Mrs. Rena Bowman, Principal

PARENT - STUDENT

HANDBOOK

2014-2015

Dr. Sharon Forman, Guidance

Dear Rivelon Parents,

We would like to welcome you to Rivelon Elementary School. We are anxious and excited to start another school year. It is going to be a Great academic year for us. We as the faculty and staff, will do our very best to make sure that students are learning and that we are meeting their individual needs. It is our goal to provide students with the right resources, environment, and teachers so that they can reach their highest potential. To do this, it is necessary that we have the support of our parents. We need YOU to be an active participant in your child’s education. Rivelon’s faculty and staff are committed to working with ALL of our parents! Let us communicate thoroughly so that our students can be successful.

Please feel free to contact us about any concerns that you may have throughout the year. In turn, we will be asking for your assistanceas we make decisions about our students and school.

As part of our continuing effort to keep you abreast of school concerns, we are providing each student with a parent- student handbook. This handbook contains policies and guidelines for Rivelon Elementary and Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five. These policies and guidelines positively affect your child’s education.

Please read and discuss this handbook with your child. We ask for your cooperation so that we may provide your child with a safe, rewarding and enriching educational experience.

On behalf of the faculty & staff, we would like to invite you to visit our school. We look forward to working with you and your child this year.

Sincerely,

Rena Bowman

Principal

Table of Contents

Principal’s Letter………………………………………………………………………………………………First Page

Faculty & Staff…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2

General Information of Rivelon Elementary School…………………………………………………...3-4

School Hours………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4

Student Dismissal……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4

Drop Off/ Pickup…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

School Office……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4

Attendance……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

OCSD5 Code of Conduct…………………………………………………………………………………………………….5-6

Bullying……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...... 6

Tardy Policy…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6-7

Uniformed Pride Sessions (UPS)……………….………………………………………………………………………7

Food in Classrooms……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7

General School Rules……………………………………………………………………………………………………………7

Progress Reports………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7

Academic Grading…………..…………………………….……………………………………………………………………..7

Honor Roll…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….8

Homework…….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8

Makeup……………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8

Personal Property………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….8

Prohibited School Items…………………………………………………………………………………………………….8

Guidance Program………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...9

Medication…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…9

School Closing/Early Dismissal…………………..………………………………………………………………..…...9

Media Center………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...9

Visitors………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…9

Textbooks……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...... 9

Crisis Management Plan………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9

PTO/SIC…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…...9

OCSD5 School Calendar……………………………………………………………………………………………………….10

Faculty& Staff

Rena Bowman / Principal
Dr. Sharon Forman / Guidance
Kenya Dantzler / Librarian
Valerie Boderick / Pre-k
Valarie Rowe / Pre-k Assistant
Starlette Jeans / Kindergarten
Deana Stroman / Kindergarten Assistant
Lisa Hoffman / 1st Grade
Dr. Maxine Rice( Teacher of the Year) / 1st Grade
Chandra Moorer / 2nd Grade
Sandra Walley / 2nd Grade
Demenia Fulton / 3rd Grade ELA & Math
Demetria Kelly / 3rd Grade Science & Social Studies
TBD / 4th Grade Self-Contained
Kedrick Lusk / 5th Grade Science & Social Studies
Roshonda Frazier / ELA & Math
Sandra Chester-Carr / Sped
Shawn Aiken / Sped Assistant
Ollie Pepper / Sped Assistant
RajiniSomereddi / Sped
Gwendolyn Lloyd / Sped Assistant
Rhonda Haigler / Sped Assistant
Brooke Howard / Speech
Kenyatta Seward / Resource
Sandra Davis / Resource
Judith Geohaghan / Literacy Coach
Audrey Hallingquest / Instructional Coach
Nicholas Sherman / DRC
Elorna Mack / Cafeteria Manager
Anna Thomas / Cashier
Marie Washington / Cook
Marlene Murphy / Cook
Blaine Hill / CARE CENTER
Mary Allen / Parent Coordinator
Tony Tyler / Custodian Supervisor
Jacquelyn Dugar / Custodian
Gwendolyn Robinson / Custodian
Sherri McKinney / Nurse
Sandra Hampton / Bookkeeper
Elizabeth Ali / Attendance Clerk

