SCHOOL LIBRARY

The student who borrows a book from the Reeves School Library assumes full responsibility for the book.

Students in Grades K and 1 may take out 1 library book for 1 week.

Students in Grades 2-5 may take out 2 library books for a 2 - week period. In most cases, a book can be renewed for another 2 - week period.

There is a maximum of 2 books per student at any one time.

Books may be returned anytime using the book return box in the library.

Books can be borrowed only when the library is monitored by a librarian, teacher, or parent volunteer.  Times of library coverage are posted on the library door.

Books overdue 30 days or more are considered lost, and the students are charged a replacement fee for the book. If the book is found later, return the book and a refund will be made.

Library privileges will be suspended for students who have repeatedly lost or have books that are long overdue.

INCLUSION PROGRAM

Educating all students in the local school system is the goal of inclusive education. Regular and special education teachers  work together to meet the needs of not only children with special needs, but all children.

Inclusion has been implemented at the Reeves School. This means that all children, including those with special needs, are educated in the regular classroom with support.

STATE TESTING

The Massachusetts Department of Education requires students to take the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) tests in the spring. All children in the state are required to take the tests as part of the Education Reform Law. If children are not present, they are given a zero which goes on their school records. This score also lowers the school’s overall performance score. Parents should make sure their children are present in school on a regular basis so they can learn the material they will have on the test. They should also prioritize their personal plans and make sure their children are in school during the state-mandated testing periods.

MCAS TESTING DATES  2007-2008

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

The Reeves Before and After School Program has been organized to provide quality supervision for children in kindergarten through grade 5.  The program is sponsored by the Reeves School Council.  It is a self-funded program meaning that the program salaries, supplies, etc. are supported entirely by tuition payments.

The program operates from 7:00 AM to 8:15 AM and from 2:40 PM to 5:45 PM. Children in the program have access to a wide range of activities including recreation and games, arts and crafts, reading, music, time to work on homework, computers, and "free time" to pursue their own interests in a safe, friendly environment.

The Before School Program will not operate if there is a delayed opening of the school. The Before and After School programs will be closed on snow days when school is canceled. You will not be charged for these cancellation days.

For more information, please contact 781-937-8240,0 EXT. 312.

The Reeves Elementary School is in session from 8:25 AM to 2:40 PM for kindergarten through grade five. It is important to be on time for school. Supervision is not available for children in any grade prior to 8:15 AM, unless they are enrolled in the Before School Program.

The parent or adult responsible for the child should give the school secretary or the school answering machine the following information: the child’s name, grade, teacher’s name, and the reason for the child’s absence from school (781) 937-8240.

After an absence from school, students are required to bring a note from home with the following information: the date, the dates of absence, the reason for the absence, and the signature of the parent or guardian. The note should be given to the classroom teacher on the day that the student returns to school. In cases of high absenteeism, a doctor’s note may be required.

Teachers will provide homework for excused absences. Make arrangements for homework by contacting the school secretary before 9:30 AM. Every effort will be made to assemble the student’s assignments on that day. Teachers cannot stop what they are doing in the middle of the day to get work ready. Homework should be picked up in the office at the close of school.

If students take vacation trips that are not scheduled vacations on the school calendar, teachers will keep a folder for the work the child misses. It is the student’s responsibility to make up the work. Teachers should not be asked to prepare work ahead of time.

Students are expected to arrive on time. A daily record of tardiness is maintained in the school office. Students will be marked tardy if they arrive after 8:25 AM unless they are on a school bus.

A student who needs to be dismissed from school during the day must bring a note from home stating the reason and the time of the dismissal. For the student’s protection and safety, the parent or the person calling for the student must come into the office and sign out the student. Please try to keep dismissals to a minimum.

In the case of an individual emergency, i.e. accident or illness, the school will make every attempt to contact the child’s parent. If one cannot be reached, the school will try the phone numbers listed on the child’s emergency form. It is imperative that phone numbers on the emergency cards be kept updated. Please identify who is authorized to pick up your child. If this information changes, please notify the office.

