Welcome to Rutherford School. One of the greatest opportunities in our country is an education for all. We are pleased you are receiving your education at Rutherford school. We can assure you Rutherford School is conscious about the safety of our students and has a well-developed educational program that places students’ best interests first. Enjoy the year and take advantage of this opportunity to learn. This handbook has been prepared for students and parents to become acquainted with our policies and procedures. We believe informed students and parents lead to a more positive and safe school environment. Occasionally during the year there will be a policy or rule change and we will notify you about these.
MAJORITY TO MINORITY TRANSFER POLICY-The GCSSD shall permit students from other school districts to transfer to the GCSSD if the race of the student who plans to transfer is in the minority at the GCSSD school to which he/she applies for transfer.
TRESPASSING - There is to be NO TRESPASSING on any school property when school is not in session. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
RUTHERFORD SCHOOL will not distribute materials of any kind to the students, unless they are school related.
RULES WILL BE ENFORCED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL! These rules are for all students. It is left to the discretion of teachers to have rules that apply in the classroom and these are to be followed by students without question.
· BE PREPARED EVERY DAY – Bring books, paper, pencil, homework, and any required materials to class. Parents need to check often to see if students have the supplies they need. It is not the responsibility of the school or teacher to furnish students with school supplies.
· BE RESPECTFUL OF TEACHERS, STAFF, STUDENTS AND GUESTS IN THE SCHOOL – Being respectful of school property and property of others is demanded.
· PROFANITY/OBSCENCE--The use of profanity or making obscene gestures is a serious rule violation and will not be tolerated. Children may be exposed to this at other places but school is to be a positive environment.
· DO YOUR OWN WORK – When a teacher finds students cheating both the person cheating and the student helping will be punished.
· Students are NOT allowed to work on assignments from other subjects in class without permission from that teacher.
· SCHOOL DAY – Every effort should be made to arrive at school before classes begin. No student should be tardy more than once or twice a year. Three tardies constitute one unexcused absence and work from an unexcused absence cannot be made up. All students should arrive by 7:45 and are tardy after 7:50 in Jr. High (grades 5-8) and 8:00 AM in Elementary (K-4). They must go to the office for a note to enter the classroom when they are tardy. Each year there are students who are habitually late. 1st unexcused tardy—a warning, 2nd unexcused tardy—loss of one break, 3rd unexcused tardy—detention, 4th unexcused tardy—letter to parent and meeting with principal.
· DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO are serious rule violations. Students are not to be in possession or under the influence of either. Possession or use of tobacco products by a minor is a violation of state law. The School Resource Officer will petition any minor in possession of these to juvenile court.
· “ZERO” TOLERANCE is the rule for weapons at school. There are to be no weapons of any kind brought to school for any reason.
· CELLULAR PHONES/BEEPERS—Students will be permitted to have cell phones in their possession throughout the school day. However, cell phone use will only be permitted before the first bell (that is when you enter the school at 7:25 AM-first bell) and after the last bell (after the bus students and walkers have been completely dismissed at 3:20 PM) of the day. Students must have their cell phones turned off during the school day. Cell phones will not be visible during the school day. Should a student be observed using a cell phone, or a cell phone rings during the school day, the following disciplinary actions will take place: 1st Time—Student will be warned, the phone will be taken up, and a call will be made to a parent or guardian. 2nd Time—A meeting is required with student and parent or guardian. Student abuse of the policy could result in the student losing the privilege to be able to carry a cell phone permanently, or for a period of time as determined by the administrator. Cell phones must be OFF when students are on a school bus. During times of testing and other student evaluations, teachers may request that students remove their cell phones from their possession, by returning to a locker or placing under a desk, reducing the possibility of compromised test security. Fire drills, assemblies, or other school evacuations are considered cell phone blackouts. During such contingencies, there will be absolute zero tolerance on cell phone use. No inappropriate Internet downloads will be allowed. Cell phones MAY NOT BE USED by a driver of an auto while an auto is in motion on a school campus.
