Teachers

Teachers’ Handbook Table of Contents

Topics Pages

First Day of School 1

Enrollment 1

Teacher Policies and information 6-7-8

Telephone Messages 8

Fire and Disaster Drills 9-10

Student Activity Funds 11-12

Being There Experience 13-16

Teacher Absences/Substitutes 18-21

Procedures for Chemical Spills 22

Copies in Folder Pocket: Tribes Room Assignment

Counselor Referral

Odd Hour Form

Referrals

Summons

Temporary Class Roll

School Calendar

THOREAU

DEMONSTRATION ACADEMY

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL September 2, 2003

At 8:45 a.m. – 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades report to Auditorium

Tribes teachers will report to the auditorium and call names of pupils on their class list. Tribes teachers will take all students and escort them to their Tribes area. Tribes teachers will sign all schedule cards and make a class list. (Use "Temporary Class Roll" form.) Take roll from schedule cards and return cards to students.

Instruct students to make a copy of their schedule card.

All students who have not enrolled will report to the Library. Tribes will last until 9:05 a.m. All unclaimed schedule cards should be sent to the attendance clerk by 9:25. Students will then report to first hour and follow their schedules for the remainder of the day.

The seventh hour teacher will take roll from the schedule cards and return the schedule cards to the students. Have the students place their schedule cards inside the plastic pocket in the back of their agenda books. Distribute any handouts that may need distribution at 3:20 today. Five (5) minutes allowed for passing between classes.

A. Enrollment

Thoreau Academy students who are properly enrolled will carry schedule cards. These schedule cards will indicate the subject and periods to which students have been assigned.

Be guided by the following procedures:

Accept into your class only those students who bring a completed schedule card.

Check each card carefully to see that the student belongs in your class and sign the card in the space provided.

Do not accept:

Students who do not have schedule cards should be sent to the counselor.

6^th – Ms. Martin

7^th (A-H) Ms. Martin

7^th (I-Z) Ms. Moore

8^th – Ms. Moore

Students whose cards indicate they are not scheduled in your class for that particular period should be directed to the appropriate classroom.

    Your class roll should be made from the names on
the cards that have been signed. Use the form "Temporary Class Roll". Forms for reporting the size of each class will be in record room teachers’ boxes.

    After completing the class roll, return the signed
schedule cards to the students. Instruct students that if they lose their schedule cards, they should report to the counselor immediately.

    Tribes teachers, please instruct your students to make sure the bottom portion of the schedule card is accurate and complete.

Attendance

By 9:05 today, take the attendance and send it to the attendance clerk in the main office. All unclaimed schedule cards should be sent to the attendance clerk by 9:30 a.m. Once a student has reported to your class, you must count them either present or absent each day thereafter.

Tribes:

Tribes teachers should have an absentee card for each student enrolled in class. Call roll using the absentee cards. Pull the absentee card of each student who is absent and send to Donna Shook NO LATER than 9:10, but not before 9:05 by a student. If there are no absences, send the "No Absences" card to Donna Shook in the main office. Taking attendance is required from each Tribes teacher each day. Teachers (NEVER STUDENTS) must call roll.

B. Attendance Bulletin

An attendance bulletin is printed each day and issued to teachers during second hour. Please consult this bulletin when taking roll for the remainder of the day. This bulletin lists all students reported absent from Tribes AND students who have entered school or withdrawn from school the day before. Check the following four points carefully.

    1. Do not report absent during the remainder of the day those
         students listed as absent on the attendance bulletin.

    2. Report as absent those students NOT listed on the attendance
         bulletin and who do not appear in class. (NOTE: This is how we
        catch many truants.)

    3. The attendance clerk will check out all absences.

    4. Any student listed on the attendance bulletin who reports to class
         later in the day MUST present an official admit from the attendance
        desk for the teacher’s signature or be sent immediately to the
        attendance desk to secure an "Admit".

C. Second Hour through Seventh Hour

Call roll using the class list. Students who are absent should be marked as such on the class list. Check the attendance bulletin to see if the absent student is listed. If the student is not listed on the attendance bulletin, he or she is considered to be truant. Fill out an Odd Hour Absentee Form for each hour. (See folder pocket) Send these attendance slips to the attendance clerk in the main office each hour of the day. No student should be allowed to sit in your class if their name appears on the attendance bulletin.

D. Tardy

    All students are to be in their Tribe, seated, quiet, and ready for activities at 8:45 a.m.. A student who is tardy to school must report to the attendance clerk when they arrive. The teacher should keep a record of all tardies.

E. Classroom Tardies

Tardy Procedures

ON ALL TARDIES

The teacher should keep a record of tardies.

THIRD TARDY

The teacher should contact a parent/guardian for assistance.

FOURTH TARDY

Student should receive a summons (see folder pocket) from the teacher.

FIFTH TARDY

The teacher should issue a counselor’s referral (see folder pocket) to the counselor. The counselor will conference with student and may make parent contact.
6^th & 7^th(A-H) Ms. Martin
7^th(I-Z) & 8^th Ms. Moore

SIXTH TARDY

Discipline Referral (see folder pocket) – Assistant Principal may schedule a parent conference and initiate appropriate disciplinary remedies.

STUDENT TARDIES ARE NOT CUMULATIVE. THAT IS, YOU MUST START AGAIN AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH 9 WEEKS.

The Summons Procedure

Teachers may issue a summons to any student who misbehaves in or outside the classroom. Once the summons is issued it is the responsibility of the student to have it signed by an administrator and parent. The summons should include the following information:

Name of the student.
Time and date (usually the next day) summons is to be served.
Place summons is to be served (usually in the classroom or in detention).
Reason for summons.

Type of parent contact and date contact was made.
IF SUMMONS IS TO BE SERVED IN THE CLASSROOM:
Give the top 2 copies to the student, keep 1 copy for yourself,
And put 1 copy in the Assistant Principal’s box.
IF THE SUMMONS IS TO BE SERVED IN DETENTION: Give the top 2 copies to the student and put the bottom 2 copies in the Assistant Principal’s box.

A summons may be served even if it has not been signed by a parent. A parent’s signature is not intended to be permission for the student to serve

the summons. If the summons is not signed when the student reports to serve it, the teacher may call the parent. In case of an emergency, parents may request the rescheduling of a summons provided that he/she notifies the teacher in advance.

Students absent from school on the day they are to serve a summons shall serve it upon their return at the convenience of the teacher. If a summons is not served, the time of the summons may be doubled.

TEACHER POLICIES AND INFORMATION

STAFF WORK HOURS :

Teachers : 8:15 a. m. to 3:50 p.m.

Teachers are expected to be in assigned building at 8:15 a.m. and in assigned classroom no later than 8:35. They are expected to remain in the building until 3:45 p.m. each afternoon to meet and help students in need after class. Faculty meetings will be held regularly and all staff members are required to attend. If it is necessary to leave the building prior to 3:45 p.m., please notify the PRINCIPAL or ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL directly. Teachers MUST sign out when it becomes necessary to leave during the day.

TEACHER’S PERSONAL BUSINESS APPOINTMENTS:

(Not covered by TPS leave provisions)

Appointments arranged between staff members and other persons which are not "job related" or "in the line of duty" and which require time away from the assigned class and building will not be approved by the principal. Exception is the Personal Business Provisions in the Personnel Handbook. Don’t presume that you can be absent from your assignment – ask first.

Doctor, dental, and business appointments should be arranged after 3:45 p.m. There are always emergencies and circumstances that require special attention and will be treated on an individual basis.

TEACHER ABSENCES

If you cannot perform your teaching duties, before 7:00 a.m. call the sub office, call Mr. Padalino at 665-1476 or Audrey Doctor at 307-1918.

Handout of procedure for securing a substitute-SUBFINDER 746-6616.

If you call the sub office, call 746-6811 and please call the school after

8:00 a.m. at 833-9701 so that we know to expect a sub.

EMERGENCY LEAVE AND PERSONAL BUSINESS

(See Certified Personnel Handbook)

SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES

Employees should check out the notebooks dealing with Policy and Administration of Independent School District No. 1. It is a good idea to be familiar with the items in these books. Copies are available in the office. Please contact Tom Padalino if you need assistance.

SUBSTITUTE FOLDER

Each teacher is to make up a substitute folder containing helpful information for the substitute teacher. (The folder will be provided by the office). This should contain the following items: schedule of classes, class rolls, seating charts, break and lunch information, duty roster, school and class rules, room procedures, review type lesson plans. This information makes it easier for everyone to function during your absence. Please turn this folder in to Karen Lowen.

EMERGENCY LEAVE AND PERSONAL BUSINESS

(See Certified Personnel Handbook)

SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS

NEVER LEAVE YOUR ROOM UNATTENDED WHEN STUDENTS ARE PRESENT. Also, it is a good idea to lock any room or classroom when it will be vacant AND TURN LIGHTS OFF. Procedure for coverage of classroom (i.e. Teacher restroom usage)

CHILD ABUSE

If there is a reason to believe that a child has been abused, (neglected, beaten, sexually molested, etc.), send the child to the office and notify the principal immediately! Reference School Board Policy Manual JHG* & JHG*-R.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE PRINCIPAL

Open Door Policy

Keep me informed

Notes going home to entire class need to be approved prior to distribution

MONTHLY CALENDAR

Located in the main office

ASBESTOS PLAN

The Asbestos Plan is available in the Principal’s office

TEACHING CERTIFICATES

Please make sure you have a current teaching certificate on file at the school and ESC

MORNING PROCEDURES AND TEACHER –STUDENT APPOINTMENTS:

Students entering the building in the morning must use the main doorways.

Students who wish to stay outside must remain near the West doorway. It is the responsibility of the teacher on hall duty to monitor traffic through the doors. Hall duty assignments will be from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and from 3:30 – 3:45 p.m.

Teachers will be available to help from 3:30 – 3:45 p.m. daily except when a faculty meeting is in session or the teacher is holding detention or hall duty.

