Centerville Elementary Handbook

Centerville Elementary School

685 Bay Lane

Centerville, Ma 02632

508-790-9890

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Centerville Elementary Main Office

Phone: (508) 790- 9890

Fax: (508) 790- 9895

Kim White, Principal

Extension 1210

white_kim@mybps.us

Darnielle Foley, Assistant Principal

Extension 1204

foley_darnielle@mybps.us

Lisa Carlon, Administrative Assistant

Extension 0

carlon_lisa@mybps.us

Linda Chrycy, Special Ed.Administrative Assistant

Extension 1796

chrycy_linda@mybps.us

Colleen Santos, BSN, RN, CPN, School Nurse

Extension 2

santos_colleen@mybps.us

Sarah Haskell, School Psychologist

Extension 5

haskell_sarah@mybps.us

Holeigh Morin, School Counselor

Extension 6

morin_holeigh@mybps.us

Jonathan Greenberg, Social Worker

greenberg_jonathan@mybps.us

For student safety, parents are required to complete an “Annual Update of Your Child’s Contact Information.” This can be found on our school website at https://www.barnstable.k12.ma.us/Domain/14. If a child’s information is not updated, he/she will be unable to attend field trips.

All visitors are required to buzz in at the front door, state their name, and purpose for the visit. When in the building visitors must abide by the school-wide protocols.

A delayed opening, early dismissal, or cancellation of school may occur due to inclement weather or other extraordinary circumstances. Radio and television stations may broadcast school delays and cancellations. It will also be announced on the Barnstable Public Schools website and Facebook page. Other than during a power outage, families will also be notified through an automated telephone and email message. To ensure we are able to contact you, please update your child’s contact information in the Annual Update section of the website when any information changes.

Centerville Elementary School day is 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Arrival

• 8:50- Students may enter the building. Students may not be here before 8:50 . Children will enter school and go to the walking track with their classroom teacher when weather permits. Breakfast will be available for all children.

• 9:00-Official start time of the school day. Students arriving after 9:00 are tardy and must be escorted into school by a parent/guardian who will be asked to sign their child into school.

Car Drop Off

• All students who arrive by car must be dropped off between 8:50 and 9:00. Cars will drive into the large or small circle in the front of the building. For safety reasons, students are not allowed to exit until your vehicle has passed the fire hydrant. Students will remain in cars until a staff member signals it’s okay to exit. If you do not arrive by 9:00 a.m. you will need to walk your child into school and sign him/her into school.

Please do not leave an unattended car running outside of the school.

BUS DROP OFF

Students who arrive by bus will be dropped off in the back parking lot of the school. Staff members will be there to greet students as they exit the bus and enter the school.

Dismissal

• 3:25-Students being picked up are called to the front of the school when their parent/guardian arrives. For safety purposes, have your car sign visible, remain in your vehicle and follow the line of cars. You will be instructed to turn off your vehicle by a staff member. All vehicles must be turned off before students exit the building.

• 3:35- Bus students are dismissed from their classrooms when the buses arrive. Buses typically depart by 3:40 p.m.

• Attendance

Regular and punctual school attendance is essential for success in school. The District recognizes that parents/guardians of children who attend our schools have special rights as well as responsibilities, one of which is to ensure that their children attend school regularly, in accordance with state law. Students are expected to be in school every day that school is in session, including half days. They are also expected to be on time for school.

If your child is sick and will be absent from school, a parent/guardian should call Mrs. Santos, the school nurse, at 508-790-9890 xt.1645 to let her know of your child's absence that day.

A complete explanation of the District’s attendance policy, including what types of absences are excused, can be found by clicking the link above.

RECESS

A supervised recess is held each day for all students immediately before or after lunch. Students will go outdoors, weather permitting. They must be dressed appropriately for the weather conditions of the day. It is recommended that students not wear flip flops for safety reasons.

GATEWAY PROGRAM

The Barnstable Public Schools Gateway Program is designed to broaden thinking skills, decision making skills, to encourage creativity, and to train students in skills necessary for independent research and projects. Students in Kindergarten through grade 3 participate in Gateway activities.

For more information about the Gateway Program, please call Kari Morse, Director of the Gateway Program, at (508) 790-6372

SPECIAL SUBJECTS
Students in grades K-3 receive specialized instruction in Art, Health, Music, Physical Education (Gym), and Technology/Science. Specials are 60 minutes per day. All students must wear sneakers on Gym day.

FIELD TRIPS Field trips enhance the curriculum and are worthwhile means of learning. Each teacher will provide families with specific field trip information. A signed permission slip is required for each student. Students not participating in a field trip should be in attendance at school. A student who does not have written permission to attend or whose conduct is considered disruptive and/or unsafe may be denied participation. Online updating of your child’s contact information MUST be completed annually for your child to attend field trips.

The Centerville PTA is an organization of parents/guardians and teachers that exists to provide, through the dedication and caring of its volunteers, funding for curricular and extracurricular activities geared to enhance our children’s educational experiences.

MEMBERSHIP

Your time and talent are key elements to making the PTA a success. Parental involvement has been shown to be a positive factor in a student’s level of academic success. The PTA selects, organizes, and finances exemplary in-school cultural enrichment programs such as music, dance, theater, science and natural history offerings for the entire student body. These are special assemblies and presentations which enrich the educational process. If you are interested in helping to foster these programs by suggestion, choosing, writing grants, and finding creative funding to defray their costs, please join the PTA.