- FIGHTING- Students who take part in fighting are held responsible regardless of who starts the fight. Fighting in school is a possible 3-day suspension from school. Punishment may be more severe for a fight that is serious and injuries are sustained. If a student knows he/she is about to be involved in a fight they need to tell a teacher so the fight can be avoided.
- GUM AND CANDY are not allowed in our school. Students will be disciplined accordingly. 1st Time—miss break 2nd Time—sent to office for work duty
-SECURITY--Security is a must! Every visitor must go through the office. Parents need to contact the office to set up a meeting with teacher.
- ACADEMIC HONOR BANQUET(Grades 5-8) & HONOR ROLL MOVIE (Grades 1-4) REQUIREMENTS
Student must maintain a grade point average of 92 and make no grade below an 86.
- HONOR ROLL—Students can not make any grade below an 85.
- MAKE UP WORK is the responsibility of the student. Only work with an excused absence may be made up. Students are to ask the teacher what they are to make up and get the work to the teacher. Work that is not made up will result in a zero on the grade. Students have ONE school day for each day missed to turn in make up work.
- Respect the teachers’ rights to privacy. Do not look in their desk, grade book or files. Do not sit at their desk or be in the workroom.
- Jr. High students are to keep their belongings in their lockers (except band instruments.) Book bags are kept in the locker and not carried from one class to the next. No Rolling backpacks are allowed in grades 5-8 due to our narrow hallways. The lockers are to be neat and are subject to search at any time. NO STICKERS on the inside or outside of the locker. Locks must be approved through the office. Valuables should not be left in the lockers. P.E. locks must also be approved through the office.
- Students are not to bring CD players, personal games or toys, inappropriate magazines or books, playing cards and any type of trading cards to school.
- STUDENT DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP RULES
Students are to be dropped off in the back parking lot or at the west end of the school by the Methodist church (white church). Please do not park in Faculty/Staff parking in front of school AM or PM. Afternoon pick-up Rules are as follows:
- Vehicle parking for afternoon pick-up may only be in the back parking lot in the designed parking area.
- You may only pull up to the white pick-up line when you see your child (student) at the designated area to be picked up.
- The students will not be allowed to cross the white pick-up line unless the parent (guardian) walks to pick them up or the vehicle is driven up to the white pick-up line at the appropriate time.
- If problems occur, your name, vehicle, and/or license plate number will be reported to the local police.
- Two Rutherford School teachers will be assigned and will supervise the afternoon pick-up process, these school staff members will be in charge of afternoon pick-ups.
- Please pick-up your child (student) and leave immediately so the process will go as quickly as possible.
We know that we have had some problems in the past with our car-rider situation and have tried many different ways to correct the problems. For the safety of the students, we cannot leave them unattended on the back parking lot for them to be picked up. A teacher or staff member will be outside until students are loaded into cars and have left the school grounds. Car riders are to be dismissed at 3:05 PM. There should be someone here to pick up your child at that time and the student should know who is picking him/her up. If no one has picked up your child by 3:20 PM, they will be sent to the After School Childcare Program. This will cost you $5.00 for the first child and $2.50 for each additional child. If this happens more than 1 time you will be required to fill out an application for the After School Program and pay an enrollment fee. We do understand that there are times emergencies arise that can keep you from being on time to pick up your child. If you know that you are going to be running later than 3:20 PM you should notify the school office so arrangements can be made. Please do this only in emergency situations. Please remember that we cannot leave your child unattended in the school or on the school grounds.
