Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to Weymouth Township Elementary School.  This Student/Parent Handbook has been prepared to better acquaint you with the programs, policies, regulations and procedures at Weymouth Township School.  I suggest that parents and students review the contents together.  If you have questions that remain unanswered after reading the handbook, please call the school office.  We feel that open and clear communication between school and home is important to the success of our school.

Board procedures require that you sign an agreement provision stating that you have received a copy of this handbook.  Your signature also indicates that your child will abide by the school’s rules and the student discipline and behavior code.  A school calendar is also located in this handbook listing important dates such as school closings, back to school night and conferences.  Please note that, should we need to close school due to emergencies such as inclement weather, additions days will be added in June.

In addition to the code and rules, there is the expectation that every child will act in a manor that is appropriate for a school learning environment.  Each teacher has classroom rules that children are expected to follow.  There is also the expectation that students will come to school prepared to learn and act accordingly.  Therefore, it is important that you review the handbook with your child so that you are aware of our expectations.

During the summer each student received a letter from their homeroom teacher.  That letter included supply needs for each grade level.  Starting in third grade, students are required to have a homework assignment book.  This can be the book we sell every year in the spring or a book you have purchased over the summer.  Students are expected to list homework in this book enabling you to know what work they have been assigned.  As well as nightly homework, students are also assigned long term projects which should also be noted in assignment books.  I encourage you to spend some time each evening reviewing your child’s homework book and assignments.  Homework is your child’s opportunity to practice what was presented in class.  Therefore, it is important that they do the work on their own.  If they regularly need a great deal of help with their assignments, I suggest that you contact their teacher to find out why they do not understand the work presented.

A monthly calendar is sent home generally the last Friday of each month.  On this we list after school activities, single session days, school closings, H.S.A. meetings and other school events as they are known at publication.  I also send a newsletter monthly that covers school information and board of education meetings.  A weekly newsletter is sent home most Fridays—please look for this information.

The faculty and I look forward to working with you to provide your child(ren) with a good education and a love of learning.

Sincerely,

Dr. Donna Van Horn, CSA

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· Respectful     · Responsible   · Ready for School   · Safe

General Rules for School

Students attending Weymouth Township Elementary School have the right and responsibility to expect a safe environment.  To ensure this, the following rules and regulations must be followed:
1.         School property belongs to each Taxpayer in Weymouth Township-it is
            expected that school property will be treated respectfully.
2.         Students are expected to converse with other students and teachers in a
           polite and courteous manner.  Profane or disrespectful language is not to
           be used in school,  on school grounds or on buses.
3.         As per New Jersey law, Weymouth Township School is a smoke-free building.
4.         Students are not permitted to chew gum, at any time, on the school grounds or
            in the school building.
5.         Students become the responsibility of school officials when they attend
           school and therefore are not permitted to leave school grounds without
           permission of the administration.
6.         Each student has the responsibility to respect the personal property of
           other students, before, during and after school hours.
7.         Each student has the responsibility to be respectful of others.  All students
            and staff have the right to feel safe from harm and harassment.
8.         Students should listen and follow directions the first time they are given by
           any school employee.
9.         Students are not permitted in halls, lavatories, or other such areas without
             permission/pass.
10.       Failure of any student to abide by the directions of the school bus drivers
 may result in removal from the bus as well as disciplinary action.
11.       School books must be covered at all times.  No adhesive or contact paper book
covers are permitted.
12.       Walkmans, radios, tape/disc players, electronic games, beepers, cell phones
and other such devices are not permitted at any time.
13.       Fighting and harassment will not be tolerated.

CONSEQUENCES
Failure to follow school and/or classroom rules may result in the following:

• Teacher Detention and/or Administrative Detention
• After school/lunch detention
• Loss of some school privileges
• Parental phone call/letter/conference
• Suspension/internal or external

Lunchroom Guideposts

1.   Students may talk quietly during lunchtime.
2.   Classes will be assigned tables.  Students are to sit at their assigned table at all times.
3.   No carbonated beverages are permitted.
4.   Glass containers should not be brought to school for safety reasons.
5.   Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders may purchase only one snack after they finish their lunch.
6.   With permission of the staff member on duty, students should use the lavatories across the

                   hall from the cafeteria.

