Student Handbook

Chalkville Elementary School

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Page Index

Contact Information

Philosophy

Mission Statement

School Calendar

Admission

Arrival

Attendance

Conference/Visitors

Custody

Dismiss

Field Trips

Head Lice

Honor Roll

Library

Lost and Found

Lunchroom

Medication

Messages

Monies

Parking

Parties

Reporting Periods

School Hours

School Store

Textbook

Tobacco

Transportation

Website

Withdrawal

 

 

Lillian Hunsinger, Principal

Laura Rose, Assistant Principal

 

940 Chalkville School Road

Birmingham, AL 35215

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office:                379-2950

Lunchroom:        379-2971

Gym:                  379-2972

Gymnastics:        853-5888

Health Room:     379-2973

PTA:                  854-4294

FAX:                  856-6662

 

 

PHILOSOPHY

The faculty of Chalkville School is committed to the development of the total child.  Emphasis is placed upon

the fundamental skills of communication, computation, reasoning, and problem solving.  Careful guidance is provided in the cultivation of a positive self-image and in the formulation of sound values.

 

An important dimension of the educational criteria is to develop citizens who contribute significantly to a democratic  and ever-changing society.  Continual assessment of the curricula helps to foster awareness of cultural and environmental issues, to utilize and teach technological advances, and to take advantage of available community resources.

 

A variety of teaching methods and materials are used to ensure the individual differences in learning are recognized  and addressed.  The provision of a safe and secure learning environment enables children to meet challenges and to make strides in reaching their fullest potential.

                               

 

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of  Chalkville Elementary is to involve parents and the community to enable students to become responsible members of society, productive life-long learners, and independent problem solvers in a diverse and ever-changing world.

 

 

SCHOOL CALENDAR

 

2005

August 11      Thursday       1st Day for Students

September 5         Monday                              Labor Day-Schools & Offices Closed

October 17-21      Mon-Fri.        Fall Break

November 11       Friday            Veterans’ Day-Schools  & Offices Closed

November 23-25 Wed.-Fri.        Thanksgiving Holidays- Schools & Offices Closed

Dec. 20 - January 4                     Mid-Year Holidays-Schools closed for students

 

2006

January 5              Thursday       Schools Re-Open        

January 16            Monday                              Martin Luther King. Jr. Day-Schools & Offices Closed

February 17          Friday            Inclement Weather Day

                                                        Schools Closed

February 20          Monday                              Presidents’ Day-Schools & Offices Closed

March 20-24        Mon.-             Spring Break - All schools

Friday            closed for students

 

April 17  Thursday               Inclement Weather Make-up Day - Schools Closed

May 25                  Thursday       Teacher Workday.  Schools closed for students

May 26                  Friday            Last Day for Students & Teachers

 

 

ADMISSION

  1. Custodial parent/guardian must reside in Chalkville School zone or secure a transfer to Chalkville School

  2. Kindergarten students must be five years old on or before September 1

  3. First grade students must be six years old on or before September 1

  4. A certified birth certificate, student’s social security card, immunization forms, and 2 proofs of residence (mortgage, lease, or recent utility bills).  Students will be withdrawn on August 31st if the registration is not complete, including emergency phone numbers and current proof of residence.

 

 

ARRIVAL

Students should arrive on time for school each day.  Teachers and students should be in their class each day at 7:55.  Students arriving before 7:50 will report directly to the bus study where they will be supervised.  Students are expected to read or study.  Jefferson County Board Policy states:

 

JCBE POLICY FILE: 343.21                       Approved: 5/28/92

No student is to enter upon school property before 7:30 unless enrolled in Before School Care for $2.00 a day or to remain on school property past 3:30 unless expressly authorized by the school principal, presently enrolled in an on-site child care program, participating in an authorized extracurricular school activity or program, or transported to school by school bus. 

Students are not allowed to wait outside or elsewhere in the building but should report directly to bus study.  Parents will be charged $3 per child for each 15 minute increment past 3:30 p.m.  This means a student has remained on campus for 45 minutes after dismissal without charge; however, charges will begin at 3:30.

 

TARDIES - Any student not in the classroom at 8:10 a.m. will be counted tardy.  All students arriving after 8:10 should be checked in through the school office by an adult. 

Buses arriving after 8:10 will not cause a student to be counted tardy.  Three tardies or early check-outs equals 1 absence.

PARENTS SHOULD NOT escort students to class in the mornings or wait outside in the hallways in the afternoons.  THIS IS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS

 

 

ATTENDANCE

Students are to be in attendance every day possible.  If a student must miss school, the parent must send a note upon the child’s return (not to exceed 2 days) stating the date and the reason for the absence.  Any visits to the doctor should be documented by the physician’s excuse and sent to the school when the student returns.  A student may not miss more than nine days per semester and receive credit for the class, unless verified by a doctor’s excuse.  The following are considered excused absences for which make-up work is permissible:

  1. Student is too ill to attend school as certified by a physician after four days of absences.

  2. Death in immediate family.

  3. Absence with prior written permission of the principal and written consent of the parents.

  4. Legal quarantine.

  5. Inclement weather as announced by local news media that makes it dangerous for students to attend school.

  6. Absence to observe traditional religious holidays of local, national, or international origin verified by the student’s minister on school form.

  7. Emergency conditions as determined by the superintendent or principal.

  8. Excused absences will allow the student two days to make up work for each day absent.

 Make-up work should be requested upon the child’s return to school unless the absence is for an extended amount of time.  The classroom teacher cannot stop instructing the

students who are in attendance to gather make-up work.  However, calling the office prior to the school day may allow the teacher time to gather assignments and books that can be picked up after school.

 

Work cannot be made up for unexcused absences.  Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct distributed to each Jefferson County student for conduct codes, disciplinary actions and student attendance.

 

 

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Perfect attendance = NO absences, NO late check-ins, and NO early check-outs!  Excused absences are still absences.

 

 

CONFERENCES/VISITORS

Any person entering school must come by the office FIRST.  NO ONE is to go directly to the teacher’s room.  Teachers have been instructed to ask visitors for their pass.  This measure is for the safety of all children.  You are urged to conference with your child’s teacher.  Each teacher has a conference period each day.  It is the parent’s responsibility to schedule conferences.  Please schedule a conference if grades indicate a problem.

 

Conferences are scheduled through the office.  Parents MUST make an appointment to visit their child’s classroom.  Disruptions interfere with the learning process.

 

 

CUSTODY

In most cases, divorced parents continue to have equal rights, such as access to student information.

 

If you have a court order that limits the rights of one parent in matters such as custody or visitation, please bring a copy to the office.  UNLESS YOUR COURT ORDER IS SIGNED BY A JUDGE AND ON FILE WITH US, WE WILL PROVIDE EQUAL RIGHTS TO BOTH PARENTS.

 

Registration sheets must reflect current information.  The names on these sheets are the individuals the school will allow to check your child out during the school day.  Any other check-outs require a note.  Please remember if you change jobs during the school year, it is imperative that you contact the office with your new phone numbers.

 

 

DISMISSAL

Car riders are dismissed after the first load buses leave.  You must obtain the sheet from the office to place in your car to pick up your child.  Please hang this sheet (using a skirt or  pant hanger with clips) on your rear view mirror so it will be clearly visible to call your child. This saves time and confusion and provides an extra measure of safety for your child.

 

 

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips will be arranged to supplement the instructional program.  Students must have written permission from a parent or guardian to go on field trips.  All school rules of behavior are in effect during field trips.  Only students of classes involved and approved chaperones may go.  Board policy does not allow other students or preschool children to go.  Students must ride to and from the destination on the school bus even if the parent follows in a car.

 

 

HEAD LICE

You will be notified when lice and/or nits have been discovered in your child’s hair.  The children should come by the office following treatment, bring a box top from the shampoo, and be re-checked before returning to the classroom.  Lice and nits must be removed before a child returns to school.  Three days will be the maximum excused absences due to lice and/or nit treatment and removal.

 

 

HONOR ROLL

  1. Students receiving all A’s will be placed on the A Honor roll.

  2. Students receiving A’s and B’s will be placed on the A-B Honor Roll.

  3. A “U” in handwriting, P.E., Music, Conduct, or Art will not affect the student being placed on the Honor Roll.

  4. Exceptional Education students who receive all A’s and B’s on the Modified Educational Grade Plan will be included on the Honor Roll.

 

 

LIBRARY RULES

  1. Books are checked out for one week at a time.  A book may be renewed once.  Some popular titles may not be renewed.

  2. A student cannot check a book out if he/she has another book overdue.

  3. If a student loses or damages a book, he/she will be asked to pay the current replacement price from a publisher’s catalog.

  4. Reconsideration of materials will follow procedures in the Library Media Center selection policy.

  5. All materials must be returned to the library before a student can be withdrawn from Chalkville School.

  6. You must notify the teacher each year in writing if you do not wish for your child to check out books.  Otherwise, you are responsible.

 

LOST AND FOUND

Please label your child’s clothing for identification by putting his FIRST AND LAST NAME on the collar of jackets, raincoats, sweaters, etc.  THIS IS A MUST in all grades.  Periodically,  we will call Goodwill to pick up these items.

 

 

LUNCHROOM

Jefferson County Lunch Policy does not allow lunch charges.  Lunch hours are staggered from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  We encourage students to eat in the school lunchroom; however, children may bring lunches prepared from home only (No Fast Food Containers).  All drinks must be brought in a thermos; GLASS BOTTLES OR CANS ARE NOT ALLOWED.  Juice Boxes are acceptable.

 

Students are assigned an I.D. number that they will punch in on a computer pad as they go through the cafeteria line.  It is more convenient to pay for the lunches on Monday by the week or month.  If your child is absent, your money will be refunded or carried over the next period upon your request.  For a kindergarten, first, or second grade student, please send your child’s lunch money in a sealed envelope with his/her name, student I.D. number, and the amount enclosed on the outside.

