Welcome to Adobe GoLive 6

August, 2006

Dear Parents,

A warm and friendly welcome to PES! Our school provides children with a safe, positive, and caring educational environment with clear academic and behavioral expectations.

In preparation for the year ahead, please take the time to review this revised and up-dated Student-Parent Handbook. It includes general information about the school, as well as explaining more about the school’s behavioral expectations. It is particularly important that you review with your child the first section of the Handbook about how to “Be Respectful, Safe, and Kind” at Peterborough Elementary School.

These expectations are consistent throughout the building, on the bus, and on the playground. We also encourage students to internalize habits of goodness (“I will act responsibly even when no adult is watching”), and we reward initiative, hard work, creative thinking, and genuine caring for others.

Thank you for your support of this school’s students, teachers, and families. Together we can make a dramatic difference in our children’s health and social growth, academic progress, and overall enthusiasm for learning.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the information in the 2006-2007 Student-Parent Handbook.

Sincerely,

Susan Copley

PES Principal

August 2006

Dear Parents,

A warm and friendly welcome to PES! Our school provides children with a safe, positive, and caring educational environment with clear academic and behavioral expectations. Children are naturally curious, and we want to help them be ever more confident and competent as they go through their years at PES. We are proud of how students respond to our staff members’ kindness and caring combined with high expectations for learning!

In preparation for the year ahead, please take the time to review this Handbook. It includes general information about the school, as well as explaining more about the school’s rules and expectations. We expect children to demonstrate a positive attitude, a willingness to learn and follow directions, and behavior that is safe, kind, and respectful. These expectations are consistent throughout the building, on the bus, and on the playground. We encourage students to internalize habits of goodness (“I will act responsibly even when no adult is watching”), and we reward initiative, hard work, and genuine caring for others.

Helping children succeed socially and academically requires the active support of parents, teachers, and community members. We look forward to your involvement in the school through volunteering in the classroom and participation in various special events sponsored by the school or the PTO. We also need volunteers to help with hands-on activities in the arts as well as outdoor projects and field trips to support our focus on environmental education. PES has a well deserved state-wide reputation for excellence in both those areas – and children often discover new friends and special interests or talents while involved in such opportunities.

We want your child to thrive at PES. If you have any concerns or questions about how your child is doing at school, please contact your child’s teacher, or the school’s nurse or guidance counselor if appropriate.

Thank you for your support and for helping to make PES an outstanding school for teaching and learning. We look forward to an enjoyable and exciting year ahead!

2006-2007

STUDENT-PARENT

HANDBOOK

Peterborough

Elementary School

17 High Street

Peterborough, NH 03458

(603) 924-3828

www.conval.edu

In the spring of 2006 the New Hampshire Commissioner of Education, Lyonel B. Tracy, selected the ConVal School District as one of this state’s Follow the Child districts. The schools in these districts focus on personalized education for each child, document individual student progress, know each student as a whole person, build relationships and partnerships inside and outside of school, promote health/fitness/nutrition, and raise student aspirations. The “Follow the Child” schools are committed to improving the personal, social, physical, and academic well-being of each and every child. Peterborough Elementary School is proud to be in a “Follow the Child” district; we will continue to support the goals of this state-wide educational initiative.

The project has identified Eight Conditions That Make a Difference in increasing student aspirations and their ability to reach their fullest potential.

“When schools foster these eight conditions, student and staff aspirations flourish.”

1. SENSE OF BELONGING – Feeling you are part of a group, while knowing you are special for the person you are.

2. HEROES – Having someone who believes in you and who is there when you need them.

3. SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT – Being recognized for many different types of success, including working hard and being a good person.

4. CAPACITY FOR FUN & EXCITEMENT – Enjoying what you are doing, whether at work, school, or play.

5. CURIOSITY AND CREATIVITY – Asking ‘why?’ and ‘why not?’ about the world around you.

6. SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE – Being excited to try new things, even when you are not sure if you will be good at them.

7. LEADERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY – Making your own decisions and accepting responsibility for your choices.

8. CONFIDENCE TO TAKE ACTION – Setting goals and taking the steps you need to reach them.

For more information on the Follow the Child initiative, contact PES Principal, Susan Copley; SAU #1 Superintendent, Keith Burke; or NH Deputy Commissioner of Education, Mary S. Heath at 271-7301 or mheath@ed.state.nh.us

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School Rules and Expectations

Peterborough Elementary School expects students, staff, and volunteers to be Safe, Kind, and Respectful.

Our goal is to create a positive, effective educational environment where students will be academically and socially successful. To protect the safety of students and promote a safe learning environment, PES staff members strive to be fair and consistent in the implementation of expectations, rules, and consequences. When students act appropriately, their behavior is acknowledged and supported. If students act inappropriately, they are held accountable and at the same time are taught how they can be more safe, kind, and respectful.

Rules and clear expectations are essential for a school community to function effectively.

• To be provided with an engaging and appropriately challenging instructional program.

The development of children’s safe, caring, and responsible behavior is a joint responsibility of parents, the school, and the community.