7.   In grades K through 4, students should raise their hands to get up from their table.
8.   Students are expected to clean up after themselves and dispose of trash properly.
9.   No food may leave the cafeteria.
10.   Students may not return to the classroom after lunch unless they have a note/pass from their teacher.
11.   Aides or teachers will issue passes for students who wish to see the nurse, use the lavatory, or visit the

         main office.

Playground Guideposts for before school and lunchtime

1.       Profane and disrespectful language is not permitted.
2.       Aides will issue passes for students who wish to see the nurse, use the lavatory, go to the library or visit
         the main office.  Students should not be in the building without a pass.
3.       Play in designated areas.
4.       No sitting on the tops of equipment.
5.      No pulling on another person or their clothing.
6.      No throwing sand.
7.       Kindergarten, through 4th graders must walk with a buddy when on the trail.
8.      Students may not leave the trail toward the woods except to sit on the benches.
9.       No one is permitted in the boiler room area.
10.    Playground equipment must be used safely.  This includes limiting the number of students on an apparatus
         and playing in the designated area.

Weymouth Township School Dress Code

1.       Students are expected to attend school dressed appropriately to promote a learning atmosphere.
2.       Halter tops, see-thru tops, tank tops, biker shorts, tight shorts, ripped pants, spandex or short shorts are
         unacceptable attire as are tops with spaghetti straps.  Pants are not to be worn below the waist.
3.       Bare shoulders, midriffs and exposed underwear will not be tolerated.  Muscle type shirts are not   
                 permitted.
4.        Skirts and shorts are to be mid thigh length and not tight.  Students should be able to bend over without
          underwear showing.  Finger tips must not reach below the skirt bottom.
5.        Safety is a concern and appropriate footwear should be worn.  Platform footwear and excessively high   
          heels as well as open backed shoes and beach flip flops are not permissible.  Students must have sneakers  
          for physical education activities.  Sneakers must have laces or Velcro and a back to be considered safe.
6.        No shirts or tops or other clothing with double meanings, suggestive or crude phrases or those promoting
          or advertising alcohol or tobacco are permitted.
7.        Students are not to wear outerwear including hats and bandanas while inside the school.
8.        Shorts may be worn to school from April 1st through October 31st, weather permitting.  Shorts are to be
mid thigh length and not tight.  Fingertips must not reach below the short bottom.  When the  
administration determines a student is wearing inappropriate shorts, the student will be required to call
home for a change of clothing.  A second violation will result in the loss of shorts privileges
   for at least five school days.
      9.          Hanging jewelry, chains, body jewelry and dangling earrings are a safety hazard.   Hoop earrings must be
                  no larger than a quarter, and must be removed for gym and recess.
     10.         Clothing that causes a safety hazard is not to be worn to school.  This includes pants that drag on the
                 floor.
     11.         Pajamas are not to be worn to school, except on specified “Pajama Day”.

Weymouth Township Bus Regulations

•    All seats are assigned by the driver.
•    Be on time at your designated stop.
•    Ride on your assigned bus.
•    Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before getting on or off.
•    Go directly to your assigned seat and keep seated until it is time to be discharged from the bus.
•    Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times
•    Do not eat while riding on the bus.
•    Do not chew gum on the bus.
•    Students are expected to conduct themselves properly while on the bus.  This means talking in a

          conversational tone (no singing, shouting or loud talking) so as not to cause confusion and divert the
          driver’s attention.

•    Students are expected to remain seated at all times, no playing or “fooling around” and no throwing

          things.

•    Be courteous to fellow students and the driver.
•    Nothing is to be placed in the aisle.
•    There is to be absolute quiet when approaching a railroad crossing stop.
•    Do not tamper with the bus or any equipment—any damage done must be paid for by the offender.
•    Students who must cross the highway to reach home shall cross in front of the stopped bus at the

          signal of the bus driver.

•    In case of emergency, students are to remain in the bus unless directed otherwise.
•    Any student not planning to ride home on his/her assigned bus must submit a written note by the

          parent to the school office for approval.

Students may be removed from the bus for misbehavior and transportation must then be provided by the parent.  Please note:  the student is still expected to attend school when bus privileges have been suspended.
Students who are reported by the bus drivers for an infraction of the above rules will be disciplined as follows and the parent/guardian notified:

• 1st offence—warning
• 2nd offence—removal from the bus for up to 3 days
• 3rd offense—removal from the bus for up to 5 days
• more than 3 offences will be subject of further disciplinary action

Fighting will be disciplined according to the school discipline code and may result in removal from the bus as well as other discipline.

Affirmative Action

                Pursuant to US Title IX and NJ Title 6:4, the Weymouth Township Board of Education shall provide equal educational and employment opportunity to all persons regardless of sex, race, color, origin, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, social or economic status.  Additionally, the Board of Education shall appoint an Affirmative Action Officer who will coordinate the district’s Affirmative Action activities and insure equal educational and employment access to all.  The Affirmative Action Officer for Weymouth Township School is Kathy Krattenmaker, who is located at the school at 1202 Eleventh Avenue, Dorothy, NJ (609) 476-2412.  The Policies, Plans and Grievance Procedures are kept in the Weymouth Township School Office.

Attendance

                New Jersey School Law requires that each child attend school every day school is in session except in cases of illness, death in the family or certain religious holidays.  Regular attendance is essential for good academic progress and to foster a sense of responsibility.
                When a student is absent, his/her parent or guardian must call the school (476-2412) before 9:00 a.m. to give notice of the absence.  In the event of a foreseen extended absence, the office should be notified of the anticipated dates of the student’s absence.  If the homeroom teacher reports a student absent and there has been no notice from the parent/guardian, the office staff will call the parent to verify absence.  Parental cooperation with this procedure is essential.  Upon returning to school, a note explaining the absence must be presented to the homeroom teacher.  If a student is absent for five consecutive days due to illness, they must return to school with a doctor’s note.  The school nurse will keep all doctor notes on file in the health office. If a student is going to be absent for several days, please call the office before noon if you wish work to be sent home the following day.  

                The Board of Education has a policy on Absences and Excuses #5113.  This includes an attendance requirement as follows:  A pupil must be in attendance for 162 or more school days in order to be considered to have successfully completed the instructional program requirements of the grade/course to which he/she is assigned.  Please remember that absences can be the cause of a student being retained.  PLEASE NOTE:  An “unexcused absence” indicates truancy from school.  An “excused absence” indicates that the student’s whereabouts were known, and includes serious illness.  The requirement for 162 days of school attendance INCLUDES both excused and unexcused absences (i.e. a student may miss ONLY 18 days of school each year, regardless of the reason—illness, family vacations, etc.  While a doctor’s note is required when a student returns following an illness, it does NOT reduce the total number days of required school attendance.

Basic Skills Improvement Program

                A multiply funded program, BSIP, is aimed at improving readiness skills in Kindergarten and Reading/Language Literacy and Mathematics skills in grades 1-8.  Students receive basic skills instruction in either pull-out or in class settings.  Standardized test results, teacher rating and grades determine eligibility for participation.

Bicycles

                Students in grades 4 through 8 may ride their bikes to school.  A form on the back of the emergency information card that is sent home with the opening packet must be filled out and signed by the parent/guardian and be on file in the main office before bikes may be ridden.  Please remember that New Jersey state law requires all students under the age of fourteen to wear a bike helmet.  The school is obligated to cooperate with this law.  Bikes are to be kept in the bike racks provided near the library.  A lock is encouraged. Bikers are to use the front door by Estelle Avenue for entrance and exit from the building.

