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School Policies

School Policies

Below are select policies taken from the School Handbook. To view complete list of policies and details, you may download the School Handbook in PDF format.

School Hours

Pre-School: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Kindergarten: 8:00 AM - 2:45 PM
Elementary School: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

HALF DAYS: When early dismissal days are scheduled, ALL students are dismissed at 12:00 noon and there is NO EXTENDED-DAY.

Extended Day (Late Stay)

St. Stephen’s understands that the end of our school day does not always correspond to the end of our parents’ work day. Our school offers a late-stay program supervised by a fully licensed instructor at our Pre-School facility.

Late Stay Schedule

• SNACK: At the end of the school day all students need a break. The Late Stay students will be provided with snack upon arrival to the late stay room. Once all the children have arrived from the Elementary school they will complete their snack.
• FREE PLAY: The children will then be able to enjoy some Free Play time for approximately 30 minutes outside on the playground, weather permitting. The Preschool playground space will be for the sole use of the late-stay program and no other children will be permitted in this space as a safety precaution.
• FREE CHOICE (N-K): All preschool and Kindergarten students will return to the Late Stay classroom and have the opportunity to play in a safe and fun environment with one another in a free choice setting. The Kindergarten students may sit and read their Armenian homework before free choice.
• STUDY HALL (1-5): Those students in grades 1-5 will be required to use the remainder of the Late Stay program to complete their homework. This is non-negotiable, so please give your children a friendly reminder that they will have to complete their homework after school. We do not wish to lose this valuable opportunity for the children to work quietly and finish their homework before your arrival. We ask that you send a book or two to school in their backpacks for Silent Reading if they complete their homework before pick-up.
• LATE STAY STAFF:
  

  Monday:	Vilma Cimenian	Room #2	N1B Class
  Tuesday:	Margarita Harutyunyan	Room #2	N1B Class
  Wednesday	Laura Terzian	Room #1	N1A Class
  Thursday:	Maral Derderian	Room #3	Pre-N Class
  Friday:	Svetlana Vehapetian	Room #3	Pre-N Class

• LATE STAY FEES: Late stay is offered Monday-Friday until 5pm, but not on early release days. Late Stay fees are $6 until 4pm, $9 until 4:30pm and $12 until 5pm. Please note that following a five minute grace period, a fee of $1 per minute will be charged after 5:05pm.

Dismissal Policy

Parents are required to pick up their children at the designated times. Children will not be released to older siblings, a parent should be present. Once parents pick up their children they assume full responsibility and should not leave them unattended. This also applies to younger siblings. Parents are asked to enforce all SCHOOL RULES when on the school premises.

Because of our growing enrollment, dismissal time tends to be very chaotic and confusing for the teachers on duty. To prevent accidents, we ask that you depart immediately after picking up your children and not loiter in the hallways and lobby for any length of time. This will also alleviate some of the traffic congestion in front of the school building.

NURSERY STUDENTS NOT PICKED UP BY 2:40 PM ARE SENT TO EXTENDED DAY AND WILL BE CHARGED ACCORDINGLY.

If someone other that the parent is to pick up a child, their name must appear on the CONSENT FORM. If the name is not on the consent form and will only be for a particular day, the parent should deliver in person to the classroom teacher a written note including the day, complete name of the person and their relation to the child. This may not be done over the phone except for EMERGENCY CASES ONLY.

EARLY DISMISSAL- If a child is to be picked up EARLIER than the regular dismissal time the parent should send in a written note to the classroom teacher telling the day, time and reason for dismissal on that school day.

WE KINDLY ASK THAT PARENTS SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS AFTER SCHOOL HOURS, SO THAT THEIR CHILDREN DO NOT MISS VALUABLE CLASS LEARNING TIME.

Cancellations and Delays

In case of snow or inclement weather, St. Stephens Armenian School closings and delays are announced on 7NEWSand WRKO AM 680.

New convenient feature: Register your cell phone today to receive school closing information on St. Stephen’s School directly on your cell phone. Go to http://www.whdh.com/signup to register your cell phone number. Enter your cell phone number and the name of your carrier. Click the logos below to check the school closing listings

If a SCHOOL DELAY of one hour is announced—school will begin at 9:00 AM
If a SCHOOL DELAY of two hours is announced—school will begin at 10:00 AM

ONCE AGAIN, STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT ALONE AT THE SCHOOL IF A TEACHER IS NOT PRESENT. THE BUILDING IS NOT OPEN AND THERE IS NO SECRETARY OR TEACHERS AT THE SCHOOL ON SCHOOL CANCELLATION DAYS AND DELAY DAYS UNTIL THE GIVEN ARRIVAL TIME.

WE URGE ALL PARENTS TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS AND DELAYS.

Snacks and Lunches

• Nursery children are given a morning and afternoon snack of fruit juice or milk and low fat and low salt crackers or cookies provided by the school.
• Kindergarten and Elementary children must bring their own snack to school. We encourage fruits and low fat, low salt and sugar foods.
• No gum or candy is allowed.

