COVENTRY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Blackrock Elementary School – 822-9450

Susan Stambler

School Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Kindergarten: 8:30 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.; 12:20 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

COVENTRY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HANDBOOK

Central Administration

Mr. Kenneth R. Di Pietro

Superintendent

Dr. Vincent J. Hawkins

Assistant Superintendent

Mr. Kenneth G. Swanson

Assistant Superintendent, ULSS

Mr. Anthony Ferrucci

Director of Business/Finance

Mr. Brian Steverman

Director of Physical Plant

Ms. MaryLou Buonaccorsi

Director of Human Resources

Ms. Chris Spagnoli

Director of Grants

Mr. Ronald Guillemette

Director of Technology

Central Administrative office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Telephone: 822-9400 Fax: 822-9406

School Committee Members

Nancy E. Sprengelmeyer, Kathleen Patenaude, Michael Reeves

Karlene Murray-Toppin, Raymond E. Spear

School Committee meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday (September to June) at 7:00 p.m.

Administration Building, 9 Foster Drive

THE FUTURE OF COVENTRY SCHOOLS

The Future of Coventry Schools over the Next 3-5 Years

Ø Ready to Learn – An Early Childhood School Readiness Response System

o All Elementary Schools Pre-K – 5

o Pre-K Curriculum based on National Standards

o Partnerships with Private Child Care Accredited by Coventry public Schools

Ø Foundation of Success – Designing Elementary Instruction to Meet Learner Needs

o Every child an independent reader by Grade 2 through guided Reading and Assessment

o Personal Literacy Plans for All Under-Achieving Students

Ø Learning by Choice – Middle School Initiative for Student Growth and Development

o Include Technology Education and world Languages in Curriculum

o Expanding the Successful Middle School Model to Grades 608

Ø Connecting Lives and Learning – A High School Designed Around Success for All

o House, Academies, Alternative School and Advisorships for Personalization and Identity

o Top 10% S.A.T. Performance (70% participation) and NSRE/GLE Performance

o CIM/Capstone/CDA for All – Graduation by Demonstration

o Differentiated Diplomas to Acknowledge Focused Studies

Ø Empowerment Through Technology – Augmenting Teaching & Learning

o Student, Staff, and Family Access to Information Resources

o Required e-portfolios and Multi-Media Presentations at Grades 5, 8, and 12

o K-12 Automated Libraries and Classroom Instructional Media Systems

Ø Highly Qualified Teachers – A systemic Response to Ensuring quality Teachers

o 100% Compliance with NCLB Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements

o Integrated System Linking Mentoring, Evaluation, Professional Development, RHODES

Ø Safe and Effective Schools – Addressing the Environment for Learning

o New Roofs and Upgraded HVAC Systems

o New Track and Field at CHS

o Protected Playground and Schools

Ø New Resources for Learning – Ensuring Cost-Effective Reform

o Development of a Public Education Fund

o Improved Administrative Efficiencies Through Technology

Ø The Responsive School – Meeting the Needs of Students, Families and the Community

o Fully Integrated Classrooms Reducing the Alienation of Special Needs Students

o K-12 Guidance System Supporting Student Achievement of School Success

o Community and Family Education Programs Serving the Greater Community

TRANSPORTATION

Bus Transportation:

There are NO bus changes allowed for students. This policy is strictly enforced by the Laidlaw Bus Company. Listed below are some rules that will ensure appropriate behavior, efficiency of bus runs, and safety for students. Students should:

Students should:

1. Leave home early enough to arrive at the bus stop ten minutes before the normal bus pick-up time.

2. Enter and leave the bus only when the door is fully open and never when the bus is in motion

3. Take your seat promptly on entering the bus and remain in it until you arrive at your destination.

4. Keep your lunch box, books, athletic equipment, backpacks, and musical instruments out of the aisle.

5. Avoid loud, boisterous talk and other noises or actions that might distract the driver.

6. Assist in keeping the bus clean by keeping your waste paper off the floor.

7. Conduct yourself on the bus as you would in school, as the bus is an extension of the school day.

8. Leave the bus promptly and in an orderly manner.

9. Not stand, push, shove, eat, drink, throw objects, put arms out of window and/or fight while on the bus.

10. Be respectful to your bus driver and monitor. They have an important job to do and need your help.

Riding Bicycles to School:

Any student who wishes to ride a bicycle to school is required to present a note to the principal indicating that this is the parent’s desire. Children who do ride bicycles to school must comply with the following regulations:

1. Students must wear bicycle helmets.

2. Bicycles must be parked at bicycle parking area.

3. Parents/guardians should check with individual schools regarding specifics of the above regulations.

4. Use of bicycle locks is advised.

5. 5. Bicycles must be walked, never ridden, on school grounds.

