Spackenkill Union Free School District 2018-2019 Calendar and Guide
A tradition of excellence with a vision for tomorrow (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
Superintendent’s Welcome Message Dear Spackenkill Community: trict This is the second edition of our district calendar that we are mailing home to you. We have added more dates to the calendar to help families get a sense of some of the activities of general interest across the school district. Please visit spackenkillschools.org for updates, as some dates could change over the course of the school year. If you know of community members who would like copies for their own use, please have them contact Mary Forsell at the District Office. We print a few extras during the year. I encourage you to at the very least peruse the calendar because not only Mission does it contain key dates, but it also includes mandated policies that we are Statement required to communicate to our public. There is also a copy of this calendar Inspired by a tradition of on the website (spackenkillschools.org) with live links you can go to for the excellence and a spirit of full policies. continuous improvement, the Looking forward to a great 2018-2019 school year! Spackenkill School District will Sincerely, provide all of our students with the academic and social skills necessary to pursue their goals and become responsible citizens in an Mark Villanti, Ed.D. interdependent global community. Superintendent of Schools District Office Administration
Dr. Mark Villanti Superintendent of Schools (845) 463-7800 [email protected] Dr. Lori Mulford Assistant Superintendent (845) 463-7808 [email protected] for Curriculum, Instruction,
Spackenkill Union Free School Dis and Pupil Personnel Michele Moloney School Business Administrator (845) 463-7800 [email protected] (845)(845) 451-4900 463-7800 • www.poughkeepsieschools.org • www.spackenkillschools.org
Spackenkill High School 112 Spackenkill Road
trict Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 Spackenkill School District Phone: (845) 463-7810 Fax: (845) 463-7826 15 Croft Road Principal: Steven Malkischer Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 [email protected] (845) 463-7800 Assistant Principal: Dr. Patricia Tripken Steven Malkischer www.spackenkillschools.org [email protected]
Orville A. Todd Middle School 11 Croft Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Phone:(845) 463-7830 About Our District Fax: (845) 463-7832 Principal: Daniel Doherty Known for its long tradition of excellence [email protected] and high standards, the Spackenkill Union Assistant Principal: Anchala Sobrin Daniel Doherty [email protected] Free School District is a K-12 public school district located in the western part of Dutchess County, New York. Established Hagan Elementary School 42 Hagan Drive in 1866, it has grown from a one-room Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
schoolhouse to four schools serving some Phone: (845) 463-7840 1,500 students. The District is comprised of Fax: (845) 463-7881 Principal: John Farrell two elementary schools: Nassau Elementary [email protected] John Farrell (K-2), where full-day kindergarten is offered, and Hagan Elementary (Gr. 3-5). There are two secondary schools: Orville A. Todd Middle Nassau Elementary School School (Gr. 6-8), and Spackenkill High School 7 Nassau Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (Gr. 9-12). The district office is located behind Phone: (845) 463-7843 Todd Middle School. Fax: (845) 463-7842
Poughkeepsie City School District Nancy Ferrarone Spackenkill Union Free School Dis Principal: Nancy Ferrarone [email protected] September 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1
4 5 6 7 8 2 3 Superintendent’s Superintendent’s School Opens Labor Day Conference Day Conference Day NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Rosh Hashanah BOE Meeting Nassau Curriculum SHS Open House NO SCHOOL Todd MS Library Night 6 pm 6:30 pm 7 pm
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Todd Open House Hagan Curriculum Yom Kippur Elementary PTA 7 pm Night 6 pm NO SCHOOL Movie Night 6 pm Hagan
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 • Hagan Picture Day BOE Meeting • PTSA Meeting Todd MS Library SHS Library 7 pm Visit our 7 pm Sign up for new website at www. spackenkillschools.org. our weekly Friday newsletter, Click on “Select a School” 30 to find your child’s building. What’s Right with by writing to Teacher webpages are Spackenkill!, found under the Student [email protected] tab. October 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nassau Picture Day NICHE ranks Spackenkill Schools as Best Public Schools in Dutchess County for 2018
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 BOE Meeting 7th Grade Trip to 7th Grade Trip to 7th Grade Trip to Todd MS Library Washington, DC Washington, DC Washington, DC Columbus Day 7:30 pm NO SCHOOL Audit Committee
