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After-School Enrichment Programs
Magnetic Attractions is the Magnet School's after-school program that offers a host of classes for students at all grade levels. In the past, courses have ranged from magic to robotics and rocketry. Classes are taught by Magnet School faculty, parents and outside professionals. The Magnet School also has its own scout troops, depending on the interest of children and the willingness of parents to volunteer.
Please check the Magnet School Newsletter and notices coming home with your child for information on this year's after-school program and scouting.
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Child Abuse
Teachers, principals, paraprofessionals and other professional school staff are obligated by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Connecticut State Department of Children and Family Services. Specific procedures governing the reporting of abuse and neglect are in effect, and staff receive yearly training in their use. Reporting of child abuse and neglect is a responsibility which is taken seriously. If there is any doubt about reporting suspected abuse or neglect, a report will be made. The school will work with the parents and appropriate social agencies in all cases.
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Early Dismissal Schedule
Certain days during the year are shortened to allow for parent-teacher conferences. These days are noted in the attached School Calendar, and basically follow the East Hartford schedule. Dismissal times are as follows:
Kindergarten:
AM: 9:00–11:00 a.m.
PM: 11:15 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
Other Grades: 9:00 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
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Homework
Homework is important. It is an extension of the learning that takes place in school. Homework can provide practice and drills that reinforce classroom learning, as well as opportunities for independent study, research and creative thinking. Parents can help their children by arranging a quiet, comfortable place for the student to work and by seeing that assignments are completed.
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Latch-Key and Day Care
Before and After Care for Full School Day: There is a before and after-school program at the Magnet School, run by the East Hartford YMCA. To enroll your child in this program, please contact the YMCA at 289-7399 to obtain the necessary forms. Glastonbury students can also participate at the latch-key program at their home district school. Transportation is provided from the Magnet School to the five district schools in Glastonbury. Call the Glastonbury YMCA at 633-6548 for more information.
Half-Day Care For Kindergartners: For East Hartford kindergartners, the town of East Hartford provides transportation between the Magnet School and the YMCA kindergarten program at the Larson School for those kindergartners who require an entire half-day of care (either morning or afternoon). Please call the East Hartford YMCA at 569-8964 for more information.
For Glastonbury kindergartners, Glastonbury provides transportation between the Magnet School and the YMCA program at the High Street School. Please call the Glastonbury YMCA at 633-6548 for more information.
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Late Opening Schedule:
If school is delayed due to snow, etc. the late opening schedule for kindergartners will be as follows:
One Hour Delay:
AM: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
PM: 1:15–3:20 p.m.
90-Minute Delay:
AM: canceled
PM: regular schedule
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Parent Involvement/Volunteers
The opportunities for parental involvement are numerous. Volunteer activity is coordinated primarily through the PTO. Opportunities range from working in the classroom, Media Center, and Science Lab to sharing your job skills with specific classes or the entire school. The Magnet School welcomes parental involvement and initiative and is open to your suggestions for ways in which you can enhance your child's learning. Please see the PTO section of the student handbook for further information.
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Parental Permission Forms
The Magnet School's highly developed use of technology allows your child to engage in many learning activities with the use of computers and the internet at school. The ongoing promotion of the school in our community and the annual recruitment effort for new families showcases our students and their learning activities in the media and on our web site throughout the year. As such, the school requires parents to provide signed consent forms for a variety of areas. These include:
• Technology Use Policy
• Internet Use Policy
• Internet Photo Use
• Video and Photo Permission for Print and TV Coverage
• Others, as determined by the Principal
A consent form will be sent home at the beginning of the school year and must be returned promptly in order for your child to engage in these technology activities. Permission must be received from you prior to your child's inclusion in any media coverage.
Health Records/Medical Information/Sick Days
If you know that your child will be absent from school due to illness, you may call 622-5400 and leave a message on the School's answering machine. This line can be reached 24 hours a day.
1) All students must have current health records on file. Health histories and immunizations are State of Connecticut mandates and are required for school attendance.
2) No medications (including over-the-counter meds) can be administered without the written authorization of a physician. The only exception is Tylenol, which is given in emergency situations only, and requires your signature on the Emergency Contact Form provided in September. Authorization forms are always available in our office and MEDICATIONS MUST BE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL BY AN ADULT IN THE ORIGINAL PHARMACY CONTAINER.
3) Children, especially those in the younger grades, should have a change of clothing in case of accidents or muddy playground incidents. Please label clothes with your child's name and send them to the classroom teacher.
4) It is important that a student's attendance be regular in order that he/she receives the fullest advantage of the education that is offered. WHEN YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT OR TARDY, PLEASE CALL DAILY TO NOTIFY US. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE AWARE WHEN YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE IN SCHOOL. IF YOU DO NOT CONTACT US, WE WILL CALL YOUR HOUSE OR WORKPLACE TO VERIFY THE ABSENCE. WITH YOUR COOPERATION, WE CAN ENSURE THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILD.
The Answering Machine of 622-5400 should be used between 4 p.m. and 8:30 a.m.
5) Throughout the year, our nurses instruct the students in a variety of health and safety issues. Notices are sent home to inform parents of subject matters prior to the instruction of health education matters. Our 5th graders complete the D.A.R.E. (Drugs Abuse Resistance Education) program, instructed by the East Hartford Police Department.
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Report Cards and Parent-Teacher Conferences
Report cards are distributed three times during the school year: in early December, mid-March and at the end of the school year in June. (Report cards are only distributed twice a year in kindergarten. Distribution and evaluation reviews will be discussed by the kindergarten teacher at Curriculum Night.) Parent-Teacher conferences are held in the week following the distribution of the report cards in December and March. The year-end report card indicates failure or success of current grade level, and any concerns about promotion will be discussed with the parent during the second half of the school year.
