FAIRMOUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

58 Thirteenth Street Bangor, Maine 04401

(207) 941-6260 (207)-941-6269 (fax)

Student Handbook 2016-2017

Ryan Enman Principal

Kristin Tlili Dana Morris

Guidance Counselors

Lucy Byram School Secretary

This Agenda Book Belongs to: Name: _______________________________ Homeroom: _______________________________ For Parents: I have read the School Handbook included in this Agenda Book and I understand its content: Signed: _________________________ Date: _________________________

Questions may be directed to Mr. Enman or to your child’s homeroom teacher.

Fairmount School

School Handbook

2016-2017

Philosophy Statement (Policy ABD-4):

We, the staff of Fairmount School, recognize the value of the learning process and strive to offer meaningful education to each of our students. We recognize the wide range of abilities and interests in our students. It is the school’s responsibility to address the needs of each student in the most effective and productive manner possible and to provide the opportunity to acquire those basic skills necessary to obtain information, to solve problems, to think critically and to communicate effectively.

Education should be a positive and meaningful experience that will remain with our students. They will learn the value and pleasure of proficiency in reading, mathematics, oral and written communication, the humanities, and the sciences. Students will be given the opportunity to develop the ability and desire to utilize all available resources. As a result, all students will acquire those skills necessary for a lifetime of continuous learning.

The prevailing educational climate shall be one, which is positive, challenging, and conducive to learning. Our curriculum will build upon skills acquired at the primary level and serve as a foundation for the middle school experience. The school will create an environment that fosters and encourages an understanding of each student’s worth, abilities, potential and limitations.

It is our belief that the educational process should be a combined and continuing effort of the student, teacher, parent and the community.

Principal: Ryan Enman Guidance: Kristin Tlili & Dana Morris Secretary: Lucy Byram Grade 4 Staff: Candace Cowan Room 18 Kristy Donahue Room 11 Tim Legere Room 12 Lydia Murphy Room 13 Jamie Redding Room 10 Jean Schmick-Hopkins Room 15 Larry Seaney Room 16 Grade 5 Staff: Jennifer Albert Room 6 Joe Bennett Room 22 Ruth Clark Room 4 Bambi Heath Room 19 Chris Hobbs Room 2 Joanne McDade Room 8 Jessica Sturgeon Room 21 Special Education Staff: Jane Freeman Room 14 Dave Johnson Room 24 Sheila Krautkremer Room 1 Jennifer Perkins Room 7 (S & L) Sue Whitmore Room 25 Gifted & Talented: Marcy Soucy Room 3 Title One Staff: Tim Dunton Room 1 Deb Swett Room 17 Specialists: Stephanie Leonard Room 20 (Art) Kelly Ellis Room 5 (Music) Rochelle Bohm Librarian Scott Wood Physical Education

21st CCLC Director Tifanni Lindsey

Support Staff: Terry Hamel Head Custodian Paul Barnard Afternoon Custodian Joseph Kearns Evening Custodian

Educational Technicians: Mary Arell Izaak Bolduc Kelsea Bouchard Lisa Guernsey Kellie Lust Donna Martin Sarah Perkins Molly Tremble

School Nurse: Mary Wright Main Office Social Worker: Becky Tower Main Office Food Service Staff: Margaret Clifford Manager Robin Dephilippo Jayne Hand Linda Kelleher Sylvia Mooney Lunch Accountability Teresa Sands

School Day 8:35 a.m. Students are permitted on the playground. Teacher supervision begins. 8:45 a.m. Students line up by classroom for entry through rear playground doors. 8:50-9:10 a.m. Homeroom / attendance/ instruction Morning Announcements / Pledge of Allegiance 9:10 – 10:20 Math 4th M/W/F 5th T/TH 10:30-11:50 Math 5th M/W/F 4th T/TH 11:25-12:00 Recess/Lunch 4th M/W/F 5th T/TH 11:55-12:30 Recess/Lunch 5th M/W/F 4th T/TH 12:05-1:25 Language Arts 4th M/W/F 5th T/TH 1:30-2:50 Language Arts 5th M/W/F 4th T/TH Science/Social Studies/Specials occur opposite Language Arts and Math 2:50-3:00 p.m. Afternoon Homeroom 3:00 p.m. Dismissal. Parent pick-up is located on Thirteenth Street. Bus Dismissal: All bus students exit through the rear of the building and are supervised on the playground until their bus arrives. Rain / Cold: Morning: All students go to cafeteria through rear doors for supervised

