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2008-2009 Handbook coming soon. Hard copy available at school and sent home with all students.

August, 2007

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 2007-2008 Student-Parent Handbook.

Sincerely,

Susan Copley

PES Principal

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2007-2008

STUDENT-PARENT

HANDBOOK

Peterborough

Elementary School

17 High Street

Peterborough, NH 03458

(603) 924-3828

www.conval.edu/Schools/pes

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School Rules and Expectations 4-9

Keep it on your mind: Be Respectful, Safe, and Kind

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

Last year the New Hampshire Commissioner of Education, Lyonel B. Tracy, recognized ConVal as a Follow the Child district. This designation highlights Peterborough Elementary School’s commitment to ‘personalized’ education for each child, documentation of individual student progress, knowing each student as a whole person, building collaborative relationships and partnerships inside and outside of school, promoting health/fitness/nutrition, and raising student aspirations. “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 support the goals of this state-wide educational initiative that aims to raise aspirations and help all students reach their full 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 respectful, safe, and kind “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 – Trying 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 NH Deputy Commissioner of Education, Mary S. Heath at 271-7301 or mheath@ed.state.nh.us

Peterborough Elementary School expects students, staff, and volunteers to “Keep it on your mind: Be Respectful, Safe, and Kind.”

Our goal is to create a positive, effective educational environment where students will be academically and socially successful. 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 respectful, safe, and kind.

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.

 To explain to children the school’s expectations for safe, kind, and respectful behavior, and to clearly state that school rules must be followed.

 To encourage children to ask for an explanation if a situation or consequence do not seem clear.

 To contact the school if more information or clarification is needed. Teachers and administrators will do their best to explain a situation or issue while respecting other students’ and families’ rights to privacy and confidentiality.

 To approach the staff and administration with respect, trusting that parents and school staff work together in the best interest of all students.

 To attend school events and relevant meetings; to nurture and appreciate each child’s special strengths and talents; and to encourage his/her academic and non-academic interests.

If a parent has a school concern, please contact the appropriate staff member (e.g., the teacher, the guidance counselor, or school nurse) who will try to respond to your concerns in a timely and helpful manner. If the matter is not resolved, parents may contact the Principal who will arrange a joint meeting with parents and the appropriate teacher or staff member.

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 allow slippers at school.

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

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

 It is not OK to wear halter tops, short shorts, or mini skirts; half shirts; tops with “spaghetti” straps; clothing that reveals underwear, etc.; pants that are so long they come down underneath a student’s shoes; shorts or pants that 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.

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. Backpacks need to small enough to fit easily into student cubbies (Kind.) or hallway lockers (1st – 4th grades).

 It is not OK to have chewing gum, game boys or any other hand-held electronic games or devices, radios, cell phones, personal TVs, iPods or handheld computerized games or equipment, CD/ walkman/ tape/cassette players, walkie-talkies, video recorders, “boom boxes,” cameras, etc. [unless there is prior permission from the principal].

• Be respectful. Follow directions. Listen to others. Follow the rules for classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, specials, bathrooms, etc. Respect others’ self-space, privacy, and property. Be a good sport.

• Act safely. Unless given permission to leave, stay with your class. Make safe choices.

 It is not OK to throw objects, knock over chairs or desks, vandalize or steal.

 It is not OK to possess cigarettes, lighters, caps, snappers/poppers, ‘stink bombs,’ fire works, ammunition, bullets, empty bullets or bullet casings, drugs, or alcohol.

 It is not OK to possess knives, guns, weapons 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 usually results in suspension and a report to the Peterborough Police Department.

• Demonstrate kindness. Be nice. Use kind words. Greet others. Say Please and Thank You as appropriate. Offer to help others. Talk in quiet voices when inside. Use good manners. Show that you care.

 It is not OK to scream, tease, bully, harass, or use rude or abusive language (verbal or non-verbal).

