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Pierce Handbook 2006-2007Table of Contents
Note: Town-wide Procedures Section included in hard copy only It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Pierce School community. We take great pride in the richness of our diversity and in our strong commitment to building effective home/school partnerships. It is the essence of what makes our students feel safe, confident and ready to learn. Our experience tells us that children are most likely to succeed when there is collaboration between home and school. Clear and consistent communication and cooperation creates an environment which fosters the greatest possible academic, social and emotional growth. This handbook is designed to familiarize you and your child with our school's structure, programs, policies and procedures. We hope you find many opportunities to participate as active members of our school community. The PTO offers many avenues throughout the year for you to stay informed and involved. The staff and I are happy to talk with you at any time. We look forward to working with you so that all of our students will realize their greatest potential. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns. Again, I am delighted to welcome you to Pierce. I look forward to your support and participation as together we continue the tradition of excellence at Pierce School. Sincerely, Pipier Smith-Mumford NOTE: A complete translation of this handbook into Chinese will be available in the main office as soon as it is completed. Pierce Mission StatementPierce School is an educational and social community based on the collaboration of students, faculty, staff and families. We promote the four core values of the Brookline Public Schools. These include:
THE SCHOOL DAYComing to SchoolSchool starts promptly at 8:00 AM, and you should be in your classroom by that time. If you arrive after 8:00 AM, you will be marked tardy.
During the School DayAbsences/Tardiness/Leaving School EarlyYour parent or guardian must notify the school office by 8:00 AM, if you will be absent that day. The telephone number is 617-730-2580. Should you arrive tardy to school, report to the Main Office for a tardy slip that must be given to your teacher. Chronic tardiness not only impacts the learning of the individual who is late, but also disrupts the class already in session. The state requires that schools maintain accurate attendance to school for every child. If you are a 7th or 8th grade student, tardiness to school or to class may keep you from achieving honor roll status. Your parent or guardian must send a note with you if you will need to leave school before 2 PM. Students in grade 5 and below may only be dismissed from the Main Office with a parent or guardian accompanying them. Students in grades 6-8 must have a note with specific instructions for dismissal. Students must sign out and be dismissed from the Main Office. LockersIf you are a 7th or 8th grade student, you will be assigned a locker with a combination lock. Do not share your combination with anyone. You may go to your locker at 7:50 AM, between class periods, before and after lunch, and at the end of the day. Lunchroom ProceduresEnter the cafeteria quietly, and speak in an inside voice. Sit at your assigned tables. Remember that we do not save seats. Sometimes saving seats hurts people's feelings. Remain seated while you are
eating lunch. You are not permitted to walk around while eating.
You must remain at your assigned lunch table or assigned section of
the cafeteria for at least 10 minutes prior to leaving for recess. When you leave your table,
push in your chair and clean up your space, disposing of all trash properly. If an adult asks you to remove
extra trash or to pick up something from the floor, do not say "It's
not mine." We all have to cooperate in the cafeteria. No food or drink may leave
the cafeteria at any time. Playground and Recess ProceduresAny activity that an adult feels poses a danger to you or to others is not allowed. Do not throw any objects (snow, ice, sticks, stones or anything hard) that could hurt someone. Don't even throw anything soft (leaves, wood chips, or paper bags) that could annoy someone.
Leaving SchoolAt the close of school (2:00 PM) walk quietly as you leave the building. You are expected to leave school
grounds promptly unless you are in a supervised activity. Cross with the crossing guard. She is on duty until 2:40 PM; otherwise use the bridge. Do not cross School Street except at the lights or through the overpass which is the bridge. If you take a bus, wait quietly
for the bus to arrive. Follow the instructions of the bus driver
and/or monitor at all times. Should you miss your bus you are
expected to go to the Main Office to contact a parent or guardian. The public phone is available for your use before school, immediately after school, and during the day with teacher permission only. You may need to bring change for the phone. Behavior GuidelinesThe Pierce School Keys to Success ProgramIn its first two years the Pierce School Keys to Success Program has helped bring us closer to our goal of ensuring that Pierce is a place where everyone can enjoy success as an individual, learner, and community member. The Keys to Success Program seeks to
The Five Keys to Success are
Overall GuidelinesBe considerate, respectful and civil to your fellow students, teachers, and visitors. Name calling, fighting, or gender, sexual orientation, racial and/or ethnic slurs as well as any forms of harassment are never tolerated within our community. Bullying, threatening, or intimidation is never acceptable. Please note: The police will be notified of any criminal conduct that occurs at school or at any school related event. Show respect for all those who use our building by taking care of school property and the personal property of all members of the community. Practice courteous behavior such as holding doors open for people and volunteering to help those who need assistance. Cooperate respectfully with adults by responding promptly to requests. The following policies were added for the 2006-2007 school year and will continue. Please read them very carefully: BikingBiking to the Pierce School will be allowed as a "pilot" policy for the 2006-2007 school year. Safety of our students will, of course, be our overriding concern. Please read the following biking guidelines carefully.