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 PTSA Meeting Todd MS Library Spackenkill has a non-resident 7 pm tuition policy. Visit https://tinyurl. com/ sufsdtuition
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Join the District Council Homecoming Homecoming Spackenkill Alumni Association on its 3:15 pm, District Weekend Weekend Facebook page: Office https:// www.facebook. com/spackalumni/ 28 29 30 31 •Hagan Principal’s Coffee 9:30 am
•BOE Meeting Todd MS Library 7:30 pm November 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3
Athletics SHS is a three-time NHS Induction program earned the NYS Reward School 6 pm NYSPHSAA School of and nominated for Excellence award in 2018 by US Education having over 75% of varsity Department Blue teams qualify for and receive Ribbon School. the Scholar-Athlete 4 5 6 7 8 9 team award. 10 Superintendent’s Conference Day NO SCHOOL
11 12 13 14 15 • Half Day 16 17 Veterans Day BOE Meeting Half Day Elementary • NYSSMA Area NO SCHOOL Todd MS Library Elementary Parent/Teacher All-State @ FDR 7 pm Parent/Teacher Conferences HS Conferences • With Their Eyes • With Their Eyes HS Fall Production HS Fall Production
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Spackenkill is one With Their Eyes PTSA Meeting Recess Recess Recess of the 14 best places HS Fall Production SHS Library 7 pm to live in the Hudson Valley, according to Hudson Valley Magazine.
25 26 27 28 29 30 BOE Meeting HS Winter Concert NYSSMA Todd MS Library 7 pm Conference All- 7 pm State December 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 NYSSMA Moody’s issued Spackenkill an Aa3 Conference All- rating based on State well maintained financial operations. 2 3 BOE Special 4 5 6 7 8 Meeting/Tentative Sale 7th & 8th Grade NYSSMA of Martha Lawrence & Winter Concert Capital Reserve Fund Conference Vote @ Spackenkill HS 7 pm All-State 7 am to 9 pm
9 10 • BOE Meeting 11 12 • District Council 13 14 15 Todd MS Library 7 pm Elementary Winter District Office • BOCES Capital Concert #1 3:15 pm Project Vote @ Spackenkill HS 7 pm • 6th Grade Winter 12 pm to 8 pm Concert 7 pm 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Elementary Concert #2 7 pm
23 24 2525 2626 2727 28 29 Winter Recess Winter Recess Winter Recess Winter Recess Winter Recess NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL
95% of Spackenkill graduates 30 31 attend a diverse group Winter Recess 31 of colleges, including NO SCHOOL Ivy League! January 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 Winter Recess School Reopens NO SCHOOL Spackenkill HS named among 2018 Best High Schools in New Year’s Day the United States by US News & World Report, Silver 6 7 8 9 10 11 Level 12 BOE Meeting Todd MS Library 7 pm
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
4 High PTSA Meeting School Todd MS Library students named Finalists in the 2018 Competition 7 pm for the National Merit Scholarship Awards 20 21 22 23 24 25 DCMEA 26 • Regents Exams Regents Exams Regents Exams Regents Exams Jr. High All-County Martin Luther @ Beacon High King Day • BOE Meeting School NO SCHOOL Todd MS Library 7 pm
27 28 29 30 31 February 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2
SHS Band won 1st Place and Best Band at 2018 Music in the Parks Competition. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
6-year winner of NAMM’s Best Communities for Music Education Award
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Mid-Winter Recess Mid-Winter Recess PTSA Meeting BOE Meeting SHS Library Todd MS Library 7 pm 7 pm
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Mid-Winter Recess Jazz Night @ Todd MS
7th & 8th Grade Orchestra24 25 26 27 28 won 1st Place in Division at BOE Meeting, 2018 Music in the Todd MS Library Parks Competition. 7 pm March 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 DCMEA 2 Elementary All- 6 - Year Winner County at Haviland of Utica National Middle School Safety Award - Titanium Level with Honors, the highest distinction3 • 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hagan Science Fair
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 PTSA Meeting BOE Meeting District Council Todd MS Library Todd MS Library District Office 7 pm 7 pm 3:15 pm
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 BOE Meeting Dutchess County Todd MS Library Regional Science Fair 7 pm
HS Junior 31 selected as National Finalist for 2017 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology. April 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6
Little Women Little Women HS Spring Musical HS Spring Musical
