Student Handbook

(click the link above to open a printable PDF version)

Daily Schedule

8:05 – Playground supervision begins. Students should not arrive on the       

           playground before this time.

8:20 – The students are admitted to the building. Teachers have work  

           prepared for students as they enter the classroom.

8:35 – Official school start time.

2:35 – Dismissal. Bakersville is located on a very busy intersection. We  

            appreciate your help and cooperation at dismissal. Please do not take

            students out of line as they wait on Elm St. It is very difficult to

            keep track of students/parents when this happens.

Breakfast

Bakersville School offers a breakfast program in addition to a hot lunch program. A cold breakfast is served daily from 8:05 – 8:20 a.m. Students must arrive on time in order to take part in the breakfast program. Students arriving at 8:15 or later will not be admitted to breakfast. The cost of breakfast is $6.00 per week. The reduced price is $1.50 per week. Also, please note that parents are not allowed to accompany their children into the cafeteria during breakfast per order of the Director of the School’s Food and Nutrition Program. The breakfast program will begin on Monday, September 12^th.

Lunch

Your child may bring a cold lunch or participate in the hot lunch program provided by the school. The cost of the school lunch is $9.50 for a 5-day week. Milk is included in this price. Reduced price meals are $2.00 per week with milk included in this price. Milk can also be purchased for recess snack time or lunch time for $1.75 per week. Students will be given individual lunch cards on which parents may put enough money to pay for lunch for several weeks at a time. If you prepay $50.00 then an additional $5.00 will be added to your account. Parents will be notified when the balance on the lunch card is running low.

Delayed Openings

Delayed openings are held on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays of each month. On those days students will be admitted to the building at 8:35 a.m. rather than 8:20 a.m. Playground supervision will begin, as usual, at 8:05 a.m.

Early Release Days

During the 2011-2012 school year, teachers will be engaged in professional development activities and parent conferences. To facilitate these activities, students will be released early on the following school days. 

 Oct. 27 (conferences), Dec. 7, Feb. 7, and April 5.

Dismissal time for elementary schools will be 11:15.

Emergency Procedures

In the event of an emergency Bakersville School would be able to respond in a way that would protect students and staff. Bakersville School has an emergency team that works diligently on planning, preparing and practicing emergency procedures. The city of Manchester has many resources available to assist in this work as well. If there should be a need to evacuate the school, our off site location is the Bishop O’Neil building.

Five Basic Drills

All emergencies require specific actions to be taken. These actions come down to five basic drills. Bakersville practices these drills periodically throughout the school year in addition to fire drills.

What are these drills and when are they used?

1. EVACUATION - When all students and staff need to exit the building.
2. REVERSE EVACUATION - When students and staff are outside and need to return inside the building.
3. SECURE BUILDING / LOCK DOWN - When all students and staff need to stay in rooms and out of the halls.
4. DROP DRILL - When students and staff need to take cover and reduce visibility.
5.  SHELTER IN PLACE - When students and staff need to remain inside and the building needs to protect from outside or inside conditions.

Wednesday Envelopes

Wednesday envelopes are sent home each Wednesday as a way of keeping communication open between home and school. Teachers will send the envelopes home with any important school information. Parents are requested to review the materials and return the empty envelope to school on Thursday with their signature. The teachers will write their email address and the best time to contact them. We try to send things home only one day a week to make it easier for parents. Please check the contents and return the envelopes signed.

After School Program

21^St Century After School Program The Manchester School District has been awarded a grant from the New Hampshire Department of Education to establish the 21st Century Community Learning Centers in some Manchester schools. The aim of this program is to provide affordable, safe, and secure after-school programming that combines the arts with academic topics of interest to students.      

Your child can choose from a number of classes being offered throughout the year, we will have 4 sessions lasting approx. 8 weeks. He/she can sign up for as many classes as they wish. Classes however are on a first come, first serve basis and may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Most courses offer limited attendance.   Your child will be bringing home more information about this program or you may call the school for more details.

Curriculum and Instruction

The Manchester School District has currently updated curricula in language arts, math, and science. Our curricula are aligned with the NH State Curriculum Frameworks. At Bakersville, we work diligently to implement the curricula using a variety of strategies to help your child succeed.

Language Arts: The curriculum focuses on reading, speaking, and, writing. Student progress is monitored several times a year through assessments done by the teachers. A workshop approach to teaching reading is used. This includes a whole class lesson, small guided group work, independent reading and sharing. The School district has adopted a formal literacy plan for elementary schools, which is centered on the workshop approach.

