L.P.Vaughn Handbook

SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

We, the staff of L.P. Vaughn, believe the purpose of this institution of learning is to provide an environment in which all children can develop to their potential. We believe that each child has different aptitudes and attitudes, and that the staff is responsible to provide for these individual differences. Our goal is to make it possible for each child to meet the challenges in a rapidly changing society.  

MISSION STATEMENT

“Home, School, Community – We Care About Education.”

MOTTO

We teach everyday and students learn everyday.

ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERN

L. P. Vaughn Elementary/Middle School was selected by Northwestern State University as the first Professional Development School in Natchitoches Parish. LPV has self-contained classrooms, Infant/Toddler, Pre-K to 3rd grade. 4th through 8th grades are departmentalized by Math, Science, Social Studies and ELA including Reading, English, Writing, Spelling.

SCHOOL OFFICE

Please feel free to contact the school office with any problem or concern.

Office Telephone: (318) 352-2369 – Mrs. Mary Dupree – Secretary       Office Fax: (318) 357-0565

Cafeteria: (318) 357-0539 Mrs. Sylvie Lea – Manager

TELEPHONE POLICY

Parents are requested to call the office in cases of real emergencies only. Students may use the telephone only with the teacher’s permission. All transportation arrangements should be made with your child before school. Written notification must be sent to your child’s teacher if changes in dismissal routines are needed.                                                

SCHOOL HOURS

Classes begin at 7:50AM.

Dismissals – 1st Bus 2:55PM, Car/Van – 3:00PM, 2nd Bus and Walkers – 3:05PM, Late Bus – 3:10PM

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

School hours are from 7:50AM to 2:55PM. Students should NOT arrive earlier that 7:00AM or remain on the campus later than 3:20PM., unless they a participating in a supervised school activity. SCHOOL DOORS WILL NOT OPEN UNITL 7:00AM EACH DAY.  Supervision WILL NOT be provided for students who arrive on campus before 7:00AM or after 3::20PM.  These procedures are designed for the safety and well being of our students. All students coming to school after 7:45AM MUST report to the office.

TRANSPORTATION

The bus driver is in full charge of the bus and the students. Students must follow the directions of the driver at all times. The standards are established for the students’ benefit and safety.     

Students may be assigned seats if the driver finds it necessary.

Students must be seated before the bus begins to move and remain seated until it stops.

Band instruments too large to be placed under the seat may not be transported.

Obscene language will not be tolerated.

No objects will be thrown from the bus or on the bus.

FIGHTING OR HORSEPLAY IS NOT ALLOWED.

Students will keep their heads, hands, and arms inside the bus at all times.

No balloons, project boards, liquids, etc. may be transported on the bus.

Students will depart at their regular bus stop. Departure from the bus at any other stop must be requested in writing and signed by the parents and principal with the approval and permission of the bus driver.

TARDIES

If a student is tardy, he/she must report to the office for a tardy slip signed by the secretary or administrator. Excessive tardiness will result in your child being referred to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance. This referral may result in your child being summoned to Truancy Court.

ATTENDANCE

Students who fail to meet the attendance requirements (160 days) for the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will be retained regardless of the number of prior retentions. No students will be considered for promotion or placement unless state attendance requirements are met regardless of grades, scores on state tests, or number of prior retentions. Reminders will be sent home on the 3rd, 5th, 10th, 10+ absence. All students should make every effort to attend school daily.  When returning to school, a student should bring a doctor’s excuse explaining the reason for his/her absence.                                                                

STUDENT CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT

All students must check-in or check-out on the office computer. Check-in slips must be presented to teachers when students arrive to school late/tardy. Parents must present check-out slips to teachers when coming to the classroom to pick up students. Students will not be called to the office to be picked up without the parent coming into the office. Students will not be dismissed from the classroom without presenting a check-out slip to the teacher.

VISITORS/PARENTS

Visitors and parents are always welcomed at our school. All visitors and parents must check in at the office on the computer and receive a pass before entering any buildings. All visitors must return to the office and check out before departing.           

LOST & FOUND

All articles that are found are taken to the storage room. Parents or students may look for lost items there. Please contact the office and they will arrange a viewing of the items. Students are encouraged to label all personal items for easy identification.

PERSONAL DATA INFORMATION

Please notify the school immediately if you have changed your address, home, work, or emergency phone numbers.  The school records need to be kept up-to-date. In case of emergencies, we MUST have a current phone number through which you may be contacted. Students that are new to L. P. Vaughn need to complete a new declaration. The purpose of the declaration is to verify residence in the L. P. Vaughn school district.

