PILLOW ACADEMY
Excellence in Education

Elementary Handbook

Grades 1 - 5

2009-2010

Pillow Academy Administration

Headmaster – Mr. Termie Land

Elementary Principal – Mrs. Carla Sutphen

Elementary Secretary – Mrs. Shelia Tolbert

Elementary Staff

First Grade:                                                

Mrs. Linda Burgess                                       

Mrs. Geney Galey  

Mrs. Lenice McDaniel                                                                         

Mrs. Rebecca Howard

Second Grade:                                             

Mrs. Gina Hutson                                                                      

Mrs. DeLeslyn Robertson

Mrs. Jennifer Roden      

Mrs. Gwen Toomey                                                 

Third Grade:                                                        
Mrs. Vivian Calhoun

Mrs. Dot Miller                                             

Mrs. Glenda Pittman                                    

Fourth Grade:

Mrs. Terri McDaniel
Mrs. Sue Oltremari

Miss Meagan Reans

Fifth Grade:

Mrs. Julie Kelly

Mrs. Gail O’Neal

Mrs. Millie Vemer

Art :            Mr. David Taylor

Computer:   Mrs. Lisa Land

ELS:             Mrs. Clare Pillow and Mrs. Adrian Tribble

Library:       Mrs. Mary Jane Juchheim and Mrs. Beth Rowe

Music:         Mrs. Connie Black

PE:              Mrs. Laura Oakes

Resource:    Mrs. Tanya Bryant

Mission Statement

To educate the whole child in an environment

of academic excellence and Christian values.

School Hours

Pillow Academy Elementary school hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 3:10 P.M. 

General Rules and Regulations

1. Teachers are on duty from 7:40 to 3:30.

2. Conferences with teachers should be arranged through the secretary.  Please schedule school conferences or have telephone conversations during the teacher’s conference periods. Conferences are best held at school as all materials are readily available. We respect the right of privacy for each child and parent and respectfully request that you do also. If a problem arises, please call the office immediately (662-453-3600) to schedule a conference.

3. Conferences with the principal may be scheduled at any time from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on school days. When possible, parent conferences should be by appointment except in case of an emergency.

4. On days when we have snow or icing conditions on the roads, turn your radio or TV on about 6:00 a.m. The announcements will be made over our local stations. Please do not call teachers and other school officials.  You may also check Pillow’s website:   www.PillowAcademy.com.

Grievance Procedure

If a parent has a complaint about a teacher, school policy, or another student, the following procedure must be followed:

1. Go directly to the teacher involved to discuss the matter in a private conference.

2. If not satisfied with the result of the teacher conference, then make an appointment to discuss with the principal.

3. If still not satisfied, then make an appointment to discuss with the Headmaster.

We appreciate you following this chain of command.

Parent Waiting Area

This area is located just inside the front door. If you need to pick up your child during the day, please come to the office first to sign your student out, then you may wait in the designated area. This is designed to eliminate classroom interruptions.

Teachers’ Lounge

The teachers’ lounge is designed for the teachers to have a place to relax during their break time. Please respect their privacy and use the waiting area in the hallway.

Bell Schedule

The Pillow Academy academic schedule begins promptly at 8:00 each morning.

7:55                       First Bell

8:00                       Tardy Bell

9:45 - 10:00            Morning Recess

11:00 - 12:00          Lunch

1:15 - 1:30              Afternoon Recess

3:10                       Dismiss Students

ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE

Traffic and Carpool Procedures and Courtesies

Please observe these safety precautions.

1. It is important that all persons drive carefully and follow the flow of traffic requested by school officials.

2. Encourage your child to watch for his/her ride in the afternoon. If he/she rides a daycare van, help your child learn to identify the van and the name of the driver.

3. If your child rides a van regularly, but for some reason is not going to ride on a particular afternoon, please notify the child’s teacher in writing or call the school office (453-3600) and explain what the change will be. This is most important and should be done before 2:00 p.m. if at all possible.

