Attendance

Cane Creek Elementary complies with county and state compulsory attendance laws. Parents/guardians of students ages 6 through 17 are required by Tennessee State Law (TCA 49-6-3001, et seq.) to insure their child’s regular school attendance. This attendance must be maintained unless adequate medical excuse is provided to the local school system. Students may be absent from school 5 days per semester with only a parent’s written excuse for illness. After 5 days, parents must provide a medical excuse from a certified medical provider, or the absence could be considered unexcused. TCA 49-6-3001, et seq. holds the parent/guardian responsible for his/her child’s continued unexcused absences. In accordance with TCA 49-6-3001, et seq., a petition can be filed in juvenile court naming the parent/guardian of said child for failure to maintain his/her child’s regular school attendance. Excused absences shall include: personal illness, family illness, death in the family or special religious holidays. Planned family trips over which the student has no control and is required to accompany the family are excused provided the student’s parents or guardians notify the principal in advance. Students must obtain class work assignments, complete the assignments and submit them to the teacher prior to the absence or on the first day the student returns to school. Each child with an excused absence will be given one week to make up missed assignments. Otherwise zeros will be given for the work not completed. Unexcused absences will automatically receive a zero for missed assignments. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO REQUEST AND COMPLETE THIS WORK. (School Board Policy – JB)

Tardiness – Early Pick-Up

Students tardy to school shall report to the office to sign the student log and have the principal sign their note from a parent/guardian. Tardiness will be recorded along with absences. Students who are picked up before 2:45 must also have a written excuse because this is also considered truant. Missed class work or tests may not be made up if the absence is unexcused.

Books

Any textbook lost or destroyed must be paid for before a new one will be issued. Library books that are lost or destroyed must be paid for before checking out another book.

Bus Regulations

Riding the bus is a privilege. Improper conduct on the buses will result in that privilege being denied.
Only regularly scheduled bus students are to ride the school buses. If it is necessary for a student to ride a bus that is different from the regularly scheduled one, parents are to send a note requesting that a student be permitted to ride that bus. The note must be signed by the child’s teacher and the principal. The note is given to the bus driver when boarding that bus. Bus students are to go immediately to the buses as soon as they are dismissed from school.
When a student dismounts form the bus or car on the school grounds, he/she is expected to immediately enter the school and is not expected to leave without permission from the office or until the normal release time. Students who normally ride a bus need a note form a parent/guardian if doing something different.

Traffic Flow

Automobiles bringing students to school will bear to the right, circle, drop off the student(s) and yield right of way to school buses.
School buses will bear to the left, circle, drop off students and merge into traffic.

Afternoon Pick-ups

K, 1st and 2nd grade students will be picked up in front of the building. 3rd and 4th grade students, with any younger brothers and sisters, will be picked up on the east side of the building.

Cafeteria

Food and nutritional service personnel prepare nutritious, hot lunches daily. If you bring lunch from home, you may buy milk at school. Lunch menus are published in the local newspaper, posted in each school, and sent home with students.
Your parents and relatives may have lunch with you on special occasions.
Free and reduced price lunches and breakfast are available for those who qualify.
Students may purchase ice cream and/or fruit drinks. Ice cream will only be sold on Fridays.
Glass containers are not permitted in the cafeteria.
Purchase of cafeteria meals is computerized. Each student will have an account established and may pay into the account anytime. Monies should be brought in an envelope with child’s name, teacher’s name and last four digits of student’s social security number on the outside of the envelope. CHARGING OF MEALS IS DISCOURAGED.
Please go over the following rules of the cafeteria.
1.Learn your four digit number.
2.Keep your hands to yourself at all times.
3.Get everything you need before sitting. (ex. Ketchup, mustard, fork and napkin)
4.Once seated, stay seated. If assistance is needed, raise your hand and an adult will come to you.
5.No changing of seats or tables.
6.No bothering another’s food tray.
7.Leave the top of the table clean.
8.Leave floor free of debris.
9.Keep voices low so that cashier may hear the student saying their lunch number.
10.Excessive noise and/or unbecoming conduct is not acceptable.

Dress Code

Students are encouraged to uphold high standards of dress, grooming and appearance. Students are not appropriately dressed when their attire is disruptive to the learning environment or when it creates a health hazard. The following are inappropriate as school attire:
1.T-shirts that make reference to drugs, alcohol, sex or obscenities.
2.Tank tops, fishnet shirts, halter-tops or tube tops.
3.Short-shorts or excessively short skirt lengths.
4.Sagging pants, skirts, shorts should fasten above hip level. No skin or underwear should be showing at waist.
Parents are expected to know what their children are wearing and how they are dressed each school day.
Our school has central heating and air conditioning so that extreme clothing changes should not be necessary.

