School Policies & Procedures

The Goals of Recess are to have fun and be safe.

The SES staff meets with the students during the first two weeks of school to teach recess. This means that staff works with children on the playground to practice playing safely, reconciling disagreements and playing in a way that includes all members of the school in a meaningful and respectful manner.

• Children are expected to be outdoors at recess time and should be dressed appropriately (hats, boots, mittens, and snow pants during the winter).  During rainy or extremely cold weather, recess will be held indoors.  The principal or designee will make that decision.

• Staff (both teachers and paraprofessionals) on recess duty must be visible to all children on the playground.  There may be as many as one staff person for each classroom of recess students.

• Students who need to leave the playground to go inside must first have permission from the adult on duty and must check back in with that adult when returning to play.

• When the signal for line-up is given at the end of recess, children are to stop playing immediately, pick up the game equipment, and line up quietly at the side of building.

• All classrooms shall use the front door.  This assists teachers and staff to account for each student’s whereabouts.

• Toy weapons and sharp instruments are forbidden at school.

• Electronic games intended for after school play shall be kept in the child’s backpack during school hours.  The School cannot accept liability for broken or lost items such as these.

• There shall be no playing in the parking lot during school hours.

• Bicycles shall not be ridden in the parking lot during school hours.  The bicycle is to be stored in the designated bike racks.  Helmets must be used at all times that a child rides their bike to or from school.

• Skateboards are prohibited during school hours.

• Contact sports are prohibited.

• Walk quietly into and out of the building.   

• Respect all plant and tree life.

• Sticks, stones, and snowballs are to remain on the ground.

• Children must stay away from dangerous areas such as trash receptacles, drains, and streams.

• Sharing is the way for everyone to have fun. Be kind and play safe!

• Stay clear of moving swings and the end of the slide.

• Students are expected to cooperate promptly with the direction of the adults on duty.

• Every child has the right to play in any game or activity at recess. Exclusion is not allowed at the school.

• Students are asked to stay off snow banks unless supervised by an adult. Sledding is allowed only in the designated area.

Deliberate or repeated non-compliance with these guidelines and rules may result in loss of recess privileges or initiation of community service activities.  All violations of these guidelines and rules shall be submitted to the School Principal and the student’s classroom teacher by the recess duty teacher who was in direct contact with the students.

In accordance with The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974, and Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 119, Section 51A and School Committee Policy (5140.2; File: JLF) the Shutesbury Elementary School reports all cases of suspected child maltreatment to the Department of Children and Families.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Acts of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Chapter 151B of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Shutesbury Elementary School affirm that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, sex, age, creed, national origin, disability, homelessness, or sexual orientation, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity it operates, including employment therein, and admission thereto. 

The Shutesbury Elementary School will not tolerate verbal or physical harassment of any student or school personnel under any circumstances.  

Any complaints or inquiries concerning this policy should be directed as follows:

Anne Magill, Principal Shannon Cleveland, Superintendent of Schools

Shutesbury Elementary School Erving School Union #28

23 West Pelham Rd. c/o Swift River School

Shutesbury, MA  01072             201  Wendell Road

New Salem, MA 01355

Chapter 622 and Title IX prohibit discrimination in public schools on account of race, color, gender, creed, ethnic background, national origin economic status, homelessness, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or religion. Shutesbury Elementary School supports the intent and the substance of these laws. We do not discriminate in any aspect of our school program. The school does not tolerate harassment of children or adults because of race, color, gender, creed, ethnic background, national origin economic status, homelessness, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or religion. 

Section 504 and the Americans with Disability Act prohibit discrimination against anyone solely on the basis of their disability. We do not discriminate against anyone solely on the basis disability nor do we tolerate harassment on that account. One specific injunction for schools is to attempt to locate any disabled person between the ages of 3 and 21 who is eligible for, but not receiving public education, and to ensure that he or she receives a “free and appropriate public education”. We would like to be notified if there is any eligible person not in school.

The state and federal laws governing education of the disabled – known as Chapter 766 and P.L. 94-142, also indicate requirements about the education of children with disabilities. The Shutesbury Elementary School has a comprehensive special education program. We invite any parent with children 2.5 years of age or older who believes his or her child has a special educational need to refer the youngster to the school principal for consideration of that need. Please refer to the Special Education section of this handbook.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider employer, and lender.

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Shutesbury Elementary School affirms that no qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored by the Shutesbury Elementary School. 

The current 504 Plan Coordinator is Amadee Meyer, School Psychologist, meyera@shutesburyschool.org or 413-259-1212.

The use of any tobacco products within the school facilities, on school grounds or on school buses is strictly forbidden by any individual at all times as indicated by state law (Chapter 71, Section 2A; Chapter 71 Section 37H) and School Committee Policy (ADC).

Prior to or within the first month of school, all kindergarten students will be screened for speech, hearing, vision, and general readiness.  Screening is a non-intensive scan of developmental abilities in order to determine those children who may be referred for further evaluation.  The purpose of screening is to identify potential problems, which could prevent the child from having a successful experience in school.

