J. F. Gauthier Elementary School

J. F. Gauthier Elementary 

2023-2024

Student & Family Handbook

Introduction

Letter from the Principal

Dear J. F. Gauthier families,

Welcome to J. F. Gauthier Elementary School and to our school family. The faculty and staff look forward to getting acquainted with families who are new to our school and reacquainted with returning families. Everyone at our school is looking forward to beginning what promises to be an excellent school year.

This handbook aims to clearly outline our expectations and policies regarding these essential elementary school years as we all work to provide the absolute best foundation for our students. Please review the contents of this handbook with your child and keep it in a location that is easy to access throughout the school year. Most questions you have about our school will be covered in this guide as well as other topics relevant to your child’s education.

Thank you for your help in making this a positive and memorable school year. As your child’s first teacher, you have the strongest and most permanent influence on your child’s life. We, therefore, invite all parents to become members of our school family and form positive partnerships with us to ensure the success of all children. We look forward to working with our families as we begin the most important and exciting educational journey.

Sincerely,

Lisa G. Young

Principal

Purpose of the School Handbook

J.F. Gauthier Elementary School abides by all policies and procedures of the St. Bernard Parish School System as outlined in the district’s Policy Manual and the Student and Family Handbook (Guide to Student Conduct). These policies and procedures can be found on the district’s website and by visiting www.sbpsb.org/policies and www.sbpsb.org/handbook. The policies and procedures listed within this document pertain specifically to J.F. Gauthier Elementary School. In the event of a conflict between this document and any district policy or procedure, the district policy or procedure precedes.

General Information

Mission

J.F. Gauthier’s call is to build learning for all.

Vision

J.F. Gauthier is a committed educational team of staff, parents, and students who collaborate in creating a progressive, engaging learning environment where hard work results in success for every child every day. J.F. Gauthier students will take pride in their accomplishments and demonstrate respect for others, enabling them to successfully face the challenges of a future with limitless possibilities.

Beliefs

● Given a safe, supportive, and comfortable 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.

School Contact Information

School Address & Phone Number

1200 East LA Hwy 46 St. Bernard, LA 70085

Phone 504-272-0700 Fax 504-272-0710

Website https://www.sbpsb.org/gauthier

Social Media https://www.facebook.com/JFGElementary

Resolving School-Based Questions and Concerns

During the course of the school year, situations may arise that require the parents/guardians of our students to contact the proper employee(s) in order to resolve an issue. To assure a prompt response and encourage proactive communication between the schools and parents/guardians, the following protocol has been established to provide guidance as to whom parents/guardians should address their questions and/or concerns.

We respectfully ask that you follow the steps as outlined below. You need not contact every person listed below; however, it is our wish that the issue is resolved very early in the step-by-step process outlined below.

Questions or Concerns Involving a Student

● Step 1: Contact the student’s teacher

● Step 2: Contact the school counselor

● Step 3: Contact the school assistant principal

● Step 4: Contact the school principal

Questions or Concerns Involving a Teacher

● Step 1: Contact the school principal ●

Step 2: Contact the Supervisor of Elementary Education

Questions or Concerns Involving a Principal

● Step 1: Contact the school principal

● Step 2: Contact the Supervisor of Elementary Education

School Directory Information

Principal | Lisa Young; 504-272-0700; lyoung@sbpsb.org

Assistant Principal |Shellie Monk; 504-272-0700; smonk@sbpsb.org

Counselor |Lisa Colburn; 504-272-0700; lcolburn@sbpsb.org

Contacting Teachers

Teachers throughout the St. Bernard Parish School System utilize School Status to communicate with parents and guardians. School Status provides parents a direct line to contacting your student’s teacher via phone call or text message. More information about School Status will be provided by your student’s teacher.

Academics

Accelerated Reader Program (ARP)

Students in all grades will participate in the Accelerated Reader Program which promotes reading for enjoyment. Students 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 tests at school from 8:05 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.

Book Fair

A Book Fair is held 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.

Curriculum & 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.

Educational Links

CLEVER

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. J.F. Gauthier 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. 

JCampus

Parents may utilize the JCampus Student Progress Center to progress monitor their child’s learning by visiting www.sbpsb.org/progess 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.

Extracurricular Activities

J.F. Gauthier Elementary School will sponsor a variety of extra-curricular activities and events to enrich the school experience and meet the varied interests 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.

Grading Policies

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

Grades 1st - 5th

A - 100-93

B - 92-85

C - 84-75

D - 74-67

F - 66-0

Kindergarten and Cultural Arts

S - Satisfactory Progress

I - Improvement Needed

U - Unsatisfactory

-   - Not Introduced

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 completed each day. A homework policy with schedules will be sent home during the first week of school by your child’s teacher. Please 8 refer to the policy often. Please check your child’s homework daily. Check with the teacher if you have any questions concerning homework.

Library

Each student has a regular library period as part of the Cultural Arts rotation. 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.

Promotion Requirements - Elementary School (Grades K-5)

● A student must achieve the objectives specified in the district and state curriculum. Students not meeting specified criteria for promotion are retained.

● Students in grades K-5 must be in attendance for at least 166 days during the school year. Doctor’s excuses are only acceptable for extenuating circumstances. 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.

● In Grades 3 – 4, students who score below benchmark on the literacy screener given in the spring will be required to attend 30 hours of literacy instruction during summer learning or score a Basic on the ELA portion of LEAP assessment pursuant to state law.

Schedules – Cultural Arts/Teacher Planning

8:30-8:40    Homeroom

8:40-9:40    5th Grade

9:40-10:40   3rd Grade

10:40-11:40  Kindergarten

12:25-1:25    1st Grade

1:25-2:25     2nd Grade

2:25-3:25     4th Grade

3:30             Dismissal

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 school bags are not allowed. They are a safety hazard in the hallways, classes, and buses. Students should bring 3 sharpened pencils, a school bag and all completed homework each day.

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 LA 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.

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.

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 – iReady Classroom Mathematics (K-5)

Social Studies – Studies Weekly (K-2) and Bayou Bridges (3-5)

Science – Science Studies Weekly (K-2)

                 Amplify (3-5)

                 Louisiana Student Standards (K-5)

Awards and Special Recognitions

Honor Roll/Principal’s Honor Roll

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

Parent of the Year Award

The Parent of the Year Program is an essay contest. Students in the 5th, 8th, and 12th grade are asked to write an essay that recognizes the contributions of their parents/guardians. Students can elect to write about either one or both of their parents/guardians, and those students who do not wish to write an essay nominating his/her parent(s) may elect, instead, to write an essay about any adult figure in his/her life that has been like a parent to that student.

The essays will be submitted to the contest, where one essay winner will be declared. The winning parent will be recognized and awarded at the end of the year Commitment to Community Banquet.

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 in those nine weeks. Tardies and checkouts are counted as missed school and may keep a child from receiving perfect attendance. An All Year Perfect Attendance award 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.

Student of the Year Award

The 5 th Grade Student of the Year Awards Program begins in early fall and 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 per nine weeks

● LEAP test scores must demonstrate Mastery/Advanced in each subject 11

● 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.

Terrific Kids

The “Terrific Kid” program is sponsored by the St. Bernard Kiwanis Club and Valero Meraux Refining. A Terrific Kid is chosen by teachers according to certain criteria. This is a great honor. Terrific Kid Ceremonies are held monthly at school to celebrate this honor. Parents and family members are invited to attend the ceremonies.

Parent And Family Engagement

J.F. Gauthier Elementary School recognizes that parent and family engagement must be a priority for children to learn and achieve academic success. Parents and families provide the primary educational environment for children; consequently, parents are vital and necessary partners with J.F. Gauthier Elementary School.

In accordance with the St. Bernard Parish School Board’s Parent and Family Engagement Policy, J.F. Gauthier Elementary School provides families with various programs and opportunities to enhance the involvement of parents and other caregivers that reflect the needs of our students. These programs include:

● Back to School Event: J.F. Gauthier Elementary School Event serves as an annual meeting in which all parents and caregivers are invited to learn more about the educational programs at our school and further opportunities for parent involvement.

● Report Card Conference Night: Report Card Conference night at J.F. Gauthier Elementary School will be October 20th from 4:30-7:45p.m. At this event, parents and caregivers have the opportunity to meet with their student’s teachers to learn more about his/her academic and behavioral progress and goals.

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 several student centered activities and fundraisers.

Parent Volunteers

J.F. Gauthier Elementary School welcomes parent volunteers! If you are able to volunteer in any capacity, please speak to your child’s teacher or the front office. To ensure the safety of our staff and students, all parents must check in at the office to obtain a Visitor Pass. Remember, no younger siblings, including infants are allowed to accompany parent volunteers at any time.

School Operations

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. Car riders will be dropped off at the gym entrance. Teachers on duty will direct parents and students.

