WELCOME:

Dear Parents and Students:

     Welcome to Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School.   We are excited about the learning opportunities waiting for the students of Tucker Valley.   Our staff has been working hard through the summer to make certain that we have everything ready – a safe, clean building, teachers learning new programs and teaching techniques, and purchasing some new materials and equipment are just some of the many things that have   been done to help us better prepare our students for success in school and in life.

     We welcome and encourage parent involvement in our school.  You are your child’s first and most important teacher and we believe that you serve as a valuable resource in helping us help your children be the very best they can be.  Volunteer!  Be involved!  Join PTO!  Let your students know that school is important to you too!  We need you as our partner and invite you to join us in the quest to assure educational excellence for all students at Tucker Valley.

    We will leave no child behind.  We are dedicated to our students and excited and enthusiastic about providing a quality education in a safe and caring learning environment.  Our children are our future.  We welcome the opportunity to touch tomorrow by working with our children today. 

Sincerely,
Joyce Carrico                                Larry McCune  Principal                                                                                Assistant Principal

GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION

Student Services        Attendance        Student Responsibilities       Code of Conduct          Academic Progress        Parents as Partners        This n That          Techology  

GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION

Student Services

GUIDANCE
Students are encouraged to visit with the school counselor for personal guidance and for information on grades, study help and testing programs.  Our school counselor is available to discuss any home, school, or social concerns.

 SCHOOL NURSE AND MEDICATIONS
The school nurse’s office exists for emergency situations and as a waiting area for ill students who are going home.  Parents are encouraged to administer any necessary (prescription or non prescription) medications at home when at all possible. If a student must take medication while at school he or she must bring it to the nurse or the school office in its original container with specific instructions signed by the prescribing physician.  Students are not permitted to possess any drugs of any kind at any time at school.

TRANSPORTATION
Most TVEMS students are transported by school bus. The bus schedule is published in The Parsons
Advocate shortly before the start of the school year.   Specific information about bus numbers and routes may be obtained by contacting the county transportation director or the bus garage.  Riding the school bus is a privilege and students are required to follow the rules in order to maintain that privilege.  PLEASE NOTE: Students riding a bus to which they are not assigned must have written permission from the parent/guardian to present to the teacher on bus duty and then to the bus driver.

Students who walk to school or those transported by private vehicle may be dropped off at the gym door entrance.  They should not arrive at school prior to 7:45 A.M. unless they are eating breakfast.  Students eating breakfast should not arrive before 7:30 A.M. as there few staff members available to supervise them. 

For the safety of all of our students please remember if you are leaving your vehicle when bringing a student to school be sure to park your vehicle in a designated parking space and turn off the engine.  DO NOT leave your vehicle in the traffic lane.

CAFETERIA
Lunch and breakfast are served each day in the school cafeteria.  Menus are sent home at the beginning of the month to help parents and students plan to meet nutritional needs for the month.   Meals are billed on a monthly basis and prompt payment is greatly appreciated.  If there is a question about the bill, please contact the office immediately.  Applications for free and reduced priced meals are mailed home or may be obtained by contacting the school office.  To qualify for reduced priced meals you must complete the application every year.   Students will be considered full price status until a new application is filed and processed.

LOCKERS
Hall lockers are provided to students in grades 5-8.  Many elementary classrooms have lockers or cubbies in the classroom.  These lockers are the property of the school and state law permits school officials to inspect a locker at any time.

If students choose to put a lock on their lockers they are advised to share the combination or extra key with the teacher that made the locker assignment.  Students should not permit anyone other than their locker partner to use their lockers.
 

TEXTBOOKS
Textbooks are issued to each student for each class.  Students are responsible for the books issued to them and may be required to pay for books that are lost or damaged beyond normal wear and tear.  Students will not be issued new books before settling any lost or damaged book accounts.  
                        

ASSIGNMENT BOOKS                                                                             
Assignment books are provided for each student at the beginning of the school year.  These are to be used to record class activities and assigned work and to serve as a communication tool between teachers and students and their parents.  Assignment books should be checked regularly by parents.  The assignment books also contain the student’s copy of the student-parent handbook.  If an assignment book is lost or damaged beyond use there are usually a few extras in the office that may be purchased for $5.00 each.  
 

