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Tarpon Springs Elementary 2010 - 2011 PARENT INFORMATION Region II Pinellas County Administration Bldg. (727) 586-1818 ABSENCE A note explaining a child's absence is expected the day the student returns to school. Should a student be out of school for family/personal reasons for a prolonged period, advance notice should be given to the office. Class work may be required to be made up during or after the absence according to the arrangements made with the teacher. Regular attendance is expected. Homebound instruction is available for students who are absent for long periods of time for health reasons. APPOINTMENTS If a student must leave school early, he/she must be picked up by the parent or guardian at the school office. The child must be signed out. The child will be called from class when the parent arrives in the office. No child is to leave the school grounds at any time without permission from the office staff. Parents picking up a student during lunch need to obtain a visitor pass from the office and sign their child out. ARRIVAL Students not in class at 8:35 a.m. will be marked tardy and must report to the office for a tardy slip. Tardies are a major problem. Please make an effort to have your child here on time. BULLY PREVENTION As part of an overall safe school plan, Tarpon Springs Elementary School will provide an environment free from bullying and harassment. BUS TRANSPORTATION The bus driver has the responsibility for the safety and conduct of students riding the bus to and from school. Students should obey their driver at all times. Any student who persists in disorderly conduct on a school bus shall be reported to the principal by the driver and may be suspended from the bus. Should an emergency develop due to the conduct of students on the bus, the bus driver may take appropriate steps for the safety of all the students. Students should know the arrival time of their bus and be ready. Drivers will make every attempt to be on time. Children who live more than two miles from school will be transported by bus. Students must ride only their own bus and nonbus-riding students may not ride the bus (for example, to visit with a friend) even with parent permission. If parents have questions about bus stops or pick-up times, the best information may be obtained by calling transportation at 547-7174. CAFETERIA Students are allowed 30 minutes for lunch. Lunch this year is $1.75 and $1.00 for breakfast. Reduced prices are $.40 lunch, $30. breakfast. Applications for free/reduced meals are available year-round. To eliminate the possibility of lost money, we recommend paying in increments of 5. $6.25 per week, $2.00 p/wk reduced. Your child will be notified when he/she uses the last meal ticket. Buying daily must be done on a cash basis. (Tickets are valid until the end of the school year.) Checks will not be accepted from parties who have had one check returned for INSUFFICIENT funds. Breakfast is served from 8:05 – 8:35. Students who have forgotten their lunch money may borrow from the cafeteria. THIS MONEY MUST BE PAID BACK TO THE CAFETERIA MANAGER THE VERY NEXT DAY. CAR CIRCLE Please follow the traffic directions of the school personnel on duty. CHILDCARE PROGRAM The YMCA operates a before and after school child care program at TSES from 6:30 – 8:40 a.m. and 2:40 – 6:00 p.m. Contact the YMCA 784-8333 for more information. CLASSROOM PARTNERSHIPS A Classroom Partnership is a relationship between a business and a classroom in which the business (or an individual) donates $150.00, tax deductible, to a classroom. The money is used at the teacher’s discretion for that classroom and the business receives public recognition. CLINIC CARDS A YELLOW CLINIC CARD MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND RETURNED TO SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY. The information on this card is vital should an accident or injury occur. Please be certain that all information requested is given. Should any information on that card change, please call the school and notify the clinic immediately.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM Please make it a point to come in to our school and participate in our volunteer program. Volunteers may serve in different capacities such as tutors, classroom assistants, mentors, and library assistants. Our Community Involvement Assistant in charge of our volunteer program is at school from 8:00 – 12:00. If you are interested in volunteering, please call for further information. FIELD TRIPS It is mandatory that students bring requests written by parents for permission to go on field trips, go home with another student, or deviate from the regular mode of transportation. FIREARMS Firearms are strictly prohibited on school property. FIRE DRILLS, LOCK DOWN DRILLS, AND DUCK-AND-COVER DRILLS Fire drills held at specific intervals are required by law and are an important safety precaution. Fire drill instructions are posted in each room and must be followed. Each drill shall be treated as if it were an actual emergency situation which is a life and death matter. It is essential that when the first signal is given, everyone obeys promptly and clears the building by the prescribed route as quickly as possible. Although speed is important in any such procedure, of greater importance is orderliness and the ability of all students to be given directions and proceed in an orderly manner. Duck-and-cover drills also are held on a regular basis to prepare children to handle the possibility of a tornado in a safe way. A school lock down drill will be held twice a semester. GUIDANCE COUNSELOR The elementary guidance counselor works with children, parents and teachers. The major goals of the counselor are: • To help children enhance their self concept • To help children get along with other and develop responsibility • To help children cope with changes in their lives. These goals can be accomplished when the counselor, children, parents work together as a team. GUM CHEWING Gum chewing is strictly prohibited at ALL times. We wish to prevent possible accidents and preserve the beauty of our facility. HEAD LICE POLICY Should a student become infested with head lice, Pinellas County Schools policy states the child must be sent home and may not return to school until he/ she has been treated. Policy states the child must be nit-free. HOMEWORK Homework is usually assigned Monday through Thursday. It is intended to provide an opportunity for children to practice skills learned in school. Some long range assignments or “projects” are given to assist students in developing independent study habits. INSURANCE Accident insurance is available to all students. Claims must be made to the company. NOTE: THE SCHOOL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS OCCURRING AT SCHOOL. MEDIA CENTER Our media center is an extension of the classroom, an area where resources and varieties of literature are housed for the benefit of students and staff. The media specialist is available as a resource. The following applies to all students: • Books must be returned in a specified amount of time. • If a book is lost or damaged, repairs or replacement must be made promptly. NOTE: Florida law states the school can collect from the pupil or parent/guardian, the value of lost or damaged books. MEDICATION Board policy states that NO medication whether prescription or over the counter (OTC) will be administered at school unless the following rules are followed: 1) An orange medication card must be completed and signed by the physician and parent for OTC medications. 2) A blue card is used for prescription permission, and only parent signature is required. 3) Medication MUST be brought to the health room in the original bottle with the student's name, physician's name and directions corresponding to the direction on the medication card. 4) It is against school policy to administer eye or ear drops to any student. If the student is capable, he/she may administer his/her own drops or a parent may administer them. PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES Questions concerning your child's progress can best be answered through a conference. You may arrange for a conference by sending a note to the teacher or calling the school office. The individual conference is one of the best means for reporting to you specifically your child's rate of growth and development. Please make a sincere effort to accept invitations to conferences and to seek conferences yourself when you feel there is a need. PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH All children are required to participate in 40 minutes of physical education and/or health instruction three times a week. Any extended excused absence (3 or more days) must be provided by the child’s physician in writing and filed in the school office. Flat rubber soled tennis shoes are required and should be worn at all times.

