ROOKS CREEK
COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT NO. 425
228 Lydia Street
P.O. Box 117
Graymont, IL
61743
Phone- 743-5346
Fax- 743-5394
Web-site- rookscreek.k12.il.us
ROOKS CREEK
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Rusty Rich -
President
Matt Jacobs-
Vice President
Mona Zehr- Secretary
Matt Dewald
Mark Leach
Stephanie Robinson
Tricia
Kilburn-Zehr
GRAYMONT
GRADE SCHOOL STAFF
Mr. Bill JamesSuperintendent
Mrs. Anne EricksonKindergarten
Miss Jami MyersGrades 1 &
2
Miss Jodi Rients Grades 3 &
4
Mrs. Shelly Hott Grades 5-8
Sci., Math
Grades 5-6 SS
Ms.
Keri WilsonGrades 5-8 LA, Rdg, Comp.
Grades
7-8 SS, Health
Mrs. Joanie SchrockBand/Music
Mrs. Sue KoellerSpeech
Mrs. Deb Roeschley Special
Ed.
Ms. Tara OresP.E.
Mrs. Marti Sullans Art
Support Staff
Mrs. Lori Durham Secretary
Mrs. Jennifer PfeiferClassroom
Aide
Ms. Tara StoneCafeteria
Mr. Jerry MyerCustodian
Mrs. Carey KlineCustodian/Bus
Driver
Mr. Roger ZehrBus Driver
WELCOME STUDENTS
& PARENTS
The faculty, staff, administration,
and board of education welcome you to a new school year and hope you
will find it to be successful and rewarding.
Our goal is to provide opportunities
for all students to develop physically, emotionally, and educationally.
Only when staff, students, and parents accept their responsibility will
we accomplish this goal. As staff, it is our responsibility to
provide and maintain an educational environment that is conducive to
learning. As students, you have the responsibility to be in attendance
daily and to perform educationally and socially to the best of your
ability. As parents, it is your responsibility to see that your
son/daughter arrives on time and is in attendance every day. We
encourage every parent to become an active partner in your child’s
education.
School is similar to a community.
All members, educators, students, and parents must work together to
provide a positive environment that will allow students to achieve their
maximum potential. To assist us in accomplishing this goal we
have prepared this handbook that contains the guidelines under which
we will operate.
Please review and observe the
following guidelines so our goals of providing a positive learning environment
may be achieved.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
AT GRAYMONT
GRADE SCHOOL
The administration and staff
at Graymont Grade School hold high expectations for themselves and for
all students. The following is a list of what we expect from every
student at Graymont every day.
Every Graymont student will:
1.
Represent our school in an outstanding manner.
2.
Work to the best of your ability.
3.
Treat others with dignity, worth and respect.
4.
Keep our campus beautiful and clean.
5.
Obey all the rules and regulations set forth by your teachers and the
school.
6.
Work to keep a positive relationship with parents, teachers, and friends.
7.
Reach beyond your grasp and learn new things.
8.
Make all of us proud.
GRAYMONT
GRADE SCHOOL CODE OF ETHICS
GOOD CITIZENSHIP:
I will try to do more than my share as a member of my family, school,
community, and nation.
ONE STANDARD:
I will judge others by the same standards I use for myself as this is
the basis of fair play and mutual trust.
OBEDIENCE: I will
obey all proper authority and will respect the law and law officers.
DISCIPLINE: I
believe that self-discipline is necessary for personal success and is
an important factor in making democracy work.
COURAGE: I will
stand for what I believe is right in spite of the personal cost.
OBLIGATION: I
realize that the rights and privileges I want must be paid for by the
obligations, duties, and responsibilities I assume.
NEW IDEAS: I will
contribute any new ideas I can to this changing world and will respect
the constructive thoughts of others.
DRESS: I will
dress reasonably and neatly, and will be clean in thought, word and
deed.
UNDERSTANDING:
I will try to understand my fellow men and make it possible for them
to understand me.
CHARACTER:
I alone am responsible for my character, and I intend to conduct myself
with honor.
TRUTH: I will
seek the truth with an open mind and will not deceive others by misstatements
or partial truths.
RESPECT OF OTHERS:
I will be respectful of others by showing kindness and not making others
feel poorly of themselves.
ATTENDANCE
POLICY
Regular
attendance is directly related to a successful experience in the classroom.
Occasionally absences may be necessary for severe illness, death in
the family or emergency reasons. During these times a written
statement from the parent or guardian requesting a student to leave
during school hours is to be given to the office by 8:30 a.m.
Children
who have temperatures should not be in school and will be sent home.
Students found to have head lice, scabies, or other communicable conditions
will be excluded from school. Students may return to school only
after proper treatment is documented. In the case of head lice,
students may return to school only after they are nit free.
Absenteeism:
When
a student is absent, his/her parents are required to call the elementary
school office by 8:30 A.M. This call is important so we know that
your child is safe. It also allows us to make arrangements for
homework assignments and is essential if teachers are to put aside
class materials and tests for extended periods of absence. A message
can be left on the answering machine if necessary by calling 743-5346
for your convenience.
In
the event that we do not receive a call, an effort will be made to contact
the parents to confirm the reason for absence.
Any
time a student becomes ill during school hours they should notify the
grade school office so that the parents or guardian may be notified.
Should a student be absent for more than three (3) consecutive days,
or an excessive amount of times, the school may require a doctor’s
excuse verifying that the student has been examined by a physician.
Tardy:
After
being absent or tardy (a student who arrives to their classroom after
8:20 a.m.), a student is to bring a written excuse signed by one of
his/her parents to the grade school office.
Make-up Work after an Absence:
It
is the responsibility of the student to make up any assignments or homework
missed during their absence. Students will have two days for each
day absent (excused) to make up assignments missed. If the work
is not turned in when due, the teacher may refuse to accept the work
and/or the student may receive a zero. The teacher may, under
certain circumstances allow more time for make-up work to be handed
in. Tests must be made-up at the earliest possible reasonable
time after returning to school, depending on when the test was assigned,
nature of the absence, and other factors. Final determination of “reasonable”
shall be determined by the school administrator.
Truancy
A
“truant” is a child subject to compulsory school attendance and
who is absent without valid cause from such attendance for a school
day or portion thereof as defined in Section 26-2a of the Illinois School
Code. A “chronic truant” is a child who is subject to compulsory
school attendance and who is absent without valid cause from such attendance
for 10 percent or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days.
The school district will determine if a student is truant and will develop
diagnostic procedures to identify causes. Supportive services
may be offered to truant and chronically truant students. These
support services may include parent-teacher conferences, student and/or
family counseling, or information about community agency services.
If truancy continues after support services have been offered, the school
district may call upon and share information with outside agencies such
as the juvenile officer of the County Police Department and/or the Truant
Officer of the ROE of DeWitt/Livingston/McLean Counties.
Emergency or School Closing
Announcements:
School
will be closed on days when weather conditions are such that a major
portion of the students and staff are unable to attend school or when
a breakdown occurs. Tune in to these radio stations for school
information and announcements:
WJBC 1230 AM
BloomingtonWBNQ 101.5 FM Bloomington
WTRX 93.7
FMPontiacWEEK TV 25 Peoria, Bloomington
WBWN B104HOI 19 News
Health,
Medical and Safety Policies
Asbestos Hazard Emergency
Response Act:
In
order to comply with Federal Law our school building has been inspected
for all forms of asbestos containing building material. As a result
of these inspections, our building has been found to contain some building
materials containing asbestos. A management plan has been prepared
that identifies all asbestos material in our building and provides a
strategy for managing the material. In addition, the law requires
that the school district conduct surveillance to determine “any change
in condition” of asbestos containing material every six months.
Also, a complete re-inspection is required to be conducted every three
years. By complying with the AHERA, the school district feels
that it is taking appropriate steps to protect all occupants of our
building from possible problems with this material. If you want
information on asbestos containing material, please contact the District
office.
Pest Management:
The
school district does have a limited spraying program for pest control.
Should a parent/guardian of a student or employee wish to receive written
notification prior to application of pesticides to school property,
a pesticide notification form needs to be completed and on file in the
superintendent’s office. Those on the notification list will
be notified of the spraying at least two (2) business days prior to
the application. This requirement does not include an antimicrobial
agent such as disinfectant, sanitizer or deodorizer, or insecticide
baits or rodentcide.
Medication:
Parents
have the primary responsibility for the administration of medication
to their children. The Board, therefore, requests that medication
be administered at home before or after school.
It is the intention of the Rooks Creek School Board to comply with the
laws of the State of Illinois and the guidelines of the State Board
of Education and to address the health needs of our students who require
the self-administration of medications during the normal school day.
The Rooks Creek School District Guidelines are:
1. All medication will
be turned in at the school office (Exception: Students
my keep inhalers with them or in their classroom. A School Prescription
Medication form must be completed).
2. Prescription medication
required daily to control illness and disease, or prescription medication
required for treatment of colds, allergies, etc. will be self-administered
according to the following guidelines. A School Prescription
Medication Form must be completed and signed by the Physician and
parent/guardian. The following information is required:
child’s name, name of medication, time to be self-administered, dosage,
possible side effects and termination date.
3. Non-prescription medication
may be self-administered upon written request from the parent/guardian.
Label directions will be followed.
4. Aspirin will
NOT be administered under any circumstances by school personnel.
This includes aspirin products labeled under a different name.
5. Prescription medication
must be brought to school in a container appropriately labeled by the
pharmacy or physician.
6. Non-prescription medication
must be brought to school in the original container. Medications
arriving at school in baggies, envelopes, etc. WILL NOT
BE GIVEN.
7. A record will be maintained
for each student, by the administration, of all medications dispensed.
Children are monitored closely while taking their medication.
8. The school retains
the ability to reject requests for self-administrating medication.
Parents will be notified of the rejection and why.
9. Parent(s)/guardian(s)
are responsible for picking up any unused medication at the end of the
school year. Unclaimed medication will be discarded within the
first week following dismissal. This will be documented on your
child’s medication record.
Physicals and Birth Certificates:
Illinois
law requires all students entering kindergarten and sixth grades to
have a completed physical examination and required immunizations on
Illinois forms. If a child does not comply by October 15 of the
current school year, with the requirements, that child will be excluded
from school until such time as the child presents proof of having had
the health examination as required and presents proof of having received
those required immunizations which are medically possible to receive
immediately. During a child’s exclusion from school for noncompliance,
the child’s parents or legal guardian shall be considered in violation
of Section 26-1 (105 ILCS 5/26-1) and subject to any penalty imposed
by Section 26-10 (105 ILCS 5/26-10).
Immunization:
Immunization
records are to be up-to-date according to the state guidelines (D.P.T
series and boosters, polio series and boosters, measles, mumps and rubella,
lead screening, Hepatitis B, and chicken pox) prior to the beginning
of school.
Vision and Hearing Screenings:
Vision
screening will be done, as mandated, for the following children (grades
K-3, 6, 8, all special education and speech, new students and teacher
requests). Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete
eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not
required to undergo this vision screening if an optometrist or
ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that
an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months and
that evaluation is on file at the school. This notice is not a
permission to test and is not required to be returned. Vision
screening is not an option. If a vision examination report
is not on file at the school for you child, your child in the mandated
group will be screened.
A
hearing screening will also be performed annually. If the screening
indicates that a student should receive a more extensive examination
by a physician, the parent/guardian will be notified.
Head Lice/Scabies:
Students
found to have head lice or nits will be excluded from school.
If a child has head lice or scabies, the parent/guardian should check
with their physician and/or the Health Department for the proper treatment.
Students may return to school only after proper treatment and after
all nits have been removed. Head lice can be transmitted in a
number of ways: by physical contact with the person’s hair,
or by having contact with surfaces that have touched the head of the
person with lice (i.e. combs, brushes, towels, blankets, pillowcases,
upholstered furniture, curtains, interior roof of a car).
In order to provide a safe
and healthy school environment for all school children, the following
procedures will be followed:
Faculty or staff
will notify the building principal of suspected cases of head lice.
Screenings will
be conducted on students by staff.
If head lice infestations
are found, the school office will contact the parent/guardian and request
that the student is taken from school immediately. A screening
report will be completed. One copy will be sent home. A
second copy will be filed in the school office.
The student may
be readmitted to school as soon as treatment occurs and all lice and
nits are removed.
On the day of return,
the student should report to the office to be checked. If nits
are still found, the student may again be sent home, with instructions
for removing them.
Family Educational Rights
& Privacy Act:
The family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of
age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s
education records. These rights are:
1. The right to inspect
and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day
the district receives a request for access. A parent/guardian
or eligible student should submit to the Record Custodian, Principal,
other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s)
they wish to inspect. The District official will make arrangements
for access and notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of the
time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records
are not maintained by the District official to whom the request was
submitted, that official shall advise the parent/guardian or eligible
student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request
the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent/guardian
or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
A parent/guardian or eligible student
may ask the District to amend
a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should
write the district official responsible for the record, clearly identify
the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate
or misleading. If the District decides not to amend the record
as requested by the parent/guardian or eligible student, the District
will notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of the decision
and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for
amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures
will be provided to the parent/guardian or eligible student when notified
of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent
to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the
parent/guardian or eligible student’s records, except to the extent
that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception
which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure
to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school
official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor,
instructor, or support staff member (including law enforcement unit
personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the District
has contracted (such as attorney, auditor, or collection agency); or
a person serving on the Board of Education. A school official
has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review
an education record in order to fulfill his/her professional
responsibilities. Upon request, the District discloses education
records without consent to official of another school in which a student
seeks or intends to enroll.
4. The right to file
a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged
failure by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy
Compliance Office
U.S. Department
of Education
400 Maryland
Avenue S. W.
Washington,
DC 20202-4605
Directory information may be
disclosed without prior notice or consent unless the parent/guardian
or eligible student notifies the Records Custodian or other official
in writing, before October of the current school year, that he does
not want any or all of the directory information disclosed. Directory
information includes the student’s name, address, telephone listing,
date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially
recognized activities and sports, 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.
Emergency Information:
Parents/guardians
will be notified if a student becomes ill or has an accident at school,
and, if needed, will be asked to come for the student. If it is
not possible to contact the parent/guardian, the person designated on
the registration form will be called. It is imperative that this
information be accurate. The parent/guardian should notify
the school at any time during the year if there are any changes
in address, phone numbers, or names of emergency person or physician,
or if there is a change in daytime phone number.
Emergency Procedures:
Emergency
Drills: Disaster drills are staged throughout the year
(weather permitting) to bring about an awareness of how to act and where
to go if an emergency arises. Three fire drills are held periodically
throughout the school year. Tornado Drills are done with one being
in conjunction with the statewide drill held in March. Procedures
are posted in each room. The teachers discuss the procedures with their
students early in the school year.
Safety Rules:
Bicycles:
Bicycles
may be brought to school at the discretion of parents. Bicycles
should be parked in the rack provided on the playground. It would
be wise to lock them.
Playground Rules:
Students
should not ride skateboards or bicycles on the playground when other
students are present, nor use motorized vehicles at any time.
The throwing of rocks and snowballs is also not allowed on the playground.
Before
school, students are not allowed to come into the building until
8 a.m. unless weather conditions are bad. Students will go
outside for lunch recess unless it is raining, snowing, or the superintendent
decides it is too cold to go outside. Parents should assume students
will be outside and dress them for the weather. When entering
the building, students are to go directly to the gym.
School Bus Rules:
School
busses are to be operated in accordance with all state statutes and
rules of the State Board of Education and the Department of Transportation.
The following rules are issued by the Illinois State Board of Education:
1.
Windows shall not be lowered below the stop line on the body pillar.
2.
All passengers shall be seated in the normal upright position: feet
on the floor, facing forward at all times, with book bags on their lap
or under their seat while the bus is in motion.
3.
Disobedience or misconduct on the part of the student shall be reported
to the superintendent for appropriate disciplinary action. Continued
disobedience or misconduct which would affect the safety of the other
students will result in denial of bus transportation.
4.
When children to be picked up must cross a roadway, the driver shall
beckon them to cross when it is safe to do so. Students shall
be instructed to wait at the front of the bus for the proper signal
to cross the roadway when traffic conditions are such that they may
cross the roadway safely.
5.
The driver on a regular bus route shall not have to wait for a tardy
student for more than 1 minute but will proceed on a timely route if
the students are not ready.
6.
The driver shall not allow any student to get off the bus at any place
other than the student's regular designated pick up and discharge point,
unless the driver has written documentation from the parent or instructed
by the proper school official. Once the school bus has left its school
loading point, students can only be discharged at their regular designated
discharge point.
7.
Weapons or explosives of any kind are not permitted on the bus.
8.
The driver shall stop between 15 and 50 feet of the first rail of a
railroad crossing.
9.
Students shall refrain from talking and remain silent until the bus
has cleared all crossings and the driver has given permission to continue
talking.
10. No food or drink, including gum and candy, shall be consumed on
any school bus at any time.
In
order to provide additional safe transportation of students, the following
Graymont School District rules are also in effect:
1.
Students are to follow all bus rules and the directions of the bus driver.
2.
Inside voice levels are to be used at all times on the bus. Screaming,
loud talking and loud noises that interfere with the driver’s safe
operation will be reported to the proper school
authority for disciplinary action.
3.
Horseplay of any kind will not be tolerated at any time.
4.
Students shall behave in a safe manner at all designated bus pick up
points.
5.
The rear three or four seats will remain unoccupied by students for
their safety. If deemed necessary the driver may assign seat locations.
If
a student, for any reason will not be riding the scheduled bus route
it is the parents’ responsibility to notify the school by 6:45 a.m.
(leave a message on the answering machine). In an emergency situation
where you cannot call before 6:45 a.m., notify the person who is picked
up prior on the bus route.
Students
reported for misbehavior on the bus or at the bus stop will be disciplined
as follows:
(a)
First reported infraction - a letter will be sent home to the parents
and the student serve a detention after school. Parents will be
responsible for transportation of students home.
(b)
Second reported infraction - a letter will be sent home to the parents
and the student will be suspended from riding the bus for one day.
Parents will be responsible for transportation of the student while
on suspension.
(c)
Third reported infraction - a letter will be sent home to the parents
and the student will be suspended from riding the bus for five days.
Parents will be responsible for transportation of the student while
on suspension.
(d)
Additional reported infractions - a letter will be sent home to the
parents stipulating additional suspension/revocation of bus privileges.
A
bus will be provided to transport participating team members to practice
at Flanagan Jr. High School if the event takes place during the regular
school day. For events that begin after 4:00 p.m., parents will
be responsible for transporting their children. Parents are responsible
for transporting their children home after practices and extracurricular
contests.
GENERAL
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Cafeteria:
Students
must follow the directions of school personnel and sit at the tables
assigned their classroom. Restroom breaks should be taken at this
time only in the case of emergency. Students are to talk in a
normal tone of voice and should practice proper eating habits and manners.
Information on free and reduced price breakfasts and lunches is available
in the school office. Application forms must be completed before
pupils can qualify for these special prices.
Cheating:
Cheating,
such as copying, using someone else’s work as your own, etc. will
not be tolerated. Plagiarism (using someone else’s writing,
drawing, work, etc. without properly citing the work) is also considered
cheating. Students caught cheating will receive a zero for the
assignment or test and may receive other discipline from the teacher.
Students who are referred to the office for cheating will receive detentions
or suspensions depending on the seriousness of the offense or past history
of cheating by the student as determined by the administrator.
Communication- Open and
Honest:
Open
and honest communication is essential in the running of any organization.
Please use the following chain of command when you need information
or need to resolve a situation.
Talk with the person
that is most directly involved with the situation. If the situation
is a classroom
situation, make a direct contact with the teacher first.
If you feel the
situation is not handled fairly and accurately, then talk to the next
person in the chain of command. In most cases, that will be the
building administrator.
If you are still
not satisfied with results, call the district superintendent and request
to be on the agenda of the next Board of Education meeting to present
your situation to the entire Board.
Discrimination Statement:
All
students, regardless of race, religion or creed, will not be discriminated
against his/her rights to procure an education in the Graymont Grade
School. These rights will be maintained by the administration
and the Graymont Grade School Board.
Fees:
Registration Fees:
Kindergarten-
$15.00
Grades
1-8- $25.00
Activity Fees:
(Grades 1-8)
Skating/Swimming-
$8.00
Breakfast Program Prices:
Adult-
$1.25
Student-
$1.00
Lunch Program Prices:
Adult-
$1.75
Student-
$1.50
Food and Beverages:
Food
and drink are not allowed in our school for student consumption during
the regular school day other than water and lunch time, except for on
special occasions pre-approved by the superintendent. No
cans or glass containers containing beverages are allowed.
Internet Use:
Students
will not be allowed Internet use at school unless an Acceptable Use
Agreement signed by the student and parent is on file with the school.
Any inappropriate use of the Internet will result in appropriate disciplinary
action and the loss of Internet use privilege for the remainder of the
school year.
Locker Use:
All
lockers are school property and are available for student use throughout
the school year as long as the lockers are used for their intended purpose.
If locker use is misused or abused, locker use privilege may be revoked.
Lockers may be inspected or searched, as well as personal effects left
there by a student, without notice or consent of the student.
Students have no reasonable expectations of privacy in the lockers or
in their personal effects left there.
Lost and Found:
Lost
and found articles are kept in the grade school office. Found
articles should be turned in to the office with any information to assist
in finding the owner. Lost articles should be reported immediately.
Students or parent may contact the office for information. Any
items not collected by the end of the school year may be donated to
an appropriate organization or disposed of.
School Day:
Students
may come on school grounds at 8:00 a.m. The school day begins at 8:15
a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. Outside school appointments should
be scheduled after 3:15 p.m.
Student Dress:
Students’
dress and grooming must not disrupt the educational process, interfere
with the maintenance of a positive teaching/learning climate, or compromise
reasonable standards of health, safety and decency. Students will
follow a dress code with the following parameters:
Students will be
covered from shoulders to mid-thigh.
Students will not
wear any clothing that promotes alcohol, tobacco, drugs or immoral activity.
Students clothes
will not be emblazoned with inappropriate language, pornography, profanity,
nudity, or language related to hate groups, intolerance, or disrespect
for racial, ethnic, or religious groups.
Students will not
wear wallet chains, chain belts, or any chains other than jewelry.
Any student’s
appearance which interferes with the educational process can be considered
a violation of school policy and can result in reprimands, detentions,
or other appropriate action by the school administration.
Telephone Use:
The
office telephone is a business phone and should not be used by students
except in an emergency
Valuables:
Common
sense and consideration is the best guide in determining whether or
not to bring personal possessions to school. We cannot be responsible
for valuables which students bring to school. It is recommended
that students leave all valuables at home.
Visitors:
All
visitors are required to report to the school office upon entering
the building. Parents, grandparents and guardians are welcome
and encouraged to visit the school.
CURRICULUM/GRADING
PROCEDURES
Grading Period/Report Cards:
The
school year is divided into four grading periods. At the half
way point in each grading period, midterm grades are sent home with
the students in grades 1-8 to inform their parents of their progress
in class. Report cards are issued for all students at the end
of each grading period.
Recognition of Achievement:
Report
cards are distributed four times a year, after each nine week grading
period. Progress reports sent home midway through each grading
period. Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled after the first
and third grading periods, but may be held anytime at the request of
either the teacher or a parent.
Grading Scale:
The
letter grades S (satisfactory) I (improvement needed) and U (unsatisfactory)
are used in First grade. In grades two through eight, the following
letter grades are used, showing the percent of the work done correctly:
A92% or better
B83-91%
C74-82%
D65-73%
FBelow 65%
Honor Roll:
Any
student in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 whose school work is above average,
will be named to the "High Honor Roll" or "Honor Roll".
The "Honor Roll" student will have an average of 3.0 to 3.49
grade point average while the "High Honor Roll" student will
have an average of 3.50 to 4.00. To determine the average, the
following weights will be used: A = 4; B =3; C =2; D = 1; and
F=0. Grades in ALL subjects will be used to determine the average.
Any student receiving a "D" or "F" will not be eligible
for the honor roll. A student may not have any grade lower than
a B- to be named to the “High Honor Roll”.
Physical Education:
Physical
education is required of all students in grades 1 through 8. Each grade
will have a P.E. period daily. All students in grades K through
8 must have tennis shoes. Students in grades 5-8 will dress into
shorts, a tee shirt, sweat socks, and tennis shoes daily.
Physical
Education Excuses: Students may be excused from class for medical
reasons if they bring a note from a parent or guardian. After
the third day a student must have an excuse from a doctor to remain
out of P.E.
Kindergarten:
A
child who is 5 years old on or before September 1 is eligible to attend
kindergarten. Preschool screenings are offered to children ages
0-5 each year at area schools. Parents are encouraged to have
their students screened at least once prior to attending kindergarten.
By attending these screenings, parents are informed of the programs
offered for students ages 3 and up.
Special Needs:
Flexible
services are implemented for students having difficulty with academic,
social, or emotional issues at school. In addition
to individual assistance, inclusion strategies are implemented for those
students receiving special education services. Speech services
are also available at the school. Graymont Grade School does not
qualify for Title One programs. Additional professional services
are provided by the Livingston County Special Services Unit as well
as the Regional Office of Education for McLean, Livingston, and DeWitt
Counties.
Course Options:
No
pupil shall be required to take or participate in any class or course
providing instruction in recognizing and avoiding sexual abuse if the
parent or guardian of the pupil submits written objection to the class
or course to the building principal. Refusal to take or participate
in such class after such written objection is made shall not be reason
for failing, suspending or expelling such pupil.
District
#425 will provide written notice to parents/guardians before commencing
the class or course.
Homework:
Homework
is important. It is an extension of the learning that takes place
at school. Homework can provide practice and drill that reinforces
classroom learning and can provide opportunities for independent study,
research, and creative thinking. Parents can help their children
by arranging a quiet, comfortable place for the students to work and
by seeing that assignments are completed. Homework is an important
part of a student’s academic program, including grades, and should
be taken seriously.
Promotion/Retention Policy:
As
per school code 105ILCS5/10-20.9a: “School districts shall not
promote students to the next higher grade level based upon age or any
other social reasons not related to their academic performance.
Decisions to promote or retain students in any classes shall be based
on successful completion of the curriculum, attendance, Illinois performance
tests, standardized testing and local school criteria.”
A
student must pass four of the five core (Reading, English, Math, Science
and Social Studies) subjects to be promoted to the next grade level.
Parents may choose to enroll their child in approved summer courses
to remediate the courses not passed during the school year. If
this takes place, the students transcript will be reviewed and a final
decision made by administration.
Parents
will be notified in writing in mid-January, if their student
is at risk of retention. A conference with the teacher is encouraged
at this time; there will be a second notice at the end of the 3rd
grading period with final notice at the mid-term progress report of
the 4th grading period. Still, there may be instances
where notification would not come until the final report card day.
Study Skills:
Specific
skills and techniques can make learning easier and more enjoyable.
The following are student guidelines for achieving good study habits:
1.
Come to class prepared with pencil, paper, and other necessary materials.
2.
Be an active participant in class. Listen well and take part in
class.
3.
Ask questions to clarify problems.
4.
Plan your day and schedule time for homework.
5.
Use what is learned and apply it to new situations.
6.
Strive to do the very best work possible. Just "getting by"
is not a worthwhile goal.
DISCIPLINE
The future and the success
of our educational system depend on how well our school maintains its
reasonable standards of student discipline. The classroom teacher
will handle minor discipline problems. If these “common” infractions
cannot be handled in the classroom setting, before or after school,
the student will be given a detention. The detention system is
used after all other approaches have been exhausted. The student
will be given a 30-minute detention after school (3:15-3:45 p.m.).
A detention may be served the day following the incident so that transportation
may be arranged. If a student misses an assigned detention, (s) he will
receive an in-school suspension.
General School Rules:
1. When the class begins,
students will be in their desks with paper, pencils, and books, ready
to learn.
2.
Students will complete all assignments on time.
3.
Students will raise their hands and wait for permission to speak.
4.
Students will respect themselves, their classmates, teachers, staff,
and administration.
Students
will respect other people’s property as well as the school facility.
5. Students will show good
manners and not support or participate in inappropriate
behavior and activities.
NOTE: These
are school wide rules. Individual teachers may have additional
rules students must adhere to.
Consequences
1.
Verbal warning.
2.
Send home detention notice and 30 minute detention.
3.
Send home detention notice, 30 minute detention, and office referral.
4.
Referral to office along with detention notice and 30 minute detention.
A conference with the teacher, student, parents and the principal will
take place before the student is allowed back in class.
5.
If circumstances warrant, a detention will be issued immediately.
6.
Serious infractions or gross misconduct will be dealt with by the teacher
and referred to the office/principal immediately for disciplinary action.
Every
student will periodically be taught by a substitute teacher. The
most common reason for using substitute teachers occur when the regular
teacher is ill. However, substitutes are also used when regular
teachers are on leave for personal business, professional training,
or family emergency. Students are expected to be extra courteous to
substitute teachers.
Students
are expected to exhibit acceptable standards of behavior at all times
and will be disciplined by staff members outside of the regularly scheduled
classes as well. This includes, but is not limited to, before
and after school, in between classes, recess, cafeteria, bus trips,
and any other school situation. Students attending school sponsored
events are subject to the same rules and regulations as apply during
school hours. Disciplinary measures will vary with the infraction
and the situation.
At
the end of each grading period the students will start with a clean
record with each teacher and the process starts over. A student
will NOT receive a separate verbal warning for each infraction.
A
teacher giving a detention will make arrangements to keep the student
after school from 3:15-3:45 P.M. If agreed to by the teacher,
parents, and administration, other arrangements may be made in fulfilling
detention time.
Any
student not serving the detention when assigned will be assigned an
in school suspension the following day.
Aggressive Behavior Policy-
(Bullying Policy):
Disciplinary
action may be taken against any student guilty of gross disobedience
or misconduct including, using any form or type of aggressive behavior
that does physical or psychological harm to someone else and/or urging
other students to engage in such conduct. Prohibited aggressive
behaviors includes, without limitation, the use of violence, force,
noise, coercion, threats, intimidation, fear, bullying, or other comparable
conduct.
Students
who engage in acts of aggressive behavior and/or bullying may be subject
to discipline in accordance with the Board’s general student discipline
policy. Such discipline may include, but is not limited to verbal
or written reprimand, in-school suspension, change of placement and/or
out of school suspension or expulsion. Parental notification of
discipline will be made in accordance with Disciplinary Procedures.
Alcohol:
The
consumption of alcoholic beverages is hazardous to the health of students.
The consumption, possession, distribution, purchasing, being under the
influence of, or selling alcoholic beverages is not permitted on school
buses, in school buildings or on school grounds at any time. This
policy extends to all school sponsored and related activities, as well
as field trips and athletic and music trips, whether held before or
after school, evenings, or weekends. Students shall not be permitted
to attend school when they are under the influence of alcohol.
For the purpose of this policy, students who are under such influence
shall be treated in the same manner as though they had alcohol in their
possession. Students shall be advised of this policy in a manner deemed
appropriate by the building principal. In addition, information
concerning the effects and potential dangers involved in the use of
alcohol shall be included in the curriculum in compliance with the Illinois
School Code.
Violation
of this policy will result in the student being suspended according
to the District's discipline policy. Second time offenders will
be recommended to the Board of Education for expulsion.
Organizations
sponsoring activities in the schools outside of regular school hours
shall be made award of this policy and shall be expected to take appropriate
disciplinary measures. Failure to do so could result in cancellation
of that organization's privilege to use district buildings.
Drug Abuse:
Non-medical
use of drugs is hazardous to the health of students. The illicit
use, possession, distribution, purchasing, or selling illegal drugs
or controlled substances, “look-alike” drugs or drug paraphernalia
is not permitted on school buses, in school buildings or on school grounds
at any time. This policy extends to all school sponsored and related
activities, as well as field trips and athletic and music trips, whether
held before or after school, evenings, or weekends. Students shall
not be permitted to attend school when they are under the influence
of illicit drugs. For the purpose of this policy, students who
are under such influence shall be treated in the same manner as though
they had drugs in their possession.
Students
shall be advised of this policy in a manner deemed appropriate by the
building principal. In addition, information concerning the effects
and potential dangers involved in the illicit use of drugs shall be
included in the curriculum in compliance with the law.
Violation
of this policy will result in the student being suspended for a period
of up to ten (10) days and shall be recommended to the Board of Education
for expulsion. In addition, parents and juvenile authorities shall
be notified promptly. In all cases, parents' cooperation shall
be sought. When a substance is determined to be an illicit drug,
the identity of the student shall be given to the proper authorities
for prosecution.
If
there is reason to believe that a student is using drugs illicitly at
any time on or off school premises, the health and counseling services
of the school shall be made available to the student and his parents.
Given reasonable grounds for suspicion, school officials may search
for and seize illicit drugs brought onto school buses or school property
and submit such drugs to the proper authorities for analysis.
Organizations
sponsoring activities in the schools outside of regular school hours
shall be made aware of this policy and shall be expected to take appropriate
disciplinary measures. Failure to do so could result in cancellation
of that organization's privilege to use district facilities.
Defacement of School Property:
Students
defacing school property will be responsible for cleaning it and/or
replacing it at the student's expense. Students also may be suspended
for this, and repeated episodes may result in expulsion.
Electronic Paging Devices
and Cellular Telephones:
Students
are not allowed to use or have on any electronic paging and or cellular
radio-telecommunication devises during the school hours of 8:00 a.m.
to 3:15 p.m. Students are also not allowed to use these devices while
being transported on a school bus. Students are encouraged to
store cellular phones (that are turned off) in their lockers.
Graymont Grade School is not responsible for a lost or stolen cell phone.
If a cell phone is being used inappropriately, the phone will be confiscated
and kept in the office for the student’s parent to pick up.
If students violate the policy the following discipline will occur;
1st
offense- After school detention, parent contact
2nd
offense- 2 after school detentions, parent contact
3rd
offense- 1 day out-of-school suspension, parent contact
Items not Allowed in School:
Candy,
gum, and toys are not allowed in school except for special occasions
set by a teacher. Other items excluded are radios, tape players,
CD players, and electronic games, unless permission is given by an authorized
school employee. Knives, lighters, cell phones, pagers, lasers,
handheld games and other dangerous objects are not allowed at any time.
Radios,
tape players, CD players, and electronic games may be taken on the bus
when traveling to an athletic event or an all-day field trip only if
the radio and/or tape player are equipped with earphones for personal
listening and are approved by the sponsoring school employee responsible
for the trip.
Public Display of Affection:
Public
displays of affection are not age appropriate for junior high students
in the public school and will not be tolerated. A detention will
be given automatically and parents notified.
Searches and Police Interrogation:
Desks
and lockers are public property, and school authorities may make reasonable
regulations regarding their use. School officials may inspect
desks and lockers when there is reasonable cause to believe that the
contents threaten the safety, health, or welfare of students, or include
stolen property or contraband. School authorities may search a student
or the student’s personal effects in the student’s possession
(such as purses, wallets, knapsacks, book bags, lunch boxes, etc.) when
there is a reasonable ground for suspecting that the search will produce
evidence that the particular student has violated or is violating either
the law or the District’s student conduct rules.
Stolen
items and items which are prohibited by law, Board policy or school
regulations may be removed and impounded, and the parents notified.
If the student is not present during the search, he shall be informed,
as soon as practical of the action taken.
A
juvenile officer may interview a student in school providing he or she
presents proper identification to the superintendent prior to the interview.
The parents or guardian shall be notified before the student is interviewed.
If the parents/guardians object, the interview will not be conducted.
The interview shall be conducted in the presence of a teacher or principal
and the parents/guardians if they so desire. A representative
from the Department of Children and Family Services may interview a
student without parent permission. A representative from a state
or county agency may, with a court order, interview a student without
parent permission.
Sexual harassment:
Sexual
harassment is defined as:
Any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or any conduct
of a sexual nature when: (1) implicitly a term or condition of
an individual’s education, (2) submission to or rejection of such
conduct by an individual is used as the basis for educational decisions
affecting such individual; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect
of substantially interfering with an individual’s educational performance
or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment.
Students who are the victims
of sexual harassment are encouraged to notify the school district through
the Superintendent; if the Superintendent has allegedly committed the
act or acts of sexual harassment complained of, through the Superintendent.
Such report is requested to be made in writing detailing the specifics
of the charge and should be submitted within 90 days after the incident.
The identity of the parties and the events complained of shall remain
confidential to the extent feasible. Acts of sexual harassment
depending upon the circumstances of the case may be considered cause
for expulsion or such other disciplinary action as is warranted.
When there is sufficient evidence
of violation of this policy the Board of Education or its designee shall
take appropriate disciplinary action which may include warning, suspension,
expulsion and/or such other disciplinary action as may be warranted.
Students shall be informed annually of the sexual harassment policy.
Tobacco:
All
schools and school grounds are tobacco-free zones. “Tobacco” includes
cigarette, cigar, or tobacco in any other form, including smokeless
tobacco which is any loose, cut, shredded, ground, powdered, compressed
or leaf tobacco that is intended to be placed in the mouth without being
smoked.
Tobacco has been shown to be
hazardous to the health of students. It is also illegal for minors
to purchase tobacco products. Using, possessing, distributing,
purchasing, or selling tobacco materials is prohibited on school property
or at school activities. This policy extends to all school sponsored
and related activities as well as field trips and athletic and music
trips, whether held before or after school or weekends. Smoking
on school buses is prohibited by law.
Students shall be advised of
this policy in a manner deemed appropriate by the administration.
In addition, information concerning the effects of tobacco use shall
be included in this curriculum.
If a student is found using,
distributing, purchasing, selling or in possession of tobacco, the student
will receive disciplinary actions up to and including suspension from
school. Parents or guardians shall be notified. Administrative
discretion and judgment will be used in determining the severity of
accumulated discipline problems. Repeated discipline problems
may lead to the student being recommended for expulsion.
Weapons:
Any
student who uses, possesses, controls, or transfers a weapon, or any
object that can reasonably be considered, or looks like a weapon, shall
be expelled for a definite time period of at least one calendar year,
but no more that two calendar years. The Board of Education, however,
may modify the expulsion period on a case-by-case basis. A “weapon”
means possession, use, control, or transfer of any object which may
be used to cause bodily harm, including, but not limited to, firearms,
knives, guns, rifles, shotguns, brass knuckles, and billy-clubs or “look-alikes”
of these objects. Such items as baseball bats, pipes, bottles,
locks, sticks, pencils and pens may be considered weapons if used or
attempted to be used to cause bodily harm. The Superintendent/Principal
or designee shall notify the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency
system of any student who brings a firearm or weapon to school
Suspension:
The
superintendent/principal is authorized to suspend students guilty of
gross disobedience or misconduct from school (and all school functions)
for a period not to exceed ten (10) school days. Students who
are suspended out of school are not allowed on school grounds during
the suspension, and may not participate in or attend any school-sponsored
activities during the time of their suspension. This will include
any practices or regularly scheduled events. The student and/or
parents are due the following procedural protection:
Prior to suspension,
the student shall be provided oral or written notice of the charges.
If the charges are denied the student shall be given an explanation
of the evidence against him and an opportunity to present his/her version
of the incident.
Prior notice and
hearing as stated above may not be required and the student immediately
suspended when the student's presence poses a continuing danger to persons
or property or an ongoing threat of disruption to the educational process.
In such cases, the necessary notice and hearing shall follow as soon
as practical.
Any suspension shall
be reported immediately to the parents or guardian of the student.
Such report shall contain a full statement of the reasons for the suspension
and a notice to the parents or guardian of their right to review.
Also, a copy of the notice shall be given to the Board of Education.
Upon request of
the parents or guardian, a hearing shall be conducted by the Board or
a hearing officer appointed by it to review the suspension. At
the hearing, the parents or guardian of the student may appear and discuss
the suspension with the Board or its hearing officer. If a hearing
officer is appointed by the Board, he/she shall report to the Board
a written summary of the evidence heard. After the hearing or
upon receipt of the report of the hearing officer, the Board may take
such action as it finds appropriate.
Gross disobedience or
misconduct by students shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
1.
Disobedience of directives from staff members or school officials or
rules and regulations governing student conduct.
2.
Possession, use, distribution, purchase, sale or found to be under the
influence of illicit drugs and/or alcoholic beverages.
3.
Injury or threat of injury to any school district employee, official,
or student.
4.
Destruction and/or defacement of any school property.
5.
Possession, use or distribution of a dangerous weapon or device
that may be used as such.
6.
Tampering with fire extinguishers or removal of fire extinguishers from
their designated locations without proper cause.
7.
Release of the fire alarm without permission or proper cause.
8.
Verbal abuse or use of profanity or obscenity to school personnel and/or
another student.
9.
Theft of school property or another student’s property.
10. Possession or setting off of fireworks or explosive devices
on school grounds.
11. All acts which directly or indirectly jeopardize the health,
safety, and welfare of school personnel, and students.
The
Superintendent or his/her designated person shall be responsible for
notifying the student body of the contents of this policy.
Students
are required to complete all class work during a suspension and will
receive 50% credit for their graded work.
Expulsion:
Illinois
School Code Section 5/10:22.6 authorizes the Board of Education to expel
students guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct for a definite period
of time not to exceed 2 calendar years, as determined on a case by case
basis. The student and/or parents or guardian shall be due the
following procedural protection:
1.
Prior to expulsion, the student shall be provided written notice of
the charges and the time and place of hearing. If the charges
are denied, the student shall have an opportunity for a hearing, at
the time and place designated in the notice conducted by the Board or
a hearing officer appointed by it. If a hearing officer is appointed
by the Board, he/she shall report to the Board the evidence presented
at the hearing and the Board shall take such final action as it finds
appropriate.
2.
The Board shall provide written notice to the parents or guardian of
the time, place and purpose of the hearing by registered or certified
mail and request the appearance of the parents or guardian at the expulsion
hearing.
3.
During the expulsion hearing, the student and his/her parents or guardian
may be represented by counsel, present witnesses and other evidence
on his/her behalf, and cross-examine adverse witnesses.
The Board or hearing officer shall hear evidence on the issue of whether
the student is guilty of the gross disobedience of misconduct charged.
After presentation of the evidence or receipt of the hearing officer's
report, the Board shall decide the issue of guilt. If the Board
finds the student guilty of the gross disobedience or misconduct as
charged, it shall then hear evidence on the appropriate level of discipline
to be handed out. After presentation of the evidence or receipt
of the hearing officer's report, the Board shall decide whether expulsion
or some lesser form of discipline shall be imposed upon the student.
Gross
disobedience or misconduct by students shall include, but not be limited
to extreme or repeated instances the infractions listed under
“Suspension”.
The
superintendent/principal or the superintendent's designated person shall
be responsible for notifying the student body of the contents of this
policy.
Athletic/Extra-Curricular
Policy
We at Graymont Grade School
encourage all students to expand their learning and socialization into
a variety of extra-curricular activities. Your school experience,
like most other activities, will give to you in direct proportion what
you put into it. So get involved. The following is the list
of extra-curricular activities:
Softball
Basketball- Class
7A & 8A
Volleyball- Class
7A & 8A
Track- Class 7A
& 8A
Cheerleading
Baseball
Band/Chorus
Literary Program
Spelling Bee
Math Team
Scholastic Bowl
Student Council
General Policies:
Athletics should
contribute directly to educational objectives. Athletics should
help to establish standards of behavior that represent the best in good
citizenship. Athletics should stress the will to win but also
such virtues as truthfulness, fair play, honesty, modesty, give-and-take,
courtesy, self-discipline, courage, generosity, self-restraint and loyalty.
The health and welfare
of the students should be the primary consideration in planning and
conducting the athletic program. To protect the health of all
competitors the following should be followed:
Prior to the beginning
of practice, an annual health examination shall be required
of all students who expect to participate in grade school athletics.
Following an illness
or injury which requires the treatment of a phys