2015 7 8 - newton public schools...mark nardelli rose mariano linoln-eliot 617-559-9540 fax617...

2015-2016 School Calendar 3

2015-2016 Schedule of School Hours 4

2015-2016 Back to School Nights 6

Elementary School Directory 7

Middle School Directory 8

High School Directory 9

Newton METCO Staff Directory 10

Newton METCO Parents' Council 11

General Information

12

Transportation Guidelines 19

2015-2016 Projected Boston Student Enrollment 28

Town Map 29

Notes 30

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Kindergarten

9/9/15 -

9/30/15 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m.

Kindergarten

10/5/15 -

06/16 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

Grades 1-5

9/8/15 -

06/16 8:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

GRADE START TIME MON

Dismissal

TUES

Dismissal

WED

Dismissal

THURS

Dismissal

FRI

Dismissal

Elementary students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. on the following early re-

lease days:

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Thursday, May 5, 2016

2015-2016 SCHOOL HOURS

4

SCHOOL START TIME MON

Dismissal

TUES

Dismissal

WED

Dismissal

THURS

Dismissal

FRI

Dismissal

BIGELOW 8:15 a.m. 2:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:45 p.m. 2:45 p.m. 2:45 p.m.

BROWN 8:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

DAY 8:05 a.m. 2:35 p.m. 1:50 p.m. 2:35 p.m. 2:35 p.m. 2:35 p.m.

OAK HILL 8:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. 1:45 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.

NEWTON NORTH 7:50 a.m. 3:20 p.m. 2:35 p.m. 2:45 p.m. 3:20 p.m. 2:20 p.m.

NEWTON SOUTH 7:40 a.m. 3:15 p.m. 2:05 p.m. 3:15 p.m. 3:15 p.m. 2:00 p.m.

SCHOOL START TIME MON

Dismissal

TUES

Dismissal

WED

Dismissal

THURS

Dismissal

FRI

Dismissal

2015-2016 SCHOOL HOURS

Secondary students will be dismissed early on the

following early release days:

