School Handbook
2011-2012
August 17, 2011
Dear Brooklin School Community,
Each year brings new excitement, rewards and challenges and we are all eager to begin the new school year at the Brooklin School. We hope the summer was enjoyable and brought many opportunities for families to be together.
This year at the Brooklin School our academic focus is literacy and math. In addition, we will be striving to make Adequate Yearly Progress ( AYP) in all areas. Last year and the previous year we achieved AYP status in math and reading, but we did not in attendance.
Attendance of your child at school is essential. Unless a child is sick, a student should be in school. We cannot teach a student who is not present. Missing days of school is detrimental to the learning sequence for the child; making up classwork restores some of what was missed but not all. Please arrange your vacations for the times when we are not in session. Every absence is counted against us regardless of the reason. When entire families are not in school, this severely affects our numbers.
Our school is extremely fortunate to have a wonderful cook, Lori, who tries her very best to provide nutritious, balanced, and interesting meals. Each week you will be asked to submit a filled-in lunch/milk sheet and return it to school. You will be asked to do this even if your family receives free or reduced lunches. These are the numbers we will use to prepare lunches. The lunch program is expensive to operate and we cannot continue to guess how many students might want school lunch. We are also setting up a ”pay by the week” system rather than carrying over a “tab.”
Amanda Gray-Fill will be our Administrative Assistant for the school year 2011 -12. We are very fortunate to have her and welcome her to the Brooklin School.
The entire staff is hoping this will be the most successful school year at the Brooklin School and if we all continue to work together - teachers, students, parents, community members - we will achieve that end.
Sincerely,
Halina Nawrot, Principal
Brooklin School Board
Mary Cummins, Chair 359-8945
mcummins@msln.net
Jessica Grant 359-8006
jgrant@msln.net
Jennifer Schroth 359-2326
Frank John 359-8968
Regular meetings of the school board are held on the second Tuesday of the month. All meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. in the Brooklin School library. The agendas for each meeting are posted and are available through the school, Post Office, Friend Memorial Library or the Superintendent's office. Occasional special meetings are convened, which will be publicized. The Board appreciates attendance by the public and school staff.
The Brooklin School policy binder can be found in the school office.
School District
School Union #76
9 Caterpillar Hill Road
Sargentville, ME 04673
Phone: 359-8400
Robert Webster, Superintendent
Joshua Nichols , Director of Special Services, Affirmative Action*
Leslie Anne Cote, Secretary to Special Services
JoAnna Haskell, Administrative Assistant
Debra Gross-Larrabee, Bookkeeper
Julie Mattes, Assistant Bookkeeper
* Please forward concerns regarding discrimination or harassment to Joshua Nichols
Brooklin School Personnel
Administration
Halina Nawrot, Teaching Principal
E-mail: hnawrot@msln.net school phone: 359-2133 home phone: 359-8447
Administrative Assistant
Amanda Gray-Fill
E-mail: agray-fill@msln.net home phone: 359-6582 cell 479-1593
Teaching Staff
Preschool Teacher: Jean Hylan
Elementary School Teachers:
Kindergarten/Grade 1: Amanda Lynde
2/3 Grades: Vicki Hull
4/5 Grades: Samantha Pickering
Middle School Teachers: Rebecca Turner, Amy Bebell
Specialists
Art/Expanded Curriculum: Peggi Stevens
Education Technicians: Becky Courtot, Johanna Gray-Fill
Guidance Counselor: Molly McMillan
Library Coordinator: Marcia Schatz
Music: Mike Schrader
Physical Education: Jana Raspante
Reading Specialist: Kim Bianco
Special Education: Sharon Thoner
Foreign Language: Vicki Richardson
Speech and Language: Sue Steed
Psychology Services: Hector Sapien
Technology Coordinator: Amy Bebell
Support Staff
Barbara Grindle, School Nurse
Lori Boyce, School Cook
Brian Clarke, Maintenance
Doug Mangels, Custodian
PTF President
Stacia Nevin Home Phone: 359-4646
Staff/Teacher Email Addresses:
Amanda Lynde: lynde@msln.net
Vicki Hull: vhull@msln.net
Samantha Pickering: cascpickering@aol.com
Rebecca Turner: beckyturner78@gmail.com
Amy Bebell: amy.bebell@msln.net
Peggi Stevens: pstevens@msln.net
Molly McMillan: mmcmillan@msln.net
Michael Schrader: mike.schrader5@gmail.com
Jana Raspante: jana@brooklines.u76.k12.me.us
Sharon Thoner: sthoner@brooklines.u76.k12.me.us
Kim Bianco: Kim.bianco@msln.net
Sue Steed: ssteed55@gmail.com
Barbara Grindle: barbgrindle@msln.net
Telephone Numbers
The Brooklin School: 359-2133
FAX: 359-2303
Superintendent of Schools: 359-8400
First Student Bus: 348-5237
School Day
Arrival
Children who arrive by car or those who walk should not arrive before the buses, which arrive approximately at 7:30 a.m. The start of the school day is promptly at 7:50 a.m. Late arrival disrupts class and causes loss of instruction time. Any child who arrives at school after 7:50 a.m. is considered tardy. Three tardy arrivals in a trimester will prompt a call to the student’s parents.