TELEPHONES
There are no pay phones at TVEMS.  The telephones are business phones and must be available for school use.  If students must use the phone to call home their teacher will send them to the office with a permission slip.  If it is necessary for you to contact your child during the school day, please call the office and leave a message so that we may minimize the disruptions to the classrooms.  Cell phones may not be used during the school day.   ANY student violating this rule will loose cell phone privileges for the remainder of the school year.  Tucker Valley will not be responsible for lost or stolen cell phones.

LOST AND FOUND
Lost and Found items are sent to the office or to the lost and found box located outside the cafeteria.  Students who have lost items may check for them in those locations.  Periodically announcements are made to remind students to check for their lost items.  After thr days of reminders the items in lost and found are donated to a charitable organization in our community.

  Attendance

It is no surprise to know that research shows that children who have high attendance rates frequently have a higher school success rate.  We will do all we can to encourage good attendance but ultimate responsibility for class attendance lies with the student.

 ABSENSES
State law requires students to attend school daily unless sickness or special family circumstances prevent this.  Tucker County policy permits five (5) parent excused absences per semester.  After that, a doctor's excuse is required for excused absences.  Parents will be notified if a student accumulates five unexcused absences during a semester and ten unexcused absences will result in a referral to the county attendance director. 

When returning to school after any absence (even if the student was sent home from school due to illness) students must bring a note from a parent/guardian stating the date of and reason for the absence or it will be recorded as unexcused.

TARDINESS
Students are expected to report to school and to each class at the scheduled starting time.  Tucker County Schools Policy states that "tardiness interferes with the orderly conducting of class and ... shall be considered a discipline problem.”  Students who arrive later than 8:00 A.M. are to report to the office with an excuse for their tardiness.  Students with more than three tardies in a grading period will be subject to disciplinary action.  Habitual or excessive tardiness may become a truancy issue.

EARLY DISMISSAL
Students are expected to attend full days of school but we realize there are sometimes valid reasons to leave before the school day ends.  Students leaving before the regular dismissal time must be checked out in the office.  Any person taking a student from school must be authorized by the parent or guardian.  The safety of our students is a primary concern and we will always check if there is any doubt about someone having the authority to remove a child from our school.

Student Responsibilities

DRESS CODE
Students have the privilege of selecting their own style of dress unless it disrupts the educational process or endangers the health or safety of any person.  Clothing which exposes (by design, fabric or pattern) any portion of the body trunk from the lower neck to mid-thigh is inappropriate for school. Items advertising sex, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products are not permitted in school or school functions.  Students may be asked to change clothes or add a cover-up if their clothing is determined inappropriate.

CHEATING
Students who cheat, plagiarize, or forge in connection with academic endeavors or school procedures are subject to disciplinary action which may include a zero for the assignment.
 

POSSESSION OR USE OF TOBACCO/ DRUGS
Students who use or bring tobacco or drugs to school or have them in their possession are subject to suspension or expulsion and will be disciplined as mandated by Tucker County Board of Education Policy and West Virginia Student Code of Conduct.

HARASSMENT
Harassment in any form will not be tolerated.  If violations occur, disciplinary action will be taken.  Any discrimination of the basis of race, creed, national origin, sex, age, or handicap will not be tolerated.

ONLINE POLICY
The use of electronic resources is supported provided that abuses do not occur.  Access is a privilege that will be denied if used inappropriately.  Students must have a signed Internet Acceptable Use Policy on file for the current school year to make full use of the technology available to them.  The form is on the page 13 of this handbook and is to be signed and returned to the student's homeroom teacher.
 

FIGHTING/AGGRESSION
Students who are involved in a physical confrontation of any kind -- before, during, or after school on school property, or in any school function away from the school will be given three days ISS for the first offense.  Parents will be notified.   Additional infractions of this nature will result in more serious consequences.

WEST VIRGINIA CODE OF CONDUCT

 The State of West Virginia has adopted a Student Code of Conduct on which our Tucker County Board of Education Policy is based as well as our school code of conduct.  Highlights of the state policy are:  Every student in WV public schools shall:

• *Attend school faithfully, complete assignments, and work to full potential.
• *Behave in a manner that is not disruptive to learning
• *Obey teachers, principals and others in authority
• *Refrain from aggressive or threatening behaviors
• *Refrain from possession or use of weapons, drugs, and tobacco.

