Policies and Procedures

Please help us keep all address information, including e-mail addresses, and phone numbers current both in the computer system and on your child’s emergency card.  If you have a change of address, please bring 3 current proofs of residency (such as a utility bill, mortgage payment, and proof of insurance) to the office.  We must have copies of these before the information can be changed at the district level. Please note: updating/changing an emergency card, does not change official district information. We must have official documentation from you in order to make a change in the system.

Arrival

STUDENTS WHO ARRIVE IN CARS OR WALK TO SCHOOL (from their home of record) ARE NOT TO ARRIVE AT SCHOOL BEFORE 8:10 A.M.  All car riders are to enter through the car ramp unless you have a handicapped permit. 

 Dismissal

Students are not to be checked out early on a regular basis.  Check Out must be prior to 3:15 PM. If a child is dropped off early or not picked up at dismissal by 4:00 PM, contacts from the emergency card will be called in order of listing on the emergency card.  After all attempts are made to contact anyone on the emergency card, authorities will be contacted.

Alternate Stop Request and Guest Riders

Communicating with Bus Drivers

Please address concerns to the bus driver by phone between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. or between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. rather than at the bus stop in the interest of your child's safety.

The District or School Automated Communication System will be used periodically to deliver information by telephone to students’ homes.  This system will be used to notify parents of pertinent information such as sudden school closings due to weather or other circumstances and it will notify parents of student absences.  In addition, it may be used to notify parents of special events at Bayou Woods such as PTA meetings and Family Nights.

In order to receive these telephone notices, it is imperative that Bayou Woods has a current telephone number in our data base for each student.  Please notify the office anytime that your telephone number changes.

• Physical bullying includes, but is not limited to, punching, shoving, poking, strangling, hair pulling, beating, kicking, punching or excessive tickling. 
• Verbal bullying includes, but is not limited to, such acts as malicious name calling, teasing, or gossip. 
• Emotional (psychological) bullying includes, but is not limited to, rejecting, wronging, extorting, defaming, humiliating, black-mailing, diminishing personal characteristics (such as race, disability, ethnicity or perceived sexual orientation), manipulating friendships, isolating, or ostracizing. 
• Sexual bullying includes, but is not limited to, many of the actions proceeding as well as exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual propositioning, abuse involving actual physical contact, or sexual assault. 

• Teacher and/or peer will provide modeling and practice. 
• Teacher will provide verbal or nonverbal direction using appropriate social emotional strategies to deescalate the situation (CHAMPS, Gator Five, Fish Philosophy, visual schedules, etc.) 
• Brief student/teacher conference 
• Relocation to provide cool down and reflection
• Completed Behavior Reflection sent home for parent signature/ brief student-teacher conference 
• Parent/guardian contact 

• Minor Infraction Report - This is the opportunity to learn expectations without negative consequence or loss of privileges.
• Practice for Success for Second/Third Grade Students
• Parent/teacher conference 
• Refer to school counselor 
• Complete a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) & develop a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) 
• Refer to Student Assistance Team (SAT) and or Mental Health Provider (MHP)

• Completed Louisiana Department of Education School Behavior Report 

Each student will be given an emergency card for parents/guardians to complete.  Please fill this out completely, leaving no blanks.  In the event of an emergency, we need to reach the parents or additional caretakers as quickly as possible.  These emergency cards will be kept in the office.  If your telephone number and/or e-mail changes, please write us a note giving us your new information.  Please note:  students can only be released to individuals listed on the emergency card.  Please keep these names up to date.  In case of emergency, we will attempt to contact the names in the order listed to come pick up your child.  

Once the district and school feels it is safe to resume field trips, we want our students to participate in field experiences (either at school or a field trip) in conjunction with units of study. IF this happens, parents will receive notification of details through notes sent home with students.  Deadlines for permission slips and payment (cash only) must be adhered to due to the requirement of advanced purchase of tickets and prepayment of bus transportation.  Due to these restrictions, refunds cannot be made if for some reason the student is unable to go on the field trip.    Students whose behavior presents a risk to themselves or others will be asked to have an adult accompany them.  All students who attend field trips must ride the bus to the destination and return to school by bus unless given special permission by the principal. 

Usually chaperones are needed to provide supervision to insure the safety of students on the trips; however, they are not allowed to ride the public school bus.  Often, carpooling can be arranged for chaperones.  * If you wish to be a chaperone for your child’s trip, please be advised that you may not bring children (siblings, including those from other schools or preschool children), who are not enrolled in the class as they cannot be considered part of the field trip.  However, if you choose to attend an event that is open to the public, you will need to provide your own transportation.  Your admission cost will have to be paid at the door.  You will be considered separate from the trip and will not be given any students to supervise.
 

