EFFINGHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK

2005-2006

Please sign and return as soon as possible.

Student’s Name_______________________________ Teacher:_______________________

Directory Information

The Governor Wentworth Regional School District has the right to release “directory information” without the parent/guardians prior written consent, unless the parent/guardian or student of age informs the principal that any or all of the information designated below should not be released without prior consent.

Student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, grade, and parent/guardian’s name.

Parent/guardians have until October 1, or 30 calendar days after enrollment in the district to notify the building principal in writing of specific directory information that should not be released without prior consent of the parent/guardian or student of age, except as provided by law. If no objection is received within the designated time period, the information will be classified as directory information until the beginning of next school year.

**Watch for separate FERPA form.

Walking Field Trip Permission Form

During the school year, the teachers may take the students for walks off school grounds to study areas within walking distance of the school. Please give permission for the students to visit these areas, under the supervision of teachers and chaperones by signing this slip. Your child cannot participate in these trips without your permission.

I give my child permission to take a trip within walking distances of the school.

YES NO

Parent’s Signature:__________________________________________________

Video and Picture Release

From time to time we take pictures or videos of children in our school. We post the pictures in the school for public view, publish them in the newspapers for PR purposes, show them in class and use them to help train teachers. In order for your child’s picture to be used in any of these ways, we need your permission.

I give my permission for my child’s picture to be used in the ways listed above..

YES NO

Parent’s Signature:__________________________________________________

Parent/Student Handbook Receipt

We have read and understand the information provided in the parent/student handbook. We have read the “Appendix” and understand the legal procedures described there.

Parent’s Signature:_______________________________________Date:______________

Student’s Signature:______________________________________Date:______________

EFFINGHAM STAFF LISTING

Administration

Principal................................................................................................................ Dede Frothingham

Teachers

Kindergarten........................................................................................................ Noelle Young

Readiness/Grade 1.............................................................................................. Carol Viens

Grade 2.................................................................................................................. Susan Lander

Grade 3.................................................................................................................. Diane Schuette

Grade 4.................................................................................................................. Sarah Olkkola

Grade 5.................................................................................................................. Nancy Perkins

Grade 6.................................................................................................................. Carrie Glidden

Specialists

School Counselor............................................................................................... Linda Perrow

Reading Teacher................................................................................................. Dawn Alexander-Tapper

School Nurse....................................................................................................... Elaine Goodwin

Music.................................................................................................................... Peter McDonald

Art......................................................................................................................... Lisa Swasey

Physical Education............................................................................................. Alicia Hoffman

Band...................................................................................................................... Caryn Chassie

Librarian............................................................................................................... Kathy Maguire

School Psychologist.......................................................................................... Bonnie Stinson

Resource Room................................................................................................... Lynn Cresey-Moscone

Health................................................................................................................... Katie West

Occupational Therapist..................................................................................... Ann Rowe

DPT....................................................................................................................... Dede Frothingham/Lynne Cresey-Moscone

Speech.................................................................................................................. Kimberly Bridle

Proctor.................................................................................................................. Meg Sargent

Support Staff

Instructional Assistant......................................................................................

Custodians........................................................................................................... Ernie Hayford, Mark McKinley

Title I Tutors........................................................................................................ Jane Hartnett, Meg Sargent

School Lunch...................................................................................................... Judy Sargent

Secretary.............................................................................................................. Denise McCarthy

ESOL..................................................................................................................... Kathy Burnell

GOVERNOR WENTWORTH MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Governor Wentworth Regional School District is to assure that all students acquire the knowledge and develop skills and work habits to enable them to become contributing members of society.

The mission is best accomplished when all school personnel recognize and address the individual abilities and needs of all students, maintain challenging expectations for those students, create a positive school climate, ensure a safe and orderly school environment, monitor students' progress on a frequent basis, and promote effective school-community involvement.

GENERAL PHILOSOPHY

It is believed that the EES educational program should be a continuous process in the physical, social, emotional and mental development of children. Therefore, the school should provide an atmosphere in which the child may feel comfortable progressing at his/her own rate and ability.

It is the charge of the school to stimulate a desire for intellectual curiosity, develop self-confidence and provide opportunities for each child to acquire the knowledge necessary to assure his/her role in a changing world. EES should be receptive to inevitable changes in the educational process, sensitive to the individual needs and differences of children, committed to a continuous program of professional growth. This philosophy should be continually open to re-evaluation and improvement.

