Parkway (Elementary) School
Handbook
2015-20162016-2017
Office Telephone – 203-869-7466
Fax – 203-869-9352
John Grasso, Principal
Deborah Cline, Assistant Principal
Jeanine Urban, Administrative Assistant
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mission and Core Values 4
Vision of the Graduate 4
Board of Education 4
Principal’s Letter 5
Central Administration 6
Business & Operations 6
Program Administration 6
SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF 7
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 8
Office 8
Visitors (GPS procedure Eo80.2) 8
Parents, guardians, and/or members of the community are welcome in our schools and are encouraged to visit the schools/classrooms. All visitors are required to check in at the main office and are required to wear a visitor’s badge. 8
General Visits: General inquiries about your child do not require an appointment and may be directed to the main office staff. Visitors are asked to make appointments for information or inquiries with the building leadership and/or teachers. 8
Classroom Visits/School Tours: A written request must be submitted to the principal at least 48 hours in advance, specifying the focus of the visit and alternative times/dates. 8
School Volunteer (GPS procedure E080.6) 8
Early Dismissal 8
Emergency Closures 8
Student Profile Information 8
Fire Drills and Emergency Preparedness (GPS procedure E051.16) 9
Notice of Connecticut Sex Offender Registry (GPS procedure E051.16) 9
Health Education 9
*Child Abuse (GPS procedure E051.30) 9
*School Records and Directory Information (GPS procedures E080.10, E040.29, E040.28, and E051.9) 9
*Drugs, Tobacco, & Alcohol (GPS procedure E001.19) 10
Admission/Placement (GPS procedure E040.16) 11
*Homeless Students 11
*Migrant Students 11
*Pesticide Application (GPS procedure E051.17) 11
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION 11
Residency Verification and Registration 11
*Attendance (GPS procedure E040.3) 11
Attendance Law 12
Tardiness 12
*Truancy 12
Religious Holidays 12
Family Vacations 12
Court Ordered Custodial Restrictions 12
BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES (GPS procedure E002.1) 12
*Harassment/Threatening Behavior 12
*Sexual Harassment/Equal Opportunity (GPS Procedure L 020.2) 13
Fighting 13
*Dangerous Weapons and Instruments 13
*Bullying 13
Detention 14
*Philosophy of Discipline 14
Suspension 14
Expulsion 14
EDUCATIONAL POLICIES AND SERVICES 14
Pupil Personnel Services 14
Homebound Instruction 15
School Health Program 15
Health Assessments and Immunizations 15
Administering Medications (GPS procedure E001.12) 15
Self-Administration of Medication 16
*Psychotropic Drug Use (GPS procedure E001.18) 16
School Health Screenings 16
Asbestos 16
Communicable/Infectious Diseases (GPS Procedure E001.17) 16
Illness 16
Guidelines for Childhood Illness 16
Hospitalizations and Injuries 17
Special Health Care Needs (GPS procedure E001.20) 17
Nurse’s Office 17
Student Insurance 17
Special Education 17
Planning and Placement Team (PPT) 18
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) 18
Equal Opportunity for Students with Disabilities 18
*Ceremonies and Observances (GPS procedure E001.1) 18
Strategic Improvement Team (GPS procedure E010.1) 19
Assigning Students to a Teacher and Classes (GPS procedure E040.17) 20
Class Size Guidelines (GPS procedure E040.21) 20
Grouping (Differentiated Instruction) (GPS procedure E040.22) 20
*Promotion/Acceleration/Retention (GPS procedure E040.18) 20
*Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualifications (GPS procedure L000.6) 20
Standardized Testing Program (GPS procedures E003.3 and E003.4) 20
*Homework (GPS procedure E040.23) 20
*School Homework Practices (GPS Procedure E040.23) 21
Field Trips 21
