GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Daily Schedules

Normal school hours will begin at 8:00 am until 2:45 pm. The Academy of Moore County students may be on campus no earlier than 7:45 am and as late as 2:45 pm. Students may be on campus prior to 7:45 am or after 2:45 pm only when they are participating in a school sanctioned activity such as clubs, yearbook, music lessons, sports teams, Science Olympiad or the Afterschool Program. Any student remaining on campus after 2:45 pm who is not participating in a school sanctioned activity will be escorted to the Afterschool Program and the student’s parent will be charged an appropriate fee for this service to be paid on the day of services rendered. Campus hours and approved activities may be subject to change at the discretion of the Principal.

 

Lunch and class times will be determined by elementary teachers in consultation with the Principal.

 

Students are expected to be sitting in their homeroom at 8:00 am. Any student not seated in class, or arriving at school after the 8:00 am must go to the office, sign the tardy book and obtain an Admit Slip. Students must be on-time to all classes.

 

Attendance Policy

It is the responsibility of students and their parents to ensure that students attend school every day. The following rules relate to absences:

 

a. Excused Absences. Under North Carolina School Law, the Principal or his/her designee may excuse a student’s absence for the following reasons, provided that adequate evidence of the excuse is provided to the school.

·         Illness or injury: When the absence results from illness or injury, which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school.

·         Quarantine: When the student’s isolation is ordered by the local health officer or by the State Board of Health

·         Death in the immediate family: When absence results from the death of a member of the immediate family of the student. The immediate family of a student includes, but is not limited to, grandparents, parents, Individuals in Loco Parentis, and siblings.

·         Medical or Dental appointments: When absence is due to a student’s medical or dental appointment, a written excuse from the physician’s or dentist's office must be presented upon the student’s return to school.

·         Court or Administrative Proceedings: When the student is party to or is under subpoena as a witness in the proceedings of a court or administrative tribunal.

·         Religious Observances: When a student, or the student’s parents, guardians, or custodians adhere to a religion in which the tenets require or suggest the observance of a religious event, the parents must seek prior approval from the Principal for such absence. The approval of such absences is within the discretion of the Principal. Approval should be granted unless the religious observance or the cumulative effect of religious observances is of such duration as to interfere with the education of the student.

·         Educational Opportunity: When the student misses school due to a valid educational opportunity, and obtains the Principal’s prior written approval.

 

b.   An unexcused or illegal absence is an absence based on an invalid reason pursuant to North Carolina School Law, and will not be excused upon presentation of a written explanation of the reason for the absence. Failure to provide a written explanation will also result in an unexcused absence. Unexcused/illegal absences result in three consecutive days of one-hour detention periods If a student is absent on the assigned days of detention, the student will serve detention beginning the first day of their return to school.  Detention will be held afterschool from 2:50 until 3:50, Monday through Thursday.

A student who misses any portion of a school day, except for reasons set forth as excused absences, may not be able to participate that day in any extracurricular school-sponsored activity.

    A student with greater than ten unexcused absences in a school year shall be issued a failing grade. A student with greater than twenty absences of any kind (excused and unexcused combined) may be retained at the discretion of the Principal.  The parents of the student will be entitled to appeal that decision to the Board of Directors, who shall have final discretion to pass or fail the student.

    Under North Carolina Law, children between the ages of 7 and 16 must attend school. The Academy of Moore County will diligently adhere to the North Carolina Compulsory School Attendance Law, including N.C.G.S. 115C-378 (Please see school website link to Attendance Law). Under this law, our Principal will write letters to parents of students with three, six, and ten unexcused absences in a school year, reminding them of the obligation to attend school. As required by law, a copy of the ten-unexcused-absence letter will also be sent to the Office to the District Attorney located in Carthage, N.C., for referral and follow-up.

 

Tardiness Policy

It is the responsibility of students to be on time for school and classes.

