Neville High School
Faculty Handbook
2014-2015
Neville High School’s mission is to inspire and
motivate students to achieve excellence and
become productive citizens.
Dear Neville Faculty and Staff Members,
Welcome to Neville High School. It will be my pleasure to work alongside each of you as we strive to continue the tradition of excellence at our school.
In order for the school to operate as smoothly as possible, this Faculty Handbook has been compiled to inform teachers and staff members about the school's rules, policies, and procedures. These policies must be consistently observed and adhered to by the faculty, staff, and student body. Please take time to read it in its entirety and bookmark pertinent instructions.
Your Faculty Handbook contains the school's rules, policies and procedures and has become a Web document to facilitate your use. Clicking on titles in the Table of Contents will take you to that section. The handbook may be updated throughout the year.
At Neville, administrators, teachers, staff members, and students must continue to pursue excellence. Aristotle said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." My expectation is that each of us will require students to follow the rules. If rules are made for the students concerning dress code, gum chewing, disrespect for authority, eating or drinking in class, tardies, tobacco, cell phone usage, and profanity, then we should model the same rules in our daily encounters with students. Students will respect our consistency and learn the Neville way more quickly.
It is truly an honor to be a part of the exceptional group of professional educators here at Neville. Together we can facilitate success for all students!
Sincerely,
Whitney Martin
Principal
Who's What at NHS
(and what she or he can do for you)
Principal—Ms. Whitney Martin
Ms. Martin is the person who is ultimately responsible for and in charge of all
personnel, students, and school faculty at Neville (in other words, in charge of
everything).
Ms. Judy Bullock is her administrative assistant. If you are unable to come to work, contact Ms. Bullock. She is also the school’s bookkeeper.
Assistant Principal--Dr. Christella Dawson
In addition to being in charge when Ms. Martin is away, Dr. Dawson assists with
teacher assessments, handles attendance (absences, tardies), distributes textbooks, etc.
Ms. Kenney (Attendance) and Mrs. DeWitt (Computer Operator) are her administrative assistants.
Dean of Students--Mr. Roosevelt Rankins
Coach Rankins, as he is affectionately known, is in charge of student affairs. He deals with discipline.
Mrs. Joy Carlson serves as an administrative assistant to Coach Rankins and the Athletic
Department.
Accountability Specialist--Mrs. Clementine Lockhart
Mrs. Lockhart coordinates all aspects of state accountability at the school level. She also handles EOC and assists with teacher assessments.
Librarians--Ms. Kyle Gregory & Mrs. Diane Martin
The librarians locate and circulate materials for you and your students;provide instruction on the use of the library; collaborate with you on lessons; schedule classes to use the library and the computer lab; schedule and check-out audiovisual equipment; and administer the Accelerated Reader program. In addition, Ms. Gregory is the dual enrollment coordinator and maintains the school calendar.
Guidance Counselors—
Mrs. Laura Bryan counsels 9th grade students
Ms. Dorothy Thomas counsels 11th grade students and 10th grade students letters A-J.
Mr. Chris Waters counsels 12th grade students and 10th grade students K-Z.
Mrs. Miriam Hinchliffe is the At-Risk and 504 Coordinator.
Mrs. Kathy Hammack is the Guidance Clerk.
Cafeteria Supervisor--Mrs. Shirley Brown
Mrs. Brown supervises our cafeteria workers as they prepare nutritious meals. For staff, breakfast costs $1.00, and lunch costs $1.75.
Building Supervisor--Mr. Willie Zimmerman
If you have a problem with the physical facility, including desks or tables, see Mr.
Zimmerman.
Copy Machine Operator--Mrs. Sherry Stephens
Mrs. Stephens will assist you with using the copy machines, if needed. Two of the machines are for minimal use (fewer than 15 copies). The other machines are high-speed duplicators for use when you need more than 15 copies. Mrs. Stephens is also responsible for the hand clock.
