Student & Parent Handbook
ABSENCES
Attendance is essential to educational achievement and school success. State law requires school attendance for all enrolled children. Parents must ensure that their children attend daily.
Whenever a student is going to be absent, parents should call the front office at 870-4220. When the child returns to school following an absence, A NOTE MUST BE SENT BY THE PARENT TO THE CHILD’S TEACHER THAT GIVES THE REASON FOR THE ABSENCE WITHIN 3 SCHOOL DAYS. According to Wake County School Board Policy and North Carolina State Law, excused absences are granted for (a) illness or injury, (b) isolation ordered by the health department, (c) death in the immediate family, (d) emergency doctor or dentist appointment, (e) subpoena, (f) observance of a religious event with prior principal approval, (g) valid educational opportunities with prior principal approval. ALL OTHER ABSENCES WILL BE RECORDED AS UNEXCUSED.
If your child has a chronic illness or needs to have emergency medication on hand at school, please contact the school nurse at 919-524-2054 to assist you in preparing a school action plan to minimize absence.
MOST FAMILY TRIPS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. A family trip may be considered an excused absence ONLY if the PRIMARY purpose of the trip is educational and the trip is time-specific (example: a space launch). Please try to schedule vacations during track-out.
ACCUMULATED ABSENCES
Students with a documented chronic health problem will not be subject to the attendance policy if all the absences are excused. Documentation should be from a physician or other appropriate health-care professional.
If unexcused absences accumulate, parents will be notified by letter and after excessive unexcused absences the school counselor and the social worker will be involved. After 25 total absences, the teacher will inform the principal, who will notify parents or guardians that the total number of absences is approaching 30 days and is considered excessive for elementary students. At 30 days the principal will decide if the student is academically ready for the next grade due to excessive absences.
BEFORE-SCHOOL /AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
The Banks Kerr YMCA will provide a before-school program from 7:00 – 8:45 am for students needing to arrive before 8:15.
The Banks Kerr YMCA also provides an after-school program from 3:15 – 6:00pm. Information about these programs may be obtained from the YMCA at 562-9622. Amanda Basham is the program director and can answer any questions you may have on the program. Her email is amanda.basham@ymcatriangle.org.
CAR POOL PROCEDURES
Our children’s safety is our primary concern. Parents will be assigned a car pool number to use each year the child attends Durant. Please help your child learn his/her car pool number. Please do not park in the afternoons and come under the entryway to get your child.
Students will be seated according to grade level and will be called to their cars using the assigned number. Students left after the car pool lane is empty will be taken to the office for pick-up. Please be prompt.
Due to major traffic backups and safety concerns, we ask that you respect the following guidelines to make car pool safe and efficient for all:
1. When possible, have students ride their designated buses
2. The chain blocking the left lane of traffic will be up from 8:15 – 8:45 a.m. and from 3:05 – 3:45 for student safety and to expedite movement of car pool.
3. Arrive between 8:05 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. before traffic backs up.
4. Drive down along the curb as far as possible when dropping off or picking up students.
5. Students should be ready to disembark as soon as parents come to a halt
6. Students should enter and exit their cars from the curb side
7. Join with neighbors in rotating car pool duties
8. REMAIN IN THE CAR POOL LINE RATHER THAN PARKING AND WALKING SUDENTS IN; UNLESS THEY ARE CARRYING PROJECTS/MATERIALS THEY CANNOT CARRY THEMSELVES, OR IF YOU ARE VOLUNTEERING.
9. Do not drop students off in the parking lot or allow them to cross the lanes alone
10. Students may not be dropped off or picked up as car poolers from the path in Hunter’s Knoll
11. Students may not be dropped off in the parking lot at Open Door Church.
12. Park only in designated spots
13. Do not talk on cellular phones when driving through the car pool lane
All parents are asked to consistently follow the school’s car pool and dismissal procedures. Consistent procedure allows the orderly, efficient, and safe entry and dismissal of all students.
