1. I always put forth my best effort

2. Respect other people, their property and myself

3. I cooperate by listening and following directions

4. I walk quietly and speak courteously

· I talk quietly in the school building
· I walk in the hallway and in my classroom 

5. I solve problems peacefully

6. I follow our school safety rules

GENERAL INFORMATION 

School Hours
7:45 a.m. (late bell rings at 8:00 a.m.) – 1:45 p.m. 
Emergency Form
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this form.  Please fill out the form completely, carefully making sure we have accurate information.  If any information changes, please notify the main office.  If you need help filling out any form, please come in and we will assist you.  Without this information, we have no way to contact you in the event of an emergency.  If you have more than one child, please complete a form for each child.  Send this form back immediately after receiving it.
Free and Reduced Lunch Form
 All parents need to fill out this form and return it; even if you feel you do not qualify or may not want to participate.  Your compliance with filling out this form effects our school’s funding.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. 
Universal Breakfast
All students will be offered free breakfast when the school day begins at 7:45 a.m.  Your child certainly can choose not to eat, but a breakfast will always be accessible. 
Lunch Prices  – Weekly prices are as follows:  Full $7.75; Reduced $2.00; Milk only $2.00.  Payment is due each week on Thursday.  
“No School” Announcements
If it becomes necessary to cancel school due to stormy weather or another emergency, announcements to that effect will be broadcast on local television and radio stations. 
Connect-Ed
Is an automated phone system used by Lynn Public Schools to notify you of your child’s absence as well as important school events throughout the year.  It is very important that your current phone number is always on file in the office. 
Lost and Found
A “lost and found” box is located in the cafeteria where lost articles are kept until claimed.  You or your child are encouraged to check the box for lost items.  Please put your child’s name on all belongings so that “found” items can be returned to the owner.
Important Notes
· Candid student pictures are taken during the school year.  If you do not want your child’s picture taken, please advise your child’s teacher in writing.
· Various school related organizations, such as the PTO, use lists of student names.  Advise your child’s teacher in writing if you do not want your child’s information on these lists.
· Under 603 CMR 23.07(4)(g) Ingalls forwards student records to the new school when a student transfers.  
Lunch and Recess 
First Lunch  11:00 – 11:35 ::  Grade 4 & 5
11:00 - 11:20   Lunch
11:20 - 11:30   Recess w/aides
11:30 - 11:35   Recess w/teachers
Second Lunch  11:30 – 12:00   ::  Kindergarten & SPED
11:30 – 11:50   Lunch
11:50 – 12:00   Recess w/aides
Third Lunch   11:55 – 12:30  ::  Grade 1 & 2
11:55 – 12:15   Lunch
12:15 – 12:25   Recess w/aides
12:25 – 12:30   Recess w/teachers 
Last Lunch  12:00 – 12:35  ::  Grade 3
12:00 – 12:05   Recess w/teachers
12:05 – 12:15   Recess w/aides
12:15 – 12:35   Lunch  

Snack Time

• Will be a set time in grades 3, 4,& 5
• Will be at 9:50 a.m. in grade three
• Will be at 9:20 a.m. in grade four
• Will be at 10:05 a.m. in grade five

 

Students are only allowed to have one small drink and snack

• Snack time can not exceed 10 minutes
All snack times begin 10 minutes before block one ends. 

   The Ingalls Community

Parent Teacher Organization (P.T.O.)P.T.O. membership is open to all interested individuals.  There are monthly meetings open to all members.  Parents are encouraged to join and to take an active role in this organization.

 School Improvement Council
The Ingalls School Improvement Council is a representative, building-based committee composed of the principal, vice principal, parents, teachers, and community representatives.  The current mission of this committee is to bring the Arts to our community.  Meetings open for all to attend.  Parents are encouraged to consider membership on the School Improvement Council. 

Monthly School Calendar - A monthly calendar will be sent home informing you of Ingalls School events, along with an informative letter from the Principal. 

Kindergarten Orientation Breakfast -  Parent-Teacher Conferences Family Literacy Night & Ice Cream Social 

School Pictures
Students are given the opportunity to have school pictures taken each Fall and again in the Spring.  Parents are notified of the date in advance and may choose to purchase one of the photo packages offered.

IMPORTANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 
Attendance and Tardiness
Children must attend school regularly.  Continuity in every grade can only be accomplished with a consistent attendance record. Our school day begins at 7:45 a.m.  I would like to remind you of the importance of your child arriving to school on time.  Students will be considered tardy if they arrive after the 8:00 a.m. late bell.  Students arriving late must report directly to the school office with a parental note explaining the reason for tardiness.  Tardiness can be a bad habit, and together we must try to instill good habits that make your child and our students’ responsible individuals.   Attendance
is another concerning issue and important commitment.  It is critical to your child’s educational success that he and/or she be present unless sick.  At Ingalls, we take attendance very seriously.  A student’s absence for vacation purposes is not acceptable and certainly sends the wrong message to your child about school’s importance.  Teachers will call home if there is a concern.  Attendance letters will also be sent further documenting and reiterating the school’s concerns. Additionally, it is important for you to know that this matter will quickly be escalated to the Principal and Truant Officer if there is concern about unexcused absences. The step following this is a CHINS petition to the court.   If your child is going to be absent, please call the school and leave a message 781-477-7400. 
Dismissal
If a child has to be dismissed from school during school hours (except in cases of illness or injury), he or she must bring a note signed by the parent or guardian stating the anticipated time of dismissal and the reason.  All children being dismissed must be picked up at the school office.  The parent or the parent’s designee must provide transportation, as children may not walk home unaccompanied when dismissed.   If a child is dismissed before 10:45 a.m., the student is considered absent for the whole day. 
There will be no dismissals permitted after 1:30 p.m. 
Detention
At the Ingalls School, we work hard at creating a place for all of our students to be accepted, respected, and nourished; nourished in mind, body, and spirit.  With a clear, concise, structured set of rules and consequences, the goal is to strengthen our commitment to creating a safe, peaceable community.   Detention is from 1:50 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  Parents must make arrangements to pick up their child after detention.  
Vacation Policy
Family vacations should be planned during regular school vacations.  Keeping a student out of school for the purpose of a vacation is considered an unexcused absence.  School personnel are not required or expected to provide schoolwork for students going on vacation. 
LPS Dress Code
You will be receiving a Student Discipline Code.  Please pay particular attention to the dress code as it has been revised and will be strictly enforced. 
Telephone Use
Children are not permitted to use the office telephone for personal reasons.  Phone calls home for forgotten lunches, homework assignments, or the like are allowed at the discretion of the teacher, secretary, or principal.  In case of illness or other emergency, the parent or designee will be notified by the school nurse, secretary, teacher or principal.  Cell Phone Use is not permitted. 
School Yard Parking
I would like to remind you of the policies put in place prohibiting unauthorized vehicles from driving into the school yard or along side the school building. Cones and signs are in place to reinforce these safety policies.  No cars are allowed to enter or exit the school yard in the morning between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.  In the afternoon, no cars are allowed to enter or exit the yard between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., except for buses and cars arriving to pick up handicapped students.  The arrival for these vehicles is expected to be at 1:30 p.m.  The cars arriving to pick up these students will be given a special identification placard that will easily allow us to identify them. Ideally, this traffic will be gone by 1:45 p.m.  This is being done with the safety of your children in mind.  These times of the day are very chaotic, and we all need to make sure every effort is being made to keep your children out of harm’s way.  We need your co-operation in making the Ingalls School Community a safe place for children.
Building Security and School Visits
Because of our concern for the safety of our students, and to ensure that no unauthorized people are in the building, ALL visitors are required to stop at the school office upon entering the building.  You will be asked the purpose of your visit.  If it is something that can be taken care of through the office, (i.e. your child forgot his/her homework, sneakers, snack), we will call the child to the office.   Kindergarten students arriving late:  please sign your child in and a staff member will escort your child to class. 
To visit a classroom, health center, etc., you will be asked to sign in the visitor book.  You will be given a visitor pass on a lanyard, which must be worn around your neck, visible at all times while in the building.  We are accountable for these passes, so you will be asked to leave either your license or car keys, which will be returned to you when you sign out and return the pass. 
Toys in School are not allowed. 
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up Door Assignments by Grade Level – Line Up, Enter, & Exit 

• Kindergarten .- Essex Street Door drop off & pick up
• Grade One- Lobby Door in the A.M. and P.M. for dismissal
• Grades Two & Three- Lobby Door in the A.M. & Collins Street Terrace side door in the P.M. for dismissal
• Grades Four And Five- Essex Street door in the A.M. & backyard door in the P.M. for dismissal
• Bus Students- at dismissal are sent to the cafeteria where school personnel supervise and take them to their assigned bus

1. Name on board:  I will remind myself that I have been warned.

2. Name plus one check:  I will take home a note & return it signed with parent signature.

3. Name plus two checks:  I will stay after school for fifteen minutes and write a reflection on the rule that I have broken.

4. Name on board (daily repeats).   A note will be sent home requesting a parent conference.