»
S
I
D
E
B
A
R
«
Parent & Student Handbook

Stamford Elementary School

Parent & Student Handbook

2010-2011

Contents

Who’s Who p. 2

About the School p. 3

School & Home Compact p. 4

Important Information p. 5

Public Complaint/Chain of Command        p.11

Harassment/Bullying p.12

Academic Policies p.16

Getting To and From School p.17

Community Involvement p.18

Positive Discipline Model p.19

Parent/Student Signature Page p.22

986 Main Road, Stamford, VT 05352

Phone:  (802) 694-1379 Fax:  (802) 694-8512

seschool@sover.net

www.stamfordelementary.com

Who’s Who at Stamford Elementary School

Stamford School Administration

Beth N. Choquette, Principal                                                keplingb@sover.net

Debra Chesbro, Administrative Asst.                                    seschool@sover.net

School Board Members

Cynthia Lamore

Janice Farinon

Duncan Honig

Beverly Aase

James Sarkis

Faculty and Staff

Michael S. Amann                                                                        Technology

Lee Appelbaum                                                                        Librarian

Christopher Brown                                                                        Physical Education

Beth Choquette                                                                        Music

Annette Czarnecki                                                                        Special Education

Marla Dix                                                                                    5-8 Math/Science

Patricia Erdeski                                                                        Cafeteria Staff

Vacant                                                                                    School-Wide Teacher

Christin George                                                                        Occupational Therapy

Paul Hoak                                                                                    Behavior Specialist

Valerie Hope                                                                                    Kindergarten

Kathryn Inman                                                                        Speech Pathologist

Jeanette Linnehan                                                                        Nurse

Sandra Massari                                                                        Speech Para-educator

William Norcross                                                                        Maintenance

Bonnie Pytko                                                                                    Para-educator

Jo Ann Restino                                                                        Art Education

Jeremy Sullivan-Bol                                                                        Guidance Counselor

Anne Sulzmann                                                                        5-8 Language Arts/Social

Studies

Kristy Sherman                                                                        1st & 2nd Grade

Daniel Trudeau                                                                        Para-educator

Whitman’s Cleaning Service                                                Custodial

Laura Winkler                                                                        3rd & 4th Grade

WSSU Central Office

(802) 464-1300

Dr. John Rizzo                                                                        Superintendent

Nancy Talbott                                                                        Asst. Superintendent

Sandy Pentak                                                                        Dir. Special Education

About Stamford Elementary School

Welcome To Stamford Elementary School

Welcome to Stamford Elementary School, a place where children love to learn, learn through a rich and comprehensive curriculum, and learn to respect and appreciate others and the world around them.  We need and appreciate your support, cooperation, and involvement in making the school year the best it can be for all.

Please review this handbook thoroughly with your child.  It is designed to inform you about your responsibilities to provide and ensure a quality education for all of our children.  It is meant for you to have and to refer to throughout the year as to our routines, expectations, guidelines, and policies.  Please sign and return the back page of this handbook.

We strongly encourage all parents to have conversations with your children about the meaning of the 4 R’s:  Being Respectful, Being Responsible, Being Reliable, and Being Reasonable. All four concepts are the basis for creating an excellent learning environment.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time at 694-1379, or email me at keplingb@sover.net.  Remember, my door is always open.  Thank you and I look forward to another exciting school year.

Beth N. Choquette, Principal

School, Parent & Student Responsibilities

The School and Home Compact outlines the responsibilities of the school, parents, and students.  What is the school’s job?  What is the family’s job?  What is the student’s job?

The School and Home Compact is outlined on page 4.  Please discuss the compact with your child(ren), if you feel they’re old enough to understand it, and use it to guide your relationship with the school, as it is used by us.

Please note that state law and school policy require all professional school staff to report suspected cases of child neglect or abuse to DCF.

Stamford Elementary School respects the legal rights of all students, parents and employees. It does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, place of birth, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or age.

Note:  Throughout this handbook, we use the term parent to include both parents and guardians.

School & Home Compact Responsibilities of the School and the Home:

Topic Parent School/Teacher Student
Quality Expect a quality education

appropriate for your child.

 Provide a quality education

appropriate for each student.

 Set high goals for yourself and

strive to reach those goals.
TB   Basics Send your child to school ready

to learn, rested, suitably

dressed, nourished, mentally

prepared, on time.

 Provide a clean, healthy environment,

and a nutritious snack and lunch.

 Take care of your body:

-get enough sleep;

-dress appropriately;

-eat the good food provided.

Be on time.
Time

Management

Help your child organize time

effectively (schoolwork, friends,

TV, chores, activities).

 Teach organizational and time management skills. Plan your time effectively

(schoolwork, friends, TV,

chores, activities).
Homework Show interest in your child’s

schoolwork; check assignments

for completion and quality.

 Help students and parents be clear about homework. Do your schoolwork: take assignments and materials

home; return them on time,

completed.
Reading Read at home with your child. Encourage reading and provide books as needed. Read!
Academic &

Behavior

Expectations

Know what’s expected of your child at school:

Read and discuss with your

child what the school says about

school-wide policies, academic

and behavior expectations in

handbooks, notices,

assignments and curriculum.

 Write and send home academic and behavior expectations to parents and students.  These may be made available through handbooks, notices, and curriculum documents. Know what the school expects of you:

Be responsible for knowing

and working towards academic

and behavior expectations.
Progress in

School

Read and discuss with your

child what school has to say

about academic and behavior

progress.

 Communicate information about each student’s academic and behavior progress to parents and students. Take responsibility for your

academic and behavior

progress; know how you are

doing.
Communication Ask questions and communicate

ideas to the school.

 Be open and receptive to

parents’ and students’

questions and ideas.

 Carry and deliver notes to and

from school responsibly. Ask

questions and communicate

ideas respectfully.
Take turns listening and

responding to your child and to

the school.

 Take turns listening and

responding to your student and the parents.

 Take turns listening and

responding to your teacher and your parents.
Provide the school with information about your child’s

individual needs, medical history, and your family’s values and culture.

 Know what parents expect of the school regarding a child’s

education. Respect family’s values and culture relating to their child’s education.

 Share your interests and skills

and respect those of others.
Attend relevant school events

and meetings and encourage

children to do so.

 Consider parents’ needs when scheduling events, meetings. Attend school events. Attend school events.

Encourage parents to come to

school events and meetings.
Read the monthly newsletter, website and other information provided by the school. Send home monthly newsletter about issues and events at the school. Deliver notices.

Important Information

The school day begins twenty-five minutes (8:20 a.m.) before the official start of school (8:45 a.m.).  There is no supervision before this time.  No one is to arrive prior to this time.  All K-4 students should enter the building through their outside classroom door.  All 5-8 students should enter the building through the door at the end of the middle school hallway.

Morning snack time will be at the discretion of the classroom teacher.  Parents are encouraged to provide a healthy snack for their child(ren).  Snack is also available for purchase through the school.

At 11:40 a.m. grades 1-4 students have lunch and grades 5-8 students have recess.  At 12:00 p.m. grades 5-8 students have lunch and grades 1-4 students have recess.

After school, parents are responsible for the supervision of children after 3:15 p.m. (or when they get off the school bus).  Children must either take their regular bus, walk, or be dismissed to a specific person designated by their parents.

Early dismissal, parents needing their child(ren) dismissed early or if a child needs to take a different way home, must send a note indicating the time and who will be picking them up.

The Wings After-School Program is available for students in grades 1-8 from 3:15-5:00 p.m. on days school is in session.  Brochures describing programs available, days the program runs, and sign-ups will be sent home before the start of each after-school session.

Regular school attendance is required by Vermont Law for children between the ages of 7 and 16 years.  “A person having control of a child between the ages of seven and sixteen years shall cause the child to attend an approved public school, an approved or recognized independent school, or (approved) home study program for the full number of days for which that school is held.” (T. 16, Sections 1121 & 1126) In addition, Stamford Elementary School believes that being on time shows respect for the teacher and for the other students in the class.  Any student caught skipping school will be required to make up all of the work missed, receive an in-school suspension, and parents will be notified.

Tardiness will be handled by classroom teachers with the following procedures:  Warning, Call Home, Detention.  If the teacher assigned detention is cut or if the behavior continues, the student will be referred to the principal’s office and the principal will set up a meeting with the parent(s).  If the tardiness continues, it could result in a meeting with the Superintendent of Schools.  Tardiness will only be excused in extenuating circumstances such as a doctor’s appointment; in cases such as these, we must have a note from the doctor.  Any student who is late to school must stop in the front office and get a tardy slip.

Let us know if you are keeping your child home from school on a particular day.  Please call the school between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. to let us know that your child is safe.

