Policies and Procedures

ADMISSIONS

The following documents are required for school registration:

• certified birth certificate
• social security card
• 3 current proofs of residence or assignment letter
• student’s last report card, if applicable
• name and complete address of the former school, if applicable
• Louisiana State Health Card (form MCH 14A or revised 1/70 stating proof of immunizations)
• student transfer letter if the student is transferring from another St. Tammany Parish School

ARRIVAL 

School begins at 8:00 a.m. Children may start arriving at 7:30 a.m. each day. At that time, teachers are on duty to supervise students. For your child's safety, please do not bring your child to school before 7:30 a.m. All students arriving after 8:10 a.m. are tardy and MUST check in at the office WITH A PARENT.  In order to maximize teaching time and minimize distractions, please have your child at school on time.  

ATTENDANCE

Elementary students are allowed 10 absences each year. Absences of two or fewer consecutive school days incurred due to illness of the student or serious illness of the family may be excused by a note written by the parent. If a student is absent for three or more consecutive days, a student must present a note from a physician, nurse practitioner, or dentist. Parents should send a written excuse immediately to the teacher if your child is absent. Excuses must be submitted within two days of the absence for make-up work to be done. Make up work will only be provided for excused absence. Teachers must be given 24-hour notice when asked to provide missed assignments. Late excuses for absences will not be accepted. Excused absences are counted in the total number of absences. You will be called by the district automated system anytime your child is absent or is checked in past the reporting time.

PLEASE NOTE: Act 103 of the 1994 State Legislature deals with student truancy and tardiness and requires principals to report absences and tardiness to the child welfare supervisor. The Supervisor of Child Welfare must refer a student who is absent or tardy without an acceptable excuse five or more times in one month to the family of juvenile court. Policy also mandates the automatic retention of a student who has been absent for more than 10 days in a school year (extenuating circumstances are taken into consideration).

BAND

Fifth grade students are given an opportunity for band instruction. Please watch for notices sent home or check with the office for more information.

BUS SERVICE

Bus routes and stops are planned and established by the St. Tammany Parish School Board Transportation Department. Please use bus transportation if it is available in your neighborhood. Call the Slidell Transportation Department, (985) 898-3373, or visit the website http://www.stpsb.org/transportation for questions regarding bus routes, stops, and times.

If for any reason your child will ride a different bus home, the parent must send a note. Please do not call the school to make transportation changes. For the safety of your child and everyone on the bus, appropriate bus behavior will be strictly enforced. 

Students are expected to always:

*remain seated facing the front of the bus

*keep their hands and feet to themselves and inside the bus

*talk in a low (normal) tone of voice

*use only the bus and bus stop assigned

CAFETERIA

The St. Tammany Public School System is pleased to offer free school lunches and breakfasts for all students during the 2022-2023 school year through a program called the Community Eligibility Provision.  Children will be able to participate in this meal program without having to pay a fee or submit a free and reduced meals application. 

The meals served daily are nutritionally balanced and meet one-third of the daily minimum nutrition requirements. We strongly urge you to take advantage of the school lunch program. 

Fast food, canned and/or bottled drinks, and toys are not allowed in the cafeteria. Breakfast and Lunch menus will be provided and posted on our school website. For breakfast, students should arrive no later than 7:55 a.m. to allow sufficient time to eat.

Please contact the cafeteria manager, Ms. Paula Frey, at 641-1037 between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. if you have any questions. 

CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL

Cancellation of school takes place only during extraordinary circumstances such as extreme weather, equipment failure, or public crisis. The school board and administrators are aware of the hardship that can be caused by an abrupt cancellation. Therefore, school will not be canceled unless a significant safety risk has been created by unusual circumstances. In the event of severe weather conditions, check local news forecasts for information. Every practical means is used to notify parents of an impending cancellation including radio, TV (Channel 13), the school board web site http://www.stpsb.org, and newspapers. In the unusual circumstance where school must be canceled during the school day, school personnel will remain at school until all students leave campus.

CAR RIDERS

Students riding in cars must be dropped off and picked up in the car loading zone at the front of the school on Carey Street. For safety reasons, students are not allowed on campus before 7:30 a.m. because teachers will not be on duty until that time.

CELL PHONES

Cell phone use disrupts the educational process and can become a safety issue. Students found with a visible device or in use of a device at school will have it confiscated and will be referred to the office for discipline. A parent will need to pick up the device in the main office. At no time should cell phones be used to take pictures of other students or staff members. Refer to STPSB Handbook.

CHECK INS/CHECK OUTS

Any student arriving after the tardy bell must be signed in by an adult in the office before reporting to class. Any student receiving three (3) tardies will be referred to the Truancy Assessment Service Center (TASK). Parents are to report to the main office to check out a student. A student can only be checked out of school by persons listed on his/her emergency card. For your child’s safety a current driver’s license must be presented when checking out a student from school and must match the name on the student’s Emergency Card. Children may not be checked out after 2:30 p.m., except for emergencies. Make-up work from early checkouts will be the responsibility of the student.

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION

As mandated by the St. Tammany School Board, students in grades K-8 will receive instruction on the topic of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Education and Reporting. Contact the school counselor if you are interested in previewing materials used in the instruction. We encourage parents to talk to their children about this topic as well as other general safety issues.

CONFERENCES

Parent conferences are encouraged and can be arranged at any time during the school year. To request a conference with a teacher, call the school office (643-5166) to set up an appointment. The teacher will respond within 24 hours to set up the conference. After conferencing with the teacher, a conference with an administrator may be scheduled if a problem still exists.

COUNSELING

Guidance and Counseling services are available to help children become aware of their abilities, aptitudes, interests, and attitudes. The school counselor can assist in the following areas:

*to help children develop to their fullest potential,

*to provide opportunities for democratic problem solving, and

*to provide experiences which will assist children in making wise choices. 

Brock Elementary has the services of our full-time guidance counselor. In addition, a mental health provider is provided by a grant designed to help students as needed.

DEBT COLLECTION PROCEDURES

Debts include, but are not limited to, such things as lost/damaged textbooks, library books, Chromebook damage, etc. Parents will be notified in writing of the fees owed to the school. In the case of a student transferring to another school, all financial obligations shall be met during withdrawal procedures.

DISMISSAL

Dismissal begins at 3:00 p.m. Students walking or riding bicycles should leave campus promptly. If at dismissal a child is to go anywhere other than home, a written notice must be sent to his/her teacher. 

DISCIPLINE

At Brock Elementary, all faculty and staff follow a school-wide Positive Behavior Support program. It is a pro-active approach to school discipline. The goal of the plan is to define, teach, and support behaviors so that the culture of self-respect is established throughout the school. We expect students to display acceptable behavior at all times and ask our parents and guardians cooperation in helping us to help all students to accept responsibility for their actions and develop self-discipline. The school guidance counselor and mental health providers are also involved with counseling students that repeatedly demonstrate unacceptable behaviors. Each classroom will have a classroom discipline plan. These individual classroom plans will directly connect to our school rules. Appropriate behavior is always praised at Brock Elementary School. If a rule is broken in the classroom, teachers will have classroom consequences and interventions. As part of our positive approach for positive results, when possible, we use classroom teacher interventions, parent/teacher conferences, referral to the school counselor, a possible development of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), referral to the School Building Level Committee (SBLC) and/or our Mental Health Provider (MHP), before completing an administrative referral. In addition to our school-wide expectations, we take a proactive approach to the issue of bullying. Below is an overview of our parish policy on bullying.

Bullying is a form of aggression, and it occurs when a person(s) willfully subjects another person (victim), to an intentional, unwanted and unprovoked, hurtful verbal and/or physical action(s) at any school site or school sponsored activity or event. Bullying may also occur as various forms of hazing, including initiation rites perpetrated against a student or a member of a team. Examples of types of bullying may include but are not limited to the following examples: Physical bullying includes, but is not limited to, punching, shoving, poking, strangling, hair pulling, beating, kicking, punching or excessive tickling. Allegations of bullying will be promptly investigated, giving due regard to the need for confidentiality and the safety of the alleged victim and/or any individual(s) who report incident(s) or alleged victim and/or any individual(s) who report an incident(s) of bullying. An individual has the right to report an incident(s) of bullying without fear of reprisal or retaliation at any time. Retaliation is defined as meaning “to pay back (an injury) in kind.” When a person is accused of having behaved in an inappropriate fashion, especially bullying, the common reaction of that person is to be angry and want to pay the “alleged victim” back (retaliate). Retaliation must not occur and will not be tolerated. Proven allegations of bullying can have serious consequences for the person deemed guilty, including verbal or written reprimand, in-school or out of school suspension, disciplinary reassignment and/or expulsion. Victims of bullying have responsibilities. Victims should clearly tell the bullies to stop. If bullying persists, victims should not ignore the incident(s) but should report immediately the incident to someone at school. Students should tell their parent(s). If the bullying continues after having clearly told the bullies to stop, students should make a written record of the incident including dates, times, witnesses, and parties involved in the incident. The incident should be reported immediately to an adult who has authority over the bullies, for example, a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, or principal. Victims should avoid being alone with the person(s) who attempted to bully them in the past. Victims of bullying who feel uncomfortable reporting this fact to adult personnel at school should contact another appropriate adult or friend who will report on their behalf.

DRESS CODE (see also: Uniform Policy)

Refer to STPSB Handbook on attendance, discipline, dress code & student records. Extremes in style and fit in student dress and extremes in style of grooming will not be permitted. Students are not permitted to wear Mohawks or hair that is colored in a manner that causes a distraction as determined by the school principal. School principals maintain the right to determine extremes in styles of dress and grooming and appropriateness and suitability for school wear. Sculptured hair styles, which include pictures, symbols, letters, numbers, etc., will not be permitted. 

EMERGENCY CARDS

Each student will be given an emergency card for parents/guardians to complete. In the event of an emergency, we need to reach the parents or additional caretakers as quickly as possible. If your home, cell, or work phone number changes, please notify the school office and your child's teacher(s). In case of emergency, we will attempt to contact the names in the order listed to come pick up your child. 

PLEASE NOTE: Students can only be released to individuals listed on the emergency card.

FIELD TRIPS

Each grade may participate in field experiences (either at school or a field trip) in conjunction with units of study. Parents will receive notification of details through notes sent home with students. Deadlines for permission slips and payment must be adhered due to the requirement of advanced purchase of tickets and prepayment of bus transportation. Due to these restrictions, refunds cannot be made if for some reason the student is unable to go on the field trip. Students whose behavior presents a risk to themselves or others will remain at school in an assigned classroom. All students who attend field trips must ride the bus to the destination and return to school by bus. Students are not allowed to ride with parents in cars. Students cannot be checked out during field trips.  Parent chaperones must provide their own transportation. Students not present on field trip day will be marked absent. 

GRADE BOOK

St. Tammany Parish Schools provide an on-line grade book, JPAMS, which parents and students can access to view student grades. Passwords are given to parents and guardians at the start of school. Contact the office if you have difficulty accessing JPAMS.

GRADING SCALE

100-93=A

92-85=B

84-75=C

74-67=D

66-0=F

STPSB District HANDBOOK

The St. Tammany Parish School Board District Handbook gives you additional information about certain school board policies and procedures. This information will be given to students on the first day of school. Please read this information and use the handbook as a reference throughout the school year.

HOMEWORK 

The purpose of homework is to reinforce learning that takes place at school. Homework should be relevant, realistic, and reasonable. Teachers will review their homework policies with parents during Open House. It is the student's responsibility to bring his/her homework assignments home each day and return with the completed assignments the next day. Parents are encouraged to provide a designated time, assistance as needed, and a quiet place to do homework.

HOURS

Start Time
8:00 a.m.

Tardy Bell
8:10 a.m.

Dismissal Time
3:00 p.m.

Car Drop Off Time
7:30-8:00
*Students may not be dropped off at school before 7:30 a.m.

Breakfast
7:30-8:00 a.m.

Office Hours
7:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m.

ID BADGES

All students will be provided with a school ID badge which must be worn daily.  Students will scan their ID in order to enter the school building. Defacing the ID in any way, loaning, or borrowing another student's ID badge is prohibited and will be subject to discipline as per STPSB discipline policy. If a student loses their ID, they will be provided with a new one at a cost of $5 to the parents/guardians. The old ID will then be deactivated.

KIDS IN TRANSITION-Education of Children and Youth in Homeless Situations  

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law passed in 1987 to help people experiencing homelessness. The Act requires states and school districts to make sure students in homeless situations can attend and succeed in school. The McKinney-Vento Act applies to all children and youth who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including all children who are living in the following situations:

• Doubled-up housing with other families or friends because they lost their home or their family is having temporary financial problems
• Living in a motel/hotel because of economic hardship or loss of housing
• Living in an emergency or transitional shelter, domestic violence shelter, or in a runaway/homeless youth shelter
• Living in a vehicle of any kind; campground without running water and/or electricity; abandoned building; substandard housing; bus/train station

Children and youth in homeless situations have the right to the following: 

• Attend and succeed in school no matter where they live or how long they have lived there
• Enroll in a school despite the lack of a permanent address or lack of school and immunization records or birth certificates and other documents
• Receive services comparable to those offered to non-homeless children and youth
• Get transportation to school, if feasible
• Access educationally related support services

Should you or your child meet these qualifications; please contact your school’s main office or guidance counselor to complete a form for consideration.

LOST AND FOUND

All clothing found on the campus is placed in a lost and found bin in the gym. Please write your childs name on everything that is worn or brought to school. Students should not bring extra money, toys, or valuable items to school.

MEDICATION

Do not send medication, prescribed or over the counter, to school. Teachers are not allowed to administer medication to students at school.

EXCEPTION: If your child is on a long-term prescription medication, you may request a St. Tammany Parish Medication form from the school office and have it completed by your physician. The medication can then be administered through the office. The medication must be brought to school by the parent. Students are never to bring medication to school.

OPEN HOUSE

A formal Open House will be held soon after school starts. Notices will be sent home about the date and time. This evening will allow you to meet with your child s teacher, hear about plans for the semester, learn about the curriculum requirements for the grade and ask any questions you may have. Please make every effort to attend. Information will be sent home regarding time of Open House this year.

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA)

Brock Elementary is a PTA school. We are very proud of our affiliation with a parish, state, and national organization that supports the total education of children. PTA encourages parental involvement, assists parents in developing skills to raise, educate, and protect their children, and speaks on behalf of children in the schools and before governmental agencies and other organizations that make decisions affecting our children. At Brock Elementary, our goal is to create a strong partnership, with parents, teachers and students. We hope you will show your support of Brock Elementary by joining our PTA.

PROMOTION AND RETENTION

Please refer to the St. Tammany Parish Pupil Progression Plan for a more detailed description.

REPORT CARDS

Students in Grades 1-5 will receive report cards each quarter. Kindergarten students will receive reports beginning with the second grading period. Interim reports will be available on JPAMS at mid-quarter intervals. Interim (progress) reports are indicative of an academic progress in regard to the subject addressed. Please consult the teacher if further explanation is desired. Please check the report carefully. If the teacher has requested a conference, please schedule one as soon as possible.

School Building Level Committee (SBLC)

The School Building Level Committee (SBLC) is comprised of various school staff members and may include an administrator, counselor, resource helping teacher, referring teachers, and other appropriate personnel. When a student is suspected of having significant learning difficulties, a conference is held between the teacher and the parent. Specific concerns are documented and the classroom teacher may implement appropriate interventions. If the interventions are not successful, a meeting is scheduled by the teacher with the SBLC to which the parent is invited. At the SBLC meeting, the committee reviews all information and makes additional recommendations for interventions and/or screenings.

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT

All public-school campuses in our parish are smoke free environments.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Brock Elementary is following the Fish Philosophy. The basic tenets of this philosophy are:

*Be there

*Make their day

*Play/Have fun

*Choose your attitude

SUPPLIES 

A supply list is provided for each grade level. They are sent home at the end of each school year and are available at all times on our school website. These supplies are the minimum amount needed for the student. Supplies should be replenished throughout the year. 

SUSPENSION 

Students who display inappropriate behavior of a serious nature will be suspended from school. Suspended students are not allowed on campus for any reason during this time. Students are not allowed to make up work during this time. Therefore, it is very important that we work together to teach students self-discipline and the importance of making appropriate choices.

In-School Suspension (ISS) This program is designed to keep students in school. Students may be put in In-School Suspension at the discretion of the administration. Classwork may be made-up during ISS. Those students who are placed in In-School Suspension and choose to misbehave will be suspended from school.

TEXTBOOKS/LIBRARY BOOKS 

Students are expected to keep all textbooks, library books and other materials issued to them in good condition. Any lost or damaged books will need to be replaced by parents/guardians. Any student who loses or damages a textbook should report it to his/her teacher. The amount owed for the book must be paid before another book is issued. Teachers will remind students to return library books on the correct day, but parents and children are responsible for returning the books on the appointed day. Payment for lost books shall be based on the current list price of the book. If a student has an overdue book, he/she may not check out additional books from the library until the cost of the lost book is paid. 

TOYS (ELECTRONICS)

We ask that no toys be brought to school unless requested by the teacher. Tablets, smartwatches, headsets, video games and other devices are not allowed on campus. If the named devices are brought on campus, these items will be taken from the students and held in the office for parents to pick-up.

UNIFORM POLICY

School Uniforms are mandatory for Brock Elementary students. The uniform consists of:

*solid navy blue, red, or white shirt

*solid khaki uniform pants, shorts, skirts, or jumpers. 

Shoes should be appropriate for the classroom and playground. Since P.E. is a regular part of the school curriculum, tennis shoes should be worn for safety reasons.  Students are not to wear caps, hats, or bandanas to school.

VISITORS

For the safety of our children, we must know who is on our campus at all times. All visitors to the school must present a form of identification (driver’s license or ID card) at the office and receive a visitor identification badge. Visitors must also check out through the office. All students leaving the building during school hours must be signed out through the office.

WEAPONS POLICY

Students found using, possessing and/or concealing a knife, a firearm or a weapon which may discharge a projectile, or other dangerous instrument which may cause bodily harm shall be immediately suspended and recommended for expulsion.  Police notification shall be made immediately.  Upon the recommendation for the expulsion, a hearing shall be conducted by the Superintendent or his/her designee. Students in grade five or lower who have been found in the hearing process, of using, possessing and/or concealing a weapon, or look alike weapon shall be disciplined in accordance with the decision made by the Superintendent or his/her designee. Any case involving a student grade five or lower found in possession of a firearm on school property shall be referred to the School Board through a recommendation for action from the Superintendent.

WEBSITES

St. Tammany Parish School Board and Brock Elementary have websites for your convenience. They are both full of important information about school happenings. Please visit them frequently. The Parish website is www.stpsb.org. Brock’s website can be accessed from this site by looking under the school directory for Brock Elementary. You will find the breakfast and lunch menus for each month there as well.

WITHDRAWING A STUDENT FROM BROCK ELEMENTARY

If a student is moving from Slidell or transferring to another school in Slidell (due to a change of address), please contact the school several days before the planned move. This allows the office and teachers time to complete the necessary paperwork. All textbooks and library books must be returned and all fines must be paid.