2007-2008
Student Handbook
1100 Mountain Creek Road
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(423) 874-1917
CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH
HANDBOOK!
Table of Contents
Section 1- School Handbook
Achievement
Tests p. 6
Admissions p. 6
Attendance p. 7
Before/After School Program p.
7
Bus Transportation/Behavior
p. 8
Car
Riders p. 8
Change of Address and/or Withdrawl p. 9
Child
Abuse p. 9
Discipline p. 9
Early Dismissal p. 9
Electronic
Devices/Toys p. 10
Field
Trips p.10
Grading
System p. 10
Homework p.10
Instructional
Fees p. 10
Library/Media
Center p. 11
Lost and
Found p. 11
Lunch p. 11
Messages to
Students p. 11
Notes Required from Parents p.
12
Notice of Nondiscrimination
p. 12
Parties p. 12
Pupil Accidents and
Illness p. 12
School
Forms p. 12
School
Hours p. 13
Sexual
Harassment p. 13
Special Services Provided
p. 13
Student
Conduct p. 13
Student Dress
Code p. 14
Tardiness p. 14
Telephone Messages
p. 14
Visiting and Observing p. 14
Volunteer
Program p. 15
Zero Tolerance
Policy p. 15
Special Events and Programs p.
16
Section 2- PTA Handbook
Greetings RBE Families,
Welcome Back!
We are all happy to be
back at work. We’re all well rested and reinvigorated after our summer break.
A big welcome to all the new and returning students. A big welcome to our new
staff members. We are 99.9% sure that we will be one of the sites a for
Pre-K class. We are very excited to announce that we are one of 15 schools
assigned a collaborative classroom for the coming school year. The two
teachers who will share a fourth grade classroom are Mrs. A. Johnson and Mrs.
N. Clevenger. New to the RBE faculty and staff:
Sonal Patel –
Kindergarten, Diane Huseman - First, Paula Worley and Kristy Plumlee - Third
grade, Danielle Fontaine -Fifth, Laura Howell – Librarian, and Angela Hix –
Music teacher.
Thoughts on Returning to School
We all want our children
to feel safe, accepted, nurtured and respected both at home and in school.
Parents and teachers are our children’s first role models. What they see in
us, they emulate, and the lessons will have a life-long impact.
Essentials for a Peaceful
Classroom
-a sense of hope, -respect
for self and others,
-healthy self-awareness,
-the ability to work cooperatively, -a sense of empathy,
-anger management skills,
- a sense of personal responsibility for one’s behavior, -the knowledge that
our actions make a difference to the world around us, - an understanding that
violence in any form is not acceptable.
School Programs
We will continue to
emphasize basic, sound education and the importance of the district’s Literacy
plan and Everyday Math implementation. We are continuing our guided reading
initiative. The focus of Guided Reading is to expose children to a wide range
of literature, teach comprehension strategies, and teach children to read
materials that become increasingly more difficult.
Assessment
Strategy
8. Accountability and Assessment of the H.C.D.E District Literacy Plan
indicates that :Data on reading performance must be recorded for all schools.
All students must be pre, mid, and post-tested in reading. Grade K – 5
teachers will use DIBELS to assess students 3 times per year, Formative
assessments such as running records, and unit testing will be used to
determine the instructional focus and assess learning.
Students also take the
ThinkLink Learning Predictive Assessment Series. ThinkLink is a diagnostic
assessment that predicts student performance for Reading and Math skills. This
test requires less than one class period. ThinkLink complements other
assessment and instructional tools.
NEW
We have ordered Parent
Pickup Hangtags for car riders. Students will be given the first hangtag. If
lost or destroyed, families/guardians may purchase the second hangtag from the
office.
FAQ
Frequently
asked question
How do I notify a
parent/guardian if the telephone number has changed or is disconnected?
Please drop a note to
the office and the teacher if home or work address or phone number changes.
We will need the number
of a relative or family contact for every student enrolled.
We will update your
child’s record and emergency information as needed.
Please read the student
handbook. It has been developed to ensure consistency of expectations and
procedures for our school. With your help and cooperation, this should be an
excellent school year.
