2025-2026

Pembroke Elementary School  

1600 Pembroke-Oak Grove Road

Pembroke, KY 42266

Phone: (270) 887-7290

Family Resource Center: (270) 887-7292

Cafeteria: (270) 887-7299

Christian County Board of Education:

(270) 887-7000

SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT 

The mission of Pembroke Elementary, in collaboration with all stakeholders, is to provide a meaningful learning experience to educate the whole child and promote growth of ALL students to meet THEIR full potential. 

SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT

Pembroke Elementary- where we strive for class:

Children

Learning

All 

Skills

Successfully

PARENTSQUARE NOTIFICATIONS

Communication will be sent out using ParentSquare. Messages will be sent to all households to notify parents / guardians of school closures, early release times or school events. 

SCHOOL CLOSING HOTLINE:    270-707-1900

Should it become necessary to close school because of the weather, the Superintendent of Schools will notify local radio and television stations before 6:00 a.m., if at all possible.  If there is a threat of bad weather, it is advisable to listen to the radio or watch the television for school closing information.

Should early dismissal from school become necessary due to severe weather or other emergency, announcements will be made via local radio and television stations, with every possible effort made to ensure that parents are notified.

REMEMBER, parents should not call the school, school officials, or radio and television stations during these times.  It is essential that the telephone lines be kept open.

ATTENDANCE

CHANGE OF STUDENT ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER

Students and parents should ALWAYS report any change of address or telephone number to the teacher and to the school office.  It is necessary to have a current and accurate telephone number on file in case of any emergency.  

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

An essential ingredient in the academic success of every student in Pembroke Elementary School is regular and punctual attendance.  The Christian County Schools Code of Acceptable Behavior Handbook contains specific standards of attendance expected and required of all students in Grades K-12.  Please refer to this document for all attendance policies and regulations.

Parents should be especially aware of the state COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW KRS 159.010 and KRS 159.180, which states that the parent / guardian is responsible for keeping his / her child in regular school attendance.  Valid reasons for student absence, required explanations for student absence and other regulations are outlined in the code.

When a student has been absent from school for any reason, he / she shall bring a note to the teacher on the day they return to school.  The note must be dated and signed and should state the reason for the absence.  In case of a medical appointment, the parent should request a written excuse from the medical professional and send that statement to the school with the student.  If a written note is not received from the student within five (5) days of the absence, the absence will be unexcused.

Please make sure you put your child’s first and last name on the excuse.

Perfect attendance shall mean that a student has NO ABSENCES AND 2 OR FEWER TARDIES.  

If your child has not missed a day, but has more than 2 tardies, they will not have perfect attendance.  Perfect attendance for the year will be determined this way.

CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES

In order to maintain the highest possible safety standards for our school and your child, we have several procedures that we require when you check-in / check-out your child.

1. If your child arrives at school after 7:15 a.m. YOU MUST COME TO THE OFFICE with your child.  You must sign your child in on the Student Check-In/Check-Out system.  YOUR CHILD MUST OBTAIN A TARDY SLIP IN ORDER TO BE ADMITTED TO CLASS.

2. PLEASE, DO NOT call the school and ask us to let someone who we do not know or who is not on your child’s student release form to come and get your child.  If a person comes in with a note giving them permission to pick up your student, his or her name MUST be on the student’s release form before your child will be released to them. THEY MUST PROVIDE A PICTURE ID.

The STUDENT RELEASE FORM is used for emergency and non-emergency purposes.  If a child is sick and we cannot reach the parent or legal guardian, we will contact one of the emergency contacts listed on the release form.  Please inform those people that they will be required to show a PICTURE ID when picking up your child.

If you need someone to come to the school to pick up your child in a non-emergency situation, please remember that you must send a note to the school with your child.  That person must also be on the Student Release Form and must also show a picture ID.

Anytime you need to make a change in your child’s student release form you may do so in your Infinite Campus parent portal under the demographics section. 

