Moosup Elementary School
August 20154
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers,
Welcome to Moosup Elementary School, home of our mascot, the Chocolate Moose! The entire faculty and staff have been excitedly preparing for another wonderful school year full of meaningful learning opportunities for your child. The connection between home and MES is vital. We are so pleased to have you in our school community!
We are dedicated to providing a rich learning environment for your child. With your support we can create a school community that fosters learning, responsibility, respect, kindness, and caring among our students.
This Handbook has been prepared to help address your questions and provide suggestions for ensuring a productive school year. We have also included district procedures, policies and regulations mandated by state law. This information includes guidelines we all must follow in order to protect our students and create an environment where every child is respected and can learn. Please visit our district website at for updated information throughout the school year. There is also a link to the MES website.
On the first day of school your child will be given a dark blue Home-School Communication folder. This is the only folder that your child needs. One side is designed to hold notices/messages between home and school. The other side is for student work. PLEASE MAKE IT A DAILY PRACTICE TO CHECK YOUR CHILD’S BLUE HOME-SCHOOL FOLDER AND RETURN IT TO SCHOOL THE FOLLOWING DAY.
Communication between home and school directly affects your child’s success in school. We welcome your notes, phone calls, emails, and visits. They are key ingredients to shaping a true partnership. In your child’s Home-School folder we are including blue “Quick Notes”
which you may find convenient to use to communicate with school personnel. Let us know if you need more. Working together as a team, we know your child will experience a positive, productive, and rewarding year.
On behalf of the entire faculty and staff, I welcome your family to MES!
Sincerely,
ColleenLugauskas
Principal
Moosup Elementary School
August 2015
Dear Moosup Elementary Families,
I am so pleased to be returning to Moosup Elementary School as the Assistant Principal/ Director of Reading. MES had been my home for the past ten years where I taught both second grade and served as the building’s reading specialist. Last year I had the opportunity to intern as an assistant principal at Shepard Hill Elementary School and it is with great excitement that this year I was offered the opportunity to serve both of Plainfield’s elementary schools in this capacity.
I am a lifelong resident of Plainfield and care deeply about the students and the families that make up our community. My husband Daniel and I raised our two daughters here. Jessica and Emma are proud graduates of Plainfield High School and their education in this community prepared them well. I have a passion for reading and for helping students to develop a love of literature. I look forward to the year ahead: getting to know your child and all that makes them so unique.
I hope all our friends have had the opportunity to visit the Discovery Bus and have read something interesting. See Plainfield’s website for times and locations for Plainfield’s mobile library.
Enjoy the rest of the summer vacation and please be sure to say hello or introduce yourselves if we haven’t yet met. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Sincerely,
Natasha Hutchinson
Assistant Principal
Director of Reading
Plainfield Public Schools
****Signature Page*****
Please sign and return to Moosup Elementary during the first two weeks of school.
We have read and reviewed the Student and Parent Handbook.
Parent Name______
Parent Signature______
Student Name ______
Student
Signature______
MOOSUP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
OUR MISSION
The mission of Plainfield Public Schools is to promote academic excellence and personal development. In conjunction with rigorous instruction and high expectations, we will work collaboratively with families and the community for our students to develop skills necessary to succeed in college or career choice, challenging them to become life-long learners and responsible, productive citizens.
OUR VISION
To develop an enriched community
ofcaring and creative life-long learners
who strive to excel in the ABC’s:
Academic Achievement, Behavior, Character.
Moosup Elementary School
Behavior Purpose Statement
At Moosup Elementary School adults and children treat each other with respect. We take responsibility for our learning and strive for a safe and kind school for all.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Every student is encouraged to develop and achieve individual educational goals. The district will provide every student with equal educational activities regardless of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, economic status, marital status, or disability. No student will be excluded on such basis from participating in or having access to any course offerings, student athletics, counseling services employment assistance, extracurricular activities, or other school sources.
Mr. Bryan Klimkiewicz is the designated district compliance officer, who will coordinate with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The Plainfield School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability by denying access to the benefits of district services, programs, or activities. To request information about the applicability of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) interested persons should contact Mr. Bryan Klimkiewicz.
PLAINFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION
Mr., Douglas Smith, Chairperson
Mrs. Cheryl HullMrs. Kathleen Barry, Vice Chairperson
Ms. Audrey Lemieux, Secretary
Mrs. Kathleen Barry
Mr. Ron Benoit
Mrs. Christi Haskell
Mr. John Lorange
Mr. Peter Migneault
Mr. Mike O’Neil
Mrs. Cheryl Hull
Mrs. Cynthia Arpin
Mr. Michael Cartier
Mr. Mike O’Neil
CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF
Mr. Kenneth DiPietro, Superintendent
Mr. Ronald Lussier, Business Manager
Mr. Bryan Klimkiewicz,Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
Mrs. Rena Cadro, Director of Curriculum and Grants
Mrs. Augusta Gilberti, Supervisor of Special Services
Mrs. Eileen McKenna, Transportation Coordinator
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Moosup Elementary School 860 564 6430
MES FAX 860 564 6175
Nurse’s Office 860 564 6185
Transportation 860 564 64607017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A...... 1-3
AIDS Education
Advertising
Alcohol and Drug Use Policy
Allergies
Arrival at School
Asbestos
Assemblies
Attendance/Truancy Policy
Awards and Recognition
B...... 43-5
Bicycles
Birthday Invitations
Board of Education
Breakfast Program
Bullying
Bus Guidelines
C...... 5-10
Cellular Phones/Devices
Class Schedule
Code of Conduct (Behavior Expectations)
Conferences and Visits
CST (Child Study Team)
D...... ..10-11
Destruction of Records
Dismissal
Dress Code
E...... 10-. 11
Early Dismissal
Emergencies
F...... .. 11-12
Field Trips
Fire/Intruder Alert Drills
G...... 1211
GAP (Guidance Assistance Program)
GAP (Guidance Assistance Program)
H...... 1211-14
Head Lice (Pediculosis)
Healthy Food Choices
Health Services
Homework
J...... 14
Jump In!
K...... 14
Keeping the School Informed
L...... . 14-15
Library
Lost and Found
Lunch Program
M...... 1615
Mandated Reporter
Medication
Morning Walk
N...... 1615-1716
Newsletters
No School Announcements/Delayed Opening/Early Dismissal
O...... 1716
Open a Book...
P...... 1716-1817
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Playground/Recess Expectations
Professional Qualifications
Promotion and Retention Policy
Q...... 1817
Quiet Time
R...... 1817
Recess and Illness
Report Cards
S...... 1817-1918
School Expectations
Searches
Sexual Harassment Policy
Snack Time
Special Services
Steps to Protect a Child’s Right to Special Education
T...... 1918-2019
Testing Program
Textbooks and School Property
U...... 2019
Unique
V...... 2019
Valuables
Volunteers
W...... .2019-2120
Weapons and Dangerous Instrument Policy
Website
X...... 2120
Xtra
Y...... 2120
You
Z...... 2120
Zoom In!
AIDS EDUCATION
Section 10-19(b) of the StatesConnecticut General Statutes requires that Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) instruction be offered. It is recommended that some instruction be offered at least once during the kindergarten through grade 2 sequences, grade 3 through 5 sequences, grade 6 through 8 sequences, and grade 9 through 12 sequences. The Plainfield Public Schools will meet the State’s recommendations for the kindergarten through grade 2 sequence and the grade 3 through 5 sequence by offering AIDS instruction to the first, third, and fifth grade classes.
ADVERTISING
The public school maintains careful control on the way in which students are exposed to materials and announcements, other than those related directly to school sponsored programs and activities. Caution is exercised to prevent exploitation of the system and its students. District prescribed standards shall be met.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE POLICY (BOE Policy 50175031)
The use, possession, and/or sale of alcoholic beverages and non-prescribed drugs, and drugs not prescribed for the individual in possession are forbidden on all school property. This prohibition applies to all students participating in all officially sanctioned school activities wherever they are conducted. This prohibition includes transportation to and from such activities on school buses and/or other officially sanctioned transportation facilities. Discipline up to and including expulsion may be applied for violation of the above at the discretion of the Board of Education.
Recognizing that drug use and abuse may be indicative of serious underlying problems, every effort will be made to offer a student help and assistance, including early identification, referral for treatment, and after care support. Disciplinary procedures will be administered with the best interest of the student, school population, and community in mind.
The Plainfield Public Schools staff, in cooperation with local law enforcement officials, will work collectively in an effort to help students understand the serious legal, social, and medical consequences associated with alcohol and drug abuse.
ALLERGIES
With increasing frequency, children are attending school with a variety of allergies. We are committed to making our school environment healthy for everyone and to protecting students who may have allergies to specific food items, medications, stinging insects and/or animal fur.
A severe allergic reaction can cause significant illness and even death. Therefore all MES teachers and parents are asked to be especially vigilant regarding possible allergic items in the classroom, other areas of the school, and on the bus. Should your child’s learning environment need to restrict certain items in order to protect classmates, you will be notified.
ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
Children can arrive at school between 8:45 and 9:00. The school is not adequately staffed for supervision before that time. Do not jeopardize your child’s safety by sending him/her to school before 8:45 AM. Buses arrive between 8:45-9:00 AM. Walkers should arrive no earlier than 8:45 AM.
When drivingbringing your child to school in the morning, please drop him/her off at the crosswalk in the driveway. A staff member will be on duty to assist your child. Please have your child seated on the passenger side of the vehicle to allow for safe drop off.
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ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL continued…..
If you walk your child into the school, please drop him/her off in front of the office. We ask that you do not walk your child to his/her classroom. If you need to see your child’s teacher, we would be happy to make an appointment for you.
