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2007 - 2008
Dear Parents.
This handbook is
intended to provide some basic information about
Above all, we hope that you will participate as actively as possible in building and strengthening school community. Your child will gain the most from such a united effort. In our shared mission, you of course remain your child’s first and most important teacher. Please let us know how we may help. In turn, we shall try to keep you well informed,
Rena Moore
The education of its citizens is the surest way for our nation to preserve its liberty and to prosper. To that end, our school provides academic, physical and moral/civic training for all Pelham children in grades K-6 in order that they become responsible, contributing members of this democratic society and of a wider, global community. The school has high expectations for every student in all areas of learning. Students’ families and citizens at large are crucial partners with school staff in the education of Pelham youth.
Office Hours: The school office is open from 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Staff may be reached during this time by calling 253-3595.
Visitor Parking: Space in the school parking lot is limited. Please take special care when parking because children may be out at recess. The area closest to the school must be kept clear for buses from 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. and from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. Please note that the state law which prohibits a vehicle from passing a school bus that is loading or unloading children applies also to buses at school.
Pelham Press: Each Thursday, a newsletter containing classroom news, important dates and items of interest is sent home to each family. The following week’s menu and other school related announcements are also sent home on Thursday.
Parent Survey: Each year the Pelham School Council sends home a Parent Survey. Results are generally compiled over the summer and shared with the school community in the fall. These surveys help guide the School Improvement Plan.
Conference/Report Cards: Student progress is formally reported four times a year. Report cards are distributed to children in grades 1-6 at the end of January and at the close of school in June.
Individual parent-teacher conferences for all grades are offered in late autumn and again in spring. Parents are strongly urged to use this opportunity to discuss their child’s progress. While these are special occasions to discuss concerns, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher any time you have a question. P1ease call the school to set up an appointment.
Homework: Some kind of homework is expected at every
grade. Assignments are the
responsibility of the student and parents are expected to support the
child’s learning by ensuring a regular, quiet place to work at
home. Below is the Homework Policy
for the
HOMEWORK
The School Committees believe that homework is an important part of the educational process and that it is valid if it has the following objectives: to promote growth in self-responsibility and self-direction in learning; to direct students toward good work habits; to enrich and extend school research experience to bring pupils into contact with out-of-school learning resources; to help children learn to budget time; and to provide essential practice in developing skills,
Homework is a learning activity which should increase in complexity with the maturity of the pupil. With increased maturity, learning should become an independent activity. Parents/guardians, teachers, students and principals need to discuss homework practices in their schools. Clarification of homework at various levels is important. Ongoing assessment should take place concerning whether assignments are having the desired effect on student’s learning, effort, and motivation, as well as on communication between home and school.
Building principals and or assistant principals are responsible for periodically reviewing homework practice with individual staff members and for providing inter- and cross-grade dialogue focusing on homework practices. Additionally, principals will periodically discuss homework at the Elementary Administrators Council to ensure a reasonable degree of consistency throughout the district,
The following guidelines are intended to describe sound homework practices as understood by teachers and administrators. It should be noted that when guidelines suggest a specific number of minutes to be spent on nightly assignments, this is meant to describe the average amount of time needed to complete assignments. Some students may require more or less work time. Average work times listed below do not preclude occasional longer assignments.
Grade Level
Guidelines
Homework is not typically part of the kindergarten or first grade program. Occasionally, students in kindergarten and first grade will be asked to discuss a relevant topic or talk about some aspect of classroom learning with someone at home. First grade students and parents/guardians should spend daily time reading or exploring books.
In second grade students begin to have some regular homework. This generally includes daily reading and occasional assignments in other subject areas. Homework can average ten to fifteen minutes nightly
More formal homework assignments begin in third grade. Third graders are expected to read nightly and will have other work assigned. Assignments usually require fifteen to twenty minutes of work. Spelling and math practice are typical kinds of homework students at this grade receive.
In addition to nightly reading, fourth grade students can expect other homework three to four nights per week, requiring thirty to forty minutes of work. At this grade level, students are often asked to continue with a half hour of daily reading over the weekend.
