Meadowbrook Farms School Family Handbook

School Mission Statement

Meadowbrook Farms School community is committed to fostering a safe, nurturing, respectful environment which provides the academics, discipline and creative opportunities necessary for the optimal development of all students. 

Meadowbrook Farms School Pledge of Respect

I pledge to show my respect

By listening to others;

Using my hands for helping

Caring about others’ feelings and

Being responsible for what I say and do.

The Meadowbrook Team

Faculty and Staff

Ms. Tara McAuliffe –Principal Ms. Jan Berardino – Secretary

Pre-School

Mrs. Colucci

Mrs. Dilorenzo

Grade 1 Educational Assistants

Mrs. Flanagan Mrs. Bassett

Mrs. Degroot Mrs. Dyer

Mrs. Mateer Mrs. Francis

Mrs. Ferreira-Hammick

Grade 2 Mrs. Hoffman

Mrs. McDonald Mr. Mong

Mrs. Bentsen Mrs. De Santo

Mrs. Tucker Ms. Ferreira

Mrs. Sullivan Mrs. Capaldi

Mrs. Messier

Grade 3 Mrs. Twomey

Mrs. Hanrahan Mrs. Sarlitto

Mrs. Johnson Mrs. Smith

Ms. Bushoven Ms. Cooley

Mr. Payne Ms. Lemoi

Mrs. Ceresi

Special Services Custodians

Mrs. Barrett Special Education Resource Mrs. Ryan

Mrs. Felkner Occupational Therapist Mr. Sheldon

Mrs. Gannon Speech/language Therapist

Mrs. Champney Speech/Language Therapist

Mrs. Gray Primary Autism Kitchen Staff

Ms. Doyle Intensive Resource Mrs. Moone

Mrs. Birke Reading Specialist Mrs. Nappa

Dr. Santamour School Psychologist

Mrs. Bennett School Nurse

Mrs. D’Abbraccio English As a Second Language

Mrs. Torti Intensive resource

School Hours

Kindergarten AM session 9:20 am -11:50 am

PM session 12:50 pm - 3:15pm

Full Day 9:20 am -3:20 pm

Walkers are dismissed at 3:10 pm at the side door.

Students may not be dropped off at school before 9:00 am.

Before school care is available in the building through the YMCA School’s Out program. Further information can available by calling the YMCA at 828-0130.

Arrival Procedures

Parents are encouraged to have their children ride the bus to school as additional cars add to the congestion in front of the school. Children who need to be dropped off should be dropped off between 9:00-9:20 am (never before 9:00). The white curb area is the designated drop off spot for car traffic. The yellow curb area is a bus zone and should never be used for parking or drop offs. Car drop offs should be done in a quick and safe manner with the student exiting on the curb side of the street as to not create a traffic jam at the busiest times of the day. For safety reasons, we ask that you not use the teacher’s parking lot as a turn around exit. If you need to park to give your child additional time to exit, please park in the visitor’s parking lot and cross your child over to the curbside.

A staff member is always assigned to direct the children to the playground area behind the school. On days of inclement weather, the drop-off points remain the same but the children will be directed to the front door of the school.

Dismissal Procedures

Students who are picked up at the end of the school day are dismissed from the side entrance of the building. Students are lined up and called for dismissal when their parent or designated adult arrives. This process does take a little time, but we feel it best insures each student’s safety. If a child is to go home with another student’s parent or other designated adult, a note must be sent to the teacher in the morning. If a child is normally a bus student and you wish him or her to be a walker on a particular day, a note must be sent on that day. Children without notes stating a change in routine will be directed to their normally assigned bus line.

Bus students are dismissed at 3:15 pm to the gym to line up and wait for their designated bus number to be called for boarding. Students, who are taking the bus home, but getting off at another stop, must have a note which needs to go to the bus driver at the afternoon boarding time. Students who are not regularly assigned to a bus do not have the option to take the bus on any given day without the prior authorization of the Transportation Company. All calls regarding the eligibility for bus service can be directed to Laidlaw Transportation at 884-1552.

If you know in advance that you will be checking your child out of school early on a given day, please send a note to your child’s teacher. When you arrive at the school office to sign your child out, he or she will be sent to meet you in the office. We do not have students wait in the office or go out of the building to wait, so please factor that wait time in your decision to arrive at school for an early dismissal.

