Frequently Asked Questions
Drop-off and Pick-up
Q: Where do I drop my student off? What time?
A: Students should arrive at the school at 7:55am.
Kindergarten and 1st Graders should arrive through the front doors on Blossom Street. All other students should enter the school through the back doors near the basketball court. Students are expected to be in their classroom ready to begin their day at 8:00am.
If it is raining, snowing, or the temperature is less than 20 degrees, students will be allowed to enter the building when they arrive and will be sent to class at 7:55am.
Q: What is the procedure for driving my student to school?
A: The parking in the lot is reserved for faculty and staff only. There is a car drop off area in the staff parking lot adjacent to Newland Road. Carefully drive into the parking lot as far down as you can go and pull to the side.
Q: What do I do if I am late in the morning?
A: Please call the Peirce safe arrival line at 781-316-3298 to inform the school. Once your student has arrived they will go to the main office to check in then head to their classroom.
Q: What time is pick-up? Where do I pick my student up?
A: Students are dismissed at 2:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and at 1:00 pm on Wednesday. K and 1st grade are dismissed at the small playground found next to the front doors (Blossom street entrance). Grades 2nd, 3rd, and 5th will be dismissed at the back playground. 4th grade will be dismissed out the side door (Near the corner of Park Ave. Ext. and Morris St.).
Q:At what age can students be dismissed without a guardian?
A: Students in 3rd grade and up may get dismissed without a guardian.
Q: What do I do if I am late in the afternoon?
A: If you are running late for pick-up in the afternoon, please call the main office to let us know. If it is past 2:35 pm or 1:05 pm (Wednesday’s only), Grades K-2 students will be brought to the office to wait for you. Grades 3-5 students may be dismissed on their own or report to the office as well.
Q: What if I need to dismiss my child from school early?
If you need to dismiss your student from school early, please let the teacher know in advance. When you arrive at the school to pick up, please come into the main office to sign them out, we will then call your student down to the office to be dismissed.
Lunch, Snack and Recess
Q: What if my student forgets their lunch?
A: We will never let a student go without eating. If a student has forgotten their lunch, they can either call home from the office or eat a school lunch from the cafeteria.
Q: What is the school's policy about nuts for snacks and lunches?
A: Each morning students have a snack time. Your teacher will notify you about any classroom restrictions based on allergies. All purchased school lunches are nut-free. Students bringing lunch to school may have nuts. There is a nut-free table provided for students with allergies. Students without allergies who would like to sit at the nut free table with a friend must get a lunch from the school in order to do so.
Q: How long is recess? How many recesses do the students get?
A: All grades have morning recess and a 20 minute recess before or after their lunch. Students must be dressed appropriately for recess. We continue to have outdoor recess during the winter months, weather/temperatures permitting, however students must be dressed in mittens/gloves, boots, hats, scarves and a heavy coat. Additional recess is at the discretion of each teacher.
Q: What if a student loses/forgets a coat or other appropriate outdoor clothes?
A: There are several extra clothes located on the ground floor across from the elevator. Students are allowed to borrow these while they are outside but must return them once they are done.
A: If it is raining, snowing, or below 20 degrees, there is no outside recess. Students have indoor recess and are provided with activities in their classrooms.
General Questions
Q: When are parent-teacher conferences?
A: Teachers hold two parent-teacher conferences with families. The first conference is held in December/January and the second is held in March/April.
Q: When are Progress Reports (report cards)?
A: Kindergarten students receive two (2) progress reports, the first in the Fall and the second on the last day of school. Grades 1-5 receive three progress reports; Fall, Winter, and last day of school, for the school year.
Q: How do I get involved with Stratton?
A: Parent/guardian involvement is key to a successful school year and there are many ways for you to be involved. Below are lists of groups that would love to hear from you.
Room Representatives and Classroom Volunteers
Contact your teacher to volunteer in your student’s classroom.
Room Representatives act as a liaison between classroom teachers and the parents/guardians in the class. Each class typically has two individuals who work with teachers to find volunteers for classroom celebrations, field trips, etc.
Library
The Library is a great place to volunteer, either when your student’s class visits or at any other time. We can always use help checking books in or out, and re-shelving them, but there are other ways to help out too. Our beautiful new books need to be covered with protective plastic before we can put them into circulation. The
younger grades especially love extra help in selecting books or being read to.
Peirce Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
The PTO runs various community, social, enrichment, and fundraising events each year. The PTO also supplements the resources available to the school and our teachers. Enrichment is fully funded through the PTO. The PTO meets in the evening every month and all are welcome to attend.
Q: If I’m going to be helping in the school do I need to sign anything?
A: The school office has the paperwork for the CORI background checks required for volunteering at the school. You must submit the CORI in person to a school staff member and provide a photo ID. Thereafter, each time you come in to volunteer, you will ring the bell at the front door and be buzzed in. On the desk in the office there is a visitor sign in and there are large red stickers for you to wear while you are in the building.