Timber Ridge School Policies

Attendance/Admission/Withdrawal Requirements:

Attendance:

School Hours:

Tardiness:

Absences:

        Make-up Work            

        When absent:

School Hours:          7:50 AM - 2:20 PM

Arrival Time:             7:20 AM - 7:50 AM

The earliest a student may arrive is 7:20 AM.  School staff responsibility for students begins at 7:20 AM.

Students arriving at school after the 7:50 AM bell must be signed in at the office by a parent when they arrive.  Late arrival is difficult for the student.  Instruction begins at 7:50 AM, so a late arriving student begins the day by catching up.  It is important that a student arrive at school to be in class by 7:50 AM for a smooth and more relaxed start to the school day.  Tardiness should be an unusual circumstance.  If a habit of tardiness develops, school personnel will work with parents to help plan for solutions to change the habit.

When a child returns to school after an absence, he needs a note to his teacher that is signed by his parent or guardian giving the date(s) and reason for the absence.  Excused absences are those for personal illness, serious illness or death in the family, and special recognized religious holidays of the student’s faith.  Georgia State Law establishes this procedure.  If a student will be out for an extended period of time or acquires a contagious disease, please notify the school.  If you email your child’s teacher you must copy our school clerk at Jessica.Benson@Cobbk12.org.

If a student is out of school for only one day, he/she may make up the work the next day at school.  If a student is absent more than one day, parents need to call the office by 9:00 AM  to request make-up work.  Teachers will send the work to the office to be picked up after school.  A sibling or designated student may pick up the homework if the parent requests.  Makeup work is given for excused absences only.

Admission Requirements:

Registration:

         Withdrawal of

         Student:

Registration:  Parents or legal guardians must register children for school each year.  Returning students pre-register in April, new students register two weeks prior to school starting.  The exact registration day is announced in the school newsletter and in local newspapers.  New students are registered as they arrive during the school year.

Required Information For All Grades:

Ø      Official birth certificate as proof of age

Ø      Two proofs of residency in the school district (current service provided at the address, utility bill, phone, etc.)

Ø      Student’s Social Security card (or waiver)

Ø      Custody papers (as applicable)

Ø      Correct VISA or passport if not an American citizen

Ø      Previous school records are helpful but not required

Ø      Immunization record on Georgia Form 3231 from doctor or Cobb County Health Dept.**

Ø      Hearing, Vision and Dental screening recorded on Georgia Form 3300**

** The Cobb County Board of Health charges a $2.00 fee for the Form 3300 Dental Screening and the Form 3231 Immunization.  Any necessary immunizations may require additional fees.

** No student may be enrolled without completed Immunization form & Ear, Eye and Dental form

Age Requirements for Kindergarten and 1st Grade:

Ø          Kindergarten:  Must be 5 yrs old on September 1

Ø          1^st Grade:  Must be 6 yrs old on September 1

The classroom teacher or school office should be notified at least one day in advance when a student is going to move.  A transfer/withdrawal form will be completed to take to the new school for enrollment at that school.  We do not release a student’s cumulative records to parents.  The new school will have to request the records or a parent may fill out a form to have the records mailed to the new school.

Clinic:

Children who become ill or injured at school are given health care in the clinic.  Minor injuries are treated.  Parents are contacted when the injury or illness is of a more serious nature so that they may pick up their child.  Many of our pupils require medicine from time to time.  A labeled bottle with the pupil’s name and dosage is required.  A letter of permission signed by the parent is also required.  Designated school personnel will administer the medicine.  Parents need to notify the teacher when a child is on medication.

Conference, Parent-Teacher:

Parent-teacher conferences are held during the year to review a child’s academic progress and his personal and social growth.  One conference week is scheduled during the school year.  Students are dismissed two hours early during that week, and parents are scheduled for twenty-minute conferences beginning at 12:40 PM each day.  To schedule conferences at other times, parents and teachers may choose to send a note or leave a message by phone.  A conference can then be scheduled before or after school at a convenient time.

