School Information

Welcome

We at Pittman Center Elementary wish to create the best possible learning environment for all the students of our school. We want Pittman Center Elementary to be a school where every student will be safe and able to learn to the best of his or her ability. This folder contains some basic information regarding school programs and procedures. All parents and students are encouraged to talk with the school principal, teachers, and staff about any aspect of the school program.

Legal Information

The Sevier County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status in provision of educational opportunities, programs, activities, or employment opportunities and benefits.

· Vehicles parked on school property by students or visitors are subject to search for drugs, drug paraphernalia, or dangerous weapons. T.C.A. 49-6-4204
· No person shall enter onto the grounds or into the buildings of any school during the hours of school instruction, except students assigned to the school, parents of students, and other persons with lawful and valid business on the school premises. T.C.A. 49-6-2008
· A student may be subject to physical search because of the results of a locker search, or because of information received from a teacher, staff member, student, or other person, if such action is reasonable to the principal. T.C.A. 49-6-4205
· Felony. State law prescribes a maximum penalty of six (6) years imprisonment and a fine not to exceed three thousand dollars ($3000) for carrying weapons on school property.
T.C.A. 39-17-1309

School Hours

The school will be open from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Parents bringing students to school should drop them off no earlier than 7:30 a.m. Parents picking students up should do so by 3:30 p.m. Breakfast begins at 7:45 a.m. Classes begin at 8:15 am. Classes end at 3:15 p.m.

Entrance Requirements

1. Birth certificate - All entering students need a valid birth certificate.
2. Immunizations - Every student must provide proof of all necessary immunizations. Transfer students from out-of-state must have a Tennessee Certificate of Immunization. This may be obtained from the Sevier County Health Department or other health care provider
3. Records release - Parents of transfer students need to sign a records release form so that records can be obtained from previous schools.
4. Age - Children must be five years old on or before October I in order to attend kindergarten.

Expectations for Student Behavior

1. Students should follow the classroom rules of their individual teachers.
2. Students are not to have tobacco, alcohol, or drugs at school. School Board Policy requires a ten-day, out-of-school suspension or 20 days placement at the ALC for drug/alcohol violations.
3. Aggressive physical actions towards others (pushing, shoving, kicking, fighting, etc.) are not allowed.
4. Knives, guns, and other weapons should not be brought to school. State and federal laws require a one-year suspension for any student bringing a firearm to school.
5. Students should treat teachers and fellow students with respect.
6. Students should help care for the school. Students should not damage school property or the property of other students. School Board Policy requires payment by those found guilty of vandalism to school property.
7. Students should not leave school unless a parent or individual designated by the parent signs them out through the school office. (See BP 604)
8. Students should ride the same bus to and from school. If students must ride a different bus or get off at a different location, parents should send a note to the school principal.
9. Students should not bring radios, tape players, or CD players to school.
10. Students should move from place to place in an orderly fashion.
11. While in the lunchroom, students should talk in quiet voices, help keep the lunchroom neat, and sit with their classes at designated tables.

Consequences

While we believe that positive reinforcement for good behavior is the best foundation for school discipline, students must know that negative behavior leads to negative consequences. The following consequences may result from disciplinary infractions:
1. After or before-school detention.
2. Corporal punishment. (Parents have the right, under Sevier County Board of Education Policy, to exempt their children from corporal punishment. Parents wishing to do so should inform the principal of this in writing. In this case, other forms of punishment such as the ALC, suspension, or detention will be considered.)
3. In-school suspension. (Students are placed in other classrooms.)
4. Out-of-school suspension.
5. Loss of play or activity time.
6. Writing school rules.
7. Placement at the Alternative Learning Center.

Homework Policy

Homework should be expected; it is assigned for the purpose of reinforcing and strengthening skills. As a rule of thumb, the number of minutes spent on homework should equal the grade level multiplied by ten. For example, a third grader can expect 30 minutes of homework, while a sixth grader can expect an hour. This serves as an approximation given that each student will work at his own pace.

Attendance

Every student is expected to attend school regularly and be on time. School Board Policy excuses absences for the following reasons:
1. Personal illness;
2. Illness of an immediate family member;
3. Death in the family;
4. Extreme weather conditions;
5. Religious observances;
6. School bus failures;
7. Circumstances which, in the judgement of the principal, create emergencies over which the student has no controL
8. Family vacations. (The principal may approve up to five days; additional days must be approved by the Board. The principal should be notified in advance.)
When a student is absent or tardy, a note should be sent by the parent to the principal explaining the absence. Students will be given an "Admit to Class" form which will be signed by the teacher and returned to the child. Students must enter or exit no later than or earlier than 11:51 a.m. to be counted present for the day.
Students who accumulate five unexcused absences will be referred to the truant officer.
An excessive number of tardies will result in disciplinary action.

Band

Students in grades 5-8 have the opportunity to participate in band. By necessity, band is scheduled during class time; work missed must be made up.

Basketball

Students who play basketball must maintain passing grades. Students with more than one "F" on their grade cards may not play.

Field Trips

From time to time, teachers take students to area attractions and events. Descriptions of field trips, as well as permission forms, will be sent home prior to each field trip. Students must have signed parental permission to go on field trips.

4-H Club

The Sevier County Extension Office provides programs for grades 4-8. 4-H activities center on hobbies and farm and home projects.

PTO

Pittman Center has an active PTO. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of most months at 6:30 p.m. The Fall Festival is the major fund-raiser sponsored by the PTO. Proceeds are used to provide students with learning materials and equipment.

Student Honors

Following each grading period, students will be awarded certificates and other incentives for Honor Roll (all A's and B's) and perfect attendance. Our yearly awards program recognizes those students with outstanding achievement. Awards will be given to those students who make the Honor Roll each six weeks, maintain perfect attendance, or place in school-wide academic competition. Certificates will be given to those students who maintain "A" averages in the different subject areas.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences will be held after school following each of the first four grading periods. We will send notes home with students as these are scheduled. However, just in case the notes don't make it home, parents should feel free to call the school at grade card time to see when the conferences are scheduled, Of course, parents may also wish to talk with teachers at other times to check on a student's progress or to discuss a problem. We would like to encourage parents to feel free to talk with teachers whenever necessary. However, in the interest of efficiency, it is better to schedule conferences of any length so that teachers can make arrangements for their other students during the conference times.

Visitors

All visitors to the school must check in with the office upon arrival. Visitors will be given a pass to wear. Classroom visitation will be allowed only with the express consent of the principal and the classroom teacher.

Medicines

Students who must bring medicine to school should immediately give it to the classroom teacher. If directions for use are not on the bottle, parents should send a note giving directions as to dose, time, etc. All medicines will be administered by classroom teacher.

School Closings and Emergencies

On occasion, school is canceled or dismissed early due to bad weather or other emergencies. If school must be evacuated quickly, students will be bused to the Gatlinburg Community Center. The fastest way to receive word of school closings is to listen to WSEV (930 AM) or TENNESSEE'S MIX (105.5 FM) for the Superintendent's announcements. If school is in session on snow days, buses may not run all routes. In such cases, if buses do not run in the morning, they do not run in the afternoon.