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ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL continued…..
If your child arrives at school late, after 9:00 AM, a parent or guardian or otheradult family member must accompany him/her to the office. The child will be given a pass to take to his/her teacher. Otherwise, your child may be incorrectly considered absent.
ASBESTOS
Legislation requires all school buildings to be reevaluated to determine if asbestos is present and if it poses a significant health hazard to the building occupants. The district has on file plans showing the location of asbestos in each building and measures are undertaken to comply with regulations to maintain a safe school environment. Request to review these plans may be made in the school office.
ASSEMBLIES
Periodically throughout the school year, assemblies are conducted that add to and enrich our school curriculum. Students are expected to enter and leave in an orderly manner. Pencils, pens, books, hats, toys, and other objects are not to be brought to the assembly. Students listen attentively and avoid excessive talking and movement. Everyone is expected to behave in a polite and respectful manner. Students who fail to comply with these expectations may lose the privilege of remaining at the assembly or attending the next assembly.
ATTENDANCE/TRUANCY POLICYSummary (BOE Policy 50055113)
Monthly attendance awards are presented to students. The class attaining the greatest percentage of “Perfect Attendance” each month receives special recognition.
In compliance with the truancy policy law, the following procedures will be followed:
1.The parent/guardian should phone the school before 10:00 AM to report their child’s absence with the reason. The guidance clerk will call parents/guardians who have not phoned the school reporting the student’s absence with a reason.
2.Upon returning to school, the child is to bring a note explaining the absence. A full explanation is necessary, especially information about communicable diseases, i.e. chicken pox, strep throat, etc., in order to alert other parents and staff members.
4.3. We encourage families to plan family trips and or vacations when school is
not in session.
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ATTENDANCE/TRUANCY POLICY (continued)
5. Schools are responsible for educating your child. However, teachers cannot do their job if your child is absent. A child who misses a day of school also misses a day of
learning that might never be replaced. You can help by making school a top priority. By building the habit of daily attendance, you will help your child to see that school is
important. Research has shown a direct relationship between school attendance and
student achievement.
6. A student, age five to sixteen, inclusive with four (4) unexcused absences in one month or ten (10) unexcused absences in a school year will be considered a truant.
Parents will be notified if their child is truant. School personnel will work together
with families to correct this problem. The Superintendent may file a written
complaint with the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters for a Family with Service
Needs.
7.After twenty (20) unexcused absences, the student will be identified as a habitual
truant. The Superintendent may file a written complaint with the Superior Court for
Juvenile Matters for a Family with Service Needs.
In order to take full advantage of all that Moosup Elementary School has to offer, students should make every effort to be in school each day. Good attendance is a major contributor to academic success. Therefore, we at MES work closely with the home to monitor student attendance.
State law reads that absences from school will be considered excused if written documentation of the reason for the absence has been submitted within ten school days of the student’s return to school. For the tenth absence and all absences after, a student’s absences from school are considered excused for the following reasons:
1Student illness (Note: all student illness absences must be verified by an appropriately licensed medical professional, which includes the school nurse, to be deemed excused, regardless of the length of absence)
2Student’s observance of a religious holiday;
3Death in the student’s family or other emergency beyond the control of the student’s family;
4Mandated court appearances (additional documentation required);
5The lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends (no parental documentation is required for this reason); or
6Extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by district administrators and in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Education guidance.
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ATTENDANCE/TRUANCY POLICY (continued)
A student’s absence from school shall be considered unexcused unless they meet one of the following criteria:
- The absence meets the definition for an excused absence (including documentation requirements); or
- The absence meets the definition of a disciplinary absence.
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE (K-8)
ABSENCES:
Research shows regular attendance is the single most important factor in school success. The following represents the legal mandates and district policy/regulations for grades K-8.
- If a student is absent from school, the parent(s) or other person having control of the student, will contact the school.
- If no contact is received, the school will make a reasonable effort to notify the parent or other person having control of the student by telephone of the student’s absence. A record of these attempts shall be maintained. If a parent/guardian does not contact the school, this absence will be recorded as unexcused.
- Responsibility for completion of missed classwork lies with the student. Unless a student has an extended illness, all make-up work will be completed within three days after the student returns.
An attendance letter will be sent home if a student has an accumulation of six absences. Additional letters may be sent at any time if attendance continues to be a concern. When a student has four unexcused absences in one month, an attendance letter will be sent home
If the student has four (4) unexcused absences in any one month or ten (10) unexcused absences in one year, the student will be identified as per Connecticut state law “truant”. The Superintendent may file a written complaint with the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters for a Family with Service Needs and/or the Department of Children and Families.
A student who is identified as a habitual “truant” or who has excessive absences (30 or more), excused or unexcused, may be subject to the following consequences:
a)Promotion to the next grade may be contingent upon the student successfully completing a summer school program;
b)The student may be retained in the same grade to acquire the skills necessary for promotion to the next grade level.