BUCHANAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Student-Family Handbook

2017-2018

Buchanan Elementary School

1222 East Buchanan Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

(225) 343-4585 School

(225) 343-4673 Fax

Charlotte Britten, Principal

Ariane St. Julien, Assistant Principal

Barbara Nosacka, Gifted Coordinator

Farylece Brooks, Guidance Counselor

Believe* Achieve* Succeed

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Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to Buchanan Elementary School

for the 2017-2018 school year!

This is your school, and we want you to enjoy it. We need your help to make it a

rewarding and safe environment for everyone. It is our goal to provide all of our students

with a quality education. In order to do this, we must have policies to regulate our program.

These policies will ensure that all stakeholders thrive as a community of learners.

We take pride in the programs and activities at Buchanan Elementary. Some of those

programs include: Gifted Self-Contained Classrooms, Scholastic Academy Resource,

Traditional Education Programs, PACE classes, Art, Music, Theatre, Dance Club, Choir, and a

whole lot more! We are driven to provide optimal learning opportunities that promote the

talents and strengths of all students.

All the policies of our school are based on the regulations found in the East Baton Rouge

Parish School District’s Student’s Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. Refer to it as an

additional resource.

Please read this handbook carefully and discuss it with your child(ren). Also, review,

sign, and return all forms given. We look forward to making this our best school year yet!

Educationally Yours,

Charlotte Britten, Principal

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Buchanan Elementary’s Vision

Buchanan Elementary will become an “A” school of excellence by providing a

nurturing foundation of diversified academic success for all stakeholders

through their strengths, talents, and gifts to ensure that our students are on

track to a college degree or professional career and prepared to compete and

lead in their community and a global world.

Buchanan Elementary’s Mission

Here at Buchanan Elementary, our goals are to believe, achieve, and succeed in

a culturally diverse world and grow as independent thinkers,

life-long learners, and engaged scholars who inspire leadership and greatness

that is exemplary and beyond.

Buchanan Elementary’s Motto

We are the school where the BEST keeps getting BETTER!

OUR GOALS FOR STUDENTS

All students will develop competencies in utilizing resources, exercising

rights and responsibilities and decision-making strategies that promote

leadership.

* All students will learn to engage in appropriate classroom, public, and school behavior.

* All students will learn to consider the viewpoints of others.

* All students will recognize that they are important to themselves and others.

* All students will learn to respect and show appreciation for their principal, teachers, staff,

other students, property, and the educational process.

* All students will learn to value their unique characteristics and abilities.

* All students will develop and incorporate an understanding of how attitudes

and values affect decisions and actions.

* All students will participate in drug awareness education.

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All students will develop competencies in the basic cognitive skills

that are reflective of continued learning.

* All students will become functional readers.

* All students will become knowledgeable of the basic mathematical computations, problem-

solving skills and strategies, computer awareness, graphing interpretations, geometry, and

the meaning of fractions.

* All students will become effective communicators through oral and written expression.

* All students will develop competencies in Social Studies and Science through research,

technology and inquiry.

SCHOOL HOURS

School hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 3:25 p.m. each day. Students should NOT arrive earlier than

8:00 a.m. or remain on the campus later than 3:40 p.m. unless they are participating in our supervised

extended day program or other supervised program. Morning extended hours begin at 7:00 a.m.

Afternoon extended hours are until 5:30 p.m. Students arriving earlier than 8:00 a.m. or not picked up by

3:40p.m. will be billed and fined at the extended day rates.

7:55a.m. All School Personnel Arrive

8:00a.m. Students arrive

8:20a.m. Cafeteria stops serving Breakfast in the Classroom

8:30a.m. Morning Routines begin

8:30a.m. Tardy Bell Rings

2:30p.m. Early Check-Outs and School Visitations End

3:15p.m. Dismissal Begins

3:40p.m. Teacher Day Ends

TARDY POLICY

Elementary students are required to be in attendance a minimum of 167 six-hour school days or 60,120

minutes a school year.

Students are TARDY after 8:30a.m. and an adult must sign them in at the office.