EVERYONE must show a picture ID when checking out a student.  There will be no exceptions.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

Notes from the parent / guardian shall be accepted and absences excused for up to six (6) days only for the valid reasons listed below.  A note from a medical professional will not be counted as one of the six (6) days. Once those 6 days are used, any other absence, without an excuse from a medical professional, will be recorded as unexcused.  Any absence event due to medical reasons in excess of ten (10) will require the presentation of the Christian County Schools’ Medical Excuse Form before the absence will be excused.  Three (3) unexcused absences designates a student as truant.  Notes must be presented to the student’s school within (5) days of the absence and state the reason for the absence to be excused.  

Valid reasons are:

• Illness of pupil, including mental or behavioral health 

• Death in the family or a severe illness in the pupil’s family 

• Appointment with a health professional (for student only) 

• Driver’s test (A statement from the driver's test administrator must be presented for the student to be excused for a reasonable amount of time.) 

• Court order (A statement from the court system must be presented for the student to be excused for a reasonable amount of time.) 

• One (1) day for the attendance of the Kentucky State Fair per KRS 158.070 to be approved by the Principal prior to the fair 

• Students participating in any of the page programs of the General Assembly per KRS 159.035. 

• Other valid reasons as determined by the principal 

TARDINESS / TRUANCY DEFINED

Three (3) unexcused tardies shall be equivalent to one (1) unexcused absence.

A tardy is any time a child comes in late (after 7:15 a.m.) or checks out early (prior to 2:30 p.m.) without a valid excuse.

Any student who has been absent from school without a valid excuse, for three (3) or more days or has been tardy, without a valid excuse, on three (3) or more days is considered truant.  A student who has been reported as truant two (2) or more times is considered a habitual truant. 

Tardies can be as serious as absences.  Checking in late (after 7:15a.m.) without a valid excuse is a UNEXCUSED TARDY.   Checking out of school before dismissal time without a valid excuse is also an UNEXCUSED TARDY.  A written note MUST BE presented to the school explaining the reason for the check-in or check-out.

Additional information concerning truancy guidelines and regulations may be found in the Christian County Code of Acceptable Behavior Handbook.

PROCEDURE FOR WITHDRAWING YOUR CHILD FROM SCHOOL

In order to ensure proper handling of school records and to facilitate proper entrance into another school, a student withdrawing to another school should:

1. Inform the school office as soon as you know that your child is leaving.

2. Turn in all textbooks to the teacher.

3. Turn in all library books.

4. Make sure you take all personal items with you as you leave.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

PARENT/ TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO)

Margo Pickens- President

Rachael Mann - Vice President Public Relations 

Catharine Miller- Hospitality 

Jami Hoskins - Secretary

Emily Jackson-  Treasurer

Shelley Hawkins- Auditor 

SCHOOL COUNCIL (SBDM)

The council consists of the principal, three teachers and two parents.  The parent representatives are elected to the council by parents.

 The Pembroke School Site-Based Council members for 2025-2026 are:

 Jason Russell - Principal

Jami Gagnon - Teacher

Jaclyn Guier  - Teacher

Michael Milam  - Teacher

Rachael Mann  - Parent

To be determined - Parent

SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS

Parents/guardians are not allowed to ride the bus unless it is prior approved through the Christian County transportation department.  Parents/Guardians are asked to follow the bus in their personal vehicles.  Even if you have volunteered in the school before, parents must complete a background check application every year.

Serving as a parent volunteer is a very rewarding experience and you are always welcome at Pembroke Elementary School.  If you are interested in serving as a parent volunteer, you may contact: Mrs. Tierra Leavell, FRC Coordinator, at 270-887-7292.  *All school volunteers are required by state law to have a criminal background check & a child abuse/neglect check (CAN) yearly. 

SCHOOL INFORMATION

EVACUATION PLAN

In the event it becomes necessary to evacuate to an alternate location, you will be contacted through an automated phone call with directions on where to pick up your child.

RESPECT FOR SCHOOL PROPERTY

As good citizens, students at Pembroke Elementary School should take great pride in the care of their school building, equipment and school property.  Students should never write on the walls or desks or anywhere on the building.  They should cooperate with the school custodians to help keep the restrooms clean and sanitary.

SCHOOL HOURS

School starts at 7:15 a.m. with buses unloading from 6:50–7:10 a.m. School dismisses at 2:30 p.m.

