W. Smith Jr. Student Handbook

VISION STATEMENT

Smith provides a learning environment that is conducive to academic success.

MISSION STATEMENT

We empower students to believe, work hard, and achieve academic success in a safe, caring and positive environment.

OUR BELIEFS 

• Given a safe, supportive, and comfortable learning environment, all children have the ability to learn.
• Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs requiring a variety of instructional approaches to support their learning.
• Learning is a collaborative effort among teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the community.
• High expectations for learning set the standards for children to think more critically.
• Learning should be relevant and provide opportunities for the application of learning in order to enable students to become contributing members of the community.
• Professional development for continuous improvement and innovation is essential.

 

2021-22 IMPORTANT DATES

AUGUST 6	FIRST DAY (GRADES 1-5)
AUGUST 11	FIRST FULL DAY FOR ALL KINDERGARTEN
AUGUST 20	FIRST FULL DAY FOR ALL PRE KINDERGARTEN
SEPTEMBER 2	INDIVIDUAL PICTURE DAY
SEPTEMBER 6	LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
SEPTEMBER 7	PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME
OCTOBER 7	END OF 1ST NINE WEEKS PERIOD
OCTOBER 19	REPORT CARD CONFERENCES (3:30-6:45)
OCTOBER 22	CLASS AND GROUP PICTURES
OCTOBER 29	FALL FEST
NOVEMBER 1	FALL BREAK
NOVEMBER 2	TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
NOVEMBER 9	PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME
NOVEMBER 12	SANTA PICTURES
NOVEMBER 22-26	THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
DECEMBER 17	CHRISTMAS PARTIES/POLAR EXPRESS DAY
DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 2	CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
JANUARY 3	END OF 2ND NINE WEEKS PERIOD
JANUARY 11	REPORTS CARDS GO HOME
JANUARY 17	MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY(NO SCHOOL)
JANUARY 18	TEACHER INSERVICE (NO SCHOOL)
JANUARY 21	RETAKES
FEBRUARY 1	PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME
FEBRUARY 18	BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM
FEBRUARY 25	MARDI GRAS PARADE
FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 4	MARDI GRAS HOLIDAY
MARCH 11	END OF 3RD NINE WEEKS PERIOD
MARCH 16	EASTER  PICTURES
MARCH 18	REPORT CARDS GO HOME
APRIL 4-8	TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
APRIL 12	PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME
APRIL 14-19	EASTER HOLIDAY
APRIL 27-MAY 3	LEAP TESTING 3RD AND 4TH GRADE
MAY 9-13	LEAP TESTING 5TH GRADE
MAY 20	KINDERGARTEN & 5TH GRADE CEREMONIES
MAY 23	LAST DAY OF SCHOOL  REPORT CARDS GO HOME

NOTE:  Some events may be added, deleted, or changed.

ACADEMIC AWARDS

A student who receives all A’s and B’s including conduct AND all S’s in cultural arts will be given an Honor Roll certificate.  Honor Roll certificates are awarded at the end of each nine weeks.  Trophies will be given to students at the end of the year for making the honor roll all year. 

ARP (Accelerated Reader Program)

Children in all grades are encouraged to participate in the AR Program which promotes reading for enjoyment.  Children read books and take computerized tests on the books that they read.  They receive points for reading comprehension and accuracy, and they receive prizes as the points accumulate.  ARP tests may only be taken Mondays through Fridays from 7:30-2:30.  Please see your child’s teacher or the librarian for more information.

ARRIVAL

• The school day begins at 7:30 a.m. for Grades Pre K 4 -Fifth grade.
• Students should arrive between 7:05 a.m. and 7:20 a.m.  Students may not arrive before supervision begins at 7:05 a.m.
• Students arriving after 7:30 a.m. must report to the office with a parent to sign in and receive a tardy pass. Minutes from tardies accumulate to absences.
• Students riding school buses will be dropped off at the cafeteria.
• Car riders will be dropped off at the side entrance near the preschool playground.  Students will enter the school, continue down the hallway, and report to the cafeteria or their assigned hallway.  Teachers will be on duty to direct students.  Students cannot be dropped off in the faculty parking lots or in any other areas of the school.
• If your child is a car rider, he or she should arrive by 7:20 in order to eat breakfast and get to class on time. Please make sure your child is properly restrained in a car seat or seat belt.
•  Parents are not to walk students to class.  This interferes with the morning routines.

Tardies should be avoided.  Excessive tardies may result in a parent conference and the loss of perfect attendance.  Please try to avoid this from occurring.  Excessive tardies will be reported to the Office of Child Welfare and Attendance.

Keep in mind that when a child comes in late, the teacher must stop the lesson, change attendance, change the lunch count, and get the tardy child settled and caught up before the lesson can continue.  Valuable instructional time is wasted for the entire class.

ATTENDANCE

The school year consists of 180 days.  Regulations specified by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education require elementary school students to be in attendance a minimum of 166 days to be eligible for promotion.  The State allows 14 absences per year at the elementary and middle school levels.   The State does not distinguish between excused and unexcused; all are counted as absences.   A doctor’s note for an appointment or a one-day illness will be counted as one of the 14 days, and once the maximum number of absences allowed is reached credit may not be granted.  Long-term illnesses will receive special consideration through our Office of Child Welfare and Attendance.

• Please call the school (302-1000) when your child is absent and state the reason for not being in school. A note from a parent is required for each absence.  These notes are kept on file.  
• A doctor’s certificate is required when students are returning to school after having a communicable disease.  The Parish Supplement in the back of this handbook contains information on communicable diseases.
• Absences are closely monitored.  Excessive absences and tardies are reported to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance. 
• All doctor’s notes should be turned in the next day the child returns to school.
• Parents should expect to receive and sign absence and tardy notices.

BREAKFAST PROGRAM

• Breakfast is served between 7:05 a.m. and 7:25 a.m.  Car riders should arrive in the cafeteria by 7:20 if they wish to eat breakfast.                          