PRINICPAL’S LIST AND HONOR ROLL Recognition for academic excellence and hard work is the purpose of having a Principal’s List and Honor Roll. The following criteria will be used only for grades three, four and five. PRINCIPAL’S LIST All “A’s” in all academic subjects and E, V, or S in Art, Music, PE, Conduct, Work Habits and Effort. HONOR ROLL All “A’s” and/or “B’s” in all academic subjects and E, V, or S in Art, Music, PE, Conduct, Work Habits and Effort. PROPERTY, LITTER AND SCHOOL PRIDE Much of the spirit and reputation of a school is reflected in its appearance. This takes effort. Every student needs to do his/her part by making sure his/her wrappers and waste paper are deposited in the trash containers provided. Respect for all school property is expected at all times. RAINY DAYS Please make arrangements with your child early in the year so that he/she will know what to do during bad/rainy weather. Calling home for instructions will not be allowed. Plan ahead and determine what your walkers should do and who will transport them. SAFETY PATROL Responsible 5th graders are chosen to help maintain order and look after the safety of all children. The Safety Patrol functions to assist the operation of the school. They are not used to force or to discipline any student. Any infractions of the rules will be reported to the office or the patrol sponsor. The teachers choose these boys and girls on the basis of scholarship, courtesy, cooperation and dependability. It is an honor to be chosen. S.H.I.P. The School Health Improvement Program is a four year program that has been implemented at our school. This program provides us with a full time health room assistant and a registered nurse who divides her time between two schools. In addition to attending to ill or injured students, screening is provided for vision, height, weight and scoliosis for specific grades. The nurse is available for chronic health problems, referrals and spends a great deal of time making home visits for parent contact. The SHIP program is located in the portable near the bus circle (south end of the campus). SPECIAL NOTICES Please keep the principal informed concerning your child if he/she NEEDS TO HAVE SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR HEALTH OR ANY OTHER REASONS. This information should be given on registration day or afterwards in writing. We make certain we are doing what is proper under the law. We also must be aware when court regulations change the status of a child. Even though you think we already are aware of these special problems, please check with the school office to be sure personnel know of any special circumstances for your child; custody rights & restraining orders, etc. SMOKING Smoking is prohibited on any part of our campus. This is in compliance with School Board policy. STUDENT CONDUCT If a student conducts him/herself in such a manner that the best interest of the school is in jeopardy, then that student may be subject to disciplinary actions according to the due process guidelines. Behavior not in the best interest of the school is defined as: a. Fighting or inciting to fight. b. Intimidation of other students. c. Open defiance of teacher, authorities or other school employees. d. Bringing knives, sharp instruments, dangerous objects or toys. e. Possession or use of tobacco. f. Using intoxicants, drugs, or the possession of these items. TEACHER DISCRETION The teacher has the authority/responsibility to maintain discipline in the classroom consistent with school policy. Fair policies will be established, announced and consistently enforced. When a problem occurs, a teacher may: • Conference with the student • Conference with the parent • Conference with the Counselor and student • Conference with the Principal or Assistant Principal Issues which go beyond the control of the teacher are to be referred directly to the Principal or Assistant Principal. TELEPHONE POLICY The school phone is a business phone and is not to be used to make arrangements to go home with a friend, etc. These arrangements should be made at home the previous day. Special arrangements for rainy or cold days should be made in advance with your child. The telephone is always available for emergencies. TRANSFERRING It may become necessary for some of you to leave our school during the year. Please, if possible, try to notify your child’s teacher and the school office staff in advance so that we may help make your transfer speedy and efficient. Library books and textbooks must be returned and outstanding debts paid before leaving. VISITORS ALL visitors and parents are welcome and encouraged to visit the school, however it is required that they sign in at the front office. These visits should not interrupt the regular classroom procedure in any way. Please call for an appointment at least 24 hours in advance and give the purpose of your visit so that the appointment can be scheduled. Extended visitation to classroom will require administrative approval. We especially encourage your visits during American Education Week. VOLUNTEERS Tarpon Springs Elementary has been fortunate over the years to have had an outstanding group of volunteers. If you are interested in assisting us in any way, please contact either your child’s teacher or the Community Involvement Coordinator to determine those areas in which we could use your help. WHERE TO GO FOR HELP Alateen 786-0120 AlaNon 786-0120 Alcoholics Anonymous 530-0415 Crisis Line (24hours) 344-5555 Narcotics Anonymous 547-0444 Operation PAR Inc. 570-5080 Suncoast Center for Community Mental Health 327-7656 For further information or assistance, call the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Office at 588-6130.