Dear Parents,
The following handbook will provide information regarding the daily operations of the school. It does not cover all possible issues or questions and I hope you take the time to call the office with any of your concerns. We are here to provide a quality education for the children of Hinsdale and Peru and we will do everything possible to accommodate you with specific concerns regarding your child’s education. Please call the office if I can be of assistance to you in any way.
Principal David Kotowski
Homework
Homework is assigned to provide drill and practice, to extend work being done in the classroom, and to build independent work habits. Unless otherwise specified, homework assignments are expected to be completed prior to the next day’s class.
Report Cards
Report cards are issued four times a year for grades 2-5 and three times a year for grades K – 1, along with an initial parent conference. Please do not wait until report card time if you have a question about your child’s progress. The teaching staff is always willing to meet with you at your convenience to keep you informed about your child’s work.
Entrance Requirements
Students entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before September 1st.
Parent must provide a copy of the birth certificate, and evidence of DPT shots and immunization against polio, rubella and mumps.
School Hours
The school day begins at 8:25 and ends at 2:55. Students should arrive no sooner than 8:15 and will not be allowed on the playground before that time. We do supervise the children beginning at 8:15. Please do not leave your children across the street before 8:15 on the town’s playground. If there is an emergency no one will be there to help.
The kindergarten sessions are 8:25 – 11:15 (a.m. session), and 12:15 – 2:55 (p.m. session). All students do switch in January with no exceptions. The bus company determines which session your child will be in, for they try to minimize the time that the students must ride the bus.
Attendance
All students are expected to attend school as required by State law. A child may not miss more than seven days of school within six months. Everyday that a child misses school is very important. Please have your children complete any make-up work assigned to them by their teachers.
Would you also please call the office to tell us when your child is not coming to school? We are concerned about their safety and we will call your house to make sure you know they did not arrive at school. Please call the office after 8:00 when the secretary arrives.
Early dismissal should be for emergency reasons only, and teachers should be notified in writing. Parents should pick up their children at the office. Students arriving after 8:35 are asked to report to the office to check in.
Transportation
The location of a student’s home determines whether a student is a walker or is assigned to a bus route. Parents who need to make other arrangements for their children (day care) must contact the bus company at 655-8122 to make sure that this is possible. Teachers must be notified in writing of any changes in a student’s established daily routine. We are very concerned about the safety of the children. Please keep us informed of any changes in your child’s transportation.
Transportation is a privilege that can be lost if a child refuses to obey the safety rules of the bus. In general and depending on the severity of the infraction children are given a warning for the first offense. After that a child may lose bus transportation privileges from three to ten days.
School Cancellations
School is canceled by the Superintendent of Schools due to inclement weather. Please listen to the local radio stations or local news channels if you suspect school might be called off. Cancellations will be listed under Central Berkshire as this is our school district.
Health Services
The school nurse will provide for all children Monday through Friday from 8:30 until 3:00. If your child is not well enough to remain in school we will call you or the person indicated on the emergency card. Please make sure to fill out the emergency card carefully, for it will be very important to be able to contact someone reliable to attend to your child in an emergency.
Each year the student’s height, weight, hearing, vision and scoliosis (curvature of the spine) are checked. If a student must bring medication to school, the following conditions must be met:
a. It must be in an original pharmaceutical container.
b. It must have the prescription label indicating the name of medication, the child’s name, dosage directions, doctor’s name and date.
c. It must be accompanied by a dated note from the doctor or parent containing instructions for administering medication.
d. All medication will be locked in the health office.
According to the law the school nurse is the only person who can administer prescription medication. No other staff member will give medication to a student.
School Lunch Program
The school lunch program is a self-supported division of the school district. Menus are planned by the cafeteria manager in accordance with federal guidelines. The school lunch menu is sent home monthly with each student.
The cost of a school lunch is $1.30. Milk purchased by students who bring their own lunch is $.30. Lunch and or milk money should be sent in with the student in a marked envelope that has the child’s name and the number of items purchased. Checks should be made payable to the Central Berkshire Regional School District. Applications are available for free and reduced lunch in the office and will be sent home with each child on the first day of school.
Make-up Work
Whenever children are absent from school they are generally assigned make-up work to be completed in a reasonable amount of time. It is expected that the children make an effort to complete this work in a timely manner.
If you anticipate an absence from school please do not ask for work in advance. The teachers will be glad to give you make-up work when your child returns to school.
Building Security
I am very concerned about strangers having access to the building. For the protection of the children we lock all outside doors except the main office door. The students can still exit through any door in an emergency, but it will require all visitors to enter the main office. I want to make sure that your child is protected and safe while at school. Please be kind enough to check in with the secretary whenever you are visiting the building.
Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO)
PTO is an organization of all parents and teachers volunteering their time and talents toward the betterment of our educational tools and resources. Several fund raising programs are implemented during the school year including the school store. The moneys are allocated for classroom equipment, computer software, the Reading is Fundamental Program, various cultural enrichment programs, and many other special needs brought to the attention of the PTO by the principal and teachers. Community social events are also planned such as Roller Skating Night and the Fun Fair. Seven meetings are held during the school year, September – December, March – May, on the second Tuesday of the month. Please plan to be a part of this volunteer effort.
| Kittredge Schedule | |
| Teachers in Classroom | 8:25 |
| A.M. Session begins | 8:40 |
| Morning Break |
Outside recess optional grades 1-3
Teacher accompanies class. |
| A.M. Session ends |
K - 11:15
5 - 11:15 1-2 - 11:45 3-4 – 12:25 |
| Lunch |
5 - 11:20-11:40 1-2 – 11:50-12:20 3-4 - 12:30-1:00 |
| Recess |
5 - 11:40-12:05
1-2 - 12:20 – 12:35 3-4 - 1:00-1:15 |
| P.M. Session Begins |
K - 12:15
5 - 12:05 1-2 – 12:35 3-4 – 1:15 |
| P.M. Session Ends | K-5 - 2:50 |
| Dismissal | K-5 – 2:55 |
| Teachers Leave | 3:25 |