Station Ave Elementary School Handbook
Station Avenue Elementary School Handbook
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Dear Families,
It is a pleasure to welcome you and your child to the 2026-2027 school year at Station Avenue Elementary School. This is a special year for our school as we gain exciting building updates, including a new boiler system, library renovations, an innovative makerspace, new lighting throughout, and new student chairs for grades 1-3. We are also thrilled to welcome over 12 new staff members to our village this year. At Station Avenue, we take pride in being responsible for your child’s education in kindergarten through grade three as they progress academically and socially. We deeply value increasing parent engagement as learning partners, working together to prepare students to become engaged members of their classroom, whole school, and greater community. Our dedicated, caring, and professional staff are invested in knowing your child as an individual learner. We support, celebrate, and encourage our students each step of the way.
The content of this handbook is intended to help you access pertinent information about routines, school rules, general information, and programs here at SAE.
Your input and communication are important to us. Please do not hesitate to contact myself or the main office with any questions or concerns so that we may partner with you to provide the most successful school experience for your child.
Sincerely,
Valerie Kelly and Martha Wiley
Principal and Assistant Principal
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Station Avenue Elementary School Vision Statement
“SAE believes all children can become lifelong learners with support from staff and families through common goals, consistent collaboration and coherence in our instruction.”
Station Avenue Elementary School Mission Statement
“SAE students, staff and families will work together to provide a safe, respectful, responsible, and caring environment where students can reach their maximum academic and civic potential.”
Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District Mission Statement
“The Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District is committed to empowering each student to achieve excellence with integrity in a changing world.”
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The Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District is committed to providing a safe, positive, and productive educational environment where students can achieve the highest academic standards. D-Y is committed to maintaining a school environment where all students are free from bullying and cyberbullying and the effects thereof.
For more information view Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
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The Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District created these Points of Contact Guidelines to help parents and community members know the best way to communicate specific needs.
To contact an administrator, teacher or other staff member at Station Avenue Elementary School, please visit the Staff Directory.
ParentSquare
Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District uses ParentSquare District-wide. This communication messaging tool makes it easy to stay involved in your child’s learning and stay informed about activities and upcoming events. Please be sure to notify the office immediately if your contact information changes.
For more information visit ParentSquare.
PowerSchool
Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District uses the PowerSchool Student Information System. This system has a portal for parents/guardians so that you can:
- see and update information about your child
- receive information from your child's school
- see your child's grades and report cards
Access PowerSchool SIS Portal
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At the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District, our curriculum is aligned with the Massachusetts State Frameworks and our instruction is focused on meeting all of our students’ needs, building upon their strengths, and providing them with support in order to grow and achieve in all content areas. Below is more information specific to instruction in our district and at Station Avenue Elementary School.
Great Minds – Eureka Math² is our district’s core mathematics curriculum. The program helps students build deep mathematical understanding rather than relying on simple memorization. Students learn multiple strategies to solve problems. In class, students use manipulatives alongside paper-and-pencil and digital tools to represent their mathematical thinking and build deep understanding. To support learning at home, families receive “Family Math” guides with clear pictures, key words, and “Practice Partners” that show examples of step-by-step thinking to help parents support their children.
HMH Into Reading is our comprehensive English Language Arts curriculum that strengthens students’reading, writing, speaking, listening, and vocabulary skills through engaging, grade-level texts. During the 2026-2027 school year, Station Avenue Elementary School will begin its first full year of implementation, with teachers participating in ongoing professional learning to ensure high-quality instruction and consistent practices across classrooms. Our goal is to foster lifelong readers, thoughtful writers, and effective communicators while building strong literacy skills that prepare students for future academic success.
HMH English 3D curricula for Multilingual Learners: Our Multilingual Learners (MLs) in grades K-3 receive daily literacy and English Language instruction that utilizes HMH Into Reading and HMH English 3D curricula. English 3D® is an explicit and interactive English Language Development curriculum designed by Dr. Kate Kinsella. English 3D enables multilingual learners in grades K–12 to rapidly acquire the language skills necessary for academic success. The linguistic, cultural, and background knowledge multilingual learners bring to their classrooms are at the heart of English 3D. These assets are elevated through relevant topics and texts, translanguaging, contrastive analysis, and home language connections. Lessons and assessments align with the content students will encounter on their state English Language Proficiency assessment, ensuring they are always advancing toward reclassification.
Accelerate Learning – STEMscopes Science and Mystery Science
STEMscopes is a hands-on science curriculum where students learn by exploring real-world scientific phenomena. Using a clear 5-step learning model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate), lessons combine digital activities, reading tools, and hands-on lab experiments. The curriculum provides flexible resources and literacy support to ensure science is accessible and engaging for all students. Classrooms may also incorporate Mystery Science, a video-guided program available in English and Spanish that uses everyday questions and simple hands-on activities to spark student curiosity.
Children Discovering Justice (CDJ) is a Massachusetts standards-based K-5 civics curriculum engaging students in topics such as community, rules, leadership, and equity while answering the essential question: What is justice, and how do I use my voice to advocate for it? The curriculum provides students with the foundational knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be engaged, critical, compassionate, and active leaders of our democracy and provides teachers with the culturally responsive scaffolds, entry points, and tangibles to explore critical topics and conversations. Flexible tools and lesson activities can be integrated across multiple parts of the school day to deepen understanding, extend vocabulary, and provide opportunities for students to explore justice and make personal connections to the happenings of the world around them.
Physical Education: Physical Education at Station Avenue Elementary School is based on total participation; to try is to succeed. Encouraging students to work towards their “Personal Best” in every class is a core philosophy embraced in the physical education program. Team building through physical challenges is another valued educational process. It ensures that we learn, grow, and experience all that we can together. Our physical education program prepares us for participation in “lifelong” recreational activities. We combine meaningful athletic experiences with learning and sharing activities.
Art Program: Students at Station Avenue Elementary School will attend Art class once a week for 45 minutes. During the year, there will be a variety of Art experiences. Some will seem very easy, some difficult. Some will be concept-oriented; some will be project-based. All will be designed to foster creativity, dexterity, perception, and artistic growth. The most important thing the children can bring to class is a willingness to try.
Music Program: Students at Station Avenue Elementary School will participate in music class once a week. The goals of the music program include developing music literacy, musicianship, and cultural and historical knowledge. Activities include singing, movement, playing rhythm and melody instruments, listening to music, and creating music.
Library: Station Avenue Elementary Students will visit the library weekly for literature appreciation and book checkout. Students will also be learning digital citizenship, research, and computer skills. STEM activities and a Makerspace are also found in the school library.
Wayfinder is our district's Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum that helps students develop the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Through engaging lessons, reflection, discussion, and real-life application, students build self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. At Dennis-Yarmouth Intermediate School, we strive to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive school community where every student develops confidence, resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of belonging while learning to navigate challenges with kindness and purpose.
DESE English Language Development Standards
DESE History and Social Science Frameworks
DESE English Language Arts and Literacy Frameworks
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Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District Policies
The Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District policies have been approved by the School Committee and can be viewed at this link.
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DYRSD Facilities
Welcome to DYRSD Facilities
The Dennis-Yarmouth Maintenance Department oversees 587,000 square feet of buildings and 152 acres of land, including all district athletic fields. The team is dedicated to maintaining safe, efficient, and well-functioning facilities through expert management of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, fire protection, and security systems. From ensuring reliable utilites and comfortable classrooms to caring for athletic fileds and safeguarding campuses, the department plays a vital role in providing a clean, secure, and well-maintained environment for students, staff and the community.
More detailed information can be viewed at this link.
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School Hours
School begins at 8:58 AM and ends at 3:40 PM
Daily Schedule
8:48 AM – Teachers Report
8:48-8:58 AM – Student Arrival & Breakfast
8:58 AM – School Begins (Students are marked tardy after 8:58 AM)
3:30 PM – Parent Pick-Up Dismissal
3:40 PM – Bus Dismissal
Half Days
Parent Pick-up Dismissed at 12:00 PM
Buses Dismissed at 12:10 PM
Early Release Days
The school day ends at 2:05 PM
Parent Pick-up Dismissed at 1:50 PM
Buses Dismissed at 2:00 PM
Morning Arrival by Car & Afternoon Pick-Up by Car
Please turn into our SAE entrance at the road next to the woods (closer to the High School side of our property) and proceed straight back where you will make a loop and return back along the same road.
Turn right into the current parking lot and follow one way around the lot. Exit the lot the same way you came in from Station Avenue.
Recess and Lunch Schedules
All students have an hour for lunch and recess daily. This time is broken into thirty minute blocks. It begins with thirty minutes of recess followed by lunch in the cafeteria.
Breakfast and Lunch Procedures
School breakfast and lunch are available to every student at no cost. The lunch menu is available on the District website under Food Services. Our school has Universal Breakfast. Breakfast will be served as a “grab and go” model. All students will be able to “grab” breakfast on their way to class. Students eat lunch in the cafeteria. Each day there are several lunch items from which to choose. Students may choose to bring lunch from home as well. Each classroom has a daily snack. Snacks will be provided by the family. Please remember to label all lunch and snack containers and water bottles.
Before and After School Care
Is provided by AlphaBest Education. All information and to enroll in the program visit the AlphaBest Education website.
Birthdays
Decorations, ballons, and special deliveries detract from the business of learning and will not be permitted at school. We also ask that invitations to parties or other events not be delivered at school or on a school bus under any circumstances. Treats will not be allowed to be sent in from home for students to share.
Attendance
Attending school has a huge impact on student success. The practice of getting to school every day builds a habit that helps a student persist and succeed beyond high school. Regular attendance also provides students with more and better opportunities to learn. It is our goal that all students attend at least 90% of the school year.
We realize that some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. We want to be proactive in addressing any potential concerns if there is the possibility that a student will miss ten percent or more of school days.
As a district, we are committed to partnering with families to establish clear lines of communication to ensure that you stay informed regarding your student’s current rate of attendance. This will include the following actions:
- Phone calls from the school whenever we have not been notified of your child’s absence;
- Attendance letters will be sent to families when your child has been absent 4 or more days; 8 or more days; and 12 or more days. Each tier will provide an opportunity to discuss any barriers or concerns that may be interfering with your child’s attendance;
- Helpful tips and strategies for managing a variety of common issues that contribute to absenteeism.
We appreciate your partnership in this important effort.
If your child will be absent or tardy, you must call 508-760-5600 to report this. Our school social worker is the school attendance officer and will work with families of students with chronic absences.
Tardiness
Students arriving at school after 8:58 AM are considered tardy and must be escorted to the office by a parent/caregiver so that their attendance can be properly recorded. Please make every effort to develop good attendance habits with your child.
Notes
A note is necessary from a parent or guardian when:
- Your child is not going home as usual after school.
- Bus students must bring a note if they are being picked up after school.
- Your child is being dismissed early.
- Your child will be absent for an extended period of time.
Early Dismissal Requests
We ask that you only request early dismissal in unavoidable situations and that such requests be kept to a minimum. When children are dismissed early, they miss important instruction. Children must bring in a note to their teacher if parents are requesting that they be dismissed early from school. When picking up a child, parents should stop at the office to sign them out of school.
Any parent may make an adjustment to your child’s pick up routine. If you wish to pick your child up at dismissal time, rather than having them ride the bus, please send a note to your child’s teacher stating your intent.
A student will not be dismissed to anyone other than a parent/caregiver, unless a written note is sent to the school office prior to such dismissal. The Main Office staff will check licenses/identification of individuals picking up a student if needed.
Afternoon Pick Up
Please remain in your vehicle. Once in line, please post the sign you were given (showing your child’s name and room number) in your car window so we can call in and bring your child out. We want to be safe with all dismissals, so please be sure to have the sign ready and visible.
School Visits & School Security
All visitors must enter the school via the front entrance and check in at the window using Raptor Technologies.
CORI Forms for Volunteers
All volunteers at Dennis-Yarmouth Schools must be CORI approved before volunteering their time. CORI forms are in the main office and must be filled out, signed and a copy of your current driver's license must be attached. The process takes about 2 weeks, so it is good to think ahead and get this form filled out early. Thank you to all our volunteers!
Fire Drills
Fire drills are practiced routinely along with the Yarmouth Fire Department who is present. We focus on this important safety procedure especially in September for students to get used to the routine. Lining up and listening are stressed as the students and staff exit and re-enter the building.
Lockdown/Safety Procedure
Another safety precaution taken in D-Y schools is the Lockdown procedure. SAE has drills with Yarmouth and Dennis Police during the school year.
Dress Code
Children should dress comfortably and safely. Closed-toe shoes with rubber soles are recommended. Please see the District Dress Code in the Policy section of this Handbook. Elementary, Middle and High School codes will be consistent in expectations and are based on the following principles:
- Attire shall be appropriate for all activities and not detract from the educational process.
- Attire shall comply with school requirements for health and safety.
Students and parents will be responsible for choosing attire that conforms to the guidelines established in each school. Adults are expected to conform and model the Student Dress Code while on school district property and at school functions.
Electronic Games, Toys, Cell Phones, Smart Watches, and Training Cards
Because of the age of our students and the expense of the above items, we request that these items remain at home. Lost or traded items have caused problems in the past, both on the bus and in school. Only in special circumstances will such items be permitted at school. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Please review the School Committee Policy of this handbook for more details.
Student Searches
Students and their families are hereby on notice that students have no expectation of privacy in the personal property and belongings that students bring with them to school, as well as no expectation of privacy in school issued desks, and any other school-issued items.
Lost and Found
Please mark your child’s belongings with his or her name. Items that we can’t identify with an owner will be kept in our lost and found area in the front lobby. The lost and found area will be emptied and items will be donated to charity.
School Calls
The school's number is 508 760-5600. Students and teachers will be called to the telephone during class time ONLY in cases of emergency. A message of your call will be given to staff. Your call will be returned as quickly as possible.
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Promoting Health and Wellness in DYRSD
Welcome to School Health Services
School nurses play an essential role in keeping children healthy, safe and ready to learn. Student’s health and well-being have a direct impact on school performance and educational achievement. Health care services in the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District are provided by Registered Nurses. The School Nurse supervises health office activities and assures compliance with regulatory standards set by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The comprehensive school health program includes protocols to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, screening procedures, emergency care, and nursing assessment and intervention of student illness or injury during school hours. A school physician serves as an advisor to the School Nurses.
Please feel free to contact our Health Care Team with any questions or updates regarding your child’s medical concerns. Also please contact the school nurse if your Emergency Contact Information has changed.
You can view all Health and Wellness Information for the DYRSD at this link.
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PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)
The PTO is an organization for parents and community members to support the needs of our children and the school. The PTO provides funding for educational materials, cultural enrichment, social activities, technology, field trips, and more that benefit our students and school community.
Please visit the SAE PTO page for more details including current members, meeting dates, and contact information. ALL ARE WELCOME!
SAE School Council
School Councils were established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1993 to encourage teachers, parents and community members to improve and support public schools. The Council is a building based committee composed of the Principal, parents, staff members and community members. Council meeting dates will be posted in our weekly SAE Newsletter and be sure to check out the SAE School Council Members.
Please contact Ms. Kelly if you are interested in joining the School Council
Dennis-Yarmouth Special Education Parent Avisory Council (SEPAC)
The SEPAC advocates for children with disabilities and their families by participating in the planning, development and evaluation of special education programs. Please contact Ms. Kelly if you are interested in joining SEPAC.
You can view information regarding SEPAC at this link.
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Behavior Expectations: Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS)
Station Avenue Elementary School implements the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework inconjuction with Responsive Classroom in order to create a safe, caring, and productive learning environment in our School.
The PBIS Framework establishes the following common expectations for student behavior in all areas of the school: At Station Avenue Elementary We Care About Being:
Safe
Respectful
Responsible
Caring
Additional information regarding Behavior Expectations and PBIS can be viewed at this link.
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Bus Safety
The administrators and teachers of Station Avenue Elementary School emphasize the importance of riding the bus safely.
A Station Avenue bus rider is:
Safe – Remain seated, facing forward with your body in control. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Respectful – Follow the bus driver’s directions. Use a conversation voice with others.
Responsible – Leave your seat area clean. Remember all of your belongings when leaving the bus.
Caring – Be kind to everyone on the bus with your words and actions. Wait patiently to enter or exit the bus.
Students who are not following Station Avenue Elementary bus expectations will have a written notice sent home that identifies the rule that was violated, and the action(s) taken by administration that can include:
- Verbal warning
- Assigned seating on bus
- Parent conference
- Behavior contract
- Loss of bus riding privilege for one week, after 3 infractions
Serious infractions that threaten the safety of others may result in immediate loss of bus riding privileges.
Bus transportation is provided by Five Star Bus Company. They can be reached at 508-443-5080. Remember, bus riding is a privilege.