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Thursday, March 10, 2016

SCHOOL PHONE /FAX ADDRESS PRINCIPAL Exec Assistant

ANGIER 617-559-9300

Fax 617 559-2014

225 Nevada St

Newton, MA 02460

Loreta

Lamberi

Terese

Glionna

BOWEN

617-559-9330

Fax 617 559-7363

280 Cypress St,

Newton Ctr, MA 02459

Diana

Guzzi

Deborah

Megrian

BURR 617-559-9360

Fax 617 552-5562

171 Pine St

Auburndale, MA 02466

Mindy

Johal

Maura

Albano

CABOT 617-559-9400

Fax 617 552-5584

229 Cabot St

Newtonville, MA 02466

Mary Lou

Dibella

Sydney

Balise

COUNTRYSIDE 617-559-9450

Fax 617 552-5583

191 Dedham St

Newton Hlds, MA 02461

Beth

Herlihy

Dollie

Wallace

FRANKLIN 617-559-9500

Fax 617 552-5521

125 Derby St

W Newton, MA 02465

Elaine

Harold

Donna

McLoughlin

HORACE MANN 617-559-9510

Fax 617 559-2004

687 Watertown St


Mark

Nardelli

Rose

Mariano

LINCOLN-ELIOT 617-559-9540

Fax 617 552-5558

191 Pearl St,

Newton MA 02458

Marcia

Uretsky

Jenna

Rossi

MASON-RICE 617-559-9570

Fax 617 552-7315

149 Pleasant St


Mark

Springer

Kathy

Rinn

MEMORIAL-SPAULDING 617-559-9600

Fax 617 552-7944

250 Brookline St


Lisa

McManus

Francie

Sheehan

PEIRCE 617-559-9630

Fax 617 552-7318

170 Temple St

W Newton, MA 02465

Mark

Chitty

Ginette

DeSantis

UNDERWOOD 617-559-9660

Fax 617 552-5552

101 Vernon St

Newton, MA 02458

Kathleen

Zimmerman

Carol

Stone

WARD 617-559-6450

Fax 617 552-5563

10 Dolphin Rd


Audrey

Peller

Susan

Tempesta

WILLIAMS 617-559-6480

Fax 617 559-2013

141 Grove St

Auburndale, MA 02460

Ayesha

Farag-Davis

Jennifer

Newberg

ZERVAS 617-559-6750

Fax 617 552-5546

30 Beethoven Ave

Waban, MA 02468

Diana

Irwin Beck

Anne

Hadley

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIRECTORY

BIGELOW 617-559-6800

Fax 617-552-7752

42 Vernon Street

Newton, MA 02458

Todd Harrison

Principal

Lucas Mogensen

Assistant Principal

Courtney Rau

Assistant to the Principal

Kersten Raso

Secretary

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTORY

BROWN 617-559-6900

Fax 617-552-7729

125 Meadowbrook Rd


John Jordan

Principal

Ruthe L’Esperance

Assistant Principal

Kimberly Lysaght

Assistant Principal

Margret Power

Secretary

Jennifer Trouslow


DAY 617-559-9100

Fax 617-559-9103

21 Minot Place


Brian Turner

Principal

Michael Harding

Assistant Principal

Sheryl Bono

Assistant Principal

Lori Gandolfo

Secretary

Donna Fisher


OAK HILL 617-559-9200

Fax 617-552-5547

130 Wheeler Road


John Harutunian

Principal

Jamin Bercaw

Assistant Principal

Fiona Healy

Assistant Principal

Doreen Vaglica

Secretary

Amy Geer


HIGH SCHOOL DIRECTORY

NEWTON

NORTH

617-559-6400

Fax 617-559-6204

457 Walnut Street


Mark Aronson

Principal

Amy Winston

Vice Principal

Lisa Mazzola

Secretary

ADAMS 617-559-6310

Helen Wong

Secretary

David Turcotte

Housemaster

BEALS

HOUSE

617-559-6330 Cheryl Stover

Secretary

Scott Heslin

Housemaster

BARRY

HOUSE

617-559-6320 Aaron Sanders

Housemaster

Karen Tobin

Secretary

REILY

HOUSE

617-559-6340 Anna Ford

Secretary

Michelle Stauss

Housemaster

NEWTON

SOUTH

617-559-6700

Fax 617-559-6701

140 Brandeis Rd


Joel Stembridge

Principal

Candice Beerman

Vice Principal

Tracy Connolly

Secretary

CUTLER

HOUSE

617-559-6550

Lucia Curran

Secretary

Josepha Blocker

Housemaster

GOODWIN

HOUSE

617-559-6555 Camille Connolly

Secretary

Charles Myette

Housemaster

WHEELER

HOUSE

617-559-6560 Donna Gordon

Housemaster

Janice Ingemi

Secretary

GOLDRICK

HOUSE

617-559-6552 Diane Trieger

Secretary

Marc Banks

Housemaster

NEWTON METCO FAMILY COUNCIL

Parents/guardians of the Newton METCO Program are required to attend 4 (four) of the 7

(seven) Newton METCO Family Council meetings. These meetings serve as a forum for dis-

cussing pertinent issues impacting the education and overall development of our children

and provide information regarding special programs and opportunities. If you miss the

meetings, you will miss the opportunity for input into decision making and planning.

The parent meetings for 2015-2016 are held in the gymnasium of the Reggie Lewis Track and

Athletic Center (1350 Tremont St., Roxbury, MA) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. or in the student caf-

eteria of the Roxbury Community College (1234 Columbus Avenue, Roxbury, MA)

Wednesday, September 2, 2015 Wednesday, March 2, 2016

RLTC GYM RCC Student Center Cafeteria

Additional meetings will be scheduled and arranged by the Family Council Board throughout

the school year.

The Newton METCO Parents’ Council is funded through parent dues and fundraisers. The coun-

cil supports Newton METCO graduating seniors by contributing towards the Newton METCO

Community Scholarship Fund. Each family is asked to pay yearly dues of $40.00.

GENERAL INFORMATION

School Schedules

The first day of school for students is Tuesday, September 8, 2015. For all school schedules refer to the School Hours on page 4.

