Ms. Kennedy's 5th Grade Website

Bell Schedule

The first bell rings at 7:35. Students who wish to eat breakfast will be dismissed to the cafeteria and students who wish to go outside will be dismissed to the playground (from the gymnasium at 7:35). On A Days 7th/8th graders may go to the playground and on B Days 5th/6th graders may go outside.

The homeroom bell rings at 7:51, and students are to be in homerooms by 7:54. Students are allowed two minutes between classes. Lunch breaks are staggered throughout the lunch period from 11:09 to 12:45.

MONDAY-TUESDAY-THURSDAY-FRIDAY TIME SCHEDULE

PERIOD	CLASS BEGINS	CLASS ENDS
1	8:00	8:50
2	8:53	9:43
3	9:46	10:36
4	10:39	11:00
Lunch	11:00	11:27
4	11:29	11:58
5	12:01	12:56
6	12:59	1:49
7	1:52	2:42
HR	2:45	3:00

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Arrival at School

Students are asked not to come to school before 7:35 a.m. unless they ride a bus or prior arrangements have been made through the office. Students must report directly to the gym upon arriving to school. Students are dismissed from the gym at 7:35 if they wish to eat breakfast or go outside. At 7:51 students are dismissed to class.

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Attendance at School

Regular attendance is expected of every student. Whenever it is necessary for a student to be absent, the parents/guardians should call the school (886-6833) AFTER 7:15 a.m./BEFORE 8:00 a.m. or as soon as possible on the day that the student is absent.

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Absences

Absences are divided into the following four categories: excused, avoidable, truant, and medical. If a call cannot be made on the day of an absence, a note to the office should be sent with the student on the day of his/her return to school. Assignments may not be made up if a student is truant or has been suspended (OSS). If an absence is classified as avoidable (trips, hunting, hair appointments, etc.), a parent or guardian must notify the school prior to the absence and make arrangements with the teachers for make-up work. Absences of more than 10 days, whether or not they are in succession, must be authorized by a physician or administrator, or the absence may be treated as truancy. After 15 absences, a letter may be sent to the proper authorities.

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Make-Up Policy for Absences

Students are responsible for making up school work. We will only be sending make-up work home through the office if students have absences of a week (5 days) or more, in succession.

If a student has an excused absence for any period of time, the student should see his/her teachers upon return to develop a plan to complete any missed work.

However, if a child has a planned absence in advance, the make-up plan should be “set” before the child is absent. For example, if a family trip is planned, the homework plan must be taken care of BEFORE the trip.

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Tardiness

Students who arrive late to school should report to the office for a tardy slip before reporting to class. If the tardy is to be excused, a parent or guardian should send a signed, written excuse or call the school.

Excused tardiness during the school day requires prior written permission of a teacher or a written excuse signed by another teacher or administrator. If tardiness becomes excessive, disciplinary action may be taken.

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Leaving the Building

Once students have arrived, they are not to leave the building or school grounds for any reason without first receiving permission. All students leaving school during the school day must sign out in the office. If a student returns to school, he/she must sign in at the office and get an admit slip to class.

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Bicycles/Skateboards

Bicycles are not to be ridden on school sidewalks or grounds and should be parked immediately in bicycle racks upon arrival at school. All bicycles should be locked, as the school assumes no responsibility for losses or damages. Skateboards should not be brought to school.

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Cafeteria

BMS uses identification numbers and a computerized system to monitor student lunch accounts. Money should be deposited into the student’s account on a weekly or monthly basis, and it is necessary to maintain a positive balance in the account. Students who fail to maintain a positive balance will be put on the debt list and may have limited lunch choice.

Lunch prices are $1.40 for students ($.40 reduced) and $1.90 for adults. Breakfast is provided for students at an additional charge of $.90 ($.30 reduced) between 7:35 and 7:51 a.m.

Students are expected to use good manners, follow basic rules, and keep disruption to a minimum while in the cafeteria. Inappropriate behavior during breakfast or lunch may result in assigned seating.

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Debts

Debts incurred throughout the school year must be paid. This includes registration fees, library fines, lost and damaged books or other school property, and debts owed for physical education activities, electives, exploratory classes, lunch, etc.

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Textbooks

Textbooks are issued by classroom teachers. Students are responsible for these books until they are returned. Each book is given a rating according to its condition. If the book is returned damaged, a fine will be assessed by the teacher based on the rating condition of the book when it was issued to the student. Students who lose books will be charged a standard fee.

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Student Supplies

Vending machines are located in the cafeteria for use during lunch or with staff permission. The following supplies are available: notebooks $.75, pens $.25, novelty pens $.50, pencils $.25, and mechanical pencils $.50.

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Lost and Found

All articles that are found, including books, should be taken to the office. Students who have lost items should check in with the office periodically. It is recommended that names be placed on all gym equipment, and students are discouraged from bringing valuable personal items to school. The lost and found box is cleaned periodically, and students are given notice. Students will not be reimbursed for discarded items.

