Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
LANCASTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2011-2012 STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
Just like other schools, our school has important rules and regulations in place
to protect our students and help our school run smoothly. We take the safety of
your child, and every child very seriously. Your cooperation and help in reviewing
these procedures with your child will help us all have a wonderful and safe year.
Please read the handbook carefully and discuss the contents with your child. To
ensure that you have received your handbook and covered it with your child, we
ask that you sign and return this sheet to your child’s teacher by Friday,
August 19, 2011.
Please keep your handbook as a quick reference. If you have questions
concerning the contents of the handbook, please contact Susannah Welch,
Principal.
Student and Parent Handbook Verification
We have read the Lancaster Elementary School Student Handbook and agree to
follow the included policies.
__________________________ _____________________________
Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature
__________________________ _____________________________
Teacher Date
Lancaster Elementary School
133 Pine Creek Drive
Madisonville LA 70447
School #985-792-0156
fax # 985-792-5716
Cafeteria # 985-792-5376
http://lancasterelementary.stpsb.org
Susannah Welch, M.Ed. ~ Principal
Andrea Himel, M.Ed. ~ Assistant Principal
Erin Roy, M.Ed. ~ Technology Resource Teacher
SCHOOL HOURS Full Day: 8:35 – 3:31 Early Dismissal: 8:35 – 12:31
MASTER SCHEDULE
8:05 – 8:35 BUSES AND CARS UNLOAD
8:35 CLASSES BEGIN / TARDY BELL
11:06 – 11:46 2nd
GRADE LUNCH AND RECESS
11:41 – 12:21 3rd
GRADE LUNCH AND RECESS
12:23 – 12:58 4th GRADE LUNCH AND RECESS
3:31 BUSES AND CARS LOAD FOR DISMISSAL
Dear Parents or Guardians,
The faculty and staff welcome you to Lancaster Elementary School for the 2011-2012 school year.
It is our belief that students, parents, and the school all share the responsibility of the educational development of a
student. Parental involvement throughout the year is a vital component to the success of this process for every
child. We encourage you to come to school frequently, visit the classroom, and communicate with the teachers and
the administration team of Lancaster Elementary. Your ideas and suggestions can make meaningful contributions and
improvements to the overall school climate and educational experiences afforded to all students at Lancaster.
I am positively looking forward to a dynamic year full of new adventures for both our faculty and our students. As we
begin to grow and develop our plan for success, we will surely be faced with various challenges this first year.
However, Lancaster is fortunate to have an outstanding and enthusiastic faculty and staff who are ready and
prepared to make Lancaster shine among the best schools in St. Tammany and across the nation.
We will need your help this year, and I look forward to working with you and your child. The Student and Parent
Handbook is designed to provide information about school policies, rules, and procedures for helping secure a safe
and caring school environment where all students have the opportunity to learn and grow. Please take time to read
over the handbook carefully and feel free to review any parts which you feel would be beneficial to your child with him
or her.
If you have questions about this handbook or other school issues during the school year, please don't hesitate to call
me or email me. We strive to maintain open and productive communication with parents and welcome your comments,
questions, and involvement.
