Florence Elementary School Parent Handbook

2013-2014

Knights ROCK!

R Respect

O Own Your Actions—Be Responsible! C Character Counts! K Keep Expectations High—Be Ready!

Working together toward a rewarding and successful school year!

August 14, 2013 Dear Parents, On behalf of the entire staff and educational family, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to Florence Elementary School for the 2013-2014 school year. We will make every effort to provide a positive learning experience for your child in a safe and secure environment. The purpose of this handbook is to communicate the general information you need to know to have a successful year. This includes information dealing with school hours, absentee policies, dispensing medication, etc. This handbook will also assist you in understanding the school’s expectations of appropriate behaviors and the consequences of inappropriate behaviors. Please carefully read the handbook and discuss it with your child. After you have read the handbook, please sign and have your child sign the confirmation sheet located in the back of the handbook. Please instruct your child to return the confirmation sheet to his/her classroom teacher by the end of the first week of school. Also, all school fees are due by the end of the 2nd week of school. We are pleased to have your child as a student at Florence Elementary School and look forward to working together with you in making this a positive and successful school year for you and your child. Sincerely, Lisa Resing, Principal Florence Elementary School 859-282-2610 Lisa.resing@boone.kyschools.us

Boone County Schools District Calendar

2013-2014

August 13 Opening Day for Teachers

August 14 First Day for Students

September 2 Labor Day— No School

October 11 & 14 No School for Students

November 5 No school for Students

November 27-29 Thanksgiving Break—No School

December 23—January 3 Winter Break (Students Return

to School January 6)

January 6 School Resumes from Winter Break

January 20 No School for Students

February 17 No School for Students

March 14 No School for Students

April 7 –11 Spring Break—No School

April 18 No School Students

May 21 *Last Day for Students

May 22—June 5 Makeup Days Due to Missed School

*Last day of school to be determined based on snow days.

MISSION STATEMENT

Building the foundation for lifelong learning.

SCHOOL VISION

Florence Elementary School is a community of learners dedicated to equipping students with 21st

century skills to be college and career ready by maximizing student achievement through staffing and

scheduling.

ASSURANCE STATEMENT

This parent handbook assures that discipline will be fair and no person will be discriminated

against because of his/her race, color, sex, national origin, handicap, or ancestry. Due process will be

followed according to Kentucky Revised Statutes.

BENCHMARK GOALS

1. Staff will develop a plan to provide consistent, focused services to targeted populations.

2. Faculty will develop and implement a continuous progressive curriculum.

3. Teachers will receive training and develop units/lessons to implement levels of cognition and best

practices.

SCHOOL SAFETY

At Florence Elementary School it is the goal of all stakeholders to provide the safest environment

possible. Outside of this goal, the learning process is hindered and academic success is greatly

compromised. Therefore, we stand committed to insuring student safety and security. Please do not be

offended to show a picture ID to staff members upon request.

SCHOOL HOURS

* Students cannot be dropped off until after 8:10 AM *

8:10—8:30 AM - Breakfast served to students

8:45 AM - School announcements & FES TV begins

8:55 AM - Instructional day begins (must be in classroom

or student will be considered tardy. If student arrives after 8:55 a.m., parents must

come into the office and sign student in).

12:03 PM - Morning kindergarten ends (A.M. parent pickup

is located outside gymnasium doors).

12:32 PM - Afternoon kindergarten begins

3:35 PM - Afternoon announcements

3:40 PM - School day ends (P.M. K-5th grade parent pickup

is located outside gymnasium doors).

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

All students are required to attend school regularly and be on time. Students must be in their classroom at

8:55 a.m. If student is not in the classroom by 8:55 a.m., he/she will be considered tardy and must be

signed in by parent/guardian.

Students must have a written excuse when absent from school which includes the date and reason. A

parent has a maximum of five (5) school days to turn in an absence note. Students who do not bring

in notes for absences are regarded as UNEXCUSED.

Make-up of homework and tests assigned on the day of an unexcused absence are at the discretion of the

classroom teacher.

Any student who has been absent or tardy without a valid excuse for three (3) or more events is onsidered

truant and will receive an attendance letter.

A pupil who has been reported as a truant two (2) or more times, “six (6) events” or “six (6) tardies,” is a

habitual truant and subject to court action.

Absence for 59 minutes or less shall be considered tardiness.

Students considered truant will be reported to the building administration and referred to the District

Truancy Prevention Team for appropriate action to be taken.

After a student is absent eight (8) days with an excused note from the parent within the current school year,

a doctor’s note will be required for any future absences. If a doctor’s note is not sent to school, all

subsequent absences will be unexcused.

