Dear Parents,

            The staff of this school welcomes your child and plans to assist him/her in achieving success in elementary education. We also welcome you as parents in this accomplishment.

            This handbook has been prepared for you and your child so that you may become familiar with the rules and procedures, which are in effect at Maysville Elementary School.  We hope that it will be helpful to you.     

            We anticipate that this year will be very productive for your child.  We have high expectations for children here, as do you.  We plan to work together with you so that the children may reap a great harvest of knowledge, which will be of benefit to them as they strive toward adulthood.

            If you have any questions concerning this handbook or any school policy, please call the school at 749-7441.  We are looking forward to a great year!

                                                            Maysville Elementary School Staff

            Maysville Elementary School’s purpose is to provide education for the boys and girls of the surrounding area.  We consider it the student’s inherent right to receive a quality education in a safe and caring atmosphere.  They are to be taught so that they reach the highest level that they are capable of achieving for their age and abilities.

            Our aim is to provide education that will enable each student to obtain a strong educational foundation by learning essential attitudes, skills and knowledge.  We believe that by achieving, students will improve their self esteem and will be more likely to be responsible.  We will work to instill in students, practices that will help them learn, show consideration to others and give respect for those whose job it is to guide them.

            A safe learning environment is important to make it possible for students to learn without disruption.  We believe that we should work cooperatively with parents and/or guardians and members of our community to create a wholesome environment and open opportunities for interaction which will stimulate and enhance the atmosphere for learning at Maysville Elementary School.

1.      At this school, we plan to use instructional practices that are based on educational research and emphasize the basic courses of reading, writing skills, mathematics and other subjects in order for students to achieve standards that are equal to or above their grade level as established by informal, criterion-referenced and standardized testing measures.

2.      We plan to assess progress to determine where concepts have not been mastered and utilize whatever means possible to reteach and attain retention of important learning goals and objectives for all students.

3.      We will utilize technology available to meet our school mission and seek ways to obtain new technology that is needed to further accomplish our mission.

4.      We plan to focus finances and personnel resources to present a unified attempt to help our students achieve while keeping in mind that the physical environment and learning atmosphere are important to success.

5.      We plan to try to instill in our students the value of citizenship and basic respect for others, thereby promoting an atmosphere conducive to learning.

            One of the greatest causes of student failure is poor attendance.  Students must be present to do their best work.  Lost time cannot be made up, but missed work must be completed as outlined by the teacher.  The following guidelines should be adhered to when students are absent:

1.      Students should present a written note from the parent/guardian the first day they return to school after an absence.  This note must explain the reason for the absence and is to be presented to the teacher.  Any absence not explained by a note will be counted as unexcused.

2.      Dental and medical appointments should be made before or after school whenever possible.

3.      When a family anticipates a student’s absence for vacations, trips, etc., a request to the school office should be made as soon as possible.

4.      Schools are responsible for teaching your child.  But schools can’t do their job if your child is absent.  A child who misses a day of school also misses a day of learning that might never be replaced.  You can help by making school a top priority.  By building the habit of daily attendance, you help your child see that school is important.

5.      Tardiness also causes your child to lose valuable instructional time.  Please see that your child arrives to school on time.

1.      Children are to be brought to school either by the parent or on the school bus.  Because the morning supervision of students begins at 7:30, no students should arrive at school before 7:30!

2.      Classroom instruction begins at 8:20.  The first bell rings at 8:10AM and the tardy bell rings at 8:15.  If you are bringing your child to school, please make sure that he/she is at school by at least 8:00.

3.      Students are in class receiving instruction until 3:10; please do not pick your child up from school until 3:15.  Upon arriving at school to pick up your child, wait in the office area until the secretary has called for him/her!  We ask that parents not be in the hallways during dismissal time.

            The board of education recognizes the complexity of problems which may be associated with substance abuse.  The use of illicit drugs and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful.  The board prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on school premises or part of any of its activities.  Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all students enrolled in Grant County Schools.

            This policy prohibits the uses of any tobacco products while on the school grounds of any Grant County school.

            It is the parents’ responsibility to dress their children properly.  All children should be clean (regular bathing) and neat (clothes washed).  Students are not to wear shirts, jackets, hats, etc., of a suggestive or obscene nature.  In inclement weather, children should have jackets, coats, sweaters, etc., to wear.

            Instructional time and academic achievement take precedence over recess.  Although the positive aspects of recess are important, recess at Maysville will be earned by the student and the amount of recess will be determined by the classroom teacher.

            Lunch and breakfast are provided each day unless there is a two hour delay.  Breakfast is not served on delay days.  Prices are: lunch-full price $1.00, reduced $.40; breakfast-full price $.50, reduced $.30.  Free meals are provided for those who qualify.  Milk can be purchased by students who bring their lunch from home.  The cost for milk is $.25 per carton.  Students wishing to have only juice for breakfast must purchase it at a cost of $.20 per carton.

