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CLARKDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK
2013-2014
Clarkdale Cardinals “Unity Builds Community”
4725 Ewing Road Austell, Georgia 30126
Front Office-770-819-2422
Fax- 770-819-2424
Marjorie Bickerstaff, Principal Tangela Hendrix, Assistant Principal
Clarkdale Elementary School 2013-2014
Staff
Office Staff
Marjorie Bickerstaff, Principal
Tangela Hendrix, Asst. Principal
Gay Callahan, Secretary
Sheila Olson, Bookkeeper
Xandria Johnson, Clerk
Bobbie Hill, Clerk
Monica Thornton, RN
Primary Teachers-
Chassity Cloer SPN –Pre-K – D100
Mary Ann Addison, Kindergarten – D105
Candace Harbour, Kindergarten – C112
Sandy Moss, Kindergarten- C114
Gale Stegall, Kindergarten - C110
Nancy Watson, Kindergarten - C108
Leanna Baumgartner, 1st grade - C102
Jennifer Carroll, 1st grade –C101
Jessica Elwood, 1st grade – C106
Sheila Lade, 1st grade - C104
Laura Werren, 1st grade – H100
Kristi Curtwright, 2nd grade – C201
Patty Kerr 2nd
grade – H200
Cristen Upchurch, 2nd
grade – C204
Lisa Whitfield, 2nd
grade – H203
Marissa Young, 2nd
grade – H201
Sarah Edmonds, Autism – D101
Denise Keasler, 3rd
grade – C214
Jodi Kokoszka, 3rd
grade – C210
Kevin O’Meara 3rd
grade, C211
Monica Summers, 3rd
grade – C212
Intermediate Teachers-
Ryisha Anderson, 4th grade - C217
Tricia DeCarlo, 4th
grade – H219
Adrianna Whipple, 4th
grade – C216
Mechelle Weddington, 4th
grade - C218
Krystal Evans 5th
grade – H210
Tammy McKinney, 5th
grade - H211
Velma Phillips, 5th
grade – H213
Homerooms –28 Total Staff – 82
Certified Staff - 48
Specialist
Ellen Auchenpaugh, Acad. Coach – CS117
Beth Morris, Art – A101
Laura Hawes, Counselor – CS103
Temika Arnold, - Counselor – CS105
Kathy Barrow, .5 EIP- F106
Jill Cook, EIP – F106
Jennifer Byrd, EIP –C207
Rhonda Miller, EIP – F106
Kathy O’Hara Rosa, ESOL-F104
Rhonda Dickerson, ESOL-C202
Michelle Jorgensen, Media-M106
Mark Greene, Music-A103, G101
Cathy Smith, Physical Education-P102
Jennifer Borders, IRR – C206
Pat. Ringhofer, IRR – H215
Leanne Chesser, IRR – F108
Casey Walker, Speech – H205
Sarah Morgan, Target – H206
Paraprofessionals-
Julie Simpson, Kdg.Para-C108
Janice Ortiz, Kdg Para -C112
Joanne Davis, Kdg. Para.-C114
Susan Green, Kdg. Para -C110
Bobbie Hill, Media Para – M106
Stephanie Hopkins, PE Para, P102
Kathryn Ray, PE Para, P10
Jamie Sparkman, SNPK, F106
Shannon Culhane, SNPK Para,D100
Andrea Dickson, SP Ed Para – F104
Brytnee Reed , SP Ed Para –F108
Karen Nunez. Sp Ed Para – H203
Maguy Pierre, Sp Ed Para, D101
Ferlecia Powell, SP Ed Para – D101
Custodians
Wayne Streeter- Head- Claudia Medina, Willie
Arnold,Cynthia Lavette-Robinson
Lunchroom
Julia Lewis, Manager- Barbie Greene,
Candy Howard, Deborah Culler, Joyce
Dickerson,Linda Cochran, Monica Gillian,Karen
Pominville, Laura Hernandez, Kathy Cranford
Dear Clarkdale Families,
We had a very smooth start to the school year due in large part to the support and
cooperation of our wonderful Clarkdale families and teachers.
The Clarkdale focus this year will be on implementing the new Common Core Standards.