LICE POLICY

Absences from school due to head lice infestation will be considered excused the day the child is sent home and

one day following (for a maximum of two (2) days); a total of two (2) “incidents” will be excused per school

year. Absences and/or incidents occurring after that time will be considered unexcused. EXCUSED ABSENCE: The following situations are recognized as reasons for an excused absence: Illness of student

Death, severe illness or birth in the student’s immediate family

Religious holidays or practices

One (1) day for attendance at the Kentucky State Fair

Other valid reasons as determined by the building administration NOTIFICATION OF STUDENT ABSENCE:

The student’s parent/guardian shall notify the school stating the reason for the student’s absence. Every

effort should be made by the parent/guardian to notify the school before school begins at 8:55 a.m. Students who

arrive tardy must be signed in to school by the parent/guardian before going to class. Failure to sign the

student in will result in an unexcused tardy or event. Notes will not be accepted. Tips for Developing a Positive Attitude Toward School Attendance Stress the importance of attending school with your child. Attendance is a critical part of your child’s

education.

Provide your child with ample time in the morning to get ready for school without stress.

Make every effort to schedule doctor, dentist, and other appointments before and after school hours.

Refuse to write excuses for anything other than legitimate reasons for an absence.

Refuse to view tardiness as acceptable behavior and discourage early checkouts before school is

dismissed for the day.

Plan family vacations in accordance with the school calendar.

Use good judgment. Please don’t send a child to school that is ill (student must be fever free for 24 hours

before returning to school).

SCHOOL VISITOR POLICY The safety and welfare of our students is top priority for the staff and administrative team at Florence

Elementary School. To ensure the safety and welfare of our students all visitors must report to the office upon

entering the building and register on the visitor sign-in sheet before leaving the office. After signing in, you will

receive a visitors pass to wear while you are in the building. Anyone who is not wearing a visitor’s pass must

report to the office. You are only permitted to go to the area designated on the sign in sheet. Visiting any

classroom is by appointment ONLY and should be made with the classroom teacher prior to the visit.

STUDENT ENROLLMENT/INFORMATION CARD

The parent/guardian is required to complete a Student Enrollment/Emergency Card for each child. The

information requested on the card will enable staff members to contact you in case of an emergency. All names and

phone numbers listed on the card must be updated as changes occur. Emergency contacts will be contacted ONLY

if the parent/guardian cannot be reached. Emergency contacts are for emergency situations only and these

contacts are not authorized to pick a student up at any other time without written permission from the

parent/guardian.

STUDENT ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL

Students may be dropped off at school after 8:10 a.m. Breakfast is served to students between 8:10

a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Students must be in the breakfast line by 8:30 a.m. to eat breakfast.

EARLY DISMISSAL

When a student needs to be picked up early from school please send a note to the teacher so that

preparations can be made. On the note, state the child’s full name, dismissal time and the name of the person

picking the student up. Please sign and date the note as well. The person picking up the student must show

identification. Please do not call ahead for your child to be waiting in the office as students will not be called down

until the parent has arrived. Please remember that we will not release your child to anyone other than the

parent/guardian without prior written consent from you. This policy is strictly followed to ensure the safety

of the child.

STUDENT PICK-UP AFTER SCHOOL

The end of the school day is at 3:40 p.m. Please be prompt when picking up your child. Student pick up

is in the gymnasium. The doors to the gym open at approximately 3:35 p.m. and the person picking up the student

will sign their name on the parent pick up list and proceed to the gym to find the student. We must have written

consent if anyone other than the parent/guardian picks up the student. Please bring your identification when

picking a student up, as you will be asked to show it. We understand that unexpected situations arise and that there

may be times when a student, who is normally a bus rider, will need to be picked up instead of riding the bus home.

In this case, please send a note to school stating that the student will be a parent pick up. If the unexpected situation

arises during the school day and a note was not sent to school, the office must be notified of the change before

3:00 p.m. The person picking the student up should arrive no later than 3:35 p.m. Parents coming in at the last

minute requesting that their child be taken off the bus once dismissal has begun will be denied. Please call the

office at 859-282-2610 if you will be late picking up your child.

LOST & FOUND

Each day, items such as coats, books, etc., are lost and found and turned into the Lost & Found bin. These

items are previewed each morning on the FES morning program but most items are never claimed by students. If a

student loses an item, it will be the parent’s responsibility to come to the school to identify and claim the item(s).

