Principal’s Message Dear Parents / Guardians, It does not seem possible that the 2014-20115school year at Lake Street School is starting! I would like to take the opportunity to welcome back all of the children who previously attended Lake Street School, all of our new Preschool and Kindergarten students and any new students just entering our school. Our school and School Council have collaborated on the following set of beliefs which are part of our School Improvement Plan. Education is a partnership among our school, home, and our community Every child at Lake Street School can learn Every child at Lake Street School deserves equal access to a well-rounded education Education at Lake Street School occurs in an atmosphere of respect and responsibility Every child at Lake Street School has the right to a safe environment Learning is a life-long process Education must be responsive to necessary changes These beliefs take place on a daily basis within our school and will have a positive influence on the children at LSS. They will help to ensure their success. We would also like to encourage you to become involved in your child’s education and be a part of our team. Perhaps your child’s teacher could use a volunteer. You might wish to be involved as a member of the parent group (P.A.L.S.). This group is a vital part of our school as they arrange various events throughout the year for our students and staff. Best wishes for a successful, and production school year. Sincerely, Joanna S. Bowolick Principal Table of Contents Absences Arrival and Dismissal Attendance Awards Bus Conduct & Rules Code of Conduct Conferences Daily Schedule Discipline Discrimination Bullying Student To Student Harassment Discipline-Special Needs Students Discipline-Remediation Policy In-School Suspension Suspension/Expulsions Doctor/Dentist Appointments Dress Code Dismissal Due to Weather Emergency Evacuation Procedures Emergency Information Extracurricular Activities Scholarships, Prizes and Awards Field Trips Fund Raising Gifts to School Personnel Grievance Policy – Civil Rights Homework Illness or Injury Immunizations Insubordination Insurance Lunch Prepayment Make-up Work Medication Policy Non-Custodial Parents Newsletter No School Announcements Notification of Asbestos Management Nurse P.A.L.S. Parent Volunteers Physical Restraint Progress Reports Promotion and Retentions 3 3 3 3 5 7 7 7 8 9 9 11 12 13 14 14 16 16 17 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 19 20 20 20 21 21 21 21 21 23 23 23 24 24 24 25 25 25 26 2 Recess Policies Release of Student Information Report Cards Right to Know Policy Tardiness Teacher Qualifications Telephone Vacation Policy Visitors Walking Students Withdrawals 26 26 27 27 28 28 29 29 29 29 30 3 ABSENCES When a student is unable to attend school, parents should call the school nurse at the following phone number-508-885-8521 between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. Parents should give the student’s name, teacher’s name and reason for the absence. If a parent forgets to call, the school nurse will call the home to confirm the reason for the student’s absence. ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL Students being delivered to school should be dropped off at the turn around entrance. Students arriving by bus must proceed directly to the rear of the building. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT ARRIVE AT SCHOOL BEFORE 8:10 A.M. SINCE THERE IS NO SUPERVISION OF THE PLAYGROUND OR IN THE BUILDING UNTIL 8:10 A.M. Students being dismissed during regular school hours must bring a note to their teacher. All dismissals will take place from the office – not the classroom. Students who are being picked up at the regular dismissal time will take the PICK UP LINE and report to the turnaround. Parents will drive to the turnaround and wait for their child in their car. ATTENDANCE Regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school. Most subjects are taught in sequence, requiring the understanding of each concept in the order of its presentation. Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for a student and is regarded as a very serious problem. The following lists of circumstances are the only recognized excuses for school absence: l. personal illness, 2. family illness, 3. death in the family, and 4. religious holiday. The student is required to give advance notice to the school in order to be excused for any other type of absence. AWARDS Students receive special recognition at the school through a variety of awards programs. These awards are intended to promote and recognize academic skills, good behavior and various aspects of good citizenship. BUS RULES WAITING FOR THE BUS All students must be waiting at designated bus stops. Students are to be on time for the bus but are not to arrive at the stop earlier than 10 minutes before the time that the bus usually arrives. Observe all safety precautions while waiting for the bus. DO NOT PLAY IN THE ROADS. IF POSSIBLE, AVOID CROSSING STREETS. WHENEVER YOU MUST CROSS A STREET, DO SO CAREFULLY. LOOK BOTH WAYS TO BE SURE THAT NO VEHICLES ARE APPROACHING FROM EITHER DIRECTION. DO NOT TRESPASS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. DO NOT PUSH, PULL OR CHASE ANY OTHER PUPIL. 4 AVOID BEING NOISY. As your bus approaches, line up at least six (6) feet off the roadway, and do not approach the bus until it has stopped and the driver has opened the door. Bus drivers are to stop only at designated stops and are not to hold up buses waiting for students. LOADING AND LEAVING BUS Students are to get on the bus quickly and be seated at once. If seats are not available, proceed toward the rear of the bus, remain standing in the middle aisle and grasp the seat bar firmly before the bus begins to move again. Listen carefully and obey all directions issued by the driver. After leaving the bus, walk at least (l0) feet in front of it so the driver will know when it is safe to proceed. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT: If a child walks directly in front of the bus, the driver is unable to see him/her and this could be the cause of a serious accident. RIDING THE BUS There will be no eating and/or drinking on the bus. Do not throw anything on or at the bus. Arms and heads must be inside the bus at all times. Extending arms and heads out of the windows is very dangerous. Once you are seated, do not change seats. This includes changing seats when the bus has stopped to pick up or discharge students. BUS DRIVERS The driver of any school bus is responsible for the orderly conduct of the students transported. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver is sufficient reason for a student to be denied transportation on a school bus. A school bus cannot be put into motion until all students are orderly. Students who are to leave the bus at a stop other than their regular stop must bring a note from home and have it checked and signed by the principal of the school which they attend. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT NO CHILD IS ALLOWED TO RIDE A DIFFERENT BUS TO GO TO BOWLING, BROWNIES, CUB SCOUTS, ETC. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THE RULE IS FOR A CHILD TO GO TO A SITTER. Help us to keep our buses from becoming more crowded. No driver will require any student to leave the bus before the student has reached his/her destination. SMOKING in a school bus is prohibited at all times. No student should interfere with the vision of the driver or with the operation of the bus. 5 TICKET SYSTEM If a student violates the rules on the bus, the bus driver will issue a YELLOW TICKET. This ticket must be signed by the parent and returned to the driver when the student gets on the bus the following day. The driver will submit all tickets to the Principal. If a student violates the rules after receiving one (1) YELLOW TICKET, the driver will report the incident in writing to the Principal of the school that the child attends and the Principal will issue a PINK TICKET. A PINK TICKET will result in a three (3) day SUSPENSION from the bus. Receipt of a SECOND PINK TICKET will result in a five (5) day SUSPENSION from the bus. Receipt of a THIRD PINK TICKET will result in a meeting of the Principal, the Superintendent, the student, his/her parents and the bus driver. If charges against the student are found to be true, the Superintendent will decide a suspension for a set number of days or weeks. In such a case, it is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation or a student must walk to school. It is in the best interest of everyone (driver, student, teacher and parent) that a student behaves on the bus. All students will go home on the bus that brought them to school in the morning, unless school officials grant prior approval. Examples of reasons that will be considered acceptable for approval: A one day bus change (parent note) or a babysitter bus route change that follows the guidelines below. Reasons that ARE NOT considered acceptable for approval would be a bus trip to brownies, cub scouts, birthday parties, etc. A parent’s written request to change a bus route may be allowed if the bus route requested services the school that their child is attending. BABYSITTER BUS ROUTE CHANGES WILL ONLY BE FOR FIVE (5) days per week. NO MORE THAN TWO (2) changes will be allowed per year per family. If space is available, a one-day pass will be issued if a child brings a note from home requesting a change. Principals will issue a bus pass for the day requested. If there are cases where a child changes residences during the school year, every effort will be made to maintain the student’s same class, teacher and school. However, buses will not be rerouted to accommodate residential changes. 6 Code of Conduct The code of conduct is applicable to Students with Section 504 Accommodation plans MGL. C.76 Section 5. Every person shall have a right to attend the public schools of the town where he actually resides, subject to the following section. No school committee is required to enroll a person who does not actually reside in the town unless said enrollment is authorized by law or by the school committee. Any person who violates or assists in the violation of this provision may be required to remit full restitution to the town of the improperlyattended public schools. No person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town, or in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of such public school on account of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin or sexual orientation. CONFERENCES Parent-teacher conferences occur during the month of November. Parents will be provided with the opportunity to make a specific appointment with their child’s teacher. These conference times are very valuable to the overall education program. DAILY SCHEDULE 8:22 A.M. 8:25 A.M. Warning Bell Entry Bell Recess Recess time is provided each day for the students. A teacher or designee supervises playground recess, weather permitting. Pupils must remain on the designated playground area unless given permission to leave by the supervisor, at which time they must report in to the office, stating why they are in. No child should remain in the building without supervision. During indoor recess, pupils must remain in their classrooms and may converse in an orderly fashion and do activities deemed appropriate by their supervisors. Lunch - Recess Students may purchase a lunch from the cafeteria or bring a lunch from home. All lunches will be eaten in the cafeteria. Students with cold lunch may purchase milk. It is highly discouraged that parents deliver “fast food” items to their children during the school day. Children will be dismissed from the cafeteria to the playground for recess (weather permitting). Dismissal 2:35 P.M. 2:42 P.M. Announcements Dismissal 7 DISCIPLINE Teachers have the authority and responsibility to maintain discipline in the classroom. School discipline policies will be established and consistently enforced. When a student is having a problem, the teacher may: have a conference with the student, have a conference with the parent, use classroom disciplinary procedures, or refer the situation directly to the building principal. Various rules have been established covering the general behavior that is expected of students at LSS. They have been based on our school philosophy and common sense, and they have been established to protect the rights and safety of all students. Each case of misconduct is particular, and, as such, is affected by different circumstances. Generally, the severity and frequency of referrals will dictate the measure(s) to be taken. It is the responsibility of the principal/teacher to screen information related to each case and render their decision as deemed appropriate for remediation. General Misconduct 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. Disorderly, disruptive, boisterous, rowdy behavior (example: running in the hall) Tardiness to class/homeroom Classroom, corridor, lunchroom, bathroom, playground, or any general misconduct Overdue forms and other school related notices Throwing or shooting objects in or outside the school building Cheating Note writing, passing, or possession of notes Disrespect towards peers Selling of anything without permission of principal Fighting in school and/or on school property Obscenity or profanity - verbal or otherwise Forging signature Not following directions of a teacher/administrator Possession of/creation of inappropriate/obscene material Chewing gum Failure to respect another's space (example: not keeping hands to oneself) Abuse or misuse of school property Abuse or misuse of the property of others Misconduct at any school related function or activity Lying Inappropriate behavior to/from school (examples: throwing snow, failing to follow safety procedures) Bringing items to school that may be distracting to the educational process. These include electronic devices such as radios, tape players, CD players, cell phones, etc. Bringing items of value to school or in possession of excess money. 8 Major Misconduct Category I 1. Degree of severity or repeated offenses as listed under general misconduct 2. Leaving school/school property without permission 3. Serious misconduct at any school sponsored function or activity 4. Student abuse: physical or verbal 5. Harassment of any kind - See Harassment p. 11 6. Making a racial/discriminatory comment to another student – See Discrimination p. 9 7. Bullying – See Bullying p. 10 8. Threatening or attacking another student physically or verbally 9. Disrespect, insubordination, or defiance to school personnel Category II 1. Attacking another student and physically harming them 2. Vandalism 3. Stealing 4. Possession, use, buying/selling of items deemed potentially dangerous to oneself or others (including laser pointers, wallet chains). 5. Threatening or attacking school personnel physically or verbally 6. Profanity to school personnel 7. Making an obscene gesture to school personnel 8. Truancy DISCRIMINATION According to M.G.L. c.76,s.5, The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District’s Policy of non-discrimination will extend to students, staff, the general public and individuals with whom it does business; and will apply to race, color, national background, religion, sex, disability, economic status, political party, age, handicap, sexual orientation, homelessness, gender identity and other human differences. Grievance policies that deal with accepting, investigating and resolving complaints alleging discrimination or harassment include sexual orientation. BULLYING Bullying and harassment are major distractions from learning. The grades of the victims can suffer. Fear can lead to chronic absenteeism, truancy or even dropping out of school. Bystanders feel both guilty and helpless for not standing up to the bully. As a rule, bullying behavior starts in elementary school and peaks in the middle school years. However, it attracts more attention from adults when it appears in high school. There the students are older and physically larger, and behavior is recognized as 9 being less tolerable and more inappropriate. Also, sexual