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ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students must not be absent more than 10 days during the school year in order to be considered for

promotion.

1. A written note explaining an absence will be required from the parent within five school days.

{Only 5 parent notes will be accepted}

An excused absence will be granted for the following reasons:

•Personal illness

•Serious illness in the student’s immediate family

•Death in the student’s immediate family

•Recognized religious holidays of the student’s own faith

•Natural catastrophe and/or disasters

•Visit with parent due to parent’s military deployment/leave.

2. Students are responsible for makeup work on days missed due to excused absences.

3. If a student misses more than three hours of the school day, he/she will be marked absent.

4. If a student misses ten or more days, their promotion is in jeopardy.

Please have your child in school every day.

It is often impossible for a student to make-up the learning experiences provided at school.

Perfect Attendance Guidelines Attendance is all day, every day (no absences, no late check-ins, no early

check-outs—including dentist/doctor’s appointments). In the case of a late school bus or severe weather, it

is not counted as a tardy.

Meritorious Attendance Guidelines A student who has had perfect attendance, except for 3 or less days,

may receive meritorious attendance.

CHECK OUT POLICY

If your child checks out of school before 11:30 a.m. or checks in school after 11:30 a.m., he/she

will be considered absent for the entire day (District policy). CHECK-OUTS are not allowed

AFTER 2:30 P.M., according to the time in the front office. All students are to be signed out

by a designated adult (18 years of age or older) at the front office (by an approved adult

according to student’s emergency card) and the student will be called from class.

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Picture Identification is required for all checkouts.

Students will not be released to anyone not listed on the Emergency Card.

Any changes or written parental permission must be presented if someone other than the parent

picks up a student. The office will contact you by phone to verify permission. This is for your

child’s protection.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

EACH STUDENT must have an emergency card on file. Please keep the school informed of any

change of address, telephone number or emergency numbers. It is important that we are able to

reach you at all times in cases of illness or accident. This card will also be used to identify those

with permission to check out a student.

ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

Students arrive on campus at 8:00. They may pick up breakfast. Students are to report to their

classroom.

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten parents may walk their Pre-Kindergarten and/or Kindergarten

students to class in the morning.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

All students will remain in class until called for dismissal. Carpoolers will be assigned numbers

and escorted to cars as their numbers are called. Parents are to remain in the vehicle and the

student will come to you. Walkers will be dismissed together. Bus Riders will be called by their

bus. Parents will not be allowed in the school lobby during dismissal time (until after 3:40). This

will help ensure a safe and orderly dismissal for all students.

EMERGENCY DISMISSAL

The decision to close a school during the school day comes only from the superintendent’s office.

You will receive a phone call-out. Again, please ensure that emergency card contact information is

current at the front office.

SHELTER IN PLACE

When an emergency exists in the vicinity of the school, the principal will exercise his/her best

judgment of specific steps, which should be taken to minimize danger to the students and to the

school staff until the danger has ceased. Buchanan Elementary off-campus emergency shelters

are McKinley High School or Polk Elementary.

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VISITORS AND CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS

Classroom visitation times are 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

For the safety of our students, all visitors (parents included) report to the office, sign in, and are

issued a visitor’s badge. The badge must be filled out and visibly worn. We want to keep our

school safe and orderly. We know you are concerned about the safety of your child and will

cooperate in this matter. Pre-K parents have a special tag that they must use at all times to

enter the classrooms and to pick up students. Visitations are limited to 30 minutes. Please do

not use classroom visitation time as a time to conference with the teacher.

VOLUNTEERS (VIPS)

We welcome and encourage parents, grandparents, and others to lend their talents in our school.

All volunteers must be approved through Volunteers In Public Schools (VIPS).

*Check in at the front office, sign the VIPS log, and obtain a Visitor’s pass. Wear this tag at all

times while on campus. *Dress appropriately. *Report to the assigned work area.

PARTIES

Birthday Parties are allowed with prior notice and approval of the classroom teacher during the

last 15 minutes of school (3:00-3:15). As a school, we have two class parties (Winter and Spring)

during the school year.