Notices will be sent home to all parents advising you of the date unclaimed items will be sent out of the school for

donation. Items found with student’s names clearly written will be given back to homeroom teachers.

STUDENT WITHDRAWAL

If a student moves out of Florence Elementary School district, the parent/guardian must officially withdraw

the child from school. To complete the withdrawal process, the following steps must be taken:

Complete a withdrawal form

Pay all fees and lunch charges.

Return all text books, library books and materials which have been loaned to the student. All items must

be returned in good condition.

If you are unsure if your relocation requires a student withdraw, please contact our school office.

DRESS AND APPEARANCE

Students should be dressed and groomed to compliment the school environment. Students and their

clothing should be neat and clean in appearance and clothing should fit appropriately. The following attire is

prohibited, but not limited to, oversized, baggy pants or sweatshirts; clothing and accessories having obscene, crude,

or rude pictures or sayings; bare-feet, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, or wheelies; bare torso, spaghetti-straps, tank tops;

short shorts; hats or caps; distracting hair dyes such as green, blue, red, purple, orange, etc.; sunglasses; anything

that constitutes a risk of distraction to the educational process. Appropriate shorts are permitted the first twenty (20)

days of school and the Monday following spring break until the end of the school year. Please dress your child

appropriate for the weather.

TEXTBOOKS

Student textbooks are provided at no cost. However, if a textbook is lost or damaged the student’s

parent/guardian is expected to pay for it.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Please label your child’s belongings such as backpacks, jackets, lunch boxes, etc. A list of school

supplies for each grade level is available in the main office, on the office website or in most major department

stores. Every classroom will have a pencil sharpener for the student’s use so there will be NO personal pencil

sharpeners allowed by students.

FIELD TRIPS - PARENTS

Any adult attending a field trip must have a background check. Background checks must be done

annually. It is our policy that all students be permitted to attend educational field trips and not be excluded due to

financial hardship. Parents receiving financial assistance for field trips must make an attempt to reimburse Florence

Elementary as soon as reasonably possible the entire cost of the trip. Parents wishing to chaperone their child on a

field trip do not qualify for financial assistance under this program.

BAKED GOODS POLICY

For the safety and welfare of all students, it is the policy of Florence Elementary that all baked goods must

be store bought and wrapped. Due to special activities that are conducted throughout the school year, this policy

can be waived on those occasions by the Principal or Assistant Principal with agreement by the teacher(s).

SITE BASED DECISION MAKING COUNCIL (SBDM)

Florence Elementary SBDM Meetings

Monthly, 2nd

Monday, 4:00 p.m. Main Office

July 9

August 5 (1st Monday)

September 9

October 15 (Tuesday)

November 11

December 9

January 13

February 10

March 10

April 14

May 12

If any meeting is ever inconvenient for a parent, please contact the office. It may be possible to adjust

the time so that parents can be heard and their input considered. Thank you!

*FLORENCE ELEMENTARY WEBSITE: www.florence.boone.kyschools.us

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Extended School Services and Enrichment Programs

Our Afterschool and Summer Enrichment Programs have been developed to provide instructional and

related services for all students who desire to improve their academic achievement levels and to provide assistance

in specific subject areas. These programs will allow students to continue to improve their academic performance

levels. The student selection for these programs is based on teacher recommendation, class work, and test scores.

Our enrichment programs are provided to all students to allow the students to achieve at their highest levels.

Gifted and Talented Educational Services (GATES)

The mission of GATES is to provide opportunities and assist each student to acquire a superior education

and love of learning through visionary leadership, productive management of resources and exemplary services for

all students in alliance with school personnel, parents, and members of the community.

English Language Learner (ELL) Program

ELL Students are those who speak a language other than English at home and are not yet fully proficient in

English. The ELL Program has two goals: 1) to build students' English proficiency levels in order to communicate

effectively 2) to facilitate students' success in mastering academic content material. The ELL Teachers

and Para-educators provide services to students who qualify via direct instruction and/or collaborative services

with classroom teachers.

Family Resource Center

The Family Resource Center is provided to enhance the student’s ability to succeed in school by assisting

children, youth, and families in meeting some of their needs. Family assistance will be coordinated through

community service, through the center or by linking families to agencies in their community. The Family Resource

Center provides assistance with referrals to individual counseling, referrals to drug and alcohol services, clothes,

workshops on various topics of interest to parents, accessing services for children in need, referrals to parenting

skills classes, improved medical/health service, emergency assistance/basic needs, school supplies and home visits

to assist parents with accessing their areas of need. The FRC phone number is 282-2156.