Teachers may, at their option, ask a pupil to see the teacher before school. IN SUCH CASES, THE TEACHER MUST WRITE A PASS TO PERMIT THE PUPIL TO GO TO THE TEACHER’S ROOM.

BUILDING, DEPARTMENTAL, TEAM AND IN-SERVICE MEETINGS:

Faculty meetings will be held on a regular basis. Input from the staff will be used in determining the time and day. Teachers are expected to attend staff meetings. It is the responsibility of the teacher to obtain any information missed through non-attendance.

When a teacher cannot attend a scheduled meeting for reason of personal illness or conflict, he or she MUST notify the person in charge of the meeting. However, remember that you have a contractual obligation to attend meetings.

Departmental meetings and committee meetings will be scheduled as needed. File a schedule of your meetings with the principal.

MORNING PROCEDURES

Students should not enter the school building prior to the times that teachers have been assigned to supervise them.

Cafeteria and bus duty special assignments begin are from 8:15-8:45 a.m. each morning.

Students eating breakfast are responsible for cleaning up their own areas.

(See cafeteria procedures).

Students may be asked to assist the cafeteria duty teacher by cleaning

additional areas in the cafeteria.

Morning supervision teachers report to the area of supervision promptly at 8:15 a.m. and remain on duty until 8:45 a.m.

CORRIDOR SUPERVISION

Supervision of the corridors during the day is the joint responsibility of all members of the faculty. Teachers are to monitor all activities and supervise students during the change of classes.

SCHOOL SECURITY

Stop and assist ALL persons that you do not know. All persons must have checked in through the main office and have a THOREAU visitor badge. Student safety in our Number One Priority.

PROCEDURES FOR EARLY MORNING

(See handbook)

MAIL

Packages cannot be mailed through the office. Inter-school mail should be put in the mail bag in the office. U.S. mail should be placed on the counter in the main office. Always use manila envelopes for inter-school mail. Mail received will be placed in the teachers’ boxes as soon as it is received. A special delivery letter or telegram will be sent to the teacher by an office assistant.

TELEPHONE MESSAGES:

Telephone messages WILL BE PLACED IN YOUR MAILBOX UNLESS THE MESSAGE INVOLVES AN EMERGENCY. If you are expecting an important message, please notify the office and every effort will be made to deliver the message.

TEACHERS’ LOUNGE:

It is necessary that EACH TEACHER ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING THE CLEANLINESS OF THIS AREA. The lounge is for the use of our teachers and staff.

FIRE AND DISASTER DRILLS:

Read the fire and disaster drill instructions to students. Be sure they understand the procedure in case of fire or disaster. Post instructions on the bulletin board in each classroom. Students are expected to use the lifeskill of common sense (to use good judgement) during fire and disaster drills.

Fire Drill Procedures

Signal

Chirping sound and light will flash

Signal to return to building

Whistle blown by principal, assistant principal, custodian or security guard

Evacuating the classrooms

Each teacher is held responsible for the class that is in his/her room. Instructions must be given to each group. Discipline and control are more important than speed. Students are not to stop for coats, books, or any personal property. Students should exit in single file. The student nearest the exit going first, etc. The first student to reach the exit doors should hold them open. No line of students should stop less than one hundred feet from

The building. Pushing, talking, running, or any kind of horseplay should not be tolerated. Each teacher should check their classroom to see that no students are left in the room, then close the door.

Accounting for Students

When students reach a designated point outside the building the teacher should ascertain if all his/her class is present. No student should re-enter the building for any reason.

Exit Instructions

There should be two lines going down the corridors, the stairways and out the exits. Rooms will be designated stay LEFT or RIGHT.

ROOMS

Auditorium

Same as your exit door when you dismiss from an assembly and then out the nearest outside door.

Gyms

Use outside exits in respective gyms and locker rooms.

Cafeteria

Students shall use any of the three exit doors to vacate the cafeteria.

Classrooms

Students and teachers should refer to yellow evacuation sheets for directions on Fire Drill and Disaster Drill routines.

HANDLING OF STUDENT ACTIVITY FUNDS:

Following are policies and practices for the proper and legal operation of our Student Activity Fund.

Any and all money collected at school from students is considered Student Activity Funds. (Exception: PTSA funds)

All Student Activity Funds collected by teachers must be approved in advance by the principal.

All students must be given a receipt when money is collected for any activity.

All Student Activity Funds collected by teachers must be turned over to the treasurer for receipt and deposit daily. Require a receipt from the treasurer. The receipt must be in balance with the amount of money given to the treasurer.

It is expressly forbidden to deposit funds collected from pupils in teacher’s private bank account.

All money must be receipted and deposited in the bank by the treasurer.

No money is to be left in the school building at night, weekends, or holidays.

Money that cannot be banked will be placed in the school safe until processed and banked.

Student Activity Fund monies require prior approval for usage by the Board of Control.

Money collected must be processed before going to the treasurer. That is, it must be:

             1. Counted

            2. Paper money separated by denomination, bills face up.

               3. Coins wrapped

               4. Excess coins in envelope with amount recorded on
                    outside of envelope.

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