Oliver H. Perry K – 8 School

 

 

 

 

Family & Student Handbook

2011 – 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.     Introduction

 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 

Welcome to the Oliver Hazard Perry K-8 School, a school focused on community and excellence! This handbook is written for you and is intended to serve as a guide to life at our school for students and their families.  We hope it will help orient you to our goals and teaching methods, and help you feel a part of our challenging learning community.  It also details important policies and procedures for both the Boston Public Schools and the Perry K-8 School that will help you to insure your child’s success in school.

 

Please read these pages carefully.  For students to succeed at our school, they need to work hard and have support both at home from you and in school from our fabulous team of educators.  If you have any questions about any of the information in this handbook, please contact your child’s Homeroom Teacher, or phone the school.  Families are a vital part of the life of the Perry K-8 School. We look forward to developing a rewarding partnership with you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Amy K. Marx, Principal

 

2.     Perry K-8 Mission Statement

 

Our mission is to encourage children to achieve their educational and social potential, constantly improving the total environment of the O. H. Perry K – 8 School through constant communication between parents, teachers, students, and community.

 

3.   Perry K-8 School Pledge

 

As a Perry Student, I will appreciate the differences that make our community unique.  I will respect all living things d property.  I will be a valuable contributor to make the Perry family even greater than it is today.

 

 

“Work Hard.  Respect All.  Contribute Positively.”

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Staff List

Oliver H. Perry K - 8 Faculty

 

Principal                                   Amy K. Marx                                       Principal’s Office 7

Secretary                                  Elaine Cullinane                                    Main Office 7A

Kindergarten 1            

Teacher                        Judith Nee                                            Classroom 5

Para                             Kris Graham                                        

Kindergarten 2            

Teacher                        Catherine Flores                                   Classroom 1

Para                             Pat Hadaya

Grade 1                                    Stephanie Clark                                    Classroom 2

Grade 2                                    Christa Rozas                                       Classroom 4

U4 – 4th & 5th                                                                                     

Teacher                        Jeff Durney                                           Classroom 13

Para                             Debbie Kane

                                                                                   

U4 – 1st – 3rd

Teacher                        Sharon Mulenga                                   Classroom 3

Para                             Sharon Jordan                                     

Grade 3                                    Alicia Carey                                         Classroom 10

Grade 4                                    Mary Moran                                         Classroom 9

Grade 5                                    Tracy Doyle                                         Classroom 14              

Homeroom 6                Linda Nunn-Connors/Becky Simon                   Classroom 7

Homeroom 8                            Mary Keeler                                         Classroom 8

Homeroom 7                            Alma Minoza                                        Classroom 11

Learning Center/ Resource Room         Patty Nee                                 Room 11

                                                                                               

Science           

            Doreen McCarthy        Grades K1 – 2                                     Room 6                       

Michelle Woods           Grades 3, 4, 5                                      Classroom 12

Richard Squillante         Grades 6, 7, 8                                      Classroom 12

Wellness/Physical Education     Ellen Wyse                                           Classroom 6

Physical Education/Health         Sally Connors                                       Classroom 6

Enrichment                               Chip Piatti                                            Room 13

Student Support Counselor       Philip Robinson                         Room 14

Speech                                     Annirene Yanni                         Room 8

Occupational Therapy   Cheryl Pedone                          Room 8

Library Para                             Patricia Broderick                                 04

Nurse                                       Eileen Hallissey                         Nurse 15

Educational Team Facilitator     Laureen Jones                                      Main Office 7B

Educational Team Clerk                        Deborah Scully

Building Substitute/Teacher       Madeline Cahill                         Main Office 7A

Family Coordinator                   Tara Kelly                                            Main  Office 7A

Cafeteria Manager                    Patricia DeVoe                                     Café 008

Cafeteria Monitors                    Marie MacIsaac

                                                Stacy Menjin                           

Custodian                                 Ishmael DeJesus                                               Storage 005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.       Academic Program and Expectations

The Perry K-8 School commits itself to encouraging children to reach their highest educational and social potential.  We have a strong focus on literacy and math, and in addition we have an emphasis on inquiry-based science with science specialists linked to all grade levels and a school-wide science fair in February. We also provide an “Enrichment Program for Accelerated Students” for selected students in Grades 2- 5, where students participate in collaborative activities to develop and enhance higher order thinking skills.

