Primary Centers’ Parent Handbook
Summit Public Schools
Summit Primary Centers
Jefferson School – Wilson School
2013 - 2014
A MESSAGE TO PARENTS
Dear Summit Primary Center Parents,
Welcome to the Summit Primary Centers at Jefferson and Wilson Schools. We are happy to
present you with the Primary Centers’ Parent Handbook for 2013 – 2014. We believe
that children learn best when home and school work together to form a partnership in the
learning process. Effective communication is critical to building that relationship and the
information contained in the following pages will serve that end.
This handbook is an important resource. It has been written to give all families a general
overview of our schools’ practices and procedures. Please use it as a reference guide in your
time with us along with any correspondence you may receive from our offices and your child’s
teacher during the year. A complete review of Summit School District’s policies and regulations
can be found on the district’s website: http://www.summit.k12.nj.us/sps/policies/web_policies.htm.
We look forward to your participation in all aspects of school. As you read the information
enclosed, if you have any questions or concerns, please share this by contacting me. This will
allow me to address the matter and help improve the handbook in the coming months.
We are happy to welcome your children as they start this amazing adventure of school and
learning. We look forward to a successful and rewarding year.
Sincerely,
Felix Gil
Principal
TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK REFERENCES
Jefferson School – Organizational Sheet
Wilson School – Organizational Sheet
2
3
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
I.
Entering Preschool and Kindergarten
II.
Helping Your Child Learn
III.
Curriculum & Assessment
IV.
Homework
V.
School Conferences and Report Cards
4
4-5
5
5-6
6
EVERYDAY MATTERS
I.
School Hours – Arrival & Departure
II.
School Dismissal Policy
III.
School Closings or Delayed Openings
IV.
Single Sessions
V.
Attendance/Tardiness Guidelines
VI.
Calendars
VII.
Early Dismissal
VIII. Emergency Closing
IX.
Emergency Early Dismissal
X.
Dressing for School
XI.
Birthday Parties
XII.
PTO/PTA
XIII. School Visitations
7-8
8
8-9
9-10
11-12
12
12
12
13
13
14
14
14
WELLNESS
I.
Health Services at the Primary Centers
II.
Illness
III.
Medication
IV.
When Should You Keep Your Child Home
14
14
15
15
SCHOOL SAFETY
I.
Behavior/Discipline
II.
Accident Insurance
III.
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
15-16
16
16
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS
I.
Special Education Services
16-17
APPENDIX
A. Arrival/Departure Maps and Fact Sheet
B. District Calendar
18
SUMMIT PRIMARY CENTER at JEFFERSON SCHOOL – 2013-2014
110 Ashwood Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
Phone: 908.918.2160
Fax: (908) 918-2133
(To call, please dial the main number and the corresponding extention for the person you wish to reach)
(To email staff, enter address as <[email protected]> - i.e. [email protected])
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
6750
Mr. Felix Gil, Principal
6752
Mrs. Eileen Mortenson, Secretary
6751
Mrs. Beatriz Mendez, Nurse
3613
Ms. Debbie Kosak, Special Services
KINDERGARTEN
6604
Mrs. Stefanie DeCarlo, Teacher – Ms. Stephanie Ianniello, Instructional Aide
6375
Ms. Amanda Baker, Teacher – Mrs. Barbara Mansfield, Instructional Aide
6173
Mrs. Nancy Fields, Teacher – Mrs. Diane Kostibos, Instructional Aide
KINDERGARTEN - 2
6496
Ms. Lisa Belluzzi, Teacher
Ms. Samantha DeSanto, Ms. Suzanne DiTacconi, Ms. Karen Nedo, Ms. Anne Rispoli, Instructional Aides
KINDERGARTEN - 2
6391
Ms. Joy Giamalva, Teacher
Ms. Nancy Attanasio, Ms. Jenna Buccelli, Ms. Emily Massler, Ms. Meredith Sandler, Instructional Aides
PRE-K
6457
Mrs. Lynette Dorsey, Teacher
Mrs. Kathy Byers and Ms. Treasa Lee, Inclusion Aides
5599
Ms. Melanie Richeda, Teacher
Ms. Teresa Cupo and Ms. Christine Turner, Inclusion Aides
THE CONNECTION – KINDERQUEST (273-4242)
Mrs. Stephanie LaPorta, Teacher
Ms. Erin Daly, Instructional Aide
Ms. Sarah Beers, Instructional Aide
Ms. Susan Siberine , Supervisor
SPECIALISTS
6349
