First Day of School Activities

1. Admit only those students whose names appear on your class list or who present an Admit slip from the office.
2. Send all other students to the office for classification and assignment to a classroom.
3. In checking roll, only count those students present in your classroom; after the first day, count all students who have been in your classroom since the first day, even if they are absent. The membership count is very important during the first couple of weeks. Students who are absent after the first day are to be marked absent.
4. Roll –call is to be officially done at 9:00 a.m. Please, do not check roll before that time.
5. Walk your children through the fire and disaster drills on the first day.
6. Stop five minutes before dismissal at the end of the day to review the day’s activities. Dismiss your class on a positive note. This is a good time to do your Exit Ticket. Walk your students to your designated dismissal area every day. Walk the bus riders to the bus area pick up in an orderly manner. Dismiss the students who walk home and remain with the students who are picked up by car at your designated dismissal area until 3:30. Take all students not picked to the teacher aide who is on duty until 4:00 p.m.
7. Send home the parents’ packet of information on the first day. Stress to students, the importance of giving the packets to their parents to read, sign and return to school on the next school day.

On the next day, make sure you get back a completed and signed enrollment card and signed acknowledgement of receipt page from the Code of Student Conduct handbook for each student in your classroom.

8. Have a great year!

II General Information

1. Absences of employees: Do not abuse the right to be absent. You must call before 6:00 a.m. to report the need for a substitute. After 6:30 a.m. most of the substitutes have been assigned. Not having a substitute causes discipline problems and it creates an unfair condition for your colleagues who have to take students from your class. All personnel must report to the secretary regarding absences, and if you are going to be late arriving in the morning. Although it is understood, that from time to time emergencies happen, students must be picked up and escorted to class by the teacher by 7:40 each morning. All obstacles that prevent us from getting to work on time must be eliminated. The instructional day begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. Students must be in their seats and ready to listen to the announcements by 7: 45 a.m.

If you know ahead of time that you will be out of the building for jury duty, military obligations, medical appointments, in service days, etc., please let the secretary know.

Unless it is an emergency, medical appointments should be made after 3:30 p.m.

All absences are taken from your leave bank. Personal business days may be taken and must be requested 24 hours in advance. Requests must be made in writing and approved by the principal. Request forms may be obtained from the secretary. A funeral leave requires that you indicate the relationship of the deceased to you in order to be properly coded on the payroll transmittal. Contract, regular, and probationary employees may be absent without loss of pay and without personal leave deductions in cases of death of a mother, father, husband, wife, child, in-law or any blood or relationship by marriage at the time of death for a period not to exceed three (3) days per occurrence. You must sign all Absent from Duty forms and return them to the secretary as soon as they are signed.

Sign-In sheets - It is extremely important that you sign in and sign out every day. The payroll transmittals are prepared from these documents, which are audited by H ISD at their discretion. It is not the responsibility of the secretary to run you down to see if you are in attendance or to remind you to sign in for the day. If you forget to sign in, you may find yourself loosing time from your leave bank. If you arrive late, please indicate the correct time of arrival; i.e. if you arrive at 8:00 a.m., sign in at 8:00 a.m. Initial the space provided at the end of the day, when you sign out, not in the morning when you sign in.

2. Administrative Bulletins - It is the responsibility of each employee to read the Superintendent’s Bulletin (copies are available in the office, library, teacher’s lounge, and the Home page of your Employee Portal). Teacher related issues, meetings, etc. are included in these bulletins.
3. Attendance – Teachers are to take daily attendance at 9:00 a.m. Students are to be marked present if they get to school by 9:00 a.m. Attendance records must be kept in ink and must be accurate. If an error is made, it must be crossed out and initialed in ink. Do not use liquid paper.

When a student is absent, make a concerted effort to determine the reason for the absence. If truancy is suspected, or if there have been excessive absences or a pattern of absences is evident, fill out a referral for the attendance teacher and give the referral to the attendance clerk. Referrals must contain the student’s name, address, telephone number, dates absent, teacher’s name and other pertinent data. Student absences may be excused if student has a note from parents. Ask for written excuses for absences and call to verify the authenticity of the note. Create a file for all absent excuse notes from parents. These notes are to be turned in to the office at the end of the year.

