TABLE OF CONTENTS
I)Attendance,Tardiness,Arriving and Departing the School Premises
II)  New Student Registration/Student Transfer
III) Expected Student Behavior
IV)  Health Issues
V) Children's Daily Activities
VI) Children's Progress
VII)  Special Services 
VIII) Vehicles of Communication 
IX)  Volunteers
X) When Visiting Frenchtown School
XI) Other Administrative Items to Note
XII) Weather Related Issues
XIII) Emergency School Closing Information
XIV) Fire drills

Appendices:

Student Behavior Code 
School Bus Rules (from Laidlaw Transit)
 
 

I)  Attendance, Tardiness, Arriving and departing the school premises

Attendance:
The school day begins at 8:40 a.m. and ends at 2:40 p.m. 

It is important that your child attend school every day.  Family vacations should be planned in conjunction with school vacations.

Students must be present until at least 11:10 a.m. in order for them to be counted present for the day.  Any student who arrives after 11:10 is counted as absent.  At the elementary level, there is no designation "excused tardy".

If your child will be absent for the day, please call the office (884-4713) before 9:00 on each day the child will be out.  Please send a note of explanation for your child's absence upon his return.   (At the elementary level, there is no designation "excused absence"). 

It is very important that students are in attendance every day, but if a family vacation is planned for times other than school vacations, please contact the office and your child's teacher as to the dates your child will be absent.  It is expected that your child will make up his work upon returning to school.  Please do not ask for homework packets in advance.  It is not possible to include the manipulatives and hands-on experiences that occur in the classroom in a homework packet.

Tardiness:
All  students should arrive after 8:20 a.m.  Afternoon kindergarten students should arrive no earlier than 12:10 p.m.  This is when aides are available on the playground.  If you are dropping your child off, you are asked to park your vehicle in the visitor's lot and accompany your child to the playground area for his safety.  When there is inclement weather, a picture of a bus is hung on the office window which indicates students will be in the gym and cafeteria instead of the playground.  School begins at 8:40 a. m.  Students who arrive after this time are considered tardy.  If your child will be tardy, please call the office as early as possible, also before 9:00.   A student arriving late (after 8:40 a.m.) must be checked in at the office by the parent.  The child will then walk, independently, to the classroom.

Arriving and Departing the School Grounds:
If you are picking up your child instead of him taking the bus home at the end of the school day, please send a note to the teacher in the morning.  This helps reduce the confusion at dismissal time.  Include the student's name, the teacher's name, the date, the name of the person picking up the student, and the parent's signature.  The child will be dismissed as a "car bear" after the bus students at 2:40. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A CHANGE IN 2003!  at 2:25 p. m. and will meet you in the cafeteria.  If plans change during the course of the day, parents should call the school and a message will be given to your child's teacher.

If you know in advance that you will be checking your child out of school early for appointments, etc, please send a note to your child's teacher.  When you arrive at school, please report to the office to sign him out and he will then be paged to join you in the office.  No child will be dismissed directly from any classroom.

All Frenchtown students are provided bus transportation.  No student is allowed to walk or ride a bike to school.

Students will only be released to parents or individuals named on the emergency form.  Proper ID may be required.  Any document issued by the court, such as a "no contact order", should be on file with the school office.
 
 

II)  New Student Registration/Student Transfer
Kindergarten registration is held in the spring for all children who will be 5 years old by December 31.  Kindergarten is currently a half-day session.  Morning sessions run from 8:40 to 11:10 a. m.; afternoon sessions run from 12:10 to 2:40 p.m.  Morning vs. afternoon sessions are determined by the bus company's routing schedule in late summer.  Children registering for first grade must have completed one year of public or private school kindergarten.  All students registering for the first time must provide the original birth certificate and proof of immunizations, signed by a physician. 

To transfer your child from Frenchtown School, please notify the office.  Parents may hand carry only copied medical records.  Upon request of the new school, a student's academic records will be forwarded immediately.

