School Days

The school day for students begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m.

Students should not be waiting in the schoolyard prior to 8:10 a.m. as there is no adult supervision available at that time.

Students will enter the building at 8:20 through either the side or main entrance doors nearest their classroom. After 8:30, students must enter through the front door to avoid disturbing morning activities. Students arriving after 8:30 a.m. are considered late and must bring in a written excuse from the parent.

Students participating in the breakfast program may enter the building at 8:00 and are to report directly to the cafeteria for breakfast.

Children are dismissed at 2:30 p.m. for the day. Parents who are picking up their children are asked to do so from the schoolyard or from the Gladstone St. sidewalk rather than the front office.

Parents are discouraged from signing their child out of school before 2:30 p.m. as this creates an interruption for the classroom, particularly when the teacher is trying to organize the children for dismissal (i.e. checking planners, homework reminders, etc).

Walkers are expected to go straight home after school. If you wish your child to go home with another student we must have a note from each child’s parents verifying that you are in agreement with the plan.

 

Attendence

To receive the maximum benefit from participation in classroom instruction and activities, it is important that students be present in, and on time for, school each and every day. Attending school every day and being on time are very important lessons for our students in learning to become responsible adults.

When a child must be absent due to illness, however, we ask that parents call the school between 8:00 and 9:00 to inform us of the absence. A written excuse from the parent must be given to the teacher on the day the child returns to school.

Tardiness interrupts your child’s instructional program and should be avoided at all times. If a student is tardy, a written excuse must be presented to explain the reason for his/her tardiness. Any student, who is late three or more consecutive times without a valid excuse, will lose recess privileges.

You will be notified from the school for excessive absences and or tardiness. In the case for truancy, parents will be notified so that the problem can be resolved. In serious cases, the Home/Visitor/Attendance Officer will become involved and appropriate action will be taken to obtain compliance with state law pertaining to compulsory attendance.

It is the student’s responsibility to make up all assignments, projects, and tests that were missed due to absences or tardiness. Students who are absent for vacations or other extended periods will make up the work when they return to school. Homework will not be provided in anticipation of schoolwork to be missed. Students are asked to “read” and practice math facts and concepts already learned in school.

Early Dismissal

Parents are urged to leave their children in school all day. Doctor and other appointments should be scheduled outside school hours whenever possible. If, however, a child must be dismissed early, he/she must bring a note to school stating the reason and time for dismissal. Because of our concern for the health and safety of all children, the policy of the Cranston School Committee is that students will be dismissed only to parents or guardians. Written permission must be given if someone other than the parent/guardian is to pick up the child. The individual picking up the child must also be listed on the child’s Emergency Care Card. Parents or guardians must report to the office to sign the child out of school.

Please be sure to keep your child’s Emergency Care Card up to date at all times. We will not release a student to anyone not listed on the Emergency Care Card. Individuals not familiar to school personnel must present identification.

Building Security/Visitor Protocol

We encourage and welcome parent and community volunteers to our building. We often have visiting professionals, as this is a learning environment that we are proud to share. We believe that this type of community involvement is one of our greatest assets. However, unauthorized persons can cause an interruption in the teaching and learning process, and may even pose a safety threat. Since the educational needs and welfare of our students is of primary concern, we have established the following procedure for admitting visitors to our building.

All visitors must report to the Main Office upon entering the building via                     the front door.
Visitors who will be volunteering must sign into our Visitor’s Log in the Main Office and will be required to wear a visitors’ badge.
In the event that a child must be dropped off or picked up parents must enter through the front door, and should remain in the Main Lobby or Office to avoid any confusion or disruption of class time. Parents should not walk their children to classrooms or walk to classrooms to get their child.
Visitors picking up student, who are not parents, must be listed on the child’s emergency care card and must present a photo ID.
Parents are considered an important member of our school community. We do ask, however, that parents and all visitors follow our protocol when entering the school building. In addition, students are expected to go to their classrooms on their own. Please do not accompany your child to his/her classroom or discuss issues with your child’s teacher at arrival or dismissal time, as this interferes with supervision and instruction of all students in the classroom.

 

Home School Communication

Effective home school communication is essential for your child’s academic achievement and personal growth. Teachers are available to conference with you anytime throughout the school year. Please do not hesitate to call and schedule an appointment as soon as you have a concern, or you wish to discuss your child’s progress. I encourage you to call the school for any issue or concern that you may have, and assure you that I or your child’s teacher will get back to you via the phone or a note.

Students in grades one through five have been provided with planners in order that they may record and organize their short and long-term assignments. These are to be used daily for homework, important papers, or as indicated by your child’s teacher. Students will use the planners to record their assignments and homework and teachers and parents will be able to use these to communicate more readily.