Evacuation PlanThese need to be updated to reflect the current plan, especially with the closed Town Hall. In light of the emergency evacuation at Baker School (December 2006), we do think it is important for parents at Pierce to know that we have evacuation plans for parents to view in detail in the main office. If we need to go to a short distance shelter the plan is for BEEP to the Brookline Public Library; grades k, 1 and 2 go to the First Presbyterian/Korean Church; grades 3-5 go to the Public Health Dept. building and then grades 6-8 to Town Hall. The longer distance shelters are at Brookline High School (BHS). Grades BEEP-2 at the BHS-Unified Arts building; grades 3-5 at BHS- Tappan St. gym; and grades 6-8 at BHS Schluntz gym. We follow the directives of the town's emergency personnel (fire and police) to determine whether to go to a shelter and whether it is the short or long distance plan. Electronic EquipmentCD players, pagers, Ipods, MP3’s, camera phones, cell phones or any other electronic equipment should not be in use during the school day. Students who bring them to school are responsible for ensuring that these devices are fully turned off (not just on silent or vibrate) during the school day. Additionally, students who use their cell phones before 8:00 am or after 2:00 pm should do so only outside of the school building. While we understand that many families communicate during the school and work day via cell phone, the integration of several functions such as cameras and text messaging into cell phones has provided the potential for additional distraction from classroom instruction. Please expect that any message you wish to leave for your child on a cell phone will be received after 2:00 pm. If you need to communicate with your child during the school day, please contact the main office. The following are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN as they jeopardize the safety of others
The following behaviors are unacceptable, in order to maintain a positive and respectful learning environment for all students and adults.
AppearanceThe following dress code is enforced to help students maintain a consistent focus on learning. The following are NOT to be worn in school:
AssembliesAssemblies are held regularly for a variety of reasons. Behavior expectations include the following:
Please refer to the Public Schools of Brookline policy on discipline for more information. Field TripsSchool field trips are a teaching and learning tool which are designed to enhance your educational experiences and facilitate your academic achievement and social growth. All Pierce Behavior Guidelines are in effect during field trips. All required permission slips must be received the day before the trip. In the event that a student's behavior has been problematic prior to a field trip, a decision will be made, in collaboration with an administrator and the teacher, to determine if the student will participate. ACADEMIC LIFEAcademic EthicsThe assignments teachers give you are designed to help you better understand a concept or a procedure that you are studying. Your teachers often encourage you to work with peers on these assignments. Sometimes they require that you do the work by yourself. In general, homework is to
be done by you, working on your own at home or in an after school study
program. In that way, you can see what you do and don€™t understand
and need extra help with. Copying someone else's homework at
anytime, before, during or after school is considered cheating. You are expected to write all
essays and other written assignments independently. If it is determined
that your work is plagiarized, both you and the person who allowed you
to copy will receive no credit. Plagiarism is copying someone
else's ideas or writing and using them as if they were your own. Tests in school are prime examples of each student working on his/her own. Copying the work of others in a test situation is a flagrant academic violation. In such instances you and the person who allowed you to copy will receive no credit for the test and have no opportunity to retake it. Your teacher will inform your parent or guardian that this violation has occurred. Computer EthicsMany students at Pierce share
the computers in the computer room, the library and the classrooms.
You have certain responsibilities when you use these machines. You must be responsible when using a computer. That is, you may not access or transmit offensive, annoying or harassing material. You may not damage any system intentionally or carelessly. You may not damage information (disks) belonging to someone else. You may not copy, alter, move or remove information without the consent of your teacher. E-mail and Internet services must be used for educational purposes only. You will receive an Acceptable Use Policy contract that outlines your responsibilities in using the Internet. Software on school computers has been purchased for Pierce and licensed for this site. Therefore, you may not make copies of software to load onto your computer at home. You must credit all material you copy or gather from CD Rom, Internet or software sources, just as you would footnote references from printed materials and books. HomeworkHomework is an important part of your academic life. Here are some tips which will help you complete homework effectively.
