Insider’s Guide to Fiske

2017-2018

Fair, Inclusive, Safe, Kind, Encouraging

Joseph E. Fiske Elementary School

45 Hastings Street

Wellesley, MA 02481

781-446-6265

https://wellesleyps.org/fiske

Rachel McGregor, Principal

Susan Drayton, Secretary

Fiske School Staff 2018-2019        3

School Arrival/Dismissal        6

School Hours        6

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday:   8:30 am - 3:05 pm        6

Wednesday:  8:30 am - 12:00 pm        6

A Day in the Life of a Fiske Student        10

Attendance        12

Vacations and Homework        12

Communications        13

General School Information        14

Birthday Books        14

Celebrations        14

Contacting Teachers or Staff        14

Emergency Closings        14

Emergency Contact Information        14

Field Trips        15

Fire Drills        15

Fiske School Directory        15

Gift-giving Policy        15

Lost and Found        16

Student Cell Phone and Smartphone Guidelines:        16

Progress Reports and Conferences        16

School Cancellation Notices        16

Student Deliveries        17

Behavioral Guidelines        19

Fiske PTO Executive Board        21

School Council        21

Central Office Administration        21

School Committee        22

Important Websites:        22

Welcome to Fiske!  This Insider's Guide to Fiske is designed to provide families with information specific to the Fiske School.  There is a district Elementary Student Handbook which provides information regarding the district calendar, elementary curriculum, and district policies . The Elementary Student Handbook can be found on the Wellesley Public School website under the ”Students and Families” tab.  Please take some time to look at both the Insiders Guide to Fiske and the K-5 Elementary Handbook.  

Fiske School Staff 2017-2018

Note: To access the voicemail system, dial 781-446-6265 and enter the individual’s extension.

School Arrival/Dismissal

School Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday:          8:30 am - 3:05 pm                                    

Wednesday:         8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Visitors

For the safety of our Fiske Community the Fiske doors are locked during the day,  requiring all visitors to be buzzed into the building.   All visitors must enter through the front door of the school and sign in at the front office. Visitors will be given a  visitor's pass to wear while in the building and return when signing out of the building. We ask that all visitors respect these procedures to assure safety for all.

Pet Policy

Dogs – School Committee Policy

In order to ensure the safety of students and staff, dogs are not allowed on school grounds during school hours, including arrival and dismissal times, as well as at school-approved events and facility rentals. Service animals are allowed under the provisions of the Animals in the Classroom policy. Dogs are allowed on school property outside of these times subject to the provisions of Article 47 of the Town Bylaws. Violations of said bylaw are subject to a fine.

Latex Balloon Policy:

Latex balloons are not allowed in the school per School Committee policy.

Fiske Arrival and Dismissal Information

Arrival

Before School Care

Fiske Before School Care is available from 7:15-8:15 a.m. The fee for this service is $360.00 per semester.  If you are interested in enrolling your child visit the Wellesley Public Schools website and click on the “students and families” tab. Please note that a minimum of 10 children must be enrolled to provide this program.

Safe Arrival/Student Absentee Program

If your child will not be in school, please call the Fiske Office at (781) 446-6265 in the morning.   When reporting your child’s absence, please indicate the reason for the absence.  If it is due to an illness or injury, please state the type of illness or injury. Leaving information about your child’s absence allows for the school nurse to track and trend illness in the school and begin interventions should a pattern of illness develop. If an absence has not been reported, the secretary will call home to verify the child’s absence.

Late Arrival:

If you know that your child will be late to school, please call the Fiske Office at (781) 446-6265 in the morning.  If your child will be purchasing a school lunch, then please leave their selection on the message. Children who arrive after 8:35 a.m. are considered tardy.  Children must report to the front office for a tardy slip before going to their classroom. Families are encouraged to have their children arrive on time to school as late arrivals disrupt the learning of the child and their peers.

