Classroom Procedures
HOMEWORK
Homework is an extension of the classroom learning process. It is one method to help students establish self-discipline and study skills. Homework is also a way to keep parents informed and involved with their child’s schoolwork. Assignments may be brief or may include long-range projects. They may be individualized for remediation or enrichment. Parents can help by encouraging their children to establish effective study habits and by reviewing homework with their child.
LATE WORK
Students who are absent will have the ability to make-up late work. Students will be responsible for msking up work in a timely manner.
Homework is an extension of the classroom learning process. It is one method to help students establish self-discipline and study skills. Homework is also a way to keep parents informed and involved with their child’s schoolwork. Assignments may be brief or may include long-range projects. They may be individualized for remediation or enrichment. Parents can help by encouraging their children to establish effective study habits and by reviewing homework with their child.
LATE WORK
Students who are absent will have the ability to make-up late work. Students will be responsible for msking up work in a timely manner.
SIMONTON PROCEDURES
DISCIPLINE
Simonton Elementary has a school wide disciplinary program. The program is strictly enforced both inside and outside of the classroom. Simonton Elementary administration supports the discipline system and assist in an discipline problems. Below is the Simonton Elementary discipline system.
Basic Discipline Plan
Step 1: Verbal Warning
Step 2: In-Class Time Out (10 Minutes) Lunch or Recess Detention
Step 3: Out-of-Class Time Out (20 Minutes) Lunch or Recess Detention
Step 4: Parent Phone Call
Step 5: Visit with Administration
* Students who visit with Administration are placed on the accelerate discipline plan for 5 days
Accelerated Discipline Plan
Step 1: Verbal Warning
Step 2: Out-of-Class Time Out (20 Minutes) Lunch or Recess Detention
Step 3: Visit with Administration
ATTENDANCE
Learning hours are from 8:50 to 3:20 daily. Children arriving after 8:50 are considered tardy. Frequent tardiness and early checkouts negatively impact students’ academic performance. Please try to schedule any appointments after school hours. State law requires that students attend school 180 days per year. Since most subjects are taught in sequence, regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school. Students are excused for the following absences:
1) personal illness 2) a death or serious illness in the immediate family; 3)religiousholidays;4)courtordersand5)Conditions which render school attendance impossible or hazardous to health and safety.
For each absentee, a written excuse explaining the absence must be brought to school on the first day following the absence. By law, parents will be notified if their child misses more than 5 days of school. The state of Georgia considers 10 absences or tardies to be excessive. Parents of children with excessive absences or tardies can be reported to local and state agencies, which will result in meeting with the Student Attendance Review Committee (SARC).
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL OF STUDENTS
Students are expected to be at school on time and not leave unless they have permission. Staff members are involved in planning, conferencing, and staff meetings prior to 8:20. Car riders should NOT arrive before this time. At 8:20 they should be dropped off in the car-rider line on the right-hand side of the school, not in the front office. This is for their safety. There is no one on duty to supervise students prior to this time. Students arriving after 8:50 should be escorted to the office by a parent for check-in. School dismissal is at 3:20. Car riders must be picked up before 3:50. After this time, car riders will be taken to the front office for parent contact. Excessive incidents of late car rider pick up will result in a parent conference with school administrators.
CAR RIDER PROCEDURES
For the safety of all students, please do not release students from cars until teachers are on duty. Students should be dropped off on the right-hand side of the building with the assistance of a staff member each morning. For their safety, students arriving to school after the 8:50 tardy bell are to be personally escorted to the office to be checked into school.
Car ride dismissal will begin before the bus riders are released. Students are escorted to the car rider room and supervised by teachers until the parent arrives. Students will not be allowed to walk from the car rider area to meet parents parked in other areas.
Please do not use cell phones while in the car rider line. Display your Simonton car rider decal in the front windshield/dash where it is easily visible. Cars arriving without decals will be asked to park and report to the office to show proof of identification (driver's license.)
Remain in your car while waiting to advance forward to pick up your child. Advance forward slowly as you approach the pick-up area, as children are entering cars and may dart out in front of you. Refrain from going around the other cars if you load before the car in front of you.