4. A child must go home his/her usual way unless the office is notified.
5. Children who ride in cars are dismissed at 3:10 p.m. You are requested to come for your child or carpool group promptly. Teachers are off-duty at 3:30.

6.  For the safety of our students and teachers on duty, PLEASE put your car in “PARK” when you pick up students and DO NOT USE CELL PHONES. Your full attention should be directed toward the actions of our students.

7. Always be courteous to others when waiting in the carpool line. Every day there are “first-timers” or visitors from other schools who have the misfortune of arriving during carpool time while attempting to get to sports events on campus.

Early Arrivals

We ask that you make arrangements for your child to arrive at school after 7:30 a.m. when a teacher will be on duty.  It is extremely dangerous to leave your child in an unsupervised situation.

Arrival Procedures

When you bring your student each morning, please enter through the right fork of the road.  For safety purposes, your child should exit from the right side of the vehicle. Do not get out of your vehicle.

1. The Right Fork of traffic is for elementary carpool.
2. The Left Fork of traffic is for kindergarten and jr. high/high school carpool.
3. After 7:40, please pull to the end of the designated unloading zone before unloading so the carpool line will move quickly.
4. Children should always get in and out of vehicles on the right side of the car close to the Elementary Building.
5. Avoid arriving at school during recess times, as children are playing, and are not at all observant of moving vehicles.
   Recess times:         9:45 - 10:00 a.m.

1:15 - 1:30 p.m.

6. If it is necessary to come for a child during school hours, park directly in front of the building. Be sure your engine is turned off and keys are removed from your car.
7. If you have scheduled a conference, please park in a designated Visitor’s Parking space by the triangle area. Please do not block or park in the teachers’ parking spaces, as all spaces are assigned and needed.

Dismissal Schedule

Kindergarten:                  2:45 – 3:10 p.m.

Elementary:                     3:10 p.m.

Jr. High and High Schools: 3:15 p.m.

Dismissal Procedures

Elementary Students

• Stay in a single lane of traffic until 3:10.  At 3:10 (NOT BEFORE) please form two lines of traffic.
• Do not form the line past the intersection inside the gate.  This intersection needs to be open for two way traffic for cars leaving.
• If you are to pick up at the elementary only, you may use either line.
• Teachers’ signals will control the traffic and student flow.
• Drivers should pull up to the STOP sign. When all vehicles in place are full,                    vehicles will be allowed to move, and the procedure will be repeated.
• Keep your car pulled up to the last teacher on duty or the car directly in front of you to improve traffic flow.
• Stay in your car and wait for your child with your vehicle in “PARK”.
• Please discontinue cell phone usage when waiting in line.
• If you are to pick up children at the elementary and jr. high/high school buildings, use the right lane.

Elementary Students and Kindergarten Students

• Kindergarten students should be picked up prior to 3:10. You may park in the elementary line and walk to the kindergarten building to get your child, OR you may pick up your child in the kindergarten carpool line and drive back around the campus to enter the elementary line. 
• Elementary pick-up line enters through the right fork of the road.
• At 3:10 (NOT BEFORE) please form two lines of traffic.
• Please follow procedures outlined above.
• Students not picked up by 3:30 will be taken to Homework Express* and appropriate fees will be assessed.

Elementary Students and Jr. High Students

• Enter line through the right fork and proceed to the Elementary Building.
• Please follow procedures outlined in the Elementary section above.
• After picking up students, stay in the right hand land and proceed to the Jr. High carpool line.
• (Another option) If picking up Elementary AND Jr. High School students, you may park in the Jr. High carpool line and walk to the elementary building, get your student and walk back to your vehicle.  However, please be prompt, and do not delay the progress of the Jr. High line.  Also, please take precautions with students walking through moving traffic.
• Students not picked up by 3:30 will be taken to Homework Express* and appropriate fees will be assessed.