Sincerely,
Susannah Welch
Principal
Lancaster Elementary School
Setting Sail for New Adventures
133 Pine Creek Drive ● Madisonville, LA 70447 ● 985-792-0156 ● fax: 985-792-5716
lancasterelementary.stpsb.org
Susannah Welch, Principal Andrea Himel, Assistant Principal
LANCASTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2011 – 2012 STUDENT / PARENT HANDBOOK
Information Page
Mission, Vision & Belief Statements……..……………………………………………………………………………..………. 1
St. Tammany Parish School System Calendar…………………………………………………….………………………….. 2
Attendance:
Attendance Policies……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Student Checkout………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Truancy………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Cell Phone Policy…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Child Care ~ Before and After Care Policy……………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Registration & Fees…………………………………………..………………………………………………….………..4
Attendance & Release of Children from After Care…………………………………………………………. 4
Procedures for Children Not Picked up by 7:00 p.m…………………………………………………………. 5
Chorus………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Discipline………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…. 5
Field Trips……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Grading Policy ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..6
Food Services…………………….……….…………………………………………………………………….……………...………… 6
Medication Policy…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Parental Involvement Policy:
Parent/Teacher Conference…………………………………………………………………………………….……… 7
Parent Volunteer Policy………………………………………………………………………………………..………… 7
PTA…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…. 7
Parties ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Pets ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………….. 8
School Withdrawal Procedures:
Emergency Cards and Change of Student Information…………………………………….………………… 8
Withdrawal…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………… 8
Student Welfare, Safety and Security:
Bullying Prevention…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8
Campus Security……………………………………………………………………………………………….…………… 8
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Education and Reporting Program……………….……………………. 8
Civil Rights Law Compliance……………………………………………………….…………………………………… 9
Drug Free School…………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 9
Illnesses………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Kids In Transition (K.I.T.)………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9-10
Media Releases……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
Restroom Policy…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
Sexual Harassment……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…. 10
Visitors……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 10
Weapon Policy…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………11
Transportation:
Bus Information……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………11
Car Rider Information…………………………………………………………………………………………………...………….11-12
Uniform Guidelines…………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………….. 13
Weather Emergencies………………………………………………………..................................................................13
MISSION
Teaching Us Responsibility To Learn Everyday.
VISION
The faculty and community at Lancaster Elementary School strive to provide a quality
education where students are held to high standards and respected as individuals. We
envision our students in taking an active role in their education and having the confidence to
be risk takers in their learning. As future citizens, our students will be prepared to succeed
in a technology- based, global society of the 21st century.
BELIEF STATEMENT
We believe that…..
●all students can achieve.
●all children deserve a quality education in a safe, positive and engaging environment.
●students should be recognized and supported as individuals.
●students should be engaged in meaningful and relevant learning experiences that challenge
them individually and as a group.
●technology skills are essential.
●everyone should be treated with respect and kindness.
●students succeed best when it is a team effort between home, school and community.
1
School Calendar
2011-2012 School Year
August 4, 2011 (Thursday) Teachers' Professional Development Day
August 5, 2011 (Friday) Teachers' Day
August 8, 2011 (Monday) School Opens
September 5, 2011 (Monday) Labor Day Holiday*
September 30, 2011 (Friday) Parish Fair Holiday*
October 6, 2011 (Thursday) End of First Grading Period (42 days)
October 7, 2011 (Friday) 1/2 Prof. Dev. / 1/2 Rec. Keeping (No Students)
November 21 - 25, 2011 (Mon. - Fri.) Thanksgiving Holidays*
December 16, 2011 (Friday) End of Second Grading Period (45 days)
End of First Semester (87 days)
1/2 Day Record Keeping
December 19, 2011 - January 2, 2012 (Mon. - Mon.) Winter/Christmas Break*
January 3, 2012 (Tuesday) School Re-Opens
January 16, 2012 (Monday) Martin Luther King Holiday*
February 20 - 24, 2012 (Mon. - Fri.) Mardi Gras Holidays*
March 8, 2012 (Thursday) End of Third Grading Period (42 days)
March 9, 2012 (Friday) 1/2 Prof. Dev. / 1/2 Rec. Keeping (No Students)
April 2 - 9, 2012 (Mon. - Mon.) Spring/Easter Break*
May 22, 2012 (Tuesday) End of Fourth Grading Period (46 days)
End of Second Semester (88 days)
1/2 Day Record Keeping
May 23, 2012 (Wednesday) Teachers' Day
May 24, 2012 (Thursday) Teachers' Professional Development Make-up Day**
The School Board requires an appropriate program for:
Veterans' Day………………November 11, 2011
School Administrators are asked to avoid scheduling activities on the following days whenever possible.
