Accountability
for Books and Equipment
Students
are responsible for the textbooks provided and assigned to them as well
as for library books and equipment they use. At the beginning of the
school year, parents sign textbook contracts of agreement to pay for
lost or damaged books. Students will be assessed the cost of any damaged
or lost books.
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Arrival/Dismissal
Procedures -
School Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Upon arrival at school, children riding the Memphis City School buses
will enter the cafeteria for breakfast.
Other students eating breakfast at school should arrive at 8:00 a.m.
They will be dismissed from the cafeteria to go to classes at 8:15 a.m.
Teachers will be at their classroom doors to receive children at 8:15
a.m. Please have your child here on time. Tardies and absences are part
of the criteria for optional school renewal. Children must be in the
classroom by 8:30 a.m. to avoid a trip to the office and a tardy mark.
Excessive tardies are grounds for suspension.
Let children out of the car at the right hand curb and pick children
up in the same manner. Children should never be dropped off or
picked up along the curb of Summer Avenue.
Walk across the street only where there is a crossing guard (Summer
and Graham or Tutwiler and Graham). Children should walk around, not
through the faculty parking lot when entering or leaving the building.
In cold and/or wet weather, it is more important than ever that you
avoid bringing your children too early or picking them up too late.
Please make allowance for longer travel time.
After the first month of the school year, only on rare occasions will
a parent need to escort their child to and from the classroom door.
Please choose a spot near the building exit for that last "goodbye"
kiss and "hello" hugs.
Parents who wish to come inside the building before dismissal are asked
to check in at the office, get a visitor’s sticker, and wait in
the cafeteria for their child to be dismissed.
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Rules
and Regulations for the New Circle Drive -
The maximum speed in the drive is 10 miles per hour.
Morning Drop Off
No parking allowed except in designated spaces.
Afternoon Pick Up
Cars may park along the north and south curbs just long enough to pick
up.
The driver must stay with his or her car. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.
The center lane must be left open and moving at all times.
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Attendance
Pupils are required to attend school on all days that school is in operation.
The only acceptable excuses for absences are:
- Personal illness of student
- Death or serious illness in the immediate family of the student
- When the student is officially representing the school in a school-sponsored
activity
- Observance of a day set aside as sacred by a well-recognized religious
denomination of which the pupil is a member or adherent, where such
religion calls for special observances.
Absences for any reason other than those stated above will be considered
unexcused. Teachers are NOT required to give students make-up work for
unexcused absences.
Please call the school office (416-5952) on the morning of the day when
your child is absent. On the first day back at school after an absence,
the parent must send a note giving date, student’s name, days of
absences, reason for absence, and parent’s signature.
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Early
Dismissals
Parents are encouraged to schedule doctor and dental appointment after
school hours. No dismissals are permitted between 2:00 and 3:15 except
in extreme instances and approved by an administrator. If this is not
possible, send a note to the teacher requesting the early dismissal
and stating the time and reason for dismissal. The parent must come
to the school office to check out the child.
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Bicycles
Students are asked not to ride bicycles to school because we are not
equipped for bicycle safety on campus.
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Bookstore
After checking with their teacher, students may buy school supplies
at the school bookstore from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
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Breakfast
Breakfast is available in the cafeteria from 8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
for walkers. Students coming for breakfast should enter the north or
south doors near the cafeteria. Memphis City School bus riders will
eat upon arrival.
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Bus
Safety Rules
To ensure
a safe bus ride to and from school, please insist that your children:
- Stay
seated.
- Keep
hands and head inside the bus.
- Speak
in a quiet voice.
- Obey
the bus driver.
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Classroom
Parties
There are only two parties a year: December holiday and Valentine’s
Day. A maximum of one dollar per party may be collected to help pay
for the refreshments. The teachers and room sponsors plan the parties
together. You may be contacted if your help is needed. All treats are
required to be store bought. No surprise parties please!
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Conferences
We invite and urge you to consult with your child’s teacher or
an administrator for help with any problems. Please send a note or call
the school to arrange for a conference time.
Teachers are happy to arrange a meeting before or after school hours.
This is done so that every child can benefit from an uninterrupted school
day.
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Discipline
A school
atmosphere conducive to learning is a place where individuals are self-disciplined
and show respect for themselves and others and for school and personal
property. We ask that you discuss with your children the importance of
good behavior and a good attitude at school.
Grahamwood School has adopted the following school rules, which are posted
throughout the building:
Because We Value Education . . .
- We
are on time, prepared, and participate in class.
- We
respect the space and property of others.
- We
are considerate in language and actions.
- We
follow directions the first time they are given.
- We
travel with a pass.
