Student Handbook

Principal Letter	Make-Up Work	Emergency Situations	Study Habits
Features & Programs	Athletics	Gum	Insurance
Vision/Mission/ Motto/Belief	Chill-Out	Medicine	Visits/Conferences
Staff	Complaint or Concern	Parent Involvement	Testing
Advisory Council	Diciplinary Procedures	Promotion Policy	Telephone
Arrival/Dismissal	School Wide Rules	NC Accountability	Transportation
Attendance	Dress Code	School Food Service	Asbestos Update

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to Harkers Island Elementary, a community school with a
tradition of excellence in education. We look forward to working with
you in the coming year to meet our goal of helping every child succeed
each day. Our entire staff is committed to providing the best possible
educational experience.

In addition to our high academic performance, Harkers Island enjoys
the reputation of maintaining an extremely safe and orderly educational
environment. Many of the practices and procedures that help us keep our
high standards are found in Harkers Island Elementary School Parent
and Student Handbook. A Parent’s Guide to Carteret County Public
School’s Policies and Procedures gives additional information regarding
students enrolled in our public school system. We encourage you to read
both publications carefully and to contact the school if you have questions
about this information or any other concern about your child.

I look forward to working with you and your child during the upcoming
school year. Thank you in advance for all your support and hard work.

Sincerely,

April Lilley

Principal

OUTSTANDING FEATURES AND PROGRAMS

(To name just a few)

Active PTO and Advisory Council

Active Volunteer Program

School Wide Technology

Unique Island Setting

Computer Lab

General Music and Band

Accelerated Reader Program

Battle of the Books Team (2001-2002 County and Regional Champions- AGAIN!)

Basketball

Softball

Cheerleading

Volleyball

Baseball

During the 2001-2002 school year, input from the staff, parents, and students
was used to write the following guiding principles for our school. We thank
you for your help in this process.

HIES Vision Statement

Our vision is to become a community in which all students, parents, and staff
are supportive of the educational process and committed to excellence.

HIES Mission Statement

Our mission is to prepare all students to achieve high standards and become
lifelong learners.

HIES Motto
Success! Every child, every day.

HIES Belief Statements

We believe……

High academic expectations and behavioral standards must be communicated
to and modeled for each child.

Each member of our school is valuable and deserves fairness, dignity, and
respect in a safe, clean, environment.

Each child’s true academic potential can be obtained only when parents,
students, and school staff communicate and work together as a team.

Quality teaching uses a variety of strategies and activities including whole
group, small group, and individual instruction in a technology rich environment.

Children achieve their fullest potential when engaged in a variety of academic,
physical, and social experiences.

All members of the school community should be lifelong learners.

A strong reading program is an essential part of an effective school.

Our school has a responsibility to identify and provide assistance to students
with special educational needs.

Fostering responsible citizenship and respect for diversity is an essential
role of the school.

HARKERS ISLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2002-2003 Staff Roster

Teachers

Mike Crusie 8th Grade

Cheryl Nelson 7th Grade

Sharon Stanley 6th Grade

Terri Trevathan 5th Grade

Jean Rose 4th Grade

Paige Willis 3rd Grade

Terry Lewis 2nd Grade

Laura Styron 1st Grade

Renee Koegler Kindergarten

Lisa Chadwick LAP/Title I

Cecila Smith Resource

Kathy Yeomans Resource

Dianne Garner Media Center

Laranda Taylor Technology

Barry Langston Music

Allen Pettit Band

Rhonda Scibal AIG Coordinator

Cecil Lilley Physical Ed.

Robert Davis Art

Amanda Vierick Counselor

Mary Jane Govoni Nurse

Sharon Thomas Speech

Barbara Jernigan Social Worker

Johnny Clevinger Psychologist

Office Staff

Jamison Ipock Principal

Sue McLeod Secretary/ SIMS

Mary Jane Govoni Nurse

Support Staff

Cathy Guthrie Instructional Assistant

Trudy Rose Instructional Assistant

Karen Taylor Instructional Assistant

Eugenia Johnson Instructional Assistant

Ann Chadwick Head Custodian

Helen Foley Custodian

Minetta Nelson Cafeteria Manager

Donna Wade Cafeteria Worker

2002-2003 Advisory Council

Yvette Baker

Stacy Davis Baysden

LuAnne Merrill

Diana Pake

Cathy Rose

April Taylor

Geneva Mason

HARKERS ISLAND RULES AND PROCEDURES

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

     The school day is from 8:15 AM until 3:00 PM. Pupils should report to the cafeteria
in the morning if they arrive prior to 8:05 AM. After 8:05 AM, they should report to
the cafeteria for breakfast or go directly to their classroom. The tardy bell will ring
at 8:15 AM. All pupils should be in their classrooms and ready to begin their daily
assignments at this time. Students arriving after 8:15 will need to obtain an admit slip
from the office in order to be allowed into class. We ask that parents not remain in the
classrooms after the 8:15 tardy bell. This allows us to begin our instructional day
promptly.

