Parent/Student Handbook

All district programs are operated without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin or handicap in compliance with Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504, and all other applicable Civil Rights Laws. 

The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with an overview of school procedures.  If you have questions not addressed here, please feel free to call the school and ask.  Education is a shared commitment between teachers, students, and parents. Please click a link in the table of contents below to access information. 

Fort Mill School District Vision:

Because children are the future, we use our ingenuity and imagination to challenge
and inspire our students to exceed their greatest dreams and create a better community.  That is why we place Children First… Every Day.
Our Purpose:

In the tradition of excellence, Fort Mill Schools place Children First . . . Every Day by providing an innovative and rigorous education that empowers all students to achieve their greatest success.

Our Mission:

The mission of Doby's Bridge Elementary is to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment that promotes engagement and enrichment while striving for excellence.

Vision:

Friendly - Be kind, helpful and considerate to yourself and others.

Inclusive - Include all students and treat everyone as you want to be treated.

Respectful - Care enough to think about others' feelings and belongings before you act.

Engage - Focus on your work, never give up, and try your best.

Dragons are on F.I.R.E.

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE: Good attendance is essential to the academic success of students and all students are expected to be in attendance each day school is in session. Attendance at Doby's Bridge Elementary is traditionally outstanding. Each year, we have excellent attendance by our students. This is a tribute to each family’s efforts to have their child at school daily. We appreciate this effort! See the FMSD Attendance Policy for more details.

LAWFUL ABSENCES: According to SC Code of Laws 59-65-10, the following types of absences are the only ones considered lawful:

• Serious, chronic, or extended illness of the student. (If your child has a chronic illness or is hospitalized for an extended period of time, please submit medical verification to the principal. )
• Serious illness or death in the immediate family.
• Recognized religious holiday for the students of the particular religious faith when pre-arranged.
• Pre-arranged absences for other reasons and/or extreme hardships at the discretion of the principal.

Parents must provide the school with a note identifying the reason for the absence within three (3) days of their child returning to school. The note should be dated and specify the reason for the absence. Following any absence, a student is required to present a written note from the parent or guardian stating the date(s) of the absence(s), the reason for the absence(s), and the parent’s signature. The note should be presented within two days of the child’s absence(s). If we do not receive a note explaining the child’s absence then it will be coded as unlawful. The school will only accept a parent written excuse for five total days of absences when the student is ill or absent for another lawful reason. Notes are kept on file by the attendance clerk.

UNLAWFUL ABSENCES: Any absence by a student with or without the knowledge of the parent not meeting one of the conditions for a lawful absence as defined above will count toward the cumulative limit of absences. Written notification will be sent by the school for accumulated absences. A call will be made by the attendance clerk after 3 consecutive absences. When a child accumulates 5 absences that are unlawful or not excused by a medical note, the parents will be required to attend an attendance intervention (truancy) conference and assist the principal or his/her designee in the development of an attendance intervention plan which will be valid in any SC school district. Excessive absences and failure to adhere to guidelines of an intervention plan could result in a family court referral. The school will only accept a parent-written note for five days of absence. Following those days, doctor’s excuses are required. All vacations and trips are unlawful reasons for a student to miss school, and will be considered unexcused.

EARLY DISMISSAL: It is requested that students not be picked up before the regular dismissal time. This is an interruption of the educational process, not only for your child, but other children as well. A child must be present for at least half of the school day to be considered present as related to perfect attendance. However, any portion of the day a child can attend is to his/her benefit. Please provide verification for medical appointments. Please schedule these as near the beginning or end of the day as possible so your child can be in school.

If a child will be dismissed from school before the close of the day, please send a note in the morning stating the reason for the early dismissal and the time the child will be picked up. Parents are requested to come to the front door and sign out their child. Students leaving early must be signed out in the office and be dismissed only to a parent or approved adult on the emergency contact list. This procedure is for your child’s protection – please keep student information updated to facilitate this function, especially in emergency situations or early weather-related school closings. In an effort to minimize disruption at dismissal time, all early checkouts must occur before 1:30 pm.

MAKE-UP WORK FOR ABSENCES: Assignments and classwork missed may be made up at the teacher’s discretion if a student is absent from school. This is the responsibility of the student. Should assignments not be available for the entire period of the absence, the student is responsible for getting them upon his/her return in order to cover the material missed. Remember that experiments, discussions, group activities, etc. may be difficult to replicate. Graded work done or tests taken by the class while the student is absent will be made up, depending on the nature of the assignment; therefore, the student may have fewer grades at the end of the grading period. Additionally, for any tests given after the student returns, the student will be responsible for the material covered in class while he/she was absent. If any work is not made up, it may affect the student’s grade. The work needs to be made up within two days of the absence or at the teacher’s discretion. If the student is absent, the parent may call and request to pick up assignments after school in the office. Please do not expect the teacher to provide assignments during the school day. Virtual/eLearning will not be available for students that are absent.

TARDIES: Our school day begins at 7:35 a.m. Students arriving after 7:35 a.m. are tardy and must report to the office and be signed in by an adult for admittance to class. Tardies cost your child valuable educational instruction. Tardies also interrupt the learning process for other students. Be considerate of other students’ education. Excessive tardies may result in an intervention meeting for development of an attendance plan which will remain in the child’s record and transfer to any receiving school.

