General School Information system without discrimination on account of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identify, marital status, disability. Students who are classified as homeless under BOARD OF EDUCATION federal law, and therefore do not have a fixed Board members are unpaid elected public residence, will be admitted pursuant to federal law officials with the responsibility for governance of and Policy #5118.1. Exceptions from routine the school district. The members of the admission may be made by the school principal on Montville Board of Education are: the basis of supporting evidence from physical and psychological examinations. Chairperson: Sandra Berardy Members: Joseph Aquitante, Sheelagh Lapinski, Children who apply for initial admission to the district’s Dana Ladyga, Robert Mitchell, James Wood, schools by transfer from non-public schools or from Monica Pomazon, Carol Burgess, Wills Pike schools outside the district will be placed at the grade they would have reached elsewhere pending In order to perform its duties in an open and observation and evaluation by classroom teachers, public manner and in accordance with state law, guidance personnel, and the school principal. After the Montville Board of Education holds regular such observations and evaluations have been business meetings on the third Tuesday of each completed, the principal will determine the final grade month at 6:00 P.M. in the Montville High School placement of the children. library. Parents, students and other community members are encouraged to attend. The parent or person having control of a child five years of age shall have the option of not sending the By calling the board of Education office, you can child to school until the child is six years of age. The learn how to obtain an agenda, and the date, parent or persons having control of a child six years time and location of the next board meeting. of age shall have the option of not sending the child (860-848-1228). to school until the child is seven years of age.
The Board’s main purpose is policy setting The parent or person shall exercise such option by designed to improve student learning. Board personally appearing at the district office and signing members are interested in the public’s opinion an option form. The district shall provide the parent on district issues, which can assist them in or person with information on the educational formulating policy which reflects community opportunities available in the school system. values and expectations. According to the Connecticut General Statute 10- STARTING SCHOOL 76d(b2), special education will be provided for There are state and district requirements that children who have attained the age of three and who must be completed before your kindergarten or have been identified as being in need of special transfer student may be admitted to Montville education, and whose educational potential will be schools. Parents and guardians should visit the irreparably diminished without special education at an school office as soon as possible after moving early age. A preschool child requiring special to the district. Children whose fifth birthday falls education and related services is entitled to receive a on or before December 31st may be admitted to free, appropriate public education on or after the kindergarten. Early registration of your child for child's birthday notwithstanding the fact that the 3rd kindergarten will allow them to participate in birthday occurs outside the regular school year. If a orientation and visitations. If your child has a special education student is being considered for an late fall birthday, you may want to contact the exception, the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) principal or one of the kindergarten teachers in will make a recommendation to the administrator in your school to discuss your child’s charge of special education. developmental readiness to begin kindergarten. Each child entering the district schools for the first ADMISSION PLACEMENT time must present a birth certificate or offer legal District schools shall be open to all children five evidence of birth data, proof of a recent physical years of age and over who reach age five examination and required immunizations as well as on or before the first day of January of any proof of domicile. The parent or person having control school year. Each such child shall have, and of a child sixteen or seventeen years of age may shall be so advised by the appropriate school consent to such child’s withdrawal from school. The authorities, an equal opportunity to participate parent or person shall exercise this option by in the program and activities of the school personally appearing at the school district office to
9 sign a withdrawal form. The district shall If a student is not prompt and regular in attendance, provide the parent or person with information on proper measures shall be taken to encourage regular the educational opportunities available in the attendance, refer to Montville Board Policy 5113. school system and in the community. Children who have attained the age of sixteen and who Parents have the responsibility to assist school have terminated enrollment in the district’s officials in remedying and preventing truancy. The schools with permission as described Superintendent of Schools will file a written complaint previously and subsequently seeks with Superior Court Juvenile Matters if the parent fails readmission may be denied readmission for up to cooperate with the school in trying to solve the to ninety school days from the date of such student’s truancy problem. termination. EARLY DISMISSALS ACCIDENTS Occasionally, it is necessary for a child to be Parents are reminded that school is generally dismissed from school early for family emergencies, NOT liable for accidents and injuries incurred by doctor appointments, etc. At these times, a note their child during school hours, nor are they able stating the date, time, reason, and person picking up to pay the medical and other costs of an the child should be given to the teacher. Any child accident occurring at school. being dismissed early must be met in the office by the parent/guardian and signed out on the ATTENDANCE dismissal log. Should someone other than the Good teachers and the best curriculum are of parent/guardian come for the child, please send a little consequence if the students do not attend note to the school stating the name of the person school on a regular basis. Time lost from the picking up the child, a photo ID will be required. classroom is essentially irretrievable; the While the school realizes that emergencies are experiences, discussions, and the uniqueness unavoidable, parents/guardians are requested to of the classroom learning process require make doctor appointments outside of regular school school attendance. Students, parents/ hours whenever possible. guardians, and school staff must work together to take full advantage of educational We are concerned about our number of early opportunities. Failure to attend school on a dismissals. These dismissals result in lost regular basis will likely lead toward long range instructional time for the students who are problems. Establishing good attendance habits dismissed. When the secretary calls down to the early will better equip young people in becoming classroom for a student it is disruptive to the productive members of society. Classroom other students and to the teacher, so it is a two- attendance is considered to be an integral part fold problem. Our instructional time runs until of a student’s course of study. 3:15 p.m.
