Handbook

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

ARRIVAL

Buses

Car Riders

Cars load and unload in front of the elementary school entrance. In the morning, car riders will enter through the main entrance of the elementary school and proceed directly to the cafeteria for breakfast or one of the common areas. Your child(ren) should exit the vehicle once you reach the sidewalk located to your right near the gym entrance. If you wish to walk your child(ren) in the building, you may park in a designated lane and cross at the crosswalk where there is a staff member on duty.

DISMISSAL

In the afternoon, car riders will exit through the main entrance of the elementary school and wait for a staff member to call their names before walking to their cars. In the afternoon, it is critical drivers remain in their cars. Each family will have a scannable car rider placard with the last name(s) and grade(s) of your child(ren). When the volunteer approaches your car, hold the placard in your driver side window to be scanned and then place it back on the dash of your car as it helps us direct students to cars in a timely manner. Please do not wait for your child(ren) under the covered sidewalk. Students will walk to their cars. Each car must have a school-issued name card, or you will be required to sign out your child(ren) in the office. Please notify the school if you need an additional car sign.

Walkers

In the rare occurrence you need to make a change to your child’s dismissal during the school day, please call the office prior to 2:00 p.m.

Attendance

The sole authority for the enforcement of the compulsory attendance laws is placed on the local Board of Education and its designated employees (Sec. 49-1711).

EXCUSED ABSENCES

• Personal illness or illness of immediate family member
• Personal Injury
• Homebound
• Hospitalization
• Pregnancy
• Death in the family
• Extreme weather conditions
• Religious observances
• Military service of parent or guardian
• School sponsored or school endorsed activities
• Summons, subpoena, or court order
• Extenuating circumstances which, in the judgment of the principal, create emergencies over which the student has no control, determined on a case-by-case basis

Absences not due to reasons above will be considered unexcused and the student will be responsible for making up missed work upon his/her return. When a student is absent, please call the school by 8:00 a.m.​ and state the reason for the absence. This helps the attendance secretary verify absences and assists her with accountability of all students. The attendance secretary will call a student’s parent/guardian regarding all absences not verified. When your child returns to school, please email ​brownkri@fssd.org or hand deliver a note to the attendance secretary explaining the absence(s) within seven (7) days from the day the child returns to school. Otherwise, the absence will be marked as unexcused. If you send the note to school through your child, we encourage you to follow up by phone or email with the attendance secretary to ensure that it has been received and properly documented.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCE LAWS

PROGRESSIVE TRUANCY INTERVENTION PLAN

• Tier I intervention applies to all students within the district and includes school-wide prevention-oriented supports to assist with satisfactory attendance These supports shall include, but are not limited to, parent engagement by teachers and administrators, school counselor support, and information provided in the school handbook. 
• Tier II  intervention will be implemented when a student has accrued five (5) unexcused absences. Tier II will require a meeting with a school administrator and the completion of an attendance contract.
• Tier III intervention will be implemented if the Tier II requirements not be met, and the student acquires three (3) more unexcused absences totaling eight (8) unexcused absences. Tier III will require a meeting with the school counselor and may include the following interventions: sessions with the school counselor, school-based mental health referral, community resource agency referral, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), check-in check-out with a school mentor, and other interventions as deemed necessary by school and district administration.
• A Truancy Petition may be filed with the Williamson County Juvenile Court by the district attendance coordinator or the safety and attendance supervisor, if additional unexcused absences accrue.

CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

Chronic absenteeism includes both excused and unexcused absences. Research indicates numerous absences from school impacts a student's achievement and success. In FSSD, attendance is monitored to determine what barriers, if any, are impacting a child’s ability to be in school on time and for the full day. Attendance secretaries, principals, and/or the district attendance coordinator or the safety and attendance supervisor may contact parents/guardians if absences appear to be leading toward chronic absenteeism.  The Tennessee Department of Education’s reporting standards incorporate attendance data as an indicator of school quality and student success.

NOTIFICATIONS OF ABSENCES AND TARDIES

When a student accumulates five (5) unexcused absences, the attendance secretary will notify the parent/guardian.  When a student accumulates eight (8) unexcused absences, the attendance secretary will notify the parent/guardian.  When a student accumulates 10+ absences (excused, unexcused, or a combination of both), a referral will be made to the district attendance coordinator or the safety and attendance supervisor.  Communication will be sent to the parent/guardian regarding the excessive absences.  Once a student accrues 10+ absences, he/she also will be required to submit a doctor’s note for absences to be excused for the remainder of the school year. It should be noted that if a student is not in school for a minimum of three (3) hours and 15 minutes on a given day, the student is considered absent according to state regulations.