Before School Recess

Students can be dropped off for a supervised before school recess beginning at 8:15 a.m.  School starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. Students in grades Kindergarten-2 will meet on the primary playground. Students in grades 3-5 will meet on the intermediate playground.  At 8:27 a.m. a bell will ring for students to line up and proceed to their class.   

Arrival in Inclement Weather 

In the event of bad weather during arrival, a sign will be hung on the front door that indicates indoor arrival.  Children should proceed inside the building where they will be supervised for indoor arrival.

Morning Car Line

For the safety of our students, the upper parking lot is closed to parking during arrival (8:00-8:30 a.m.) and dismissal (3:00-3:30 p.m.) times.  During arrival the front driveway is a one-way street used for drop-off only from 8:00-8:30 a.m.  Please remain in a single file car line in the indicated car line area. All drivers dropping off children in the front of the school will be directed to move to their vehicle to the front of the car line.   Once all cars are stopped, children will be instructed by a staff member to exit their car on the curbside and walk to the playgrounds to the right side of the building. Students should not go to the intermediate playground  through the lower parking lot as this is an active parking lot.  Drivers do not get out of the car when in the car line. Once all children have exited their cars, drivers will be directed to move out of the parking lot.  For safety reasons, do not pull out of the car line to leave the parking lot.

Parking

If driving to school, families are encouraged to use the car line when arriving to school.  There is limited parking available in the lower parking lot for families who would like to walk their child to the playground for before school recess.   This area is shared with the P.A.W.S program so parking is limited.

Do not park on Hastings Street in front of Fiske as this causes considerable difficulty for school buses and two-way traffic to flow.

Bicycling to and from School

With written permission from parents, third, fourth and fifth graders are allowed to ride bikes to school.  Kindergarten - Second grade students can ride bicycles to school if accompanied by an adult.  Bicycles are to be left locked in the bike racks located in the back of the school.  All bike riders must wear helmets in compliance with the Massachusetts General Law c.85, s.11(b) “Any person twelve years of age or younger operating or being carried as a passenger on a bicycle on a public way, bicycle path or on any other public right-of-way shall wear a helmet.”

Arrival by Bus

Students who ride the bus will receive information by mail indicating local pick-up and drop-off locations and times. All busses will arrive through the lower parking lot. Students will be supervised getting off the bus. For safety reasons, all students are required to wear a seatbelt when riding the bus.  

Dismissal

Dismissal time on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday is 3:05 p.m.  Wednesday dismissal time is 12:00p.m.    Parents/guardians will receive a pad of dismissal forms to use when a child’s dismissal plan is changed for a single day. When a child has a new dismissal plan parents/guardians must fill out a change of dismissal form and send it in to the office in the morning.   These dismissal forms are also availible on the Fiske website.  In the event that a family has an unplanned change of plans regarding dismissal, please call the office at 781-446-6265 by 2:00 p.m. so this information can be communicated to your child. When arriving to pick up your child early from school, please report to the office to sign your child out and the secretary will call her/him down from their class.

Dismissal in Inclement Weather 

In the event of bad weather during dismissal, walkers will leave through the front entrance of the school.  Children who are being picked up through the car line will remain in the gym until they are called to enter their car.

Afternoon Car Line

For the safety of our students, the upper parking lot is closed to parking during arrival (8:00-8:30 a.m.) and dismissal (3:00-3:30 p.m.) times.  The front driveway is a one-way street use for pick up only from 3:00-3:30 p.m. Please remain in a single file car line. All cars picking up children in the front of the school will be directed to move to their vehicle to the front of the car line.  Once all cars are stopped, children will be instructed by a staff member to get in their car on the curbside of the car.  Drivers do not get out of the car when in the car line. Once all children have entered their cars, drivers will be directed to move out of the parking lot.  For safety reasons, do not pull out of the car line to leave the parking lot.

Parking

If driving to school, families are encouraged to use the car line during dismissal .  There is limited parking available in the lower parking lot for families who would like to walk up to the Fiske main entrance to pick their child up from school. This area is shared with the P.A.W.S program so parking is limited.  Children must be supervised by an adult when walking to a car that is parked in the lower parking lot

Do not park on Hastings Street in front of Fiske as this causes considerable difficulty for school buses and two-way traffic to flow.

Departure by Bus

Students who ride the bus will receive information by mail indicating local pick-up and drop-off locations and times. All busses will exit through the lower parking lot. Students will be supervised getting on the bus. For safety reasons, all students are required to wear a seatbelt when riding the bus.   Students who are not registered as bus riders may NOT ride the bus to a friend’s house after school. 

Walkers

Children in grades K-2 will be dismissed as a “walker” to a parent or other adult with permission.  Children in grades 3-5 may walk home on their own with parent permission.  Parents should instruct children who walk to and from school on pedestrian safety rules.  Children should only cross the street in designated crosswalks. Children should not walk through the parking lot when walking home.

Pick up

If you are late picking up your child, he or she will be taken to the school office to wait for your arrival.

Please call the front office with any questions regarding arrival or dismissal procedures.

781-446-6265

A Day in the Life of a Fiske Student

Recess

All classes have two 15-20 minutes recess periods a day, except on half days. There is a third optional supervised recess from 8:15-8:30 a.m.

Snack

Students are responsible for bringing their own nutritious and easily opened snacks to school. Please do not send candy to school with your child. If you receive notice that your child’s classroom is an “allergy alert” classroom, you will be asked to send only snack items that are peanut/nut-free and to avoid items made in a facility that processes nuts.  

Lunch 

Students have 40 minutes for recess and lunch. The recess lunch schedule for the 2017-2018 school year is:

Recess                                                        Lunch

11:00-11:20 - 4th grade                                        11:20-11:40 - 4th grade

11:20-11:40 - 3rd grade                                        11:40-12:00 - 3rd grade

11:40-12:00 - 1st grade                                        12:00-12:20 - 1st grade

12:00-12:20 - 2nd grade                                        12:20-12:40 - Kindergarten and 2nd grade        12:20-12:40 - Kindergarten and 5th grade                        12:40-1:00 - 5th grade

Students may bring a lunch from home or purchase a school lunch. School lunch menus are available online at:https://wellesleyps.org/students-families/food-services/

An “Allergy Alert table” (no peanuts/no nuts) is available in the lunchroom. Students with food allergies are not required to sit at this table unless the parent or guardian requests that their child sit there. Students who need to sit at this table may invite friends, who are purchasing a school lunch, to join them. Please contact the nurse if you want your child to sit at this table. If you have questions about the menu and food allergies, please contact the Food Services Director at 781-446-6210, ext 5708.

All students have a food service account.  Each morning a lunch count will be taken and reported to the office.  If your know your child will be tardy, please call the office (781-446-6265)and leave a message with your child’s lunch selection for the day.  If a child is unexpectedly tardy and wants to purchase lunch, he/she will need to order lunch in the school office upon arrival.

Information about free or reduced-price meal status, if applicable, will be preloaded into the child’s account.  The meal checkout process is the same for all students.  USDA regulations require the completion of a new Free/Reduced application at the beginning of each school year.  Applications and information about free/reduced school meals are available on the Wellesley Website at https://wellesleyps.org/students-families/financial-assistance-information/

Specialist Classes

Student have weekly classes in music, art, library, and fitness and health. Students in Kindergarten through first grade will  have Spanish instruction three times a week for 25 minutes.  Students in second through third  grade will have Spanish instruction two times a week for 25 minutes and one time a week for 30 minutes. Classroom teachers will share the specialist schedules with families at the start of the year.  

WCCC After School Care

After School care is provided by the Wellesley Community Children’s Center (WCCC) at the Fiske School. Please see WCCC website for information regarding their programming: http://www.wccc.wellesley.edu/ 

Attendance

Attendance to school is important for the learning of each student. Excused absences include student illness, death in the family, religious observance, suspension or special circumstances where the absences have been pre-approved by the principal. If a child has 7 or more unexcused absences within a six month period a letter will be sent home to the parents/guardians.  In the event of continued unexcused absences, a conversation with the principal will be scheduled to develop a plan to improve the child’s  attendance.

