School Information

Austin Elementary

Student Handbook

5321 Roberts Drive

Dunwoody, Georgia 30338

678-874-8102

Items contained in this handbook will be updated as needed to remain

current with school and district policies and practices.

As of 12/09/2021- Items are subject to change

Austin School Mission Statement:

The mission of Austin School in partnership with staff, parents, and community is to

provide a safe, nurturing environment where challenging and creative teaching occurs

utilizing state of the art resources. Individual learning needs will be met and students

will develop into confident, productive members of society.

School Colors: Navy and white

School Mascot: The Austin Eagle

School Hours: 7:45 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. Students may arrive no earlier than 7:25.

Arriving and Departing School

Walkers should use sidewalks wherever possible. Children should be instructed to stay

on the sidewalks and to respect the property of others. Upon reaching the crosswalk at

the school, students should remain on the sidewalk until the crossing guard instructs

them to cross.

Students in grades PreK- 3 need an adult to walk with them to and from school.

Bike racks have been provided for parking bicycles. For security reasons, all bikes

should be locked to the rack. Bicycles are not to be ridden on school grounds or on

the easement leading from Witham Drive. It is strongly recommended that no children

under grade 3 ride bicycles to school. Students should not arrive prior to 7:10 A.M.

The warning bell will ring at 7:40. The final bell will ring promptly at 7:45 A.M. Students

who report to school after the 7:45 A.M. bell will be considered tardy.

In order for a student to be counted present for a day, a student must be in attendance

for at least one-half of the instructional day according to the Georgia Department of

Education (arriving or departing prior to 11:15 am).

Dismissal:

2:10 Buses and Day Care Vans

2:15 Independent Walkers and Bikers

2:20 Carpool and After Care students

The School Bus

School bus transportation is provided for all students who reside at least 1.5 miles from

the school. Students are to ride only the bus assigned to them. Unruly behavior on the

bus will not be tolerated. The safety of all students on the bus is jeopardized when one

student misbehaves. A student who refuses to abide by the rules may be suspended

from riding the bus.

Early Dismissal

Except when going home at regular dismissal time, students are not allowed to leave

school grounds. Should it become necessary for a child to leave school early, a parent

or guardian must report to school and sign out the child before the child will be

dismissed. The adult checking the student out must show proper identification. This

regulation is necessary for the safety and protection of our children.

No one will be checked out after 1:50. If there is a change in the way your child goes

home at the end of the day, a “Change of Dismissal Form” must be completed and sent

to the teacher the day the change will occur. If you don’t hear back from the teacher by

12:00, please reach out to the front office to assure the teacher is notified of your

change. The form can be located on our school website under Parent Resources. An

email will also suffice.

Attendance Policy

Austin Elementary will follow the guidelines for unexcused absences/tardies as

outlined by the Code of Student Conduct booklet: Unexcused Absences and/or

Truancy

Lawful absences are defined by Georgia Law as follows: illness; death in the

family; religious holiday; instances which attendance could be hazardous as

determined by the DeKalb County School System; service as a page in the

legislature.

NOTE: STATE LAW

State law indicates any parent/guardian who does not comply with compulsory

attendance mandates (O.C.G.A 20-2-690.1[a]) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor

and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine not less than $25 and not

greater than $100, imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or

any combination of such penalties, at the discretion of the court having

jurisdiction. Each day’s absence from school in violation of this part after the

child’s school system notifies the parent/guardian of five unexcused days of

absence shall constitute a separate offense (O.C.G.A. 20-2690.1[b]).

The following apply to all unexcused absences:

Number of

Unexcused

Absences

School Action

Per Occurrence

1 - 2

School notifies the parent of absence.

3 - 5

School notifies the parent of absence and refers student to

the counselor or assistant principal who will then meet with

the student and/or parent for the purposes of discussing the

reasons for absences and signing an attendance contract.

6 - 7

Letter sent to parent/guardian informing him/her of the

student’s absences and the administrative and legal

consequences of continued absence from school.

Counselor will make a referral to the school social worker to

conference with the parent/guardian and student for

assessment and/or possible referral to Juvenile Court,

Solicitor-General’s Office, DFACS, or other agency.

Late to School

Students are expected to be seated and ready to begin work at 7:45 a.m. It is important

that students be at school on time each day. If a student arrives after 7:45, parents must

escort and sign their child in at the Main Office. Students who are tardy are required to

escort children directly to class. Tardiness not only has a negative impact on the

student, but it also interrupts the instructional program in the classroom. Medical and

dental appointments are examples of an excused tardy to class. Examples such as

traffic, oversleeping, and car trouble will result in an unexcused tardy to class.