            The applications for free or reduced lunch are sent home at the opening of the school year.  If at any time, your financial situation changes, please notify the school as soon as possible.

            A computer is in use, which keeps records for billing students who eat hot lunch.  The bills will be sent to you at the end of each month.  Payment is due within five days or meals will no longer be charged.

            A lunch and breakfast menu will be sent home with your child each month.

            Adult lunches cost $3.00.  If you plan to eat with your child, please notify the school beforehand.

            When weather conditions are bad, parents are encouraged to listen to radio stations WELD (101.7FM), WQWV (103.7FM) and television channel 3 or 7 (Harrisonburg) to determine if school is canceled.

            When school is delayed, no breakfast will be served.  Buses will run two hours later that usual and school will begin two hours later than regularly scheduled. 

            We encourage parents to listen to the radio or TV when the weather looks threatening.  School closings are always broadcast.  If the weather looks bad when your children leave for school, advise them what to do if school closes early.  In the case of small children, send a note with them.  Calling the school ties up the telephone and causes important messages not to be received.  Make sure your child knows where to go if school lets out early!

            Grant County Schools will include fifteen seconds of silence after the pledge in each public school of the county during each school day.  This designated time at the beginning of each school day is for the student’s personal and private contemplation.  This policy does not include activities or events outside the school day.

            Once students arrive at school, they are expected to remain on the school grounds during the school day.  Parents who wish to pick up their children during the day should stop at the secretary’s desk when entering the school.  Parents must sign in and wait in the office until their child is called for.

            The school would appreciate it if parents would not take their children out of school during the instructional day unless it is absolutely necessary.  Whenever possible, appointments should be made prior to and/or after school.

            Textbooks are provided free of charge to the students.  If a book is lost or damaged, the student to which the book is assigned must replace the book.  The office has a list of book prices.

            To protect both families involved for unexpected guests, it is the school’s policy that both children bring a note from their parents stating that it is okay for one child to go home with the other child.  This practice will prevent your child from bringing home an unexpected guest.

            Should your child have to leave school for a destination other than home (to a relative, baby-sitter, etc.), please send a note that will alert the teacher and the bus driver of the change.  At the end of a busy school day, it is very difficult to get phone messages with changes in destination to the proper child.

            We encourage parents to become involved in the PTO of this school.  Various fund-raisers occur throughout the school year (Fall Festival, pizza sales, pictures, etc.) and we appreciate your participation and assistance.  Many worthwhile projects have been funded by the PTO for the school.  Meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month and begin at 6:30.  Please come!

            ROLE OF THE SCHOOL:  The administration of medication to students is the primary responsibility of the parent or guardian.  Parents are encouraged to administer medication to their children before and after school if at all possible.

            PHYSICIAN’S ORDER:  No prescription medication shall be administered at school except by written order with dosage instructions from the student’s physician.  The form entitled “Administration of Medication at School” must be completed, signed and returned to school.

            PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION CONTAINER:  Prescription medication must be in the original prescription bottle labeled clearly and accurately by a pharmacist or physician.  Only one kind of medication may be included in a single bottle or container.  Ask your physician to write one prescription for dosage to used at school and one for home.

            NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION:  Non-prescription medication may be administered upon the written directions of a parent or guardian.  Non-prescription medication must be sent to school in the manufacturer’s container labeled with the student’s name.  If there is any question about the dosage of the medication the child is to receive, it will not be given unless clarified.

            We will not interrupt classes to allow teachers to respond to phone calls.  We will, however, take your name and number so that the teacher can return your call.  Parents are requested to call teachers during the teacher’s planning period.

            Students are not to receive telephone calls, however, we will be happy to take messages to them in the case of an emergency.

            As a parent, you were your child’s first teacher.  Now that your child is in school, you still teach important lessons every day.  When parents and schools work together, students do better!

            Here are some suggestions on ways you can make a difference in your child’s education.  They don’t cost money.  They don’t require training.  All they need is YOU!

1.      Read to your child every day.  Long after children learn to read themselves, they love this special time with Mom or Dad.  Kids who are read to are the kids who want to read on their own.

2.      Join your school’s parent-teacher organization.  Everyone benefits when we work together.

3.      Volunteer.  The more help parents give teachers, the more time teachers can spend with students.  Special school committees, with which you are encouraged to become involved, include:  Local School Improvement Council, Parent-Teacher Organization, Title 1 Advisory Council and the Volunteer Program.  A written Parent Involvement policy is available upon request.  We encourage your participation!

4.      Let your children know that school is important.  Ask about homework.  Attend school events.  Talk about how you use what you have learned in school in your job.

5.      Recognize your child’s special gifts.  Each child has special talents.  Perhaps the most important thing you can do is to help your child see how he or she is special.  That boosts confidence and sets the stage for learning.

            Legislation passed in 1996 provided that each school develops a program to prevent disruptive student behavior.  This safe school legislation provides a code of conduct that has been adopted, which states that every student in public schools of West Virginia shall:

1.      Attend school faithfully; complete his/her assignments on time; and work to his/her potential.

2.      Behave in a manner that does not disrupt classroom learning or the operation of the school.

3.      Obey teachers, principals and others in authority.

4.      Refrain from aggressive or threatening behavior toward fellow students, teachers and other school staff.

5.      Refrain from the possession or use of any weapons, illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products.

Teachers are to carry out this code in the classroom and discipline any students any students who fail to abide by this Student Code of Conduct.

We have developed a discipline plan to improve the learning environment in our school.  This plan has been explained to the students and is presented here for your information.  Listed are the rules, the consequences, and the procedures for informing parents of student violations.  Our goal is for improvement of the school climate and an increase in students’ abilities to control themselves.

1.      Students must request the teacher’s permission before re-entering the building.

2.      Students are to play in a safe manner.

3.      Students are to use the playground equipment correctly.

1.      Students must stay seated—no wandering from place to place.

2.      Students are to go straight to the gym and remain there until they are dismissed.

3.      No toys allowed.

Rules for the Cafeteria

1.      Students are to stop talking when the lights are turned out

2.      Talk softly at your table only.  No shouting.

3.      No passing or throwing food.

Rules for the Gym

1.      No running or kicking the ball (unless in a game).

2.      Freeze when the bell rings or whistle blows.

3.      Use inside voices—no screaming or yelling.

4.      Students may use the restroom only when excused by the teacher on duty.

5.      No climbing on the walls or mats.

6.      No running or walking through other games.

Rules for General Behavior

1.      Students will show basic respect for all staff members, students, school property and equipment.  Profane or abusive language toward a school employee will not be tolerated.

2.      Running is not allowed in the building for any reason.

3.      Any type of fighting, teasing, endangering others or name calling will not be permitted.

4.      Theft of personal possessions will not be tolerated.

5.      Students are to move quietly through the halls to avoid disrupting other classes.

6.      Loitering and horseplay in the bathrooms is not permitted.

7.      Use of profane or abusive language will not be tolerated.

Responsible Students Program

            Tiger Tracks is the name of Maysville’s Responsible Students Program (RSP), a preventive discipline plan required by the West Virginia Board of Education.  The intent of an RSP is to teach students how to accept responsibility for their own learning and behavior.

            Instruction  The total staff is involved in providing weekly instructional lessons that support the learning of the six expected standards and additionally address topics of general importance to PK-6^th grade students.  There are school-wide lessons on the six pillars of character:  respect, responsibility, caring (kindness), fairness (tolerance), trustworthiness and citizenship (cooperation).  Emphasis will be placed on peer relations, community and school involvement, career development, building self-esteem, problem solving, and accepting responsibility.  These lessons are building blocks for other curricular areas.  All staff members also teach and re-teach the standards on a daily basis as needed.

            Incentives  Students who obey the TIGER TRACKS STANDARDS are rewarded most importantly by the development of self-esteem, responsible actions, and good grades.  Maysville Elementary School also provides many tangible incentives for compliant students like homeroom recognition, eligibility for prize drawings, surprise trinkets and snacks, payoff parties, extra gym time, and homework passes.  It pays well to become a responsible student.  The rewards and recognitions provided in TIGER TRACKS are earned in TIGER TRACKS and are not affected by a student’s discipline record.

            Violations  It is expected that students will make mistakes, for none of us is perfect.  When a student violates one of the standards, he/she will complete a reminder called a “TIGER SWAT’, which documents the problem with minimum teacher attention.  Students who receive less than five TIGER SWATS a week are on the right track!  Students who receive five or more TIGER SWATS per week need some help getting back on track.

            Tiger Swat Record Keeping  Each day the TIGER SWATS are recorded for the purpose of identifying who is on track and who needs help.  Copies of each TIGER SWAT go to the student who violated the standard and are to be taken home for parental signature and returned to their teacher the next day.

            Tracking Room  The TRACKING ROOM is the place structured to help students get back on track.  A student who has five TIGER SWATS in one week must attend the TRACKING ROOM Monday, Wednesday and Friday instead of going to noon recess.  In the TRACKING ROOM, teachers assist students in understanding the STANDARDS and learning skills to help them refrain from getting TIGER SWATS.  They provide help with organizational skills, homework, and other responsible school related behavior.