School administrators are required to check the BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES attendance records of all elementary students Announcements of after-school activities will be made and to follow established procedures to ensure in advance. Notices are sent home via email, as regular attendance. If your child is going to be flyers, through Mrs. E's school newsletter, via the absent from school, please call the school at Murphy website or by the PTO. 860-848-9241 before 9:00 A.M. Calls may be made any time earlier leaving your child’s name BIRTHDAYS / INVITATIONS and grade on the school’s answering machine. In accordance with the Dr. Charles E. Murphy school If we do not receive a call notifying the school of health and wellness initiatives and the guidelines your child’s absence then a call will be placed provided by the Board of Education Policy # 6142, to your home or work. This phone call is to birthdays WILL NOT be celebrated with any food insure the safety of your child. items and parents may not distribute pencils, A note should be written regardless whether trinkets, toys, etc. to the class in an effort to a phone call was made to school. celebrate a child’s birthday. Teachers provide Students who have four (4) unexcused activities in which to celebrate birthdays for students. absences in one month or ten (10) unexcused absences in a year are classified as a truant. Invitations for students’ personal parties may be (Connecticut General Statues Section 10- distributed at school as long as every child in the 198A). This statute also classifies a student as class is invited. a habitual truant if they accumulate twenty (20) or more absences in a school year.
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BREAKFAST/LUNCH/CAFETERIA Each morning before school starts, students are CAFETERIA RULES able to purchase breakfast for $1.75 in the cafeteria. It is preferable that meals are 1. Students should plan to use the bathroom purchased for the week or month on Monday of facilities BEFORE lining up to leave for any given week. In an emergency, such as recess. leaving home without lunch or money, students 2. Each student will be assigned an eating area may charge their lunch. Parents are to send in and will be responsible for its cleanliness. the money for such charges the following day. 3. After students have obtained their hot lunch Ice cream and milk are sold on a daily basis. and/or milk, they are to be seated and remain The cost for elementary lunches is $3.00. The seated unless given permission to do cost of milk alone is $.50. Bottled water, frozen otherwise. treats or snack bags can be purchased for 4. Yelling and/or using inappropriate table $1.00. We use a computerized meal manners (throwing food, littering the eating accountability access system called KidServe area, spitting, etc.) will not permitted. by Horizon. Students enter their password into the push pad and the transaction is recorded in RECESS AND LUNCH TIMES (subject to change) his/her account. Parents can prepay for and view their child’s meal account by logging in at www. mypaymentsplus.com, or 1-877-237- 0946 or parents can continue to send in cash or Lunch Recess checks made payable to "Montville School K 10:50-11:16 11:16-11:42 Nutrition Program or "MSNP" – listing child’s name and class code and if the money is for food or meals only. NOTE: Students may only 1 11:16-11:42 10:50-11:16 charge two lunches before paying off any debt accrued. 2 11:50-12:16 12:16-12:42
CAFETERIA 3 12:16-12:42 11:50-12:16 4 12:50-1:16 1:16-1:42 All eating is to be done in the cafeteria. Food is 5 1:16-1:42 12:50-1:16 not permitted elsewhere in the building unless permission is granted by the principal. Rules of cleanliness are to be observed at all times. Misconduct in the cafeteria may be cause for BUILDING SECURITY receiving an assigned seat or forfeiting the right to eat in that location or such other disciplinary All visitors during school hours must enter the action deemed appropriate for the misconduct. building through the front doors and report to the office. ALL Visitors are required to sign-in and pick The District participates in the National School up a pass before going anywhere within the school. Lunch Program and offers to students We ask parents who are picking up students at the nutritionally balanced lunches daily. Free and end of the day to sign their child out and wait at the reduced price lunches are available based on office for them. We also request that parents sign their financial need. Information on this program can child out in the office anytime they pick up their child. be obtained from the school secretaries, THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN AT MURPHY cafeteria manager or district website. If you SCHOOL IS EVERYONES BUSINESS! have questions please contact Carol Dodson, If a student rides a bicycle to school, please obtain Nutrition Program Director at 860-848-3658. permission from the principal and provide a bike lock. The school cannot be responsible for lost or stolen Food and beverages offered for sale to students bicycles. Note: Law requires a helmet. meet federal and state standards and guidelines. Sodas and sports drinks will not be Parents are not permitted to interrupt classroom allowed. during the instructional day. Messages may be sent through the office or parents are encouraged to In conformity with applicable law, necessary arrange mutually agreed upon conferences with accommodations will be provided, where teacher. required, for students with food allergies, including emergency procedures to treat BULLYING- Safe Climate Plan allergic reactions which may occur.
