Guiding Documents

PARENT / STUDENT HANDBOOK

Dear Pelican Families,

Welcome back to Joseph J. Davies Elementary School and to our School Family! We are incredibly proud of the excellent achievement of our students, our talented and caring staff, and the outstanding support that our school receives from our PTO and active parents and families. This promises to be a year filled with amazing opportunities for all of our students as we strive to find ways that we can be even better than we have been before! We will continue to embark on this journey with a pledge to you, our students and parents, that this will be a year of engaging, meaningful and rigorous work in our classrooms, combined with special events and a plethora of extracurricular clubs and activities that will encourage our Pelicans to be involved and stay connected!

It is with great pride and excitement that I write this letter to you as the Principal of Joseph J. Davies Elementary School. I am honored to have the opportunity to continue on and lead a school with such a rich tradition of education! I have been dedicated to the field of education for over twenty-five years working with students ranging in age from Pre-Kindergarten through and fifth grade. I am excited and eager to bring my skills as an educational leader to the next level at Joseph J. Davies Elementary School and work with you as a partner in education to ensure your child's success. During the 2021-2022 school year, I will continue to build upon and refine our proven foundation of great work, honored traditions, and continued excellence in education. My vision remains… Embrace Opportunities . . . Unlock Potential . . . Inspire Excellence!

Along with the teachers and staff, I will work hard to continue the legacy of success that has been established by building strong relationships with parents, students and community partners. We will focus on character education initiatives, Louisiana State Standards and skills, the use of data to drive instruction, and providing consistent implementation of the curriculum in a rigorous manner so that we can continue to increase all of our students' achievement.

All of us at Joseph J. Davies Elementary School are eager and excited to begin what promises to be the best year ever. This year is going to be amazing as we continue to provide academic experiences for our students that are rigorous, relevant, and help them build relationships while making real-world connections. As your Principal, it is important to me that everyone who steps through our doors-teachers, students and parents-are excited to be here! This attitude enables us to meet the challenges of academic excellence in a positive, fun, and nurturing environment. My door is always open and I welcome your input. Please feel free to call or email me to discuss any concerns you might have throughout the school year.

Again, we welcome you to Joseph J. Davies Elementary School and to our wonderful learning community . . . a place alive with much energy, enthusiasm and a high standard of excellence! It is, indeed, a place where opportunities are abound! Here’s to an AWESOME new school year as we work together as a team to make our school a great place to work and learn each day!

Wishing you well,

Tiffani Glapion

Principal

Pelican Pride soaring to the top!! Come fly with us!

JOSEPH J. DAVIES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PARENT / STUDENT HANDBOOK

2021-2022

This handbook contains important information regarding policies and procedures at Joseph J. Davies Elementary School. Please read it carefully and keep it handy throughout the school year to assist you and your child when questions arise concerning school policy.

Vision Statement

Our vision at Joseph J. Davies Elementary School is to become a premier school of academic excellence. We will accomplish this by providing an exciting, enriching, and engaging learning environment for all children. A partnership of staff, students, families, and the community will prepare students to become respectful, responsible, and productive members of society.

Mission Statement

We’re the Proud Pelicans and we’re here to say,

Kids come first in every way!

Learning is exciting, every day is fun!

Enriching activities to reach everyone!

Engaging brainpower every single hour,

Respectful, Responsible, Positive, and Safe!

Just Do It!

Our Beliefs

Given an exciting, enriching, and engaging learning environment, all children have the ability to learn.
Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs requiring a variety of instructional approaches to support their learning.
Learning is a collaborative effort among teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the community.
High expectations for learning set the standards for children to think more critically.
Learning should be relevant and provide opportunities for the application of learning in order to enable students to become contributing members of the community.
Professional development for continuous improvement and innovation is essential.

ACCELERATED READER PROGRAM (ARP)

Children in all grades will participate in the Accelerated Reader Program which promotes reading for enjoyment. Children read books and take computerized tests on the books that they read. They earn points for reading and receive prizes as the points accumulate. Students may take test at school from 8:05am – 3:35pm.

ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

Students may not arrive before supervision begins at 8:05 a.m. All students should arrive between 8:05 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. as the school day begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. for all grades. Students arriving after 8:30 a.m. must report to the office with a parent to sign in and receive a tardy pass.
Students riding school buses will be dropped off at the front entrance of the school. Pre-K car riders and their Davies siblings will be dropped off at the Pre-K entrance on Nunez Street while K-5^th grade car riders, walkers, and nursery van riders will be dropped off on the cafeteria side entrance.
Students cannot be dropped off in any other areas of the school.
Parents are not allowed to walk students to class as this interferes with the classroom routine.

ATTENDANCE

The school year consists of 180 days. Regulations specified by BESE require elementary school students to be in attendance a minimum of 166 days to be eligible for promotion. The State allows 14 absences per year at the elementary school level. The State does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. A doctor’s note for an appointment or a one-day illness will be counted as one of the 14 days, and once the maximum number of absences allowed is reached credit will not be granted. Long-term illnesses will receive special consideration through our Office of Child Welfare and Attendance.

