Handbook

Principal's Message

Education at Munford Elementary is designed to meet the needs of each individual student. The staff and community of Munford Elementary believe that every child is a unique and special individual who can learn. We believe that it is our responsibility to serve as facilitators for the nurturing and developing of every child's maximum potential: academically, physically, socially, and emotionally. We are committed to providing opportunities, which will assist the students in making self-directed, realistic, and responsible decisions when solving problems that may confront them in our ever-changing world.

Ultimately, each student will gain from school according to the effort he/she applies. To increase the degree of educational success, it is very important that teachers, parents, and administrators communicate openly and frequently concerning the progress of students.

We all want the best for your children, but we are not enough. You, the parents, must play a key role in the education of your children. Your words of encouragement, hugs when the day has been rough, your interest in your child’s work, and your presence at school are vital!

Parents count! Come to school, meet us, talk to us, join PTO, and volunteer your time and energy. Your involvement will show your children that you value their education. Let’s work together.

The Importance of Being Positive
Much has been written and spoken about the power of positive people. The research is clear; when we expect the best, we are more likely to get it. This is especially true of students. When we set high expectations and reward good behavior, we are much more likely to see students doing good things for themselves and for others.

At Munford Elementary, believing in ourselves is the first step toward success in other fields of endeavor. The staff believes that when students see themselves succeeding, they will strive for a higher level of expertise each day. Our goal is to teach our students self-management skills that are based on success. We will be working with our families to maximize each student’s opportunities for reaching his/her goals.

We believe in encouraging consistent behavior by rewarding positive student behaviors. Our effort is to “catch them being good.” In this way, we hope to help children to become positive, self-confident people who will become credits to their families, school, and community.

To this end, the faculty and staff of Munford Elementary pledge themselves to making every opportunity available for students to be successful each day and to the development of behaviors that are good for themselves and others. We further pledge ourselves to making sure that every day each student will have something to be proud of when he/she goes home.

Attendance Policy Adopted By The Tipton County Board Of Education
The Tipton County Board of Education recognizes that good attendance is considered a necessity to achieve success at the elementary level. Therefore, the following policy regarding absenteeism has been adopted:
• Elementary students will be permitted a maximum of 20 days absences during a school year. Any student who exceeds the maximum may be retained in his/her present grade. A hearing committee will be established in each school to deal with appeals due to unusual circumstances.
• Students with an aggregate of five unexcused absences will be in violation of the compulsory attendance law. Parents of these students will be notified that they are in violation of the law and will be referred to the Covington-Tipton County Truancy Board.

Munford Elementary School Attendance Policy
School attendance constitutes one of the most important phases of a student’s school record. Not only does it indicate individual dependability, but it is also necessary for the smooth functioning of the school’s educational program. Inconsistent attendance is recognized as having a disruptive influence on the regular classroom activities. In order to meet the educational needs of the individual student and to best serve the overall school program, all available resources will be used to encourage students to attend regularly.
• Following absence from school, students are required to present a parent/guardian signed note to the child’s homeroom teacher, stating the reason for the absence.
• The homeroom teacher and principal excuse absence from school. Make-up work will be permitted for the following reasons: personal illness, death in the family, doctor/dental appointments, and school related activities. (See county-wide handbook)
• Unexcused absence from school results in no make-up work for students.
• Students should know how they will be going home BEFORE they come to school each day. If the routine has been changed, send a note stating your child’s name, the person’s name and address to which they are going, a phone number to that address, and a phone number where you can be reached. The principal must sign this note and a copy kept in the office. Without this information we will not be able to let your child go.
• Only emergency dismissal changes will be accepted after 1:00 p.m.

School Arrival and Checking In And Out Of School
Students should arrive at school by 7:45 to ensue that all classes begin by 8:00.
Students arriving after 8:00 are tardy and are to report to the office for admittance to classes. Parents are to sign students in and indicate the reason for being late. Students leaving during school hours must be signed out through the office by the parent or guardian. Four unexcused tardies or four early checkouts during school hours will equal one day’s absence.