​PERFECT ATTENDANCE: The school recognizes students who have perfect attendance. Recognition for perfect attendance for the year will accompany the final report card. Please refer to the attendance policy should you have further questions about perfect attendance.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL TIMES

• 7:05 a.m. Bus/Car Rider Drop-Off & Adult supervision begins
• 7:35 a.m. Instructional Day begins-Students should be in the classroom at this time
• 2:00 p.m. Bus students & Car riders dismissed
• 2:50 p.m. End of workday for teachers

ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL GUIDELINES:

Safety is our top priority. For the safety of all, we ask the following:

• All drivers are asked to not talk/text on cell phones during drop-off and pick-up.
• We ask that you turn your car engine off and not allow it to idle while waiting for your student
• We ask that you not smoke in your vehicles or when on school premises during drop-off, pick-up, or visits to the school. Everyone is reminded of the district policy prohibiting smoking on any school property, including buildings, grounds, and parking lots at any time.
• Please do not exit your vehicle to fasten seat belts or open doors for your child(ren). The parking lot can be utilized for fastening seat belts.
• Please be sure younger children accompanying you are supervised.

ARRIVAL: To maximize safe and efficient arrival of our students, drivers should approach the school using Dragon Way and following the signs for student drop-off. When dropping off your child(ren) please pull forward as far as you can in the drop-off line (this will help keep the line moving quickly and we can unload more cars). ALL STUDENTS SHOULD EXIT FROM THE CURB-SIDE (RIGHT SIDE) OF THE VEHICLE. Since the instructional day begins at 7:35 a.m., no students should arrive before 7:05 (when adult supervision begins) or after 7:35 a.m. Students arriving after 7:35 a.m. should go directly to the office with a parent to sign them in and get a pass to the classroom. It is also not acceptable to drop your students off at the crosswalk. Should you wish to walk your students to the crosswalk, you must park in the parking lot and escort your child to the crosswalk..

BUS PARKING LOT: (Back of the School): State law requires separation of car and bus pick up areas. Only school district buses are allowed to park in the back parking lot. Employees have parking spaces in the bus lot. It is dangerous for our students to be allowed to walk around buses to get to or from cars. The buses must not be blocked as they have many routes to run.

DISMISSAL: Parents should use the front entrance on Dragon Way for afternoon departure. Cars must not be left unattended in traffic lanes. When picking up children, parents need to stay in their cars and in the car rider line until it is their turn to have the child walk to the vehicle. This is to ensure a fluid transition for everyone, and if followed, will allow for a shorter time spent in line.

CAR TAGS: Parents will be given a car-rider tag during Meet the Teacher pickup. For safety reasons, anyone without a card will be required to park in the parking lot and come into the building office to sign the student out. Without your card, you may be asked to present a driver’s license and wait while student records are checked to see who has permission to pick up the student. Additional cards may be acquired from the office for those authorized to pick up the student.

LATE PICKUP: Students should be picked up no later than 2:20 p.m. If you are unable to pick up your child by this time, please make arrangements for your child to be picked up no later than 2:20 p.m. by someone else and notify the office of the arrangements in writing by note or email.

DAY CARE RIDERS: Since daycare vans take many children at one time and pick up at other schools, they are allowed to pick up students at the back parking lot.

WALKERS/BIKERS: It is our goal to make sure all of our students arrive to and from school safely. Therefore, parents must complete a walker/biker waiver form giving permission for their child to obtain a walker/biker pass. This form is available by contacting the office. Parents giving written permission for their child to walk home recognize the school’s responsibility for the safety of the child does not extend beyond school-supervised areas. Students who have been issued a walker tag will be dismissed at 2:00. You will not be able to park in the parking lot, walk across the lanes of traffic, and pick up your student. A walker is defined as a student walking home, not walking to a car parked in our school’s parking lot. An updated walker/biker waiver must be completed each school year.

In the event of inclement weather, we communicate with families of walkers/bike riders through The Blackboard® phone system. Your child must use the alternate mode of transportation chosen on their walker/biker waiver form and noted on the back of their walker tag.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS AND DISMISSAL: Many parents graciously volunteer their time at the school. If you have been volunteering in the building, please follow standard dismissal procedures.

TRANSPORTATION CHANGES: Daily transportation changes are due by 1:00 pm on the day of the change and can be submitted on the DBES website "For Parents" tab with the "Daily Change in Transportation" form.

Please note, this form is ONLY for daily or short-term changes. If you need to make a long-term/permanent change to your student's dismissal type, please email our Receptionist, Mrs. Crider, at criders@fortmillschools.org

If your child is a car rider, you will receive two car rider tags. If you need additional tags, a parent must come to the office with a driver’s license. They will only be given an extra tag in person.

BUS TRANSPORTATION (ALSO REFER TO INFORMATION FROM THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT):  Administrators, parents, bus drivers, and students share the responsibility for safe transportation of students.  Riding a bus is a privilege and must not be abused.  Action will be taken by district and school officials to ensure that all students conduct themselves properly.  Where there is evidence of misconduct by any student, action will be taken to correct the situation. It is important to review the bus rules and expectations set forth by our district transportation department prior to riding on a school bus. Please note that students will not be allowed to ride a different bus home with friends without prior approval from the district transportation office. A complete list of school bus rules, policies and procedures can be found through the Fort Mill School District Transportation website. 

To ensure a safe environment on each bus, the school fully supports the driver in maintaining safe bus habits.  Anyone who violates these safety standards will be subject to disciplinary action by school officials; when necessary, bus transportation will be denied. The driver will report to the school authorities any offenses committed by the students on the bus. When a student is reported for an infraction of the bus rules, the school administrator will investigate the incident and take necessary disciplinary action. A copy of the incident report will be made availalbe to the parents. When a student is suspended from riding a bus, he/she cannot ride another bus during the suspension period.  

Students are assigned to buses at the beginning of the year, and any variation must be approved by the Director of Transportation. If your child needs to ride a different bus home than the one that picks him/her up, then a special request must be made to the district Director of Transportation. 

It is the desire of the Fort Mill School District that all students arrive at school and home safely. We appreciate your help ensuring student safety.

