TABLE OF CONTENTS

Wellesley Public Schools Core Values

Special Bates Dates

Section 1: School Schedule and Attendance

School Hours Arrival Time Absence and Tardiness School Cancellations Emergency Dismissals

Section 2: Getting to and from School

Bus Transportation

Section 3: Meals and Snacks

Lunch at School snacks

Section 4: Health and Illness Policies

Physical Exams and Screenings Illness and Injury Guidelines Medication Policy Emergency Care Allergies

Section 5: Communication

By Backpack With Teachers and the Principal With the Bates School Council With the School Committee and Central Office

Section 6: Other Important Information

After-School Care Before School Care Homework CORI and Student Release Form Policy Lost & Found Report Cards Student Records Access to Student Records Out of District Placement Policy

Section 7: Bates School Traditions

Special Events Enrichment Events

Section 8: Behavior Guidelines and Policies

Bates Guidelines & Expectations The Social Competency Program Wellesley Public Schools Suspension Policy

Bates School Staff: 2004/2005

Bates School PTO Officers and Board: 2004/2005

Special Bates Dates

Mark Your Calendar

2005
August 24	Wednesday	Open House Coffee for New Families	9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
August 30	Tuesday	Kindergarten Visitation	10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
August 31	Wednesday	First Day of School
September 7	Wednesday	Questions for the Principal For Kindergarten Parents	6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
September 8	Thursday	Musical Instrument Demonstration Grades 3-5	9:00 a.m.
September 21	Wednesday	Back to School Night K-2 Grades 3-5	6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
September 22	Thursday	School Pictures
October 15	Saturday	Pumpkin Fair	10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
2006
March 7-10		Book Fair
March 16	Thursday	Kindergarten Parent Orientation	6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
March 22	Wednesday	Bates in Bloom	7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
March 25	Saturday	Live?Silent Auction	TBA
June	TBA	Field Day
June 13	Tuesday	Vasko Memorial Family Fun Walk Family Picnic	5:30 - 6:00 p.m. 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Day Before Last Day of School		Closing Assembly
Last Day of School		5th Grade Graduation

PTO MEETINGS 2005-2006

The first PTO meeting will be held on Thursday evening September 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bates Library. Open Conversaition with Amberwill be held from 7-7:30 p.m. In our efforts to accommodate all members of the PTO, we will be holding three of the PTO meetings in the morning at Bates.  Please make note of the times.

DATE	TIME
Thursday, Sept 15	7:00 p.m. Amber 7:30 p.m. PTO
Thursday, October 6	7:00 p.m. Amber 7:30 p.m. PTO
Thursday, November 10	9:30 a.m.
December-No PTO Meeting
Thursday, January 12	7:00 p.m. Amber 7:30 p.m. PTO
Thursday, February 9	9:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 9	7:00 p.m. Amber 7:30 p.m. PTO
Thursday, April 13	9:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 11	7:00 p.m. Amber 7:30 p.m. PTO
June-No PTO Meeting	9:30 a.m.

SECTION 1: SCHOOL SCHEDULE AND ATTENDANCE

School Hours
Kindergarten	Grades one - five
8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. on stay days* 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Wednesdays and non-stay days.	8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. M, T, TH, F 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Wednesdays
*Each kindergartner will have one stay day (8:30 – 3:05) per week beginning Monday, September 19, 2005; two stay days beginning October 17, 2005; and four stay days beginning April 24, 2006.
Arrival Time Playground supervision begins at 8:15 a.m. Please make sure your child arrives no earlier than this time as there is no supervision before 8:15 In the even of bad weather, orange flags will be placed in front and back of the school. The flags will signal that students will be monitorec in the dinning room instead of outside your child's usual entrance.
Absence and Tardiness Policy Please notify the school each day your child will be absent. The most reliable way to notify the school of a child’s absence is by calling the office at 446-6260 between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. and reporting the absence directly to Mrs. Scanlan, the secretary. If calling is not possible, please send a note to the teacher or contact a classmate who can report the expected absence. School begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. If your child arrives after 8:35 a.m. they will be marked tardy. Please make sure he or she checks in at the office so he or she is not marked absent. Tardy notices are handed to children. If your child is absent and we have not been notified, the school secretary will call you to verify the child’s whereabouts and to make sure he or she is safe.
School Cancellations When traveling conditions appear to place children’s safety in jeopardy, the Superintendent of Schools will report school cancellation via the following vehicles: Radio: WBZ 1030 AM, WBCN 104.1 FM, WCRB 102.5 FM, WEEI 850 AM, WMJX 106.7 FM, WXKS 107.9 FM, WROR 105.7 FM Television: Channels 4, 5 and 7 Telephone: 446-6200 for recorded message. Please do not call the Bates School, the Police, or the Fire Department for this information. On days when school is not officially closed, the final decision about your child’s attendance in inclement weather is yours.
Emergency Dismissals In cases of severe weather conditions or unforeseen emergencies, your child may be dismissed during the school day. Please discuss with your child the arrangements for transportation and supervision in the event of an emergency dismissal. Room parents will notify parents or designated emergency contacts of an early dismissal. No child will be dismissed unless there is a clear plan for his or her transportation and supervision.

