School Hours:

8:05am Teacher Arrival
8:10am Students Enter Building
8:15am Students Day Begins           
8:20am Students Tardy
11:30am First Lunch - Grades K,3,5
12:00am Second Lunch - Grades 1,2,4
2:10pm Warning Bell
2:20pm Dismissal Time

AM School Lineup: Kindergarten, First and Fifth Grades line up at the back door near the Office and the parking lot entrance.  There is not adequate supervision for any playing in the morning.  Also, in order to get ready for learning, students should line up as soon as they arrive. Second, Third and Fourth Grades line up in the parking lot nearest the All Purpose Room. Bicycle riding is a privilege reserved for Grade 5 in the fall and Grades 4 and 5 students in the Spring.

NOTE: If dropping off students, please do so on the right side of Ruggles and Damon Ave., directly next to the school, on the sidewalk. PLEASE do not drop off students at the entrance to the staff parking lot and PLEASE do not park in the drop off areas in front or on the side of the school or stop in crosswalks. A “kiss and go” good bye is often best for all involved.

PM School Release: Kindergarten, First and Fifth Grades are released out the front door of the school on the left side of the building. Second, Third and Fourth Grades are released out the front door on the right side of the building.

All are encouraged to stand on sidewalks and to take care not to walk on the grass.  Students are not allowed back in the building without permission once they have been dismissed.  Parents are urged to pick up children promptly at dismissal.

Principal Hours:  Jeff Strasnick has an open door policy.  Drop in, call or email anytime with questions, concerns, or just to say hi.

Absences: Parents must call the Save-a-Child Safety Line 781-979 -2192 before 8:00am if their child will be absent. Children should bring a note when returning to school after an absence. Requests for homework should be made before 9:30am and can be picked up between 2:00 and 2:30pm. Homework will not be given for family vacations (refer to the Melrose Public School Handbook for 2008-2009).

Tardiness: Any students arriving after 8:20 am should proceed directly to the Main Office.  Late students or their parents should sign the log book detailing reason for lateness and put in their lunch order, if necessary. They also need a note for an excused tardy.

Inclement Weather Days: On days of inclement weather (rain, snow or extreme cold), children should not line up outside, but proceed directly into the building and line up in their designated area. Since space is an issue inside, only children should line up inside.

Snow Days: No School and Delayed Opening announcements can be heard on Radio Stations WBZ, WEEI, WHDH, WRKO and on Television Stations 4, 5 & 7.  No School Announcements are also posted on the web site.

Building Security: The only door that opens for visitors is the back door, near the office in the parking lot. All visitors need to be “buzzed in” and are required to stop by the Office before proceeding any further. All visitors must sign in/out in the Visitors/Volunteer Log Book and wear a Visitors Button while in the building.  To keep disruptions to a minimum, forgotten items should be dropped in the office and they will be delivered to the child’s classroom.

Lunch: Lunch is served every day, except the day before Thanksgiving.
First lunch is for Grades K-3-5 begins at 11:30am.
Second lunch for Grades 1-2-4 begins at 12:00pm

Recess: Rules for the Playground

Report Card Dates / Grades 1 –5: December 14th, March 27th, June 13th
(Kindergarten progress reports are sent home twice a year.)

Teacher Conferences: Are usually held on the Early release days designated for Conferences unless otherwise requested.  Early release is at 12:30 pm on the following dates:  (Lunch is served on early release days.)
        
Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Special Programs are offered, starting at 12:30PM, for students on Early Release Days. You may sign up and pay for the programs for the year or pay as you go.


PTO Happenings Newsletter: After checking with the Principal, notices should be received in the office by the third Monday of the month or E-mail Samantha Sullivan at samantha.sullivan@comcast.net in order to be included in the monthly newsletter.  The Horace Mann Happenings will be distributed the last Thursday of the month. Any additional school notices will be distributed on Thursday via email or sent home with the oldest sibling.  Every month the PTO sponsors Enrichment Programs, so be sure to watch for the notices to see the many programs that will take place this year!

Party Invitations: To avoid hurt feelings, party invitations should not be distributed in school.

Parking: Please do not park in the designated DROP OFF AREA. Do not drive in the back parking lot when dropping off or picking up children. Please try to RESPECT the NO PARKING areas. Parking on Damon Ave is available on the left side of street until you pass Ruggles, then parking is on the right side of Damon Ave.  Parking is also available on the left side of Ruggles.

Dogs: Please try to keep dogs at a distance from the school.  Some children and adults are fearful of dogs!  It would be greatly appreciated if dogs were not brought to drop off or pick up students.  In the event that this is not possible, please try to stay at a distance from the crowd.