QUALITY STANDARDS
These quality standards have been developed by a committee of parents, teachers and school staff to ensure consistency in all of our classrooms.



BEHAVIOR

· Staff will adapt the Assertive Discipline Plan to the classroom.
· Students will follow the Discipline Plan for our school.
· Parents will reinforce and support these guidelines.



CHARACTER EDUCATION

· Staff will implement the BEST program, which fosters an atmosphere where characteristics such as responsibility, tolerance, trust and
honesty are emphasized.
· Students will exhibit the above characteristics in their interaction with others.
· Parents will support the school’s effort to foster good values.

CLASSROOM TIME
· Staff will maximize all learning time.
· Students must arrive on time.
· Parents will make every effort to have children at school during regular school hours (appointments, vacations, etc., should be scheduled
around school hours).

CLASSROOM WORK
· Staff will provide work that is challenging and appropriate for each child.
· Students will become active class members, giving their best effort in all their work.
· Parents will be informed about and supportive of their child’s learning.

COMMUNICATION
· Staff will provide consistent, timely, ongoing communication.
· Students will be responsible for delivering written communication between home and school.
· Parents will be responsible for reviewing and responding to all school communication and will work closely with their child’s teacher to maintain an effective partnership.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS/PHONE

Parents are responsible for notifying the Principal’s Office and the teacher of any change of address or phone number. Also, remember to notify the school of any changes in business numbers or emergency numbers. This is extremely important in the event that your child becomes ill or is injured at the school.

CURRICULUM
· Staff will adhere to district and state curriculum guidelines.
· Students will strive to meet or exceed all competencies outlined in the curricula.
· Parents will become aware of the curriculum and the competencies to be met.


EXPECTATIONS
· Staff will have high expectations for all students.
· Students must come to school on time and be prepared to learn daily.
· Parents will hold high expectations for their child and support the learning process.


HOMEWORK

· Staff will provide homework, which provides for application and reinforcement.
· Students will take responsibility for completing and returning homework on time.
· Parents will provide an appropriate learning environment and supplement class work with additional, enriching experiences outside of
school.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
· Staff will work together to provide a school environment that is stimulating, safe, clean and orderly.
· Students will be active participants in maintaining this environment, showing respect for the rights and property of others.
· Parents will participate by volunteering when possible.

METHODOLOGY
· Staff will use a variety of instructional strategies to enhance the learning process.
· Students will be enthusiastic participants in all learning activities.
· Parents will become aware and open to a balance of teaching methodologies.

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
· Staff will effectively use the Agenda to teach organizational skills and time management.
· Students will effectively use the Agenda as a planner and other organizational tools.
· Parents will monitor the use of the Agenda and provide guidance for planning long term assignments.


READ ALOUD BOOKS

Our goal is that each Magnolia student read, write and speak to his/her maximum potential. Studies indicate that children who are read aloud
to daily and are coached by their parents become successful readers. Thus, reading aloud is an integral part of our reading program, not just a
frill. Your child’s teacher will model good reading behaviors using the books listed below for each grade level. Parents are encouraged to
continue reading aloud at home and to discuss what you and your child read. Together, we can promote a love of books and present reading as
a pleasurable activity.

Kindergarten

Blueberries For Sal
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Corduroy
The Little Engine That Could



First Grade

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very 
Bad Day
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
Miss Nelson is Missing
Heckedy Peg



Second Grade

Herbie Jones
The Giving Tree
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Stories Julian Tells


Third Grade

How to Be Cool in Third Grade
The Kid in the Red Jacket
Class Clown
James and The Giant Peach

Fourth Grade

Stone Fox
The Janitor's boy
Ramona The Pest
Sarah Plain and Tall



Fifth Grade

Stone Fox
The Cay
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Where the Red Fern Grows


GIFTED EDUCATION

Eligibility Criteria

A student is eligible for placement in the Gifted Education Program if he/she meets eligibility requirements in one of the following categories: 
I or II.
I. Mental Ability and Achievement: Grades K-2: Total score or 99 percentile on a mental ability test and minimum achievement test score of
90 percentile in total reading or total math. Grades 3-12: Total test score of 96 percentile and minimum achievement test score of 90
percentile in total reading or total math.
II Multiple Criteria (grades K-12)-meeting criteria 
in three out of the four categories below: 
A. Mental ability-96 percentile total or component score on a mental ability test
B. Achievement-90 percentile min. score in total reading or total math on an achievement test (Iowa Test of Basic Skills)
C. Creativity-90 percentile min. score on a creativity test
D. Motivation-Overall 88 academic average, 
E. during the last two years (grades 4-12) or 90 percentile score on a motivational characteristics rating scale in grades K-3.


Program Description for Elementary Grades

Gifted students in grades 1-5 attend L.I.F.E. Lab, Learning In a Flexible Environment. Students are transported to the Gifted Center one
morning and one afternoon each week for a total of five hours. Using thematic units, students receive in-depth study in a variety of subjects. 
Units include many “hands-on” activities that require use of higher level critical thinking skills. Field trips are also planned to enhance the
specific learning objectives.


Referral Process and Testing

Students may be referred for gifted evaluation and testing by the classroom teacher, counselor and/or the parent. Referral is based on
superior classroom performance, demonstration of gifted behavioral characteristics and 90 percentile in total math or total reading on the Iowa
Test of Basic Skills. Test scores are valid for two years; therefore testing will not be necessary each year.

Continuation Policy
Students in grades three through five must maintain a passing grade in each regular academic subject and have an overall 85 academic
average for each grading period. Students in first and second grade must have an overall satisfaction performance for each grading period. A
probationary period is provided for students who fail to meet these criteria. If a student fails to improve his/her performance after the
probationary period, he or she will be removed from the program. Regular attendance in the program is required.

BOOKS
Textbooks are issued by the school. Library books are also provided by the school and are available for students to check out for a period of
two weeks. Children are responsible for lost or damaged books while they are in their custody. If a student has an overdue book, they will not
be allowed to check out additional books until the overdue book is returned. Report cards will be held if lost books are not paid for or returned.

DAMAGED PROPERTY
Intentional damage to school property is not tolerated! If property is intentionally damaged, parents will be held responsible for costs and
disciplinary action will be taken against student(s) involved. In case of damage caused by persons not affiliated with Magnolia Elementary, the
police will be notified. Please notify the principal if you are aware of any obvious damage being done to our school facilities.

STUDENT PERFORMANCE/EVALUATION
Report cards will be sent home at the end of each six (6) weeks. This is a means of informing parents/guardians of the student's progress, or
lack of progress, in each subject.

GRADING SCALE
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
F = Below 70
I = Incomplete
E = Excellent
S = Satisfactory
N = Needs to improve
U = Unsatisfactory

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN
A. Start each day right; a calm beginning at home makes the school day much better.
B. Encourage your child to have a good breakfast and lunch. Make certain that your child sleeps at least eight hours each night. 
C. Praise your child each day for something he/she has done. Have a special place to put school work or whatever is brought home. 
D. Laugh and talk with your child about school experiences and listen attentively to what is said about your child's school day experiences.
E. Stress attendance. If the child is ill, home is the best place; otherwise, your child needs to take advantage of every school day.
F. Keep the lines of communication open between yourself and your child's teacher. Inform the teacher of any family situation which could
influence your child's behavior. Also, if he/she is reluctant to go to school, let the teacher know so that together you can find the reason.
G. Take your child to the library and encourage reading for pleasure.
H. Stress organization of school notebooks, materials, etc.
I. Provide pencils, glue, scissors, paper, etc., for your child to use.
J. Work at home with skills taught at school.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education is an integral part of the instructional program. All children will be required to participate unless a doctor's certificate is
presented. If on a particular day your child cannot participate, please send a signed note to your child's teacher. A daily not will be satisfactory
for up to three (3) consecutive days. After that time, a doctor's statement is required.

TEXTBOOKS
Textbooks are furnished to your child by the school system on a loan basis and should be treated as borrowed property. Students must pay
for the loss or abuse of textbooks.

HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework and its effect on learning have been well researched over the years. Data supports that homework increases achievement and
affects learning three times as much as socioeconomic status. 
Homework will be assigned to all students. Students in grades 1-5 should record his/her assignments daily, weekly or long term in their
Student Agenda. This book will help the student manage his/her time and sets priorities.

Policy: Students will be assigned 100 points in each subject area. The teacher will deduct 5 points each time a homework assignment is not
done. Points remaining at the end of the six weeks will be averaged with the other grades in the subject.
Example: If a student earns grades of 100. 75, 84, 62 and misses four (4) homework assignments (100 - 20), he/she will have 80 averaged with the
other grades. 100 + 75 + 84 + 62 + 80 = 80 (six week's grade).

POEMS, PROVERBS, AND/OR QUOTES
At Magnolia Elementary School poems, proverbs and quotes are used to motivate and inspire children into discovering the truth about
themselves and the world around them. The children use this genre for memory work and during writing and discussion times.

Policy: Students are required to memorize poems and proverbs within a designated time and will be given a grade of one hundred points to be
averaged with their social studies and/or language arts grades. A sliding scale will be utilized for each weekly attempt thereafter. (75, 50, 25, 0)

NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY
The Dougherty County School System is an equal opportunity institution and complies with applicable federal and state laws prohibiting
discrimination including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title II of the Vocational Education Amendments of 1976, Title VE of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is the policy of the Dougherty County School System that no person, on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, mental status age, or handicap, shall be discriminated against in employment,
educational programs and activities, or admissions.

GENERAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

REGISTRATION

All children entering Dougherty County’s kindergarten program must be five years old on or before September 1st. A certified birth certificate is required. The state of Georgia requires an immunization certificate and proof of vision, hearing and dental screenings. The certificates are available from the Dougherty County Health Department or from your doctor’s or dentist’s office. The state also requires a copy
of the student’s social security card or a signed waiver. Parents will need to furnish proof of residence. These same certificates and documents are required for children entering any grade level from other schools outside of Dougherty County.


ATTENDANCE/ABSENTEES

A note explaining why a student was absent should be sent to school the first day and no later than the second day upon the student’s return to school. If a note is not submitted, the student’s absence will be recorded as unexcused. The school may require a medical excuse for a student who misses more than ten days of a semester.


Arrival/Dismissal Schedule

7:30 a.m. Breakfast begins
8:20 a.m. Breakfast ends
8:35 a.m. Tardy Bell
2:45 p.m. Bus Students released
2:50 p.m. Walkers released
3:00 p.m. Car Riders released


TARDIES

School begins at 8:30 each morning. The tardy bell rings at 8:35 a.m. Students who are tardy must report to the office to receive an admission slip to class. A parent should accompany his/her child.
Tardies will be documented on the attendance sheet by date and time. A signed log will be kept in the office or classroom for tardy students.  Tardy letters will be sent home to parents after the sixth and twelfth day. . Parents are encouraged to stress the importance of promptness to their children. 


EARLY DISMISSAL

Students leaving and coming to class are distractions to the learning process. Therefore, we discourage students leaving school during the day, and we encourage parents to schedule appointments for students at times other than school hours. When it is necessary for a student to be dismissed during the school day, the parent/guardian must come to the office to sign the student out. Students will not be released to any one other than the custodial parent or guardian without specific authorization. If your child’s dismissal routine is changed in any way, you
must let the teacher know in writing. Otherwise, we will not change a child's transportation. The school should be notified in writing of any special circumstances related to your child’s dismissal.
*Note: Your child will not receive a “Perfect Attendance” certificate if he/she is checked out early or arrives late to school.


WITHDRAWAL

Parents should notify the office and the child’s teacher as early as possible when moving so that grades and other records will be ready.



BUS STUDENTS

We have some outstanding Bus Drivers serving our school and we trust them with driving our students and your children to and from school. In order that they get your child home safely, we must all work together.
The student, the driver, the parent and the school staff want our children to have a safe way to and from school. Therefore, we cannot let one or two children make it difficult for the driver to concentrate on the road and jeopardize the safety of our students. If the bus driver reports to the principal in writing that he/she cannot drive safely because of your child’s behavior, the following consequences will occur:
1st Offense: Warning
2nd Offense: Contact with student and parent
3rd Offense: Removal from bus for one to three days
4th Offense: Removal from bus for three to ten days
5th Offense: Removal from bus for the remainder of the school year (Administrator’s discretion)
Fighting and extreme safety violations are the exceptions. A student will be removed from the bus immediately for these two infractions.


TRAFFIC SAFETY

Please help us to prevent the risk of serious injury by carefully adhering to all rules of traffic safety:

1. All students should be dropped off and picked up in the school circular drive only. Please do not put your child into a hazardous situation
by dropping him/her off in an unauthorized or unsupervised area. This rule is only intended to prevent serious injury and to ensure the
safety of all students.
2. Do not stop to pick up a child until you have driven to the far end of the pick-up area directly behind the car ahead of you. Please maintain
one lane of traffic in the school driveway. 
3. Do not park in the bus loading zones.
4. Children are not permitted to cross the driveway unless accompanied by an adult. Acknowledge and obey the school safety patrols. 
Walking students have the right of way.
5. Bicycles may be ridden to school by students and parked in the proper place. Upon entering the school zone, a student must get off
his/her bicycle and walk it inside the school area. When leaving school, bicycles must be walked out of the school zone.


VISITOR’S PASS

You are invited to visit our school at any time. However, appointments should be made with the teacher so that class time is not interrupted. 
Unnecessary interruptions consume time and hinder the learning process. 
For the protection of the students and security in the school, it is required that any person entering the building during the day must come to the office to obtain a visitor’s pass. No student will be permitted to leave the building with a visitor unless it is cleared with the office. Return visitor’s pass to the office upon leaving the building.


EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM

Magnolia Elementary School is pleased to offer “Extended Day” services that meet the needs of the “Latchkey Child.” The staff consists of one site coordinator, an activity coordinator and an activity leader per every ten to fifteen children served. The service provides homework assistance, school remediation and enrichment, field trips, special stage presentations, plays and other enrichment activities.
The program serves K-5 students each school day throughout the regular school year. Fees are $20 weekly. Reduced fees are available based on the child’s lunch status. Fees are due on Monday and are collected at school sites. The hours are 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please pick your child up on time. If not, you will be charged a late fee and children can be exited from the program.


DISCIPLINE

In an effort to create and maintain a positive school climate, we have a plan with reasonable rules that include natural, logical and realistic consequences. Each student plays an important role in his/her educational programming. Success will be based on a joint effort to learn, relate and experience. In order to have this positive climate, we rely on our students to make appropriate choices so that nothing interferes with the
teaching/learning process at Magnolia.

Unacceptable/Inappropriate Behavior

*Disrespect to any member of the faculty or staff
*Use of profanity or obscene gestures
*Abuse of school property
*Bringing knives or other weapons
*Leaving school grounds or classroom without 
  permission
*Truancy
*Possession of drugs or controlled substances
*Possession of obscene literature
*Stealing
*We have Zero Tolerance for fighting! 
(Suspension)
It is necessary that children learn to develop self-discipline in order to further their learning. We ask that parents/guardians discuss with the
child the importance of and the need for good behavior and a positive attitude at school.


DRESS CODE POLICY

Uniforms are mandatory for all K-5 students. All elementary schools (K-5) will adhere to the following uniform dress requirements:

1. White or navy collared shirt (short or long-sleeved, cotton-blend or knit)
2. Khaki or navy blue bottoms (pants, skirts, jumpers or shorts to be no more than two inches above the knee)
    Additional standards for school attire are applicable. 

If a parent or guardian desires to exempt his/her child from the mandatory uniform policy, the parent or guardian must request from the school office an Application for Exemption. The parent or guardian must submit the completed application to the school principal in a timely manner. A meeting will be set up for the parent to meet with the principal and possibly a system administrator to discuss the application. If the exemption is granted, the parent will be given the Dougherty County policy for other school attire. The exempted student will be require to adhere to this policy as well as all students in fourth and fifth grades. 

It is hoped that the Dougherty County School System students, parents and system personnel will enter into this new mandatory uniform policy with a positive attitude and belief that it can make a difference at our schools. Please call the school office if you have questions or concerns.

STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL ATTIRE
1. Clothing must be free from tears, rips, holes, etc.
2. Clothing or jewelry which depicts or suggests sexually related or obscene gestures or pictures or wording    which promote the use/abuse of
drugs, alcohol, tobacco or any controlled substance shall not be worn on campus or at school activities.
3. Students shall not wear articles of clothing, jewelry or accessories which, in the opinion of the school principal, pose a clear and immediate
threat to the physical well-being or safety of other students on campus: i.e., heavy chains holding keys or wallets, spike collars, wrist bands
or metal toes of shoes.

I. Shirts and blouses:
(a) Shirts and blouses must have sleeves, and be free of writing, emblems and logos.
(b) All styles except halters, tank tops, deep V-necks, strapless tops (bustier, tube tops, etc.), undershirts and others that expose the bodice or abdomen.
(c) All fabrics except sheer, see-through (organza, net, unlined lace, etc.), clinging, or form-fitting fabrics.
(d) Worn tucked inside skirts or slacks unless designed as an overblouse.
(e) Buttoned or zipped properly.
(f) Sized appropriately for the wearer.

I. Skirts, dresses and jumpers:
(a) Dresses must have sleeves.
(b) Any length that is not more than two inches above the knee and not below the ankle.
(c) All styles except halters, sun-backs, tubes and after-five.
(d) Sized appropriately for the wearer.
(e) Blouse or T-shirt worn with jumpers.

II. Pants and shorts:
(a) Worn at the hemmed length not more than two inches above the knee.
(b) Pants must fit the student and cannot be oversized and must be hemmed. Additionally, pants must be worn at the waist (sagging
and drooping are not allowed) and should touch the top of the student's shoe. Pants with loops must be secured with a belt.
(c) Shorts must not be below the knees and no more than two inches above the knee.

III. Shoes and socks:
(a) Properly laced and tied securely.
(b) Buckled, clamped or fastened as appropriate. No slides. They must have a heal strap and have no more  than a one inch heal for
safety purposes.
(c) Socks are required with all shoes except sandals. Socks must go above the ankle and be visible above the shoe. Socks with shorts must not go above mid-calf.

IV. Outerwear, coats, hats, caps, etc:
(a) Must be free of writing, pictures, emblems and logos, except those of the teams or groups at the school or those of colleges or
universities.
(b) Coats, headgear and gloves are to be removed and stored appropriately when inside the building.
(c) Umbrellas must be store appropriately.

V. Jewelry and Accessories:
(a) Single post earrings and hoop earrings no larger than quarters are acceptable.
(b) No more than two bracelets or rings may be worn at any time.
(c) Nose rings, nose pins, tongue rings and tongue pins are not acceptable.
(d) Students shall not wear dark glasses in the classroom.



CAFETERIA INFORMATION

Breakfast will be served from 7:30 until 8:20 a.m. Those students who will be eating breakfast should go directly to the cafeteria. Students must be on time to participate in the breakfast program. Any student arriving on campus later than 8:15 a.m. is encouraged to have breakfast at home. The breakfast program ends promptly at 8:20 a.m. All students will be issued a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for use in the cafeteria. This numbers acts as the account number for the child. Please send lunch money in an envelope clearly labeled with the child’s name, PIN number and teacher’s name. Students will deposit the envelope in the designated box in the cafeteria. No money will be accepted unless it is deposited in this manner.
***Students are not allowed to bring drinks in cans or glass containers.
Parents are welcome to join their children for lunch. Adult lunches cost $2.00. Please let your child’s teacher know if you plan to have lunch with your child.


MEDICINE

If your child requires medication that must be given during school hours, we ask that the parent bring the medicine to the office in a container appropriately labeled by pharmacy or physician. Written orders from the physician must accompany the medicine along with the written consent of parents to give the medicine.


TELEPHONE

Parents may call the Principal’s Office (431-3376) for information and assistance. Students are permitted to use the phone only in case of an emergency.


GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING

The school counselor provides guidance services to all students in our school. These include, but are not limited to individual and small group counseling, classroom guidance, student/parent/teacher conferences and parenting classes. Conferences with the counselor may be arranged by calling 431-3376. Your visit to the Guidance Office will be welcomed.


SPECIAL EVENTS

At Magnolia, we have a variety of special events which help to strengthen school spirit. We ask that families get involved to make the occasions complete. Please note the specific dates and times as listed in the agenda.


GOOD AFTERNOON MAGNOLIA

We have our own television program. Each afternoon at 2:20 “Good Afternoon Magnolia” ends the day with the Pledge and the National Anthem. It prepares us for the following day by announcing birthdays, the menu and important information. Some presentations by many of the classes have been added to our afternoon show. During our “On Location” segment, we’ve met important people in our school and the Dougherty County School System. Remember, if you are at school in the afternoon at 2:20, tune in to “Good Afternoon Magnolia!”


TITLE I

The Title I Schoolwide Program offers support by reinforcing, remediating and enriching skills taught in the regular classroom. The program includes reading, writing, and math labs.


ARTS IN ACTION

An art teacher introduces means of expression for grades 1-5. Each child is encouraged to use visual means to enrich his/her aesthetic experiences.


THE ACCELERATED READER

The school began using the Accelerated Reader program in November 1997. It is a computerized reading management program.
The Accelerated Reader is very easy for students and teachers to use. It is based on three simple steps, which form the foundation for self-paced individualized reading. The three steps are: (1) select a book, (2) read the book, and (3) take the test. The program allows each student to read at his or her own level (sometimes far ahead of actual grade level). Then it provides immediate reinforcement in a way that is
encouraging and fun. The Accelerated Reader offers many proven benefits to students of all ages and at all reading levels. It motivates students to read better books, helps to improve reading scores, builds higher order thinking skills, increases library circulation and fosters a life-long love of reading. We encourage parents to visit the media center for a demonstration of this program.