Colt Andrews Elementary School Handbook 2012-2013
FORWARD
This handbook was developed to answer many of the commonly asked questions that you may have during the school year and to provide specific information about certain policies and procedures. If you have any questions that are not addressed in this handbook, you are encouraged to talk to the staff of Colt Andrews School or the building principal.
This handbook summarizes many of the official policies and administrative guidelines of the Bristol Warren School District and the Colt Andrews School. Although we have provided this handbook, school committee policy takes precedence.
School Directory Phone 401-254-5987Fax 401-254-3926 Email LattucaP@bw.k12.ri.us Web Page www.bw.k12.ri.us/Coltandrews SCHOOL HOURS Office Hours 8:55 a.m. – 3:25 p.m. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.OFFICE STAFFDr. Patrick Luttuca Principal LattucaP@bw.k12.ri.usMrs. Dorothy Sherman Secretary Shermand@bw.k12.ri.usMrs. Donna Cruz Secretary Cruzd@bw.k12.ri.us Mrs. Mary Lero School Nurse lerom@bw.k12.ri.us
The Colt Andrews School Staff
Office:
Latucca
Sherman - Andrews
- Colt
Custodians:
Kitchen:
Teacher Assistants:
School Hours Students should arrive at school by 8:55. Our instructional day begins at 9:10 with school dismissal at 3:25. Please do not drop off your child before 8:40; there is no supervision before that time.
Attendance and Tardiness Students are expected to come to school everyday, except in the cases of sickness or emergencies. If you child is sick and staying home please call the school at 254-5987 between 8:15 am and 9:00am. The school will attempt to call you, should we not receive a phone call when your child is not present. This is for the safety of your child. Students who arrive after morning exercises must report to the office for a late slip. Tardiness is highly discouraged. If your child is not enrolled in the before school COZ program, please do not arrive at school before 8:40. Supervision before that 8:40 am by the Colt Andrews staff is not available. Attendance and timeliness is mandatory according to RI State Law. Should absenteeism or tardiness become a recurring issue, the attendance/truancy officer will be notified. EMERGENCY INFORMATION/REGISTRATION FormsWe need to have up-to-date information about how to reach you at all times. It is crucial that student registration forms be filled out completely and returned promptly to the office. Please call the office at 254-5987 any time during the year to notify us of a change in your emergency information. We will only dismiss your child to a parent or legal guardian unless you have identified other designated adults on the emergency form. In most instances, we will require photo identification before we will dismiss your child. You can have up to 4 designated people to release your child.
Change of Address/Phone/Custody It is very important for the safety of your child that the school be able to contact you in the event of an emergency. In addition, please notify the school in writing of any custody issues, custody changes or restraining orders. We need to have current, signed, certified copies of custody documents on file. Please be sure to notify us of changes in address, phone numbers or emergency contacts. It is imperative that we have active, working phone numbers on file in case of emergencies or dismissals.
Transportation Students may only ride assigned school buses and must board and depart from the bus at assigned bus spots. Students may not ride unassigned buses for any reasons other than an emergency, except as approved by the director of transportation. Students who ride the bus will ride it home every day; unless a written note signed by the parent is received in the office, stating who will be picking up the child. Students may not take any bus to another location. All school rules apply on the bus. Safe and efficient transportation of students requires the maximum cooperation of parents, educators, and bus personnel. The bus driver is in charge of the bus and riders at all times. Students are to comply with the behavior and safety requests of the driver and bus monitor. Repeated misbehavior that jeopardizes students’ safety may result in temporary suspension from the bus. In such instances the parent will be notified by the principal.