GWRSD STRATEGIC PLAN COMMENCEMENT GOALS:

Because our society is undergoing continued rapid changes, our students will have an increasing number of demands placed upon them in the future. If they are to be successful in the coming years each graduate will:

*Master the basics of education (incorporating technology):

reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies

*Exhibit teamwork and leadership skills

*Be an effective communicator

*Be computer literate and technologically competent

*Be proficient in a second language

*Have respect for self & others and display good citizenship

*Appreciate the fine and performing arts

*Be a critical and creative thinker

*Have personal responsibility and accountability

*Be a life-long learner and take risks targeted toward personal growth

*Have knowledge of and responsibility for the environment

*Have an understanding of economics

*Have a commitment to health and well being

*Understand vocational and career choices

*Be nationally and globally aware

STRATEGIC PLAN

The Governor Wentworth Regional School District's administrative team, with significant input from staff members, has been working since the summer of 1994 to create a comprehensive strategic plan for our students. Strategic planning is the process by which an organization envisions the future and develops the operations and procedures to achieve that future.

In this strategic plan, we articulate our mission, beliefs and vision. Topics such as curriculum, instruction, and policies, are clarified. Our commitment to providing adequate space needs and securing fiscal resources is verbalized.

The first step in carrying out this plan was to set Commencement Goals. A task force, composed of community leaders, students, teachers, and administrators, dialogued on the needs of students who will graduate from Kingswood Regional High School in the twenty-first century and either continue their education or enter the workplace. Fifteen commencement goals were drafted. These goals articulate our focus for our children and their education. From these commencement goals, learner benchmarks were written. These benchmarks are statements of what the student will know, be able to do and be like at the end of grades 12, 10, 8, 6, and 3. Working six months ahead of schedule, a set of performance tasks for each grade was drafted. These performance tasks state what performance and products the student will complete to meet the benchmark at a quality level.

This initiative has required the collaborative efforts of teachers, administrators, students and the community. The quality of this document is testimony to the hard work of the many committees.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Effingham Elementary School is a K-6 school. Each student receives instruction in the basic core areas of Reading, Math, and Language Arts. Students also receive instruction in Social Studies and Science. We have specialists who work with the staff and students in the areas of Music, Physical Education, Art, Media, Health and Gifted and Talented Education.

Our Special Education team is made up of the Special Education Coordinator, Special Education teachers, Speech/Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Psychologists and School Counselors.

SCHOOL PHONE NUMBERS

The Effingham Elementary School phone number is 539-6032. Effingham Elementary School's fax number is 539-4511.

KINDERGARTEN HOURS

Hours are 9:00 – 11:30 PM.

SCHOOL HOURS

School begins at 8:50 AM. Students should not arrive at school before 8:30. Classes are dismissed at 3:15 for the first bus wave, as well as the walkers.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL

Students are to go to outdoor recess upon arrival at school. Rainy day recess will be in the gym.

DAILY SCHEDULE

8:45 Students in classrooms

9:00 Morning announcements

See Lunch/Recess Schedule

3:15 Afternoon announcements

3:15 Walkers Dismissed

3:15 Bus dismissal begins

LUNCH/RECESS SCHEDULE:

12:30 – 12:55 1, 2, 3 Lunch

12:55 – 1:20 Recess

12:30 – 12:55 4, 5, 6 Recess

12:55 – 1:20 Lunch

OPEN HOUSE

The first Open House for the new year at Effingham will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2005.

NEWSLETTER

The Effingham Elementary School will publish a brief newsletter on a weekly basis. Additionally, information regarding classroom news, community information and school happenings will be sent home throughout the year.

SCHOOL PICTURES

Student pictures will be taken in the fall. Effingham will have their pictures taken on Tuesday, September 13^th, 2005.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

The GWRSD School Board meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. The meetings begin at 7:15 PM and the location is rotated throughout the district. All are welcome and encouraged to attend the meetings. Agendas are posted at the school.

The School Board will hold their meeting at Effingham Elementary School on November 7, 2005.

SMOKING

To promote further the health and safety of all students and staff, and to promote the cleanliness of all facilities, THE BOARD BANS THE USE OF ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN ALL SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT, ON ALL SCHOOL VEHICLES BY ALL PERSONS AT ALL TIMES, AND ON THE GROUNDS OF ANY PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL FACILITY. Students are prohibited from carrying tobacco products on their person or in any purse or locker. In accordance with

RSA 155:76, individuals found smoking are subject to a fine of not less than $100.

