Student/Parent Handbook

Effective schools are the result of a dedicated faculty and staff working together with families and the community to share in the success of all students at school. Increased student self-esteem occurs when parents and teachers collaborate to ensure learning takes place at the school, in the home, and in the community.
 
Upon arrival at Loxley Elementary School:

• All visitors must report to the front office of the school.
• Visitors are asked to ring the office using the buzzer system beside the front door. Identification must be presented at this time.
• Before proceeding to any classroom, visitors will be required to sign the computer visitor’s log and receive a nametag that must be worn throughout the time a visitor is on campus.
• Any visitor who is not a student’s parent, guardian, and/or has not been designated to have access to Loxley students will be required to obtain entrance permission from the SRO or the principal.  

Thank you for your understanding of these procedures. It is our goal to provide a warm, welcoming environment while also assuring the safest possible conditions for students, faculty, and staff. We appreciate your understanding of the precautionary measures. In addition, our students are asked to inform their teachers and/or school personnel of anyone on campus without appropriate identification.
 
Loxley Elementary School will be following all CDC, state, and Baldwin County Public School guidelines.

All visitors must go to the school office to check in. Please have your ID available. Once checked in, visitors will be given a visitor's pass.

■ Upon arriving in the morning, students report directly to designated areas and remain there until dismissed by the teacher. Running, playing, or talking loudly are not permitted.

■ Students should not arrive on campus before 7:15 a.m., as supervision is not available before that hour. For the safety of our students, they should be dropped off only in the designated unloading zone; teachers are on duty to ensure that your child arrives safely to class. School personnel will be available throughout the school to assist children to ensure they arrive at the appropriate destinations.

■ When school is dismissed, bus riders are to report to their appropriate buses. Walkers leave campus promptly, taking a safe route. After-school Care students meet in the cafeteria. Car riders are to report to car line and wait quietly, following safe loading procedures. All car riders will be loaded from the car line; students must wait for a teacher to assist loading the car. No eating is permitted at this time.

■ Because seating is limited, students may not ride a different bus to go home with a friend; parents must make other arrangements before coming to school. On rare occasions, an emergency may warrant a bus change. In this case, a note must be sent to the administrator at the beginning of the school day explaining the emergency and including a phone number where the parent can be reached during the day. This note, signed by the administrator, must be given to the bus driver. This same procedure holds for students getting off at a different stop than normal.

■ Remember that the buses are like classrooms and the drivers are the teachers. Proper conduct on Baldwin County Public School buses is required and behavior must not endanger the safety and welfare of others. A student who misbehaves or is uncooperative while riding the bus may be suspended from the bus. Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked if students do not behave appropriately.

■  All transportation changes must be in writing and be approved by the office.-Many phone calls this year to accept changes.

Bus Conduct: Students are expected to follow the same conduct rules on buses as in the classroom. The bus driver has the same authority on the bus as the teacher does in the classroom. A student who is uncooperative on the bus will be referred to the office for disciplinary action and possible suspension from riding the bus.
 
Cafeteria Conduct: While in the cafeteria students should wait quietly in lines, eat quietly, and use good manners. Before leaving, each student is responsible for picking up any trash from products he/she brought to the table. Canned or bottled carbonated beverages and food from restaurants is not allowed in the cafeteria.
 
Discipline Procedures: Loxley Elementary holds a high standard of conduct for students. Each classroom teacher has designed his/her own classroom rules, which includes positive reinforcement as well as consequences for infractions. If a child does not appropriately correct his/her behavior with a teacher’s management system:

• The child will be referred to the principal’s office.
• In instances where misbehavior is severe such as verbal or physical aggression toward a student or staff member, the student will be sent immediately to the principal’s office.
• Bullying will not be tolerated. Children suspected of such behavior will be referred to school administrators.
• Fighting or acts of violence will not be tolerated. In most cases, such behavior will result in suspension. Due to the variety of disciplinary infractions that can occur within an elementary school, each situation will be handled individually. Appropriate consequences will be determined according to the severity of the infraction and developmental age of students.
• The use of personal, wireless communication devices by students is prohibited on school grounds or while students are being transported on a school bus, except as provided for herein. Personal, wireless communication devices include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones, pocket pagers, email devices, “walkie talkies,” or any other electronic communication device. Students are permitted to keep personal wireless devices only in lockers, the school office, or other locations.
• Please be aware that teachers, administrators, or other school personnel cannot discuss disciplinary consequences with anyone other than a child’s own parents or guardians. Confidentiality prohibits the school from sharing such information with individuals other than a child’s parents, school system personnel, or in extreme cases, law enforcement personnel.
• All Baldwin County Schools are alcohol free, drug free, tobacco free, and weapon free. Violators of these offenses will be suspended.
• Phone use by students is limited to emergency situations as determined by the staff. Emergency situations do not include forgotten items.

