REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 6

Goshen Center School                  James Morris School                Warren School

50 North Street                                     10 East Street                                    21 Sackett Hill Road

Goshen, CT 06756                             Morris, CT 06763                                    Warren, CT 06754

Tracy Keilty, Principal                             KC Chapman, Principal                            Lori Shuhi, Principal

August 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to the start of an exciting year full of great opportunities for your student to grow and develop academically and socially. So that it is clear what is expected from all students, we ask that you take some time to review this Student/Parent Handbook. Please read through this handbook with your child so that you both are aware of the many important policies and expectations. The handbook can also be found online at the school webpage within www.rsd6.org. It is possible that the handbook will be updated online during the course of the school year.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the handbook. We look forward to working with you in our efforts to provide the best possible academic and social environment for your student.

Sincerely,

Tracy Keilty, KC Chapman, and Lori Shuhi

Region 6 Elementary Principals

Regional School District No 6

Warren School         James Morris School           Goshen Center School

Elementary

Student/Parent Handbook

Table of Contents

RSD6 Mission, Learning Expectations, Core Values, and Motto        6

DISTRICT CONTACTS        7

BOARD OF EDUCATION        9

THE SCHOOL DAY        10

SCHOOL HOURS        10

EARLY ARRIVALS AND MORNING DROP-OFFS        10

LATE ARRIVALS        10

PICK-UPS DURING THE DAY        10

PICKUPS AT DISMISSAL TIME        10

DELAYED OPENINGS        10

EMERGENCY /WEATHER RELATED SCHOOL CLOSINGS        11

SCHEDULED HALF-DAYS        11

WRITTEN NOTES        11

SCHOOL VISITORS        11

ATTENDANCE        12

CALLBACK SYSTEM AND REPORTING ABSENCES        12

PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM        14

ELIGIBILITY        14

PRESCHOOL TUITION 2018-2019        14

TRANSPORTATION        15

SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH        16

OFFICE TELEPHONE USE        16

MORNING ROUTINES and ORGANIZATION        17

EMERGENCY DRILLS        17

ATTIRE (“Dress Code”)        17

COLD WEATHER CLOTHING        17

LOST AND FOUND        17

SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION        18

COMMUNICATION        18

REGION 6 WEBSITE        18

Teacher Websites:        18

WEEKLY SCHOOL NEWS (E-BLASTS)        18

CONTACTING A TEACHER        19

ACADEMICS        20

PROGRESS REPORT TRIMESTER DATES        20

SPECIAL SERVICES        20

INDEPENDENT LEARNING (“HOMEWORK”)        20

INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS        21

GENERAL AND VOCAL MUSIC        21

VISUAL ARTS        21

PHYSICAL EDUCATION        21

WELLNESS        21

SPANISH        21

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER        22

ASSESSMENT        22

POSTING OF STUDENT WORK        22

ELECTRONICS        23

TECHNOLOGY and 21st CENTURY SKILLS        23

Code of Conduct for Responsible Use of Technology Grades K-2        23

Code of Conduct for Responsible Use of Technology for Grades 3-6        24

FIELD TRIPS        25

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS        25

PARENT / TEACHER ORGANIZATION        25

VOLUNTEERS and CHAPERONES        25

ROOM PARENTS/GUARDIANS        26

SCHOOL COMMITTEES        26

BEHAVIOR and DISCIPLINE        26

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES        26

BULLYING        28

SEXUAL HARASSMENT (Policy 5145.5)        29

WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS        29

HEALTH        29

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION        29

PETS IN SCHOOL        30

ASBESTOS        30

GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS        30

SCHOOL RECORDS        30

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT        30

RSD6 Mission, Learning Expectations, Core Values, and Motto

District Mission Statement:

To Prepare All Students for Learning, Living and Achieving

Learning Expectations:

Community and Civic Responsibility

Collaboration

Communication

Information Literacy

Problem Solving

Core Values:

Love of Learning

Integrity

Friendship and Respect

Educational Excellence

Motto:

Quality, Academics, Pride

DISTRICT CONTACTS

Chris Leone, Superintendent of Schools (860)361-9012

Christine Escobar, Assistant to the Superintendent (860)361-9012

Amy Kennedy, Chief Academic Officer (860)567-6641

Debra DeLisle, Human Resource Manager (860)361-9022

Jeremiah Sattazahn, Business Operations (860) 361-9014

Leslie Pescatore, Financial Specialist (860)361-9031

Debra Foley, Director of Special Services (860)567-6642

Liz Carlson, Assistant to the Director of Special Services (860)567-6642

John Threlfall, Safety and Security Coordinator (860)567-7410

Sara Baranauskas, K-12 STEM Coordinator (860)567-6642

Pamela Vecca, K-12 Humanities Coordinator (860)567-6642

BOARD OF EDUCATION

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS

    WARREN                                     MORRIS                                     GOSHEN

    Barbara DiNicola        Margie Groht                          Emily Cole

    Richard Rebusmen (Treasurer)                Christine Lauretano                             Mike Bergin

    Douglas Winkel                        TBD (Vice-Chairman)                                   Lauren Marti

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING SCHEDULE

All meetings begin at 7:00 P.M., unless otherwise noted. Meetings are held at Wamogo Regional High School in the Library Media Center unless otherwise noted.

Monday, July 15, 2019 - Library Media Center

THE SCHOOL DAY

SCHOOL HOURS

K – 6                8:55 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.                Pre-K A.M.        8:55 A.M. – 11:35 A.M.

7-12 (Wamogo) 7:23 A.M. – 2:02 P.M.                Pre-K  P.M.        12:50 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.  (GCS only)

EARLY ARRIVALS AND MORNING DROP-OFFS

The doors will be open and children will be allowed into school beginning at 8:50 A.M. As staff are preparing for the start of the school day, there is no supervision for students prior to 8:50 A.M.  For safety reasons, elementary school students should not be left unattended outside the entrance before the schools open.

