TARA OAKS HANDBOOK
SCHOOL CONTACTS: 853-3337
ADMINISTRATION: PRINCIPAL, PATRICIA RUSSELL
BUS TRANSPORTATION: ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, MARY BOBBITT
APEX: ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, JENNIFER SCHARF (PROGRAM FOR INTELLECTUALLY GIFTED
STUDENTS)
NO-BULLYING PROGRAM: COUNSELORS, NANCY KELLEY AND REBECCA MATTHEWS
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: MARLA HOBACK
ATTENDANCE SECRETARY: CINDY TERRELL
SPECIAL EDUCATION SECRETARY: DEBBIE BABCOCK
MEDICAL RECORDS CLERK: DARLENE MAYES
LUNCH ACCOUNTS: LEAD CASHIER, CATHY HAYES
PTA PRESIDENT: EDIE STEWART 861-0020
ALERTS !!
IF YOUR CHILD HAS SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS, SUCH AS LIMITED CUSTODY, SHARED CUSTODY
RIGHTS, A MEDICALLY FRAGILE CONDITION, OR FOOD ALLERGIES, PLEASE NOTIFY THE
SCHOOL OFFICE AND THE TEACHERS. WE ASLO MUST HAVE DOCUMENTATION ON FILE.
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ABSENTEES
When your child is absent from school,
the parent must write a note which gives the date(s) absent and the reason
for the absence. Please be sure to include the teacher's name on the note.
The note
is given to the teacher within two school days of the student's return to school.
(SCS Policy
#6108) If a note is not received, the absence is recorded as unexcused.
Remember tardies and early check-outs are cumulative. Student absences due
to family trips and student performances must be approved by Mrs. Russell.
STUDENTS MAY NOT BE CHECKED OUT AFTER 3:30 UNLESS THERE IS AN EMERGENCY.
NOTE: If a parent wants assignments when their child is absent, contact
the teacher via e-mail. DO NOT CALL
THE OFFICE. THE BEST WAY TO GET ASSIGNMENTS
IS FOR YOUR CHILD TO HAVE A STUDY BUDDY TO GET ASSIGNMENTS FOR THEM, E-MAIL
THE TEACHER, OR ASK FOR ASSIGNMENTS IN A NOTE WHEN YOUR CHILD RETURNS TO
SCHOOL.
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ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS
Please keep the school office and your child's teachers informed
in writing of any changes in address or phone numbers. This includes home,
work, cell and emergency contacts.
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ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
MORNING ARRIVAL
Students may enter the building at 8:45 a.m. They should not
arrive at school before that time unless they are enrolled in the YMCA program
or are participating in a before school sponsored activity. Parents must
sign their children in if they arrive after 9:00 a.m. A tardy slip is issued
after 9:00 a.m.
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL
Dismissal will begin at 4:00 p.m. everyday.
We plan to dismiss students in this order:
Daycare riders
Buses
Bikers
Car riders**
Walkers
**For the safety of our students, we must insist that all children
be picked up on time every day.
EARLY CHECK-OUT
Early check-out is discouraged unless it is
an absolute emergency!
New: A note to the teacher with
the check out time is required for checking out children early. The teacher
sill send
the child to the office with the note at the time indicated. Phone requests
are also discouraged. Children must be picked up from the office and signed
out by those people who are designated on the registration card. Phone
requests for early dismissal are discouraged. Photo ID is required of all
persons signing a student out of school. The safety of our students is
a number one priority.
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ATTENDANCE
Regular and punctual attendance is a very important part
of education. Every effort should be made for children to be present all
day, every day.
NOTE: Every nine weeks, HAT KIDS will be recognized because
they are HERE ALL THE TIME (HAT), every minute of every school day. On a
designated day, they may wear a hat during school to highlight this accomplishment!
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BEFORE AND AFTER
SCHOOL CARE
The YMCA offers
a before school daycare program beginning at 7:30 a.m. The after school daycare
program is offered until
6:00 p.m. For more information call the YMCA at 853-2355.
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BICYCLES
Bicycles must be walked
on and off campus and on all sidewalks adjoining the school. Bicycle riders
should always wear helmets.
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BIRTHDAYS
Birthday balloons and surprises cannot be delivered or brought to school. Birthday
invitations may NOT BE DISTRIBUTED AT SCHOOL.
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BIRTHDAY TREATS
THE SHELBY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT REQUIRES THAT
ANY TREAT BROUGHT TO SCHOOL MUST BE STORE BOUGHT ITEMS.
Many of our students enjoy sharing a treat for their birthday. We request that
you schedule with the teacher before planning activities. Additionally, please
check with the teachers to see if there are any children with food allergies
in your child's classroom.
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BOOKSTORE
The school operates a
bookstore which sells some of the basic suggested supplies needed by the
students. Price lists are posted in the bookstore. The bookstore is open
daily from 8:45-9:00 a.m.