Students in grades K through 5 are released from school at 12:30 p.m. on the following Thursdays/Wednesday: October 8, November 5, December 3, February 3, March 10, and May 5. Students in grades 6 through 12 are released from school on October 8, November 5, December 3, February 3, and March 10 for teacher’s professional development.

Holidays for the Newton Public Schools do not necessarily match Boston Public Schools or oth-

er suburban communities. Refer to the Newton Public Schools' 2015-2016 school calendar on

page 3.

School Cancellation or Delayed School Opening

"No school" and "delayed opening" announcements are provided on major radio and televi-sion newscasts by 6:00 a.m. and by School Messenger (notification system used to broadcast information to parents and guardians). Always make sure that your telephone numbers are up to date with your child’s/children’s school. Newton Public School cancellations or delays may vary from the Boston Public Schools or other suburban school districts. Please note that you will NOT receive a call from the Newton METCO staff.

In the event of a one-hour delay for the Newton Public Schools, your child should report to his/her morning bus stop one hour after the designated time indicated on the bus route. For example, if the designated time for the bus is 7:10 a.m., with a one-hour delay your child should arrive at the bus stop by 8:10 a.m. For a two-hour delay for the Newton Public Schools, your child should report to his/her morning bus stop two hours after the designated time indicated on the bus route. For example, if the designated time for the bus is 6:50 a.m., with a two-hour delay your child should arrive at the bus stop by 8:50 a.m.

Keep in mind that you should arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled times and be prepared to wait. Buses may be delayed due to weather and traffic.

When weather conditions are of concern, parents may want to get their children to earlier bus stops because the route is more likely to be on time. Use your judgment in determining whether or not to send your child to school or to the bus stop alone during inclement weath-er.

Emergency Cards

Parents are responsible for completing and returning emergency cards to the Newton METCO office and their child's school. Note that the Newton METCO office has a different emergency card than the schools to reflect the information we need. You must also inform the Newton METCO office and the school of any changes to the emergency cards.

Back-to-School and Curriculum Nights

You are expected to attend the back-to-school/curriculum nights at your child's school. These evening events often provide an overview of key educational issues. It is also an important time to meet the staff and hear about academic and curriculum goals. Please refer to the schedule of Back-to-School night dates on page 4 of this handbook.

School Supplies

Help your child prepare now by making sure that you have purchased the necessary school supplies required for class and homework. If you are not sure what supplies are required, speak with your child's teacher.

Attendance Expectation

It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their child attends school every day on time and ready to learn. If a stu-dent is absent from school parents must contact the school and supply any written documentation necessary in order to ensure that the student is excused from school. Family vacations are not considered excused absences.

Students who are absent or tardy for more than 10 days will receive a warning. Students who exceed 15 days, will be placed on an attendance contract. As a State mandated reporter, the Newton Public Schools and the Newton METCO Program would be obligated to file a CHINS report to the Supervisor of Attendance or contact the Department of Chil-dren & Families for neglect if a documented pattern of absenteeism and tardiness continues.

Hazing and/or Initiation

Hazing is the act of harassing another student for the purposes of initiation or intimidation. The

act of hazing is dangerous and can result in serious injury. Some students involved in these inci-

dents stated that they did not intend to hurt other students, but "it got out of hand." Students

also refer to hazing as play fighting, fooling around, etc.

There were several serious incidents of hazing among students of the Newton METCO Pro-gram in the fall of 1994 and 1998. These students were called to face legal charges in Newton District Court and also faced serious school consequences. We do not wish to repeat this un-fortunate history.

Please be advised that any student who participates in hazing another student will suffer se-vere consequences, including court action and termination from the Newton METCO Pro-gram. Report any concerns to your child's school or the Newton METCO office immediately. If we work together, we can keep all students safe and prevent your child from being the vic-tim or perpetrator of hazing.

The following is a copy of the state regulations on Hazing.

Section 17

Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing as defined herein

shall be punished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment

in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.

The term "hazing" as used in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall

mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on pub-

lic or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental

health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating,

branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food,

liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physi-

cal activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such stu-

dent or other person or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental

stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be

available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.

Section 18

Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall,

to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law en-

forcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more

than one thousand dollars.

