The Board of Directors and staff of M.S.A.D.. #35 are committed to the development of an outstanding school system which will provide the opportunity for students to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become productive members of an ever-changing society. We are committed to strive to prepare our students for a successful future by providing quality academic programs, social experiences and ethical guidance within our schools. Our foremost priority must be the welfare of the students in our system.

To meet these goals, we believe that M.S.A.D.. #35 has the responsibility of establishing throughout the school system a safe and wholesome learning environment in which intellectual, emotional, social, ethical and physical growth are nurtured so that students will develop a sense of self-worth and responsibility and learn to respect the rights of others. We must help students acquire basic reading, writing and computation skills, along with the critical and creative thinking skills which are essential to active participation in a democracy. We must recognize and respond to differing individual needs and differing learning styles. We must provide students with a knowledge of human civilization, the American Heritage and the physical universe. We must endeavor to help students to develop positive attitudes toward learning and to become actively involved in their own education.

We must make our school system a stimulating environment in which to learn and to teach by encouraging high professional standards and continued staff growth. We must strive to promote mutual respect and cooperation among administrative, staff, students and members of the community.

As required by Maine law, MSAD #35 hereby adopts Maine's system of Learning Results. The Learning Results system is intended to serve as a foundation for education reform and to promote and provide assessment of student learning, accountability and equity. The Board recognizes that the legislative intent of the learning results system is to provide children with schools that reflect high expectations and to create conditions where these expectations can be met.

In order to promote the health and safety of all students and staff and to promote the cleanliness of all facilities, the Board of Directors prohibits smoking and the use of all other tobacco products in school buildings, facilities, and on school buses during school-sponsored events and at all other times on school grounds by all persons, including students and employees.

In addition, students are further prohibited from possessing, selling, distributing, or dispensing tobacco products in school building, facilities, and on school grounds and buses during school-sponsored events and at all other times.

Employees and all other persons are also strictly prohibited, under law and this Board's policy, from selling, distributing, or in any way dispensing tobacco products to students.

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8:25 AM is the time the school doors open for WALKERS and BUS STUDENTS. Students are considered tardy after 8:40 AM. Morning Pre-K and Kindergarten begin dismissal at 11:00. Afternoon Pre-K and Kindergarten begins at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 3:00 PM. All healthy students are expected to be in their assigned places at school between these times unless WRITTEN PERMISSION has been requested by the parent and granted by the principal.

Notes from home should be clearly written and signed by a parent or guardian. Any student absent with a communicable disease must also present a certificate of good health from a doctor or the school nurse. Students should deliver notes concerning attendance, tardiness and dismissal TO THEIR HOMEROOM TEACHER the very first thing in the morning.

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CONDUCT ON BUSES

Transportation is provided by M.S.A.D. #35 to better serve the students and families of South Berwick and Eliot. A pupil being transported shall be expected to observe the rules and regulations established for bus pupils.

The privilege of pupils to ride the bus is dependent upon their behavior and observing rules pertaining to conduct. Drivers are required to enforce these rules.

Please note that the discipline codes of this handbook apply to school buses. (District policy currently under review).

MEETING THE BUS:

Pupils shall:

1. Be on time.

2. When walking to a bus stop, walk on the left, on the shoulder of the road, facing traffic.

3. Walk across the road, not run.

4. Never run alongside the bus when it is moving.

Parents, please note - if your child misses the bus, DO NOT chase or flag down the bus in your vehicle. It is dangerous. Also, since our buses are at or near capacity, please do not assume it is permissable for a student to ride another bus. Permission needs to be obtained IN ADVANCE through the school office. A note from the parent to the driver is not sufficient.