Warranted Absences

A Principal may, at their discretion, allow a student to have up to five days of warranted absences, i.e., absence for a family emergency, unusual circumstance, etc.  In order for a student to be granted a warranted absence by an administrator, the parent/guardian must submit this request in writing to the administrator.  These absences will be unexcused and will not count towards truancy.  Teachers are not required to give missed work prior to the absences but will provide missed work upon the student's return.  The student has a timeframe equal to the length of the absence to turn in the missed work.

Early Dismissal

Leaving school early is strongly discouraged due to the loss of instructional time and disruption to the learning environment.  Students leaving early must be signed out in the school office by a parents/guardian or other approved  adult who must provide a valid government-issued photo ID.​ ​If the student is leaving early because of a medical appointment, parent/guardian is encouraged to obtain an excuse note prior to leaving the medical facility and provide it to the front office upon the student’s return. We appreciate your efforts to make appointments during non-school hours. Please note that an early dismissal is also considered a tardy. Please ​refrain from picking your child up after 2:00 p.m. unless it is an unavoidable situation.

No Advance Assignments

Teachers will not send makeup work for days absent in advance. It will be the parent’s and student’s responsibility to obtain the work when the student returns.

Tardiness

A student is considered tardy to school if he/she is not in his/her homeroom when the bell rings at 7:30 a.m. or if he/she is checked out from the office before the school day ends. There will be exceptions for students arriving on late buses. Tardiness related to oversleeping, traffic, weather, or not leaving home on time is unexcused. A student who is tardy to school must report to the office to sign in with a parent/guardian and get a class admission slip. If a student is late because of a medical appointment, then please provide an excuse note from the medical office. When a child arrives to school late, the student's academic learning is delayed and the classroom is disrupted.

Withdrawal Process

To initiate  the withdrawal process the parent/guardian must notify the attendance secretary.  The attendance secretary will provide the appropriate forms to the student and/or parent/guardian.  Debts related to textbooks, library books, cafeteria fees, etc. must be paid and school property (Chromebooks, chargers, Chromebook bags, etc.) must be returned to the front office.  The school will provide any additional steps to the parent/guardian regarding the withdrawal process.  Once Poplar Grove Elementary receives a request for records form the new school in which the student is enrolled, the student will be withdrawn.

BUS RULES

The school bus is an extension of school activity, and students must conduct themselves in accordance with school rules and district policy. Bus students are under the supervision and control of the bus driver while on his/her bus. Students shall ride only on assigned buses, and under no circumstance shall friends not assigned to that bus ride with them. (FSSD Board Policy 6.308)

Please remember to check the bus information related to your child(ren). Each year, bus routes, bus stops, and approximate times of the bus stops have the potential to change due to projected student ridership. The bus routes and the approximate times of the stops will be available on the FSSD website and at each school. In addition, you may contact the Transportation Office at 615-790-4704 if there are additional questions related to bus transportation.

CONFERENCES

Administrative

Teachers

CAFETERIA PROCEDURES

Our school participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program allowing us to provide a healthy breakfast and lunch each school day.  The cafeteria serves well-balanced meals every day.  Each student is assigned an individual code to track participation and account information.  Menus for Breakfast and Lunch are posted on the school website and the MealViewer mobile app.

How to pay and can I pay ahead?  You may send cash or checks to your school. Please be sure to label your check with your child’s full name. Checks should be made out to your school cafeteria.   Cafeteria monies must be paid separately from any other monies. For your convenience, you may use a credit or debit card online through your Skyward Family Access account using RevTrak.   The District Food and Culinary Services office, 615-472-3728, can also enter the monies into RevTrak from a credit or debit card for you. 

How do I sign up for Free and Reduced Meals?  A free and reduced application must be filled out each year.  You can find the application online through your Skyward Family Access account.  Each family will receive an application with the back-to-school forms that are sent home. Please call the District Food and Culinary Services Office at 615-794-6624 if you have any questions about Free and Reduced applications and your family’s eligibility. You will receive a letter indicating your application has been processed and your eligibility determination.

Can my child buy extras like ice cream?  We offer ice cream and other additional items for sale to students who have money in their accounts or cash with them.  All extra items (a la carte items) are Smart Snack compliant. If a child has a negative balance, they will not be able to purchase a la carte items.  Elementary schools limit ice cream purchases to an assigned day of the week by grade level.

May I come have lunch with my child?  Parents are welcome to join their children for lunch.  It is not necessary to call ahead for reservations.  You must sign in at the office with a photo ID to receive a visitor’s badge.  Please meet your child in the cafeteria.  Once you finish lunch, you need to return to the front office to sign out.  

May I bring in lunch for my child from their favorite restaurant? The FSSD Board policy 3.50 states: “Students will be permitted to bring their lunches from home and to purchase beverages and incidental items. Breakfast and lunch brought from outside food service facilities will not be permitted to be consumed in the cafeteria.”

