Policies
PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION
Teacher Absences
Teachers are the most important person in a child’s school day. Please carefully consider decisions that would take you away from school on a contract day. Please notify Cammie or Melissa as you can if you find yourself sick and unable to come to school so a substitute can be found. Put together a “Sub Folder” of procedures/rules and lesson plans so as to be prepared for a sudden illness or emergency (tell a team mate, student, or office personnel where the folder is located). In addition, please notify Melissa for any pre-planned illness, doctor appointments, or other reasons that you will need a substitute.
Faculty/Staff Dress Code
Employees are expected to “dress for success” in good taste and to be well-groomed according to community standards for professional employees. You also need to remember that we expect students to wear practical shoes for an elementary environment, so we should do the same. Employees shall be neatly groomed and dressed in modest clothing that is suited to the day’s work or activity.
The district has asked that we all wear our ID badges while at school to help identify us from visitors, especially in case of an emergency. Even though we assume everyone knows us, it’s surprising how many don’t. ID badges are getting to be the norm in most professional businesses and are expected at schools as well.
Communication/Questions/Concerns
Many visitors to our school notice and comment on the positive school climate we enjoy. Open, honest, and professional communication contributes to that climate. As a group of professionals, let’s remember to communicate professionally with each other, about each other, and about students and members of the community. Nothing will destroy school climate faster than negative complaining and gossiping behind closed doors.
As per district policy 1720 (Employee Grievance Procedure) if you have a frustration or concern, please address it appropriately, timely, and directly with the person first.
Please remember the power of positive thinking. Relationships are important. Never spread a negative judgment or opinion, or solicit support of one cause or another that would bring disparaging feelings or actions towards anyone at our school as that is not professional or kind. Let us hold one another accountable in order to maintain the positive school climate we are known for in the community.
Public Relations and Confidentiality
As easy as it is to email and text parents, positive phone calls home are important too. (In a national survey, parents rated positive phone calls as the number one PR contact by teachers.) Please take the time to notify parents of the many great things that you are seeing with their children at least as often as you communicate with them over concerns you may have. Establishing a positive relationship with parents is a key to a successful year with their child. If a child in your class does something that you would want to know about if you were the parent (good or bad), call the parent. When in doubt, call.
Remember too that this is really just a small community, keep difficult situations confidential and don’t say anything in the heat of the moment that could shed a negative light on you or the school. When it comes to your class or any of our students, their FERPA rights can be easily violated on social media if you’re not careful. Please be careful not to vent or write anything on Facebook, etc. that could be misconstrued as derogatory in any way about a student. Be positive and general (no specific descriptions etc.) on social media or in public when referring to your day with students at school.
Always get support from the principal or the admin team if you feel threatened by any parent.
Safety Responsibilities
The State of Utah Risk Management inspects our schools each year and provides feedback with regards to our safety compliance.
Please be aware of the following items they typically watch for:
Hallways and doorways must be clear of desks or other objects that might cause blockages.
Students are never to be in workrooms or the custodial office.
Home style extension cords are not allowed, only commercial grade should be in our school.
Candles or candle warmers are not to be used in the school. Plug-in air fresheners are strongly discouraged by Risk Management.
Use only cleaning supplies or other chemicals from the school/custodian.
Use only approved surge protectors and never “daisy-chain”.
Microwaves are not approved for classrooms.
A minimum of 18” of space must exist between the cupboards and the ceiling.
Any altering of the classroom must meet safety requirements, and must receive district approval before starting any project. As teachers frequently change classrooms from year to year, major changes (painting especially) needs prior approval.
Student scissors must be blunt nosed.
The maximum allowable amount of combustible teaching materials (according to fire code) that can be mounted on any classroom or hallway wall is 50% of the total wall surface area.
These are what most schools have troubles/problems with and most checked by the State Risk Management teams.
Student Medications
If a student takes medication, it is mandatory that the parents obtain all the necessary forms from the office. Help keep medical information confidential. Some students are very sensitive about taking medicine every day. Also, never suggest to a parent that their child needs to be taking any medication. Medications brought to school must be sent immediately to the office (with the exception of personal inhalers), do not let students store medications in their desks or backpacks.
Collection of Money
All money collected by teachers from students or parents is to be sent to the office in an envelope the day it is collected. No money is to be kept in individual classrooms overnight. Book club orders are paid online with no checks made out to the school. Never accept checks made out to you personally from a parent paying for or donating anything at school. Direct the parent to the office. Lunch money is collected in the office before school each morning.
Parent and Student Notes
Please make two extra copies of notes sent home, one for the front office besides the ones for your class (so we’ll know how to answer parent questions). It’s a good idea to have someone proof and review your notes before sending them home; we need to look professional. Do not ask for donations or money without administration prior approval.
Discarding Inventory Supplies
If you have school equipment or technology you want to discard from your room, see Cammie for the appropriate forms to fill out. She is keeping track of all equipment/inventory. Do not put materials you’ll no longer use in the workroom or storage rooms. Each teacher is responsible for all technology (including Smart Boards, computers, document cameras, etc.) equipment, and furniture assigned to their rooms. Please don’t move or trade furniture, etc. without checking with Cammie. If a technology repair is needed, let the office know or fill out a “tech request” on line (we can show you how to do that). If you have outdated textbooks you would like discarded, please let us know as they will be returned to the district office or sold back to a publisher.
Movies
Please notify administration of any visitors or invited guests (forest service, firemen, scientists, etc.) you have arranged to help with a special activity or in-school program.
Make sure any movie shown supports the curriculum area of study, and (if it’s rated at least PG) you receive parental consent (from a parent of each child in the room) prior to showing.
Grade Level Activities and Field Trips
As a team, decide on the yearly field trip you would like to experience. The office must be notified ahead of time so the off-school-grounds trip can be calendared and expected.
For any activity that will affect lunch count, work with Cammie and Tammy (kitchen) at least 3 weeks in advance.
Bussing schedules normally only allow field trips between 9:30 and 1:30.
Busses should be arranged through Cammie by a travel request no less than two weeks in advance.
Any student with a health care plan requiring an epi pen must have it with them on the field trip. There are extra epi pens in the office. It is suggested you take one on field trips just in case.
Students need signed permission slips before leaving on field trips (district policy). In emergency situations, a parent’s consent over the phone may be allowed, but be sure to document the time of day and circumstance that lead to a phone consent rather than consent in writing.
No student can be declined the opportunity to experience in person the activity or field trip due to failure to donate money or due to behavior, etc. Field trips cannot be used as a reward for good behavior, homework, scores, etc. as they are intended to enhance the required state standard(s). (It is akin to not allowing a student to participate in a classroom Language Arts or Math lesson.)
Teachers must accompany students on the activity or field trip.