The Importance of Familiy Partnerships
Research shows that children whose families are regularly and constructively involved in their education achieve higher levels of academic and social competence. At SouthSIde Elementary Charter School, we strongly believe that parents and schools share equally valued roles in education. We recognize that families dramatically influence the degree to which children are engaged in school and how they identify themselves as learners.
SouthSide Elementary is committed to building strong family–school partnerships that will improve both academic and social outcomes for students.
Volunteering at SouthSide!
Volunteering at SouthSide!
There are always volunteer opportunities at SouthSide. These include assisting with recess, interpreting and translating, chaperoning field trips, helping out in the cafeteria, tutoring, or assisting in the planning or execution of a school day event. If you plan on volunteering at the school or attending a field trip, a BCI (background check) is required and the form must be submitted to the school. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the school or fill out the volunteer interest form below. Another way to get involved is to join the SouthSide Parent Teacher Organization or the School Improvement Team. The team is comprised of administrators, staff or faculty, and parents of children enrolled in the school. They work collaboratively to develop school improvement plans.
Finally, you can get involved by planning or attending school fundraiser events.
Family Resources
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http://www.ride.ri.gov/StudentsFamilies/HealthSafety/BullyingSchoolViolence.aspx
http://www.ride.ri.gov/StudentsFamilies/AdditionalResources/InfoWorks-DataAboutPublicSchools.aspx
http://www.ride.ri.gov/StudentsFamilies/HealthSafety/EmergencyPreparedness.aspx
http://www.skyward.com/Page.ashx/Home
www.additudemag.com
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A rich resource portal with many math videos, songs, poems, and stories for young children.
Educational website which includes interactive games and puzzles for children to practice for basic mathematical skills.
http://www.internet4classrooms.com
A portal which has an interactive Math Skill Builders to help children practice the different math concepts.
A website which has a Game Room that offers games such as Math and Hidden Picture. Children can test their math skills with its e-Flashcards and e-Worksheets. There is also a Home Helper to help children to check on their math solutions.
This site offers tutorials, practices, and exciting activities. It has sections, which include math games, free online games, and puzzles.
A math-help web site that generates answers to specific math questions and problems. In addition to the answers, Webmath also shows users how to arrive at the answer. It includes topics such as Math for Everyone, General Math and Geometry.
http://enlvm.usu.edu/ma/nav/bb_dlib.jsp
A site that contains a library of interactive activities for children to experiment with various mathematical concepts.
A site for children who have a keen interest in mathematics and want to find out more about the wonders of mathematics .
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/mw/
A site that provides a library of Math games, e-manipulatives and brainteasers.
A fun and interactive site for children. The games allow children to compete among themselves.
http://www.umsl.edu/~wpockets/index.html
A website for parents and children with an interactive game that teaches about money management. Parents can pick up some tips, activities, and ideas to help teach your child how to use money wisely.
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Reading games http://www.adrianbruce.com/reading/games.htm
Phonics: Games and Books to Read www.starfall.com
Bookhive: Students can listen to popular children’s books online. http://www.plcmc.org/bookhive/
Storyline: Famous actors and actresses read stories to students! http://www.storylineonline.net
Giggle Poetry: Fun poems for kids to read! Includes poetry games, interviews with poets, & word games http://www.gigglepoetry.com/
Spelling/Word Study www.spellingcity.com
PBS Kids: Click on your favorite character to find fun activities and games to play! www.pbskids.org
Enchanted Learning: Holidays, dinosaurs, geography, dictionaries, jokes, nursery rhymes, rainforests -- many topics of interest geared for younger kids. www.enchantedlearning.com
Book Adventure: FREE motivating reading program for kids! http://www.bookadventure.com/
Scholastic: Visit the Scholastic web site to learn more about some of your favorite books and authors and to do some neat activities. www.scholastic.com
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Help with internet: http://innovate.ri.gov/covidwifi
Housing Assistance: https://www.rihousing.com/rentreliefri/
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SouthSide promotes healthy schools by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning environment. SouthSide supports a healthy environment where children can learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. Schools contribute to the basic health status of children by facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity to prevent obesity. Moreover, SouthSide recognizes that improved health optimizes student and staff performance potential.
SouthSide shall provide a comprehensive program that encompasses a combination of learning experiences and environmental supports designed to facilitate behavioral and environmental adaptations that are conducive to healthful lifestyles.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
SouthSide will deliver a rigorous, sequential, developmentally appropriate, kindergarten to 5th grade physical education curriculum, aligned with the Rhode Island Physical Education Framework, to develop physically educated individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity.
Basic instruction in health and physical education shall comply with Rhode Island standards. Recess, free play, and after school activities shall not be construed as physical education.
Students are given opportunities for physical activity during the school day through recess periods, physical education classes, movement breaks, and the integration of physical activity such as yoga and Brain Gym into the academic curriculum.
Schools encourage parents and guardians to support their children’s participation in physical activity, to be physically active role models, and to include physical activity in family events.
Withholding physical activity as a disciplinary strategy in the classroom or in the school environment is strongly discouraged.
HEALTH EDUCATION
SouthSide will deliver a rigorous, sequential, and differentiated K-12 health curriculum that is aligned with the Rhode Island Health Education Framework and Rhode Island Department of Education Comprehensive Health Instructional Outcomes, resulting in students who possess the knowledge and skills to embrace healthy lifestyles.
Instruction is integrated into the classroom or provided as a class period.
Health Education will include instruction in the following content areas appropriate to grade or developmental level:
Personal health
Mental and emotional health
Injury prevention
Nutrition
Sexuality and family life
Disease control and prevention
Substance use and abuse prevention
NUTRITION PROMOTION
Students in grades K-5 will participate in nutrition promotion initiatives that are interactive, aligned with state and national standards, and that teach the skills they need to adopt healthy eating behaviors.
Nutrition promotion will be offered with coordination between University of Rhode Island SNAP-Ed Nutrition Program Coordinator, the physical education teacher, the school nurse teacher and classroom teachers.
Students receive consistent nutrition messages throughout schools, classrooms, cafeterias, homes, community, and media.
Family nutrition promotion may be provided in the form of handouts, postings on school website, articles and information provided in school newsletters, presentations that focus on nutritional value and healthy lifestyles, communication with school nurses and clinicians, and through any other appropriate means available for reaching parents.
NUTRITION STANDARDS FOR ALL FOODS AVAILABLE ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
The school breakfast, lunch, and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable programs will comply with the USDA Requirements for Federal School Meals Programs and the RI Nutrition Requirements.
The SouthSide School Health and Wellness Subcommittee will work collaboratively with food service providers and other community organizations.
A la carte, vending, and all foods sold on school grounds
Food
For safety reasons, SouthSide is a peanut and tree nut free school
SouthSide does not sell food on school grounds.
Only “healthier snacks” are distributed on school grounds both prior to and during the school day.
SouthSide encourages consumption of nutrient-dense foods, i.e., whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and dairy products as outlined in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Beverages
SouthSide does not sell beverages on school grounds.
Only “healthier beverages” are distributed on school grounds both prior to and during the school day.
Water, defined as one of the healthier beverages, will be available and encouraged for all students.
Cafeteria Environment
In the cafeteria, students will have:
adequate space to eat and a clean, pleasant environment;
adequate time to eat meals – 20 minutes or more for lunch;
convenient access to hand washing and/or hand sanitizing facilities before meals;
strategies to maximize eating/recess time such as “Recess before Lunch.”
Fundraising
All food fundraisers shall meet the Healthier Snacks and Beverage Law (16-21-29).
Fundraisers that promote physical activity are encouraged.
Teacher-to-Student Acknowledgements and Incentives:
It is the intent of SouthSide that acknowledgements and incentives do not undermine efforts put forth in this policy. Therefore, the use of food as a reward, acknowledgement, or incentive in the classroom or in the school environment is discouraged, except when recommended by a physician, clinical treatment team, or evaluation team.
Classroom and After School Program Snacks:
Classroom snacks, provided by teachers, must adhere to the Healthier Snacks and Beverage Law (16-21-29). SouthSide does not provide after school programming.
Celebrations/Events:
Celebrations/events include, but are not limited to, birthdays, holidays, potlucks dinners, etc. SOUTHSIDE may choose to handle celebrations/events in a variety of ways including:
Non-food celebrations are encouraged during the school day. However, SouthSide allows celebrations involving food after school hours because we recognize that foods are an important part of our families’ diverse cultures. For the purpose of events that take place beyond the school day, our families are encouraged to contribute foods form their individual cultures as long as these foods are tree nut and peanut free.
It is strongly encouraged that celebrations comply with the RI Nutrition Guidelines. Additionally, for equity purposes and due to sodium and sugar sensitivities, we ask that families refrain from packing snacks that are high in sugar and/or sodium.
The food service provider may be utilized to ensure food safety standards are met and to reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
Attention to student allergies is required and teachers must collaborate with the School Nurse to assure that allergy precautions are maintained.
School Stores and After School Events:
SouthSide does not sell food during the school day or after school.
Concessions:
SouthSide does not operate any school concessions.
Staff Wellness
Staff voluntary wellness programs encourage individuals to take measures to prevent the onset or worsening of a disease or illness and to lead to lifestyles that are healthier.
SouthSide employees have access to health/wellness activities/promotions provided by SouthSide family members and staff members who are also involved in the wellness field. These include:
Mindfulness Classes provided by Resilient Kids
Access to wellness publications and online forums
MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION
The SouthSide School Health and Wellness Subcommittee will consist of Physical Education Teacher, School Nurse, a teacher representative and will be chaired by the SouthSide Education Director (or designee).
The Health and Wellness Subcommittee reviews the effectiveness and implementation of the policy; and provides feedback annually to the SouthSide leadership team.
Best practices that promote the goals outlined in this policy will be shared with staff by building directors and the SouthSide leadership team.
AREAS OF IMPORTANCE OUTSIDE OF NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION/ACTIVITY
The Health and Wellness Subcommittee recognizes that additional topics pertaining to health and wellness, including but not limited to personal health, mental and emotional health, injury prevention, nutrition, sexuality and family life, disease control and prevention, and substance abuse and abuse prevention may be reviewed by the committee and recommendations will be forwarded to the SouthSide leadership team for review.
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What is SELAC?
The purpose of the Special Education Local Advisory Committee is to give children with special needs in our school a voice, stimulate parent involvement and to establish an effective channel of communication between the school and parents of children with special needs. SELAC offers membership to all parents of students found eligible for special education, as well as other interested parties. SELAC provides advice to families and individuals regarding special education programs and policies.
Additionally, SELAC works to meet with designated school officials and to engage in activities which enable SELAC members to participate in the planning, development and evaluation of SouthSide Elementary special education programs.
Mission
The purpose of the SouthSide Elementary Charter School Local Advisory Committee for Special Education is to work for the understanding of, respect for and support of, all children with special needs in the community.
Committee Responsibilities
The Committee shall advise the SouthSide Elementary Charter School District on matters concerning the needs of students, including:
1. Serve as an advocate, in partnership with parents, for students with disabilities to ensure that they receive the entitlements provided to them under state and federal laws;
2. Comment on improvement plans, including school support plans resulting from; Part B compliance reports.
3. Comment publicly on the SouthSide Elementary Charter School District’s compliance with State and Federal laws pertaining to the education of students with disabilities;
4. Comment on applications for federal and state funds.
5. Present an annual report of activities and recommendations to the SouthSide Elementary Charter School Board of Trustees.
Objectives
Promote a network of parents of children with special needs and provide a forum to share information, and discuss matters of common concern and interest.
Meet regularly with the Director of Special Education and other appropriate school personnel as needed, to participate in matters pertaining to the education, health and safety of special needs students. This includes participating in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of special education programs.
Promote communication among families with special needs students and the SouthSide Elementary Charter School.
Provide informational forums to parents, students, educators and other professionals involved with children with special needs.
Promote communications and programs within the community to encourage understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of children with special needs.
Communicate with local, state, and national organizations, as well as councils/groups that support children with special needs.
Additional Resources
Knowing Your Rights- Special Education Safeguards English version
Knowing Your Rights Special Education Safeguards Spanish version