What happens if my child forgets his/her lunch or lunch money?  What happens if my child’s account develops a negative balance?  All children in FSSD who want breakfast and lunch will be fed.  They will be offered the same lunch as every other child. If your child has a negative balance, he or she will not be able to purchase a la carte items.  Please see the FSSD Negative Balance Policy in this handbook for more details.

My child prefers to bring his or her lunch.  Is there anything I cannot send? We do not allow glass containers, energy drinks, coffee drinks, or carbonated beverages.

My child has a food allergy. How is this handled? The Food and Culinary staff works closely with your school nurse to make sure all allergies that are listed on their Individualized Health Care Plan are noted on their cafeteria account.

How is my child expected to behave in the cafeteria?
All students are expected to behave in the cafeteria in a positive manner and are expected to help make the cafeteria a pleasant place for everyone.

Please limit cell phone use when visiting in the cafeteria.

DRESS CODE

Children are expected to dress appropriately. Any dress that is potentially disruptive will be evaluated. Clothing should fit the student and should not contain advertising for products that are inappropriate for children. Administration reserves the right to call home for appropriate clothing to be brought to school if the student’s attire is inappropriate.

P.E. Classes: Students are required to wear tennis shoes for physical education classes. Shoes may be kept at school and changed before class. Students not wearing tennis shoes will not be able to participate. Girls wearing dresses or skirts should wear shorts underneath.

E-READERS

Students are welcome to bring their e-reader to school. We encourage reading, whether in a book or on an e-reader! However, there are a few guidelines that must be followed. They are listed below:

• PGES is not responsible if the e-reader is lost, stolen, or damaged.
• Students may only read previously downloaded books on the e-reader.
• Internet access is not permitted on the device.
• Students may not “buy” books on their device while at school.
• Students may not lend or share their e-readers with others.
• Please be sure that each student’s e-reader has his/her name on the device.

FIELD TRIPS

Students must ride the bus to and from field trips unless prior written approval is requested. Field trips are designed to be a learning opportunity off campus; for this reason, siblings are not permitted to attend field trips.

GUIDANCE SERVICES

Our school offers a wide range of guidance services ranging from personal, social, and academic counseling. The counselor works with students individually and in groups. Students may see the counselor through teacher referral or self-referral. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to call the guidance office regarding any questions they may have or for an appointment with the counselor. The counselor also works with individual classrooms on a rotating schedule to focus on the Character Under Construction curriculum.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Teachers and administrators may make variations to the following policy based on student needs and academic achievement.

Students in all grades are encouraged to read for 20 minutes nightly.

ILLNESS AT SCHOOL

For detailed information, please visit the FSSD Student Health Services online.

• They have had a fever of 100 degrees or higher in the past 24 hours.
• They have had vomiting or diarrhea two (2) or more times in the past 24 hours.
• They have been on antibiotics for strep throat, pink eye, or other infections for less than 24 hours.

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher (must be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school)
• Vomiting or diarrhea (Must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school).
• Unexplained rash (must have a doctor’s note that student is not contagious to return to school)
• Suspected pink eye (must have 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school OR have a note from the doctor stating the student is not contagious)
• Lice.  FSSD has a strict NO NIT, NO BUG policy.  See nurse for lice eviction guidelines

Non-Prescription (Over-the-Counter) Medications
These require a parent/guardian signature.  The medication must be in a new, unopened container with the name of the medication and expiration date clearly visible.

Medications must be brought to the clinic by a parent or legal guardian.  It is a violation of state law for students to possess medications on the school bus or school grounds unless provided for in the IHP. Any medications not picked up by the end of the school year will be discarded.

It is very important that we have your home, work, and cell phone numbers.  Please make sure to notify us of any changes.  We must be able to contact you in case of an emergency, illness, or injury.                               

LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER

The Media Center maintains a balanced collection of library books and media for information and interest. The collection also provides a variety of fiction and non-fiction titles. The Elementary Media Center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students have the opportunity to visit the Media Center each day. All classes have a weekly scheduled visit plus additional opportunities during each school day. Individual students may come to the Media Center to return and select books, take Accelerated Reader quizzes, or research topics of interest.

• Kindergarten students may check out one (1) book per visit.
• Books are due six (6) school days after checkout.
• Students with chronically overdue materials will not be allowed to check out any additional materials until the overdue items are returned.
• Students are responsible for the care and return of library materials. A replacement cost will be charged for lost and damaged library materials.

LOST AND FOUND

Misplaced clothing is a persistent problem in the elementary school. We encourage parents to label clothing, so that we can return misplaced items to the owner. Any lost and found items are kept outside of the art room. Please feel free to check for any lost item. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity.

