September 8, 2015
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Sullivan County Elementary School. This booklet
is a result of a cooperative effort on the part of the teaching staff of the Sullivan County Elementary School, representatives of the Parent Teacher Organization and the Elementary Principal.
The purpose of this booklet is to give you and your children an
understanding of the general rules and guidelines for attending and
receiving an education in our school. In a case of conflict between a
Board Policy and the provisions of this handbook, the Board Policy most recently adopted by the Board will prevail.
We hope you will read it carefully and place it in a convenient location for quick and easy reference as the need might arise. Please
read the handbook, complete the signature page located in the back
and return it to your child’s teacher.
May we extend to you a cordial invitation to call on any member of our staff whenever you have questions about our educational program and/or your child’s progress. We wish you and your child a successful year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Mary Louise McClintock
Elementary Principal
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Table of Contents
Page1Opening Letter
2Table of Contents
3SCES Staff
4Special Teachers
5Breakfast Program
6Lunch Program
7Admission of Students/Kindergarten
8Schedules
8Computer & Internet Use
9 -13Learning Services/Promotion & Retention Policy 14 Report Cards, Homework, Testing
15Parent Teacher Conferences 16 Attendance 17 Family Trip Policy
18Emergency Drills
18Students of Divorced/Separated Parents
18Child Abuse Reporting
19Reporting of Suspicious Activity
19School Emergency - Delays/Closings
19Student Dress and Grooming
19Surveillance Cameras
20 - 21Medications - Prescription Medications
21Medications Kept by Students 22 Drugs and Alcohol, Tobacco
23Weapons
23Sexual/Unlawful Harassment/Bullying
24 - 25Bus Behavior
26 - 27Bus Discipline
28 - 30Student Behavior
31Searches
32Lockers/Lost & Found
32Care of Property/Student Rights and Responsibilities
33“Hands-On” Statement
33 - 36Special Services & Programs
37Support Services - Learning Support, Speech, Enrichment,
38Elementary Student Assistance Program (SAP)/
Paraprofessionals
39The Library
40Parent Involvement, PTO
41Visitation Regulations
42Parties, Field Trips
43 Intramurals/Hazing
44Affirmative Action/Mission Statement
45Index
46School Calendar
47Signature Page
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Sullivan County Elementary School Staff
2015 - 2016
PrincipalMrs. Mary Louise McClintock
KindergartenMrs. Shanda Devlin
TBA
Mrs. Stacie Peterman
First GradeMrs. Susan Mullen
Mrs. Linda Schaad
Mrs. Amber Strain
Second Grade Miss Beverly Foust
Mrs. Maureen Myers
Third Grade Mrs. Amy Merrell
Mrs. Heidi Snyder
Mrs. Jennifer Wettlaufer
Fourth GradeMrs. Amy Burgett
Mrs. Brandy Walker
Fifth Grade Miss Rosemary Finan
Mrs. Ellen Schaefer
Sixth GradeMs. Debbie Geist
Mrs. Jennifer Freeborn
Learning Support Mrs. Carrie Devlin (K-2)
Mrs. Diana Seery (3-4)
Mr. Brian Heisman (5-6)
Life SkillsMrs. Stacy Stabryla
Title 1 ReadingMrs. Megan Bohensky, Reading Supervisor
Mrs. Mary Reis
Secretary Ms. Nancy Klein
Ms. Lori Kowalski
ParaprofessionalsMrs. Cathy Harriman
Mrs. Brenda Miller
Mrs. Christine Nitcznski
Mrs. Maria Ritinski Ms. Marilyn Sysock
Library Aide Mrs. Kathy Phillips -3-
Special Teachers
2015 - 2016
ArtMrs. Melissa Swift
Music/Chorus/InstrumentalsMs. Sarah Thornton
Physical Education/HealthMrs. Taryn Hill
LibrarianMiss Katie Ellis
Speech Ms. Emily Cipolla
CounselorMrs. Laura Fiester
School Nurse TBA
Health Room AssistantTBA
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BREAKFAST PROGRAM
The START SMART Free Breakfast Program will be served in each classroom every morning before the start of classes. All students will be offered a FREE breakfast daily. It doesn’t matter if your child is eligible for reduced or paid breakfast; they may still have this complete, healthy breakfast free each day.
Eating a nutritious breakfast helps students achieve success in the classroom. National studies consistently confirm that breakfast helps children concentrate, learn, and behave.
Breakfast will be given out in the classroom starting at 8:20 a.m. The breakfast meal will include a breakfast entrée item, milk, and juice.
If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Fitzgerald, your Nutrition Group Food Service Director, by email at or by phone at (570) 946-6020.
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LUNCH PROGRAM
Parents/caregivers are encouraged to promote their child’s participation in the school meal programs.
LUNCH
The school provides a well-balanced lunch program. The current
cost for elementary children is $1.80 per day or $9.00 per week. Reduced lunch price is $.40 per day or $2.00 per week.
Children may prefer to carry their lunch. If students opt to pack a lunch, parents/caregivers are encouraged to provide a healthy alternative. Children carrying lunch may purchase milk for $.50 per day or $2.50 weekly. Children who get free or reduced lunch MUST pay for milk when they carry lunch and choose not to get the school lunch.