 

Breakfast, Lunch and Recess

Breakfast is free and available to all students and begins at 8:00.

Students may purchase milk or lunch through school. Two meal choices are offered daily and students are given a calendar of scheduled lunches for the month. The lunch calendar can also be viewed by visiting  on the web. Please do not send soda to school with your child for lunch.

Students receive a fifteen-minute recess each day. Unless the weather is extreme, recess is outside. Please make sure that your child has the appropriate clothing including hats and gloves. Students are also allowed to snack during this time and parents are asked to provide a healthy food item each day. Recess time may be used to allow a child to catch up on incomplete work/homework or as a consequence for inappropriate behavior.

 

Toys, iPods...

Students are not allowed to bring toys, iPods, cards, balls or any play item to school that is not related to projects or instruction. The objective is to eliminate as many interruptions and unnecessary conflicts as possible. We will supply recreational equipment and games for recess. Thank you for your support on this issue.

 

School Cancellations

In the case of school being cancelled, delayed or closed early because of inclement weather or an emergency, parents are asked to listen or watch local radio or television stations. Parents are asked to refrain from calling the school for such information. In order to keep phone lines clear, the school cannot telephone parents concerning cancellations or changes in the school day schedule. If school is dismissed early and no one will be at home, children should go to a pre-arranged destination. Please be sure that your child knows the plan.

 

Medication

Whenever possible, medication should be given at times that do not interfere with the school day. In cases when it is necessary, however, prescription medication and over- the- counter medication may be taken by children with .the following requirements:

A prescription from a physician for all prescribed medication or over- the- counter medication
A signed authorization by parent for the nurse to give the medication
Documentation by the physician and parent renewed annually
Medication stored in a properly labeled container
Medication administered at school by the school nurse, parent or parent designee only
The student may be authorized to self-carry with proper authorization by a physician and the parent and all previous guidelines followed

Student Behavior Code For School

Expectations for all behaviors involve respect and the assurance of a safe environment for all.

Students are expected to demonstrate respect for their peers and all staff at all times. This is expanded upon in the Cranston Elementary Conduct Code Book. In addition, Cranston Public Schools had adopted a new Harassment/Intimidation/Bullying Policy that clearly defines these behaviors and their threat to the sense of safety for all students. All students and their parents should review these expectations together and sign and return the policy agreement.

As elementary students, our children are; learning what it means to be courteous and cooperative, how to settle disagreements and conflict, how to communicate effectively, how to be responsible for their own behavior, and the importance of kindness. Learning these behaviors is an important part of the developmental process and we take a proactive role in providing the necessary supports and instruction at Gladstone Street School .

Ready to Learn

Attending school and working hard are expectations for all students. Children need to have routines that help them grow in their learning. These routines include going to bed at a reasonable time so that children are rested and ready to learn, as well as having enough time in the morning to have breakfast and be prepared for school. Children need help scheduling quiet time to complete homework requirements and to read for pleasure as well.

 

Parent Involvement

Engaging parents in every aspect of our Gladstone Street School learning community is a belief, and one of our many missions for school improvement. There are many, many ways in addition to supporting your child in school that you can become “A Piece of our Puzzle”. This includes PTG, the School Improvement Team, various instructional committees and activities such as Reading and Math, volunteering in numerous ways in school, and finally, letting us know what you think.

COZ

Gladstone Street School is the home of the Cranston COZ Family Center . The COZ is a grant-funded program that promotes school success for children by linking the home with the school and the community.

COZ offers:

Ritecare and Food Stamps application assistance

Voter Registration

Coat and toy drives

Outreach and agency referral

Parents as Teachers program for families and preschoolers

After school programs including 4H Clubs and Junior Great Books Clubs

“Breakfast with the Principal” program

Parent-child activities like “Mom & Me” and “Dad & Me”

Parent Workshops

Job search assistance

The COZ also brings programs to families at Arlington , Horton, Dutemple and Edgewood Highlands Elementary Schools . Call 270-8078 or stop by the COZ (entrance is the back of the Gladstone building) to learn more.

 

Teaching and Learning at Gladstone

With the guidance of the School Improvement Team, our school has established objectives and strategies to continually address teaching and learning at Gladstone . We have a comprehensive plan that dovetails with Cranston Public Schools district plan. This information is always available to you and if you wish to have a complete copy of the plan, please let us know. These objectives and strategies will be provided to you through newsletters and parent meetings throughout the school year. Our focus will continue to be to provide students with a nurturing environment in which to engage in rigorous learning and to meet with success. We will accomplish our goals through establishing a learning community that is inclusive and respectful of every child’s needs and learning style.