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What opportunities do parents have to learn about activities at Merriam?
What opportunities do students have to meet students and teachers in other classes and grades?Community is at the heart of Merriam. There are many school structures and strategies designed to facilitate a sense of community. Some include:
Merriam School values the relationships between students and students as well as students and teachers. Merriam teachers decide individually how they would like children to address them. Most teachers choose to have students address them by their first name. Their rationale is that the relationship begins at a more personal level. When do I have a chance to review my child's progress with the teacher?Merriam teachers schedule two Parent-Teacher conferences per year (many parents/teachers schedule additional conferences). Students conduct conferences with their families in February. Children's work is collected and organized in a portfolio that travels with them from kindergarten to sixth grade. Merriam School is required to meet the goals of the Acton Public Schools (as are all schools in Acton), and teachers assess children on the accomplishment of these goals. End of the year Assessment Summary Reports record the progress of children's attainment of these goals in reading, writing, and math. How do I know that my child's learning style will be suited to a project-based learning experience?In order to implement projectbased learning, Merriam classrooms are highly organized learning environments. Children learn to take responsibility for and pride in their schoolwork and, in the process, develop skills of independence, resourcefulness and team building. How do I purchase milk and/or lunch tickets for my child?Order forms are available in the school office and are sent home in the Friday family mail the first week of school. Just complete the form, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and your check for payment and send it to school on Monday morning. Tickets will be mailed to you. When my child will be out of school due to illness or family holiday, do I need to contact someone?YES! Every day your child will be out of school, a phone call must be made to the Safe Arrival phone number: (978) 264-4700, ext. 3754. Your call should be made before the start of the school day. For any long-term absences, both the office and the classroom teacher should be notified of departure and return dates. How do I ensure that my child will be included in the bus system?All kindergarten students will receive a published bus pass prior to the first day of school. Bus schedules are available on the Acton Public Schools website (www.ab.mec.edu) and are published in The Beacon on the Thursday before school starts. The Transportation Department can be reached at (978) 264- 4700, ext. 3228. What do I do if my child wants to take a different bus to a friend's house?Bus passes are available in the school office and are sent home in the first Friday family mail. Students in grades one through six are allowed to use bus passes. They must be filled out and given to the teacher on the day of use. Parents will be notified when buses are closed to passes due to occupancy numbers. What do I do if my child is to be picked up at school?Dismissal notices are available in the school office and are sent home in the first Friday family mail. They must be filled out and given to the teacher on the day of use. Your child should come to the office at the appropriate time for sign-out and pick-up. What is Friday family mail?Friday family mail is Merriam's system for sending paperwork home. At the end of each week, the mail is sent home with the youngest Merriam student in each family. The mail will contain important information such as school notices, the school newsletter, class newsletters, monthly school lunch menus, forms, flyers, and fundraising materials. (Return to top of page.) |