September 2008

 

 

Dear Students and Parents:

 

The Dansville Primary School’s faculty and staff would like to welcome you to the 2008-2009 school year.  This handbook contains information about our school, which includes policies and procedures you and your child will need to be familiar with for a successful school year.  Please take the time to review the handbook this week and keep it for future reference throughout the year. 

 

As always, we look forward to working with you and your child during the school year.  Together we can support the growth and development of your child through continuous communication and by taking advantage of opportunities to work together.  We encourage parents to visit, volunteer and become members of our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). 

 

If you have questions or concerns about anything during the year, please feel free to call me at 335-4040. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Christopher Lynch

Primary School Principal

 

 

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Telephone Directory

 

To reach any of the following individuals dial 335-4040 and select the desired option.  Teachers may be contacted by entering their extension and leaving a message on their voicemail.  If you do not know the teacher’s extension, press * (star) to initiate the Spell-By-Name directory.  They will return your call as soon as possible.

 

Ψ  Principal – Mr. Christopher Lynch                            Option 1

 

Ψ  Main Office – Mrs. Wendy Luckenbach                  Option 1    

 

Ψ  Main Office – Ms. Carrie Griswold                          Option 1    

                                           

Ψ  School Nurse – Mrs. Wendy Didas                          Option 2

 

Ψ School Psychologist – Mrs. Cheryl Gray                   Option 3

 

Ψ School-Based Preventive Worker – Kate Murphy  Option 4

 

Ψ Attendance – Mrs. Wendy Luckenbach                     Option 5

 

Ψ School Counselor – Mrs. Karen Bailey                      Option 6

 

Ψ Transportation Director – Mr. Dennis Cox             dial  335-4070

 

 

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General Information

 

Arrival Time:    7:55am – 8:15am                        Dismissal Time:  2:15pm

School Begins:  8:15am                                                         

 

Arrival time for the Primary School is between 7:55am and 8:15am.  Please note that students are not to be dropped off at school prior to 7:50 a.m., as there is no one to supervise them and therefore a safety issue for all concerned.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

 

The district office parking lot should be used for student drop-off in the morning.  This parking lot has its own entrance that makes it safer for children and with numerous visitor parking spaces, more convenient for parents.  There will be a designated area marked with cones for parents to drive along the curb and let their children out of the car.  This area is not for parking.  A staff member will be at the curb between 7:55 and 8:15 to greet your children and monitor them as they enter the building. 

 

 

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Attendance

 

Dansville Primary School is responsible for teaching children.  We cannot do our job if your child is absent.  A child who misses a day of school also misses a day of learning that might never be replaced.  Parents/guardians can help by making school a top priority.  Building a habit of daily attendance helps your child to understand that school is important. 

 

Children are required by New York State Law to be in school unless they can present legal excuses such as illness, death in the family, special religious observance, special medical or court appointment, etc.  They may not be absent for such reasons as babysitting, shopping, or similar excuses.  It is expected that children not miss classes unless there is a serious reason.  We ask that parents/guardians schedule doctor’s appointments, etc., after the school day.

 

All children who have been absent must present a written excuse signed by a parent or guardian when they return to school.  The excuse must state the student's full name, date(s) of absence, and a specific reason for the absence. 

 

If your child arrives at school after 8:15 a.m. he/she will be considered tardy.  The child must be brought to the office and signed in along with a written excuse signed by a parent or guardian with a specific reason for the tardiness.

 

 

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Visitors to School

 

Visitors to the school are welcome but must always report to the office before proceeding to other areas of the building.  This includes those who have appointments with teachers.  The school district has implemented procedures to better keep our students safe during school hours. The entrance to the building will be locked while students are in attendance.  Visitors to the Primary School will use an intercom that is to the right of the main doors to gain access to the building.  A video monitor in the main office will allow the secretaries to view the entrance for visitors, communicate with them and electronically unlock the doors from their work stations.  Once visitors enter the building, they will still be required to sign in at the main office and receive a visitor’s badge.  In order to comply with State Regulations, no unauthorized individual is to be anywhere in the school without a pass.  Students from other buildings must have prior permission from the principal before they visit the school.

 

 

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Change of Information

 

Parents are asked to notify the school in written form when a change of information regarding a student occurs.  Examples of change include:  new address, telephone number, last name, babysitter, legal custody (need a copy of document), etc.  This information is necessary in case the school has needs to contact parents or have an emergency/early dismissal.

 

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Open House / Parent Conferences

 

Parent Conferences will be scheduled at Open House, which will be held on October 9^th from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.   All parents are invited and urged to attend.  If you wish to discuss your child's progress at other times throughout the year, please contact your child’s teacher.  First and second grade parents will receive reports of their child’s academic and social progress in November, March, and June.  Pre-K and kindergarten parents will receive two written reports throughout the year.  Parent conferences will be scheduled for all parents in the fall on Thursday, November 20th and Friday, November 21st.  Third trimester conferences will occur on Thursday, March 19th and Friday, March 20th.

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Breakfast / Lunch

 

Breakfast is available to any student who wishes to participate.  The cost is $1.00.  Lunch is $1.50, milk is 35’ and ice cream is 50’.  You may send in money daily or by the week to purchase a computerized meal card for breakfast and/or lunch.  For more information please contact the Food Services Department (335-4033). 

 

A federally subsidized free and reduced breakfast/lunch program is available to families who qualify.  Information regarding this is sent home at the start of the school year and is also available upon request throughout the year.  Questions should be directed to the Food Services Department (335-4033).

 

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Field Trips

 

In the event that a field trip is scheduled by the classroom teacher, parents will be notified in advance.  These trips are carefully planned and supervised by the teachers.  In order to participate, each child must have written permission from his/her parent(s) legal guardian.  A field trip permission form for all trips throughout the school year will be sent home the first week of school.

 

 

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Safety Procedure - Verifying Student Absences

 

When your child is absent from school please call and leave a message on our voice mail.  This will let us know that your child is safe and will help us work together.  The phone number is 335-4040 ext 2004.  Every effort will be made to contact you in the event you forget to call the school.  Please keep the following information current: work and home telephone numbers and any emergency contact information.

 

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Emergency Closing

 

If school is closed due to inclement weather or impassable roads, an announcement will be made over WDNY, WHAM, WYSL, WHHO radio stations; WXXI (channel 21), WHEC (channel 10), WOKR (channel 13), WGRZ (channel 2).

 

It is sometimes necessary to close early for various reasons.  When this decision is made, it will be reported to WDNY as soon as possible.  Please talk with your child about procedures to follow in case school is closed early, and be sure all emergency information is up-do-date.

 

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Important Dates

 

Please refer to the district calendar for this information.  Dates and times for early dismissals will be in the parent newsletters and will be sent home with your child as reminders.  Please go over with your child, the importance of bringing home memos!

 

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Picking Your Child Up From School

 

If your child needs to be released during the school day for an appointment, please send a note with your child stating the dismissal time.  Parents should report to the office to sign your child out of school.  Parents who drive their children home at the end of the day should report to the cafeteria to meet and sign them out.  Students will be released at 2:15pm.  Please do not go to your child's classroom.  This procedure will avoid any unnecessary interruption or disruption for the students.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  If you know that you will be picking up your child at a certain time, send a note stating the specified time.  Your child can then be sent to the office, thus avoiding any unnecessary delays.  Students are not allowed to go out of the building to meet a parent. 

 

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Health Services

 

The school nurse is an important resource to the school and provides the following services from the Health Office:

            -           Communicates with parents/guardians and physician

            -           Assesses health needs of students and staff

            -           Records and reports assessments

            -           Promotes health and safety education

            -           Insures all state mandates are followed (physical exams, eye exams, etc.)

            -           Provides care in all emergency cases including first aid for minor injuries

            -           Administers medication as per board policy

            -           Supervises attendance

            -           Provides individual health counseling and consultation

 

 

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Medication in School

 

Questions - Phone 335-4040, Option #2 to speak to Mrs. Didas, School Nurse.  The following excerpts from our Board Policy on medication should be understood by all parents and students.

 

Before any medication, including aspirin, can be administered to or by any student during school hours, the Board will require:

 

            1.         The written request of the parent, which will give permission for such administration and relieve the Board and their employees of liability for administration of medication.

 

            2.         The written order of the prescribing physician, which will include the purpose of the medication, the dosage, the time at which to be dispensed, or the special circumstances under which medication will be administered, the period for which medication is prescribed, and the possible side effects of the medication.

 

            3.         All medication will be administered by the school nurse, the principal, or his designee.

 

            4.         All medications will be brought to school by the parent, will be in their original labeled containers and shall be picked up by the parent at the end of the school year or the end of the period of medication, whichever is earlier.  All medication not picked up within 20 days of the period of medication will be discarded. 

 

            5.         Students are not allowed to carry medicines with them in school.  Possession of either prescription or non-prescription drugs is a violation of the Student Discipline Policy.

 

 

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Parent Involvement

 

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) – PTO is a group of parents and teachers who are interested in promoting positive school/community relationships that enhance our children’s educational environment through family, school and community activities.  The purpose of the organization is to foster a sense of support, pride and enthusiasm. 

 

Parent Volunteers – We encourage parent volunteers in classrooms.  Please contact your child's teacher or Mr. Lynch if you are interested in volunteering.

 

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School-Based Preventive Services

 

School based preventive services are offered to coordinate services for children and families.  A Preventive Caseworker is a facilitator, planner, coordinator, case manager and problem solver.  Kate Murphy is our caseworker.  She may be reached at 335-4040 extension #4.

 

The objectives of the program are to:

 

·        Improve attendance

·        Improve family involvement with the school

·        Reduce disciplinary action

·        Improve Mental Health for children and families

·        Develop a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving

 

 

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Network Staffing Team

 

Dansville Central School has developed a Network Staffing Team.  This team is designed to support students and families in our district.  Many times when a student is not performing up to his/her capability, there may be distracting events.  This team serves to identify sources of community help and to brainstorm an action plan that will have beneficial results for your son or daughter.

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Primary School Code of Ethics

 

Introduction

Dansville Primary School believes in creating an environment of mutual respect, support and caring to help students develop emotionally and intellectually.  Students must have a sense of safety and trust to be successful in school.  We also believe students should be held to high standards – academically and behaviorally – and then given all of the encouragement and assistance to meet these standards.

 

We recognize the need to clearly define the expectations for acceptable conduct on school property, identify the possible consequences of unacceptable conduct, and to ensure that discipline when necessary is administered promptly and fairly

 

Roles and Responsibilities

 

Students:  A student's job is to learn.  Respect for Success is three words and it means, students:

·        respect themselves and make good choices

·        respect others by being kind and helpful

·        respect adults by listening and following directions

 

Parents:  All parents are expected to:

·        recognize that the education of their children is a joint responsibility of the parents and the school community.

·        Send their children to school ready to participate and learn.

·        Ensure their children attend school regularly and on time.

·        Know school rules and help their children understand them.

 

Teachers:  A teacher's role is to provide meaningful learning experiences in a positive environment and to communicate regularly with students, parents and other teachers concerning growth and achievement.

 

Principal:  The principal's role is to support all of the members of the school community and to ensure a safe and orderly school environment.  The principal is also responsible for enforcing the code of conduct and ensuring that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.

 

 

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 2008-09 School Staff