 

The following rules relate to tardiness:

a. Students who arrive after 8:00 am or return from lunch late are required to report directly to the office accompanied by a parent /guardian. Lateness may be excused for reasons of illness, medical/dental appointment, emergencies, or school bus delay. Routine traffic delay, car problems en route to school, lost items, oversleeping, missed ride, etc. are not valid reasons for tardiness.

b. Students tardy to individual classes will be sent to the office where the tardiness is recorded and an Admit Slip is given.

c. Three unexcused tardies will result in one hour of detention. Sixth and ninth unexcused tardies will each result in 1 additional hour of detention. Parents will be notified when detention is given. A twelfth unexcused tardy will result in a meeting with the student, parents and principal or designee to discuss the situation and agree on a suitable course of action.

d. Students who are out of class with permission but unnecessarily delay returning to class will be considered tardy.

e. Tardiness in excess of twenty minutes will constitute an unexcused absence for the class.

 

Early Dismissal 

Students are expected to attend school the entire day. With this in mind, there are times when a student must leave early/arrive late for medical reasons.  In circumstances such as this, students are expected to submit a valid excuse signed by the medical personnel upon arrival to the office in order for it to be excused.   In other circumstances, the absence will be considered unexcused unless waived by the Principal.  Excessive absences will result in detention. signed by a parent or guardian stating the time and reason why the student needs to leave early must be presented to the class teacher at the start of the school day. Prior to departure, a student will be released only to a parent, guardian, or designee listed on file in TAMC's administrative office. This person will be required to present a photo i.d., and sign out the student at the front office. If the student returns to school during the same day, he/she must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or designee on file to sign back in, and receive an Admit Slip.  

 

STUDENT MEDICATIONS

Prescription Medications

For each prescription medication, vitamin/supplement, etc. to be given, a copy of a Request for Medication Form must be completed and signed by the student’s licensed

 health care provider and parent/guardian.  A Request for Medication Form may be obtained from the school office and must be completed in its entirety.

·         Medicine must be brought to school by a responsible adult and signed in to the medication logbook.

·         Medicine must be brought to school in a container that is current and clearly labeled, stating when and how it should be administered.

·         A new Request for Medication Form must be completed each school year and anytime dosage or directions change.  Students may not carry medication (including cough drops) with them to class without permission of the administration.

·         Students will NOT receive lunchtime (or later) medication on early release days without a note from his/her parent or guardian.

 

NonPrescription Medication

Nonprescription medication, vitamins/supplements, or any other over-the-counter medicine must be brought to school in the original container.  A Request for Medication Form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian, and the student’s health care provider.  The date, dose, and times(s) for medication(s) to be given at school must be indicated.  No medicine will be given unless the above steps have been completed.  To make sure the student receives his/her medicine safely NO EXCEPTIONS can be made.  If a Request for Medication Form is NOT completed the parent/guardian will have to come to school to administer the medication personally.

If possible, it is best to give your child’s medicine at home.  You may want to talk to your child’s doctor and ask if medicine can be taken at times other than during the school day.  Any parent/guardian is free to come to school to administer medication to their child.

 

Lunches and Snacks

Students are required to bring their lunch, or they can order a lunch provided by contractors obtained through TAMC on a weekly or monthly basis. The importance of nutritional food and drink to the human body is clear. Research proves again and again that the brain needs adequate nutrition to function properly. It is with this in mind that the following regulations concerning food and drink will be enforced, so that all students of TAMC can be happy, healthy and productive citizens:

·      Soda /sports drinks will not be permitted.

·      Candy/gum is not permitted.

·      Snack time during the school day is provided for kindergarten students only. Snacks must be nutritious (fruit, cheese, granola bars, raisins, yogurt, trail mix, goldfish, pretzels, veggie sticks, 100% fruit juice). 

·      Please make sure your child brings a nutritious lunch to school each day. Please do not deliver lunch to your child during the school day, since this is disruptive to the learning environment.

 

Unscheduled Bathroom Breaks

In the event of excessive student requests for unscheduled bathroom breaks, teachers will contact the parent/guardian to inform them of the situation.  A doctor’s note will be required in order to provide the accommodation of unscheduled bathroom breaks. 

 

Make-up Work

Students are expected to make up work from excused absences in order to avoid reductions in their grades. Students are responsible for securing and arranging to make-up work directly with their teachers. Make-up work shall be assigned at the discretion and convenience of the teacher, and may be specific material missed by the student, or may be reinforcement or enrichment assignments.

 

Emergency Closing / Cancellation of School, and Inclement Weather Plan

During extremely bad weather, it may become necessary to cancel school or to close school early.  When the decision is made to close school, parents will be notified through the 'AlertNow' emergency telephone contact system.  Additionally, parents and students are advised of that decision through the following venues:

·      WRAL (Raleigh), Channel 11 , WTVD (Durham), Channel 10, or Cable News Carolina, (Fayetteville) Channel 14

·      Radio station WIOZ 102.5 FM

·      Web Site: www.AcademyofMooreCounty.com

·      The Academy of Moore County's voice mail: (910) 757-0401

Parents/guardians must have made necessary arrangements in case the school closes early. Plans must include person(s) who will be picking up the student at school. Students will only be released to designees on file.  Students may not leave school with another student without written permission of the parent/guardian.  After school care will not be provided when school closes early.

 

Field Trips

Field trips are considered to be a vital part of a student’s educational experience. The world is so much larger than the classroom, and TAMC teachers embrace opportunities to expand their students’ educational experience through field trips whenever possible. Students must have a signed permission slip for each field trip in order to participate. Permission slips must be turned in by the due date.  Students without written permission will not be permitted to participate in the field trip.  Phone calls from parents/guardians authorizing permission for a student’s attendance on a field trip will not be considered. In many cases there is an activity fee to pay for attendance or entrance to an event. We ask that our parents pay in cash or check (made out to TAMC). 
 

Chaperones

There will be opportunities for parents, guardians and family members to accompany a class on a field trip. Those wishing to chaperone on a field trip are encouraged to let the teacher know of your availability. As with other issues within the classroom, the teacher will make the final decision for chaperones. If you are chosen as a chaperone it is imperative that you understand that you will be accompanying a class as an “official” supervisor of a child or group of children. Parents who are chaperoning cannot bring other children with them on the trip.

 

Parent Volunteering

The Academy of Moore County can attain its greatest success when all members of the community work together for the benefit of the school and its students. Parents at The Academy of Moore County are asked to contribute at least ten hours per family per school year in volunteer time to the school. Volunteering can include both on and/or off campus donation of time. Each teacher will send home information detailing ways in which parents can participate.

 

Parent/Guardian Volunteering in the Classroom

Teachers greatly appreciate assistance in the classrooms. The following procedures exist to ensure that all volunteers understand the guidelines for helping in the classrooms.

 

Volunteers will:

• Follow school and classroom rules
• Dress appropriately
• Refrain from having parent/teacher conferences during volunteer time
• Schedule teacher conference time in advance so that the teacher can plan accordingly

 

Parent/Guardian Volunteering on Field Trips

Due to the fact that TAMC staff are ultimately responsible for the safety of the students at all times, parents are requested to follow the direction of the classroom teacher when volunteering on field trips.  In addition to the volunteer guidelines listed above, it is requested that you:

·      Abide by state law regarding children riding in vehicles

·      Stay with class as directed by classroom teacher

·      Not consume any alcohol or illegal drugs prior to or during the volunteer activity

·      Refrain from smoking

·      Not leave any child unattended

 

After School Program
2:45 pm ~ 6:00 pm

Availability for After School will be based on need. The goals for After School Care are to:

·      Provide a setting in which children feel very relaxed and at home in a peaceful atmosphere.

·      Have the best well-trained staff that will love and nurture the children each day while they are in their care.

·      Encourage children to build strong self-esteem and become independent people.

·      Make our parents feel relaxed and assured that the children are in a safe and caring environment. 

Applications for After School are available at the school office

 

The fee for the After School Program is $35.00 per week per child.  A $5.00/minute fee will be due & payable on that day for students picked up after the 6:00 closing time.

For further information, stop by or call 910-757-0401.

 

Activities for Students