May Beaubrun, Behaviorist
Ms. Diane Dreisbach, Special Education Teacher
3853
Ms. Rachel Gordon Killeen, Physical Education Teacher
6474
Mrs. Samantha Heimple, Kindergarten Support Teacher
6372
Mrs. Patricia Natale, Librarian
6383
Ms. Jessica Orr, Speech Therapist
6334
Mrs. Janet Warbeck, ESL Teacher
6309
Ms. Mary Jo Reid, Behaviorist
6284
Ms. Diana Suarez-Ganguzza, ESL Teacher
CHILD STUDY TEAM
3616
Mrs. Marie Adam, Social Worker
6347
Mrs. Iris Diamant, LDTC, Child Study Team/Case Manager
3611
Ms. Joy Stopol, Speech Therapist
3612
Mrs. Daniela Szalanczi, Psychologist
CUSTODIANS
Bob Kersting, Head Custodian
Dave McKoy, Day Custodian
Bill Tomazewski, Day Custodian
Jose Manzanet, Night Custodian
Ms. Ann Cutalo - COTA
Ms Carolyn Driscoll - OT
Mr. Marc Helders - PT
Mrs. Kristine Parente - OT
2
SUMMIT PRIMARY CENTER at WILSON SCHOOL – 2013-2014
14 Beekman Terrace, Summit NJ 07901
908.918.2175
Fax 908.918.2134
(To call, please dial the main number and the corresponding extention for the person you wish to reach)
(To email staff, enter address as <[email protected]> - i.e. [email protected])
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
6650 Mr. Felix Gil, Principal
6651 Mrs. Monica Cattano, Nurse
6652
3613
Mrs. Judy Shulze, Secretary
Mrs. Debbie Kosak, Special Services
CLASSROOMS
Kindergarten
6268
6471
6566
Ms. Francine Curcio, Teacher
Mrs. Denise Osmulski, Aide
Ms. Leslie Gueci, Teacher
Mrs. Beela Shakaren
Mrs. Judi Fisher, Teacher
Jennifer Dugan, Aide, Elizabeth Carpenter, Aide
Mrs. Amanda Jacobs, Teacher
Mrs. Gina Wood, Ms. Anne Paris, Aides, AM
PreSchool
6573 Mrs. Rachel Blomstrand, Teacher
Joanna Romano, Daniel Del Piana &
Mrs. Irene Houck, Aides
6663
6563
Ms. Susan Clamser, Teacher
Ms. Carmo Ferrieri, Stacy Callaway, Joan Hernandez, Aides
Mrs. Suzanne Shire, Teacher
Mrs. Lisa Osborne & Ms. Christine Grassia, Aides
THE CONNECTION – KINDERQUEST
Mrs. Susan Siberini, Supervisor
6608 Ms. Annie Huber, Teacher
Mrs. Carmella Cucciniello, Aide
6610
Ms. Joanne Campbell, Teacher
Ms. Neus Xatart
6634
6636
6649
Physical Therapy
Multi-purpose Room
Faculty Room
CUSTODIAL SERVICES
6646 Mr. Rodrigo Hernandez
6646 Mr. Roy Lin
SPECIALIST
6466 Ms. Carole Stubeck, Librarian
3853 Ms. Rachel Gordon, Physical Education Teacher
6536 Ms. Cindy Abramov, Librarian
CHILD STUDY TEAM
3616 Mrs. Marie Adam, Social Worker
6773 Mrs. Iris Diamant, LDTC, Child Study Team/Case Manager
3625 Ms. Melissa Gitlitz, Speech Therapist
6182 Ms. Jennifer Curcio, Speech Therapist
3612 Mrs. Daniela Szalanczi, Psychologist
3627 Ms. Rachel Wohl, May Beauburn, Behavorist
3854 Mrs. Carloyn Kiley, Special Education Teacher (AM)
6614 Valarie Coronel, ESL Teacher
OTHER LOCATIONS
6614 SGI & Support Room
6620 Conference Room
6622 Copy Room
6647 Occupational Therapy
3
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
I. ENTERING PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN
Whether your child is a seasoned nursery school student or is new to the classroom
experience, the Summit Public Schools preschool and kindergarten programs provide the best
combination of learning and play activities to enhance his or her development. Every activity in
which our students engage is part of a planned curriculum designed, at their own pace, to
develop their individual skills in language, reading and writing readiness, math, science and social
studies. They will be building knowledge of numbers, letters, sounds, language, shapes, and colors. They
will encounter new ideas, books, stories, fine arts, and music. They will be encouraged to think,
listen, be creative, and to develop focus and concentration. Early childhood education is a time
of growing up: physically - as the children's fine and gross motor skills improve; emotionally - as
they become more independent and accept more responsibility; and socially - as they work and
play with classmates. Preschool and kindergarten is fun, too. Taking the teacher's hand on the first day of school, the
new students will enter a wonderful, exciting, colorful room where each day will be a new
adventure. They will also meet new friends and with them begin a journey into learning that will
last a lifetime.
