38451
Voice phone: (931) 987-2511
Fax #: (931) 987-2594
Principal
Jeff Quirk
Assistant Principals
Ken Harris
Mary Kennedy Brown
Table of Contents
Discrimination/Harassment Grievance Procedures
Release of Student Information
Attendance, Illness, and Personal Problems
Welcome to Culleoka Unit School. We are delighted that you have chosen to be a part of this program. Culleoka has a great deal to offer you in academics, athletics, and extra-curricular activities. We encourage you to take an active part in all of our programs.
This handbook is prepared for you, the Culleoka Unit School student. It contains information about the academic curriculum and the school’s regulations. It will acquaint you and your parents with Culleoka’s policies. However, no attempt has been made to include all aspects of the school’s procedures. Various situations arise from time to time and will be addressed on an individual basis.
The mission of the Maury County Public Schools is to provide progressive quality educational opportunities and experiences to all students and communities to prepare them to succeed in a global environment.
The Maury County Board of Education and Culleoka School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, age, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, disability, or any other unlawful area in the operation of its educational programs and in personnel administration.
The Section 504, Title II and Title IX, Title VI is Mary A. Carter, Supervisor of Attendance and Discipline. You may contact her at Maury County Board of Education, 501 West 8th Street, Columbia, TN 38401. The telephone number is 931-388-8403, Ext. 114.
DISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
All Discrimination/Harassment will be taken seriously and will be investigated. Should you feel you have been discriminated/harassed against, please contact Mary A. Carter, Supervisor of Attendance and Discipline or Jerry D. Wilson, Human Resource Supervisor at the Maury County Board of Education, 501 West 8th Street, Columbia, Tennessee 38401, 931-388-8403, Ext. 110.
Filing a Complaint- Any student of this school district who wishes to file a discrimination/harassment grievance against another student or an employee of the district may file a written or oral (recorded if possible) complaint with a complaint manager. Students may also report an allegation of discrimination/harassment to any teacher or other adult employed in the school who shall inform a complaint manager of the allegation. The complaint should include the following information.
Identity of the alleged victim and person accused
Location, date, time and circumstances surrounding the alleged incident
Description of what occurred
Identity of witnesses
Any other evidence available
Complaint Manager for students is Supervisor of Attendance and Discipline, Mary A. Carter. Mrs. Carter may be reached at 501 West 8th Street, Columbia, Tennessee, 38401. The telephone number is 931-388-8403, Ext. 114.
Complaint Manager for employees is Supervisor of Human Resources, Jerry D. Wilson. Mr. Wilson may be reached at 501 West 8th Street, Columbia, Tennessee, 38401. The telephone number is 931-388-8403, Ext. 110.
The curriculum used at Culleoka Unit School is required by the State of Tennessee and the Maury County Board of Education. Some of these courses are subject to change due to enrollment.
Homework is the responsibility of each student. Parents should check the assignment book or syllabus on a daily basis and place initials signature on homework assignments.
Nine-week averages in each course are computed using test grades, exams, homework grades, and daily performance grades. There are four grading periods in the school year. Reports will be sent home at the end of the grading period.
Progress reports are issued mid nine-week grading periods. These reports are designed to help parents monitor progress before official grades are assigned. They must be signed by the parent and returned to school within three days.
To qualify for the Principal’s List one must have a grade average of 85 in each class on the 9 weeks grade report. The Principal’s List is named at the end of each nine-week grading period and is published in “The Daily Herald”.
The Maury County Board of Education has approved Culleoka Unit School to collect a $10.00 consumable fee. The money will be used for the purchase of assignment books, materials, and equipment to aid the academic process. Other school fees will be determined by the teacher (s) of each grade level or department. Students in grades K-5 will have an additional fee to cover workbooks and test costs. This is a countywide fee.
Each student is responsible for the textbooks issued to him or her. In the event a book is lost or damaged, charges will be assessed to the student.
The cost will be based on the condition and the price of the book. Replacement books, grades, and report cards will be withheld until payment for lost or damaged textbooks, library books, and returned checks are paid. A $15.00 returned check fee would be imposed for any insufficient funding. After the second returned check, the privilege of writing checks to the school will be revoked.
A student arriving after 8:00 in the morning must report to the guidance office. The student will be given a tardy slip stating the time of arrival.
The student must present the signed slip to his or her teacher. Students arriving between 7:45 and 8:00 should report to their assigned class.
If tardy for class during the day, the teacher is responsible for the disciplinary action. If a student has a tardy pass marked by an office worker or faculty member, the tardy will be excused. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain late passes.