Conduct on School Buses Buses carrying school children will be considered extensions of the school. Any student whose conduct on a school bus is improper or jeopardizes the safety of other students may have his right to school bus transportation suspended for such period of time as the superintendent or his designee deems appropriate. Students will conduct themselves in an orderly manner at all times while boarding, riding, or leaving a school bus. They will observe rules of safety and will not cause commotions which might distract the attention of the driver from the control of the vehicle. Violations of order will be considered the same as if committed in a classroom. The Principal or his/her designee may put a student off the bus only in extreme situations when the continued presence of the student on the bus clearly jeopardizes the safety of other passengers. An immediate report of the case will be made to the office of the superintendent. Normally, offenders will be advised by drivers that they will be reported to the appropriate principal or to the superintendent. This action should then be taken. Parents will be advised immediately if school authorities deem suspension of bus privileges to be the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken.
Visitors and Volunteers Visitors, particularly parents, are welcome at the school. In order to properly monitor the safety of students and staff, each visitor must report to the office upon entering the school to obtain a pass. Any visitor found in the building without a pass shall be reported to the office. If you wish to meet with a member of the staff, you should call for an appointment prior to coming to the School, in order to schedule a mutually convenient time.
School Cancellation In cases of severely inclement weather, there may be no school. School cancellation announcements are made on local radio and television stations; WLNE –TV/ Channel 6 WHJJ 920 AM B101.5 FM WJAR-TV/ Channel 10 WSNE 93.3 FM WCTK 98.1 FM WPRI-TV/ Channel 12 WHJY 94.1 FM Full Channel TV
The school office telephones are severely taxed during inclement weather. Please listen to the radio or TV rather than try to get through to the school. In the event that schools must be closed during the course of the school day, the Superintendent will notify the Principal and the major radio and TV stations listed above one hour before early dismissal. Parents should make arrangements for an alternate destination for their children and indicate this on the emergency cards. Please discuss this with your children to prevent anxiety.
Dismissal Walkers and bus students will be dismissed separately. Students attending the afternoon COZ program will report directly to the gym. All students being picked up by parents and guardians are considered walkers and will be dismissed from designated dismissal areas. Students are not allowed to meet cars located in the neighborhood. With written parent permission on file, grade 4 and 5 students are allowed to walk home with a younger sibling. Teachers will use a hand to hand dismissal system to ensure safety and security. Bus students will report directly to their bus lines. Please be aware that parents and guardians cannot remove their child from the bus line unless they report to the front office where an ID will be checked and you will be required to officially sign the child out. Please note that only persons listed on the emergency form will be allowed to pick up your child. For security reasons, we are not allowed to change emergency contacts over the telephone. You must come into the office to do so with the secretary or principal. For security reasons, NO CHILD WILL BE DISMISSED BETWEEN 3:00pm and 3:25pm. Please understand how disruptive it is to notify teachers and dismiss students throughout the school day and how seriously this compromises safety and security.
Change in Dismissal The school will allow changes in the usual dismissal pattern only with a note sent into the office on the day of the necessary change. Unless a note accompanies your child that day, your child must follow his/her usual dismissal procedures. We do not accept changes during the day by telephone. If an emergency occurs in that the dismissal must change during the day, the parent or guardian must bring in a note OR we can release a child only to those listed on our emergency card. This will be done only under dire circumstances. Children are not allowed to ride any other bus, except his or her assigned bus. Please understand that we are responsible for your child’s safety and take this responsibility very seriously. ID’s will be checked and you will be required to sign the child out. THIS INCLUDES COMMUNITY CELEBRATION DAYS. IF YOU PLAN TO DISMISS YOUR CHILD, A NOTE MUST BE SENT IN THAT DAY WITH YOUR CHILD. NO STUDENT WILL BE DISMISSED FORM THE CLASSROOM OR THE CELEBRATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PARENTS WAIT OUTSIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO BE DISMISSED AS WALKERS.
Make Up Opportunities Although there is no substitute for day to day instruction in class, it is understood that a student may be legitimately absent due to illness, bereavement, etc. and will need time/opportunity to make up work that has been missed.
In the event of short term absence, the teacher will minimally allow the student one day to make up for each day of absence. There may be exceptions to this rule, e.g. long term assignments given prior to the absence or debilitating illnesses or hospitalizations. It will be within the teacher’s discretion to limit or extend the time period in such cases.
If a student or parent has prior knowledge of an absence, as in the case of an impending surgery, the teacher should be advised to that special arrangements or alternate assignments may be considered. However, if a student is to be absent for a trip/vacation, the students will receive the work when he/she returns. Parents should consider the ramifications of taking vacation time during the school year, such as: a gap in student learning early on in the school year, loss of direct instruction, and a loss of valuable assessment data on the student.
Behavior For a school to meet the needs of its students, students must: · Respect yourself · Respect others · Respect your community.
All children have the right to be educated in a safe and caring environment. We follow the Bristol Warren School Committee policies that no bullying, weapons or violence will be tolerated.
Bullying Policy Bullying is prohibited in the public schools of Bristol and Warren, Rhode Island. The prevention of bullying is part of the Bristol Warren school district’s strategic plan. Bullying occurs when a student, while at school, intentionally assaults, batters, threatens, harasses, stalks, menaces, intimidates, extorts, humiliates, or taunts another student. Bullying also occurs when a student or a group of students organizes a campaign of shunning against another student or when a student or a group of students maliciously spreads rumors about another student. In most circumstances bullying does not include a mutual fight between two students of roughly equal strength who are angry with each other. Such fights are subject to discipline as a violation of school rules prohibiting fighting. In short, a student is bullied when they have repeatedly harassed, harmed physically or emotionally, or by the same person or group of people.
Playground and Recess
All students are expected to follow the instructions of teacher assistants, volunteers, or school staff in a respectful and courteous manner. Play equipment will be furnished ~ if improperly handled, use will be restricted. Students will be expected to share school equipment. It is important to proceed quietly and in an orderly manner when going to and from recess areas. Students who use poor judgment in playing at recess shall be tutored on specific recess behavior expectations. All students will go outside to play during a fifteen minute period at or around lunchtime. Please make sure your child is dressed for cold weather, i.e., hats, gloves, and boots. We will ensure that students go outside except in extreme weather conditions.
School and Classroom SnacksThe Colt Andrews School staff supports HEALTHY EATING HABITS and is asking parents to provide classrooms with WHOLESOME SNACKS such as fruits, cheese & crackers, pickles, pretzels, etc. There can be NO sharing of snacks or provision of whole class snacks by individual parents due to the allergies. GUM AND CANDY of any sort are not allowed in school. Please refer to the district policy webpage to access the full wellness policy.
Allergies Some of our students have a severe allergy to peanut butter and nuts. There will be one small area at lunch and snack that is a designated peanut free zone. Any students may sit in the area if they do not have peanut butter or nuts. If you send treats in for the class, please designate on the item if nuts or peanut butter are included. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our school nurses.
Meal Service The Bristol Warren Schools lunch program is provided by Chartwells. Students may purchase hot lunches. Lunch money should be sent in an envelope labeled with the child’s name, date(s), and choice(s). Lunches may be paid by the day, week, or month. Milk is sold daily in the cafeteria. Applications for free or reduced milk/lunch programs are available in the office. At any time during the school year, you can request a form from the secretary. Please do not send any glass or pull-off metal top containers or carbonated beverages in bag lunches for safety reasons. Parents are encouraged to send in a nutritious snack for mid-morning snack/recess time.
Breakfast is available to all students on a daily basis. Students may have a bag breakfast at 8:40 AM in the cafeteria. The fee for breakfast is $1.00 or $0.30 for reduced price.
Hot Lunch Prices Daily Hot Lunches $2.50 Reduced Hot Lunches $ .40 Milk $ .55 Breakfast $ 1.00 Reduced Breakfast $ .30
If your child owes more than $2.50 your child will be offered applesauce, cheese crackers and water. A bill will be sent daily to anyone owing money. If there is a financial difficulty, please openly communicate this with the principal so arrangements can be made. This conversation and arrangement will be kept in strict confidence.