harassment is, in fact, often a form of bullying. Most bullying by students starts out verbally - teasing and put-downs, and may become progressively worse assuming physical dimensions. Bullying of any type has no place in a school setting. The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District will endeavor to maintain a learning and working environment free of bullying. Bullying is defined as the act of one or more individuals intimidating one or more persons through verbal, physical, mental or written interactions. Bullying can take many forms and occur in virtually any setting. It can create unnecessary and unwarranted anxiety that will affect attending school, walking in corridors, eating in cafeterias, playing in the school yard or recreation areas, participating in or attending special and extra-curricular activities, or riding on the bus to and from school each day. Examples of bullying include, but are not limited to: 1. Intimidation, either physical or psychological 2. Threats of any kind, stated or implied 3. Assaults on students, including those that are verbal, physical, psychological and emotional 4. Attacks on student property. The school committee expects administrators and supervisors to make clear to students and staff that bullying in the school building, on school grounds, on the bus or school sanctioned transportation, or at school-sponsored functions will not be tolerated and will be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion for students, and termination for employees. The district will promptly and reasonably investigate all allegations of harassment, including bullying. The principal of each building will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment, including bullying. The superintendent will develop administrative guidelines and procedures for the implementation of this policy. The Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan can be viewed on line at http://www.seb.k12.ma.us/education/components/whatsnew/. A hard copy can be obtained at Lake Street School. 10 STUDENT TO STUDENT HARASSMENT Harassment of students by other students will not be tolerated in the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School district. This policy is in effect while students are on school grounds, school district property or property within the jurisdiction of the school district, school buses, or attending or engaging in school activities. Harassment related to a person’s race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability will not be tolerated. Students whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion. Harassment means conduct of a verbal or physical nature that is designated to embarrass, distress, agitate, disturb or trouble students when: submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student’s education or of a student’s participation in school programs or activities. submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as the basis for decisions affecting the student, or; such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s performance or creating an intimidating or hostile learning environment. Harassment as described above may include but not be limited to: verbal, physical or written harassment or abuse; repeated remarks of a demeaning nature; implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades, achievements, or other school matters, demeaning jokes, stories or activities directed at the student. The district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment. The principal of each building will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment. The retaliation against a student because he/she has filed a harassment complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding is also prohibited. A student who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion. The superintendent will develop administrative guidelines and procedures for the implementation of this policy. The non-discrimination coordinator may be phoned at 508-885-8515. 11 DISCIPLINE - SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS Current Federal Special Education Regulations (34 CFR 300.519-529) require the following discipline policies and procedures for special needs students: School personnel may suspend an eligible special needs student for up to 10 days. After a student with special needs has been suspended for 10 days in any school year, during any subsequent removal, the public school provides sufficient services for the student to continue to receive a free and appropriate public education. A suspension of longer than 10 consecutive days or a series of suspensions that are shorter than 10 consecutive days but constitute a pattern are considered to represent a change in placement. Prior to a suspension that constitutes a change in placement, the Team convenes to: *develop or review a functional behavioral assessment of the student’s behavior intervention plan or develop an assessment plan. *identify alternative educational setting(s) and *determine the relationship between the disability and behavior, “a manifestation determination.” If the Team determines that the behavior is NOT a manifestation of the disability, then the District may suspend or expel the student consistent with policies applied to any student without disabilities, except that the District must still offer an appropriate education program to the student with disabilities, which may be in some other setting. If the Team determines that the behavior IS a manifestation of the disability, then the District takes steps, (with parent consent), to correct the IEP, the placement, or the behavior intervention plan. Regardless of the manifestation determination, the District may place the student in an interim alternative educational setting, (as determined by the Team), for up to 45 days: If the behavior involves weapons or illegal drugs or another controlled substance while at school or a school function, or if the District provides evidence that the student is “substantially likely” to injure him/herself or others and a hearing officer orders the alternative placement, and the interim alternative education setting enables the student to continue in the general curriculum, to continue receiving services identified on the IEP, and provides services to address the problem behavior. The District provides written notice to the parent of all rights to appeal and to an expedited hearing. If the parent chooses to appeal, during the appeal the student stays put in the placement on the last accepted IEP or the interim alternative placement, unless the parent and the school district agree otherwise. 12 504 Discipline: Students identified as eligible for protection under Section 504 may not be removed from their educational placement for more than ten school days unless it is determined that the behavior which resulted in the disciplinary infraction was not linked to the student’s disability, or inappropriate placement. This is called “manifestation determination. “The prohibition against removals of more than ten school days also applies to shorter removals which cumulatively total ten (10) school days within a school year and reflect a pattern of exclusion. An exception to the prohibition against removing students whose behavior is linked to their disability commits an infraction involving illegal drugs or alcohol, without disabilities would be disciplined for the same infraction without considering whether the alcohol or drug use is linked to the student’s disability or an inappropriate placement. DISCIPLINE REMEDIATION POLICY The following rules of conduct shall apply to each and every student of the Spencer/East Brookfield Regional School District, and the violation of one or more of them in whole or in part, may make the individual liable to serious discipline action. Copies of the rules of conduct shall be prominently displayed within each school, and a free copy will be made available by the principal of every school. Every pupil is expected to adhere to the regulations contained within this policy. Depending upon the severity of misconduct, each case will be remediated by the teacher and/or principal, with involvement of the Superintendent and/or School Committee in the most severe instances. Each case of misconduct is particular, and as such is affected by different circumstances. Generally, the severity and frequency of referrals will dictate the measure(s) to be taken. It is the ultimate responsibility of the principal to screen information related to each case and render the appropriate decision necessary for remediation. Generally, the remediation process will include the following consequences, which may be utilized individually or interchangeably: Teacher counseling Principal counseling Parent contact Detention In-school suspension Out-of-school suspension Expulsion The power of the School Committee or of any other teacher, administrator, or other employee or agent of their School Committee to maintain discipline on school property shall not include the right to inflict corporal punishment on any student. 