GRAY’S CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT HAND-BOOK FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR

 

PRINCIPAL: MR. JIM RICHARDSON

 

PRINCIPAL DESIGNEE: MRS. LAURA WILLIAMS

 

GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: MRS. CHRISTINA TELFORD

 

SECRETARIES: MRS. AMANDA PICOU AND MRS. JENNIFER PAYTON

 

SCHOOL PHONE NUMBER: 225-667-1808

 

SCHOOL FAX NUMBER: 225-3579

 

SCHOOL TAKE-IN TIME: 8:15 A.M.

 

DISMISSAL TIME: 3:10 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELCOME TO GRAY’S CREEK ELEMENTARY

 

We are grateful that you have been enrolled in Gray’s Creek Elementary School.  You are fortunate to be able to attend one of the newest schools in Livingston Parish.  At Gray’s Creek Elementary School, every student’s well being is a priority.  We respect the opinions of our students and respond to their unique needs and abilities.  We attempt to provide an individualized instructional program which will enable every child to experience some degree of success and acceptance through the accommodation of different learning styles and curricular alternatives.  We recognize that community involvement is a valued asset and seek to solicit parental and community support whenever possible.  We want parents to visit our school, call teachers for parent conferences and work with our teachers in developing life-long relationships that will benefit each child.  We expect each parent to sign our “Compact for Student Success.”  This compact is a contract for the student, teacher and parent. In signing the compact the parent is agreeing to support their child’s education with time, talent and resources. It is our desire to teach children to delight in learning and to enable them to take a productive role in their own education.  By teaching them the process of how to learn, as well as competency in basic skills, we hope that children step forth as contributing citizens.  Realizing that education is an ongoing lifelong experience, we feel it is important that children learn early to value knowledge and appreciate the power it can yield as they assume their roles in making their community, their country, and their world a better place in which to live.

 

LIVINGSTON PARISH ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR STUDENTS

The Livingston Parish School Board believes regular attendance in the school accompanied by the responsibility to study and participate in school activities is essential to the learning process. Once a pupil arrives at school, he/she is expected to remain and attend each class throughout the day.

Elementary and secondary students shall be present the minimum number of days as required by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and enumerated in the Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, to receive credit for courses taken. Exception can be made only in the event of extended personal illness verified by a physician's statement or if other extenuating circumstances exist and are approved by the Supervisor of Child Welfare in consultation with the school principal. Exception may also be made for schools operating on other than the traditional 182 day school calendar. Currently, the state's attendance policies require elementary students to be in attendance at least 160 days per school year and high school students are to be in attendance 80 days per semester in order to be eligible to receive credit for courses taken. The actual number of days of allowable absences is the difference between 80 days per semester or 160 days per school year and the number of student attendance days in the Board's adopted school calendar.

When a child has been absent from school for three consecutive school days or in excess of a total of five nonconsecutive days the school shall attempt to provide verbal notification and, if such verbal notification cannot be provided, then shall provide written notification to a child's parent, tutor, or legal guardian.

All students shall be under the jurisdiction of the school during normal school hours, from the time the student arrives at school each day until he/she leaves the school campus in the afternoon. In case a student rides a bus, he/she shall be under the jurisdiction of the school from the time he/she boards the bus until the student exits the bus in the afternoon. Students shall be under the jurisdiction of the school while attending any school sponsored activity either at school or away from school. This shall apply to all students, including athletic teams, pep clubs, band and other student organizations. In disciplinary matters, the Board's authority may extend beyond the limits set forth above, in accordance with state law. It is very important for students to be present and punctual.  Absenteeism and tardiness must be guarded against at all times.  Students need to attend school regularly to insure proper training in punctuality, acceptance of responsibility, and to develop good effects on attitudes.  Emergencies, sickness or death in the immediate family are the only reasons accepted for absenteeism.

Each school shall develop and implement a system whereby the school shall attempt to provide verbal notification and, if such verbal notification cannot be provided, then shall provide written notification to a child’s parent, tutor, or legal guardian when that child has been absent from school for three consecutive school days or in excess of a total of five non-consecutive days.

If a student is tardy or absent, the parent or guardian must submit a written excuse, signed and dated, to the school upon the student’s return to classes, stating the reason for the student’s absence from school.  A doctor’s written statement of student’s incapacity to attend school is acceptable.  All excuses for student’s absence, including physician’s verification of extended personal illness, must be presented within five school days of student’s return to school, or student will be unexcused and not allowed to make up missed work.

Upon a student having received his/her fifth unexcused tardy, either for unexcused tardiness to school in the morning or to a class during the day, in a semester, disciplinary action shall be imposed for each unexcused tardy the student received for the remainder of that semester.