Enrollment
New students may be enrolled when they arrive in the district. This will be done in the school office. Be sure to bring the following information with you when you enroll your child:
• A certified birth certificate
• Immunization record on Tennessee green card
• Social Security card
• An exact address and proof of that address
• New students should bring their most recent report card or withdrawal paper
• Documentation if the parent’s last name is different from the student’s last name

Emergency Information
In case of emergency, each student is required to have on file at the school office the following information:
• Parent(s) or guardian(s) name
• Complete and up-to-date address
• Home phone and parent work phone
• Emergency phone number of a friend or relative
• Physician’s name and address
• Medical alert information
• Authorized person(s) allowed to pick up your child

Illnesses
• If a student becomes too ill to remain in class, we will reach you by phone and recommend that you come to school and pick up your child. We must have an updated, working phone number on the emergency contact card. We have some temporary facilities to help comfort the sick child while he/she is waiting. However, transportation cannot be provided for sick children. If your child is ill, please do not send him/her to school.
• A student that contracts a contagious disease or condition, such as pink eye, chicken pox, ringworm, impetigo, or pediculosis (head lice) will be sent home from school and must have a doctor’s statement stating that the condition is corrected or the disease is cured before returning to school.
• Students must have been free of fever for 24 hours before returning to school.

Medications
Some students may need medication during the school hours. The following procedures must be followed:
• An Authorization for Medication form must be filled out and signed by the parent. This form is available in the office from the school nurse and in the Tipton County student handbook.
• If your child is to be given medication during the school hours, all medication must be brought to the school nurse with written directions from the physician indicating frequency and dosage of the prescribed medication. The medicine must be in the original container prepared by the pharmacist. Also mentioned should be the condition for which the child is being treated.

School Injuries
Students injured at school should report to a teacher for any needed assistance and an accident report submitted by the supervising teacher as soon as possible. As a matter of school record, all injuries occurring at school and requiring professional medical attention must have been properly reported to school officials before insurance claims can be verified.

School Age Child Care
The School Age Child Care (SACC) 837-5769, is available at a reasonable cost for students who need supervised care before and after school. It operates mornings from 6:00-7:15 and in the afternoons from 3:15-6:00. Please check with the office for further information and rates. All students arriving before 7:00 must be enrolled in SACC.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
The MES PTO actively supports the school program through fund raising, as volunteers, and by sponsoring special events. All parents are urged to our join PTO in supporting M.E.S.

School Visitors
• Parents are always welcome to visit the school. Conferences with a teacher should be prearranged with a 1-day notice. Teachers and students work on a planned schedule and program. Unnecessary interruptions consume time and hinder learning.

• Any person entering the building during the school day should come to the office,
sign in and obtain a visitor’s pass before going to any other part of the school. No students will be permitted to leave the building with a visitor unless the parent has given prior permission.

School Supplies
Grades K-5 will be serviced before school in the homerooms for student supplies. Two supply carts
run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. No rolling backpacks are allowed.

Textbook Compliance Forms
Textbook Compliance Forms are required to be signed by the parent/guardian before textbooks are issued to students.

Library And Material Center
Library books may be checked out for one week. Reference books should be used in the library. A fine may be charged for lost or damaged books. All fines must be paid before report cards are released.

Promotion and Retention
Promotion and grade placement are based on the recognition that each child is unique. Therefore, when the teacher is considering promotion or retention, attention is given to all aspects of the student’s development of the learner’s potential. For promotion, the student must demonstrate:
• Mastery of at least 70% of the current grade’s tested basic skills in reading and math
• Satisfactory grades in the other subject areas
• Satisfactory attendance in compliance with the Tipton County Board of Education (no more than 20 absences)
• Acquisition of the work habits and maturity for successful performance at the next grade level, according to the teacher’s judgment based on documentation.