13 IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION POLICY When a student violates the code of conduct or commits an offense, an in-school suspension may be given if, in the discretion of the school principal or the principal’s designee, the facts and circumstances surrounding the offense so warrant. The student will serve the suspension in an area designated by the school that is conducive to doing schoolwork, such that the student is isolated from the student body. During the period of suspension, the student will be monitored by a teacher or a paraprofessional supervised by a teacher who will oversee the student. The student will be given assignments by the regular classroom teacher to complete during the period of in-school suspension. Full credit will be given for assignments that are completed by the student. In-school suspensions are short-term in duration (not to exceed three days). Every effort will be made to telephone and inform the parent of the suspension. If the school is unable to reach the parent, written notice of the suspension will be mailed to the parent. During the duration of the in-school suspension, the following rules will apply: 1. The student will need permission to leave the designated area for any reason. 2. At the beginning of the day, the student is expected to retrieve their supplies from their lockers/classroom and immediately report to the office without any delay. Infractions of the above rules can result in additional days being added to the suspension period or an out-of-school suspension being given. The due process provisions detailed in the handbook are applicable to inschool suspensions. Special education students are subject to the provisions set forth in this policy and in accordance with the district’s policy for discipline of special education students. SUSPENSION AND EXPULSIONS Suspensions may be issued by the Principal for a maximum period of ten days. Every effort will be made to telephone and inform the parent of the suspension and each student will be provided with a hearing. Written communication will be mailed to the parent. The first four suspensions will require a parent, student, Vice Principal, and/or Principal conference prior to reinstatement. The fifth and sixth suspension will require a parent, student, Vice Principal, Principal and Superintendent conference prior to reinstatement. 14 PRINCIPAL’S AUTHORITY TO EXPEL Section 37H of the Massachusetts Educational Reform Act (1993) gives Principals authority to expel a student who is found on school premises or at school sponsored or school-related events, in possession of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or a controlled substance (drugs and alcohol), or a student who assaults school personnel on premises or school - related functions. The expulsion process includes dismissing someone from the school environment. The expulsion period can be up to one year. With the expulsion of a student the Principal must: l. Notify the parents of the excluded student of their opportunity to have a hearing with the Principal 2. Allow the student at this hearing to present witnesses and evidence to the Principal 3. Notify the student of their right to appeal to the Superintendent. The Principal will provide the Superintendent/School Committee with a detailed report on any student excluded for the above offenses. If suspension is determined for such offenses, the Principal will send a letter to the school committee that the student is not a threat to the school environment and counseling has been established for the student. Addendum to the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District Handbooks: ● Current Federal Special Education Regulations (34 CFR 300.519-529) require the following discipline policies and procedures for special needs’ students: ○ School personnel may suspend an eligible special needs student for up to 10 days; ○ After a student with special needs has been suspended for 10 days in any school year, during any subsequent removal, the public school provides sufficient services for the student to continue to receive a free and appropriate education; ○A suspension of longer than 10 days or a series of suspensions that are shorter than 10 consecutive days but constitute a pattern are considered to represent a change in placement. ● Prior to a suspension that constitutes a change in placement, the Team convenes to: ○Develop or review a functional behavioral assessment of the student’s behavior intervention plan or develop an assessment plan; ○To identify alternative educational setting(s) and ○To determine the relationship between the disability and behavior, “a manifestation determination.” ● If the team determines that the behavior IS a manifestation of the disability, then the District takes steps (with parent consent) to correct the IEP, the placement, or the behavior intervention plan. 15 ● Regardless of the manifestation determination, the District may place the student in an interim alternative educational setting (as determined by the Team) for up to 45 days: ○If the behavior involves weapons or illegal drugs or another controlled substance while at school or a school function, or ○If the District provides evidence that the student is “substantially likely” to injure him/herself or others and a hearing officer orders the alternative placement, and ○The interim alternative education setting enables the student to continue in the general curriculum, to continue receiving services identified on the IEP, and provides services to address the problem behavior. ● The District provides written notice to the parent of all rights to appeal and to an expedited hearing. If the parent chooses to appeal, during the appeal the student stays put in the placement on the last accepted IEP or the interim alternative placement, unless the parent and the school district otherwise agree. Disciplining of Students with 504 Accommodation Plans: Section 504 disabled students are subject to the same disciplinary action as a nondisabled student, provided that the student’s behavior is not a manifestation of his or her qualifying disability. A 504 Team must conduct a manifestation determination whenever a disabled student is subject to out-of-school suspension for 10 consecutive days or more. If the 504 Team concludes that the violation is a manifestation of the student’s qualifying disability, the discipline process must end and the 504 Team should review the 504 Plan to determine if changes are appropriate. If the violation is not a manifestation, the student is subject to the same disciplinary action that nay non-disabled student would receive for the same violation. DOCTOR AND DENTIST APPOINTMENTS Students are expected to make every effort to schedule doctor and dentist appointments outside of school hours. However, when this is not possible, students will be excused for these special appointments. DRESS CODE Students generally conduct themselves in a manner similar to the way in which they dress and groom. Any type of dress or grooming which is disruptive will not be permitted. Shorts and shirts with inappropriate slogans are not permitted. Proper footwear is REQUIRED for safety reasons. Slippers are unacceptable. Flip-flops are not acceptable. If boots are worn to school during the winter months, please be sure to send in shoes/sneakers. 