CUBA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

TEACHER HANDBOOK

2019-20

Cuba Elementary will VALUE, MOTIVATE, EDUCATE, EVERYONE, EVERY DAY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section I: District and Building Information/Elementary Procedures

Absences, Leave, Vacation BOE Policy------24 & 34 Academically At-Risk Students ------25 Accelerated Reader Incentive Program ------16 Accidents and Illnesses------23 Activity Calendar ------11 Add/Drop Student Procedures------15 Administration------2 AR Lab ------16 Attendance Awards ------15 Attendance Policy------14 Attendance Recording------13 Beginning the School Year------4 Board of Education------2 Building Goals ------4 Book It Reading Program ------16 Building Administrative Responsibilities------5 Cafeteria Supervision ------19 Check-in/Check-out------15 Classroom Parties------19 Classroom Rules and Procedures------27 Code of Conduct for Staff------24 Communicable Disease------23 Comprehensive School Improvement Objectives------3 Copyrighted Materials------34 Correspondence with Parents------21 Daily Procedures------10 Daily Schedule ------10 Discipline Code------27 Elementary Faculty and Staff------6 Emergency Procedures------37 Evaluation Process/ Cycle------29 Extra Duty Schedule ------12 Field Trips Procedures------20 Grade Card Reports to Parents------18 Grade Level Attendance Program ------15 Grading Procedures------17 Grading Scale------17 Grievance Procedures------30 Guest Speakers------21 Head Policy------24 High Speed Copier------22 Introduction------3 Late Policy ------14 Lesson Plans------25 Lunch and Count------19 Lunchroom Procedures------19 Maintenance Requests------22 Media Resources------21 Medication Procedures------23 Mid-Quarter Grade Reports------18 Mission Statement------3 People You Should Know------8 Reading Plan ------26 Recess------18 Reimbursement for College Credit ------33 Requisition Procedures------22 Requisition Steps------22 Resource Book Room------16 Retention Policy ------26 Search and Seizure Policy ------36 Sexual Harassment Policy------36 Six Flags 300 Minutes Reading Program ------17 Student Arrival ------12 Student Dismissal/PM Duty ------13 Student Educational Records------35 Substitute Packet------25 Summer School Policy ------26 Teacher’s Workroom------22 Technology Requests------23 Telephone Policy------17 Transfer Request Procedures------32 Types of Abuse------27 Visitors------16

Insert: Crisis Manual

CRAWFORD COUNTY R-II SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION

Mr. Jason Mehl, President Mrs. Jennifer Moreland, Vice President Mrs. Cheri Schuette, Member Mr. Rodger Bridgeman, Treasurer Mr. Dan Hewkin, Member Mr. Jeremiah Wilson, Member Mrs. Jodi Layman Member Mrs. Angela Jenkins, Secretary

SUPERINTENDENT Mr. Jon Earnhart

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Curt Graves

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL/TITLE I DIRECTOR Mr. Joe Cross

ASSISTANT ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL Ms. Heather Allen

MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Mrs. Marie Shoemaker

ASSISTANT MIDDLE SCHOOL Mrs. Myra Siebert

SENIOR HIGH PRINCIPAL Mr. Tim Webster

ASSISTANT SENIOR HIGH PRINCIPAL Mr. Sam Callis

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES Mrs. Vickie Gorsuch

Secretary to the Superintendent Mrs. Angela Jenkins

Bookkeeper/Payroll Mrs. Denise White

Bookkeeper/Accounts Payable-Receivable Mrs. Mary Reeves

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MISSION STATEMENT Crawford County R-II School District

The mission of the Crawford County R-II School District is to empower and inspire every student to reach their full potential through relevant content and student-centered instruction in a safe & supportive environment.

CUBA ELEMENTARY MISSION STATEMENT Cuba Elementary will value, motivate, educate, everyone, every day.

COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Objective 1: Develop instructional programs to improve student achievement and enable students to reach their full potential. Prepare students to be life ready, equipped with 21st Century Skills.

Objective 2: Develop a climate and culture that: engages all stakeholders in the educational process; ensures stakeholders feel valued and empowered; recruits, attracts, develops, and retains highly qualified staff; models and facilitates growth in our core values.

Objective 3: Maintain and improve the campus as needed to ensure students and staff have a safe and appealing environment that is conducive to learning.

Objective 4: Maintain fiscal responsibility to ensure that revenues and expenditures are designated properly.

Introduction: This handbook has been developed to assist the professional staff in understanding the policies and procedures relevant to the operation of Cuba Elementary School. The Board of Education Policies, Rules, and Regulations should be used with this handbook. It is important everyone familiarize themselves with both. Each person is responsible for, and expected to, follow these policies and guidelines. The handbook is to be used as a guide throughout the school year.

Copies of the Board of Education Policies, Regulations, and the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan can be found on the Crawford County R-II Schools website.

Beginning the school year: Recent educational research indicates the way a teacher begins the school year is crucial to student success. An effective beginning:

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 ensures students know and observe the rules and procedures for their classroom so they may stay on task.  teaches students to behave – as a result less time is lost to disciplinary activities  increases students’ expectations by helping them believe they can be successful  ensures students understand the importance of their education.

Building Goals: 1. Implement instructionally sound practices in ELA and Math. Re-evaluate and improve current teaching practices. 2. Continue focus to improve 3rd & 4th Grade MAP scores to be at or above the state MAP averages in Math and English/Language Arts 3. Maintain 95% attendance rate throughout the year

ADMINISTRATIVE & SUPPORT TEAM DUTIES

Principal/Title I Director: Mr. Joe Cross The Principal is responsible for the overall operation of the elementary building, grades K-4. Classroom instruction, student discipline, teacher evaluation, and personnel issues are the direct responsibility of the Principal. The Title I Director is responsible for the supervision of the Title I Program.

Assistant Principal: Ms. Heather Allen The assistant principal assists the principal with the overall supervision of the elementary building, discipline, teacher evaluation, and supervises when the principal is out of the building.

Director of Special Services: Mrs. Vickie Gorsuch The Director is in charge of the special education programs throughout the district, supervision of special education teachers, the district compliance plan, and providing in-service training necessary to implement programs effectively.

Counselor: Mrs. Amanda Keogh, grades K-4 The guidance counselor is responsible for the implementation of the school guidance curriculum, group and individual , and consults with teachers, staff, and parents to meet the developmental needs of students.

School Based Social Worker: Ms. Melanie Perkins The school-based social worker is a link between the school, home, and the Department of Family Services (DFS), and is the coordinator of the At-Risk Program.

Resource Officer: Officer Betty Post The resource officer's role is to work as a security officer, guest speaker, and counselor. The officer conducts drug and safety education programs for the district.

