September
2005 MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HANDBOOK 2005-2006
Table of Contents
Elementary Calendar _________________________________________________ 3
Mountain View Staff ____________________________________________________ 4
Mission, Philosophy and Vision __________________________________________ 5
Helpful Hints __________________________________________________________ 5
Home and School Communications _____________________________________ 6
Dismissals ______________________________________________________________ 7
Cancellations and Delays ______________________________________________ 8
Drop Off and Pick Up ___________________________________________________ 8
PTO _________________________________________________________________ 8
Volunteer Opportunities _________________________________________________ 9
Security ________________________________________________________________ 9
Drills ___________________________________________________________________ 9
Academic Program __________________________________________________ 10
Report Cards __________________________________________________________ 11
Make-up Work ________________________________________________________ 11
Homework Policy _____________________________________________________ 12
Policies and Procedures _______________________________________________ 12
Code of Conduct ______________________________________________________ 14
Buses _________________________________________________________________ 14
Discipline Policy _______________________________________________________ 15
Medical Information ___________________________________________________ 16
Insurance ____________________________________________________________ 17
Parent and Student Signature Forms _________________________separate page
Please see the Code of Conduct for specific policies, rights, and responsibilities in regard to student discipline; suspension/expulsion; discipline of special education students; special education regulations; regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Act; prohibitions on hazing, firearms, and substance abuse; student searches; due process; and policies relative to sexual harassment, student records, tobacco free environment, and non-discrimination. The Code of Conduct also contains the full Internet Use Policy and rules of Conduct on buses. Please sign the green parent authorization form inserted in this handbook.
September
2005
Dear Families,
Greetings to all! We welcome our new and returning students to our school community. We hope this new school year will be exciting and productive for everyone.
This handbook has been developed through our School Council. The handbook will provide you with necessary information as a ready reference during the school year. Please review it and become familiar with its contents. As always, we encourage your involvement and support as we all work together to provide challenging and enriching educational programs for our students.
We believe our primary focus is the needs of our learners and we view our school as a center of inquiry, where learning is an active process that takes place in many different ways. Time, space, instruction and staff are utilized and organized in order that all children can reach their academic potential.
Please remember, as parents you play a very vital role in the success of your child’s learning. We welcome your continuing support and are eager to work with you in providing a productive and happy school experience. We warmly invite you to stop in or call with questions, concerns, to share thoughts, or just to say ‘hello.’
I look forward to seeing you in and around the school this year.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Wallace, Principal
East Longmeadow Public Schools
Elementary Calendar 2005-2006 School Year
Important Dates
September 21 Open House 6:30 pm - 7:30pm
October 10 no school for Columbus Day,
October 19* half-day for parent teacher conferences
October 26* half-day for district professional development
November 11 no school for Veteran’s Day
November 23* half-day Thanksgiving break begins
November 24 and 25 Thanksgiving Break
December 1* half-day for parent teacher conferences
December 21* half-day begins holiday break
December 22-30 Winter vacation
January 2 New Year’s Day no school
January 3 return to school
January 16 no school for Martin Luther King Day
February 9* half-day for parent teacher conferences
February 20 through February 24 no school for February break
March 15 no school for district professional development
April 14 no school for Good Friday
April 14 through April 21 no school for spring break
May 29 no school for Memorial Day
June 21* half-day and last day if no snow days
June 22
through June 27 snow days make up
* Denotes half day –
dismissal 11:30 am
MCAS Schedule
|
Test |
Administration |
Who Participates |
No. of Sessions |
No. of Days |
|
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|
Reading |
March 27-April 7 |
Grade 3 |
3 |
3 |
|
||||
|
ELA Language and Literature |
March 27-April 7 |
Grades 4, 7 |
3 |
2 or 3 |
|
||||
|
ELA Composition |
March 28 |
Grades 4, 7, 10 |
2 |
1 |
|
||||
|
ELA Composition Make-up |
April 5 |
Students in grades 4, 7, and 10 not tested on March 28 |
2 |
1 |
|
||||
|
Test |
Administration |
Who Participates |
No. of Sessions |
No. of Days |
|||||
|
Math |
May 15-June 2 |
Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
2 |
1 or 2 |
|||||
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Science & Tech/Eng. |
May 15-June 2 |
Grades 5, 8 |
2 |
1 or 2 |
|||||
|
History and Social Science (Question Tryout) |
May 15-June 2 |
Grades 5, 7 |
1 |
1 |
|||||
Grades Close Report Cards Issued
Thursday, November 10 Friday, November 18
Friday, January 27 Friday, February 3
Thursday, April 7 Thursday, April 13
Friday, June 16 Wednesday, June 21
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MOUNTAIN VIEW STAFF |
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The East Longmeadow school district has established Mountain View School as an intermediate elementary center for children in grades three through five. Our goal is to help prepare students to achieve academic excellence and to acquire the skills necessary to become life-long learners as they meet the challenges of the 21st century.
