Bunnell Elementary

Student Handbook

2007-2008

 “Flagler County Public Schools is a superior performing school district that provides students with an internationally competitive education. Embracing the belief that all children will learn, Flagler County Public Schools is committed to excellence.” 

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear BES Bullpup Parents and Guardians:

On behalf of the staff at Bunnell Elementary School, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome each one of you. Our Goal is 100% Literacy and we are dedicated to ensuring that each student will experience academic progress and overall success. We use various assessment measures to monitor the progress of each student and provided instruction that allows each student to develop an understanding of his or her abilities, challenges, strengths and potentialities.   We are really looking forward to a productive partnership; whereby the student and the family work in conjunction with the school to achieve expected outcomes. We are a winning team and we encourage you to be an active part of the team as a volunteer in your child’s classroom, or be a part of the BES Family Connections Network.  The daily use of the planner will provide a tool for helping students with organizational skills and should be used as an on-going correspondence between home and school.  Students should write down homework assignments, unfinished work to be completed, and other important information to be shared with parents. The planner contains important information about the policies and procedures of our school and the School District of Flagler County.  Parents and students should review the planner together and if you have any questions contact us. We are excited about the upcoming school year and welcome your support and participation. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our students with you throughout the year. 

Sincerely, 

Mr. Richard Dupont, Principal

SCHOOL PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

Goal

Develop a professional learning community by creating a customer friendly engaging environment for children and adults. 

Admission Requirements and Health Service Dispensing of Medications

See Flagler County School District planner insert. 

Public Visitation

We welcome parents and visitors to our school.  All parents and visitors MUST obtain a dated visitor’s pass from the receptionist at the front office upon arrival on campus.  We ask that you enter only through the front office doors, wear the visitors pass and return it upon leaving campus.  Parents are not permitted to go to their child’s class unannounced during school hours or walk their child to class after the second week of school.  We ask that you contact the office, guidance department or send a note to your child’s teacher to make appointments ahead of time.  We are trying to provide a safe learning environment for all our children and want to thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Field Trips

All field trips must be educational and linked directly to classroom objectives.  Student preparation for the field trip should be done prior to the trip, and post evaluation by discussion and student displayed knowledge is expected.

Chaperones will be carefully selected.  There must be one chaperone for every eight students.  Chaperones must be the parent or guardian of a student taking the trip.  Parent chaperones MUST be approved school volunteers.  (Volunteer applications are available in the school office)

Permission forms from parents are required for each trip.

Report Cards

Report cards are distributed at the end of each nine-week period.  Parent conferences will be set up at the end of the first nine-week period and at the third nine-week progress report.  The teacher will establish an appointment schedule for conferences.  Report cards will be distributed at that time.  Parents will be notified in writing at any time during a grading period when it is apparent the student may fail or is doing unsatisfactory work.  Mid-term reports are sent home with the student during the middle of each grading period.  Teachers are available for parent conferences before or after school.  It is necessary that an appointment be made in advance to avoid scheduling conflicts.

News Media Publicity

The Flagler County Public Schools reserve the right to release “directory information” without prior permission of the parent or guardian as detailed in the following categories:  school publications, yearbooks, programs for school events, handbills, rosters and school news to media.  Such information will be limited to the student’s name, grade level, participation in officially recognized activities, dates of attendance, graduation date and awards and honors received.

Parents objecting to this use of directory information must notify the school principal, in writing, that this information must not be used for their child(ren).  This must be done each school year.

Clinic/Health Services

BES Elementary school has a staffed nurse’s office to care for your child’s first aid needs.

Illness and Injury

Teacher’s will send a student with complaints of illness or injury to the clinic.  Students are assessed and given whatever first aid care is needed.  Parents are called under the following conditions to pick-up a child:

            Fever over 100 degrees

            Vomiting

            Diarrhea

            Loss of consciousness   (fainting, head injuries)

            Possible communicable diseases

            Any undiagnosed skin rash

These students will need to be picked up within 30 minutes of receiving the call.  With the number of students that we have in school, clinic space is limited.

Parents are also called for the following situations:

            Student complaint of earache

            Student comes to the clinic two times in the same day with the same complaint

            Head bumps

For these situations, it is up to the parent to decide whether they need to pick up the student.  I f the parent wants the child to stay in school, the student will be sent back to class until the end of the day.

Any student who has a temperature of over 103 degrees or loss of consciousness and is not picked up in the allotted amount of time, will be transported to the closest hospital at the parent/guardian’s expense. 

Homework Policy

Homework at Bunnell Elementary School is given to:

·                    Promote good work habits

·                    Review / practice what has been learned

·                    Keep families involved and informed

Homework given in grades K-2 may not exceed 30 minutes with an additional 15-20 minutes for reading on any given day.

Grades 3-5

Homework given in grades 3-5 may not exceed 45 with an additional 30minutes for reading on any given day. (Unfinished class-work that needs to be completed at home is not considered part of the official homework.).

When a student misses school due to illness or family emergency, make-up work, if needed, should be requested through the guidance office.  Parents must give 24 hours notice for picking up work.  Students will have one school day for every day absent to complete and turn in work missed while absent.

Dress Code

The dress code is an attempt to work in concert with the goals and philosophy of our schools and to create a wholesome environment for the education of our youth. Students are encouraged to dress in appropriate school wear. Each student is expected to come to school in a neat and clean fashion and to wear shoes at all times. Sneakers are required for P.E.   No student should wear the following to school:

Unacceptable Dress

1.      Slacks, jeans, shorts or dresses that are excessively tight.

2.      Shorts or dresses that are deemed too short by individual school administration.

3.      Bare midriff, see through clothing, sun dresses without straps, halters, backless dresses, tube tops, half shirts, open sided shirts, tank tops and spaghetti straps.