In fifth and sixth grade, students apply essential time management and organization skills to homework assignments. Students plan for completing assignments over the course of several days. Fifth and sixth grade students can expect to have homework assigned Monday through Thursday, with assignments typically requiring an average of forty to sixty minutes per evening. Occasional weekend assignments are given, such as the completion of a project or other unfinished work.
Curriculum Night/Open House: Two evenings are set aside each year for parents to come to school to learn about what their children are doing in the classrooms. Curriculum Night is held several weeks after school begins in the fall. This evening is especially designed for parents to learn from staff about the instructional program. Open House is held in the spring and provides time for students to share their work with parents.
The Town of
Patron privileges are offered to anyone in the Commonwealth over 18 years of age. Children in Pelham who have completed sixth grade will be issued a personal library card, with written permission of parent or guardian. Pelham children who have not yet finished sixth grade and anyone else under age of 18 will use their parents or guardians library card. Elementary school children enrolled in Pelham will check out materials during school library hours using the school patron privileges.
Adult patron registration will include all members of a family. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers will he welcomed to the library with a gift of a board book and formal recognition with their names being added to family registration.
All children who have not yet entered seventh grade must be accompanied by an adult in the library. Those enrolled in the after-school program will be accompanied by a daycare staff person. School children will be accompanied by school staff.
Loan Periods - Adult, young adult and juvenile materials, except videos, will have a loan period of two weeks, with one two-week renewal period. Renewals are allowed only when there is no waiting list for that material.
Material Limits - In general, students may check out only three books at a time.
Video Loans - Town library videos are loaned for seven days. One seven day renewal period is allowed if there is no waiting list. Renewal maybe made by telephone by the due date. Fines will be charged for overdue videos.
Lost or Damaged Materials - Patrons will pay replacement costs plus a 10% processing fee for lost or damaged material. Material will be considered lost when it is six weeks overdue. Material will be considered damaged when its condition is worse than the usual wear and tear on the material, i.e. water and animal damage. Library privileges maybe suspended until the lost or damaged material is replaced.
The Pelham Library encourages people of all ages to visit the library. Those using the library and its resources have the right to expect a safe, comfortable environment that supports appropriate library services.
People demonstrating disruptive behavior will be required to leave the library after one warning from the library staff. Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to, noisy, boisterous actions; inappropriate behavior including eating, smoking, running or loud talking; misuse of library property uncooperative attitude; or actions that deliberately annoy others or prevent the legitimate use of the library and its resources. Abusive language and behavior toward staff will not he tolerated.
Egregious behavior may result in the suspension or revocation of library privileges. Final decision will be made by the Board of Library Trustees at their next scheduled meeting. When privileges have been suspended or revoked, patron may appeal to the Board of Library Trustees; only the Board of Trustees may reinstate privileges.
Personal equipment, such as computers, cassette players and calculators may be used if the noise level is low and use does not interfere with others. Portable telephones and pagers should be turned off or switched to a non-audible signal and should be answered outside the library.
The Pelham Library is a public facility that offers services to a wide range of citizens, and children are especially welcome. The library has the responsibility to provide an environment that is safe comfortable for every patron who is appropriately using its services and facilities. Children and young people are expected to adhere to the same standards of patron conduct expected of adults. Parent/guardians, or assigned chaperones are responsible for the behavior of their children while in the library.
Children who have not completed sixth grade should never be left unsupervised in any area of the library. If a parent cannot he located, staff will call the Pelham Police to report an abandoned child. Under unique circumstances, exceptions to this policy may be made at the discretion of the library director.
Older children who are disruptive will he asked to leave the library (see “Library Behavior”). If a child cannot safely leave the library to return home on his or her own, staff will permit the child to call a parent. If no parent can be contacted, library staff will either allow the child to remain at the library under close supervision until a parent can be contacted or contact Pelham Police, depending on the severity of situation
Children who have not been picked up at closing time will be given the opportunity to call a parent. Children who have not been picked up within fifteen minutes after closing will be left in the care of Pelham Police. Under no circumstances will staff transport children in a vehicle or accompany them home.