BUSES

• Students must follow all bus rules contained in the St. Bernard Parish GUIDE to STUDENT CONDUCT.
• Mutual respect by the student and the bus driver should alleviate almost all problems. 

• Once a student is assigned to a bus, he/she must ride only that bus.
• A parent may request in writing a change of bus for a special reason.  The notes must be signed by the parent and turned in to the office.  The note must be signed by office personnel and a copy will be given to the bus driver.  
• Problems concerning bus routes or pick-ups should be directed to the Supervisor of Transportation at 301-3941.
• Discipline problems should be reported to the assistant principal as soon as possible.  Students not observing common courtesies and obeying bus rules may be suspended from the bus. Riding the bus is a privilege.

Policy for Bus Returns/Late Pick-Ups

When a student is returned to school because an officially designated adult was not at the appointed stopping place, the bus driver will complete a Bus Return Form and submit it to the principal or designee upon returning to the school. When a student is not picked-up within 10 minutes of dismissal by a designated adult, a Late Pick-Up Form will be completed.

1. The first time a student is returned to school by the bus driver or not picked-up within ten minutes after dismissal, staff will contact the parent/authorized adult and direct the adult to come to the school to pick up the student.  Parents will be reminded of the guidelines in the transportation policy.
2. The second time a student is returned to school or picked-up late, staff will contact the parent/authorized adult to arrange for pick-up and make a referral to the Counselor.  The Counselor will call the parent to investigate the cause for the return and assist them in making any necessary transportation changes.
3. The third time a student is returned to school or picked-up late during the school year, staff will contact the parent/authorized adult to arrange pick-up and make a referral to the Counselor. The student will be denied bus transportation for three (3) school days.  The parents are required to attend an intervention meeting to address the situation and develop an action plan before the student may ride the bus.  Following this meeting, the student may return to riding the bus. 
4. The fourth time a student is returned to school or picked-up late, the return/late pick-up will be handled the same as above however, the student may be denied bus transportation for five (5) school days.
5. The fifth time a student is returned to school or picked-up late, the return/late pick-up will be handled the same as above however, the student may be denied bus transportation for eight (8) school days.
6. The sixth time a student is returned to school or picked-up late, the return/late pick-up will be handled the same way as above however, the student may be denied bus transportation for (10) days.

 

CHANGE OF ADDRESS / PHONE NUMBER

If your address or phone number changes, please notify the school immediately.  You can either come to school in person and speak to the secretary or write a letter to your child’s teacher.

CHECK OUTS (Please avoid checkouts after 2:00.)

You must present identification to the office personnel, sign the child out, and state the reason for early checkout.  Habitual checkouts will be reported to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance. When a child is checked out early, the learning of the entire class is interrupted because the teacher stops the class instruction to assist the child who is preparing to leave early.

• We need written notice from a parent if anyone other than a parent or person on the emergency card will be checking out a child.  This person will also need proper identification.  

CHILD WELFARE

Educators are required by state law to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the Child Welfare Protection Agency. 

CURRICULUM

Students in kindergarten through third grades are instructed in self-contained classrooms.  Fourth and fifth grade students will be instructed in departmentalized classrooms.  Physical education, art, and music objectives are taught by teachers who are specialized in these areas.  All students will visit the library and use technology on a regular basis.

Students who qualify for Special Education services will be instructed in the classroom setting specified on their Individual Education Program (I.E.P.). Our guidance counselor is available for students as needed.

Students who qualify for reading remediation will be assisted with reading intervention in the classroom with their teacher or with another teacher or para educator.

COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS GUIDE

We are continuing to teach according to the Louisiana State Standards.    The National PTA published a guide several years ago to help parents better understand the ELA and Math Curriculum.  The information below was taken from that guide.  Pay special attention to bold items.

Kindergarten

ELA

Learning new language skills is a hallmark of kindergarten. Your child will learn about the alphabet and its role in reading. Your child will practice rhyming, matching words with beginning sounds, and blending sounds into words. Practice with these types of activities is a powerful step toward learning to read and spell correctly. The size of your child’s vocabulary is another key factor in his or her ability to read and comprehend books and stories. Your child also will begin writing and will be encouraged to use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing letters, and words to share information, ideas, and feelings.

Math

Young children arrive in kindergarten with widely varying knowledge in math. By the end of the year, your child must have some important foundations in place. One of the most important skills your child should develop is the ability to add and subtract small numbers and use addition and subtraction to solve word problems. This will rely on gaining some fundamentals early in the year, such as counting objects to tell how many there are. Addition and subtraction will continue to be a very strong focus in math through 2nd grade.

First Grade

ELA

In 1st grade, your child will become a more independent reader and writer. Your child will continue to learn and practice rules for recognizing the sounds that make up words and will be able to sound out more complex words. Such foundational skills are necessary and important components of developing proficient readers with the capacity to comprehend a wide range of materials. Students will learn to think about what they read and talk about the main ideas of simple stories. As they write and speak, 1st graders will learn to use language appropriately; this includes using complete sentences and spelling words with increasing accuracy.

Math

In 1st grade, your child will build on last year’s work and gain important new skills. One of the most important outcomes for the year is to improve speed and accuracy adding with a sum of 20 or less and subtracting from a number 20 or less. Another important goal in 1st grade is adding with a sum of 100 or less; this will rely on understanding what the digits mean in a number such as 63 (namely, 63 is six tens and three ones). Working with multi-digit addition this year will set the stage for 2nd grade, when your child will be working with three-digit numbers and adding and subtracting with larger numbers.

Second Grade

ELA

Students in 2nd grade will gain more skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They continue to learn and practice rules for matching sounds to letters that make up words, and they learn new concepts — such as words that share the same root (e.g., add and additional) — that help them figure out the meanings of new words. Writing will become an exciting way for your child to use newly learned words and phrases to express ideas. As they write and speak, 2nd graders will be more attentive to the formal and informal uses of English and will spell most words correctly in their writing.