LUNCH SUGGESTIONS

• All children are encouraged to bring a nutritionally balanced lunch to school daily. Your child’s lunch should include foods from the Basic Four Food Groups (Fruits, Vegetables, Bread/Grains, Milk, Meat/Beans). Parents should always be sure to prepare foods according to your child’s likes and dislikes. Also, please cut up or peel foods so that your child may eat them more easily.
• All lunches should be kept in a lunch box or bag.
• Children should be given napkins and utensils with their lunches, because the school does not provide these items.
• Please do not give foods to your child that may spoil, because refrigeration or heating of food is not allowed.
• Drinks, especially milk should be kept in a thermos.
• No glass bottles or containers are allowed, due to possible breakage.
• No soda is allowed in school.

Dress Code

Kindergarten and Elementary School

• BOYS:
  • White Polo shirt
  • Navy blue pants or shorts
  • Vest with school logo
  • Navy tie is required for special occasions
  • Black shoes
• GIRLS:
  • Plaid High Neck Jumper (hemmed knee length)
  • White dress blouse with a collar
  • White ankle or knee-high socks or tights (no designs)
  • White leggings may be worn under uniforms in colder weather
  • Black rubber-sole shoes
• No colored T-shirts should be worn under the uniform. No T-shirts or turtlenecks are allowed to be worn alone under uniforms. In colder weather children may wear a turtleneck under their dress shirt or blouse. In warmer weather children should wear short-sleeved dress shirts or blouses.
• Our school uniform vendor is:
  Collegiate House, Inc.
  1935 Revere Beach Parkway
  Everett, MA 02149
  617 389-9047
  www.collegiatehouse.com

Nursery School:

• BOYS:
  • Blue Smock
  • White shirt
  • Navy blue pants or shorts
  • White socks
  • Black rubber sole shoes
  • Navy sweater (No designs)
• GIRLS:
  • Pink Smock
  • White blouse or shirt
  • White socks, tights
  • White or Navy pants or leggings
  • Black rubber sole shoes
  • Navy sweater (No designs)
• ALL NURSERY STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE AN EXTRA SET OF CLOTHING IN THEIR CUBBIES IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. This should include underwear, socks, pants, shirts etc.
• All items should be in a bag and should be labeled with their name.
• Parents are required to check their child’s clothing regularly to make sure they have enough clothing and that it is suitable for the season.
• STUDENTS SHOULD NOT WEAR STAINED, TORN OR PATCHED CLOTHING TO SCHOOL.
• NO JEWELRY IS TO BE WORN.

Gym Class Dress Code

• Students who do not wear the proper clothing for Gym will not participate (sneakers are required for Gym class).
• Gym uniforms, as well as the St. Stephen’s patch (to be sewn on the left side of the school uniform) may be purchased from the school office at the ACEC.
• BOYS & GIRLS:
  • White designated school emblem T-shirt
  • Navy blue designated school emblem shorts or sweats pants
  • Sneakers (preferably black)

Uniform Orders

• Please order your child’s uniform from:
  • Collegiate House Inc.
    1935 Revere Beach Parkway
    Everett, MA 02149
    Tel: 617-389-9047
    Fax: 617-389-9049

Termination Policy

St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School reserves the right to terminate any child’s enrollment. A child may be asked to leave the school for the following reasons:

1. Failure to pay child’s tuition when due according to payment schedule set by the school.
2. Constant disobedience by a child not being able to conform to the classroom rules set by the school.
3. Extremely violent or aggressive behavior by the child, causing injury to other children or staff members, and damage to school property.

In the event that any of the above situations occurs, the following steps will be made:

1. First, the parent will be notified verbally of the situation, and a meeting is held with the Principal, parents, and involved persons. A solution is discussed and parents are encouraged to resolve the situation. Also the school will inform parents of the availability of information and referral for other services and will provide the information upon the request of the parents.
2. In the event that the situation still exists after 30 days and no improvement is seen, a written warning is sent to parents. And another meeting is held with the Principal, parents, and involved persons. Once again, solutions are suggested and a final warning is given.
3. If the situation occurs again after final warning, the child will be terminated. The child will be asked to leave the school and no tuition refund will be given.
4. When a child is terminated from the program, initiated by the school or the parents, the school will prepare the child for termination from the program in a manner consistent with the child’s ability to understand.

Parking and Traffic Policy

UPDATED 11/2006

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the following traffic & safety measures being instituted at St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School. All new traffic procedures will be in effect on Monday, November 13, 2006, from the hours of 7:30am-3:30pm. Please be aware that any traffic violations committed after the new procedures have been introduced may be eligible for traffic tickets and fines. If you wish to avoid these fines, please become familiar with the new changes. In order to implement all the necessary changes, we need everyone’s participation and cooperation, as safety is a top priority for our school. If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to call Assistant Principal Heather Krafian at 617 923-0501.