Classroom
teachers seek to handle discipline in a positive manner. All students
know the classroom rules and positive behavior is reinforced. Consequences
for inappropriate behavior are clear and consistent. Generally speaking,
children are sent to the office only after the following has occurred:
- Teacher-pupil conference
- Effort by teacher to direct conduct into constructive actions
- Teacher-parent conference
- Teacher-administrator conference.
However, in extreme cases, a student may be sent to the office with
a discipline referral form. It is important for parents and school personnel
to work together for the good of the children. All students and parents
must sign and return the Memphis City Schools Code of Conduct prior
to the Labor Day Holiday each year.
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Dress
Code
Basic Uniform:
- The
basic uniform shall be a tan, navy blue or black pant, skirt or jumper
and a white long sleeve or short sleeve shirt with a collar (polo
style or dress style). A student can choose any one of the official
pants colors.
- Pants
must be straight-legged or boot cut. Full-length pants, crop pants,
cargo pants and straight-legged Capri pants are permitted. Jeans,
pedal pushers, and bell-bottoms are not permitted.
- Walking
shorts are permitted for elementary, middle/junior high and high school
students. (Walking shorts are straight-legged shorts that are at the
knee.)
- Skirts
or jumpers must be at or below the knee.
- Shirts
must be tucked on the inside unless they are made to be worn over
pants or skirts.
- Manufacturers’
logos or brand names cannot be visible on the clothing.
- Shoes
can have heels no higher than one and one-half inches. Athletic shoes,
sandals with straps on the heel, and boots are permitted.
- Outwear
(e.g., a winter coat) is not covered by these regulations.
For the
2002-2003 school year, students at all schools must wear the basic district
wide uniform, but schools that have existing school uniform policies
may continue to wear their uniforms for the 2002-2003 school year. For
the 2003-2004 school year, all schools must comply with the district
wide school uniform policy, including schools that have existing uniforms.
1. School
leadership councils may approve of an additional style and color for
the uniform top if the change is school-related and is consistent with
district and school dress codes. These changes can be implemented for
the 2002-2003 school year if the school leadership council meets and
approves the changes before August 12, 2002. School leadership councils
may also approve of days or events when school uniforms will not be
required. Middle and high school students must provide input in decisions
regarding local changes in school uniforms. A student will not be out
of compliance if he/she wears the district wide uniform rather than
local school’s uniform.
2. Students
may wear the uniforms of nationally recognized student organizations
at their schools on days specified by the organization (e.g., girl scouts
and boy scouts).
3. The
school district and local school must inform parents of the availability
of financial assistance if they cannot afford school uniforms at competitive
prices.
4. Violation
of the school uniform policy shall not affect a student’s academic
or conduct grades.
5. School
leadership councils shall establish dress codes consistent with the
district wide policy on dress codes.
6. Parent
complaints about the school uniform policy and the school dress code
shall be reported to the principal or a designee.
7. The
Department of Exceptional Children can decide whether any student(s)
should be exempt from the School Uniforms Policy due to a student’s
exceptionality.
8. Compliance:
First
Violation - The school shall attempt to contact the student’s
parent or guardian to determine whether the student has uniform clothing.
If the student has uniform clothing, the school should request that
the parent bring them to school. If the parent cannot be contacted,
the school will provide alternative clothing. A Notice of Dress Code
Violation will be sent home with the student, regardless of whether
the parent was contacted.
Second Violation - The school shall attempt to contact the student’s
parent or guardian to determine whether the student has uniform clothing.
If the student has uniform clothing, the school should request that
the parent bring them to school. If the parent cannot be contacted,
the school will provide alternative clothing. A "Notice of Parent
Conference in Lieu of Suspension" will be sent home with the student.
This notice requires the parent to come to the school for a conference
the next school day. If the parent does not attend the conference, the
student shall receive a one-day home suspension at the end of the day.
Third Violation - The school shall attempt to contact the student’s
parent or guardian to determine whether the student has uniform clothing.
If the student has uniform clothing, the school should request that
the parent bring them to school. If the parent cannot be contacted,
the school will provide alternative clothing. A "Notice of Parent
Conference in Lieu of Suspension" will be sent home with the student.
This notice requires the parent to come to the school for a conference
the next school day. If the parent does not attend the conference, the
student shall receive a one-day home suspension at the end of the day.
In addition to the Notice of Parent Conference, the student shall lose
certain school privileges for a certain period of time, to be determined
by the principal.
Fourth Violation - The school shall attempt to contact the student’s
parent or guardian to determine whether the student has uniform clothing.
If the student has uniform clothing, the school should request that
the parent bring them to the school. If the parent cannot be contacted,
the school will provide alternative clothing. The student shall also
receive a one-day home suspension.
A student will not be out of compliance if failure to wear uniform clothing
is due to the student’s or parent’s severe financial hardship.