Pursuant to MGL Chapter 76, Section 1 the Superintendent and/or designee may excuse absences not exceeding seven full day sessions or fourteen half day session in any six month period. Should a student's attendance exceed this standard, the District may file a 51A report of suspected child abuse or neglect with the Department of Social Services, file an application for "Child Requiring Assistance" (CRA) with the Juvenile Court or file a criminal complaint in court against the responsible parent/guardian.

Wellesley Public Schools Elementary Student Handbook 2017-2018 p. 33-34

Vacations and Homework

The school discourages non-school sponsored trips and vacations which are taken outside of the scheduled school vacation dates. Students are expected to attend school every day unless they are sick or have an unexpected event that requires them to be absent.  In the event that a family decides to take extra vacations during the school year,  missed work will not be provided from the teacher for students to take on the vacation.  Children are encouraged to read daily and write in a journal about their experiences.  

Communications

Friday Fiske News

The principal and school secretary send home a weekly online communication through email called The Friday Fiske News.   This weekly email highlights activities in the school and important upcoming dates. School and PTO notices will be sent via email.  It is important that families update their contact information each year and as needed through the Parent Portal in order to receive email communications.  Please let your child’s teacher know if you do not have an email and paper copies will be sent home in their backpack.

Fiske Website

The Fiske website is a valuable resource for families to find copies of all the Friday Fiske News, important school and district announcements and the PTO website.  All school notices and forms that are sent via email can also be found on the website’s Quick Link “Backpack Notices.”  

Principal’s Coffees

Throughout the school  year Mrs. McGregor will host monthly Principal’s Coffees from 8:40-9:30 a.m. in the library.  These coffees are opportunities to have open discussions to update the community on the latest happenings at the school. Dates for the Principal’s Coffees for the school year 2017-2018 are:

• Friday, September 29
• Friday, October 27
• Friday, December 1
• Friday, March 2
• Friday, April 6

Monday Memo

The Fiske PTO sends the weekly Monday Memo. This memo informs families of important PTO and town wide dates and happenings.  To receive the Monday Memo visit the Fiske PTO Website to be added to the weekly distribution list.

General School Information

Birthday Books

If you would like to donate a book to the school library in honor of your child’s birthday, or for any other special occasion, please see school librarian Pam Allen.  She will ensure that a bookplate with your child’s name on it will be placed inside the book.  

Celebrations

With the exception of individual snacks, food is not allowed in the classrooms.  If a parent/guardian or class  wants to share something to mark a celebration it should not be a food item.  Contact the teacher for ideas and suggestions.

Contacting Teachers or Staff

In the event that a parent or guardian needs to contact  their child’s teacher, please email or call the teacher. Teachers will respond to emails and calls within 48 hours. For a list of teachers and contact information visit the Fiske Website.  If the message time sensitive then  please call the office (781-446-6265)before 2:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday  or 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.  Your message will be communicated to the teacher.  

Emergency Closings

At times during the year, it may be necessary to close school before regular dismissal time due to power failure, sudden storms, etc.  Parents/guardian will be alerted through the automated School Messenger calling system.  If you cannot be reached, the school will refer to the alternate numbers listed in your child’s emergency contacts in the Parent Portal. Please keep this information up to date during the year.

Emergency Contact Information

The Wellesley Public Schools utilizes a database called the Powerschool Parent Portal to maintain an updated record of family contact information. The parent portal is open from August 7-September 14.  Parents/guardians are required to update the contact information for each child. This contact information is critical for the school to contact families in case of an emergency.  Parents can access the portal with this link: https://wellesley.powerschool.com/public/.

