New Middleton School Handbook

402 New Middleton Hwy

Gordonsville, TN 38563



School Mission

Goals are obtainable.

Excellence is our goal.

Success is our only option.


MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL


The main focus of all the faculty and staff is the overall well-being of the students.  We set high expectations for all because we believe that all students can be successful.  Thank you in advance for all of your support to our school.  


BELIEFS


Our school believes that research-based information and data should be used to drive decisions. All teachers hold high expectations for all students and use diverse teaching strategies to foster success in all areas.  We believe in collaboration between faculty, staff, parents, students, and all other stakeholders and we use this collaboration to engage in adequate and appropriate internal and external communications to provide the best education possible.  We believe in a clear purpose and direction for all students and to provide a safe and structured environment that promotes students learning.  We believe in aligning all policies and procedures that will maintain a focus on achieving the school stakeholders and nurturing of life-long learners.  


SCHOOL HOURS


School hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day.  Children should arrive at the classroom no later than 8:00 a.m. each day.  The bell to go into the hallways and classrooms will ring each day at 7:45.  Students who arrive before that time will go to the cafeteria to eat breakfast or to the gym.  



SCHOOL DOORS WILL NOT OPEN UNTIL 7:15 EACH SCHOOL DAY.


We feel that part of growing up is learning responsibility and independence.  After Labor Day, please allow your child to enter school  alone to unpack and begin the morning routine.  


ATTENDANCE


The Smith County School Board and the State of Tennessee believe regular attendance in the school accompanied by the responsibility to study and participate in school activities is essential to the learning process.  Students are expected to arrive at school promptly each day.  Once a pupil arrives at school, he/she is expected to remain at school.  Students must stay until 11:16 a.m. to be counted as present for the day.  Students who are habitually tardy may face disciplinary action.  Unexcused early checkouts of a student may result in detention as well. 




Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his designee, where applicable.  Excused absences shall include:


  1.  Personal illness (A doctor’s statement will be required after the fifth day of personal illness.)

  2. Illness of immediate family (doctor’s statement required after third day.)

  3. Death in family (if death is non-relative, day of funeral only)

  4. Religious observances

  5. Subpoenaed court appearance

  6. Circumstances which in the judgment of the principal create emergencies over which the student has no control.


When a child must be absent from school, a written parent/guardian note or doctor note is required upon returning to school within five (5) days of return.  Parent notes will excuse five (5) days absent for the entire school year.  After the five parent notes have been used, absences will require a doctor’s statement in order to be considered excused.  After five (5) unexcused absences a student’s name will be given to the Smith County Schools Truancy Board for further review.  Not sending a note will result in an unexcused absence regardless for the reason for the absence. Even if you have messaged your teacher about the absence, please still send in a note.  The student’s attendance will be monitored the remainder of the school year and the following school year.  If a student receives any future unexcused absences after appearing before the Truancy Board, further action may be taken.  


PARENT PORTAL-SKYWARD


The parent portal is available to all parents.  Student contact information and attendance can be viewed and updated on all students and grades can be viewed for students in K - 12 grade.  Parents of students in pre-k and k will receive a form to be filled out and returned at the beginning of the school year.  Parents must have a valid email address in order to be given access to the Skyward system.  Once parent information has been returned to the school, a link to Family Access on the Skyward system will be emailed to the parent.  Other grade level parents may contact your child’s school with a valid email address to receive a link to the Family Access on the Skyward system.


AUTOMATED PHONE CALLS


Your child’s school may use automated phone calls for student absences, important school announcements, school closing due to weather, and emergencies.  These calls are generated from the county wide Skyward attendance program.  If you do not wish to receive the automated phone calls, you can change or update alerts by logging into Family Access through Skyward and selecting the Skylert tab.  There you have the option to choose which notifications to receive and how you would like to receive them.  


MAKE-UP WORK


When your child is absent from school for one day, it is best that he/she receive missed assignments upon returning to school the following day.  If your child is unable to come to school for an extended period of time but could complete some assignments at home, please notify the school office.  The homeroom teacher will be contacted and those assignments that may be completed at home will be sent to the office to be picked up by the parent/guardian or sibling at a later time.  Teachers have the right to require that daily work missed when absent is completed at school.

EXCUSED ABSENCES - The student must make arrangements for make-up work immediately upon returning to school.  All make-up work will be completed within three (3) days of the student’s return to school.  If a student fails to complete the make-up work in the time required, a zero will be earned for the make-up work.  The above arrangements will be made so that class time is not taken from other students.  