Walkers and Changes in Walker Dismissal/Arrival Procedures:

If you wish to have your child after his/her usual way of going to or from school to visit a friend, attend a meeting, ride with a neighbor, etc., a signed note informing the principal of the change is required. This alternate transportation is the responsibility of the parent. The following are some walker’s rules that your child should follow:

1. Walk on sidewalk or shoulder of road	5. Cross only at cross walks.
2. Walk facing traffic.	6. Do not trespass on private property.
3. Obey all traffic signs and crossing guards.	7. Do not loiter on school grounds.
4. Look both ways before crossing.	8. Walk directly home upon dismissal

SCHOOL PROCEDURES

School Attendance:

The education of children is of utmost importance to school personnel. Continuity in every grade can only be accomplished with a consistent attendance record. Illness and unforeseen personal reasons do arise within every family, which results in a child’s absence. It is vitally important for each child to be present in school during all hours of the school day.

Absence and Tardiness:

If your child is going to be absent, please telephone the school and inform the office of the reason for the absence and the length of time that you expect your child to be out of school. A written excuse is requested upon your child’s return to school. Individual schools may prepare homework assignments upon request. If there are excessive unexcused absences, the attendance officer will be notified. We realize that there are times when a child may arrive to school late due to certain circumstances. Children must check in at the main office upon their arrival.

Vacations Scheduled by Parent During School Time:

Student absences, where the family if vacationing, or for some other reason that parents have their child absent from school, may create significant learning difficulties for the student. Classroom instruction, which is the most valuable part of the school experience, continues during the child’s absence. Teachers cannot accurately project a student’s learning beyond the current day. Requests for homework will be denied when students are on vacation during regularly scheduled school days. Parents should contact individual schools for make-up work upon returning to school.

Recess:

Students will be allowed to participate in a recess either outdoors in the playground or indoors in classrooms depending on weather conditions. Recess is provided for students so that they may interact with peers. Students who do not follow school rules may miss recess. Individual schools may have different discipline policies.

Early Dismissal:

Children may not be dismissed early without a written excuse from home. Also, if you wish to have your child’s pattern of going to or from school changed in any way in order for him or her to visit a friend, ride with a neighbor, etc., a signed note informing the principal of the change is required on the morning that the child will be making the change. In addition, those individuals, picking up your child must be listed on their emergency card. Children are not allowed to leave school with anyone but their parents/guardians unless a note is sent to school stating specifically who has been designated by the parent/guardian. A parent/guardian or a designated person will be required to sign out the child. This is for your child’s protection and will be strictly enforced.

School Cancellation Process:

In the event of inclement weather or other emergency situations which would result in the closing or delayed opening of school, parents should listen to all major radio and television stations for announcements. Please DO NOT call the schools.

AVAILABLE SERVICES

The following staff members are available to assist classroom teachers:

☺ Reading Specialist – administers individual testing to ensure appropriate placement, provides reading assistance to those requiring remedial reading and reading recovery, as well as serves as a resource person to the classroom teacher.

☺ Psychologist – offers individual testing to students who are having academic difficulty in school to determine if students need additional service, and provides counseling to those students in need.

☺ Speech & Language Therapist – offers individual testing to students to determine if they need speech/language services, and provides individual and group speech/language therapy.

☺ School Social Worker – provides counseling and referral services to families or children who are having difficulty in school.

☺ Occupational Therapist – works with children who have fine motor coordination problems.

☺ Physical Therapist – works with children experiencing problems with the large muscle systems, i.e., walking, running, jumping.

☺ Resource Teacher – provides diagnostic, consultative and direct instructional services to students with mild learning/behavioral problems.

☺ Self-Contained Classroom Teacher – provides instruction to the moderately handicapped student in an intensive classroom setting with mainstreaming when possible.

Title I:

Title I is a federally-funded program to assist those children who need help in reading. The reading program is available at Blackrock, Hopkins Hill, and Oak Haven schools. Selection is based on the following: 1) Recommendation by principal and/or teacher; 2) parent input; and 3) scores on standardized testing/reading tests/running records.

Reading Recovery Program:

One-to-one instruction is provided for identified students in Grade 1 for 16 to 20 weeks. Students are identified based on results of the Clays Diagnostic Summary and teacher recommendations. The reading book of varying levels, as well as sound/symbol association is stressed. Students progress through levels and are dismissed after they have achieved success in the program.

Limited English Proficiency:

This is a state-mandated program to provide instruction in the English language for those students whose primary language is other than English. A specialist in this field tests students to determine acceptance into this program.

Special Education:

Parents/teachers and other staff members can request individual testing of their son/daughter by making referrals to the building principal. Written parental permission must be obtained before initial testing of any child is conducted for special education services. Tests are provided and administered in the child’s native language and are selected to ensure accuracy when administered to a child with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills. Tests which are culturally and socially non-discriminatory are administered.

Teacher Support Team (TST):

A collaborative consultation program with shared responsibility and shared expertise in attempting to assist classroom teachers with student concerns in the classroom, it is a system which provides support to teachers as they develop alternatives for students experiencing learning difficulties in the classroom.

Special Education Advisory Board:

The Special Education Advisory Board is made up of parents and professionals who serve as an advocacy group for individual children with disabilities and groups of children with disabilities. If interested, contact the Special Education office 822-9414, and ask for Kenneth Swanson or Sue Lyons.

HOMEWORK & REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS

Homework:

Homework, which may include special assignments, research projects, reading and/or written assignments or other assigned task directly related to a particular subject(s), shall be considered an extension of and reinforcement to classroom activities and is to be done on the student’s own time, outside the regular classroom environment. Students should be assigned homework on a regular and consistent basis according to the following guidelines:

Grades 1-3: up to 20 minutes maximum daily

Grade 4: up to 30 minutes maximum daily

Grade 5: up to 45 minutes maximum daily (minimum of 15 minutes)

Suggestions to parents:

1. Promote a positive attitude towards homework

2. Provide a place which is free from distractions

3. Set a time for doing the work

4. See that students bring home books and assignments and return to school with these materials

5. Help out when necessary, but don’t take over

Classroom Placement:

Requests for specific teachers for your child cannot be accepted. Our primary responsibility is to develop classes which reflect a balanced distribution of student styles and abilities. Teachers work together to develop classes for the upcoming school year. Teachers do their best to match students and teachers so that individual needs of each student are considered in the overall composition of each classroom.

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

Parent/Teacher conferences are held twice each year. Notification of the conference will be sent home with students. All attempts will be made to schedule conferences that coincide with conferences for siblings in other classrooms. Do try to make every effort to attend the meeting, as it is a vital part of the school’s method of reporting your child’s progress. If you wish to have a conference with your child’s teacher at any time, please contact the school to schedule a conference at a mutually-agreed-upon time.

Mid-Trimester Reports and Trimester Reports:

Mid-trimester reports are sent home to parents via students in Grades K-5, halfway through each trimester (October, January, and May). Parents are to sign and return this promptly. Trimester reports are issued three times per school year (December, March, and June). Information concerning your child’s progress is available at any time. Please feel free to call the school and schedule a mutually agreeable time to speak to your child’s teacher if you believe this is necessary. Teachers may also notify parents when a student is experiencing unusual difficulty.

Promotion/Retention:

At the end of each school year, students who have mastered the appropriate knowledge, skills and concepts for his/her grade, and exhibits readiness for work at the next level, will be promoted to the next grade. In exceptional cases, a child may be retained to his/her present grade. When the possibility of retention exists, the parents shall be notified in writing as early as possible. The decision of the Principal, in cases of retention, shall be final.

PARENTS AND THE SCHOOL

Parents are encouraged to be active participants in their children’s education by keeping informed of all academic programs, and cultural and social activities, and maintaining open communication with teachers.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Parents and Teachers Together:

The PTA is part of a national organization which promotes the welfare of children on a national level and works to establish a close relationship between parents and the school. The PTA is an integral part of the school community.

The PTA provides the funds and plans cultural arts activities; sponsors various in-school events; sponsors various after-school and evening social events; coordinates educational programs; coordinates the school volunteer program; provides hospitality at various school-sponsored events, such as Open House; works to help the school obtain “extras”, such as the new playgrounds; sponsors health and safety programs for the students and parents; keeps parents informed of school-related issues in the community; and makes sure your voice is heard.

Membership drives are held at the beginning of each school year. A full calendar of events is sent to all parents at the beginning of the school year. All parents are encouraged to be active members and participants in the school and the PTA.

Field Trips:

Field trips of educational value will be scheduled by teachers periodically throughout the school year. We encourage your full participation when possible; however, they are strictly voluntary and an alternate educational activity will be planned for those who do not attend. In some instances, there will be a charge to cover expenses. Field trips are chaperoned by members of the faculty, staff, and parents. Written permission is required in order for students to go on field trips. No child will be allowed to go on a trip without parent/guardian permission. If your child fails to return his/her permission slip, and you cannot be reached that morning by phone, your child will not be allowed to attend. If there are financial hardships, please notify the school principal. Volunteers and chaperones are chosen by the teachers and are rotated to provide a chance for all parents to participate as chaperones.

School Volunteers:

The PTA coordinates volunteers to help throughout the school. Volunteers are needed in the classrooms to assist teachers with various activities, including, at times, working one-on-one with students. Assistance is also needed in the library, in the office, and with various health screenings, which occur during the school year, and with the PTA sponsored daytime events such as Book Fairs and Teacher Appreciation. For those parents who want to volunteer but are unavailable during daytime hours, volunteers are always needed at the various social and hospitality events which occur after school and in the evenings. There is generally a sign-up for the various activities during Open House in September of each year. However, at various times during the year, the need for additional or specific volunteers may be needed, and the PTA will send home notices regarding specific events.

Visits to the School:

Visitors are welcome at the school, but are requested to come to the office first. There is a sign-in book which requires all visitors, including volunteers, to log times in and out and destination. A pass will be given to you and should be returned to the office when leaving the school. Teachers are involved with students during the day and cannot leave them unattended to speak with parents. If you wish to speak with your child’s teacher, please make an appointment first.

GENERAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL INFORMATION

Good health is vitally important for satisfactory progress in school. Our elementary schools have a full-time certified nurse/teacher. The school nurse maintains an individual health record for each child. Please help her by keeping her informed about all or any medical information which should become part of your child’s health record.

More complete explanations of the Coventry Public Schools’ health policies are sent home at the beginning of each school year depending on specific grades and ages.

Emergency Cards:

When children first enter school, parents are asked to complete Emergency Care Cards which give information about how to contact a parent in case of an emergency, as well as designated people who can be called in the event that parents cannot be reached. Parents should be sure that the designated people are willing to pick up the child at school if it is necessary. Parents are also responsible for updating information on the Emergency Card if any of the information should change. Only those individuals listed on the Emergency Card as authorized may pick up a child from the school. There can be no exceptions to this policy.

Illness/injury at School:

If a child becomes ill or injured while attending school, the school nurse has the prime responsibility of administering first aid, evaluating the illness or injuries, and approving and dispensing properly contained and prescribed medication. However, all school personnel will remain alert to assure that appropriate action is taken to maintain the student’s well-being. Children will be sent home from school if there is: a fever; signs of a contagious disease (e.g. rashes and/or other skin eruptions); vomiting or diarrhea; or injuries requiring further attention. Any injury which cannot be reasonably handled through the administration of simple first aid shall be immediately referred to the parent. Procedures to contact the physician or emergency medical personnel are in place if needed.

Medication Policy:

Medication is generally not allowed in school. However, there are times when medications are necessary to assure a student’s attendance at school. All medications, both prescription and over-the counter, are to be brought in the original container which is properly labeled with the name of the student, the name and dosage of the medication, instructions for administration, and physician’s name. The medication is to be brought to the nurse/teacher at the beginning of the school day with the current parent/physician authorization form. All medications will be kept in a locked cabinet and will be dispensed only by the nurse/teacher, parents, or parent designee. Exceptions are made for those students who, with physician’s orders, require the use of an Epi-Pen, Epi-Pen Jr., asthma inhalation device or other emergency medication. An individualized plan for self-administration of such medication (which shall be readily available to the student) shall be developed by the nurse/teacher. Medication forms are available through the school nurse. No medication will be given without a physician’s order.

Immunization Requirements and Physical Examinations:

State law mandates that all students entering school for the first time provide evidence of up-to-date immunizations and a recent physical exam by the first day of school.

Health Screenings:

The following health screenings are required by State Law and will be given during the school year. If your child fails a screening and re-screening, where required, it will result in notification to the parent for follow-up assessment with the appropriate medical personnel.

Ø Vision (105.0): Vision screenings occur in grades K, 1, 2, 3, and 5 every year. The screenings include near and far acuity and ocular alignment and muscle balance.

Ø Hearing (106.1): Hearing screenings are done annually in grades K, 1, 2, and 3, by Rhode Island School for the Deaf personnel.

Ø Dental (108.0): Dental screenings are done annually by Dr. Gordon, our school dentist, for all students who do not return dental cards completed by their private dentist. Parents are notified of their children who need further dental attention

STUDENT ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

Coventry Public Schools offers data networking and Internet series through Coventry Network for Educational Testing (CNET)

Educational Purpose:

a. CNET has been established for a limited “educational purpose”, which includes classroom activities and career development.

b. CNET has not been established as a public access service or a public forum. Coventry Public Schools has the right to place reasonable restrictions on material accessed or posted through the system. You are also expected to follow the rules set forth in School Board Policy #4148, Student Handbook, or CNET Handbook for elementary schools, and the law in your use of CNET.

c. You may not use CNET for commercial purposes. You may not offer, provide, or purchase products or service through CNET.

d. You may not use CNET for political lobbying. But you may use the system to communicate with elected representatives and to express your opinion on political issues

Student Network Access:

a. All students will have access to network and Internet information resources through their classroom, library, or computer lab.

b. All students will have access to an individual home directory for grades 4-12 students and a classroom directory for K-3 students for the purpose of storing classwork.

c. You and your parent must sign an Account Agreement to be granted an individual CNET account. This agreement must be renewed on an annual basis. Your parent can withdraw their approval at any time in writing to the building administrator.

d. If approved by your building administrator or his/her designee, you may create a person web page on CNET. All material placed on your web page must be pre-approved in a manner specified by the school. Materials placed on your web page must relate to your school and career preparation activities.

Unacceptable Uses: The following uses of CNET are considered unacceptable:

a. Personal Safety: 1) You will not post personal contact information about yourself or other people. Personal contact information includes your address, telephone, school address, work address, etc. 2) You will not agree to meet with someone you have met on-line without your parent’s approval. Your parent should accompany you to this meeting. 3) You will promptly disclose to your teacher or other school employee any message you receive that is inappropriate or makes you feel comfortable.

b. Illegal Activities: 1) You will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to CNET or to any other computer system through CNET or go beyond your authorized access. This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or access another person’s files. These actions are illegal, even if only for the purposes of “browsing”. 2) You will not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means. These actions are illegal. 3) You will not use CNET to engage in any other illegal act, such as arranging for a drug sale or the purchase of alcohol, engaging in criminal gang activity, threatening the safety of any person, etc.

c. System Security: 1) You are responsible for your individual account and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use your account. Under no conditions should you provide your password to another person. 2) You will immediately notify a teacher, administrator or the Director of Technology if you have identified a possible security problem. Do not go looking for security problems, because this may be construed as an illegal attempt to gain access. 3) You will avoid the inadvertent spread of computer viruses by following the district virus protection procedures if you download software.

d. Inappropriate Language: 1) Restrictions against inappropriate language apply to public messages, private messages, and material posted on web pages. 2) You will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language. 3) You will not post information that could cause damage or a danger of disruption. 4) You will not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial r discriminatory attacks. 5) You will not harass another person. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. If you are told by a person to stop sending them messages, you must stop. 6) You will not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.

e. Respect for Privacy: 1) You will not re-post a message that was sent to you privately without permission of the person who sent you the message. 2) You will not post private information about another person.

f. Respecting Resource Limits: 1) You will use the system only for educational and career development. 2) You will not download large files unless absolutely necessary. If necessary, you will download the file at a time when the system is not being heavily used an immediately remove the file from the system computer to your personal computer. Your home directory must not exceed 10MB in size. Home directories that exceed this limit will be searched and emptied. 3) You will not post chain letters of engage in “spamming”. Spamming is sending an annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people.

g. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement: 1) You will not plagiarize works that you find on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writing of others and presenting them as if they were your ideas. 2) You will respect the rights of copyright owners. Copyright infringement occurs when you inappropriately reproduce a work that is protected by a copyright. If a work contains language that specifies appropriate use of that work, you should follow the expressed requirements. If you are unsure whether or not you can use a work, you should request permission from the copyright owner. Copyright law can be very confusing. If you have questions, ask a teacher.

h. Inappropriate Access to Material: 1) You will not use CNET to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography), that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people (hate literature). A special exception may be made for hate literature if the purpose of your access is to conduct research and both your teacher and parents have approved. 2) If you mistakenly access inappropriate information, you should immediately tell your teacher, administrator, or any faculty member. This will protect you against a claim that you have intentionally violated this policy. 3) Your parents should instruct you if there is additional material that they think would be inappropriate for you to access. The district fully expects that you will follow your parent’s instructions in this matter.

Your Rights:

a. Free Speech: 1) Your right to free speech, as set forth in the Student Handbook or CNET Handbook applies also to your communication on CNET. CNET is considered a limited forum, similar to the school newspaper, and therefore the district may restrict your speech for valid educational reasons The district will not restrict your speech on the basis