Policies & Procedures

Attendance

Absence

Arrival & Dismissal Procedures

Morning Arrival:

• Students may be dropped off as early at 7:40 a.m. 
• For the safety of your child, DO NOT leave your child at school if there is no school monitor at the front entrance.
• Pull into the school circle and the school aides will assist your child at the curb.  Curbside assistance begins at 8am.
• DO NOT park along Upland St. in the morning.
• Please park in the parking lot if you must walk your child in. 

Please do not park along Upland Street in the morning or in the driveway’s fire lane.  Please stay in line and park in a proper parking space if you must walk your child in.  Please proceed with caution at all times and remember the safety of our students is our priority.  If there are buses dropping off children, please do not pass them.    If at any time it is necessary for you to visit the school, YOU MUST SIGN-IN at the security desk and then proceed to the office.

Afternoon Dismissal:

• Grades K, 1, and 2 are dismissed at 2:50.  Grades 3, 4, and 5 are dismissed at 2:55. 
• Students are dismissed directly from the outside door of their classroom.  
• You may park in the main lot or along the driveway as directed by security.  You may also park on the south side (school side) of Upland Street. 
• Please do not park on the north side of Upland Street as it poses a problem for safety and the flow of traffic. 
• Please proceed with caution at all times - there are many children and families walking to their cars at this time. 
• Please be considerate of our neighbors’ by not parking or turning around in private driveways. 
• If your child will be picked up by someone other than the designated person, a note needs to be sent into the classroom teacher. 

Birthday & other in-school celebrationsFollowing the guidelines set by the “Healthy Life Style Choices Program” for New York State public schools, we recommend that food for birthdays and other celebrations be kept simple and healthy – oatmeal cookies, fresh fruit, pretzels, yogurt, or muffins, and 100% fruit juice or bottled water are some examples.  Birthdays are celebrated on the last Friday of the month in which your child has a birthday.  Please remember to contact your child’s teacher and / or class parent to make arrangements.

Bus Transportation

Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) may be eligible for bus transportation when it is determined to be necessary to support their educational needs. Transportation services are provided based on the recommendations of the Committee on Special Education (CSE) and each student's individual circumstances.

Bus Procedures

Children who ride the bus are expected to ride regularly unless written permission for another type of transportation is sent to the school.  For any child who misses the bus, a parent / guardian or emergency contact will be notified to pick up the child. 

Bus Safety

We request that you review all safety rules with your children both before school begins, and periodically during the school year.  Children who do not comply with bus safety regulations may lose bus privileges.  These regulations apply during school field trips as well.

• Walk to the school bus and board it carefully.
• Be seated and remain seated with seat belts buckled at all times.
• Children are expected to behave in a courteous and appropriate manner and to follow any directions given by the adult.
• Speak in a tone that you would use in your classroom.
• When crossing the street, children are to pass in front of the school bus, in the line of vision of the bus driver and at least ten feet from the front of the bus.

Cell Phones

If parents wish to have their child carry a cell phone for the walk to and from school, it must be turned off during the school day and placed into the child’s backpack where it is to remain until the end of the school day, otherwise it will be confiscated until dismissal.         

We are not responsible for any cell phones that are damaged, lost or stolen.

Change in Student Information

It is imperative that the office be notified immediately of any change of address, phone numbers, or emergency information during the academic school year.

Code of ConductAll students and adults are to treat one another with respect and dignity. No one is to be made to feel bad about who they are, what they look like, where they come from or what they believe. Being able to get along with others who are different from you is a life skill. All public elementary school students have the right to attend school in a safe, welcoming, considerate, and caring environment. All citizens of the KSS community are expected to act this way. A student’s behavior, whether by words or actions, that interferes with another student’s education or safety is not allowed and will not be tolerated. 

General School Expectations 

• Follow directions of the adult in charge.
• Only leave the classroom with permission from the adult in charge. 
• Students are not allowed in classrooms without adult supervision. 
• Be polite and respectful of peers and adults.
• Respect your property and the property of others.
• Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
• Make good choices, avoid fighting and do not use hurtful words or foul language.
• Weapons and dangerous items are forbidden.
• Invitations to private parties may not be distributed in class (unless everyone is included).
• Stay to the right when walking in the halls.
• Walk throughout the school building.
• Student work must not contain depictions of violence, or violent acts (at teachers’ discretion). 

