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Lebanon Road Elementary

Staff Handbook2014-2015

LEBANON ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL7300 Lebanon RoadCharlotte, NC 28227

(980) 343-3640(980) 343-3717 [FAX]

http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/lebanonroadES/Pages/Default.aspx www.lebanonroadclimbingtosuccess.wordpress.com

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STAFF POLICIES & PROCEDURESABSENCES & TARDIES

The Senior Administrative Secretary will compile and distribute a list of available substitutes to all certified staff members at the beginning of the school year. Please keep this list with your records and secure a substitute as early as possible if you know in advance that you will be absent. Please make sure that your plans are accurate and up to date.

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Supporting Documents

School Employee Calendar

Religious Holidays

Designation and Use of Teacher Workdays

Staff Roster

Map

Duty Assignments

Safe Schools Plan

Master Academic Schedule

Special Area Schedule

Lunch Schedule

Grade Level Meeting / Team Planning Minutes

Data/Intervention Outline

Teacher Turn-in Form

Parent Communication Log

First Week Dismissal Roster

Substitute Folder Information Guide

CUM Folder Sign-Out Card

First Week of School Check-List

Field Trip Request Form

Classroom Standards Checklist

Open House Agenda

First Week Plan

Grading Policy

Leopard Behavior Matrix

Please follow the procedures below to report absences.

CLASSROOM TEACHERS AND CERTIFIED STAFF If you know you are going to be absent:

1. If you know you are going to be out, it will be your responsibility to secure a substitute. 2. Please refer to the “Substitute Call List” to secure a sub. 3. When you have secured a sub, please report your absences into the SmartFind

Express system.

If you wake up sick: If you are sick and did not anticipate being out, please follow the procedures below as soon as you know you will not be at school:

1. Report the absence into the SmartFind Express system by 7:00 a.m.2. Call Ms. Hudgens at the school at 980-343-3640 by 7:00 a.m.

TEACHER ASSISTANTSIf you know you are going to be absent: If you know you are going to be out, please report your absence into the SmartFind Express system and alert your teachers.

If you wake up sick: If you are sick and did not anticipate being out, please follow the procedures below as soon as you know you will not be at school:

1. Report to the SmartFind Express system by 7:00 a.m.2. Call Ms. Hudgens at the school at 980-343-3640 by 7:00 a.m.

ALL STAFFOn the day you are absent, please call school before 2:00 p.m. if you know you cannot return the next day. That will enable us to attempt to secure the same substitute (if applicable). On teacher workdays when no sub is required, please call the school office after 8:00 a.m. Please see Ms. Hudgens if you have questions about the substitute system. If any sick leave absence lasts longer than 3 consecutive days, a doctor's note will need to be provided to the principal upon return to work.

An up-to-date substitute folder should be on file in the office.This should include alternative / emergency plans in case your plans are not available. Specific procedures on how to prepare your folder are located in the back of this section. Turn in sub folders to Ms. Hudgens by 10:00 a.m. on September 29, 2014.

TARDIESIt is important that all staff members report to work on time daily. Certified staff will sign in at the front office each morning by 7:00am. If you have not signed in by 7am daily, your name will be highlighted by the front office secretary. We understand that occasionally, events out of our control occur which cause us to be late for work. However, because the safety and supervision of children is so important, the following procedures will be in place by the third tardy:3rd Tardy: Conference with principal4th Tardy: Conference with principal and follow-up email5th Tardy: Conference with principal and memo in employee file

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ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual leave may be used when there is an “optional teacher workday.” Staff members who have earned additional leave days are provided with optional leave days when students are not in attendance. On these optional days, there will be a sign-in sheet for the staff members who are present. Please be sure to fill out the proper paperwork well in advance and report your absence to the Smart Find Express system. Payroll sheets submitted on these days will reflect approved annual leave forms and sign-in information.

PERSONAL LEAVE

The principal must approve requests for all personal leave at least five days prior to use. Please complete the appropriate paperwork for this absence, which is found in the workroom.

Although system policy states that personal leave should not be taken before a holiday, we realize that occasionally unusual situations arise. If you have an unusual situation, please see the principal for approval.

DRESS CODE

There is no official dress code for staff members; however, all staff members are professionals who serve as role models for our students.

The following should not be worn on any days, including workdays: • Overalls, leggings, or sweat / wind-suits;• Shorts (except on appropriate field trip / field days);• Tank tops, spaghetti straps, sheer tops or t-shirts advertising products or companies;• Shirts or tops that expose abdomen or back (even if only when bending over or

stretching);• Skirts or dresses with hems more than 1 or 2 inches above the knee;• Hats, scarves, or other headwear (except for field trips and religious reasons);• Flip flops of any type (not even Rainbows).

Fridays are school spirit days so please wear jeans and a LRES shirt.

Dress for field trips should fit the occasion with appropriate shorts or jeans being worn for active trips and more professional dress being worn for trips that put you in a more professional setting (e.g., the symphony or to Discovery Place).

Please dress accordingly in all situations and remember that your dress reflects positively or negatively on Lebanon Road.

DONORS CHOOSE

All items gained through Donors Choose or other donation or grant-funded items remain the property of LRES and must be used for the benefit of LRES students. If an employee leaves the school, the items remain at LRES.

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SCHOOL HOURS

The minimum professional day is 7:00-3:15. Non-exempt employees (i.e., teacher assistants and secretaries) will work 7.5 hours daily with a 30 minute lunch off the clock. Certain days are designated for professional development, committee meetings, and other activities. Please do not make appointments so that you are available for these meetings. Likewise, please reserve Wednesdays from 3:00 – 4:30 PM for staff meetings and/or in-service. While we will not have a meeting at this time every week just because it’s Wednesday, the time needs to be available for those occasions when a meeting is required.

REQUEST TO LEAVE CAMPUS

The staff workday is from 7:00 am – 3:15 pm on most days, exclusive of meetings. If certified staff members find it necessary to leave school during these hours or come later / leave early for any reason, you are to notify an administrator and sign out with Mrs. Patrina Collins. If necessary, time used will be tallied each month for certified staff. When time out equals one half day, the proper deduction will be coded as sick leave, personal leave, or absence without pay on your paycheck. For all non-exempt staff—i.e., teacher assistants and secretaries—actual hours worked will be recorded in KRONOS via the time clock. I will communicate your request to leave to Ms. Hudgens who will arrange coverage. These occasions need to be limited to true emergency situations; all other causes for leave will require taking ½ or a full day.

Under no circumstances should teacher assistants be asked to cover for absences without prior administrative approval.

Many staff members are also parents of children involved in a variety of school-related activities. The school system recognizes four hours of volunteer service that may be provided to your child’s school or related activities. Sign out in the book in the same manner, after receiving approval from an administrator.

