Does my child in Kindergarten Group A have class the second day of school?
No. Only Group A goes the first day, and only Group B goes the second day. Your child's second day of school will be the third day that the school is open.

Where do I pick up my child?
Your kindergarten child will always come from the first set of doors on the right hand side of the building, just beyond the first, smaller playground. Your first grade child will always come from the second set of doors on the right hand side of the building, just before the larger playground. Kindergarten and first grade children are only released to specified adults. (Please send a note if your child will be going home with a different adult.) If you are late, you pick up your child in the Main office, just inside the front doors. All other children are dismissed from the front of the building.

When do I pick up my child?
This can be confusing, so here is a table. The Kindergarten A/B grouping does not start until October. Usually, the Kindergarten students are released 10 minutes earlier than older students. All Tuesdays are early release days, and, about once a month, there is an early release Thursday.

When and where does my child catch the bus? Is there a charge for the bus?
The Newton Public Schools website has extensive information about the bus system. Click here for more information.

Is there after school care for my child?
Call the ZASP (Zervas After School Program) Office for more information at (617)965-2655. Click here for more information.

What should my child bring to school?
A backpack is not required, but is helpful to carry books and folders. Every child should bring a snack, and, if your child will be staying until 3:00pm, lunch. Every student has a locker. You may want to send a change of clothes to be stored in the locker.

What if my child will be absent?
If you know ahead of time, please let the teacher know directly. Otherwise, please call the office at (617)559-6750.Leave a message with the following information, and in this order:
1. Date of absence
2. Child's name
3. Teacher's name
4. Reason for absence
The purpose of this process is to check on the safety of students. If your child does not arrive at school and the school has not heard from you, the school secretary will call you at home or work to check on your child's whereabouts. The callback message machine is on 24 hours a day. Absence notes must be sent after any absence with an explanation of the reasons for your child's absence.

What if the weather is bad?
Information about school closings or delayed openings due to inclement weather is broadcast over several area radio stations, including: WBZ 1030AM and WRKO 680AM. Area TV stations that carry this information include channels 4, 5, and 7. You can also click here to check the district's web site. You can call (617)559-9699 for a recorded message.

How does the teacher communicate with me?
Each Kindergarten student will receive a folder from the teacher. These folders are used to send home forms, papers, and homework. They are the best way to see that the teacher gets a note from you. If your child will be going home with someone different or will be absent, please send a note. Your child's teacher will let you know the best way to communicate. Click here for more information about school/parent communication.

How does lunch work at Zervas?
Zervas has no cafeteria facility, so lunch is eaten in the classroom, under the supervision of a lunch monitor. If you would like to order school lunches, paperwork is sent home once a month to order for the next month. The school lunch choices usually include a bagel option and a sandwich option. Often, there is a pizza option, usually Dominos. There are no facilities for heating or cooling your child's lunch.You may want to consider including an ice pack. Click here to see the food service web page. The number for the elementary lunch office is (617)559-6315.

What allergy policy does Zervas have?
The Newton school district has formulated an allergy policy and guidelines. Zervas will work within these guidelines to create a food allergy policy. Until you have heard from your child's teacher, please do not send in any foods containing nuts.
Click here to see the 2003-2004 Zervas Food Policy.
Click here to see the School District's Food Allergy Policy.
Click here to see the School District's Food Allergy Guidelines.

Who is the principal?
Our principal is Steve Griffin.

Who is the administrator?
Anne Hadley keeps our school running smoothly. The office phone number is (617)559-6750.

Who is the school nurse?
Melissa Hubbard provides health coverage at Zervas. The nurse's office phone number is (617)559-6755.

How can I be involved at Zervas?
The PTO coordinates many activities at the school and can help you be involved at a level of commitment that works for you. The list of committee leaders is here, please contact them to help out. Information about committees is here. Information about contributions of your time, talent, or treasure are here.

How will my child's teacher be chosen?
In the middle of May you will receive a form regarding your child's placement for the next year. You will be requested to share your insights about the educational and social environment that best challenges and supports your child. The teachers use this information and their insights to form the next year's classes. You will be informed of your child's new class by mail after school is out. Sometime during the last weeks of school, all students are invited to visit the next grade's classrooms with their teachers.

Glossary
D.E.A.R.
D.E.A.R. means "Drop Everything and Read." During this time, the students read alone, in groups, with a reading specialist or teacher, or with a reading buddy.

ZASP
Zervas After School Program is an after school program, running from 3pm to 6pm. For Kindergarten students, there is an earlier option, as well. Please call the ZASP office at (617)965-2655 for more information. Click here for more information.

Blue Zone
To facilitate dropoff and pickup, there is a "Blue Zone" marked on the curb in front of the building. During dropoff and pickup times, you may drive into the zone, pulling up as far as you can to let others stop behind you. Do a quick dropoff or pickup and then carefully drive away. You may not park in the Blue Zone during pickup and dropoff times. Click here for more information.

Early Release
Every Tuesday and some Thursdays are "Early Release." This is development time for teachers. See the schedule above for release information.

Equity
A system to equalize student expenditures by the PTOs at the different Newton schools. Click here for more information.

Curriculum Night
In other places, this might be called "Back to School Night." This is a chance to hear from the principal and then spend about an hour in your child's classroom, hearing, in detail, about the curriculum for the year. Click here for more information about school/parent communication.

Celebration Day
Celebration Day occurs toward the end of the school year. It is a day of outdoor physical events and indoor craft events for the whole school. Each class is divided into three teams (red, blue and white). Classes move around the field and school (with their teacher and parent volunteers), attempting activities such as relay races, tug-of-war and ball and hoop games. The focus of the day is to work together in cooperative teams, and to have fun!

C.A.P.P.
The Child Assault Prevention Program, or C.A.P.P., is a Newton-wide, classroom-based program addressing child assault prevention. The parent information meeting, held before kindergartners and new students participate in this program, provides a forum for parents to receive information on child abuse, identification of child assault victims, reporting of abuse, and crisis intervention skills. This meeting also provides a detailed description of the children's workshop and techniques used in class. A release form will be sent home for your review and signature, authorizing your child to participate in this program. At some time after the parents' evening meeting, the children will be guided through the program appropriate to their age. The children's classroom experience combines directed group discussion and a series of role-plays focusing on situations children might encounter. The strategies explore self-assertion, peer support, and telling a trusted adult. Zervas Notes will inform you as to the time and date of the parent meeting. More information is available here.