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Mission Statement

Rivelon Elementary School exists to ensure academic success for all students

Vision

Working Together to Build a “World-Class” School System

School Motto

“One Team, One Dream: Educating Students for a Better Tomorrow”

Equal Educational Opportunity Policy

All students at Rivelon Elementary School will have the same equal opportunities regardless of race, color, creed, religion, ethnic origin, sex, or disabilities.

School Mascot

Tiger

School Colors

Yellow & Black

School Uniform

Navy Blue Pants/Skirts

White, Navy Blue, light Blue Tops(polo style preferred)

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School Objectives

To provide appropriate instruction to meet each student’s individual needs.
To provide educational opportunities for students to become independent, higher level thinkers to solve problems.
To provide a safe, clean environment to work and learn.
To provide a positive and “happy” school climate so that learning is engaging and fun.
To help students display good character and citizenship.
To work cooperatively with parents to better provide wraparound services for all of our students.
To provide support to our teachers, faculty & staff to build a positive school climate.

Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five

(OCSD5) Board Policy

This handbook contains general information and rules. A copy of Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five (OCSD5) Policy is available at Rivelon Elementary School and OCSD5 District Office. Additionally, you may also find a copy on-line at the address below:

School Website Information

Rivelon Elementary School has provided a website so that you can keep abreast of upcoming events, teacher activities and parent information

School Hours

School begins at 8:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm.

Student Dismissal

Car riders and walkers will be dismissed at 2:55 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays except Tuesdays, early dismissal day at 1:25 pm.

DROP OFF/ PICK UP

Carpool will drop off/ pick up in the back of the building and bus will drop off/pickup in the front of the building.

Carpool & walkers may report no earlier than 7:15 am. Only bus and PATS students may report at 7:00am. All students must be off campus by NO LATER THAN 3:30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays. Tuesdays pick up must be NO LATER THAN 2:00pm. We will NOT have personnel to monitor students after this time. Students, who are continuously (3 times) picked up late, will be given a referral for a parent conference with administration. After that, we will contact the appropriate resources to assist us with this manner. Parents will be given a 10-day letter, requesting proof of address.

School Office

The office will be open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Attendance

Attendance is important to the growth and academic progress of your child. South Carolina State Attendance Laws require that students be present every day in school except if they are sick or if there is a major emergency. If your child (ren) will be absent from school, write a note to your children’s teacher. It must be signed by a parent or guardian. If they will be absent for (2) or more consecutive days, you will need to contact the school Attendance Clerk immediately. If it is for medical reasons, you will need to provide a doctor’s excuse from the doctor’s office. Student’s absences must be excused. Three (3) unexcused absences will be considered excessive.

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After a student receives five (5) unexcused absences, the Attendance Clerk will notify the OCSD5 Truancy Officer andstudents will be placed on an Attendance Contract. After seven (7) excessive absences parents will be given (10) days to provide proof of address. If this information is not submitted by the deadline, your child will be officially withdrawn from the school. Per OCSD5 District Policy, students who have ten (10) consecutive absences will be officially withdrawn from the school.

Ten (10) Excessive days of absences May result in your child failing for the school year.

OCSD5 Code of Conduct Policy

Foreword

Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 (OCSD) is dedicated to meeting the educational needs of all students in a safe learning environment. In order for teaching and learning to take place, a safe and secure school environment is essential. The Code of StudentConduct provides specific information on the rules that all students are expected to adhere to, as well as consequences for violations of these rules. The rules apply to all activities occurring on the school grounds or other sites used for school-sponsored activities and on any vehicle authorized to transport students to and from school and to various school functions. The Code of Student Conduct, as reviewed and approved by the OCSD 5 Board of Trustees, is based on policies and Administrative Regulations of student conduct for the district. Administrative Regulations communicate district administrative procedures and practices.