Dismissal Routine
1. Students going home with parents are dismissed from the rear door by the gym. Parents should wait for children in the back parking lot or front lobby of the school.
2. Students participating in a sport or after school activity are released.
3. Students going home on buses are released.
4. After the buses depart, bikers and walkers are dismissed.
School Schedule
7:30 a.m. Buses arrive
7:50 a.m. School begins
11:00-12:00 Lunch & Recess
3:00 p.m. Dismissal
Breaks during the day are at the teachers' discretion.
Preschool Schedule Tuesday-Friday
8:00 a.m. Students arrive with parents
11:30 a.m. Dismissal
Note: There will be no bus transportation for preschool students.
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school. Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for a student and is regarded as a very serious problem. Under new No Child Left Behind legislation, student attendance will affect the school’s status and possibly funding.
1. Students at least 7 years old and have not completed the sixth grade will be considered habitually truant by Maine Statutes after accruing 7 full days of unexcused absences or 5 consecutive days absent.
2. Students in grade six or above will be considered habitually truant by Maine Statutes after accruing 10 full days of unexcused absences or 7 consecutive days absent. If a resolution cannot be worked out between the school and the parents, then the Superintendents Office and ultimately the Department of Education will become involved.
3. Recognized excuses for school absence are religious holiday, personal illness, family illness, death in the family, or other emergency.
4. Students need to give advance notice to the school in order to be excused for other types of absence (including medical appointments and travel).
5. Make-up work will be expected by teachers for children missing school for reasons of travel and vacation.
If your child is absent, please call the school before 8:00 a.m. to inform us about your child's absence. If we do not hear from you the student will be marked absent. The administrative assistant may call parents at home or at work if she does not hear from you by 9:00 a.m. This is for your child's safety -- to ensure that we know your child is in a safe place and that you are aware that your child did not arrive at school.
Children who are sick need to stay home so that they can get well and so that they are not spreading germs. When a child comes to school he/she should be well enough to go outside and get some fresh air. If the student is too sick to go outside, he/she probably needs to stay home a little longer. Of course there are exceptions to this, such as recent surgery, asthma, wearing a cast, etc. When a child returns to school, please send a note documenting the reason for the absence, signed by a parent or guardian (even if you called).
Students must be in school to participate in extracurricular activities. Students who are out sick for any part of the day may not practice or play in any extracurricular activity. Students who miss more than half the school day may not participate in sports. The principal may make an exception to this only in consultation with the parents in advance of the absences or under emergency conditions.
Tardiness
Students will be considered tardy if they are not present at the beginning of the school, which is 7:50 a.m. Tardiness is disruptive to other students learning and the teacher’s instruction.
1st offense: A letter will be sent home.
2nd offense: A call from the teacher and or principal.
3rd offense: Lost instruction time will be made up after school.
Early Dismissal/Late Arrivals
Any student who is dismissed during school hours will need a note from his/her parents designating who will be picking up the child. That adult will need to report to the office to sign the student out. The student who arrives after school has begun will need to report to the office to sign in. Early dismissals should be only for emergency situations.
Parents are asked to make every effort to schedule doctor and dentist appointments outside of school hours. However, when this is not possible, students will be excused for these special appointments or emergency situations.
Students will be expected to have a note at the beginning of the day for where they will be going after school.
School Closing
In the event of school being closed due to inclement weather, an unscheduled early dismissal, or any other reason, an announcement will be broadcast over the following radio stations.
