Flint Hill Elementary School Faculty Handbook
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- PARAPROFESSIONALS License Requirements for Paraprofessionals
- Teacher/Paraprofessional Relations
- Tips for Paraprofessionals
- Tips for Teachers with Paraprofessionals
- GENERAL WORK GUIDELINES Confidentiality of Student Records
- Professional Organizations
- Limit your e-mails to school business and be careful what you put in writing.
- SEVERE WEATHER or DISASTER
- 3. PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW IN SEVERE WEATHER: SEVERE WEATHER WATCH
- RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
- ACADEMICS Promotion/Retention
- NCSS Testing Calendar 2012-2013 2012
- Special Education Students
- EXPLANATION of GRADING SYSTEM
Certification A copy of each teacher’s current teaching certificate must be on file in the school office. Whenever a teacher receives a new certificate or a GACE score report, a copy must be submitted to Mrs. Carol Fink in the main office. It is the employee’s responsibility to maintain renewal of certification. Professional Learning Ten PLUs in local professional learning courses or the equivalent in college courses must be earned for renewal of teaching certificates. Forms are available on sharepoint. Teachers are also required to participate in school-based professional learning activities, which may or may not carry PLU credit. These activities are designed to support certain school goals or to meet identified school needs. Please be advised that district and school specific professional development is mandatory and cannot be exempted in lieu of college course work or advanced degree courses. This is conditional for employment in the Newton County School System. PARAPROFESSIONALS License Requirements for Paraprofessionals All paraprofessional personnel are required to participate in professional learning for license renewal. Ten PLUs are required in the next five years for license renewal. Also, you are required to recertify your CPR certification every other year. Standards of Conduct Paraprofessionals are expected to uphold the same ethical and moral standards as are required of certificated personnel. Paraprofessionals must respect confidentiality of students and the school. No paraprofessional should discuss a child’s performance with anyone outside the school, even with parents. Should a parent ask the paraprofessional a question about the parent’s child, the paraprofessional should refer the parent to the teacher. The paraprofessional should support the instructional methods and materials used by the teacher. Any questions or criticisms about these issues should be directed to that teacher and never discussed with anyone else outside the classroom. Paraprofessionals should not question school policies outside the school or in the presence of students; these matters should be referred to the school administration. Teacher/Paraprofessional Relations Paraprofessionals are hired by the Newton County Board of Education for the primary purpose of supporting instruction, not just performing clerical duties. A good working partnership between a teacher and a paraprofessional does not just happen. Both the teacher and paraprofessional must give thought and effort into developing an effective working relationship. The following tips, from training materials for teachers and paraprofessionals, have been helpful in building effective teacher/paraprofessional teams. Tips for Paraprofessionals 1) Become familiar with the teacher’s instructional methods for individual and group activities. 2) Get acquainted with the instructional materials in the classroom. 3) Observe how the teacher deals with any special needs students she/he has. 4) Make your own careful observations of student behavior, watching in particular for changes. Share your observations with the teacher. 5) If you don’t understand an assignment or responsibility, ask for clarification. 6) Be a self-starter. When reasonably certain of what the teacher wants done, don’t wait to be told. 7) When the teacher is absent and a substitute is hired, follow your normal routine as closely as you can, unless instructed otherwise. 8) Take on new responsibilities with a positive attitude. 9) Remember that communication and compromise are keys to building a strong working relationship. Tips for Teachers with Paraprofessionals 1) If the paraprofessional is new to the job, phase the person gradually into full responsibilities and offer lots of encouragement. 2) Discuss class procedures with the paraprofessional. 3) Explain your discipline techniques to the paraprofessional. 4) Keep the paraprofessional informed about special events, such as field trips, testing sessions, and other activities. 5) When you are absent, let the substitute teacher know what the paraprofessional’s responsibilities are. 6) Acquaint the paraprofessional with the special needs of your students; suggest ways she can help in meeting those needs. 7) Encourage initiative. Recognize the paraprofessional’s skills and talents and put them to good use when assigning tasks. 8) As soon as possible, handle any problems that arise in the paraprofessional’s job performance or in your relationship. Don’t wait for a formal evaluation.