PERSONAL PHONE CALLS

Personal calls should be limited during the instructional day. Please reserve planning breaks and lunch to make personal phone calls. Personal phone calls and texts should not occur during planning meetings.

Cell phones should not be used to make personal calls unless in the case of an emergency. Likewise, calls should not be taken on campus. Also smart phones should not be used during instructional time or planning time to check e-mails or any other form of electronic communication or social networking.

STUDENT INFORMATION SHEETS

Student information sheets are to be updated at the beginning and end of each year. Please update the student information sheet during the school year when you are notified of any

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changes, such as address or phone numbers. Any changes should be made in pencil. When any changes are made it is important that the office be notified so we can update the information on the computer.

Information that needs to be updated:• Parents’ employment and employment telephone number• Home telephone number• Date• Address• Zip Code• City (if different than Charlotte)• School Teacher

COPYING / LAMINATING

COPYINGWe have counters on all of our copying devices. This has been done in an effort to improve accountability and to increase our ability to effectively budget allocated funds to meet the needs of our students. At the time of the installation of the counters, every teacher, secretary, administrator, and instructional support employee was assigned a copy number and given an allocation of copies.

Employees are allocated copies as follows:• Prek-2nd Grade Classroom Teachers: 2,000 copies per semester assigned to the

risographs. Teachers will be given 2 cases of paper per year with one being provided each semester. Teachers will need to bring paper when copying.

• 3rd-5th Grade Classroom Teachers: 2,500 copies per semester assigned to the risographs. Teachers will be given 2 cases of paper per year with one being provided each semester. Teachers will need to bring paper when copying.

• Special Area Teachers: 1,000 copies per semester assigned to the risographs. Teachers will be given 1 case of paper per year. Teachers will need to bring paper when copying.

• EC Teachers: 1,000 copies per semester assigned to the risographs. Teachers will be given 2 cases of paper per year with one being provided each semester. Teachers will need to bring paper when copying.

• ESL Teachers: 1,500 copies per semester assigned to the risographs. Teachers will be given 2 cases of paper per year with one being provided each semester. Teachers will need to bring paper when copying.

• All Staff: for 10 copies or less, please submit your original to Ms. Mirta Anderson. Please understand that it can take up to 24 hours to receive your copies.

Please do not tell anyone your personal copy number. To make copies, complete the following steps:• Enter your copy number (employee ID number)• Place your original on the copier / risograph and follow all directions.• Press clear and enter at the same time to clear your number from the risograph.

Maintaining an accurate count of your copies is your responsibility. When your number of copies is exceeded, you will be unable to utilize school equipment for additional copies. You

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may negotiate among other staff members for additional copies; that is strictly between you all. All unused copies will not carry over at the end of the quarter and monies budgeted for unused copies will be devoted to purchasing other needed supplies such as laminating film.

LAMINATINGPlease be mindful of the use of laminating film. Laminating film is only ordered once a quarter. Any questionable items should be approved by Mrs. Patrina Collins.

SMOKING

The school board has prohibited smoking in the school buildings and on the school grounds. Please refer to the board policy for further explanation.

TEXTBOOKS

At the beginning of the school year, each teacher will be provided with enough textbooks and ancillary books for each student in his /her class. The Assistant Principal will supply you with a sheet to record your inventory. Please follow the guidelines below in regard to text books and ancillary materials:

An accurate count must be kept for all state textbooks. We are accountable for teacher editions and student books. Please remember to:

• Keep an accurate count at all times. You will be asked for a count at least once during the year and at the end of the school year.

Teachers are responsible for teacher editions and all ancillary materials.

PLANNING

All classroom teachers will have a 90-minute protected block of time for instructional planning. Administrative duties, such as phone calls, bus information for field trips, school news, etc., should be shared during a 45-minute planning block on another day. To this end, one of the 45-minute blocks is designated as a data review meeting. All teachers are required to keep a plan book, which should be up to date and accessible at all times as administrative personnel will check them during a walk through. In addition, a member of your team will turn in your team agendas / minutes within 24 hours of the planning meeting to Ms. Styons.

Please submit substitute plans to Ms. Hudgens by September 29th.

FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

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PLEASE do not move furniture and/or equipment to another location in the building without permission from an administrator as these are assigned / inventoried to your particular location in MMIS. Computers may never be moved from one location to another.

Equipment may be signed out from the media center and office (cameras, etc.); however, once removed from the building (with permission), you are liable for any damages that could occur.

A Google form will be created to allow teachers and staff to exchange furniture items between rooms. Please do not exchange furniture without first noting it on the Google form. Additionally, surplus furniture must be stored in classroom spaces and may not be placed in the hallway. Please do not attempt to move heavy items without help. Please do not drag furniture across the floor.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

TEACHER RECEIPT BOOKS AND TURN-IN SHEETSThe money that you collect for Field Trips should only be in the form of cash or money orders. No checks will be accepted. All monies collected from children for Field Trips must be receipted in the Teacher Receipt Book. This book will be provided for all teachers as necessary.

Follow the procedures below when handling money:

Write a receipt in the Teacher Receipt Book. Include the following on the receipt:• Date• Name of child• Amount of money• Field Trip Destination• Teacher signature

Give the original copy of the receipt to the child or to the person from whom the money is received. The duplicate copy (yellow) remains in the receipt book. If it is necessary to void a receipt, all copies should be marked “VOID” and retained in the receipt book.

Money must be turned into the office along with two copies of the Teacher Turn-in Form (see form included in handbook).

Include the following on the form:• Teacher’s name, date and room number• Totals collected• Teacher’s receipt numbers • Composition of money collected (currency, coin)• Totals

All money should be turned into the office daily, no later than 10:00 am. The dates in the Teacher Receipt Book and on the Teacher Turn-in Form should be dated the same day. If the money that is turned in does not match the amount on the Turn-in Form, this will be returned for you to review and locate the error.

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Remember: Any money collected is to be turned in daily, regardless of the amount!

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Do not leave money in the building overnight. Students and teachers should not leave money in desks during the day. Ladies should keep their purses with them at all times or lock them in a secure place in the classroom.

SUPPLIES

At the beginning of the school year, teachers will receive a basic start up supply. As you need more supplies such as staples, pencils, etc., fill out an order form located in the workroom and submit it to Ms. Mirta Anderson. If you need a lot of one material for a grade level or classroom project, please see Ms. Mirta Anderson at least 2 weeks in advance so she can order the proper materials without diminishing the supply on-hand.

SCHOOL CLEANLINESS

Our custodial staff is dedicated to maintaining a clean and orderly environment. Any concerns regarding cleanliness should be addressed to the principal. Your classroom should reflect a clean orderly, and well organized environment.

