North Main Elementary School 2021-22 Family Handbook
212 North Main Street Monroe, NY 10950 845-460-6800 Fax: 845-460-6048 Website: http://mw.k12.ny.us/north-main-elementary/ Table of Contents
NM Administrative Roster & Welcome Letter 3 North Main Overview 4 District Mission Statement & Administrative Roster 5 Homework 6 Parent Portal & Paperless Communication 7 Transportation 8 Drop-Off & Pick-Up, Dismissal 9 Before & After School Care 10 School Closings, Early Dismissals, & Delayed Openings 10 Emergencies & Emergency Numbers 11 Attendance 11 Security & Guidelines for Visitors 12 Celebrations, & Gift Giving 12 Expectations for Student Behavior 13-15 Common Core Standards 16 Academic Expectations & Support Services 17 Report Cards & Parent/Teacher Conferences 17 Special Area Subjects 18-19 Health Information 20 School Meals, Lost & Found 21 North Main PTA 22 North Main Events & Activities 23-24 Building Leadership Committee 24 Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education 25
2 North Main Street School (845) 460-6800
Main Office Joseph Coto, Principal Roger Davis, Assistant Principal Jean Marie Witherby, Secretary April Lowe, Typist
Dear Families,
For those of you who are returning families to North Main, welcome back! For the families that are new to our school, be prepared to be amazed. North Main is an incredible place. When our children and our staff come together they form a special community. A community that will grow, learn and have fun together.
This handbook is designed to introduce you to the policies and procedures that we follow as a building as well as district-wide. Please read it, as it will answer questions that you may have about our day-to-day activities.
As always we invite all our parents and guardians to get involved in our building. You can join our PTA and participate in any or all of the wonderful opportunities that they provide to our students. This year our activities might look a little different, however our goal is to create an atmosphere where the students feel a sense of belonging. Please take part in as many as you can.
Communication between home and school is imperative for the well-being of our children. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact your child’s teacher by phone, or email. Please know that our doors are always open and that we are available to help you navigate the road ahead. Together we will make it work! Thank you for letting us share this journey with you, and for entrusting us with the well-being of your children.
I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you back to our North Main Family.
Respectfully,
Joe Coto Principal
3 North Main Street Elementary “Where Excellence Began”
North Main Street Elementary is one of three grade 2-5 schools that service the students of the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District. North Main’s current enrollment for the 2021-22 school year is approximately 520 students. Our unique building was originally constructed in 1907 and numerous additions have been made throughout the years to accommodate our growing student population. Here at North Main Elementary, students are provided a wonderful learning environment. We believe that our students are at the center of all that we do. Classrooms have open doorways which encourage a sense of community and promote collaboration between staff and students. The core curriculum consists of language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Brief descriptions of these content areas as well as our special programs or services are provided in this handbook. For more specific information, please visit the district’s website at www.mw.k12.ny.us or contact North Main’s greatest resource, your child’s classroom teacher.
4 District Mission Statement
We are committed to academic achievement and success for all students in a safe environment. In partnership with families and our community, our mission is to promote confidence, inspire a passion for learning, and to prepare our students to become responsible global citizens.
Monroe-Woodbury Central School District Elsie Rodriguez, Superintendent of Schools Patrick Cahill, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Management Services Matthew Kravatz, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Eric Hassler, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Bhargav Vyas, Assistant Superintendent for Compliance & Information Systems
5 Homework: School Work At Home
Homework is designed to fulfill one or more of the following purposes:
REINFORCE daily class work PROMOTE responsibility DEVELOP good work and study habits FOSTER independent learning PRACTICE skills previously taught
North Main Elementary students demonstrate self-directed learning skills by having homework assignments completed on time and finished neatly, accurately and completely. Parents can help by valuing the homework process, providing a place for children to work, reading all notes and communications sent home, and taking an interest in the topics studied. Expressing interest, taking time to talk to your child(ren) about assignments, and words of encouragement from parents are the best known motivators for student success.
Stay connected!
The Monroe-Woodbury School District provides assignment notebooks for each child. They are used for recording homework and for brief notes to and from school. Stay in touch! Let the teacher know your concerns and questions and please share important news from home.
How can you help your child be successful with homework assignments? ❖ Ask your child to show you his/her homework planner each night. ❖ Provide an area with minimal distractions for your child. ❖ If your child is experiencing difficulty understanding or successfully completing an assignment, please let the teacher know.