In addition, kindergarten students will have a weekly formal physical education and library
studies. Preschool teachers will integrate similar instruction in their regular, in-class program.
II. HELPING YOUR CHILD LEARN
Education does not start when children begin formal schooling nor does it take a break when
they return home from school. You, as parents, are your children’s first and most enduring
teachers. When you encourage them to try something new, share with them a favorite story,
work with them to compose a grocery list and answer their many questions about the world,
you are a teacher. As teachers, parents strive constantly to expand their children's knowledge and work to help
them understand themselves. While the schools have a role in seeing that children grow to full
potential, parents share this development. Parents are ultimately accountable for their children
growing to be independent, critical thinking and responsible adults. Before your child enters his/her school, you have an opportunity to ensure that the new
experience will be a happy one. If you have a positive attitude toward school, chances are your
child will as well. 3
Throughout the year, continue to reinforce positive attitudes toward learning. Here are some
suggestions on how you can do this: • Read to your child daily. If you can't, be sure someone else does. • Play math and number games with your child. • Spend time looking at pictures, books, magazines and newspapers and identifying
objects. • Spend time with your child. Take a walk, go to a museum or a ball game or simply sit
and talk – conversation is invaluable in language development! • Regulate and supervise television viewing; it is not as valuable as activities where your
child is an active agent. • Encourage your child's independence and self-discipline. • See that your child gets the proper amount of rest and sleep. • Show an interest in each school experience. • Accept your child as an individual who progresses at a personal rate; avoid making
comparisons with siblings or peers.
• Assure your child of your love daily.
• Be a good listener.
III. CURRICULUM & ASSESSMENT
As a parent, you are very aware that all children are different and so are their educational
needs. Individualization and differentiation are the mainstays of education in Summit schools.
The planning of this individualization begins before the child enters the classroom. An example:
at the spring assessments, a teacher and other staff members met with your child to assess
school readiness. Subsequently, the preschool and kindergarten curriculum is designed to allow
teachers to take what they learned about your child and tailor their instruction accordingly
through a mix of whole-class, small group, and individual instruction.
Please note that it is not an expectation that children enter kindergarten as readers. However,
to illustrate the point made above, differentiation will allow teachers to further develop
children who are readers, as well as those that will acquire those skills as the year progresses.
Language development as a whole is of particular importance in our program of study as it is an
essential foundation for all learning. A typical day in an early-childhood class will include
meaningful concept and skill activities designed to expand language use and vocabulary and lay
the foundation for reading, writing, and mathematics. Literacy, mathematics, social studies, and
science instruction will be designed to encourage thought, develop comprehension, and grow
logical reasoning.
IV. HOMEWORK
We recognize the educational validity of homework as an important part of the learning
process. Therefore, developmentally appropriate homework is a regular part of the total
program in all grades. Homework reinforces and expands the daily instruction and learning
students receive in school, stimulates and fosters intellectual development, reinforces the
application of basic skills, encourages the creative use of abilities, broadens interests, and
develops positive study habits and independent study skills. 4
Generally, homework should not require additional instruction by parents although parental
interest and encouragement are considered vital. To complete homework, your child should
have a quiet place to study, needed materials, and your continuing interest and support. You
should not "do" homework for your child but you can help by asking questions; the answers
will help the child see the process for solving the problems. Homework should not frustrate
the child. If you find this, or have any other concerns, please let your child's teacher know.
V. SCHOOL CONFERENCES & REPORT CARDS
Your child's development in school will flourish when he/she, you, and their teacher
communicate and form a supportive relationship. Parents may contact their child's teacher at
any time throughout the year to discuss their child or to arrange for an individual conference.
