Policies and Procedures

PHILOSOPHY

The faculty and staff of Mandeville Elementary School believes that we should provide an educational program that develops the individual abilities of each student to their fullest potential.  Our program strives to meet the student’s needs, interests, and special talents.

It is our belief that the student’s self-esteem should be nurtured.  The student’s independent thinking skills are developed to foster each child's ability to make positive choices in daily activities.  Our professional staff models fairness, honesty, reliability, creativity, and enthusiasm.

Mandeville Elementary School works to involve the entire family and community in the educational process.  We continually study, evaluate, and improve the school programs to provide the best educational experiences for our students.

VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS

Vision – Together, we create a community of learners who are challenged, empowered, valued, and inspired. 

Mission – Our school community works to ensure every child is safe, happy, and learning at high levels.

The fundamental right to attend the public schools places upon the students the accompanying responsibility to be faithful in attendance. Regular attendance can be assumed to be essential for a student's successful progress in the instructional program. 
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN ATTENDANCE EVERY STUDENT ACTIVITY DAY SCHEDULED BY THE ST. TAMMANY PARISH SCHOOL BOARD.
Schools administer attendance regulations in accordance with State and locally adopted policies.
* See STPPS Student and Parent handbook for most updated information regarding student attendance policy. 

ABSENCE PROCEDURES

Excuses for all absences must be presented in writing to the school within two (2) days of the absence. The note must include the student’s full name, days of absence, reason for absence and/or doctor’s verification, parent/guardian signature and date of signature. 

Students participating in school approved activities which necessitate their being away from school shall be considered to be present and shall be given opportunity for makeup work.

Students who are verified as meeting extenuating circumstances and who are, therefore, eligible to receive grades shall not receive those grades if they are unable to complete makeup work or pass the course.

Upon returning to school, please work with the teacher to create a plan for making up work missed during the authorized absence.

When a student accumulates seven (7) absences which include non-exempted excused, unexcused, and/or suspensions, notification will be made to the parents/guardians. After the tenth (10) absence which includes non-exempted excused, unexcused, and/or suspensions, the school will notify parents/guardians of the seat time recovery requirements.

At the end of the semester or at the end of the year, parents must verify within a period of ten (10) school days a student's absences and make an appeal to the child Welfare and Attendance Office

Any student who is a juvenile and who is habitually absent or tardy shall be reported by the Supervisor or Child Welfare and Attendance to the family or juvenile court of the parish as a truant child, pursuant to the provisions of Louisiana Children's Code relative to families in need of services. A student shall be considered habitually absent or habitually tardy when either condition continues to exist after all reasonable efforts by the principal and teacher have failed to correct the condition after the fifth unexcused absence or unexcused occurrence of being tardy within any month or if a pattern of three (3) absences a month is established.

SEAT RECOVERY TIME REQUIREMENT

Students in danger of failing due to excessive absences may be allowed to make up missed seat time held outside of the regular school day. The makeup sessions must be completed before the end of the current semester for high school students and the end of the year for elementary/junior high students. 

CHECK IN/CHECK OUT PROCEDURES

Students who are late for school must be brought to the office by an adult and receive an admit slip before entering the classroom. 

In order to protect instructional time and student learning, parents and visitors are not allowed to go to the classroom without an appointment.

Teachers are not able to stop instruction to get your child ready for an early checkout. When you check your child out early, materials and assignments will go home with your child the next school day. 

Students are allowed to leave school with their parent, legal guardian, or an authorized person designated in writing on the emergency card by the parent. In case of emergencies, if the parent, or authorized person cannot be reached, the student will remain in school.

Office personnel will initiate the checkout procedure by checking the emergency card for the name of authorized person and checking identification of said authorized person. Office personnel will then have student signed out and called to the office.

The only acceptable excuses for checking out are:

     Personal illness

     Doctor's appointments; however, parents are encouraged to make both doctor and dental appointments after school               hours

      Court appearances

      Special reasons authorized by the Principal

Unacceptable excuses for checking out are:

     Errands with parents

     Vacations

     Activities that are not school approved, examples: gymnastics, dance, etc.

Students are allowed to make up work if there is an acceptable excuse for checking out.