4. Audio -Visual Equipment: Teachers may check out audio – visual equipment from the librarian. Some items must be shared. Each teacher is responsible, however, for all items checked out in his/her name. This means reporting all loss or damage of audio- visual equipment as it occurs. In the event of a burglary or break-in, all missing audio - visual equipment must be reported to the office immediately. The librarian is in charge of issuing equipment as well as maintenance of equipment. Items in need of repair should be brought to the attention of the librarian.
5. Bulletin Boards – Classroom bulletin boards are to be changed periodically. They should display student’s work. Hall bulletin boards are to be completed by teachers. Each grade level will be responsible for the hall bulletin according to the schedule issued each year.

6. Classroom and School – wide Positive Atmosphere – can be attained if we all practice the following:
   1. Demonstrate enthusiastic and caring attitudes.
   2. Practice open communication.
   3. Be supportive of students/peers.
   4. Demonstrate professional behaviors.
   5. Maintain high expectations of our students and our school.
   6. Make wise use of time and materials.
   7. Be courteous and respectful of students, parents and peers.

7. Classroom keys – Each teacher is issued a key/keys to his/her classroom.

Please keep keys in your possession at all times. You may not make duplicates. Students should not be allowed to be in charge of keys. Always lock the room when the class is out for any length of time.

8. Classroom visits – The principal, assistant principal and supervisors will visit classroom as prescribed by the P.D.A.S. It is not necessary to stop what you are doing, but continue with the instructional program. Lesson plans, SIP and grade book must be on the teacher’s clutter-free desk.

9. Copier - The teacher’s copier will be available in the teacher’s workroom. On the standard copier, teachers should make only 50 copies at a time. The school machines are to be used for instructional purposes only. Submit copies you want duplicated to the teacher aides in sufficient time. Do not expect the office personnel to drop everything they are doing to run off copies for you. Teachers need to make copies before school, after school or during Fine Arts periods. Please do not make copies during instructional time when you should be teaching and monitoring your students.

Teachers are not to leave anyone in charge of their classrooms while they come to make copies. Teacher aides are to work with students under the direction and guidance of the classroom teacher.

10. Curriculum

Pre-kindergarten– The TEA has published Pre-kindergarten Guidelines that form the basis for the district’s Curriculum Guide.

·         Classes are offered on a half-day basis of no less than three hours.

·         The program for limited English proficient students must be bilingual for Spanish speakers and ESL for speakers of other languages.

·         The ratio of children to staff must not exceed 22:1.

·         On enrollment in pre-kindergarten, a child must attend school regularly and will be subject to school attendance rules and regulations.

Kindergarten-

·     Kindergarten is a full day program in HISD. The instructional day is five hours and fifteen minutes plus thirty minutes for lunch and one hour and fifteen minutes for a rest period and recess. All daily schedules for kindergarten classes must include a rest or quiet period and recess.

·     The curriculum should be well-balanced and integrated to help children make connections across content areas. Often the curriculum is organized around themes which include language arts (listening, speaking, reading, writing), mathematics, fine arts, health, science, and social studies integrated throughout the school day. Project Clear and scope and sequence documents will be used as the basis for planning instruction.

·     The HISD Reading Instructional Program in general and special education will provide an appropriate dedicated time for reading instruction (90 minutes per day).

·     Instruction shall be provided daily in other language arts (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), mathematics and P.E.

·     The weekly schedule shall include instruction in fine arts, health, science, and social studies.

·     Instruction in other languages may be included in language arts instruction.

·     As field trips are planned, the teacher must use professional discretion to assure that the activities have a specified instructional purpose and are directly tied to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

·     In bilingual classes, instruction in language arts, mathematics, and other content areas must be provided in the student’s native language. English must be used daily as a language of instruction for no less than 75 minutes, including ancillary subjects. The 75 minutes should be comprised of 30 minutes of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English and 45 minutes of English language development through ancillary subjects such as music, art, library, etc.

·     The ratio of children to staff must not exceed 22:1, however, in the North District, the motto is "we take care of our own".

·     On enrollment in kindergarten, a child must attend school regularly and will be subject to school attendance rules and regulations.

Grades One –Three

·     Project Clear and scope and sequence documents will be used as the basis for planning instruction.

·     Students will be provided with 90 minutes daily of reading instruction.

·     Instruction shall be provided daily in other language arts (listening, speaking, writing, spelling – recommended 60 minutes daily), mathematics and physical education. Mathematics instruction shall be at least 60 minutes daily. Textbooks shall be used as only one resource for student learning.

·     Instruction shall be provided in science and social studies to complete instruction in Project Clear and the TEKS. Instruction in fine arts and health shall be provided weekly in a schedule that is equivalent to weekly instruction in a well-balanced curriculum. Textbooks shall be used as one resource for student learning.