COMMUNICATION

The principal has an open door policy. Feel free to stop by, email, or call. Teachers may be

contacted through phone message or email as well. Also, look for information on the school’s

website. http://schools.ebrschools.org/buchananelementary/

225-343-4585

Principal Britten’s email: cbritten@ebrschools.org

Assistant Principal St. Julien’s email: aasmore@ebrschools.org

PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO)

Please join and participate in our PTO!!! Meetings are held once a month (at a morning and

afternoon time). More information will be sent with students.

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SCHOOL DRESS CODE

The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Policy states that uniforms for elementary school

students are:

Navy blue bottoms (pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, and jumpers, not more than 5”above the knee).

NO jeans, biking shorts, tight fitting/stretch pants, sweatpants, or capri pants.

Only Burgundy school uniform shirts with a collar are acceptable (turtlenecks are acceptable in

winter). Shirts must be tucked in. NO t-shirts.

Hooded jackets may be worn but not in the classroom or building.

No caps or hoods of any sort or sports head bands are to be worn inside the school building.

Closed-toed shoes/sneakers. NO sandals or flip-flops.

Our School Improvement Team agreed on these additional guidelines for students:

Hair must be neat and clean. No hair curlers should be worn at school.

Sunglasses may be worn in class with a doctor’s prescription. Documentation is required.

Make-up will not be allowed.

Only females may wear earrings only in their ears. For safety reasons earrings should be no larger

than a quarter.

No artificial nails.

No body piercing.

No hats, caps, bandanas or do-rags may be worn in the building.

Hair color must be natural.

No haircuts that are distracting.

Any item that promotes gang or drug activity is not permitted.

No shoes with wheels.

Traditional belts should be worn (no name plate, large buckles, skull heads, or personalized belts

are permitted). If pants are sagging because of no belt, it is considered non-compliance of the

uniform policy.

Buchanan Spirit Shirt may be worn on Friday’s with the uniform bottom.

Any dress code or grooming item not covered in the above list of dress code rules and

regulations will be up to the discretion of the principal.

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UNIFORM POLICY

In accordance with the policy, the following disciplinary action will be taken for non-compliance of

the school’s dress code:

1st Offense - Conference with Student and Warning letter stating uniform policy

2ndOffense - Phone Conference with Parent

3rd Offense - Parent Conference

POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS (PBIS)

PBIS is used district-wide as a proactive approach to establish the behavioral supports for all

students in an effort to achieve social, emotional, and academic success. PBIS school rules

posted in each classroom and throughout the campus. Students are expected to follow these rules

at all times. A copy of the rules will be sent home.

Buchanan Elementary’s Rules and Expectations are to:

Be Respectful Be Responsible Be Prepared

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DISCIPLINE

Students have a fundamental right to a free public education. They must also respect the rights of

others and be an active participant in maintaining a positive learning environment within the school.

The rules and regulations written in the EBR Parish Student’s Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

will assist in providing a safer, healthier and positive atmosphere for students to learn. This

Handbook is sent home at the beginning of each school year. It may also be referenced on the EBR

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website at ebrschools.org. Parents are to read carefully through the book and then sign and return

the form provided in the handbook.

Students are expected to behave in an orderly, courteous manner at all times and in all situations.

No disruptive acts of any nature will be tolerated under any circumstances.

SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS

Students and his/her parents are responsible for all inappropriate class, school, bus, cafeteria,

playground, etc. behaviors. It is a State Law that children are not allowed to stop teachers from

teaching and other children from learning! The EBRPSS Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and

Discipline Policy over rides/supersedes the policies set forth by Buchanan Elementary School for

consequences for major and minor infractions.