SECTION 2: GETTING TO AND FROM SCHOOL

It is ESSENTIAL that all families follow the routines of morning arrival and afternoon pick up . In order to ensure the safe and quick arrival and departure of all students we need adults to learn and follow these rules. If you have babysitters, grandparents, or others, picking up your children you need to teach them the rules of traffic flow at Bates. It only takes a few cars not following the procedures to cause problems for everyone. PLEASE DO YOUR PART.

All students K-5 complete a dismissal plan. Please complete and follow this procedure with each child. The form outlining this process is sent each year in the summer mailing packet.

All children wait outside in the morning. ( See arrival note)

All 2nd-5th grade children walk around the building to the back playground area where they are supervised after 8:15 a.m. All K and 1st grade children wait on the front playgound. If supervised by a parent, children can be on either play area to keep siblings together if necessary.

Morning Drop Off:

DRIVERS:

Children need to be in classrooms by 8:35 a.m. which means that if you are dropping your child off by car you need to have them to school no earlier than 8:15a.m, and as close to 8:30 a.m as possible. If you want to wait with your child please park in the lot. If waiting with your child is a regular routine we encourage you to walk, or to teach your child to manage the moving drop off line.

Drop of Line Procedures:

• CARS MUST APPROACH BATES BY COMING DOWN ELMWOOD OFF OF WESTGATE. Do not turn left into the loop from Elmwood.
• Students should be dropped off in the loop.
• DO NOT PARK IN THE LOOP.
• DO NOT PULL INTO THE BUS LANE. Use the front loop for drop off.
• Please have your child exit the car from the passenger side of the car and up onto the sidewalk. Do not have child exit the car by stopping on the inside of the loop and doubling up cars. This is exceptionally dangerous - you need to wait the extra moment to let your child off along the curb.
• You need to stay in your car and work to make your drop off time quick and routine.
• Be courteous to other staff and parents working to support arrival.
• DO NOT DROP OFF IN PARKING LOT.

WALKERS:

Children walking to school should arrive no earlier than 8:15 a.m.

• Children K-2 are to be supervised by a parent to bike to school.
• Children 3-5th can bike independently.
• All bikers should park at the bike racks.
• All bikers and scooter riders must walk bikes/scooters once on school grounds.

Afternoon Dismissal:

At the 3:05 p.m. bell all students are dismissed to parents/adult supervisors based on your outlined dismissal plan. Please follow your plan as set for the day. Changes during the school day must be phoned into the office and will be relayed to the teachers.

CAR LINE: Many students are picked up in the MOVING CAR LINE. This is a live line and drivers do not get out of their cars. The cue line begins at the front of the loop and progresses up Elmwood and around onto Westgate. Cars need to keep moving and students enter cars from the sidewalk along the lower part of Elmwood directly in front of school and in the loop area. DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL ON EITHER SIDE OF ELMWOOD AT THE END OF THE DAY. The far side of Elmwood is a no parking area and the moving car line is flowing on the side of Elmwood in front of Bates.

PARENT/GUARDIAN PICK-UP: If you want to pick up your child by meeting them at Bates you can meet them on site. You can walk to school, or park further away beyond the 'School Zone" signs. You can also park in the parking lot, but spaces are limited.

WALKERS AND BIKERS: Many students are dismissed as walkers or bikers, which means that at dismissal they are released by their teacher to head home following the dismissal plan you have outlined with them. Some parents dismiss their children as walkers and then meet them at a set spot near school. Whatever you decide, you need to follow your plan each day.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS: Students attending after school programs such as WCCC will be dismissed to a set spot in the school and checked off prior to loading the bus for their after school program. Kindergarten and First grade students are delivered to the area by an adult and met by the program monitor loading the bus for check in.

