Darlington School

Student Handbook

 

 

 

2018-2019

 

 

 

 

 

DARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

 

            We believe that all students have the potential and desire to be successful learners and will succeed in relation to the expectations, opportunities, support, and recognition we provide.  We intend to see that all students receive the opportunities and support they need.

          We believe it is the responsibility of parents and schools to provide learning environments that offer security, understanding, acceptance, respect, and direction from caring adults.  If the parents fail to provide, then we as a school will.

          We believe that students will take responsibility for successful learning when they know the purpose of what they are learning and its relation to the larger context of life.

          We believe it is the responsibility of parents and schools to provide a diversity of both academically and socially successful experiences in the lives of our students.  Our extra-curricular activities will be designed to build self-esteem for all of our students.

 

 

SCHOOL COLORS

 

Blue and White

 

SCHOOL MASCOT

 

Chief

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

 

Deforest TallBear – President

 

Donna Wehmuller – Clerk

 

Jim Hrdy - Member

 

 

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

Loren Tackett – Superintendent

DARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOL

4408 N. Hwy 81

El Reno, OK 73036

(405) 262-0137

 

FACULTY

 

Mrs. April Beard – Pre-K

Ms. Wanda Martin – Kindergarten and Library

Ms. Hayli Hanes – Pre-K

Ms. Rebecca Yost – First Grade

Mrs. Grachel Crews – First Grade

Mrs. Michelle Acuff – Second Grade

Mrs. Myra Pierson – Third Grade

Mrs. Pam Garner – Fourth & Fifth Grade Science and Math

 Mrs. Donna Maddux– Fourth & Fifth Grade Reading, Writing, Language

Mrs. Tera Baker - Sixth Grade, Fifth & Sixth Grade Girls Basketball

Mr. Mike Pierson – Seventh and Eighth Grade Science,

8^th Grade Social Studies

Mrs. Jennifer Base – 7^th and 8^th Grade Math

– 7^th and 8^th Grade Englight Language Arts

7^th Grade Geography^,, 5^th and 6^th Grade Basketball Coach

Mr. Parry RomanNose – 7^th and 8^th Grade Girls Basketball, 6-8^th Grade Football

Mr. Reggie Island – 7^th and 8^th Grade Boys Basketball, 6-8^th Grade Football

Mrs. Gina Musae – Counselor/Principal   

Ms. Dara Franklin – Indian Education Coordinator

Mrs. Pam Silk – Director - Darlington Boys and Girls Club,

Pre-K – Second Grade P.E.

Kim VanGundy – Administrative Assistant

Melissa Wilkerson – Administrative Assistant/Bus Driver

Tammy Maples – Teacher Assistant

Melissa Tsotaddle – Teacher Assistant

Rene Fox – Teacher Assistant

Melissa Robinson – Teacher Assistant

Terry Davis – Teacher Assistant

Mona Pierson – Teacher Assistant

Candace Pierson - Teacher Assistant

Garrison Garner - Teacher Assistant

Larissa Raley – Teacher Assistant

Susie Musae – Teacher Assistant

Brilyn Smith – Teacher Assistant

Myra Brothers – Cook

Tim Brothers – Cook

Jan Murphy – Cook

 

 

 

ENROLLMENT

           

            Personal information and health forms must be completed at attendance of orientation by parent before entrance of a child is permitted.  The school should be notified if your child is taking medication.  Any medication sent to school should have written instruction as how the medication is to be administered.

 

          All children entering Oklahoma schools must have verification of immunity to polio, measles, and DPT.  If immunization is against a parent’s belief, a written statement from them must be on file.

 

          Student records will be requested from previous school upon student enrollment at Darlington School.

 

          A birth certificate must be provided upon enrollment.

 

OPEN TRANSFER POLICY

 

It is the policy of Darlington Public Schools Board of Education that any application for transfer will be reviewed by the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee.  Applications may be obtained from the Superintendent’s office and must be filed in the school year preceding the school year for which the transfer is desired. 

 

The fact that the District has adopted a transfer policy does not mean that every transfer application will be accepted.  Approval of a transfer is contingent upon the applicant agreeing in writing to cancellation of the transfer if the student does not comply with the rules and regulations of the district. 

 

A copy of the consent form for cancellation of transfer must be signed by the parent/ guardian before final approval of the transfer is completed.  The Board of Education delegates to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee authority to approve or deny a transfer application.  A copy of the transfer policy may be obtained from the Superintendent’s office.

 

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

 

            Students should refrain from getting to school before 8:00 a.m.  Students who wish to eat breakfast may do so between 8:00 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.  Students will assemble in the gymnasium in the designated area until they are excused to class.

          School will dismiss at 3:15 p.m.  Bus riders will assemble on the bleachers while car riders will be escorted to the front of the school.  If you must pick your child up early please inform the office.

 

SAFETY DRILLS

 

            Darlington practices fire, tornado, lock down, intruder and bus safety drilled twice per year.

 

 

DRUG FREE SCHOOLS POLICY STATEMENT

 

            All students have a right to attend school in an environment conducive to learning.  Since alcohol and other drug use is illegal and interferes with both effective learning and the healthy development of young people, the Darlington Public School has a fundamental, legal, and ethical obligation to prevent drug use and to maintain a drug-free educational environment.

 

 

NON-DISCRIMINATION

 

            The Darlington School District does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, in the educational programs or activities, which it operates.  It is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, and Part 86 of Title 45, Subtitle A, Rules and Regulations of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, not to discriminate in such a manner.  The requirements not to discriminate in educational programs and activities extend to employment in the School District.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULING STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

Any school group desiring to have a school-sponsored activity should first secure the approval of their sponsor.  They should then check with the principal, who may give approval and schedule the event on the school calendar.  All requests for such school activities should be made at least one week before the activity is to take place.