The Code of Student Conduct was developed to protect the rights of all students by:

providing a district-wide discipline management plan;
specifying the behavior that is expected of all students;
describing the broad range of student misconduct and providing appropriate disciplinary interventions and/or consequences for the various kinds of misconduct, and
outlining student rights relating to school.

Students and parents/guardians are expected to become familiar with the provisions of the district-wide Code of Students Conduct and the rules and procedures implemented by the individual schools based upon their School-based Discipline Management System. Students also are expected to abide by the policies set forth in the Code so that they can truly get the most out of their years in school.

Students and parents should be aware that the Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, marital status, religion, veteran status, political affiliation, or sexual orientation. This policy includes a prohibition on racial harassment that creates a hostile environment, as this type of harassment denies students the right to an education free of discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. In addition, OCSD 5 will not tolerate sexual harassment at any level. Any complaint of discrimination of any type will be fully investigated, and the district will take appropriate action.

The Code of Student Conduct provides a description of a broad range of behavior considered to be student misconduct. The behavior described should be viewed as representative of the misconduct that most frequently causes a disruption to the orderly educational process. In order to maintain an appropriate educational climate, it may be necessary to apply disciplinary sanctions to students, including their removal from the learning environment. These sanctions will occur only for good cause and in accordance with applicable state and federal law.

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The riding of a school bus by students is a privilege. Eligible students are initially granted the privilege of school

transportation service, however, after the initial service, all eligible students must earn the privilege to continue to

ride the bus by following the Code of StudentConduct. All school bus riders must cooperate fully with their school bus drivers and aides/monitors and must conduct themselves properly at all times, which includes the school bus and the school bus stop. The acts of misconduct listed as minor, intermediate, major, and extreme are not inclusive. The student who commits an act of misconduct that may be classified into any of the four levels will be subject to disciplinary action by the classroom teacher, administrative assistant, assistant principal, and/or principal. Nothing in the policy prohibits the Superintendent or other appropriate District-level administrators from directly, or in consultation with appropriate school-level administrators, imposing authorized disciplinary sanctions.

Levels of Violations

Acts of misconduct are categorized into the following four levels of offenses:

Minor Violations (Each violation will receive two points under the demerit system.)

Misconduct which tends to impede orderly classroom procedures or instructional activities, orderly operation of the school or school bus, or the frequency or seriousness of which disturbs the classroom or school; disorderly conduct.

Intermediate Violations (Each violation will receive three points under the demerit system.)

Misconduct directed against persons or property, and the consequences of which tend to endanger the health or safety of oneself or others in the school, on the school bus or on school property; a continuation of disorderly conduct.

Major Violations (Each violation will receive five points under the demerit system.)

Misconduct that seriously disrupts the educational process in the classroom, in the school, on the bus and/or at school-related activities, or a continuance of repeated minor and intermediate misconduct.

Extreme Violations (Each violation will receive 20 points under the demerit system.)

Misconduct that include those for which a student may or shall be expelled under state law. Also, they include continued serious persistent misbehavior that violates the district’s Code of Student Conduct by a student while placed in the Alternative Education Program. Staff members will use their professional judgment to determine the most effective way tocorrect student misconduct. Disciplinary actions apply equally to all students, except as provided under Board Policy and Administrative Regulations related to disabled students.

Bullying

Bullying is the habitual unjust or unfair treatment of others. It is done to intimidate others to get them to do what you want them to do. BULLYING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN ANY WAY AT RIVELON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Bullying is a major violation and will be dealt with according to the OCSD5 Student Code of Conduct.

