It Is the Duty of Each Employee to Sign-In Daily on Their Arrival to School. It Is Advised

SIGN-IN

It is the duty of each employee to sign-in daily on their arrival to school. It is advised that upon arrival, you report to the office before going on duty or to your classroom. Make sure you sign-in“only” for yourself. Everyone is expected to be signed in and at their designated location no later than 7:15 unless you have morning duty. Please be punctual, for that will get your day started on a positive note. Remember, to be on time is to be late. All time is based on the master clock located in the main office!

ABSENCE

The goal of each employee should be perfect attendance at the workplace. Since situations do occur from time to time, 97% should be our minimum attendance effort. If you are to be absent, notify the sub-line or/and the substitute. A number must be issued for the absence. It is your responsibility to enter this information into the system. After this is done,please make sure to notify me at 626-1634 to inform me of the absence. If this is not done you will be issued a Code 12. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO DISCUSSION!!!!

If a personal day is going to be taken, submit it in writing at least one working day in advance (24 hrs.) of the date. No personal day will be granted unless this procedure is followed. The personal day option is one per semester and unused days will automatically be applied towards your retirement. Personal days cannot be taken during in-service, critical or administrative days, or on either side of a holiday. Any absence in excess of four (4) total days (cumulative) should be accompanied by a doctor’s statement. Unless you have secured a substitute for a half-day absence, it is advised that you take the full day.

WORK DAY

For teachers, under regular conditions, the day starts at 7:15 a.m. and continues until 2:30 p.m. Before and after-school duties or activities related to the school program are a part of a teacher’s professional responsibility. Teachers shall assume these responsibilities as necessary and/or assigned by the principal.

FACULTY MEETING

These meetings are held on Wednesday beginning at 2:40 p.m. It is strongly advised that you do not make any plans or appointments on Wednesday afternoons. If you do, please make them late enough to ensure that you are present the entire meeting. Meeting times will very seldom extend past 1 hr. All meetings are required for all. It’s always better to get information first hand! During this time place all cell phones on silent to ensure the meeting is not interrupted nor shall there be any texting!

EARLY DEPARTURES

Any departure from campus during operating hours is strictly prohibited unless it is of a professional nature that relates to the operation of school business. All early departures must be treated as absences, whether full or half day. However; emergencies will be handled on an individual basis directly through the principal.

SUBSTITUTES

Whenever an employee is absent, a substitute will be used to ensure that the proper daily care to the task is continued. Therefore; detailed instructions should be left for them to follow. We cannot afford for our subs to become sitters-for-a-day. The principal or designee will observe and collect feedback from the sub at the end of the day. The summary of the observation and feedback will be shared with the teacher upon their return.

REPORT CARDS

Report card information should be entered into the system no later than five (5) days following the closeof the reporting period.

TEXTBOOKS

Record keeping is essential in keeping up with all books. These books must last for at least five years. Whatever the method, accountability is with the teacher. Whenever books leave your room, there should be a documented record as to who is responsible for its return. Notices are to be sent home immediately when a student cannot account for a book. We do not have to wait until the end of the year to make this observation. These notices can be sent as well as mailed to the home. At the end of the year, I want to account for every book checked out to you.

AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES

To maintain a balance in the operational process of a school, it is sometimes necessary to have activities that extend beyond normal school hours. As an educator, it is a part of your professional responsibilities to avail yourselves to these activities. Whenever the doors are opened, it is expected that you will be in attendance.

PURCHASES

Each teacher is allotted $400.00 each year to go towards instruction. Of the amount, $300.00 can be spent as you wish, while the remaining $100.00 must be pooled together for an overall common purpose. Your $300.00 should be spent as of the Christmas break. As of January 1st, all remaining money again becomes part of the school’s general budget. Utilize requisition forms when needing supplies ordered from the warehouse. You may also purchase supplies from other sources using a purchase order # issued by the finance secretary. The buyer will pay the excess for any purchase(s) that exceeds their allotted amount.

*All purchases or services of anything other than the supplies previously mentioned must be approved in advance. Without proper prior approval, you assume responsibility of the bill.

COURTESY DUES

It is encouraged that every member of the staff pays their dues to the committee. No one is exempted from situations that occur in life. Sooner or later you will be serviced by this function. An effort of 100% cooperation towards this very worthy service would be appreciated. If you choose not to participate, these services cannot be extended to you. Passing the hat in an eventful situation should not be an option. Dues should be paid prior to October 1st.

P.A.USAGE

The intercom system will be used for basic daily announcements and emergency communications. From time to time, it may be necessary to inform the entire school body of unforeseen events. Situations other than the previously mentioned will be handled through some other method of communications. It is necessary for you to have any announcements for the dayinto the office no later than 7:25 a.m.

TELEPHONE CALLS, MESSAGES & CELLUAR PHONES

All calls received during instructional time will be recorded and placed in your box. During your break or before you leave for the day, it is advised to check your box for any messages. Your voicemail information should be forwarded to those that may be in need of it. In the event of an absolute emergency, the information will be forwarded to your location immediately. The telephone located on the counter and in your classroom is for courtesy use. Please limit the number & length of your calls to a presentable frame.

Do not allow students in your room to answer the telephone and please do not use personal cellular phones during instructional time. Cell phones are to be placed on silent or vibrate at all times!!

LESSON PLANS

Plans for the week should be kept on your desk or an area that is easily accessible to those that would like to view them. Lesson plans can be found on-line in Learning Village. These plans can be edited to include accommodations while at the same time supporting interventions for differentiated instruction. Remember, a chain is only as strong as the weakest link!