In the event that a parent has a school concern, the first step is to contact the appropriate staff member (e.g., the classroom or specials teacher, the guidance counselor, or school nurse) who will try to respond to your questions or concerns in a timely and helpful manner. Parents can share their concern by sending in a note or leaving a voice or e-mail message. If the matter is not resolved, please contact the Principal.

Parents are expected to help children come to school clean, neat, and dressed appropriately for the ever changing New Hampshire weather.

• Safe and appropriate footwear must be worn at all times; sneakers are fine for indoors and a necessity for twice-weekly P.E. NH fire codes do not slippers at school.

• Clothing may not have inappropriate or offensive writing or pictures, and may not include cigarettes, alcohol or other drug related logos and/or graphics.

• Not allowed: Halter tops, short shorts, or mini skirts; half shirts; tops with “spaghetti” straps; clothing that reveals underwear, etc.; jeans, pants, shorts or slacks that are so long they come down underneath a student’s shoes or they are so ‘baggy’ that they keep slipping down; flip-flops, platform shoes/sneakers, high heels, slip-on sandals, sneakers/footwear with built-in roller blade type mechanisms, etc.

• If necessary, students may be asked to change into more appropriate footwear and/or clothing (from the Lost and Found, or brought in by parents).

Students need to bring a healthy snack every day; if they are not getting hot lunch, they also need a healthy packed lunch. It helps to have an extra pair of dry socks in the winter and a change of pants, socks, and underwear for very young children who may have an ‘accident’ at school. Also, all students need to bring to school a modest-sized backpack for storing their snack, extra clothing, books, take-home folders, notes, school projects, etc.

Students are not allowed to chew gum or have any of the following items in school, on buses, or on the playground (unless there is a compelling reason to do so and prior permission has been given by the principal): Game boys and any other hand-held electronic games or devices, radios, cell phones, personal TVs, iPods or other handheld computer related equipment, CD/ walkman/ tape/cassette players, walkie-talkies, video recorders, cameras, “boom boxes,” etc.

PES students are expected to be safe, kind, and respectful – in their classrooms, and in the hallways, cafeteria, and bus lines as well as at specials, in the bathrooms, and at recess. If students become frustrated, upset, non-compliant or angry, they work with teachers, the counselor &/or the principal to learn more about maintaining self control and applying various problem solving strategies.

Staff members help students to be safe, kind, and respectful in many ways, including:

• Developing posted rules/expectations for what’s OK/ not OK in each school setting.

• Actively nurturing, and expressing appreciation for kind, responsible behavior.

• Helping students practice ways to be safe, kind, and respectful in a variety of situations.

• Teaching appropriate social skills, problem solving skills, and conflict resolution skills.

• Helping upset children to calm down, with quiet time-outs as appropriate; reviewing what happened, other possible options, and what they will do differently next time.

Behaviors not allowed on school property or on school buses.
The following are examples of the kinds of behavior that are unsafe or disrespectful, and therefore not allowed at school.

• Refusing to follow an adult’s directions (ex: refusing to do school work; disrupting a class).

• Leaving a classroom or other instructional area, the cafeteria, the gym, the playground, or the school building or school grounds without permission.

• Swearing; rude or abusive language or physical gestures; verbally or physically threatening or aggressive behavior; fighting, kicking, shoving, grabbing, punching, spitting, or biting.

• Screaming or inappropriate shouting indoors; knocking over desks, chairs or other furniture; throwing objects; vandalizing or stealing school, staff, or student property.

• Behavior that is not safe or respectful, including bullying, harassment, or repeated instances of inappropriate behavior for which the student has been previously warned or disciplined.

• Possessing inappropriate visual or written material (for instance, from ‘adult’ magazines, etc.); possessing cigarettes, lighters, caps, snappers/poppers, ‘stink bombs,’ fire works, ammunition, bullets, empty bullets or bullet casings, drugs, or alcohol.

• Possessing weapons, knives of any kind, or toy weapons. Weapons includes knives and/or any other object which, in the manner it is used, intended to be used, or threatened to be used, may be capable of producing serious injury. In accordance with New Hampshire state law, NH RSA 193:13, “possession” shall include, but not be limited to, having control over a weapon during any part of a school day or during any part of a school-related activity, including transporting the weapon to school or to a school-related activity, and/or storage of the weapon anywhere on school premises. RSA 193:13 also defines possession as including any other act whereby the student knowingly contributes to causing a weapon to be on school premises or contributes to causing use of a weapon on school premises. Possession of weapons or knives of any kind usually results in suspension and a report to the Peterborough Police Department.

School rules are designed to promote respect, safety, and a positive school environment. When a student does not make a good choice and is unsafe or disruptive, there are logical consequences as well as helping students to go through the problem solving process. The specific consequence will depend on the severity of the rule violation, an assessment of the circumstances involved, and the effectiveness of possible options for the specific student.