*Homework Express is located in a classroom at the end of the junior high hall and is supervised by teachers.

Late Pick-up Procedure

Please make arrangements to be here before teachers go off duty at 3:30.

If your work prohibits you from being here at 3:30, please make other arrangements. Students not picked up on time will be taken to Homework Express and appropriate fees will be assessed. Homework Express is located in a classroom at the end of the junior high hall and supervised by teachers.

In order to avoid confusion, please make sure your child knows how he/she will go home in the afternoon before they leave home every morning.

Early Dismissal

When students need to be picked up early from school for a doctor’s appointment or for other reasons, they will need to bring a note from home signed by the parent or guardian stating the reason for an early dismissal, the time of dismissal, and the name of the person who will pick up the child. This note should be given to the teacher at the beginning of school so she will have time to make necessary preparations before the student leaves.

When you pick up your child during the school day, please go to the office and sign your child out. The Early Dismissal sign-out sheet is located on the table beside the entrance to the office. The secretary will notify your child’s teacher. We pride ourselves in taking every precaution for the safety of our children. Children will not be sent outside to wait for a parent. Parents must come inside. 

If the child comes back to school that day, he/she will need to go to the office to let us know of the return.

Change of Rides

Please notify the teacher or the office if there is a change in your child’s ride. Otherwise, your child must go home his/her usual way. If there is any change in the way your child is going home, please remember to notify the driver of the carpool or daycare van.

Attendance

Tardies

Students arriving after 8:00 A.M. must report to the office to get a tardy pass before going into the classroom.

A student who is not inside the classroom when the tardy bell rings will be considered tardy.

Tardies will be based on each nine-week grading period. All tardies will be considered the same except morning doctor appointments.  A doctor’s excuse must be brought to the office. If you fail to bring a doctor’s excuse, the tardy will be unexcused until one is brought in.

                        *Three unexcused tardies -    miss one recess

                        *Four unexcused tardies -      miss two recesses

                        *Five unexcused tardies -      internal suspension (see p. 19)

                        *Six unexcused tardies -        external suspension (see p. 19)

Absences

Please call the Elementary Office (662-453-3600) before 8:30 a.m. stating the reason for your child’s absence that day. All missed classwork must be made up.  ASSIGNMENTS AND BOOKS WILL BE PLACED ON THE BENCH IN THE ENTRY HALL AND MAY BE PICKED UP ANY TIME AFTER 12:00 NOON.

In accordance with MPSA accreditation requirements, no student shall be promoted to the next grade whose absences exceed twenty (20) days during the school year unless the absences result from unusual circumstances or extended illness. Extended illness must be officially documented by a physician.

Vacation Guidelines

Please schedule vacations during school holidays or during the summer.  (Children need to avoid being absent from school except for sickness or emergencies.)

Assignments

Makeup Work

Any work missed due to an absence should be made up in a satisfactory amount of time determined by the teacher. Any assignments that can be completed during the absence will help in this process. Failure to make up an assignment may result in a grade of zero (0).

Homework Assignments

ALL students are required to complete their daily homework assignments in order to reinforce the objectives and skills being taught in the classroom. It is imperative that students come to class prepared to learn. Homework is a vital part of that readiness. Teachers check and often give grades on homework. Parents are strongly encouraged to check their child’s homework assignments and require their child to correct any mistakes before turning in the assignment. This is a powerful teaching strategy that parents can use to greatly benefit their child’s learning experience.

Show and Tell

Elementary classes do not have a “Show and Tell” day. Instead of this practice, teachers will occasionally request that their students bring items related to a particular unit of study (for example, anything related to the study of Indians, pets, etc.).  Toys should never be brought to school unless they relate to the above. Expensive or irreplaceable toys should NEVER be brought to school for any reason.

Illnesses

If your child has fever, nausea, or other symptoms of sickness,  please do not send him/her to school. A child must be free of fever 24 hours before returning to school. A doctor’s admit slip is required for readmission to school for a student who has an infectious disease.