WQCB-Bangor 106.5 fm
WWMJ-Ellsworth 95.7 fm
WKSQ-Ellsworth 94.5 fm
Website: http://www.wabi.tv
If school is dismissed early after students have arrived, it will be announced over local radio stations. When inclement weather is upon us, parents should keep in mind the possibility of school closing early. We will try to contact as many parents as possible via phone, but it isn't always possible to reach everyone.
Assemblies
Assemblies, such as concerts, plays, guest speakers and/or performers, student presentations, student activities, and other events, are planned periodically as special events on the school calendar. Parents are invited to attend these assemblies. Please call the school, or check the newsletter for upcoming events. Students are expected to exhibit good citizenship and etiquette at assemblies. We ask parents to take an active role in helping children behave appropriately at evening presentations.
Field Trips
Field trips are scheduled by various classroom teachers and the principal throughout the school year. These trips are designed to supplement different aspects of the classroom curriculum and to introduce students to the resources of the community. Parents will receive notices of field trips in advance of the scheduled trip date and will be asked to sign a permission form. Students without signed parent or legal guardian permission will not be allowed to attend the field trip (a phone call will not be sufficient). A regular school day will be available for any child unable to attend a field trip. Students are discouraged from bringing any money on field trips, unless specified by the organizing teacher. Devices such as walkmen or game boys will only be permitted at a teacher's discretion and at owner’s risk. Parents are encouraged to attend field trip outings with their children. Parents may ride the bus if space allows. Students may be dismissed from a field trip to ride home with a parent. We ask that parents take an active role in helping all children behave appropriately.
School Life
Lunch
The Brooklin School actively promotes healthy food and snacks for our students. Lunchtime is a time for students to relax and to enjoy classmates in an environment of courtesy, consideration, and good table manners.
Lunch may be bought at school or brought from home (no glass containers, please). Students may choose between the hot lunch offering or a sun butter and jelly sandwich, when available. With a doctor’s note, we will do our best to accommodate special dietary needs and restrictions. We want students to get the most out of their educational opportunities, so we encourage them and their parents to consider the necessity for nutritional snacks and lunches. Please do not send sugary foods, candy, or soda to school.
A good meal plays an important part in a child's health and school performance. Nutritional lunches and snacks are planned by our cook, Lori Boyce; in collaboration with students using a computer program “Nutrikids”. Our school also participates in the food program sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture Services. The federal assistance under these programs allows us to provide some meals free or at reduced prices, depending on family income. (Please contact the school at 359-2133 for forms).
Student lunches $2.00
Reduced lunches $ .40
Adult lunches $5.25
Milk $ .25
Please send in your child's money and completed lunch slip for the week on Friday morning whenever possible. This makes a dramatic difference in the smooth running of our lunch program.
School Dances
Occasionally the 7th or 8th grade class sponsors a dance held in the school gym. The purpose of the activity is to provide students the opportunity to socialize in a safe, fun, and appropriate way. All school rules apply to students attending dances, including dress codes. Students in 6-8th grade are invited to attend from the Brooklin School and neighboring communities (Blue Hill, Surry, Brooksville, Castine, Penobscot, Sedgwick and Deer Isle-Stonington). Students who are high school age and others cannot attend and will be asked to leave the school grounds. All students who attend will be asked to give their name, age, school they attend and telephone number. They will also be asked to hand in their cell phones at the desk, which will be returned at the end of the dance. Only students that are eligible will be allowed to attend the dance.
Corridors
Visitors to our school can form an opinion of us just by watching students in the hallway, and a polite hallway atmosphere shows respect for education in progress. When school is in session students are learning. All students and visitors, including parents and siblings are reminded of the following:
- Walk and whisper.
- Never lose an opportunity to practice courtesy.
- Consideration for others will leave little opportunity for accidents.
- Safety is our goal.
- All moving traffic should hold to the right.
Lost and Found
It is the duty of every pupil to be considerate of his/her classmates and to take any article he/she finds to the office or the box located by the office, where the articles may be claimed by the owner. Students can save themselves the inconvenience of searching for lost belongings by marking personal belongings with indelible ink or other suitable methods. Any items left unclaimed at the end of the school year will be given to the Tree of Life.
Dress
Attire that is conducive to learning and appropriate is expected for all students K-8. Cleanliness of both body and clothing is expected for the health of self and others. Hats and headwear should be removed upon entering the building, unless for religious reasons. Immodest or revealing clothing, such as “belly shirts” (tops should be long enough to tuck in), “spaghetti straps”/halter-tops, or exposed underwear of male or female is not permitted. Shorts and skirts should be appropriate in length. Drugs, alcohol, and sexually suggestive designs on clothing, stickers, and pins, are forbidden on school premises. Chains, spikes, safety pins, or other apparel may also be asked to be removed if a concern for safety or distraction exists. Clothing asked to be removed will be turned inside out for the remainder of the day. While some specifics are mentioned in these guidelines, the principal and teachers ultimately have the authority to judge student dress and their appropriateness in the school environment.
Athletics
Athletic competition is promoted as a natural extension of the school’s physical education program. The intent is to teach and develop physical skills, cooperation, mental discipline, sportsmanship, and team building skills. All students, fourth grade or older, are encouraged to participate regardless of their skill level or experience.
Regular school expectations of conduct apply to all students participating on a school team. All players should be seated on the team bench or designated areas determined by the coach. There is to be no eating during a game unless appropriate food is provided by the coach. Drinks should consist of water or sport drinks.
1. Behavior at School--Students who are suspended from school (in or out of school) or the bus may not play or practice during the suspension.
2. Attendance--Students must be in school to participate in extracurricular activities. Students who are out sick for any part of the day may not practice or play in any extracurricular activity. Students who miss more than half the school day may not participate in sports. The principal may make an exception to this only in consultation with the parents in advance of the absences or under emergency conditions.
3. Attendance at Practice/Games--Players must attend practice in order to play. Students may be excused from practices by their coach for good reasons. These reasons are doctor’s appointments, family conflicts, other lesson, etc.
Extra-Curricular Eligibility Procedure
The faculty of the Brooklin School believes strongly in a well-rounded participation in activities, which are offered beyond the regular school day. This includes such things as all sports, Chess, Legos or any other school sponsored club or activity. The intent of an eligibility procedure is not to punish students for unsatisfactory work, but to help them learn that sometimes choices are necessary to keep life in balance. We believe that academic learning should take priority over extra-curricular activities and want to secure its success prior to making too many demands on students
outside the classroom. In the hopes of not letting academic success weaken, the following steps will be taken for those students participating in any extra-curricular activity:
1. Teachers will regularly submit to the principal a list of any students whose work is considered substantially below the student's ability. (This includes students not participating in extra curricular activities as well.)
2. The principal will send a letter home apprising parents of the substandard work, and the student will be placed on an academic warning for one week. A copy will also be sent to any coach or club advisor connected with the student. During the probationary period students remain as a participant in the activity. The student will hopefully improve his/her work through such strategies as better performance on schoolwork, more attentive behavior in class, or more regular attention to homework. "Extra credit" work, during this probationary time, is not encouraged.
3. At the end of the probationary week, teachers will check for improvement. If there is none, students will become ineligible for participation in extra-curricular activities for one week, or until work is significantly improved. Again, parents, coaches, and advisor will be notified in writing of this action.
Safety, Kindness, and Respect
Discipline and General Rules of Conduct
One of the most important lessons schools should teach is self-discipline. While it does not appear in the curriculum as a subject, it underlies the entire educational structure. It is the training that develops character, self-control, cooperation, responsibility, and efficiency. The following rules will help guide appropriate behavior in the Brooklin School, during all school activities.
The Brooklin School has Zero tolerance for bullying. Bullying includes verbal, physical, written, electronic and telephonic behaviors both on school grounds and on the bus. Bullying is any physical, verbal or non-verbal action, which intimidates another person.
It is also trying to or actually persuading another to do or say something he/she doesn’t want to.
Respect the rights and properties of others.
No vulgar, obscene language, literature, or gestures will be tolerated.
Use polite table manners while eating.
Walk and talk quietly at all times.
Follow directions from Brooklin staff immediately.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to self.
No throwing. Sling shots, squirt guns, rock throwing, and snowball throwing are prohibited.
No vandalism will be tolerated.
Students will refrain from wrestling or tackling games.
Sharp and dangerous objects are forbidden from school premises.
Students are to remain on school property unless with a teacher or designee.
No student shall possess tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or related items. Anything appearing to be any of these things will be treated as if it were the actual item.
