PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
The North Attleborough Early Learning Center Program provides a public preschool
environment that is sensitive to the unique and individual needs of young children.
Through exploration and "hands-on" developmentally appropriate activities, the
children engage in cooperative learning experiences in a safe and nurturing atmosphere.
The children are encouraged to develop self-help skills and to problem solve to make
decisions that help build their self-esteem and confidence.
The Early Learning Center is the first step in a child’s
educational journey. The staff, parents, and the North Attleborough community are
entrusted with each child’s learning growth. Together we will inspire learning.
Research shows that when children have a positive,
meaningful relationship with adults - whether at home, in school, or in the community -
the potential for future violence is reduced significantly. Our school department is
committed to eliminating all potential for school violence district-wide. Your
child’s experience at the Early Learning Center provides an excellent start toward
this goal.
The curriculum is designed according to NAEYC
developmentally appropriate practices and is aligned with the Department of Education
Preschool Curriculum Guidelines. Curriculum is modified to accommodate each
child’s learning style and rate of skill acquisition. Individual differences are
valued and shared to enhance appropriate social skill development.
Open communication between parents and the Early
Learning Center Team will support each child’s ability to achieve success. The
children will be given opportunities to learn and grow that will spark interest and
creative imagination.
Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to the2007-2008 school year. Our Early Learning Center
staff is committed to continue the high quality of service that you have come to expect in
our various programs.
This handbook has been designed to familiarize you with our Center and
the services that we provide. Please keep it on hand for future reference.
Our goal is to provide a productive learning experience for each child
in our program. We can only reach our goal by working together - parents and educators,
partners for all our children.
Sincerely,
Early Learning Center
Program Team
The North Attleborough Public School District provides equal
educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, religion,
national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
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ABSENCES
Please contact the ELC office at 643-2145 when your child is
going to be absent from school. It would be helpful to report any illness or other
reason for absence at this time. When your child returns to school, remember to
indicate any related information regarding medications, foods or toileting needs. If your
child has been absent due to a contagious illness such as chicken pox, a doctor’s
note giving permission to return will be needed.
ALLERGIES
The school is a
peanut aware school. We are not considered peanut free
because we cannot guarantee what children, their parents, or staff could
bring into the building in their pockets, on their clothes, or on their
skin. We do, however, need to provide the healthiest environment
possible. Please refer to the Policies and Procedures Appendix
sent home with each child at the start of the school year.
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BACKGROUND
CHECKS
All parents who wish to volunteer
in school are
required to complete a CORI request form. Current regulations
state that you must show picture identification and complete a CORI form
at the office of Human Resources, 6 Morse Street. Background
checks are completed within 24 to 48 hours of submission by Human
Resources.
BULLYING
A goal of the North Attleboro Public
Schools is to provide a safe, healthy, and structured environment conducive to learning.
To accomplish this goal, all members of the school community - parents, teachers, students
and other adults - must treat each other fairly and respectfully. Aggressive and abusive
behaviors will not be tolerated.
Any student actions or behaviors that can be considered harmful,
teasing, bullying, harassing, or threatening will result in immediate and possible serious
disciplinary action that is consistent with the North Attleboro Public Schools’
Disciplinary Code. On a case by case basis, the principal will follow the due process
procedure, which includes the notification of parents. In the cases that warrant it, the
North Attleboro Police will be contacted.
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BUS
PROCEDURES (SPED)
Parents of students qualifying for bus
transportation should abide by the following guidelines:
1. Your child must be ready to leave your home immediately when the
bus arrives. Bus arrival times may occasionally vary by 10-15 minutes.
2. If your child is not going to take the bus, you must call the Special Education
Director's Office, 643-2160, as early as possible. They will notify the
driver. The driver will not inform the school of your child's absence.
3. There must be an adult at home to receive your child at the end of the school
day. The adult must signal the driver from the home if they do not need to meet the
child at the bus. If an adult is not present, the child will be
returned to school or the SPED Office on 6 Morse St.
4. Heightened attention must be given to the rule concerning not
eating and drinking on the bus. For many safety reasons, food
and drink are prohibited. However, with the increasing number
of children with life threatening food allergies, extra and sustained
diligence is needed. Student lunches, snacks, and/or holiday and
special occasions treat bags must be kept in lunch boxes or
backpacks. No food is to be eaten or shared while on the
bus. Please discuss this with your child. We will be
reviewing this topic periodically with the students at school.
Please review the detailed policy provided by the Special Needs
Office.
Any transportation changes should preferably be made in writing.
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CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL
School may be
cancelled due to inclement weather. Announcements will be made as follows:
1. The sounding of three double blasts of 2-2-2 on the fire station
horn.