Buses

                Transportation is supplied through Buena Regional School District.  It is expected that the assigned pick up point will be the drop off point unless a permanent arrangement has been made.  Bus changes must be processed through the Main Office and must be permanent.  Bus concerns should be brought to the attention of Buena’s Bus Coordinator.
                All students will be expected to ride the bus unless we receive notice in writing from the parent/guardian.

Cafeteria—Lunch Program

Lunches are provided daily through the National School Lunch Program.  Prices and menu information is provided on the menu which is distributed monthly.  Tickets may be purchased weekly on the first day of the week in the cafeteria between 8:30 and 8:40 a.m.  The school is not responsible for lost lunch tickets.  As part of the School Breakfast/Lunch Program, students who qualify are eligible for free or reduced lunch prices.  Applications are sent home to all parents and are to be returned in a timely fashion.  If desired, students may bring their own lunch.  Snacks and milk are also available.  Please refer to the cafeteria rules on page 3 of this handbook.
Breakfast will be available in the cafeteria from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.  Students will be given approximately 10 minutes to eat their breakfast and then will join their class.  There are two lunches. 
Students in PreK through 4 will have their lunch period 11:42 to 12:12.  Students in grades 5 through 8 will have their lunch period 12:12 to 12:42.  Students have approximately 30 minutes in the cafeteria for lunch.  A 30 minute recess period either precedes or follows lunch.
In an emergency, students are permitted to charge lunch.  Charging will result in peanut butter & jelly sandwich as the entrée choice.  Students who charge may not purchase snack items until the charge is paid.
Snacks are sold to supplement a student’s lunch.  At times snacks will not be sold.  Students should always eat their lunch before they purchase and eat snacks.

Car Riders

For safety reasons, no cars are to be in the bus loading zones.   Therefore, if you are dropping your child off in the morning, please use the visitor parking lot by the library.  Children (and parents) should use the sidewalk in front of the building to enter the play area.  In inclement weather please enter the building using the Estelle Ave.  door and proceed to the All Purpose Room.

                At dismissal the following procedure will be followed:

• Car riders will be called at approximately 2:52 and will report to the front door by Estelle Avenue.
• When students are orderly, those in grades 5 through 8 will be dismissed.  They are expected to walk to your car.
• All students in grades PreK through 4 will be held at the door for parental pick up.  Upon pick up their safety is then dependent upon you.
• For safety sake, we ask that children not rum around in the parking lot nor be left unattended if you enter the building.
• At 3:00 any child that has not been picked up will be taken to the main office.  If you do not see your child waiting for you at the Estelle Avenue entrance, please come to the main office door and ring the bell.  The building is still secured at this time.
• The school needs a note from the parent/guardian if the student will be a car rider.  For safety concerns, this note must specify the date or dates the student will be picked up and by whom.

Child Study Team/Special Education Program

                The Child Study Team consists of a Learning Disability/Teacher Consultant, a Psychologist, and a Social Worker who also serves as CST Coordinator.  Identification of students in need of special education services should be brought to the attention of the CST Coordinator or Dr. Van Horn, CSA.
                Our special Education programs are for children who have been identified as eligible for special education services under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.  A full continuum of services is provided as per Administrative Code.

Child Find

                If you are noticing any problems in your preschool child such as:

• By age 4, child is not talking in short sentences
• Child’s speech and/or language is not understood by people outside your family
• Child talks in very loud or very soft voice
• Child seems frustrated by simple tasks

Help is available!  To find out if your preschool child (age 3-5) is eligible for a free screening and special education program, contact the Weymouth Township School Child Study Team at 476-3921.

Clubs and After School Activities

                We offer students the ability to join clubs and organizations such as Safety Patrol, Intramural Sports and Drama Club.  Participation requirements include students receiving passing grades on their report card and passing work on progress reports.  Students who do not meet this academic requirement will be excluded from the activity until their grade improves.  Suspensions also restrict students from participating in clubs/after school activities.

Comprehensive Equity Plan

                Weymouth Township School District has completed our Comprehensive Equity Plan which ensures equal access to employment and all school facilities, programs, activities, and benefits for all students regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability or socioeconomic status.  It also prohibits or eliminates sexual harassment and harassment.  The Weymouth Township Board of Education has appointed Kathy Krattenmaker as Affirmative Action Officer including Title IX Coordinator.  Her office is in the Weymouth Township Elementary School located at 1202 Eleventh Avenue in Dorothy, NJ  The telephone number is 609-476-2412.  The district Comprehensive Equity Plan as well as the Board’s policies, grievance procedures and annual reports are kept in the Weymouth Township School office (1202 Eleventh Avenue, Dorothy, NJ) and are available for review in the office.

Conferences/Meeting with Teachers

                Regular communication between parents and teachers is of great importance.  Formal conferences are held twice a year.  The first conference will be held November 14, 17, & 18, 2008 at which time parents or guardians may request to meet with teachers.  In the upper grades where departmentalization occurs, parents will meet with the homeroom teacher.  The second conference is focused on teachers meeting with parents of students about whom they have academic or behavioral concerns.  These are scheduled for April 17, 20 & 21, 2009.
                Teachers are available to meet with parents during the school year at a mutually agreed upon time.  Generally, these meetings should be scheduled at 3:00 Monday through Thursday.  An appointment may be made by either directly contacting the teacher or calling the main office who will inform the teacher of the request.

Dances

                Dances are sponsored by Student Council and open to students in grades 6, 7, & 8.  Permission slips are required for admittance to dances.  Students are expected to follow the Dress Code listed in this handbook at all school events including dances.  Students who are absent on the day of the dance may not attend.  Students who have been suspended during the marking period may not attend.

Emergency Closing

                Regular sessions of school are canceled only in case of emergency.  Serious weather conditions that might cause a hazard to pupils are the primary reason for the emergency closing of school.  Notice of such closing is given over major radio stations covering the area.  (WOND 1400 Atlantic City, KYW 1060 Philadelphia, WAYV 95.1 Atlantic City,  WMGM 104 Linwood)  Television coverage is available on Channels 6, 10 and 40.  Our closing number is 916.  Please do not call the school.

Educational Field Trips

                Field trips are used as a learning device for teaching and learning that is related to the curriculum.  A signed permission form from the parent or guardian is required for all field trips.  Students may be excluded from trips for discipline reasons and/or safety concerns.

Fire Drills/Lock Down Drills

                Fire drills are held twice a month.  Diagrams showing evacuation routes are posted in each classroom.  Students are to take fire drills seriously and evacuate the building quietly and quickly.  Lock Down drills provide students and staff the opportunity to practice in the event of an intruder on school property.  Lock Down drills occur two times per year.

Grading

                Our grading policy in grades 3-8 conforms to the system used at Buena Regional School District.

                A             =              93-100
                B             =              85-92
                C             =              75-84
                D             =              70-74
                F              =              69 and below

                Students in grades 1 and 2 receive O=Outstanding S=Satisfactory U=Unsatisfactory.
Kindergarten students are graded on skill mastery.

Health Services

                A school nurse is employed to give the students maximum protection while they are entrusted to the care of the school.  Students at specified grades are examined for vision, hearing, blood pressure, height, weight, and screening for scoliosis in grades four through eight.  Parents may have students examined by their private physician and should speak to the school nurse regarding this.  The nurse is watchful for signs of communicable diseases and illnesses that may occur during the school day.  The nurse is not responsible for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injuries that occur at home.  Contagious diseases, such as measles and mumps, require exclusion from school.  A student may not be readmitted until cleared by a doctor.
                If under exceptional circumstances a child is required to take medication during school hours, Board Policy 5141.21 should be followed.  This policy also addresses the steps for approval of self-administration of medication.  Please contact the school nurse for further information.