III) Expected Student Behavior

All students are expected to participate in activities in the building.  It is required that students who are unable to participate in physical education and/or recess have a written excuse from a physician stating the length of time to be dismissed from such activities.

Students (along with parents and teachers) are expected to treat all members of the school community respectfully with a sensitivity to individual differences.  Frenchtown students observe "Good Hands", "Good Feet", "Good Mouth", "Good Manners".

Everyone is expected to know the rules of the school.  Rules are applied to all students without discrimination.  Each person is treated as a distinct individual with unique needs when rules and expectations are applied.  While there are consequences to inappropriate behavior, they are respectful, reasonable, and related to the offense. 

General school-wide rules consist of "Good Hands", etc, as mentioned above.  Teachers may develop rules for particular settings and activities throughout the school.  We all agree to implement a four-step plan which includes the following set of questions for the student to answer:  "What am I supposed to do?", "What are some plans?", "How is my plan working?", "How did I do?".

Items Not Allowed:
Toys are not allowed in school or on the school bus, including Walkmans and Game Boys.  All toys should be left at home with the exception of show-and-tell items.  Show and Tell should be placed in a separate bag and left in the student's book bag when not being shared with other students.
Gum is not allowed at school, on the school grounds, or on school buses.
Knives, toy guns, cigarette lighters, projectiles, explosives of any type or any other item deemed hazardous to people, buildings or buses are among articles that are prohibited from school and the school bus.  Possession of any of these objects will result in immediate suspension.
Students are not allowed to wear hats inside Frenchtown School.
Party invitations should not be distributed at school.  They should be sent through the U.S. postal service. 
Valuable items should not be brought to school.  They include things like expensive watches and other jewelry, large amounts of money, and other valuable items.

Any student whose behavior poses a danger to himself or others or who continually disrupts class may be suspended from school.  Every effort will be made to enlist professional and parental assistance before a student is suspended.  When a student is suspended from school, a conference with the parents must be held prior to readmission.

IV)  Health Issues

Emergency Contact Forms
Each student is given an emergency form on the first day of school.  Please complete and return this form as soon as possible and be sure the information is kept up-to-date throughout the year.  Your child will not be released to anyone not listed on this form.  It is very important that all emergency contact persons should have available transportation.  If you travel and temporarily leave your child in the care of someone else, the office should be informed in writing of the responsible person's name and telephone number.

Dental Forms
Please complete and return all dental forms after your child's next dental appointment.  Dental screenings are performed in the Spring for any child who has not returned a dental card or for any child who has not had a dental exam in the most recent 6 months.

Hearing and Vision
Hearing and Vision screenings are also held each year.

Allergies
Any allergies, especially food allergies, should be brought to the attention of your child's teacher, the school office and the school nurse.  If your child has a peanut allergy, please let them know that there is a peanut-free table in the cafeteria.

Medication -- Forms and Administration of.,..
Only the East Greenwich Public School nurse may give prescription medication to children with a physician's written order and a signed permission form (long-term or short-term) from a parent or guardian.  Additionally, only the school nurse may give non-prescription medication to children with written request from parent or guardian.  All medication shall be supplied by the parent and placed in the care of the nurse or her designee.  Only 4-times-a-day medication will be administered by the nurse.  Sending over-the-counter medications, such as cough drops, etc. between home and school is discouraged. 

Notes and/or a completed form must be on hand to administer all medication.  Parents must drop off their own medication, both prescription and non-prescription.  Speak to the nurse for specific guidance.

If students become ill at school, parents will be notified.  It is very important that you come as quickly as possible to pick up your child.  Please do not send your child to school if he is sick or has a fever.

Immunizations
It is required by Rhode Island law that all students have a record of a physical examination and up-to-date immunizations on file.  Either proof of completion or proof of "being in process" of receiving required immunizations must be provided to the school.  The required immunizations are 
DPT               5 doses
Td                 3 doses
OPV              4 doses
MMR              2 doses
Mantous        12 months before - 4 months after kindergarten entrance

Head Lice
When head lice are found, the entire class may be checked along with any siblings in other classrooms.  Parents are called to pick up their child.  At that time, a brochure explaining treatment is issued.  Students with lice may return only after treatment is given and all eggs (nits) are removed from the hair.  Nix brand shampoo is the recommended treatment.  Students sent home with lice must be accompanied by a parent for readmission the following day at a time when the student can be rechecked by the nurse.
 