Withdrawal from School

A note should be sent to the student’s homeroom teacher and/or front office staff

several days before withdrawal. The note should state the child’s last day and new

school that the child will attend. Please make sure all textbooks, Chromebooks and all

library books are returned, any fines paid, and all lunch charges are paid in full.

School Visitors/Volunteers

The DeKalb County School District is an open system and encourages parent

participation and involvement. To assure safety of all students, parents must ring the

bell, present a picture ID, and sign in at the front office upon arrival at the school. All

visitors and volunteers will also be required to wear a visitor/volunteer badge. Please

call ahead to schedule a time with an administrator if you would like to visit a

classroom. Classroom observations will be scheduled for 20 minutes in length and

parents will be accompanied by an administrator. Parents should limit activities that

would distract students or teachers. The rights of all students to privacy and a proper

learning environment must be strictly observed.

Dress for Success (School Uniform) Information

Uniform participation is expected. These guidelines have been created to establish and

maintain a positive learning environment for all students. Clothing and shoes that are a

distraction to learning will not be permitted. (i.e. light-up shoes, spaghetti strap shirts

and dresses)

Boys: Pants or dress shorts should be solid navy or khaki, neat and fitted at the

waist. Blue jeans or athletic shorts (Austin spirit wear included) may be worn. Baggy

pants are not allowed. Monday through Friday, shirt (short/longsleeved) should be

solid navy, white or light blue, with or without Austin logo. Logos, other than the

Austin logo, should be no larger than the size of a quarter. Shirt styles include polo,

turtleneck, button-down and crew neck. Austin spirit wear shirts may also be worn with

uniform pants Monday through Friday. Students are encouraged to tuck in shirts.

Girls: The same clothing listed above, with the addition of skirts, skorts, jumpers or

capri pants in solid navy or khaki, or the Austin blue plaid. These items, including

shorts, should be no shorter than three to four inches above the top of the knee with or

without tights or leggings. Shorts should be worn under skirts and jumpers for P.E.

Athletic or tennis shoes are appropriate footwear and should not leave black

scuffmarks. Hats and bandannas should not be worn inside the school except on

theme days or if special (i.e., religious, medical, etc.) circumstances exist. Scout

uniforms, Chess Club T-shirts, etc, are permitted on their designated meeting days

only. All other items such as hair accessories, jewelry, socks, belts, jackets and

backpacks should be appropriate for school.

Students who do not comply with the Austin Uniform policy will be sent to clinic to

change clothes and parents will be notified.

Toys, etc.:

Radios, electronic games, toys, and toy-like items are not to be brought to school.

These items will be collected and held for parents to pick up.

Telephone Use

The school phone number is 678-874-8102. In an emergency, telephone messages will

be taken to students. Please discourage the use of the phone for any other purpose.

Personal responsibility is enhanced if students learn it is their job to remember lunch

money, lunch box, homework or projects. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Electronic devices, radios and cell phones

Radios, iPods, electronic games, and toy-like items are not to be brought to school. If

these items are present during the instructional program, these items will be collected

and held for parents to pick up. If a student has a need to bring a cell phone to school,

it must remain off and in the book bag during school hours. No one is allowed to take

pictures or video of other persons at school without the expressed permission of the

principal (O.C.G.A. 20-2-1183).

Personal Belongings

Students should not bring money, toys, jewelry, or expensive items to school. The

school is not responsible for such items that are lost or stolen at school.

Pets

For the safety of all, we ask everyone to cooperate in keeping pets off the school

campus.

Teacher Conferences

All teachers welcome the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress. Morning or

afternoon conferences can be arranged by scheduling through the teacher.

Additionally, afternoon/evening conferences will be scheduled twice a year.

Please note: The first and most important job of the teacher is student instruction.

Therefore, you are requested not to go to the classroom during instructional time. You

may stop by the office if something needs to be delivered or you may write a note and

leave it in the teacher’s mailbox. To protect instructional time, teachers are not allowed

to confer with parents during the time they have responsibility for students. You are

requested not to go to your child’s class during this time.

Lunches

Student lunches are $2.60. Adult lunches are $3.50. Extra milk may be purchased for

an additional $.60. Additional items may be available for purchase as well. Meal

prepayments can be processed quickly at any time via www.SchoolCafe.com. For your

convenience, our menu is posted monthly on the DeKalb County School District (DCSD)

website www.dekalbschoolsga.org/school-nutrition.

With this program, you can check lunch balances and fund the account from your

computer, phone or fax. If you are sending a check or cash, please send prepaid

money in an envelope that is labeled with your child’s name, homeroom teacher, and

what the money is for (ex. 4 lunches and 2 ice creams).

