1.       Students who are willfully absent from school without the knowledge of their parents

2.       Students who are absent from school without acceptable cause with the knowledge of their parents

1.       Teacher shall refer students to the principal after:

a.       Three consecutive unlawful absences.

b.       A total of five absences.

c.       A total of ten absences.

d.       Each absence in excess of a total of ten absences.

 

2.       Principals shall intervene after:

a.       Three consecutive absences.

b.       A total of five absences.

c.       A total of ten absences.

d.       Each absence in excess of a total of ten absences.

 

Absences in excess of ten for secondary students or twenty for elementary students may affect

 a student’s progress in school as determined by the district’s Promotion and Retention Policy (VI-E).

 

Students shall be required to bring a written excuse from one of their parents/guardians to their homeroom teacher on the first day back to school after an absence. Absences for which a valid excuse is not presented by the second day back to school after an absence shall be considered unlawful.

Valid excuses shall include:

 

1.       The student’s name.

2.       The date(s) of the absence(s).

3.       A parent’s/guardian’s signature.

4.       A telephone number where the parent/guardian can be reached.

 

Students shall be expected to arrive at school on time and to report to each class on time. Students who enter the classroom late are disruptive to the instructional program and may be subject to disciplinary actions. Habitually tardy students may be referred to the district’s Attendance Office. The school day begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. We ask that students be in their classroom by 7:50 a.m. Children should not arrive at school before 7:15 a.m. Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. will be marked TARDY and must report to the office before they may enter class. A written excuse explaining the reason for tardiness is required. Punctuality is a quality of good citizenship. Help your child be on time.

According to Policy JH: “A student who misses a portion of a school day for a lawful reason will be counted present if he/she is at school for a minimum of two hours in grades one through eight.” 

 

A student who has a serious illness or injury that will make him absent for a week or more may be eligible for instruction at home by a certified teacher. The office can provide more information.

 

Pupils will NOT be released to anyone except their parents or their legal guardians. If parents must take a child from school before the close of the day, they must send a note in the morning stating the reason for early dismissal and the time the child will be picked up. Parents must sign the student out in the school office if the child is being dismissed before 2:15 p.m. Whenever possible, medical and dental appointments should be made after school hours.

 

A student will be permitted to make up work missed during an absence as long as the student makes appropriate arrangements with his/her teacher no later than the student’s fifth day back at school. This work should be completed within ten days. Specific procedures related to make up work will be given by teachers at the beginning of the year, since grade level policies vary with the maturity of the students. If you anticipate prolonged absences, please contact the school immediately.

 

The Anderson YMCA will again administer an after school program at Whitehall Elementary. The program, which is recreational in nature, will provide a supervised vehicle for physical wellness, personal development, cultural awareness and socialization in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. The program offers children an opportunity to have fun and learn new skills, which foster individuality, discovery, self-reliance and group fun. For more information call the YMCA at 716-6284.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily Schedule

for

Grades Kindergarten – Five

8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

 

1.       All students who ride buses will enter the bus room door entrance and report to the multi-purpose room.

 

 

Because your child’s safety is our primary concern, we have developed the following afternoon dismissal procedures to ensure that ALL students are loaded safely and efficiently each day. Please take note of the following information:

 

All cars and vehicles parked on or near the school campus are subject to unannounced searches by school personnel if administrators determine there is a reasonable suspicion that the car or vehicle contains evidence of violation of the student behavior or the S.C. Code of Laws.

 

1.       Children who are picked up by one of the commercial vans from a private childcare facility have been designated a location to meet the van.

 

Only students whose parents reside in School District Five may attend classes tuition –free. Out-of-district students may attend only after paying yearly tuition and providing their own transportation. Only students who live in the Whitehall attendance area may attend Whitehall. An exception is made for children of district employees with authorization.

 

Children are enrolled in Anderson School District Five on a probationary basis. The district may, after receipt of children’s school and/or non-school records, take action to withdraw the child if the records indicate that he/she has been expelled, disciplined for conduct which could cause him/her to be expelled or adjudicated as a delinquent in any jurisdiction for a violent crime, the unlawful use or possession of weapons, or the unlawful sale of drugs.

 

Whitehall Elementary attempts to recognize students for their accomplishments. During the school year various awards are given. An Awards Assembly at the end of each nine weeks is used to recognize students having outstanding academic, attendance, and behavioral achievement. An end-of-the-year Awards Day Assembly is held to recognize students in various areas. Other school and classroom awards are given throughout the year to recognize student successes.

 

Business and public schools in South Carolina are joining forces to improve both education and the state’s economy. Whitehall Elementary School is interested in this kind of community teamwork. Joint efforts of education and business partnerships are aimed at a wide range of needs. The faculty and staff have identified some needs, which partnerships can accommodate. If you would like information regarding how your company can become a business partner, please call the school office at 260-5255.

Coca-Cola                            Inergy                                    Publix

Draisen Edwards Music          Liberty Tax Service               Target

Enoch’s Karate                      People’s Bank                        Texas Roadhouse

Glen Raven

 

Students who live one and one-half miles or more from the school receive bus transportation to school, according to S.C. Department of Education guidelines.

 

Buses stop every two-tenths of a mile when necessary. Bus transportation supervisors can be reached at 260-5000 or 260-5069 and are responsible for bus routes, drivers and school bus regulations.

 

Students who use district transportation are governed by district discipline rules. Infractions committed by a student on district transportation can lead to the denial of transportation privileges.

 

 

Any member of the professional staff who has reason to believe a child has been subjected to or adversely affected by physical, mental or emotional abuse/neglect must report this to the County Department of Social Services or appropriate law enforcement agency in accordance with the S.C. Child Protection Act of 1977.

 

District Five wants to keep you informed throughout the school year. Your child should be bringing home school papers and notes periodically. Please check your child’s bookbag on a regular basis.

 

 When a special education student transfers from this school to a school outside of Anderson School District 5, the Director of Special Education/designee will send a copy of the student’s special education information to the receiving school. This procedure will facilitate the exchange of records between school districts and prevent delays in the provision of free and appropriate public education.

 In addition, the principal at each school will be responsible for providing instruction to the school staff regarding confidentiality issues and the appropriate records release forms for persons within the school who will be using or collecting personally identifiable information. Documentation of this training will be maintained through professional development sign in sheets.

 All school staff should be aware that FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) does not allow the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a student’s education records (including special education) without parental consent. “Disclosure” means to “permit access to or the release, transfer, or other communication of personally identifiable information contained in the education records to any party, by any means, including oral, written, or electronic means.” Personally identifiable information includes, but is not limited to:

·         the student’s name

·         the name of the student’s parent or other family member

·         the address of the student or student’s family

·         a personal identifier, such as the student’s social security number or student number

·         a list of personal characteristics that would make the student’s identity easily traceable

·         other information that would make the student’s identity easily traceable

 

Flowers, balloons, birthday items, or other articles will not be accepted by the school for delivery to students. The practice of sending items to students, while in school, is disruptive to the educational program. All district schools have set forth new guidelines concerning the delivery of flowers, balloons, and other gifts on Valentine’s Day. NO DELIVERIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

PEANUTS/PEANUT PRODUCTS Due to allergic reactions to peanuts/peanut products, do not send these items to school.