Southwest Regional School

for the Deaf and Blind

2016-2017 TEACHER HANDBOOK

“Striving Together at the Regional School…

Teaching Learning

Growing Succeeding”

SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Employee A bsences—SUBFINDER—HR 124 MCPSS employees must adhere to all MCPSS attendance policies. Employees must remain on campus throughout the contractual school day or utilize appropriate leave for absences. All employees of MCPSS are given two personal days each year and one sick leave day per month. A deduction will be made from the last paycheck for days used in excess of those allowed. Sick days should be used only when you are legitimately ill. If patterns of absences are noted, it is the responsibility of the administration to report it. Personal days must be applied for at least one week in advance. Personal days will not be approved if too many employees are already absent from school. Try to plan your days early by filling out an HR124 for early approval. Days before holidays and the end of the year will only run smoothly with faculty and staff at work. Please make every effort to be at work. To report an absence, the guidelines listed below must be followed. Following the procedures set in place for reporting absences is part of every employee’s professional responsibility and is assessed as part of the evaluation process. When you are taking any type of leave (sick, personal, professional, jury duty, etc.), the following guidelines must be followed:

You should have received information regarding Aesop. Please follow directions given and through training at the beginning of the year.

If you know ahead of time, please send me an email. If it is an emergency, you can text me.

Rachael McDaniel email rmcdaniel@mcpss.com Cell (251) 233-3063

1. If you are attending a workshop or a system meeting you MUST complete an HR-124, signed by the principal, and give a copy to Monica B EFORE the workshop or meeting. It is your responsibility to submit the 27-digit code to Monica the day you return from the workshop. You should write the name of your substitute on the top of the HR-124 before attending the workshop.

An HR124 form MUST accompany each absence. Submit this form to Monica Henderson as soon as you know of the absence or the day of your return.

• Make a partner teacher aware of your absence. • A complete subfolder should be available for the substitute teacher. Sub folders

are a requirement and will be checked throughout the year. • Excessive absences will be documented in your personnel file and sent to

Human Resources. • All preapproved absences should be entered into the Morning Announcement

notebook. Tardies Please text or call if you will be late to have someone cover your class or your duty. Excessive tardies will be documented in your personnel folder and to Human Resources. Lead by example.

Missed P unch Form-HR-4500

If you miss a punch for any reason a missed punch form must be filled out as soon as you realize it. An all-day missed punch is unacceptable. It must be completed the SAME day the punch is missed. All missed punches must be signed by the principal the very same day and then given to Monica. Staff members with missed punches must complete a Missed Punch Form according to these parameters or the missed punch will be coded as an unexcused absence.

Substitute Folders In order for a substitute to have a good day, it is necessary for them to have the information and resources to do so. Please consider the following when preparing your sub plans:

• Place plans for three days of lessons available in case of an emergency. Include more than enough material to keep the students busy each day.

• Included in the sub folder should be: a daily schedule (including special classes), a list of students, seating chart, emergency information (fire, tornado, flood, and bad weather), children with medical problems, children who need to be sent to the health room for medication, etc.

• Please leave substitute very specific plans. • Copies should already be made and be placed in the sub folder. • Lunch and attendance procedures should be explained in a detailed format. • If you have any problems with substitute let the administration know immediately. • Be sure to tell them what time to arrive and what time they may leave. • When you know in advance that you are going to be out, ask a coworker to watch

for your class in the morning. • If the substitute does not arrive by 8:00 am, please call the office and let the

administration know. • Let the principal know who your substitute will be. Remind the substitute to sign in

the substitute notebook in the office. • Sub folders will be prepared and updated each quarter. These will be reviewed

during informal observations. Sick Leave B ank The sick leave bank is an optional part of your benefit package. You are not required to join. If you join, you may borrow days from the sick leave bank as well as give days to other employees who belong to the bank. To join you must give two days to the bank and complete the necessary forms in human resources. To be eligible to give or receive, you must join at the beginning of the school year. To receive information on joining the sick leave bank, please see Monica.

Time Cards and Kronos Time Keeping P rocedures The KRONOS time clock is in the Teacher Work Room. EVERY employee must punch in by 7:40. Every missed punch has to be recoded and a reason given for every employee every day. Following this policy is assessed in the Professional Responsibilities standard of Educate Alabama. KRONOS AND SUBFINDER ARE NOW TIED TOGETHER.

Dress Code The key word to guide the dress of all faculty and staff members is “professional”. Teachers and staff serve as role models for the students through example. Teaching is a profession. Have your attire reflect you are a professional! MCPSS Employee Dress Code as approved by the Board on 12/11/07: All employees should be professionally and appropriately dressed daily. MCPSS has adopted the following dress code.