PARTIES

Classroom Parties
Classroom parties will be held four (4) times a year in your child(ren)’s classroom(s). Typically, they are scheduled around the end of October, Winter Break, Valentine’s Day, and the end of the year. Students are NOT permitted to wear costumes on party days. On party days, all visitors will be asked to sign out at 2:00 p.m. before dismissal begins. This will help ensure a safe, smooth, and orderly departure for all of our students.

Birthday Celebrations
FSSD has adopted a district-wide protocol that prohibits food items being brought to school for birthday celebrations. This decision was based on various factors, including the dietary restrictions of many students and the intent to protect instructional time. If you would like to send something for your child to pass out to classmates on his/her birthday, then you may bring non-edible items such as pencils, bookmarks, stickers, erasers, etc. You also may choose to dedicate a new book to the library for your child’s birthday. Teachers will continue to have their own ways of recognizing the birthday child and making him/her feel special that day.

You may purchase an ice cream treat for all students in the classroom to enjoy at lunchtime (Class Ice Cream Treat Form). Please contact the cafeteria to order and purchase ice cream two weeks prior to your child’s celebration day. Ice cream treats available to the students will include options for those students with food allergies and other dietary restrictions. Food items will still be allowed for the four (4) classroom parties that occur around holidays and the end of the school year including October, December, February and May and at other school-specific special events. Food items brought in for these celebrations must be clearly labeled with all ingredients, and foods brought in to “Allergy Alert” classrooms must not contain items restricted in that classroom.

Personal party invitations should not be distributed at school unless they are given to every child in the classroom.

PLAYGROUND EXPECTATIONS

Practice the Poplar Grove High Five when using the playground: Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Honesty and Safety.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SUPPORT

Positive Reinforcement for Students
Teachers provide positive reinforcement for appropriate student behavior through our school-wide positive behavior support program. Students can earn “tickets” throughout their day from any teacher or staff member. Each grade level determines the rewards for tickets earned. This year we will have school-wide celebrations (PRIDE Time) quarterly. We will highlight one of the four character traits each Pride Time. Kindness, Encouragement, Acceptance, Determination.

REPORT CARDS

Grades kindergarten through fourth use a standards-based system for report cards. A list of all standards covered throughout the course of the year will be listed on every report card. However, each quarter will only be marked for standards that are covered during that reporting period. The final report card of the year will show a complete listing of all grades earned for each standard throughout the year.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

Please watch and/or listen to local news media for school closings. The Parent Square Communication System also will be used to communicate information to parents regarding school dismissal. We are listed as The Franklin Special School District or Franklin City Schools (not Williamson County Schools).

SCHOOL HOURS

7:00 a.m. Doors open; supervision begins
7:20 a.m. Students move from common area to classrooms
7:30 a.m. Student day begins
2:30 p.m. Car rider dismissal
2:32 p.m. Bus rider dismissal begins

SCHOOL WIDE RULES

PGES has five rules that can apply to any situation. These rules should be reflected and reinforced in all areas of the school.
1. Be Respectful.
2. Be Responsible.
3. Be Kind.
4. Be Honest.
5. Be Safe.

STUDENT LOCKERS

Grades 3 and 4 students are issued lockers to store notebooks, supplies, coats, personal belongings, etc. Locks may NOT be placed on the lockers. Lockers may not be shared and should be kept in good condition. Lockers are the property of the FSSD made available for student use. Should there be any reason to believe that a locker contains stolen items and/or items that are hazardous to the health and welfare of students, a search could be conducted. Homeroom teachers will conduct periodic locker checks and clean-out days throughout the school year.

STUDENT RECORDS

Schools in the Franklin Special School District collect and maintain student records to provide a basis for evaluation and delivery of services to students. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) sets out requirements designed to protect the privacy of parents and students. Specifically, the statute governs disclosure of records maintained by educational institutions. In brief, the statute provides that such institutions must provide all students’ parents/guardians access to official records directly related to their student(s) and an opportunity for a hearing to challenge such records on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate; that institutions must obtain the consent of parents before releasing personally identifiable data about students from records to other than a specified list of exceptions; and that parents and students must be notified of these rights.

Types of Information–The school system maintains various types of records as described below:
1. Attendance records
2. Scholastic records
3. Medical records
4. Discipline records (including individual assessment)
5. Directory information
6. System-wide group test results
7. Special education data

Directory information can be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that publish yearbooks or sports conferences. FSSD has designated the following information in a student’s educational record as “directory information”:
1. Student name
2. Physical and electronic mail address
3. Date and place of birth
4. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
5. Weight and height of members of athletic teams
6. Honors and awards
7. Dates of attendance and grade level

If a parent or guardian does not want a student’s directory information released or published in any manner (e.g., school publications, such as the directory, the yearbook, honor roll or recognition lists, promotions programs, and sports activity sheets), a Non-Release of Directory Information Form is available in the school office and should be completed and returned to the school. Forms remain active throughout a student’s time in the FSSD. It may be voided only by parent or guardian signature.