ATTENDANCE - Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session. Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his/her designee. Excused absences shall include:
1. Personal illness;
2. Illness of immediate family member;
3. Death in the family;
4. Extreme weather conditions;
5. Religious observances; or
6. Circumstances that (in the judgment of the principal) create an emergency over which the student has no control.
Truancy is defined as an absence for an entire school day, a major portion of the school day or the major portion of any class, study hall or activity during the school day for which the student is scheduled. To view the entire GCSSD Attendance Policy visit their website at http://www.gcssd.org/
DRESS CODE For Students in K-8 - All students must be clean and wear appropriate clothing. Clothing must follow the guidelines in this book or be deemed appropriate by the principal or building supervisor.
- No large coats (i.e. trench coats) are allowed.
- No flip flops, house shoes, or shoes with wheels of any kind are allowed.
- Sports caps or hats are not allowed for leisure wear, only for cold weather.
- No see through tops, spaghetti strap tops, tank tops, halter tops or tops that are excessively low cut (no more than four fingers from collar bone) or tight are allowed. Shirts may not be worn that reveal the stomach or mid-riff in any way. Clothing that advertises drugs, alcohol, and wrestling or displays profane or suggestive language or clothing that is offensive to others may not be worn.
- Shorts may be worn until October 1st and may be worn beginning April 1st. Students in grades 5-8 must touch the top of the knee. Students in grades K-4 must follow the fingertip rule. Shorts must be as long as the student’s arms when stretched down to their side. They may be no shorter than the fingertips.
- If a student wears shorts that are not within policy requirements they will not be allowed to wear them again during that period. This does not apply to P E classes and ball practices.
- No body or ear piercing is allowed for boys. Only ear piercing is allowed for girls.
- Skirts will be no shorter than 4 inches above the knee.
- PANTS will be worn with the waistband around the waist and not sagging below the waist. Students not following this rule will be given a belt by the office or sent home. No holes in pants above the knee and no holes that are seam to seam are allowed.
- PANTS with wording across the back cannot be worn.
- No shirts with cut off sleeves can be worn. Sleeveless shirts can be worn as long as the sleeve is hemmed and does not gape in the armhole. Sleeveless shirts must cover the entire shoulder.
- For safety purposes, anything that is distracting to the normal school day will not be allowed. This includes large chains, large necklaces and excessive earrings (girls).
- Clothing and/or general appearance (hair, etc.) in the opinion of the principal that is suggestive or offensive will not be allowed. This could apply to several different clothing situations.
BUS BEHAVIOR is so important for the safety of everyone! Riding a school bus is a privilege extended to students and this privilege can be removed at any time for disruptive or unsatisfactory conduct. Behavior on the bus is a major concern because of the possible consequence of a driver trying to monitor bad behavior. The same school rules of conduct apply on the bus. Students should be quiet and courteous. No eating or drinking is allowed. Keep arms and feet and other objects inside the bus. Students must obey the driver. Video cameras are placed on the buses and will be used as needed. Failure to obey rules will be dealt with the following ways: 1st offense – Driver warns student; 2nd offense- Driver brings student to the principal’s office and appropriate punishment will be administered; 3rd offense – Student will be suspended from the bus for an appropriate number of days.
4th offense – Parents will meet with bus driver, principal and transportation supervisor. Student may be denied transportation for the remainder of the year if a workable solution is not found by officials. Some behaviors such as fighting, profanity, etc. will result in immediate suspension without prior warnings. Students can only ride their assigned bus unless the driver receives a note or call from the parent or school office giving permission to student to ride an alternate bus.
DISCIPLINE – Inappropriate behavior will be dealt with by punishment. The punishment is selected depending on the nature of the behavior that is not acceptable, age of the student and number of prior incidents.
- Warnings (only one given to each student)
- Writing assignment from textbook, dictionary or encyclopedia
- Contacting parents to notify them of the behavior problem.
- School suspension – In-school suspension is when a student is isolated in a room near the office. Out-of-school a student is not allowed on campus at anytime.
