidance counselor, the principal, the district psychologist, and selected teachers. The SST meets as needed to discuss possible ways of providing help for the student. A student can be referred to the SST by the child’s teacher, the parent, or other school faculty members. The SST continues to monitor the student and provide additional alternatives as long as needed. Role of a Guidance Counselor What does the elementary counselor do?

� Sees children individually � Works with children in small groups � Conducts classroom guidance lessons � Works with parents � Works with teachers � Acts as a liaison with outside agencies � Uses the community as a resource

Why do we have an elementary counselor?

� To foster a sense of self-worth and belonging which are necessary before a child can grow academically

� To promote a positive school environment � To help children deal with the increasing number of choices they face � To combat the high incidence of drug abuse in our society � To implement a program of prevention

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The counselor helps children…

� Recognize their strengths and weakness � Learn decision-making and problem solving skill � Deal with concerns, feeling, and goals � Better understand themselves and others � Gain valuable citizenship skills � Build self-confidence and self-esteem � Learn self-respect and dignity � Learn better communication and leadership skills � Gain valuable social skills

Where does the child see the counselor?

� In the counselor’s room � In the classroom � In the hall � On the playground � In the lunchroom

The counselor helps parents…

� Learn about their child’s growth and development � Appreciate their child’s abilities, limitations, and progress in school � Encourage a home atmosphere for emotional security and personal growth � Help their child learn to cope with crisis arising within the family (e.g., divorce,

death, and serious illness) What are some topics covered? Grief Issues Friendship Divorce Anger Management Emotional Issues Teambuilding Play Therapy Conflict Resolution Children of Alcoholics

Aggression Transitions Decision Making

Life Changes Study Skills Feelings Personal Safety Drug Awareness Group Skills Self-Esteem Cooperation Schoolwide Title 1 Plan Each year the school develops a Schoolwide Title 1 Plan that sets forth how federal Title 1 funds will be spent. By developing this plan, JCCE can spend federal funds to address the needs of all students, not just a targeted few. This plan is kept on file at the school and may be viewed by members of the community during the school day.

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Media Center The media center is a very important part our school. The basic function of our media center is to help children learn by: 1. Providing books and other media for the school’s educational program. 2. Helping students develop an interest in and love for reading. 3. Teaching students how to use the media center and do research. 4. Planning cooperatively with other teachers so students can receive maximum benefit

from the media center. The media center operates on a flexible schedule where students can visit the media center throughout the day. Story Hours are scheduled for students in kindergarten, grade 1, and Head Start. The media center is open from 7:45 A.M. until 3:10 P.M. We encourage all students to come to the media center anytime during these hours to do reference work, recreational reading, and check out books. There are no overdue fines, but a charge is made for lost or damaged library books. Music Students in grades 5K - 5 participate in one period of music each week. Students are able to study the basic elements of music through a variety of types of music. Students learn to appreciate different types of music while learning new songs. Music classes also perform their music for school assemblies and PTO programs. Art Students in grades 5K - 5 participate in one period of art each week. In art class, students participate in hands-on activities designed to develop their artistic skills and appreciation for all types of art. At various times, students’ work is displayed at school, at the district office, and at the district’s annual fine arts festival. Band Students in grades 5th and 6th have the opportunity to participate in band. Students who participate in band further their knowledge of music while learning to play a band instrument. Band students, along with the high school band, perform for assembly programs and special concerts at the school. Physical Education At JCCE, students have the opportunity to develop physical fitness

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through a comprehensive program of physical education. Students in grades 5K - 5 participate in PE one period weekly. In addition to physical training, students learn teamwork, sportsmanship, problem solving, and conflict resolution through special physical activities and challenges. Educational Field Trips Education is not confined to the school building; therefore, field trips are an important part in the education of your child. Each year teachers sponsor field trips which complement the school’s curriculum and expose the children to the broader world around them. A student must have a permission slip signed by his/her parent/guardian before he/she will be allowed to go on the field trip. The cost of the trip is the responsibility of the parents. The rules and regulations of the school apply as long as the child is under the school’s supervision. DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program The DARE Program is a drug abuse prevention program designed for 5th grade students. DARE classes are taught by DARE officer over a 10-week period. At the end of the 10-week period, students participate in a graduation ceremony which is held at school. The DARE Program is offered to the school by the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Department. Student Council Two representatives from each class in grades 3 through 5 are elected to serve on the Student Council. The Student Council meets periodically for students to give their ideas and suggestions for improving the school. The Student Council also works on special projects to improve the school. The Student Council officers are elected through democratic elections which are held each year. Through participating in the Student Council, students learn more about the democratic process and representative government.

