Students arriving after 8:15 must check in at the Elementary Office to get an admit slip. Students that are being checked out by their parents should stop at the office and get a dismissal slip. Parents should not go to the classroom and remove their student. Parents wanting to see their student or leave something for their student should wait in the office.

NOTES TO SCHOOL

In our efforts to have better communications from home to school we are providing printed informational/excuse “A NOTES TO HALFWAY SCHOOL”. These notes have a variety of options for communications from parents to the school. Please use these notes when you send communications to school, one for each of your children. A small pad will be sent home the first day of school with each student. The elementary office will always have a supply of notes.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS

These events occur during the first two weeks of school. These are planned so that parents and students can see the classroom and meet the teacher. Kindergarten Orientation is usually held before the start of school.

BUILDING HOURS

Students eating breakfast may enter the cafeteria at 7:55. Other students may enter the building at 8:00 AM. Students must remain in the cafeteria or in another designated area until 8:05 AM. School will end at 3:01 pm. Students are not permitted in the building after school without teacher permission.

PRE-PLANNED ACTIVITIES

When you and your child are hosting an activity (birthday party, 4-H Girl Scouts, etc.) and guests will be going home after school with you or your child, on the bus or private vehicle, please send the office a list of the guests. Each guest will also need a permission slip from their home. Hopefully, this will alleviate any anxiety at the end of the school day. This includes pre-planned overnights.

GENERAL CLASSROOM RULES

1. Be in your seat when the bell rings

2. Have paper, pencil and books ready for school.

3. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself

4. Follow teacher’s directions and their classroom rules.

HALLWAY/RESTROOM RULES

1. Follow directions of staff.

2. Always walk, do not run.

3. Keep hands to yourself.

BUS CONDUCT

The bus ride, to and from school, is an extension of the school day. All rules, regulations and policies that pertain to school also pertain to the bus. Only those students who meet eligibility requirements by permanent residence inside the district will use the school’s transportation system.

1. No fighting or “horseplay” on the buses. Except for normal conversation, When boarding the bus, students shall be seated and remain in the seat until arrival at their destination.

2. Instruments, books, etc. are to be taken to the seat with the student and placed under the seat or held by the student.

3. No pets or animals in boxes, jars, or containers will be allowed on the buses.

4. Unnecessary conversation with the driver is prohibited.

5. Students are not to put head, hands and arms outside the window, nor are they to throw objects out of the window.

6. No eating or drinking on the bus without driver permission.

7. No fighting or “horseplay” on the buses. Except for normal conversation,

classroom conduct shall be observed at all times.

8. No boom boxes, radios, tape and CD players or other electronic devices will be allowed.

9. Each student shall be held accountable for any type of destruction of property (including damage to the bus or personal property).

10. If a student is discharged from the bus at a place other than his/her own home, a note from the parent must be given to the office. This note will be forwarded to the classroom teacher and bus driver.

11. The driver is in charge at all times. When on activity trips, the teacher and driver are in charge.

12. Drivers may not transport any persons not regularly assigned to the bus without permission.

13. Students may be assigned seats if it is necessary for the safety of others.

14. Obscene or Profane language, gestures, remarks, or signs will not be tolerated.

15. The possession or use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs is not permitted on the bus.

16. In the event of misconduct on the bus, the driver will fill out a Bus Misconduct Report and turn it in for appropriate action:

1. Written warning- bus driver gives to parent

2. 1st Report to office B detention, ISS, or assigned seat for a period of time.

3. 2nd Report to office -1 day off bus

4. 3rd Report to office - 3 days off bus

5. 4th Report to office - 5 days off bus

6. 5th Report to office - 10 days off bus

7. 6th Report to office B remainder of semester B by Supt.

Building administrators may in certain instance, depending on the severity of the offense, may alter or skip discipline steps.

DRESS AND GROOMING

The environment in which learning takes place exerts a tremendous influence on the students. It is our belief that cleanliness and neatness in dress will contribute to a good learning environment. Every student through his/her own cleanliness and neatness in dress will contribute to the learning environment. T-shirts with graphics, messages, or words that may be misconstrued as inappropriate and interrupts the learning environment will not be worn at school. No clothing is to be worn that suggests and/or advertises alcohol, drugs, offensive acts or displays negative concepts contrary to the best interests of the students and the mission of the school district. Except for the following guidelines, the responsibility for the appearance of our elementary students rests with the parents or guardians and the students themselves. Some general guidelines include:

1. Students are to dress conservatively.

2. Clothing which is disruptive to the educational process or which is lewd, obscene or suggestive is prohibited.

3. Abbreviated clothing including halter tops and short shorts or any item baring the midriff are not to be worn. Spaghetti strap tops and shirts with large armholes which expose the chest, muscle shirts, and/or low necklines are not acceptable attire for students in all grades.

4. Hats may not be worn in the building.

5. Clothing bearing symbols of tobacco and alcohol will not be allowed.

6. Class activities that present a concern for student safety may require the student to adjust hair and/or clothing during the class activity for the purpose of maintaining safety in the classroom.

