To navigate this page, click the links in the table of contents below.
There are many policies and regulations implemented by the CMS School Board that are of importance to teachers and to which we must adhere. To read the policies below in detail, click here.
Title | Policy Code
Annual Leave | Code: GCDA
Field Trips | Code: IJOA
Grading Assessment Systems | Code: IKA
Graduation Requirements | Code: IKF-R
Harassment of Employees | Code: GBAA
Harassment of Students by Employees | Code: GBEBB
Homework | Code: IKB-R
Honors Programs | Code: IHCC-R
Inclement Weather | Code: GCMBA
Induction of Students into Clubs/Organizations | Code: JJAA-R
Instructional Resources and Materials | Code: IJ
Instructional Staff Assignments and Transfers | Code: GCKA
Licensure and Credentialing Requirements | Code: GCFC
Professional Leave | Code: GCCAE
Religion in Schools | Code: ACD
Resignation | Code: GCQC
Schools and Religious Speakers/Organizations | Code: ACDA
Standards of Conduct for Employees | Code: GBEB
Student Attendance – Monitoring and Accounting | Code: JHBB-R
Student Discipline | Code: JK-R
Student Fund Raising Activities | Code: JJE
Tobacco Use by Students | Code: JICG
Planning the Instructional Program: The teacher cooperates, as requested, in the development of the school improvement plan and plans an instructional program which incorporates these objectives.
Overseeing the Instructional Program: The teacher incorporates learning objectives compatible with the subject, grade level, established curriculum, and student needs. The teacher assesses his/her instructional program to determine its effectiveness.
Updating the Program: The teacher maintains effective instruction by establishing and maintaining an adequate knowledge of subject areas and child growth and development.
Managing Daily Instruction: The teacher ensures that the instruction, materials, and procedures are appropriate for the subject being taught and for the needs of the students. The teacher sees that application and practice are used by students to acquire or reinforce a concept or skill. The teacher encourages students, parents, and others to become actively involved in daily instructional activities. Use your NC Standard Course of Study to determine what to teach. OUR PRIMARY GOAL IS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.
Differentiating Instruction: The teacher assesses individual student’s abilities to devise techniques that will accommodate student differences in rates of learning, styles of learning and ability levels. These techniques may involve long-term or short-term grouping and the differentiating of materials and equipment.
Individualizing Instruction: The teacher monitors individual student achievement on a continuous basis, employs a variety of teaching methods to meet student needs, and provides a suitable instructional environment.
Supervising: The teacher uses professional management techniques to maintain a suitable environment both inside and outside the classroom. Teach the Rights, Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook, school-wide rules in the student handbook, and classroom expectations and procedures at the beginning of the year and review at least quarterly. Be consistent with discipline. Do what you say and say what you mean.
Human Resources: The teacher makes use of community resources, student talent, volunteers and other school personnel to enhance the instructional program.
Human Relations: The teacher shows respect for the dignity and worth of students, values cultural differences, and maintains communications with parents. Contact the parents of each student who is struggling behaviorally and/or academically. If a student will receive a grade of D or F or a conduct grade of 3 or 4 on his/her report card, the teacher of the class must have made contact with the parent prior to report card time. Remember to reward the good things that are happening! Make positive phone calls home and send positive emails to parents.
Non-Instructional Duties: The teacher accepts responsibility for non-instructional duties as may be assigned by the principal, superintendent, school board, or other administrative personnel. The teacher complies with laws, rules, and regulations established to carry out the school program.
Certified Staff Hours - 6:45 am - 2:45 pm
School hours of operation for teachers are 6:45 am - 2:45 pm. Teachers are to report to their duty post no later than 6:55 am. Supervision of students is the top priority during arrival times. ALL classroom teachers are expected to be at their doorway receiving students and monitoring hallways.
If you know that you will be late, call the office or your department administrator immediately.
Instructional Hours - 7:15 am - 2:15 pm
Instruction should occur in every classroom with an instructional block from the beginning bell to the dismissal bell. Students should not be lined up at the door or in the hallway before the dismissal bell has sounded.