NOTE FOR PARENTS BRINGING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING:  Your child will enter the school through the front door of the building.  STUDENTS MAY BE DROPPED OFF BETWEEN 

6:50-7:15 A.M.  In order for your child to eat breakfast they must arrive by 7:05 A.M.

A staff member will be at the door to supervise these students. Adults who are bringing students to school or picking up students from school will follow the traffic pattern leading to the front of the school. We ask that adults not park and let students cross lanes of traffic to get to the car. Doing so presents a hazardous and unnecessary situation for students. 

SCHOOL SAFETY PROCEDURES

Our first priority is the safety of your child.  As a safety precaution, all doors to the school will remain locked during the day.  If you need to bring your child and walk them to the building, you must park in the front parking lot and come to the front entrance of the building.  If visiting during the day, you must park in the front parking lot and come to the office and sign in using the Ident-a-Kid system.   Please make sure that you have your driver's license with you when entering the building, you will need it to check in and receive your visitor’s pass. If you are in the building without a VISITOR’S PASS, you will be asked by a school employee to return to the office and obtain one.

SCHOOL VISITS / PHONE CALLS     

Parents and visitors are always welcome at Pembroke Elementary School.  However, All VISITORS will be required to report immediately to the front office upon entering the school to identify themselves and declare their purpose for visiting.  ALL DOORS TO THE BUILDING WILL be LOCKED DURING THE DAY.   All parents and visitors must sign in and obtain a VISITOR'S PASS before going anywhere in the building.  Possible dangers to our school children, resulting from unauthorized or unknown persons in the building, make this policy necessary. Please make sure that you have your driver's license with you when entering the building, you will need it to check in and receive your visitor’s pass.

To avoid unnecessary interruption of classroom instruction, phone calls will be put through to the teachers during their planning period only.

Parents and visitors wanting to do a classroom observation must schedule the visit ahead of time with the principal or classroom teacher.  No drop in observations will be allowed. 

Parent / Teacher conferences may not be held during classroom instruction time.  Conferences may be scheduled during the teacher's planning period or after 2:30 p.m.

ASSEMBLY/CEREMONY EXPECTATIONS

There will be several opportunities throughout the year for parents to attend school assemblies and ceremonies.  In order to maintain a safe and respectful environment, we ask that parents and students abide by the following expectations during assemblies and ceremonies:

• Arrive on time.  Arriving on time cuts down on disruption and distractions.  If you arrive late, please enter quietly and respectfully.

• Students must sit with their class.  Please do not request that your child come sit with you.  For safety reasons, teachers have been instructed to have all students sit with the class.

• If wishing to check out your child, please wait until the end of the assembly/ceremony to do so.  At that time, parents are asked to go to the front office and properly check out their child.  Do not ask your child to leave the assembly/ceremony and come with you to the office.  Once the check out process has been authorized, office personnel will retrieve the student.

LIBRARY BOOKS

Library books are available for students to check out during their designated time.  Students are responsible for returning these books  within the given timeline in good condition.  Students and parents are responsible for the cost of books that are lost or damaged beyond normal wear.

TITLE I SCHOOL-WIDE PROGRAM 

Title I- Parent Involvement is an important part of the education process.  Our School-wide program gives us the opportunity to provide the best for all of our students.  When parents are meaningfully involved with their children’s education, children achieve at a higher level and have more positive attitudes toward school. 

USE OF SCHOOL TELEPHONES

School telephones are business telephones and must be reserved for that purpose.  If it becomes necessary to make a call, the student should first obtain permission from his / her teacher and then the school office.

However, every effort will be made to facilitate parent / student communication, which may become necessary during school hours.  In an emergency situation, an administrator will speak to the student directly, or escort the student to the office so that he or she may speak on the telephone.

CELL PHONES

Cell phone use is generally prohibited during the school day unless the classroom teacher gives students a specified time during the day to use the cell phone for personal use, or classroom activities.  Cell phones being used inappropriately will be taken up by staff and given to the principal who in turn will call the parent to come pick up the cell phone.

STUDENT SERVICES 

CHILDCARE (AFTER SCHOOL)

After school care is provided Monday-Friday from 2:25-6:00 PM with a cost of $55/week. Services provided include: homework assistance, nutritious snacks, recreational time, arts and crafts, and wellness programs. Contact Mrs. Stephanie Rogers at (270)887-7290 for more information. 

GUIDANCE COUNSELORS

The counseling program at Pembroke Elementary is designed to assist your child in making the most of his or her educational experience.  As school counselors, Mrs. Deason and Mrs. Tiell are concerned about your child’s emotional well-being, academic progress and personal and social development.  

They meet with students during the school day through scheduled guidance classes, social groups, or individually upon request by teachers, students or parents.  In addition, they schedule and facilitate Admissions and Release Committee meetings, Preschool Program, and 504 Plan. 

FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

The goal of the Family Resource Center is to enhance the abilities of our students to succeed in school by assisting children, youth and families in meeting some of their basic needs.  This is accomplished by providing services at the center or by linking families to agencies in the community.  Our FRC director is Mrs. Tierra Leavell and she may be contacted at (270)887-7292 or tierra.leavell@christian.kyschools.us

FIELD TRIPS

Students may take a field trip during the school year.  If there is a charge for the field trip activity, you will be notified by the teacher.  An additional fee will be charged for the trip to help pay for the transportation costs.  Permission forms were completed during the registration process at the beginning of the school year.

Any parent who wishes to chaperone a field trip MUST BE FINGERPRINTED at least two (2) weeks before the scheduled field trip.  You may contact the F.R.C. AT 270-887-7292 for information regarding this policy.  Once you have been fingerprinted and cleared you may go on any field trip from that point on.

HONOR ROLL

Honor Roll recognition is for students in Grade 3 through Grade 5 who have maintained A’s and B’s for a nine-week grading period.  Special recognition is given to the students who make all A’s for a nine-week grading period.  They are named to the PRINCIPAL’S LIST.  Names of the students are submitted to the Kentucky New Era for recognition.

LOST AND FOUND ITEMS

Great care and responsibility must be exercised with respect to personal student property when either lost or found.  Students are asked to observe the following general rules:

• Leave valuables at home

• DO NOT leave money or other personal property in your desk

• Toys should be left at home

• Found articles should be turned in promptly

NURSE

FIRST AID

If a child gets hurt or gets sick at school, the teacher will bring or send (with another staff member) the child to the NURSE’S OFFICE.  First aid will be administered for minor injuries only.  Parents will be contacted if any injury is such that further medical attention is necessary.

ILLNESS

If your student begins running a fever at school ( 100 degrees or more), he/she will be sent home.  The student may not return until fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing (tylenol or motrin) medications.  Please do not medicate your child for a fever and send him/her to school.

MEDICATION

Medication may only be administered when properly labeled and accompanied by the district’s medication permission form.  The form must be completed by the physician and signed by the parent/guardian.  Forms are available from the school nurse or can be printed off the Christian County Public Schools website.  Medication must be brought to the school by the parent; students may not transport medication.  In addition, students may not self-medicate.  The nurse or trained staff members will administer medication and a record will be kept on file.

The above information applies to prescription medication as well as over-the-counter medications such as; Tylenol, cough drops, and medication creams.

LICE

Christian County Public Schools has a “no live lice'' policy.  Students will be sent home if live lice is found upon a head check.  If the student has chronic/recurring head lice, any days missed after the first time the student is sent home will be an unexcused absence.

STUDENT BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM

COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY OPTION

The Community Eligibility Option or CEO is a program which allows all students who attend a CEO school to eat breakfast and lunch for FREE.  The program covers the cost of a regular meal.  It does not cover “a-la-carte” items.  Therefore, if a student wants extra items, the student will be charged for those items.  If a student brings their lunch from home, but wants one item from the cafeteria, the student will be charged for that item.  The program is based on the percentage of economically disadvantaged students in each school.  Even though all students will eat free, information is still required from each family regarding your family size and income levels.  This information will be used to determine eligibility for other programs within our District. 

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EACH FAMILY COMPLETE THE HOUSEHOLD INCOME FORM.

STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CHARGE A-LA-CARTE ITEMS.

ADULTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CHARGE MEALS.

NO FOOD OF ANY KIND MAY BE GIVEN OR SOLD TO THE STUDENTS UNTIL THIRTY (30) MINUTES AFTER THE LAST LUNCH PERIOD CLOSES.  THIS INCLUDES FOOD BROUGHT IN FROM OUTSIDE RESTAURANTS.

Parents are always welcome and encouraged to eat lunch with their children.  We request that you notify the school cafeteria in advance, if you are planning on eating a school lunch.  Students will be allowed to have one friend to eat lunch with them at the parent table.

STANDARDS FOR ALL FOODS AND BEVERAGES PROVIDED BUT NOT SOLD TO STUDENTS

·When possible, rewards given to students shall be other than food/beverage items. When food/beverage items are used as rewards, such items shall comply with nutritional guidelines set out in 7 C.F.R 210.11 and 702 KAR 6:090. KAR 006:090. Rewards given to students. Rewards given to students are at the Principal’s discretion.

· To ensure that food provided to students are safe and sanitary, all foods and snacks served to students must be purchased and pre-packaged rather than homemade, and include an ingredient label.

· Foods and beverages provided in school, but not made available for sale, shall meet the standards outlined in the schools’ individual wellness plan (if applicable) and will not conflict with District Policy.

STUDENT CLUBS

There are opportunities for our students to join different clubs during the school year.  Most of our clubs will meet after school.  Below is a list of possible clubs:

-Academic Team (Grades 4-5)

-Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP)

-Student Council (Grades 4-5)

-Additional clubs may be added as the year goes on.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE

The Christian County Public Schools are dedicated to providing a positive educational environment in which our teachers and administrators can effectively help all students achieve their maximum learning potential.  An equally important mission of the schools is the development of students’ self-discipline and responsible behavior so that they may be prepared for their roles as adults in a democratic society.

The Christian County Public Schools Code of Acceptable Behavior contains specific standards of behavior expected and required of all students in the system, Grades K-12. It is available online at www.christian.kyschools.us under the Parent tab.

Please become familiar with the Code of Acceptable Behavior Handbook and help us enforce these regulations in the best interest of your child.  

Discipline shall be defined as a system for managing student behavior to promote an environment conducive to learning, free from fear and disorder and for instilling responsibility involving students, parents and school personnel.

STUDENT PBIS

1. Owl Points

1. Every class will use a system to record daily points.

2. Each student will receive 5 green daily points. 

3. Customize red points and green points to match categories/offenses congruent to our Guidelines for Success/ Classroom rules. 

4. Additional green points may be given to “whole class” or individual students based on behavior. 

5. NO giving red points to “whole class.”

6. A running tally will be kept so that at the end of the month, you simply match points on a student’s record with points required for PBIS reward.

7. Points start over after the reward. 

2. Hoot Tickets

1. Grades 1-5

1. Students receive Hoot Tickets for exhibiting positive behaviors and/or academics.

2. Once a week, students have the opportunity to “spend” their Hoot Tickets on reward opportunities. Grades will be called to the office and students will bring their Hoot Tickets.

