CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Central High School’s mission is for each student to achieve the academic and social skills necessary to be competitive in a global environment and to be successful workers, citizens, and lifelong learners through the completion of all graduation requirements and participation in co-curricular and extracurricular learning experiences.

It is the vision of Central High School to be the high school of choice through the achievement of the highest levels of academic, personal, and professional standards for all students. By enhancing our tradition of excellence, graduates of Central High School will continue to be successful citizens and leaders of tomorrow.

Ò  Each student is unique with individual worth.

Ò  Student achievement is the nucleus around which all decisions are made.

Ò  Students are successful in a safe, supportive environment that promotes student achievement and aids them in developing to their full potential.

Ò  Research based, data-driven decisions facilitate the continuous improvement of student achievement which will lead to the elimination of the achievement gap.

Ò  Students achieve best when instruction and assessment techniques are varied and when consideration is given to each students’ individual needs.

Ò  The policies and procedures of Central High School enhance students’ academic achievement and social skills and enable them to become successful citizens.

Ò  Student achievement is the focus of communication, shared decision-making and collaboration between parents, students, school personnel, and the community.

ATTENDANCE

Student Attendance

Questions regarding student attendance should be directed to Ms. Gathing or Ms. Cole in the attendance office and/or the Assistant Principal in charge of the relevant grade level (9th Ms. Dennis and Mr. Applewhite, 11th Mr. McClelland, 12th Ms. Epps, and 10th TBD).

State law and local school board policy determine satisfactory absences. If you have questions about a student’s absence, please contact the attendance office. First period teachers should encourage students to bring notes on the FIRST DAY THE STUDENT RETURNS TO SCHOOL. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY NOTES AFTER THAT 3 SCHOOL DAY TIMEFRAME. Any absences not properly excused within the given time frame will be recorded as unexcused.

Excused Absences

·  Note by parent for personal illness

·  Note by parent for illness in immediate family

·  Note by parent for death in immediate family

·  Doctor’s statement

·  School approved activity (Mark present if student is on a field trip list. Write “field trip” in comment section.)

·  Court appearance with official note from court

Unexcused Absences

·  No note

·  Note citing something other than an excusable reason

Please note the following:

  1. If a student does not bring a note after returning from an absence, the absence is considered unexcused.
  2. If a student comes into class with an excused note after being issued an unexcused absentee report, the teacher will issue the student a replacement form to be signed by all teachers.
  3. Attach the note to the back of the original copy of the Student Absentee Report and send it along with the yellow copy to the attendance office.
  4. Give the pink copy to the student to carry to his/her subject teachers.

HELPFUL HINTS

·  Check attendance carefully each class, each day.

·  Check your email daily for field trip lists.

·  Check closely all tardies and dismissals.

(a)  Admission to class/check-out slips

(b)  Dismissal from school/check-out slips

·  Check the absentee list daily and send all students whose names appear on the absentee list to the attendance office to check in.

·  Send the names of students who are absent, but are not on the absentee list, to the attendance office.

Absences from Class

Each teacher should receive a daily absentee list during the third period. Only students NOT on the absentee list should be reported to the attendance office for being absent. Students’ names who are absent from class but not listed on the absentee list or another excused list should be reported to the attendance office.

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL TARDY POLICY

Class Tardies:

Students must be on time to every class period. Students who are late will receive three warnings during a nine week period. Teachers need to make initial parent contact for any student who has issues with tardiness to class. Anytime a student is late, he/she must report to Pupil Services to receive an admit to class immediately upon arrival. Following are the consequences for tardies to class:

Tardy to School / Tardy to Class
3rd Tardy – Overnight Suspension / 3rd Tardy – Overnight Suspension
6th Tardy – Overnight Suspension / 5th Tardy – Overnight Suspension
9th Tardy – One Day Suspension / 6th Tardy – One Day Suspension

Dismissing Students

Only the office or the principal has the authority to release students from school for any reason. Protect yourself by not assuming this responsibility. Never give students permission to leave campus under any circumstances.

Students are not to be in the halls during instructional periods without a hall pass and should only be allowed to leave the room in case of an emergency. Setting strong expectations early for being in class, prepared, at the bell will eliminate the need for students to make in-class trips to lockers, etc. for supplies.

Students are not to be in the building after school except under the direct, personal supervision of a teacher. Please be aware of family transportation arrangements when asking students to remain after school and never prohibit a student from calling home to make arrangements in this regard.

Students must be dismissed promptly at the end of each period to report to the next class. Each teacher is entitled to her/his proper time with the students.

Send any ill and/or injured students to the Attendance Office. The supervising teacher must submit an accident report when any personal injury occurs. Do not ever administer medication, only first aid.

FACULTY ATTENDANCE

Sign in

All teachers are required to sign in each morning as soon as they arrive at school and should be signed in no later than 6:45 a.m. Teachers are not allowed to sign in for each other. Habitual tardiness on the part of teachers is a condition that will be dealt with on an individual basis by the administration.

All classrooms should be opened no later than 6:50 a.m. and the teacher should be visible in the doorway of the classroom no later than 6:55 a.m. to greet students and assist in monitoring the hallway.

When a substitute is needed, please follow the procedure outlined below:

  1. Have a detailed copy of your weekly lesson plan, a seating chart, and a copy of your class rolls in the top left-hand corner of your desk drawer. This is essential. Substitutes are not to create their own lesson plans. It is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure that lesson plans are readily available for substitutes in ALL situations. If you are unable to physically leave/bring lesson plans, please utilize fax or e-mail to get the lesson plans to the school in a timely manner.
  2. Absences can be scheduled on-line or by calling the computerized substitute system at 452-2000.
  3. Be sure to call the substitute system at before 5:30 a.m. when possible.
  4. Calling the system as soon as possible, but not later than 9:00 p.m. on the day prior to the absence is imperative so that the system will have time to search for a substitute.

