Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary
Parent Handbook
2009-2010
INTRODUCTION
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Jack Elementary! Our staff is committed to providing an instructional day that addresses the needs of the whole child. Through combined efforts of home, school, and community, we will challenge our students to achieve to their fullest personal potential and become responsible productive citizens for tomorrow’s world.
The pages of this handbook are filled with important information regarding our school and district policies. No handbook can contain all of the information and procedures to enable a school to be effective, but we do believe that the following will help to ensure order and safety to our school. We also believe that our students can contribute to their own success by striving to be the best Patriot each of them can be. A student’s success in school will be in direct proportion to the effort he or she exerts. With parental support, we will be able to achieve our goals and missions.
If you have any questions that remain unanswered after reading this handbook, please feel free to contact our school office. We feel that open and clear communication between school and home is important for the success of our students and educational programs of our school.
We encourage you to join us at Jack by participating in PTA, taking advantage of the many volunteer opportunities, and continually communicating with your child and his/her teacher throughout the year.
JACK ELEMENTARY IS A SCHOOL WHERE THE BEST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!
INFORMATION
Principal: Mrs. Shauna Hittle
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Patti Henderson
Instructional Specialist: Mrs. Tamara Colston
Secretary: Mrs. Jackie Phillips
Attendance Clerk: Mrs. Cynthia Jackson
Reception: Mrs. Cherry Ellis
Address: 1900 Balsam Gap
Tyler, Texas 75703
Phone: 903-262-3260
Fax: 903-262-3329
School Colors: Red, White, Blue
School Mascot: Patriot
ATTENDANCE
It is recommended that the children arrive at school no later than 7:45 a.m. If students are going to eat breakfast, they can eat in the café from 7:15 to 7:45. Teachers are on duty at 7:45 a.m. ready to greet your children. Classes promptly begin at 8:00 a.m. Students should be in their classrooms ready to learn no later than 8:00 a.m. Students entering any time after that will be counted tardy. Arriving late interrupts the learning day not only for your child but also the rest of the class. Please be reminded that all exterior doors will be locked at 8:00 and anyone entering after that time must enter through the main office (8:01). Anyone other than a student is considered a visitor at that time and must check in as well. (See drop off procedures for further information.)
Dismissal time is 3:00 p.m. (Bus students and K students will be dismissed at 2:50 p.m.) Please do not check your child out early unless it is absolutely necessary. Important reminders, announcements, and assignments are reviewed at the end of the day. Students called to the office and who frequently or unnecessarily leave early disrupt the learning environment. Medical appointments are excused. If appointments are made during the day, we encourage you to please check them out after the 9:30 attendance bell and bring them back after their appointment.
Bus students WILL get on the bus if a signed note is not received from the parent in advance unless it is an extenuating circumstance. Again, calling classrooms with messages for the teacher and students disrupts the learning environment, and we ask that these messages please be kept to a minimum.
Please instruct your children regarding what they should do in case of bad weather so that telephone calls will not be necessary except in emergencies. Children remaining after school for special instruction will be permitted to call home if necessary. However, unless it is an extenuating circumstance, you will be notified in advance. Please be at school on time to pick up your child. Teachers are engaged in professional development, parent conferences, and planning after school. Students will not have adequate supervision after 3:15 p.m. each day. Please make every attempt to have your child picked up by that time for the safety of your child. Your cooperation is appreciated.
The impact of regular attendance on scholastic progress cannot be over-emphasized. For maximum learning it is essential that the student be in school on time and remains for the entirety each day. Although work can be made up, instruction cannot. Regular attendance in school is critical to the success of your child’s learning….in every grade level. Excessive absences often result in unsatisfactory achievement and may result in a child needing to repeat a grade if skills and concepts are not mastered. If a student must be absent for any reason please call the office to report the absence (903-262-3260) each day by 9:00 a.m. Absences will be unexcused if parents fail to report the absence.
Students are counted tardy after the tardy bell at 8:00 a.m. (8:01) Parents are asked to send a note explaining the child’s tardiness, call, or come to the office with the child. Attendance investigators are notified when absences and/or tardies become excessive.
The state compulsory attendance law requires that students must attend school and district-required tutorial sessions unless the student is otherwise legally exempted or excused. School employees must investigate and report violations of this law. A complaint against the parent may be filed in the appropriate court if the student:
Exceptions to this law due to extenuating circumstances are considered on a case by case basis by a school attendance committee. The TISD Board of Trustees has set 98% as the standard for attendance for each TISD school each six weeks. With your help, we will meet that standard.