We continue to build on the foundations established at Meadow Brook School. We strive to maintain a safe and nurturing educational environment, promoting positive interaction and collaboration within the school community. We recognize the right of individuals to grow, to develop a sense of responsibility, and to interact creatively with the world, as they journey on to meet the challenges of Birchland Park Middle School.
Our mission statement supports our school motto: “We Respect Ourselves, Others and the Environment”.
The staff and parents of Mt. View School are committed to providing quality experiences for academic excellence by cultivating a learning environment that is safe, caring, and nurturing. We provide opportunities for children to become self-directed, life-long learners. We recognize the need for our students to develop into citizens with global awareness. We continually challenge all students to achieve their academic, social, emotional and physical potentials.
Helpful Hints
v Make sure your child arrives to school on time (8:10) and attends school regularly. Please make sure your child has a nutritious breakfast, practices good hygiene, and is well rested each day.
v Please provide a healthy snack for our 10:00 break.
v Support our efforts to maintain good behavior and work habits.
v Stay in touch with what your child is learning. Ask him/her about the school day. Ask what was the best part of the day and why. Your child will receive an assignment book, please review and sign the notebook on a nightly basis. Review the work he/she brings home.
v Let the teacher and/or guidance counselor know of any problems outside of school that might affect his/her day. Email is an effective way to communicate with us.
v
Communicate
with the classroom teacher. Call the teacher, email or send in a note if you
have concerns or questions. It is not necessary to wait for a conference day
to schedule a conference.
v When picking up your child whether routinely or on occasion please use the Hampden Road car line.
v Encourage your child to do his/her best.
v Praise your child for a job well done!
Home and School
Communication
We encourage you to call, email or schedule an appointment regarding questions or comments about your child or school. Grade level curriculum information is available in the school office or on the district website at www.eastlongmeadow.org. Please feel free to call the office (525-5490) or send a note whenever you feel the need for information or to share ideas. Please send a note when there will be a deviation in your child’s routine or there is a situation which may affect his/her performance.
If you need to give your child a message during the school day, it must be in writing and deposited in the “parent message” box in the office. If you write a note or bring a forgotten item to school, please write your child’s name on the easel in the office. During the lunch period (11:45-12:45) we will place the easel by the cafeteria so when students enter they will see their name is posted. If so, they should retrieve the message from the “parent message” box or the forgotten item from the office counter at that time.
Students out one day only will receive missed work when they return to school. Parents may request missed work if the student has been or will be out for more than one day. The work may be picked up or sent with another student at the end of the day following the request.
Parent-teacher conferences are an integral part of the communication between home and school. Through these conferences, better assessment of each child’s progress can be achieved. Parents may request a conference with a teacher, or teachers, anytime during the school year. It is important that teachers be able to give you their full attention while discussing your child’s progress. Rather than dropping in unexpectedly, please contact the teacher to arrange a convenient time to meet.
All parents are welcome to visit school throughout the school year. Our Safe School Policy requires that all parents and visitors sign in at the office upon entering the building and receive a pass. If you would like to visit a classroom to observe, we request that you make arrangements through the principal’s office.
8:10 - 8:15 Children arrive at school and enter the building
8:20 - 10:00 Instruction
10:00 - 10:15 Snack break
10:15 - 11:45 Instruction
11:45
12:45 Lunch and recess
Half day dismissal is at 11:35
12:45 - 2:25 Instruction
2:30 Dismissal
If your child arrives later than 8:20, he/she is considered tardy and must sign in at the office.
