PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Cheshire Elementary. The faculty and staff join me in
saying we're happy to have you as part of the Cheshire family. We hope that this will be
a successful and satisfying year for you.

The pages of the handbook are filled with important information regarding school policy and procedures. I suggest that parents and students review the contents together. If you have questions that remain unanswered after reading the handbook,, please call the school office. We feel that open and clear communication between school and home is important to the success of our educational program.

Cheshire Elementary parents are our partners in the important job of educating the children of the community. We welcome your participation and support during the school year and solicit your membership in the PTG and School Council. Working together, we will be able to reach our collective and individual goals. We look forward to celebrating with you the achievements of our students.

Sincerely,



Pamela St. John
Principal


STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

Cheshire's philosophy is based on the idea that the purpose of education is to provide a continuation of essential learning. It is our ultimate goal to supply each student with basic facts and experiences. These will aid our youth in becoming self-sufficient individuals mentally, physically, socially, and morally so that they can meet the demands of a rapidly changing society. It is essential to instill in each student the importance of individual worth and to create a positive self-image through the personal development of initiative, resourcefulness, and responsibility.

It is the intent of the faculty to lead students toward being disciplined, productive informed and fulfilled individuals. To achieve these ideas, mutual respect and understanding must be present in the learning process on the part of all participants - the faculty, students and community.


MISSION STATEMENT

An educational community dedicated to academic excellence, while promoting human dignity and individual respect.

At Cheshire Elementary School we recognize that each child is an individual. The staff, students and families share the responsibility of providing a safe and nurturing environment while modeling and teaching the skills needed to encourage each child to develop his/her emotional, social and academic potential.

By working together, this partnership will foster respectful and responsible children who are competent thinkers, lifetime learners and contributing members of the community.


SCHOOL HOURS

School hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day. Children should NOT arrive earlier than 8:30 a.m. or remain on the campus later than 3:00 p.m. unless they are participating in a supervised activity. Supervision WILL NOT be provided for students who arrive before 8:30 a.m. or remain later than 3:00 p.m. The above procedures are designed for the safety and well-being of your children.


ATTENDANCE

We believe regular attendance in the school accompanied by the responsibility to study and participate in school activities is essential to the learning process. Once a pupil arrives at school, he/she is expected to remain and attend each class throughout the day.

On the day of absence, the student's parents must call the school or the student must bring a written excuse from his parents to the office on the day of his return. The note,m signed by the parent or guardian, must state the student's name, indicate the dates of absence from school and give the reason for absence.


Excessive Absenteeism

The following procedures will be used to address absenteeism that becomes habitual and affects learning in the classroom.

From 5 to 9 days, parents will be contacted by our School Adjustment Counselor
by phone or letter.

Level One - If a student is absent from school for more than nine days during any
marking term, a letter will be sent to the parents informing them of their obligations
with a request to contact the school.

Level Two - If absenteeism continues to be a problem (18 days or more, second
term; 27 days or more, third term) a formal team meeting will be held.


ATTIRE

Students should wear clothing that is not considered to be disruptive to the school day. Clothing with alcohol or tobacco advertisements is not permitted. Halter tops, mini-skirts (very short) and short shorts are not permitted.

Your child should have appropriate clothing for the current weather conditions. No child will be allowed to stay in all winter because they didn't bring their boots, mittens, etc. Shoes are mandatory in Massachusetts and sneakers are mandatory for physical education. We do not allow headwear for boys or girls in school.


VISITOR REGISTRATION

In the interest of the safety of our students and for office purposes, all visitors are required to check in at the school office before proceeding to their intended destination in the building.

EARLY DISMISSAL

The number of requests for early dismissal is alarming. Every effort should be made to arrange doctor, dentist and other appointments after school hours. Dismissed students are to be picked up at the office only.

HEALTH SERVICE

A Registered Nurse is assigned to the building at all times that school is in session.

Health records are maintained on each student and teachers are informed of any specific health related problems with their students. Please inform us of any changes in your child's health status so that records may be maintained accurately.

Please feel free to call the Health Office (743-2004) at any time if you have any questions regarding your child.


HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Immunizations: "No Shots, No School." All students entering for the first time are required to have proof of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, mumps, measles, and rubella.

MEDICATION

No medications, prescription or non-prescription, will be administered in school without a note from the parent and the physician detailing specific dosage and frequency. Any medication that is to be given should be brought in its container labeled with student's name, doctor's name, medicine name, dosage and frequency.

SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

Meals may be purchased on a daily basis. The money will be collected as the children go through the lunch line. Additional milk may be purchased.

Meals will be $.75 for breakfast and $1.40 for lunch. Free and reduced lunch prices are available to students who quality. Extra milk is $.25.

DISCIPLINE PLAN

There may be other behaviors which might require attention but those fall under individual classroom management (teacher's discretion) and should be arrived at through discussion between the teacher and the student. A set of classroom consequences, in which the students are invested, should be worked out through participation with individual staff members.

Inappropriate Behaviors	Consequences
Disrupting group activity (not following rules of the activity/game)	Removal from activity/game
Talking out	Loss of free time
Throwing objects	Temporary loss of the object
Misuse of manipulatives	Temporary loss of manipulative
Improper use of recorder	Temporary loss of recorder
Improper use of computer	Temporary loss of computer
Misbehaving in computer lab	Loss of computer room
Disruptive during story time	Removal from story area for the remainder of the story
Misbehaving in the library	Student required to sit with teacher
Misbehavior in the lunchroom	Sent with tray to detention room (throwing food, etc.)
Fighting on the playground	Removal from the playground/sent to the detention room
Cheating	Finish work in isolated area
Teasing/put downs/disrespect of peer	Sit alone
Extreme disrespect to teacher	Sent to Principal/detention
Inability to manage anger	Meet with Counselor/detention
Excessive swearing/inappropriate	Sent to Principal/detention language
Consistent refusal to do work in class	Detention
Refusal to go to time out	Call office/detention
Failure to turn in homework	1) Classroom consequence 2) Parents notified/called in 3) Reflected in grade
Violent behavior	Sent to Principal/detention
Vandalism	Sent to Principal/detention
Live ammunition brought to school	Sent to Principal/detention
Drugs	Sent to Principal/detention
Assault (a severe bodily injury caused by aggressive action). Minor infractions/altercations are handled by duty teacher.	Sent to Principal/Crisis Team/detention
Weapons	Sent to Principal/Crisis Team/detention
Sexual abuse	Principal/School Adjustment Counselor/DSS/Nurse
Biting/breaking the skin	Sent to nurse/contact parents/detention
Student coming without materials on a consistent basis	Phone call/letter home/reflected in grade
Chronic tardiness or absenteeism	Principal/School Adjustment Counselor/contact parents
Failing grades	Contact parents
Sexual harassment	Principal/School Adjustment Counselor/contact parents
Destroy school property	Notify Principal/restitution and/or school service
Loss of library book	Pay for book
Destruction of peer's property	Call Parents
Verbal threats of physical violence	Principal/School Adjustment Counselor/contact parents/detention

The students and staff of Cheshire Elementary School deserve the best possible environment in which to work, learn and play. Student and staff have the right to:

- Teach and learn in a peaceful, disruption-free and productive environment.

- Know what is expected of them at all times in all areas of the school.

- Be protected from physical harm.

- Be protected from verbal abuse.

- Have their positive behavior recognized.

- Have their concerns heard.

- Be treated with kindness, dignity, respect and caring.


SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR

The counseling program in our school is available to help students, parents and teachers develop positive learning experiences. The program consists of a variety of services and activities, including individual and group counseling, social skills training, parent and teacher consultation, group guidance, information services, parent education, referral assistance to other programs and services in the community, and student testing.

The school counselor is responsible for developing and scheduling the services of the program. Primary services of the school counselor are to provide direct assistance to students in the school. For this reason, a major portion of the counselor's day is scheduled with services for the children.

The counselor is a licensed, certified professional with training in human development, learning theory, counseling and consulting, test and measurement, research and other areas appropriate to the practice of counseling in a school. Please contact the counselor if you have any concerns about your child, including classroom performance, family changes (moving, death, divorce, or separation), home stress, classroom behavior, sudden change in child's behavior, peer relations or responsibility. The counselor's office is located in the school and the counselor can be reached by calling 743-5020.

STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION

During the school year, each student will receive three written progress reports and three report cards. Progress report dates are October 18, January 28 and May 8. Report card dates are December 4, March 19 and the last day of school.

CHANGE IN STUDENT INFORMATION

It is imperative that the school office be notified immediately of a change of address, home or office telephone number, or emergency information during the academic school year.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

When severe weather creates hazardous conditions, the regular school schedule may be suspended to ensure students' safety. It is the parent's/guardian's responsibility to monitor news reports via radio and television stations. Superintendent Skrocki will notify WNAW, WBRK, WUPE, and WBEC (AM 1420 or FM 105.5). School closings will also be broadcast on WRGB (Ch. 6), WTEN (Ch. 10) and WNYT (Ch. 13).


PTG AND SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

The PTG and School Council are vital parts of our school program. We encourage parents to support PTG by becoming ACTIVE members. A successful school needs the services of the PTG. We also encourage you to run for School Council. Both groups meet once a month.


HARASSMENT

Each individual at Cheshire School is entitled to function in a safe, caring environment free of any threat to his/her safety or self-respect. Harassment of any nature (verbal, sexual, physical, etc.) is absolutely forbidden. Any proven case of harassment will be dealt with using the most severe disciplinary penalties available. Cheshire School represents a caring educational family. Courtesy and respect for all family members should be shown by everyone at all times.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN LEARN
A. Start each day right; a calm beginning at home makes the school day much better.
B. Encourage your child to have a good breakfast and lunch. Make certain that your child sleeps at least eight hours each night.
C. Praise our child each day for something he/she has done. Have a special place to put school work or whatever is brought home.
D. Laugh and talk with your child about school experiences and listen attentively to what is said about our child's school day experiences.
E. Stress attendance. If the child is ill, home is the best place; otherwise, your child needs to talk advantage of every school day.
F. Keep the lines of communication open between yourself and your child's teacher. Inform the teacher of any family situation which could influence your child's behavior. Also, if he/she is reluctant to go school, let the teacher know so that you can find the reason.
G. Take your child to the library and encourage reading for pleasure.
H. Stress organization of school notebooks, materials, etc.
I. Provide pencils, glue, scissors, paper, etc., for your child to use.
J. Work at home with skills taught at school.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education is an integral part of the instructional program. All children will be required to participate unless a doctor's certification is presented. If on a particular day, your child cannot participate, please send a signed note to your child's teacher. A daily note will be satisfactory for up to three (3) consecutive days. After that time, a doctor's statement is required.

TEXTBOOKS/LIBRARY BOOKS

Textbooks and library books are furnished to your child by the school on a loan basis and should be treated s borrowed property. Students must pay for the loss or abuse of textbooks or library books.

FIRE DRILLS

Every precaution is taken to insure the safety of your child during normal school hours. Periodic fire drills are executed to make certain students learn proper safety procedures and adhere to all safety guidelines.


HOMEWORK

When your child is absent from school and needs his/her homework assignment, please telephone the school office in the morning. The homeroom teacher will be notified and will make a folder which includes all homework from each of your child's teachers. Appropriate books will be sent home when necessary. Homework assignments can be picked up in the office at the end of the school day or sent home with another child, if requested.


PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

We welcome your requests for conferences. It is very important that you know what is going on with your child at school. Please schedule all conferences by calling the office at 743-2298.


TRAFFIC SAFETY

Please help us to prevent the risk of serious injury by carefully adhering to all rules of traffic safety. Only school busses will be permitted within the circle. No one will be allowed to drop off or pick up their child at any location within or in front of the circle.

All drop offs and pick ups will take place at the west entrance of the school. To access that entrance, parents must travel on the road located on the south side of school, between the school driveway and the parking lot of St. Mary's Church. Parents will exit through the St. Mary's Church parking lot. There will be a teacher stationed at the west entrance. Parents will no longer be permitted to exit their vehicles to walk their children into the school unless they use the school parking lots.