If a student returns to school on the same day after checking out, he/she must go through the office and sign in.

For the safety of all children, we ask that you refrain from picking up their children between 3:30 and 3:51 PM. 

CHANGE IN TRANSPORTATION

For the safety of our children, please send transportation changes in writing to the teacher. Due to current restrictions, we are requiring a 24-hour notice for a change of transportation. In emergency situations only, a parent can contact the principal to discuss options.

BUSES

Buses unload in the front driveway of the main entrance and load on Massena Street. 
A bus procedure form will be sent home through the bus driver. Please read and sign this form upon receipt. Please return the note to the driver the following day. 

CAR RIDERS

For the safety of all children, car riders must be unloaded and picked up by the covered gym area. School personnel should initiate the unloading process from cars. In the main carline, please have your child load and unload from the driver’s side to avoid contact with passing traffic. 
In addition, please adhere to the following procedures:

• Enter the north end of Galvez Street near the service road off of East Causeway Approach.
• Continue south on Galvez to Pecan Street.
• Turn right on Pecan Street. 
• For arrival in the morning, turn right on Maple Street. 
• For dismissal in the afternoon, starting at 3:45 PM cars can turn right on Maple Street.
• Continue down Maple Street and turn left into the side parking lot next to the gym.
• Students will enter and exit the cars on the driver side.
• To exit carline, travel through the parking lot and turn right onto Massena Street.
• For specific information and maps regarding carline, please see our school website.
• Please remember in the afternoon, we are running two carlines simultaneously. As always, be cautious of surrounding walkers and vehicles. 
• We will continue to require the MES carline sign with your child’s name printed largely. If you do not have a sign, please be prepared to pull to the side to have your ID checked.

Any children dropped off before 8:15 or left after 4:05 will be sent to child care in the gym and charged accordingly. (See Child Care)

WALKERS

AM (Morning Walkers)
The walker line should only be used for families with a physical address on file within 0.5 miles and who walk to our campus. For parents who drive to campus, please use our carline. Students walking to school must be escorted by an adult. Please escort your child to the bus unloading line at the main entrance of our school in the driveway using the sidewalk. For every child’s safety, please escort your child to the duty personnel before leaving.

PM (Afternoon Walkers)
The walker line should only be used for families with a physical address on file within 0.5 miles and who walk to our campus. For parents who drive to campus, please use our carline. Students will be departing from the walkway attached to the new building at the gated area on Monroe Street. Children will only be dismissed if an adult is there to escort them. Adults meet the children by the entrance and sign the child out with the teacher dismissing them. 

CHILD CARE 
BEFORE SCHOOL CARE
Before school hours are from 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM. For information about charges, please refer to the school website. Registration forms are available in the office.

AFTER SCHOOL CARE 
After school care is offered until 6:00 PM. For information about charges, please refer to the school website.  Homework assistance, outside or inside play time and snack time are offered daily.  Registration forms are available in the office. Any child remaining after 6:00 PM will be charged a late fee of $10 for each 15 minutes (1 minute up to 15 minutes will be $10; 16 – 30 minutes will be $20 and so on), as well as consideration of suspension from the program. It is essential to the continuance of our extended day program that bills are paid on time. Habitual late payments can result in consideration of suspension from the program. There is no child care offered on half days. Transportation changes must be sent to school for those days. Please see Before/Afterschool Care Handbook for more detailed information.

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL 
The procedure for withdrawal or transferring is as follows: Notify the school office of upcoming withdrawal or transfer. A withdrawal form will be processed. All outstanding library books and textbooks must be returned and all outstanding fees paid, (such as cafeteria, child care, library fees).

MONEY MATTERS

Please write a separate check for each child and for each type of collection. 
Example 1: If your child's teacher is collecting $10.00 student fee money, $2.50 lunch money, and book club money, you would write one check to the school for school fee money, one check to the school cafeteria for lunch money, and one check to the specific book club for book order. 
Example 2: If you have more than one child attending Mandeville Elementary School, and you are paying lunch money, please write each child’s name on the check so that we can credit the accounts appropriately. 

