Student and Parent Guidebook

The mission of White Oak Elementary School is to cultivate strong student character, personal responsibility, and community/global involvement in a culture of learning that empowers and prepares life-long learners.

555 W.B. McLean Drive

Cape Carteret, NC  28584

Phone: (252) 393-3990

Fax: (252) 393-2773

www.carteretcountyschools.org/woes

Mrs. Roxann Everett                                                      Mrs. Tara Patterson

Principal                                                                    Assistant Principal

roxann.everett@carteretk12.org                                         tara.patterson@carteretk12.org

Student and Parent Guidebook

I.  Overview of White Oak Elementary School

     The staff and administration at White Oak Elementary School believe that the elementary years are the most important years in the educational process.  It is during this early time that attitudes are formed, learning patterns are established, and basic skills and concepts that lead to later success in school and in life are acquired. 

     White Oak Elementary School offers kindergarten through fifth grades.  Our instructional program is based on the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and provides instruction in English / language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, computer and information skills, physical education and healthful living, dance, music, and visual arts.

     Since 1995, White Oak has been a part of the statewide network of A+ schools where daily instruction in the arts is used to better teach all children in the ways they learn.  The A+ approach is based on Dr. Howard Gardner’s model of learning which identifies the eight ways children learn and defines strategies for teaching children in these ways.  At White Oak, the curriculum of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study is integrated into themes and units at each grade level.

II. Daily Schedule

7:30 – 8:00 a.m.                      Teachers are at morning duty stations to supervise arriving students.

Students should not arrive before 7:30 a.m.  White Oak Elementary cannot assure the safety of children who are on campus before adult supervision is available.

7:40 – 7:55 a.m.                      Breakfast served in the school cafeteria (optional).

7:55 a.m.                 First bell; school begins.

8:00 a.m.                 Tardy bell

3:00 p.m.                 Dismissal bell; school ends.

III. A Safe, Orderly and Caring Environment

Specific White Oak Elementary School Behavior Expectations

A.       Appropriate Behavior:

·            Students are responsible for knowing school-wide expectations to include arriving at school after 7:30 a.m. and going directly to breakfast or to the classroom to wait for the first bell.

·            Appropriate behavior is expected from students as they wait in the hallways prior to the beginning of the school day.  They are expected to sit along the wall outside their classroom.  Book bags and lunch boxes are to be kept at their sides or in their laps.  Feet and legs are to be kept out of the walkways.  Once a student arrives on his/her hallway, there will be no traveling to other parts of campus unless he/she is on an errand and has permission from a teacher.  Students in the hallways should be prepared to sit quietly and follow the directions of the staff member on duty.

·            In some instances additional grade level rules and expectations will be in place.  For example:  fifth grade students may be expected to use that morning time to do silent reading; third grade students may be expected to use that time to make up missed assignments or read quietly.

·            Students will be made aware of additional rules specific to their hallways and area.

White Oak Elementary School

Positive Behavior Support

School-Wide Expectations

B.   Student dress code

·         Students are expected to dress in a manner appropriate for school; which includes athletic shoes for physical education classes and outside recess.  Athletic shoes should be worn daily.

·         Several types of clothing are not allowed. These include hats or caps (worn inside the building); clothing which displays vulgarity, lewd or suggestive language; short-shorts or mini-skirts (guideline: hemline of garment must come to fingertips of wearer); chains; spaghetti straps; tank tops, and unusually baggy or oversized pants worn without belts.

·         Any clothing construed by school officials to be a disruption to the learning environment will be considered inappropriate and will not be allowed.

C.   Items not allowed at school

·         Radios, tape and CD players, skateboards, roller blades, electronic devices such as beepers and cell phones, and toys are not to be brought to school unless they serve a specific instructional purpose approved by the teacher.

·         These items may not be brought on to school buses in any case.

D.   Sales of items

·         Students are not allowed to sell anything on the bus or school grounds without the permission of the principal.

E.   Telephones

·         Students are not permitted to use a school telephone during school hours unless it is determined an emergency. When this is the case, such call(s) shall be made in the main office. 

