2004-2005 Upham Handbook
Upham School Information
(Last updated
11/30/06
)
Upham Core Values
School Schedule
Special Upham Programs
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
PTO
Volunteer Opportunities
Health & Safety
Communication
Transportation
General Administrative Information
Wellesley
Public School Information
Upham
School Information
Upham Core Values
Upham has many goals for our students’ academic and social development.
We hope to communicate an enthusiasm for learning, an excitement for acquiring new problem-solving skills, an ability to work independently and collaboratively and a
facility for communicating.
The four core values adopted throughout the Wellesley Public Schools ensure that we create an atmosphere conducive to achieving our goals.
These values include:
·
Academic Excellence: We engage all students, regardless of learning style, degree of interest or level of
subject matter readiness, in activities that encourage intellectual development.
We stress perseverance, risk-taking, initiative, resilience and pride as dispositions that support a student’s academic growth. We set high standards and
expectations and offer the resources necessary for students to succeed.
·
Respect:
Students are encouraged to respect differences of gender, race, religion and ethnicity.
Upham sponsors activities that foster cooperative relationships among all school members, demonstrating our commitment to collaboration and mutual respect.
Students are also taught to honor school property and the property of fellow classmates.
·
Cooperative and Caring Relationships:
Open and honest communications are essential for ensuring constructive relationships.
A variety of activities are designed to ensure trust and helpful communications among all members of the Upham community.
·
Commitment to Community:
We all have a responsibility for the health and well-being of our school and our wider community.
Throughout the school year, students may participate in a variety of service projects through the Hearts & Hands program that supports the school or other
community groups in need.
School Schedule
School Hours –
Kindergarten
Wellesley
kindergarteners follow a transitional full day program.
During the first few weeks, children attend morning classes from 8:30
am
to
12:00
pm.
Beginning on Monday, September 20, 2004, each child will remain for one afternoon a week until 3:06
pM; this full day is called a “stay day”.
During the week of October 18, each kindergartener will attend school two full days per week (generally Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday). Beginning on Monday, April
25, all kindergarteners will attend school full time on the same schedule as the older elementary school children.
School Hours - Grades 1-5
·
8:30
am
to 3:06
pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
·
8:30
am
to 12:00
pm on Wednesdays
Arrival Time
 With the exception of some
bus students who may arrive early, students should not arrive at school before
8:15
am
as adult supervision is not available prior to that time. In case of inclement weather, check for the green school flags, hanging outside the modular classrooms and on the fence
in front of Upham, which notify children to report to the gym. A child who arrives after 8:30
am
should enter through the front door and check in at the Office to receive a tardy slip to present to his/her teacher.
Safe Arrival Program
The Safe Arrival Program ensures that parents are notified promptly if their child fails to arrive at school.
Parents are requested to call the Upham School Office at (781) 446-6285 between 8:00
and 8:45
am
if a child will be late or absent that day. If a child is absent and the absence has not been reported, the School Secretary will call the child’s home no later than 9:00
am
to verify that the child is indeed at home. When reporting tardiness, please indicate whether or not your child intends to buy hot or cold lunch, as the lunch count must be known
by 8:45
am.
Attendance
 Students are expected to attend school each day unless they are ill or there is a family emergency, as regular attendance is essential for a child to make continuous progress in
school.
Parents are asked not to excuse their children from school for a family vacation during the school year. If a child’s absence is reported (by calling the Safe
Arrival number above) it is not necessary to write a note upon returning to school.
In the event of tardiness, an explanatory note is requested from parents as a courtesy to the teacher.
Tardy students should first report to the Office when arriving at school.
Attendance records are reviewed periodically throughout the year, and should a child appear to have an inordinate number of absences or be chronically late, the
parents will be called by the Principal.
Students may be dismissed early for illness, medical appointments, or family emergencies. If you wish your child to be dismissed early, please send in a note to your child’s
teacher that describes the reason for the dismissal and the time you will pick up your child. You should report to the Office to pick up your child and the Secretary will summon
him/her for you.
Emergency Dismissals
In a very unlikely case (severe weather conditions or an unforeseen emergency), your child may be dismissed during a school day and the Room Parents will make every effort to reach
parents or guardians through established emergency phone list chains. No child will be dismissed unless his/her transportation home is clearly identified. Parents should discuss
with their child(ren) the arrangements for transportation and supervision in such an event. If you cannot be reached, the school will refer to the alternate numbers listed on your
child’s emergency card. Please keep this information up to date during the year.
