Arrival

Typical school hours are 8:50 – 3:50. Arrival begins at 8:30.  Students cannot arrive prior to that time because we do not have staff available to supervise. 

8:30 a.m.     Students may enter the building

8:50 a.m.     Class begins

3:45 p.m.     Dismissal begins

3:50 p.m.     Car and buses may leave

***Children who arrive after 8:50 a.m. are considered tardy. When this happens, an adult must walk the child into the building to sign in at the office.

• At no time are you permitted to be using a cell phone if your car is moving.
• All car riders should be dropped off at these respective areas: K-1 and siblings of K-1 students: back area drop, EC: side drop off, and Grades 2-5 front area drop off.
• All vehicles should use the lane closest to the building for arrival.
• All children should exit on the SIDEWALK side of the vehicle.
• Once your child has exited the vehicle, please proceed so that traffic continues to flow.
• Staff members are present to ensure the safety of all children; their instructions must be followed.
• Parking is not permitted in the drop off lane.

Arrival begins at 8:30 a.m.

NOTE*** For the safety of our students, parents are not permitted to drop students off in the school parking lot. All car riders are expected to follow arrival and dismissal procedures.

Dismissal

• Bus riders will be dismissed from the classrooms and will go directly to the buses.
• Car riders will be dismissed to appropriate area for pick up.
• Each family will be given a car rider tag with your child’s last name on it. The tag will be collected by our dismissal staff and your child will return it to you when they load in the vehicle. Cars without this tag will be asked for identification. We do this for the safety of all children and thank you for your cooperation.
• Students will wait quietly in the building until notified by a staff member to load into their car.
• Parents are to form two lanes of traffic to pick up their student(s).
• Loading will be limited to cars in the loading zone. Once stopped, please turn your engine off and stay with your vehicle. A staff member will ensure that the name on the tag is called so that students can be called for loading.
• Once all students are loaded and the staff has cleared all areas, vehicles will be released.
• The second wave of cars will pull forward for loading and the process repeats itself.
• If the child is late to the loading zone and causes a parent to wait, the parent will be instructed to park so that other cars may continue with dismissal. Leaving your car in the driveway to come into the building is prohibited at all times.
• For the safety of the children and to ensure efficiency of pick-up, children will not be released to walk to the parking lot. We ask that all parents use the designated car rider line.
• Your patience and consideration for the safety of students is appreciated. Our car rider line typically takes 15-20 minutes; however, at the beginning of the year it will be longer due to ensuring everyone is following rules for student safety.

Walkers

If your child is designated as a walker and has a walker tag, the expectation is that your child will walk from the school door to his/her residence door.

• Walkers will be escorted to the corner where the crossing guard is present. This will help to alleviate congestion outside of the front entrance and to ensure the safety of all students exiting the building during dismissal. All walkers must have a walker permission form on file with the school prior to walking. This form can be picked up in the office or from your child’s teacher. A walker pass will be issued once the form is completed.  PARENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PICK UP WALKERS IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT.  For the safety of your child and others, please adhere to Longview transportation practices.
• All students must be picked up by 3:50, as teachers are only on duty until this time. Students that are picked up late 3 times will be asked to register with SACC, so children may be supervised the entire time.

Consistent attendance and punctuality are a cornerstone of student progress and success. If students repeatedly miss school or are often tardy, it puts them at risk for misunderstanding concepts that are taught and reinforced while they are not present. Additionally, student attendance is one of the categories the federal and state governments use to evaluate schools and assess whether they are making adequate yearly progress. Consistent attendance is a priority at Longview.

Student attendance will be taken daily. If your child is ill or otherwise is unable to attend a scheduled learning session, please contact your child’s teacher. Teachers will be posting daily classroom materials and activities to their Schoology Account.

Tardies and Early Dismissals (before 3:15)

Students are tardy if they are not in their classrooms by 8:50 am. Students may be dropped off at school starting at 8:30 a.m.  As arrival processes may take longer to include screenings, principals will be more flexible this year on tardies.  If you need childcare prior to this time, please contact our SACC program.

 Late arrival and early dismissal may be excused for the following reasons: (1) illness, (2) death in the family, (3) recognized religious holiday, (4) doctor or dentist appointment, or (5) Principal approved emergency or exceptional circumstances. 