Stephanie Hinton
Faculty & Staff
Achievement Tests
Students in grades 1-5 are given the Tennessee
Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) in the spring of the year. In
addition, students in 5th grade are given the Tennessee Writing
Assessment.
Teachers will also be using Dibels
and/or Thinklink to determine your child’s instructional focus and assess
learning.
Admissions
New kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or
before September 30 of the school year in which they are enrolling. New first
grade students must be 6 years old on or before September 30. An immunization
record is required and must be completed when a student enters school for the
first time. Ages must be verified by a birth certificate. A copy of your
child’s social security card is also required.
Attendance
Please observe your child for signs of illness. Please
do not send your child if they have had a fever the night before or the
morning of school. A child should be free of fever for a full 24 hours before
returning to school. Also if they have been vomiting or have had an upset
stomach in any way the night before or the morning of school.
Re-admittance of a pupil after absence
It is required by
state law that absence of students from school whether from illness or
non-illness be verified by a note from the parent or guardian. Please include
the child’s name, dates (including year) not in attendance, and the reason for
the absence. If illness, the nature of the illness should be given.
The name of each student who is absent without an excuse
for five days during the school year must be reported to the superintendent.
This refers to a total of five days, and does not necessarily mean five
consecutive days.
Attendance: State Law Concerning
According to the State law the parent, guardian or person
having custody of a child is held strictly responsible for the child’s school
attendance. Penalty is provided for those who fail to observe the law. There
are four legal reasons for excusing a child from school. They are as follows:
- The child’s personal illness, with physician’s
statement required.
- Death in the family (absences not to exceed 3 days).
- Illness in the family requiring the child to give
temporary help. A physician’s statement is required.
- Special and recognized religious holiday regularly
attended by persons of a particular faith.
Unexcused absences in excess of 5 days will be reported
to the Superintendent of Schools as required by state law.
Absences
for Trips
If you need to take your child out of school for a trip
of more than two days duration, you must submit a request in writing to the
principal. This request should be made well in advance of the absence.
Make-up work will be given upon return to school. PLEASE DO NOT ASK YOUR
CHILD’S TEACHER TO PREPARE ASSIGNMENTS PRIOR TO THE ABSENCE.
Board Policy 324.8 on make-up work: Excused absences
(those meeting the State attendance rules) shall entitle students to make-up
work missed. Unexcused absences may result in make-up work, which receives
reduced credit. Students must make-up work at the teacher’s convenience and
shall have five school days to complete. Extenuating circumstances may
warrant additional time.
Before/After School Program
The school will be operating the before/after school
program. This program is offered to all students K-5 enrolled at Red Bank
Elem. Students arriving before 7:35 a.m. or remaining after 3:10 p.m. need to
be enrolled in this program.
Rates: $3.00 daily for morning care
$6.00 daily for afternoon care
$12.00 daily for full day care (in-service days, spring
and winter break, etc.)
½ price discount for siblings
For more information contact the Child Care Program at
893-3530.
Bus Transportation/Behavior
Please review the bus rules with your child. Permission
to ride a bus other than the one which your child is assigned can only be
granted by the principal. The request must be made by the parent in the form
of a written note. Please bring the note to the office early in the day. The
note must be signed by the principal and presented to the bus driver.
Tennessee State Board of Education States:
“A pupil shall become ineligible for pupil transportation
when his behavior is such as to cause dissension on a school bus, or when
he/she disobeys State and Local Rules and Regulations pertaining to pupil
transportation.”
Behavior on the school bus should be the same as in the
classroom. The bus driver will not tolerate any misconduct on the bus. The
driver will report misconduct to the principal’s office. Any continuance of
misconduct will result in bus suspension. A copy of bus rules will be
provided for each student and parent.
Disciplinary Guidelines for Bus Riders
These rules of conduct have been developed to provide a
safe and pleasant environment for students while being transported.
Transportation is an elective provided by the Board, and failure to comply
with any of the rules will be grounds for excluding a student from riding the
bus.
Disciplinary Action for Minor Offenses:
First Referral- Verbal Warning
Second Referral- Letter To Parent
Third Referral- 3 day bus suspension and conference with
parent
Fourth Referral- Suspension of riding privileges for ten
(10) days, in addition to parent(s) conference.
