Contents

General Information and Administrative Polices

2   Daily Schedule

  3   2008-2009 School Calendar

4   Child Custody Issues

4   Emergency Drills

4   Emergency Information

4   Permission to Pick Up

4   Lost and Found

4   School Pictures and Yearbooks

4-5   Severe Weather Procedures

5   Student Records

5   Tobacco Products

5   Valuables at School

5   Portable Electronic Equipment

5   Floral Deliveries

School and Community Relations

6   Parent-School Communications

6   Parent-Teacher Organization

6   Visitors and Volunteers

Curriculum and Instruction

7   Field Trips

    7   Grading and Reporting Student Progress

8   Homework

8   Reading at Home

Student Policies and Services

8   Attendance

    9   Student Dress

 9-11   Health Issues

    Existing Health Conditions

Medications

Contagious Diseases

Immunizations

Mass Hearing and Speech/Language Screenings

Insurance

11   Lunch and Breakfast Programs

11   Lunch and Breakfast Prices

12   Vending Sales

12-13   Student Conduct

13   Telephone and Student Messages

13-14   Student Transportation

13-14   Morning Arrival & Afternoon Departure

14   School Buses

14 Changes in Transportation

15   Early Release Days

15   Wrap-Around Child Care Program

General Information and Administrative Policies

Daily Schedule

2008-2009 Calendar

August

December

February

February 4	Early Release Day - 12:00 Dismissal
February 16	Teacher Planning/Vacation

March

April

May

June

Child Custody Issues

Special directions for the school regarding child custody should be presented to the school in the form of a letter and court order.  Your child(ren)'s teacher(s) should be informed of your expectations.  Generally, the school should not be a place to carry out parental visitation rights. 

Emergency Drills

Your child's safety is one of our greatest concerns.  Regular drills teach children to respond calmly in the event of an emergency.  The school conducts fire drills each school month, a tornado drill at least once each school year, and other drills as needed.  Detailed escape routes are posted inside the door of each classroom.  It is most important that students remain quiet and are attentive to staff direction during all drills.

Emergency Information

Emergency/Registration Data Sheets are distributed during orientation and are collected by the teacher the first school day . It is important that you notify the school immediately of changes in your address, telephone number, or person to contact in emergencies.   The school needs an up-to-date work telephone number or emergency number in the event your child becomes ill or is injured at school.

Permission to Pick Up

All persons picking up students during the school day must provide picture I.D..  Students will only be released to persons listed on file as having permission to pick up.

Lost and Found

Please put your child's name on all coats, bookbags, and other personal items .   This will help us identify lost property. These items are placed on a rack in the hall next to the Cafeteria. Unclaimed items are cleaned, and given to South Caldwell Christian Ministries.

School Pictures and Yearbooks

Student pictures will be taken in the fall and spring each year.  Fall pictures are scheduled for October 17^th.  Class pictures and a yearbook are available in the spring. 

Severe Weather Procedures

The Caldwell County Schools Infoline (728-2800) provides information about school closings due to bad weather.  Infoline messages are generally recorded no later than 6:00 a.m.  When decisions can be made the evening before, the message will be recorded at that time. 

School closings are also announced by the local media, including CBS-3, ABC-9, NBC-6 television stations, and WKVS-103.3, WKGX-1080, WJRI-1340, WYCV-900AM radio stations.

If, during the school day, weather conditions become severe enough to dismiss school early, announcements will be made over local area radio and television stations to insure adequate media coverage.  Please d o not call the school for this information.  The Wrap-Around Program will not operate for students if school dismisses early.  Parents are asked to pick children up without undue delay during severe weather.  

Student transportation arrangements, in the event of early dismissal due to weather, should be written by parents on the Student Enrollment Sheet.  Parents are asked to update these forms at the beginning of each school year, and any time information on this sheet changes.

Student Records

It is the policy of the Caldwell County Board of Education that parents or guardians have access to their child's school records upon request.

Tobacco-Free School

Board of Education Policy 6624 prohibits smoking or the use of tobacco products on all school property.  The school asks your cooperation in observing this policy.

Valuables at School

Large amounts of money or other valuables should not be brought to school. Anything not needed for class should be left at home.   Skateboards, collectible cards or coins, knives, matches, lighters, fireworks and toys are not to be brought to school.  School personnel try to prevent losses but are not responsible for students' personal property.  Such items may be taken from students and kept in the office until a parent comes to school to claim them.

Portable Electronic Equipment at School

Portable phones, music players, and handheld electronic games are not to be used, handled, or out in view in the school building or on school grounds.  These devices are not to be used during outside play or exercise time.  It is expected that students will not handle or use these devices while in the hallways, during breakfast or lunch, or while waiting for their cars.

Exceptions include: while traveling on the bus, while waiting for second load buses, or during special times designated by the teacher.  School staff may require that these devices be put away at any time that they believe they are causing or will cause a disruption.

School staff will advise students of this rule and instruct them to put away electronic devices if they are used, handled, or in view during restricted times.  Repeated incidents or incidents that cause significant disruption may result in the teacher taking the device for the students to retrieve at the end of the day or for a parent/guardian to come to the school to retrieve.

Floral Deliveries

Floral deliveries to students are not allowed at any time during the school day. This policy includes deliveries from florists or deliveries by parents/other family members.

School and Community Relations

Parent-School Communications

Please contact the school whenever the need arises.  Teachers may be contacted by note, e-mail, or telephone.  During the instructional day the office will take messages for teachers to return your call. Please call to set a conference time with your child's teacher, as our teachers' schedules do not allow for drop-in conferences.

Parent-Teacher Organization

Dudley Shoals has a strong tradition of an active PTO.  Our PTO has helped facilitate numerous volunteer projects and hours, as well as fundraisers that have supported our instructional programs within the classroom and help make improvements to our school campus.  Please contact the school office or PTO Volunteer Coordinators if you would like to volunteer.

Please plan to attend PTO meetings and support the various PTO projects throughout the school year.

Important PTO Dates include:

Sept 15- Fall Fundraiser Kick-off

Sept 16: Open House

Oct 10: Fall Festival

Dec 9: Christmas Program

March 10: Spring Talent Show

May 5: End-of-Year Program

Our PTO Officers for 2008-2009 are:

Co-Presidents: Teana Cantrell and Karen Johnson

Vice-President: Charlotte Teague

Secretary: Amanda Heavener

Treasurer: Lisa Herman

Volunteer Coordinators: Jennifer Homer

Box Tops: Emma Lee Kurts

PTO Advisor: Crystal Church

       

Visitors and Volunteers

Parents are encouraged to volunteer their time and talents.  We frequently need assistance in the classrooms, on field trips, with PTO projects, and with school beautification.  Feel free to ask your child's teacher, our PTO volunteer coordinators, or the school office for more information.

All visitors and volunteers are expected to sign in when arriving at school.  You will be given a visitor/volunteer badge to wear while in the school.  Please return the badge and sign out when leaving.

Curriculum and Instruction

Field Trips

Signed permission from home is required for students to participate in field trips.  No student will be denied participation in field trips because of financial need.  Students are expected to follow all school rules while on field trips.  Poor student conduct at school may limit student participation in field trips.  Every effort is made to keep field trip costs at a minimum.  The transportation portion of the cost cannot be refunded since transportation costs are figured on a per student basis. 

Parents should consult with their child's teacher before making plans to attend any field trip.   Some trips are opened to all parents, some are open to a limited number of volunteer parent chaperones, and some trips are not open to any additional guests (parents or otherwise).

Grading and Reporting Student Progress

Grading and reporting of student grades will comply with Board of Education Policies 7520, 7521, 7522, and 7524.   Mid-term reports are sent home each grading period.  Report cards are sent home on dates designated and publicized by the Superintendent's office (usually on or before the tenth calendar day following the end of the grading period).  Please sign and promptly return the report card to your child's teacher.  Space is provided on the report card for your comments or for you to indicate the need for a parent/teacher conference.  