Early dismissals are strongly discouraged after 3:15 (except in an emergency) due to safety issues and the interruption of instructional time in classes.  Instructional time extends until dismissal at 3:50 PM. 

 The parent must sign the student out in the office at dismissal time stating time and reason, and office personnel will call the student to the office when the parent arrives to pick up the student. A student is considered absent for the day if they are picked up prior to 12:20 PM.

Excused Absences

Excused absences include: (1) illness, (2) death in the family, (3) recognized religious holiday, (4) doctor or dentist appointment, or (5) Principal approved emergency or exceptional circumstances, IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to have an absence excused, see “written documentation” below.

Written Documentation

The Williamson County School Board Policy 6.200 requires written parental or medical documentation for all absences, tardies, and early dismissals. This documentation ensures that school personnel are fully and accurately informed about your child. All absences are considered “unexcused” until a note is sent, preferably within 48 hours of the student’s return to school. When a student’s absences exceed 8 days, a doctor’s note will be required to excuse all future absences with the exception of bereavement and religious holiday.  Notes are kept on file for the school year.  Parents may also send an email with all appropriate information to their teacher AND our attendance secretary, Christy Burnham at christinab@wcs.edu. 

 Notes should state:

• child’s name
• teacher’s name
• date(s) of absence
• reason for absence
• doctor’s note attached (if applicable)
• parent or guardian signature

School Notification

When a student accumulates a total of 8 total absences, all other absences will be considered unexcused unless a doctor’s note is presented upon the day of returning to school. 

In accordance with new state guidelines for schools related to truancy, Williamson County Schools has implemented a three-tiered system to monitor attendance.  Parents will be notified as unexcused absences accumulate to proactively help with truancy concerns.

• 3 unexcused absences - parents will be notified via email.
• 5 unexcused absences – a phone call will be made by an administrator to develop a contract. The team will create the plan with the family to ensure subsequent school attendance. Follow-up meetings will be planned to monitor progress.
• If the student continues to accumulate absences, additional interventions will be established, and truancy court may be contacted.
• The new Tennessee Department of Education Accountability Regulations (ESSA) defines students as "chronically absent" after 18 absences per year, regardless of excused or unexcused. Students who accumulate 18 or more absences will be considered “Chronically Absent” and reported to the state.

Longview teachers and staff work to create a safe learning environment for students utilizing PBIS.  The goal of school discipline is to create an environment where learning can occur, and students learn self-direction and self-discipline.  Parents should consult the student section in Board Policy 6.309 and 6.316 to better understand district consequences from misbehavior.

It is also important to become familiar with the LVES PBIS plan.  We follow all WCS policies, procedures and guidelines concerning discipline for these offenses.

"Bully-Free" School

Bullying is not tolerated. We ask all parents and students to report any bullying to a teacher or staff member in the building. The report will be investigated by administration within 48 hours.  The investigation and required intervention will be implemented within 20 calendar days.  Administration will notify the parent/guardian of any students involved immediately.  Administration will also provide information regarding any support services available. Administration will follow investigation procedures and definitions set forth in policy 6.3034. Behavior that is found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to discipline, up to and including suspension as deemed by administration.

Definition:  Bullying is defined by Tennessee law as any act that substantially interferes with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities or performance.  Bullying is:   1) repeated, 2) intentional harm, 3) against someone perceived with less power.  Bullying has the effect of:

1. Physically harming a student or damaging a student’s property
2. Knowingly placing the student or students in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student’s property.
3. Causing emotional distress to a student or students; or
4. Creating a hostile educational environment.

If a student needs help with resolving a conflict or if a student feels that he/she is being bullied, he/she should communicate with a staff member such as a teacher, counselor or administration.

Families may also report bullying to a WCS toll free tip line.  The toll-free number is 1-855-284-0669. Incidents can also be reported via email at bullying@wcs.edu.  Please reference School Board Policy 6.3034.

Students are encouraged to bring their lunches in disposable containers such as brown bags or plastic bags.

• Carbonated drinks and food brought from anywhere other than home are not allowed.
• Please send items in your child’s lunch that can be easily managed by the child.

The school cafeteria will offer a variety of lunch options each day.  

• The price for a student school lunch is $3.75. This is subject to change and dependent on any a la carte items bought.
• Please consider managing your child’s lunch account online. This way you are able to check the account daily.
• Visitors will be allowed during lunch. Due to limited space in the cafeteria, we will have tables in the main hallway for parents to eat with their child.