 

DEPOSITS OF MONEY

 

            At no time will money be left overnight in the school building.  Students and teachers with school money to deposit will turn it in to the secretary before 11:00 a.m.  All school money will be deposited each day.

 

LOCKERS

 

            Lockers at Darlington are the property of the Darlington Public School.  Locker contents are subject to school inspection.  Administrators have the right to conduct locker inspections to rid the lockers of trash, dangerous weapons, and contraband.

          Administrators also have the right to remove school contents, such as overdue library books, so that they can be placed in their proper locations.  Students should not have anything in their lockers, which they do not want school officials to see.  Lockers are provided to every fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade student.

 

LOST OR STOLEN PROPERTY

 

            Darlington Public School does not carry insurance to cover the loss of a student’s property and will not reimburse a student for any item(s) lost or stolen.  Students are strongly encouraged not to bring valuables to school.  Students finding articles on the school grounds or in the building with no knowledge of ownership are asked to turn them into the Secretary’s office.

 

 

STUDENT TELEPHONE USE

 

            Students must receive permission from the teacher and/or the principal to use the telephone.

 

CELL PHONE USE

 

            Cell phones are not needed at Darlington School.  Phones must be turned off and turned into their teacher each morning to be kept until 3:15, when school is dismissed.  Exceptions can be made for special events and field trips. 

The first time a student is caught, the phone will be confiscated.  The student will get it back at the end of the day from the Principal. The second time that student is caught, the phone will be confiscated and the parent must pick it up from the Principal in the office.

 

 

VISITORS

           

            Persons having official business at Darlington Public School are welcome at any time.  Visitors are requested to identify themselves in the principal’s office.  All visitors must first report to the office, sign in and receive a visitor pass.  Visits to individual classrooms during instructional time shall not be permitted if their duration or frequency interferes with the delivery of instruction or disrupts the normal school environment.

 

 

State of Oklahoma

Mike Fields

District Attorney

 

CANADIAN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

• Will follow Oklahoma State Laws Title 10A O.S. 1-1-105& Title 70 O.S.10-106
• In order for a school to excuse an absence there shall be documentation of a valid excuse

 

• • • Examples of acceptable documentation are doctors notes, family funerals, religious holiday (this is non-exhaustive list)

 

 

• • If a child is absent three of more days due to illness, a doctor’s note shall be provided to the school
  • Absences in while the school is notified by the parent shall be treated as verified until documentation is received. 

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

            Good attendance is extremely important and will result in improved grades and a stronger base of knowledge.  We also want to help our students develop good habits that will help them in the workforce.  Employers expect promptness and good attendance at work.  Tardiness to school causes an interruption in the classroom that then affects the learning of other students.  A student is considered tardy at 8:45AM.

 

If your student is going to be absent please call the office no later than 9:10AM.  If we do not hear from you then you will be receiving an automated call at 9:30AM to notify you that your child is being counted absent.

 

The absence and tardy policy is as follows:

 

Second Absence/Tardy – The parent/guardian will receive a letter from the school expressing concern about the student’s attendance.

 

Fourth Absence /Tardy– The Canadian County Truancy Officer will be notified. 

 

The above policy is a per semester policy.

 

In order for a school to excuse an absence there shall be documentation of a valid excuse.  Examples of acceptable documentation are doctors notes, dental note, family funerals, religious holiday (this is non-exhaustive list), etc.  

 

Absences in which the school is notified by the parent shall be treated as unexcused until documentation is received.

WAYS PARENTS CAN HELP

1.  Your attitude toward school attendance sets the tone for your child’s attitude.  Be positive.

  2.  Regardless of your child’s age, set a regular bedtime and/or curfew.  The proper amount of sleep helps avoid “sleeping late”.

 3.   Allow plenty of time in the morning for getting ready for school.

 4.   Provide an alternate plan for getting your child to school on time, if the bus or ride is missed in spite of your best efforts.

  5.  Make every possible effort to schedule doctor, dentist, and other appointment before and after school hours.

  6.  When you must schedule appointments during the school day, try to stagger them so that your child does not miss the same class each time.

  7.  If your child must miss school for an appointment make every effort to get him/her back to school for the remainder of the school day.                                                          

  8.  Refuse to view tardiness as acceptable behavior.

  9.  Refuse to write excuses for anything other than a legitimate absence.

10.  Discourage early checkouts.

11.  Talk to your child about responsibility and the need to develop good work habits and positive attitudes now.

12.  Plan family vacations in accordance with the school calendar as much as possible.           

 

 

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY

 

PART I.        GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

 

The Darlington School District agrees to implement the following statutory requirements:

 

• The school district will put into operations programs, activities and procedures for the involvement of parents in all of its schools with Title I, Part A programs, consistent with section 1118 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  Those programs, activities and procedures will be planned and operated with meaningful consultation with parents of participating children.

 

• Consistent with section 1118, the school district will work with its schools to ensure that the required school-level parental involvement policies meet the requirements of section 1118(b) of the ESEA, and each include, as a component, a school-parent compact consistent with section 1118(d) of the ESEA.

 

• The school district will incorporate this district wide parental involvement policy into its LEA plan developed under section 1112 of the ESEA.

 

• In carrying out the Title I, Part A parental involvement requirements, to the extent practicable, the school district and its schools will provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing information and school reports required under section 1111 of the ESEA in an understandable and uniform format and, including alternative formats upon request, and, to the extent practicable, in a language parents understand.

 

• If the LEA plan for Title I, Part A, developed under section 1112 of the ESEA, is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, the school district will submit any parent comments with the plan when the school district submits the plan to the State Department of Education.

 

The school district will involve the parents of children served in Title I, Part A schools in decisions about how the 1 percent of Title I, Part A funds reserved for parental involvement is spent, and will ensure that not less than 95 percent of the one percent reserved goes directly to the schools.