It is my belief that education is a collaborative effort between home and school. Together
we can continue the expectation of excellence at Clarkdale.
Each Monday the teachers’ will send home a folder containing communication from the
teacher, PTA and/or the administration. We will also publish a monthly newsletter you
can access on our school website ( www.cobbk12.org/Clarkdale). Please take time to
read all of the information that we send home with your child.
In order to support your child’s learning goals; please make sure that he/she arrives on
time each day. School starts at 7:50. Students may be dropped off starting at 7:15 AM.
Students that are eight years old and younger that ride the bus will have a yellow tag
attached to their school bag. Please do not remove the tag. This tag is to help bus drivers
identify students that cannot get off the bus without an adult at the bus stop.
Students that are car riders will be given a car pool sign that should be displayed in the
car window. Car riders are identified by students that ride home in a car three or more
days a week. If you do not have your car pool sign you will need to come into the office
to sign the student out. Students that are riding home with a friend will need to bring a
note to the office to be signed.
If you did not join the Clarkdale PTA during Sneak a Peek, please send in $5.00
with your child because our goal is have 100% membership by the end of August.
The Clarkdale PTA provides numerous activities and instructional supplies to
continue the excellence at Clarkdale.
Sincerely,
Marjorie Bickerstaff
Principal
Our vision is a community which helps develop responsible citizens and cultivates lie-
long learners.
CLARKDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide the foundation upon which students build further knowledge,
experiences, and self-reliance. We provide a safe, healthy, stimulating, and experiential
environment that facilitates learning for every child.
Vision Statement
Our vision is a community which helps develop responsible citizens and
cultivates life-long learners.
We Believe…..
In establishing high expectations for all students as a means for developing
critical thinking skills, independence for learning, and creativity as life-long
pursuits to enable them to function in a rapidly changing world.
That the educational program for Clarkdale students should foster an
integrated curriculum in a developmentally appropriate, cooperative, risk-
free environment.
In providing an atmosphere that promotes optimism for learning and the
anticipation of success.
That the evaluation of progress for all Clarkdale students should be on a
continual basis through the demonstration and application of learning.
That Clarkdale students will grow through sincere affirmation and validation
modeled by dedicated professionals.
That home and school should share the responsibility to provide experiences
leading to the development of LIFESKILLS and Lifelong Guidelines, which
will enhance the ability to interact constructively with others.
Lifelong Guidelines
Trustworthiness
To act in a manner that makes one worthy of trust and
confidence
Truthfulness
To be honest about things and feelings with oneself and
others
Active Listening
To listen with the intention of understanding what the
speaker intends to communicate
No Put-Downs
To never use words, actions and/or body language that
degrade, humiliate, or dishonor others
Personal Best
To do one’s best given the circumstances and available
resources
The Lifelong Guidelines Pledge
I promise to be TRUSTWORTHY, TRUTHFUL, and an
ACTIVE LISTENER, too. I will do my PERSONAL
BEST and give NO PUT DOWNS to any of you.
School Information
SCHOOL HOURS
School starts promptly at 7:50 every morning and students must be
in their homerooms when the bell rings. Teachers greet the students, and learning begins,
when students arrive in the classroom beginning at 7: 15am. Students are dismissed at
2:20. Students arriving as the bell rings or after will need to be signed in by an adult.
Please remember:
Dismissal begins at 2:20. Students who are not picked up by 2:35 p.m. will be
sent to ASP (parents will be responsible for the $7 fee and the $10 registration
fee.)
To be counted present for the day, a student must be in attendance for a total of 3
hours and 15 minutes.
Contact Information
(770) 819-2422 Front Office
(770) 819-2424 (Fax)
ADMISSIONS and WITHDRAWAL
The Cobb County approved “Student Registration Form” (Form JF-5) is used to register
students new to the school or for the subsequent school year. Form JF-7 The Student
Enrollment Checklist provides a summary of documentation a student will need to be
officially and finally enrolled in the District. More detailed explanation of enrollment
requirements and procedures can be found at the Cobb County Schools Website.
Requirements for admission:
Students must be five years old for kindergarten and six years old for first grade on or
before Sept. 1.