Potential consequences for serious or recurring violation of school rules may include:

Our goal is to create a pleasant and orderly environment where students can enjoy their meals and talk quietly with friends while using appropriate table manners. To support this goal, students need to follow these rules:

Students who experience difficulty with their behavior in the cafeteria may spend their lunch period at a separate table in the cafeteria, in the office, or in another suitable space where they can practice more appropriate mealtime behavior. At the end of the lunch period, students take turns helping to clean tables and sweep the floor in the cafeteria.

At recess, students are expected to play safely and cooperatively. Our school’s playground area includes swings, climbing structures, basketball hoops, slides, a gazebo, a courtyard, benches and picnic tables, a butterfly garden, and areas for games such as tag, kickball, soccer, and “one-hand tag” touch football. There is also plenty of space for children to read, run, romp and play their own active or quiet games. In the winter, children enjoy sliding down the snow-covered slopes and playing in the snow. At the end of recess, students line up quickly and quietly to await dismissal. Students are expected to enter the school quietly and respectfully.

Consequences for Recess Problems may include: Verbal warning and redirection; taking away food or equipment that is not permitted outside; restrictions in where or with whom a student may play at recess; time out in a place designated by the staff member; time out while walking next to a staff member or the Principal; loss of part or all of recess time for that day &/or subsequent days; calling parents; being sent to the Office; suspension.

When suspension is being considered for any unsafe or inappropriate behavior, the Principal or other designated staff member will meet with the student to review the specific incident and/or behavior (and any other relevant information), and to explain what rules and/or policies have been violated. Students will be given the opportunity to “tell their side of the story.”

If a student is suspended, the parents are called and the child must be picked up right away. If the school cannot reach the parent, then the person listed as the emergency contact is called to pick up the student. When parents pick up their suspended child, they are given a written explanation of the student’s inappropriate/ rule-violating behavior, the length of the suspension, and what must be brought back with the child to the formal re-entry meeting. This usually includes missed class work, appropriate letters of apology, and a written plan for more appropriate behavior.

At the scheduled re-entry meeting, the student and parent meet with the Principal and/or other principal-designated staff member. There is a review of what led to the suspension, and a review of the student’s apologies and written plan. Before being allowed to re-enter the classroom, students must demonstrate that they are ready to come back to school and act appropriately. When deemed ready, the student then meets with his/her class to explain what led to the suspension and shares his or her plan for more safe, kind, and respectful behavior. The mandatory re-entry process is a key factor in students making better choices regarding appropriate behavior and for classmates to help support the student’s plan.

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All students, including Kindergarten students, are expected to attend school regularly and arrive on time. Punctuality and regular attendance are essential for supporting children’s social growth and academic progress.

If your child is going to be absent, please call the school office at 924-3828. Your call will be answered by either a school secretary or the office answering machine. Since the school’s Health Office tracks patterns of health problems such as strep, conjunctivitis, chicken pox, and head lice, it is helpful to let the school know the actual reason for the absence.

The school needs to account for every student who does not come to school. If parents have not called the school when their child is going to be absent, the office will try to locate the child. If we are unable to do so, the school is required to report the child as missing to the Peterborough Police Department.

Because of health and safety issues, pets or other animals are generally not allowed in the school. If there is a compelling reason for a teacher to have an animal in school at any time, district policy requires that the owner must present a recent health certificate from a veterinarian. The certificate must include: verification of a current rabies vaccination [if appropriate], documentation that the animal is free of parasites and mange, and a personality evaluation completed by the veterinarian. Before such a pet or other animal can come to school, there must be prior approval from the Principal.

The first part of the school day is an essential time for community-building and introducing the day’s activities. Parents are responsible for helping their child arrive at school on time.

Latex balloons are not permitted in school due to student allergies. Also, flowers, balloons or other gifts are not allowed to be delivered to children while school is in session.

All elementary students are discouraged from riding their bicycles to school as the roads and crossings near PES are not particularly safe for young bike riders, and there is very limited bike security at school. Third and Fourth grade students using bike helmets may ride their bikes with written parent permission; K – 2nd grade students are not allowed to ride bikes to school.

To avoid anyone feeling “left out,” invitations for out-of-school celebrations need to be distributed outside of school.

Bus Notes:
A dated, written note, signed by the parent, must be sent if a child (1) will be picked up rather than ride the school bus; (2) needs to be dropped off by the bus at a different stop; or (3) needs to ride a different bus for a particular day. The bus note needs to include the student’s full name, and the full name and address of the student or family the student will be visiting. Please remind your child to give any bus notes to the classroom teacher.

Please do not call the school office with bus changes unless it is an emergency situation. Students go home in the usual manner (as a walker, or going on their regular bus and getting dropped off at their regular stop) unless the school has received a written parental request for an alternative plan for a particular day.

1. Students must comply with all school expectations for safe, kind, respectful behavior and follow the bus driver’s directions and requests.

2. Behavior not permitted on the bus include: yelling, swearing, fighting, smoking, eating, drinking, getting out of one’s seat, putting feet in the aisle, bothering or threatening other students or the bus driver, climbing over the seats, throwing items on the floor or out a window.

