Welcome to Hayesville Elementary School! We are pleased that you are a part of our school. We are here to serve you and to provide a comprehensive, balanced educational program that will enable each student to reach his/her full potential and successfully compete in society. In order to accomplish our goal, we must have some rules and guidelines in place that help us operate effectively. The following outlines the major procedures and rules. It is not all inclusive and each teacher will have his/her own special rules and expectations in each class.

We hope this answers many questions about how we operate and that each of you will help us serve you by cooperating in these matters. As you read this booklet, if there are any questions, feel free to ask a teacher or call the school office for explanations. Our number is 389-8586. We will welcome your call, and we look forward to serving you!

Student Handbook
Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harrassment, & Anti-Bullying Policy

ENROLLMENT

To enroll in school, a student must reach his/her fifth birthday on or before August 31st of the entering year. The following things are needed:

1. A valid birth certificate
2. A current shot record (within 30 days of enrollment)
3. A current health assessment from the local health department or personal physician, or an equivalent document from a previously attended school.
4. A social security number (School will provide an application form if one is needed)
5. The address of the school previously attended.
6. The names of parents or guardian, including work numbers and emergency telephone numbers
7. Proof that student lives in Clay County (can be electric or telephone bill, rental contract, bank statement, etc), a document that has parent or guardian name with 911 address

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

Students entering Kindergarten or transferring to our school have 30 days in which to meet the North Carolina Immunization requirements which are as follows:

DTaP/DTP: Diphtheria/Tetanus/acellular Pertussis 5 doses
The last dose of DTaP must be given after age 4

Polio 4 doses

Hib: haemophilus influenzae type B 3-4 doses
Children beyond their 5th birthday are not required to have any Hib vaccine.

Measles 2 doses

Mumps 2 doses

Rubella 1 dose

Hepatitis B 3 doses

Varicella (chickenpox) 1 dose
Vaccination required unless documentation of disease history.

SCHOOL INSURANCE

School accident insurance is available for the school day only or 24 hour-year long coverage. It is optional through Standard Life & Casualty Ins. Co. at rates that will be published at the beginning of school. Coverage begins the day the premium is paid--no refunds for cancellation.

MEDICATION

Students require medication during the school day from time to time, and as school personnel, we like to help their recovery by insuring that they get their medication at the proper time. In order to avoid any problems and insure the proper dosage is given, teachers must be given a PARENT NOTE AND A DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION, giving current, specific information on administering the necessary drug. Medication should be properly bottled in a prescription-labeled, child-proof canister and given to the teacher by the parent. Only a daily dosage should be sent by child for safety reasons. For any questions or concerns, please contact the school nurse at 828-389-4103.

THE SCHOOL DAY

School begins at 8:00 a.m. each morning and ends at 3:00 p.m. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. for those who desire it.

Our buildings open at 7:30 am for students to enter the halls. Students are asked to sit quietly until the rooms are opened by the arriving teachers. Students arriving prior to 7:30 a.m. are unsupervised, and we urge parents to avoid this situation. We cannot assume responsibility for their safety or comfort before the teachers and buses arrive.

Students, whether eating breakfast, riding the bus, or being brought by parents, are to be in their rooms ready to begin classes by 8:00 a.m.

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING

In the event that school is dimissed due to one of the reasons listed below, your child will need to know where he/she is to go and how he/she is to get there (bus, car, walk...), and an emergency phone number if there is doubt. Each teacher needs to have such information on hand, and parents need to keep this information updated throughout the year.

Clay County School closings are reported and broadcasted by WCVP-AM (600) and WCNG-FM (102.7). Please have an emergency plan discussed with your child prior to such case.

ATTENDANCE

Each child who is between 7 and 16 years of age is required by North Carolina Statue to attend school regularly. School policy requires those younger than 7 and over 16 who have enrolled to attend regularly in order to receive credit for the grade or course in which they are enrolled.

Students exceeding fifteen (15) absences in one school term (180 days) shall not be promoted to the next grade. The parent may appeal the decision of the school principal.

As each child is expected to attend school regularly, only those absences which are lawfully allowed will be excused.