School Attendance
Students have the responsibility to be in school and in class on time as well as to attend all classes and assigned activities. We ask that parents be judicious in making the decision to take a vacation or schedule appointments during regular school hours. To insure your child’s successful learning and advancement to the next grade, students must be in attendance 90% of the school year (absences may not exceed 18 days). All absences, whether illness or otherwise, will be counted. Seven tardies are counted as one day of absence. See Code of Conduct for complete policy.
If your child is going to be absent from school please call us and leave a message. If you do not call the school, we will notify you of your child’s absence and ask that you call us to confirm.
Students who are absent will be expected to make up work upon their return to school.
Dismissals
Early dismissal from school is granted only upon written parental request specifying the time, date, and who is picking up the child. Come to the school office and we will call your child upon arrival. Please do not go directly to the classroom as frequent interruptions by parents and others disrupt the learning process. If for unexpected reasons, you need to see your child during the school day, please come to the office and we will assist you. If your child is ill and should be sent home, you will be notified by the nurse or office, please pick up your child in a timely manner.
Changes in Dismissal
Any change to the ordinary dismissal for your child must be sent to the office in writing. In an attempt to keep classroom interruptions to a minimum, we cannot be responsible for notifying individual students of changes to dismissal procedures. Please arrange any dismissal changes with your child in the morning. If your child does not ride the bus, we ask that you please pick your child up in car line. No student will be dismissed from the office after 2:00PM and before 2:30PM unless an emergency arises.
Cancellations and Delays
It is the policy of the East Longmeadow Public Schools to remain open whenever buildings are in operating order and the buses can run. In doubtful cases, the final decision whether or not school will be in session is not made until 6:00 a.m. If the decision is to cancel school or delay the starting time, the local radio and television station will carry a “No School” or “Delayed Opening” announcement. You will also receive a phone call from our automated phone service.
Please tune in to the following stations or check their websites:
WHYN 560 AM WGGB-TV Channel 40 – WGGB.Com
WNNZ 640 AM WWLP-TV Channel 22 – WWLP.COM
WMAS 1450 AM CABLE TV Channel 4
It is the policy of the East Longmeadow Public Schools never to dismiss students early due to weather. You may pick up your child early on days with inclement weather.
If you transport your child to school, please enter the school from Somers Road and drop him/her off between 8:10 and 8:15 a.m. When picking up your child at the end of the school day, please use the Hampden Road entrance. When using the Hampden Rd. entrance please note that for everyone's safety, there are directional arrows. Please follow the flow of traffic by following the arrows. Children who are not picked up by 2:35 p.m. will be in the office. Only vehicles authorized to do so may park in the in the handicap designated spaces, please do not violate this restriction. There is no parking adjacent to the canopy or the cafeteria at any time.
Forgotten Items
If you have an item to drop off, leave it on the counter with your child’s name. Please write your child’s name on the easel. Your child can check the office at the 10:00 break and again at noon to retrieve the item(s). We do not interrupt instruction at any time except for emergencies.
School Calendar
The school calendar, which is sent home with your child at the beginning of the school year, contains information such as: dates of marking periods, distribution of report cards, parent conference days, staff development days, school vacations, and holidays. We suggest that you keep the calendar handy. By referring to it often many answers to school related questions might quickly be obtained. The calendar is posted on the district website. Important dates can be found on page 3 of this handbook.
Each fall we welcome parents and students to attend our evening open house. This time provides an opportunity to meet teachers, visit classrooms and tour the building. We appreciate your willingness to make this a social event. If you need to talk to your child’s teacher about a certain issue, please schedule a conference to protect your child’s confidentiality. We also invite you to attend an afternoon informational meeting with your child’s teacher. These meetings are scheduled by grade level at the start of the school year.