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Cuba Elementary Faculty and Staff 2019-20

Joe Cross Principal, Title I Director Heather Allen Assistant Principal Vickie Gorsuch Director of Special Services Angela Earnhart Process Coordinator/504 Coordinator Melanie Perkins School Based Social Worker Paula Shockley Elementary Secretary Mollie Fancher Elementary Secretary Tracy Gibson Sped. Secretary Amanda Keogh Counselor, K-4 Betty Post Resource Officer Angela Matousek Kindergarten Jean Abolt Kindergarten Gwen Wise Kindergarten Tammi Palmer Kindergarten Jeri Ann Herwig Kindergarten Kimberly Gipson Kindergarten Angela Maffeo First Grade Emily Haverstick First Grade Marsha Fischer First Grade Lindsay Fieser First Grade Tara Moody First Grade Lorelei Rice First Grade Leslie Coffman Second Grade Marcia Bone Second Grade Renee White Second Grade Jennifer Cunningham Second Grade Jordan Brummet Third Grade Kristal Hall Third Grade Jamie Stein Third Grade Maegan McEnnis Third Grade Heather Chapman Third Grade Tracy Kackley Fourth Grade Lisa Girardier Fourth Grade Wanda Reeves Fourth Grade Rita Payne Fourth Grade Joe Emerson Music Melissa Albright Art Heath Medlock P.E Peggy Hussey Computers Gayla Eaton Librarian

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Support Teachers

Amy McCaffrey Speech Implementer Renee Bowen Speech Implementer Danielle Levy, 3rd & 4th grade Special Education Crystal Gahr, 3rd & 4th/ Self Contained Special Education Sierra Pettey, 2nd & 3rd Grade Special Education Angie Jackson , K Special Education Amanda Walker, 1st – 2nd/ Self Contained Special Education Michelle Rhoads Title I Communication Arts Lynn Rardin Title 1 Communication Arts Kelly Hatton Title 1 Reading Paula McGinnis ESOL/Title I

Support Staff

Pam Gummersheimer Librarian Assistant Hailey Grayson Nurse – K-3 Cindy Breese Nurse – 4th Grade Amy Vandegriffe Parents as Teachers Tammy Parmentier Aide, Title I Paula Ransom Aide, Title I Jill Kleinigger ESL, Title I Aide Angela Witt Aide, Special Education Kelli Mabe Aide; Special Education Bobbi Smith Aide, Special Education Victoria Patterson Aide, Special Education Kasie Calicotte Aide, Special Education Rachel Brockmier Aide, Special Education Tessa Chenowith Aide, Special Education

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PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW 2019-2020

CTO President – Deanne Cunningham Representative: Jennifer Cunningham MSTA President: Gwendolyn Wise

Professional Development Committee Representative: Gayla Eaton

Lead Teachers Gwen Wise Lindsay Fiesar Jennifer Cunningham Heather Chapman Lisa Girardier Lynn Rardin Peggy Hussey Amanda Walker

Accelerated Reader Committee Peggy Hussey, Coordinator Jean Abolt Tara Moody Jordan Brummett Rita Payne Lisa Girardier

SAT Team Joe Cross Amanda Keogh Vicki Gorsuch Angie Earnhart Cindy Breese Melanie Perkins Heather Allen Michelle Rhoades Hailey Grayson Kelly Hatton Paula McGinnis Lynn Rardin

PLC Team Joe Cross Heather Allen Gwendolyn Wise Crystal Gahr Angela Maffeo Marsha Fischer Wanda Reeves Sharon Zelch Lynn Rardin Renee White

PBIS Team Joe Cross Heather Allen Jeri Ann Herwig Lindsay Fieser Amy McCaffrey Renee Bowen Mandy Keogh Maegan McEnnis Leslie Coffman Melissa Albright

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Curriculum Teams: Com. Arts Kimberly Gipson JeriAnn Herwig Lindsay Fieser Renee White Jordan Brummet Maegan McEnnis Kristal Hall Lisa Girardier Paula McGinnis Sharon Zelch Lynn Rardin Michelle Rhoads

Math Gwen Wise Jean Abolt Angela Maffeo Marsha Fischer Jennifer Cunningham Heather Chapman Angela Jackson Wanda Reeves

Science Angela Matousek Tara Moody Marcia Bone Rita Payne Renee Bowen Emily Haverstick

Social Studies Tammi Palmer Gayla Eaton Leslie Coffman Amy McCaffrey Tracy Kackley

Fine Arts Gayla Eaton Melissa Albright

Health/PE Heath Medlock

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GENERAL PROCEDURES

Daily Procedures: 1. All teachers will be in the school building by 7:40 a.m. 2. Teachers will check their email each morning when arriving. 3. Teachers will be in their classrooms and prepared for the day by 8:10 a.m. Teachers will complete attendance on SIS each day by 8:30 a.m. If you are leaving the building, your attendance must be done before you leave. 4. Teachers will not leave their classrooms unattended. Please contact if you have an emergency and require someone to supervise your class. 5. If you need to leave the building for any reason, you must sign out. Sign out sheets are located in the primary office, intermediate workroom, library door, and outside Ms. Allen’s office. If you will be gone for longer than 15 minutes, you must make administration aware via email. 6. On days when a faculty or other meeting is not scheduled, teachers may leave school at 3:32 p.m. If you are leaving prior to 3:32 for any reason other than a school sponsored activity, please make administration aware via email. 7. Bell schedule: a) 8:10 a.m.: All visitors must exit the building unless here for a scheduled conference, activity, etc. b) A bell will ring at 9:00 a.m during the day. Please synchronize your clocks/watches. 8. Before leaving school: a) Check email b) Make sure student chairs are put up c) Turn out lights d) Lock classroom door

EXTRA DUTY SCHEDULE Computer Lab: Mrs. Hussey Elementary Gym: Coach Medlock, Ms. Albright, Mrs. Kleinigger (arrive at 7:15) MS Cafeteria: Ms Levy, Mrs. Chenowith (arrive at 7:15) Cafeteria: Mrs. Rhoads, Mr. Emmerson, Mrs. Parmentier (arrive at 7:15) Library/Cafeteria Hallway: Mrs. Eaton, Mrs. Gummersheimer (arrive at 7:15) Title Hallway Intersection: Mrs. Mabe (arrive at 7:15) Kindergarten Room 24: Mrs. Witt (arrive at 7:15) 2nd Grade Hall: Mrs. Gahr Intermediate Hall: Mrs. Patterson (arrive at 7:15) Primary Second Load Bus Duty– Mrs. McCaffrey, Mrs. Bowen, Mrs. Walker Intermediate Second Load Bus Duty – Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Calicotte, Mrs. Pettey Primary/Intermediate Second Load Floater-Mrs. Jackson Parent Pick-up – Ms. Rardin, Mrs. McGinnis, Mrs. Ransom, Mrs. Hatton Walk staff students to MS & HS in the evening: Mrs. Fancher

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Mr. Cross will be at parent drop-off each morning from 7:30 to 8:15 and at parent pick-up each afternoon from 2:50-3:10.

Ms. Allen will be at bus drop-off each morning from 7:20-8:00. She will be at bus duty each afternoon from 2:50 to 3:10.

Mrs. Keogh will be at bus duty in the front of the primary from 7:20 to 8:10 on Monday mornings. She will be at parent drop-off in the back of the primary from 7:40 to 8:15 on Wednesday mornings.

*If you are gone for any reason (scheduled or unscheduled), it is the responsibility of the employee to find someone to cover your duty other than the sub; especially for morning duties. Your duty must be covered at ALL times; please be on time.

STUDENT ARRIVAL

Students should arrive at school no earlier than 7:45 a.m. The designated waiting areas from 7:45 – 8:10 are:  Kindergarten: Room 24  1st Grade: Elementary library  2nd-3rd grade: Elementary gym  4th grade: Middle School Cafeteria

At 8:10 a.m., the teacher on duty in the supervised areas will dismiss students. They should supervise students as they transition to their classrooms. Teachers should be in their classroom to greet students.

STUDENT DISMISSAL/ PM DUTY

Parent Pick-Up: K-4 pick-up of students will be in the elementary gym. Teachers that bring their grade level students to the gym for pick-up are asked to help with their release. Students not picked up by 3:15 will be taken to the elementary office.

The teacher must see the student pick-up card before they can release the student from the parent pick-up area. If the person picking up a child does not have a pick-up card, they must go to the Elementary Office to receive one or have parent called.

Walkers: All walkers will go to the gym until released by one of the teachers on duty. If students are waiting on an older sibling, they must wait in the pick-up area.

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Red Flagged: Red flagged students must be signed out before being released. RETURN THE CLIPBOARD AND RED FLAG LIST TO THE OFFICE AT THE END OF DUTY EACH DAY.

Second Load: K – 2 teachers will take 2nd load students to the cafeteria; designated staff members will supervise the students and assist with loading buses. The supervisor for 2nd load students in 3rd and 4th grade will pick them up in the hallway by Mrs. Keogh’s office and take them to the title hallway.

