The Amigos School Day
The Amigos School day begins at 8:55 am and ends at 2:55 pm, Monday through Friday. It is essential that your child arrive on time. Instruction begins at 8:55 am, however students should arrive in their homerooms by 8:40 am in order to hang up their coats and backpacks and greet their friends before settling down to work. This is also a time when preparation for the day’s activities, including morning meetings, announcements and instructional mini lessons, may take place. Students arriving after 8:55 am should get a Late Slip from the Amigos School office.

School Parking Lot and Driveway
Parents are not allowed to use the school parking lot and driveway from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please understand that the parking lot is reserved for teachers. Moving cars present a serious hazard to children who use the driveway as a walk way into the school.

When dropping off children in front of the school, instruct them (at any age) to cross Putnam Avenue only at the crosswalk in front of the school. Parents should model this practice. A crossing guard is on duty and there is a pedestrian light.

When using the Amigos entrance off Kinnaird Street, parents should park legally and then walk young children along the side of the building staying in the provided walkway.

School Dismissal
The teachers, assistants and Assistant Principal will make sure that all JrK-2nd grade children are supervised while waiting in the corridor for the school buses. Amigos School will make sure that every JrK-2 student:

• Is wearing an identification tag
• Gets on the bus safely
• Is escorted to a designated afterschool activity in the building
• Is picked up by the adult or sibling designated by the parent/guardian

It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to communicate the child’s afterschool plan(s) directly to the child’s teacher. Any change in afterschool plans must be communicated directly to the teacher by written note. Please include your daytime contact information. If necessary, a phone call to the office can substitute for a written note but this is not preferable. Verbal communication from children without parental confirmation will not be accepted. The school will try to accommodate any late change of plans called into the Amigos School office before 1:00 pm.

Parents picking up children in grade 2 and higher may wait for the children to be dismissed in the Amigos/King School lobby by the ramp door.

Emergency Contact Information
Emergency Contact information for every student is kept in the Amigos School office. Contact information is used by authorized personnel when an emergency arises during regular school hours.
It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to UPDATE their child’s emergency contact information when changes occur. Please remember to call the office secretary promptly with any changes in your:

• Telephone and or cellular phone numbers
• Work or daytime contact information
• Whom to contact re: illness, discipline, etc.
• Trusted local contacts in case of emergency

Please be sure that your contact information is up to date for your child’s before-school and afterschool programs.

Please note that after 4:00 pm, the Amigos School office may be closed.

Student Absences
Parents/Guardians must telephone and leave a recorded message (617-349-6567) by 8:00 am any day that a child is absent. Please call the school to arrange for an extended illness/absence. If parents intend to extend an absence for personal reasons, then a letter to the principal, stating all pertinent information is requested.

After teachers submit daily attendance reports to the office (by 10:00 am), the school will use the automated calling system to call home if an absence is unexplained.

The school will contact families if a student:

• Does not report to school
• Has been traumatized physically or emotionally
• Has reported to the nurse’s office or
• Is sent to the office for a disciplinary or safety matter that merits a caregiver’s immediate attention.

School Notices and Forms
Teachers distribute home-bound notices as soon as possible to students. It is the students’ responsibility to pack the notices in their backpacks. It is the parents’ responsibility to check children’s backpacks daily and return any requested forms by the stated deadlines.

School Climate - Behavior, Judgment and Discipline
"Amigos is a place where students are not afraid to express themselves…where teachers are open, honest and understanding…where it feels like family—you feel comfortable and loved.”
Amigos 7th grade student, 2007

Creating a positive school climate is a priority at the Amigos School. Parents, administrators, teachers and students join together to identify and create a safe and nurturing environment physically, emotionally and academically at Amigos.

Members of the Amigos School community have the responsibility to treat one another with respect. If students observe disrespect, insults or intimidation, they are committed to act and get involved.

The Amigos Student Council works to create a climate of positive peer pressure, where bullying, harassment and put downs are not tolerated.

Teaching Positive School Climate
We introduce our youngest students (JrK-8) to a “Responsive Classroom” curriculum which teaches an understanding and respect for a consistent code of conduct. Another curriculum at Amigos, “Discovering Justice,”  connects in-school ethics and rules to the greater society rules. In the early grades, children decide rules of behavior for their own classrooms. They are encouraged to practice positive social skills during their group morning meetings and throughout the day. Books are introduced and read which talk about key social issues such as playground fairness and bullying.

In the older grades (6-8), we are initiating formal training on Responsive Designs which offers an array of strategies designed to keep young people safe, connected, responsible and engaged in learning. We encourage teachers and staff to integrate students into the “solutions” whenever possible. This model is aimed at developing students social skills and self-discipline,  and encouraging students to be active members of their own community by respecting rules.

Amigos teachers are involved in all school climate efforts. Specific classes and opportunities for discussion are offered to teachers in:

• Classroom management
• Non-biased (race, gender, learning styles) instruction
• Developmental stages, including the middle years
• Response to children in crisis

Family Rights and Expectations:

• The Amigos School will provide teachers and staff who respect and care about your children, who are welcoming to caregivers, who value two languages and who can support children in forming positive peer relationships
• Teachers will be considerate of your child’s academic and emotional well-being and development
• Parents will get a telephone call if your child is injured, punished or traumatized