 

Our partnership with the New Philharmonia Orchestra enables us to provide string instrument lessons to students in Grades 4 –8, general music classes to K- Grade 2, and vocal chorus class to Grades 3-5.  Our Wellness Program allows students in all grades to benefit from Physical Education and Health classes.  And twice a year, our entire school community joins together to perform in musical productions.

 

BPS Requirements for Promotion

GRADE 1 and 2: To be promoted to the next grade, a student must meet both of these requirements:

·Receive a passing grade in English Language Arts or English as a Second Language

·Receive a passing grade in Mathematics

GRADE 3: To be promoted to grade 4, a student must meet both of these requirements:

·Receive a passing grade in English Language Arts or ESL. To pass, a student must earn a passing grade on course work and a passing score on one of the city-wide reading tests:

·Receive a passing grade in Mathematics

GRADE 4: To be promoted to grade 5, students must meet all three of these requirements:

·Receive a passing grade in English Language Arts or ESL.

·Receive a passing grade in Mathematics

·Receive a passing grade in Science or History

GRADE 5: To be promoted to grade 6, students must meet all of these requirements:

·Receive a passing grade in English Language Arts or ESL.

·Receive a passing grade in Mathematics

·Receive a passing grade in Science and History, if only one of these subjects was passed in grade 4, OR receive a passing grade in Science or History, if both of these subjects were passed in grade 4.

GRADE 6: To be promoted to grade 7, students must receive a passing grade English and Math and either Science or Social Studies

To earn a passing grade in ELA/ESL, students must earn a passing score on one of the following reading tests: GRADE (Standard Score: total test 96); SRI (lexile 915), QRI (level 6.0), Flynt-Cooter (6.0)

 

To earn a passing grade in math, students must earn a passing score on one of the following math tests: Math Tasks (level 2 on 5 of 8 tasks), End-of-Year Assessment (60%), End-of-Summer Assessment (60%)

GRADE 7: To be promoted to grade 8, students must pass the following courses English/Language Arts or ESL; Math; Science, and History

 

GRADE 8: To be promoted to Grade 9, Students must pass English, Math, Social Studies and Science

 

In addition, to be promoted to grade 9, all students must pass ten of the following courses including at least five ELA/ESL + Math courses, two Science courses, and two History after completion of Grade 6, 7 and 8.

·                     Language Arts 6 (136), 7 (137), 8 (138); AWC ELA 6 (146), ELA Honors 7 (147), Honors 8 (148); ESL 1-5 (131-135)

·          Math: Mathematics 6 (436), 7 (437), 8 (438); AWC Math 6 (446), Mathematics Honors 7 (447), Honors 8 (448)

·          Science: Unified Science 6 (536), 7 (537), 8 (538); AWC Science 6 (546), Unified Science Honors 7 (547), Honors 8 (548) ·History: History/Social Science 6 (236), 7 (237), 8 (238); AWC History/Social Science 6 (246), History/Social Science Honors 7 (247), Honors 8 (248)

 

NOTE: Schools may establish requirements that exceed those itemized above with the approval of the School Site Council.

 

 

 

            Homework

Homework is assigned as an extension of the day’s learning activities. Students will receive homework in English and Math nightly and in Science and Social Studies when deemed appropriate by the teacher.  Middle School students have a Perry School Agenda Book in which they write down the homework for each class everyday and can be checked nightly by their parent/guardian at home.  Homework is an essential part of students practicing essential skills and extending students’ learning.  Please support your child in having a quiet place to complete their homework and a regular routine of completely their homework nightly.

Homework website is http://site.google.com/site/perryk8homework/

 

2.      Operations

BPS School Calendar

The BPS calendar provides important dates relating to school closings, holidays, and marking terms.

 

Perry Calendar

A yearlong Perry School Calendar is mailed home in August.  In addition, each month a Perry Parent Newsletter will be distributed to keep everyone informed of important events and dates.

 

Scheduling a Conference

In addition to the two-yearly Open House Nights (Oct. & Feb.), classroom teachers have designated certain times during the week for parent conferences.  Please contact your child’s teacher to schedule an appointment.