The code may be read in its entirety at 

http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/p4373.html

PROHIBITED ITEMS

In order to maintain an orderly environment students may not possess the following items at school:

• *CD players, beepers, cameras, television sets, electronic games, head sets, or any other
•     electronic items of distraction.
• *Gambling devices such as dice, playing cards, etc.
• *Drugs, alcohol, narcotics, cigarettes, inhalants, lighters, matches, tobacco products or look-a-likes.
• *Pictures or posters of questionable nature.
• *Explosive devices, including firecrackers, fireballs, cherry bombs, stink bombs, etc,
• *Gang paraphernalia, such as rags/bandannas, etc.
• *Weapons, look-a-like weapons, guns, knives, screwdrivers and/or other items designed or easily
•     used to cause physical harm.
• *Toys
• *Medications or pills

Academic Progress

REPORT CARDS
Report cards are issued every nine weeks with mid-term reports sent approximately mid-way through the nine weeks grading period.  Report cards are usually sent home in early November, mid January, and late March to early April.  The last report card is sent home on the last day of school in June.

GRADING SCALE
TVEMS staff members use the grading scale adopted by the West Virginia Board of Education.  The grading scale for non-weighted grades is as follows:

                                                                             Average                Grade                  Quality Points

               93-100                     A                            4.0

               85-92                       B                            3.0

               75-84                       C                            2.0

               65-74                       D                            1.0

                 0-64                       F                             0.

HONOR ROLL
Students who earn a 3.0 average with no D's or F's qualify for the Honor Roll.  Students with a 3.7 average and no D's or F's qualify for the Principal's List.

PROMOTION/RETENTION
All TVEMS staff members work hard to assure that all students are successful.  In the event that it becomes evident that a student is in danger of being retained, the student and parents will be notified by the end of the first semester so that interventions can be made to help the student meet the goals necessary to move to the next grade level.  If a student in fifth through eighth grade has an F in three core subjects from two different teachers that student is in danger of repeating a grade. Elementary students who are failing three or more core subjects may also be considered for retention.

GRADES AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Students who wish to participate in extracurricular activities must maintain a C/2.0 average for the semester.   West Virginia Secondary Schools Athletic Commission rules allow students to improve their grade during a nine-weeks grading period.

CURRICULUM
All students at TVEMS are taught using the West Virginia Content Standards and Objectives appropriate for the grade level to which the student is assigned. 

There is a strong emphasis on reading and math with social studies, science, the arts and physical education playing significant roles in each student's educational development.   Student progress is assessed at the end of the school year with the WESTEST (grades 3-8), the DIBELS, and informal math assessments (grades K-3).  Results are sent home when they are available.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS

WE ARE A TITLE I SCHOOL    

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Being a Title I school means that because a high percentage of our students receive free and reduced priced meals we receive funding from the federal government that helps cover the cost of teachers and paraprofessionals as well as some support programs and materials for our students.  It also means that we are mandated to provide you with specific information including some of which follows.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW
Parents of our students will receive regular information from TVEMS that includes information about our academic programs, parent programs and workshops, newsletters, etc.  You will also receive information about the status of our school including our school report card, the status of our instructional staff, and our AYP status.  We will make every attempt to not only give you information but also to answer any questions you might have concerning the education of your child.  We believe it is not only your right to ask questions but also your responsibility as parent and stakeholder in our school. Your questions and concerns are seen as a valuable resource in providing us information and direction to help us accomplish our goals. 

HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS
On January 8, 2002, President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 into law. The law brings sweeping changes to public schools throughout the nation. One of these changes requires that any school in receipt of Title I funds must now inform parents if their child is assigned a teacher for four or more consecutive weeks that is not yet "highly qualified" under the terms and criteria outlined in the NCLB Act.

According to the No Child Left Behind law, a "highly qualified" teacher is one who:

1. Has obtained a bachelor's degree or higher;
2. Has obtained full West Virginia State certification;
3. Has demonstrated competency in the core academic subject area(s) that he/she teaches.