Math: The curriculum is divided into the areas of numbers and operations, geometry and measurement, functions and algebra, data and probability. Please help your child learn his/her math facts. This helps them to work more quickly and be more confident. This school year, we will use the Everyday Math program as our core resource in teaching math. Parents are welcome to review and discuss the curriculum and/or their child’s progress with the teacher at any time during the school year.

Curriculum maps: The Bakersville School staff has created maps for their instruction. These maps ensure that all of the NH standards and the skills in the Manchester Curriculum are taught. The maps are created by month. A Power Standard has been identified. This is a skill or concept which your child needs to know and understand. At the beginning of each month, your child’s teacher will send home the Power Standards for that month. It is our hope that first, you will know what your child is learning and that you will be able to support that learning at home.

NECAP- New England Common Assessment Program

In the month of October students in grades 3-5 will participate in the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP). Students in these grades will be tested in reading and mathematics. In addition, students in 5^th grade will be tested in writing. Grade Four students participate in NECAP Science testing in the spring.

The NECAP tests were designed to measure your child’s progress in meeting New Hampshire’s Grade Level Expectations, or GLEs. The GLEs define the knowledge and skills a student should have mastered by the end of each school year. Reading, math and writing tests include multiple choice, short answers and open response questions. Students need to read carefully! 

NECAP is an important tool available to parents and educators to determine how well our school is helping students meet standards and grade level expectations. Scores are only as meaningful as the effort students put into the tests. Please encourage your child to take the test seriously.

Ways to Shine

At Bakersville School we are always trying to find ways to make your child’s education a positive and happy experience. We have developed programs to encourage your child to try their best at all times.

Author of the Month – Each month students are given a writing prompt as their writing focus. Teachers then choose an author of the month. Many things are taken into consideration when choosing the Author of the Month such as writing content, spelling, punctuation, and the proper use of grammar. The Author of the Month has their work displayed in the hallway and is treated to a special author’s luncheon. Parents and students are always encouraged to stop and read the samples of writing hanging in the display cases on each floor.

Student goals – This year students and teachers will work collaboratively to develop individual student goals. Students will receive stars on which they can record their name when they have met their goal. The stars will be displayed.

Academic Excellence – This year in June we will host our first Academic Excellence recognition and reception. This recognition will be for students who have attained proficient or higher on NECAP, have the highest class average or the most improved in math skills and have moved up 4 or more reading levels. All students who have demonstrated excellence either through their performance level or progress will be eligible for this honor.

Good behavior – Classrooms demonstrating good behavior without any detentions will be recognized monthly. There will be a special recognition for our students who always help to make sure that Bakersville is a respectful, safe environment both in the classroom and on the playground.

Caught Being Good and Friendship Links are both efforts to acknowledge students working together cooperatively and kindly. We place a strong emphasis on creating a school and classroom environment where students feel comfortable and are willing to take risks in their learning.

Homework

Learning is important and should continue after school hours. The amount of homework will vary according to the grade level. Homework assignments support classroom lessons and are used to reinforce school experiences. Parents are encouraged to check their child’s homework every day and make sure that it is completed and ready to be returned to school in the time required.

Homework expectations are as follows:

Kindergarten: Read one book daily and discuss. On Wednesdays, children will be assigned one five minute task to complete. This will go home in Wednesday envelopes.

Grade One: 10 minutes of reading daily, 10 minutes of assigned work. The total time spent on homework is not to exceed twenty-five minutes.

Grade Two: 10 minutes of reading daily, 15 minutes of assigned work. The total time spent on homework is not to exceed thirty minutes.

Grade three: 10 minutes of assigned reading, 20 minutes of assigned work. Total time spent on homework is not to exceed thirty-five minutes.

Grade Four: 15 minutes reading daily, 20 minutes of assigned work. Total time spent on homework is not to exceed forty-five minutes. 

Grade Five: 20 minutes of reading daily, 25 minutes of assigned work. Total time spent on homework is not to exceed sixty minutes.

If your child has difficulty completing homework, please consider the 21^st Century Homework Club.

Support Services

Title One

The Title One program is a federally funded program that provides support for language arts and math instruction. Bakersville School’s Title One Program is designed to enhance learning for all students in grades K-5, and is not a remedial or special education program. Our Title One program focuses on working with classroom teachers to benefit all of the children.