HELPFUL HINTS/REMINDERS

1.  L. P. Vaughn is NOT responsible for money or valuable items brought to school by your child. This includes but is not limited to purses, wallets, money, cell phones, MP3 players, I Pods, and other electronic devices.

2.  Toys and electronic devices must NOT be brought to school.

3.  Absolutely NO gum, candy, chips, soft drinks.

Bringing these items will result in behavior infractions and consequences as determined by the school administration.

MEDICAL INFORMATION

L. P. Vaughn has a full-time nurse on staff. Please make her aware of any medical problems your child may have or acquire during the school year. ALL MEDICATIONS MUST BE CHECKED IN BY A PARENT WITH THE NURSE. If medications must be administered at school, the nurse must have orders from the doctor. No child may be in possession of medication at school.

SCHOOL LUNCHES

All children are encouraged to eat cafeteria lunches. The meal s are planned by a fully certified nutritionist, and cooked by highly capable personnel. If your child has special dietary needs, a doctor’s statement must be provided each year to the lunchroom manager and school nurse.

LUNCH MONEY COLLECTION POLICY

L. P. Vaughn maintains a NO charge policy for school lunches. Paying students are asked each morning if they have their lunch money. Students that did not bring money are allowed to call home and ask parents to bring the payment.  A note is sent home with students at the end of the day to remind parents to send their lunch payments daily, weekly, or monthly. Letters are sent to parents at the beginning of the school year informing parents of the NO charge policy for school lunches. Students will not be allowed to participate in school sponsored activities (field trips, parties, etc.) if they owe money to the lunchroom.

INDIAN PLEDGE

Students will memorize and recite the Indian pledge daily.

‘I believe in myself and my ability to my best at all times. I will act in such a way that I will be proud of myself and others will be proud of me too. I will not waste this day because this day will not come again. “

STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION

The following outlines the grading practices of Natchitoches Parish Schools.

Grading Scale:94-100% = A; 87-93% = B; 77-86&% = C; 70-76% = D; 0-69% = F

Students in grades 1-8 must receive a grade of 70% or above in reading, reading applications, and mathematics in order to be promoted. In reading, students must score 70% or above on each of the unit tests in the adopted reading series. Students in grades 3-8 will receive grades in science, social studies, physical education, and all electives based on the parish grading scale. Students who have previously been retained two or more times and who fail to reach the requirements for promotion will be recommended for placement in the following grade with plans for remediation developed by the SAT (Student  Assistance Team) Committee.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards are issued at the end of each nine weeks grading period. Interim grades are issued every four and one-half weeks.

HONOR ROLL

The honor roll is determined at the end of each nine weeks grading period. Students with all A’s are named to the Principal’s List. Students with a 3.5 and above are named to the “A” Honor Roll.  Students who have a 3.0 – 3.49 and no D’s or F’s are named to the “B” Honor Roll. Students will receive ribbons at the Award’s Day program.

AWARDS DAY

Awards Day for each grade level will be held at the end of each nine weeks period to recognize students for their achievements in academics, behavior, and school service.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

L. P. Vaughn offers a variety of instructional programs as well as clubs and organizations for student participation. These include: Gifted & Talented, Band, Choir, 4-H, Techies, Quiz Bowl, Natural Helpers, Student Advisory Board, Football, Basketball, Cheerleaders, and Pep Squad.

PTO

L. P. Vaughn has a very active Parent/Teacher Organization because we recognize the vital role that parents play in the success of their child. Meetings are held every month in conjunction with other planned activities. Be an active supporter of our school.

KID’S HOPE

First United Methodist Church of Natchitoches, along with L. P. Vaughn has partnered to for KID’S HOPE. KID’S HOPE is a mentoring program where volunteers are trained and supported to build a one-to-one relationship with students in grades K-4th grade. Mentors meet with teachers to determine academic areas students need help in. They meet with students weekly on a predetermined schedule.

TEXTBOOKS

The textbooks which have been furnished for your use belong to the State of Louisiana.  Upon acceptance of the books, you agree to take care of them and return them in as good a condition as when they were issued.  Allowances are made for normal wear.  If your book is lost, you must pay for it before another book can be issued.

CONDUCT

Student behavior and conduct is monitored and maintained through the use of a conduct report. Parents will receive these conduct reports weekly. Student rewards and privileges will be granted or denied based on the student’s behavior/conduct.       