GENERAL WORK GUIDELINES Confidentiality of Student Records A student’s permanent record should only contain objective materials such as grades, test scores, etc. No subjective teacher comment should ever be placed in a child’s record. The confidentiality of student records is protected by local and state policies and by federal law. Contents of such records should never be discussed with anyone other than the parents of the child, another teacher with a need/right to know, an administrator, or other school personnel (e.g., school social worker, psychologist, etc) with a need/right to know. Telephone The school telephone is a business phone. Students are not allowed to use the telephone. Teachers and paraprofessionals should not make personal calls at school unless absolutely necessary. No long distance calls will be placed from the school phone without the principal’s prior approval. No teacher or paraprofessional will be called out of class to receive a telephone call except in cases of emergency. Staff members are not to use telephones on secretary desks. Solicitations Employees may not solicit for memberships (except in professional organizations) or subscriptions, or conduct any other business, including selling any items, on school premises. Unless they are selling educational materials for a recognized vendor, persons who are not employees may not sell any items or services on school premises unless given express permission to do so by the superintendent or the board. Employee mailboxes should also not be used for advertising any products or services. If you would like to distribute advertising flyers for some product or service (e.g., Tupperware or jewelry party), you may go to individual classrooms after working hours to deliver information to your peers. Items of interest may also be placed on the bulletin board in the teachers’ workrooms.
The administration will issue keys to each teacher for the areas where the teacher has direct assignments or responsibilities. Teachers are responsible for keys issued to them. Keys should never be loaned to students and must be turned in at the end of the school year. In the event a key is lost, the assistant principals should be notified immediately. By school and school system policies, teachers may not have unauthorized duplicates made of any school keys. These keys include classroom, built in cabinets, rolling cabinet, and desk. Professional Organizations All teachers, paraprofessionals and other school employees are encouraged to affiliate with a professional organization. Both the Georgia Association of Educators (G.A.E.) and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (P.A.G.E.) provide liability insurance as a benefit of membership. Although the school system does maintain some liability insurance coverage for employees, that coverage is limited in amount and in situations to which it can be applied. It is in every employee’s best interest to obtain comprehensive coverage through professional organization insurance. Both G.A.E. and P.A.G.E. offer membership to certificated personnel and, at a reduced rate, to support personnel, such as paraprofessionals, secretaries, food service workers, and bus drivers. See the building representatives of these organizations for additional information.
Each teacher and paraprofessional is assigned a mailbox in the office hallway and an e-mail address. All employees are expected to check and empty their mailboxes upon arrival each day, around lunch hour or during planning time, and before leaving every afternoon. Limit your e-mails to school business and be careful what you put in writing. EMERGENCY DRILLS 1. SIGNALS and/or ALARMS: a. FIRE DRILL - A continuous ringing of the fire alarm system or an announcement over the intercom will begin this drill. In the event of electrical failure, a messenger will be sent from the office. b. SEVERE WEATHER or DISASTER - An announcement over the intercom or three intermittent signals on the bell system will signal this drill. In the event of electrical failure, a messenger will be sent from the office.
a. Each teacher has posted in the room a map of the building showing the selected exit to go through in case of fire. b. The students should leave the class in a single file line. Each teacher should designate one person at the front of the line to lead the line out and one at the rear to count the students as they leave. It is the teacher's responsibility to ensure that no student is left in the building. c. All doors and windows should be closed. d. All drills must be carried out with absolute silence. e. Teachers should lead students to their designated evacuation area at least 500 feet away from the building. f. Teachers should carry class roll book and signal cards (green and red laminated sheets) with them. Call roll to determine if all their students are out of the building. If all students are accounted for, hold up the green signal card. If you are missing a student, hold up the red signal card. Your zone leader will tell you when the signal cards may be put away. g. Following the building evacuation, personnel and students will move back to classes or be sent home as determined by the principal. h. Fire drills are conducted once per month. i. All personnel should become aware of the locations and operation procedures of the fire extinguishers. 3. PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW IN SEVERE WEATHER: SEVERE WEATHER WATCH: a. In each room, a map has been posted showing the selected area to use in case of storm or disaster. b. Each teacher has a designated area to report to in case the alarm is given. This area would be in the hallway in the area where the supportive structure is best away from glass or loose objects. c. The teacher will prop open doors between classroom and hallways. d. Review WARNING procedures with students (designated areas and safety position).