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

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

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

• Teaching appropriate social skills, self-control & problem solving skills, and conflict resolution skills.

• Reviewing what happened (if behavior is inappropriate), brainstorm other possible options, and discuss what the student will do differently next time.

• Helping children re-join their classmates through an appropriate transition process.

• Making referrals for additional student services and support if deemed appropriate.

When a student is disrespectful, unsafe, unkind or disruptive, consequences may include:

 Practicing positive, appropriate behavior in the given situation or location.

 Cleaning up a ‘mess’; repairing any damaged personal or school property.

 Being sent to the Principal for support, problem solving and planning how to make better choices, and the assignment of consequences.

 Participating in a meeting with the student’s parents, Principal &/or teacher.

 Police notification: In compliance with R.S.A. 193-D, establishing safe School Zones, this school works cooperatively with the Peterborough Police Department to provide a safe and healthy school environment for students, staff, and visitors. As required by law, the Principal reports acts of theft, destruction, or violence that take place within the established Safe School Zone to the police. In addition, the police must be given information which relates to suspected delinquency or criminal conduct, or any conduct which would classify a student as a “child in need of services” under RSA 169-D or a “child in need of protection” under RSA 169-C.

 Suspension [with required re-entry process]; expulsion [see R.S.A. 193:13, II and III].

• Talk in a quiet voice. Talk with those at your table who are sitting near you.

• Try tasting various food items on your tray, even if they’re not your favorites.

What happens if a student is not Respectful, Safe &/or Kind in the Cafeteria.

 It is not OK to go in the woods, the parking lot, the area between the parking lot and the woods, or to go in the area right around the SKIP building.

• Try to use the bathroom before/after recess. Check in with an adult before going inside.

• Sand, rock, wood chips, snow and sticks stay on the ground; food stays inside.

• Go down the big slide only one student at a time; sit on your bottom; face forward.

• When recess ends, line up quickly; prepare to enter the school building quietly.

• Recess equipment that is OK/ allowed: roll-up plastic sleds for winter sliding; soccer balls; soft core baseballs; air filled balls; nerf, whiffle and tennis balls; plastic hula hoops; jump ropes; other nerf or safe & soft play equipment approved by the Principal.

 Recess equipment that is not OK/ not allowed: hockey sticks, juggling sticks, pogo sticks, stilts, lacrosse sticks; baseball bats, hard baseballs or Frisbees; roller blades, ‘roller sneakers,’ skateboards, snowboards, non-roll up sleds, skis; feather tipped footballs, or any other equipment deemed unsafe for recess use.

 Recess behavior that is not OK/ not allowed: climbing up the big slide; climbing over gazebo railing; sitting or standing on the picnic tables or benches; jumping off the slide, swings, or playground structures; fighting, rough play or “play fighting.”

• Sled only in approved areas; wait until “the coast is clear”; go around orange cones.

• To go on any snow, students must wear boots, jacket, snow pants, hat and gloves.

• During “Black Top Recess” (when it is too icy or muddy to be down on the playground), students need to walk, not run, except when playing basketball.

 It is not OK to distract the driver unless there is an urgent need or emergency.

 It is not OK to get out of one’s seat, put feet in the aisle, bother or threaten other students or the bus driver, or climb over or under the seats

What happens when a student is not Respectful, Safe, & Kind on the School Bus:

 The Principal or designee follows up on the bus referral, talks with the student, designates a consequence, and sends copies of the completed bus referral form to the student’s parent and the bus company.

 Suspension from the bus. 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.

Suspension is only considered for behavior that is significantly &/or persistently disrespectful, unsafe, &/or hurtful.

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 may include 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 by the principal or designee, the student then meets with his/her class (as appropriate) to explain what led to the suspension and shares his or her plan for more respectful, safe, and kind behavior.

The re-entry process is a key factor in students making better choices regarding appropriate behavior, and helps classmates to understand and support the student’s follow-up plan for behavior that is more respectful, safe, and kind.