Grades K-2

Letter grades will not be used.  Early academic success is crucial.  Parents of K-2 students will receive a written report each grading period detailing student progress.  Parent/teacher conferences will be scheduled on conference days designated in the school calendar or as needed.

Grades 3-5

Core Curriculum Classes   PE, Music, Art

A 93-100     O   Outstanding

B 85-92        S   Satisfactory

C 77-84        N   Needs Improvement

D 70-76        U   Unsatisfactory

F   69 and below      

Conduct graded A-F.       Conduct O-S-N-U.  

Honor Rolls

Honor rolls will be used in grades 3 - 5 and will be published in the local newspaper following each grading period.

"A" Honor Roll:   No grade less than A, no grade of U for a subject, and no grade of D, F, or U on conduct.

"A/B" Honor Roll: No grade less than B, no grade of U for a subject, and no grade of D, F, or U on conduct.

Homework

Homework assignments reinforce classroom instruction and encourage students to be responsible and self-disciplined.  Students who regularly complete homework assignments have higher achievement and perform better on End-of-Grade tests.   Students generally should have no more than one hour to one and a half hour of homework each night.   If your child consistently has difficulty with completing their homework, or you are not clear about homework expectations, please contact your child's teacher.

Reading at Home

Taking time every day to read together is critical to your child's reading growth.  You can make a direct positive impact on reading achievement by taking time to read to and with your child.  Children that read more become better readers.  Students that read well have the most school success.

There is no substitute for reading at home.  At school, students are given direct instruction in reading, as well as time for independent reading. Students must have quality reading time at home in order to make sufficient reading growth.  Research shows that students who have parent support for reading and doing homework will be more successful in school.  Students who struggle with reading need even more time at home for practicing

Student Policies and Services

Attendance

Children learn best when they attend school regularly.  North Carolina General Statute 115C-378 requires parents and guardians to cause children to come to school.  Excessive unlawful absences are a violation of the Compulsory Attendance Law.  Parents should send a written note to your child's teacher upon returning to school after an absence 

A doctor's excuse may be required when a student has more than five absences during a semester.  Board of Education policy and state law require that letters be sent for 3, 6, and 10 unexcused absences and that a referral be made to the School Social Worker.  Continued unexcused absences may result in court referral.

Tardies or Early Dismissals

Classroom instruction begins at 8:00 each morning. Students arriving late to class disrupt instruction.  If you bring your child to school after 8:15, please sign them in at the main desk in the office. Except in an emergency, please do not ask that your child be excused from school earlier than 2:30 .   For doctor or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled after school, please notify the teacher in writing when you will come for your child. 

You will need to sign your child out through the office.  A picture ID or two valid forms of ID are required of all persons signing out students.  Only persons on the list approved by the parent or guardian will be allowed to sign out students.  Additions to that list will only be accepted in writing from the parent or guardian OR over the telephone with the confirmation of a special code word provided by the parent or guardian.   Teachers and office staff have been instructed to follow this sign-out policy without exception. 

Students with twenty or more tardies and/or early dismissals will not be eligible to receive perfect attendance certificates.

Make Up Work

Students are expected to complete assignments missed due to absence/tardiness/early dismissal from school.  Please contact the teacher for missed assignments.  Two days per one day absent are allowed for completed assignments.

Student Dress

Proper student dress helps set the tone for an effective learning environment.  Weather, safety, and the learning activities of the day should be considered when choosing what to wear.  Items that are inappropriate or create a disruption will not be permitted.

The following items are not appropriate for school:

·   Hats/caps inside the building

·   Excessively revealing clothing, including short shorts, midriff shirts, strapless shirts, spaghetti-straps, backless shirts, muscle shirts with large arm holes.

