Building a welcoming school community where every student is known, valued, and empowered to thrive.
The mission of Orchard Knob Elementary is to create a welcoming and structured environment that nurtures curiosity and promotes academic, social, and emotional success.
Orchard Knob Elementary is committed to empowering students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a competitive society.
All students deserve a champion.
All students deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
All students can learn and will thrive.
Our instructional program helps students develop the essential literacy and thinking skills needed for success in school and beyond.
Orchard Knob Elementary School is located on Orchard Knob Avenue, bordered by East Third and East Fourth streets.
The school originally opened on North Holly Street as Tenth District School.
The school moved to its current site and was renamed Orchard Knob because of its proximity to the historic Orchard Knob Reservation, a significant Civil War battle site.
Please review the Parent-Student Handbook for Orchard Knob Elementary for 2025-26. Click on the buttons to view the handbook.
Creating a Positive and Respectful Learning Environment
Our dress code helps create a safe, focused, and respectful learning environment for every student. Please use the visual guides below when selecting clothing and shoes for school.
Regular attendance helps every student learn, grow, and build a strong foundation for future success.
The Hamilton County Board of Education emphasizes the importance of regular school attendance for every student. Regular attendance benefits both the child and their classmates, laying the foundation for a successful academic career and future job-market readiness. To support this, the Board has established guidelines for excused absences.
The Tennessee Code and State Rules and Regulations define compulsory and excused absences. The Hamilton County Board of Education and Orchard Knob Elementary strongly believe in regular daily attendance and achievement.
By law, students are allowed five unexcused absences per school year.
Parents may provide excuses for three additional personal illness days.
A written statement signed by a parent, guardian, or doctor must be sent to the school when the student returns.
After the five unexcused days and three additional personal illness days have been used, parents must provide medical documentation for personal illness, family illness, or personal reasons.
Parents will be notified by the school Social Worker, Attendance Officer, or Truancy Specialist to attend a Community Attendance Review Board meeting.
Parents will receive a legal notice to attend an Informal Truancy Hearing before juvenile court representatives.
Continued unexcused absences will result in a Formal Hearing before a juvenile court judge.
Please speak with an office staff member or school administrator about attendance expectations, documentation, or policies.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason.
These absences may be excused or unexcused. Missing this amount of instructional time can place a student at academic risk.
Truancy accounts specifically for unexcused absences.
State Law, TCA 49-6-3007(e)(1), requires schools to notify the Social Worker or Attendance Officer when a child has ten or more unexcused absences.
An absence is recorded when a child misses more than one-half day, or 3.5 hours, of school.
Excused absences include personal illness, death in the family, recognized religious holidays, and family illness.
Unexcused absences include absences that do not meet state criteria for being excused or that lack a written statement from the parent. Out-of-town trips are unexcused.
Respectful. On Task. Accountable. Responsible.
All students have the right to learn in a safe and orderly environment. Because our school mascot is the lion, we use the acronym ROAR to teach and reinforce clear, student-friendly expectations throughout the school day.
These four expectations guide how students learn, interact, solve problems, and care for our school community.
Be kind to people and places.
Focus and do what you are here to do.
Own your choices and make things right.
Follow procedures, stay safe, and take care of our school.
Use the guide below to review the schoolwide expectations students practice in classrooms and shared spaces.
ROAR expectations are explicitly taught, modeled, practiced, and reinforced throughout the school year.
Expectations may look slightly different in each school setting, but every student is expected to be Respectful, On Task, Accountable, and Responsible.
Say “Good morning.” Use a kind voice.
Go to your morning spot. Listen during morning meeting.
Bring your backpack and materials. Be ready to start the day.
Follow morning procedures. Put your belongings where they belong.
Use kind words and actions with classmates and teachers. Listen when others are speaking.
Focus on your work. Participate fully and complete your tasks.
Come prepared with what you need. Own your choices and fix mistakes.
Follow directions the first time. Take care of materials and your learning space.
Give others privacy. Use a quiet voice.
Go in and out quickly. Return to class right away.
Use the restroom correctly. Tell an adult if there is a problem.
Flush, wash your hands, and throw away trash. Help keep the restroom clean.
Walk quietly. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Stay on the right. Go straight to your destination.
Stop and listen to adults. Make a better choice when redirected.
Walk safely and stay with your group. Help keep the hallway clear.
Use polite words and a calm voice. Include others and use good manners.
Stay in your seat. Eat your food and follow routines.
Listen and respond to directions. Clean up any mess you make.
Throw away your trash. Pick up after yourself.
Include others. Play fairly and show good sportsmanship.
Follow the game rules. Play safely and stay active.
Stop and listen at the signal. Solve problems peacefully.
Use equipment safely. Return equipment and keep the playground clean.
Play fairly. Encourage others and wait your turn.
Participate in the activity. Listen and follow directions.
Give your best effort. Accept feedback and make good choices.
Use equipment safely. Return equipment to its place.
Use kind words when speaking to staff. Use a calm, respectful voice.
Stay seated while waiting. Use a quiet voice.
Listen for directions. Respond quickly and appropriately.
Clean up after yourself. Return to class promptly.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. Give others space.
Walk on the right side. Move safely and keep going.
Stop when an adult asks. Follow directions right away.
Use the handrail. Walk carefully to prevent accidents.
Use kind words and thank your teacher or bus driver. Wait patiently and respectfully.
Go straight to your dismissal spot. Stay with your group and listen for directions.
Have your backpack and belongings. Know how you are getting home.
Follow safety rules. Walk with control and keep your area orderly.
Families can support our school by reviewing these expectations at home and encouraging students to make respectful, focused, accountable, and responsible choices each day.