e. This drill must be carried out in absolute silence. All people involved should remain calm and silent. f. Move the students to their designated areas, taking your class roll book. No one will be allowed to stay in the portable classrooms. g. Have the students take the safety position: kneel on the floor, head down between knees, with hands clasped behind neck. Coats and jackets could be used to cover heads, arms and legs for protection from flying debris. h. Call the roll and account for all students. Report missing students and any injuries to the office so that first aid and/or medical attention can be given. i. Wait for further instructions from local Civil Defense for procedures and/or evacuation. One long ring of the bell will end this drill. During a severe thunderstorm watch or warning, all outside recess and P.E. classes will be canceled. (Lightning may be a threat even if there is no wind or rain). During severe weather (an actual severe thunderstorm, a severe thunderstorm warning, a tornado warning), occurring during dismissal time, students will be held at school under supervision and in safe areas until the severe weather passes or until parents come for their children. School buses will continue to operate during tornado watches, but not during tornado warnings. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS a. Severe Thunderstorm Watch - review severe weather plan of operation. b. Severe Thunderstorm Warning - relocate all students from portable classrooms to main school building. c. Tornado Watch - review tornado plan; teachers should review plan with the students. EMERGENCY PLAN In the event that a true or perceived emergency occurs at Flint Hill Elementary School: 1. Remain calm and clear-headed so that you can follow the procedures. 2. Secure order within the classroom or other environment. 3. Assess the situation. 4. If the injury or illness seems at all serious, send for help or have the nearest available professional staff member (or adult, if no professional staff is nearby) supervise your class until you can return. 5. Notify the principal or assistant principal as soon as possible. If both administrators are unavailable, notify the school secretary or counselor. 6. Do NOT move the child unless absolutely necessary to prevent further injury. Depending on the emergency, it may be more appropriate to move the rest of the class 7. If neither the office personnel nor the specific teacher involved can handle the situation, immediately notify, as needed: 1. EMTs 911 2. Fire Department 911 3. Police Department 911 8. Locate the student's emergency form, permanent record or adult’s personnel file to notify indicated party in an emergency situation.
SECTION II Student-Related Policies
Section 2 Table of Contents Academics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Promotion/Retention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Standardized Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Newton County Elementary Testing Schedule . . . . . . . . . . 38 Special Education Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Grading System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Explanation of Grading System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Report Card Due Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Textbooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Issuing Textbooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Lost/Damaged Textbooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Community Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Field Trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Student Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Tardiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Early Departures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Partial Absences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Student Discipline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Discipline Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Documentation of Student Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Student Health and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Illness at School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Medication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Accident Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Building Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Child Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Drug Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Promotion/Retention Specific Procedures: 1) If a student is not making normal progress, the teacher should establish close communication with parents about the child’s difficulties early in the year so that the school and home can work together in helping the child achieve greater success. 2) Since the rates of development among young children vary greatly and can change rapidly, discussions about possible retention recommendations should not be made before winter break. 3) If a teacher believes that a student is not making adequate progress toward promotion to the next grade, consult with the administration and instructional coach no later than the beginning of the second semester. 4) A decision to recommend retention should be made by the teacher and the RTI Team only after interventions have been conducted and other options and possibilities have been explored. The principal will participate in this decision. 5) The teacher will discuss possible retention with the principal prior to discussion with the parent. 6) Discussion about possible retention should begin with parents the second semester. Such discussions should be held on several occasions so that parents can think about and voice all of their concerns. A letter acknowledging a possible retention must be sent no later than March.