Payment for lunch or milk can be made in the cafeteria during lunch. If sending a check, please make it out to “SCSD Cafeteria Fund”. The SullivanCountySchool District uses the SNAP computerized meal cash and accounting debit system. Each child has an account with a private PIN number.
Meal charges may not exceed $7.00. Notification will be made from school when charges reach $3.00, giving notice before the limit is reached. If charges exceed $7.00, an alternate meal will be provided and a mandatory meeting with the parent, child, and building principal will be scheduled.
Snack items, extra beverages, or ala-carte items cost additional money. There must be money in your child’s account or they must have cash in order to purchase these items.
Any questions about SNAP or the cafeteria should be directed to the Food Service Director at 946-6020.
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ADMISSION OF STUDENTS
A child is eligible for admission to kindergarten if s/he has
attained the age of five (5) on or before August 31st. The superintendent or designee shall require that each student who registers for entrance to school exhibit his/her birth certificate or similar documentation as proof
of age and birth date, along with proof of required immunizations.
KINDERGARTEN
The SullivanCountySchool District provides a full day kindergarten program.
Kindergarten is the happy beginning to a lifetime of learning.
It is an area of education where the child is relatively free from
pressure. The pursuit of creativity, exploration, and experimentation is constantly encouraged. It is also an area where habits of acceptable conduct and consideration of others are strongly emphasized. Here,
the individual needs, interests, and abilities of each child are discovered and developed to the fullest possible extent.
Kindergarten lays the foundation of future learning. It provides various experiences through which the child acquires beginning concepts of numbers, language arts, reading, science, social studies,
art, music, physical education, and health. The child learns in kindergarten both as an individual and a member of a group.
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SCHEDULES
The elementary school runs on a six-day cycle. In essence, a
day name does not signify a schedule of classes, rather a day number -
1 through 6. Therefore, to ensure your child is prepared for a class
such as physical education, you must be aware of the day number and the number of the day your child is scheduled for physical education. Your child’s teacher will forward the necessary information to you. There are many advantages to the six-day cycle. Instructional time is evenly distributed among groups of children, and time is not lost
because of holidays or unanticipated school closings.
PRIMARY:
The primary schedule is formulated primarily by the individual teacher. Subjects include a morning and afternoon reading period, a math period, and a special instruction in art, physical education, music, and library. All other subjects are scheduled at the discretion of the teacher. This provides flexibility in meeting expressed interests and needs of the individual child. Many topics in the primary grades are covered on a unit approach, which allows the teacher to concentrate on a given topic for a longer period of time and affords opportunity to explorevarious related subjects.
INTERMEDIATE:
Grades 4, 5, and 6 are departmentalized, with large blocks of time devoted to Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET
It is the student’s responsibility to use computer communication technology in an ethical, responsible, and legal manner for school-related tasks only. Misuse of computer communication technology will result in the user’s access privilege being denied, revoked, or suspended. Misuse may also subject the user to disciplinary action under school policies. In addition, any illegal activities will be reported to the appropriate agencies.
Students are urged to refrain from putting personal information and photographs on the Internet or “chatting” with strangers on their home computers.
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LEARNING SERVICES
Promotion, Retention, and Acceleration.
The District’s expectations are defined by the Performance and State Standards adopted by the Sullivan County Board of Education and SullivanCountySchools in the core discipline areas of English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Retention of students may allow some students additional instructional time at a grade level so that they will have the opportunity to achieve a minimal level of competency in skills that are essential for success at the next grade level.
Promotion of Students with Disabilities.
A student with disabilities, as identified by federal and state statues and regulations, will be subject to promotion criteria appropriate to the student’s age and grade placement unless the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), as developed by the IEP committee, addresses and defines alternative learning goals and promotion standards.
Limits of Retention.
In kindergarten through grade six, a student may not be retained more than once in any one grade. If a student is still functioning significantly below grade level after a retention, an alternative placement will be considered. If retention is being considered, parents will be offered a conference in March.
Kindergarten.
Kindergarten students are expected to learn the pre-literacy and numeracy skills contained in the State and District kindergarten curriculum standards in English/Language Arts and Mathematics. When formal and informal assessments indicate that a kindergarten student is not developmentally ready for first grade, retention shall be considered.
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GRADES ONE THROUGH SIX
Promotion Criteria for Grades One, Two, and Three.
Students in grades one, two, and three are expected to learn, at a
minimum, the English Language Arts curriculum standards, and
Mathematics curriculum standards.
First Grade
To be promoted to second grade:
Criterion 1:
Achieve a D or above in reading as documented through assessments or achieve reading proficiency at a minimum text level of H as defined by Guided Reading.
Criterion 2:
Achieve a D or above in math as documented through assessments.
Second Grade
To be promoted to third grade:
Criterion 1:
Achieve a 70% or above in reading as documented through assessments or achieve reading proficiency at a minimum text level
of L as defined by Guided Reading.
Criterion 2:
Achieve a 70% or above in math as documented through formal and informal assessments.