morning recess. Lunch: Students have supervised recess in homerooms. Dismissal: Early bus students are dismissed as usual. Later bus

students remain in gym/library until buses arrive.

School Hours / School Contact Information: School is in session from 8:50 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The main office hours are from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily. Mrs. Byram, School Secretary, is the primary contact person at our school.

Fairmount School 58 Thirteenth Street

Bangor, Maine 04401 Phone: 941-6260

Fax: 941-6269 Agenda Books & Home / School Communication: The Fairmount staff understands that communication between home and school is crucial to the learning process. We achieve this communication primarily through daily use of the student Agenda Book, a yearlong planner that all students receive early in the school year. Students use the Agenda Book to record daily and long-term assignments. Teachers use the Agenda Book to help students learn organizational skills and to write notes to parents about progress or about upcoming events. Please monitor your child’s Agenda Book nightly and initialize the space provided. The Falcon Flyer is a monthly newsletter that is sent home with your child. The Falcon Flyer includes fun and interesting information about school life as well as important information about upcoming events to remember. The newsletter comes in addition to other flyers and reminders that will likely come home weekly throughout the school year. Please check your child’s home/school folder nightly. On the district level, the Bangor School Department maintains an excellent web site that contains a wealth of information about our schools and the many district-wide events that occur during the year. Be sure to log on to www.bangorschools.net and select “Parents and Students” from the main menu. Academic Program: The school department and its teachers have put a great deal of effort into aligning the curriculum across and among grade levels in order to provide a rich and diverse learning experience for all students. All Fairmount students experience 80 minutes of Language Arts instruction and 70-80 minutes of math instruction each day. The Language Arts program emphasizes building on the reading, language, and writing skills that students acquired in the K-3 program. The teachers use the ReadyGen reading program and informational texts/resources to provide a challenging experience both on the classroom level and on the individual student level. The Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley enVisionMATH series is used in kindergarten through grade seven. This comprehensive program teaches math concepts step-by-step with purposeful, sequential illustrations while connecting interactive learning with guided and independent skill and problem solving practice. Social studies and science units are scheduled throughout each week according to individual teacher schedules. In grade 4 science, students study core units on Ecosystems, Motion and Design, and the Solar System. In grade 5, science units include Oceans, Magnetism and Electricity, and Mixtures and Solutions. Grade 4 social studies topics include an in-depth study of the State of Maine and United States Regions. In grade 5, students explore United States history beginning with exploration, progressing through

settlement, and through the early war period. All students experience reading and discussion of current events in social studies. Complementing the core curriculum, art instruction occurs once per week for one hour; music occurs once per week for a half-hour; physical education occurs twice per week for a half-hour each session; and library occurs once per week for a half-hour. The specialists staff makes an extra effort to coordinate with classroom teachers both in terms of scheduling / communication and in terms of integrating content whenever possible. After School Activities Program: Fairmount has a strong after school activity program that runs Monday through Thursday beginning at 3:00 p.m. A late bus is provided on those days both for walkers and for bus students, but you may choose to have your child walk home as well. The activities vary from quarter to quarter; a more detailed flyer will be sent home periodically to provide your child with the opportunity to join a co-curricular or extra-curricular enrichment activity. Past activities have included: Homework study hall School Musical Math Club Hiking Club Student Council Book Club Cribbage Club Chess Chorus Band (5th) and Orchestra (4th & 5th) (morning sessions only- more information to follow) Arrival / Dismissal of Students: For bus routes / times, log on to www.bangorschools.net and go to the Students & Parents link. Students may arrive no sooner than 8:35 and proceed to the back playground. Playground supervision does not begin until that time. In the event of inclement weather, students will proceed to the cafeteria through the playground doors. If your child is sick or will miss school due to a planned absence, please call the main office at 941-6260 before 9:00 a.m. Students arriving after 9:00 a.m. must report to the main office for a tardy slip. Please accompany your child or provide a written note to explain the reason for tardiness. Attendance: Regular school attendance and punctuality are critical to the academic success of your child. In the event that your child will not be in school, please contact the main office @ 941-6260 before 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence or send a note with your child upon her or his return to school. Maine State Law considers absences “excused” for the following reasons:

1. Student illness 2. Appointment with a health professional 3. Observance of religious holidays when the observance is required during a regular school day 4. Emergency family situations 5. Approved (by building principal) educational or personal purpose. Please request approval

form in main office.

Fairmount School will follow Maine Law regarding student truancy and will be proactive in identifying and resolving student attendance issues. To maintain your child’s academic continuity, we request that family vacations be planned according to the school vacation calendar. The Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) for Science and other state required tests are generally administered in late March and early May. These annual assessments of reading, writing, mathematics, and science are used for a variety of local, state, and national purposes and student attendance and prompt arrival during that time is particularly important. Students will be dismissed during the school day only through the main office and an adult signature is required for the dismissal of student. Please arrange to pick up your child through Mrs. Byram, the school secretary. Any notes explaining the reason for dismissal can be sent to the main office or to your child’s homeroom teacher. If you wish for someone other than a person listed on your child’s pink “Emergency Card” to pick up your child, please call the main office or send a signed note with your child. We ask that you pick up your student(s) on the school-side of Thirteenth Street and pull up as far as possible in the designated pick-up area. The areas between the crosswalks on Thirteenth Street must remain clear for the safe and orderly loading and unloading of school buses. We suggest that you park up or down Thirteenth Street and instruct your child to meet you at a predetermined spot to maintain as safe an environment as possible. Behavioral Expectations: We believe that a safe and orderly school is fundamental to a quality learning experience for children. Our practice is to keep a close partnership with parents through regular communication about behavioral expectations, and these will be covered in more depth on the classroom level during the first weeks of school. Some reminders:

• The use of skateboards, roller blades, or roller-shoes (“Heelies” for example) is not permitted on school grounds.

• Personal stereo equipment (iPod, MP3, CD) and cell phones may not be used at school. Students may bring these items to school but they must remain turned off and stored away safely until students have left school grounds. The BSD is not responsible for lost items.

• Other personal items such as toys, dolls, trading cards, and portable gaming equipment (PSP & others) are not permitted at school.

• Dress Code: Please monitor your child’s dress with modesty in mind so it does not interfere with the learning environment. Clothing should fit properly such that shoulders and midriffs are covered. In cold weather months, jackets/ coats, hats, mittens / gloves are required for outside play at recess. Students wishing to play in the snow are required to wear snow pants and boots.

• Hats or any clothing that promote alcohol, tobacco, or violence or otherwise are determined to cause a potential distraction from learning are not permitted in the school building.

• Footwear: “Flip-flop” sandals pose a safety hazard and students may not wear them at school. Footwear should adhere to your child’s feet, and students are required to wear sneakers during physical education classes.

Included in this handbook is Fairmount’s “Traits of Terrific Kids” Responsibility Rubric. Based on the Bangor School Department Code of Conduct (also included), the TK Rubric is a means of setting behavioral expectations, monitoring behavior throughout the school, and providing feedback and direction when necessary. Also included here is Bangor School Department Policy JICK Bullying in Schools and

some related information on bullying. Enacted at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, the policy defines bullying and establishes district-wide procedures for addressing instances of bullying in schools. These three documents are useful in learning how discipline is approached at Fairmount School. When discipline issues do arise with Fairmount students, every effort is made to work cooperatively with parents /guardians to treat these instances as teaching and learning opportunities whenever possible. Guidance Program: The Bangor School Department has developed a Comprehensive K-12 Guidance Plan to support its mission of academic excellence for all students. Counselor service is available to students and parents experiencing developmental issues and / or problems. Fairmount is fortunate to have Ms. Kristin Tlili as our full-time Guidance Counselor. Through work with individual students, in small groups, and in whole classroom lessons, Ms. Tlili actively participates in the teaching and development of these primary areas:

• Orientation, transition, and adjustment to Fairmount School • Academic and personal / social growth of students • Career preparation • Decision-making and goal setting • Peer relationship skills / Conflict resolution • Development of behaviors that promote personal health and safety

Students can access Ms. Tlili through a process of self-referral, and parents who have concerns about the development of their children can reach Ms. Tlili @ 941-6260. Student Records (Based on Bangor School Department Policy JO): The Bangor School Department maintains a variety of records in keeping with the guidelines established by the Federal Education Records and Privacy Act of 1974. Cumulative folders, health folders, special education folders, emergency cards, attendance cards, and free / reduced meal applications are maintained in the main offices of the school. Instructional information folders are located in individual classrooms and returned to the cumulative folder at year-end. Parents and legal guardians of the student are permitted to inspect and question the academic records. Any such request will be honored promptly by appointment during the usual school hours when the main office is open. Because the records are the property of the school department, a review of records shall take place in the presence of a school representative. Included in this right is the right to a response from the school to reasonable requests for explanation or interpretation of the content of the school record(s). Copies of records may be obtained at a minimal cost. It is our intention to presume that either parent has the authority to inspect student records unless legal evidence to the contrary is provided. Visitors: To ensure student safety, all visitors must sign in at the window of the main office and obtain a visitor identification card / lanyard from the school secretary.

Volunteering / PTO: Classroom volunteers are often a very valuable addition to the learning and teaching process. If you are interested in volunteering in your child’s classroom or with school activities, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher. Volunteer training/informational sessions are required and scheduled periodically through the main office. Please contact the main office and visit the district website for more information. The Fairmount PTO is always looking for new members to support the many programs and activities that it sponsors. The PTO has a mailbox for communication purposes at school. Look for notices and reminders about PTO meetings both through the school newsletter, and through other flyers that will be sent home throughout the year. Other Important Policies: Policy JLA Local Wellness Program: Adopted in 2006, the policy encourages active learning about the lifelong benefits of healthy eating and physical activity. Fairmount School will coordinate several events on the classroom and school level to involve students, staff, and parents in wellness-related activities. Policy JFCI / Regulation JFCI Chemical Health: Establish the Bangor School Department’s beliefs about chemical dependency and substance abuse and the procedures for handling issues related to student chemical health. It is the belief of the Bangor School Department that exposing students to a meaningful and developmentally appropriate chemical health curriculum and encouraging student participation in after school programs and activities are the most effective means of helping students make healthy decisions to avoid substance abuse. If it is determined that a student is in possession of or under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol, discipline will be issued in line with current policies. Complaints by Students or Parents: The Bangor School Department recognizes that parents and students may have questions or concerns relative to the services provided by the department. Such situations should be resolved as promptly as possible for the sake of all concerned. The Fairmount staff is always available to cooperate toward the resolution of any concerns that might arise. Please do not hesitate to contact us no matter what the issue. The Bangor School Department shall not discriminate and shall comply with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or citizen status, age, handicap, or veteran status in employment, education, and all other areas of the department. Questions and complaints should be directed to: Daniel Chadbourne Superintendent of Schools

Affirmative Action Officer Bangor School Department Pupil Services OR 73 Harlow Street 73 Harlow Street Bangor, Maine 04401 Bangor, Maine 04401 (207) 992-4150 (207) 941-6250

Traits of Terrific Kids In the classroom, during lunch, on the playground, and in the halls and bathrooms, students can show how responsible they are every day!

