Student/Parent Handbook

Attendance

School attendance is kept on a computer.  This helps the state keep up with our average daily attendance, which in turn relates to state funding. Please whenever possible make appointments after school and on weekends. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated

The importance of attend attending school and being on time must begin with you.  You are setting examples for your children. Always remember, YOU are their first teacher.

Tennessee Compulsory School Attendance Law requires a student to be present three hours and sixteen minutes to constitute being present a full day of school.  If a child is checked out before 10:46, it will be considered an absence.

 

New School Board Policy

We will now be able to accept parent notes ONLY the first 5 days of excused absences. Once the sixth absence is reached, the parent must provide more formal documentation (i.e. doctor's note, note from court, etc.) Also, a report will be filed with the attendance department, which could result in the student being declared truant.

Excused absences are defined as:

  1. Student's personal illness or hospitalization

  2. Death in the immediate family

  3. Special recognized religious holidays

  4. Required court appearances

  5. Approved school related activities

  6. Vacations/trips with PRIOR APPROVAL BY THE PRINCIPAL

  7. Other extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SEND YOUR CHILD WITH A NOTE FROM HOME ON THE DAY FOLLOWING AN ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL. NOTES RECEIVED AFTER ONE WEEK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Make-up Work

It is the student's responsibility to prepare all work assignments missed and to arrange a convenient time with the teacher for making up tests and projects.  Make-up work for illness may be picked up in the school office. Please call the school. (DO NOT DROP BY THE CLASSROOM.)  Upon request, we will make arrangements for books and materials to be picked up after 2:30 P.M.  Your request must be made by 9:00 A.M. in order to give teachers ample time to gather materials.

 

Early Dismissal

Parent of students leaving early for doctor's appointments, etc. must come to the office to sign the child out.  DO NOT go to your child's classroom.  Students who become ill during the day may call a parent to come after them. ANY PERSON TAKING YOUR CHILD FROM SCHOOL MUST BE LISTED ON YOUR CHILD'S REGISTRATION CARD. We ask that parents not send their children to school when they are running a fever or show other obvious signs of needing medical attention.

Tardiness

Promptness is very important.  Teachers begin their classes at 7:30.  It is very disruptive when students come to class late.  Tardiness is a part of attendance.  Students that arrive late must report to the office and be signed in by the parent. All tardies are counted as time absent, therefore affecting perfect attendance records.  Please adjust your schedule so your child can be in the classroom no later than 7:25.

 

Alternative Transportation Home

If your child is to ever go home in a way that is out of the ordinary, (such as on a different bus, with a friend, walking, etc.), you must send a note with that child or call the school.  Without a note, students will be sent home in the normal manner.  Students are not permitted to leave class and call to find out.  It is your responsibility to make sure the school knows where you child is to go in the afternoon.

School Day Length

No student should arrive prior to 7:00 A.M.  There is no adult supervision until that time.  Morning and afternoon childcare is available through the Eagle's Nest from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.  All applications for afternoon care should be filled out through this agency. Students who arrive prior to 7:30 are to report to the gym. If they choose to participate in the breakfast program, they should report to the cafeteria. Instruction begins promptly at 7:30 and dismissal is at 2:35.  

Kindergarten Day

The kindergarten academic day ends at 1: p.m.  Parents may pick up their children at this time. Parents do have the option of having their children ride the bus home at 2:35 p.m.

Snow Days

There will be a snow letter kept on file in the classroom for each student explaining the procedure the parent wants the child to follow in case school dismisses early due to bad weather.  Information concerning school closings will be reported on all local news media.

Changes In Student Information

Please notify the school (both office and teacher) immediately if there is ever a change in your child's address, telephone number, emergency contact person, etc.  This information is very important in the event we need to contact you.

Registration Requirements

In accordance with standards and policies of the State Department of Public Health as approved by the State Commissioner of Education, children entering kindergarten or first grade for the first time must have a complete medical examination along with pertinent immunizations (green card).  The green card will also provide the health department or physician a place at the bottom to indicate that the child has had their medical exam. 

A copy of the child's birth certificate is required as well as a copy of their Social Security card.  Children enrolling in kindergarten for the first time must be five (5) years of age on or before September 30 of the school year.  

Parent Conferences

Sumner County provides a time for parent conferences. Information will be sent home regarding this date.  Teachers sometimes call for intervening conferences.  If you want to set up an additional meeting, teachers will be happy to do so.  Be sure a note or call the office to schedule a time.  Please do not drop by "for just a minute" during the school day.  This puts the teacher in a most uncomfortable position.  While trying to have a conference with you, the students are looking for his/her attention.  If you have a problem that needs immediate attention, get in touch with the office.  The secretary or principal can give you the teacher's planning time.  (ALWAYS STOP BY THE OFFICE TO REGISTER YOUR VISITATION.)

Field Trips

During the school year field trips will be taken to various places designed to enhance the educational program of your child.  Your child's teacher may or may not need parent volunteers for some trips. If you are asked to be a volunteer on a trip please do no bring along younger or older children.

Grading Scale and Honor Roll

Students are placed on the "A" Honor Roll for earning all A's in a six weeks grading period.  They will receive a blue ribbon for this accomplishment.  They are placed on the "B" Honor Roll for earning a B or better in all subjects for a six weeks grading period.  They will receive a red ribbon.

