School Handbook

WELCOME TO JACK ANDERSON ELEMENTARY

Welcome to Jack Anderson Elementary.  We are looking forward to working with your child during the 2007-2008 school year. Our goal is that every child will have a positive and exciting learning experience in a safe environment during the coming year.  The mission of Jack Anderson Elementary is to create a solid educational foundation where students master their academic skills in a safe and orderly environment, thus enabling them to be independent and responsible, to have a desire to learn and to become productive citizens. 

Parents are one of our major resources in helping to guarantee student success.  We look forward to working with you.  We plan to work together to help the children mature in a responsible way.  Jack Anderson Elementary School parents and teachers are working toward the same goal for each student.

If parents have a concern involving a teacher, please contact the teacher first before coming to the principal.  This will eliminate many possible conflicts and would act as a courtesy to the teacher.

We hope your experience at Jack Anderson is a very pleasant one. The administration, faculty and staff are happy to have your child to guide in the learning process.

                                                                        Carolyn Lassiter, Principal

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

OFFICE  264-5830                FAX NUMBER 824-0470

Auxiliary Number 822-3733

School phone lines are to be kept open for business and emergencies.  Messages for teachers may be emailed or left with the secretary.  Students are allowed to call parents only in an emergency.

SCHOOL HOURS

Preschool:  8:00 - 4:00 (range)

Kindergarten:  8:30 – 2:30

Grades 1 – 5:  8:30 – 3:40

Office is open: 8:10 – 4:15

JACK ANDERSON OFFICE STAFF

Principal:  Carolyn Lassiter

Assistant Principal: Dr. Nancy Glover

Secretary/Bookkeeper:  Talita Scarboro

Attendance Clerk:  Rachelle Phelps

Office Clerk: Judy Clapp

School Nurse:  Kerri Sowell

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MISSION STATEMENT

 The mission of Jack Anderson Elementary is to create a solid educational foundation that enables students to reach their full potential in an evolving world by instilling respect, independence, responsibility, and a desire for continued learning.  We want a safe learning environment where every child develops socially, physically, emotionally, and academically. 

JACK ANDERSON'S TOP TEN

1. Children need to be in school for the entire day, every day if possible.  Tardies and Early Dismissals accumulate as lost instructional time.
2. Please plan vacations and trips around our school schedule.  Several consecutive days missed take a toll on the learning process.  We have a spiraling curriculum, which basically means, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”  The calendar may be viewed on our website
3. Children are expected to behave respectfully and responsibly in all situations, including, but not limited to, interactions with all adults and peers.
4. In cases where custody is an issue, we must have a copy of the legal paperwork indicating limitations and/or rights. Pertinent information should be highlighted for easy location.
5. All visitors are to enter the building through the office and sign in.
6. Parents are not allowed to go to classrooms without prior approval.
7. Emergency phone numbers must be kept up to date.  It is your responsibility to update the information on the data card when changes or additions need to be made.
8. Food from outside vendors is not allowed in our cafeteria.  Please inform any relatives who may visit with your child for lunch.
9. For the safety of our students, the crosswalks are the only places crossing is permitted.
10. Park only in designated areas.  Reserved places are for the administration and office staff.

*NEW POLICY* – GIFTS

All student gifts (birthday and holiday) need to be sent to the child’s home.  We will not accept flower and balloon deliveries for students.  Please remember that we have 1000 birthdays during a school year.  In compliance with new school nutrition guidelines recently implemented by Sumner County, we cannot allow cupcakes or doughnuts to be served for birthdays.  Please choose low fat ice cream cups, yogurt or cookies.

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MONEY

All money should be sent to school in an envelope with student’s name, teacher’s name and purpose.  Print your child’s name and teacher’s name on all checks.  

PTO OFFICERS 

Presidents—Mandy Kato

 Co-Vice Presidents— Charity Bates and Melissa Ashley

 Co - Secretaries—Kristy Raymond and Amy Stahlhut

Treasurer— Stephanie Brown

The Parent Teacher Organization plays an essential role at Jack Anderson Elementary.   They help to provide a volunteer and support base for our school that truly enhances the quality of education our students receive.  We urge all parents to join the PTO and become actively involved in your child’s education.

IN YOUR CHILD’S BEST INTEREST

Help us to teach responsibility and independence by following the policy listed below: 

Helping your child develop active self-reliance and responsibility is one of the most healthful and constructive gifts a parent can give.  To help inspire a child’s self-reliance and to help facilitate the understanding that school is the child’s responsibility, it is in the best interest of the child that the following be observed:   

First full week: Walk your child to the end of the hall or classroom only if you think necessary. 

Second full week: Let your child out in the car rider line or you may park and walk them to the front door.  Do not enter the building unless you are a volunteer for the day or  have business with the cafeteria.  You must sign in for either of these reasons.  Any Jag Treehouse business should be conducted by entering the cafe door during Jag time.  No one should ever be in the building after the first week without a badge.  If you need to speak with your child’s teacher, please fill out a request and we will have the teacher contact you. 

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REGISTRATION REQUIRMENTS

Kindergarten and pre-registration will be held in the spring.  An incoming kindergartener must be 5 years old on or before October 1.  We require three proofs of residence in our zone, as well as the following state requirements:  Birth Certificate, Social Security #, and the green Health Card, signed in two places, immunizations and physical.  New residents that move into the Jack Anderson school zone should pre-register their children as soon as they arrive.  This will help us to plan appropriately before school starts.  FORMAL REGISTRATION DAY IN AUGUST IS MANDATORY FOR EVERYONE.  SCHOOLS EARN TEACHERS ACCORDING TO ATTENDANCE THE FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL. 

Enrollment requirements shall include three acceptable means for verifying residency.  A copy of such verifications shall become a part of the student’s record and shall be updated each year.  When a student moves, it is the student’s (parent’s) responsibility to notify the principal and to provide the required proof of change of residence.  (Board Policy JBCCA)   The school asks for three current verifications, each having the legal guardian’s name and their current address.  The residency of a student is where the legal guardian or parent resides.  This does not include family members or childcare providers.   In the event that a student is improperly enrolled in a particular school district, the parent or guardian shall be notified that the student will be asked to leave the school or school district in five school days and enroll in the correct school or school district, unless the legal guardian can procure credible evidence that the student is correctly enrolled in said school or school district.  (Board Policy JBCCA)

VOLUNTEER STUDENT INSURANCE 

You will have the opportunity to purchase school insurance.  If you do not have sufficient insurance coverage, it is recommended that you examine this policy.  A brochure will be provided at the beginning of the school year.  Applications for insurance can be made anytime during the year. The toll free number to call is 1-800-872-1953 for additional information.

ATTENDANCE

Please make an effort to keep your child’s average daily attendance up by making appointments after school and on weekends.  Partial days absent can have a cumulative effect that can hurt students academically. 

After an accumulation of five days of excused absences, the parent/guardian must file more formal documentation with the principal to assure classification as an excused absence. (Board Policy JBK-12)

A report is filed every three weeks with the attendance supervisor from the principal, or designee, listing students who have accumulated five excused or unexcused absences.  For those students who have accumulated five unexcused absences, an attendance referral and individual student attendance sheet must be attached.  Additionally, a letter must be sent to the parent/guardian that this attendance referral has been sent to the attendance department, that the student will be classified as truant on the sixth absence, and that the parent/guardian is subject to all legal consequences that may come as a result of having a truant child.  Letters at the elementary and middle school levels shall contain a warning that excessive absences could subject a student to possible retention.  (Board Policy JBK-12) 

Keep in mind that students who leave school for vacations are losing valuable classroom instructions that cannot be made-up.  If it is necessary to vacation during the school year, only one trip will be excused.  Our teachers make every effort to accommodate children who are being taken out of school for trips.  However, there is a growing problem in this area.  Work will be saved for the child to make up when he/she returns.  Students are placed under stress when they try to maintain grades when facing make-up work in six or seven areas for a period of several days.  Please consider these factors and the number of absences that your child already has when you are thinking of going out of town. 

MAKE-UP WORK

Upon request, we will make arrangements for books and materials to be picked up from the office only after 3:00.  PARENTS MUST CALL THE OFFICE BEFORE 10:00 AM TO REQUEST SCHOOL WORK FOR THAT DAY.   

*NEW POLICY – TARDIES and EARLY DISMISSALS

Because it is so important to have all our students here to begin the day on time and to avoid early dismissals whenever possible, we have the following policy:  Each student will be allowed five accumulated unexcused tardies or early dismissals in a school year. 

EARLY DISMISSALS

Parent of students leaving school early for doctor’s appointments, etc. must come to the office to sign the child out.  Students who become ill during the day may call a parent to come after them.  Each student will be allowed five (5) accumulated unexcused tardies and/or early dismissals in a school year. 

 Excused tardy or early dismissals are defined as:

• Doctor’s appointment with a doctor’s school excuse form from the doctor’s office returned to the teacher.
• Death in the family.
• Court appearance
• Calling home sick.