FERPA INFORMATION: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the US Department of Education. The law requires that student records be managed in a confidential manner. Regulations and procedures for compliance of this act are provided through board policy. For more information about your rights under FERPA, please refer to the district’s website.

Title IX: It is the policy of Doby’s Bridge Elementary not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by the Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX may be directed to the District’s Compliance Coordinator or to the Director of the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington D.C.

Custody: A change in custody will require new custody papers and a change of address will require a new proof of residency. If you are separated or divorced, we need to have a copy of your custody papers on file.

EMERGENCY DRILLS: Safety of our students and staff is an extremely important priority for us here at Doby’s Bridge Elementary. We work closely with local law enforcement and first responders to create a safe learning environment for each individual.

• Fire drills are held at least once a month.
• Tornado drills and Earthquake drills are held yearly.
• Lock down and emergency procedure drills will also take place at least two times a year

RETURNING TO CLASS AFTER SCHOOL: Students are responsible for bringing home materials needed for assignments. Should a student need to return to class after school hours, we ask for that student to report to the front office to be escorted back to the classroom. Our office closes at 3:00, after that is not possible for students to return to class. At no point should a student or adult enter a classroom after hours without an escort from the school.

PETS: Pets are not allowed on school property as a violation of health code, and as a courtesy to students and staff who may have allergies or anxieties related to animals. If you should choose to bring your pet through the car rider line, then they must remain calm in their car. Designated service dogs may be on school property.

STUDENT MEALS & BIRTHDAYS

 School Cafeteria Overview Elementary Schools

Our cafeteria staff provides breakfast in the classroom and lunch in the cafeteria daily. Meals are designed by a Registered Dietitian with student input and meets all federal nutrition guidelines, including limits on calories, sugar, fat, and sodium.

Breakfast

• Includes 4 items from the grains, protein, fruit and milk group. Students must take at least 3, one of which must be a fruit.

Lunch

• Includes foods from 5 groups: grains, protein, fruit, vegetable, and milk.
• Students must choose at least 3 of 5 from the groups, with one being a fruit or vegetable.
• A full meal includes: 2 oz grains, 2 oz protein, ½-1 cup fruit, ½-1 cup veggie, and 1 cup milk. Many meals provide additional grain and protein servings.

If students don’t choose the required components, items are charged a la carte.

The Café staff will assist your student with this. Students may purchase additional food with their meals.

Menus and Nutritional and Allergen Information

• Available Menu Information and posted in classrooms.
• Free app available: LINQ Connect.

Meal Payments & Accounts

• Each student uses a 6-digit PIN (last 6 digits of your student’s PowerSchool ID number).
• This number should never be shared with other students.
• Please help your student memorize their unique PIN.

Meal Prepayment Options:

• Online via Quick Pay on the district website (free service).
• Check (include student name, account number, and phone number).
• Cash (not recommended).
• Funds can be transferred between siblings—complete the Transfer Funds Form
• Refunds can be requested by completing the Refund Form

Free & Reduced Meal Program at FMSD.

• We encourage families to apply if your family income meets USDA income guidelines.
• Students must Reapply every year
• Apply online: LINQ Connect Application or complete a paper application available at your school or on our website after July 1st. Applications are available in multiple languages. Call 803-802-1968

Important Policies

• Charge Policy: Students may charge up to $15. Negative balance reminders are sent weekly. (Board Policy AR EF-R)
• Allergies: Homemade foods are not allowed to be distributed to students. Only store-bought items with ingredient labels are permitted. This policy is designed to provide consistency and minimize allergy risks in all classrooms, while maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for all students. (Board Policy J LCDD)
• Nut Safety: All cafeteria kitchens are tree nut and peanut safe. Coconut oil can be found in a few of our products. All allergen and nutrient information is found on our website.
• Special Diets: Contact the nurse for required medical documentation.
• Extras: Snacks, milk, juice, and water are available for purchase. To opt out of extras, submit the OPT Out Form for Snacks and Extras

Classroom Celebration Baskets

Celebrate birthdays or special days by ordering a Classroom Celebration Basket from the cafeteria!

Complete the order form and add funds to your student’s account.

Wellness Policy

Our district promotes student wellness through Board Policies ADF and EFE. Contact our Department to get involved. Please click here to view our Wellness Policy

Angel Fund

School meals are just as essential to learning as textbooks and pencils. Our café teams are dedicated to ensuring every student has access to nutritious meals that fuel both body and mind. We recognize that some families may experience financial hardship. That’s why we work closely with them to connect to available meal assistance programs — so no student has to go without a meal during the school day. The Angel Fund was created to support families facing temporary financial struggles. While it does not cover or forgive existing unpaid meal debt, it provides short-term support to help ensure students continue receiving the meals they need to succeed.

Donations to the Angel Fund can be made by completing Angel Fund Donation

Let us know if you have any questions or need support with meal accounts or dietary accommodations.

Student Nutrition Department, District Office, 803-802-1968

VISITORS TO SCHOOL: Visitors and volunteers must enter by the front door and stop by the office. Opportunities where we may have visitors include school programs, parent-teacher conferences, book fair and other special events. Volunteers will be required to have a background check prior to volunteering in the school. Security doors to other parts of the building will be opened by an office person after the visitors log in at the computer and scan their driver’s license or official government-issued identification. Security procedures require that badges of visitors/volunteers must be visible at all times. Visitors must always sign in at the office and obtain this visitor badge before entering the school building. This ensures all students’ safety by letting office and classroom personnel know who is in the building. The school will communicate events that allow parents to attend in a safe and controlled manner.