4 / Exceeds Responsibilities: Student / Class: • Is super responsible for learning and completes tasks and assignments with care• Is cooperative and attentive to directions and instructions• Asks questions to help their own learning and the learning of others• Is truthful, fair, and able to resolve conflicts independently• Shows respect and uses encouraging words for themselves and others• Shows pride and care for Fairmount School / property

3 / Meets Responsibilities: Student / Class: • Is responsible for learning and completes tasks and assignments with care• Is consistently cooperative and attentive to instructions• Is truthful, fair, and willing to work on resolving conflicts• Is quick to correct behaviors that may interfere with learning• Shows pride and care for Fairmount School / property

2: Partially Meets Responsibilities: Student / Class: • Needs to be more focused on completing tasks on time / with care• Is inconsistent with behavior• Regularly requires adult assistance to resolve conflicts• Needs to work on self-correction and cooperation with classroom rules and

directions

1: Does Not Meet Responsibilities: Student / Class: • Does not complete assignments on time / with care• Interferes with learning in the classroom• Needs to make better behavior choices that:

- cooperate with classroom rules and directions - respect the property and learning of others - help resolve conflicts

POLICY JICK

BULLYING IN SCHOOLS

It is the intent of the Bangor School Committee to provide all students with an equitable opportunity to learn. To that end, the Bangor School Committee has a significant interest in providing a safe, orderly, and respectful school environment that is conducive to teaching and learning.

Bullying is detrimental to student learning and achievement. It interferes with the mission of the schools to educate their students and disrupts the operations of the schools. Bullying affects not only students who are targets but also those who participate and witness such behavior.

The Bangor School Committee also believes that promoting ethical and responsible behavior is an essential part of the school unit’s educational purpose. Bullying interferes with the accomplishment of this goal.

It is not the Bangor School Committee’s intent to prohibit students from expressing their ideas, including ideas that may offend the sensibilities of others, or from engaging in civil debate. However, the Bangor School Committee does not condone and will take action in response to conduct that interferes with students’ opportunity to learn, the educational mission of the Bangor schools, and the operation of its schools.

Bullying is not acceptable conduct in schools and is prohibited. Any student who engages in conduct that constitutes bullying shall be subject to disciplinary consequences up to and including suspension and expulsion. A student’s bullying behavior may also be addressed through other behavioral interventions.

For the purpose of this policy, “bullying” means any physical act or gesture, or any verbal, written, or electronically communicated expression that:

1. Causes physical harm to a student or damages a student’s property;2. Places a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or damage to his/her property;3. Substantially disrupts the instructional program or the orderly operations of the school;

or4. Creates an intimidating, hostile educational environment for the student who is bullied.

This policy applies to bullying that takes place at school or on school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity or event, or while students are being transported to or from school or school-sponsored activities or events.

The determination whether particular conduct constitutes bullying requires reasonable consideration of the circumstances, which include the frequency of the behavior at issue, the location in which the behavior occurs, the ages and maturity of the students involved, the activity or context in which the conduct occurs, and the nature and severity of the conduct.

The Superintendent/designee will be responsible for developing and implementing procedures for: 1. Student and parent reporting of bullying to staff and school administrators;2. Staff reporting of bullying to school administrators;3. Review of reports and investigation of bullying incidents;

4. Intervention with and/or discipline of students who engage in bullying;5. Support for students who are victims of bullying;6. Training staff and students in bullying prevention; and7. Periodic evaluation of bullying prevention, intervention, and training efforts in Bangor

schools and reporting to the Bangor School Committee upon request.

Students who have been bullied or who observe incidents of bullying are encouraged to report this behavior to a staff member or school administrator. Staff should report bullying to the building principal.

Acts of reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an incident of bullying are prohibited. Any student who is determined to have falsely accused another of bullying shall be subject to disciplinary consequences. Consequences may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension, expulsion, and/or reports to law enforcement officials.

Notice of what constitutes bullying, the Bangor School Committee’s prohibition against bullying, and the consequences for students who bully shall be communicated to students and parents through the Code of Conduct stated in Student Handbooks as well as other school publications.

Legal Reference: 20-A M.R.S.A. § 1001(15)(H) P.L. 2005, ch. 307 § 4-5

ADOPTED: September 13, 2006