Clothing Expectations

• Remove hats upon entering the building.
• Dress according to the weather.
• Sneakers must be worn for Physical Education class.
• Clothing with offensive logos/slogans is not allowed.
•  Flip flops/slippers/slides are not permitted to be worn in school.

Cafeteria

• Students should talk using a quiet voice during the lunch period.
• Students must raise their hand and ask permission to get up from their seat.
• Glassware, of any kind, is not allowed. 
• Students are to walk in the cafeteria.
• Each student is responsible for disposing of their trash and placing it in the trash can. 
• Students must ask permission to go to the restroom. 
• Students must have a pass issued by a classroom teacher to return to the classroom for any reason. 

Recess

Make good choices, so we can all have fun and be safe. 

• Be respectful, at all times, to yourself, adults and peers. Always use kind words, show good sportsmanship, listen and have fun.
• Play fighting is not allowed.
• Do not throw rocks, sticks, acorns, dirt, or snowballs. 
• Include everyone who wishes to participate. Invite others to participate as well. 
• Keep your hands to yourself.
• Use the recess equipment appropriately. Do not run through the swings/jungle gym area. 
• When it is time to line up, do so immediately. Stand quietly in line while you wait for an adult to escort you back to class.  

Restrooms

• Use the restroom in a quiet manner.
• Be sure to flush and wash your hands when you are finished.
• Respect others’ privacy. 
• Be sure to put all paper towels in the trash can.
• Walk back to your class quietly.
• Facilities must be used for their intended purpose. 
• Only lock stall doors when they are in use. 

Guidelines and Interventions 

It is our goal for all students to internalize these rules and be able to follow them on a consistent basis. Positive reinforcement and recognition of positive behavior will be the primary motivation for redirecting inappropriate behavior. It is our hope that you will work in partnership with us to establish and reinforce these rules at home as well. In the event that a student has difficulty adhering to the rules, the following actions will be taken: 

• Staff will speak to the student(s) privately regarding the behavior and provide suggestions for improving the situation.  
• Staff members may use the “Time Out” strategy during recess to have students sit out of an activity. 
• A teacher or administrator may contact the parent/guardian to enlist support.
• Students may be sent to an administrator if, but not limited to:
  • There have been repeated offenses;
  • There has been a dangerous object brought to school;
  • There has been physical harm or threats;
  • There has been blatant disrespect toward staff or peers; 
• Depending on the severity of the offense, the student may have to sit out of recess for a predetermined number of days, attend a peer socialization group, participate in a check-in/check-out system, and/or be administered a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). Additional consultations may be scheduled with the school counselor and/or school psychologist. 
• Further disruptions, or offenses to this Code of Conduct, may result in suspension from school. Suspensions can only be delivered by a school administrator. Repeated suspensions may result in a superintendent hearing to determine the best educational setting/plan for the student. 

Emergency Contact Forms

• Please fill out and return your child’s emergency contact form.  This is how we know who is allowed to pick up your child and whom to call in the event of an emergency. 
• If your contact information changes during the year, please update the school office accordingly.

Emergency School Closings/Delayed Openings/Emergency Early Dismissal

• You will be notified of any school closing by an automatic phone call, usually by 6 am. It is important that you keep the main office informed of any changes in your phone number so that you receive these important messages.
• If there is a delayed opening, please do not bring your child to school at the regular time as no staff members will be available for supervision.  For students taking the bus, buses run either one or two hours later, depending upon the length of the delay.  Dismissal times remain the same.
• Should there be a need for an early dismissal you will be notified by an automatic phone call.  Please make every effort to quickly and safely pick up your child at the requested time.

Lost and Found

The Lost and Found is located in the gymnasium. Please write your child’s name in his/her clothing and lunchbox to ensure items are returned when found.  Unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity in June.

Lunch and Recess

• Students may bring lunch from home or eat school provided lunch. 
• A monthly lunch calendar is sent home each month.  The lunch calendar is also available here. 
• Teachers also incorporate “snack time” in their day, so please pack a healthy snack.
• All families are required to complete the school lunch form. 

Visitation

Visitor passes are issued by security upon sign in.  All visitors must sign in and out.  Visitors must wear their pass while in the school building.  This regulation is essential for school safety.