ATTENDANCE RECORDING

Official, precise attendance records are kept in the attendance office in SIS. The following guidelines will be used for teacher record keeping and attendance information on quarterly report cards.

1. A student shall be counted as tardy if he/she checks into school after 8:10. The student will need to obtain a tardy slip from the office to be admitted to class. 2. A student must be signed out and marked “E” for left early if he/she leaves school at any time during the day. Students who are ill may sign out through the nurse’s office.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance Rules & Procedures: Regular and punctual attendance by all students is necessary for the proper functioning of the entire school program. Students who have good attendance generally have good grades and enjoy school more. When students are not present in class, the benefit of classroom instruction is lost and can never be entirely regained.

 Students are allowed seven (7) days excused/unexcused absences during each semester. Parents and/or guardians will be notified by letter when their child has been absent three (5) days, and a second letter will be sent when your child is absent seven (8) days.  After the tenth (12) day, a letter will be sent home, and parents will be required to make an appointment to meet with the Attendance Board. A doctor’s note will be required for any further absences.  Parents will be notified by the school based social worker on the 14th absence to set up an additional meeting with the Attendance Board. If absences continue without a doctor’s excuse, the student will be referred to the State Children’s Division. Cases of emergency situations, extended illness, or serious accidents resulting in 3 or more consecutive absences will be dealt with on an individual basis with the building principal. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to request homebound instruction during these emergency situations.  Students missing more than 14 days of school may be required to attend summer school. If the child does not attend summer school, or his/her attendance falls below 80%, retention is a possibility.

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 Students absent from school will not be allowed to attend or participate in school activities scheduled during evening hours.

General Information: All absences must be verified by a telephone call to the school on the day of the absence by 9:00 a.m. School personnel will contact parents if the school is not notified of the absence by this time.

Students who become ill at school must be checked out at the nurse’s office. Students leaving school for any other acceptable reason must be signed out in the office by the parent. Students must sign out when they leave school or they will be considered truant. All minutes a student is absent counts against their attendance.

Students participating in regularly sanctioned school activities under the supervision of a school staff member shall not be considered absent from school on their permanent record.

STUDENT CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT

Check-In: Students must come to the office to pick up a late slip before entering the classroom.

Check-Out: Parents must sign students out through the office if leaving early for any reason. The only exception to this will be on party days; parents may sign their child out in the classroom. All minutes a student is absent counts against their attendance.

ATTENDANCE AWARDS

Accomplishment Reward Perfect attendance for the year (0 marks) Name on Plaque/Certificate

GRADE LEVEL ATTENDANCE PROGRAM

Highest percent of attendance for the quarter within a grade level will enjoy a reward from the principal.

ADD/DROP STUDENT PROCEDURES

New students must report to the elementary office to enroll. A new student must have a copy of his/her birth certificate, Social Security card, and up-to-date immunization records. Records will be requested from the student’s prior school. New students will be placed in a class that has the fewest students. An alphabetical system using the teacher’s last name will be used when numbers are equal for enrolling new students. Students will not start school on the day they enroll.

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The teacher and librarian should collect all books and mark any fees to be collected by the office on the form. STUDENTS CANNOT BE DROPPED UNTIL RECEIVING A REQUEST OF RECORDS FROM THE NEW SCHOOL; STUDENTS WILL REMAIN ON YOUR ROSTER UNTIL THIS OCCURS.

VISITORS Parents are welcome to visit school during lunch, holiday parties, and other designated times. ALL visitors must sign-in at the office to receive a visitor’s pass before entering the building. If coming for a conference, an appointment must be made in advance. Parents must contact the office or classroom teacher to give consent for another adult to visit their child. Students not enrolled in our school shall not be in the classrooms when school is in session. Please notify the office if you see anyone in the building without a visitors pass.

RESOURCE BOOK ROOM

The Book Room is located in the elementary library. A wide selection of books is available for you to check-out. Selections include: classroom library sets for the upper grades, Science/Nature Shared Reading books, Biographies and non-fiction books, Pair-It books, and shared reading big books, etc. Each book will be marked with the appropriate reading level and AR level.

ACCELERATED READER INCENTIVE PROGRAM Accelerated Reader is a computer managed incentive program that combines carefully selected lists of outstanding and popular books with user-friendly software that tests recall and records performance. The program is based on a simple three-step process. 1. A student selects a book to read from the A.R. book list. Each book on has a point value based on grade level and number of words. 2. The student reads the selected book. 3. The student goes to the computer and takes a test on the book read. The computer scores the test, calculates how many points the student has earned and keeps detailed records.

AR (Accelerated Reading) LAB Students and Parents can read books together during the selected evenings of the school year. Students can select from a wide range of books, read alone or to their parents, and finish by taking an A.R. test in the Lab. Parents are not allowed in the computer lab while students are taking their test.

BOOK IT READING PROGRAM This program is sponsored by Pizza Hut to encourage reading in grades K-4. Packets will be handed out to teachers when the packets arrive at school. Mrs. Renee White is the contact for this program.

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SIX FLAGS 300 MINUTES READING PROGRAM Students are encouraged to read a total of 300 minutes during a specific time period. Students keep track of the total minutes and number of books read. Students reaching their goal receive a free pass to Six Flags. For more information on the program, contact the main office.

TELEPHONE POLICY Students should be discouraged from using the telephone at school. Forgotten homework, books, or permission to go home with a friend are not reasons to use the office phone. Teachers should use their own judgment to determine when it is appropriate to allow a student to use the classroom phone.

GRADING SCALE Kindergarten students will receive grades with a skills checklist. First through fourth grade will use the following grade scale: A 95-100% B+ 87-89% C+ 77-79% D+ 67-69% F- 59% A- 90-94% B 83-86% C 73-76% D 63-66% B- 80-82% C- 70-72% D- 60-62%

Each grade level may decide whether to use percentages or the point system when documenting in the grade book/electronic grade book. If points are used, all teachers in the grade level must use points; the same goes for percentages. Please note: Students should be graded on what they can do independently, not on work they complete with one-on-one assistance. Grade Recording: A hard copy of student grades must be maintained. Teachers are to record student grades weekly in SIS. Parents may receive a password to access their child’s records by contacting the office.

Grading Procedures: 1. Teachers must ensure they have enough grades per subject to justify the grade a student receives. Grades should consist of both class work and assessments. 2. Completion of homework assignments:  Students have the options to complete assignments during recess  Students can complete prior days’ assignments, but only after current day’s assignments are complete  Students can turn in work that has not been completed by the end of the day for a partial grade 3. Missing assignments/work not completed:  Note sent home to parents/written in assignment book  Call and inform parents of concerns

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 After attempting above interventions, students should be referred to SAT if they continue to not turn in assignments 4. If a student has two or more F's at midterm of 1st quarter, or anytime throughout the remaining school year, please notify the counselor and principal, and set up a meeting with parents.

MID-QUARTER GRADE REPORTS Progress reports go out every fifth Wednesday. The purpose of this report is to notify the parent of child's progress between quarters. A student will have approximately 4 ½ weeks to improve any grade that needs improvement. See # 4 under grading procedures. Parents may request a conference at this time.

GRADE CARD REPORTS TO PARENTS 1. Report cards will be issued at the end of each nine-week period. 2. Parents will sign and return the cards (or envelopes) after each of the first three quarters. 3. A Parent-Teacher conference will be scheduled with all parents near the end of the first quarter. Conferences may be scheduled during the year as needed. If there is a serious problem, parents should be notified immediately.