Summer School Policy

Summer school is expected for any student who over the course of the school year has not

earned the credits necessary towards graduation, received a grade below C- in any core sub-

ject, needs academic enrichment or has not achieved his/her full potential in a particular sub-

ject. Parents are expected to monitor their child’s academic performance throughout the

school year, through progress reports, report cards, and conferences with school and METCO

staff. Do not wait until the final report card to determine if your child needs to attend sum-

mer school. Summer vacations must be planned according to the student’s academic success

during the 2013-2014 school year.

Elementary Students - METCO, Inc. in Roxbury holds a summer school program for all

METCO elementary students. All questions and information should be directed to the

Student Services Department at METCO, Inc., 40 Dimock Street, Roxbury, 617-427-1545.

Middle and High School Students - It is your responsibility as a parent to enroll your

child in summer school based on the criteria stated below.

All students are encouraged to attend summer school for enrichment if they receive a fi-

nal or average grade of D+, D, or D- in all subjects except for electives. If your child re-

ceives an F he/she must attend summer school.

Boston Public Schools will only allow you to attend summer school if you are in middle or

high school and have received an F in a major subject. However, other accredited sum-

mer school programs or alternative academic enrichment programs are acceptable. You

must receive written approval in advance from your child's METCO counselor to attend

any alternative program. METCO students who qualify for the Boston Public Schools

summer school program can enroll through METCO, Inc. 40 Dimock Street, Roxbury, 617-

427-1545.

Failure to attend and/or successfully complete summer school will result in your child

being placed on academic probation in September. Your child's continuation in the New-

ton METCO Program will then depend upon academic improvement during the first term

of the school year.

Newton METCO Graduation Expectation

Our expectation is that every student reaches his/her academic potential, experiences suc-

cess in school and graduates from high school within four years. If a high school student

fails to make progress towards graduation by not receiving the necessary amount of credits,

steps will be taken to withdraw the student from the Newton METCO Program.

Residency Requirements

Students are required to reside within the Boston area and the Newton METCO office may re-

quest proof of residency at any time. If a student moves outside the Boston area, that stu-

dent is no longer eligible for the METCO Program. Parents are required to inform the Newton

METCO office and their child’s school if they move. Withdrawal procedures will begin once

the Newton METCO office has been informed.

Out-of-District Tuition Programs

All cities and towns in Massachusetts must provide career and technical education for their

residents. When the city or town does not offer a particular program, it is obligated to pay

the out-of-district tuition for a resident student seeking such a program.

Although it is clear that Boston students are entitled to services provided to Newton resident

students, tuition to career and technical education schools or programs are an exception, as

stipulated by statutes of the Commonwealth. Tuition payment to any program outside of the

Newton Public Schools must be assumed by the Boston Public Schools. In order to access this

option, a student must enroll in the Boston Public Schools.

Withdrawal, Re-enrollment and Transfer Policy

Once a student withdraws from the Newton METCO Program for any reason, the family for-feits the seat permanently and the Newton Public Schools has no obligation to re-enroll that student. Student transfers between METCO communities are discouraged.

School-based Cooperating Family Programs

At the elementary level, cooperating family programs are arranged through your child's school. You should be hearing from your child's school about how they are assigned, the names of the contact persons, and planned activities for the upcoming year. When you visit your child's school, ask the principal about cooperating families and other resources available through the Newton Public Schools.

Parental Expectations

Be supportive of your child's total school experience.

Expect your child to succeed and provide the necessary home support to make it hap-

pen. Expect the Newton Public Schools to nurture and support high performance

standards for your child.

Keep informed of progress report and report card schedules; review and follow up on

academic and attendance concerns with school staff.

Respond to all telephone or written communication from the school and the Newton

METCO Program. Initiate communication to school and Newton METCO when you

have concerns.

2015-2016 TRANSPORTATION GUIDELINES

The Newton Transportation Department is responsible for managing the bus contract and all bus routes for Boston students. Eastern Bus Company, provides the bus service for Newton Public Schools. Bus drivers are employees of Eastern Bus Company and bus monitors are employees of Newton Public Schools. If you have any questions regarding transportation, please call Newton Transportation at 617-559-9051.