MCPSS Restrictions: • Jeans (except for custodians and as allowed for special occasions) Never on a field

trip! • Shorts (except for PE teachers and as allowed for special occasions) • Athletic type shoes (except as allowed for special occasions or PE Teacher/special

work) • Spandex (yoga pants) bicycling type attire as outer wear • Visible piercing except to ears • Clothing that is provocative, revealing, indecent, vulgar or obscene • Blouses or shirts with low necklines, bare midriffs and excessively tight clothing • Visibly torn or ragged attire • Sweat suit-type attire (except for PE teachers, and custodians) • Footwear that is considered beachwear (flip flops), soft plastic (Crocs), bedroom

shoes, or slippers. (Any footwear that may cause injury to the wearer or others) Sandals should be appropriate and dressy.

• Clothing which promotes alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or the use of controlled substances by words or symbols

• Clothing that contains profanity or nudity, depicts violence, or is sexual in nature by words or symbols

• Undergarments worn as an outer garment or any see through clothing • Any item of clothing or jewelry that creates a disruption of the school

environment/ learning activities or that poses a threat to the safety and well-being of students or staff. • Required: Collared or dress shirts for males • Please be aware of what is visible when you bend forward, both front and back.

Tattoos may not be visible at any time. Faculty Meetings Faculty meetings are part of your contractual obligation. Attendance is critical. A great deal of information and planning will be generated at this time. If you are unable to attend a faculty meeting, a written request should be submitted to the principal for approval. Unless it is an emergency, please do not request to be absent from a meeting. All faculty meetings will begin following dismissal @ 3:15 p.m. You are expected to be on time. You will be notified of faculty meetings in advance.

Duty To create a safe and orderly environment for our students, all teachers and paraprofessionals will be required to work morning or afternoon duty (refer to the current

duty schedule). Morning duty begins promptly each morning at 7:40 a.m. If you are unable to be on duty due to an absence or other circumstance, please make sure that your duty assignment is covered by another teacher/paraprofessional.

Lunch Time All employees have a scheduled lunchtime. You are expected to eat lunch in the cafeteria. For professional and health reasons, no faculty or staff member should eat lunch in the office or classroom setting during student attendance days (the only exception, duty free lunch). Duty Free lunch will be provided to teachers weekly.

Telephone/Cell P hone Use Personal phone calls are not allowed during instructional time. Cell phones should not be in plain view and should not be used during instructional time. Cell phones must remain on silent or vibrate. Do not use cell phones to call a parent during instruction nor to discipline a student in front of the class. Earpieces and headsets may not be worn at school. Cell phone calls made during your planning time should not be made in view of students or in public places.

Leaving Campus The presence of teachers and support staff on campus is critical to the overall health, safety, and welfare of the student body. Every effort should be made to schedule personal appointments for after school hours. If a situation arises, please clear with principal. Itinerant/Traveling Teachers Itinerant/traveling teachers are to clock in daily on a Kronos Clock. It should correlate to the school indicated on the weekly itinerary and mileage is logged from the first school and Kronos clock.

Employee A ccidents • All job related injuries must be reported within 24 hours, using the appropriate

forms. These are available in the office.

• All accident reports must be signed by the principal. • Proper documentation from the physician is required for all claims of a job related

injury. • The employee must be cleared by the Central Office Nurse or Human Resources

before returning to work. • The FMLA requires employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected

leave to “eligible” employees for certain family and medical reasons. • Those who belong to the sick leave bank are eligible to borrow days or to be given

“gifts” of days from other employees who also belong to the sick leave bank.

Confidentiality Teachers must use good judgment when discussing school business, student behavior or achievement. No school employee shall reveal personal information concerning any student except under judicial process. Every private conversation becomes a public

conversation when another person is in hearing distance. Department of Human Resources (DHR) cases must be strictly confidential between the teacher, counselor and principal. Please see Code of Ethics.

Security and Safety Safety should be a primary concern of all faculty and staff at the Regional School. Safety rules should be taught and reviewed constantly.

• Be sure that any potential dangers be given in writing to administration and custodian (e.g., sharp screws sticking out, broken equipment, and slick spots on floors).

• Make administration aware immediately of any situations in which serious threats have been made to students or faculty/staff members.

• Report any information you might have that could affect the safety and/or the security of the school.

• When leaving in the evenings make sure that your classroom, windows and all hallway doors are secured.

• If you want to work on the weekend or into the evening, please notify the administration to disarm the alarm system.

• If there are only a few people left at the school, lock the door to your room while you are working.

• Report anything out of the ordinary left on school premises (i.e. boxes, bag, etc.). Call Security @ 251-221-5367 before entering after hours, holidays or on the weekend.