 

Parents are invited to eat with us at any time.  

If a child has food allergies, a doctor’s note must be on file with the cafeteria manager/teacher.

 

 

BREAKFAST

Breakfast is served daily in the cafeteria from 7:30 a.m. until 7:50 a.m.  Students arriving by cars must be here by 7:45 to eat breakfast.

 

 

LUNCH CHARGES

Students will not be allowed to charge food items.  However,  they will be permitted to call home concerning lunch/breakfast money.  In the event that parents cannot be reached for lunch money, the school will provide a peanut butter sandwich for the student for only 3 consecutive days.

Breakfast                   $1.00 a day           $5.00 a week

Lunch                  $1.50 a day   $7.50 a week

Breakfast & Lunch    $12.50 a week

Extra Milk                 $.30

Ice Cream                  $.50/.75 (Novelties)

Extra Meat Serving   $1.25

 

 

MEDICATION POLICY

  1. All medication will be dispensed through the clinic or school office.

  2. Dosages should be scheduled at home unless otherwise specified by a doctor.

  3. Only those dosages requested in writing from parent/guardian and the physician will be accepted by school officials.

  4. Medicine must be properly labeled with doctor’s name, amount of medicine to be taken, and specific time to be taken.

  5. Permission must be granted by the parent/guardian to contact the student’s physician directly in case additional information is needed.

Only one-day dosages will be accepted.  Exceptions include drugs that are kept on hand in case of allergic reactions or other emergency situations, and drugs which must be administered on a regular basis for extended periods of time.

MEDICATIONS NOT PRESCRIBED BY A PHYSICIAN CANNOT BE GIVEN AT SCHOOL BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL.  It will be the responsibility of the parent to dispense such medication.

 

 

MESSAGES

Please make arrangements with your child before school concerning the pick-up schedule.  Messages interrupt the learning environment and process of all students.  A student cannot be called from class to the phone.  A student must have permission from the teacher and office before making a call.  Telephone messages to the teacher are placed in the teacher’s mailbox.  The mailboxes are checked daily, usually as the teacher is leaving.

 

 

MONIES

Any monies sent or brought to the school in the form of cash must be the correct change.  The office does not keep change.

 

 

PARKING

DO NOT BLOCK the school drive.  Emergency vehicles must have access to the school at all times.

 

 

PARTIES

One party is scheduled a year.  Traditionally, this party is before the Christmas holidays.  No other parties will be approved including birthday parties for the teachers and students (No cupcakes, cokes, pizza, etc.).  Please do not bring preschool children to parties.  May Day is also a play day for students.  Invitations to birthday parties will not be distributed at school unless each classmate receives one.

 

 

REPORTING PERIOD

Report cards are sent home at nine-week intervals.  Please sign and return cards immediately.  Progress reports are sent home midway of the reporting periods.  Parents will be notified if there is a severe drop in the grade or if the student’s discipline needs to improve.  Duplicate report cards cost $5.00.

 

 

SCHOOL HOURS

Dismissal Time is 2:45 p.m beginning with walkers.

 

                       

SCHOOL STORE

Supplies are sold in the cafeteria at the supply store from 7:35 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. each day.  Only school supplies should be brought to school.  Toys or any other objects brought to school may be taken up and kept until the parents can pick them up.

 

                       

TEXTBOOK RULES

All textbooks are the property of Jefferson County Board of Education and Chalkville Elementary School and must be returned to the teacher when a student is promoted or transferred.  Textbooks must not be damaged.  Damages include but are not limited to pages missing, water damage, or pen/pencil markings.  Student will pay full price for a damaged new textbook or half price for a damaged used textbook.  A replacement textbook will not be issued until the payment for the lost or damaged textbook is received.

 

 

TOBACCO FREE ENVIRONMENT

(POLICY 547/653)

Smoking and other tobacco use is prohibited on buses and on school grounds at all times.  This applies to employees, students and visitors.

 

 

TRANSPORTATION

Students who live two or more miles from school may ride school buses.  Every rider is required to obey bus rules or be subject to removal from the bus.  Students may ride only assigned buses.

 

 

WEBSITE

Chalkville Elementary’s website may be viewed at http://www.jefcoed.com/schools/chalkville.  Content will be updated and revised periodically.  Take a few minutes to check out the site out on a regular basis for important information and updates.  If your child’s name or pictures appears on the website and you would prefer for it not to be, please send a note to your child’s teacher and we will be happy to remove it.  If you have any comments or suggestions concerning the site, please feel free to e-mail Mr. Cocke at bcocke@jefcoed.com.

 

 

WITHDRAWAL

Custodial parents or guardians planning to withdraw students from school should call a day in advance for withdrawal forms and immunization records to be processed.  Cumulative records will be sent to the receiving school upon written request.