Conferences, Report Cards and Honor RollIf you are in grades K-5, your family will receive a conference form and a conference is held twice during the year, and other times as needed. In grades 6-8, you will receive a report card four times a year and a progress report at the mid-point for all students for the first marking term, and for subsequent terms for those students whose performance has significantly fallen. Recognition is given to students in grades 6-8, who have achieved academic distinction and have demonstrated good conduct and effort. Honor Roll lists are posted in the foyer area of the main entrance. Students who achieve Honor Roll earn the following grades: * High Honors: No grade below A- and all 1s in conduct and effort.(7/8 only) * Honors: No grade
below B- and all 1s and 2s in conduct and effort. SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND SPECIAL EVENTSSchool ProgramsThere are a variety of school
programs at Pierce. This list gives you a general idea of the
range of choices available for your participation: Pierce School Extended Day Program Enrichment Program Intramural/Interscholastic Sports Chinese Language Classes Pierce Reads Math League Math Counts Early Morning Reading Program Early Morning Math Program Early Morning Sports Community Service School Plays Student Council Yearbook Band and Orchestra 6, 7 & 8 Grade Extended Activities BINGO for Books Special EventsHalloween Reading Assembly International Pot Luck Supper School Plays Dress Up Day Half -Way Day Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly Chinese New Year Assembly Spring Music Concert Memorial Day Assembly For more information check the weekly Broadsheet and the school website. Cafeteria ServicesThe Pierce School Cafeteria serves two self-service meals each school day. Weekly menus are published in the local newspapers. A reasonable fee is charged for each meal. Families needing financial assistance may inquire at the office regarding eligibility. Information about the individual prepaid account option will be distributed from the cafeteria. Breakfast is served from 7:30 AM to 7:50 AM. Lunch is served from 10:50 AM to 1:00 PM during staggered sessions. Children may bring bag lunches from home. Milk and some snacks may be purchased separately. For more information contact the Brookline Food Services Department, 730-2415. Health/Clinic ServicesThe Pierce School nurse maintains an office next to the principal's office to provide emergency first aid, state mandated screening programs and preventative and continuing care to children. The nurse is available five days a week. Under most circumstances, students should notify an adult before going to the nurse's office. Student should be accompanied by an adult or designated classmate. Please contact the nurse regarding any health concerns. If your child takes daily or emergency medication, needs a daily procedure or is allergic to insects or foods, please meet with the nurse. With few exceptions, all medications must be kept in the office. Library Services,The Pierce School Library is a major resource for the educational programs of the school. It houses an extensive collection of materials and equipment to support, enrich, and expand curriculum. The library staff is available to help you with your questions during regular school hours, and by appointment. All books need to be returned on time and replaced if lost. CONSEQUENCESConsequences for not following
the rules are a necessary part of our commitment to each other and to
help make our school a safe and positive place to grow and learn. Office ReferralsWhen a student does not follow the Keys to Success, the following will happen: * A staff member will submit a Keys to Success Referral Form describing the behavior. * The student will meet with either the Principal or Vice Principal to discuss the situation, fill out a Follow Up Agreement, and determine an appropriate consequence. * A copy of the Referral Form and Follow-Up Agreement will be sent home. It will be signed by a parent and returned to school. Occasionally, a student has significant difficulty observing the Keys to Success. To maintain safety and a positive environment and help these students develop the self-control and maturity to be positive members of the larger community, Pierce School has developed a consistent hierarchy of consequences: First Referral:conference with principal or vice principal where consequence is decided (for example, a written or oral apology)Second Referralconference with principal or vice principal, loss of privilege such as eating in cafeteriaThird Referralconference with principal or vice principal, one-hour detention after or before school, parents notified about next possible consequenceFourth Referralconference with principal or vice principal, in school suspension for half day, reentry conference with parentsFifth Referralconference with principal or vice principal, in school suspension for full day, reentry conference with parents. Most of our students are able to observe the Keys to Success. Some do so because they want to stay out of trouble, or want school staff to think well of them. Our goal for all students is that they observe the Keys to Success because they have the internal motivation to be a positive and trusted member of the community. Sometimes student misbehavior will not result in an Office Referral, particularly in the younger grades, but still require a consequence for not following the Pierce School Rules. These consequences are as follows: * Apologizing to an offended party, or being asked to meet with a child or children to settle differences. * Writing an apology to be cosigned by a parent. * Forfeiting an article that poses a danger or a nuisance. * Being sent to sit in the office for a brief period, possibly resulting in a meeting with the principal or vice principal. * Assisting with school maintenance and repair. * Completing an incident report and having parents notified, possibly resulting in their meeting with the teacher and/or the principal or vice principal. * Being excluded from special activities such as field trips. * Losing recess for one or more days. * Staying after school (detention) for one or more days after the parent or guardian has been notified. * Being kept out of class or being sent home (in-school or out of school suspension) after the parent or guardian has been notified. Children whose aggressive behavior is deemed unsafe will have their parent or guardian contacted immediately and sent home. STUDENT CONTRACTThe student contract will be given out by your teacher. All Pierce students must review this handbook with their families and sign and return the contract to their teacher. Contracts will be distributed during the first days of school. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONParkingTo avoid traffic congestion,
please do not drop off or pick up students in the School Street circle
by the underground parking garages. Please briefly use the Pierce
St. circle (near the old Pierce building) to drop off and pick up students.