Based on School Council recommendations, Austin Elementary has a policy of no

outside fast food in the cafeteria. This includes carbonated soft drinks and items not

brought from home. Such a policy maintains a focus on the nutritional program of our

school as set forth by the DeKalb County School District. In addition, it provides an

environment of equity and fairness for all of our children who do not have the

opportunity for “special treat” lunches. The school administration and Council

appreciate your support in adhering to this policy.

You are welcome to join your child for lunch. Please send a note with the student so

that we can include you in the lunch count. We ask that you sign in at the visitor desk

in the front hall and wear a VISITOR BADGE which will be available at the sign-in desk.

Clinic

The clinic, located adjacent to the main office, provides the students and faculty of

Austin with minor first aid when needed and takes care of sick children until a parent or

guardian can pick them up. The clinic is staffed by a health care registered nurse from

7:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. Teachers will never give medication. If a student must have

medication while at school the parent must obtain a medication consent form from the

nurse, have the physician complete the form and return it to the clinic. Medication

containers must be clearly labeled in original packaging and will be secured in the

clinic. All medication will be administered by the nurse.

Accidents

Despite all precautions and supervision, accidents will occur. In the event your child is

injured, we will provide first aid if needed, make every effort to make him/her

comfortable, and then contact the parent immediately. In cases of serious injury, action

will be at the direction of parents if they can be contacted. For the safety and security

of your child, it is vital that the office has updated telephone numbers on file at all

times.

Accident Insurance

Parents may purchase student insurance for their child. This insurance is provided by a

reputable insurance company designated by the DeKalb County School System. The

insurance covers a student from the time he/she leaves home in the morning until

he/she returns home in the afternoon. A preferred plan and a basic plan are available

for purchase. Applications and cost of coverage will be provided to each

parent/guardian at registration and may be purchased at any time during the school

year. No other insurance is carried on students by the school or school system.

Sudden Emergencies

DeKalb School officials deal with sudden emergencies caused by storms or tornadoes

with efficiency and concern for safety of students and staff members. However, it is

most important that parents be aware that they are responsible for their children if

dismissal from school takes place. When severe weather watches are announced,

immediate emergency procedures are taken for student safety in schools or to dispatch

students to their homes. The DeKalb School Superintendent or his designee makes the

final decision as to whether or not to dismiss school. The DeKalb School System never

dismisses students without this authorization. The school principal makes essential

decisions about the safety of all personnel and students under his/her supervision.

Change in Family Situations

It is vital that you notify the school as soon as possible when any change in the family

situations occur that affects the custody of the child either permanently or temporarily.

Please make sure that the school has current telephone numbers (at least two) and

email addresses where the parents/guardian can be reached at any given time. Any

court documents containing custody information and visitation rights must be on file at

the school in the Main Office. Any information regarding who may and may not pick-

up the child must be on file in the Main Office, and the classroom teacher needs to be

notified.

Lost and Found

Any article of clothing or book found on the school grounds is taken to the lost and

found cabinet located in the cafeteria. All unclaimed articles are given to a charitable

organization periodically. Parents will be notified prior to items being donated.

Because of this, parents are strongly urged to clearly label all their child's personal

possessions, and to check the lost and found cabinet to retrieve any lost items.

Discipline

The DeKalb County School District issues a Code of Student Conduct handbook to each

student yearly. Every student (PreK-5) is subject to the rules and regulations as

outlined in this handbook. Each student or parent is given the handbook during the

first week of school. The acknowledgement receipt should be signed and returned to

school.

This handbook is reviewed with all students during the first week of the school year and

immediately following each school break. Parents are asked to discuss the school

system’s rules to ensure that your child has a full understanding.

Austin Elementary is committed to providing a learning atmosphere that encourages

study and focus on improvement of skills. For that reason, Austin School guidelines are

developed within the framework of the DeKalb district policy, which reflect

commitment to an orderly classroom instructional setting. Each teacher has developed

a Classroom Discipline Plan, which is discussed with students, posted in the classroom

and sent home to parents. This plan will clarify behavior expectations for every child.

All staff members are responsible for establishing and maintaining effective discipline

within the school. The DeKalb County School District believes that the educational

environment must be favorable if students are to take advantage of its comprehensive

program of educational services.

Good discipline is essential to a productive and meaningful learning environment.

Each student who receives a Student Discipline brochure, will have the opportunity to

review and discuss the contents with the teacher, and will pass a county designed test

on the contents of the brochure and those that are outlined in the classroom. The

Austin character education program also supports self-discipline by emphasizing

respect for self and others and respect for school.