School begins at 8:30 a.m. Please see that your child arrives on time for school each day.
Parents of absent students will receive a phone call via the automated Calling System to be sure that you are aware that your child is not in school.
Please call the school when your child is absent and state the reason for not being in school. A note from a parent is required for each absence. These notes are kept on file.
All doctor’s notes must be turned in within five (5) days of returning to school and a doctor’s certificate is required for students returning to school after having a communicable disease.
Excessive absences and tardies are reported to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance and the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Truancy Officer which may result in a parent conference with all parties.

AWARDS AND SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

A student who receives all A’s and B’s including conduct and satisfactory cultural arts grades will be given an Honor Roll certificate. Honor Roll certificates are issued at the end of each nine weeks and at the end of the year.

Various Awards and Certificates: Honor Roll, Principal Award, Perfect Attendance, Cultural Arts, Terrific Kid, Student of the Month, and Young Authors

Perfect Attendance: A Perfect Attendance Certificate is given at the end of each nine weeks to a student who has not missed more than 3½ hours that nine weeks. Tardies and checkouts are counted as missed school and may keep a child from receiving perfect attendance. An All Year Perfect Attendance Trophy is given at the end of the year to a student who misses no more than one-half day during the entire school year. One-half day consists of 3 ½ hours of missed school.

5^th Grade Student of the Year Awards Program: This program which begins in early fall is designed to celebrate and recognize outstanding 5^th grade students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievements, leadership ability, extracurricular involvement and citizenship. In order to be considered, a student must at minimum meet the following criteria:

Student GPA from 2nd through 5th grade must be in the top 10% of the class and be no less than a 3.5 on a four point grading scale
LEAP test scores must demonstrate Mastery/Advance in each subject at grade level
Student conduct embodies the school culture and values
Student should be involved in extracurricular activities inside or outside of school

If there is a dispute regarding the selection of a candidate, please contact your school principal directly.

BOOK FAIR

The librarian conducts a Book Fair each year to encourage students and parents to buy books to read for enjoyment. Proceeds are used to purchase materials for the school library. If you are interested in volunteering for this, please contact the librarian.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBER

If your address or phone number changes, please notify the school immediately. You can either come to school in person and speak to the secretary or write a letter to your child’s teacher. Address changes require that you bring the necessary proof of residence into the office and complete the required paperwork. The school phone number is (504) 267-7890 and our fax is (504) 267-7888. The preschool phone number is (504) 267-3310.

CHECK OUTS

All checkouts must be made from the office. You must present proper identification to the office personnel, sign the child out, and state the reason for early checkout. When a child is checked out early, the learning of the entire class is interrupted because the teacher stops the class instruction to assist the child who is preparing to leave early.

Children will not be released to parents from the classroom or bus loading area. No check outs will be allowed after 3:00pm. The office needs written notice from a parent if anyone other than a parent or person on the emergency card will be checking out a child. This person will need to present proper identification. For security purposes, we cannot make any changes over the phone.

CHILD WELFARE

Educators are mandated reporters that are required by state law to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to a Child Welfare Protection Agency.

COMMUNICATIONS

ur educators currently use SchoolStatus to connect with parents. This means that all teachers, counselors, and administrators will be reaching out using this new communications tool. Here are a few answers to some common questions:

Do I need to download an app? Calls and texts may come from a number you don’t recognize, but that is your direct line to the educator contacting you.
If I respond to a text, who gets the message? The educator who contacted you! You’re not responding to an entire group. It’s a 1:1 message.
If I miss a call, can I call the number back? Yes! You may leave a message for the educator, or text that same number and know you’ll reach who called you.
How does the system know my phone number or email? SchoolStatus will utilize the contact information in the school’s student system. It is critical that your phone number and email address are accurate and up-to-date.

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

Students in kindergarten through fourth grades are instructed in self-contained classrooms. Fifth Grade is departmentalized into ELA/Social Studies and Math/Science classes. Physical Education, Art, Music and Library objectives are taught by specialized teachers. All students have access to the Computer Labs and/or Chromebook carts on a regular basis.

Students who qualify for Special Education services will be instructed in the classroom setting specified on their Individual Education Program (IEP). A School Counselor is also available for students as needed. Several intervention programs are provided for students who require additional assistance to meet their reading and math goals. A gifted program offers enrichment for students who meet the evaluation criteria.

DISCIPLINE

Student academic success is dependent upon appropriate school and classroom behavior. According to Louisiana law (R.S. 17:416), every pupil is held to strict accountability for inappropriate behaviors in school, on the playground, or any street, or school bus going to or returning from school and during recess. Refer to the GUIDE TO STUDENT CONDUCT for information regarding the different classes of behavior and possible interventions. If a student is given a before-school or after-school detention as an intervention, the parent will be sent a written notice.

The parent is responsible for transportation. Failure to attend the detention could result in a suspension. A student while under suspension may not attend any public school campus or enjoy the privilege of participating in any school sponsored activity.

Please help your child develop good behavior habits as well as a proper attitude towards school. Please become familiar with your child’s discipline plan and the GUIDE TO STUDENT CONDUCT. Your child will be held accountable for obeying all school rules.

School Wide Behavior Expectations are:

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Positive

Be Safe

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Dismissal time begins at 3:30 p.m. for all grades.
K-5^th grade car riders and nursery van riders will be dismissed from the classroom and exit through the cafeteria. Pre-K students, along with their siblings, will exit through the Pre-K wing on Nunez Street.
All bus riders will be dismissed from their classrooms to the bus circle as busses are called.
If your child does not ride the bus, it is extremely important to follow the procedures for drop off/pick up in the parking lot near the cafeteria. This includes moving your car up as far as possible to allow more students to enter and exit as possible.
Obey the crossing guard and posted enter/exit signs. This will keep everyone safe and help alleviate any problems.
Parents and/or Guardians must remain in their cars at all times.
Please No cell phone usage in the carline.
Only students without bus service will be approved by Mrs. Glapion to be a walker to and from school. They will be given a Walkers Pass. Parents of walkers may meet them by the cafeteria door. These are the only parents that should be waiting for students in that area.
Please do not enter the gate until after 3:00 pm and you must pull all the way up to the front gates. No saving spaces or cutting the line. Plan accordingly.

DRESS CODE

The St. Bernard Parish School Board requires that all students adhere to its adopted school uniform policy. The uniform policy was adopted during the 2021-2022 school year, following the recommendations of a committee comprised of teachers, administrators, and parent representatives from each school. For further information, refer to the St. Bernard Parish Guide to Student Conduct.

Joseph J. Davies Elementary School
	Uniform Pants or Shorts	Shirts	Alternate Shirts
Boys	Khaki or navy	White oxford or uniform broadcloth	Hunter green collared polo shirt requires school logo and must be purchased from an authorized school dealer
Girls	Khaki or navy skirts or jumpers	White oxford or uniform broadcloth

All grade level uniforms include the following:

NO accessories added this includes any style neckties or colored trim on shirts.
Sweatshirts and uniform sweaters must be hunter green or white V-neck, vest, crew or cardigan style. Sweatshirts must be solid navy, white, or hunter green with the school logo. No hoodies.
School jackets must be authorized by principal/designee and must be hunter green.
Tennis shoes are the preferred shoe for everyday wear. They are required on PE days. Students are requested to wear laced or Velcro-strapped tennis shoes to school every day. Boots, Heelies, Croc-type shoes, light up shoes, backless shoes, sandals, and slippers cannot be worn to school. They are not allowed.
Belts are required with clothing with belt loops. Belts must be the appropriate size and solid black, blue, khaki, or brown. Belt buckles must be plain, no logos, or characters.
Socks and footed stockings must be white, neutral, black, navy or brown. No leggings, yoga pants, or sweatpants under uniforms only footed stockings and footed tights.
All students must have appropriate haircuts. No extreme haircuts will be permitted which includes mohawks, fauxhawks and lines. Frosted, bleached, or colored hair is considered to be extreme as well.
Fingernails: Artificial fingernails cannot be worn.
Make-Up: Cosmetic Make-up is not allowed and cannot be worn.

All Davies Spirit Shirts may be worn on Friday’s with uniform pants.

DRUG FREE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Davies Elementary School students participate in state-mandated drug education classes throughout the school year. The classes are taught by the Physical Education teachers and the Guidance Counselor. Students are instructed in the dangers of substance abuse at any early age since research shows that more students are influenced by the information when it is introduced early.

To act as role models in keeping with the Drug Free Schools Program, employees and parents are not allowed to smoke on the school grounds or on field trips in the presence of students. Act 581 prohibits smoking within 200 feet of an entrance, exit, or any outdoor areas of any public elementary school.

EDUCATIONAL LINKS

CLEVER is an easy way for children to log in and learn with all of the online programs they use at school. With their own personal portals, students can learn with resources selected by their teacher and district. Joseph J. Davies Elementary School uses Clever so our students can have all of their digital resources in one place. Clever also eliminates the need to remember multiple usernames and passwords. The Clever link can be found by visiting the Quick Links on our school website. To find out your student’s username and password please reach out to your child’s teacher.

EMERGENCY CLOSING OF SCHOOL

In the event that school will be closed, the Superintendent will announce the closure and information will be shared on our school and district websites, social media accounts, and with local news outlets.

If schools are closed during the school day, buses will transport all bus riders to their usual stops. Please make arrangements for someone to be home to meet your child. Students who are normally picked up by parents will not be released until a parent has been contacted and informs the school whether a family member or friend will pick up the child.

