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Emma C. Chase Elementary School
Parent and Student Handbook
2007-2008
WELCOME to you and your
family.
We are happy
to have you all as part of our Chase School community.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to work collaboratively with parents and the
community to enable our students to become productive citizens
by promoting lifelong learning, academic excellence,
intellectual curiosity, creativity, self-esteem and mutual
respect. We are committed to providing a relevant,
standards-based curriculum in a nurturing environment that
fosters intellectual and creative development, emotional growth,
social maturity and physical well-being.
Belief Statements
• Every child deserves a safe and orderly environment in which
to live and learn.
• Every child deserves an appropriate and purposeful education.
• Education is the shared responsibility of the schools, the
students, their families and the greater community.
• Every child is unique and worthy.
• Every child needs to show respect and take responsibility.
General
Information
School
Hours
School is in session from
9:15 a.m. until 3:23 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday. The
building is open for students at 8:15, at which time they must
report directly to the cafeteria to wait until it is time to
report to class. There is no supervision available before 8:15.
Please do not drop children off before 8:15 a.m.
We welcome your calls for any reason. The school office opens at
8 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. The phone number for all offices,
including that of the nurse, is 888-2471.
There are no provisions for
after-school supervision other than when specific programs are
in operation. If child care is needed you may contact Club Rec
at 783-7505 for enrollment information. They presently offer
after-school care and before-school care has been proposed for
the 2008-2009 school year.
Walkers
and Early Dismissals
To insure the safety of
students, walkers will wait in the gym until all buses have
left, at which time they will be dismissed. If you are picking
your child up at dismissal time, you must park your car in the
parking lot in such a way that the buses can swing through the
lot and park in front of the school. Please do not enter the
bus loading area or pass any parked bus. Please refrain from
bringing pets on school grounds. Again, this is for the safety
of all children.
Picking Children up
from School
If your child normally rides
the bus and you are picking him/her up instead, it is important
that you send a note to that effect with your child in the
morning. You should then sign him/her out in the lobby at 3:23
p.m., and wait there for dismissal.
We ask that you make appointments at times that allow your child
to remain in school for the entire day. Coming in late or
leaving early is disruptive to the entire class and means that
your child and others miss important learning opportunities. If,
on occasion, that is not possible, students must be signed in or
out in the main office. Your child will be called from the
classroom to meet you in the office area. We ask that you not go
to the classroom in order to minimize interruptions for all of
the students. Late arrivals and early departures are recorded
and are monitored.
We can not release a child to any person other than a parent
or guardian without a written authorization from the parent. We
can not take that authorization over the phone.
Transportation
Changes
For the safety of your
children, signed bus notes are required if your child is
to go to any place other than his/her regular destination.
Parents must send a note that states the date, the child’s name
and the name and address of the alternative location.
Attendance
• School attendance is
essential for a consistent education. State Education Law
defines legal and illegal absences and requires the schools to
keep an accurate count of both, as well as instances of
tardiness. These become part of a student’s permanent record.
• We recommend that parents call the school when their child is
going to be absent or tardy. If we do not hear from you, we will
attempt to call you at home or work to verify the absence.
• It is required that when a child returns from school from an
absence, tardy or departs school early that the child have a
written note explaining the reasons for the absence, tardiness,
or early departure. Absences without excuses are considered
illegal.
• Tardy students must have a note and be signed in at the office
where they will be given a pass to enter class. Frequent
tardiness will necessitate a parent conference with the
principal.
• In considering the retention of students in grades K-8, the
student’s record of attendance is one of the factors that will
be considered by the principal in retaining a student.
Safety
School doors are locked at all
times for your child’s safety and protection. After school
programs are responsible for allowing you into the building
after 4 p.m.
Chase School students and staff participate in numerous drills
throughout the year to be better prepared for any emergencies
that might arise.
All visitors are required to sign in
at the main office. Parents will be asked to sign a media
release form each year to permit the school to use your child’s
name and/or photo for district publications, newspaper and/or
web site.
Technology
We are very fortunate to have
access to some of the latest technology such as internet and
SMART Boards. A parent signed “Agreement and Consent Form” for
each student will be kept on file.
Health
Related Issues
• We must have a completed,
up-to-date emergency card for each student. As well as your home
and work phone numbers, list emergency phone numbers for other
people who we could call in case your child becomes ill or
injured and you cannot be reached. (We will always try to reach
parents/guardians first.) Be sure to notify us of any changes
to the emergency card information through the year.
• NYS Law requires that all children attending school be fully
immunized against polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, measles, mumps
and rubella and chicken pox. We are required to have written
proof of immunizations from a doctor or clinic. Please update
any changes with our school nurse.
• Any and all medications must be stored in the Nurse’s Office.
They must be delivered to school by a parent – never by a
student – and must be in the original, labeled container.
Furthermore, they must be accompanied by a note from the doctor
that indicates the dosage and the frequency and a permission
note from the parent. Cough drops may be left with the
school nurse with a written note from the student’s parent.