6 Parent Portal & Paperless Communication
In an effort to curtail our use of paper, the district is moving forward with a paperless communication plan using the Parent Portal online platform. https://mw.powerschool.com/public/home.html Here you can indicate in what manner you wish to receive communications from North Main, as well as the district in general. You can have forms, letters and alerts sent to your cell phone by voice message, text, or e-mail. You can use a combination of all of these methods for us to send notices to you regarding events or alerts. If you do not have a Parent Portal account, please contact the main office to have an access code securely e-mailed to you. You only need to register once for Parent Portal. If you need help accessing your account, please contact the main office. Parents/students will not receive a paper copy of the report card. The report cards will be accessible only through Parent Portal. Once parents have signed up, they can access their child’s report card online. There is also an option to print via Parent Portal as well. Again, you only need to register once for Parent Portal.
7 Transportation (845) 460-6010
The Monroe-Woodbury Transportation Department is responsible for picking up and dropping off your child at his/her bus stop at the assigned times. However, it is very important that you have an emergency plan set up with which your child is familiar in case you are unable to meet your child or they are dismissed early from school.
Parents are responsible for the conduct of their children while they walk to/from school and while they are waiting for the bus and returning home from their designated bus stop. It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to make sure that the student is waiting at his/her designated bus stop on time or to assure that the student arrives at school on time if they are walkers or getting dropped off. In addition, parents should review with their child the rules of proper behavior while riding on the school bus. These rules include but are not limited to: ● Students should be seated promptly when entering the bus, and should stay seated except at the driver’s request. The driver has the right to establish a seating plan and to change it at his or her discretion. ● Loud, boisterous profane or vulgar language will not be tolerated. Improper conduct such as teasing, tripping, hitting, etc. is not allowed. The rules for proper conduct in the classroom also apply to the bus. ● Windows will be opened only with permission from the driver. ● The students should stand or walk only when the bus has come to a complete stop. ● Students should buckle up as soon as they are seated. ● No eating or drinking is allowed on the bus. ● Parents of students who damage or deface a bus shall be held liable for such damage. ● Students should accord the same respect and co-operation to the bus driver as they do to their classroom teacher. ● Improper behavior on the bus may result in a suspension of transportation services.
Additional COVID precautions: -Until further notice, students are only allowed to ride their regular assigned bus home. Bus passes to ride with other students are not allowed. -Students will be socially distant and wear a mask while riding the bus. -Students from the same household may sit together; otherwise students must sit alone. 8 Morning Arrival 8:45-9:15am ● NO CHILD SHOULD ARRIVE AT SCHOOL BEFORE 8:45 AM . We do not have monitors available to supervise children before 8:45am. ● Between 8:45-9:15am, walkers, bus riders, and car riders will be allowed to enter the building. Breakfast will be served beginning at 8:45. Students not eating breakfast will be supervised by monitors while practicing social distancing, and beginning at 9:00am students will be allowed to enter their classrooms. ● After 9:15am, students will be marked tardy.
Afternoon Dismissal 3:25-3:45pm ● WALKERS will be dismissed at 3:40pm. If your child is a walker, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PICK YOUR CHILD UP AT THE BUILDING. You may meet your child at the crosswalk area on North Main Street or Forest Avenue. ● PICK-UPS will be dismissed between 3:25-3:40pm. Parents will show ID from their vehicles and will not park or enter the building. Security will radio inside to have your child sent out. IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT ON THE PICK-UP LIST, OR IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER 3:40, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO PARK AND WAIT UNTIL AFTER BUSES ARE DISMISSED TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD. ● You can add your child to the regular/weekly pick-up list by filling out this form. If you are picking up your child on a single day, you must notify [email protected] before 2:30pm. ● Buses are dismissed at approximately 3:45pm each day. Your child should arrive home at the location and time listed on the bus notification in Parent Portal.
Due to CDC protocol and M-W restrictions, early pick-up procedures have been significantly altered: ● Parents will not be permitted to enter the building and wait for their child. They will sign out their child and wait outside the main lobby. Your child will be escorted to you. ● You are asked to stay socially distant and wear a mask.
9 Before & After School Care Kid’s Club is a before and/or after-school childcare program sponsored by the Middletown YMCA which is held at North Main. Children can enjoy a safe and pleasant atmosphere at a nominal cost to working parents. For additional information, contact the YMCA at (845) 344-9622.
Other programs that provide before & after school care, as well as transportation to and from North Main, are:
Success Martial Arts, 140 NY Route 32, Central Valley (845) 781-7822 United Martial Arts Centers, 475 NY Route 17M, Monroe (845) 395-9292
School Closings, Early Dismissal and Delayed Openings
Due to inclement weather, the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District may have a two- or three-hour delayed start or school may be cancelled. There is an automated calling and texting system which will alert you to closings or delayed openings. You can also listen to your local radio stations, check our website at www.mw.k12.ny.us, or check the Monroe-Woodbury Facebook page. Calling the school or the bus garage often ties up telephones which may be needed for emergency communications.
Radio/television stations announcing school closing and delays:
WALL 1340 AM WRK 910 AM WEOK 1390 AM WGNY 1200 AM WPDH 101.5 FM WGNY 103 FM WHUD 100.7 FM WCZX 97.7 FM WSPK 104.7 FM RNN Channel 8
10 Family Emergencies In the event of a family emergency, call North Main at (845) 460-6800 and leave a message for your child’s teacher. Early pick-up of homework or other arrangements can be made through the office.
Emergency Numbers Up-to-date parent/guardian contact information is needed for each child in our school. This includes parents’ home and work telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, doctors’ names and phone numbers, and people to contact in emergencies if the parents cannot be reached. In medical emergencies, the school may only give first aid and must be able to contact someone who can make vital decisions about medical attention. Even sending a child to the hospital requires parental consent. When a child is sick or injured, it may be necessary to contact an adult other than his/her parent/guardian who can assume responsibility for your child. It is essential that this person be within a reasonable distance from the school and can pick up the child. If there are any changes in this information, parents are asked to contact the school as soon as possible.
Student Attendance
School Day School hours for the children are from 9:15 AM to 3:45 PM. School offices are open from 8:15 AM to 4:15 PM each day school is in session. Students may not be dropped off at school prior to 8:45AM as there is no supervision available. The main office staff cannot provide supervision for your child. Early morning is one of the busiest times of the day for the office staff.
Attendance All students are expected to be in attendance whenever school is in session. An absentee note must always be sent in with your child even if you call the office to notify us of an absence.
11 Security & Guidelines for Visitors
In an effort to provide a safe, secure environment for learning, the entire North Main staff works together to comply with school-wide safety rules. As much as some of them may cause a minor inconvenience or two, the mission of SAFETY FIRST is accomplished. At all times, North Main will follow the procedures listed in MW’s School Safety Plan, which can be found online at: www.mw.k12.ny.us/district-services/school-safety/mwcsd-school-safety-plan/. Please take the time to review this information.
North Main has security cameras. We have cameras which cover the outside of the building as well as certain areas of the school. The building administrators and security officers can monitor these cameras. The Monroe Police Department also monitors these cameras, as well as security staff in other buildings.
Until further notice we are allowing no visitors inside the building. Anyone that does have a pre-arranged meeting will need to complete a “Covid Questionnaire” before being allowed to enter the building. They also will need to be cleared by the North Main Administration. These new guidelines will be in effect until further notice.
Celebrations/Class Parties/Food Brought From Home for the Whole Class In accordance with CDC guidelines no outside food of any type is permitted in North Main. Therefore, please do not attempt to drop off or have your child bring in, any snacks or beverages for class parties of any type.
Gift Giving No staff member is allowed to receive any holiday or end of year gifts having a value of more than $75.00. Parents are encouraged to show appreciation by a card or written note. A donation of a book to your child’s classroom library or a small gift to charity may be acceptable alternatives.
12 Expectations for Student Behavior
The Monroe-Woodbury Central School District is committed to providing a safe and productive learning environment for all students, faculty and staff. To that end, our district supports a progressive discipline model with a three-level approach to student management: prevention, intervention and after-care. It is the obligation of our district and our community to help students gradually increase their responsibility for appropriate behavior. The New York State Legislature enacted Project SAVE, Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act, in July 2000. This legislation required that schools develop specific plans to address a number of safety and educational issues. Our plan includes:
School Safety Plan Each school has a BERT (Building Emergency Resource Team). This plan outlines who and how staff members are to respond to safety issues that may occur in a school setting.
K-12 Code of Conduct The Code of Conduct establishes the standard for appropriate conduct in school and on school property. A condensed version of the Code of Conduct can be found as an insert in the school calendar which is mailed out to all district residents. A complete copy can be found on the school website at www.mw.k12.ny.us/district-services/school-safety/code-of-conduct/. Please review it carefully.
Anti-Bullying Mission Statement
The Monroe-Woodbury School District strongly supports a school climate that is safe and welcoming to all students. The district recognizes that physical, emotional and social bullying, harassment or intimidation can jeopardize students’ academic achievement and undermine their physical and emotional well-being and may provoke retaliatory violence. For these reasons, Monroe-Woodbury School District is committed to working towards eliminating bullying/harassment with a strong immediate response to any bullying/harassment incidents, taking disciplinary action, providing emotional and psychological support for the victim, counseling intervention for the bully, maintaining procedures for conflict resolution, publicizing reporting procedures, monitoring school climate and ensuring that curriculum and pedagogical strategies foster respect. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is a district-wide effort to help reduce and educate students on bullying. Through formal lessons and informal opportunities, children are taught and reminded that bullying is not acceptable, and what steps can be taken by the individual to seek help from an adult.
13 Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
The Monroe-Woodbury Central School District strongly supports a school climate that is safe and welcoming to all students. The District recognizes that physical, emotional, social and cyber-bullying, harassment, or intimidation can jeopardize student academic achievement and undermine their physical and emotional well-being and may provide retaliatory violence. For these reasons, Monroe-Woodbury is committed to working towards eliminating bullying/harassment with a strong immediate response to any bullying/harassment incident as follows:
Taking disciplinary action Providing emotional and psychological support for the victim Counseling intervention for the bully Maintaining procedures for conflict resolution Publicizing reporting procedures Monitoring school climate Ensuring that curriculum and pedagogical strategies foster respect
No student shall be subjected to harassment by employees or students on school property or at a school sponsored function; nor shall any student be subjected to discrimination based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex by school employees or students on school property or at a school sponsored function. North Main’s DASA building coordinator is Veronica Kaleta. She can be reached at (845) 460-6800, ext. 6814.
14 Student Dress Code All students are expected to dress appropriately for school. Our focus is on maintaining a safe environment where students can do their best learning. When selecting clothing for school, please remember that student attire should not interfere with the day to day functioning of the classroom or infringe upon the general health, safety and welfare of others. Sneakers with hidden wheels are a safety hazard and are not allowed in school. These sneakers may only be worn if the wheels are removed. Flip-flops and sandals present safety concerns on the playground. Please encourage your child to wear sneakers or other closed shoes for playing on the equipment. Clothing with inappropriate phrases or pictures should not be worn to school. The length of shorts and skirts as well as the types of shirts students wear should be appropriate for a learning environment. Short shorts, tank tops, spaghetti straps and half shirts are unsuitable for school. School clothes should be comfortable, but not distracting from our work. During the colder months, students should wear pants, jackets and suitable clothing to stay warm.
Cell Phones If you want your child to bring a cell phone to school, it must stay in their backpack and be turned off during the school day. If children need to call a parent during the day, they must use the office phone. Students may not use their cell phones during school hours. The school takes no responsibility for loss or damage of the child’s cell phone. If a child uses their cell phone during the school day, the phone will be confiscated and returned only to a parent.
Video Game Systems, iPods, Tablets These items are not allowed to be in use during school. If your child wants to use these devices on the bus, they must be kept in their book bags during the school day. When bringing any valuable items to school, including card collections, your child takes a chance they might be damaged or lost, so please take this into consideration. The school accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to any such items that students may elect to bring to school, and we strongly advise to not bring them to school at all. Trading Items: Children are not allowed to trade or sell items that they bring to school (toys, candy, gum, cards, etc,)
Backpacks If you need to purchase a new backpack for your child, please keep in mind that the bags on wheels can be very difficult going up and down stairways and getting on and off the bus.
We appreciate your support regarding these rules and are happy to discuss any particular concerns you might have relative to this topic.
15 Common Core Standards for Curriculum
New York is one of 45 states that have adopted the Common Core Standards for Curriculum. These replace the New York State Learning Standards and they are meant to prepare our students for 21st Century learning and a global economy.
