Central Consolidated School Mission Statement

Central Consolidated School Mission Statement

Improvement is continuous,

Excellence is expected,

Lifelong learning is valued.

Central Consolidated School District Goals

1. High Student Achievement
2. Safe and Welcome Learning Environment
3. Efficient and Effective Operations

Nizhoni Elementary Mission Statement

We will ensure a secure and nurturing learning environment for students, parents and staff using consistent individualized approaches that prepare students for lifelong learning.

CURRICULUM STRENGTHS

School Wide Title I

Staff Development =Four Blocks/Baldridge

Navajo Language

Needs Assessment/School Improvement Planning

Accelerated Reading Program

Looping Classrooms, Grades 2-3

Individualized Education Plans for Special Needs Students

Parent Volunteers

Full Day Kindergarten

Children, Youth and Families Pre-School/Pilot Program

STAFF WORKDAY

The Certified staff workday is from 7:30 AM-3:30 PM. The Non-certified staff workday is from 8:00 AM-3:30 PM. All staff members receive a 30-minute lunch break.

STAFF MEETINGS

Staff meetings are held on Mondays after school in the library. In-services may require staff members to stay after regular working hours. In this case, everyone is expected to stay until the meeting is over. Certified staff is expected to attend evening events if their students are involved or if school wide programs are presented.

STUDENT SCHOOL DAY

Breakfast is served daily beginning at 7:30 AM. Class begins at 8:15 AM. Dismissal is at 2:50 PM.

ATTENDANCE

Student attendance reports are due in the secretary’s office by 9:30 AM daily. If a student is checked out after 11:00 AM it will be recorded at the office as ½ day attendance at time of check-out.

STAFF CONDUCT

Staff members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the expectations of teaching personnel and the community. School staff members are held to a high standard in our community. We have an obligation to uphold excellence, responsibility, and high expectations for the educational profession and the values of the school district and community.

NON-CERTIFIED EMPOYEES:

The regular non-certified workday starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 3:30 PM. Non-certified employees may have a modified work schedule based on supervision of students. All non-certified staff has a 30-minute lunch break.

SCHOOL TELEPHONE

School phones are for school business ONLY. Personal calls, except in emergencies, are discouraged. Only in cases of family emergency will a teacher be called out of class to take the call. School telephones are not available for personal long distance calls. A public telephone is available next to the office for personal use.

PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM

The school public address system is used for general messages before school, before lunch, and at the end of the school day. This procedure is used to protect the instructional environment. There will be NO use of the PA system during the AM instructional time unless of an emergency. Routine messages will be delivered to staff mailboxes or forwarded via electronic mail. Staff should check their mailboxes by last recess to ensure notes to go home with students are distributed on time.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE PRINCIPAL

The principal should be informed in advance of all special events planned by classroom teachers. Copies of correspondence sent home should be available for review prior to submittal. Any communication for media use will be presented to the principal who will submit it for approval by central office.

Staff concerns should be brought to the attention of the principal in a timely manner. Every effort should be made to resolve concerns at that level. If concerns cannot be resolved, staff members may voice concerns to the principal’s supervisor. It is not appropriate for staff members to voice concerns directly to school board members, the superintendent or the general public.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE PROCESS

The primary disciplinarian for students at school is the classroom teacher. When discipline with the principal is required, teachers should provide as much information as possible. Once a student is referred to the principal, staff will support student consequences. Consequences may include detention, suspension, denial of privileges and a mandatory parent conference.

****In serious matters of violence, assault, or weapons, current School Board Policy will be used as a guideline (CCSD Board Policy 005.200).

DISCIPLINE OF EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS

Students with current Individual Education Plans will be disciplined according to guidelines required by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).

SICK, PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEAVE

All employees are required to obtain approval for planned leaves at least 24 hours in advance. No sick leave will be granted on the same day as a request is made. Appropriate forms are available in the office for personal, sick, and professional leave. For definitions of employee leave see CCSD Board Policies 004.400 through 004.406.

All staff members who must miss work should notify the school secretary or the principal between 6:00 AM & 6:30 AM. The secretary’s number is (505) 368-5137. The principal ‘s number is (505) 326-5143 (home) or (505) 486-4521 (cell).

If you are ill and know that you will need a substitute for the following day, inform the secretary or principal by 2:00 PM so that arrangements for a substitute teacher can be made.

