Safety Issues

Fire Drills

Fire and lockdown drills are conducted on occasion during the year. Classroom teachers will inform students as to the procedure for each drill. Evacuation Maps and "Safe Spots" are posted in each room in the building

Students who find themselves between classes or in the bathroom should leave via the closest exit and then join their class. Students should wait quietly outside until the signal is given to re-enter the building.

Safety of Children

Learning in a safe environment is of utmost importance to the staff at Tisbury. Please help us by letting our head custodian or the Main Office know if you see anything that might be unsafe on the playgrounds or in the building. .

At arrival and dismissal, please cross only with the guards. IF YOU DRIVE YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL, use the front circle to drop your child off. Important: When you pull in to the front circle, drive as far forward as possible to allow all the cars in the street to get into the drive. Traffic is ONE LANE and ONE WAY. The rear bus lane in not to be used for drop offs from 8:00 - 8:15 a.m.

We strongly suggest that children be seated in the back passenger seats, wear seat belts, and exit the car on the right hand side.

Bicycles

It is strongly suggested that bicycles brought to school be locked. For safety reasons, bicycles are not to be ridden on the school grounds. Bicycle helmets are mandatory by law for children under sixteen.

Bus Safety

It is a privilege to ride the school bus. If you are well behaved and courteous, this privilege will not be taken away from you. If, however, you endanger the health and safety of other pupils, or if you do not obey the bus driver, you may be suspended from riding the bus. If parents have a concern about the bus, they may call the principal to ask for help. The bus driver shall be considered to have authority as a teacher in the classroom. These rules of behavior are for your safety.

  • Only those students assigned to a bus may ride it. Any exceptions require a note from home and approval of the principal.

  • Pupils who must cross the street at a bus stop shall not do so until they receive a signal from the bus driver. When crossing a street is necessary, it shall always be done in front of the bus, far enough ahead of the bus, so that the driver may adequately observe them. The driver shall hold his bus with warning lights flashing until the crossing has been completed.

  • Pupils shall be picked up and unloaded only at regularly scheduled stops.

  • Remain well back from the roadway while waiting for the bus.

  • Pupils must keep their hands, and heads inside the bus.

    Bus Rules

  • Follow the instructions of the bus driver.
  • Remain seated until the destination is reached.
  • Maintain quiet voices and keep your hands to yourself.

    Loss of Bus Privileges

  • Students reported by the bus driver for infractions will be given a warning or possible bus suspension.

  • Further reports by the bus driver may lead to suspension of the privilege of riding the bus.

  • In all cases of warnings or removal, parents will be notified.

    Playground Rules and Regulations

    Purpose

    The purpose of recess is to provide students with time for physical activity and fresh air in order to help them improve physical skills, have a pleasant time in positive interaction with their peers, aid in socialization, and, in short, have a good time at no one else's expense. Inappropriate behavior may lead to temporary loss of recess privileges.

    Behavior

    Treat others with respect, as you would wish to be treated.

  • Follow directions from recess staff the first time they are given.
  • Safety rules apply at all times - before, during and after school.
  • Be responsible for your litter. Throw trash in the trash cans provided.

    Use equipment for the purpose it was intended

  • No roller-blading or skateboards.
  • Only plastic bats for grades 1 and 2.
  • Hard balls are not allowed. (No baseballs or lacrosse balls.)
  • Only one person on a swing at a time. Do not twist the swings, climb the poles, or jump off while swing is in the air.
  • Use the ladder to go up the slides. Sit feet first, on our bottom, to slide down.
  • Play tag on the grass, not on the equipment.
  • No climbing or hanging on the trees.
  • Do not climb on the roof of the playhouse, the backstop or on fencing.
  • Hold on to the bars when standing on the merry-go-round.
  • Eat snacks on the grass or at the picnic table, not on the equipment.

    Areas of Play

  • Use the main playground and walkway only.
  • The following areas are off limits:
    steps, doorways, parking lots, stairwells, driveways.

    Playground Activity

    The school is not responsible for activity on the playground before 8:00 a.m. or after 2:50 p.m. For safety and security reasons, visitors are not permitted to use the playground during the school day between 8:00 and 2:50. It is reserved solely for the physical education and recess classes.

    School Grounds

    Due to the potential danger and damage, no person may use a motorized vehicle, nor any animals be ridden, on school playgrounds maintained or controlled by the school, without permission from the principal.

    After School Rules for Students

  • When leaving school, please walk (no running or pushing).
  • Use crosswalks. Do not walk between parked cars.
  • Bicycles are to be walked on school property.
  • Skateboards, roller blades, and roller skates are not permitted on the school grounds.
  • Unless students are enrolled in the Homework Club, the After-School Program, or are participating in sports or music activities there is no after school supervision and parents are responsible for their children.
  • If students return to the playground after school, they should be supervised by a family member. Accidents can occur and there is no nurse on site.

    Parents: Please note our rules for cars. These are written for the safety of all of our students.

    Areas Off Limits

    Please enter and exit the campus using the paved walks and side walks.

    Crossing Guards

    Adult crossing guards will be stationed at the Edgartown Road/State Road crossing, the Oak Hill/State Road crossing, by the Cemetery, in front of the school and by the Superintendent's Office from 7:50 - 8:10 am and from 2:40 - 3:00 pm. We advise all parents of younger children, particularly those in kindergarten or grade one to have these children accompanied to school. In all cases, please advise your children to use good judgment in getting to and from school and to obey all crossing guards. Use crosswalks and sidewalks only.