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School Attire
Please be sure your child is dressed for safety, comfort and the weather. Keep in mind that children will be playing outdoors for recess, weather permitting. They also will have physical education activities at various times during the week. Dress your child in shoes suitable for running or provide a pair of sneakers we can keep at school, labeled with your child's name. Also provide the classroom teacher with a change of clothes, including underwear, in case of wet or soiled clothing. Please label these as well. Please provide your child with a labeled smock, apron or old shirt for messy science and art projects. Students must have gloves, hats, boots, snow pants (or snowsuits) in order to fully participate in recess on days when the ground is covered with snow.
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School Hours
PLEASE NOTE: Instruction time at the Magnet School begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF UNATTENDED BEFORE 8:50 A.M.
Walkers and children being picked-up will be dismissed at 3:20 p.m. Dismissal for buses will begin at 3:20 p.m.
Kindergarten:
Morning Session: 9:00–11:30 a.m.
Afternoon Session: 12:45–3:20 p.m.
All Other Grades: 9:00 a.m.–3:20 p.m.
School Office Hours: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. weekdays when school is in session. Reduced schedule during the summer.
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School Lunch
A hot lunch program will be available to all students in grades 1-6 in the cafeteria from Sodexo/Marriot Food Services. Menus are distributed at the beginning of each month. Children may bring lunch from home but no refrigeration is available. Money for hot lunches and/or milk is collected in the classrooms on a weekly basis and students are given tickets for their meals. Children may purchase a daily hot lunch in the cafeteria.
Prices: Hot lunch with milk: $1.75; milk only: $.35
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School Newsletter
A Magnet School newsletter is distributed monthly (and bimonthly if needed) to all students and is the primary source of communication between school and home. It contains information on school happenings, class news, upcoming dates and reminders. The newsletter is used by the faculty and the PTO to communicate information about school activities, special events, summaries of PTO and Advisory Board meetings, items needed for the school/class and anything else needed to keep you informed. Please read the newsletter faithfully and use it to update your calendar.
Parents wishing to submit items for inclusion in the newsletter should send them to the school office marked "Newsletter - PTO." The publishing deadlines are noted on the school calendar.
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Snacks
Students may bring a daily snack from home that they will be allowed to eat at the teacher's discretion. Kindergartners should bring a snack and drink to school each day for snack time. Please try to make the snack as nutritious as possible.
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Snow Days
Please call the SNOW HOT LINE at 622-5131 to find out if school is cancelled or being dismissed early due to snow. Please check the Magnet School Newsletter and notices coming home with your child for information on this year's after-school program and scouting.
Please note the following procedures for snow days:
If East Hartford schools are closed, the Magnet School will be closed. If East Hartford announces a late opening or early closing, the Magnet School will follow the same schedule.
If East Hartford schools are open, but Glastonbury schools are closed, the Magnet School will open. Glastonbury parents may either keep their children home or drive them to school. There will be no transportation provided by Glastonbury buses.
Information regarding East Hartford school closings and late openings is given on the local television stations and on radio stations WTIC AM 1080, WPOP AM 1410, WDRC AM 1360, and WKSS FM 95.7.
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Staff-Parent Contact
The staff of the Magnet School considers themselves to be partners, with the parents, in your child's education. They are happy to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about the school or your child. To contact a staff member, you may send a note in with your child directed to the appropriate staff member, send an e-mail to the staff person or phone the school office and leave a message. School personnel will try to respond quickly. The classroom teachers ask that you do not try to discuss concerns at the beginning of the school day or at dismissal without an appointment, as the teachers are responsible for all students in their care at those times. They will be more than happy to schedule a convenient meeting time with you. Note: Parents with concerns or questions related to a child's school performance or behavior should discuss them first with the child's teacher. We ask that parents who volunteer in the school discuss problematic behavior with the child's teacher only.
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Student Records
A student's school records are confidential and are protected by law from unauthorized inspection or use.A cumulative record is maintained for each student from the time the student enters the district until the student withdraws or graduates. This record moves with the student from school to school.
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Transportation
Transportation for East Hartford students is provided by First Student Transportation (282-8100).
Transportation for Glastonbury students is provided by the Glastonbury Public Schools (652-7295).
Families should receive a notice from the transportation companies over the summer regarding van or bus numbers, pick-up and drop-off times, locations, and other details.
Note: If your child is not going to be taking the bus either to or home from school, please notify the bus yard as early in the morning as possible.
East Hartford: 290-7848
Glastonbury: 652-7295
PLAYDATES OR GOING HOME ON OTHER BUSES: Children may ONLY travel within their own town on school buses for play dates. For liability reasons, children cannot ride on the other town's buses. For your child to ride on a different bus/van from your own town - PLEASE ENSURE THAT THERE IS ROOM ON THAT BUS/VAN AND MAKE A REQUEST TO THE SCHOOL IN WRITING AT LEAST 3 WORKING DAYS PRIOR TO THE VISIT.
If your child will be taken home by anyone other than his/her normal bus driver, or will be getting off at a different stop, you must send a note into school with your child so we are aware that alternate arrangements have been made.
BIKE RIDING TO SCHOOL: If you live within 1 mile of the Magnet School and your child is in grades 4-6, he/she can ride his/her bike to school provided that a note granting permission to ride a bike is on file at the school. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY.
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Visitors
All visitors must enter and exit through the front doors and report to the office. In the office, you must sign in and out and receive a visitors badge that must be worn while you are in the school. No parent/guardian may remove a child from the building without proper authorization. We appreciate your cooperation.
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