Welcome
As the school social worker, I would like to contribute to your child's success at school, home, and in the community. I am committed to share time to help you and others do more, reach out with a warm heart, offer solutions with a smile, improve lives day by day, lift spirits so others can cope, and willing to go the extra mile. I am here to provide services for children, families, and communities that help students attain the maximum benefits from their school and other programs with competence and confidence.
I can be contacted by calling your child's school or (205) 459-3031 ext. 2026 or by email at tgraham@choctawal.org. I look forward to assisting you.
Have a great day and year!!!
I can be contacted by calling your child's school or (205) 459-3031 ext. 2026 or by email at tgraham@choctawal.org. I look forward to assisting you.
Have a great day and year!!!
PARENT RESOURCES
Youth Suicide “The Silent Epidemic” - Keeping More than Dreams Alive
Kids Health Website
Alcohol and Drug Prevention Tips
Suicide Training for Parents
Youth Suicide Warnings
Suicide Information Sheet
Kids Health Website
Alcohol and Drug Prevention Tips
Suicide Training for Parents
Youth Suicide Warnings
Suicide Information Sheet
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answer: Every time
Please send a written excuse/note every time a student is absent. This is the law. No telephone call is required. If the school nurse sends your child home, still send a note and state this information. For example, Please excuse Johnny Smith on August 2, 2010 since he was sick and the school nurse sent him home (sign and date it).
Please send a written excuse/note every time a student is absent. This is the law. No telephone call is required. If the school nurse sends your child home, still send a note and state this information. For example, Please excuse Johnny Smith on August 2, 2010 since he was sick and the school nurse sent him home (sign and date it).
Answer: Every child between the ages of six and 17 are required to go to school school.
Every child between the ages of seven and 17 must attend a public school, private school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the entire length of the school term except that every child attending a church school is exempt from the requirements of Ala. Code (1975)§16-28-3, provided such child complies with the enrollment and reporting procedure specified in Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-7 of the code. Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-3
On May 8, Bentley signed into law Senate Bill 28 lowering that the state's compulsory attendance age from 7 to 6.
Every child between the ages of seven and 17 must attend a public school, private school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the entire length of the school term except that every child attending a church school is exempt from the requirements of Ala. Code (1975)§16-28-3, provided such child complies with the enrollment and reporting procedure specified in Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-7 of the code. Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-3
On May 8, Bentley signed into law Senate Bill 28 lowering that the state's compulsory attendance age from 7 to 6.
Answer: Three days from when the student returns to school. Excuses must be in office within three (3) days from when the student returns to school.
For example, if a student misses Monday and returns on Tuesday, he/she must present a note either on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. If the excused is not received by Thursday, his/her absence will be unexcused with a note by Friday.
For example, if a student misses Monday and returns on Tuesday, he/she must present a note either on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. If the excused is not received by Thursday, his/her absence will be unexcused with a note by Friday.
Answer:
The Choctaw County School Social Worker can assist with:
crisis prevention/intervention
conflict resoultion Strategies
individual, family, & group counseling
development and assessment of student assistant plans
agency referral and collaboration
training as needed for students, parents, and staff
clothing and school supply assistance
attendance issues
The Choctaw County School Social Worker can assist with:
crisis prevention/intervention
conflict resoultion Strategies
individual, family, & group counseling
development and assessment of student assistant plans
agency referral and collaboration
training as needed for students, parents, and staff
clothing and school supply assistance
attendance issues
Answer: A child who is six years of age on or before September 1 (2)* or the date on which school begins in the enrolling district shall be entitled to admission to the public elementary schools at the opening of such schools for that school year or as soon as practicable thereafter.
b. A child who becomes six years old on or before February 1 may, with the approval of the local board of education, be admitted at the beginning of the second semester in school systems having semiannual promotions of pupils.
c. A child who is five years of age on or before September 1 (2)* or the date on which school begins in the enrolling district is entitled to admission to the kindergarten program at the beginning of the school year or as soon as practicable thereafter.
d. Kindergarten or Grade 1 students who were enrolled in an Alabama private school, church school, or were being tutored in accordance with the Ala. Code (1975) and who seek admission to kindergarten or Grade 1 in the public schools must meet the age requirements for admittance as of September 1 (2)* or the opening date of school in the enrolling district. Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-4 Report of Attorney General of Alabama October-December 1963 Volume 113, page 20
b. A child who becomes six years old on or before February 1 may, with the approval of the local board of education, be admitted at the beginning of the second semester in school systems having semiannual promotions of pupils.
c. A child who is five years of age on or before September 1 (2)* or the date on which school begins in the enrolling district is entitled to admission to the kindergarten program at the beginning of the school year or as soon as practicable thereafter.
d. Kindergarten or Grade 1 students who were enrolled in an Alabama private school, church school, or were being tutored in accordance with the Ala. Code (1975) and who seek admission to kindergarten or Grade 1 in the public schools must meet the age requirements for admittance as of September 1 (2)* or the opening date of school in the enrolling district. Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-4 Report of Attorney General of Alabama October-December 1963 Volume 113, page 20
Yes, assuming the school board has, and carefully complies with, a policy relating attendance to academic achievement.
Answer: Yes in the case of unexcused absences and no in the case of excused absences. Once again, the school system must have publicized and faithfully complied with a policy that equates academic achievement with attendance. Report of Attorney General of Alabama January 10, 1989
Answer: Yes in the case of unexcused absences and no in the case of excused absences because the implication is that the school system has agreed to the absence of a child under certain conditions.
Answer: 7 per semester
Only seven (7) parental excuses per semester (14 for the year) will be accepted for such reasons as student's sickness, death of immediate family member, legal quarantine, inclement of weather which would be dangerous to the life and health of the child as determined by principal, emergency conditions as determined by the principal, and prior permission and consent of the parent or legal guardian.
If a student does not have a note, goes out of town to visit relatives, goes shopping, stays with a sick relative, has a runny nose or cough or mild stomach ache, his/her absences will be unexcused. After all parental notes are used; a doctor's note must be submitted to receive an excused absence.
Only seven (7) parental excuses per semester (14 for the year) will be accepted for such reasons as student's sickness, death of immediate family member, legal quarantine, inclement of weather which would be dangerous to the life and health of the child as determined by principal, emergency conditions as determined by the principal, and prior permission and consent of the parent or legal guardian.
If a student does not have a note, goes out of town to visit relatives, goes shopping, stays with a sick relative, has a runny nose or cough or mild stomach ache, his/her absences will be unexcused. After all parental notes are used; a doctor's note must be submitted to receive an excused absence.
Answer: 7
Only seven (7) unexcused days are allowed for the year. Students will be referred to the Juvenile Court System if seven days are accumulated or a petition will be filed against the parent.
Only seven (7) unexcused days are allowed for the year. Students will be referred to the Juvenile Court System if seven days are accumulated or a petition will be filed against the parent.
Answer: After 5 unexcused days
Anyone receiving five (5) or more unexcused days will attend Early Warning Court. If the parent and student do not attend, a petition be signed on the appropriate party. Letters, telephone calls, home visits, and/or other contacts will be attempted to assist with reducing unexcused absences prior to court.
Anyone receiving five (5) or more unexcused days will attend Early Warning Court. If the parent and student do not attend, a petition be signed on the appropriate party. Letters, telephone calls, home visits, and/or other contacts will be attempted to assist with reducing unexcused absences prior to court.
Answer: No. Excused absences (e.g., for illness) imply that the absences will not be counted against the student.
Yes, assuming the school board has, and carefully complies with, a policy relating attendance to academic achievement.
Yes, assuming the school board has, and carefully complies with, a policy relating attendance to academic achievement.
BULLYING, HARASSMENT or INTIMIDATION REPORTING FORM
This form will be confidentially maintained in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g.
DIRECTIONS: Bullying, harassment, and intimidation are serious and will not be tolerated. This is a form to report alleged bullying, harassment, or intimidation that occurred on school property; at a school-sponsored activity or event off school property; on a school bus; or in the current school year. If you are a student victim, the parent/guardian of a student victim, a close adult relative of a student victim, or a school staff member and wish to report an incident of alleged bullying, harassment or intimidation, complete this form and return it to the principal at the student victim’s school. Contact the school for additional information or assistance at any time. Choctaw County Board of Education, 107 Tom Orr Drive, Butler, AL 36904, 205-459-3031.
DEFINITION: Bullying, harassment, and intimidation are intentional verbal, written, and/or physical conduct or an intentional electronic communication that creates a hostile educational environment by substantially interfering with a student's educational benefits, opportunities and performance, or with a student's physical or psychological well-being an dis as follows: (1) Motivated by an actual or a perceived personal characteristic, including race, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, familial status, or physical or mental ability or disability. (2.) Threatening or seriously intimidating, (3.) Occurs on school property, at a school activity or event, or on a school bus, and (4.) Substantially disruptive to the orderly operation of a school. "Electronic Communication" means a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device, including but not limited to telephone, cellular phone, computer or pager.
DIRECTIONS: Bullying, harassment, and intimidation are serious and will not be tolerated. This is a form to report alleged bullying, harassment, or intimidation that occurred on school property; at a school-sponsored activity or event off school property; on a school bus; or in the current school year. If you are a student victim, the parent/guardian of a student victim, a close adult relative of a student victim, or a school staff member and wish to report an incident of alleged bullying, harassment or intimidation, complete this form and return it to the principal at the student victim’s school. Contact the school for additional information or assistance at any time. Choctaw County Board of Education, 107 Tom Orr Drive, Butler, AL 36904, 205-459-3031.
DEFINITION: Bullying, harassment, and intimidation are intentional verbal, written, and/or physical conduct or an intentional electronic communication that creates a hostile educational environment by substantially interfering with a student's educational benefits, opportunities and performance, or with a student's physical or psychological well-being an dis as follows: (1) Motivated by an actual or a perceived personal characteristic, including race, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, familial status, or physical or mental ability or disability. (2.) Threatening or seriously intimidating, (3.) Occurs on school property, at a school activity or event, or on a school bus, and (4.) Substantially disruptive to the orderly operation of a school. "Electronic Communication" means a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device, including but not limited to telephone, cellular phone, computer or pager.
BULLYING, HARASSMENT Or INTIMIDATION REPORTING FORM