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Visitors

Visitors, especially parents, are always welcome. All visitors to the building should enter through the middle door on Odell Street, sign in at the Assistant Principal’s office, and pick up a visitor’s pass. If needing to visit a classroom/teacher, please make prior arrangements with the teacher to avoid possible distractions to class time.

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Emergency Procedures

Fire, tornado, earthquake, intruder, and other drills have been established to help prevent injuries and chaos in the case of emergencies. Teachers will escort students to designated areas in case of such emergencies. Crises management plans have also been established in the case of other emergencies. In any type of school-wide emergency, only parents or legal guardians will be allowed to take the children from school after an all-clear has been declared by the proper authorities.

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Withdrawal from School

Any student who is moving out of the Marshall School District should report to the office prior to moving. Each teacher on the student’s schedule must sign and post the current grade of the student on the official withdrawal sheet. Textbooks and other materials that are the property of BMS should be returned before the student leaves. Transcripts will not be forwarded without payment or return.

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School Nurse

The school nurse is to be utilized for first aid service. She will be at BMS from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily. When it is necessary for a student to see her, a hall pass must be obtained from a teacher or administrator. The nurse will then make proper arrangements with parents and the office for further action. Students should not be sent to the nurse during her lunch time, 1:00-1:30 p.m. In case of an emergency, students may report to the office.

Giving medication to students during school hours is discouraged and restricted to necessary medication that cannot be given on an alternative schedule. It should not be necessary to give more than one dose of medication during a seven-hour day. Your doctor may be able to schedule all doses of medication to be taken at home. Exceptions should be arranged with school personnel.

Prescription medication will only be administered if in the original bottle with label affixed by pharmacist or physician. Over-the-counter medications will only be given if accompanied by a parent’s request and must be in the original container. Please pick up the necessary forms for medication administration from the school nurse or secretary. This form must be completed before your child can be given any medication by school personnel. All medications must be provided by parent/guardian.

The administration of the medicine to a student, when the above conditions have been met, shall be limited to the school nurse or other designated person(s). All medication shall be kept in the nurse’s office. The parents/guardians of the student must assume responsibility for informing school personnel of any change in the student’s health or change in medication.

Note: Class trips/Medical concerns

When taking trips away from school grounds, parents bear the responsibility of informing the school nurse of any special medical needs. This information must also be noted on the Emergency Medical/Field Trip Approval form, so that staff is aware of concerns/procedures to be followed for any special medical needs.

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Grade Cards/Progress Reports

Official grade cards are issued two times a year. These will be sent home with the students at the end of 1st and 2nd quarters. Progress reports are issued every three weeks. Students are responsible for taking grade cards and progress reports home to their parents/guardians.

Grading Scale
A	95%-100%
A-	90%-94%
B+	87%-89%
B	83%-86%
B-	80%-82%
C+	77%-79%
C	73%-76%
C-	70%-72%
D+	67%-69%
D	63%-66%
D-	60%-62%
F	59% and below
P	“Pass” for effort
N	Incomplete

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Honor Roll

To recognize outstanding academic achievement, an honor roll has been established. A list of students achieving either the A or B honor roll is sent to the local media, as well as displayed at BMS at the end of each semester. A= 4.00 to 3.55 (w/ no C’s or below), B= 3.54 to 2.55 (w/ no D’s or below). To further recognize this achievement, the students will be recognized at the end of the school year at the grade-level awards assemblies.

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Awards and Recognition

Administrators, teachers, and counselors at all grade levels consistently recognize students for academic achievement, exemplary effort, improvement, and good citizenship. Achievement in many areas is publicized throughout the school and in the local media. Incentives may be provided to encourage all students to work to their full potential.

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Promotion and Retention Policies

Any student who receives more than two semester F’s may be a candidate for retention. These students will be required to attend summer school. Any student required to attend summer school who is not successful in completing the summer school session may be retained. All retentions are subject to administrative review.

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Conferences with Parents

Conferences are scheduled in the fall and spring. Conferences are held with homeroom teachers or special education teachers. Information regarding conference scheduling is sent home in advance so parents may express preferences as to scheduling times.

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Guidance Department

Some of the major areas of service provided by the counselors are the following: individual, small group, and crisis counseling; orientation and registration of students; referral resources for parents and outside counseling agents; individual and group testing; individual class presentations; and parent/student/teacher conference consulting.

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Library Media Center

The library/media center is open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Students may use the resources before school, with their language arts classes at a regularly scheduled time, or at other arranged times for group or individual study and research.

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Physical Education

Every student, unless exempt by a WRITTEN ORDER FROM A DOCTOR, is required by Missouri School Law to take physical education. All students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades should have suitable gym clothes and tennis shoes. Students in fifth grade will wear school clothes for physical education, but must have tennis shoes.

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ESL Program

The purpose of the ESL program is to identify all Language Minority (LM) students within the district and establish their language proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English. A Language Minority student is any student who speaks, understands, or has been exposed to a language other than English in the home. The program monitors the performance of LM students to insure their academic performance continues to meet grade-level expectations.

