STUDENT HANDBOOK

School Hours
School begins daily at 7:15 a.m. with students reporting to the cafeteria for breakfast. Breakfast is served
daily from 7:15 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. The tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m. After 8:00 a.m.., all students
arriving to school must be signed in by a parent or designee. School will dismiss promptly at 2:55 p.m.
Parents are asked not to check their child out after 2:30 p.m. as it will cause an unnecessary tardy. For
afternoon dismissal, students will only be allowed to load on the school side of the street. Parents are to
remain inside their cars and do not stop the engines as students will need to load quickly.
Supervision WILL NOT is provided for students who arrive before 7:15 a.m. or remain later than 3:50
p.m. These procedures are designed for the safety and well-being of each student.
Breakfast Prices
Full Price

$0.75

Reduced Price $0.30

Lunch Prices
Full Price

$1.25

Reduced Price $0.40

Health Requirements
Immunizations: NO SHOTS, NO SCHOOL! All students are required to have proof of current
immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, mumps, measles, and rubella upon entering
school.
Medication
Payne's school staff are prohibited from providing or administering any medication, including aspirin, to
any student. Students needing occasional medications, such as penicillin, etc., for colds, earaches, and
sore throats are to take these medications at home if possible. Medication that is prescribed three (3) times
a day can be given before the student comes to school, after school, and again at bedtime. However, if
medication MUST be given at school, it must be personally delivered to the school nurse by the
parent/guardian and accompanied by a written authorization and administration instructions from the
doctor.
Safe School Environment
Discipline is the responsibility of every faculty and staff member at Payne Elementary. Students are to
respect and follow directions given by all faculty and staff members. Every student at Payne Elementary
has the right to learn in a safe and orderly environment that is conducive to teaching and learning.
Therefore, bullying, fighting, or any conduct that creates a hostile or disorderly environment for teachers
and students will not be tolerated. A student's behavior should reflect self-respect and consideration for

the rights, feelings, and property of others.

Corporal punishment will be administered to all students who repeatedly fail to follow school rules.
Parents who wish for corporal punishment not to be administered to their child must send a note stating
that effect to the school. After school detention will also be assigned as an alternative for students that
refuse to follow school rules. Parents will be given one day notice in the event their child has to stay for
detention. It is the parent's responsibility to ensure transportation arrangements are made. All discipline
will align with the Selma City Schools Code of Student Conduct Handbook. The staff requests
parental support in helping maintain appropriate conduct in the school.
Fire Drills and Tornado Drills
Every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of your child during normal school hours. Periodic fire and
tornado drills are executed to make sure students learn proper safety procedures and adhere to all safety
guidelines. Parents that enter the building during these drills will be asked to follow safety procedures
until the drill is over. NO STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO CHECK OUT DURING THIS TIME.
Inclement Weather
When severe weather creates hazardous conditions, the regular school schedule may be suspended to
ensure students' safety. It is the parent's/ guardian's responsibility to monitor the news reports via
television and radio stations. Selma City School's Superintendent makes all decisions related to school
schedule changes. If for any reason school dismisses early, a message will be sent to all student's contact
information provided to the school. As a result, it is imperative that the school office be notified
immediately of a change of address, home or cell number, or emergency information during the school
year. If under a tornado warning at the end of the school day, students will not be released unless a
parent/guardian comes to the school and personally assumes custody of his/her children.
Permanent Records
According to the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, only the parent/guardian or student age 18 or
over is permitted to inspect and review educational records relating to the student. All record information
requests must be made in writing before any items may be copied from the cumulative folder and given to
the parent/guardian.
PTO
The PTO is a vital part of our school program. We encourage parents to support the PTO by becoming
ACTIVE members. A successful school needs the services of the PTO. Meetings are scheduled
September through May on the first Thursday in each month.

Attendance
All students are required to attend school daily. When a student is absent, the parent or guardian must
provide an excuse explaining the nature of the absence. Failure to furnish such explanation shall be
admissible as evidence of being truant. Students may have (10) excused absences written by the
parent/guardian. Any absence there after must be a doctor's excuse. After (3) unexcused absences, (5)
excused absences and (5) tardies, the parents/guardian will be contacted by the school's attendance clerk,
and followed up with the truancy officer if attendance does not improve. (Refer to the Selma City Schools
Student Code of Conduct Book)
Cell Phones
The use of cell phones by students is prohibited at Payne Elementary. The cell phone battery will be
confiscated from students who do not adhere to this rule. Upon students' third offense, the cell phone will
not be returned. Should an explosive device be present with in school facilities, the use of cell phones and
beepers could trigger explosive devices, destroying lives and property.
Visitors
The faculty and staff of Payne Elementary welcome all parents and visitors to our school. All visitors
must enter through the front entrance and report to the office to receive a visitor's pass. If at anytime you
would like to visit the classroom feel free to come and observe. However, during your visit, classroom
instruction will continue as normal. Teachers will only meet with parents before school, after school, or
on their planning time. Teachers are not allowed to stop classroom instruction to meet with parents.
Teachers are responsible for covering specific content in an allotted time frame. If you would like to
schedule a conference with your child's teacher, please call the office for an appointment.
Educational Field Trips
Properly supervised and planned educational field trips are an important part of the educational program.
All students must have a signed permission form from the parent or guardian to participate. During
registration all parents were asked to sign a local field trip permission form to ensure students don't miss
out on learning opportunities in our community. We welcome parent chaperones; however parents that
wish to volunteer and assist on trips must have a completed finger print and background check clearance
on file.
In/Checkout Procedures
It is the responsibility of the school to ensure every students safety. Students will only be allowed to
leave school campus with the persons identified by the parent/guardian on the Checkout form completed
during registration. Adults checking students in or out must be photographed by our Office Secure
System.

Clubs and Extra Curricula Activities

The Faculty and staff of Payne Elementary encourage students to participate in clubs and extra curricula
activities.
Payne Elementary will offer many activities in which students may actively participate. However,
students are required to maintain satisfactory grades and conduct in class. Students may be dismissed
from clubs and extra curricula activities if they fail to meet and maintain behavior and academic
requirements.