Planned absences for vacations should be carefully considered.  The school recognizes that Stamford parents may have limited options for family vacations, and that the only opportunity may come during the time school is in session.  In deciding to take such a vacation, parents need to consider that the child will be missing instruction, lessons, demonstrations, labs, and other learning activities that are a normal part of the school day.  The absence may affect the child’s academic performance in school and will impact the learning environment in the classroom.

Please notify the classroom teacher(s) at least two weeks before a planned absence; the teacher will make a reasonable effort to provide work for the child to complete during the time the child is away, if possible.  Because the classroom is a dynamic environment, some assignments may not be available in advance, and some assignments given beforehand may change during the course of instruction.  Teachers will expect the work they provide to be completed upon the child’s return, in a manner that reflects high quality to be evaluated by the teacher.

Any student who will be out of school for 10 days due to a planned vacation must write a request to the Superintendent of Schools.  Please allow enough time for the Superintendent to receive your request and for a response.

Emergency closings due to weather or other emergency conditions will be announced on the radio (WNAW), on TV channels (out of Albany, NY), and on the school website (www.stamfordelementary.com). In addition, all families will be notified through the AlertNow phone system.  Please let us know if you are not notified of a school closing, and/or if your phone number changes.

Dress is important at school.  Please watch the weather and dress your child for both indoor and outdoor activities.  Children will need to wait outdoors for the bus, and on most days will be expected to go outside during recess, gym, or sports.  It’s a good idea to have an extra pair of indoor shoes in school during winter months; outdoor boots are messy and too warm for indoor use.  They’ll need a hat, mittens, snow pants and a warm jacket when it’s cold outside.  In physical education classes, students will need loose fitting clothing and sneakers.

We encourage parents to consider the message of clothing, particularly for older children.  Teachers need to provide an orderly environment for learning in their classrooms, which means that children should come to school properly dressed.  Here are some currently fashionable clothing items we’d prefer not to see in school:  short shorts, bathing suits, tummy shirts, tank tops with one or spaghetti straps, tee shirts with messages about cigarettes or alcohol, exposed boxers, and pajamas.

All students are expected to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to dress appropriately for school and school functions.  Students and their parents are responsible for acceptable student dress.  Students who violate the dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering, removing, or replacing the offending item(s).  The principal will be the sole arbitrator of what is appropriate, reasonable, distracting, and/or disruptive.  Parents will be notified if their child repeatedly fails to comply with the dress code.  Further disciplinary action shall be taken if the student fails to comply with the dress code.

A student’s dress, grooming, and appearance shall:

  • Be safe, appropriate and neither disrupt, distract, nor interfere with the educational process;
  • Include footwear at all times.  Footwear that is a safety hazard will not be allowed;
  • Not include items that are vulgar, obscene, insulting, or denigrate others on account of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability;
  • Not promote, endorse, advertise, and/or display the use of alcohol, tobacco, weapons, or illegal drugs and/or encourage other illegal or violent activities.

Hats are not to be worn in the building.  Hats will be confiscated for one (1) week.

Student Transfer, Stamford School will not release any school or health records until all school books are returned and all charges paid in full.

School Books/Materials will be issued during the year.  Students are responsible for proper care of these books and materials.  Book covers are recommended.  Any student losing or damaging a book or materials will be charged the replacement cost.

Eating and Drinking in School is not allowed during class time except during snack.  Teachers should set their own classroom policy for the use of water bottles in their room.

Gum, soda, and energy drinks are not allowed at school, on the playground, on the buses, or on field trips, but children are allowed to bring nutritious mid-morning snacks, juice, or water bottles.  Candy is not allowed during recess or class time.

Telephone/Cell Phones, students use of the telephone will be for emergencies only.  Lunch, homework, or other material left home are not valid reasons for using the phone.  All students must have permission from office personnel to use the telephone.  Use of cell phones during the school day is not allowed.  Students using cell phones during school time will receive a detention and the cell phone will be confiscated.  Students are encouraged to leave cell phones in the main office or principal’s office and can pick them up at the end of the day.

Library privileges may be revoked if students do not follow library rules.  Students are responsible for all books they check out.

Classroom Expectations, it is the intent that all children behave properly so that all children can learn.  All children are expected to follow their classroom rules.  Classroom materials are to be used appropriately and conservatively.  All teachers will follow the Three Level System of the Positive Discipline Model. (pg.19)

Building Expectations, children are expected to behave in the following manner in order to have an acceptable educational environment:

  • Students will respect teachers and other personnel in the building.
  • Students will respect each other.
  • Students will move around the building in a quiet and orderly   fashion.
  • Students are expected to follow the schools 4 R’s:  Being Respectful, Being Responsible, Being Reliable, and Being Reasonable.

