ADMISSIONS --> Parent & Student Handbook

CONFERENCES:
Parent-teacher conferences are held in November and March/April. You may meet with your child's teacher at any other time by appointment. We encourage a communication flow between parent and teacher any time a question, concern, or problem arises.

Please note that teachers are not available to speak on the telephone during class time. Messages can be left through the office.

OBSERVATIONS:
Parents may make an appointment to observe their child in class. All observations must be conducted discreetly so as to not disturb the natural activities of the children. Communication with any child other than your own must be politely yet firmly resisted. Simply telling a child, vying for your attention, that you have come to watch your child, and that if they need help they should ask their teacher, should suffice. Please do not make any observations before the first few weeks of school to allow your children to develop a rapport with the teacher.

CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION:
Parents who have a talent, career, or hobby that they think would be interesting to the children should contact their child's teacher at any time during the school year. The children always enjoy these "lessons." Please let us know!

VOLUNTEERING:
Upon the announcement of a field trip, parents can volunteer to transport and chaperone small groups of children.Parents can also volunteer to help one day each week with the morning drop-off routine at the school.

We invite you to volunteer your time in assisting the children in the mornings (helping the boys and girls from the cars and walking them to the school).

INCLEMENT WEATHER & SCHOOL CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Information about school closings can be found on this website and the following media outlets:

WAEB-AM 790
B104-FM 104.1
WFMZ-FM 100.7
WHOL
WCTO-FM Cat Country 96
WEST-AM 1400
WODE-FM 99.9
WFMZ-TV Channel 69
WLVT Channel 39 (PBS)

DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP PROCEDURES:
Parents of half day and full day students shall stop at the school's side porch, where their child will be let out of the car by a school staff member or a parent volunteer. The parent will then make a U-turn to exit while the child is escorted inside the school. At pick-up time the parents will repeat the process.

Parents of extended day students shall park out of the lanes of traffic to walk their children into school, and to collect them from school at the end of the day.

For your child's protection, we will not release any child to someone other than a parent in the absence of written authorization.

ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL:
It is important that arrival and dismissal times be strictly adhered to. The time before class is vital to teacher preparation to ensure a smooth and productive day. We ask that you arrive no earlier than ten minutes before the start of class. Promptness in a child's life is very important. Children who arrive late or are picked up late feel awkward and uncomfortable. Tardiness is disruptive to the teachers and classes in session.

Weather permitting, outdoor play is a part of our daily schedule. A child too ill to participate in play activities will not benefit from other learning activities and should remain at home until well.

ILLNESS
Weather permitting, outdoor play is a part of our daily schedule. A child too ill to participate in play activities will not benefit from other learning activities and should remain at home until well. All communicable diseases must be reported to the school, and children with such diseases shall remain home until no longer contagious.

HEALTH POLICY:
The following is a list of symptoms to guide you in determine whether your child should be sent to school. Do not send your child to school on days when any of the following symptoms are present:
1) Fever (temperature above normal. Please note that a child must have a normal temperature for 24 hours before returning to school.)
2) Rash
3) Discharge of discolored or profuse mucous from the nose
4) Diarrhea
5) Vomiting
6) Sore throat
7) Any contagious disease.

MEDICATION
If your child requires medication during school hours, please sign and date written instructions as to the dosage and the time it is to be administered. Give this note, along with the medicine in its original bottle, to your child's teacher.

TOYS:
Children may not bring toys to the classroom. Books or objects of educational value are welcome. Please mark your child's name on the books.

CLOTHING:
Each child needs a pair of slippers. All slippers will be kept at the school and worn inside the classroom after outdoor play.
Mark your child's name on the slippers, and on boots, coats, etc. We see numerous duplications of colors and styles. Many times a child cannot determine his/her own belongings.

Play clothes are encouraged. Sneakers or rubber-soled shoes are recommended since dress shoes can be slippery on the playground.

When snow is on the ground, boots and snowpants are required.

SNACK PROGRAM:
Families take turns providing simple, nutritious snacks for their child's class. A list is posted monthly on this website showing the days that you and your child shall provide snack for the class. Snacks which expose the child to foods of another country or ethnic origin are also welcome.

Some snack suggestions include: vegetables and fruits cut to finger size, crackers and cheese, bread (carrot, banana, wheat, etc.), fourths of sandwiches (peanut butter, honey, cheese, etc.), cookies or muffins, cheese cubes.

The daily lunch for your child: When packing your child's lunch, don't overpack. Remember that the children do have a snack between breakfast and lunch. Perhaps include only a quarter or a half of a sandwich, or pack what you'd expect to be a normal-sized lunch, then remove one item. And on the subject of food, some notes about classroom snacks.....please try to keep the snacks healthy. The children enjoy such foods as cheese, crackers, pretzels, fresh fruit, yogurt, and even frozen treats such as Popsicles. As noted in the Student Handbook, iced treats (whole cakes, cupcakes, etc.) are messy and do little for the children's nutritional needs. Due to allergies, it's wise to avoid peanut butter.

BIRTHDAYS:
Children enjoy bringing a birthday snack to share with classmates. Whole cakes, however, are not appropriate or feasible as a classroom snack.

If you are planning a home party for your child, please do not hand out invitations in school. Likewise, if your child is attending a party after school, do not send gifts to school with your child. We have found that these situations can cause hurt feelings and sadness for those who are not invited. It is more appropriate to mail invitations and plan weekend parties.

HOLIDAYS:
Holidays are celebrated in each classroom according to the discretion of that teacher.

IDENTIFYING YOUR CHILD'S BELONGINGS:
Be sure your child's name is on everything brought to school. That includes such things as jackets, slippers, sleeping bags, lunch boxes, books, etc. And when winter weather rolls around, remember to put names on hats, mittens, boots, and snowpants.

Feel free to call the school or contact your child's teacher if you have questions or wish to discuss a schedule.