Early Dismissal:

A student must attend at least one-half of the school day to be counted present.  A student must be present 7:50 - 11:05 AM or 11:05 AM –2:20 PM to be counted present for that day.  Students who have early morning doctor appointments and arrive after 7:50 AM are counted tardy.  Please make every effort to schedule appointments after school hours to avoid interruptions during the school day.  A student shall be dismissed before the school day officially ends only when a parent or person designated by the parent comes to the office and signs the student out.  Please send a note to the teacher when you will be picking up your child, as it is helpful for the teacher to know when a student will be leaving early.  We ask that parents picking up students early do so before 2:05 to avoid disrupting the school’s dismissal procedures and confusing the children.  Students will not be sent to the office to await a parent’s arrive.  They will be called from the classroom when the parent arrives.  DO NOT GO TO THE CLASSROOM OR PLAYGROUND TO GET YOUR CHILD.  COME TO THE OFFICE.  WE WILL GET YOUR CHILD FOR YOU.

Games or Toys:

Musical instruments, games or toys may be brought to school only with teacher’s permission.  The student bringing the item is responsible for care of the item.  Cards or electronic games should not be brought to school.

Homework:

Purposes:

Parental

Involvement:

Expectations:

Homework may be defined as additional needed preparation in a given subject area which is assigned, suggested, or approved by the student’s teacher.  This study is to be completed within a specified time limit and normally is of such length and/or of such a nature that the learner must complete independently part or all of the assignment during non-class time.

Valid purposes for homework are that it:

Ø      promotes growth in self responsibility and self-direction in learning,

Ø      directs students toward good work habits,

Ø      enriches, enhances, and extends school experiences,

Ø      brings students into contact with out-of-school learning resources,

Ø      helps children learn to budget time; and

Ø      provides essential practice in developing skills.

By working closely with the school, parents can help their children acquire good study habits, which will carry over into studying at school and in all areas of life.  A home can become an educational environment in which learning is an everyday experience and the physical atmosphere promotes learning when parents assure that:

Ø      there is a specific place with no interruptions for their child to study regularly,

Ø      the necessary supplies for study are available

Ø      there is a set time of day for homework,

Ø      assignments are completed with a minimum of assistance from parents and others; and

Ø      all assignments are completed and written work is neat.

In order to maximize the learning of students, teachers maintain high standards of performance for all homework.  Natural consequences occur when standards are not met.

Inclement Weather - School Closing:

When the Cobb County School System is going to be closed because of inclement weather, the decision for closing schools is usually made and given to the radio and television stations by 6:00 AM.  Most metro-area radio stations will announce school closings right after the headlines on the hour and at frequent intervals.  If a decision to close is made during the working hours of the school day, the statement will be given to the media.  We will then follow parents’ written information and our local school plans for such early dismissal situations.  Please discuss with your child what you expect to do if school is closed during the day.  Each parent cannot be called.

Insurance for Students:

Accident insurance plans are available to students through the Cobb County Board of Education.  The school plan covers the student at school.  The 24-hour plan covers the student at any time.  Insurance purchase is offered for students at the beginning of each school year and when new students register during the school year.

Lost and Found:

Please label clothing with your child’s name.  A “Lost and Found” cabinet is located by the playground doors.  Check there for missing items.  Clothing that is not claimed will be donated to a charitable organization throughout the year.

Messages for Students and Staff:

Please make necessary arrangements with your children regarding after-school activities prior to their coming to school.  Phone calls and messages to students (excepting those of an emergency nature) tie up valuable office time and interrupt your child’s instructional program.

If students forget to bring an item they need or must have at school, please bring the item to the office.  We will have the student come to the office for it.

Messages for teachers may be written and sent in, or phoned into the office.  Most phone messages to teachers go to their voice mail.  Teachers usually check voice mail once daily and after school.  Instructional time is not interrupted unless a real emergency is evident.  Please allow 48 hours for a teacher to return a call.

Report Cards:

Effective communication with parents regarding their child’s progress in school is essential in fostering successful home-school partnerships.  In Cobb County elementary schools, report cards are provided each nine weeks.  Each teacher will communicate with the parent in between if necessary.

        Responsibilities for Materials:

Students are expected to responsibly care for books and Media Center materials that are checked out to them.  In case of loss or damage, students and their parents will be charged and are expected to pay replacement or damage costs.

Returning to the Classroom after Dismissal:

A part of being responsible is making sure all materials to be taken home have been gathered before being dismissed at the end of the day.  Students and parents may not reenter classrooms after dismissal to locate materials not taken home.