MEALS

The breakfast and lunch menu will be sent home monthly.  It will also be posted on the school website.  
Meals should be paid in advance by the month or week. Please review the menu at the beginning of each month and send money in for the days your child will be eating breakfast or lunch. Your lunch account is a debit account, and any unused funds will be returned.  Meals and prices for children and adults will be sent home when school begins.  Make checks payable to Mandeville Elementary Cafeteria. Charges may not be carried more than one week. If this creates a hardship, please contact the principal. Free and reduced lunches are available for children who qualify. For guest reservations call the cafeteria at least a day in advance at 626-8127. 

BOOK CLUBS

Periodically, your child's teacher may send home order forms for various school book clubs. These book clubs offer quality children's literature in paperback form at affordable prices. While you are under no obligation to order from these book clubs, it is recommended that you make reading material of one form or another available to your child. Please contact your child's teacher for further details on book clubs. 

TEXTBOOKS

All textbooks issued to students are the property of the State of Louisiana. Students are expected to take good care of their books. If a student loses a book, he/she must pay the cost of the book. There will be a fee assessed for all damaged books. 

PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF DEBT COLLECTION POLICY

Debts would include, but not limited to such things as lost/damaged textbooks, library books/fines, unpaid lunch fees, child care fees, etc.  Parents will be notified in writing of the items and fees owed to the school. 
In the case of a student transferring to another school, all financial obligations shall be met before the withdrawal is completed.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL 
Students will not be allowed to have any medication in their possession at school. This includes over the counter medication such as lip balm and lotions. Personnel in the office cannot and will not administer medication unless special circumstances exist for a chronic health problem.  In these circumstances, the following procedure is followed:

• Appropriate forms must be obtained from school and completed by physician and parent. 
• Medication must be brought to school by parents in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or physician. Medicine must be counted and recorded at that time by the secretary. Please allow additional time for this procedure. 
• Each medication given will be recorded on a medication log which includes date, dosage, and initials of person administering the medication. When last pill is administered, the empty bottle will be sent home with your child. It is the parent's responsibility to bring a refilled prescription bottle the following school day.

EXCLUSIONS
The health and well being of all students are important; therefore students will not be allowed to remain at school for the following reasons: 
1. Fever of 100 degrees or above, vomiting, diarrhea, severe pain, or other conditions not conducive to learning. Students may not return to school until they have been symptom free for 24 hours without the use of medication. 
2. Any infectious or contagious conditions such as impetigo, pink eye, ring worm, etc.
Additional precautions will be put into place throughout the school year in order to comply with COVID procedures.

VISITORS 
For the safety of our children, we require all visitors to check in at the office and wear the visitor’s tag provided while on campus. You must provide an ID at the time of check-in. Anyone not properly identified will be questioned.  As a safety precaution, visitors are not to go on the playground.  In order to protect instructional time, we also ask that you refrain from stopping by your child’s classroom.  Thanks for helping us keep our students safe.

Please note that we encourage parents to have lunch with their child.  In order for our students to have time to become acquainted with lunch routines and procedures, we ask that parents begin joining us for lunch according to the schedule provided on the yearly school calendar. 

The circle drive in the front of the school is reserved for busses before 9:30 AM and after 3:00 PM each day. For the safety of the students, please refrain from using the circle drive during this time. 
All visitors must check out in the office before leaving campus.

LOST OR STOLEN ITEMS 
The school is not responsible for lost or stolen possessions. Each student is responsible for his/her personal property. Please label your child’s sweatshirts and jackets and possessions they bring to school. Students are encouraged to leave their valuables at home. No toys, radios, electronic devices, phones, etc. are allowed at school unless directed by the teacher. The teachers or principal will keep these items and return them to parents upon request to prevent loss or damage. The Lost and Found is located next to the cafeteria for unclaimed items left by students. At the end of each grading period unclaimed items will be donated to charity. If you notice your child is missing items, you are welcome to come to the office and sign in and check the lost and found. 

