Owen County Lower Elementary School
2013-2014
About our School
Owen County Lower Elementary School is located near Owenton, Kentucky. Owen County Lower Elementary School, formerly known as Owen County Primary School, currently serves approximately 400 Pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade students. Our school colors are maroon and white and our mascot is the Rebel.
MISSION STATEMENT
Owen County Lower Elementary School will produce respectful, self-directed learners through a partnership with the parents and the community.
OCPS/OCES School-Based Decision Making Council
The SBDM Council makes management decisions in the areas of curriculum, discipline, instructional budget, student assessment, professional development, and building space.
The Council meets the first Tuesday of each month in the OCLES library, unless otherwise noted. These are open meetings and the public is invited.
Dress Code
Students are expected to attend school dressed appropriately. The following guidelines will be adhered to when determining appropriate student dress.
§ Students wearing shorts/skirts - the hem must be no shorter than the student's extended thumb tips.
§ T-shirts, sweat shirts, or any clothing with inappropriate language or gestures are not permitted. This includes any reference to drugs, sex, alcohol, tobacco, gangs, or gang related activities.
§ Pierced jewelry is permitted in the ears only.
§ Halter tops, bare backs, bare stomachs, and see through or mesh shirts, are not permitted.
§ No hats, bandannas, or other head gear is permitted except on days designated and approved by the principal (i.e. Hat Day)
§ No Wheelies/Heelies or other wheeled shoes
All violations of the school dress code will be at the discretion of the building principal.
Additional guidelines for appropriate attire are included in the Owen County Schools' Student Code of Conduct.
GENERAL INFORMATION, POLICIES & PROCEDURES
The School Day
The school day officially begins at 8:10 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. OCLES doors open at 7:30 a.m. Parents who pickup and drop off their children should do so in the designated “loop” area behind the old elementary school building. Children should not be dropped off in front of the building in the mornings until 8:00 am. Between 7:30 am and 8:00 am the front drive is for school bus loading and unloading only.
Lunchroom
Student breakfast and lunch prices will be announced. They were not available at the time of printing.
Students wishing to eat breakfast will go directly to the lunchroom after getting off the bus in the mornings (unless directed to do otherwise by their homeroom teacher).
Free and reduced lunch and breakfast are available for those who are determined eligible. Forms are sent home at the beginning of the year and must be filled out and returned to school.
Students with Special Needs
Parents, teachers or administrators may refer a student for evaluation to determine special needs. A referral can be initiated in the principal's office.
Inclement Weather
In the case of inclement weather or other emergency situations, school may be delayed or dismissed for the day. Announcements will be made on WHAS 840 am radio and various Cincinnati, Lexington, and Louisville television stations. You may also call 484-3000 for school dismissal information.
Reports to Parents
Progress reports will be sent home four times during the school year. If necessary, mid-term reports will also be sent home each nine weeks. Individual conferences will be scheduled at the conclusion of the first nine weeks of school. Additional parent-teacher conferences may be scheduled by calling 484-5499.
Transportation
OCLES car riders must have an assigned windshield tag. Students will not be dismissed without the proper tag. If no tag is displayed, the pickup person must go to the school office and show identification before picking up the student.
Transportations changes: The school office must be notified in writing if there is to be a change in a child’s normal dismissal procedure. Changes are not accepted over the phone. Requests for changes must be made in one of the following forms: e-mailed to the school office, faxed to the school office, or delivered to school by the student or parent. A password, used for emergency situations, may be set up in the school office. *All changes must be done before 1:30 pm.
ALL STUDENTS NOT TRANSPORTED BY BUS OR NORMAL PARENT PICK UP MUST BE SIGNED OUT. STUDENTS MUST ALSO BE SIGNED OUT PRIOR TO BEING REMOVED FROM A BUS.
The OCLES instructional day ends at 3:00 p.m. Any student who leaves school before 3:00 p.m. must be signed-out in the front office and will be counted tardy..
Telephone Calls
The phones at school are for business purposes only. Students will be allowed to use the phones only in emergencies or with teacher permission. Students are not permitted to use cellular devices during the instructional day.
Health Records
Each student shall have an immunization certificate, TB certificate, and a physical examination as evidence of his/her health before entering school. In addition, any specific health problems should be brought to the attention of the child's teacher, and a note filed in his/her cumulative folder.