PLANNING AND INSTRUCTION

Teachers should spend adequate time to systematically plan for each lesson. Time-on-task is an essential element to student success. The majority of each day should be spent on engagement rate. The viewing of videos, taking trips or using guest speakers should coincide with your instruction. Assessments, both pre- and post should be a part of your instructional delivery as well as a component of a student’s STAR document. Standards and objectives should be posted daily for student and visitor observation. The level of student achievement should be measurable in a format with a beginning assessment as well as an ending assessment. Assessments should be the guiding force of your instruction. All videos or DVD’s viewed should come from the district’s approved library.

RECORD BOOKS AND GRADES

Record keeping is one of the teacher’s most important professional duties. The accuracy of record maintenance is essential to your credibility as an educator. Work task should be maintained in such a manner that others would be able to look at it and obtain an understandable knowledge of what’s being explained. Grades should be expressed using numerical values rather than letter grades. Entries into your grade book should describe the task for the appropriate date(s). Being pragmatic in this area will go a long way into your success as an educator. Keep hard copies of both attendance & grades.

TEACHER PRESENCE

It is expected that all teachers be responsible for students in their care. Good judgment must be exercised in all matters. Your presence and proximity are essential in knowing what goes on. When you are on the scene all other accounts should be extraneous. A teacher’s direct knowledge can rarely be discredited. The accountable factor requires that students are supervised and accounted for at all time during the time on campus; both before and after school.

ROOM APPEARANCE

All rooms are to look professional and presentable at all times. Classrooms should be cleaned in an acceptable manner on a daily basis. As teachers, you have a responsibility in helping to maintain your room’s appearance. No food or drink of any kind should be consumed in the classroom. This will help us to keep our building clean. If you are not satisfied with the cleaning of your room or any other maintenance detail, report it directly to the attention of the SBE.

CONTROL OF TRESPASSERS AND VISITORS

All entrance doors to the building will remain locked after 7:30 a.m. Visitors in our building should display a pass that is highly recognizable. If you encounter anyone that does not have a pass, direct him or her to the office. Do not fix a door to prevent it from locking when closed or leave it standing opened. This procedure is for the safety and protection of you and the remainder of the family. Students are not to open the door for anyone. Make sure you are in compliance each day.

EQUIPMENT

All equipment will be stored in a secured storage area when not in use. You are responsible for all items in your room. If repair is needed, see the media specialist in order to have it serviced. A service form will be completed and forwarded to the media specialist. Your name will be removed as having it and another issued if available. At the end of the school year, all equipment must be accounted for. Please make sure that at the end of each day, all electronic devices (computers, TV monitors, VCR…etc) are secured and powered off to ensure its longevity. Make sure that your room is locked upon your departure for the day.

COPYING AND DUPLICATING MACHINES

These machines are available to aid you in your instructional needs. When using copies for class make sure to maximize its use through proper planning. Let the usage be an extension of the instruction. Let’s be courteous in our responsibility to maintenance issues of the machines. It will go a long way towards making them last!

DISMISSAL OF STUDENTS

Any child that leaves the campus before 2:15 p.m. must be checked out through proper procedure from the office. No Exceptions!! At 2:15 p.m., all students and teachers will follow appropriate dismissal procedures.

DISCIPLINE

Order must and will be maintained at this school. If there is no order, there is no learning. The responsibility of discipline for a class lies with the teacher. The method you choose is acceptable if effective and within the policy of the MCS. What works for others may not work or be for you. The first step to a successfully disciplined class is to first know your students and then get to know their parents. You can’t expect parents or the administration to solve your problems but you can solicit their support.

DRESS CODES & PROFESSIONALISM

As standards are in place for student dress, teacher appearance is also important. Students learn more from you than their ABC’s, so we must display attire that exhibits professional status. Business attire or some other suitable attire is appropriate. With restrictions being placed on student dress, more attention is drawn to our appearance. As we require more of the children, don’t forget to require more of self. The wearing of denim, tee-shirts, jogging suits, warm-ups and flip-flops are questionable.

Let’s display those things that place us heads and shoulders above the rest. Not only watch what you wear but be mindful of what you say to students, parents, and to each other. There are acceptable things to say and a way to say it!!

STUDENT RETENTION

When in the best interest of the child, a teacher may consider retention if all performances are clearly documented. Let’s not say a child can’t do when we didn’t do! Parents should be notified in writing no later than the end of the second reporting period that their child is not making adequate progress in the course. Failure should be considered only after all other options have been pursued. The principal will make the final decision. It is advised that an in-house discussion is completed before any decision or option is discussed with the parent regarding their child’s future status.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Students will be allowed to enter classrooms at 7:22 a.m.
• At 7:22 a.m. all teachers are to be in the hall to greet and supervise students.
• Any student performing below grade level should have a strategic intervention plan developed & submitted to the principal as early as possible.
• Supervision of students at all times is essential. If you “must” leave your room for a short period of time, please communicate this with an adult who can monitor the situation. Do not leave another student in charge of your class; nor should you ever place a student in the hall unsupervised.
• Teachers should escort their students in specific situations to ensure proper behavior during the transitional period. Make sure they know your expectations and rules.

In closing: We have many new challenges ahead of us. It is my intent to conquer each and every one of these challenges. It is my expectation that a team is being assembled to compete for educational supremacy. It is the responsibility of each and every adult at Mitchell High to ensure that all children are successful in their educational experience. No excuse can be given; therefore, no excuse will be acceptable. The accountability of any failure resides with everyone involved; and that’s all of us!!!

If there are any areas not understood, see only me for clarity!

MITCHELL HIGH SCHOOL

TEACHER HANDBOOK

2010-2011