5.  Make every effort to secure a substitute through first hand contact before leaving a job open.

  1. If you will be out on consecutive days, call the school before 1:15 p.m. regarding your status for the next day.
  2. Advance notice of days to be missed for doctors’ appointments or any other reason would be greatly appreciated. (Documentation may be required)

Teacher Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary to maintain instruction at its highest level, therefore it is essential that teachers understand the importance of being at school every day. Coaches or club sponsors who cannot attend school should not attend after-school athletic or school-sponsored events.

Faculty Meetings

All teachers are expected to attend faculty meetings and professional learning community meetings. Unless an unusual situation arises, faculty meetings will be scheduled for Wednesday afternoons. Teachers are expected to keep Wednesday afternoons open for possible faculty meetings.

E-Mail Communications

All teachers are expected to check E-mail at least twice a day for communications from the office. It is essential that every teacher utilize E-mail for keeping up with memos, etc. from Mr. McCullough and others.

Leaving Campus

Please check with your administrator if you have to leave campus. If they are not available check with Mr. McCullough. Please check with an administrator before leaving campus. Teachers must come to the main office to sign themselves out in the teacher check-in and out computer system. If you return that day please sign back in through the same system. Please do not ask office personnel to sign you out.

Dress Requirements

In an effort to create a truly professional environment at Central, teachers are expected to dress professionally at all times. Teachers should keep in mind that they are role models for a very impressionable, adolescent audience and that their manner of dress should reflect their professional status. School shirts are encouraged on Fridays. Shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, and jeans are not considered professional dress and should not be worn on normal school days when students are present. Work attire should be business/casual.

Lunch Procedures

We have a closed lunch campus. The cafeteria is available for teacher lunches, as is the Teachers’ Lounge on the 2nd floor. In an effort to minimize hall traffic during lunch periods, please do not send students to the cafeteria to get food for you.

Telephone/Messages

Teacher telephone messages will be placed in teacher boxes. Teachers will be called to the telephone only in an emergency. The caller must state the nature of the emergency. Teachers should check their boxes during the day and before leaving in the afternoon.

Change in Location

If your class is not meeting in the usual place on a specific day, it is important to let the office know where the class is meeting and to place a note on the door in case we need to locate a student.

Classrooms

All teachers should see that their rooms are kept in proper order. This will greatly enhance the learning environment and will also aid in the cleaning of the room. Always keep doors locked when not in use.

Field Trips

Due to the overwhelming number of field trip requests and the new requirements, we’re asking your assistance in the timely and efficient processing of your requests. Please follow the schedule below when requesting approval:

Requests for the Month of: Deadline:

September – May TBD

All field trip requests along with the supporting documentation must be mailed or hand delivered. Please do not fax your requests to the regional office.

·  Field trip requests will be mailed or faxed to your school after they are reviewed.

·  Out of town requests must be approved by Ms. Battle prior to PACE’s approval.

·  SAC care requests must be approved by the SAC office prior to Ms. Battle’s approval.

·  Field trip requests received after the due date will not be approved.

·  Please share this information with your teachers and clerical staff.

The following trips will not be approved:

·  Skating

·  Bowling

·  Theme parks (except on educational days- no water activities )

·  LaserQuest

·  Incredible Pizza

·  Movies (except G-rated)

Supplies

Duplicating paper for the copiers will be located in the teacher workroom. Other supplies will be ordered based on budgetary considerations and documented need.

Mail Service

Board of Education mail is picked up at 10:30 a.m. each day in the main office. Teacher’s mail will be placed in their individual boxes. Any outgoing district mail should be placed in the mailbag on the counter.

U.S Mail is also picked up daily in the main office. Any outgoing U.S. mail should be placed in the wire basket on the counter.

School Activity Calendar / Event Planning

Any class or organization planning an event must submit it in writing by e-mail to Mr. McCullough before making any plans.

School Property

It is every teacher’s responsibility to see that school property is not mishandled and any cases of misuse or abuse of school property should be reported to the office immediately. Damaged property, broken glass, stair rails, etc. should be reported to the Principal. Equipment designated for school use is not to be taken home for personal use by teachers or students.

Smoking

All staff are prohibited from smoking in the building or on the campus.

Responsibilities Outside of the Classroom

All teachers have the responsibility for ensuring that order is maintained both inside and outside of the classroom. Teachers must step outside their classroom doors between class periods and always be consistent with school policies and procedures.

Security

Care should be taken to safeguard money and valuables at all times. Teachers should be alert to strangers in the building or on the school property. Any teacher, who observes a non-student in the building or on campus, should notify the office immediately. It is imperative that all purses, etc. are secured at all times. Never leave personal belongings easily accessible.

Copy Machines

There are copy machines in the teacher’s workroom, teacher’s lounge, and 308 each teacher will be assigned a code in order to make copies. Do not share your code with any other faculty member. Copies are very expensive; therefore careful consideration should be given to teach strategies which require students to write information and require the minimum number of copies to have effective instruction. Daily copying of worksheets is not only a poor teaching strategy; it is extremely expensive. Please note that the copy machine in the main office is for administrative use only. All copying of instructional and/or other materials must be done before or after school, or during planning periods. Do not ever leave your homeroom or classes to copy materials. Do not send students with items to be copied to the main office or Pupil Services to have copies made by office personnel.