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES - A student will not be allowed to make-up his/her work for unexcused absences; and a grade of zero will be given for assignments on the day of the absence.  Suspended days are unexcused absences and no make-up work will be given for the student to complete. 


STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION


Report cards will be sent home at the end of each nine (9) weeks.  This is a means of informing parents/guardians of the student’s progress, or lack of progress in each subject.  


GRADING SCALE:

Conduct may be marked as follows: S = Satisfactory, U = Unsatisfactory

A =  90 -100

B = 80 - 89

C= 70 - 79

D = 60 - 69

F = 0 -59


TEXTBOOKS/LIBRARY BOOKS


Textbooks are furnished to your child by the school system on a loan basis and should be treated as borrowed property.  Students must pay for the loss or abuse of textbooks.


PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES


We welcome your requests for conferences.  It is very important that you know what is going on with your child at school.  Please schedule all conferences by calling the NMS office at 615-683-8411.  At this time, the secretary or one of the administrators will assist you in arranging a conference with your child’s teacher. 


PHYSICAL EDUCATION


Physical Education is an integral part of the instructional program and is required as part of the State curriculum.  All children will be required to participate regularly unless a doctor’s excuse is presented.  IF on a particular day your child cannot participate, please send a signed note to the physical education teacher.  A daily note from the parent/guardian will be satisfactory for no more than two (2) consecutive days.  After that time, a doctor’s statement is required.  To ensure the safety of your child and others, tennis shoes are required for physical education.  Students not arriving for physical education wearing proper footwear may be assigned written work as an alternative to participating in the day’s activities.  


DISCIPLINE


Each staff member accepts responsibility for the maintenance of discipline and for the promotion of a program for the development of wholesome human relations.  A student’s behavior should conform to acceptable standards of conduct as established by the school board, principal and teachers.  




TENNESSEE LAW CONCERNING DETENTION


The administration of Smith County Schools is authorized to carry out disciplinary and related procedures necessary for the successful operation of the school under Tennessee Law concerning suspension and disciplinary action.  Tennessee law allows principals to suspend students for good and sufficient reason upon satisfaction of due process.  


SMITH COUNTY BUS RULES


Remain seated at all times. Obey the driver at all times

No loud talking or yelling. No destruction of property.*

Objects should not be thrown on or off the bus. No use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol.*

No food or drink unless permitted by the driver. No fighting.*

No rude, discourteous, or unacceptable language.* No balloons.

Emergency doors will not be used except for emergencies. No glass vases.


Any other conduct prejudicial to good order on the bus is prohibited.

The bus driver does have the authority to assign seats.

The bus driver will report a rider to the principal of the school, and the principal of the school has the full authority to discipline the student just as if the student were in the school building.  

The breaking of rules marked by an * may justify suspension on the first offense.  This will be done at the principal’s discretion.  Riding the  bus to and from school is a privilege and not a requirement by law.  If a child cannot follow the rules, he or she will not be allowed to ride the bus.  


CAFETERIA RULES


Due to school nutrition guidelines, students are not allowed to bring food into the cafeteria in restaurant packaging.  All food must be brought in a lunch box or sack. 


Students are allowed to bring milk, juice, or water into the cafeteria.  All other drinks will not be permitted.  

No loud talking or yelling is permitted. 

No rude, discourteous, or unaccepted language or behavior.


CODE OF CONDUCT 


MISBEHAVIORS: LEVEL I

This level includes minor misbehavior on the part of the student which impedes orderly classroom guidelines or interferes with the orderly operation of the school but which can usually be handled by an individual staff member.

Examples (not an exclusive listing)

· Classroom disturbances                                                      · Abusive language

· Failure to do assignments or carry out directions               · Cheating and lying

· Classroom tardiness

· Wearing, while on the grounds of a public school during the regular school day, clothing that exposes underwear or body parts in an indecent manner that disrupts the learning environment6

· Victimization of any student (harassment (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious), bullying, cyber-bullying, and/or hazing)

Disciplinary Procedures

· The staff member intervenes immediately.

· The staff member determines what offense was committed and its severity.

· The staff member determines who committed the offense and if he/she understands the nature of the offense.

· The staff member employs appropriate disciplinary options.

· The record of the offense and disciplinary action shall be maintained by the staff member.

Disciplinary Options

· Verbal reprimand · Counseling · Detention

· Special assignment · Withdrawal of privileges · Corporal punishment

· Restricting activities · Issuance of demerits · In-school suspension

· Trauma-informed practices such as awareness of behavioral patterns, mental health supports, restorative practices, RTI2B, multi-tiered system of supports, and behavior intervention plans

MISBEHAVIORS: LEVEL II

This level includes misbehavior whose frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the learning climate of the school. These misbehaviors do not represent a direct threat to the health and safety of others but have educational consequences serious enough to require corrective action on the part of administrative personnel.

Examples (not an exclusive listing)

· Continuation of unmodified Level I misbehaviors

· Using forged notes or excuses

· Disruptive classroom behavior

Disciplinary Procedures

· The student is referred to the principal for appropriate disciplinary action.

· The principal meets with the student and the staff member.

· The principal hears the accusation made by the staff member and allows the student the opportunity to explain his/her conduct.

· The principal takes appropriate disciplinary action and notifies the staff member of the action.

· The record of offense and disciplinary action shall be maintained by the principal.

Disciplinary Options

· Teacher/schedule change · Transfer

· Peer counseling · Detention

· Referral to outside agency · Suspension from school-sponsored activities or from riding school bus

· In-school suspension · Out-of-school suspension

· Trauma-informed practices such as awareness of behavioral patterns, mental health supports, restorative practices, RTI2B, multi-tiered system of supports, and behavior intervention plans

MISBEHAVIORS: LEVEL III

This level includes acts directly against persons or property but whose consequences do not seriously endanger the health or safety of others in the school.

Examples (not an exclusive listing)

· Continuation of unmodified Level I and II misbehaviors

· Fighting

· Vandalism (minor)

· Use, possession, sale, distribution, and/or being under the influence of tobacco or alcohol

· Use, possession, sale, or distribution of drug paraphernalia

· Use, sale, distribution, and/or being under the influence of drugs

· Stealing

· Threats to others

· Victimization of any student (harassment (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious), bullying, cyber-bullying, and/or hazing)

Disciplinary Procedures

· The student is referred to the principal for appropriate disciplinary action.

· The principal meets with the student and the staff member.

· The principal hears the accusation and allows the student the opportunity to explain his/her conduct.

· The principal takes appropriate disciplinary action.

· The principal may refer the incident to the Director of Schools and make recommendations for consequences.

· The record of offense and disciplinary action shall be maintained by the principal.

Disciplinary Options

· In-school suspension · Out-of-school suspension

· Detention · Social adjustment classes

· Restitution from loss, damage, or stolen property · Transfer

· Trauma-informed practices such as awareness of behavioral patterns, mental health supports, restorative practices, RTI2B, multi-tiered system of supports, and behavior intervention plans

MISBEHAVIORS: LEVEL IV

This level of misbehavior includes acts which result in violence to another’s person or property or which pose a threat to the safety of others in the school. These acts are so serious that they usually require administrative actions which result in the immediate removal of the student from the school, the intervention of law enforcement authorities, and/or action by the Board.

If a student’s action poses a threat to the safety of others in the school, a teacher, principal, school employee, or school bus driver may use reasonable force when necessary to prevent bodily harm or death to another person.7

Examples (not an exclusive listing)

· Continuation of unmodified Level I, II, and III misbehaviors

· Death threat

· Extortion

· Bomb threat

· Possession, use, and/or transfer of dangerous weapons

· Assault that results in bodily injury upon any teacher, principal, administrator, any other employee of the school, or a school resource officer*

· Aggravated assault*

· Vandalism

· Theft, possession, and/or sale of stolen property

· Arson

· Possession of unauthorized substances (e.g. any controlled substance, controlled substance analogue, or legend drug)*

· Use or transfer of unauthorized substances

· Victimization of any student (harassment (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious), bullying, cyber-bullying, and/or hazing)

· Electronic threat to cause bodily injury or death to another student or school employee

Disciplinary Procedures

· The principal confers with appropriate staff members and with the student.

· The principal hears the accusations and allows the student the opportunity to explain his/her conduct.

· The parent(s)/guardian(s) are notified.

· Law enforcement officials are contacted.

· The incident is reported, and recommendations are made to the Director of Schools.

· If the student’s placement is to be changed, adequate notice of the charges shall be given to the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) and his/her right to appear at a hearing.

Disciplinary Options

· Other hearing authority or Board action which results in appropriate placement

* Designates zero tolerance offenses

 

DETENTION


Students may be detained before or after school as a means of disciplinary action.

The following guidelines shall be followed:

-The student will be given at least one day of notice before detention.

-Parents will be informed before detention takes place.

-Students in detention will be under the supervision of certified staff members.

-Detention will not exceed one hour after the official closing of the school day but may

  be administered several days in succession.

-If a student, with his parents’ (or guardians) support, fails to meet the detention

  measures, the principal may, at his/her discretion, suspend said student from school.

-Parents must provide transportation for students promptly at 4:00 if student has been

  detained for after-school detention.  

The Smith County Board of Education has adopted a policy for elementary students to attend an alternative school.  Administration will provide information to parents/guardians if a student is to attend an alternative school.


CORPORAL PUNISHMENT


Any principal, assistant principal, or any teacher with the approval of the principal may use corporal 2 punishment in a reasonable manner against a student for good cause in order to maintain discipline and order within the public schools in accordance with the following guidelines:

 1. Corporal punishment shall be administered only after other less stringent measures have failed or if the conduct of a student is of such nature that corporal punishment is the only reasonable  form of punishment under the circumstances; 

 2. The instrument to be used shall be approved by the principal;

 3. Corporal punishment shall be administered in the presence of another professional employee;  

 4. The nature of the punishment shall be such that it is in proportion to the gravity of the offense, the apparent motive and disposition of the student, and the influence of the student’s example and conduct on others;

 5. If a student has a disability, corporal punishment shall be administered only when the school has received written parental permission. The parental permission must include the type of corporal  punishment that is allowed and the circumstances under which it is permitted. This information will be kept on file at the school. It may be revoked at any time; and

 6. The principal shall notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) any time corporal punishment is used.


DRESS CODE


Clothing and/or appearance that disrupts the educational process by drawing undesirable attention to the wearer will not be allowed.  Students will not dress, groom, wear or use emblems, insignias, badges or other symbols that distract other students, cause disruptions or interfere with the operation of the school.  


The wearing of headgear, bandannas, and sunglasses in the school building is not permitted for boys or girls. 


Appropriate shoes must be worn at all times.  High-heeled shoes are not considered appropriate for daily school activities.  Shoes that might cut, mar, or otherwise damage school property must not be worn,  If a child is unable to keep a pair of shoes on their feet or the shoes are distracting in any way they will be asked not to wear them back to school.


Spandex and biker shorts are not permitted.  Undergarments must not be visible.  Pants should not have any writing on the seat.  


All apparel or accessories worn to school may not display or advertise the following:

Gang affiliation or gang sign Sexual themes

Tobacco products Ethnic groups or signs

Profanity Racist overtures

Alcoholic products Other suggestive or offensive saying or graphics

Drugs or drug paraphernalia

Tank tops (shirts with spaghetti straps) and mesh tops are not allowed unless a sleeved shirt is worn under them.  Shirts must come to the waistline (to the belt).  Clothing that exposes bare midriff is not allowed.  Shirts should be size appropriate for the wearer. 

Bottoms wear must be size appropriate for the wearer with no sagging or bagging and must be worn securely at and around the waist so as not to reveal undergarments and to prevent pant legs from touching the floor.  Pants that extend over the shoes and drag the ground are dangerous for daily school activities and are not permitted.   


Makeup, false fingernails, facial jewelry, and perfumes/colognes that disrupt the daily educational process are discouraged.  Unnaturally colored hair, as well as mohawks are prohibited.  Any accessory that is studded, spiked, contains chains, or in any way presents a potential danger or harm to self or others is prohibited.  

  

For safety purposes, backpacks with wheels should not be rolled in the school building.  


STUDENT HEALTH SCREENING


As required by the Tennessee Department of Education, mandated student Health Screening will be conducted in all Smith County Schools annually.  Mass data does not include any identifying information.  All information is private and confidential.  This data analysis is reported to the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee Department of Health.


We will be screening to determine if your child has a health risk that needs medical attention and/or might affect his/her classroom work.  


The Screening that will be conducted are as follows:


-    Vision - Grades Pre-K, K, 2, 4, 6 and 8

-    Hearing - Grades Pre-K, K, 2, 4, 6 and 8

-   Scoliosis - Grades 6 only (optional screening)

-   Dental - (optional screening)

-   Blood Pressure - Grades K, 2, 4, 6, 8 and High School Wellness Course

-   Height and Weight - Grades K, 2, 4, 6, 8 and High School Wellness Course

-   Mile run/walk timed event - Grades 4, 6, 8 and High School Wellness Course


Other students that could be screened are those new to the school system and those suspected of having a vision and/or hearing problem by their teacher.  


If there is a need for further evaluation by a physician, a referral will be sent home.  These screenings do not qualify as an examination and parents are encouraged to make sure a child has annual medical checkups, as well as biannual dental checkups.  


If you have any questions regarding this free service, or if you wish for your child to be excluded from any part of the health screenings, please contact the School Nurse and/or Coordinated School Health Nurse at (615) 735-9625 or (615) 735- 2083









MEDICATION


NO STUDENT IS TO HAVE MEDICINE OR DRUGS IN THEIR POSSESSIONS WHILE AT SCHOOL.  IF THEY ARE FOUND WITH THESE AT SCHOOL IT COULD RESULT IN A 365 DAY SUSPENSION.  


If medication must be given at school, it must be personally delivered by the parent or a responsible adult in the original bottle or container and accompanied by written permission form the parent/guardian that includes the medicine and instructions for administration.   Prescription medications must have a doctor’s form filled out.  These authorization forms may be obtained from the office or on our website.  Medication that is prescribed three (3) times a day can be given before the student comes to school, after school and again at bedtime.  

Parents/Guardians of students who require long-term medication should consult with the school’s administration for proper procedures.  No medication will be administered to any student until all required documentation is submitted.  


HEAD CHECKS


If your child is found to have lice or nits, a parent/guardian will be contacted.  Information will be provided concerning how to eliminate the lice/nits.  The child then needs to be brought back to school for a head check by the principal or school nurse and must provide proof of treatment before returning to class.


SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH


If applicable, send your child’s check or money in a sealed envelope to his/her classroom teacher.  Write on the outside of the envelope the student’s name, homeroom teacher’s name, the date, and the amount enclosed.  Lunchroom finances are kept on the computer; your child’s lunchroom account  is kept much like a checking account.  You may pay for your child’s meals on a weekly or monthly basis, adding money to the account as it becomes necessary.  Online pay is also available. 


CHANGE IN STUDENT INFORMATION


It is imperative that the school office be notified immediately of a change of address, home or office telephone number, cell phone number, or of a change in emergency information during the academic school year.  ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE EMERGENCY INFORMATION - INCLUDING AN EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER - ON FILE IN THE OFFICE AT ALL TIMES.  Transportation arrangements must be current as well.  Messages for changes in transportation arrangements must be made in person or in writing.  Your child should know his or her transportation plans for the afternoon when they arrive at school.  Please do not call the school on a regular basis to make changes in transportation plans.  Calls should be made in an emergency only.  This is confusing to both our child and their teacher.  Please do not call after 2:00 p.m.  Without a note, your child will follow the normal transportation plans. 



INTERNET AND COMPUTER LAB

Students will periodically go into the computer lab and do work on the internet. They are expected to follow the directions of the teacher, not be on unauthorized websites, and treat equipment appropriately.





LOST AND FOUND 


The lost and found box is maintained by the school office.  Students finding any items should turn it into the office. Students who lose an item may request permission from their teacher to check in the office for the lost item.  At  the end of the nine weeks, unclaimed items in the box will be donated to charity.  Please make sure anything that your child brings to school is labeled with his/her name.  It is best that your child does not bring anything valuable to school.  The school will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items.  


PERMANENT RECORDS


According to the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the parent/guardian or student aged 18 or over is permitted to inspect and review education records relating to the student. 


INCLEMENT WEATHER


When severe weather creates hazardous conditions, the regular school schedule may be suspended to ensure students’ safety.  It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to monitor news reports via television, social media, and radio stations.  In addition, parents may choose to receive alerts via text.  To choose this option, parents must sign into their Family Access account on Skyward, choose the Skylert tab, and update the contact information. 


If school begins late because of inclement weather, children should not arrive at the school any earlier than 45 minutes before the starting hour. (i.e. if school begins at 10:00 a.m., children should arrive no earlier than 9:15.)  Buses run on a delayed schedule if school opening is delayed.  

Teachers should report 15 minutes before the starting hour, and staff should report on the hour.  


SAFETY DRILLS


Every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of your child during normal school hours.  Periodic fire, tornado, and other safety drills are executed to make sure students learn proper safety procedures and adhere to all safety guidelines.


TRAFFIC SAFETY


Please help us to prevent the risk of serious injury by carefully adhering to all rules of traffic safety:


All students should be dropped off and picked up in the school parking lot only.  Please do not put your child into a hazardous situation by dropping him/her off in an unauthorized or unsupervised area. It is state law that phones are not to be used while operating a vehicle in a school zone. This rule is only intended to prevent serious injury and ensure the safety of all students. 










STUDENT MESSAGES GIFTS


Students will not be called from their classrooms for telephone calls unless in the case of an emergency.  Please make sure that your child and his/her teacher understand the day’s transportation plans when they arrive at school.  Students are only allowed to use the telephone for emergency purposes only.  


EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS


Properly supervised and planned educational field trips are an important part of the instructional program.  A signed permission form from a parent or guardian is required for all field trips.  School buses will normally be used for field trips.  All children participating in a field trip must ride the bus.  The classroom teachers on an as-needed basis will select field trip chaperones.  Those adults accompanying field trips should not include other children on the trip.  Field trip deadlines must be enforced so that transportation, ticket and meal reservations may be made in a timely manner.  



SCHOOL VISITORS


All visitors to the school will have to be buzzed in through the front door system and report to the office before going to any room.  If allowed, visitors must sign in and a visitor’s badge must be worn in the building.  This policy is for the safety of students, faculty, and staff at our school.  


FUNDRAISING


While we hope that everyone chooses to take part, participation is strictly voluntary and at the parent’s discretion.  


RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS


All students attending Smith County Schools are required to be a resident of Smith County. Proof of residency is required.  The Board of Education recommends that each child attend the school in their home area; however, at the beginning of each school year, parents may enroll their child in the school of their choice.  Once a student has enrolled, transfers to other county schools will be permitted only under the following conditions:

  1.  The student’s parent/legal guardian moves to a new school area.  

  2. A student starting the school year outside his/her home school area may transfer to their home school.  They must then stay at this school for the rest of the year unless they move again. 

  3. If the student is a victim of a violent crime at schools. 






STUDENT WITHDRAWALS/TRANSFERS


Please notify us immediately if your child is withdrawing from the Smith County School System  The new school will contact us regarding the transfer of records.  No records will be released until all fees are paid and books including those borrowed from the library are returned.  Your child will be counted as absent until we receive a request for records from the new school.  


ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM/PLAYGROUND GUIDELINES


Your child’s teacher will send home the rules and consequences for that grade.  Each grade level will be working from the same set of expectations.  This will help us as a school make things more consistent for the student and easier to understand for the parents.  


ELL SERVICES


Smith County School System provides an English as a Second Language program for students who have a primary or home language other than English.  These students receive specialized instruction to ensure that all students, regardless of language proficiency, have access to a quality educational program.  


YOUR CHILD’S READING PROGRAM IN SMITH COUNTY SCHOOLS


HOW WE ASSESS YOUR CHILD’S PROGRESS

In the Smith County School District, reading skills of all students in grades K-8 are assessed at least three times a year.  A team of professionals, review assessments, progress, attendance and behavior data throughout the year.  


HOW WE DETERMINE WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTION

School teams use academic, behavior and attendance data to decide which students are doing well in the standard classroom reading program, which students may need supplemental instruction, and which students may need individualized instructions. 


When students receive supplemental small group or individualized instruction, we check their progress frequently.The key is to make changes when the current instruction is not sufficient for a child.  When our data shows a child is not making satisfactory progress in the standard classroom program, we provide small group interventions.  If, after a period of instruction, there is still a concern, we plan an individualized intervention.


During small group intervention, we assess the student's progress twice a month.  During individualized intervention, we assess progress once a week.  If a student makes limited progress, we may ask parents for permission to conduct an individual evaluation.  This evaluation might result in identification of a learning disability. No evaluation would be conducted without parents’ written consent.  


PARENTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO CHILDREN’S SUCCESS IN SCHOOL


Education is a partnership between home and school.  When a child needs supplemental instruction, we will describe that instruction to you.  We will also ask you to tell us anything you think may affect your child’s learning.  For example, it is important for us to know if a child has missed lots of school, experienced a trauma, or is having problems with friends at school.  These problems may affect a student’s progress and if we know about them, we can design interventions more effectively.  


We value parent involvement at every level and encourage your to partner with us.  A good partnership includes good communication.  Please feel free to call, write a note, or email us if you have concerns or questions about your child’s education or if you would like to provide extra practice at home.  