HOT LUNCH/BREAKFAST PROGRAM

Breakfast, hot lunch, milk and juice are available at Effingham Elementary School every day. The Hot Lunch Program publishes menus in the Granite State News and the Carroll County Independent. Menus are subject to change. However, this usually happens only when there has been a snow-day or an emergency day. Please pay for all lunches for the week on Monday mornings. Menus are also sent home with students once a month.

Information on free/reduced meals will be sent home with students. Completed forms must be returned to the school hot lunch director. Any child approved for either free or reduced meals is eligible for both breakfast and lunch.

Elementary school lunch will cost $1.60. Milk and juice are available for $0.30 each. You may make checks payable to GWRSD Food Service.

CHARGE LIMIT: The GWRSD discourages charging for school lunches. However, with permission from the principal, a maximum charge limit of $6.40 or the cost of four lunches per student may be allowed (or $1.60 at the reduced cost). A 5^th and final lunch will consist of a sandwich and a milk. No more than five lunches may be charged.

BUS SCHEDULE

The bus schedule is available at the school, and is printed in the newspaper. Busses are identified by color. Effingham is served by “blue”, “white”, and “gray”. With overlapping bus routes, you may see another bus drive by; please be patient, as your child's bus will be along soon. It takes a week of school each Fall before the pick-up and drop-off times become regular. A note is required for a child to be let off at a different bus stop, or to ride a different bus. Please be advised that if your child is issued a pass to ride on a different bus, ridership is contingent on space.

PICKING UP STUDENTS

A child may not ride home with anyone other than his/her Parents/Guardians, unless a note accompanies the child stating the name of the person indicating parental permission. This note must be sent to the office in the morning. Children leaving school other than at assigned times, or by assigned transportation, must be picked up at the office.

RECESS

We feel that fresh air is very beneficial to growing children, but we will not keep them out for long periods during inclement weather or extremely cold weather. All children will be expected to participate in outdoor activities, unless excused for medical reasons. A letter from a physician is required. Please see that your children come to school appropriately dressed for the prevailing weather conditions including boots, mittens, hats, etc.

OUTSIDE APPOINTMENTS

We request that appointments for outside activities and doctors' appointments be avoided during school hours whenever possible.

PARENT/GUARDIANSHIP

If there is a guardianship issue concerning your child, the school should be notified in writing, with specific instructions as to how you would like us to deal with the situation.

All EES correspondence such as grade reports, newsletters, and other school information will be sent only to the guardian at the primary address listed on the emergency card. If there is a specific request that this information be also sent to a non-custodial guardian/parent, please inform the office.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

If any change has occurred in your address, telephone number, work telephone number, or emergency name of neighbor or relative, please write a note to the school so that our office files may be kept up-to-date in case of any emergency.

ABSENCE AND TARDINESS

Regular attendance and punctuality are essential for the continuous progress of your child in school. A child is expected to attend school regularly, unless s/he is ill or there is a family emergency. They should also be prompt in arriving at school. For safety reasons, pupils who walk to school should not arrive until 8:30 AM, and they should leave school grounds as soon as they are dismissed. A child who is absent from school must present a written explanation for the absence from the Parent/Guardian on the first day of his/her return to school.

A child who is tardy for school must also present a written explanation for the tardiness from the Parent/Guardian. All students who come to school after 9:00 AM are considered tardy and must obtain a slip from the office admitting them to class. Students who are tardy due to bus delays are excused and not counted as late.

TRUANCY

For students under the age of 16, any unauthorized absence from school is truancy. The Administration and the Truant Officer will deal with truancy.

DRESS CODE (Appropriate Dress)

The GWRSD School Board has a responsibility to assure that the atmosphere in the schools in conducive to learning and fosters an environment of respect. Student dress plays an important part in creating an educational tone that demands both academic rigor and high standards of discipline. Additionally, appropriate dress is often a requisite for employment and, there fore, this topic is consistent with meaningful instruction and consequential student learning.

The standard for student dress in the GWRSD allows, within a defined set of parameters, a choice in clothing. Generally speaking, each individual is allowed to dress according to her/his personal preference provided that the execution of his/her selection does not interfere with the rights of others, cause disruption to the educational program, damage school property, or is considered a health or safety hazard.