School will ordinarily be in session if the buses can travel safely. However, when weather conditions appear to be unsatisfactory, parents should use their own judgment concerning whether their children should attend school.

"No School" announcements will be on WCVB, Channel 5, television and radio stations WBZ, WHDH, and WRKO.

Occasionally, inclement weather conditions are expected to subside and school can start late. If such an opportunity arises, a delayed opening of school may be announced over the same radio and television stations as listed under CANCELLATIONS. There is no Before School Program if there is a delayed opening.

All students are expected to dress appropriately for school. The appearance of the student body is recognized as a major factor in the overall appearance of the school. Additionally, there is evidence that dress influences behavior. Cleanliness and neatness are expected of all students. Shirts or other attire promoting alcoholic beverages, drugs, or questionable printing, should not be worn. Also, no tank tops of any kind (boys or girls). Students are not permitted to wear hats during the school day. Winter clothing and footwear should be appropriate to weather conditions since children play outdoors during daily recess.

For the safety of each child, it is required that sneakers be worn during physical education classes in the gymnasium. (no black soles). No other special attire is needed.

Children are sometimes ill when they arrive at school. If your child has been sick the night before , please keep him/her at home. We do not have adequate facilities for taking care of sick children for any length of time. Children returning to school after illness are expected to participate in all school activities, including outside play periods. Please try to promote good attendance!

The school nurse administers medications identified as PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS (i.e. Ritalin) and medications required by a child with a CHRONIC CONDITION or those which may be administered because of an emergency. In order for the nurse to be able to administer any of the above medications, a medication form must be submitted and signed by both the physician and the parent. All other medications are the responsibility of the parent.

A parent or guardian should not, at any time, send medicine to school with a student for self-administration. This is for the safety of all students.

If your child needs to have a medication at school please meet with the school nurse for the appropriate paperwork.

MEDICAL ISSUES

Updated health and immunization records are kept on file in the school nurse's office. All students must be in compliance with the state immunization laws. State-mandated screening programs are administered annually  (vision and hearing, postural, heights and weights).

If your child has any changes in his/her health during the school year please discuss with the school nurse via written not or telephone.

Protocols from the Department of public health are followed when providing communication to parents regarding communicable diseases.

IN THIS SCHOOL WE:

• Respect all adults and each other

• Take care of school property and personal belongings

• Take ownership of our behavior

• Work and play safely

• Strive to be the best we can be

CHEWING GUM: Because it poses a safety and health hazard and causes undue work for the custodians, the chewing of gum is not allowed at school.

STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The general approach to discipline is a positive one. Students are reinforced for living up to expectations for appropriate conduct. When a student displays a poor attitude or misconduct, attempts are made to identify social, emotional and academic reasons.

2. Disciplinary procedures utilized by school staff are designed to promote self-discipline. Techniques are used which develop a sense of responsibility, self-awareness, and settling of differences through discussion and reason.
3. When dealing with a student about conduct or attitude, teachers and other staff members do so in a way that protects the student’s sense of self-worth. Limits are clearly stated and followed consistently. Consequences are designed to be instructive rather than punitive.

1. It is important that adults at home understand school rules and reinforce their importance.
2. Parents should seek clarification of a rule when a potential for disagreement exists. In instances when a child’s account of an incident is not clear, or appears to differ from standard policy, it is important that parents seek staff assistance in resolving the issue.
3. We urge parents to support the school as an institution, which they respect, and to which they have accorded authority and regard.

1. Students should know school rules.
2. Students will participate in making and following classroom rules.
3. Students will recognize the importance of rules for mutual consideration, cooperative living and maximum learning.

If a successful solution is not attained at one step, the supervisor will proceed to the next step, as follows:

1. Supervisor (teacher, para, lunch/recess monitor, substitute) will speak to the child.
2. Supervisor will give the child a time out.
3. Supervisor will notify the classroom teacher.
4. Supervisor will have the child miss recess or stay after school.
5. Supervisor will contact the parent (lunch monitors and paras will notify the homeroom teacher who will contact the parent).
6. Supervisor will meet with the student and the principal.
7. Student may be suspended from school.