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Bullying of a student by another student is another person by sending or posting inappropriate prohibited. Such behavior is defined as any and hurtful e-mail messages, instant messages, text overt acts by a student or groups of students message, digital pictures or images, or website directed against another student with the intent postings, including blogs. It is also recognized that the to ridicule, harass, humiliate or intimidate while author (poster or sender) of the inappropriate material on school grounds, at a school sponsored may be disguised or logged on as someone else. activity, or on a school bus which acts are committed more than once against any student Students and community members, who believe they during the school year. Bullying which occurs have been the victims of such misuses of technology outside of the school setting may be addressed as described, should not erase the offending material by school officials if it has a direct and negative from the system. A copy of the material should be impact on a student’s academic performance or printed and brought to the attention of the Principal or safety in school. Such behavior will result in Director of Technology. All reports of cyber bullying disciplinary action. Examples of bullying will be investigated by the administration. include, but are not limited to: 1. Physical violence and attacks. In situations in which the cyber bullying originated 2. Verbal taunts, name-calling and put-downs from a non-school computer, but brought to the including ethically-based or gender-based attention of school officials, any disciplinary action put- downs. shall be based upon whether the conduct is 3. Threats and intimidation. determined to be severely disruptive of the 4. Extortion or stealing of money and/or educational process so that it markedly interrupts or possessions. severely impedes the day-to-day operation of school. 5. Exclusion from peer groups within schools. Also, such conduct must be in violation of a publicized school policy. Such conduct includes, but is not Student and/or parent may file a written report limited to, threats, or making a threat off school of conduct they consider bullying. Students may grounds, to kill or hurt a teacher or student. also make an informal complaint of conduct that they consider to be bullying by verbal report to Disciplinary action may include loss of computer any staff member, who will promptly transfer the privileges, detention, suspension or expulsion. A complaint to writing and forward it to the communicated threat or a hate crime will be reported Building Principal for review and action. to the police.
Students and parents are permitted to make Students will be provided instruction about anonymous reports of bullying. Parent written appropriate on-line behavior. reports and student anonymous reports will be investigated by the school administration but no BUS REGULATIONS* disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the 1. Riding the bus is a privilege not a right. Students basis of an anonymous report. not accepting this responsibility will have their Districts pupil services personnel and names turned in to the school administrator. administrators are responsible for taking a Consequences for inappropriate behavior while bullying report and investigating the complaint. on the bus can include, but will not be limited to, Parents of students involved in a verified act of suspension of bus privilege for up to 10 bullying will be invited to attend at least one consecutive school days. meeting at school. 2. Students are expected to wait at their designated bus stop in an orderly fashion. CYBER BULLYING 3. Any change in bus assignment or bus stop The District’s computer network and the requires written parental request and approval by Internet, whether accessed on campus or off the school administrator or the school bus campus, during or after school hours, may not coordinator. be used for the purpose of harassment. All 4. The drivers are in charge of their buses and must forms of harassment over the Internet, be treated with respect. commonly known as cyber bullying, are 5. Students must remain seated and the driver unacceptable, a violation of District policy and determines the seating arrangement. of the District’s acceptable computer use policy 6. Throwing of objects, yelling, not listening to the and procedures. driver’s instructions, fighting, name calling, etc., which interfere with the concentration of the driver Cyber bullying includes, but is not limited to, and endanger the students will not be tolerated. such misuses of technology as harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing
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*Note: Bus Students: Parental permission Education succeeds best when there is a strong notes are required if a student plans to go to a partnership between home and school based on friend’s house and/or on a bus other than the communications and interactions. Parents/guardians one to which he is assigned. Such note from are urged to encourage their children to put a high BOTH parents should be turned into the school priority on education and to make the most of the office before dismissal. Parents are required educational opportunities available. Parents/ to contact the bus garage directly at 860- guardians should become familiar with all of the 848-3878. child’s school activities and with the District’s academic programs, including special programs. CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY Attendance at parent-teacher conferences, All textbooks, desks, and storage areas are the participation in campus parent organizations, property of the Montville Board of Education attendance at board of education meetings and being and are loaned free of charge. Students are a school volunteer are strongly encouraged. expected to care for all textbooks issued to them and return them in similar condition at the Written Communication – When to send a note: end of school. Textbooks are very expensive. When your child returns to school after an The cost of lost or damaged textbooks, along illness or extended absence with library books and media materials, need to When you need to pick up your child from be paid for before report cards are issued. school or have him/her dismissed early When a change of bus stop on your child’s CHILD ABUSE regular route is necessary Employees of the Board of Education are When events or situations occur that may obligated by law (C.G.S. 17a-101) to report affect your child’s behavior or progress suspected child abuse, neglect, or if a child is When a medical or physical condition exists placed in imminent danger of serious harm to of which the teacher should be aware the Connecticut State Department of Children When a change of address or phone number and Families Services. Specific procedures occurs governing the reporting of abuse and neglect To request a parent/guardian/teacher are in effect, and staff receives yearly training in conference their use. When your child is going home with another Reporting of child abuse and neglect is a student, it is necessary for both students to responsibility which is taken seriously. If there is bring a note any doubt about reporting suspected abuse or neglect a report will be made. The school will Notes should include your child’s full name, work with the parents and appropriate social grade level, teacher’s name and the date. agencies in all cases.
Child abuse is defined as any physical injury(s) inflicted upon him or her other than accidental means or injuries which are not in keeping with SNOW DAYS - EARLY DISMISSAL the explanation given for their cause. Improper LATE START treatment such as but not limited to malnutrition, Snow days are inevitable. School may be closed, sexual molestation, deprivation of necessities, have a late start or an early dismissal. When these emotional abuse, cruel punishment or neglect is situations occur, announcements are broadcast on also considered child abuse. the following TV and radio stations:
TV: WFSB Channel 3 COMMUNICATION WTNH Channel 8 Our ability as a school district to communicate WVIT Channel 30 with our students, students’ parents, faculty and staff has certainly been enhanced through Radio: WXLM 980 AM changing technology. Through our relationship WICH 1310 AM with School Messenger and their School WCTY 97.7 FM Communication System, we will be informing WILI 98.3 FM you through personalized telephone messages WNLC 98.7 FM of school activities, important dates, parent or WKNL 100.9 FM student events, etc. WMOS 102.3 FM
WQGN 105.5 FM
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NOTE: In the event of early dismissal due to cooperation with this matter is greatly appreciated. If, inclement weather, parents are advised to have out of safety concerns, your child must carry a cell PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENTS for students to phone, they must drop the cell phone off in the office follow when the parent will not be home. All late in the morning before school and pick it up at openings will be a 2 hour delay, with school dismissal. beginning at 10:45 a.m.
DRESS CODE FIRE DRILLS AND EMERGENCY Students should be clean and neatly dressed in PREPAREDNESS order to maintain a safe and proper educational Fire drills are held at regular intervals as required by environment. Often student behavior and state law. Students must follow the exit directions performance has a direct relationship to the posted in each classroom. A crisis response drill will type of clothing being worn. The following be substituted for one of the required monthly school clothing styles are not permitted: fire drills every three months. Such crisis response 1. Clothing and accessories shall not display drill will be planned and conducted with the local law letters, words or pictures which reference enforcement agency. any of the following: Drugs or alcohol Students are expected to follow the direction of Tobacco teachers or others in charge quickly, quietly and in an Offensive signs, symbols or words orderly manner. 2. Flip flops, thong or open toed sandals or shoes of any kind, slippery soled The signal for a fire drill is a voice command and an shoes, sneakers or shoes that have alarm sound. When the alarm sounds, students are to rollers on the bottom or untied shoe proceed along the posted exit routes in a quick, quiet laces are not allowed in order to and calm manner. Students should not return to the provide for the safety of our children. building until the return signal is given. 3. Jackets, coats and windbreakers normally worn as outdoor wear should not be worn in school. 4. Spaghetti strapped shirts and dresses are not allowed. Hats, kerchiefs or caps FRIDAY FOLDERS should not be worn anywhere in the Each Friday letters or notices of importance are sent school building by either boys or girls. home. Some of the material will only be distributed by hard copy as designated in the beginning of the Note: Shorts are permitted in the classroom in year by parent request and other parents will be warm weather. Please stay conscious of the notified by email also as requested. Email cooler weather conditions. We want to have notifications will be utilized as well as our website for students get outside for recess whenever most school to home correspondence. possible. If students do not come to school properly dressed, it makes it difficult to do so. So please check the weather forecast in the morning. FOOD FROM HOME The Montville Public Schools are committed to assure Students whose dress or grooming are judged consistent procedures across the school district, and by the staff to disrupt the educational process, to align our procedures with the Child Nutrition and/or are dangerous to personal safety will be Programs, The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and subject to administrative action. Parents will be federal, state and local requirements. Furthermore, contacted about any violations of this code and our The district Wellness Policy no. 6142 states: in some cases it may be necessary to bring in a "Foods and beverages made available on campus change of clothes before the student is allowed during the school day are consistent with the current to return to class. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and also states ALL foods prepared on campus adhere to food health and ELECTRONIC DEVICES safety guidelines." With the exception of snack and Devices such as DS, MP3, IPod and cell lunch, no outside food may be brought into phones are not allowed in school. They are school from outside sources during the school expensive devices and there is a risk they could day including all birthday and classroom be broken or misplaced, and the school cannot celebrations. be responsible for this. In addition, they can act as a distraction from our learning process. Your
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Alternative options include purchasing food choices from our cafeteria which would Students should arrive at school prepared to attend automatically adhere to the various guidelines. class. Please feed your child(ren) a healthy Another option would be to look at alternative breakfast or allow them to purchase one at school celebration ideas outside of food choices. and tend to minor health problems. (ex: Cough Please discuss these options with your child's and cold medication if needed, calamine lotion to bug teacher prior to coming to school. bites and poison ivy, Band-Aids covering all areas of broken skin).
GENERAL DISMISSALS ILLNESS Each child is designated by school district Children occasionally complain of illness during guidelines as a walker or bus rider. All children school hours and are sent to the nurse’s will be dismissed according to their regular bus office. Usually a rest of 10 to 15 minutes, after having route each day, and walkers will be dismissed a temperature check, is sufficient and the child is sent as follows: back to class. The child who has more serious If you are picking up a Kindergartener, please symptoms (temperature of over 100 degrees, wait in the foyer at 3:15 and sign your child out. vomiting, etc.) is deemed too ill to function in class, Those parents and students are asked to may be endangering the health of others and will be vacate the foyer to make room for the next wave dismissed from school. Such children must be picked of students. At 3:20, monitors will make up in the office by the parent or guardian, or by contact, and then dismiss, to a parent or their someone authorized by them. designee, students in grades 1 and 2. When Requirements for communicable diseases: they have all been accounted for, and vacated the foyer, students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will be MEASLES - remain home for 7 days after dismissed to a waiting adult. appearance of rash MUMPS - remain home for 9 days after onset of If there are changes to a student’s dismissal swelling procedure, please send in a note to the office CHICKEN POX - remain home for 7 days after onset and call the bus garage at 860-848-3878. of rash and until scabs are dry Many buses are at or near capacity; STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTION - remain home until therefore, changing of buses MUST be 24 hours of appropriate antibiotic therapy has been approved by the Transportation Office at instituted. 860-848-3878 beforehand. After a child has been examined by his doctor Following Dismissal, it is the responsibility of the following a communicable disease, she/he may return parent to provide for the care of their children. to school with a statement from the doctor.
We appreciate emergencies and ask that you immediately call the school and relay your INJURY In the event of serious injury, every effort is made to situation. If a pattern of not being present or planning for your child’s afterschool care contact the parents/guardians immediately. If a emerges (three instances of a child being parent/guardian cannot be located, the decision is returned to the school because no one was made to transport the child to a medical facility by there to get them off the bus, or not picked up ambulance. Continuing effort will be made to locate as a walker), a report will be filed with the them even if the child has left the school. Department of Children and Families. In the It is imperative that the school have a correct event we are unable to reach someone you telephone number on file at all times for both the have identified as an emergency contact, the home and place of business. If a number is Montville Police Department will be contacted. changed or the phone disconnected, please notify the HEALTH SERVICES school immediately and provide instructions for the A registered nurse is available during the school school to follow to locate a parent/guardian in case of day to assess illnesses, administer first aid emergency. when needed and administer prescribed medication. Throughout the school year, Students shall not return to school after an absence due to illness unless they are able to participate in the certain health related tests and examinations entire school program, including outdoor recess and are carried out during school time (ex. vision, other outdoor activities. A written doctor’s hearing, etc.). The direct phone line to the nurse’s office is 860-848-9520. statement is required allowing a child to return to
15 school with restricted recess or physical education class activity. Make sure the note POSTURAL SCREENING specifies how long the particular activity is to be Postural screening is done for fifth grade girls restricted. because curvatures of the spine rarely start to show before the preadolescent years. Screening is done to MEDICATION check for signs of scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis. Administration of medication by school personnel is a program designed to meet HEALTH PROGRAMS student health needs. The administration of A growth and development film will be shown to all any medication, including over-the-counter fourth graders with parental permission. The boys medications like Tylenol and cough drops, must will see their film with a male teacher, administrator, be done under an order from a physician, or health professional. The girls will see their film with dentist, nurse practitioner or physician’s a female teacher, administrator, or health assistant, in addition to parents/guardians professional. All parents/guardians are encouraged to permission. attend this viewing with their child.
The medication must be delivered directly to the All other health programs will be part of the classroom school nurse by the parent or guardian. Forms curriculum. for physician’s orders are available in the nurse’s office. Do not send any medication Dr. Charles E. Murphy School is a Smoke-Free (prescribed or over-the-counter) with your environment. Students shall not possess or use child. Medication must be delivered in the alcohol, drugs (including look-alike drugs) or drug original and properly labeled bottle. paraphernalia on school property. Any student found in violation of the tobacco-alcohol-drug policy will face TESTING PROGRAMS immediate suspension and, where applicable, be Height, weight, vision and hearing tests are remanded to the proper authorities. administered to each student annually. The school department has up-to-date equipment A trained crisis intervention team is available at Dr. for this testing. Passing standards for vision Charles E. Murphy School to support students, staff, and hearing are set by the state. and parents in a crisis situation. A violent intruder plan has been developed by the team. If a child fails to meet passing standards in either vision or hearing, a notice is sent to the EMERGENCY HEALTH FORMS parents or guardian, referring students to a Emergency Health Forms are sent home annually doctor. Parents/guardians are requested to and are to be returned at the beginning of each take the form provided at the time of referral to year. It is imperative that the nurse and appropriate the doctor and request that he/she complete the personnel be aware of health needs of individual form; it should be returned to the school students such as bee sting or food allergies requiring nurse. Recommendations of the doctor are emergency intervention. Please contact the school communicated to those who work with the child. nurse whenever a change of information occurs such as a change in authorized people in case of If the parent/guardian is already aware of the emergency or new medical diagnosis. problem and if the child is already under care, a note to that effect should be written on the HOMEWORK bottom of the referral and the form should be Homework is an important dimension of an effective returned to the nurse. study skills program and is an extension of classroom work to help students become self-directed, EXAMINATIONS independent learners. HEAD LICE: In many schools the problem of pediculosis (head lice) has reached epidemic Primary reasons for homework are: proportions. Head checks are done on all 1. Reinforce classroom work. students during the first two or three weeks of 2. Practice particular skills. school. If a child is found to have head lice, 3. Develop initiative, independence, self-direction, immediate dismissal is mandatory and and responsibility. treatment instructions are given. Children will 4. Develop good study skills. be readmitted to school when completely free of 5. Acquaint parents/guardians with work pupils do lice and nit combing has been in school. done. Examination by the school nurse is 6. Foster good school/home communication. required before the child is readmitted.
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7. Teach the importance of utilizing time at assessed annually in the spring to determine whether home for study. tutorial services are necessary for student success. 8. Spark students’ curiosity and creativity. LOST AND FOUND Parents/guardians are requested to provide an Any articles which are found in the school or on appropriate time and place for students to school grounds should be turned in at the main office. complete homework. Unclaimed articles will be disposed of (at the end of the school year). Loss or suspected theft of personal TIME GUIDELINES FOR HOMEWORK or school property should be reported to the main office. All clothing items may be found in the school Kindergarten cafeteria. 10 minutes, 4 nights a week DR. CHARLES E. MURPHY SCHOOL PTO Grades 1 & 2 PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION 20 to 30 minutes, 4 nights a week ALL parents are invited and encouraged to become involved at Murphy School. The PTO sponsors Grades 3 and 4 numerous functions each year. Events such as the 30 to 40 minutes, 4 nights a week Holiday Bazaar and book-fair are just a few of the many PTO sponsored happenings. Cultural Grade 5 assemblies are provided by the efforts of the PTO. 45 to 60 minutes, 4 nights a week Please check the school website for scheduled meeting times. The PTO email is Students in grades 4 and 5 should have [email protected] and the Facebook page experience working on long-term projects. This is Dr. Charles E. Murphy PTO may entail completing assignments over a weekend or during a holiday period; however, if PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES a student budgets his/her time wisely, this may Parents are encouraged to become partners in their not be necessary. child’s educational successes. Conferences with teachers may be held at any time during the school INSURANCE year. Parents and students, as well as teachers, School insurance is made available to families counselors or administrators may initiate a through a specific program. Brochures are conference. A parent or student may arrange a available on the District website at the conference with an individual member of the school beginning of each academic year. While the staff or a group conference with school staff program is not mandatory, it is suggested that members. Conferences are held during school hours, parents take advantage of the opportunity to but every effort will be made to accommodate parent provide adequate protection for their children schedules. Conferences are held on the Monday and while in school. Any such arrangement is Tuesday preceding Thanksgiving break. An contractual between the parent and insurance additional conference will be offered in the spring. carriers and the Montville Public School Parents/guardians will have the ability to sign up for assumes no liability from disputes arising from conferences at Open House. Students will bring such contract. Failure to return insurance form home notice slips with the date and time of each signifies a denial of school insurance. individual conference. These slips are to be signed and returned to school. If it is not possible to attend LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) the scheduled parent/teacher conference, due to the STUDENTS date or time, please phone the school or email the When registering a child for school, if a parent teacher to re-schedule. indicates that the child’s primary language is other than English, permission to assess The following tips are from the National Education English proficiency will be secured. Students Association for parent/teacher conferences. These will be administered the LAS Links assessment, tips will help to ensure a successful conference. and the performance on this test will determine 1. Relax. Teachers want to help your child do if English language services are indicated. The his/her best. Working together will produce test evaluates four areas of English proficiency: success during the school year. reading, writing, speaking and listening. 2. Take notes on things that the teacher should Parents will be notified of the results of this know; your child’s personality, problems, home assessment and permission will be obtained for life, habits and hobbies. Write down concerns tutorial services. Students participating in the about the school programs or policies. English Language Learner program are
