Thomasville City Schools

J. K. Harper Elementary School

 

110 Bartow Street

Thomasville, Georgia 31792

Phone:  229-225-2622

Fax:  229-225-2692

 

2009 – 2010
FACULTY/STAFF HANDBOOK

 

Allan G. Rodemoyer, Principal
Catherine Swain, Literacy Coach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 CLAWS

Children Learn A Winning Spirit


 

Faculty & Staff Assignments: 2009-2010

 

Mr. Allan  Rodemoyer, Principal

Miss Catherine Swain, Literacy Coach

 

 

Pre-Kindergarten

 

Fifth Grade

 

Mrs. Wilnita Fortson

 

Mrs. Monica Abrams

 

Mrs. Carrie Hale

 

Ms. Mamie Linton

 

Mrs. Paula Stephens

 

 

 

 

 

Special Education

 

Kindergarten

 

Mrs. Amelia Parker – Speech Pathologist

 

Ms. Ondrya DeVane

Mrs. Amy Elwell

Mrs. Venus Mitchell

Mr. Megan Nelson

 

 

Miss Laura Poss – Special Education Teacher

Beverly Reynolds – Special Education Teacher

Sharon Wilson – Speech Pathologist

 

Physical Education

 

First Grade

 

Mrs. Rosanna Thompson

 

Mrs. Keyante’ Braswell

Miss Raquel Lundy

Mrs. Zondra Singleton

 

 

 

Media Specialist

Mrs. Michele Sedam

 

 

Second Grade

 

Support Staff

 

Miss Kelly Cooper

Mrs. Lisa Lyons

Mrs. Mary Manson

 

Third Grade

 

Mrs. Rosa Clyde – Spanish

Mr. Tim Pledger - Music

Mrs. Betty Herbert– Technology

Mrs. Jennifer Jordan – Counselor

Mrs. Linda Pearson – School Nurse 

 

Miss Michele Campbell

Miss Moansenee Lewis

Mrs. Vanessa Singley

 

 

Mr. William Buechner - Music

Mrs. Lauren Schmidt- Elementary Band

Mr. Rick Stirewalt – Technology Specialist

Mrs. Davinia Tucker- Strings Instructor

Mr. Jim Dortch - Maintenance

 

Fourth Grade

Mr. Michael Lewis

Mrs. Zana Spell

 

Early Intervention Program

Dr. April Hadley-Tetteh

 

 

Parent Resource Coordinator: Pre-K Program

Mrs. Tracy House

 

Family Services Coordinator: Grades K-5

Mrs. Sandi Olson

 

 

 

Paraprofessionals

 

Ms. Hazel Harris

Mrs. Maggie Scruggs

Mrs. Darlene Webb

Ms. Shirley Bevard

Ms. Tracie Larkin

Mrs. Sharon Simmons

Mrs. Rosemary Weston

Miss Nicole Choice

Mrs. Allyson Prosser

Mrs. Kristin Snead

Mrs. Anita Williams

Mrs. Cynthia Dawson

Mrs. Katrina Revels

Mrs. Kay Stephens

Ms. Pam Williams

 

 

 

Mrs. Peggie Williams

 

Food Service

Administrative Assistants

Custodial

 

Mr. Kenneth Cody, Manager

Mrs. Shirley Allen

Mr. William Mitchell

 

Mrs. Tina Clark

Miss Terrlyn Brown

Mr. Arthur Williams

 

Ms. Fannie Giddens

 

 

 

Mrs. Ruby Wolfe

Ms. Diane Cannon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Improvement Teams

 

Data Team

             Monica Abrams                                                                 Mary Manson      

              Pat Newsome

              Ondrya DeVane                                                                Allan Rodemoyer

              Sabrina Boykins-Everett                                                   Zondra Singleton

              Moansenee Lewis                                                             Vanessa Singley

             Amelia Parker                                                                    Zana Spell

             April Hadley-Tetteh                                                           Catherine Swain

                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                     

 

Leadership Team

Allan Rodemoyer, Chairperson                                            Shirley Hall

Monica Abrams                                                                    Sandi Olson

Keyante’ Braswell                                                                Amelia Parker

Zana Spell                                                                            Catherine Swain

                                                                                              Amy Elwell                                                        

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                 

                                                                                 

Discipline Team

Zana Spell, Chairperson                                          

Ondrya DeVane, Co-Chairperson                                        Mary Manson

April Tetteh                                                                          Allan Rodemoyer

Monica Abrams                                                                    Vanessa Singley

Raquel Lundy                                                                       Catherine Swain

Peggie Williams

 

 

 

 

 
 
THOMASVILLE CITY SCHOOLS

 

 
 
 
 

2009 – 2010 Abbreviated Calendar

 

Event

Day(s)

Date

 

 

 