Hall lockers: Lockers are limited. No student is allowed to use an unassigned locker. Students should not share lockers. Students are allowed to use their assigned lockers during class changes and immediately after school. Coats and backpacks should be in lockers between 7:35 and 7:45 and remain until afternoon dismissal.
Maury County Public School’s Dress Code will be followed at all times. The Policy recognizes that student dress and grooming are related to behavior and commitment to learning. A copy of this Dress Code policy is included at the end of the handbook section of your agenda.
From time to time student information is requested from other public entities such as military recruiters. We release this information to these individuals per their request. A parent may ask that we as a school not release their child’s information by sending a written request to the school’s counseling office at the beginning of each school year.
Breakfast and lunch will be served daily in the cafeteria. The price of school meals may change during the school year, and students and parents will be made aware of the change.
All students Breakfast- $1.20, reduced price $.30
K-5 Lunch- $1.85, reduced price $.40
6-12 Lunch- $2.10, reduced price $.40
Adult meals Breakfast- $1.60, Lunch $2.50
Students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly manner when eating in the cafeteria. No restaurant food is allowed, and bottled/canned drinks are not allowed. Meal numbers issued are not transferable. Students are able to charge for two days. During the month of May, no charging is allowed. Cafeteria inquiries should be directed to 987-4092..
The school must be contacted for assignments when a student has missed three days or more. Students with absences of less than three days can get assignments upon return to school. Students have three days upon return to contact teachers concerning assignments. After three days, the work will be counted as incomplete.
If a student should withdraw from school, the guidance office must be notified and parents must fill out the necessary paperwork before transfer of records can be made. All financial obligations of the parent/student must be completed. All books, material fees, etc. must be paid and teachers must complete a checkout form for each student.
The school library is the center for information and research. The library will operate efficiently by recognizing the following:
1. Hours are 7:45 A.M. until 2:15 P.M. Students may come to the library during scheduled class time, before first period begins, and other reserved times. If the library is closed, a sign will be posted.
2. Books are checked out for two weeks. Limit two per student.
3. Students will be billed for all lost books.
4. Students will pay for the cost of replacement books.
Students are to return books to the book counter. Magazines and other materials will be returned to the correct location. Library workers will provide assistance.
Bus room hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 7:35 a.m. Please report immediately to the cafeteria for morning supervision. No student should arrive before 7:00 a.m. Afternoon bus room in the cafeteria is for bus riders who are transported on the second bus run. All car riders and walkers should be gone from the building prior to 3:00 P.M. each day.
Student medication will not be dispensed unless the following criteria is met:
All medication whether prescription or over the counter must be kept in the office and not in the student’s possession. Students who are in violation of this policy will be subject to an appropriate disciplinary action according to School Board Policy.
Fire and safety drills are periodically conducted to prepare students for possible future emergencies. Instructions for both drills are posted in each classroom. Students are to quietly and quickly follow all directions given by school or emergency personnel.
Attendance, Illness and Personal Problems
A student’s absence may be excused only within five days of his return to school. Five unexcused absences will result in notification from Central Office. Personal illness, deaths in the family, or extenuating circumstances (as agreed upon by the principal) are the only reasons for excusing an absence. Any student feeling ill is to inform his or her classroom teachers. At that time, the nurse or office staff member will determine if a call home is necessary. In the event of serious illness or accident, parents will be notified and the student will be taken to the hospital. Parents must secure the doctor and provide transportation. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CORRECT EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS IN OUR COMPUTER SYSTEM.
A written note should be sent to the school by the parent or guardian if a change is to be made in how a student should be transported. No phone calls will be accepted. This applies to a temporary or a permanent change. Parents/guardians may choose to come in person to request a change.
Transportation is a privilege provided for students residing more than one mile from school. Students who refuse to obey the bus driver, teachers on bus duty, or refuse to follow the rules and regulations may be suspended or lose transportation privileges. (See Bus Transportation form). If a student wishes to ride a different bus or have another student ride home with him or her, the parents must come in person to the office and submit this request in writing. The request is then faxed to the Transportation Department for approval or denial.
Cars will pull to the entrance in a slow, safe manner. In the morning, one line should be formed. Please do not hold up the flow of traffic when dropping off your child.
In the afternoons, staff members will direct children to the waiting cars. Please remain in the car rider line until your child is safely in the car. Parents should not park in the parking lot to pick up a car rider.
Students who drive to school must apply for a parking pass. In order to obtain a parking pass the student must have a calid driver's license and proof of insurance. There is also a $10.00 parking fee. Students who do nor follow safe driving practices will lose ther parking provileges and forfeit their parking pass and fee.
The following rules apply school-wide and all students should be aware:
1. Light sweaters or jackets may be worn during the school day, but backpacks and coats must be kept in assigned lockers and not used during the school day. Teachers will discipline violators.