·         The office staff will take emergency messages for students during the school day -- students will not be called to the telephone. Students may not make long distance phone calls.

F.    Replacement of lost/damaged materials:

·         Students are responsible for exercising care in the treatment of all textbooks, media materials, and bus and school property.  Students will be financially responsible for lost or damaged materials.

School-Wide Discipline

Parents may refer to the Carteret County Student Code of Conduct regarding discipline issues. 

(http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/hr/policy%20page.htm)

*In regards to school and bus discipline, the principal will determine if the offense warrants parent notification.  Excessively dangerous behavior will result in immediate disciplinary action by the principal.

Bus Rules

Bus rules are made to protect students while going to and from school.  The following rules must be observed on all school and activity buses to insure the safety of all passengers and drivers:

A student is assigned to one bus only and may only ride that assigned bus unless authorized by the Transportation Committee.

1.        Passengers will enter the school bus, take their seats quickly and remain seated.  They will refrain from moving around or changing seats in the bus when it is in motion.

2.        Passengers will keep all body parts inside the bus at all times.

3.        Passengers will not throw objects inside the bus or out the window.

4.        Passengers will not shout, wave or gesture to pedestrians or occupants of other vehicles from the bus windows.

5.        Passengers will not bring glass bottles, stones, sticks, snakes, animals, bullets, weapons or toy guns, or anything considered unnecessary or dangerous on buses.  (See Carteret County Policy Manual)

6.        Passengers are not allowed to bring any items on the school bus that will compromise the safety of other passengers or are against school rules.

7.        Passengers will not eat, drink or chew gum while riding on a school bus.

8.        Passengers will keep the aisle clear and never pile books, musical instruments, lunch boxes, or other objects in the aisle.

9.        Passengers will not use profane or vulgar language or gestures, tobacco, or alcoholic beverages while riding on a bus.

10.     Passenger will not be loud, boisterous, or distract the driver’s attention in any way.

11.     Passengers will maintain complete silence at all railroad crossings.

12.     Passengers will not fight, play or scuffle on the school bus.

13.     Passengers will not tamper with the emergency exits or any other part of the bus.

14.     Passengers will not mar or deface the bus in any way.  Students will be required to pay for any damage.

15.     Passengers will not tamper with fire extinguishers or first aid supplies.

16.     No person will ride a bus unless assigned to it by the principal or designee.

17.     Passengers will not litter the school bus and will help keep it clean.

Additional bus rules and information may be found at the following site:  http://www.carteretcountyschools.org under the ‘Transportation’ tab.

    When student behavior violates the Carteret County Student Code of Conduct consequences are applied. Parents may refer to the Carteret County Student Code of Conduct regarding discipline issues. That Publication can be found at the website: (http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/hr/policy%20page.htm).  The principal or principal’s designee will determine if the offense warrants parent notification.

   Students who fail to observe bus rules will be subject to immediate disciplinary action, since their failure to do so may affect the safety of others.  Each bus driver will maintain order and attempt to correct minor disciplinary problems.  If the inappropriate behavior continues or is excessively dangerous, the student will be referred to the principal or assistant principal for the following disciplinary actions:

1st referral:            A bus conduct report labeled “First Offense” describing the incident will be sent home; the student will review the bus rules with the assistant principal; the student will be placed in silent lunch and/or time out. 

2nd referral:           A bus conduct report labeled “Second Offense” will be sent home and will necessitate the parent’s appearing with the child in a meeting with the principal or assistant principal before the student may ride the bus again.  The parent will be notified that suspension from the bus will occur upon the next offense; the student will be placed in silent lunch, time out, and/or after-school detention.

3rd referral and all subsequent referrals:         

A bus conduct report labeled “Third Offense” will be sent home informing parents of the bus suspension dates.  The period of time for the suspension will be in relation to the seriousness of the offense and the student’s previous bus conduct offenses.  (One day or more for the third offense and one week or more for subsequent offenses.