The Title One Instructors work to ensure that each child has the individual support he or she needs to grow as a student in reading, writing, and math. This instruction will not replace classroom instruction, but will supplement it.

Children may receive support for the entire school year or just when they are experiencing difficulty. Students who are ready for an academic challenge may also be placed in a challenge group.

English Language Learners

Bakersville School’s ELL (English Language Learners) program promotes the academic achievement and English language proficiency of the ELL students at Bakersville School. We support our ELL students in grades K-5 in many ways. We provide English instruction and oral language development as well as instruction in reading and writing. The ELL teachers work with the classroom teachers in order to provide a program that supplements and supports the work that is taking place in the classroom. Our ELL program consists of working within the regular classroom, small group instruction, and one-to-one support when needed.

Special Education

Bakersville School is committed to ensuring that children with disabilities are able to learn and grow at their own pace. Parents, children, and teachers all must work together to realize this goal.

At the core of this work is the Individualized Education Program (IEP), which describes a child’s strengths and needs, as well as present levels of performance. The IEP also sets forth goals and objectives that are linked to state and school standards. It describes the special education and related services needed by a child with a disability to receive a free appropriate public education. An IEP team includes parents, teachers, and other professionals who develops and reviews the IEP. If you have questions about your child’s IEP or progress, please let us know.

Our Special Education program provides classroom instruction where the special education teachers and educational assistants work within a classroom. We also have a resource room, which provides services to students who work best in a small group format.

Speech and Language

The Speech and Language Program at Bakersville School is designed toassist children with their communicative needs. Children are referred by staff or parents for evaluation of problems in articulation, language development, auditory skills, and speech fluency.

Evaluations are completed with parent approval, whereupon a meeting with the parent, classroom teacher, speech teacher and principal is scheduled to determine the best educational plan for the individual child.

With an agreement reached for an appropriate plan the student can be scheduled for speech and language therapy under a variety of service delivery types. Students may be seen in the classroom, or pulled from the classroom for brief periods of time so as to participate in therapy activities to help children meet their communicative needs.

School Policies

Absence-Attendance Policy

All students are expected to be in school, on time, everyday that school is in session. If your child is going to be absent please notify the school at 624-6312. A change has been made in the district attendance/tardiness policy. A note must be sent in for an excused absence. Please review this policy included in your packet.

Books

Every child has the responsibility of taking reasonable care of books. We realize and expect that some books will show signs of wear and handling, especially those that go back and forth from school. In June, all books will be inspected by the classroom teachers. If books have not been given reasonable care, your child will be assessed a fee to help pay for a new book.

Dress Policy

The Manchester School District has developed a new student dress code. This is located in the packet of policies included with this handbook. Parents will be notified of clothing that does not follow the new code.

Cell Phones

No use or display of cell phones by students will take place during the day. Any cell phones, which are visible and/or used during the day, will be kept in the school office. Parents will be notified to pick up the phone.

Electronic Devices

Electronic devices such as Ipods, pagers, handheld games, and radios are not allowed in school. These devices will be taken away and parents will have to make arrangements to pick them up.

Visitors

All visitors must report to the office and obtain a visitors badge from the office staff before going anywhere in the building. The visitors badge must be worn in plain sight at all times while visiting the building. Parents are not allowed to go directly to a classroom without reporting to the main office. Dismissal is a particularly busy time for teachers. If you need to speak with a teacher or other staff member please go to the office with your request.

Behavior

The Bakersville School staff has developed a behavior plan for our school. We want to make sure that all students know what is expected and that it is consistent in all locations.

Students who do not follow behavioral expectations will be:

• Given a verbal reminder

• Assign to a time out area or thinking chair

• Assign to a “Buddy teacher” classroom

• Contact parent

• Refer to School Administration for follow through

A new code of conduct has been approved for the school district. It is included with this handbook.

Cafeteria Behavior

Students must conform to cafeteria rules regarding their behavior. Students are expected to follow the rules set by the teachers on duty.

Parents, please note the following:

1. Soda is not allowed in school.

2. Glass bottles or containers are not allowed in school.

3. Gum is not allowed in school.

Playground Behavior

The principal and staff of Bakersville School set playground rules. These rules are set to ensure the safety of all students on the playground. During recess, children not following the playground rules will be asked to stand against the wall for the remainder of recess or given a formal detention.