They are as follows:

1. Illness or injury of the student
2. Death in the immediate family
3. Dental or medical appointments of the student
4. Court proceedings involving the student
5. Quarantines
6. Religious observances, emergencies other than illness or death, educational trips. (These must be approved by the school principal in advance.)

Absences for reasons other than those above will be considered unlawful and will be unexcused.

Any absences must be explained by written note from the parent or guardian within two days after the absence in order for it to be considered lawful or excused.

TARDIES & EARLY DISMISSALS

Students who report to their rooms after 8:00 a.m. or dismiss prior to 3:00 p.m. must receive an office dismissal. Five (5) tardies equals one absence. An early dismissal equals one tardy. When a student checks out and back in on the same school day, it will count as a tardy. Students must stay in school until 11:30 a.m. in order to be counted present for the day. Again, these interruptions should be avoided by proper planning.

END OF DAY DISMISSALS

Sometimes parents wish for students to get off the bus at a location other than the usual one, or there is a need for someone other than the parent to pick up their child. In either case a note from the parent will allow this to be done.

Our buses are all driven by experienced adult drivers. We encourage you to have students ride buses, if possible, to help avoid traffic congestion on our campus. Students riding buses will be dismissed at the 3:00 pm. bell. Students riding with parents or walking home will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m.

Changing modes of transportation: A note from the parent or guardian must be sent by your child if there is to be any change in the way he or she is to be transported home. If no note is received, the teacher will continue the established routine.

CONSEQUENCES FOR RULE INFRACTIONS

The "assertive discipline" philosophy is used in each of the classrooms. This generally means that the class expectations are posted visually in each class as well as the consequences for any degree of infraction. Naturally, the consequences for infractions vary with the different age groups, with "punishment planned to fit the crime" as much as possible. For habitual offenders, or for serious infractions, parents will be notified and asked to help. We feel that we must all work together to help our youngsters achieve their highest potential, including behavior. We do use corporal punishment when necessary and in accordance with state and local guidelines. Paddling and suspension are two alternatives used for habitual offenders, but used only as a last resort. Parents will be informed prior to corporal punishment being administered.

USE OF TELEPHONE

The use of the telephone is restricted to staff unless a student is given permission due to some emergency.

P.T.O.

Our PTA is an important integral part of our school's success. Parents are encouraged to become members and participate in the planning and in the actual process of providing a quality educational environment for our students. The 2004-2005 PTA officers-elect are:

Regular PTA meetings are held throughout the year. Dates and times are widely publicized.

FIELD TRIPS

Some field trips are planned as part of our instructional program. There may be a minimal charge for some trips to cover admission to certain programs or activities. These trips serve valued educational needs and each student is encouraged to participate. If participation is not desired, parents will need to keep youngsters home on field trip days. Students will be counted absent, as this is part of their instruction. Sometimes chaperones may be needed. This should be discussed with the teacher in charge of the field trip. Chaperones will be expected to help supervise youngsters and provide their own expenses.

GRADING

Kindergarten students are assessed according to their continuous growth in the following areas: Self-worth; value and respect of the environment, for self and others; expands curiosity through use of all the senses, patterns, and relationships; express and represent thoughts, feelings, and experiences; ability to make decisions and to solve problems; develop appropriate thinking processes in relation to the immediate and personal environment; develop and expand in ability to live in harmony with others. Beginning, middle, and end of year assessments of early reading skills are conducted.

First and second grade students are also assessed on a multi-criterion basis. Report cards are issued each nine weeks in order to keep parents informed of their child's progress. Students working on grade level will be indicated by the following symbols:

• Excels on Grade Level
• On Grade Level
• Near Grade Level
• Below Grade Level

Third and fourth grade students will use traditional letter grading to indicate progress in various subject areas. Using a 7 point grading scale, the following conversion table prevails:

• A: 100-93
• B: 92-85
• C: 84-77
• D: 76-70
• F: 69-0

TESTING

Third and fourth grade students are required by the state to be given the End-of-Grade Test during the last three weeks of school to determine the degree of subject mastery. Fourth grade students will be taking the State Writing Test during the month of March. Students who consistently work hard in class usually do well on these tests and perceive it as an opportunity to display their knowledge and achievement. Notices will be sent home near test time to advise parents of the specific dates and preparations of these tests. Students who score below Level III on an end-of-grade test shall be given a second test no later than three weeks from the receipt of test results. Parents may request that their child be excused from the second administration of the test. In this case, the parent and child shall be deemed to have accepted participation infocused intervention.