CLASS PREPARATION
In order for students to make instructional progress, it is expected that they come to class prepared with the necessary tools for learning. These necessary materials may vary from class to class but generally include: pencils, paper, textbooks, and completed homework assignment. Students are expected to furnish their own notebook paper and pencils in grades one through five.
COMMUNICATION
Each K-5 teacher will send home a class newsletter throughout the school year. The purpose of the newsletter is to keep parents informed of the activities taking place within each classroom. The Durant Dispatch is a joint effort between the school and the PTA to keep parents informed of upcoming events, share reports of school activities and highlight student work. On the Internet, http//durantes.wcpss.net is the location of the Durant Road Elementary Web Site; please visit it. Occasionally we will use our School Messenger phone system to contact you.
CONFERENCES WITH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL
Parent-Teacher conferences are encouraged. If the teacher feels a conference is necessary, the school will contact the parent. If for any reason a parent wishes a conference with the teacher, the parent should contact the teacher.
When parents have concerns or issues to discuss, they are encouraged to discuss the issue with the classroom teacher first. If the situation is not resolved, parents may address the issue with the administration. Teachers, members of the administration, and parents share common goals of creating the best learning experiences for students.
Regular communication between the home and school is critical. Teachers are not available for drop-in conferences or visits between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m., as well 3:15 and 3:45 each afternoon, because their primary responsibility is to supervise children during those time periods.
Conferences may be held before or after school, in the evening, or during track-out in accordance with parent and teacher schedules.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER
Parents are asked to inform the school of any changes of address or phone number so we have accurate, up-to-date information for all students. All parents must give a number where they can be reached during the school day in the event of an emergency.
Use the following contacts when informing the office of your family’s information to be updated to the attention of “Durant Elementary Data Manager”.
1. Email: ncwise398@wcpss.net
2. Phone: 870-4208 (only when reporting new phone contact information)
3. Fax: 870-4218
4. Address changes must be accommodated with proof of residence as well as the document must be faxed or emailed. The proof of residence can be one of the following documents.
A. Electric Bill
B. Gas Bill
C. Water Bill
D. Purchase agreement (within 45 days of closing)
E. Lease agreement
Please be sure to include your child/ren’s certified name, grade and teacher when emailing, phoning or faxing.
Character Education
- Responsibility
- Respect
- Courage
- Kindness
- Self-
Discipline
- Integrity
- Perseverance
- Good Judgement
Durant Elementary is working to incorporate character education routines in classrooms and the school. These ideals are posted throughout the building, are discussed in the class, and are promoted in other ways. Durant Elementary believes that by encouraging students to embrace these ideals they will develop valuable skills for success and happiness in both school and life.
CHILD NUTRITION SERVICE
Our cafeteria staff strives to provide a healthy and nutritious diet for our students. Only reduced-fat mayonnaise and cheese are used, and when preparing vegetables, instead of butter or margarine, chicken or beef broth is used. There are always three choices of fruit or vegetables available.
Breakfast is available each morning from 8:15 – 8:45 a.m. and each class is assigned a 25 minute lunch break. Parents are always welcome to join their child for breakfast or lunch.
Breakfast
Student................................................................................................................ $1.00
Adult.................................................................................................................A la Carte
Lunch
Student…………………………………………………………………………………. $2.00
Student Reduced-Price……………………………………………………………….. $.40
Adult………………………………………………………………………………… A la Carte
Milk……………………………………………………………………………………….. $.50
These prices may change after the school year begins. Meals (up) to 20 days may be purchased each morning from 8:15 – 8:45 a.m. in the school cafeteria. Checks should be made payable to Durant Road Elementary Cafeteria and should list the child’s name, teacher’s name, track and student ID number, and the designated amount for lunches and/or snacks. If your child’s fund is about to run out, we will try to notify you. Please make every effort to note the number of lunches purchased. This will enable you to readily anticipate when the fund may need to be replenished.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
All students are responsible for complying with and are expected to be familiar with the WCPSS Code of Student Conduct and school board policies governing student behavior and conduct. All Code of Student Conduct policies are contained in the WCPSS Student /Parent Handbook, which is distributed to all students and parents at the beginning of each school year or upon enrollment in the WCPSS. If there is a conflict between the rules expressed in this handbook/agenda/planner and the Code of Student Conduct Policies, the WCPSS Code of Student Conduct policies shall take precedence.