·   Unnatural hair coloring

·   Flip-flops, shoes with high heels, "heelies" or shoes with wheels/gliders.

·   Clothing depicting/advertising alcohol, tobacco, or offensive material.

Pants, shorts and shirts are to be worn at the waist.  Skirts and shorts must fit properly and be at a decent length.  Students inappropriately dressed will be sent home to change, or a parent will be contacted to bring a change of clothing.

Health Issues

Existing Health Conditions

Each year you should inform your child's teacher(s) about any existing health conditions such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, or other severe reactions.  Never assume that the school knows of such conditions.

Medications

All medications, including over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, etc.) must be in an original container.  Medication prescribed by a doctor must be brought to school in a properly labeled container from the pharmacy with dispensing instructions.  All medications are stored and dispensed in the office. A log sheet is maintained in the office.  School personnel will not dispense  medicine without a completed consent form signed by the parent or guardian. Medicine will not be sent home with students.

Contagious Diseases

School personnel or the school nurse may check any student suspected of having contagious diseases.  If a student is found to be contagious, the parent will be notified and the student must be signed out of school immediately. A note from the Health Department or doctor may be required before a student who has had a contagious disease may return to school.

Immunizations

Parents are required to present evidence that their child meets the minimum requirements for immunizations within 30 calendar dates of first enrolling in our school.  Failure to meet this deadline will result in suspension from school until the record is on file at school. 

North Carolina State law requires the following minimum doses:

5 DPT SHOTS.  (If 4th dose is on/after 4th birthday, 5th dose is not required.)

4 POLIO VACCINE DOSES.   (If 3rd dose is on/after 4th birthday, 4th dose is not required.)

  1 - 4 Hib DOSES.   (Not required after age 5.)

2 MMR DOSES.   (1st dose on or after 1st birthday.  2nd dose before enrolling in school.)

1- Varicella DOSE

3- Hep B DOSES

Mass Hearing and Speech/Language Screenings

Mass Pure-Tone Hearing Screenings will be conducted annually for Kindergarten, First, Third, and Fifth grades.  Parents who do not wish for their child to participate in Mass Hearing Screenings will need to inform the school in writing within 5 days of starting school.  Students in other grades who are suspect for hearing difficulties will be screened individually after obtaining parental permission.

No Mass Speech Screenings will be conducted.  Any student who is suspect for speech and language delays will be screened individually after obtaining parental permission.

This notice reflects changes to the Caldwell County Speech and language Screening Procedures - effective for the 2008-2009 school year.

If you have any questions, please call Glenda Johnson, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech/Langauge Pathologist, at the school (396-3457).

Student Accident Insurance

A voluntary student accident insurance is administered by The Young Group.  Rates for the 2008-2009 school year are as follows:

Applications for this insurance are available at the school.

The Young Group; 256 West Millbrook Road; Raleigh, NC  27609

(919) 846-9798

Lunch and Breakfast Programs

Money can be placed in your child's account in a number of ways.  You may send cash or checks (make checks out to Dudley Shoals Cafeteria); you can even make payments online.  If you choose to send cash or checks, please put it in an envelope with the child's full name, cafeteria account number, and amount of cash or check on the outside.  If you would like to pay online, go to http://www.lunchprepay.com/.  You will need your child's NC Wise number to do this. Call the school office to obtain the number.  Please monitor your child's account to be sure there is enough money to pay for meals and extras.  We try to remind students to tell parents when account balances are low.  When a negative balance reaches $4.00 a letter will go home to parents with the amount of meal money owed. After $7.00 a follow-up letter will be sent.  No supplemental items may be purchased when a student owes money for meals.

Application forms for free or reduced lunch/breakfast will be sent home with your child on the first day of enrollment.  If you feel your family qualifies, please complete the form even though you may choose to pay for or pack a lunch for your child.  Please complete only one application per family .