• All entering kindergarteners and second and fourth graders
must have a physical exam. This can be done in school by the
school physician or privately by your pediatrician. If you have
a child in these grades and wish to have your pediatrician
conduct the physical, please submit proof of that exam by
October 1.
• During the year, all students will receive vision and hearing
screenings. You will be notified of any suspicion of
difficulties in hearing or vision.
• We need to know of any chronic illness such as asthma,
rheumatic fever, diabetes, allergies, etc., with written
instructions on file in case a related emergency arises.
• You will be called if your child becomes ill or suffers an
injury at school. We must be able to reach a parent or other
responsible adult at all times.
School
Meals
School meals are available for
the following prices (Prices are subject to change by
September):
• Breakfast - $1.00
• Hot/cold lunch - $1.40
• Milk - .40
• Ice Cream - .60
• Granola Bar - .60
Free or reduced meals are available for those who qualify. The
forms are available through the office.
If a student forgets lunch money and charges a lunch, it must be
paid the following day. Students may only charge a meal three
times. After the third time they receive a sandwich, fruit and
milk only, until their charges are paid. They are not permitted
to charge anything else. The computerized register system allows
prepayment of meals and ala cart items. Please make checks
payable to “Monticello School Lunch Fund” or students may bring
cash daily.
Cafeteria Rules
Children in the cafeteria are
expected to follow the following rules:
• Listen to the adults in charge and follow their directions.
• Remain seated through lunch unless an adult gives permission
to leave their place.
• Show consideration of others by speaking calmly and
courteously and keeping hands and feet to yourself.
• Bathroom use will be under the direction of the adults in
charge.
• Children will clean up after themselves.
• Throwing of food or containers is not acceptable.
Snacks
/ Birthday Parties
Snacks and birthday and other
celebrations are at the discretion of the individual classroom
teacher. Your child’s teacher will let you know of his/her plans
in that regard.
In order to avoid hurt feelings party invitations should not be
handed out in school unless all of the children in the class are
being invited.
Recess
Active outdoor play is an important part of a
child’s schedule, contributing to physical and mental health,
emotional and social development and indirectly to academic
achievement. Unless the weather is hazardous, you may assume
your child will be going outside. Be sure he/she is prepared
with clothing appropriate to the anticipated weather. Also,
consider your child’s footwear. Sneakers are appropriate for
most of the school year. If your child wears boots to school,
please send appropriate footwear to be worn during the day. Many
“dressy” shoes for little girls are inappropriate for school if
the heels are too high and the soles are slippery. Flip-flops
are not permitted. We recommend that students wear sneakers
every day.
Physical
Education
All students will participate
in Physical Education for 90 minutes a week. They must wear
sneakers to participate and they must participate unless excused
with a doctor’s note. It is also requested that necklaces,
bracelets and dangling earrings not be worn on “gym days” as
those items can be dangerous during play.
School
Conduct and Discipline
The Monticello School District believes that order
and discipline are essential to an effective education.
Behavioral expectations are explained in detail in the District
Code of Conduct. Each family will receive a complete copy the
beginning of September. In summary, students may be subject to
disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from school,
when they:
• Engage in conduct that is disorderly.
• Engage in conduct that is insubordinate.
• Engage in conduct that is disruptive, intimidation, bullying
or threatening.
• Engage in conduct that is violent.
• Any student found with a weapon will be subject to a 5 day
suspension and a Superintendent Hearing.
• Engage in any conduct that endangers the safety, morals,
health or welfare of others.
• Engage in misconduct while on a school bus.
• Engage in any form of academic misconduct.
The dress code is included in the document, but we remind you
that inappropriate clothing is not permitted and parents will be
called to bring a change of clothing if necessary. A student’s
dress, grooming and appearance, including hair style/color,
jewelry, make-up and nails, shall:
• Be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the
educational process.
• Recognize that extremely tight or brief garments and
see-through garments are not appropriate.
• Ensure that underwear is completely covered with outer
clothing.
• Footwear that is a safety hazard ie (flip-flops)
• No wearing hats in school except for a medical or religious
purpose.
• Not include items that are vulgar, obscene, libelous or that
denigrate others on account of race, color, religion, creed,
national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
PBIS - The Chase School participates in a district-wide program called
“Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports” (PBIS). Our
school motto is “Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be Responsible.”
Students'
Personal Items
Personal items – backpacks, lunch boxes,
outer clothing – should be clearly labeled with your child’s
name; however, as a precaution against abduction, we caution you
not to write the name in large letters across the outside of the
item.
Toys and games should not be brought to school. They can be
distracting and we cannot be responsible for damage or loss.
Pets – Pets may only visit school under the following
conditions:
• The classroom teacher must give permission first, and schedule
the date and time.
• Pets cannot be transported on the bus.
• Pets must not be aggressive and must be under the control and
supervision of an adult throughout the visit. Dogs and cats must
be vaccinated.
• In the best interests of both the pets and the children,
visits should be short in length.
• No pets at dismissal.
Lost and Found – Small items such as eyeglasses and
jewelry will be kept in the office and clothing, lunchboxes,
etc. will be on the edge of the stage. Again, names in clothing
will prevent the loss of expensive jackets.
School Property
Students are expected to care for school property
that is in their possession or that they are using. Textbooks
must be covered and library books and little readers should be
kept clean and returned as scheduled. Parents will be expected
to pay for lost books or items damaged through neglect or
misuse.
Smoking is not permitted on school premises.
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
The Chase School PTO is a very active group
dedicated to providing special events and opportunities for all
of the children in the school. You will receive notices of their
meetings and other activites. If you have any questions about
PTO, please feel free to call the president, Lauralyn Radlein,
at 888-4477 or the school office. We strongly urge you to join
the PTO and participate as you are able. Every little bit helps.
You will enjoy the fellowship of caring parents and teachers
working together for the benefit of our children.
Parent-School
Communication
It is important that we maintain open communication
between school and parents and guardians. If you want to meet
with particular school personnel, an advance phone call will
help assure their availability.
Teachers are not able to meet on a drop-in basis as they are
working with the children. Please call the office or send a note
to the teacher requesting an appointment.
Parent-Teacher conferences will be held in November and early
December at the time of the first report card. We strongly
encourage you to attend that conference.
Report cards are sent quarterly. Please visit the district and
school website at
www.monticelloschools.net.
• District and school polices are posted
• School lunch menus
• School and District news
• Meeting dates
• School delays and closings
Highly Recommended:
The district participates in “School News Notifier” SNN. SNN is
an opt-in e-mail system where parents and residents can sign-up
to receive e-mail from different schools or the superintendent.
Users can choose to receive any or all of the alerts, and can
choose to unsubscribe at anytime. Go to the school website and
click on the SNN logo.
School
Delays and Closings
In the event of inclement weather or other
emergencies a message will be put on the telephone greeting
system (888-2471). The following radio stations will broadcast
delayed openings, closings and early dismissals:
WALL – 1340 AM WSUL – 98.3 FM
WELV – 1730 Am WDRE – 99.3 FM
WGY – 810 AM WGNY 1220 AM
WZAD – 93.7 and 97.7 FM
WVOS – 1240 AM and 95.5 FM
School website:
www.monticelloschools.net
We will send you a letter in September inviting you to become
part of an early dismissal phone chain if you like.
Visitors
and Volunteers
All visitors, including parents and volunteers,
must immediately report to the reception window where you will
sign the register and pick up a pass. The pass must be worn
while you are in the building and returned as you leave. We are
sure you understand our need to be vigilant about visitors in
order to provide a safe building for our students and staff.
Building-Level
Team
The BLT is the shared decision making committee
that is required by the NYS Education Department to be a part of
each school. It is comprised of teachers, parents, staff members
and community members who represent their constituencies as they
design plans specific to Chase that will work to improve
outcomes for students at Chase. The committee meets several
times throughout the year.
International
Baccalaureate
The Emma C. Chase Elementary School
has been granted candidate status (May 2008) in the
International Baccalaureate Organization
Mission Statement: “The International Baccalaureate
Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring
young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world
through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and
international organizations to develop challenging programmes of
international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become
active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that
other people, with their difference, can also be right.”
For more information please contact your child’s teacher, our IB
coordinator, Linda Holmes or visit the website at
www.ibo.org.
Hints for Home
As parents, you have been and are your child’s
first and most influential teachers. We offer these suggestions
to support your efforts as we work together to help your child
meet his or her full potential.
Learning to Read – Kindergarten - 2:
• Read daily to and with your child. Make it a
warm, loving time together.
• Let your child see you as a reader and a writer. The examples
you set are very strong.
• Build your child’s vocabulary and knowledge of the world
through conversation.
• Your child may enjoy drawing a picture about a book you have
read. You can add a caption or label items in the picture if
that’s agreeable with the artist.
• If your child is reading to you and comes across a difficult
word, use the pictures and the story meaning for clues along
with the letter sounds. Sounding out the words is not always the
way a child learns best.
• Get a set of magnetic letters for the refrigerator.
• Write together – i.e. grocery lists, notes to grandparents,
messages to siblings, signs for their door.
• Visit a local library – Bloomingburg, Monticello and/or
Middletown.
Continuing to Learn to Read Grades 3-5:
• Continue reading daily to and with your child.
Even big kids love to listen to a good book.
• Read lots of different kinds of material. The more you read,
the easier and more enjoyable it becomes, and the more you learn
from it.
• Try some crossword puzzles, Jumbles (in the Record once a
week), Scrabble or other word games to build vocabulary. Do them
together – they will never suspect that they’re learning!
• Encourage your child to keep a diary or journal. You might
want to maintain a 2-way notebook, where you and your child
write notes back and forth.
• Encourage your child to keep a correspondence with a cousin or
friend who lives far away.
• Subscribe to an age and interest appropriate magazine for a
gift. It’s fun to get a magazine in the mail each month.
• Read and talk about the newspaper, the classified ads, food
labels, the phone directory, maps, etc. Real life reading.
Should you have any questions or concerns about reading please
contact your child’s teacher or our Literacy Coach, AnnMarie
Kurthy.
“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I
understand.” - Confucius
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