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 PTSA Meeting • BOE Meeting • 5th Grade Sharpe 5th Grade Sharpe 5th Grade Sharpe NYSSMA Solo Little Women SHS Library Todd MS Library Trip Trip Trip Festival @ Taconic HS Spring Musical 7 pm 7 pm •NYSSMA Majors Hills HS • NYSSMA Majors Instrumental @ John Instrumental @ John Jay Senior HS Jay Senior HS 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Spring Recess Spring Recess Spring Recess Spring Recess Spring Recess 2 Seniors selected as candidates for US Presidential Scholars Program based on ACT/SAT exams 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Spring Recess BOE Meeting, 2 HS students Todd MS Library named TOP scholars 7 pm in Regeneron Science Talent Search, nation’s BOCES Vote oldest & most prestigious competition 28 29 30 NYSSMA Majors NYSSMA Majors Choral @ George Choral @ George Fischer MS Fischer MS May 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 Spackenkill NYSSMA Solo NYSSMA Solo team placed 2nd Festival @ Festival @ at 2018 Academic WorldQuest Arlington HS Arlington HS Competition in World Affairs.
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 AP Exams • AP Exams • AP Exams • AP Exams • AP Exams NYSSMA Solo Festival @ George • BOE Meeting •Todd Band • 6th Grade Strings • NYSSMA Solo Fischer MS Todd MS Library Concert 7 pm & Chorus Concert Festival @ George 7 pm 7 pm Fischer MS
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 • AP Exams AP Exams AP Exams • AP Exams Spackenkill • PTSA Meeting • Elementary received STEM Todd MS Library Concert #1 Grant award of 7 pm 7 pm $2,000 from NYS. 19 20 2121 22 23 24 25 HS Concert #1 BOE Annual Meeting HS Concert #2 Memorial Day 7 pm Budget Vote 7 pm Weekend Trustee Election 7 am - 9 pm NO SCHOOL SHS Auditorium
26 27 28 29 30 31 Memorial Day 27 HS Science Elementary Remembrance NO SCHOOL Symposium Concert #2 Walk 7 pm June 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1
HS Athlete honored for outstanding academic achievement named to the Transamerica 2 3 BOE Meeting 4 5 6 Scholarship7 Honor Roll by 8 Todd MS Dining HS Senior Awards American Junior Regents Exams Hall 7 pm 6:30 pm Golf Association. Celebration of Successes
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Hagan Field Day Kindergarten Senior Prom Concert 9:30 am
16 17 • Regents Exams 18 19 20 21 22 • Nassau Field Day Regents Exams Regents Exams • Regents Exams • BOE Meeting • Hagan Moving Up Todd MS Library 9:30 am 7 pm
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Regents Exams Regents Exams •Regents Rating Day •Superintendent’s 3 HS Conference Day K-8 students presented •Last Day of School Biomedical Science Research at Jr. Science30 & Humanities Symposium, placing 1st, 2nd & 3rd. (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org Board of Education 2018-19 Board Members
trict Thomas Keith, Jr., President [email protected]
Melissa Dominick, Vice President [email protected] Tom Keith, BOE President Herman Lo, Trustee [email protected] The following radio/television stations/websites The Board is comprised of five elected will be notified and asked to make public representatives, each serving a five-year Richard Horvath, Trustee announcements regarding emergency school term. Each year, at the May budget vote, one [email protected] closings: available seat is voted on. We usually hold two meetings per month during the school Mary Sawyer, Trustee CANCELLATIONS.COM year. The community is encouraged to [email protected] WKIP 1450 AM attend. WRNQ Q92 92.1 FM The Board is a member of the New York WPKF/WFKP KISS FM 96.1/99.3 FM State School Boards Association (NYSSBA), WRWD 107.3 FM Board of Cooperative Educational Services Delays and Closings WBWZ/ROCK 93.3 FM (BOCES) and Dutchess County School WEOK/WPDH 1390 AM Boards Association. These organizations If more than five emergency closing days are WPDH 101.5 FM provide training and a wide range of needed, the make-up formula will be as follows: WCZX 97.7 FM information and services to help the Board If only one make-up day: May 24, 2019. If two guide the district. Board members are WRRV 92.7 FM make-up days: May 24 and April 15, 2019. If three encouraged to attend training, seminars, and WRKW 107.3 FM meetings to further their expertise in school make-up days: May 24, April 15, and April 16, WKIP 94.3 FM board matters. We closely follow the results 2019. If four makeup days: May 24, April 15, April WHUD 100.7 FM of the state and local testing programs to 16, and April 17, 2019. WBNR 104.7FM ensure that our students are learning to their Student safety is the highest priority when deciding WSPK 1260AM full potential. We frequently communicate THE CAT 98.5 FM whether to close or delay school or dismiss early with our elected representatives on legislative OLDIES 93.5 mandates and funding. We are careful to in inclement weather. Visit the district homepage make efficient use of the tax dollars and state at www.spackenkillschools.org. Messages for funding we receive. closings and delays and early dismissals are School Messenger Sign-up We hope to see you at our meetings and in sent through our Automated Communication SchoolMessenger provides timely our classrooms sharing whatever time and System (SchoolMessenger) via phone, text, email, communication to parents and staff members on talents you have. If you have any comments Facebook, and Twitter. such matters as weather-related closings and or questions, please feel free to contact any board member. Please note: The district has the option of calling delays, attendance, general-interest activities, both 2- and 3-hour delays. and district emergencies. For more information and to update your account, please visit http:// When school has been closed due to weather all www.spackenkillschools.org/parents/school_ outside user group activities are also canceled for
Spackenkill Union Free School Dis messenger the day/evening. (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
Non-Resident Tuition Policy Schools Against Violence in States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY The district has a Non-Resident Tuition trict Education (SAVE) 10005, (646) 428-3800, [email protected]. Policy. To read the full policy visit: All district-wide SAVE documents are available https://tinyurl.com/nonresident-tuition for public review at the following locations: Section 504 of the Disability Act State Income Tax Returns Spackenkill Union Free School District Office, The district shall make its programs and all individual School Building Offices, and at facilities accessible to all its students with State Aid to schools is based, in part, on the www.spackenkillschools.org disabilities. The district shall also identify, income of its residents. In order to receive evaluate, and extend to every qualified proper credit, please record tax number 612 Notice of Nondiscrimination student with a disability under Section 504 on your New York State tax return if you live The Spackenkill Union Free School District a free, appropriate public education. If you in the Spackenkill Union Free School District. does not discriminate on the basis of race, believe that you have been discriminated color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or against due to a disability, you have a right STUDENT EMERGENCY other protected categories under state or to present your complaint to the Section 504 INFORMATION CARDS AND federal law in its programs and activities and Coordinator for students, Lori Mulford, Assistant PROCEDURES provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, For the safety of your child, it is extremely other designated youth groups. The following and Pupil Personnel, in person at 15 Croft Rd., important that he/she has an emergency people have been designated to handle Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, by email at lori. inquiries regarding the non-discrimination card on file in the Main Office and Nurse’s [email protected] or by telephone at (845) policies: Office. If any changes should occur during 463-7808. the course of the school year, such as a Title IX Officers: Lori Mulford, Assistant change of address, telephone number, Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, Special Education Services: or contact person, please notify the and Pupil Personnel, for students, lori. Referrals for Preschool or School-Age Children school nurse immediately. In emergency [email protected]; and Michele Moloney, If a student’s parent or a person in the parental situations we ask your patience with the School Business Administrator, for staff, relationship, or a professional staff member of brief lag between incident and information [email protected] – Spackenkill the school district in which the student resides, availability as inaccurate information can Union Free School District, 15 Croft Rd., or the public or private school the student cause more harm than good. Emergency Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, (845) 463-7800. situations are dangerous to all, and by legally attends, suspects the student possesses Civil Rights Compliance Officers: Lori going to your child’s building it impedes a disability that affects the student’s educational Mulford, Assistant Superintendent for emergency services response. Students performance, they may refer the student to the Curriculum, Instruction, and Pupil Personnel, will be released to parents as soon as the Committee on Special Education. Send a letter Spackenkill Union Free School District, 15 situation is deemed safe to move students to Lori Mulford, Assistant Superintendent for Croft Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, (845) by emergency personnel. Should there Curriculum, Instruction, and Pupil Personnel 463-7800, [email protected]; and be an emergency situation, as soon as or the building administrator of the school that Steven Malkischer, High School Principal, 112 information is available it can be found the student attends (or is eligible to attend if Spackenkill Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, on the district website and a call will go not yet in school) for an individual evaluation. (845) 463-7810, steven.malkischer@sufsdny. out from our SchoolMessenger system. Determination of eligibility for special education org. Information provided will include where programs and services will be determined by the Committee on Special Education. For Spackenkill Union Free School Dis to pick up your child and the protocols for Inquiries regarding discrimination on the bases doing so. listed above may also be made to the United further information, please contact (845) 463- 7808. (845)(845) 451-4900 463-7800 • www.poughkeepsieschools.org • www.spackenkillschools.org Facilities Use school district receives a request for access. student when notified of the right to a hearing. The Board of Education recognizes and affirms Parents of students or eligible students may The right to consent to disclosures of person- trict the primary purpose of school facilities is to inspect and review the student’s education ally identifiable information contained in the provide and promote the education of the records upon request. Such request shall be student’s education records, except to the ex- district’s children. It shall be the policy of the in writing, to the Superintendent of Schools tent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without Board to encourage the greatest possible or designee, identifying as precisely as pos- consent. sible, the record or records which s/he wishes use of school facilities for community-wide One exception which permits disclosure with- to inspect. The student’s records will be made activities. This is meant to include use out consent is disclosure to school officials with available for review promptly, and in any event by recognized athletic, civic, social and legitimate educational interests. School offi- within 45 days of such written request. The par- fraternal, youth and religious organizations cials include administrators, teachers, support ent or eligible student will be notified of the time in accordance with law. Groups who wish staff, board members, and persons employed and place where the records may be inspected. to use the school facilities must meet all the by or under contract with the school district to No documents may be removed from school requirements of the district’s policies on Use perform a special task. A legitimate educational premises. of Facilities and must submit the district’s interest shall include performing a task that Facility Use Form, along with the required When a record contains information about stu- is specified in his or her job description or by insurance documentation, which is outlined dents other than a parent’s child or the eligible contract, performing a task related to a stu- on the form, in order to receive approval by student, the parent or eligible student may not dent’s education or the discipline of a student, the Spackenkill Union Free School District. inspect and review the portion of the record or providing a service or benefit related to the Groups must abide by the rules and regulations which pertains to other students. student or student’s family, such as health care, established for such use, including prohibition counseling, or job placement. Upon request, The right to request the amendment of the on alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. The High the school district discloses education records student’s education records that the parent/ School track, basketball and tennis courts, without consent to officials of another school guardian or eligible student believes are inac- as well as all of the district’s playgrounds, are district in which a student seeks or intends to curate or misleading: open for public use during non-school hours enroll. and when not otherwise in use for a district Parents/Guardians or eligible students may event. All other facilities require an application ask the school district to amend a record for use as outlined above. Applications are that they believe is inaccurate or mislead- available at the District Office, 15 Croft Road, ing. They should write to the Superintendent, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate or Student Records: Access and misleading or violates the privacy or other rights of the student. The Superintendent will Challenge Notice provide a written response within ten (10) work- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ing days of receipt of the written challenge, (FERPA) affords parents/guardians and stu- indicating whether or not the challenged mate- Directory Information Annual dents over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) rial will be corrected or deleted. If the request certain rights with respect to the student’s is denied, the Superintendent shall advise Notice education records, including: the parent or eligible student of their right to a Parents of students or eligible students have
Poughkeepsie City School District hearing to challenge the decision. Additional in- the right not to have Directory Information
Spackenkill Union Free School Dis The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the formation regarding the hearing procedures will disclosed without prior written consent. This be provided to the parent/guardian or eligible school district designates the following items (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org as Directory Information, and may disclose any U.S. Department of Education this paragraph shall not apply to any survey of these items without prior written consent, administered to a student in accordance unless notified to the contrary, in writing, by and Third Party Surveys with the Individuals with Disabilities trict the parent/guardian or eligible student by the Parents shall have the right, upon request, to Education Act. end of the first thirty (30) days of the school inspect U.S. Department of Education and third year: the district considers the following to be party surveys before they are distributed and Students and the Military student directory information: name; address; administered by the district to students, and Annual Notice Records telephone listing; grade level; participation shall also have the right to opt their child out of Pursuant to federal law, the Spackenkill Union in officially recognized activities and sports; participation in such surveys. weight and height (if members of athletic Free School District must disclose to military teams); dates of attendance; honors, degrees In the event that a third party survey contains recruiters and institutions of higher learning, and awards received. The district will not any of the following types of information: upon request, the names, addresses, and release a student’s social security number or 1. political affiliations or beliefs of the student telephone numbers of high school students. their student ID number. Copies of the District’s or the student’s parent; The district must also notify parents/guardians Student Records Policy can be obtained at the of their right and the right of their child to 2. mental and psychological problems of the District Office or on the district’s website. request that the district not release such student or the student’s family; information without the prior written parental FILING A COMPLAINT 3. sex behavior or attitudes; consent. Therefore, if you, as a parent/ guardian of a high school student, or a high Parents of students or eligible students 4. illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, school student, wish to exercise your option have the right to file a complaint with the demeaning behavior; to withhold your consent to the release of the U.S. Department of Education concerning 5. critical appraisals of other individuals with above information to military recruiters and/ alleged failure by the district to comply with whom respondents have close family or institutions of higher learning, you must the requirements of FERPA. The name and relationships; complete, sign, date, and return the form address of the Office that administers FERPA provided by the High School Main Office, or is: 6. legally recognized, privileged, or analogous relationships such as those of lawyers, send a letter to that effect to the attention of the Family Policy Compliance Office US. physicians, and ministers; High School Principal by the date specified on Department of Education the form. 600 Independence Avenue, SW 7. religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent; Washington, DC 20202-4605 Pesticide Annual Notification 8. income (other than that required by law New York State Education Law Section 409-H to determine eligibility for participation requires all public and nonpublic elementary in the program or for receiving financial and secondary schools to provide written assistance under such program); then notification to all persons in parental relation, the district will protect the privacy of the faculty, and staff regarding the potential use of student in the event of administration pesticides periodically throughout the school of such a survey, by allowing parents to year. The Spackenkill Union Free School inspect the survey prior to administration District is required to maintain a list of persons and by advising the students that their in parental relation, faculty, and staff who wish responses should contain no personally to receive 48-hour prior written notification of Spackenkill Union Free School Dis identifiable information. The provisions of certain pesticide applications. The following pesticide applications and conditions are not (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