CHECK IN/OUT PROCEDURES
Students are checked in and out through the school office ONLY. Students arriving after 8:50 are considered tardy and must be accompanied by an adult into the office to sign in. Children will not be released from school at any unscheduled time without written explanation from parents and a signed “release register” on file in the office. For security reasons, anyone checking out a student must show a picture ID (i.e. Driver’s License) prior to having a child released. CHILDREN ARE RELEASED ONLY TO PERSONS DESIGNATED BY PARENTS ON THE INFORMATION/EMERGENCY CARD. This is a safeguard for all children. Early checkouts should be reserved for special circumstances and not used on a regular basis.
There will be no student check outs after 2:30p.m. in order to provide a safe and timely dismissal for all students.
Telephone, fax or email requests for check-outs will not be honored.
BUS RIDERS
Gwinnett County provides bus transportation for all students. Please help us diminish traffic problems and support our bus program by having your child ride the bus to and from school. If you have concerns about the bus route or bus safety, please call the school or the Transportation Department at 770-513-6846. Each student is assigned a bus at the beginning of the year. If you move, or your permanent transportation changes, come to the front office to fill out a bus change form.
Riding the bus is a privilege. Inappropriate behavior on the bus will result in an administrative referral and possible bus suspension.
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES
It is very confusing to young children to alternate between day care, parent pick-up and buses. Additionally, accepting changes by telephone does not allow us to provide maximum safety measures for students. For security and safety reasons, transportation changes will NOT be made over the phone, by fax or email. Should you need to change transportation arrangements, a written note with a phone number from the child's parent or guardian indicating the change in his/her transportation home is required on the morning of the change. This note should be brought to the front office by the child to be signed and verified by a schoolofficial. Ifnonoteisreceived,theteacherwillfollow regular transportation procedures for your child.
VISITORS
We welcome visitors to Simonton and hope that you will join us for lunch, special programs or class visits. For student safety, there are guidelines that all visitors must follow. All visitors who enter must report to the main office to sign in and show a photo ID. You must wear a visitor sticker at all times while on school property. During these visits, the regular school program must continue.
As a courtesy to the teacher, we request a prior appointment be made for visitation and/or conferences 24 hours in advance. If you need to meet with a teacher, please schedule a time by contacting the teacher directly. Students are required to receive 270 minutes of uninterrupted instructional time in grades K - 3, and 300 minutes of uninterrupted instructional time in grades 4 – 12.
When you leave the school, please return to the main office and enter the time of your departure and discard your visitor badge.
SNACKS
Students may bring a nutritious snack to school. In compliance with state standards, students are not to bring food from “fast food” restaurants. This includes carbonated drinks such as sodas. Please make use of the cafeteria menu when eating lunch with your child.
SCHOOL STORE
Simonton has a school store from which students may purchase supplies during the school year. This is offered as a convenience to students and parents. The location and schedule is communicated to students on the morning news. The store is open from 8:20-8:45 AM, Monday through Friday.
BIRTHDAYS
Celebration of birthdays will be observed by allowing parents to provide snacks for the class during the regular lunch time. No class birthday parties please. No birthday favors (balloons, goody bags, hats, etc.) will be allowed. Please notify your child's teacher in writing (48 hours in advance) if you plan to bring birthday snacks. No invitations for parties may be passed out during lunch.
GRADING
Progress reports are sent home the first, second, third, and fourth nine-week periods. Parent conferences are held at the end of the first grading period in October and the third nine-week grading period in February. Teachers will contact parents to schedule these conferences.
The Grades 2nd – 5th grading scale is as follows:
Excellent Progress = A 100-90
Above Average = B 89-80
Average Progress = C 79-74
Below Average Progress = D 73-70
Unsatisfactory = U Below 70
SCHOOL DRESS
Students must dress appropriately, suitable to weather conditions, and in good taste. The wearing of short shorts, halter tops, and sagging pants are not considered appropriate dress for school, and we ask that our students not wear them. Additionally, the Board of Education specifies in their policy Manual, Policy JCDB Student Dress Code, the following statement:
The wearing of or absence of any item of clothing that will distract from the learning process of other students, or offensive words, and/or design, and/or the advertising of drugs or alcoholic beverages will not be tolerated.