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 positive personality evaluation completed by the veterinarian. Before any 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.

 Students arrive at school between 8:30 and 8:40 AM. Supervision of students is not available until 8:30 AM.

 Kindergarten students are considered tardy if they arrive in their class after 8:40.

 First through Fourth grade students are considered tardy if they arrive in their class after 8:50.

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; this permission may be revoked by the Principal if a student demonstrates disrespectful or unsafe bike riding. 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.

If you want to provide a special classroom-wide snack on or near your child’s birthday, please try to “keep it healthy” by trying to give children some low/no sugar snacks.

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.

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.

Please call the school office with bus changes ONLY if it is an emergency situation.

Bus transportation for all ConVal students is 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 – Parents: 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 for the student to be dismissed. Parents wait in the foyer 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 the school and cross High Street.

Bus students wait in their classrooms until their bus number is called; they then walk quietly down to the hallway near the recess doors or to the gym and are brought out to their bus by 4th grade student leaders. Adult supervision is provided in the hallways and outside.

Students who are picked up by parents go to the gym. Parents waiting to sign out their children wait in line on the right hand side of the hallway between the Art/Music room and the cafeteria and then enter the gym when all pick up students have arrived. 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.

We appreciate parents volunteering to help chaperone school-sponsored field trips. Please note, however, that pre-school siblings of PES students are discouraged from attending any field trips (due to the need for chaperones to be giving their full attention to students) and, due to liability issues, non-PES children are not allowed to ride on any school bus transporting enrolled students.

The school holds ten drills throughout the school year; these include fire drills and other emergency drills. 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’s Emergency Management Committee works with the school’s staff and Peterborough’s Fire Chief and Police Chief to review, train, and practice emergency preparation procedures.

*** Please note that as part of our school safety and emergency prevention procedures, all parents and visitors enter the school through the MAIN OFFICE DOORS. This includes parents of Kindergarten students.

The “recess doors” are not to be used by parents or visitors entering or leaving the building except in an emergency or during an evacuation drill.

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 school 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 hand washing.

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 something 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 a bit like fleas, but they move quickly and are difficult to see.

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

 Notify the PES School Nurse right away for support and treatment information

 Remove all nits. Special combs for this purpose are available at local pharmacies.

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

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

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

For uninsured children, New Hampshire Healthy Kids offers affordable (or free) medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits. For more information contact the School Nurse.

In compliance with the NH Public Health Code and Rules, students must meet all immunization requirements in order to start 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 (or the date of an upcoming appointment) before starting school at PES.

Children usually stay at home either because they are too sick to be comfortable and 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 doctor’s 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.

Medications should be given at home whenever possible. Medication prescribed for three times a day can usually be given before school, after school and at bedtime. Some children come to school after taking medication that causes drowsiness, such as certain cold preparations. Please save this type of medication for after school, unless your health care provider advises otherwise.

If a child does require a medication at school [See NH Rule 311.02 and NH RSA 200:42-45]:

 Parents need to complete a Medication Form, available at the school’s Health Office. A new form is needed for each school year or if there is a change in dose, time, or route of administration.

 Medication Forms, parent permission, and written authorization from a physician are also required for any student with severe allergies to possess and self-administer asthma medication and/or self-injected epinephrine (Epi-Pens). If a student does self-administer, he/she must then report to the Health Office for appropriate follow-up care.

 A physician or nurse practitioner signature is required for all prescription medication and may be required for non-prescription medications.

 Medication must be in its original container, labeled by the pharmacist with the student’s name, date, medication, dosage, and times to be administered. No more than a 30 school day supply of prescription medication may be kept at school.

 Such medications must be brought to the School Nurse by the parent/guardian; these will be locked in the Nurse’s Office and dispensed by the Nurse or a parent designated staff member.

 With written parent permission, ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be given at school at the discretion of the school nurse.

 If a child will need medication on a field trip, parents are responsible for administering the medication or instructing a designated adult how to administer the medication.