Field Trips

Field trips are an extension of classroom learning. Advance notification will be given with the date of the trip, cost of the trip, and the deadline for payment. Generally, the deadline will be several weeks before the actual trip.

• Field trips should be paid using www.MySchoolBucks.com. A permission slip signed by the parent/guardian is required for all field trips.
• Once bus arrangements and reservations have been made, refunds cannot be given.
• Siblings may not accompany chaperones on field trips. No child may participate in a field trip that is not a Loxley Elementary student. This includes babies, younger siblings, or children from other schools.
• While we want adults involved to enjoy field trips, the primary purpose for accompanying a class is to serve as chaperones and assist teachers with responsibilities connected to the trip. Parents are not included for the purpose of accompanying children as additional participants on trips. The state of
• Alabama requires a minimum adult/child ratio with each participating adult expected to provide supervision of children. 
• If you would like to chaperone, a background check must be completed prior to the trip. The fee is up to $20.

Illness

Students who become ill at school will be sent to the office. Early dismissal will be given, providing the parents or legal/guardian can be contacted and can arrange for the student to be picked up at school. If a student has a temperature, the parent must take the student home. Students must be fever-free before returning to school. We are not allowed to give non-prescription medication to students. Health records are maintained on each child. If your child has a medical problem, please be certain we know about it, especially in cases of epilepsy, diabetes, heart condition, asthma, or other serious condition. Keep a child home from school and seek medical advice or care if there is:

• Temperature elevated to 100.4 or greater
• Vomiting two or more times in the previous 24 hours
• Diarrhea or stools that are frequent, loose or watery, compared to child’s normal pattern
• Blister-like lesions, especially if they develop into pustules. May “weep” and crust.
• Skin rash that is new and accompanied by a fever
• Pink/reddish color to white part of the eye and thick discharge may be yellow or greenish in color
• Ringworm-A common skin infection, usually resulting in red, itching, scaly circular rash
• Any open wound, draining or pustular lesion on the skin
• Symptoms that prevent the student from active participation in usual school activities or student is requiring more care than school can safely provide

If your child is sent to the nurse, his or her complaints and symptoms will be evaluated. The nurse will take into consideration his or her ability to learn, classroom disruption and/or concern for the spread of illness. You may be called to pick-up your child even if symptoms differ from those described above.
 

Medications

If it is necessary for your child to take prescription medication during the school day, the parent must bring the medication to the office and complete necessary documentation. The signature of the prescribing physician is required on this paperwork. The medication must be in the container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy. Non-prescription drugs will require written permission, the time for medication, dosage, and be in a new, unopened bottle. Every effort should be given to avoid sending medication to school. All morning dosages should be given at home before the student reports to school.
Lost and Found The school maintains a lost and found. Please check this whenever your child is missing an item. Unclaimed items are donated to charity after an extended period.

Library Media Center

Students are encouraged to read, do research, and use other materials available in the media center. Students usually check out no more than two books at a time; exceptions can be made. Books are due back to the media center two weeks from the time they are checked out. If a student loses a book, s/he must pay the replacement cost of the book.

Lunchroom

Our school lunchroom operates under the National School Lunch Program and serves well-balanced, delicious meals.

• Menus will be distributed monthly.
• Breakfast will not be served after 7:40 unless a school bus has been delayed.
• All Baldwin County students will be provided free breakfast and lunch this school year. Students will still have to put their PIN numbers in daily. Students may purchase additional a la carte items. See below: Prices for adults are below:

Lunch Prices:           BCBE Employee and Visitors  $4.65      

Breakfast Prices:     BCBE Employee and Visitors  $3.05   

Parent Volunteers 

Parents are invited and encouraged to participate in our Parent Volunteer Program. Parents assist our school in many ways such as preparing instructional materials, aiding in the office and cafeteria, tutoring, and helping teachers and students in classrooms. Interested volunteers should contact the school office at 964-5334.
 

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Good parent/teacher communication is an essential ingredient to student achievement. Parent-teacher conferences can be beneficial to the student. Teachers and parents see the student from different perspectives and working together, they can form a strong partnership to promote the student's success. Parents are strongly encouraged to meet with the teacher to discuss questions and concerns, prior to contacting an administrator. The principal and assistant principal are available to all parents and are willing to meet with them. Please call the school office at 964-5334 or email your child’s teacher to set up conferences.
 

Class Parties 

Parties will be held throughout the school year. Non-school aged children should not attend school parties as these are intended to be a special time for the classroom children. While we understand that it can be difficult to make baby sitting arrangements for preschool aged children, Loxley Elementary School strives to make the students in the classroom the main priority. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this request. Birthday party invitation distribution must include all students in the class. Birthday treats may be sent to school. These treats may not be home baked.
 

