This handbook was created to provide useful information covering school policies and procedures. It is suggested that parents and students review the contents together. If you happen to have any questions or concerns after reading the handbook, please call the office. We feel that open and clear communication between school and home is the key to the success of our educational program.

East Hickman Intermediate faculty and staff welcome your participation and support during the school year. It is our goal to always make you feel welcome any time you visit the building. Everyone is invited to participate in the PTO which is comprised of parents and staff who support the educational as well as social needs of our students. By working together, we will be better able to meet the needs of our children.

Please don’t forget to sign the form stating you have received a copy of this handbook as well as all other forms to be signed on the left side of your folder and return to your child’s teacher.

Sincerely,

Kathy Dick

EHIS principal

East Hickman Intermediate School

5198 East Eagle Drive

Lyles, TN 37098

(931) 670-0227

Fax (931) 670-4360

Cafeteria (931) 670-6696

Website: www.hickman.k12.tn.us/ehis/

Principal: Kathy Dick

Assistant Principals: Sarah Amis and Debbie Gross

Grades: 3 – 5

Hickman County Board of Education

115 Murphree Avenue

Centerville, TN 37033

(931) 729-3391

Fax (931) 729-3834

School History

The original East Elementary opened in 1962 when several small community schools were consolidated. In 1974, the school had doubled in size and offered a curriculum for kindergarten through eighth grade. In August 1993, East Elementary officially became East Hickman Elementary for grades pre-school through fourth. In January of 1997, eight additional classrooms were added to meet the needs of our expanding student population. Then in an effort to meet the needs of our continuously growing community, East Hickman Intermediate School was opened in August of 2000. The school houses grades three through five and is located directly behind East Hickman Elementary. Our projected enrollment for the 2006-2007 school year is 475 students. Our staff consists of 30.5 certified teachers and 11 educational support staff.

EAST HICKMAN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL STAFF LIST

2007 – 2008

Marcy Tidwell, Principal

Kathy Dick, Assistant Principal

3^RD GRADE TEACHERS SPECIAL ED. TEACHERS

1. Amanda Bean Lela Renberg, 3^rd

2. Debbie DePaul Tavia McLeod, 4^th

3. Kari Dudney Pam Norris, 5^th

4. Marlina Ervin Gloria McKinley, CDC

5. Suzanne Lewis

6. Becky Malugin

7. Peggy McClellan

8. Celine Powell

9. Annette Richards EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS

Rhonda Deal, Regular Ed.

4^TH GRADE TEACHERS Jean Martin, Regular Ed.

1. Sarah Amis Sherry Fink, P.E.

2. Shannon England Linda Thomasson, CDC

3. Frances Hobbs Cheryl Kiessling, 3^rd Special Ed.

4. Ella Lassan Jill Warren, 4^th Special Ed.

. Ruthie Buchanan, 5^th Special Ed.

5. Gay Raines

6. Judy Rist

7. Tiffany Semore

5^THGRADE TEACHERS OFFICE STAFF

1. Nicki Cole Twyla Tucker, Accounting

2. Anndrea Eubanks Suzie Szpont, Attendance

3. Debbie Gross Carolyn Fleet, ISS

4. Michael Hanes

5. David Renberg

6. Tonia Breece

ENRICHMENT TEACHERS OTHER STAFF

Brenda McFarlin, P.E. Marla Beard, Nurse

Chuck Nall, Music Levi Mobley, SRO Officer

Pam Mitchell-Clark, Art Brandi Branton, Speech

Patricia Vadnais, Library

Kim Taylor, Reading

Important Phone Numbers

Hickman County Board of Education 729-3391

Director of Schools -- Dr. Jerry Nash ext. 0

Chief Operating Officer -- Greg McCord ext. 0

Chief Academic Officer -- Darlon Smith ext. 5

Director of Accountability -- Mark Bentley ext. 1

Transportation Director -- Eric Coleman ext. 3

Special Programs -- Jean Gregory ext. 2

Title I Program -- Wanda Berry ext. 4

Maintenance Director -- Mike Plunkett ext. 3

Family Resource Center ext. 6

Technology -- Robert Haviland ext. 8

School Resource Safety and Security Line ext. 1234

East Hickman Intermediate School 670-0227

Fax Number 670-4360

EHIS Cafeteria Office 670-6696

East Hickman Elementary School 670-3044

Fax Number 670-6618

EHES Cafeteria Office 670-3431

East Hickman Middle School 670-4237

Centerville Elementary School 729-2212

Centerville Intermediate School 729-2748

Hickman County Middle School 729-4234

Hickman County High School 729-2616

East Hickman Family Resource 670-6617

Department of Children’s Services 729-4212

Mission Statement

Our mission at EHIS is to work together to create a safe and caring environment where all students will actively learn to their

fullest potential.