New Teacher Orientation

Monday-Wednesday

July 20-23, 2009

Preplanning for Teachers

Tuesday-Friday

July 28-31, 2009

First Day of School for Students

Monday

August 3, 2009

Labor Day Holiday

Monday

September 7, 2009

Early Release Day

Thursday

September 17, 2009

Fall Break

Monday-Friday

October 5-9, 2009

 

Teacher Workday/Student Holiday

Monday

October 12, 2009

First Day - Second Nine Weeks

Tuesday

October 13, 2009

Early Release Day

Thursday

November 12, 2009

Thanksgiving Holiday

Wednesday-Friday

November 25-27, 2009

Winter Holidays

 

December 21, 2009-

January 1, 2010

 

Teacher Workday/Student Holiday

Monday

January 4, 2010

First Day - Third Nine Weeks

Tuesday

January 5, 2010

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Monday

January 18, 2010

Early Release Day

Thursday

February 11, 2010

Student/Teacher Holiday

Friday

March 12, 2010

 

 

 

Teacher Workday/Student Holiday

Monday

March 15, 2010

First Day - Fourth Nine Weeks

Tuesday

March 16, 2010

Spring Break

Friday-Friday

April 2- 9, 2010

Last Day of School for Students

Friday

May 21, 2010

 

 

 

Post-planning

Monday-Wednesday

May 24-26, 2010

Report Cards Issued

Wednesday

May 26, 2010

 

 


 

Harper Elementary School


Harper Elementary School
2009-2010 Abbreviated Calendar

 

 

Month

Date

 Event

A.        

                 (i)     

1)         

July

31

Preplanning / Open House:  PreK-5 (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon)

August

3

First Day of School for Students

 

20

Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Parent Orientation Meeting (6:30 p.m.)

 

25

Vision / Hearing Screenings

 

27

PTO Back-to-School Night: Grades 1-5 (6:30 p.m.)

September

4

Grandparents’ Day Luncheon

 

7

Labor Day - Student/Teacher Holiday

 

21

School Council (12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.)

 

18

LifeTouch Portrait Day

 

24

PTO / Family Night (6:30 p.m.)

October

2

QSP Candy Kick-off

 

5 – 9

Fall Break

 

12

Student Holiday / Teacher Workday

 

23

Student Recognition Program: 1st Nine-Weeks

November

16

School Council (12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.)

 

19

PTO / Family Night (6:30 p.m.)

 

25 – 27

Thanksgiving Holidays

December

9 – 16

Santa’s Shoppe

 

15

PTO / Holiday Program (6:30 p.m.)

 

21 – 31

Winter Holidays

January

1

Winter Holiday

 

4

Student Holiday / Teacher Workday

 

11

School Council (12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.)

 

15

Student Recognition Program:  2nd Nine-Weeks

 

18

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

 

                     28

PTO / CRCT Parent Workshop (6:30 p.m.)

February

25

PTO / Black History Program (6:30 p.m.)

 

26

QSP Candy Sales Begins

March

12

Student / Teacher Holiday

 

15

Student / Teacher Holiday

 

25

PTO / Family Night (6:30 p.m.)

 

27

Student Recognition Program:  3rd Nine-Weeks

April

2 – 9

Spring Break

 

19

School Council (12 noon - 1:00 p.m.)

 

20 – 30

CRCT Administration: Grades 1-8

 

30

CRCT Celebration

May

3 – 7

Art Week

 

7

Jump Rope for Heart

 

14

Field Day

 

19

Student Recognition Program:  4th Nine-Weeks

 

20

Kindergarten Progression Exercise (1:30 p.m.)

 

21

Fifth Grade Progression Exercise

 

21

Last Day of School for Students

 

26

Report Cards Issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of J. K. Harper Elementary School is

to provide a quality education that promotes

 lifelong learning for each student.

 

 

 

BELIEF STATEMENTS

 

The students at Harper Elementary School will…

1.          Commit to always try to do their best.

2.          Learn basic and critical thinking skills.

3.          Accept personal responsibility for their behavior.

4.          Work together to become problem solvers.

5.          Set personal goals and strive to achieve them.

 

Harper Elementary School, the place where

Children Learn A Winning Spirit.”

 

 

 
 
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GOALS

1.         To improve students’ interpersonal skills;

2.         To increase student academic achievement in reading;

3.         To increase student academic achievement in math;

4.         To extend the school community through collaborative networks; and

5.         To maximize student opportunities for academic success through increased average daily attendance rate.

 

 

 

SCHOOL TRADITIONS

School Mascot  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ………….Eagle

School Colors   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ……………...Red & Gold

 

 

 

 

Expectations

 

 

 

Each of us is expected to exhibit professionalism; your actions will reflect this trust. Do not criticize colleagues in front of other professionals, students, or outsiders. When a problem exists between or among staff members, the problem(s) should be discussed between or among those directly involved in a professional manner.

 

 

·           Enjoy your work and show it by enthusiastic behavior.

·           Pull together as a “team.”