Bus Transportation:

THERE IS NO LONGER KINDERGARTEN BUS SERVICE ON NONSTAY DAYS. PARENTS MUST PICK UP THEIR KINDERGARTENERS ON ALL STAY DAYS AND NONSTAY DAYS.

• Other Bus Service:
  All Bates students are less than 1-1/2 miles from school and, therefore, are not eligible for free bus service. You may apply to the Transportation Office for bus transportation for a fee. Spaces are limited. Call 446-6220 for more information.

SECTION 3: MEALS AND SNACKS

Lunch at School:

There are three lunch/recess periods, each lasting 40 minutes with 5 minutes of transition time build in, as follows:
11:40-12:20          2nd and 3rd grades ( and the 3/4 on some days)
12:05-12:50          K and 1st grades (play out front)
12:35-1:15           4th and 5th grades (and the 3/4 some days)

We have an ID card swipe system for ordering lunch and milk. Parents pay for lunches and/or milk in advance using a food service prepayment form. Each month, you will receive a statement listing the balance in your child's account. Included with the statement is a prepayment form that can be mailed in with a check if you need to add money to your child's lunch account.

Each Bates student has a food service ID card assigned to him or her that is kept by the teacher. Each morning, the teacher counts the number of students who choose to buy lunch and gives those children their cards at lunchtime. The cards are then swiped through an electronic card reader that logs the transaction, and the cards are returned to the classroom for next time. Students may order a hot lunch or the alternative meal on any given day, and are not locked in to any schedule for buying versus bringing lunch. A menu is listed in the Townsman and in a bulletin sent home each month via your child. More detail on the school lunch program is available through the Food Services Department at 446-6244.

Snack:

Each class has a morning snack/recess time. Please pack a healthy snack as well as a drink, for your child each day. Snacks are not supplied by the school.

SECTION 4: HEALTH AND ILLNESS POLICIES

The Wellesley school nurses follow the standards established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Physical Exams and Screenings

Health examinations are required for kindergartners, third-graders (exam must be performed by October 15th of third grade), and for students in all grades who are new to Wellesley Public Schools. Either the family physician or the school doctor may complete these exams. Forms must be returned to the school nurse, who maintains a health record for each student. Vision and hearing tests are administered by the nurse to all elementary school children. The nurse also performs scoliosis screenings during fifth grade.

Head lice screening is conducted by the nurse and a team of trained parents at the beginning of school and after December and April vacations. Wellesley schools adhere to a "no-nits" policy under which students with head lice are sent home for treatment and are readmitted only when the nurse or principal deems them "nit free." If you identify the problem at home, please notify your child's teacher so the nurse can check the rest of the class. Unless all cases are identified and treated immediately, the problem may continue and your child could be re-infested.

Illness and Injury Guidelines

• If your child has an illness or injury that will restrict his/her activity during school for one to two days, please write a note describing the extent of the restrictions.
• If your child has been treated by a doctor or in an emergency room for an injury (such as stitches, sprains, fractures, etc.) that will restrict his or her activity for a limited period of time, you must send in a note from the doctor stating when your child can resume physical education. Your child will not be allowed to return to physical education without this note.
• If your child becomes ill or injured at school, he or she will be cared for in the nurse's office until a parent or other authorized adult comes to take him or her home. (He or she will not be allowed to walk home alone.)
• A student with a fever should remain home for 24 hours after the fever has subsided or for 24 hours after being placed on antibiotics in the case of strep throat. This is required for everyone's health and safety and helps prevent relapse and extended absences.
• A student absent from school due to Chicken Pox must present a Board of Health Certificate for readmission to school. The certificate will be mailed to you when you call the Wellesley Health Department at 235-0135 to report a case of Chicken Pox.
• A child who has a cold with coughing, frequent sneezing, or a large amount of nasal discharge will be more comfortable at home until the symptoms subside. This will also help control the spread of illness.
• A child who has conjunctivitis conjunctivitis may return to school the day after treatment has begun and when eyes are free of discharge.
• A student with vomiting and/or diarrhea should stay home until symptoms have been gone for at least 12 hours and he or she is able to keep down food and liquids.