Vision

Our vision at EHIS is to give all students the opportunity to achieve and maintain their highest individual level of performance.

Excellence

Honor

Integrity

Success

East Hickman Intermediate Beliefs

· We believe all students can learn.

· We believe each student is a valued individual with unique abilities and needs.

· We believe lessons should be designed for all learning styles.

· We believe learning should be developmentally appropriate for all students.

· We believe each student should demonstrate their understanding of essential knowledge and skills and be actively involved in solving problems and producing quality work.

· We believe each student should be challenged to reach his/her full potential.

· We believe students should apply their learning to real life.

· We believe that students learn best when given an active role in the process.

· We believe a student’s self-esteem is raised by positive relationships and mutual respect among and between students and staff.

· We believe a safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student learning.

· We believe that the educational success of each student requires a combined effort of the family, the school, and the community.

Curriculum and Programs

Basic Curriculum

The Curriculum of East Hickman Intermediate School is based on the State of Tennessee Curriculum Standards for grades K – 12. A publication of these curriculum standards may be viewed by parents at any time upon request to the teacher or principal. All subjects are taught including reading, language arts, mathematics, spelling, science, and social studies.

Art

All students at East Hickman Intermediate School participate in an art program with a certified art instructor that lasts for one half of the school year from August through December. This is an introductory course which includes instruction in art history, drawing, painting, various art mediums, the elements of art, art critiquing, and art appreciation.

Library

Each student at East Hickman Intermediate School has a regularly scheduled library class once a week for 45 minutes. During this time students are allowed to check books out of the library. Students are also taught a library curriculum that includes the comparisons of fiction and non-fiction, parts of a book, how to use resources such as the dictionary and thesaurus, technology utilization, and research.

Music

Students at East Hickman Intermediate School attend music class once weekly. The music curriculum includes the study of music history and theory, singing and listening activities, playing instruments, and performances. In addition to the regularly scheduled music class, our school offers students the chance to participate in after-school choir. Students who participate in choir perform several concerts each year.

Physical Education

Physical Education is scheduled twice weekly for each child at East Hickman Intermediate School for 45 minutes each class. Physical education is taken very seriously at our school with instruction that focuses on wellness, exercise, lifelong health awareness, and a study of the human body along with recognition of bones and muscles. Students are required to obtain gym shoes with non-marking soles to be kept at school.

Special Education

East Hickman Intermediate School’s special education services include speech and language therapy, learning disabilities program, inclusion in all grade levels, occupational and physical therapy, and comprehensive development program. Special Education help is provided in a variety of ways. The special education teacher may assist a child in his/her classroom or assist the classroom teacher in finding ways to meet a child’s needs. The child may meet with the special education teacher for small group tutoring sessions several times a week, or the child may spend most of the day in a special class. In every case, we plan the student’s program so he/she can spend as much time as possible in the regular classroom. Either the parent or a teacher can request that a child be evaluated for special education services. An S-team meeting will convene to consider every possible alternative to ensure the success of a student. No testing or service can be given without the parent’s permission.

Accelerated Reader

East Hickman Intermediate School is enriched by a reading program called Accelerated Reader. This program is designed to enhance student enjoyment of reading, to improve vocabulary and word recognition, and to increase reading comprehension and fluency. With this program, students are assigned a reading level and earn points for each book read on level. These points add up so that the student may earn prizes for points earned. Each six weeks these prizes are given out in a school-wide A.R. Assembly.

After-School Tutoring

After-school tutoring classes are offered to certain students upon teacher recommendation. After-school tutoring classes meet several times a week for about one hour each time. Limited space is available however. Parents must give permission for a student to stay for after-school tutoring. The extra time may be spent on help with homework, specific subject tutoring, or make-up work.