     School will dismiss at 3:00 PM. The first-load bus will depart the main exit at
3:00 PM. Pupils who ride the second bus will remain in their homeroom until the
second-load bus arrives at approximately 3:30. A bell for walkers and riders will
ring at 3:05. K-3 pupils will use the front exit at the 3:05 bell. Pupils in grades 4-8
will dismiss through the east exit by the cafeteria. To avoid classroom disruptions
parents are asked not to enter the halls before 3:00 without permission from the office.

     Parents are reminded to park in the parking lot if they arrive prior to the dismissal
bell. If a child is not ready, parents should pull into the parking lot to wait for them.
It is important to keep traffic moving in the driveway to avoid dangerous congestion
either in front of the building or on the highway. No one should park or leave cars
unattended in front of the building at any time. This area is used regularly as a
loading zone.

     All students K-8 arriving late should report to the office to sign-in. All students
will also sign-out through the office. We must have parental permission in order for
a child to be picked up early. Checking out needs to be limited to reasons for
missing school as stated in the attendance section. Please do not ask to check
out your child early unless it is an emergency situation. Getting a child out of
class disrupts everyone’s lessons. We need your help to ensure that everyone’s
learning time is protected.

ATTENDANCE

The success of your child academically depends to a great extent upon regular
attendance. All future work habits, including attendance, begin at school. Be
mindful that in allowing unnecessary absences parents send the signal that school
is not important.

Carteret County Board of Education’s Attendance Policy

The Carteret County Board of Education’s attendance policy states that
students are expected to be present for a minimum of 91% of instructional time.
Failure to meet the attendance standard by a student at the middle and elementary
grades will be taken into consideration by the principal when making a promotion
decision. The principal may waive the 91% requirement in extenuating and
verifiable circumstances such as:

     The student has prolonged and/or chronic health condition which is substantiated
by a physician.

     The student has achieved national or state recognition in activities, which require
him/her to be absent.

     The student has experienced severe emotional and/or physical trauma documented
by a physician, licensed psychologist, or licensed mental health professional.

     The North Carolina Compulsory School Attendance Law (G.S. 115C-378) contains
the following requirements:

     The parent, guardian, or custodian of a child shall notify the school of the reason
for each known absence of the child in accordance with local school board policy.
Carteret County Board Policy requires that a parent furnish a note signed by the
parent or the student’s physician stating the reason for all absences and
tardiness. Valid and excusable reasons for absences include illness, injury,
quarantine, and death in the family, medical visits, or judicial proceedings requiring
the child to appear in court.

     Every parent, guardian, or other person in this state having charge or control of
a child between the ages of seven and 16 years shall cause such child to attend
school continuously. Legal action may be started against you if your child accumulates
10 unexcused absences. If you are found guilty in court of failure to comply with
the North Carolina Compulsory Attendance Law, you may be fined, ordered to
serve an active jail sentence or both.

Absence Due to Educational Opportunity
An absence may be excused when it is demonstrated that the purpose of the
absence is to take advantage of a valid educational opportunity. Approval for such
absence must be obtained before the absence occurs. In order for a child’s absences
to be excused during travel or for educational opportunities, the child must make a
written request to the principal prior to the absence explaining the educational
value. All schoolwork and any additional related projects must be completed before
the absence is marked excused.

Make Up Work

It is the responsibility of the student and their parent to find out about missing
work and to schedule times to make up the work. Any missed work must be made
up within three school days except in cases of extended excused absences. Failure
to make up work in the allowed time may result in receiving failing marks. Harkers
Island teachers stand ready to help students who are absent catch up on their work,
but there is no substitute for being present in class. Unexcused absences will not
receive the same teacher courtesies for make-up work as excused absences.

NOTE: Students who are absent during the school day may not participate
in any extra- curricular activity unless the absence is for scheduled medical
or dental care. A doctor’s note must be received to verify the reason for the
absence.