Physical Education Classes are required with full participation by all students unless a medical excuse signed by a physician is granted.  Sneakers are required.  Children not having sneakers will not be allowed to take gym and will receive a zero for the day.

Art, Music, Library, and Computers are also educational classes.  The building and classroom expectations will also apply to these classes.  According to federal law, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), art and music are core academic subjects.

Substitute teachers are necessary in order to have school when the regular teacher is absent.  Students who cannot behave as expected with a substitute will be removed from the classroom and parents will be notified.

Suspension, students receiving an inside suspension will attend school but will not be with their peers.  Students receiving an outside suspension are not allowed to attend school.  Suspensions can be from one to ten days in length depending on the seriousness of the behavior and the age of the child.  All suspensions will be made by the principal.  Parents will be notified, due process will be followed, and a conference is required before re-entry.

Detentions will be held after school from 3:15-3:45 p.m.  Detentions will be with the teacher who has detention duty on that afternoon.  Detentions are not at the convenience of the student.  Any student skipping a detention will receive another one.  Parents will be notified by a note on the day of the misconduct.  The note must be signed and returned to the school.

Leaving school grounds is not permitted by any student without permission.  Parents need to send a note if you want your child(ren) to leave the grounds.  Children leaving school grounds without permission will receive a detention.

Recess, students should behave appropriately for both outdoor and indoor recess.  Students who do not follow the rules will receive the loss of recess the following day.

Restrooms, students are allowed to go to the restrooms with teacher permission.  Parents are asked to instruct their child(ren) on the proper use of restrooms in order that sanitary conditions can be maintained during the day.

Use of the Gym, students must have adult supervision and permission from the administration to use the gym.

School Athletics, every student participating in school athletics must have medical insurance that will cover medical injuries.

Language, students will use suitable language in school.  Parents will be notified of the use of inappropriate language and students may receive a detention.

Physical Fighting/Contact is not permitted at any time on school property or on school buses.  Each incident will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and the consequence will be at the discretion of the principal.  In some cases the incident could result in a two-day suspension.

Vandalism, any student intentionally destroying or stealing school property will be responsible for the replacement and/or repair of damages.  Students stealing or destroying school property will receive a two-day suspension and the appropriate authorities may be called.

Lockers are made available to students for their use during the school year.  Students will not kick, bang, slam, or otherwise damage said lockers.  Intentional damage to lockers will be considered vandalism.  Children are not allowed in other student’s lockers.  Children are expected to maintain clean lockers.  Students are to use lockers for storing coats, material, and other school items.  No personal locks are allowed.

Skateboards are not allowed in school or on the playground during school hours.  Skateboards will be taken and parents can pick them up in the office.

Roller Blades and shoes with wheels are not allowed in school or on the playground during school hours.  Roller blades will be taken and parents can pick them up in the office.  If students wear shoes with wheels to school, the wheels must be removed or they will be confiscated as well.

Obscenities, students will not possess obscene pictures, books, or other similar items on school property.  Parents will be notified and students will receive a one-day suspension.

Personal electronic equipment is not to be used in school or on field trips unless being used as an educational tool AND requested by the teacher.  These items include cd players, iPods, the iTouch, iPads, iPhones, MP3 Players, and video games (of all descriptions).

Illegal Substances, possession of any illegal substance(s) and/or suspicion of the same will result in immediate suspension, parental notification, and notification of authorities when appropriate.

Knives are not allowed in school.  This includes pocketknives or leatherman knives.  Children with pocketknives will have them confiscated.  Parents will be notified and they can pick up the knife in the office.  Knives are considered a weapon and students will receive a two-day suspension.

Weapons are not allowed in school or at school functions.  A person who carries or has in his/her possession a firearm, dagger, starter gun, any explosive, incendiary or poisonous gas, or any other device that will expel a projectile by the action of an explosive shall:

  1. Student will be detained.
  2. Weapon will be confiscated.
  3. State police, sheriff, or local police will be notified.
  4. Incident may be reported to the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.
  5. Student will be suspended.
  6. Student will be brought, by the Superintendent, to the School Board for an expulsion hearing.
  7. A Student found to be in violation of this policy shall be expelled by the Superintendent for at least a calendar year.

However, the School Board may modify the expulsion on a case-by-case basis such as but not limited to the following circumstances:

  1. The pupil is unaware that he/she has brought a weapon to school.
  2. The pupil did not intend to use the weapon.
  3. The pupil is disabled and the misconduct is related to the disability.
  4. The pupil does not present an on-going threat to others and a lengthy expulsion would not be in the best interest of the pupil.

Toys, which resemble weapons, are also prohibited and will be confiscated.  Parents may pick up the item in the school office.

Explosive Devices are not allowed in school.  Students are not allowed to possess stink bombs, smoke bombs, firecrackers, or other type of explosive device on school property.  Offenders will receive a two-day suspension and authorities will be notified when appropriate.

Head Lice infestation causes a serious problem in the school and immediate measures will be taken to reduce the loss of school time.

Anyone who suspects head lice shall report it immediately to the school nurse or building principal.

  1. Any student identified by the school nurse or other qualified person as having lice or untreated nits will be removed from the classroom and sent home for treatment.
  2. When lice are found, additional examination of children will take place.
  3. Verbal contact will be made with the family of each case by the school nurse or other qualified person.
  4. All students shall be re-admitted to school after the first treatment with a signed statement or verbal confirmation stating that initial treatment has been completed.
  5. Each re-entering student shall be examined by the school nurse or other qualified person to look for evidence that treatment was performed.

School Dance Policy

Schedule: The principal will schedule all dances.

Chaperones:  There needs to be at least 3 parents and 1 teacher at each dance.  One chaperone must be a male.  Chaperones must follow the chaperone guidelines, which are available in the principal’s office.

Participants/Time:  Students in grades 5-8 may attend the dance.  The time of the dances is from 7:30-10:00 p.m.

Behavior:  All students must follow the dance rules, which are available in the principal’s office.

Permission Slips:  Any student from another school MUST have a permission slip from their parent/ guardian as well as their principal.  Students without permission slips will not be allowed into Stamford dances.

Location:  All children are to remain in the gym.

Clean Up:  The gym is to be left in the same condition it was found.  Clean up is the responsibility of the 8th grade class.

Chain of Command (Public Complaint Policy #6.24)

If complaint is directly related to a classroom activity:

Notify the Teacher First

If the complainant is not satisfied, he or she should contact the following:

  1. Principal
  2. Superintendent of Schools
  3. School Directors

If complaint is NOT directly related to the classroom:

Notify the Principal First

If the complainant is not satisfied, he or she should contact the following:

  1. Superintendent of Schools
  2. School Directors

Major discipline issues (Level 2-3 on Positive Discipline Model Policy #8.02)

Crisis Team (Behavior Support Staff):  Beth Choquette (Principal), Annette Czarnecki (Special Educator), Jeremy Sullivan-Bol (Guidance Counselor), Paul Hoak (Behavior Specialist), Anne Sulzmann (5-8 Teacher), Kristy Sherman (1/2 Teacher), and Bill Norcross (Retired Police Sergeant).

When the Principal is out of the building.

The school secretary takes care of the day-to-day business.

K-4 Discipline issues (Mrs. Sherman)

5-8 Discipline issues (Ms. Sulzmann)

The crisis team (behavior support staff) is also in charge when there is an emergency situation.  They will contact the Superintendent and School Directors if there is an emergency.

If the principal is out of the building for a few days the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent will make periodic stops or check-ins to the building.

Please take the time to review the Positive Discipline Model in the back of your parent/student handbook.  This will help you to understand who is contacted and deals with behavior situations on any given level.

Harassment (Excerpt from Policy #6.98), means an incident or incidents of verbal, written, visual, or physical conduct based on or motivated by a student’s or a student’s family member’s actual or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity that has the purpose or effect of objectively and substantially undermining and

detracting from or interfering with a student’s educational performance or access to school resources or creating an objectively intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.  Harassment includes conduct as defined above and may also constitute one or more of the following:

(1) Sexual harassment, which means conduct that includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, written, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature when one or both of the following occur:

(i) submission to that conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student’s education, academic status or progress; or

(ii) submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as a             component of the basis for decisions affecting that student

(2) Racial harassment, which means conduct directed at the characteristics of a student’s or a student’s family member’s actual or perceived race or color, and includes the use of epithets, stereotypes, racial slurs, comments, insults, derogatory remarks, gestures, threats, graffiti, display, or circulation of written or visual material, and taunts on manner of speech and negative references to cultural customs.