Due to increased security protocols and limited seating, parents and guardians may join their child during their lunch period up to four times per year per child. Visitors coming for lunch should limit the number of adults to two per visit. Although we are excited to welcome parents and/or guardians to lunch, we do ask that visitors refrain from coming to lunch during the first three weeks of school. If your student has a birthday during the first three weeks of school, we will make an exception to this. Please email criders@fortmillschools.org if you would like to visit your child on their birthday during the first three weeks. Lunchroom visits will begin on August 25 and conclude on April 29.

We appreciate that many parents and grandparents like to help our school. In order to provide a learning environment free from distractions, we ask that volunteers dress in an appropriate manner, check in at the office, turn off cell phones, and avoid unscheduled conferences. Children are not allowed to accompany volunteers in our school. Volunteers should plan to attend the volunteer orientation. Because the maintenance of copying machines can be expensive, we require that volunteers be trained by a Doby’s Bridge staff member before using any school machines.

All volunteers in the building and chaperones for off-campus field trips MUST first be approved by our district-wide background check. This check typically takes approximately 2 weeks to complete and may be initiated by completing the form found here.

PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO): Our school encourages your participation in PTO sponsored activities during this year. Our PTO is an extension of the school family, and is dedicated to the support of instructional programs, teaching/learning, and safety. This important group has one major fundraiser each year (Booster Dragon Dash). In addition, the PTO needs volunteers to help with special programs and serve on committees. Please consider volunteering your time to assist this organization in helping all classrooms, teachers, and students through their many beneficial projects. Visit www.dbespto.org for more details and information about ongoing events.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL (SIC): All elementary schools have a School Improvement Council made up of teachers, parents, and administrators that will help to facilitate communications between the community and the school. Officers of the PTO may be elected to serve on the School Improvement Council. Additional members will be elected later in the fall.

CHAPERONES Chaperones for off-campus field trips MUST first be approved by our district-wide background check. Should you be chosen as a chaperone, your child’s teacher will let your know and then you should apply for the background check. This check typically takes approximately 2 weeks to complete and may be initiated by completing the form found here. Chaperones should then notify Sara McCart at fortmillschools.org that an application has been filled out as they are not automatically processed and must be submitted by the school. Background checks can take up to two weeks to complete. If chaperones are unsure if their background check is still valid, they should email Sara McCart @ mccarts@fortmillschools.org

BOOK BAGS: Book bags are required at school. However, rolling book bags are not permitted without a written recommendation from a physician.

CLASSROOM COMMUNICATION: Teachers are expected to communicate with their students’ families on a weekly basis. Teachers may choose the means in which they communicate. A parent-teacher conference opportunity will be scheduled during the first semester of the school year. These conferences are an opportunity to learn about your child’s strengths and areas for improvement. Teachers are also available to meet with you before or after school if you make an appointment. Additional conferences may be requested by families or school personnel. .

The main job of our teachers is to provide quality instruction in a safe environment. We encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher should questions, concerns, or general information need to be shared; however, because teachers are instructing students in-person and planning for additional instruction, please do not expect an immediate response to an email that you send. In general, teachers should be given 48 hours to respond to an email. Parents wishing to confer with teachers on the phone are requested to limit their calls to before or after school hours, as teachers cannot leave their classes for telephone conferences. Administration encourages teachers to leave work at work when leaving for the day.

CLASSROOM CELEBRATIONS/BIRTHDAYS: Due to a large number of food allergies, homemade or home-baked foods are not allowed to be distributed to students within the classroom or applicable classroom settings. Acceptable foods for distribution are those items that were prepared in a commercial and/or licensed kitchen, and most importantly, are packaged with a label clearly listing the contents and ingredients of the food item. Please be mindful that if your child is in an allergy classroom, food brought in may not be allowed for distribution depending upon the ingredient list. For example, if there is a peanut allergy in your child’s classroom, the packaging must clearly state that it does not contain peanuts. With the continued rise in severe and often life-threatening food allergies, this policy is designed to provide consistency and minimize allergy risks in all classrooms district-wide, while maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for all students. If you wish to “play it safe” the best option is to refrain from sending in food and opt for pencils, erasers, stickers, etc… Outside food and drink will only be allowed through student lunch boxes or containers. No fast food or food service deliveries will be allowed for students. We appreciate you helping us minimize the amount of deliveries to classrooms with lunches. We understand that sometimes, parents need to deliver lunches for a variety of reasons. Lunch will need to be in a bag or lunch box to come into the building. If you wish to purchase a birthday snack from the cafeteria, you can inquire by clicking HERE. All snacks sent in from home will be distributed in the classroom by the teacher, not in the cafeteria. Chewing gum is not permitted in school unless it is otherwise noted in a child’s individual plan.

INVITATIONS: Students and/or teachers may not hand out invitations to out-of-school birthday parties or other gatherings unless every child in the class receives an invitation.

Balloons are not permitted in classrooms because they can become a distraction to the students.

You may also contact our Cafeteria Manager, Haley Adkins @ adkinsh@fortmillschools.org about Classroom Celebration Baskets,

CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Budget Proviso 1.103- Students may not use cellphones during school hours. The exception to this is students with an IHP or 504 plan that suggests otherwise. Student cell phones should be kept in a book bag. Electronic devices, including cell phones, must be turned off during the school day and while on the school grounds. A cell phone may not be used during the day to play games or to text message. The student may not use a cell phone to call a parent during the school day without a teacher’s permission. This includes devices like smartwatches or electronic communication devices that serve as telephones.

As noted in School Board Policy JICJ, the school principal or his/her designee will have the authority to limit the use, take disciplinary action and/or confiscate electronic communication devices if the use or possession of these devices may cause or is causing a disruption to the school and/or event. Unauthorized use of a cell phone or personal electronic device may include, but is not limited to, taking pictures or recording without permission, cheating, harassment or bullying, use during any emergency drill, use during unauthorized time or use for unlawful activities.

