Parents->Handbook

Vision  Mission  Homework Policy  Behavior Code Animal Policy  Dress Code

Manchester School
Student Handbook
2004-2005

The purpose of this handbook is to apprise parents of the rules, regulations and policies most often used by students in grades 4 and 5. 
If there is a conflict between the handbook and school policies, policies govern.

WINDHAM ELEMENTARY K-5 PHILOSOPHY

Excellence in education builds a foundation for life-long learning. Therefore, we provide a curriculum appropriate to the development of the whole child by utilizing diverse teaching, learning and assessment strategies. In addition, the family, school and community share the responsibility of helping children establish and attain educational goals. Together we foster in children the  importance of becoming contributing members of society.

June 2004


Strategic Plan 2004-2009

Vision

In Windham schools, our learners meet or exceed high expectations. We provide and support diverse options for life-long learners. We use resources and time flexibly. We are proud of our schools - healthy,  safe places where discipline and respect are valued.

In partnership with the Windham community we share the responsibility for setting a common vision and clear goals. By communicating effectively, we are able to provide stable and creative resources to support our learners. We are accountable to each other and for preparing all learners for their future.

Mission

To create an educational environment for Windham students that promotes positive and successful learning experiences, and enables all members of the school community to develop their unique potential.


Manchester School Belief Statement

We Believe:

*children develop a foundation for life long learning through personal involvement in the

learning process and from enthusiasm projected by teachers and other adults

*children should be encouraged to value aesthetic experiences

*it is essential for all staff to have opportunities for professional development to keep

educational practices current

children have different learning styles and develop at individual rates

*a developmentally appropriate curriculum and diverse     assessment strategies need to

be researched and revised    regularly

*"children need opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom

*it is the responsibility of the family, the school, and community to share in the academic,

social, emotional and physical development of each child

* students need to take responsibility for their own learning

*m encouraging responsible behavior, personal accountability, pride in accomplishments

and civic contributions

*the school community is committed to developing critical thinking and problem solving

skills in all students

*students need to be able to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with others


RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Children have the right to their feelings. . .

and have the responsibility  to move beyond their

feelings to action and to care about the feelings

of others.

Children have the right to their own opinions. . .

and to have the responsibility to listen to the

opinions of others.

Children have a right to make their own decisions. . .

and a responsibility to accept the consequences,

good or bad.

Children have a right to their own attitudes. . .

and the responsibility to expect what their

actions produce.

Children have the right to make mistakes. . .

and the responsibility to learn from their

mistakes and to correct them.

Children have the right to learn. . .

and the responsibility not to interfere with

others' rights to learn.                 Gene Bedley


Vision

Our schools are active and supportive centers of earning that encourage personal

challenge, honor diversity, and nurture growth in individuals of every age.

Our learners demonstrate continued individual growth in academic excellence,

effective communication, problem solving, and mastery of technology. They are

responsible, motivated, tolerant, and productive citizens.

Our community involves everyone in the learning process and takes pride in their

efforts and achievements.

MISSION

The Mission of the Windham School Board is to create an educational environment

that promotes positive and successful learning experiences that enable all members

of the school community to develop their unique potential.


HOMEWORK POLICY

Definition

Homework is properly defined as any work planned or approved by the teacher to be

completed by the student outside of the regular classroom without the immediate and

direct supervision of the teacher.

Philosophy

We believe:

1.    Homework is an essential part of the total education of the student when it

provides the opportunity for the student to:

a.     Practice, apply, integrate, or extend school learning

b.     Reinforce independent work-study skills

c.     Use school and community resources

d.     Develop self-discipline

2.    Each teacher, student and parent has a responsibility for ensuring the success

of homework assignments:

a.    The teacher for following school and/or departmental guidelines when

assigning and evaluating homework

b.    The student for completing the assignments according to the criteria

established by or with the teacher

c.    The parent by providing the work area, time, and conditions necessary

for the student to complete the assignments

Objectives

1.    That homework should be individualized for the needs of each child.

2.    That homework should be a natural and meaningful outgrowth of classroom

activity with flexibility in quantity and purpose.

3.    That homework standards and purposes should be clearly established by the

teacher and understood by the students and parents

4.    That homework should stimulate home-school communication and encourage

parents to provide:

a.    Suitable environment for study

b.    Interest and assistance

c.    Adjustment of activities and appointments

d.    Selective listening and television viewing

e.    Family enrichment activities


INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIOR CODE

In order to establish a positive environment in which learning can take place, it is

necessary to find ways to foster and encourage self-respect. The school department

staff, community, and each student's family share equal responsibility for

encouraging positive learning.

The Behavior Code which follows describes appropriate school behavior in relation to

self, others, and property.

