2008-2009 Elementary Student Handbook

• School Day Schedule

The cafeteria and classrooms will open at 8:00 a.m. Any student arriving prior to this time will enter the school through the main office entrance and report directly to the gymnasium.

• Parents, Volunteers, & Guests

We welcome parents and visitors! We do ask that all parents, volunteers, and guests sign in at the office. You will receive a nametag to wear during your stay with us. Students will only be called out of class to visit with a parent/guardian if an emergency situation exists. Students shall not bring friends to school while school is in session.

• Admission and Enrollment

Any resident student who will be five years of age before the first day of August may enter kindergarten in our district. Those students who are six years of age by the same date may enter the first grade. New pupils to the district must present a birth certificate, immunization records, student's social security number and provide proof of residency (tax receipt, electric bill, rent receipt, etc.)

• Student Attendance

Our instruction begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. and continues through the day, concluding at 3:15 p.m. Late arrivals and early departures diminish the quality of your child's learning experiences and academic success. Parents, students, and school personnel need to be involved in pupil attendance. Our responsibility is to encourage your child to attend and participate in class fully each day. We provide meaningful learning experiences and utilize instructional time to the fullest.

The attendance policy of Seymour Elementary requires excellent attendance. Good attendance is necessary for academic success. Student attendance will be monitored closely to help ensure students have every opportunity to be successful in school.

More than two absences in a quarter are considered excessive. Absences for illness, family emergencies or death in the immediate family are occasionally going to occur. It is desirable that appointments for doctor, dentist, haircuts, visiting, vacationing and other events be scheduled outside the school day.

Parents are requested to notify the elementary school office by 9:30 a.m. on each day that your child is absent from school providing the reason for absence. The elementary school secretary will phone parents who have not notified the school by 9:30 a.m. to check on the child.

When a student is absent for the third time in a semester, a letter will be sent from the principal's office. Absence notification letters shall be sent on the fifth, seventh, and ninth absence within a semester. A printout of the student's absences will be sent with the notification letter.

On the tenth absence in a semester a district official may make a home visit.

On the twelfth absence in a semester the Division of Family Services will be notified of educational neglect on the part of the parent.

Excessive absences during the school year may jeopardize the promotion of a student to the next grade.

In the event of extended illness, hospitalization, or extenuating circumstances the principal may forego the above procedures after consultation with the student's parents.

• Tardies

Parents must help students arrive at school on time every day. Tardies interfere with your child's learning and with the instructional program in the classroom. Tardies must be avoided. If a student arrives after 8:30 a.m. they must come directly to the office to check in for the day. Tardies are counted against perfect attendance and are recorded on the student's records.

More than 2 tardies are considered excessive in a semester. After 2 tardies a letter will be sent home from the principal's office. A printout of the student's tardies will be sent with the notification letter. After 5 tardies in a semester a parent conference may be requested.

• Early Departures

Parents are responsible for seeing that their child attends a full day of school. Early departure interrupts the student's instructional program. Early departure should be limited to doctor or dentist appointments or a family emergency. Any child leaving school prior to the 3:15 p.m. dismissal must be released from the office. The minutes absent are recorded in the student's records. It is counted against perfect attendance.

• Attendance Awards

In order for a student to earn a perfect attendance award they must be present 100% of the school year at Seymour Elementary School. This award recognizes those students who have arrived on time every day, with no early departures, and no absences.

Awards will be given to those students who have 96% or better attendance throughout the school year at Seymour Elementary School. This is calculated by total minutes in attendance.

• Change of Plans for After School

Children always do best if they have a regular routine and are given the information about after school plans from the parent prior to coming to school. Teachers work diligently to see that children are placed on the bus or taken to the cafeteria for pick up. Irregular plans and frequent changes in routine for children become challenging for students and school staff.

If a child has a change of plans for after school the parent shall send a detailed note with the child to the teacher about the plans. The note should include the date, the address the child is being transported to by bus, bus number, and parent signature.

If the child is to be picked up in the cafeteria rather than ride the bus home the note should state the ate, who will pick the child up and include the parent signature.

If a note is not sent to school, the child will be sent home the established way.

In the case of an emergency, should it be necessary to phone the school with a change of plans, detailed information will be required as listed above. The school personnel must be able to positively identify the caller. In the event there is a question the parent will be required to come to the school to provide the information for a change of plans. Parents must place the call by 2:00 p.m. to ensure the message can be relayed to the teacher.