UNIFORMS 
The following is the uniform policy for Mandeville Elementary:

Bottoms                        
Khaki long pants                     
Khaki walking shorts                        
Khaki jumper                        
Khaki skort or skirt

Tops
Red polo type knit, collared shirt 
Long or short sleeves, red only -no logos
Turtlenecks (red or white) if layered under red shirts
MES red T-shirt 
MES sweatshirt
Red sweatshirt
Spirit Shirts on Fridays only

*NO logos other than the school logo will be allowed on uniforms.
*We suggest athletic shoes with non-marking soles for all children to be worn in order to keep them safe during P.E. and recess.
Uniforms can be purchased from the department store, uniform shop, or catalog of your choosing. 
Mandeville Elementary school shirts can be purchased from the school office. 

STUDENT DRESS CODE 
Please see STPSB District Handbook for the most current information on the student dress code.

TOBACCO-FREE SCHOOLS 
The St. Tammany Parish Public School System prohibits the use of any tobacco products by students, employees, or visitors in all buildings, centers, offices, vehicles, schools, or other property under the jurisdiction of the School Board.

The MES school-wide Discipline Plan was designed to comply with Senate Bill No 76. This plan will be followed by the faculty and staff. We ask your cooperation in helping us to help all students to accept responsibility for their actions and develop self-discipline.
The purpose of the positive behavior school-wide discipline plan is to improve school climate by developing a document designed to support St. Tammany Parish policy while addressing the specific needs of Mandeville Elementary School.

Step 1:  Classroom Teacher Interventions

• Teacher and/or peer will provide modeling and practice
• Teacher will provide verbal or nonverbal direction
• Brief student/teacher conference
• Think Time and brief student/teacher conference
• Parent/guardian contact

Interventions are designed to assist the teacher in behavior management techniques by using strategies within the classroom.  It may be necessary to repeat items 1 through 5 several times before proceeding to an administrative referral.  Behavioral change happens slowly.  Multiple opportunities to re-teach and replace inappropriate behaviors are extremely beneficial to the student. Classroom teacher interventions are not limited to those provided.  Serious or repeated violations may result in a more severe response or an immediate administrative referral.

Step 2: Pre-Administrative Referral Process
The following are possible interventions that may be utilized as applicable:

• Recess Rehearsal
• Parent/teacher conference
• Refer to school counselor
• Complete a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and develop a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
• Refer to Student Assistance Team (SAT)
• Refer to Mental Health Provider (MHP)

Step 3: Administrative Referral Process

Completed Louisiana Department of Education School Behavior Report

The major goal of this plan is to help students make better choices and to provide a positive learning environment for all students. 
The following steps will be followed for inappropriate behavior on a school bus.

• Driver will provide verbal or nonverbal direction
• Referral of student for modeling and practice time
• Driver will conference with parent by phone
• The Louisiana Department of Education Bus Behavior Report

If inappropriate behavior persists the student will be suspended from all bus privileges. The administration reserves the right to adjust disciplinary action to fit the infraction at any time. The goal is to have each child ride to and from school safely and in a positive atmosphere.

STUDENT RULES OF CONDUCT 
It is in the children's best interest that we work together to provide an optimum learning environment at school. We reserve the right to require appropriate behavior conducive to safety and success at school. General rules follow. 

Possession of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or weapons such as knives, guns (even toys), or dangerous instruments is prohibited. Fighting, insolence, disrespect, stealing, profanity or suggestive hand gestures, sexual harassment, or leaving campus without permission will not be tolerated. (Parents will be held accountable for the defacing or damaging of school property).  

Pushing, shoving, name calling, tattling, or other disruptive behavior will be addressed accordingly. Persistent or repetitive misbehavior will result in disciplinary action. 

All students will be taught the proper use of playground equipment and general procedures for lining up, and other acceptable behaviors. Students who cooperate and follow rules and directions will receive verbal praise, rewards, positive notes home, special privileges, and continued respect of peers and adults. 

Please see the district handbook for information on the Cell Phone Policy for St. Tammany Parish Public Schools.

