Hyannis West Handbook

This handbook was created to provide important information about the policies, procedures, and expectations for Hyannis West Elementary as well as policy information for the Barnstable Public Schools. Please review this handbook thoroughly and share the contents of it with your child. We hope it will provide you with all the information you need to have a successful year at Hyannis West.

Questions, please call the front office at (508) 790-6480 or email:

Kathi Amato, Principal amato_kathi@mybps.us

Eric Currey, Assistant Principal currey_eric@mybps.us

Hyannis West is a warm, welcoming, diverse school community that inspires and empowers students by establishing a sense of belonging and strong family partnerships. Together, we believe all students’ social-emotional, personal, and academic growth and success can be fostered through a climate of high expectations.

The Hyannis West school community will bring together students, families, and staff from diverse backgrounds by providing culturally responsive engagement opportunities for all. Barriers to educational access will be identified and overcome using a supportive, inclusive, collaborative approach. Students’ race, culture, identity and learning styles will be celebrated and will drive instruction for our educators. We commit to using real-time data to accelerate growth for all learners through joyful, rigorous learning experiences and timely support so that all students leave Hyannis West compassionate citizens, proficient readers, masterful mathematicians, and creative thinkers and problem-solvers.

TARDINESS

• It is imperative that your child arrives at school on time. The school day begins at 9:00 a.m. If your child arrives after 9:00 a.m. they are considered tardy and you will need to walk them to the front door to sign-in.

• When tardiness interferes with your child’s learning, a letter may be sent home and a parent/guardian meeting may be requested.

DISMISSAL DURING SCHOOL HOURS (EARLY DISMISSAL)

• The school day is from 9:00-3:30. When a child leaves school early they are missing important learning. However, we do recognize that there are times when a child must be dismissed early for a doctor’s appointment or other important reasons. Please do your best to schedule appointments outside of school hours.

• When you request early dismissal for your child, a note, phone call, or email is required. Please indicate the time of dismissal and the name of the person who will pick up the child. NO child will be dismissed to anyone other than their parent or legal guardian unless approved verbally or in writing in advance by the parent or guardian.

• When frequent early dismissals interfere with a child’s learning, a letter may be sent home and a parent/guardian meeting may be requested.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is necessary if your child is to progress socially and academically. Regular attendance enables students to benefit from classroom discussions and instruction as well as interactive activities. These shared academic experiences are integral to the learning process and social development of the child. They cannot be re-created or replicated.

If your child is going to be absent from school, please call (508) 790-6480, Ext. 1781, to notify the school nurse. You may also email or call Mr. Currey (Ext. 1003) or your child’s classroom teacher. A doctor’s note may be requested upon a prolonged illness at the discretion of school administration. The School Nurse or Assistant Principal will call the parent/guardian any time the student is absent and no call or message has been received. We need to account for each student daily.

An excused absence/tardy includes:

• personal illness;

• medical appointments that cannot be made outside of school hours;

• death of a family member;

• serious illness of a family;

• weather so inclement as to endanger the health of the child;

• observance of major religious holidays;

• legal obligations requiring personal appearance;

• verified post-high school visits, such as college visits (two days during a student’s junior year and three days during a

• student’s senior year); and

• other exceptional reasons with approval of the Principal or designee.

The provision of a written explanation will not automatically result in the absence being documented as excused. Excused absences are limited to the categories set forth above.

Unexcused Absence - An absence for which no written verification or documentation is provided (i.e. a “no call-no show” absence) or that occurs for a reason that cannot be considered an excused absence.

We use a supportive approach to improving attendance by identifying barriers and working with families to overcome those barriers. However in the case of excessive absences/tardies (excused or unexcused), the following could occur:

Upon the fifth absence/tardy: Phone call and/or letter sent home to the family expressing the school’s concern. Efforts will be made to meet with the parent or guardian of the student to develop action steps for student attendance.

Upon the seventh absence/tardy:

A letter will be mailed home to the family which documents the school's increasing concern regarding the child's attendance. Additional efforts will be made to meet with the parent or guardian of the student to develop action steps for student attendance.

Upon the tenth absence/tardy:

A letter will be mailed home to the family documenting the school’s serious concern regarding the child's attendance. The parent/guardian is required to call the School Counselor to schedule a meeting.

If the child’s attendance does not improve after the above steps have been taken, a letter will be mailed home signed by the District Attorney’s Office and School Administration. A meeting will be held with the School Counselor, Principal and representatives from the District Attorney’s Office. Community resources will be made available to assist families, if necessary.

Under MGL c. 119, § 21, (Mass. General Law) a child may be eligible for “Child Requiring Assistance" services through the juvenile court system if the child is “habitually truant. ” A school aged child is “habitually truant” when not otherwise excused from attendance in accordance with lawful and reasonable school regulations or willfully fails to attend school for more than 8 school days in a quarter. The school may pursue a CRA or assist parents with pursuing “CRA” services and supports.

Under Chapter 119, section 51A of the Massachusetts General Laws, a report can be filed on behalf of a child under the age of eighteen for educational neglect if a child is not attending school on a regular basis. This report of suspected Child Abuse or Neglect, commonly referred to as a 51A, is filed with the Department of Children and Family Services. By law, school personnel are mandated reporters.

Hyannis West has a number of support services available to our students. Since Hyannis West is a school-wide Title I School, licensed Title I teachers assist students in meeting Reading and Math standards in and out of the classroom setting. English Language Education, Gateway, speech therapy, occupational and physical therapy, resource room, and counseling are services available to all students.

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.

Gateway facilitates the Destination Imagination Program, available to students whenever family members are available to serve as trained coaches. For more information about the Gateway Program or if you are interested in becoming a DI coach, please call Kari Morse, Director of the Gateway Program, at (508) 790-6372.

Behavior at Hyannis West we utilize the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching and learning that promotes a safe, challenging, and joyful school.

School-wide Expectations are displayed in every classroom and office space and are explicitly taught to students. Students will have the opportunity to practice these expectations throughout the school year.

Classroom Expectations are developed by each class based on their hopes and dreams for the year. Classroom expectations are agreed upon, displayed in each classroom, and referred to frequently.

Consequences for not following classroom and school-wide expectations will be based upon the frequency and/or severity of the incident(s). Parents/guardians will be notified of incidents resulting in serious classroom disruption and/or physical harm. Due process will be followed.

The following actions may be taken when expectations are not followed:

• Verbal reminder

• Time out or work in alternative location within the classroom or school

• Restitution

• Loss of privilege (ie. recess, use of material, special activity, etc.)

• School suspension (in or out of school)

• Expulsion

• Parent/guardian meeting