It would be impossible to list every rule and infraction. Common sense understanding of safety, kindness, and respect are ultimately the prevailing guide to behavior. For example, gum chewing is not allowed in school. It is not specifically listed in the policy book but is a common sense understanding that it is not allowed. There may be exceptions to some of these rules at the discretion of teachers (such as the use of Xacto knives). Students will be held to high standards of behavior at all times. Infractions of these rules may result in the loss of recess, after school detentions, or suspensions. Through adequate standards of behavior, mutual respect and courtesy, people are capable of sharing and working together. It is the role of the principal in regard to discipline to support school policy and respond to infractions in a fair manner, according to circumstances.
School rules will be in effect during school and all school-sponsored activities, including athletics and after school activities.
Detentions, Suspensions, Expulsions
Our approach to classroom management reinforces positive behavior in a group setting by noting standards of acceptable behavior. When this procedure is followed regularly in the classroom, students adjust their behavior to fit the expectations for that room based on three to five rules. Each classroom has its own rules. Generally they are concerned with cooperation, being considerate of others, and respecting property.
During any given class period there is a discipline process used by teachers:
Step 1: The student is made aware of and asked to stop unwanted behavior.
Step 2: If behavior persists, student is given a second warning. The student may be moved to a different seat or other action to help them improve behavior.
Step 3: Until he/she is in control of him/herself, the student is temporarily removed from the classroom to the hallway or other location.
Step 4: If the behavior continues upon the student’s return to the classroom, the student is sent to principal’s office. The principal may decide an appropriate consequence is necessary.
Step 5: If the student returns to the teacher after seeing the principal and continues the behavior, the student will be sent home.
This is a positive approach to developing good citizens who make it possible for everyone to learn in a calm school environment. It gives the student opportunities to self correct the unwanted behavior and take responsibility for his/her own actions. In those cases where the positive approach has not been effective, we have established consequences. Any student who makes physical contact with another student or staff member in anger may be suspended. Hitting, punching, pushing will not be tolerated at the Brooklin School.
Procedures for Detentions
The teacher writes a detention slip. One copy is put in the detention file, two are sent home with the student, one to remain at home and the other, to be signed by the parent/guardian and to be returned to the school the following day. To ensure the parent/guardian are aware of the detention, a phone call will be made home as well. Detentions last from 3:00-4:00 p.m. the following day of the infraction or at the earliest convenience. During this time, the student may be involved in a school community service project in order to make amends for the disruption, which led to a detention. Parents are responsible for picking children up promptly at 4:00 PM after serving detention.
If the parents do not pick up their child, the teacher will call the numbers on the emergency card.
Serious offenses may result in suspensions or expulsion. They can include dangerous or abusive behavior, abusive language, fighting, and substance use or possession, and/or weapons possession.
If your child's behavior has been referred to the principal's office, you may be notified about the issue.
Examples of behaviors that may result in suspension:
- Threatening behavior
- Abusive behavior
- Abusive language
- Vulgarity
- Fighting
Behaviors which may result in expulsion:
- Continued occurrences of behaviors which previously led to suspension
- Illegal substance use or possession
- Possessing weapons
Expelled students to be readmitted may be required to obtain a recommendation of qualified professional advice and the consent of principal, teaching staff, and the school committee.
Bus Safety
The bus company’s sole responsibility is safe transportation. Bus drivers are employed by First Student and follow rules and regulations of First Student.
Bus drivers are responsible for the safety of all pupils transported on school buses serving the town of Brooklin. The most important part of a bus driver’s work is the safe delivery of children to and from school. Only with the cooperation and support of parents, administration, the school committee, and the bus contractor, can bus drivers ensure an orderly environment for our children. Bus drivers have full authority to maintain discipline on their buses within the guidelines outlined here. Faced with the very difficult tasks of safely operating a bus and maintaining order, bus drivers deserve and must have the respect of students at all times.
Parents with questions, concerns, or who wish to make requests for changes in routes or stops should contact First Student at 348-5237. Students and parents are encouraged to notify First Student immediately of any safety hazards, which they have observed during bus operations.
For more information and detail about bus transportation please refer to the “Brooklin Bus Procedures” in the appendix. Students will lose bus transportation privileges for repeated or extreme misbehavior. The following guidelines have been established in order to ensure the safety of all students who ride buses:
- Use only the bus and bus stop assigned.
- Remain seated (in same seat), facing front.
- Talk quietly and make no unnecessary noise.
- Keep feet on the floor and not on the seats or in the aisle.
- Keep all body parts inside the bus.
- Do not talk to the driver unless it is necessary.
- Keep all sharp objects in a book bag, lunch box, or other receptacle.
