West Stafford School

Staffordville School Principal:
Mrs. Paula B. Kuenzler                  684-3298
P.O. Box 216, 21 Lyons Rd., Staffordville, CT 06077
kuenzlerp@stafford.ctschool.net

West Stafford School Principal and Title IX Coordinator:
Dr. Marcia S. Elliott       684-3181
153 West Stafford Rd., Stafford Springs, CT 06076
elliottm@stafford.ctschool.net

Stafford Family Resource Center Administrator:
Ms. Julia Jeremias       684-6927
West Stafford School
153 West Stafford Rd. Stafford Springs, CT 06076
jeremiasj@stafford.ctschool.net

Superintendent:  Dr. Thérèse G. Fishman     684-4211
P.O. Box 147, 263 East Street, Stafford Springs, CT 06076
fishmant@stafford.ctschool.net

Director of Pupil Services:   684-4211
P.O. Box 147, 263 East Street, Stafford Springs, CT 06076
macauleyb@stafford.ctschool.net
 

Stafford Public Schools Website: www.stafford.ctschool.net
 
 

The progress of students in grades pre-kindergarten through grade one will be formally reported to parents in November, March and June.  Parent-Teacher conferences will be held twice during the school year.  The first conference period will be held in November and the second conference period will be in March.  Your child’s classroom teacher will notify parents well in advance of the time and place of the conference.  Any additional conferences that are deemed necessary will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time for all persons involved.Back

Children may arrive at school between 7:50 and 8:10.  Students will be considered tardy after 8:10.  If a child is tardy, a parent or adult must come to the office with the child to sign in.Back

If you plan to take your child out of school during the day, please write a note beforehand so we can plan for the absence.  Parents must sign children out in the office before leaving the school.  No child will be dismissed to any person other than parents or guardians unless we receive a note giving specific written permission.  For reasons of safety, persons other than parents or guardians who are picking up students from school must be at least 18 years of age and may be required to show picture identification.Back

School closings and early dismissals are announced by WTNH Channel 8, WVIT Channel 30, WFSB Channel 3, WTIC FM 96.5, WDRC FM 103, WHCN FM 105.9, WKSS FM 95.7, WTIC AM 1080, WDRC AM 1360.  Information can also be found at www.stafford.ctschool.net.

In the event of a late opening, students in grade one and the morning session of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten begin school at 9:40 A.M.  The afternoon session of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten is delayed by forty-five minutes.  It begins at 12:40 P.M. instead of 11:55.Back

A variety of possible events can warrant emergency action at school.  Such events can include, but are not limited to dangerous weather, fire, physical plant issues, or danger.  In most instances, evacuation of the building will be enacted.  However, some situations will require that we execute our lockdown plan.  In addition, if students need to be moved to another school building during the school day or dismissed early, a rapid notification system called ALERTNOW will be employed to inform parents.

In the event of an evacuation, unless directed otherwise, the same procedures used for fire drills will be enacted. Students will leave the building in accordance with the evacuation plan.  Attendance will be taken at designated safe assembly points.

It is possible that an emergency could warrant a lockdown procedure during which the safest option for students and staff would be to remain in their classrooms or instructional areas.  When this action is necessary, a school administrator or designee will use the building’s public address system to signify the commencement of lockdown procedures.Back

All visitors to our schools are welcome.  We ask visitors to report to the school office, sign in, and wear a visitor’s badge.  If you wish to meet with your child’s teacher, please contact the teacher in advance to schedule an appointment.Back

Animals may not be brought to school without the principal’s permission.Back

All children in the school have an opportunity to utilize the school library.  The children may also take books home for a period of one week.  Parents must replace books that are defaced or lost.Back

All field trips will be of an educational nature and arranged by a faculty member.  Permission slips are necessary whenever students participate in field trips.  Failure to submit a signed parental permission form to participate in a trip will exclude the student from the trip.  All field trips sponsored by the school must be recommended by the teacher and approved by the principal and superintendent. Students participating in field trips must leave for the trip and return to school using the bus transportation provided.Back

Students should bring only those items to school that are necessary or requested by the teacher.  Toys or other items from home can be a distraction to your child and the class and are not allowed.  Parents should be aware that Stafford Board policy and state statutes have a zero tolerance for items that can be considered a weapon. Please be sure to check your child’s belongings regularly to avoid any problems.Back

Calls by parents requesting that messages be forwarded to children can cause interruptions in the classroom.  However, if you must speak with your child any time during the day, please contact the office directly.Back

All lost and found articles are stored in the school.  If these articles are not claimed by June, the usable items are given to a charitable organization.  If your child loses anything, please check with the office.  Each year items of clothing go unclaimed.  It would be helpful for you to place your child’s name on clothing, especially outerwear and sweaters or sweatshirts.Back