The Board recognizes that the responsibility for the appearance of the students rests with the parents and the students themselves, but the enforcement of the standard is the responsibility of all District employees.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING APPROPRIATE DRESS

• Tops—all tops shall cover at least the entire shoulder area and extend to the start of the clothing article that covers the lower body. Bare middles or the exposure of cleavage shall not be permitted. Additionally, for boys, the top must have a sleeve that extends to approximately the middle of the bicep. Tops shall not be sheer nor shall they permit the exposure of any part of a student’s undergarments. There shall be no holes in the garment that create an indecent exposure of the student’s body. Additionally, the top must conform to the standards set forth in the policy.
• Footwear—footwear must be worn and be of a type that does not damage property, create a distraction to others nor generate a potential hazard to the wearer. Some examples of unacceptable footwear include: cleated boots, shoes or boots with heels that mar, footwear that has either heels or soles that are high enough to create a safety hazard and footwear that create excessive noise when the wearer is walking are some, but not all, of the examples of such unacceptable footwear.
• Slacks—All slacks must be worn at the waistline and must not drag on the floor when the wearer is walking. Slacks shall be neither excessively baggy nor overly tight. The slacks shall hide undergarments and there shall be no holes in the garment. It shall be understood that an inadvertent tear could appear on a slack that does not create an indecent exposure of the student’s body. It is expected that common sense will prevail in handling this type of issue. All aspects of the policy apply to the wearing of slacks.
• Skirts—Skirts shall be worn from the waistline with a minimum length of approximately 3 inches above the knee. Skirts deemed to be overly tight shall not be acceptable. Any slits in the garment shall not extend higher than approximately 3 inches above the knee. Skirts shall not be sheer nor shall they have any holes in the material that create an indecent exposure of the student’s body. As with other clothing items, the standards specified in the policy apply to skirts.
• Dresses—Dresses shall conform to the policy standards as well as the requirements articulated for both tops and skirts.
• Shorts—Students may wear shorts provided that the garment conforms to the dress standard. Like slacks, the shorts must be worn at the waistline with mid-thigh as the minimum length.
• Jewelry—no jewelry or accessories shall be worn that could be considered a safety problem. Examples include but are not limited to: oversized earrings, pocket chains or other heavy chains, spiked collars, spiked wristbands, etc. Jewelry or accessories that create a distraction, generate a hazard, or provides a reference to sex, violence, discrimination, and drugs (including alcohol and tobacco) shall be considered inappropriate.

Please see the Appendix for the full Dress Code Policy.

VISITORS TO SCHOOL

We welcome and encourage parents to visit the school. If you wish to visit a specific classroom at a specific time, please call and make arrangements for your visitations. ALL VISITORS MUST REPORT TO THE OFFICE. PLEASE DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE CLASSROOM. Visitor and Volunteer buttons are available at the front desk.

DISMISSAL

No child will be dismissed from school until the Parent/Guardian has sent a note to the school requesting release. Children will only be released to the parents or legal guardians, unless otherwise instructed in a note of release. The Parent/Guardian should report to the office when picking up their child. Students may be dismissed from school prior to the end of the day only with parental permission. Those who are to be dismissed must bring a note. At the time of departure, they are required to sign out at the front office. In emergency situations, parents may have their child dismissed by phoning the school.

CLOSING OF SCHOOL

In the event of inclement weather or other emergencies, school may be canceled for the day. Notice of closing will be made on the radio. Should the schools in our district be closed or have an early dismissal due to weather, or any other reason, the following radio/television stations will be notified:

Television: WMUR (Channel 9)

WCSH (Channel 6)

FM Radio: WMVU - Conway 93.5

WLKZ - Laconia 105

WWEM - Rochester 96.7

WNNH - Concord 99

WJYY -Concord 105.5

WOKQ - Dover 97.5

WZPK - 103.7

WSCY - 106.9

AM Radio: WASR - Wolfeboro 1420

If the school day is shortened and the students are dismissed early, the above radio stations will be notified and local busses will be ready to start taking students home. Please sit down with your children to discuss and develop an action plan should there be an announcement made at school that we will be dismissing the students early. This will hopefully alleviate the tied-up phone lines, and will also help to ease the child’s mind. We also ask that you listen to the radio and TV for up-to-date information regarding dismissals. We try to keep the phone lines open in order to receive emergency information. Emergency lists are kept at school. It is the parents' responsibility to keep the emergency card updated. We need your cooperation to get your children home safely!! If school is only delayed in opening (not canceled), it will be for a period of two hours. When a delayed opening is called, Kindergarten sessions will be canceled and other students should not arrive before 10:30.