All students entering a Georgia school for the first time or returning from another state
must furnish:
1. Georgia Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231) –can be obtained from a private
physician or the Cobb County Health Department (A thirty-day extension may be
obtained.) Current immunization certificates must be provided to the school and
on file in the cumulative folder at all times. Failure to enforce this provision is a
misdemeanor.
2. Georgia Dental Form (Form 3300) –can be obtained from a private physician or
the Cobb County Health Department
3. Certified Birth Certificate (with seal)
4. Social Security Number (or a signed waiver)
5. Proof of residency
6. A copy of the last report card or promotional certificate along with a signature for
a request of records card is needed for enrolling.
Student Withdrawals:
A student should generally be withdrawn by the person who enrolls them.
The parent/guardian who enrolled the student may provide the school with written
permission for another person to withdraw a child.
Please make every effort to provide the teacher or school office at least one day’s
advance notice of leaving so that transfer/withdrawal forms can be taken to the
new school.
Cumulative records are not released to parents. The new school must request the
records.
CLASS PLACEMENT In all cases, children are grouped heterogeneously, meaning there are students at varying
ability levels in each homeroom. Children will be assigned to classes for the first month
of school only on a temporary basis. Classrooms are added to and subtracted from as
necessary according to state regulations and teacher: pupil ratios. Children may be
reassigned to another homeroom after the first day of school if the teacher: pupil ratios do
not comply with state guidelines. Please explain this possibility to your child. If you
accompany your children to school on the first and second day, it will be permissible for
you to assist them in finding their home classroom. After the second week, we request
that you let your children enter the building by themselves and proceed to the classroom
on their own. There will be staff members to assist the children if they need help. This
will help them to develop independence and self-confidence.
SENDING MONEY TO SCHOOL
When sending money to school, please place your child’s first and last name on the
envelope with the purpose for the money. Lunch money or ASP money cannot be
combined with each other or with other money.
ABSENCE AND TARDY POLICIES
Anytime your child is absent please send a note on the first day your child returns, giving
the reasons for the absence. Any student not in their homeroom by the 7:50 bell is
considered tardy (exception: no student is tardy who is on a late school bus). When a
student is tardy, an adult must come in the office to sign the child in. It is very
important that students be on time to avoid missing instruction and to establish good
habits of punctuality.
LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY
If a child needs to be dismissed early from school, the parent must come to the school
office to sign the child out. We cannot accept early dismissal after 1:45. We discourage
leaving early unless it is absolutely necessary. Please allow time for the office to send for
your child. The school can release a child only to a parent, legal guardian, or to a person
specified in writing by the parent or guardian.
VISITORS
All visitors to our school must report to the office first. You are welcome to visit our
classrooms, but we require a 24 hour notification and a visit is not to exceed one hour.
This helps safeguard our valuable instructional time. Please allow the office to handle
your concerns and avoid classroom disruptions. You may always request a conference
with your child’s teacher, by calling or sending a note.
TEXTBOOK POLICY/MEDIA CENTER BOOKS
Students are responsible for all textbooks issued to them. Lost or damaged books must
be paid for before another book is issued.
ENTRANCE AGE
All children shall have attained the age of five for kindergarten and six for first grade on
or before September 1st in order to be eligible for admission for school.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Kindergarten and first grade students must present a legal birth certificate prior to entry
into the Cobb County Public Schools. This shall also apply to kindergarten and first
grade students transferring into the school during the year. Parents who need information
concerning birth certificates should call the local health department or the Bureau of Vital
Statistics.
IMMUNZATIONS
Georgia law requires that all children entering or attending school MUST have
certificates of immunization BEFORE STARTING SCHOOL. This certificate, Georgia
Department of Human Resources Form 3032, may be obtained from a private physician
or the local health department.
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
School personnel are bound by law to release children to either of their natural parents
unless a copy of a Court Order which grants custody is on file at the school. Therefore, if
you are divorced or separated and the custody of your child has been awarded to you by
the court, be sure to file a copy of the Court Order at the school.
CUSTODIAL PARENT REGULATIONS
In those instances where a court order or some other legally-binding document exists that
modifies or restricts this policy, it shall be the responsibility of the custodial parent to
provide a bona fide copy of the proof of custody to the local school principal.