ELEARNING: Refer to the district handbook, linked here, for procedures and best practices.

TECHNOLOGY: Please click the link to access information on our district technology policies: Tech Policy

INCLEMENT WEATHER: The decision to close or delay schools will be made by 6:00am. Announcements will be made via Blackboard®, and on WRHI AM radio, CN2, and Charlotte TV stations (WSOC, WBTV, WSOC). Delays and closings will be posted on the district website www.fortmillschools.org and available at the district office phone number 548-2527. Information will be listed for FORT MILL SCHOOL DISTRICT #4, not York County Schools. No breakfast will be served if school is delayed.

When weather is threatening, please be sure your child and the teacher know how he/she is to get home if school is dismissed early. The Blackboard® phone system (803-548-8379) will leave messages about changes of schedules. In order for you to receive these messages, we must have your up-to-date phone number and e-mail address in our PowerSchool database. It is the parent’s responsibility to contact after-school care to learn about their procedures.

LOST AND FOUND: Items found at school are turned in to the Lost and Found area in the office. Students are encouraged to check this area if they are missing any items. Several times a year when the area is overflowing, we take items not claimed to a local clothing closet. Please put your child's name on clothes, lunch boxes, notebooks, etc.

School Fees: For your convenience, Doby's Bridge utilizes online payments only through the $Pay Fees application on our website and on the FMSD website. This includes your payments for lunch funds and field trips. We feel that this process keeps money from being lost at school. The school does not provide refunds for lost checks or cash. If you cannot pay online, here are options available to you:

• You may pay with a credit card at the school.
• If you must send a check, please put it in a sealed envelope with the child's first and last name, the teacher's name, and the purpose, e.g. Zoo Field Trip. Your check must have a phone number or it cannot be accepted. You may write the phone number in the memo line if it is not printed.
• PLEASE do not send cash to school with your children for payment of field trips, etc. If you must pay in cash, please drop it off at the school.

DELIVERIES: The school will not accept nor deliver to students any items before, during, or after school unless necessary. Items accepted for delivery will be delivered by school personal or a school volunteer. When sending balloons or flowers to a child, please use his/her home address. Do not send these items to the school. District procedures do not allow these items on a bus.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS: All students in grades Pre-kindergarten through 12 are required to furnish a valid South Carolina Certificate of Immunization prior to enrollment. School officials shall record the immunization data on the student’s health record and/or attach a copy of the certificate to the health record. More resources can be found through the DHEC.

HEALTH SERVICES: The health and well-being of all students is of utmost importance. We will request that you pick up your child if his/her medical condition is unstable, or if he/she is not capable of participating in the daily school activities. This decision is based upon an assessment conducted by the school nurse. In addition, the school must also follow the DHEC School Exclusion List for specific medical conditions to be in compliance with SC State Health guidelines.

MEDICATION: If a student brings medication to school, the following requirements must be met:

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION

• The Medication Consent Form must be completed and turned in with the medication. The form must be signed by the doctor and the parent.
• Prescription medicines must be in the pharmacy container with your child’s name on it. (Ask your pharmacist for an extra bottle in order to divide the prescription between home and school.)
• Parents must deliver all medications to school.
• The medication must carry a prescription label with the following information:
• Child’s name b. Name of drug c. dosage instructions d. doctor name e. CURRENT prescription date
• Medication will be kept in a locked cabinet in the office at all times.
• School personnel will give medication only with a completed form signed by the parent and the doctor.
• Medication must not be sent with a child on the bus or with a child walking to school.

OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION

• The Medication Consent Form must be completed, signed by the parent and turned in with the medication when the parent brings it to the office.
• The over-the-counter medication must be in the original container or box (not in a plastic bag).
• The following items will be available in the health room for first aid treatment of your child during the school day: Saline eye wash, Vaseline, Hydrocortisone 1% cream, and Aloe Vera. If you do not wish for your child to be treated with these items, please send a written note to the nurse including your child’s name, the teacher’s name, the date, and your signature.
• NO other medications are supplied by the school.

NOTE: ASPIRIN OR PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASPIRIN CANNOT BE GIVEN OUT WITHOUT A DOCTOR’S PRESCRIPTION.

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES: Students with contagious diseases are not allowed to attend school. Children should be kept at home if they have experienced vomiting or fever during the night. Students should be fever free for 24 hours without using medicine to bring the temperature down before returning to school.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: If medical emergencies arise, the school nurse and school administrator will enact medical care deemed appropriate to the student (i.e. call 911 or transport the student to the hospital). In these cases, the schools will make every attempt to contact the parent/guardian. Please be sure to keep your student's emergency information updated with correct phone numbers. If a parent/guardian is out of town and has left their child in the care of another adult, written documentation should be on file with the school. This documentation will authorize the school to contact the alternate person in case of illness or a medical emergency.

RESTRAINT For the purposes of these guidelines, physical restraint is defined as a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of an individual to move his or her arms, legs, or head freely. This definition encompasses mechanical restraints, further defined as a device that restricts the movement or function of a child or a portion of a child’s body.

Restraint, as defined, by these guidelines, does not include the following:

• Temporarily holding an individual to help him or her participate in education or daily living activities;
• Escorting techniques, where a student is provided limited physical encouragement to help him or her move from one location to another without rising to the level of physically forcing compliance (e.g., hand on the back or a hand on the elbow);
• Chemical restraints (medication for safety or behavioral supports) determined by medical personnel;
• Appropriate use of adaptive equipment or products, provided they are used in accordance with manufacturers’ recommended usage.
• Adaptive equipment may include, but is not limited to, adaptive seating products or therapeutically prescribed devices such as weighted vests. If adaptive equipment, such as Rifton chair or weighted vest is used for the purpose of limiting mobility or as a punitive measure, its use constitutes restraint.

The use of restraint is limited to emergency situations where the behavior of the student poses a threat of imminent, serious, physical harm to self and/or others and the student has the ability to cause such harm. Restraint may be used only as a last resort after proper positive behavioral interventions and de-escalation techniques have failed to de-escalate the risk of injury. Restraint should never be used: 1. as punishment; 2. to force compliance or address non-compliance; 3. as a substitute for appropriate educational support; 4. in response to property destruction; 5. in response to a student’s flight, escape, or running away, unless there is imminent risk of injury related to the escape; 6. in response to verbal threats and profanity that do not rise to the level of physical harm unless the student demonstrates a means of carrying out the threats; 7. longer than needed to resolve the risk of actual harm.

Necessary Documentation & Review: The use of restraint in the school setting triggers the district’s obligation to create and maintain specific documentation regarding the incident. Documentation must include:

• actions attempted prior to the restraint in an effort to manage or de-escalate the situation;
• a clear description of the safety concerns posed to the student or others;
• student’s behavior before, during, and after restraint;
• location of the restraint;
• amount of time in restraint;
• a description of the physical restraint techniques used and training personnel received prior to implementing restraint;
• names and position titles of personnel involved with the incident;
• date and time the administrator was notified;
• date and time the parents were notified and by whom;
• name and position of person(s) completing the documentation.

Training: Restraint training must be provided, and reviewed, at least annually, by a credentialed trainer through a nationally recognized, externally developed professional training program. The training must include the following components: 1. prevention of behavior problems through a positive behavioral supports climate; 2. conflict prevention and conflict management skills; 3. de-escalation skills that enable staff members to respond to students in ways more likely to calm, rather than escalate, the situation; 4. information on physical and emotional risks of escalation and restraint; 5. instruction on personal safety skills for staff who work with students who are more likely to present safety concerns; 6. prohibition on the use of prone restraints (face down on stomach) with the exception of approved Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) endorsed floor restraints, supine restraints (face up on the back), or any hold or maneuver that places pressure or weight on the student’s chest, lungs, sternum, diaphragm, back, neck, or throat. The training program used must include some method of assessment that ensures appropriate skills are in place. The program must also provide documentation that a participant has successfully completed the training, either through a certificate or other credential. Fort Mill Schools must keep a list of those who have completed training, including a description of the content of the training, on file. The school district retains discretion as to which personnel should receive restraint training. However, training must be provided to enough staff members that the school district can ensure a sufficient number of staff is available if restraint is used.

RISK ASSESSMENTS

The safety and security of all students is of the utmost importance to our faculty and staff. Should a concern arise about a student being a danger to him/herself or others, District protocols for conducting a risk assessment (suicide and/or threat) will be followed to the extent appropriate. These assessments may include interviews with students and staff, a review of student records, and consultation with district mental health staff, local law enforcement, or other community agencies that help support our schools and students. If, as part of its assessment and response, the District determines there is an articulated and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals, it may disclose personally identifiable information from education records to any person whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

HOMEBOUND: Students who experience extended illness or injuries that result in long-term absence from school may apply for homebound instruction. Information concerning homebound may be obtained from Brittany Nash, assistant principal.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Physical education is required by the state for all students unless the student has an excuse from a physician due to a physical disability. If a child must be excused for a temporary illness, a note from a parent or doctor must be sent with the child. Any illness extending more than a week must be excused by a doctor. Children must wear athletic shoes to participate in Physical Education.

GENERAL BEHAVIOR INFORMATION: At Doby's Bridge, we have high expectations for teachers and students. Teachers will create behavior expectations with their students and may have individual incentive systems. We believe that "discipline" should be considered as teachable moments. Most concerns can be handled by the teacher in the classroom. When behavior has risen to a level when the student, other students, or the staff are endangered, then students may be required to be removed from class. Our goal is to maintain a positive learning environment for all of our students. Students participate in morning meetings with their classmates which helps to build community and form positive relationships with their classmates.

Doby’s Bridge Elementary is recognized by the Anti-Defamation League as a NO PLACE FOR HATE school. Everyone in our building has the right to be treated with dignity, courtesy, and respect. Every child has the right to learn in a positive classroom environment. Every teacher has the right to teach all students without disruptions. The secret to discipline – we will develop relationships with our students so they know we truly care about them as an individual. As we invest in student relationships, discipline will be more effective.

We have high behavior expectations for all. Doby’s Bridge Elementary follows a behavior matrix consisting of clearly defined expectations that are consistently and fairly enforced throughout the building. Individual and class incentives may be used to reward students who exhibit good behavior. Interventions such as verbal warnings, checklists, buddy room, mediation, taking away privileges, parent contact and/or conference, in-school suspensions, and out-of-school suspensions may be used with students who do not follow the expectations.

Students are to report problems with other students immediately and are expected not to retaliate. Any student participating in a disruption - regardless of who started the argument, fight, etc. - will be subject to consequences. Parents will be contacted regarding repeated or major problems. As always, students will be expected to make good choices.

While each child is responsible for his or her own behavior, we encourage parental support of the school expectations. In the event that a student is sent to the office for a discipline referral, parents will be notified by an administrator. Depending upon the nature of the problem, some possible consequences for inappropriate actions include parent conferences, denial of privileges, and in-school or out-of-school suspension. Student actions that disrupt class work, involve substantial disorder, or invade the rights of others could be a basis for out-of-school suspension or expulsion. Examples of these student actions or major offenses are: theft, fighting, possession of weapons, damage to school property, assault of school personnel, defiance of school authority, profanity, etc.