Testing

As part of the district-wide standardized testing program, all students at East Hickman Intermediate School take the TCAP (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessments Program) Achievement Test each year in the spring. The test includes sections on Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Additionally, 5^th grade students take the TCAP Writing Assessment each year. Students write a narrative essay on an assigned topic during an allotted time frame. It is very important that your child be present at school and on time during test dates. Your child’s test results will be shared with you.

Health Services

A part-time school nurse is on staff at East Hickman Intermediate School. The nurse divides her time up equally between all three schools on the East campus. The nurse provides state mandated health services such as vision and hearing screenings and maintenance of health records and immunizations. Parents are notified of any student hearing or vision deficiencies. The school nurse also provides care for students with injuries or illnesses that occur at school. If a child becomes ill during school hours, every attempt will be made to contact you. Parents are expected to make arrangements to have the child removed from school immediately. In emergency situations, 911 personnel may be contacted. If a student requires transportation to a hospital and the parent is not available, school personnel will accompany the child to the hospital and remain until a family member arrives. Please inform the school of any medical problems your child may have including allergies, asthma, heart murmurs, seizures, etc. Also please provide the school with a current phone number and emergency contact. This information should be completed on the student registration form on the first day of school.

Bookstore

Students may purchase certain school supplies from the school bookstore daily. The bookstore is located directly in front of the ISS room and is open each day from 7:30 – 7:55 a.m. The following items will be available for purchase at the bookstore:

folders 25¢ crayons 50¢

paper $1.00 erasers 5¢

pencils 10¢/25¢ poster board 50¢

glue 50¢ spiral notebooks 75¢

glue sticks 25¢ coloring pencils $1.25

dictionary/thesaurus $3.00

Breakfast/Lunch

The cafeteria staff at East Hickman Intermediate School strives to provide attractive and nutritious meals while meeting the Federal Guidelines and Regulations of the National School Lunch Program. Breakfast and lunch are offered daily. The following cafeteria prices have been set for this school year: Student Lunch $1.25

Student Breakfast $0.75

Reduced Lunch $0.40

Reduced Breakfast $0.30

Visitors Lunch $3.00

Visitors Children $1.25

Holidays $5.00

Parents are encouraged to pay lunch and breakfast monies on Monday mornings. Any questions concerning money owed to the cafeteria should be directed to the cafeteria manager, Mary Pratt, at 670- 3431. Eligible students may receive meals free or at a reduced price. To qualify for free or reduced meals, a family must complete an application form enclosed in the student folder or available throughout the year in the front office. The district follows strict non-discrimination rules to protect the anonymity of students receiving free or reduced meals.

Vending Machines

Students will be allowed to purchase drinks and snacks from vending machines after all lunches have been served. It will be left up to the teacher’s discretion as to when and if vending items may be purchased. The cost per drink is $0.60. Snacks range from $0.50 to $0.75.

Field Trips

From time to time teachers plan activities away from school designed to give students first-hand experience in what they have been learning in class. Field trips must be curriculum related. A teacher will accompany all school related field trips. Parents must sign a permission form in advance for each trip. The form will describe the purpose of the trip and will include whether there is a fee for the activity. Usually a small fee is requested to cover transportation and admission charges. Parents are often needed to chaperone field trips. Contact your classroom teacher if you would like to accompany your child’s class on a field trip. We do ask, however, that any parent chaperone arrange for their own transportation and that you not bring pre-school children on field trips.

Rules and Expectations

Arrival/Dismissal

The school day at East Hickman Intermediate School is from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Students may enter the building no earlier than 7:25 a.m. and must be picked up by 3:20 p.m. If you drop your child off in the morning, please remember to drop them off at the main entrance only. For safety reasons, do not use any other entrances to the school. Do not leave students unattended in front of the school. Also, please use one lane of traffic when dropping students off. Buses use the rear entrance to the building when dropping off and picking up students. Therefore, cars are not allowed in the bus lanes between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. Car riders are dismissed to the cafeteria each day at 2:45 p.m. Parents can pick students up through the car rider line or by signing students out in the front office. Students are only dismissed to persons who are on their pick up list. Please be prepared to show identification. Bus dismissal begins at 2:50 p.m.

Bathrooms--Rules:

Use appropriately—NO PLAYING.
Use a quiet voice.
Wash your hands.

Cafeteria--Rules:

Pick up everything you need when they go through the line.
Do not leave cafeteria during lunch except for an emergency.
Talk quietly to your neighbors.
Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
Stay seated unless permission is given to get up.
Raise your hand if you need assistance.
Do not play with or throw food or any other item on your tray.
Use your manners.
Clean up your area when finished.
No talking during the time trays are being taken up.

Hallways--Rules:

No talking in the hallways.
No running in the hallways.
Walk only on designated line.
Stay in line with your class.
Keep hands and feet to yourself and off walls.

Playground--Rules:

Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
Spitting, wrestling, bullying, teasing, and fighting will not be tolerated.
Do not throw or kick wood chips, rocks, sticks, or dirt.
Trash should not be left on playground.
Use slides appropriately—one at a time, on bottom, no climbing back up.
Only two students at a time on chain climbing wall—no climbing over top.
Only one student at a time on ladder climbing wall—no climbing over top.
Swing only on your bottom and stop swing completely before getting off.
Do not jump off the top of the wooden play station.
Do not stand on top of the monkey bars or horizontal bars.

Homework

Homework contributes to the development of independence and responsibility on the part of the student. The purpose of homework is to reinforce taught skills, prepare for upcoming skills, teach responsibility, and develop positive study habits. All homework should be completed daily. Parental monitoring of homework is encouraged; however, students are to complete assignments with minimal assistance from parents. The amount, length, and type of homework will vary according to the individual needs of your child. The Hickman County Board of Education has established the following homework guidelines:

Grades 3 & 4: If necessary, homework should not exceed thirty (30)

minutes per day.

Grade 5: If necessary, homework should not exceed ten (10) minutes

per subject or forty-five (45) minutes per day.

If your child is spending excessive amounts of time on homework, a conference with the teacher should be requested. This could signify the student is having difficulty comprehending subject material or is not using class time wisely.

Telephone

Students may use the office phone for personal calls only in cases of emergency and with permission from a staff member. A student will not be called out of class to receive a phone call. The office staff will let the student know of any messages. Students are not allowed to bring cell phones or pagers to school. All arrangements for after-school activities should be made before the student comes to school.

Toys

Students are prohibited from bringing toys or any entertainment devices to school without written permission from the teacher. Such devices cause disruptions in the classroom and interfere with the learning process.

Policies and Procedures

Attendance/Absences

East Hickman Intermediate School believes that good attendance is vital to a child’s education. Failure to attend school causes a student to miss out on valuable education instruction and may jeopardize a student’s promotion to the next grade. Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and therefore, students are expected to be present each day that school is in session. Parents must assume responsibility for a child's school attendance. Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal.

Excused absences shall include:

Personal illness; serious illness or death of an immediate family member;

family emergency; doctor or dental appointment; extreme weather conditions;

religious observances; unusual situation approved by the principal.

Unexcused absences shall include:

Truancy; shopping; recreational activities; birthday or other celebration;

transportation problems (other than school transportation); oversleeping.

If a student is absent from class, a parent or guardian must provide the principal's office with a written explanation of the child's absence. Written explanation of absences must be made within three (3) school days of the student's return. Any absence for which a written explanation is not provided within three (3) school days will be considered unexcused. After a total of three (3) parent notes or five (5) absences per semester, subsequent absences will require documentation form an official or professional source.

Truancy/Truancy Council

Truancy is defined as an absence without adequate excuse for the entire school day, a major portion of the school day or the major portion of any class, study hall or activity during the school day for which a student is scheduled. Students who accumulate five (5) unexcused absences will be reported to the principal or designee who will provide written notice to the director of accountability. The student and parent/guardian will receive a written notice from the school regarding the mandatory school attendance law in Tennessee and will appear before the truancy council. Failure to comply with the written notice within three (3) days of receiving such notice will result in the filing of a petition in juvenile court. A written notice will be issued each time a student accumulates five (5) unexcused absences. The truancy council, under the direction of the director of accountability, will convene weekly to hear truancy issues with the students and their parents/guardians. The council will establish a plan of recommendations for improving attendance and establish consequences should absenteeism continue to be an issue.