Classroom instruction can be extended and enhanced through home learning and virtual activities. Students have vocabulary, reading and writing activities in all subject areas that can be completed at home.  Teachers provide reading/responding, web based links and paper/pencil activities in newsletters and on their website.  We also have a Family Resource Center sponsored by Title I which has items for check out or free for home use.  Assignments are intended for student practice and enrichment.  

Please know that these resources are also available to you to support your child’s needs. 
State Library of Louisiana:  http://homeworkla.org/
St. Tammany Parish Library: https://www.sttammanylibrary.org/learning-tools/homework-help/?_ga=2.213714388.1722592516.1611175009-1152565700.1580405775

We appreciate all involvement in student learning activities and encourage family members to discuss any ideas or needs with their child’s teacher. 
 

Interim reports on class progress in grades 1-3 are issued at midpoint during each grading period to facilitate communication on student progress.  Interim (progress) reports are indicative of academic progress in regard to the subject(s) addressed.   Please sign and return the report.  Also, please contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible to set up a conference to discuss a plan for improvement if needed.

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law passed in 1987 to help people experiencing homelessness. The Act requires states and school districts to make sure students in homeless situations can attend and succeed in school.  The McKinney-Vento Act applies to all children and youth who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.  If you have questions about the support services related to this program, please contact the school office or school counselor. 

Each class will have library class once a week.  Children in grades K-3 will be allowed to check out a book. (Kindergarten will begin checking out after their orientation to the library.)    Plans will be implemented to all students to return their book and check out another if they wish.  Teachers will remind students to return library books on the correct day, but parents and children are responsible for returning the books on the appointed day.  Payment for lost books shall be based on the current list price of the book.  If a student has an overdue book, he/she may not check out additional books from the library until the cost of the lost book is paid.  Any lost or damaged library books must be paid for by the end of the year.  

We have a lost and found storage chest in the commons area for any items found that are not claimed.  Please encourage your child to check this box and of course a parent/guardian is encouraged to check the box also.   In order to avoid lost items, please label all lunch boxes, items of clothing, etc. with your child’s first and last name.  We regret that we cannot be responsible for lost items.

Upon registration and at the beginning of every school year, St. Tammany Parish School Board requests authorization to release students’ name, voice and/or likeness of to be used in news publications, audiovisuals, district and school websites and other electronic transmissions.  In order for your child to have any information related to school activities (including professionally made school group or individual pictures) released to the media, this must be signed and kept on file at the school.  Waiving this release indicates that you do not want your child’s picture taken by professional photography services offered through the school.  Compensation or reimbursement of any kind related to use of the material is waived.  
 

STPPS School Nurse Program

• Students should remain home and be fever (100 degrees or higher) free for 24 hours without medication i.e. Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc. 
• If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea before school, please keep him/her home until at least 24 hours after it subsides.
• All persistent rashes should be seen by a doctor for proper diagnosis in order to determine the communicability of the rash.  Nurses cannot diagnose the various rashes.
• If your child has a discolored (yellow to green) nasal discharge, this may indicate an infection, thus your child may need to see a physician.
• For a student to be readmitted to school after having an active case of head lice, the parent must bring the student to school within two (2) days and provide written verification of treatment.  Before re-admittance to the classroom, the school nurse or trained school personnel shall re-examine the student’s head for an active infestation.
• All ringworms must be covered while at school. Ringworm in the scalp must be seen by a doctor. 
• Report all communicable diseases to the school – i.e. Chickenpox (Varicella), Fifths disease, Flu, Coronovirus-19, etc.
• All Chickenpox (Varicella) sores should be completely dry before the student returns to school.

Students will not be allowed to have any medication in their possession on the school grounds.  This includes but is not limited to cough drops, cough syrup, and/or aspirin.  Personnel in the office and teachers cannot administer medication.  Please schedule medication to be given before and after school, if possible.  If medication is needed during the school day, it is best for the parent to come and administer the medicine to their child. 

Should health problems occur that are expected to be long term, the following policy will be adhered to:

Written orders from a physician detailing the name of the drug, dosage, and time interval medication are to be taken.
a)    Written request and permission from the parent or guardian of the student requesting that the school district comply with the physician’s order.
b)    Medication must be brought to the school office by an adult, in a container properly labeled by the pharmacy or physician
c)    Each medication given must be recorded on a medication log, which includes date, time, dosage, and signature of person giving medications.

Parents are asked to be considerate and not send students to school when they are ill.  (Refer St. Tammany Parish School Board, School Nurse Program, Medical Tips) Parents will be contacted to arrange to check students out who come to school feeling ill or with a fever.  A doctor’s excuse will be required for a student returning after a contagious illness or after the student has been absent three consecutive days due to illness or for more than 10 nonexempt absences within the school year.

Parent/Teacher conferences are to be scheduled either before school (8:10 a.m.), or after school (3:41 p.m.). Conferences are not to be scheduled when teachers have assigned duties or are scheduled to attend faculty meetings.  Parents may request a conference by calling the school office at 641-1901, or by e-mailing or writing a note to the teacher or an administrator.  Parents should always check Interim Reports and Report Cards to see if the teacher has requested a conference.

At the beginning of the year, information on where to access the St. Tammany Parish Handbook is given to each student. It is the parent’s responsibility to see that their child follows the policies in this handbook. The Handbook is located on stpsb.org and/or a copy may be requested from our office.

Classroom parties will be held at Christmas and Easter, please contact your child’s teacher or the Room Mother if you can help with planning.  Activities/Games will be related to the curriculum and of an instructional nature. Please do not send party invitations, gifts or items for your students.  These should be given outside the school. * Celebrations will be limited to a small individually wrapped store bought snack or treat. Celebrations should be planned and scheduled with the teacher. Also, please check with the teacher about student allergies prior to sending food items. There may be other occasions when the teacher requests individually wrapped store bought items or treats.  We always love to make learning fun at BWE and celebrating student success!

Notice of Pesticide Application has been posted for public view near the front doors.  Section 3389 of Act 237 states that each school shall maintain a hypersensitive student registry.  This registry is to contain the names of students, whose parents have submitted a written statement to the school stating that the student is hypersensitive to pesticides, including written verification of the student’s hypersensitivity by a licensed physician.  Please send this information to the principal if your child has special needs.

The child has had no more than 10 non-exempt absences.

New students entering school must present a certified copy of a birth certificate, an immunization record, social security card, and 3 proofs of residence.  If all documents are not provided or if there is a question about residency, parents will be required to go to the Slidell Annex for approval.  It is helpful if new students also have copies of their latest report card and withdrawal form from their previous school.

Report cards will not be sent home with Pre K. The district letter will be sent home at the end of the first quarter with kindergarten students explaining why there is no report card and what to expect on the second quarter report card.

Students in Grades K-3 will receive report cards each quarter. When necessary, Interim reports will be sent home at mid-quarter intervals in grades 1-3.  These reports are to be signed and returned.  Please consult the teacher if further explanation is desired.  Please check the report carefully.  If the teacher has requested a conference, please schedule one as soon as possible.
 

Security cameras are a pro-active element to ensure school safety. Bayou Woods has 24 hour security cameras mounted inside and outside the building. 

Visitors and parents/caregivers are asked to contact the school with questions and concerns and to inquire about access to campus to check out their child, drop off medication, etc. Essential visitors are individuals who must enter schools to conduct visits in accordance with Louisiana law or policy. Essential visitors are defined as individuals who conduct CLASS® observations, observe teacher candidates as part of the teacher preparation quality rating system, and provide essential supports and services including, but not limited to, early intervention services, special education services, or mental health consultation.

In addition, please schedule conferences in advance with teachers and/or administration in order to allow for before/after school times or planning times.

PLEASE ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING ST. TAMMANY PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROCEDURES:

• No person shall go on elementary or secondary school grounds or in any building or other facility without authority of the proper school official.
• All persons shall report to the administrative office immediately upon arrival.
• All persons entering the building shall be logged in through the district’s computer system. Each visitor must provide a driver’s license or state ID for this purpose. Each visitor will need to state the purpose of the visit and the area where the visitor is going. 
• All persons shall receive an official visitor identification badge.
• For safety purposes, visitors are not allowed on the playground except for special events.
• All persons will sign out and relinquish the visitor badge.
• All persons shall depart from the building and grounds upon completion of business.

Conferences about student progress should be scheduled during non-instructional time. Please respect student learning time and student confidentiality. Students are not allowed to bring visitors to school to attend class with them.

There is NO PARKING during the school day in the RED ZONE directly in front of the school.  All visitors must always enter and exit through the front of the building even when parking in other areas.

Bayou Woods Elementary faculty, staff and students practice crisis procedures and safety drills regularly.  Please support your child and their safety by discussing these procedures at home.  Drills include:  Evacuation, Shelter in Place, Lockdown and Reverse Evacuation.

In the event of an emergency, updates will be communicated through automated phone calls and text messages, notices on the district website at www.stpsb.org and on school websites, announcements on STPPS social media, and through local news. Families should make sure their contact information on file is correct to make sure they receive important notifications.