3. If a student violates bus/school rules or expectations, the bus driver speaks to the student and may file a formal referral with the school; the Principal or designee follows up on the referral, with copies then sent to the parent and bus company. In accordance with NH RSA 189:9-a, repeat offenses or major infractions of bus rules will result in suspension from the bus. Parents are then responsible for providing transportation to and from school.

4. Students are expected to be on time at designated morning bus stops. School buses will not wait for children who are not within sight of the stop when the bus arrives.

5. Once the bus is in motion, students are to speak with the bus driver only if it is an emergency situation or if the child feels unsafe.

6. The door at the back of the bus is to be used only in emergencies (or emergency drills supervised by the bus driver).

Bus transportation for all ConVal students is now provided by Goffstown Truck Transportation Company. Specific questions about bus routes or bus issues should be directed to the bus company’s management at 924-9211. Also, please call the bus company if your child has any unusual medical condition, or if you want to ask about why a bus has not arrived at a bus stop. The bus company maintains radio communication with all of its bus drivers and all of the ConVal schools.

During the school day -- Please send in a note if you will need to pick up your child for an anticipated reason such as a dentist’s or doctor’s appointment.

When you come to pick up your child, please stop at the office area to sign your child out and have the office call the child’s classroom. The parent waiting area is in the foyer just outside the Office.

At Noon [Kind.] -- Kindergarten students go to the gym to line up for the bus or for Little Skippers. Kindergarten students who are picked up meet their parents outside the office.

Walkers line up in the hallway near the Library, and are supervised as they leave and cross High Street.

Bus students wait in their classrooms until their bus number is called; they then walk quietly down to the gym and are brought out to their bus.

Students meeting parents go to the hallway outside the cafeteria. Parents waiting to sign out their children who are being picked up are asked to wait in line on the right hand side of the hallway between the Art/Music room and the cafeteria. Students who are picked up must leave the building with the parent or other authorized adult who is picking them up. Students may not leave the building on their own.

Completed Emergency Forms need to be returned as soon as possible. Phone numbers are essential in case the school needs to reach parents or their designated emergency contacts when a child needs to be picked up due to illness, injury, suspension, or an early dismissal due to inclement weather or other emergency.

Please notify the school office of any changes in the emergency contact information, such as any change in parents’ home/ work phone numbers, or a change in the names and phone numbers of emergency contacts.

The school holds regularly scheduled emergency evacuation drills throughout the school year. Students must remain quiet and in line throughout each drill. Evacuation directions and procedures are posted in each classroom and other areas of the school. The school also holds drills such as Drop, Cover, and Hold; Shelter in Place; and Lockdown Drills.

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The PES School Nurse is a Registered Nurse, licensed by the State of New Hampshire, who advocates for children's health in the educational setting. Parents are welcome to call or visit the Health Office anytime with information or questions about their children's health.

The goal of the Health Office is to advance the well-being and academic success of our students, and to help prepare them for a productive and healthy future. The health office encourages students to develop healthy eating habits, get sufficient sleep, see their health care provider and dentist regularly, practice good hygiene, and wear appropriate clothing for our variable New England weather. Healthy students are more able to be successful in every aspect of their lives, both at home and at school.

The School Nurse monitors communicable disease, maintains health records, provides individualized nursing services for students with disabilities and/or health conditions, and attends to illnesses and injuries that occur at school. In addition, she provides students, staff and parents with relevant health and safety education. Books and videos on many health and childcare issues are available for loan.

If your child is returning to school with a cast or sling, crutches, sutures (stitches) or after surgery, the health office will need written instructions from your health care provider.

The most important way to help prevent the spread of infection is to wash one's hands regularly. Children stay healthier when they practice frequent and thorough handwashing.

The presence of head lice is a nuisance that can happen to anyone. Head lice do not fly or jump. They are usually transmitted via direct personal contact, or through contact with another person's belongings such as hats, combs, pillows, headbands, scarves, helmets, etc.

Signs of head lice include itching of the scalp and neck, a rash or scratch marks on the scalp, and the presence of nits. Nits are small silvery egg cases firmly attached to individual hairs close to the scalp; they look like dandruff but stick to the hair strand.

When checking for nits and head lice, look carefully behind the ears, at the back of the neck, and in the hair near the forehead. Lice look something like fleas, but are difficult to see and move quickly.

If the School Nurse calls parents to notify them of a student having lice/nits, the child may need to be picked up and taken home.

2. Remove all nits. Combs for this purpose are available in local stores and pharmacies.

3. Follow treatment and environmental cleaning guidelines as recommended by a doctor, pharmacist, or the school nurse.

4. After the removal of nits and lice and appropriate treatment at home, children may return to school to be checked by the School Nurse.

5. If determined to be lice free by the School Nurse, the student may then go his/her classroom.

For uninsured children, New Hampshire Healthy Kids offers affordable and comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription drugs benefits. Cost is based on family size and income, and may be free for some children. For more infor., contact the School Nurse.

In compliance with the NH Public Health Code and Rules, students not meeting the immunization requirements will be excluded from school unless they have applied for and met exemption requirements as per RSA 329. Parents must provide written documentation of current immunizations and a recent physical exam before starting school at PES.