RECESS Each grade level shall meet on the second day of teachers’ workshops to formulate a recess schedule establishing a policy of two teachers outside during the scheduled recess period. If a grade level has two scheduled recesses, the first recess will be for ALL students to attend. Students will not miss this recess to make up work or due to poor behavior. For other arrangements, please discuss with the principal. Teachers should practice active supervision by walking around and providing pre-corrects to ensure the safety of the students. It is the responsibility of the teachers on duty to ensure students are using the equipment correctly and to observe any inappropriate behaviors. Please remember, you are legally responsible for the welfare and safety of the students you are supervising, and you can be prosecuted if found negligent of your duties if an accident occurs.

Students should put all equipment away prior to lining up. It is the responsibility of the teachers on duty to ensure this is done before entering the building.

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CAFETERIA

Only one grade level will be able to eat at a time, IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU FOLLOW THE LUNCH SCHEDULE. Be on time and leave on time.

LUNCH MONEY AND COUNT

Teachers and students will receive an identification card during the first week of school; this card will be used in the cafeteria and for checking out books in the library. Teachers will collect lunch money each day; however, parents may choose to pay for the month/year. Payments will be credited to the student’s account. It is important that each teacher maintain control of their students’ ID cards. Teachers grades K-4 should pass out ID cards before going to lunch and the cafeteria clerk will collect after. The cafeteria clerk will pick up lunch envelopes each morning.

Breakfast/ Lunch Fees: Breakfast: Students have free breakfast, Adults $1.25 Lunch: K-3rd students $1.75, 4th students $2.00, Adults $2.25 Milk Fee: Students $ .30, Adults $.30 Charging for breakfast & lunch is strongly discouraged.

LUNCHROOM PROCEDURES 1. Students are NOT to talk while in the lunch line. It is important the cafeteria staff can hear what each student is ordering. 2. Review lunch menu with your students so they know what to order in the lunch line. If students are prepared, time in line will be minimum. Students should know what they want prior to going through the line. 3. If students have brought their lunch and do not need a drink, they go directly to their table. 4. If the student needs to buy milk, they may get their milk and go straight to the clerk with their lunch card. 5. Each teacher, grades K-3, should ensure their students have everything they need, such as milk, silverware, and napkins, before leaving the cafeteria or being seated at their tables.

CAFETERIA SUPERVISION 1. Please supervise students in lunch line and empty tray line. 2. Be aware of what is going on at the tables at all times, and enforce expectations. 3. Please require your students to clean up their own trash and spills when possible. 4. Check condition of floor and table before dismissing students from table.

CLASSROOM PARTIES AND BIRTHDAYS Parties may be held in the classroom for , Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.

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All students will participate in the entirety of classroom parties. Loss of party privileges will not be used as a form of discipline. ALL TREATS WILL NEED TO BE PRE-PACKAGED OR PURCHASED FROM BAKERY TO PREVENT DISEASE. Parents who do not wish for their child to participate in classroom parties, must notify the classroom teacher at least 1 week in advance so other arrangements can be made. Some parents may desire to send treats on their child’s birthday. The teacher may choose to celebrate the birthday at lunch or in their classroom.

FIELD TRIPS PROCEDURES Teachers will notify the principal and receive approval before scheduling a field trip. Teachers are responsible for acquiring permission slips signed by a parent of each student going on the trip and a bus requisition for the transportation director signed by the principal. As soon as you have a date scheduled for your field trip, please notify the office. Planning the field trip: 1. Provide detailed information to principal  Destination - date, times, where  Relation to course of study  Cost (if any)  Number of students  Chaperones needed  Provide a list of students with special needs; i.e. medication, aide, accommodations 2. Letter home to parents  Detailed letter on trip (approved by principal)  Permission slip (approved by principal) 3. Request for Transportation - fill out form completely  Destination  Exact number of students  Number of chaperones (1 adult per 10 children, you are one adult)  Time of departure and return  Trips requiring extra chaperones - arrangements must be made for parents to drive  Do you need a handicap bus? 4. Week of Field Trip  Submit to principal a complete list of students and chaperones  Mark on your checklist which students are red flagged, these children should be under your supervision on the trip, unless parent is attending  Turn into the office the names of students not going on the trip so arrangements for those students can be made in advance  Notify office of any changes (students not going on trip, etc.)  Notify the cafeteria (no lunch, are sack lunches needed?) 5. Day of trip  Turn your attendance into the office prior to leaving  If more than one bus is going on the trip, a list of the students/teachers on each bus must be provided to the office and to the bus driver. This is a precautionary measure in the event of an emergency situation.  Take with you a check list of students/parents; take attendance on bus

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o Parents who drive may take their children home from your destination or when you arrive at school. On your check list, have parents sign next to their child's name.  At the end of your trip provide a copy of your check list to the office; this will let the secretary know what students have gone home with parents.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH PARENTS

Correspondence with parents can do much to improve communications and rapport. Parents should be informed by phone and/or by letter of their child’s progress or lack of progress. Please keep parents informed of classroom disciplinary problems that occur on a continual basis. Teachers are encouraged to contact parents regularly about their student’s progress---Parents like hearing good things too!!

GUEST SPEAKERS

You are encouraged to invite speakers to your classroom. When you invite a guest speaker to school, notify the office in advance.

MEDIA RESOURCES The K-4 Media Center will be open daily for teachers from 7:45 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. The library will not be open after school on early out days. After school, students are able to take Accelerated Reader tests or check-out materials without the approval of a teacher as long as the librarian is present.

Media Center Circulation Rules and Regulations: Students: 1. Students may check out books for a period of , at which time they will need to be renewed. 2. Students are responsible for any materials they have checked out. 3. A fine will be assigned after four weeks of checkout, and students will be asked to do one of the following: a. Return the book/material b. Pay for the replacement of the book c. Principals and librarian reserve the right to negotiate any fines. Teachers: 1. Teachers may check out books and magazines for two weeks, at which time they will need to be renewed. 2. Teachers may check out audiovisual and reference materials as needed for research for one week, at which time they will need to be renewed. 3. Teachers are responsible for any materials they have checked out.

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TEACHER WORKROOM The Teacher’s Workroom is for use by school employees; students should not enter the workroom unless accompanied by a staff member or given specific instructions to complete a task by a staff member. Students should not be sent to the workroom to make copies at any time.

HIGH SPEED COPIER

All teachers will be trained by the secretary on the use of each machine. If the machine breaks down or needs ink, please ask the secretary for assistance.

REQUISITION PROCEDURE

The Board of Education requires that all items purchased be properly requisitioned. If you have a need for your classroom, fill out a requisition online and it will be sent to the principal for approval. Make sure to add the cost of shipping and handling. The principal and superintendent must approve the requisition before a purchase order is created and sent to the company. If the order is needed immediately, contact the principal. DO NOT REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT ON MONIES YOU HAVE ALREADY SPENT WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL. Keep a copy of your requisition so you have a record of what you ordered, and the items you will need to add to your inventory at the end of the year.

Completing a requisition: 1. Before completing the requisition, please check to make sure you have an updated catalog and call the company to verify prices. 2. Complete the online requisition. 3. When the order arrives, check to see if the order is complete. If any items are missing, contact Mary Reeves in the bookkeeping office immediately.

MAINTENANCE REQUESTS All maintenance requests must be documented by completing a maintenance request form located in the office. All maintenance request forms have to be signed by the building principal, and sent to Mr. Earnhart for approval. If it is an emergency such as heating, cooling, pencil sharpener, etc., please call Paula or Mollie so they may contact someone immediately.

TECHNOLOGY REQUESTS

If you are having problems with your computer, send an email to [email protected] and copy the building principal. If it is an emergency or you are unable to send an email, contact the principal and she will contact the technology coordinator.

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ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESSES

Please report all student injuries in writing to the office on an accident report. Students who are injured or ill should be sent to the nurse’s office. Potentially seriously injured students should not be moved. Notify the nurse immediately.

All injuries to staff members occurring on campus or during contracted hours should be reported immediately to the principal and superintendent’s office. An accident form must be completed, and drug testing must be done on the day of .