No School Announcements
When traveling conditions appear to place children’s safety in jeopardy, the Superintendent’s Office will notify the following of school cancellation:
·
Radio
:
WBZ, WYTS, WKOX, WEZE, WCRB, WEEI, WGTR, WBCN, WHDH, WNTN
·
Television
:
Channel 4, Channel 5, Channel 7, Wellesley Cable Channel 13.
·
Telephone
:
(781) 446-6210 – for recorded message
·
Website: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/index.html, http://www1.whdh.com
Please do not call
Upham
School, the Police or the Fire Department for this information. On days when school is not officially closed, the decision whether or not to send children during
adverse conditions rests with parents.
Before School Program
The Wellesley Public School System offers a Before School Child Care Program from 7:15 – 8:15
am. Parents who wish to drop their children off before 8:15
am
can enroll their children in this program for a fee. A teaching assistant will supervise the children until 8:15
am
when the children will be escorted to the playground to gather with other students. Applications are in the Upham School Office.
After School Program (WCCC)
An After School program is available for children who require supervision after 3:06
pm. This program is available for a fee. Information and applications are available in the Upham School Office, or by calling Mary Torres at (781) 235-1474.
Special Upham Programs
School Assemblies
School Assemblies are a significant part of the Upham community and are held throughout the year, usually on Friday mornings. Parents and younger siblings are always invited to
attend. Please be thoughtful about younger children being disruptive however, especially during Creative Arts & Sciences performances.
Notices of assemblies appear in The Reporter newsletter once a month and/or in the Principal’s weekly Upham
Updates.
Student Council
Fourth and fifth grade student volunteers meet Fridays at lunchtime to help plan school assemblies and organize community events. One of the important functions of student council
members is to serve as “Arrival Ambassadors” to streamline the drop-off procedures in the morning.
Fourth & Fifth Grade Book Clubs
Interested fourth grade and fifth grade students are invited to meet with the Principal and the literary specialist during lunch to discuss a pre-selected book. Each book club
meets 2-3 times and alternates between the fourth and fifth grades; attendance is voluntary.
Book Buddies
One of the highlights of the Upham year for many students is the “Book Buddy” program, which pairs younger students in Grades K-2 with older Grade 3-5 “mentors.” Book
buddies classrooms meet together approximately once per week to work on projects and literacy activities.
Recreation and After-School Sports
The PTO sponsors after-school fall T-ball for first graders and kickball for second graders and after-school spring soccer for kindergarteners.
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
We as a school community are fortunate to have a wealth of talented, enthusiastic parent volunteers willing
to share their hard work and talents with the school. The Upham Parent Teacher Organization is committed to fostering a spirit of cooperation and communication between parents,
teachers, and staff, which enriches and augments our children’s education.
 The PTO sponsors many programs and events throughout the school year.
Some events are designed purely for fun and to heighten school spirit, such as the Ice Cream Social and the Family Picnic, while others are strictly fundraisers such
as the Gift Wrap Sale and New Book Sale. Other programs, such as Creative Arts and Sciences, enrich the curriculum by arranging for dance, music and theater performances and
science-based programs for our children, while others, such as the Invention/Experiment Convention and Fine Arts Night, showcase the talent and creativity of our children. Art
Appreciation, the Environmental Walks and the Understanding Disabilities Program all train parents to help with classroom-specific activities, all great ways to gain “hands-on”
classroom experience and to assist the teachers.
Other events, such as the Fall Sports Sale and the Auction, raise significant funds while also involving many parent volunteers and providing a social opportunity for
the members of our community.
 The PTO also supports a number of events designed to celebrate our
sense of community.
The New Families Host Coordinator warmly welcomes new families over the summer, and again in September with an informal coffee get -together. The Readers’ Breakfast
welcomes students back with a morning gathering to celebrate their summer reading. To express our deep gratitude to the teachers for their tireless work with our children, PTO
volunteers host a Teacher’s Welcome Back Breakfast on the first day of school, and a Teachers’ Appreciation Luncheon in the spring.
Finally, in recognition of the Upham community’s ability to make larger societal contributions, the PTO also sponsors a significant community service program, known
as “Hearts & Hands,” participates in
unicef, and is an active supporting partner of the Middlesex Human Resources program in Waltham, a series of homeless shelters and a soup kitchen for men, women and
children.
 We encourage each of our families to become involved with the PTO.
Not all PTO activities occur during the day, and the responsibilities of several PTO positions can be fulfilled when convenient for the volunteer.