If a custodial parent gives permission through a notarized statement for the student to live
with the other natural parent and that parent enrolls the child, the school will then conduct
all school business with the parent who has physical custody. The custodial parent will
then fall under the non-custodial parent policy.
Student Records: A non-custodial parent may request a copy of the school
records for his/her child. This request must be placed in writing to the principal
and notarized and will be honored within 45 days, absent a court order. An
attempt should be made to notify the custodial parent of the request for records
and the school’s compliance.
Teacher Conferences: The Cobb County School District recognizes that upon
divorce, only the custodial parent has the authority to make decisions pertaining
to a child’s upbringing, including the child’s education. However, the non-
custodial parent, absent a court order or some other legally-binding document
which provides otherwise, is encouraged to attend joint conferences for the
purpose of clarification and interpretation of student records with the custodial
parent during the regularly-scheduled conference weeks. If either the non-
custodial or custodial parent objects to attending a joint conference, upon request
a separate time for clarification and interpretation with a staff member will be
scheduled for the non-custodial parent. This request for a separate conference
shall be made by a notarized letter to the local school principal.
School Activities: At the beginning of the school term, the non-custodial parent,
absent a court order or some other legally-binding document which provides
otherwise, may request, by a notarized letter to the local school principal, that
school information available at that time for parents be provided. This information
should include procedures for purchasing school pictures. Furthermore, the non-
custodial parent, absent a court order or some other legally-binding document
which provides otherwise, may attend any public or spectator activity involving
his/her child. Attendance at public or spectator activities does not include
lunchroom visits, classroom visits, or other activities not classified as public or
spectator. Additionally, the non-custodial parent will not be permitted to checkout
or pick up students unless proper authorization from the custodial parent is on file
with the local school principal.
ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESSES
A child who becomes ill or injured at school is referred to the school nurse. If the child
has a fever of 101 and other indications of illness or injury beyond first aid, the parents
are contacted and requested to come and pick up the child. The student must be fever -
free for 24 hours without taking any type of medicine. THE CHILD MAY ONLY BE
RELEASED TO PARENTS AND TO THOSE AUTHORIZED ON THE
ELEMENTARY INFORMATION CARD. Be sure to list the name of anyone you might
ask to pick up your child.
MEDICATION
The school nurse will assist your child in taking prescription or over- the- counter drugs.
The parent or guardian must complete and sign a medication form. Over-the-counter and
prescription drugs must be maintained in the original container. The dosage should be
stated on the label. An ADULT must HAND DELIVER the medication to the front
office--exception cough drops and inhalers. A child must have an over-the-counter
medication form in order to carry the cough drops with them. The inhaler may be carried
with a signed medication form.
LUNCH PROGRAM
Please visit the Food and Nutrition Services website for current meal prices, menus,
nutrient analysis, and staff contacts. Go to: www.cobbk12.org
(http://www.cobbk12.org/)-> Lunch Menus (located on the left side of the page). This
will take you directly to the Food and Nutrition Services website. Meal prices are located
at the bottom of the page. The link to our menus is at the top of the page. Nutrient
analysis, staff contacts and more can be accesses from our Food and Nutrition Services
Dear Parents/Guardians: It is with great anticipation that we look towards implementing a new set of standards, the Common
Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS), in August 2012! The Common Core Georgia
Performance Standards (CCGPS) were developed from the Common Core State Standards, an initiative of the National Governors’ Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, who took leadership in working to chart a course to ensure all students are better prepared for college and future careers. The Common Core Georgia Performance Standards go a long way to ensure that students in different states have the same opportunities to learn at high levels and reach towards higher standards. The CCGPS are aligned to the highest international and national standards and have an increased emphasis on the following:
Reading more informational and complex texts
Writing to justify thinking and reasoning and writing for more authentic purposes
Engaging in more problem‐solving and problem‐based learning
Making more real‐world, relevant connections
Assessing learning at higher‐levels