Illness during the School Day

If a student becomes ill during school hours, the teacher will send them to the office.

 

The student may be given approved medication or the secretary/principal may feel that it is necessary to contact the parent. The student is not to leave the school campus, for any reason, without permission from the office.

Head Lice Policy

A child who has been sent home with head lice must bring official documentation from the physician’s office stating that treatment has been administered and there are no nits present before the child can be readmitted to school. Pillow Academy adheres to a strict “NO NIT” policy. In past years, over-the-counter products have proven to be very ineffective in treating these easily transmitted parasites.

Pink Eye Policy

Students must be treated with prescribed eye drops 24 hours before attending school.

Request to Stay in at Recess

It is our judgment that if a child is well enough to come to school, he/she is well enough to participate in the daily program. Exceptions are made in certain cases where the family physician requests that a child be excused from outdoor activity. If for some medical reason your child cannot participate in outdoor activity, please send a note to your child’s teacher.

Medical Forms

A medical form will be issued for each student. The parent must get the form notarized and returned to the child’s teacher before ANY medication will be administered at school (including prescription drugs from home).

The form will be kept in the child’s cumulative folder.

First Aid

If minor first aid is necessary, it will be administered in the office by the teacher, secretary, or principal. For more severe injuries, parents, emergency contacts, or an ambulance will be called depending on the situation.

Dress Code

The approved uniform of Pillow Academy will be worn in the elementary school.

Guidelines:

1. Girls may wear sandals as long as they do not resemble shower shoes or plastic flip-flops. Girls’ shoes must not have a heel over 2 inches in height. Tennis shoes must be worn with socks.

2. Boys may wear Birkenstock-type leather sandals (no socks necessary) with shorts only. Boys may wear regular shoes or tennis shoes with any attire.                            Boots may be worn with pants only. Socks must be worn with all shoes except sandals.

3. Even though sandals are allowed for elementary, it is recommended that students wear tennis shoes or other closed in shoes for playground safety. Tennis shoes are required on PE days.

4. Heelies (tennis shoes w/skates) are not allowed at school.

5. For girls, shirttails must be tucked in whether worn with slacks, shorts, skorts, or skirts. The banded white blouses and straight “box” hemmed knit shirts may be worn outside with all except the plaid jumper. Girls must wear belts with items having belt loops when a shirt is tucked in.

6. For boys, belts must be worn at all times and all shirts must be tucked in.

7. Only white T-shirts can be worn under polo shirts.  No other colors are allowed.

8. Students are not allowed to wear their own personal jackets or coats to school. Only uniform approved outerwear will be allowed on the school campus or in school buildings during school hours.

9. Girls must wear modesty shorts under jumpers and skirts.

10. No caps/hats may be worn at school unless special permission has been given.

***Special note to both sexes: The Administration at Pillow Academy reserves the right to pass judgment on future modes of dress not outlined at this time.

Academics

Book Reports/Poem Memorization

Realizing the utmost importance of Reading and Memorization, the following policies are implemented in our school.

Students are encouraged to read at each grade level and participate in the Accelerated Reading program.

The following requirements have been established for each grade level:

Book reports are to be made on teacher approved books and may be oral, written, or illustrated as each teacher assigns.

Take-Home Tuesday

Classwork and test papers will be sent home with students on Tuesday of each week of school. Parents should sign the papers and RETURN THEM TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY. These papers are sent specifically so you will have an indication of how your child is performing in school as well as to let you know of particular areas in which your child may require extra help at home.

Resource

The resource program is designed to give students remedial or extra help as soon as the classroom teacher notices a need. The program has one teacher available from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day. Grades one through five have access to this program twice each week.

Grading Scale

The elementary grading system is as follows:
 

*Your child’s grades may be viewed on RenWeb at any time during the school year.

Citizenship Grades

Citizenship grades will be given as indicated below:

 

Achievement Tests

Achievement tests will be administered during the spring (usually in March). Parents will be informed of the dates of these tests. Parents will receive a copy of the test results when they arrive.

Field Trips

Various field trips will be taken throughout the year. A permission form will be given to each parent at the beginning of the school year. A parent’s signature is required in order for the student to participate.

You will be informed of the exact dates of field trips as they are scheduled.

Honor Rolls

Headmaster’s List

The Headmaster’s List consists of students who have A’s in all major subjects, no failing Citizenship grade, and no more than 4 tardies during the nine week grading period.

Principal’s List

The Principal’s List consists of those students who have an 88 average in all major subjects, no failing Citizenship grade, and no more than 4 tardies during the nine week grading period. A pupil cannot be on the Principal’s List if they have any grade below 85.

Promotion and Retention

The following policies will apply for promotion and retention in Grades 1 – 5.

1. Each student must pass Reading in all grades.  If not, he/she will be retained.

2. In First, Second, and Third grades, math must be passed in addition to reading before promotion.

3. In Third through Fifth grades, a failing grade in any two other subjects will necessitate retention.

4. Promotion and retention will be based on yearly averages in Grades One through Five.

Behavior Guidelines

Expectations

Elementary students are expected to show respect toward adults and fellow classmates at all times. Students are expected to follow directions and be quiet and attentive during special assembly programs. Whether guests are present or not, each student is personally responsible for the impression made by the school as a whole. They are Pillow Academy representatives at all times.

Athletic Events

During athletic competitions, students are expected to display good sportsmanship. Parents are asked to remind elementary children of correct behavior when attending a school event. Running and playing in the halls and restrooms are not allowed. Students are not allowed outside the fence at football games or outside the gym during basketball games unless accompanied by an adult.

Disruptive Behavior

Fighting, disruptive behavior, or disturbances will not be tolerated at Pillow Academy during school hours or at any school sponsored events after school hours. Students guilty of the above actions will receive appropriate punishment as deemed necessary by the administration of Pillow Academy.

Cheating

Cheating will not be tolerated by Pillow Academy. Students determined by their teacher(s) to be cheating will be given a zero on that assignment, given internal suspension, and their parents will be notified. Repeated violations will be dealt with more severely, and parents/guardians will be required to meet with school officials to decide whether or not their child will be readmitted.

Gum

Pillow Academy students are not to chew any form of gum during school hours.

Theft

Pillow Academy does not condone the taking of another’s personal property. This includes “borrowing” of another’s books, notebooks, pens, pencils, etc. without permission. Anyone involved in such activities will be given corrective punishment.

Student Cell Phones

Pillow students in grades K4-5^th are not allowed to bring cell phones to school. At the first offense, the phone will remain in the principal’s office until a $10 fine is paid.  For the next offense, the phone will remain in the principal’s office until the last day of the school year.

                                             MUSTANG COURTESIES

Courtesies in the Halls and Classrooms

1. Good conduct is expected at all times in the halls and classrooms.
2. When passing adults/visitors in the hall, look them in the eye and speak to them: “Good Morning” or “Hello”.
3. Never play roughly, run, hit, push, shove, or use abusive language in the halls and classrooms.
4. Fighting is never allowed; there is no such thing as “play fighting.”
5. When meeting others in the hall, pass to the right of each other.

Lunchroom Etiquette

The lunchroom should be a pleasant and clean place to eat. In order to attain this, the following guidelines are necessary:

1.    Enter and exit in a quiet and orderly manner.

2.    Speak in low “inside” voices.

3.    Practice good manners.

4.    Clean the area, table, seats, and floor before leaving.

5.    Remain seated until the teacher dismisses the group.

6.    Do not save seats or isolate anyone.

Pillow Academy Philosophy of Discipline

Discipline should not be interpreted in a narrow sense as a means of punishment only; a broader interpretation should be placed upon it. The fundamentals of discipline as looked upon by the Administration of Pillow Academy have the following objectives:

1.    To create and preserve the conditions essential to the orderly progress of the school.

2.    To prepare the student for effective participation in adult life.

3.    To instill the fundamental lessons of self-control.

Discipline is also character education in that discipline uses standards and habits of conduct. The student grows in character as he/she becomes more aware of the consequences of his/her decisions. The administration of this school is based on the theory that students should be capable of conducting themselves in accordance with the accepted standards of behavior. We believe that discipline is the base of learning. Therefore, the school insists upon socially acceptable behavior. We believe that home and school should work together for the good of the child and that all programs must be evaluated constantly in the light of accomplishment. Academic honesty as well as moral integrity is expected of every student at Pillow Academy.

Types of Disciplinary Action

The following are types of disciplinary action that will be used by the Administration at Pillow Academy.

1. “Write-offs”/Detention – The student will miss recess and possibly special activities to complete the required number of “write-offs”.

2. Corporal Punishment -Paddling will be administered only when deemed necessary.
    
   *If a parent does not want their child paddled, the office must be contacted and the child will be placed in internal suspension in lieu of a paddling. Parents will be required to pay for the cost of a substitute. ($60.00)

3. Internal Suspension - The student will be allowed to complete all work during the period of suspension but will be penalized at the end of the nine week grading period at the rate of 1 point for the first day of suspension and 1 point for each additional consecutive day. Parents will pay for the cost of a substitute to sit with their child ($60.00 daily).

4. External Suspension - The student will be allowed to complete all work at home during the period of suspension but will be penalized at the end of the nine week grading period at the rate of 2 points for the first day of suspension and 1 point for each additional consecutive day.  

Consequences of Disobeying Classroom Rules:

1.    Name on board – WARNING

2.    Name with one check - Miss one recess

3.    Name with two checks - Miss second recess and parents notified by phone or email.

4.    Name with three checks - Miss third recess and receive additional punishment as deemed appropriate by the administration.
**The student’s name stays on the board all week.     

Miscellaneous Information

School Insurance

The school will have available to students Student Accident Insurance which will cover injuries that occur at school or at school sponsored activities. It should be noted that this is a supplemental insurance and not a primary coverage. Further information on the insurance will be sent home with each student.

Birthday Party Invitations

(1)You may give out birthday invitations at school if you invite every child in the room or all boys or girls. We will not allow a child to give out “select” invitations.

(2) Cupcakes/special treats that involve no teacher preparation may be sent to school on the student’s birthday. Please give the teacher advance notice of your plans.

(3) We discourage limousine pick-ups at school.

Child Custody

If you have a court order that limits the rights of one parent in matters such as custody or visitation, please bring a copy to the office. Unless your court order is on file with us, we must provide the rights that the law allows to parents concerning records, visitation, and information about the child.

Delivery of Gifts to Students

Pillow Academy will not accept delivery for flowers, balloons, or other favors. Such deliveries should be made to the student’s home.

Emergency Procedures

Students will be instructed and involved in practice drills throughout the school year so they will be prepared for emergency procedures including fires, tornadoes, and lockdowns.

Private Piano Instruction

For an additional fee, private piano instruction will be available to Pillow students as space allows. Due to scheduling conflicts, it is not always possible to accommodate every student who wishes to take lessons.

Devotional and Pledge of Allegiance

The daily devotional and pledge of allegiance will be conducted by the classroom teacher.

RenWeb

Renweb.com is a web site that gives you and your student secure access to a copy of the school’s information. You can access your child’s grades, attendance, tardies, citizenship, and other information. You are also able to communicate with teachers online via email. Parents are assigned their own user names and passwords.  The school must have current email and cell phone number for each student.  We encourage you to check this site on a regular basis.  A link will be on Pillow’s website: 

Elementary                   www.PillowAcademy.com/elementary/index.htm