Hodge Elementary School

TABLE OF CONTENTS Arrival and Dismissal. 4 Asbestos in Schools. 4 Attendance.. 5 Bicycles..5 Birthday Celebrations.. 5 Book Bags..5 Breakfast..6 Bus Transportation... 6 Conferences... 6 Discipline.. 6 Dress... 7 Early Dismissal.. 7 Emergencies... 7 Field Trips. 8 Grading, Promotion, and Retention.. 8 Grievance Procedures. 9 Homework.. 9 Lunch... 10 Media Center..... 10 Medication... 10 No Child Left Behind Parents Right to Know...... 11 Parent Center. 11 PTA Parent Teacher Association... 11 Restricted Release.. 12 RTI Response to Intervention.. 12 Tardiness... 12 Textbooks and Fines.... 12 Toys, Games, Electronic Devices... 13 Transfer and Withdrawal... 13 21 st Century Afterschool Program... 13 Visitors. 13 Volunteers. 13 School Calendar...... 14 1

Welcome to Hodge Elementary School! Whether you are new to Hodge Elementary School or a returning family, we are happy that you joined us. You have made the right choice for your child s education. Hodge Elementary School offers a dedicated and collegial staff that will care for your children and hold them accountable to high expectations. Relationships, rigor and relevance are driving principles at Hodge Elementary School. Our students, staff and families work together to create an environment where children are intellectually challenged in ways appropriate to their individual strengths, needs, and experiences. We believe that parents play a critical role in the success of our students. Parents, you are your child s first and most important teacher. You know your child better than anyone else and we invite you to work in partnership with your child s classroom teacher. You have rich insight into your child s unique needs, talents and interests. Please feel free to share any information that you believe will help us increase your child s success. Teachers, however, have a unique perspective on your child. They will see your child as a member of the class and watch as they interact with peers, face the challenge of new learning, ask questions, and solve problems. Parent and teacher perspectives, working in partnership, are critical to ensure that your child s time at Hodge Elementary School is exciting and rewarding. This handbook is intended to provide a brief, concise and understandable overview of some of the most important opportunities and expectations that anchor our program. Please review this handbook with your child and feel free to call school at (912) 395-5200 if you have any questions. Respectfully, Yvette Wells Yvette Wells, Ed. D. Principal 2

Savannah Chatham County Public Schools (www.sccpss.com) Mission To ignite a passion for learning and teaching at high levels. Vision From school to the world: ALL students prepared for productive futures. Hodge Elementary School (http://hodge.sccpss.com ) Mission The mission of Sarah Mills Hodge Elementary School is to empower all students to become well-rounded, successful learners prepared for middle school. Vision The vision of Sarah Mills Hodge Elementary School is to develop the whole child mind, body, and spirit. Learner s Creed I believe in myself and my ability to do my best at all times. Just for today: I will listen. I will see. I will speak. I will feel. I will think. I will reason. I will hear. I will write. I will do all these things with one purpose in mind: To do my best and not waste this day for this day will come no more. Project Smart Houston, Texas School Colors Purple and White School Mascot Bear 3

Arrival and Dismissal The building opens at 8:50am for breakfast which is served from 8:50am 9:10am. After 9:10am, breakfast is served only to those students arriving on a late school bus. Students not eating breakfast must report immediately to their classrooms when they arrive. It is important that students do not arrive on campus before 8:55am. Before 8:55am, there are no adults on duty to supervise students. Unsupervised students become a safety issue early in the morning. The school day begins at 9:15am. As a measure to ensure a safe campus for students and staff, all exterior doors remain locked. Visitors are admitted into the front office with an electronic door system. Dismissal begins at 4:00pm when car riders are dismissed. Waiting cars should form a single-file line in the parking lot. For the safety of our students among moving cars, a staff member on duty will escort your child to your car as your car moves forward to the loading area. Right turns only are allowed from the parking lot. Bus students and day care bus riders are dismissed from class as the buses arrive. They board buses at the bus ramp. Walking students are dismissed after buses are loaded. They exit towards the bus ramp. Parents are asked to meet their children there. Students in Grades PreK-2 must have a designated adult to meet them or an older sibling to walk with. Asbestos in Schools The 1986 Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires annual notification of any asbestos-containing building materials (ACM) within the school system. Under certain conditions, asbestos fibers could cause a health problem. Therefore, in order to minimize any hazard, an Asbestos Management Plan has been developed for each school. Each facility has an Asbestos Management Plan available, which identifies the location of ACM in the facility, available for public viewing during regular hours of operation. If you have any questions, please call the Maintenance and Operation Department at 201-5497. 4