DROP-OFF (mornings):

• NO PARKING in front of the ACEC in the morning on Nichols Avenue at the parking meters from 7:30am-8:30am ONLY.
• A Live Drop Off lane will be provided for drop off your child. This lane will be where the metered spaces were. Digin Berjouhi will be at the door to welcome the children and assist them if necessary.
• Drop off will be just before the crosswalk, keeping the crosswalk clear of any vehicles so pedestrians may cross safely.
• The Live Drop Off entrance will be near the Abaka end of Nichols Avenue, signage will be present.
• You MUST travel down Bigelow Avenue and turn right onto Nichols Avenue to enter the Live Drop Off lane.
• No U-turns on Nichols Ave. Please use the parking lot to change your direction.
• No U-turns into the Live Drop Off lane.
• No Elementary School Drop-Off on Elton Avenue.
• Elton Avenue traffic should consist of those families who either have children at both school facilities or just the Preschool. If you have children in both schools, please consider using the Drop Off lane to drop off your Elementary child first and then drive to the Preschool or park on Elton Avenue and walk your children to their respective buildings.
• All Elementary traffic should use the Bigelow and Nichols Avenue roadways.
• Any student not being dropped off in the Live Drop Off lane MUST park in the metered spaces across the street or in the ACEC parking lot from 7:45-8:10 ONLY.
• You MUST use the crosswalk to cross Nichols Avenue to enter the school.
• Parents are traveling much too fast down Elton Avenue. Please remember that we have young children walking on this street. At any given moment a child can run into Elton Avenue. Please proceed with caution and care.

PICK-UP (Afternoon):

• Parents CAN park at ALL Nichols Avenue metered spaces.
• Parents CAN park in the ACEC parking lot for pick-up from 2:40pm-3:10pm ONLY.
• PLEASE NO PARKING on the right side of Elton Avenue near the ACEC from 7:30-3:30.
• Parents CAN park on Elton Avenue on the left side ONLY near the ACEC.

TRAFFIC FLOW:

• NO LEFT TURN from Elton Avenue onto Nichols Avenue from 7:30-8:30am & 2:30-3:30pm.

PARKING:

• Preschool parents CAN park on Elton Avenue and in the PS parking lot.
• Elementary parents CAN park in the ACEC parking lot for drop off from 7:45am-8:05am and for pick up from 2:40pm-3:10pm ONLY.
• Parents CAN park on the left side of the street on Elton Avenue near the ACEC.
• PLEASE NO PARKING on the sidewalks or driveway exits of our neighbors.

BLOCKING THE REAR ALLEYWAY OF THE ACEC:

• Please be aware that when you block the alleyway or park in the rear of the ACEC, you jeopardize ALL emergency vehicles from having access into the rear of the ACEC. It is imperative that all emergency exits be clear of vehicles to allow complete access into and out of the ACEC.
• PLEASE DO NOT PARK UNDER THE ACEC OR IN THE ALLEYWAY!!

CROSSING GUARD BARON ALEC ZAREH ZARIFIAN:

• All parents and students must follow the traffic direction of the crossing guard.
• All pedestrian traffic MUST cross at the crosswalk.
• Mr. Zarifian is on duty Monday – Friday. He is on duty at the Elementary School from 7:45am-8:10am. and 2:40-3:10pm. He is also on duty at the Preschool from 2:10-2:40 pm.

Parents should observe all traffic and parking codes. We kindly ask that parents NOT to park in the handicap space designated by yellow curbing in front of A.C.E.C building, or block the crosswalk in any way. Also there is to be NO DOUBLE PARKING in front of the A.C.E.C building. At the Preschool, there is no parking in front of the Preschool entrance or in front of our neighbors’ driveways.

Absolutely no cars shall be running unattended on the Preschool property. This is not safe and inconveniences many parents who are trying to exit their parking spaces. Please watch your children carefully during drop-off and pick-up times and be sure they follow all SAFETY RULES.

Volunteer Policy

Parents enrolling children at St. Stephen’s are required to volunteer 10 hours each school year. The objectives listed below are many of the reasons why St. Stephen’s has adopted its volunteer policy.

• The skills and knowledge of our volunteers will help enrich our educational programs.
• It will allow and encourage our parents to become involved in their children’s education.
• It will help to improve communication between parents and teachers/staff and parents and other parents.
• It will increase community involvement within our school.
• It will lend support to the school’s goals and objectives.

The following are some of the tasks, which qualify for volunteer hours:

• Fundraising activities.
• Non-fundraising or enrichment activities such as Grandparents breakfast, teacher lunches, Christmas Family Night, and pizza lunch.
• Book Club leaders

The 10-hour obligation may be filled by any adult (parent, grandparent, guardian, etc.). The volunteer hours must be acknowledged and signed on the volunteer time sheet by a school staff member or committee head as acceptable for the purpose of satisfying the volunteer commitment. The principal, school offices, and PTO Chair will all have these time sheets. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to fill out these sheets. Download this policy and sample signup sheet.

The School Board will be tracking the parent’s hours using a web-based program called PTO Manager. The 2005/2006 school year will be a trial run using this system. More information about this software can be found at www.ptotoday.com. For more information, comments, or suggestions, please contact Sandy Bedrosian at sbedros@comcast.net.