LATE ARRIVALS

Students arriving after 8:55 A.M. must be accompanied into the building by an adult and must sign-in at the main office via the front entrance before going to their classroom.  Any student arriving after 8:55 A.M. will be considered tardy.

PICK-UPS DURING THE DAY

Parents/guardians should use the front entrance and report to the school office when picking up their student before regular dismissal time.  Whenever foreseeable, parents/guardians should send a written note to the classroom teacher that morning, indicating the time of pickup.  Students must be signed out from the office on the “Student Pickup/Sign Out Sheet”. Please make every effort to notify the school office by 2:00 P.M. if you have a change in your end of the day plans.

PICKUPS AT DISMISSAL TIME

To ensure the safety and security of all students and staff, we ask and expect that all visitors understand and abide by the following:

• Students being picked up at dismissal time are sent:

• to the cafeteria door at GCS 
• to the BACK ENTRANCE when the bell rings at JMS.
• to the Front Entrance of  WARREN SCHOOL.

• Once students are dismissed, they are not permitted to return to the classroom without staff escort.
• The responsible parent/guardian must CHECK IN with the supervising staff members before taking children from the building.  
• A PHOTO I.D. may be required for anyone other than a custodial parent and/or persons unknown to the supervising staff members.  
• Parents/Guardians wishing to enter the school must do so by the front entrance, following standard sign-in procedures. Please do not leave your car running in the parking lot, per State law.
• When exiting the parking lot in your vehicle, please do so slowly and carefully.

• At  JMS, please enter and exit the back parking lot via Route 61, next to the Fire Station.

DELAYED OPENINGS 

In situations where it is predicted that weather and road conditions will improve during the morning, the opening of schools may be delayed by TWO HOURS. This means all bus routes and opening schedules will operate TWO HOURS later than usual.  The balance of the school day and dismissal will be on a normal schedule. Elementary school will begin at 10:55 A.M..

There is also the option of a THREE-HOUR delay in case more time is needed for road conditions to improve. This means all bus routes and opening schedules will operate THREE HOURS later than usual.  The balance of the school day and dismissal will be on a normal schedule.  Elementary school will begin at 11:55 A.M. Students will be provided a lunch once they are at school.

In the event that a delayed opening is called on an early release day, students will remain in school until the normal afternoon dismissal time. If this change occurs, there will then be no morning prekindergarten and afternoon prekindergarten will resume meeting at its regular time.  

Although early closings are avoided whenever possible, in rare cases it may be necessary to dismiss school early due to unexpected deterioration of weather conditions.  In these situations, an announcement will be issued by 9:30 A.M. and schools will be dismissed early.

EARLY RELEASE / HALF DAYS

Pre-Kindergarten

• Parent/Teacher Conference (fall and spring): 10:20 A.M.
• Unless otherwise communicated, Pre-Kindergarten will dismiss at 10:50 A.M. on early-dismissal days.

K-6

• Parent/Teacher Conference (fall and spring)                        12:30 P.M.
• All other scheduled early dismissal dates                                1:25 P.M.

Parents/Guardians will receive a message via the Region 6 SCHOOLMESSENGER automated system if the opening of school is delayed.  Delayed openings for Regional School District 6 (not individual schools) are announced on WZBG 97.3, WTIC 1080, WWYZ 92.5, and on TV Channels 8 and 30.

SCHOOL CLOSING

On occasion, school must be closed early due to inclement weather or other emergencies.  Most often, early dismissals will be at 12:30 P.M. and announced using local news and radio as well as our SCHOOLMESSENGER automated system.  It is very important to have an emergency plan in place and to discuss this with your child to make sure he or she knows what to do in case of an early dismissal.  It may be to your advantage to make arrangements with a neighbor or provide your child with a house key in case you are unable to be home when your child arrives.  An Emergency/Early-Dismissal form is sent home each fall to remind families of this important issue.  These forms are kept on file for quick reference in the event your child does not remember your family’s plan.

Should it become necessary to close school early on a day when parent/teacher conferences are scheduled, these conferences will not be held and will be rescheduled for a later date.

All after-school activities are canceled when school is closed early.

AFTERSCHOOL SCHOOL-SPONSORED ACTIVITIES

In order to attend an afterschool school-sponsored activity, such as afterschool enrichment, students must be considered “present” for that school day.

WRITTEN NOTES

Children should bring in a written note from a parent or guardian for any of the following reasons:

• Late arrival to school
• Early pickup / dismissal from school
• To go home in an atypical manner (e.g. to go to friend’s house; to be picked up by someone other than a parent/guardian; change in bus or bus stop)
• Absence from school
• Request for special arrangements
• Notification of any change in parental or guardian custody, even if temporary

A “blanket note” can be written to cover events such as a Scout meetings, sport practices, etc. (dates must be included). 

Notes must include: 

• the date
• the child’s name
• the parent’s /guardian name
• the parent’s / guardian’s signature*
• identification of who is picking up the child, if other than parent/guardian

SCHOOL VISITORS

*** During Phase I, 2020-2021, no visitors are permitted in the buildings. 

Once we have exited the Phase 1-2-3 structure, we will return to our prior procedures,

which are as follows: ***

Regional School District No. 6 extends a warm welcome to parents/guardians and others to visit our schools and classrooms. At the same time, we must assure that our students, staff and visitors are safe, and that learning is not disrupted. We must always be aware of who is in the building and the reason for their visit. All RSD6 schools have a buzz-in intercom system for visitors to use. All school entrances will be locked at all times. We ask and expect that all visitors understand and comply with the following:

• Please use the front door entrance,
• Sign in at the school office.  
• A “Visitor” pass must be worn while in the building. Your keys or I.D. may be requested in exchange for a pass, to be returned at the end of your visit.
• For classroom visits, please make arrangements with the teacher at least one day in advance.   Short visits are preferred, especially those to the primary grades.  
• Unscheduled visits to classrooms are not permitted.
• We also request that parents not accompany their child to a classroom during the drop-off or pick-up process.