·     The scheduling of field trips or resource speakers must be scheduled after SFA at 9:30 a.m. Teachers are to use professional discretion to assure that the activities have a specified instructional purpose and are directly tied to the TEKS.

·     Bilingual teachers should provide instruction according to the chart below:

·      The ratio of children to staff must not exceed 22:1.

·     TAKS tested TEKS for grades 3 are listed in the Educator’s Guide to TEKS- Based Assessment available form Student Assessment Division at TEA (http://www.tea.state.tx.us).

Grades Four –Five

·     Project Clear and scope and sequence documents will be used as the basis for planning instruction.

·     Ninety (90) minutes daily is recommended for reading.

·     Instruction shall be provided daily in other language arts ( listening, speaking, writing, spelling, viewing and representing- (recommended 60 minutes daily). Mathematics instruction shall be 60 minutes daily. The textbook shall be used as one resource only for student learning.

·     Instruction shall be provided weekly in science, social studies, health, and fine arts.

·     Field trips, visit to museums and the use of resource speakers may be scheduled from time to time as long as they may be tied directly to the TEKS.

·     In bilingual classes, instruction shall be provided in all subjects according to time recommendations for regular students. Science and social studies shall be taught in Spanish. Reading, Language arts (i.e. writing, spelling, listening, oral language) and mathematics shall be taught in English, using ESL methodologies.

·     The following chart indicates the amount of time bilingual teachers shall employ to provide instruction in the student’s native language and English:

*CALP- Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency

Students must participate in physical education activities for 135 minutes a week. P.E. activities involve organized physical activities conducted by a P.E. teacher and/or the regular teacher.

11. Custodial Services – The Plant Operator and custodial staff have scheduled duties to perform for which they are held responsible. Do not call on them to directly, except in emergencies, clean for you. Request for services are to be made by completing the Request for Service forms. Get to know which custodian cleans your room. Communicate with him/her what you wish cleaned if it is not getting done. Help them by doing the following:

1. Ask what day he/she will dust in order to leave desks orderly.
2. Place chairs on top of tables and have students remove all books and etc. from floor.
3. Let custodian know if you need your chalkboard damp- cleaned.
4. Turn lights off, turn air conditioners off and lock your rooms at the end of the day.
5. If students worked on an especially messy project, have them pick after themselves.

Students should not use any kind of cleaning products. If you wish to clean desks with items such as Fantastic, Lysol etc., you must do it yourself.

Each classroom will be issued a package of paper towels each week. Encourage and remind students not to be wasteful with our paper towels nor with the toilet tissue. Remind students of good hygiene habits.

Do not block the entrances and exits in your classroom.

Do not block the fire extinguishers.

• Employee Emergency Information – Each employee must complete an emergency form that is maintained in the office. You are to indicate if you do not wish your phone listed on the employee address listing or fan-out.
• Enforcement of School Rules – Enforcement of the school rules is the responsibility of all teachers. Become familiar with the Campus Discipline Management Plan and the Code of Student Conduct. As you develop your class rules, consequences and rewards make sure that they are in line with these two documents. All students must take home and return a signed Student and Parent Acknowledgment page of the Code of Student conduct handbook along with a copy of your class rules, consequences and rewards. Keep the signed acknowledgment page in a discipline folder for each student. To effectively implement the Campus Discipline Management Plan, all teachers are vested to correct any student caught violating previously communicated school rules. Discipline Management Plan may be found on page 14 of this handbook.
• Fire and Disaster Drill Procedures – A fire drill poster has been prepared for each classroom. Post it in your room near the door. The Fire Marshall will look for it should he decide to visit our campus and classrooms. All classrooms are to select a Captain and a Lieutenant and turn these names in to the Fire and Disaster Drill Chairperson. Information on fire drills is found on page 21 of this handbook.
• First Aid Kits – The nurse will prepare these for you at the beginning of the school year. As you need more supplies, please check with her. Students must be sent to the clinic or to the office with a Health Referral form. All injuries must be reported to parents. Reassure the parents that their child has been taken care of and that he/ she is all right. Let the parent speak to the child for reassurance. This may eliminate the possibility of you having to face an angry parent after school or the next day.
• Grade Books – Grade books for recording students’ progress during the year will be provided for each teacher. An administrator may ask to look at your grade book during a walk through of your class. Grade books must be turned in to the principal at the close of each Semester or when a teacher leaves Janowski before the end of the year.

• Grade books should have the teacher’s name and course title for each course.

• A legend is required in every grade book. The legend must designate the weighted value of each type of grade, i.e., test, homework, oral presentation, daily assignment, etc., and have a conversion table for all non-numeric marks that apply to the grading process, i.e., letter grades, checks, pluses, etc. If the teacher is not available for a parental challenge of a student’s grade, the grade book must contain adequate documentation to determine the final grade from the recorded marks in the grade book.
• Absences must be recorded on appropriate days and documented as to excused, unexcused, or extracurricular.
• Entry and withdrawal dates must be posted.
• All students enrolled must be recorded, even if enrolled for one day only.
• Instructional modifications for students with disabilities must be adequately documented to determine that the modifications recommended by the ARD/IEP committee have been /are being implemented.

17. Notice To Parents Of Unsatisfactory Grades/ Excessive Absences

Parents or legal guardians must be notified of unsatisfactory grades at least once every four weeks. This notice must provide for the signature of parent or legal guardian and should be returned to the school. Notice of progress reports shall be distributed to parents/legal guardians during the fourth week of each nine-week grading period for each student who is failing a subject. Current grades contained in the notice should be based on the student’s academic achievement for the first four weeks of the nine-week period.

• For each subject that a student is failing, the notice must provide for a conference between the appropriate teacher and the parent.
• A notice of progress must be sent to parents of students who have exceeded eight (8) unexcused absences or ten (10) absences, excused and/or unexcused. This must be done by the fourth week of the reporting period and as often as may be deemed necessary after the fourth week.
• If the student’s average falls below 70, or the unexcused absences exceed eight (8), or the total absences exceed ten (10) after the scheduled notice of progress reports have been sent home, the teacher should send a notice of progress report home immediately. It is imperative that extra effort be made to give parents advance notice of a pending failing grade before the report card is sent home.
• Progress reports for instruction and related services must also be sent to parents of students with disabilities as required for parents of non-disabled students.

18. Hall and Classroom Supervision – Teachers are paid to work from 7:40 a.m. – 3:25 p.m. Teachers must pick up their students from the assigned area by 7:40 a.m., daily and escort their classes to the room in a single file line. Students should remain on the right hand side of the hallway. All teachers and students should be in the classroom by 7:45 a.m. daily. The instructional day begins at 7:45 a.m. Remember we are able use Fridays as a half day for instruction only if we make up the time by starting school 15 minutes earlier and staying 15 minutes later on Monday through Thursday. It is extremely important that we begin the instructional day by 7:45 a.m., and end at 3:15 p.m. on Monday through Thursday. On Friday the instructional day is from 7:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and the remainder of the day is used for Staff Development. We are all adults, receiving a day’s pay for a day’s work (with a 30 minutes lunch break). The parents are told in the Parent Handbook that the children are considered tardy if they are not in their seats by 7:45 a.m. and that they will be denied perfect attendance recognition if they are tardy excessively. As professional adults, we are all expected to meet the needs of our students and set positive examples. When you do not pick up your students by 7:40 in the morning, you are depriving our students of precious academic time that is due to them.

When dismissing the students, teachers are to accompany their students to the front of the building or to the designated dismissal area and remain there until the students have cleared the campus. All students who are picked in cars after 3:30 p.m. are to be left under the supervision of the teacher aide assigned to remain until 4:00 p.m.

Any time a student is allowed to leave the classroom to go to the restroom or on an errand, he/she should carry a pass with your room number on it or a permit. If you write a permit, the permit should have the child’s name his destination and the time he left your room along with your signature.

Encourage daily, proper behavior in the hallways. Make sure that your students are familiar with the school rules, consequences and rewards. Special emphasis should be made on hallway behavior with students going to the Resource room, Speech Therapy, to Fine Arts or to Success For All classes.

19. Textbooks – To be able to identify each textbook that you checked out for this
    school year, please ask the textbook clerk to stamp your room number plus the last two digit of the year in which the book was checked out to you. For example; 1200 for room 12 in the year 2000 or T1200, room T-12 and year 2000. This procedure will enable the office, or anyone who finds a textbook that was issued to you to return it to the proper classroom.

Be aware that: You are responsible for all textbooks issued to you. You must document issuance of textbooks to students and retain such documentation to be turned in at the end of the year. Textbooks should be covered. Covers are available from the Textbook clerk. Do a book check periodically.

20. Information Sources

• Review your handbook periodically.
• Check the bulletin boards regularly.
• Check your mailbox at least three times a day.
• Check your e-mail twice a day.
• Attend all faculty meetings, grade level meetings and Staff Development workshops.
• Check your monthly calendar and the one displayed in the office for changes.
• When communications are sent home, read and become familiar with what parents are told. Be sure to send the communication home on the same day you receive it.

21. Legal Responsibility – Since the children are subject to compulsory attendance laws, the school has the legal responsibility of providing a safe environment. While a teacher cannot be held responsible for all accidental occurrences during class activities under his/her supervision, he/she can be held legally responsible for the consequences of his/her negligence, which has proven to cause an injury to one of the children.

Liability occurs when the teacher is held responsible for a given situation and proven to be negligent.

A person is deemed to be negligent when he/she fails to act as a reasonable or prudent person would act under the circumstances. The ability to see it coming is the key as to whether there is negligence or not. If the teacher could have foreseen the causes leading to the injury and failed to take the action as a prudent person would, then the ruling of negligence may be made against the teacher.

Keep yourself free from Negligence Liability!

a.        Never leave a classroom without adequate adult supervision, no matter what the reason may be.

b.       Do not involve students in obviously dangerous situations.

c.        Do not assign an activity to students until you have thoroughly explained and demonstrated it and given the students a chance to practice it at a leisurely pace.

d.       Do not remain on the playground when the large mowers are cutting the grass. Under no circumstances are the students to be left alone on the playground without a teacher to supervise them.

e.        Do not remain on the playground if you see lightning.

f.         Provide safe equipment. Inspect your equipment regularly. Let the P.E teacher know if equipment he/ she issued is defective or damaged.

g.       Do not transport students in your car unless you have proper authorization to do so.

h.       Follow school policies, rules and regulations. If you are unsure that an activity is acceptable, obtain permission form an administrator.

Safety above all else is a core value in the HoustonISD.

22. Lost Books – In the event the teacher is unable to collect for lost textbooks issued to students, he/she will need to furnish evidence that the textbooks were issued to a student (name of student and textbook number). Indicate the manner in which the parent was informed of the lost textbook(s) (letter or telephone) and the date of contact with parents. Complete the appropriate forms provided by the Textbook Clerk. All of this information must be completed before your textbook record is cleared at the end of the school year or when the student transfers. Teachers are responsible for textbooks that cannot be accounted for. Teachers must take special care of the Teacher’s Edition. It is highly recommended that teachers check textbooks every reporting period. Teachers must pay for lost Teacher’s Editions.

23. Lunchroom Procedures – All employees must follow these guidelines:

• Children are not to be sent to the lunchroom to make purchases for employees.
• Children may not be required or permitted to bring food or beverages from the lunchroom for employees.
• Children should not be permitted to carry trays for employees, especially if glassware is on the tray. This is for the employees’ protection as well as the safety of the children.
• Employees must purchase / eat breakfast before coming on duty.
• The full adult price must be paid for lunchroom purchases at the time of purchase.
• Please return all trays, glasses silverware and dishes to the cafeteria. Do not leave any of these items in the classroom, workroom, office or lounge.

See cafeteria rules in the Discipline Management System.

24. Mailboxes – Under no circumstances should students be allowed in the teacher’s mailboxes. Clean out your mailbox at the end of each day.

25. Office Procedures to be observed – Space in the office is very limited. Please do not stand around talking. It is difficult for office staff to hear telephone conversations. Use of the phone in the office is limited to3 minutes.
26. Parties In Classrooms – Birthdays may not be celebrated in the classroom. If a parent wishes to celebrate a child’s birthday with his/her classmates, they may bring cupcakes at lunch - time.
27. Planning - A forty-five (45) minute planning periods is scheduled for each grade level. This time may be utilized for instructional planning, parent/teacher conferences, grade level meetings or reviewing students’ homework, folders, etc.
28. Professionalism – Everyone wants to be treated as a professional. This along with respect must be earned. Common decency is one of our core values in the HoustonISD.

  Do not use cell phones during instructional time.

Stop loose talk, unethical practices and the labeling of those who hold divergent views. Discuss ideas, not personalities. Accept constructive criticism and differences of opinion in good faith. Offer solutions, not criticism. Do not listen to or repeat gossips. Be loyal to your school and school district. Respect the privacy of your students and peers.

29. Sexual Harassment – Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other inappropriate oral, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature. The HoustonISD will take appropriate action against those who violate its Sexual Harassment policy. Those who choose to violate the policy will be subject to reprimand, re-assignment, supervision, termination or other disciplinary action. If you feel that you are a victim of sexual harassment, you should:

• Make an attempt to let the person know that you object to his/her actions or remarks.
• If the person persists, document the incident with a description of the events, number of occurrences with dates and locations, names of any witnesses, any other relevant documents.
• If action continues contact your immediate supervisor or report directly to the EEOC at 713- 892-6097.

30. Scheduling Programs – From time to time, situations arise when organizations or agencies offer to present a program to a classroom or to a group of students. The principal must approve all programs before they are scheduled on campus.
31. Submitting Reports – It is extremely important that teachers be prompt in submitting all required data or information to the office by specified deadlines. These deadlines are set so that all reports can be tabulated and forwarded to the proper departments. To increase Management Efficiency is one of our goals.
32. Supplies – Some basic supplies will be furnished to teachers at the beginning of the school year. As needs arise, please check with the secretary for the availability of supplies.

33. Substitute Teachers – Every teacher should maintain a substitute folder with the following information:

a.        Daily Program schedule, which includes Fine Arts and lunch schedules

b.       Duty schedule – (time and place)

c.        Special Groupings: Reading groups, Resource students & Speech students

d.       Seating chart

e.        Class roster

f.         Lesson plans

g.       Special instructions for substitutes

h.       List of dependable students

Lesson plans must always be available for the substitute.

Every teacher is required to develop a written lesson plan weekly, reflecting daily activities in each subject to be taught. Lesson plans should be available to the principal for review on a regular basis and for inspection by an administrator upon request.

Teachers should use the printed lesson plan forms that is provided by the school.

• The principal must approve the use of an alternative lesson plan form.
• Lesson plans must contain the following for all subjects taught :

1. Objectives
2. Activities and/or assignments
3. Resources needed
4. Essential learner outcomes

Written lesson plans need not be limited to the space provided on the appropriate lesson plan sheet. In usual circumstances, a teacher should not be required to submit lesson plans covering a period of longer than one week. Unusual circumstances may be defined as prolonged teacher absences due to illness.

34. Sunshine Courtesy Fund – This fund is maintained to recognize special events of employees and their immediate families. Participation is voluntary. The donation is $15.00 for the year.
35. Telephone – Limit calls to essentials and not over three minutes. No long distance calls should be made on the school’s telephones. Teachers will be called to the phone during the instructional day only in cases of emergencies. If this occurs, please inform your neighbor teacher so that he/she can look in on your students while you come to the phone. Otherwise, call messages will be placed in your mailbox.

If a student needs to use the phone to call home, he/she must present to the office staff a signed note from the teacher indicating that the child must call home.

36. Teacher’s lounge – The restroom in the lounge is for women employees. Men are to use the restroom in the custodial room, near the north exit going out to the park.

The teacher’s lounge is designated as a place for relaxation. Students are not allowed to enter the lounge for any reason. The refrigerator is provided for your convenience. It must not be used for long-term storage. Please remove your food items daily from the refrigerator. The refrigerator will be cleaned periodically and all perishable foods will be discarded. Please refill the ice trays and clean your eating area.

37. Visitors – All visitors must sign in the office upon arrival on campus. Visitor will be given a name - tag. Please help us keep our campus secured by insisting on seeing the visitors’ pass that is issued by office personnel. Anyone without a pass is to be sent to the office to sign in. Staff members relatives and friends should also be informed that they must sign in the office when coming on campus.

38. Workman’s Compensation – A copy of the Workman’s Compensation policy can be found in the school library. Become familiar with your rights under the law. Injuries that occur on the job must be reported on the day they occur to the principal.

III Student Procedures

Discipline Management Plan – The effective enforcement of the School-wide Discipline Management System is essential in keeping a school and all school-related activities free of disruption. Students, parents, teachers and administrators must exercise their responsibilities with appropriate behavior interventions in order to effectively implement and enforce the School-wide Discipline Management System.

1. Rights and Responsibilities

Students

·     Adhere to school, the District and classroom rules and regulations for behavior and good conduct.

Parents

·     Support the school and classroom rules for student behavior and ensure that their children conduct themselves according to district standards.

·     Provide the school with their current address and phone numbers.

·     Insure student attendance and punctuality.

·     Provide the appropriate school personnel with student information that will affect the student’s ability to learn and behave appropriately.

·     Read, acknowledge and understand the school rules.

Teachers

·     Establish classroom – management procedures that concentrate on good student conduct and support district policies and procedures.

Administrators

·     Establish an effective School – base Discipline Management System that promotes and maintains the support of good student behavior with all members of the school community.

