Telephone
Principal 477-7320
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Dear Parents:

This booklet has been developed by the staff to help facilitate communication between the teachers and the parent. It includes an overview of the philosophy of the staff and the programs currently being offered as set forth in the Education Reform Act of 1993.

You will note that the curriculum has been revised to address the Massachusetts State Frameworks . The frameworks form the basis for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAS) which is given in grades four, eight and ten throughout the Commonwealth.

At the end of the booklet you will find several pages that need to be completed and returned to the school.

They include:

1. Parental Information Form (sent home first week of school)
The "Parental Information Form" is very important and must be completed and
returned to school as soon as possible. It is absolutely essential that we have
accurate information especially with respect to the names of people to contact
and emergency telephone numbers to call in case your child becomes
suddenly ill or is in need of your assistance. We should also have the names of people your child should not be released to in case such a need should arise.

2. School Attendance Policy
Regular attendance helps insure the continuity of learning needed for success in
school. Please make every effort to have your children in school every day and
on time.

3. Permission Slips
A signed permission slip is necessary anytime your child leaves the school
grounds or remains after school. Your willingness to cooperate in this matter
is appreciated.


4. Homework Policy
Homework is an extension of the academic activities begun in school. The parents' help in implementing this program effectively is absolutely essential.
Please discuss the homework policy with your child/children, sign and return
same to school.


I. Statement of Philosophy
The Aborn School serves a community composed mainly of families who have very traditional values and strongly support a quality Public School System. In serving
their children's instructional needs the following philosophical concepts have been at the core of our continuing efforts to provide an excellent educational program:

1. Each child is viewed as an individual and encouraged to reach his or her fullest
potential

2. Academically oriented programs in which basic skills and problem solving are
stressed

3. A committed teaching staff devoted to meeting the educational needs of all our students.

4. A disciplinary program centered on self discipline as the most effective model in
promoting behavior modification

II. Student Information
The Aborn serves approximately 300 children in grades K - 6. Class size ranges from 15-30 students. The attendance patterns among the children are excellent and family
mobility is minimal.

III. Program Information
The Aborn prides itself in providing a strong educational program tailored to the individual needs of its students. In keeping with this tradition the following may be viewed as a representative sampling of the "Aborn Plan".

A. Reading Program
The school department has adopted a literature based reading program. The
stories included are written by popular children's authors and include multicultural characters. The students are exposed to various themes and different types of literature. Whole class instruction is provided and writing is incorporated into daily lessons. In grades 4-6 the reading program is supplemented by the "Battle of the Books".

B. Math Program
Our current Math Program focuses on understanding math concepts and developing strong problem solving abilities. Various skills are introduced at each grade level. Please consult with your child's teacher in order to learn which skills he/she will be stressing during the present academic year. This information will be useful as you help your children with their math homework assignments.


C. Writing Program
Our Writing Program has undergone significant revisions in the past few years. The entire school system now uses the John Collins Writing Program. Students
are taught the writing process in a developmental sequence. Each student maintains a writing folder so that past writings may be used for future instruction and a record of progress may be maintained. WRITING IS STRESSED THROUGHOUT THE CURRICULUM AND IS INTEGRATED INTO ALL
SUBJECTS, INCLUDING SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES AND ESPECIALLY MATHEMATICS.

D. Content Areas
In the content areas of science and social studies instruction is aligned to the requirements of the Massachusetts frameworks. In social studies, aspects of United States and World History are explored. In science, instruction is provided in a developmental sequence using hands on activities and other methods of instruction.

E. Independent Research
Students from K - 6 are encouraged to use the school library at least once a week. They are taught how to do research on a subject, prepare charts and graphs and present their findings to other students.

F. Computer Education
Aborn School is proud to have a new computer lab with 24 computers for class instruction. In addition, each classroom has at least one new computer. Technical help is provided to each teacher in order to integrate technology into their daily curriculum.

G. Enrichment Activities
A multiplicity of activities are programmed for each grade level in order to insure that every Aborn Student may enjoy a rewarding educational experience. A few are listed below:

1 Grade 5 Basketball
2. Field Trips
3. Guest Speakers
4. Art Fair - Spring
5. After School Programs
6. Peer Proof - Grade 4
7. Battle of the Books - Grades 4 - 5
9. City Wide Spelling Bee - Grades 4 - 5




IV. Parent/ Community Involvement
The Aborn School is proud to have one of the most
active and concerned P.T.O. organizations in the city. For many years the Aborn P.T.O.
has dedicated itself to working tirelessly in supporting the staff in their efforts to
stimulate the educational and social growth of every child in our school. Our P.T.O.
takes pride in its enthusiastic interest and full support for all school activities. Through
extensive fund raising efforts the Aborn P.T.O. has been able to provide the school with
supplementary materials such as specialized workbooks, art material, library books and
computer software. Additionally, the P.T.O. has promoted and funded the following educational activities:

Library organization and management
Volunteering for and subsidizing field trips for all grades
Lynn Historical Society Program
Owl Dissection Program - Grade 4
Light Program - Grade 5

Besides particpation in educational and fund raising activities the Aborn P.T.O. has
funded and sponsored many social activities for the enjoyment of the children, families
and staff of the school. Some of the most popular yearly events are the following:

Christmas Fair Karoake Night - Spring
April Art and Book Fair Penny Drive -Sept-June
June Fair Field Day - June
5th Grade Graduation
Nature's Classroom
Halloween Dance

V. Student Achievement
The Aborn students have traditionally done very well in all academic areas. They have consistently scored above the regional and state medians in all the Massachusetts
achievement and assessment testing programs. This success is due to the cooperative efforts of the staff and parents working together for the student's benefit.

VI. Statement of Principal
The educational program of the Aborn is not a single faceted effort. The parents and staff working together play an integral and active role in the formation and implementation of the "Aborn Plan". An environment which fosters a high level of cooperation between the Aborn and the community it serves will insure our continued success. It is and always will be the goal of the present administrator of the Aborn School to insure that the faculty reaches out, both individually and collectively to touch in some special way each family in our educational community so that the Aborn may better meet the instructional needs of their children.

 

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY


Dear Parents:

School attendance is an important aspect of your child's education. The Lynn Public Schools' Student Discipline Policy states that attendance at school is mandated by State Law.

Upon returning to school after an absence, the student is required to present a signed note of explanation from the parent or guardian stating the reason and a date of the absence. Documented absences would include illness, death in the family and religious holidays.

APPOINTMENTS FOR DOCTORS, DENTISTS, ETC. SHOULD BE MADE SO THAT THEY DO NOT INTERFERE WITH A STUDENT'S SCHOOL DAY. THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT DOES NOT CONDONE FAMILIES SCHEDULING VACATIONS WHILE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION. THEREFORE, THE SCHOOL IS NOT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ASSIGNMENTS OR MAKE-UP WORK FOR STUDENTS WHO GO ON VACATION WHILE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION.

Close supervision of each student's attendance will be required by all teachers. When a student's cumulative absences reaches (10) ten school days, the Principal will be notified. In turn, the parent or guardian will be contacted. Continued absence from school will be referred to the Attendance Officer.

Punctuality is also essential and there is no time like the present to develop this quality in our students. Your child must arrive on time for each school day. Regular attendance will help ensure the continuity of learning needed for a successful education.

Please sign and return this notice.

 
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ATTENDANCE NOTICE


Child's Name _________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature _______________________________________

Date __________________


PERMISSION SLIPS



Dear Parent:

Listed below are permission slips to remain after school and walk to the Clark Street Park for physical education classes. Permission to keep your child after school will help in instances where there may be unfinished or missed work to complete or to receive extra help in a problem area. Regardless of the aforementioned notification will always be given to you prior to your child remaining after school.


______________________________________________________________________________


My child, ___________________________________, has permission to remain after school
with advanced notification. Please select one of the two choices listed below:

_____ Walk home from school

_____ Call home to arrange transportation

Parent's Signature _____________________________ Date___________________

___________________________________________________________________________

My child, ____________________________________, has my permission to walk to Clark Street Park for physical education classes.

Parent's Signature _____________________________ Date_____________________


HOMEWORK POLICY


Homework is an extension of academic activities begun in school by the students under the direction and guidance of his/her teachers and continued at home. If implemented effectively it can help students increase their academic achievement, become more responsible and provide them with a mechanism for lifelong learning that will serve their "need to know and learn" long after they cease formal schooling.

In order for our students to derive the full benefits from homework there are certain tasks they must perform consistently everyday. They are:

1. Know the homework assignments before leaving school everyday and do their
homework themselves. Grade 4 - 5 will maintain a daily assignment notebook.

2. Pass their homework in on time, correct, complete and legible.

3. Ask questions if the knowledge and/or skill to be mastered is not fully understood.


Parents are encouraged and expected to:

1. Insure that their child does his/her homework. Parents will indicate this by
signing their child's assignment notebook each night.

2. Provide a quiet place free of distractions so that their child(ren) can do his/her
homework.

3. Confer with their child's teacher(s) concerning the homework policy and the
teacher's expectations.

4. Encourage their child to accept homework assignments as an important
part of their education.

5. Support the efforts of the teachers and other school personnel in
motivating your child to complete homework satisfactorily.

6. Review homework with child. Know what your child is doing in school
and show interest. This will help reinforce the learning process and make
it more exciting for the child.

7. Motivate their child(ren) via frequent discussion and example to perform
satisfactorily in school.

Listed below please find the average time allotments for homework by grade levels:

LEVELS MINUTES/DAY

Kindergarten Teacher's discretion
Grade l 10-15
Grade 2-3 20-30
Grade 4-5 45-60

Homework may be assigned over the weekend, recess periods and holidays at the discretion of the teacher.

The above does not factor in pleasure reading time. This is something all families should do on a regular basis.