The McDonald Elementary School Staff, as a whole, have developed beliefs upon which the foundation of the school exists.  These beliefs have evolved through our collective training, experience, and upbringings.  Credit must also be given to the past and the many who have come before us that have previously set standards that continue to be a part of us today.  These beliefs will be used to guide our decisions, focus our attention, and define our work on a daily basis with the children, parents , and community we serve.

Drugs and Medication
 If under exceptional circumstances a child is required to take non-prescription or prescription medication during school hours and the parent cannot be at school to administer the medication, only the principal or the principal’s designee will assist in self-administration of the medication if the student is competent to self-administer medicine with assistance in compliance with the following regulations:

Written instructions signed by the parent will be required and will include:

1. Child’s name;

2. Name of medication;

3. Name of physician;

4. Time to be self-administered;

5. Dosage and directions for self-administration (non-prescription medicines must have labeled

   directions);

6. Possible side effects, if known; and

7. Termination date for self-administration of the medication.

The medication must be delivered to the principal's office in person by the parent or guardian of the student unless the medication must be retained by the student for immediate self-administration. (i.e. students with asthma)

Volunteer personnel, trained by a registered nurse, may administer glucagon with epipens in emergency situations to a student based on that student's Individual Health Plan (IHP).

The administrator/designee will:

1. Inform appropriate school personnel of the medication to be self-administered;

2. Keep written instructions from parent in student's record;

3. Keep an accurate record of the self-administration of the medication;

4. Keep all medication in a locked cabinet except medication retained by a student per       physician's order;

5. Return unused prescription to the parent or guardian only; and

Discipline Procedures

     The goal of discipline is a self-disciplined individual with mature attitudes and socially acceptable standards of conduct. Disciplinary procedures within the elementary and secondary schools shall be followed within the general guidelines as set forth below and are designed to prevent a student’s inappropriate behavior from recurring. These guidelines clearly describe the various disciplinary actions that may be taken for violations of school standards for behavior.

Level I: Minor misbehavior on the part of the student, which impedes orderly classroom procedures or interferes with the orderly operation of the school; usually handled by an individual staff member, but sometimes requires the intervention of other support personnel.

Procedures for Level I

·         Staff member

·         intervenes immediately.

·         determines what offense was committed and its severity.

·         determines offender and that he/she understands the nature of the offense.

·         applies appropriate disciplinary options.

·         completes and maintains a report of the offense and disciplinary action.

Level II: Misbehaviors whose frequency or seriousness tend to disrupt the learning climate of the school; do not represent a direct threat to the health or safety of others but are serious enough to require corrective action on the part of administrative personnel; usually result from the continuation of Level I misbehaviors.

Procedures for Level II

·         Student is referred to principal for appropriate disciplinary action.

·         Principal meets with student and teacher.

·         Principal hears accusation made by teacher and permits student the opportunity of explaining his/her conduct, denying it or explaining any mitigating circumstances.

·         Principal takes appropriate disciplinary action and notifies teacher of action.

·         Principal maintains a proper and accurate record of the offense and the disciplinary action.

Level III: Acts directed against persons or property but whose consequences do not seriously endanger the health or safety of others in the school; often result from the continuation of Level II misbehaviors.

Procedures for Level III

·         Referral is made to the principal.

·         Principal investigates, meeting with the student and the referring party.

·         Principal determines and takes appropriate disciplinary action.

·         Principal maintains record of offense and disciplinary action.

·         If the offense is vandalism, student makes restitution for property damages.

Level  IV: Acts of violence toward another person or property or which pose a direct threat to the safety of others in the school; may be criminal and require administrative actions which may result in the immediate removal of the student from school, the intervention of law enforcement authorities and action by the school board.

Procedures for Level IV

·         Referral is made to the principal.

·         Principal investigates, meeting with the student and the referring party.

·         Principal contacts director of school and law enforcement, if appropriate.

·         Principal contacts student’s parent(s).

·         Principal determines and takes appropriate disciplinary action.

·         Principal completes and sends home Suspension/Expulsion form and maintains record of offense and disciplinary action.

·         If student’s program is to be changed, principal provides adequate notice to the student and his/her parents of the charges against him/her and his/her right to appear at a hearing and to be represented by a person of his/her choosing.

Level V: Acts of zero tolerance

Procedures for Level V

·         Referral is made to the principal.

·         Principal investigates, meeting with the student and the referring party.

·         Principal reports incident to director of school and makes recommendations.

·         Principal contacts parents.

·         Principal contacts law enforcement officials.

·         Principal submits a complete and accurate report of incident to the director of schools.

·         If student’s program is to be changed, principal provides adequate notice to the student and his/her parents of the charges against him/her and his/her right to appear at a hearing and to be represented by a person of his/her choosing.