Buses must be able to arrive and depart without parked cars blocking
their passage. The parking garages are for Town Employees only. Early Dismissal DaysThere are 8 early dismissal (12:30 PM) days for parent/teacher conferences. Consult your annual calendar which you will receive in your school information packet during the opening days for these dates. The day before the Thanksgiving
break, all students are dismissed at 12 NOON. No lunch is served. Weather Related School ClosingsIn the event of severe storms, €œNo School€� and €œDelayed Opening€� announcements are made over the radio stations and on many local TV channels. To determine if school will open late or be closed due to weather conditions, please listen to your TV or radio station, or ask a friend or neighbor. Please do not call school, Police or Fire Departments. If there is a delayed opening keep your child(ren) home until very close to the hour of school opening. Staff will be arriving later due to weather conditions. Teaching and Learning TimeIn an effort to maintain an environment conducive to learning with minimal distractions, we respectfully request that parents/guardians not enter classrooms between 8 AM and 2 PM unless previous arrangements have been made. Please report to the main office if you need to bring an item or leave a message for your child. Keep in mind that it is very difficult for the office to deliver messages. Please do not rely on the office staff to relay messages unless it is very important. Prolonged AbsencesParents should inform the school if an absence will extend beyond one day due to illness, so assignments may be sent home if necessary. Students who are absent for prolonged periods (more than 10 school days) should call the guidance counselor to make special arrangements for make-up work. We strongly discourage families from scheduling vacations beyond the regularly planned school breaks. Truancy Students
who are absent without permission from their parents or guardians are
considered truant. Truancy is against the law in the United States.
Truancy will automatically result in suspension and involvement with
the Brookline Police and/or Juvenile Probation Department. Visits from Other ChildrenVisits by non-Pierce students must be approved in advance. Please call or send a note to the principal, who will clear the request with the teacher. Under no circumstances will visitors be allowed to stay if they appear unannounced, nor can approval be granted for visits from local children whose own schools are in session. Curriculum InformationSystem-wide elementary curriculum overviews are available in every school and the town library. They include a program overview, a scope and sequence chart of skills and content, a narrative grade level description of the program, and a listing of typical materials and resources for each subject and grade level. Individual teachers will provide additional information for specific items covered in their classrooms during the year through newsletters, classroom €œshares€� and conferences. In addition, teachers€™ guides are available for parents€™ perusal at the Main Town library. The published procedure of the Curriculum Development and Curriculum Inquiry are also available in the town libraries. Instruction at the K-6 grade level occurs within the main classroom. Grade 7 and 8 students are assigned to small advisory groups and move from class to class for subject instruction. All students attend physical education and unified arts classes. Many students also participate in a variety of other academic offerings such as bilingual classes or special education programs. Class PlacementEach spring every effort is made by staff to create well balanced classes to maximize instruction for all students. A placement letter is sent home from the principal which clearly states the guidelines for the placement process. Class lists are mailed home after school ends in June. Conferences and Report CardsThere are two formal conferences, one in the fall and one in the spring, at which time you will receive a written progress report. Conferences for K-6 are scheduled by appointment
with the classroom teacher. Conferences for 7th and 8th are scheduled
through the guidance counselor or the student's advisor. Guidance ServicesElementary guidance services are designed to assist youngsters in their social, emotional and intellectual development. A major portion of the counselors work involves the coordination of any service (e.g., enrichment, academic, remedial, psychological) that will guide a child towards becoming a more successful student. Pierce's two guidance counselors can be reached at:
METCOThe Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, Inc., METCO, originated in 1966 to promote opportunities and ethnic diversity between Boston African American, Latino and Asian students and is now in 36 participating metropolitan area school systems. Brookline has been closely connected with METCO since its inception. METCO Aides at Pierce School provide academic and social/emotional support to METCO students and works with METCO parents as school liaisons. English Language Learners(ELL)ELL instruction at Pierce helps students whose first language is not English develop their abilities to read, write and speak English as well as comprehend both oral and written English. Pierce School provides the Chinese Bilingual program for the public schools of Brookline. This program offers assistance to students who have recently arrived to this country. They are provided with some instruction in their native language. The support to these students is tailored to the needs of each and is provided by full-time bilingual teachers and instructional aides. Title 1Title 1 is a federally funded program which offers reading and math instruction to K through 8 students who need additional support. Participating students receive supplementary practice and individual attention through a variety of models which include in-class support and small group instruction. Reading RecoveryReading Recovery is a supplemental support program in reading for first grade
students. This one on one intensive approach allows for rapid
progress and solidifying of skills at the earliest point of intervention. Specialized Educational ServicesStudents who have been evaluated by a group of professionals and have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) receive specialized services. The Learning Center is a resource room funded by the State Chapter 766 Law and National Special Needs legislation. The center is staffed by teaching specialists for students in grades K-4 and grades 5-8. The staff provides students with support in regular classroom work, and tutoring in academic, organizational and behavioral skill development as outlined in each IEP. Beyond the Learning Centers there are two other special education classrooms which provide more intensive small group and individualized instruction. In addition, Pierce also provides speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, adaptive physical education services, and Gifted and Talented support. Before School and After School ProgramsThere are a large number of programs, activities and events which take place before and after school and in the evening. You will find a list of many of them in this handbook under School Services and Programs. Below is a brief synopsis of some of the programs available at Pierce. Pierce School Extended Day Program (PSED)This program operates as a parent-run, parent funded, non-profit organization to provide after school care for Pierce students in grades K-6. The program runs from the close of the school day (2 pm) until 6 pm daily on all school days, and is open during certain school vacations. Activities include organized sports and games, arts and crafts, drama, cooking and age appropriate field trips. For information contact the director at 730-2589. Enrichment ProgramAvailable to all Pierce students, the Pierce School Enrichment Program is a branch of PSED and offers a wide range of supplemental educational opportunities. The standard school curriculum is broadened into the arts, music, computers, and dance with instructors often drawn from the local area. Classes are held after school on school premises beginning at 2:15 PM or 3:15 PM. Approximately 3-5 weeks before each session begins a brochure is sent home with each child outlining course descriptions, costs, dates, times, along with an application form. Courses such as pottery, computers, karate, and chess are offered and range in price from $80-95 per 8-10 week session. Scholarships are available, and classes are filled on a first come, first served basis. Chinese Language ClassesClasses are designed for students who want to learn the Chinese language. Listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills are taught. Lessons are given primarily in Mandarin. Both the simplified and original forms of Chinese characters are taught. Students are grouped based upon their entering levels. Classes are held at Pierce after school. For more information please contact Mrs. Lu Huang at 738-6059 or Mrs. Guo-Ying Chen at 731-6451. Math League/Math CountsSeveral options exist for students interested in math enrichment. Students
in grades 4 to 6 can participate in Math League, an in-school program
of math enrichment and town wide competition. Practice sessions are
held either before or after school. Students in grades 5 and 6
compete in the town wide Math League Meets (3 times a year) with other
Brookline elementary schools. Recognition and awards are given
to the school team having the best score results. Math Counts
is an opportunity for math enrichment for students in 7th and 8th grade.
They practice weekly and compete in regional and state competitions. Early Morning Reading and Math ProgramStudents in grades 1 to 6 have the option of participating in these before school programs from 7:30 AM to dismissal to class just before 8 AM. Students who consistently attend these programs over the course of the school year receive recognition and awards for their participation. Located in the pit.
