General Information
Visitors
Visitors who wish to enter the school will be asked to state the purpose of their visit. Once buzzed in, visitors must come into the office to sign in and receive a visitor sticker/pass which must be clearly displayed at all times. Visitors may be required to state their name and show a photo ID upon request.
Student drop off and pick up
Parents should use the front loop when dropping off or picking up students. Do not pass other cars in the loop. There is no parking permitted in the loop. Parents must remain in their cars. Students must remain with their parents until supervision for arrival begins at 8:30 a.m. Visitor parking is available should it be necessary to help your child into school. If you park in the lots to drop off please consider walking with your child to the closest crossing guard. Small children are not easily seen as drivers back out to leave. Bus students will be dropped off in the rear of the building.
Volunteer Guidelines
Background checks are required for any volunteer who will have unsupervised time with children.
Field Trip Chaperones
Volunteers acting as field trip chaperones will be required to complete the following in advance of the trip:
- Volunteer application
- Emergency contact form
- Policy sign off sheets
Please note that chaperones that will spend unsupervised time with students will be required to have a background check completed at the SAU. One background check will cover a volunteer for an entire school year. During subsequent school years, the volunteer would be required to submit an updated application and updated emergency contact form.
Student Transportation to/from school sponsored events, field trips and athletic activities
Students attending school events, athletic events and/or field trips sponsored by the school which require students to be transported to and from the event/field trip shall be required to take the same mode of transportation home from the events.
Parents may drive their own children home after a field trip, school sponsored event or athletic event, however the Milford School District’s policy #2315 regarding Student Transportation Management must be followed. A number of requirements must be met in order to receive prior written authorization from the Superintendent/designee. The requirements include but are not limited to; proof of valid insurance, valid vehicle inspection, valid operator’s license, valid vehicle registration, a criminal record check, and written permission from the parent/guardian of each child being transported.
Requests for written prior authorization must be made to the Superintendent/designee at least one week prior to the day of the event, field trip, or athletic event to allow for processing of the required information. Requests made the day of an event cannot be honored unless in the case of an emergency. Parents that provide transportation for children other than their own without written prior authorization of the Superintendent/designee do so at their own risk, expense and liability.
End of day procedures
Parents need to make sure their children know their daily after-school plans. If there is a change in the usual and customary plan, parents are asked to send in a note to the school with the change of plans. As the office gets busy at the end of the day, we prefer a note, but we also understand that a phone call may be necessary. Please make your change of plans no later than 2:00 PM.
Once the buses begin to move, we cannot take students off the bus.
Students may be permitted to ride a different bus, with approval from the principal/designee, for child care reasons only. If a student needs to ride a different bus due to an emergency for child-care arrangements, parents must write a note to the classroom teacher with the reason why, the bus number the child needs to ride, and the name and address of the person taking care of the child. If you cannot write a note, please call the school at 673-1811 before 2:00 p.m.
Please do not email requests. We cannot guarantee the information will be read and processed before dismissal.
If there is no note or phone call, students will be sent home according to their usual and customary plans.
Bus Transportation
Bus transportation is provided for students in grades 2-5 to and from home. The scheduling and the routing of the contracted buses is the responsibility of the Business Administrator or his designee. Please send notes to the office if your child’s dismissal plans change. Bus changes will be approved for child care purposes only and with proper advanced notification as explained in End of Day Procedures. We are unable to accept bus change requests related to after school activities and play dates.
Unanticipated early dismissal from school
Early dismissal from school due to inclement weather or emergency will be determined by the Superintendent of Schools. Should this happen, we will attempt to contact each family. Please make the necessary arrangements so that your child will know what to do in the unlikely event that we do dismiss early.
It is your responsibility to fill out and return to the classroom teacher an Unanticipated Early Dismissal Form. Blank forms will be sent home on the first day of school. Copies are also available in the school office.
Classroom parties
In keeping with the school district’s efforts at improving student wellness, and in conjunction with Milford School Board Policy #2285, there will be no more than one collective birthday party each month. If, for instance, there are three students in the same classroom who have a birthday in the same month, one collective birthday celebration may be scheduled for that month. The classroom teacher will decide when during the month the collective celebration will be held. Individual birthdays may still be recognized in the classroom on the actual birth date, but not with a party or food. Classroom teachers will decide how individual birthdays are recognized.
Food will be allowed during the monthly celebrations; however, it is recommended that only one non-healthy snack be allowed. For example, this means that each child would receive one cupcake, piece of cake, or ice cream. Other healthier food items and drinks will be allowed. The classroom teacher will organize and manage the food and drink for the celebration.
Because a number of students have food allergies, parents must check with the classroom teacher prior to sending any party food to school. Failure to do so may require us to keep certain food items out of the classrooms.
The staff at the Heron Pond Elementary School supports the wellness goals of the District and believes we can still have tasty snacks and an enjoyable birthday experience while encouraging a healthier lifestyle.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
In accordance with policy #2401, the Milford School District shall not discriminate in any of its education programs, activities, or employment practices on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, physical or mental disability. Further, it shall affirm equal opportunity in all of its educational programs, activities, and employment practices.
This policy is in compliance with the provisions of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1967, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974. The Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1991, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. Any person having inquiries concerning the Milford School District's compliance with the regulations, which implement these laws may contact the District's Gender/Title IX Coordinator, English as a Second Language (ESL) Coordinator, or the Superintendent of Schools.