            Help parents!!  If a student must visit the TRACKING ROOM for a second time in a month, parents will be notified of the difficulty their child is having.  We hope that parents will encourage and assist their child to get back on track at this time.  If a student visits the TRACKING ROOM a third time in one grading period, parents will be notified by a call from the counselor and invited to a meeting to discuss the problem and some possible solutions.  Each child will be treated individually as we detail the responsibilities of the school, the parent, and the student in a contract binding to all parties.  This contract is not a disciplinary measure, but a cooperative effort to help a struggling student.

Notification of Availability of Management Plan (Asbestos)

            This is to inform all parents that the Grant County Board of Education has fulfilled the requirements of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) 40 CFR Part 763 in regards to the inspection of its buildings for asbestos containing materials.

            A management plan has been developed by accredited planners and is on file in the principal’s office.  This document contains information concerning asbestos containing materials identified to be present in our school.

            If you have any questions concerning the content of this document, please contact Marsha Carr-Lambert, Designated Asbestos Program Manager, Grant County Board of Education, phone 257-1011.

Grant County Schools’ Attendance Policy

            The Grant County Schools’ Attendance Policy is available for review in the principal’s office.  Copies will be provided to anyone upon request.

            THE GRANT COUNTY SCHOOLS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 504 AND/OR 34 C.F.R. 104, ET SEQ.   THE GANT COUNTY SCHOOLS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE IN ADMISSIONS OF ACCESS TO, OR TREATMENT OR EMPLOYMENT IN, ITS PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES.

            Section 504 is an Act which prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program receiving Federal financial assistance.  In compliance with the Act, the Grant county Schools will provide to each protected disabled student, with our discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in an obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities.  In order to qualify as a protected disabled student the child must be of school age with a physical or mental disability, which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program.

            If the parent or guardian disagrees with the determination made by the professional staff of the school district, he/she has a right to a hearing with an impartial hearing officer.  The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also specifies rights related to educational records.  This Act gives the parent or guardian the right to:  1) Inspect and review his/her child’s educational records; 2) make copies of these records: 3) received a list of all individuals having access to those records; 4) ask for an explanation of any item in the records; 5) ask for an amendment to any report on the grounds that it is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the child’s rights; and 6) a hearing on the issue if the District refuses to make the amendment.

            These services and protections for “protected disabled students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs.

            Special Education programs at Maysville include:  pre-school, autism, specific learning disability, mentally impaired, behavior disorder, gifted, and speech/language.

            For further information, contact Scott Cather, Coordinator for Section 504 Compliance, Grant County Schools, 204 Jefferson Avenue, Petersburg, WV 26847.

            Through positive communication and interchange, parents are encouraged to work with administration and staff in order to bring     forth optimal educational benefits for each aspect of the school community.  Our aim is to use instructional practices that are based on educational research and emphasize the basic courses of reading, writing skills, mathematics and follow the curriculum as mandated by the WV State Department of Education and is further delineated by standards that are equal to or above their grade level as stated in the Promotion/Grading Policy.  (See appendix.)  A variety of assessments may be utilized, including but not limited to criterion referenced test, norm-referenced test, portfolios, and informal assessment.  Student’ progress will be reported by using quarterly written reports, individual conferences, notes or telephone calls.  Results of the SAT9 Achievement test, which is given in the spring, will be distributed to students in a timely fashion.

            From time to time, certain parents may be invited to serve on special school and/or county advisory committees.  These committees may include the following:  Title I Advisory Council, Local School Improvement Council, Parent-Teacher Organization and Volunteer Program.

            The “Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act” requires school systems to annually inform parents of students under 18 years of age or older of certain provisions contained therein. 

            The schools keep a record on the educational development of every student.  This record, or educational folder, contains items such as grades, test scores, and other materials, which are collected in the interest of developing the best educational program for the individual student.

            The parent has the right to have access to and review the records kept regarding the child.  A written request to review student records will be responded to after the principal receives the appropriate form.  The school will then arrange a time for review in the company of a designated staff member.  If you desire a copy of such records, it will be provided at the cost of reproduction.

            The parent will also have the opportunity to review and question the content of your child’s educational record.  If you do not receive satisfaction, or should you question the accuracy or appropriateness of any material therein, you may request a hearing in which a formal review of the material in question will take place and all sides will have a fair opportunity to present their viewpoint.

            The parent is assured that records will not be released without prior written parental consent for students under 18, or without the prior written consent of students 18 years of age or older.  There are a few exceptions to this requirement such as intra-school use, judicial order, and requests from a school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

            “Directory Information” such as age, weight, height, grade, address, telephone number, and other commonly know information may be furnished without written permission, unless an individual specifically requests that such information be withheld.

            Any citizen of this school district is welcome to contact the school principal for additional information regarding the person responsible for the maintenance of each type of record, the persons who have access to the records, the purpose for which they have access, or any question regarding student records.

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