Promotion and Retention

The decision to promote a student is based on a student's academic performance during the school year. The decision is a professional one and is the joint responsibility/decision of the teacher and principal, with input from other adults who play a significant role in the academic/social development of the child. Parent/Teacher conferences are highly recommended for students with academic deficiencies. Students must meet criteria established for each grade level to be considered for promotion. Parents are encouraged to keep track of their child’s progress through weekly grade reports, mid-quarter reports, and quarterly report cards.
 

Report Cards

Baldwin County Public Schools operates on a nine-week reporting period. Parents are encouraged to carefully study the report card and to schedule conferences with teachers to discuss the student’s progress. Student grades are always available through the parent portal in Powerschool, where grades are updated weekly.

Grading Codes for 1st-6th Grades:
A = 90-100%      B = 80-89%      C = 70-79%       D = 60-69%)     F= Below 60%     I = Incomplete

Grading Codes for Kindergarten/Art/Music/PE/Library/Conduct:
G(Good)=85-100       S(Satisfactory)=70-84    N(Needs Improvement)=69-60          U=Failing
 
 

Returned Check Policy

Baldwin County Public Schools has an agreement with Envision for the collection of all returned checks issued to all locations. The following information is required on all checks: Full name, street address (no PO Box), and home and work phone numbers. If your check is returned, our bank will automatically forward it to Envision. The school office has no control over your check once it has been deposited into its account. Envision will contact you in order to collect the face amount of the worthless check plus a collection fee. The amount of the collection fee is currently $30.00. This fee is subject to change as allowed by law. If you do not properly respond to Envision, or if Envision is unable to contact you, Envision will represent your check to the bank electronically. Fees could also be deducted from the same account.
 

School Safety

School officials work diligently to provide a safe school environment. Students will be instructed on proper procedures for evacuations and other necessary steps to ensure safety. Fire, severe weather, and lockdown drills are conducted at regular intervals.
 

• Fire Evacuation Drill: In case of a fire emergency, the signal to evacuate the building will sound. There is an evacuation plan posted in each classroom, and each teacher will instruct students regarding specific procedures.
• Lockdown Drill: Students and adults are secured and hidden from outside dangers. Plans are included in the emergency manual.
• Severe Weather Drill: In case of a severe weather emergency, the emergency alarm signal will sound. Students will proceed immediately to the area designated on the posted evacuation plan in the classrooms. Students will kneel with their heads against the wall. Jackets may be used to cover heads, arms, and legs. Students will remain quiet until notified that the emergency has passed.

Telephone Messages and Deliveries

Messages will be delivered to students only in case of emergencies. Plans for after school transportation should be made before coming to school in the morning. Delivery of flowers, balloons, etc., to students during school hours is disruptive and will not be permitted.
 

Parents Right to Know

In accordance with Title I of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), parents through the Right-To- Know provision, may request information regarding the professional qualifications of their child’s teacher(s) or the qualifications of paraprofessionals providing services to their child. Additionally, parents may request information about their child’s level of achievement on any state academic assessments.
 

Parent Notification that Loxley Elementary School is a Title I School-wide Program

Title I is a federal program designed to help students in our nation’s schools. In accordance with Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 and Title I, the goal is to help all children be successful at school. Schools in communities that meet requirements use Title I funds to benefit the entire school. This type of program is known as a school-wide program. Title I schoolwide programs use Title funds, along with other local, state, and federal funding to serve all students in the school. Individual students are not identified as participating in the Title I program.
 

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Baldwin County Board of Education adheres to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 regarding students’ records. A copy of the policy is available in the school office.

• Parent/Guardian must sign-up in the office for a car pick-up number before being permitted to pick-up a student in carline. Drivers without a current Loxley car tag will be required to show ID in the office. The student(s) will be walked to the office following car line time. Lost car tags require a new number to be issued and a $5 fee. 
• No smoking or vaping allowed in carline. Our campus is a smoke free, drug free campus.
• Cell phone use is discouraged as it impacts the safety of Loxley students and staff.
• Do not block carline traffic. If you have an issue that will cause delay, please pull forward and park out of the way of other cars in line.
• Cars are in two lines and proceed around the circle (follow the arrows).
• Drivers must not exit their cars for any reason.
• Watch adults on duty for stop, load, and go directions.
• Students waiting for cars must remain quiet and obey instructions from staff.
• Students not picked up by 3:15 p.m. will wait in the front office.

• Students may wear Loxley Spirit shirts daily. These may be purchased online at costaprints.com, and then select Loxley School Store.