16 EARLY DISMISSAL DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS As you might expect, especially in the winter months, there is always the chance that school may be dismissed earlier than 2:45 p.m. In that event, it is very important that your child has someplace to go in order to eliminate the chance that he/she would be unsupervised or left outside in inclement weather. WE URGE PARENTS TO DEVELOP WITH THEIR CHILDREN AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN TO HELP RESOLVE THIS MATTER. THIS PLAN COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS PROVIDING A KEY OR PERHAPS SECURING AN ARRANGEMENT WITH A NEIGHBOR TO WATCH YOUR CHILD. UNLESS WE HAVE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS, WE WILL FOLLOW OUR NORMAL DISMISSAL PROCEDURES, AND YOUR CHILD WILL GO HOME IN THE USUAL MANNER. EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES If an emergency arises which necessitates evacuation of the building, instructions and procedures have been established which focus on the safety of students and school personnel. Wire Village School is our designated evacuation location. In the event that two schools need to be evacuated at the same time, the Superintendent of Schools or his designee shall determine the evacuation destinations. Specific information is in the Evacuation Plan Policy, part of school district policy. EMERGENCY INFORMATION In case of emergency, each student is required to have on file at the school office the following information: l. Parent(s) or guardian(s) name(s) 2. Complete and up-to-date address 3. Home phone and parent(s) work phone number 4. Emergency phone numbers of friends or relatives 5. Physician’s name and phone number 6. Medical alert information Extracurricular Activities The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District offers a number of extracurricular activities. All extracurricular activities are nondiscriminatory. Students are provided equal opportunity and are encouraged to participate regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or homelessness. We believe the skills and friendships developed in these activities help build the foundation for future success. New clubs and activities are also encouraged – students need only to find a sponsor for their particular interest. 17 Scholarships, Prizes, and Awards All scholarships, prizes and awards distributed to students are free of discrimination in accordance with the non-discrimination policy. The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District’s Policy of non-discrimination will extend to students, staff, the general public and individuals with whom it does business; and will apply to race, color, national background, religion, sex, disability, economic status, political party, age, handicap, sexual orientation, homelessness, gender identity and other human differences. Chapter 622 and Title IX It is the policy of the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District not to discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs, activities, or employment policies as required by Title IX of the 1972 educational amendment. Likewise, all courses, activities, and services offered by the school are available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. Pupil Services coordinates Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504. Any complaints/concerns should be directed toward Dr. Karen Zaleski, Director of Pupil Services, at (508)-885-8515. This is in compliance with Chapter 622 of the Massachusetts State Regulations (1971). FIELD TRIPS Educational Field Trips are a supplemental activity and, they are usually related to instruction that takes place within the classroom. However, since they are not part of the required curriculum, all students are not required to attend. Students may be excluded from field trips because of circumstances deemed appropriate by the instructor and principal. The building principal has the final decision as to who may attend the trips. Criminal Record (CORI) Checks must be completed for all chaperones. FUND RAISING Our school will conduct a number of fund raising activities during the school year. These activities are directed at supporting school wide activities and the purchase of needed educational equipment. The building principal must approve all fund raising projects. GIFTS to SCHOOL PERSONNEL Gifts to school personnel are strongly discouraged. However, the donation of an item, such as a book, to the classroom or school library is always appreciated. 18 GRIEVANCE POLICY In accordance with M.G.L. c.76, s.5, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national background, religion, sex, disability, economic status, political party, age, handicap, sexual orientation, homelessness, gender identity and other human differences, nor does it tolerate harassment based on race, color, national background, religion, sex, disability, economic status, political party, age, handicap, sexual orientation, homelessness, gender identity and other human differences. These laws are based in the following: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting race, color, and national origin discrimination) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (prohibiting sex discrimination) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (prohibiting disability discrimination) Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (prohibiting age discrimination) Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (prohibiting disability discrimination by public entities, including public school districts, public colleges and universities, public vocational schools, and public libraries, whether or not they receive Federal financial assistance) The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District’s Civil Rights Coordinator is, Dr. Karen Zaleski, Director of Pupil Services, 302 Main Street, Spencer, MA 01562. The Director of Pupil Services can be reached at (508) 885-8515. Procedure for filing a Discrimination Complaint Regarding Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 – If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your race, color, national background, religion, sex, disability, economic status, political party, age, handicap, sexual orientation, homelessness, gender identity and other human differences, please file a written complaint with the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District Civil Rights Coordinator within 30 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act. The district’s Civil Rights Coordinator is the Director of Pupil Services, 302 Main Street, Spencer, MA 01562. Please include the following information in writing when filing a complaint: Your name, address and telephone number. You must sign your name. (If you are filing a complaint on someone’s behalf, include your name, address, telephone number, and a statement of your relationship to the individual – e.g., spouse, attorney, friend). Name and address of the institution or agency you believe discriminated against you. How, why, and when you believe you were discriminated against. Any other relevant information. In an effort to resolve the complaint, Dr. Karen Zaleski, The Director of Pupil Services will convene a mediation session with all involved parties. If the mediation session is unable to resolve the complaint, all involved parties will meet with the Superintendent of Schools. If, after all these attempts have been made, the complaint has still not been resolved, the complainant may obtain an Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Complaint Form from the Director of Pupil Services, who will also assist the complainant in completing the form. The complaint must be filed with OCR within 180 days from the date of the 19 alleged discriminatory act. The OCR may extend the 180-day period if good cause is shown. Send Form To: (617) 