 

Safety and Security

We take great responsibility in assuring that our students and staff are safe and that learning is not disrupted.  There is a video buzz-in system at the main entrance so no one can enter the building without signing in at the main office.

 

We strictly adhere to the Boston Schools’ guidelines for school visitors. “Visitors” include parents and school department employees, as well as others.

·All visitors must report to the school office and sign in before going elsewhere in the building.

·All visitors will receive a Visitor’s Pass when they sign in.  They must return it to the office or sign-in desk when they leave.

·Please be sure your Visitor’s Pass is visible while you are in the school or schoolyard.

·Visitor’s passes are not required at Open Houses, Parent Nights, or other school-sponsored events open to the public.

 

We hold both fire and containment drill on a regular basis.  During fire drills, students evacuate the building and assemble on N St.  If necessary, students will be directed to the L Street facility.  During containment drills, our building is secured.  Students and staff remain in locked classrooms.  A team sweeps the building to ensure all doors are locked and students are in classrooms.  Both drills end with an all-clear.

 

Designated Perry staff have walkie-talkies in order that everyone is well-informed of any situation that arises.

 

Parent Pick-Up

If parents must pick up their child before the regular dismissal time, they should call the school office first. They should pick up their child in the office. Parents may not go directly to the classroom to pick up their child. The school will not release a student to anyone other than a custodial parent without the parent’s consent and proper identification.

 

No School Announcements

The Central Office of the BPS makes all decisions in closing schools during inclement weather.  Announcements are made on television and radio once decided.  Staff receives the same notification as the public (through the media).  

 

3.      Attendance (BPS Supt Circular T&L 18)

Absences

It is extremely important that all students attend school every day.  The Boston School Department has strict guidelines that we strongly enforce.  These guidelines limit the number of days a students may be absent per marking term and/or year.  Students in Grades 1 – 5 may only have 4 unexcused absences per marking term at the Perry.  Students in Grade 6 – 8 may only have 3 unexcused absences per term.

 

·A student must attend school for at least: a half-day to be marked “present”.

 A half day is considered the following:

            3 hours in elementary school

            3 hours and 5 minutes in middle school

 

·Students must bring in a note after each day they are absent. The note should be given to Mr. Robinson our Student Support Coordinator. The note must include the date absent, the reason for the absence, a phone number where a parent or guardian can be reached, and the parent or guardian’s signature.

·Students will be provided with the opportunity to make up work for excused absences. Excused absences may include: - a doctor, school nurse, or parent-verified illness/injury that prevents the student from attending school - a death in the immediate family or other significant personal or family crisis - court appearances - religious holy days - other reasons as agreed to by the School-Site Council.

●Students with three unexcused absences during any marking term or at risk of exceeding twelve unexcused absences for the year must be referred to the Student Support Team by the homeroom teacher. The team will review the case and develop recommendations to assist the students and their parent(s). The recommendations will be sent to and signed by a parent. At the secondary level, the recommendations will also be signed by the student.

 

Tardiness

All students must be on time each day.  Instruction begins promptly at 9:20.  BPS attendance policy outlines the procedure for excessive tardiness.

 

4.      BPS Policies

The Perry K – 8 School strictly adheres to all Boston School policies.  The web link to these policies is:

                 http://boston.k12.ma.us/dept/bps_memo.asp

We encourage everyone to read the complete documents at this link.  Copies are also available at the school. 

 

Code of Conduct

The Boston Public Schools has adopted a Code of Conduct that is to be implemented in all school.  A copy of this code is in the BPS Family Handbook that you receive at the opening of school.

 

School Bus Behavior

It is expected that all students act in an appropriate manner on the bus at all times.  Bus drivers complete a referral on students who do not act appropriately on the bus.  We follow the following BPS guidelines when dealing with students reported by the bus driver.

 

1st Offense – a note is sent home to the parent/guardian informing them of the reported offense.  This note must be signed and returned the following day.

 

2nd Offense – a call is made to the parent explaining the offense.  A note is also sent home that must be signed and returned the following day.