The Common Core is a shift in what our students will learn. In ELA, the students will be focusing more on non-fiction reading to increase background knowledge. The standards also have a strong emphasis on the student’s ability to evaluate written and electronic text, draw information from them and respond appropriately. Writing will also move from the personal narrative towards responding to text, and constructing well-crafted arguments. In math, the students have a reduced number of topics in a particular year. Instead, the students will have an in-depth understanding and mastery of core skills. This will be most noticeable in the primary grades. By the end of high school, every student is expected to have a mastery of statistics, geometry and algebra, and be able to apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems.
The New York State Department of Education has information available online to help answer any questions on the Common Core. If you log on to the website www.nysed.gov, you will see a link on the right side of the screen which reads, “Popular Topics.” If you click EngageNY immediately under the heading it will lead you to all the information currently available. Clicking the “Teachers” button at the top is a good way to start the tutorial. There are videos from our commissioner, Mary Ellen Elia, which are clear and concise, and highly user-friendly.
All New York state tests that our students will take will be based on the new Common Core Standards. It’s worth the time to see what is expected of our children.
16 Academic Expectations
New York State has adopted the Common Core Standards for all students in grades K-12. These standards will help align New York State schools to provide a shared set of clear educational goals, particularly for English Language Arts and Mathematics. There is a great deal of information on the New York State Educational Department website, and to see some of the most frequently asked questions, you can access www.engageny.org.
New York State Assessments
Grade 3: English Language Arts and Mathematics
Grade 4: English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science
Grade 5: English Language Arts and Mathematics
Student Support Services
Every child has different needs. The Monroe-Woodbury School District recognizes the rights of each child to receive services based on his or her academic, physical and emotional differences. Speech classes, counseling services, physical and occupational therapy, testing and special education services as necessary are part of the daily programs at North Main.
Academic Intervention Services The North Main AIS program provides remedial classes in reading and mathematics. The goal of the program is to provide a support system for students to succeed in their regular academic programs.
Report Cards and Parent/Teacher Conferences
Elementary schools will produce electronic report cards on a trimester basis. You will be able to access report cards through Parent Portal three times during the school year. Parent/teacher conferences occur in the fall and spring each year. Parents are able to schedule their conferences online using www.pickatime.com. During the conference, parents will have an opportunity to review their child’s progress, and discuss any concerns. While the parent/teacher conference is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our home/school partnership and connections, parents are always encouraged to contact their child’s teacher whenever they have questions or concerns.
17 Special Area Subjects
Art Education Students in grades 2-5 will attend art class for approximately 13 sessions per trimester. Many different art forms and techniques are taught, including painting, drawing and working with clay. Students also learn how artists work and how the creation of artwork helps us to understand people and past cultures. Expect projects to be brought home at various times during the year. Artwork is also displayed throughout the building.
Health Education Students in grades 2-5 learn appropriate material for their grade level which deals with self-esteem, uniqueness, families, feelings, safety, personal body safety, abduction prevention, communicable diseases, the human body, discrimination and harassment, and drug and tobacco use. Students receive 13 sessions of health instruction each year.
Student Internet and Computer Usage District guidelines concerning use of computer equipment can be found on the district website at https://www.mw.k12.ny.us/academics/computerized-resources/. These guidelines will be reviewed with students by the computer teacher at school, however, parents may wish to discuss them with their children as well.
In the beginning of September, the Student/Parent Consent Form is emailed to parents/guardians. It is an Opt-out document so if parents and guardians DO NOT believe their children should use computer equipment at school, they must sign and return the document to the Main Office. If parents do not return the signed form, the district assumes students will behave according to the Acceptable Use guidelines.
18 Library Media Center The North Main Street School library media center provides a rich collection of books, magazines and newspapers as well as computer and audiovisual software to meet the informational, recreational, and instructional needs of students and teachers. The library media center is open throughout the school day for students to select books and engage in research. Students receive approximately 13 sessions of library education per trimester, for two trimesters of the school year. During this time, they are introduced to various library media resources and tools for locating informational and recreational reading in the library. This scheduled instruction is supplemented on all grade levels with library research on various projects.
Physical Education All students in every grade level are required to participate in physical education for approximately 26 sessions per trimester unless specified by a doctor’s note. The program focuses on physical growth development, social instruction, physical fitness, and an introduction to competitive and lifetime sports activities.
