SCHOOL HOURS / ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

   The Barnes Elementary School Day begins at 9:00 a.m. and students are dismissed beginning at 3:50 p.m.  All students attending Barnes Elementary should arrive at school between 8:40 a.m. and 8:55 a.m. daily to allow them ample time to prepare for their day of education.  Except for students who ride buses, no pupils should come to the building prior to 8:40 in the morning.  Latchkey services are available before and after school, if needed.  Contact Latchkey at 721-3933 for enrollment and fee information.

PRE-K

   Morning Pre-K class is from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.  Afternoon Pre-K class is from 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.  Morning class students should not arrive before 8:45 and afternoon classes should not arrive before 12:45.

 Pre-Kindergarten students do not ride the bus.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

   Parents picking up students by car should use one of the drive-through lanes in the front parking lot.  Do not leave your car unattended in the drive -through lanes.  If you need to come in the building, please park your car in the designated parking spaces.  This includes drivers picking up students from Latchkey and from sports practices and games.  No vehicle traffic, except buses and daycares should use lanes closest to the east side of the building near the cafeteria. 

 If a child is going home differently than what is normal for that child, the parent needs to send a note to the teacher or contact the office before 2:00 p.m.

STUDENT INFORMATION

Student Enrollment Sheets in the office should be kept up to date.  If any information changes, contact the office as soon as possible.  We must have an emergency number at all times.

ATTENDANCE, TARDIES AND EARLY PICK-UP POLICY

   It is imperative that every student try to be in attendance at school every day.  Some absences are unavoidable, but every effort should be made to keep absences to a minimum.  If your child will not be in attendance, please call the school at 739-1651 or 739-1639 before 10:00 a.m.Also, the beginning and ending of the school day are very important to the success of each child.  It is difficult for students to make up work when they are tardy or when they are picked up early.  We urge parents to follow the regular school hours. 

  Due to State Attendance Office mandates, students who are late for school by 1 hour or more will be considered ½ day absent.  Students who leave 1 hour or more prior to the end of the school day will also be considered ½ day absent. 

Example #1:  School begins at 9:00 a.m.; if the student arrives at 10:00 or later they are counted ½ day absent. 

Example #2:  School ends at 3:50 p.m.; if the student leaves at 2:50 or earlier they are considered ½ day absent.

  If students are late arriving, they must be signed in by an adult.  If they are leaving early, they must be signed out by an adult that is listed on the school enrollment sheet.  If students are to be checked out early, please arrive before 3:35.  All students leaving early must be checked out only through the school office.  No student can be checked out directly from the classroom, playground, or cafeteria!

VISITORS

   You are always welcome to visit us at Barnes Elementary.  In fact, we hope you will visit us!  We do request when you come to school during the day, that you enter the building through the main doors located at the front of the building and report to the office first.  All visitors are required to obtain a visitor's pass from the office before entering school hallways. 

Please keep in mind, teachers are responsible for students beginning at 8:40 a.m.  Conferences with teachers need to be scheduled outside of class time. 

BUSES

  Buses will start on their schedule the first day of school.  Please talk with your child about good behavior on the bus and at the bus stop.  Serious misbehavior by students may result in immediate suspension of riding privileges.  Everyone must be registered to ride the bus.  Forms are available in the office.  If a student needs to ride home on the bus with another student , a written request from the parent is required and must be approved by the principal in advance.

GOING HOME

   All children are expected to go straight home after school, or at the conclusion of after school activities. 

Walkers - Parents should establish the route(s) for children who walk to or from school.  Please remind your children about safety precautions, stranger danger, and consideration for the property of others.   Please, no skateboards, skates, shoes with wheels, or scooters at school.

BAD WEATHER

   Mid-Del Schools may cancel class if weather makes conditions unsafe for children.  The decision to cancel school is made by the Superintendent and is given to the local radio and TV stations.  Early dismissal of all students is not common in our school system.  This causes a hardship on many working parents. 

SCHOOL PHONE

   Only in the case of an emergency will a child be allowed to use the office phone.  If you have a call-in message for your child, please call prior to 2:15 p.m.  In addition, it is extremely important that the school be able to contact a parent in an emergency.  PLEASE PARENTS, make sure an emergency number is kept up to date. 

ADMINISTERING MEDICATION

   It is the policy of the Board of Education that if a student is required to take medication during school hours and the parent or guardian cannot be at school to administer the medications, a school nurse, principal, or designated school employee may administer the medication ONLY AS FOLLOWS:

•1.   A "Parental Authority to Administer Medication" form must be completed and on file in the office.  A prescription medication may be administered only with written request and permission from the parent or guardian.  Prescription medication must be in a container that is labeled by the pharmacy with: 

•a.   The authorizing physician's name

•b.The student's name

•c.   The name and strength of medication

•d.Dosage and directions for administration

•2.   Non-prescription medication will not be administered at school by school personnel. 

•3.   Each school will keep a record of the name of the student to whom medication was administered, and the name of the person who administered the medication.  Medications will be kept in a locked cabinet except medication retained by a student per physician order.  Unused medication will be returned to parent or guardian only. 

•4.   The school shall keep on file the written authorization of the parent or guardian of the student to administer the prescribed medicine to the student.  The parent or guardian of the student is responsible for informing school personnel of any change in medication.

  DISCIPLINE

  Barnes believes that our primary goal is to educate.  Education includes establishing rules of social behavior and assisting students in understanding and practicing those rules.

  The foundation of good discipline is developed in the home.  By teaching and by example, parents develop in the child habits of appropriate behavior, as well as proper attitudes toward school and for those in authority.  Therefore, home and school must work together toward the mutually desired goal of intellectual and emotional maturity for all students.