Upon entering the lunchroom for lunch, classes observe ten minutes of quiet time to begin eating.  Red cups are placed on the tables to remind students to observe the quiet time to eat.  After ten minutes green cups replace the red cups to give students time to talk and socialize.  Rules for lunchroom behavior are posted at the front of the lunchroom.

Lunch/Breakfast Prices

Established school lunch prices for school year 2008-09 are listed below.  Prices are subject to change with approval of the Board of Education:

Classroom Snacks

Your child's teacher will inform you of how snacks may be handled in their class.  Due to their potential for staining and messes, carbonated beverages (sodas) should not be sent to the school for snacks or lunch.

Vending Sales

Students may purchase pencils and notebooks from the vending machine in the hall near the cafeteria.  These purchases should be made prior to the beginning of instruction each morning.

Student Conduct

Our school community strongly believes that it is the shared responsibility of the home and school to help students learn self-discipline skills.  Self-discipline will ensure that students will be productive school citizens.  We strive to create an atmosphere for learning where all students are safe and appropriately participating.  We expect children to be respectful, responsible and pleasant.  A disruptive child rarely is learning or allowing his/her classmates to learn.  Each teacher establishes rules of conduct with his/her students and posts them in the classroom. 

School rules include:

1. Show respect to others, to yourself and to property.
2. Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
3. Move quietly and safely.
4. Follow directions.

In addition to the rules listed above, students are expected to:

- Support and participate in all school activities

- Be respectful, cooperative, and honest with others

- Be informed regarding their rights and responsibilities

- Assist the school staff in operating a safe school

- Exhibit self-discipline and self-motivation

The cooperation and support of parents with the school rules will eliminate most behavior problems that might occur.  The teacher will contact the parent when the behavior becomes repetitious or dangerous, so that parents may use this opportunity to assist with the discipline of their child.  More information regarding student conduct may be found in the Caldwell County School Board Policy (3300).

Board Policy 3300 lists the following misconduct:

Disruptive behavior, profane or abusive language, dishonesty (i.e. lying, cheating, plagiarism, etc.), fighting, stealing or damage to property, possession/use of tobacco or tobacco products, use/possession, or being under the influence of drugs and alcohol, sexual misconduct and harassment, possession or use of weapons, false fire alarms and bomb threats, disrespect to or assault/battery on staff, possession or use of fireworks and explosives, gambling, inappropriate dress, bus misconduct, leaving campus, acts with intent to create terror, and bullying.  Also, any conduct that is disruptive to the learning environment may result in the consequences listed below.

Potential consequences for disruptive and inappropriate behavior include but are not limited to the following:

Student warning      

Time out in office, classroom, or in another classroom  

Time in Back-Up Unit

Loss of privileges  

After-school detention

Parent notes/Conferences  

Restitution

Corporal Punishment    

Out-of-school Suspension

Long-term Suspension or Expulsion

Back Up Unit

The Back Up Unit (BUU) is a room where teachers may send disruptive students.  Our staff takes turns supervising the BUU.  Students may be sent to the BUU for a period of 10-15-20 minutes if they have been disruptive in class or if they need a quiet place to settle down. They are expected to sit quietly during their time there.  It is not a time for completing assignments or to receive counseling.  Our teachers do an excellent job of helping students to manage their behavior within the classroom.  We appreciate the great job our parents do to instill good behavior in our students.  The BUU sends the message that instructional time in the classroom is very important and that disruption of teaching and learning needs to be held to a minimum.

Special Parent Note

Please regularly check your child's bookbag, coat, and pants pockets to make sure they do not mistakenly bring prohibited or unnecessary items to school.  This will help prevent items such as collectibles, pocket knives, matches, lighters, fireworks, medications, toys, expensive jewelry, tobacco, sharp objects, cosmetics, or extra money from being brought to school.      

Playground Rules

Please review these simple playground rules with your child. 