Student Valuables Students are not to bring items of value to school. Items such as jewelry, expensive clothing, electronic equipment, and the like, are tempting targets for theft and extortion. The School cannot be responsible for their safe-keeping and will not be liable for loss or damage to personal valuables. Valuable items may include but are not limited to: cell phones, iPods, Gameboys, PSP, various collectible trading cards.
Birthday Invitation Policy Birthdays are a special time for all children. If your child is having a birthday celebration and you are not inviting the whole class, please mail the invitations to their homes. If the whole class is going to be invited, please feel free to send the invitations to your child’s teacher. Colt Andrews refrains from food celebrations. Please DO NOT send in food for Birthday celebrations. Please refer to our Wellness Policy at the link below.
Parking Parking for Colt Andrews may be found on Upper Bradford Street, Hope Street, High Street and in the municipal lot behind the library.
State Regulations Each year we are required by federal law to inform you of the status of asbestos in the schools. At this time, we are complying with all applicable federal and state regulations. In addition, the schools have successfully completed their annual inspection by the fire department, OSHA, and the building inspector. Lost and FoundThe lost and found area is outside the Andrews office. Students who have lost items, should check there and may retrieve their items if they give a proper description. Please label your children’s clothing with their name. Unclaimed items will be given to charity several times throughout the school year. In mid-winter, we have a lost and found fashion show. Feel free to join us that morning to claim some of your children wares!
Dress and Grooming If a student or their parent has selected a manner of appearance that is beyond mere freedom of expression and disrupts the educational process or presents risk to themselves or others, they may be removed from the educational setting or given an alternative item of clothing to wear. The following styles or manners of dress are considered inappropriate: • Clothing which exposes underwear or private areas (torn or sagging) is not permitted. • Clothing with writing or pictures that draws attention to private areas is prohibited. • Shoes or sandals with backs must be worn. NO FLIP FLOPS. • Clothing which advertises, promotes, or contains alcoholic beverages, tobacco products/promotions, illegal substances, obscene matter in print, pictures, or symbols of gang-affiliated items are prohibited. Shirts with negative gender or racial remarks or innuendos are not permitted. • Clothing, jewelry, or any other items may not defame or discriminate by race, religion, sex, or creeds are not permitted. • Halter-tops or spaghetti strap tops are not permitted. • Shirts must be long enough to be tucked in. • Tank tops must be at least 2 inches wide at the shoulder. • Shirts must fit appropriately at armholes as not to reveal torso or undergarments. • Shorts must be of at least “finger-tip” length. • Skirts and dresses must be “finger-tip” length.
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION SCHEDULE 2012-2013
Friday, November 30 Friday, February 1 Friday, March 1 Friday, March 29 Friday, April 6 Friday, May 24 (K-2) 1:45-2:20 (3-5)2:30-3:10 (Please check the website for updated information)
IMPORTANT OR FROM COMMUNITY CELEBRATION. WE ASK THAT PARENTS WAIT OUTSIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO BE DISMISSED AS WALKERS. This is to protect the safety of all students.
BRISTOL WARREN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL CALENDAR 2012-2013
* * * Please note that the last day of school may change if schools must be closed on occasion due to bad weather. * * * [ ] Aug 27, 2011 -Teacher Orientation Day -- School Starts Aug 28, 2012 for Grades K – 12, Aug 29 for Pre-K
Kindergarten has two grading periods: August 28 - January 18 and January 22 - June 13
School Committee meetings are generally held on the second and fourth Monday of each month (subject to change.) Please refer to our website for changes to the School Committee schedule. (www.bw.k12.ri.us) DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE: Rosh Hashanah - September 17, 18, 2012; Yom Kippur - September 26, 2012
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
