Policy

Student Handbook

ATTENDANCE

Attendance Law

The Alabama Compulsory Attendance Laws require children between the ages of seven (7) and sixteen (16) to attend school. The law also states that parents or guardians having control over school-age children are responsible for the child's regular attendance in school and proper conduct.

Absences

Absences are either excused or unexcused. Excused absences are those due to the following reasons:

• Illness of student
  
  
• Inclement weather
  
  
• Legal quarantine
  
  
• Death in the immediate family
  
  
• Emergency conditions as determined by the superintendent or principal
  
  
• Prior permission of the principal and consent of the parent or guardian, except in emergency situations.

Tardies

Promptness to school is very important. The first bell rings at 7:55. Students should be in their seats and ready for the school day by 8:00. CHILDREN WHO ARE TARDY TO SCHOOL MUST REPORT TO THE OFFICE. Admission slips from the office for tardiness are necessary before a child can enter a classroom.

Early Dismissals

Pupils who leave school early for any reason must check out through the school office. Parents must send a written note of permission for any student to leave for any reason other than sudden illness, accident, or similar incident. The nature of the early dismissal will determine if the absence will be excused. Only an excused early dismissal allows work to be made up.

Withdrawal of Students

The school shall be notified in advance of the impending withdrawal of a student from school. The student will receive a withdrawal form and instructions from the office. All textbooks, library books, lunch payments, and fines should be cleared before the student transfers to another school.

CONDUCT

Good discipline is extremely important to the total school program and is vital to the development of citizenship. Teachers are expected to exercise toward students those courtesies which student are required to show teachers.

General School Rules

Courtesy and good manners should be the key to a student's conduct at school. A good attitude toward teachers and fellow students will make school enjoyable for everyone.

• Respect the rights of others.
  
  
• Use acceptable language.
  
  
• Move through halls and breezeways in an orderly manner.
  
  
• Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
  
  
• Practice safety at all times.

Students transported by buses operated by the Baldwin County Board of Education are under the jurisdiction of school officials at all times. Proper conduct on buses is required in order that the safety and welfare of others will not be endangered. Students may be suspended from the bus and/or school by the administration for misconduct on the bus.

• Students are to obey the driver.
  
  
• Students shall remain seated at all times.
  
  
• Students shall refrain from using unacceptable language or gestures.
  
  
• Students shall refrain from physical altercations (fighting, hitting, etc.).
  
  
• Students shall not throw objects or debris on the bus or from the bus.
  
  
• Students shall not eat or drink on the bus.
  
  
• Emergency exits are to be used during emergencies and emergency evacuations drills.

Cafeteria Rules

• Students enter and leave the cafeteria in a quiet and orderly manner.
  
  
• Students will walk at all times.
  
  
• Talk softly while in the cafeteria.
  
  
• Practice good table manners.
  
  
• Quietly line up to return trays.
  
  
• No food may be taken from the cafeteria
  
  
• Tables and the floor where you are seated should be free from debris.

Hall/Breezeway Rules

• Walk quietly, always keeping to the right hand side.
  
  
• Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
  
  
• Keep halls and breezeway areas free of debris.

Restroom Rules

• Respect the privacy of others.
  
  
• Keep the restrooms clean by: flushing toilets, putting paper towels in the trash can, avoid splashing water, and turning off water after use.
  
  
• IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER AFTER BATHROOM USE.

On-Campus Time-Out

Silverhill Elementary School shall maintain an on-campus time-out program to provide a structured disciplinary atmosphere in which a student is isolated or removed from regular classroom activities but is not dismissed from the school setting.

Corporal Punishment

Baldwin County Public School Board Policy, Section 916, states the following:

1. Corporal punishment may be administered after other control measures have been ineffective and after the nature of the offense has been explained to the student.
   
   
2. When necessary to administer corporal punishment, it shall be administered with a paddle or facsimile thereof, to the buttocks and in the presence of another professional.
   
   
3. Corporal punishment may not be administered in the presence of another student.
   
   

If parents do not wish to have corporal punishment administered to their child, a written note from the parent/guardian to the principal of the school must be filed with the local school.

Suspension and Expulsion

A principal may suspend a pupil from school for violation of school rules and/or other misconduct. Additionally, a principal may institute expulsion proceedings for repeated violations of school rules or for other misconduct which endangers persons or property or seriously disrupts the educational process.

Suspension and Expulsion of Students with Disabilities

Suspension and expulsion may be appropriate disciplinary action for a disabled student. If suspension is considered, the principal and the special education teacher must decide whether the offense is related to the disability. A disabled student may be suspended if it is determined that the offense is not related to the disability. A written statement regarding this decision shall be maintained in the school office, with copies sent to the Superintendent, Special Education Office, and Attendance Office.

A student with disabilities may not be expelled (total removal from a student's current education service) from the school for any behavior that has a direct and significant relationship to that student's area of disability. If the IEP Committee determines that the behavior in question does not have a direct and significant relationship to the student's area of disability, the school system may expel the student; however, a complete cessation of educational services is not permissible. Expulsion constitutes a change in placement that requires due process through IEP Committee action.

Sexual Harassment

The Baldwin County Board of Education recognizes that harassment on the basis of gender is a violation of both federal and state discrimination laws. The Board is committed to providing learning and co-curricular environments that are free from sexual harassment where all students and employees can work together comfortably and productively.

Sexual harassment will not be tolerated from students, employees, or non-employees, including volunteers and suppliers, who have contact with employees and students in the workplace, school, or school sponsored events or any event sanctioned by the Baldwin County Board of Education.

All students are assured that they may file a complaint or assist in an investigation without fear of retaliation by any Board member, peer, or alleged harasser. Complaints of retaliation will be promptly investigated and perpetrators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Definition: Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when such contact has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's school performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment at school or at school sponsored events or any event sanctioned by the Baldwin County Board or Education. Forms of sexual harassment include: verbal harassment, such as derogatory comments, jokes, or slurs; physical harassment, such as unnecessary or offensive touching, or impeding or blocking movement; and derogatory or offensive posters, cards, cartoons, and graffiti.

Procedure: Pupil Personnel

1. If any student perceives comments, gestures, or actions from any student, employee or non-employee, including volunteers and suppliers, to be offensive, the student should notify the principal, guidance counselor, or teacher. If a teacher or guidance counselor is aware of the allegation(s), they should notify the principal. Principals who become aware of any allegation(s) of sexual harassment will immediately report, in writing, such allegation(s) to the division superintendent for personnel services.
   
   
2. The division superintendent for personnel services will promptly investigate any complaints of sexual harassment, and will initiate immediate action to resolve such complaint. No individual will suffer reprisal for reporting any incident of sexual harassment.
   
   
3. Any student or employee that is found to be responsible for sexual harassment will be subject to appropriate discipline; the severity of the disciplinary action will be based upon the circumstances of the infraction. All proven infractions will become part of the student's discipline record or the employee's personnel record.

CONFERENCES

If you wish to request a conference with your child's teacher, you may contact the teacher through a written note or by calling the school office. Teachers will be available to meet with parents before and after school or during the teacher's planning time. A mutually agreeable time will be set up between the teacher and the parent.

DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS

The sale or distribution of any goods or materials on the school campus by any individual or groups of individuals is prohibited unless prior permission has been obtained from the principal of the school. Individuals and/or organizations outside the local school must have written approval from the superintendent.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Fire drills are held on a monthly basis. Tornado drills are held once a semester. An evacuation plan is posted in each classroom and in all areas throughout the school. Teachers will instruct students regarding proper procedures during emergency situations. It is very important that the school office has current information regarding addresses and telephone numbers.

EXTENDED DAY

The Extended Day Program operates on the same calendar as Baldwin County Public Schools. Program hours are from 3:00-5:30 Monday-Friday except on school holidays. Information concerning enrollment and fees for this service is available through the school office.

FIELD TRIPS

Any student taking a field trip under the sponsorship of the school must furnish written permission from his/her parent or guardian on the form provided by the school. This permission form and the money must be sent to the school by the established deadline. Students will not be allowed to call home the day of the trip. Brothers and sisters may not accompany a sibling on a field trip.

FOOD SERVICE

Child Nutrition Program

A good meal is essential to academic achievement. The school cafeteria serves a well-balanced breakfast and lunch each day we are in session. Breakfast and lunch menus are published monthly. Free and reduced price meals are available for students whose parents qualify in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. Forms can be obtained from the school office.

Breakfast Prices		Lunch Prices
Student	$0.75	Student	$1.50
Reduced	$0.30	Reduced	$0.40
Visitor	$1.00	Visitor	$3.00

Visitor prices are the same for adults or children.

Canteen

Students will have a short time provided each day for them to enjoy nutritious snacks from home or from our school canteen. Items sold in the school canteen and their prices will be available at the beginning of the school year.

HEALTH RELATED INFORMATION

Accident Insurance

Neither the local school nor the Baldwin County Board of Education is responsible for medical bills for students which result from accidents that occur during the school day or at school functions. School day accident insurance forms are available in the school office. This insurance must be obtained at the first of the school year.

First Aid

In case of illness at school, a student is sent to the office. If the student has a fever and/or is obviously sick, the parent/guardian or his designee will be notified and asked to come get the child from school. STUDENTS MUST BE FREE OF FEVER FOR TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOURS BEFORE THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL. BE SURE ALL TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE CURRENT ON YOUR CHILD'S ENROLLMENT CARD. If there is a change to be made, please inform the office in a timely manner. Every effort will be made to notify a parent or his/her designee if a child sustains an injury.

School Nurse

The school nurses provide several opportunities throughout the school year to educate, screen, and evaluate the students in Baldwin County. These programs include, but are not limited to, control of communicable disease, hand-washing, vision, hearing, and dental screening, health and hygiene classes. The "Changing Body Program" is presented to the 5th graders. Scoliosis screening is provided for grades 5-9 (ages 11-14) as required by state law.

The school nurse is an experienced professional who is in charge of the health program. She is not based at Silverhill Elementary School, but makes weekly visits and is on call as needed.

Medications given at school require a medication authorization form to be completed by the physician and the parent for prescription medications. Over-the- counter medications must be signed by the parent, and cleared by the R.N. All medications must be delivered to the school by a parent/guardian, and must be in the original container with clear, current instructions.

Severe Health Problems

The school office and your child's teacher should be given written notice of any chronic health problems such as seizures, asthma, heart problems, and other illnesses or special conditions.

LIBRARY

Students are given the opportunity to go to the school library at least once a week. They are expected to take care of the library books. Students are responsible for paying for lost or damaged books.

PTA/VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

The Silverhill Elementary School PTA is continuously engaged in activities which are beneficial to our students and the school. Through the cooperation of the PTA, many worthwhile and lasting achievements have been accomplished. Parents and teachers are cordially invited to join this organization and to take an active part in helping to develop the growth of our students. Meetings are held four times each year. A schedule will be announced.

Parents are also encouraged to join a fine group of volunteer moms, dads, grandparents, and other interested individuals who help our school in various capacities. This group of people are known as our Volunteers. Please call the school office if you are able to spare some of your time.

PICTURES

Student photographs will be taken in the fall and spring of the school year. Class photos will also be made.

PROMOTION STANDARDS

The decision to promote a student is based on the student's performance during the school year. The decision is a professional one and is the responsibility of the teacher and the principal. Parent-teacher conferences are highly recommended for students with academic deficiencies. Students must meet criteria established for each level to be considered for promotion.

Report Cards

Baldwin County Schools operate on a nine-week reporting system. Parents are encouraged to study their child's report card carefully and to schedule conferences with the child's teacher to discuss any concerns. Please refer to the enclosed school calendar for the dates that are relevant.

Mid-Quarter Deficiency Notices

Deficiency notices will be sent home during the middle of each grading period for students who have less than a "C" average in each subject.

RETENTION GUIDELINES

Each case of retention in the elementary school should be considered on an individual basis and the best interest of the child should be given primary consideration. Because of the many variables, it is necessary to rely upon the professional integrity of the teacher and the principal in making decisions based on the best data available. The guidelines which follow are provided to assist principals and teachers in making decisions regarding the retention of students.

Parents should be notified in writing as early as possible that retention is under consideration. Notification should indicate that while promotion is doubtful at that time, substantial progress during the remainder of the year could lead to promotion. Such notification should be sent by the beginning of the third quarter.

