Petersham Center School Student Handbook

2015-2016   

     

Kindergarten     

 

Everyone at your school wants you to:   

1. Learn skills to do well and enjoy your time at school. 2. Learn skills that will help you get along with other

children and adults and make good choices. 3. Have the chance to explore your talents.Work out

problems. 4.  5. Become a good citizen. 6. Learn all of the above in a positive place. 

   We believe that:    

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

place to learn.   

 

Part One 

My Day …  Coming to school   The earliest I can arrive at school is 8:10.  School Doors open at 8:15.  If it is raining, snowing, or very cold, I can wait between the doors near the office.   I should be in my classroom by 8:20. 

  This is how I get to school:   

□ I ride bus # _____. My driver’s name is Angela   Kelli  

□ I am a walker or ride my bike.   

□ I get a ride.        

Attending School   Attendance is recorded by your teacher and the office. The number of days you are absent or tardy will be noted on your report card.  If you are sick or cannot come to school, your parents should call the school at 978-724-3363 to let us know. They can leave a message with the secretary by pressing “0” when prompted.   What if I arrive at school after 8:20?  If you arrive after 8:20, then you are tardy and must pick up a tardy slip from the office before you go to class.    What if I get sick or hurt at school?  We have a school nurse, her name is Mrs. Caramiello. If you are hurt or sick, you should get the nurse’s pass from your classroom and go to the health office. Mrs. Caramiello will decide if your parent should be called to come and get you.   

The nurse can give you a band-aid, ice and lotion. If you need cough syrup, Tylenol or other medication, she will need to have your parent’s permission.    What If I need to leave school early? If you need to leave early, your parent should send a note into the school and you will be dismissed from the office,         

Our Cafeteria     Money and tickets for lunch are collected by your teacher and sent into the office. Lunch tickets are sent home with the monthly Calendar. You must have a lunch ticket even if you are having Cold lunch. Try your hardest at the beginning of each week to have your lunch ticket ready for your teacher. Snack money is collected in the cafeteria. No snack is served on Early Release Days and Delayed Start Days.  I can buy breakfast each morning for $1.50 starting at 8:00. I need to be back in my class by 8:20.  

 I eat lunch at 11:00. 

 

My snack time is 1:10   Snack cost 50¢ 

Milk cost 50¢   

  Lunch cost$2.50. 

   

Recess   I have recess every day at 11:35.    During the cold weather I must have appropriate clothing. This means I must have: Jacket, mittens, and a hat.   

 If I want to play in the snow I must also have boots and snow pants. 

 

Homework I will be given a folder to help me keep track of my homework. Students in the K grade are given an average of 5 minutes of homework. I must pass my homework in first thing in the morning to get full credit.   

Going Home   School is dismissed at 2:50.  

 

□ I ride bus # ____.  

 

□ I walk or ride my bike.     

□ I get picked up .  

Any changes in my going home routine must be explained in a note from my parents or guardian. Notes must be given to my teacher in the morning. If I do not have a note, my teacher will help me to follow my regular dismissal routine.  

 

Part Two 

My Year …   

You will have a copy of our calendar for the year to know the days you have school and the days you do not. The calendar is subject to change, so please check website often. 

  Lost and  

Found If you have lost something, please check in your classroom and locker or cubbie. Then, check the lost and found outside the office. Unclaimed items are donated to Goodwill twice each year. 

   

Please leave special belongings like toys or electronic games at home unless they are for a special

project. The Petersham Center School can not replace them if they are lost or stolen. 

  

Students in the 2nd grade and up can ride their bikes to school. Your bike must be parked at the bike rack. Massachusetts state law requires that you wear a helmet while riding your bike.  

Pets are not allowed in school unless you make special arrangements with your teacher and your parent or guardian agrees to bring the pet to school. 

  

If you need to use the phone for an emergency, you must get permission to go to the office from your

teacher. Students are not allowed to use the phone to set up or plan after school visits with friends.  

 Several times during the school year we will have fire

drills. The alarm in the building will sound and you will follow your teacher to the exit. If you are with another teacher when there is a drill, follow them and they will make sure you get to your classroom teacher. We will also hold other emergency drills during the school year. You will be instructed on what to do during these times.   

At times your class may go on a field trip. You must have written permission from your parent or guardian to go on these trips.  

Wear clothes that are comfortable for school and will not  distract you or others. Appropriate shoes must be worn for safety in school and at recess. Sneakers must be worn for gym class.     

Do not leave the room without letting your teacher know where you are going. Each class may have a different process for using the bathroom, seeing the nurse or visiting other areas of the school. Your teacher will review this with you.    

Part Three Special classes and programs ...    

Art: I have art class on _Thursday__. My Art Teacher is Mrs. Leonard. 

  Technology and Media: I have Technology/Media on Friday . My Technology/Media teacher is Mrs. Arsenault.  

Physical Education and Health: I have P.E. class twice each week on __Tuesday_ and _____Wednesday. My P.E. Teacher is Mrs. Tattan.

Music & Performance Arts: I have Music on _Friday____. My Music Teacher is Mrs. Hanna.  

♫♪♫       

Part Four Behavior in school …  All students at the Petersham Center School are expected to follow the code of conduct during the school day. Behavior that is hurtful, disrespectful or destructive is not allowed. We ask that all students:  

● Respect themselves  ● Respect others ● Respect property 

 I will refer to my parent’s handbook for specific examples of hurtful, disrespectful and destructive behaviors that are not allowed at the Petersham Center School. I will also find examples of Minor and Major offenses in the Parent Handbook. Bullying is not tolerated at school. Appropriate consequences and discipline will occur with bullying behavior.  If I break the Petersham Center School’s rules, the following will happen:  Consequences for Minor offense will be dealt with according the seriousness of the offense, the age of the student and whether or not the behavior is a one-time or repeated event.  Consequences for Major Offenses are: 

First Report 1. Loss of 2 days recess, with time spent on community service/repair. 2. Completion of a Problem Solving Report describing my behavior and

reasons why it is unacceptable. 3. My parent/guardian will be contacted and I will need to have my

parent/guardian read and sign my Problem Solving Report and return it to principal the next day. My teacher may follow-up with me. 

 Second Report 1. Repeat all consequences for first referral, with 3 days of

community service/repair. 

2. The Principal will call my parent/guardian. My classroom teacher and supervisory adult will be notified of what happened.  

3. Both my parent/guardian and I will be reminded of the consequences if a third Report is necessary. 

 Third Report 1. Repeat all consequences for first referral, with 5 days of

community service/repair. 2. My Parent/guardian will be called to meet with the Principal,

classroom teacher and supervisory adult and myself to discuss the discipline issue. 

3. In-school suspension (all assignments completed in supervised space other than regular classroom) may be administered at the discretion of the Principal. 

 Additional Reports  If I continue to not follow the school rules, I may have an in-school or

out-of-school suspension. This will be decided by the Principal. Some offenses are so serious that the Principal may need to take immediate action which may include suspension or notifying the police.