1.   Running games on the grass

2. Keep hands and feet to yourself. 

3. Leave rocks and sticks on the ground. 

4.   Respect your playmates

5.  Wear shoes with backs

6.  Use play equipment properly

Telephone and Student Messages

Students will not be allowed to use the phone without approval of the teacher.  Classes will not be interrupted to give students messages.  Messages for students will be placed in teacher mailboxes.  Teachers generally check mailboxes following lunch. The school cannot guarantee delivery of messages received late in the school day.

Student Transportation

Mornings

Students arriving at school by car are dropped off in the traffic circle at the front walk (in front of the flagpoles) no earlier than 7:20.  If your child must arrive before 7:20 you must make arrangements with Wrap-Around for supervision.  For the safety and security of our students, parents are asked to not park in the traffic circle.  Students arriving at school by bus use the loading area at the north end of the school.  That driveway is for school buses, faculty and Wrap-Around parking, and service vehicles only.  Students should not be dropped off in the bus circle.

Afternoons

For the safety and security of our students, car riders can only be picked up in the traffic circle at the front walk.  Students should not be picked up in the bus circle.

Car Duty teachers will load up to three cars at a time. Students will not be released to parents who use the driveway at the north end of the school to avoid waiting in the car rider line.  Those parents will be instructed to go to the end of the car rider line.  Your cooperation in this matter is expected and appreciated.  The driveway at the north end of the school is for school buses, faculty and Wrap-Around parking, and service vehicles only.  To avoid waiting in line, you may want to delay your arrival at school by ten minutes.

School Buses

Students are expected to walk to the bus loading area each day.  Riding the school bus is a privilege.  Every student is expected to follow bus safety rules and obey the driver.  Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action that may include: administrative warning, assigned seating, bus suspension, out-of-school suspension, and suspension of bus riding privileges for the remainder of the school year. 

Bus Rider Rules Include....

1. Follow Driver Directions

2. Stay in Your Seat

3. Hands and Feet to Self

4. Inside Voices

5. Keep Personal Belongings Put Away

Students are also expected to follow rules of school conduct at bus stops.

Changes in Transportation

Students must have a note signed by parents and approved by the office to change buses or bus stops.

Please notify your child's teacher in writing of any changes in the way your child arrives or departs school.   Assigning students to ride the bus home with another child who regularly rides a certain bus will not be approved if that bus is at its capacity with regular bus riders.  If we are unable to accommodate your request you will be notified during the day so that you can make other arrangements.  No changes in transportation will be made over the phone without confirmation of the proper code word.

Early Release Days

September 24, February 4, and April 29 have been designated as Early Release Days.  School will be dismissed at 12:00 on these days.  We will serve lunch before dismissal.  In addition to their regular morning hours, Wraparound will be open from noon till 6:00 p.m. on these days.

Wrap-Around Child Care Program

The Dudley Shoals Wraparound site has been designated as a 5-Star Child Care Program by the state of North Carolina.

Registration forms and fee schedules are available in the office or from the Wrap-Around Director.  Please carefully read the information about contracted child care days.

Wrap-Around operates on instructional days, opening from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and from 2:32 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for days noted on the Caldwell County Schools Calendar as "Teacher Planning", "Teacher Planning/Vacation", and "Annual Leave". Wrap-Around will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., and from noon to 6:00 p.m. on "Early Release Days".   Wrap-Around does not operate on days noted on the Caldwell County Schools Calendar as "Holidays".  Child care services are also not provided during the week of July fourth and during one week of Christmas holidays.

Delayed Opening/Early Dismissal/Cancellation of School

Wrap-Around will make every effort to operate on the regular morning schedule.  If road conditions do not permit opening at 6:00 a.m., operational hours will be announced on the same television and radio stations used to announce the delay of school.  When a decision is made to close school and dismiss students early due to extreme weather, Wrap-Around will not operate.   Every effort will be made to operate on the regular schedule. Wrap-Around hours will be announced on the same television and radio stations used to announce the delay of school.

November

January

*Interscholastic Sports are not included as they are covered under the All Athletic or Football Only Plans.

September

October