Grading Policy Academic progress will be reported through the state’s uniform grading policy. This 100-point scale is broken down as follows:

93 - 100 � A (Excellent) 85 - 92 � B (Above Average) 77 - 84 � C (Average) 70 - 76 � D (Below Average) 0 - 69 � F (Failing) Numerical grades will be assigned in language arts, mathematics, health/science, and social studies.

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Letters will be used to show progress in art, music, and physical education. E � Excellence S � Satisfactory N � Needs Improvement U � Unsatisfactory Students are graded on effort and participation in art, music, and physical education. Report Cards and Progress Reports Students will receive computer generated report cards after the end of each nine-week period. Parents will pick up report cards at the school after the 1st and 3rd nine-week periods. Two copies of the report card will be sent home. One copy of the report card will be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the school. Interim progress reports will be sent home by students near the middle of each nine-week period. Progress reports are to be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the school. Parent/Teacher Conferences Parent/Teacher conferences are another good way to receive information about your child’s progress. Parents are encouraged to make appointments for parent/teacher conferences and to attend the conferences at the scheduled time. Conferences are set up by appointment to allow time for you and the teacher to talk without interruption. Scheduling also helps to prevent interruption of classroom instructional time. You may call the office to arrange an appointment for a conference with your child’s teacher.

Promotion/Retention Policy

The district will administer this promotion and retention policy fairly, equitably, and consistently at all levels in all schools. Grades K – 2 The district will evaluate children in the primary grades on their progress through the South Carolina performance standards. The district may assess these standards by methods that include state assessments, classroom assessments including district criterion-referenced tests, and other assessments identified as appropriate. In addition, the district may also use schoolwork; social, emotional and physical development; and teacher judgment to evaluate student progress. Grades 3 – 8 The school will determine the progress of the students in the elementary and middle grades using a combination of student performance assessment results; schoolwork;

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social, emotional, and physical development; and teacher judgment. The student performance assessments will include the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests (PACT) in all subjects tested by the state. However, individual student scores on PACT will not be the sole criterion for retaining students, placing them on academic probation, or requiring them to attend summer school. Students in Grades 3 – 8 Who Need Academic Assistance Conference At the beginning of each school year, the school will notify each parent of a student in grades three through eight who lacks the skills to perform at his/her current grade level of the need for a conference. At the conference, the student, parent, and appropriate school personnel, including the student’s teacher in the targeted subject area(s), will discuss the steps needed to ensure student success at the next grade level. Those attending the conference will develop an academic plan outlining the district, school, parent, and student responsibilities to include

• Assistance, intervention or other appropriate services the district and the school will provide (summer school, after-school help, tutoring, etc.) and

• Actions the parents and student will undertake to further student success. All conference participants will sign off on the academic plan. Appointment of Advocate The school will make at least two recorded attempts to schedule the conference at the convenience of the parents, giving at least 10 days notice of the meeting with the first attempt. If a parent does not attend the conference, the school will appoint a school mentor, who is either a teacher or adult volunteer, to advocate for services. The appointed advocate must not be a teacher who instructs the child in the area of the child’s deficiency. The school will send a copy of the academic plan to the parents by certified mail. The mentor will observe all district policies regarding confidentiality of information. Reviews In accordance with the district accountability plan, the school will implement review points at each grading period during the school year to review the student’s progress as outlined in the academic plan. The school will document this process. End-of-Year Review At the end of the school year, appropriate school personnel will review the student’s performance. If the student’s work has not been at grade level or if the terms of the