FIRE DRILLS

There will be a number of fire drills during the school year. Students will walk silently in a single line to the exit that is assigned to their class. As soon as the building is cleared by the Fire Department or designee, the students will return to their classes. Visitors and volunteers in the building must exit through the nearest exit.

LOST AND FOUND

To help prevent loss of clothing, and other belongings, parents are urged to sew labels, or mark name of the child on clothing, overshoes and all personal articles. Please write the child's name on bags containing lunches. Should any article be lost at school there will be a lost and found box where misplaced items will be sent which is located in the front lobby. Valuable items such as glasses and jewelry will be sent to the Secretary's office.

PERSONAL POSSESSIONS AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

Students are expected to have necessary materials for their classes. For the protection of the students’ personal property, and to maintain a quality learning environment, toys, radios, Walkmans, electronic games, etc., should be left at home.

CARE OF BOOKS AND SUPPLIES

Textbooks and library books are loaned to the students. We expect that these books will receive proper care and will be returned in good condition. Parents/Guardians are expected to pay the cost in cases involving loss, willful damage, or destruction. All schoolbooks that will be taken home are expected to be covered. To assist with the transition to Middle School, students in grades 4-6 are given an assignment planner book. Lost planners will be replaced at the student’s cost of $2.

KNIVES, WATER PISTOLS, GUNS, AND OTHER DANGEROUS ARTICLES

Knives, water pistols, guns, and any other dangerous articles are not allowed in school or on school property. Such items will be confiscated and NOT returned. Violation of this regulation is considered to be serious and will be treated with strict disciplinary measures.

BICYCLES/SKATEBOARDS

Children are allowed to ride bicycles to school, if the following rules are observed:

1. Parents sign a permission form (available at the office);

2. All bicycles shall be parked in the bicycle rack and skateboards carried to the student’s homeroom;

Students using bicycles/skateboards to go to and from school are urged to use extreme caution and are encouraged to wear helmets while riding on the streets. Students are asked not to ride while around the school, but rather WALK THE BIKE and CARRY THE SKATEBOARDS while on school property. Bikes and skateboards ridden to school must be “parked” for the day.

FIELD TRIPS

The school encourages field trips as a means of helping students learn about the world in which they live. Before each trip, permission slips will be sent home to parents. These are to be signed and returned to the school before a student will be allowed to go on a trip. If you do not wish your child to participate, please notify your child's teacher or the Principal. Teachers and Parent/Guardian chaperones will be assigned on each trip to provide adequate supervision.

PERMISSION SLIPS

When an activity is planned that will take place off the school grounds, a permission slip, signed by the parent/Guardian, is required for each student. The student will not be allowed to participate unless the school prior to the event receives this slip. The permission slip must state the activity, child's name, date, place and parent/Guardian signature. Examples of activities requiring these slips are field trips, class trips, and athletic events.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

The Governor Wentworth Regional School District recognizes the benefits of homework in the education process and believes that homework should be part of the regular routine of students in this district.

Homework is assigned for the following reasons:

1. To provide a necessary review and/or extension of skills and concepts learned in school.

2. To stimulate an interest in educational activities and opportunities outside of school.

3. To help students learn nonacademic life skills, such as: organization, time management, self direction, and self discipline.

4. To improve independent study, reading habits, writing skills, and practice math skills.

The District also recognizes that children need to have time after school to play, participate in family events and community offerings and to pursue their own interests. Therefore, the assignment of homework should follow these guidelines:

For Teachers:

1. Generally, the amount of homework assigned to students in grades 1-12 should equal approximately 10 times the grade

level (20 minutes for grade 2; 40 minutes for grade 4, etc.).

2. Normally, homework will not be assigned over the weekend for students in grades 1-6.

3. The teacher assigning the homework needs to explain the purpose of the assignment to the students.

4. Homework assignments will be evaluated and returned to students in a timely manner.

5. Parents may end the homework after an appropriate amount of time has been spent on the assignment by signing the

homework. If completing assignments continues to be an issue, parents and teachers need to meet to discuss the problem

and arrive at a mutually beneficial solution.