Field Trips

Field trips provide educational opportunities for students outside of their classroom learning experience. At times parents  may be asked  for assistance in funding some admission costs.  Scholarships are  available.  Please contact the classroom teacher, Social Worker Sara Berenson, or School Psychologist Sharon Grossman if field trip costs are a concern.

Fire Drills  

Practice fire drills will occur periodically throughout the school year.  All staff and students must exit the building as quickly as possible whenever an alarm sounds, whether before, during or after school hours. All teachers will lead students from classrooms and corridors to the appropriate exit and outdoor area. Students will remain with their teacher at all times and attendance will be taken. Fire exits are clearly marked throughout the building.

Fiske School Directory

The PTO publishes an online directory.  The Powerschool Parent Portal allows for parents to provide information to be shared with the student directory.  Families can also opt out of the directory.  This information must be updated each year through the Parent Portal.  

Gift-giving Policy

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268A and the State Ethics Commission rules prohibit all public employees from receiving personal gifts of “substantial value,” which according to the regulations is $50 or more. This includes meals, tickets, services rendered, holiday gifts, etc. If multiple parents of students in the same class chip in to purchase a group gift for the teacher, the teacher can accept a gift worth up to $150 as long as the gift is given from the group generically and specific donations are not identified.

The law and regulation apply to any single, personal gift to a public employee from an individual or group. An employee may accept multiple gifts from different parties, as long as each individual gift complies with the regulations.

Contributions for educational supplies, the purchasing of books or curriculum materials for the classroom, or a donation to a PTO or organization such as the Wellesley Education Foundation in the educator’s name are not subject to the limit.

Lost and Found

Please label all children’s belongings with their name.   The lost and found table is located in the front hall as you enter the building.  Please check the bins when you are in the building. Unlabeled and unclaimed items are donated to charity  during February break and at the end of the school year.  

Student Cell Phone and smartwatch Guidelines:

Student cell phones and smartwatches must be turned off and remain in the backpack during school hours. Students may not use personal devices that can make calls or send texts during school hours.  Students should not use their cell phones on a school bus on route to home or school.  

 If a cell phone or smartwatch is  used in school:

First time- The principal will hold the cell phone or smartwatch  for the rest of the day and the student will pick it up in the office.  Parents will be notified.

Second time- The principal will hold the cell phone or smartwatch  for the rest of the day and the parent will be asked to pick it up at their convenience.

Third time- The principal will hold the cell phone or smartwatch for the rest of the day and meet with the parents to develop a plan.  

Progress Reports and Conferences

Progress reports are issued at the end of January and on the last day of school in June.  Individual parent conferences with classroom teachers are scheduled twice a year, in the fall and early spring.  Conferences are 20 minutes long.  Online sign up links will be emailed to all families.  If needed, teachers are also available during the school year for more informal meetings.  

School Cancellation Notices

At times school will be canceled due to weather.  The Superintendent’s Office will notify families via School Messenger voicemail/email to home phones, cell phones and email addresses. In addition, the following stations will be notified of school cancellations:

Television - Channel 4, 5,7 and Wellesley Cable

Radio - WBZ, WKOX, WNTN, WBUR, WCLB, and  WMJX

Online - http://thebostonchannel.com (also snow closing alerts by email or text message) and wellesleyps.org

Please do not call the school, the Police or the Fire Department for this information.

Student Deliveries

If a parent or guardian must drop something off for a child, all deliveries for child should be left in the office.  Please clearly label items with your child’s name and class.  These items will be delivered to classrooms by school staff to minimize disruption to instruction.  

Health Guidelines

Illness

Although regular attendance is expected, a sick child should never be sent to school.  A child should be fever free for 24 hours, without fever reducing medicine, before returning to school.  Students receiving antibiotics for a contagious condition such as strep throat must stay out of school until 24 hours of antibiotic therapy has been completed. Please call the nurse for questions or concerns,

Injury

Please notify the nurse, if your child has sustained an injury.