Summer School (GPS procedure E001.2) 21
School Lockers 21
*Dress Code 21
Recess Wear 21
Footwear for Physical Education 21
Americans with Disabilities Accommodations 21
Soliciting by Students (GPS procedure E080.9) 21
Distribution of Printed Materials from Outside Organizations (GPS procedure E 051.6) 21
SCHOOL-HOME COMMUNICATIONS 22
Kindergarten Registration 22
Conferences 22
*Report Cards/Grades (GPS procedure E003.1) 22
Friday Folders 22
Duplicate Mailing 22
E-Mail Correspondence 22
*Title I Comparability of Service (GPS procedure E001.6) 22
*Title I Parent Involvement 22
GENERAL INFORMATION 22
Birthday Celebrations (New 9/08-GPS procedure E080.13 and E051.8) 22
The Greenwich School Lunch Program 23
Free and Reduced Price Lunch (GPS procedure E040.13) 23
Children without Lunch Money 23
Snow Day Procedure for School Lunch Program 23
Nutritional Information 23
Food Allergy Information (GPS procedure E051.31) 24
Wellness Policy (GPS Procedure E051.8) 24
Personal Items 24
Class Pictures 24
Dogs and Pets 24
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION (GPS Procedure E051.4 and E051.5) 24
General Guidelines 24
Eligibility 24
Pupil Walking Distance 25
Safety Rules 25
Roles and Responsibilities for Bus Procedures 25
Rights and Responsibilities 26
Schedules and Bus Stops: 26
*Questions, concerns, requests & complaints 26
CURRICULUM INFORMATION 26
Advanced Learning Program (ALP) (GPS procedure E001.13) 26
English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (GPS procedure E001.5) 26
Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) 27
Language Arts 27
Library Media & Technology 27
Physical Education 28
Science 28
Social Studies 28
Visual Art 28
Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Agreement (GPS Procedure E040.4) 28
Receipt of Handbook 32
Personal Reminders 33
Questions I want to ask the teacher during my parent conference: 34
School Friends’ Information 35
Mission and Core Values 4
Vision of the Graduate 4
Board of Education 4
Principal’s Letter 5
Central Administration 6
Business & Operations 6
Program Administration 6
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 7
Office 7
Visitors (GPS procedure Eo80.2) 7
Parents, guardians, and/or members of the community are welcome in our schools and are encouraged to visit the schools/classrooms. All visitors are required to check in at the main office and are required to wear a visitor’s badge. 7
General Visits: General inquiries about your child do not require an appointment and may be directed to the main office staff. Visitors are asked to make appointments for information or inquiries with the building leadership and/or teachers. 7
Classroom Visits/School Tours: A written request must be submitted to the principal at least 48 hours in advance, specifying the focus of the visit and alternative times/dates. 7
School Volunteer (GPS procedure E080.6) 7
Early Dismissal 7
Emergency Closures 7
Student Profile Information 7
Fire Drills and Emergency Preparedness (GPS procedure E051.16) 8
Notice of Connecticut Sex Offender Registry (GPS procedure E051.16) 8
Health Education 8
*Child Abuse (GPS procedure E051.30) 8
*School Records and Directory Information (GPS procedures E080.10, E040.29, E040.28, and E051.9) 8
*Drugs, Tobacco, & Alcohol (GPS procedure E001.19) 9
Admission/Placement (GPS procedure E040.16) 10
*Homeless Students 10
*Migrant Students 10
*Pesticide Application (GPS procedure E051.17) 10
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION 10
Residency Verification and Registration 10
*Attendance (GPS procedure E040.3) 10
Attendance Law 11
Tardiness 11
*Truancy 11
Religious Holidays 11
Family Vacations 11
Court Ordered Custodial Restrictions 12
BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES (GPS procedure E002.1) 12
