NORTH SCHOOL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

Our goal is to achieve excellence.  It is important to have a united effort on the part of students, staff, administration, parents, and community.

                    1.    To continue to provide for the academic, physical, and emotional needs of each child.
                    2.    To continue to involve community and parent volunteers in planning and facilitating the school
                           program.
                    3.    To promote good citizenship by emphasizing the Cleveland County Schools Character Traits:
                           Respect,  Responsibility, Good Citizenship, Service to others/Kindness, Self-discipline, Courage,
                           Honesty/Integrity, Good Judgment, and Perserverence.

                                                                           

                                             

ARRIVAL:                                                                                                     

Car riders are to use the entrance under the covered walkway from 7:45 until 7:58 a.m.   After 7:58 a.m. parents will need to walk with students through the front door into the front office to sign in.  There will be no supervision for students in front of the school after 7:58 a.m.

ATTENDANCE:                                                                                                        

Attendance in school and participation in class are integral parts of academic achievement and the teaching-learning process.  Regular attendance develops patterns of behavior essential to professional and personal success in life.  Regular attendance by every student is mandatory. The State of North Carolina requires that all children in the state between the ages of seven and sixteen years of age attend school.  In addition every parent or guardian having control of a child under age seven who is enrolled in school shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period of time equal to the time, which the school is in session unless the child has withdrawn from school.  Parents or legal guardians have the responsibility for ensuring that students attend and remain at school daily.

School officials will keep accurate records of attendance, including accurate attendance records in each class.  Attendance records will be used to enforce the Compulsory Attendance Law of North Carolina .

Three tardies and/or early dismissals will constitute an absence and will affect attendance records, attendance awards, and promotion standards.

Elementary school - Elementary students (K - 4) who are absent from school more than 20 days for any reason will generally receive no credit for the year of study and will be retained for the upcoming school year, except by a determination of the principal upon review of attendance records.

When a student must miss school, a written excuse signed by a parent or guardian must be presented to the appropriate school personnel within two days upon returning to school from the absence.

The absence may be considered excused (lawful) for the following reasons:

1.  Personal illness or injury, which makes the student physically unable to attend school;

2.  Isolation ordered by the State Board of Health;

3.  Death in the immediate family;

4.  Medical or dental appointment; 

5.  Court attendance, if the student is involved;

6.  Observance of an event required or suggested by the religion of the student or the student’s parent(s) with prior
     approval by the Principal;

                            

A statement from a physician is required for extended illnesses.  If an absence is excused, the student will be permitted to make up his or her work.  The teacher will determine when work is to be made up.  The student is responsible for finding out what assignments are due and completing them within a specified time period.

The principal will notify parents and take all other steps required by G.S. 115C-378 for excessive absences.                                                                                                                               

BEHAVIOR LAB:                                                                            

The Behavior Lab is a program designed to help students make good decisions about their behavior.  Our Behavior Lab teacher works with students individually to discuss the behavior and decide upon ways to avoid future problems. When the child shows appropriate behavior, he or she will be sent back to the regular classroom. 

BUS RULES:                                                                                          

School transportation service is a privilege, not a right.  Students, at all times while riding a school bus or other school vehicle, shall observe the directives of the school bus driver or transporting adult.  The following conduct is specifically prohibited and may result in temporary or permanent suspension from school transportation services.

Regular bus riders are assigned to a bus.  Other students who need to ride the bus must have prior, written parental permission that is approved by the Principal or designee.  This will be granted only if we have room on the bus for the day requested.  Appropriate behavior is expected.  Emphasize to your students the following rules and procedures.

(Insert)  Students will be picked up and dropped off only at the stop listed on the route sheets, unless prior, administrative approval is given.

At the Bus Stop

·        Arrive at the assigned stop five minutes before scheduled bus pick up time.

·        Stand on the sidewalk while waiting for the bus.

·        Stay off private property.

·        Be watchful of traffic.

·        Wait quietly and orderly.

When the Bus Arrives

·        Board the bus in a quiet and orderly manner.

·        Face forward when seated.

·        Allow the bus to come to a complete stop.

On the Bus and other School Vehicles

     Refrain from disruptive behavior including but not limited to the following:

·        Fighting

·        Making loud noises

·        Throwing objects

·        Distracting driver’s attention

·        Disobeying the driver

·        Playing

·        Pushing

·        Being out of seat

·        Having unnecessary movement

·        Using matches or lighters

·        Possessing or using alcoholic beverages, tobacco, illegal drugs, knives, or other dangerous objects

·        Using profane language or indecent gestures or actions.

·        Littering or defacing the bus

·        Eating or chewing gum

Leaving the Bus                                                                                       

·        Remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.

·        Leave in an orderly, quiet manner.

·        Leave at your assigned stop.

·        Cross in front of the bus.