School Lunch:

Dining with your child:

Our school food service program is an established part of the school day.  Its purpose is to provide a nutritionally balanced lunch to all children at a reasonable cost.  Each student has an account in the cafeteria. Money may be put into the account at any time by sending in payment or using the mealpay system online.  A student may also pay cash on a daily basis.

We ask that students who bring lunch from home also meet the same lunch requirements as a school-prepared lunch.  No candy.  No carbonated beverages.  No lunches brought in from restaurants.    Drinks brought from home for lunch are to be in a thermos, box, or in juice cans.  No glass permitted.

Parents unable to pay for all or part of their child/children’s lunch(es) should fill out an application either for free or reduced lunches.  Applications are to be returned to the school office.  If you feel your child qualifies, please complete the form and state the exact income and hardship.

Eating in the lunchroom is a learning experience.  It is there that a student learns to eat new foods and practice courtesy and good manners.  In order for mealtime to be a comfortable and happy experience, it is necessary that all students conduct themselves in an acceptable manner.  While in the lunchroom, students are under the supervision of adult lunchroom monitors employed by the Cobb County Board of Education. Parents are welcome at any time to have lunch with their child.

Adult lunches are $2.50.Siblings who eat lunch at school and are not a Timber Ridge student must pay the full price of $2.50 for a lunch, since only student lunches are subsidized at the reduced rate.

If you are coming to have lunch with your child, report to the office upon arrival and sign-in before going to the dining room.

Snacks:

Nutritious, healthy foods are allowed for snacks during the day.  The teachers as individuals and as instructional teams establish guidelines and procedures for snacks and snack time.

Social Events or Parties:

Student Birthday “Snacks”

Cobb County elementary students shall be permitted one party each year on school time.  There will be no elementary school sponsored social activities off school property.  There are no exceptions to this policy.  No food or refreshments are brought to a classroom unless the food or drink is to supplement a unit of study or part of a nutrition program for the students (Cobb County Policy). 

Refreshments in honor of a student’s birthday may be provided at snack time or lunchtime.  Leave them in the front office for the child to pick up, already cut to individual portions. You must make arrangements with the teacher prior to bringing in any item. We encourage you to bring in healthy snacks.

Transportation to and from School:

Times of Arrival and Dismissal:

Arrival:  ALL STUDENTS are to arrive at school from 7:20 to 7:45 AM.  Teachers are not required to report until 7:20 AM; therefore, students are not under adult supervision until just after 7:20 AM.  Classes begin at 7:50 AM.

Dismissal:  Students riding buses will be dismissed first each afternoon to facilitate bus drivers’ subsequent trip to our school.  Students who ride home in cars are dismissed after bus riders.  Car line up in front of school starts at 2:15 PM. Student dismissal begins at 2:20 pm.

Bikes/Walking:

Most students will be transported to school by buses or parent-provided transportation since most students in our school district live across Roswell Road. 

Riding bikes or walking to school is considered safe only where sidewalks have been constructed as Timber Ridge Road is a two-lane road.

Bikes are to be parked only in the bike rack.  Students who ride bikes are to wear safety helmets, knee and elbow pads.  Only one student may be on a bike.

Buses:

School Bus Conduct:

Bus routes and schedules are set by the Cobb County School District transportation department.  Routes and schedules are available in our front office.  Bus lanes are clearly defined.  Parents and visitors are asked not to use this area at any time.  It is reserved for buses, physical education classes, and other instructional activities.

Bus drivers have a tremendous responsibility in transporting our students safely each day. They need our cooperation. Parents and guardians are responsible for establishing the behavior they expect of their children, including at the bus stop.  Parents have jurisdiction at the bus stops, not the school.  School bus transportation is a privilege that may be withdrawn for inappropriate behavior

The behavior of students on school buses is considered an extension of classroom behavior. Maintaining proper conduct while on the bus shall be the joint responsibility of the student, parent, bus driver and school officials. Students shall observe the following code of conduct established by the Cobb County Public School:

1.           Students must show proper respect to the driver at all times and obey all driver instructions.

2.           Large toys, insects, glass bottles, animals, plastic bags, straight or safety pins, skateboards or objectionable and dangerous items are not permitted.