Any student who misses the bus or is not picked up by 3:25 p.m. will be escorted to the office where a parent will be notified. The child will be dismissed from the office when their parent or other approved transportation arrives.

• School Cancellations

It may be necessary to cancel school during the year because of weather conditions or other unforeseen reasons. Cancellations will be announced on the local radio station and television stations from the Springfield area. These cancellations are announced by the Superintendent. Most school personnel learn of the cancellations at the same time as you, therefore refrain from phoning school employees.

In case of early dismissal during the school day, students should have a pre-arranged plan of where to go and what to do. Parents will be asked to fill out a separate card indicating where their child will go when school lets out early.

• Lunch Information

Parents may send cash or a check to pay for meals. Send the funds in a sealed envelope with the child(ren) names, teacher(s) name, grade and parent(s) name. This account is managed by food service personnel. Students may bring a lunch packed from home.

Children attending schools within the district that participate in the national school lunch program will be provided nutritionally acceptable meals at no cost or at a reduced cost if they are unable to pay the regular price, as determined by the school superintendent's designee. Applications for free or reduced price lunches are available from the elementary school secretary upon request by the parent or guardian. Students that qualify for free or a reduced price lunch will automatically qualify for free or reduced price breakfast. Applications must be completed in order for a student to be approved for this program. 

Students who participate in this program will not be distinguished in any way.

• Counseling & Guidance Services

Services offered by the counselor include working with children individually, in small groups, and regular classroom lessons. Children may visit with the school counselor about problems at school, with friends, or at home. Classroom lessons focus on character education; including responsibility, respect, trustworthiness, fairness, citizenship, honesty, compassion, integrity, perseverance, and self-control. Some small group topics include: divorce, loss, stepfamilies, drug & alcohol, study skills, conflict resolution, self-concept, friendships and peer pressure.

Children may request to see the counselor, a child's teacher may ask for the counselor to work with the student, parents may request the assistance of the counselor or the counselor may invite the child to visit.

• Health Services

Medications--The school nurse must administer all medicine at school. Medicine will be administered at school if the following instructions are followed:

Prescription Medication: The prescription must state that the medication is to be given during the school day. Prescriptions that state "3 times a day" will not be administered at school, they can be given at home before school, after school, and at bedtime. When a student is to receive medication during school hours, the parent/guardian must provide the medication in the original prescription bottle plainly marked with pupil's name, date, name of medication, dosage, time to be administered and parent signature. Once daily medications will not be given unless it is accompanied by a doctor's written note. The first dose of a medication will not be given at school.

If a student with asthma has to keep an inhaler with him/her throughout the day, we will need a doctor's note for this: otherwise, it will need to be kept in the nurse's office.

The parent/guardian must bring the medication to the school nurse and pick up the medication. We will not be able to accept any medication from students. Students found in possession of medication will be referred to the principal.

Immunizations--State law requires students to have immunizations up-to-date in order to attend classes. The parents or guardians of each student entering Seymour Elementary School shall furnish proof that the student has been immunized. Failure to comply with this legal requirement will result in the student's exclusion from school until proof of compliance has been presented to the school nurse. Specific immunization requirements are available at the health center from the school nurse.

Illness at School--Students who become ill at school will be sent to the health center and will be seen by the school nurse. Address and phone numbers must be current in the office so that a parent may be reached to pick-up an ill child. The student must be checked-out through the school office.

Accidents and Insurance--A student should always have on record in the office a correct address and telephone number of his/her home and parent's place of employment in case of illness or injury during school. The school does not carry accidental injury insurance on students.

Pediculosis (Head Lice)--School personnel shall actively pursue the prevention and control of head lice in the district's school by developing a consistent screening and follow-up program for all students. To support such a program the following will be implemented:

1. If the school nurse or teacher should discover head lice/eggs on a student in the classroom, the parent/guardian of the student will be notified, and the student will be removed from school. All siblings of the infected student will also be checked.
2. The school nurse will instruct the parents concerning various shampoos and sprays that can be purchased for the head lice/eggs, and will also give information concerning necessary procedures to be taken in the home to ensure that the head lice are eradicated.
3. To be readmitted to school a student must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or relative, and must be examined by the school nurse. The student will at the time be given a slip to be given to the teacher, which states that there is no evidence of head lice or eggs. If eggs are still present, the student will be sent home until the eggs are removed from the hair.
4. Within six to ten days after being readmitted to school, the student will be examined again by the school nurse. If at the time head lice/eggs are found, parents will again be called and reinstructed concerning treatment of the head lice/eggs.
5. The school will keep accurate records of students infected with head lice/eggs. From these records, the school will determine the infected individuals who could possibly be the carriers of the head lice.
6. It will be the responsibility of the school nurse to examine a student who is possibly infested with head lice or eggs, and to recommend his or her removal from school, if warranted. The nurse is also responsible for recommending readmission of the student after treatment is completed.
7. If it appears the parent/guardian of an infested student is failing to secure timely treatment for the infestation after having been given notice of the existence of head lice or eggs under these procedures, resulting in a prolonged period of absence of the student from school, the matter may be reported to the appropriate family/youth services and law enforcement agencies.

• Recess Procedures

Teachers and administrators feel all students should go out for recess with their classmates, allowing them to play and socialize with their peers. Children perform much better in class when they fully participate in recess activities. In the event that a child is sick and the parent request for the student to be held inside, we ask that the request be sent in written form from the parent/guardians. It is understood, there are days when the temperature and/or wind chill may be too severe for enjoyable play at recess. On such days, recess shall be canceled in the interest of the students' health and well-being. The school nurse will make this decision based on the daily weather conditions.

• Lost & Found

The lost and found is maintained in the elementary health center. The loss of property may be minimized by placing the owner's name on every item or article, keeping valuable items and money at home, and by taking personal items such as backpacks and coats home daily. All items not claimed by the end of each month are sorted and clothing is given to a charity organization.

• Safety Drills

Drills are conducted throughout the year to teach children what to do in the event of a fire, tornado, earthquake or other emergency. Children are encouraged to take drills seriously so they would be better prepared in the event of an actual event. All personnel are trained in the proper procedures and will provide direction for students.

• Grading System

Letter grades, special symbols, and terms appropriate to the educational program, may be used to indicated student progress in grades K-5.

Grading will be on a nine-week basis. The nine-week grade will be based on factors such as: text assignments (both oral & written), class participation, special assignments, projects, research, activities of various types and kinds, homework, and special contributions. In general, the letter grade A will represent excellent work, the grade D below average work, and the grade F failing work.

• Retention & Promotion Procedures

Each stage in the education process is based upon the acquisition of skills that make further learning possible. For a variety of reasons (health, immaturity, lack of social, physical or academic skills, emotional problems, frequent or long absences, etc.) some children have difficulty acquiring the necessary skills to the extent that it would be difficult for them to be successful if promoted. In instances where retention is considered, the school staff will meet with the child's parents to explain the benefits and possible problems with retention. The retention decision should be made upon a consideration of the child's unique needs, the evaluation of information gathered and the support of retention by parents and school staff, as a way to help the child be successful in school. Students will be promoted unless the alternative retention has been discussed during the school year.

• Nonplacement Request

A nonplacement request may be made for reasons deemed appropriate by the school administration. Only one nonplacement request may be made per student for the following school year. The form must be requested in person by a parent or legal guardian from the elementary school secretary. The form must be completed according to the directions and returned to the elementary building secretary by Thursday, April 5, 2007, for the 2007-2008 school year. Nonplacement request cannot be accepted after that date. Request will be given consideration; however the final decision is the sole responsibility of the school administration.

• Student Records

In order to provide students with appropriate instruction and educational services it is necessary for the district to maintain extensive and sometimes personal information on them and their families. It is essential that pertinent information in these records be readily available to appropriate school personnel, be accessible to the student's parents or legal guardian, yet be guarded as confidential information.

• Student Dress Code

The elementary school administration, faculty, and staff believe that a student's dress has an effect on behavior. Students shall therefore adhere to the following guidelines.

• all students must wear shoes, boots, or other footwear
• class activities which present a concern for students' safety may request the student to adjust hair and/or clothing during the class period in the interest of maintaining safety standards
• hair coloring is not permitted
• headwear (hats, caps, bandannas, visors, etc) may not be worn in the building
• mesh/see through shirts or shirts exposing the midriff are not permitted
• clothing that advertises alcohol, drugs, or tobacco are not permitted
• clothing or lack of clothing that will cause disruption or undue attention to an individual shall not be worn
• clothing with profanity, vulgar or obscene language is not permitted

When in the judgment of the principal, a student's appearance or mode of dress disrupts the educational process, or constitutes a threat to health and safety; the student will be required to make modifications.