Additional Policies

     In addition to the guidelines included in this booklet, the laws of the state of North Carolina and the policies of the Carteret County Board of Education govern White Oak Elementary School.  All regulations and procedures of the Carteret County Board of Education are found in the Board of Education Policy Manual.  There are a number of Carteret County Board of Education policies of which all students and parents should be aware.  These have been published in A Parent’s Guide to Carteret County Schools Policies and Procedures.   Each student will receive a copy during this school year.  If you need another copy, please request it at the school office.

IV.  General Information

Attendance and Absences

     Regular school attendance is necessary in order for students to be successful. In order to be considered in attendance, students must be present for a minimum of 91% of the instructional time. The student should be present in their school or at a place other than the school with the approval of school officials, attending an authorized school activity (field trips, concerts, plays, exhibits, and athletic events). 

     Excusable absences from school include illness, injury, quarantine, death in the immediate family, medical and dental visits, court or administrative proceedings, religious observances, and alternate education opportunities (Title 16 NCAC.0404).  Within two days of a child’s return to school after being absent, the parent or guardian should send the teacher a note stating the reason for the absence.  If a note is not sent regarding the absence, it will be an unexcused absence and will not be changed.  Absences for “alternate education opportunities” require prior approval from the principal.  Family vacations do not constitute an “alternate educational opportunity.”  To request such approval, please e-mail or send a written request to the principal for the appropriate paperwork.  Paperwork should be thoroughly completed and submitted to the principal at least five school days prior to the anticipated absence.  Tardies and early check-outs are closely monitored.

White Oak Elementary School is a closed campus. This means that once students arrive, they may not leave until dismissal at 3:00 p.m.  Students should not arrive before 7:30 a.m. The first bell rings at 7:55 am. .  The tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m.  When students are tardy, their parent or guardian should sign them in at the office to insure accurate attendance records; a reason for being late must be noted.

Student Check-outs During the School Day

   Parents are asked to limit checking students out of school. Parents should send a note to their child’s teacher if early checkout is anticipated. No student will be allowed to leave with anyone without permission of the parents or legal guardians.  In an emergency, parents or guardians may give the school office staff this permission by phone if the office personnel feel that he or she has established the identity of the caller as the parent or guardian.  Parents who pick up their children during the school day must sign them out through the school office.  Upon return to school, parents must provide a doctors note for the absence to be excused.

     At dismissal, each teacher will escort his/her students to this dismissal area to insure that each child leaves campus safely.  Drivers are expected to remain in their vehicles at all times. This keeps traffic flowing safely and smoothly.  On campus, all vehicles should observe a 5-mph speed limit.  Please watch for children at all times.

School Visitation

     Parents are welcomed at White Oak Elementary School and are encouraged to become active partners in their child’s education.  To best protect the children, all visitors are required to check in at the office and secure an official visitor’s badge for identification purposes.

Progress Reports and Report Cards

     Parents will receive information on their child’s progress frequently.  Student work is sent home regularly for the parent’s review.

     Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade teachers conduct parent conferences to share student progress after the first nine weeks and during the third nine weeks of the school year.

     These report cards include codes to show if the student has mastered the skills, is working at or above grade level, or is making general progress.

     Third, fourth and fifth grade teachers send home mid-term reports each nine weeks and  meet with parents throughout the year as needed to share student progress.

        Report cards for all grade levels are sent home at the end of each nine weeks.

Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades Grading Scale

                A -- 100 - 93   Superior Work                              D -- 76 - 70  Poor Work

                B --  92 - 85    Good Work                                    F --  69 - 0   Failure

                C --  84 - 77    Average Work                              I --   Incomplete Work

In all grade levels, participation in the Encore subjects (music, dance, visual arts, and physical education) is assessed using the following scale:

                                                                S              Satisfactory

                                                                N             Needs improvement

                                                                U             Unsatisfactory

Honor Roll and Principal’s List

   Recognition and rewards are given to students for academic excellence.  Following each nine-week grading period, White Oak Elementary School publishes in the local newspapers the names of third, fourth, and fifth grade students who make the Principal’s List (no grade lower than 93 or less than an “S”) and Honor Roll (no grade lower than 85 or less than an “S”).  These lists are also posted in the halls of the school and on the school web site. 