In the event of an emergency school closure, parents/guardians will be contacted using our Emergency Call System. In order for families to be contacted, they must have a current and accurate telephone number in our system. It is critical that parents notify our front office of any changes to phone numbers.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Joseph J. Davies Elementary School will sponsor a variety of extra-curricular activities and events to enrich the school experience and meet the varied interest and abilities of our students. Each activity will have specific guidelines which will be distributed to students at the appropriate times. Written parent permission is required for participation in all after-school activities. Parents will be responsible for providing on-time transportation home as no bus service will be available. Please read correspondence sent home for details concerning all activities or clubs sponsored by our school. Reminder: All school debts must be paid for students to participate in ANY extracurricular activities.

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

Joseph J. Davies Elementary School recognizes that parent/family involvement is essential as we partner to educate our students and prepare them for life-long learning. Together, families working alongside our school educators, we can support student learning and growth. It is our intention to cultivate and support active family involvement through a number of different ways:

School and District Websites- This provides families the most up-to-date information regarding school operations, school and district policies, upcoming events, and announcements. You can find our school website by visiting org/davies. Teachers will also be posting important information regarding assignments, tests, class resources, and other helpful reminders and announcements to their Teacher Web Pages. You can find your child’s teacher web page by visiting the “Teachers” channel on our school website.
Social Media Accounts- Davies utilizes Facebook to communicate with our families and community. Please be sure to “like” our school and district Facebook page to get the latest information about what is happening within our schools.
Parent/Teacher Conferences- This is the most effective communication between parents and teachers. Parents are encouraged to contact the school whenever the need arises. However, parents should schedule all conferences in advance with the teacher or Principal. Since class time belongs to ALL children, parent conferences should never be attempted during actual teaching time. Teachers are available for conferences before and after school at the discretion of the teacher. The Principal, Assistant Principal, guidance counselor, or teacher may sometimes request a conference with a parent. Please be sure to attend these meetings. If at any time there is a problem with a teacher, please call and ask for a conference with that teacher. If dissatisfaction is still felt, ask to talk with the Principal or Assistant Principal. Many problems can be resolved if communication lines are left open. Incorrect information can often result in frustration.

FEES AND FINES:

Joseph J. Davies Elementary school may impose certain student fees or charges to help offset special costs incurred in the operation of specific classrooms or subjects. Generally, students should not be denied or delayed admission nor denied access to any curricular instructional activity due to failure or inability of their parent or guardian to pay a fee. Report cards and other academic records cannot be withheld for failure to pay a fee pursuant to state law.

A full copy of our Student Fees, Fines and Charges policy can be found on the school and district website by visiting www.sbpsb.org/fees.

All school fees and/or fines must be paid for students to participate in ANY extracurricular activities. This includes field trips, Fall Fest, Field Day, Talent Show, Pep Squad, Dance Team, Pelican Players, and end of year ceremonies. This will be strictly enforced.

A student or his/her parent or legal guardian may request and receive a waiver of payment of a fee due to economic hardship. Completed waivers and the corresponding documentation must be submitted to your student’s school principal. For families with students in multiple schools, separate waivers and documentation must be provided at each school. Families with multiple students at the same school can complete one waiver. The form must be completed yearly during enrollment, registration, or orientation.

Please note that the waiver will be applied to fees associated with curricular activities only. Fees associated with extracurricular activities are not covered by the waiver.

FIELD TRIPS

Since field trips are important to our educational program, students are encouraged to attend all class-sponsored field trips. Please send the money and permission slip in a well-labeled envelope. No permission slips or money will be accepted after the deadline is set for the field trip. The rules for incentive field trips are established by the teacher. For incentive field trips, the teacher may withhold the field trip privilege, with the consent of the principal, for disciplinary reasons.

IMPORTANT: To ensure the safety and well being of our students, we ask that all chaperones wear a Davies shirt so that they may be easily identified. This includes any Spirit Shirt, Field Day Shirt, or other shirt identifying them as a Davies chaperone. Parents and chaperones will also have to show a valid ID when checking in at the office for fieldtrips.

Smoking is not allowed on field trips. Chaperones must be 18 years or older and ride the bus to and from the field trip in order to chaperone. Parents must follow regular check out procedures after field trips. No younger siblings, including infants, may attend field trips. All school rules and dress code are in effect during a field trip and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken with students who choose to violate these rules.

FIRST AID AND ILLNESSES

It is the student’s responsibility to report personal illness or injury to a teacher or staff member. If serious injury occurs, first aid is administered and parents/guardians are called immediately. For this reason, it is very important that the school has your correct home telephone number and at least three emergency contact numbers. Please be sure that when you send someone to check out your child, he/she is listed on the information card. Picture identification must be provided to the office staff prior to checking out a child.

When a student becomes ill or has a suspected communicable condition, the parent will be required to come to check the student out of school. When a parent consistently fails to make arrangements to check out a child who is sick or has a contagious condition, such as head lice, scabies, or other communicable disease, the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance will be notified.

FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

Our school participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. This program provides one breakfast and one lunch each school day to all students enrolled at Joseph J. Davies Elementary School. Adults and employees will be charged for meals at the rate below. Please note that there is a cost for “extra milk and/or juice” (see prices below). These items CAN NOT be charged to an account.

Student Breakfast and Lunch: Free Adult Breakfast: $1.50

Adult Lunch: $2.50 Extra Milk or Juice: $0.50

Important Notes:

Breakfast is served between 8:05 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. daily.
Canned and/or bottled beverages are not allowed in the cafeteria.
Commercially prepared food or beverages is not allowed (McDonald’s, Burger King, Coffee, Frappe’s, soft drinks, etc.)
Lunch times for 2021-2022: Pre-K-11:05-11:35, 4^th and 5^th grades-11:45-12:25, Headstart 11:55-12:25, 2^nd and 3^rd grades-12:15-12:55, and Kindergarten and 1^st grade-12:45-1:25

FUND RAISING POLICIES

Fund raisers are PTO sponsored activities and are intended to be family oriented. Sales are encouraged through family members, business contacts, and friends. Fund raisers are not intended to be door-to-door selling time for students. Please do not let your child sell school items for fund raisers unsupervised.

GRADING POLICY

Progress reports will be distributed in the middle of each grading period. Report cards are issued at the end of each nine weeks period. The St. Bernard Parish School Board’s new grading scale is as follows:

Grades 1^st-5th		Kindergarten and Cultural Arts
A	100-93	S	Satisfactory Progress
B	92-85	I	Improvement Needed
C	84-75	U	Unsatisfactory
D	74-67	-	Not Introduced
F	66-0

PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS - Primary School (Grades K-5)

A student must achieve the objectives specified in the Louisiana Student Standards mandated by the Louisiana Department of Education. (K- Grade 5).
A passing grade in English/Language Arts and Math is required for grades 1- 5.
Summer remediation is an option if ONE of these subjects is failed; however, failing grades in BOTH of these subjects will result in retention.
Students in grades K-5 may not be absent more than 14 days of the school year. All absences are counted in the 14 day absence policy.
Students will be considered for promotion/retention based on the promotion/retention policy set forth in the PUPIL PROGRESSION PLAN adopted annually by the St. Bernard Parish School Board and approved by BESE.

HOMEWORK

Homework is assigned to reinforce, extend, and enrich the skills and concepts that have been introduced by the teacher. Homework provides an opportunity for a student to develop self-responsibility, time management skills, and independent study skills and should be turned in completed each day. A homework policy with schedules will be sent home during the first week of school by your child’s teacher. Please refer to the policy often. Please check your child’s homework daily. Check with the teacher if you have any questions concerning homework.

JCAMPUS STUDENT PROGRESS CENTER

Parents may utilize the JCampus Student Progress Center to progress monitor their child’s learning by visiting www.sbpsb.org/grades or visiting our school or district websites. The JCampus Student Progress Center will give parents quick access to current information regarding your child’s schedule, attendance, class work, interim progress report, report card grades, test scores and registration information.

LIBRARY

Each student has a regular library period as part of the Cultural Arts curriculum. The librarian reads to the students, teaches library skills, and instructs them on how to use a library properly. The students are also allowed to check out books for a two week period. If students fail to return their book on the due date, they may not check out another book until their due book is returned. Students are responsible for books they check out. If a book is lost, the student will be required to pay for it. If lost books are paid for and the books are found at a later date, the money will be refunded to the student.

MEDICATION

Please inform your child’s teacher and the office if your child has any

Allergies or if he/she is on any type of medication. According to School Board policy, school personnel are not allowed to dispense medication of any kind. With proper authorization the school nurse dispenses medication. Parents are welcome to bring medicine to the school office. The student will be called to meet the parent in the office to take the medicine. Students cannot carry medicine (including cough drops, nasal inhalants, Chap Stick, etc.) to school. Any such items will be taken away by the teacher or administrator. Arrangements for school office personnel to administer medication to a student that requires daily medication over an extended period of time must be made with the Nursing Supervisor at 301-2000.

MONEY

Any money sent to school must be placed in a sealed and clearly labeled envelope. Please write your child’s name and teacher’s name, purpose and the amount of money on the outside of the envelope and place it in your child’s folder. Important: No money will be accepted after a given due date for purchases or events such as field trips. Please monitor your child’s folder daily to make sure that you are aware of events and items that you might like to purchase (for example, pictures, spirit shirts, yearbook).

All checks should be made payable to Joseph J. Davies Elementary School. If we receive an NSF check, the policy will revert to “cash only” for the person(s) who sent the check.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) All parents are invited to become members of our PTO. Membership dues are only $5.00 for each family. All scheduled meetings will be listed on the school calendar. The PTO sponsors the many other student centered activities and fundraisers.