 

REPORTING OF STUDENT PROGRESS

CONFERENCES (PARENT-TEACHER)
That teachers and students engage in instructional activities during classroom time is vital for ensuring student progress and success. Any unnecessary interruptions that infringe on instructional activities are unacceptable. While it is the policy of Mandeville Elementary School to encourage parents to confer with the teachers of their children, these conferences for the educational well-being of the students must be scheduled with the following guidelines in mind:

• A specific appointment time must be set up before the actual conference. Spontaneous conferences are seldom informative or productive. Teachers need to have tangible, classroom data available to share with the parent.
• Any convenient time (before school or after school) that is agreeable to both teacher and parent is allowable for a conference. However, conferences may not take place during instructional periods.
• Duty periods of teachers are not appropriate times for conferences. A teacher on duty is responsible for the safety and well-being of his/her charges. Conferences during duty time could jeopardize the safety of the children. Parents should, therefore, refrain from distracting teachers from their duty posts by asking for information about their children that is best disseminated during a scheduled conference.

The procedure for setting up a conference is as follows:

• The appointment time and date must be set at least 24 hours before the conference. The call may be initiated by either the parent or the teacher.
• The parent must check in at the office to secure a pass to meet with the teacher.

The following is a suggestion for requesting a conference in writing with teachers:

Dear (Teacher's Name), 
I am requesting a conference with you to discuss my son/daughter (Child's name). I am concerned about (reason for the conference). Would the following date and time be convenient? (Date and time)
(Parent's Signature)
OR CALL the school at 626-3950 to request the conference.

CONFERENCE (PARENT/STUDENT/PRINCIPAL) 

The principal welcomes parents and students for conferences. An appointment should be made in order to schedule the conference. Parents must check-in through the office before going to any conference.

GRADING AND PROMOTION POLICY

PRE-KINDERGARTEN: Checklist of skills shall be used to report to parents. Two teacher/parent conferences will be held during the school year.

KINDERGARTEN:
Grades to be assigned on the Kindergarten Report Card are: 
O    Exceeding progress toward mastery of standard
S    Satisfactory progress toward mastery of standard
N    Not mastered/needs more time toward mastery of standard

Kindergarten report cards are sent home starting at the end of the second quarter. Students will be promoted from kindergarten to a transitional first grade or a regular first grade. Various assessments along with teacher recommendation and parental permission will determine recommendation for the transitional class. The criterion for promotion to first grade for kindergarten students is based on satisfactory progress at the end of the fourth grading period as reported on the St. Tammany Parish Kindergarten Student Evaluation Report. Students still in need of support can be referred to SBLC to determine promotion or retention with parent permission. Children who have not attended kindergarten must demonstrate satisfactory performance on a series of academic readiness tests.

GRADES 1, 2 AND 3

Grades A, B, C, D and F will be assigned in math, reading, language, science and social studies for each of the four quarter marking periods for all students including gifted/talented and students in specially designed regular education classrooms.
A = 93 – 100
B = 85 – 92
C = 75 – 84
D = 67 – 74
F = 66 and below

For Grade 1, if a student receives an F in reading or math as indicated on the fourth grading period, the Student Building Level Committee (SBLC) shall review available data pertaining to the student’s reading or math proficiency to determine promotion or retention. The reading or math proficiency of the student shall be determined by using a variety of assessments. Students with characteristics of dyslexia, who are served in a multisensory structured language program, follow the same criteria for promotion as all other students. 

For Grades 2 and 3, in order to be promoted the student shall pass Reading and Math and any two of these subjects: Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

REPORT CARDS 
The teacher is responsible for completing and issuing report cards. Students not meeting the minimum requirement on grade level objectives by the end of the school year will be brought to the Student Assistance Team (SAT) for consideration for retention or exceptional promotion. You will be notified if your child is working below grade level or not progressing as expected and a conference will be requested.

PROGRESS REPORTS (INTERIM REPORTS)

Interim reports for unsatisfactory work are issued by the fifth week into the grading period. It is the responsibility of the student to give the report to his/her parents. The parent is to read and sign the report. The child then returns the report to the teacher. 

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP
As parents, you have been responsible for the early teaching of your child. You are the most important teachers in your child's life. The following are suggestions of ways you can help your child. 

HOME 

• Keep this handbook readily available for future reference.
• Keep lines of communication open with the school.
• Read and answer all notes from school.
• Making sure your child comes to school well rested. 
• Making sure your child eats breakfast.
• Making sure your child is dressed appropriately for the day's weather.
• Promoting good health and safety habits.
• Praising your child for things done well. Don't forget to praise improvement and honest effort.
• Talking about everyday experiences.
• Planning family activities.
• Reading stories to your child daily.
• Watching quality children's TV shows with them.
• Providing learning materials for use at home.
• Providing a well-rounded background of experiences.
• Seeing that homework is completed. 