MEDICATION PROCEDURES

When possible all medications should be administered at home. However, it is sometimes necessary for some medications to be administered at school. The school district has adopted the following policy: “Over-the-counter medications will be administered under standing orders from a physician and with written parental consent. Specific guidelines will be followed for dosages and frequency of administration. The following medications will be administered per standing orders: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Aleve, and cough drops.”

Any prescription medications must be delivered to the school in the current pharmacy bottle. Physician guidelines will be followed for dosages and frequency of administration.

Some circumstances will require a student to carry their medication with them. These will be reviewed on an individual basis.

It is the student’s responsibility to come to the nurse’s office at the scheduled time to receive their medication

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

Please report any contagious disease such as chicken pox, strep infections, pink eye, etc. to the school nurse. If we are aware of these illnesses, we can be prepared and watch for this in other students.

HEAD LICE POLICY – NO NIT POLICY

If the child is found to have nits or head lice, they will be sent home. They must be treated with a pediculicidal product and ALL NITS must be removed. The student will not be allowed to return to school until cleared by the school nurse.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STAFF

Educators have an obligation to the school in which they work, the school district in which they are employed, and to the educational profession in general. This obligation is for staff members 20

to conduct themselves in an ethical manner in all things pertaining to school operation and school information.  All staff members are expected to set an example for the students. This includes dress, actions, language, punctuality, attitudes, and overall conduct.  Criticism of pupils, school personnel, and school policies should be made to the principal in a professional manner.  Staff members are expected to consult the principal in regard to any school-related issues. Failure to follow the chain of command will be considered insubordination.  Staff members should treat all information about pupils, staff members, and parents as confidential and avoid any kind of between other staff members regarding confidential information.

ABSENCES AND PERSONAL LEAVE

All requests for a substitute, both scheduled and unscheduled, must be made by 6:30 am through AESOP Online at eschoolsolutions. You may obtain a password by contacting Angela Jenkins at Central Office. It is the responsibility of the staff member to have this information available to them when off campus. If an emergency arises after 6:30 am, please contact Ms. Allen. If you do not reach Ms. Allen, please notify Mr. Cross. If you do not receive a response or speak to one of them, DO NOT assume they have received your message.

If you need a substitute once school has started, please contact Paula or Mollie in the office to enter the absence in eschoolsolutions and find a substitute. You also need to contact a building principal to make them aware of your absence.

Requests for substitutes will be honored when possible, but changes sometimes must be made to ensure the needs of the building and students are met.

LESSON PLANS

Lesson Plans for the following week should be written in advance and available upon request. Lesson Plans are expected to be visible during walk-though evaluations. A teacher should never leave the building without adequate lesson plans for the next school day. Plans should be detailed enough so they can easily be followed by a substitute teacher. Lesson Plans should include the lesson objective, description of activity, assessment, Missouri Learning Standard, and DOK level. You should be prepared to submit your lessons plans and current grades to the office at any time.

SUBSTITUTE PACKET

Each teacher will be responsible for having a substitute teacher packet. In order for the substitute teacher to have a successful and productive day, it is important for them to have information to ensure a sense of accomplishment and worth. In addition to detailed lesson plans in the plan book, the packet should include: 1) Daily schedule, and routines, including any extra duties you may have 2) Class roster and seating chart

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3) Behavior management process and discipline procedures 4) Written instructions about your students, checking papers, lunchroom and playground expectations, RED FLAG students and procedures to follow, etc.

ACADEMICALLY AT-RISK STUDENTS After the fifth week of the first quarter, a Student Assistance Team referral form should be filled out for each child that has difficulties that affect his/her academics in any of the following areas: behavior, development, social, absenteeism, or two or more F’s.  A parent/student conference will be initiated to discuss concerns, strategies and or programs that would benefit the student.  Continued observation of the student’s progress will be monitored by the SAT. As we revise the SAT process this year additional information will be provided to staff.

READING PLAN: “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND”

Reading assessments will be used to determine if a student is more than one year below in reading. At that time, a Reading Plan should be developed to provide additional remediation. The classroom teacher, Title I teacher, counselor, and parents will determine the method of instruction necessary for the student to show improvement and must include a minimum of thirty additional hours of instruction or practice outside the regular school day. This information will be shared with the extended school day teacher. If a child is retained due to a reading level one or more years below his/her grade level he/she: 1. should attend an accelerated summer reading program, and/or 2. attend the extended school day reading program the following year The team will designate the next year’s teacher to implement the Individualized Reading Plan.

RETENTION POLICY

1. The teacher completes a SAT Referral for students who are at risk of failure resulting from:  Failing Grades  Reading one or more grade levels below expectation 2. SAT will discuss strengths and areas of concern. Interventions will be put in place to help the student be successful; academic or behavior assessments may be conducted as well. Parents will be contacted once the referral is received, and will continue to be included throughout the process. 3. A letter will be sent home at the beginning of the third quarter to arrange a team meeting with parents to address concerns and actions to be taken. 4. A team approach will be used to decide for or against retention based on the provided documentation. Parents are invited to be part of the team when deciding on retention. 5. The team may recommend summer school for the student to avoid retention. However, if summer school is chosen rather than retention, the student will be expected to have a 90% attendance rate or retention will be enforced.

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6. The final decision for retention will be based on the recommendations of the Student Assistant Team with the final decision made by the building principal.

SUMMER SCHOOL POLICY

Attendance: Students missing an excess of 14 school days in one calendar year (not verifiable by doctor excuses) and is failing two or more subjects may be required to attend summer school with 80% attendance to pass onto the next grade level.

Summer School Policy: 1. The student will show significant progress in reading level and/or academic subjects at the end of summer school. 2. The student will demonstrate sufficient progress determined by pre/posttest and teacher observation.

DISCIPLINE CODE & PROCEDURES

Cuba Elementary is a PBIS building. PBIS, is a proactive, team–based framework for creating and sustaining safe and effective schools. Emphasis is placed on the prevention of problem behavior, development of appropriate social skills, and the use of data-based problem solving to identify student needs and improve school practices. It is our goal to create a positive school environment with students who demonstrate kindness and are respectful, responsible, and reliable in all settings. We are confident children can be in control of their behavior if they know what is expected of them. Therefore, expectations for all areas have been created. All staff are expected to follow, teach, enforce, and remediate these expectations in a consistent manner with all students, in all areas, at all times. The PBIS Behavior Matrix should be posted in each classroom and referred to as necessary.

 See Student Handbook for specific discipline procedures and practices.

CLASSROOM RULES AND PROCEDURES

1. Each grade level will determine consistent rules and procedures for acceptable classroom behavior to align with building expectations. Classroom rules will be turned into and approved by the principal before the school year begins. 2. These rules should go home to parents during the first week of school. 3. The rules and procedures will be posted in the classroom, and every student shall be aware of these expectations. 4. Students shall be made aware of the consequences related to violating the classroom rules and procedures. Logical consequences should be utilized for inconsequential behaviors that do not distract from learning or threaten the safety of others.

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5. Each teacher who keeps a student inside at recess due to lack of progress on assignments must stay with the student in their room unless they have recess duty. In that case the student will spend the recess with the inside duty teacher, or teacher will make arrangements for students’ supervision.

TYPES OF ABUSE

If you suspect a student is being abused, you must notify the principal or the school based social worker to determine if a Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline must be made. The law requires you notify the proper personnel within 24 hours so action can be taken immediately and the proper authorities notified.