4.      Clothing with words, phrases, symbols, pictures, patches or insignias which are obscene, profane, suggestive, or drug or alcohol related.

5.      Hats, caps, visors, bandanas, or headbands in school building (except for special occasions as approved by administration).

6.      Hair color other than natural hair color is not allowed.

7.      Any clothing improperly fastened.

8.      Excessively baggy/loose fitting clothing.

Clothing and styles considered hazardous to health and/or safety are not allowed.

1.      Flip Flops, backless shoes or heels higher than 1 inch.

2.      Sneakers with skates.

3.      Sunglasses inside the buildings unless a medical permit is on file.

4.      Jewelry and/or accessories that may cause safety concerns.

Electronic Equipment/Toys

Electronic equipment and toys are not allowed at school unless given permission by the classroom teacher.  These items will be confiscated and parents will be notified that the item is available for pickup at the end of the school year.

Technology

Each classroom is outfitted with a minimum of three computer stations.  We have three computer lab and four mobile labs.  Internet access is available along with MicroSoft programs such as Word Publishing and printers. We are constantly upgrading our computer technology to meet the needs of the future.

Improper use of technology may result in termination of such privilege in addition to other disciplinary consequences.  See Acceptable Use Policy and Agreement.

Media Center

We welcome all students, staff and faculty use of our media center.  We ask that everyone use respect and responsibility in preserving our resources.

Goals are to provide:

~ a media center, which is an integral part of the total instruction program, serving students and faculty as needed in all curricular areas

~ varied enrichment opportunities in an environment that encourages students to pursue individual interests and to develop their potential as lifelong learners

~ support materials, equipment, facilities and professional cooperation necessary for the instructional program to meet each student’s individual needs

~ support for classroom reading programs

Walkers and Car Riders

Walkers must follow the designated route to and from school during specific times. Traffic directions, speed limits, as well as safe pick-up and delivery are the responsibility of everyone. Take special precautions on rainy days. Please use the parking lot or the side of the street for parking. The circular driveway must remain clear for buses. When the blockade is up for walkers, cars may not enter the street. Please do not drop off or pick up your child from any other area.

Little Red School House

This two room structure was built in 1938 on the Bunnell Campus as part of the agriculture department, when the old two-story high school was located here.  This building has now become known as the Little Red School House and is a museum filled with antiques, history lessons and articles depicting old-time Bunnell.

School Store

A school store will be available to permit students to purchase essential school items.  The school store is located in the PTO office, building 300.  Hours of operation will be announced and posted by the PTO. 

Student Dismissal

Student dismissal is a very busy time in the office. In order to ensure a smooth transition during dismissal each day, we ask that you:

·        Notify the office in writing if there is any change in how your child will be getting home from school.

·        Notify the school as early as possible when there is a need to check your child out early for a doctor’s appointment or emergency.

·        Always have ID available in order to check your child out of school. 

No office pick up will occur except in the case of emergencies or doctor’s appointments. The front gate will open at 9:15 and will close from 2:45 – 3:15.  Be advised that leaving campus early can negatively affect a student’s academic success. 

Procedures to be followed for Absences

Parents will be notified by letter or telephone when a child has accumulated a minimum of five (5) unexcused absences and prior to ten (10), during a 90-calendar day period. Prior to the 10th unexcused absence, a Student Success Team meeting will be scheduled with the parent to discuss the truancy problem. A review of educational records, evaluations and teacher observations will be conducted. Changes in curriculum, classroom assignment or other intervention will be considered. A behavioral contract may be developed between the student and school staff. If the student continues to accumulate unexcused absences, the Student Success Team shall make a referral to the School Social Worker, for assistance and possible homevisitation. If compliance is not achieved, the child may then be referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice or Department of Children and Families and a Child-In-Needof Services/Families in Need of Service (CINS/FINS) petition filed with the Court. 

BES Family Connections Network

Keeps families and community members informed of the school’s policies and decisions regarding budget, instructional materials, technology, support recognition money and other matters related to your child’s education.  It is also an opportunity for you to present issues for discussion and propose plans for action.  The objectives/mission of this network is to promote the welfare of children in home, school, and our community to enhance the educational facilities and opportunities for the students of Bunnell Elementary School and to bring closer the relationships of home and school so that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of the children. 

Academic Focus

To enhance and improve our quality academic culture of achievement through a student-centered approach that results in school-wide sustainable progress. 

Professional Development

Bunnell Elementary School continues to demonstrate progress toward our goal of 100% literacy through teacher training, workshops and other areas of professional development.  We are committed to providing meaningful, challenging and interesting work to each of our students to ensure they experience academic achievement and overall success. 

Curriculum

BES will provide a rich and balanced curriculum for all students through the implementation of Florida’s Continuous Improvement Model, pacing and aligning the curriculum and creating Instructional Focus Lessons that are integrated and engaging. Model Learning Labs will be established at the intermediate grade levels, allowing us to make more substantive Reading and Writing Connections across the curriculum and to fuse Math, Science and Technology.  Early Literacy and Learning Model Classrooms will also allow us to create more engaging classroom environments at the primary grade levels. The Model Labs and Classrooms will exhibit best practices and strategies learned through Reading First and Florida Reading Initiative, 4 - Score Writing, AIMS- Math and Science Integrated Lessons, SUMS-Math Investigations, Making Math Connections and Scientific Inquiry.

Each student will have an Individual Student Academic Achievement Plan to enhance the system of progress-monitoring that is currently in effect. There will be an emphasis on developing effective test - taking strategies and organizational skills. Students will also be expected to use focused journaling and reflection, as well as, further their skills is creative writing and story-telling.      

CONTACT DIRECTORY