Our 2023-2024 Family/Caretaker Handbook

INTRODUCTION
Greetings from the Fallon Elementary School grades Pre-K -5. The policies and procedures in this handbook are the result of a concerted effort on the part of the administration, faculty, and family/caretakers. This information has been carefully prepared and presented so that it will be of value to you throughout the year as a reference. In addition, expect your child to bring home monthly classroom newsletters.

PTO-SCHOOL COUNCIL
The PTO is a vital and integral part of the school. A survey will be sent out shortly to determine when would be the best time to meet. The council will make suggestions and plan activities, which support and enrich the school program. All parents/caretakers are welcome and encouraged to join. 

VOLUNTEERS
Family/caretakers volunteers are involved in many ways at the Fallon. If you would like to help with special projects or field trips, please come to the office to fill out a CORI form.

VISITORS/PARENTS/CARETAKERS
All visitors and parents/caretakers please come directly to the office, present a photo ID, and sign in at the office when entering the school building. At that time, you will be given a badge identifying you as a visitor. No family/caretaker may walk to their child’s classroom without permission from the office. 

ATTENDANCE
The school encourages daily attendance and will support you in any way to achieve that goal. The school discourages pupils with fevers or a contagious disease from attending school. Any student absent is encouraged to bring a note explaining the absence. A call from the family or note from the doctor would be appreciated if the student is sick or injured and will be absent for any length of time. If it is necessary for a child to leave school during the day, The family/caretaker MUST SIGN THE CHILD OUT IN THE OFFICE, the child will then be called down to the office for dismissal. 

LUNCH/RECESS
Recess: 11:15 AM - Lunch 11:40 AM - Grades, First Floor
Lunch: 11:15 AM - Recess 11:40 AM - Grades, Second Floor

TELEPHONE
The office telephone may not be used by students without written permission from the student's teacher and/or permission from the office. Students may not use cell phones during the day and they must be turned off. Arrangements for afternoon activities should be made before the children come to school in the morning. If there are changes, the family/caretaker must notify the school and transportation before a day prior to the change. Transportation’s phone number: (781) 477-7220 extension 1813 or 1814.

LOST AND FOUND
Articles found in and around the school will be turned into the office where the owner may claim their property by identifying it.

FAMILY/CARETAKER ACTIVITIES
Family/caretaker educational series, IEP meetings, lending library, computer access, pancake breakfast, holiday fair, parent/caretaker- teacher conferences, volunteer opportunities, weekly coffee hour, educational fairs, multicultural night and year- end celebration. 

GENERAL BEHAVIOR PLAN
It is the students’ responsibility to help make the Fallon School a safe and productive place to learn and grow. Students are expected to be cooperative, polite, and respectful always. It is the goal of the school to develop a therapeutic positive atmosphere in which students and parents/caretakers are involved and invested in learning. Students are expected to do the following: strive for excellence, practice self-discipline, and respect the needs and rights of the group, individual and the diversity of our community. The Fallon Elementary School has a highly structured positive based universal behavior management system. Daily points are awarded to students after each period: Be Safe, Respect People and Property, Follow Directions and Individual Target Behaviors. Fighting, abusive language, disrespectful behavior, defiance, bullying or actions which are potentially harmful to the emotional health and physical safety of self or others will not be tolerated. Offenses are dealt with on an individual basis. We maintain the right to give consequences of sitting time, loss of privileges, in-house suspension, and home suspension following LPS protocols. 

FIRE DRILLS
Fire drill are practiced, and instructions are posted in every classroom. If a classroom exit is blocked the students should quickly turn and exit to the nearest door. Students should then report their designated area outside. Everyone must exit the building. Windows and doors of classrooms and passages will be closed. 

LOCK DOWN DRILLS
Lock Down drills are practiced monthly. All students are expected to follow established protocols and adult directions during the drill.

HALLWAYS
Students may leave their classroom with permission from their teacher. Passes are available for students for the bathroom, Office, Academic Center, nurse, clinician, principal or to take a walk.  

REPORT CARDS AND PROGRESS REPORTS
The report card is sent home three times a year informing you of your child's progress. Grades are based on your child's performance in learning the MA Framework standards through the LPS curriculum. Progress reports on the IEP are sent home three times per year with the report card. 

FAMILY/CARETAKER -TEACHER CONFERENCES
Daily Classroom Reports are sent home informing you of your child’s performance. Family/Caretaker-Teacher conferences supplement the written reports and are held two times per year. In addition to scheduled conferences, the Fallon School has an open-door policy and will gladly meet with the family/caretaker if you have a question or concern. Please make an appointment if your concern is not of the immediate nature.

FIELD TRIPS
Since field trips can be of enormous educational and cultural value, teachers are encouraged to take students on occasional field trips during the year. Family/Caretakers will be informed in sufficient time to meet the necessary financial obligations. Family/caretaker written permission slips are required for each trip. All students are eligible to attend field trips regardless of their level. There are occasions when the leadership may determine that a child is unable to attend the field trip due to safety reasons. 

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION
If it is necessary for a student to take prescription medicine at school, the family/caretaker must bring the medication to the school nurse, fill out and sign the proper forms. Only prescription medicine in the original container may be dispensed through the nurse. Family/caretaker may not send medicine in with their children. Nurse Christine (781) 477-7470 ext. 1753

WITHDRAWAL OF STUDENT DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR
The importance of making proper withdrawal cannot be stressed too much. If it becomes necessary to withdraw a student, family/caretakers are asked to notify the office at least five days in advance. A transfer form, IEP, psychological report, immunization, and physical records will be presented to the parent/caretaker.

CHANGE OF DIRECTORY INFORMATION ON STUDENT
It is the family/caretaker’s responsibility to let the office know immediately of any changes in a pupil's address or phone number. This is especially important in case of emergency or sickness. All family/caretakers are expected to give three names and phone numbers in case of an emergency.

SPECIALS: ART, MUSIC, AND GYM
Art therapy, music therapy, and physical education classes meet one time per week. Each child should have an art shirt they leave in the art room for projects. Students should wear sneakers and comfortable clothing on gym days. 

COMPUTERS,TEXTBOOKS
All computers, texts and workbooks are loaned to students for their use during the school year. Students are expected to handle them carefully. Students will be required to pay for lost or damaged materials.

STUDENT APPEARANCE
In the interest of comfort and safety we ask that family/caretakers dress their children appropriately for school. Each student must wear shirts that cover the midriff and chest, pants, shorts, dress, skirt or clothing bottom. Students may not wear flip flops, tee shirts with offensive slogans or see through clothing that reveals undergarments. We reserve the right to send any child home that is not dressed appropriately. Pupils should come to school clean to a degree consistent with the maintenance of good physical health, is mandatory. 

CLINICAL SUPPORT
The therapeutic behavior management program of the Fallon School is designed to foster an attitude of general well- being and self-worth through positive based supports. There are two full-time Clinical Supervisors available to students that may be experiencing difficulty. All students will participate in social skills groups and diversity education. The Behavior Support Staff will settle students that are disruptive to the learning environment and reintegrate them back to the learning environment with support as needed. 

VANDALISM
The school buildings and equipment cost the taxpayers’ money to construct, purchase and maintain. Students who destroy or vandalize school property will be required to pay for those losses or damages or complete restitution decided by the principal. If a student willfully destroys school property, suspension may be warranted. 

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM
Please encourage your child to eat a variety of foods. The programs are used to teach children etiquette, social manners, respect for the rights of others, and the true value of foods. All students will receive free breakfast and lunch. 

PLAYGROUND RULES
PLAYWORKS is the recess model that promotes healthy play, respect, and community. The mission is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for cooperative physical activity and safe meaningful play. 

SCHOOL BUS RULES
All students must wear a seatbelt and remain seated throughout the ride to and from school. Students may play appropriate games on handheld electronics during the ride. Food or drinks are not allowed on the bus. The Fallon School reserves the right to suspend students from the bus for unsafe behaviors.

HOME-LEARNING POLICY
We believe that home-learning: helps develop responsibility, self- discipline, and good study habits. Home-learning reinforces skills for future lessons, expands and enhances classroom learning, and gives family/caretakers the opportunity to be involved in the child's education. All students should be reading for thirty minutes daily.  Home learning: ELA Monday and Tuesday, Math- Wednesday and Thursday. On the monthly newsletters are websites to support current topics.  Passwords will be sent home at the beginning of the school year. Family/caretakers are encouraged to do the following: provide a time and place to do home-learning, check your child's work daily, and notify the teacher on the daily classroom report if there is a problem. 

I look forward to working with all of you to make the school year a success. Together, we can foster a love of learning using growth mindsets, perseverance, and pro-social skills to maximize each students’ full potential. 

Special Events Calendar For  School Year: 2023-2024

Title One Meeting: Thursday September 14th, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Open House: Thursday September 14th, 2023 at 6 PM
  
Thanksgiving Family Breakfast: Wednesday November 21st, 2023

Holiday Fair: Monday December 21st, 2023 (tentative)  

Family/Teacher Conferences: 2024
Thursday January 18th 4:30 until 5:30 PM
Multicultural Potluck Dinner followed Family/Teacher Conferences till 7 PM

and

Thursday March 21st - 4 until 5:30 PM
Followed by family engagement activity.

Words and Window: Thursday May 23rd, 2024 
(Art/Writing Show) Ice Cream Social: At 6 PM

End of Year Celebration: 
June 17th, 2024 at 11 AM followed by family cookout

School Council Meetings:
November 16th, 2023
February 8th, 2024
April 11th, 2024 

Regards,
Mrs. Takis-Conway
Principal
William R. Fallon School

Principal
Nancy Takis-Conway