Attendance In order to maximize achievement, it is necessary for students to be present, on time, and to remain in school for the entire day. Absences that may be excused include those due to personal illness, death of a family member, observance of a religious holiday, orders of governmental agencies, or participation in school sponsored activities. Parents are required to provide the school with a written excuse the day the student returns in order for the absence to be considered excused. Board policy specifies that a student may not miss more than 10 days, excused or unexcused, in a school year. Students who violate this policy may be retained. In addition, students who accumulate 5 unexcused absences at any time during the school year are considered truant (state law). Parents will receive notification by mail and a School Social Worker Referral will be made. Bicycles According to state law, all students are required to wear safety helmets when riding bicycles. Bikes must be stored in the rack provided and should be locked. The school is not responsible for stolen or damaged bicycles or missing accessories. Birthday Celebrations Birthday celebrations are permitted ONLY with the prior approval of your child s teacher and are restricted to cake or cookies as dessert for the entire class, at the regular lunch time and in the school cafeteria. Balloons, flowers, and other party decorations are not permitted. Siblings in other classes are not permitted to attend birthday celebrations. Book Bags The SCCPSS Code of Conduct requires that all book bags, tote bags, backpacks, athletic bags, and other similar items have the contents clearly visible by using a clear or mesh tote. Purses are allowed but must be no larger than 8 ½ by 11 inches (the size of a sheet of paper). The principal reserves the right to determine conformity to the policy. 5

Breakfast All Hodge students may eat breakfast in the cafeteria at no charge. Breakfast is served from 8:50am-9:10am. Bus Transportation Bus transportation is provided for students who live more than 1 ½ miles from the school. Use the School Bus Stop Locator on the District website to access school-specific routes. To ensure safety on the school bus, all riders must exercise good behavior and must obey the driver at all times. Conferences Parents are encouraged to schedule times to meet with their child s teacher. Teachers are available for conferences before or after school or during the teachers planning times. Teachers are unable to hold conferences with individual parents during instructional time. Discipline Good discipline is a crucial factor for a strong instructional program and for a safe school environment. Good school discipline is best achieved through a cooperative effort between the school and the home. We solicit the support of parents as we strive to create an atmosphere conducive to learning for all students. Hodge uses Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to set school-wide standards for behavior. Behavioral expectations are taught and reinforced by all school staff. Our goals are for students to be respectful, responsible, and safe in all areas of the school environment. The Student/Parent Handbook for Success (Code of Conduct) is issued yearly by the District and reviewed with students at the school. Parents are required to return the signed Acknowledgement form when they receive the handbook. Specific questions about school rules are addressed in this handbook. 6

Dress There is a MANDATORY uniform policy for Hodge: Solid navy or khaki pants/slacks, skirts, jumpers, or shorts Solid white, navy, or purple shirts or blouses Navy or white sweaters Closed in shoes Black, brown, or navy belts White or navy socks or tights Only white t-shirts may be worn under uniform shirts These items are NOT allowed: large belt buckles, patterned tights and socks, large jewelry, sandals, flip flops, sunglasses, caps, hats, and hooded sweatshirts. Coats and jackets must be worn open while inside the buildings. Failure to wear the proper uniform will result in a student being sent to the office to change. Students will call home for uniform items or borrow needed items from the uniform closet. Early Dismissal In the interest of safety, there are no early releases after 3:15pm. In the event that it is necessary for a child to be dismissed early from school, the custodial parent should send a note to the teacher indicating the date and time of the requested dismissal. A working telephone number should be included on the note. Parents then come to the school s office to sign the child out. All persons signing students out will be requested to show picture identification. Without written authorization from the custodial parent, ONLY those persons listed on the student s registration information as authorized persons may pick up a student from school. Anyone under the age of 18 is NOT permitted to request early dismissal for a student. Telephone calls requesting early dismissal will not be accepted. 7