3.           Tobacco, illegal drugs, alcohol and weapons or look-alikes are prohibited

4.           Student will keep his/her arms and head inside the bus at all times.

5.           Nothing is to be thrown in, out or from the bus.

6.           The use of obscene language or gestures is forbidden.

7.           Destruction or defacing school property is prohibited           

8.           Fighting or physical play is prohibited.

9.           Unnecessary noise is prohibited.

10.       Food, gum or drinks cannot be consumed on the bus.

11.       Drivers are required to assign seats to elementary and middle school students.

12.       Students must be seated at all times unless otherwise instructed by the driver.

13.       Student must be quiet at railroad crossings.

14.       When crossing a street is necessary, students will wait for the driver to signal to cross the street and then cross in front of the bus in full view of the driver.

15.       Students may transport band instruments only if space is available.

16.       The emergency door, windows and hatches are to be used only at the direction of the driver.

17.       Students are to be at the bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled time and are to wait in an orderly manner. The bus is not considered late until five minutes past the scheduled time.

18.       Students may be allowed to ride a bus and to disembark at a bus stop other than that assigned for their residence provided the parent/guardian submits the request in writing to the principal, or the principal’s designee, for approval.

19.       Any other disruptive behavior will be referred to the principal as deemed necessary to insure safe transportation of students.

Bus Stop Info:

Bus drivers have a tremendous responsibility in transporting our students safely each day. As hard as we try to provide a timely service each and every day, there are times when a driver is absent from work due to illness, inclement weather, mechanical breakdowns or personal matters. When this happens, routes may be run as a second load. This will cause the route to be run late. In these instances, we ask the parents and students to please be patient.

Students should not leave their assigned stop. A bus will be by to pick them up as quickly as possible.

Parents leaving their children at a stop before going to work are encouraged to have a contingency plan, such as a neighbor or family member they can go to, a way to get back in their house and a phone number for your work or another family member. Perhaps there can be an agreement among parents in your neighborhood to supervise or car pool students to school if the bus is extremely late.  

We cannot emphasize enough the need for supervision at the bus stop.

School Bus Statement:

Our goal is to provide each student that is eligible to ride the bus, the most safe and sufficient means of transportation to our schools. We believe that students are citizens of Cobb County and have a right to a safe and comfortable trip to and from school. Along with these rights are responsibilities.  Safety rules and regulations have been developed to assure all students eligible to ride the bus of their rights, but it is also their responsibility to follow these rules. When rules are broken, the privilege of riding the bus will be interrupted. We encourage our parents to help instill the rules of conduct to bring about an atmosphere of respect and safety for one another.

Any further concerns of policy and procedures should be directed to the Transportation Department at (678) 594-8000.

      Car- Riders:

Parents who transport their children to and from Timber Ridge are to use the one-way traffic driveway designated for all vehicles other than buses.  Arrival and dismissal procedures in this area are designed for one-way traffic and SAFETY. 

Do not leave your vehicle unattended in the driveway, next to the curb, or in the parking lot behind other cars.   If you must get out, park in a designated parking space.  Drive safely, with caution, and follow these procedures:

A.     Stay in a single-file line next to the sidewalk.

B.     Keep the children in the car until you are at the front of the school.  The four or five cars at the front-door area are to unload or receive children.  Student safety patrol and adult staff members on duty will assist.

C.    Have children leave or enter your vehicle only on the right side - the side next to the sidewalk and building.  Do not allow students to exit or enter your vehicle into the driveway.

D.    Stay in line.  Do not pull out.  Cars will leave the front of the building in single-file order.  The few moments of waiting can prevent accidents and keep our children safe.

At the end of the driveway, stop at the stop sign, give buses the right of way, and then proceed to Timber Ridge Road.

Transportation Changes (Temporary):

As stated previously, the bus driver wants to make sure your child is picked up for school and taken home in the afternoon in the most safe, appropriate and orderly way possible.  For this reason, parents are to send a written note in advance to the principal any time the routine transportation procedures are changed, i.e.:

Ø      walking or riding in a car instead of riding the bus;

Ø      riding a bus to a friend’s house;

Ø      riding a different bus; and/or

Ø      getting off his/her bus at a different stop.

Transportation changes MAY NOT be made by email.  The note is critical and is for your child’s protection. Approval of the change for the bus is contingent upon available seating space on the bus. The bus driver is under direct orders.  If the written permission has not been sent by the parent, the child will have to ride the regular bus home and get off at the regular stop. We thank the parents and guardians in advance for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our children safe.

