Student & Family Handbook

Our Vision

Hudson exemplifies excellence in education. “Facilitate and Educate to Elevate”

Our Mission

Innovative learning practices and empowered educators facilitate and inspire learners to achieve personal academic excellence in a safe and dynamic environment that elevates their engagement as valued active community members.

Core Beliefs

The Hudson School Community values and is committed to:

Strong and Respectful Relationships

• Building strong, appropriate relationships
• Respecting individuals • Building on the strengths within the educational environment
• Embrace and champion the diversity of our school community to foster success

Curiosity for Learning and Commitment to Excellence

• Fostering a curiosity for life-long learning that inspires commitment to personal excellence
• Continuously driving improvement to achieve greater depths of academic knowledge

Responsive via Honest and Open Communication

• Strengthening cohesiveness through honest and open communication
• Honest and ethical with integrity in all practice
• Increasing collaboration that supports systemic connections. Engaging Environment
• Creating dynamic educational environments
• Engaging all learners in authentic, relevant learning

Mission Statement of the Hudson Elementary Schools

Mission Statement of the Hudson Elementary Schools The mission of the Hudson Elementary Schools is to help all members of our school communities to become lifelong learners. Our goal is to create a safe environment conducive to learning; one that challenges students to reach their potential, promotes self-worth, values diversity and encourages involvement

Being informed about your child's school can help in their academic success. The Early Learning Center communicates with parents through these methods:

District website - School Board information, budget, departments, policies

Monthly school menu posted on the district website under Food & Nutrition Services and under "Families" on the school website

Early Learning Center website https://www.sau81.org/elc/index

Early Learning Center Facebook page www.facebook.com/HudsonELC

Early Learning Center Parents PTO Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/helcpto

Classroom Teachers: See your child’s Communicator Folder for teacher name, voice mail number, email address, and specialist schedule

Testing

Throughout the school year, teachers will use a variety of tools to assess student learning. This will include both formative and summative assessments. The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning and to provide ongoing feedback that will help students identify their strengths and weaknesses and target areas that need work. These assessments help teachers recognize where students are struggling and address problems immediately. The goal of summative assessments is to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. Results of assessments help us evaluate programs and tailor instruction for students. Data collection regarding student growth also provides important information to develop curriculum and programs. Some examples of assessments used at the Early Learning Center include:

• Teacher designed tests 
• Curriculum-based math assessments 
• Reading Benchmark assessments
• Phonemic Awareness assessments
• i-Ready assessment information: The Hudson School District uses the i-Ready assessment to measure progress in reading and math. It is administered in September, January and May. This assessment provides teachers with information that allows them to target instruction and identify students who need intervention.

Intervention & Remediation

When the information gathered through assessment is analyzed, it helps the school to make instructional decisions about pacing, remediation, program design and staff development. The Responsive to Intervention (RTI) process is a multi-tiered approach to providing services and interventions to struggling learners at increasing levels of intensity. RTI can be used for making decisions about general, compensatory, and special education, creating a well-integrated and seamless system of instruction and intervention guided by child outcome data. RTI calls for early identification of learning and behavioral needs, close collaboration among teachers and special education personnel and parents, and a systemic commitment to resources that help students make progress in the general education curriculum. 

Data Meetings

Regular data meetings are held to review school, grade level and individual student progress based on assessment results. Reading Specialist – Our Reading Specialist facilitates the administration of standardized testing in reading to drive instructional decisions. The Reading Specialist also administers individual diagnostic testing, provides consultation to teachers and parents about reading progress, strategies and interventions, and supports students directly with reading instruction and intervention. 

Should your child present with difficulty in meeting grade level standards, the following interventions may be put into place to increase their academic success: 

• SST –Student Success Team. If your child is identified by the classroom teacher or assessment results as requiring additional intervention for their academic success, you may be invited to attend a Student Success Team meeting. SST meetings are an opportunity to discuss concerns, problem solve, and develop an action plan to help support students’ needs. The SST meets regularly to monitor and review student response to intervention.
• Special Education – a series of steps taken to identify, evaluate, and support students who, when deemed eligible, require specialized instruction and services to reach their goals as outlined in a legal document called an Individual Education Plan (IEP).
• 504 Plans – legal documents that provide accommodations and modifications for students with a disability to access their learning in the general education setting.
• Reading and Math Intervention and Support. Using assessment data, your child may be identified for intervention in the area of reading or math in addition to classroom instruction.

If your child is having social or academic difficulties in school in school, please schedule a time to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss other services and interventions provided by the district.  

Consistent attendance and punctuality are essential to your child’s success in school.  Absences and tardiness can result in the loss of instructional time which may impact educational progress. Please refer to the Hudson School District Attendance, Tardiness, and Truancy Policy.  Please make every effort to have your children in school every day unless they are ill or in cases of emergency. 

Reporting Absences

First-Grade Families: If your child is going to be absent, fill out the Dr. HO Smith absentee form or call the Absentee Telephone line at Dr. H.O. Smith School (603) 886-1248 and follow the instructions.

Library Street School Families: If your child is going to be absent, fill out the Library Street School absentte form or call the Absentee Telephone line at 603-886-1255 and follow the instructions. 

To ensure the safety and well-being of all our students, you will be called to confirm that your child isn’t in school if we haven’t received notification from you.

Whenever your child is absent, even though you called the school, you must send a note from home explaining the absence. This information is kept on file for the annual report of illness to the State Department of Health. 

It is your responsibility to call your daycare provider or the After-School Program if your child will not attend the program for the day.

Permission for Early Dismissal

If your child must be dismissed early from school, please write a note to the teacher stating the reason and time of the dismissal. Parents or guardians are to report to the Main Office to sign out the student.

The Hudson School District is committed to providing all pupils a safe school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with respect. Bullying is conduct that subjects a person to insults, taunts, or challenges, whether verbal or physical in nature, that are likely to intimidate or provoke a violent or disorderly response from the person being treated in this manner. Please refer to the School District policy on bullying for more information on how school staff responds to reports of alleged bullying behavior.

Teachers, school counselors, administrators, and the School Resource Officer work together to educate students about bullying, including:

• Bullying behaviors
• How to respond to negative behaviors and bullying
• How to seek help from adults and how to report bullying
• How to support peers who may be experiencing bullying

Students: Riding the bus to and from school is a privilege. To maintain an efficient, orderly, and safe means of transportation, please remember to be on your best behavior on the bus, in the bus lines at school, and neighborhood bus stop areas. 

Remember that being on a bus or waiting at a bus stop is like being in a classroom. The same rules apply in both places. Students are expected to show respect, follow directions, and ride the bus safely. You are assigned one bus and that is the bus you can ride, unless you get permission from the Transportation Coordinator and send in a note to the school. The following rules apply to everyone who rides on a school bus:

Boarding the School Bus

1. Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is due.
2. Keep at least five feet away from the roadway until the bus has fully stopped. In the winter, DO NOT stand on the snow banks.
3. At the driver’s signal, approach the bus in single file. Do not push and shove or run to the bus. When approaching from the road, keep at least ten feet from the bus until you are at the entrance door. 
4. If you must cross in front of the bus, do not begin to cross until the driver signals you that it is safe to do so.  Then look left and right, before crossing. Keep at least ten feet in front of the bus at all times (the student should be able to see the driver at all times). Cross only in front of the bus.  
5. After boarding the bus, go directly to a seat and sit down.

Leaving the School Bus

1. Pay attention to your surroundings. Know when the bus is approaching your stop and be ready when it reaches your stop. Remain in your seat until the bus has fully stopped.
2. When the bus has fully stopped, walk directly to the door and carefully exit the bus. Immediately move at least ten feet away from the bus.
3. If you must cross in front of the bus, wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to do so. Then walk to the headlight on the driver’s side of the bus, stop and wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to continue. When the driver signals that it is safe to continue, step to the corner of the bus and look left and right yourself, before doing so. Always keep at least ten feet in front of the bus (the student should be able to see the driver at all times). Cross only in front of the bus.
4. Never try to pick up or go after an object that has been dropped near or under the bus without telling the driver first. Wait for the driver to tell you that it is safe for you to go after the object before doing so.

Students: You are expected to follow the same rules of appropriate behavior while on a school bus that you do in the classroom. The school bus driver is in complete charge of the school bus and the students. The driver shall be responsible to the transportation coordinator and shall have the same authority in maintaining discipline as a teacher in the classroom under the supervision of the school board and the superintendent of schools. The school supports the bus drivers’ judgment in providing for the safety of students on each bus. Non-compliance with bus safety rules can result in bus suspensions.

The School District’s Transportation Coordinator handles any problems related to busing schedules and routes; any concerns should be directed to her.

Parents and Students: Lunch time is a time to quietly talk with friends and eat lunch. Please think of the cafeteria in the same way you would treat your dining area at home and behave respectfully.

Please remember, the same behavior is expected in the cafeteria as in your classroom too. During lunch and recess students are supervised by monitors. These people are hired by the school district to act as teachers at these times. If an issue arises due to negative behavior, they will report the issue to administration or classroom teacher, and from there, appropriate consequences will be given. Monitors are responsible for monitoring behavior and ensuring the safety of all students during lunch and recess times.

Cafeteria Expectations

The following guidelines apply to everyone eating in the cafeteria:

1. Enter the cafeteria with voices off and in an orderly manner – the monitors will direct you to the lunch lines and tables.
2. Good manners make everyone happy. Please remember to say “please,” “thank you,” and “no, thank you.”
3. As you eat, talk quietly. The lunch monitors will frequently make announcements and give directions. When an adult is speaking to the group, you may continue eating, but voices need to be off.
4. Please keep food on your plate. It is your responsibility to pick up the trash around you when you are done eating.
5. If you need to leave your seat, raise your hand and get permission from an adult. The monitors will call for “quiet time” during the last few minutes of lunch. All talking should stop, as there are only a few minutes left for you to finish eating and, begin the process of getting ready for recess.
6. Lunch/Recess monitors are here to supervise and ensure the safety of all students.

Celebrating a birthday is an exciting thing for many students, and we recognize that many wish to share some of the joy with their classmates. There are many ways to recognize a birthday here at school, and we ask anyone wishing to send a snack for the class to share to remain mindful of policy JLCF Wellness by the Hudson School Board. Fruit cups, cheese and crackers, or other healthy treats are a welcome way to celebrate, as are non-food items like pencils or bookmarks. Please also remain mindful of any allergy restrictions in your child’s classroom.

We discourage sending balloons or flowers to your child at school as it is a distraction from the learning in the classroom. Additionally, these items cannot be transported on the bus.

Classroom celebrations are for holidays or special events are at the discretion of the classroom teacher. Information will be sent to you directly regarding any classroom events. During Halloween or other special events during the school day, costumes must be safe and should not include masks, make-up, or weapons of any kind.

Students: 

Cell phones, smart watches, tablets, and other electronic devices that allow children to receive or send text messages are not permitted in school. If your child must have a phone or device, it needs to remain off and in his or her backpack at all times.

The goal of classroom placement is to ensure that classes are balanced by gender, number, diversity, special needs, academic levels, and behavioral/social needs. Placement decisions are made by a school team of teachers, School Counselors, Special Educators, Reading Specialists, and Administrators. 

If you have a concern about your child’s placement for the next year, please notify their teacher, school counselor, or administration in writing. Your concerns will be taken into consideration when classroom placement is determined. We cannot accept requests for specific teachers or for specific students to be placed together.

Students: 

Please dress to ensure that students, parents, staff members, and members of the community will not be offended or distracted and that students are appropriately dressed for playing outside.

• Inappropriate clothing items not allowed at school include, but is not restricted to:
• Items that promote drugs, alcohol, or tobacco
• Items with inappropriate words or pictures 
• Halter-tops, tube tops, cropped shirts and those with spaghetti straps
• Loose fitting footwear i.e. Flip flops or shoes with high soles. For safety at recess, sneakers are the best option. When sandals are worn, please make sure they have a strap that goes around the back of the heel/ankle.
• Low fitting pants or “short shorts”                     

Shoes appropriate for the weather and activities of the day should be worn. Pants should be worn around the waist. School officials will use their discretion in enforcing the dress expectations to ensure community standards are maintained.

Please pay particular attention to the fire lanes that surround the buildings and border the sidewalks. NO vehicles are allowed to park in or obstruct these areas.

You can expect assigned homework will be purposeful, and geared to help your student practice, review, and reinforce classroom instruction. An overabundance of homework assigned without purposeful objectives can be detrimental, rather than beneficial. Children at the elementary level should be afforded the opportunity to socialize with their peers after school is dismissed. It is with this thought in mind that homework is not overly stressed at the primary levels.

The most important way to help your child to increase his/her life-long literacy skills and develop good study habits is to set aside a time for daily reading. The elementary schools have implemented the following reading requirement to make reading a part of your child’s daily routine. Children should read at home AT LEAST four out of seven days per week. The following times are the MINIMUM appropriate guidelines for each grade level. We will provide you with a monthly calendar (Reading Contract) to monitor this reading requirement. 

KINDERGARTEN AND GRADE 1 = 10 minutes

GRADE 2 = 15 minutes

GRADES 3 and 4 = 20 minutes

GRADE 5 = 25 minutes

How can you help? When possible, you should: 

• Set aside time when homework is to be done
• Allot an adequate space, free from distractions
• For Kindergarten and first grade, provide “just right” books (books at their level) • Provide the right tools – paper, pencil, etc.
• Provide proper lighting
• Set an appropriate time limit

Students: Every year many articles of clothing are given away because students lose them and do not check the lost and found box. If you lose something, be sure to check the lost and found area at your school. It would be helpful to label your things with your full name. The Lost and Found collection is cleaned periodically, and all items are given to Goodwill. You can look through the lost and found anytime during the day, with your teacher’s permission. Your parent/guardian can look through the lost and found any time between 8:30 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. by checking in at the main office to find out where the lost and found is and to obtain a visitor’s pass.  

School will be held during inclement weather unless it is unsafe for buses to negotiate their routes.

The decision to cancel or delay school due to weather conditions is made by the superintendent. We ask all parents to use their discretion in sending children to school during a storm.

If there is a delayed opening, the delay is two hours and school begins at 10:50 a.m. for Kindergarten and 10:55 a.m. for First Grade.

In the event of a cancellation or delay, the Hudson School District will send an emergency notification through the district’s messaging system to your contact information.

Emergency notifications will not be sent before 5:00 a.m. or after 9:00p.m. Please make certain we have the most up-to-date telephone numbers and email addresses. The superintendent may determine to hold a remote learning day instead of a school closure due to weather or other circumstances. Information regarding student expectations during remote learning days will be provided by your child’s classroom teacher.

Early in the school year, parents are invited to school to meet classroom and related arts teachers, and to learn about school programs, educational technology, and philosophy. Parents are encouraged to ask questions concerning curriculum, visit classrooms, and learn about classroom procedures. This evening is not designed for individual conferences but is intended to give you an overview of what your child will experience during the school year.

Parents: Conferences are scheduled two times a year – November and February. Conferences are an opportunity to sit down and discuss all facets of your child’s development. Even though conferences are only scheduled twice yearly, parents wishing to meet with teachers in addition to those times are encouraged to contact the office or the teacher to make an appointment. 

We encourage regular communication with your child’s teacher. Teachers report to work at 8:15 A.M. and their day officially ends at 3:35 P.M. If you wish to arrange an appointment with a teacher, call the office to make an appointment or email your child’s teacher to schedule a time.

Parents: The Parent/Teacher Organization is a key opportunity for parents to get involved in their child’s school. Help is welcomed throughout the day, including special activities beyond the school day. The PTO meets monthly throughout the school year. Check the school newsletter or the school website for the dates and time of meetings. Please feel welcome to join us in making our schools a better place to learn! 

Parents: To be eligible to enter Kindergarten in September, a child must attain his/her 5th birthday before September 30th of the school year. To be eligible to enter first grade in September, a child must attain his/her 6th birthday before September 30th of the school year. Children who meet the entrance age requirements are to participate in a registration period usually beginning in the months of February or March. At this time, the parent is required to provide a copy of their child’s birth certificate, updated immunization records and proof of residency.

Parents: Report cards provide information to parents about student performance. Report cards are distributed electronically three times per year, after each marking period.  

Each child’s progress is based on pre-established standards. By comparing the student’s performance to a clearly defined standard, parents, children, and teachers all know precisely what is expected. Every time the child attempts a task, that performance is compared to the standard, not to other children’s performances. The advantages to this approach, for children and parents alike, are fairness, clarity, and improved learning. Standards allow each child to know what must be done before the task is attempted; the definition of success is never a mystery. If the standard is not met, there is added opportunity for the student to improve. 

The elementary schools utilize a standards-based report card.  It is important to remember that the information on the report card reflect specific skills and criteria that are used to gauge levels of achievement both academically and social/emotionally. These factors can include daily work, tests, projects, quizzes, homework, participation, individual and group work.  

Please remember: if you have any concerns about your child’s report card or progress, feel free to contact the classroom teacher. 

The best interest of the student is the primary factor when retention is being considered. Research has shown that in most cases, retention does not have a lasting benefit academically and may also be detrimental to students emotionally and socially. If a parent or teacher would like to consider retention, they should contact the Assistant Principal or School Counselor as early in the school year as possible.

Consideration of retention is a last resort after providing interventions and support for the child. Multiple sources of data are used for objective information to help school staff make recommendations to parents. During a meeting with parents, the Student Success Team shares input regarding the child and will help parents make an informed decision about their child’s promotion or retention.

Counseling services are available to everyone. School counselors work as part of a team with teachers, administration, and the Student Support Center to support the success of students at school. Our goal is to assist you in making decisions and solving problems as you grow up, no matter how small or large a problem may seem to be. Another goal is to provide all students with life success skills through a program of classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling, and individual support. If you have concerns or conflicts, feel free to stop by and talk to our school counselor. 

Parents: In September, parents are given the opportunity to purchase accident insurance for their children. Two plans are offered: one involving children during school hours, while the other policy provides twenty-four-hour coverage. A similar dental plan is also available. After the official enrollment period in September, parents wishing to obtain the insurance must contact the insurance company personally. The name of the company can be obtained through the school.

All schools are designated NON-SMOKING zones! All staff members, visitors, and students must refrain from smoking anywhere on the school grounds.

Children are encouraged to bring a snack each day. Teachers will set aside time for the students to replenish their energy by eating something nutritious. The children consider this an important part of their day.

Please understand that our goal is to keep everyone safe at snack time, too.  As a whole campus, some classrooms are designated as nut aware. If your child is placed in one of the nut aware classrooms, we respectfully request that you provide your child with a snack that does not include peanuts or nuts. If you are uncertain as to what foods contain such items or their by-products, we have a list available in the nurse’s office.

Students: There are three primary rules that everyone must follow at all times. These are easy to remember:  Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe. We expect everyone to follow these rules on the bus, on the playground, in the classroom, and in the lunchroom.  We follow these rules to create a a safe, happy, and caring school community.  If you ignore these rules, there are consequences. Each classroom teacher develops specific behavior guidelines for you to follow to help establish an organized, positive and kind classroom.   

Respect

Students: We all want other people to respect us and treat us in a fair and friendly way. If a classmate is rude or mean, it is important to work at staying kind and respectful. We all need to remember that everyone has feelings, and everyone deserves respect. If there is a problem, you will always have a chance to tell your side of a story. There may be times when you may meet with Student Support staff, school counselor, or the principal to resolve an issue. 

Respecting other people does not include the use of violence, ever. 

Violence is any mean word, look, sign or act that hurt’s a person’s body, feelings, or things. There are different kinds of violence.

Some include:  

• Physical – harming a person or property
• Social – hurting a person by excluding or betraying a trust
• Verbal – hurting a person through comments (name calling, spreading rumors, gossiping, making fun of a person, etc.)
• Visual – drawing degrading pictures of a person, sending hate mail, mimicking, etc.

Respect in Conversation

Students: You are old enough now to realize that HOW you say something is just as important as WHAT you say. You should always remember the importance of a “please” and a “thank you” and a kind, respectful tone of voice. Many students will tell you they’re hurt by comments intended to get laughs at their expense. Treat other people the way that you would like to be treated. Don’t be a BULLY.

At school we do not: 

• Interrupt
• use bad language
• spread rumors
• make a derogatory comment to a person’s face or behind their back
• make fun of a person’s ability, body, clothing or idea
• criticize a person
• lie
• threaten
• insult a person’s ethnic or religious identity
• try to make others feel ashamed
• call people names

Responsibility

Students: You are responsible for your learning and behavior.  You should come to class ready to learn, making sure that your homework is done, and that you have all the right books and supplies. Remember to be kind, friendly and try your best.  

We are all responsible for taking care of school property and others’ belongings. You must remember that any time you do something to damage the school building or the school property; you may have to pay for the repair or replacement. 

Safety

When inside the school, students should always use walking feet and respect the quiet zones within the halls. You should be careful and make safe choices around the outdoor playground equipment.  When using supplies in school, such as pencils, scissors, etc.  remember to always use them carefully. 

Consequences

Student: For every action there is a consequence. The level of consequence is determined by the nature of the action. If your behavior doesn’t meet with the expectations of the school community, one or more of the following actions may be appropriate:

Recess/Lunch & Student Behavior Expectations

Students are expected to follow three rules: (1) show respect (2) follow directions, and (3) be safe.  For students having difficulty with these rules, a teacher and or monitor will determine if the problem behavior is minor (teasing, disruptions, failure to follow rules, etc.) or major (fighting, harassment/threats, abusive language, etc. If the problem behavior is a major offense, the monitor will send the student to the Student Support Center for processing and possible consequences. If further action is needed, administration will determine appropriate consequences based on behavior, and the behavioral specialist will send a letter home to notify parents that a student had difficulty managing their behavior in school and state the consequences administered. 

In-School Suspension

If negative behaviors continue, there may be an arrangement made by the administration, with the parents, for an in-school suspension. There are two behavioral requirements expected during an in-school suspension. The student must complete a given amount of work that is supplied by the classroom teacher. Appropriate behavior is expected to be maintained during the course of the day.

Out-of-School-Suspension

You can be suspended from school after repeated in-school restrictions, or for offenses such as fighting, extreme inappropriate actions, or causing physical injury to others. Suspension usually ranges from one to five days. Remember that you will always be given an opportunity to tell your side of a situation.  During a suspension, schoolwork is expected to be completed. Any tests and/or projects occurring within the suspension period can be made up or turned in upon returning to school. 

Suicide Prevention Plan

It is the intent of the Hudson School District to use computers to support learning and to enhance instruction. The use of computers as well as access to the Internet is a privilege. 

• Students and staff must reflect behavior that is responsible, ethical, considerate, and legal while using these resources.
• Students will not reveal personal contact information about self or other people. Personal contact information includes home/school addresses and telephone numbers.
• Students will only access websites that have been approved by the teacher.
• Students will report to their teacher or another school official any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable. 

Students sometimes bring toys or other personal items to school for use at recess time. Any toy that is brought to school is the responsibility of the owner. This means that if a toy/personal item becomes lost or broken, the school will not replace it. Toys or other items may be taken away from a student to be returned later if they are used during inappropriate times or if they are not used properly.

Certain items are not permitted at any time. These include: electronic/video games, music players, radios, toys that make noise, and toys that resemble guns, knives, or other weapons. Additionally, students are advised not to bring trading cards (such as Pokemon) to school. Teachers and school administrators may make decisions to prohibit other toys/personal items to ensure that learning and the orderly procedures of the school are not disrupted.

The possession of a dangerous object in the school building, on school property and school buses, or at school functions is not allowed and will result in suspension, police intervention, and possible expulsion from school. Dangerous objects include, but are not limited to knives, sling shots, pepper spray, and other similar chemicals and/or sprays. In addition to these dangerous objects, almost any object can be potentially dangerous, depending upon its use. Any object used in an aggressive or reckless manner shall fall under the consequences of this section.

All students are permitted to turn in “dangerous objects/other weapons” which were “accidentally” brought to school as soon as they are discovered, thus averting the serious consequences described by the regulations.

NOTE:  Look-a-likes and/or toy weapons will be included in the category of “other weapons” providing a means of harsh consequences for students who intend to use them to frighten, harass, or intimidate others and then use the disclaimer “it was only a toy”. 

All relevant policies for families and students can be found in the districtwide Student Handbook and Policy Guide that can be found at the link below.

2024-25 Hudson School District Student Handbook and Policy Guide