·     Students must be provided a well- balanced curriculum with effective delivery of instruction. The student’s responsibility here is to strive for academic growth by participating in the appropriate educational program to their utmost ability.

·     Students have the responsibility to take advantage of their educational opportunity by attending all classes daily and on time.

·     Student absences while suspended shall be considered as excused absences. Students, however, have the responsibility to make up all work missed while suspended within 5 school days after their return from suspension.

·     Students shall be evaluated on a continuous basis in the most effective manner to determine the extent of their progress. Students have the responsibility to maintain reasonable standards of academic performance commensurate with their ability.

2.   Classroom Management

·     Each classroom must post the class rules, consequences and rewards in an area that is easy for students to see. Students and teacher may refer to the rules, consequences and rewards as needed.

·     A conduct chart should be kept to monitor students’ behavior.

·     During ancillary classes, ancillary teachers will use a conduct checklist to give feedback to homeroom teachers on their students’ behavior.

·     Students must do all assigned work daily to the best of their ability.

·     All students must come to school prepared with class materials.

·     Homework must be done and turned in to the teacher for grading.

·     Every student is expected to do his/her best daily.

Expectations

·      R is for Respect. Students are expected to respect others daily.

·      A is for Academics. Students are expected to do their best work daily.

·      M is for Motivation. Students are expected to be self-motivated.

·      S is for Success. It is expected that students will be successful with all learning objectives, if they practice RAMS motto daily.

General School Rules

The student will:

·         Be polite, respectful and orderly at all times.

·         Listen carefully and follow directions.

·         Speak softly and appropriately.

·         Be present, prompt and prepared daily.

·         Always walk in an orderly manner on the right hand side of the hallway.

Rewards

·         Verbal praise

·         Teacher rewards Certificates

·         End of nine weeks awards or celebration.

Consequences

·         Warning

·         Parent contact

·         Student/ administrator conference

·         Parent/ teacher/administrator/student conference

·         Behavior contract

·         Loss of privileges

·         After school detention ( parents must be notified 24 hours in advance )

·         In School Suspension

·     Out of school suspension (used as a last resort & only if student presents a danger to others). Suspension from school is regarded as an excused absence. Students are entitled to make up the work missed during the suspension from school immediately upon their return from suspension.

3. Cafeteria Rules

The student will:

·         Enter the cafeteria quietly and orderly.

·         Move through the lunch line quietly and orderly.

·         Sit at assigned table in a boy, girl, boy, girl pattern.

·         Speak softly during and after eating.

·         Always walk.

·         Raise hands if help is needed.

Rewards

·         If class follows all rules daily, the class will be awarded a silver spoon on Friday.

·         At the end of the nine weeks, the class/classes with the greatest number of silver spoons will receive a class celebration, recognition over the P.A. system and/or newsletter.

Consequences

·         No recognition

·         Class composition to apologize for inappropriate behavior to cafeteria monitors and with a cc to the principal.

·         Loss of recess.

·         Loss of field trip privileges.

4.   Dress Code

Clothing for boys:

·         Navy blue or khaki pants with belt

·         Simple long or short sleeve white or red shirt, which must be tucked in the trousers.

·         Jewelry may not be worn to school.

·         Navy blue shorts to the knee with belt. All clothes must be the appropriate size and not fit baggy.

Clothing for girls:

·         Navy blue or khaki dresses, skirts, pants, or knee length shorts.

·         Simple long or short sleeve, white or red blouses (plain). Must be tucked in.

·         No jewelry except stud earrings. No makeup or false fingernails allowed.

Guidelines Common to Both

·         Wear shoes with socks that do not cause health or safety hazards.

·         Clothing must be clean, appropriately sized and not baggy, physically presentable and appropriate for weather conditions. Slogans, suggestive pictures or crude language are never appropriate for school. Hair should be neatly groomed, free of lice and/or nits at all times. If nits and/or head lice are detected, it is the responsibility of the parents to clean the hair of nits and/or lice and the child is to return to school the next day. Students must be excluded from class if they have head lice/nits.

·         When children dress inappropriately, parents are called to bring them a change of clothing.

5. Attendance

·         Students must be in their assigned seat by 7:45 a.m. and ready to begin the instructional day.

·         Students must wait to be picked up by teacher in their assigned area. No students are to be out in the temporary building area before 7:45 a.m.

·         Students are to be escorted by their teacher to class in a straight line and in an orderly fashion.

·         Students who eat breakfast at school should arrive no earlier than 7:00 a.m.