2. On radio stations WBZ (1030), WPRO (92.3), WRX (103.7), WCTK
(98.1).
3. TV channels 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 & 12
There are times when school is delayed for one
hour. This will be announced instead of a cancellation. Whenever Kindergarten classes are
cancelled, the Early Learning Center Programs are also cancelled, e.g. Parent Conferences,
Professional Development Days.
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CELL
PHONES
Please turn off all call phones,
pagers and walkie-talkies when you enter the ELC to work as a volunteer or to meet with
your child's TEAM.
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CLASS LISTS
It is customary for us to release
a class list to our parent organization. Parent volunteers use the information to arrange
for assistance with various projects that they organize throughout the school year.
Pictures of students engaged in various classes and activities are occasionally released
for the newspaper, etc. Parents must notify the school if they wish to be removed from the
list.
For your information, video recording of student performance in
small and large group settings is done on a regular basis to monitor progress, but is not
publicly released.
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CLASSROOM
OBSERVATIONS
Parents and guardians may visit their child’s
class to observe our program at any time, by appointment only.
Appointments with the classroom teacher must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
Classroom observations generally last approximately one hour.
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CLOTHES
We encourage children to explore,
create and experience learning through a variety of activities.
Some "hands-on" projects can be messy. Keep this in mind when dressing your
child for school.
The children will be taken outdoors for play whenever possible.
Children need clothes and shoes that are safe and appropriate for active play. We ask
that children do not wear open-toe sandals to school.
A large part of the Early Learning Center Program is to encourage
self-help skills. Allow your child to wear comfortable outfits. This makes bathroom time
easier for your child.
Labeling: Please write your child’s name in coats, jackets,
hats, ands sweaters.
A zip-lock bag has been provided for an extra set
of clothes to be left at school for your child. Bathroom mishaps and spills can
require your child to change outfits. The clothes will be returned at the end of the
school year. You may also wish to change the set to coincide with the weather.
CONNECT-ED
From time to time
throughout the year, you may be receiving telephone messages from Mrs.
Burgess or from the Superintendent's Office regarding special
announcements or upcoming school events. Parents complete a form
that provides phone contact information in order to reach all
parties. PLEASE NOTE: School-closing information due to
inclement weather will NOT be announced through Connect-Ed. Please
refer to the "CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL" section of the parent
handbook.
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DISCIPLINE
CODE
All families new to the North Attleborough
Public Schools must sign a receipt for the district's discipline code. This was
included in your registration packet and may also be found in the
Policies and Procedures Appendix.
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DISMISSALS
Our dismissal
procedures have been developed for your child’s protection and to assist our staff.
Please take a moment to review this policy carefully.
1. Early Dismissal
If you need to pick up your child early from our
program, be sure to notify your child’s teacher in writing. This will allow our
staff to prepare your child for dismissal and avoid confusion. You will be asked to
sign the child out in a dismissal log in the main office. In the
case of an extreme emergency, you may call the office and we will make
the necessary arrangements.
2. Release Policy
If someone other than a parent or guardian is picking up
your child from our program, the following procedure must be followed.
a. Please notify staff in writing of who will
be picking up your child.
b. Please remind family and friends that the
staff will require identification.
c. Family and friends will be asked to sign
your child out in a dismissal log in the main office.
Please be advised that we cannot release your child without your
express permission,
preferably in writing.
3. llnesses
| Any time your child becomes ill or is injured at
school, we will notify you by telephone. In the event that a parent
cannot be
reached, we will use the emergency numbers that you provided. Let us know if
there are changes in the emergency numbers throughout the school year.
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FIELD TRIPS
Permission from parents and
guardians is required whenever your child leaves the school grounds for a class outing.
Permission slips will be sent home for each field trip, detailing our trip and asking for
volunteers to join us.
Walks around the school neighborhood or to a local park are not
planned in advance. A general permission slip to allow our staff to take your child on
short walks off school property must be completed. Please be sure your child’s
teacher has sent you one to sign. Please send permission slips back to school promptly.
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s
safety on a field trip, you are welcome to join us. Field trips are a wonderful way to
learn about the community.
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FILMS/VIDEOS
Films and videos are rarely shown to students. They are
typically literature or science related. As a general rule, films and videos are not used
for recreation purposes.
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FIRE
DRILLS
Fire and evacuation drills
will be practiced in your child’s class periodically throughout the school year. The
drills are a required part of safety procedures in public schools and aim to keep your
child safe.
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FOOD/BEVERAGES
No food or beverages (i.e. coffee, etc.)
are allowed in the classroom areas.
MEDICATION
POLICY
Please notify your child’s teacher any time
your child is given medication. Changes in behavior, appetite and toileting habits can be
affected by various medications. Whenever possible, please arrange your child’s
medication dosage schedule to be administered at home.
Doctor-prescribed medications may be given to your child during
school hours if needed. Please obtain an official medication form from your child’s
teacher. This form must be completed and returned to school to give us permission to give
your child medication while in our care.
Over-the-counter medications such as cough syrup or aspirin
may not be given to your child at school. Medication of this type
can be given at home before and after school.
Medications should be dropped off at your child’s school
with appropriate documentation (written doctor’s order). Medications need to be sent
in original packaging or prescription vials.
Please DO NOT send medications to school with your child!
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NEWSLETTERS
Your child’s teacher will
send newsletters home with your child to keep you updated on classroom activities,
upcoming events, and school happenings. The principal will also publish a newsletter
several times a year, as well as the PTO.
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NON-CUSTODIAL
PARENTS
Refer to Student
Information and Policies and Procedures Appendix.
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NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
The North Attleborough Public School District provides equal
educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, religion,
national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
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PARENT
ORGANIZATIONS
1. PTO
The Early Learning Center has a very active Parent Teacher
Organization. The PTO engages in various fund raising efforts throughout the school
year. The funds raised are primarily used to provide enrichment and performance
programs for our students. The PTO has also supplemented the building budget through
classroom grants and by coordinating a Teacher’s Wish List. The PTO meets
several times during the school year.
2. School Improvement Council
The School Improvement Council is a representative
group of parents, teachers, administrators and community members which reviews and sets
building policies. School Improvement Council members are elected annually. If you are
interested in participating, please contact the ELC office.
3. SNAC
The North Attleboro Special Needs Advisory Council
(SNAC) is a district-wide group comprised of parents and educators who provide information about resources
available to families of children with special needs, advise the school administration on
special education issues, offer educational programs on a variety of topics, and promote
understanding and inclusion of children with special needs in the school community. For
more information, please contact the Special Education Office at 643-2160.
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PARKING
Parking spaces are at a premium.
No parking whatsoever is allowed along School Street, in the driveways, or
behind the school building. Parking for pickup only is allowed along
Broad Street and in the PMI factory parking lot.
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PARTIES
As a general rule, birthday and holiday
parties are not encouraged. A special birthday "treat" may be sent in for
snack time.
If you plan a birthday party for your child outside of school,
you may send invitations to school only if you plan to invite every
student in your child’s class. If not, we would appreciate it if you
would mail invitations to selected students. PLEASE NOTE: Policy dictates that we
not release any personal student/family information i.e. full name, address,
or telephone number.
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PHYSICAL RESTRAINT
North
Attleboro complies with the provisions of 603 CMR Sect. 46.00 dealing with restraint of
students in the public schools. To that end, the policy developed pursuant to those
regulations is available upon request from the Principal, the Director of Special
Education, and the Superintendent's Office Further, the policy is posted on
the main bulletin board of the ELC, near the main office.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
A
set of common policies and procedures of the North Attleborough School
Department is sent home separately to all parents.
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PRIVACY INFORMATION ACT (FIRPA)
Confidentiality: The principal and the
superintendent of schools shall insure that student records under their supervision are
kept physically secure. Access without parent or student
permission is granted only
to authorized school personnel. No access is granted to third parties without the
written, specific consent of the eligible student or parent.
PROGRAMS, HOURS, & DAYS
The Early Learning Center Program consists of two half-day sessions. Your
child will be assigned to one session for the entire school year. We do not switch
sessions mid-year.
10 sections of half-day integrated preschool
3 sections of full-day intensive programming
3 sections of Early Intervention transition groups
A.M. Session: 8:30 – 11:00 (arrival
8:15-8:30)
P.M. Session: 12:00 – 2:30 (arrival 11:45-12:00)
SPED Monday – Thursday
Typical Tuesday – Thursday
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REPORT
CARDS
Report cards will be issued twice during the school year, in January and June. A mandatory conference will be scheduled in
December to discuss
your child’s progress in our program. Optional conferences are also available
in March and June.
Children with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will receive
their progress reports twice annually to correspond with the frequency of
report cards.
Parent requests for additional conferences will be honored at any time.
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SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
It is the policy of the North
Attleborough School Department to maintain a learning and working environment that is free
from sexual harassment. It shall be a violation of this policy for any employee of
the North Attleborough School Department to sexually harass another school employee or
student; it shall also be a violation of this policy for any North Attleborough student to
sexually harass another student of school employee. Copies of this policy are
available from the school office. See Appendix for a complete copy
of this policy.