The last half hour of the day is generally very busy in the school office. Please do not call for dismissal changes at the last minute to insure that they are properly communicated. Students will only be released to parents or individuals named on the emergency form. Proper identification will be required. Any document issued by the court, such as a no contact order, should be on file with the school office. Such documents will need to be updated and can not be enforced past their expiration dates.

Attendance

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

School begins at 9:20 am. Students arriving after that time are considered tardy. A student arriving late must be checked in at the office by a parent. The student will then walk independently to their classroom. Students who arrive after the start of school due to a late arriving bus are not marked tardy.

Students must arrive before11:45 am to be counted as present for the school day. If your child will be absent for the day, please call the office 398-1602 prior to 9:20 am. Please send a letter of explanation upon your child’s return to school.

Visitor Policy

Sign-in Policy

Visitors (including parents and volunteers) who enter Meadowbrook Farms School must check in as a visitor at the office. If a teacher is expecting you, please sign in and pick up a visitor’s badge. The visitor’s badge should be clearly visible to staff and students. If you wish to observe a classroom, arrangements must be made in advance with the office and/or teacher.

Classroom Visits

In order to ensure as few interruptions to instructional time as possible, we ask that if you are dropping off something for your child or the classroom, it should be labeled with your child’s name and name of teacher and left in the office. The teacher or child will be notified to pick the item up. Unannounced lunchroom visits are not encouraged, however there is a parent lunchroom visitation schedule for those who wish to participate.

School Bus Information

Questions concerning bus transportation should be directed to Laidlaw Transit at 884-1552. Students should arrive at the bus stop in the morning ten minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. If students will take a different bus in the afternoon, a note to the teacher is necessary and should include the child’s name, the date, child’s name he or she will ride with and bus number that he/she should ride. A note to the bus driver is also required if your child is to get off at a stop other than his or her regular stop. All requests for changes in daily transportation are granted with the permission of Laidlaw Transit.

The standard of student behavior expected on the bus is the same as that expected at school.

Emergency Contact Forms

Each student is given an emergency contact form on the first day of school. Please complete and return this form as soon as possible and be sure that the information is kept up-to-date throughout the year. Your child will not be released to anyone not on this list. It is very important that all emergency contact persons 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.

Health and Medical Issues

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 student who has not returned a dental card.

Hearing and Vision

These screenings are held annually in the school. Information will be sent home by the school nurse.

Allergies

Any allergies, especially food allergies, should be brought to the attention of your child’s teacher, the school office and the school nurse. Children with a peanut allergy should be made aware of a peanut free table in the cafeteria. Please review the school lunch menu with your child so they are aware of choices that may be restricted to them due to their particular allergy.

Medication

Only the School Nurse may give prescription or non-prescription medication to students at school. A physician’s written order is required for prescription medication, and a signed EG Public School Medication Authorization form must accompany each medication. Medication must be in a properly labeled current container, and should be provided by the parent to the nurse. For identification purposes, Schedule II narcotics must be accompanied by a recent photograph of the student. A written self administration plan (including prescription medications, inhalers and epi-pens) must be completed by the parent. This is to comply with the off-site self administration policy, and is required for medication taken by a student while on a field trip. For non-prescription medications, parents must provide a signed authorization form with a medical container (Tylenol, Advil etc.) properly labeled with the child’s name.

Illness

If students become ill at school, parents will be notified. It is very important that you come as quickly as possible. Please do not send your child to school if he or she is sick or has a fever. In the event a parent can not be reached during the school day, the other adults on the emergency contact list will be notified.

Immunizations

Rhode Island law requires that all students have a record of a physical examination and up-to-date immunizations on file. Students entering Kindergarten must provide proof of lead screening.

Head Lice

When head lice are found, the child will be sent home at the end of the day with an educational pamphlet for the parent. Students may return to school after treatment. Nix brand shampoo treatment is recommended.

Accidents

Parents will be notified of accidents needing medical or immediate attention. Please be sure that your child’s emergency contact sheet phone numbers are current for the responsible adults to be contacted in the event you cannot be reached. Accident insurance is offered through a school group policy for at school and 24 hour coverage. Information is sent home during the first day of school.