Teacher Conferences

   Parents and guardians of White Oak Elementary School students are encouraged to schedule conferences with teachers whenever there is a concern about a student’s progress.  For a conference, please send a note to the teacher or call the school (252-393-3990).

Testing and Assessments

     Students attending public schools in North Carolina are administered tests and assessments each year to measure academic growth.  All kindergarten through third grade teachers use the Carteret County Math Assessment and the North Carolina Literacy Assessment.  Third grade students take a pre-test in August to determine their general instructional levels in math and reading and the Test of Cognitive Skills in October. All third, fourth, and fifth grade students take the North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests for their grade during May.  In addition, fourth grade students take an annual writing test in March.  Parents receive copies of all test results for their child.

Food Services

     The cafeteria is operated for the well being of students and staff.  A well-balanced breakfast and lunch are offered at reasonable prices, with free and reduced price meals provided for those who are eligible.

     The computer system in the cafeteria allows parents and students to make payments in advance for meals or a la carte foods.  This gives students a personal account from which to pay for meals and food items without having to bring money to school each day.

School Fees    (*prices are subject to change)

·         School Lunch (grades K-5):                                       $ 2.00

·         Reduced School Lunch:                                              $    .40

·         School Breakfast (grades K-12):                                $ 1.00

·         Reduced School Breakfast:                                        $    .30

·         Milk:                                                                               $    .35

·         Adult Lunch:                                                                A La Carte ($0.35 - $2.25)

Carteret County Schools School Meal Charge Procedures

Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, all schools will have a NO CHARGE PROCEDURE purchasing Breakfast, Lunch, or any A la Carte items.

Our goal is that every student receives a meal every day.  We know parents may forget to send money on occasion and , in order to help these parents, a “one day” rule for elementary and middle schools students will be in place.  A student who has forgotten their money will be allowed to “charge” that day.  That charge must be paid before the student is allowed to purchase breakfast, lunch, or any A laCarte item.  A written notice will be sent home that day with the student informing the parent funds must be sent the following day.

High School Students and adults will not be allowed to charge any item at any time.

Each school works with the Child Nutrition Manager to set procedures in the school’s cafeteria to ensure students receive an alternate meal if the students has no money to purchase a meal.

Low balance letters will be sent home by the students every Tuesday to help parents stay informed on their child’s meal balance.  This information along with any other information on students meal accounts, can be received from the Cafeteria Manager at the school or Central Services Child Nutrition office at 728-4583.

Co-curricular Activities

     White Oak Elementary School provides several co-curricular activities for students. Participation in these activities is based on entrance criteria, which includes but is not limited to the completion of all required class work and maintaining an A+ attitude.  These activities may include Jump Rope Club, President’s Physical Fitness Club, News Team, yearbook, chorus, and Curator’s Club.

V.  Student Health and Safety

Emergency Contact Numbers

     All students need to provide current parent and emergency contact telephone numbers. It is most important that this information be updated whenever there are changes.  The White Oak Elementary School staff needs this information in the event that a student becomes ill or is injured while at school.

     A student who becomes ill should report to his teacher and receive permission to go to the clinic.  Office personnel or the school nurse will determine if the student’s parent or guardian needs to be called to take the student home.  The school nurse is on campus two days a week to assist students.  Parents or emergency contacts will be notified in case of serious injuries.

Medication Administered At School

School personnel under the following guidelines may administer prescription medicine:

1.        An order signed by a physician with specific directions for administration must be submitted to the principal or designee. A parent or legal guardian must also sign this order.  Forms needed for this are available in the school’s office and with most area physicians.

2.        Parents must bring the medication in a bottle with pharmacist’s label designating patient’s name, dispensing instructions, name of drug, and name of physician to the school office. The office staff will count medication received in pill form while the parent observes. A record will be kept of all children receiving medication.  This record will be accessible in the principal’s office. 