Parents are also encouraged to volunteer at school activities and to participate in the PTA or
PTO. We encourage parents to start building effective communication by attending Back-to-School
Night on September 17th at Wilson Primary Center and September 18th at Jefferson Primary
Center at 7:00 PM. In addition, your child's teacher will also be glad to speak with you on the
telephone or set up a personal appointment to answer questions or share thoughts. It is best to reach your child’s teacher by emailing the teacher or calling and leaving a voice mail
and your message will be returned as soon as possible. If your message is not returned within
24 hours, which is district policy, please try again… your message may not have been received.
You can email any staff member by [email protected]. An example: to
reach Susan Smith, the email would be [email protected]. Telephone numbers are
listed on the organizational sheets included in this handbook.
Preschool and kindergarten students receive two report cards throughout the year in addition
to progress/goal reports at regular intervals. Parents will also have one scheduled conference.
The first conference for preschool parents begins in November; Kindergarten conferences are
held in January. As needed, telephone conference(s) with the teacher will follow.
Lastly, be on the lookout for additional information from your child’s teacher. He/she may
offer additional avenues to strengthen a home-school connection.
5
EVERYDAY MATTERS
I. SCHOOL HOURS – ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Please note that we have five (5) distinct early childhood programs in our buildings. They are:
• Kindergarten
• Half-Day Preschool
• Full Day Preschool (Wilson Primary)
• Kindergarten - 2 Giamalva (Jefferson Primary)
• Kindergarten - 2 Belluzzi (Jefferson Primary)
As you review the hours for arrival and departures, check to make sure you are reading the
hours that correspond to the particular program your child is attending.
The schedules at the Primary Centers are as follows:
Kindergarten
AM Program
Drop-off
Instruction Time
Pick-up
8:15 to 8:30
8:30 to 11:22
11:22
PM Program
Drop-off
Instruction Time
Pick-up
12:15 to 12:22
12:22 to 3:15
3:15 – 3:30
Half-Day Preschool Program
AM Program, Monday - Thursday
Drop-off
8:50 to 9:00
Instruction Time
9:00 to 11:30
Pick-up
11:30
PM Program, Monday - Thursday
Drop-off
12:20 to 12:30
Instruction Time
12:30 to 3:00
Pick-up
3:00 – 3:15
Full-Day Preschool Program
Monday – Thursday
Drop-off
8:45 to 9:00
Instruction Time
9:00 to 3:00
Pick-up
3:00
Friday
Drop-off
Instruction Time
Pick-up
8:45 to 9:00
9:00 to 11:30
11:30
Kindergarten - 2 Giamalva
Drop-off
8:15 to 8:30
Instruction Time
8:30 to 3:15
Pick-up
3:15 – 3:30
Kindergarten - 2 Belluzzi
Instruction Time
9:00 to 3:15
Arrival and Departure Procedures
Drop-off:
• Identification placards, bright colored signs printed on 8.5” x 11” laminated cardstock, will be
issued for each student and must be prominently displayed on the passenger side dashboard or
visor of your car to identify the student and family. The signs will be available for pick-up during
the drop-in hours on September 4th; otherwise, you may see our school secretary on the first day
6
•
•
•
of school.
Parents will drive their vehicle to the school drop-off area (see Appendix A), where a classroom
aide will meet the car and escort the student into the school.
If a child experiences difficulty going with the school aide, parents should park in the visitors
parking area and escort their child inside, making sure to sign the child in with the school secretary.
If parents have a reason to come into the building with their child, they should park in the visitors
parking area and walk their child into the building, making sure to sign the child in with the school
secretary.
Pick-up:
• The identification placard must be prominently displayed on the passenger side dashboard or visor
to identify the driver as authorized to pick-up the child. If carpooling, please notify the teacher
and/or aide, and include all the names of children you will pick-up on the placard.
• Parents will drive their vehicles to the school pick-up area (see Appendix A).
• The classroom aides will bring students to their cars. Aides will buckle in the child. As soon as this
is done, parents will leave the area as soon as possible to allow another five cars to pull up.
• Parents are discouraged from parking their cars anywhere near the pick-up area or leaving their car
while in the pick-up line. No car should pass another car that is ahead of them in the pick-up line.
Order and safety must be foremost in our minds during pick-up and drop-off hours.
We ask for your patience and cooperation during this part of the day, especially in the
first few weeks of operation. At the start of the year, in most schools, arrivals and
departures consume more time than we should normally anticipate. This is particularly
true in an early childhood setting. However, as the routine becomes more familiar to all
involved, especially our children, arrivals and departures become a seamless component
of what happens at school.
Upon arrival, all students will be escorted into the building to the Multi Purpose Room
and form lines according to classes. There will be personnel “on duty” beginning each
morning at 8:15 AM and 12:15 PM each afternoon. There is no supervision prior to
these times for students. If you arrive late, please park your car in a visitor’s space and
escort your child to the office. For the safety of your child, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR
CHILD DOES NOT ARRIVE ON SCHOOL GROUNDS PRIOR TO 8:15 AM AND
12:15 PM AS THERE IS NO SUPERVISION PRIOR TO DROP OFF TIMES.
Please be aware and follow the drop off and pick up procedures outlined in the
handbook. If you have any questions, please contact the office.
II. SCHOOL DISMISSAL POLICY
According to School Board Policy 8601, children may be dismissed only to those listed
on the Summit Public Schools Dismissal form. If your child needs to be dismissed to
someone not designated, permission must be in writing. Please note that phone
calls cannot be accepted.
III. SCHOOL CLOSINGS OR DELAYED OPENINGS
It is the policy of the Summit School District to close only in the case of emergencies.
The prime consideration is the safety of the children. Schools may close for the entire
day, or on certain occasions, there may be a delayed opening rather than closing for the
entire day.
7
The following is the schedule on such days for the various programs we serve:
What Delayed Openings Mean for Kindergarten:
On a delayed opening, the AM Kdg. drop off starts at 10:00 AM and students
attend school from 10:15 AM to 12:45 PM. PM Kdg. drop off starts at 12:35 PM
and students attend school from 12:45 PM to 3:15 PM.
What Delayed Openings Mean for Half-Day Preschool:
Please note that in the event of a delayed opening, the AM preschool classes will
be cancelled. The PM preschool classes follow a regular schedule.
What Delayed Openings Mean for Full-Day Preschool, Kindergarten – 2
Giamalva and Kindergarten - 2 Belluzzi:
The preschoolers in the full day program at Wilson Primary Center and
Kindergarten - 2 Giamalva and Kindergarten - 2 Belluzzi at Jefferson Primary
Center will come in at 10:15 AM and dismiss at their regular time.
Many parents will normally ask, “How do I find out if there is a closing?” There are two
ways to find this information:
•
First: the District Notification System will contact the phone, email and text that
the parents indicated on the Registration form.
•
Second: an announcement will be posted on the district's main telephone
number - 908.918.2100 - and on the calendar link of the district's web site,
www.summit.k12.nj.us.
Please do not call the police or fire departments, the superintendent, or the school to
find out if school is in session. Should there be school on days of inclement weather, the decision whether or not to
send children to school rests with you. Parents have the ultimate responsibility for the
safety of their children, and we respect your judgment.
IV. SINGLE SESSIONS
Single Sessions may occur on days before the start of vacations or when teachers are
scheduled for specialized training. Single Session Days are noted on the District Calendar
(see Appendix B).
What Single Sessions Mean for Kindergarten:
On Single Session days, the AM kindergarten drop off begins at 8:15 AM and
students attend school from 8:30 to 11 AM. PM kindergarten drop off begins at
9:20 AM and students attend school from 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM. On parent
conference days, both sessions of kindergarten attend school during regular
hours.
8
What Single Sessions Mean for Half-Day Preschool
On days listed as “single session” the half-day morning preschool schedule is as
follows: 9:00 AM –10:40 PM.
On days listed as “single session” the half-day afternoon preschool schedule is as
follows: 10:45 AM – 12:25 PM.
What Single Sessions Mean for Full-Day Preschool (Wilson), Kindergarten – 2
Giamalva and Kindergarten - 2 Belluzzi (Jefferson):
On days listed as “single session”
• If a Single Session falls Monday-Thursday, the full-day preschoolers attend
class from 9:00 AM –12:25 PM.
• If a Single Session happens to fall on Friday, the full-day preschoolers
attend class 9:00 AM –11:30 AM.
• Kindergarten – 2 Giamalva attends school from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
• Kindergarten – 2 Belluzzi attends school from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
A REVIEW OF HOURS FOR DELAYED OPENINGS
Instruction Time
Drop Off
Pick Up
AM Kindergarten
10:15 – 12:45
10:00 – 10:15*
12:45
PM Kindergarten
12:45 - 3:15
12:35 – 12:45
3:15
Kindergarten – 2 Giamalva
10:15 – 3:15
10:00 – 10:15
3:15
Kindergarten – 2 Belluzzi
10:15 – 3:15 (Jefferson Primary Center)
AM Preschool
Cancelled
PM Preschool
12:30 – 3:00
Full Day Preschool
10:15 – 3:00 (Wilson Primary Center)
A REVIEW OF HOURS FOR SINGLE SESSIONS
Instruction Time
Drop Off
AM Kindergarten
8:30 – 11:00
8:15 – 8:30
Pick Up
11:00
PM Kindergarten
9:30 - 12:00
9:20 – 9:30
12:00
Kindergarten – 2 Giamalva
8:30 – 12:00
8:15 – 8:30
12:00
Kindergarten – 2 Belluzzi
9:00 – 12:30 (Jefferson Primary Center)
AM Preschool
9:00 – 10:40
8:50 – 9:00
10:40
9
PM Preschool
10:45 – 12:25
10:40 – 10:45
12:25
Full Day Preschool
9:00 – 12: 25 Mon.–Thurs. (Wilson Primary Center)
9:00 – 11:30 Friday only
* If you have an elementary school student, please drop off your kindergarten student at
10:00 AM and proceed to the elementary school for the 10:15 AM drop off.
V. ATTENDANCE/TARDINESS GUIDELINES
Regular attendance in class, participation in class activities, and interaction between
pupils and teachers are vital and integral parts of the learning process. Frequent
absences and being tardy disrupt the continuity of the instructional program and hinder
student learning. Research has shown that when school attendance drops below 93
percent, student performance on standardized tests and similar measures of learning
significantly decreases. If your child is going to be absent, you should notify the school by phone before
9:00 a.m. on the morning of the day your child will not be in attendance. If no such
notification is received, office personnel will attempt to contact you or your designee to
locate the child. If no one is able to be located, the police will be contacted. If you
anticipate future or prolonged absences, you should notify the principal and teacher as
soon as possible.
Absence for reasons of illness: If your child shows symptoms of illness such as persistent coughing or sneezing,
99.1 degrees Fahrenheit or higher temperature, eye inflammation, sore throat, nausea,
diarrhea, swollen glands, head cold, etc., PLEASE do not send your child to school. Such
symptoms would be cause for the nurse to send the child home since they indicate the
start of an illness. A child should be fever-free for 24 hours without
medication before returning to school. Please note that we require a doctor’s
note if absences go beyond 5 consecutive days due to an illness.
There are “excused” and “unexcused” absences as well as parameters for attendance
considered “tardy.” A definition of these terms follows:
Excused Absences: • Student illness or accident
• Death or serious illness of a family member or other significant person
• Religious holidays
• Attendance required in legal proceedings
• Other administratively approved absence Unexcused Absences: • Vacations scheduled when school is in session
• Nonattendance not covered by an excused absence
10
On the subject of vacations: School personnel are concerned when families schedule vacations
at times when school is in session. The district does not condone this practice and the teaching
staff will not provide specific assignments prior to students going on vacation.
Tardiness:
It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to see that their child arrives at school in
order to be in the classroom at the start of instruction. Anytime after that is considered
tardy.
VI. CALENDAR
The District Calendar for 2013 – 2014 indicating the dates for Single Sessions, vacations,
and other important school events is attached (Appendix B). The calendar is also
available on the district website.
VII. EARLY DISMISSAL
Requests for children to be dismissed earlier than the regular dismissal hour are not
encouraged but if necessary, the request must be sent to school in writing in advance. A
child will be released only in the company of an authorized adult who must pick up the
child in the school office.
VIII. EMERGENCY CLOSING
In the event that school must remain closed because of inclement weather or an
emergency situation at the school, the District Notification System will contact all
homes by telephone, email and/or text as designated on the District Notification System
form. Every effort will be made to contact families well in advance of the time when
children would normally leave for school.
In addition to the District Notification System, here are other ways to find out if school
is closed or if there is a delayed opening.
•
Board of Education: The main number:
908-918-2100 will have a taped message.
•
District Web Site: www.summit.k12.nj.us
There will be a message inserted on the district calendar,
accessible from the calendar link from the home page of the site.
11
IX. EMERGENCY EARLY DISMISSAL
There may arise an occasion when the children may need to be dismissed before the
regular closing time due to an emergency situation in the school or because of
inclement weather conditions. If you have children in more than one school and are
delayed in picking up your child, be assured that your child will be supervised until you
arrive. For early dismissal, a district approved emergency school closing procedure will
go into effect. If we are not able to contact the parent, guardians or designees, do not
have written or verbal instruction, and are unable to contact the persons listed on the
emergency card, it is the practice at the Primary Centers that children will remain
supervised at the school until they have been picked up by a parent, guardian or
designee.
All parents must make plans for their children in the event of an early dismissal. Please
make sure your child is aware and knowledgeable of these plans so that he/she will not
be upset in the event of an early dismissal.
X. DRESSING FOR SCHOOL
Here are a few points to keep in mind when dressing your child for school:
•
Please be aware that the children will participate in activities that may be messy
– fun, but messy. We will provide smocks and every effort will be made to keep
their clothes clean. However, accidents happen and clothes may get dirty. In
this instance, it is best to not dress your children in their best clothes. In
addition, if you have girls, please know that during class they will be most
comfortable in shorts or pants. Full or long skirts tend to get caught when
playing, running, and climbing. This can create an unnecessary danger on the
playground.
•
Do not have the children wear jewelry to school. It can easily catch when the
children are running and playing and can cause injury.
•
Please do not use perfumes, colognes, or heavily scented lotions on your
children before school. These may cause allergic reactions in some of the other
children.
•
Lastly, your child must wear sneakers or rubber-soled shoes to school. They are
the safest footwear on the playground equipment and for our many active games.
Sandals are never a good idea even if they have rubber soles. On inclement days
when boots are worn, please send rubber-soled shoes in the backpack for your
child to use. “Crocs” are not acceptable footwear since they do not provide
enough stability for the foot.
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XI. BIRTHDAY PARTIES
We are often asked, “Can I celebrate my child’s birthday in his class?” The policies
regarding birthday celebrations and treats vary by class. If you wish to have a classroom
celebration for your child, you must check with your child’s teacher to determine how
to best handle the party. He/she will alert you to any potential conflicts with the
instructional program, district nutritional policies, and any food restrictions due to
allergies children in the class may have or other such extenuating circumstances.
XII. PTO/PTA
The first meeting of our PTO/PTA will be Sept. 23rd at 9:00 AM at
Jefferson Primary Center and Sept. 24th at 9:00 AM at Wilson Primary
Center. In the proud tradition of civic engagement and parent involvement in Summit
Public Schools, we look forward to your participation.
XIII. SCHOOL VISITATIONS
We encourage parents to visit the Primary Centers. We request that parents and other
visitors call the office to schedule classroom visitations in advance of the actual visit.
For the safety and welfare of our students and staff, all visitors must sign in and out of
the office.
WELLNESS
1. HEALTH SERVICES AT THE PRIMARY CENTERS
Health services in the Summit Public Schools include nurses at school sites. Some of
their responsibilities include conducting hearing and vision tests, assisting the school
doctors, maintaining health records, and instructing classes on a variety of health,
nutrition, and human growth topics. If necessary, they may also dispense prescribed
medicines.
Nurses are also on hand if your child becomes ill during school hours. In such an
instance, you or the emergency contact you have designated will be called. It is
important that you have one or two responsible adults - friends or neighbors - available
to pick up your child if you are unable to do so. To help avert such situations, please be
sure your children are in good health before sending them to school (see When
Should You Keep Your Child Home, under point IV, in this section).
II. ILLNESS
You may find that your child may get more colds if he/she is attending school for the
first time. This is typical (it even happens to new teachers) because they are being
exposed to many new germs. Although this is to be expected, we make every effort to
limit the possibilities. We do this by washing our hands often, and disinfecting furniture
and toys on a regular basis.
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III. MEDICATION
The teachers or the school nurse may not administer any medication unless we have
written permission from your doctor. There are forms available in the office that your
doctor may fill out. Medication sent to school (once we have a doctor’s note) must be
in it’s original, labeled bottle.
IV. WHEN SHOULD YOU KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME?
If your child has a cold with a thick, discolored nasal discharge, he/she should stay home.