SCHOOL 

Join the PTA! This is by far the best way to be involved in your child’s education. 
Inquire about the Volunteer Program.  There are many opportunities available for you to help.

PTA 
Information on these and other events will be shared as the events draw nearer and are dependent on current COVID precautions.
The main mission of Mandeville Elementary School PTA is to help our school create the best possible learning environment for the children of our community.  There are many opportunities to enrich our children’s school experience such as serving as a Room Parent, Office Volunteer, Art in the Classroom Parent, Cultural Arts Day, Book Fair, or a helper at Field Day and other grade specific events. 

In addition to educational events, the PTA plans various fundraisers throughout the school year such as Adventure Fest, Gift Wrap Sale, and the Sock Hop.  The money raised is used to purchase equipment and supplies to support educational programs.  If you would like to join the PTA and/or volunteer, please contact the school office for details.

EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN HOMELESS SITUATIONS

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law passed in 1987 to help people experiencing homelessness. The Act requires states and school districts to make sure students in homeless situations can attend and succeed in school. The McKinney-Vento Act applies to all children and youth who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including all children who are living in the following situations:

• Doubled-up housing with other families or friends because they lost their home or their family is having temporary financial problems
• Living in a motel/hotel because of economic hardship or loss of housing
• Living in an emergency or transitional shelter, domestic violence shelter, or in a runaway/homeless youth shelter
• Living in a vehicle of any kind; campground without running water and/or electricity; abandoned building; substandard housing; bus/train station
• Abandoned in a hospital

Children and youth in homeless situations have the right to the following:

• Attend and succeed in school no matter where they live or how long they have lived there
• Enroll in a school despite the lack of a permanent address or lack of school and immunization records or birth certificates and other documents
• Receive services comparable to those offered to non-homeless children and youth
• Get transportation to school, if feasible
• Access educationally related support services

Should you or your child meet these qualifications; please contact your school’s main office or guidance office to complete a form for consideration.

Additional homework assistance can be found at:

State Library of Louisiana

St. Tammany Parish Library

For the safety of our families and to preserve the flow of carline, please adhere to the following carline procedure:

·         All grades follow the same carline procedure for morning carline.

·         Enter at the north end of Galvez Street near the service road off of East Causeway Approach.

·         Continue south on Galvez to Pecan Street.

·         Turn right on Pecan Street.

·         Turn right on Maple Street.

·         Continue down Maple Street, and turn left into the side parking lot next to the gym.

·         A student being dropped off shall remain in the appropriate passenger restraint until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.

·         Students will exit the cars on the driver side.

·         Travel through the side parking lot and turn RIGHT onto Massena Street.

·         As always, be cautious of surrounding walkers and other vehicles. You must follow traffic laws, including safety signage on busses.

To support safety and efficiency, we utilize two separate carlines for pick up in the afternoon. The carlines are separated by grade levels. If you have more than one student to pick up, please stop at each appropriate carline.

For the safety of our families, please adhere to the following carline procedure:

·        Enter the north end of Galvez Street near the service road off of East Causeway Approach.

·        Continue south on Galvez to Pecan Street.

·        Turn right on Pecan Street.

·        Starting at 3:45 PM, cars can turn right on Maple Street.

·        We will continue to require the MES carline sign with your child’s name printed largely. If you do not have a sign, please be prepared to pull to the side to have your ID checked.

·        Continue down Maple Street:

o   1^st Grade through 3^rd Grade: Turn left into the side parking lot. Your student will be loaded from the gym doors. Continue straight through the parking lot and exit RIGHT on Massena Street.

o   Pre-K and K: Turn left into the side parking lot and proceed through the parking lot. Take a left under the overhang. Your student will be loaded out the doors under the overhang.  

·        Students will load the cars on the driver side. Once your student has loaded, proceed to Massena Street and turn RIGHT to exit campus. As always, be cautious of surrounding walkers and vehicles. You must follow traffic laws, including safety signage on busses.