Bus Conduct

Bus riding is a privilege which may be revoked. Parents and guardians are urged to appreciate the disciplinary policies set forth and help teach your child proper behavior on the school bus. Bus infractions include, but are not limited to, failure to remain seated, throwing objects, hanging out of window, eating or drinking on the bus, possession of drugs or alcohol, using profanity, fighting/pushing/tripping, or any other behavior related to safety, well-being and respect to others. Disciplinary action will be taken when an incident occurs and may result in a warning, assignment to the front seat, or suspension of riding privileges. Notices to parents are sent home when such incidents occur. The Hickman County Board of Education has established the following policy in an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of all students:

1. In order to maintain conditions and atmosphere suitable for learning, no person shall enter onto a school bus except students assigned to that bus or parents of students or other persons with lawful and valid business on the bus.

2. The school bus is an extension of school activity; therefore, students shall conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with the established standards for safety and classroom behavior.

3. Students are under the supervision and control of the bus driver while on his/her bus and all reasonable directions given by him/her shall be followed.

4. The principal shall be informed by the bus driver of any serious discipline problem and may be called upon to assist if necessary. A student may be denied the privilege of riding the bus if the principal determines that the behavior is such as to cause disruption on the bus, or if he/she disobeys state or local rules and regulations pertaining to student transportation.

5. The suspension of a student from riding the school bus shall follow the same procedures as for any other school suspension.

6. Any student who gets off the bus at any point between the pick-up point and school must present the bus driver with a note of authorization from the parent or the principal of the school that the student attends.

7. Any student wishing to ride a bus other than his/her designated bus must have written parental permission and the approval of the principal.

8. Students who transfer from bus to bus while en route to and from school shall be expected to abide by the discipline policies adopted by the Board and rules adopted by the staff of the terminal school.

9. Video cameras may be used to monitor student behavior on school vehicles transporting students to and from school or extracurricular activities. Video surveillance shall be used only to promote the order, safety and security of students, staff and property.

Complaints and Grievances

Decisions made by school personnel which students believe are unfair or in violation of pertinent policies of the Board or individual school rules may be appealed to the school principal or designee. To appeal, students should contact the principal’s office in their school and provide their name, the issue, and the reason for their appeal on a printed form available at the school office within two days. The appeal will usually be decided confidentially and promptly, preferably within five school days. However, if not resolved within five school days, the matter may then be appealed to the director of schools at central office. The information provided should include the student’s name, the school, and a description of the problem. An investigation and decision will be made within two school days and communicated to the principal and student by telephone. A written copy of the decision will also be sent to the student and principal.

Confidentiality

East Hickman Intermediate School has established written educational and discipline records. Certain policies are followed that ensure privacy of student information and are in compliance with state and federal guidelines. Records are maintained in various offices on the school campus and are available only to teachers and staff members working directly with the student. Records are not released to any entity without prior written consent of the parent or guardian of the child. Parents of special education students are advised of confidentiality of records during IEP meetings. Any psychological or therapeutical testing that is recommended for students requires prior written notice to parents before any testing occurs.

Corporal Punishment

With parental permission, corporal punishment may be administered to students. Alternative methods of behavior modification will be utilized before corporal punishment is considered. Parents must give written permission to the principal/assistant principal for corporal punishment is considered. A corporal punishment form will be sent home for parents to review and sign. This form is kept on file and must be completed yearly. Parents will be notified when corporal punishment has been issued to the student.

Discipline

At East Hickman Intermediate School we strive to conduct discipline in a positive manner. We believe that good behavior can be achieved through praise and rewards rather than punishment. There are times, however, when inappropriate behavior will lead to punishment. Two different types of demerits are issued at our school: Behavioral and Academic.

I. Behavioral Demerits

A behavioral demerit will possibly be issued for the following misbehaviors: foul language, obscenity (verbal, written, or gestures), stealing, defacing property, defiance, lying, forgery, cheating, and behaviors that endanger others.

A. Rewards – Students who do not receive any demerits (behavioral or academic) in a six week period will be rewarded during a school-wide reward day. An end of the year reward trip will be given for students who do not receive any demerits (behavioral or academic) all year.

B. Consequences – Students who obtain:

2 demerits – Letter sent to parents

3 demerits – 3 days in ISS (in-school suspension)

6 demerits – all day Saturday