WCPSS discipline policies are included in the handbook published by WCPSS. You have received a copy of the Wake County Public School discipline policies, it is extremely important that you and your child read these together and that you sign the form indicating that your child is aware of the policies.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
Beginning this year we will be focusing on a “Bell to Bell” attendance policy. As of July 9th, we will not dismiss students between 2:45 and 3:15. Unfortunately, we have had a number of parents who repeatedly check children out of school during the last 30 minutes of the school day. This is disruptive to our classroom instruction and impacts student learning. Please try to schedule appointments after the school day.
Parents who pick up his/her child after school will need to go through the carpool line. Do not enter the lobby or wait for your child at the front of the building. Be sure you have a carpool number and use the carpool lane.
DRESS CODE
Students are asked to dress in a manner appropriate to the learning environment. 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 this dress code, the principal or principal’s designee may require the student to change his or her dress or appearance.
a) Shorts and skirts should be no shorter than fingertip length.
b) Underwear should not be showing above or below the clothing line. No sagging will be allowed.
c) For their safety, students should not wear flip-flops or clogs during P.E. and outdoor play.
d) Tee shirts with inappropriate language or pictures are not permitted.
e) WCPSS policy does not permit the wearing of any head covering inside the building including bandanas.
f) Spaghetti straps are not allowed. Straps should be at least “3 finger” width.
g) No symbols, styles or attire frequently associated with intimidating violence or violent groups (gangs, hate group etc.)
DRILLS
Emergency drills are conducted periodically according to state regulations. Teachers will review designated safety routes with students. Emergency evacuation routes and procedures are posted in each room.
EARLY RELEASE DAYS
Eight early release days, noted on the year-round calendar, are set aside each year for staff development. On these days students are released at 12:45 p.m. Lunch will be served on early release days. The dates are: July 27th, August 17th, September 28th, October 19th, December 7, February 8th, March 1, and May 10th. All early release dates fall on Friday.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips at Durant are intended to enhance student learning. In order for students to participate, permission slips should be returned promptly. Parent volunteers help supervise small groups to ensure student safety. Parents need to take turns so all who volunteer get to participate at one time or another. No child will be denied a field trip due to inability to pay. Contact the teacher or principal if you need financial assistance.
HEALTH ROOM
A health room is available in the main office and is monitored by office personnel. A child may remain in the health room until picked up by a parent or until he/she is able to return to the classroom. Parents are expected to pick up their child up within a reasonable time of being notified of their child’s illness or condition. Our school does not have a full-time nurse.
Children should be kept home when the following symptoms are present: fever, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, red and watery eyes with drainage, severe headache, or undiagnosed rash. CHILDREN SHOULD REMAIN AT HOME UNTIL SYMPTOM-FREE FOR 24 HOURS
HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework is an extension of the school day. It provides for instructional activities to be completed outside of school. Homework is the responsibility of the student. Parents are responsible for providing an appropriate working environment and monitoring the student’s use of time.
The purpose of homework may be any of, or combination of, the following:
1. Reinforcement (for students who need extra work to reinforce the skills being taught)
2. Enrichment (for students who need/want to more thoroughly explore a subject)
3. Completion/Continuation (for students who were unable to finish class work)
4. Review(for students who need to prepare for tests or for review of skills to strengthen understand)
It is assumed that homework will be done by students outside of school hours. The amount of work required of students will increase as grade levels increase and will be commensurate with student’s abilities and course content.