ON THE BUS:

Pupils shall:

1. Obey the driver.

2. Go promptly to your seats, without crowding or pushing, sit properly and remain seated while the bus is in motion.

3. Not mar or deface the bus. Damage done to seats or other equipment must be paid for by the offender.

4. Not smoke on the bus.

5. Consume food or beverage with permission of the bus driver.

6. Not fight in the bus.

7. Not engage in "horseplay" or cause a disturbance.

8. Not tamper with the emergency door or any other part of the bus equipment.

9. Remain seated until the bus stops before leaving the bus.

10. Not extend arms, legs, head and any other object out of the bus.

11. Open windows only with the driver's permission.

12. Not shout to pedestrians or occupants of other vehicles.

13. Not throw objects inside or outside of the bus.

14. Not place objects in the aisle or emergency exits of the bus.

15. After leaving the bus, cross the road only in front of the bus and at the driver's direction.

16. Refrain from bringing unsafe or dangerous items (weapons, glass containers, animals, sleds, or other items the driver deems a hazard on the bus.)

BICYCLES

Bicycle racks are provided outside the school by the flagpole. STUDENTS WHO NORMALLY TAKE A BUS MUST BRING WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM HOME TO RIDE THEIR BIKES HOME. Bus students who forget to bring written permission to ride a bike home, will have to ride the bus home--even if the student rides the bike to school in the morning. It is the responsibility of the bike rider to keep the bike locked at all times. Bike riders are dismissed at the same time the walkers are dismissed.

WALKERS (K-3)

Walkers should try to arrive at school as close to 8:30 AM as possible. When students arrive they should proceed to the inner playground to line up to go inside. During inclement weather students should enter the main door and proceed to the gym.

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Free and reduced breakfast/lunch prices are available to qualified families. An eligibility form is sent home the first day of school, or may be requested from the office at any time during the school year.

IF YOU WISH TO BUY SCHOOL LUNCHES: The purchase of lunches is automated. Each student estabilshes a credit and lunch and milk are purchased through a credit card system. Breakfast is cash only ($1.00 full, $.30 reduced).

IF YOU WISH TO BRING A LUNCH FROM HOME: You homeroom teacher will show you where to store you box or bag until lunchtime. You may buy milk for 30¢ each, following the same procedure as written above for lunch if you are in grades 1-3.

THE BREAKFAST PROGRAM: Begins each day at 8:00 until 8:30. Please note: breakfast is not served on a delayed opening day.

IF YOU WISH TO GO HOME FOR LUNCH: Bring a note from home stating which day or days you are to go home and your teacher will dismiss you when the rest of the class goes to the cafeteria/recess. Return before the class returns to the classroom so you won't be late!

PARENTS COMING FOR LUNCH: Parents and/or relatives are welcome to join their children for lunch. It would be most helpful if you send in a note indicating you are going to come so you can be included in the lunch count. Adult tickets are $2.75.

LUNCH AND MILK PRICES FOR STUDENTS: Full price is $1.50 (includes a milk), reduced price is 40¢. Milk alone is 30¢.

WE DO NOT SERVE LUNCH ON EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS OR THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL.

During the course of the school year, Central School provides numerous concerts and presenters of enrichment programs in the form of special assemblies. Special assemblies are brought to the student body at great expense and are carefully thought out and planned. They are as important to school life as what goes on in the classroom. We feel it is appropriate to provide students with behaviorial guidelines for assemblies.

Expectations for assembly behavior are as follows:

1. Students will sit in the designated area for their class or grade level.

2. Polite applause is appropriate when students are expressing approval of the presentation. (Hooting, booing, whistling, foot stomping, and other types of "pep rally" behavior are NOT appropriate at this type of gathering).

3. Students need to listen carefully and focus on the presentation. In this way they can provide the appropriate response if asked.

4. At the end of an assembly students should listen for instructions for dismissal.

Each classroom teacher will review and discuss assembly conduct with their students at the beginning of the school year and as a reminder before each assembly.

Inappropriate assembly behavior will result in disciplinary action which may include: verbal warning, change of seat, and/or removal from assembly.

In compliance with the Americans with Disability Act, MSAD #35 will provide interpretive services or other special considerations given notification of at least three working days prior to the day of the event.

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Storm days must be made up at the end of the school year as State Law requires Maine public school students to have 175 full days of school each year.

DELAYED OPENING ONLY: AM Prekindergarten and Kindergarten come to school at 10:30 with the other students and go home after the PM Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students arrive at 12:30.

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