 

The school district will be governed by the following statutory definition of parental involvement, and expects that it’s Title I schools will carry out programs, activities and procedures in accordance with this definition:

 

Parental involvement means the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring-

 

          (A)    that parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning;

 

(B)     that parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school;

 

(C)     that parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child;

 

(D)    the carrying out of other activities, such as those described in section 1118 of the ESEA.

 

PART II.  DESCRIPTION OF HOW DISTRICT WILL IMPLEMENT REQUIRED DISTRICT WIDE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY COMPONENTS

 

1.  The Darlington School District will take the following actions to involve parents in the joint development of its district wide parental involvement plan under section 1112 of the ESEA:

         

The school will send out a letter to all parents seeking their participation in the development of the plan.  Our administrator, counselor, teachers and Indian Ed. Coordinator will also actively publicize the nature of the program and the importance of the plan.

 

2.  The Darlington School District will take the following actions to involve parents in the process of school review and improvement under section 1116 of the ESEA:

         

We will have publicized meetings seeking input and

involvement from parents.  We will emphasize the importance of their contribution and attendance.  We will also serve meals as incentives.

 

3.  The Darlington School District will provide the following necessary coordination, technical assistance, and other support to assist Title I, Part A schools in planning and implementing effective parental involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance:

 

The school will make the parents aware of academic needs and successful strategies to meet these needs.  Parents will express frustrations and concerns and possible solutions.  The school will offer guidance and an organized format of the concerns and strategies to solve these concerns.  The school will provide explanations for educ. Concepts that define or explain the formulation of the plan.

 

4.  The Darlington School District will coordinate and integrate parental involvement strategies in Part A with parental involvement strategies under the following other Programs:  Gear-up, Indian education, summer programs, and other Title programs, by:

 

Exploring the inter-working relationships of all school programs and how they work together to support each other in their common goal to promote academic success.  Meetings with parents in gear-up, parent night workshops, meeting cultural needs in Indian educ., tutoring in summer school and after school programs etc.  All contribute to student achievement.        

 

5.  The Darlington School District will take the following actions to conduct, with the involvement of parents, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of this parental involvement policy in improving the quality of its Title I, Part A schools.  The evaluation will include identifying barriers to greater participation by parents in parental involvement activities (with particular attention to parents who are economically disadvantaged, or disabled, have limited English proficiency, have limited literacy, or are of any racial or ethnic minority or background).  The school district will use the findings of the evaluation about its parental involvement policy and activities to design strategies for more effective parental involvement, and to revise, if necessary (and with the involvement of parents) its parental involvement policies.

 

We will look at student achievement, student attendance, and parent attendance and participation to determine the success of our plan to see what adjustments need to be made.  Our school is a majority Native American.  Many parents never finished high school and few have attended college.  Over 90% qualify for free lunch.  Our goal is to make school a pleasant and positive experience for them and their children.  It is critical to create a non-threatening environment so parents will freely participate.  We will also furnish rides and food.

 

1.  The Darlington School District will build the school’s and parent’s capacity for strong parental involvement, in order to ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the school involved, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement, through the following activities specifically described below:

 

          A. The school district will, with the assistance of its Title I, Part A schools,      

provide assistance to parents of children served by the school district or school, as appropriate, in understanding topics such as the following, by undertaking the actions described in this paragraph-

         

• The State’s academic content standards,
• The State’s student academic achievement standards,
• The State and local academic assessments including alternate assessments,
• The requirements of Part A,
• How to monitor their child’s progress, and
• How to work with educators:

 

B.  The school district will, with the assistance of its schools, provide materials and training to help parents work with their children to improve their children’s academic achievement, such as literacy training, and using technology, as appropriate, to foster parental involvement, by:

 

Make computers available for all parents in the regular school day and in our after school program with assistants in their usage.  We will also offer a parent workshop on computer usage.

 

We will also send home assignments, flash cards or any other materials they can use to foster their children’s achievement.  The school will be a friendly nurturing environment where parents will be welcomed to contribute to the success of their children.

 

C.  The school district will, with the assistance of its schools and parents, educate its teachers, pupil services personnel, principals and other staff, in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to implement and coordinate parent programs and build ties between parents and schools, by:

 

Seeking 100% participation by parents on parent conferencing days, by providing staff development to improve our communication methods with parents and strengthen our relationships. Teachers will also orient parents on methods they can use to work with their children at home.

 

D.  The school district will, to the extent feasible and appropriate, coordinate and integrate parental involvement programs and activities with Head Start, Reading First, Early Reading First, Even Start, Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters, the Parents as Teachers Program, and public preschool and other programs and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children, by:

 

Continuing to work with the head start program at Concho to share information about student needs, including unique cultural needs possessed by the Native American student.  We will offer any materials or training that will help us obtain our common goals to improve student achievement.

 

E.  The school district will take the following actions to ensure that information related to the school and parent-programs, meetings, and other activities, is sent to the parents of participating children in an understandable and uniform format, including alternative formats upon request, and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand:

         

We will offer interpreters for any parents who do not speak English.

 

PART III:  DISCRETIONARY DISTRICT WIDE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY COMPONENTS

 

• Involving parents in the development of training for teachers, principals, and other educators to improve the effectiveness of that training;

 

• Providing necessary literacy training for parents from Title I, Part A funds, if the school district has exhausted all other reasonably available sources of funding for that training;

 

• Paying reasonable and necessary expenses associated with parental involvement activities, including transportation and childcare costs, to enable parents to participate in school-related meetings and training sessions;

 

• Training parents to enhance the involvement of other parents;

 

• In order to maximize parental involvement and participation in their children’s education, arranging school meetings at a variety of times, or conducting in-home conferences between teachers or other educators, who work directly with participating children, with parents who are unable to attend those conferences at school;

 

• Adopting and implementing model approaches to improving parental involvement;

 

• Establishing a district wide parent advisory council to provide advice on all matters related to parental involvement in Title I, Part A programs;

 

• Developing appropriate roles for community-based organizations and businesses, including faith-based organizations, in parental involvement activities; and

 

• Providing other reasonable support for parental involvement activities under section 1118 as parents may request.