• Restricted Items

The following items shall not be brought to school unless students have obtained prior teacher permission.

• Personal music devices, walkman-headsets, game boys or other electronic devices
• baseball cards, pokemon cards and other collections
• laser lights
• chains
• cell phones and pagers
• toys

This list includes any other item which will attract attention to that item and distract from the educational process.  If items of this nature are brought to school without prior permission they will be confiscated.  Other personal items brought to school are the sole responsibility of the student.  The school district does not carry insurance on student's personal property and lost items will not be replaced by the district. 

• School Bus & Student Conduct

The safety of students during their transportation to and from school is a responsibility which they and their parents/guardians share with the bus drivers and school officials. The administration wants each student to know what conduct is expected when waiting for or riding on a school bus. Therefore, the rules of student conduct will be issued to all students at the beginning of the school year and to new students upon enrollment.

Students who fail to observe these rules will be subject to disciplinary action since their failure to do so may affect the safety of others. A student who misbehaves will be reported by the driver to the principal. Failure to follow bus rules and regulations may result in a suspension of the privilege of riding the bus. Excessive dangerous behavior may result in immediate action.

• Discipline Policies and Procedures

It is the belief of the faculty, staff and administration of Seymour Elementary School that discipline should focus on behavior which is conducive to learning, social and emotional growth. All students have the right to attend school and expect a safe and orderly environment. With rights come responsibilities that are shared by the students, school personnel, home and community.

Good overall school discipline has its basis in sound classroom management and appropriate administrative procedures. Each teacher and grade level team will administer their own classroom expectations and rules, which are grounded in Seymour Elementary School's Core Beliefs. The concept of discipline concerns itself mainly with assisting students to develop a sense of personal worth and self control with guidance and direction from the faculty, staff and administration.

• We believe that students should be responsible for solving their own problems with adult guidance
• We believe that the students should be allowed to solve the problems they create in their own way provided the solution does not make a problem for others
• We believe that students should face consequences instead of punishment whenever possible
• We believe that preserving and/or enhancing a student's self-respect and dignity is crucial to a successful disciplinary action
• We believe that discipline should be considered as opportunities for personal growth

School Rules

1. Respect yourself, classmates, adults, and property
2. Practice self-control
3. Listen and follow directions

The following interventions will be considered

• Time-out; i.e. removal from group or activity
• Office referral
• In-school suspension
• Detention (before school, lunch, or after school)
• Out-of-school suspension
• Parent contacted by phone
• Discipline notice mailed to parent
• Referral to the school counselor
• Behavior contracts

Lunchroom Conduct--Students are to follow the directions of all school personnel. Good manners, quiet conversation and calm behavior is expected while in the dining area. Every student is entitled to have meals in a relatively quiet and orderly environment.

Playground Conduct--Students are to follow the directions of playground supervisors. Students are expected to play without any pushing, shoving, kicking, and rough horse-play. The playground is to be a safe place for all students.

Hallway Conduct--Students are to move through the hallways without talking and in an orderly manner. Classes are in session and are to be free of interruptions from those passing through the hallways.

Special Education Students--Discipline for special education students will be administered according to their individual educational programs and in accordance with Public Law 94-142 and other laws pertaining to special education students.

• Textbooks & School Property

Students are to treat all school property with respect. In taking care of school property you display pride in your school.

• Parent/Teacher Conferences

Conferences are an important way to share information about your child with their teacher so that the learning program can best meet your child's needs. Student progress is enabled by involvement of parents. Phone the office to schedule an appointment with your child's teacher

• Field Trips

Field trips may be taken as a part of the school curriculum. Teachers organize and plan these events to be both educational and enjoyable.

Parents may be asked to assist in chaperoning. Parents who supervise in this capacity are unable to bring other children on the trip.

Transportation is determined by the number of students and school personnel participating in the activity.

• Public Notice

All responsible public agencies are required to locate, evaluate, and identify children with disabilities who are under the jurisdiction of the agency, regardless of the severity of the disability, including children attending private schools, highly mobile children, such as migrant and homeless children, and children who are suspected of having a disability and in need of special education even though they are advancing from grade to grade. The Seymour R-II School assures that it will provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to all eligible children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 under its jurisdiction.