Rosh Hashanah (Observance begins at sundown)………….September 28, 2011
* In case of emergency, student make-up days will be taken from existing holidays in the above schedule.
** Professional Development make-up day: all teachers who did not "bank" six (6) hours of workshop time will
be required to attend either the one-half day or one full day to satisfy the state in-service mandate.
2
ATTENDANCE & CHECKOUT POLICIES
The school office does not have to be notified daily if a child is going to be out sick. The office should be
called only when a child has been out 2 consecutive days. In any case of an absence, it is important to
provide a written note from the parent or doctor stating the reason for the absence in order for the
absence to be determined “excused” or “unexcused.” Parents may call the school to arrange a pick-up time
for missed work, but must provide the office 24 hours. We strongly encourage you to schedule medical and
dental appointments, vacations, etc. during school holidays or after school hours to minimize school
absences.
Students in grades K-8 may not miss more than 10 days per year. Any student who misses more than three
hours of instructional time during the school day will be considered absent from school. Students shall be
excused from school for personal illness, serious illness in the family, death in the family (not to exceed one
week) or for recognized religious holidays of the student’s own faith. Days of absence will include excused,
unexcused and suspensions.
Please refer to the St. Tammany Parish School Discipline Policy Handbook given to you at the beginning of
the school year for a more thorough explanation of the Attendance Policy.
STUDENT CHECKOUT
For your child’s safety, if he/she has an appointment during school hours, please sign him/her out in the
office before leaving. Unless the appointment takes the entire school day, students are expected to attend
class both before and after the appointment. Please try to checkout students prior to 3:10 in order to
avoid confusion for students. The person picking up the child must be listed on the Emergency Card. This
person must be able to show identification upon arrival. When checking out your child, please remain in the
front office until your child arrives.
TRUANCY
Any juvenile student who is habitually absent from school or is habitually tardy will be reported as a truant
child to the supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance, the family, or juvenile court, according to the
provisions of Louisiana’s Children’s Code regarding families in need of services.
CELL PHONE POLICY
It is school board policy that students are not allowed to have cell phones at school. Any student in
possession of a cell phone, or other wireless device, including, but not limited to camera phones, text
messaging devices and PDA’s will have them confiscated by the administration. Wireless devices will only be
returned to the parent/guardian. The STPSB School Board reserves the right to examine the contents of
any wireless device found.
3
CHILD CARE ~ BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL Before and after care will be offered for all 2
nd through 4
th grade students. Our before and after care
services are available on a full time or part-time basis. All students must have proper paper work on file
prior to attending child care. If your child arrives to school before 8:05 a.m., they must attend before care.
Due to safety concerns, parents must walk their child in the gym and sign them in or out. Students will be
expected to follow all school rules and behave accordingly.
REGISTRATION
Parents or guardians will be required to complete a registration packet prior to attending
before/aftercare. There will be a $10 registration fee due with the packet. It is necessary that the parent
or guardian complete the Special Needs Form if their child has special needs that are to be met in the child
care program. Food Allergies are to be included in these special needs. If the student has an IEP/504 Plan,
the parent must inform the Director of a current IEP/504 Plan. In addition, the parent or guardian must
sign that they are fully aware of the fee structure and specific guidelines of the program.
BEFORE CARE ~ 7:00 a.m. – 8:05 a.m. AFTER CARE ~ 3:31 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Please refer to before care fee schedule. Please refer to after care fee schedule.
A $10.00 late pick-up fee will be charged for each 15 minutes (1-15 minutes; 16-30 minutes;
31-45 minutes, etc.) when the parent/guardian is late in picking up each of his/her children.
Payment is due by the first of each month.
