BETHPAGE ELEMENTARY WELCOMES YOU!!!  

Principal - William J. Johnson

"Learning Today - Leading Tomorrow"

Mascot: Bobcat - Colors: Red & White

BETHPAGE SCHOOL POLICIES

PARENTS/GUARDIAN CONFERENCES

PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE ASKED NOT TO GO TO THEIR CHILD'S CLASSROOM TO CONFERENCE WITH THE TEACHER BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS. PARENTS ARE ASKED TO STOP BY THE OFFICE AND WRITE A NOTE TO THE TEACHER OR REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE TEACHER. TEACHERS HAVE PLANNING TO DO IN THE MORNING AND AFTER STUDENTS ARE DISMISSED TO COME TO THEIR CLASSROOM AT 7:15 AM, TEACHERS NEED TO GIVE THEIR FULL ATTENTION TO THEIR STUDENTS.

PARENTS OF CAR RIDERS

Please observe the following procedures for car riders:

WHEN BUSES ARE NOT PRESENT

1. All children must be dropped off at the curb in front of the building.

2. NO students are to be dropped off in the parking lot.

3. You may park in the parking lot or at the rear of the building if you

need to come into the school.

4. NO students are to cross the cross-walk unescorted.

5. PLEASE! NO PARALLEL PARKING IN PARKING LOT OR CURB PARKING.

WHEN BUSES ARE PRESENT:

1. Students are to be dropped off at the sidewalk near first grade classes.

2. Cars are to then drive through the parking lot and exit the campus.

3. NO students are to be dropped off in the parking lot.

4. You may park in the parking lot or at the rear of the building if you

need to come into the school.

5. NO students are to cross the cross-walk unescorted.

6. PLEASE! NO PARALLEL PARKING IN PARKING LOT OR CURB PARKING.

THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR STUDENTS ARE IMPORTANT TO US. PLEASE OBSERVE THESE RULES AND THE SPEED LIMIT ON OUR CAMPUS.

VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS

ALL visitors and volunteers MUST STOP by the office, sign-in and receive a visitor or a volunteer badge. To visit with the classroom teacher you must arrange with the classroom teacher for an appropriate time. We ask that you DO NOT go to the classroom for any reason without checking in at the office FIRST. We ask these things to help protect your children.

SCHOOL HOURS FOR STUDENTS

Kindergarten: 7:30a.m.-12:30p.m. (Kindergarten students may be picked up at 12:30)

1st grade -5th grade: 7:30a.m.-2:00p.m.

TARDINESS

Students are to be in the classroom at 7:30 a.m. Any student that is not IN THEIR CLASSROOM by the 7:30 bell MUST report to the office to get a tardy slip.

THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS OF SUMNER COUNTY HAVE ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING POLICY CONCERNING TARDIES AND EARLY DISMISSALS. TARDIES AND EARLY DISMISSALS WILL BE COMBINED: a tardy is anytime after 7:30 a.m. and an early dismissal is anytime before buses are called.

1. On 5th tardy/early dismissal - letter sent to parents

2. On 10th tardy/early dismissal - telephone call to parents

3. On 15th tardy/early dismissal - letter sent to parents and Attendance

A full day of school is 3 hrs. 16 minutes after 7:15 beginning of school.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

Bethpage Elementary will implement these guidelines for Student Absenteeism:

1. When students are going to be absent, parents are to call the office and send a dated note about absence when child returns to school.

2. When students are absent 2 days consecutively and a parent has not called the school, the school will be calling to check on the student.

3. On 5th unexcused absence a letter will be mailed to the parent.

4. When a student completes his/her 15th absence, the school will make a report to the Attendance Supervisor for appropriate action.

5. Vacations/trips must be approved by the principal prior to departure.

A total of 24 days absent during the school year may subject a student to retention. The principal and teacher involved will hold a conference with the parent/guardians, and a decision will be made according to the provisions of the Board Policy IHE, Promotion and Retention. Absenteeism is a hindrance to the efficient education of students, so we ask that you make every effort to get your children to school and on time.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

After a student gets on the school campus in the morning, he/she will not be excused to leave the school grounds before the school day is over unless a parent or guardian come to the school office to secure the student's release from school. TEACHERS WILL NOT RELEASE STUDENTS UNTIL THEY ARE NOTIFIED BY THE OFFICE BEFORE BUSES ARE CALLED. Parents/grandparents etc. must check by the office when entering the building to check out a student early. The office personnel will call the child to the office. This will not only prevent disruption of the classroom but will also provide for a safer school climate.

Students need to be in school the entire day to receive a good education. Arrange doctor or dental appointments after school hours. This will help provide a better education for your children. Students must be picked up immediately after dismissal, if they are not walking or riding a bus.

Students who ride a bus will always be placed on the bus unless we are notified by phone or letter. If you need to notify a student about a change of plans concerning how or where they are to go after school, these messages must be received by the school office before 1:30 p.m. to assure message delivery.

HEAD LICE POLICY

Effective December 1, 1997, all Sumner County Schools have a "NO NIT" policy. Under this policy, students identified with Pediculosis (Head Lice), will not be allowed back in school until they are "Nit Free".

Students in each classroom will be checked periodically for head lice. Students found with a head lice problem will be sent home immediately.

Watch out for...

1. Head Lice, it is a world-wide problem. Please check your child often.

2. Never drink after another student from a bottle, can, glass, or cup.

3. Never take a bite of someone else's food.

4. Never wear someone else's cap or use another student's comb.

5. Never touch a rash or sore on someone else.

6. Always cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

SCHOOL-WIDE CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE PLAN

1. Child's name on the board: Warning

2. Name and check mark: 10 Min. Separation Time

3. Name and 2 check marks: 20 Min. Separation Time

4. Name and 3 check marks: 30 Min. Separation Time and Contact Parent

5. Name and 4 check marks: Contact Parents and go to the Principal

6. Severe Problem: Send to the Principal Immediately

*Separation time will be time out of Special Assemblies, Teacher Activity Period, Lunch Room separation , and Center Time.

**Punishment for Severe Problems will be left up to the Principal, some examples are in-school and out-of-school suspension.

***Students with continued discipline problems will be referred to the School Discipline Committee.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

Bethpage Elementary cafeteria maintains the highest possible rating from regular inspections of County, State, and Federal agencies. Students may purchases breakfast for $1.60 and lunch for $2.60. Reduced breakfast price is .30 and lunch is .40. You may send money in weekly or monthly. Please send the funds in a sealed envelope. On the envelope mark child's name, teacher's name, and how you would like the money applied to your child's breakfast and lunch account. Students will not be allowed to charge breakfast or special items. Visitors will be charged $2.00 for breakfast and $5.50 for lunch. Special dinners will cost $6.60. Application for free and reduced-price meals may be made through the office. Proper behavior and manners are to be exercised at all time in the cafeteria. If sending your child's lunch please remember they are to bring NO glass containers. NO KITCHEN KNIVES OR PLASTIC KNIVES ARE TO BE BROUGHT FROM HOME.

BOOKSTORE

Bookstore supplies will be sold in the commons area from 7:00-7:10 a.m. each morning. There will be no charging in the bookstore except for paper and pencils. Students who owe fees to the school will only be allowed to purchase paper or a pencil.

BATHROOM RULES

Do not CLIMB on the commodes, toilet paper holders, urinals, stall walls, doors, sinks, waste baskets or any other fixture in the restroom. You could fall and injure yourself.

Do not swing on stall doors. You could pinch yourself severely between the door and stall wall.

Do not crawl under stall doors or walls. You could get hurt.

Do not run, play, or throw any objects in the restroom area. Students are often injured doing this.

Students are not to purposely damage, destroy, or misuse any restroom fixture, (this includes writing on the walls). Students are not to overuse paper products or soap in the restrooms.

Students are asked to report any rule violations to their teacher, Mr. Harry, or Mr. Johnson immediately.

MEDICINE POLICY

There is a  PERMISSION FOR ADMINISTRATION OF NON-PRESCRIPTION AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION. This form must be filled out completely and brought to the office with the medication. Any medication brought into the school must be brought to the office and will then be administered by the office personnel. NO medicine (Tylenol, etc.), will be administered without a completed permission form.

GENERAL SCHOOL RULES

The following school rules are in effect for the safety of all students so that you may receive the maximum benefits from your school day.

These rules apply to ALL students.

1. No loafing or playing in restrooms.

2. Students are not to bring any items to school that are dangerous or hazardous to people. ZERO TOLERANCE OF WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS.

3. Students are not to bring any type of toy to school without proper permission. Giga Pets/Virtual Reality Pets/Mini Pets are NOT allowed at school. NO LASER POINTERS will be allowed.

4. Students are not to trade, sell, or purchases any item from other students at school. The school is not responsible if a child does not abide by this rule.

5. Students will not bring glass bottled drinks to school.

6. Gum will not be chewed at school.

7. There will be no fighting of any nature at school.

8. No student is to leave the school without proper permission through the office.

9. All adult school staff members will be addressed by students as Mr., Mrs., or Miss.

10. Every student in school is to follow the instructions of all teachers and staff at all times, at all places.

12. Students are not to run in the school building except in scheduled gym classes. Speeding tickets will be issued to students running in unauthorized areas.

13. Students are not permitted to bring radios, tape or CD players, mp3 players etc. on the bus or to the school.

14. No student is to bring tobacco or alcohol products or narcotic drugs.

SUMNER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STANDARDIZED DRESS CODE

The following shall NOT be worn to school:

Caps, hats, scarves, or bandannas ( only on special day)

Snap-up the side pants

Biker shorts

Cut off jeans that are frayed or pockets showing

Saggy/sagging pants

Spandex or body shirts

Leggings and leotards unless with an appropriate length top or dress

Suggestive slogans, pictures or advertisements for tobacco or alcohol products on clothes

Strapless dresses or blouses

Spaghetti strap dresses

Bare midriff, halters, or tank tops

Backless shoes or cleated shoes, sandals with back strap permitted

Clothing related to gangs

Extreme haircolor

In addition, the following guidelines shall be enforced:

Mesh may be worn with t-shirts

Garments must cover the shoulders

Jewelry must not be distracting/disruptive or unsafe

BETHPAGE ELEMENTARY STUDENT DRESS CODE

GRADES K-3:

Students may wear shorts

Students may wear jogging suits

Students may wear tank tops.

GRADES 4-5:

Students may wear shorts no shorter than their finger tips when standing with arms at their sides with normal posture.

Dresses worn by girls must meet the same criteria as shorts

Students may wear jogging suits.

Students may not wear tank tops.

Students may not wear bike shorts or pants.

Students may not wear muscle or tank tops unless they wear a shirt over or under them.

ALL STUDENTS:

No cut-off shirts or shorts.

No see-through mesh shirts without a shirt under it.

No clothing advertising drugs, alcohol and tobacco products or with suggestive slogans.

No gang related clothing.

No mini-skirts.

No halter tops or spaghetti straps.

Shirts must have sleeves unless manufactured without sleeves.

No flip-flops or backless shoes.

NO CLEATED SHOES.

Shoes are to be worn at all times.

Any article or articles not covered in these policy's is subject to approval

by the School Climate Committee. Students not following the dress code policies will have their parents contacted. If parents cannot be reached, the school will provide some type of clothing for the student.

FIRE DRILL PROCEDURES

The signal for a fire drill is the continuous tone of the P.A. System. You should do these things quietly:

1. Go with your teacher to the designated area in an orderly manner.

2. Remain there until the all clear signal is given.

3. Return to your room in a single-file line.

All will be treated as real emergencies, since proper respect for a drill could save your life sometime.

TORNADO DRILL PROCEDURES

The signal for a tornado drill is a series of short tones on the P.A. System.

Everyone will go to his/her assigned area in the hall. When students are asked to assume the "Tornado Position", they are to do the following:

1. Face the wall down on their knees.

2. Remove glasses.

3. Place hands behind your head and put your head down to knees.

POSTPONEMENT OF SCHOOL DUE TO SNOW

If it becomes necessary to postpone school due to bad weather, or any other reason the announcement will come from the Director of Schools. The announcement will be made over the radio and television. Do not call the teachers or principal as they get the announcement in the same manner. In the event that school closes early, it is the parent's responsibility to notify the school if any transportation changes need to be made.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards are issued at the end of each six week grading period. This report indicates all academic grades and other pertinent information. When letter grades are given, the following scale applies:

A=94-100

B=86-93

C=77-85

D=70-76

F=0-69

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

For safety purposes, students will not wear hard sole shoes or boots in the gym for physical education class. Tennis shoes are required. Students may want to keep a pair of gym shoes at school. NO CLEATED SHOES are allowed in the school building.

WEDNESDAY FOLDERS

On most Wednesdays students will take home a folder with the previous week's work and grades in it. From time to time, there will be parent information sent home in the folder. This is a good way for parents to keep up with their child's progress as well as what is going on in school. The folder must be returned to school by Friday.

FUND-RAISER survival of our school. The proceeds will be used to provide essential learning materials and supplies. Information concerning the fund-raiser will be sent home with each student.

MONEY

Students should not carry large amounts of money to school. Most money is lost through carelessness. If you bring money to school, take care of it. The school is not responsible for money lost or stolen.

STUDENT INSURANCE

Sumner County Schools do not provide insurance for accidents or injury. Insurance will be available to students through Scholastic Insurer, your child will be given an information sheet to bring home.

SCHOOL RECORDS

According to state law, all students K-5 must have a green Permanent Tennessee Certification of Immunization card, a copy of their Certificate of Live Birth and the Birth Certificate number, and their Social Security number on file in the permanent folder.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements will be made only at the beginning or close of the school day unless it becomes absolutely necessary to make an announcement during other parts of the school day. Announcements to be made must be turned into the office before 7:15 a.m. Students are responsible for the information passed onto them in the announcements.

BUS RULES

Riding a bus is a privilege. All pupils on the bus are under the authority of the bus driver. Students MUST obey the driver and the bus rules. Failure to do so can result in a child not being permitted to ride a school bus. All students that ride school buses are to ride the same bus everyday. Students will not be permitted to change buses unless the parents change residence. STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO REMAIN AT SCHOOL AND RIDE THE SECOND LOAD. Disciplinary action may be taken on students who break these rules:

1. Disorderly conduct.

2. Use of improper language.

3. Out of seat when bus is in motion.

4. Refusal to obey driver's directions.

5. Head or arms out of the bus.

6. Tampering with bus parts.

7. Unnecessary noise.

8. Other causes.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

VEHICLES PARKED ON SCHOOL PROPERTY BY STUDENTS OR VISITORS ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH FOR DRUGS, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, OR DANGEROUS WEAPONS.