 

3rd Offense – a call is made informing of the violation.  The student is denied bus transportation for one day.  He student is required to attend school according to BPS policy.

 

Continued offenses – transportation will be denied.  A conference will be scheduled with the parent/guardian and Mr. Squillante.

 

Cell Phones

Use of cell phones is prohibited during the school day. Cell phones must not be visible and turned completely off during the school day. First offence Student’s cell phone will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of day.

Second and subsequent offenses: Student’s cell will be confiscated and returned only to the student’s parent or guardian.  The student will be prohibited from bringing a cell phone to school for the remainder of the school year. Students committing repeated violations of this policy may be subject to additional disciplinary action, consistent with the Code of Conduct.

 

Respect for School Property

            All students and staff are expected to treat school property with care and respect.

 

Use of Technology (AUP)

All members of the Perry Community, staff and students, wishing to use computers to access the internet must have a signed Acceptable Use Policy form on file in the office.

 

Classroom Volunteers

We are excited to have parents and other community volunteers work with us in our classrooms to support student learning.  Volunteering at schools must be made with the permission of the Principal/Headmaster by completing a “Volunteer Request Form” at www.bostonpartners.org (under “For Schools/Teachers”).

 

All volunteers must be processed through Boston Partners in Education.

 

The process followed by Boston Partners before assignment of a volunteer includes:

A personal interview

 

A CORI check

 

Pre-service tutor training that includes an orientation on BPS procedures, as well as mentoring and subject specific training.

 

On-site training may also be provided depending on the type of volunteer assignment.   A formal confirmation of each individual volunteer assignment will be forwarded to the principal/headmaster, teacher and school liaison by Boston Partners in Education.  Throughout the year, Boston Partners will support its volunteers through subject specific support sessions, newsletters and individual communication.

 

5.      General Oliver H. Perry K – 8 School Policies and Procedures

Perry School Code and Character Values

 

Oliver H. Perry K-8 School 

Codes to Live by:

 

  • RESPECT:  Being polite and kind to others. One can only get what he/she gives.

 

  • HONESTY: Being able to tell the difference between a truth and a lie, and always speaking the truth, even in difficult situations and regardless of the consequences.

 

  • LOYALTY: Being faithful to others, being able to be trusted.

 

  • COMMITMENT: Being able to complete homework, class assignments, and to stay on track to reach your goals.

 

  • EMPATHY: Being able to identify and understand how someone else is feeling

 

  • SYMPATHY: Being able to express compassion, and being concerned about someone else’s feelings of pain or sadness.

 

  • TOLERANCE: Being able to appreciate the differences in one another, be it their culture, their style of dress, the manner in which they express themselves, etc.

 

  • GENEROSITY: Being able to give to others without expecting anything in return.

 

  • COMMUNICATION: Being able to communicate in a sound and calm way. Being able to listen without interrupting the other person, be it your teacher, the other students, the principal, your parents etc.

 

School Based Rules & Discipline Procedures

The School Site Council is responsible for developing school-based rules for the students.  The rules are designed to provide an environment that is comfortable and secure, and will allow each student to be safe on the way to and from school, as well as on school property.

 

The following rules apply in addition to the Boston Public School Code of Conduct:

·Students will file quietly in a single line with hands by their side.

·Students are responsible for arriving to school on time (9:20 a.m.).

·Food is only to be eaten during designated times and in the designated places.  Glass bottles are not allowed.

·Homework assignments are to be completed and returned on time.

·Students will show respect to all staff, students, school property, and personal property.

·Students must wear uniforms (khaki bottoms & navy blue top) on Monday through Thursday. Friday is dress down day, appropriate dress is required.

·Students will play in the schoolyard refraining from rough behavior.

·Chewing gum is unacceptable in and around school property.

·Items that have no appropriate use in school must be left at home.  These include games, toys, walkmans, cd players, and IPODs.