Written requests for professional leave are given to the principal, then forwarded to the assistant superintendent for review. College credits earned while taking approved professional leave, can only be approved for salary enhancement if:

1. The employee is requested by his/her supervisor to earn additional credits and;

2. The request is then approved/non-approved by the superintendent or her designee.

If, in the opinion of the supervisor, the employee has been absent from the classroom too frequently and his/her absence is detrimental to the student’s educational program, such leave may be denied.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

Substitute teachers are to be hired by the school principal or secretary. Teachers are not authorized to make commitments for hiring substitutes.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBSTITUTES

The following information should be provided to the substitute by the teacher whenever he/she will be absent:

1. Lesson plans and/or special instructions for the day or days absent.

2. Attendance book/sheet and directions.

3. Classroom rules.

4. Duty information. Please tell the secretary or principal when you call in if you have duty. It MUST be included in your lesson plans.

5. Names of student helpers, tutors, EA, etc.

6. Schedule of activities and changes occurring on that day.

TEACHER AND EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT (EA) RELATIONSHIPS

Educational assistants are employed to provide increased educational opportunities to students. The teacher and EA’s relationship must be a harmonious one, based on mutual understanding and respect. EA’s are not expected to make lesson plans. The classroom teacher is responsible for academic planning and for the direct supervision of the EA. Concerns that may arise between the teacher and EA should be handled in a professional manner. Concerns unresolved between a teacher and EA should be brought to the principal for resolution.

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS – General duties

1. Work with individual and/or small groups of students to review, reinforce and clarify concepts and skills taught by the classroom teacher, utilizing the Navajo Language as needed.

2. Provide cultural insight to assist the classroom teacher in developing special strategies for teaching and reinforcing skills and concepts.

3. Guide independent study, enrichment, and remediation, as assigned by the classroom teacher.

4. Assist in developing bulletin boards, displaying student work and recognition.

5. Serve as the chief source of information to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.

6. Help accompany students to lunch, to all specials (PE, library, and music) and to help those teachers supervise students with special activities if special teacher needs help. Help students with personal hygiene, restroom breaks and other activities.

7. Assist with explanation or instruction in the Navajo Language when such explanation or instruction is necessary.

BAD WEATHER DAYS

On bad weather days, students may be kept inside for recess. The decision to keep students inside will be made by the principal in consultation with the duty teachers/educational assistants. On these days, students will remain in the school for alternate activities.

EMERGENCY CLOSING OF SCHOOLS (School Board Manual 004.412)

The superintendent is empowered to close the schools, delay the starting time or dismiss school early in case of severe weather or due to other emergencies which threaten the safety or welfare of the students.

Staff should consult the current district policy manual on how they will be notified of emergency school closings or early dismissals.

Except for teachers and other staff members who work only on student days, all personnel will report to work as soon as possible on emergency days.

SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS

All teachers and staff are responsible for the supervision of students at school. Students must never be unsupervised. Teachers and staff assigned to supervision duties are expected to be in the assigned area on time and prepared to maintain a safe environment for students.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent-teacher conferences may be held in a teacher’s classroom or another location in the school building before school, during recess or after school. Requests for the principal or counselor to participate should be made in advance. Every effort will be made to

accommodate the parents. Teachers may require a colleague to cover classes when parents must conference during class time.

BUS DUTY

Each teacher is responsible for escorting his/her class safely to the busses at dismissal time. Upon delivery of their own class to the loading area, each teacher will then be assigned to a specific bus to assist in the loading of that bus. Teachers will supervise not only their specific bus, but also the general behavior of all students during bus time.

WALKER DUTY

A list will be made in the office of walking students. The list will be posted by the southeast door of the gym, the secretary’s and principal’s office. The EA on walker duty will call roll before walking the students out of the gym. Any student not on the list must have a permission note signed by the parent and approved by the principal for the student to walk home.

ASSIGNED BUSES

All students must ride home on their assigned bus. If a parent wants to pick up a student after school, the student must have a note informing the school that he /she will pick up their son/daughter after school. The parent must pick up his/her child between 2:50-3:00. If the student is not picked up by the time his/her bus arrives, the student must ride the bus home.

****No staff member is allowed to transport a student in his or her personal vehicle.

VISITORS

All visitors are requested to report to the office and pick up a visitor button. It is recommended that members of the staff inform the members of their family, friends, and other visitors of these procedures. If any unauthorized person is observed within the school, staff must report them to the principal’s office immediately.

DUTY TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE

School board policy states that school personnel knowing or suspecting that a child has been or is being abused and/or neglected must report it immediately to Social Services. ***See CCSD Board Policy 004.114

Persons failing, neglecting and/or refusing to report are guilty of a misdemeanor (Children’s Code-New Mexico). It is recommended that the principal be notified with proper and factual staff documentation.

EMPOLYEES LEAVING BUILDING

All employees must sign out on the daybook when leaving the building. This is for your own protection and to have the office informed of your whereabouts in case emergencies arise in your immediate family or classrooms.