Parents will be notified of accidents needing medical or immediate attention.  Please be sure that the school secretary and teachers always have current emergency phone numbers for you and for responsible adults to call if you cannot be reached.

Accident insurance is offered through a school group policy for at-school and 24-hour coverage.  Information will be sent home the first week of school.  Neither the school nor the School Committee provides insurance coverage for accidents at school except for the policy period offered at the beginning of the school year.

Frenchtown School provides a totally smoke-free environment for good health.

V)  Children's Daily Activities

Curriculum:The curriculum focuses on the whole child and is developmental, integrated, and relevant to the changing needs and interests of students.

Snacks:  It is recommended by all teachers that snacks brought from home should be of good nutritional value (fruit, vegetables, fruit drinks, cheese, granola bars, crackers, etc).  Always include napkins and spoons if necessary. 

Lunch:Students are expected to practice good manners and use "inside voices" at all times during lunch.  The goal is to make eating lunch with friends a pleasant and enjoyable experience.  Lunch menus are published in the school newsletter for the current month.  Meal options are posted in the cafeteria for the current day and the following day.  There are 3 lunch periods at Frenchtown, each consisting of ample time to eat, followed by a short (10 minute) recess.  Both hot and cold lunches are available each day.  If students forget their lunch or their lunch money, they may charge a lunch.  Charges are expected to be paid the following day.  Parents are invited to eat lunch with their child any day.  Parents are requested to place their order, along with the price of an adult lunch, in an envelope with the menu choice written on the outside of the envelope.  It is necessary that students place their parent's lunch order at the time they order their own lunch.  Parents are requested not to bring "fast food" to the school cafeteria for lunch. 

Playground:School Aides (along with parent volunteers) provide supervision on the playground and in the cafeteria.  The aides are available to help children resolve their problems and maintain a safe and orderly environment. 

Library:The library program includes story time, book borrowing, and beginning library skills.  A wide variety of children's literature is presented by both reading and media and is closely integrated with the classroom curriculum.  Children are encouraged to take their library books home, and it is important to show an interest in your child's books.  Children love to be read to.  The librarian asks them (with your help) to find a special place to keep library books so they will be readily available when they are due the following week.  Books may be renewed for an additional week, if needed.  If a book is lost or destroyed, compensation will be required.

Gym: Gym shoes are required on days the student has physical education classes.

Homework:  Homework is given at the discretion of classroom teachers.  Homework packets may be requested after a student has been absent for 3 days or longer.  All educators expect children to read 15 minutes daily in addition to their assigned homework.  Support, cooperation, and teamwork are key issues if parents and teachers are to help children be their best.  You support your children and their teachers when you show an interest in your child's schoolwork, provide time and place for homework, and provide a positive home environment that builds self-esteem.  Your efforts are greatly appreciated, and we value our partnership!

After-School Activities
The PTG sponsors a number of enrichment activities offering a variety of classes for all grade levels.  There are 2 sessions -- Fall/Winter and Winter/Spring. 

Field Trips
Field trips are chosen with relevance to the curriculum as well as providing an enjoyable experience.  Some of the funds raised by the PTG fundraising activities are allocated to pay for transportation for local field trips.  Admission fees are the responsibility of parents.

VI)  Children's Progress

Conferences:
A scheduled conference between parent and teacher takes place in the first half of the school year.  Parents are encouraged to schedule conferences at any other time with teachers or the principal to express concerns, obtain information, or ask for help.  Generally, conferences are scheduled at the Open House in September, however, parents can also schedule a conference by calling the school office or writing a note directly to the teacher.