(3) Harassment of members of other protected categories, means conduct directed at the characteristics of a student’s or a student’s family member’s actual or perceived creed, national origin, marital status, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity and includes the use of epithets, stereotypes, slurs, comments, insults, derogatory remarks, gestures, threats, graffiti, display, or circulation of written or visual material, taunts on manner of speech, and negative references to customs related to any of these protected categories.

Reporting Student Harassment

Student reporting: Any student who believes that s/he has been harassed under this policy, or who witnesses or has knowledge of conduct that s/he reasonably believes might constitute harassment, should promptly report the conduct to a designated employee or any other school employee.

Designated employees:  Beth N. Choquette, Principal

Anne Sulzmann, Teacher

Documentation of the report: If the complaint is oral, the designated employee shall promptly reduce the complaint to writing in a harassment complaint form, including the time, place, and nature of the alleged conduct, and the identity of the complainant, alleged perpetrator, and any witnesses.

False Complaint: Any person who knowingly makes a false accusation regarding harassment may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion with regard to students, or up to and including discharge with regard to employees. There shall be no adverse action taken against a person for reporting a complaint of harassment when the person has a good faith belief that harassment occurred or is occurring.

For a detailed copy of the entire policy, please contact the main office.

Bullying Prevention Plan/Policy (Policy #6.96)

  1. 1. Introduction

Bullying is a form of dangerous and disrespectful behavior that will not be permitted or tolerated.  Bullying may involve a range of misconduct that, based on the severity, will warrant a measured response of corrective action and/or discipline. Behaviors that do not rise to the level of bullying, as defined below, still may be subject to intervention and/or discipline under another section of the discipline plan or a discipline policy.  Examples of misconduct that are not necessarily defined as bullying may include but are not limited to:  poking, hitting, name calling, put downs, gestures, teasing, threats, and hateful writing.

  1. 2. Definition

Bullying means any overt act or combination of such acts directed against a student by another student or group of students and which:

(a)  occurs during the school day on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored activity;

(b)  is intended to ridicule, humiliate, or intimidate the student; and

(c)  is repeated over time.*

  1. 3. Notice of Prohibition Against Bullying & Anti-Bullying Interventions

The Stamford School District recognizes that students should have a safe, orderly, civil and positive learning environment and that bullying has no place and will not be tolerated in its schools.  The Stamford School District shall:

(a)  include the prohibition against bullying in the student or school handbook and in other ways make students aware of the prohibition against bullying, the penalties for engaging in bullying, and the procedures for reporting bullying.

(b)  Develop strategies for school staff to prevent and intervene in bullying.

Students can report bullying anonymously, there is an anonymous drop box in the principal’s office, or personally to a teacher or the principal, Beth N. Choquette.**  Parents of students are encouraged to file written reports of suspected bullying either anonymously or personally to the principal.

The principal is required to accept and review all reports of bullying, including anonymous reports.  If reports appear to warrant further investigation, school districts shall promptly continue with an investigation.  School administrators shall investigate any written reports.

Parents of a student who commits a verified act of bullying will be notified as to the response of the school staff and consequences that may result from further acts of bullying.

To the extent permitted under the Family Educational Rights and privacy Act, (FERPA), requires school staff to notify the parent or guardian of a student who is a target of bullying of the action taken to prevent any further acts of bullying.***

*Conduct that might otherwise be considered bullying but does not occur during the school day, on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event still may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to 16 V.S.A. SS1161(a) and 1162; however, such misconduct would not meet the definition of bullying.

**Any student, who knowingly makes false accusations regarding bullying, may be subject to disciplinary action.

***FERPA is a federal law designed to protect the confidentiality of student records and the school district must comply with this law, as well as a similar state law.  When the school administrator contacts a parent about the school district’s response to a bullying incident, he/she may discuss information about an investigation and corrective action taken, but only to the extent that it may be done without disclosing information about any students other than the student subjected to the bullying.


Procedures for Intervening in bullying situations

  1. Intervene immediately to stop the bullying.
  2. Talk to the bully and the victim separately.  If more than one student is involved in bullying behavior, talk to each separately, in quick succession.
  3. Remind the bully about school and classroom rules, reiterate what behavior is expected, and discuss sanctions that will be imposed for future bullying behavior.
  4. Reassure the victim that everything possible will be done to prevent a recurrence.
  5. Make other students aware of the consequences of the bullying behavior.  Reiterate the school’s policy of zero tolerance toward bullying.
  6. Phone the parents of both the bully and the victim as soon as possible.  If possible, involve the parents in designing a plan of action.
  7. Continue to monitor the behavior of the bully and the safety of the victim.
  8. Consult administrators, teachers, and staff members to alert them to the problem and to get a better understanding of it.
  9. If the situation doesn’t change, remove the bully-not the victim-from the classroom.

For a detailed copy of the entire policy, please contact the main office.

It is important to remember that bullying is an act that is repeated over time by the same person or group of people. In such cases, the following procedures will be implemented in addition to the above.  If the above plan does not work and the behavior continues, the student will receive a two-day in-school suspension.  The two days will occur on the two days the behavior specialist and the guidance counselor are in the building.  On those days, the student or students will meet with the behavior specialist and the guidance counselor for bullying intervention.  If the behavior continues, formal procedures will take place and an out of school suspension may be given.


Academic Policies

Report cards are issued 3 times a year.  Parent conferences will be held in the fall and in the spring to give parents and teacher’s opportunities to discuss the child’s academic and social progress, share information, and build the parent-teacher partnership.  Progress reports will go home in the middle of each trimester.

Homework is assigned in gradually increasing amounts through the grades, to provide independent practice in skills already learned, to develop responsibility and self-discipline, and to give students opportunities for independent exploration and discovery.  Homework will be sent home in the green folders; older students (grades 4-8) will also have daily planners to write their assignments in.  You may also check the school website for updates from the teachers.

Honor Roll-Grades 6-8

High Honors

¨      Students must receive a 94 or better in all academic subject areas*.

¨      Students must receive a 3 or 4 in the areas of Art, Music, and Gym.

¨      Students must receive an “S” in conduct.

Honors

¨      Students must receive an 84 to 93 or better in all academic subject areas*.

¨      Students must receive a 3 or 4 in the areas of Art, Music, and Gym.

¨      Students must receive as “S” in conduct.

*All subjects (Math, English, Reading, Science, Social Studies, and all other classroom grades).  With a subject like math that has two grades, they will be averaged to determine the subject grade.

Athletic Eligibility (Policy #6.87), any student receiving a “D” or “F” in academic classes or a “2” or “1” in music, art, gym or a “U” in conduct will be ineligible to participate.  A child becomes eligible at the next report card if there are none of the above grades.

Participation In School Activities And/Or Athletices, a student must be in school for the afternoon session in order to participate in after-school or evening activities or athletics.  Under certain circumstances (field trips, high school visitations, etc.), the principal may allow participation.

Student Records (Policy #6.54) are available through the principal, upon request from the parents, legal guardian of a student, or designated representative to inspect the individual’s file.

Parents are entitled to an explanation an interpretation of all material.  Requests for such review will be met within a reasonable length of time and within 45 days.

For a detailed copy of this policy, please contact the main office.

To comply with the Vermont State Department of Education special Education Rules and Regulations, Section 2364.3.1, the Windham Southwest Supervisory Union, through the office of the Coordinator of Student Services, will permit parents or legal guardians of a special education student to inspect and review the special education records of their child.  These records are kept in a locked file cabinet in the office of the coordinator.  A copy of these and other Parental Rights in Special Education can be secured through the Coordinator of Special Services or the local special education teacher.

All emails containing student information will be placed in that student’s file and according to FERPA, are available to staff members.  Information on FERPA and the email privacy will be sent home separately.

Getting To and From School

If you drive your children to school, please drop them off at the path that leads to the side playground.  If they are late (8:45 a.m.), they must go to the front office for a tardy slip.

If your child rides the bus, please try to have your child at the bus stop 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled. Stress the importance of waiting off the road for the bus to stop, and when leaving the bus, moving away from it immediately.  On the bus, we expect children to follow the following rules.

To provide the safest transportation for students, the expectations listed below have been adopted:

1.     All students will remain seated in the forward position with feet out of the aisle when the bus is moving.

2.            Throwing of any objects is not permitted.

3.            Students must keep all extremities inside the bus.

4.     Yelling, excessive noise, or foul language will not be permitted.

5.            No smoking on the bus.

6.     All papers are to be disposed of properly in the front of the bus.

7.            Eating or drinking on the bus is at the driver’s discretion.

8.            Any destruction to the bus falls under vandalism.

Any student who persists in misconduct will receive detentions, be required to sit in the front of the bus, or lose his/her bus privileges.

Remember that it is against the law to pass a stopped school bus with flashing lights; the driver will report you.

Bicycle Policy/Walkers/Parent Pick-Up

All bikers, walkers, and parent pick-up students will not be dismissed until after the buses have left the parking lot.

Children are allowed to ride their bicycles to school providing they follow the guidelines below:

1.     Parents must fill out permission slips before children are allowed to ride bikes to school.

2.            Students must abide by bicycle safety rules.

3.            All bikes are to be parked in the bike racks.

4.            No student will tamper with any other student bikes.

5.     There will be no riding on school grounds while children are being

dismissed and while the school buses are in the yard.

6.     Since this is a privilege and there must be a concern for safety, any student failing to obey these guidelines or safety rules will:

A.     the first time will receive a call and letter home and a detention.

B.     additional offenses will result in the loss of riding privileges for the remainder of the school year.

Community Involvement

The Stamford School Board of Directors meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month.  All meetings are held in the principal’s office.  All board meetings are open to the public; agendas are posted at the school, at Billmont’s Country Store, and on the school’s website.  Contact the principal or a member of the board if you wish to be placed on the agenda.

The Stamford Parent-Teacher Group meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.  All meetings are held in the principal’s office.  Agendas are sent home with students, posted at the school, and are available on the schools website.  The PTG meets to improve communication between the school staff, parents, and the community, and sponsors events that include celebrations, open houses, discussion groups, etc.  The PTG has also conducted many fund-raisers to support special opportunities for children.

Volunteers can make valuable contributions to the education of children, by helping out in classrooms, library, chaperoning field trips and special events, sharing with children your special knowledge or experience, helping run programs, and more.  We welcome and value your participation in the school.


Positive Discipline

Three Level System

Level One Behavior

Primary Responsibility of the Teacher or Supervising Adult

Student Behaviors

  • Off task
  • Minor to moderate disruption
  • Inappropriate verbal interactions
  • Non-responsive to teacher direction
  • Inattention to classroom work
  • Unprepared for class

Teacher Behaviors

  • Supportive guidance back to task
  • Redirection
  • Planned ignoring
  • Interact (privacy, eye contact, proximity)
  • Script
  1. What are you doing?
  2. What are you supposed to be doing?
  3. What do you choose to do? (give 2 choices)
  • Reflective/empathic listening
  • “I” Statements
  • Segue from supportive behaviors to directive behaviors at appropriate time

Consequences

  • Parental notification/involvement
  • Positive reinforcement for task completion and class cooperation
  • Opportunities for recognition of achievement
  • In-class time-out
  • Work completion during free time
  • Failure of lesson
  • Loss of privileges
  • Restitution

Level Two Behaviors

Primary Responsibility of Teacher and Behavior Support Staff

Student Behaviors

  • Include all Level One behaviors in which student remains non-compliant and disruptive to his/her or others leaning or responsibilities.
  • Behavior continues with teacher intervention

Teacher Behavior

  • Script
  • Referral to out of classroom spaces
  • Working with school supports including:
  1. Crisis Team
  2. Time-out room
  3. Other school wide supports
  4. Consideration for Functional Behavioral Assessment and Behavior Intervention Plan

Consequences

      • Individual Plan created when negative behaviors are chronic
      • Loss of privileges
      • Class failure
      • Parent notification/involvelment
      • Life Space Crisis Intervention
      • Removal from classroom to Time-out room/Buddy Classroom
      • Restitution
      • Participation in Behavior Intervention Plan

Level Three Behaviors

Primary Responsibility of School Administration

Student Behaviors

      • Weapons possession, threat to use, or actual use
      • Drugs & Alcohol possession or use
      • Serious verbal aggressions, harassment or threat, bullying
      • Serious damage to property
      • Serious physical altercations
      • Chronic violation of school or class rules

Teacher Behaviors

      • Referral to Administrator
      • Seek help of Crisis Support Team & other school wide supports
      • Participate in parent conferences & re-entry meetings
      • Provide work for in-school suspension
      • Referral for Functional Behavioral Assessment & Behavioral Intervention Plan

Consequence

      • Home/School coordination & support
  • Interagency referral & planning
      • Restitution
      • Short-term suspension (in or out of school)
      • Long-term suspension
      • Expulsion
      • Consideration for placement in alternative program
      • School failure

Please Sign And Return This Page

I have reviewed the Parent & Student Handbook with my son and/or daughter and he/she understands the expectations and consequences.

_______________________

Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature

_______________________

Student’s Signature

___________________

Date
»  Substance: WordPress   »  Style: Ahren Ahimsa