565-1340; (617) 565-1343 (TDD) Office for Civil Rights (617) 565-3809 Fax U.S. Department of Health & Human Services JFK Federal Building – Room 1875, Boston, MA 02203 Any recipient of a discrimination complaint may not retaliate against any person who has made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation or proceeding under the five statutes listed above. The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District’s Policy of non-discrimination will extend to students, staff, the general public and individuals with whom it does business; and will apply to race, color, national background, religion, sex, disability, economic status, political party, age, handicap, sexual orientation, homelessness, gender identity and other human differences. HOMEWORK Homework is important. It is an extension of the learning that takes place in school. Homework can provide practice and drill that reinforces classroom learning and can provide opportunities for independent study, research, and creative thinking. Parents can help their children by arranging a quiet, comfortable place for the students to work and by seeing that assignments are completed. Depending on the grade level, various time limits for homework will differ. ILLNESS OR INJURY In case of illness or injury, the school nurse or a member of the school staff will care for a student temporarily. School personnel will render first aid treatment only. If emergency medical treatment is necessary, the parents will be contacted. If parents are not available, the school will call the physician indicated on the emergency card and follow his/her instructions. If it is impossible to contact the physician, the school may make whatever arrangements that seem necessary. Remember, an emergency telephone number where parents can be reached and the name and telephone number of the student’s family doctor must be on file at the school. IMMUNIZATIONS State Law requires that every student who is admitted to public school must have evidence of a successful vaccination for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (5), polio (4), measles, mumps, rubella (2), lead level test, Hepatitis B Series (3), and varicella. A medical exemption is allowed if a health care provider submits documentation that an 20 immunization is medically contradicted. A religious exemption is allowed if a parent submits a signed statement that immunizations are contrary to their religious beliefs. INSUBORDINATION A student who uses foul and/or abusive language to school personnel or another student may be subject to suspension. A conference with the student and parent is mandatory prior to reinstatement. Recurrence of such language or insubordination may result in further action. INSURANCE School insurance will be offered at the beginning of each school year. The cost is small compared to the potential cost of medical care. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of this service. LUNCH PREPAYMENT All students have the option of prepaying for school lunch on a weekly basis. Prepayment will only be accepted on the first day of the school week. In grades 1-3, prepayment will be turned into the classroom teacher. All prepayments should be placed in an envelope with the student’s name, room number and days paid written on the front. Checks are acceptable. They should be made payable to the Spencer-East Brookfield Revolving Lunch Account. Any check returned for non-sufficient funds will be assessed the bank service charge. There is a NO CHARGE policy in the school. Elementary children who forget or lose their lunch money will be given a peanut butter sandwich and a carton of juice for that day’s lunch at no charge. This will not be allowed on a regular basis. Any questions should be directed to the Food Service Director at 508-885-8573. MAKE-UP WORK The school is obligated to provide make-up work for excused absences. Students or their parents are responsible for requesting make-up work immediately upon the student’s return to school. If dates of student’s absence are known in advance, the teacher should be notified and planned assignments may be given. A student may not make up work for credit for an unexcused absence. If your child is absent, you may call the school to request that make-up work be put together by his/her teacher. You can then pick up the work in the office at the end of the school day. MEDICATION POLICY As a general policy, no medication will be dispensed at school except those designated as emergency medications. Examples of such emergency medications are those required for bee sting allergies, diabetic reactions and asthmatic allergies. Other medications are to have their time schedules so arranged by your family doctor as to avoid being given during school hours. These include medicines required three or four 21 times a day. Emergency medications dispensed at school must be accompanied by a medication permission form, which has been signed by the doctor and parent/guardian. Short-term prescription medications, (those requiring administration for 10 school days or less), may be dispensed with written parental consent, only at the discretion of the school nurse. All medication must be in the original pharmacy bottle or container in order to be dispensed. If medications are needed during field trips or other school events, a written parental consent form will be required. All forms are available from the school nurse. Psychotropic medications are covered under Mass. General Law C71, S.54B regulations. Medications for students must be brought to school by the parent or guardian to be dispensed by the school nurse only or the person the school nurse designates and will not be dispensed after regular school hours. ADMINISTRATION of NON-PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION Administration of medication in the school should only take place when a student's health is in jeopardy. - The Physician's Form must be completed and signed by the child's physician. - The Parent Request Form must be completed and signed by the parents. - The medication must be kept in a locked cabinet or refrigerator. - The appropriate form must be kept with the medication, and the admin-record form will be initialed by the adult administering the medication. - Forms will be filed with the student's Massachusetts School Health Record. ADMINISTRATION of PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION Chapter 71, Section 54B, of the Massachusetts General Laws requires that all children receiving psychotropic medications in the public schools be certified by the Massachusetts' Department of Public Health. Psychotropic medication must be administered by the nurse. - The parent must have the child's physician complete the Mass. Dept. of Public Health form. - The completed form must be given to the nurse servicing the school. The nurse will secure certification for administration from the state. - A copy of the state approved form will be kept at the nursing office and the original will be kept with the child's record at school. - An administration record form will be kept for the nurse to initial at the time of administration. - All applications must be renewed annually at the beginning of each school year. Because most psychotropic medication must be given between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and because some nurses may have to service more than one school within a short period of time, school principals are asked to: - Alert office staff and teachers of the students who require psychotropic medication. - Notify the nurse before 10:30 a.m. if the student is absent. 22 - Provide easy accessibility to the student's medication during this time period. If any concerns arise relative to this issue, please call the school nurse. ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS BY NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS (603 CMR 23.07 (5)) The Board of Education has adopted, as emergency regulations, amendments to the Student Records Regulations concerning access to student records by non-custodial parents. The new provisions are in effect for the start of the 2005-2006 school year. As set forth in the amended regulation, 603 CMR 23.07(5), non-custodial parents are eligible to obtain access to their children's student records unless the school or district has been given documentation that: 1. the non-custodial parent has been denied legal custody based on a threat to the safety of the student or to the custodial parent, or 2. the non-custodial parent has been denied visitation or has been ordered to supervised visitation, or 3. the non-custodial parent's access to the student or to the custodial parent has been restricted by a temporary or permanent protective order, unless the order or any subsequent court order specifically allows access to student record information. NEWSLETTER The school newsletter is published on a regular basis to keep parents informed regarding various school programs. In addition, newsletters are supplemented by individual notices regarding special events and programs. Every attempt is made to send special notices home on colored paper in order to alert parents to the importance of reading these notices. NO SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS No school announcements due to inclement weather may be heard on radio stations WARE (1250), WSRS (96.1), WTAG (580), & WXLO (104.5), and on television WCVBTV News Center 5. For T & G City Line simply call 508-792-9400 and enter 4211. Normally, these announcements will be made from 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on the day of the cancellation. We will make every effort to make the closing announcement at the earliest possible time. Also, the school system now has the capability to have our Superintendent make a district wide phone call to alert parents/guardians of cancellations and/or early dismissals. 23 DELAYED OPENINGS This means that ALL bus pickups will occur later than usual. (One hour for a one hour delay and two hours for a two hour delay.) Lunch will be served on these days. Dismissal will be at the regular time. EMERGENCY CLOSINGS AFTER SCHOOL IS IN SESSION FOR THE DAY WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS NOTED ABOVE Please make arrangements for your child in case of school closings or early dismissals. Explain to your child what to do and where to go in such instances. NOTIFICATION OF ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT This notification is required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (Ahera, 40 CFR part 763 of Title II of the Toxic Substance Control Act). Asbestos management plans have been developed for the following list of educational facilities which may have asbestos containing materials present. These plans are available and accessible to the public during normal business hours at each individual facility. NURSE The school nurse’s office is located next to the main office. The nurse is responsible for the maintenance of health records, routine health checks, parental contact concerning health problems, care of minor injuries, checking daily attendance, assistance in health teaching and vision & hearing screening. Please be sure to contact the nurse if your child has any unusual health problems. Please call the school nurse if your child is absent from school due to a communicable disease. Precautions may be taken to protect other children. Please call the nurse at 508- 885-8521. Release of Information - When a care plan is necessary, release of information is required. The information exchanged shall be limited to that which is necessary to enable the school nurse and staff to work together with the family around issues of the child’s safety, health and well-being, performance, and adjustment to school. P.A.L.S. The Lake Street School P.A.L.S. (Parents at Lake Street) has been highly involved in improving our school. All parents are urged to support and to actively participate in P.A.L.S. Meetings are scheduled on a regular basis during the year, and they are announced several weeks in advance. Each year P.A.L.S. sponsors several money-making projects. With the help of all parents, these projects can be very successful. They allow P.A.L.S. to fund many important activities at Lake Street School. The group is extremely active within our school and welcomes new members and new ideas. 24 PARENT VOLUNTEERS Lake Street School considers parent volunteers as a very special resource. Parents are encouraged to help in classrooms, programs, and extracurricular activities. Please notify your child’s teacher if you have time or skills you can share to make our school a better place for students to learn and grow. The Room Mother Program at Lake Street School provides an extra means of offering greater participation in school activities. The homeroom teachers choose two Room Mothers for each homeroom. Notices for these positions are sent home in September. Criminal Record (CORI) Checks must be completed for all individuals volunteering within the school as well as those wishing to chaperone on field trips. PHYSICAL RESTRAINT Physical restraint: The use of bodily force to limit a student’s freedom of movement. The purpose of 603 CMR 46.00 is to ensure that every student participating in a Massachusetts public education program is free from the unreasonable use of physical restraint. Physical restraint shall be used only in emergency situations, after other less intrusive alternatives have failed or been deemed inappropriate, and with extreme caution. School personnel shall use physical restraint with two goals in mind: (a) To administer a physical restraint only when needed to protect a student and/or a member of the school community from imminent, serious, physical harm; and (b) To prevent or minimize any harm to the student as a result of the use of physical restraint. Only school personnel who have received training pursuant to 603 46.03(2) or 603 CMR 46.03(3) shall administer physical restraint on students. Whenever possible, the administration of a restraint shall be witnessed by at least one adult who does not participate in the restraint. The training requirements contained in 603 CMR 46.00 shall not preclude a teacher, employee or agent of a public education program from using reasonable force to protect students, other persons or themselves from assault or imminent, serious, physical harm. PROGRESS REPORTS In order to keep parents informed of their child’s academic progress during the school year, progress reports are issued at periodic intervals between marking periods. These progress reports provide parents with an excellent opportunity to praise and encourage each child to improve their level of achievement. Parents are expected to sign and return progress reports to their child’s teacher. 25 PROMOTIONS AND RETENTIONS Promotions and retentions are based on an evaluation of academic, physical, social and emotional growth. The primary reasons for considering retention are: a. indifference or lack of effort on the part of a capable student b. physical or social immaturity c. frequent or long absences Retention is usually considered as a more positive alternative during the first and second grades. Parents can assume their child will be promoted unless the alternative of retention has been discussed during the school year. Parents will be involved in any retention decision. RECESS POLICIES Weather permitting; students are given two recesses each day. Decisions to have outside recess during cold weather depend upon the temperature and the wind chill factor. Shorter outside recess times are scheduled on very cold days. Students should always dress for outside recess. All students must be on the playground during outside recess. Only students with medical excuses will be allowed to remain in the building during scheduled outside breaks. Students will have supervised free time in the classroom on days when bad weather prevents outside recess. Quiet games, talking with friends, etc. are usually allowed by the teacher in charge. RELEASE OF STUDENT INFORMATION Under Department of Education regulations, the school may release for publication certain information concerning your child from time to time without first obtaining your consent unless you indicate that we should not do so. The information, which may be released for publication, may include the student's name, picture, class participation in officially recognized activities and sports, degrees, honors and awards. REPORT CARDS Report cards are issued following the completion of each Tri-mester grading period. Please carefully review your child’s progress and contact the school if you have questions regarding grades. Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled following the completion of the first progress report which is usually in November. The parent’s attendance at conferences is very important. A parent may request a conference with their child’s teacher at any time during the school year. Please call the school for an appointment if a conference is desired. Likewise, a teacher may sometimes find it necessary to request a special conference with a parent. Please make every effort to meet with the teacher if you receive such a request. 26 RIGHT TO KNOW POLICY Parent’s Right to Know - In addition to the rights stated under the Public’s Right to Know, the following information refers to student records - Student Record Regulations 603- CMR 23.00. Parents have the right to review and inspect all records on their child. Upon request to the building principal, a list of locations of all student records will be provided within 24 hours. Records will be available for viewing at the child’s school within two consecutive weekdays of the request. A school administrator will be available at the reviewing to explain any of the records. If a parent requests copies of records, copies will be provided and the parent will be charged duplication costs, if any. If the parent requests a change to the record or that material be deleted the following procedure will be followed. The parent will discuss the request with the administrator present. If the issue cannot be resolved the parent will send the request to the superintendent in writing. If the issue is still not resolved a hearing would be held with the school committee. All due process rights would be followed. A student who is age fourteen or in grade nine has the same rights as parents as to reviewing and amending the student record. Public Right to Know - Public Access to Records In compliance with state and federal laws and regulations requiring that public bodies provide citizens with access to public records, (CH. 4, 5, 7, definition), the district will implement the following procedure: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A request by a citizen to inspect public records (other than records specifically exempted by law from such inspection, such as employee records, student records and other confidential information) will be made at the office of the superintendent. The request will be made in writing. Those requesting access will be accommodated by district personnel as soon as is reasonably possible, following approval of the request by the superintendent or his designee. However, inspection of records will be limited to normal working hours of office personnel. Persons requesting to inspect district records will be asked to state or describe which records they wish to consult. Anyone requesting a copy of a public record will be charged the amount which duplication costs the district. In the event that a record that has been requested cannot be located, the person making the request will be given a response to that effect in writing. The school district shall maintain student records as required by law (Student Record Regulations 603 CMR 23.00). An eligible student and/or his parent/guardian will be allowed to inspect academic scholastic or any other records concerning such student. 27 Student Record Regulations 1. Parents and students who have reached the age of fourteen (14) or the ninth grade have the right to inspect the school record - that is all the information and material pertaining to the individual student maintained by the school. 2. Parents and students also regulate who will see what portion of the student’s individual record except those officially entitled by law to examine records. A permanent log will be kept of all people who examine a student’s record to disseminate information. 3. A student’s transcript must be maintained by the school department for sixty (60) years. 4. Outdated and irrelevant material in the student’s record may be destroyed provided the student and parents are notified in advance to enable them to obtain a copy. 5. The eligible student and/or parent shall have the right to add information, request removal of material or amend the student record. 6. All inquiries, procedures and regulations are on file in the local school and are available for your review. TARDINESS Prompt arrival at school is expected of all students. Late arrival disrupts class and causes loss of instructional time. Any student who arrives at school after 8:25 a.m. is considered tardy. Three tardy arrivals in one semester will prompt a call to the student’s parents. TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS As a parent of a student at Lake Street School, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information about your child’s classroom teachers, and requires us to give you this information in a timely manner if you ask for it. Specifically you have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teachers: Whether the Massachusetts Department of Education has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades and subjects he or she teaches Whether the Massachusetts Department of Education has decided that the teacher can teach in a classroom without being licensed or qualified under state regulations because of special circumstances The teacher’s college major; whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degrees Whether any teacher’s aides or similar paraprofessionals (Title 1 only) provide services to your child and, if they do, their qualifications. If you would like to receive any of this information, please call Mrs. Bowolick at (508)-885-8517. 28 TELEPHONE The office telephone is a business phone and is not to be used by students, except in an emergency. Students are not allowed to use the phone to make personal arrangements (such as requesting permission to go to another student’s home after school). VACATION POLICY Parents/Guardians planning on taking their children out of school for the purpose of travel or similar reason shall observe the following procedure: l. Except for emergencies, the parent shall supply the school with written notification one week prior to their departure listing the specific dates the child will be absent from school. 2. If the one-week prior notification is given, the parent may request schoolwork for the absence period. This work should be completed during the absence period and returned to the teacher by the second day of the child’s return to school. 3. Upon returning to school, students will be provided with the necessary make-up material from the instructional staff. It is the responsibility of the parent to insure that all make-up assignments are completed within two weeks of return if credit for the schoolwork is to be given. VISITORS All visitors are required to report to the school office, sign in and receive a badge. Parents are welcome and are encouraged to visit the school. WALKING STUDENTS Students who walk to school should come straight to school. Remain on the sidewalks at all times and cross only at designated crosswalks. Remember the safety rules: walk with a friend and never accept a ride with a stranger. WITHDRAWALS The parents of any student who is withdrawing in the middle of a semester should complete an application for withdrawal. Teachers and staff will summarize the student’s progress and prepare the student’s file for forwarding to their next school of enrollment. Parents will be allowed to hand carry a copy of the health record and transfer card. These forms must be picked up in the Principal’s Office. 29
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