F is for friendship, family, and fun

F

is for friendship, family, and fun.

In recent years, increasing numbers of families have been taking vacations while school is in session. Some parents have requested homework in advance of the vacation, but that is not always possible. When a child is gone from school, the class may progress faster or slower than the classroom teacher had anticipated. Some concepts need teacher introduction first, and that is not

Most classes go on at least one field trip a year designed to broaden the horizons of the educational program. Students must pay to cover the cost of these trips, but if you have difficulty paying for it, the PTO can often provide assistance. Chaperones with a cleared background check in on file are welcomed to assist with off school grounds field trips (see Chaperones).

Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, we will implement a practice of students not bringing birthday treats, including food and non-food items. This decision was made after much thought and discussions at a district level, as a community, and a staff. There are a variety of reasons why this change has been made, including

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  The impact upon limited instructional time
  
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  The impact of the number of ‘treat days’ on the cleanliness level of instructional spaces
  
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  Financial impact for families, and concern for children and families who may not be able to afford the same expenses other families might
  
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  The concern for students with allergies or other dietary needs
  
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  The number of high-calorie, low nutrient treats distributed to children over the school year
  
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  The desire to focus attention on the child as opposed to the treat