Agendas & Folders
     The Hobgood Agenda is used for EVERYTHING.  Students will receive one on the first day of school but will be charged $3.00 for a replacement folder and $5.00 for a replacement Agenda.  Students will use their Agendas to bring important information to parents that must be signed and returned, homework assignments, and other school related documents.

Attendance:
All students are expected to attend school each day that school is officially in session.  Excused absences may be granted for the following reasons:

• Illness of student (A doctor’s statement IS required when illness is frequently given as a reason or after 5 consecutive absences).
• In the event your child’s absence or tardiness was due to a doctor or dental visit, please provide an excuse from the physician’s office.
• Students should be fever free for 24 hours without medication and/or no vomiting or diarrhea.
• Any student suspected of having a communicable illness may be asked to present a doctor’s statement prior to re-admittance to class for the health and safety of all students.
• Head lice (first 2 days are excused; after the second day absences are unexcused) The Hobgood staff will conduct a lice check of every student each Monday morning.  Parents will be notified and expected to pick up their child immediately if nits and/or live lice are found.
• Death within the student’s immediate family.
• When the student is officially representing the school in a school sponsored activity.
• Special and recognized religious holidays regularly observed by persons of the student’s faith.
• A legal court summons for reasons other than the student’s misconduct.
• Absences other than those outlined above shall be considered unexcused.   A written statement shall be required from the parent or guardian explaining the reason for each absence.  Any absence without a written notice from home within 3 days of the absence will be considered unexcused.  Five unexcused absences will result in a truant notice filed with the Murfreesboro Police Department.

School Hours
The regular school day for students in Kindergarten will be from 7:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  Students of all other grades levels will attend from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.  All students arriving before 7:00 a.m. must go directly to the gym or ESP if they are currently enrolled in the program and wait until they are dismissed by the adult supervisor.  Classrooms are NOT OPENED to the students before 7:15 a.m.  Parents or guardians will be responsible for ESP payment.

Tardiness
Students who arrive after 7:30 a.m. must be signed in by an adult and receive a tardy slip from the office before going to the classroom.  A student who is habitually late suffers academically and causes disruptions for the entire class.  An extreme number of tardies will result in notification to the attendance personnel.  The student’s parent or guardian must sign the child in at the office.  The front doors will be the only doors unlocked after 7:30 a.m.

Snow Days
Weather conditions sometimes mean necessary changes in the regular school day.  MURFREESBORO CITY SCHOOLS schedule changes will be announced over the local radio and TV stations.  Please remember that the CITY SCHOOLS do not operate on the same schedule as those of the county (Rutherford).

Change of Address/Telephone Number
It is imperative that the office at Hobgood be able to reach parents during the day.  Children get sick and accidents happen.  Always keep the school informed how you may be reached. 

Classroom Interruptions
While we welcome parents in the classroom, the primary job of the teacher is to teach.  The teacher cannot be effective if interrupted during the class time.  Parents and visitors must check in at the office before visiting classrooms.  If you want a conference with a teacher, please make an appointment with them for a time when pupils are not present.  Visits to the classroom should be scheduled with the teacher and cleared through the office.

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Dismissal
Students are dismissed in the following order:

Kindergarten
Kindergarten will dismiss at 2:00.  Kindergarteners going to ESP will be picked up from their hallway.  Students riding the bus will be brought to the front entrance and escorted to the bus.  Kindergarten car riders must be picked up from the circle drive off of South Baird. 

Students in grades 1-6 will be dismissed in the following order:
ESP                             2:20
Bus Riders                   2:25          
Car Riders                    2:25
Walkers                       2:28

NO CHANGES IN A STUDENT’S TRANSPORTATION WILL BE ALLOWED WITHOUT A WRITTEN NOTE.  The note must include the student’s name,  date , what change is to be made, and the duration of time for the change.  Students cannot ride any bus other than the one to which they are assigned.

Please make ALL decisions regarding transportation and childcare before the child leaves home in the mornings to avoid confusion and distress for everyone.  WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT PHONE MESSAGES REGARDNG TRANSPORTATION CHANGES CAN BE DELIVERED AFTER 2:00.

Please limit phone calls to the office regarding changes in dismissal to emergency
situations only.

Bus Dismissal

• Line up with the teacher.
• Make one line in the hall.
• Walk quietly in the hall.
• Keep hands and book bags still.
• Everyone stays in line until they are loaded on the bus.
• Follow all bus rules….be respectful of the bus driver and each other.