The teacher’s lounge is a place to enjoy a break during the day. As such, it is the staff’s responsibility to keep the lounge neat and clean. Please keep these things in mind when utilizing the lounge:• All items should be removed from the refrigerator each Friday as it will be cleaned

periodically and any items left will be thrown away.• If you use the microwave, please clean up after your preparation as food left on the

microwave platter attracts insects.• Any plates, silverware, other dishes, trays, etc. brought from the cafeteria are to be

returned to the cafeteria as soon as you are finished eating; please do not leave these dishes in the lounge overnight!

STUDENT POLICIES & PROCEDURES

CHILD ABUSE

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education recognizes the serious problem of child abuse and neglect and the crucial role that school personnel play in reporting such suspected incidents. In compliance with state law GS 115C-400, any school employee who has reasonable cause to suspect that any child is being abused or neglected shall report the case of such child to the Department of Social Services, Youth Services Division, and to the school principal immediately.

ATTENDANCE, TARDIES, & DISMISSAL

ATTENDANCE of 30

Teachers will enter attendance into Powerschool daily by 10:00 am according to procedures designated during site-based inservice. For 1st two weeks, an attendance roster should be filled out completely for each student. Attendance rosters be picked each morning by 10:00 AM Attendance rosters will be returned to teacher mailboxes each day after the information has been entered into the computer.

TARDIESWhen students arrive at school after 7:45 am, they should report to the office for a tardy pass. Ms. Anderson will be responsible for tracking student tardies. If a student arrives after the attendance has been completed, the office will record this.

Once a student accumulates three tardies, the following procedure will occur:4 th Tardy : Parent conference with front office secretary reminding parent of importance of on-time arrival for school5 th Tardy : Parent conference with administrator reminding parent of ramifications of tardiness and impact on student learning6 th Tardy : Notify administrator who will assign student a morning check-in “buddy” who will help to track on-time arrival, build a relationship, and help to encourage on-time arrival

PROCEDURES FOR DISMISSALPlease learn how each student in your classroom leaves school each day. A parent must send a note or call the school if the child will go home with a friend, be picked up by a neighbor or relative, or ride a different bus. Please do not take the word of a child that they are to go home with a friend unless there is a written note from the parent or you have been notified by the office. Children often get confused about not riding the bus. Any changes in transportation must be approved by the administrative team. Please send all notes to the office to be approved. The bus driver will receive verbal or written permission from the administrative team. A dismissal roster must be filled out for each classroom. A blank form is found at the back of this section.

EARLY DISMISSAL OF STUDENTSWhen a student must leave school early, she/he needs to bring a note from home and give it to the teacher upon entering the classroom that morning. Other times, parents may call the school and the office staff will alert the teacher. Teachers are to enclose the student request for an early dismissal with the daily attendance sheet. Only parents or guardians, or other approved persons, may take a child from school. When the parent or guardian arrives at school, the student will be called to come to the office while the parent signs the child out. Students who leave school before 11:15 pm are to be counted absent from that day, as a half-day has not occurred yet. Never permit a child to leave school without permission from the office and under no circumstances should you release a child to anyone without permission. Early dismissal ends daily at 2:15. Parents who wish to pick students up after 2:15 must follow the regular dismissal process.

EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN

Please carefully check the cumulative folders of students for evidence of exceptional children placements. If you have any questions about information in the folder, ask the School Psychologist or Counselor to review it with you. If a child has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), accommodations must be carried out in the regular classroom as of 30

specified. By law, teachers must follow a child’s IEP. If you have any questions regarding a child’s IEP, please see an EC staff member.

STUDENTS WITH CONCERNS

If a teacher has a concern regarding the cognitive, behavioral, or emotional growth of a student that may lead to an Intervention Team referral, please follow the procedures below:

• Begin implementing strategies to attempt to assist the student. • Monitor the students' progress. If the strategies do not remedy the situation quickly,

contact the child's parent to express your specific concerns. Document this parent contact. Complete all the identifying information, date and time of the contact, and the key points of the conversation.

• Continue to implement strategies and modifications that may be helpful. Again, if the strategies do not remedy the situation quickly, make a second contact to the parent. Document this second contact in the same manner.

• Please consult with our School Psychologist or Counselor over any student that you have concerns about.

INTERVENTION TEAM

Lebanon Road will have grade level Intervention Teams. Each team will consist of a Counselor, Facilitator or Administrator, classroom teachers, the referring teacher and the parent. The Intervention Teams will meet during planning, before or after school.

• Once the Counselor receives the Focus of Concern form you will be notified of the date and time you will be scheduled to attend the Intervention Team meeting. If you have conflicts with the scheduled time please see the Counselor immediately to re-schedule.

• At the first meeting, the Counselor will discuss any information found in the students' cumulative folder and notes from the observation conducted by the Counselor.

• The team will develop at least two NEW interventions that must be implemented for 3-6 weeks. A second Intervention Team meeting will be scheduled before you leave the meeting.

• At the second Intervention Team meeting you should bring documentation of the implemented strategies (behavior records, plans, work samples, etc.).

• If the intervention proved effective the students "case" may be closed. If the interventions have not been effective, new interventions may be developed and implemented for another 3-6 weeks. If the student appears to exhibit significant behavioral or academic difficulties that appear to be intervention resistant, the student may then be referred to the IEP Team committee for a complete evaluation.

IEP TEAMS

The IEP Team is a group of professionals familiar with the student, exceptional children's programs and guidelines in North Carolina, and knowledgeable about learning or behavior of 30

difficulties. The team includes the School Psychologist, EC Teacher, Regular Education Teacher, Parent and an administrator. The classroom teacher, parent and other professionals will be contacted to schedule an Initial IEP Team meeting. The focus of this meeting is to discuss the child's strengths and needs to determine if a complete evaluation is warranted. If it is determined that an evaluation should be conducted, the team obtains parental consent to begin. The IEP Team has 90 days from the date the consent is signed to complete all necessary evaluations and determine eligibility and certification. The classroom teacher will be notified of the second IEP Team meeting. At this meeting all evaluation results will be discussed and the team will determine if the child meets the North Carolina guidelines as an Exceptional Child. If the child is eligible for services an IEP will be developed. If the child is not eligible further interventions will be discussed.

504 PLANS

Please look carefully at 504 plans in the cumulative folders. Accommodation plans are placed in yellow folders in the child's cumulative folder. The Counselor will alert you if a student is put on a 504 Accommodation plan during the school year. Classroom teachers are legally responsible for enacting the specified accommodations for the student.

& RETENTIONPROMOTION AND RETENTION

As soon as it becomes apparent that retention may be a possibility the following should occur:

• Parents and administrator should be informed of your concerns.

• Frequent and specific communication with parents. ALL contact should be documented. Action alerts, carbonized parent correspondence forms, can be used for this purpose. A copy of the Action Alerts should be placed in the students’ cumulative folders.