 

 

NOTIFICATION OF ABSENCE OR CHANGE OF ROUTINE

 

            The parent or guardian should telephone the school office the day a student is absent from school.  A student that is absent from school without the permission of his/her parent(s) is truant and in violation of state law. If there is a change in the students’ regular schedule (ride different bus, going home with someone different, wait at school, etc.), parents should notify the school.

 

CHECKING OUT OF SCHOOL

 

            A student will not be permitted to leave the school during the day without the express permission of a parent or guardian.  If for some reason you need to pick your child up during the day, please come to the office to check them out. Only the names we have on file, will be allowed to check out students during the day.  If someone other than the parent is to pick the child up, we need written permission of the parent.  Also, if there should be a situation where only certain people are to pick up a student, we need that information in writing.  If a child is to go home after school by means other than how they ordinarily go, please send a note.  Unless we are notified by the parent, they will not be allowed to ride a bus other than their own nor leave school with someone other than their usual ride.

 

TEXTBOOK POLICY

 

            Students are required to return all district-owned texts to the teacher who issued them at the end of the period of use.  Failure to return books at the appropriate time will result in the student paying for the cost of replacement.  The student assumes the cost of any text lost or damaged.

 

USE OF BUILDING

 

            Anyone wishing to use the school building must first contact the superintendent to schedule the activity and clear it with the calendar.

 

 

 

DRESS CODE

 

            Darlington School believes appropriate dress and personal grooming by each student for all school activities should reflect the high standards of the school and community.

 

          The following are prohibited:

1. No offensive writing or suggestive slogans or logo on any article of clothing, belt buckle, or jewelry will be allowed.  Logos pertaining to beer, liquor, drugs or tobacco are expressly prohibited.
2. No caps or hats will be worn inside the building (e.g., bandannas, and sunglasses) including hoodies.
3. Electronic devices, I-Pods and tablets are also prohibited in the classroom
4. Inappropriate, revealing, or suggestive dress.
5. Shirts must have sleeves and not cape in the arm area.  Shorts cannot be shorter than tips of fingers when extended @ sides.
6. Facial piercings, (examples: lips, nose, tongue)
7. Obscene tattoos
8. Holes in Jeans that are above the knee
1. Sleeveless top with sports bra showing

 

BUS RIDER RULES

 

            Previous to loading students should:

1. Be on time at the designated school bus stops—keep the bus on schedule.
2. Stay off the road at all times while waiting for the bus.
3. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to enter.
4. Be careful in approaching bus stops.
5. Do not move toward the front of the bus at the school-loading zone until the bus has been brought to a complete stop.
6. Respect people and their property while waiting on the bus.
7. Receive proper school official authorization to be discharged at places other than the regular bus stop.

 

 

While on the bus students should:

1. Keep all parts of the body inside the bus.
2. Refrain from eating and drinking on the bus.
3. Refrain from the use of any form of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.
4. Assist in keeping the bus safe and clean at all times.
5. Remember that loud talking and laughing or unnecessary confusion diverts the driver’s attention and may result in a serious accident.
6. Treat bus equipment as you would valuable furniture in your own home.
7. Never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment.
8. Maintain possession of books, lunches, or other articles and keep the isle clear.
9. Help look after the safety and comfort of small children.
10. Do not throw objects in or out of the bus.
11. Remain in your seat while the bus is in motion.
12. Refrain from horseplay and fighting on the school bus.
13. Be courteous to fellow pupils, the bus driver, and anyone on the bus.
14. Remain quiet when approaching a railroad-crossing stop.
15. Remain in the bus during road emergencies except when it may be hazardous to your safety.
16. Follow the bus driver’s directions at all times.

 

After leaving the bus students should:

1. Go at least ten (10) feet in front of the bus, stop, check traffic, wait for bus driver’s signal, then cross the road.
2. Go home immediately staying clear of traffic.
3. Help look after the safety and comfort of small children.

 

STUDENT BEHAVIOR

 

            Any behavior that is disruptive to the educational process will result in disciplinary action.  In recognition of the schools obligation to our students and community, the following acts can result in disciplinary action, at the discretion of the principal, which may include corporal punishment, suspension, or detention.

 

1. Possession, use of, or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
2. Immorality, profanity, or obscenity as defined by the Statutes of Oklahoma.
3. Consistent violation of written school rules, regulations or policies.
4. Possession, threat, or use of a dangerous weapon as defined by the State Statutes.
5. Assault and Battery.
6. Possessing items as matches, lighters, fireworks, or conduct, which may jeopardize the safety of others.
7. Conduct calculated to disrupt the operation of the school.
8. Truancy or habitual tardies.
9. Fighting.
10. Defacement or destruction of school property, including school buses.
11. Misconduct related to school transportation.
12. Any violation of appropriate behavior.

 

 

DARLINGTON SCHOOL BULLYING PREVENTION POLICY

 

 

1. STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

 

Darlington Elementary School is committed to creating a safe, healthy, learning environment for all students that enhances personal safety free from bullying and harassment, and encourages respect, dignity and equality among students

 

2. DEFINITIONS

 

“Bullying” means any pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal communication, or electronic communication directed toward a student or group of students that results in or is reasonably perceived as being done with the intent to cause negative educational or physical results for the targeted individual or group; and is communicated in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school’s educational mission or the education of any student. 