Children usually stay at home either because they are too sick to be comfortable and able to learn at school, and/or they might spread a contagious disease to the other children.

Due to health and safety concerns, children with any of the following need to stay home:

Sick children will be sent home from school. The School Nurse may require a doctors note prior to a student returning to school. Also, please note that children who are sick and stay home from school are not allowed to attend any school functions on that day.

1. Medications should be given at home whenever possible. For instance, medication prescribed for three times a day can usually be given before school, after school and at bedtime.

2. Medications that must be administered at school must be brought to the School Nurse by the parent/guardian and must be locked in the Nurse's Office and dispensed by the Nurse or a parent designated staff member. Exceptions are asthma inhalers and self injected epinephrine (Epi-Pens).

3. In order for a student to carry and self-administer asthma medication and/or epinephrine, the student's parent must give written permission and provide written verification from the physician confirming that the student has the knowledge/ skills to safely possess and use the medication in school. Forms are available in the health office.

4. Parents must complete a Medication Form for any medication to be given at school. A new form must be completed each school year or whenever there is a change in dose, time, or route of administration. A physician or nurse practitioner signature is required for all prescription medication and may be required for over the counter medication.

5. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be given at school at the discretion of the school nurse with written permission from the parent or guardian. A health care provider's order is needed for all other medication.

6. If a child will need medication administered on a field trip, the parent is responsible for administering the medication or instructing the person they designate on proper administration of the medication.

7. No more than a 30 school day supply of prescription medication may be kept at school.

8. Medication must be in its original container, labeled by the pharmacist with the student's name, date, medication, dosage, and times to be administered. Over the counter medication must be delivered in a new, unopened container.

9. Parents need to pick up any remaining medication within 10 days after a medication is discontinued or by the last day of school if the medication is given to the student throughout the school year. Medication not picked up will be discarded.

10. Some children come to school after taking medication that causes drowsiness, such as certain cold preparations. It is best to save this type of medication for the evening, unless your health care provider advises otherwise.

Children may return to school after 24 hours on antibiotics when their temperature has been normal and/or there has been no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours. It is important that the school knows how to reach parents or a designated emergency contact person during the day, particularly if a child has been sick.

Annual height and weight measurements will take place during the school year. Parents and teachers may request vision &/or hearing screenings by contacting the school's Health Office. If a child complains of headaches, blurred vision, or other evidence of eye strain, he/she should be fully checked by an optometrist. If there are significant hearing problems, an audiologist exam is advised.

Sore throats in children are not unusual. However, it is important to be alert for a streptococcus or strep infection; these can only be accurately diagnosed with a throat culture.

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Homework

Parents provide crucial support to their children's growth and progress by reading with them every day for at least 20 to 30 minutes. This can be a warm and special time together, and a wonderful opportunity to talk about the book's characters and events. In general, homework is a time to practice skills learned at school and the opportunity to develop responsible study habits. In addition to expected daily reading at home and weekly spelling/word study homework, long term assignments and/or projects, students will be assigned other homework as follows:

Children need their parents' help at home to take good care of school books and materials. Students check out one library book at a time, and as soon as that one is returned, another one can be checked out. We want students to be avid readers, and are delighted with the frequent use of library and classroom books.

Books do need to be returned in good condition and within a reasonable timeframe. Please note that the cost for repairing or replacing any damaged or lost books will be billed to the student's parents.

Items that are left around the school, gym, or playground are collected and placed in the Lost and Found. Please label children's clothing (especially jackets, hats, snow pants, sweatshirts, etc.), lunch boxes, and backpacks. Uncollected items are eventually given away.

The district's School Lunch Program provides the opportunity for First through Fourth grade children to purchase a hot lunch each full day of school. Free and reduced lunch applications are distributed to all students on their first day of school; they are also available throughout the year in the event that family financial circumstances change.

Hot lunch menus are sent home with students each month and are available on the district web site www.conval.edu . Parents who want to order hot lunch need to send in the week's lunch money in the appropriate envelope on the first day of each school week (usually a Monday). Lunch money envelopes are available from each child's classroom teacher or the school Office.

All students need to be sent to school each day with a healthy, nutritious, ready to eat snack. Candy and sugar-based items are not allowed. Teachers often have helpful suggestions for healthy, child-friendly, inexpensive snacks. Snacks or luncheon items from home cannot be refrigerated or micro-waved at school.

Before School Open House. The day before school starts, the school hosts an informal Kindergarten - Fourth grade open house for parents who wish to bring their children by to meet their teacher and to tour the school.

Fall Open House. In October the school sponsors an evening Open House so that parents can learn more about their child's classroom and have a chance to meet their child's classmates and their families. Students also enjoy showing their parents samples of their work from the first month of school.

The school's PTO is a service organization that provides support to students, teachers, and parents through many different programs and initiatives. The PTO has raised funds to buy the school sign, computers, playground equipment, basketball hoops, outdoor picnic tables, and the school's sound and light system in the gym.