The Reeves School has as its goal the fostering of cognitive, behavioral and social/emotional growth in each individual student. To enable each student to respond productively within the school environment, students, parents and staff share responsibility for maintaining a positive climate for learning. The principal may send students home whom repeatedly verbally and/or physically abuse others. The parents must meet with the principal before the student is allowed to return to school.

The parent is the child's first teacher. It is expected that everyone is school will uphold basic values having to do with courtesy, trust and honesty. Students, faculty and staff will be treated respectfully and courteously at all times. Students will be encouraged to practice good manners and develop responsibility.

LUNCHROOM GUIDELINES

Students may sit anywhere they want at their table. Each classroom is assigned a table.

Students should bring their coats with them so they don't have to stop at their classroom. This will give them more time to go out and play.

Students should use "indoor voices" when conversing in the cafeteria. Conversations should take place with the person or people sitting next to you at your table. Should the conversation become too loud, the students will be removed from the group.

Students are expected to walk at all times. Students should pick-up after themselves. Each table area should be left clean before the students leave.

Students should line up quietly.

Students who are not involved in an organized game of kickball or basketball, should stay clear of that area to avoid collisions.

Students stop talking when "line-up" is called so they don’t disturb classes in session as they walk through the building.

Students who are not "well enough" to go outside to recess, are not "well enough" to come to school.

Students will be encouraged to practice good sportsmanship, fair play and common courtesy.

Students should line up quietly.

This is your playground, have a terrific time!!

Please: Put litter in the barrels.

Use courtesy with smaller children

Walk in an orderly manner in and out of the school.

Sit on the swings, no jumping off.

Play nicely!

LUNCH PROGRAM

A hot lunch program is provided. Milk can be purchased separately. Monthly menus are sent home with the children.

11:35-12:00     Grade  4

12:00-12:25     Grades 3 & 5

12:35-1:00       Kindergarten & Grade 2

1:00-1:25        Grade 1

LUNCH TICKET prices are $2.00. Milk is sold for $.50 for those students who want to buy just milk.

HOT LUNCHES can be purchased on a DAILY BASIS and tickets are good for the whole year. If you are purchasing blocks of tickets and wish to pay by check, please make the check out to the "Reeves Lunch Program."

Tickets are sold BEFORE SCHOOL every morning.  If children forget, they may go to the café and buy tickets at 10:00 A.M. any day of the week.

LOST AND FOUND

An area for lost and found articles is located in the front lobby. Parents can assist school personnel in reducing the number of lost articles by marking belongings and apparel with the child’s name. Sneakers should be marked as well as lunch boxes, coats, etc.

INVITATIONS

Party invitations cannot be distributed in school, on the playground or on the school bus.  In the past, children’s feelings have been hurt when they have not received an invitation.  The school cannot give out addresses or phone numbers because of confidentiality and security issues.

CELL PHONES

Students are not allowed to have cell phones in school.  There is a phone in every classroom.

WALKMANS, IPODS, ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Please keep these items at home.  In addition to being a distraction we have had some problems with damage and theft.

DELIVERIES TO STUDENTS

If parents choose to deliver forgotten items to school (e.g. homework, lunch, equipment for after school activities) please mark them with your child's name, and teacher's name and leave them in the office.

FIRE DRILLS, LOCK DOWNS, & EVACUATIONS 

All students are expected to be familiar with the fire drill rules. Students must know:

1. The proper route and exit from any place in the school.

2. To leave via the nearest exit if they are in the lavatory or hallway      when the alarm rings.

3. That conversations in drill lines are not permissible. It is critical to learn how to do the right thing in a fast and calm manner.

4. All students should remain clear of the building during drills unless teachers ask them to re-enter the building.

5. The elevator cannot be used in an emergency. A "safe room" has been established for children/staff who are on the second floor. It is room #203 - Mr. Moore's Classroom. Anyone who is not able to use the stairs would go to this room. The Fire Department would go there first during an emergency.