2023/2024 PTA Board

President

Charlene Moseley

Leslie Veitch

Jena Daley

Kaitlyn Strand

If you are interested in chaperoning for a field trip or volunteering in the school, you need to register as a volunteer at https://www.barnstable.k12.ma.us/domain/1298. A background check is required for every individual who applies as a volunteer.

The Principal, in consultation with the Centerville Elementary Staff, determines classroom assignments for students. A great deal of time is spent considering the individual needs of each child as well as creating balanced classrooms. As per the policy of the Barnstable Public Schools, the building principal shall have the final decision in regards to assignment of students to grades and/or classes, including retention. Parent requests will not be accepted.

Every child is eligible for FREE breakfast and lunch every school day. The lunch program offers a choice of hot and cold lunches. Menus are sent home monthly and are also posted on the Barnstable Public Schools website. Families experiencing food insecurity are encouraged to complete Free and Reduced paperwork.

Report cards for Grade K-3 are issued in December, March and June. An explanation of the grading system is provided on the report card itself. Examples of report cards and rubrics for each grade level are available on the Barnstable Public Schools website. Each trimester report card is accessible to families through the Aspen Portal.

iPads and the Internet are available to students to enhance the curriculum and promote educational excellence. Use of devices and the internet is a privilege, not a right, and access will be provided to those who act in a responsible manner. Information sent or received by email, the internet or other means over the computers available to students and staff is the property of the Barnstable Public Schools and may be accessed at any time by the Barnstable Public Schools for its review. In the event that a review reveals that this policy has been violated in any way or that the privilege of using the computer and the internet is being abused in any way, appropriate action will be taken against the individual or individuals involved. Violations will be referred to a school administrator for disciplinary or legal action. Building administrators will determine the consequence for inappropriate use that includes, but is not limited to loss of computer/internet use. Some consequences may be based on policies established in the Student Handbook. Federal and State law may cover other violations. The internet user log shall be archived for a period of six months. Each student and his/her parent/guardian are required to sign an acceptable use agreement prior to initial computer/internet use.

Due to our District Wellness Policy, families are asked not to send in food to celebrate their child’s birthday. Alternatives to acknowledge birthdays have been established at our school and within each classroom. If you are choosing to celebrate your child at your home by inviting classmates, please keep in mind the hurt feelings of children who are not invited. You may:

• Send invitations to school with your child if you are inviting the entire class

• If you are only inviting a few children, reach out to your child’s teacher for mailing address or email information.

The way we dress and look has an impact on our educational atmosphere. Students are not permitted to dress in a manner that is disruptive to the educational process. Examples of items that could be considered disruptive include:

• Extremely short skirts or shorts, tank tops, halter-tops or other garments that reveal the midriff or undergarments.

• Clothing with language or pictures that are profane or suggestive, or which promote products or activities that are illegal or violent.

• Clothing which is disparaging to others.

• Clothing, pins, insignias, colors, jewelry, or emblems that identify students as a member of a gang.

• Heely sneakers

It is also assumed that children will dress properly for the weather conditions during outdoor activities. Sneakers are required for the weekly Gym class. The principal has the authority to request/require a student to change their clothing in school and/or send students home to change their clothing. Parents may be contacted when a student does not comply with the dress code.

GUIDANCE OFFICE

Centerville's Guidance Program is designed to support the social, emotional and educational development of ALL children. Centerville's School Counselor, Holeigh Morin, and Centerville’s School Social Worker, Jon Greenberg, work with children, parents and teachers in a variety of ways. This includes: Individual and group counseling, in-classroom settings, social skills training, parent and teacher consultation, in-service training and parent discussion groups. Our School Psychologist, Sarah Haskell, chairs the Problem Solving TEAM (PS TEAM) which assesses the educational needs of students. The focus of the PS TEAM is to consult with teachers and parents about classroom academic concerns. These consultations (pre-referral meetings) may result in modifications of classroom and homework assignments, teaching methodology and/or a TEAM evaluation which may involve cognitive, learning disability, psychological, social emotional, speech language, physical therapy and/or occupational therapy assessments. The focus of counseling is on issues which may interfere with a child's ability to attend school and/or learn while in school. These issues may involve divorce or separation, self-esteem, friendship, serious illness, family death, school phobia, over activity, social skills, classroom behavioral management, etc. Referrals to these counseling programs can be made by teachers, parents or children. Parental permission is required for these programs. Parents are encouraged to make their child's teacher, the school counselor, and the school psychologist aware of any changes in their child's life that could affect school performance.

The school counselor and social worker also meet the needs of those students, teachers and parents who are not experiencing crisis or difficulty, but need advice. Many students seek appointments just to be heard in a safe and confidential setting. Many teachers and parents enjoy sharing research articles. The school counselor and social worker also consults with a number of professionals and agencies outside of the school setting who may be providing services to your child. At times, the school counselor and social worker may suggest that you seek the services of outside sources for issues that are not school related, however, impact upon your child's development.

Centerville's Guidance Program is designed to work with you. Any questions or concerns may be discussed with Ms. Morin, Mrs. Haskell, or Mr. Greenberg by appointment or over the phone at (508) 790-9890.