If a student’s homework is lost or misplaced, the student is still responsible for turning in the work. Realizing that there are many worthwhile activities in which our students may engage while out of school, homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday unless there are incomplete assignments. Students may, however, work on long-range projects during weekends and vacations. HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ASSIGNED DURING TRACK-OUT PERIODS UNLESS A STUDENT HAS INCOMPLETE WORK OR CHOSE TO WORK ON A LONG-RANGE ASSIGNMENT. However, optional enrichment and/or remediation activities may be suggested.
Grade Level Suggested Times
K 10-20 minutes daily
1 30 minutes daily
2 30 minutes daily
3 30 – 40 minutes daily
4 45 - 60 minutes daily
5 45 – 60 minutes daily
INCLEMENT WEATHER
When weather conditions threaten the safety of the students, it may be necessary to close school for the entire day, delay opening of school, or dismiss students earlier than usual. When a decision is made by the superintendent, local radio and television stations are notified. On days we have inclement weather, listen to local stations often, as they have the information before we do at school. Please do not call the school office because telephone lines must be kept open for emergency information. Please discuss these emergency dismissal plans with your child so he/she will know what to do in the event of early dismissal from school. The back of your child’s locator card should be completed with all information for inclement weather. The YMCA after-school program will not operate in cases of early dismissal due to inclement weather. School make-up days are typically scheduled on Saturdays. Times to be announced at a later date. Breakfast and lunch is not served on Saturdays.
LOST AND FOUND
All found items will be placed in the lost and found boxes in the hallway. The school cannot assume responsibility for students’ losses. Proper marking of personal property can reduce these losses. Please mark all items such as coats, jackets, sweaters, lunch boxes, etc.
LUNCH
Parents are welcome to join their children for lunch. We ask that Kindergarten parents please wait and check with your child’s teacher to come in to lunch. We want the children to be comfortable with their school routine.
MEDICATION
The safety and well-being of your child is our utmost concern. For this reason, policies for the administration of medications have been designed to protect students. Only those medications that are medically necessary and cannot be scheduled outside of the school day will be given at school.
School officials may only administer medication, including over–the-counter medicines to students:
ž The Parents Request and Physician Order for Medication Form (1702), which is available in the main office, must be completed by the parent and physician. It is the parent’s responsibility to obtain these signatures. We will accept faxed copies
ž A new Form 1702 is required whenever there is a change in the type of medication or the dosage. New forms are required each school year as well.
ž Medication must be in a pharmacy container with the student’s name, name of medication, date filled and directions clearly marked on the label.
ž School staff is not allowed to administer any over-the-counter medication to students without a completed Form 1702 on hand
ž It is the parents’ responsibility to transport the medication to and from school. Please contact the office to make other arrangements if necessary.
ž Please remove discontinued medication within 2 weeks. After this time, designated staff will dispose of medications.
OFFICE
The school office is open from 7:15 am to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Voice mail is available at all other times at 870-4220. If you reach voice mail during the operating hours, please leave a message.
PERMISSION FOR STUDENTS TO LEAVE CAMPUS
In order to ensure that our students are released from school with authorized persons, we will ask you how your child should leave school at the end of each school day (e. g., bus, day-care van, carpool, etc.) Any time a child is to leave by any other means, a note must be sent to the teacher. No students are allowed to ride home on a bus other than their assigned bus.
PERSONAL ITEMS
Students shall not bring toys, trading cards, athletic items, electronic equipment, or any non-essential personal items onto school property unless authorized by a staff member. Durant Elementary is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Pets may be brought to school with written consent of both the principal and the classroom teacher. Toys and games should not be brought to school unless the teacher asks for them.
REPORT CARD/INTERIM DATES
Interim Dates
· Track 1- Week of August 6, October 29, January 28 and April 22
· Track 2- Week of August 6, October 22, January 28 and April 29
· Track 3- Week of August 27, November 26, February 18 and May 28
· Track 4- Week of August 27, November 26, February 18 and May 20
Report Card Dates
· Track 1- September 11, November 30, March 1 and May 31
· Track 2, 3, and 4- September 28, December 20, March 20, and June 28
SCHOOL BUS SERVICE AND DISCIPLINE
School bus service is available to all students who reside within the Durant transportation pattern. Questions about bus stops, schedules and routes should be directed to the WCPSS Transportation Department at 856-8050. The school office does not handle these issues.