  Expectations for students focus on the Character Counts 6 pillars of Character = Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring & Citizenship.  Behaviors that contradict these ethical principles impede a student's learning and the learning of others and will be addressed in a fair and consistent manner, with the goal of insuring maximum learning opportunities for all students. 

 Each student will receive a copy of the district's Student Expectations Handbook.

PROMOTION-RETENTION

  A pupil who has made unsatisfactory academic achievement, in light of the pupil's potential, shall be carefully evaluated before being moved to the next grade or level of instruction.  The age, physical development, emotional maturity, social adjustment, and attitude of the child shall be considered in each case. 

  The parents of the child shall receive a minimum of two notifications that the child's progress in class has not been adequate to meet the success at the next grade level.  The final notice should come at Parent Conference Day in the third nine-week period. 

  For any pupil who enrolls after the second semester, all notifications shall be issued within a reasonable time period prior to the recommendation for retention. 

  The parents of the child shall be presented the opinion and recommendations of the teacher and/or the principal in a conference in which the best interest of the child shall be the topic for discussion. 

  If, in the opinion of the teacher and/ or the principal, additional time is thought necessary for the best development of the child, it shall be recommended that the child be retained.

GRADE REPORTS

   By district policy, your child will receive a progress report after 5 weeks in each 9 weeks period.  Report cards will follow the completion of each 9 weeks period. 

  Please sign and promptly return the report to the school.  Please contact your child's teacher if you need an explanation of any report. 

DISTRICT GRADING SCALE

A=90 - 100D= 60 - 69

B= 80 - 89   F= 0 - 59

C= 70 - 79  I= Insufficient progress

(+) = Mastered/Excellent

(checkmark)=In Progress/Working towards Mastery 

(-) = Does not know or do/Needs Improvement

 Please realize that a variety of assessments are used to assign grades to students.

BREAKFAST/LUNCH PROGRAM

  Each student has a computer number.  Money is put into his/her account (this must be done before school starts in the morning).  The students type in their number, and then meals and extras are debited to the account as they leave the kitchen area.  Students may pay for breakfast and lunch on a daily basis. 

  We regret we must have a no charge policy.  Should a student's account have no money, he/she will receive a free bread serving and milk paid for by Child Nutrition.  Please have a plan should your child find himself/herself without money on account, i.e. a relative or neighbor to call and bring money, etc.

  Should a student be allergic to milk and require a substitution, a doctor's statement must be on file with cafeteria supervisor as required by the State Department of Child Nutrition.         

 SCHOOL INSURANCE

   The insurance program is an optional program primarily for those students who do not have hospitalization insurance.

 CLOTHING

  We expect our students to be appropriately dressed for school activities.  Shirts should meet the top of pants, skirts or shorts so that no part of the body is exposed.  Shorts and skirts should be fingertip length.  Cuts or holes in clothing are not appropriate.  Pants should be worn at the natural waistline.  No bagging under the natural waistline will be allowed.  Clothing and accessories should not display pictures, lettering, or figures that are profane or obscene or that advertise items inappropriate for the school setting.  Any student dressed inappropriately will be sent home to change or given appropriate clothing to wear for the day.

MONEY/CHECKS

   Students are discouraged from bringing cash to school.  However, when cash or checks are sent, please put them in an envelope or something similar, with the student's name, the amount, and what it is for clearly labeled on the front. 

PERSONAL ITEMS

   Parents please be aware we cannot be responsible for valuable items students bring to school.  Help us by reinforcing to your child that Nintendos, Pokemon cards, electronic devices, etc...are not appropriate for school.  They disrupt the educational process.  District policy states cell phones should not be visible or active during school hours.

FIELD TRIPS

   Occasionally a teacher will offer educational opportunities outside of the classroom, which are important for the students to experience.  Participation in these trips is limited to students in the class, the teacher, and adult chaperones (when invited).  Permission to travel with the class on field trips must be given by a parent before a student will be allowed to leave school. 

  Both the students and adults will observe transportation safety regulations.  We expect each person to show "Bluejay Pride" by practicing the 6 pillars of Character and safety whenever representing Barnes to the public. 

FUND-RAISING

   In an effort to provide your child with the best opportunity to grow and learn, we find ourselves in need of additional funds to obtain some of the materials and equipment that will help enrich their education.  Thus, each year we seek your cooperation in a special Fund-Raising project.  This sale is to help us with the purchase of instructional equipment and supplies, and athletic and music needs.  Every child in our school will benefit from this effort.       

STUDENT CHECK OUT

  During school hours, ALL students must be checked out through the school office.  Please come to our office to sign your child out if you need them before the 3:50 p.m. dismissal time. We will notify the teacher who will then send your child down to the office to meet you.  Only persons listed on the student's enrollment sheet are permitted to check out that student.  These policies are for your child's protection. Students will only be called to the office after parent/guardian's arrival to minimize loss of instructional time.

PTA 

PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association.  Barnes PTA works to enhance the parent-Teacher relationship to benefit Barnes students.  We encourage all parents of Barnes students to join and participate in our PTA and its programs.  This organization's efforts provide us the opportunity to meet and work together for the benefit of our school and children. 

TESTING

State mandates require testing in grades 3, 4, and 5.  Your child's teacher will let you know what tests will be given for your child's grade level for this school year.  It is imperative that you as a parent work with your student on their studies, especially in READING & MATH. 

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

 It is the policy of Mid-Del Public Schools District No. I-52 not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, services, and activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1975.

Civil rights compliance inquiries related to the Mid-Del Public Schools District No. I-52 may be directed to Kathy Dunn, Executive Director, 7217 S.E. 15^th, Midwest City, Oklahoma 73110, telephone number (405)737-4461.