Optional School Uniform Attire:
Boys: Black or khaki pants/shorts (belted and tucked in at the waist,) black or brown belt, white, gold or black collar shirt and closed toe shoes
Girls: Black or khaki pants/skirt/shorts, white, gold or black collar shirt, closed toe shoes, no sandals or flip- flops
NON-INSTRUCTIONAL ITEMS
l Our school priority is teaching and learning. Non- instructional items, electronic toys, games and other devices are not permitted at school. Please make sure that these items remain at home. Students that are found to be in possession of these items at school will have them removed and given to an administrator until parent pick up.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING
In the event of school closing or early school dismissal for an emergency, the local media will be informed and parents should stay tuned to WSB 750AM radio or WSB-TV (Channel 2) for the latest information. The Gwinnett County website will also post closings. In the event of an early dismissal, students will be transported by their normal means of travel.
Simonton Elementary has a school wide disciplinary program. The program is strictly enforced both inside and outside of the classroom. Simonton Elementary administration supports the discipline system and assist in an discipline problems. Below is the Simonton Elementary discipline system.
Basic Discipline Plan
Step 1: Verbal Warning
Step 2: In-Class Time Out (10 Minutes) Lunch or Recess Detention
Step 3: Out-of-Class Time Out (20 Minutes) Lunch or Recess Detention
Step 4: Parent Phone Call
Step 5: Visit with Administration
* Students who visit with Administration are placed on the accelerate discipline plan for 5 days
Accelerated Discipline Plan
Step 1: Verbal Warning
Step 2: Out-of-Class Time Out (20 Minutes) Lunch or Recess Detention
Step 3: Visit with Administration
ATTENDANCE
Learning hours are from 8:50 to 3:20 daily. Children arriving after 8:50 are considered tardy. Frequent tardiness and early checkouts negatively impact students’ academic performance. Please try to schedule any appointments after school hours. State law requires that students attend school 180 days per year. Since most subjects are taught in sequence, regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school. Students are excused for the following absences:
1) personal illness 2) a death or serious illness in the immediate family; 3)religiousholidays;4)courtordersand5)Conditions which render school attendance impossible or hazardous to health and safety.
For each absentee, a written excuse explaining the absence must be brought to school on the first day following the absence. By law, parents will be notified if their child misses more than 5 days of school. The state of Georgia considers 10 absences or tardies to be excessive. Parents of children with excessive absences or tardies can be reported to local and state agencies, which will result in meeting with the Student Attendance Review Committee (SARC).
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL OF STUDENTS
Students are expected to be at school on time and not leave unless they have permission. Staff members are involved in planning, conferencing, and staff meetings prior to 8:20. Car riders should NOT arrive before this time. At 8:20 they should be dropped off in the car-rider line on the right-hand side of the school, not in the front office. This is for their safety. There is no one on duty to supervise students prior to this time. Students arriving after 8:50 should be escorted to the office by a parent for check-in. School dismissal is at 3:20. Car riders must be picked up before 3:50. After this time, car riders will be taken to the front office for parent contact. Excessive incidents of late car rider pick up will result in a parent conference with school administrators.
CAR RIDER PROCEDURES
For the safety of all students, please do not release students from cars until teachers are on duty. Students should be dropped off on the right-hand side of the building with the assistance of a staff member each morning. For their safety, students arriving to school after the 8:50 tardy bell are to be personally escorted to the office to be checked into school.
Car ride dismissal will begin before the bus riders are released. Students are escorted to the car rider room and supervised by teachers until the parent arrives. Students will not be allowed to walk from the car rider area to meet parents parked in other areas.
Please do not use cell phones while in the car rider line. Display your Simonton car rider decal in the front windshield/dash where it is easily visible. Cars arriving without decals will be asked to park and report to the office to show proof of identification (driver's license.)
Remain in your car while waiting to advance forward to pick up your child. Advance forward slowly as you approach the pick-up area, as children are entering cars and may dart out in front of you. Refrain from going around the other cars if you load before the car in front of you.
CHECK IN/OUT PROCEDURES
Students are checked in and out through the school office ONLY. Students arriving after 8:50 are considered tardy and must be accompanied by an adult into the office to sign in. Children will not be released from school at any unscheduled time without written explanation from parents and a signed “release register” on file in the office. For security reasons, anyone checking out a student must show a picture ID (i.e. Driver’s License) prior to having a child released. CHILDREN ARE RELEASED ONLY TO PERSONS DESIGNATED BY PARENTS ON THE INFORMATION/EMERGENCY CARD. This is a safeguard for all children. Early checkouts should be reserved for special circumstances and not used on a regular basis.
There will be no student check outs after 2:30p.m. in order to provide a safe and timely dismissal for all students.