Young children are not safe when left unattended in the library. Staff cannot know if children are leaving with a parent, a friend, or a stranger; thus, parents are responsible for supervising their child while in the library. If a parent or other responsible adult cannot be located, unattended children who are disruptive will be placed in the care of the Pelham Police Department. Library staff will not be expected take a child out of the building or transport children to another location.
Classroom Visits: The staff encourages parent involvement in the school. Classrooms are open to visitors who have made prior arrangements with the teacher. Upon arrival, please check in first at the school office.
Volunteers: Teachers welcome both occasional and regular help with such classroom activities as reading one-to-one with children, typing stories and sharing special skills or interests. Parents are helpful as additional chaperones on class field trips and as volunteers in the school library, and with special classroom projects. State and Federal law requires that school volunteers pass a CORI check.
Parent Council/PTO: The Parent Council/PTO welcomes all parents, staff and members of the Pelham community to its monthly meetings to discuss issues of interest to the school community. These meetings provide an opportunity to learn more about the family-school relationship and to share ideas well as a chance to socialize with friends and neighbors. The Council also sponsors several fund-raisers each year which provide scholarships for class trips, non-budgeted items for classrooms, and visiting performers. People with a little extra time as well as those with busy families are invited to contribute in whatever way they can to the Council and the school.
School Committee: Pelham has its own three-member elected School Committee which meets once a month to develop policies and decide on matters relating to the school’s operating budget. Meetings are open to everyone and parent input is valued. Current members of the committee are:
Officers
Maureen Ecclestone 256-6254
Tracy Farnham 256-4143
Michael Hussin (Chair) 256-4942
- adopting educational goals for the school
- identifying the educational needs of students
- reviewing the school’s annual budget
- formulating a school improvement plan.
- conducting the parent survey
School Hours: The school day begins at 8:40 am, and ends at 3:05 pm each day except Wednesday when children are dismissed at 1:20 pm. Any child arriving after 8:40 is considered tardy and should first report to the office. Playground supervision begins at 8:30 am. IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF EACH CHILD, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT CHILDREN NOT ARRIVE BEFORE THIS TIME UNLESS THEY ARE ENROLLED IN THE BEFORE SCHOOL PROGRAM. (There is a $3.00/day charge for this program.) If this should ever present a problem, kindly contact the principal. It is expected that if parents are picking up a child, they will do so promptly at dismissal. Children waiting for their parents will be met in the cafeteria. Parents must sign out their children with teacher on duty in the cafeteria.
Lunch: Children
may either bring lunch or buy a hot lunch (including milk) at school.
Each week’s menu is
sent home the previous Thursday so that parents may plan ahead
accordingly, and the monthly menu is posted on the school’s web
site. Children may either pay for
all or part of the week on Monday morning, or on each day they plan
to buy lunch. Hot lunch costs $2.25 per day. Please make checks
payable to
If your child would like breakfast, Mrs. Scott needs to know the school day before. For example, if your child would like breakfast on Tuesday, he would have to let Mrs. Scott know on Monday. However, if your child would like breakfast on Monday, she will need to let Mrs. Scott know on Friday. We will always have cereal, milk, and juice, but other items will change.
Children who bring lunch or who wish to have milk for snack may purchase whole or skim milk. This milk may be ordered one week in advance or on a daily basis and costs $.35 per half pint. Children are not allowed to use the microwave at school,
Children paying for lunch or milk should inform their teacher at the start of the school day so the school can phone in its lunch order by 9:00 a.m. Only lunches which have been paid for can be ordered. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN TO HAND THEIR MONEY IN ON TIME AND TELL THE TEACHER THEY NEED A HOT LUNCH.
Snacks: Each class has a scheduled time each morning for snack. Please encourage your child to choose nutritious ones.
On occasion during the winter months, school is cancelled because of hazardous road conditions. Other times, school opening may be delayed until road conditions improve, or school may be cancelled during the school day. These decisions are made by the Superintendent of Schools and announced beginning about 6:30 am, over radio stations:
1400 AM, 99.3 FM 93.1 FM 94.7 FM 97.9 FM
and television stations Channel 22 and 40. There is also a “Hot-Line” number (362-1898) that parents may call for information.