- After school detention (Grades 2-8)–Reasons for detention: inappropriate behavior, disrespectfulness, late assignments, and excessive tardiness. The student is required to stay after school from 3:15-4:15 pm on Wednesday. If it becomes necessary for your student stay in detention, a form will be sent home informing you of the day they are required to stay. This will allow you adequate time to make adjustments in your schedule so you may pick your student up promptly at 4:15. The pick-up point will be the Junior High entrance.
- Parent Meeting-Parents are requested to come to school and discuss the behavior. These must take place when out of school suspension is used.
- Corporal punishment – Used occasionally and follows school district policy. A parent has the right to request their child NOT be paddled. This request MUST be written and on file. The request does not carry over from one year to the next. By making this request the parents must take an active part in the discipline and immediately take the student home for a 3-day unexcused suspension. This is also the procedure for a student who refuses a spanking.
- Alternative school placement – The student is assigned to a school sight that houses students who need a different setting. The parent is responsible for transportation and lunch.
Due to the seriousness of fighting and the implications that go with physical disagreements, the punishment for a fight is a possible 3 day suspension for students involved in a fight. This applies even when a student hits back since that student has made a decision at that time to take part. Punishment may be more severe for a fight that is more serious and injuries are sustained. Anytime a student feels threatened or is about to be in a fight, he/she needs to make an adult aware of this situation. Students who encourage fighting will also be punished.
VERBAL THREATS/BULLYING – When one student threatens or harasses another student it is very serious. Any type of verbal threats or verbal harassment will be taken seriously by school officials. Students involved will be dealt with on an individual basis.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT-Sexual harassment of any kind is taken seriously. Rutherford School follows the Gibson County School District policy. You may review this policy by visiting the GCSSD website at http://www.gcssd.org/
EARLY DROP OFF – The school will not be open until 7:25 AM for ALL students. If a parent must be at work at 7:30 and their child is in grades K-4 that student may enter the building at 7:20 and NOT BEFORE. This student must have a parent note on file requesting early entry. If this is abused by parents (bringing their child before 7:20) we will no longer allow early entry. Students can be placed in before school care. THIS IS NOT FOR OLDER STUDENTS OR STUDENTS WHO WALK. Rutherford School will not be responsible for any students prior to 7:25 AM or after 3:20 PM.
EARLY DEPARTURE – Any student who leaves school early must be check out through the office. Only a parent or approved guardian will be allowed to check a student out of school. We expect students to remain here until school dismisses unless they MUST leave for an appointment or illness. Please try and make appointments on vacation days or after school when possible.
PROTECTED TIME-Students will no longer be allowed to leave school during a class unless it is an emergency. Parents will only be able to check out their children between classes, during break or during lunch. This is a new policy to guarantee minimal interruptions of instruction time. Each child’s schedule will be sent home the first day of school. Parents are strongly encouraged to only make appointments in the late afternoon or after school.
INCLEMENT WEATHER-In the case of inclement weather please DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL. Listen to 97.7 radio. The radio station is called before the schools and we need our phones to alert bus drivers, etc. In case of early dismissal have a plan made for your child and be sure he/she knows what to do. GCSSD is implementing an automatic phone system you will be contacted if school is dismissed.
OFFICE TELEPHONE- NO MESSAGES GIVEN TO STUDENTS UNLESS THERE IS AN EMERGENCY. We consider an emergency a sudden illness. Please do not abuse the message system at our school. Please make your children aware of all arrangements before he/she goes to school each day.
GYM GUIDELINES-Rules for behavior in the Rutherford School gym are posted in the gymnasium. Anyone not following these rules will be asked to leave and may not be allowed to attend future events. No one is allowed in the gym after school hours without permission from the Principle.
AFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE is available. For information contact the school office.
VISITORS – Parents may walk their children (grades K-4 only) to class the first 2 weeks of school. This is for the safety of all. The only door visitors may use is the front door beside the playground during the day. We invite parents to our school for lunch. Feel free to come have lunch with your children. It helps our cafeteria staff if you let us know by 10:00 that day or before you are coming to eat lunch.
FIRST AID – We treat minor injuries with first aid supplies. If there is a potentially serious injury your child’s teacher or nurse will notify you. It is vitally important that the information on your child’s emergency form change that you notify us so you can be found in an emergency. We do not give any medication to children without proper paperwork.
BREAKFAST – Full price is $1.00 and reduced $.30 Extra juice or milk $.40
LUNCH – Full price $1.75 and $8.75 for a five-day week. Reduced is $.40 or $2.00 for a five day week
Lunch money must be paid each Monday and we can no longer charge lunch. Should a child forget his money he may borrow the money in the office for one day’s lunch, but only for one day. When you pay for the entire week of lunches and the student misses or brings his lunch, those days are carried over to the following week. Forms for free or reduced lunches are available throughout the year if you should have a need. This form is confidential and those who receive free or reduced lunches are not singled out in any way. Grades 6-8 pay for lunches on Monday before school. The cafeteria supervisor cannot collect money on other days. Free/reduced forms will be sent home at the beginning of the year and must be completed accurately and certified at the school before a child receives meals. They must list an income or it will only be temporarily approved and will be for only 30 days. During the school year I will have to verify income on a random selection so be sure that you form is accurate. If your bring your lunch remember that no soft drink cans or bottles are allowed in the cafeteria.
MEDICATION PROCEDURE – These are the main points of the operational procedure for medications. Remember medications are to ONLY be given by the school nurse or her designee.
- It is necessary to have a signed consent form for ANY medication to be administered at the school. These forms are in the office. No physician’s order has to be signed as long as the medication bottle directions are current and agree with the parental consent directions. All prescription medications must be in the original container. All other medications must be in their original container.
- Any changes in prescription medications such as dosage or time will require a new form to be signed.
- The school nurse will continue to have the responsibility of administering the medications. She is also available for parent consultations.
- No student is to carry any medications at school.
- All unused medications must be claimed at the end of the school year or they will be discarded.
BICYCLES- For a student to ride a bicycle to school both the student and parent must sign a form taking responsibility for any damage caused by the bicycle. There have been cars damaged by students riding bicycles and we want to prevent this. The forms are in the office.
TEXTBOOKS- A lost book fee is the cost of the book the school pays to replace that book. Failure to pay a fine for a lost or damaged textbook or library book will result in:
- Refusal to issue any additional textbooks until restitution is made.
- Not issuing student’s report card or transcripts until fine is paid.
ATHLETICS- Athletic teams are an important part of the total education of students. We encourage students to take part and be involved. For a student to participate in a sport or cheerleading we require them to pass all academic subjects with an acceptable grade. All students planning to tryout for athletics must have a current physical on file with the coach before tryouts begin. Students on these teams are expected to behave at their best at all times. Behavior problems can result in the dismissal of a student from an athletic team by the coach and/or principal.
HEAD LICE – The school district policy concerning head lice is the student must not have any “nits” in their hair. We have no way to detect if the nits are alive and will hatch or treatment was successful. We require proof of treatment after a child has been determined to have head lice. The box top or a note from a doctor or health department is proof. This is embarrassing to children and not healthy for students. Periodic checks of students will be conducted. If a student reaches an excessive amount of days missed due to head lice, he/she will be referred to the Truant Board of the Gibson County Juvenile Judge.
QUESTIONS-If you have questions about anything in this handbook or any other school-related matter, please contact the principal.
Rutherford School is a member of the Gibson County School District. We follow all policies set forth by the GCSSD Director of Schools and Board of Trustees. To view the GCSSD policies visit http://www.gcssd.org/ The success of our students is very important to the faculty and staff. Nothing pleases us more than seeing a child learn and succeed. If your student is having a problem we will work and talk with parents to find solutions to the problem. We ask that you do not drop by to see a teacher because they are busy with students and cannot leave the classroom. Call the office and schedule an appointment or request a phone call. All teachers are willing to visit with parents as needed.