SCHOOL SYSTEM RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide an appropriate educational program for each student.

When making policy, the well-being of the students should come first.

Keep parents well informed.

Have an understandable code of conduct for everyone.

Make school rules just, fair, and appropriate.

Inform parents and students of school regulations.

Provide uidnace, understanding and counseling.

Support and encourage parents' grups such as PTA, in order to develop a good rapport between home and school.

Eercse authority necessary to maintain an atmosphere and environment conducive to education

PARENTAL/FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES

Encourage a positive attitude toward school and learning.

Provide adequate physical care to prepare students for the school environment,

including such areas as appropriate diet, rest, and clothing.

Support school system rules and regulations.

Communicate concerns to school personnel.

Encourage regular daily attendance.

Encourage respect for other children, for all school personnel, and for property.

Help maintain communication with the school by attending scheduled conferences

and by participating in school-community activities such as PTA.

Exercise proper supervision so that the children's behavior will not be disruptive to the

school's program.

Visit your children's school to become familiar with the daily routine.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

Take advantage of the educational programs.

Know all the rules and regulations and abide by them.

Take responsibility for your own actions.

Respect personal and school property.

Appropriate behavior should apply when attending school activities.

Communicate concerns to administrators or faculty at inter-school events.

Discuss all reports or concerns, positive or negative, with your parents.


STUDENT DISCIPLINE

It is essential for schools to maintain a safe and orderly environment which supports

student learning and achievement  Good discipline allows the schools to discharge

their primary responsibilities to educate students and promote good citizenship. All

students are expected to conduct themselves with respect for others in accordance

with School Board policies, school rules, and applicable state and federal laws.

Disciplinary action may be taken against students who violate policies, rules, or laws,

and/or whose conduct directly interferes with the operations, discipline or general

welfare of the school.

The Board expects the following principles to guide the development and

implementation of school rules and disciplinary procedures:

A.    Discipline should emphasize positive reinforcement for appropriate

behavior, as well as appropriate consequences for misbehavior. The

focus should be on providing a school environment where students are

engaged in constructive learning and interactions with others.

B.    Expectations for student behavior should be clear and communicated

to school staff, students and parents.

C.    Consequences for misbehavior should be in proportion to the offense,

fair and consistently enforced.

D.    Parents should be actively involved in the process of preventing and

resolving disciplinary problems at school.

Physical force and corporal punishment shall not be used as disciplinary methods.

State law provides that "a teacher or other person entrusted with the care or

supervision of a person for special or limited purposes may not be held civilly liable

for the use of a reasonable degree of force against the person who creates a

disturbance if the teacher or other personal reasonable believes it is necessary to (a)

control the disturbing behavior or (b) remove the person from the science of the

disturbance.

Teachers are authorized to make and enforce rules for effective classroom

management and to foster appropriate student behavior, subject to the direction and

approval by the Principal/designee.

School-wide rules shall be developed by the building principal with appropriate input

from school staff, students and parents and subject to approval by the

Superintendent.   Principals shall provide for the suspension or other serious

disciplinary action against students in accordance with Board policies, administrative

procedures and Maine law.


ANIMALS IN THE SCHOOLS POLICY

To protect students, employees and the general public from any health risks

associated with pet-related diseases and to be considerate of individuals with

allergies and/or phobias, the Windham Board of Education will require permission

from the principal before an animal is brought into the school by anyone. If anyone

wishes to bring an animal to school for educational purposes, they will consult with

the teacher, who in turn, will request permission from the principal.

Animals are not to be transported on a school bus. Only the teacher or student (s)

designated by the teacher are to handle the animal. An animal's behavior should be

controlled at all times. All animals will be adequately housed and cared for. If animals

are to be kept in the classroom on days when classes are not in session,

arrangements must be made for their care.

Animal visitors should not be allowed in kitchens or cafeteria or supply rooms.

No person will be allowed to bring pet (s) to work or school on a regular basis.

No dog obedience training programs will be permitted in school buildings.

Exceptions to this policy will be allowed for conditions which serve to accommodate

either a student or an employee, such as a seeing-eye dog for an individual with

visual impairment or other animal necessary for a health condition. However, if said

accommodation causes any serious health risk to others, arrangements shall be

made to reduce the potential risk.

It is the responsibility of the principal or the assistant principal to assure a specific

and appropriate educational purpose, if any animal is housed in a classroom.


 

DRESS CODE

In accordance with Windham School Department policy, the wearing of clothing that

has graphic illustrations or printed statements that are of a sexually suggestive

nature, or which in the opinion of the school administration disrupts the educational

mission of the school or substantially interferes with the rights of others, shall be

prohibited. This includes clothing that has tobacco, alcohol or drug messages and

advertising or messages of a sexual nature.