Notes: If children will be leaving school early or will be going home other than the usual way (e.g. being picked up instead of riding the bus, riding the bus home with a friend instead of being picked up, being picked up by a different adult, riding a bus to a friend’s house.) A NOTE MUST BE SENT TO SCHOOL. PHONE CALLS MAY NOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR WRITTEN NOTIFICATION. These notes will be destroyed at the end of the school year.
The Statement of Belief in Diversity (part of the school improvement plan) forms the cornerstone of the Pelham Code of Conduct. In order for our school to be a place where we can learn, make friends, and feel safe, we shall:
A. Treat each other
with respect both physically and verbally.
We shall keep our hands and feet to ourselves, show respect with our words and tone of voice and not use put downs. We shall include others in our games and observe playground safety rules. If we have a problem with another student we shall follow these steps:
1. Stop, freeze
2. Cool off
3. Try to solve the problem with words
4. Separate or leave the area
5. Use Peer Mediation or Conflict Resolution to work out a win-win solution.
B. Listen to the adult in charge, pay attention to class discussion and wait our turn patiently.
We shall do this by taking charge of our own work and behavior and letting others take charge of theirs. We shall walk in the classrooms, hallway, on the sidewalk and around outdoor corners of the building. We shall eat food only during specified lunch, snack or party time and follow all handbook and bus regulations.
C. Treat the
building and materials with care.
D. Bullying
The
1. Treat everyone equally and include everyone.
2. Remember: There is no bullying or teasing in our school.
3. Be aware of people’s feelings and help students when you see bullying occur.
4. Keep hands and feet to oneself and respect other people’s bodies.
5. Be honest.
6. Tell an adult if you are being bullied or you know someone else is being bullied.
Consequences
Whenever a student does not follow the Pelham School Code of Conduct certain consequences follow. Generally, teachers make the determination that a student is not following the Code and determine the appropriate consequence.
The principal is typically involved in major disciplinary actions and often will confer with the adult in charge in the case of lesser incidents. Parents will also have a role to play in carrying out some consequences. Some examples of consequences are:
Regular Consequences
- Time out in the classroom or in the office.
- Loss of recess time,
- Community service such as helping clean the school.
- Staying after school.
- Peer mediation or conflict resolution.
Severe Consequences
If all regular consequences have failed to bring about improvement, or if a student endangers him/herself or others, or if a student repeatedly disrupts the learning situation, or if a student destroys property, the parent will be called. The parent may be asked to take the student home immediately and/or help develop a contract with the teacher/principal as to the consequences and an agreed upon time frame. This contract will be signed by all parties including the parent. A serious infraction could lead to suspension.
Rewards
Good behavior is expected of all students in the
Monitoring
A. A copy of all of the above will be sent home each fall to be signed by the parent.
B. A central record is kept in the office of all offenses which will provide an overview of the types of misbehavior and the situations in which they occur. This will provide an overall perspective in order to make changes that will improve the school climate.
DISCIPLINE
AND SUSPENSION POLICY
Discipline
The
District Philosophy
Statement
Every school in the
1. Everyone has the right to be physically safe.
2. Everyone has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect.
3. Everyone has the right to a clean, positive and safe learning environment.
These rights go hand-in-hand with the responsibility to contribute positively to the school environment and to strive for excellence at all times. If a student’s disability interferes with his/her capacity to meet the regular disciplinary code, modifications to the disciplinary code will be stated in the student’s IEP or 504 plan.
Lunch
Room Rules
• Stay seated and talk only to those at your table.
• Raise your hand for help if you need to leave your seat.
• Talk quietly.
• Eat your own lunch. Do not trade food.
• Keep the lunch room clean.
• Treat adults, other students, and yourself with respect.
• Keep hands to yourself
Staff:
Emergency Information: At the beginning of each school year, parents are asked to fill out emergency information cards for each child who is attending school. It is vital that the information on these cards be as accurate as possible and that the names of at least two alternate people who can be reached in an emergency be included. It is vital to let the office know if information should be changed in the course of the school year.
Sickness or Accidents at School: For the child’s sake as well as for the sake of others, children should be kept home from school if they are ill with something other than a simple cold. Children with fever, headaches, stomach aches or persistent coughs will be much more comfortable at home. Should a child become sick or sustain an injury of sufficient seriousness at school, the parents will be notified and requested to take the child home or arrange for the appropriate medical attention.
Medication Policy: The administration of medication to students by the school health staff should take place only if the student’s health would be jeopardized without it. No initial dose will be given at school. A written, signed and dated statement by the parent or guardian authorizing administration of the medicine during school hours must be presented to the Health Room Staff. Prescription medication must be in the original pharmacy container, labeled with the student’s name, the health care provider’s name, the name of the medicine, the dose, the time of day and the dates to be administered. Non-prescription medication must be presented in the original container. All medicines must be kept in the Health Room, not in the classroom or with the student. It is the student’s responsibility to come to the health room at the prescribed time. Medication must be delivered by an adult to the nurse or the school secretary.
Vision and Hearing Screening: Tests are given to every child each year (K-6) in the school. Recommendations resulting from these tests are submitted directly to the parents/guardians.
Scoliosis Screening Program: Postural screening, also known as screening for spinal curvature is required by law, for all children in grades five and six. Parents/guardians of students who are found to need further evaluation by their own physician will be notified.
Hygiene: Hygiene is of basic importance; therefore, students are expected to maintain cleanliness. Furthermore, all dress and grooming should be such that it will not distract others from the educational process in class or in any other phase of school activity. If dress or grooming is offensive or serves as a distraction to others, parents will be called.
Proper Clothing: It is important, especially in the colder months, that children are dressed appropriately for the weather. Classes have outdoor recess before school begins and once or twice during the school day unless it is raining or the temperature (or wind chill) is below O F. During snow season, boots are required for playing on snow-covered areas and boots and snow pants are required for playing on “snow mountain.” Hats are appropriate out of doors but common courtesy requires that they be removed in the building. On Fridays, students are expected to wear sneakers and shorts, sweatpants, or other stretchy clothes for physical education class.
Physical Examination Requirements: A complete physical examination report, including an up-to-date record of required immunizations, is required of every child prior to the entrance of school. Physical examinations performed within six months of the opening of school will meet this requirement. In Pelham, examinations are required before beginning kindergarten, and fourth grade. A student transferring from another school system should be examined as an entering student. Kindergarten children must have had a medical examination, an eye examination and a screening for lead poisoning before admission to school.
Immunizations: As
required by law, immunizations must be up to date prior to a
student’s entry into school. Specific information about
Alcohol, Drugs and
Head Lice Policy: If head lice or nits are found, the student will be excluded from school until the infestation is treated. General Information: Head lice are very contagious and are quickly spread unless treated. Student’s heads should be checked regularly, especially if an itchy scalp is noted. Eggs are commonly found in the hair around the ears, the back of the neck and at the crown of the head. All family members and close contacts should be examined and treated as needed. The nurse will provide necessary information needed to deal successfully with this problem. The student may return to school after all nits have been removed and must report to the health room before returning to class.
Dental Health: A fluoride mouth-rinsing program is available to all children in grades 2-6. Information about the program and permission forms on which to enroll are sent home in the fall.
Backpacks: The
If Your Child Weighs Backpack Should Weigh
No More Than
90 lbs 13.5 lbs
80 lbs 12.0 lbs
70 lbs 10.5 lbs
50 lbs 7.5 lbs
In general, these symptoms warrant keeping a child home for the day:
1.) Fever of 100 or more
Stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone and encourage fluids.
2.) Vomiting or diarrhea
Stay home for 24 hours after the last episode and encourage fluids.
3.) Sore throat
Note that Strep throat may he present without fever, and may have symptoms of headache and stomach ache.
4.) Runny nose, cough
Often a day or two of rest, and a light diet with extra fluids will help resolve a c and will help in minimizing the spread of cold virus at school. A child who is feeling run down, losing sleep due to their cold or actively sneezing and coughing is not going to be able to attend to learning.
5.) Earaches
If an earache lasts more than a day or if pain is severe, please see your health provider.