Emergency Please follow the emergency procedures outlined in the handbook. Remember –Be calm above all else. Students’ Emergency Information should be kept in the classroom at all times and should be taken with you anytime you are required to vacate the room or the building (Drills/Fire, Tornado and Lock Down). In addition, Student Emergency Information will be taken on school field trips. Fire Drill: Alarm sounds. Take your Emergency Information Packet and walk students to the designated/assigned place. Remain until the all clear signal is given. Tornado Drill: Alarm sounds. Take your Emergency Information Packet and walk to your designated area Lock Down Drill: “Emergency Lockdown will be announced if the need arises. Locate and count your students, lock your door, sit away from windows and doors (completely out of view of doors or windows/hidden), and wait for the “all clear” signal from two different but familiar personnel . The principal will conduct a full in-service on safety procedures. Refer to the Regional School Safety Plan for more detailed information. Visitors All visitors must sign-in in the office and receive a visitor’s pass. Please do not allow parents to visit your classroom without a pass. Do NOT entertain parents who have gotten through the office to speak to you during instructional time. Please send parents to front office to schedule a conference. Care of Classrooms

Please teach and expect your students to be neat and clean. At the end of each day all chairs, books, boxes, etc. should be removed from the floor to expedite the cleaning process. It is the responsibility of the teacher and the class to clean up all paper, pencils and other items from the floor during the course of the day. If students write on desks and walls, they should be expected to take part in the removal of the writing or given other cleaning responsibilities to help teach pride in our school. Students should not be cleaning during instructional time. If you have any custodial concerns or requests that you feel uncomfortable handling, please see the principal. It is the TEACHER’S responsibility to maintain a clean and orderly classroom. EXPECT your students to keep their classroom and campus organized and trash free. Rooms will be cleaned daily by the custodians. Floors will be swept and vacuumed daily and mopped weekly. In the absence of a custodian, please secure your trash and place it by the door at the close of the day. If your classroom is not being cleaned as you think it should, please speak with the principal. Lights are to be turned off each time the room is left empty. SMART Boards are to be turned off before leaving the classroom. Monitor the bathrooms for cleanliness after you take your students as a group. Have a monitor check for trash on the floor and to see that toilets are flushed.

Printer/Copier Info MCPSS continues the contract with Xerox Corporation. Printing costs have increased. Items printed on the copy machine are charged per copy. To avoid a large increase in our copy bill please send only necessary classroom items to the copier. Large volume printing will be sent to Central Office by using Manage Print Services on the MCPSS web page, Xerox Support (WEB CRD). All classroom printer supplies can no longer be purchased with MCPSS funds. Teachers will be given a copy machine code number. This number will have to be entered to make copies. Each teacher will be allotted a maximum number of copies per month. Please be sure to log off the machine after completing copies.

Allocation The State Allocation for teachers $405.45.Procedures for using allocation to purchase classroom supplies:

• Complete a purchase order for anything that is to be purchased with school funds. • Use black ink – no pencils • List all items to be purchased on the purchase order as well as complete all

pertinent information (name, address, telephone and fax number, etc.). • Be sure to include shipping and handling in your order. • All orders to be delivered via mail must include the complete address for the

vendor and the school. • Always fill in the “total” amount.

Make sure that the purchase order is completed neatly and that it is legible. Once completed, the purchase order must be brought to Monica Henderson for a PO number. She will submit the PO to the principal for approval. Upon delivery, all orders must be checked in by Ms. Henderon. Important Reminders:

• You may NOT pay tax for any items. • No furniture or food items may be purchased with state allocation. • Paper and equipment may be purchased from the MCPSS Bid List. The bid number

must be listed on the form or you may have to pay full price. Receipt B ooks Each teacher is required to maintain a receipt book. It is extremely important that receipt books are kept accurately as they are audited periodically. A receipt must be written for fees, fieldtrips, and school fundraisers. If you are uncertain if you should write a receipt for any monies received, please ask Monica before writing the receipt. Follow the guidelines below for writing receipts:

• Pay close attention to receipt numbers. Write receipts in numerical order. • Complete the receipt accurately including the student’s name, what the money is

being collected for, and the amount received. • Receipts and money collected should be turned in to the office no later than 8:30

am. • The student receives the white copy, the yellow copy is to be turned in to the

office, and the pink copy remains in your receipt book. • All monies collected should be receipted and turned in on the date collected. Do

not hold any money in your classroom. • If you turn money in with a receipt dated more than a day later, you will be

required to sign a form indicating the late submission. • If a school program with a fee of less than $2.00 is being held, you should not

receipt it. Instead, send a list of those students who paid and the amount of money you are sending.