STEPS TO FOLLOW IF YOUR CHILD IS SICK OR ABSENT
To obtain credit for work missed during any absence, the student must make up missed assignments. If a student is absent three days or less, the make-up work should be completed in three school days unless the teacher and student agree to a longer time period. For absences longer than three days, the student needs to meet with the teacher and establish a reasonable time frame to turn in the missed work. The principal or designee is responsible for insuring that a reasonable amount of time is provided for make-up work. The responsibility for make-up work is that of the student.
Schools are held highly accountable for good student attendance. Excessive absences can affect campus accountability as well as funding from the state. We certainly understand and encourage you to keep your child at home if he/she is ill or a family emergency arises. We will be happy to work with you during these circumstances. Otherwise, we do discourage having your child miss school unnecessarily. We encourage you to use scheduled breaks for planning vacations or making other plans for your family when possible. (See the district year-long calendar for student holidays.)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
School-wide announcements will be made around 8:00 a.m. It will be extremely important for students to be in their classrooms settled to hear them. Out of respect for all students and staff listening to announcements, students tardy or visitors in hallways will be asked to refrain from talking or otherwise distracting the announcements. Announcements are used as an instructional tool at Jack and provide important daily information. Written notices are sent home with children when changes are made in general routine, such as special programs and holidays.
CURRICULUM
The curriculum used at Jack is the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). TISD has created a scope and sequence for teachers to use as a guideline. Information on specific knowledge and skills for specific subjects and grade levels can be found at www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/index.html State adopted supplemental curriculum for TISD is: Language Arts: Harcourt Brace Science: C-Scope
Reading: Harcourt Brace Art: SRA Art Connections
Math: C-Scope
Music: Silver Burdett Making Music
Social Studies: Harcourt Brace
Teachers at Jack are encouraged to use a variety of tools and strategies to supplement the learning of the students to ensure mastery of the TEKS.
Jack is also a “Literacy Collaborative” campus where early literacy and individualized instruction is emphasized to help students achieve his/her highest individual potential. Literacy Collaborative is a classroom-based, comprehensive school-wide approach to literacy instruction designed to increase literacy achievement for all students. Literacy Collaborative provides a dynamic framework for reading, writing, and word study. Additionally, the program allows for the training of a school-based literacy facilitator that teaches children, demonstrates research-based teaching practices, provides in class coaching and long-term professional development for teachers and coordinates ongoing data collection. The availability of Reading Recovery, a safety net for the struggling first graders, is an integral part of implementation.
HEALTH AND IMMUNIZATIONS
A written release from a doctor, the Health Department, or school nurse is required for admittance following any communicable disease or infection. This applies in cases of suspected contagious disease, even though the patient may not have seen a doctor during his/her illness.
Each year and each grade level has different requirements for immunizations. Please check with the school nurse to find out what is needed for your child. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND SCHOOL IF THEIR IMMUNIZATIONS ARE NOT UP TO DATE.
SCREENING
During the first few weeks of school all students in kindergarten, first grade, third grade, fifth grade, and those new to the district will be screened: If time permits, second and fourth graders will also be screened.
(1) Vision and Hearing Screening: All students, if time permits, will be screened by DSHS certified screeners for vision problems each year. Also, new students to Texas schools will be screened. Vision and hearing screening will be done at any grade level on any student who may be suspected of vision loss by the classroom teacher or parent. If further evaluation is indicated, the parents will be notified.
(2) Scoliosis Screening: All 5th grade students will be screened for spinal abnormalities. If spinal abnormalities are found, parents will be notified to take their child to their personal physician for further evaluation and follow up.
MEDICATION POLICY
All prescription and non-prescription drugs to be administered at school must be in their original container accompanied by a written request signed and dated by the prescribing physician and the parent/ guardian requesting this service. Students who must carry inhalers with them must provide a written statement from a physician and parent/guardian allowing him/her to do so
The following guidelines have been established for students taking prescription and non-prescription drugs:
A. Prescription drugs must be in their original pharmacy container and properly labeled by the pharmacist. A written request signed and dated by the parent/guardian must accompany the prescribed medication.