WHEN CHILDREN CONTINUE TO HAVE DIFFICULTY


The school will tell you if your child begins to make sufficient progress, or if your child continues to have difficulty.  If you and the school have tried several interventions and progress remains limited, you may be asked to give consent for an evaluation.  The purpose of this evaluation is to determine what your child’s educational needs are and to consider if he or she might have a learning disability.


THE ABOVE INFORMATION DESCRIBES A PROCESS CALLED: RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION (RTI)


RTI is a way of organizing instruction that has two purposes:

  1.  To identify children needing help in reading and to prevent the development of serious learning problems.  

  2. To identify children who, even when they get extra help, make very limited progress.  Research has shown these children sometimes have learning disabilities. 


You may request an evaluation at any time during the RTI process if you think your child has a disability.  No evaluation takes place without a conference with you or without your written consent.


PARENT NOTIFICATIONS


  1. Parents may request information about the qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals who instruct their child. 

  2. Parents may request that their child’s name, address and telephone number not be released to a military recruiter.

  3. For homelessness and families in transition, please contact:  Misty Smith, Homeless Liaison (615) 735-9625.

  4. In compliance with state and federal law, the Smith County Board of Education will provide to each protected student with a disability without  discrimination o cost to the student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriated to the student’s abilities.  In order to qualify as a protected student with a disability, the student must be of school age with a physical or mental disability, which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program. These services and protections for “protected students who are disabled” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs. 

  5. For further information on the evaluation procedures and provisions of service to protected disabled student, contact:







Kaye Shores, 504 Coordinator

126 SCMS Lane, Carthage, TN 37030

615-735-9625





Additional Contacts

Tennessee Department of Education Contact Information 


Answers to many questions and much helpful information may be obtained from the State Department of Education by calling 1-800-212-3162 or visiting http://www.state.tn.us/education/speced/index.htm.


Legal Services Division East Tennessee Regional Resource Center

Division of Special Education, TN Department of Education 2763 Island Home Blvd

710 James Robertson Parkway Knoxville, TN 37290

Nashville, TN 37243-0380 Phone:  865-594-5691

Phone:  615-741-2851 Fax:  865-594-8909

Fax:  615-253-5567 or 615-532-9412


West Tennessee Regional Resource Center

100 Berryhill Drive

Jackson, TN 38301

Phone:  731-421-5074

Fax:  731-421-5077


Child Advocacy Group Contact Information

In addition to the state and local resources available to parents and children, there are many agencies and organizations that offer support, information, training and help in advocating for persons with disabilities in Tennessee.


A few organizations are listed below:


The ARC of Tennessees is on the internet at http://www.thearctn.org/


44 Vantage Way, Suite 550

Nashville, ™ 37228

Phone:  615-248-5878  Toll Free:  1-800-835-7077

Fax:  615-248-5879  Email:  pccoper@thearctn.org




Support and Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP) is on the internet at http://www.tnstep.org/

712 Professional Plaza 

Greenville, TN 37745




West Tennessee: Middle Tennessee: East Tennessee:

(901)756-4332 (615) 463-2310 (423) 639-2464

Jessnss.roth@tnstep.org information@tnstep.org Karen.harrison@tnstep.org



Tennessee Protection and Advocacy (TP&A) is on the internet at http://tpaino.org/


416 21st Avenue South 1-800-287-9636 (Toll Free) or 615-298-1080

Nashville, TN 37212 615-298-2471 (TTY) 615-298-2046 (Fax)


Tennessee Voices for Children is on the internet at http://www.tnvoices.org/main.htm


West Tennessee: Middle Tennessee: East Tennessee:

(Jackson Area) 1315 8th Ave. South (Knoxville Area)

Telephone:  731-660-6365 Nashville, TN 37203 Telephone: 865-609-2490

Fax:  731-660-6372 Telephone:  615-269-7751 Fax:  865-609-2543

Fax:  615-269-8914

TN Toll Free:  800-670-9882

Email:  TVC@tnvoices.org


These are but a few of the organizations available to help with information, training and advocacy. For a more extensive list visit the Tennessee Disability Services - Disability Pathfinder Database:

http://mingus.kc.vanderbilt.edu./tdir/dbsearch.asp

This information is provided as a service to individuals seeking additional avenues for help and information.  The Department of Education does not intend this as an endorsement or recommendation for any individual organization, or service represented on this page.