Bus service is a privilege, not a right. It requires safe, orderly, and respectful be-havior on the part of all students. Physical contact of any kind (whether initiated or provoked) could result in disciplinary consequences, including but not limited to suspension of bus privileges. If a bus is rerouted or interrupted as a result of generally disruptive behavior on the part of multiple students, bus service may be suspended for everyone. It is the responsibility of students and parents to coop-erate with school staff in order to identify students who were involved in any in-appropriate behavior.

It is the parent's responsibility to arrange transportation in the event that your child misses the bus or is ineligible to ride due to illness or suspension. What to do if a student misses the bus after school. School staff should call Newton Transportation x9051 IMMEDIATELY. If the bus can not be turned around, you must call the parents to pick up the student or the late bus is an option for secondary students. Note: There are no late buses for elementary students.

Please review these guidelines with your child before the start of school.

I. BUS ROUTES - The routes were developed based on centralized bus stops for all

students, as well as to ensure safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness. Students

may only ride on their assigned buses. Bus changes are the responsibility of the

Newton METCO Director. Bus monitors and drivers are prohibited from making

any bus route changes without explicit permission. Parents should notify the

Newton METCO office if they observe changes in the route without advanced no-

tice from our office.

The Newton METCO Program does not provide transportation to areas such as

Allston, Brighton, West Roxbury, downtown Boston, East/South Boston,

Charlestown, and parts of Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Hyde Park, and Uphams

Corner. Families residing in those areas of Boston must provide transportation to

and from Newton or go to an existing stop on the route.

Once the bus routes are established, we will not add any additional bus stops. If

you move within the city of Boston during the school year, your child may use an

existing bus stop on the route.

II. BUS STOPS - It is the parent’s responsibility to accompany their children to the

bus stop. The pick-up and drop-off times are estimates, and may vary due to

traffic patterns, unexpected emergencies and weather conditions. You and your

child must arrive and be standing at the bus stop (not sitting in a parked car) 10

minutes before the scheduled time and be prepared to wait 10 to 15 minutes

beyond the scheduled time for both morning and afternoon bus routes. If stu-

dents, parents, or others designated to pick up your child are sitting in a vehicle,

the bus monitor or bus driver may not see or recognize these vehicles and are not

obligated to wait at the bus stop.

Bus drivers will only board students at designated stops on the bus route. Chil-

dren may not board or disembark from the bus at stoplights or other illegal stops

on the route because of safety regulations. Massachusetts State Law requires that

once a driver has loaded students and closed the door, the driver cannot re-open

the door, even if he/she has not pulled away from the curb. Re-opening the door

presents a safety hazard and constitutes a legal traffic violation.

Elementary parents are expected to meet their children at the bus stop and must

complete an Elementary Bus Stop Supervision/Waiver Form annually. Parents of

elementary children must complete the Bus Stop Change Form and give it to the

bus monitor with any changes to your child’s regular bus stop. If the monitor is

not there please call the METCO Office. Middle and high school students are al-

lowed to disembark the bus without being met by a parent at any scheduled stop

along the bus route.

The Newton METCO Program and METCO, Inc. are not after-school programs. If

your child does not have permission to leave the bus stop unsupervised and is not

met by the end of the bus route by a parent/guardian for more than three times;

future bus service for your child could be suspended.

III. HIGH SCHOOL BUS ID – The METCO bus identification cards have been put in place

to ensure the safety of the students riding the buses. The ID’s are used to ride any

of the Newton METCO high school buses and must be shown to the bus drivers

prior to entering a bus. No one will be allowed to ride a Newton METCO bus

without proper notification and permission from the Newton METCO office. We

reserve the right to suspend bus privileges for a minimum of one month for students who

tamper with or misuse bus Id’s.

What does this mean? If your student has lost their ID or forgotten it, they must

call the Newton METCO office at 617-559-6132 for permission to ride without

their ID. If they do not have their ID in the morning, they will be able to ride the

bus to school. However, they must call the Newton METCO office at 617-559-

6132, to get permission to ride the bus home.