The PTO also provides support for assemblies, the Children in the Arts Day Festival, the Artists in Residence program, Fourth Grade graduation, enrichment activities, computer software, and many, many field trips and special events throughout the school year. The PTO sponsors the Famous Artists Come to School (FACTS) program, the Fall Fun Fair, a PTO newsletter, movie nights in the gym, tag sales, Scholastic Book Fairs, the sale of gift wrapping paper, the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, PTO e-mailed announcements, and the PTO Pancake Breakfast.

All parents and teachers are automatically members of the PTO, which is governed by elected officers and those attending PTO meetings. All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend PTO meetings; child care is provided during evening meetings at no cost.

Parking is limited to those areas marked by white lines. There is no parking on the drop-off loop, on either side of the school's driveway, or in any area with no parking signs.

There is no driving or parking allowed on the blacktop between the school and playground; this is a recess area and serves as an access road for emergency vehicles only.

Towards the ends of each school year, grade level teams work on developing class lists for the following year. The placement teams include classroom teachers, EST's (special education teachers), the school counselor, and the school Principal. The goal of these teams is to develop classes that are reasonably balanced in terms of student numbers, gender, abilities, needs, ages, etc. Teams also try to place every student with at least one other student whom he/she knows.

Parents may write letters directly to the principal if there is important, compelling information relevant to placement that the school may not know. Please do not request specific teachers.

Each child's placement for the following year is sent home on the last day of school in June. However, such placements may change over the summer; if this does happen, parents are notified. Placements may change for a variety of reasons. Teachers may move over the summer (for instance, if a spouse gets a job in another area), and class numbers may change.

Unless there are unusual circumstances, students will generally be placed at a grade level with other children who are the same age with additional support and modifications as appropriate. In certain circumstances, there may be compelling reasons for a student to take an extra year at a particular grade level, including Kindergarten, or to skip a year ahead. The Principal is responsible for making the final decision regarding all placements.

All students go outside for recess unless the weather is bitterly cold or it is raining or snowing heavily. Kindergarten students have their own mid-morning recess. First and Second grade students have recess together after lunch, and Third and Fourth grade students have recess before lunch.

Students who come to school are expected to be healthy enough to go outside for recess. Exceptions are made only with a written excuse from a physician or with permission from the school nurse. If there is an approved medical reason for staying inside, the student usually stays in the Nurse's Office.

Students need to be sent to school with appropriate clothing for outside play throughout the school year. In wintry weather, this means coming to school with boots, hat, gloves, a warm jacket, and snow pants; an extra pair of warm socks can also be helpful. When wearing boots to school, students also need shoes or sneakers to wear inside; NH state fire code prohibits students from wearing slippers or just socks when in school.

This school values positive, useful communication between school and home. Teachers provide parents with news about what is happening in each classroom as well as information about how their child is progressing socially and academically. Class newsletters may include a general overview about what skills and topics are currently being studied and news about upcoming units and special events.

Important information is sent to parents in 'take home folders'; please look through these folders on a daily basis. Parents also become more familiar with teacher expectations and student accomplishments through looking at samples of their children's school work, volunteering, participating in parent-teacher conferences, reviewing trimester progress reports, attending special student presentations and performances, and attending the school-wide Open House held in early October.

By NH State Law, smoking is not permitted in the school or on the school grounds. It is against the law to smoke in school buildings, in the parking lot, or anywhere else on the school campus.

School Closings: If school is to be closed due to wintry weather or other extenuating circumstances, this information is available through the conval.edu website and local/regional radio stations. TV's WMUR Channel 9 provides up-to-the-minute information about delayed openings, early releases, and No School announcements.

Delayed Opening: In the event that there is a delayed opening, Kindergarten is canceled for that day; 1st - 4th graders come to school two hours later than usual.

The Peterborough Recreation Department (924-8080) offers a wide variety of organized sport and recreational programs for all ages; information is sent home on a monthly basis.

The school sends home information about NH Healthy Kids; if you have questions about providing insurance for your children, please contact the School Nurse.

PES is proud to have been selected by area colleges and universities to help prepare college students who are hoping to become teachers. Our school hosts student teachers, interns, and methods students from Antioch/New England University and Keene State College as well as ConVal High School.

These high school and college students provide more individualized and small group support for students while gaining important skills to help them become more effective teachers in the future.

Parents driving children to school use the Drop Off Loop in front of the school office; children need to be dropped off between 8:30 and 8:40 AM. The Drop Off Loop is a designated 'No Parking' Fire Lane.

The paved area between the school and playground is a recess area and is closed except for emergency vehicles.

One hallmark of an excellent school is a high level of participation and involvement of parents and community members. There are many ways to volunteer: in classrooms, the library, the nurse's office, the Famous Artists Come to School (FACTS) program, on field trips, and for special events such as the Children in the Arts Day and the all-school Field Day. Volunteers also bake and sew at home for special classroom events and do word processing of children's stories. All contributions are valued and helpful.

All volunteers must sign and return a confidentiality and immunity form (required for all ConVal School District volunteers). This form is sent home in the First Day packet and is also available in the School Office.