Math

In 2nd grade, your child will build on last year’s work and gain important new skills. One of the most important outcomes for the year is to add and subtract two-digit numbers quickly and accurately (e.g., 77 – 28). Another important goal in 2nd grade is to understand what the digits mean in a three-digit number such as 463 (namely, 463 is four hundreds, six tens, and three ones). Your child also will build expertise with solving addition and subtraction word problems. Mastering addition and subtraction at the 2nd grade level is important so that your child will not have to review and repeat this material in 3rd grade, when the study of multiplication, division, and fractions will start.

Third Grade

ELA

Third grade is a pivotal year for your child. Learning to read with fluency and confidence will serve as a foundation for the reading demands in later grades. By practicing with learning-to-read strategies, your child will reliably be able to make sense of multi-syllable words in books. He or she will come to appreciate that words have meanings that are not literal (e.g., a piece of cake) and have relationships to other words (e.g., company and companion). Recognizing and understanding words will help your child read increasingly challenging stories and books and 

build knowledge about the world around him or her. By the end of the year, your child also will be writing clear sentences and paragraphs on a range of topics, drawing on an expanding vocabulary, and making inferences about text.

Math

In 3rd grade, your child will learn important new ideas and gain important new skills. One of the most important topics this year is multiplication and division. Another is fractions. Multiplication, division, and fractions are the building blocks for many life skills that students will learn in later grades, such as percentages. Students also need to master these topics to be ready for algebra and advanced math, so it is essential to get a good start with these topics in 3rd grade.

Fourth grade

ELA

Building the stamina and skills to read challenging fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and other materials is fundamental in 4th grade. Your child will continue to learn about the world as well as build vocabulary skills by reading more complicated stories and poems from different cultures and a range of books on history, science, art, and music. Fourth grade students also will make important strides in their ability to explain plainly and in detail what a book says — both explicitly and what is implied from its details. By 4th grade, your child will be writing effective summaries, book reports, and descriptions of characters or events that use correct grammar and punctuation.

Math

In 4th grade, your child will gain important new skills while continuing to build on what he or she learned the previous year. One of the main areas studied in 4th grade is arithmetic and applying it to solve problems. This is an important life skill, and your child should make significant strides in this area during the year. Your child will also build knowledge and skills with fractions to prepare for mastering this topic in 5th and 6th grades. These skills will help ensure your child is ready for algebra and advanced math.

Fifth grade

ELA

In 5th grade, your child will read widely and deeply from a range of high-quality, increasingly challenging fiction and nonfiction from diverse cultures and time periods. Building knowledge about subjects through research projects and responding analytically to literary and informational sources will be key to your child’s continuing success. Your child will write stories or essays that are several paragraphs long. By devoting significant time and effort to producing numerous written pieces over short and extended time frames throughout the year, he or she also will gain control over many conventions of grammar, usage, and punctuation as well as learn ways to make himself or herself understood.

Math

Fifth grade is a milestone and a pivot point for students. The classroom focus on arithmetic during the elementary grades will develop into a more formal study of algebra in middle school. To be ready for algebra, students must have an understanding of fractional arithmetic, in part because even simple equations cannot be solved without fractions. Because of this, whole-number arithmetic comes mostly to a close in 5th grade, while multiplying and dividing fractions becomes a major focus.

DISCIPLINE

Students are expected to follow the school rules and behave appropriately.  The teacher, the principal, or assistant principal will contact a parent when a student consistently breaks the school rules.  Refer to the GUIDE TO STUDENT CONDUCT for information regarding the different classes of behavior and possible consequences.  

When a student is given an after-school detention as a consequence, the parent will be contacted.  The parents and teacher are to decide on transportation.

When a student is suspended, the parent will be notified by an administrator.

Whenever a question arises concerning discipline, please follow these steps:

• Discuss it with your child,
• Discuss it with the teacher, and if necessary
• Discuss it with an administrator.

Please help your child develop good behavior habits as well as proper attitudes toward the school.  Please become familiar with your child’s discipline plan and the GUIDE TO STUDENT CONDUCT.  Your child will be held accountable for following all school rules.

SCHOOL RULES                       

General school behavior expectations are:

1. Be Respectful
2. Be Responsible
3. Be Ready to Learn

Students will be expected to:

• Walk in the halls in “line check”.
• Report any problem with another student to the nearest adult

     (Teacher, aide, bus driver, etc)

• Avoid hitting, kicking, or hurting another student.
• Avoid throwing objects.
• Refrain from “calling names” or teasing another student.
• Respect school property.
• Use the bathroom facilities properly.
• Obey all school, classroom, and bus rules.

Students should follow this line-up procedure after recess:

• “Freeze” on the first whistle.
• Throw away trash on the second whistle.
• Walk quietly to the line when instructed to do so on the third whistle.
• Quietly move to the classroom as directed by the teacher.

CAFETERIA RULES

Students in the cafeteria should:

• Stay in a straight line.
• Keep hands and feet to themselves.
• Remain quiet while in line.
• Practice good table manners.
• Clean eating area before lining up.
• Listen for instructions to be dismissed.
• Remain quiet during dismissal from the tables to empty trays.

PLAYGROUND RULES

Students should:

• Play by cooperating with other students.
• Avoid rough play.
• Obey all safety rules.
• Stay out of the area immediately surrounding the playground equipment when not using the playground equipment.  

BUS RULES  

   Students waiting for the bus should:

• Stay in line to wait for the bus.
• Stay out of the street.

   Students on the bus should:

• Stay seated in the assigned seat.
• Speak softly and use inside voices.
• Keep hands and other objects inside the bus windows.
• Report problems to the bus driver before leaving the bus.
• Keep feet and school bags out of the aisles.
• Exit the bus at the school entrance in the morning and walk orderly to the cafeteria.
• Walk to the bus, and board the bus in front of the school at dismissal.
• Keep the bus clean.
• Avoid bringing food or drinks on the bus.