STPPS will provide high quality learning through on-going communication and digital resources whenever possible on severe weather days. Weather day schedules will be posted in Google Classroom.  Chromebooks will be sent home with students who have signed the Responsible Use Agreement.  Distance learning attendance and completion of course work is mandatory.  Please assure that you know your usernames and passwords for instructional resources.  Refer to the Technology Guides if needed for assistance on the stpsb.org website. 

Sexual Harassment is a violation of the law and School Board policy.  It is not tolerated, condoned, or overlooked. The Board through its designee(s) shall promptly, thoroughly, and fairly investigate reports of sexual harassment and take appropriate action that is consistent with the results of the investigation and the legal requirements afforded by law.  Copies of the St. Tammany Parish School Board’s Policy on Sexual Harassment are sent home annually with all students.  Copies are on file in the front office and in the library.

Each grade level at Bayou Woods Elementary has a supply list. These are available on the district and school webpage or in the front office. These supplies are the minimum amount needed for the student. Supplies should be replenished throughout the year. Please select a book bag without wheels for your child to use at Bayou Woods Elementary. 

We strive to address individual learning styles and needs of all of our students. If your child has special needs, please use the student interest and parental involvement form, provided on the website and at the end of the year, to describe your child’s needs and or come to discuss with administration. We truly appreciate your input; however, please understand that we cannot always honor a specific teacher and that classes are filled based on numbers. 

The St. Tammany Parish School Board (STPSB) 1:1 Chromebooks for learning deployment is to promote high levels of student engagement for all students. Increasing access to technology is essential to build upon college and career readiness skills. STPSB wants all students to be responsible digital citizens, thrive intellectually, personally, physically, and creatively. (Please see Appendix 5 for the STPSB Chromebook Responsible Use.)

Technology use forms are only signed when a student initially enrolls in St. Tammany Parish Public Schools. Students utilize technology daily to enhance instructional activities.  Many programs are available to our students that provide both enrichment and interventions. Several are available for home learning also. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources. Anytime that you would need additional information about websites or programs, please feel check the teacher’s website or ask for specifics. 
 

In order to not disrupt classroom instruction, phone messages will not be delivered to students unless there is an emergency.  For the safety and welfare of all of our students, no transportation changes will be accepted over the telephone.  All changes must be made in writing and sent to school with the child at the beginning of the day.  IN AN EMERGENCY, YOU MAY FAX (985-639-0923) or EMAIL (call the office to request e-mail address) A COPY OF YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE AND A NOTE BEFORE 3:15 P.M.  

Classes cannot be interrupted for phone messages for teachers or staff.  Messages will be put in their mailbox and/or e-mailed to them. We encourage you to use teacher’s e-mails to send them messages. Our teachers are not allowed to respond to texts. 
 

All textbooks are the property of the State of Louisiana. The use of state owned books is the right of every student in Louisiana.  This right carries with it the basic responsibility of proper use and good care. Teachers and parents should help students carry out these obligations. Please utilize online textbook resources whenever possible. This will help with heavy loads as well as lost items.

Any student who loses or damages a book should report it to his/her teacher. The amount owed for the book must be paid before another book is issued. Report cards and other records will not be released for students owing for lost or damaged books

Bayou Woods Elementary is a Title I School which provides many additional services for our students.  We review our student data and annually write a School Improvement Plan which addresses how funding and support services will be used to increase student achievement. Each year the plan is evaluated and shared with all stakeholders. Title I provides additional funding  for our parenting center (see section on Parental Involvement), tutoring, both during the school day and after school, summer instructional programs,  technology,  teacher professional development, Parent Family Engagement Activities along with classroom materials and supplies. As part of our Title I Plan, we have a Compact for Student Success which has been provided for you. * We invite you to provide input at any time on our School Improvement Plan or any other aspect of our school by calling, emailing, or through our school website.

We ask that no toys be brought to school unless requested by the teacher for educational purposes. Remember that toys or other items may not be shared with others. In addition, the following should be kept at home: electronic communication devices including cellphones/watches, radios, iPods/headsets, and video games. If brought to school, these items will be taken from the students and held in the office for parental pick-up. (Please see district handbook for additional information.)

St. Tammany Parish School Board and Bayou Woods Elementary have websites for your convenience. They are both full of important information about school happenings. Please visit them frequently. The Parish website is www.stpsb.org.  Bayou Woods’ website can be accessed from this site by looking under the school directory for Bayou Woods Elementary or access through: http://bayouwoodselementary.stpsb.org/. You may find the lunch menus for each month there as well. 

You may also get district, school, and employee information at your fingertips by downloading the St. Tammany Public Schools Mobile App. Simply search for St. Tammany Public Schools in the app store (www.stpsb.org/app).