KEDRON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Keys to the Kingdom

Family Edition        

2025-2026

Lindsay Boyle, Principal

Bridget Waters, Assistant Principal

Home of the Kedron Knights

200 Kedron Drive, Peachtree City, Georgia 30269

Website: kes.fcboe.org

School Office Hours: 7:15 am- 3:10 pm

Instructional School Day: 7:40 a.m. - 2:25 p.m.

After School Program Hours:  2:20 pm - 6:30 pm

Phone: 770.486.2700 Fax:  770.486.2707 ASP:  770.487.0718

Table of Contents

*Please note that this information is unique to Kedron Elementary School.  To view policies and guidelines applicable to all Fayette County Public Schools, please reference the 25-26 Code of Conduct.

ABOUT KEDRON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL           

Vision, Mission, Beliefs

Traditions

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

ATTENDANCE

CALENDAR

CLINIC AND MEDICATIONS

CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

FIELD TRIPS

GRADING & REPORTING

LOST AND FOUND

MEDIA CENTER

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

PARTIES

PHOTOGRAPHY & SOCIAL MEDIA

SCHOOL-WIDE ACTIVITIES

STUDENT ASSESSMENT

STUDENT ELECTRONIC DEVICES

STUDENT EXPENDITURES

Field Trips

Lunch

Ice Cream

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Resources & Programs

Special Classes & Services

School Counseling

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Leader in Me (LIM)

Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)

TRANSPORTATION

Arrival

Dismissal

Pick Up Patrol

VISITORS & VOLUNTEERS

About Kedron Elementary School

Vision Statement:

The vision of Kedron is to create and develop a coherent curriculum, shared sense of purpose, climate for learning, commitment to character, and a school environment that promotes the physical and emotional well-being of students, staff, and parents.

Mission Statement:  

Kedron Elementary School strives for Excellence in All Things.

Beliefs:

• Student learning is the chief priority of the school.
• Students learn in different ways and should be provided a variety of learning activities to accommodate differences in learning styles.
• Teachers, administrators, parents, and the community share the responsibility in advancing the school’s mission.
• Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs.
• A safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student learning.
• The commitment to continuous improvement is imperative if our school is going to enable students to become confident self-directed lifelong learners.

Mascot:  Knights

Colors:  Purple, Kelly Green, and Silver

Dubbing Ceremony: In medieval times, the knight’s dubbing ceremony was one in which a knight-in-training was formally made a knight.  The process included many years of skills training.  After demonstrating excellence in all areas of his training, the young squire was considered for knighthood.  To confer knighthood, a nobleman would tap the shoulders of the knight-in-training with a sword, thereby granting his new status as a knight of the realm.  At Kedron, we duplicate this ceremony in fifth grade to honor the years of dedication by our students to achieve “excellence in all things.”

After School Program

Fayette County offers the After School Program (ASP) at each elementary school.  The Kedron ASP is a voluntary extension of the regular school day and serves students at both Kedron Elementary and Crabapple Lane.  For a reasonable fee, students are able to remain at school for quality after school care from dismissal until 6:30pm.  The program provides activities in a structured and safe environment which stress responsible behavior, respect for others, positive attitudes, and educational enrichment for all participants.  Study time, physical activity, and enrichment programs are included in the schedule.  For additional information, handbooks and registration forms are available in the ASP office or on the FCBOE website.  

Attendance

Tardiness

Arriving on time for school is very important for your student.  The instructional day begins promptly at 7:40am.  To avoid traffic delays, it is recommended that students who come to school by car are dropped off before 7:30 am. If your student arrives on campus after 7:40 a.m., a parent or guardian must enter the front office to sign-in their student for the day.  

Early Check Out

Parents or guardians must come to the school office to sign the student out.  The student will then be called over the intercom to come to the office to be dismissed.  To avoid classroom interruption, parents should wait in the office for the student.  Students may not be released from the classroom by a teacher without checking with the school office to determine if the child has been signed out by the parent. Checkouts will not be permitted once dismissal begins at 2:25.

Calendar

The school year includes a minimum of 180 days of instruction.  The official calendar for all Fayette County Schools is approved by the Board of Education. Click this link to access the FCBOE calendar as well as our Kedron Elementary calendar.

Clinic & Medications

Our school nurse is proud to be part of the team effort that supports student success at Kedron.  The school nurse will assist students who become sick or injured while at school, dispense medications with an accompanied School Medication Authorization Form, and perform medical procedures according to a student’s Health Care Plan.  Standard items used in the clinic include antiseptic washes, antibiotic ointments, anti-itch creams, Orajel, Tums, lubricating eye drops, cough drops/peppermints.  If your student is unable to receive treatment from the above items, please inform the school nurse. Parents will be contacted in the case of a serious injury or illness.  The parent is required to immediately pick up the student for serious injury or illness and is no longer able to stay at school.  In the case of a life threatening emergency, Emergency Medical Services will be called in addition to the parents.

Curriculum & Instruction

Kedron Elementary School is a child-centered school emphasizing innovative, best practice in instruction.  The Georgia Department of Education provides the learning standards,  and the Fayette County Board of Education Curriculum Guides provide the basis for the curriculum.  The design of the instructional program addresses the curriculum areas of reading/language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health and safety, music, art, technology, and physical education.  All instruction is planned according to the developmental levels of the students in order to facilitate maximum learning.  Students are encouraged to think critically and to explore new content through active participation, hands-on experiences, interdisciplinary activities, and collaborative learning. To view the Content Summaries for each grade level, please click here.

Field Trips

Classes occasionally take field trips to support, extend, and enhance curriculum and instruction.  Since these are school functions, students attending the field trip must ride the bus to and from the destination.  To ensure safety, some parents will be asked to chaperone the students on the field trip.  All chaperones must complete training to be mandated reporters of child abuse.  Click on this link to view the training video and to register as a trained mandated reporter.  Parents who are chaperoning are not allowed to bring siblings to the field trip. Students should return to school on the bus rather than leaving the field trip destination with a parent chaperone. If an extenuating circumstance should occur, a parent chaperone may sign out their student on a dismissal form provided by the supervising teacher.

Grading and Reporting

Fayette County Schools operate on the semester system with each semester being divided into two grading periods.  Kindergarten through fifth grade students receive a report card each grading period. GKIDS will be the primary report card for Kindergarten. A standards-based report card will be used in first and second grade. Third through fifth grade students will receive numeric grades.

First and Second Grade

4.0--Exceeding proficiency of the standard

3.0--Meeting proficiency of the standard

2.0--Developing proficiency of the standard

1.0--Beginning to demonstrate understanding of the standard

Third through Fifth Grade

A+  98-100                A  93-97                A-  90-92

B+  88-89                B  83-87                B-  80-82

C+  78-79                C  73-77                C-  71-72

D   70                        F  Below 70

Additional Markings for All Grades

*        Not Formally Assessed

S        Satisfactory

NI        Needs Improvement

“Working with accommodations” means that a student receives help beyond the normal assistance a teacher gives to all students.  This extra assistance may be provided by the classroom teacher, a paraprofessional, through the Early Intervention Program (EIP), an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or the Student Support Team (SST).

Report Card and Progress Reports

Lost & Found

It is strongly recommended that items such as jackets, caps, sweaters, book bags, and lunch boxes be identified with name labels or permanent markers as these are articles easily misplaced.  A lost and found location is kept in the hallway heading towards the new wing.  Periodically a message will be sent home reminding parents of the lost and found box. Articles not claimed will be sent to charitable organizations periodically during the year.

Media Center

Overview

The Kedron Elementary Media Center serves the teaching and learning needs of students, teachers, and the community.  The Media Specialist serves as a member of the instructional team cooperatively planning with teachers and implementing instruction to best meet the needs of the individual learner.  The primary goals of the Media Center are to develop lifelong learners with skills to access information in the fast-changing world and promote the love of reading.

Activities include:

• Lessons in which specific library skills are integrated into the classroom curriculum.
• Research activities, including the use of online resources and evaluating sources
• Large group use of reference materials, online encyclopedias, and the Internet.
• Book selection and checkout.
• Implementation of the Accelerated Reader program. 

Book Checkout 

Books may be checked out for a period of two weeks. After that time, books will be considered overdue and need to be returned or renewed.  Parents will receive an email alert when their student has an overdue book. If the book has been lost or damaged, there will be a replacement cost of $20.00 so that a new library-bound copy can be ordered. Please note that you may not purchase books from Amazon or a local book seller to replace lost books because the binding is less durable and cannot withstand the repeated use that is typical of library books. Refunds will be given for books returned within 30 days of the original due date. Students with overdue books may not check out other materials until the overdue items are returned or have been paid for.

Students may check out the following quantities:

PreK - one book per visit

K - one book per visit first semester / two books per visit second semester

1st, 2nd - two books per visit

3rd - 5th -  three books per visit

Library Hours

The library is open for checkout from 8:00—2:20 daily for students.

Media Lessons/ Storytime

Students will have a designated time to come to the library as a class for media lessons/storytime.   Students will participate in activities connected to the story that support the literacy standards being taught in the classroom.  The Media Center is also open for individual checkout outside of the class designated lesson.

WKKB

WKKB or Kedron Knights Broadcast is provided every morning from 7:40-7:50 am.   

Fifth grade students have the opportunity to participate on the air or behind the scenes running the equipment. Applications will be given to 5th graders at the beginning of the school year.

Birthday Books

Birthday Books have become an integral part of our library collection.  Prior to the month before a child’s birthday, a birthday book form is sent home giving  parents the  opportunity to purchase a birthday book in the child’s name for the library.  In the front of each Birthday Book, a bookplate is placed to honor that child.  Birthday Books are checked out to the birthday child first.  Once the Birthday Book has been read by the student, it is added to the library collection for other students to read and enjoy. These books add a special personal touch to our library collection.

Special Events

Kedron holds two Book Fairs each year, in September and March.

Accelerated Reader

The Accelerated Reader program is an integral part of Kedron’s library program.  Students in 1st-5th grades select books on their reading level, read the books, and then take a short computerized reading quiz to determine reading comprehension.  Books have a point value based on the number of words in the book.  Points earned are based on the point value of the book and the percentage of questions answered correctly.  AR tests are not used for grading purposes. Rather this program is used to support goal setting, monitoring, and attainment of their goal leading to student empowerment.  Students may test daily in their classrooms between 7:20 a.m. and 2:25 p.m.

Please ask your child’s teacher about his/her AR point goal for the year.  For more information regarding the media center and the AR program, please click here.

Beanstack

The Beanstack app is an online reading log and  incentive program used by Fayette County Schools and the local public libraries.  Students log onto Beanstack through Classlink.  They can record books they have read and  their reading minutes and  earn a variety of promotional reading badges.

Reading with/to Your Child

For students in grades PreK, K, and 1 who are emerging readers, parents are encouraged to read to or with their children on a daily basis.  Young students experience growth in vocabulary and comprehension by being read to each day.  Once your child becomes an independent reader, we encourage you to allow your child to read to you.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Teachers will request formal conferences at least once during the year, and parents should request a conference any time there are questions or concerns about their child’s education. Additionally, students will participate in student-led conferences during the school year.  All conferences should be scheduled before/after school or during a teacher’s planning time. Please feel free to leave a message for the teacher during school hours to schedule a conference.  

Parties

 Two classroom parties per year are permissible.

• Winter party – December
• End-of-the Year – May

Go to Kedron Calendar to check the calendar for party dates and times. We encourage parties to focus on healthy snacks. All items served at parties will need to be store bought and have a clear label listing all ingredients.  No homemade items will be accepted.  Classroom parties will also need to ensure there are snacks available to all students with allergen restrictions. School parties are not considered family events, but celebrations for the students in the class; therefore, siblings are not invited to these events.

Birthdays

Invitations to birthdays or social events may only be passed out in school if everyone in the class is invited.  Birthday cupcakes, food treats, balloons, and flowers are not allowed to be brought or delivered to school.   Here are alternative suggestions to celebrate your child’s birthday:

• Distribute fun pencils or stickers, or  bring non-food item goodie bags for all classmates to be distributed at the end of the day.
• Donate a book to the classroom library, board game or puzzle in honor of your child’s birthday.

• The Birthday Book Club is sponsored by the Media Center.  For more information about this visit the Media Section of the handbook.
• Purchase ice cream from the school for the classroom.   This can be done through myschoolbucks.com.  Please see your classroom teacher to arrange a date and pay for the ice cream.

Deliveries

Please do not send flowers, balloons, or other deliveries to students at school.  This causes classroom disruptions and the Transportation Department does not allow these items on the bus for safety reasons.  Parents will be asked to come to school to pick up any delivery made of this nature.

Photography & Social Media

Occasionally students are photographed, or they may participate in activities which may be videotaped for school related news stories or broadcasts on social media. These may be released to newspapers, radio, or television, possibly citing the child’s name for school publicity.   If you would prefer your child’s picture and/or name NOT be published, please write a letter to that effect to the principal and your child’s teacher.

School-wide Activities

Information about these clubs/activities will be shared in the Keeping up with the Kingdom so that parents are well informed about dates and sign ups.

Academic Competitions

Students are offered various opportunities for academic competition at school, county, and regional levels.  These may include but are not limited to math competitions,  recitation contests, and science olympiad.

Field Days

The physical education teachers coordinate a half a day of special activities for 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders and a full day for 4th and 5th graders in the spring.

Running Club

The mission of Running Club, sponsored by our P.E. teachers, is to encourage and promote physical activity while improving overall physical fitness.

Jump Rope Club 

The mission of Jump Rope Club, sponsored by our P.E teachers, is to raise the heart rate, exert energy, and learn the skill of jump roping.

Cross Country Team 

Cross Country is a sport focusing on improving fitness in the area of distance running.  1st-5th grade students will be selected for this club after completion of a one mile fitness test tryout. Students in this club will participate in the county wide race at the end of the school year.

Cavaliers Chorus

The mission of the Kedron Cavaliers, sponsored by Kedron’s music teacher, is to provide each student with the training, motivation, and opportunity to develop and exercise qualities of leadership within an exceptional program of choral music.  All fourth and fifth grade students who enjoy singing and performing are encouraged to join this club. Additionally, it is to allow students the opportunity and experience of performing in musicals alongside drama club students.

Drama Club

The mission of the drama club is to provide students with the opportunity to participate in live theater in many different capacities which supports their personal growth, confidence, leadership, responsibility and public speaking skills.

Origami Club

The Origami Club is led by parent volunteers and the ESOL teachers. This club provides students in grades third to fifth the opportunity to learn the traditional Japanese art of origami.

Knights Code Student Technology Team

Knights Code invites 2nd-4th grade students to create technology-based projects and participate in the Kedron technology competition in May. Students who win first place in their grade band and category at the Kedron competition will form the technology team. They will meet several times in the fall to learn about technology and to refine their projects and presentations. They will present their projects to a panel of judges at the county student technology competition in December. Winners will move on to the regional competition and ultimately compete at the state level. Knights Code club sponsors are Erin Keith, Technology Specialist, and Cassandra Hornung, Media Specialist.

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is a highly competitive club offered to students in third thru fifth grades. Science Olympiad is a hands-on, STEM based club designed to challenge, and engage students in a variety of different fields through fun, challenging events, and problem-solving experiences. Students begin practicing with their partners in October in preparation for the County Competition in March with the possibility of the State Competition in May. This club takes a very dedicated group of students AND parents as the majority of practices take place outside of school.

Calligraphy Club

Calligraphy Club is available to 4th and 5th grade students. The purpose of this club is to enhance creativity, develop fine motor skills and improve concentration. Calligraphy allows students to explore different styles, forms, and artistic expression. The club meets on Tuesdays in October, November, and December. This club is sponsored by Regina Casanova, Word Language Teacher.

Budding Artists

Budding Artists is a club open to 4th and 5th grade students who will explore a variety of 2D and 3D media including paints, printmaking, clay and sculpture, all connected to learning about artists, artistic styles and cultures!

Chess Club

Jr. Beta Club

Junior Beta Club is a national academic honor society for students in grades 4–5 that promotes the ideals of academic achievement, character, leadership, and service. Members are selected based on their strong academic performance and commitment to making a positive impact in their school and community. Through service projects, leadership opportunities, and community involvement, Junior Beta Club encourages students to develop as responsible, engaged citizens and future leaders.

Sign Language Club

Sign language club is for fourth and fifth grade students looking to expand their communication abilities.  We will focus on signing the alphabet, words, phrases, and simple conversations.  

Student Ambassadors/Student Lighthouse Team

A Student Ambassador is the person in each class who will help our school become the best it can be. They will be leaders at Kedron and welcome new students, helping them feel comfortable during a time of transition. Each teacher will choose one student from his/her class and the group is led by the school counselor and administration.

Safety Patrol

Safety Patrol is a student leadership program designed to promote responsibility, safety, and service within the school community. Students in Safety Patrol help maintain a safe and orderly environment by assisting with arrival and dismissal procedures, monitoring hallways, and helping younger students safely navigate the school campus.

Student Assessment

The primary purposes of assessment and evaluation are to determine what each child has learned, improve instruction, assess curricular goals, and examine the student learning process.  Assessment is an ongoing, natural part of everyday instruction.  Teachers assess their students in a variety of ways, including observation, formal skill tests, anecdotal records, work samples, and standardized tests.

The following standardized tests are administered as mandated by state and local educational policy:

• STAR Assessments (Early Literacy, Reading, and Math) - Administered in the fall, winter, and spring to evaluate growth and guide instructional decisions for students in all grade levels.
• Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS) - A year-long, performance based assessment for kindergarten students that helps teachers track progress on key developmental and academic skills.
• Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade Assessment System (Georgia Milestones) – This state-mandated test is designed to measure students’ knowledge of the state’s Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). (Given in 3rd through 5th grades in the spring.)
• ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State) - Administered annually to English Language Learners to measure English language proficiency in the domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
• Georgia Alternative Assessment 2.0 (GAA) - Designed to measure the degree to which students with significant cognitive disabilities have mastered alternate achievement standards in the core content areas
• CogAT Screener - This measure will take place during the first six weeks for all 1st and 4th grade students to determine eligibility for the gifted program.

Please read the weekly Keeping up with the Kingdom for specific testing dates and resources throughout the year.  

Student Electronic Devices

Students may not bring personal devices (laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, smartwatches, phones, etc.) to school. If a device comes to school, it must be silenced and kept in the student’s backpack at all times during school hours and ASP. Students may not use smart watch devices to text/talk during the school day.  Any personal electronic device that interferes, distracts or interrupts classroom instruction will be confiscated and held in the front office for parent pickup.

Student Expenditures

Field Trips

During the school year, teachers will plan field trips to supplement classroom instruction.  To participate in the field trip, students must have written permission from his/her parent or guardian.  Because Fayette County does not fund field trips, donations are requested to fund field trips.  No child will be denied participation in the field trip for not making a donation; however, if adequate donations are not received, the trip may be canceled.

Lunch

The school lunch menu is posted here. School lunches are provided for students each day at the rate of $3.25 per day.  Adult lunches are $5.50 per day, and an extra drink is $.50.  Meal prices are subject to change.  Free and reduced meal applications are available here.  The cafeteria uses a computerized point-of-sale system.  Students have a debit account designated for lunch and a-la-carte items.  Money is deposited into the account and the student will use an ID barcode for a touch free point of sale to access the account.  Parents are encouraged to manage their child’s lunch account online through www.myschoolbucks.com.  Parents are notified when the account balance is low.  Students whose accounts are empty or do not have money must “charge” lunch following the FCBOE meal charge policy. Elementary students will be allowed to charge up to three meals.  We do not allow meal charges for a la carte sales.  Students who exceed the meal charge policy are provided an alternate meal. Lastly, students should not share ID #’s because meal price eligibility is tied to their individual accounts.  

Ice Cream

Ice cream will be available for a la carte purchase daily.   The price is $1.00 for ice cream.  Ice cream money should not be included in your child’s lunch payment.  It does not go into the child’s lunch account.

Student Support Services

Resources & Programs

The following is a list of student support resources/programs that are available to parents and students in the Fayette County School System:

STEP

Systematic Training for Effective Parenting is a ten-week course offered at night with a focus on praise vs. encouragement, punishment vs. discipline, goals of misbehavior and ownership of problems.  See the school counselor for dates and times.

Parent Resource Center

Books, audiotapes, video tapes, etc.,  which are purchased by the school C.A.R.E. Team, are available for check out.

Community Mentors

Individuals are recruited and trained by the Community Schools mentoring program called FRIENDS.  Mentors must meet with students regularly and work to develop a supportive, nurturing relationship.

Parent Involvement

Parents are encouraged to become actively involved in their student’s educational experience.  The following is a list of ways to participate:

• Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
• Committee Participation
• Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Mentoring
• Substitute Teaching

D.A.R.E

DARE is coordinated and taught by the Peachtree City Police Department.  All fifth graders participate in DARE instruction for ten weeks during the school year. A graduation will be held from the program at the end of the ten weeks.

Special Classes & Services

Early Intervention Program

The Early Intervention Program (EIP) serves children in kindergarten through fifth grade who have deficits in math and/or reading. Students participating in EIP will be served by the EIP teachers.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Students whose first language is not English may receive services through the ESOL program.  The ESOL teachers will assess students to determine if the student qualifies for ESOL support.

Homebound Instruction

A student who is absent for extended periods due to physical inability to attend classes is seen by homebound teachers on a referral basis.  Parents should notify an administrator or counselor if their child is to be out for an extended time due to the above criteria.

Special Education

Some students have learning needs that require specialized services, which are provided by a special education teacher based on those students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEP).   In order for special education services to be provided, a student must go through the RTI process, be subsequently referred for evaluation, and have been determined to be eligible for such services.

Multi Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Response to Intervention (RTI), & Section 504

We truly believe that “all students can learn,” and we do whatever it takes to help all learners be successful regardless of whether they excel beyond the curriculum or struggle academically.

MTSS (Multi Tiered System of Supports), which includes RTI (Response to Intervention), provides a framework for us to ask the following questions:

                *Are our students learning?

                *How do we know what they are learning?

                *What are we prepared to do when they do not learn or they already know what

is to be learned?

We use a three-tiered process to systematically develop and deliver instructional and behavioral interventions to struggling learners as well as extremely high-level learners.  It provides us with a common focus and a common language regarding instructional practices and interventions.

The essential components of MTSS and RTI include the following:

                *Providing researched based instruction and interventions in the general

                    education classroom.

                *Monitoring a student’s progress in response to changes in instruction and

                    interventions.

                *Using this information to shape instruction and make educational decisions.

Tier 1 is standards-based classroom teaching and learning.  It consists of high quality instructional and behavioral support that is provided for all students in general education.  This includes implementing the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE), using research-based instructional practices, adjusting instruction to meet student needs, and monitoring student progress on a regular basis.  Parents are notified of concerns related to their child’s academic or behavioral struggles.  If students still struggle or they need a more enriched curriculum, Tier 2 instruction is recommended.

Tier 2 is needs-based teaching and learning.  Students receive more specialized interventions within the general education setting.  The “MTSS Team” works collaboratively to formalize interventions in addition to Tier 1 instruction.  Monitoring of the student’s progress is increased.  As always, communication with parents is vital, and the school’s intervention plan must be communicated to parents.  Should the student continue to show minimal progress academically and/or socially and need more specialized instruction, Tier 3 level instruction is considered.

Tier 3 is Student Support Team (SST) driven teaching and learning.  At this point the SST reviews the student’s progress and generally plans for more intensive and systematic instruction.  Individualized assessments and evaluations are used to tailor interventions to the specific needs of a child.  The interventions are provided one-on-one or in small groups.   This instruction is more frequent and for longer periods of time.  Progress monitoring is implemented more frequently to determine continued instructional interventions.  If, with all the interventions and intensive instruction provided, the data indicates a student still shows lack of appropriate academic or behavioral progress, a psychological evaluation may be suggested in a Student Support Team meeting with the parent. 

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that, "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. "  The purpose of a 504 educational plan is to ensure that any student with a disability, which significantly impedes their learning, has equal opportunity for educational success as their non-disabled peers.  If a student is determined to be eligible for Section 504 accommodations, a plan will be developed and followed to meet the student’s individual and specific learning needs.

Psychological Testing

If the SST Team recommends further evaluation, the Board of Education will provide a school psychologist to conduct any necessary psychological evaluations.

Enrichment

Gifted programming and services are provided on a regular basis for students who have met the state’s criteria for gifted/talented programming in grades 1-5.  All students’ standardized test scores and universal screener results are reviewed regularly by the gifted staff and the homeroom teacher for identifying and referring potential gifted/talented students.  If a parent has questions about the gifted referral process, they should contact an administrator or a teacher of the gifted.

School Counseling

The mission of the school counseling department at Kedron Elementary School is to provide a comprehensive, developmental program that contributes to the educational experience and achievement of all students through targeted lessons and activities in the personal/social, academic, and career domains.  The school counselor, in partnership with other educators, parents, and community members, ensures all students are provided with an education which will enable them to become capable and productive members of society.

Classroom Guidance Lessons - The counselor will visit classrooms and students will participate in lessons intended to proactively improve their educational success, social skills, self-concepts, and overall life skills.  Fayette County school counselors follow a comprehensive, developmental counseling curriculum based on state and national standards.

Small Groups - The counselor facilitates instructional groups giving students the opportunity to learn information and skills that will help them be more successful in school.  After completing a school wide needs assessment, topics may include: social skills, coping skills, friendship skills, study skills, ready to learn skills, etc.  Parental permission is required for small group counseling.

Individual Sessions - The counselor enjoys meeting with individual students to learn more about their lives and their needs.  She is available to meet with individuals and offer assistance as students work toward their educational, social, and/or personal goals.  All counseling is short-term and confidential.

Consultation - The desire as a school counselor is to help children be successful at home, at school, in the community, and in life.  Often, she serves as a consultant for parents and teachers.  She has resources available for parents concerning parenting, child development, discipline, school success, and other issues that she would be happy to share with you.

Support For New Students - The School Counselor will hold new student meetings monthly with new students who enroll throughout the year.  This will be an onboarding process for the counselor to meet the new students and go over school procedures and information.  Students will meet as a group at the beginning of the month once students enroll, then a follow up check-in is scheduled with each student to make sure they are transitioning well.  She will contact parents after both meetings to let you know that she met, provide a short description of what was discussed, include a brief note regarding the student’s transition to Kedron, and see if parents have any additional questions and/or concerns.  