Due to liability issues, students may only ride their assigned buses: for this reason students may not invite friends to ride home with them. Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right; therefore, students must follow the guidelines listed below. In order to provide safe transportation, it is critical for students to display orderly behavior on the bus at all times.
Expectation for students riding school buses includes:
Ø Ride on assigned bus
Ø Remain in your assigned seat
Ø Keep head and arms inside the bus
Ø Follow the bus driver’s directions
Ø Talk softly (with permission of bus driver)
School bus discipline involves the following steps:
Ø The driver will report students who misbehave to the assistant principal. The referral will notify the parent that the student has displayed inappropriate bus behavior and the resulting consequences. If necessary, a conference may be scheduled with the student, parent and principal.
Ø If a second behavior report is received, or if the first report is severe enough, the student may be denied the privilege of riding the bus for one to ten school days, depending on the severity of the misbehavior. Parents are responsible for providing transportation to and from school during this time.
Ø Additional reports of misbehavior will result in removal from the bus for additional days.
Ø Severe misbehavior and/or fighting will result in immediate suspension from the bus for five days.
SCHOOL SPIRIT
The school mascot is the Durant Eagle, and the school colors are royal blue and white.
SNACKS
In June 2004, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act was signed into law, making it mandatory for all education agencies participating in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program to create a local wellness policy by June 30, 2006.
Much of our Wellness Policy (#5125) pertains to our Child Nutrition Services division. Per the federal mandate, there are areas in the policy that directly pertain to our school practices. Fundraising, rewards, and on campus events are attended to in our wellness policy.
- Fundraisers involving food may not operate during the school day.
- Edible rewards offered to students must be of high nutritional value. Examples of foods lacking nutritional value include: soft drinks, water ices unless they have fruit or fruit juices, chewing gum, hard candies, gummies or jellies, marshmallow candies, cotton candy, candy coated popcorn, and liquorice.
- Schools are asked to host student reward events (e.g. Honor Roll Breakfast) that provide food and beverages high in nutritional value.
- On–campus events (e.g., concession stands) must offer 2 or more healthy choices for those individuals who would like an item of high nutritional value.
When preparing snacks, we ask you to keep your child’s health and safety in mind. You help develop healthy habits and enhance learning when your child snacks on vegetables, fruit, or low-fat, low-sugar foods. Please send all food and drinks in a plastic, container (not glass). Due to food allergies, please send in pre-packaged snacks with the listing of ingredients, not homemade snacks. Per Wake County policy, no homemade items are to be sent in for whole class celebrations. Only purchased items from a place of business.
For the sake of our carpets, please do not send red or purple drinks. Carbonated sodas are not allowed for lunch or snacks.
STUDENT ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
The school day for K-5 Durant students is 8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Students should not arrive on campus prior to 8:15 a.m. Students may not remain unsupervised in the office lobby, media lobby, or classroom areas prior to 8:15 a.m. (Breakfast is available from 8:15 – 8:45 a.m.). The YMCA will have an early- morning program that begins at 7:00.
We encourage all parents to help their children learn to enter the building independently whenever possible. Students start their day best when they are in the classroom, ready to learn by 8:40 a.m. Students arriving after 8:45 a.m. must be checked in at the office by their parents to receive a tardy slip. Instruction begins promptly at 8:45 a.m.
Beginning this year we will be focusing on a “Bell to Bell” attendance policy. Tardies will be closely monitored and documented. Also, as of July 9th, we will not dismiss students between 2:45 and 3:15. Unfortunately, we have had a number of parents who repeatedly check children out of school during the last 30 minutes of the school day. This is disruptive to our classroom instruction and impacts student learning. Please try to schedule appointments after the school day.
