FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Where do I drop off / pick up my child at the Middle School?

A: Due to severe traffic flow issues on Greenough Road and in the school parking lots, we ask that you have your children ride the buses and limit drop off and pick up as often as possible. We are aware that students often have appointments scheduled before or after school and that it may occasionally be necessary to drive your child to or from school. On those occasions, the traffic flows in one direction into the parking lot by the middle school entrance closest to the PAC Center, across the front of the school and out the exit on the far side of the school. Cars are not allowed behind the school as the bus traffic flows along the rear access road. We ask that parents refrain from parking in any numbered parking space as these are reserved for faculty, staff and administrators. There are seven visitor spaces in the front row closest to front entrance of the middle school. Other visitor spaces can be found in the front row between the middle school and the PAC Center.

Q: What time does school start?

A: The school day for all students is 7:15 AM to 2:05 PM. Students are expected to be in their homeroom before the 7:25 AM bell. Students are considered late for school if they arrive in homerooms later than 7:25 AM. In these cases, they must report to the main office for an admission slip and a written excuse from a parent is required.

Q: What are the Middle School office hours?

A: Office hours are from 7:00 AM until 4:00 PM. The office is officially closed at 4:00 PM and there may not be anyone available to answer phone calls after this time. In the event of bus concerns after 3:30 PM, parents are advised to call the bus company directly. The telephone number for Laidlaw Transportation Company is 603-378-9385.

Q: Is there a visitor sign in policy?

A: In order to maintain a high level of safety and security for our students and staff, we require all visitors to sign in at the main office and obtain a visitor pass. If you have an appointment with someone specific, please let the secretary know and he/she will contact that person for you.

Q: What are teams and groups?

A: Each student is assigned to a small team of teachers. The purpose of these small teams is to develop close, trusting relationships between students and adults and to increase engagement with learning and feelings of positive self-esteem and belonging.

All teams utilize flexible grouping. Although generally in mixed-ability groups, teams may group and regroup students throughout the year when certain needs and curriculum dictate.

Q: How is team placement determined in the transition from 5^th to 6^th grade?

A: Team placement is a very complex task and is accomplished with the help of a computerized system. Everything from special needs, availability of support services, whether a student plays an instrument in band or orchestra and input from elementary guidance and/or a 5^th grade teacher plays a role in where a particular student will end up. If parents have concerns or special requests, they should contact the principal to discuss any additional information. Input is welcome and whenever possible, reasonable requests are honored.

Q: What is done to help the new 6^th graders adjust?

A: There are a number of activities that help incoming 6^th graders adjust to the middle school. Some activities are done with the school as part of the transition process and others are suggestions for parents and students who will be new members of our middle school community.

There is a move-up day planned to introduce 5^th graders to the middle school. Each year this activity changes to improve the process. Specifics about this activity will be posted on the web site once the schedule is established. We encourage feedback from students, staff and parents.
The principal visits each elementary school's PTA meeting in the Spring. A parent night is held at the middle school. This provides parents a chance to meet teachers and administrators and ask any questions they may have about the middle school. Parents are also adjusting to a new school and different forms of communication.
Students and parents are encouraged to visit the middle school at any time to look around and become familiar with the location of classrooms, the gym or cafeteria, etc. A more formal tour of the facility can be arranged by calling 603-382-7131. We encourage students and parents to stop by during the summer when the administrators are in the building and are usually available to answer questions and conduct tours of the facility.
The first several days of school, 6^th graders are given a map and shown how to get from place to place. They are given locker combinations and time to practice opening and closing their lockers. Students riding buses are given extra time to get out to where the buses are parked and find the correct bus to board. Faculty and staff members are nearby to assist and students generally do very well.

Q: How do I know what my child has for homework assignments?

A: Homework assignments are written in agenda books by the students and are also posted on the Homeworknow.com web site. To access homework assignments via the web site go to http://www.homeworknow.com.

Q: How does my child sign up for sports?

A: The Timberlane Middle School sports web page contains contact information for the athletic director as well as schedules and directions to games. Information is also posted on the TEN Network. Click here to visit the Middle School sports web page.

www.timberlanems.com/sports.htm

Q: What is the attendance policy and what should I do if my child is absent or needs to be dismissed early?

A: Students should be absent only in cases of illness or family emergencies. Family vacations should be scheduled when school is not in session and any such absences should be discussed in advance with the teaching team and the principal.

Absence:

· In the interest of students' safety, a parent or guardian must call the school (603-382-7131) prior to 9:00 AM to report a student's absence for that day. If no one calls the school, a parent will be called at home or work to verify the student's safety.

· Upon returning to school following an absence, students must report immediately to the main office upon arrival to obtain a readmission slip. The student must bring a note signed by a parent or guardian stating the date and reason for the absence.

[This procedure is a backup to the parent's telephone call and provides written documentation required by law.]

· The student is responsible to find out what he/she missed while absent. For absences less than three days, students should contact classmates or consult with teachers upon their return to school about missed work. For absences longer than three days, arrangements may be made through the guidance office for assignments to be collected and sent home. [The responsibility for make-up work and extra help sessions rests with the student.]

Early Dismissal:

· A note from a parent or guardian is required for early dismissal from school. Students will not be allowed to leave school with anyone other than a parent or guardian without written permission from the parent or guardian.

· All dismissals for illness are arranged through the school nurse's office.

Q: How do I communicate with my child's teacher?

A: A variety of avenues exist for effective parent-teacher communication.

· Many teachers send home an explanation of the course requirements and expectations for their classroom and area of instruction. These require both a student and parent signature.

· An open house is held sometime in September for parents to meet the teachers and become acquainted with the environment and instruction their children encounter at the middle school.

· Progress reports are distributed at the midpoint of each trimester reporting a student's progress to that point. A parent signature is required on progress reports.

· A parent-teacher conference is held after first trimester report cards are distributed.

· Notes may be written in the agenda book, which each student is given to write in homework assignments.

· Letters, e-mail and telephone calls are frequently exchanged between parents and teachers about the progress of students. All teachers have voice mail boxes and parents may leave a message for a teacher at any time. To find a teacher's voice mailbox number, consult the teacher directory by clicking here: http://www.timberlanems.com/staff.htm

· Homeworknow.com provides parents with general team information as well as a listing of daily homework assignments. Click here to access that web site: http://www.homeworknow.com

· Parent meetings with teams or individual teachers can be scheduled by calling the guidance office at 603-382-7131 between 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM to request an appointment.

We encourage all parents to contact the school concerning any issues.

Q: Will I be contacted if school is dismissed due to an emergency or inclement weather?

A: Occasionally, students are dismissed early from school due to emergencies or inclement weather. Parents are not contacted in these situations. Parents who work or who might not be available at home when students arrive are encouraged to make arrangements for their child's supervision in their absence. On wintry days it is wise to check on school cancellations before dropping students off at the school. School cancellations due to a winter storm or some other emergency, are announced on the following radio and television stations: WBZ (AM 1030), WERZ, WGIR (AM 610), WOKQ, WZID (FM 95.7), WBZ-TV4, and WMUR-TV9. Announcements are also made on the TEN Network.