3.        A note regarding the medication will be attached to the child’s health card.

4.        All medication will be kept locked up in the office and administered by office personnel.  Teachers will be given medication to administer to students when on field trips.

     Nonprescription Medicine -- if school personnel must administer nonprescription medication, it must be under the same conditions as listed above and be in the original container.

     No medication will be administered by injection except when a student is susceptible to a predetermined, life-endangering situation.

Health and Accident Insurance

   Health and accident insurance may be purchased for students from American Advantage Insurance Company (see “School Fees”).  Enrollment forms are distributed to all students at the beginning of the school year and are available at all times in the school office.  The Carteret County Board of Education does not carry health and accident insurance on its students.

VI. Parent Involvement Opportunities

   White Oak Elementary School has always had an excellent volunteer program.  Parents and members of our community are the reason the program has been so successful.

     Classroom volunteers are always needed to work with teachers and students.  Parents interested in this service are encouraged to fill out the volunteer information sheet when it is brought home by your child.  In compliance with Carteret County School policy, any person wanting to volunteer at White Oak Elementary must pass a background check conducted by Central Office personnel.

     The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) provides a means for groups of parents to work with the school faculty and staff to provide materials and services for 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 White Oak Advisory Council meets monthly.  Meetings are open to all interested parents.

WHITE OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SCHOOL WIDE DISCIPLINE PLAN

School-Wide Behavior Expectations

Providing a safe and orderly environment is a critical task for all school personnel.  The Board of Education has defined Guidelines for Disciplinary Action (Policy 4300) to support schools in providing a safe school climate.  Through Positive Behavior Support, Second Step, and LifeTime Skills programs White Oak Elementary School teaches its students essential skills for self-discipline and positive student behavior.   These skills are respect, positive attitude, perseverance, caring, teamwork, and responsibility.

Students are expected to show respect to others, themselves, and property.  Behavior that prevents others from learning will not be tolerated.  Therefore, to ensure students understand what is expected of them, school-wide behaviors are taught and reinforced on a regular basis.

Students are taught to understand the difference between expectations and rules. There are positive rewards for expected behaviors and punitive consequences for violating the rules of the Carteret County Guidelines for Disciplinary Action.

Teachers will establish expectations for their individual classrooms that mirror the school-wide expectations of positive behavior; the following guidelines should be followed regarding code of conduct violations.

1.                    All teachers are responsible for the safety and conduct of all students during school activities.

2.                    Minor incidents and rule infractions should be handled by the teacher and/or the assistant.  Any suspected violation of the Guidelines of Disciplinary Action (Carteret County Schools Board of Education Policy 4300) should be referred to an administrator immediately.

3.                    Early involvement of parents is very effective and should be instituted before a referral to the assistant principal or principal on minor infractions or repeated difficulties.

4.                    If an offense warrants sending the student to the office, the teacher or teacher assistant should accompany the student to explain the nature of the offense.  The Student Discipline Referral Form (Form 37-A) should also be completed and given to the assistant principal or principal.  The administrator will then complete a discipline notice.  One copy will be sent home to the parent, one will be given to the teacher, and the third copy will be kept in the office file.  This notice will explain the action taken by the administrator.

5.                    Teachers may keep students after school if the parents are given 24 hour notice.

6.                    If an extreme situation occurs (student removed from bus in the afternoon) and notice cannot be given the parents, then the teacher or other detaining school official must provide transportation for the student.  These safeguards do not negate the authority of the school to detain students after school as a disciplinary measure.  The BOE has made this clear, while insisting that the proper safeguards be maintained.

Reasonable Force

School personnel may use reasonable, physical force to restrain improper behavior.  School personnel may also use reasonable, physical force to remove a person from a school site under the following conditions:  a) to quell a disturbance threatening injury to others, b) to obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects within the control of a student or intruder, c) for self-defense, or d) for the protection of persons or property.

Student Participation While Under Suspension/Expulsion

No student who is under suspension/expulsion from any school may enter the school premises or buildings or participate in any school-sponsored function wherever located, during the period of suspension/expulsion.