Additional McDonald School-wide Rules

1.      Proper respect for others, their belongings, the school building, and school property is required at all times.

2.      No rough playing on school grounds.

3.      No loitering around in restrooms, halls, outside, etc.

4.      No bikes, motorcycles, rollerblades, or animals may be ridden to school by students.

5.      Students will walk quietly on the right side of the hallways at all times.

6.      No chewing gum except for special days (ex. reward for good behavior).

7.      No caps or hats will be worn in the building except for special days or for health reasons.

8.      Students will not use the office phone except for emergencies.

9.      No inappropriate public displays of affection (holding hands, kissing, embracing, etc.) on school property or school bus.

10.  Students may not buy or sell any items or solicit any money while at school.

Our Vision
        McDonald Elementary School will strive to empower our students with the skills necessary to become responsible and productive citizens with a continuing desire for learning.

In the event that school dismisses after the students arrive, please have an alternate plan for your child if you are at work.  It is not always possible for students to use the phone.  An early dismissal, emergency form will be sent home to be filled out a returned as soon as possible. This forms needs to be updated regularly as changes occur.

        Any student leaving school will be counted absent for the time missed in accordance
        with the State attendance law.  (Students leaving before 11:30 a.m. or arriving
        after 11:30 a.m. will be counted absent.)  Tardies are also considered time lost and
        are automatically totaled by the computer.

        Every effort should be made not to check students out during the school day.

        Every effort should be made not to check students out during the school day.

        The original high school was built in 1919.  The first principal was Fred Broyles and
        the first school board member was Quincy Stykes.  In 1957, the first school building
        was torn down and replaced a new brick building which still stands today.  McDonald
        High School continued through the 1966-67 school year.  Over the course of 47 years
        the high school was led by 20 men who brought change and life to the community
        through the process of continuing education.  In 1967 the school became an elementary
        school and the school's first principal was Billy Keasling.

     The responsibility for arranging to make up work missed is to be assumed by the student.  When a student is absent, he/she is given one day for each day of school missed to make up class work and other assignments.  The student is responsible for checking with the teacher or teachers to find out what work needs to be made up.  If a student does not make up the work in the given time period, the student may receive a “zero” for assignments not completed.

1.  All accounting and reporting procedures and their dissemination;

2. Alternative program options for students who severely fail to meet minimum attendance requirements;

3. Ensuring that all school age children attend school;

4. Providing documentation of enrollment status upon request for students applying for new or reinstatement of driver's permit or license; and

5. Notifying the Department of Safety whenever a student with a driver's permit or license withdraws from school.

Student attendance records shall be given the same level of confidentiality as other student records. Only authorized school officials with legitimate educational purposes may have access to student information without the consent of the student or parent/guardian.

Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his/her designee. Excused absences shall include:

1. Personal illness;

2. Illness of immediate family member;

3. Death in the family;

4. Extreme weather conditions;

5. Religious observances;  or

6. Circumstances which in the judgment of the principal create emergencies over which the student   has no control.

The principal shall be responsible for ensuring that:

1. Attendance is checked and reported daily for each class;

2. Daily absentee sheets contain sign in/sign out sheets and indicate students present or absent for the majority of the day;

3. All student absences are verified;

4. Written excuses are submitted for absences and tardiness;

5. System-wide procedures for accounting and reporting are followed.

Dress Code
Students shall dress and groom in a clean, neat and modest manner so as not to distract or interfere with the operation of the school.  More specific guidelines appropriate for each level of school (elementary, middle, junior high and senior high) may be developed.  Principals, faculty members and students shall be involved in the development of each appropriate set of guidelines.

When a student is attired in a manner which is likely to cause disruption or interference with the operation of the school, the principal shall take appropriate action, which may include suspension.

In keeping with the educational purpose of this school district, students are expected to dress and groom themselves as individuals with a sense of responsibility. The district's dress code is established to teach hygiene, instill discipline, prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards and provide a positive learning environment. Each student is expected to keep his/her person and his/her clothing clean and neat. It is expected that each student, while exercising the right to dress and groom himself/herself in an individual way, will also show, through his appearance, a high degree of respect for the standards of decency, cleanliness and style acceptable to the school. The administration has discretion in determining the appropriateness of dress. If it is determined that the dress or grooming of a student is inappropriate, the student will be sent home or removed to an alternate setting. Any class time missed during the time the student has gone home to change will be unexcused.

A partial list of guidelines include:
A partial list of guidelines include:

1. Shirts, blouses or sweaters, pants/dresses and shoes must be worn at all times.

2. The practice of “sagging” is considered to be gang related symbolism and will not be

    tolerated.