The Bakersville playground rules are as follows:

1. Children should follow safety rules to avoid accidents.
2. When the first bell rings all children should immediately stop playing and freeze in place. When a staff member blows a whistle students will walk to their assigned line.
3. Only soft balls, jump ropes and other toys provided by the school, or approved by the school, are allowed on the playground.
4. The throwing of rocks, snowballs, ice and any other dangerous items are prohibited and will result in serious consequences.
5. Students are not allowed to leave school property.
6. Students are not allowed to enter the building during recess without the permission of a staff member on playground duty.
7. Vandalism will not be tolerated and will be dealt with in a strong manner.
8. Students are to keep their hands and feet off of other children. This means no wrestling, karate, tackling games, etc. will result in serious consequences.
9. Food and drinks are not allowed outside during recess.

Detention

The teacher who witnesses a student’s behavior, which does not follow the rules of Bakersville school, will assign a detention. Detentions are a consequence for behavior that occurs outside of the classroom. Any act which involves physically hurting another student (punching, hitting, kicking etc.) will be an automatic two day detention. When a detention notice is sent home parents are asked to read and discuss the notice with their child, sign the detention paper and send it back to school the next day. The student will serve detention in a designated classroom rather than going out for recess. If parents would like to discuss the reason their child was given the detention they should contact the teacher who assigned the detention. Detentions are reviewed monthly. Students with two or more detentions must meet with the social worker or principal. Classrooms with no detentions for a month will receive a special recognition.

We are very proud of the efforts put forth at our school fostering an atmosphere where students are able to develop to their potential academically, socially and emotionally. We look forward to continually growing and learning from one another.

At Bakersville School we hold the belief that by working together, in a kind and cooperative manner, we create an atmosphere which encourages us to achieve our best, both individually and as a school family.

It is with this philosophy that we have adopted the word RESPECT as our school wide theme. Throughout our school you will see examples of this, in words and actions, from students, staff, parents and community volunteers. 

Our motto is:

Respect yourself

Respect one another

Respect each student’s opportunity to learn

Respect your school

Each trimester the school community will focus on a word to create a positive whole school attitude.

The first trimester is respect,

The second trimester is responsibility,

The third trimester is kindness.

We have complemented our respect theme with a program called “Talk It Out” which is designed to introduce to students a series of ideas they can use when they have conflicts. There are five steps we encourage everyone to practice:

Peer Mediation

Bakersville School has a Peer Mediation program in place that allows students to resolve disagreements, arguments or fights with 4^th and 5^th grade students that have been trained as peer mediators.

Emergency Information

During the first few days of school your child will bring home an Emergency Information Form for you to complete and return to school. Please return this form promptly. It is very important for the school to have current emergency information on file for each student. Please be sure to provide us with the name and phone number of a person to contact in the case of an illness or an emergency.

Health Records

Parents are expected to keep all student health records up to date. The school nurse will monitor all health records to insure that physical examinations and immunizations are completed in compliance with state law. Periodically our school nurse will conduct vision and hearing screenings as prescribed by the Manchester Health Department.

Medication

Medication will be dispersed at school, by the school nurse, according to the following regulations:

1. The school must have a written order form from the doctor giving the name of the medication, the dosage, and the time of day the medication is to be taken.

2. We must have written permission from the parent or guardian giving school personnel permission to issue the medication as prescribed by the physician.

3. Medication must be in a pharmacy bottle and properly labeled. Medication must not be brought to school in envelopes, plastic bags, etc.

Parent Involvement

Parent/Family Involvement Committee

This year we will be using a parent/family involvement group to provide opportunities for parents to be involved in our school. This group will coordinate volunteers; participate in school activities and think of new ways to help make Bakersville the best that it can be. More information will be provided at Open House on Sept. 19^th.

Parent Advisory Committee

Bakersville School has parent and staff representation on the District Wide Parent Advisory Committee. This group meets regularly each year to ensure that Title 1 programs, activities and practices are planned and implemented with consultation with parents or participating children. If you are interested in more information or in joining this group please contact Kate Kelly, Title 1 Social Worker, at 624-6312 or kkelly@mansd.org.

Your active participation in the education of your child is one of the most valuable things you can give your child. Please get involved, take part in their homework, and show an interest in the work they bring home, attend school functions, and consider joining our parent group. By taking part in school activities and showing a genuine interest in what your child is learning gives the message that you believe education is important! Ask questions when you are wondering about something!

FIRST TRIMESTER

SECOND TRIMESTER

THIRD TRIMESTER

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Manchester School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, handicap, sex, or age, in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities. If you have any questions regarding nondiscrimination policies, please contact: