MISSION STATEMENT:

 

     The mission of Ralph Askins School is to teach all students to believe in themselves and do their best at all times.

 

 

SCHOOL REGULATIONS

 

1.      The school building will open and supervision will begin at 7:00 a.m.  Parents of Kindergarten and First grade car riders will come down Third Avenue in a single line.  Cars should stay in a single line until you enter our campus.  Upon entering the campus you may divide into two lanes and go right to the First Grade canopy.

(After 7:50, Kindergarten students may be dropped off at the entrance to the Kindergarten wing.)  Second and Third Grade car riders will enter both morning and afternoon from Second Avenue on the north end of the school, unload/load your child at the Third Grade canopy, and exit onto Third Avenue.  After 3:20 p.m. any remaining car rider will be brought to the lobby of the school.

2.      Parents of Pre-Kindergarten students will park and enter the building from Second Avenue.  Doors open at 7:50 a.m.  In the afternoon Pre-K parents will come down Third Avenue, go right to the Kindergarten canopy, and load your child at the 2;30 p.m. dismissal.  Pre-K students going to F.A.S.T. will be taken to their designated area.  Only parents of Pre-Kindergarten students are allowed to enter the building without entering the main lobby.  All other parents wishing to enter the building should park in the designated visitor parking area and enter through the main lobby.

3.      F.A.S.T. provides early morning care from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m.  Please contact Mrs. Pat Bean at 433-0513 if you need these services and after school care from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.             

4.  Afternoon dismissal for students who are car riders or walkers will be 3:00 p.m.   

     Dismissal for bus riders or F.A.S.T. participants will be 3:05 p.m.  Children

     habitually left at school after 4:00 will be transferred to the F.A.S.T. program and

     parents will be charged accordingly.  Please be prompt in picking up students in the   

     afternoon.

5.  The school day begins promptly at 8:05 a.m.  TARDINESS RESULTS IN THE LOSS

     OF VALUABLE LEARNING TIME.  PLEASE MAKE EVERY EF­FORT TO HAVE         

     YOUR CHILD AT SCHOOL ON TIME.  A bell will be sounded at 8:05 for a minute        

     of silence and personal reflection.

6.  WHEN A CHILD IS ABSENT FOR ANY REASON, A CALL TO THE SCHOOL

     OFFICE SHOULD BE MADE.  WHEN THE CHILD RETURNS TO SCHOOL, A

     NOTE OF EXPLANATION SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CHILD'S TEACHER.      

     THE TEACHER WILL SEND YOUR NOTE TO THE OFFICE WITH THE

     MORNING ATTENDANCE REPORT.   An ex­cused absence allows the student the

     opportunity to make up work missed (provided it is possible to make it up.)  All make-

     up work should be completed within the grading period it was missed unless other

     arrangements and special permission is granted by the teacher.  If a student is to be out                                                                                                                                                                             

     of school for an extended period, homebound services are available.  Please call the                                                                                                                                                                             

     school office to arrange for homebound services.  FOR ADDITIONAL                                                                                                                                                                                              

     INFORMATION SEE THE PARAGRAPHS UNDER THE HEADING                                                                                                                                                                                                            

     "GRADING POLICY."

 

 

AFTER FIVE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES, PARENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE.  AFTER TEN UNEXCUSED ABSENCES, PARENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE ATTENDANCE SUPERVISOR.  ABSENCES BEYOND TEN DAYS WILL REQUIRE A DOCTOR'S NOTE.  IT IS THE PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK WITH SCHOOL OFFICIALS TO AVOID COURT ACTIONS. EXCESSIVE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES MAY RESULT IN AN APPEARANCE BEFORE THE TRUANCY HEARING AUTHORITY.

 

7. Students arriving late to school must be signed in by an adult through the school office.                                              

    Students leaving during the school day must be signed out by either a parent or legal

    guardian.  Check outs during the last thirty minutes of the day should be limited to

    those required for doctor's appointments or emergencies.  If there is a question of                                                                                                                                                                            

    legal custody, school officials reserve the right to require proof of custody before                                                                                                                                                                             

    releasing the student.

 

ANY STUDENT CHECKING OUT FOR ANY REASON MUST SIGN OUT THROUGH THE OFFICE.

ANY STUDENT RETURNING TO SCHOOL THE SAME DAY MUST SIGN BACK IN THROUGH THE OFFICE.