 

“Electronic communication” means the communication of any written, verbal, pictorial information or video content by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, a mobile or cellular telephone or other wireless communication device, or a computer.

 

“Threatening behavior” means any pattern of behavior or isolated action, whether or not it is directed at another person, that a reasonable person would believe indicates potential for future harm to students, school personnel, or school property.

 

3. REPORTING

1. Reporting Incidents of Bullying

The system of incident reporting in this district shall ensure that students are encouraged to report incidents of known bullying and shall remove unnecessary obstacles that would serve as a deterrent to reporting (e.g., ensuring availability of reporting procedures during the school day, ensuring a student is not penalized for tardiness or absence from a class incurred as a result of reporting an incident).  To facilitate prompt reporting and tracking of all incidents, Maple School shall follow the following procedures.  Such procedures shall, at a minimum, address all of the following requirements:

1.  District Bullying Report Form.  Students shall be informed of the process for reporting incidents of bullying and encouraged to report all incidents of bullying.  Incidents of bullying shall be reported on the “District Bullying Report Form” which shall be made available to students at all times during regular school hours, including in the main/front office of the school site, the office of the school counselor, the website of the school site, and any other locations recommended by the Safe School Committee at each school site.  Students shall be advised that they may obtain assistance from a school official if they have questions about completing the District Bullying Report Form or if they are unable to complete the form without assistance (e.g., students unable to write legibly due to age, disability, etc.).  The District Bullying Report Form shall be designed to facilitate reporting of incidents by all ages, and shall, at a minimum, include all of the following items:

1. Date and approximate time of incident;
2. Location of incident
3. Name(s) of all individuals at who the incident was directed or who were affected by the bullying behavior;
4. Name(s) of all individuals who initiated or encouraged the bullying behavior;
5. Name(s) of all individuals who witnessed the incident or may have information pertaining to the incident;
6. Description of the incident, including:

1. Identification of all inappropriate behaviors;
2. Identification of any types of alleged harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability;

7.  A description of the types of behaviors used to harass, intimidate, or threaten a student.  Examples include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Gesture, written, or verbal expressions (e.g., written or verbal threats, obscene gestures directed toward a student);
2. Physical acts (e.g., physical fights, assault, or attack);
3. Electronic communication (e.g., cellphone, instant messaging, email, social networking, audio or visual images);
4. Damage of a student’s property (e.g., stealing, hiding, or damaging property);
5. Threatening another student (i.e. communication leading to a reasonable fear of harm to the person or property of another individual or individual’s friends or family);

8.  Description of interference with the school’s educational mission or the education of the student, including, but not limited to:

1. Detrimental changes in school attendance (e.g., absences or tardies; missing all or part of a class or a school day);
2. Detrimental changes in student performance (e.g. student grades, assessments);
3. Detrimental changes in participation in school activities (e.g., student demonstrates fear or avoidance of interaction with other students during activities, lunch, bus, recess);

9.  Identification of any physical evidence of the conduct (e.g., written notes, emails, property destruction, voicemail messages, audio or video recording);
10. Any other information which could potentially assist school officials in investigation of the incident;
11. Name of individual reporting the incident and contact information at which the individual reporting incident may be reached to seek additional information (unless the form is for the purpose of anonymous reporting);
12. Relationship of the individual reporting the incident to the individuals involved in the incident.

2.  Individuals who may report incidents of bullying.  Incidents of bullying at this district may be reported by any student, parent, school employee, or member of the public.  Any school employee who has reliable information that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that an individual at the school is currently or has been the target of one or more incidents of bulling shall be required to report the information to the school’s Principal.  Failure by school employees to report incidents of bullying in accordance with the requirements of this policy may result in disciplinary action.
3. Privacy and confidentiality. Reports of bullying shall be kept confidential to the extent necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Family Education and Privacy Rights Act (FERPA) and to protect students who report incidents of bullying from retaliation. 
4. Anonymous reporting.  In order to ensure individuals may report incidents without fear of retribution or retaliation, every school site in this district shall provide at least one method of anonymous reporting of incidents of school bullying that protects the identity of the individual reporting the incident.  However, an anonymous report shall not be the sole basis for formal disciplinary action in response to an incident of bullying.
5. Tracking reports of incidents of bullying.  All reports of bullying shall be tracked using methods that will enable the administrators of each school site to identify emerging patterns of bullying over extended periods of time. 

 

 

POSSESSION OR USE OF WEAPONS

 

            Students who possess or use any firearm or dangerous weapon during school time, on school premises, on school buses, or during school-sponsored activities will be expelled for one semester and may be expelled for two semesters.

 

MEDICATION

 

            Darlington School will follow the law in its current form.  Any drug prescribed by a licensed physician or over the counter medication must be taken to the office upon arrival at school.  The parents must sign written permission with instructions for staff.  The school will not give aspirin or other drugs to students unless written permission has been given to the school office.  Only personnel in the office will be allowed to administer the medication.

 

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

 

            It is absolutely necessary that the school have a phone number of some one who can be contacted in case of an emergency situation should it arise.  Please keep this information updated.  If you move or change jobs, please let us know.

 

BAD WEATHER

 

            On rare occasions the weather becomes so inclement that it is necessary for school to be dismissed early.  When bad weather occurs overnight, watch the major news channels for school closing announcements.  Also an automatic messaging system may call your number on file with closing information.

 

ELIGIBILITY POLICY

1.  Students must maintain a cumulative average in each subject of 60% or better for each semester.  The cumulative average will be figured using the average for the previous nine week period and the current grade to determine eligibility.

2.  An average of less than 60% in any subject will result in probation for one week.  During the probation week:

          1.  Student will be allowed to take part in all extracurricular activities.

          2.  Student will go to a study hall during all recesses and work on assignments.

          3.  Student will be recommended for optional after school study.

          4.  The school will permit only two probation weeks per nine weeks and they may not be back to back.

          5.  A Notice of Concern will be sent home with a student placed on probation.

3.      If a student’s grade average is not 60% or above at the end of the probation week the student becomes ineligible       for all extracurricular activities for at least one week.  If grades do not come up to the required minimum the student will still be ineligible for the following week, etc.

   EXAMPLE:  A failing grade in math during one week results in probation.  If during that week the math grade is brought up but the English grade falls below 60% the student is still ineligible until all grades are 60% or above.

4.       Grades will be averaged on Thursday.  The student will be notified on Friday if they are ineligible.  If we have a short week the student will be notified on the last day of class that week.  The school will attempt to notify parents by phone but it is the responsibility of the student to tell the parents.  The student will receive a Notice of Concern from their teacher when they are ineligible.

5.  It is the responsibility of the student and parent to ask for any late or missing assignments, collect the necessary textbooks and worksheets, complete the work, and turn these in to the teacher the following day. Work that is more than three days old may not be accepted by the teacher and could result in a grade of 0 for the assignment.

6.       Illness and Emergency Leave - The student will have as many days as they have missed to make up work with no late penalty.

7.       Planned Absences - Student will notify each teacher as early as possible before the absence to get any assignments.        All assignments will be due on the first day back in school.

8.      An average of less than 70% in any subject will result in mandatory tutoring which does include after school.

 

 

DEFINITIONS:

          Extracurricular: An activity not directly related to a student’s grades. i.e., all sports, cheerleading, Quiz Bowl, classroom rewards, clubs

          One Week: Monday morning until Sunday night.  A shorter week due to snow days, illness, & scheduled days out still constitutes a week.

          Probation: One week grace period to bring up grades.  The student MAY take part in all extracurricular activities.

          Ineligible:   A minimum of one week that a student MAY NOT participate in any extracurricular activity.  Ineligibility will be more than one week if a passing grade IN ALL SUBJECTS IS NOT ATTAINED.

 

RIGHTS UNDER FERPA

 

          The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records.  These rights are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the School receives a request for access.

Parent’s or eligible students should submit to the School Principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect.  The School official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the studen’ts privacy rights under FERPA.

Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the School to amend a record should writhe the School principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed.  If the School decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the School will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to privacy of personally identifiable information in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.  A school official is a person employed by the School as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the School has outsourced services or functions it would otherwise use its own employees to person (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Upon Request: the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

 

 

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202

 

INTERNET AND COMPUTER NETWORKS

 

The Darlington Public Schools district is pleased to make available to students and staff access to interconnected computer systems within the district and to the Internet, the worldwide network that provides access to significant educational materials and opportunities.

 

In order for the school district to ensure the continued accessibility of its computer network and the Internet, all students and staff must take responsibility for appropriate and lawful use of this access.  Students and staff must understand that one person’s misuse of the network and Internet access may jeopardize the ability of all students and staff to enjoy such access.  While the school’s teachers and other staff will make reasonable efforts to supervise student use of network and Internet access, they must have student cooperation in exercising and promoting responsible use of this access.

 

Below is the Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy o the school district and the Data Acquisition Site that provides Internet access to the school district.  Upon reviewing, signing, and returning this policy as directed, each student and staff member agrees to follow the policy and will be given the opportunity to enjoy Internet access at school.  If a student is under 18 years of age, he or she must have his or her parent or guardian read and sign the policy.  The school district shall not provide access to any student who, if 18 years or older, fails to sign and submit the policy to the school as directed or, if under 18, does not return the policy as directed with the signatures of the student and his/her parent or guardian.

 

Listed below are the provisions of the agreement regarding computer network and Internet use.  The district has designated a staff member to whom users may direct questions.  If any user violates this policy, the user’s access will be denied or withdrawn, and the user may be subject to additional disciplinary action.

 

 

Personal Responsibility

 

By signing this policy, the user agrees not only to follow the rules of this policy, but also to report any misuse of the network to the person designated by the school for such reporting.  Misuse means any violations of this policy or any other use that is not authorized under this policy, and having the effect of harming another or his or her property.

 

Term of the Permitted Use

 

A student or staff member who submits to the school, as directed, a properly signed policy and follows the policy to which she or he has agreed will have computer network and Internet access during the course of the school year only.  Students and staff will be asked to sign a new policy each year during which they are students or staff members in the school district before they are given an access account.

 

Acceptable Uses

 

1. Educational Purposes Only.  The school district is providing access to its computer networks and the Internet for educational purposes only.  If the user has any doubt about whether a contemplated activity is educational, the user may consult with the person(s) designated by the school to help decide if a use is appropriate. 
2. Unacceptable Uses of Network.  Among the uses that are considered unacceptable and which constitute a violation of this policy are the following.
   1. Uses that violate the law or encourage others to violate the law.  Do not transmit offensive or harassing messages; offer for sale or use any substance the possession of which is prohibited by the school district’s student discipline policy; view, transmit or download pornographic materials or materials that encourage others to violate the law; intrude into the networks or computers of others; and download or transmit confidential, trade secret information, or copyrighted materials.  Even if materials on the networks are not marked with the copyright symbol, the user should assume that all materials are protected unless there is explicit permission on the materials to use them.
   2. Uses that cause harm to others or damage to their property.  For example, do not engage in defamation (harming another’s reputation by lies); employ another’s password or some other user identifier that misleads message recipients into believing that someone other than the user is communicating or otherwise using his/her access to the network or the Internet; upload a worm, virus, “Trojan horse,” “time bomb,” or other harmful form of programming or vandalism; participate in “hacking” activities or any form of unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information systems.
   3. Uses that jeopardize the security of student and staff access and of the computer network or other network on the Internet.  For example, do not disclose or share your password with others; do not impersonate another user.
   4. Users that are commercial transactions.  Students, staff, and other users may not sell or buy anything over the Internet.  The user should not give others private information about the user or others, including credit card numbers and social security numbers.
3. Netiquette All users must abide by rules of network etiquette, which include the following:
   1. Be polite.  Use appropriate language.  No swearing, vulgarities, suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or threatening language.
   2. Avoid language and uses that may be offensive to other users.  Do not use access to make, distribute, or redistribute jokes, stories, or other material that is based upon slurs or stereotypes relating to race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation.
   3. Do not assume that a sender of e-mail is giving his or her permission for the user to forward or redistribute the message to third parties or to give his/her e-mail address to third parties.  This should be done only with permission or when the user knows that the individual would have no objection.
   4. Be considerate when sending attachments with e-ail (where this is permitted).  Be sure that the file is not too large to be accommodated by the recipient’s system and is in a format that the recipient can open.
4. Cyber Bullying – Cyber bullying is when one or more people intentionally harm, harass, intimidate or reject another person using technology.  This includes but is not limited to the following:
   1. Sending mean or threatening messages via email, Instant message, or text message.
   2. Spreading rumors about others through email, Instant Message or text message
   3. Creating a web site or MySpace (or other social-networking) account that targets another student or other person(s)
   4. Sharing fake or embarrassing photos or videos of someone with others via a cellphone or the Web.
   5. Stealing another person’s login and password to send mean or embarrassing messages from his or her account

It shall be the policy of Darlington Public Schools that cyber bullying will not be tolerated under any circumstances.  A student caught violating this policy will lose computer privileges and these actions may result in further disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion from school of the student(s) involved.  In addition, violators and their parent’s/guardians may be subject to civil and/or criminal penalties as specified by Oklahoma and/or federal law.

 

Internet Safety

 

1. General Warning: Individual Responsibility of Parents and Users. All student users and their parents/guardians are advised that access to the electronic network may include the potential for access to materials inappropriate for school-aged students.  Every user must take responsibility for his or her use of the computer network and Internet and stay away from these sites.  Parents of minors are the best guides to materials to shun.  If a student or staff member find that other users are visiting offensive or harmful sites, he or she should report such use to the appropriate school designee.
2. Personal Safety. Be safe.  In using the computer network and Internet, the user should not reveal personal information such as the user’s home address or telephone number.  The user should not use his/her real last name or any other information which might allow a person to locate the user without first obtaining the permission of a supervising teacher.  Do not arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone “met” on the computer network or Internet without a parent’s permission (if the user is under 18).  Regardless of the user’s age, the user should never agree to meet a person the user has only communicated with on the Internet in a secluded place or in a private setting.
3. “Hacking” and Other Illegal Activities. It is a violation of this policy to use the school’s computer network or the Internet to gain unauthorized access to other computers or computer systems, or to attempt to gain such unauthorized access.  Any use which violates state or federal law relating to compyright, trade secrets, the distribution of obscene or pornographic materials, or which violates any other applicable law or municipal ordinance, is strictly prohibited.
4. Confidentiality of Student Information. Personally identifiable information concerning students may not be disclosed or used in any way on the Internet without the permission of a parent or guardian or, if the student is 18 or over, the permission of the student.  Users should never give out private or confidential information about themselves or others on the Internet, particularly credit card numbers and Social Security numbers.  A supervising teacher or administrator may authorize the release of directory information, as defined by law, for internal administrative purposes or approved educational projects and activities. 
5. Active Restriction Measures. The school, either by itself or in combination with the Data Acquisition Site providing Internet access, will utilize filtering software or other technologies to prevent users from accessing visual depictions that are (1) obscene, (2) pornographic, or (3) harmful to minors.  We are using Industry Systems for our technology protection measure (internet filtering software) to ensure that users are not accessing such depictions or any other material that is inappropriate for minors. 

 

Internet filtering software or other technology-based protection systems may be disabled by a supervising teacher or school administrator, as necessary, for purposes of bona fide research or other educational projects being conducted by students age 17 and older.    

 

The term “harmful to minors” is defined by the Communications Act of 1934 (47 USC Section 254 [h][7]), as meaning any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:

     -taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to the prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion.

     - depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals;

     - taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

6. All Students will be educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber bullying awareness and response. 

Privacy

 

Network and Internet access is provided as a tool for the user’s education.  The school district reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review, and store at any time and without prior notice any and all usage of the computer network and Internet access and any and all information transmitted or received in connection with such usage.  All such information files shall be and remain the property of the school district and no user shall have any expectation of privacy regarding such materials 

 

Failure to Follow Policy

 

The user’s use of the computer network and Internet is a privilege, not a right.  A user who violates this policy, shall at a minimum, have his or her access to the computer network and Internet terminated, which the school district may refuse to reinstate for the remainder of the student’s enrollment or the staff member’s employment in the school district.  A user violates this policy by his or her own action or by failing to report any violations by other users that come to the attention of the user.  Further, a user violates this policy if he or she permits another to use his or her account or password to access the computer network and Internet, including any user whose access has been denied or terminated.  The school district may also take other disciplinary action in such circumstances. 

 

Warranties/Indemnification

 

The school district makes no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, in connection with its provision of access to and use of its computer networks and the Internet provided under this policy.  It shall not be responsible for any claims, losses, damages, or costs (including attorney’s fees) of any kind suffered, directly or indirectly, by any users (or his or her parents or guardian) arising out of the user’s use of its computer networks or the Internet under this policy.  By signing this policy, users are taking full responsibility for their own use, and the user who is 18 or older or the parent(s) or guardian(s) of a minor student are agreeing to indemnify and hold the school, the school district, the Data Acquisition Site that provides the computer and Internet access opportunity to the school district and all of their administrators, teachers, and staff harmless from any and all loss, costs, claims, or damages resulting from the user’s access to its computer network and the Internet, including but not limited to any fees or charges incurred through purchases of goods or services by the user.  The user or the parent(s) or guardian(s) of a minor student agree to cooperate with the school in the event of the school’s initiating an investigation of a user’s use of his or her access to its computer network and the Internet, whether that use is on a school computer or on another computer outside the school district’s network.

Update

 

Users, and if appropriate, their parents/guardians, may be asked from time to time to provide new or additional registration and account information or to sign a new policy reflecting developments in the law or technology or changes in district policy.  Such information must be provided by the user (or his/her parents or guardian) or such new policy must be signed if the user wishes to continue to receive service.  If after account information is provided, some or all of the information changes, the user must notify the person designated by the school to receive such information

 

The Policy required by Law

 

Asbestos Statement of Compliance

 

Darlington Public School District is in compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1987 and related Oklahoma and Federal regulations.  Our building inspected by licensed personnel for the presence of asbestos.  The main building showed traces of asbestos in the vinyl floor tile and glue attaching the vinyl base.  The entire floor is covered with carpet.  The current assessment of the Health Hazard is NONE.  The Darlington School Asbestos Management Plan and inspection results are located in the superintendent’s office and are available for inspection during regular school hours. 

                                                                                          

 

MOMENT OF SILENCE

 

            The Darlington School district shall, according to Oklahoma law, observe one minute of silence each day for the purpose of allowing each student to meditate, pray, or engage in any other silent activity that does not interfere with, distract, or impede other students in the exercise of their choice.  All school personnel are to afford these options to all students, who will individually make the selection as to which of these behaviors they will engage in during the moment of silence. 

 

Darlington School will lead the moment of silence as follows:

“As we begin another day, let us pause for a moment of silence to reflect, meditate, pray or engage in other silent activity.

 

 

 

 

Darlington School

 

School-Parent Compact

 

Mission:  Darlington School is committed to provide all that is needed to guarantee that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed in school.  The Darlington Public School System is committed to providing curriculum and experience, which will enable our students to develop skills necessary to make positive contributions in the complex world they will inherit.  This commitment will empower our students to reach their maximum potential and afford them a measure of success in all endeavors, no matter who they may be or whatever the economic status of their family.

 

Student Pledge

I will strive to…

• Attend school regularly.
• Complete assignments and return homework on time to the teacher.
• Show respect for myself, other people, animals, and property.

• Accept responsibility for my own actions.
• Make an effort to do my best and learn.
• Resolve conflicts peacefully.

 

Parent Pledge

• To help my children be successful and provide positive support to teachers.
• To attend school functions and parent-teacher conferences.
• To be involved in the amount and content of my child’s television viewing and radio listening.
• To communicate regularly and openly with school staff and with my child.
• To read with my children every day.
• To provide adequate rest, food, and medical attention so that my child is ready to learn.

• To help my child get to school on time and attend regularly.
• To support the school in developing positive behaviors in my child.

• To limit and regulate television viewing and radio listening.

• To communicate regularly and openly with school staff and with my child.
• To read with my children every day.
• To provide adequate rest, food, and medical attention so that my child is ready to learn.

• To help my child get to school on time and attend regularly.

• To support the school in developing positive behaviors in my child.

 

Staff Pledge

• Communicate and work with families to enhance student’s learning.

• Respect and gain knowledge of the cultural differences of students and their families.  

• Encourage students and parents by providing information about student progress.

• Provide a safe, pleasant, and caring atmosphere.

• Provide resources to help all children be successful in their school experience.

• Maintain high expectations for myself, students, and other staff.

• Assist students in the development of a sense of personal and civic responsibility.

• Help students learn to resolve conflicts in an appropriate and positive manner.

 

Dear Darlington Families and Guest,

We are so excited to share with you our new website.  It is a work in progress, but our hopes are this will become a fun and easy way for us to communicate and share information.  Darlington is known for its rich culture and traditions.  We are always so honored when Darlington graduates and new families choose us to educate their children.   Our school board and staff are committed to providing the highest quality of education for our students.  The Darlington teachers continue to find new and effective ways to build a desire within each student to become successful and high achieving during their educational experience.  We enjoy the relationships we have built and continue to build with our students and their families.  We are excited about the 2018-2019 school year and look forward to what successes and memories that will be made.

Sincerely,

Gina Musae

Principal/Counselor

Welcome to the new Darlington Public School web site. We have been working hard for the past few months to redesign the web site, and we will be making additions over the course of the next several weeks and months.  The site will continue to evolve and keep you up to date on important school activities and information.  While the site won't be a daily newspaper by any means, it is certainly our goal to keep the content fresh and exciting in an effort to entice you to return often.

MOBILE ACCESS
We are excited to tell you that the new web site is adaptable for viewing on all mobile devices and that you have a choice on your viewing preference.

The next time you view our website on a tablet or smartphone, our web site will automatically detect your mobile device, display the mobile view and will remember it each time you return. If you change your mind, look for the Full Site/Mobile link on the footer of the web site to toggle back and forth.

In addition to view choices, the mobile view offers additional features.  You can learn about them and some interesting facts about mobile access by clicking here.

ALSO, be sure to visit the calendar component of the web site. Sign up for weekly or monthly reminders for the events and activities you are interested in. Click here for more details, including instructions for clipping events.

So,  take a look now, and then keep checking in with us from time to time; hopefully you'll notice the changes, the new features, etc.  Thanks for visiting and come back again soon.

Cross Country Schedule 2018-2019

 

August 18th - Norman

August 25th - Weatherford

September 1st - Watonga

September 8th - Riverside Indian School

September 20th - Moore

October 6th - Watonga

October 16th - State Meet @ Tenkiller