The Mountain View School Parent Teacher Organization is dedicated to enhancing the quality of the student, staff and family experience at the school. Each family is invited to become an active member of PTO. Support may be expressed by volunteering in the many PTO events or programs. Please contact PTO members to express your desire to volunteer. Many PTO activities can be done at home, as well as at school. Whatever time you can spare is valuable to your child and to the school. The PTO officers can be of assistance. If you require more information do not hesitate to contact them. Remember, the PTO always welcomes new members and new ideas!! PTO information is available on our school website.
Mountain
View School welcomes volunteers in our many activities and events. Please
contact PTO and express your desire to volunteer. The laws of confidentiality
bind all volunteers who are working in any capacity in the school setting.
Information obtained through observation or participation in classrooms is
completely confidential.
The Education Reform Act of 1993 requires that each school establish a school council to promote shared decision making within the school community. The council is composed of the principal, elected parents, teachers and community members. Its members assist the principal in the identification of the educational needs of the students, review of the budget and the formulation of a school improvement plan. The make-up of the council encourages diverse perspectives in the formulation of a consensus plan.
Children deserve to learn in an atmosphere that is safe, secure, nurturing, and orderly, free from drugs, crime and violence. Each school in East Longmeadow has developed a “building crisis action plan”. This plan provides us with a standardized response in the event of an emergency or crisis in the building. Part of our plan provides for making the building as secure as possible from intruders. All exterior doors are locked during the day with the exception of the main entrance. We insist that all visitors to the building including parents and volunteers must check in at the office and receive a visitor badge. The front door is locked at 4:00PM each day for security reasons. A video recorder provides constant monitoring of our campus.
Child Care
The CAP (children at play) program cares for students before and after school. The program is housed at Meadow Brook School. Transportation to and from the program is provided. For more information call 526-9988.
Drills
Fire drills are practiced on a regular basis as required by law and are an important safety precaution. It is important that when the signal sounds everyone leaves the building by the designated route as quickly and quietly as possible.
Safe Schools Drill
We practice a whole school safety drill at the beginning of the year. This drill prepares students in the event of a weather-related or safety related emergency.
Special Subjects
Teachers with special certifications teach art, physical education, health, vocal music instruction and enrichment on a weekly basis. Instrumental music lessons are offered to our fifth grade students.
GT Program
Our mission is to provide services designed to meet the needs of our academically gifted students. We provide exploratory activities for all students in the classroom once per week. These lessons are an extension of the classroom. Fourth and fifth grade students who are formally identified as gifted and talented are served in a separate program in math and/or language arts once per week.
METCO Program
The Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) is a voluntary, state-funded program designed to eliminate racial imbalance through the busing of urban children of color to school systems in surrounding suburban communities. It also provides suburban students and staff opportunities to interact with many minority students and the benefit of a culturally diverse learning environment. METCO exists in 37 suburban communities across the state including East Longmeadow Public Schools.
Special programming is available for children who have been identified with specific learning and emotional problems standing in the way of their progress. Careful evaluations are made to better serve the special needs of such children. Specialists in counseling, speech, reading, occupational therapy, physical therapy and special education are involved in the program.
The Mountain View School Library is now a fully automated facility offering students and staff access to an online catalog and computerized circulation. The students use the library for scheduled library times, project research and to browse for books for leisure reading. Books and magazines can be checked out for a two week loan period, with one renewal. Materials that are lost, stolen or damaged must be replaced or will have a replacement cost assessed to the student to whom the material was checked out. There are books available in the library for purchase to honor a child’s birthday, a special teacher or other important event in a student’s life. Please contact the library for more information.
Technology
Mt. View has 2 student computers in each classroom and 28 computers in the lab. Students have access to these computers and to the Internet. Please make certain to read the Acceptable Internet Use Policy in the Code of Conduct book. Appropriate behavior is expected while using the equipment and the Internet.
We use Microsoft Word 2000. Work between school and home can be saved on a floppy disc. If you do not have this Word 2000 at home, an alternative would be WordPad, which is available with Windows 95 and higher.
Parents, of grade five students, will be notified every year regarding the instruction of the Family Life/Sex Education classes. Parents will be given the opportunity to exempt their child/children from any portion of the curriculum. No student shall be penalized by reason of such exemption.