8. Upon entering the building, all parents and visitors are required to come by the school

    office.  Everyone must sign in and receive the appropriate identifying tag.

    (See Fayetteville City Board Policy A 15)

 

HEALTH SERVICES

 

A Student Health History completed by the parent will be requested for each student upon initial enrollment.  Parents will be asked to make an appointment with the health nurse and principal to discuss any specific or serious health conditions.

 

THE PARENT/GUARDIAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INFORMING THE PRINCIPAL OR DESIGNEE OF ANY CHANGE IN THE CHILD'S HEALTH STATUS OR CHANGE IN MEDICATION.

 

Medication Guidelines

Any medication taken during school hours should be limited to that which is necessary to maintain a child in school.  No school official or teacher will routinely assist in the self-medication of a student except in unique situations in which a child's health is dependent upon medical aid.

 

To help assure safety and accountability, the child will be supervised during self-administration of medication and written feedback will be forwarded to the parent/guardian regarding any problems.

 

If, under exceptional circumstances, a child is required to take medication during school hours and the parent, guardian, or school nurse is not available to administer the medication, only the principal or the principal's designee will assist in self-administration of the medication.

 

NO MEDICATION WILL BE SUPPLIED BY THE SCHOOL OR SCHOOL SYSTEM.  IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A STUDENT'S PARENT/GUARDIAN TO SUPPLY ANY MEDICATION TO BE TAKEN DURING SCHOOL HOURS, FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES OF THIS POLICY.

 

A.     Prescription Medication

All prescription drugs to be taken at school shall be prescribed by a licensed prescriber on an individual basis and must comply with the following:

(a)    must be delivered to the principal's office by the parent/guardian of the student at which time the amount of medication will be recorded by school personnel

      (b) must be brought in the original pharmacy-labeled container and shall display:

· Child's name

· Prescription number

· Medication name and dosage

· Administration route or other directions

· Date

· Licensed prescriber's name

· Pharmacy name, address and phone number

(c)    A physician's order and consent form signed by the parent/guardian must be on file at the school prior to any prescription medication being taken by the student.  Also, any change in prescription medication must be authorized in writing by the licensed prescriber and signed by the parent/guardian.

All prescriptions for long-term medications shall be reviewed at least annually.

 

B.     Over-the-Counter (OTC) or Non-prescription Medication

All non-prescription drugs taken at school shall comply with the following:

(a)    must be delivered to the principal's office by the parent/guardian of the student at which time the amount of medication will be recorded by school personnel

(b)   must be brought in the manufacturer's original container with the ingredients listed and the child's name affixed to the container

(c)    require a signed parent/guardian request which shall include:

· Child's name

· Name and signature of parent/guardian

· Name of medication

· Dosage

· Route of administration

· Frequency and time of administration

· Date to be discontinued

· Purpose of medication

· Parent's/guardian's phone number in case of emergency

If the child is required to take non-prescription medication on a long-term basis, the parent/guardian should indicate this in writing.

ALL UNUSED MEDICATION (PRESCRIPTION AND NON-PRESCRIPTION) SHOULD BE PICKED UP BY THE PARENT/GUARDIAN WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OR IT WILL BE DESTROYED.

 

C.     Short-term Medication

If a student is required to take prescription or non-prescription medication on a short-term basis (for example, 1-2 weeks), scheduling doses before and after school hours is recommended.

 

D.    Medical Procedures/Treatment

All procedures/treatments require written orders by a licensed practitioner and signed parental consent prior to the procedure being performed in the school setting by licensed personnel.  If a student self-performs a medical treatment or procedure, a designated area shall be provided to ensure the student's privacy.  All other health care procedures not performed by the student with or without assistance must be performed by a licensed health care professional/school nurse.

 

E.     Unauthorized Medication

A student's possession of any unauthorized medication with the exception of inhalers for asthmatic conditions could be considered a zero tolerance offense.

 

F.      Exemptions By Law

Tennessee law permits certain emergency procedures to be performed by school personnel with appropriate training.  Those laws include T.C.A. 68-140-510 training for epinephrine injections which allows any lay person who has been trained to administer epinephrine and the amendment to T.C. A. 49-5-415 regarding Glucagon administration.  It states that school personnel who volunteer and have been properly trained may

administer Glucagon in emergency situations.  No school system is required to have volunteer school staff trained.  Fayetteville City Schools will not use volunteers.  Each school shall have a plan of action in case of such an emergency.  The school nurse will be responsible for handling any emergency of this nature and the plan of action will be used if the nurse is not in the building.