RTI.
portion of the CRCT in grade three will be retained as mandated by state. law. In addition, fifth grade students who fail to meet or exceed grade level standards on the reading and math portions of the CRCT will be retained as mandated by state law. However, an appeals process is in place in our county. Standardized Testing The Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS) will be used to assess all kindergarten students throughout the school year. Students in grade 2 will take the CogAT this year. Students in grades 3 and 5 will also participate in the GA Writing Assessment each year. All students in grades 1 and 2 will be given an instructional assessment in reading, language arts, and mathematics. Students in grades 3-5 will be given the CRCT in reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Standards tested on the CRCT will be provided to each teacher. It is the responsibility of each teacher to see that skills and concepts of his/her grade level that are tested are taught to students. Under no circumstances, should the actual test items be taught or revealed to students prior to testing. If students learn the skills and concepts, they will be better prepared to answer the test items. Teachers are also expected to prepare students for testing by teaching test-taking skills. Students’ score reports on standardized tests are filed in each student’s permanent record and should be utilized in planning instruction. All teachers are expected to examine the score reports for each child in their class. The reports are itemized, with varying degrees of specificity, to inform the teacher of each student’s areas of strength and weakness, and they will help the teacher design instruction to meet the needs of each student. If you need any assistance in the interpretation of score reports, please consult the administration or instructional coach. NCSS Testing Calendar 2012-2013 2012
2013
CRCT Dates are subject to change. Special Education Students Any regular classroom teacher or resource teacher who has any special education student in his/her class for any part of the day is responsible for reading that child’s psychological evaluation report and familiarizing him/herself with the child’s individual educational plan (IEP), particularly that section which provides recommendations for the classroom teacher and accommodations for the student. Teachers should feel free to consult the student’s special education teacher for recommendations or further information about the student’s needs. All teachers are required to attend I.E.P. meetings as scheduled for their students. The regular classroom teacher and special education teacher shall do the grading of a student receiving one or more special education services jointly. If the student is in danger of failing, contact the student’s special education teacher to discuss the need for additional interventions. (i.e. the “teacher of record” will assign the grade for the specific subjects which he/she teaches.)
The following chart outlines the grading practices of the Newton County School System. Progress reports will be sent home each nine weeks to notify parents of their child's current academic and social development. Teachers will schedule at least two conferences during the school year on specially scheduled school conference days to discuss a child’s progress with his/her parents. Other conferences may also be requested. Please make every effort to attend conferences requested by school personnel. Each child's academic and social growth depends upon strong support and encouragement from parents! EXPLANATION of GRADING SYSTEM The following grades are given in grades K-3: (3 = Consistently and Independently Meets or Exceeds Standards; 2 = Ongoing Progress Towards Meeting Standards; 1 = Limited or No Progress Towards Meeting Standards); S = Satisfactory; P = Progressing; N = Needs Improvement. In grades 4-5 the following grades are given: A = 90 – 100; B = 80 - 89; C = 75 – 79; D = 70 – 74; F = Below 70 and S = Satisfactory; P = Progressing; N = Needs Improvement. SUBJECT GRADE LEVEL GRADE ASSIGNED Reading 1-3 3, 2, 1 (Grade 2 - S, P, N also) 4-5 NUMERICAL GRADE 70-100 or F Language Arts 1-3 3, 2, 1 (Grade 2 - S, P, N also) 4-5 NUMERICAL GRADE 70-100 or F (Language Arts includes writing, grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking, viewing and problem solving.) Spelling 1-3 3, 2, 1 (Grade 2 - S, P, N also) 4-5 NUMERICAL GRADE 70-100 or F Mathematics 1-3 3, 2, 1 (Grade 2 - S, P, N also) 4-5 NUMERICAL GRADE 70-100 or F Science/Health 1-3 3, 2, 1 (Grade 2 - S, P, N also) Science/Health 4-5 NUMERICAL GRADE 70-100 or F Directory: Portals Portals -> Draft I film Screening Portals -> Black History Academic Bowl arts & entertainment Portals -> Setting the Table for a Successful Season Download 433.78 Kb. Share with your friends:
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