6. In addition to regularly assigned work, students in grades 1 & 2 are encouraged to read independently for 10 minutes a

night. Students in grades 3 & 4 are encouraged to read 15 – 20 minutes a night. Students in grades 5 & 6 are encouraged to

be reading 20 – 25 minutes a night from a novel. Students in grades 7 – 12 often are assigned summer reading.

For Parents:

1. Help your child establish a consistent schedule for completing homework.

2. Help set up a consistent organized place for homework to be done.

3. Encourage, motivate, and prompt your child, but do not sit with him or her and do the homework. The purpose of

homework is to practice skills and use what has been learned. If your child cannot do the work, please contact the

teacher.

4. If your child has spent an appropriate amount of time on a homework assignment and the assignment remains incomplete,

please sign the assignment to indicate that you have stopped the assignment.

5. If there seems to be a consistent problem with homework, please contact your child’s teacher and set up a meeting to

discuss the problem and arrive at a mutually beneficial solution.

6. Help your child to enjoy literature by reading to him/her.

HONOR ROLL

Grades 4-6 use the Honor Roll to recognize academic achievement. The following guidelines are in effect:

High Honors: Students who receive all A's in all subject areas.

Honors: Students who receive A's and/or B's in all subject areas.

REPORT CARD MARKING PERIOD 2005-06

1st Quarter Progress Reports 10/03/05

1st Quarter Report Cards Issued At

Parent Conferences 11/19/05 in the PM, and all day on 11/10/05

2nd Quarter Report Cards Issued 01/30/06

3rd Quarter Report Cards Issued 04/10/06

4th Quarter Report Cards Issued Last Day of School, June 2006

GRADING SCALE:

100-90......A

89-80........B

79-70........C

69-60........D

59-0..........F

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Teachers are available throughout the school year for individual conferences. Please feel free to arrange an appointment that is mutually convenient anytime during the school year. Telephone contact (539-6032-Effingham) or a note should be used to arrange the conference.

Quarterly conferences regarding grades may be arranged either by the teacher or the Parent/Guardian checking the appropriate box on the back of the student's report card.

School-wide parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for the afternoon and evening of 11/10/04 and all day on 11/12/04. Teachers will set up their own individual schedules.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ART, MUSIC

Each pupil is required to participate in the physical education, art, and music programs on a regular basis, unless the school receives a written excuse from a doctor stating the reasons why the pupil should be excused.

Physical education, art, and music grades will be determined on a combination of the following:

--Attitude and cooperation

--Effort

Students in grades 4-6 will be graded: A, B, C, D, F.

MEDIA CENTER

The school Media Center will be open daily. Students are allowed to use the Media Center at any time unless it has been scheduled for a class or a program. All students enrolled in the school are entitled to borrow materials from the Media Center. The student’s teacher and the Librarian should determine the number and type of books checked out. A student who does not return library materials is not allowed to borrow more until overdue items are returned or paid for. Library books, which are damaged, lost, or destroyed, are to be paid for by the student who has signed them out. The Media personnel and the current catalog price determine the price. In consideration of others who are working in the library, we ask that talking and noise be kept at a minimum.

INTERNET USE

There is a copy of the Internet Policy for your perusal in the Appendices of this manual.

CURRICULUM FAIR AND ARTS FESTIVAL

Students display their projects for parents and community members to observe. This is held in the Spring.

WINTER SPORTS PROGRAM Grades 1-6

Skiing, snowboarding, and ice-skating will be available at a reasonable cost for lessons, rental and transportation. Costs will be reduced for students who own their equipment. Winter Sports program occurs during the months of January and February.

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL (RIF)

RIF is a federally funded program designed to promote reading. As federal monies are available, students will receive free books two-four times throughout the school year.

BAND

The Band teacher offers a school band program for beginning and intermediate band students in grades 5 & 6. A Holiday Concert and Spring Concert are held during the year. Band meets twice a week, once during the school day, and once during recess. Jazz Band meets before school once a week, starting in November.

CHORUS

The music teacher offers Chorus for students in grade 4-6. Three concerts are held throughout the year.