Parents and students must be informed of the availability of financial
assistance if they cannot afford to purchase a school uniform at competitive
prices.
9. Exemptions
A. A parent who objects to the school uniform because of his or her
religion, religious belief or because of a strongly-held belief (i.e.,
philosophy or moral principle) must obtain a Request for Exemption form
from the school, complete the form, and return it to the school. The
form shall request that the parent identify the religion, religious
belief, philosophy or moral principle that forms the basis for the objection
and explains how wearing a school uniform conflicts with that belief.
The principal shall review the form and accept or deny the request for
exemption. If the principal is considering denying the request, he or
she must first send a letter to the parent requesting a meeting to discuss
and clarify the reason for the exemption request. The parent must meet
with the principal within three school days of receiving the letter.
The principal must accept or deny the request within two days of meeting
with a parent. If the principal denies the request for exemption to
the zone director in the Department of School Administration and Student
Support within two days of receiving the principal’s denial, the
zone director must meet with the parents within five school days of
the request for appeal. If the zone director also denies the request,
he or she must provide a written basis for the decision. The parent
may make a final appeal to the Board of Commissioners and ask the Board
to review the written record of the request for exemption and the denial.
The Board may hold a hearing on the exemption request at its discretion.
The decision of the Board of Commissioners is final. A student will
remain in school in the dress style recommended by the parent until
the appeal is final.
B. A religious exemption can be based on the religion of the parent
or the religion of the child, but the parent must apply for the exemption
in either case.
C. A strongly held belief is a philosophy or a set of moral principles
that guides a person’s decision about his/her life or lifestyle.
D. Example of Exemption Request
Mr. Ali requests an exemption for his daughter. He states that he is
a member of the Islamic faith, and his religion requires women to cover
their heads and all parts of their bodies except their face, hands,
and feet when in public. Mr. Ali believes that wearing the traditional
Islamic dress will allow his child to fulfill these requirements. He
believes that the school uniform is not sufficient to meet the requirements
set forth by the Islamic faith because of parts of the young women’s
bodies that Islam requires to be covered will not be covered.
In this example, the parent identified his religion and one of its beliefs
or tenets and indicated how he believed wearing the school uniform conflicts
with one of his religion’s beliefs.
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Emergency
Drills
FIRE: The
signal for a fire drill is indicated by a long continuous sound of a
buzzer. The building is evacuated, with students leaving nearby exits
as instructed by the teacher.
TORNADO: At the sound of the siren on the roof of the school building,
students leave classrooms and take positions in the hall - kneeling,
head down, facing the wall. During threatening weather, classes in the
portable buildings are moved into the main building.
EARTHQUAKES: Grahamwood also has a detailed plan for dealing with earthquake
emergencies.
CODE RED: This is a signal for a safety alert. Teachers gather their
students in a secure place, preferably behind a locked door, until an
"All Clear" signal is given.
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Grading
System: Academic
A
- 93-100
B - 85-92
C - 76-84
D - 70-75
F - Failure (Below 70)
I - May be used to denote incomplete, but shall not be left as final
grade.
Grading
System: Conduct
A
- 93-100
B - 85-92
C - 76-84
D - 70-75
F - Failure (Below 70)
I - May be used to denote incomplete, but shall not be left as final
grade.
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Grahamwood
Parents Association
All parents
are encouraged to take an active part in the Grahamwood
Parents Association. Monthly GPA business meetings are open to everyone,
and are generally held on the first Friday of each month at 8:45 a.m.
The GPA newsletter is sent home on report card day each six weeks.
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Homework
Policy #6133: "The
Memphis Board of Education recognizes the importance of homework as
a supportive activity designed to promote academic achievement, to reinforce
or apply a skill previously taught, and to extend activities into the
home. Therefore, meaningful homework assignments shall be made throughout
the year."
It is the policy of this school that at least ten percent of each six
weeks grade will be based on the evaluation of meaningful homework assignments.
In order to assure meaningful homework, assignments should be:
- An outgrowth of classroom instruction;
- Clear and definite;
- Graded in line with a system that is understood by the class.
The implementation of this homework policy shall be the responsibility
of each teacher. Homework assignment books are available for purchase
in the school bookstore.
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Honors
Assemblies
At
the end of the first through fifth six weeks periods, students in grades
3-6 attend assemblies for recognition of honors earned.
Honors include the following:
- Principal's List: All A's, E's and S's; Reading on or above grade
level
- Honor Roll: All A's and B's, E's and S's; Reading on grade level
- Citizenship: E's in Conduct and Work Habits
- Outstanding Effort: Special Grahamwood award for up to two students
in each homeroom.
Recognition will also be given to students who earn awards in competitive
events such as science fair and history fair.
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Instructional
Programs
Student
instruction is aligned with Memphis City Schools Student Standards.