STUDENT WORK FOLDERS
Each K-5 student will bring home a work folder every Monday. This folder will include the work completed by the student during the previous week and other vital communication such as; the weekly Monday newsletter, field trip information, upcoming events, order forms, and information about class/school projects. Parents should review weekly progress with the child and should sign the parent form each Monday. All folders should be returned to the teacher each Tuesday morning so the teacher is certain that the parent is aware of the child’s progress. We encourage parents to make comments weekly and to schedule conferences with the teacher as needed if there are questions or concerns about the child’s progress. Weekly folders also contain important newsletters and notices for parents. Please read and keep it handy.
TARDIES
If a student comes in late, HE OR SHE MUST BE SIGNED IN BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN and receive an admission slip from the office. Please do not allow students to walk in alone. This is not safe. Parents of students with excessive tardies will be expected to conference with the principal or counselor and may be contacted by the school social worker. If tardies continue, the social worker will be involved.
TEST CALENDAR – 2012-2013
TEACHER WILL COMMUNICATE SPECIFIC DATES
** Unless your child is sick, it is very important that he/she be present on test days. Please do not schedule any morning appointments on test dates.
Durant Road Elementary School Improvement Plan
Parent Friendly
READING GOAL
Goal: By 2013 at least 80% of students will be proficient in Reading as measured by the NC EOG and K-2 Capture. All subgroups will show expected growth or higher as measured by the NC EOG tests.
Action Plan: Teachers will implement /continue a Reader’s Workshop Model (Daily 5) focusing classroom instruction on increasing student proficiency in reading.
We will:
· Provide professional development.
· Identify and provide support for low performing students.
· Monitor student progress through Aimsweb* data and weekly PLT’s.*
· Periodically survey classroom performance.
MATH GOAL
Goal: By 2013, at least 90% of students will be proficient in Math as measured by the NC EOG and K-2 Data Capture. All subgroups will show expected growth or higher as measured by the NC EOG tests.
Action Plan: Teachers will implement Project Based Learning units that include math instruction.
We will:
· Provide professional development.
· Identify and provide support for low performing students.
· Monitor student progress through the use of data and weekly PLT’s.*
SCHOOL CLIMATE GOALS
· Provide parent training and resources to support students in reading and math.
· Utilize a safe and orderly school plan.
· Use mentors to support new teachers.
· Ensure instructional time standards are met.
· Support Wake County Character Education program.
A NOTE ON CURRICULUM
At the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year, teachers will follow the Common Core and Essential Standards. The standards will provide a clear understanding of what students are expected to learn. Teachers will also use the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. It is the new list of levels of intellectual behaviors that are important in learning (i.e. remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating).
*Aimsweb is an assessment tool used at our school to check reading fluency.
*PLT is a professional learning team in which teachers collaborate and study data in order to increase student achievement.
*Project Based Learning is the use of high quality classroom projects in the classroom.
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION
2012-2013
HOURS AND DAYS OF OPERATION
8:00am to 4:00pm
Open Daily from July 2 through October 31
Open on Mondays ONLY from November 5 through May 20
Closed on December 24, December 31, & January 21
Volunteers may go to any WCPSS site and register through the intranet. Access to the volunteer system is: WCPSS Intranet—Business Applications—Volunteer Registration
Reactivation for Continuing Volunteers
· All continuing volunteers approved for 2011-2012 school year MUST reactivate as a volunteer no later than OCTOBER 31, 2012. This will help to avoid unnecessary costs to the system. After October 31, 2012, individuals previously approved may not volunteer without a criminal record check.
New Volunteers
· Any new volunteer applicant for the 2012-2013 school year must register and have an approved criminal record check prior to engaging in volunteer work.
Checking for Approval
· Please check for field trip approval at least two weeks before the trip.
· To check on the status of your volunteer application, please contact the main office at 870-4220 or email Teresa Winstead at twinstead@wcpss.net , Jordache Artis at jartis@wcpss.net or April Hill at ahill1@wcpss.net. The preferred days to receive these requests are on TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS.
Discipline