·         Students must be in the breakfast line before 7:30 a.m. Breakfast ends at 7:40 a.m.

·         Students are tardy after 7:45 a.m. and must present a tardy slip to the teacher upon entering class.

·         When a student is absent he/she must bring a written note from mom, dad or guardian explaining reason for absence.

·         If a child must go home at a certain time for any reason before the end of the instructional day, the parent or guardian must write a note stating the time and reason for leaving school early. The child must be signed out in the office by a parent or guardian who must present an ID to the office personnel before leaving the building.

·         Students who arrive after 7:45 a.m. more than three times each grading period will not be given credit for perfect attendance.

Emergency Plan 

 In case of an emergency, the teacher or a student should buzz the office. If the panic button is not working properly then the Code Red laminated circle should be sent to the office.

Code Red- A "Code Red" laminated circle is being provided to each classroom in the building for use in case of an emergency. Each teacher should designate one or two students who know to get up and deliver the Code Red circle to the office in case of an emergency, if it is not possible for the teacher to leave the room or if the panic button is not working.

Samples of an emergency include:

• An injured student where teacher is unable to leave the child alone.
• A situation involving an angry parent.
• The teacher has become ill and/or incapacitated.
• Stranger and or intruder in the building or on campus.

When the "Code Red" circle is delivered to the office, one of the following people will respond, evaluate the situation and conduct an appropriate plan of action.

• Dr. Jane Silva, Principal
• Linda Wind, Secretary
• Norma Acuna, Clerk
• Leticia Marquez, Clerk

Please hang your "Code Red" circle in a location that is easily accessible to your students.

Evacuation Plan

Code 1

1. Principal or assistant will notify all teachers and staff of the potential to evacuate.
2. All adults will be instructed to stand by for further instructions and to supervise and stay with the students.
3. Teachers are to carry their grade books/class roster with them in case of evacuation.

Code 2

• If evacuation is to be conducted by buses, students are dismissed through designated areas to board buses to be transported to pre-designated site(s). Custodians and plant operator will be responsible for unlocking all fence gates on Van Molan & Berry Road.

1. Pre-K & Kinder hall through gate behind T-18 & T-19.
2. First and second grade hall through front door of main building.
3. T-buildings from T-9 _ T-19 exit through gate behind T-17.
4. T-buildings from T-1 _ T-8 and T-20/T-21 exit through parking lot exit gate.

Code 3

1. Rooms will be dismissed using Fire Drill procedures.
2. If buses are not to be used to transport students, they will walk to the designated areas. Once the emergency situation is identified, the evacuation will proceed in the opposite direction of the danger.
3. The main streets used to get to the designated areas will be Van Molan, Crosstimbers and Bauman Road.
4. Ancillary teachers will use patrol poles and flags to escort teachers and students to the designated sites.
5. Faculty and staff will remain with students until the "All Clear” is given and students can be returned to school.

Inclement Weather Emergencies

• Everyone is advised to remain in classrooms until extent of emergency is determined.
• If the weather situation is such that possible high winds and/or tornadoes are possible, a disaster drill is called.

Many Short Bells

1. Close all windows.
2. Pull all shades closed.
3. Leave door to hallway open.
4. All teachers take students to designated areas in main building; boys form a line facing the wall and girls line up behind the boys.
5. All students drop to their knees with one hand behind the neck and the head resting on the other hand.
6. Remain in this position until further signals and instructions are given.

4.  DANGEROUS SITUATION (Bomb, Fire, Burst Pipes)

1. Students and personnel are immediately cleared out of the building by following the fire drill procedures, unless specific procedures are issued over the intercom system.

File Drill Signal Procedures

Loud Siren

1.        Children line up at the door.

2.        Close all windows and all shades but one.

3.        Teacher takes class roster to account for all students.

4.        Proceed out of the building in an orderly fashion.

5.        Go to pre-designated area.

One Bell

1. All stop.
2. Wait for further signals.

Two Bells

Proceed back to classrooms quietly.

1.        Principal , or designee notify proper authorities:

a.        Fire Alarm – Using appropriate code on key pad, which is located on the wall next to the door, the principal or designee sounds the alarm. This will automatically be transmitted to the fire department.

b.       HISD Police Department 713-641-7436

c.        North Regional Office 713-671-4530

d.       911, if immediate need for medical attention is determined (Nurse). If needed first aide is given.

2.        Building is evacuated until it is determined that the building is safe and secured. The "All Clear" is then given.