THE FIRST DAY of SCHOOL (School Calendar Enclosed)

To JBS parents and guardians:

I’d like to welcome all of you to the 2016-2017 school year. The faculty and staff at John B. Sliney are looking forward to working with you to ensure a successful school year for your child. Below I’ve included general information that will help with your planning for the start of school. Our website is also a wonderful resource for information about JBS School, including the Branford Elementary School Handbook. Our website address is www.slineyelementary.org.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (School Calendar Enclosed) ● Thursday, August 29, 2016 ● School hours are from 8:55 A.M. to 3:25 P.M. ● Students should arrive no earlier than 8:40 A.M. and are tardy after 8:55 A.M

ARRIVAL

● The building opens at 8:40. ● Students cannot be dropped off prior to 8:40. ● If your child is taking the bus and the bus arrives before 8:40, the bus driver will not release them until exactly 8:40. ● If you drop your child off, they cannot be left alone prior to 8:40. Even if it is only a few minutes before, you must remain with your child. ● Children will be escorted into the building by the assigned staff. We ask that parents refrain from walking into the building during arrival. If you have an appointment, you need to report to the main office.

SCHOOL DISMISSAL ● Begins at 3:25 P.M. ● For your child’s safety and to minimize any disruption of classroom instruction, students will report to the cafeteria and be released to a parent for dismissal. ● Parents picking up children will need to sign them out in the cafeteria and send a note to the teacher. ● It should only be under extreme circumstances that students need an early pick up prior to 3:15.

TRANSPORTATION ● Please encourage your child(ren) to ride the bus beginning the first day of school. This will assist in getting them into a regular routine and help facilitate independence. ● The bus transportation route is enclosed. The bus company, First Student, phone number is 203-488-6186.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation with adhering to the guidelines. Everyone following these guidelines has made arrival/dismissal smoother and more importantly safer. If you have a question please contact Principal Gethings.

Information about JBS Food Services

● Lunch and breakfast will be served starting on the first day of school. ● Your child can bring breakfast or lunch or purchase breakfast or lunch ● School lunch will cost $ 3.00 and breakfast is $1.75 subject to change ● You can establish your student’s lunch account online at www.myschoolbucks.com

● Chartwell, the school lunch provider’s, phone number is 203- 315-6741 email Mr.Montes with questions [email protected] ● To receive breakfast or lunch on a “Free” or “reduced” fee you must submit a form every year to establish if you qualify. ● You should have received a mailing from BPS central office with all the ‘Free’ or ‘reduced’ lunch fee applications. Lunch applications need to be completed EVERY year. Families do not automatically qualify for free and reduced lunch. An application must be completed and processed in order for the free and reduced lunch status to begin or continue. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 1, 2016

● If there were any outstanding lunch balances, they can be paid on your child’s “myschoolbucks” account. You may also send in a check

● Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their child. Parents must sign in at the main office before entering the cafeteria. We ask that parents leave from the cafe and do not go to their child’s classroom after lunch. ● If your child has a food allergy be sure to notify your child’s teacher, the school nurse and the front office. ● Each classroom has a snack time at some point during the day. The snacks should be healthy and easy for child to eat. ● Breakfast is also available for free, reduced or free purchase. Breakfast is in the classroom from 8:40-8:55.