Media Center

Students have flexible access to the library media center when it is open throughout

each school day from 7:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. (with teacher permission). The teacher-

librarian and teachers collaborate to include information literacy and technology skills

into subject area lessons. Students may check out up to five books (depending on

grade level) for a 2-week period. Overdue notices are sent home bi-weekly, with

students having their checkout privileges suspended until books are returned or paid

for. Please see the Library Handbook link on the Media Center page of

AustinElementary.com for more information.

Instructional Program

An educational program should encourage the total development of each individual

and should promote intellectual curiosity, independence, objectivity and creativity in

these individuals. At Austin, the instructional program ensures that each student will

experience the enjoyment of a challenge, the excitement of success and the

development of a good self-image. This is accomplished by employing innovative

teaching strategies, cooperative learning and by exposing students to the total

curriculum. In addition, in the spring of each school year we welcome parents to

complete a “Confidential Placement Concern Form” that allows the parents the

opportunity to identify any specific concerns that would assist us in properly placing

the student for the upcoming academic year. Classes are carefully balanced and any

request to move a student is only considered by the administration when it becomes

an academic concern that cannot be resolved in the child’s current placement.

Textbooks

Textbooks are furnished to your child by the DeKalb County School District on a loan

basis and should be treated as borrowed property. It is the student’s responsibility to

protect textbooks. Students must pay for loss or damage to textbooks. Students who

lose textbooks shall be assessed according to the DeKalb County listed price for the

lost textbook. Students who return textbooks that show wear more than what can be

attributed to normal use will be assessed according to the damage.

Subject

Adopted Text

Mathematics

My Math/consumables

ELA

Houghton-Mifflin-

Harcourt

Storytown; Units of Study

for Writing

Social Studies

Houghton-Mifflin

Science

Houghton-Mifflin – Grade

1 Harcourt – Grades K, 2, 3,

4, 5

Bookbags

Students are allowed to carry book bags that are appropriate for elementary school (no

distracting slogans, no stuffed animal toy bags). Students are encouraged to keep book

bags tidy and cleaned out each night.

Homework

Homework is a very important part of the instructional program and is one means by

which families can spend quality time together and support the school in improving

student learning. Homework will be required daily as part of the course of study.

Homework encourages independent work, responsibility, proficiency and good study

habits.

Make-up Work for Excused Absences

It is the student’s responsibility to secure and complete any assignments missed due to

an excused absence. In the case of an excused absence, students will be allowed 3

days to make up missed assignments. Please allow 24 hours for the teacher to get the

assignments ready. Teachers are not required to provide make-up work for unexcused

absences. In addition, teachers will not provide make-up work prior to a student being

absent.

Report Cards

DeKalb Schools are on a semester system. A Progress Report is sent home on the

4.5

, 9

, 13.5

week of each semester. The Progress Reports will give you information

on the performance at that point in the semester. Report Cards are sent home at the

and 36

week. These are the grades that become a part of a student’s permanent

record and transcript. The grading system for DeKalb County is:

Academic

Conduct

90-100

Satisfactory

80-89

Needs

Improvement

71-79

Unsatisfactory

Below 70

Excellent

Satisfactory

Needs

Improvement

Unsatisfactory

Deficiency Reports

Deficiency reports are a means of reporting to parents that a student is not progressing

satisfactorily in either academic work or conduct. These deficiencies should be signed

by the parents and returned to the teacher.

Parties

Parties are held for each class twice a year. Winter and Valentine’s Day parties are

planned by the room mothers in cooperation with the teachers. There are no end-

of-year parties.

We do not have birthday parties at school. Parents may send in one small treat

which will be shared during lunch time with the class the student sits with at lunch.

Parents are not to share birthday treats with students in any other class. No

classroom time will be devoted to birthday celebrations. In addition, birthday favors,

goodie bags, balloons, and gifts are not allowed at school. Students are not allowed

to sing Happy Birthday or light birthday candles while in the cafeteria. Please do not

send birthday party invitations to be distributed at school.

Right to Know Professional Qualifications of Teachers and Paraprofessionals

Austin Elementary

Date: August 15, 2018

Dear Parents,

In compliance with the requirements of the Every Students Succeeds Act, Austin Elementary would like to

inform you that you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher(s)

and/ or paraprofessional(s). The following information may be requested:

• Whether the student’s teacher—

o has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the

teacher provides instruction;

o is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing

criteria have been waived; and

o is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.

• Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

If you wish to request information concerning your child’s teacher’s and/ or paraprofessional’s qualifications,

please contact the principal, Dr. Ann Culbreath at 678-874-8102.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ann Culbreath

Principal

Please retain this notice for future reference.

Carpool Bike Riders Walkers Bus Riders Daycare Van Riders

Austin Elementary Arrival-Dismissal Procedures

NOTE: Each family is given a carpool number tag (to be hung from rear-view mirror

during car pickup), no matter how your child will normally arrive at and leave school.

Although the number is not necessary for arrival, it is essential for an efficient and

orderly dismissal, especially during an emergency situation. Please feel free to ask for a

replacement tag if it becomes worn.

ARRIVAL

❑ School begins promptly at 7:45 am. We have a warning bell that rings at 7:40 am.

❑ Bus students who arrive before 7:20 am will immediately report to cafeteria upon

arrival.

❑ Earliest arrival for walkers, bikers, and carpoolers is 7:10 am. Please report

immediately to homeroom. The bike rack is located in the front of the school. Bikes

must be locked. There are two carpool lanes in the morning.

❑ Student safety patrols and school adults are on duty to assist students.

DISMISSAL

❑ Parents will designate ONE means of dismissal for the student at registration:

walk/bike, daycare van, bus, or carpool. All dismissal changes must be submitted to

the child’s Home Room teacher and front office if no response from the Homeroom

teacher. Please submit forms by 12pm. E-mailed notices will suffice. If no written

notice is provided, the child will be dismissed as designated by the parent on the

registration form.

❑ Early Dismissal—If you need to check out students early, please do so before

1:50PM.

❑ Bus & Daycare Van Dismissal—Students will be called to board buses and daycare

vans starting at 2:10 PM.

❑ Bike Rider and Walker Dismissal—Students walking or biking home will be dismissed

at 2:15 PM and are expected to leave school grounds immediately to clear

pedestrian traffic before carpool begins.

❑ Carpool Dismissal and Triple A— At 2:20 PM. Carpool students must remain quiet to

hear carpool numbers called over the teacher’s walkie-talkie. Only after a student’s

carpool number is called—indicating that someone has arrived to pick him up—

does he report to the flagpole area outside.

Students wait at the flagpole area until they see their cars in the appropriate loading

lane. Once your child is in your car, please take down your carpool tag to let the

monitors know that your carpool is complete. If your child is not at the flagpole,

please leave your carpool tag up. We will ask you to pull up into the holding lane

(marked with cones) and wait while we re-announce your carpool number.

CARPOOL NOTES

❑ Make sure that you have (or anyone else who will pick up your child has) the

assigned number showing during dismissal. If a car does not have a carpool number

showing, we will expect the driver to park and check out students in the main office.

❑ Do not park your vehicle along the front curb at any time. This is a fire lane and

you/your car may be ticketed. If you need to park, do so in a designated parking

space.

❑ Students are not allowed to cross carpool traffic for any reason. Students will exit

and enter cars via passenger-side doors and at the curb ONLY. Our goal is to take

advantage of green traffic lights and have the maximum number of cars in

loading/unloading areas. This may mean that your car will not stop in a spot closest

to the front entrance of Austin. In consideration of others, please pull your vehicle

forward as far as possible when “waved up” by duty staff or patrols so that we can

use all appropriate space.

❑ If you are the firat car, please pull forward until you reach the cones near the end of

the sidewalk or pickup.

❑ Please be aware that we have only enough room for one lane of traffic in each

direction. Do not pass cars while in the carpool line for any reason!

❑ As a courtesy, duty staff will do their best to assist students with opening car doors.

However, students may get out/in on their own as long as the carpool line is not

moving or being waved on and the child’s car is stopped in an appropriate area.

Please encourage your child to exit/enter your vehicle independently at an

appropriate place.

❑ Please be aware of your speed as you proceed through carpool, especially if you’re

running late or are in a hurry. Safety first!

COVID Safety:

Due to COVID there are a few changes to our normal. Please see them below:

Walking students to class the first day of school:

We ask that you say your goodbyes in carpool or at the front of the school. However, if needed PreK,

Kindergarten, and 1

grade students can be walked by one Parent on the first day of school.

**Mask are required

Lunch update:

At this time, parents are not allowed to eat lunch with their students. If this changes, all parents will be

informed.

Breakfast and Lunches are free for all students. However, a la carte items will still require money on the

student's account.

Birthdays:

We love birthdays! Teachers have worked hard to find fun ways to celebrate our students on their big day

here at school. While we can’t have treats sent in, your babies will have fun things waiting for them!!

Volunteers

We can have volunteers for outside events or in set areas around school, but not in the classroom at this time.