Center School Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are Center School’s Hours?
9:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
2. What is the drop-off procedure for children who don’t take the bus?
For all students, children may be dropped off beginning at 8:45 a.m. at the center entrance in
the front of the school. This is considered “live parking,” meaning that drivers should remain
in their cars during drop-off time. An adult will be on duty to assist.
Please note the following:
 Students should be quickly dropped off at the front middle door entrance—directly in
front of the school
 Please remain in your car during drop-off. A staff member will be available to assist
if necessary, but in most cases, students can get out of the car and close the door
unassisted. This is a good skill to practice.
 Have your child seated on the passenger side of the car. This side will be closest to the
curb when you pull up in front of the school, and will allow for the safest drop-off.
 Please say your good-byes quickly—there is a steady stream of cars waiting to drop off
their children.
 School begins at 9:00 am and after 9:00, the doors are locked and you must walk your
child in to the office.
 If you are entering the school for a specific reason at drop-off time, please park in a
designated spot on Ash Street or around the common. The few spaces in front of the
school are for “live parking” drop-off.
3. What is the pick-up procedure for children who don’t take the bus home?
Kindergartners and first graders gather in a classroom/hallway inside the front entryway at the
3:15 dismissal time. Parents wait (outside of their cars) in a line for their children on the front
sidewalk at our middle door entrance. Parking is available on Ash Street and around the
common, but not in the school parking lot. The staff member on duty uses a walkie-talkie to
call into the building, releasing the children as their pickup person arrives. This process begins
right after the 3:15 dismissal time. We recommend that parents wait in their cars until at least
3:15, especially during inclement weather. Although all students are generally out of the
building by 3:20, we suggest bringing umbrellas and dressing warmly on rainy or excessively
cold days.
You must find a legal space to park your car which does not block any driveways nor is in the
handicapped parking space or school driveway.
4. How are dismissal changes communicated to the school?
Children typically have a standard dismissal procedure. For many children, this means taking
the bus to and from school every day. For some children, it may mean taking the bus some
days, and having a standing note (parents provide this to the main office) to be picked up on
certain days of the week. When this standard dismissal procedure needs to change (for
example, a bus student needs to be picked up by a parent) you must send a note with your
child informing us of this change. Notepads called “A Note from Home” can be purchased
through the HPTA at Action Copy or downloaded from the HPTA website. We prefer you to
use these formatted notes when informing us of a dismissal change. Please make sure to include
your child’s first name, last name, and room number. Children turn in notes to their teacher,
and the teachers send the notes to the office.
You may also send an email to:coffice@hopkinton.k12.ma.us informing us of a dismissal
change.
Changes to the standard dismissal procedure will not be made without written
notification. Without a note, your child will be sent home on his/her regularly scheduled
bus.
***We will not accept dismissal changes after the following times:
Daily - 2 p.m.
Early Release Days – 11 a.m.
Also, please note that dismissals that occur any time before 3:15 are considered “early
dismissals” and are noted on your child’s report card.
5. What is the difference between an Early Release Day and an Early Dismissal Day?
It is important to check your school calendar or the district website for these dates, and we
recommend marking your calendars at home. Early Release Days occur twelve times
throughout the school year and students are dismissed at 1:00 pm. An Early Dismissal Day
occurs the day before Thanksgiving and typically on the last day of school.
Please note the differences:
Early Release Days: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
On Early Release Days, all students are dismissed at 1 p.m.
Lunch is served and the typical school lunch can be purchased on these days.
Early Dismissal Days: 9 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
Early Dismissal occurs on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. All students are dismissed at
12:05 p.m. Lunch is not served on early dismissal days.
6. How are student absences reported?
Please call the nurse’s line at 508-497-9876 to report your child’s absence, or to report that your
child will be late (if you have an early morning appointment, for example). It is important for
you to call in your child’s absence/tardiness otherwise our school nurse will be contacting you
to verify your child’s absence. Please try to call in early; you may leave a voice mail message
on the nurse’s line.
7. How does lunch work?
Students eat lunch daily in the cafeteria. They have a thirty-minute lunch period, followed by a
fifteen-minute recess. Students have the opportunity to purchase the school lunch or to bring
their own lunch from home. Milk may be purchased as well.
Lunch prices for 2015-2016 are: Lunch: $2.50 Milk: $0.50
Lunch and milk may be prepaid by writing a check to:
Hopkinton School Lunch Program.
You may also prepay online – please refer to our website.
8. How can I get important information about Hopkinton Public Schools?
Information about all schools and about the school district is available on the Hopkinton Public
Schools website as well as the individual school websites. The Elementary Family Handbook is
also available on the website and contains important facts about the elementary schools and its
policies.
