Hasbrouck Heights
Elementary Schools

Student Handbook
2006-2007

 “Growing Together

To

New HEIGHTS”

Superintendent’s
Goals and Objectives

“Striving for Excellence Today
To Prepare Students to Succeed in a Challenging World Tomorrow”

MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the Hasbrouck Heights School District is to provide each student a diverse education in a safe, supportive environment that promotes self-discipline, motivation and excellence in learning.  The Hasbrouck Heights team joins the parents and community to assist the students in developing skills to become independent and self-sufficient adults who will succeed and contribute responsibly in a global community.

BELIEFS: We Believe That…

• Students are unique in their needs, thought processes, learning styles, and will be motivated in different ways.
• Parental support and involvement is necessary to motivate students for optimum success in education.
• It is essential for each educator to demonstrate genuine concern and care for each student and show desire for each student to learn.
• We believe in integrated curriculum, using a team approach, to demonstrate the relevance of each subject.
• The best learning process occurs when students and staff are motivated to strive for excellence.
• Students are entitled to a socially, environmentally, and physically safe learning environment.
• Consistent rules and discipline, positive values, and social skills are necessary for all individuals.
• A high degree of cooperation and communication should take place between the community, parents, and school staff.

WELCOME
BACK-TO-SCHOOL
’A message from the Superintendent and Principals’

It is with great pleasure that we take this opportunity to welcome to you Hasbrouck Heights Elementary Schools.  We are extremely proud of the programs we offer our students and encourage you to make the most of your time with us.

This handbook has been developed by our faculty and administrators to help you and your parents learn as much as possible about school services, policies, and procedures. It is a quick reference guide that you will find extremely useful throughout the 2006-2007 school year.

Whether you are joining the Hasbrouck Heights school community for the first time or have been with us for a number of years, we encourage you to become an active student in the Hasbrouck Heights Elementary Schools.  In addition to an excellent academic foundation, we offer many activities and clubs to help students to become well-rounded and to mature into self-reliant young adults.  A strong commitment to Excellence and Equity is our promise to you.  We hold the highest expectations for all of our children!

We look to the 2006-2007 school year with great excitement and hope that all of our students will have a rewarding and successful year.  For more information please visit our district web page at www.hhschools.org

Very truly yours,

             
“Growing Together
To
New HEIGHTS”

ACADEMIC REPORTING

Parent / Teacher Conferences Dates:

CONFERENCES                

Regularly scheduled conferences will be held with parents/guardians of all students in Grades Pre-K through Five during the week of November 14-17.

Parents will have an opportunity to sign up for conferences at Back-To-School Night. Otherwise, teachers will notify you of your scheduled day and time.

A conference may be requested by the teacher or parent/guardian at any time during the school year.  However, it is necessary to schedule conferences in advance by making an appointment either by phone, by note, or by calling the main office.


DRESS & GROOMING

According to the Hasbrouck Heights Board of Education Policy (File Code 5132):
“Students are expected to adhere to standards of cleanliness and dress that are compatible with the requirement of a good school environment.”
The following apparel is NOT acceptable for school: Hats/bandannas/sweat and head bands; sunglasses (unless prescription w/ Dr. note); bare midriffs; visible undergarments; obscene or profane language or symbols on clothing; revealing shirts and blouses; sleeveless shirts with less than 2 inches of material on shoulder straps; cutoffs, purposely frayed clothing – torn or has holes; pajamas, slippers, boxer shorts; beach/shower/flip-flop sandals; outerwear worn indoors; shorts/skirts/dresses above fingertip length; pants/ shorts worn below the hips; “skin tight” shirts and shorts.  In addition, Walkman radios, cd players, electrical games, exposed cell phones, or any unauthorized audio equipment is prohibited in school.  Shorts may only be worn to school from September 1 to October 1 and from April 15 to the close of school.

“The principal is responsible for determining the appropriateness of a pupil’s attire.  If a pupil is determined to be in violation of the board policy on dress and grooming, his/her parent/guardian will be called and the pupil will be sent home to change.  If it is not feasible to send the pupil home, he/she will be kept in in-school suspension for the remainder of the session.  The pupil must report to the principal or his/her designee at the beginning of the next session prior to readmission.  Any time lost due to the violation of this policy will count as an unexcused absence.”