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BUS RIDERS
Students must ride the bus assigned to their address. Students will not be
permitted to ride on any other bus. Each student will be picked up and dropped
off at their assigned stop. Students receive a list of the bus rules during
the first week of school. Violations of the rules may result in the denial
of bus privileges.
CAFETERIA
STUDENT LUNCH $1.50
(INCLUDES 1⁄2 PINT OF MILK)
INDIVIDUAL MILK $0.40
ADULT LUNCH $2.50 (INCLUDES TEA)
ALL STUDENTS IN THE CAFETERIA ARE EXPECTED TO TALK QUIETLY, STAY SEATED, AND
CLEAN UP.
PLEASE INFORM THE CASHIERS AND THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS OF ANY FOOD ALLERGIES
OR ANY SPECIAL FOOD CONCERNS YOUR CHILD MAY HAVE!
SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS HAS A COMPUTERIZED LUNCH SYSTEM. EACH CHILD HAS AN ASSIGNED
STUDENT NUMBER . THIS NUMBER IS USED AS A POINT OF SERVICE AND IDENTIFIES YOUR
CHILD TO THE CASHIERS. THIS SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR PREPAYMENT ON YOUR CHILD’S
ACCOUNT FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS. IT IS THE PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN
FUNDS IN THE STUDENT’S ACCOUNT.
Parents may send a note to the cafeteria limiting the number of snacks that
their child may purchases or designate the days snacks may be purchased.
WE WELCOME YOU TO JOIN YOUR CHILD FOR LUNCH. PLEASE SEND A NOTE TO THE TEACHER
WHEN YOU PLAN TO EAT LUNCH WITH YOUR CHILD. YOU MUST SIGN-IN IN THE OFFICE
AND WEAR A VISITOR’S BADGE THAT IS EASILY VISABLE. PLEASE BE REMINDED
THAT OTHER CLASSMATES ARE NOT PERMITTED TO JOIN YOU AND YOUR CHILD FOR LUNCH.
WHEN EATING LUNCH WITH YOUR CHILD, YOU WILL NOT BE SITTING WITH THE CLASS AS
WE MUST BE SURE OUR CLASSES HAVE AMPLE SEATING.
FREE AND REDUCED MEAL APPLICATIONS ARE DISTRIBUTED AT REGISTRATION AND ARE
AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. EACH STUDENT WHO RECEIVES
A FREE OR REDUCED MEAL MUST HAVE AN ACCURATE APPLICATION ON FILE. APPLICATIONS
MUST BE SUBMITTED EVERY SCHOOL YEAR.
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CANCELLATION
OF SCHOOL AND EARLY DISMISSAL
CANCELLATION AND EARLY DISMISSAL OF SCHOOL TAKES PLACE DURING CIRCUMSTANCES
SUCH AS EXTREME WEATHER, EQUIPMENT FAILURE OR PUBLIC CRISIS. TARA OAKS IS
NOT AUTHORIZED TO DISMISS SCHOOL EARLY UNLESS SO DIRECTED BY THE SHELBY COUNTY
SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Tara Oaks will provide an “EARLY DISMISSAL PLAN” form AT REGISTRATION
for parents to COMPLETE AND RETURN TO THE TEACHER. It is very important that
the school knows how your children will be getting home IF SCHOOL IS DISMISSED
EARLY.
PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL. TELEPHONE LINES MUST BE UTILIZED FOR EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATION. PLEASE monitor news reports via TELEVISION and RADIO stations.
Teachers will be authorized to use their cell phones during an emergency.
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CAR RIDERS: DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
CAR RIDERS MUST BE DROPPED OFF AND PICKED UP FROM THE BACK PARKING LOT. SCHOOL
STAFF WILL BE THERE SUPERVISING TRAFFIC AND ASSISTING YOUR CHILDREN. WE REALIZE
TRAFFIC IS OFTEN CONGESTED. Please be patient.
If your child is a car rider, please write the name and grade level of your
child on a piece of notebook-sized paper and place the paper on the dashboard
of your car so that we can easily see the name and grade. On rainy days, we
will dismiss car riders from the gym and you may come to the gym and get your
child.
NOTE: Students in our Special Education Pre-school classes and Functional Skills
class are dropped off and picked up in the front parking lot .
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CELLPHONES
Students are not allowed to have cellphones at school.
Shelby
County Policy 6207, Category
C.
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CHRONIC
ILLNESSES
The office and the teacher need
to know of chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, allergies, etc.
We need a definitive written description from a doctor on file should an
emergency arise.
CLINIC/HEALTH ROOM
The Clinic/Health Room is staffed by parent volunteers.