These protocols have been developed and shared to ensure clear expectations for all and to provide a safe environment for our students, staff and visitors.

ATTENDANCE

CALLBACK SYSTEM AND REPORTING ABSENCES

To ensure the safety of our students, parents/guardians are requested to notify the school office when a student is absent before 8:55 A.M. 

GCS: 860-491-6020                        JMS: 860-567-7420                Warren School: 860-868-2223

          gcs@rsd6.org                                  jms@rsd6.org                              ws@rsd6.org                                                 

An answering machine is available 24/7 for your convenience. You may also notify us by email on the designated attendance email address listed above. If the school office is not notified by a parent or guardian, the school nurse will call the parent’s/guardian’s home or workplace to inquire about the student’s absence or whereabouts.  

DAILY HEALTH SCREENING

• All students will receive a daily email or text prompting them to complete a Daily Self-Wellness Inventory, which must be submitted prior to entering the building each day. More information regarding this protocol will be sent from the district the week of August 17th.
• Students who are advised not to attend school are expected to remain home.
• Any student who expresses symptoms of an illness during the school day may be sent home.

ATTENDANCE / EXCUSES / TRUANCY

Regular attendance is essential for an effective school experience and necessary for annual promotion. The responsibility for regular attendance rests with the parents or guardian or adult student. The school will make every effort to keep the appropriate person informed in this most critical area and assist whenever possible.

Regular attendance is essential to the educational process. Excessive absence has adverse effects on educational progress. Students who are absent from class for any reason are deprived of a variety of educational opportunities, meaningful student-teacher interaction, and learning experiences shared with their classmates. Teachers have traditionally attempted to provide opportunities for makeup work for classes missed; however, it is extremely difficult to reproduce or recapture classroom activity.

Classroom learning experiences are the basis for public school education.  Time lost from class is lost instructional opportunity.  The Board of Education requires that accurate records be kept of the attendance of each child, and students should not be absent from school without parental knowledge and consent.

Excuses - Note: The use of the state approved definitions of "excused" and "unexcused" absences are for state purposes for the reporting of truancy. Districts are not precluded from using separate definitions of such absences for their internal uses such as involving decisions on areas such as promotion and grading.

If a student is going to be absent from school, a parent guardian MUST call the school office to notify school staff of the absence.  Voicemail is available 24 hours a day for the parent or guardian who is unable to call during the regular school hours or who prefers to call the night before the student will be absent.

A student's absence from school shall be considered "excused" if written documentation of the reason for such absence has been submitted within ten (10) school days of the student's return to school and meets the following criteria:

A.  For absences one through nine, a student's absences from school are considered "excused" when the student's parent/guardian approves such absence and submits appropriate documentation to school officials.

Such documentation includes a signed note from the student's parent/guardian, a signed note from a school official that spoke in person with the parent/guardian regarding the absence, or a note confirming the absence by the school nurse or by a licensed medical professional, as appropriate. Documentation should explain the nature of and the reason for the absence as well as the length of the absence. Separate documentation must be submitted for each incidence of absenteeism.

B.  For the tenth absence and all absences thereafter, a student's absences from school are considered excused for the following reasons:

1.  Student illness (Note: to be deemed excused, an appropriately licensed medical professional must verify all student illness absences, regardless of the absence length).

2.  Student's observance of a religious holiday;

3.  Death in the student's family or other emergency beyond the control of the student's family;

4.  Mandated court appearances (documentation required);

5.  The lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends (no parental documentation required);

6.  Extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by District administration and to be in accordance with the Connecticut State Department of Education guidance.

C.  A student's absence from school shall be considered unexcused unless:

1.  The absence meets the definition of an excused absence and meets the documentation requirements; or

2.  The absence meets the definition of a disciplinary absence, which is the result of school or District disciplinary action and are excluded from these State Board of Education approved definitions.

3. When the school in which a child is enrolled receives no notification from a parent or other person having control of the child is aware of the child's absence, a reasonable effort shall be made by school personnel or volunteers under the direction of school personnel to notify by telephone and by mail such parent or other person having control of the child.

Responsibility for completion of missed class work lies with the student, not the teacher.  Unless a student has an extended illness, all make-up work will be complete within five days after the student returns to school.

Personal Vacations:  While we understand the importance of family time, vacations taken during the school year that do not coincide with the Region 6 designated vacation closings are considered UNEXCUSED absences and may result in your child being reported to the state as truant.

PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

ELIGIBILITY

Children are eligible for the district prekindergarten program if they:

• Reside in the town of Warren, Morris or Goshen.
• Will turn three or four before December 31st of the current school year.
• Are toilet trained unless otherwise specified in an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• When applicable, as determined by assessment, meet the criteria for one or more educational disabilities defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and require special education services. 

PREKINDERGARTEN TUITION

There is a 10% discount for each additional child in the pre-k program.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Tuition is divided into 10 equal payments due the first of each month.

• Checks should be made payable to Regional School District No. 6 with the child’s first name and the month payment is being made for in the memo line. Checks must be made to the administrative assistant at the school the child attends by the payment due date.
• The full tuition rate is charged if your child is sick, on vacation or if a snow day, school holidays, staff development or early release day occurs.
• Checks returned for insufficient funds incur a fee to cover the bank charges and payment for processing a second time. Payment will be required in cash or certified check if a check is returned more than one time.
• Accounts must be current in order for your child to attend or enroll in a preschool.

TRANSPORTATION 

Parents/caregivers are responsible for dropping off their children for the prekindergarten sessions.  