Please know that all teachers who teach the core academic subjects had until June 30, 2006 to meet all three standards. This transition was deliberately written into the law to acknowledge that many states have certification and licensure requirements that differ from the new federal standards for teacher quality. Although our state has some of the most demanding certification requirements in the country, these requirements do not automatically mean that every teacher meets the highly qualified standard, even if he or she has been teaching for years and has been performing at high levels. Certain teachers, even outstanding veteran teachers, may not have taken the time to comply with the new expectations.

NOTIFICATION TO PARENTS OF TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
(Compliance with P.L. 107-110, Section 1111(h)(6)(A)
The Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires school districts that receive federal Title I funding to notify parents of their right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct their child.

As a recipient of these funds, TVEMS will provide you with this information in a timely manner if you request it. Specifically, you have the right to request the following information about each of your child's classroom teachers:

• Whether the teacher meets the state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grades and subjects he or she teaches.
• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status because of special circumstances.
• The teacher's college major, whether the teacher has any advanced degrees, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.
• Whether paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if so, their qualifications.

Tucker County Schools is committed to providing quality instruction for all students and does so by employing the most qualified individuals to teach and support each student in the classroom. As of June, 2006 all Tucker Valley teachers and paraprofessionals were classified as highly qualified.  If you would like to receive any of the information listed above for your child's teacher, please contact Joyce Carrico at Tucker Valley – 478-3606.

CITIZENS COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
A grievance process is in place for parents and students in the event they feel there has been a violation of state law, policy or access to the right to an equal education.  Forms may be obtained from a building administrator.

This and That

VISITORS
Even though there are some scheduled and invited times, parents are welcome and encouraged to visit anytime.  If you wish to have a conference with any staff member please call to make an appointment.  Planning in advance helps prevent disruptions to the classroom.  All visitors are required to sign in at the office when entering the building.  This is a necessary precaution to help us ensure the safety of our children. Students may not bring student visitors to school without prior permission from school administrators. We pride ourselves being a friendly school where everyone feels welcome.  Stop by and visit sometime - just give us a call so we can be ready for you!
 

SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Seventh and eighth grade students at TVEMS have the opportunity to participate in boys and girls basketball and a girls softball team.  Coaches will meet with interested students at the appropriate times.

INSURANCE
Accident insurance is available from a company independent of the school if parents wish to have additional coverage for their students.  Students participating in interscholastic sports are required to have insurance of some type.  Insurance forms are distributed to parents during the Back-to-School Day at the beginning of the year.

CHANGES IN SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Occasionally weather conditions or unforeseen events mandate a change in the regular school schedule.  Announcements of these changes will be broadcast on the following radio, television and communication systems

WVAQ FM Radio (102)                 WFBY FM Radio (106.5)                     WDNE AM Radio (12.40)           

WKMM FM Radio (96.7)              WFSP AM Radio (1560)                       WFSP FM Radio (107.7)

WKHJ FM Radio (104.5)              SBRB (THE BEAR) (101.3)                 WV Public Radio

WBOY TV Channel 12                  WDTV TV Channel 5                       www.tuckercountyschools.com    

Please be sure that your child knows what to do and where to go every day when school is dismissed.  This is particularly important if you suspect that weather conditions might cause a change in the regular schedule if you do not plan to be home when your child arrives home from school.
 

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES

In the event that an emergency situation occurs which requires TVEMS students be evacuated, they will be accompanied by their teachers to local churches until they are dismissed or able to return to the school building.  Identified evacuation locations are:

        Baptist Church - Grades K-4

        First United Methodist Church - Grades 5-8

        Presbyterian Church - Pre School

        Presbyterian Church - Bright Beginnings

If students are to be sent home parents will be notified by the same means as any other unscheduled early dismissal.
 

STUDENTS AND THE MEDIA
At TVEMS we are proud of our students and all of their accomplishments and we sometimes like to share news of these accomplishments through newspapers, our school website, television and other publications.  If you DO NOT wish to have your child's picture or name (last names are not used with pictures on the web site) made available for use in public media, please inform the school in writing so that we may have that on record.
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
At TVEMS we place a high priority on protecting instructional time.  We will limit classroom disruptions as much as possible.  This includes making announcements throughout the school day.   Except for emergencies announcements will be made every day during homeroom period at 8:00 A..M. and each afternoon shortly before dismissal.   Please keep this in mind if there is information you need to share with our staff and students.
 