 

 

 

 

 

Illness, Injury or Accident

 

If the child becomes sick, injured or involved in an accident while at school, the parent will be notified of the extent of the illness, injury or accident.  He/she will be admitted to the school health clinic for assessment and evaluation.  In cases of extreme emergency the following steps will be implemented, unless otherwise instructed by parent/guardian:

 

·        attempt to contact parent/guardian or emergency contact listed on school record

·        if illness, injury or accident is life-threatening, emergency assistance (911) will be contacted and child will be transferred to the nearest health care facility

·        continued efforts will be made to contact parent/guardian, along with the child's physician, in order that the child may receive the best possible care

 

All serious injuries/medical problems will be documented on an accident/incident form in the school office and a copy submitted to the Director of Schools.

 

Head Lice

 

In order to avoid an outbreak of head lice, each child will be checked periodically to determine the presence or absence of lice.  This procedure insures that our schools continue to provide a safe and healthy environment.

 

If a child should be found to be infested, the parent/guardian will be notified by a school official and asked to pick up the child within two hours of notification.

 

In order for the child to return to school, the following steps must be completed:

 

1.      proof of lice treatment must be presented to a school official

 

2.      student must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to the school office to be checked

 

3.  student must be lice and "nit" (lice eggs) free before returning to the classroom

 

Written instruction and verbal information about the treatment and prevention of future outbreaks of head lice will be provided to the parent/guardian.

 

Other Contagious Diseases

 

Schools appear to be the perfect place for contagious childhood diseases (chickenpox, pinkeye, flu, colds, rashes, strep throat, viral infections, etc.) and in order to minimize these health problems we ask that students do not attend school when contagious.  While we do not want students missing instructional days when possible, children with temperatures of 100 degrees or higher are most often experiencing some type of infectious process and it is advisable that they stay home. 

 

 

Anytime a child must be absent due to illness, the parent/guardian should notify the school of the cause so that necessary precautions may be taken to protect the other students.

 

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

 

Periodically the school holds emergency (fire), (tornado), (bomb threat), (earthquake) and (intruder) drills.

On and off, repeated sounds from the alarm system will signal immediate evacuation of the building.  Continuous sounding of the bell is the signal for a shelter drill.  All students take shelter inside as directed by the teacher.

 

A Crisis Plan is in place. (See Fayetteville City Board Policy F 8 A)

 

BOOKSTORE

 

Our bookstore is maintained for the students' convenience and economy.  It will be open on Monday and Wednesday mornings be­tween 7:50 and 8:00.

 

TELEPHONE

 

Students must have written permission from the teacher to use the tele­phone for outgoing calls.  Messages will be taken in the office and given to students on incoming calls.

 

PARENTS VISITING FOR LUNCH AND PARTIES

 

Parents are welcome and encouraged to come and eat lunch with their child.  According to new child nutrition guidelines, food may not be brought in to school.  Parents are welcome to purchase an adult meal in the cafeteria. Please notify the cafeteria that morning at 433-4001 so that you will be included in the count. Carbonated beverages are prohibited during school hours.

 

Birthday parties are limited to a maximum of one per month.  These will be coordinated by the classroom teacher and approved by the principal.  Students will eat in the cafeteria.  Any other party must be approved by the principal.

 

If you should send balloons or flowers for your child's birthday, please make your balloon selection a manageable size for a small child to carry on the school bus or to the car.  Flowers must NOT be sent in glass containers.

 

INVITATIONS

 

No invitations should be passed out in the classroom unless all children in the class are going to receive one.

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

School bus service is available for Ralph Askins students both in the morning and in the afternoon.  If a student wishes to take advantage of bus transportation, please contact the bus supervisor at 433-4473 or 433-5542 to obtain the correct information on schedule and bus number.

Children should make their after school visiting arrangements before coming to school.  If your child is riding home with someone different or riding a different bus, you must send a note.

 

 

SNOW DAYS AND WEATHER PROBLEMS

 

If schools are closed due to inclement weather, the superintendent will have it announced over the local radio stations (WEKR and WYTM-FM.)  Please note that you will be listening for the Fayetteville City Schools, not the Lincoln County Schools.  If bad weather develops during the day, parents should listen to the radio for possible announcements of school closings.  Our F.A.S.T. program will attempt to be in session on snow days from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or until every child has been signed out by parents or guardian.  We ask that you pick your child up as early as possible to assure the safety of our F.A.S.T. staff.