The principal of the school is ultimately responsible for placement of all students. The teacher is responsible for early identification of any student having learning difficulties. He / she is to inform the student and parent of these difficulties and to seek the assistance of the Intervention Team. Students in grades K-5 may be retained when, in the judgment of the teacher and principal, additional academic reinforcement would benefit the student.

If you would like to send home an Action Alert regarding retention (April, early May), notify the principal and academic facilitator immediately. The principal and academic facilitator will create a retention committee meeting schedule.

As a group, the committee will decide if the child will be promoted or retained.

CAFETERIA PROCEDURES

Breakfast:Available to all children and is served from 7:15-7:45 am. Students will report to the cafeteria immediately upon entering school and move through the cafeteria line picking up their meal. Staff will assist each morning with breakfast and supervision of students on an assigned schedule. Staff members are asked to monitor the main door, entrance to the serving line,

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and the tables. Students should report to class as soon as they have finished eating breakfast so instructional time is maximized.

Lunch:Appropriate manners are expected and we must constantly reinforce high expectations, as well as model what we want students to do. Please adhere to the following guidelines:• Each class must be at the cafeteria kitchen door at the appropriate time.• Teachers should bring rosters and all student lunch numbers until students have

memorized these.• Teachers should plan to escort all students through the line before sitting down.• Assigned staff members are to assist students with serving and seating.• Assigned staff members are responsible for supervising the cleaning of the tables,

chairs, and floors in their area. Students may be assigned to clean tables, floors, and chairs as part of the weekly helper responsibilities (never as a consequence for inappropriate behavior unless that inappropriate behavior was throwing of food, perhaps).

• Students should stand in one line to empty trash and return their trays to the window. Please help to supervise this effort.

• Students are to line up before leaving. As you supervise this effort, keep in mind that the goal is to move each class out quickly and quietly. Do not line students up until their teacher is present.

• Seating assignments for each class in the cafeteria are located in Appendix D.

HEALTH ROOM & MEDICATION

Our school nurse is Mrs. Stephanie Biggers. She is with us Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of each week.

The Health Room is stocked with general first aid supplies, thermometers, thermometer slips, and beds. Students who become ill may be sent to the Health Room for attention. The teacher should send the child with a “Health Room pass.” Students who do not feel well may rest in the Health Room for short periods of time. All students who visit the Health Room must be “logged in” on the notebook on the Health Room desk.

Please remember your blood-borne pathogens training. Never handle blood or body fluids without taking proper precautions. Use your latex gloves. Notify the office for assistance and clean up as needed.

Absolutely no medication is to be kept in the classrooms. All medication will be kept in the health room. No medication will be administered to any child without proper authorization from a medical professional. This also includes written information that is needed from a medical professional for over-the-counter drugs such as allergy medicine, aspirin, or antacids. The authorization form must include dosage times and amounts; we cannot give medication to a child on an “as needed for pain” basis. Children are not to keep any kind of medication in their desks or book bags. This does include cough drops, throat lozenges, etc.

A member of the office staff will administer medication for all students. IT IS CRITICAL THAT MEDICATION IS ADMINISTERED AT THE CORRECT TIME AND AT THE CORRECT DOSAGE EACH DAY. Do not send a child to the office for medication several hours later if a dose has been missed. The parent must be notified if this happens.

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ACCIDENTS

Students are not to be left unsupervised inside or outside of our building. Teachers are to supervise students’ activities outside of the building on the playground or field areas. Every precaution should be taken to keep all children free from injuries. This includes teaching children how to properly use the equipment and what procedures are in place for safety. When accidents do occur inside or out, please assess the extent of the injury and call the office for an emergency responder if necessary. Ms. Styons, Ms. Genie, or Mrs. Collins should be notified. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU TOUCH BLOODY NOSES, OPEN WOUNDS, ETC. WITHOUT WEARING RUBBER GLOVES! Gloves and band-aids are provided for each teacher and replacements are available in the health room.

After each accident, an accident form is to be completed and given to the principal for review and a signature. A copy of the form is included in your handbook and may be obtained from one of the secretaries. One copy of the report will go to the parent, one will be filed at the school, and one will be sent to the system’s safety department. Any blood spills are to be reported immediately so that a custodian can get the contaminated materials away from the other children. If you are exposed to any such body fluids, please report this to the principal immediately. Please refer to the ACCIDENT PREVENTION / ACCIDENT PROCEDURES handout found at the end of this section.

STUDENT ID TAGS AND HALL PASSES

All Lebanon Road students are required to wear a student ID at all times. The school will provide student IDs at the beginning of the year. Student IDs will be created during their regularly scheduled media center classes.

Students should have a hall pass at all times when not in the classroom or traveling with the class, including trips to the office, health room, media center, or restroom.

RESTROOM BREAKS

Teachers should limit whole-class restroom breaks to once each day either before or after lunch. When students leave your room to use the restroom individually, he / she must have their student ID and hall / restroom pass.

CUMULATIVE FOLDERS

All cumulative folders must be stored in the school office. These may be checked out for updating and other in-school use by using the sign out cards that are to be put in place of the missing folder. Sign out cards are located in the office. Cumulative folders should NEVER leave the building and should be returned to the office at the close of each day due to privacy issues.

Each child has a health card in the cumulative folder. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with any recorded health problems (allergies, special medications, etc.). of 30

CLASS CELEBRATIONS

Special treats for students during special events such as Halloween, Valentine’s Day and student birthdays are permitted, but those treats should be eaten at lunch or at student break time, not at an actual party. Please be aware of students’ religious beliefs in scheduling holiday parties and / or in celebrating Halloween and other secular occasions.

In accordance with the NC Division of Environmental Health, under no circumstances should schools allow the following food to be brought in from homes: ground beef products, venison, unpasteurized milk or juices (or food items made from unpasteurized milk), or food products made from peanuts and / or tree nuts. All products brought into the classroom must be commercially prepared, not made in a home.

Approved classroom celebration dates and times will be publicized on the staff master calendar and should not take place outside of these dates or times.

CURRICULUMCURRICULUM

The basis for all instruction at Lebanon Road Elementary is the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). A complete copy of the CCSS for K-5 is available on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s website. In addition, you will be provided with a hard copy of your grade level curriculum. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has also developed thorough pacing guides for each content area. Pacing guides, teacher’s manuals, curriculum guides and various other support materials will be distributed at the beginning of the year (and collected at the end of the year). These items are the property of Lebanon Road Elementary and CMS. Throughout the year we will have updates regarding appropriate curriculum and activities.

MANIPULATIVES / WORKSHEETS

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg philosophy for grades K-5 stresses the active participation of all students. In all possible areas, especially math, art, and science, manipulative or concrete materials should be used to introduce and teach concepts. Abstract activities, such as worksheets and board work, should be used as guided or independent practice and to reinforce learned concepts. A very limited number of photocopied sheets should be used. Open-ended, problem solving activities are encouraged along with center activities that incorporate student assessment.

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HOMEWORK

Homework can be used very effectively to extend a child’s learning experiences and as a reinforcement for many skills and activities. Procedures should be developed for holding students accountable for homework. Homework should be assigned nightly and of such a nature whereby it can be completed independently by the student.

Homework should not be so time consuming as to eliminate the possibility of free time for the students. A good general rule (excluding nightly reading) would be: Grades PK-K, 15 minutes; Grades 1-3, 30 minutes; Grades 4-5, 45 minutes. Always make sure that the assignments are meaningful and of some benefit to the students. Refer to the grading policy section for specifics on grading homework.

VIDEOS

The use of any video must be directly related to the Common Core State Standards. School Board policy prohibits the use of rented videos. Please seek administrator approval prior to showing any video. This does not apply to Discovery Education videos.

COMPUTER & IPAD USE

Computer and ipad use in the classroom is encouraged as often as possible as long as the activity / program supports the CCSS. There are several programs available for student use. Also, please be sure to monitor students at all times while they are on the computer or ipad. An internet agreement form must be signed by a parent before a child is allowed on the internet.

PLANBOOK AND LESSON PLANS

All teachers are required to keep a thorough and accurate plan book, which should be up to date and accessible at all times either on the desk or at the front of the classroom. Each week a member of your team will turn in your agenda / minutes from your 90 minute planning block.

In addition, each teacher should have a thorough daily lesson plan, including specific plans for differentiated literacy instruction (intensive reading). Daily lesson plans should be in a consistent format across the grade level.

An administrator will check plans during routine classroom walkthroughs. Each teacher’s daily plan should include some form of the following components for each lesson being taught: objective, activity, teacher input, what the students will be doing, assessment (including active engagement/checks for understanding) and how you’re differentiating.

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Posted objectives should be written in student-friendly language: “I Can…” or “Students will be able to…”

WALKTHROUGHS

The instructional leadership team at Lebanon Road Elementary enjoys spending time in the classroom as often as possible. These visits are intended to support you by looking for all of the good things you are doing. Please do not stop teaching when we are in your classroom. Walkthrough visits may be followed by an email form to provide you with feedback on the visit. In-person feedback conversations may also follow walkthrough visits. These will be scheduled by an administrator or facilitator and will be held before school, after school, or during planning time.

FIELD TRIPS

• Six weeks before: Turn in field trip requests to the Assistant Principal.• Two weeks before: Notify the Assistant Principal if lunch plans will change. Send

home permission slips for all children with date, time, transportation, order form for bag lunches (if needed), and cost. All students will be able to participate, regardless of cost.

• One day before: Arrange to leave students not going with another classroom teacher. Send enough independent work for the entire time you will be gone.

• Day of: Complete CMS Field Trip Checklist, give total number of children going to grade chairperson, gather any medications, student information forms and emergency kits.

• General: Remember to prepare students and plan a follow-up activity. It is important that our students have opportunities to experience field trips. Every effort should be made to enable 100% of students to attend all field trips. If behavior is a serious concern, please plan to encourage the parent to complete a volunteer application and attend the trip to supervise their child.

ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM ESSENTIALS

Each classroom at Lebanon Road should include the curricular components contained on the Classroom Standards Checklist (see appendix attachments).

POSITIVE DISCIPLINE & SUPERVISION

DISCIPLINE PHILOSOPHY

At Lebanon Road Elementary our philosophy towards discipline revolves around accentuating the positive and providing logical consequences when students do not meet expectations. We recognize, reinforce, and show sincere appreciation for good behavior. Clear expectations and standards serve to enhance student behavior. Proper and consistent supervision encourages appropriate behavior and invite school success. of 30

The primary responsibility for classroom discipline rests with the teacher and students; however, every child is everyone’s concern, so staff members are encouraged to help each other and not to take offense if another teacher addresses inappropriate behavior. The teacher’s position is weakened when discipline problems are frequently referred to others. Charlotte-Mecklenburg discipline guidelines are provided in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook to help us all be consistent. The BMT, assistant principal, or principal is available when the classroom discipline plan has been exhausted and the behavior warrants administrative support.

Student dignity should be preserved at all times during the discipline process. Please refrain from disciplinary techniques that include student embarrassment or public reprimand of any kind. If one student needs a disciplinary reminder, the rest of the class does not need to know.

Please note the following expectations concerning discipline (reference student & parent handbook and LRES behavior matrix):

Beginning of School: During the first few days of school teachers should take time to explain and practice all school-wide behavior expectations, including the following scenarios / settings: bus, hallway, cafeteria, playground, and classroom. The administrative team will support these initiatives through announcements, Lebanon Road Network News, and classroom visits. Grade level discipline assemblies will be scheduled to discuss expectations.

Bus: Bus expectations include staying in your seat, keeping hands and feet to yourself, and maintaining an “indoor” volume.

Hallways: Hallway expectations include staying in a single file and staying quiet at all times.

Cafeteria: Café expectations include demonstrating proper table manners and using indoor voices.

Staff as Role Models: Children perceive all adults as role models, so we all have numerous opportunities to demonstrate appropriate behaviors to students each day. Students will model almost any adult behavior—everything from picking up litter in a hallway to exhibiting good table manners at lunch, to tone of voice.

• Rights and Responsibilities: Teachers should spend some class time going over the CMS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook during the first few weeks of school and revisit it later in the school year. This handbook should be posted in the front of the classroom.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

• Teachers are expected to exhaust classroom discipline plans prior to contacting the office for assistance. When the administrator or BMT arrives in the classroom, he/she will ask the classroom teacher which interventions have been implemented prior to making the office contact. Please refer to the teacher managed v. admin. managed guide attached to this handbook.

• Once an administrator or BMT is asked to handle a behavioral issue, the administrator or BMT will make the decisions regarding consequences (in accordance with the CMS Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook). The classroom teacher should not suggest

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consequences once the behavior has escalated beyond the classroom discipline plan level.

• Violent behavior, which involves possible or real injury to students or teachers, should be reported to the office in written form for documentation immediately upon occurrence.

• If discipline problems appear to be the result of home/school difficulties or constant in nature, the teacher may find it advisable to seek the assistance of the counselor and/or Intervention Team.

• An excellent consequence (especially for older children) that may be used any time during the process but especially after several other attempts, is to have the child decide on one good thing he / she can do to make Lebanon Road Elementary a better place. Logical consequences (i.e.: stacking books as a consequence for throwing a book on the floor) are productive because they help to build positive teacher-student relationships while reinforcing appropriate behaviors.

• Copying sentences, standing in the hall, missing physical education or other special classes and/or staying in the classroom alone ARE NOT TO BE USED AS PUNISHMENTS.