6.) Impetigo or other skin rash
Please have these identified and treated 24 hours before returning to school. Consult with the school nurse with any questions.
7.) Pinkeye or
conjunctivitis
A draining, itchy eye that is red must be treated with antibiotic eye medication before the child returns to school.
In addition to the regular curriculum, the following services are available to children who require or choose them:
Special Education: Teachers in this program offer academic and/or speech and language support for children of all grades who have Individualized Educational Plans (I.E.P.’s). These services are provided after the completion of a Team Evaluation which determines the child’s needs. Parents are an integral part of the process. They may request an evaluation, and their approval is necessary before an I.E.P is implemented.
504: Some students who do not qualify for Special Education services may qualify for a 504 plan. See page for more information.
Music Lessons: Lessons in string instruments are offered once a week for interested children in grades 3-6. Lessons in wind instruments are also available once a week for interested children in grades 4-6.
Field Trips: Field trips are organized throughout the school year to enhance the classroom curriculum. Parental permission is required for children to participate in these. A blanket field trip permission slip will be sent home each fall and is in effect for that school year only.
Field Trip Transportation by Parents: On occasion it is necessary and/or appropriate for parent volunteers to assist with the transportation of students for field trips. In such cases it is important that parents complete the Statement of Understanding on Liability which can be obtained from the School Office. A parent will then be covered for up to $500,000 of insurance protection beyond the limits of the volunteer driver’s personal automobile insurance for bodily injury and property damage.
Literary Magazine: Once a year, a piece of writing by each child in the school is published in the school literary magazine. This is made available to every family.
MISCELLANEOUS
School Pictures: Individual and class pictures are taken in the fall of every school year.
Lost and Found: Any unclaimed, unlabeled items found at school are placed in a bin in the front entrances. Children or parents who are looking for missing items may check here at any time. Several times during the year, the items are spread out in the cafeteria at lunch time in the hope that children will recognize and claim them. Unclaimed items are donated to local charities at the end of the school year.
Insurance: Optional student accident insurance is available from a private agency to students in all grades. Information about this program is sent home with each child in September.
Other Clubs and
Groups: During the year there may be other after school clubs
such as a chess club, writing club, cartooning club, drama club etc. Sign
up forms for these clubs will be in the Pelham Press.
After School Care: An independent program of after school child care is available at the school Monday through Friday from the time school is dismissed until 5:30 p.m. Information about fees, activities and space availability may be obtained by calling Lennie Ware (253-5944 or 265-3766).
Telephone
Policy:
We ask parents to plan ahead so that phoning children at school is unnecessary except in emergencies. We will always deliver phone messages from parents to their children, but under normal circumstances will not page children to come directly to the phone. We will not deliver messages to children from people unknown to us without parent permission.
Teachers are not generally available to speak with parents on the phone during the school day. Ordinarily, if a parent calls a teacher office staff will take the message, and the teacher will return the call at his or her earliest convenience. Teachers are usually available from 8:15 - 8:30 and/or 3:15 – 3:30.
Items brought from home: Unless you have made a special prior arrangement with your child’s teacher, only books and music should be brought to school for general sharing. Please refrain from allowing your child to bring electronic equipment, or other items that can be broken or misplaced. Knives, guns, bullets, and laser pointers are not allowed in school. The school cannot be responsible for items that are lost.
Before School Care: An independent program of before school child care is available at the school Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8:30 am. There is a $3.00 charge per day for this program. More information may be obtained by calling the school office.
Birthdays: Each student birthday is recognized by the class or by the entire school at lunch time. Some families may choose to send in a special snack for the classroom. In such a small, close-knit community as ours, we hope that parents will be particularly sensitive about inclusiveness. If you plan a party but can’t invite everybody in the class, please be discrete about your plans and keep invitations and travel arrangements separate from the school day. If for religious or other reasons, a child’s family does not observe birthdays, the school will recognize another designated celebration at the family’s request.
6.)
Kindergarten Parents
A.
For safety reasons
kindergarten parents or guardians need to be physically persent when
their child gets on and off the bus.