Car Dismissal
The following is a list of steps to follow for car dismissal.  We ask that you review these procedures carefully and follow them as closely as possible.  Your compliance with these procedures will help dismissal go quickly and efficiently.

• Place your “name card” on the front right side of the dashboard.
• Kindergarten, first, second, and third grades will dismiss on the Mercury Blvd. side of the school.
• Fourth, fifth and sixth grades will dismiss on the Jupiter Street side of the school.
• If you have two or more children, the YOUNGEST child will go to the side the OLDEST child will be picked up on so that you will only go through one line.
• We will load 3 children at a time.  We will not load children at any place other than the designated area.
• The next three cars will move up and be loaded as above.

Special Notes:  Please do not pass any car for any reason.  This endangers both children and staff.  You will need to park in the front of the building and sign in at the office if you need to speak to a teacher.  It is imperative that any change in dismissal be made in writing and given to the homeroom teacher.  Please do not call the office and ask that your child be given a message regarding a change in dismissal unless an emergency has occurred.

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Medication
It is best that all children’s medication be administered by a parent/guardian at home.  However, when necessary school personnel may assist with self-administered medication under the appropriate guidelines:

• Please bring medication of any form (prescription or over the counter) to the school office.  Under NO circumstance should a child be sent to school with medication.
• All medication of any kind must be in its original bottle or container.
• The office must have a signed medication form by a parent or guardian stating complete instructions for administration of medication including times and dosages.

Lunch
Children may bring their lunch or buy it in The Dining Room.  All children are required to eat lunch unless the principal grants an emergency excuse.  A well-balanced lunch is provided by a skilled cafeteria staff under the standards of the Federal Hot Lunch Program.  Carbonated drinks should not be brought from home.  Any food allergies should be reported to the teacher immediately.  Menus will be available in the office.  Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. until 7:20 a.m.  
Students CANNOT make charges.

Child’s Lunch                      $1.85          
Reduced Lunch                    $0.40      
Child’s Breakfast                 $1.25
Reduced Breakfast               $0.30   
Parents                                $3.50     
Parent (Holiday)                  $5.00
Ice Cream                            $0.50          
Milk                                    $0.40  
   

THERE IS NO VENDING MACHINE ACCESS FOR STUDENTS

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Murfreesboro City Schools Statement of Non-Discrimination

The Murfreesboro City Schools System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, disability or veteran status in programs or activities or employment opportunities and benefits as required by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans With Disabilities Act.  Services available include elementary grades K-6, preschool classes, special education, family resource centers, ESL (ELL), Title I and extended school programs.

Inquiries or complaints regarding compliance with Title VI and VII should be directed to Danielle Kaminsky; inquiries regarding Section 504 should be directed to Priscilla Van Tries; inquiries regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII and Title IX should be directed to Lee Wilkerson.  School complaint managers for Title IX have been named for each school for investigation of discrimination/harassment of students (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious) and the names of the school complaint managers are available from the principal at the respective schools.  Lee Wilkerson and Crystal Roshon are the Title IX complaint managers and are responsible for investigation of discrimination/harassment complaints (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious) and coordinating the system’s compliance efforts.  The above listed individuals may be contacted at the Murfreesboro City School Administrative Office, 2552 South Church Street, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37127 or by calling 615-893-2313.

For additional information or inquiries regarding Title VI or Title IX compliance issues, contact the Tennessee Department of Education or the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights at the addresses below or if you feel that you have been discriminated against, a complaint may be sent to:

Tennessee Department of Education
Office of Civil Rights
710 James Robertson Parkway
Andrew Johnson Tower, 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Telephone: 615-741-2731 or 615-253-1550
Email:  TiffanyBakercox@state.tn.us
Web:  http://www.tennessee.gov/education/civilrights.shtml

OR

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
61 Forsyth St. S.W., Suite 19T70
Atlanta, GA  30303-3104
Telephone: 404-562-6350;   TDD  404-331-7236
Email:  OCR_Altlanta@ed.gov                                                                                            
Web:  http:/www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html

Sexual Harassment
Student discrimination/harassment will not be tolerated.  Discrimination/harassment is defined as conduct, gestures, or words (either written or spoken) of a sexual, racial, ethnic or religious nature which:

• Unreasonably interfere with the student’s work or educational opportunities.
• Create an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environment.
• Imply that submission to such conduct is made an explicit or implicit term of receiving grades or credit.
• Imply that submission to or rejection of such conduct will be used as a basis for determining the student’s grades and/or participation in a student activity.  Allegations of discrimination or harassment shall be fully investigated by a student complaint manager.  Parents should contact the school office with any questions or concerns.

