Hello Plympton Families,
I hope this message finds you well as we end the second week of the school year. This week we welcomed our Kindergarten students and it was very exciting to see the smiling faces of our newest Penguins! It has been a joy to witness the enthusiasm and determination with which all our students have showed at the start of this school year.
General Information and Reminders
Please keep an eye out for Emergency Forms, which will be printed through Aspen and distributed to students. Please complete the forms and make any necessary updates. It is important that we have the most up to date information in case of emergency.
Absences: We have a separate phone number if a child is going to miss school. Please don't call the office directly; leave a message on the absentee line at 781-314-5770.
Breakfast is served from 8:25am to 8:40am for those students who need to eat. The tardy bell is at 8:42am. If your student(s) enters the building after 8:42am, they must enter through the main doors and check in at the office. They will be marked tardy. A grab and go breakfast option will be available for students who are late if they need it.
Notes/messages for staff can be dropped off with our Doorman, Wally, in the front of the building - we are trying to keep the traffic in the office to a minimum during the busy morning arrival time.
Students are assigned a school bus based on their address. Students are only allowed to ride the bus to which they are assigned. There are no exceptions.
We review expectations for bus behavior with all students at the beginning of the year. It is imperative that students follow all rules related to the school buses so that everyone can travel safely to and from school.
It is important to note that the time riding the school bus is an extension of the school day, and dangerous or inappropriate behavior on the bus may result in disciplinary consequences.
We are aware of the challenges with transportation. All concerns are relayed to the Transportation Office and the staff there are working hard at rectifying the issues.
Throughout the year, we will practice Fire Drills and ALICE Drills. All classrooms have a map of the school with directions to exit the building in the event of an emergency.
When we practice a Fire Drill, the alarm in the building sounds, and all students and staff exit the building in a safe, organized fashion. Students are supervised by their teachers, and they take a headcount to ensure all students are safe. We hold four unannounced fire drills. All students requiring special accommodations will be supported.
ALICE Drills will be practiced throughout the year to prepare students and staff for emergency situations. Our School Resource Officer (SRO), Officer Dani Henderson, meets with all classes to educate students on safety and to prepare them for ALICE Drills. We typically have an announced drill and an unannounced drill during the school year. We will send out more information about ALICE Drills prior to the drill.
It is important to practice these drills so that students and staff are prepared in the event of a real emergency. For some students, these drills can be stressful and cause anxiety. We are committed to supporting the social emotional needs of all students while also ensuring that all students are safe.
We are looking forward to cooler weather soon and our first full, five day week of school next week!
Go Penguins!
Sincerely,
Adrienne Norris
Interim Principal