Medication Policy
All medications that must be administered during school hours can be given only by a school nurse and only if proper procedure has been followed. Parents must provide the school with:
1) A written and current order from the physician and
2) A note of consent from the parent asking that this medication be given.

Any medication must be provided in its original container with the pharmacy label. This applies to inhalers, Epi-Pens and medications administered "prn" (as needed), as well as daily medications. No more than a 30 school-day supply should be kept at school.

The original pharmacy container serves as the written order from the health care provider. When asked, pharmacists will provide second bottles with enough medication for the doses to be given at school. Medication is stored at school in a locked cabinet. The nurse may delegate the administration of student medication during a field trip (following MDPH guidelines).

Most short-term antibiotics, which need to be given three times per day, can be handled at home. However, if a short-term (10-day) antibiotic needs to be administered during the school day, the original pharmacy container will serve as the written order from the health care provider. A consent form signed by a parent or guardian is still required.

Please do not send medications (except an inhaler) in your child's bag, for self-administration. The medication could easily be lost, presenting a danger to another child who might take it. When the school nurse is not on-site, please inform the school secretary if your child requires medication.

Emergency Care
When necessary, emergency first aid treatment may be performed at the school. If any injury is more severe than a bump or minor cut or scratch, we will try to reach you as soon as possible. If we can't reach you, we will call the individuals listed on the yellow emergency cards completed by you, so it is important to keep the information up to date. The individuals listed on the emergency cards should be close to home and/or school, known to the child, and reasonably likely to be available. Please call the office if there are any changes.

Allergies
Due to an increase in child based food allergies some classrooms may have specific procedures around food in the classroom. Letters will be sent home to those classes affected.

SECTION 5: COMMUNICATION

By Backpack(notices, newsletters, notes)
In addition to the more formal routes of communication described below, notices are sent home routinely in your child's backpack. Bates Beat, the school newsletter, comes home each month. In addition, Mrs. Bock sends home Bock's Tidbits, the principal's newsletter, biweekly. You can also use the backpack to send notes to your child's teacher. It is important to check your child's backpack each day. In an effort to avoid duplication within families, all school-wide notices will be sent home in the backpacks of the youngest family member.

By With Teachers
Parent conferences are held in November and March. If you need to talk to your child's teacher at other times, it is helpful to write a note to the teacher so you can arrange for him or her to call you when it is mutually convenient. Each teacher has a mailbox in the office where you may leave a message. Teachers are also often available before and/or after school for phone calls. We encourage you to communicate by e-mail with questions or issues that do not require an immediate reply. Each teacher has an e-mail address based on the following format: first letter of the teacher's first name followed by the teacher's last name @postal.wellesley.mec.edu. Example:abock@postal.wellesley.mec.edu

With the Principal
Mrs. Bock may be reached during the school day by email at abock@postal.wellesley.mec.edu or by calling the school office at 446-6260. For time-sensitive issues requiring a same-day response, please call instead of using email. You may schedule a meeting with her whenever it is necessary, or you can drop by informally.

With the Bates School Council
This group, created by the Education Reform Act of 1993, is charged with the responsibility of looking at school-specific issues, creating an annual school improvement plan, and reviewing proposals for next year’s school budget. The school council meets once a month in the evening. The meetings are open to everyone. Parent representatives are Jennifer Pline, Mike Kaneb, and two to be determined in the fall, plus last year’s PTO Presidents, Heather Grillo and Alissa Keene. Teacher representatives are Amy Kapinos and a new teacher. There is a community representative. Amber Bock, Principal, is co-chair. Check Bates Beat for meeting times.

With the Central Office Administration
Central Office secretary is Mary Wolfe. She can be reached at 781-446-6210 and can direct you to the appropriate person in the school system.
Dr. Matthew King, Superintendent of Schools, 446-6226
Mr. David Fleishman, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, Finance and Administration, 446-6209
Ms. Dorsey Yearley, Director of Student Services, 446-6228
Ms. Judy Boroschek, Director of Curriculum Instruction and Staff Development, 446-6222

With the School Committee
The School Committee meets every other Tuesday throughout the year at 7:30 p.m. in the High School library. Every agenda allows for a “citizen speak” time. Meetings are televised live on the local Wellesley cable channel (Ch. 9) and are replayed during the week. Check The Wellesley Townsman for times.