1. The decision to promote or retain a child is the responsibility of the principal and the teacher. The teacher should make the initial suggestion, but careful consideration should be given by both teacher and principal. A parent may suggest retention, but the decision is a professional one and should not be made solely on the basis of the wishes of a parent. Parent conferences are highly recommended in all cases under consideration for retention.
   
   
2. As a general rule, early retention, particularly in the primary grades, affords the most favorable opportunity for remediation.
   
   
3. The decision to promote or retain a child should be based on the child's performance and other factors existing during the school year. Summer school will not be a factor.
   
   
4. Kindergarten-Grade 5: Students who do not meet the established criteria for promotion may be retained twice in grades K - 5.
   
   
5. A student should not be retained in grade 5, or any lower grade, if he/she will reach their 13th birthday during the following academic year.
   
   
6. Minimum Grade Standards contain specific content criteria recommended for grade levels 1-5.
   
   
7. Students are expected to master the minimum grade requirements in reading, language arts, and mathematics to be considered for promotion. However, in each case of promotion or retention it is of primary importance that the best interest of the child be considered in recommending promotion.
   
   

Exceptional Children: The promotion or retention of exceptional children will also be based on the guidelines outlined above. The following criteria are offered as a guide in dealing with special students:

1. The decision to promote or retain a child in a self-contained exceptional class is the responsibility of the teacher of that particular class. The recommendation is outlined in the above policy. Among the factors to consider in the retention of an exceptional child are the student's failure to meet the objectives stated in the IEP and the grades earned in the reporting period.
   
   
2. The decision to promote or retain resource students rest with the regular classroom teacher to whom the child is assigned and the principal. Resource teachers may be called upon for recommendations and advice to assist the regular classroom teacher and the principal in making a valid decision.
   
   
3. Resource teachers may be called upon to administer regular classroom tests as determined by the IEP. Grades earned on tests should be used in determining promotion or retention on the same basis as they are used with regular classroom students.
   
   

STUDENT RECORDS

The Baldwin County Board of Education adheres to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 regarding student records. A copy of this policy is available in the school office.

TEXTBOOKS

Students are allowed to borrow textbooks, and when doing so, parents sign responsibility forms. These books must be properly cared for at all times. If books are lost or damaged, they must be paid for before additional books are issued.

VISITORS ON CAMPUS

For your child's safety and the safety of others, it is necessary for all visitors to report to the school office when they first arrive on campus.

CLASSES MUST NOT BE INTERRUPTED.

Generally speaking, office personnel will be able to assist you with forgotten lunches, money, books, etc. Visitor passes will be issued from the office. You will be asked to sign in when you arrive and sign out when you leave our campus.

SCHOOL OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES

Students are expected to be at school and in class on time. Classroom doors open at 7:45 a.m. School officially starts at 7:55 a.m. Students not in class by the time the tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m. are to report to the school office for a tardy slip. Students who walk home, ride their bicycles home, or are picked up by their parents are dismissed at 3:00 each day. Bus students are dismissed at approximately 3:10 in order for them to meet their buses in front of the school gym on 4th Avenue. Parents who pick their children up are asked to go through the horseshoe on 7th Street.

PARENTS WHO DROP THEIR CHILDREN OFF IN THE MORNING OR PICK THEM UP IN THE AFTERNOON ARE ASKED TO GO THROUGH THE HORSESHOE AREA ON 7th STREET. TEACHERS WILL BE ON DUTY TO ASSIST YOUR CHILD. If you have business to conduct in the office, please park in the designated areas. Please keep in mind that 7th Street is one way during the hours of 7:00-8:30 a.m. and between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Please consult the Loading and Unloading Traffic Pattern. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we endeavor to make this a safe time for our students. A crossing guard will be at the comer of Highway 104 and Seventh Street each morning and afternoon.

SCHOOL TRAFFIC PATTERNS

Loading and Unloading Traffic Pattern. - Click to Enlarge.

UNIFORM POLICY

Silverhill Elementary follows the Uniform Policy as given by the Baldwin County Public School System.

Click here to download a copy (a PDF file) of the current Uniform Policy.

Click here to see a list of other School Policies and Publications of the Baldwin County Public School System.