Music Education Students in grades 2-5 attend music class for approximately 13 sessions per trimester. Along with this unit of study, students in grades 3-5 have the opportunity to participate in chorus, which will be done remotely this year due to COVID precautions.
Instrumental Music North Main Street School has instrumental music opportunities for students in grades 4 and 5. Instrumentalists receive small group lessons on a regular basis. Until further notice, all instrumental music education will be done remotely due to COVID precautions. There are opportunities for students to participate in NYSSMA for rating and evaluation, All County, All District, and other school and district music activities.
19 Health Information
A variety of health services are provided to Monroe-Woodbury students. These include vision, hearing and scoliosis screenings, provision of medication or treatment, emergency first aid, and assessment of symptoms that occur during school hours. Health staff also monitors immunization status and assist with state mandated physicals.
Illness at School If your child should become ill during school, you will be notified and requested to pick him/her up at school as soon as possible. Please notify the teacher and the nurse if your child requires special medical attention or consideration due to some temporary disability or illness.
Student Absence Due to Illness Students must bring an absence note when returning to school. Please do not send children to school if they have a fever of 100° or more, or have been vomiting. Have your child evaluated by your physician if you suspect a contagious disease.
Physical Examinations and Immunizations All children entering our district and all students beginning grades K, 1, 3, 7 and 10 are required by law to submit written proof of a medical examination. Parents may opt to have their child examined by their family physician or have the physical completed in school. The State Health and Education Law mandates that all children entering school must be properly immunized against polio, diphtheria, hepatitis, measles, German measles (Rubella), and mumps. The law requires the school district to exclude from attendance those students failing to provide proof of these immunizations.
Administration of Medication Any medication that is to be administered to students MUST be done under the district guidelines. A written request from the child’s doctor as well as a written request from the parent or guardian must be presented to the health office. The medication must be delivered to the health office in a properly labeled original container. Students must NEVER self-medicate under any circumstances. This includes the use of ibuprofen, aspirin, or aspirin substitutes. The school nurse, Kathy Doherty can be reached at 460-6800 x6832 if you have any questions.
20 School Meals
The Monroe-Woodbury Food Services offers a breakfast and lunch program at North Main. Meals for the 2021-22 school year are FREE for all students. Lunch includes an entrée, salad, fruit, and a beverage. Snacks such as ice cream, cookies and water are available for purchase. Students eligible for free or reduced lunch are automatically eligible for free or reduced price breakfast. Breakfast and lunch menus are emailed at the beginning of each month and are also available on the District web site at www.mw.k12.ny.us/cal/lunch/nmlunch.html
Due to COVID-19 precautions, no outside visitors are permitted to visit students during lunch.
If you wish to prepay for your child’s a la carte items, the cafeteria will keep a record of their spending account. Send a check, made payable to Monroe-Woodbury Food Services, and include your child’s name and homeroom teacher. You may also pay online by setting up an account at family.titank12.com. Periodic statements of account will be sent home with your child.
Lunch Times 3rd Grade: 10:40 – 11:25 4th Grade: 11:32 - 12:17 2nd Grade: 12:24 - 1:09 5th Grade: 1:16 – 2:01
Snacks Parents are encouraged to send a nutritious snack with their child to school for classroom snack time. Snacks should be non-sugared and follow the district guidelines in the Healthy Schools Initiative. Also, since many children have allergies to certain foods, the sharing of snacks is not allowed. Please follow the guidelines on snacks from your child’s teacher.
Lost and Found
Lost and Found contains items such as lunchboxes and clothing and is located on the back of the stage. All found articles are placed there daily. If name labels are sewn onto garments or marked with an indelible ink pen, children and teachers are able to identify lost items much more easily. Unclaimed items are given to charity. Articles left on the bus can be reclaimed by calling the transportation department at 845-460-6010.
21 North Main PTA
The North Main PTA is made up of teachers, parents and administrators, all working together for our children.
Your membership in the PTA and participation in the events and fundraisers help make many special programs possible for our children. At the same time, your membership goes to support national and state PTA efforts. PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy group in the country and it all starts locally with your PTA membership. Memberships are $10.00. Membership forms are available in the school office.