EARLY-RELEASE

If you require an early dismissal for your child, please send in a note indicating the day and time requested.  If a situation happens during the course of the day, the designated pickup person must have a note from the parent or guardian.  The student must be picked up at the appointed time in the school office, not at the classroom door!  The parent must sign the child out before leaving the school.  Children will not be permitted to leave the building without being accompanied by an adult.

                       
VISITORS

ALL visitors are required to report to the school office upon entering the building.  Visitors will sign in, turn in a photo id and state the nature of the visit and the person whom they wish to see.  Visitor’s badges must be worn at all times.  Visitors are NEVER permitted to go to any classroom to see a student or teacher without permission from the school principal.    We ask that parents and guardians cooperate with these rules in order not to disrupt instruction and to insure the safety of the children.

TARDINESS

When a student is tardy to school, the student must report to the office to check in before going to the classroom.  A parent’s note should be handed in at this time, explaining the reason for the tardiness.  Time lost due to repeated unexcused tardiness will be made up by the student either during lunch time recess or after school.


STANDARDIZED-TESTING

Standardized tests help us to determine student progress each year.  The Terra Nova will be administered in the spring of 2006 to all students in grades K, 1, and 2.  Students in grade K and 2 will also take the Test of Cognitive Skills to help determine a student’s learning potential.  Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 are scheduled to participate in the NJASK state tests.

PHYSICAL-EDUCATION

New Jersey State Law requires that students participate in physical education classes.  If due to illness or injury, your child will not be able to participate in his or her scheduled gym class, please send in a note signed by a physician indicating the reason for non-participation, and the date when the full participation in class can resume. 

Physical Education Dress Guidelines:  K-5

* Attire must be appropriate for physical education activities and non-restrictive.
* Footwear is limited to sneakers only.
* Sweatshirts and sweatpants are acceptable, especially during the fall and spring, when students are outdoors.
* Any ornamental accessories, jewelry (including earrings) are prohibited.

FIRE  & LOCK-DOWN DRILLS

Fire drills are conducted twice each month.  Detailed exiting plans are posted inside each classroom.  For fire drills, each class has an escape route to an outside area, which is a safe distance from the building.  Children are escorted to these designated areas in less than seventy-five (75) seconds in a safe, quiet, and orderly manner.

Lock-Down Drills are conducted at least once a month and are designed to secure the school buildings efficiently and effectively.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Every student is required to have the following information on file in the main office…
- Parents or guardian(s) name(s);
- Complete and up-to-date address;
- Home phone and parent(s) work phone numbers;
- Emergency phone numbers of a friend or relative;   
- Physician’s name and phone number.

It is very important, for emergency and registration reasons, that every student maintains an up-to-date address record at the school office.  Notify the school immediately if you nave a change on emergency card information.

Two emergency cards will be sent home the first day of school in order to update our school files.  PLEASE LIST THE NAMES OF ALL OF YOUR CHILDREN WHO ATTEND ON BOTH CARDS AND COMPLETE ALL THE INFORMATION FOR ALL OF YOUR CHILDREN ON BOTH OF THESE CARDS.  This information will be kept in the main office and the nurse’s office in case of an emergency

HEALTH-SERVICES

The Hasbrouck Heights school system offers a comprehensive Health Screening Program.  The purpose is to identify potential health problems.  Parents will be given the opportunity to participate in this free program, or may choose to see their family physician at their own expense, for the necessary screenings.
  
All new students and those in 3rd grade must receive physical examinations.  Height, weight, and vision screenings are provided at all grade levels.  Audiometric screening is also provided in the 1st and 4th grades, and as the need arises.  Scoliosis screening is provided in 5th grade.

State guidelines for T.B. screening require that students from out of country, out of state, or in certain towns / grades in New Jersey be Mantoux tested.

Official immunization records are required to be presented upon entrance into school.  The requirements for admission are:
* A physical examination by a licensed practicing physician.
* An examination of the mouth and teeth.
* Three (3) D.P.T. vaccine series plus a booster dose given after the child’s fourth (4th) birthday.
* Oral polio vaccine series plus a booster dose given after child’s fourth (4th) birthday.
* Two (2) MMR vaccines, both received after the first (1st) birthday.
* Please note any medical problem that should be brought to the attention of the staff.