3. Students who do not want to “spend” their Hoot Tickets may “save” them until a later date. 

4. Once a Hoot Ticket is “spent” it is gone. 

2. Grades Kindergarten 

1. Students receive Hoot Tickets for exhibiting positive behaviors and/or academics.

2. Hoot Tickets will be collected at the end of each day..

3. Hoot Tickets will be drawn twice a week, and students will come to the front to receive their prizes.

3. Menu of Rewards (prices/ reward opportunities may change throughout the school year based on availability)

1. Extra gym time 

2. Lunch with a friend  

3. Gum/Candy in class

4. Extra art time 

5. Extra computer time (2-5)

6. Movie time (K-1)

7. Bonus Points 

8. Logo Items (notebook, pens, bags, cups)

3. PBIS Tiers

1. Tier 1 - Universal Practices (Grade Level representative)

1. Guidelines for Success

2. 0-1 Office Referrals

3. Documentation for interventions and success rate, such as a Planned Discussion with two weeks of monitoring.

2. Tier 2 - Targeted Practices (Russell, Meacham, Jatczak, Deason, Tiell)

1. 2-5 Office Referrals for Discipline

2. Referrals from students, parents, teachers

3. Connection to adults in the building (suggested to not be admin).

4. More frequent monitoring through a point sheet, check in - check out, small groups, etc. for no less than 6 weeks.

3. Tier 3 - Intensive Practices (Russell, Meacham, Jatczak, Deason, Tiell)

1. 6+ Office Referrals for Discipline

2. Referrals from students, parents, teachers

3. Connection to adult in the building

4. Development of a Behavior Plan with daily monitoring for no less than 6 weeks.

5. Connection to other services such as Mountain Comp, Pennyroyal, etc.

4. Office Referrals 

1. Class Removals

1. Administrators remove students when necessary; no student should be “sent” to the office or “sent” to the SAFE room.

2. Removals should be for behaviors that prevent you from teaching. Disruptive behaviors should be addressed through interventions, minors, and re-teaching opportunities.

3. Any time a student is removed, an intervention should be started or updated.

4. Students who refuse to work, but are not disruptive should fall under the “Missing Assignment Policy. The missing assignment policy - students who fail to complete an assignment (classwork or homework) receive 1 additional opportunity to complete the work (recess detention or complete at night). If the assignment is still not complete, submit the assignment and the student’s name to an administrator no later than Friday of the current week.  In the meantime, type an “m” in the Infinite Campus grade book.  This will calculate the assignment as a zero until the work is finished.

2. Minors 

(Failure to follow directives, Classroom disruption, Disrespectful behavior)

Procedures for handling a minor: Per Teacher

Minors are in triplicate form. The white copy goes to the office, the yellow goes to the student, and the teacher keeps the pink copy.  

Step 1: 

• Teacher fills out minor form- identifying the behavior

• The teacher intervenes with the student through interventions listed on the form

• Parent phone call

Step 2: 

• Teacher fills out minor form- identifying the behavior

• The teacher uses intervention strategies.

• Parent conference or if parent can’t meet- google meet or phone conference to discuss behavior that is occurring, interventions being used, and goals. 

• The School Counselor is notified to begin intervention with students. All interventions from teachers and school counselors need to be documented.

Step 3: 

• Teacher fills out a major office referral with dates of the minors noted. 

• The administrator will contact the parent to go over the interventions that have been completed to keep the student in the classroom.

• The administrator will determine the next steps for the student regarding removal from the classroom. 

3. Majors

1. Automatic office referral for 

1. Profanity/Vulgarity

2. Hitting / Fighting

3. Weapons/Dangerous Instruments

4. Drugs / Vapor products

5. Bullying - (see definition in Code of Acceptable Behavior)

6. Sexual Behavior/Comments

7. Disorderly conduct

STUDENT DRESS CODE

Reasonable care in cleanliness and neatness in dress and appearance is expected of all elementary students.  Students are expected to dress in a manner that neither distracts from the learning atmosphere nor interferes with the instructional process.  Standards of simple decency and good taste should dictate the manner of student dress.

Listed below are items of clothing that WILL NOT be allowed:

• Clothing with spaghetti straps – straps must be three fingers wide

• Midriff shirts or low cut blouse or shirt

• Low rider pants / jeans

• Sagging pants or loose fitting pants – a belt MUST be worn

• All dress and skirt length must be at the end of students middle finger

• Shirts / T-shirts with logos or advertisements that interfere with the instructional process

• Outfits with leggings – tops must be worn to completely cover bottom and hips

• Jeans with rips and tears above the knee.  If the rips and tears are above the knee, something must be worn under them so skin is not showing. 

• Headgear such as hats, headbands with cat ears, bunny ears, dog ears etc, bandanas, with the exception of hat day 

• Anything that is outside of the district dress code policy.

Shorts may be worn, but the length MUST BE at the end of the student’s middle finger when their arms are held straight down by their side.

Parents will be called to bring clothes to the school for their child if he or she does not meet the dress code.  If a habitual problem exists, consequences will be assigned in accordance with the Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline. Further issues will result in the student being sent home to change clothes. 