You will be called if your child becomes ill at school. It is imperative for
us to have every child's emergency information on file so that we may contact
you when necessary. Please keep the information and phone number updated
in the office and with the teacher. Students will be released only to parents,
guardians or others designated on his registration forms/health cards. Only
minor accidents are handled in the clinic/health room by a volunteer.
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CONFERENCES
Parent-teacher conferences are
encouraged. They are usually scheduled before or after school through the
teacher, not the office. You may contact your child’s teacher at any
time to schedule a conference. Discuss the academic or behavioral concerns
with the teacher. If further clarification is needed, you may call the office
and leave your child’s name, grade level, your name, phone number,
and the reason for the call. An administrator (the Principal or Assistant
Principal) will return your call.
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CORPORAL
PUNISHMENT
WE DO NOT ADMINISTER
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT AT TARA OAKS.
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DISCIPLINE
EVERY STUDENT IS EXPECTED TO COMPLY WITH THE ESTABLISHED SCHOOL-WIDE RULES
WHICH BASICALLY FALL INTO THREE CATEGORIES:
RESPECT FOR SELF
RESPECT FOR OTHERS
RESPECT FOR PROPERTY
When compliance of the rules does
not occur, a progressive discipline approach is used for bus and classroom
conduct. We will also continue
to use the No-Bullying
program.
EACH TEACHER WILL ESTABLISH, POST AND REINFORCE EXPECTED BEHAVIORS WHICH
ENHANCE THE LEARNING PROCESS. Positive rewards and negative consequences
are included
in all plans and have one purpose, to improve learning.
WE BELIEVE THAT NO STUDENT HAS THE RIGHT TO DENY OTHERS THE PRIVILEGE OF
LEARNING.
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DRESS
REGULATIONS
Shelby
County Policy #6205
E-MAIL
E-MAIL IS THE BEST WAY FOR PARENTS TO CONTACT THE TEACHERS AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Tara Oaks has an emergency management plan in place to include fire, tornado,
lock down, and earthquake procedures.
All classes have practice drills throughout the school year.
The School Emergency Response Team (SERT) and other school staff members will
work with community emergency response departments to care for and protect
children if an emergency occurs.
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FIELD
TRIPS
Parent permission is required when students go on field trips.
If your child does not return the permission slip for the field trip, he/she
will not be
permitted to go. Students who do not go on the field trips with their class
will be assigned to another classroom for the day. Parent chaperones must
provide their own transportation. All students are required to ride the
Shelby
County school buses.
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GRADING SYSTEM
Shelby
County Policy #6306
Grades for subject areas are expressed by letters. Letter/numerical equivalents
are as follows:
A……… 93-100
B……… 85-92
C……… 75-84
D……… 70-74
F……… Below 70
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HOMEWORK
Regularly assigned homework is
helpful in assisting students to achieve satisfactory progress and to develop
good study habits. Homework assignments are a reinforcement and extension
of classroom learning and provide practice and application of knowledge gained,
teach students responsibility and organizational skills, promote wise and
orderly use of time, and provide opportunities for enrichment activities.
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HONOR
ROLL
We recognize students
in the 5th grade who exhibit academic excellence throughout the year. These
students will receive recognition every nine weeks. The 5th grade teachers
will provide guidelines for Honor Roll.
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INTERIM PROGRESS
REPORTS
Tara Oaks
sends interim reports at the midpoint of each nine weeks. DATES FOR INTERIM
PROGRESS REPORTS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE TEACHER.
THE PURPOSE OF THE INTERIM PROGRESS REPORTS IS TO LET PARENTS KNOW HOW THEIR
CHILD IS PROGRESSING IN SCHOOL. REVIEW THE INTERIM WITH YOUR CHILD AND CONTACT
THE TEACHER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. These forms must be signed and returned
to the teacher. We want parents to always know the status of their child's
progress.
LESSON LINE
Tara Oaks will
NOT be using Lesson Line for the 2006-2007 school year.
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LOST & FOUND
A "Lost & Found" box
is located in the gym. Lost articles may be claimed by proper identification.
It is a good idea to clearly mark items with the owner's name so they can
be returned without delay. This also discourages unauthorized borrowing.
Every year clothing and other items are turned in to Lost & Found and
never claimed.
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The Shelby County lunch menu
is published in the Tara Oaks monthly newsletter and in the local papers.
Please do not call the school office for the daily lunch menu.
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MEDICATIONS
A Shelby County Schools
medical form must be filled out and signed by he parent before medication can
be administered at school. All medication must be brought
to the office by the parent. The medication must be in the original container
with the label stating current dispensing instructions from the physician.
SCS Policy
and Regulation # 6405
Students may NOT have any medications such as cough drops, Tylenol, etc. in
their possession.
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MONEY AND CHECKS
When money and/or
checks are sent to school, please be sure it is in an envelope labeled with
the child’s name, the teacher‘s name, and the specific
purpose. Students should never bring large amounts of money to school.