• Notice of Nondiscrimination

Applicants for admission and employment, students and parents of elementary, middle school, and secondary school students, employees, sources of referral of application for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with Seymour R-II Schools are hereby notified that this institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in the programs and activities.

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which involves unwelcome behavior of a sexual or gender directed nature (either verbal, nonverbal, visual, or physical) that interferes with the ability to study, work, or participate in activities. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or education
2. Submission to or rejection of that conduct by an individual is used as a basis for employment or educational decisions affecting such individuals, or
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's employment or education or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment

Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to, verbal harassment or abuse; uninvited letters, calls, or material of a sexual nature; uninvited and deliberate touching, cornering, pinching; uninvited sexually suggestive looks or gesture; uninvited pressure for sexual favors; uninvited pressure for dates; uninvited sexual teasing, jokes, remarks or questions; attempted or actual rape or sexual assault.

The Seymour R-II School district will act to investigate all complaints, either formal or informal, verbal or written, of sexual harassment and to discipline any student or employee who sexually harasses any student or employee of the School District.

Any person having inquiries concerning Seymour R-II School compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, or section 504 is directed to contact Susan Raetz, Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator, 416 E Clinton, Seymour, MO 65746, regarding the institutions efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504.

Any person may also contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, regarding the institutions' compliance with the regulation implementing Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504.

• Notice Relative to Student Record Information

Under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, Section 99.7 the Seymour R-II School District provides the following notification relative to student records:

1. The parents or eligible students have the right to-
   1. Inspect and review the student's educational records
   2. Seek amendment of student's educational records if they believe records to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights
   3. Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's educational records (except to the extent that the Act and 99.31 authorizes disclosure with consent; and
   4. File with the U.S. Department of Education or Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education a complaint concerning alleged failures by the School District to comply with the requirements of the Act).
2. Parents or eligible students should contact the building level principal for:
   1. Request to inspect and review education records
   2. Procedures for requesting amendment of education records
3. Parents should contact the Special Services Director in regards to student records relative to Special Services.

The Seymour R-II School District will use the guidelines outlined in P.L. 90-247, Title IV, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Subpart B in dealing with the inspection or review of student's educational records. Subpart D outlines how the District will disclose Personally Identifiable Information with consent and under what conditions prior consent is not required.

• Student Directory Information

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Section 99.37 the following conditions apply to disclosing directory information:

An educational agency or institution may disclose directory information if it has given public notice to parents of student in attendance and eligible students in attendance at the agency or institution of--

1. The types of personally identifiable information that the agency or institution has designated as directory information. "Directory information" means information contained in an educational record of a student which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. It includes, but is not limited to the student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and spots, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended.
2. A parent or eligible student has a right to refuse to let the agency or institution designate any or all of those types of information about the student as directory information. (The parent/guardian must notify the school if they do not want the information released).
3. The period of time within which a parent or eligible student has to notify the agency or institution in writing that he or she does not want any or all of those types of information about the student as directory information. (The parent/guardian shall notify the school within two weeks from the date the student officially enrolled for the school year).

Disabilities include autism, deaf/blindness, emotional disorders, hearing impairment and deafness, mental retardation, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment/blindness and young child with a developmental delay.

The Seymour R-II School assures that it will provide information and referral services necessary to assist the State in the implementation of early intervention services for infants and toddlers eligible for Missouri's First Steps Program.

The Seymour R-II School assures that personally identifiable information collected, used, or maintained by the agency for the purposes of identification, evaluation, placement or provision of FAPE of children with disabilities may be inspected and/or reviewed by their parents/guardians. Parents/guardians may request amendment to the educational record if the parent/guardian believes the record is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the privacy or other rights of their child. Parents have the right to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education concerning alleged failures by the district to meet the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The Seymour R-II School has developed a Local Compliance Plan for implementation of State Regulations for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This plan contains the agency's policies and procedures regarding storage, disclosure to third parties, retention and destruction of personally identifiable information and the agency's assurances that services are provided in compliance with the General Education Provision Act (GEPA). This plan may be reviewed in the district's Administration Building at 416 E Clinton and Special Services Office located at 502 E Clinton, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This notice will be provided in native languages as appropriate.

Last revised August 2009.