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ATHLETICS

Harkers Island School is extremely proud of our record of success in
athletics. In order to be eligible to participate in our athletic programs students
must meet the following requirements:

Academic Requirements

1. All students who are promoted to the next grade are eligible until the
1^st nine-week grading period.

2. Students who fail any subject at the nine-week grading period are ineligible
until the next nine-week grading period.

3. Ineligible students may not try out for a team.

Behavior Requirements

1. One out-of-school suspension or a second ISS assignment ends a student’s
eligibility for the sport. In addition, the student may not join another sport in
progress.

2. Student athletes must conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively
on the school at all athletic events. Poor sportsmanship may lead to a student
becoming ineligible for participation for the remainder of the year.

Attendance

A student must be in attendance 85% of the previous semester to be eligible to try
out for a sport.

Age

A student shall not participate if the student becomes 15 years of age on or before
October 16^th of that school year.

Medical Form

The student must receive a medical examination each year by a duly licensed
physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant.

CHILL-OUT

Middle school students who are disrupting the learning of others may be sent to
chill-out in another classroom. Parents will be notified if their child is sent to chill
out by a note or phone call.

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COMPLAINT OR CONCERN PROCESS

If a student or parent has a concern about a school policy or a teacher, the following
procedure should be followed in order to resolve the situation as quickly as possible:

1. Contact the teacher with whom you have the complaint/concern to discuss the
situation.

2. If the problem still exists, contact the principal.

3. Is the situation is still unresolved contact the appropriate central office personnel.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

Each teacher has developed a set of classroom regulations and consequences.
These will be shared with you at the beginning of the year. The discipline plan for
your child's class will make you aware of your role as a parent and of ways you can
assist in making our school a better place for pupils to learn.

In order to implement a consistent approach to the handling of disciplinary
referrals to the office, the following procedure has been adopted. The first time a
child is formally referred to the office by a teacher for disciplinary action during a
semester, the principal will confer with the child and notify the parents by note or
phone that she has seen their child. The second visit will necessitate a formal
parent conference to discuss ways to help the child become more successful. A
third visit within the same semester may result in suspension or other appropriate
consequences.

Please keep in mind the above procedures are designed to follow up after
the teacher's discipline procedures have been implemented. This applies only to
routine referrals for misbehavior. Any incidences of severe misconduct will be
dealt with on an individual basis. The following is a partial list of behaviors that
are considered more severe in nature and may result in suspension or lead to
possible expulsion:

· Non-compliance with direction of school personnel

· Disruption of school

· Skipping

· Use of profanity

· Assault

· Fighting

· Bringing a weapon on school property (Any student who possesses a
deadly weapon as defined by Carteret County School Policy shall be
suspended from school for 365 days)

· Threatening or abusive actions (Bomb threats are a felony and could
result in a 365 day suspension)

· Theft or damage to property

· Possession of tobacco

· Possession of any narcotics, alcoholic beverage, controlled substances,
or drug paraphernalia (Violations may result in the suspension of the
student for the remainder of the school year)

· Trespassing

HIES SCHOOL WIDE RULES

1. Do your best to learn.

2. Help others do their best to learn.

3. Act in a safe manner.

4. Be respectful to all members of the HIES school community.

5. Follow directions from school personnel politely and promptly.

DRESS CODE

Students must dress in a manner appropriate for school. This means that
clothing should not distract from learning.

· Shorts should be at least fingertip length or have at least a three inch inseam -
NO DAISY DUKES.

· Clothing must not contain any offensive slogans or images

· Shirts must have straps that are at least one inch in width and should not be
excessively low cut or revealing

· Bellies, butts, bras, and underpants must be covered

· Hats should not be worn inside the building

A good rule is that if there is ANY question as to whether or not clothing is
acceptable, then it should not be worn to school. Students whose clothing is
deemed inappropriate for school by their teachers will be sent to the office and
will remain there until they have appropriate attire.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Students should silently evacuate the school according to their assigned
route or go to their sheltered place in the school. The signal for a fire drill will
be a continuous ringing of a class bell. The signal for a tornado is three long rings
of the bell.

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GUM

Due to health and sanitation reasons, no gum will be allowed in school.
Students who chew gum at school will be required to scrape gum up during their
break/lunch time. More severe consequences may be given for repeat offenders.

MEDICINES

Prescription medicine can be administered by school personnel under
the following guidelines:

1. An order signed by a physician with specific directions for administration must
be submitted to the office. A parent or legal guardian must also sign this order.
These forms are available in our office and at the offices of most of our area
physicians.

2. Parents must bring the medication in a bottle with a pharmacist's label designating
patient's name, dispensing instructions, name of drug, and the physician's name.
Office personnel will count medication in pill form while observed by the parent.