DISMISSAL

• Dismissal time is 2:30 p.m.
• If an adult other than the parent is sent to check out a student, that person’s name must be listed on the Student Information Card kept on file in the school office.  Office personnel will check the driver’s license for identification.
• All checkouts must be made from the office.  Children will not be released to parents from the cafeteria or bus loading area.
• Car riders will be dismissed from the covered exit on the side of the building next to the Pre K playground.   If your child does not ride the bus, please cooperate with us by waiting in the car line for safety reasons and to help alleviate any traffic problems. 
• Transportation changes cannot be made over the telephone.  Please write a letter and sign it if you need to make a transportation change.  Please understand that we cannot accept transportation changes by phone.  This policy is in place to protect your child.

DRESS CODE

Students are asked to wear laced or velcro-strapped tennis shoes to school every day.  Heelys and Croc-type shoes, or shoes with lights cannot be worn to school.  

The St. Bernard Parish School System has adopted a parish-wide mandated school uniform policy for all students.  All children are required to wear uniforms as outlined below.  For further information, refer to St. Bernard Parish Student Dress and Appearance Guideline located in the back of the Student Handbook.

UNIFORM POLICY

The St. Bernard Parish School Board requires that all students adhere to its adopted school uniform.  This uniform was adopted on February 17, 1998, following the recommendations of a committee composed of teachers, administrators, and parent representatives from each school.                                

	Uniform Pants	Shirts	Alternate Shirts
Boys:	Khaki or navy (or dress shorts)	White oxford	White or school color collared polo/golf
Girls:	Khaki or navy (or dress shorts, skirts or jumpers)	White oxford or uniform broadcloth	White or school color collared polo/golf  (Purple polo/golf shirts authorized by the school)

Uniforms may be purchased at the following locations:

Beau’s	Ink Designs	Path	Uniforms Plus	LA Unlimited
9027 W. Judge Perez  Drive	4908 E. Judge Perez Drive	2407 Paris Road	2201 Paris Road	5031 Paris Road
504-682-2000	504-682-2270	504-252-9771	504-271-2444	504-279-5632

All grade level uniforms include the following:

Sweatshirts, uniform sweaters (authorized school color or white V-neck, vest, crew or cardigan styles). School elementary sweatshirts must be solid navy blue, solid white, solid purple or the authorized solid purple school sweatshirt with our logo.

Tennis, casual, or dress shoes:  Tennis shoes are the preferred shoe for everyday wear.   Tennis shoes are required on P.E. days.

Belts: (Belts are required for clothing with belt loops. Belts must be the appropriate size.) Belts must be solid black, blue, khaki, or brown. Large belt buckles are not acceptable.

Socks: White or solid dark colors. Socks should be worn above the ankle.           

Stockings: White, solid dark, or flesh-colored

Hair:  All students must have appropriate haircuts.  Avoid all extreme haircuts.   Frosted, bleached, or colored hair, other than the natural color is considered to be extreme.

Fingernails:  Artificial fingernails cannot be worn by students.

DRUG FREE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Smith Elementary School students participate in state-mandated drug education classes throughout the school year.  The classes are taught by the cultural arts’ teachers and the guidance counselor. 

Fifth grade students are also instructed by D.A.R.E. officers. 

Students are instructed in the dangers of substance abuse at any early age since research shows that more students are influenced by the information when it is introduced early.

To act as role models in keeping with the Drug Free Schools Program and the new laws, employees and parents are not allowed to smoke on the school grounds or on field trips in the presence of students.

Please refer to the STUDENT GUIDE TO CONDUCT for the Drug Dog Search policy.

EMERGENCY CLOSING OF SCHOOL

Natural emergencies and various types of man-made emergencies have occurred and may continue to occur in St. Bernard Parish.  In the event Smith or any other school in St. Bernard Parish needs to be closed, the superintendent will notify the news media the morning of the closing in time for the early morning news program.  Parents are asked to stay tuned to early morning radio and TV news reports for this information.

In the event schools need to be closed during the school day, the superintendent will contact local radio and TV stations notifying them of the time of the closure.  Buses will transport all bus riders to their usual stops.  Please make arrangements for someone to be home to meet your child.  Students who are normally picked up by parents will not be released until a parent has been contacted and that parent informs the school whether a family member or friend will pick up the child.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

ACADEMIC GAMES TEAM

Fourth and Fifth Grade students who meet the requirements of the Academic Games Team are invited to participate in this activity.  They participate four times a year in competitions that test their knowledge of Presidents, On-Sets, Propaganda and Equations.  Weekly after school meetings will be required.

BETA CLUB

We have a Beta Club for 4th and 5th graders.  Admission is based on grade point average and performing arts ability. Students meeting the requirements of the Beta Club are encouraged to join and participate in its activities.  After school meetings will be required.

CHORUS

We have a chorus for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who meet the requirements.    

The chorus performs at many school assemblies and community events.  After school rehearsal is required.

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

The Art Festival is held each year in the spring.  Some of our student artwork is displayed.  This is an excellent outlet to display the creative art talent of our students. Many worthy art projects are displayed at the festival.

4-H CLUB 

Fourth and fifth grade students are encouraged to join the 4-H Club and participate in all 4-H activities. Members attend meetings during school. Other activities outside of school are also involved, for example:  cooking and biking contests, and the rodeo.  An end of the year field trip and summer camp (for selected students) are a part of the activities.

LIBRARY CLUB 

Students in grades three, four, and five who meet the requirements may join the Library Club. The Librarian will inform students of details and when the club’s activities will begin.

