PIGEON FORGE PRIMARY

PRIMARY HANDBOOK

2009-2010

Dr. Nancye Williams, Principal

Dr. Connie Cottongim, Vice Principal

We are excited that your child is a student at Pigeon Forge Primary and look forward to you and your family being a special part of our school! We anticipate a wonderful 2009-2010 school year filled with many exciting learning opportunities.

Based on our number of free and reduced lunch students, Pigeon Forge Primary is designated as a Title I school-wide project school. Through Title I we are pleased to receive benefits that enable our school to provide services and initiate projects for overall school improvement. In addition, all teachers and paraprofessionals in Title I schools must comply with mandated qualifications outlined in No Child Left Behind. All Pigeon Forge Primary teachers, paraprofessionals and administration are certified and maintain “highly qualified” status. As a parent, you have the right to request and receive timely information on the professional qualifications of your child’s teacher and paraprofessionals working with your children. Parents will be notified if the school employs a teacher for four or more consecutive weeks that is not highly qualified.

Additionally, all communication to parents will be in an understandable format with alternative formats available upon request. During the school’s annual

Meet the Teacher Night, the school’s Title I Part A program will be explained along with the parents’ right

to participate and be involved. Parent involvement policies and the school/parent compact will be developed and updated jointly with parents to meet the changing needs of Pigeon Forge Primary. Parents of LEP children will be notified within 30 days of the beginning of school of LEP program participation.

Pigeon Forge Primary implements the board-approved curriculum based on state standards and grade level expectations. Individual teacher planning

is developed from adopted texts and approved Tennessee curriculum. Brigance K screening is administered to kindergarten students before entering school to determine readiness for kindergarten; a pre-1^st Brigance is administered to students at the end of the kindergarten year. TCAP (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program) tests are administered annually to 1^st through 4^th grade students to assess individual student progress. Upon receipt from state testing, parents are provided information that details the level of student achievement for their individual child. Overall test results are also reviewed to determine if Pigeon Forge Primary is making the necessary progress to ensure that all students will meet the state’s proficient level of achievement within the specified time period. We are proud that Pigeon Forge Primary continues to make adequate academic progress. We are also extremely pleased that we maintain an attendance rate above the NCLB mandated 93%. You may access additional information at www.state.tn.us.education.

The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that, with certain exceptions, the Sevier County School System obtain the written consent of parents prior to disclosure of personally identifiable information from a child’s education records. Parents are encouraged to carefully review the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) notice for directory information that is distributed for parental signature at each school annually.

To report sexual, racial, ethnic, and/or religious harassment, please contact the principal or assistant principal at 428-3016. If your child is the victim of a violent crime at school, the child has a right to attend another grade-appropriate public school in the district.

The Sevier County School System will ensure that all children and youth receive a free appropriate public education and are given meaningful opportunities for success in school as outlined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. A copy of these policies is available in the school office.

The Sevier County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status in provision of educational opportunities, programs, activities, or employment opportunities and benefits. Inquiries or completed grievance forms should be referred to Larry Stott, Title VI Coordinator or Mike Helton, Title IX Coordinator at 226 Cedar St. Sevierville, TN 37862. A copy of the Sevier County Board of Education Board Policy Manual is available in the school office and on the school district’s website: http://www.sevier.org.

We strongly encourage parental involvement at Pigeon Forge Primary School. Parents have a right to be involved in an organized, ongoing, and timely way in the planning, review, and improvement of school programs and funding for parent involvement activities. Opportunities for parental participation throughout the year include but are not limited to: RIF and Book Fair volunteers, field trip volunteers, parent readers and classroom helpers, Field Day volunteers, and PTO fundraising participants. Parents are also invited to visit our school especially during special events such as “Meet the Teacher” night, Open House, Kindergarten Feast with Family and Friends, Accelerated Reader Day (kindergarten) and Accelerated Reader Night (1^st and 2^nd grades), parent/teacher conference days, and grade level programs.

We are excited to have your child at Pigeon Forge Primary. Working together as a team, we can provide a wonderful learning experience for all of the students at our school. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please call Pigeon Forge Primary at 428-3016.

Mission Statement

The mission of Pigeon Forge Primary School is to promote student achievement and provide a positive educational environment which encourages life-long learning based on cooperation, respect and integrity.

Vision/Motto

Learners today – Leaders tomorrow

Beliefs

• A variety of research-based teaching strategies and learning experiences assist children in developing individual strengths to achieve proficiency or above.
• Children should be encouraged to become enthusiastic, independent, and cooperative learners.
• Children learn best in a climate of ongoing cooperation and communication between the family, teachers, students, and community.
• Teachers and administrators should work collaboratively to make data-driven decisions about student goals and learning.
• Children experience the most success in a safe, nurturing environment in which their unique characteristics are appreciated and recognized by stakeholders.
• Children are encouraged to work to their best ability through high expectations for student achievement.
• A positive correlation exists between school attendance and achievement.
• Children will learn to apply good character traits through character education.
• Children should be taught to understand the importance of accountability as addressed in the School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Program.
• Children should be encouraged to become good citizens through participation in school-wide and classroom community service projects.

Character Counts

Character Counts is a character education program that has been adopted by the Sevier County School System and fully implemented at Pigeon Forge Primary. Six “Pillars of Character” are introduced and woven into the curriculum throughout the school year. The pillars are:

Trustworthiness

Respect

Responsibility

Fairness

Caring

Citizenship

A “Student of the Month” is chosen from each PreK-4 classroom for consistently demonstrating one or all of the pillars. Each “Student of the Month” is honored with a certificate, car decal, and recognition during morning announcements. We encourage parents to display the car decal with pride!

School-Wide Positive Behavior Support

Through a joint effort between Pigeon Forge Primary, Pigeon Forge Middle, and Pigeon Forge High Schools, a system of school-wide positive behavior support was implemented during the 2007-2008 school year.  School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) uses a team-based proactive approach for creating and maintaining safe and effective learning environments.  All school rules are based on the following:

• Be prepared.
• Be responsible. 
• Be respectful. 
• Be safe and orderly. 

A zero tolerance policy is in place for bringing weapons to school and bullying.

School Hours

School hours are 8:10 to 3:10. Kindergarten students arriving prior to 8:00 will be seated in the library; 1^st grade students are seated in the music room and 2^nd through 4^th grade students will report to the playroom. Students will be dismissed by the teacher on bus duty to go to breakfast or to their classrooms. Students arriving after 8:15 will be considered tardy and must report to the office for a tardy slip. Kindergarten students who are tardy must be accompanied to the office by a parent for check-in. Teacher supervision begins at 7:15 each morning, and no student should arrive before that time. Afternoon teacher supervision ends when the last bus leaves at approximately 3:30.

Attendance

Our goal is for every student to have 95% attendance. Help us reach our goal – make an effort to have perfect attendance!

• Be on time. School begins at 8:10 and ends at 3:10.
• You must stay until 11:30 to be counted present.
• You must bring an excuse within 2 days of returning to school.
• You may have four parent excuses per semester.
• After your 5^th parent note you may be required to have a doctor’s excuse or the absence will be unexcused.
• Failure to adhere to the school attendance policy will result in a parent meeting with school administrators.
• An unexcused absence after this meeting can result in the student’s parents being summoned into truancy court.
• Unexcused tardies and leaving early without having a doctor’s appointment or being sick will be handled like unexcused absences.
• Parent notes are accepted for 3 consecutive days. On the 4th consecutive day a doctor note is required.
• All vacations of five or less days must be approved by the administration. Vacations of more than five days will be forwarded to central office for approval.

Tiger Club

The Pigeon Forge Primary Tiger Club is a special incentive program for exemplary attendance. Each six weeks, students with perfect attendance and no tardies or early checkouts are recognized with special rewards. An example of a six-week Tiger Club reward is a certificate for a free fruzer or a free ice cream! Other rewards are placed in report cards each six weeks.

Students who meet the Tiger Club criteria for exemplary attendance the entire school year are eligible for other prizes and rewards. To meet the criteria for the entire year the students may have no more than 8 occurrences (this includes absences, tardies or early checkouts).

Dress Code

Dress code is based on school board policy. Clothing will be appropriate to the season and should be neat, clean, inoffensive, and decent. Some examples of inappropriate attire are headgear/sunglasses (unless prescription or required by physician) worn in the building; bare midriffs; obscene or profane language; lewd pictures; symbols of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, drugs, or gang paraphemalia on clothing; hair rollers; clothing which allows undergarments to be visible when the student is sitting or walking; tank tops or mesh shirts worn as outer garments.

• Book bags must be constructed from material(s) which allow the contents of the bag to be visible.
• Some type of reasonable footwear is necessary.
• Short pants and mini-skirts may be permitted in 4^th grade as long as they are no shorter than four inches above the top of the kneecap. The ability of the child to play comfortably without revealing undergarments shall be the determining factor for gauging appropriateness of length in grades K - 3.
• Purposely frayed clothing is not permitted in any grade level.
• A student will not dress, groom, or wear emblems, insignias, badges, or other symbols to distract unreasonably the attention of the other students, or otherwise to cause disruption or interference with the operation of the school.
• The school administration is allowed to further restrict manner of dress or style of hair. No distracting hair cuts or colors such as Mohawks or brightly dyed hair are allowed at Pigeon Forge Primary.
• Any student not attired in accordance with the dress code shall be subject to disciplinary consequences. If a student is attired in a manner that is likely to cause disruption or interference with the operation of the school, the administration shall take appropriate action.

Severe Weather Closings

Announcements by the Director of Schools concerning the closing of schools in Sevier County will be made on local radio and television stations as well as the school system’s website (http://www.sevier.org). Please stay aware of changing weather conditions in case of early school dismissal.

Child Abuse and Neglect

School personnel are required by state law to watch for signs of child abuse and neglect. They are also required by law to report any information or suspicions to the proper authorities.

Sevier County Schools Website

A new Sevier County Board of Education website is available at http://www.sevier.org. The website features a copy of the Sevier County Board of Education Policy manual as well as other meaningful school related information. A link is available from the website to our school’s website.

School Safety Procedures/Visitors

We welcome and encourage parents to visit our school. For security reasons, please remember that ALL VISITORS to Pigeon Forge Primary MUST sign in at the school office and wear a visitor badge while in the building. With the exception of the front entrance all doors are locked during the school day. Cell phones are not allowed to be out or in use on school property during the school day or while students are being transported. Smoking is not permitted in any form at any time inside our school building.

The “School Safety and Security Act School Discipline Act, TCA 49-6-2008” – Parents please be aware of the following laws that relate to visitors on our campus:

• Personal searches may be conducted if the principal has a reasonable suspicion that a student or visitor has in his possession drugs, drug paraphernalia, and dangerous weapons.
• Vehicles parked on school property by students or visitors are subject to search for drugs, drug paraphernalia, or dangerous weapons.
• A student may be subject to physical search because of the results of a locker search for drugs, drug paraphernalia, or dangerous weapons.
• FELONY – Sate law prescribes a maximum penalty of six (6) years imprisonment and a fine not to exceed three thousand ($3,000.00) for carrying weapons onto school property.
• No person shall enter onto the grounds or into the buildings of any school during the hours of student instruction, except students assigned to the school, parents of the students, and other persons with lawful and valid business on the school premises.

Throughout the school year, there may be school sponsored programs and events where photographs or videos may be taken by the media or school district staff. These photographs and/or videos may then be cablecast on the district’s educational access channel, or website, thereby making it available to anyone with local cable or internet access. It is the policy of the Sevier County School System that neither students nor their works be identified by name when featured on the district’s educational access channel or the district website without prior consent. Your consent to these types of group photographs or videos is assumed, UNLESS YOU NOTIFY YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL IN WRITING that you do NOT want your child included in such photographs or videos.

Parent Teacher Organization

Our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is active in the day to day activities of our school and responsive to our children’s needs. We consider all parents as PTO members and encourage everyone to take part in PTO events. Our PTO sponsors “Fruzer Fun” each week. The cost is $1.00.

Playground Safety

Children need skills to stay safe on the playground at school. Please reinforce these general guidelines with your child.

• Always slide one person at a time and feet first.
• Use both hands for a secure hold and swing only back and forth.
• Never jump out of a swing or run in front of or behind swings that are in use.
• Always stay inside the playground boundaries unless otherwise directed and/or supervised by a teacher.

School Clinic

All students must have an emergency card completed at the time of enrollment which details current addresses and phone numbers where a responsible caretaker can be notified. These should be updated throughout the school year as necessary. WE MUST HAVE A CURRENT TELEPHONE NUMBER ON FILE WHERE A PARENT/GUARDIAN CAN BE REACHED.

Telemedicine

Medical visits with a nurse practitioner are now offered at Pigeon Forge Primary. You will receive an application for the Telemedicine program that will provide access for your sick child to be seen by a registered nurse at school who will follow guidelines given by a nurse practitioner. Your child will receive medical care without leaving the school building; your child and the nurse practitioner can see and speak to each other through a large television screen in the school clinic; if your child needs a prescription, it will be faxed to your pharmacy. Applications and additional information about the program are available.

Student Medication

Before a teacher can administer any medication, the parent must complete, sign, and return a Medication Form (available in the school office or from your child’s teacher). No medication will be given without a signed Medication Form. All medicines must be sent in the original container or prescription bottle.

Field Trips

Pigeon Forge Primary students take field trips during the year to enrich their classroom experience. These trips are carefully planned. Students may participate only with a signed permission slip. Parents are welcome to participate in these trips when there is space available. They are expected to pay the full price.

Major field trips require a great deal of planning and responsibility for the grade level. Students who can not behave themselves at school may not be able to attend these trips. If a student has severe or repeated discipline problems or disrespectful attitude toward school personnel, he/she will not be allowed to participate in field trips. In some cases a parent may be required to go on field trips with their child.

Cafeteria

Both breakfast and lunch are served in the school cafeteria.

Prices are as follow:

K-5^th regular breakfast $1.65

K-5^threduced breakfast $ .30

Adult breakfast $2.35

K-5^th regular lunch $1. 95

K-5^th reduced lunch $ .40

Adult lunch $3.75

Additional 2% milk or chocolate milk may be purchased for $ .35. Parents who wish to apply for free or reduced meals for their children must complete an application and return it to the school office. Meals may be prepaid for days or weeks in advance. If parents pack their child’s lunch, remember NO canned or bottled drink should be included in a bag lunch.

School Events/Parent Involvement Activities

(Please note: dates are subject to change)

Please help our students and school by actively supporting these events.

Meet the Teacher Night (August 13)

Kindergarten Information Night (August 27 @ 6:00)

Fall Fundraiser (August 31 – September 8)

Kindergarten Grandparents’ Day (September 11)

Open House (September 15)

Mega Party (September 25)

3^rd Grade Program (October 22)

Cookie Sale (October 16 - November 2)

Cookie Delivery (November 19)

Multi-Age Program (November 19)

Santa’s Workshop (December 7-11)

4^th Grade Spelling Bee (December 10)

1^st Grade Program (December 17)

St. Jude Math-A-Thon Month (January)

School Mall Booklets (January 11-15)

Kindergarten Program (February 4)

Valentine Surprises (February 11)

2^nd Grade Program (March 4)

Kindergarten Feast with Family and Friends

(May 12 & 13)

4^th Grade Program (May 13)

4^th Grade Picnic (May 25)

Field Days (May 17-20)

Tiger Club Reward Day (May 21)

Kindergarten Field Day (May 24)

Kindergarten Year End Program (May 25 & 26)

Kindergarten Picnic (May 27)

4^th Grade Awards Program (May 31))

Textbooks

Textbooks are on loan to students for their use during the school year. They are to be kept clean and handled with care. Students will be required to pay for damaged or lost books. Students will not be issued books until payment is received or lost books are returned. Grade cards and school records will be held until books are turned in or paid for if lost.

Yearbooks

Yearbooks will be available for sale through December 18^th for $35.00. Orders placed after December 18^th is $40.00. Very few extra books are purchased. You will only be assured a yearbook if you have ordered before the order is placed on March 26^th.

Lost and Found

The school keeps items that are found in a safe place. Found items that are marked with the student’s name are returned immediately. You can help by marking your child’s name on belongings and clothing.

Classroom Assignment

Classroom rosters for the new year are formed by the random drawing of student names. These rosters are then randomly assigned to teachers in each grade level for the following year. New students will be assigned to classes with the lowest total enrollment.

Transportation

For safety reasons, parents are strongly encouraged to follow our drop-off and pick-up policy. Children are loaded on the curbside of the vehicle so please keep this in mind if your child uses a car or booster seat. If there is a change in the afternoon pick-up/transportation, please remember that a parent note is required.

For those students that ride a school bus, we emphasize the following safety rules:

• Stay in your seat.
• Use a quiet voice.
• Keep hands and feet to yourself.
• Follow directions the first time given.

Important Dates to Remember

TCAP Testing (March 24-31)

There will be no school on the following dates:

September 4-7

October 23

November 11

November 25 – ½ day; November 26-27

December 21 – January 1

January 12

January 18

February 12-15

April 2-1/2 day; April 5 - 9

May 31

June 1

Report Cards

(Please note: dates are subject to change)

1^st six weeks ends September 29^th Grade cards go home October 7^th

2^nd six weeks ends November 12^th Grade cards go home November 20^th

3^rd six weeks ends January 11^th Grade cards go home January 21^st

4^th six weeks ends February 26th Grade cards go home March 8^th

5^th six weeks ends April 16^th Grade cards go home April 26^th

6^th six weeks ends June 2^nd Grade cards go home June 2^nd

Parent Teacher Conferences

(Please note: dates are subject to change)

1^st six weeks – Thursday, October 8^th (3:30-6:30)

2^nd six weeks – Tuesday, November 24^th (3:30-6:30)

3^rd six weeks – Thursday, January 21^st (3:30-5:30)

4^th six weeks – Tuesday, March 9^th (3:30-5:30)

5^th six weeks – Tuesday, April 27^th (3:30-5:30)

Picture Dates

(Please note: dates are subject to change)

Friday, October 2^nd – Fall pictures

Tuesday, November 3^rd – Fall remakes

Tuesday, November 3^rd – Holiday pictures

Friday, January 22^nd – Group pictures

Friday, April 16^th – Spring pictures

Thursday, April 29th – Kindergarten cap and gown pictures

All pictures are prepaid. However, all children will be photographed for fall pictures and all kindergarten children will be photographed for the spring cap and gown pictures; only those who prepay will receive a picture package.

Network & Internet Policy

I. General Purpose

The Sevier County Board of Education (“Board”) remains committed to providing staff members and students with access to both a system-wide network and the internet. However, use of the board’s network is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, any and all network users are responsible for knowing, understanding, and abiding by this Network & Internet Policy (“Policy”).

II. Authorized Users

Only current staff members employed by and students enrolled in the Sevier County School System may access and utilize the Board’s network and internet service. However, students may only access the network and internet service while under the direct supervision of a staff member(s).

III. Internet Access

The board’s internet service should only be used for educational purposes or other school-related activities. As such, prohibited activities include but are not limited to:

(A) Uploading and/or downloading files without permission from an administrator;

(B) Accessing pornographic and/or offensive material.

(C) Utilizing the internet for personal or commercial financial gain or fraud;

(D) Participating in any form of harassment; and

(E) Introducing or attempting to introduce viruses to the network.

The Board retains full ownership and control of its computers. As such, using those computers to access the internet should be accomplished with the full knowledge that said access is not private. In Fact, internet access to school computers remains subject to monitoring and review.

IV. Network Use

The Board’s internet service should only be used for educational purposes or other school-related activities. As such, prohibited activities include but are not limited to:

(A) Accessing staff members/students’ private information for personal use;

(B) Utilizing the network for personal or commercial financial gain or fraud;

(C) Destroying network data without permission; and

(D) Introducing or attempting to introduce viruses to the network.

The board retains full ownership and control of its network. As such, using the network should be accomplished with the full knowledge that said usage is not private. In fact, network usage remains subject to monitoring and review.

V. Available penalties

VI. Any violation of this Policy may result in the termination of network, internet and /or e-mail privileges. Penalties may also include but are not limited to;

(A) School disciplinary action;

(B) Restitution by a parent, guardian, or staff member; and

(C) Appropriate legal action.

VI. System Warranties

The Board makes no warranties of any kind regarding network internet and e-mail services. As such, the board is not responsible for any damages, including but not limited to, the loss of data. Further, the board is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of any information obtained by staff members or students via the Internet.