• If it is necessary to void a receipt, staple the white copy on the same page or leave the receipt attached at the margin. When the master receipt is placed in your box, you must complete the appropriate form provided by the bookkeeper.

• Teachers are required to sign a Master Receipt Log. Please see Monica to compete this task.

• ALL RECIEPTS MUST BE COMPLETED CORRECTLY (Please see appendix for copy) Field Trips Remember, your students represent the Regional School when they are off campus. A well organized and managed field trip will help insure your students’ BEST behavior. Field trips are an exciting way to connect student learning. Field trips may be scheduled throughout the year (exception 3 weeks before the end of school). All field trips should be planned, approved and finalized NO LATER than 1 month before planned trip. Prior approval of all field trips is required along with documentation to support which curriculum standard will be addressed. Confirmed dates should be added to the master calendar. (Forms are in the MCPSS current Curriculum and Instruction Procedures and Guidelines Manual) Follow the procedures below when planning a field trip:

• If the field trip is out of the state or county, permission must be requested from the Assistant Superintendent, Central Office and approved BEFORE you tell parents. This must be done four weeks before your trip.

• Estimate the cost of the trip by using mileage fees, driver cost, and admission for students, chaperones, and teachers. It is better to charge a little extra than to underestimate the cost. Monica will assist you.

• Determine the time of departure and arrival. • Make your reservations and secure your bus drivers. • Complete an “Educational Excursion and Bus Authorization” form and turn it in to Monica

at least two weeks prior to the trip. Request Checks for payment in advance. • Send home permission slips and detailed information about the trip to parents. • You must collect enough funds to cover the entire cost of the trip. • Prepare nametags, take Student Emergency Information cards, and make sure that

someone has/brings a cell phone. • School buses must be used on field trips away from the Regional School. • Be sure to refer to the Elementary Procedures Guideline Manual (Curriculum and

Instruction Web Page) for approved field trip requirements and forms.

REMEMBER • No child can be denied a field trip if unable to pay. • If you are denying a child permission to go because of behavior you must notify

the parent in advance (at least 24 hours). Do not send the message by the child. (Children should be given every opportunity to attend.)

• Uniforms will be worn. • Students are not allowed to ride in the car with parents to or from the field trip. • Field trips are reserved for students only. Younger siblings cannot attend field

trips. • Refunds will be given only in extenuating circumstances. • Leave cell phone numbers in the office in case of emergency. • Arrange to take medications for those students who would normally receive

medication during the school day. • If lunches are needed, you must notify the cafeteria in writing two weeks in

advance. • When you return from your trip, you must provide the bookkeeper with a signed

copy of the excursion form or a bill if an outside company is used. • If admission is charged, a receipt must be handed in as well.

Educate A labama Teachers will be observed both formally and informally. Informal observations will be conducted at any time throughout the school year. Feedback will be provided by administration following the observation. All teachers are responsible for the information in the Educate Alabama Evaluation Guideline Book. This information can be accessed from the Alabama State Department of Education’s website (www.alsde.edu). Orientation will be given to all teachers, both on full evaluation and PLP cycles.

Professional Development It is critical that you maintain a record of your staff development clock hours. ALL professional development must be entered into STI-PD. This information will be necessary for renewal of your teaching certificate as well as the AdvancEd/Southern

Association of Colleges and Schools (SACs) review. Please check your STI History periodically for pertinent information.

Committees Everyone on the committee is expected to take an equal share of the assignments and should share in leadership roles as necessary. Each teacher and staff member will be assigned to committees. You are responsible for being present at all meetings. The chairperson is responsible for the delegation of tasks and activities, as well as assigning a scribe for the minutes. It is not the responsibility of the chairperson to perform all the duties or to complete another members’ task when someone does not complete an assigned task.

Announcements Morning announcements will be made daily. Every effort will be made to minimize interruptions during instructional time. Any request for announcements must be provided in writing before 8:00 am. No student should ever be out of their room during announcements. Students can assist with the announcements. Please have students who are assisting in the office by 8:20 am.

Smoking & A lcohol No smoking or alcohol allowed on campus at any time. This includes eCigarettes of any type.

Professional Development Use the STI procedure to register for a workshop. Before attending a system staff development session during the school year there must be an approval by the administration. A summary of each workshop attended should be maintained. This information will be necessary for renewal of your teaching certificate as well as the AdvancED/Southern Association of College and Schools (SACs) review.