PEP SQUAD

Third, fourth and fifth grade students are encouraged to be a part of our pep squad.  The Pep Squad performs for many school and community functions including marching in the Nemesis Parade held in the parish.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Smith Elementary School may sponsor the listed events depending on federal and state quarantine guidelines:  Grandparents Day, Literacy Night, Terrific Kid Ceremonies, Literacy Week, Black History, a Christmas Celebration, a school parade, and a spring play.   Please read correspondence sent home for details concerning these and other newly formed activities and clubs sponsored by our school.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are important to our educational program.  Students are encouraged to attend all class-sponsored field trips.  Please send the money and signed permission slip in a sealed, clearly labeled envelope.   No permission slips or money will be accepted after the deadline is set for the field trip.  The rules for incentive field trips are established by the teacher.  For incentive field trips, the teacher may withhold the field trip privilege for disciplinary reasons.  School dress code and all school rules are in effect for field trips.  Chaperones must dress appropriately.  The shirt may not be altered in any way, and shorts are not allowed to be worn by adults on field trips. Smoking is not allowed on field trips.  Parents must follow regular check out procedures after field trips unless arrangements are made prior to the day of the field trip.

All school rules are in effect during a field trip and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken with students who choose to violate these rules.  Chaperones must ride the school bus.

FIRST AID

It is the student’s responsibility to report personal illness or injury to a teacher or staff member.  If serious injury occurs, first aid is administered and parents/guardians are called immediately.  For this reason, it is very important that the school has your correct home telephone number and at least three emergency contact numbers.

FUNDRAISING POLICIES             

Fundraisers are P.T.S.O. and school sponsored activities and are intended to be family oriented.  Sales are encouraged through family members, business contacts, and friends.  Fundraisers are not intended to be door-to-door selling time for students.  Please do not let your child sell school items for fundraisers unsupervised.

FUNDS

Please send all funds to school in an envelope marked with the student’s name, homeroom, purpose for the funds, and the amount.  All checks should be made payable to Smith Elementary School.  

HOLIDAY WORK PACKETS 

Student work packets may be sent home on weekends and during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mardi gras, and Easter breaks, at the teacher or principal’s discretion.  They are to reinforce and enrich what is being taught in the classroom, or serve as make-up work.  Grades will be given based on the completion and correctness of the work.

HOMEWORK

Homework is assigned to reinforce, extend, and enrich the skills and concepts that have been introduced by the teacher.  Homework provides an opportunity for a student to develop self-responsibility, time management skills, and independent study skills and should be completed each day or by the end of the week, based on individual teacher expectations.

A homework policy will be discussed and sent home during the first week of school by your child’s teacher.  Please refer to the policy often.  Weekly homework schedules will be sent home by teachers. Children in Grade five will be using agenda books, and all students will receive purple folders provided by the school.  If the agenda book is lost or destroyed, another one may be purchased from the school for $5.00, $2.00 to replace a purple folder, while supplies last. Check with your child’s teacher if you have any questions concerning homework, agenda books, and purple folders.

ILLNESSES/EMERGENCIES

When a student becomes ill or has a suspected communicable condition, the parent will be required to check the student out of school.  When a parent consistently fails to make arrangements to check out a child who is sick or has a contagious condition, such as head lice, scabies, or other communicable diseases, the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance will be notified.

Student Information Cards are kept on file in the school office.  Three working phone numbers on these information cards should be kept up-to-date in case of an emergency.  Please be sure that when you send someone to check out your child, he/she is listed on the information card.  For the safety of each child, picture identification must be provided to the office staff prior to checking out a child.

LIBRARY

The library is open every day.  Students may go to the library for recreational reading assignments and research with the permission of their teacher and the librarian.

Each student has a regular library period as part of the curriculum.  During this period, the librarian reads to the students, teaches them library skills, reinforces classroom instruction, and instructs them on how to use a library and resources properly.  The students are also allowed to check out books during this time.  If students fail to return their book on the due date, they may not check out another book until the due book or payment for the book is returned.

Students are responsible for books they check out.  If a book is lost, the student will be required to pay for it.  If lost books are paid for and the books are found at a later date, the money will be returned to the student or parent.

LUNCH PROGRAM

This school year, all St. Bernard Parish elementary students will receive free breakfast and lunch.  The prices below are for adult lunches and milk.

Adult Breakfast (employees): $1.50 Visitor: $2.50

Adult Lunch:                         $2.50             $4.50

Milk or juice:                         $.35

   The St. Bernard Parish school cafeterias are meeting tough new federal nutrition standards for school meals, ensuring that meals are healthy and well-balanced and provide students all the nutrition they need to succeed at school.  Now is a great time to encourage your children to choose school breakfast and lunch!

School meals offer students milk, fruits and vegetables, proteins and grains, and they must meet strict limits on saturated fat and portion size.  School lunches will meet additional standards requiring:

• Age-appropriate calorie limits
• Larger servings of vegetables and fruits (students must take at least one serving of produce)
• A wider variety of vegetables, including dark green and red/orange vegetables and legumes
• Fat-free or 1% milk (flavored milk must be fat-free)
• More whole grains 
• And less sodium

We’re always working to offer our students healthier and tastier choices.  

School meals are a huge convenience for busy families too! To find out more about the St. Bernard Parish School System’s healthy school meals go to the school board’s  web site at www.stbernard.k12.la.us/ and to get the facts about school meals visit www.TrayTalk.org. Canned drinks and bottled beverages are not allowed in the cafeteria.

Lunch/Recess times for 2021-2022 are:

10:45-11:25     1st and 2nd grade

11:15-11:45      Pre K and Significant Disabilities

11:45-12:25     Kindergarten and 5th grade

12:15-12:45     3rd and 4th grade

MEDICATION

Please inform your child’s teacher, the nurse and the office if your child has any allergies or if he/she is on any type of medication.

According to School Board policy, school personnel are not allowed to dispense medication of any kind unless we have the proper authorization from the school nurse.  Parents are welcome to bring the medicine to the school office.  The student will be called to meet the parent in the office to take the medicine.

Students cannot carry medicine (including cough drops, nasal inhalants, Chap Stick, etc.) to school.

Arrangements for school office personnel to administer medication to a student requiring daily medication over an extended period of time must be made with the Nursing Supervisor at 301-2000.

PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION\

The most effective communication between parents and teachers is the parent-teacher conference.  Parents are encouraged to contact the school whenever the need arises.  However, parents should schedule all conferences in advance with the teacher or principal.  The principal, assistant principal, guidance counselor, or teacher may sometimes request a conference with a parent.  Please make every effort to attend these meetings.

If at any time there is a problem with a teacher, please call and ask for a conference with that teacher.  If dissatisfaction is still felt, ask to talk with the principal.  Many problems can be resolved if communication lines are left open.  Incorrect information can often result in frustration.

Parents are urged to arrange a conference with their child’s teacher whenever a problem arises.  However, since class time belongs to ALL children, parent conferences should never be attempted during actual teaching time. 

To ensure sufficient time for your conference, pre-arrange it by calling the school office (302-1000) ahead of time and making an appointment.  The conference will be arranged either before or after school hours or during the teacher’s planning period within a week. Teachers may be available for conferences before and after school at the discretion of the teacher.

Parent Tips for Improving Attendance

Parents are a child’s first teacher.  They play a crucial role in their child’s ability to succeed in school.  An effective partnership with parents and their child’s school often results in the success of a child.  

1. Teach children to set and to use their own alarm clock.
2. Set uniform clothes out the night before.
3. Have school work and lunch ready.
4. Bathe or shower in the evening.
5. Walk to the bus stop with another child who is always on time.
6. Go to bed 10 minutes earlier and get up 10 minutes earlier.
7. Help your child relax before bedtime with a story or a book instead of the stimulation of television or computer games.
8. Remind children how much it helps the whole family when they are ready for school.
9. Require children to come to school unless they are sick or there is a family emergency.
10. Avoid scheduling vacations during school time.
11. Arrive at school on time because tardiness will be monitored carefully.
12. Try to schedule doctor or dental appointments after school.
13. Return to school with a note or doctor’s certificate after an absence.

PARENT-TEACHER STAFF ORGANIZATION (PTSO)

All parents are invited to participate in our Parent-Teacher Staff Organization.  All scheduled 

meetings will be shown on the school calendar.  The PTSO assists with the Fall Fest, the candy sale and other student-centered activities and school fundraisers.  The cost to join is $3.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Mark all articles of clothing and personal items with the student’s name.  

Please be sure to take the time to do this properly.  Items could be returned if labeled properly. 

Students should bring only supplies and books necessary for class.  Toys, electronic devices, trinkets, or expensive jewelry should not be brought to school.  The school is not responsible for the loss of or damage to such items.  If an item is confiscated a parent or guardian must pick the item up from the front office.

Lost articles which are not marked and are not claimed in a reasonable time will be given to a charitable organization.  

CAPS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN SCHOOL AND/OR ON THE SCHOOL BUS UNLESS DESIGNATED BY TEACHERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.  

POLICY ON NON-DISCRIMINATION

The St. Bernard Parish School Board adheres to the equal opportunity provisions of federal civil rights laws and regulations that are applicable to this agency.  Therefore, no one will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964); Sex (Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972); disability (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973); or age (Age Discrimination Act of 1975) in attaining educational goals and objectives and in the administration of personnel policies and procedures.  Anyone with questions regarding this policy may call the school board office at (504)301-2000, 200 East St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette, LA  70043.

PROGRESS REPORTS/GRADING POLICY

Progress reports will be distributed in the middle of each grading period.  Report cards are issued at the end of each nine weeks period.  The following grading scale is used for reporting purposes  

A = 100 - 93

B = 92 - 85 

C = 84 - 75

D = 74 - 67

F = 66 and below

PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS  -  Primary School (Grades K-5)

• A student must achieve the objectives specified in the Grade Level Standards mandated by the Louisiana Department of Education. (Kindergarten through Grade 5)
• A student will not be promoted to the 5th grade until he or she has met proficiency on state mandated tests according to the guidelines set forth by the state of Louisiana.
• Students in grades K-5 must be in attendance for at least 166 days during the school year.  Doctor’s excuses will be used for extenuating circumstances only.  All absences are counted in the 14 day absence policy.
• A passing grade in Reading/ELA and math (67%) is required for grades 1-2.  
• A passing grade in the major subjects, Reading/ELA and math (67%) is required for grades 3-5. The Summer Skills Program may be an option if one of these subjects is failed or students receive “D’s”; however, failing grades in two or more of these subjects will result in retention in that grade.
• Students will be considered for promotion/retention based on the promotion/retention policy set forth in the PUPIL PROGRESSION PLAN adopted annually by the St. Bernard Parish School Board and approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The following books/textbooks and materials will be used:

Reading/ELA (3rd-5th)............. Wit and Wisdom, Novels, and Ready Common Core

Reading/ELA (K-2nd)………… Core Knowledge

    Math........................ Eureka Math (K-5)

    Spelling....................Taught in conjunction with reading and writing

   Social Studies..........District Curriculum based on state standards (K-5)

   Science....................Amplify Science (K-5) 

PAYMENT MAY BE REQUIRED FOR ALL LOST AND/OR DAMAGED BOOKS.  BOOK PRICE CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE.  PLEASE HELP YOUR CHILD CARE 

FOR BOOKS PROPERLY. 

SCHEDULE – CULTURAL ARTS/Teacher Planning Times by Grade Level

Grade Level	Planning/Cultural Arts’ Time
5th grade	7:45-8:45
4th grade	8:45-9:45
3rdt grade	9:45-10:45
Kindergarten	10:45-11:45
1st grade	12:25-1:25
2nd grade	1:25-2:25

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

Meetings are normally held on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.  Attending the meetings or watching them on television is another way of keeping informed about educational policies concerning the parish and the school.  These meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. at the school board office, 200 East St. Bernard Highway.

SCHOOL CALENDAR 

A school calendar will be sent home at the beginning of each month outlining school activities.  Please keep this calendar in a convenient location. It will also be  located on our school website.

SCHOOL COLORS

Purple and White are the school colors.

SCHOOL MASCOT

The Smith Elementary students are the Smith Superstars. 

SCHOOL PUBLICITY

From time to time photographs will be taken of school activities and these pictures will be sent to the local newspaper or district’s website.   If you have a concern about your child’s picture being in the newspaper, please do not sign the photograph/video release part of the consent form that is sent home in the first few days of school.

SCUP

The School Clean-Up Program encourages our students to participate in activities that 

involve keeping their school and community clean and free of litter.

STUDENT INSURANCE                 

Student insurance is offered to children for a nominal fee.  It covers a student on the way to and from school and on school-sponsored activities.  Each child will receive a packet of information regarding school insurance at the beginning of the school year.

If you do not have adequate insurance coverage for your child, student insurance is recommended.

STUDENT OF THE YEAR SELECTION

Fifth grade students may be selected to be a candidate for Student of the Year.  The following are the main requirements:  Mostly Mastery and Advanced LEAP test scores, Mostly A/B Honor Roll in first through fifth grades, Teacher Recommendation, and Involvement in School and out of school Clubs and Activities.  After initial requirements are met above, the process includes writing an essay, being interviewed by a panel and completing a form showing extracurricular activities outside of school and awards and honors.  The winner will move on to District Competition.

STUDENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The St. Bernard Parish School Board shall require any student complaint about sexual harassment reported to a teacher or counselor to be immediately reported to the principal.  The principal is responsible for investigating the complaint.  The right to confidentiality for all parties shall be respected.  See the Guide to Student Conduct for additional information.   

SUPPLIES

To be successful, students should have the following each day:

• 3 sharpened pencils
• School bag or backpack (No rolling bags)
• Required textbooks/workbooks and completed homework

All students received a supply list at the end of the school year or with the registration packet and in the summer packet.  Rolling school bags are not allowed in any grade.

TARDIES

School begins at 7:30 a.m. Please see that your child arrives on time for school each day. Each time a child is absent, the parent will be contacted by phone.   Excessive tardies will be handled by the administration.  Once a child receives three tardies or absences, parents may have to attend a conference with an administrator.   Please note that tardies affect perfect attendance and promotion.      

A St. Bernard Parish Perfect Attendance Certificate is awarded at the end of the year to a student who misses no more than one-half day during the school year.  One-half day consists of 3 ½ hours of missed school.  Tardies and checkouts are counted as missed school and may keep a child from receiving perfect attendance. 

 A Smith Elementary School Perfect Attendance Certificate is awarded at the end of the first nine weeks to a student who is present every day during that nine-week period and at the end of the year.

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

As a parent of a public school student you have the right to know the qualifications of your child’s teacher.  To obtain information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teacher, please contact the principal.

TERRIFIC KIDS

Each month “Terrific Kids” are chosen by teachers.  The Terrific Kids will be recognized at a ceremony and be awarded a T-shirt, certificate, yard sign, and a treat.  The basis for this selection is good attitude, helpfulness, being a good role model, academic achievement and thoughtfulness, among other chosen characteristics.

TEST RETURN POLICY

Test packets may be sent home on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.  It is important that you review tests with your child.  Signed tests must be returned to your child’s teacher the next day, or at least by the second day after they were sent home.

TESTING

Third through fifth grade students will be taking state mandated tests in the spring.  Specific dates are noted in this book on the “Important Dates” page, on the school’s website, weekly newsletter, and monthly calendars.

TITLE IX WOMEN’S EQUITY IN EDUCATION ACT

“It is the policy of the St. Bernard Parish School board to prohibit discrimination on the 

basis of sex in all activities, programs and employment practices of the school district.  A copy of the complaint process, any questions or complaints concerning sex discrimination should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator, Debbie Siebert, St. Bernard Parish School Board, 200 E. St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette, LA  70043, or call 504-301-2000.”

TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER SCHOOL

To withdraw your child from our school, come at least one day ahead of time to give us time to get all of the necessary information for you.  Remember that teachers will not be disturbed during class time to complete the withdrawal forms.

VISITORS- School Gate Guardian

As part of our security measures for your child, we ask all visitors to our school, including parents, to provide their drivers’ licenses for identification before they are allowed in the school or classrooms.  Such a check will not be necessary for business conducted in the office. This procedure is to guarantee the safety of all children at Smith Elementary.  

To protect the confidentiality and privacy of all students, classroom observations and visits that have not been pre-arranged with the principal are not allowed as an added precaution to ensure safety of our students.  This also goes for field trips and other events.  All visitors will be required to present a valid driver’s license for a simple background screening before entering the student areas in the building.  Please be sure to bring your driver’s license or identification card with you when making a school visit.  We appreciate your cooperation.

Early Childhood Program

General Operating Information

The purpose of the St. Bernard Parish Public School Early Childhood Program is to provide universal pre-kindergarten classes to four-year-old children who are eligible to enter public school kindergarten the following year, including those students with disabilities, which reside in St. Bernard Parish.  Students must turn four prior to September 30th, of the current school operating year. 

The Early Childhood Program is funded through federal, state, and local monies from the following sources: Head Start, 8(g), LA 4, Educational Excellence Funds, Title I, Early Intervention and the St. Bernard Parish School System.  The Early Childhood Program strives to offer the same high-quality developmentally appropriate program to all participants regardless of the funding sources.

Instructional Program / Curriculum

The Louisiana Early Learning and Development Standards is the framework for building a quality, developmentally appropriate pre-kindergarten program and supports the Louisiana Readiness Definition.    These standards serve as a guide to be used by St. Bernard Parish School System’s administrators, policy makers, directors, curriculum developers, teachers and parents.

The St. Bernard Parish Early Childhood Program provides a complete educational program directed toward the development of cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and communication skills in a manner and at a pace consistent with the needs and capabilities of the individual child.