- Do not eat or drink on the bus unless given permission by the driver.
- Bring a note for the teacher and bus driver whenever there is a change regarding pick-up or drop-off. Stay seated until the bus has come to a complete stop and leave in an orderly manner.
- Transporting animals on school buses is a violation of state law.
Academics
Report Cards
Report cards are issued following the completion of each trimester and will be sent home with students except for the final report card, which will be mailed. Students in grades K-5 will receive written comments each trimester (no letter grades) and a parent conference during the first and second trimester. Students in grades 6-8 will receive written comments and letter grades each trimester, as well as a parent conference during the first and second trimester. Though there are two formal parent conferences scheduled each year, parents are encouraged to meet with teachers whenever needed. Simply call the school to schedule an appointment.
Student Placement
The Student Placement Policy 3.03 addresses student retention, acceleration, and assignment to a particular teacher. It is the policy of the Brooklin School Committee to provide a progressive and sequential instructional program for every student based on developmental needs of students in grades K - 8. The program available to students shall be as comprehensive and varied as resources allow. Student placement decisions shall be based on staff recommendations with parent and student involvement. It shall be a consensus whenever possible, but failing that, the principal will make the decision.
If retention is being considered for the child, parents will be notified by the end of the second marking period.
Academic Referral
Teachers will notify parents if their student has incomplete work, work missing if work is below student’s ability. Teachers will notify the principal of potential problems during the assessment period and will submit to the principal a list of any students whose work is considered substantially below the student’s ability. Students will be monitored until progress is demonstrated.
Academic Integrity
As students begin to understand what constitutes plagiarism, teachers may use transgressions as teaching opportunities. Blatant intentional or repeated plagiarism, however, is grounds for disciplinary action. Cheating is also a serious compromise of a student’s integrity and will not be tolerated. When cheating is discovered, a failing grade will be recorded for the work.
Study Skills
A parent can help his/her child be aware of skills and techniques, which make learning easier and more enjoyable. The following are student guidelines for achieving good study habits:
- Be prepared for all classes.
- Actively participate in class. Listen respectfully to the teacher and others.
- Ask questions.
- Plan your day and schedule time for homework.
- Strive to do your best work.
In an effort to help transition into high school, sixth, seventh and eighth grade students will be required to maintain assignment books. Students will keep track of their daily assignments and report them nightly to their parents. Parents will “sign-off” each night to let us know that you are aware of what your child needs to do. Failing to maintain assignment books or completing homework assignments will result in lost recess.
School Business
Student Records
The Brooklin School’s policy on student records conforms to the Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). In general, the act provides a guarantee that parents may see their children’s records, lets parent’s correct errors through hearings, and limits access to records by outsiders. Directory information including the student’s name, grade, and awards/honors may be released without parent permission (unless the parent requests in writing otherwise). Please refer to the policy included in the appendix for more detailed information.
Emergency Information
In case of an emergency, each student is required to have on file at the school office the following information:
- Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) name(s).
- Complete and up-to-date address.
- Home phone and work phone numbers.
- Emergency phone number of friend or relative.
- Physician’s name and phone.
- Medical alert information.
- Proof of custody of a student requires court documents to be provided to the school. The school will follow the most current document.
Medication
It is the general policy of the Brooklin School Committee to discourage the dispensing of medication on school premises. With few exceptions, school employees are not trained medical or nursing personnel and are not authorized to dispense medication on a regular basis. Whenever possible, the schedule of drug administration should be altered to allow a student to receive all prescribed doses at home.
Where medication during the day is necessary, it may be administered in accordance with the School Medication Policy 3.19.
Mail Distribution at School
Please use the post office rather than "hand delivery" at school to distribute any mail, especially birthday party invitations. This avoids any unnecessary hurt feelings when everyone is not included, and it protects school personnel from any unwarranted connection or responsibility for activities held outside the school day. Additionally, if you use the school building for a birthday party consider inviting all classmates -- again to avoid hurt feelings.
School/Home Connection
Visitors
The Brooklin School welcomes the public to visit our wonderful school. In the interest of safety, we ask that you help us by giving advance notice of your visit and when you arrive check in with the office. Refer to the visitor’s policy if you plan a daylong visit or you are under 18 years of age.
Short-term visitors to the school, including all parents and volunteers, please report to the office and pick up your visitor pass. Please do not park in the bus loop or outside the main entrance or side entrances. For safety reasons, the side doors are locked. You may enter the building through the main door. Once inside the building, please remain by the main office and wait for school personnel to retrieve the student or teacher being visited to minimize disruption of the class.
Parents, if you are dropping off forgotten student’s items, please leave them in the office. Parents bringing in special occasion items please check in with the office and the classroom will be notified of your arrival.
Parent, Teachers, Friends (PTF)
The PTF is highly involved in improving our school. All parents are urged to become members and to actively participate. The PTF meets every month. Each year the PTF sponsors several fund raising events, community programs, and student activities. With the help of all parents and community members, these projects can be very successful.
Parent Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences occur during the year. Conferences can be very valuable to the overall education program. Some parents are hesitant about participating in conferences, but our teachers can do a better job with students if they can share their understanding of the student with the parent. Conversely, teachers can do a better job if parents directly share their understanding of the student directly with the teacher. It is not necessary to wait for the regular conference time if a parent has any concerns. Parent conferences are encouraged and can be usually arranged during the school year to everyone's satisfaction.
School Property
Office and Phone Use
The office is for school business, as is the school telephone. Students may use the telephone only with authorization.
Textbook and Library Book Usage
Textbooks are loaned to students free of charge. These books are to be used carefully and returned in good condition. Textbooks are to have book covers. The cost of textbooks has increased greatly in recent years, and students are responsible for lost or damaged texts and library books.
Lockers
Lockers will be assigned to all middle school students. Students are expected to keep their lockers clean and not abuse them. The Brooklin School reserves all property rights to student lockers and desks and reserves the right to search them. The interior of desks and lockers are accessible to those students to which they are assigned and are off limits to other students.
Possessions at School
Although the Brooklin School operates on principles of honesty, students are encouraged to bring only those things to school that are necessary for school work and sharing. Cell phone usage is not allowed during the school day. Any cell phone should be turned into the office at the beginning of the day and it will be returned at the end of the day. The school is not responsible for any equipment brought to school, as well as IPods, cell phones, cameras, personal laptops, jewelry, clothing, or any other possessions of financial or sentimental value. If such equipment is brought to school, it will be secured in the office until it is required or the end of the day.
The school assumes no responsibility for bicycles, skates, scooters, skateboards, and ripsticks. However, provisions have been made to properly park bikes at the owner’s risk in the school bike racks.
Equipment Usage
Our school contains a variety of educational, safety and maintenance equipment. Students should not use or handle equipment, unless they have been specifically authorized to do so. Students and or their parents/legal guardians will be liable for damage to school property through negligence or abuse.
Technology Use
We are pleased to offer students of the Brooklin School access to the Internet. To use it, however, students must obtain parent permission and must sign and return the Technology Rules Permission form to the classroom teacher.
Families should be warned that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, or potentially offensive to some people. While our intent is to make Internet access available to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well.
We believe that the benefits to students from access to the Internet, in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, exceed any disadvantages. But ultimately, students’ parents and guardians are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. To that, the Brooklin School supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for access.
Technology Rules
Students are responsible for appropriate behavior on school computer networks just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway. The network is provided for students to conduct research. Access to services is given to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. Parent permission is required. Access is a privilege, not a right, and access entails responsibility.
The laptops do not belong to the Brooklin School; they belong to the State of Maine, which requires the school to account for every laptop at the end of the school year. All laptops must be handed in before the last day of school. If they are not, a letter will be sent home requesting the return of the laptop. If it is still not returned, the parent will be billed $1000.00 for the replacement of the laptop. The loss will be reported as a theft to the authorities.
Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers. Network administrators may keep review files and communications to maintain system integrity and to ensure that users are using the system responsibly. Users should not expect that files stored on school servers would always be private. Within reason, freedom of speech and access to information will be honored. The school system, however, reserves the right to monitor all network activity, but the school cannot and will not undertake the monitoring of all incoming and outgoing communications. During school, teachers will guide students toward appropriate materials.
Students will refrain from:
- Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
- Using obscene language
- Harassing, insulting, or attacking others
- Damaging computers, computer systems, or computer networks
- Violating copyright laws
- Using another person’s password and/or disk
- Trespassing in person’s folders, work, or files
- Intentionally wasting limited resources
- Employing the network for commercial purposes
- Plagiarism
SANCTIONS
- Violations will result in a loss of access
- Additional disciplinary action may be determined regarding inappropriate language or behavior.
- When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.