2. PDA (public display of affection) is not allowed, including hand holding, kissing, etc. Teachers will discipline violators.
3. Gum is not allowed. Teachers will assign detention.
4. Habitual unexcused tardiness cannot be tolerated.
5. Dress Code violations will result in parents being contacted to provide correct dress. Dress code violations will result in disciplinary action.
6. Assignment books should be kept in your notebook and should be with you at all times. Teachers will check assignment books. Assignment books should be used to communicate information from school to home, and pages should not be removed. Teachers will discipline students who do not comply.
7. Textbooks will be issued and book numbers recorded. Students should write name in ink on the space provided and then protect the book with a cover. Students will be responsible for lost or damaged books and they are not to share books.
8. Necessary materials are required for daily class. Paper, pencils, assignment book, textbook are the basic needs for class. Students may need other materials if requested by the teacher.
9. There will be no gang related symbols worn, drawn, or signaled. Administration and/or police will investigate.
10. Organized class changes are necessary for student safety. There should be no congregating in the hallways during class changes, and an orderly flow of traffic is preferred.
11. Items considered non-educational should not be brought to school unless requested by a teacher. This includes any communication device, games, or other paraphernalia. Violation will result in confiscation and the item will only be returned to the parent.
12. Theft is not tolerated. Parent or guardian will be called. All theft will be reported to the SRO.
13. Vandalism is not tolerated. Parent or guardian will be called and restitution will be required. Administration and/or law enforcement will be involved.
14. Sexual harassment will be handled using county guidelines. The Department of Children’s Services and Law Enforcement will be involved.
15. Verbal abuse, harassment, nor aggressive behavior will be tolerated. Teachers and/or administration will discipline.
16. Fighting is not tolerated. Behavior Plans will be implemented for students who fight. Disciplinary action will be taken by the administration. Students who are involved in a physical altercation in grades 6-12 will be referred to Law Enforcement.
17. Horseplay is not tolerated. Disciplinary action may be taken by teachers or by the administration.
18. Possession of illegal substances, weapons, and/or alcohol is zero tolerance.
19. Tobacco, lighters and matches are not allowed as according to School Board Policy.
20. Slam books, or any other negative writing, should not be brought to school. This material will be taken away from the student and not returned. Disciplinary action will be taken.
21. Personal notes and letters should not be written, passed, or read at school.
Administration will assign disciplinary intervention/action as necessary.
Students may not possess any personal communication device inside a school building, on the school bus, or during any instructional activity. Devices include cell phones, pagers, and beepers or any other device that emits a signal, vibrates, displays a message, or otherwise summons or delivers a communication to the possessor. The device will be confiscated and be in the possession of the principal for not less than two (2) weeks for the first offense.
Students must have an agenda book that is provided when instructional fees are paid. This book must accompany the student during the school day and must be signed by the teacher and in the student’s possession when they are out of class. Students will be stopped if they are out of class and asked to produce their signed agenda book. Possession of another student’s agenda book is not acceptable. No student is allowed to leave class unless a student agenda is completely filled out and in the student’s possession. No student should leave the classroom unless it is an emergency or requested by a parent, doctor, or school personnel in writing, and authorized by the school office.
Poor choices lead to out of school suspensions. Rules should be followed at all times. Out of school suspension will result in zeros for class assignments that are missed. Students suspended from school may not come on school grounds for any reason. Students who choose to violate this rule will be arrested for trespassing. Students placed at the ALC are not allowed on the Culleoka School campus for any reason. Maury Country Board Policy has declared possession, use, sale and/or purchase of drugs or dangerous instruments, alcohol, and weapons to be a zero tolerance offense and will result in suspension for one calendar year. Assault will result in suspension for one calendar year. Threats are taken seriously and will be investigated.
Reports of gun possession by a student will be rewarded when the weapon is confiscated.
Individual teachers will have no more than ten rules posted in the classroom. Students are responsible for compliance regarding all school and classroom rules.
School Resource Officers are members of the Sheriff’s Department and work at individual schools. The officers are considered adjunct faculty members.
All articles found on school grounds must be turned in to the office. Library books should be retuned to the library. Textbooks should be returned to the office. Clothing items will be kept for a nine-week period and students should check as soon as they lose an item. At the end of nine weeks, clothing will be donated. Label clothing with complete name of student. Effort will be made to find the owner.
The office phone is a business phone. Students may use this phone only in cases of emergency and with the permission of the office staff. The student must have a teacher-signed note in the agenda book before being allowed to use the phone. Students cannot be called to the telephone. Only urgent messages will be delivered.