● Students cannot be dropped off in parking lots or any other areas of the school.

● Parents are not allowed to walk students to class as this interferes with the classroom routine.

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 3:15 p.m. The office needs written notice from a parent if anyone other than a parent or person on the emergency card will be 13 checking out a child. This person will need to present proper identification. For security purposes, we cannot make any changes over the phone.

Dismissal Procedures

● Dismissal time begins at 3:30 p.m. for all grades.

● All car riders will be dismissed from the gym exit. If your child does not ride the bus, please cooperate with us by waiting in the car line for safety reasons.

● All bus riders will be dismissed from their grade level dismissal locations as their buses 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 driveway near the gym. This includes moving your car up as far as possible to allow more students to enter and exit as efficiently as possible.

● Obey the crossing guard. 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.

Dress Code

In accordance with the St. Bernard Parish Public School District’s Guide to Student Conduct, J.F. Gauthier Elementary School students are expected to follow the dress code guidelines as outlined below:

● Shirt - Students must wear white or red collared shirts. School color collared shirts must have been approved by the school and have a school-designated logo. Students may wear official school spirit shirts every Friday.

● Pants/Shorts/Skirts - Students must wear navy blue or khaki pants or skirts. Elementary students may wear shorts, skorts, and jumpers.

● Shoes- Shoes shall be slide-resistant. Closed toed tennis, casual, or dress shoes of any color are considered uniform appropriate.

Pants, Skirts, Shorts, & Skorts

Allowed

• Dress, uniform type, navy or khaki color
• Must be appropriate size for the student - properly fitting at the waist and neither too tight nor too baggy
• Pants must be hemmed (shoe-top length) with no split seams or frayed edges
• If pants have belt loops, a belt must be worn
• Skirts & jumpers must touch the top of the knee

Not Allowed

• No denim
• No bell-bottom, cargo, corduroy, leggings, joggers, or jean type pants

Shirts

Allowed

• White collared shirt
• Red Collared shirt with school logo - must have been approved by the school
• Shirts must be tucked in
• Shirt collars must be visible when wearing a sweater or sweatshirt
• Only solid white or solid red undershirts may be worn beneath uniformshirts

Outerwear

Allowed

• School sanctioned uniform sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets may be worn in school at any time (solid red, navy blue or white v-neck, vest, crew or cardigan styles)
• Jackets must be solid red, white, or navy blue, and authorized by principal/designee

Not Allowed

• No hoods are allowewdon students' heads while on school grounds and/or on school lbuses
• Non-uniform jackets are not to be worn in the building

Belts

Allowed

• Belts are required for any pants that have belt loops
• Only solid colored belts are acceptable (black, white, navy, khaki, or brown)
• Belt buckles may only be slightly larger than the width of the belt

Not Allowed

• Metal stud eyelets, etc. and/or designs are not allowed on any belt
• Oversized or large belt buckles are not allowed

Socks

Allowed

• Must be worn
• Socks, stockings, knee-highs, and tights must be a solid color (white, neutral, black, navy, or brown)

Shoes

Allowed

• Closed toed tennis, casual, or dress shoes of any color

Not Allowed

• Sandals, backless shoes, platform shoes, slippers, heelys, light up shoes, crocs, and boots (above ankles)

Hair

Allowed

• Moderate hair styles
• Boys hair that extends below the shirt collar must be pulled back so as not to extend below the shirt collar

Not Allowed

• No shaved or design cut into eyebrows or cut/braided into hair
• No unnatural hair coloring
• No extreme hair styles
• No hair styles that cover one or both eyes

Accessories

Allowed

• Earrings that are moderate in length (studs, small hoops, and short dangling earrings) are permitted for girls
• One stud per ear is permitted for boys

Not Allowed

• No hats, caps, bandanas, visors, hair curlers, gloves, and sunglasses (unless prescribed by a physician)
• Aside from earrings in the earlobe, body piercings are not allowed
• No excessively lare earrings that may place a student in danger of injury are allowed (hoops and/or those that hang very long)
• No tattoos

Appearances

Allowed

• Clean neat, free from holes, tears, and stains
• School official monogramming, emblems, or insignia may be worn

Not Allowed

• No extreme and distracting makeup
• No graffiti, writing, or symbols perceived as vulgar, profane, satanic, gang-related, violent, tobacco, drug or alcohol-related are not to be worn on any accessoried, jackets, book bags, book covers, or any other item brought to school

* In all circumstances, the principal will make the final decision as to whether a student's dress or appearance is acceptable.

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 J.F. Gauthier Elementary School. 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                        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 are not allowed (McDonald’s, Burger King, Coffee, Frappe’s, soft drinks, etc.)

Fees And Fines

J.F. Gauthier 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/Spring Fling, Field Day, Talent Show, Pep Squad, Gauthier Players, and end of year ceremonies. This will be strictly enforced.

A student or his/her parent or legal guardian may request 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 J.F. Gauthier shirt so that they may be easily identified. This includes any Spirit Shirt, club shirt, or other shirt identifying them as a J.F. Gauthier chaperone. Parents and chaperones will also have to show a valid ID when checking in at the office for field trips.

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.

Fundraising Policies

Fundraisers are PTO sponsored activities and are intended to be family oriented. Sales are encouraged through family members, business contacts, and friends. 17 Fundraisers are not intended to be door-to-door selling time for students. Please do not let your child sell school items for fundraisers unsupervised.

Health

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 emergency 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.

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, ChapStick, 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 J.F. Gauthier Elementary School. If we receive an NSF check, the policy will revert to “cash only” for the person(s) who sent the check.

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 make arrangements with the child’s teacher in advance.Please do not send balloons, party favors, cakes, or 2 liter drinks. We ask that you send in 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. Cell phones, toys, stuffed animals, cards, iPads, iPods, 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.

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 J.F. Gauthier Elementary.

Transportation

● Students must follow all bus rules contained in the St. Bernard Parish Student and Family Handbook (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 field trips 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.

Title IX: Sexual Harrasment Policy

The St. Bernard Parish School Board desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the School District's academic, extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The School Board does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates. The School Board is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and Part 106 of Title 34 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations not to discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment. The School Board recognizes that sexual harassment is a form of discrimination on the basis of sex and the School Board prohibits sexual harassment as defined by Title IX and Part 106 of Title 34 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations.

Any person may report discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment, in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail to the School Board’s Title IX Coordinator at any time, including during non-business hours.

Title IX Coordinator

St. Bernard Parish Public Schools 504-301-2000 | TitleIX@sbpsb.org

200 East St. Bernard Hwy., Chalmette, LA

Any School Board employee who has actual knowledge of sexual harassment must report the conduct to the Title IX Coordinator. Reports of and inquiries regarding unlawful sex discrimination may also be made to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, Email: ocr@ed.gov, 1-800-421-3481. The School Board’s Title IX Coordinator shall be authorized to coordinate the School Board’s Title IX obligations. Further information regarding the definition of sexual harrassment and all processes and procedures can be found in the district’s Student and Family Handbook/Guide to Student Conduct which is available on our website.

St. Bernard Parish Public Schools Early Childhood Program

General Operating Information

The purpose of the 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 30th , 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 our School System’s administrators, policy makers, directors, curriculum developers, teachers and parents.

Our program provides an 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, Creative Expression (Art, Music, Drama) Language and Literacy, Physical Science, Mathematics and Cognitive Development .

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:

a) Social interactions that promote cooperation, conflict resolution, and empathy for others.

b) Play experiences to foster development and organization of world knowledge.

c) Language and Literacy experiences to foster development of skills such as retelling stories; book/print concepts; developmental writing; phoneme discrimination, and sound manipulation.

d) 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.

e) Scientific experiences to foster development of concepts such as cause and effect, classification, and life cycles.

f) Music and Creative Art experiences.

g) 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.

a) Portfolio assessment is a collection of work samples taken over time to demonstrate student growth by identifying the changes in performance.

b) Benchmark assessments measure mastery of the Early Learning and Development Standards and are conducted at defined intervals throughout the school year.

c) Formative assessments are standardized teacher administered assessments that occur at three defined intervals throughout the school year.

d) An Individual Pupil Plan (IPP) is developed for each student and is reviewed 22 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 the 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.

1. 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).

2. 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 seminars, volunteer opportunities at the school, special activities/functions, and conferences. All students are administered a developmental screening instrument. The results of the screening are discussed with parents and parents are provided with activities designed to help their child address skill areas.

3. 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.

4. 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 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-kindergarten 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 24 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. Preschool staff is required to contact the parent/guardian within one hour after the start of the school day to check on an absent child. Excessive absences are reported to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance. Any student absent prior to a scheduled 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 specific school site.

Uniforms

All PreK students follow the St. Bernard School Board Uniform Dress Code requirements. 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.