*Harassment/Threatening Behavior 12
*Non-discrmination 12
*Sexual Harassment/Equal Opportunity (GPS Procedure L 020.2) 12
Fighting 12
*Dangerous Weapons and Instruments 12
*Bullying 13
Detention 13
*Philosophy of Discipline 13
Suspension 13
Expulsion 14
School Health Program 14
Health Assessments and Immunizations 14
Administering Medications (GPS procedure E001.12) 15
In the event of a severe allergic reaction: 15
Self-Administration of Medication 15
*Psychotropic Drug Use (GPS procedure E001.18) 15
School Health Screenings 15
Asbestos 15
Communicable/Infectious Diseases (GPS Procedure E001.17) 15
Illness 16
Guidelines for Childhood Illness 16
Hospitalizations and Injuries 16
Special Health Care Needs (GPS procedure E001.20) 16
Bed Bugs 16
Nurse’s Office 16
Student Insurance 17
EDUCATIONAL POLICIES AND SERVICES 17
Pupil Personnel Services 17
Homebound Instruction 17
Special Education 17
Planning and Placement Team (PPT) 17
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) 17
Equal Opportunity for Students with Disabilities 18
*Ceremonies and Observances (GPS procedure E001.1) 19
Strategic Improvement Team (GPS procedure E010.1) 20
Assigning Students to a Teacher and Classes (GPS procedure E040.17) 20
Class Size Guidelines (GPS procedure E040.21) 20
Grouping (Differentiated Instruction) (GPS procedure E040.22) 20
*Promotion/Acceleration/Retention (GPS procedure E040.18) 20
*Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualifications (GPS procedure L000.6) 20
Standardized Testing Program (GPS procedures E003.3 and E003.4) 20
*Homework (GPS procedure E040.23) 21
Field Trips 21
Summer School (GPS procedure E001.2) 21
School Lockers 21
*Dress Code 21
Recess Wear 21
Footwear for Physical Education 21
Americans with Disabilities Accommodations 22
Soliciting by Students (GPS procedure E080.9) 22
Distribution of Printed Materials from Outside Organizations (GPS procedure E 051.6) 22
SCHOOL-HOME COMMUNICATIONS 22
Kindergarten Registration 22
Conferences 22
*Report Cards/Grades (GPS procedure E003.1) 22
Friday Folders 22
Duplicate Mailing 22
E-Mail Correspondence 22
*Title I Comparability of Service (GPS procedure E001.6) 22
*Title I Parent Involvement 23
GENERAL INFORMATION 23
Birthday and Classroom Celebrations 23
The Greenwich School Lunch Program 23
REFUND POLICY 23
Free and Reduced Price Lunch (GPS procedure E040.13) 23
Children without Lunch Money 23
Snow Day Procedure for School Lunch Program 23
Nutritional Information 23
Food Allergy Information (GPS procedure E051.31) 23
Wellness Policy (GPS Procedure E051.8) 24
Personal Items 24
Class Pictures 24
Dogs and Pets 24
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION (GPS Procedure E051.4 and E051.5) 24
General Guidelines 24
Eligibility 24
Pupil Walking Distance 25
Safety Rules 25
Roles and Responsibilities for Bus Procedures 25
Rights and Responsibilities 25
Schedules and Bus Stops: 26
*Questions, concerns, requests & complaints 26
CURRICULUM INFORMATION 26
Advanced Learning Program (ALP) (GPS procedure E001.13) 26
English Language Learning Program (ELL) (GPS procedure E001.5) 26
Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) 26
Language Arts 27
Library Media & Technology 27
Physical Education 28
Science 28
Social Studies 28
Visual Art 28
Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Agreement (GPS Procedure E040.4) 29
Receipt of Handbook 34
Personal Reminders 35
Questions I want to ask the teacher during my parent conference: 36
School Friends’ Information 37
* Statement required by law
While some GPS policies and procedures are referred to throughout this handbook, a complete and updated list of all policies and procedures can be found at http://www.boarddocs.com/ct/greenwich/Board.nsf/vpublic?open. This site can be searched by keyword.
