An electronic edition of the Parent Handbook is available. Some of our policy brochures and select passages from the handbook are also available below. Additionally, hard copies of the Parent Handbook are available at your child's school or at Central Office.
Policy Brochures and Information
Select Topics From Parent Handbook
- Bullying: Anti-Bullying Policy
- Bullying: Prevention of Bullying
- Bus Transportation
- Emergency Closing Information
- Field Trip Policy
- Health & Medication Policy
- New Student Registration
- Reporting Student Absences
- Sex Offender Registry Information
Anti-Bullying Policy for Students
Bullying, harassment, and intimidation have a negative impact on the school climate and can be major distractions from learning. Bullying can create unnecessary anxiety that affects the ability or desire of a student to attend school, learn in school, travel on the school bus, feel safe in school areas such as the playground or cafeteria, or participate in special or extracurricular activities. The failure to address bullying activities also gives other students the message that it is permissible to engage in negative behaviors.
Bullying is defined as acts that a reasonable person should know would have the effect of harming a student or damaging a student's property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of such harm; or acts that have the effect of harassing, intimidating, or demeaning a student in a manner that causes significant disruption to the student's school experience.
Bullying can take many forms and occur in many settings. Bullying conduct may occur on a single occasion or repeatedly over time. Bullying typically involves repeated acts by a student intended to exert unwarranted control over another student or students. These negative acts may be direct physical or verbal actions or may be indirect actions such as gossip and social alienation. Examples of bullying may include but are not limited to: physical or psychological intimidation; threats that may be stated or implied; assaults that may be verbal or physical; teasing or insults; and attacks on student property.
The Sudbury Public Schools will endeavor to maintain a learning environment free of bullying. Bullying behavior by a student is prohibited and will be considered unacceptable behavior within the meaning of the behavior codes: School Behavior for Pupils (Appendix A) and Bus Procedures and Regulations for Pupils (Appendix B). A student who commits bullying behavior may be disciplined in accordance with these codes. Bullying that occurs at school during school hours, on school-sponsored transportation, and at school-sponsored activities, events, and trips may constitute a violation of the School Behavior code. Depending upon the circumstances, bullying behavior may or may not be considered a violation of the Harassment Policy (8).
The Superintendent will develop administrative guidelines and procedures for implementation of this policy. The guidelines and/or procedures will address prevention and education efforts, expectations of student conduct, school responses to bullying incidents, and procedures for reporting and addressing complaints of bullying.
Download the Administrative Procedures and Guidelines on Prevention of Bullying
Bus Transportation
The School District shall provide bus transportation for pupils in grades K-6 who live more than two miles from school. Parents may elect to have transportation services for students who live less than two miles from school or who are in grades 7 and 8. Fees must be paid for the entire year before school begins. The fees are as follows:
- First child: $225 per year
- Second child: $125 per year
- Family maximum: $350 per year
There is a scholarship policy providing free ridership for those families who are currently enrolled with the AFDC and those who have proven their eligibility for the free and reduced price lunch program. Those families that are eligible for this scholarship must notify the Business Office in writing.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for ridership, please contact the district's Transportation Manager at 978-639-3214.
Download a copy of the Bus Registration Form (PDF)
Emergency Closing Information
Recorded Announcement of School Cancellations and Delayed Opening
In the event of inclement weather, you may call any of the schools and dial the school closing extension (after 6:00 am) for recorded information concerning closings or delays for that day. The message will announce the date and the nature of the cancellation or delay. On rare occasions, changing weather conditions may warrant a change in the announcement. Therefore, it is advisable to call again later to check if there has been a change.
- Curtis: 443-1071 ext.3
- Haynes: 443-1093 ext.3
- Loring: 579-0870 ext.3
- Nixon: 443-1080 ext.3
- Noyes: 443-1085 ext.3
In the event of inclement weather, announcements of school cancellations and delayed openings will be made on the following radio and TV stations.
| Station | Call Number |
|---|---|
| WRKO | AM 680 |
| WBZ | AM 1030 |
| WMJX | FM 106.7 |
| WXLO | FM 104.5 |
| WBUR | FM 90.9 |
| WBZ | TV Channel 4 |
| WCVB | TV Channel 5 |
| WRKO | TV Channel 7 |
| WFXT | TV Channel 25 |
| WLVI | TV Channel 56 |
Emergency Closings
In the event that an emergency situation (caused by the weather or other conditions) arises after school has commenced for the day, the Superintendent of Schools or his designee, may decide to close school before the regular dismissal time. Although school is seldom dismissed early, we feel it is necessary to be prepared to meet the needs of our students and return them home as safely and as efficiently as possible.