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NO-BULLYING PROGRAM
Tara Oaks will continue to implement the No-Bullying Program throughout the
2006-2007 school year. This program has been successful in teaching students
that bullying behaviors will not be tolerated at Tara Oaks. The No-Bullying
program works by eliminating behaviors which may lead to more aggressive
bullying behaviors.
Information about No-Bullying will be presented to the students during the
first week of school. Parents can learn more about the program by attending
informative meetings that will be scheduled the second week
of school.
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PARTIES
We have two school parties, Winter Holiday and Valentine, during the school
year. The parties are planned by the room parents and the teacher. The 2006
Winter Holiday party will be Friday, December 15th . The 2007 Valentine Party
will be Friday, February 9th.
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PERFECT
ATTENDANCE
Students in all classes who do not miss any days from school will be given
a perfect attendance award at the end of the year.
THE CRITERIA FOR PERFECT
ATTENDANCE MEANS NO LATE CHECK-INS AND/OR EARLY CHECK-OUTS. STUDENTS ONLY
RECEIVE A PERFECT ATTENDANCE IF THEY HAVE BEEN IN ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL FOR
EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY SCHOOL DAY.
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PERSONAL ITEMS
Coats, book bags, lunch boxes and other articles should be labeled with your
child's name. It is best not to bring anything of value, including large amounts
of money, to school.
Gameboys, radios, electronic devices, toys , trading cards, and other items
of value are not permissible at school. The school is not responsible for loss
or damage of personal property.
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PICTURE and PUBLICATION
PERMISSION
At Tara Oaks Elementary, we want to involve every student. We must have written
permission from the parent/guardian in order to publish their names and pictures
in the hallways, internet web pages, school newsletters, and local newspapers.
A permission form will be given to the parents/guardians to sign and return.
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REPORT CARDS
Report cards are sent home for the first three nine weeks on a computerized
form for grades 1-5.* It is very important that you check the address and
zip code on the report card to be sure they are correct. If changes need to
be made, please contact
the teacher
and the office. Report cards for Kindergarten are also sent home each nine
weeks. A tri-fold card is used for Kindergarten.
*The report card for grades 1-5 for the last nine weeks is mailed from the
Shelby County Schools Central Office.
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STUDENT CONDUCT
CODE
The school provides each student will the maximum opportunity to acquire an
education. No student has the right to interfere with this opportunity by his/her
actions,
poor manners or lack of consideration.
Your good behavior, your respect for yourself and your respect for the feelings
of others will ensure that you have the best possible education and learning
environment for a successful year. Show respect for the rights and property
of all individuals. Attend school each day with a positive attitude and complete
all tasks to the best of your ability.
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TELEPHONES
The telephones in the school office are constantly in use for school business.
Students may not use the office telephones to call home for homework, tennis
shoes, class projects, library books, lunch money, etc.
Only in an EMERGENCY we will call classrooms to tell students how they
will get home. Please make prior arrangements for your child’s
daily return home or after school care.
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TEXTBOOKS AND
LIBRARY BOOKS
Textbooks
and library books are the property of Shelby County Schools .It is the
student’s responsibility to take
care of their textbooks. Each student is required to place book covers
on school issued textbooks. Please
do not use adhesive-backed book covers as they damage textbooks. Also,
do not
use permanent markers on the book covers as they bleed and discolor the
textbooks. Parents are responsible for paying the full cost for a lost
textbook or library
book. Damages will be assessed for markings in books, torn pages, water
damages, etc.
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VISITORS and VOLUNTEERS
FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE STUDENTS, ALL VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS MUST SIGN IN AT THE
MAIN OFFICE, STATE THE NATURE OF THEIR VISIT, AND RECEIVE A PASS.
These visits are for assisting with classroom crafts, tutoring, reading stories,
etc. You must always arrange this with the teachers. Do not go directly to the
classroom to deliver a forgotten item such as a lunch, homework, money, etc.
These items should be brought to the office where the child can pick it up. In
the afternoon, parents are not to wait for their children outside the classrooms.
Please give your child's teacher advance notice if you are going to eat lunch
with your child.
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WITHDRAWAL
OF STUDENTS
If a student is
going to withdraw from Tara Oaks, please call or come by the school a few days
prior to the withdrawal date. This will give us ample time to complete the
necessary paperwork.
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BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
We will continue with
the Box Tops for Education Program. We need a parent volunteer to coordinate
this program for us. Over the years, this program has generated quite a
bit of money for our instructional program. You will be receiving more
information.
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WELCOME TO PROJECT A+
Collecting and redeeming
labels couldn't be easier!
1. Clip and save TYSON PROJECT
A+ LABELS from participating Tyson products.
2. Turn in the labels at school.
3. The school redeems the labels
for cash to purchase instructional materials. Each label is worth 24 cents!!
We need a parent volunteer to
coordinate this project.
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