This must be done in the morning before 12:00p.m., giving us time to get the

“Permission to Ride” list to the bus company. Students can go to the main office,

their housemasters’ office, the METCO Counselor’s office, use a payphone or their

cell phone to make this call when they arrive at school. Once this is adhered to

permission will be given for them to ride the bus. If your student calls after 12:00

p.m., permission can only be given to ride the late bus. If their ID is lost, there

will be a $2.00 charge to replace the ID and it will be issued by their METCO coun-

selor.

Note to students: Do not call the METCO Office from the bus expecting to get

permission to ride the bus at that time or after the driver has told you that you

are not on the permission to ride list. The bus driver has the right to refuse ad-

mittance to the bus without ID or prior approval. Arguing and fighting with a

driver or school official can result in bus and school suspension.

If you find another student’s ID, please take it to the main office and ask them to

send it to the METCO Office or mail it to the address on the back of the card.

If a Boston student wishes to bring a Newton resident student with them on the

bus, the Newton METCO Office will need a permission letter from both the Bos-

ton and Newton parents. These letters should include both students names and

the date(s) they wish to ride the bus. They must include emergency contact names

and numbers in the event of an emergency and be signed by the parents. These

letters can be faxed to the Newton METCO office at 617-559-6133. This must be

done 24 hours (1 day) in advance in order to receive permission for the Newton

student to ride the bus. If a Boston student brings a visitor on the bus without the

explicit permission from the Newton METCO Office their bus privileges could be

suspended.

IV. ILL OR INJURED STUDENTS- The Newton Public Schools and Eastern Bus Company.

cannot take responsibility for transporting children who are ill or have been in-

jured. Therefore, parents are expected to come to the school to pick up their chil-

dren. Riding on the bus may cause the condition to worsen, or in the case of po-

tentially contagious conditions, may threaten the health of other students.

V. BUS BEHAVIOR- As a parent, it is your responsibility to stress the importance of

good behavior on the bus and at the bus stop. The bus monitors role is to ensure

safety, enforce appropriate bus behavior, report violations to Newton staff, and

recommend appropriate disciplinary action. On buses without bus monitors, the

bus drivers will report any violations to Newton staff.

VI. VIOLATIONS- Bus drivers and monitors must report any violation to Newton Public

Schools staff immediately. Possible student violations can include but are not lim-

ited to:

*Disobeying the bus monitor or driver.

*Standing or walking while the bus is in motion.

*Loud talking, swearing or rudeness.

*Initiated or provoked fighting, play-fighting, horse-playing, wrestling and other

contact games, such as Truth or Dare, with other passengers, bus monitors or driv-

ers.

*Any form of sexual misconduct, such as but not limited to, unwarranted touching,

suggestive language, sexual acts, or possession of any sexual object that is used to

convey any sexual message.

*Teasing and/or hazing of any student.

*Consumption of food and beverages

*Playing any electronic device too loud that it disturbs others.

*Throwing of any object out the window.

*Taking or destroying someone else’s property including the bus company.

*The possession, sale, distribution or use of illegal drugs, alcohol, weapons, or

their facsimile.

*Possession of toy guns, water guns, or knives. Toys may be treated as genuine

weapons. See Students Rights and Responsibility Handbook of the Newton Public

Schools.

*Smoking or lighting a fire or using hazardous materials.

*Using the emergency exits for reasons other than an emergency.

*No animals are allowed on the bus.

*Any behavior which compromises the safety or well-being of students, bus moni-

tors or drivers.

*Any interference with bus drivers or monitors by parents or students will result in

loss of bus privileges, dismissal from the Newton METCO Program and/or legal ac-

tion.

All potential violations are subject to the terms of the Student Rights and Respon-

sibilities Handbook of the Newton Public Schools.

VII. CONSEQUENCES/SUSPENSIONS - Disciplinary consequences can be imposed for

violations of the bus rules. Pursuant to the Students Rights and Responsibilities

Handbook of the Newton Public Schools. Customarily, we issue warnings for in-

fractions of a less serious nature. Repeated infractions will result in suspension of

a child's bus privileges. Any behavior which compromises the safety of other pas-

sengers will result in immediate suspension of bus privileges for up to a year.

If a student is suspended from the bus, it is a parent’s responsibility to provide

transportation to and from school. If a student is suspended from the bus, he or

she is expected to be in school. If a student is suspended from school, they are al-

so suspended from the bus until a re-admittance meeting has occurred.