There are many ways that one can contribute to a child’s education and learn more about what happens in our school.
The PTO holds monthly meetings where issues affecting the school are discussed.
Often, we have guest speakers and special presentations.
The PTO activities are supported in part by membership contributions to the PTO and supplemental donations.
Contributions are voluntary and very much appreciated.
Our goal is 100% family participation. Most of the financing for the PTO results from single-event fundraisers that are organized by dedicated parent volunteers. The
fall begins with the Gift Wrap sale and the second annual Sports Sale. The winter brings the New Book Fair and the Auction (every other year). Operating throughout the school year,
the PTO participates in the General Mills Box Tops for Education Program. Occasional grade-specific fundraisers may take place such as the Bake Sale during Pizza Bingo to support
the fifth grade year-end activities.
 PTO
Volunteer Opportunities
Upham School is known for its strong sense of community.
The PTO volunteer program offers parents varied opportunities to support the teachers’ efforts both in and out of the classroom.
The Executive PTO Board positions are briefly summarized below (full descriptions can be found in the Upham PTO Articles of Association). The many other volunteer
opportunities are described in the Volunteer Packet sent each spring to current Upham families and to new families in the summer.
The Nominating Committee meets in early March to select the following Executive Board Members:
·
President: Presides over PTO and Executive Board meetings; appoints special committees and their chairs;
coordinates and facilitates the activities and interests of the PTO; acts as member of Central Council of PTOs.
·
Vice President: Assists the President with the operation of the PTO; assumes the duties of the President in
his/her absence; acts as senior and reporting member of Central Council of PTOs.
·
Secretary: Records and distributes minutes of Executive Board meetings; records minutes and attendance of PTO
meetings; conducts correspondence upon request of President; keeps PTO membership records; oversees the Nominating Committee process.
·
Treasurer: Solicits monetary contributions from PTO members; keeps records of the PTO cash receipts and
disbursements; reports the financial status of the PTO at the Executive Board and general PTO meetings; prepares the PTO budget on an annual basis; files required tax returns.
Health & Safety
School Psychologist
The School Psychologist at Upham co-teaches and collaborates with teachers, and provides psycho-educational evaluations and assessments as part of the school’s crisis
intervention system.
She also provides individual and group counseling services, social skills training for students, and training for staff and parents on topics of specific interest or
need.
As part of the Social Competency Program, the school psychologist promotes and supports Problem-Solving Steps the children learn in Open Circle. If it is felt that it would be helpful to see a child on a regular basis, parents will be contacted. Also, parents are invited to contact the psychologist at any time with
concerns or questions by calling (781) 263-1510 x720.
School Nurse
A Registered Nurse is available during regular school hours to provide first aid treatment and to address ongoing student health needs. Hearing and vision screenings, as mandated
by the State of Massachusetts, are conducted yearly.
Scoliosis screening takes place during fifth grade.
Head lice screening is conducted at the beginning of each school year and periodically at the Nurse’s discretion.
Wellesley
schools adhere to a “no nit” policy.
 Physical examinations by the student’s primary care provider are required for kindergarteners, new entrants to the
Wellesley
school system, and by October 15 of third, sixth, and ninth grades. Massachusetts state law requires that students be fully immunized against DPT, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and Varicella.
Please advise the Nurse of any significant health issues (e.g. allergies, asthma, prescription medications needed) that develop at any time.
Emergency first aid treatment is provided.
It is our practice to notify the parent when any injury is more severe than a bump or minor cut or scratch. In the event of a serious emergency, your child will be
transported by ambulance to the hospital accompanied by the School Nurse, Principal, or Upham staff member.
Emergency Contact Information
It is imperative to keep the information on the Emergency Card current so that a parent can be contacted in the case of illness or injury.
Each summer, a new Emergency Card for each student is mailed home and must be filled out and returned to the School Office. During the year, please be sure to call
the Office if there are any changes to the information, as it is essential that we have an up-to-date Card for every student.
All health information is confidential. Do not forget to complete the “special conditions” area. This should include any medical conditions such as allergies, medications, and
medical diagnoses. In case your child is transported to the hospital, a copy of this card will accompany him/her.
Please note that, in emergency situations, this information may be provided to Room Parents to assist in contacting parents. Unless otherwise indicated by parents, students may be
dismissed to persons listed as emergency contacts on their Emergency Cards.
Medication Policies
Medication must be supplied to the School Nurse in its appropriate dosage and in the original pharmacy container.
