General Information

Important Links

School Information

Student Code of Conduct

DISCIPLINE

The establishment and implementation of appropriate guidelines is an important part of the learning process. All students are expected to behave in a respectful and orderly manner while at school. All school employees have the right and obligation to correct any student at any time while the student is in school, on the school grounds or while involved in any school-sponsored activity. School officials use discipline as a tool to achieve individual student improvement as well as to maintain a positive learning environment.

Mills River School personnel will use their professional discretion in the selection of disciplinary procedures. No student shall engage in behavior which is detrimental to the teaching/learning process. Ensuring the safe, secure, and orderly operation of Mills River School, while maintaining an atmosphere conducive to teaching and learning, is a major responsibility of school administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, and students.

Violations of rules or regulations may result in a student being suspended from school.

APPROPRIATE DRESS

Students are expected to dress in a manner that is neat, clean, and proper for a learning environment. Clothing styles are constantly changing; therefore, it is impossible to list all dress and grooming trends that are inappropriate for school wear. Students shall not wear clothing or hairstyles that distract other students, interfere with the classroom participation of other students, or present a health or safety hazard. If a student’s dress or appearance is distractive, disruptive to the school climate, or detrimental to his health and safety, the principal may require the student and the student’s parent(s), legal custodian(s), or legal guardian(s) to take appropriate action to remedy this situation. Following are examples of dress that are considered not appropriate for school. This list in not intended to be inclusive. The interpretation of inappropriate clothing rests with the school administration. Failure to comply with dress code standards shall be handled by the school administration, in accordance with their school rules. The principal may require a student to change his dress or appearance for failure to comply with the dress code.

  • Shoes or sandals are to be worn at all times during the school day.
  • Clothing with vulgar language, obscenities, or clothing advertising drugs or alcoholic beverages are not permissible.
  • Clothing worn to reveal underwear or cleavage, pants worn below waist level, or clothing that is excessively baggy or tight is not permissible.
  • Distracting clothing, scanty clothing, and transparent or see-through mesh garments clothing is not permissible.
  • Belts, if worn, must be kept on and tied or buckled at all times.
  • Gang related jewelry, dress, bandannas, insignias, or any other gang related attire will not be tolerated.
  • Coats must fit and be appropriate for the season.
  • Shorts/Dresses/Skirts should be not shorter than finger tips when arms extended straight down.
  • Straps on tops should be at least the width of 2 fingers.
  • Sunglasses are not to be worn inside school buildings.
  • Hats are not to be worn inside except on Special Days.

CLASS PREPARATION

Students have the responsibility to come to class prepared for his/her school-work. This includes having paper, pencils, textbooks, assignments, and other necessary materials.

GENERAL CONDUCT

Students are to use good manners and show respect at all times. The following must not be practiced at any time: Possession or use of a weapon, incendiary, or explosives (this includes guns, knives, fireworks, ammunition) or the use of any object as a weapon to cause bodily harm or injury. Note: Violation of offenses listed in this paragraph will result in serious disciplinary action such as suspension from school and a report to law enforcement. This includes assault or violence directed toward any student or any school employee; bomb threat; or engaging a fire alarm as a hoax, harassment of any kind; reckless or belligerent behavior which might result in bodily harm; possession or use of tobacco, alcohol, or any illegal drug, etc., stealing or vandalism; defacing or destroying school property; gambling; cheating; possession of inappropriate materials; truancy from school; selling of any non school-sponsored item.

FOOD SERVICE

Our school cafeteria staff provides nourishing, well-balanced meals, and all students are encouraged to purchase meals in the cafeteria. Meals may be paid for in advance (weekly/monthly) or may be paid for daily. Prices for Students: Breakfast $1.00; Lunch $2.40; Extra Milk $.50.  Prices for Adults:  Breakfast $1.15; Lunch:  $3.40.   Applications for free and reduced breakfast/lunch are available to parents throughout the year.

If a child accidentally forgets his/her lunch money or lunch, we will permit the day’s lunch to be charged. Lunch charges should be paid the next morning between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM. All students are encouraged to purchase their meal(s) in the cafeteria; otherwise they must bring a lunch from home. Breakfast is served from 7:30 AM until 8:00 AM.

LOST AND FOUND

To help identify lost articles such as coats, lunch boxes, book bags, etc., it would be very helpful if parents would write the student’s name on the item.

MEDICATION

If a student is to be medicated at school, parents must complete the appropriate forms which may be obtained from your child’s teacher, the school office, or click the link above in the Important Links Section to print a copy.

PICTURES AND YEARBOOKS

Parents will be notified when school pictures are to be taken. Mills River School yearbook orders are taken once during the year (usually during the spring).

Yearbooks are generally distributed during the last week of school. In order to be assured of receiving a yearbook, students need to place an order when the order is taken.

PTO

All parents are encouraged to join and take an active role in our Parent Teacher Organization.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards/assessments are sent home at the end of each grading period for all students. In Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade, parent conferences are scheduled at the end of the first nine weeks. Teachers will contact parents to set up conferences. Mid-term progress reports are sent home halfway through each grading period.

SCHOOL HOURS

Instruction begins at 8:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM. Students arriving by car between 7:30 and 7:50 will report to the cafeteria where supervision will be provided until 7:50; at which time they will be dismissed to their class.

TEXTBOOKS AND LIBRARY BOOKS

Parents are asked to help their child keep up with school textbooks and library books. Students will be charged for damage to or the replacement cost of lost books.

TRANSPORTATION

Bus Riders

Riding a school bus is a privilege. All students on the bus are under the authority of the bus driver. Failure to abide by the rules can result in a child not being permitted to ride the bus. Misbehavior on school buses will be reported to the principal who will take appropriate action to correct the situation.

Students must get off the bus at their assigned stop every day unless they have a note from their parent. Additionally, students will not be allowed to ride any bus other than their assigned bus without a note from their parent. Students who normally ride the bus home must bring a note from a parent in order to ride home with anyone. These rules are strictly followed for your child’s safety and well-being.

Car Riders

Just a reminder, the traffic flow in our parking lot is one way. Our main entrance is on School House Road and the exit is on Banner Farm road. For the safety of your child and all of our students, if you are entering/visiting the school, we ask that you park in a parking space in the front parking lot (not the bus parking lot) of our school.

AM Drop Off: Pull all the way to the end of the awning when dropping off. Do not stop at the front door to let your child out. There are adults to assist your child into the building every morning.

PM Pick Up: Children are not dismissed until 3pm. There will be a new reserved area for parents that arrive early. You will be directed by a staff member at 2:45 p.m. to line up at the cones and be pulled forward to the end of the awning at 2:55 p.m.

Pre-school parents are to pick up their children at 2:30 and should use the visitor/volunteer spots to park and go inside to dismiss your children.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In case of bad weather, parents should listen to local radio stations, or the regional television stations for school closing information. Please do not call the school. Parents should provide written instructions as to what their child is to do if school closes early due to bad weather. Arrangements should be discussed with the child and the teacher in advance so the child will know what to do. A form is sent home during the school year to provide the school with this information. This will avoid confusion and help insure the safety of your child.

VISITORS

For the safety of your child and all of our students, if you are entering/visiting the school, we ask that you park in a parking space in the front parking lot (not the bus parking lot) of our school.  We also require you to stop by the office and get a visitor’s badge to wear while you are on campus.  Parents and other visitors are not allowed in classrooms or the cafeteria during the instructional day (8:00-3:00) without permission from the office.