A    93-100

B    85-92

C    75-84

D    70-74

F      0- 69 

Awards

The Citizenship Award is given to two students from each classroom at the end of each six weeks grading period. Teachers take many things into consideration when choosing a student for this award.  They look at the student's attendance, tardiness record, work habits, manners, behavior, and overall citizenship.

Awards are also given each six weeks in P.E., Music,  and Art. These teachers look at much the same criteria listed above when selecting students.

Bus Riders

The right of all students to ride a Sumner County school bus is a condition of each student's behavior.  All students on the bus are under the authority of the school bus driver and must obey the rules. Students who violate the bus rules will be reported to the principal.  Students who violate the rules may lose their privilege to ride on the bus.  If this occurs it will become the responsibility of the parent to transport the student to and form school.  

  1. The driver is in full charge of the bus and students.

  2. Students are expected to obey the driver.

  3. The driver may assign seats.

  4. No profanity or shouting is allowed.

  5. No eating or drinking on the bus.  Please help keep the bus clean.

  6. Violence or horseplay is prohibited.

  7. Remain seated.

  8. Hands and head are to be kept inside the bus.

  9. Do not distract the driver through misbehavior.

  10. Do not destroy the bus property.

  11. Please cross the road IN FRONT OF the bus, NOT behind.

Balloons, breakable objects, and objects that cannot be held in the student's lap are prohibited.  This includes Valentine's Day.

Problems arising at the bus stops PRIOR TO boarding the bus are the responsibility of the parents.

All students must get on and off the bus at their assigned stop.

Car Riders and Walkers

All car riders are to be dropped off and picked up from the north end of the building.  The building will open at 7:00 A.M. each day.  Car riders will be considered tardy anytime after 7:35.  All tardies must check in through the office.  Kindergarten pickup will take place at 1:20 each day at the north end of the building. At 2L25 each afternoon car riders will be dismissed to the north entrance.  Please follow all signs posted outside for this process. Walkers will be dismissed form the north end of the building at 2:40.

Clinic/Medicine

Although we do have a school nurse once a week here at WES, we do not have a clinic. Aspirin and Tylenol will not be available at school. A "Permission for Administration of Non-Prescription Medication" must be on file along with an UNOPENED bottle with the child's name written on it.  All prescription medicines must be accompanied by a "Permission for Administration of Prescription Medication" signed by the child's doctor.  The medication itself MUST be in the original prescription bottle.  Antibiotics requiring 3 dosages should be dispensed at home before school, after school, and at bedtime. 

Head Lice Procedures

Everyone must do his or her part to eliminate this problem. When a case of lice has been discovered, the following steps will be taken.

  1. The student will be removed from the classroom.

  2. The parent will be notified.

  3. The student will not be able to return to school until they are nit free and have been cleared by the Sumner Co. Health Dept. or a health care professional.

  4. Notification will be sent home to all parents with children in the affected classroom.

Dress Code

The following should NOT be worn to school:

In addition, the following guidelines will be enforced:

Penalties

Change or go home.

Textbooks

Textbooks are loaned to the students for their use during the school year. These should be handled carefully.  Fines will be charged for lost or abused textbooks.  This is a school board policy.

Voluntary Student Insurance

Student voluntary accident insurance, parent paid, is made available at the beginning of each year by the school. THE SUMNER COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM DOES NOT CARRY ACCIDENT INSURANCE ON STUDENTS.

Money

All money should be sent to school in an envelope marked with the child's name.  DO NOT write one check for more than one expense.  For example, do not send one check to cover lunch money and workbooks.  Each expense needs to be paid for separately.

Cafeteria

Monitors supervise students.  All students are under the authority of the monitors and must obey the school and cafeteria rules.  A copy of the cafeteria rules will be provided to each parent and student on registration day for reading and signatures.  Students are expected to behave in the same manner that would be expected of them in a nice restaurant.

Prices for breakfast and lunch are given out on registration day.  Do not include lunch money in with other checks.  Lunch charges are handled in the cafeteria.  Each student will be allowed 2 charges.  Please pay these as quickly as possible in order that if necessary, the student may charge at  a later time. If charges are not paid in a timely fashion, then no other charges will be extended to that student.

Telephones

Messages and deliveries from home should be left in the office.  Telephones may be used in the office with teacher or principal permission only for emergencies. Students must have telephone passes.

Volunteer Help

We are most fortunate to have several very supportive parents who volunteer their time here at WES. Please contact the school if you would like to join this effort. If you are willing to type, file, copy, tutor, assist teachers, substitute (for an hour when teachers have appointments), or work in the art or music program.  We are grateful for your time and we like having you in the school.

Lost and Found

Each year we have a number of articles of very nice clothing lost or left at school.  Please make sure your child's name is on the inside of jackets, packpacks, hats, gloves, etc.  Also, have your child check in the office should they lose something.

Safety in our School

The safety of your child is of the utmost importance to us at WES.  We ask for your complete and consistent cooperation in enforcing safety precautions for our students, YOUR children.

Discipline

We at WES believe that if a teacher cannot discipline, he or she cannot teach.  This is also true of a student: one who cannot behave, cannot be taught.

At WES we use an assertive approach to discipline.  The approach consists of consequences and rewards. This approach makes each student responsible for his/her behavior. (see school wide rules.)

Character Education

WES will be recognizing a "character building" word each month.  Please support this effort by discussing these issues with your children.  Examples of each word can be found throughout our community.  Please make an effort to point out these examples at every opportunity.

"Our children may be only 20% of our population, but they are 100% of our future." Richard Riley

These words of the month are as follows: