Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary/Middle School #254
PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2011/2012
All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them.
-Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Sharon R. Bullock, Principal
Climmie Cornish, Asst. Principal
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School #254
3750 Greenspring Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21211
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WHO AM I
BY NELSON MANDELA
OUR DEEPEST FEAR IS NOT THAT WE ARE INADEQUATE.
OUR DEEPEST FEAR IS THAT WE ARE POWERFUL BEYOND MEASURE.
IT IS OUR LIGHT, NOT OUR DARKNEESS THAT FRIGHTENS US.
WE ASK OURSELVES WHO AM I TO BE
BRILLIANT, GEORGEOUS, TALENTED, OR FABULOUS.
ACTUALLY, WHO ARE YOU NOT TO BE?
YOU ARE A CHILD WITH IMMEASURABLE OPPORTUNITIES.
YOUR PLAYING SMALL DOES NOT SERVE THE WORLD.
THERE’S NOTHING ENLIGHTENING ABOUT SHRINKING SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE WON’T FEEL INSECURE
AROUND YOU.
WE ARE BORN TO MAKE USE OF THE STRENGTH THAT IS WITHIN US.
IT’S NOT JUSTIN SOME OF US BUT IT’S IN EVERYONE, AND AS WE LET OUR LIGHT SHINE WE
UNCONSCIOUSLY GIVE OTHERS PERMISSION TO DO THE SAME.
AND AS WE ARE LIBERATED FROM OUR OWN FEARS, OUR PRESENCE AUTOMATICALLY LIBERATES
OTHERS.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School #254
3750 Greenspring Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21211
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WELCOME!
It is my pleasure to welcome you and your parents to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary/Middle
School #254. The teachers and staff members join me in saying we are happy to have you as part of the
Dr. King family. We hope that this will be a successful and satisfying year for you and your parents.
The pages of this handbook are filled with information that you will find useful about your school. Go
through the entire handbook quickly at first making note of important school rules and procedures.
Then go back and read the pages that apply to you now. I suggest that parents and students read it
together.
Be sure to acquaint yourself with Mrs. Beverly Jackson or Ms. Patrice Jackson. They are a part of the
support staff at School #254 and are here to help you make the most out of your school year. If you
need additional support I encourage you to see your teachers for information.
Once again welcome and we are glad you are here!
Sharon R. Bullock
Principal
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School #254
3750 Greenspring Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21211
_________________________________________________________________
Introduction to the Handbook
We are using the Handbook as a means of communicating between the home and school. There
are many policies, regulations, and services discussed in the following pages.
Please read and keep this handbook readily available throughout the year. We are always
available to clarify any school matter. This year there is a new form of communication that we would
like the parents/guardians to try. We now have a Parent Portal website, which allows you to view your
child’s progress. However, you may still contact the administrators and teachers by phone. The school
numbers are 410-396-0756 and 410- 396-0758. Close communication between the home and school is
essential to promote the best interest of the child. Parents are encouraged to visit the school and to
attend scheduled meetings between parents and teachers. Mutual benefits accrue when there is a
meaningful exchange of information between home and school.
It is our hope that this Handbook will be helpful to you and that it will promote understanding.
A parent/guardian is asked to detach and sign the receipt at the bottom of this sheet and return it to
your child’s teacher after reviewing the handbook. Please feel free to comment on the Handbook in the
designated comment area.
Thank you,
Sharon R. Bullock, Principal
Climmie Cornish, Asst. Principal
Receipt
I have received and reviewed the handbook with my child, ____________________________ in class
___________________________.
Signature:_________________________________________________
Comments:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School #254
3750 Greenspring Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21211
SCHOOL EMBLEM- Dove
The dove represents the peace in the world that
Dr. King worked so hard to achieve. It is now up
to us to realize that through non-violent acts,
talking, and reasoning; not fighting, our goals
can be reached.
SCHOOL WATCH WORD-RESPECT
Remember
Every
Single
Person
Expects
Considerate
Treatment
OUR SCHOOL STANDARDS
At the Dr. King School, students:
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Respect themselves and others
Are considerate, courteous, and
cooperative
Exhibit pride in the school
Report to school daily and on time
Come to school prepared to work and
to do their best
SCHOOL SONG
TO MAKE A DREAM COME TRUE
We are proud to come together
Let our voices loudly ring
In a building built to honor
Dr. Martin Luther King.
We will dream his dream of freedom
Rich and poor and black and white
Joining hands and forming legions
For the cause of Human Rights.
Chorus
One flag for all,
Don’t let it fall.
Our banner red and blue.
Flag in the sky,
Don’t let it lie
Make our dreams come true.
We are taught by teaming teachers
And they stand out mighty tall.
We are led by educators
Who have answered to the call.
To make each child bright and beaming,
Every parent very proud.
Boys and girls of Martin Luther King
Learn to sound off clear and loud.
GENERAL INFORMATION
School Schedule
8:00 a.m.
School Begins
2:40 p.m.
School Ends
Early dismissal days, school ends at 11:30a.m.
LOCKERS
Students in grades six thru eight will be
assigned a locker and may store coats,
jackets, lunches and book bags in the
lockers. Students will use combination locks
to secure their belongings. Lockers are the
property of the school and can be searched,
if suspected of harboring inappropriate
items.
Personal Electronic Hand Held Devices
Any personal electronic devices, including
cell phones, are not prohibited on school
property. Any device visible may be taken
by any staff member.
Illness and Injury
Any illness or injury will be reported to the
classroom teacher who will then have the
student report to the nurse. Parents will be
contacted by the nurse and/or office
personnel. It is important that an
emergency card is on file in the office for
your child.
Homework
Homework is important in the learning
process and it is a grade requirement. It is
the student’s responsibility to complete all
homework. Your child’s teacher will send
information regarding homework on the
first day of school. If specific assignments
are not made by the teacher, standing
assignments may include reading, library
books, newspapers, magazines, or home
readers.
Progress Reports/Report Cards Issued
Report cards will be issued within the dates
listed below:
Progress 1st Qtr
Oct. 3-6, 2011
First Quarter
Nov. 7-11, 2011
Progress 2nd Qtr
Dec. 13-15, 2011
Second Quarter
Jan. 23-25, 2012
Progress 3rd Qtr
Feb. 27-29, 2012
Third Quarter
Apr. 10-13, 2012
Progress 4th Qtr
May 9-11, 2012
Fourth Quarter
Jun. 18-22, 2012
Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled
for each quarter.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Pre k-5th-white tops and navy bottoms
Arrival/Attendance/Dismissal
6th Grade-hunter green top and khaki
bottoms
Breakfast will be served in the Café at 7:30
a.m. to 7:50 a.m. Regular attendance is very
important for your child’s success. Every
day that your child is absent, you will
receive a phone call from the School Board.
After 3 absences your child will need a note
from a doctor. Maryland law requires that
students between ages 5 and up to 16
attend school each day. Chronic absences
will be referred to the Office of Attendance
and Truancy. Our school day ends at 2:40
p.m. Most students will be dismissed on the
playground side of the building. Pre-K thru
1st grade students must be signed out of the
classrooms.
7th Grade-navy blue tops and khaki bottoms
8th grade-burgundy tops and khaki bottoms
The following items are not proper attire
for school at any time:
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Flip Flops
Strapless sandals
Tube tops, tank tops or spaghetti
strap dresses
Shorts or skirts above the knees
There will be consequences for students not
in uniform.
School-Wide Merit System
Early Dismissal
We encourage you to try to schedule your
child’s doctor and dental appointments
around school hours. If this is not possible,
please come to the main office for a early
dismissal pass. For safety reason, no child
will be allowed to leave school without
adult (over 18 with ID). Parents must be
listed on the emergency form or written
permission must be given by the parent
before the child will be permitted to leave
the building.
All students who attend school daily and on
time wearing their uniform will be
recognized at the end of each month.
August/September- Ice Cream Party
October-Pizza Party
November-Certificate and Movie
December-Holiday Gift Bags
January-Catered Luncheon
February-Certificate and Movie
School Uniforms
March-Ice Cream and Cake
All students are required to wear uniforms
every day.
The Dr. King School is a uniform school. Our
uniform colors are:
April-Skating Party
May-Certificate and Trophies
GUIDE FOR CONDUCT
We believe that all students at the Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. School can behave
appropriately. In order to provide the
positive learning environment that all
students deserve, we must follow the
guidelines below.
Classroom Behavior
At the beginning of the school year, the
teacher and students within each class will
establish a list of class rules. These rules
along with the BCPSS Student Discipline
Code will be sent to each parent. Listed
below are school-wide rules for classroom
behavior:
 Enter your classroom quietly.
 Have all materials ready (notebooks,
pencils, erasers).
 Take care of the desk assigned to
you.
 Respect the property of others.
 Practice good table manners and
good eating habits.
 Keep our cafeteria clean.
Auditorium Behavior
Assemblies will held throughout the year.
We will follow the rules listed below so that
everyone will be able to enjoy the
experience.
 Enter the auditorium quietly with
your teacher.
 Sit with your class.
 Remain attentive and respect the
person or group performing.
 Show your appreciation by
applauding at the appropriate time.
 Leave the auditorium quietly.
Students should not be allowed to leave
the auditorium during the
performances.
MLK Café Behavior
Students must respect the cafeteria as you
do your dining room at home or if you were
dining out. Here are the school-wide rules
for cafeteria behavior. These will be
discussed fully at the beginning of the
school year.
 Enter the cafeteria quietly.
 Sit at your assigned area.
 Talk quietly to students at your
table.
 Stay in your seats at all times.
Fire Drill Behavior
Fire drills are a very important part of
school life. They are conducted to
provide practice for what you should do
in an emergency. The following rules
must be followed:
 Follow the directions given by
your teacher.
 Leave the building quickly and
quietly.
 Walk to your designated area.
 Remain with your class.
 Remain silent so all directions
can be heard.
 Walk back to the building quietly
at the all-clear signal.
Consequences
Listed below are the consequences that will
result if a student breaks a
school/classroom rule. It is understood that
these consequences will serve as a general
guide with the administration having the
authority to decide on the consequences in
case of a severe infraction.
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Conference with student
Reflection time with behavior log
Parent notification
Parent/student/teacher conference
Office referral
Referral for after-school detention
Short-term suspension
It is necessary that students learn to
develop self-discipline. To maintain a
positive learning environment for all
students, it is important that all rules are
followed. Parents are asked to discuss with
your child the importance of and the need
for good behavior and a good attitude while
at school.
UNACCEPTABLE OR INAPPROPRIATE
BEHAVIOR
Listed are some forms of unacceptable
behavior that may result in the student
being sent home and/or expelled from
school.
 Violent behavior/fighting.
 Assault on school staff.
 Possession of knives and other
weapons.
 Possession of drugs or controlled
substances.
 Arson.
 False Fire Alarms.
Vandalism
Vandalism is against the law. We are all
responsible for keeping our building
beautiful. Students who vandalize
school property will be asked to pay for
repairs and/or render services for the
school. Please report all acts of
vandalism, such as marking on walls and
damaging property to your teacher or
the office.