FIELD TRIPS
Many TVEMS teachers choose to plan field trips during the school year. They are not required to do so and it is only at their discretion.  Field trips are to be an extension and enrichment activity relating to a lesson on any of the West Virginia Content Standards or Objectives.  Though it is not always possible, teachers are encouraged to plan trips that can be done during the school day and to also keep any expense to the student to a minimum.  You will be informed and provided details from the teacher when these trips are planned.  Often parents serve as chaperones on field trips and students are expected to exhibit the same respect and cooperation to these parents as they do to their teachers.

ASSEMBLIES
Assemblies that have educational value are periodically scheduled throughout the school year.  Students are expected to be courteous and respectful of all presenters and failure to do so may result in a suspension from all such presentations and/or other disciplinary actions.

UPDATED INFORMATION
If you move or change phone numbers during the school year (or if you think we might not have current information) please be sure to notify us so that we may keep our records current.  It is also helpful to let us know if there is any change in our student's living arrangements (e.g. parents have separated, or child is with grandparent) if it relevant to who we contact in matters concerning the child.  If there is a court order involving custody of a student it is imperative that a copy of that order be available to the school if we are responsible for upholding it.

AVAILABILITY OF ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT PLAN
In October 1986 the United States Congress enacted the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act.  Under this law, each elementary and secondary school is required to inspect the friable and nonfriable asbestos and develop asbestos plans to address the finding of these inspections.  Our program for meeting this requirements is described in our Asbestos Management Plan.  Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School contains no asbestos materials.  You may review the plan at the county board of education office.  Questions should be directed to Brad Ramsey at 478-2771.

PESTICIDE APPLICATION NOTIFICATION
Tucker County Schools adhere to an Integrated Pest Management Plan in accordance with Title 61, Series 12J rule of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.  Pests are controlled primarily through preventive measures.  When pesticides are required the least hazardous materials will be used. 

Pesticides are classified as Level I (non-chemical, preventive), Level 2 (least hazardous, low toxicity, non volatile baits or dusts), Level 3 (EPA caution, limited volatility liquids), and Level 4 (EPS warning or danger, broadcast and space treatments, spraying and fogging) depending upon the degree of hazard associated with their application.

PLEASE NOTE:  Level 3 or 4 pesticides WILL NOT be applied when students are present.

As a parent/guardian you have the right to be notified 24 hours in advance if and when Level 3 or 4 pesticides are to be applied.  To receive such notification, please request the notification form from Tucker Valley or from Brad Ramsey at the Tucker County Board of Education office. 

FEEDBACK
We look forward to getting to know you better this year.  We hope this handbook is useful in helping you learn more about your school.  If you have suggestions or ideas on how we may improve next year's handbook, please let us know.  Your input is valued and welcomed.    Have a great year at Tucker Valley and don’t forget to visit our county website at www.tuckercountyschools.com
 

Acceptable Use Policy

The following form must be read and signed by you and your child.

·         I will limit my use of telecommunications systems in school to the educational objectives approved by my teachers and school staff.

·         I will follow the rules on network etiquette.  I will not receive or send unethical, illegal, immoral, inappropriate or unacceptable information of any type.

·         I will not use abusive language of any type.

·         I will not share my full name, home address or telephone number with another user for any purpose.

·         I understand that information received online is private property unless specified.  I will not plagiarize information received in any form.  I will adhere to copyright laws.

·         I will not use another person's account or share my password with anyone else.

·         I will not attempt to by-pass the security built into the system, nor will I try to gain

          access to any remote site through the process of hacking.  I recognize that doing

          some will result in immediate suspension of my privileges.

·         I will not interfere with or disrupt network users, services, or equipment

·         I will not access chat rooms with our direct supervision by a teacher.  I understand this may be banned by my district or by my school.

·         I will not use the internet or other telecommunications systems to buy/sell any items, goods or services of any kind for personal gain.

Tucker County Schools will not be held responsible if the student participates in any of the activities listed above.