TRANSPORTATION

BUS TRANSPORTATION - CONDUCT AND SAFETY

Getting children to and from school safely each day is a very important responsibility.  We need to maintain the highest possible safety precautions for your child.

The school district coordinates a fleet of more than 100 buses which provide daily transportation.  Specially equipped buses are provided for students with disabilities who need special assistance.

A set of important regulations which are vital to the well-being and safety of all our school children govern conduct on district buses.  These regulations are detailed in the Christian County Public Schools Code of Acceptable Behavior.  A copy of this book is available in the school, the Board of Education and on the Christian County Public Schools website.  We ask that parents become familiar with these regulations and help our school enforce them.

For additional information about our transportation system, you may contact your school principal or the Transportation Department at 270-887-7099 or 270-887-7109.

WAITING FOR THE BUS

Bus schedules identify the approximate time each student is to be picked up.  It is possible that those times could vary somewhat from day-to-day.  It is best to have each student at the bus stop about ten minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive, in case the bus is running a little earlier.  On the other hand, delays may cause the bus to be a few minutes later than anticipated.  We will try to be as consistent as possible.  On days when the weather is bad (snow, ice, fog, flooding or extremely hard rain) it may cause us to run quite a bit later and / or modify our routes.  We will get information to the media when we anticipate schedule changes, delay or closing of schools due to weather conditions.  Please listen to the radio or television for information on school delays or closings.  This will be your best source of information.

Good conduct is essential at the bus stop.  Be careful approaching the bus as it arrives.  Be certain the bus is completely stopped before you step out from the roadside to board the bus.  Once on, move quickly, but safely to your seat.

Changes in Bus Transportation:

1. ALL CHANGES TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION MUST BE MADE IN WRITING, either with a note from home signed by a parent or guardian or through an email sent from a verified email account. Once school personnel receive the note from a parent or guardian, a bus pass will be prepared and delivered to the student and to the bus driver (if necessary). For the purposes of safety and security, school personnel will not make transportation changes as the result of a telephone call.  All transportation changes must be made by 1:00 p.m.

2. Students will not be allowed to ride a different bus or get off at a stop other than their own unless they have a written note from their parent / guardian.  Please do not ask the bus driver to make a change in your child’s transportation.

VIDEO RECORDING

Students’ conduct and activity while riding the school bus is subject to video recording at any time.  Students shall have no expectation of the right of privacy while on the bus.  Video cameras will be utilized from time to time to record the activities of all passengers on buses for the protection and safety of other passengers, as well as the maintenance of orderly conduct of passengers while riding the bus.  Covered boxes may be used in order to protect the video camera.  In order to minimize the number of cameras which may be required, cameras may be varied from bus to bus and not in use at all times.  However, students are on notice that they may be, at any time, subject to being recorded by video transcription while on the bus.  School personnel may use video tapes as evidence in disciplinary cases.

SCHOOL ZONES

Christian County is divided geographically and demographically into school attendance zones.  Each is served by one of the eight elementary schools in the public school system.  If you are unsure as to which elementary school your child is zoned, please contact the Director of Pupil Personnel at the Christian County Board of Education at 270-887-7000 or you can use the school locator tab listed on the Christian County Public Schools website at www.christian.kyschools.us .

STUDENTS WITH ALTERNATE FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION

All children who are transported to school by the parent / guardian must be dropped off at the front of the building between 6:50 – 7:15 a.m.  Staff members will be on duty to assist with the arrival of the students.  

CAR RIDER STUDENTS WILL BE DISMISSED IN THE AFTERNOON IN THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING.

You must have a car rider number or picture  ID  in order to pick up your child in the car rider line.  

If your child normally rides a bus, but will need to be picked up for any reason in the afternoon, you MUST SEND A NOTE TO YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER.  Without a note, your child will be put on the bus. You must have a car rider number if you wish to pick up your child in the car rider line.  If you do not have one, you will need to come to the school office.  Parents will not be allowed to enter the building and walk your child to the classroom, you must get into the car rider line.  All transportation changes must be made before 1:00 p.m.