 

Students who break the rules will receive one or more of the following warnings and/or disciplinary actions depending on the level of their infraction and whether or not they have had repeated violations of the Perry School-based Rules or the BPS Code of Conduct:

                                    Verbal Warning

                                    Seat Reassignment

                                    In-class Reflection/ Time-out Sheet

                                    Writing an Apology Letter or Reflective Letter

                                    No Recess and/or Silent Lunch

                                    Loss of Privilege (Recess, Fieldtrip, PE, etc)

                                    Out of Class Time-Out/ Reflection Sheet

                                    Parent Phone Call

                                    Parent/Teacher Conference

                                    Mediation

                                    Parent/ Teacher/ Student Support Coordinator Conference

                                    Parent/Teacher/Principal Conference

                                    Detention

                                    In-school Suspension

                                    Behavior Modification Plan

                                    Student Behavior Contract

                                    Restorative Justice Circle

Community Work/ Service

Parent Shadows Student as School for a Day

Saturday School

                                    Code of Discipline Action (Suspension, Expulsion, etc.)

 

Perry School Dress Code

The O. H. Perry K – 8 School Site Council has adopted a mandatory student uniform policy that consists of plain navy blue tops and khaki bottoms.  Students are expected to wear the school’s complete uniform on all days except Fridays.  On Fridays and everyday, we expect all students to attend school wearing clothing that is clean, neat, and appropriate to a serious learning environment.

 

We enforce the uniform policy to help keep an orderly school environment focused on learning. Students who come to school with clothing that violates school policy are asked to change into clean clothing that we keep at the school or to call a parent to bring a change of clothing.

 

Specifically, the Perry School mandatory uniform policy includes the following:

·         Plain Navy Blue Tops

·         Plain Khaki Bottoms: Plain khakis dress pants, sweat pants, and/or skirts/shorts (no higher than 2 inches above the knee).

·         Footwear: No restrictions, other than no slippers or flip-flops should be worn. 

·         Accessories: No hats, wave-caps, bandanas or doo-rags are permitted during the school day. Earrings must be no larger than ¾ inch hoops or studs, and no large chains or medallions are permitted.

 

Parents who have questions or concerns about the mandatory Perry School uniform policy should contact the Principal directly to discuss their child’s situation and/or to obtain an official waiver from the policy.

 

Locker Policy (MIDDLE SCHOOL only)

Each middle school student of the Perry K-8 School will be issued a locker and a padlock.  The locker and padlock are issued for the use and convenience of students but they remain the property of the Boston School Department.  It is the responsibility of the student to keep his/her locker clean.  Having a locker is a privilege, not a right.

 

School administrators and other school department personnel, including but not limited to teachers, have authority to search student lockers and any items in the locker such as book bags, coats, etc.  Students will be held accountable for the contents of their lockers.  Any contraband or evidence of a crime found as a result of a locker search will be turned over to the appropriate authorities.

 

Locker abuse will result in a suspension of locker use or permanent removal of locker privilege.  Locker abuse includes but is not limited to the following:  hiding an item not allowed in school, displaying inappropriate material in the locker, damaging the locker, giving away the padlock combination, and using the locker at an unscheduled time.  The Perry School staff will use their judgment to determine whether someone has abused his or her locker.

 

Arrival at School

Students may enter the building at 9:05 each day.  Homeroom teachers are in classrooms upon the students’ arrival.  Support staff are stationed through our school yard, building, and buses as well as entrances, to supervise.

 

            Students in K1 through Grade 5 enter through the Ocean Side door.

 

Middle School students (grades 6 through8) enter through the 7th St.       door.

 

Students who choose to have breakfast report to the cafeteria before going to their homerooms.  It is recommended that all students use the bathroom before going to classrooms.

 

Dismissal Procedures

All student walkers are dismissed on the Ocean Side door.

All bus students are dismissed on the 7th St. side door.

 

Please remember that if you are picking up your student and you are staying in the school yard,  that until all students have been picked up there should not be any scooters, skateboards, and other toys until all students have been released to parents/guardians.

           

Before and After School

                        Perry staff is from 9:05 A.M. through 3:35 P.M.  Students should not

arrive before 9:05 A.M. nor remain after 3:35 P.M., unless they are a part of approved after-school programming or detention.

 

Breakfast

Breakfast is served from 9:05 A.M. until 9:15 A.M. daily for walkers.   Students arriving on buses are allowed enough time to eat before going to classrooms. 

 

The cafeteria is closed at 9:20 A.M. except in the case of buses arriving late.

           

Use of Bathrooms

All students should use the bathroom before reporting to class in the morning.  Additionally, certain grades have a scheduled “bathroom time”.

In the event a student must use the facilities other than during a scheduled time, we adhere to the following:

            K1 and K2 – an adult always accompanies the student

            Grade 1 – a buddy accompanies the students

            Grades 2 and up – the hall pass system is used

Students may also use the bathrooms during lunch period with a hall pass.

 

 

Filing and Hall Passes

●Students should file in lines quietly in an orderly fashion on the right hand side when moving throughout the building with their classes. 

●Students must visibly display a hall pass when filing without adult supervision.

 

Nurse Visits

●Our nurse is only in the building during certain times each day.  Students must have a Nurse’s Pass to visit.

The School Nurse is the only person allowed to give out medications to students’.  Parents are allowed to come to the school to give medication to their student if necessary.

●When the nurse is unavailable to assist students’ Perry office staff will attend to the students until the nurse arrives.

 

Cafeteria Policies

The Perry cafeteria serves both breakfast and lunch daily.  Students in all grades eat in the cafeteria.  During lunch times, we adhere to the following guidelines:

●Students will enter the cafeteria orderly and quietly.

●Students will sit quietly while eating. 

●Students may talk but must use low speaking voices.

●Students are to clean the table and floor area where they are seated after eating.

●Students must use proper conduct at all times.  Swearing, rudeness, and improper conduct of any type will not be tolerated.

 

Unauthorized and Inappropriate Materials Brought to School

Students should not bring toys, ipods, games, or any other non-educational items to school unless directed by a teacher.

1st Offense -  Such items will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the day.

 

2nd Offense – Such items will be held in the school office.  A parent/guardian must come to school for the item.

 

If the student continues to bring such items, these items will be held until the end of the school year.

 

Lost and Found

Personal items found during the school day will be held in the office for a period of two months and then be donated to a local charity.

 

Visiting Speakers and Volunteers

BPS policy requires that teachers must have written approval from the principal before having anyone address and/or work with students.  The purpose of the visit must relate to curriculum and instruction. Volunteers and guest speakers must plan accordingly with the classroom teacher so that approval is received in a timely manner.

 

Parking

Visitors may park along the main side of the building.  When signing in, a parking pass will be issued if necessary.

 

Field Trips

Field trips are planned to enrich and extend curriculum.  All students must submit a completed permission form, signed by a parent or legal guardian, in order to participate in the activity.  BPS policy does not allow the school to accept written notes or phone calls as permission

           

Fundraising

We respect the burden that fundraisers put on our families.  We have limited our efforts to one major fundraiser – the pie sale in November.  We also benefit slightly from a percentage of the student picture money.

The School Parent Council may choose to hold other fundraisers. 

 

Principal Students Advisory Council

Six students (2 of each grade, grades 6, 7, 8) meet regularly with the principal to discuss the concerns of all students in Grades K1 through 8.

 

6.      Classroom Procedures and Expectations

Pledge of Allegiance and School Pledge

Classroom Rules

Each classroom teacher develops their own rules aligned with the Perry School Code and Character Values.  These rules and classroom management system are posted in the classroom and clearly communicated by the teacher to the students and their families

Second Step Curriculum

Second Step is a program taught within the classroom that encourages and models expected behaviors in school.  Students also learn strategies to deal with anger; are taught guidelines to better their behaviors and deal with issues such as bullying.

 

7.      Student Records

All students records and handled according to BPS Policy.

All requests and question should go directly to Mr. Robinson, our Student Support Coordinator.

 

8.      Report Cards

Dates of warnings notices and end of marking periods grade reports are included in the Perry Yearlong Calendar mailed to parents in August and available in the main office.

·         Kindergarten (K2) students receive report cards twice yearly (March & June)

·         Elementary students receive report cards three times a year (Trimester Schedule)

·         Middle School students receive report cards four times a year (Quarter Schedule)

 

Parent Conferences

Twice yearly, the Perry School holds Open House events.  Since this is a limited time, it is not always the best to conference with your child’s teacher.  Since all teachers have designated certain times during the week for parent conferences, we advise you to contact your child’s teacher to schedule an appointment for a more lengthy conference.