 Physical Abuse: Any physical injury inflicted on a child, other than by accidental means, by those responsible for the child’s care, custody, and control, except that discipline including spanking, administered in a reasonable manner shall not be construed to be abuse.  Sexual Maltreatment: (As reportable under the Child Abuse/Neglect Law). The use, persuasion, inducement, enticement or coercion of any child under the age of 18, to engage in, or having a child assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct by those responsible for the child’s care, custody and control.  Sexual Exploitation: (As reportable under the Child Abuse/Neglect Law.) The sexual use of a child under the age of 18 by those responsible for his/her care, custody and control for the purpose of the individual’s personal satisfaction and/or gain. Including, but not necessarily limited to pornography and prostitution.  Neglect: Failure to provide, by those responsible for the care, custody, and control of the child, medical or surgical treatment or intervention which is necessary to remedy or ameliorate a medical condition which is life threatening or causes injury. Medical Neglect includes not only serious, but also mild and moderate medical neglect as well.  Exception by reason of religious belief: Failure to obtain specified medical treatment because of the legitimate practice of religious belief on the part of the child’s parents, guardian, or other legally responsible for the child, will not be considered to be abuse or neglect.  Medical malpractice and negligence: Licensed medical practitioners who through negligence fail to provide adequate care and treatment to a child are not perpetrators of medical neglect. A person must have care, custody, and control of a child to be considered a perpetrator of medical neglect.  Educational Neglect: Failure by the person responsible for the care, custody, and control of the child to provide an appropriate education and to promote school attendance as required for all children ages 7 through 16 years and children, ages 5 and 6, when they have been enrolled in public school by their parent or guardian.

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Educational neglect must be differentiated from truancy (a status offense). When a child is continuously absent from school through intent or neglect of the parent or caretaker, there is educational neglect. When a child is absent through his/her own intent, this is truancy and not reportable as child abuse/neglect.

Home schooling does not constitute educational neglect. When a parent or caretaker is providing a child an education in their home, the worker should refer the matter to the Superintendent of Schools of the appropriate school district.  Emotional Neglect: A passive or active patterned non-nurturing behavior by a parent or caretaker that negatively affects and/or handicaps a child emotionally, psychologically, physically, intellectually, socially, and/or developmentally. Emotional maltreatment is a pattern of parental or caretaker behavior which causes emotional or mental injury to the child; produces easily observable abnormal behavior in the child; and, which if unchanged, will permanently impair the child’s ability to function normally.

To establish emotional maltreatment there must be evidence of substantially diminished psychological or intellectual functioning in the child and this condition must be attributable to the parent’s (caretaker’s) conduct. Three (3) factors are present in emotional maltreatment:

1. Parental (caretaker) pattern of behavior has a harmful effect on the child’s emotional health and wellbeing; 2. The harmful effect can be observed in the child’s abnormal performance and behavior; and, 3. There is substantial impairment to the child’s ability to function as a normal human being, to think, to learn, to enter into relationships, due to parental (caretaker’s) conduct.

A qualified professional should conduct assessment of the child's emotional health. The psychological or psychiatric evaluation should specify the level of the child’s dysfunction, and to a reasonable medical certainty, whether the dysfunction is casually linked to the acts or omissions of the parent (caretaker).

EVALUATION

It is the policy of the Crawford County R-II Board of Education for teachers to receive formal evaluations. The evaluation is intended to assist teachers in becoming better teachers through: 1.) improved instructional practices 2.) Indicators 2.5, 4.2, 5.2

Evaluation Cycle 1. Formative Phase a. Walk-Through Observations 1. A series of unscheduled observations will be conducted on all teachers. Evaluations will focus on the predetermined indicators. Unscheduled

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observations will occur approximately once a month, with six each academic year. 2. During the unscheduled observation, the administrator will observe the classroom for approximately 10-12 minutes. 3. Once the administrator has completed the unscheduled observation, the observation will be scored and e-mailed to the teacher. b. Post-Observation Conference 1. A conference will be held after each walk through observation. 2. It is the teacher’s responsibility to schedule a time to meet with the evaluator within one week of the observation. 3. The teacher will sign the observation form implying the document has been discussed. 4. A copy of the evaluation form will be kept on file by the principal. c. Job Targets for Teachers 1. Job targets are precise objectives stated in measurable terms. 2. Job targets may be identified by either teacher or evaluator. 3. Job targets will remain in effect until satisfactorily completed. 4. Job targets may be complex or simple, depending on the degree of agreement between the principal and the teacher. 5. 2. Summative Phase a. The summative phase is the review of all data pertaining to the performance of the teacher. b. The date will be shown and recorded on the summative evaluation report. c. The summative report will indicate the progress or lack of progress the teacher made on the predetermined indicators. d. The summative report will also contain a comment area that can be used to document areas of weakness or areas of strengths. e. At least one summative evaluation report conference will be scheduled annually for all probationary teachers. Tenured teachers will receive a summative every year. f. Both the principal and the teacher will sign the summative evaluation report. The signature implies the document has been read and discussed. g. A copy of the summative evaluation report will be provided to the teacher, kept on file by the principal, and sent to central office for the teacher’s personnel file. h. A Professional Development Plan will be developed for the following year by the teacher using the areas of concern documented in the summative report. 3. Appeal Process Teachers have the right to appeal the conclusions of the summative evaluation report to the principal, Superintendent of School, and if necessary, to the Board of Education. 4. Informal Evaluation a. A variety of informal tools will be used to assess all teachers each school year. b. Types of informal evaluation may include: 1. Walk through: will include a brief written documentation of learning activities and classroom management. 2. Periodic collection of lesson plans.

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3. Written information turned in by the teacher (notes to parents, class bulletins, etc.) or other items turned in by the teacher for consideration.

PERSONNEL Regulation 4850 Staff Welfare Staff Dispute Resolution (Grievance Procedure) Definitions 1. Grievance: A claim by a staff member or members that a written Board policy or administrative regulation has been violated or misapplied. This policy is not applicable to the content of performance evaluations or to decisions for which state statute provides a means of resolving disputes i.e. non-renewal, termination, and reduction in force. 2. Day: When the dispute resolution policy requires certain action to be taken within days, days means working days and specifically excludes weekends and school holidays. In counting days, the day on which the event initiating the time limit is not counted.

Procedure Informal Resolution: Staff members, who believe a written Board policy or administrative regulation has been violated must meet with their immediate supervisor within ten (10) days of the alleged violation. The purpose of this informal conference is to attempt to provide clarification of the issue and, where possible, resolve the dispute.

If the dispute is not resolved within four (4) working days of the informal conference, the staff member may initiate the formal procedure by completing a District dispute form and submitting this form to the staff member's immediate supervisor. A completed grievance form must be submitted to the employee's immediate supervisor within ten (10) days of the informal conference.

Step One: Immediate Supervisor: Within four (4) days of receipt of the completed dispute form, the immediate supervisor will schedule a meeting with the staff member and the staff member's employee representative, if desired. Within ten (10) days of this conference, the immediate supervisor will provide the staff member with a written response to the dispute.

Step Two: Superintendent's Designee: If the staff member is not satisfied with the resolution at Step One, the staff member may refer the dispute in writing to the Superintendent. To proceed to Step Two, the written dispute referral must be submitted to the Superintendent within four (4) days of receipt of the Step One decision. Upon receipt of the referral, the Superintendent shall designate a District employee to hear the Step Two dispute. Within four (4) days of receipt of the Step Two referral, the Superintendent's designee shall schedule a conference with the staff member and the staff member’s employee representative if

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desired. Within ten (10) days of the conference the Superintendent's designee will provide the staff member with a written response to the dispute.

Step Three: Review by the Superintendent: If the staff member is not satisfied with the resolution of Step Two, the staff member may refer the dispute in writing for the Superintendent's direct review. To proceed to Step Three, the written dispute referral must be submitted to the Superintendent within four (4) days of receipt of the Step Two decision. Within four (4) days of receipt of the written referral, the Superintendent shall schedule a conference with the staff member and his/her employee representative, if desired. Within ten (10) days of this conference, the Superintendent will provide the staff member with a written response to the dispute.

