Parent Handbook 2012-2013
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PARENT HANDBOOK 2012-2013 PARENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 107 Marlborough Street Boston, Massachusetts 02116 tel 617-266-8427 fax 617-266-3453 [email protected] www.learningproject.org A Word About the Word “Parent” Many of our communications over the year, like this one, use the word “parent” as a short hand to describe a person who is involved in a special way in the lives of our school children. The huge variety of important adult relationships and family structures that exist in our society, and which we work hard to recognize and honor in our school, are not easily captured in a single word, and even the word “parent” runs the danger of seeming to be less than inclusive. On the other hand, entitling this document, for example, The Handbook for Adults Fulfilling the Parental Role seems a bit cumbersome. So let us be clear at the outset: For us “parent”—used here, or in the “Parent Bulletin” or in any of the numerous “Dear Parent” salutations that are sent forth in the course of a year—is intended inclusively to refer to a variety of adult-child relationships—e.g., guardian, foster parent, grandparent or other relative, “significant other,” “domestic partner,” etc.—where the adult in the relationship fills that special parenting role on behalf of an LP child and takes responsibility (legal or otherwise) to love and to provide for that child and to share actively in the joys and obligations of raising and guiding that child to become all that he or she can be. Anyone who engages in that process participates in the crucial work of “parenting.” A parent will be considered by us as doing an especially good job if their child comes to school well loved and well rested every day, with homework completed, a good nutritious lunch, appropriate outdoor clothing, and a positive attitude about the school, the community and learning. All that, alone, is an immense job! Hooray for LP parents! Parent Handbook 2015-2016 i Table of Contents THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE LEARNING PROJECT………………………………………….. ... 1 STATEMENT OF PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES………………………………………………… .... 3 Philosophy of Education ........................................................................................................................ 4 Guiding Principles .................................................................................................................................. 4 ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL……………………………………………………………… ..... 5 The Corporation ...................................................................................................................................... 5 The Board of Trustees ............................................................................................................................ 5 The Faculty and Staff .............................................................................................................................. 6 Parent Participation ................................................................................................................................ 6 Class Parent Coordinators ..................................................................................................................... 7 ENROLLMENT……………………………………………………………………………………….. ..... 7 Admissions .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Conditions of Enrollment ...................................................................................................................... 7 Placement ................................................................................................................................................. 8 Re-registration ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Tuition ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 Financial Aid ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Late Payment Policy ............................................................................................................................. 10 School Forms ......................................................................................................................................... 10 THE SCHOOL YEAR………………………………………………………………………………… ... 11 Top Priority Parent Events: September to December (or throughout the year) .......................... 11 Top Priority Parent Events: January to April Vacation ................................................................... 11 Top Priority Events: April Vacation to Graduation ......................................................................... 12 Lesser Priority Parent Events .............................................................................................................. 12 Optional Parent Events ........................................................................................................................ 13 THE SCHOOL DAY………………………………………………………………………………….. ... 13 Philosophy ............................................................................................................................................. 13 What Your Child Needs to Bring to School ...................................................................................... 15 Drop-off /Pick-up and Double Parking ............................................................................................ 16 Arrival Time .......................................................................................................................................... 17 Walking Children Up the Stairs/Classroom Visits ......................................................................... 17 The Attendance Policy ......................................................................................................................... 18 Some Background on the Attendance Policy ................................................................................... 18 Notifying the School about an Absence ............................................................................................ 20 Recording of Absences ......................................................................................................................... 20 Doctor’s Appointments ........................................................................................................................ 20 Food ........................................................................................................................................................ 20 Packaging Carefully/Lunch Containers/Pack-In Pack-Out .......................................................... 22 Dismissal ................................................................................................................................................ 22 Changes in Dismissal Plans ................................................................................................................. 22 Other Dismissal Guidelines ................................................................................................................ 23 Transportation ....................................................................................................................................... 23 Safety ...................................................................................................................................................... 23 AFTER DISMISSAL…………………………………………………………………………………… .. 24 After School Arrangements ................................................................................................................. 24 Homework ............................................................................................................................................. 25 How Much Help Should I Give? ........................................................................................................ 26 Homework Tips .................................................................................................................................... 26 Why Homework is Often Drill and Lacking in Creativity ............................................................. 27 Testing .................................................................................................................................................... 27 Television and Videos .......................................................................................................................... 27 Social Networking (Facebook and MySpace) ................................................................................... 28 Bedtime ................................................................................................................................................... 29 HEALTH ISSUES……………………………………………………………………………………… .. 29 Parent Handbook 2015-2016 ii To Keep Home or Not to Keep Home ............................................................................................... 29 Make-up Work at Home ...................................................................................................................... 29 Returning After an Illness ................................................................................................................... 29 Medical Problems ................................................................................................................................