Medicine

No school officer or teacher shall routinely dispense medication to students except in unique situations in which a child’s health is dependent upon emergency medical aid. Under exceptional circumstances, when a child is required to use oral medication during school hours and the parent cannot be at school to administer the medication, only the principal’s designee will administer the medication in compliance with the regulations that follow:
(a)Medication forms signed by a parent will be required and must include: child’s name, dosage, name of medication, purpose of medication, time to be administered, termination date and possible side effects. Additional forms available in office.
(b)The medication must be delivered to the office in person by the parent or guardian of the student, UNLESS the medication must be retained by the student for immediate self-administration. (i.e. students with asthma). Students who must retain medication for immediate self-administration (i.e. inhalers) must have a medication form signed by parent or guardian on file in the office. ALL MEDICATION MUST BE IN ITS ORIGINAL CONTAINER.

Non-Discrimination Policy

“The Putnam County board of Education does not discriminate in any program, activity or employment on the basis of handicap, sex, race or national origin as required by Title VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.”

Parent Conferences and Visitors

Parents are to call or send a note to request an appointment with a teacher. When parents use class time, it is not fair to the rest of the class. PARENTS AND ALL VISITORS ARE TO FIRST REPORT TO THE OFFICE WHEN VISITING THE SCHOOL.

Physical Education

Physical Education is a required subject in Tennessee, therefore, every student is expected to participate. These items will offer a better understanding of the physical education program.
1.For your child’s safety, he/she must wear soft shoes. No boots, sandals, clogs, stack heels, black hard soles or rubber spikes can be worn on gym floor. If your child wears a pair of one of the above, he/she will have to change into soft sole shoes or go barefoot.
2.Girls should wear tops and pants or shorts. Boys may wear shorts and t-shirts.
3.Please send a note from a doctor, parent or guardian when your child has an illness or injury stating the condition and length of time your child is excused form physical education class.
4.If your child has any condition, such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, etc., that would limit physical activity, a note should be sent from a doctor.

Report Cards

Report cards for grades K-4 are distributed every nine weeks with the distribution taking place approximately one week following the close of the nine weeks. Report cards should be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to school within three days.

School Closing

If the school is closed due to inclement weather or an emergency situation, announcements will be made on the local radio stations and channel 7 television station. Please listen to these stations rather than call the school. Jammed telephone lines hinder instructions being received from the Central Office. In the event of early school dismissal, students who are walkers, car riders or bus students will follow “Snow Plans” which were filled out the day the child registered for school.

School Hours

The school shall be open at 7:15 AM for bus students and car riders. These students shall report to the gymnasium. Car riders are dismissed at 2:45 PM and should be picked up by 3:15 PM.

S.A.C.

Cane Creek Elementary School’s S.A.C. program (before and after school program) is open from 6:00 AM until 7:15 AM and from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Students may be enrolled in this program for a fee by contacting the S.A.C. director at the school.

School Insurance

School insurance is available to all students. A packet will be available for each student on registration day. Purchase of this program is optional. Please refer to the insurance policy for specific benefits and rates.

School Policies

We, the staff of Cane Creek Elementary, believe good discipline is an essential element of the learning environment.
We expect students to exhibit self-discipline in the school, on a field trip, and while riding the bus. We also solicit and expect parental support in our effort to promote these traits. The ideal classroom environment is one free from disruption, one in which teachers can teach and students can learn.
To help promote self-discipline, the following policies have been established:
1.Follow directions the first time they are given.
2.Assume responsibility for completing all required assignments.
3.Keep hands, feet, and objects to one’s self.
4.Avoid writing on or damaging school property or the personal property of others.
5.Refrain from using vulgar language and gestures or possessing obscene material.
6.Walk while inside the building or when entering or exiting the building.
7.Refrain from stealing school property or the property of others.
8.Avoid the chewing of gum at school.
The possession of or use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs on school property will result in strict disciplinary action. All students are expected to follow the policies of the Putnam County Board of Education.
Behavior that has a negative influence on the learning opportunities of others will not be tolerated.

Supply Store

The supply store is open from 7:45 AM until 7:55 AM. Students may purchase paper, pencils and other supplies.

The School and the Law

Any unlawful act taking place on school grounds or buses not only makes the student subject to penalties with the court or school board may prescribe but also may result in suspension or dismissal from school.

Use of the Telephone

Students’ use of the telephone is discouraged. Permission to use the phone will be granted if the teacher, secretary or principal feels that the call is necessary. Delivery of telephone messages disrupts the classroom. Only emergency messages will be delivered. Transportation arrangements for individual students should be worked out between student and parent prior to the start of the school day. Making arrangements for after-school social affairs is not considered an acceptable reason to use the phone.

Withdrawals, Telephone and Address Changes

Parents should notify the school prior to the student’s withdrawal. When all textbooks, library books, materials and charges have been cleared, records will be forwarded to the new school. Please notify the school immediately if there is a change in your address, telephone number or person to contact in an emergency.