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3. Talk to your child before the conference. January the rules are retaught as a reminder for the Find out what he/she thinks are the best rest of the year. subjects and what he/she likes the least, and why. Ask if there is anything that Any staff member can reinforce positive behaviors by he/she would like to have you, as the giving students a ROCK ticket. ROCK tickets are parent, talk about with the teacher. Make accumulated and exchanged for prizes. sure he/she does not worry about the meeting. Tell your child you are meeting If a student does not follow the school rules, he or she because you are interested in their school will be asked to fill out a Situation Sheet. The Situation life, and you want to know if there are ways Sheet is used for the student to reflect on the rule not you can help. followed and on better choices that can be made in 4. Be on time, and try not to run over the the future. The student and a staff member then meet allotted time. Request another time to to discuss the Situation Sheet. If a student receives continue the conference if need be. three Situation Sheets for the same behavior then 5. Ask questions about your child’s he/she will receive an office referral, which is handled participation in class, readiness, and by the principal. changes in study habits, group discussions and activities. 6. End the conference by summing up We are very proud of the way our students have risen decisions you’ve made together. If need to our ROCK expectations. The Murphy School be, meet again. "Mustang Horse" logo, appropriately named Charlie 7. After the conference, start on the action Rocker, continues to represent our PBIS behavior plan that was worked out. Stay in touch plan. regularly with the teacher to discuss progress. REPORT CARDS Report cards for Grades K-5 are issued in November, PLAYGROUND SAFETY RULES March and June. Note: report cards will NOT be 1. No fighting, teasing, or rough play is issued to any student owing money to the cafeteria allowed. and/or for lost/damaged textbooks and/or library 2. Food items are not allowed on the books. playground. 3. Students are to be responsible for safe use SCHOOL HOURS AND TARDINESS of all equipment, Full Day 4. Students are not to leave the school Kindergarten 8:45 a.m. – 3:15p.m. grounds. Grade 1 – 5 8:45 a.m. – 3:20 p.m. ½ Day POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION Kindergarten 8:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SUPPORTS (PBIS) Grade 1 – 5 8:45 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. It is a process for If a student arrives at school later than 8:45 A.M., they creating a physically and emotionally safer, are considered tardy. Students must report to the more effective school by reinforcing positive office to be signed in before going to their classroom. behaviors as well as preventing and addressing An adult must accompany the student to the problem behaviors. office
SCHOOL SCHEDULE* At Murphy School we teach the four school Dr. Charles E. Murphy School runs a 5 day rotating pillars of PBIS during the first week of school. block schedule. The primary advantages of the block These are to be Responsible, show schedule are that by its design it creates 'blocks' of Outstanding Effort, show good Citizenship and uninterrupted instructional time for students and show Kindness. Quarterly, we discuss and teachers, and allows staff longer periods of shared celebrate these standards at a student run planning time. Students will have each special once a assembly referred to as our Town Meeting. week for forty-five minutes. We appreciate the possibilities that this offers us to institute promising Each class learns what it looks like and sounds instructional practices and the positive impact it has like to follow the rules in all areas of our school: on student outcomes and achievement. This rotating the classroom, the bathroom, the hallway, the cycle also continues to eliminate the problem of cafeteria, the playground, during an assembly, students frequently missing their special classes such and even on the bus! During the first week of as Art, Music, P.E. or Library.
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Intervention Team (CIT) process. Specialized tests SPECIAL EDUCATION are administered by the reading consultants, the Montville’s elementary schools provide a variety school psychologist, the special education teachers, of classrooms/programs designed to assist the speech/language pathologist, the occupational students with a range of exceptionality; therapist, and the physical therapist on an individual social/emotional and/or physical. Teachers basis, as needed. who are trained in special education provide direct instructional services and indirect Special Services addresses the needs of those services such as assisting or providing students who may fall into one or more of the consultation to the regular classroom teachers following categories: Autism, Deaf-Blindness, though Special Services. Developmental Delay (ages 3-5), Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Dr. Charles E. Murphy Elementary School is Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic committed to a system of inclusion for our Impairment, Learning Disabilities, Speech or students with disabilities. We believe that all Language Impaired, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual children can learn and that students with Impairment, Other Health Impairment, OHI- disabilities have the right to be educated with ADD/ADHD. non-disabled peers. We therefore practice the following characteristics of responsible SPECIAL PROGRAMS inclusion. The district provides special programs such as but not limited to, gifted and talented, bilingual, special Characteristics of Responsible Inclusive education services. A student or parent with Practices: questions about these programs should contact Paula LaChance, Director of Special Services. The faculty believes inclusion is a valued practice for all students The District currently utilizes Scientific Research The general education class and Based Interventions (SRBI), a process which curriculum is the reference point for all combines systematic assessment, decision-making instructional planning and a multi-tiered delivery model to improve Students are in age appropriate general educational and behavioral outcomes for all students. education classrooms Academic and behavioral support and targeted An array of instructional strategies for interventions will be provided for students who are not diverse learners is used effectively in making academic progress at expected levels in the each classroom general curriculum. Special education support is provided for students with disabilities in the Any child identified as possibly needing special general education classroom when it is education and/or related services must be referred to needed a special education Planning & Placement Team for Special education and support services evaluation (PPT). The PPT will determine whether personnel are on grade level or subject special education services are required. Parents must area teams with their fellow general give their consent before any evaluation can be done educators or any services can begin. An Individualized All educators regularly plan together to Education Plan, based upon the diagnostic findings of meet the needs of students they serve the evaluation study will be developed by the PPT, with parental involvement. Parents will be informed The identification of children requiring special regarding the use of Scientific Research Based education and/or related services and the Interventions. delivery of these services is a process requiring cooperative participation between For students in need of Special Education programs, parents/guardians and staff. This process may a Planning and Placement Team (PPT) is designed be initiated in a number of ways, and if you have to provide communication and decision-making at the any question at all about any procedure or school level concerning the effective use of available process relative to special education and resources. The team is also responsible for follow-up available services, you should call Paula and periodic review of all students presently in LaChance, Director of Special Services at 860- Special Education and special service programs. 848-1228. District wide screening of 3 and 4 year olds enables Teacher/parent/guardian concerns are us to identify children at risk for educational difficulties addressed through the Collaborative and to provide educational interventions where
19 indicated. Please contact Paula LaChance, individual student is considered when interpreting test Director of Special Services at 860-848-1228. scores and developing educational programs.
TEACHER REQUESTS Individual student reports of all group test results While the school wants, and needs to know become part of the student’s school record and, as about your child (needs, strengths, areas of such, are subject to the provision of the student concern, and specific parent concerns), we will record policy. not honor requests for a specific teacher. Conferences on the results of testing may be held at parent/guardian or teacher request. Parental requests for teachers cannot be The following achievement and intelligence tests are honored because they impede the balance of administered system-wide to all elementary students: the class makeup. In the spring, a form will be sent to help develop classroom lists. We ask 1. Otis-Lennon School Ability Test - Grade 3 you to help us place your child correctly by 2. Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) Science listing their strengths, areas of concerns and Grade 5 needs on this form. In determining placement 3. Smarter Balance Assessment – Gr 3-5 from one year to the next for all our children, the 4. Pre-Post Math Tests - Grades 2-5 following factors are taken into consideration: 5. Pre-Post Reading Assessments–Grades 1–5 6. Benchmark/Progress Monitoring – DIBELS academic functioning Testing (Reading) – Grades K-5 social/emotional development 7. Benchmark/Progress Monitoring – individual needs Fountas and Pinnell Running Records class size Grades K-5 gender make up of class 8.State of Connecticut Physical Fitness peer interaction Assessment – Grade 4 student/teacher compatibility All new students entering the district for the first time parent input are given a reading and mathematics assessment as
needed. Class assignments are done in April/May, and parents are informed as to whom the next year’s Reading and math assessments are administered teacher will be on the report card given the last informally and formally by classroom teachers and day of school. The process is done by the specialists to measure educational progress. teachers on that grade level and the principal.
The ultimate responsibility for student Pre and post assessments enable teachers to focus placement rests with the principal. instruction in areas most in need and allow them to
TESTING monitor student and class progress over the course of a year. Each year all Montville elementary students in grades 1 through 5 participate in a district-wide TRAFFIC FLOW AND PARKING* testing program designed to provide information Please read this section on policies for entering the concerning their proficiency on tests of school grounds to drop-off and pick-up students. academic achievement and aptitude. This testing program was organized by a committee If you plan on dropping off your child(ren), please be of school personnel and approved by the Board sure to drive your vehicle into the parent drop-off of Education. entrance. Proceed completely around the loop to
drop off your children. Please ensure that your The primary purpose of testing is to determine child(ren) exits on the passenger side of your the achievement or readiness level of the vehicle to enter the sidewalk. AT NO TIME student in a given subject or skill. In addition, SHOULD ANY VEHICLE BE PARKED IN THIS large group standardized tests have the added AREA. value of providing a rough measure of how well suited the curriculum is to the students. Test Students are not to be dropped off before 8:30 information is utilized by classroom teachers, A.M. when monitors are not on duty. specialists, and administrators in meeting the learning needs of the individual student. NOTE: DO NOT drop-off students in the bus
unloading area. This interrupts traffic flow. It should be noted that test scores are only one measure of a student’s ability to perform in the classroom. The teacher’s knowledge of each TVCCA
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The Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) offers a Pre-school program housed at Dr. Charles E. Murphy School. TVCCA’s mission is to improve the overall well- being of individuals and families in need within their service areas. TVCCA may be reached directly at 860-425-6561 or 860-848-3172.
VISITORS* Parents and other visitors are welcome to visit Montville schools. Visits during instructional time shall be permitted only with a legitimate reason and with the teachers and/or principal’s approval. Such visits shall not be permitted if their duration or frequency interferes with the delivery of instruction or disrupts the normal school environment.
Unauthorized persons shall not be permitted in school buildings or on school grounds. School principals are authorized to take appropriate action to prevent such persons from entering the building or from loitering on the grounds. Such persons will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
All visitors should are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of courtesy and conduct. Disruptive behavior will not be permitted.
Those wishing to have lunch with their child are required to call into the office for approval prior to coming to school.
Visitors to the school may be asked to exchange their car keys for a visitors pass.
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