Greenwich Public Schools
Setting the Standard for Excellence in Public Education
Mission and Core Values
It is the Mission of the Greenwich Public Schools
• to educate all students to the highest levels of academic achievement;
• to enable them to reach and expand their potential; and
• to prepare them to become productive, responsible, ethical, creative and compassionate members of society.
Core Values: “As educators, we value…
A Comprehensive education: we provide our students with a challenging, well-rounded education that includes the arts, humanities, mathematics, the sciences, technology, and health, and that fosters students’ social and emotional well-being.
High expectations: we hold ourselves and our students to high standards of performance and behavior.
Integrity: we are honest, ethical, and respectful of others, and we foster those traits in our students.
Accountability: we establish clear goals, measure progress, and take responsibility for results, and we teach our students to become responsible, self-motivated learners.
Collaboration: we partner with parents and our diverse community to support our students’ learning, and we teach our students to work cooperatively with others to accomplish goals.
Diversity: we appreciate, respect, and learn from diverse viewpoints, and we teach our students to do the same.
Life-long learning: we challenge ourselves to continue our own professional and personal development, and we strive to instill a love of learning in our students.”
Vision of the Graduate
Greenwich Public Schools is committed to prepare students to function effectively in an interdependent global community; therefore all students will develop their individual capacities to:
· Pose and pursue substantive questions
· Create opportunities that tap their unique interests, passions and curiosities
· Explore, define and solve complex problems
· Generate innovative, creative ideas and products
· Advocate for ideas, causes and actions
· Communicate effectively for a given purpose
· Conduct them in an ethical and responsible manner
· Respond to failures and successes with reflection and resilience
· Collaborate with others to produce a unified work and/or heightened understanding
· Recognize and respect other cultural contexts and points of view
About this Handbook
This handbook provides information about the most commonly referenced Board of Education Policies and Administrative Procedures for the Greenwich School District. The handbook does not provide complete policies or procedures. Changes in the policies are made throughout the year and are made available to parents and students through newsletters, web pages, and other communications. For the most current and up to date Policies and Procedures please go to http://www.boarddocs.com/ct/greenwich/Board.nsf/vpublic?open. Throughout this handbook the term parent is used to represent both parents and legal guardians.
Board of Education
By state law, the Board of Education is responsible for the public schools. It generally meets twice a month - once in a work session and once in business meeting - to review, discuss and/or take action on Board and Administrative reports/proposals and to review/revise Board Policy. Members of the public may address the Board during the public hearings held at the monthly business meetings on an agenda item or a non-agenda item. Meetings dates, times, agendas, policies and documents are available on the GPS web site: www.greenwichschools.org. The Board is bipartisan and unpaid. Two members from each political party are elected every two years for a four-year term. Listings of current Board members and meeting dates may be obtained through the Superintendent’s office (625-7400) and/or through the Greenwich Public Schools web site www.greenwichschools.org.
GREENWICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Principal’s Letter
PARKWAY SCHOOL
Saving the World…One Butterfly at a Time
Welcome! Situated on 17 acres, Parkway is home to 240 students in grades PK-5, and is one of eleven elementary schools in the Greenwich Public School system. Parkway is the only school located in what is described as ‘backcountry’ Greenwich.
Backcountry represents forty percent of the geography in Greenwich, where the houses are spread out, and where we share our fields and forests with the wildlife that also reside here. Our students ride through the beauty of nature each day and, if they’re lucky, a glance outside the window might include a glimpse of those we share the woods with. Parkway students grow up surrounded by our natural environment, and they learn at an early age the need to protect what it is they see in their own backyards.
We have built upon our unique location in the past several years by providing a rich environmental education for our students that connects their learning with “the real world”. It is with great pride that we accepted a2015United StatesDepartment of Education Green Ribbon School– one of only fifty-eight schools across the nation to receive the honor! We were recognized for our work in three key areas with the hope that we will inspire our students and other schools across the country to ‘go green’. These three ‘pillar’ areas include: