Tenacre FAQs

List of 14 frequently asked questions.

• What is the difference between the MidDay and After-School Programs?

  MidDay is an extended-day program for Pre-K children Monday through Thursday from 11:45 am to 3:25 pm. MidDay offers these young learners the opportunity to make social connections, engage in open-ended and creative projects, and to take advantage of independent and group work. Children bring their own lunch, and milk is provided.
  
  

  After-School is available to all grades, Pre-K through Grade 6, and runs from 3:25-6:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 12:15-5:00 pm on Fridays. The program provides fun, creative arts and crafts, activities, sports and quiet games. A snack is provided, as is homework time for older students.

• How long is the school day?

  Each school day begins daily at 8:00 am sharp.
  
  

  In Pre-K, school runs from 8:00-11:45 am, Monday through Thursday, and 8:00-12:15 pm on Friday. Starting Jan. 25, 2022, all Tuesdays and Thursdays will run from 8:00-3:25 pm.
  
  

  In Grades K-6, school runs from 8:00-3:25 pm on Monday through Thursday, and 8:00-12:15 pm on Friday.

• What towns do most Tenacre families come from?

  Tenacre families come from 23 cities and towns in the area, including four neighborhoods in Boston. In addition to Wellesley, these towns include Dedham, Dover, Medfield, Natick, Needham, Newton, Walpole, Weston, and others. About 47% of children enrolled at Tenacre come from Wellesley.

• How does home/school communication take place?

  The Green Leaf is Tenacre's weekly e-newsletter for parents. It is an important source of information for school events, programs, and policies. The Tenacre website is also a vital source of information, containing late-breaking changes in schedule (such as school closings) and information about school activities and committees, classroom newsletters, and sports schedules.

• What is the TPA?

  The TPA is the Tenacre Parents' Association. All parents are automatically members and are welcome at all TPA meetings. The TPA works to foster good home/school communication and to contribute to the school through service, social, and financial endeavors.

• What volunteer opportunities are available for parents?

  Every parent is encouraged to volunteer for various TPA activities and events, in-class activities, and even as lunch table heads.

• I know there’s a dress code, but what clothing is permitted?

  The guiding principle for the dress code is that students dress neatly, cleanly, and with respect for learning and safety. We want our students to be comfortable in their clothing so that they can focus on learning, which includes play indoors and outdoors, exploration with mixed media, and other activities that require movement and may involve mess. Clothing should allow our students to accomplish those goals while being presentable in a developmentally appropriate way.

  
  The following guidelines also apply:
  

  • No displays of inappropriate language or images
  • Clothing should be of a reasonable length (i.e. completely cover midriffs and backsides)
  • Make-up is not permitted
  • Closed toes shoes should always be worn, with the exception of sandals with heel straps (weather permitting)  
  • Socks should be worn with all closed toed shoes

• Do children play outdoors on cold winter days?

  Parents should exercise common sense and send their children dressed for play outdoors according to the weather in any season. On cold, snowy days, snow pants, hats, and gloves/mittens are a must for younger children. Students may be restricted to the hardtop areas of the playground unless they have appropriate footwear! Recess is held outdoors twice a day, every day, weather permitting.

• How does lunch at Tenacre work?

  Pre-K and Kindergarten students staying for MidDay bring and eat lunch in their classrooms. On long days, Kindergarten students bring lunch from home and eat in the lunchroom prior to the all-school lunch time. Grades 1-6 eat in the lunchroom. Menus for Grades 1-6 can be found at http://www.myschooldining.com/tenacre. Children are assigned to a lunch table on a biweekly basis, along with several classmates, children from other grades, and a member of the staff or a parent.

• How are food allergies handled at Tenacre?

  Tenacre works hard to be a nut-free school. Please report any food allergies to the school nurse, as well as to your child's teacher and the Front Office. 

• Will my child’s birthday be celebrated at school?

  Yes. We sing Happy Birthday to students during morning assembly. Birthday snacks are provided by Tenacre for students in Pre-K to Grade 2, while students in Grades 3-6 may bring in a birthday treat from outisde of school.

• How does the school handle religious holidays?

  It is not possible for the school to close in observance of all religious holidays. Please be in touch with the school if your child celebrates a holiday not mentioned. It is the school's policy not to give tests or quizzes or have major assignments due on those days. Teachers are encouraged to give minimal homework. Often there will be an assembly led by either a teacher or parent that highlights the meaning and traditions associated with a holiday.

• What is Tenacre’s homework policy?

  Tenacre believes in relevant homework, but not busy work. Parental involvement in homework completion should be minimal and restricted to providing review or support. No new school assignments will be given on Wednesdays that are due on Thursday. Grade 5 and 6 students receive their weekly assignments on Monday so they can plan their week. Assignments are also posted on their class websites.

• What team sports do 5th and 6th graders participate in?

  Students in these grades play soccer/field hockey (girls) and soccer/flag football (boys) in the fall; basketball in the winter; and baseball/softball in the spring. Opponents include Chestnut Hill School, Fessenden, Dedham Country Day, Charles River School, Meadowbrook, Rashi, and others. Generally, Grade 5 games are held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and Grade 6 games are held on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.