Buchanan Elementary School will do everything possible NOT to suspend or expel a student. All

children will follow the Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS), which is a school wide

behavior plan. Children will be given approximately 5 chances for minor offenses when inappropriate

behaviors occur in the classroom, cafeteria, bus, etc. The PBIS Tracking Form documentation

referral/form tracks children who constantly repeat inappropriate behaviors and identify classes

with inappropriate/unsafe behaviors so that the school can find strategies to help children with self-

discipline and/or remove the child to another school setting. However, if your child is uncontrollable,

a danger to himself/herself/other students, or a disruption to the learning environment by refusing

to comply with rules, procedures, and routines, he/she will be removed immediately. Suspension may

result. Upon returning from any suspension the parent may be required to return with the

student for a conference. After three suspensions, an expulsion hearing can be scheduled.

PERSONAL ITEMS

Label personal items:

Please place your child’s name on ALL school supplies, sweaters, coats, hats, gloves, raincoats, book

sacks, etc. By doing this, items can be returned to your child and not the first person to claim it. All

found items will be placed in the “Lost and Found” up to one month.

Loss of Non-Related School Items:

Students are discouraged from bringing extra clothing, handbags, athletic equipment, books, jewelry,

musical instruments, games, software, trading cards, cell phones, electronics, unnecessary money,

etc. because they are not covered by the school system’s insurance. Any losses should be reported to

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law enforcement. Claimant recourse for loss of this type would be against the perpetrator, not the

school system.

Confiscation of Non-Related School Items:

If a student is distracted by or allows personal items to interfere with the learning process, it will

be taken from the student and not returned. For this reason, a student should not bring any of the

above mentioned items to school.

Lost and Found Items:

Every effort is made to help your child take care of his belongings. It is important that your child’s

belongings are labeled with his/her name and his/her teacher’s name so that we can return items

that are lost. Found items are placed in the auditorium so that students can locate items left at

school.

USE OF ELECTRONICS AT BUCHANAN

Students may have electronics (i.e. cell phones, MP3 players, video games, etc.); however, they must

be in the off position during school hours (8:00 a.m. – 3:40 p.m.) If students do not follow this rule,

the following consequences will occur:

1st Violation – Warning and the device will be returned to the parent.

2nd Violation – Parent Conference and the device will be returned to the parent.

3rd Violation – Student will attend After School Clinic. The device will be returned to the parent

after five (5) school days.

LOST OR DAMAGE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY

Parents will be responsible for payment of any lost or damaged school property.

CONCESSIONS

Students may not sell candy or any other items on school buses or the school campus. However, the

school will sell concessions on Fridays. (“Snack Attack Friday”).

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SCHOOL BUS POLCIY

The same rules and expectations outlined in this and the district’s handbook are also expected on the bus.

Bus drivers have been advised to follow this procedure if students refuse to obey regulation:

1. First Offense: -Parent/guardian notified

-Warning citation issued

2. Second Offense: -A conference with student and parent/guardian

3. Third Offense: -Written notification to parent/guardian

-Suspension from bus

4. Fourth Offense: -Permanent suspension from bus transportation for the

remainder of the school year

STUDENT WORK PACKETS

It is the policy of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board that we share the students’ work with

the parents/guardians twice a month. You should expect kindergarten and 1st grade students to

get this work, and if you do not receive it, you should check with the child’s teacher. Work is sent

home in large brown envelopes. All 2nd – 5th grade students will have a data binder that will be sent

home weekly.

On the front of each envelope and/or data binder will be the date the work is sent home and a

place for parents to sign, stating they have reviewed the work. Your signature assures the

teacher that you have seen the work. The envelope and/or data binder should always be returned

the next school day. If you have any questions about the work, write the teacher a note or call to

set up a conference time to discuss your child’s progress.

Parent Access of records: https://parentaccess.ebrpss.k12.la.us This website allows you to view

schedules, attendance, discipline records, class work and grades, progress reports and report

cards. See Executive Secretary Ms. Favorite if you need help logging in.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

The district schedules certain days for parent-teacher conferences.

Feel free to conference with a teacher anytime. Please contact the teacher, arrange a date and

time best for you. (225-343-4585).

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GRADING & REPORT CARDS

Mid-Nine Week Progress Reports –Every 4 ½ weeks the progress report (IPR report) informs

parents of the students’ progress during the nine week period.

Report Cards are given at the end of each 9-week instructional period.