ATTENDANCE
If a student does not attend the full 5 days of the weekly schedule, it is the parent’s responsibility to
submit the student’s weekly schedule to the Child Care Director on Monday morning of each week. Drop-
ins are not accepted. This jeopardizes the safety and security of students. We will follow the same school
calendar as the St. Tammany Parish Schools. When there is a school holiday, there are no childcare
services. Aftercare services will not be provided on ½ days of school.
After Care 3:31 – 6:00 p.m. (Gym)
· If a student is absent from a school day, they may not attend After School Care that day.
· If a parent checks out a child from child care, they may not return that same day.
· If a child becomes ill while attending child care, the persons on the registration form will be
contacted immediately to pick up the child from the program.
· The program closes at 6:00 p.m., at which time the gym will be closed and locked.
Parents who are late may pick up their child in the school office. Due to relocation of late services, calls
must be made to the school office at 985-792-0156 after 6:00 p.m. Parents will be charged a $10.00 late
pick-up fee for every 15 minutes. Late fees are due upon pick-up through cash, check, or money orders.
RELEASE OF CHILDREN
Children will arrive directly to the aftercare program from their classrooms. Children must be picked up by
a parent/guardian or someone listed on the student’s emergency card. No one under driving age is allowed
to sign out a child. Identification will be required.
4
PROCEDURES FOR CHILDREN NOT PICKED UP BY 7:00 P.M. OR ONE HOUR AFTER CLOSING TIME:
If neither parents nor emergency contacts can be reached and there has been no communication from
parent/guardian, the local police will be called and the child released to them. A police officer will sign the
child(ren) out. If the police do not find someone to take the child, they will then notify Office of Child
Services (OCS).
CHORUS
Chorus is open to fourth grade students. This will be open to all students that would like to participate. We
strongly encourage that students maintain their grades while participating in this program.
*PLEASE NOTE: Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, students in 5th
grade will be allowed to join band
or chorus on the same conditions noted above.
DISCIPLINE
Our school will follow a Positive Behavior Intervention Support system for students to follow. This will
reinforce positive behavior and set consequences for misbehavior. You will receive a separate handout with
more detailed information on this system.
FIELD TRIPS CHAPERONES
Parents may be asked to help chaperone. You will receive a Parent Chaperone Responsibility Form to sign
before the field trip. We ask that you abide by these rules. Many factors will decide the number of
chaperones needed. In accordance with the school board policy, there will be no smoking on school grounds
or while chaperoning on school related field trips. We also ask that parents not use their cell phones while
chaperoning field trips. School policy is that students leave for field trips together and return together on
the bus.
If a child is going to be checked out after a field trip, your child’s teacher will have a check out form in the
classroom for your signature and time of check out. Any printed badges that were given to parents by the
office should be left with the teacher. The purpose of the chaperone is to supervise a class group of 4-6
students. Parents who are chaperones must give their total attention to the students. Siblings may not
attend field trips. Permission slips are required for all trips.
FIELD TRIP FEES
A deadline for payment will always accompany the permission slip. This deadline is final. Because event
sponsors require advanced notice, the deadline is strictly enforced. Ample time will be given to pay any
fees. If it is not possible for you to send the money for the trip by the deadline, an extension may be
granted if you contact the teacher and notify him/her of your intention to pay at a later date. However, a
permission slip still must be returned by the deadline. Bag lunches are provided by the cafeteria if the
event is held during the lunch period. Please check your child’s book bag/binder daily to make sure that any
payment has been turned in to the teacher.
5
FOOD SERVICES
CAFETERIA OVERVIEW
Free and reduced meal applications are sent home when school starts. If your child was in the program for
the prior school year, he/she will qualify for the program until Friday, September 9, 2011. Even if your child
received free or reduced breakfast/lunch last year, you must complete a new form. After September 9,
2011, students without a current application on file will have to pay full price for breakfast and lunch. You
will be responsible for any charges accumulated.