2005-2006 Wellesley School Committee

Term Expires
Chairman	Susan Jablonski	2008
Vice Chairman	Suzi Newman	2008
Secretary	Suzy Littlefield	2007
Memeber	Gerry Murphy	2006
Memeber	Anna Sereiko	2006

SECTION 6: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

After-School Care
After-school care is available in Wellesley through the Wellesley Community Children's Center (WCCC). Kindergartners are taken by bus to the High School for after-school care, where they have the facilities to care for children during the afternoon. Students in grades 1-5 will go to Upham for after-school care. For more information call Mary Kloppenberg, Executive Director, at 235-7667; or Mark Balestracci, After-School Program Director, at 235-1474.

Before-School Care
Before-school care is available to all Bates students on-site from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. for a fee. Parents interested in before-school care should call Mrs. Scanlan, Bates secretary, at 446-6260.

Homework
Homework is designed to provide practice, reinforcement and/or application of skills and knowledge learned in the classroom. Additionally, it promotes individual initiative, personal responsibility and self-direction. There are five types of homework: practice, preparation, extension, and optional and independent reading.

In addition to the time represented by the homework guidelines listed below, it is expected that all elementary students will read or be read to each night.

Homework time guidelines by grade:
Kindergarten:      Occasional homework assignments
Grade 1:               Periodic homework assignments, typically one night per week
Grade 2:               Two to three assignments per week, 20-30 minutes each
Grade 3:               Three to four assignments per week, 30-45 minutes each
Grade 4:               Four assignments per week, 45 minutes each
Grade 5:               Four to five assignments per week, 60 minutes each

Optional Vacation Policy
We recognize that you will sometimes take children out of school for special vacations. Teachers will not prepare work ahead of time for vacation homework packets. Teachers will collect classroom assignments and homework during the time that the student is absent. The student will then have time following the vacation to complete the work. Teachers cannot be responsible for teaching missed material. It is the responsibility of the family to complete missed school work as best they are able.

Lost & Found
Please label all clothing, backpacks and other items so they can be returned or reclaimed easily if lost. Unclaimed Lost & Found items are periodically donated to charity, but only after parents have been notified and given time to check one last time for lost items. It is a good idea to check the Lost & Found regularly and to encourage your child to check there for missing items.

CORI and Student Information Release Form Policy
There are two very important state mandated forms which must be filled out by all parents eilther for themselves or their children. Each parent in a household who volunteers in any capacity must fill out a CORI form which is in the summer mailing packet. Also each student must have a picture, name and information release form filled out on file with the school system. These forms are state mandated and must be filled out with the parental decision about the visibility of their children.

Report Cards
Report cards are issued twice a year, at the end of January and on the last day of school. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled midway through each semester.

Student Records
The following is a summary of the Student Records Regulations relevant to elementary level students. The purpose of these regulations is to protect parents' and students' rights of confidentiality and access to information.

The student record consists of the transcript and the temporary record. The transcript contains records that constitute a minimum of data: name, address and phone number of the student and parent or guardian, the student's birth date, course titles, grade level completed and year of completion. The temporary record consists of all information of importance to the educational process, not listed in the transcript, including standardized test results, class rank, school-sponsored extra-curricular activities and evaluations by teachers, counselors and other school staff. The transcript shall be maintained by the school department and may be destroyed 60 years following the student's graduation, transfer or withdrawal from the school system. The temporary record is destroyed five years after the student transfers, graduates, or withdraws from the system.

Access to Student Records
The following is an excerpt from the Student Record Regulations for elementary level students

Parents shall have access to the student record and may have copies of any information in the record. Authorized school personnel shall have access to student records. No information contained therein shall be disseminated without the specific informed written consent of the parent (as applicable).

Open Enrollment Policy
Students normally attend the elementary school within the district in which they reside.  However, the School Committee endorses an open enrollment policy which supports the educational well being of children, follows the class size policy of the Wellesley Public Schools and ensures even utilization of building and staff resources. Parents may enroll their children in an elementary school other than the district in which they reside subject to the provisions set forth below. An out-of-district request, once approved, will be honored for the duration of the child's elementary placement; however, there can be no guarantee that a sibling will be granted a similar approval. A student who moves from one school district to another during the course of the year will be allowed to remain in the former school for the balance of that school year. In the subsequent year, that child will be considered an open enrolled student in the former school and must qualify under the open enrollment guidelines in order to remain in that school. Transportation to an approved school is the responsibility of the parent.

Open enrollment requests will be granted by the last Monday in August for the following school year. An open enrollment request may be granted only if two additional spaces remain in the receiving class, given the School Committee guidelines for class size. If there is space in the class, the principal must also consider the needs and composition of the receiving class and the educational well being of the child before granting approval. Each request must be approved by the principals of the receiving and sending schools, subject to review by the Superintendent. The decision of the Superintendent is final.

Requests for Open Enrollment  should be directed to Dorsey Yearley, Director of Student Services, Wellelsey Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury St.., Wellelsey, 02481. While decisions are not made until late in the summer to ensure that class size guidelines are not jeopardized by open enrollment, a parent may inquire earlier as to the possibility based on the current class size.

SECTION 7: BATES SCHOOL TRADITIONS

Throughout the year, there are special events that have become traditions at Bates. Parents are invited to many of them so children can share their school experiences with their parents. Notices about upcoming events are sent home via backpack and are listed in the Bates Beat.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Back to P.E. Day and Back to Music Day are special opportunities for parents to visit their child's gym and music classes while they are in session. They are designed to let you see a typical class, not for students to give a performance. Younger siblings are welcome. If you cannot attend your child's class at the scheduled time, feel free to ask the teacher if there is another time you could observe the class so your child won't be disappointed. These events are well attended, and your participation will mean a lot to your child.

Back to School Night (for parents only) is a chance for parents to meet their child's classroom teacher, explore the classroom, get a sense of the classroom routine, and meet other parents. The teacher presents a brief overview of the year's curriculum and grade level goals and expectations as well as useful information about homework and special projects. Volunteers are also recruited for various class activities described by the room parents and teacher, so bring your calendar. Although children do not attend Back to School Night, don't be surprised if your child gives you a list of the important things they want you to see.

Bates in Bloom is an opportunity for your child to personally guide you and other family members around his or her classroom, music and art rooms, library, and gym, noting special projects and exhibits of theirs and others. You will be able to get a sense of your child's daily routine and to see the parts of Bates that are most meaningful and fun for your child. This event is held in the evening.

Birthday (and Other Special Occasion) Books is a program that allows you to commemorate your child's birthday or any other special occasion by donating a book to the school library. A bookplate with the student's name and special occasion is placed inside the book. New books and needed additions to the Bates collection are kept in the library for you to choose from. With the librarians' permission, books can also be previewed at home with your child to help you select a book.

The Book Fair is a fundraiser for Bates, as well as an opportunity for students to select some new books. Students in grades one through five can purchase books when they visit the Book Fair during their library period. (A sample book list is sent home in advance so you and your child can decide which books he or she will buy.) If your child wants to buy a book but does not have the money, a parent volunteer will write the title and cost on a "wish list" for him or her to take home, and will hold the book overnight. You can also meet your child during scheduled Book Fair library time. In addition, the Book Fair will be open for scheduled periods before and after school, as well as during the evening for you to shop with or without your child. Because the Book Fair can be overwhelming for kindergartners, we encourage you to bring your kindergartner during non-school hours.

The Family Friends program was established to help build a bridge between METCO and Wellesley families. METCO (Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity) is a state-funded voluntary program that enables students who live in Boston to attend suburban schools. The goals of the program are to provide: an opportunity for high-quality integrated public school education, new and diverse learning experiences for suburban children, and greater understanding and cooperation between urban and suburban communities. To achieve these goals, each METCO student (and his or her family) is paired with a Bates family who "hosts" the student after school on the first Wednesday of each month. A bus that leaves from Hunnewell School returns students to Boston later that afternoon. Longstanding relationships between children and adults often stem from this experience.

The Family Picnic takes place at the end of the school year on the field next to Bates. Families bring a picnic dinner, lawn chairs and blankets, and a dessert to share. Kids usually eat very quickly and spend the rest of the evening running around the field and playground. Teachers who stop by are often mobbed by children excited to see them outside the classroom. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the year.

The Chris Vasko Memorial Family Fun Walk is an annual 2K walk through the Bates Neighborhood which precedes the Bates Family Picnic. The walk, honoring the life of Chris Vasko a Bates parent, is a fundraising event to contribute to a scholarship awarded to a Wellesley High School senior musician/athlete. Each family registers as a team and must cross the finish line together. Creative attire is encouraged and there is fun planned along the way.

Field Day is a "Fun in the Sun" event. Students are assigned to mixed-grade groups to participate in a variety of activities. With the help of parent volunteers, students rotate through stations, such as Blacktop Art and Bubble Mania. A refreshing snack break is included, but we recommend that you send a water bottle with your child. Parent and sibling spectators are always welcome.

Live/Silent Auction is a fundraising dinner for parents held every other year. The next auction is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2006.

The Pumpkin Fair is our traditional annual fundraiser. We need as many volunteers as possible to staff games, serve food, sell pumpkins, paint nails, and help with the other fun-filled activities that make this a community-wide event for children (and adults) of all ages.

Other Special Events-Each year the Bates school community holds a variety of other special events. In the past, we have had roller skating parties, family dances, family movie nights, ski weekends and a parent-only event, such as a wine-tasting party. Look for information in your child’s backpack about this year’s special events. Join in the fun!

ENRICHMENT EVENTS

These school-based events encourage cross-grade interaction and a sense of being a school-wide community of learners. It is important for families to participate. Events vary from year to year. In addition to the events listed below, we have also held events such as: Reading Extravaganza, a school-wide reading event; Invention Invasion, an opportunity for students to invent anything they choose; and a Fine Arts Fair, a celebration of students’ talent in music, dance, studio arts, etc.

Creative Arts & Science Assemblies, scheduled throughout the year, are designed by teachers and parent volunteers to support the curricula in the areas of social studies, science, math, literacy, music and art.  Programs include school-wide performances that parents are welcomed to attend, as well as specialized, grade-specific programs that take place in the classroom or the library.  The assemblies are funded by parent contributions to the PTO and to Creative Arts & Sciences. 

The Environmental Enrichment Program includes nature walks and in-class activities that support the life science curriculum. The program relies heavily on adult volunteers called Environmental Aides.

Fifth Grade Chorus, Orchestra and Band Concerts are performed twice a year for the rest of the school. All fifth graders are members of the chorus, and they perform a winter concert with the orchestra and band. By spring, younger instrumentalists have increased their competence and some are invited to join the orchestra and band for a spring concert. In addition, townwide "step-up" concerts for the Fifth Grade chorus, band and orchestra are held at the Middle School in the spring of each year.

Fifth Grade Special Duties include office duty, flag raising and lowering, morning announcements and other important jobs. In addition, fifth grade students rotate positions on a monthly Student Council. All of these important jobs are designed to increase confidence and further develop our oldest students’ sense of responsibility and leadership.

Summer Readers is a way of celebrating reading. In June, the reading specialist and librarian send home a list of new (and not so new) books children might enjoy reading over the summer, as well as a log for them to record the books they read. (If your child is not yet reading, you can record books you read to him or her.) Children return their logs to the librarian at the beginning of September.

SECTION 8: BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES AND POLICIES

Bates School Guidelines and Expectations
Our goal is to help all students reach their potential by fostering an understanding of themselves and others in a safe learning environment.

The Social Competency Program
Sometimes referred to as Open Circle, this project is run by the Stone Center at Wellesley College. Almost all Bates teachers have been extensively trained at Wellesley College. Each class meets briefly at a scheduled time to discuss topics related to:

• Creating a cooperative classroom environment;
• Building self-esteem and positive relationships;
• Solving interpersonal problems.

The Open Circle philosophy supports the system-wide core values and establishes expectations for student behavior.

Wellesley Public Schools Suspension Policy
While suspension in an elementary school is rare, it can occur when a student endangers other students or interferes with the learning of others. When suspension is being considered, a hearing will be held first. We encourage parents to attend the hearing. Upon returning to school from a suspension, the student will meet with the principal, the child's classroom teacher, and other school staff who may have been involved in the incident that resulted in the suspension.

Here are the behaviors that may result in suspension
Theft; Destruction of property; Use of tobacco; Pulling the fire alarm; Profanity; Threats or Intimidation of others; Harassment of another student; Hitting an adult; Endangering the safety of others, including fighting, biting, possession of drugs or alcohol, possession of matches, cigarette lighters, cigarettes or firecrackers, brandishing a weapon (including pocket knives), arson.

In-House Suspension
In some cases, the principal may recommend an in-house suspension. The student will be supervised by an available teacher or teaching assistant. The classroom teacher will provide work for the student during this time. The student is expected to stay in the suspension area for the entire day, including during lunch and recess. (Lunch can be brought to the student.)