 

FEES

 

A fee may be charged for classroom materials which will be consumed or become the property of the student.   Children qualifying for free or re­duced lunch may request a waiver of school fees.

 

CAFETERIA

 

Ralph Askins has a breakfast and lunch program.  A balanced breakfast is served from 7:25 to 7:50 a.m.  Lunch is served from 10:30 until 1:00.  Meal costs are:

                                        

        ADVANCED PAYMENT PRICES

      

                              1 Day               1 Day               Weekly            Weekly                                        

                             Regular           Reduced               Regular           Reduced

 Breakfast              $0.90                $0.30                 $  4.50              $1.50

 Lunch                   $1.50                $0.40                 $  7.50              $2.00     

 Breakfast/Lunch   $2.40                $0.70                 $12.00              $3.50

 Extra Milk            $0.30

 Extra Juice          $0.50

 

 

 

An automated computer system is used for the purchase of school breakfast and lunch.   Advanced purchase of breakfasts and lunches will be accepted on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday in the cafeteria.  Meals can be purchased either weekly, monthly, or yearly through the computer program being used.  Any remaining money in your child's account will be refunded at the end of the school year.

Cafeteria Supervisor                             Sandy Stout                (433-4473)

Askins Cafeteria Manager                    Diane Jefferies             (433-4001)

 

Free and reduced breakfast and lunch forms are available for each child.  If you wish to apply for free or reduced meals any time during the school year, please complete an application and return it to the school as soon as possible.

 

BOARD CAFETERIA CHARGE POLICY

 

All students are required to have advanced payment or cash for the day when coming through the cafeteria line.  If a student or staff member forgets his/her lunch money or a lunch payment runs out, they will be allowed three (3) charges before they will not be allowed a lunch.  A student or staff member will enter his/her ID number; the computer will record zero (0) money contribution.  A report of student and staff member charges will be sent out on a regular basis.

 

REPORT CARDS

 

Report cards are issued every nine weeks.  They are to be signed by a parent or guardian and returned.  This does not mean that the parent approves or disapproves of the report, only that he/she has seen it.  If your child’s report card is lost, notify the school office in writing.  A duplicate card will be sent home for signing.  A charge of $1.00 is made for lost cards.

 

GRADING POLICY

 

This school believes that the issuance of grades serves to promote continu­ous evaluation of student performance, to inform the student and parents of student progress, and to provide a basis for causing needed changes in student performance.

 

Kindergarten uses a report card checklist.

 

First and Second grades will use the letters G for Good, S for Satisfactory, I for Improving, N for Needs improvement, and U for Unsatisfactory.  In addition, teachers will have averaged grades of individual work to substantiate the letter assignment.

 

 

 

 

Third grade uses the new state grading system.  Grades are ex­pressed by numerical values with corresponding letter grades according to Tennessee’s uniform grading policy.   The numerical values are equivalent to the following letter grades:

 

A     (93-100)                      D     (70-74)

B     (85-92)                        F     (below 70)

C     (75-84)                        I      Incomplete

 

 

NEW:  Fayetteville City School System’s Honor Roll Requirements are 93 to 100

is an A.

               (95 – 100 is High Honors and 90 – 94 is Honors)

 

 

Absences may be excused for the following reasons:

 

1.      Personal illness

2.      Illness of immediate family member

3.      Death in the family

4.      Extreme weather conditions

5.      Religious observances

6.      School activities

7.      Other circumstances cleared in advance with the principal

 

 

AFTER FIVE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES, PARENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE.  AFTER TEN UNEXCUSED ABSENCES, PARENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE ATTENDANCE SUPERVISOR.  ABSENCES BEYOND TEN DAYS WILL REQUIRE A DOCTOR'S NOTE.  IT IS THE PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK WITH SCHOOL OFFICIALS TO AVOID COURT ACTIONS. EXCESSIVE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES MAY RESULT IN AN APPEARANCE BEFORE THE TRUANCY HEARING AUTHORITY.

 

 

MARILYN ASHBY MEMORIAL AWARD

 

Each year the Marilyn Ashby Memorial Award is presented to one "Best All Around" third grade student.  The student will be recognized in an assembly at the end of the school year.  A plaque, which has been placed in the school lobby, will recognize the recipient each year.  Also, an individual plaque will be awarded to the recipient each year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHILD CUSTODY/PARENTAL ACCESS - (See Fayetteville City Board Policy F 1 C)

 

No principal or teacher shall permit a change in the physical custody of a child at school unless:

   

     1.  The person seeking custody of the child presents the school official with a certified

          copy of a valid court order from a Tennessee court designating the person who has

          custody of the child; and

 

     2.  The person seeking custody gives the school official reasonable advance notice

          of his/her intent to take custody of the child at school.

 

GUIDANCE

 

All students have regularly scheduled group guidance classes.  Individual guidance and counseling is available on a referral basis.  Students are welcome to come by the Guidance Office during available times.  Parents may also make appointments to talk with the counselor.

 

TEXTBOOKS

 

Students are responsible for the care of books and will be charged for damage or loss of books.  Lost and found books should be reported or turned in to the office.

 

CARE OF BUILDING

 

This building is yours to live in while you attend school.  We have a beautiful building, but it can only stay beautiful if we take care of it.  Maintenance staff or custodians cannot correct or overcome abuse by the many students we have.  Help keep the building and grounds free of dam­age and litter.  A school is judged by its cleanliness.

 

DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY

 

Students and their parents/guardians shall be held responsible for damage to equipment or school property including textbooks, library books, and supplies.  The administration will assess a proper amount for such dam­ages.  A receipt will be issued when payment is made and money will be turned over to the bookkeeper for deposit in proper accounts.

 

ASBESTOS

 

According to regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency 40-CFR 763 Subpart F Asbestos in Schools Rule, all Fayetteville City Schools buildings are inspected regularly.  Plans may be found in the principal's office of each building upon your request.

 

STUDENT DRESS AT SCHOOL

 

Dress Code

 

All students and employees are expected to dress appropriately for school.  Dress should be modest and shall in no way interfere with the learning process, safety, or well being of self or others.

 

 

IN MATTERS OF OPINION REGARDING “APPROPRIATE” DRESS, THE JUDGEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL PREVAIL.

 

 

Clothing

 

1.  Shorts, dresses, skirts, etc. must be no shorter than approximately three (3) inches above the knee.

2.  If tank tops, mesh tops, sheer tops, or strap-type tops/dresses are worn, they must be    worn over or under shirts.

3.  Pants, shorts, skirts, etc. must be worn at the waistline.

4.  Clothing must be within approximately one size of the student’s actual size.

5.  No sagging or baggy pants may be worn.

6.  No clothing or accessories that advertise alcohol, tobacco, drugs, violence, or that bear negative or profane messages will be allowed.

 

7.  No bare midriffs, low necklines, tube tops, extremely tight-fitting or revealing apparel      may be worn.

8.  No caps, hats, bandannas, sunglasses, headbands, or head covering of any kind may             be worn in the building.

 

Accessories/Jewelry

 

1.  All body piercing jewelry will be limited to the ear.

2.  Large chains may not be worn.

3.  Drug or weapon medallions may not be worn.

4.  Any jewelry that interferes with the schools’ educational environment may not be     worn.

 

Coats/Jackets

 

1.  Long topcoats, such as trench coats and dusters, may not be worn.

2.  Coats must be put in lockers immediately upon entering the building.

 

 

 

Shoes

 

1.  Shoes are to be worn at all times.

 

Symbols

 

Bringing or wearing symbols which promote racial or social discord or which are related to gang activity is specifically prohibited.

 

Toys

 

Toys that are brought to school will be allowed only if teacher has sent a note saying to bring something that goes along with the classroom activities.  No look alike weapons will be allowed.

 

Consequences for failure to follow the system’s dress code

 

First Offense:     Verbal reprimand.  Parents will be notified and the child will be                           

allowed to change clothes and remain in the regular school setting.***

 

Second Offense:     The student will be placed in in-school suspension for one (1) school       

day.  Parents will be notified.

 

Third Offense:     The student will be placed in in-school suspension for three (3)        

school days.  Parents will be notified.

 

Repeated offenses may result in referral to the Disciplinary Committee for placement in the Alternative School.

 

***On a first offense, if the parent cannot be notified, the student will be placed in in-school suspension until contact with the parent can be made.  If necessary, parents will be notified through registered mail.

 

SCHOOL WIDE CONDUCT RULES

 

So all teachers will be able to handle routine disciplinary problems uni­formly, we have established a list of some conduct violations for which students will always be held accountable.

 

1.      Unexcused absence

2.      Being late to school, class, or activity