Student Dress Code
While the school does not wish to dictate to parents how to rear their children, we do feel a keen sense of responsibility to offer the very best educational climate, free from distractions. Extreme methods of dress and “unusual” grooming habits are distracting to the best educational program. In extreme cases of dress the student will be sent home to make corrections.

Any school attire must be a least knee length regardless of any other clothing worn on the lower portion of the body. The following items are not acceptable school attire:
• Caps, hats, or head covering of any type
• Sunglasses
• Biking shorts
• Flip Flops
• Shirts that show the stomach
• Any material made from spandex
• Mesh shirts, tank tops, or cutoff tops
• Shirts and other apparel that promote the use of consumption of alcohol and/or drugs or apparel that displays a suggestive or inappropriate message
• Writing on the rear of pants
• Articles of clothing that are ripped or torn in a manner that would make them inappropriate

The above list is not all-inclusive. For the orderly and efficient operation of the school, the school administration may determine other attire to be inappropriate as situations arise. If there is a question as to whether an article of clothing is appropriate for school wear, please contact the school.

Field Trips
Field trips within our area and to nearby points of interest are scheduled by various classroom teachers throughout the year. These trips are designed to supplement different aspects of the classroom curriculum and to introduce students to the resources of the community. Parents will receive notices of field trip well in advance of the scheduled trip date and must sign a field trip permission form for their child to attend. Sometimes a fee may be requested from each student to help defray the cost. No money will be refunded. No other siblings may attend. Permission slips must be turned in 2 days prior to the trip. There will be no exceptions made. Those students who do not meet this deadline will not be allowed to participate in the trip. Students may go on field trips with their club or class only. There will not be any refunds for field trip monies paid for students or chaperones who cannot attend. Field trips are a privilege and students may not be able to attend if their behavior is unsatisfactory.

Bookkeeping Policy: Insufficient funds or closed account returned checks will be held for three working days until arrangements can be made for an alternate means of payment. If payment has not been received after 3 working days, you will be charged a $20 returned check charge. Separate checks must be written for some school related items. We cannot accept checks that combine cafeteria, PTO, and school general fund in one check.

Homework
Homework is assigned to give students extra practice in their studies. Our staff plans well-designed homework assignments that relate directly to class work and extend student learning beyond the classroom. You are encouraged to help your child set a time and place for completion of homework assignments. You may also help by listening to your child read and by taking an interest in the school day happenings.

School-Wide Discipline Plan
We believe that all students can behave appropriately while at school. We will allow no student to stop the teacher from teaching or prevent other students from learning.
Each classroom establishes rules, rewards, and consequences. There are also guidelines for out-of-class behavior in halls, bathrooms, cafeteria, and on the playground.
The choice of behavior is the student’s. Appropriate behavior will be rewarded. Students may receive praise or special activities or positive phone calls to parents.

Student Behavior
Education cannot proceed without good discipline. It is imperative to the success of the entire school program. As a working definition, good discipline may be described as the absence of distractions, friction, and disturbances that world interfere with the optimum functioning of the individual, the group, and the total school program. The following are local school rules and regulations which are intended to provide the proper educational atmosphere.

All students are under the supervision of all school personnel during the school day and its related activities.
Permission: All students have a daily schedule to follow. Any exception to this schedule must have specific teacher permission such as restroom, water fountain, and office permission.

School Rules
• Be respectful
• Be Prepared
• Be Safe
• Follow Directions
• Stop and Think
Students who do not follow the general guidelines outside of their classroom will be corrected immediately by the observing staff member. Students are expected to respond with respect, referring to the first guideline. Conduct grades for all students are S, S-, N and U.

School and Classroom Rules
• No personal grooming in any area except the bathroom
• Good posture is expected
• Each student should have an assigned seat
• No playing or trading cards
• No radios or computerized games
• No sitting in or hanging out of windows
• Textbooks, paper, pencil and other materials as required by the teacher are to be brought to class by each student.
• No gum
• No writing utensils in the restroom
• No loitering in restrooms

Lunch Procedures
Free lunch applications are issued to all students entering school for the first time during the school year. Applications must be filled out completely and signed before the final approval. The regular price of lunch is $1.75 Tickets may be purchased on a weekly basis for $8.75.
Students who bring lunches may buy milk or fruit juice. Please encourage your child to participate in the school lunch program because of the many benefits and nutrition education.

Cafeteria Rules
• Speak in quiet voices
• Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
• Find a seat in your assigned area, remain seated, and raise you hand for assistance

Consequences for Inappropriate Cafeteria Behavior
• Warning by monitor or teacher
• Eat by yourself at time-out desk for one lunch period
• Go to principal or assistant principal

Principal’s Discipline Program
When a child is sent to the principal for disciplinary consequences, it is regarded as a serious matter. There will be a record of the student’s visit made by the principal or assistant principal. Procedures and consequences outlined in the Tipton County Student Handbook will apply. It is in the best interest of elementary students that home and school work together for the child’s education. We will be in close contact with parents concerning the progress of their children in school.

School Dismissal
Students are dismissed by the following groups each day as announced by the office intercom system. Principal permission is required in order to change dismissal groups.
First load bus students are dismissed at 2:40. Walkers and riders will be dismissed at 2:30. Second load bus students are dismissed as their buses arrive.
All car riders must be picked up and dropped off at the parent pick-up area. Vehicles using this area
must obtain a Parent Pick Up pass to be placed in the car window.

Bus Route Assignments
Students must choose one bus route to ride for the entire school year. Exceptions will be made for the
following reasons only:
• Change of address (Verification must be provided)
• Change of custody (Court documents must be provided)
• Other (Must meet with an administrator)

Phoning the School to Make Transportation Changes
Our secretary is unable to verify the caller when changes to a students’ dismissal routine are made by
phone; therefore, we will not be able to accept phone calls requesting a change to a student’s
transportation arrangements. If you have an extreme emergency, you may speak to one of the
Munford Elementary administrators.

School Bus Conduct
Proper behavior on the bus is required of all students in the interest of safety for all passengers. The cooperation of parents is required to assure students a safe ride to and from school.

The school administrator will take the following steps when a violation of the Tipton County School Bus Conduct Code occurs:
• Step #1: Probation, corporal punishment or 3-day bus suspension
• Step #2: Five-day bus suspension
• Step #3: Ten-day bus suspension
• Step #4: Six-weeks bus suspension
• Step #5: Loss of bus riding privilege for the remainder of the school year.

The Step Discipline Program Explanation:

When a student violates the SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT CODE, the principal or assistant principal will place the student at the appropriate STEP level. If the student, during the probation period, violates any SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT CODE, the student advances to the next STEP. If the student does not violate any SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT CODE during the probation period, the student will be removed from the STEP procedure.
Consequences Probation Period

(a) failing to load or unload in an orderly manner STEP #1 6 WEEKS

(b) distracting the driver’s attention with loud talking, laughing, or unnecessary confusion STEP #1 6 WEEKS

(c) eating and drinking on the bus while en route to and from school STEP #1 6 WEEKS

(d) cluttering up the aisle with books, lunch boxes, etc. STEP#1 6 WEEKS

(e) smoking on the bus while en route to and from school STEP #1 6 WEEKS

(f) using vulgar, obscene language, or threatening language, failing to treat bus equipment carefully and
maliciously destroying bus equipment and property STEP #1 6 WEEKS

(g) refusing to obey the instructions of the bus driver STEP #1 6 WEEKS

NOTE: Any other violation of the STUDENT BUS CONDUCT or CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT not covered in this code will be referred to STEPS 1-7 under the CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT, DISCIPLINE PROGRAM FOR GRADES 6-12 TIPTON COUNTY SCHOOLS.