At the beginning of the school year, each family may purchase an accident insurance policy at a small cost per child.  The policy is good for one school year from the date of the master policy.  It covers medical expenses incurred from accidents that happen on the way to school, during school hours, and on the return home. If your child is insured and is injured, please ask the school office for an accident form.  You may ask your child’s teacher for assistance in filling out the form; you will also need to return it to the school for the signature of the principal.  It is the responsibility of the parent to get the report form to the insurance company.Back

Asbestos materials in all elementary schools have been dealt with in conjunction with federal guidelines.  A complete file on the asbestos program for each school is available in the school office and at the office of the Board of Education.  Anyone wanting further information should call Mrs. Susan Linder, Director of Building Services, at 684-0754.Back

Physical examinations are required for children before their initial entrance to school and for students who transfer from an out of state school system.  It is the responsibility of the parent to provide for this examination and to return the required form to the school office.

The need for immunization cannot be stressed strongly enough.  It is for the protection of each child.  Your family physician will also inform you, if asked, as to the need and time for booster shots.  Students will not be allowed in school until the form is completed and returned to the school nurse per C.G.S. Secs. 10-204a and 10-206.

According to the Stafford Board of Education policy, when a student is absent from school, it is the parents’ responsibility to contact the school office.  Upon return to school after being absent, the student must submit a written explanation signed by the parent/guardian.  Failure to bring in this written explanation will result in the student being charged with an unexcused absence.  This note should be received within three days of the student’s return to school.  The absence will be considered either excused or unexcused based upon the items in the Absenteeism section of the policy.  This policy can be found in the Stafford BOE Policy Guide for Parents.

Please note that Connecticut State Law (CGS 10-198a) considers a child to be truant if he/she has four (4) unexcused absences in a month or ten (10) unexcused absences in a year.  We will be reviewing documentation and informing you if we become concerned about the number of days your child is absent or tardy from school.  If your child is tardy, please fill out a slip in the office stating the reason for the tardiness when you arrive at school.

It is important to call the school between 7:15 and 8:00 if your child will be absent from school.  If we do not hear from you by 8:30, the school will contact you.  You must also send a note when your child returns to school.  This is important for the following reasons:
? to make sure that all children are accounted for;
? to be aware of any contagious illnesses.Back

There are school nurses covering each school building.  They can be reached at all times in case of emergency or specific need.

Staffordville School – Anita Stapleton – 684-3495
West Stafford School – Terry Holybee – 684-3181

The school nurse is available to provide first aid for injuries that occur at school.  We suggest that you contact your own personal physician for injuries that occur outside of school.

If a child becomes ill during the school day, the school nurse or school office will contact the home.  If the parent cannot be reached, the office will use the emergency contact supplied by the parents.  It is expected that the parent will provide transportation for the sick child.

In cases of injuries that require beyond-routine first aid, parents will be contacted.  If a parent cannot be located and medical assistance is imperative, the child will be taken to the emergency room at Johnson Memorial Hospital.
The nurse will check the vision and hearing of every child each year and report to the parents if there is any evidence that the child needs further examination.

The school nurse urges that children with severe colds, sore throats and constant coughs be kept at home.  It will speed the child’s recovery and prevent spreading the illness.  Any child returning to school manifesting questionable symptoms will not be allowed in the classroom until checked by the school nurse.Back

Prescribed medication should not be administered during school hours if it is possible to achieve the desired effects by home administration during other than school hours.  Before the school personnel can either administer medication or allow the child to take medication, it is necessary under state law to have the following two items in their possession:
1. A physician’s order must be completed on the stated mandated form.  You can obtain this form from the school nurse or your physician.  This must be reviewed yearly.  Medication not picked up at the end of the school year will be destroyed.
2. Written authorization of a parent of guardian giving the school permission to administer the medication.  This policy also covers all over-the-counter medications and/or the application of topical creams or ointments during school hours.

All medications are placed in a locked cabinet, and a record of the administration of the medication is maintained.  This record includes date, time, dose, doctor’s name and person administering the prescribed medication.Back

Long-term or permanent medical excuses from physical education will be granted by the school nurse upon the written order of a physician.  The written order must clearly indicate the medical reason for the excuse.  Continuing medical excuses should be brought to the school nurse’s attention at the beginning of each school year.

Students with short-term or daily medical excuses from physical education or other activities must provide the written order of the physician to the nurse.  The nurse will review the medical excuse and notify the physical education teacher.Back

It is customary for children buying their lunch/breakfast in the school cafeteria to buy tickets on Monday for the week.  In this way the cafeteria and school can operate much more efficiently.  When making out checks for the lunch program, please make them payable to Stafford School Lunch and Milk Program. Any ticket that is not used one week, because your child might be absent, may be used the following week.  Children carrying lunches/breakfasts may purchase milk any day during the week.  Children absent from school Monday may purchase tickets on the day they return to school.Back

The School Food Service Department allows students in grades pre-kindergarten through five to charge up to $5.00 for lunch, breakfast, or milk.
A student who owes more than $5.00 and has no money for a meal will receive a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a container of milk.Back

The School Food Service Department will make substitutions in food for students who are unable to consume the regular breakfast or lunch because of medical or other dietary needs.  Substitutions shall be made on a case-by-case basis only when supported by a statement of the need for substitutions that includes recommended alternate foods.  A physician or a recognized medical authority must sign the statement when there is a medical need.  Forms from the Building Services Office are available in the school office.Back

The bus company is allowed to make only the stops indicated on its contract.  Please do not ask for exceptions. Only the following mandatory transfers will be permitted and must be requested through the school office with at least 24 hours notice:

Child Care:
• Transportation up to TWO child care providers, in your child’s school attendance zone.  The transportation schedule must be permanent.  A signed document requesting this transfer must be on file.
 

Legal Agreement:
• Transportation to TWO home addresses, in your child’s school attendance zone.  A copy of the legal document must be on file.

Emergency Transfer:
• On occasion, an emergency may occur. This transfer must be authorized by the building administrator or his/her designee.

Transportation for all other unscheduled requests must be provided by the parents(s)/guardians(s).Back

Bus drivers enforce all rules adopted by the Stafford Board of Education for the safe transportation of all children.  A conversation will be held between the parent and principal concerning any child who violates any of the rules.  In cases where a child misbehaves on the bus over a long period of time, it may be necessary for appropriate disciplinary action to be taken by the school administration.  The following is a list of safety practices for safe school bus riding:
1. Leave home early enough to arrive at your bus stop on time.  Students should avoid having to run to catch the school bus.  Serious accidents can happen rushing to the school bus stop and in the area of the stop.  It is also important that the driver remains on schedule and does not have to wait for tardy students.
2. Wait for the bus in a safe place-well off the roadway. Students should be instructed to remain well off the road and allow the school bus to enter the loading zone.  This will avoid the risk of being hit by a passing vehicle or the school bus.
3. Enter the bus in an orderly manner, and take your seat.  To avoid delays to the driver and possible injury to the students, students should be instructed to enter the school bus in an orderly manner, use the grab handles, and proceed immediately to their appropriate seats.
4. Follow the instructions of your school bus driver.  The school bus driver deserves and must receive the same respect that any teacher in the school system receives from the students.  This is important to ensure that the school bus driver can maintain order while in transit.
5. Remain quiet and orderly. Students should be instructed that loud or boisterous noise distracts the school bus driver and drowns out warning signals from other vehicular traffic, law enforcement personnel, or emergency vehicles which could handicap their driver into an accident situation.
6. Be courteous to your school bus driver and fellow passengers.  Students, by being courteous to the school bus driver and fellow students, will assist the driver in providing an orderly and safe trip to school.
7. Remain in your seat while your bus is in motion.  Students must be instructed to remain seated after boarding the school bus.  It helps the driver’s visibility and assists the driver in maintaining proper control of the students.
8. Keep your head and arms inside the bus at all times.  Students could receive serious injury if permitted to extend their heads or arms from the school bus. Students should be instructed to adhere to this requirement whether the school bus is in motion or standing still.
9. Keep aisles clear at all times.  Students should be advised of the importance of keeping the aisles clear at all times.  In the event of an emergency situation a clear aisle will aid in an orderly and expeditious exit from the school bus.Back

The Connecticut Division of Motor Vehicles reminds us that the same penalties apply on school grounds as on the public roads.  Passing a school bus with the lights flashing and stop sign extended will result in a written warning by civil authorities for the first infraction and a $450.00 ticket for any subsequent infraction.  This is a safety issue which has the potential for tragic results and is of joint concern to the school system and the community we serve.Back

Board of Education policies pertinent to elementary students may be viewed on the Stafford Public School’s website at www.stafford.ctschool.net.Back

In Stafford Public Schools we aim to:

• establish a calm, orderly, and safe environment for learning;
•  foster an appreciation for the role of rules in school;
• help children develop self-control and self-discipline;
•  teach children to be responsible, contributing members of our community;
•  promote respectful, kind, and healthy teacher-student and student-student interactions.

Our classroom rules are created collaboratively between students and teachers during the first week of school following the Responsive Classroom model.Back