 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.

Children may return to school after 24 hours on antibiotics, when their temperature has been normal for 24 hours, 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.

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 school’s Lost and Found. Please label your child’s clothing (especially jackets, hats, snow pants, sweatshirts, etc.), lunch boxes, and backpacks. Uncollected items are eventually given away.

All students may purchase Before-school Breakfast, First through Fourth grade children may purchase a hot lunch (or bring their own lunch). Free and reduced hot lunch applications are distributed on the first day of school and are available throughout the year in the event that family financial circumstances change. Hot lunch menus are sent home with students each month and are posted 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 small brown “lunch money envelope” on the first day of each school week (usually a Monday).

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, 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.

When picking up children at school, please look for actual parking spaces. By law and for the safety of our students, all fire lanes must not be used for non-emergency vehicle parking.

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.

Parents may wish to contribute snacks for classroom celebrations for birthdays, authors’ teas, plays, or other special events. When doing so, please keep in mind the ConVal School Board’s policy GBEBA that expects parents and school staff to support healthy food choices for all parties at school. Please think creatively about how to incorporate low/no sugar food items.

Peterborough Elementary School is part of a state and national “Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports” (or “Positive Behavior In Schools”) program that pro-actively teaches and acknowledges appropriate behavior. Our PBIS motto is “Keep it on your mind: Be respectful, safe, and kind.” The program is funded through federal, state, and district funds.

Most students come to PES with solid, successful social skills. Through PBIS, all students are provided with more direct teaching for developing and enhancing such skills. The result has been fewer interruptions/ disruptions, improved morale, and a more enjoyable and respectful school environment for both students and teachers.

PBIS activities are guided by a universal framework that emphasizes prevention, consistent responses to inappropriate behavior, data-driven decisions, and team-based planning.

The PBIS Universal team is facilitated by staff coaches; team members include regular and special education teachers, school counselor, school psychologist, parent, social worker and principal.

PBIS initiatives have so far focused on improving the 3 pm bus dismissal process and improving behavior in the cafeteria and hallways. Future focus areas may include developing more consistent behavior expectations for the playground, classrooms, and other program areas throughout the school.

There is more extensive information available about PBIS at this school, and about the program state-wide and nationally, on the PES web pages located through the conval.edu website. In addition, the PES Principal shares current information about PBIS initiatives through the weekly Friday newsletter.

If you have PBIS questions, please contact a member of the Universal team (noted on our website) or fill out a PBIS feed-back form available in the school foyer and place it in the PBIS box on the table. Thank you.

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), Life Skills 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.

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, or to “skip” a year ahead. The Principal is responsible for making the final decision regarding all placements.

All students go outside for supervised recess unless the weather is bitterly cold, if it is raining, or if it is 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. Medical exceptions are made only with a written excuse from a physician or with authorization 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; the 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. We hope these events are both enjoyable as well as informative.

All students need to be sent to school each day with a healthy, nutritious, ready to eat, mid-morning snack. Snack time is an important time for boosting children’s energy level and for socializing with friends. Candy and sugar-based snack 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.

Please note that PES no longer provides “snack milk” (milk that can be purchased for consumption during snack time). We always have water available for students from sinks and drinking fountains. Also, parents are welcome to send in milk - in thermos containers - or other healthy drinks to be enjoyed with children’s snacks.

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. [Title X, 126-K:7-I states “No person shall use any tobacco product in any public educational facility or on the grounds of any public educational facility”].

School Closings: If school is to be closed or delayed due to wintry weather or other extenuating circumstances, this information is available through the conval.edu website and WMUR tv Channel 9.

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 help prepare college and high school students who are intending to become teachers. Our teachers mentor student teachers, interns, and methods students from Keene State College and Antioch/New England University and as well as ConVal High School. These interns help 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.

 Wear the appropriate identification “sticky badges” provided by the office.

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. Please 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.

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 [GLE’s] 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. Our goal is for students to become increasingly competent and confident in all academic areas – and to be able to apply these skills and strategies to everyday real world problems.

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.

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 multiple ‘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 goals, PBIS guidelines, and grade level academic 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 and therapists.

PES teachers are committed to common professional responsibilities, including:

 Demonstrating genuine caring and respect for all students, and motivating students to learn, to take appropriate risks, and to produce “quality work”;

 Providing support &/or direct instruction in social skills in a classroom environment that is safe, supportive, and appropriately challenging for all students;

 Providing students with engaging learning activities to address the district curriculum and other district or school wide programs.

 Implementing the ConVal School District’s curriculum, including the K-4th Language Arts curric. in reading, writing, speaking and listening; the Investigations Math program, and STC Science Units; the K-1st Phonics/Phonemic awareness programs; the 2nd–4th Scholastic Spelling program; the K-2nd Handwriting Without Tears printing or 3rd-4th Loops and Other Groups cursive handwriting programs.

 Assessing students’ growth and progress on a regular basis, utilizing both formal and informal assessments, and maintaining records of students’ academic growth. Formal district-wide assessments include the pre-school Kindergarten screenings; the Developmental Reading Assessments (DRA); NWEA Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) testing program in grades 2 - 4 and the New England Comprehensive Assessment Program (NECAP) in 3rd and 4th grade. Assessment information and teachers’ observations are shared with parents and are used to plan for effective, differentiated instruction.

 Collaborating with colleagues and participating in professional growth opportunities to address school and district goals that support students’ growth and learning.

 Strengthening ties between each classroom, the school, and the local community through activities that are educationally meaningful and developmentally appropriate.

In addition to learning the 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 application of creative and critical thinking skills and appropriate problem solving strategies.

 The willingness to contribute constructively to group projects and discussions.

 The application of research skills (collecting, organizing, processing, and presenting information).

 The attention to accuracy, neatness, and the completion of given tasks and projects.

 The willingness to keep working until a product reflects a high standard of quality.

The PES 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 may then be 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 teachers help 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 PES 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, and values the diversity of backgrounds and experiences these students bring to this school and our Peterborough/Sharon communities.

Reading Recovery is an early intervention program for First graders who need extra support in the initial stages of learning to read and write. 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 support program that provides small group support to Kindergarten through Second grade students who need extra help as they develop their literacy skills. Parental permission is required for students to participate in either Reading Recovery or Title I Literacy groups.

Guidance and counseling services provide short-term support for students who need support to develop appropriate social skills or emotional support to help cope 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].

The guidance counselor also 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. Parents are invited to contact the PES guidance counselor about any significant family/home issues that may be impacting their child at school. The guidance office also has a variety of helpful books, materials, and other resources available to parents.

Most guidance services are provided to small groups of children around particular issues such as divorce, bereavement, self-esteem, friendship skills, and goal setting; parent permission is required. The guidance office is also available for visits from children who want to see the counselor for an informal conversation or for lunch; parent permission is not necessary for such visits.

Classroom teachers help identify struggling students and provide research-based interventions and supports for such students. If these interventions are not enough to help the student to make reasonable academic progress, the student is brought forward to the Student of Concern pre-referral team. If it appears that there are still significant questions and issues about why a child is not progressing, he or she may be referred through the formal special education process. Once this education process has been initiated (by the school or parent), parents are invited to participate in all relevant meetings and provided with their legal parental rights.

If a student is subsequently identified as eligible for special education, an individual educational plan (IEP) is developed. Support to address IEP goals may take place within the regular classroom, in a tutoring or small-group situation outside the regular classroom, in therapy programs (such as speech, PT, or OT) or in the Intensive Learning Center/ Life Skills Program. ILC is a district program for multiply handicapped students that is part of 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. 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.

Communicable Disease Confidentiality Policy
(refer to District Policy JHCC-R, adopted May 21st, 2002)

“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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