If no one is at the kindergarten’s stop they will be
brought back to their school and held until the parent or guardian
can pick them up.
CURRICULUM
The
Education is a continuous process. Each child is unique and has an individual capacity for continued growth and development. The schools have the responsibility to have high expectations for individual student achievement at all levels and to help each student achieve the educational goals that have been established to his or her fullest potential within the resources available.
1. Education should foster and stimulate in each learner the natural desire for lifelong learning and should develop the skills necessary to fulfill that desire.
2. Education should develop in each learner the basic skills needed for communication, perception, evaluation, and conceptualization of ideas. Among the most important are reading, writing, speaking, visual and computational skills.
3. Education should contribute to the learner’s physical and emotional well being, especially to a sense of personal worth and to a capacity for influencing one’s own destiny.
4. Education should provide the learner with the skill and attitudes, and the guidance for initial job placement.
5. Education should provide for each learner access to humanity’s cultural heritage, stimulate intellectual curiosity, and promote intellectual development.
6. Education should provide each learner with a knowledge and understanding of how our society functions in theory and in practice; education must also foster individual commitment to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and to protect the rights of others,
7. Education should provide each learner with knowledge and experience which can contribute an understanding of human similarities and differences and which advance mutual respect for humanity and for the dignity of the individual.
8. Education should provide each learner with knowledge and understanding of the social, physical, and biological worlds and the balance between humans and their environment and should develop attitudes and behavior leading to intelligent use of the environment.
9. Education should expand and advance the human dimensions of all learners, especially by helping them to identify and cultivate their own spiritual, moral and ethical values, and attitudes.
10. Education should provide each learner with varied opportunities to nurture interests, to discover and develop natural talents, and to express values and feelings through various media.
A description of each curriculum area is available for review in each school during the Fall Curriculum Night.
These are the K-12 Social Skills. We think it is important for students to:
- accept responsibility for their actions
- express appropriately their own ideas and feelings and accept and respect others’ ideas and feelings
- recognize the effect of their behavior on others
- demonstrate perseverance in working to accomplish goals
- recognize and respect individual differences
- demonstrate physical self control (i.e. physical activity appropriate to time, place and setting
- demonstrate verbal self control (i.e. speaking appropriate to time, place, and setting)
- care for and respect materials, possessions and facilities
We ask your assistance in supporting these goals.
All children who reach
the age of five years on or before September 1st of the current
school year are eligible for kindergarten in September. Children are
registered for kindergarten in the school office. Proof of birth date
(birth certificate, passport) is required, and
Each child who enters kindergarten will be given a “screening” in fulfillment of the requirements of Massachusetts Chapter 766 regulations and to help us know the child and plan appropriately for his or her needs.
The screening gives us information about a child’s strengths and needs. For example, the gross motor items on the screening help us identify children who will profit by activities designed to develop their coordination in tasks using large muscles (such as running, throwing a ball, etc.).
The results of this screening and other observations will he shared with you during the Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences.
The school sometimes shares lists which include student names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdates, and names of parents/guardians with members of the school community. These lists help children call their friends, help parents organize birthday parties; help the parent council organize events, etc. You have the right to request that this information about your child and family not be released. You must notify the school within ten days of receiving notice of your right to not have such information released if you do not want information about your child included in such lists.
Students have a right to be free from all forms of discrimination, including but not limited to verbal or physical attacks based on race, skin color, class, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability, etc. As elementary schools, we are committed to being places where children can be safe and happy; where children of different backgrounds can learn, work, and play together; where our diversity is valued and commonality affirmed.
NOTE: Each situation will have its own unique circumstances, therefore, these are general guidelines to be used and adapted as appropriate.
1. The school will provide on-going educational activities to encourage respectful behavior among all students within the school community. Persistent efforts will he made to prevent bias incidents through education.
2, If and when incidents of bias do occur, every staff member has the responsibility of addressing those incidents.
3, Bias incidents (including incidents of racism, sexism. classism, etc.) are anti-social acts. The school response and the consequences for the students involved should be roughly equivalent to those for other anti-social acts within the school community.
4. All students, regardless of race, national origin, religion or gender must be protected under these guidelines and must be treated equitably.
5. Any insult or put-down, which refers to a person’s skin color, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, etc., will be considered under this policy. Both intentional and unintentional mistreatment of students based on race, gender, etc. will be addressed in order to educate and protect all students.
6. When any staff member becomes aware of an incident which he or she believes can be satisfactorily resolved promptly, that staff member will deal with it immediately and report it to the building administrator in writing. In general, the parents of the children involved should be notified by each child’s classroom teacher.
7. It will be the responsibility of the building administrator to determine the specific steps to be taken in all cases. In general, the following procedures will be followed in consultation with the classroom teacher.
a. The student(s) responsible for the incident will be sent to the school office. It will be explained to the student(s) why his/her behavior was unacceptable and serious,
b. The student(s) who was the target of the incident should have normal activities interrupted as little as possible. Interruptions should be consistent with the need for thorough fact finding and conflict resolution activities. They should be assured that they are in no way deserving of bias-based behavior.
c. Parents/Guardians of the involved children will be notified as soon as possible and given a full account of the incident. Parents/Guardians of the student(s) making the offending remark may be required to come to school. Parents/Guardians of the targeted student(s) will be invited to participate in the resolution of the incident and if appropriate meet with the parents of the other student(s).
d. The student(s) involved will he brought together for conflict resolution activities, to build understanding, and to create the basis for respectful behavior among them in the future.
e. The student(s) initiating the offending behavior will make written apology to the targeted student(s), if such action is age appropriate.
f. Other consequences may be imposed by the building administrator consistent with those imposed for other types of anti-social behavior and with the desired outcome of understanding leading to respectful behavior.
g. Often it may he appropriate to have a discussion with other students who were present or who have heard about an incident in order to reaffirm the school’s position with regard to the unacceptability of bias-based behavior, to put the incident in perspective, and to avoid rumors. It will be emphasized that it is the bias-based behavior which is unacceptable, not the student who is engaged in the behavior.
8. The purposes and guiding principles of the response in each case will be to communicate clearly the unacceptability of such behavior, to educate, and to create positive behavior change.
9. Parents/Guardians, staff, and students will be informed of these guidelines.
The Internet is an electronic
communications network which provides access to vast, diverse unique
resources in a global community. Our goal in providing Internet
access to teachers, staff students is to promote educational
excellence in the schools by facilitating resource sharing
communications. Staff and students are encouraged to use the Internet
to pursue intellectual activities, seek resources, access libraries
and engage in learning activities.
The intent of this policy is that
students will use computer networks only for purposes consistent with
our approved curriculum. All school computers are to be used in a
responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner. The codes of
conduct of the schools apply to Internet activities, and this
acceptable use policy should therefore be considered an extension of
the behavior codes.
Individuals who log on to the Internet at
school are responsible for all activities while using their account.
Therefore, users should not share passwords and should change their
passwords frequently. Users should also exercise caution when
revealing personal information. To insure personal safety and the
safety of others, users should not publish their home address or
phone number over the Internet. If students experience any concerns
over communications they have received from others over the Internet,
they should seek assistance from staff or parents immediately.
In accordance with the Children’s
Internet Protection Act (CIPA), passed by the US Legislature in
January, 2001, Public Law 106-554), our schools shall employ
filtering software to block access to inappropriate content on all
computers with Internet access. Users will be restricted from
accessing visual depictions subject matter that is obscene,
pornographic, or harmful to minors. Users should furthermore be aware
that filtering software will not block ALL inappropriate web sites
(e.g. new sites that have not yet been added to the filter lists).
Members of the school community shall report all inappropriate sites
not blocked by filters to a technology administrator for appropriate
action, Filtering software may be disabled for users 18 and over by a
technology administrator for legitimate research purposes.
Unethical or illegal use of school
computers will be cause for disciplinary action, including revocation
of network access privileges and or legal action. Examples of such
inappropriate uses include unauthorized access into school accounts
or private files, destruction of others’ files, harassment of
students or staff, introduction of computer viruses, commercial use
of the school networks, violation of copyright laws, use of
inappropriate language, and transmission of or searches for obscene
materials.
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