When in the cafeteria:

Lunch should be a relaxing and fun time for students. To that end, cafeteria rules have been established to help create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere. Please review these rules with your children.

Cafeteria Rules:

1. Enter and exit the cafeteria in a neat line.
2. Get all utensils and condiments before sitting down.
3. Purchase all items when you go through the line.
4. Gather all trash and clean up your area when your table is dismissed.
5. Stay in your seat with your feet under the table and keep your hands to yourself.
6. Talk to the people only at your table.
7. Raise your hand and wait for permission before leaving your seat.
8. Only eat food you brought or bought.
9. Listen to the cafeteria monitors.
10. Use proper dining manners.

Family members only are welcome to join their children for lunch.  Visitors must eat at the tables in the main hallway outside the library/cafeteria.  Parents may only eat with their own children. In the best interest of all students and in alignment with the district’s wellness policy and allergy protocol, outside restaurant food is not permitted. Parents should plan to purchase a school lunch or bring a sack lunch from home for themselves. We appreciate your understanding of this request as we work to reduce disruption, promote healthy school lunches, and diligently protect our students with allergies.

To preserve instructional time, parents are asked to wait at the cafeteria to join their children for lunch and to say “goodbye” to their children in the cafeteria. Don’t forget to sign in/out in the office and wear a visitor’s sticker.

We love to honor and celebrate students at Longview.  There will be one class party and one class picnic scheduled during the year.  The parties will be a time for students to participate in fun activities with their classmates.  It is vital that staff and parents be mindful of food allergies when planning for celebrations.  Food allergies can be life threatening and are a serious concern to all schools.  We have several students with serious food allergies.  Therefore, we will make every effort to protect students with allergies while not taking away from traditional childhood celebrations.  The guidelines listed below are in accordance with the district's Wellness Policy.

Class Parties

The classroom teacher will plan two celebrations: a winter party and an end of year party.  Volunteers will not be permitted in the classroom for the party.  They can support the teacher through donation of supplies.

All celebrations must be pre-planned with the classroom teacher.  The room parents and party planners for each classroom organize classroom celebrations and coordinate the plans with the teachers.  As we work to keep our buildings and children safe, parties will no longer be open to all family members. As per WCS policy, only 2 parents per classroom will be allowed to attend/facilitate parties.  All foods for scheduled schoolwide and classroom celebrations must be pre-packaged with ingredient and nutritional values listed.  Food made from home may not be distributed during the school day or brought into the classroom.

Birthdays

Students love to celebrate birthdays at school, as it is a memorable time to share with teachers and friends. In an effort to abide by the WCS Wellness Policy as well as address the increasing number of students with food allergies or diabetes, we are asking all parents to follow these simple guidelines when planning for your child’s birthday this year. The Longview staff feels strongly that by following these guidelines, we are promoting a healthy lifestyle and maximizing learning:

• Send in a non-edible treat for everyone in the classroom such as pencils, bookmarks, etc.
• Donate a book in your child’s name to our school library.
• Donate an educational game or book to your child’s classroom teacher in their honor.

Your child’s birthday will also be recognized on our school-wide announcements. Again, the emphasis is on honoring your child on their birthday without a focus on food.

Individual invitations to private birthday parties may not be distributed during school hours unless there is an invitation for every child in the class or one for every student that is the same gender as your child (i.e. for your daughter, an invitation for every girl in the class). There is no need to put student names on these invitations as there will be enough for one per child. Please note that these invitations will be distributed to students in your child’s class only. Invitations sent to school where there is not one for every child in the classroom will be returned home.

Cell phones, Smart watches and cameras may not be used to take pictures or video in the school setting. If, as a parent, you feel that it is imperative for your child to have a cell phone/smart watch at school for after school communication, it is to remain in your child’s backpack, turned off during the school day and during bus transports to and from school.  All items in backpacks are the responsibility of the student and the school is not liable for ANY loss or damage incurred.  We are working to keep students focused on learning.  All electronic games, toys, trading cards, MP3 players, virtual pets, hand-held electronic games, etc. are not permitted AND should not be seen or heard during the school day. If any of these items are seen or heard during the school day they will be taken up and returned only to a parent/guardian.  Students take full responsibility for personal digital devices at all times.  The school is not responsible for the security of the device.