Textbooks • Teachers are responsible for textbooks that are assigned to them. • This record is to be retained as part of your school files and should be updated as

needed. • If money is owed for lost or damaged books it should be indicated on the record

and placed in the report card. • Textbook checks should be done at the end of each quarter and damaged or lost

textbooks should be reported to Mrs. Lea Ann Hansert immediately. • Textbooks should be assigned to students. This information will be scanned by

barcodes into the MCPS system. STUDENT INFORMATION Student A ttendance Student attendance is now monitored all 180 days, not just the 20 day period! Student attendance is of the utmost importance due first to the direct correlation to student

learning and the development of positive work habits. Attendance is a legal issue and should always be handled as a potential court matter. Emphasize the importance of and carefully monitor attendance from day one on throughout the school year. Make sure students and parents know of the focus on attendance and that school attendance also encompasses arriving on time (tardies) and remaining for the entire school day (early dismissals).

All Teachers are required to use INOW. Keeping accurate records is necessary. Attendance is a legal issue and can be used as a court document. Enter all absences (POST) in INOW daily. All absences must be recorded daily by 8:30 a.m. Our average daily attendance must be maintained at or above 95%. Monica Henderson will provide an in-service providing any changes or update information in attendance procedures. Monica will enter the students who are tardy.

MCPSS A ttendance P olicy A. Students are required to be on time for school. It is the responsibility of the

parent/guardian to assure that their children arrive on time each day. B. Anytime a student is absent, the parent/guardian must send a written note to

school satisfactorily explaining the absence. A satisfactory note from parent/guardian meets the following state guidelines: § Illness § Death in immediate family. § Inclement weather, which would be dangerous to the life and health of the child

as determined by the principal. § Legal Quarantine § Emergency conditions as determined by the principal. § Prior permission of the principal and consent of guardian. § The note or doctor’s excuse must be sent to school within three (3) days of the

student’s return to school to be counted as an excused absence. C. A written note from parent/guardians, as described above, will excuse absences for

up to but not exceeding eight (8) absences. D. Parents or guardians of a student who is absent eight (8) or more times must

present a clinical or doctor’s excuse to the school in order for the absences to be excused.

E. Parents/guardians of any student having a chronic ailment that may cause the child to miss school during the year are required to provide the school with a doctor's statement verifying the child’s condition. This must be done as soon as the problem occurs and repeated at the beginning of each school year. Parent/guardian must still send a written excuse for each absence.

F. Prior permission must be obtained from the principal in order for absences for out of town trips to be excused.

G. Students must be in attendance one-half of the instructional day to be counted present. An early dismissal before 1/2 day (3 ½ hours) or a tardy after 1/2 day is counted as an absence. Tardies and early dismissals are strongly discouraged.

H. Parent/guardians of any students having housing instability that may cause the child to miss school during the year are requested to communicate with the Principal regarding their living situation.

Morning /Afternoon Procedures

SCHOOL HOURS Morning 7:30 -8:10 am Teachers on Duty to help unload buses and cars. 7:45 -8:10 am Breakfast Classroom (Teachers and Paras) 8:15 8:20 am Morning Announcements

SCHOOL HOURS A fternoon 2:55-3:10 pm Teachers on Duty to help load buses and cars. Teacher Arrival and Departure Teachers are expected to at school at 7:40 am to greet students and stay on duty to assist students in carpool until 3:10 pm.

Tardy P olicy Students are considered tardy if they are not in the classroom by 8:05 a.m. Those students should be coded as tardy when recording attendance for that day. Early Warning Truancy and Court Referrals may result if there are excessive absences, tardies, or early dismissals.

Early Dismissals Early dismissals are discouraged. Parents must sign their children out using the early dismissal log in the office. Please Do Not Allow Parents to check students out for an Early Dismissal from the classroom. Teachers will be notified via intercom when a student has an early dismissal. Under no circumstance should a student be allowed to leave the school campus without approval from the office. If you know a student left the campus, notify the principal immediately.

Discipline P olicy All students are expected to follow Regional School’s school-wide rules as well as the MCPSS Student Code of Conduct. Each classroom teacher is expected to maintain a well-disciplined classroom. All efforts should be made to handle problems in the classroom before referring a student to the office. Establish consistent rules and standards on the first day of school. Teach your students the rules, consequences, and rewards. Be positive; teach discipline as though it were a subject; explaining, modeling desired behaviors, and holding all students accountable. Discipline has everything to do with your expectations, consistency and belief system. Every person at Regional School must believe that all children are capable of doing what is expected of them. DISCIPLINE P LAN It is the goal of the Regional School to produce highly motivated and well-rounded students who will be able to use the skills we teach them throughout life. In order to achieve this goal, we must create an environment that is safe and conducive to learning. Our school wide discipline plan will reward students for following rules and

procedures, and will provide consistent consequences for those who need to be redirected. For those students who need to be redirected, we will follow certain procedures. Each day students will be monitored and will be given opportunities to modify their behavior. We appreciate your help in maintaining an orderly environment where students can learn and have fun at school. An orderly environment is the basis for an effective instructional program. Policies and procedures of discipline must be employed to establish respect and to maintain favorable learning conditions free from distractions and misbehavior.

Be Respectful Be Responsible Be Resourceful Behavioral Expectations School Rules

Be Respectful • Walk to the right • Speak kind words

• Use inside voice

Be Responsible • Follow dress code • Be on time

• Be prepared

Be Resourceful • Be safe • Report problems to adults

• Get help

Behavioral Expectations Classroom Rules

Be Respectful • Be kind • Hands/feet to self

• Use inside voices

Be Responsible • Be on time

• Be ready

• Follow procedures

• Complete assignments

Be Resourceful • Be safe • Report problems to adults

• Know where to get supplies

Behavioral Expectations Bathroom Rules

Be Respectful • Wait your turn • Keep your eyes in your stall

• Aim for the target

Be Responsible • Wash hands • Put paper towels in the trash can

• Keep bathroom clean

Be Resourceful • Be safe • Report problems to adults

Behavioral Expectations Cafeteria Rules

Be Respectful • Be kind • Hands/feet to self

• Use inside voices

• Walk to the right

Be Responsible • Be on time • Be ready

• Follow procedures

• Clean up

Be Resourceful • Be safe • Report problems to adults

• Know where to get supplies

Behavioral Expectations Office Rules

Be Respectful • Be kind • Hands/feet to self

• Use inside voices

• Walk to the right

Be Responsible • Walk quietly • Follow procedures

Be Resourceful • Be safe • Report problems to adults

• Know where to get supplies

Behavioral Expectations Playground Rules

Be Respectful • Take turns • Use kind words

• Listen to adults

Be Responsible • Use equipment wisely • Put equipment away

• Learn game rules

Be Resourceful • Be safe • Report problems to adults

Cafeteria P rocedures The cafeteria should be a pleasant place for everyone to eat. This can only occur if everyone follows the rules:

1. Enter Kate Shepard cafeteria quietly and orderly. 2. Arrive on time, stay with your class as they walk through the line, and sit at your

assigned table. 3. Appropriate eating manners should be taught and practiced. Model, model,

model! 4. Your class must leave on time. 5. Teachers must sit near their classes during the entire lunch period. 6. Dismiss students to deliver trays systematically (not all at once). 7. You are responsible for ensuring that your tables are left in order, all trash and

food has been picked up on and under your tables. Once tables are cleaned, trays should be returned and students should immediately line up to leave cafeteria and return to Regional School.

Health, First A id, and Sickness Students who are too sick to do their work may be sent to the office. Parents will be called. If the student does not have fever or visible signs of illness, he/she will be returned to the classroom immediately. Students/Parents are not allowed to bring any type of medication to school without proper documentation from attending physician. If a student is taking a prescription medication, the office must be notified so proper documentation may be filed. No one is allowed to administer medications without proper training and approval.

Accidents Accidents are to be reported to the office by the teacher. The following should be reported:

• Students injured severely enough to cause loss of any part of the school day. • Students injured severely enough to require the services of a medical person: i.e.

doctor, dentist or emergency. • School accidents, which result in any property damage. • If a child is injured anywhere on the campus, the adult in charge should try to

determine the appropriate measures that need to be taken. If the child has injuries that make moving him/her inadvisable, the adult in charge should send for an administrator and/or personnel trained in first-aid/CPR. Call parents and fill out an accident form immediately. It is better to be overcautious with a child’s injuries than to underestimate.

• A student with minor injuries or illnesses should be sent or escorted to the office with a completed referral form.

• It is the responsibility of the teacher in charge to call the parent/guardian of any student with a minor injury and report the circumstances involved.

• If a student has vomited, has a fever, or any possible communicable illness they will be kept in the first aid room until a parent/guardian arrives.

• The nurse/office will call the parent/guardian to notify them that the student needs to be picked up.

• To eliminate disturbing the class continuously, have a responsible student bring the sick student’s belongings to the office, if the student is unable to retrieve their belongings.

School Health We are fortunate enough to have a nurse assigned to our school campus. All medications are to be checked in and administered by the nurse or under her supervision. All concerns about health should be referred to the nurse. Do not make calls to have students picked up from school without clearing it through the nurse.

Child A buse Should teachers have knowledge of a suspected case of child abuse, please notify the principal so that proper reporting procedures may be followed. It is not the school personnel’s responsibility to investigate and determine if there has been child abuse, as this is the responsibility of the Department of Human Resources. Our responsibility is to report that there is reason to suspect abuse and let the proper investigating authorities follow-up.