The ESL program also provides instructional assistance to LM students who have been identified as Limited English Proficient (LEP). LEP students are learners who are identified as still in the process of acquiring English as an additional language. The students may not read, write, speak, or understand English with the same facility as their classmates. Specific guidelines for the identification, service, and evaluation of LEP students are found in the ESL Policy Manual and Handbook.

El Programa de Ingles Como Segunda Lengua

El propo’sito del Programa de Ingle’s Como Segunda Lengua es el de identificar todos aquellos estudiantes duntro del distrito que pertenezcan a un grupo minoritario linguistico (ML) y de establecer en ellos un conocimiento linguistico en la lectura, la composicion, el habla y el sentido de oir en ingles. Un estudiante de un grupo minoritario linguistico es cualquier estudiante que habla, entienda, o que haya sido expuesto en el hogar a cualquier otro lenguaje que no sea ingles. El programa vigila el funcionamiento del estudiante del grupo minoritario linguistico (ML) para asegurar que su funcionamiento academico continua a satisfacer las expectaciones del nivel de grado.

El Programa de Ingles Como Segunda Lengua tambien supple asistencia educacional a estudiantes que pertenezcan a un grupo minoritario linguistico (ML) que hayan diso identificados con Conocimiento Limitado de Ingles (CLI). Estudiantes con Conocimento Limitado de Ingles (CLI) son estudiantes principiantes que hayan sido identificados como estudiantes que aun estarr en el proceso de adquirir el ingles como una lengua adicional. El estudiante pueda que no lea, escriba, hable, o entienda ingles con las misma facilidad que sus companeros do clase. Guia especificas para la identificacion, los servicios, ya la misma facilidad que sus companeros do clase. Guia especificas para la identificacion, los servicios, y la evaluacion del (CLI) Estudiante con Conocimento Limitdo de Ingles, su encuentran en el Manual y Guia de Ingles Como Segunda Lengua.

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General Classroom Rules

Students are expected to follow these basic responsibilities:

1. Be in class on time.
2. Bring materials and/or equipment and books to class.
3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to themselves.
4. Be mannerly and respectful to teachers and other students.
5. Follow directions of the teacher.
6. Turn in assignments on time.

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General School Rules

1. Toys, yo-yos, radios, CD players, CDs, laser lights, pagers, rubber bands, skateboards and scooters, etc., should not be brought to school. These items do not make a contribution to academic achievement and are an invitation to theft. They are prohibited from the building without prior permission.

2. Cell phones should not be seen or heard during the school day. If a phone is seen/heard, it will be taken and held in the Assistant Principal’s office until further notice. Recurring offenses may result in disciplinary action.

2. No items are to be bought or sold in the building without the consent and approval of the principal’s office. Items found without consent will be confiscated without consideration for monetary loss. This includes trading cards.

3. If necessary, telephone calls may be made by students from the office. Students may only use the phone after receiving permission from a teacher or administrator.

4. Substitute teachers should be treated with great respect, as if they are guests in the school.

5. Chewing gum is prohibited. Candy is not allowed unless approved by a staff member.

6. Students should not write or pass notes in school.

7. Students and their parents must read a document entitled Marshall Public Schools INTERNET Network Terms and Conditions and sign a contract agreeing to those terms before students are allowed to use the internet at school. Misuse of internet will result in termination of rights and possible disciplinary action.

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Dress Code

Student dress and grooming will be the responsibility of the individual and parents/guardians, within the following guidelines:

1. Dress and grooming will be clean and in keeping with health, sanitary, and safety requirements.
2. All students must wear shoes, boots, or other types of footwear.
3. Dress and grooming will not disrupt the educational environment. Examples of dress that might disrupt the educational environment include:

*Shirts or dresses that are strapless, have only one strap or have two straps that are less than one inch wide.
*Sagging pants or shorts.
*Hats, headbands, and other head gear unless necessary for health, religious or other valid reasons.
*Extremely short shorts, skirts, or dresses.
*Clothing that contains profanity.
*Clothing that contains pictures, words, or symbols that are vulgar, sexually suggestive, or promote illegal activity.
*Sleep wear(including pajamas), robes, and slippers.
*Clothing that does not appropriately cover the body or that reveals underwear.

4. Gang-related clothing or accessories or clothing or accessories worn in a gang-related style. (A list of items that are gang-related is available in the assistant principal’s office).
5. Class activities that present a concern for student safety may require the student to adjust hair and/or clothing during the class period, in the interest of maintaining safety standards.
6. Additional dress regulations may be imposed upon students participating in certain extracurricular activities.

When, in the judgment of the principal, a student’s appearance or mode of dress does not comply with the above criteria, the student may be required to make modifications. No employee or volunteer shall direct a student to remove an emblem, insignia, or garment, (including a religious emblem, insignia, or garment) as long as it is worn in a manner that does not promote disruptive behavior.

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Student Fee

A student fee of $10.00 is assessed to each student to help supplement the cost of field trips, PE activities (bowling, golf, skating, etc.), and student council. This will not cover our entire cost per child, but in most cases reduces the amount per event. You may pay this at any time during the school year.

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