Specialized transportation is provided for prekindergarten students as specified in IEPs. The transportation company does not allow for the use of car seats. For students with IEPs, the PPT will determine if safety seating is required. If safety seating is required, parents/caregivers are responsible for loading and securing their child into the safety seating or unloading their child from the school bus. Children will be returned to school if there is not an adult present in the home during drop-off times. Parents/caregivers are then responsible for picking up their children at the school. Please contact the school’s administrative assistant if you are moving to a new address. 

SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

RSD6 participates in the National School Lunch & Breakfast Programs.  Menus are sent home prior to the beginning of each month & are available on the website.  

Free and Reduced Lunch Program - Families who qualify according to the State and Federal guidelines can participate in the Free and Reduced Breakfast and Lunch Program.  Forms are sent home at the beginning of the school year and are available on the website.

Available Daily: SunButter & Jelly Sandwich, Bagel & Yogurt or Cereal & Yogurt Meal. Students can choose fresh vegetables instead of vegetable of the day.  Students have a choice of a variety of fruit. We offer low fat and fat free white milk and fat free chocolate milk with all meals.

Student Lunch: $3.00       Reduced Lunch: $ .40       Breakfast: $1.85       Reduced Breakfast: $ .30

Student milk: $.50              

Students are not permitted to bring soda or candy to school.

PAYING FOR SCHOOL MEALS

Cash or Check (please include child’s first & last name and Pin Number on memo line)

Please send cash or check in a sealed envelope with the following information:

Student’s First and Last Name and Pin Number.  There is a $25.00 fee for returned checks.

We recommend you prepay for lunches online with MyPaymentsPlus!

Visit http://www.mypaymentsplus.com or call 866-767-6092 to get started. Your student ID# is required for MealpayPlus and can be obtained from EdAdvance Nutrition Services office at 860-567-0863 x 1113.

Charging Procedures

Parents are responsible for providing lunches or lunch money for their student(s).  Students are allowed to charge up to $10, once they reach the charge limit they will be given an alternate meal consisting of a bagel, yogurt, cheese sticks, fruit, vegetable and milk. The alternate meal will be charged to the student’s account.  Students are not allowed to charge ala carte items.  Please consider prepaying meals on your child's account to prevent charging.

OFFICE TELEPHONE USE

The office telephone is for school business, and we discourage the use of the phone by students requesting to call home.

MORNING ROUTINES and ORGANIZATION

Please help your child prepare for the day by establishing regular morning routines.  We also suggest that at night before going to bed, students organize and gather all belongings for the school day.

EMERGENCY DRILLS

Emergency drills are held at regular intervals, including monthly fire drills and periodic “lockdown” drills. Students are required to follow the directions given and posted in each classroom. For fire drills, at the first alarm, students will quietly walk to the designated exit and move to a previously designated point at least fifty feet from the building. For lockdown drills, students will quietly follow the supervising adult to a secure location.

ATTIRE (“Dress Code”)

*** Please refer to the Reopening Protocols document for information regarding face coverings during Phases 1 and Phase 2.

The purpose of stressing appropriate clothing for students is to create an atmosphere at school that is conducive to learning. Students are expected to dress in a manner that will not interfere with instruction or endanger the well-being (physical, mental and emotional) of others and themselves.

Students who wear clothing that is deemed to be inappropriate for school or school related activities may be subject to administrative action. Students who fail to comply with expectations concerning attire will be subject to school discipline in accordance with the Board's policy on student discipline. Administrative action may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• request of student to change clothing

• request of parents to bring to school a change of clothing for student

• removal of student from class

Please Note:

• When choosing shoes, consider the weather, as well as the activities of a typical school day.
•  Short-shorts are not acceptable school attire.
• All pants and shorts should fit snugly at the waist, with no exposed skin between pants/shorts and shirt.
• Shirts with sleeves are recommended.
• Undergarments, including bra straps and boxer shorts, should not be visible.
• Hats are not permitted in school.

School administrators, at their discretion, may make changes to the list above.

COLD WEATHER CLOTHING

We try to hold recess outdoors whenever possible.  Students should wear appropriate clothing such as warm jackets or coats, hats, mittens/gloves and boots during cold and inclement weather.  Students without boots must stay on the blacktop area as long as snow covers the playground.

LOST AND FOUND

Clothing and personal items (e.g. lunch boxes, backpacks, etc.) should be labeled clearly with the student’s name or initials using a permanent marker to avoid lost and unclaimed articles.  Clothing found will be placed inside the school’s lost and found area. Items of value will be placed in the school office. At the end of the school year, all unclaimed items will be donated.

SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION

Bus transportation to and from school is provided through the Regional School District No. 6 contract with All-Star Transportation (860 567-4237).  Children are assigned to a bus according to their home address.  

*** Please refer to the Reopening Protocols document for information

regarding face coverings during Phases 1 and Phase 2. ***

An email/note to the classroom teacher is required if a change in the regularly assigned bus is necessary.

Bus Drop-Off

Students in kindergarten through 4th-grade who ride a school bus home must be met at their designated stop by an adult. If an adult is not there to meet the bus, the student will remain on the bus and will be returned to school. The student must then be picked up immediately by the parent or legal guardian.

Behavior on the Bus

Transportation via school bus is a privilege. In accordance with Board of Education policy, school transportation privileges are extended to students conditional upon their satisfactory behavior on the bus. Students will be advised that they may be suspended from transportation services for unsatisfactory conduct (while awaiting and/or receiving transportation to and from school) that endangers persons or property or violates a Board policy or administrative regulation.

Inappropriate behavior includes creating a high level of volume, not sitting properly in one’s seat, holding or dropping items out of the window, or breaking any of the general school rules. Behavior that is considered by the driver or principal to be unsafe or inappropriate may result in consequences ranging from seat assignments, a phone call home, suspension, and/or loss of the privilege of riding the bus for a designated period of time. In the event that a student’s bus privileges are suspended, the parent/guardian is responsible for transporting the student to and from school.

COMMUNICATION

REGION 6 WEBSITE

In an ongoing effort to strengthen communication with parents and families, Region 6 uses a website: www.rsd6.org   We encourage all parents and guardians to use this tool to their advantage by checking the district, school and teacher webpages often.  Items such as weekly and monthly lunch menus, event calendar, newsletters, bus routes, handbooks, and notices will be posted on the website.  

Teacher Websites: 

All preK-6 teachers maintain their own webpages, which can be accessed through the STAFF DIRECTORY link of each school’s web page at www.rsd6.org, then clicking on the teacher’s name.

WEEKLY SCHOOL NEWS (E-BLASTS)

The schools’ primary method of regular communication between home and school is our e-blast. You should automatically receive this through the email account that you have registered with the school. If you would like to register a new email account, please contact the school office to register  your email address.

PARENT / STUDENT/ TEACHER CONFERENCES

Twice a year, parents/guardians are given an opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss progress.  Parent/teacher conferences are typically held in October and March, with appointments scheduled on either one of two evenings or one afternoon.  The half-day schedule (12:30 P.M. dismissal) is followed on conference days. Should it become necessary to close school early on a day when parent/teacher conferences are scheduled, these conferences will not be held and will be rescheduled for a later date.  

Conference Dates:         November 10th, 12th, 13th                      March 17th, 18th, 19th

CONTACTING A TEACHER

So as to avoid surprises, parents/guardians and staff are encouraged to communicate as frequently as each deems appropriate. Due to the schedule and pace of the typical school day, teachers are generally not available to take phone calls during school hours. Parents/Guardians may leave a message for a teacher by calling the school office. The teacher will return the call at their earliest convenience.

Email is another sound option for home-school communication. Please note, however, that teachers are not always able to check their email during school hours. Therefore, urgent messages, including changes in dismissal plans, should be delivered via a telephone call to the office. Email is often ideally suited for non-urgent messages. Staff check their emails daily and will respond to parent questions within 24 hours, as long as it is not a weekend, holiday or vacation. Confidentiality is always a priority and therefore email may not always be the most appropriate method of communication for certain situations.  

If a parent/guardian wishes to meet with a teacher, he or she should call the main office and leave a message for the teacher to return the call, or email the teacher with the request for an appointment and some dates and times that work. Generally, the best time to meet with teachers is before school (e.g. 8:30 A.M.) or after dismissal (e.g. 3:35 P.M.).  Unscheduled visits to classrooms are not permitted.

LINES OF COMMUNICATION

If you have a question or concern about…                        Please contact the…

• Your child’s academic performance                        Classroom teacher
• Your child’s behavior or socialization                        Classroom teacher
• Classroom activities and concerns                        Classroom teacher
• Your child’s teacher                                        Classroom teacher
• Homework                                                Teachers’ web pages
• School events                                                Website, Eblast, classroom teacher,

or main office

• Parent involvement in the school                                     Classroom teacher, principal, main office,

PTO

• School discipline policy                                        Principal
• School safety                                                Principal, Student Resource Officer
• General school questions                                        Administrative Assistant
• Attendance                                                Administrative Assistant or School Nurse
• Health issues/concerns                                        School Nurse
• Special Education                                        Special Education teacher
• PTO business                                                PTO Officers

ACADEMICS

PROGRESS REPORT TRIMESTER DATES

1st Trimester:                 August 26 to November 24

                        Dec. 4 - Progress Reports go home

2nd Trimester:                December 7 to March 5

                        March 12 - Progress Reports go home

3rd Trimester:                March 8 to Last Day of School

                        Progress Reports go home on the last day of school

SPECIAL SERVICES

A full range of Special Services is offered to children with diagnosed needs.  Programs include speech therapy and language instruction, physical therapy, occupational therapy, special support for hearing impaired, learning disabled, and children with emotional needs.

INDEPENDENT LEARNING (“HOMEWORK”)

We believe that independent learning (“homework”) should be meaningful and empower children to explore

and expand their learning outside of the classroom.  As each child's educational needs, interests and situations

 at home are unique, we strive to balance curricular expectations with individualized challenges. Assignments

 may vary from student to student within the same grade and class to meet the academic needs of each

 student.

Guidelines for teachers are:

• to assign work that is purposeful and meaningful to each student;
• to post any whole-class assignments on their teacher webpages;
• to ensure that each student understands the purpose of any given assignment;
• to ensure the availability of all the resources necessary to carry out the assignment;
• to acknowledge receipt of completed work and to provide meaningful feedback;
• to accept only high-quality work from each student.

Guidelines for students are:

• to listen carefully when assignments are presented and discussed in class;
• to ask for assistance when unsure of the directions, requirements, or expectations;
• to understand that effort, attention to detail, and appearance of all completed assignments are important;
• to complete independent work on time and have it ready in class when due;
• to understand that independent work may include studying – reviewing material and practicing skills that have already been taught and learned;
• to be open and honest with the teacher when independent work is taking too long or seems too difficult;
• to talk with the teacher about work missed due to an absence

Guidelines for parents are:

• to encourage the high-quality completion of independent assignments;
• to assist students in budgeting their time;
• to encourage the student to contact peers or the teacher in the event of questions or concerns;
• to support when assignments are returned to the student to be improved;
• to encourage the student’s independence, perseverance, and problem-solving skills when working on independent work;
• to support that content, structure, and appearance of all written/typed independent assignments are important; however, to also understand that teachers are not always expecting or looking at all three of these elements on each individual learning task.

INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS

*** Please refer to the Reopening Protocols document for information

regarding face coverings during Phases 1 and Phase 2. ***

All students in grades 4, 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to participate in the instrumental music program and receive small group or individual weekly instruction. All instrumental students will participate in a Concert Band, which holds concerts and performs at school events throughout the year.  Students may also participate for Jazz Band, which is open to 2nd and 3rd year players. Practices are before school and can be joined through recommendation only. In late spring, our instrumental teacher, with the help of students will demonstrate the band instruments to third-grade students.  Information on instrument rentals and lessons is sent home after this demonstration so that lessons can begin when school reopens in the fall.  Students who chose to participate in instrumental lessons assume full responsibility for class work missed during lesson time. Rotating time weekly-lesson schedules are created and distributed at the start of the school year, while regular rehearsal time will occur weekly.

GENERAL AND VOCAL MUSIC

In addition to teaching basic skills, general music classes teach an appreciation of music by introducing students to music theory, history, elements, and style.  Students culminate their year by participating in one of a variety of performance-based activities.

VISUAL ARTS

Students in all grades are introduced to a variety of art mediums.  They learn and practice a variety of art mediums, develop 21st-century skills of perception and reflection, as well as learn and practice the basic skills and techniques associated with the visual arts.  Students also learn about famous artists and their styles of art.  We suggest students bring an old oversized T-shirt to school to be used as a smock during art class.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical education encompasses a wide variety of activities designed to increase activity levels and motor skills that will help each child remain active throughout his/her life.  The programs are presented in a non-competitive environment that encourages individual development.  Lace-up or Velcro sneakers are required for safety reasons.

SPANISH

Elementary Spanish is part of the core curriculum for students in preschool through grade six, and provides academically enriching content for developing oral proficiency. Through this exposure, students develop at a young age the necessary skills to communicate in Spanish. 

ASSESSMENT

Assessment is an integral part of effective teaching. At the elementary level, we use the following types of assessments to measure student growth and achievement:

• Formative assessment is a process used by teachers and students during instruction that provides feedback to adjust ongoing teaching and learning to help students meet the intended learning targets or goals. Examples include teachers observing or meeting with individuals or small groups to listen and take notes on students' thoughts; reviewing classwork to determine students' proficiency in the skills practiced; providing descriptive feedback to students during the lesson; students self-reflecting on their level of understanding of specific concept or skill.

• Summative assessment is a process of looking back at students' performance with a unit of taught concepts, skills and/or content. These results are often used to determine and, at times, report students' overall understanding or mastery as well as determine the effectiveness of the curriculum and programming. Examples include graded unit tests and quizzes, graded projects and presentations, and scored final-drafts of writing pieces.

• STAR Assessments are used as a universal screening to monitor student progress toward grade level benchmarks. Teachers review students' performance on this computer-based assessment, which is administered for both reading and math at least 3 times per year, in order to plan appropriately, based on students' collective and individual levels of proficiency.

• Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) is the next-generation testing system used by the state of Connecticut for students in grades 3 through 8. This computer-based assessment measures students' progress toward college and career readiness.

ELECTRONICS

As use of technology continues to grow as an element of the Region-6 educational experience, students are using headphones/earbuds more often each year. For sanitary reasons, as well to recognize individual students' personal preferences around comfort and style, all students are required to bring their own headphones/earbuds in a ziplock bag to school this year. Please put his/her name on the bag as well as the headphones or earbuds.

Electronic devices such as cell phones and iPods are not to be used during school hours and must be kept in the student’s backpack in the off or silent mode.   

Audio/Video Recording Devices: Students shall not use any personal electronic devices to record audio and/or video or to take pictures in school unless directed by the classroom teacher as part of the curriculum and instruction. All other audio or video recording requires permission from school administration.

RSD6 students will have substantial access to electronic devices throughout the school day, as directed by the classroom teacher. However, if a student would prefer to use their own personal electronic devices (i.e. laptops, Chromebooks, iPads, e-readers) the child and parent should contact the school to discuss.

The school is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

TECHNOLOGY and 21st CENTURY SKILLS

Region 6 has wireless technology throughout our school, and each classroom is equipped with a SMART Board. Students have access to netbooks, Chromebooks and iPads, and teachers use these devices to provide students with digital-age learning experiences and assessments. In Region 6, we believe that all students need regular opportunities to utilize technology in order to develop skills that encourage creativity, critical thinking, productivity, and collaboration. Students at Region 6 regularly use technology to communicate their ideas and learning through classroom blogs and websites. They use web resources to conduct research and evaluate information and create presentations, animations, and videos using a variety of media-rich web tools and resources. Students also use digital technology to collaborate with teachers and peers and to demonstrate the safe and cooperative use of these tools.  In order for students to use the Internet and technology equipment at school, each student and his or her parent/guardian must sign an acceptable-use policy indicating they will use the Internet and equipment properly and follow school guidelines while doing so.  Violation of the terms of the contract can include loss of technology privileges and/or disciplinary or legal action.

For more information please view Board policy 6141.323

FIELD TRIPS

*** Please refer to the Reopening Protocols document for information

regarding face coverings during Phases 1 and Phase 2. ***

Parents will be notified in advance of all field trips.  A permission form must be signed by a parent or guardian and received by the classroom teacher before a student is allowed on a field trip.  For short walking trips, such as visiting the Town Library, parents will be asked to sign a “Walking Permission” form. Parent chaperones will need to fill out the Tier I volunteer application and provide a copy of a photo ID prior to volunteering. Volunteers wishing to chaperone overnight events must fill out the Tier II volunteer application.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS

PARENT / TEACHER ORGANIZATION

The PTO serves the school community through its support of school enrichment programs. PTO fundraising efforts have provided fiscal resources that have helped to enhance classroom programs and field trips. The membership drive takes place in September of each year.  Every family is encouraged to participate in PTO sponsored activities.

GCS PTO Officers

President                       Megan Cardinal        

Vice-President             Tiffanie Meehan

Secretary                Tara Feeney/Heather Nypert

Treasurer                Ashley Marchand

JMS PTO Leadership Team

Brandy Cook

Jennifer Finch

Margie Groht (Treasurer)

Jennifer Munson

Friends of Warren School PTO Officers

President                Liz Horn

Vice-President                Stephanie Curtiss

Secretary                Robin Hoskinson        

Treasurer                 Tiffany Parkhouse

PTO Meetings are held at each school, approximately once each month.

VOLUNTEERS and CHAPERONES

*** Please refer to the Reopening Protocols document for information

regarding face coverings during Phases 1 and Phase 2. ***

Our schools actively welcome volunteers and the value they can bring to the educational experience of students. Examples of opportunities for volunteering include:

• Chaperoning at field trips
• Speaking with students about your real-world connection/application of academic skills
• Assisting during lunch
• Facilitating a recess activity
• Working with students on handwriting
• Working with students on math facts
• Co-facilitating a hands-on activity

In accordance with District policy, chaperones are asked to fill out the Tier I volunteer application and provide a copy of a photo ID prior to volunteering.  Volunteers wishing to chaperone overnight events must fill out the Tier II volunteer application. 

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Those individuals looking to work closely with the building principal may participate on the Principal’s Advisory Committee or Safe-School Climate Committee. Both committees meet for an hour at various points during the school year. While the Advisory Committee may discuss a wide range of school related topics, the Climate Committee focuses exclusively on building and maintaining a safe, bully-free school climate. Please contact the principal for more information.

BEHAVIOR and DISCIPLINE

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

Students are expected to exercise good citizenship at all times while in school.  This includes respect for the rights of others and regard for personal and school property.  Students should strive to contribute to the climate of the school by being courteous and well-mannered.

All school district employees share responsibility for supervising the behavior of students to help them meet the standards of conduct established by the Board of Education or the school administration. Discipline problems are normally dealt with at the level at which they occur (e.g. classroom, cafeteria, playground, bus, etc.) and include a discussion with the child about other choices that could have been made. Typically, parents/guardians will be notified in the event of a disciplinary issue via a phone call, note home, or email.

Each teacher shall have the authority to remove a student from class when such student deliberately causes a serious disruption of the education process within the classroom. A student may be given lunch detention, in-school suspension, suspended, or expelled for one or more of the following behaviors or actions on school property, at school activities, or off school grounds:        

• Conduct that endangers persons or property or is seriously disruptive of the educational process or is a violation of publicized board policy;        
• Open defiance, including verbal abuse, obscene or profane language or gestures, of the authority of any teacher or person having authority over the student;
• Fighting;
• Knowingly using or copying the academic work of another and presenting it as his/her own without proper attribution;
• Other serious misconduct determined by the school principal.        

HALLWAYS

In order to ensure the safety of all students as well as to maximize the learning opportunities in classrooms, we ask that each child know and comply with the following expectations for traveling in the hallway:

• All adults’ directions should be followed the first time.
• No physical contact of any kind with other students is allowed.
• Walk directly to your destination.
• No running, jogging, or speed-walking.
• Hold the door open for the person behind you.
• Do not touch student work displayed in the hallway.
• No talking unless spoken to by an adult.
• No intentional noise distractions (e.g. stomping, scuffing or squeaking of shoes).
• Walk in a single file line.
• Stay to the right.
• Use one step at a time on the stairs.

As with any other school setting, all school rules apply, and consequences for inappropriate behavior may include removal from line, a phone call or note home, trips to the principal’s office, suspension, or expulsion, subject to the discretion of the school principal.

CAFETERIA

Lunchtime provides a wonderful opportunity for students to recharge and interact with peers in a non-academic setting. In order to ensure the safety of all students, we ask that each child know and comply with the following:

• If you need help at any time, raise your hand and look at one of the adults on duty.
• All adults’ directions should be followed the first time.
• No running, speed-walking, cutting in line, or hands on other students.
• Use appropriate manners with fellow students, cafeteria staff, custodians, and adults on duty.
• When signaled by an adult, immediately stop talking, and both listen to and look at the adult speaking.
• Switching tables or seats is not permitted.
• Recess equipment, toys, stuffed animals, etc. are not allowed at the lunch tables and should be stored in the designated area until lunch is over.
• Saving seats for friends is not permitted.
• Sit safely at all times. Safe seating means facing forward with both feet on the floor and under the table.
• Use utensils safely and for their intended purpose only.
• No shouting or loud noises.
• Sharing or handling of other students’ lunch items is not allowed.
• If you make a mess, please clean it properly, asking for adult assistance if necessary.
• Students must sign out when leaving the cafeteria and sign back in upon return.
• Uneaten food, garbage, and recycled products are to be disposed of in the appropriate barrels.
• Before leaving, your table should be cleared and wiped clean, and your floor area should be clear and free of debris.

As with any other school setting, all school rules apply, and consequences for inappropriate behavior may include assigned seats, removal from the cafeteria, a phone call or note home, trips to the principal’s office, suspension, or expulsion, subject to the discretion of the school principal.

RECESS

Recess provides a wonderful opportunity for students to expend their energy in a fun and social manner, as well as to interact with peers in a non-academic setting. In order to ensure the safety of all students, we ask that each child know and comply with the following:

• If you need help at any time, go to one of the adults on duty.
• All adults’ directions should be followed the first time.
• No physical contact of any kind with other students is allowed.
• Use appropriate manners with fellow students and adults.
• No excluding others.
• No throwing, kicking, hitting, or swinging at others with rocks, mulch, dirt, sticks or sand.
• No pretending of weapons or violence toward oneself or others.
• No standing on swings, benches, playscape bars, or garden structures.
• Ball-sports should be played in the appropriate field/court area.
• No bats or hard balls (e.g. baseballs, softballs, lacrosse balls, golf balls).
• Students needing to enter the school during recess must first receive permission from an adult on duty, sign out if asked by an adult, and be accompanied by a classmate or staff member.
• In the event of a lockdown alarm or teacher’s whistle while at recess outdoors, all students should immediately stop talking and look at the nearest adult for directions.
• In the event of indoor recess, all school rules apply.