Any student who has sustained an injury that has been treated by a physician or in an emergency room and will have restricted activity for a period of time  (cast, stitches, sprains, fractures, concussions, etc.), must bring a note from the physician stating the nature of the restrictions and when the student can resume participation in Fitness and Health and recess.  The student will not be allowed to return to Fitness and Health  or recess until this note is received.  Any student with a cast, boot, sling or splint will be precluded from Fitness and Health and recess and offered a safe alternate activity.

If your child sustains an injury and you feel (s)he should limit her/his activity for 1 - 2 days, please provide an explanatory note to the nurse. If the injury is not healed within that time frame and the child is still requiring limited activity, a note from the physician is required.

Dismissal due to injury or illness

Students who become ill or injured at school will be dismissed to the custodial parent/guardian or their designee from the office. The student will not be allowed to walk home alone. It is the expectation that a sick or injured student will be picked up as soon as possible.

Important Information to Communicate to the Nurse

Parents/guardians are encouraged to call the school nurse any time they have questions/concerns and specifically for the following reasons:

• a new medical diagnosis or a change in your child’s health status
• a newly prescribed medication
• a change in current medication
• a serious injury, illness or hospitalization
• a fracture, sprain, stitches or cast
• a contagious disease such as chicken pox, flu, strep throat, whooping cough, conjunctivitis
• a diagnosed or suspected case of head lice
• a student’s absence for an extended period of time
• any recent changes in your family that may affect your child (a birth in the family, recent loss or sudden illness)
• any food or medication allergies

MEDICATION

At the start of every school year, all medication orders must be renewed by the health care provider and  the parent/guardian must sign a new a new Consent form.

A written “Order” from the student’s licensed health care provider and a written “Consent” form signed by the student’s parent or guardian must be submitted to the school nurse. This applies to daily medications, both prescription and over the counter medication (OTC). Prescription medication must come with a prescription pharmacy label. Over-the counter medication must be supplied in the original pharmacy container. For their own safety, students should never transport medication to and from school or keep medicine in their possession during the school day. 

At the end of the school year, all medications must be picked up by a parent/guardian. Any medications not picked up will be discarded.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS

Examinations by a licensed health care provider are required for kindergartners, new entrants at any grade and all students in grades 4.  Immunizations must be submitted and up to date for all new students prior to starting school.

MANDATORY HEALTH SCREENINGS

1. Vision – done annually in the fall in grades K-5.
2. Hearing – done annually in the fall in grades K-3.

3.   Body Mass Index (BMI) - Schools in Massachusetts are now mandated by law to obtain height and weight information on all students in grades 1 and 4.  After obtaining your child’s height and weight, your child’s BMI will be calculated.  Parent/Guardians must contact the school nurse to obtain a copy of your child’s BMI.

4. Postural screening - conducted annually in collaboration with the Fitness and Health Department for students in Grades 5.  

HEAD LICE MANAGEMENT

Head lice is a prevalent problem in school-aged children. Head lice are not dangerous; they do not transmit disease and are not a public health issue. Head lice is mainly transmitted through head to head contact.

Prevention:

• Be aware of the signs and symptoms such as:

a) tickling feeling on the scalp or in the hair

b) itching caused by the bites of the louse

c) irritability and difficulty sleeping – lice are more active in the dark

d) sores on the head – caused by scratching

• Check your child’s head at least once a week.

• Avoid sharing personal items that are in close contact with the head such as

combs, brushes, helmets, hair accessories, pillows.

• Avoid head to head contact.

 If you suspect or discover your child has head lice or nits, please report this to your school nurse as soon as possible. The school nurse will review management procedures with the parent/guardian. The school nurse is a knowledgeable resource and can provide accurate information. Parents will be notified if their child is found to have head lice while at school and may choose to pick up their child from school to begin treatment. The school nurse will reassess the student after treatment AND before returning to the classroom.

The school nurse has the discretion to inform parents should clustering of cases occur.

 The Nursing Services website has additional information.