Fifth Referral- Suspension of riding privileges for the
remainder of the year.
Disciplinary Action for Major Offenses:
First Offense- 5 day suspension and parent(s) conference
Second Offence- Suspension of riding privileges for the
remainder of the year.
Note:
Students who endanger and/or harm other students while
being transported may warrant suspension of riding privileges for the
remainder of the year. Students suspended through the end of a school year
will require meeting with the principal, driver and Director of Transportation
before being readmitted onto the bus. The Director of Transportation can
refuse to transport a child that is considered a threat to the safety of the
other students.
Car Riders
Morning Traffic:
- Unload car riders in back. The front of the building
is for buses only.
- Use lanes 1 and 2 ONLY.
- No parking/unloading in lane beside sidewalk.
- Front cars pull up to the white line by the last
barrel and STOP.
- DO NOT unload children until instructed by the
traffic director.
- DO NOT move your car until traffic director
yells “WE”RE MOVING!”
Afternoon Traffic:
- Use lanes 1and 2
- Front cars pull up to white line beside last barrel
and STOP.
- Please stay in your car and DO NOT MOTION for
your child to come to the car.
- Children load their car when traffic director yells “BOYS
AND GIRLS LOAD YOUR CAR.”
- Traffic will move out when director yells “WE”RE
MOVING.”
- Please post a sign on the passenger side of your
windshield when picking up your child. The sign should have your child’s
first and last name along with their grade in very large letters. This
makes dismissal go much quicker and smoother.
- Children are NOT allowed to go to cars parked
by the side of the building. YOU MUST GET IN THE CAR LINE TO PICK UP
YOUR CHILD!
- Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
- We understand this process may not appeal to you, but
we are striving to provide a safe dismissal for your child!
Change of Address and/or
Withdrawal
Address or telephone changes should be reported to the
school office immediately. If you are moving out of the school zone, the
school should be notified as early as possible in order for the transfer
records to be prepared and for the child’s supplies to be collected. All
accounts must be cleared for us to release your child’s records.
Child Abuse
Any teacher, nurse, counselor, administration or other
school professional acting in an official capacity who has reason to believe a
child under the age of 18 has been subjected to or adversely affected by
physical, mental or emotional abuse/neglect must report this to the county
Department of Social Services or appropriate law enforcement agency in
accordance with TCA 37-4-403.
Discipline
The school staff will emphasize strict compliance with
school standards on the part of all children during the school year.
Fighting, talking back, name-calling, or using profanity does not create a
positive atmosphere for learning. Your children are in our care from the time
they leave home until they return. We act in place of you, the parent, and as
adults and teachers, we expect obedience, respect, and good work habits from
children. We are depending on you to support our efforts in emphasizing
positive behavior.
Early Dismissals
Occasionally a medical appointment or family emergency
makes it necessary for children to be released before the regular dismissal
time. In this event, the parent or guardian must sign the student out in the
office and state the reason for leaving early. Leaving early can be as
detrimental to learning as arriving late. Please avoid signing your child out
early unless it is absolutely necessary.
Once lost, instructional time cannot be regained. Please
help us maximize instructional time with your child by reducing early
dismissals. Unless it is an emergency, students will not be called for
early dismissal after 2:30 p.m. Thank you for your cooperation.
The school will not release your child to a stranger
under any circumstances. If the need arises and it is necessary for you
to take your child out of school, you must call or write a note naming
the person to whom permission is given to pick up your child.
Electronic Devices/Toys
Please do not allow your child to bring toys,
collections, games or electronic equipment (including phones) to school.
These items not only disrupt the classroom but also are at risk of being lost
or stolen. If your child does bring these items to school they will be
collected and taken to the office. A parent or guardian will be required to
retrieve them from the office.
Field Trips
Your child will bring home a permission slip for all
field trips. The slip will contain all details of the trip and the method of
transportation. Please sign the permission slip and return it to your child’s
teacher. Students with unsatisfactory conduct may not be permitted to
participate in field trips.
Grading System
In compliance with the State Board of Education’s policy,
the grading system for Hamilton County Schools is as follows:
A-
93-100
B-
85-92
C-
75-84
D-
70-74
F- 69 and below
I- Incomplete- must be
removed by the end of the next grading period.
Star Roll- Students must have 94 or above
in each subject and all S’s in conduct.
Honor Roll- Students must have 86 or above
in each subject and all S’s in conduct.
Merit Roll- Students must have 76 or above
and all S’s in conduct.
Conduct Grades
Grading for conduct is as follows:
S- Satisfactory
N- Needs Improvement
U- Unsatisfactory
K-1 Grading System is different and will be explained by
your child’s teacher.
Homework
Homework is to be planned with each student in mind. It
is to be an extension of the classroom.
Ø
Homework is assigned with the concept well explained and
understood by the students.
Ø
As a rule, daily homework assignments will not exceed 30 minutes
per nights for grades K-2 and one hour per night for grades 3-5.
Ø
Homework should be an integral part of classroom activities. It
should never be busy work or construed to be punishment.
Ø
Parents are encouraged to provide satisfactory homework
conditions- workspace, good lighting, and regular scheduling of study time.
Ø
If there are any concerns about homework, the teacher should be
contracted first.
Instructional Fees
Red Bank students pay an instructional fee of $50.00 per
year. This fee covers the cost of workbooks, manipulatives and instructional
materials for your child’s use.
Please pay this fee as soon as possible after the beginning of the school
year. Teachers need to order workbooks early. Make checks payable to Red
Bank Elem. If you have more than one child it will be necessary to pay with
separate checks because of bookkeeping purposes. Please put your child’s name
and homeroom teacher’s name on the bottom of each check.
If you cannot pay the fee all at once you may set up a
payment plan (see the following):
5 monthly payments of $10.00 beginning in September and
ending in January.
15 weekly payments of $3.00 beginning September 1.
Please pick a plan and stick with it.
Thank you very much for your cooperation!
Library/Media Center
Each student goes to the library at least once a week for
organized library time. The librarian provides instruction in reference,
research, and study skills. The library is open prior to the beginning of
school each morning and the final 30 minutes in the afternoon for all children
who need additional library time. Large blocks of open times are available
during the day for individual, small group, and large group student research.
Lost and Found
All clothing found at school, regardless of its value is
placed in the lost and found container. Money, jewelry or other articles of
value are turned in to the office. Students may claim them after proper
identification. At the end of the month all unclaimed items will be given to
a local charity.
Lunch
Parents may add money to your child’s account at
anytime. Checks should be made payable to “Hamilton County Schools Food
Service”. Parents will be notified after a total of three charges. All
charges need to be checked weekly. Students who bring their lunch
are encouraged to have a well balanced diet.
Cokes and other carbonated beverages ARE NOT permitted
during lunchtime. We encourage parents NOT to bring in fast food.
Breakfast:
Paid PreK-12 $0.75
Reduced PreK-12 $0.30
School Adult $1.50
Visitor $2.25
Lunch:
Paid PreK-5 $2.10
Paid 6-12 $2.35
Reduced PreK-12 $0.40
Visitor (child) $2.85
Visitor (adult) To be announced
Take-Out Meal $3.85
Holiday (or special Meal) $4.35
Extra Milk $0.50
Meal equivalent to Ala Carte $3.00
**Includes all adults employed by HCDE, parents, and
other school visitors and guest, including children.
Messages to Students
Please do not call the school and ask to have messages
delivered to the students UNLESS it is an ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY. Try to make
arrangements for books, homework and money before your child leaves for school
each morning.
Have all dismissal arrangements clearly understood with
your child before he/she leaves for school in the morning. If a child is to
go home a different way from the regular way, you must send a note to his/her
teacher, otherwise the student will be sent home the usual way.
Notes Required From Parents
The school requires notes from parents explaining the
following:
- Absences
- Requests for early dismissal
- Late arrival
- Permission for field trips
- Permission to ride bus with another student after
school
- Prolonged absence from school (trips, hospitalization,
etc.)