• Every effort should be made to reintegrate a student to class after a disciplinary consequence has been administered or the student has spent time out of the classroom.

• Frequent parent communication helps to strengthen relationships between school and home and may help to alleviate challenging behaviors in the classroom.

• Children who are challenged and successful in the classroom tend to have fewer behavioral difficulties. We all know there are exceptions, but we must work together to meet the needs of every child.

MINOR DISCIPLINE ISSUES: TEACHER MANAGED

• The following behaviors should be managed in the classroom by the teacher:Behavior DefinitionDisrespect to authority

Failure to respond to adult requests, talking back and socially rude interactions with peers.

Disruption/Playing Student distracts himself and/or others.Excessive talking Student continues to talk without permission. Inappropriate Language

Student engages in name calling and/or use of words in an inappropriate way.

Lying/Cheating Student delivers message that is untrue/deliberately violates rules.Off task/Willful disobedience

Student does not take an active role in learning; disconnected. Student refuses to obey adult requests.

Other Student engages in any other minor problem behaviors that do not fall within the above categories.

• Please follow your classroom discipline plan to manage the above behaviors.• Possible classroom interventions include but are not limited to:• Logical consequence• Re-teach expectation• Seating change• Note to parent• Teachable moment/redirection• One-on-one conference with teacher

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• Parent contact• Parent conference• Curricular modification• Refer to counselor• Apology note• Positive practice (role play)• Photograph student meeting the expectation• Class pass (max. 10 minutes)• Nonverbal or discrete verbal warning• Time out/reflection time• Check-in with mentor or adult with whom the student ha a close relationship• Individualized behavior plan

MAJOR DISCIPLINE ISSUES: REPORT TO ADMINISTRATION IMMEDIATELY

North Carolina State Law and CMS Board Policy require that the following types of behaviors be immediately reported to the administration and that administration immediately involve other district and / or law enforcement personnel:• Weapon (confirmed): CMSPD• Weapon (rumor): CMSPD• Replica Weapon (airsoft, BB, paint, etc.): CMSPD• Toy Weapon (water, Nerf, marshmallow, etc.): CMSPD• Sex / sexual assault / inappropriate touching: CMSPD• Drugs: CMSPD• Alcohol: Internal matter• Assault with injury: CMSPD• Assault without injury: CMSPD• Assault by Staff / Inappropriate Action with a Minor: CMSPD and Employee Relations • Destruction of CMS Property: CMSPD• Harassment by Peer: Internal Matter • Harassment by Staff: CMSPD and Employee Relations• Pornography (personal or commercial): CMSPD• Theft (significant): CMSPD• Theft (minor): Internal Matter

If any allegation involving any of these issues comes to your attention, drop everything and tell Ms. Styons or Ms. Genie immediately (i.e., not after lunch, end of day, when you get in the building, etc.).

IMMEDIATELY!DISCIPLINE IN SPECIAL AREA CLASSES

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It is the responsibility of the special teachers (music, art, PE, media, etc.) to discipline children in their classes. Although the teacher may support the discipline or individuals, it is not the responsibility of the classroom teacher to maintain discipline during the special area teachers’ times. No child is to be denied participation from these classes for behavioral reasons unless approved by an administrator.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

School Bus Safety is an important issue for all our students. CMS will provide “Buster the Bus” presentations for all kindergarten and first grade students during the course of the year.

Please remind students to wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the stop arm is out before moving to cross the street to board the bus. In your reinforcement, please include instructions on bus behavior expectations, including (1) stay in your seat at all times, (2) keep hands and feet to yourself and inside the windows, (3) keep noise/talking to a reasonable level, (4) no eating or drinking on the bus.

PARENT COMMUNICATIONPARENT COMMUNICATION

By establishing a warm and open relationship with parents, we enable students to experience success and allow ourselves to utilize parents as cooperative allies. Initial contact is extremely important. It should be informative, sincere, and enthusiastic. Parents appreciate being kept informed and want to receive accurate information. Early in the year, written communication to parents should include short range plans and plans for behavior management.

FIRST CONTACTEach teacher should send a letter to parents welcoming them to the school, and explaining discipline procedures. Include classroom rules, rewards, and consequences. Also, please provide a general schedule for the day, lunch time and schedule for special area classes. We would like the letters created as a team. Please turn in a copy of your letter to the principal. These letters should go home within the first week of school.

PARENT AND TEACHER COMMUNICATION• Telephone calls - Parents may leave a message during the day for any teacher.

Please make certain that all calls are returned within 24 hours.

• Parents wishing to confer with their child’s teacher - Parents are asked to call or write a note to the teacher to make an appointment. Parents are asked not to “drop by” for a conference. We can make special arrangements, in advance, for other times during the day for a conference. While the administration maintains an open door policy and is available to meet with parents, we strongly encourage parents to first address any concerns with their child’s classroom teacher as he or she will be able to offer valuable first-hand insight and likely handle any issue that arises.

• Websites: it is expected that every teacher will maintain an updated website / wiki. Mr. Jefferson is available to assist with this. Content to be included follows:

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WEBSITE / WIKI STANDARDSREQUIRED • About Me • Daily Schedule• Homework [Updated Weekly]• Curriculum (what we’re studying / major themes) [Updated every 2 weeks]• LRE Homepage {where parents can find links to school events, PTA; SLT; Principal’s

blog, etc.}• Websites for use at home• Book suggestions (K-2 all, 3-5 literacy teachers)

OPTIONAL• CMS Grading Policy• CCSS• Helpful resources

SCHOOL VISITORSThe safety of every child and everyone at Lebanon Road Elementary School is our first priority. We require every visitor to our school to enter through the front lobby doors, sign in with the Lobby Guard system, and wear a Lobby Guard ID badge if staying. Persons without badges should be directed to the office to sign in and get one. We encourage every parent to visit school often, and we will be firm and consistent about safety at our school. Parents with any questions about our safety policy should be directed to contact an administrator.

PARENT CLASSROOM VISITATION POLICYOur Parent Visitation policy requires that parents wishing to visit their child’s classroom during school hours—7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.—arrange their visit with a member of the administrative team. This policy is in place in an effort to minimize interruptions to our students’ instructional day and to allow teachers to make the absolute most effective use of the instructional time that they are given each day. You may not realize it, but teachers typically have only around 4 to 4 ½ hours to actually teach each day once you remove the time needed for lunch, special area classes, bathroom breaks, recess, and other special programs. When you consider how much teachers have to teach these students and their level of accountability for doing so, this means that every moment of time is precious. As a school, we do everything that we possibly can to preserve blocks of uninterrupted time for instruction in a variety of ways. For example, as a school we:

• Set up our Master Academic Schedule to create large blocks of time for literacy and math instruction.

• Schedule special area classes, lunch, and recess so as to minimize disruptions in these academic blocks.