Tardy Policy

Students who arrive at school after 8:00 a.m. will be marked tardy. Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. should report directly to the Attendance Clerk for a LATE PASS before reporting to class. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE CLASSROOM WITHOUT A PASS AFTER 8:00AM. If students receive three (3) tardies, a parent will be contacted. Excessive tardiness (10 days) will result in a student being placed on an Attendance Contract. Additionally, parents will be given a 10-day letter requesting proof of address, if that information is not submitted by the deadline students will be withdrawn from the school.

“Tardy Party”

This year, if students are on time each day for school, they will be given a party at the end of the quarter. A bell will -6-

ring at 7:40 am and students will be sent to their classrooms. Our instructional day will begin at 7:45am. We want all students present and on time each day.We would like to reward every student each day.

Students will NOT be granted permission to leave school prior to the end of the day without a medical appoint or emergency, approved by the principal. Parents may sign students out before 2:30pm for an appointment. After that time, students WILL remain in their classrooms until the end of the day. Students that leave early will not be given extra time to complete missed assignments, unless it is an approved leave by administration

UP (Uniform Pride) Sessions

STUDENT GRADE LEVEL MEETINGS

Our UP sessions will be held at least ONCE a QUARTER. All teachers and students are expected to attend the grade level meetings. We will discuss expectations such as student behavior, rules and procedures, discipline, PBIS, curriculum initiatives, “Being a leader”, and school-wide data.

Food in the Classroom

Food and drinks are NOT allowed in the classrooms or gymnasium by students, faculty and/or staff. However, as part of your instruction, holiday (Winter break/End of the Year) or small incentive food and drinks can be eaten and/or drunk in the classroom. NO BIRTHDAY PARTIES ARE ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM. Please contact the custodial staff for proper disposal of food and drink items from your classroom. Request a trash bag or trashcan. If there is an outside event where food is served, trashcans will be provided.

General School Rules

Parents please review these procedures with your child before the beginning of school and throughout the school year.

Be polite and pleasant to others each day.
Respect ALL adults at all times.
Listen to directions the 1st time given.
Always follow the classroom and school –wide rules.
Help keep your classroom and school clean.

Reporting School Progress Reports

Student progress is determined by teacher developed evaluation and assessment instruments and teacher observation. Feel free to confer with your child’s teacher to receive more information about your child’s progress. To set up a conference, please contact your child’s teacher.

At the end of each nine week grading period, a report card is completed by your child’s teacher and sent home to all parents and guardians. Dates for each grading period are listed on the school year calendar. In addition to the report card, teacher’s bi-weekly progress reports are sent to parents every other week beginning Friday, August 31.

The report card reflects that student’s academic progress, instructional level in reading and math; work, study and social habits; and level of effort. Conduct Grades are included on report cards as follows:

E – Excellent S - Satisfactory N- Needs Improvement U – Unsatisfactory

Academic Grading System

A = 93 – 100 B= 92-85

C = 77 – 84 D = 70 – 76

F = 0-69 INC = Incomplete

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Honor Roll Policy

Principal’s Pride /Principal’s List (Gold )

All A’s in every subject

Honor Roll (Silver)

Only A’s or B’s in every subject including Related Arts

No grade lower than a “B” in any subject on the report card

Honorable Mention (Bronze)

A combination of A’s, B’s and C’s

Homework

It shall be the policy of Rivelon Elementary School to have regular and meaningful homework assignments that are educationally valuable and necessary to understand the content. In addition to reinforcement of skills attained through classroom instruction, homework assignments should encourage students to conduct research and to think independently. Teachers shall ensure that proper emphasis is placed on home study by giving assignments and reviewing it in the classroom. Remember that homework is a part of the conduct grade.

Makeup Work

Students who are absent, including unlawful/unexcused absences within reason may make up work missed in each class. A day’s absence does not excuse a student from the responsibility for all work to be made up. It is the teacher’s responsibility to provide all make-up work from his or her students immediately upon return to school. Parents may request assignments for students who are suspended out of school through guidance. Students have three (3) days to complete make-up work.

Child’s Personal Property