6. Students are expected to give their full attention and cooperation during drills.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are incorporated as an integral part of the educational process. A field trip is similar to any other school day except that the student is learning in a different place. Field trips are planned by teachers to be educationally significant and appropriate to the maturity level of the students. Students must have a written permission slip signed by a parent in order to participate.

Each grade participates in one or more trips during the school year. Parents, who have had a CORI check, are needed to volunteer as chaperones for these activities. Students are expected to demonstrate safe, appropriate and courteous behavior.  If students are not behaving appropriately, they may not be allowed to attend a trip outside the school.

State law mandates that cars cannot pass a school bus when their red flashing lights are on. Everyone’s full cooperation in this matter is vital to ensure the safety of all students.

State law mandates wearing seat belts in cars.

All cars are reminded to stop at crosswalks.  Children should cross at the crosswalks!

DROP-OFF DIRECTIONS: Go up the driveway and stay to the right. Drivers should not exit the vehicle to drop the child off.  Children should get out of their car and walk around the "front of their car" to come into school.  Please go to the upper parking lot and park your vehicle if you need to come into the school. All parent who drop children off should go through the upper parking lot and exit onto Parker Street.  Please DO NOT turn around and exit onto Lexington Street.  Remember: there are people behind you.

PARKING

Parents and visitors are asked to park in the upper parking lot. The other parking lot is for the staff. Some staff members travel between school buildings at different times during the day. Please do not park in the staff lot.

Also, please do not park in front of the school, that is for buses, handicap vehicles, and emergency vehicles bus lane. Thank You !

We do not recommend riding bikes to school because of the heavy traffic in the area.

Children walking to school should arrive between 8:15 A.M. and 8:25 A.M. There is no supervision before 8:15 A.M. Children who walk home are dismissed at 2:40 P.M. Children who are walking should behave appropriately, and should show respect for people’s property.

                   STUDENT CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES                        

Note: Students are only allowed to ride on their assigned bus.  Parents must make different arrangements for play dates, birthday parties, CCD classes, etc.

The school committee is dedicated to the best total and continuous development of each student enrolled. The professional staff is expected to place students at grade level best suited to them academically, socially, and emotionally.

In evaluating student achievement, each teacher will make use of all available information, including results of teacher-made tests and other measures of skill and content mastery, standardized test results, and teacher observation of student performance. The principal will direct and aid teachers in their evaluations and review grade assignments in order to ensure uniformity of evaluation standards.

Students will normally progress annually from grade to grade. Exceptions may be made when, in the judgment of the professional staff, such exceptions are in the best educational interest of the students involved. Exceptions will only be made after prior notification and explanation to each student’s parents, but the final decision will rest with the building principal.

You are your child’s first and most important teacher. Getting involved in your child’s education, both at school and at home, greatly improves chances for success. The following are some ways a parent can help a child learn and succeed in school:

Support your child’s education by showing an interest in school. Ask about school activities and encourage your child to talk about school successes and problems. Praise extra effort, as well as achievement.

Encourage your child to bring home papers and projects to share with you.

Many everyday activities at home can help a child succeed in school. Children learn to read and understand better when their parents:

• Read, talk and listen to them.
• Tell them stories and play games.
• Discuss news, TV programs and school activities.

Reading is especially important. You can make reading an important part of your child’s life by visiting the library together, giving books and magazines as gifts, reading aloud to each other, and discussing what has been read.

The Reading Corps is a reading incentive program for children in grades two through five. Participation in the program is voluntary. The program is designed to encourage children to spend time at home reading. Parents check off time spent on reading and teachers chart the progress. The children move up in the ranks from enlistee to 5 star general. The program begins in October and runs through June.

Homework reinforces skills practiced in the classroom. You can encourage good homework time by providing materials and a well-lighted place to do homework, and by helping plan ahead for project deadlines.