Pierce ReadsThis program brings students and families together to discuss the same book that both students and parents have read. This offers a unique opportunity to engage the range of perspectives from parent and child as a piece of literature is discussed. Pierce librarians and reading specialists along with other staff organize the event and facilitate the small group book discussions. BINGO for BooksThis evening program is a fun event for K to 3 students and their families. This event sponsored by the Title 1 program is a chance for families to play and learn together. 7/8 PlayEach fall the students in 7th and 8th grade have an opportunity to work together with our music, drama, dance and art teachers to present a play performed for the whole school community. Rehearsals are held after school. 2-6 Grade PlayThis dramatic opportunity is open to all 2nd through 6th grade students and is essentially a parent run production performed for the whole school. Rehearsals are held after school. Extended Activities ProgramStudents in grades 6,7 or 8 have an opportunity to participate in classes offered through the Extended Activities Program. The classes are held after school for up to ten weeks per course. A brochure listing the offerings will be made available in the fall. Before and After School SportsPierce's physical education staff lead before and after school games in the gym for students 4 to 8. This program also sponsors intramural and interscholastic sports teams, including coed volleyball and softball (fall) and boys and girls basketball (winter). Families will be notified of this schedule in the fall or contact the physical education staff. The before school program is located in the gym and available from Monday to Thursday -- 7-7:55AM After School Math TutoringStudents in grades 3-6 participate in a free afterschool tutoring program in Math. The tutors are high school students from BHS and some who are attending the Russian Math School. This is a wonderful opportunity for the student to become more proficient in Mathematics skills and concepts. Sessions begin on Wednesday, November 8 in the back of the cafeteria from 4-5PM. AfterSchool UOpen to upper grades. Homework ClubNew in 2006 and open to 5/6 grades and 7/8 grades. Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO)The Pierce School PTO involves families and staff in efforts to support and extend Pierce programs, strengthen the home and school partnership and build a sense of community at the school. The PTO organizes a variety of fundraisers and special events throughout the school year. The Book Fair, the Gift Wrap, and the Pierce Auction generate fun and funds and provide an opportunity to volunteer and get involved with the Pierce community. Our success depends on your involvement! Parents/guardians and school staff are encouraged to attend monthly PTO meetings, the second Wednesday of every month beginning at 7 PM. Child care is usually provided. Special programs and events sponsored by the PTO often happen after the business portion of the meeting is completed. Contact PTO co-chairs, Ellen Ball(617-731-3594), Nicole Lapidus (617-2325560), Tammy Texeria (617-364-8782 ) and Charlie Walsh (617-277-4651 ) should you have any questions or would like to offer suggestions for particular topics. Pierce School CouncilPierce School Council is elected by parents and staff to advise the Principal on many aspects of school operation. In past years, the Council has developed plans for improvements in areas such as safety, behavior guidelines, science and technology, and in the facilities' repair, maintenance and upgrade. Elections are held in the fall. This is a two year commitment. The BroadsheetThe Pierce School Broadsheet is a weekly source of information about upcoming events and school developments. It is sent home via students to every family. Advertisements and community news items or updates should be placed in the Broadsheet box in the Parent Outreach area near the main office or in the staff room. The Broadsheet is edited and collated by parent volunteers. Please consider volunteering when Room Parents call for this task. Room Parents- During the course of the year, there are times when a steady and reliable link between the school and the classroom is vital. Room Parents may be asked to contact the other parents from their class to inform, advise, or request services and needs. If you are interested in volunteering as a Room Parent, please speak with your child's teacher early in the fall. Pierce Outreach CommitteeMany new families come to Pierce over the course of the school year, some from distant lands and far away places. The Outreach Committee was established to help welcome families new to Pierce, and to connect them with families of children in the same grade. The Outreach Committee can be reached in the PTO box located in the Parent Outreach area near the main office. This group plans welcoming events for the Pierce Community, orientation for new families, and works with other Pierce committees to help build community. Please contact one of our PTO co-chairs (see above) if you would like to volunteer in any capacity. Safety PlansIn the event of an all school or all district emergency, Pierce has established a safety plan. Parents who may be interested in the details of the plan may review it in the main office. The school district has consulted with the town's emergency personnel to advise and assist the schools in the creation of their plans, and is readily available in the event of any emergency. Our plan has been reviewed by the town's police and fire departments. The plan is a document which is reviewed monthly by the Pierce Emergency Management Team. The team includes the principal, vice-principal, head secretary, guidance counselors, social worker, school psychologist and the administrators€™ assistant. CommunicationWe believe that an active and informed partnership between home and school is essential for the success and well-being of our students. This means teachers, administrators and other staff are available to answer questions and work out concerns with Pierce families. It also means that we strongly encourage you to be actively involved and share information with school staff that would be helpful to us as we work with your child. Please
feel free to contact your child's teacher, or if you feel more comfortable,
the guidance counselor or another staff member. The Pierce School
Principal is also someone who can help resolve any problem. Pierce School Phone NumbersTo contact teachers or other staff members, please call or leave a written message in the main office. Below are some numbers you can dial directly.
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