These standards inform schools of “what” to teach but leave “how” to teach in the hands of our capable teachers. Your child’s classroom will be an even more engaging setting as students are provided with increased opportunities for collaboration, conversation and problem‐solving. The Cobb County School District Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Team has been working closely with school leaders & staff to prepare for the changes ahead as well as developing tools that will be of support to families. On the Cobb County School District home page, you will find a link to the Common Core Curriculum page where you will find resources to support parents, staff and students. Additionally, the Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Public Broadcasting and the National PTA websites have information that will help you to understand the changes and their benefit to students and families. During the month of May, you can view an interview on Inside Cobb Schools which airs on COBB edTV (Comcast channel 24, Charter channel 97, AT&T U‐verse channel 99) and is also linked to the Common Core GPS (CCGPS) website for Cobb County School District. The Common Core Curriculum link can be found on the left menu of the district’s home page. We encourage you to visit this site to learn more about the Common Core implementation. We hope you find this information helpful and look forward to working with you in the coming school year. Sincerely, Amy Krause Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Clarkdale’s Classrooms
EN
RIC
HE
D
EN
VIR
ON
ME
NT
Colors limited to two earth tones and one accent color
Live plants Uncluttered, shows what is being learned
Multiple resources are available to support learning in an immersion area Classroom laid out for multiple uses
Healthy, aesthetically pleasing and uncluttered classroom environment
A place and time in the classroom for students to bring their emotions and behavior back under control “Australia” procedures are posted
AB
SE
NC
E O
F T
HR
EA
T &
NU
RT
UR
ING
RE
FL
EC
TIV
E
TH
INK
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Written procedures are available for all frequently occurring events/activities.
Frequent Town Hall Meetings
“Target Talk” is used routinely Daily agendas with color & graphics provide focus for learning.
Reflective thinking is nurtured through modeling, wait time, thoughtful questioning, and journaling. Discipline is based on helping students develop personal and social behaviors need to successfully practice LIFESKILLS/Lifelong Guidelines.
Lifelong Guidelines and LIFESKILLS are modeled & taught systematically Classroom management is based on the LS/LLG, not on reward and punishment Teacher leads rather than controls
Students greeted at door at the beginning and end of each day. Intentional development of sense of class community. Music and/or non-verbal signals used for transitions
CO
LL
AB
OR
AT
ION
Seating in Learning Clubs
Flexible groupings
Cooperation and collaboration among students.
Students demonstrate collaborative skills such as leading, supporting, encouraging, listening, sharing
Town Hall meetings are used for each stage of group development: sense of belonging, creating common ground, and taking actions
Acknowledgement Box
CH
OIC
ES
Multiple intelligences are posted Students have learned about the MI & know both their strengths & areas to develop
Students have choice of tasks, materials, and processes for completing projects
Students have multiple ways to understand, solve problems, produce products and demonstrate understanding
MI menus provide opportunities for critical thinking
IMM
ED
IAT
E
FE
ED
BA
CK
Simultaneous response strategies are used routinely
Teachers interact with students to check for understanding, redirect, re-teach, and re-energize
Collaborative structures such as think-pair-share, shoulder/elbow partner are used to check for understanding
Teachers and students ask meaningful questions that extend thinking
ME
AN
ING
FU
L
CO
NT
EN
T
Awareness of multiple intelligences is evident in lesson planning
Yearlong theme is displayed with kid-grabbing title, concepts and 3- D objects Initial activities are provided to ground students in the concepts
Conceptual key points include non-linguistic representations and body mapping
“Being-there” experiences supplement classroom instruction and provide rich sensory input A conceptual key point is written for each being-there location
MO
VE
ME
NT
Purposeful use of music and movement
Daily movement sessions to energize and calm
Movement used to assist in understanding and remembering key points
Movement strategies (mingle to music, gallery walk, fold the line, inside-outside circle, etc.) directly connect movement to learning
AD
EQ
UA
TE
TIM
E
Flexible use of class time “Wait” time and “think” time are used by both teachers and students
Amount of direct instruction is age appropriate (11-16 minutes per hour)
MA
ST
ER
Y/
Student-led conferences are held at least once each year
Multiple intelligences with non- linguistic and/or 3D representations are posted
Multiple intelligences menus are used to assess mastery and application of concepts and skills taught
Celebrations of learning are held for at least one component of the yearlong theme