Dismissal Procedures/Buses - 2:15 pm
Students should not be lined up at the door or in the hallway before the dismissal bell has sounded. Teachers are to report to their PM duty post as soon as possible. For more information, please contact Quincy Simmons, Assistant Principal. At times administrators may call the bus lot team or all teachers to the bus lot to help with supervision of students.
Supervision of students is the top priority during dismissal times. ALL classroom teachers are expected to be at their doorway receiving students and monitoring hallways.
To effectively communicate with members of faculty and staff members, each Wednesday afternoon has been reserved for meetings. It is critical and mandatory that all staff members are present during this time. Do NOT plan doctor appointments, classes, tutoring, etc. on Wednesdays. Check the weekly bulletin for specific meeting dates/times. If you are not able to attend a required faculty meeting, you must see the principal in advance. Staff who are unable to attend a meeting, including coaches who are unable to attend a faculty meeting due to practice or a game, will be required to attend the make-up faculty meeting or acquire information & complete action items with administrator or athletic director.
Details will be communicated via the weekly bulletin. Meetings are planned from 2:30 –3:30pm unless otherwise noted. The following meetings will take place on Wednesdays unless otherwise scheduled:
1st Wednesday – Faculty and Staff Meeting
2nd Wednesday- Committee Meetings
3rd Wednesday – Department Meetings
4th Wednesday- other meetings as needed
All attendance must be completed in Power Teacher. The Attendance Secretary will input student absence reasons if a parent calls or sends a note to the office. All emails and notes from parents regarding a student absence should be forwarded to the office for proper coding in Power Teacher.
Attendance Policy 5113: Students who come to school regularly have better performance. After 3 unexcused or excused absences, the teacher must contact with the parent is necessary and document the contact. After 6 unexcused or excused absences, the school counselor and principal will contact the parent and document the action and response. Attention to attendance will help us meet our goals. After 3, 6 and 10 absences, a letter is sent home from the principal that outlines the NC student attendance law as well as consequences punishable by law. A copy of the letter will be placed in the student’s folder. Sickness that causes excessive absence will need to be communicated to the school counselor and Principal. The nurse can contact the child’s doctor for verification. Special codes in the computer can allow a student to be out on medical leave and NOT count against our attendance goals.
Early Dismissals
Absent notes and early dismissal notes are to be taken to the front office by the student at the beginning of the day.
Early dismissal notes are to be picked up in the front office by the student. Students can stop by at lunch or between classes.
Students should not be dismissed from class without notification from the Attendance office via note or phone call.
NC Powerschool Attendance Procedures
Attendance must be taken in each class every day via NC Powerschool. If a student is not in your class, he/she must be marked absent.
Students who arrive to class after 45 minutes have passed are considered absent for that class.
Once attendance is taken for each class the "Submit" box must be clicked.
At 3:00pm each and every day, CMS downloads all the absences and automated phone calls are sent home. If a student is not marked absent, a phone call is not sent. Therefore, it is important that attendance be entered by this time each day.
NOTE: Substitutes will now be able to record attendance in Power School with a separate login.
Our core business is teaching and learning. Therefore, we should all remain focused during the school day. Staff members should use discretion when using their cell phone during the school day. Staff cell phones should not be used during class time or during student supervision.
Staff are expected to dress in a professional manner. Jeans, shorts of any kind, spaghetti strap or halter tops, t-shirts, and sweat/jogging suits do not qualify as professional attire. Short dresses and skirts, tight fitting clothes, low cut tops, and anything made out of sheer materials are to be considered inappropriate for a school setting. Only Physical Education teachers may wear shorts and should wear tennis shoes. Staff members should remove hats upon entering the building. Each Friday, staff members will be permitted to wear jeans when they are wearing Independence High School colors and/or spirit wear. Standards of decency and professionalism should always be maintained. The principal may designate other days as Jeans Days and will communicate those days to staff.
You are required to report any student accidents to Mrs. Rodriguez and an administrator immediately. Contact the school nurse for medical attention if needed. You will be required to fill out a detailed account of the accident. The student accident report must be completed the day the accident occurs. The form must be signed by the Principal and sent to the safety office.