Emergencies It is imperative that custodial parents or legal guardians complete the student registration form accurately and completely each year. It is the parent s responsibility to keep the school informed of new phone numbers, addresses, and emergency contact information. In the event of a serious injury or illness beyond the scope of the school nurse, students will be transported via EMS to Memorial Medical Center. This procedure will be used if the school has been unable to contact the parent within a period of time determined by the nature of the injury or illness. The school will continue all efforts to contact the parent or guardian. Field Trips Field trips are a part of the regular educational program. Transportation is provided by the school system. Before a student can participate on a field trip, a permission slip signed by the custodial parent must be on file in the school office. Parents may NOT accompany their children on field trips without prior approval. Permission for field trips cannot be granted over the telephone. School uniforms must be worn on all field trips. Grading, Promotion, and Retention Kindergarten The Kindergarten grading system is: M Mastery shown I In progress NE Not yet evident Kindergarten and First Grade students are promoted according to these standards: a. Adequately applies the oral/written Language Arts, Reading, and Mathematics skills taught during the year. b. Meets the requirements of the system s attendance policy. Grades 1-5 The grading system is: E - Excellent Progress 90-100 S Satisfactory Progress 80-89 8

N Needs Improvement 70-79 U Unsatisfactory Progress below 70 Failing Promotion is determined according to these standards: a. A final grade of 70 or higher in ELA, Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Health b. Meets the requirements of the system s attendance policy c. Meets the State and District assessment requirements Honor Roll Honor Roll status includes students who have met the guidelines of the attendance policy, earned a 90 or above in at least four courses from Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Health (two of which must be in Language Arts, Reading, or Mathematics), and earned at least an S in all other courses including Conduct. High Honor Roll High Honor Roll status includes students who have met the guidelines of the attendance policy, earned a 90 or above in Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Health, and earned at least an S in all other courses including Conduct. Grievance Procedures Students or parents who wish to express a grievance should first consult with the teacher. If the issue is not resolved with the teacher, the following persons should be the next points of contact: school counselor, assistant principal, and principal. At Hodge, we strive to address any concerns from parents as quickly and effectively as possible. We encourage parents and guardians to remain in close contact with the teachers and the school staff. Homework Homework is an extension of class work and is designed to reinforce skills taught in the classroom. Homework serves as a link between home and school. We ask that parents share the responsibility for making sure students complete and return homework assignments. 9

Lunch Students may purchase their lunch daily or open a debit account with the school cafeteria. Any amount can be placed on the account. Students who bring their lunch from home may buy milk in the cafeteria. The cafeteria operates on a CASH ONLY basis. Forms are available on the District website and in the cafeteria for those students whose parents wish to apply for FREE or REDUCED price meals. 2017-2018 Meal Prices Students Adults Breakfast Free for all $2.00 Lunch $2.25 $3.50 $0.40 Reduced price Media Center The Media Center books and materials are available to all students. Students are expected to return all materials by the due date and in the same condition. Fines may be imposed in the event that borrowed materials are damaged or lost. Students are not permitted to check out additional books if they have outstanding fines. Medication All medicines and drugs prescribed by a licensed physician MUST be in the original containers with the name of the patient, prescribing physician, dosage information, and name of pharmacy. All medications must be delivered by the parent/guardian and registered with the school nurse. All medication is administered by the nurse or her designee. Teachers are NOT allowed to administer medicine. A change of dosage must be indicated on the prescription bottle or by a written letter from the prescribing physician. Under no circumstances are students allowed to transport medication. 10

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Parent Right to Know In compliance with the requirements of the No Child Left Behind statute, parents may request information about the professional qualifications of their child s teacher(s). The following information may be requested: 1. Whether the teacher has met the Georgia Professional Standards Commission requirements for certification for the grade level and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction; 2. Whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency or other provisional status through which Georgia qualifications or certification criteria have been waived; 3. The college major and any graduate certification or degree held by the teacher; 4. Whether the student is provided services by a paraprofessional, and if so, their qualifications. To request information concerning the qualifications of your child s teacher(s), please contact the principal. Parent Center The school operates a Title 1 Parent Center in Room 188 staffed by our Parent Involvement Facilitator. Parents may borrow books and instructional materials which may be used at home to help their children with their academic development. Through the Parent Center, a menu of workshops and other activities are offered to assist parents in supporting their children s achievement and success. Also programs are offered to support parents in their own personal development. Parents are notified prior to all events. The Parent Center is open daily. PTA Parent Teacher Association The PTA is a vital part of our school community, meeting at least 4 times a year. We encourage all parents, guardians, and teachers to become active members of PTA. 11