Parents/Guardians should always follow the WCS Illness Guidelines, found on the WCS website. Parents/Guardians should conduct health screening(s) on their children before sending them to school. This includes assessing for the following COVID-19 symptoms:

• Have you had unusual cough or shortness of breath?
• Have you had a sore throat or other flu-like symptoms?
• Have you had a fever of 100F or greater in the past 72-hours?
• Have you had new loss of taste or smell?
• Have you had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24-hours?

If they answer ‘yes’ to two or more of any of the above questions, or have a temperature of 100F or higher, then please keep them home and seek medical attention, as necessary. Please assist your younger children in how to answer these questions once they get to school.

Staff will report any observed symptoms in students during the day to the school nurse. The school nurse will determine if any symptoms are present and, if so, contact you to pick-up your child.

Please refer to the WCS Illness Guidelines for return to school.

We are very fortunate to have a full-time nurse on staff.  She is committed to serving all students and staff.  If a student becomes ill or injured at school, the teacher will have the student evaluated by the school nurse.  Through her examination and in accordance with the district WCS Illness Guidelines, the nurse will determine treatment or if the student does not meet criteria to stay in school.  The nurse will notify parents if a student becomes significantly ill or injured. The school is not equipped for prolonged care of your sick child. We ask that you or an emergency contact pick up your child within the hour that you are called. The school nurse may only administer medications that are provided and authorized by the parent/guardian. Please contact Nurse Lynn at lynn.reed@wcs.edu for more information about medications.

Students will be checked for head lice by the school nurse when demonstrating symptoms of infestation.  Parents of students with live lice or an active infestation will be asked to pick up their child as soon as possible to begin the treatment process.  The student may return to school only after the hair has been treated appropriately and the parent presents proof of treatment. 

When determining whether your child is well enough to attend school, please refer to the Williamson County Schools Illness Guidelines.  Please note that your child should not be sent to school until he/she has been fever free for at least 24 hours without taking a fever reducing medication. In addition, if student is absent from school due to illness, he/she may not attend after school activities that same day.

If you have any other questions regarding health services, policies or procedures, please visit the Williamson County Schools Health Services Site.

Students should dress appropriately for comfort, weather and learning.  Longview Elementary will follow the guidelines set forth by the county school board policy number 6.310.

1. Tops of shoulders must have a minimum of a 1-inch strap unless otherwise covered by an opaque top garment;
2. Skin and undergarments must be covered with opaque clothing from the underarm to mid-thigh.
3. Mid-thigh is defined as the mid-point between the waist and mid-knee;
4. All pants, trousers, shorts and skirts must be held at the waist;
5. Leggings and other compression-style garments may be worn so long as an opaque top garment covers the private body parts;
6. Hats may be worn in buildingson special occasion as permitted by administration;
7. Appropriate shoes are required;
8. Tennis shoes with non-marking soles are requiredfor physical education.
9. It is recommendedthat students wear tennis shoes for recess.  Please do not send students in flip flops or shoes without a back as this can result in injury.

Any type of clothing, apparel or accessory, including that which denotes such students' membership in or affiliation with any gang associated with criminal activities is not permitted (TCA 49-6-4215).

Student uniforms related to student extra-curricular activities (band, cheerleading, dance, sports team, etc.) must be in compliance with this policy during the academic day.

Any apparel or dress that advertises or promotes products or activity prohibited by law or by the Board of Education is prohibited (e.g., profanity, illustrations, or suggestive language, etc.).

Administrators and teachers shall enforce the dress code policy. The principal or his/her designee shall be the final judge as to compliance with the dress code.  Parents will be notified and asked to bring appropriate clothing if a student is in violation of the dress code.

Students have the opportunity to participate in several field trips as extensions of classroom activities throughout the year.  Teachers will notify parents concerning field trips and send home permission forms for parent's signature.  The school must have on file written permission from the parent before a student may go on a field trip.  If the written permission slip is not returned by the due date, the child will not be able to attend the field trip. Students will travel by bus to and from all trips.  Any exceptions to this procedure must be approved by the principal.  Chaperones are not permitted to ride on the bus with students.  Therefore, chaperones should plan to follow the bus in their car. 

Chaperones are welcome and needed for field trips.  For the safety of our Longview students, no siblings are allowed on school field trips. According to Williamson County School Board Policy, all chaperones must be Tier 3 Volunteers.

Williamson County Schools Family Access gives parents the ability to track their child’s academic progress safely and securely online. Visit our Skyward site to register.

Ongoing communication from school to home and from home to school is essential to working together as partners in providing excellence in education for all students.  Your ideas, questions, and concerns are important to the entire Longview Team.  We welcome your notes, calls, and visits.  Listed below are possible ways teachers can communicate with parents:

1. Parent Information Night/Open House (virtual)
2. Parent/Student Handbook
3. Quarterly PTO meetings and newsletter
4. Weekly Teacher/Classroom newsletters
5. Teacher-parent phone calls
6. Teacher-parent video conferencing
7. Monthly email or newsletter from the Principal
8. School Web Page – https://www.wcs.edu/LVES
9. WCS Skyward Family Access – track student attendance and academic progress
10. Phone calls from the principal through a message system
11. Parents should also sign up for the county’s district-wide In Focus digital news.

E-mail Policy

All teachers have a published e-mail address.  Although you may wish to communicate with your child’s teacher by e-mail, please be aware that e-mail is not always confidential.  Please do not send time sensitive information by e-mail as the system is occasionally down and teacher’s instructional schedules do not allow for immediate response.

Voice Mail Policy

All teachers have published voicemail extensions that can be accessed by calling 615- 472-5060.  Please do not leave time sensitive messages by voicemail, as teachers’ instructional schedules do not allow for immediate response.  In an effort to keep in communication with parents, teachers will check their voicemail before and after school each day.

School staff will make every effort to return parent communication within 24 business hours.

Homework

Homework is an extension of student learning and allows independent practice and reinforcement of skills and concepts presented in class. In addition, it is an expectation that students read each night as research shows the vast impact it has on overall learning.

When assigning homework teachers follow these guidelines: Students in kindergarten and 1^st grade will have no more than 20 minutes of homework each night.  For students in 2^nd and 3^rd grade there will be no more than 40 minutes assigned each night.  For students in 4^th and 5^th grades there will be no more than one hour of homework nightly.  This time does include time for reading either independently or with someone.

Homework is something that should be completed independently by the child.  Parents are encouraged to monitor that their child’s homework is attempted or done.  If a child is unable to complete work independently, this should be communicated with the child’s teacher.  If a child is struggling to complete homework or is spending over the maximum time allotted, please contact the teacher. The teacher needs feedback at this point so that together you can resolve the issue. We know our students and families are busy and it is not our intent to dominate all of a student’s after-school hours. It is our intent to promote organization, good work habits, and responsibility in our students.

Test Retakes 

In order for a student to retake a test, the following must occur: 

• Student has completed and turned in all their homework. 
• Student received a grade of 71 or below. 
• Parent has seen and signed the original test. 
• Remediation of material must take place.  

The retake test will not be an identical test as the original but will be another version and/or completion of a reflective correction sheet. If the reflective correction sheet answers are correct, the student will be given a test grade of 72. Quizzes cannot be retaken. Test retakes are student-driven with the teacher providing necessary support. 

1.501 Visitors to the Schools

3.500 Food Services Management

4.300 Extracurricular Activities

6.303 Interrogations and Searches

6.400 Promoting Student Welfare

6.405 Medicines

6.709 Student Fees and Fines

Board Policy 6.200 Attendance

6.304 Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying, Cyber-Bullying, and Intimidation

6.3041 Title IX & Sexual Harassment

6.309 Zero Tolerance Offenses

6.315 Detention

6.316 Student Suspension/Expulsion

3.400 School Bus Safety/Student Conduct

4.406 Student Access To Electronic Media

6.310 Dress Code

4.600 Report Cards and Grading Systems

4.603 Promotion and Retention

Annual Public Notices including FERPA, Child Advocacy Groups Contact Information, Homeless Education, Rights of Children with Disabilities and Parent Responsibilities, Section 504 Notice, State Statutory Rights of Parents and Students, Teacher Information, and the Williamson County Schools Statement of Non-Discrimination can be found on the Annual Public Notices posted to the WCS website.

Williamson County Schools Statement of Non-Discrimination

Williamson County, in compliance with federal and state law, performs a countywide Child Find. Child Find uses screening to find students in both public school or private school located in the geographic region who may need special education services and supports.