- Changes in usual method of transportation home
- Allergic reactions (insect, milk, food)
- Specific medical treatment or special health needs
Notice of Nondiscrimination
It is the policy of Hamilton County Board of Education
not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, national origin, creed, age, or
religion in any of the programs or practices in the school system. A
complaint may be filed by anyone who has a grievance regarding discrimination
as set forth in one of the following statutes: (1) The Rehabilitation Act of
1972, Section 504; (2) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; or (3) Title
IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. Dr. Marvin Lott is the Title VI and
Title IX coordinator for Hamilton County Schools. He may be reached by
calling (423) 209-8538.
Parties
As determined by the Hamilton County Department of
Education, classrooms are allowed two parties. Designated times are winter
holiday and Valentine’s under the direction of the teacher and homeroom
parents. Look for announcements listing the details of these parties.
Special events and activities, which correlate with subject material, may also
be held at the discretion of the staff.
Birthday parties, special treats, and/or surprise parties
are not allowed in order to prevent disruption of classes and daily
activities. Please do not send birthday invitations to school to be given out
unless the entire class is invited. This includes invitations to students in
other classrooms. Balloon, flower, and/or cookie bouquets will not be
accepted in the office for delivery to students in classrooms.
Pupil Accidents and Illness
In case of a serious accident or illness the school will
follow these procedures:
Ø
Contact the parents or guardian of the student.
Ø
If a parent cannot be reached the emergency contact listed on
the child’s emergency card will be contacted.
Ø
If the parent or the emergency contact cannot be reached, the
family physician will be notified.
If the parent, emergency contact, or family physician
cannot be reached, EMT’s will be called.
School Forms
Since it is sometimes necessary for us to contact a
parent quickly, please fill out completely the registration form (front and
back) and the emergency card and return them to the school promptly.
School Hours
The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m.
If it is necessary for a non-bus student to arrive at school before 7:35 a.m.
he/she must be signed into the before school care by a parent or guardian and
will be charged. If a child is not picked up by 3:10 they will be taken to
the office. If we are unable to contact a parent/guardian DHS may be
called along with the police department. The school board cannot be
responsible for the students left at school earlier than five minutes prior to
the first bus arrival and for students who are not picked up by 3:10.
The following is our bell schedule:
7:35 a.m. Bus duty teacher arrives.
8:00 a.m. Students dismissed from the
auditorium.
8:10 a.m. Tardy bell- All students must be in
their classrooms.
*********************************
2:45 p.m. Car riders dismissed.
2:50 p.m. Bus riders dismissed.
2:52 p.m. Walkers dismissed.
3:00 p.m. Daycare/Final Dismissal.
Any student not picked up will be escorted to the office.
Sexual Harassment
The Hamilton County Board of Education is committed to
safeguarding the rights of all students and employees within the school system
to learn and work in an environment that is free from all forms of harassment
and/or sexual harassment. Refer to Board policy (500-1.1) for more
information.
The Title IX Coordinator for Hamilton County Schools is
Dr. Marvin Lott, 6703 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Dr. Lott’s
telephone number is (423) 209-8477.
Special Services Provided by Hamilton County Schools
- Music classes
- Speech/language therapy
- Guidance- individual/group counseling
- Special education classes for gifted and learning
disabled
- Librarian
- Physical education
- Social worker
Hamilton County Public Schools
provide educational opportunities for all students including those with
physical, mental, and/or emotional handicaps.
Student
Conduct
- Proper behavior is essential to having an outstanding
school. Therefore, good student behavior should be important to both
parents and teachers. All students are expected to be respectful and polite
to adults and other students. All students must practice self-control and
follow classroom and school rules.
- Our school will have an ISS (In School Suspension)
program this year. Students placed in ISS will be separated from their
class for the length of the suspension. An adult will supervise the student
to make sure work is completed.
- The following behavior WILL NOT be tolerated at Red
Bank Elementary:
- Fighting
- Disrespectful conduct
- Bullying/ Harassment
- Profanity
- Spitting
- Running, kicking, pinching, pushing, hitting, etc.
- Throwing objects
- Excessive noise or talking in the halls
- Chewing gum
- Damage to school property
- If a student chooses not to follow the school rules,
the following disciplinary steps will be taken:
- Teacher initiated the first warning. Name on board,
etc.
- 15 minutes of recess or free time is lost
- Entire recess is lost
Firmer disciplinary
action will include:
- Exclusion from classroom or school activities
- Telephone call to parent by teacher
- Referral to the principal’s office and telephone call
to the parent
- Parent conference
- Suspension in or out of school
- Saturday School (5 hours)
- Those students who choose to obey the school rules
will earn some of the following:
- Movie and Popcorn
- Dress down pass
- Special treats
- Each teacher will arrive at a set of classroom rules
that will be sent home with your child.
Student Dress Code
Shirts- any solid color shirt with sleeves. No pictures
or writing. (Includes sweaters, turtlenecks, and non-hooded sweatshirts).
Pants- any solid color pants, shorts, skirts. (Shorts
and skirts appropriate length only.) Jeans can be worn at any time. No
pictures or writing. No sagging.
Shoes- tennis shoes only.
Jewelry- post earrings only.
No hats/caps or make-up.
Students may wear the Red Bank School t-shirt or follow
the regular dress code daily.
Note: The RBE administration reserves the right to add
or delete from this dress code.
Tardiness
Tardy students must report to the school office with a
parent or guardian to obtain a tardy pass. An accumulation of 3 tardy
passes will be recorded as 1 absence per Board Policy. Thank you for having
your child at school on time!
Telephone Messages
Neither students nor teachers will be called to the
telephone during regular class time except for an emergency. Teachers may
also not leave their classrooms for telephone conferences with parents during
class hours.
Students are not permitted to use the school phone to
make arrangements for after school activities or pick up from after school
events. Please have after school plans finalized before the child comes to
school each day.
Visiting and Observing
Parents are encouraged to visit school frequently and
actively participate in the education of their child. Parents are asked to
avoid conferences with the teacher during such visits, but rather schedule a
conference for a mutually acceptable time. Please contact the teacher at
least the day before you plan to visit the classroom. All visitors are
asked to check in the office first.
If you need to give your child a message, medication,
homework, lunch money, supplies, etc., please check in the office. Also,
standing in the hall while waiting on your child or the teacher may be
disruptive to the learning environment.
Students from other schools are not permitted to visit
class with your child.
Volunteer
Program
This program is available to parents and grandparents who
are interested in helping their child and our school. For more information
please contact our office or any P.T.A. Board Member.
Zero
Tolerance Policy
The following will result in a suspension of at least a
calendar year:
- Possession of a Firearm or an Explosive or an
Incendiary or Poison Gas device.
- Striking a School Employee or School Resource Office.
- Unlawfully possessing any controlled Substance or
Drug.
The following may result in a calendar year suspension:
- Possession of a knife, any device with a sharp blade
or any device capable of injuring or disabling another individual.
- Possessing, transferring or receiving Drug
Paraphernalia, “look-a-like” Drugs or Non-Prescription Drugs.
The above includes possession on school property, a
school bus or a school sponsored activity and may be reported to local law
enforcement officials.
Mon. 8- Fri. 12th Fall
Break, no school
Wed. 21st - Fri. 23rd
Holiday, no school
Wed. 19th- Fri., Jan. 4th
Winter Holiday, no school
Mon. 17th- Fri. 21st
Spring Break, no school
Mon. 14th-Fri. 21st
TCAP
Red Bank Elementary is very fortunate to have this PTA
Board made up of strongly motivated people to help our school in whatever means
necessary, and assisting in ways to better educate all students.
A nonpartisan and non-commercial organization designed to
achieve the objectives and mission of the PTA.
A primary objective of the PTA is to encourage greater
involvement of parents with their children in their schools. PTA helps parents
this effort through the following:
The Volunteer Program at Red Bank Elementary is a vital
part of the school. There are countless ways you can share your diverse talents
with the Red Bank community. Whether you are a parent who works outside the
home or at home, a grandparent, member of the community, or older sibling, you
can make a difference at Red Bank. Whether you have many hours to share or just
a few, you can help Red Bank be a better place for our children to learn and
grow. The list of volunteer opportunities is extensive, impressive, and always
changing. Your new ideas and energies are most welcome. Volunteer sign-up
sheets are distributed at the beginning of the year and are available in the
office.