COUNSELING SERVICES

The services of the school counselor are available to deal with the children's emotional needs. Counseling may be recommended on a short-term basis to help alleviate a crisis situation. When problems are more serious or less tangible, long-term services may be provided.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Students with educational disabilities are provided instruction and services designed to meet their unique educational needs. (See Appendix).

PLANS FOR SUCCESS

In Governor Wentworth Regional School District, we believe all children can and should be given the opportunity to succeed in the school environment. To do this, we sometimes need to modify what we normally do in the classroom or accommodate to a special need. The Plan For Success is a formal document that allows us to document and communicate a modification of the usual expectations or instruction that will help a child be more successful.

EDUCATIONAL RECORDS

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s educational records. They are :
(1) The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the District receives a request for access. Parents of eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

(2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

Parents or eligible students may ask GWRSD to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed, and specify whey it is inaccurate or misleading.

If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or the eligible student, the District will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

(4) The right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are as follows:

Family Policy Compliance Office

US Department of Education

600 Independence Ave., SW

Washington, DC 20202-4605

The District forwards educational records to other agencies or institutions that have requested the records and in which the student seeks or intends to enroll.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

The GWRSD has the right to release “directory information” without the parent/guardian’s prior written consent, unless the parent/guardian or student of age informs the principal that any or all of the information designated below should not be released without prior consent:

Student’s name, address, telephone number, date and

Place of birth, grade, and parent/guardian’s name.

Parent/guardians have until October 1, or 30 calendar days after enrollment in the district, to notify the building principal in writing of specific directory information that should not be released without prior consent of the parent/guardian or student of age, except as provided by law. If no objection is received within the designated time period, the information will be classified as directory information until the beginning of the next school year.

TITLE I

Parents of Title I students in the Governor Wentworth Regional School District will be consulted both directly and by means of an annual questionnaire in order to assess the status of the current Title I programs and to recommend modifications, additions, and deletions for the upcoming project year. Review of the Policy for Parent Involvement and Learning Compact will be part of the annual survey. See Parent Involvement Policy in Appendix.

HEALTH EDUCATION

Health is taught as part of the 4^th, 5^th, & 6^th grade curriculum. The district’s elementary health teacher travels to each school for a series of seven-week sessions. Topics such as nutrition, safety and first aid, growth and development, disease process and prevention, consumer health, and substance use and abuse are taught in an age appropriate, sequential format.

SPEECH THERAPY

Speech services are available to any student who requires them. The four areas of service include:

1) Articulation - "speech sounds"

2) Language - how well a child understands and uses language

3) Fluency - "stuttering"

4) Voice

A diagnostic evaluation by the Speech/Language Pathologist helps to determine whether or not services are warranted.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Occupational Therapy (O.T.) services are available, if recommended, through the Special Education process. O.T. services are provided by an Occupational Therapist. Areas focused on include:

1) Fine motor skills

2) Gross motor skills

3) Visual motor skills

4) Activities for daily living

EFFINGHAM CHILD STUDY TEAM

The purpose of this team is to share, discuss, and brainstorm in order to provide support and suggestions to teachers with students for whom they have academic or behavior concerns. The Child Study Team is not a special education team. It is composed of classroom teachers and specialists. The Child Study Team provides information and classroom strategies to teachers for students they feel could be making better academic progress and/or social adjustment in school.

GIFTED AND TALENTED MISSION STATEMENT

The Governor Wentworth Regional School District recognizes its obligation to nurture the potential giftedness in all students. At every grade level and throughout the curriculum, teachers will instruct and encourage all students in the areas of creative and critical thinking.

The District also recognizes that there exists a group of students among the total school population whose needs, learning styles, cognitive abilities, and motivational characteristics require a multidimensional teaching approach. For those students, we will modify the structure, pacing, and content of the standard program of studies to match their individual needs by employing general enrichment activities, differentiated curricula, and the compacting and/or acceleration of course content.

ASSEMBLY/SPORTS EVENTS/CONCERT BEHAVIOR

Assemblies are held periodically during the school year. Students are expected to be courteous and polite to all guests of the Effingham Elementary School. Students should remember that their behavior reflects not only upon themselves, but also upon the entire student body and community.

Talking, unnecessary movement, whistling, booing, and exaggerated applause are all considered inappropriate assembly manners.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

It is the EES philosophy that students will be responsible and respectful at all times. (Please see Code of Conduct in the Appendix).

CODE OF CONDUCT

Each member of our educational community is expected to:

ü Be respectful and courteous

ü Properly use public property

ü Use the property of others only with permission

ü Follow rules and reasonable requests

ü Be kind and polite to others, in action and speech

ü Take responsibility for their actions and words

ü Be honest and truthful

ü Be safe and make personal choices which insure the safety of others

The Board recognizes its responsibility to preserve order and ensure safety of students and staff. Students, as part of the educational community, must be made aware (through student handbooks, letters, etc.) that violation of the rules of conduct will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the educational community on a temporary (suspension) or permanent (expulsion) basis.

Student handbooks and building rules outline the rights and responsibilities of each educational community member and will reflect this commitment to a safe school environment and will be reviewed on this basis. Pursuant to RSA 189:15, this board requires that the student body shall be notified of the content of RSA 193:13 through posting and student handbooks.

NH RSA 193-D is known as the Safe School Zone Statute. It is also the policy of the GWRSD that all school buildings, premises, bus stops, and routes shall be safe environments for students, free of danger posed by the presence of weapons or conduct that threatens harm by means of weapons or objects used as weapons. Under this Safe School Act, the superintendent or his/her representative may suspend and/or expel students for acts of theft or destruction or violence, as defined in RSA 193-D:1, gross misconduct, neglect or refusal to conform to reasonable rules, possession of a pellet or BB gun or rifle, or bringing or possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon. RSA 193-D:1 requires that acts of theft, destruction, or violence, and possession of contraband to be reported to the local law enforcement authority. Any suspension in excess of five days may be appealed to the local board. Furthermore, the local board must approve suspensions in excess of 20 days. The school board may expel a student and this expulsion is appealable to the state board of education. RSA 193:13 III requires the school board to expel students for firearms violations for a period of not less than 12 months. Details of board policies and state statutes may be found in the office of the building principal or superintendent of schools.

Acts of theft, destruction or violence as defined by RSA 193-D:1 require a written report to be filed with the local law enforcement authority according to RSA 193;D:4.

Teachers shall report students to the principal for gross misconduct.

In accordance with RSA 193:13 IV, the superintendent shall have the authority to evaluate each incident on a case by case basis and shall be permitted to impose disciplinary measures as (s)he deems appropriate notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 193:13, II and III.

Any and all cases of discipline brought before the school board shall be considered in non-public session.

For the full Code of Conduct Policy, please see the Appendix.

SAFE SCHOOL ZONE POLICY

It is the policy of the Governor Wentworth Regional School District that all school buildings, premises, bus stops and routes and associated areas shall be safe environments for students, free of danger posed by the presence of weapons or conduct that threatens harm by means of weapons or objects used as weapons. It is the District’s policy that the provisions or RSA 193-D:2, the “Safe School Zone Act”, will be carried out in all respects. Should any portion of this policy conflict with state law or regulations issued pursuant thereto, it is the District’s intention that its policy be read in such a manner that it conforms to law or regulations.

For the full Safe School Zone Policy, please see the Appendix.

INTERROGATION AND PERSONAL SEARCH

All students are entitled to a safe and healthy educational environment. Therefore, the school has the responsibility to protect students from anti-social behavior on the part of irresponsible classmates. Furthermore, school administrators must take preventive and disciplinary measures that are both swift and informal in order to be effective.

School administrators have the authority to immediately, upon reasonable suspicion, to search students, student’s handbags or backpacks.

The school district retains ownership and possessory control over student lockers and desks and therefore reserve the right to inspect lockers and desks at all times.

DRUG FREE SCHOOLS

It is the policy of the GWRSD to provide students with an environment that is free of the problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse. Alcohol and drug abuse is inconsistent with the behavior expected of our students.

Any student found selling, giving, possessing, or having used alcohol or any controlled drug or look-alike drug or being under the influence of anywhere on district property or at school functions shall be liable for suspension and expulsion.

Drug-free school zone signs have been posted to mark the boundaries of an area within 1000 feet of school property. These signs are intended to deter drug sellers and/or drug users and remind the community of our commitment to combat drug abuse.

HARASSMENT

The GWRSD maintains a firm policy prohibiting all forms of discrimination, harassment, and violence. All persons are to be treated with respect and dignity. Any form of personal harassment by any person, which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment, will not be tolerated under any circumstances.