Parent Volunteers Davies welcomes parent volunteers! If you are able to volunteer in any capacity, please speak to your child’s teacher or a PTO officer. We appreciate any help you can give us. To ensure the safety of our staff and students, all parents must check in at the office to obtain a Pass. Remember, no younger siblings, including infants are allowed to accompany parent volunteers at any time.

PARTIES

Most classes will celebrate the “usual” holiday parties during the school day. Letters will be sent home by the teacher. Please sign the letters and return them to your child’s teacher before the deadline. If your child is celebrating a birthday during school, please notify the teacher in advance for drop-off preparation due to loss of instructional time. No walk-in parties or other guest invited due to curriculum restrictions. You can send cupcakes and juice boxes to school. Please do not send balloons, party favors, cakes, or 2 liter drinks. We ask for cupcakes instead of a regular cake because of time and cake cutting limitations.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Mark all articles of clothing and personal items with the student’s name. Please be sure to take the time to do this properly. Items will be returned if labeled properly. If your child is missing items, check our Lost and Found. Lost articles which are not marked and not claimed in a reasonable time will be given to a charitable society.

Students should bring only supplies and books necessary for class. Toys, stuffed animals, cards, iPads, iPod/CD players, balls, games, gum, etc. are not allowed at school. These articles will be taken away from students. Parents will be required to pick up the articles from an administrator.

POLICY ON NON-DISCRIMINATION

The St. Bernard Parish School Board adheres to the equal opportunity provisions of federal civil rights laws and regulations that are applicable to this agency. Therefore, no one will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964); Sex (Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972); disability (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973); or age (Age Discrimination Act of 1975) in attaining educational goals and objectives and in the administration of personnel policies and procedures. Anyone with questions regarding this policy may contact Tommy Powell, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, at (504)301-2000, 200 East St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette, LA 70043.

SCHEDULES – CULTURAL ARTS/TEACHER PLANNING

8:30 - 8:45	Homeroom	12:25 - 1:25	4^th Grade
8:45 - 9:45	3^rd Grade	1:25 - 2:25	1^st Grade
9:45 - 10:45	Kindergarten	2:25 - 3:25	2^nd Grade
10:45 - 11:45	5^th Grade	3:30	Dismissal

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Attending the meetings is another way of keeping informed about educational policies concerning the parish and the school. These meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. at the school board office, 200 E. St. Bernard Highway. They can also be seen on the local channel 8 PEN-TV station.

SCHOOL GATE GUARDIAN

As part of our security measures for your child, we may ask visitors to our school, including parents, to provide their driver’s licenses for identification before they are allowed in the school and classrooms. Such a check will not be necessary for business conducted in the office. This procedure is to ensure the safety of all children at Davies Elementary.

SCHOOL PUBLICITY

From time to time photographs will be taken of school activities and these pictures will be sent to the local newspaper. If you have a problem with your child’s picture being in the newspaper, please notify the school in writing.

STUDENT INSURANCE

Student insurance is offered to children for a nominal fee. It covers a student while on the way directly to and from school, at school, and on school-sponsored activities. Each child will receive information regarding school insurance at the beginning of the year. If you do not have adequate coverage for your child, the student insurance is recommended.

STUDENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The St. Bernard Parish School Board shall require any student complaint about sexual harassment reported to a teacher or counselor to be immediately reported to the principal. The principal is responsible for investigating the complaint. The right to confidentiality for all parties shall be respected. See the Guide to Student Conduct for information.

SUPPLIES

All students received a supply list at the end of the school year or with the registration packet. Students must come to school with their supplies and ready to learn. Rolling schoolbags are not allowed. They are a safety hazard in the hallways, classes, and buses. Students should have the following each day

3 sharpened pencils
School bag or back pack
All completed homework

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

As a parent of a public school student you have the right to know the qualifications of your child’s teacher. To obtain information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teacher, please contact the principal.

TERRIFIC KIDS

The “Terrific Kid” program is sponsored by the St. Bernard Kiwanis Club and Chalmette Refining, LLC. A Terrific Kid is chosen by teachers according to certain criteria. This is a great honor. Terrific Kid Ceremonies are held at 2:30 pm at school to celebrate this honor. Parents and family members are invited to attend the ceremony.

TEST RETURN POLICY

Test packets will be sent home on a weekly basis. It is important that you review the tests with your child. Signed tests must be returned to your child’s teacher.

TESTING

Mandated Standardized testing in English/Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies is given statewide to students in grades 3, 4, and 5. Testing dates are set by the Louisiana Department of Education and are listed on the important date’s section of this book. A more definitive testing schedule will be given later as it is released by the state. Please encourage your children to stay motivated and to do their very best on all of their tests.

TEXTBOOKS.

Children are responsible for the proper care of state owned textbooks and Library books. Payment will be required for all damaged and/or lost books. Book prices range from 5.25-49.95. Please help your child care for books properly.