Your membership in the National PTA means: ▪making a difference in the lives of all children ▪supporting appropriate legislation to improve laws, policies, and conditions on behalf of all children ▪obtaining valuable information, news and services to keep parents abreast of key issues affecting children Your membership in our local PTA means: ▪investing in your children’s future ▪communicating with local and state decision-makers on issues and concerns facing today’s children ▪growing personally and professionally through leadership and development ▪obtaining valuable resources and materials on parenting, education, health and safety topics ▪uniting with a national association that advocates exclusively on behalf of all children
2021-22 North Main PTA Executive Committee President: Ashley Torres 845-545-4611 Vice President: Jessica Solcany 845-570-0099 Treasurer: Tina Carreras 201-543-8519 Recording Secretary: Bernice Collado 845-492-7191 Corresponding Secretary: Anna Buckley 845-519-3942
PTA can also be reached via e-mail at [email protected].
22 North Main Events and Activities
School Pictures Individual and class photos are scheduled each year. All students are required to have a picture taken for his or her cumulative folder at no cost. Portrait and class picture packages are available for purchase.
Book Fairs These are PTA fundraisers where children and parents can purchase books. The PTA schedules daytime visits for students and an evening time for families to visit.
Cultural Programs These events occur throughout the year. Our PTA provides funding for theatrical productions, musical presentations and curriculum oriented activities.
Author’s Day A program in which an author/illustrator visits our school and speaks with students.
Red Ribbon Week Scheduled in October for Drug Awareness Week. The PTA decorates the building and provides red ribbons and activities encouraging students to be safe and healthy for life.
Art Club Art club provides fifth grade students the opportunity to participate in art activities in an extracurricular setting.
Ecology Club Ecology club is open to fourth and fifth grade students interested in learning about protecting their environment. Members will participate in Earth Day projects, recycling projects, and more.
Movie Nights The PTA regularly hosts a movie night in the North Main cafeteria. A recently released, family-friendly movie will be shown. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase.
23 North Main Events and Activities (continued)
Odyssey of the Mind Third, fourth and fifth grade students audition in the fall for participation in Odyssey of the Mind. They work collaboratively and creatively to solve a predetermined problem. Practices are scheduled for the teams after school and on Saturdays. Parental transportation is required.
Computer Club The Computer Club is for fourth and fifth grade students. Computer club meets before school in North Main’s Computer Lab.
Newspaper Club The Newspaper Club is for fifth grade students who are interested in writing stories about our school. Newspaper club meets before school in North Main’s Computer Lab.
Intramurals This program offers physical fitness and teamwork activities for fourth and fifth grade students.
Drama Club The Drama Club is for fourth and fifth grade students who contribute their talents in acting, singing, dancing, set design, and stage crew support to put on North Main’s annual drama performance. This year’s show will be Peter Pan.
Information regarding all clubs and activities are sent home with students throughout the year.
North Main Building Leadership Committee
The North Main Street Elementary School Building Leadership Committee (BLC) plays an active role in supporting activities that enhance our students’ educational experience. An important component of the BLC is the Healthy Schools Initiative which supports the district’s goal to help students and staff make “Healthy Choices for a Healthy Lifestyle.”
We meet approximately eight times a year before the school day begins. Some of last year’s projects included: School-wide Literacy Day, Computer/Internet Safety presentations, and a North Main Basketball Game for St. Jude’s. We look forward to your contributions, suggestions, and participation.
24 Board of Education Information
Each spring, district voters elect community volunteers to serve three-year terms on the nine-member Board of Education. The board is the official policy-making body of the district. Board meetings are typically held at the Education Center, 278 Route 32, Central Valley. Meetings are held monthly on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Check the District calendar for specific dates.
Monroe-Woodbury district residents are asked to vote on issues such as school building projects and also on the yearly school budget each spring. Residents must be registered in order to vote on school matters. You may register to vote in the district during school hours or at the Education Center from 8:30am-4:40pm Monday through Friday. New registrants must file an application five days prior to any vote. Please contact Donna Vitucci, District Clerk at 460-6200 x6203 for further information.
Board of Education
Mrs. Staci McCleary, President Mr. Michael Ciriello, Vice President Mr. Anthony Andersen Mr. Don Beeler Mrs. Suzanne Donahue Mr. Jamell Evans Mr. Daniel Ezratty Mr. Sergey Koyfman Mrs. Dawn Tauber Omer Mosker – Student Representative
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