Arrival at School

All students should arrive at school by 7:55 each morning.  Upon arrival, they are to report to the cafeteria.  Students are allowed to go to class when the 7:55 bell rings and should not hang around in the front of the building or in the halls.  Monitors are available throughout the building each morning to assist students and help them get to their destination once they enter the building.

Signing In

Texas law requires all visitors to a school to sign in at the office and this policy will be strictly enforced throughout the day.  Anytime you plan to be on campus after 8am, you must come to the office to sign in and obtain a visitors badge which must be worn while on campus.

All classroom visits and conference should be prearranged with the teacher.  Lunch, homework or any other kind of delivery will be accepted in the office to minimize disruptions.  Office staff will take items to the classrooms as needed.

Volunteering at School

State law requires all parent volunteers complete a background check before volunteering at school.  If you plan to help during the school year, please complete an application for a background check.  Nancy Turner, our volunteer coordinator, will be happy to assist you with this.  She may be contacted at 903-947-0315.

Emergency Contacts and Change of Plans

Please make sure that we have updated information on how to reach you and your emergency contacts throughout the year.  If the information changes please let the office or your child’s teacher know.  If you need to change the way your child is going home, please call the office before 2:45 p.m.  The office cannot guarantee a message will get to your child if the call is made too close to dismissal.

Dismissal

If you are picking your child up from school, please remember the dismissal time is 3:30.  Please remain in your cars or outside the school building while we prepare students for dismissal.

Parking is a challenge at Tatum Elementary School.  Please do not leave your vehicle unattended while the vehicle is parked along the front of the building at anytime.

Birthdays

Birthdays are a special time for students and we do allow parents to provide a birthday treat for their child’s class during lunch/recess.

Attendance

Students are required to attend school every day unless they are sick.  Please call the school if your child will be out sick.  We ask that you keep personal trips to days during the year when children are not in school.  The instruction they miss is very difficult to make up.

Visitors

Upon arrival, all visitors to Tatum Elementary School must check in at the office.  Please bring a photo ID the first time you sign into the office.

Before School

Children MUST NOT arrive at school before 7:30 a.m.  There is NO supervision until 7:30 a.m.  For students arriving between 7:30 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. breakfast is available in the school cafeteria.  The school day begins at 7:55 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.  The tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m. each morning.  Students coming in after 8:00 a.m. tardy bell will need to sign in at the office unless the tardy is due to a late school bus.  Announcements are made at 8:00 a.m.

After School

The dismissal bell rings at 3:30 p.m.  Parents should wait for their children in their car, not in the hallways by the classrooms.  Teachers need to be able to release students in an orderly fashion.

Lunch/Breakfast Money

Please go to the cafeteria before school to pay for your lunch and/or breakfast.  You can also pay online through the Tatum ISD website.  PLEASE advise the cafeteria in writing if you do not want your child buying “extras” in the cafeteria.

Conferences

The staff of Tatum Elementary School welcomes the opportunity to meet and work with parents.  Conference arrangements may be made by calling the office or the teacher at least 24 hours in advance.