Student Handbooks Elementary Handbook 2019-20 | Page 14

Community: • Encourage and verify regular school attendance as a prerequisite of student employment • Encourage area businesses to refrain from allowing students to congregate during school hours • Do all that is possible under current law to ensure that all students attend school regularly EARLY DISMISSAL FROM SCHOOL (GRADES K-12) 5113 Any dismissal from school can only be authorized by the school office or building administrator(s). Parent(s)/guardian(s) that wish their child to be dismissed early should send the student to school with a signed note stating the time of dismissal. This note should be presented to the school administration before homeroom period or in the morning on the day of the dismissal. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are to sign out their child in the main office. For the protection and safety of the student, dismissals are routinely made only to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of that student. If there are special circumstances that necessitate someone other than the parent(s)/guardian(s) to pick up the student, their name should be stated in the dismissal note. TARDY TO SCHOOL (GRADES K-12) 5113 Tardy to school is defined as a student that enters the school building after the start of the school day or homeroom period. Ensuring that a student arrives to school on time is a parental responsibility. If a student arrives late to school, they need to report to the school office/house office to sign in. The student needs to bring a signed note from a parent(s)/guardian(s) to explain their tardiness. AUTOMATED PHONE MESSAGING SYSTEM The Enfield Public Schools utilizes a variety of systems (School-Messenger, Twitter, and our school website) to communicate with parents. The School-Messenger is an automated phone messaging system which gives school administrators the ability to easily contact parents/guardians immediately of news that needs to be communicated. Administrators have the ability to send personally prerecorded messages to the entire school community, or they can tailor transmissions to smaller groups, when needed. You will still find relevant information regarding closings, delays, and early dismissals on television, radio, the district homepage www.enfieldschools.org, and the snowline at 860-253-5170. In an emergency, if you are unable to reach the school office after 3:30 PM, please call 860-253-6557 (Administrative Offices of the Enfield Board of Education) for assistance. BACKPACKS Students find it useful to carry book bags, duffel bags, and knapsacks. Students are allowed to carry/use these items to and from school only. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children should never carry backpacks that weigh more than 20% of their body weight. Students who do carry backpacks should distribute the load by putting the heaviest items, such as books and binders, closest to their back. The AAP also recommends that students use backpacks with padded straps and wear both straps tightened so that the backpack is close to the body. Care should be taken not to carry the backpack on one shoulder, as this uneven, heavy load can distort posture, causing muscle strain and fatigue. 10