9. What should I do when my child is not attending school due to illness, or when my
child is taking medication?
Please inform the school of any allergies or any other medical problems. Every effort should be
made to give medication at home before and/or after school. Medicine that must be
administered at school can only be done so with written physician and parental permission, and
the medicine must be in the original prescription bottle or the over-the-counter container. It
must be delivered to school by a parent—children may not carry their own medication.
If your child will be absent for a prolonged period of time due to illness (or other emergency
situation) please notify the school. Also, if your child has a contagious disease (e.g. chicken
pox) the school nurse must be notified. Strep infections are considered communicable and need
to be reported as well.
When a child has a positive throat culture, he or she must receive antibiotic treatment for twenty
four hours prior to returning to school, and children should remain at home until throat culture
results are received.
A call-in system for absences is in place at Center School; please call 508-497-9876 each day
that your child will be absent from school. While we want children to be in school each day,
please keep your child at home if he or she is uncomfortable or contagious—this helps prevent
the spread of germs throughout the building.
10. May parents volunteer at Center School?
Yes! There are opportunities for parents to volunteer at Center School. Some of the
opportunities are in your child’s classroom, but please note that the type/amount of volunteer
opportunities varies by class, as well as by need and parent interest. Volunteering can also take
the form of working on important projects at home or donating—sending in a roll of paper
towels or other items that the teachers may request is another important way you can support
your child’s class, and is often a viable option for parents whose work schedules prohibit “in
person” volunteering. Please know that you may not volunteer in the classroom or at school
without being CORI cleared. This also applies to being a “mystery reader” in your child’s
classroom. Please see our website for further details.
11. Will my child have special subjects?
In kindergarten, your child will have two sessions of physical education, two sessions of library
and one session of music.
In first grade, your child will have six forty-minute specials each week. They include: art,
music, health, library, and two sessions of physical education.
12. Can I bring electronics to school? Are there any restrictions as to what my child can
bring to school? And, what if my child loses his or her belongings?
Students should not bring any electronic games, cell phones, or valuable items to school.
Center School has a lost and found in the school’s cafeteria. Please make sure to LABEL all
lunch boxes, backpacks, boots, and articles of clothing that may be removed in school. Please
do not allow your child to bring important and/or meaningful items to school, as it becomes
very difficult when they are lost or misplaced.
Pokemon cards are not allowed at school or on the bus.
13. Will my child be able to bring a snack?
Children should bring their own healthy snack each day. Please send just one item to eat and
one item to drink. We recommend something small, nutritious and not too time consuming.
We strongly discourage snacks of cookies and chips. Small bottles of water are great. Also,
when considering a snack, please don’t send foods that are sticky or that make a mess (like
Cheetos, which rub off on everything). We ask that you keep the snack more like a snack
instead of a meal!
14. How can I communicate with my child’s teacher?
All Center School staff members can be contacted by phone or e-mail. Typically, e-mail is the
most efficient means of communicating with Center School teachers as availability during the
day is extremely limited. It may also be more convenient to set up a phone call time via email.
Your child’s teacher will address home/school communication at the Open House night.
15. Should my child carry a backpack?
Many Center School children carry their belongings to and from school in a backpack. This
works well for most of our students. When choosing a backpack, please choose a lightweight
style, preferably without wheels. The wheels can become a safety hazard on the bus and school
stairs.
Please note that there may be no hanging objects on the outside of the backpacks. It is a safety
hazard when travelling on the bus.
17. What should I do if I can’t find an answer to one of my questions?
In our experience, most of your questions can be answered through the family handbook,
through our website, by your child’s teacher, our front office staff, or our school nurse. If for
any reason you have a lingering question and aren’t sure where to turn, feel free to send your
question to: askcenterschool@hopkinton.k12.ma.us.
You will receive a response that either directly answers your questions or directs you to the
appropriate resource.
Foot Wear and Clothing Expectations
Sneakers that cover the entire foot provide the most protection for stairs, PE,
using playground equipment, and running in the field. Sneakers are required
for physical education.
Students may not wear:
 FLIP FLOPS, open-toe sandals, and wheelies are not allowed at school.
 Crocs are strongly discouraged as they have a slippery surface. Many
of the current shoe styles have slippery soles.
 Children are expected to wear clothing that does not interfere with learning.
 Clothing should not have inappropriate graphics or words and should be
age appropriate.
 Clothing should be comfortable for moving around (gym and recess) and
working on the floor (circle time, stories, projects)
 Hats may not be worn in the building (but may be worn at recess)
 Sneakers are required on physical education days and recommended
on an everyday basis.
 Playground surfaces are blacktop, sand, and mulch. Special attention to
shoe choice is suggested. Because mulch chips can hurt, sandals and clogs
(or shoes with heels) are not advised. Similarly, this type of shoe can make
running difficult and possibly hazardous.
 Dress for the weather. It is easier to take off extra clothing if warm.
We encourage parents to help children make good choices for clothing to be worn
to school. School clothes may differ from play or weekend clothes. Please note that
children go outside for recess on most days unless it is raining, extremely cold and
icy, or our blacktop is not clear. Mittens and hats should always be included in the
cold months and snow gear is expected for recess (see playground rules).
Bathroom Expectations
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Children should follow classroom rules regarding trips to the bathroom.
Quiet voices are expected in the bathrooms – no yelling or screaming.
Children must wash their hands after using the bathroom and USE SOAP.
Faucets should be turned off when children are finished.
The bathroom is not a time to visit with friends or classmates.
If a child sees something in the bathroom that should not be happening, he or she should
tell the classroom teacher or an adult.
Please show your child how to properly wash his/her hands with
soap and watch them practice this at home. Our school nurse
recommends washing while saying the ABC’s so your child
knows how long he/she must wash to get his/her hands clean.
Bathroom routine practiced at school is:
GO
WASH
FLUSH
LEAVE
Center School Bus Expectations
Center School students are expected to treat each other and the bus driver respectfully.
The safety of all students is our main concern. Riding the bus to and from school is a privilege
and may be suspended or revoked for inappropriate behavior. Cooperation is expected as we
try to make the ride a safe and pleasant trip for all students. The following list outlines Center
School’s behavior expectations for the school bus:
 The school bus driver is in full charge of the bus and students. Children will follow all
directions given by their driver, the first time they are given.
 All Center School kindergarten and first grade students must sit in the front of the bus
at all times-no exceptions.
 All children must be seated for the bus to be in motion. Children will choose a seat
quickly, orderly, and safely. They may not save seats or deny anyone the chance to sit
next to them (or in a particular seat).
 Children must remain in their seat throughout the entire bus ride. There is no seat
changing (even when the bus stops to drop off other students).
 Children must sit flat on the bottom of the seat, facing forward, with their feet in front of
them.
 Teasing, hitting, yelling, or any other type of disruptive behavior is never permitted on
the bus.
 Children will keep their feet, arms, and backpacks out of the aisle.
 Backpacks may not have any novelties hanging off of them due to safety reasons.
 Children must keep their heads, arms, and hands within the bus at all times.
 Nothing may be thrown inside the bus or outside the bus windows.
 When the bus stops to drop off students, all others must remain in their seats.
 Eating and drinking are not permitted on the bus.
 Toys (including balloons) are not allowed on the bus. Valuable and/or meaningful
personal possessions are discouraged. POKEMON cards are not allowed on the bus.
 Drivers and school personnel may assign students a designated seat.
The Bus Rules and Behavioral Expectations on the next page are posted on each bus.
Bus Rules & Behavioral Expectations
The bus driver is in full charge of the bus and students
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Listen and obey the rules and directions of
the driver
Stay in your seat the entire ride- must be
seated*
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No changing seats at any time
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Use a safe, reasonable voice
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No food, drink, or gum
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Items that need to be brought to school must
stay zipped in backpacks- no toys
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Speak politely and use appropriate language
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Be respectful- seat space is shared
Please see family handbook for a complete list of expectations.
*Students may be assigned a seat as needed.
Food in the Classroom
All of Hopkinton’s elementary schools will follow consistent practices regarding food in the
elementary classrooms. These changes adhere to the district’s Wellness Policy, which was
developed by a broad-based committee representing all school levels, parents, administration,
(including the School Committee) and business representatives as a result of a federal mandate.
Food will not be served to a whole class unless it is integral to the learning, such as fruit when
learning about food groups or sampling foods from a country currently being studied in social
studies.
Food should be limited at whole class celebrations and if food is made available, it should be
purposeful.
Food will not be used as a reinforcer unless included in a student’s individual education plan.
Birthday Celebrations
Birthdays will be recognized in the classroom; however, food will not be involved in the
recognition of birthdays.
Classroom teachers may use their discretion as to how they will celebrate birthdays, i.e. sing
Happy Birthday, line leader, special chair, birthday crown, special story from home, etc. Please
check with your child’s teacher ahead of time for specifics. Please do not send birthday
invitations to school with your child for distribution.
All children pick out a special birthday pencil in the office on his/her birthday and we always
include summer birthdays.