The following school expectations will be supplemented by each teacher’s set of classroom rules and expectations. A specific focus on FIRE behaviors and expectations will be followed:

Are you on FIRE?

Friendly - Be Kind

Inclusive - Include Others

Respectful - Use Manners

Engaged - Engage Your Mind

DRESS CODE: Although the responsibility for the dress and appearance of students rests with each student and his/her parent/legal guardian, students are expected to show pride in themselves and their schools by having their dress and appearance in accordance with good, acceptable standards. The school administration and board discourage extreme styles of dress and grooming.

Students will dress in appropriate attire. Students are expected to dress in clothing that abides the district dress code policy. Dress code violations will be handled with dignity, discretion, and respect toward all students by school staff members throughout the district.: School Board Policy

Grades K through Five

Shoes must be worn at all times for safety reasons. Shoes with cleats may not be worn. Logos or clothing that promotes alcohol, drugs, tobacco, racism, hate, gang affiliation, nudity, violence, or profanity is not allowed. No clothing or accessories are allowed to disrupt the educational process. The administration reserves the right to determine what is appropriate for school.

Students may wear shorts, dresses, skirts, etc. which are of appropriate length. Tops must be long enough that they can be tucked into pants or shorts. Basketball jerseys must be worn with an appropriate garment (i.e. tee shirt). No headwear (hats, caps, etc.) or sunglasses may be worn in the building unless it is part of a school or class incentive/spirit day..

The following items are considered inappropriate for school: flip flops, tops with straps that are less than 3-fingers wide, pants or jeans with holes, tears, or tattered to the extent that skin or undergarments are visible above the mid-thigh, visible undergarments

Violations will result in the following: First and subsequent offenses: phone call to parent/legal guardian.

BULLYING: Bullying is an ongoing pattern of targeted behavior, not a one-time occurrence. While every effort will be made to shape behavior through positive reinforcement, we must all keep in mind that every child should have the right to study, participate in class, and work in a safe environment. Name-calling, intimidation, threats, and disrespectful attitudes toward classmates, volunteers, school staff members, or visitors is not acceptable. Bullying is intentional aggressive behavior. It can take the form of physical or verbal harassment and involves an imbalance of power. It is not acceptable for a child to draw, write, or make threatening statements online or in person. This behavior will be addressed through disciplinary action at the discretion of the school administrator, as per FMSD Board Policy JICFAA. Please be aware that School Board policy and South Carolina Code 59-24-60 require school officials to contact law enforcement officers when a student engages in any activity that may or does result in injury or serious threat of injury to a person or property. Parents are asked to support the schools in their effort to maintain discipline and high standards of conduct. At the beginning of each school year teachers and administrators discuss with students behavior expectations, but parents are requested to discuss with children the importance and the need for good behavior and a positive attitude at school, too. Children must learn self-discipline in order to become effective learners and good citizens. With home-school cooperation, an environment in which all students are safe, secure, and able to learn can be created and maintained.

The school counselors are available to provide support to ALL students. Individual, small group and classroom guidance lessons are available for students. School counselors assist with promoting student success in the areas of academic, social-emotional and career development. The school counselors are available for consultation. Please reach out if your family is in need of help with school supplies, holiday assistance or nutrition support.

CURRICULUM INFORMATION: Doby's Bridge has a rigorous academic program that aligns with the SC College and Career Readiness standards, and utilizes best practices in instruction. Curriculum offerings include language arts (reading, literature, oral language, composition, handwriting, and spelling), science, mathematics, social studies, art, music, physical education, and technology. Teachers plan together to create long-range, unit, and daily lesson plans which address the SC standards.

A hallmark of our instruction is the use of guided small groups, with a focus on differentiating for the needs of all learners. We utilize a structured literacy/workshop approach for reading. In math, we utilize a hands-on guided math approach with a focus on understanding concepts as the foundation for higher math. Our social studies and science programs are hands-on and focus on creating meaning for students through a variety of learning activities.

GRADES: Schools in Fort Mill use a computer program called PARENT PORTAL to post grades. By logging on to this secure program, parents will be able to check the grades of their students in grades 3-5. Teachers will post grades within 2 weeks of the due date of the task. K-2 students will be using a Standards Based Report Card. If you are unable to locate your student’s Powerschool number, please contact Jaimie Young.

Gradebook

• PowerTeacher Pro will be utilized for the elementary school gradebook setup.
• The following is the weighted total points system that will be utilized in the Fort Mill School District. All gradebooks will be set up the same way. Each assignment is out of 100 points. The categories for grading are outlined below.

Report Cards: All K-5 grades will be issued report cards on a 9 weeks grading period as an indication of their progress and confirmation of their achievement. Academic achievement will be graded using a numerical grading scale for students in grades 3-5 to denote respectively, excellent, good, average, poor, and failing. The numerical ranges for grades will be as follows:

90-100 = A = Excellent

80-89 = B = Good

70-79 = C =Average

60-69 = D =Poor

59 or below = F =Failing

Kindergarten through second grade will be using a Standards Based Report Card.

FMSD Grading Key

3 Mastery of CURRENT grade-level expectations

2 Progressing toward CURRENT grade-level expectations

1 Minimum mastery of CURRENT grade-level expectations

NA Not assessed at this time

The letter S-satisfactory or N-needs improvement will be used to denote participation in certain related arts classes and health class. Honor Roll: Honor Roll Certificates will be awarded at the end of each academic year. A and A/B Honor Roll will be awarded based on the End of Year average.