·           Be on task yourself and keep your students on task. Avoid meaningless busy work and wasted time. Time on task is the most important variable in improved student achievement.

·           Smile – make students comfortable so that they will want to be at school working and learning.

·           Greet new students with a smile and open arms. It’s tough to go to a new school.

·           Handle your own discipline, except in cases that are serious enough to be handled by the office staff. Your discipline should be firm, fair, and consistent, at the same time realizing that everybody has a “bad day” now and then.

·           Be in control of your class at all times, whether in the classroom, on the playground, in the restroom or at dismissal.

·           Do not abuse your children (mentally, verbally, or physically) and report to the principal cases of suspected child abuse or neglect.

·           Report immediately in writing to the office any unsafe conditions.

·           Stay in contact with parents, using verbal and written communication, both positive and negative. Always return phone calls as promptly as possible.

·           Schedule conferences for all parents throughout the school year and keep a log of parent contact.

·           Keep accurate records on each student.

·           Check students’ work and return it in a timely manner.

·           Regularly display students’ work.

·           Ensure that each child receives at least one “Good News Note” each year.

·           Conserve Paper. Use manipulatives.

·           Read aloud to your students daily.

·           Be knowledgeable in your subject areas and keep abreast of current trends in your profession.

·           Lesson Plans are to be correlated to GPS objectives using the textbooks, curriculum guides and other materials as resources.

·           Remember, there is no substitute for you being in the classroom. Conserve absences.

·           Be punctual. The workday begins at 7:30 a.m. Be in your room ready for the students by 7:45 a.m.

·           Be punctual for duty.

·           The principal must be notified anytime you need to leave before 3:05 p.m. The appropriate form must be completed.

·           Follow the chain of command at all times.

·           Employees are asked to join and support PTO. Certified staff is expected to attend all meetings thereafter.

·           Faculty meetings are to be attended by all staff members unless otherwise excused by the principal prior to the meeting.

·           Satisfactory performance on the GTDRI is based on compliance with the student and faculty handbook.

·           Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

·           Have “high expectations” for yourself and all of your students.

·           Students can and will learn if we are clever enough to teach them.

·           Maintain confidentiality with all school related matters. This is a violation of the Code of Ethics.

·           Teachers must set proper examples for students in many ways: in dress, manners, speech, professional ethics, and in being punctual.

·           Sarcasm and improper language to students is unacceptable.

·           Harper Elementary is a “Drug-Free” school (All forms of tobacco are included).

·           Students who are given permission to leave the classroom must have a hall pass.

·           Students are not to be disciplined by being placed in the hall.

·           A teacher should not leave his or her class unsupervised. If it is absolutely necessary to leave the room, notify a neighboring teacher and return as soon as possible. School employees are held personally liable for injury to pupils under their supervision and control if negligence is proven.

·           Teachers should move around the playground to supervise students and should not sit and talk in groups.

·           Teachers, students, and all staff members are expected to help maintain the cleanliness of the classrooms and building.

·           It is solely the responsibility of the professional educator to maintain current certification and meet the Southern Association of Colleges and School Five-Year growth cycle.

 

 

 

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

 

Requirements for Professional Growth

Professional staff members shall earn six-semester hours credit, or the appropriate number of professional learning units, during each five-year period of employment. The six hours of credit or equivalency shall be designed to increase the competency of the teaching staff in the areas of service rendered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Policies, Procedures, & Guidelines

 

 

System Policy Handbook

A copy of the Board of Education Policy Handbook is located in the principal’s office. Please read the Policy Handbook so that you will be familiar with its contents regarding various rules and regulations.

 

 

Workday

The workday is 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  It is imperative that teachers be punctual for work each day.  Paraprofessionals workday may be different and may be individualized.  Teachers will be assigned after-school duty on a rotating basis. 

 

 

Morning Routine

Upon arrival at school, teachers are asked to sign-in at 7:30 a.m. in the office and pick up their class from the hallway no later than 7:45 a.m. 

·         Morning announcements will begin at 8:00 a.m. These will include the Pledge and the Moment of Silence.  Please require your students to listen quietly to these announcements.

·         Each homeroom teacher should take attendance by 8:30 a.m. If you cannot complete this task, please submit a written list of absentees to the office by 8:30 a.m.

·         Lunch reports are due in the lunchroom by 8:30 a.m.

 

 

School Hours

7:20 a.m.

Cafeteria opens for breakfast

7:55 a.m.

Breakfast ends

8:00 a.m.

Instructional day begins

8:15 a.m.

“Tardy Bell” rings to signify that a student is late for class

11:00 a.m.

Lunch begins

1:00 p.m.

Lunch ends

3:00 p.m.

Dismissal for all students

A student must be in attendance for a minimum of three hours and fifteen minutes of the school day to be counted “present”. 

 

 

Duty-Free Lunch

Assigned personnel will monitor students during the scheduled lunch periods.  Teachers are not required to eat with their students.