Volunteers must sign in/out at the main office and pick up a volunteer's/ visitor's name tag to wear when in school.

It is important for all adults visiting and volunteering in the school to model appropriate dress and language.

Anything that volunteers may learn about the lives and needs of children at PES is confidential information and may not be shared with anyone other than the school staff. Respecting confidentiality is crucial in order to respect students' and families' right to privacy.

If you have a specific concern or question, please speak to your child's teacher or other appropriate staff member such as the Principal, School Nurse or Guidance Counselor.

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The PES staff, under the supervision of the principal, is responsible for designing an instructional program that addresses the district's curriculum frameworks. The minimum end-of-the-year grade level expectations by subject area are available at www.conval.edu (then click on Curriculum). Teachers match instructional plans with these expectations in Language Arts and implement specific district-wide programs in math, science, social studies, spelling, and handwriting. First through Fourth grade students also have weekly classes in Art, Music, Library, and Physical Education. Social skills are taught by all teachers, and health education topics are addressed by the nurse, guidance counselor and physical education teacher.

Our goal is for students to become competent in reading, writing, spelling, and listening, math, science and social studies – and be able to apply these skills and strategies to everyday real world problems.

Skills and concepts in all areas are taught through planned activities that are both engaging and developmentally appropriate. Since children have different learning styles and 'intelligences,' PES teachers use a variety of instructional methods and assessment strategies.

PES teachers address common expectations for student behavior and academic learning. Classrooms may vary on a day-to-day basis, but all teachers at each grade level address common district curriculum and grade level expectations.

If a student is identified as Educationally Handicapped, his or her IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) describes goals that include modifications of the district’s curriculum; these are addressed by both regular and special education teachers/therapists.

In addition to learning new skills and knowledge expected at each grade level, students work on developing the habits of an effective learner throughout their years at Peterborough Elementary School. These include:

The Teacher-Librarian offers intensive Book Study Groups (which meet during recess) for strong students who love to read and discuss the characters and plots of stories that are highly engaging but also demanding in their vocabulary, complexity, and ethical/moral issues.

Students must apply to join a BSG, and are then recommended by the classroom teacher. The librarian makes the final selection of students. The students in a BSG are expected to come to their group having read and reflected on the assigned chapters of the book to be discussed. BSG students are also required to develop a culminating project based on the book they have read.

Peterborough Elementary School helps students become comfortable with computers as an educational tool. Students are introduced to basic uses of the computer, simple word processing, and some educational software. When students enter Fifth grade, they begin more formal computer training as the middle schools have computer labs and full-time computer teachers. Please contact your child’s teacher if you’d like to help with computers.

For students whose first language is other than English, ESOL services are available as needed. These students face the challenge of learning both everyday spoken/social English and academic English, and may have had their past schooling interrupted because of various factors. ESOL teachers and tutors offer general support and orientation as well as specialized instruction in the reading, writing, and speaking of English.

PES welcomes students who are learning English as their second (or third) language, and values the diversity of backgrounds and experiences these students bring to this school and our Peterborough/Sharon community.

Reading Recovery is an early intervention program for First graders who need extra support in the initial stages of learning to read. Children who are selected for this program work one on one daily with a highly trained reading specialist for intensive half-hour lessons. Title I is another literacy program that provides extra help to students in reading and writing. Parental permission is required for students to participate in either Reading Recovery or Title I.

Guidance and counseling services provide short-term support for students who need emotional support, help with social skills, or when students are dealing with a transition or stressful situation that is impacting their success in school. If a child needs more extensive in-depth counseling, the family is encouraged to seek community-based (outside of school) counseling/ therapeutic support services.

Most guidance services are provided [with parent permission] to small groups of children around particular issues such as divorce, bereavement, self-esteem, friendship skills and goal setting. The guidance office is also available for visits from children who want a brief visit or lunch with the guidance counselor; parent permission is not necessary for such these visits. Sometimes parents may find it helpful to talk with the guidance counselor about a family issue that is impacting the child’s ability to be successful at school.

In addition, the guidance counselor provides support to teachers and classrooms for instruction in social skills and conflict resolution, and serves as a liaison between the school, the home, and community-based services.

To comply with the federal Response to Intervention pre-referral process, classroom teachers are very involved identifying struggling students and providing documented research-based interventions and supports for such students. If these interventions are not helping the student to make reasonable progress, a student may then be brought forward to the Student of Concern pre-referral team. If a child is then considered as possibly qualifying for special education services, parents are invited to participate in all relevant meetings.

Special Education support occurs within the regular classroom, in a tutoring or small-group situation outside the regular classroom, or in the Intensive Learning Center/ Life Skills Program (a district program for multiply handicapped students that is based at PES).

Special Education teachers in the ConVal elementary schools are known as “EST’s” (Educational Support Teachers). EST’s are the “go to” contact people for parents whose children have identified or suspected special education needs. Those students determined to be eligible for Special Education services are provided with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that describes annual goals and assessment procedures.