VIII. LATE BUSES – Late bus service is a privilege, any violation of the rules could result

in suspension of bus services. Service is provided for students who remain after

school for supervised activities such as academic support, sports, clubs, etc.

Late bus service may be cancelled by the school or the Newton METCO office. Bus

monitors do not supervise late buses.

IX. MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL LATE BUS SERVICE - Students should have extra money

to take the MBTA in case they are denied service or miss the late bus. Parents must

ensure that their children know how to access public transportation from school.

A. Middle School Late Bus - is provided only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thurs-

days, and Fridays. Please note there is no late bus service on Tuesdays.

Students must secure a late bus pass from the school office and submit it to

the bus driver as they enter the bus. Each student must receive his or her

own bus pass. Bus passes will be invalid if it has the name of more than one

student on it. Late bus privileges could be revoked for students who falsify

any information or refuse to provide a late bus pass. Middle school students

who are involved in regular scheduled activities, such as clubs and sports will

not require an individual late bus pass. School staff must provide a list to the

Newton METCO office of these students. It is the student's responsibility to

ensure that they are on the list.

B. High School Late Bus - is provided daily. Every high school student riding a

Newton METCO late bus will be required to show their METCO bus ID as they

board the late bus. If you do not have your ID and have not received permis-

sion to ride the bus without it bus privileges can be revoked for a minimum of

one day. Misuse of bus Ids or falsifying information could result in disciplinary conse-

quenses.

X. BUS SERVICE FOR VISTORS AND BOSTON PARENTS – Visitors including fam-

ily and friends are not allowed to board any Newton METCO bus. Boston

parents may ride Boston buses provided they receive prior permission from

the Newton METCO office, 24 hours (1 day) in advance. Boston students

wishing to bring a Newton resident student with them on the bus must fol-

low the instructions on page 22 of this handbook.

XI. ACCIDENTS – Depending upon the severity of the bus accident, the Newton

METCO staff will attempt to contact the parents of all children involved and

follow up with a letter. Any injury or damage to personal property should

be reported to Eastern Bus Company.

XII. BUS TIPS - Please review the following tips with your child.

1. Make sure the bus has come to a complete stop before your child steps aboard the bus.

2. Children should never walk behind the bus.

3. Never cross in front of the bus unless the bus driver instructs the child to do so. The bus has a blind spot where children cannot be seen.

4. Never reach under the bus for belongings. Wait until the bus has cleared and it is safe to do so. Instruct your child to ask an adult to help if necessary.

5. Suggest that your child rest, read, or interact quietly with their seat partner.

6. Loud talking is not allowed. In the event of an emergency, children need to hear di-rections.

7. Feet and personal items do not belong in the aisle.

8. Remind your child that eating on the bus is not allowed because children can choke when the vehicle is in motion.

9. Remind your child that hitting, running, spitting, pushing, or kicking on or around the bus results in immediate bus suspension.

10. Remind your child that swearing and inappropriate language on the bus results in consequences.

11. Arms, head, and personal articles need to remain inside the bus.

12. Be courteous to all parents and students at the bus stop, especially if a parent is try-ing to help.

14. Teach children to respect peers and adults, their bus, and their METCO Program. Discourage put-downs or insults towards children or others.

Parents should treat all children with care at the bus stop. Offer assistance to a child if you think the child needs help.

Angier Elementary 10 Bowen Elementary 18

Burr Elementary 5 Cabot Elementary 15 Countryside Elementary 5

Franklin Elementary 11 Horace Mann Elementary 10 Lincoln-Eliot Elementary 17

Mason-Rice Elementary 11 Memorial-Spaulding Elementary 13 Peirce Elementary 13

Underwood Elementary 21 Ward Elementary 12 Williams Elementary 14

Zervas Elementary 17 Bigelow Middle School 36

Brown Middle School 30 Day Middle School 25 Oak Hill Middle School 34

Newton North High School 64 Newton South High School 52

Total 433

PROJECTED 2015-2016 ENROLLMENT

NOTES

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2015 7 8 - newton public schools...mark nardelli rose mariano linoln-eliot 617-559-9540 fax617...

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