 

 

 

Supervision

Students are not to be left unattended.  As an employee of Thomasville City Schools, you are accepting the liability associated with the absence of supervision.  You are also putting yourself and the principal in a no-win situation.

 

 

Faculty Meetings

Set aside the last Thursday of each month for faculty meetings.  Teachers are required to attend all meetings.  Doctor, dental or other appointments should not be scheduled on this day.

 

 

Absences

When a teacher must be absent, please notify Miss Brown as soon as possible.  Evening calls are preferred when possible.  If you know you are going to be out, complete a leave request form and turn it in to the office.  This form must be completed for all absences (full or any portion of the day).  If you are out for illness, etc., please complete the form when you return to work. Please inform Miss Brown of your plans for the next day by 2:00pm.

 

 

Personal/Professional Leave

If you must leave work during the day, prior approval from the administration must be obtained.  Please sign out in the office prior to leaving work and back in should you return that day. 

 

Teachers may use up to three (3) days for personal leave from the total number of sick leave days granted for the year. However, there is no substitute for you being here each and every day.    Professional leave is granted for activities, workshops and/or meetings related specifically to your job requirements.  Request forms for professional and personal leave are available in the office.  Each must be approved by the principal, and then submitted to the Board of Education for approval.

 

 

Late Arrivals/Early Departures

Staff members are expected to report to work on time and remain at school for the full working day.  However, when a staff member must be late, he/she must contact the office as soon as possible.  Anyone who needs to leave school early must get permission from the administration and complete the appropriate form.  If a teacher who has after-school duty needs to leave early, he/she must make arrangements with another staff member to take the duty. 

 

Dress Code

Our school’s dress code policy for employees is as follows: 

·         Dress in a professional and appropriate manner for your responsibilities.

·         On a regular school day, jeans or “look alikes” of any color are not permitted.

·         Not appropriate on regular school days:  leggings, miniskirts, wind suits, warm-up suits, tops, shirts, or dresses with shoulders out.

·         Professionals should not wear clothing that is revealing, tight fitting, or too short.

·         Casual dress, including jeans and wind suits, is allowed on teacher workdays unless professional responsibilities dictate otherwise.

·         Hats are not acceptable.

Attendance Referral Process

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson Plans

Lesson plans will be checked randomly by the administration.  All lesson plans should be written using the Georgia Performance Standards and Georgia’s Quality Core Curriculum.  Textbooks and other materials should be used as resources to meet your instructional objectives.  Assessment methods should also be a part of your lesson plans.  Please submit lesson plans to the office as requested by the principal. Lesson plans must be on the teacher’s desk. 

 

The superintendent shall require each principal to develop and implement a systematic program for the use of lesson plans by all teachers as one means for directing and evaluating the instructional programs of the schools.  Programs for the use of lesson plans shall include, but are not limited to the following:

1.         Lesson plans shall be based upon the objectives presented in the Georgia Performance Standards and Georgia’s Quality Core Curriculum.

2.         Lesson plans shall include GPS objectives, standardized test objectives, activities, resources, and evaluation.

3.         Abbreviations may be used in your plans.  Please reference abbreviations in a key or legend in the front of your plan book.

4.         Written lesson plans shall be prepared in advance for each instructional activity.

5.         Lesson plans should include instructional modifications for any special needs students served in the regular education classroom.

6.         Lesson plans should reflect current individual class needs as determined by ongoing assessments of student performance.

7.         No particular format for lesson plans is required.  However, the format used for lesson plans; must be clear, concise, and chosen by the individual teacher with administrator approval.  The written lesson plans are to be maintained in a binder or plan book.  They must be written with clarity that allows for possible use by substitute personnel.

8.         Lesson plans shall be used daily by teachers and available for inspection by the administration at any time.

9.         The principal will implement and follow a systematic procedure for reviewing all lesson plans on a regular basis.

10.     Lesson plans may be part of a teacher’s evaluation.

 

 

Curriculum Items

Be sure that you follow the course guides at all times.  Make certain that all curriculum materials used in class are approved.  The grade level chairperson and/or literacy coach may provide assistance in this area. When planning your daily schedule, please remember:

·         Students in grades K-3 must be engaged in a minimum of 270 minutes of instructional time;

·         Students in grades 4-5 must be engaged in a minimum of 300 minutes of instructional time;

·         Students must receive a minimum of 30 clock hours of health instruction annually;

·         Each student must receive a minimum of 60 clock hours of physical education annually.

 

 

Emergency Lesson Plans

It is the teacher’s responsibility to produce plans for a substitute teacher.  He/she must make certain that plans are complete and include information directing the substitute to where all materials are

 

located. An emergency lesson plan must be on file in the office.  This plan should be from one to three days in length and should be modified throughout the year to remain current and relevant.

Substitute Teachers

Only those persons identified by the Central Office are eligible to substitute.  The secretaries have a list of eligible substitute teachers.  They will obtain a substitute for you when one is needed; however, the principal asks that you observe the following procedures when a substitute is needed:

1.      If you are at school and you know you will be absent the next day, please inform the principal and/or Mrs. Allen before you leave school.