Step Four: Board of Education Review: If the staff member is not satisfied with the resolution at Step Three, the staff member may refer the dispute in writing for the Board's consideration. To proceed to Step Four the written dispute referral must be submitted to the Superintendent within four (4) days of receipt of the Step Three decision. At the next regular Board meeting following submission of the Step Four referral, the Board will consider the dispute and determine whether to conduct a formal review of the dispute. If the Board determines that its formal review is not necessary, the decision at Step Three becomes final.

If the Board determines that its formal review is warranted by the dispute, the Board will set a date for formal review. At formal review, both parties are entitled to be represented by legal counsel. The Board in its discretion determines procedures for formal presentations of the dispute. Within ten (10) days of the formal review, the Board will provide the staff member with its written decision. The decision of the Board is final and binding on all parties. Miscellaneous Provisions: 1. Failure of a staff member to comply with the timelines provided in the procedures above will result in final rejection of the dispute. 2. Failure of the administrator to comply with the timelines provided in the procedures above will result in the dispute being advanced to the next step. 3. Neither party to a dispute will be permitted to add witnesses or documentation, which were not provided at preceding steps. 4. No staff member will be retaliated against for the good faith submission and processing of a dispute under these regulations.

TRANSFER REQUESTS

All teacher - initiated transfers will be processed in accordance with Board of Education Policy 4210.

A copy of the request should be sent to the building principal where the staff member is presently assigned: to the office of the Assistant Superintendent, and for special education personnel, to the director of special services. Copies of the Employee Transfer Request For can be secured from the office of the Assistant Superintendent. The request will be acknowledged and placed in the personnel file.

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In order to avoid misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the preference for reassignment, each teacher may have only one Employee Transfer Request Form on file in the Board Office at any one time. Please list only one position or building for each choice.

If the Board Office receives a second Employee Transfer Request within one school year, it will be presumed that the most recent request supersedes any earlier request. The earlier request will then become inactive.

When applying for transfer for the following school year, Employee Transfer Request Form must be filed in the Board Office on or before April 1.

At any time during the school year a teacher may indicate in writing to the building principal, the Assistant Superintendent and, when applicable, the special services director his or her desire to be considered for transfer or promotion should a vacancy become available during the ensuing year. Written applications will be accepted from all interested teachers and given consideration. An attempt will be made to inform staff members of vacancies. However, it is not always feasible or possible to do so. Therefore, those who wish to be considered for transfer should be sure to submit a request.

A number of factors determine which requests for transfer may be granted. First consideration will be given to the best interests of the students. However, whenever it is compatible with the best interests of the students and meets other applicable criteria, the welfare and the wishes of the teacher requesting the transfer will receive prime consideration. It may not be possible or wise to grant each request for transfer.

Among the criteria for selection for transfer are the following: 1. Certification 2. Job performance 3. Principal or supervisor recommendations 4. Experience in the area of the position, which is vacant 5. Needs of attendance center or district 6. Length of service in the district or building

PERSONNEL SERVICES Policy 4560 Compensation Reimbursement for Additional College Credit Every teacher or administrator is expected to continue his/her professional growth through attendance at professional meetings, through reading professional literature and through the earning of additional college credit. Seventy-five dollars [$75.00] for each semester hour approved in advance by the Superintendent will be paid to regularly employed teachers/administrators. When the teacher/administrator begins the program of graduate study, he/she will file with the Superintendent a copy of the planned courses of study he/she will pursue to earn the Master's degree as a teacher, or up to Administrative Specialist degree leading to principal certification if an administrator. The Master's degree may be in the teacher's field of study, guidance and counseling, administration, or other similar education field. The advisor at the college or university must approve this plan. Reimbursement will be approved for the courses on the plan, which will be

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directly related to the teacher's/administrator's specific required courses which the college or university requires for those degrees in education. Courses of an elective nature, which do not meet either of the qualifications, will not be reimbursable. Required courses for the Master's degree which are taken prior to the teacher's/administrator's filing of his/her plan with the superintendent will not be reimbursable.

The extra payments will be for one [1] year only and do not remain a part of the teacher's/administrator's annual salary. Please note that this payment will be made even if by this attendance the teacher is advanced from one step to another on the salary schedule. This policy is in effect only if the probationary or tenured teacher or administrator returns to this school system the following year after attendance. Pay for credit earned during the summer will normally be paid first semester. Credit earned the first semester will normally be paid in January or February. Credit earned second semester by a probationary teacher will be paid after a contract is signed for the next school year; tenured teachers and administrators will be paid provided that they return the next school year. For payment to be made, an official transcript, or a grade report, or a letter from the person's advisor verifying the classes taken and hours earned must be received by the Superintendent.

When a teacher or administrator qualifies for tuition reimbursement under any program the same as or similar to the "Excellence in Education Act" which has been discontinued, the local reimbursement will not apply and the person will receive the reimbursement according to the provisions of the Act or program unless the amount paid by the state or other entity is less than the $75.00 per hour. In that case the District will supplement the amount of payment to bring it up to the level of $75.00 per hour.

PERSONNEL SERVICES Policy 4310 Absences, Leave, and Vacation General Attendance Regular attendance is essential in providing District students with a high quality of instruction. Certificated staff will have available ten [10] days of sick leave per school year cumulative to unlimited days. Support employees may accumulate one [1] day per month of sick leave per year cumulative to unlimited days.

When certificated employees and support employees are absent more than five [5] days in any semester or more than ten [10] days per school year, their absence is considered excessive. The Superintendent will review which incident of excessive absence and may require the employee to provide medical documentation or may consider disciplinary actions up to an including termination.

INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES Policy 6243 Instruction Copyrighted Materials It is the intent of the Board to delineate, enforce, and abide by the provisions of current copyright laws as they affect the School District and its employees.

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Copyrighted materials, whether they are print or non-print, will not be duplicated unless such reproduction meets “fair use” standards, or unless written permission from the copyright holder has been received.

Details about “fair use” will be made available to all teachers. A summary of these standards will be posted or otherwise made easily available at each machine used for making copies.

The Board does not sanction illegal duplication in any form. Employees who willfully disregard the District’s copyright position are in violation of Board policy; they do so at their own risk and assume all liability responsibility.

Any materials produced by an employee (or employees), during the time he/she is paid for production of said materials, shall be owned by the School District and any civil rights of authorship are forfeited with payment by the District for production of materials.

STUDENTS Policy 2400 (Regulation 2400) Student Educational Records

A cumulative educational record shall be maintained for each student from his entrance into school through the last date of attendance or through graduation, whichever occurs first.

Each student's educational record will include information required by state and federal statutes, regulations or agencies and shall include other information considered necessary by school officials.

The parent/guardian of students who are attending or have attended the District's schools have the right to inspect and review the educational records of their student. However, if any material or document in the education record of the student includes information on more than one student, the parent/guardian shall have the right to inspect and review only the part of such material or document that relates to their student or to be informed of the specific information regarding their student that is contained in the document or material.

The District has adopted procedures for the granting of parental requests for access to the education records of their students within a reasonable period of time, but in no case more than forty-five (45) days after the request is made.

All information contained in a student's educational record, except information designated as directory information by the District, shall be confidential and shall be directly accessible only to school officials who demonstrate a legitimate educational interest in the student's records and to parents/guardians or eligible students.

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Prior to making directory information public, the District will provide notice to parents/guardians or eligible students regarding the categories of information it has designated as directory. In addition, the District will allow a reasonable period of time after such notice for the parent/guardian or eligible student to inform the District that any or all of the designated directory information should not be released without the parent's or eligible student's prior consent.

In addition, the school official or his/her assistants who are responsible for the custody of the records and those parties authorized to audit the record keeping procedures of the District may inspect the records relating to each student without the consent of the parent/guardian or eligible student.

