School Hours

8:25AM - 2:25PM

Classrooms are open at 8:10AM. Students arriving before 8:10 are asked to wait quietly in the Cafeteria before going to their classrooms.

Late Policy

It is very important that each student arrive in his/her classroom, ready to begin school, by 8:25AM. We ask that all students be in their classrooms at 8:15AM. A student who arrives after 8:25AM should go to the office with his/her parent(s) to get a late slip before going to the classroom.

Absence

When a child will be absent, a parent is requested to call the school and give the date(s), and anticipated length of absence. Parents may leave a message on the answering machine after or before school hours. The School Department Policy requires that families send a note explaining the circumstances of the absence to the teacher upon their child's return to school in order for an absence to be considered an excused absence.

Food Services

Visit the Food Services web page to learn more about breakfast, lunch, and meal prices.

Recess

Each class will go outside almost every day. Please make sure children are dressed for cold weather when it arrives.

Co-Curricular Classes

Each class will have physical education twice a week. Children should wear sneakers or rubber-soled shoes on the days when there is a physical education class. Each class K-4 has music once a week, while students in 5th-8th grade have the option of choosing an instrument to play or participating in chorus twice a week. All students have art class once a week. All students have an opportunity to visit the library each week. Spanish is offered in 5th-8th grade as a co-curricular class, and is integrated into the K-4 class schedule on regular basis.

Transportation

For transportation information, visit the Transportation web page.

Changes in Afternoon Plans

Changes in students' schedules that require bus changes need to be made in writing to the classroom teacher in the morning. Afternoon changes cause confusion for students, families and staff and can compromise student safety.

After School Programs

After School Programs and classes are offered at the Cambridgeport School and other locations in programs offered by the City or other community agencies. The Department of Human Services of the City sponsors other after school programs in most of the elementary schools. For information about After School Programs call the following numbers:

Conferences and Reports

The teachers will schedule conferences with parents in the fall and in the spring, or as necessary to share information with parents about a child's experiences in school. We see these conferences as a way to learn from parents about their children and the goals parents have for their children's education, as well as a chance for teachers to share the child's learning at school.

Communication

The school staff would like to be responsive to family questions and concerns. Specific concerns about classroom issues should always be discussed first with the child's teacher. Concerns about special education needs may be discussed with the teacher and school psychologist. Concerns about school-wide issues should be addressed to the family liaison, assistant principal or the principal. The School Council is an advisory body, which plays a strong role in developing school policy. Members of the School Council are also available to answer questions.