Welcome to the 2013-2014 School Year at Centerpoint School!
We have been working hard to prepare the school for the students and we are looking forward to a year of getting out in the community, exploring interests and growing as individuals. Before the year gets started, we wanted to make sure you had some important information to prepare. Please read the notes below carefully.
First day of school: Tuesday, September 3rd 2013
School Schedule/Transportation/House Locations:
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School Districts are responsible for providing transportation to our students. Please be in touch with Special Educators from school districts for questions about
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Drop off window Monday through Friday: 8:30 – 8:45 in the morning.
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Pick up window Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 2:15 to 2:30 in the afternoon.
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Pick up window Friday: 12:15 to 12:30 in the afternoon.
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Students in the following houses are picked up and dropped off at our Winooski Campus in the parking lot at 81 West Canal St:
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Magnolia House
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Aspen House
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Maple House
Students in the following houses are picked up and dropped off at our South Burlington Campus in the parking lot at 1025 Airport Drive:
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Cedar House
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Sequoia House
If you’re not sure which house your student is connected to, please contact Katie Decker at 324-2378 or katied@howardcenter.org
Open House
Centerpoint School is hosting an Open House on Friday August 30th from 2-4pm- where teams can stop by to see their new house and meet their teachers. It is a drop-in opportunity. Students will have a chance to get their schedules and get their picture taken for their school ID. Students and families should stop by the location of the student’s house.
School Website
Our school website is up and active. There is quite a bit of information you can get on there- including:
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Transportation information
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Closings/snow cancellations
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Lunch menu
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Contact information/staffing information for each house
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School calendar
Lunch
A free, freshly prepared lunch is offered to students each day through our Culinary Program. Students are welcome to bring in their own lunch. Peanut butter and jelly, fruit and milk are also offered everyday. The lunch menu is posted in the buildings and on our school website. Water and fruit are available to students during the school day. It is strongly encouraged that if students bring in food and drink to school that iit is healthy. We ask that students refrain from bringing candy, sweets, energy drinks, soda and caffeinated beverages to school. We have noticed that these food items are obstacles to learning and self-regulation. To support our ability to provide this free lunch, we ask that each family please fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch form and have your student bring it in the first day of school.
Electronics
While at school, students are asked to manage all electronics (including phones and MP3 players) in a way that allows them to focus on being at school, being productive, and creating a safe and supportive environment for all. Our standard approach to electronics is that they are a non-issue unless it becomes an issue. Our goal is to help students learn to manage their electronics in real-world context. Teachers will be explicit with students about expectations of electronics use while in their classes. If a student shows repeated challenges around this, the students team will work together to create a plan for that student. This may include being asked to leave electronics at home, asking the family to place restrictions on the electronics, or being required to check electronics in when arriving at school. We do ask that students do NOT come to school with any personal gaming devices.
Medication During the School Day
If a student has a medication (including epipens) that they need to take during the school day, families need to coordinate the drop off of medication with their school social worker. Students may not bring any medication- prescription or over-the-counter- to school. This includes cough drops, ibuprofen and midol. The school has standard pain-killers and first aid available at the school. If you have any concerns or questions about students and medications, please be in touch with the school social worker.
Centerpoint Weapons Policy
Students enrolled in public schools are subjected to the Federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994. Included in consequences outlined by the federal act is a one year expulsion from school for bringing a gun or weapon to school. For students on Individualized Education Program (IEP) and students at Centerpoint School, violation of the weapons policy is addressed on a case by case basis. Weapons or possessions that may serve as weapons are confiscated if brought into the program. Depending on the situation, the confiscated item may be returned to parent/legal guardian or may be turned into the police. A team meeting will be called to develop a plan ad response consistent with the student’s IEP. This plan may include additional treatment components, further development of a behavior plan, alternative programming, time away from program, repair process, program discharge, and/or filing of criminal charges.
Tobacco in Programming
Based on Vermont law, and regardless of age, tobacco use is prohibited at school or during school programming out in the community. School policies in response to this law require Centerpoint School to confiscate tobacco products and involve the police. This summer, we have been working with our local police agencies to collaborate on enforcing this law together. No students may have tobacco products at school. If they are found to have them, they will be confiscated and the police will be contacted. We recognize that some students are active smokers who are addicted to nicotine. We are happy to support families in coming up with alternative ways to get through the school day, given the addiction. For questions or concerns about this, please be in touch with your school social worker.
Breakfast
Our school does not provide breakfast to students in the morning. Our hope is that student’s build a healthy morning routine to prepare for their school day- including getting breakfast. Some students need support around this morning routine, and we have worked with families to have them bring in some breakfast cereal to keep at school for them to eat as needed. Families who need support around breakfast should be in touch with their school social worker.
Please be in touch with any questions. We look forward to working with you this year.
Sincerely,
Katie Decker John Grimm
Centerpoint School Director Centerpoint School Clinical Director
802-324-2378 802-324-4507