The District will comply with the mandates of the Safe Schools Act, House Bills Nos. 1301 and 1298, regarding confidentiality of student records and disclosure of personally identifiable information.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION Policy 1320 Equal Opportunity Nondiscrimination and Freedom from Harassment on the Basis of Sex

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 provides as follows: No person in the United States shall on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

It is the policy of the Board of Education to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex. The School District does not and will not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs, activities, and vocational opportunities offered by the District. The provisions of Title IX extend not only to students with regard to educational opportunities and freedom from harassment, but also to employees with regard to employment opportunities and freedom from harassment, and to individuals with whom the Board does business.

The Board will designate an individual to act as the Title IX compliance coordinator, and ensure that the coordinator's name, business address, and telephone number, as well as the statements of nondiscrimination and harassment by the District, are published to patrons, employees, and students on an annual basis.

It will be the policy of the District to continually evaluate its practices and procedures to ensure fair and equitable educational and employment opportunities and freedom from harassment without regard to sex for all of its students and employees.

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It shall be the policy of the Board that individuals be provided with an opportunity to present a discrimination grievance, which should aid in the elimination of discriminatory acts. No person shall suffer reprisals as a result of having initiated or presented a grievance. The Superintendent shall develop procedures to resolve grievances and alleged discrimination or harassment.

Please notify the principal and/or counselor immediately if you have a grievance. Mrs. Robinson is our district’s Title IX coordinator and will proceed with the investigation.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE POLICY

Students or student property may be searched based on reasonable suspicion of a violation of District rules, policy or state law. Reasonable suspicion must be based on facts known to the administration, credible information provided or reasonable inference drawn from such facts or information. The privacy and dignity of students shall be respected. Searches shall be carried out in the presence of adult witnesses, if such witnesses are available. Students may be asked to empty pockets, remove jackets, coats, shoes and articles of exterior clothing for examination if reasonable under the circumstance. See Board Policy 2150.

STUDENTS POLICY 2655 DISCIPLINE: BULLYING

The District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free of any form of bullying or intimidation. Bullying is strictly prohibited on school grounds, or school time, at a school sponsored activity or in a school related context. Bullying is the intentional action by an individual or group of individuals to inflict intimidation, unwanted aggressive behavior, or harassment that is repetitive or is substantially likely to be repeated and causes a reasonable student to fear for his or her physical safety or property; substantially interferes with the educational performance, opportunities, or benefits of any student without exception; or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school. Bullying may consist of physical actions, including gestures, or oral, cyberbullying, electronic, or written communication, and any threat of retaliation for reporting acts of bullying.

Cyberbullying means bullying as defined above through the transmission of a communication including, but not limited to, a message, text, sound, or image by means of an electronic device including, but not limited to, a telephone, wireless telephone, or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager. The District may prohibit and discipline for cyberbullying that originates on any District campus or at a District activity if the electronic communication was made using the school's technological resources, if there is a sufficient nexus to the educational environment, or if the electronic communication was made on the District’s campus or at a District activity using the student's own personal technological resources. Further, students who engage in significant acts of misconduct off campus which materially and adversely impact the education of District students will be subject to discipline.

Bullying, as defined in this policy, is strictly prohibited. Students are encouraged to report any incident of bullying which they have witnessed or incurred, by contacting their building

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principal. District employees are required to report any instance of bullying of which the employee has witnessed within two (2) school days of the occurrence. Employees shall report the occurrence to the building principal, who is the person the District designates to receive reports of incidents of bullying. A principal who receives a report of an incident of bullying shall initiate an investigation into the allegations within two (2) school days of receipt of the report. The principal may assign other employees to assist in the investigation, or request that the superintendent assign an outside investigator. The investigation shall be completed within ten school days from the date of the written report of bullying unless good cause exists to extend the investigation. No employee or student who reports an act of bullying shall be subject to reprisal or retaliation for making such a report. Any person who engages in reprisal or retaliation against an employee or student who reports an act of bullying shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Students who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to consequences depending on factors such as: age of student(s), degree of harm, severity of behavior, number of incidences, etc. Possible consequences to a student for a violation of this policy include: loss of privileges, classroom detention, conference with teacher, parents contacted, conference with principal, in- school suspension, out-of-school suspension, and expulsion and law enforcement contacted. The District shall give annual notice of the policy to students, parents or guardians, and staff. This policy shall be included in all student handbooks. This policy shall also be posted on the District’s web page (as a Board policy) and a copy shall be placed in the District Administrative Office.

The District shall provide information and appropriate training to District staff who have significant contact with students regarding the policy. All staff with significant student contact shall be trained on the requirements of this policy on an annual basis.

The District shall provide education and information to students regarding bullying, including information regarding this policy prohibiting bullying, the harmful effects of bullying, and other applicable initiatives to address bullying, including student peer-to-peer initiatives to provide accountability and policy enforcement for those found to have engaged in bullying, reprisal, or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying. The District shall instruct its school counselors, school social workers, licensed social workers, mental health professionals, and school psychologists to educate students who are victims of bullying on techniques for students to overcome bullying's negative effects. Such techniques include but are not limited to, cultivating the student's self-worth and self-esteem; teaching the student to defend himself or herself assertively and effectively; helping the student develop social skills or encouraging the student to develop an internal locus of control. District administrators will implement programs and other initiatives to address bullying, to respond to such conduct in a manner that does not stigmatize the victim, and to make resources or referrals available to victims of bullying.

BULLYING REPORTING FORM

If you have been of bullying or have witnessed the bullying of a District student, complete the Bullying Reporting Form on our district webpage, or you may request it from central office or each building’s office. Once you have completed the form, please submit to the building principal. Complaints against building principals should be submitted to the

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Superintendent. Complaints against the Superintendent should be submitted to the Board of Education. Reports of bullying will be investigated and disciplinary action will be taken as warranted.

Students have the right to complete this form anonymously. However, it will be easier for the District to investigate this matter if as much information as possible is provided. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of bullying or harassment will not affect the complainant or reporter’s future employment, grades, learning, or working environment. A complainant that falsely accuses someone will be subject to disciplinary action.

August 2016, Copyright © 2016 Missouri Consultants for Education, Inc

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Each teacher should have a copy of the district’s Crisis Manual readily available at all times. We suggest placing it as well as your Teacher Handbook with your grade book/student roster. Detailed information is given for any type of emergency. It is important that all teachers and staff members are familiar with the procedures to follow for any emergency.

Remember:  Tornado drill signal is a series of short rings  Fire drill signal is a continuous ring of the bell  If you are on the playground and the city siren goes off, return to the building immediately.  Once in your designated position [Fire/Bomb/Tornado/Earthquake Drill] attendance must be taken to insure all students are present. When complete hold up your green card [all students present] or your red card [student missing].  Everyone should remain in the correct position until the “all clear” bell sounds. This will be one ring of the bell.  When returning to your room, attendance should be taken to make sure all your students are present.

Please familiarize yourself with the location of extinguishers and exit routes from common locations such as the cafeteria, hallways, restrooms, etc.

Conditional Not Addressed in Crisis Manual 1. Snow/Blizzard Conditions A. Notifying Parents If it becomes necessary to close school before the regular closing time, such information will be announced by Mr. Earnhart

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B. Special Instructions Be aware of changes to student transportation changes in the event school has an unscheduled early dismissal. C. Stranded at School If it becomes necessary to remain at school late into the evening and/or overnight, the following general procedures will be followed: 1. All teachers must remain at school unless released by the Superintendent or Principals. 2. Students will be assembled in the large gymnasium. 3. Teachers will supervise students at all times. D. Notification of No School If severe weather conditions prevail making driving hazardous, and if such conditions are known by 6:00 a.m., a “No School” announcement will be made by Mr. Earnhart 2. Tornado Alert and the End of the School Day If a tornado alert is given toward the closing of the school day, the Superintendent’s decision will determine the procedure that is followed. If the Superintendent concludes the severity of the storm alert threatens the safety of the students within bussing time, they will not be dismissed. 3. Earthquake Students are to drop and cover under desks and tables. No one should attempt to leave the room

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