VISITATION

Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit Hayesville Elementary. For the safety of all students, all visitors must check in with the office. If you wish to eat with your student, please inform his/her teacher with a note so that we may be prepared for you. You will still be required to check in at the office and get a visitor's pass before going to the cafeteria.

SCHOOL WIDE RULES

1. Each student is to show respect for fellow students, teachers, and staff.
2. There is to be no running in any building other than the gym, during P.E. activities.
3. There is to be no chewing gum in the building.
4. There are to be no tobacco products used anywhere on campus.
5. Proper use of buildings, materials, and equipment is expected.
6. Students are to be in place, on time, and have appropriate materials and supplies.
7. BUS RULES coincide with classroom rules in general, but more particularly in the following areas:
   * The bus driver is the complete authority while on the bus and will deal with problems judiciously and prudently. (Bus rules will be posted at the front of each bus and explained the first week of school).
   *Students are to respect the driver and other student's person and property.
   *Students must take their assigned seats quickly, orderly, and remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
   *Students are to keep body appendages and other objects inside the windows.
   *Conversations are to be conducted in a normal speaking voice, avoiding loud screaming or yelling.
   *No objects may be brought on board bus such as glass bottles, balloons, weapons, or food items.

LUNCH & BREAKFAST PROGRAM

The cafeteria is open from 7:30 a.m. until 7:55 a.m. to serve breakfast. No one will be served after 8:00 a.m. unless a bus is late or some other emergency makes it necessary. Lunch will be served beginning at 11:00 a.m. and continue until all students are served. Parents may pay for their child's meals, apply for free or reduced-priced lunch, or pack a lunch. For those who pay full or reduced prices, payment in advance is required. The cafeteria's computerized cash registers maintain a running balance. When a minimum level is reached, the student will be advised that it is time to pay more. We encourage monthly payments on the first school day of the week. Although teachers accept money for the cafeteria, they do not maintain the balances. When questions arise about lunchroom balances, please call School Food Services at 389-6855, the school food service office. Cafeteria prices are as follows:

Parent Involvement Policy

The Clay County Board of Education supports parental involvement in the educational programs offered to students. Parental involvement will be supported by the development of a planning process to continuously assess, plan, and implement strategies that enhance parental involvement.

•  A committee of parents, teachers, and administrators from each participating school will be established to guide overall program efforts and serve as a parental involvement network.

•  Clay County Schools will provide coordination, technical assistance and other support necessary to assist schools in planning and implementing effective parent involvement activities.

•  Parental involvement will include activities designed to enhance parent knowledge and skills to improve student academic achievement and school performance.

•  Annual meetings will be scheduled to disseminate information concerning all programs, assessment results, school improvement plans, and opportunities for parent involvement. Specific program areas include, but are not limited to: Title I, Title II, Students with Special Needs, Limited English Proficiency, Parents As Teachers.

•  The parental involvement policy will be evaluated annually to determine its effectiveness in improving the academic quality of the schools, including identifying barriers to greater participation by parents.

•  The parent involvement activities of all schools served will be coordinated and integrated.

•  Each school shall jointly develop with and distribute to parents a written parental involvement policy. The policy shall include building capacity for strong parental involvement, coordination and integration of all parental involvement strategies, and annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parental involvement policy.

Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harrassment, & Anti-Bullying Policy

The Board believes that all employees and students should be free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and bullying as part of a safe, orderly, caring and inviting working and learning environment. The Board commits itself to nondiscrimination in all its educational and employment activities. The board expressly prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment or bullying, including on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, religion, age or disability.

The Board also prohibits retaliation against an employee or student who has exercised any rights made available through state or federal law, including prohibiting retaliation for reporting violations of this policy.

Any violation of this policy is considered a serious violation and appropriate action will be taken in response to a violation.

A.  Application of Policy

All persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district must comply with all applicable federal and state laws, including the prohibition against harassment and bullying of students or harassment of employees.