Restricted Release It is crucial that custodial parents/guardians make the school aware, in writing, anytime there are situations concerning access to students, including dismissal procedures. RTI Response to Intervention Response to Intervention (RTI) is a learning process that matches general education classroom instruction to each student s learning needs. In other words, educators respond to a student s academic and/or behavior challenge with the right amount of intensity in classroom learning supports. These instructional techniques are called interventions. Progress Monitoring measures student success by frequently using check points to measure performance. Check points, including the use of standardized test results, data collection charts and/or classroom observation display an instant picture on the impact of the intervention. Interventions intensify at each escalating tier. In Georgia, educators respond with instructional interventions, through a four-tier instructional support process called the Georgia Student Achievement Pyramid of Interventions. Delivery of interventions at each tier is based on the student s success in meeting the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards. Tardiness School begins at 9:15am. Tardy students must report to the office for a late pass before being admitted to school. Parents are not permitted to walk tardy students to class. A student arriving at school after 12:30pm is admitted to class, but is marked absent for that day. A student must be present in school for a minimum of 3 ½ consecutive hours in order to be considered present for the day. Textbooks and Fines Textbooks, instructional materials, and equipment is issued free of charge; however, it is the responsibility of each student to use these items carefully. Damage or loss of items assigned to or used by students may result in fines to repair or replace the item. 12

Toys, Games, Electronic Devices Toys, games, electronic devices, and other non-essential items brought to school may be taken from students and held by the teacher or office personnel. These items will not be returned to students but may be released to parents or guardians. Transfer and Withdrawal When a student is moving out of Hodge s attendance area, the school office should be notified at least one day in advance. All textbooks and library books must be returned. The school will complete the required transfer form for the student to carry to their new school. Visitors All parents and visitors MUST report to the main office for permission to visit the school. Visitors will be asked to sign in and will be given a visitor s sticker to wear once they have been cleared at the front desk. Volunteers Parent volunteers are welcomed and encouraged at Hodge. Contact the Parent Involvement Coordinator in Room 188. 13

SCHOOL CALENDAR Students Return (Beginning First 9-Weeks Period)... Aug. 3 Labor Day (Holiday for All)... Sept. 4 Progress Reports Issued... Sept. 15 End of First 9-Weeks Period...Oct. 5 Beginning of Second 9-Week Period... Oct. 6 Report Cards Issued... Oct. 13 Progress Reports Issued... Nov. 8 Staff Planning/Student Holiday..Oct. 9 Thanksgiving Holiday Break (School Staff/students)... Nov. 20-24* End of Second 9-Week Period / First Semester... Dec. 15 Winter Break (Students)... Dec. 18 Jan. 2 Staff Planning/ Student Holiday Jan. 2 Beginning of Third 9-Week Period / Second Semester... Jan. 3 Report Cards Issued... Jan. 12 Martin Luther King, Jr Day (Holiday for All)... Jan. 15 Progress Reports Issued... Feb. 2 President s Day Feb. 19* Staff Planning/ Student Holiday. Feb.20* End of Third 9-Week Period... Mar. 7 Beginning of Fourth 9-Week Period... Mar. 8 Report Cards Issued... Mar. 16 Spring Break (Holiday for School Staff/Students Mar. 26-30* Progress Reports Issued... Apr. 13 Last Day of School... May 18 Staff Planning / Post-Planning... May 21-23 Report Cards Issued... May 25 Memorial Day (Holiday for All) May 28 * DESIGNATED MAKE UP DAYS In the event conditions cause school closures, the district may require make up days to recover lost instructional time. The 2017-18 Designated Make Up days are as follows: FIRST SEMESTER (2017): November 20, 21 SECOND SEMESTER (2018): February 19, 20 and March 26 Should additional make up days be required beyond those identified, the calendar is subject to further amendment by the Board of Public Education. 14

PLEASE RETURN THIS PAGE TO YOUR CHILD S TEACHER I have read and understand the school discipline policy and the consequences for failing to adhere to it. STUDENT CONTRACT 1) I will read or have read to me my school s rules and will follow them each day. 2) I understand there will be consequences if I fail to follow our school s rules. 3) I will come to school each day prepared (this includes having pencils, homework, etc.) 4) I will talk to my parents/guardians about my day at school. PARENT CONTRACT 1) I will spend a minimum of twenty minutes each day reading to/with my child. 2) I will make sure my child completes homework each day. 3) I will review the school s rules/consequences with my child. 4) I will make sure my child has school supplies each day. 5) I will make contact with my child s teacher either by phone, letter, or in person, throughout the school year. I/We have read the information in the Hodge Elementary School Student Handbook and agree to follow the procedures contained in it. Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date 15