Consequences

·        1^st violation:  Driver talks with student about problem/Warning

·        2^nd violation:  1-day suspension

·        3^rd violation:  3-day suspension

·        4^th violation:  5-day suspension

·        5^th violation:  90-day suspension or remainder of school year

·        Severe Clause:  Determined by principal

CAFETERIA RULES AND PROCEDURES:

Students will pay for their lunch/breakfast through their classroom teacher.

Applications for free/reduced price lunch/breakfast are available in the school office.  Students are allowed to charge only one day.  Microwave ovens are not accessible to students.

Parents are encouraged to eat with their child.  On the days that you eat with your child, please do not bring food from outside the school.  Contact your child’s teacher the day before you plan to eat with your child.

Any parent, whose financial situation changes, may complete a new form for the children in your household.

The status your child had at the end of school will be the same for the first ten days of the new school year.  On the eleventh day, if the form has not been approved, it will be necessary to send money for breakfast or lunch. 

No ice cream, cakes, popcorn, etc. will be allowed to be charged if your child does not have the money in his or her account.

Our cafeteria manager will be willing to discuss needs or concerns with you. 

                                                                                      

Breakfast will be served from 7:45 until 7:58 .

CODE OF CONDUCT: 

See the Cleveland County Schools Code of Conduct Handbook.

                                                                                

We believe that:

Everyone should be treated with respect.

Everyone has a right to learn and do his/her best.

Everyone should cooperate in making our school a safe, clean, and friendly place.

Everyone should work as a team.

In addition to the rules and consequences in the Cleveland County Schools Code of Conduct, the following rules and consequences have been established for North Elementary School :

1.  All students will obey and respect school staff members.

2.  Students will listen and follow directions.

3.  Students will respect the space, body, feelings, and property of others.

4.  Students will behave appropriately in all areas.

Reward System:

Students who exhibit good behavior will be rewarded with a special activities planned by

grade-level teachers.

CONTRABAND:                                                                                                     

Any items brought by students, that are not necessary for school, may be taken by school personnel.  These items may be picked up by parents or guardians on or before the last day of school.  Contraband includes, but is not limited to, toys, radios, tape players, pagers, cellular phones, and other unnecessary items.  See Cleveland County Schools Code of Conduct for consequences for repeated incidences.

DISMISSAL:

Students must leave the school in the manner listed on the NCWise computer.  If students need to change the way they leave school, a written note from the parents or legal guardians must be given to the principal or designee for prior approval before students will be allowed to change their way of dismissal.  This is for the safety of our North Elementary students.

Dismissal for car riders will be between 2:40 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. under the canopy in front of the building at the designated pick-up points only.

   

Children will not be allowed to leave the loading area to go with an adult or to load a car on Ramseur Street .

DRESS CODE:                                                                                                      

See the Cleveland County Schools Code of Conduct (Policy #4420).

1.      Caps, hats, bandanas, sweatbands, other head coverings or sunglasses may not be worn inside school buildings or other areas designated by the school.

2.      Shirts or blouses may not be see-through and must cover the abdomen, chest, both shoulders, and back completely.

3.      Pants may not be excessively baggy or drag the floor.  Pants must be worn on the waist, with a belt, if necessary, to hold them up.  Any type of wording or message appearing on the seat of the pants is prohibited.

4.      Messages, imagery or advertisement on clothing, book bags or jewelry that promote or encourage the use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs; depict violence; are of a lewd, obscene, vulgar or sexual nature; or are disruptive are prohibited.

5.      Undergarments must not be exposed.

6.      Appropriate footwear is required.  Bedroom shoes or slippers are not allowed.

7.      Chains, spiked accessories, excessively large earrings or other heavy jewelry, and jewelry or ornaments affixed to a student’s nose, tongue, lips, cheek or eyebrow are not allowed.

8.      Sleepwear is prohibited.

9.      Excessively short, tight or oversize clothing is prohibited.  ( North Elementary School requirement:  Skirts and shorts should be no shorter than finger-tip length with arms extended at sides.  Shirts should be no longer than finger-tip length with arms extended at sides.)

If a student’s dress or appearance is such that it constitutes a threat to the health or safety of others, distracts the attention of other students or staff from their work, or otherwise violates the dress code, the principal or designee may require the student to change his or her dress or appearance.  A second or repeated violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action.

FEES:                                                                                                                           

Textbooks:  All textbooks are loaned to the students free of charge.  However, students who lose or damage a book must pay for it.

School Pictures:  Money for school pictures will be collected by teachers. 

Unpaid Fees:  Students will not be allowed to purchase school pictures, buy extras in the lunchroom, or pay for/attend field trips until all fees and charges are paid.

HEALTH HABITS:

Health habits are directly related to your child’s success in school. 

1.  Get plenty of rest.

2.  Eat well-balanced meals, especially

     a good breakfast.

3.  Exercise daily.

4.  Maintain good grooming.

     (Clean hair, daily baths, neat and clean clothes,

     clean teeth, etc.)