Should a parent or guardian need to take his/her child out of school during the day, the parent or guardian must contact the principal.  This is for the child’s protection.  Reasons for removal other than those involving emergencies, sickness or death, are not accepted as valid. Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:221, 17:226, :227; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, State Department of Education; Board minutes, 6-77, 2-79, 1-80, 8-81, 9-83, 3-84, 6-87, 9-91.

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL CALENDAR 2006-2007

 

First Day of School………Monday, August 13, 2007

Labor Day………………..Monday, September 3, 2007 (1 day)

Livingston Parish Fair……Friday, October 12, 2007 (1 day)

Thanksgiving…………….Monday-Friday, November 19-23, 2007 (5 days)

Christmas Holidays………Monday, December 24, 2007-January 7, 2008 (11 days)

2nd Semester……………...Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Human Relations Day……Monday, January 21, 2008

Mardi Gras……………….Monday, Tuesday, 4-5, 2008

Easter…………………….Friday, March 21, 2008-Friday, March 28, 2008

                  

INTERIM REPORTS TO BE ISSUED

 

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Monday, February 11, 2008

Monday, April 21, 2008

REPORT CARDS ISSUED

 

Monday, October 15, 2007

Friday, December 21, 2007

Friday, March 7, 2008

Thursday, May 22, 2008

GRAY’S CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROCEDURES

TARDY CHECK-INS/EARLY CHECK-OUTS

A child should check out for illness, doctor appointments and verifiable emergencies only.  A valid excuse for a late check-in or early check-out must be presented to the school.  The lack of a valid excuse will result in a grade of “0” being assigned to missed work.  Students may not be checked out after 3:10 p.m.  After this time, parents must pick them up in the car rider line.

STUDENTS CALLING HOME

Students will be allowed to call home to ask for forgotten items if it is deemed important by the Principal.  Parents will be called by school personnel if students are ill or for other emergencies.  If your child has a medical condition that may result in frequent calls, please inform the teacher and office.

TRANSPORTAION ISSUES

No phone calls or bus notes to change a child’s transportation procedure will be accepted.  Please make arrangement for your child to be picked up if they are not to ride the same bus they came to school on.  If there are special conditions please call the principal and explain what the conditions are and plans will be made for that special condition.  That condition must be of a serious nature.  Bus switching for parent convenience is not allowed.

 

CALLS FOR HOMEWORK/MAKEUP WORK

Please call in the morning to request work for your child’s makeup work.  It may be picked up after 2:00 p.m. 

 

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Emergency information forms must be completed and returned.  Two additional emergency numbers with home phone number must be provided.  If your requested information changes during the year, please contact the school immediately.

 

VISITORS

All visitors must check in at the school office for a visitor’s pass.  All business must be school related and no one can just simply visit around the school.  All parent conferences must be pre-arranged.  Because of liability parents cannot visit classrooms.  No one will be allowed in classrooms unless hired by or authorized by the Livingston Parish School Board.  THIS IS LIVINGSTON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD POLICY.

 

CLASS TRIPS

No preschoolers are allowed to attend field trips.  Students must have signed permission slips in order to check out from a field trip before coming back to school.

MEDICINES (The Administering of Medicine At School)

If a child is required to take medication or an injection during school hours, and the parent or guardian cannot come to the school to administer the medication, the principal or designee may do so in compliance with the following regulations.  A Doctor’s Order Form must be properly executed and delivered in person by the parent or guardian to the principal or appointed designee of the school in which the child is enrolled.  Forms can be obtained from the school office.

 

All medications to be administered by school personnel must be prescribed and directions given by a physician, for administering the medicine.  No internal medication.  No topical medication shall be applied to the student’s skin in any form.  No prescribed/nonprescription medications such as eye-drops, ear-drops, or other ointments, sprays, or lotions are permitted.  The appropriate school-employee administering oral medication should require that the student ingest the medication in their presence.

 

The principal, with the superintendent’s approval, may reject any request for administration of medicine.  A written reason will be given by principal to the person making the request.

 

A copy of this policy will be given to the parent or guardian of student at the time a request to administer medication is made.  (Adopted: July, 1980 and Amended: August of 1989).

 

A school nurse visits our campus on a regular basis.  She promotes good health practices.  In addition, she makes sure student’s immunizations are up-to-date.  Appointments to see the nurse can be made by calling the school.

 

 

 

STARTING TIME AND DROPPING OFF STUDENTS IN THE CARRIDER LINE

Students cannot be dropped off at the school until 7:30 A.M.  There is no one on duty until after that time.  Please realize that there is no one to watch after your children until 7:30 A.M.

GRAY’S CREEK ELEMENTARY IS A SMOKE FREE CAMPUS.  SMOKING ON CAMPUS IS FORBIDDEN

THE “GATOR RULES”                                                                         1.    Respect your teacher, other students and yourself.                                                      2.    Obey the direction of all adults on our campus.                                                        3.    Always be on task and ready to learn.                                                                    4.    Act in a safe and responsible manner at all times.

INFRACTIONS THAT BREAK THE “GATOR RULES”

 

The following rules are suspendable infractions and can carry automatic suspension for the breaking of any or all of them.  However, upon request by a parent, the principal will use corporal punishment in lieu of suspension up to a maximum of three times.  After the third administering of corporal punishment, the child will be suspended for infraction of the following rules.

  1. Willfully disobeying those in charge of the student
  2. Treating an authority with disrespect
  3. Making an unfounded charge against authority
  4. Using profane and/or obscene language
  5. Being guilty of immoral or vicious practices
  6. Being guilty of conduct or habits injurious to his/her associates
  7. Using/possessing controlled dangerous substances governed by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, in any form
  8. Using or possessing tobacco and/or lighter
  9. Using or possessing alcoholic beverages at school
  10. Disturbing the school and habitually breaking/violating any school rules
  11. Cutting, defacing, or injuring any part of public school buildings/vandalism
  12. Writing profane and/or obscene language or draws obscene pictures
  13. Possessing weapons prohibited under federal law, as defined in Section 921 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code
  14. Possessing firearms, knives, or other implements, not prohibited by federal law, which can be used as weapons, the careless use of which might inflict harm or injury
  15. Throwing missiles liable to injure others
  16. Instigating or participating in fights while under school supervision
  17. Violating traffic and safety regulations
  18. Leaving school premises or classroom without permission
  19. Being habitually tardy and/or absent
  20. Other serious offenses

These rules come directly from the Louisiana State Department of Education Behavior Report.  If your child has been referred for infractions of any/all of these rules you will receive a copy of the report.  Parents will be asked to sign the copy and send it back.  All records are kept on file in the principal’s office and can be seen at any time upon request.

 

PLEASE TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THAT ALL VERBAL AND WRITTEN THREATS WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND SUBJECT TO SUSPENSION/EXPULSION IMMEDIATELY AFTER DUE PROCESS RIGHTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN.  WE LIVE IN A TIME WHERE THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR IS NEVER LOOKED AT AS A JOKE.  IT IS OUR GREAT RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS SAFE IN OUR SCHOOL AND THIS WE WILL DO.  THAT IS OUR SOLEMN PROMISE TO EVERYONE.

DRESS CODE

Uniforms are required.  Please refer to the Livingston Parish School Board Policy for specifications.  The following rules also apply:

  1. Caps, hats, un-prescribed glasses are not permitted.
  2. Earring(s) are not allowed by males as wearing apparel
  3. Appropriate footwear must be worn (Refer to uniform policy)
  4. Male hair length must be of even distribution.  The hair may not extend below the plane of the shoulder nor down upon they eyebrow in front: nor down below the earlobes.  Hair must be clean, well-groomed and neat at all times.  Lines cut in the hair, “tails”, or any other hairstyles which interfere with a student’s performance or his/her classmate’s is prohibited
  5. Female hair must be clean, neat, and well-groomed
  6. Extreme coloring and extreme hair styles are not acceptable.  Hair rollers are not acceptable
  7. Foundation garments must be worn if appropriate
  8. Personal hygiene must be maintained
  9. Any item which interferes with a student’s performance or his/her classmates is prohibited (This includes nose rings and body piercings that detract and disturb)
  10. Excessive make-up is not allowed (Remember that this is an elementary school)

 

RESTROOM RULES

  1. Use restrooms in a reasonable manner
  2. Use restrooms and leave immediately
  3. Keep restrooms clean and orderly
  4. Only one person in a stall at a time

 

GENERAL RULES OF CONDUCT

  1. Always walk in halls and on sidewalks
  2. Remain on school grounds at all times
  3. Do not bring to school any knives, fireworks, or dangerous weapons of any kind
  4. Do not talk ugly and use obscene language
  5. Do not chew gum or even bring it to school
  6. Do not buy, sell, loan, trade, or give away items or money at school
  7. Do not bring tape players, CD players, trading cards, or toys to school
  8. Always show respect to adults and other students
  9. No tobacco, drugs, or alcohol allowed at school
  10. Use all play ground equipment in a safe and reasonable manner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRAY’S CREEK CODE OF CONDUCT

THE “GATOR RULES” FOR THE CLASSROOM**          1.    Respect your teacher, other students and yourself.                                               2.    Obey the direction of all adults on our campus.                                                      3.    Always be on task and ready to learn.                                                                    4.    Act in a safe and responsible manner at all times.

 

OUTSIDE AND INSIDE RECESS RULES**

1.  Be respectful to teachers and other students.

2.  Act in a safe and responsible manner at all times. 

 

A CHILD DIRECTLY TO THE OFFICE FOR:

1.   Blatant disrespect                                                                                      2.   Fighting or in danger of causing injury to themselves or others                3.   Inappropriate language                                                                             4.   Destruction of school property 

 
 
UNIVERSAL SIGNS FOR ALL STUDENTS
  1. ZIP AND FLIP  (PRINCIPAL WILL DEMONSTRATE)
  2. GIVE ME FIVE 1-2-3-4-5 (PRINCIPAL WILL DEMONSTRATE)
  3. INSIDE VOICES AND OUTSIDE VOICES
  4. WHISTLE MAY BE USED IN ADDITION TO UNIVERSAL SIGNS FOR PLAYGROUND, BUS PORT AND CAR RIDER LINE.

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND DEFINITIONS CONCERNING DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

 

FIGHTING – TOUCHING ANOTHER PERSON WITH YOUR HANDS WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE AWAY

 

INSTIGATING- PROMOTING A FIGHT BETWEEN TWO OTHER PEOPLE OR WITH ANOTHER PERSON THROUGH VOICE, OVERTONES, GOSSIP, HARRASMENT OR NAME-CALLING

 

OBEY- SIMPLY MEANS TO DO WHAT A TEACHER OR OTHER ADULT ASK OF YOU IN ORDER FOR EDUCATIONAL GOALS TO BE ATTAINED

 

RESPECT – SHOWING KINDNESS IN FACIAL EXPRESSION AND BODY LANGUAGE AS WELL AS VERBAL COMMUNICATION WHEN IN THE PROCESS OF OBEYING

 

ON TASK – SIMPLY MEANS TO BE ENGAGED IN CLASSWORK AS DEEMED NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE BY CLASS ROOM INSTRUCTOR

 

PROMPT – MEANS TO BE ON TIME

 

ON TIME – MEANS TO BE WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE TIME YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE

 

TARDY – WHEN YOU ARE NOT ON TIME AND THEREFORE, LATE

 

ACT SAFELY – MEANS TO DO THINGS AROUND THE CAMPUS THAT CANNOT BRING HARM TO OTHERS OR YOURSELF

 

RESPONSIBLE – MEANS THAT YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AND YOU DO IT PROMPTLY

 

BLANTANT – MEANS THAT YOU NOT ONLY DO SOMETHING WRONG BUT YOU DO IT WITH PASSION AND FEELING

 

INAPPROPRIATE – MEANS THAT WHATEVER IS DONE WRONGLY IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE DONE

 

ZIP AND FLIP – MEANS TO CLOSE YOUR MOUTH AND KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF

 

GIVE ME FIVE – MEANS TO HOLD YOUR RIGHT HAND UP AND FACE THE TEACHER, PRINCIPAL OR OTHER INSTRUCTOR, GIVING THEM YOUR ATTENTION

 

INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VOICES – MEANS LOWER VOICES INSIDE AND LOUDER VOICES OUTSIDE

 

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT – MEANS TO BE PUNISHED WITH A PADDLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW

 

SUSPENSION – MEANS TO BE PUT OUT OF SCHOOL FOR A DETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME DEPENDING ON THE INFRACTION OF SCHOOL RULES

TOP FIVE UNIFORM INFRACTIONS

 

  1. STUDENTS WHO WEAR COLORS OTHER THAN NAVY, KAKI AND WHITE WHICH INCLUDE SOCKS, UNDERSHIRTS AND BELTS.

 

  1. STUDENTS WHO WEAR TEE SHIRTS THAT  SHOW OUT FROM UNDER THE UNIFORM SHIRTS

 

  1. STUDENTS WHO WEAR OPEN TOED AND HEELED SHOES

 

  1. STUDENTS WHO WEAR JEAN MATERIAL AND NOT KAKI

 

  1. STUDENTS WHO WEAR CARGO PANTS WITH CARGO POCKETS

 

ALL BELTS MUST BE BLACK, BROWN, NAVY OR TAN.  ALL SOCKS MUST BE EITHER NAVY, KAKI OR WHITE (NO EXCEPTIONS)

 

TOP FIVE BEHAVIOR INFRACTIONS

 

  1. FIGHTING OR INSTIGATING A FIGHT WITH OTHERS OR BETWEEN OTHERS

 

  1. HARRASSMENT BY NAME CALLING OR TAUNTING OTHER STUDENTS

 

  1. STEALING FROM OTHER STUDENTS OR TEACHERS

 

  1. DEFACING PUBLIC PROPERTY

 

  1. MAKING IDLE TRHEATS AND BRINGING WEAPONS TO SCHOOL (MAINLY KNIVES AND SHARP OBJECTS)

 

THESE ACTIONS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL BE EXTENSIVELY PUNISHED UNDER SCHOOL BOARD POLICY

 

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE COOPERATION OF OUR PARENTS IN MAINTAINING GOOD DICIPLINE.  PLEASE TAKE TIME WITH YOUR CHILDREN IN DISCUSSING GOOD BEHAVIOR AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL.

 

 

ELECTRONIC TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES

 

            No student shall use, possess, or operate any electronic telecommunication device, including any facsimile system, radio paging service, mobile telephone service, intercom, or electro-mechanical paging system in any elementary, middle or secondary school building, or on the grounds thereof or in any school bus used to transport public school students, unless in the event of an emergency as declared by the principal or his/her designee or after regular school hours as directed by a school official. 

              A violation of these provisions shall be grounds for disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension from school. 

             The principal or his/her designee shall not impose on a student any disciplinary actions when any electronic telecommunication device is stored in a motor vehicle and there is no evidence of the student’s intent to use or operate the device during the instructional school day.

            A properly authorized medical device worn by a student shall not be in violation of this policy.  Revised:  May, 2006         Ref:      La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:239, 17:416, 17:416.1

 

EXAMPLES OF DISCIPLINARY MEASURES FOR INFRACTIONS OF RULES

 

1.      Loss of Recess privileges

2.      Responsibility Work

3.      After school detention

4.      Loss of Class Trip privileges

5.      Parent-Teacher conference with student

6.      Suspension from school according to school board policy

7.      Corporal punishment by request of parent only

8.      Expulsion from school for continued misbehavior

 

Any and all of these have been used and all are under the umbrella of LPPS policy as it pertains to discipline.  Usually there are warnings by teachers and staff before any of these disciplinary measures are taken.

 

 

HARASSMENT POLICY

 

            The policy of our school is that all our employees and students should be able to enjoy an educational/work environment free from all forms of discrimination, including harassment.  Harassment is a form of misconduct, which undermines the integrity of the employee, student and employee/student relationships.  No employee/student (male or female) should be subjected unsolicited and unwelcome overtures or conduct, either verbal or physical.

            Harassment does not refer to occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature.  It refers to behavior which is not welcome, which is personally offensive, which debilitates morale, and which therefore interferes with our work effectiveness.  Further more, it refers to abusive treatment of one person to another regardless of the form it takes. Picking on a person or harassing a person in any form WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

            Such conduct by students is specifically prohibited.  This includes: repeated offensive flirtations, advances or propositions, continued or repeated verbal abuse, graphic or degrading verbal comments about an individual or his/her appearance; the display of suggestive objects or pictures or any offensive or abusive physical conduct.

            In addition, no one should imply or threaten that an applicant, employee or student’s cooperation in offensive conduct will have any effect on the individual’s grades, promotion or employment.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

            Complaint of harassment, which takes place at school or at a school-related function or arising out of the school setting, should be made to the principal of the school.  After notification of the complaint, a confidential investigation will immediately be initiated to gather all facts about the complaint.

            After the investigation has been completed, a determination will be made regarding the resolution of the case.  If warranted, disciplinary action will be taken up to and including expulsion of a student.  Any disciplinary action taken in regard to a student will be maintained as any other student disciplinary violation.

 

PUNISHMENT FOR HARASSMENT OF OTHERS

            The penalty for harassment can result in suspension/and, or expulsion depending on the severity and complexity of such harassment.  Reasonable measure will be used to deter harassment.  However, disregarding warning and reasonable measure will result in suspension/and, or expulsion.

 

IMPORTANT THOUGHT TO CONSIDER

            We are committed to taking care of your child here at Gray’s Creek Elementary School.  We will watch after their well being with our lives.  Most, if not all, of our teachers are parents and they understand the love and care that a parent has for their child.  Please trust us to do what is right in teaching, leading, guiding and disciplining your child.  We will always be as fair as possible to all of our children in matters of giving them the best education possible.