ALL OF THE AFORMENTIONED INFORMATION MUST BE RETURNED TO THE MEDICAL OFFICE BY THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, OR SOONER, IF POSSIBLE.  NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN SCHOOL WITHOUT ALL OF THE AFORMENTIONED REQUIREMENTS.

According to Board Policy (File Code 5141.21), the administration of non-prescription or prescribed medication to a student during school hours will be permitted only when failure to take such medication would jeopardize the health of the student, or the student will not be able to attend school if the medicine was not made available during school hours.  The nurse will provide the necessary forms for physician and parent documentation. 

The school nurse or the child’s parents/guardians are the only ones allowed under state regulation to administer medications to students.

Children who are recovering from illness should not return to school until they have the stamina to participate in all of their daily activities, and are fever-free for 24 hours without the assistance of Tylenol or other fever-reducing medicines.

In case of Chicken Pox, or other similar diseases, the students must remain at home until lesions are healed and dry.

Students presenting any symptoms of other potential communicable or contagious conditions to the school nurse may be excluded from school until the potentially contagious condition resolves, or they present a note from their physician stating the diagnoses, and that this condition is not communicable.
Students who will be returning to school with sutures (stitches), crutches, or a cast must report to the school nurse upon their return, so that arrangements can be made for their safe participation in all activities. 

Parents are urged to communicate with the school nurse regarding any changes in their child’s health status, including: food allergies, daily medications taken at home, illnesses, or other special health needs. 

INSURANCE

The school district has purchased an accident insurance program covering all students on a full excess basis.  Full excess means all bills incurred for a covered accident must be submitted to all other medical expense policies under which the student can claim benefits first.  If there are any balances due after payments are made, all bills on the claim, and the receipts from the other carrier, must be submitted to us and we will consider the balances, up to policy limits.

Students are covered for injury during the hours and days when school is in session and while attending or participating in school sponsored and supervised activities on or off the School Premises.  Participants are also covered while participating in Interscholastic Sports, including tryouts, preseason and post season play, travel to and from games and/or practice.  (Individual travel or travel in a vehicle that is not owned or operated by the school is not covered by the policy.)

New Jersey schools are not required to buy insurance or pay student medical expenses associated with school injuries.  The school purchases the accident insurance policy as a public service to assist parents that may be without insurance.  The school policy will reimburse on covered claims for medical expenses incurred up to the benefit limits of the policy.

If you have other insurance, you must first file a claim with your other insurance carrier and obtain benefits from your other insurance source.  This policy is designed to consider payment of the eligible expenses that are not paid by your other insurance source.  See the school nurse for claim forms.  Other questions should be directed to the Business Office, (201) 288-6150.

SPECIAL-SERVICES

The Hasbrouck Heights School District has a professional commitment to promote the best educational opportunity for your child.  For children who need specialized help, ‘special services’ has developed a process for providing appropriate individualized educational programs providing:
*A child study team composed of a learning disabilities teacher consultant, a school social worker, and a school psychologist;
*Speech-correctionists;
*Teachers of the handicapped; and
*An array of program options in order to provide instruction to an individual student with special academic needs
 
504 PROCEDURES

504 policies and information are available at each school’s main office as well as on the District web page: www.hhschools.org
          
AFFIRMATIVE-ACTION

The Hasbrouck Heights Board of Education, in compliance with all federal and state laws, rules, and regulations related to equal education and employment opportunity, is committed to a policy of non-discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.

Any student, parent/guardian, or employee may file a grievance relative to affirmative action guidelines (contact the affirmative action officer for detailed procedures).  Anyone who is subjected to unwelcome physical advances or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature should contact the affirmative action officer as depicted below:
Mrs. Lynn Schweighardt
Affirmative Action Officer
Lincoln School   /   Euclid School
201-393-8184

BULLYING

No student should be subjected to bullying or unwarranted harassment.  Any student who experiences difficulties in this area should contact any teacher, guidance counselor, or school administrator he/she feels comfortable discussing the matter with.  Based on the severity of the problem, the school staff member will take appropriate action to remedy the situation.

All students are encouraged to respect the rights and privacy of fellow students.

RIGHT-TO-KNOW-ACT
P.L 1997, C364

If at any time during the school year there is construction or other activities involving the use of any hazardous substances, the following will be implemented:
1.  A notice will be posted on a bulletin board within the school stating that a hazardous substance may be stored at the school.

2.  A Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet will be available concerning the particular substance.

If there are any questions concerning this matter, please contact Mr. Joseph Bellino, School Business Administrator, at 201-288-6150.

RULES FOR GENERAL BEHAVIOR

The behavior expected from students at school is a combination of common courtesy and safety considerations.  There are only a few special areas that require the application of very specific rules.  The following types of conduct are never permissible:

- Fighting;
- Defiance of school staff;
- Use of profanity;
- Refusal to prepare assignments;
- Possession of dangerous objects; and
- Possession of or use of alcohol or other controlled substances.

ADMISSIONS/WITHDRAWALS

Children who start kindergarten in the Hasbrouck Heights Public Schools must be five (5) years of age before October 1st of the school year in which they are enrolling, or six (6) years of age if entering first grade.  Regulations are issued prior to the time of registration.  Registration requirements for new students in grades 1 through 5 are:
*A record of immunizations which should include DPT and booster, date of last tetanus shot, Polio trivalent, Sabin vaccine, record of measles, mumps, and rubella;
*An original birth certificate (with seal);
*Residency verification (e.g. certificate of occupancy (utility/phone bill);
*Lease/deed, or affidavit of landlord;
*New students must have social security number;
*Proof of parent/guardian identity (driver’s license);
*Copy of custody papers (where applicable);
*Signed 1040 form (if required);
*Registration form; and
*Signed authorization form (where applicable).

Parents must give the principal at least three (3) days notice in writing when a pupil is leaving the Hasbrouck Heights Public Schools.  A copy of the transfer card will then be prepared and released to the parent by the office of the principal.

Affidavit students (students who are not residing with natural parents) must provide the following additional information:
-From guardian: notarized copy of affidavit of guardian;
-Notarized affidavit of Hasbrouck Heights resident adult;
-Copy of guardian’s most recent signed 1040 tax form;
-From parent: notarized affidavit of parent;
-Notarized affidavit of non-resident parent;
-Copy of parent’s most recent signed 1040 tax form.
NOTE: All records from foreign countries must be translated into English

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES             

BELL SCHEDULE:
8:25 a.m.           First Bell                       
                         Admittance to classrooms

8:35 a.m.           Late Bell           
                         Children must be in their rooms

11:45 a.m.         Lunch Dismissal            

12:45 p.m.         End of Lunch Hour
                         Admittance to classrooms

12:50 p.m.         Late Bell

3:08 p.m.           Dismissal

SAFETY:
In order to provide the highest level of safety during arrival and dismissal, we ask your cooperation in the following matters:
1. If your child walks to school, please remind them to cross only at the corners and to follow the instructions of the crossing guards.
2. Do not park or pause in the crosswalks or any yellow-curbed areas.
3. Do not double park.
4. We ask that no student arrive at school earlier than 8:00 a.m.  There is no playground supervision before that time.

LINCOLN

* In inclement weather, students should report to the gym.  They will line up at their homeroom locations, and will be brought up by a designated staff member.

* When using the “20 second drop off” area in the morning, please make sure that your child exits your car on the curbside by the playground on Burton Avenue, which is the only drop-off zone for Lincoln School.

EUCLID

* In inclement weather, students should report to the gym.  They will line up at their homeroom locations and will be brought to their classrooms by the teachers.

* When using the “20 second drop off”  in the morning, please make sure that you child exits your car on the curbside directly in front of the school, which is the only drop-off zone for Euclid School.  Please do not drop your child off on the side of the school on Passaic or Burton!
   

EMERGENCY-CLOSING

If inclement weather forces the closing of school or a delayed opening, it will be announced in the morning on radio stations: WOR, WINS, WABC, and WVNJ.  You can also access this information on the web at…  www.hhschools.org

In addition to the radio announcement, both the Lincoln School PTA and the Euclid School PTA will activate a phone chain informing you of a school closing or delayed opening.  In the event of a delayed opening, students report to school at 10:00 a.m.  Dismissal remains 3:08 p.m.

Information provided on the emergency cards that you fill out in September will be used to contact you quickly and easily when these days occur.  Please keep all emergency phone numbers current.  Report any changes (in phone numbers or people to be contacted) to the main office immediately.

In the event that an early dismissal is required, we will follow the directions you specify on the Early Dismissal Form.  It is important that we have a form on file for each child.  Again, please notify the office immediately when you change any information on this form.