Locations and Authorized Custodians
The primary source of access is the school in which a student is enrolled. The principal is the authorized custodian for these records. The Director of Special Education regulates records of students involved in Special Education Programs, including the dates of individual assessments. If a student leaves the FSSD, the student record will be sent to the new school upon written request from that school.

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

Parents of Franklin Special School District students have the right to know professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct their children. Federal law, under ESSA § 1112(e)(1)(A), allows them to ask for certain information about classroom teachers, which the school district will provide in a timely manner.

Specifically, parents have the right to ask for the following information about each child’s classroom teacher:

• Whether the Tennessee Department of Education has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades and subjects he or she teaches.
• Whether the Tennessee State Department of Education has decided that the teacher can teach in a classroom without being licensed or qualified under state regulations because of special circumstances.
• Whether the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of their certification.
• Whether any teachers’ aides or similar paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.

If you would like to receive any of this information, call the FSSD Human Resources department at 615-794-6624.

TECHNOLOGY

We fully understand cell phones, smartwatches, and other personal electronic devices are a part of our everyday lives.  However, we do not believe they have a regular place in the elementary classroom. If students must bring a cell phone to school, it should remain turned off and in the child’s backpack during the school day. If a child has a smartwatch, it must not be utilized during the school day. If they are out during the school day without teacher's permission, the technology will be kept in the front office, the parent will be contacted, and the parent can decide if they want to pick it up or send it home with the student.

TESTING CALENDAR

All testing will happen within the windows of this calendar.  However, students will not be tested every day within the window.

VISITORS

Visitors must be 18 or older to eat with students without being accompanied by a parent. In a continuing effort to prioritize the safety and security of our school campuses as well as the students and employees therein, the Franklin Special School District Board of Education amended its Board Policy 1.501 (Visitors to School/District Properties – Security Management), effective Monday, May 8, 2017. Per this policy, “All visitors shall be required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID when they enter any school building or office during normal hours of operation and all visitors may be subject to a background check.”

If you do not have a current government-issued photo ID, then please speak to the school principal or assistant principal, and they will be glad to assist you.

Those who are simply visiting the office for the purpose of speaking to staff, filling out paperwork, or dropping items off do not need to present identification. However, anyone who wishes to visit an area beyond the office must abide by this revised policy.

Public schools are not public places, and school officials have a duty to protect the students while they are on campus. While we always welcome visitors and guests, we understand this very serious obligation and are proud that our school board has deemed this a priority by placing it in policy.

As we begin this school year, we respectfully request that all visitors adhere to this new policy, and we thank you in advance for your understanding and support.

Once you have signed in and provided appropriate identification, you will be given a visitor’s pass to enter the rest of the school building. Please sign out and return the visitor’s pass to the office prior to leaving campus.

ZERO TOLERANCE

In order to ensure a safe and secure learning environment free of drugs, alcohol, violence, and dangerous weapons, any student who engages in such behaviors will be subject to suspension for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. The Director of Schools shall have the authority to modify this suspension requirement on a case-by-case basis. Zero-Tolerance acts are cited in detail in FSSD Board Policy (FSSD Board Policy 6.316).

BULLY/INTIMIDATION – FSSD Board Policy 6.304

The Franklin Special School District Board of Education revised its policy related to discrimination/harassment and bullying/intimidation in March 2013. While the policy in its entirety may be found at this link http://boardpolicy.net/documents/files/franklinspecial/6304.pdf, a brief summary follows:

• Physically harming a student or damaging his/her property 
• Placing a student in a reasonable fear of harm
• Causing emotional distress
• Creating a hostile educational environment

Bullying may also be unwelcome conduct based on race, nationality, origin, color, gender, age, disability, or religion that is severe, pervasive or persistent, and creates a hostile learning environment. See the detailed policy with further definitions related to cyberbullying and hazing.

School administrators are responsible for educating and training their respective staff and students related to the above-mentioned policy revisions. Alleged victims, staff members, students, parents/guardians, and all other members of the school community should report suspected incidents of discrimination/harassment and bullying/intimidation to the building administrator.  The principal/designee at each school shall be responsible for investigating and resolving all reported complaints. School administrators shall consider the nature and circumstances of the incident, the age of the violator, the degree of harm, previous incidences or patterns of behavior, or any other factors, as appropriate to properly respond to each situation. Upon the determination a violation of policy has occurred, a written report will be delivered to the parents of the complainant, the parents of the accused, and to the Director of Schools. 