As with any other school setting, all school rules apply, and consequences for inappropriate behavior may include walking laps around the blacktop, a phone call or note home, trips to the principal’s office, suspension, or expulsion, subject to the discretion of the school principal.

BULLYING

The Board of Education (Board) promotes a secure and happy school climate, conducive to teaching and learning that is free from threat, harassment and any type of bullying behavior. Therefore it shall be the policy of the Board that bullying of a student by another student is prohibited.

The Board believes that a school environment in which students feel safe, supported, engaged and helpfully challenged is optimal for learning and healthy development. The Board seeks an environment in which students and adults feel socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically safe; an environment that is free of harassment, intimidation and bullying.

Definitions

“Bullying” means the repeated use by one or more students of a written, oral or electronic communication, such as cyberbullying, directed at or referring to another student attending school in the same school district or a physical act or gesture by one or more students repeatedly directed at another student attending school in the same school district that:

A. causes physical or emotional harm to such student or damage to such student’s property,

B. places such student in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself, or of damage to his or her property, C. creates a hostile environment at school for such student,

D. infringes on the rights of such student at school, or

E. substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

Bullying shall include, but not be limited to, a written, oral, or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics. (The student against whom the activity is directed must be attending school in the same district as the students engaged in the activity.)

Please refer to the BoE policy 5131.911(a) for the complete policy.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT (Policy 5145.5)

Regional School District #6 has a sexual harassment policy that is available upon request.

WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS

Students shall NOT possess firearms, facsimiles of firearms, weapons, or dangerous instruments of any kind including martial arts weapons, on school grounds, school buses or in the school building.  Students shall not possess any of the above mentioned at any school related or sponsored activity away from the school facility.  Students who violate this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures according to Regional School District No. 6 policy, as well as possible law enforcement intervention.

HEALTH

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

• Connecticut State Law, Public Act No. 723 dictates that NO medication, prescription or over the counter (i.e. aspirin, Tylenol, etc.) can be given at school without a doctor’s written order AND written permission from the parent or guardian. The medication must be in the original container, and directions on the container must correspond with the doctor’s written order.

• Students must NEVER carry any medication to or from school.  All medication must be delivered to the nurse’s office, school office or principal by a parent or other responsible adult.

• All medication must be delivered in and dispensed from the original container, with the label containing the student’s name, medication name and strength, dosage, prescribing doctor’s name, date of original prescription, and directions for administration.

• A parent or guardian must pick up unused medication by the last day of school in June, or it will be disposed of by the school nurse.

• An “Authorization for the Administration of Medication” form can be obtained from the nurse’s office or online from our website.  We suggest a copy or two be kept in your car in case a visit to the doctor becomes necessary during the school year.

• Injuries – If your child sustains an injury that limits one or more school activities (i.e. P.E., recess, etc.) or requires the use of a walker, crutches or a wheelchair, a doctor’s written orders clearly listing limitations and procedures must be on file in the nurse’s office.

• Fevers / Vomiting / Diarrhea – Children must be fever-free (without the use of Tylenol or other fever-reducing medication) for 24 hours before returning to school.  This 24-hour rule applies to vomiting and diarrhea as well.  Children who are sick during the night should not be sent to school the following morning.

• Coughs – Children with persistent coughs may be sent home from school.  Coughing is disruptive and interferes with all students’ abilities to concentrate on class work.  In some cases, with parental permission only, students will be allowed to have a cough drop to relieve a temporary cough.

IMPORTANT REMINDER!  Please notify the school office whenever there is a change in address, home phone number, cell number or emergency contact number.

PETS IN SCHOOL

Due to an increasing number of children with pet allergies and asthmatic/respiratory conditions, students may no longer bring “fur-bearing” pets to school for a visit. In accordance with BOE policy, no student shall bring any live animal, whether pet or wild, to any classroom without prior consent of the teacher and the principal, in order to protect both the animal and the students.

ASBESTOS

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (Title 40 CFR Part 763.93 (g)(4)) requires written notification that each school has a Management Plan for the safe control and maintenance of asbestos-containing materials if present in the school building.  This management plan is available and accessible to the public in the school office.

GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS

In accordance with Public Act No. 09-81: AN ACT CONCERNING GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS IN SCHOOLS, no parent, guardian, teacher or staff member may bring into the school facility any consumer product which is intended to clean, deodorize, sanitize or disinfect. A guidance document, Green Cleaning Information for School Administrators, Staff and Parents, that provides more information can be found on the DPH School Environmental Health web page.

SCHOOL RECORDS

Student records may be inspected and reviewed by a parent or guardian with a written request.  No student information can be released or made public without written consent from the parents or guardian.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Regional School District No. 6 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Title IX Contact                                        Section 504 Contact

Debra DeLisle                                        Debra Foley

98 Wamogo Road, Litchfield, CT 06759                98 Wamogo Road, Litchfield, CT 06759

860-567-6656                                        860-567-6642

SIGNATURE PAGE

Please sign and return this sheet to our main office by September 4th, 2019, indicating that you and your child have reviewed and understand the contents of this RSD6 Elementary Student/Parent Handbook.

Student Name(s) (please print): ________________________________ Grade: ___________

Student Name(s) (please print): ________________________________ Grade: ___________

Student Name(s) (please print): ________________________________ Grade: ___________

Your signatures below represent your awareness and understanding of the contents of this 2019-20 Student/Parent Handbook:

Student Signatures:                         _____________________________ Date: ___________

Student Signatures:                         _____________________________ Date: ___________

Student Signatures:                         _____________________________ Date: ___________

Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature:                    ______________________________ Date: ___________