B. Non-prescription drugs must be in their original container. The written request for administration of these must contain the following information:
1. Full name of student
2. Name of the drug
3. Amount of the drug to be given
4. When the drug is to be given
5. Parent/Guardian signature
6. Written order from Doctor
C. All medication will be stored and dispensed in the school clinic.
EXCLUSION NOTICE FOR PEDICULOSIS
A student, who is excluded or absent from school because of head lice and/or nits, will be reinstated only by the principal, nurse, or health assistant in the building in which the student is enrolled. Because possible reinfestation exists, physician and health department releases are not accepted.
Please note that TISD has a nit-free policy; therefore, all nits must be removed from the hair before the student is reinstated. Adequate time will be allowed for treatment and removal of nits, but excessive days of absence will be unexcused.
CAFETERIA
All TISD students may eat breakfast for free. Breakfast will be served from 7:15 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. The serving line will close at 7:45. Please see that your child is at school by that time if you would like for him/her to receive this breakfast. This will ensure that your child has enough time for breakfast and still gets to class on time. Parents, visitors, etc. in the cafeteria in the mornings will be asked to leave at the 8:00 tardy bell. This helps ensure our students getting to class on time. Your cooperation is appreciated.
The cafeteria serves a balanced lunch to students. If students prefer, they may bring sack lunches and may purchase milk from the cafeteria. Students who bring their lunches are asked to refrain from bringing canned or glass carbonated drinks in their lunches.
Please send lunch items that do not need to be warmed. Ice packs work well in lunchboxes to keep drinks, fruit, etc. cool until lunchtime.
Students are encouraged to deposit money into their account in the cafeteria. Each student has an account number that automatically credits and debits their account when activated.
The Child Nutrition Department of Tyler Independent School District has implemented an innovative new service for students and parents. This exciting new service is called Lunch Money Now.
Lunch Money Now is a program that will permit parents to access their students’ cafeteria account via the Internet. This access will provide parents the ability to do several things including checking student balances, viewing student meal purchases, and depositing funds into lunch money accounts using a credit card.
The credit card deposits are made using a secure transaction site and are typically available within the hour of the transaction. You can make deposits to multiple accounts with the same credit card transaction. Please note there will be a minimal fee involved with each transaction, so it is advantageous to make multiple deposits per transaction.
The access to your student’s account is also secure requiring several items of student identification to view balances, view purchase history and make deposits via the Internet.
You may gain access to Lunch Money Now by clicking on this link https://www.lunchmoneynow.com/lmntyl/Main.htm. You may also access additional information and step by step instructions on how to use all the features of Lunch Money Now by following the links on this web site.
Lunch Prices: Breakfast-Free
Lunch-$1.50
Lunch charges are issued in emergencies only. The student/parent is responsible for any charges accumulated while waiting for a meal application to be approved.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Each student is expected to participate in physical education. Exceptions are made upon the written request of the student's doctor. Parent notes are valid for one day only. A medical excuse is necessary beyond this time. TISD students participate in physical education 135 minutes per week. Tennis shoes or other appropriate athletic shoes are necessary for Physical Education. Shorts should be worn under dresses or skirts.
HOMEWORK
The broad curriculum of our school makes a certain amount of homework necessary and desirable. The amount of time required for home study varies in different grades and with individual pupils. Jack Elementary will follow TISD policy in regards to homework.
Be certain your child completes homework assignments on time and has them ready to turn in. Homework serves as reinforcement and practice of class instruction and is vital to your child's progress.
READING each and every night is the very best homework assignment. Research shows that the more a child reads the better he/she will become in reading, comprehending, and thinking.
Often times, teachers will request practice such as multiplication facts, etc. This too is very important to your child’s progress. Paper flashcards can be made available to you upon request. Sturdier flashcards can also be purchased at local discount stores.
Please be sure to check your child’s folder and/or agenda each night for important information. Please sign the folder so we ensure communication is occurring.
GRADING
Grading in Tyler Public Schools is based upon state requirements. Please see the TISD Parent and Student Handbook for grading policies.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards will be distributed for students in grades 1st-5th as follows:
Six Weeks Period End of Six Weeks
1 October 9
2 November 20
3 January 22
4 March 5
5 April 23
6 Received the last day of school
Progress Reports will be distributed the fourth Tuesday of each six weeks:
1 September 16
2 October 328
3 December 16
4 February 10
5 March 31
6 May 12
PROMOTION, RETENTION, AND RECLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS
Decisions for promotion or retention are based on an overall average of 70 on a scale of 100 based upon course-level, grade-level standards (essential knowledge and skills) and other state requirements for all subject areas and a grade of 70 or above in three of the following areas: language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Parents are informed of the child's progress throughout the school year by report cards, progress reports, parent conferences, opportunities for tutorials, and other means of correspondence. Support of the school's final decision is appreciated.
Students in Grade 5 must pass the state mandated TAKS Reading and Math Test to be promoted.
Soon after school begins or after students new to the district have entered school, it may become apparent that a child is unable to make satisfactory progress in their present grade placement. Evaluation for possible reclassification will be made through observation and testing by the teacher, principal, and other support staff, followed by a conference with the parents.
COMMUNICATION
A child's academic progress and general educational opportunities are greatly enhanced when teaching becomes a cooperative effort of the home and the school. Much can be accomplished in this endeavor through parent-teacher conferences. When it is felt that a conference with your child's teacher is needed, you are asked to send a note or email to the teacher and arrange for a conference appointment. This will help you avoid a possible inconvenience since teachers are regularly scheduled in instructional planning sessions, staff development meetings, etc., as well as in conferencing with other parents. It will also give the teacher an opportunity to plan for the visit with you so that the time spent in the conference may be used most advantageously. Teachers cannot conference with you during instructional times of their day.
We believe in keeping our parents informed about campus activities. You will receive a weekly newsletter and/or agenda information from your child’s teacher. You will also receive a monthly calendar with listed events, a PTA newsletter periodically as well as notes keeping you informed about activities, events, academics, and information regarding your child and school. Your child’s teacher will be sending home a folder or student planner each day or weekly with information you will need to know about your child’s assignments, activities, and conduct. Please check your child’s backpack each night. Our campus will also keep an updated website. Please check it regularly for new information if you have access to the internet.
Teachers do have email accounts to assist in communication. However, please understand that teachers are not allowed to check email during instructional periods of the day as their focus is on instructing your children. If their planning period has passed, it could be the following day before they are aware you have emailed them.
STUDENT DRESS
Jack Elementary will follow the TISD student code of conduct as it relates to student dress. We want to use our dress code to promote a proper atmosphere for learning at school.
Please see the TISD Student Dress Code for a complete list of appropriate attire.
PERSONAL POSSESSIONS
All personal belongings, including school supplies, lunch boxes, and coats should be carefully labeled with the child's name and school. Please do not send to school anything that is valuable or would cause distress if lost or broken. Toys, etc. are not acceptable things to bring to school. Please check with your child’s teacher for class policies regarding “show and tell” type items.
VISITATION
Parents are cordially invited to visit school and to observe their children's progress. Visits to individual classrooms during instructional time are permitted only with prior approval of the principal and teacher and so long as their duration or frequency does not interfere with the delivery of instruction or disrupt the normal school environment. Frequent stops at the classroom door can interrupt the flow of instruction and should be avoided if possible. All visitors are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of courtesy and conduct; disruptive behavior will not be permitted. All visitors are asked to check in at the office. Identification (driver’s license) will be checked. Please have this readily available at time of arrival. Children (under the age of 18) unaccompanied by parents may not visit. When a parent plans to eat lunch at school, the homeroom teacher should be notified so that an accurate lunch count may be reported to the cafeteria.
Parents desiring to have their child’s friend eat lunch with them must have written consent from the other child’s parent presented when checking in at the office. No exceptions.
Before any child is released from school, the child’s student registration card will be checked by school personnel to see if the person has permission to pick up the child. Identification (driver’s license) will be checked. In order for an adult, other than the parent, to pick up a child, his/her name must be listed on the enrollment card and the teacher must have written notice from the parent stating who will be picking up your child that day. If you need to pick your child up early or your child is sick, you must come through the office to sign him or her out. We will then call your child to the office. Because we value leaning time for your child, we request that you schedule all appointments for after school. Frequent early check-outs are discouraged and could impact the success of your child.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Students come to school to study, learn, and enjoy their association with others. Students are expected to display good conduct, courtesy, and sportsmanship at all times. Jack Elementary will comply with the TISD Student Code of Conduct, but the following is a general guideline.
The student is expected to:
· Accept the leadership and authority of teachers, principal and other staff members.
· Keep hands, feet, and objects to him/her at school and on the way to and from school. Refrain form wrestling at school and on the way to or from school. Refrain from or threatening to fight.
· Refrain from damaging, defacing, or destroying school or personal property.
· Enter the building slowly and quietly after all breaks.
· Walk quietly and orderly in the halls and not disturb others in session.
· Use proper entrances and exits at all breaks.
· Secure the permission of a teacher or assistant before going to the office, counselor, or nurse.
· Respect the property of others and do not use their materials without permission.
· Use all playground equipment safely and share it equally with others.
· Obey the decisions of the assistants and/or other adults in charge of a particular activity.
· Use the telephone only in emergencies after obtaining permission from the office. Students MAY NOT USE the telephone to ask for parent permission to go home with friends after school.
· Use only acceptable language, no profanity or obscenity.
· Use proper manners and eating habits in the school cafeteria.
· Park locked bicycles in racks.
· Refuse to accept favors or rides from anyone except parents or regular carpools.
· Leave toys, Gameboys, roller shoes, radios, and questionable magazines or other items at home.
· Remain on the school grounds until dismissed or given permission to leave.
· Refrain from bringing any animals to school unless specifically arranged by the teacher.
SCHOOL-WIDE DISCIPLINE PLAN
Jack will provide a positive, safe, and nurturing environment in order for all individuals to learn and grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally to their respective potential. Therefore, a school-wide discipline plan will be implemented. Students will endeavor to be a productive Patriot and exhibit behavior reflected in the Patriot Pledge:
As a Patriot, I will be the best that I can be. I am respectful. I am responsible. I am ready to succeed.
Responsibility for good conduct is placed with the student and focuses on the necessity for a joint commitment of both school personnel and parents to protect instructional time, sometimes disrupted by student misconduct. Expected classroom and out-of classroom behaviors are outlined, along with the consequences for choosing not to comply with the expected behaviors. Appropriate behavior is regularly recognized and reinforced.
SCHOOL WIDE RULES
CAFÉ GUIDELINES
Blue Star Awesome Behavior- Above and Beyond
Green Good Behavior (Everyone starts here.)
Yellow Warning
Orange Think Time/Teacher Consequence
Red Parent Conference /Teacher Consequence or Office Referral
1. Verbal reminder
2. Color change and teacher consequence
3. Color change and parent contact/teacher consequence
4. Color change and teacher consequence or Office Referral
If the problem persists, the teacher can send the student to the office. When a student comes to the office the administration will follow the TISD policy handbook.
If you have any questions concerning this program, please feel free to contact your child's teacher.
BICYCLES
Bicycles must be parked in the racks provided. Students leaving the school campus on bicycles must come to a complete stop when entering the city streets. All bicycles should be provided with locks. The school is not responsible for damage or theft of parts while bicycles are parked in the racks.
EMERGENCY MESSAGES FOR STUDENTS AND
TELEPHONE USE
To avoid interruption of an entire class's learning, messages will be delivered to classrooms only in emergencies. Parents should make pre-arrangements with the child as to what to do in case of inclement weather, etc. Messages such as reminders of private lessons, to bring items or books home, to stay indoors, etc., will not be delivered. Please do not ask us to do this. Students will only be allowed to use the telephone in case of an emergency.
Please know that it is our intent to serve you to the best of our ability. However, educating your children in a safe environment conducive to learning is our number one priority. Making after school plans before the start of each day is one way you can help. Sending a note to the teacher the morning of changed plans is much more effective and efficient than sending a phone message to classrooms later in the day. We certainly understand uncontrollable circumstances and are happy to assist. We do ask, however, that messages be limited so that classroom interruptions are kept to a minimum each afternoon. Student learning time is precious and every minute lost due to interruptions affects overall student achievement. Again, we are happy to serve you in many ways, but we do ask that you help us by minimizing classroom interruptions.
HONOR ROLL
Student achievement is recognized each six weeks for students receiving all A's and B's or straight A's. The students are also honored in the newspaper each month.
TEXTBOOKS
All basic textbooks are loaned to students for their use during the school year. Textbooks are to be kept clean and handled carefully. PLEASE be sure the student’s name is written in the book in case of misplacement. Textbooks should be covered at all times. A fine based on the principal’s or teacher’s judgment is charged for abused, misused or lost books. Teachers will request students to purchase another book if one is lost. If the book is found during the school year, the money will be refunded by the office.
LOST AND FOUND
A clothes rack for lost and found articles is maintained in the cafeteria. If your child has lost a coat, mitten, etc., please encourage them to check the lost and found. It would be helpful if all personal items have the owner’s identity marked on them. Items other than clothing, backpacks, or lunchboxes are turned in to the office. Unclaimed items at the end of each six weeks will be given to charity.