When school closes early, Curtis students will be dismissed first so they will be home when younger ones arrive.
If a child has no parent at home and a neighbor's house is not available, the child will be taken to the home of the person listed as the contact on the school's Emergency Information Sheet until his/her parent can be reached or the child is picked up.
If the person listed on the Emergency Information Sheet is not available, the school will make arrangements for the child to stay at a safe place. The parents will be notified by telephone of the location where they can pick up their child.
Field Trip Policy
Under revision...
Health & Medication Policy
Physical Examinations
State Law requires that the following students have a physical in order to be enrolled in school:
Students new to the Sudbury Public Schools
A written report of this examination must be presented to the nurse by October 15, or within 90 days from date of enrollment.
Students entering grades 4 and 7
A written report of this examination must be presented at the beginning of the year.
Please note that all physicals must have been conducted within the previous twelve months.
Immunizations
Certain immunizations are required by the state government. These include a comprehensive set for entry into school and periodic renewals. Notice of the need for these immunizations will be sent home through each school.
Statement on Medication
In accordance with state regulations and policies, no prescription medication will be administered to students without a written authorization from a physician. (4.4.3f- School Committee Policy). In the case of short-term medications, (ie: antibiotics), the original prescription container with pharmacy label serves as the physician's authorization. In order to protect all students, no medication may be brought to school or taken home by a student. All medications, (including over-the-counter), must be brought to the health office by a parent or guardian in the original container. (When having a prescription filled, ask the pharmacist to provide you with two containers). No child at any level is ever permitted to carry medication to school, or to take medication on their own in this school system. Tylenol, Benadryl and other over-the-counter medications may be administered with a signed permission authorization from parents. Medication orders are good for the duration of the school year, and are renewable annually.
New Student Registration
Students new to the Sudbury Public Schools should register at the main office of the school they will attend. Parents new to the town of Sudbury should bring proof of residence or, alternatively. a signed Purchase and Sale and approved Bank Commitment letter. An original or copy of the child's birth certificate and current health records are required. Questions about school assignment can be answered by contacting the Office of Pupil Services, 40 Fairbank Road, Sudbury, 978-443-1058 ext.216.
Reporting Student Absences
If a child is to be absent for any reason, the parent/guardian should notify the school attendance phone line of the reason for the absence, or send a note explaining the expected absence. If a child does not appear for school and no previous notice has been received, a member of the school staff will call a parent to confirm the child's absence. The parent/guardian's day phone number or emergency number will be used by the staff. The information contained on the student's emergency information form will be used for this purpose.
Sex Offender Registry Information
In the event that the Sudbury Public Schools receives notice from the local police department of Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) concerning any individual pursuant to Chapter 6, Sections 178C-178Q, the Superintendent will be responsible for receipt of the information and any dissemination of the information by the District.
When the District receives information concerning a Level II or a Level III sex offender who resides or works in Sudbury, the District will notify staff members, bus and van drivers, and parents and guardians of SPS students.
The content and form of any notification provided under this policy will be appropriate to the circumstances. The Superintendent will consider potential risks to students and staff members, and may consider factors that include the nature of the crime, the location where the offender resides or works, any relationship between the offender and the schools, and other public communications concerning the offender. The notification shall inform recipients that sexual offender registry information may not be used to commit a crime or to engage in illegal discrimination or harassment of an offender.
At least two times each year, the Superintendent will request that the local police department provide information concerning any Level II or Level III sex offender who resides or works in Sudbury.
Ref.: M.G.L. c.6, §§ 178C-178Q; St. 2003, c.77, § 23; 803 CMR 1:00.
This includes revisions made at the 05/11/05 meeting.