Report Cards:
Student progress is documented through report cards and/or narratives four times a year.  Student development is also discussed during any conferences.  Students in the primary levels do not receive letter grades.  There are listed criteria in various areas and the teacher determines whether the child meets it "consistently ", "most of the time", "some of the time", or "infrequently".

VII)  Special Services

Social Worker:
There is a social worker onsite part time.  He/She ensures that any child's special needs are met.

Breakfast and Lunch programs:
Breakfast and lunch are provided for free or at a reduced price to those who meet certain income requirements.  Free lunch applications will be sent home the first day of school.  Call or drop by the school office if you need an application.

Mentoring Program:
The Mentoring program provides one-on-one support for children of all ages.  It also provides for homework clubs, peer mentors and family support.  Click here to link to the Mentoring Webpage 

Other services: Special Services include supplemental reading instruction, speech and language therapy, school counseling, and special education for children with special needs.

VIII)  Vehicles of Communication between Parent and Teacher

Open House:
In the fall, an evening open house is held for the purpose of parents meeting teachers to learn about the planned curriculum and activities for the school year.  This is not the time for a private conference, but rather a time to learn what your child's day will be like.

Individual Conference:
Teachers schedule private conferences for each parent, generally in November.

Multi-media Communication:
Telephone messages for teachers will be placed in the teacher's mailbox immediately so that a return call can be made as soon as possible.   Teachers check their mailboxes several times each day.  Parents may be assured that all notes, telephone messages, and packages will be received by the teacher within a very short time after receipt by the office.  Some teachers use an email address.  You may ask your child's teacher to communicate thorough email.

Please note that..........
Students may not use the phone except for emergency purposes (ie. not for reporting forgotten homework, books, lunch boxes, or to make arrangements for after school activities, etc.)

IX)  Volunteers

Here at Frenchtown:
The Frenchtown School Parent/Teacher Group (PTG) is an association of teachers and parents, joined in a partnership to provide students with the best education possible.  General PTG meetings are held monthly during the school year.

If you would like to volunteer at Frenchtown, please let the PTG Volunteer Coordinator or your child's teacher know.  Volunteers must sign in the Volunteer Book and obtain a visitor's badge in the office upon entering the school.

At the beginning of the school year, family members are welcome to volunteer as homeroom parents through the PTG.  Sign up sheets are available at the first PTG meeting of the school year or you may sign up through the form in the first Newsletter of the school year.

PTG volunteers work at fundraisers to provide the school and teachers with funds for curriculum related items as well as for social/family events.  Your support each year is greatly appreciated! (PTG link)

In the East Greenwich District: The Mentoring Program is a district-wide program that provides support to at-risk children.  Its goal is to improve a child's self-esteem, attitude toward school, attendance and academic performance in an effort to keep the child in school and direct them on to a successful future.  Parent volunteers have made a huge difference in the mentoring program.  It has grown from 3 mentors in 1999 to over 100 mentors in 2002.  If you would like to volunteer or you would like your child assigned to a mentor, you can call the Director of the E. Greenwich Strategic Support Program at 885-6561 or you can email to RIDO2877@ride.ri.net.  Click here to reach the Mentoring webpage 

X)  When Visiting Frenchtown School

Entering and exiting school grounds:
There is a one-way traffic flow when entering and exiting the Frenchtown School parking lot.  The entrance to the school parking lot is the furthest west on Frenchtown Road.  The exit from the school parking lot is the furthest east on Frenchtown Road.   This was done to reduce the risk of accidents.  The road that runs along the front of the school is only open to buses.  Cars should never enter this area.  This is to reduce the risk to our children.

Parking:
Parking for staff and faculty at Frenchtown School is limited. Please do not park in these spaces which are located parallel to Frenchtown Road.  Handicapped parking spaces, however, are available in the staff parking area.  Parking spaces for visitors (parents) are located along the fence on the right side of the school.  The driveway directly in front of the school must be kept free of private vehicles and open for buses only at all times.

Registering as a Visitor
Visitors (including parents) who enter Frenchtown School must check in at the office.  If a teacher is expecting you, please sign in and pick up a visitor's badge.  If you want to observe a classroom, arrangements must be made in advance with the teacher.

Classroom Visits
Teachers appreciate as few interruptions to their instructional time as possible; therefore, if you are dropping something off for the classroom or your child, it should be labeled with your child's name and the name of the teacher and left in the office and the teacher will be notified.  Parents should not make unscheduled visits to classrooms.

XI) Other Administrative Items to Note

Confidentiality:
Due to privacy laws, staff members are not allowed to give out phone numbers, addresses, or information about students.  When visiting the school to volunteer any personal information about a child is confidential.

When Sending Money/Checks to School
If a child's last name is different from the parent's last name, please be sure to write the child's name on checks and other correspondence sent to school. 
When sending money to school, please be sure to send it in a sealed envelope labeled with your child's name and specify to what purpose the money should be applied.  Please do not send large amounts of money to school.

Lost and Found:
Lost and found items are kept in the cafeteria/foyer.  Parents and students are encouraged to look through the collection at any time.  Valuables such as watches, rings, and money are turned in directly to the office.  Parents are reminded to write your child's name in all school supplies and clothing.  Several times during the year all unclaimed items are cleaned and donated to the East Greenwich Welfare Department.

XII)  Weather Related Issues

Students go outside for recess every day, and they should be dressed in appropriate clothing; coats, mittens, hats, boots, etc.  Tissues in pockets are helpful for students with "sniffles".  Students should not wear clothing that might cause distraction or disrupt the educational process.  Obscene phrases and some advertising slogans and logos on clothing may be deemed unacceptable.

XIII)  Emergency School Closing Information

Early closing information is broadcast on all local radio and television stations.  It is not possible for the school to call every parent in the case of emergencies.  Included on the Emergency Form is a portion asking for a back-up plan for the school to follow in case of mid-day school closings.  This plan should be discussed with your child.

XIV)  Fire drills

No less than 15 fire drills are conducted throughout the school year.  All students, staff, and parents must evacuate the building.

This Behavior Code is instituted not to be punitive but rather to ensure that every child enters a safe and orderly environment.  Each child shall have a sense of security in an environment that is free from harm.

Goal:Student behavior promotes safety, responsibility, appropriate actions, and respect.

Principles: As shared values, the general attitude and behavior guidelines that teachers should model -- and students are expected to learn and practice-- are as follows:
                  My job is to learn.  I will practice safe behavior.  I will be kind to others.
                  I will make good choices today.
                  I will tell the truth.
                  I choose to be prepared and on time.
                  I choose to play fairly
                  I choose to follow school rules.
                  I like to laugh and enjoy other people.
                  People can count on me.

General School Rules: 
 

Each child is expected to show respect to adults and other children. Each student shall observe the posted motto of "Good Hands", "Good Feet", "Good Mouth", and " Good Manners". Children are expected to walk and to use quiet voices at all times in the building. Students' hands and feet will keep to themselves. No weapons, real or pretend, are to be brought to school at any time (Teachers may develop more specific rules for particular settings and activities throughout the school)

Consequences: Each child shall be responsible for his/her actions; students and parents will be aware of consequences for rule infraction.  The following is a sequential list of consequences that might occur as a result of one or more rule infraction:
             1.) Positive incentives (compliments, recognition, rewards, praise, privileges)
                  2.) Warning (written and verbal reminders)
                        NOTE:  (a) If child demonstrates aggressive behavior, proceed from #2 to #8 and #12.
                                    (b) if a child brings a weapon, real or pretend, to school, proceed to #13 (zero 
                                           tolerance).
                  3.) Plan (personal oral or written understanding or agreement)
                  4.) Restitution (to correct or amend a situation either through an apology or acts of service)
                  5.) Loss of Privileges (time out, loss of recess or special activities, field trips)
                  6.) Removal from Room (supervised time-out isolated from the child's classroom)
                  7.) Sent to the Office (with discipline form)
                  8.) Call to Parent
                  9.) After-School Detention (30 minutes)/In-school Suspension (isolated from peers and daily 
                            routine, but continues to do academic work)
                  10.) Conference (including student, parent(s), teacher(s), or aide(s) and principal)
                  11.) Intervention Services (school psychologist, social worker, Classroom Alternative Support 
                           Team CAST), peer mentor)
                 12.) Sent Home (for reentry, parent conference is required and may occur immediately or on the 
                              following  day)
                 13.) Suspension