Telephone, fax or email requests for check-outs will not be honored.
BUS RIDERS
Gwinnett County provides bus transportation for all students. Please help us diminish traffic problems and support our bus program by having your child ride the bus to and from school. If you have concerns about the bus route or bus safety, please call the school or the Transportation Department at 770-513-6846. Each student is assigned a bus at the beginning of the year. If you move, or your permanent transportation changes, come to the front office to fill out a bus change form.
Riding the bus is a privilege. Inappropriate behavior on the bus will result in an administrative referral and possible bus suspension.
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES
It is very confusing to young children to alternate between day care, parent pick-up and buses. Additionally, accepting changes by telephone does not allow us to provide maximum safety measures for students. For security and safety reasons, transportation changes will NOT be made over the phone, by fax or email. Should you need to change transportation arrangements, a written note with a phone number from the child's parent or guardian indicating the change in his/her transportation home is required on the morning of the change. This note should be brought to the front office by the child to be signed and verified by a schoolofficial. Ifnonoteisreceived,theteacherwillfollow regular transportation procedures for your child.
VISITORS
We welcome visitors to Simonton and hope that you will join us for lunch, special programs or class visits. For student safety, there are guidelines that all visitors must follow. All visitors who enter must report to the main office to sign in and show a photo ID. You must wear a visitor sticker at all times while on school property. During these visits, the regular school program must continue.
As a courtesy to the teacher, we request a prior appointment be made for visitation and/or conferences 24 hours in advance. If you need to meet with a teacher, please schedule a time by contacting the teacher directly. Students are required to receive 270 minutes of uninterrupted instructional time in grades K - 3, and 300 minutes of uninterrupted instructional time in grades 4 – 12.
When you leave the school, please return to the main office and enter the time of your departure and discard your visitor badge.
SNACKS
Students may bring a nutritious snack to school. In compliance with state standards, students are not to bring food from “fast food” restaurants. This includes carbonated drinks such as sodas. Please make use of the cafeteria menu when eating lunch with your child.
SCHOOL STORE
Simonton has a school store from which students may purchase supplies during the school year. This is offered as a convenience to students and parents. The location and schedule is communicated to students on the morning news. The store is open from 8:20-8:45 AM, Monday through Friday.
BIRTHDAYS
Celebration of birthdays will be observed by allowing parents to provide snacks for the class during the regular lunch time. No class birthday parties please. No birthday favors (balloons, goody bags, hats, etc.) will be allowed. Please notify your child's teacher in writing (48 hours in advance) if you plan to bring birthday snacks. No invitations for parties may be passed out during lunch.
GRADING
Progress reports are sent home the first, second, third, and fourth nine-week periods. Parent conferences are held at the end of the first grading period in October and the third nine-week grading period in February. Teachers will contact parents to schedule these conferences.
The Grades 2nd – 5th grading scale is as follows:
Excellent Progress = A 100-90
Above Average = B 89-80
Average Progress = C 79-74
Below Average Progress = D 73-70
Unsatisfactory = U Below 70
SCHOOL DRESS
Students must dress appropriately, suitable to weather conditions, and in good taste. The wearing of short shorts, halter tops, and sagging pants are not considered appropriate dress for school, and we ask that our students not wear them. Additionally, the Board of Education specifies in their policy Manual, Policy JCDB Student Dress Code, the following statement:
The wearing of or absence of any item of clothing that will distract from the learning process of other students, or offensive words, and/or design, and/or the advertising of drugs or alcoholic beverages will not be tolerated.
Optional School Uniform Attire:
Boys: Black or khaki pants/shorts (belted and tucked in at the waist,) black or brown belt, white, gold or black collar shirt and closed toe shoes
Girls: Black or khaki pants/skirt/shorts, white, gold or black collar shirt, closed toe shoes, no sandals or flip- flops
NON-INSTRUCTIONAL ITEMS
l Our school priority is teaching and learning. Non- instructional items, electronic toys, games and other devices are not permitted at school. Please make sure that these items remain at home. Students that are found to be in possession of these items at school will have them removed and given to an administrator until parent pick up.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING
In the event of school closing or early school dismissal for an emergency, the local media will be informed and parents should stay tuned to WSB 750AM radio or WSB-TV (Channel 2) for the latest information. The Gwinnett County website will also post closings. In the event of an early dismissal, students will be transported by their normal means of travel.