If your child has been vomiting, please wait 24 hours after the last episode before having
him/her return to school. Your child should be fever free for 24 hours before returning
to school.
SCHOOL SAFETY
I. BEHAVIOR/DISCIPLINE
In the Summit Public Schools, students are expected to respect their teachers and
classmates. Disruptions are kept to a minimum and are dealt with firmly, fairly, and
quickly. This forms the basis for a positive school culture where our children are safe
and free to thrive.
To encourage good behavior and self-discipline, careful attention is given to a child’s
social-emotional well being in the school setting. This includes direct and in-direct
instruction on how to understand and manage one’s emotions, as well as how to
interact, collaborate, and work with others. This will help all students develop a healthy
sense of self and a deeper understanding of how they relate to other children and
adults.
If ever your preschool or kindergarten child is involved in a discipline-related incident in
school, how we address the matter – providing intervention and/or assigning
consequences – will be guided by strategies and practices appropriate to the early
childhood learner. In addition to this, we assure you that in such a case, to the best of
our ability, we will provide you with:
• An understanding of the incident
• A description of what may have preceded the event
• An explanation of how the school will intervene to support your child
For your information, the following is a general overview of Summit Public Schools
policies on school violence in all district schools:
If any student should act in a violent manner, threaten violence, and that threat is
verified, we will take appropriate action that can include counseling, required
therapeutic interventions, and where appropriate, suspension or cooperation with
outside authorities. 14
Vandalism - the willful destruction of school property - is considered a flagrant disregard
of the rights of others and may result in suspension or, in extreme cases, expulsion from
school, and may also lead to cooperation with outside authorities. We also consider acts of sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation as serious
offenses. We will intervene to address students who are identified as engaging in this
type of behavior.
There is a growing concern nationwide regarding violence in schools. We encourage
parents to speak with their children about this issue and how it has increased the
emphasis on appropriate behavior in school. Students must be made aware that when
they are in school they may not do or say things that suggest intent of violence. They
may not, even in jest, threaten to harm or “kill” anyone or themselves. Today's media
exposes our children to a broad and often lenient range of behaviors. Our students
must be made to realize that certain behaviors they see in the movies or on TV are not
acceptable behaviors in schools. The board of education is committed to providing a safe school environment and has
adopted zero tolerance policies and regulations regarding weapons. The consequences
for violation of these policies and regulations are severe. Parents are asked to promote
good discipline by helping their children develop a sense of responsibility, encouraging
their respect for authority, helping them develop a sense of respect for and
understanding of the importance of an education, and by examining their own attitudes
toward discipline and learning to assure that they are serving as good role models for
their children. II. ACCIDENT INSURANCE
The Summit Board of Education annually arranges for accident insurance coverage for
students to be made available at a cost to parents. In the event of an accident, parents
will receive claim forms and will handle the details with the insurance company.
III. EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES
We make provisions for every kind of emergency including cases where our building is
not safe for students. These include situations such as fire or threats to the building’s
structural integrity. Rest assured, we are prepared for such contingencies should the
safety of your children and our staff require it.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS
I. SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES
The Office of Special Education Services offers supportive assistance to teachers,
parents, and students in the areas of educational growth and development. Among the
specialists in this office are psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists,
behaviorists, learning disability specialists, and social workers. 15
Under federal and New Jersey laws, the Special Education Services Child Study Team
(CST) is required to evaluate potentially handicapped students to determine if they are
eligible for special education and/or related services. Resource center instruction offers
individual or small group instruction that replaces or supplements instruction in the
regular class. This program can be provided in the student's regular education class or in
a designated resource center. Most students receive their special education programs
through resource center intervention. However, other placement options are available
when determined appropriate. Many services are offered under the umbrella term of “Special Education Services.”
Speech and language services, for example, are available and are provided to eligible
students who demonstrate a mild to moderate disorder in language, articulation, voice,
or fluency, and are provided by a speech language therapist. Occupational therapy is
another such service. If you feel your child needs special education services, please write a letter to your
child’s principal who will forward the request to the appropriate professional on staff.
Within 20 days after receiving the written request, the staff member will communicate
with you. If they determine that an evaluation is warranted, he/she must secure your
consent before proceeding with the evaluation. After the evaluation is conducted,
he/she will meet with the parent to discuss the findings and, when appropriate, create a
plan for services.
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APPENDIX
Arrival / Departure Maps and Fact Sheet
District Calendar
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