Suspension Procedure:  In order that the due process rights of all children are protected, the following procedure will be followed when suspension is an appropriate consequence:
 
 

Notice of the reason for suspension and the duration shall be given to the student's parent(s). The student and his/her parent(s) shall be given notice of the rule infraction. The student shall be given the opportunity to present his/her version. The student and his/her parent(s) shall have the right to a hearing prior to the student's removal from school unless the child's presence endangers others at the school.  In that case, the hearing should be held as soon as practical. The person making the discipline referral (teacher or aide), the student's parent(s), and the principal shall be present at the hearing.  The parents shall have the right to legal counsel at the hearing. The student and his/her parent(s) have the right to appeal to a higher level or authority (Superintendent, School Committee, Commissioner of Education) The hearing procedure outlined in the East Greenwich School District Policy Manual shall be followed.

Questions concerning bus transportation should be directed to Laidlaw Transit (884-1552).  Students should be at the bus stop 10 minutes before the bus arrives.  Buses should run within 10 minutes of scheduled time.  Students should be at the bus stop so buses do not have to wait and hold up traffic.  Students may not change buses for any reason except for the purpose of child care.  A note is necessary and should include the child's name, the date, destination, and bus number that he/she should ride.  A note is also required if your child is to get off his/her bus at a stop other than his/her own.
School bus transportation is an extension of the school system and standards of pupil behavior must be observed.  These rules conform to Section 31-222-10 as amended of the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island.
 
 

A. The bus driver is in charge of the bus and pupils.  Students are expected to respect and obey both the driver's and monitor's instructions. B. No one may stand while the bus is moving or change seats during the trip. C. No smoking is permitted on any school bus. D.  Students may not eat on the school bus. E. No pupil may open a window on a school bus or extend head, hands, or arms out the bus window. F.  Pupils are to keep the school bus clean and not throw refuse out of the bus window. G.  Books and personal items must be kept out of the aisles. H.  If it is necessary to cross the road after getting off the bus, pupils must cross at least ten (10) feet from the bus and stop in line with the front left fender of the bus and wait for the driver or the monitor to signal that it is safe to cross the road.  NEVER CROSS THE ROAD BEHIND THE BUS. I.  Pupils may not stand in any roadway while waiting for the bus.  Students may not push or shove while waiting for, or on, the bus. J. Approach the bus only when it has come to a complete stop. K. Do not cross the road to board the bus until the driver or the monitor has indicated to do so. L.  While walking to and from the bus loading area, students, where practical, must walk on the left side facing the traffic. M.  Emergency drills will be conducted during the year.  In any emergency, the driver and/or monitor, if able, shall be in control. In other instances, older students should assist younger students and follow specified emergency procedures.  At other times, no emergency exit or device may be used by any student. N.  Any damage to school buses will result in a claim for payment from the student and parents. O. No pets or animals other than a muzzled, seeing-eye dog may be transported on a school bus. P. No firearms, firecrackers, ammunition, bows and arrows, knives or any sharp objects that may cause injury are to be transported on a school bus. Q.  The driver has the option to assign students to specific seats. R. Only in an emergency situation and according to seating availability will a student be allowed to ride another bus.  NOTE:  Permission to ride another bus must be with parent knowledge and permission by the building principal. S.  Students' misconduct will be reported by the bus driver to the school principal and a warning will be issued.  Parents will be contacted for a second offense and students will lose the privilege of riding the school bus for a third offense.  No warning will be given prior to suspension for severe offenses such as fighting or possession of drugs, alcohol, and weapons.