The Director of Schools/designee will prepare a report in July each year of all bullying cases brought to the attention of school officials during the prior academic year. The report also shall indicate how the cases were resolved and/or reasons a case may still be pending. This report shall be presented to the district’s Board of Education and submitted to the State Department of Education. 

Retaliation against any person who reports or assists in any investigation of an act alleged in this policy, including the reporting of false accusations, is strictly prohibited.  The school administrator will determine appropriate consequences and remedial action after consideration of the nature, severity, and circumstances of the act.

All school community members are encouraged to maintain open lines of communication involving incidents that may be a violation of this policy. It is very important students feel empowered to reach out to a trusted adult and bring to light actions that may constitute bullying, harassment, discrimination, or intimidation. Parents, teachers, guidance counselors, and school administrators play key roles in ensuring students have open lines of communication. If you have further questions, then please read the policy in full and contact the school for assistance and/or clarification.  

CHILD FIND PROGRAM

The Franklin Special School District Child Find Program identifies preschool through eighth-grade children with special education needs including mental retardation, developmental delays, autism, specific learning disabilities, serious emotional disturbance, multiple disabilities, intellectually gifted, traumatic brain injury, blindness, and following impairments: speech/language, hearing, orthopedic, visual, and physical.

Screenings and/or evaluations may be provided free of charge by the school district.  If deemed necessary, the child then may be referred for special education services. If you suspect your child needs additional support to achieve his or her educational potential, please contact the FSSD Special Populations Department at 615-794-6624.

CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents may access information about child advocacy groups and information on how to contact the Tennessee Department of Education for information on student rights and services from the following agencies:

CUSTODIAL OR PRIMARY CARE PARENTS

We must give both parents equal access to their child(ren) and the child(ren)’s records unless you have provided the school office with a copy of a court document stating otherwise.  The document must be signed by a judge and stamped “filed” with a court.  At the beginning of the school year, please provide us a copy of any court order, Marital Dissolution Agreement (MDA), Permanent Parenting Plan (PPP), or other legal documentation that impacts your child(ren). If anything changes during the school year, then please provide us an updated document “filed” with the court. This is the only way we can “hold” a child if the other parent comes to pick up the child.  We cannot stop a parent from picking up his/her child(ren) until we have the appropriate documentation.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Franklin Special School District, in its employment of personnel and its educational activities with students, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Employees of the Franklin Special School District are appointed as coordinators of the various activities ensuring compliance with federal laws and regulations, including the U.S. Department of Education regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Vocational Education Programs Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of Race, Color, and National Origin, Sex and Handicap, and U.S. Department of Justice regulations implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For more information, please contact the FSSD Central Office at 615-794-6624.

NON-RELEASE FORMS

The Franklin Special School District’s Non-Release Form is available to parents who do not wish for the public release of their child’s “directory information.” The district assumes that all students/parents consent to the public release of directory information unless the Non-Release Form is filled out by a parent or guardian and returned to the school.

Please note that this form precludes your child’s photograph and information from being included in school publications such as the directory and the yearbook. If you would like a form, then contact the school office.  The form remains active and follows your child throughout his/her time in the FSSD. It only may be voided by parent/guardian signature.

PARENT CONTRACT

The FSSD Board of Education has approved a school-parent contract document designed to encourage family involvement and shared responsibility for student learning. The document will go home at the beginning of the school year and should be read, discussed, and signed by each administrator, teacher, parent/guardian, and student.  FSSD is committed to creating a partnership in education.

PARENT SQUARE

FSSD uses a communications service to help keep parents/guardians connected to their children's school(s). Parent Square is an internet-based communication hub that enables school administrators to schedule, send, and track personalized messages to thousands of staff and parents ensuring they all receive the same message quickly. The Parent Square service will be used to complement our emergency preparedness procedures and inform parents of unplanned school closings or upcoming school events. Feel free to update your contact information by calling the school office, emailing connected@fssd.org or by calling 615-472-3773. Please be sure to leave your name and the number that should be updated or removed from our calling list.

RESPECT FOR STUDENT PRIVACY ONLINE

When attending school events, the Franklin Special School District recognizes that attendees often want to videotape and/or photograph the students. However, in an effort to respect the privacy concerns of others as well as to honor the state and federal privacy laws of individual students whose parents/guardians have specifically requested not to be photographed, the District strongly requests that any video footage and/or still images of non-custodial students NOT be posted online to sites such as, but not limited to, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, etc.  Although the FSSD strongly urges attendees to respect the privacy of others, families also must recognize that the District has no means for preventing attendees from taking such actions. A general courtesy is to ask for parental permission before posting videos or photographs of students/families online.     

SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES

Health and Medication Policies

Health Screenings

Emergency Procedures at School

Each school in the FSSD is equipped to deal with life-threatening emergencies.  The school nurse and school personnel who have been trained in accordance with state regulations are available to respond to these emergencies.  An AED (automatic defibrillator) is located in each gymnasium and will be used in the event of a suspected cardiac emergency.  Emergency epinephrine auto-injectors also are available in each school and will be used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) that can occur in response to a known or unknown allergen.  Students with a known life-threatening allergy require their own medications as prescribed in their “Individualized Healthcare Plan” which can be available if needed at school or on field trips. In the event of these and other emergencies, 911 will be called.  Contact the school nurse or administrator for any questions or concerns regarding emergency procedures.

Illness at School

• They have had a fever of 100 degrees or higher in the past 24 hours.
• They have had vomiting or diarrhea two (2) or more times in the past 24 hours. 
• They have been on antibiotics for strep throat, pink eye, or other infections for less than 24 hours.

Students will be sent home for the following:

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher (must be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school)
• Vomiting or diarrhea (Must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school).
• Unexplained rash (must have a doctor’s note that student is not contagious to return to school)
• Suspected pink eye (must have 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school OR have a note from the doctor stating the student is not contagious)
• Lice.  FSSD has a strict NO NIT, NO BUG policy.  See nurse for lice eviction guidelines

Medications at School

State law prohibits dispensing of medications at school without a completed medication form.  This applies to prescription AND non-prescription medications.  This includes medications such as Tylenol, and Motrin, behavioral medications, and ointments (e.g., Neosporin, hydrocortisone, etc).  If your child requires medication during the school day or if you would like to have medications available at school to be given if needed, then please complete a medication request form. These forms are available from the school clinic or can be downloaded from the website at www.fssd.org. All medications administered at school must be FDA-approved. For chronic health conditions such as diabetes, food allergies, and asthma, an individualized healthcare plan (IHP) should be developed to provide for the health needs of those students (see your school nurse immediately upon school entry).  In the event of an emergency at school and medications have not been made available, 911 will be called.  

Non-Prescription (Over-the-Counter) Medications 

These require a parent/guardian signature.  The medication must be in a new, unopened container with the name of the medication and expiration date clearly visible.

Prescription Medications; Complementary and Alternative Medications

These require both a doctor’s signature and a parent/guardian's signature.  The medication must be in a labeled prescription medication bottle from the pharmacy. Students may carry inhalers ONLY, but we still must have a medication authorization on file.  

Medications must be brought to the clinic by a parent or legal guardian.  It is a violation of state law for students to possess medications on the school bus or school grounds unless provided for in the IHP.  Any medications not picked up by the end of the school year will be discarded.

It is very important that we have your home, work, and cell phone numbers.  Please make sure to notify us of any changes.  We must be able to contact you in case of an emergency, illness, or injury.    

STUDENT RECORDS

Schools in the Franklin Special School District collect and maintain student records to provide a basis for the evaluation and delivery of services to students. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) sets out requirements designed to protect the privacy of parents and students. Specifically, the statute governs the disclosure of records maintained by educational institutions. In brief, the statute provides that such institutions must provide all student’s parents/guardians access to official records directly related to their student(s) and an opportunity for a hearing to challenge such records on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate; those institutions must obtain the consent of parents before releasing personally identifiable data about students from records to other than a specified list of exceptions; and that parents and students must be notified of these rights.

1. Attendance records
2. Scholastic records
3. Medical records
4. Discipline records (including individual assessment)
5. Directory information
6. System-wide group test results
7. Special education data

1. Student name
2. Physical and electronic mail address
3. Date and place of birth
4. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
5. Weight and height of members of athletic teams
6. Honors and awards
7. Dates of attendance and grade level

If a parent or guardian does not want a student’s directory information released or published in any manner (e.g.,  school publications, such as the directory, the yearbook, honor roll or recognition lists, promotions programs, and sports activity sheets), a Non-Release of Directory Information Form is available in the school office and should be completed and returned to the school. Forms remain active throughout a student’s time in the FSSD. It may be voided only by parent or guardian signature.

Locations and Authorized Custodians

The primary source of access is the school in which a student is enrolled. The principal is the authorized custodian for these records. The Director of Special Education regulates records of students involved in Special Education Programs, including the dates of individual assessments. If a student leaves the FSSD, the student record will be sent to the new school upon a written request from that school.

TESTING CALENDAR

All testing will happen within the windows of this calendar.  However, students will not be tested every day within the window.

THREAT ASSESSMENT

It is important to note that any and all threats of harm made by a student of any age or in any grade will be taken seriously and that the threat assessment procedure will be followed accordingly.