Behavioral Guidelines

The Fiske School faculty encourages students to reach their greatest potential by creating a safe and welcoming environment for both social and academic learning. The FISKE  Fundamentals (Fair, Inclusive, Safe, Kind, Encouraging) are the core values of our Fiske community.  Fiske  students are expected to demonstrate the Fiske Fundamentals in their daily work together.  These fundamentals are reinforced through Open Circle, school assemblies and throughout the school day in all classrooms, recesses and lunches.

The social competency program, Open Circle, is a curriculum Wellesley teachers utilize in the classroom to create a cooperative classroom environment, teach students to manage themselves, strengthen relationships, and problem-solve.

Fiske School Peer-to-Peer Program

The goals of the Fiske School Peer-to-Peer Program are to support students’ learning when engaged in peer relationships so that they are able to follow the FISKE Fundamentals (Fair, Inclusive, Safe, Kind, Encouraging), enhance the positive school climate at Fiske, and ensure that students feel that Fiske is a safe school where each child belongs. The program is based on work completed with a nationally known consultant in bully prevention and positive school climate/culture, Stan Davis.

The Peer-to-Peer program focuses on student behavior and actions toward one another and is based on surveys completed each year that, in part, examine which actions are most likely to cause harm to others. When a staff member notices a student demonstrating a behavior that may cause physical or emotional harm to another child, a reflection form is completed in which the student identifies what the behavior was, which FISKE Fundamental was broken, what the intent was and in what way the child will behave differently in the future. The purpose of this process is to help each student reflect on and learn about the effect the social mistake they have made affects others, and to contribute to preventing the action from occurring again. There are a series of escalating responses that occur if students continue the same behaviors/actions.

Suspension

Suspensions are rare in an elementary school yet  a Principal may make the decision to suspend a student as a consequence for behavior that endangers other students or which interferes with the learning of others.  When a child is being considered for a suspension, parents are invited to attend a hearing to discuss the matter.  Suspension may be the consequence for any of the following behaviors: theft, destruction of property, use of tobacco, pulling the fire alarm, profanity, threats or intimidation of others, harassment of another student, hitting an adult or endangering the safety of others (such as hitting, biting, fighting, brandishing a weapon including pocket knives, arson.)

Fiske PTO Executive Board

President - Manisha Varma

Vice President - Anshul Chadda, Beena Katekar , Anna Papoutsis

Co-Secretary: Ceida Chan and Robin Bellinger

Treasurer: Greg Lief

The Fiske PTO is made up of parents, teachers and school staff.  The Fiske PTO  supports the school and its students.  The PTO provides support through fundraising and volunteering to help in various roles.  Funds raised by the PTO are used for things such as enrichment programs, teacher appreciation and support, and technology. 

The PTO offers  high quality events and programs for the Fiske community.  Throughout the year there will be specific requests for volunteers.   If you are interested in helping with any of the PTO sponsored events, Please visit the Fiske PTO website: http://www.thefiskepto.com/

School Council

Site-Based Councils were mandated by the Education Reform Act of 1993 as part of the Act’s decentralization of decision-making.  The Fiske School Council is composed of equal members of elected teachers and parents, together with the Principal and a community member.  Members serve for two-year terms.  New members are solicited in the fall to represent for the two years.  The role of the Fiske School Council is to advise the Principal, especially in creating and evaluating the School Improvement Plan.  The School Council meets several times during the school year.  Minutes of all meetings are published on the Fiske website.

Central Office Administration

Main Phone Number: 781-446-6210

School Committee

Michael D’Ortenzio Jr., Chair        Matt Kelley, Vice Chair                Melissa Martin                        Anthony Bent                                Sharon Gray

Important Websites:

Wellesley Public Schools: https://wellesleyps.org/

Fiske School: https: //wellesleyps.org/fiske

Wellesley Public Schools Student Handbook: https://wellesleyps.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Student-Handbook-K-5.pdf

PTO Website: http://www.thefiskepto.com/