Grading Scale

A = 93%–100% B = 92%–85% C = 84%-75% D = 74%-67% F = 66%– 0%

PROMOTION/RETENTION REGULATIONS

The state of Louisiana requires that specific standards be met by students to qualify for

promotion to the next grade. The specifics are given in great detail in the Pupil Progression Plan

Handbook located in every school. Teachers will discuss these regulations at Open House and

during conferences. It is the responsibility of parents to be aware of their child’s current

academic standing and its relationship to the standards of promotion and retention.

If applicable, students will receive a Promotion in Jeopardy letter after the 2nd nine weeks

notifying the parent/guardian that his/her child is in danger of failing and will remain in their

present/same grade for the next school year. Parents will have a conference scheduled with the

teacher and guidance counselor to complete an SBLC to see if other services are needed to

increase academic achievement or improve behavior strategies for the child to be promoted to the

next grade. The child will sign that they received the notification to give to the parent/guardian

as documentation. A copy will be placed in your child’s cum folder for documentation and archival

information.

Students in K – 5th:

*Must pass Reading and Math

*May not be promoted if a grade of “U” or “F” is earned in both the 3rd and 4th Nine Weeks in

the same subject

*Must meet attendance requirements

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BREAKFAST

Our school participates in the district-wide free breakfast and free lunch program. Breakfast

and lunch is free to all students. Visitors may eat breakfast and lunch according to the current

prices set by the district.

LUNCHES THAT ARE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL

Students are permitted to bring their own lunch from home. Bag lunches should be securely

packaged in lunch boxes and beverages must be placed in containers (NO CANNED SODAS AND NO

FAST FOOD CONTAINERS). Milk, water, or juice are available for purchase. Staff cannot heat

food for students; parents must pack lunches that do not require heating. This is for safety

reasons.

MEDICATION POLICY

1. Medication shall not be given at school unless it is certified in writing by the attending physician.

2. Possible exceptions to the general policy are: Medication for behavior modification, insect sting

allergy (must have a medical permission form filled out by the physician with specific instructions),

anticonvulsive medications, medication for asthmatic conditions.

3. Antibiotics and other short-term medications, including non-prescription medications shall not be

given at school.

4. Children shall NOT be allowed to have medication (prescribed or over the counter) in their

possession on the school grounds. Teachers and principals have the right to take the medications

from the child and contact the parent.

5. Prior to the administering medications during school hours, the following will be required: The

Parental Consent/Physician’s order form completed, and signed by the physician and signed by the

parent or guardian. The medication will be brought to school by the parent/guardian in a container

labeled by the pharmacist. Unlabeled medications will not be administered at school. No more

than a week’s supply of medication will be kept at school; the empty bottle will be sent home with

the child. At each school year a new form must be filled out any time there is a change in

medication. The new form must be filled out by the physician accompanied with the new

medication. All medication should be recorded daily on the Medication Log where the permission

slip will be attached to the record. Due to potential danger, all medication must be locked up in

the front office. The nurse or designated person will administer the medication. All persons

administering medication will be certified.

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FIRST AID PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

The school staff and/or volunteers are not allowed to give any medication (aspirin, Tylenol, etc.) or

treat injuries that happened at home or school. The only acceptable procedure for treating

wounds, which occur at school, is to clean the area and cover it with a sterile bandage. The school

may sometimes have provided the child with a small ice pack to apply to small injuries. Parents will

be notified when a student is injured during the school day. Please have a correct phone number on

file. An accident report will be written and turned into EBRPSS Risk Management Department. A

child MUST report accidents and injuries to his/her teacher/adult on the day the accident

happens.

PLEASE REFER TO THE RULES AND REGULATION WRITTEN IN THE

EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL DISTRICT’S

STUDENT’S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES HANDBOOK

FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION.

Together we will make this our BEST school year yet!

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Cut on dotted line and return to homeroom teacher with signatures.

Our signatures indicate that we have received, read, and understood

the 2017-2018 Student-Family Handbook.

Student’s Signature ______________________________ Date ___________________

Parent’s Signature ______________________________ Date ___________________