If you feel your child is experiencing significant learning difficulties, please contact your child’s regular classroom teacher. The teacher will have the appropriate EST staff member contact you about possible next steps.

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Communicable Disease Confidentiality Policy (refer to District Policy JHCC-R,

“Casual Contact” refers to any contact that does not permit the direct exchange of blood into the bloodstream or mucus membranes from one person to another. This includes shaking hands, sneezing, coughing, sharing food, beverages or utensils, and insect bites.

The School Nurse has the authority to exclude a student or staff member from school when reliable evidence or information from a qualified source (e.g., Medical professional, parent/guardian, or infected student/staff member) confirms the existence of a communicable disease or infection that is known to be spread by any form of casual contact, and is considered a health risk to the school population. Such a student or staff member shall be excluded from school, unless their physician approves attendance, or the condition is no longer considered contagious.

Students are expected to be in compliance with the immunization requirements as specified in the New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules, Chapter He-P300, and Part He-P Communicable Diseases. In compliance with the Public Health Code and Rules, students not meeting the immunization requirements will be excluded from school attendance, unless they have applied for and met exemption requirements as per RSA 329.

School officials will cooperate with the NH State Dept. of Education in completing and coordinating all immunization data, exemptions, and exclusions, including the annual immunization survey, to provide for preventable communicable disease control.

When appropriate, parents are informed of the existence of health problems in a child’s classroom. Because of confidentiality issues, parents are not provided with the names of any children involved; by law, the identity of an individual with a communicable disease that can be spread by casual contact shall be disclosed based solely on his/her educational or medical needs. However, general information about a health problem may be helpful so that parents can be particularly aware of similar symptoms in their own children. Such diseases and health problems (spread by “casual contact”) include chicken pox, impetigo, conjunctivitis, viruses, and head lice.

When reliable evidence from a qualified source (e.g., Medical professional, parent/guardian, or the infected student/staff member) confirms the existence of a communicable disease or infection that is known NOT to be Spread by Casual Contact (NSCC) [e.g. HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, and other like diseases), the infected student/staff member shall not be excluded from the school setting solely by virtue of having the disease.

Students/staff infected with NSCC shall attend the school and classroom in which they would be assigned if they were not infected. They are entitled to all rights, privileges, and services accorded to other students and staff members.

Decisions about changes in the educational program of a student who is infected with NSCC shall be directed by the designated team, and made on a case-by-case basis, relying on the best available scientific and medical advice. The team may be comprised of the school nurse, infected individual, his/her personal physician, parent/guardian, case manager, and building administrator.

Non-Discrimination. Employees infected with NSCC shall not be discriminated against in matters of employment. No employee shall be terminated, non-renewed, demoted, suspended, transferred, or subjected to adverse action based solely on the fact that he/she is infected with NSCC. Employees unable to perform the duties of their job due to NSCC shall maintain eligibility for all benefits that are provided for other employees with long-term diseases or disabling conditions.

Education. The school district may establish a mandatory annual education program about NSCC and Standard Precautions that may include workshops, reading materials, and videos. Available resources may include school district policies and procedures related to employees and students with diseases such as NSCC, and instruction on infection control, including Standard Precautions.

Confidentiality. The identity of an individual with NSCC shall be disclosed based solely on his/her educational or medical needs. Identification of the infected student or staff member shall not be given without the individual’s written consent.

Any staff member with knowledge of an individual diagnosed with NSCC shall be informed of his/her legal obligation and liability, and is required to treat all proceedings, discussions, and documents as confidential [RSA 141-F7-10].

The Superintendent shall be notified that a student/staff member is diagnosed with NSCC, and along with the team, may determine what, if any, further action is medically or educationally warranted.

Infection Control. Infection control relates to medical equipment and procedures in the school system. In order to prevent the greatest number of infections, Standard Precautions shall be utilized. Standard Precautions require that no one shall clean up bodily fluids with bare hands; appropriate disposable gloves or some available barrier shall be utilized.

First Aid Kits containing the necessary materials and instructions necessary to care for the injured and protection to the caregiver should be available in all areas where injuries, accidents, and medical emergencies are likely to occur.

Reporting Requirements. All reportable communicable diseases will be referred to the NH Division of Public Health Services. It is the responsibility of the health care provider assessing or diagnosing a communicable/infectious disease to report this information. However, if it becomes known to the school nurse that these reporting requirements have not been fulfilled, it is his/her responsibility to do so.

It is the policy of the ConVal School District, in its policies and the actions of its employees, that there shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age or handicap for employment, operation or administration of any education program or activity. The policy of nondiscrimination is applicable to all persons employed or served by the Peterborough Elementary School. Any complaints regarding such policies should be directed to Assistant Superintendent of Schools, SAU #1, Route 202 North, Peterborough, NH 03458.

Note: All approved ConVal School District policies are available on-line at www.conval.edu

Questions or concerns about any specific policy can be directed to school board representatives or the district’s Office of the Superintendent.

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PETERBOROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS COMMITTED TO CREATING A TEACHING/ LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT ADDRESSES THE CONVAL SCHOOL DISTRICT’S FOUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES: