Patrol Handbook
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Introduction

Welcome to the Talbot Safety Patrols! We are glad that you have chosen to be a patrol during your 5th grade year here at Talbot. Being a patrol is a lot of fun, but also a lot of work.

As a patrol you are seen as a leader in your class and all over school. Younger students will look up to you, teachers will depend on you, and parents will recognize you. Being a patrol is a BIG responsibility and by wearing the belt, you agree to take these on. Although there are great rewards for successfully completing the year as a patrol, being a patrol is not a game and it is not something that should be taken lightly. As you read through this handbook, please make sure you understand all of your duties and that you are willing to complete them.

We look forward to a GREAT year!

Mrs. Ferguson Ms. Pearlman
Safety Patrol Sponsor Assistant Principal

Purpose of the Safety Patrols

Safety patrol participation offers students an early opportunity to serve as a community and school volunteer. It is an organization that promotes citizenship, leadership, service, responsibility, and good will. As a Safety Patrol you are expected to develop and model all of these traits.

When will you serve on duty?

The patrols will rotate in 2 ( Groups A & B), 9-week cycles. You will be notified approximately 2 weeks before your cycle begins. When you are on active duty you are responsible for being at your post ON TIME, EVERYDAY with your belt. Due to new school starting times, patrols will need to be on duty no earlier than 7:10 AM and no later than 7:20 AM. Certain allowances will be made for students who arrive by bus. If you are unable to make it to school early enough for duty, please withdraw from patrols.

Requirements of the Safety Patrols

*Maintain your grades at or above a ‘C’ average in all academic subjects.

*Maintain satisfactory performance in behavioral indicators on the report card.

*Serve as a role model having no serious behavioral referrals to the office for defiance, unsafe acts,
abusive language, or fighting.

*Perform the duties of a patrol promptly, dependably, and respectfully, including showing up for your duty
post on time, everyday.

Duties of the Safety Patrols

Patrols will be assigned a post for a 9-week period during the school year. Patrols must be at their posts no later than 7:20 AM. At the second bell, patrols will quietly report to their classrooms. All patrols should be in their classroom by 7:45 AM.

Patrols will appropriately remind students to obey school rules and regulations. They are to be courteous and polite when dealing with students at all times. Patrols should not touch other students at any time. When on duty, if a patrol needs assistance, s/he should let the nearest adult know. If the problem persists, the patrol sponsor should be notified. PATROLS DO NOT ‘WRITE UP’ STUDENTS.

There will be up to 3 Sergeants assigned from the squad each 9-week cycle. The Sergeants are in charge of making sure that all other patrols are at their posts everyday at the appointed time. The Sergeants must be at school no later than 7:15 AM.

When wearing the Safety Patrol belt, the patrol will wear it correctly – over the shoulder and buckled. The belt needs to be appropriately sized. If a belt is too large or too small, please see the Ms. Corbin or Ms. Pearlman for a new belt. Lost belts must be immediately reported to a sponsor. The non-refundable replacement cost for lost belts is $5.00.

If a Safety Patrol forgets his/her belt, s/he cannot report to his/her post. S/he must notify a Sergeant immediately. Failure to serve duty at the post four times during the 9-week cycle due to a forgotten belt will result in the loss of the belt and the post assignment for the remainder of the duty. This could result in removal from the squad.

Patrols will be assigned at least one date (probably two) on which they are to report to the office to say the Pledge of Allegiance during the morning announcements. A calendar with dates will be posted on the Safety Patrol bulletin board in the 5th grade centrum. It is the patrol’s responsibility to check the calendar. On the assigned date, report to the office at 7:35AM for further directions.

The greatest duty of the Safety Patrols is to serve as role models for good behavior at ALL TIMES – in the classroom, in the halls, in the cafeteria, while on post, on the playground, etc. If there are multiple reports regarding a specific patrol misbehaving, it can lead to probation and possible removal from the squad.

Consequences for failure to meet requirement or to perform duties

If after becoming a Safety Patrol, a student has difficulty meeting the requirements or performing the duties outlined, a meeting will be held to discuss a possible probationary period. If a student is placed on probation and conduct, behavior, or grades do not improve during the set time period, the student can be removed from the Safety Patrols at the discretion of the principal. In addition, if a Safety Patrol fails to perform his/her duties as a patrol politely and responsibly, s/ he will be counseled by the patrol sponsors. If the patrol continues to have difficulties performing his/her duties, a meeting will be held to discuss probation or removal.