Florence Elementary Child Development Center

The child development center was established to provide extended learning opportunities for our preschool

and kindergarten students (3—5 years) and to provide before and after school services for our children (5-11 years).

Children ages 2 to 5 who are siblings of FES students or children of staff for the neighboring Boone County Schools

are also a part of our mission. Our “hands on” approach provides each child with a strong foundation for

developing their social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills. If you have any questions about the child

development center please call 859-282-4673.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

There may be occasions that school is delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather. In this case, parents

and students should tune to a major television or radio station for school delays or closings. Please be sure to listen

for Boone County Schools. Florence Elementary may also make an automated phone call when there is a school

closing or delay. Please be sure to keep the office updated with any phone number changes throughout the year so

that you can receive automated messages. GRADING SCALE Primary grades (K-3) will receive narrative report cards showing the child’s level of success with essential

skills. Traditional grading begins when the student enters 4th

grade.

Grading Scale for 4th

& 5th

Grades

94% - 100% A

87% - 93% B

78% - 86% C

70% - 77% D

69% & lower

HOMEWORK Our school-wide homework policy is appropriate for each child. Please be sure to check with your child’s

teacher to have a thorough understanding of the guidelines and goals of their homework policy. A student may

make up homework if he/she was absent and has an excused absence. This will require a written note from the

parent or doctor’s excuse. If your child is absent for more than one (1) day and you would like to pick up

homework, please call the office before 10:00 a.m. to allow the teacher ample time to gather the work.

STUDENT E-MAIL Our curriculum requires that each student have an email account at Florence Elementary. ANIMALS AT SCHOOL Animals are not permitted in or outside the school building without permission from the Principal.

CAFETERIA

Breakfast and Lunch Prices

Student Breakfast $1.00 Reduced Student breakfast $ .30

Student Lunch $2.00 Reduced Student lunch $ .40

Visitor Breakfast $1.50 Visitor Lunch $3.00

The cafeteria serves breakfast to students between 8:10 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be served to

preschool students and students in 1st—5th grade. Breakfast will be served to morning kindergarten and lunch to

afternoon kindergarten. Students dropped off by a parent after 8:30 a.m. will not be allowed to eat breakfast unless

given permission by the Principal. Any student on a late bus will be allowed to go to breakfast. When we have a

one or two hour delay, breakfast will not be served. Breakfast cannot be charged, nor can extras such as ice cream,

fruit rollups, chips, etc.

All students should have a lunch from home or purchase a school lunch. Parents may not bring in fast

food or sodas for their children for lunch. If a child is required to skip a meal for a medical or religious reason, we

must have a note from the parent.

Parents are welcome to eat with their children. You must sign in at the office and receive a visitor’s pass

and report only to the cafeteria. State and District policy states that parents and adults entering the public

schools to eat or attend functions with their children are to have no interaction with other students. This

policy will be strictly enforced. A parent is not to report to the classroom before or after the breakfast/lunch period.

*702 KAR 6:090 Competitive Food and Beverage Sales and Service requirement states,” this regulation is necessary

to ensure that students have the opportunity to fully avail themselves of at least one meal planned with their dietary

and nutritional needs in mind. The sale or serving of any food or beverage item in competition with the School

Breakfast Program or the National School Lunch Program will be prohibited on the school campus during the school

day until one half hour after the last lunch serving period.

FIRST AID

The school First Aid office is provided for any student who is ill, injured, needs to take medication, or

requires medical attention. Students may take non-prescription medication brought from home with a

completed consent form signed by the parent. Prescription medication requires a physician’s signature.

The following conditions also apply:

The medication must be brought to school in the original prescription container

Information listed on the container must include the student’s name and the prescribed dosage

No more than one (1) week’s supply shall be sent at any time

Under procedures developed by the Superintendent, a student may be permitted to carry medication that

has been prescribed or ordered by a physician to stay on or with the student during a pressing need, (i.e. an asthma

inhaler).

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES

If any student is known or suspected to have or be infected with a communicable disease or condition for

which a reasonable probability for transmission exists in a school setting, the Superintendent may order the student

excluded from school. The time period the student is excluded from school shall be in accordance with generally

medical standards which the Superintendent shall obtain after consultation with the student’s physician, the local

health officer, or the Kentucky Department of Health Services.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As the parent(s) or guardian of ______________________, we

have read and discussed the Parent Handbook with our child and we

understand the general information, school rules, and regulations of

Florence Elementary School.

Parent Signature

Parent Signature

Student Signature

Date

Please detach and return this form to the homeroom teacher. Thank

you!