3. A record will be kept of all children receiving medication. This record will be
accessible in the office.

4. A note regarding the medication will be attached to the child's health card.

5. All medication will be kept locked in the office and administered by office
personnel. Teachers or assistants will be given medication to administer on
field trips.

NONPRESCRIPTION MEDICINES

The above procedures also apply to all nonprescription medicines administered to
students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Students in middle school may keep
non-prescription medications with them under the following conditions:

1. The principal must have a note from the parent or guardian identifying the
medication and the reason for taking it.

2. The student may keep enough medication for one day.

3. Medication must not be stored in the student’s cubby.

4. The principal will notify the teachers of students taking medication over an
extended period of time.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Harkers Island Elementary School has always had an excellent volunteer
program. Classroom volunteers are always needed to work with the teachers and
the students. We encourage anyone who is interested in helping to contact our
Volunteer Coordinator, Angela Scott, at 728-5012.

The PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization) provides a means for groups of
parents to work with the faculty and staff to provide materials and services to the
school. PTO meetings are held throughout the year and are open for all interested
individuals. PTO officers are elected annually.

The Advisory Council is a group of parents appointed by the Carteret
County Board of Education to serve as a resource to the principal and to the Board
of Education. The Harkers Island Advisory Council meets monthly. Meetings are
open to all interested parents.

PROMOTION POLICY

Students could be retained under the following conditions:

A. Failure of two academic subjects

B. Failure of any three subjects

C. Failure to meet the NC EOG testing standards

The principal makes all promotion decisions with input from the student’s teachers.
Principals have the authority to promote and to retain students based on local
standards, which include attendance and grade level criteria, and accountability
standards established by the State Board of Education.

NC Accountability Standards

To be promoted to the next grade level, students in the 3^rd, 5^th, and 8^th grade
must score at least an achievement Level III on the end of grade test in both reading
and mathematics. Students who do not meet the promotion standards will be given
remediation and retesting. Students who do not score on grade level on the retest
will not be promoted unless otherwise determined by the principal.

If the student did not score at or above proficiency level 2.5 on the end of grade
writing test administered in grades 4 and 7, the students teacher must provide the
student with intervention to develop writing skills. Locally developed writing
assessment tools will be used to determine if the student has made adequate progress.
Adequate progress must be demonstrated for a student’s promotion.

SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE

Harkers Island Cafeteria serves a well-balanced and nutritious lunch on a
daily basis. The cafeteria also serves breakfast to pupils from 7:30 until 8:10.
Pupils are encouraged to participate in these programs. A child cannot perform
at his best when he or she is hungry. In addition to breakfast and lunch we will
provide the opportunity for students to buy a nutritious mid-morning snack. Your
child’s homeroom teacher will provide free and reduced lunch forms. We
encourage every student to apply for this benefit. This will assure that all children
will have equal access to the programs, regardless of income.

Lunches may be brought from home. We understand that sometimes students
forget or lose their lunch money. That’s why we allow students to charge their
meals. Sometimes parents may not get the message that their child had to charge
a meal at school until the next day. Therefore, we allow students to charge for
several days. Please help us maintain the valuable, yet inexpensive breakfast
and lunch meals by charging only in an emergency. When your child has to charge
a meal, pay the charges to the cafeteria as soon as possible.

There is a limit to the amount of money that may be borrowed. Kindergarten
through fifth grade students may borrow up to $10.00 for lunch. Sixth through
eighth grade students may borrow up to $4.30. Students exceeding the limit will
be served a peanut butter sandwich and a carton of milk until repayment is made.

2002-2003 PRICES

Breakfast Lunch

Adult $ 1.00 $2.00

Reduced .30 .40

Paid (K-5) .75 1.25

Paid (6-8) .75 1.40

STUDY HABITS

Please encourage your child to get in a regular study routine in a place
where they can be as free as possible from distractions and display a genuine
interest in your child's progress. They should feel that you are concerned about
their grades and are supportive of good study habits. Research clearly shows
that children learn best when they are assigned meaningful homework. A routine
check of your child’s homework assignments is a good practice. Remember
children will not learn if you do their homework for them. Homework
assignments are checked and will be reflected in a child's academic average
for the nine weeks-grading period.

Close contact between school and home can do much to assure that a
child does not fall behind in their assignments. Parents are encouraged to
consult the teacher anytime they have concerns over their child's progress.
Teachers will be happy to discuss strategies for success.

SCHOOL INSURANCE

School insurance is available for all pupils. We have two basic types of
coverage; one option is School Time coverage. This covers your child
only during the school day, or while participating in school-sponsored and
school-directed activities. The cost for this coverage is $11.00 to $35.00,
depending on your choice of low or high option. The second type of coverage
available is 24-hour coverage, which covers your child for the year regardless
whether he is in school or not. The cost of this coverage is $57.00 to $141.00,
again according to option. Each child will receive a brochure outlining these
and other insurance options. Parents will fill out the appropriate forms
specifying the insurance they desire and mail payment directly to the company.

NOTE: The school will not be handling this transaction. We will be
available to answer any questions. Pupils participating in any school-sponsored
athletic activity are required to have insurance, either one of the plans
listed above or proof of insurance through another carrier. THOSE
PUPILS PLAYING FOOTBALL HAVE TO HAVE HIGH-OPTION
COVERAGE. Please consider this as you evaluate your child's plans
for the year.

SCHOOL VISITS/PARENT CONFERENCES

You are encouraged as a parent to come by and visit our school. If you wish to
volunteer to assist in your child's class or if you have a question please contact
your child's teacher. Parent /Teacher conferences should be arranged so they do
not conflict with the instructional day. "Corridor visits" to see your child's teacher
are discouraged. Teachers are responsible for all children in class during the
school day. A corridor visit does not allow for you to have the teacher's
undivided attention. It is courteous to call and schedule appointments instead
of just showing up. This enables teachers to arrange their schedules to
accommodate your conference.

Parents are encouraged to come by the office for a visit. I will be more than
happy to discuss our school programs with you or show you around the facility.
We have a faculty and a facility in which you can be proud. You are welcome to
be a part of it.

All visitors to the school are asked to check in at the office. Pupils
should not leave campus without first checking out with their teacher and the
office.

TESTING

A variety of test and assessments are administered to all students to measure
academic growth. Third grades students take a pretest at the beginning of the
school year to determine their general skill levels in math and reading. They
also take the Test of Cognitive Skills mid-year to determine intellectual functioning.
Students in grades four and seven take the North Carolina Writing Test. Each May
students in grades three through eight participate in the North Carolina End-of-Grade
testing program. Teacher will be happy to review all test results with their students’
parents.

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TELEPHONE USAGE

The school telephone is restricted for school business use only. Pupils will
not be allowed to make personal calls on the school phone. After-school visits to a
friend's home and non-bus transportation plans should be coordinated prior to
coming to school. Pupils will be allowed to use the phone in the event of illness or
an emergency situation with their teacher’s written permission.

TRANSPORTATION

     The school bus operates for the convenience of our school patrons. The bus
makes two separate runs this year. First load goes down the Ferry Dock Rd, the
Refuge Fellowship Church area, turns on Cape Lookout Dr, then Island Rd, returning
to school. The second load heads east on Island Rd, turns north on Lewis St, west on
Diamond City Dr, north on Yeomans, east on Bayview, south on Barbee and returns
to school. Homeroom teachers will announce the exact schedule to your child.
Please have your child ready and standing at the bus stop prior to the arrival of the
bus. The driver is instructed not to wait if a child is not visible at the stop. Stops
are established with safety as the utmost consideration.   Stops generally cannot be
any closer than .2 of a mile together. This helps avoid potential traffic hazards.
Please be aware we cannot stop in front of every house. Students are subject to
school rules while waiting at the bus stop and while riding on the bus. Remember
that it is a privilege to ride on the school bus. If a student is not well behaved and
courteous, this privilege will be taken away. Pupils must board and depart the bus
at their assigned stop. Please send your child with a signed note from you if other
arrangements need to be made for their transportation.

TO: PARENTS, STAFF AND OTHER USERS

OF CARTERET COUNTY SCHOOL FACILITIES

FROM: SUPERINTENDENT’S OFFICE

DATE: July 1, 2002

RE: ASBESTOS UPDATE

As of August 1990, Carteret County Schools have been free of friable asbestos as
identified by our original Asbestos Management Plan published in 1988. This is
not to imply there is no asbestos in the schools. Remaining asbestos materials
identified are in rigid form and only considered hazardous if crushed, drilled or
otherwise broken away from their original mass. These materials may be found in
the forms of floor tile, building trim panels, certain plaster materials and like rigid
forms.

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act requires school systems have a
professional re-inspect each facility every three years and our maintenance
director (AHERA trained) perform surveillance every six months to assure the
condition of any remaining asbestos materials have not become hazardous to the
health of the building occupants. The professional re-inspection was conducted
in our schools during March 2001 and the results are available at each site and at
our maintenance office. The semi-annual surveillance reports from our maintenance
director are also available at each site and at our maintenance office.