The St. Bernard Parish Early Childhood Program has adopted the Creative Curriculum.  It is a research-based curriculum that supports interrelated development in the following domains:

Social/Emotional                           Creative Expression (Art, Music, Drama)   Language and Literacy                   Physical Science

Mathematics                                   Cognitive Development 

The Early Childhood Program provides developmentally appropriate integrated learning experiences. Integrated learning takes place when adults plan learning center activities and appropriately facilitate child experiences in the learning centers.  These experiences support interrelated development of problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and social skills within a meaningful context for the child.  The pre-kindergarten environment promotes meaningful engagement for learning through:

1. Social interactions that promote cooperation, conflict resolution, and empathy for others.                                                                                           
2. Play experiences to foster development and organization of world knowledge.
3. Language and Literacy experiences to foster development of skills such as retelling stories; book/print concepts; developmental writing; phoneme discrimination, and sound manipulation
4. Mathematical experiences to foster development of concepts such as one-to-one correspondence, recognizing patterns, counting, comparing and positioning, and experiencing adults using numerals to record information that is meaningful to young children.
5. Scientific experiences to foster development of concepts such as cause and effect, classification, and life cycles.
6. Music and Creative Art
7. Physical movement experiences in the indoor and outdoor environments to develop fine motor and gross motor skills. 

Instructional Program Assessment and Reporting Practices

The Early Childhood Program utilizes a variety of assessment and reporting tools to record student growth, provide individualized instruction and to share information with parents.

1. Portfolio assessment is a collection of work samples taken over time to demonstrate student growth by identifying the changes in performance.
2. Benchmark assessments measure mastery of the Early Learning and Development Standards and are conducted at defined intervals throughout the school year.
3. Formative assessments are standardized teacher-administered assessments that occur at three defined intervals throughout the school year.
4. An Individual Pupil Plan (IPP) is developed for each student and is reviewed with parents throughout the year.  The IPP addresses individual student’s areas of strengths and weaknesses.  Parents are expected to assume an active role in the development of their child’s IPP.

Resource Coordination for Support Services

The St. Bernard Parish School System coordinates the provision of support services for all enrolled pre-kindergarten children. These services are intended to support maximum early education and care benefits to children so that they are well prepared for formal schooling, and therefore, more likely to experience later academic success.                                                                                                                     

1. 1.     Child Health and Mental Health Services

• The school nurse works with the health department and other health professionals to conduct hearing and vision screenings and cursory dental checks during the school year and monitors the health and wellbeing of all children in the program.  Any child with an identified physical or mental developmental health need is referred to the proper agency.  Families are also provided information that will increase their knowledge of community resources such as TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), Medicare, and LA CHIP (Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program).

2.     Parenting Skills and Child Development Knowledge

• Knowledge of child development and involvement with their child’s educational experience is enhanced through a variety of informational parenting seminars, volunteer opportunities at the school, special activities/functions, and parent /teacher conferences.   All students are administered a developmental screening instrument.  The results of the screening are discussed with parents and parents are provided with activities designed to help their child address skill areas. 
  
  

3. Parent/Teacher Conferences

• Preschool teachers conduct one-on-one parent/teacher conferences prior to the start of school. Preschool teachers and assistants are available for regularly scheduled conference days as well as parent initiated conferences.

4. Adult Literacy

• The school system works in coordination with public service providers to promote adult literacy.  Parents/guardians are informed of all locally available adult education opportunities such as the GED program to increase literacy levels.

Classroom Management Plan                     

A classroom management plan is in place in all pre-kindergarten classrooms and is discussed with parents during orientation.

No form of demeaning language or corporal punishment (which includes but is not limited to paddling, striking, or hitting) is used with any child enrolled in pre-kindergarten.

Materials, Supplies, and Equipment

The St. Bernard Parish Early Childhood Program provides funding for all classroom furniture/equipment, materials, and supplies for all classes.  Technology related equipment such as audio cassettes, digital cameras, and computers are also supplied.                                                                                                                  

All consumable materials are provided and replenished throughout the course of the year.

Parents/guardians/and caretakers are not required to pay for any materials and supplies for classroom usage (e.g., paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, and photographic film).  Personal items (school bag, rest mat, blanket, extra clothes, etc.) must be provided by the parents and adhere to program guidelines. 

NOTE:  Parents/guardians/and caretakers may be required to pay for the replacement of materials/property that their child destroys.

Food Services                  

Breakfast and lunch are part of the Early Childhood Program and all 

pre-kindergarten students are brought to the cafeteria for meals.  If your child has special dietary concerns, please discuss them with the preschool staff.  Head Start Program guidelines require that all students in Head Start designated classes eat food provided by the school cafeteria staff.  Therefore, there is no need to bring food from home.  Other funded four-year-old classes are allowed to bring an appropriate breakfast/lunch from home.  If students choose to eat lunch in the school cafeteria, breakfast and lunch is free of charge due to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).  This allows each student one breakfast and one lunch per day.   

NOTE: It is absolutely essential that you make the staff aware of any allergies your child might have.

Consistent daily attendance is a critical component of the preschool program and is closely monitored by the teachers.  According to state law “any child below the age of seven who legally enrolls in school shall also be subject to the provisions of the attendance statutes”.  In order for students to receive credit they cannot miss more than 14 days per school year.  Please call the school when your child is absent and state the reason for the absence.  A note from the parent is required to document each absence, and is required within 3 days upon returning to school.  Excessive absences are reported to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.  Any student absent prior to a scheduled extra-curricular activity will not be allowed to participate in the activity.Attendance

Check-In/Check-Out

Parents must report to the office for check-in and check-out.  Only adults whose names have been authorized in writing on the school emergency cards will be allowed to check out pre-kindergarteners.  Please follow all check out guidelines at your specific school site. 

Uniforms

All pre-kindergarteners follow the St. Bernard School Board Uniform Dress Code Requirements. Please refer to the school site uniform requirements for specific color options. 

Transportation

Transportation services are made available to all pre-kindergarten students to ensure that each child is present for the educational/instructional portion of the day.  Bus changes cannot be made over the phone.  All requests for transportation changes must be made in writing and all forms completed BEFORE a change is authorized.  Refer to the Preschool Transportation Policy for specific guidelines regarding arrival, dismissal, and bus transportation requirements.