ZERO TOLERANCE

In order to ensure a safe and secure learning environment free of drugs, alcohol, violence, and dangerous weapons, any student who engages in such behaviors will be subject to suspension for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year.  The Director of Schools shall have the authority to modify this suspension requirement on a case-by-case basis.  Zero-Tolerance acts are cited in detail in FSSD Board Policy (FSSD Board Policy 6.316).

TDOE

Answers to many questions may be obtained from the State Department of Education by calling 1-888-212-3162 or visiting https://www.tn.gov/education.html

CHILD ADVOCACY INFORMATION

In addition to the state and local resources available to parents and children, there are many agencies and organizations that offer support, information, training, and help in advocating for persons with disabilities in Tennessee. A few of these organizations are listed below:

416 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212, 615-298-1080, Toll free: 1-800-287-9636, TTY: 615-298-2471, Fax: 615-298-2046

1315 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203, 615-269-7751, Fax: 615-269-8914, TN Toll Free: 800-670-9882, TVC@tnvoices.org

These are but a few of the organizations available to help with information, training, and advocacy. For a more extensive list visit the Tennessee Disability Services – Disability Pathfinder Database: https://www.tnpathfinder.org/
The Department of Education and the Franklin Special School District do not intend this as an endorsement or recommendation for any individual organization or service represented in this list.

HOMELESS EDUCATION

Children may qualify for consideration under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act if any of the following apply: you live in a shelter, motel, vehicle, campground, abandoned building or trailer, or other inadequate accommodations or if you live with friends or relatives because of the inability to afford adequate housing. If any of these apply, you may be entitled to all services, rights, and protections provided under this law. Children have the right to attend school. They have the right to continue In the school last attended before becoming homeless (if that is your Choice and it is feasible) and receive transportation to the school last attended prior to becoming homeless if requested. Children may enroll in a school without a permanent address, school records, or immunization records in hand. The school will provide assistance in obtaining proper documentation, and homeless children will receive the same special programs and services provided to all other children. For more information, please call 615-794-6624.

UNSAFE SCHOOL CHOICE

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

It is the policy of the FSSD not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, national origin, creed, age, marital status, or status of disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies as required by Title VI and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Inquiries about compliance may be directed to the Civil Rights Coordinator at the FSSD Board of Education office at 615-794-6624.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

Initial grievance regarding complaints relative to Title VI, Title IX or Section 504 must be directed to the Civil Rights Coordinator. Complaints must be filed in writing to the Civil Rights Coordinator with a copy sent to the person or persons against whom allegations are made. The coordinator will notify all parties involved in the allegation of discrimination within five (5) days of receiving the initial grievance as to the date and time of the hearing. The hearing must be held no later than thirty (30) days from the time of the initial filing of the complaint. If an allegation of discrimination involves student admissions or programs, the coordinator will call the entire hearing before a committee composed of the principal, guidance counselor, and homeroom teacher. All parties involved will give ample opportunity for the presentation of evidence. If the complaint cannot be resolved in the meeting, another hearing will be scheduled within five (5) days of the appeal and will be called no later than forty-five (45) days from the date of the first hearing. This hearing will be before the director of schools and the Board of Education. The results of each hearing will be presented in writing to all parties involved within five (5) days of the grievance hearing.

If a satisfactory solution cannot be obtained locally, appeals can be made to the Office of Civil Rights in Washington, DC. The completion of a hearing at the local level is not a prerequisite for filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights. No person who files a grievance or participates in a grievance hearing shall be subjected to harassment, reprisals, or retaliation in any form. Forms for filing initial grievances are available in the office of the Board of Education.

RIGHT TO REVIEW TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS - NCLB TITLE I

Title I of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) provides parents the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of a student's classroom teachers and any paraprofessionals providing support to the child.  Parents must be provided, upon request, state qualifications and license criteria for teachers and paraprofessionals.  For more information, contact the Human Resources Department at 615-794-6624.

SAFE AND DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES ACT–TITLE IV-A

The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act is designed to support programs that prevent violence in and around schools; that prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs; that involve parents and communities; and that are coordinated with related federal, state, school, and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment that supports student academic achievement.

SECTION 504—FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS STATUTE ENACTED IN 1973

Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. It states the following: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance . . . .”

Section 504 regulations require school districts to provide a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE) to each qualified student with a disability who is in the school district’s jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. That is, students with disabilities will be provided with educational services designed to meet their individual needs to the same extent as the needs of students without disabilities are met. An appropriate education for a student with a disability under the Section 504 regulations could consist of education in regular classrooms, education in regular classes with supplementary services, and/or special education and related services.

• Have a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (walking, breathing, learning, seeing, hearing, ability to take care of oneself)
• Have a record of such impairment
• Be regarded as having such impairment