Faculty Handbook

WES Staff Non-Negotiables

Professional Conduct

• Respect colleagues' personal property and resolve conflicts privately; seek administrative mediation when necessary.
• Do not use abusive, insulting, or profane language toward students or colleagues.
• Do not engage in personal contact with students outside school hours or share personal phone numbers with students.
• Be mindful of social media use in relation to your professional role.
• Selling products to students or staff during school hours requires principal permission.
• Corporal punishment is prohibited.

Arrival

Dismissal

• Know each student's regular dismissal method from the first day and maintain an accurate transportation list.
• Parent changes to a student's normal dismissal plan must be in writing and communicated through the office.
• Send early-dismissal notes to the office immediately.
• Students begin packing no earlier than 3:45 PM and should listen quietly for dismissal calls.
• Students may ride only their assigned bus unless the office authorizes a change.
• Students are released for early dismissal through the office; parents/guardians must show identification and sign out.
• Staff must be at assigned duty posts before students are released.

Cafeteria

• Review cafeteria expectations with students and explicitly teach the routine at the beginning of the year.
• Walk students to the cafeteria entrance in an orderly single-file line.
• Students report directly to assigned seats and wait to be called to the lunch line.
• Reinforce appropriate table manners, voice level, food handling, and cleanup.
• Teachers should arrive on time for pickup and ensure the class leaves its assigned area clean.

Instructional Environment

• Maintain a learner-centered, clutter-free classroom aligned with Research for Better Teaching.
• Post daily objectives and criteria for success for all subjects; a visitor should be able to identify what students are learning. Include module, unit, and lesson at the start of each objective.
• Teach and model classroom expectations and include daily morning meetings/check-ins to support a positive climate.
• Follow the posted master schedule. Schedule changes, recess adjustments, and special rewards require administrative approval.
• Reading/language arts and mathematics should occupy the majority of the instructional day.

Grading at a Glance

Report Cards

• Grades reflect achievement of course/grade-level standards; classroom conduct, work completion, and the ability to work with others are reported separately.
• Failure to meet the BCPS lock date for grade submission may result in administrative action.
• Report card distribution dates are on the WES Master Calendar in Outlook.

Homework

• Assign as needed to reinforce, practice, re-teach, or extend previously taught concepts; do not introduce new concepts through homework.
• Match assignments to student capability and clearly explain expectations.
• Provide feedback and adjust as needed.
• Use the guideline of approximately 10 minutes per grade level.

Student Records & Team Preparation

• Sign out confidential and cumulative folders; do not remove records from the office without permission.
• Health records are maintained by the nurse and remain confidential.
• Before team meetings, coordinate with the IEP chair/case manager and provide student work/data five days in advance.
• Begin team presentations with student strengths, then identify specific skill deficits, interventions attempted, outcomes, attendance, behavior, and scholastic performance.
• Describe behavior factually and objectively; avoid hearsay, judgmental language, and diagnostic terminology.

Team Presentation Guide

Technology & Testing

• Explicitly teach students how to use devices and handle all technology inventory with care.
• Submit a ticket for technology issues, requests, and repairs.
• Keep Schoology information current.
• Follow the school testing calendar, required training, and directions provided by the School Test Coordinator.

Staff Communication

Faculty Meetings & Evening Events

• Faculty meetings are generally held on Mondays, no more than three per calendar month except emergencies.
• Attend required faculty meetings unless excused by the principal.
• Use the WES Outlook calendar and Winfield Weekly to review meeting dates/topics.
• Teachers are required to participate in up to four after-school events per school year.
• If you commit to an after-school event/EDA responsibility and a conflict occurs, secure appropriate coverage.

Family Communication

• Make introductory parent/guardian calls during the first week of school.
• Maintain a parent contact log and document factual, professional notes in FOCUS.
• Submit monthly newsletter content by dates on the WES calendar.
• Initiate meaningful parent conferences throughout the year; begin with strengths, use work samples/data, and discuss needs objectively.
• Every effort should be made to contact families by phone or in person when a matter requires conversation.

Volunteers

• All volunteers must complete required training before volunteering.
• Refer volunteer questions/needs to the CARE liaison.
• Field-trip chaperones should complete volunteer training at least two weeks before the trip.

Staff Absence Procedures

• Review the applicable Master Agreement provisions regarding absenteeism and personal business leave.
• Urgent personal business requests require written principal approval at least 24 hours in advance; special rules apply before/after holidays.
• Enter absences in the required system for your employee group and notify the identified office/administrative staff.
• If an absence becomes known after 8:30 AM, also call the office so coverage can be confirmed.
• Hourly employees clock in/out using Oracle and should alert the front office of absences.
• Sign out in the main office when leaving the building during the school day and sign back in upon return.

Leave Rules (Master Agreement)

• Section 12.14: Urgent personal business leave cannot be taken on consecutive business days unless specified in the agreement or approved by the principal or Executive Director.
• Section 12.14.3: Personal business leave cannot be used immediately before or after a holiday without special permission from the Assistant Superintendent, including the first duty day in August or September.

Absence Reporting

• TABCO employees log absences in Smart Find Express no later than 8:00 AM on the day of the absence; training is available from Ms. Black.
• ESPBC employees log absences in Oracle and clock in/out using Oracle; temporary employees also clock in/out using Oracle.
• For planned absences, email all office staff at least 24 hours in advance for: Other Board Business (prior approval needed for PD during duty days), Urgent Personal Business, Special Religious Observance, and Court-Related Leave.
• If late or absent, notify via email and log the absence in Oracle (TABCO and CASE staff).

Substitute Plan Content

Student Attendance

• Homeroom teachers record attendance in FOCUS daily by 9:30 AM.
• Attendance records are legal documents; document lateness accurately.
• Do not leave an absence coded as unknown unless three attempts have been made to contact the parent/guardian.
• After three consecutive absences, contact the parent/guardian and document communication in FOCUS; follow unsuccessful calls with email.
• For continuing absence concerns, notify the counselor, nurse, and administration with documentation of family contacts.
• Send student absence notes to the office.

Behavior & Relationships

• Build positive connections with students and families through professional, honest, objective, and helpful communication.
• Use positive reinforcement, logical consequences, and daily opportunities to reset.
• Each classroom should identify and teach procedures for a safe place.
• Use morning meetings, check-ins/check-outs, buddy-teacher breaks when appropriate, and Mammoth Squares.
• Document unacceptable behavior using the online referral system.

Student Cellphones: Off & Away All Day

• Phones should be off and stored in lockers each day.
• Teachers give two warnings if a student is found using their phone during school hours.
• If a student does not comply after two warnings, the phone is turned in to the office for a parent to pick up.

Hallways, Bathrooms & Classroom Care

• Teach quiet, orderly hallway movement and use nonverbal signals as needed.
• Position yourself so you can see the full student line.
• Keep classrooms, desks, lockers, hallways, boards, and shared spaces orderly and clean.
• Use bathroom sign-out procedures and assigned restrooms; no more than one student per class should be out under the stated routine.
• Check restroom condition after group breaks and report concerns.
• Close/secure windows and doors before leaving at the end of the day.

Playground & Supervised Play

• Follow the established recess schedule and actively supervise.
• Reinforce playground safety rules, including feet-first sliding and one child on a ladder at a time.
• Supervised play is 20 minutes daily and must be monitored by a staff member; AAAs may not supervise alone.
• Consult the P.E. teacher for activity/safety ideas.

Student Handbook Compliance

• Support administrator-led student handbook orientations and classroom distribution.
• Collect required acknowledgments within the established timeline and submit documentation to the assistant principal.
• Follow up with families when documentation is missing and document strategies used.
• Newly registered students attend a Woolly Welcome with the CARES Liaison to review expectations.

Field Trips

• Review and follow BCPS Policy/Rule 6800, required timelines, and forms before planning.
• Obtain principal approval before proceeding.
• Submit required forms to the administrative secretary by county deadlines.
• Include a roster, itinerary, and lead teacher cell number.
• Ensure adequate teacher/chaperone supervision on buses and throughout the trip.
• Verify funding before booking; field trips must be self-sustaining and end with a $0 account balance.
• Encourage the BCPS online payment system; communicate that bus fees are non-refundable.
• Notify cafeteria two weeks in advance; provide bag-lunch count three days before the trip; offer lunch to all students.
• Source handbook limit: up to three field trips per grade level.

Money Handling

Copy Room, Supplies & Shared Spaces

• Copiers/supplies are for school use. Report malfunctions to the front office and do not force equipment.
• Retrieve print jobs promptly and do not send students to copy rooms.
• Keep copy rooms, supply areas, and the faculty lounge clean and orderly.
• Do not place unwanted materials in closets; contact resource staff for assistance.
• Submit supply requests using the established school process.
• Label lamination materials with name/room number and allow 3–5 days.

Keys & Medication

• Keep school keys secure; report lost keys/broken locks immediately and return keys before summer vacation.
• Student medication is stored in the nurse's suite and administered only by the nurse or principal's designee; medical information is confidential.

Safety Essentials

• Do not prop open exterior doors.
• Report accidents/illnesses to the nurse or office and complete required accident reports.
• Secure valuable equipment and close/secure windows as directed.
• Immediately contact the office if a visitor is unbadged or appears out of place.
• All visitors—including after-school conference visitors—must report to the main office and wear a visitor badge.

Fire / Evacuation

• Take the blue emergency bag/folder and updated class roster.
• Use the nearest safe exit and move students quickly and quietly to the designated area.
• Close classroom doors; follow posted fire exit routes.
• Take attendance immediately outside.
• Green card = all students accounted for. Red card = student missing.
• Report missing students or students from another class to an administrator/staff member.
• Practice evacuation procedures during the first week and participate in scheduled drills.

Other Emergency Responses

Child Abuse / Neglect

• Staff have a legal responsibility to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
• The person with the first-hand account makes the report.
• Keep reports concise, accurate, objective, and confidential.
• Notify the principal and follow the school's stated reporting/documentation process.

Observation / Evaluation

• Eligible educators may participate in a pre-observation conference; non-tenured educators and educators rated below effective have specific requirements in the handbook.
• A post-observation conference follows formal observations within the stated Master Agreement timelines. Bring student work samples and data with you.
• Written feedback should be objective, data-based, and support professional growth.
• Formal observations are generally at least 30 minutes unless the instructional activity requires less time or the observer determines the lesson is at least effective.
• Informal observations occur regularly.
• SLOs are required for teachers of record with more than ten students.

Pre-Service / First-Day Readiness

• Arrange a learner-centered classroom with clear sightlines and organized materials.
• Prepare current bulletin boards/displays and classroom routines.
• Review student information, IEP/SST plans, and ML/WIDA information with appropriate staff.
• Set up gradebook, attendance systems, Schoology, and classroom technology.
• Prepare first-week lesson plans and student schedules.
• Establish classroom rules, procedures, behavior supports, and a safe place.
• Prepare welcome communication and organize parent/guardian contact information.
• Review emergency procedures, school policies, and required professional development.
• Prepare/refresh three days of substitute plans.