Please feel free to contact Nicole Douglas for a confidential discussion regarding any issue concerning your child.  She will be happy to discuss with you any aspect of the school counseling program.  Her goal is to provide encouragement, support, and positive reinforcement for your child here at school.  You can contact her either through email, douglas.nicole@fcboe.org, or by phone, 770-486-2700.

Student Responsibilities & Expectations

Leader In Me

The Character Education Program at Kedron is The Leader in Me.  Leader in Me is a whole-school transformation model based on the idea that everyone can be a leader.  This evidence-based approach empowers students with the leadership and life-skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.  Based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The Leader In Me promotes leadership opportunities for students, teachers, and families and provides school-wide events focused on the 7 habits which results in higher academic achievement, fewer disciplinary problems, and increased engagement among teachers and families.

The Leader In Me Program promotes the following 7 Habits:

1. Be Proactive
2. Begin with the End in Mind
3. Put First Things First
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw

At Kedron Elementary, we celebrate the habits monthly, facilitate lesson modules, emphasize goal setting and reflection by having students create leadership notebooks, and participate in quarterly synergy rallies and squads, and more.

PBIS

We are a school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports school (PBIS).  At Kedron Elementary we support our students in striving for Excellence in all Things through our Knights being Responsible, Respectful, Problem Solvers.  All classroom expectations should support our Knights being Responsible, Respectful, Problem Solvers as well as all expectations throughout the school day.  Below is the matrix for our students:

Individual classrooms develop a classroom matrix each year with students.  Students are acknowledged when they demonstrate school wide expectations and expectations are also reinforced as students display a need in understanding how to be responsible, respectful, problem solvers. There is also a continuum of consequences based on classroom and school wide expectations.

Transportation

Arrival

• We welcome students into the building at 7:15 a.m.  There is no supervision prior to 7:15 a.m. so please do not drop your child off prior to this time as it causes a safety concern.  
•  All car riders, day care riders, and walk ups should enter the building through the front doors. Students transported by bus and golf cart will enter through the bus lane doors.
• Parents will be allowed to walk their child to class during the first week of school.  Starting August 11th, we kindly request parents allow their child to walk to class independently.  

Dropping off at the front doors:

Cars should enter the driveway from Kedron Drive and proceed straight through the car lane until you reach the far curve in the driveway.  At this point everyone has stopped and should begin unloading students on the passenger side of the car next to the curb.   All students should then proceed to the front doors of the school to enter the building.  For safety reasons, students cannot be dropped off in the center front parking lot.   Dropping students off in the car lane is best for students who can exit the car themselves. If a student needs assistance getting out of the car, please park your car, assist your child, and walk them to the front portico.  Parents should not get out of the car to assist the student when in the car lane.

Dropping off at the bus loop:

Golf carts and cars may use the bus loop during morning drop off after 7:25 a.m.

Parents are allowed to drop off students on the cart path at Fielding Ridge subdivision. Please note that there are no duty personnel at the crosswalk on Fieldhouse Drive.   Parents who choose to watch or walk with their child to the school building may park behind the green fence off the cart path.

Dismissal

Parents wishing to check a child out of school must arrive prior to the 2:25 dismissal bell.

• 2:25 First Bell rings – All students in all grades levels staying for ASP or clubs are dismissed for check-in by the required programs.. Parents are not permitted to come to the buses to unload a student. All students must be called to the office for early dismissal.  
• 2:27 Second Bell rings – All students riding the bus in grades K & 1 are dismissed to their buses. Car Riders will begin to be dismissed individually from their classrooms as their parents/guardians arrive.  Students will proceed to their assigned (numbered) place to wait for their parent’s vehicle. Parents in cars should pull away from the curb in line, when signaled.
• 2:29 Third Bell rings – All students riding the bus in grades 2 & 3 are dismissed to their buses.
• 2:31 Fourth Bell rings – All students riding the bus in grades 4 & 5 are dismissed to their buses.
• 2:35 Fifth Bell rings – Following the departure of buses, walkers, walk ups and bike riders will be dismissed to the bus loop.  Students riding home by golf cart will be dismissed individually to the bus loop, from their classrooms, as their parents/guardians arrive.  
• Students riding in cars or golf carts must be picked up by 2:40 p.m.

For the safety of your child, parents should not unload a student from the bus after the student has been loaded.  If it is an emergency, an administrator or teacher will request the child disembark the bus. Please be mindful of the fact that Georgia law prohibits parents from interfering with the loading and unloading process of a school bus.

Afternoon Automobile Pick up:

Automobiles may pick up in the front driveway. “Car rider” students should be able to enter the car on the passenger side without the adult getting out to assist.  Parents or guests picking up a student must provide a Knight Rider card or proof of identification. This Knight Rider card will be given out on Meet the Teacher Day or may be obtained from the school office.  Parents should print in large, bold letters the name(s) of student(s) on the card. When a car or cart comes through the line the card should be displayed in the window for the administrator/teacher to call the child. Cars should proceed through the line to the end of the loading zone to load students.  The child(ren) will be directed to a cone to meet their parents.  The first car will stop and all cars in the line beyond the canopy may load at the same time. Students must load on the passenger side of the car, without the adult getting out to assist.  All cars will then receive the signal to go by the person on duty. The process may sound tedious, but for the safety of our students and the safety of your car we request your patience.  

Afternoon Golf Cart Procedures:

Golf carts may wait beyond the green fence until a signal (foghorn sound) is given to proceed into the bus loop for pick up.  Parents must have a Knight Rider card displayed for golf cart pick up. Students will be called to go to a designated number.  Parents should pull forward to the number  and load their child(ren).  Parents should not take anyone else’s child home unless permission to transport has been updated in PickUp Patrol. Parents should not walk up to golf cart dismissal.

Please note that duty personnel will not release students to parents in the car lane, at the upper bus loop doors, or golf cart lane unless the parent has the Knight Rider card.    For safety reasons, parents may not park in the employee parking lot next to the bus loop.

Bicycles & Walkers

• Students should park their bicycles at the bike racks on Lancelot Loop (bus loop).  Students parking their bicycles at school do so at their own risk.  The school cannot be held liable for lost, stolen, or damaged bicycles. Bike helmets are required and locks are suggested.
• We recommend students in the lower grades (K-3) have an older sibling, neighbor, or parent accompany them to and from school. K-3 students cannot walk home alone.
• In the case of rain or inclement weather, parents will be called to pick up their child from school.

PickUp Patrol

PickUp Patrol is the online system Kedron uses to manage dismissal and for parents to communicate changes to their student’s regular dismissal plans. All Kedron students must have a regular dismissal plan in PickUp Patrol. PickUp Patrol eliminates the need to write notes or make phone calls! A guardian must submit any dismissal transportation change on Pick Up Patrol (app.pickuppatrol.net) before 1:45PM. We cannot accept a verbal transportation plan change. 

Visitors & Volunteers

Visitors

To ensure the safety of all students, parents and other visitors must use the main entrance to the school and register on the registration system immediately upon entering the building. Visitors to the campus must wear an identification badge at all times.  There can be no exceptions to the registration/badge policy.

• If a parent wishes to observe his/her child’s classroom, arrangements should be made with the teacher and administrators prior to the observation. Classroom visits are limited to one thirty minute visit. Observations made while visiting the classroom are confidential and should only be shared with the teacher and administrator. Sharing confidential information about a student or teacher with other community members may result in a parent’s access to the classroom or school being discontinued.  Siblings should not visit classrooms during instructional time.
• If your child has forgotten an item at home, you may bring it to the front office. To protect instructional time, your child will retrieve items during transitions only.
• Friends or relatives visiting from out of town may visit Kedron only during lunch to lessen instructional disruptions.  
• Visitors may only take photos of their child.  

Lunch Visitors

Parents are invited to join their children for lunch with the following guidelines:

• If you are buying a school lunch please send a note to your child’s teacher indicating your entrée choice so that the teacher can include you in the class lunch count.  Without this notification the parent may not purchase lunch because unexpected guests can cause a shortage of food for students.  Adult lunch prices are $5.50.
• The student and his/her guest(s) may sit at the visitors’ table; however, other students should not be invited to join.
• Students are expected to follow the established cafeteria procedures when they have guests.
• A younger sibling who joins a student and his/her parent for lunch must follow the same cafeteria procedures as the students.  The younger sibling’s behavior is the responsibility of the parent.

Volunteers

We enthusiastically welcome volunteers in our classrooms.  All volunteers and chaperones must complete training as state law now requires volunteers to be mandated reporters of child abuse.  Click on this link to view the training video and to register as a trained mandated reporter. Volunteers must apply annually to renew their application. Parents are welcome to volunteer, but must not assume control over any matters of discipline.  Teachers should be notified immediately and will handle situations according to established policies and procedures used on a day to day basis in the classroom.