Sewell-Anderson Elementary School
25 Ontario Street
Lynn, MA 01905
_______________________________________________________________________
Patricia Mallett 781 477-7444
Principal mallettp@lynnschools.org
Our mission is to provide every student success in learning.
Policies and Procedures at the Sewell-Anderson School
Arrival/Dismissal
The first bell rings at 8:15 a.m. At that time the classroom teacher will pick up his/her class and admit students into the classroom. By 8:20a.m, we expect all students to be settled into their seats and the school day begins. The side/back doors are locked and a tardy bell rings at 8:30 a.m. If your child is late, they must ring the front doorbell, sign in, and obtain a late pass from the school secretary. A child who is late to class is at a serious disadvantage, loses precious organizational and instructional time, and causes disruption to the instructional program of the other children.
Dismissal: If your child will be going home in a manner different from the way he/she usually does, please, write a note to the child’s teacher on that day so we can help the child at the end of the day. If, in an emergency, you find it necessary to call the school office to change plans, please, call before 1:00 p.m. to allow us time to get the message to the students. Dismissal is at 2:15pm and we need to limit the confusion as much as possible. Please, do not call at the last minute. These procedures are for your security as well as our students.
All parents/visitors are required to:
Check in at the school office to obtain a visitor’s pass before going to any part of the building or on the school grounds. This is true even when you have an appointment with a teacher or are volunteering in the classroom.
Wear the visitor’s pass while in the building or on the school grounds.
These measures are taken for security reasons and are not intended to discourage your involvement with your child’s school. All of you are aware of tragic incidents throughout public schools in the past involving unannounced “visitors” in the building. We appreciate your cooperation in following these guidelines.
Items to be left at home:
Any item that can be hazardous to children must not be brought to school. These may include: knives and other sharp objects, guns (including toy guns), bullets, fireworks, baseballs, etc.
Toys, unless prearranged with the teacher.
Roller blades, radios, CD players, CD’s, game cartridges, trading cards, headphones, tape recorders, video games or any other electronic devices are to stay at home.
If it is your wish for your child to carry a cell-phone for safety reasons, he/she must keep it shut off and it should remain in their backpack at all times.
Homework:
Each grade level, K-5, has a homework policy. The classroom teacher will communicate the expectations during the first week of school. In general, homework will be assigned each school day Monday through Thursday, except for holidays.
Students in grades 3-5 receive an Agenda Book each year. This book is used for students to write down assignments, due dates, and other information to help them be organized. Parents are encouraged to ask to see these books nightly so they are aware of assignments that have been given. Your understanding and support of assigned work outside of class will result in your child learning more and being better prepared for future challenges.
Reading should be done daily.
The following suggestions may be helpful to you and your child:
1. Show enthusiasm for your child’s homework. Your attitude will directly effect that of the student.
2. Establish a time and a quiet place for homework. We suggest that a child be allowed a break when he/she first gets home. After the break, but before dinner, is often an appropriate time to work on homework. TV, music or radio can distract the child and lengthen the time required to complete the assignment.
3. Provide support when needed, but expect the student to complete homework independently.
4. Be sure the work is completed, and placed where it will be remembered the next morning.
School parties
A maximum of three class parties may be given during the year and will be determined by the staff and principal. Parents may bring in store/bakery cupcakes or cookies for birthday celebrations with prior approval from the teacher. All food brought in must have a list of ingredients, and be in the original packaging. I must inform you that no homemade food of any kind may be sent to school for the students to share. Unfortunately, we are living in a time where the safety and security of your child could be at stake, and must adjust the way we once did things so freely. Please, note that some classrooms are peanut/nut free.
If invitations for parties are distributed at school, all students in the class should be included.
We are very concerned about healthy, nutritional lunches, which help promote good health, concentration and learning.
Healthy food that promotes good nutrition is encouraged. Students should not bring in soda. Payment for lunches should be in an envelope marked with the child’s name, teacher’s name, date, and included amount.
Medications:
If a child needs medication during the day, it is mandatory that the medication be brought to the office by the parent, with a doctor’s order.
Please, provide medication in the prescription bottle or original container (non-prescription) with prescribing information.
Students must come to the nurse’s office for the medication at the appropriate time.
Students may not keep any kind of medication in their classrooms unless prearranged under certain guidelines with the school nurse. (inhalers, epi-pens, etc)
Conferences
We believe that communication with you, the parent is a top priority, and I encourage you to keep in touch regularly. Please, make appointments with your child’s teacher as often as you see fit. Our teachers are available and committed to your child. Personally, I find that Open Houses are not the best place to have discussions about your child’s progress. Those events lack privacy, and you often have to wait in a long line. Every staff member has a school e-mail address, and I encourage you to begin there. Of course, you may call the school at anytime to request an appointment as well.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation to these policies and procedures that will keep our school safe, consistent, and a healthy place to learn every day.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Mallett
