Lower School
ATTENDANCE
Arrival
The school day begins at 8:15 am for grades K-4. During the first semester, Kindergarten students go directly to their classrooms. Beginning in January, Kindergarteners report directly to the APR on their arrival. Students in grades 1-4 report to the all-purpose room. Late students must sign in at the reception desk upon arrival. Parents may not walk students to class.
Bus Buddies
All Kindergarten students and new students in Grades 1-4 are assigned a Bus Buddy to ease the transition into McLean’s satellite bus system. Younger students are assigned older Lower School students who share the same transportation route. New students in Grades 3 & 4 are assigned a classmate or grade-mate who shares the same transportation route, Bus Buddies pick-up their assigned Buddy and accompany them to the bus for the ride to satellite locations.
Departure
Scheduled classes end at 3:15 pm. Lower School students are expected to leave school at the end of the school day unless they are under the supervision of a teacher or tutor or a participant in the After School Program. If a student wishes to remain after school for a special activity, a written note from home giving permission for the late stay must be submitted to the homeroom teacher (K-4). Students are to be picked up immediately after the completion of any after-school activity.
Absences
Only absences for illness or family emergency will be excused. When a student will be late or absent, the parent is required to call the school that morning by 8:00 am and explain the lateness or absence. We ask that advance notice of absences be provided whenever possible. A parent should call the school before 9:00 am for homework. A student who has been absent for any reason must bring a note to the homeroom teacher on his or her first day back to school, stating the dates of absence and the reason(s).
Any absence caused by a communicable disease must be reported immediately to the school nurse as soon as a diagnosis is made.
If a student leaves school early for any reason, a parent must notify the school in writing or by phone.
Extensions of vacations for family convenience, trips, and/or excursions will not be acknowledged as an excused absence and are strongly discouraged.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT
The Lower School Back-to-School Night is held at the beginning of the school year. This is a time for parents to learn about the academic program and to meet their child’s teacher. Please plan to attend. Individual conferences will be scheduled at a later date.
LIBRARY
The library is open daily and McLean encourages students to use it as much as possible. Students enjoy weekly library class and books can be borrowed for one week. The cost of any lost books will be charged to the student.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
School supplies for K-4 students are provided by the school. Parents may be requested to purchase additional materials for special projects and to replenish exhausted supplies should the need arise.
SCHOOL STORE
The school store, located next to the Library, sells McLean sweatshirts, uniform shirts, notebooks, pens, pencils and other supplies, and novelties. Cash and checks are accepted. The school store is managed by McLean faculty and operated by Grade 4 students.
STUDENT COUNCIL
The McLean Lower School Student Council sponsors activities for K-4 students to build school spirit, and foster community service. One or students are chosen to represent each Lower School grade. Student Council members meet regularly to plan projects and work on community-building activities for Lower School students.
CLIMATE COMMITTEE
The purpose of the McLean Lower School climate Committees is to foster a sense of respect and responsibility within the Lower School community. The Faculty Climate Committee is comprised of Lower School faculty volunteers; the Student Climate Committee is comprised of representatives from Grade 3 and Grade 4. These committees meet regularly to plan activities and events to reinforce the GOLDEN program in Lower School and create a safe, supportive environment.
| Shirt | Long or short sleeve white or navy blue polo, turtleneck, mock turtleneck or oxford button-down. No t-shirts permitted. The school store sells polo shirts with the McLean School logo. Only the McLean logo is permitted. Only Shirts must be tucked in. |
| Pants | Navy blue or khaki well-fitted, dress pants. Pants must be clean and neat, and hemmed to the ankle. Bermuda length dress shorts of the same color may not be shorter than 4 inches above the top of the knee. (Capri pants, baggies, cargo pants or shorts, oversized, frayed, patched, cutout, torn or faded attire are not allowed). |
| Belt | Students in Grades 3 and 4 are required to wear a brown or black belt, if pants have a belt loop. Belts are optional for Grades K-2. |
| Skort/Jumper | Navy blue, khaki, or blue plaid skort or blue plaid jumper for girls must not be shorter than four inches above the top of the knee. Shorts - worn under the jumper or skort - are recommended and must not show below the hemline. |
| Sweater | Navy blue crew neck, v-neck sweater vest or cardigan with buttons, or McLean crew neck sweatshirt with the McLean logo. Only the McLean School logo is permitted. A dress code shirt must be worn underneath. Hooded Mclean sweatshirts are not part of the Lower School uniform. |
| Shoes | Flat-soled and flat-heeled shoes with backs: black or brown, loafers or tie shoes or athletic shoes. Athletic shoes (solid or majority color black or white) must be neat and fastened at all times. Students may not wear shoes with lights or wheels, sandals, boots, platform shoes, Crocs, Heelies, “flip-flops” or soap shoes of any kind. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 2 must wear athletic shoes only. |
| Socks | All students are required to wear matching navy blue or white CREW socks. Uniform socks must reach above the ankle.For girls, navy blue or white tights may be worn with socks of the same color. |
| Hair | Hair color must be a uniform, natural color. No dyed or bleached hair. |
| Jewelry | One bracelet and one necklace only are allowed. One pair of simple hoop or stud earrings may be worn with the uniform. Long, dangling earrings are not permitted. |
Concert Dress Lower School students are required to wear Concert Dress for musical performances during the school year. Performances may require special costumes and/or accessories. Notice will be given in advance of those occasions.
| Boys | Dark slacks or khakis (Grades 2-4 with belt); pastel or white long-sleeved shirt; tie of your choice brown or black dress or casual shoes (no sneakers) |
| Girls | “Best” dress or skirt or dress slacks blouse or lightweight sweater tights, stockings, anklets, or knee-high socks brown or black dress or casual shoes (no sneakers) |
If any item on the concert dress list is unavailable, portions of the McLean uniform may be substituted. Note: Jeans, sneakers, t-shirts, athletic attire and other play clothes or casual-wear are not appropriate for McLean performances. High heels and platform shoes are not permitted for safety reasons. Hats, jackets, heavy sweaters and cardigans are not needed during performances.
PROPERTY OF STUDENTS
All property, including clothing worn to school, should be clearly marked with the student’s name. The school cannot accept responsibility for personal belongings of students. Stray clothing is deposited in the lost and found bin in the Lower School hall. All unclaimed lost and found items are donated to local shelters are the end of each quarter. Lost watches, glasses, etc., are turned in at the reception desk.
Lower School students should not bring toys and other playthings to school. Electronic games, portable CD and MP3 players are not permitted in school and will be confiscated. This prevents damage and loss of these treasured items. Parents who need permission for their child to have a cell phone on campus must make a request (with explanation) to the Lower School Head.
FIELD TRIPS
Parents are billed a yearly fee for field trips. Generally, teachers do not collect money from their students for trips. Permission slips with detailed information about the planned trip will be sent home to be signed and returned to the school. Details will include: times away from school, the need for additional clothing or lunch, and other relevant information. Permission slips must be signed and returned unaltered to the school in order for students to participate.
Teachers endeavor to schedule periodic educational field trips that relate to what is taught in the classroom. Students are expected to be in dress code during school related field trips unless otherwise notified. Prescribed medications normally dispensed at school will be sent on all applicable field trips. The medications are labeled and a unit dose is provided for the teacher/chaperone to administer during the field trip.
SNACKS/ALLERGIES
Parents of students with significant food allergies and/or dietary restrictions are requested to provide snacks for their child’s consumption for the year. Acceptable non-perishable snacks can be stored in the classroom for food-sensitive children for use during field trips and special occasions.
CLASS PARTIES
The school asks the cooperation of parents with respect to the following policies:
- A student’s birthday may be celebrated at school with consent of the classroom teacher. In the morning, parents may bring treats such as cupcakes, cookies or brownies and leave them at the reception desk. The teacher will then share them with the class at an appropriate time.
- We request that parents who provide special occasion or holiday prizes or goodie bags for class parties bring the SAME items for every child in the homeroom or grade receiving that special treat.
- We ask parents to refrain from having children issue invitations at school, either verbally or in writing, for home parties or social activities. We encourage parents and students to send all invitations by mail from home. In addition, the school strongly urges that whenever the majority of students in a class are invited to a party, all students should be included. Similarly, if the majority of girls (or boys) in a class are invited to a party, all girls (or boys) should be included.
CLASS PICNICS
Year-end picnics for Lower School classes are held on-campus on the day before the Lower School closing ceremony. Logistics and refreshments are planned by the Room Parents for each grade.
GUIDELINES FOR GOOD CITIZENSHIP
Lower School students are expected to abide by the stated rules of the McLean School Code of Conduct. Students are required to follow the guidelines for good citizenship as outlined below and must be responsible for themselves as members of McLean School who promote the safety and welfare of the entire community.
Lower School students are expected to abide by the stated rules of the McLean School Code of Conduct. Students are required to follow the guidelines for good citizenship as outlined below and must be responsible for themselves as members of McLean School who promote the safety and welfare of the entire community.
McLean School’s Good Citizens are Golden:
- G=Good decisions (are safe and respectful)
- O=Ownership (of your choices, taking responsibility for actions)
- L=Loyal friend
- D=Debug (to deal with “bugging”/teasing)
- 1. ignore
- 2. move away
- 3. talk friendly
- 4. talk firmly
- 5. get adult help
- E=Effort
- N=Neat and in uniform
Lower School students and their parents or guardians should review and discuss the guidelines for good citizenship together.
GOLDEN HAND PLEDGE
All members of the Lower School community take the Golden Hand Pledge daily. The pledge states the following:
“As a member of the Lower School community, I respect myself and I respect others. I will STOP and THINK before I speak and act. I will not use my hands or my words to hurt myself or others.”
At the beginning of the school year, students, and teachers trace their hand s and display them inside of classrooms and throughout the hallways of the Lower School as a reminder of the Golden Hand Pledge. Parents, guardians, tutors, and outside providers are also invited to take the pledge as a part of our community efforts to create a safe environment.
Behavior Issues
- Bullying, teasing and social aggression (including written correspondence)
- Repeated acts of disruption in school, in the after school program, on buses or on field trips
- Repeated acts of disrespect toward members of the Lower School community
- Physically aggressive acts that result in the harm of another community member
- Acts of questionable integrity such as cheating, plagiarism, and deception, especially to avoid consequences
DEFINITION OF CONSEQUENCES
Behaviors are addressed through a continuum of proactive and responsive strategies as well as the use of consequences.
Proactive strategies include anything that can be helpful to a student before a particular behavior occurs or in anticipation of a trigger that may lead to a behavior. These strategies may target individuals or groups of students.
Responsive strategies are any strategies implemented once a behavior has occurred that can help a student to extinguish the inappropriate behavior and begin to demonstrate more appropriate behaviors. Depending on the severity of the behavior, responsive strategies may be enough to assist the student.
Consequences may also be utilized if a behavior is considered to significantly impact significantly the learning environment, or to be of a serious nature. Consequences also occur on a continuum and can range from time-out, to a detention, in-school suspension, out of school suspension or expulsion. All disciplinary actions may provide students with an opportunity to process and learn from the incident so they may make better behavior choices in the future.
Time Out: A student’s removal from the class/activity in which the behavior is occurring or from recess and/or lunch. Time out may be used as either a responsive strategy or as a consequence. Lower School parents will be notified when K-4 students receive a time-out. Three time-outs issued in the same quarter of the school calendar will result in subsequent consequences to be determined by the Division Head. In-school suspension: A student’s exclusion from his or her academic schedule for disciplinary reasons. Notice is given to parents by the Division Head and/or Head of School. Out of school suspension: A student’s exclusion from school and any school related activities for a specified period of time for disciplinary reasons. Notice is given to parents by Division Head and/or Head of School. > Detention: Keeping a student after school hours during the week for a specified amount of time for disciplinary reasons. Notice is given to parents by the Division Head. Social Probation: If a student’s behavior is deemed to e detrimental to his/her learning or the learning of other students, he/she may be placed on Social Probation for a specified time period. After Social Probation, the student’s re-enrollment contract is held until such time as the Division Head deems appropriate. Continued negative behavior may result in the student not being offered a re-enrollment contract for the following year. Expulsion: The removal of a student from school and from all activities related to the McLean School community. Notice is given to parents by the Head of School.
BULLYING, TEASING, AND SOCIAL AGGRESSION
As a Lower School community, we are committed to making the learning environment safe and respectful for all students. We will address inappropriate behaviors and help students learn to treat each other with empathy and respect. While bullying behaviors may be direct or indirect, blatant or subtle, they involve an imbalance of power, repeated actions, intentional actions, and unequal levels of feelings. Bullying is any behavior considered physical aggression, social aggression, verbal aggression, intimidation, written aggression, sexual harassment, or racial or ethnic harassment as well as harassment based on any protected characteristic.
Further, bullying behavior through the use of student electronic communications (cyber-bullying), including that sent from off-campus, to or about any member of the school community, will be treated as if it had been written or spoken at school.
Any bullying behavior demonstrated at school or outside of school that impacts our school community will be addressed by the school. Bullying behaviors will be responded to, as all negative behaviors are, through a continuum of consequences and interventions up to and including suspension and/or social probation, depending on the severity and frequency of the behavior. Any student who is suspended will not be permitted to return to school without a re-entry meeting with parents and an administrator.
STANDARDIZED TESTING
All Lower School students take standardized achievement tests in the spring of each year. The results of these nationally standardized tests are recorded on the student’s permanent record but are not part of the official transcript. These scores offer a profile of the student’s academic growth over the year and may be used for academic programming of students for the following school year. Copies of testing results are mailed to all Lower School parents.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards communicate a student’s progress to parents and to the student. Our method of reporting is designed to encompass not only levels of achievement but also other aspects of a student’s development in his or her life at McLean.
Kindergarten students receive reports in January and June. Report cards for students in Grades 1 through Grades 4 are sent home four times a year, at the end of each quarter.
Each subject is graded. Comments by the teacher for each student may also be included. Students in grades 1-3 will receive marks using the following scale:
O: Outstanding
BE: Beyond Expectations
S: Satisfactory
N: Needs Improvement
Core academic subjects are scaled by the instructional levels as follows: 1 = above grade level; 2 = on grade level; 3 = below grade level.
Each subject for Grade 4 is marked by a letter, A-F. Letter grades convert using the following numerical scale:
| A : 93-100 | B+: 87-89 | C+: 77-79 | D+: 67-69 | F: 59 or below |
| A-: 90-92 | B : 83-86 | C : 73-76 | D : 63-66 | |
| B- : 80-82 | C- : 70-72 | D- : 60-62 |
CONFERENCES
Conferences for students in K-4 are scheduled r in the fall for teachers and parents to meet and discuss student progress and concerns. In addition, there is a mandatory winter conference for students in Kindergarten through Grade 3. Grade 3 self assessments accompany the fourth quarter report.
After the completion of the third quarter, student-led conferences are held for Grade 4 students only. These conferences provide an opportunity for students to reflect upon their efforts during the year and to provide examples of what they have learned. Grade 4 students examine their overall strengths and challenges. A completed behavioral self-evaluation is provided. During student-led conference, classroom teachers attend as observers, but not as active participants. Grade 4 parents are encouraged to take advantage of these special student-led conference times.
Additional conferences may be scheduled as needed by teacher recommendation or by request from the Lower School Head.
SUMMER PROGRAM
The McLean Summer Program mission is to provide students with a wide range of activities that stimulate learning and enrich their summer experience outside of the classroom. The Summer Program offers coeducational programs for students between the ages of 5-18. Our unique, create the summer of your dreams design invites students to design a schedule of half day and/or full day experiences. Academics are offered in the morning and recreational activities in the afternoon. Throughout the 6-week program students are encouraged to sign up for a variety of options. The name of the course does not change from week to week, but the content does, so the activity can be taken more than once!