2.      If you are already absent and a substitute is filling in for you, please call the office before 2:30 p.m. to notify us if you wish to have the substitute return the next day. 

3.      If you decide that you need to have a substitute after you get home, please call Miss Brown after 4:30 p.m. and before 9:00 p.m. at 228-9219. 

4.      Mrs. Allen will be in the office at 7:00 a.m. daily and will be responsible for calling substitutes at that time.  Please bear in mind that other schools are also calling substitute teachers to cover for their absentees; therefore, it is essential that Mrs. Allen and Miss Brown receive phone calls as soon as possible. 

 

 

Substitute Folder

1.      Detailed lesson plan(s).  Be sure to include enough work to keep students occupied the entire school day.

2.      Special schedules/instructions (Resource, Speech, Art, Music, P.E., Media, etc.)

3.      Class Roster

4.      Seating Plan

5.      Teacher’s editions for each content area included in the lesson plan

6.      Indoor/Outdoor directed play procedures/activities

7.      Fire Drill procedures

 

 

Textbook Distribution

Students must be issued the appropriate textbooks as mandated by school board policy.  Each textbook should have a number stamped or written inside.  As teachers issue textbooks, they must keep a separate record of the number of the book assigned to each student.  Also, they must write the student’s name and the condition of the book inside the front cover.

 

 

Damaged/Lost Textbooks

Textbooks are the property of the school and are loaned to students for their use during the school year.  Students are expected to handle books carefully and to keep them in good condition.  Students/parents/guardians are required to pay for lost/damaged books before another one will be issued.

 

 

Videos/Televisions

Television programs/videos are to be shown for instructional purposes only and, when used, should be included in your lesson plans.  Television programs/videos should not be viewed frequently.  Please adhere to the following procedures before showing and during the video:

1.      Follow system policy and copyright laws in obtaining films/videos.

2.      Preview the film prior to showing it to students.

3.      View the video with students.

4.      Plan a follow-up activity.

Media Equipment

All machines and audio equipment are kept in the media center.  Machines should be checked in and out as “other materials”.  Only teachers and adult staff members shall operate or transport media equipment.

 

 

Grading Policy

The grading system for our school system is as follows:

 

 Kindergarten

Grades 1-2

Grades 3-12

AC– Accomplished

S – Satisfactory          

A = 90-100

IP – In Progress

N – Needs Improvement

B = 80-89

NE – Not Evident

U – Unsatisfactory

C = 70-79

 

 

F = Below 70

 

Grades of Unsatisfactory (U) or below 70 are considered failing grades.

 

 

Class Record Book

A class record book is furnished to each teacher during pre-planning.  This grade book is to be used to contain all grades assigned to students by the teacher.  Teacher and class identification must be recorded in the front of the grade book.  Students’ first and last names must be entered. Each column of grades must be appropriately labeled, identifying the type of work that the column represents: homework, class participation, daily/weekly test, unit test, etc.  All grades should be recorded in one grade book.

 

The grade book must be maintained legibly and must be well organized, reflecting teacher professionalism.  Teachers in grades 1-5 must use TEMS to maintain their grades.

 

 

Copyright

The copyright person in our school is the media specialist.  Please do not violate copyright laws.

 

 

Report Cards

Thomasville City Schools operate on a nine-weeks reporting system. A report of student progress will be issued to parents/guardians of all students enrolled in grades K-5 at the end of each grading period.  All reports must be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the classroom teacher the day after it is issued. Report cards should be written neatly and legibly and contain the following information:

·         Academic and conduct grades                               Attendance

·        Teacher’s Comments                                            

 

 

Student Progress

In addition to the 9-weeks Report Cards, school personnel will monitor each student’s academic progress on a regular basis. 

·         Daily Class/Homework Assignments                     STAR Reading Assessment

·         Weekly/Unit Tests                                                  STAR Math Assessment

·         A/R Diagnostic Reports                                          Midterm/Weekly Progress Reports

·         Benchmark Assessments

Homework

1.           Homework should be given to all students to practice a concept that has been understood, not new work.  Be sure the student has the materials necessary to complete the assignment.

2.           If grading presents a problem (giving too many zeros for failure to bring in homework), then homework should be counted so that it adds to the grade, but does not take away.

3.           Homework should be assigned 3 to 4 days a week.

4.           Rule of thumb for the amount of time: 

Homework should take 10 minutes times the child’s grade level.

5.           Watch the practice of having a child ‘finish classwork’ in addition to homework.

6.           Help students develop good study habits.  Write homework in a particular place in the room and give a specific time for students to copy the assignment.  Please encourage students to use their student agendas for recording homework assignments.

7.           Parents should be notified immediately when children fail to bring in homework assignments.

 

 

Classroom Appearance

The aesthetics of the classroom directly relate to students’ performance and behavior.  An attractive room increases attentiveness, builds character and school pride, and promotes a wholesome learning environment.  Please remember these guidelines:

1.         Keep bulletin boards current with a display of students’ work.

2.         Encourage students to clean the room after special activities.

3.         Pick up classroom debris at intervals during the day.

4.         Turn out the lights when the students leave the room for any extended period of time.

5.         Check the windows at the end of each day to make sure they are locked.  Pull all shades to the same level.

6.         Clean erasers in a designated area, not on walls and trees.  A small vacuum cleaner is available for this task.  See the custodians.

 

Classroom Management

Teachers are expected to handle most of their discipline in the classroom by working with students and parents. Teachers should follow the School-wide Discipline Plan and implement strategies and consequences as indicated in the Plan and/or individual classroom management plan.  Please keep documentation regarding student behavior.

 

Teachers are required to contact parents of students who display general or typical disruptive behaviors before referring them to the office.  If it is necessary for a student to be sent to the office, he/she must be sent with a completed student discipline referral form.  

 

Please refrain from leaving students in charge of your class or giving permission to students for the purpose of taking names.  This practice may cause resentment, arguments and other avoidable student behavior problems.  Leaving students without adult supervision is illegal.  It is also against the law for teachers to place students in the hall, closets, or other enclosed areas.

 

Work to develop a positive self-image in students by refraining from ridicule and sarcasm.  Students exhibiting desired behaviors should receive positive reinforcement.  When disciplining students, remember:  BE FIRM, BUT FAIR, AND ABOVE ALL, BE CONSISTENT.

 

Smoking

Smoking on school property is prohibited by local policy.  See Policy Manual.

 

 

Planning Time

All certified staff will have a 45-minute common planning period each day.  This planning time should be used to plan instruction, conference with parents, gather instructional materials, and participate in grade level/SST meetings.  Planning time is not to be used for doctor/dental appointments.

 

 

Leadership Team/Grade Level Meetings

Leadership Team Meetings will be held at the discretion of the principal.  Grade level meetings will be held weekly during your common planning time. Grade level concerns and SST referrals should be addressed at these meetings.  Grade level chairpersons are expected to take minutes and keep them in the prepared grade level notebook.

 

 

Testing Procedures

School personnel will adhere to all written regulations and procedures relating to testing and test administration, including the distribution and collection of test materials, test security, and use of test results.  Ms. Swain is the test coordinator for our school.  Any questions related to testing should be directed to her.

 

 

Parent Conferences

It is imperative that staff members keep an open line of communication with parents/guardians.  Parent conferences should be scheduled for students experiencing behavioral and/or academic difficulties. Use your Parent/Teacher Conference Log to document all contact with parents/guardians.  We are the professionals and therefore our responsibility is to communicate effectively with them.

 

 

Parent Volunteers and Visitors

Visitors are to report to the office when arriving on school grounds.  Do not hesitate to ask a person not employed at the school if he/she has registered in the office.  Should you see someone suspicious on campus, report the person immediately to the office.  All visitors should be identified with a badge showing that they have registered in the office and are indeed visitors.  Parent volunteers and mentors will also be identifiable in the same manner.

 

 

 

Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)

The Harper PTO is a fundamental part of the school program.  Therefore, all teachers are expected to attend PTO meetings unless cleared by the principal in advance.  Scheduled PTO meetings are listed on Harper’s abbreviated school calendar.

 

Permanent Records

All students have permanent file folders that are stored in the school’s fireproof vault.  A sign-in/sign-out form is utilized when classroom teachers sign their students’ records out of the office to review and/or update information.  It is the responsibility of each homeroom teacher to maintain and update all permanent records.  Please use black ink.  Each teacher is expected to make sure that a student’s permanent record should contain the following documents:

·           Personal information                                              Social security number (FTE)

·           Grades and attendance history                              Ear, eye and dental record

·           Birth certificate                                                      Standardized test scores/labels

·           Immunization record

 

Permanent records are to be created for all first year students, including kindergarteners, enrolled in the Thomasville City School System (TCSS).  Before a new record is made, be certain that the student has no other record in another (TCSS) school.  The following information should be completed on each record.

a.         Student’s FTE number (Social Security Number)

b.         Student’s full name

c.         School currently attending

d.        Date of birth

e.         Place of birth

f.          A copy of birth certificate; Ear, Eye and Dental Form 3300; Immunization Record; and/or Documentation of legal guardianship.

g.         Parent(s)/Guardian(s)’ name(s)

h.         Present home address

i.           “Entered from” is completed only when entering from another school system.

j.           Date of entry

k.         Grade when the student first entered (TCSS)

l.           Year of present school term

m.       Standardized test data should be attached sequentially using the stick-on labels.

n.         Date and signature of teacher are to be recorded when students withdraw from the TCSS.

o.         Date of re-entry should be recorded when a student re-enters TCSS.

p.         An average of the student’s yearly achievement is recorded at the end of the year.

q.         The “promoted, retained or placed” section is completed and the teacher’s signature is recorded at the end of the school year.

 

 

Laminating Machine

The laminating machine is located in the media center for your convenience.  Please remain with the laminator when you turn it on.  Turn it off when you are finished.

 

 

 

Requesting Supplies/Repairs

Teachers should complete and submit a supply requisition form for all requested supplies to the office.  Requests for classroom repairs or furniture removal should be submitted to the office on the proper form. The media specialist should receive requests for technology repairs.

 

 

Lunch

Georgia Law mandates that classroom teachers have duty-free lunch.  This policy is in effect at Harper School.  Teachers may choose to eat with their students at lunchtime.  Staff members on duty will supervision students during the lunch period.   On a regular basis, please remind students of cafeteria rules.

1.         Students will enter the cafeteria in a single file line.

2.         Students will proceed through the serving line quietly.

3.         Students will sit at assigned tables.

4.         Students will not share food.

5.         Students will talk quietly at the table, unless instructed to do otherwise.

6.         Students will clean their tables before getting up.

7.         Students will remain seated unless permission is given.

 

Classroom teachers will assist as follows:

1.         Teachers will walk with students in a quiet, single file line to and from the cafeteria.

2.         Teachers will adhere to scheduled lunch periods.

3.          Teachers will support supervisory staff with behavioral problems as needed.

 

 

Procedures for Handling Money

Each teacher will receive a brown envelope with a receipt book enclosed for collecting money.  Please be sure to fill in the proper sheet attached to the envelope to assist office staff in keeping accurate records of money received.  The teacher should issue receipts to students for monies collected.  Money collected should be turned in by 9:00 a.m. daily.  A receipt for the entire class will be issued to the teacher for the monies received from the classroom each day.

 

 

Teacher Reimbursement

Classroom materials should not be purchased with personal monies for reimbursement without prior approval. 

 

 

Fees

Georgia Law prohibits the charging of fees.  Voluntary donations or contributions are allowed.  The principal must clear any such requests before they are made of parents.

 

 

Parties

There are only two parties allowed during the school year - Christmas and Valentine’s Day.  They will occur on the last day before Christmas Holidays and the day of or closest to Valentine’s Day.   Parties should be held from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

 

 

Employees’ Children

Employees’ children should be supervised at all times.  Employee’s children may stay in the classroom with the employee after school as long as the employee has a classroom.  Employees’ children are not to be present anytime meetings or discussions are held about other children.  They are not to be afforded special privileges that other children do not receive.

Safety

The principal is the contact person for any safety issue related to the school grounds or equipment.  Do not hesitate to report any unsafe condition of which you have knowledge.

 

 

Accidents Involving Students

Caution should be taken in handling of all accident cases.  Injuries sustained by a student while he/she is at school should be reported to the principal immediately.  The teacher, who is supervising a student at the time of the injury should complete a Student Accident Report as soon as possible.  The student’s parents should be notified immediately and a copy of the accident report should be sent home with the child.

 

 

Accidents Involving Staff Members

If an employee is injured in a work related accident, the principal should be informed of the injury immediately.  The office will inform the Central Office upon notification.  A Workman’s Compensation Form should be completed immediately.  This form is available in the office.

 

 

Playground Safety

Please remember the following tips in order to minimize the potential for playground hazards:

1.      Establish safety rules and procedures for using each piece of equipment.

2.      Review these rules and procedures often.

3.      Monitor students’ play closely.  A certified staff member must be present at all times.

4.      Stop rough play immediately.

5.      Do not permit children to use wet or damaged equipment.

6.      Observe play patterns to note possible hazards and suggest appropriate equipment or usage changes.

7.      Do not permit too many children on the same piece of equipment at the same time; suggest that children take turns or direct their attention toward other equipment or activities.

8.      Report all injuries to the office.  Remember, the supervising teacher must complete the Student Accident Report Form.

 

 

 

Fire Drills

Fire drills will be held monthly.  An evacuation plan must be posted in each classroom near the door.  Teachers must instruct their students that they must adhere to the following fire drill procedure.  Also, teachers are required to take their grade book outside for all drills.

1.      The fire signal is a series of rings from the fire alarm.

2.      Begin to exit the building in a single file line as soon as the alarm sounds, following the exit plan for your room as indicated in the Floor Plan.

3.      Proceed to the designated area away from the building, keeping students in an orderly line.

4.      No talking or running is allowed during a fire drill.

5.      Stay with your students and supervise them the entire time you are outside.

6.      Check the roll to make sure all students are accounted for.

7.      After the regular bell has sounded, re-enter the building quietly and return to class.

Tornado Drills

A tornado watch means that weather conditions are such that a tornado may develop.  The office will notify teachers when a tornado watch is in effect.  At this time, they should review the tornado-warning plan and open all doors in their classroom.

 

A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted and may affect those areas named in the warning.  A severe weather floor plan, indicating safe areas for each classroom, must be posted in each classroom.

 

When teachers are notified that a warning is in effect:

1.      The disaster signal will be a long continuous blast from the bullhorn.

2.      They must relocate students to the designated areas as far as possible from exterior walls, windows, and doors.

3.      They must instruct students to sit on the floor with their backs to the wall, knees drawn up to the chest, head on the knees, and arms folded over their heads.

4.      Students must remain in this position until notified by the office to return to their classroom.

5.      Teachers are required to take their grade book with them to make sure all students are accounted for.

6.      A blast from the bullhorn will indicate the end of the drill.

 

 

Field Trips and Transportation Request

Field trips are an important extension of the instructional program.  No student is to be transported on field trips without written permission of the parent/legal guardian.  No child will be denied the opportunity to participate because his/her inability to pay the cost associated with the trip.

1.      Obtain from the office a “Field Trip Permission Slip” form for signature of parents of all students attending the trip.

2.      Leave all signed permission forms in the principal’s office before departure.  Take a list of names and check at departure and before returning.  Make certain you account for all students as you prepare to return to school at the conclusion of your outing.

 

 

Medication Policy

Ideally, parents should administer medications at home.  However, the Thomasville City School System recognizes that children may not be able to attend school without medication(s) prescribed for the treatment of injuries, illness, or chronic conditions.

 

No medication shall be given or taken by a student without the written permission from the student’s parents or guardian.  Unused medication will be returned to the parents at the end of the year.  Parents or legal guardians who want school staff to administer the approved non-prescription and prescription medications must complete and sign a copy of the Medication Permission Form that authorizes the school to do so.   This written permission form will be kept on file by the school staff member who will administer the medication.

 

All prescription medications brought to school must be secured in the appropriately labeled containers in accordance with Georgia Controlled Substance Act.  Thomasville City Schools cannot assume the responsibility for the administration of any medication that is not registered at the school. 

Child Abuse/Neglect

State Law mandates that school officials are mandated reporters.  Known or suspected child abuse/neglect is to be reported to the principal, who will in turn report it to the school counselor for appropriate forwarding.  This process must be handled in a serious and confidential manner.  Pleas refer to the system handbook for further details.

 

 

Student Support Team

Any student having difficulty academically or behaviorally is expected to be referred to the appropriate Student Support Team (SST).  Students at risk of being retained must be referred by the end of the First Semester.  It is the classroom teacher’s responsibility to use all resources available in meeting the needs of these children.  No student may be retained without having been referred to the Student Support Team.  A regular education function, the SST process is under the supervision of the school counselor.

 

 

Public Relations

The faculty and staff are the lifeline of Harper Elementary School.  It is our responsibility and duty to promote and be the cheerleaders of positive public relations.  We are expected to be proud our school, population and co-workers.

 

 

Performance Evaluation

The primary purpose of classroom observation and evaluation is to improve instructions.  Each teacher will be evaluated on the GTEP by the principal.

 



Thomasville City Schools

Addendum to Annual Teacher Evaluation Instrument

 

Teacher’s Name:  __________________________________         Grade:  _____

 

The students assigned to the above teacher for school year _______________

q have made satisfactory academic progress as evidenced by:

q have not made satisfactory academic progress as evidenced by:


q Class Grades over Quality Core Curriculum Content

q The Students’ Individual Education Program

q Basic Literacy Test Results

q Boehm Test of Basic Concepts

q Georgia Kindergarten Assessment Program Results

q Informal Readiness Test Results

q Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) Results

q Norm Referenced Test Results

q STAR Reading Program Results

q STAR Math Program Results

q Advanced Placement Exams Results

q College Entrance Exams (SAT and ACT)

q Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) Results

q Student Performances or Student Projects

q Other:  ____________________________________________________________

The above mentioned teacher þ

q has participated in staff development activities.

q has applied the concepts learned to classroom and school activities.

q has not participated in staff development activities.

q has not applied the concepts learned to classroom and school activities.

 

Teacher:           _________________________________________  Date:  _____/______/_____

 

Principal:         _________________________________________  Date:  _____/______/_____


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


Regular Procedures

·        Unplug all power surges or equipment (space-heaters, computers, printers, monitors, etc.)

·        Turn off air/heat

·        Make sure all windows & doors are properly secured/locked

·        Pull all shades to the same level

·        Remove from sight items that might invite theft

·        Remove all food items from the classrooms

 

Christmas/Spring Break Procedures:

·        Change all Holiday Bulletin Boards

·        Unplug all power surges or equipment (space-heaters, computers, printers, monitors, etc.)

·        Turn off air/heat

·        Make sure all windows & doors are properly secured/locked

·        Pull all shades to the same level

·        Remove from sight items that might invite theft

·        Please unplug microwave ovens (workrooms)

·        Remove all food items from the classrooms