No more than a
30-day supply should be maintained at the school. When asked, pharmacists will provide second bottles with enough medication for the doses to be given at school
.
·
 A written “Order” from the student’s licensed health care
provider and a written “Consent” form signed by the student’s parent or guardian must be submitted to the school. This applies to inhalers, EpiPens and medications
administered ‘prn’ (as needed), as well as daily medications. Forms are available in the Nurse’s Office.
·
If short-term (10 day) prescription medication is to be administered during the school day, the original pharmacy
container will serve as the written “Order” from the health care provider. A “Consent” form signed by parent or guardian is still required.
·
Medication is administered only by the School Nurse and is stored in a locked cabinet.
The Nurse may delegate administration of student medication during a field trip.
·
For their own safety, students should never transport medication to and from school, or keep medicine, except an inhaler, in their possession during the school day.
The medication can easily be lost and present a danger to another child who might take it.
Most short-term antibiotics that need to be given 3 times per day can be handled at home.
·
Nurses and trained non-nursing personnel can administer EpiPen to students with identified severe allergic reactions.
The Nurse may delegate the administration of student medication during a field trip in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines.
Guidelines Regarding Illness, Injuries &
Attendance
·
Absence:
Notify the school when your child will be absent due to illness or injury by calling the Upham School Office [(781) 446-6285]. Should a child not arrive at his or her
classroom by 9:00
am and a phone call has not been received reporting the student absent, the School Secretary will call the child’s home to verify that he or she is indeed absent.
·
General Illness:
If your child has an illness that will temporarily restrict his/her activity during the school day, send a note to the School Nurse explaining the reason for, and the
extent of, the restrictions.
Generally, children who are well enough to come to school should be able to participate in all activities, including outdoor recess.
·
Injury: Any student who has sustained an injury treated by a
physician or in an emergency room, and will have restricted activity for a limited period of time (stitches, sprains, fractures, etc.), must bring a note from that physician
stating when the student can participate in physical education again. The student will not be allowed to return to physical education until this note is received.
If your child sustains an injury for which you feel (s)he should limit his or her activity for 1-2 days, or that will affect his/her school performance, send an
explanatory note to the Nurse.
·
 Chicken Pox:
If your child develops chicken pox, please inform the School Nurse. The Nurse will advise you about the appropriate time for your child’s return to school.
·
Fever: If your child has a temperature of 99.4 degrees or above
(taken by mouth) in the morning, it is recommended that (s)he remains home.
Students should remain home for 24 hours after a fever has subsided.
If your child develops a fever during school hours, (s)he will not be allowed to return to the classroom and will remain in the Nurse’s Office until dismissed to a
parent or emergency contact.
·
Strep Throat: Children with a positive strep test are not allowed to
attend school until they have been on antibiotics for a full 24 hours.
·
Vomiting and Diarrhea: Any student with vomiting and/or diarrhea
should stay home until symptoms have resolved for at least 12 hours and (s)he is able to keep down food and liquids.
·
Colds: A child who is coughing or sneezing frequently, or has a
large amount of nasal discharge from a cold, will be more comfortable at home until symptoms subside.
This will also help control the spread of illness.
·
Head Lice: Please inform the Nurse if you suspect or confirm that
your child has lice.
The Nurse will then follow the procedures to prevent the spread of lice in the classroom and possible re-infestation of your child.
·
Dismissal: Students who become ill or injured at school will be dismissed from the School Office to a parent or his/her designee.
(S)he will not be allowed to walk home alone.
Communication
Effective, timely, honest communication between teachers, staff, students and parents is essential to maintain a pulse on a child’s progress at school. Report cards, notes, phone
calls, newsletters, and articles in Upham Updates, The Reporter, and The
Wellesley Townsman are ways in which the school tries to keep parents informed.
The Backpack Method of Communication
 Routine communication with parents from the Principal or the PTO takes place via the monthly school newsletter The Reporter and the Principal’s weekly Upham Updates.
These documents will be sent home every Thursday in your child’s backpack in a Communication Folder and will serve as the primary mode of communication.
If you have more than one child at Upham, one child will be designated as the Family Messenger (designated by an asterisk in the Family Listings section of the Directory). That
child will take home the Communication Folder on Thursdays. Should teachers have specific class-related messages for parents, they will also come home on Thursdays in the child’s
backpack.
Urgent messages or important communication from the Superintendent of Schools will be sent home as necessary.
Anyone wishing to utilize the Communication Folder to update families on school matters must have his or her document pre-approved by the Principal with a hard copy given to the
School Secretary and Principal prior to its being included in the Communication Folder. A 48-hour approval turnaround is required. Please adhere to these timelines, as they are
meant to streamline the entire communication process and cut down on copying time, paper usage, and teacher’s time to distribute these materials.
Communicating with Teachers
Each teacher has an e-mail address and voice mail extension in addition to a mailbox in the School Office where a message may be left (see Upham
Teachers & Staff listings in this Directory).
The format for teachers’ e-mail addresses is (usually):
first initial of first name followed by entire last name@postal.wellesley.mec.edu.
For example, Tracey Mara is tmara@postal.wellesley.mec.edu.
Teachers are often available before and/or after school for phone calls.
If you need to speak to a teacher that day, please leave a message with the School Secretary at (781) 446-6285 x700.
Communicating with the Principal
Ms. Mara can be reached during the school day by phoning the School Office at (781) 446-6285 x701, e-mailing her, or by requesting an appointment.
Ms. Mara almost always greets children in the morning at drop off and says good-bye to them at the end of the day on the playground (weather permitting), which is another
opportunity to have a conversation. Ms. Mara has an “open-door” policy and invites anyone to speak with her at any time about anything pertaining to school matters or their
children.
Reporting on Student Progress
There are four formal reporting periods during the year: two parent-teacher conferences which take place in November and April, and two written progress reports issued in January
and June. Teachers and staff will make every effort to be available for conferences as needed or requested during the interim. In addition, parents are encouraged to attend events
sponsored by school to learn more about their child's program and the expectations at the different grade levels.
In September, a Back to School Night is held for parents during which teachers present a brief overview of the curriculum for each grade level, as well as a summary
of classroom routines.
Parent Participation in School
As valued members of the Upham community, parents are always welcome. If you plan to visit in your child's classroom, please make arrangements directly with the teacher
prior to the visit, as arriving unexpectedly has the potential to disrupt the students' program. Drop-in visits at arrival or
dismissal time are also discouraged, as this is a very busy time for both teachers and students, and teachers need to be able to concentrate on starting and finishing the day
appropriately with their students.
Teachers encourage assistance from parents with particular areas of the curriculum, with field trips or with social events. Parents should communicate any special talents they
would like to share and are encouraged to inquire about volunteer opportunities by speaking with a teacher, any specialist teacher (art, music, gym, reading, etc.), the PTO
president or Volunteer Coordinator.
There are many ways for parents and other adults in the community to enrich the school experiences of children. For example, parents may visit to speak about their
jobs or special past experiences, assist with Art Appreciation, Nature Walks, Understanding Disabilities, or other programs.
Parents who participate in the classroom are asked to respect student confidentiality and to model the Upham core values; in particular, they should demonstrate sensitivity to
differences of gender, race, religion, and ethnicity between children.
 There may also be volunteer opportunities for parents who work during the day and are unable to come in during the school day.
Please ask your child’s teacher about such opportunities.
Parents and visitors must sign in and out at the School Office
. Identification badges are available for parents and visitors to wear when in the building during regular school hours. If you need to deliver a message, lunch, homework, etc.,
please leave it in the School Office, and we will be happy to deliver it to your child for you.
With the exception of the front door, doors leading to Upham are locked during the school day (8:30
am
- 3:06
pm). Parents and visitors to Upham are required to enter through the front door and sign in at the Office. While we understand that this may result in some inconvenience for parents
and visitors, we trust that parents will support our efforts to make the building more secure for their children.
 Transportation
Transportation to Upham is accomplished by driving, walking, or by riding a bicycle (if in Grade 3 or above). Riding a bus is an option if a child is participating in the
metco program or requires transportation because of special needs. Bus transportation for most Upham students is not available.
General Traffic Safety Guidelines
-
Drivers: Please be sure to observe the 5 mph speed limit at all times.
-
The upper and lower drives are one way. Please enter the school grounds via Lowell Road and exit via Wynnewood Road. (The upper drive is located between the school
building and the north side of the fenced playground/dismissal parking lot. The lower drive is south of the fenced playground/dismissal parking lot. Please see Traffic and
Parking Map.)
-
The upper drive is to be used by school buses and school vans only. The upper drive is closed to all other traffic with the exceptions of handicapped
students, or those with temporary disabilities with permission from the Principal.
-
Drivers: Please be aware of walkers and bikers entering the grounds at the lower drive crosswalk and the Wynnewood Road sidewalk.
-
Walkers: Please use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
-
Remember that these procedures have been put in place for the safety of our children.
Please be patient.
Parking
-
The Dukes Road parking lot is available for parking at any time.
-
The west (outbound) side of Wynnewood Road, south of the first driveway, is available for
parallel parking at any time. Please do not block driveways. Note that parking is not allowed along the curb by the playground.
-
Parking along the lower drive, parallel to the playground fence, is permitted except during
drop-off and dismissal. This area is to remain clear of vehicles during the following times:
Monday -
Friday
8:15
AM to 8:45
AM
Monday -
Friday
2:45
AM to 3:15
pM
Wednesday
11:45
AM to 12:15
pM
-
The fenced playground/dismissal parking lot is available for parking during dismissal only.
Please see Dismissal Procedures.
-
Two short-term (limited to 15 minutes only) parking spaces, located along the rock ledge, are available for picking up a sick
child, dropping off a lunch, assisting a child into school with a heavy project, etc. Do not attempt to add a "third spot." Please make a U-turn and return to the
lower drive to exit from these parking spaces.
-
Parking is not allowed in spaces that face the wooden stockade fence along the lower drive. In addition, parking is not
allowed in the spaced along the east side of the fenced playground/dismissal parking lot. These are reserved for staff only. Please see Traffic and Parking Map.
Drop-Off
Procedures
-
 Drivers using "live" drop-off should drop off children in the portion of the lower drive adjacent to the south side of the fenced playground/dismissal parking lot.
Children should not be dropped off at the main entrance except for special circumstances that have been approved in advance by the Principal.
-
Drivers
are asked to proceed in a single line and pull their cars as far forward as possible. Do not pass other vehicles. This will facilitate a safe and efficient traffic flow.
-
Vehicles
should not stop in or block the crosswalk. A safety patrol person will be at the crosswalk to assist walkers and bikers between 8:15 AM and 8:35 AM.
-
Drivers
should remain in their vehicles. Vehicles should be put in park before allowing children to exit vehicles.
-
Children
should exit vehicles on the passenger side only. Please instruct your children to enter the fenced playground/dismissal parking lot through the openings in the fence. Beginning
sometime during the first month of school, upper grade "Arrival Ambassadors" will be available to help children out of their cars. Parents are to remain in their cars
when dropping their children off.
-
Vehicles
are to remain in a single line. Drivers must wait for the vehicles in front of them to leave before they may proceed. Passing or "jumping the line" is not allowed.
Everyone, including drivers not using "live" drop-off, must remain in a single line.
-
Caregivers
wishing to walk their children up to the school may park in the Dukes Road lot or along the west side of Wynnewood Road. Please see Parking for more information.
After School Pick-Up Procedures
-
During dismissal, drivers may park on Wynnewood Road, in the Dukes Road lot, or in the fenced playground/dismissal parking lot. For more information regarding parking on
Wynnewood Road or in the Dukes Road lot, please see Parking.
-
When parking in the dismissal parking lot, please help maximize the space available for parking by filling the lot in an orderly fashion. Please back into
the outer parking spaces by the fence first. (Backing in will ensure children's safety by providing maximum visibility when leaving.) After all these spaces are filled, a
single line of vehicles, facing toward the west side of the fence, may be formed down the middle of the parking area.
-
Turn off your car engine if you arrive early at dismissal time and are waiting in line. This will reduce the presence of harmful fumes.
-
To ensure an orderly and efficient arrival and dismissal, parents are also asked not to go to their child's classroom to drop off or pick up their child.
-
Kindergarten students will be dismissed via their classroom's recess door. Caregivers should wait on the playground outside these doors and then escort their
children to their vehicles.
-
First grade students will be dismissed through the doors located between the building wings on the west side of the school.
-
When walking to vehicles parked in the fenced playground/dismissal parking lot, please use the crosswalks. Do not walk into the lot via the vehicle exit.
Please communicate this information to all adults (babysitters, nannies, grandparents etc.) who may be dropping off or picking up children.
 Arrival and Departure by Bicycle
Children in Grade 3 and above may ride their bikes to school if they have parental permission. Bicycles may not be ridden on school property. During school hours, students must
leave their bikes in the racks that are located between the building wings on the West side of the school. Children younger than Grade 3 may ride their bikes to school when
accompanied by an adult, as recommended by the Wellesley Police. Riders must wear helmets in compliance with Massachusetts General Law c.85 s.11(b): “Any person twelve years of
age or younger operating a bicycle or being carried as a passenger on a bicycle on a public way, bicycle path or an any other public right-of-way shall wear a helmet.”
Bikers are to ride with traffic.
For example, bikers should
enter via Lowell Road
and exit via
Wynnewood Road just as drivers do.
Arrival and Departure by Foot
Children who walk to school should be instructed by their parents about pedestrian safety rules. Children should only cross the street in designated crosswalks. They should never
cross the street from between parked cars and should be reminded to always exercise caution. You should regularly discuss with your child the need for adhering to safety rules when
walking to and from the school.
In Case You are Late
Students should be instructed to report to the School Office if they don’t see parents on the playground after school, and no other arrangements have been made for their pick-up
. You should meet children in the Office if you are late.
General Administrative Information
Social Competency
All Upham classrooms participate in the Open Circle Social Competency Program.
The program supports our core values, having as its goals:
·
Building a cooperative, caring environment in all classrooms
·
Enhancing the communication, social, and problem-solving skills of individual students
·
Enabling students to develop self-control and to take responsibility for their own behavior
These skills have been linked to good social adjustment, development of critical thinking and academic
achievement.
The Social Competency curriculum is presented in classrooms during Open Circle time.
Open Circle also provides the setting for considering class and school issues, allowing students to apply problem-solving skills and strategies previously learned.
 Homework
Homework is designed to provide practice, reinforcement and/or application of skills and knowledge learned in the classroom. Additionally, it promotes
individual initiative, personal responsibility and self-direction. Completing homework on time is an important application of the organizational skills children learn as part of
their school experience. There are five types of homework: practice, preparation, extension, optional, and independent reading. Here is some information parents may find useful in
helping their children to successfully manage homework responsibilities.
The primary purposes of homework include:
·
providing practice to strengthen academic skills
·
preparing for a next-day assignment
·
providing meaningful opportunities to develop a sense of responsibility and independence
Homework guidelines include:
-
Homework is your child’s responsibility.
Parental involvement should be limited.
Being too involved may undermine the development of a sense of independence. Your child needs to learn to take initiative to mange his/her time.
-
Offer guidance if needed or when an assignment is finished and your child asks you to check it over.
Set a time limit on how late your child may stay up to do homework.
As part of the Back to School evenings, teachers review the homework time guidelines (see below). If your child regularly spends more time on homework than the grade
level guideline, a conference with the teacher may be necessary in order to clarify homework expectations and to perhaps identify some study skills your child needs to strengthen.
-
Ensure that your child’s after-school activities do not inhibit your child’s ability to give full attention to
homework assignments.
-
Identify a quiet place in your home with adequate lighting and writing surface as a schoolwork area that is
used
every day.
Time and related guidelines for homework:
·
Kindergarten
:
Informal assignments to carry materials to and from home as part of the effort to develop a sense of responsibility for “getting work done and in on
time.”
·
Grade 1
:
Homework consists primarily of completing work not finished at school, carrying completed work home to show parents and occasional math, writing and other assignments
due the next day
·
Grade 2
:
20
minute assignment two times per week and 15 minutes of daily reading, increasing to three assignments in January and slightly longer assignments after April vacation.
·
Grade
3
:
30
minute assignment three times per week and 15 minutes of daily reading, increasing to four assignments and 20 minutes of daily reading in January.
·
Grade
4
:
40
minute assignment four times per week and 15-20 minutes of daily reading, increasing to 20-25 minutes of daily reading in January.
·
Grade
5
:
45
minute assignment four times per week and 20 minutes of daily reading, increasing to 25-30 minutes of daily reading in January.
Vacations and Homework
Families are encouraged not to take extra vacations during the school year, as children miss important instruction, discussion and activities that allow guided practice of new
skills. Instructional time that is missed while a child is on vacation cannot be replaced. Since written assignments are directly related to classroom instruction, practice, and
explorations, it is not possible to send class work with students who take vacations other than during regularly scheduled school vacations.
Birthdays
To celebrate your child’s birthday in the classroom, you may chose to send in a small special
non-edible treat for the class, but arrangements with your child's teacher must be made beforehand.
Birthday treats have included inexpensive items, books for the classroom, games, or art supplies; often the teacher can make an appropriate suggestion. Each month, the
names of all the children whose birthday occurred during that month are posted in the School Office. If you wish to donate a book to the school library in honor of your child’s
birthday, please call the librarian at (781) 263-1510 x722, or the Book Donation Coordinator.
Lunch
A thirty-five-minute lunch-recess period is provided for all children in grades 1-5 and for kindergarten children, as full days are added.
There are two lunch periods:
·
Grades K, 3, 5: 12:05 – 12:40
pm
·
 Grades 1,
2, 4:
12:40 – 1:15
pM
Lunch can be purchased daily (except Wednesdays). There is always a cold lunch alternative to the main
offering and children must specify a choice of entrée in advance. You can print the menu from the website at www.wellesley.mec.edu
and it will also be sent home with
students each month. Lunch can be prepaid for 10, 15, 30 or 60 meals, and checks should be mailed to: Food Service Department, Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street,
Wellesley,
MA 0248. Lunch (including milk or juice) costs $2.00. Milk is available for $0.40. Free or reduced-priced lunches are available for families who qualify. Applications are distributed at
the beginning of the year, but may be requested at any time throughout the year.
 Lunch counts are taken and orders are placed immediately at the
beginning of the school day. Students arriving late should either bring their lunch, or parents may order lunch for a child who will be tardy when calling the Safe Arrival number.
 Recess
There are two 15-minute recesses Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for students in grades 1-5.
Kindergarteners have one 15-minute morning recess, unless they are staying for the afternoon. One recess occurs mid-morning and the other is at lunch time. Weather permitting,
recess is held outdoors.
Please be sure your child has the appropriate outside clothing for the conditions. Bike helmets should never be worn on the playground. While at recess, the students
are under the supervision of Upham staff. Each fall (and as needed), playground rules and expectations will be reviewed with the students. For a safe and happy playground, please
encourage your child to respect and follow the directions of the staff.
Field Trips
From time to time, various classrooms schedule field trips to reinforce a particular unit of study, or to
build a sense of community for a class or a grade. You will be notified by your child's teachers in advance of any such field trip, including the particulars of the trip (what to
wear, what to bring, how they will travel, the cost, etc.).
Unless otherwise stated, students should not bring money on field trips
.
 Lost and Found
A Lost and Found is located in Upham’s front entryway. You and your child are encouraged to check the
designated boxes if an item has been misplaced. Anything found in or around the school is turned in to the School Office and placed in Lost and Found.
It is helpful to
label your child's belongings well and avoid having your child bring items into school that are especially valuable. Smaller items are usually returned
to the School Office (e.g. jewelry, wallets, etc.)
Items that are left unclaimed for a long period of time are donated, with advance notice, to charity.
Dress Standards
Children are encouraged to attend school in neat, clean, appropriate clothing that can be comfortably worn
while climbing on playground equipment, sitting on the floor, or actively engaged in an art project. In addition,
it is essential for the children to dress appropriately for the weather as they generally go outdoors for recess. The only restriction for students’ dress
is that it should not detract from the learning environment. Hats are not to be worn indoors. Appropriate shoes must be worn for participation in physical education activities
(sneakers or other soft soled shoes).
Elementary School Behavior
Code
Behaving on the Playground
The playground is designed to provide students with opportunities to enjoy a variety of unstructured physical activities with friends and classmates.
There are, however, expectations, rules and supervision to ensure that playground time is safe and enjoyable.
Students are expected to include in activities everyone who would like to participate and are expected to share playground equipment, supplies and space in a friendly
and supportive fashion.
 Supervision of the playground is a responsibility of school staff.
During recess periods there is a minimum of one supervisor per two classes, with a student/supervisor ratio maintained in the range of 30-40 to one.
Playground Rules
·
Children are to remain in sight of a playground supervisor at all times. The areas behind the school and between the
wings are off limits.
·
All play is to be safe and appropriate.
·
Tackling and “checking” games are prohibited, as is the throwing of stones, sticks, snowballs and other objects
not intended to be thrown.
·
Roller skates and skateboards are not allowed.
·
One person at a time may go down the slide.
Going up the slide or sliding down in anything other than a sitting position is not allowed.
·
All climbers are to be used from underneath and feet are always to be below the head.
Smoking
 Under
Massachusetts
law, there is no smoking allowed in the school buildings or on the school grounds. We appreciate parents observing this regulation while they are on Wellesley Public
Schools property, on school buses, and we would ask parents to refrain from smoking in their cars if transporting students for a school activity.
Inappropriate Items at School
In order to provide for the safety of all students, dangerous articles or weapons are not allowed in the school at any time.
| 
Upham
Elementary School