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academic plan have not been met, the student may be retained, may be required to attend summer school, or may be required to attend a comprehensive remediation program the following year designed to address objectives outlined in the academic plan for promotion. If there is a compelling reason why the student should not be required to attend summer school or be retained, the parent or student may appeal to a district review panel. End-of-Summer School Review At the end of summer school, a district panel must review the student’s progress and report to the parents whether the student’s academic progress indicates readiness to achieve grade level standards for the next grade. The district will use an end-of-summer school assessment as a factor in determining whether students are at grade level. If a student is working at grade level, the student will not be placed on probation. If the PACT data later shows the student is not at grade level, the student, parents and appropriate school personnel must develop a revised academic plan to address academic difficulties. If the student is not working at grade level and the student is in his/her first year of an academic plan, the student may be retained or promoted on probation. When the district places the student on academic probation, the student, parents, and appropriate school personnel must attend a conference and revise the academic plan to address academic difficulties. All parties at the conference must understand and stipulate that “academic probation” means if either schoolwork is not up to grade level or if assessment results show standards are not met, the student may be retained. If, at the end of summer school, the student is not working at grade level and was on probation in his/her second year with an academic plan, the student will be retained. The district’s appeals process remains in effect. End-of-Summer School Test for Students on Academic Probation The student on academic probation who attends summer school will take a PACT-like test aligned with standards at the end of summer school. The test results will be one factor in judging whether the student has the skills to succeed at the next grade level. Appeals Process The district will have an appeals process in place for the parent or student to appeal summer school, probation, or retention.

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State and District Testing Readiness Assessment Students in 5-year-old kindergarten and grade 1 will be assessed using the South Carolina Readiness Assessment to determine their readiness for entering school. The SCRA uses a “work sampling” method for creating a portfolio of student work. Teachers are required to do a comprehensive assessment to determine students’ level of readiness twice a year. Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (P.A.C.T.) The Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (P.A.C.T.) is a criterion referenced test that is based on the South Carolina Achievement Standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. P.A.C.T. is an end-of-year test that will be given to students in grades 3 - 5. P.A.C.T. will be used to see how well students have learned the state objectives at their grade level. Norm-Referenced Testing A norm-referenced test may be given to a sample of students in the school. This sample will be selected by the Education Oversight Committee appointed by the Governor. Each student who takes a norm-referenced test is compared to other students in the nation who have taken the test. Students are assigned scores that tell how they performed in relation to other students in the nation who have taken the test. This score is called the national percentile rank. For example, a student who scores at the 95th percentile performed better than 95 percent of the students who took the test. On the other hand, a student who scores at the 18th percentile performed better than only 18 percent of the other students who took the test. On the average, a student could be expected to score at the 50th percentile. A student’s progress or lack of progress is shown by the level of the student’s score above or below the 50th percentile. Interpretation of Test Scores If you have further questions about your child’s test scores, please feel free to ask your child’s teacher to explain the results to you. A better understanding of your child’s test results can better prepare you to help your child experience success in school.

Schoolwide Discipline Plan In addition to the Code of Student Conduct established by the Abbeville County School Board, staff and students are expected to exercise the highest standards of respect, manners, courtesy, sportsmanship, and self-discipline, all of which minimize the need for external rules and controls. The following are procedures that will be used in regard to discipline while under the jurisdiction of John C. Calhoun Elementary School or any Abbeville School District Function:

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Students must follow five school-wide rules: 1. Property- Everyone will respect school property and the property of others. 2. Order- Everyone will remain orderly during instruction and activities. 3. Respect- Everyone will show respect for self and others at all times. 4. Task- Everyone will be on task at all times. 5. Safety- Everyone will behave in a way that makes the school a safe place.

If a student is suspended out-of-school, a conference with the parent/legal guardian is required before the student may be allowed to re-enter school or attend any Abbeville School District function. The principal of the school shall have the right to make allowances as deemed necessary in assigning a penalty for an infraction. A student cannot attend any school function within the School District or trespass on any School District property or ride on any school bus while under suspension or expulsion or during the appeal process. At the principal’s discretion, a parent/guardian may come to school for one full day to attend all activities with his/her child in lieu of each day of suspension (limit of two days per school year). Fighting Fighting will not be tolerated. Fighting threatens the safety of all concerned—students and teachers. Fighting disrupts the orderly operation of the school and the educational process. Students who fight will be suspended and must return to school with a parent for a conference before being allowed to return to classes. Students who encourage other students to fight bear the same guilt as the students who are fighting and will be disciplined accordingly. Sexual Harassment Sexual Harassment is the persistent annoyance of a person or persons by one or more individuals with actions that are sexual in nature and intent. Sexual Harassment may be indirect and suggestive or direct and explicit. Sexual Harassment may be physical through improper touching or non-physical through lewd comments (verbal) and lewd actions (non-verbal). Sexual Harassment of another person by an individual or group cannot and will not be tolerated. The first incident of sexual harassment will be reported to the offending student’s parents and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. A student who continues to sexually harass another student or teacher will be suspended from school and must return to school with a parent for a conference before being allowed to return to class. Continued sexual harassment by a student will result in a multi-disciplinary hearing to determine if referral to an outside agency is appropriate.

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Weapons Weapons of any kind are strictly forbidden on school property . A weapon is defined as any object that can be used to inflict injury on another person. This would include knives and guns, and could include other objects such as sticks, bats, etc. which are normally not considered weapons, but which could be used to inflict injury on another person. The possession of knives and guns on school property is strictly forbidden. Students who violate this rule will be disciplined according to the nature and severity of the situation. Law enforcement authorities will be involved where appropriate. Possession of a firearm is grounds for suspension or expulsion. Paging Devices Students are not allowed to have paging devices at school except for a legitimate medical reason. Evidence of legitimate medical need must be presented to the principal who will decide based on board and state department of education guidelines whether the medical need is legitimate. A student who has a paging device without permission is subject to discipline as provided by board policy. The paging device will be confiscated and ownership will be forfeited to the school district. The school district will turn the paging device over to law enforcement authorities as prescribed by law. Cell Phones Students may possess cell phones at school during the school day as long as they remain turned off and stored away during the school day. Telephones ringing during the school day will be disruptive to classes. Students are allowed to bring cell phones to school so that parents can keep in contact with their students during after-school hours. Cell phones that are taken out or turned on during the school day will be confiscated and held until a parent can come to the school to claim the cell phone. Repeated abuse of this privilege may result in disciplinary action. Possession and Use of Intoxicants Possession or use of intoxicants such as beer, whiskey, wine, etc. while under school supervision is strictly prohibited. Possession or use of intoxicants while under school supervision may result in suspension and possible expulsion proceedings. Drug-Related Offenses The possession, use, or distribution of controlled substances such as drugs is a criminal offense. Students who are in possession of drugs while under school supervision will be turned over to law enforcement authorities for legal action. The student(s) will be suspended from school indefinitely pending consideration by the board for expulsion from school or assignment to alternative school.

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Tobacco The possession and use of tobacco by students on school grounds or in any of the buildings is prohibited by the Board of Trustees. Students who use tobacco or who possess it while at school are subject to the following disciplinary measures: First Offense Suspension pending parent conference and mandatory enrollment

in the Tobacco Education Group (TEG) Second Offense Suspension pending parent conference and mandatory enrollment

in the School Intervention Program (ScIP) Third Offense Suspension pending conference including: student, parent,

principal (or designee), and superintendent (or designee) Fourth Offense Consideration for recommendation for expulsion for incorrigibility Dress Code Recognizing that school is a place of business and that pride in ourselves and in the entire student body is a worthwhile objective, John C. Calhoun Elementary and the School Improvement Council has sought to develop a dress code that preserves an environment that is conducive to learning and safe for the students. The School Improvement Council reviewed the dress codes from various area schools and voted unanimously to adopt the dress code developed by the Calhoun Falls High School Student Council. The members of the Student Council are to be commended for the high standard of dress they have set. John C. Calhoun Elementary School recognizes the following dress policy as adopted by the School Improvement Council:

• Small straps (less than 2 inches wide) and sleeveless shirts that expose the underarm area are prohibited.

• Pants should be worn above the hips and on the waistline at all times (even if covered by a shirt, blouse, etc.).

• Clothing that depicts alcohol, drugs, tobacco, racial slurs, sexual suggestion/insinuations, or inappropriate language is prohibited.

• Garments that are see-through or expose the back and/or midriff are prohibited. (This includes when seated.)

• Excessively tight clothing (such as spandex, biking shorts, etc.) is prohibited.

• Shorts/skirts should not be shorter than mid-thigh.

• All clothes must be zipped, buttoned, or fastened appropriately, including overalls, shirts, etc.

• Shoes must be worn. (State law.)

• Bedroom shoes, shower shoes, etc are prohibited.

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• No headgear (hats, caps, bandanas, etc.) is to be worn in the building.

• Pants, shorts, skirts, etc. with holes above the knee are prohibited.

• Any other dress deemed inappropriate by the administration. Any student who comes to school improperly dressed will not be allowed to attend class. The student’s parent/guardian will be notified, and the student will be expected to make arrangements to change clothes. In the event that the student’s parent/guardian cannot be reached, the student will be given clothes to be worn for the balance of the day. School Bus Safety As a new year begins, we feel it is important to remind parents and students of the importance of bus safety. The driver of the bus is in full charge of the students and the bus. Students will obey the driver at all times. The right of all students to ride the bus is based on their good behavior and observance of rules and regulations. Please go over the bus rules and consequences listed in this handbook with your child so disciplinary action can be avoided. All questions regarding bus schedules, drivers, or transportation related matters should be directed to Mr. Wally Hall at Calhoun Falls High School (447-8014). We sincerely solicit your help and cooperation in making the buses safe for students to ride.

Start Safe! Stay Safe! Arrive Safe!

School Bus Regulations A school bus driver represents the school authority and, being responsible for the students on the bus, must provide supervision and have authority over the passengers. Riding the bus is a privilege and must be treated as such. To continue riding the bus, passengers must follow certain rules of behavior. These rules are as follows:

• Upon entering the bus, go to the area you have been assigned.

• Do as the driver asks. If you have a complaint, take it to the bus supervisor or principal.

• Remain seated until you are at school or home.

• Never put your head, arms, or legs out of a bus window.

• Do not talk to the driver except in an emergency.

• Smoking, eating, or drinking is not allowed on the bus.

• Obscene language and signs are prohibited, as well as making rude remarks to persons outside the bus.

• After arriving at school or home, get off the bus immediately. Do not loiter around a parked bus.

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• No student is to be on a bus while it is parked on the school grounds unless the driver is present.

• You must ride your usual bus every day. You may not switch buses without a note from home and permission from the principal.

• Any type of disruptive behavior (such as loud talking, throwing objects, disrespect to a fellow student or the driver, fighting, etc.) will be dealt with promptly.

Violation Notice Procedure 1ST VIOLATION = WRITTEN NOTICE TO PARENTS OR GUARDIANS 2ND VIOLATION = SUSPENSION FROM BUS FOR UP TO 1 WEEK 3RD VIOLATION = SUSPENSION FROM BUS FOR UP TO 2 WEEKS 4TH VIOLATION = SUSPENSION FROM BUS FOR UP TO REMAINDER OF YEAR The above procedures are the steps normally followed in dealing with student violations. At the discretion of the administration, additional options may be provided. Note also that for a severe and serious violation, a student may be suspended from the bus for the remainder of the year, regardless of whether or not previous violations exist. Fighting on the bus will always be considered a second violation. When a student is involved in fighting on the bus, he or she will be suspended from the bus for up to one week, whether that student has a first violation or not. Only designated persons/students are allowed to ride school buses. Students may be suspended from bus transportation for creating a disruption on bus.

Students may be videotaped to ensure compliance with rules.

Parental Responsibility To and From Bus Stop A proviso in the state Appropriations Act of 2001 stated that parents or guardians are responsible for the safety and conduct of children traveling between their home and school bus stop. An excerpt of the fiscal year 2005 parental responsibility proviso is stated below: 1.35. (SDE: Parent and Guardian Responsibility)…the parents or guardians of a child being transported on a school bus are responsible for the safety and conduct of the child prior to the arrival of the school bus at the child’s designated school bus stop for pick up and transport to school, and after the school bus drops off the child and departs the child’s designated school bus stop when transporting the children from school. The state’s responsibility includes the arrival and departure of the school bus, which is

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defined as the time that the school bus assigned to the school bus stop activates the required pedestrian safety devices, stops and loads or unloads students, and until the school bus deactivates all pedestrian safety devices.

Homework Policy

A homework policy establishes a firm foundation for homework and states the expectations and responsibilities of teachers, students, and parents. Homework is important because:

• It develops work habits necessary for success in later life.

• It gives a practice time to reinforce skills taught in class.

• It teaches students to work independently.

• It provides an opportunity for parents to encourage their child’s success in school. Homework Guidelines The following guidelines outline the responsibilities of students, parents, and teachers with regard to homework. Students’ Responsibilities:

• To copy assignments on a daily basis in an assignment notebook.

• To complete homework assigned and return it to school.

• To complete as much of the homework as possible on his/her own.

• To take homework and test folders home weekly and have it signed by the parent. The student is to bring the folder back to school the following day.

Parents’ Responsibilities:

• To establish homework priorities in the home.

• To provide a quiet place to work with needed supplies.

• To establish a daily homework time.

• To provide help, when needed, for their child.

• To give positive support and praise when homework is completed.

• To contact teachers when there is a problem with homework.

• To purchase homework assignment notebooks and homework/test folders.

• To check homework daily and initial assignment notebook when work is completed.

• To sign homework/test folder on a weekly basis.

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Teachers’ Responsibilities: • To send letters home at the beginning of school to explain their own personal

homework guidelines.

• To be sure the homework assignment is based on the material and skill taught in class.

• To send home weekly newsletters outlining homework assignments for the week to parents of students in grades 1 - 3.

• To be reasonable in assignments. More is not always better.

• To correct and comment on homework as necessary.

• To check and initial homework assignment books as needed to make sure students have copied all assignments.

• To refrain from using homework for disciplinary reasons.

• To prevent an overload of homework assignments on the same night by considering other classes and/or subjects.

• To ensure that students know what is expected to successfully complete the homework assignment.

• To weekly update their class homework/activity message on the Education Hotline. This homework policy will be discussed with students at the beginning of the school year. Homework folders and notebooks will be used to provide documentation and open communication between home and school and are the responsibility of the parent.

Honors and Awards Honor Roll Program The faculty and staff of John C. Calhoun Elementary believe that recognition for academic development and excellence is vitally important. Qualifying students become part of the Honor Roll at the end of each nine-week period. The two divisions of the Honor Roll Program are as follows: A Honor Roll Students qualifying for the A Honor Roll must have all A’s (93 - 100) on their report cards. A/B Honor Roll Students qualifying for the A/B Honor Roll must have a combination of A’s and B’s (85 - 100) on their report cards.

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Honor Roll Recognition Students on the Honor Roll will be recognized near the close of each nine-week period at an Honor Roll Assembly. Students will also be recognized for displaying the character traits of the month and for perfect attendance. Awards Day At the end of each school year, students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in each subject are recognized at Awards Day. Awards for excellence, most improvement, citizenship, and perfect attendance are presented to qualifying students from each classroom. Junior Beta Club Students in grades 5 can qualify to become members of the Junior Beta Club. The Beta Club is a national honor society that honors students who have shown outstanding achievement, character, and leadership ability. To qualify for membership in the Junior Beta Club, a student must have at least a 90 or above in each subject. Students who qualify for membership are honored at an induction ceremony in the spring of the year. If the student maintains his/her grades at or above 90 in each subject and continues to display exemplary character and leadership qualities, his/her membership continues with him/her to the high school.

Parent Involvement John C. Calhoun Elementary School recognizes the importance and value of effective parental involvement in enhancing student learning and academic achievement. In order to eliminate barriers to participation and ensure effective parental involvement, the school will sponsor the following opportunities for parental involvement. Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) The PTO is a local organization whose membership is composed of the parents and teachers of John C. Calhoun Elementary School. The PTO meets 4 times a year on the even-numbered months. The PTO is the support group for the local school and an avenue for democratic participation. The PTO is governed by a set of by-laws. All parents are encouraged to become a member of the PTO and attend the meetings. Back-to-School Night/Open House The first PTO meeting of the school year, held in August, is designated as “Back-to-School Night/Open House.” This night is set aside for parents to come to the school to meet the teachers and learn about the school rules and procedures and school and classroom activities. All parents and community members are welcome.

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Parent Education Program A parent education program is offered in cooperation with Adult Education, Parenting/Family Literacy, Even Start, the Department of Social Services, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Periodic classes on various topics related to the interests and needs of parents are offered. Parents are also able to work in the computer lab and brush up on their basic skills while becoming familiar with computers. If you are interested in joining this group of involved parents, contact the school office for more information. School Improvement Council (SIC) The School Improvement Council is a group of elected and appointed parents and teachers who meet periodically to discuss ways of improving the school. The SIC helps to develop and monitor the School Renewal Plan which guides the school over a five-year period. Election of members is held in September of each year and members’ terms are staggered to ensure that some members are familiar with the ongoing process. School Volunteer Program With the wide range of activities that take place at school, there are a large number of opportunities for parents and community members to volunteer at the school. Volunteers can read to classes of students, work on bulletin boards, tutor individual students, etc. The list of different opportunities for volunteers goes on and on. This year we hope to work on teacher-made materials to assist in reading instruction. If you would be interested in volunteering at the school, talk with your child’s teacher or call or stop by the school to find out how you can become a volunteer.

Home-School Communications

Effective communications between home and school is vital to the smooth operation of the school. The following methods will be used to communicate with parents.

• Report Cards and Progress Reports will be the formal method of communicating a student’s academic, behavioral, and social progress.

• “Good News” Postcards, teacher notes sent home by students, PTO Meetings/Open House/Back-to-School Night, School Improvement Council meetings, teacher and principal telephone calls, parent/teacher conferences, and Report Card Pick-Up Day for parents at the end of 1st nine weeks will be the informal methods of communicating a student’s academic, behavioral, and social progress.

• Notes/Fliers sent home with students, monthly calendars of events and activities, weekly assignment sheets sent home by teachers, the Education Hotline (447-8622), articles in the local newspaper, messages on the school sign, and the school newsletter, will be methods of communicating information about school events and activities.

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• A monthly parent newsletter, The Home-School Connection, PTO Meetings, and Parents Education Program sessions will be used as the methods of communicating parenting and support information.

Other Policies

Challenged Materials Policy Abbeville County School District has designed specific procedures for handling disputes about instructional materials. Procedures require that a person challenging the material submit the reasons for the challenge in writing. (A form may be obtained from the Abbeville County School District Office for this purpose.) The challenged material will be reviewed by a committee and a determination will be made about the appropriateness of the materials. Internet Access More and more students will be using the computer and Internet as part of their regular curriculum. Knowing there are many sites on the Internet which are not suitable for young students, Abbeville County School District has established procedures and safeguards for use of the Internet. Protective software has been installed to prevent students from accessing certain sites. Further, any student who is using the Internet must be supervised by an adult to further safeguard against the possibility of accessing unsuitable sites. Student Picture Use Policy From time to time, students’ pictures may be used to promote their accomplishments. These pictures may be placed on bulletin boards, in newspapers, on the school’s web site, on the Internet, and in various other types of news media. A permission form will be sent home at the beginning of the school year so that you may indicate whether or not you want your child’s picture used in any of these types of news media. Transfer Policy All students attending school out of their attendance area must apply for a transfer each year beginning in March for kindergarten and before August 1 for grades 1 – 12. All approved transfers will be on a first received, first served basis and must adhere to the district’s policy, JBCD. Principals from both schools must be in agreement with the transfer of the student. If the transfer is granted, all school rules must be observed. If school rules are not followed, the student will be returned to the school in his/her attendance area.

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Notes:

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John C. Calhoun Elementary School 750 North Calhoun Street Calhoun Falls, SC 29628 Phone: (864) 418-8016 Fax: (864) 418-8079

E-mail: Milton.Scott@acsd.k12.sc.us