Grahamwood has an enriched academics optional program, which is available
to children who apply for and meet the qualifications of this program.
Entrance requirements are:
- Standardized achievement test scores at or above the 85th percentile
in Total Reading/Reading Composite and Total Math/Math Composite
- A's and B's on the report card
- Good conduct
- Good attendance
Special needs of children are addressed through programs in the Memphis
City Schools Division of Exceptional Children:
- Instructional Resource: Children leave their homeroom to go and
work in small groups with the resource teacher one to two hours each
day.
- CDC: Children join children in regular classes when appropriate.
- CLUE: This program addresses the needs of academically gifted and
talented students.
- Services for the visually limited and hearing-impaired are available
according to individual need.
While teachers refer students who seem to have special needs, it is
also appropriate for a parent to request that a child be considered
for a particular program. For more information about guidelines for
placement, please call our guidance counselor or school administrator.
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Lesson
Line
Lesson
Line is a telecommunications service provided to teachers and parents
by First Tennessee Bank. Lesson Line makes it possible for parents and
students to get recorded messages by telephone from the school from
5:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. weekdays and anytime on weekends. Just call
the Lesson Line telephone number and follow the recorded directions.
Telephone numbers and teacher codes are sent home at the beginning of
the school year.
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Lost
Articles
Please
mark all coin purses, lunch boxes, lunch sacks, clothing, schoolbooks,
etc. with your child’s name. You or your child may check in the
office for lost articles.
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Lunch
If your
child chooses to bring a lunch from home please write his/her name on
the lunch box or sack. Carbonated drinks and glass containers are not
allowed in the cafeteria. Milk and some à la carte items are
available for purchase in the cafeteria.
The Federal Lunch Program is available for children whose family income
qualifies them for free or reduced price lunches. Applications are available
at registration and throughout the school year in the office.
Parents are invited to have lunch with their children any day. No reservation
is necessary. Please do not bring in food from fast food restaurants.
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Money
If you
give your child money for any reason, please put it in an envelope.
On the envelope write your child’s name and the purpose for which
the money was sent. It is especially important that parents do this
for students in grades K-3.
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Parent
Meetings
In order
to keep you informed of our educational activities, there will be various
classroom and school visitations, programs, GPA meetings and open houses
during the school year. You will be notified when these meetings are
scheduled.
All parents are encouraged to take an active part in the Grahamwood
Parents Association. Monthly GPA business meetings are open to everyone,
and are generally held on the first Friday of each month at 8:45 a.m.
The GPA newsletter is sent home on report card day each six weeks.
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Schools
Closings
In case
of severe weather, snow, ice, etc., an official announcement for school
closings can be heard over the local radio and television stations.
Parents are requested to have a "snow plan" on file with each
teacher. This plan should specify what each child should do in case
of early dismissal. Students will NOT have access to a telephone to
call you.
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Sick
or Hurt Students
Please
inform us in writing of any specific health problems that your child
may have such as severe reactions to bee stings, other allergies, or
seizures. We will call you if your child becomes sick or is hurt at
school. However, sometimes this notification takes hours. We encourage
you to help us by:
- Making
sure that the parent or guardian’s daytime addresses and phone
numbers are correct on the registration form.
- Listing
two emergency friends and correct phone numbers for those friends
on the registration form.
- Making
sure that the school is notified if you have a new address and phone
number.
If it
is necessary for your child to take medication at school, send the medical
form, available in our school office, completed by the doctor and parent,
along with the medication. All medicine is kept in the office and is
dispensed there. A school nurse is present at Grahamwood one full day
each week. The secretaries in the office handle medical concerns daily.
Several
staff members are trained in CPR and on call for "code blue"
emergencies. In case of a serious accident, students will be transported
by ambulance to the nearest hospital or medical facility.
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Student
Health Insurance
Although
purchase is optional, school insurance is available and a good investment.
Packets are sent home early in the year. The school does not assume
financial responsibility for injuries incurred on school premises.
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Telephone
Calls
Pupils
may not use the office telephone except in extreme emergencies. We do
not call pupils to the telephone when they are in their classes. We
will, however, deliver an important message to your child.
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Visitors
All visitors
must check in with the office to get a visitor’s sticker before
going into other parts of the building. Any unauthorized person will
be sent to the office. If a parent is bringing something to a student,
the parent should come to the office. We will deliver the item to the
student.
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Withdrawing
from Grahamwood
Please
notify the school at least two days before the date of withdrawal. We
need time to get records together for your child’s new school.
Please write us a note telling us the new address and the last day he/she
will be attending Grahamwood School. All textbooks, library books, and
other school-owned materials must be returned before withdrawal. When
student’s record has been cleared, a Transfer Data Sheet will be
provided to the new school.
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