1.   This policy will apply in the following circumstances:
2.   While in any school building or on any school premises, before, during or after
   school hours.
3.   While on any bus or other vehicle as part of any school activity.
4.   While waiting at any bus stop.
5.   During any school function, extracurricular activity or other activity or event.
6.   Any time or place when the behavior has a direct and immediate effect or maintaining order and discipline in the schools.

B. Definitions

For the purpose of this policy, the following definitions will apply:

Discrimination means any act that unreasonably and unfavorably differentiates treatment of others based solely on their membership in a socially distinct group or category, such as race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, or disability. Discrimination may be intentional or unintentional.

Harassment can be a type of unlawful discrimination. Harassment is unwanted, unwelcome and uninvited behavior that demeans, threatens or offends the victim and results in a hostile environment for the victim. The hostile environment can be created through pervasive or persistent misbehavior or a single incident, if sufficiently severe. Harassing behavior may include but is not limited to epithets, derogatory comments or slurs and lewd propositions, assault, impeding or blocking movement, offensive touching or any physical interference with normal work or movement, and visual insults, such as derogatory posters or cartoons.

It is possible for harassment to occur at various levels; between fellow students or co-workers, between supervisors and subordinates, between employees and students, or imposed by non-employees, including visitors on employees and/or students.

Bullying is a form of harassment. Bullying means the repeated intimidation of others by the real or threatened infliction of physical, verbal, written, electronically transmitted or emotional abuse through attacks on the property of another. Bullying may include, but is not limited to, verbal taunts, name-calling and putdowns, extortion of money or possessions, implied or stated threats, and exclusion from peer groups.

C . Discrimination, Harassment or Bullying Complaint Procedures

Students

Students and parents are encouraged to submit any complaints of discrimination, harassment or bullying through the appropriate administrator or through the Clay County Schools Grievance Procedure.

Employees

Employees are encouraged to submit any complaints of discrimination or harassment through the Clay County Schools Grievance Procedure.

D. Non-Retaliation

The Board prohibits reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of discrimination, harassment, or bullying. The consequence and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in reprisal or retaliation shall be determined by the principal, after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, in accordance with applicable federal, state or local laws, policies and regulations.

E . Training and Programs

The Superintendent shall designate an employee to participate in training by the Department of Public Instruction pertaining to anti-discrimination, anti-harassment and anti-bullying. The designee will provide training in the school district regarding this policy and state requirements.

Information regarding this policy will be provided to students and employees. This training will include identifying groups that may be the target of discrimination, harassment or bullying; and will identify places at which such behavior may occur.

Notice

Each school shall provide in teacher and student handbooks notice to the respective parents and students of the procedures for reporting and investigating complaints of discrimination, harassment and bullying. The school district will investigate complaints of discrimination, harassment and bullying will take reasonable steps to eliminate the discrimination, harassment or bullying.

Coordinators

The superintendent or designee will publish the names, addresses and phone numbers of the "Title IX Coordinator" (for sex discrimination), "Section 504 Coordinator" (for discrimination on the basis of disability), and the "ADA Coordinator" (also for discrimination on the basis of disability) in a manner intended to ensure that employees, applicants, students, parents and other individuals who participate in the school district's program are aware of the coordinators. The purpose of the coordinators position is to provide additional protection of nondiscrimination rights. The coordinator either must (1) implement a resolution to a discrimination, harassment or bullying complaint, to the extent a resolution can be reached and the coordinator has the authority to implement corrective action, or (2) notify the superintendent that intervention by other school officials is required to resolve the situation.

Records and Reporting

The superintendent or designee shall maintain confidential records of complaints or reports of discrimination which identify the names of any individuals accused of discrimination and the resolution of such reports or complaints. The superintendent also shall maintain records of training or other steps taken by the district to help provide an environment free of discrimination, harassment or bullying.

The Superintendent shall report to the State Board of Education all verified cases of discrimination, harassment or bullying. The report will be made through the Discipline Data Collection Report or through other means required by the State Board of Education.

Evaluation

The superintendent is required to evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to correct or prevent discrimination, harassment or bullying.