FIELD TRIPS

Teachers are encouraged to take students on field trips during the school year. However, field trips should be of an educational nature and directly related to the current school improvement plan. All field trips must be pre-approved by the principal before arrangements are made. An agenda and any phone numbers (if possible) to contact the teachers must be furnished to the principal before departure. A list of students on the trip (can be daily attendance) must be furnished to the secretaries before departure.

Field Trip Guidelines

1. Only one out of town field trip per semester is allowed. Local field trips may be limited to one per month.

1. All field trips must have an educational value.

1. Bus requests for field trips should be completed at least three weeks prior to trip. Consult with the principal if any questions arise.

1. Consult School Board policy for unique and/or extended field trips. ***See CCSD Board Policy 008.601

CRITERIA FOR TITLE I FUNDED FIELD TRIPS

1. Field trip must be Language Arts oriented and Thematic Unit based.

1. Lesson plans including pre- and post- field trip activities must be submitted to the principal prior to approval of the field trip.

1. A justification and requisition for the field trip must be submitted to the Director of the Title I Program Office with a copy to the principal at least three (3) weeks prior to the field trip date.

FIELD TRIP PROCEDURE

All students must have a field trip permission slip from the office and signed by the parent/guardian before the scheduled trip. Students not meeting and/or abiding by required classroom criteria might be denied their privilege to attend the field trip. Parent/guardian will be informed as soon as possible if his/her child is unable to travel with the class.

A list of students attending the field trip must be submitted to the office and attendance must be taken before students leave the building. Arrangements should be made by the teacher with another teacher to keep late students that are left behind or unable to attend for any other reason.

****NO STUDENT WILL ATTEND A FIELD TRIP WITHOUT A PARENT PERMISSION SLIP.

FUNDRAISING

Rules for submitting requests will be made available to the staff at the beginning of each school year, subject to change as needed. Out of school fundraising has unique qualifications. Consult CCSD Board Policy number 007.400 for additional details.

DRESS CODE

All certified staff shall dress in a manner that reflects the professional nature of their work. Supervisors shall regulate the appropriateness of their staff attire. Common sense shall be employed in effecting this code. Supervisors have the authority to require the appropriate attire for their employees.

REGISTRATION

As parents enter the building, they will be directed to their children’s classrooms. Teachers will register students assigned to their classrooms. Teachers will register only those students on their class list, unless otherwise specified by the secretary or principal.

Children new to our school will be registered in the office. Students are not registered without a valid birth certificate. To enter Kindergarten a student must be five (5) years of age on or before September 1st. Students must also have an immunization record.

Information required on Registration Card:

**To be checked by teacher to be sure that the cards are entirely completed and signed by the parents.

NAME:Place the LAST NAME FIRST, on Registration card.

(Example: Begay, Charles)

ADDRESS and PHONE NUMBERS: Box office number, home phone and emergency phone.

LOCATION: Be specific as to the exact location of student ‘s home. Get house number when possible. If the child lives with a guardian, (grandparents, aunt and/or uncle, etc.), indicate it on the card and write their names and home location. On the back of the card, have parents/guardians draw a map of the home location and put X where the home is located. Get a description of the home, house, hogan, mobile home and color or any other information that will help us locate the house in case we have to take the child home or make a home visit.

Have parent/guardian write the names of those persons that they give authorization to check out the student from school. Inform the parents that a student will only be released to those adults named on the back of the card. Anyone else who comes to check out a student, and whose name does not appear on the back of the card must have a note, signed by the parent, authorizing him/her to check out the student.

OTHER INFORMATION FOR REGISTRATION

Certificate of Indian Blood: Kindergarten and new students only.

Tribal Clothing Forms: (Optional) Native American students only. A student must have a census number.

Indian Student Certification: ALL students.

Nurse’s Form: ALL students. Be sure the medical history is filled out and parents sign the form. Write the classroom teacher’s name on top of the form.

Fluoride Permission: All students. Parents must sign form.

Home language Survey: All students. Original must be on file in CUM folder.

Bilingual Program Permission Letter: All students.

FIRE AND EMERGENCY DRILLS

Four fire drills will be held the first month of school. Scheduled fire drills will be held once each month the remainder of the school year. Emergency drills will be held at least twice yearly to practice the emergency response plan. Teachers are responsible to know the correct evacuation route from the building. Teachers will take roll to account for all students and notify the principal immediately if a student is missing. Classrooms should be left unlocked with doors and windows closed and lights off during evacuation. The principal or designee will decide when it is appropriate to re-enter the building or classroom.