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SMOKING POLICY
Smoking is not permitted in the school building or
on school property.
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STUDENT
INFORMATION
Pursuant to Massachusetts General
Laws Chapter 71 Section 34H, a parent who does not have physical custody of his/her
children, regardless of the award of legal custody, must apply annually to receive
information about his/her child. This includes copies of progress reports and test scores,
referrals for special needs assessments, and disciplinary records. Any such application
must be in writing and include a CERTIFIED copy of the Probate &
Family Court’s order permitting access to such information, plus a statement, signed
under the pains and penalties of perjury, that the Court’s order is still in full
force and effect and that no restraining order exists. Upon receipt of such application,
the school will provide notice to the custodial parent. Then, if there is no contradictory
order produced by the custodial parent, the school will make the requested information
available. Parents should refer to the statute before making a request for information.
Copies of the law are available at the Principal’s office or the public library.
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SUPPLIES
Backpacks
Children are always proud to bring home their school-made
creations. It would be helpful if your child has a standard-sized backpack to carry home
their work. The backpack can also carry school notices from your child’s teacher. Please
write your child’s full name clearly on the backpack.
Diapers/Wipes
Typical students are expected to be toilet trained. If your
child with special needs requires the use of diapers, please send in a supply to your
child’s teacher. We also ask that you include pre-moistened wipes. Please write your
child’s name on the wipes and diaper packages.
Snacks
A snack fee of $7.00 is collected by the teacher monthly
from each child. An envelope will be provided as a reminder when this is due.
Snack consists of juice or milk, crackers, cheese, or fruit. Food allergies
are carefully monitored by the school nurse and staff. If your child is on a
special diet, you may provide a snack on your own and waive the snack fee.
PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER OF ANY ALLERGIES
OR OTHER MEDICAL ISSUES RELATED TO THEIR DIET.
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TOILETING PROCEDURES
Whenever a child requires a
change of clothes or diapers, the following procedure will take place. NOTE:
Parent volunteers are not asked to change diapers.
1. Staff assisting the child must wear a clean pair of
protective gloves.
2. Children will be escorted to the bathroom to be cleaned and changed.
3. The bathroom door will remain open to allow staff to request assistance if
needed.
4. Children will be encouraged to undress and dress themselves whenever
possible.
5. The staff will wash the child’s soiled body area using wipes or paper
towels.
6. Children and staff will wash their hands once the child is dressed.
7. Soiled clothing will be placed in plastic bags to be washed at home.
Please note that we do not have the facilities to rinse the soiled garments.
Be sure to check the bag as soon as it arrives at home.
8. Please remember to send in a new change of clothes for your child on the
next day of school.
9. Children are never reprimanded for bathroom-type mishaps. If
toileting mishaps are unusual for your child, you may wish to contact your child’s
teacher for additional information.
Note: Some children require a different toileting procedure to meet
their needs. Our staff will work with you to develop an alternate plan
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TOILET
TRAINING
Students
with special needs are not required to be toilet trained. Typical
students MUST be completely toilet trained (both ways) before entry into
school. No pull-ups are allowed for typically developing students;
they must be completely independent and self-sufficient with toileting
skills.
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TRANSPORTATION
Parents of typical students will
provide transportation to and from school. Please read the detailed drop-off and dismissal
procedures. All children must be accompanied to and from our classrooms by an
adult staff member. Please notify the staff if you bring your child to
school after class has started.
Michelle Hulme will handle transportation for children who ride
the special needs school buses. She may be reached in the Special Education Office
by calling 643-2160 or 643-2161.
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VIDEOTAPING/PHOTOGRAPHS
In order to maintain the
confidentiality of our individual students, videotaping and photographs
are not permitted during regular classroom time. However, parents
and family members are welcome to record their child's special preschool
experiences. Videotaping and taking of photographs are permitted
during special events such as the first day of school, enrichment
presentations, special events, PTO events, Field Day, "birthday
snacks," etc.
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VOLUNTEER
PROGRAM
Volunteers in our program are
always needed. The Early Learning Center Team encourages all families to take an
active part in their child’s education. Preschool is a perfect place to start.
Volunteers are needed to assist in the classrooms, prepare
materials, and organize special activities. Any help you can offer to our program will be
greatly appreciated.
Volunteer training sessions will be held twice annually to
outline our program policies. All volunteers must attend this session prior to helping out
in our classrooms. This assures safety for volunteers, children, and staff.
Volunteers are also subject to criminal background checks (CORI).
Volunteers are asked to sign in at the office – name tags
will be provided for identification purposes.
WELLNESS POLICY
Please refer to Policies
and Procedures Appendix.
PARENTING IS HARD WORK!
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