Field trips are a valuable part of the Mountain View educational program. Parental permission is required. Students on field trips represent our school and should understand that they remain under school supervision at all times. When paying for field trips, please make checks payable to the Town of East Longmeadow unless otherwise indicated.
Report cards are issued in November, February, April and June. Cards are to be signed by parents (in November, February and April) and returned as soon as possible to the teacher.
When a student is absent, the following processes will be used in making up missed instructional work.
A. Make-up work due to illness:
1. Students should request, complete, and receive credit for make-up work for any absence during any school day or partial school day.
2. Make-up work will be granted for absences upon the student’s or parent’s request. Student requests for make-up work should be initiated within two (2) consecutive school days after returning from an absence. Make-up work shall be completed and returned to the respective teacher(s) following the absence(s), at the rate of one make-up day for each day of illness. Absences will be documented by the parent or by a physician and administration.
3. Students out one day only will receive missed work when they return to school. Parents may request missed work if the student has been or will be out for more than one day. The work may be picked up or sent with another student at the end of the day following the request.
B. Make-up work due to non-illness/vacations:
The school administration neither encourages nor condones students missing school for family vacations. When this occurs, the student will not be considered truant (unexcused absence) if the following procedures are used:
1. The parent(s) will contact the school in advance of the planned vacation.
2. Work will be made available to students upon their return from an absence from school. It is the student’s responsibility to return work on an agreed upon time. Please do not ask teachers to prepare student assignments in advance of your child’s trip. All work will be offered to the student for full value credit upon the return of the student to class.
3. Please be aware that we are unable to give MCAS make-up tests due to non-illness absences. See page 3 for MCAS Testing Dates.
C. Make-up work due to suspensions:
1. Make-up work will be made available to students while on suspension in accordance with Massachusetts State law. Please contact principal for arrangements.
Homework is a vital part of a child’s school experience. Its primary purpose is to give students time to practice skills learned in class. This extension of learning time also helps students develop responsibility, time management skills, and self-confidence. It also helps promote parent-child interaction and strengthens home and school communication.
Regular homework is assigned Monday through Thursday. We suggest that your child have a quiet, well-lit area away from family activity in which to do homework. We encourage you to check your child’s assignments to see that they are completed and ready on time. The school will provide a homework assignment book at the beginning of the year. Use this as a vehicle for parent to teacher communication. Initial the book each night indicating that your child has completed his/her assignments. Lost assignment books may be replaced for a $2.00 fee.
Each student is expected to read independently for at least 20 to 30 minutes in addition to the following:
Grade 3: Assignments are given Monday through Thursday and take generally 20 to 30 minutes.
Grade 4: Assignments are given Monday through Thursday and take generally 40-50 minutes.
Grade 5: Assignments are given Monday through Thursday and generally take 50-60 minutes.
If a student or a parent finds that excessive time is being spent on homework, please contact the teacher to discuss the situation.
It is our philosophy to integrate students into the regular classroom as often as possible. This pertains to academically and physically challenged students. Staff members are sensitive to various learning needs of children. We make every effort to provide an optimal learning environment for the children.
Policies and Procedures
Student’s photographs are taken annually in the fall. Although every child is photographed, this does not obligate the parents in any way to make a purchase.
Birthday Recognition
If you would like to send in a simple treat to be shared at the 10:00 break, please send a small snack that will fit in your child’s backpack. We suggest fruit or veggies because many students have nut and chocolate food allergies. Please do not send cake or ice cream.
Holidays
Each class has a simple party to celebrate the December Holidays and Valentine’s Day.
Student Phone Use
Students may use the phone for emergency situations only. Permission must be obtained from the classroom teacher, and the office will issue a telephone pass to the student. Cell phone use is not allowed during school hours.
Students go outside each day for a 25-minute play period, either before or after lunch. Unless it is raining or is extremely cold, all students are expected to take part in outdoor activity. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately when the weather gets cold (mittens, hats, snow pants, boots). Students may bring play items to school for recess time. Hard balls and bats, gun-like toys, trading cards, electronic devices, and personal stereos are not allowed.
Articles that have been found in the school or on school grounds should be turned into the school office where their owners may claim them. Losses should be reported and the Lost & Found area checked periodically. Articles of clothing that are left behind will be sent to charity, once on December 30th and again on the last day of school.
School lunch is available for $1.25. The menus for each month are distributed by the schools and also published in local newspapers. Those who bring their own lunches may purchase milk for 35 cents. Lunch and/or milk are paid for on a daily basis. Lunch tickets are available for purchase in the school kitchen. If 20 or more tickets are purchased at a time the cost per ticket is $1.20. Lunch tickets are available for purchase in advance. Simply enclose the money in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and room number on it and how many tickets you are requesting. In an emergency, credit slips are available for lunch. Payment is expected the next school day.
Children may choose to sit at any table in the cafeteria. Establishing and maintaining respectful and appropriate conduct in the cafeteria is a goal mutually shared by school and home. Our noon-aides are in the cafeteria and on the playground to assist your child and to help provide a safe environment for all.
Bicycles, Skateboards, Scooters and Roller blades
Skateboards,
scooters and roller blades are not allowed on school property.
A parent must give written permission in order for a student to ride his/her bike to school. Per state law, helmets are required. Students who ride bikes to school should lock them in the designated racks as soon as they arrive. The school will not be responsible for bicycles left on school property both during and after school hours. Children need to follow bicycle safety rules. The following are safety guidelines to be shared with your child:
1. Always wear a helmet.
2. Know and use bicycle hand signals.
3. Never ride two on a bike.
4. Keep the bicycle under control and in good repair at all times.
5. Look in all directions before walking with your bike across a street.
6. Ride your bike on the right hand side of the street.
7. Be careful of walkers and especially automobiles.
The principal reserves the right to prohibit students from riding bikes.
Walkers
We strongly suggest that students not walk to and from school alone.
Children are expected to behave in a socially acceptable manner. The teacher’s primary duty is to teach. In order to create the proper learning environment, appropriate behavior is expected of the students. For complete information, please refer to the 2005-2006 East Longmeadow Code of Conduct.
The school and parents must work together so that the student receives all the benefits the school has to offer. We ask that you support us in our school motto:
Please encourage your child to follow these specific rules of conduct:
Students are assigned to a specific bus. Since routes are carefully planned, we cannot honor requests for a child to take a bus other than the one to which he is assigned.
Students have a right to safe transportation to and from school. Riding a bus is a privilege and all bus rules must be followed in order to maintain this privilege. The following are safety guidelines to be shared with your child:
*(Note: Please allow +/- 10 minutes from designated time of pickup/discharge to actual time of pickup/discharge.)
9. The form for complaints, questions, or requests for changes in transportation are in the
central office.
The school authorities, the bus operators, and the police work closely to ensure safe operations of all buses. Parental cooperation plays a large part in the success of this phase of the school program. If a student’s actions are dangerous to him/herself or the safety of others, the privilege of riding a bus will be withdrawn. The bus driver is responsible for and has full authority over the conduct of students while on the bus. Inappropriate conduct will be reported to the principal and parents on a bus ticket. Even one ticket may result in suspension of bus privileges. School officials are concerned about safety and must enforce rules and appropriate conduct at all times.
The East Longmeadow Public School specific “Rules of Conduct” on buses will be handed out to each rider at the beginning of the school year. Please keep them in a safe place and refer to them frequently.
B. On School Grounds
1. Students are:
a. to stay away from parked cars and to use caution while exiting and boarding buses
b. to remain on school grounds during the day
c. to use appropriate walk area when driving or leaving school
d. to refrain from throwing snow, ice or other dangerous objects
e. not to arrive on school grounds before 8:10
C. In the Building
1. Students will be held responsible for the willful destruction of school property and the personal property of others.
2. The use of offensive language and gestures is prohibited.
3. Fighting and behavior that is threatening to oneself or to the safety of others is prohibited.
4. The wearing of hats and the chewing of gum is prohibited.
D. Care of Books and other School Property
1. Textbooks should be covered with heavy paper or fabric.
2. Damaged and/or lost books are to be paid for by the student or parent.
3. Damages to the building, equipment, and other school property become the responsibility of the offending student or parent.
All students are expected to meet the requirements for behavior as set forth in the East Longmeadow Student Code of Conduct. Chapter 71B of the Massachusetts General Laws, known as Chapter 766, requires that additional provisions be made for students who have been found by an evaluation team to have special needs and whose program is described in an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). See the East Longmeadow Student Code of Conduct for further information.
Suspension
The school principal, or the designee in her absence, may suspend a student from school for specified disciplinary reasons or for other reasons where his/her presence would disrupt the formal operation of the school. Such suspension shall not be for more than ten school days. Whenever a student is suspended his/her parent is to be notified stating the specific reason and duration of the suspension.
Medical Information
Health Policies and
Emergency Cards
Every effort is made to care for your child’s physical, mental and emotional well being while he is in school. Sick and injured children are given emergency care, but the responsibility for treatment rests with the family.
We send home a student registration form the first week of school. This form requests information as to the place and phone number of the parents’ employer. We also need the address and telephone number of at least two relatives or close friends who would be willing to care for your child, if it is necessary to have this child cared for when you are not at home. Make sure that the person you indicate as an “emergency number” is a person who is able to get to school to pick up your child if you cannot be reached.
It also requests your permission to secure medical attention for your child in case it is needed and you are not available. The information on this form is extremely important, and we would request your cooperation in filling it out and returning it immediately. Parents should call the school to update changes.
If your child has a particular health problem, please furnish us with any pertinent information, which will enable us to make your child’s adjustment to school a happy one.
A.
Illness and First Aid
Pupils should not come to school when they are genuinely ill, as they might be endangering others, and they will more than likely not be able to keep up with their schedule. If a child becomes sick while at school, attempts will be made to contact a parent or emergency contact to pick up the child. A sick child will remain in the health room until picked up. Parents must provide transportation; no child will be allowed to ride the bus or to walk home unaccompanied. Injuries, skin irritations, and so forth, which arise outside school, should be cared for at home or through the family doctor. Accidents and injuries that occur during the school day must be reported to the adult in charge of the class or activity, who will then report them to the school office if necessary.
B. The Administration of Prescribed Medication
The policy for the East Longmeadow Public School and a copy of the forms, which must be filled out by, parents or legal guardians and the physician are available from the school nurse.
Physicians and parents should make every effort to adjust any schedule of medication for a pupil so that medication is given while the child is out of school. The East Longmeadow Public Schools will cooperate in the administration of medication only when, in doing so, it will help in keeping the pupil in attendance and will protect the child. In the exceptional case, when a chronic or emergency condition exists and medication must be administered in school during school hours, the following conditions must be met:
1. There must be on file in the school of attendance a written order from the pupil’s physician.
2. The pupil’s guardians or parents must submit a completed pertinent data sheet asking that the pupil receive the medication during school hours.
3. The required medication must be kept in a locked cabinet in the school health room or office and be given by the school nurse or a person designated by the school nurse.
4. The medication shall be issued by a pharmacist whose label on the container shall indicate:
a. The name of the child and the prescribing physician.
b. The name and strength of the medication.
c. The amount of each dose and schedule for administration of the medication.
C. Administration of Prescription Medications for Field Trips
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Public
Health, has granted registration to the East Longmeadow Public Schools solely
for the delegation of prescription medication during field trips and short term
school events.
The East Longmeadow Public Schools agree to comply with the Department of Public
Health Regulations, 105 C.M.R. 210.005(E)(1)(o), to wit: Every effort shall be
made to obtain a nurse or school staff member trained in prescription medication
administration to accompany students at special school events. When this is not
possible, the school nurse may delegate prescription medication administration
to another responsible adult. Written consent from the parent or guardian for
the named responsible adult to administer the prescription medication shall be
obtained. The school nurse shall instruct the responsible adult on how to
administer the prescription medication to the child.
The responsible adult shall provide documentation of the administration of the prescription medication consistent with the Medication Administration Plan.
Please refer to the 2005-2006 East Longmeadow Student Code of Conduct for more information on health policies.
A student accident policy is available to all school children at a nominal fee. Application forms are sent home at the beginning of each school year.
Thank you for taking the time to review this handbook and for being an integral part of your child’s educational experience.