7. Tattoos or body piercings’ that are educationally disruptive must be covered.

LUNCHROOM RULES

1. Follow directions of cafeteria staff.

2. Speak in normal tones.

3. Keep arms, hands and feet to yourself.

4. Leave your eating area as you found it CLEAN.

5. Soda (pop) is not allowed in cafeteria during breakfast and lunch.

6. Throwing of food or other objects is not permitted.

CAFETERIA

Each student is expected to practice general rules and proper conduct in the cafeteria. Students are personally responsible for any mess they have created during meal time. Food and drink products may not leave the cafeteria without permission. Failure to abide by these rules will result in loss of eating privileges and possible isolation during lunch.

CAFETERIA COMPLIANCE

Students are not allowed to have food delivered to the cafeteria/school or bring food to the cafeteria from places other than home. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has pointed out to the district in a recent audit liability issues associated with this practice. No microwave available to reheat food for student use.

NURSE’S OFFICE POLICY MANUAL

To attend school, all students must have received the minimum number of immunizations required for polio, measles mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and Hepatitis B.

Children will be required to be adequately immunized at the time of entrance to school.

Students may attend school if the immunization process has begun and is progress on a schedule recommended by the Department of Health.

It is unlawful for any child to attend public school while afflicted with any contagious or infectious disease, or while liable to transmit such disease after having been exposed to it.

School and child care personnel may require any child to be examined by a physician if they believe the child can infect others. The child may be excluded from school/child care until a physician determines the child cannot infect others, or until a recommended exclusion period has passed.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Children or staff with communicable diseases should not be allowed to attend or working a school or child care setting until they are well. By enforcing the state communicable disease regulations, excluding children who are ill, and promptly reporting all suspected cases of communicable disease, personnel working children can help ensure the good health of the children in their care.

If your child has an elevated temperature of 100 degrees or more or is sent home from school with an elevated temperature, they should remain home until they are fever free for 24 hours. Tylenol and Advil may reduce the fever, but they remain contagious to others. If your child has diarrhea or is vomiting or is sent home for the same reason, they need to remain at home until they have not had diarrhea or vomiting for 24 hours.

HEAD LICE CONTROL

The head louse is a parasitic insect that lays eggs in the human hair and scalp. Head lice infestations are endemic in the school population. While lice infestations are not life-threatening, the bites can cause severe itching and in extreme cases may cause secondary infections. When a number of head lice cases occur in a school it takes a significant amount of time away from the educational program. If children are not properly treated, including complete removal of nits, re-infestation may occur. This results in repeated exposure to the pesticidal shampoo/cream rinse and a great deal of anger and frustration. In order of protect our classroom time, we are following a “no nit” policy.

All students found to have evidence of a lead lice infestation (lice or nits) will be excluded from school attendance until treated and all nits have been removed. Parents will be given written materials that explain the reasons for exclusion, methods to teat the infestation on the hair, and in the home. There are several products on the market for treating head lice. As long as children are treated and return to school with parent/guardian without evidence of nits, they will be required to see a physician. There are some head lice treatments that require a physician’s prescription but that will be the parent’s choice. The child will be examined on return to school. Any evidence of nits will require exclusion. A log will be kept and those children who have been excluded and returned to school will be re-examined in ten days to ensure that they remain free of infestation.

Refer to - 167.181-191, RSMO

SOILED CLOTHES PROCEDURE

Students are to change out of soiled clothing as soon as possible. Students will not be permitted to sit in soiled clothing all day. This policy is intended to prevent spread of infectious organisms.

MEDICATION POLICY

With the exception of students in Special Education programs, or those with section 504 accommodation plans, the school district is not obligated to supply or administer medication to children.

I. Prescription Medication

A. The student’s authorized prescriber shall provide a written request that the student be given medication during school hours. The request shall state the name of the student, name of drug, dosage, frequency of administration, route of administration, and the prescriber’s name.

B. A parent(s)/ guardian(s) will provide a written request that the school district comply with the authorized prescriber’s request to give medication. The district will not administer the first dose of any medication. The school nurse will not, without clarification from the prescriber, administer any medication if the dosage exceeds the recommendations of the manufacturer. The parent(s)/guardian(s) will supply the medication in a properly labeled container from the pharmacy, with only those doses to be given at school, and with any instructions for any special need for storage, e.g., refrigeration. Medication supplies should not exceed a thirty-day supply.

II. Over the counter (OTC) Medications

The school will use reasonable and prudent judgment in determining whether or not to administer any medication, including OTC medications.

Parent/Guardian must supply any over-the- counter medications (Tylenol, Advil, cough drops, antacids, Pepto Bismal, cough syrup). Any OTC medications must be in their original containers. Medications must be age appropriate, we will follow manufacturers labeling.

III. Handling, Storage and Disposal of Medications

1. A parent /guardian or other responsible adult shall deliver all medications to be administered at school to the school nurse or other responsible person designated by the nurse. The medication must be in a pharmacy or manufacturer’s labeled container.

2. Expiration dates on medications must be checked on a routine basis.

3. Parent/guardian may retrieve their student’s medication from the school at any time.

4. All medications shall be returned/destroyed at the end of the school year.

STUDENT EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION FORMS

A current student emergency medical information must be kept in the nurse’s office to ensure adequate and prompt care.

All information included on the emergency medical information form is strictly confidential and must be kept secure.

PLAYGROUND RULES

* Students are to use the playground equipment in the way it is intended.

* Follow directions from all teachers.

* Do not go into the building without teacher’s permission.

* No scuffling, roughhousing, or name calling.

* Do not throw rocks.

* Do not feed or pet the animals.

. .

* MERRY-GO-ROUND: NO standing, lying underneath, hanging or dragging your body, jumping off while moving or any other procedure that would endanger you or another student.

* SWINGS: NO twisting, turning, buddy rides, slide to side, tree touching, jumping out, standing in front of or behind the swings.

* JUNGLE GYM: Do not sit or stand on top of the jungle gym.

* BASKETBALL COURT: Do not walk on retaining walls, hang from goals, push, shove, or get aggressive.

* SLIDES: Do not walk up either slide. Do not jump off slides

* BALLS: Watch out for others when throwing or kicking balls. No dodge ball. No football

STUDENTS IN THE BUILDINGS BEFORE-AFTER SCHOOL

AM SUPERVISION

There is no supervision available at school until the teachers arrive at 7:50 AM. Please do not drop off students before 7:50 AM. Thank you for your cooperation.

PM SUPERVISION

A Elementary students may be in the school buildings for Student Council, tutoring, math practice, etc. Parents please be on time when your student stays after school for an extra curricular activity. Students must be picked up promptly after activities.

B. Elementary students are not to remain after school with older brothers or sisters while these students are attending high school events such as practices or meetings. If they are waiting for a Jr. High or Sr. High game, they are to go home and return at the appropriate time.

STUDENT RECORDS

A. ANNUAL NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS

1. The district shall annually notify parents of students currently in attendance, or eligible students in attendance of their rights under the Family Educational rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and FERPA regulation by publication in the student handbook(s) or by distributing notification to the parents or eligible students at the beginning of the school year.

2. Parents and/or students may request that the district not use a student’s social security number at the time of enrollment.

B. ANNUAL NOTIFICATION OF DIRECTORY INFORMATION

1. “Directory Information is information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. The school district designates the following items as “Directory Information:” student’s name, parent’s name, address, telephone number, electronic mail address, date and place of birth, grade level, major field of study, enrollment status (e. g. full-time or part-time), participation in officially recognized activities and sports including audiovisual or photographic records of the openly visible activities thereof (e. g. artistic performances, sporting contests, assemblies, service projects, awards ceremonies, etc.), weight and height of numbers of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees, honors and awards received, most recent previous school attended and photographs of regular school activities that do not disclose specific academic information about the child and/or would not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy.

2. The district shall annually notify parents of students currently in attendance and eligible students currently in attendance of the “Directory Information” the district will release. Parents or eligible students will have ten (10) school days after the annual public notice to view the student’s “Directory Information” and to provide notice in writing to the school district that they choose to not have this information or any portion of the “Directory Information” released. Unless notified to the contrary in writing within the ten(10) school day period, the school may disclose any of those items designated as “Directory Information” without the parent’s or eligible student’s prior written consent including in print and electronic publications of the school district.

3. “Directory Information” is considered a “public record” which must be released by the district to any person who requests it under the Missouri Sunshine Law 610.010-.030, RSMO.

CANDY AT SCHOOL

Students shall not bring large amounts of candy (6oz or more) to school. It is unhealthy and disruptive in the classroom. Students who bring large amounts of candy will have it taken away and returned at the end of the school day. The second incident will result in the candy taken away and returned at the end of the year or returned to a parent who picks it up.

CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY

Students are expected to take reasonable care of all school property, which includes books, lockers, equipment, furniture and uniforms. Students shall pay for lost or damaged property. Any student who carelessly, intentionally, or maliciously defaces or damages school property shall be required to replace or repair the damaged property and may also be subject to disciplinary and legal action as deemed appropriate by the school’s administration.

8th HOUR DETENTIONS

Detentions will be served from 3:10 to 4:00pm. Parent will be given at least 24 hour notice before an detention is to be served. There shall be no talking, sleeping, drinking or eating. Students should come prepared for working during the detention.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION DRILLS

Emergency drills will be conducted routinely throughout the year. Students will be expected to remain orderly and extremely quiet during the drills. A fire drill will be the loud siren plus the flashing strobe lights at the exits. If at all possible students should evacuate the building through the front exits. A tornado drill is a long ring on the bell system. The teacher will then direct the students to the designated shelter area where students are to crouch and cover their head against the interior wall. In the event of an earthquake drill, students should listen carefully to the teacher’s instructions.