LES Family Handbook Updates
Each summer, I update the LES Family Handbook to reflect changes in school staffing, procedures, and other important information. This year, there were several additional updates that were discussed with the School Committee at the October meeting and are being shared here.
Some of the key changes include:
A welcome letter from the principal
Clarification of school start times, with an emphasis on attendance and punctuality
Reorganization of the handbook so that new and prospective families can more easily find the information they are looking for, such as our school mission and values, logistics, and programming. Policies and related information appear later in the handbook.
Updated procedures, including guidance on celebrating student birthdays in accordance with DESE wellness guidelines
A highlight of our LGBTQIA+ Affirming Policy, along with the LES School Committee’s commitment to anti-racism, as part of our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive school culture
Additional information in the discipline section, incorporating recent DESE updates and supports for multilingual learners
If you have any questions about any of these updates or anything else in the handbook, please reach out to me.
K–6 Arrival Time Reminder
Our K–6 arrival window is 8:00–8:15 a.m. We have recently seen an increase in students arriving at the front door after 8:15. Students who are outside or in the cafeteria begin transitioning to their classrooms around 8:13 so they are ready to begin the school day by 8:15 in their classrooms.
Please plan your morning routines accordingly, including preparing the night before when possible, to ensure your child arrives within the designated arrival window. Arriving on time helps students start their day successfully and allows classrooms to begin learning together as scheduled.
Thank you for your partnership and support in helping all students get their day off to a smooth start!
Champions Gallup Survey for Client Satisfaction
Families who use Champions should have received a survey called the Gallup Poll. Champions surveys its stakeholders annually around this time to assess client satisfaction and use the feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.
Positive feedback is always welcome, and feedback about areas where Champions can grow is equally valuable. Please take a few moments to complete the survey by November 3. Thank you for sharing your feedback!
Rainbow Alliance
Our school offers a variety of clubs throughout the year during lunch time based on student interests and staff availability. One of these clubs is Rainbow Alliance.
The Rainbow Alliance is a safe, welcoming, and supportive space for students who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. This club encourages students to explore differences in identities, families, and experiences, practice being supportive allies, and develop leadership skills that help make our school community more caring and inclusive for everyone.
Rainbow Alliance is open to 4th-6th graders during lunchtime on selected days, at least once a month. Students may drop in to each club meeting without committing to all of them.
Previously known as GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance), the club has been renamed to better align with DESE’s Safe Schools guidance, which emphasizes gender identity and expression, family structures, and inclusivity at the elementary level.
Rainbow Alliance will begin meeting next week!
Mountain Day
We had perfect weather for Mountain Day this week! On this special day, all of our classes spent time outdoors. Our younger students explored the areas around the school, while other grades hiked to destinations such as Sugarloaf, Mount Toby, and Brushy Mountain.
Mountain Day is one of the many ways we help students connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors. I want to extend my appreciation to Coach Sadie for organizing this wonderful experience, Mr. Stewart for organizing the Brushy Mountain hike, and Shelly for coordinating access to the fire tower on Mount Toby for our students. Coach Sadie also incorporated trail games and scavenger hunts to enrich the hiking experiences.
I had the pleasure of joining the second- and third-grade students on their hike to Sugarloaf this year. It was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors together!