Visitors and Volunteers:

We encourage parents to visit and be an active part of their child’s school.  Visitors and volunteers to the school, including all parents, must report to the Office, sign in and get a tag to wear while in the building.   This policy and county ordinance serves three purposes: 1) If a parent is helping in a classroom or somewhere else in the building, we need to know where that parent can be contacted; 2) Our children need to be assured that persons do not come to the classroom and deprive students of instructional time by engaging in conversation when the teacher is to be attending to students; and 3) We must protect our children from strangers of questionable intent who have no reason to be in the building.

Please do not be offended if some member of the staff asks for your identity or purpose for being in the building.  You will be asked to report to the school office.  It is impossible for all of us to know each other personally, and if there is a question, the welfare of our children takes precedence over any other consideration.

Timber Ridge Conduct Guidelines

Respect and Safety Guidelines:

To maintain appropriate instructional programs for students, good conduct is essential.  Students are expected to display behavior in keeping with their level of maturity.  Discipline procedures at Timber Ridge are designed to build mutual respect between children and adults.  Our purpose is to guide our students’ growth toward learning self-discipline, personal responsibility, problem solving, and cooperation.

When a student is having difficulty with his behavior, school staff will work with the child and the parents to make a plan toward improvement using the principles of kindness, firmness, and encouragement. 

Chewing Gum:

Students are not permitted to chew gum at school or on the bus.

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Classroom:

1.              Listen in class and follow teacher’s instructions.

2.              Show courtesy to adults and students by not interrupting.

3.              Avoid any type of activity in the classroom that takes away from learning.

4.              Respect school property and the property of fellow students.

5.              Never copy work that is not your own.

6.              Stay quiet and in your place when the teacher must be out of the classroom and when visitors are present.

7.              Help keep your classroom neat and clean

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General Rules:

1.              Come to school clean, neat and well groomed.

2.              Be honest.

3.              Be kind, friendly, and courteous.

4.              Respect the rights of others.

5.              Show respect for all adults and other students in our school.

6.              Take care of textbooks.  Students or their parents have to pay for lost or damaged books.

7.              Observe health and safety rules going to, from, and in school.

8.              Follow all rules during emergency drills.

9.              Fighting is not allowed.

10.         Musical instruments, games, or toys may be brought to school only with teacher’s permission.

11.         No knives or weapons play or real, are allowed at school.

12.         Gum is not allowed at school.

13.         Healthy snacks are permitted.

14.         A written excuse must be provided for absence or if you are unable to participate in Physical Education.

15.         Walk quietly when dismissed at the end of the day.  Go directly to your ride or the After School Program.

16.         Hats and/or caps are not to be worn inside the building unless there is a special activity that requires a hat or cap.

17.         Help keep our school clean and neat.

18.         Take pride in your school.  We want it to be the very best it can be.  You can help to make it the best.

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Halls:

1.         Walk quietly.

2.         Quiet voices

3.         Keep hands at your sides.

4.         Keep feet on the floor.

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Playground:

1.     Follow the rules of the adult in charge.

2.     Remain in your assigned area. 

3.     Follow safety rules.

4.     No roughness.

5.     Show good sportsmanship.  Be a good winner and a good loser.

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Restrooms:

1.            Stay quiet.  Do not play.

2.            Use restroom.  Remember to flush.

3.            Wash and dry hands. 

4.            Return to class immediately.

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Wolfie’s Café:

1.              Enter Wolfie’s Cafe quietly.

2.              Walk.

3.              Obey monitors.

4.              Walk carefully with trays.

5.              Use good manners (Please-Thank you-Excuse me).

6.              Talk quietly only to the students near you.

7.              Seats may not be saved or exchanged unless told to do so by teacher or monitor.

8.              Students may not bring candy, gum, carbonated beverages, fast food lunches, or glass containers for lunch.

9.              Stay in seat.

10.         Students who bring drinks from home will bring them in a thermos, box or juice can.  No glass containers.

11.         Students are not to waste or play with their food.

12.         Students will leave their eating-place clean - table, chairs and floor.  Teachers are responsible for making sure their class does this.

13.         Put trays away carefully.

14.         Line up quietly.

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Cobb County student behavior policies can be located at www.cobb.k12.ga.us in the Board policy manual.