36
Table of Contents
Who’s What at Neville iii
Expectations 6
General Information for All Teachers
First Day of School 7
Daily Schedule 7
Hand Clock 7
Class Rosters 7
Course Expectations 7
Schedule Change Procedure 7
Schedule Changes 8
Textbooks 8
Lockers 8
Collecting Money & Making Payments 8
Purchase Orders 8
Lesson Plans 9
Grade Books, Attendance & Grades 9
Grade Scale/Grade Average 9
Incomplete Grades 9
Grade Change Procedure 9
Student Activity Absences 9
Student Tardiness 10
Excused Absences 10
Admits to Class 10
Supervision 10
Hall Supervision 10
Hall Passes 10
Student Called to Office 11
Daily Announcements 11
Neville Notes 11
Clubs & Activities 11
Fund-Raising Activities 11
Class Parties……………………………………………………………………………….11
Assemblies/Activities 11
Faculty Absences 12
Absenteeism of Teachers 12
Lunch Breaks 12
MCS Substitute Locator Program 13
Leaving Campus 14
Student Errands 14
Keys 14
Elevator Keys 14
Telephones 14
Cell Phones 14
Photocopying & Security of Educational Materials 14
School Building Level Committee 14
Student Medical or Mental Health Concerns 15
Classroom Maintenance 15
Classroom Videotape Usage Policy 15
Identification Cards 16
Staff Dress Code 16
Parent-Teacher Conferences 17
Important Reminders 17
Emergency Signals 18
Transportation Policy 19
Field Trips 19
Administrative Guidelines for Parents Who Transport 19
Monroe City Schools Calendar 21
The Well-Managed Classroom 23
How to Conduct Effective Parent-Teacher Conferences 26
Portfolios 29
FORMS
Field Trips/Activities: Parental Permission 32
Field Trips/Activities: Medical Data 33
Textbook 34
Classroom Warm Body Count 35
Neville High School
2014-2015 Expectations
I. Improve the quality of classroom instruction.
A. Provide well-planned opportunities for active learning of appropriate essential elements where students are required to think, reason, and solve problems, both orally and in writing.
B. Significantly increase student participation in honors and enrichment programs.
C. Help students develop the organizational and study skills needed in high school.
II. Provide a positive school climate.
A. Exhibit a positive, enthusiastic, and caring attitude toward each other, our students, and our community.
B. Communicate directly, openly, and tactfully. Let’s identify problems early then join together to work out the best solutions possible. Remember, always stay calm and make sure to disagree without being disagreeable.
C. Be a cooperative team player. We must openly support each other and be flexible as we work together toward our established school goals.
D. Treat information about our school in a professional manner. Don't gossip about the school! Always follow the school's chain of command to solve a problem.
E. Be a self-starter and a self-directed teacher.
III. Raise student attendance.
IV. Reduce the number of teacher/staff absences.
V. Ensure a safe and secure school environment for students and staff.
A. Model respect, cooperation, and negotiation as alternatives to violence or verbal aggression when attempting to resolve conflicts.
B. Disseminate essential information to students.
C. Comply with all State and District guidelines.
D. Prevent unpleasant surprises.
E. Follow policy.
F. Prepare daily.
G. Assist in the production and monitoring of athletic events, assemblies, and other school activities.
H. Confer with parents as needed.
I. Attend necessary administrative faculty meetings and in-service training programs.
J. When you've made a mistake, admit your error, apologize, and correct the situation.
K. Forgive the mistakes of others.
General Information for all Teachers
First Day of School
You will determine your success or failure as a teacher during the first week of school. The administration expects instructional time to commence the first day. You are to be in the halls prior to the beginning of each period. Meet your students at the classroom door. You should converse with students, observe what is brought into your classroom, and be friendly. Treat students with respect and set high expectations. Class should begin when the bell rings. Use every minute of instructional time and be sure to plan activities that do not require textbooks for the first few days of school. Teaching classroom procedures is important during the first few days of the semester and will lead to effective classroom management. You must establish your work habits with students on the first day. (Please read “The Well-Managed Classroom” on p. 23.)
Daily Schedule
All faculty members should be on campus at 7:15 A.M. –fifteen minutes prior to the beginning of the instructional day. The workday ends no earlier than 3:00 P.M. Any deviation from the above must have the approval of the Principal.
Hand Clock
All personnel are required to clock in and out daily using either the hand clock in the main office or the one in the annex. Teachers who leave campus during the day should clock out using the appropriate codes provided by the district. If the hand clock will not accept your code, please notify Mrs. Stephens in the Work Room.