HOMEWORK:

Homework will be independent practice of a skill that has been taught in the classroom.  As a general rule, long hours of homework should not be required.  Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday.  Homework will be given on weekends if a student is behind in work.

Students may need to stay after school as necessary to make up work.  Parents will be notified by the teacher in advance.

HOURS:           

7:58 a.m.   First bell rings for students to go to class

8:00 a.m.   Class begins for all students

2:40 p.m.  Dismissal for all car riders and bus riders 

2:55 p.m.   Dismissal for walkers

3:00 p.m.   All students off campus                                                                                                

        Students should arrive no earlier than 7:45 a.m. and leave no later than 3:00 p.m. for car riders and 2:55 p.m. for walkers.  Upon arrival students must go to the gym before 8:00 A.M. (Take this line out.) There is no supervision of students before 7:45 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m.   Staff on duty will dismiss car riders in the afternoon.  Students will not be allowed to leave the grounds after they arrive in the morning.

No student will be allowed in the building before 7:45 A.M.  

If you need early morning or after-school child care, contact the Kidz Around Program.

INCLEMENT WEATHER:

The local radio and television stations, Cleveland County Schools website, and North Elementary website will have information regarding dismissal of school.  Please use these services instead of calling the school.  We need the telephone lines open.  Students will be allowed to call parents, if necessary.   Parents will be sent an inclement weather sheet to complete in the fall.

KIDZ AROUND:
KIDZ AROUND is a before-school and after-school program.  Parents who need childcare may enroll their child in this program.  Contact the school office for a KIDZ AROUND application.

MEDICATION:

Medication Permission Forms must be completed by a parent or legal guardian and approved by our school nurse before school staff will administer medication.  This includes aspirin, cough drops, and other over-the-counter medication.  Medication Permission Forms are in the office.  All medication must be in the original container.

PARENT CONFERENCES:

Communication between home and school is important to help students do their best.   We encourage parent conferences.  We have scheduled, parent conference days.  Please call ahead of time to schedule a conference with a teacher at any time during the year.

PROMOTION/RETENTION:

Each student must attain a passing grade in Reading , Language Arts, and Mathematics to be promoted.  The Principal has the ultimate responsibility for promotion or retention.  A student’s social development, emotional development, physical development, and academic development are considered.  DIBELS results are considered in promotion decisions for students in grades kindergarten, first, and second.  In order to be promoted at the third and fourth-grade levels, a student must score at least Level III on the North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests and pass local promotion standards.  If a student scores Level I or Level II on the North Carolina End-of-Grade Test in mathematics or reading, he/she will be required to go to Summer School and promotion/retention decision will be made at that time.  See Local Promotion Standards in the Cleveland County Schools Code of Conduct.

PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION:

North Elementary is a great place to grow.  Becoming involved in PTO provides an opportunity to contribute suggestions for the improvement of our educational program.  You will receive a notice of meeting times and dates through classroom newsletters and our website.  Throughout the year there will be events taking place.

REPORT CARDS:

Elementary school report cards will be issued to parents at the end of each grading period. Mid-term progress reports are issued four and one-half weeks after each report card. See the Cleveland County Schools Calendar for dates.  

SALES:

Students are not allowed to sell anything at school.

SUPPLIES:

Students are responsible for supplying paper and pencils.  Teachers will expect students to have the supplies for each class.  Teachers will inform parents of supplies needed by students.

TARDIES AND EARLY SIGN-OUTS:                                                                   

The law requires that students be in school for a period equal to the time school is in session.  Each principal will communicate with students and their parents when tardies or early sign-outs become excessive.

Students arriving after 7:58 a.m. must be signed in by their parents in the main office.

Three tardies and/or early sign-outs will be allowed before denying a Perfect Attendance Award.

Students may be signed out by parents, legal guardians, or emergency contact persons.  These persons must be listed on our NCWise computer or office records.

Three tardies and/or early dismissals will constitute an absence and will affect attendance records, attendance awards, and promotion.

A written excuse is required for tardies or early sign-outs.  See reasons for excused absences, listed under Attendance. 

The social worker and/or home-school coordinator will work with parents on attendance issues.

VISITORS:

We welcome visitors at North Elementary. 

Safety of our students is a priority.  Anyone entering the school building must sign in at the office and receive a visitor’s badge.  Teachers have been instructed to report strangers in the building. 

Parents who come to school to bring materials or pick up/bring children are requested to handle business in the office.  Parents should not go directly to the classrooms.                    

VOLUNTEERS:

Volunteers are welcome in Cleveland County Schools if their presence is in the best interest of the school (Cleveland County Schools Board Policy #2110).  If you would like to volunteer at North Elementary, pick up an application in our school office.  Our volunteer coordinator will contact applicants when volunteer opportunities in our school become available. 

 

WEBSITE:   Visit the North Elementary website at:  www.clevelandcountyschools.org

Or www.clevelandcountyschools.org/Schools/north/index.html

                                                                            

                                                      

YEARBOOKS:

Yearbooks will be sold in the spring.