All three and four year old children are also invited periodically for development screenings sessions.  Again, the purpose of these screenings is to determine if a child has any difficulties with speech, hearing, and vision, cognitive or emotional development for which early support services may be beneficial.  Under state and federal law the school is required to provide services or further evaluation for children whom screening indicates it is necessary.

Notification of screenings and orientations is given through announcements, local newspapers, selectman’s newsletters and the school newsletter.  If you or any of your neighbors are new to town and have preschool children, please call the school so we can update our mailing lists and keep everyone informed about our events and services.

Recognizing that individual differences exist among children, the Shutesbury Elementary School offers a number of special services to its students designed to help them gain full access to the general curriculum.  All of these services come under the guidelines of Chapter 766 of the Acts of 1972 of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Included among these services are screening, evaluation, special education instruction, and services related to the child’s identified need.  Related services include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and counseling. Individual educational Plans (IEPs) are provided for children with special needs. Corrina Wcislo is the Special Education Director for Erving Union #28. If you have any question about special education services in general or concerns that are specifically related to your child’s IEP, the Special Education Director can be reached at (978) 910-1478.

A caregiver who is concerned about disciplinary action taken against their child should follow this procedure:

1. Contact the school and speak with the staff member directly involved in making the decision for corrective action.  Caregivers may contact staff members during the regular workday.  If a staff member is unable to take a telephone call, the call will be returned within 24 hours (i.e., by the next day).

2. If a caregiver contacts the principal about a disciplinary problem, the administrator will check that the caregiver has first discussed the issue with the staff member involved.  If the staff member has not been contacted, the administrator will inform the staff member about the call and ask the staff member to make contact with the caregiver.

3. If this approach does not lead to resolution of the problem, an administrator may be asked to mediate.

The proper channeling of concerns from caregivers is as follows:

1. Teacher or other staff member

2. Principal

3. Superintendent

In August 2006, the Board of Education adopted final technical amendments to the Student Records Regulations to make them consistent with G.L. c. 71, §34H, as most recently amended by Chapter 62 of the Acts of 2006. The state statute and regulations expand the categories of non-custodial caregivers who are eligible to obtain access to their children's student records and are consistent with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. 

As set forth in the amended regulation, 603 CMR 23.07(5), non-custodial caregivers are eligible to obtain access to their children's student records unless the school or district has been given documentation that: 

1. The caregiver has been denied legal custody or has been ordered to supervised visitation, based on a threat to the safety of the student and the threat is specifically noted in the order pertaining to custody or supervised visitation, or 

2. The caregiver has been denied visitation, or 

3. The caregiver's access to the student has been restricted by a temporary or permanent protective order, unless the protective order (or any subsequent order modifying the protective order) specifically allows access to the information contained in the student record, or 

4. There is an order of a probate and family court judge which prohibits the distribution of student records to the caregiver.

This is intended to encourage caregivers to be involved in and informed about the education of their children, while protecting the rights and safety of everyone.

The state Student Records Regulations (603 CMR 23.00), as amended, are available on the Department of Education's web site at http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr23.html.

Last Updated: September 18, 2006 

SES has an updated Acceptable Use and Social Networking Policy. These can be found on the website, or by clicking the link below.

Acceptable Use Policy 

Social Networking Policy

The School Committee has approved a policy regarding fundraising. Please click the link below to view this policy.

Advertisement and Fund Raising Policy

(School Committee Policy-- File: KHC)

The purpose of this policy is to encourage distribution of announcements that are likely to be of direct interest to caregivers and children.  Therefore, the school will distribute announcements, which have the intention of informing caregivers about the availability of opportunities or activities for children or adults so long as the materials or information to be distributed is not detrimental to the children or the community.

Announcements will be distributed only if their sponsor is clearly identified and if there is not school responsibility for preparation or duplication of this material.  Materials distributed must be clearly mark, when appropriate, “Not a School Sponsored Activity”.  An individual or organization may appeal a decision to not distribute an announcement or notice to the Superintendent and, failing to gain satisfaction, to the School Committee.

This notification is required by AHERA, 40CFR Part 763 of Title II of the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Asbestos Management Plans have been developed for the:  Shutesbury Elementary School

These plans are available and accessible to the public at this facility as well as from the LEA at:

c/o Swift River School

201 Wendell Road

New Salem, MA  01355

The LEA Designated Person is:  Matthew Foster- Head Custodian

23 West Pelham Road

Shutesbury MA 01072

413-259- 1212

ATC Associates conducted a re-inspection in February 1997. This facility is determined to be asbestos-free.  Inspections are no longer required. Annual postings and trainings are required.  

Accreditation:
Asbestos Hazardous Awareness Training – July 2014 

AHERA Designated Person – 2014

        THIS FACILITY IS ASBESTOS-FREE

The Shutesbury Town Hall is open every Tuesday evening from 7:00 PM--9:00 PM.  During these hours the numerous part-time committees and councils typically meet or hold office hours.  The Town Hall telephone number is 259-1214 connecting directly to Town Administrator Becky Torres, who can provide more information and a complete schedule of the various departments.