A hot lunch and breakfast is served daily. The price of breakfast is .60 cents and lunch is $1.00, which
includes milk. Students who qualify may receive free or reduced price lunches. Reduced breakfast is .30
cents and reduced lunch is .40 cents. Students are issued a computerized lunch card. Payment should be
made monthly. If this is not possible, you must pay on a weekly basis. Payment must be enclosed in an
envelope, labeled with the students’ name, homeroom teacher, and lunch I.D. number. This is very important
as teachers do not collect and record lunch payment. Envelopes are turned in at the cafeteria. If your child
accumulates charges totaling $5.00, you will be contacted in order to arrange for payment. Students are
not allowed to charge breakfast or lunch during the last week of school. All cafeteria accounts must be paid
by the last full week of school. If you know that your child will NOT eat lunch in the cafeteria during the
entire school year, please send a note stating that you would like your child’s lunch card pulled. We
appreciate your efforts to keep your child’s lunch account current.
Payschools is also available for all lunch payments. Simply go to our school’s website,
www.lancasterelementary.stpsb.org and click the Payschools logo.
Breakfast is served daily from 8:05 a.m. – 8:35 a.m. Students eating breakfast at school must report to
the cafeteria immediately upon arrival. No breakfast will be served after 8:35 a.m. In the event that a bus
is late, students will be allowed to eat breakfast before reporting to class. Our school serves nutritionally
balanced meals. No fast food, glass bottled or canned drinks are allowed in the cafeteria. Please make
anyone coming to eat with your child aware of this rule.
A monthly calendar of lunch and breakfast menus is sent home with each student and posted on the school
website. The menu is subject to change due to availability of food items. If you plan on eating lunch with
your child, it is helpful that you send a note to the homeroom teacher or call the school cafeteria at
792-5376.
GRADING POLICY
Our grading policy will be as follows:
A = 93-100 B = 85-92 C = 75-84 D = 67-74 F = 66 and below
6
MEDICINE
Medicine cannot be administered by the school without proper forms completed by a doctor. These forms
are available in the office. To ensure children’s safety, medicine MAY NOT be transported on a school bus.
Children are never allowed to bring medicine of ANY kind to school.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
CONFERENCES
We believe communication between the teacher and parent is important for a child’s success. If you are
interested in meeting with your child’s teacher, please email, send a note or contact the school office at
792-0156 to set up a conference with your child’s teacher. We ask that any concerns you have regarding
your child be brought to the attention of the teacher first before contacting the principal or assistant
principal.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Parents are always welcome at Lancaster! If you are able to come and volunteer your time and energy,
please contact the school or a PTA officer directly. Anytime you come to the school to volunteer, please
remember that you will need your I.D. in order to receive a preprinted identification tag. Any classroom
volunteer time should be arranged with the classroom teacher in advance. We truly appreciate all that you
do to help make us a better school.
PTA
Lancaster Elementary believes that parents are a vital link between student achievement and school
success. We invite parents to be a part of our PTA and join us for meetings that will be held throughout
the school year. There will be many opportunities for parents to get involved in their child’s education and
participate in numerous events we have scheduled throughout the year. Please look for notices to go home
and check the school’s website for more information.
PARTIES Birthday parties are not allowed at school. We ask that birthday invitations be taken care of at home unless
the ENTIRE class is getting one. Individual serving items such as cupcakes or cookies may be sent to school
for birthdays and will be handed out at the teacher’s discretion.
We have several holiday parties at school. The room mothers will ask for volunteers to send something to
the party. Only Lancaster Elementary students are allowed to participate in our school parties. Siblings
from other classes or those that do not attend Lancaster are not permitted to attend.
7
PETS Students are not allowed to bring any type of pet to school at anytime due to health and safety concerns
of others.
SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES WITHDRAWAL
When withdrawing a child from our school, please check to see what library books and textbooks your child
has signed out in his/her name. Please contact the school office several days prior to withdrawing the child,
as this allows the staff and teachers time to complete the necessary paperwork.
Your cooperation will save you time and money in avoiding lost book fees and it ensures that records can be
sent without delay.
EMERGENCY CARDS & CHANGE OF STUDENT INFORMATION
It is essential that the school has up-to-date information for each child. This information is written on the
EMERGENCY CARDS each school year and kept in the office IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. Please notify
the school immediately if you have ANY CHANGES including phone numbers, addresses, contact names or
any changes in after school care arrangements. This information is essential in helping us provide for your
child promptly and efficiently during an emergency. If your phone is disconnected, please inform us
immediately. Please include cell and work phone numbers on all forms.
STUDENT WELFARE, SAFETY AND SECURITY
BULLYING PREVENTION
Lancaster Elementary is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all individuals that
attend or visit the school. Our learning environment is not one that tolerates bullying of any kind. Bullying
can be defined as hurting someone physically, emotionally or socially. It is any act that makes someone feel
threatened, hurt, scared or isolated on purpose. Students are expected to treat each other with respect.
Examples of bullying include:
· Hurting someone physically by hitting, kicking, tripping, pushing, etc.
· Stealing or damaging another person’s things to hurt one’s feelings
· Ganging up on someone
· Teasing someone in a hurtful way
· Making fun of someone because they are different
· Leaving someone out intentionally or trying to get other students not to play with someone
· Talking about someone in a hurtful way
CAMPUS SECURITY
Security cameras are currently installed throughout our campus. The cameras have been installed in
strategic areas and monitor our school campus 7 days per week / 24 hours per day.
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION, EDUCATION, AND REPORTING PROGRAM:
As mandated by the St. Tammany Parish School Board, students in grades K – 8 will receive instruction on
the topic of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Education, and Reporting. All materials that will be used in the
instruction may be previewed by contacting the school administration. We would also like to encourage you
to talk with your child about this topic as well as other general safety issues.
8
CIVIL RIGHTS LAW COMPLIANCE
In order to comply with current laws, St. Tammany Parish School Board ensures that:
1. All homeless students will be enrolled in school.
2. The civil and constitutional rights of students with disabilities will be protected.
3. Students and employees shall be protected from sexual harassment.
4. Students and employees shall be protected from discrimination of the basis of race, color,
national origin, religion or sex.
DRUG FREE SCHOOL
Lancaster Elementary is a drug free school. The drug free zone that encompasses our school requires
maximum fines and imprisonment for drug violation within that zone. Please refer to the STPSB Student
Handbook for consequences for student use of illicit drugs. A resource list of available drug and alcohol
counseling programs may be obtained in the school office. All St. Tammany Parish Schools are smoke-free
workplaces. No smoking is allowed on school grounds.
ILLNESSES
PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WITH FEVER, VOMITING, DIARREA OR OTHER
SYMPTOMS OF A CONTAGIOUS ILLNESS. YOU WILL BE CONTACTED TO PICK UP A SICK CHILD.
Please DO NOT CALL the school to notify us if your child is absent, unless it is an extended illness of two
days or more. (If your child has a communicable disease, please inform the school as soon as possible. This
way the school can monitor the other students/staff that were exposed to the disease.) ANY CHILD WITH
A TEMPERATURE OF 100 DEGREES OR MORE WILL BE SENT HOME. Parish policy recommends that a
student be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Please be sure to send a notice the
following day to school with your child in order to document the absence appropriately with a parent or
doctor notice.
KIDS IN TRANSITION (K.I.T.)
Education of Children and Youth in Homeless Situations
The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law passed in 1987 to help people experiencing homelessness. The
Act requires states and school districts to make sure students in homeless situations can attend and
succeed in school. The McKinney-Vento Act applies to all children and youth who do not have a fixed,
regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are living in the following
situations:
· Doubled-up housing with other families or friends because they lost their home or their
family is having temporary financial problems;
· Living in a motel/hotel because of economic hardship or loss of housing;
· Living in an emergency or transitional shelter, domestic violence shelter, or in a runaway/
homeless youth shelter;
· Living in a vehicle of any kind; trailer park or campground without running water and/or
electricity; abandoned building; substandard housing; bus/train station;
· Awaiting foster care placement; or
· Abandoned in a hospital.
9
Children and youth in homeless situations have the right to the following:
· Enroll in school despite the lack of a permanent address or lack of school and immunization
records, or birth certificates and other documents;
· Attend and succeed in school no matter where they live or how long they have lived there;
· Receive services comparable to those offered to non-homeless children and youth;
· Get transportation to school;
· Access educationally related support services;
· Make sure that disagreements between students and schools are resolved quickly.
MEDIA RELEASES
Media release forms are sent home the first week of school. Students may only be photographed, video-
taped, etc. for publication if this form is signed and on file in the school office. If for any reason you do not
want your child photographed, we would appreciate you calling this to our attention verbally in addition to
noting this on the release form. Internet access forms are also sent home to newly enrolled students. If a
form is not signed or returned, the student will be denied internet access.
RESTROOM POLICY
For the safety of students, adults must use office restrooms. Any incidence of this policy being ignored
should be reported to the school administration immediately.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
The purpose of the St. Tammany Parish School Board is to provide public education for the school aged
children of St. Tammany Parish, LA. Sexual harassment is a violation of the law and school board policy and
will not be tolerated, condoned, or overlooked. The board requests and encourages persons associated with
the school system who believe there are acts of harassment to report them to the school principal or
designee.
The board, through the school principal shall promptly, thoroughly, and fairly investigate reports of sexual
harassment and take appropriate action that is consistent with the results of the investigation and the legal
requirements afforded by law. Inappropriate behavior will be handled according to the school’s discipline
procedures.
The school system and board will not tolerate retaliation by anyone associated with the school system
against one who files a complaint of sexual harassment. Some acts of sexual harassment are considered
criminal and are subject to prosecution. The board and school system will fully cooperate with law
enforcement agencies and the district attorney in investigating and prosecuting such criminal offenses.
Reporting of incidents need to be made to the principal at your child’s school. A copy of the policy is
available in every school’s library.
VISITORS
Please do not be offended if we ask for identification when checking students out. It is merely a protective
measure. No student will be checked out unless a parent, legal guardian, or designated person signs the
child out in the office. All visitors to our school must go directly to the office to scan in their driver’s
license or state ID and receive a visitor’s pass. Everyone will need to enter through the single door office
door going directly into the waiting area. You will need to return your visitor pass at the front desk when
you leave. Your cooperation is appreciated.
10
WEAPONS POLICY
Students found using, possessing and/or concealing a knife, firearm, weapon capable of discharging a
projectile, or other dangerous instruments capable of causing bodily harm shall be immediately suspended
and recommended for expulsion. Police notification will be made immediately. Students using, possessing
and/or concealing any look-alike object that may have the principle appearance of a weapon or dangerous
instrument shall be immediately suspended from school or recommended for expulsion. Upon the
recommendation for the expulsion, a hearing shall be conducted by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Students in grade five or lower who have been found in the hearing process, of using, possessing and/or
concealing a weapon, or look-alike weapon shall be disciplined in accordance with the decision made by the
Superintendent or his/her designee. Any case involving a student in grade five or lower found in possession
of a firearm on school property shall be referred to the School Board through a recommendation for action
from the Superintendent.
TRANSPORTATION BUSES
We encourage you to send your child to school on the bus. A student may only ride a different bus home if
the parent first receives permission from the bus driver and sends a note to school with the child stating
that permission was obtained. This note will be approved by the office and given to the child to hand to the
bus driver in the afternoon upon dismissal. Please talk with your child about the importance of good
behavior on the school bus. All children must comply with the bus driver’s rules. Your child may lose bus
privileges if he/she does not behave on the bus. The following discipline plan will be followed concerning
school bus discipline:
DISCIPLINE PLAN FOR BUS RIDERS
Please refer to the “Safe Procedures for School Bus Riders” pamphlet for specific safe riding practices.
This pamphlet is given to parents at the beginning of each school year.
1.) First Offense – Warning and student conference
2.) Second Offense – Warning, student conference, and parental contact from bus driver
3.) Third Offense – Disciplinary Action from an administrator. Administration reserves the right to
suspend a student from riding the bus on any offense depending on the severity of the offense.
CAR RIDER INFORMATION
NO STUDENTS MAY BE DROPPED OFF BEFORE 8:05 A.M. Car riders must be dropped off in the
car loop closest to Pine Creek Subdivision ONLY. The car line will form within the Pine Creek Subdivision
off of Hwy 22 and must loop around once inside the school to also exit back into the Pine Creek
Subdivision. Cars will also be turning into the subdivision from the east side of Hwy 22. Please allow for
cars to turn onto Pine Creek Drive.
11
MORNING CAR LINE:
The duty teacher will signal to cars when it is time to begin unloading children. Please pull up all the way
to the front of the car loop where the overhang ends in order to get the maximum number of students
safely unloaded at a time.
Please watch for a signal from the duty teacher before unloading. Students should be ready to unload
quickly when you have safely stopped the vehicle.
All children will enter into the front of the school closest to the cafeteria. A duty teacher will be there to
help direct them to either breakfast or the playground.
AFTERNOON CAR LINE:
Please be PROMPT when picking your child up after school. The afternoon car line will form the same as
the morning line.
Please do not park your car and walk to get your child as this creates an unsafe practice in crossing the
street into the parking lot. All attention should be placed on the student’s safety.
Be sure to pull your car all the way to the end of the overhang and sidewalk in order to load as many
students as possible and avoid further traffic leading to Hwy. 22.
You will need to have the assigned car display with your child’s first and last name clearly written. Anyone
without the DESIGNATED CAR DISPLAY given from Lancaster Elementary will need to park in the parking
lot and come into the office to check out the student with proper identification.
Any student not picked up promptly after school, will be sent to aftercare and charged the daily drop in
rate.
12
UNIFORM POLICY
BOTTOMS~
●Plain cotton twill in standard khaki
Girls ~Shorts, skirts, skorts, jumpers, capris or pants ~ Leggings may be worn in white or black colors only
under khaki bottom
Boys ~ Shorts or pants, cargo style acceptable
TOPS~
●LES royal blue knit collared shirt, long or short sleeve with or without LES mascot (can be worn any day of
the week)
(Solid white or grey, short or long sleeve shirt may be worn underneath the uniform T-Shirt or polo)
●LES T-Shirt, crew neck, long or short sleeves WITH LES mascot (can be worn any day of the week)
●LES spirit shirts with mascot on front (optional--can ONLY be worn on FRIDAY) For this school year,
the shirts are green.
●Royal blue LES sweatshirts, long sleeve with hoods (optional)
Uniforms may be purchased at any department store, chain store, uniform shop, or catalog of your choice.
Shirts with the school logo may be purchased in the school office if you desire.
Dress code specifications as per St. Tammany Parish Public School System District Handbook for Students
and Parents 2011-2012:
Polo shirts do not have to be tucked in, but may not fall below fingertip length.
Skirts, skorts and walking shorts may be no shorter than finger-tip as per the dress code.
Flip flops or backless thong sandals are not permitted.
Tennis shoes preferred due to stairs and physical education classes.
WEATHER EMERGENCIES School closing due to weather emergencies will be posted on the local news or the school board website,
www.stpsb.org. All STPSB severe weather guidelines will be adhered to in case of emergency conditions
during school hours.
To stay current on the official weather alerts effecting schools, sign up for Emergency & News Alerts on
the School Board website, www.stpsb.org. Instant messages may be sent to you directly from the school
system in the form of text messages and/or e-mail.
13