OUTSIDE BREAKS
Students are usually provided outside breaks each day. All students are expected to go outside. Be sure to send a coat with your child due to the rapid changes we experience in our weather. Only those students with a note from a doctor or an occasional note from the parents for extenuating circumstances may be excused from outdoor breaks. The general rule of thumb is if a child is too ill to be outside, he/she is too ill to be at school. The reasons for requesting permission to stay in at breaks must be based on health reasons, not preferences. We do not have supervision for students staying indoors without his/her class.
SAFETY
Please see Morning Drop-Off and Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures to assist our school in traffic safety. Please remember that all rules and policies are in place to keep our students safe. This is our first priority.
SCHOOL PARTIES
The PTA and homeroom mother will supervise all class parties through its homeroom organization. Our parties will be held before the Winter Break and on Valentine's Day. End of year celebrations are also acceptable. We are only allowed to serve “non-nutritious snacks” three times a school year. Please do not ask us to do otherwise. Halloween, Easter, etc. will not be celebrated during the school day.
Students should realize that district policy does not allow the distribution of select birthday invitations. If a child wishes to invite classmates to a birthday party, the entire class must be invited. A list of names and addresses will not be supplied by the office for personal use. A campus directory can be purchased from our PTA in the fall.
Birthday “snacks” (cupcakes) may be distributed to a child’s class by a parent but must be designated to hand out during the last 30 minutes of the school day.
Birthday balloons, flowers, etc. may not be delivered to individual children in their classrooms. A child receiving these type items during the day will be notified, but the item will remain in the office. The child may pick it up at the end of the school day to take home.
DRILLS
From time to time, students, teachers, and other District employees will participate in drills of emergency procedures. When the alarm or announcement is sounded, students should follow the direction of teachers or others in charge, quickly, quietly, and in an orderly manner. The intent of these drills is to prepare our students and campus in the event of an emergency. These drills include fire, evacuation, lock-down, and tornado.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION:
In the event of bad weather, local television and radio stations are notified by the district by 6:00 a.m. If a school is closed during the day for an emergency, local media will also broadcast notifications and instructions for parents.
EMERGENCY EARLY DISMISSAL
We never anticipate emergency events to arise. However, it is necessary to be prepared. In the event an emergency arises during the school day and it is deemed necessary to dismiss students early, the following procedure should be expected:
Parents will be contacted by your child’s teacher and a news report will be released.
All contact information should remain current at all times. If a phone number changes, the office and teacher should be notified so that our files can be updated regularly. The day of an emergency is not the day to discover a child’s phone number has been changed. Please list ANY person that may be asked to pick up your child in this event on your child’s enrollment form. We do understand that the parent contacted may not be able to leave work at short notice leaving it necessary for a designated party to pick up your child. It will save time and frustration on that person’s part if we already have their name listed as an identified person.
A picture ID will be required by whomever picks up the child (parent or otherwise). This should be in hand readily available upon arrival. Once the designated person arrives, stations will be found outside of school to report to. IDs will be checked and the student will be called for to dismiss.
The most important things that you can do in this situation are to remain calm and be patient. Officials such as the police department, TISD personnel, and other people necessary will be on site to assist. TISD staff is trained for emergency situations and will work quickly and efficiently with the cooperation of everyone.
Updating your records, listing possible people you will have pick up your child, and maintaining patience during the actual event will alleviate many unnecessary frustrations in this event.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
PLEASE INFORM THE SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR PHONE NUMBER OR ADDRESS CHANGES. We need this information in case your child gets sick or there is a medical emergency. Also, please list a work number of a contact person that can be reached should the school not be able to get in contact with you. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Periodically throughout the year, a proof of address could be required.
If there is a change in the way your child is to get home, then please the office know prior to 2:00. This is for emergency reasons only. Plans should be made with your child before he or she leaves from home in the morning or send a note to your child’ teacher. We will not interrupt your child’s day by calling him/her to the phone. The school phone is for business use and emergency only.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
We love to have parent involvement in the school. The opportunities are plentiful. If you can give us a few hours a week or month of your time, please sign up. We encourage each parent to take an active interest in your child’s education and school. We encourage you to join the PTA, volunteer, visit, or participate by coming to school wide events. If you have signed up and not received a call, please let us know. We will be happy to get you in contact with the appropriate person. We are a community of learners at Jack and your involvement is valued.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
It is the policy of the Tyler Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and national origin in its educational and vocational programs, activities, or employment as required by Title IX, Section 504 and OCR Title VI-0.
This handbook is subject to change as needed. Parents will be notified of changes. .