Home and School Association

                The H.S.A. is an active group of parents and staff who meet monthly.  Meetings are held in the school media center.  Further information regarding the day and time will be available in September.  For a nominal fee you can join this group which is open to all parents/guardians and staff.  Fundraisers are held to provide funding for various school related activities.

Homework

                Homework is assigned to extend and reinforce the learning experience.  Parental support and cooperation is necessary so that homework will have a positive impact upon their child’s learning.  Providing an appropriate time, quiet work place and support helps to create a child’s sense of responsibility for learning.  Close communication between teacher and parents is essential in order to effectively coordinate this component of the educations program.
                The school, to assist students in documenting their assignments, sells a homework book.  While this is optional, most teachers do require a book to record assignments.  If you have any questions regarding homework, please contact your child’s teacher.

Immunization Requirements

                As of September 1, 2001, all children born after January 1, 1998 and who are entering kindergarten will be required to document three doses of hepatitis B vaccine, in addition to the previously required doses of MMR, DTP/DPT and polio vaccines.  Furthermore, as of September 1, 2001, all children born on or after January 1, 1990 and who are entering sixth grade shall be required to document receipt of hepatitis B vaccine series.  As of September 2003, all pupils in grade nine must also receive the hepatitis B vaccine.
                Additional immunizations required for admission to school are DTP, Polio, MMR, Varicella and HIB.  Please contact our school nurse for further information.

Intervention and Referral Service (I & RS)

                Intervention and referral services are available to assist students who are experiencing learning, behavior or health difficulties.  Parent participation in both the development and implementation of intervention and referral services action plans is required under school code. Contact Mrs. Fullmer for further information.

Late Arrival and Early Dismissal

                It is recognized that from time to time compelling circumstances will require that a student be late to school or dismissed before the end of the school day.  As the agent responsible for the education of the children of this district, the school shall require that we be notified in advance of such absences by written request of the student’s parent/guardian, which shall state the reason for the tardiness or early dismissal.  No student shall be permitted to leave the school before the close of the school day unless he/she is met in the school office by his/her parent/guardian.  If a person is authorized by the parent/guardian to act on their behalf a written note giving this authority must be provided.  This person must be 18 years of age or older.

Lockers

                Classroom location determines what classes use lockers.  For students who have lockers, the following procedures should be kept in mind.  1) Every student is responsible for the contents of his/her locker, which is to be used for school related items only. 2)  Locks are on loan and if lost, a $5.00 replacement charge will be collected.
 3)  Lockers are subject to random search at any time and individual lockers may be searched when deemed necessary.  4)  Anything displayed in the locker should be temporary in nature and appropriate to be seen by anyone in the school.  The school does not recognize any right of privacy that a student may wish to claim with regard to the locker.  Lockers will be checked periodically throughout the year for cleanliness by the principal or homeroom teacher.

Progress Reports

                Progress reports are sent home at mid marking period.  Progress reports will be sent home October 3, 2008, December 16, 2008,  March 4, 2009 and May 6, 2009.  Progress reports are to be signed and returned to the homeroom teacher the next day.

Report Cards

                Report cards are issued four times a year:  November 18, 2008, February 6, 2009, April 21, 2009 and the last day of school.  Report card envelopes are to be signed and returned to the homeroom teacher the next day.

Residency

Weymouth Township Board of Education requires Proof of Residency for registration in this district.  The following listed documents will fulfill that requirement:

                Current driver’s license showing address                                       Rental or Lease agreement
                Notarized letter from builder or realtor                                           Tax bill
                Utility bill                                                                                       Voter registration

This information must be presented upon registering your child in this district, prior to their first day of school.

Student Conduct and Behavior Expectations

Students at Weymouth Township School have the right and obligation to maintain an orderly, respectful manner that will insure a rewarding, learning atmosphere that is free from violence.  It is the student’s responsibility to obey rules and control his/her words and actions.

Discipline Procedures:

                Suspension    When the principal or her designee suspends a student, the parent is notified.  A second suspension of any kind will require a parental conference before the student is reinstated to class.  Suspensions are reported to the Board of Education at each monthly meeting and result in the student being excluded from class trips and other activities,  as determined by the administration,  that occur during that marking period.  Both in school and out of school suspension will be employed in the disciplinary process.  The student will not eat with their class nor participate in any classroom activity during that day.  An out of school suspension excludes the student from school for the duration of the suspension.  A suspension excludes the student from extra curricular activities held during the time of suspension.  The student is not to be on the school grounds during the time school is in session.

                Suspendable Offences  The following list of offenses and their consequences will be considered guidelines for violations of school rules.  Parents will be informed each time a student is suspended.  In some instances, parents may be required to remove the child from the school grounds immediately.  Each suspension listed is a full day suspension.  Other offenses may be considered suspendable as deemed appropriate by school authorities.  These guidelines for discipline implementation are subject to change as per yearly review or governmental mandates.  The Chief  School Administrator or her designee reviews information provided by the referring staff member on the discipline referral form and determines the consequence.

KEY        *Requires informing police of violation
                #Denotes reference to Drug Free School Zone Laws

Please note:  All out of school suspensions require a conference between the Chief School Administrator and parent/guardian before the student will be readmitted.

School Hours

                School is in session for Pre-kindergarten through eight on regular session days from 8:40 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Single session days start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m.  Supervision starts at 8:00 a.m.  Children should not arrive earlier as there is no supervision available.
                The school office is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The doors are locked at 4:00 and students and/or parents will not be admitted for “forgotten” items.

School Physicals

                Physical exams are required for all students entering Pre-kindergarten or Kindergarten or transferring into the district and students participating in inter-scholastic sports.  Because of a change in the law and the rules of the NJ State Board of Education and the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, parents are now required to obtain school physical examinations for their children through their family physician instead of the physicals being provided by the school district.  In your child does not have a family physician, nurse practitioner or doctor, please contact our school nurse, at 476-3690 for assistance.

Speech-Language Therapy

                Speech-language therapy is offered to students who experience communication difficulties in areas like articulation, fluency, and receptive and expressive language.  Students with these types of disorders must meet the eligibility criteria mandated by the State in order to receive services.  The therapist evaluates and provides instruction individually or in small groups depending on the needs of the students.  If you suspect a speech-language problem, please contact the school and speak with the Child Study Team Coordinator.

Student Records

                Parents or legal guardians have the right to review the records of their child.  If you wish to review the records of your child, please contact the school and set up an appointment with the administrator.

Textbooks

                Students are issued textbooks and are responsible for their care.  Teachers will note the condition of the textbooks at distribution.  Textbooks are not to be used as receptacles for loose papers, pens, etc.  Textbooks should be covered at all time with an appropriate cover.  Covers are not to be pasted or taped to the book.  Do not use contact paper.  When books are collected at the end of the year they will be inspected.  Damaged textbooks will result in a fine.

Transfer of Students

                If you plan to transfer your child(ren) form our school, we require 24 hours notice to obtain transfer records.  Please remember that we need your written authorization to send and/or release any records on your child.  A transfer card can be requested from the main office.

Visitors

                Visitors are welcome as long as they do not interrupt the educational process.  A “visitor” is anyone other than a pupil enrolled in or a staff member employed in the school.  All visitors are required to report to the main office upon arrival, state their business and get a visitor’s pass.  If you wish to visit a classroom an appointment should be made prior to your arrival.  If you are dropping off something for your child, the main office will handle delivery in a timely manner.

Walkers

                A note from the parent/guardian is required to be on file if the child is permitted to walk.  Walkers are to enter and exit the building using the front door by Estelle Avenue.

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