REASSESSMENT

• Summative Assessments will be reassessed.
• Projects will not be reassessed.
• Scores below 90 can have an opportunity for a retake for full credit up to a 90, meaning a student reassessing can’t earn above a 90.
• D’s and F’s will be required to retake. B’s and C’s will have the option.
• Students will have the opportunity for a reteach and one retake on each assessment that is eligible to retake.
• PLT grade level discretion on whether a retake is using the same questions or new questions.
  • Error Analysis on Multiple Choice

HOMEWORK SCHOOL POLICY

In conjunction with our SIC, the following Homework Expectations have been developed for the upcoming school year, 2025-2026:

• ELA: Students should be encouraged to read independently or with an adult for at least 20 minutes each night. Optional Opportunities could be provided in handwriting, word work, or phonics.
• Math: Optional opportunities should be provided. Please reference the parent support document in the Math Playbook. Other optional math opportunities include Zearn, IXL, RefleX, Frax, math practice from the workbook, and study support guides.
• Science/Social Studies: Optional opportunities, such as study support guides, could be provided.

**Students should not be penalized for homework.

PROMOTION AND RETENTION OF STUDENTS: Every parent and teacher would like for students to move along successfully through each grade. Our goal is to evaluate each child's skills at the beginning of the year and provide instruction to ensure academic growth throughout the year. Please examine student work that is returned for your review because it will help you to see how your child is progressing. Parent conferences during the first semester will provide you with another opportunity to discuss your child’s progress.

State law requires that the school send a letter at the end of the second quarter (usually January) and at the end of the 3rd quarter (usually in March or early April) to alert parents of the possibility of retention for a student. The final decision will be made in May, but the letters give parents a chance to work together with the teacher to make the progress needed to meet state standards for their grade. If you receive a retention letter, it does not mean that your child will be held back because we continue to hope that she/he will improve and be ready for the next grade. Retention can often be prevented by making sure the child completes and turns in all assignments, examining the possibility of health issues which may affect classroom performance, providing a routine time and place for the child to study daily, reading daily with the student, and making sure children have enough sleep. If you are unsure of what your child needs to know to pass, you can visit the state website at http://www.ed.sc.gov and search for curriculum standards, or ask your child’s teacher or administrator for the information. Many things are taken into account in determining if a child is ready for the next grade: attendance, mastery of state standards, knowledge of the English language, age, physical size, intellectual ability, previous grade placement, behavior, maturity, level of achievement, motivation and disabilities are all considered. A Light’s Retention Scale is a normed assessment used by elementary schools in Fort Mill to assist with making this important decision. Review Board Policy IKE-R Promotion And Retention Of Students for additional information.

Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) | A state readiness test given individually to kindergarten students within the first 45 days of school. Readiness skills include: Social foundations, language/literacy, math, & physical well being.

STAR Reading & Math | STAR Reading & Math is a standards-based, computer-adaptive assessment that measures students’ reading & math comprehension. These assessments are administered throughout the year and provide teachers formative data to guide instructional decisions in the classroom throughout the school year.

STAR CBM Oral Reading Fluency | A tool to measure a student's reading rate and accuracy by having them read aloud from an unfamiliar passage for one minute. This assessment is given to 1st grade students three times a year.

DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency | A tool to measure a student's reading rate and accuracy by having them read aloud from an unfamiliar passage for one minute. This assessment is given to 2nd grade through 5th grade students three times a year.

Concepts About Print Assessment (CAPs) | A foundations of literacy skill assessment on understanding how print works given individually to kindergarten students three times a year.

Phonological Awareness (PAST) | An informal, diagnostic tool that assesses a child's understanding of phonological awareness given to Kindergarten through 2nd grade students three times a year and 3rd through 5th grade as needed.

CORE Phonics Assessment | A tool for identifying which phonics correspondences and patterns a student has learned, and which ones the student needs to be taught. This assessment is given to Kindergarten three to four times a year

LETRS Spelling Screener | A tool that assesses students' spelling abilities by recording their encoding skills based on phoneme-grapheme correspondences and orthographic patterns. This assessment is given to Kindergarten through 5th grade students one to three times a year.

COGAT | An ability test usually administered in the fall of 2nd grade to select participants for the Gifted and Talented Math and English Language Arts instruction for grades 3-5.

Iowa Assessment | Iowa testing will only be administered to students in second grade. The assessment is used to assess achievement in math and reading subtests. Students receive a NPR (National Percentile Ranking) score that serves as an estimation of his/her instructional level and will also help select participants in the Gifted and Talented Math and ELA for grades 3-5.

SC Ready (May) | The South Carolina College-and Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY) are statewide assessments in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science (4th Grade). The SC READY Assessment items measure student performance on the 2015 South Carolina College-and Career-Ready Standards.

SRSS-IE Screener | A social-emotional screener for identifying internalizing and externalizing behaviors.

TEXTBOOKS: Textbooks are provided by the state and the school is accountable to the state for these resources. Students are responsible for all textbooks and library books issued to them during the school year. Students will be charged replacement costs for lost or damaged books, and these monies will be collected by the end of the year to replace the state funded textbook. If a lost book is later found, the money paid will be refunded.

Fort Mill School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Non-discrimination Inquiries (Students and Families):

Cori Hustedt, Executive Director of Student Services

Fort Mill School District

2233 Deerfield Drive

Fort Mill, SC 29715

(803) 548-8488

Non-discrimination Inquiries (Students and Families – Disability Inquiries):

Dr. Amy Maziarz, Senior Executive Director of Special Services

Fort Mill School District

2233 Deerfield Drive

Fort Mill, SC 29715

(803) 548-8038

Non-discrimination Inquires (Employees):

Peter Olinger, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources

Fort Mill School District

2233 Deerfield Drive

Fort Mill, SC 29715

(803) 548-8381