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION Lesson P lans In developing lesson plans, teachers will implement pacing to ensure all skills are taught before the administration of required assessments. Lesson plans should be completed in accordance with the MCPSS policy. Lesson plans will include the four components (objective, materials, procedures/activities, and evaluation/assessment) as required by board policy. The four components must be written with enough detailed information to identify what objective is being taught, instruction strategy used, and method of assessment. Clearly, a mere listing of page numbers is not specific enough to guide instruction. The required major components are:

Objective Procedure Materials Evaluation

ALL plans must show evidence of grouping, content centers and differentiated activities that accommodate the diverse needs in your class. Please note if a SPE teacher will be assisting during that lesson. Plans should be created a week in advanced for most subjects. Lesson plans must be shared (email, paper copy, etc.) with the SPE teacher. Plans must be accessible at all times. Documentation of RTI, Intervention, and acceleration will be kept with lesson plans. It is imperative that careful planning and execution of lessons be well prepared.

Grade B ook All teachers in grades K-5 are required to maintain an INOW grade book and an individual student work folder. A folder of assessments, checklists, and anecdotal records should be maintained for justification in reporting to parents.

o Grading and the types of assessments given should be consistent with the Mobile County Public Schools Elementary Curriculum Manual, as well as requirements from the principal. Teachers can go online to find out all the MCPSS requirements. o Teachers must follow the grading parameters as established by the MCPSS.

o Each grade should be labeled (chapter 4 test, book report) and dated. A notation of the type of assessment given, (Multiple Choice, Essay, Matching, Short Answers etc.).

o Remember to date the skills/objectives columns on the pacing guides for the dates that skills/objectives are tested.

o A copy of each test should be housed in a folder and organized by subject. The date the test was administered should be placed on the test.

Grades (See Grading Parameter for each subject area) All teachers in grades K-5 are required to maintain grades on INOW grade book and an individual student work folder. Assessments should be kept in a file for documentation. For every entry on the report card, there should be documentation of assessments. Your assessments should reflect what is being taught in the classroom and should correlate to objectives listed in the course of study. Each subject area has grade requirements and categories with percentages that must be set in INOW. It is much easier to catch an

error before grades go home than change it after. Grades will be monitored regularly during Data Meetings. Be sure all grades are entered in a timely manner.

Portfolios - Writing is the only item that should be housed in the writing portfolio. Requirements vary by grade level. See the Reading/Language Arts Curriculum 2016-2017.

Schedules Teachers will have general schedules posted outside the door of their classroom.

Schedules should be developed at the beginning of the year and be approved by the principal. If your schedule changes during the year the new schedule should be approved and posted. Follow Alabama State Department and MCPSS recommendations for suggested times. The total instructional time of each school day in all schools and at all grade levels shall be not less than 6 hours or 360 minutes, exclusive of lunch periods or PE, (Code of Alabama, 1975, §16) Include a 3 hour block for Reading/Language Arts/Social Studies/Intervention. Include a 3 hour block for Math/Science/Intervention. For additional information, see the Guidelines and Suggestions for Instructional Time Requirements in the Curriculum and Instruction section of the MCPSS website.

Homework P olicy Homework can be an important component of every student’s instructional program. Students and parents should have a clear understanding of the objectives to be accomplished through homework and the role it plays. Homework must reflect practices that have been taught in the classroom and provide reinforcement and/or remediation for students. It should be student managed, and the amount should be age-appropriate, encouraging learning through problem solving and practice. Parental support and supervision should be encouraged to reinforce the quality of practice and the products produced by the student. Home resources must be considered when making assignments. The time required to complete homework should be reasonable (Kindergarten - Second – 15 - 30 minutes, maximum per night, Third – Fifth 30 -60 minutes, maximum per night).

Types of Homework: Reading: Students reading for pleasure and to maintain their AR Goals Independent Practice: The assignment requires students to practice skills thoroughly taught in the classroom. Students should be successful in completing the assignment without parental assistance or re-teaching. Extension or Enrichment: The assignment furthers student learning of a topic currently being taught. A minimal amount of parental assistance may be necessary. Student Interest: The assignment is one selected by the student, based on personal interests or preferences. Study: The assignment involves concentrated thought in an effort to learn. The assignment can be used to preview material and/or prepare for an assessment.

Reminders: • Current student work should be on display in the classroom at all times. • All student work should be checked and proficient. • All student work displayed is to be accurate, dated, and ungraded.

Hall B ulletin B oards • The bulletin boards in the hall should be changed according to the schedule. • A new bulletin board should be up on the first day of the month. • They should reflect the creative endeavors of the students or an appropriate

theme or subject. • All student work displayed is to be accurate, dated, and ungraded. • All bulletin boards should be titled. • Current student writing should be on display in the halls at all times. • We want to showcase the work of our wonderful writers. • There is no objection to “swapping” your scheduled date with another

teacher; however, the same standards apply. • Bulletin board must correlate with course of study objective.

Communicating with P arents 1. We are required to conduct partnership conferences with every child during the

first semester of school. This should be a face to face conference with the student present if at all possible. During this conference, testing data should be explained and reviewed as well as the student’s progress in the classroom.

Teachers will send (email/copy) newsletters home each week. They should include upcoming classroom events, tests, homework assignments, word lists, homework helps, notification of special projects, and other important information. A Regional School Newsletter will be sent monthly and a copy of each newsletter will be uploaded to the website each month after it is sent for parents to refer to.

2. Take Home Folders These folders should be sent home every week with grades and tests. Students must return the Grade Report Folder and the signed progress report the next day. Keep test papers in a folder for documentation and conferencing. Parents should check their students’ progress daily/weekly through STI Home. Progress Reports (paper copy) will be sent home at mid quarter. The first progress report for the year will be the week of Monday, September 16th.

3. Mid Term P rogress R eports Teachers will send home midterm Progress Reports

each quarter. The dates are listed on the School Calendar located in the office. These reports will be generated through INOW. Be sure all grades are entered and up to date before printing the Progress Reports.

4. Report Cards K-5th teachers will use INOW. Computerized report cards will be generated in all grade levels. Grades need to be entered weekly. Grades will be monitored and discussed during data meetings.

Curriculum Specific information regarding curriculum will be provided, discussed and monitored through the Content Professional Learning Teams. Refer to the MCPSS website for curriculum updates.

Data Meetings All teachers will meet to discuss students’ progress (intervention, reteaching, retesting). The teachers and principal will collaborate during the discussion to assist teachers with timely and effective interventions for students. A problem solving process (Data Meeting) should be used to assist the classroom teacher in designing and selecting research based (RB) strategies for improving students’ academic and/or behavioral performance. The purpose of the problem solving process is to develop academic and behavior intervention strategies that have a high probability of success. We must ensure that: students receive interventions matched to their identifies needs, appropriate intervention goals are set, appropriate progress monitoring tools are utilized to provide evidence of students’ response to intervention, and progress monitoring data are used to make timely instruction decisions which maximize student outcomes. The emphasis is to meet the student’s needs first and produce positive learning outcomes. Researched-based academic and behavior screening data are routinely gathered and utilized to determine which students need interventions. All students are screened periodically. IEPs provide a written individual intervention plan for each area of need. Intervention goals are set by determining the student’s baseline level of performance on the task which will be used for monitoring. Effective, scientific, research-based reading, math and /or behavior interventions are used to improve student skills. Precise progress monitoring tools with a high degree of validity and reliability are used and data is graphed. Student progress monitoring is required on a specific schedule (generally weekly). Student progress is review on a specific schedule (generally monthly). Students continue in the intervention process until they have attained grade-level standards and skills or until they are referred for the next level.

Response to Instruction (RTI) Response to Instruction (RTI) refers to an instructional framework that promotes a well-integrated system connecting general, gifted, supplemental, and special education services in providing high quality, standards-based instruction and intervention that is matched to students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs. RTI combines core instruction, assessment, and intervention within a multi-tiered system to increase student achievement and reduce behavior problems. Retest P olicy The purpose of re-testing is to document mastery of content. Guidelines for re-testing reading and math include the following:

1. Re-test when score is 59% or below; 2. Re-teach only the objective(s) tested; 3. Re-test when student performance indicates readiness; 4. Re-test only once within a quarter for each assessment; and

5. Average the original test score with the re-test score for the final recorded grade (no higher than 70).

Special Education Gifted and special education students will participate in educational activities in an inclusive setting that is designed to help each student achieve maximum potential. Inclusion refers to the practice of supporting students with disabilities to meet individual learning and social needs within general education classrooms and alongside their non-disabled peers. The classroom teacher and the special education teacher will work together to make sure special education services are provided and IEPs are fully implemented.

Universal Screening/Accelerated R eader Teachers will administer STAR MATH and STAR READING each quarter. All students must be actively engaged in the Accelerated Reader Program.

Faculty Handbook Form 2016-2017

I have read and understand all the policies and procedures in the Faculty Handbook. I realize that failure to follow all policies and procedures outlined in the Faculty Handbook will result in disciplinary actions. Signed: ________________________________________________ Date: _______________________

Code of Ethics I have read and understand all the policies and procedures in the Code of Ethics. I

realize that failure to follow all policies and procedures outlined in the Code of Ethics will result in disciplinary actions.

Signed: ________________________________ Date: _______________________