• Do not make “all call” announcements nor call individual classrooms unless it is an emergency in order to not interrupt instruction.

• Do not call teachers out of their classrooms for anything other than emergency phones calls.

Additionally, teachers are scheduled for duty and / or are working with students from the time that they arrive in the morning until dismissal time. As a result, we have found that it is helpful for teachers to know when they will have a visitor rather than simply having people drop in throughout the day.

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Accordingly, we ask that parents arrange classroom visits with the administrative team so that we can minimize disruptions to our instructional day. This simply allows us to coordinate visits if several parents want to come in on one day in order to minimize distraction in our classrooms. Parents must call to set up a time if they would like to visit their child’s class and we will be glad to accommodate their request.

Parents of students in grades 1-5 may drop students off at the classroom through 9/5/14 only. Parents of students in kindergarten may drop off students at the classroom through 9/19/14 only. Pre-k may drop off daily after signing in with Lobby Guard. Parents may drop students off at classrooms after these dates only if they are bringing supplies that are too heavy for the child to carry.

OPEN HOUSE

Before the first day of school we will have a Parent Open House when you will have the opportunity to personally explain expectations and review the instructional program. Parents should be informed of system-designated conference days and encouraged to join the PTA.

WEEKLY FOLDERS

Each student will receive a folder that is to go home once every week on Tuesday. This folder will contain all communications from the teacher, administrative team, PTA or CMS. This consistency should improve overall parent/school communication. Students are to return the folders on the next school day.

PARENT NEWSLETTERS

Individual classroom newsletters are encouraged. This form of communication could be weekly, biweekly, or monthly, but needs to be consistent across the grade level. Connect ed messages and a parent/family blog will be sent out and updated by the administrative team to communicate with parents. Teachers are also expected within the first month of school to create a classroom webpage. Classroom websites should be created by September 29, 2014. Contact Ms. SanJule to have your website linked to the LRES website.

BULLETIN BOARDS

Bulletin boards are to be changed once every 2 months (at a minimum) and should be attractive. Students should not be constructing bulletin boards during classroom instructional blocks. This is the responsibility of the teacher. Students’ work products should also be up-to-date and prominently displayed throughout our school, in the classrooms as well as throughout the hallways. Bulletin board displays with student work products should contain the relevant objective.

ACTION ALERTS

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• Action alerts are good tools to use when you have tried to communicate with the parents on several occasions with no results.

• Please use the following suggestions and guidelines when using this form of communication. Action Alerts are available in the workroom mailboxes.

• Be sure that you have communicated with the parents several times informally before sending this formal notification. Please maintain accurate documentation (parent communication log).

• Put yourself in the place of the receiving parent. Don’t send any surprises or negatively phrased statements. Cite actual performance rather than criticisms.

• Action alerts are also good documentation of possible retention, but these should be preceded and followed by other forms of communication.

• Stay away from broad statements that don’t inform the parent. Instead, invite the parent in and share specific ways you plan to help the child and specific ways the parent can support you.

• Share action alerts with a facilitator before sending home to the parent to obtain a signature. This will keep us informed in the event we receive calls and it will help us support you.

BLUE CARDS

Each child enrolled at Lebanon Road Elementary should have an accurate blue card on file in the office. Please be reminded it is essential to update census cards on a regular basis. Provide any changes to the front office.

PARENT CONFERENCES

Conferences are an integral part of the parent communication process. Teachers should keep an accurate Parent Communication Log for each student. At the end of first quarter all students / parents should participate in a conference. If, after several attempts, the parent will not come in for a face-to-face conference, a phone conference will be acceptable. Additional parent conferences are encouraged quarterly for students struggling academically or behaviorally.

PERSONAL EDUCATION PLANS: EASY PEP

If a student is performing below grade level in reading, writing or math, he or she must have a Personal Education Plan (PEP). The PEP process is managed online through the EasyPEP program. Assistance and training will be available from your academic facilitator. These materials should include all interventions attempted in the classroom and proper documentation. A parent conference and signature is required for each quarter.K-2 PEPs are maintained through the K-2 report card.

GRADING POLICY

The CMS grading policy has been provided as an appendix. The grading policy will be followed for all students, in accordance with the mastery grading policy outlined by CMS.

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STAFF COMMUNICATIONEffective, two-way communication among the staff and administration at Lebanon Road Elementary is of the utmost importance. As a key component of any highly effective school, the administrative team has an “open door” policy. If you have needs, concerns or suggestions, they should be addressed at the school level. Several channels exist including your grade chair and FAC representative. Anything taken to the area TAC meetings must first be addressed at the school level.

WEEKLY BLOG UPDATES

Each week, Ms. Styons will send an email with links to updated components of the Lebanon Road Elementary staff blog. The blog contains weekly updates, the school master calendar, and important staff resources such as PD, etc. Please remember to check the blog and master calendar frequently for updates. Double click on calendar events for details.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Any announcements that need to be made in the a.m. will be broadcast on Lebanon Road Network News (WLRE). Afternoon announcements will be made via intercom prior to dismissal as needed.

STAFF MEETINGS

Wednesdays are reserved for staff meetings. Staff meetings will be held in the media center, begin at 3:00 PM. Occasionally, a “Staff Meeting by Memo” will be e-mailed to you in lieu of an actual meeting. Please read these memo items carefully! The master calendar will be updated to indicate when a Wednesday staff meeting has been cancelled. Check with your grade level chairperson for clarification of information presented in meetings or memos. Please do not make appointments on Wednesdays that will necessitate you missing a meeting. Reserve the time from 3:00 – 4:30 PM.

E-MAIL & BLOG

Important email announcements and reminders will come from administrators, grade chairs, and colleagues. Please check your email at least twice each day (before and after school). If you do not have a computer in your classroom / office, computers are available in the media center and technology lab. The use of school system computers to communicate chain letters, religious communication, political messages or any messages containing inappropriate language or graphics is against school system policy. Also, when crafting e-mails to parents and staff, please be aware that “tone” is hard to decipher when reading an email. Please use professionalism.

Please also check the blog and blog master calendar often for updates:www.lebanonroadclimbingtosuccess.wordpress.com

MAILBOXES

Staff mailboxes should be checked frequently. Memos, information, packets, etc. placed in your mailboxes should be sent home with students in their weekly folders, unless otherwise notified.

MASTER CALENDAR

A master calendar will be kept on the principal’s blog http://lebanonroadclimbingtosuccess.wordpress.com/lres-staff-master-calendar/, and all school and all grade level events will be included on the master calendar (e.g., PTA meetings, awards programs, school holidays, etc.). As teams plan, the master calendar should be checked to eliminate conflicts in scheduled activities. Team leaders must keep

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http://lebanonroadclimbingtosuccess.wordpress.com/lres-staff-master-calendar/

http://www.lebanonroadclimbingtosuccess.wordpress.com/

administrators informed of items to be placed on the master calendar. If it is not on the calendar, it is not happening! All calendar events require prior administrative approval.

MASTER ACADEMIC SCHEDULE

The master instructional schedule is designed to meet the system’s requirements for time allotments for academic areas, facilitate the delivery of special education and remedial services to students, schedule classes for lunch, and effectively utilize the services of music, art, physical education, media, and technology as the staff implements established curriculum in their respective areas. Teachers of special area classes will be unable to make up missed classes due to special events as their schedules are full. The principal will make the decision to cancel classes if necessary.

The master schedule is to be followed as closely as possible at all times. All changes must be approved by the principal. It is the responsibility of the team leader or classroom teacher to inform the cafeteria and all affected special area teachers of changes or cancellations due to field trips or other special events. Special area teachers and others can also stay informed of planned events and possible needs for scheduling by checking the Google calendar.

GRADE LEVEL PLANNING

Grade level planning will occur on your designated day for 90 minutes. Grade level teams should share ideas and work together planning for the following week. A facilitator and / or an administrator will be available to assist. Grade levels will meet once a week for data talks to plan interventions for struggling students and extension activities for students working above grade level. Each team member is responsible for actively contributing during team planning time and data planning.

COURIER

System-approved communications are sent to and from schools using the courier system according to the distributed / posted CMS schedule. Each school and CMS office has a courier number. Our courier number is #440.

LEBANON ROAD NETWORK NEWS

WLRE (Lebanon Road School News) will broadcast every day at 7:35 AM. Please turn your TV on Channel 7 and have your students listen for the news and announcements. If you have newsworthy events, please let Mr. Bucholtz know. WLRE’s daily broadcasts will end promptly at 7:45, and instruction is expected to begin in all classrooms at that time.

US MAIL

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US Mail is delivered and picked up daily in the workroom. Stamps are available from Patrina Collins for school related correspondence.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIESTEAM LEADERS

Each grade level will have a representative who is responsible for a variety of leadership roles, including but not limited to:•Meeting with administration as scheduled.•Communicating with the grade level by sharing information acquired from Grade Chair meetings.•Coordinating field trips and submit field trip requests. •Sharing with administration the needs and concerns that might arise throughout the year

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA)

It is an expectation that each member of our staff will join the PTA. The PTA is a support mechanism for the school whereby materials can be purchased through fundraisers, parent support can be enlisted, and appreciation lunches for staff are held during the year. PTA funds will be spent in accordance with school-wide goals and the school improvement plan.

The PTA also sponsors school activities throughout the year to enhance our total school program. Some of these programs include campus beautification, PTA meetings, book fairs, parent workshops, and family outings. It is an expectation that staff make every effort to attend these events as the total school benefits from such activities. The number of required after school events will be limited to eight for the year. Because the number has been limited, please make every effort to attend each event.

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM (SLT)

The SLT will meet as scheduled. The purpose of this team is to improve student performance as a whole through open communication and sharing. The driving force behind the SLT is the School Improvement Plan. This document will indicate the direction we need to head in order to continuously improve all aspects of our school. SLT will be comprised of staff members, parents and / or community members.

INTERVENTION TEAM

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The purpose of this team is to intervene when children are having learning problems. Please see the “Student Policies and Procedures” section of this handbook to look up procedures for referring students. This team is made up of the referring teacher, a grade level representative, a facilitator, the counselor, and the school psychologist (as available). Their job is to assist the classroom teacher with research-based interventions that are to be used in the classroom before referring the student to be tested for a disability and/or specific behavior problem.

It is expected that teachers will consult with our counselor regarding when to refer students as soon as problems arise.

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS

The role and the duties of the assistants are crucial in maintaining an excellent program. We will continue to work on information and in-service activities, which include assistants throughout the year. Please remember:

1. The assistant is provided to work with students in reinforcing skills introduced by the teacher. An assistant should not be assigned full time instructional responsibilities for a specific reading group, but may reinforce skills introduced by the teacher.

2. When students are present in the classroom, the assistant should help to monitor instructional and behavioral progress.

3. The teacher and assistant should work together to insure that the assistant is aware of upcoming events in the classroom.

4. Performance appraisal – Instructional assistants will receive one formal evaluation at the end of each school year.

NON-INSTRUCTIONAL DUTIES

In order for us to work as a team, various staff members will have duties and committee assignments. A roster of duty / supervision responsibilities for teacher assistants and support staff will be distributed. • Staff will be asked to supervise movement of students as they enter the building.

They will also monitor breakfast and hallways in order to ensure a safe and orderly environment.

• ALL TEACHERS ARE TO PHYSICALLY BE AT THEIR CLASSROOM DOOR AT 7:15 AM WHEN STUDENTS BEGIN ARRIVING.

• NO STUDENTS ARE TO BE LEFT UNSUPERVISED AT ANY TIME WHILE IN OUR BUILDING.

• ALL STUDENTS WILL MOVE IN PAIRS AND CARRY A HALL PASS WHEN MOVING IN THE HALLWAYS WITHOUT THE CLASS OR A TEACHER PRESENT.

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• Parking lot / car duty will be delegated by the duty roster. The staff member should be on duty from 7:15 – 7:45 am and 2:40 – 3:10 pm. Students should not be left alone outside. When children are not picked up by 3:00 pm, they should be brought back into the building, and turned over to the supervision of the teacher on duty.

• The children will be supervised until their parent signs them out in the office and retrieves the child (ren).

• Support / Special Area staff will have an AM and / or PM duty as assigned.

Every teacher (PK-5) is responsible for walking students to the buses each afternoon. Students should be in line and supervised by the classroom teacher.

OBSERVATIONS & EVALUATIONSPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS

All certified staff will complete a Professional Development Plan (PDP) each year in MyTalent. PDPs are intended to ensure that each certified staff member is working toward his or her own professional development. These will be developed in consultation with the administrative leadership team in light of teacher need, interest, and evidence supported by all available data.

NORTH CAROLINA TEACHER EVALUATION PROCESS

Certified staff members who are renewing or non-career status will be observed by an administrator several times over the course of the year. Some of these observations will be announced while others will be unannounced. Some of these observations will require a pre-conference and post-conference. The North Carolina Teacher Evaluation Process and Rubric, along with MyTalent online system, will be utilized. Training will be available as we engage in this collaborative process. The evaluation schedule will be available to certified staff prior to the start of evaluations.

FACILITATORS, SPEECH, MEDIA, SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST

Specific certified staff positions like literacy facilitators, speech teachers, media specialists, counselors, and school psychologists have unique evaluation instruments. These employees are evaluated using MyTalent.

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTSInstructional Assistants will be evaluated in MyTalent beginning 2014-2015 school year. Additional information will follow.

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