DISCIPLINE PLAN

Discipline in a school is a result of good teaching. We believe that self-discipline is an important part of a positive educational experience. Therefore, L. P. Vaughn has developed a Positive Behavior Plan.  The PBS team has created a set of expectations and rules that the students will follow in every setting of the school campus.  The school rules are displayed on posters throughout the school to reinforce the expectations for that particular area.  Students will receive instructions on each component of the school-wide positive behavior plan. 

Teachers will use a PBS tracking form to keep up with student Tertiary and Secondary misconduct/behaviors. The PBS plan provides for students to receive 3 steps of misconduct/behavior. On the 4th step, students will receive a discipline referral. If the offense is a Primary offense, those offenses are automatically written on a discipline referral.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

Students will display a cooperative attitude by being on time and doing their best.

Students will display appropriate body language, manners, and respectful communication to faculty and peers.

Students will listen and follow directions.

Students will settle conflicts in a positive manner engaging teachers when needed.

Students will be honest, and considerate to faculty and peers.

Any fighting, threats, weapons or other behavior that could cause bodily harm to a student or others will result in a suspension.

STAR Students

STAR students will be chosen each week, 1 per grade level, by teacher nomination. STAR students’ pictures will be taken and displayed on the bulletin board in the front office. Each month’s STAR students may participate in an off campus luncheon sponsored by the PBS team.

Positive Behavior Plan & Procedures - Positive Behavior Support

Good behavior and discipline of students are essential prerequisites to academic learning, the development of student character, and the general, as well as educational socialization of children and youth. All schools in Natchitoches Parish have participated in training for Positive Behavior Support in compliance with the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (R.S. 17:252) and the BESE Model Master Plan for discipline. As a result, our school has developed a Positive Behavior Support Team who meets regularly to monitor, evaluate, and modify their Model Master Plan for Discipline.  It is important for parents to work closely with their school as we implement these positive behavior supports and improvement of school climate.

PBS Model focuses around P.R.I.D.E. – Promote excellence, Respect Everyone, Initiate safety, Decide to be cooperative, Exhibit responsibility.

ISS – IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION

The L.P. Vaughn ISS program provides an alternative to out-of-school suspension for students in grades K-8. Under this program a student is allowed to stay on campus and complete his/her class work in a quiet, safe, isolated environment. ISS may be for a period of 1 to 3 days. Students will be placed in ISS after conferencing with the principal/assistant principal. Parents will receive notification when ISS has been assigned.  Three trips to ISS will result in a suspension.

Criteria for promotion

Kindergarten – 100% identification of capital and lower case letters, 16/21 consonant sounds in beginning position in a word. recognizes short vowel sounds, creates rhyming words, writes first name, 100% identification of numerals 0-20, rote count to 20, write numbers 0-10, identifies 4 basic shapes, and meet s state attendance requirements. The decision will be based strictly on student performance level in these areas.

1st – 3rd Grades – Students in grades 1-3 must receive a 70% or above in 4 of the 5 content areas. Students must receive 70%+ in reading, ELA, and math to be promoted.

1st Graders are expected to ELA – 1) Read 40 WPM, 2) Formulate, 3) Read & understand Who, What, When, Where, and Why, 4) Write in complete sentences using capitalization, punctuation, and sense of words, 5) Use reading strategies to read and comprehend text. MATH – 1) Addition/Subtraction facts to 20, 2) Write numbers to 100, 3) Money to $1.00, time to ½ hour, fractions to fourths, calendars, use of a ruler, 4) Read & understand operations and comprehend addition stories.

2nd Graders are expected to ELA – 1) Write a 5 sentence paragraph, 2) Use correct grammar – nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjective in writing, 3) Proofread and correct grammar/punctuation errors in sentences/passages. Reading – 1) Read 90 words per minute, 2) compare/contrast, cause/effect, summarize, use inferences, 3) Identify story elements: characters, setting, author, illustrator, and events in the beginning, middle, and end of stories. Math – 1) 2 digit addition/subtraction, 2) Count money using dollars/coins, 3) Tell time using a digital/analog clocks, 4) Place Value to hundreds place.

4th – 8th Grades – Students in grades 4-8 must receive a 70% or above in reading, ELA, and math to be promoted. Students failing reading, ELA, and/or math will be retained if they do not remove the deficiency in summer school. Students who receive less than 70% in 2 or more of the following courses: science, social studies, music, physical education and all other electives, will be retained. 4th / 8th grade students must receive a minimum combination score of Approaching Basic/Basic in ELA or Math. Students may attend summer school and retest to attain the minimum score of Approaching Basic / Basic Combination in ELA and math.