Class Rosters
Class rosters are available in WebPAMS at the beginning of each semester. There will, of course, be some schedule changes. You should check your rosters regularly through WebPAMS to keep abreast of changes to your class rosters. Students should receive new schedules in homeroom (or first period). Please check your faculty mailbox daily and deliver new schedules to students. If a student is in your room but not listed on your JPAMS roster, call the Guidance Office to find out where the student should be.
Course Expectations
Each faculty member should provide each student with a course description detailing what the student is expected to know and what to do to complete your course successfully. Course expectations are positive statements regarding class procedures and should let both parents and students know what you expect the student to know and do upon successful completion of your course. They are excellent opportunities for positive public relations. Please make sure that your “Course Description” is available on your webpage no later than August 31, 2014. Include your syllabus, special projects, equipment needs, and grading procedures. Each teacher should go over these expectations with the students. A printed copy should be given to each student to take home and discuss with parents. It is a good idea to have students return a signature page for your records. The importance of proper documentation cannot be overstated.
Schedule Change Procedure
It is the policy of the State Department of Education and the Monroe City School Board that any change to class schedules for students must be made during the first seven (7) days of a semester. Class scheduling is a complex process. Although every effort will be made to accommodate the student, changes in class schedules may not be possible due to class sizes and other factors.
A student who desires a change in his/her schedule must obtain parent/guardian approval and must submit a form to the appropriate counselor for consideration. Students must adhere to their original schedules until changes are approved. Any change of the schedule after the first seven (7) days must have the approval of the Principal or Assistant Principal and proper documentation must be present. The counselor must consult with the teacher on any schedule change made after the first seven (7) days. The Principal may review any case and render a decision that is in the best interest of the student and is consistent with the philosophy and goals of the school district.
Students should not be sent to the Guidance Office to request or wait for schedule changes. The counselors will send for students, if necessary. New schedules for students who receive changes will be placed in homeroom (1st period) teachers’ boxes for dissemination the next school day.
Schedule Changes
Schedule change forms will be available to students before school, during lunch and after school, in the guidance office. Students may return the completed forms to Mrs. Hammack, the Guidance Clerk or the homeroom teachers who should turn the forms in to Guidance as soon as possible during the day.
Students should expect necessary schedule changes to be made according to the following schedule:
Monday, Aug. 18th Seniors
Tuesday, Aug. 19th Juniors
Wednesday, Aug. 20th Sophomores
Thursday, Aug. 21st Freshman
Mrs. Bryan -- Freshmen
Ms. Thomas –Juniors and Sophomores A-J
Mr. Waters – Seniors and Sophomores K-Z
Textbooks
Textbooks will be issued from the bookroom. Students will receive a form for recording the names of textbooks to be issued. Students must have their ID badges to check out textbooks.
See Dr. Dawson if you have questions about textbooks.
Lockers
The school provides lockers for all students for storage of their belongings. To further ensure the safety of those belongings, each locker is equipped with a lock that must be used.
The following procedures will be followed in assigning lockers:
§ Each locker combination is to be verified before it is issued to a student.
§ Lockers will be issued during 1st period classes.
§ Teachers will turn in the original copy of the locker assignment to the Computer Operator, Mrs. DeWitt, and keep a copy.
§ Students who lose locks or do not return locks will be charged a $10.00 replacement fee.
§ The names of students who lose or do not return locks should be turned in to Dr. Dawson.
§ In the event of a 1st period schedule change, students should be sent to the Mrs. DeWitt for locker reassignment if possible.
Collecting Money and Making Payments
The proper collection of money is of primary importance. Turn in collected money each day to Mrs. Bullock, who will issue a receipt for the transaction. Mrs. Bullock also has specific forms for payments, reimbursements, etc. Do not leave money in your classroom or your vehicle.
Purchase Orders
Standard purchase order forms, and procedures have been established by the district for all supplies, materials, and equipment purchased from schools accounts. Before a P.O. can be issued, funds must be present in your account. All accounts must end the year "in the black." Faculty will be responsible for any debts at the end of the year. Neville High School will not be responsible for purchases made without a purchase order.