· Students whose academic grades fall below a “C” average on any report card will automatically be placed on academic probation for nine weeks. If a student fails to meet the requirements after a 9 week probationary period, the student will be removed as a safety patrol or probation may be extended for a 9 week period at the discretion of the principal.

· For serious behavioral incidents, a student may be removed without a probationary period.

· Students receiving more than 2 N’s or 1 U in behavioral indicators are placed on probation for 9 weeks.

Removal from the squad includes revoking all privileges being a patrol affords. This includes the Washington, DC field trip – even if the patrol is removed in May.

Parents of the Safety Patrols

Parents of each patrol are expected to help the student get to the assigned post on time, everyday. If there is a problem with arrival time due to bus, the parent should make the sponsor aware through a written note.

Parents should let patrols know how important it is that they bring home all written communication concerning the patrols – especially information about the trip to Washington, DC.

Parents of students choosing to make the trip to Washington should help the student find ways of saving money all year and/or support the fund raising efforts of the organization.

Parents will also be given the opportunity to serve as officers for the organization. Positions and requirements are outlined below. Officers are given first option of serving as a chaperone for the Washington trip. All other parents interested in being chaperones will be entered into a lottery. Election of officers will take place in October.

FUND RAISING CHAIRPERSON

· Work cooperatively with all parents interested in fund raising opportunities.

· Plan up to 4 major fund raising activities during the year.

· Work cooperatively with the Treasurer and Secretary.

· Establish a system that ensures that all interested patrols are given the opportunity to participate in all fund raising events.

· Prepare a letter to be distributed in November for all parents, which details each fund raising event and how funds will be allocated for each individual event (i.e. individual student accounts, general account, etc.).

· Provide clear, written communication to all parents and patrols well in advance of each fund raising activity.

· Coordinate all fund raising activities and meetings with the Safety Patrol sponsors and receive prior approval from school administration.

· Communicate clearly with Safety Patrol sponsors and school administration.

TREASURER

· Keep clear records of all individual accounts.

· Provide written account balance information to all patrols in February.

· Maintain records of Safety Patrol checking account.

· Work cooperatively with the Fund Raising Chairperson and Secretary.

· Write checks for all approved expenses.

· Complete all paperwork needed by the School Secretary

SECRETARY

· Keep minutes of Safety Patrol Parent meetings.

· Process all written communication for Safety Patrol Parent activities.

· Work cooperatively with the Fund Raising Chairperson and Treasurer.

· Submit written communications to school administration for review and approval prior to sending to parents and/or patrols.

Talbot Safety Patrols

Student Contract

As a Safety Patrol, I agree to:

· Report to my post on time (by 7:20AM) and remain there until the second bell.

· Be in class by 7:45 each morning unless I’m saying the pledge.

· Encourage safety practices of other students in a polite and positive manner.

· Obey all teachers at all times and follow all school rules.

· Report dangerous practices of students to teachers or the appropriate adult.

· Remember at all times that a safety patrol is a role model and a leader. I will be helpful and will have a friendly and respectful attitude.

· Maintain your grades at a “C” or above in all academic subjects.

· Maintain satisfactory performance in the following behavioral indicators as noted on the report card:

Courteous and respects the rights of others

Observes rules and regulations

Assumes responsibility

Listens and follows directions

Organizes self and materials for tasks

I understand the consequences for not fulfilling my duties as a patrol and that failing to meet patrol requirements can result in my being removed from the squad.

I have read the entire Patrol Handbook with a parent and understand what is expected of me.

_________________________________ _____________

Student Signature (in cursive) Date

Parent Contract

I understand that as a parent of a safety patrol I agree to help my child arrive at school on time for his/her post everyday. I agree to help my child understand the importance of his/her obligation to the patrols.

I understand that my efforts in assisting in fund raising are for the benefit of ALL patrols and may not provide the entire cost of the trip for my child.

I understand that the selection of parent chaperones is based upon a lottery system in order to be equitable and fair to ALL parents. I understand the fund raising does NOT guarantee nor award me additional status in selection of chaperones on the Washington, DC trip.

I have read the Patrol Handbook and gone over its content with my child. I agree to comply with the guidelines in the handbook.

_________________________ __________________

Parent Signature Date

*( required for student to participate in patrols)

The Trip to Washington

One of the privileges of safety patrols is the chance to go to Washington D.C. The trip is organized by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and we must follow their rules and procedures.

Any student who remains a patrol through the end of the year is eligible to go on the trip.

	Patrols are NOT required to go on the trip.
	Policies outlined in the School Board of Alachua County Code of Student Conduct and Collective Bargaining Agreement applies to the Washington trip.
	Students may lose the privilege to attend the Washington trip if there are safety and/or disciplinary concerns.
	Parents are NOT allowed to go with their children unless they have been chosen through a lottery system to be a chaperone.

Every 4-6 patrols is assigned to a chaperone. The patrol sponsor is responsible for assigning students to groups with their chaperone and assigning groups to buses and hotel rooms. Every attempt is made to group patrols so they are with at least one other student they requested to have in their group. Parents or students may NOT request groups, chaperones, buses, or rooms. In addition, some Talbot patrols and chaperones may have to share a bus with patrols from another school. IF patrols or parents are uncomfortable with any of thes arrangements, the patrol should NOT go on the trip.

Parent officers (fund-raising chair and secretary/treasurer) are first given the option of serving as a chaperone for the Washington trip. All other parent chaperones are selected through a lottery system in October. Additional chaperones include Talbot teachers and/or staff as assigned by the principal.

Deposits for the trip are due by Dec. 1^st.

Patrol $100.00

Chaperone $100.00

In full payments are due by March 1^st.

You will receive a statement of the amount due after all fund raising is completed February.

Fund-Raising

Each student is responsible for paying for the trip to Washington. Students may pay for the trip without fund raising if they would like by indicating it on the Parent Contract on the last page of the booklet. There will only be 2-3 major fundraisers through the school.

	Humani-Tees
	Candy
	Other- carwash/garage sale

Fund raising will most likely not be sufficient to pay for the entire cost of the trip.

Fund raising money is only for the help of the Patrols not the chaperones.

Patrols are encouraged to investigate ways they can save or earn money on their own to contribute to paying for the trip. The major purpose of the patrol organization is responsibility training. This includes setting goals and working to achieve those goals, such as raising money for the Washington trip.

Scholarships are also provided for some students based upon need. Parents may inquire about scholarships through the patrol sponsor. Scholarship candidates must show good faith by actively participating in all of the fundraisers.

Again, Congratulations and we hope that being a Talbot Safety Patrol proves to be a memorable, educational, and enjoyable experience for everyone!

WILLIAM S. TALBOT ELEMENTARY

SAFETY PATROL CONTRACT

Must be returned to the patrol sponsor by ________.

1. I will report to my post on time and remain there until it is time to leave.

2. I will encourage safety practices of other students in a polite a positive manner.

3. I will obey my teachers at all times and pledge to follow school rules.

4. I will report dangerous practices of students to teachers or the appropriate adult.

5. I will remember at all times that a safety patrol is a role model

6. I understand the consequences for not fulfilling my duties as a patrol and that failing to meet patrol requirements can result in my being removed as a patrol.(As outlined on page 2)

7. I have read the Patrol Handbook with a parent and understand what is expected of me.

_____________________________

Student Name

_____________________________________________________

Student Signature Date

_____________________________________________________

Parent Signature Date

PARENT CONTRACT

I understand that as a parent of a safety patrol my efforts in assisting in fund raising are for the benefit of ALL patrols and may not provide for the entire cost of the trip for my child. Please select an option below:

Text Box: ___1. I would like to help with fund raising in order to collect money for ALL patrols attending the Washington, D.C. trip. (You will be contacted by the fundraising committee.)
___2. I would prefer NOT to fund raise and instead to pay for my child’s trip in full.

I understand that the selection of parent chaperones is based upon a lottery system in order to be equitable and fair to ALL parents.

I understand that fund raising does NOT guarantee nor award me additional status in selection of chaperones on the Washington, D.C. trip.