Pediculosis (Head Lice)
Any student diagnosed as having an active case of pediculosis (head lice) will be sent home. The parent is responsible for treating their child with a pediculicidal shampoo and/or other effective methods for treating pediculosis. This must be completed before the student is allowed to return to school. Students who have been sent home for head lice must be brought to school by the parents and cleared to return to class by school personnel. Students should not ride the bus. The first day that a child is sent home for head lice will not count as an unexcused absence. Any absences beyond the first day will be counted as unexcused. Information on head lice and the proper treatment procedure is available in the nurse’s office.
School Parties
School parties will be limited to two per year.
School Pictures and Yearbook
School pictures will be taken each year. Several picture packages will be available for purchase. A school yearbook is published annually and available for purchase.
Rental of Facilities
The facilities (gym, cafeteria) in the Owen County School System may be rented by community groups or members. If interested, please stop by any of the schools to inquire about rates and available rental dates.
Discipline Policy
Owen County Lower Elementary School will follow the rules and regulations as set forth in the Owen County Schools Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline Handbook.
Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center staff is responsible for making home visits and assisting students with social needs. The personnel maintain the link between school and home. The staff can be reached at 484-3595.
OCPS/OCES PTO
There is a combined PTO for OCPS and OCES. Meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month.
Emergencies
In case of an emergency, the parents will be notified. State law requires the following information:
· Your telephone number at home. If you do not have a telephone, the number of the nearest neighbor or relative you want us to call is essential.
· The telephone number where you work.
· The name and number of the person to contact if the parents cannot be reached.
Medication
Please see Owen County’s Code of Acceptable Behavior for information and procedures regarding the handling and dispensing of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Parents or Visitors:
Visitors and/or volunteers shall report to the office. No one is permitted to enter instructional areas unless authorized by the front office. Items to be delivered to students should be left at the front office. Volunteers shall schedule time and activities with the classroom teacher at least twenty-four hours in advance. It is also necessary to obtain a visitor’s pass from the office and sign-in at our Guest Register.
Field Trips
Students are to ride to and from field trips on the bus. If there is a medical reason for a student not riding the bus, a doctor’s note must be presented. Parents not chosen as classroom chaperones are permitted to attend if the trip is to a public place
OWEN COUNTY SCHOOLS
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular and punctual attendance is expected of each student enrolled in Owen
County Schools. There is a direct correlation between good attendance in school,
success in school, and later success in life. Good attendance translates into
better grades, a greater appreciation for education, and a higher level of
achievement for the student. The school benefits from good attendance by having a
student that attends regularly. This promotes learning and makes the job of
educating future community representatives more attainable.
The staff of the Owen County Schools believes that each student has the
opportunity to receive an education that will prepare the student to meet his/her
future challenges and opportunities. The regular attendance of the student is
necessary for the student to receive this education.
****This policy is written to encourage the regular attendance of each student in the
Owen County Schools.
POLICY PROVISIONS (grades preschool - 12)
When a student is absent from school, the parent should either call the school or
send a note stating the reason for the absence.
Owen County Schools recognize three types of absences: (1) excused absences, (2)
unexcused absences, and (3) truancy.
(1) Excused absences are those absences due to the following:
A. Personal illness of the student - a total of six days per school year of this
absence will be excused with a note or phone call from the parent or guardian. In excess of six days, a doctor's excuse is required.
B. Medical or Dental Appointment - visits to a doctor or dentist. Documentation is required.
C. Death in the immediate family - immediate family is considered as parent, brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or person living in the same household.
D. Serious illness in the immediate family - same persons as listed in (C).
E. School activity approved by the principal - this must be approved in advance by the principal.
F. Court appearance - a court appearance required by the court is excused. Documentation is required.
G. Religious holiday - this must be approved in advance by the principal.
H. Other valid absences which are excused by the principal in advance, or in cases of emergencies.
(2) Unexcused absences are those that do not fit any of the excused absences categories.
(3) Truancy is defined by KRS 159.150 as any child that has been absent from school without a valid excuse for three (3) days or tardy on three or more days. Any student that has three (3) unexcused absences or tardies will be referred to the Director of Pupil Personnel as truant for parental contact.