ANY PERSON TAKING YOUR CHILD FROM SCHOOL MUST BE LISTED ON YOUR CHILD’S REGISTRATION CARD OR HAVE WRITTEN OR VERBAL PERMISSION GIVEN TO A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE BY THE PARENT.  It is a parent’s responsibility to notify the teacher and the office if this information changes during the school year.  In cases where custody is an issue, we must have copies of any pertinent legal paperwork. 

Students are not to be dismissed early for private special area lessons (example: voice, piano, etc.) and/or sports games or practices.  A doctor’s note should be provided for each early dismissal.  DEAR time will be scheduled by each grade group.  Classroom instruction will continue until 3:40.  Please send any change in transportation arrangements in a note to the teacher in the morning.  Students are responsible for knowing how they are to go home each day.  Transportation arrangements should not be made over the phone, except in emergencies.  This must be done before 3:15.  Many times the same parent will call 1 or 2 times a week to change instructions.  This is very confusing to the child and causes an unnecessary disturbance to the child’s classroom. 

We will not call a child to the office prior to your arrival.  Please plan to arrive at school early enough for your child to pack a backpack and get down the hall.  You may also send a note to your child’s teacher asking them to be ready at a specific time. 

TARDIES

All tardy students must be signed in by a parent or guardian.  Students must be in the classrooms at 8:40.  The administration highly recommends that all students be in the building by 8:30.  STUDENTS WILL BE COUNTED TARDY IF NOT IN THE CLASSROOM AT THE 8:40 BELL.  Help your child start the day right by arriving by 8:20 when there is no car line.  Announcements begin at 8:40 and instruction begins at 8:45.  Promptness is very important.  It is very disruptive when students come into class late. 

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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 driver and must obey the bus rules.  Students who violate bus rules will be reported to the principal.   On the first violation, the student will be warned.  The second violation, the student will lose bus privileges for three days.  The third violation will be a five-day bus suspension.  The fourth violation, the student will be taken off the bus for the remainder of the year. 

• The driver is in full charge of the bus and the students.
• Students shall obey the driver cheerfully and promptly.The bus driver may assign seats.
• No profanity or shouting.
• Food is not permitted on the bus.

• Violence/horseplay is prohibited.
• Students need to remain seated.
• Keep hands and head inside the bus.
• Do not distract the driver through misbehavior.
• Respect property.
• Cross the road in front of the bus only after traffic has stopped.  Make eye contact with the driver before crossing.

Students are not allowed to carry animals, balloons, or any objects that break easily (like glass) or anything that cannot be held in the student’s lap on the bus.  Problems arising at the bus stops prior to boarding the bus are the parent’s responsibility.  All students must get on and off the bus at their assigned bus stop.  Students who disregard policy may lose bus privileges. 

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks are loaned to students for their use during the school year.  Workbooks and other instructional supplies are paid for by a student fee.  Please be sure your child’s name is written in the front of the books in the event that they are misplaced. Parents will be charged a fine for abused or lost textbooks, workbooks and library books.  This is school board policy.

 *NEW POLICY* - CAR RIDERS AND WALKERS

Parents must have a visor or sign with the child’s name.  At dismissal, car riders will load at the front of the building.  Please use a visor or sign with your child’s name on it to let us know which child you are picking up from school.  Cars should be pulled all the way down in order to accommodate as many as possible in a single load line.  Smooth, safe implementation depends on everyone.  SAFETY OF CHILDREN IS THE TOP PRIORITY.  Obey traffic signs and yellow line marking at all time.  It may be an inconvenience but it may save your child’s life.  Never pull out of line and go around other vehicles in line. We are trying to be good examples for your children at all times.  Please help us set an example by following all rules.  By doing this, you demonstrate to your children the importance of safety precautions.  NEVER CROSS CAR RIDER LANES AT ANY PLACE OTHER THAN THE CROSSWALK.  A CROSSING GUARD IS PROVIDED FOR YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY AND ANY DIRECTION GIVEN BY HIM/HER SHOULD BE FOLLOWED.  Please do not park at any other spot on the campus or on streets near the school or playground and drop your child off or ask them to meet you there.  This creates a safety risk of which Jack Anderson does not approve.    To help pick-up and dismissal continue in a safe and speedy manner, we ask that any student who can exit or enter his/her car on their own do so.  Several assistants will be monitoring both drop-off and pick-up. 

CAFETERIA

The state of Tennessee has mandated a duty- free lunch for classroom teachers. Students are supervised during their lunch period by teacher assistants.  All students are under the authority of the assistants and must obey the cafeteria rules.  Children are expected to behave in the cafeteria in the same courteous manner as at home or in a restaurant.  There is absolutely no running or breaking line.

We ask that they follow the 5 B’s . . .

BE SEATED

BE NEAT (IF YOU DROP IT, PICK IT UP)

BE QUIET

BEHAVE APPROPRIATELY

BE POLITE 

Parents and guest having lunch with students are to meet the student by the cafeteria door and to say good-bye at the cafeteria door.  Do not walk the student back to his/her classroom.  Because of our growing numbers, we ask parents to plan lunch with your child no more than one time per week. 

We encourage students on the first day of the month to buy lunch for the entire month, or at least an entire week.  Carbonated soft drinks are prohibited.  Under Federal Law as it pertains to the School Nutrition Program Regulations, vendor identification food products (Hardee’s, McDonald’s etc.) are not permitted in the school cafeteria or extension of the cafeteria.  They cannot be brought to students during school hours.Please inform relatives or anyone who may have lunch with your child. 

You may set up an account for purchase of special items.  No more than one special per meal will be sold to your child.  Your child will still be able to purchase additional entrees, milk and/or vegetables.         

LUNCH CHARGES

1.  Students may not charge for drinks, ice cream or other specials.

2.  NO MORE THAN 2 CHARGES ARE ALLOWED IN THE CAFETERIA.

3.  All meals charged must be paid within one week of that charge.  Please help your child remember his/her money.  We want to provide the opportunity for every student to purchase a lunch from the cafeteria but the school cannot absorb this expenditure.  Thank you for your cooperation. 

4.  Please make sure there is a zero balance in your child’s cafeteria account at the end of the school year.

5.  Money may be placed in a lunch account and a treat (special) account.

6.  No specials will be sold to children who have charges.  Money will be applied to the charges.

Students may eat breakfast at school beginning 30 minutes before the start of the school day.  Students should be finished with breakfast in a timely manner in order to be in their classroom by the tardy bell. 

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SNOW DAYS

There will be a snow letter kept on file in the classroom for each student explaining the procedure the parents want the child to follow concerning early dismissal.  Students may be signed out on snow days from the classroom.  Information concerning school closings will be reported on all local news media.  Phone lines will not be available for parent calls coming in or student calls home.  Our lines must be kept open for Central Office instructions and/or emergency situations.

 REPORT CARDS 

Report cards are sent home every six weeks. When letter grades are given the following scale applies:

A       93-100

B       85-92

C       75-84

D       70-74

F        0-69

This system is school board policy.

MEDICATION

Students receiving medication must have explicit directions and a note of permission signed by the parents and doctor.  A “Permission for Administration of Prescription Medicine” MUST be filled out and signed by the DOCTOR before any medication will be given.  This form is available at school. Aspirin will not be available at school. Prescriptions must be in a pharmacy-labeled container.  All medication must come to school in the original pharmacy container.  Please limit dosage at school as much as possible.

CHANGES TO STUDENT INFORMATION

Please notify the school immediately if there is a change in your address, telephone number, custody or person to contact in an emergency.  This information is very important in the event your child becomes ill, injured, or school is dismissed early.

LOST AND FOUND

Please label all your child’s belongings.  Sweaters, jackets, lunch boxes and other items that are found are turned in to the office and may be claimed there.  Unclaimed items are donated to charity several times a year. 

SCHOOL RULES

The following school rules will be observed at Anderson Elementary:                 

Be considerate

Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself                  

Walk in the halls                 

Show respect                 

Do your best

Each individual teacher may have additional rules for their classroom.

Smoking, vulgar language, profanity, weapons or bullying will not be allowed.

 DRESS CODE 

The following shall NOT be worn to school:

Caps, hats, bandanas,

Biker shorts, Muscle shirts

Cut off jeans that are torn, frayed or have holes or pockets showing through

Saggy/sagging pants

Spandex or body shirts

Leggings and leotards unless with an appropriate length top or dress

Suggestive slogans, pictures or advertisements for tobacco or alcohol on clothes

Strapless dresses or blouses

Spaghetti strap dresses

Bare midriff, halters

Shoes with pop out rollers 

Flip Flops

Clothing related to gangs

Shorts or pants with writing or graphics on the rear

Extreme hair color or hairstyles (Mohawks etc.)

Shorts and dresses must be the length of your fingers when standing for K-2.

Shorts and dresses must be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee for 3-5 grades

Mesh may be worn with T-shirts

Jewelry must not be distracting-disruptive or unsafe.

Backless shoes may not be worn; athletic shoes must be provided for P.E.

Clothing with writing or graphics on the rear end is not permitted.

Penalties - Child will be asked to change or go home.

In addition, the following guidelines shall be enforced. Student cell phones are not allowed at school.  Headphones may be used on the bus, but must be put in backpacks before entering the building.  Radios, CD players, and/or headphones that are out of a student’s backpack during instruction time will be taken up.  These items will be returned to students at a later time or parents may come in to the office to claim them. 

VISITORS

All visitors must report to the office upon entering the building.  This is true in all cases, even if you are just going to the cafeteria.  Visitors must sign in and obtain a visitor’s pass.  (Please remember to sign out when leaving.)  All visits to the classroom must be prearranged through the “Volunteer Calendar” or preplanned with the teacher for a conference during his/her planning time.  Pop in conferences are not permitted.  If you need to give the teacher pertinent information, leave it with the main office and it will be delivered promptly.   

BULLYING

With our increasing growth, we are noticing a few incidents of bullying behavior.  This may be due to the fact that more children are reporting situations to us, or possibly we have just gotten better at recognizing it.  Whatever the reason, we want to put an end to these unkind and occasionally unsafe behaviors.  No child should be subjected to taunting, social isolation or physical aggression by another student or group of students.  All staff members at Jack Anderson want to make sure that every child is safe and free from harassment.  Although the problem is still relatively small in our school, we are taking action to stop any bullying that now occurs and to prevent future incidents of bullying behavior. We will not allow a few children to make others fearful of coming to school.  We have in place a Bullying Prevention Program.  Staff members have been trained in dealing with bullying behaviors and are competent in handling situations of this nature that arise.  We are more knowledgeable at identifying bully/victim behaviors and situations.  Expectations, rules and consequences are made known to all students.  An action plan to assist both the victim and the bully has been established.   This includes a consistent plan of consequences with increasing severity with each recurrence of bullying behavior.   Every member of the “Jack Anderson community” has been asked to become involved in some way.  It may be reporting incidents, supporting and standing up for victims, or helping to reshape the behaviors of the bullies. 

With the implementation of our prevention program, it is extremely important that we know about any instance where bullying might be involved.  We cannot stop bullying if we are not aware that it is occurring.  We ask parents to talk with your children about bullying and encourage them to report to their teachers about bullies (or incidents of one child being cruel to another). Please talk to your children, too, about being a bully.  None of us want to think that our child would be the one who causes problems, but it does happen.  Children, like adults, sometimes make bad choices and must face the consequences.  Many times a child does not see their own behavior as hurtful to another, or they may feel that the other child deserved to be punished.  Let your child know what is acceptable and what is not.  Voicing your expectations to your child can make a huge impact on his/her behavior.  If we all work together on this, what a powerful impact we can have on preparing our children for the rest of their lives!

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SEARCH AND SEIZURE

Lockers and other storage areas, containers and packages brought into the school by students or visitors are subject to search for drugs, drug paraphernalia, dangerous weapons or for any property that does not belong to the student.

PARTIES

According to School Board Policy, there may be three parties at the elementary level a year.  Students may not give parties for teachers, without permission from the office.  Jack Anderson staff has chosen to have 1) Harvest Party, 2) Holiday Party and 3) The third party is at the teacher’s discretion, usually an end of the year party.  

PARKING INFORMATION

As we add students constantly our traffic flow becomes more difficult.  Be considerate of others.  Rules are to protect your children.  Here are the basics: 

1.  Never park in the fire lane (even holidays, PTO meetings or field day).

2.  Never let your children out in the parking lot or other unsupervised areas.

3.  Do not use back or sides to let students out – there is no one there to keep them safe.

4.  Please do not park in the reserved parking spaces.

5.  Never double park, even if it is just to cross the drive and pick up your child.  

PRINCIPAL’S CONCERN 

Our goal this year is to make each child at Anderson feel good about him/herself.  We want a positive classroom climate where everyone can feel safe and loved.  We must ask for your help as parents by being an example for your child.  When you do not follow procedure, your children will probably not either.   

Tardies and early dismissals are a big problem for office staff, teachers, and students.  We start instructions at 8:40 and need all students at their desks and ready to learn, not putting their books away or walking into the building.  Therefore, we ask that all students be in the building by 8:30.  Our instruction, lecture, activities and tests will continue this year until the 3:40 bell – please do not let your child miss this precious instructional time unless necessary.

VERY IMPORTANT DATES

Sumner County Board of Education

2007-08 School Calendar

Board Approved 12/13/05

I have read the Jack Anderson handbook and understand the policy and guidelines which must be adhered to in order to create a safe and productive academic environment for my child.   

 ______________      ______     Signature                              Date

_________________          ________________

Child’s Name                     Classroom  Teacher

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