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Hobgood has a specific dress code for students. 
Students/parents do not have to buy a specific brand of uniform.  Any clothes made by any company are acceptable as long as they meet the requirements.  Failure to comply with the uniform requirements and or dress code will result in a call to parents for proper attire to be brought to school.

Everyday, except for Friday, students wear:
Bottoms: navy blue, black or khaki (solid colors only).  The bottom of the uniform can be selected from one of the following styles: pants, skirts, walking shorts, jumpers or skorts. Belts are to be worn when belt loops are present. If pants sag, a belt will be provided and must be worn.  NO BLUE JEANS OR DENIM OF ANY KIND.

Shirts: white, red, navy blue (solid colors only).  Shirts should NOT have any logos, symbols, stripes, or words on them.  Only Hobgood issued (purchased or given out) T-shirts may have a design and/or writing on them.  D.A.R.E., Walk for education and other event shirts may only be worn on casual days.  Shirts may be collarless, but no tank tops.  Shirts must cover the midriff when arms are raised.  It is suggested that shirts be tucked into pants.

Accessories:  Navy blue, white or red sweaters, vests and sweatshirts.  Clothes should not have any logos, symbols, or words on them other than Hobgood.

Shoes: Any color or style of shoes that you feel goes with the uniforms may be worn to school.  Flip-flops, sandals, platform tennis shoes, and black-soled shoes are strongly discouraged.

Dress Code:  Every Friday, we will have “NO UNIFORM” day or “CASUAL DAY“.  This day will enable everyone the opportunity to express his or her own individuality in clothing instead of wearing the required daily uniform.  The following Dress Code guidelines will apply on these special days.  The responsibility for the appearance of the students rests with the parents or guardians, and the students themselves. 

• Neatness, cleanliness and appropriateness are always stressed at Hobgood.
• Dress should be discreet and in good taste.
• These items are considered inappropriate and unacceptable for school dress:
• Short shorts-no more than 3 inches above knee
• Any clothing with imprinted advertisements for alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or other drugs
• Any clothing with inappropriate or suggestive slogans, artwork and/or pictures are not permissible
• Hats, hair picks and other athletic helmets may not be worn in the building
• Tank tops, halter tops, spaghetti strap tops
• See through football jerseys OR muscle shirts with large arm holes
• Non-commercially made “cutoffs” shorts or shirts
• Cleated athletic shoes
• Clothes should be within one size of the student’s actual size.  Belts are to be worn when belt loops are present.  No sagging of pants will be allowed.

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Cellular Phones
     Students are not permitted to carry cellular phones, walkmans, beepers, laser pointers, cameras, or other electronic devices on campus.  These items will be confiscated and turned over to school administrators.  All confiscated items will be released to parents/guardians only.

Discipline Plan
In order for our students to have a healthy and enriching school experience, a structured discipline plan will be implemented consistently, firmly and fairly.  We have also found that only through parents and school personnel working together and supporting each other can we provide what every child needs: a productive learning environment.

In order for teachers to teach and students to learn, the following areas of behavior will be expected:

• Show respect to all people.
• Respect other people’s property and school property.
• Talk at appropriate times and use appropriate language.
• Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
• Walk in all areas of the school building.

These behaviors will not be tolerated:

• Not following directions
• Not listening
• Excessive talking
• Stealing
• Foul Language
• Not using time wisely
• Not accepting responsibility
• Fighting
• Destroying school property
• Not working or playing well with others
• Lack of responsibility for class work/homework
• Hitting, pinching, pushing, kicking and other inappropriate uses of hands and feet

Rewards
Praise, bookmarks, pencils, extra reading time, stickers, special treats, extra playtime, and/or other special surprises and activities.

Consequences

• Teacher conference/individual classroom management programs
• Contact parent for conference
• Refer to Assistant Principal or Principal
• In-school suspension or out-of-school suspension (depends upon the addressed behavior)
• Expulsion (Zero Tolerance: drugs, weapons, etc)