Daily Activities

Snack Time

It is recommended that snacks brought from home should be of good nutritional value (fruit, vegetables, juice, granola bars crackers etc.) Snack is a brief time during the morning instruction, so snacks should consist of easy to eat items. If a food or snack item is to be provided or made in the classroom, the teacher will send home a note listing the type of food and ingredients if necessary. Any parent who does not wish their child to have any planned snack items should send a note to the teacher prior to the event. An alternate snack or plan could be substituted. We have many students in our school with special dietary needs and /or allergies. We ask that any food from home; snacks, candy or baked goods are not sent into school for class distribution at birthdays or other special occasions. Items that are sent in will be returned home with the student. Some classrooms may ask that the students voluntary go “peanut free”. This means that no peanut or peanut butter derivatives come into the classroom with any student. The lunchroom does have a peanut free table at each lunch session.

Lunch

Lunch menus are sent home with the school lunch options for the current month. Both hot and cold lunch choices are available everyday. Ample time to eat lunch is provided, followed by a short recess time. If students have forgotten their lunch or lunch money, a lunch will be provided and can be paid for the next day. Students in the lunch room are expected to practice good manners and use “inside voices”. We will provide a schedule of months when parents from each grade level are invited in to eat lunch with their child. Parents are requested to place their order along with the price of an adult lunch in the envelope with the menu choice written on the outside. Parents are asked to not bring “fast food” into the school cafeteria.

The lunch program does offer certain snack items for sale on various days of the week.

If you wish your child to purchase a snack on a given day, money should be provided. We ask that students not borrow or lend money to others for snack items as it may conflict with a parent’s wish for the child to not have certain items on any given day.

Playground

Paraprofessionals and sometimes parent volunteers provide supervision on the playground. They are available to help students resolve their problems and maintain a safe and orderly environment. Teachers may take their classes outside for recess at other times of the school day and they are responsible for supervision at that time.

Physical Education

Shoes and clothes appropriate for physical activity are required on the days that students are scheduled for physical education class. High heels, clogs or sandals will disqualify a student from physical education and/or outdoor recess play for safety reasons.

Homework

Homework is assigned at the discretion of classroom teachers. Homework packets may be requested if a student is out of school with an illness. All educators expect children to read at home daily in addition to their assigned homework. Support, cooperation and teamwork are key components for parents and teachers to help children to be their best. You support your children and their teachers when you show an interest in your child’s schoolwork and provide a consistent time and place for homework.

Before and After School Activities

The PTG sponsors a number of enrichment activities with a variety of choices for all grade levels. Look for information to come home in your child’s backpack. Parents are responsible for picking their students up at the appointed end time of the program. Students are asked to follow the same behavioral expectations as they would during the school day.

Field Trips

Field trips are chosen with relevance to the curriculum as well as to provide an enjoyable experience. Some teachers may choose to bring outside groups, demonstrations or speakers into the classroom. Some of the funds raised by the PTG activities are allocated to pay for local trips and/or classroom enrichment. At times where the cost exceeds the PTG allotment, parents may be asked to contribute to the cost of the activity.

Student Progress

Report Cards

Student progress is documented through report cards and /or narratives four times a year for students in grades 1-3. Students in the early primary levels do not receive letter grades. There are listed criteria in various areas where the teacher determines whether the child meets it “consistently”, “most of the time”, “some of the time”, or “infrequently”. Students receiving special education services will receive additional progress reports directly related to student IEP goals quarterly. Student development is discussed at parent conferences usually held in November. Parents may schedule a conference with a teacher at other times by calling the office or writing a note directly to the teacher.

Special Services

Social worker

A school social worker is available as needed to help with family or student needs.

Free/ Reduced Lunch Program

Lunch is provided free or at reduced price to those who meet certain income requirements. Free and reduced lunch applications are sent home with students at the beginning of the school year or can be requested in the school office during the year.

Mentoring Program

The East Greenwich School District offers a Mentoring program for children of all ages.

The goals of this program are to provide one-on-one adult support and encouragement for students. If you wish to request a mentor for a child or to volunteer to be a mentor, call Nina Mackta at 398-1634. This office is located here at Meadowbrook Farms School.

Home/School Communication

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 with parents generally in November.

Daily Communication

Telephone messages for teachers will be placed in the teacher’s mailbox immediately so a return call can be made as soon as possible. Calls not of an emergency nature will not be transferred to the classroom as it is intrusive to classroom instruction. Some teachers prefer to communicate through e-mail. You may ask your child’s teacher for the best way to contact him or her during the year.

Changes in a student’s transportation home are best sent in writing at the start of the school day. It is difficult for the office to handle last minute phone calls regarding changes in student’s transportation home.

You may contact the principal or arrange an appointment at any time. We do ask that if you are calling on a classroom related issue, that you first bring it to the attention of the teacher. If the issue cannot be resolved at a teacher conference, a meeting with the principal and the teacher can then be facilitated.

Please note that……

Students may not use the phone except for emergency purposes, not for forgotten homework, lunchboxes or to make arrangements for after school play dates.

Confidentiality

Due to privacy laws, staff members are not allowed to give out phone numbers, addresses, or other information about students. The PTG does publish a student directory for those who wish to be included. When visiting the school as a volunteer please remember that any child’s personal or academic information to which you are exposed is confidential.

Sending Money or 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 last name on checks and other correspondence sent to school. When sending money to school, please send it in a sealed envelope clearly marked as to its purpose. The lunch program does offer prepay packages for those who wish to simplify their student’s daily routine. Please do not send large amounts of money to school. Students should not lend, borrow, buy or sell items from other students here at school.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found items are kept in the cafeteria. Parents and students are encouraged to look through the collection at any time. Valuables such as jewelry and money are turned in directly to the office. Parents are encouraged to write your child’s name on all school supplies and clothing. Several times during the year all unclaimed items are cleaned and donated to local human service agencies.

Items Not Allowed In School Setting

Toys and Electronics

Non-school items such as toys, game boys, cd players, cell phones, collectible cards, etc are not to be brought to school unless indicated by the teacher for a special project. These items are a distraction during the school day and we cannot ensure their safety during the day in book bags, classrooms, etc. This includes valuable jewelry, watches or large sums of cash. A student who does bring these items to school during the day will be asked to leave them with the teacher or in the office for a parent to pick up and safely transport home.

Other Items

Students are asked to not chew gum at school, on school grounds or on school busses.

Knives, toy guns, cigarette lighters, projectiles, explosives or other weapons or toy weapon facsimiles are prohibited from school and busses. Possession of any of these objects may result in suspension.

Back Packs: We ask that students not use rolling backpacks in school. These packs are more of a hindrance then a help as they present a trip hazard to others walking behind them.

Dress Code: We ask that children come dressed appropriately for the changing weather conditions. Students are asked not to wear hats or hoods inside the school building. Students should not wear clothing that might cause distraction or disrupt the educational process. Obscene phrases and some advertising slogans or logos on clothing may not be appropriate for the educational setting. Shoes with open toes, no backs or high heels are not appropriate for school since they are unsafe during recess or physical education activities.

Weather Related Issues

Students go outside for recess every day they possibly can, and they should be dressed in weather appropriate clothing.

Emergency School Closing

Information regarding cancellation or early dismissal is broadcast on all local radio and television stations. It is not possible for the school to call every parent in the case of an early closing. Included on the Emergency Form is a section on emergency closing contacts.

Birthday Celebration Policy

Each classroom teacher has a special way of commemorating a child’s birthday. It may be through a birthday book, bulletin board, special hat, line leader of the day etc. We ask that parents do not send in birthday treats or trinkets. Birthday party invitations should not be passed out in school but instead mailed out to classmates. One suggestion for commemorating a birthday is for you and your child to select a special book to donate to the classroom. The classroom teacher will keep all these special books in a Birthday bin for everyone to enjoy throughout the year. You or your child can inscribe a message to commemorate the day. In this way we can make each child feel special without encouraging sweet treats here at school. To make it easier for you, the library offers an optional Birthday Book Program which includes  a custom decorative bookplate stating the child’s name, date and occasion for the donation. The book is presented to your child in a gift bag for him/her to unwrap in the classroom after the class sings Happy Birthday. This book will stay in the classroom for the remainder of the year, then be donated to the library for all to enjoy.

Student Transfers

To transfer your child from Meadowbrook Farms School please notify the office. Parents may hand carry only copied medical records. Upon written request from the receiving school, a student’s academic record will be immediately forwarded.

Questions

Feel free to use this page to ask any questions you may have about our handbook policies. This sheet can be sent to the office at any time in the school year.

My question is

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name________________________________________

Name of Student _______________________________

Daytime phone number __________________________