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Third Grade
To be promoted to fourth grade:
Criterion 1:
Achieve a 70% or above in reading as documented through assessments.
Criterion 2:
Achieve a 70% or above in math as documented through formal and informal assessments.
Promotion Criteria for Grades Four, Five, and Six.
Students in grades four, five, and six are expected to learn, at a minimum, English Language Arts curriculum standards and Mathematics curriculum standards. Students must demonstrate mastery of the grade-level state
curriculum standards and performance standards in Reading/Language Artsand Mathematics by scoring at or above the proficient level on the PSSAor meet the criteria listed below:
Fourth Grade
To be promoted to fifth grade:
Criterion 1:
Achieve a minimum grade average of 70% in math and reading.
Criterion 2:
Achieve satisfactory mastery of the grade-level standards in math and reading based on teacher determination and documentation through formal and informal assessment.
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Fifth Grade
To be promoted to sixth grade:
Criterion 1:
Achieve a minimum grade average of 70% in math and reading.
Criterion 2:
Achieve satisfactory mastery of the grade-level standards in math and reading based on teacher determination and documentation through formal and informal assessment.
SixthGrade
To be promoted to seventh grade:
Criterion 1:
Achieve a minimum grade average of 70% in math and reading.
Criterion 2:
Achieve satisfactory mastery of the grade-level standards in math and reading based on teacher determination and documentation through formal and informal assessment.
Summer School for Kindergarten through Six
A summer school will be provided at parent cost by the District if alternate funding is not available for students in grades kindergarten through six who evidence the greatest need for additional instruction to master grade-level state curriculum standards and district performance standards in English LanguageArts and Mathematics.
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End-of Year Promotion/Retention Status
The following are summary designation and descriptors for end-of-year promotion/retention status of students in grades one through six.
Promoted
The student has met all promotion criteria.
Promoted - Summer School Recommended
If the student has met all promotion criteria, but assessments indicate the student is not performing consistently at grade level, scoring in the
70 - 74% range in English Language Arts, or Mathematics in grades one through six, then the student will be recommended to attend summer school. If the student does not attend summer school, an academic plan will be developed at the beginning of the next school year to accelerate the student’s learning.
Summer School Required
If the student has failed to meet promotion criteria, scoring below 70% in English Language Arts or Mathematics in grades one through six or has failed to satisfy the elements of an academic plan for the current year, then the student will be required to attend summer school and show substantialprogress in the areas of substandard performance. The student will be promoted to the next grade at the end of summer school. If the student attends summer school and shows minimal or no progress in the areasof substandard performance, the student will be retained and an academic plan will be developed by the school at the beginning of the next school year to accelerate the student’s learning. If the student does not attend summer school, the student will be retained in the same grade for the next school year and an academic plan will be developed by the school at the beginning of the next school year to accelerate the student’s learning.
Retention
If the student has failed to meet promotion criteria, scoring below 70% in English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades one through six, then the student will be encouraged to attend summer school as an academic assistance strategy to accelerate student learning, but the student will not be promoted to the next grade at the end of summer school. Progress achieved in summer school will be documented in thestudent’s academic plan for the subsequent school year.
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REPORT CARD POLICY
Report cards are issued four times during the school term for grades K - 6. Your child is graded on the basis of his/her performance as compared with the general expected academic achievement of students at his/her grade level.
HOMEWORK
We, the staff, consider homework as an enriching activity, a reinforcement of what has been presented during the day, and/or a
preparation for tomorrow’s lesson.
Homework assignments should be able to be completed independently. In the case of preparatory-type homework, your child will be provided with a purpose for the assignment. This might include the main ideas of what is read or the key vocabulary words in the assignments.
The question of the amount of time a child should spend on homework is debatable, for it varies from individual to individual. The amount of homework assigned should not exceed 10 minutes per
grade. For example, third grade should not exceed 30 minutes; sixth grade should not exceed 60 minutes.
TESTING
Achievement and State testing is conducted in grades two through
six each spring. Parents have the right to review the assessments two weeks prior to their administration. If parents find the assessments in conflict with their religious beliefs, they may request in writing to have their children excused from the tests.
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PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parents and Teachers Must Become Partners
A parent-teacher conference is a two-way exchange of information
about your child. It serves as a supplement to the report card. It
provides you with an opportunity to ask the many questions which
you might have concerning the school’s curriculum and your child’s progress, both academically and socially.
For the teacher it is an opportunity to learn more about the needs of
your child. You and the teacher can share ideas.
In essence, both you and the teacher are working toward the same
goal -- the best possible education for your child. By getting together and talking things over, the reaching of this goal is more likely to
become a reality.
In the primary grades opportunity for parent-teacher conferences are planned once a year. These are usually held some time near the
middle of the year. In addition, you should feel free, when a need
arises, to contact the teacher to arrange any additional conferences.
The teacher may also find it necessary to request additional
conferences with you.
Although we have not instituted formally scheduled conferences at
the intermediate level, you should feel free to request conferences. Teachers may also invite you to meet with them.
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ATTENDANCE
It is important that your child be in school every day, in order