Students will be assigned the following parish adopted textbooks:

Reading/ELA – Core Knowledge Language Arts (K-2)/Great Minds: Wit and Wisdom (3-5)

Math – Eureka Math (K-5)

Social Studies – Studies Weekly (K-5) and Louisiana Student Standards (K-5)

Science – Science Studies Weekly (K-2)/Amplify (3-5) and Louisiana Student Standards (K-5)

TITLE IX WOMEN’S EQUITY IN EDUCATION ACT

“It is the policy of the St. Bernard Parish School board to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all activities, programs and employment practices of the school district. A copy of the complaint process, any questions or complaints concerning sex discrimination should be reported to the St. Bernard Parish School Board, 200 E. St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette, LA 70043, or call 504-301-2000.”

TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER SCHOOL

To withdraw your child from our school, come at least one day prior to withdrawal to allow time for us to get all of the necessary information for you. Remember that teachers cannot be disturbed during class time to complete the withdrawal forms.

TRANSPORTATION

Students must follow all bus rules contained in the St. Bernard Parish GUIDE TO STUDENT CONDUCT.
Mutual respect by the student and the driver should alleviate all problems.
Once a student is assigned to a bus, he/she must ride only that bus.
Problems concerning bus routes or pick-ups should be directed to the Supervisor of Transportation at 301-3941.
Discipline problems should be reported as students not observing common courtesies and obeying bus rules will be suspended from the bus.
Your child will be given a transportation tag that will indicate how he is to get home daily. This tag will be placed on your child’s school bag on the first day of school. Please do not remove this tag from your child’s school bag. It is very important that this transportation tag stays on the entire school year.
Transportation changes cannot be made over the telephone. This is for the safety and protection of your child! Please put the request in writing. Sign and date all notes if you need to make a transportation change.
Permanent Transportation changes must be processed by completing paperwork in the office. Any student riding a bus may only be picked up and dropped off at the address on file. If there is a certain day when a bus rider will NOT ride the bus, a signed written note must be sent to the homeroom teacher. Students who are not normally bus riders are not allowed to ride the bus home for any reason unless a permanent transportation change request is completed.

VISITORS

To protect the confidentiality and privacy of all our students, classroom observations and visits are not allowed as an added precaution to ensure safety of our students, during fieldtrips and other events all visitors will be required to present a valid driver’s license for a simple background screening before entering the student areas of the building. Please be sure to bring your driver’s license with you when making a school visit. We appreciate your cooperation.

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM 2021-2022

St. Bernard Parish Public Schools: Early Childhood Program

General Operating Information

The purpose of the St. Bernard Parish Public School Early Childhood Program is to provide universal pre-kindergarten classes to four-year-old children who are eligible to enter public school kindergarten the following year, including those students with disabilities, which reside in St. Bernard Parish. Students must turn four prior to September 30^th, of the current school operating year.

The Early Childhood Program is funded through federal, state, and local monies from the following sources: Head Start, 8(g), LA 4, Educational Excellence Funds, Title I, Early Intervention and the St. Bernard Parish School System. The Early Childhood Program strives to offer the same high quality developmentally appropriate program to all participants regardless of the funding sources.

Instructional Program / Curriculum

The Louisiana Early Learning and Development Standards is the framework for building a quality, developmentally appropriate pre-kindergarten program and supports the Louisiana Readiness Definition. These standards serve as a guide to be used by St. Bernard Parish School System’s administrators, policy makers, directors, curriculum developers, teachers and parents.

The St. Bernard Parish Early Childhood Program provides a complete educational program directed toward the development of cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and communication skills in a manner and at a pace consistent with the needs and capabilities of the individual child.

The St. Bernard Parish Early Childhood Program has adopted the Creative Curriculum. It is a research based curriculum which supports interrelated development in the following domains:

Social/Emotional, Language and Literacy,

Cognitive Development, Creative Expression (Art, Music, Drama),

Physical Science, Mathematics

The Early Childhood Program provides developmentally appropriate integrated learning experiences. Integrated learning takes place when adults plan learning center activities and appropriately facilitate child experiences in the learning centers. These experiences support interrelated development of problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and social skills within a meaningful context for the child. The pre-kindergarten environment promotes meaningful engagement for learning through:

Social interactions that promote cooperation, conflict resolution, and empathy for others.
Play experiences to foster development and organization of world knowledge.
Language and Literacy experiences to foster development of skills such as retelling stories; book/print concepts; developmental writing; phoneme discrimination, and sound manipulation.
Mathematical experiences to foster development of concepts such as one-to-one correspondence, recognizing patterns, counting, comparing and positioning, and experiencing adults using numerals to record information that is meaningful to young children.
Scientific experiences to foster development of concepts such as cause and effect, classification, and life cycles.
Music and Creative Art
Physical movement experiences in the indoor and outdoor environments to develop fine motor and gross motor skills

Instructional Program Assessment and Reporting Practices

The Early Childhood Program utilizes a variety of assessment and reporting tools to record student growth, provide individualized instruction and to share information with parents.

Portfolio assessment is a collection of work samples taken over time to demonstrate student growth by identifying the changes in performance.
Benchmark assessments measure mastery of the Early Learning and Development Standards and are conducted at defined intervals throughout the school year.
Formative assessments are standardized teacher administered

assessments that occur at three defined intervals throughout the school year.

An Individual Pupil Plan (IPP) is developed for each student and is reviewed with parents throughout the year. The IPP addresses individual student’s areas of strengths and weaknesses. Parents are expected to assume an active role in development of their child’s IPP.

Resource Coordination for Support Services

The St. Bernard Parish School System coordinates the provision of support services for all enrolled pre-kindergarten children. These services are intended to support maximum early education and care benefits to children so that they are well prepared for formal schooling, and therefore, more likely to experience later academic success.

Child Health and Mental Health Services

The school nurse works with the health department and other health professionals to conduct hearing and vision screenings and cursory dental checks during the school year and monitors the health and wellbeing of all children in the program. Any child with an identified physical or mental developmental health need is referred to the proper agency. Families are also provided information that will increase their knowledge of community resources such as TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), Medicare, and LA CHIP (Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program).

Parenting Skills and Child Development Knowledge

Knowledge of child development and involvement with their child’s educational experience is enhanced through a variety of informational parenting seminars, volunteer opportunities at the school, special activities/functions, and parent /teacher conferences. All students are administered a developmental screening instrument. The results of the screening is discussed with parents and parents are provided with activities designed to help their child address skill areas.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Preschool teachers conduct one-on-one parent/teacher conferences prior to the start of school. Preschool teachers and assistants are available for regularly scheduled conference days as well as parent initiated conferences.

Adult Literacy

The school system works in coordination with public service providers to promote adult literacy. Parents/guardians are informed of all locally available adult education opportunities such as the GED program to increase literacy levels.

Classroom Management Plan

A classroom management plan is in place in all pre-kindergarten classrooms and is discussed with parents during orientation.

No form of demeaning language or corporal punishment (which includes but is not limited to paddling, striking, or hitting) is used with any child enrolled in pre-kindergarten.

Materials, Supplies, and Equipment

The St. Bernard Parish Early Childhood Program provides funding for all classroom furniture/equipment, materials, and supplies for all classes. Technology related equipment such as audio cassettes, digital cameras, and computers are also supplied.

All consumable materials are provided and replenished throughout the course of the year.

Parents/guardians/and caretakers are not required to pay for any materials and supplies for classroom usage (e.g., paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, and photographic film). Personal items (school bag, rest mat, blanket, extra clothes, etc.) must be provided by the parents and adhere to program guidelines.

NOTE: Parents/guardians/and caretakers may be required to pay for the replacement of materials/property that their child destroys.

Food Services

Breakfast and lunch are part of the Early Childhood Program and all pre-k students are brought to the cafeteria for meals. If your child has special dietary concerns, please discuss them with the preschool staff. Head Start Program guidelines require that all students in Head Start designated classes eat food provided by the school cafeteria staff. Therefore, there is no need to bring food from home. Other funded four-year-old classes are allowed to bring an appropriate breakfast/lunch from home. If students choose to eat lunch in the school cafeteria, breakfast and lunch is free of charge due to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This allows each student one breakfast and one lunch per day.

NOTE: It is absolutely essential that you make the staff aware of any allergies your child might have.

Attendance

Consistent daily attendance is a critical component of the preschool program and is closely monitored by the teachers. According to state law “any child below the age of seven who legally enrolls in school shall also be subject to the provisions of the attendance statures”. In order for students to receive credit they cannot miss more than 14 days per school year. Please call the school when your child is absent and state the reason for the absence. A note from the parent is required to document each absence, and is required within 3 days upon returning to school. Excessive absences are reported to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance. Any student absent prior to an extra-curricular activity will not be allowed to participate in the activity.

Check-In/Check-Out

Parents must report to the office for check-in and check-out. Only adults whose names have been authorized in writing on the school emergency cards will be allowed to check out pre-kindergarteners. Please follow all check out guidelines at your school site.

Uniforms

All pre-kindergarteners follow the St. Bernard School Board Uniform Dress Code. Please refer to the school site uniform requirements for specific color options.

Transportation

Transportation services are made available to all pre-kindergarten students to ensure that each child is present for the educational/instructional portion of the day. Bus changes cannot be made over the phone. All requests for transportation changes must be made in writing and all forms completed BEFORE a change is authorized. Refer to the Preschool Transportation Policy for specific guidelines regarding arrival, dismissal, and bus transportation requirements.

Logo Image

Logo Title

Embed

In This Section

Guiding Documents

PARENT / STUDENT HANDBOOK

Logo Image

Logo Title