Most children need help with homework from time to time. Your willingness to help shows your child that education is important to you. There are many ways to help. For example, quiz your child on spelling words, help organize a science project or work on math problems together. Your child’s teacher can give ideas or advice on how to work on homework together. If you’re not able to answer homework questions, encourage your child to get help.

Kindergarten          2 times per week, ten minutes per night

Grade 2                   3 times per week, fifteen to twenty minutes per night

Grade 3                   4 times per week, twenty-thirty minutes per night

Grade 4                   4 times per week, thirty minutes per night

Grade 5                   4 times per week, forty-five minutes per night

                November 16

                February 1

                April 11

                Close of school in June

Your involvement, especially at the beginning of the school year, will help your child get off to a good start. Be sure to read carefully all the material your child brings home form school. Some important information will be needed from you, including current address, emergency phone numbers, and emergency medical authorization. If your address or phone number changes, please remember to keep the school informed.

You will receive information periodically from school about holidays, half days, special school activities, and testing dates. The PTO purchases blue take-home folders for each child that go home every Thursday. Please make sure your child returns the folder on Friday.

Parent/teacher nights are good times to meet your child’s teacher and see the classroom. Your attendance at school functions is very important. Children appreciate the interest and pride that their families show in their school life. Conferences provide a chance to talk individually about your child’s unique needs. During a conference, the teachers and parents can provide information, ask/answer questions and help solve problems.

Success in school often results from the combined effort of the most important people in a student’s life-parents and teachers. Conferences are an important way to keep the lines of communication open between parents and teachers.

Parents can call a teacher to discuss concerns such as academic progress, classroom behavior, personal or family situations that affect a student’s life at school, or attitudes towards self, school, and peers. Teachers interact with students on a daily basis and often are among the first to notice changes.

Parents and teachers may arrange conferences at mutually agreeable times throughout the school year. Please do not wait for report cards to arrange a conference.

A telephone conference with the teacher or counselor can be a simple and effective way to solve a minor problem, find out about special school activities, or exchange information. When a longer discussion is needed, or if it would be helpful to include more members of the staff, a school conference can be arranged.

Parents can take the initiative by calling the school office and leaving a message for the teacher. All teachers now have voice mail. If you are not available to talk during the day, you can send a note with your child.  Parents are reminded not to "jut stop by" and see the teacher.  Please make arrangements ahead of time.

A teacher or another school staff member may arrange for a conference. If you receive a request for a conference, be sure to respond and let the teacher know when one could be scheduled.  Parents and teachers are encouraged to make appointments at a mutually agreeable time. All parents are reminded to sign in at the office before proceeding to your child's classroom.

After you have arranged for a school conference, it is a good idea to prepare carefully to make the best use of everyone’s time. Here are a few tips to make the most of a school conference.  

1.      Write down the information that you want to share at the conference. This list might include the following information about your child.  

•           special strengths and weaknesses

•            special needs such as medication, nutrition, allergies, or health aids

•             important changes in family or households

•            previous school experience, both negative & positive

•            methods used at home to ensure discipline  

2.      Write down questions you want to ask about your child or the school program. This list might include questions about…  

•           daily schedule

•            homework and grading policy

•            your child’s level of performance and how it compares with what is expected in areas of grades, behavior, attendance and basic skills

•             your child’s behavior with classmates and school staff

•             your child’s academic ability and special talents and whether that potential is being met.  

•       any changes in vision, hearing and behavior

•  

VOLUNTEERING AT SCHOOL

Another way to get involved in your child's education is by volunteering at school. No special skills are needed, just the time and energy you are able to give. All school volunteers must have a CORI check before they can work in the school.  Volunteers contribute to the school in many ways: accompanying classes on field trips, assisting in the library or with fine arts, running off papers, working in classrooms, helping with plays, working with the PTO, etc.

Parent and community volunteers gain satisfaction through helping children learn. Seeing how children are taught can give you ideas on how to work at home.

The principal reserves the right to interpret and implement guidelines and rules to meet individual needs and ensure a safe and successful school environment for all students, parents, faculty, and staff.

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