subject to prior notification requirements: Homeless Children Annual • a school remains unoccupied for a trict continuous 72 hours following an Notice application; The school district shall provide a public • anti-microbial products; education to all persons between the ages • non-volatile rodenticides in tamper- of five (5) and twenty-one (21) who are legal resistant bait stations in areas district residents. The parent/guardian of a inaccessible to children; homeless child, or a homeless child if no • non-volatile insecticidal baits in parent/guardian is available, or the director of a tamper-resistant bait stations in areas residential program for runaway and homeless inaccessible to children; youth established pursuant to Article 19-H of • silica gels and other nonvolatile ready- the Executive Law, in consultation with the homeless child, where such homeless child is to-use pastes, foams, or gels in areas school to make up credit for up to two of the living in such program, may designate either inaccessible to children; major subjects. • boric acid and disodium octaborate the school district of current location, the school Scores on standardized English and mathemat- tetrahydrate; of origin, or a school district participating in a regional placement plan as the district the ics assessments for grades 3–8 shall not be the • the application of EPA-designated homeless child shall attend. sole or primary factor in a decision to promote biopesticides; or retain a student. • the application of EPA-designated exempt Promotion and Retention of materials under 40 CFR 152.25; Promotion in grades 9–12 shall be on the basis of credits earned in individual subjects. Stu- • the use of aerosol products with a directed Students Policy dents may attend summer school to make up spray in containers of 18 fluid ounces Promotion and retention in grades K–6 is credit for up to two of the major subjects. Per- or less when used to protect individuals decided on the basis of a thorough review of from an imminent threat from stinging mission for doubling in certain subjects may be the student’s entire profile, which includes the granted at the discretion of the building princi- and biting insects, including venomous student’s level of academic achievement and spiders, bees, wasps, and hornets. pal after a review of the individual situation with social/emotional/physical maturity. The reten- the parents, the counselor, and the teachers In the event of an emergency application nec- tion of a student is a decision to be made jointly involved. essary to protect against an imminent threat to by parents and the school’s RTI Team. Under human health, a good faith effort will be made normal circumstances, a student may not be re- to supply written notification to those on the tained more than one time during the student’s Parent Involvement Policy 48-hour prior notification list. If you would like elementary years. The building principal shall The Spackenkill Union Free School District to receive 48-hour prior notification of pesticide make the final determination in a promotion encourages parents to be involved in their chil- applications that are scheduled to occur in decision. dren’s education in a variety of ways, including, your school, contact: Dave Downes, Director of but not limited to the following: At the 7th and 8th grade levels, any student Facilities & Operations, 15 Croft Road, Pough- who fails two or more major subjects must • membership in parent/teacher keepsie, NY 12603 Phone: (845) 463-7800 repeat the grade. The major subjects are Eng- associations, Email: [email protected] lish, mathematics, science, and social studies. • membership in building and district-wide parent advisory committees,
Spackenkill Union Free School Dis Students in grades 7 and 8 may attend summer (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
• participation in programs sponsored by given suggestions for working with parents can work with their child. the school and other agencies on how to the student at home. The teacher Ideas for games and books are
trict help children succeed in school, or support staff person providing discussed. Parents are encouraged • participation in programs such as Pick a intervention services to the student to send in ideas and comments. Reading Partner; will be responsible for the above- • participation in district-wide surveys, required communications with • Teachers are encouraged to share parents. • attending parent/teacher conferences, activities or ideas that parents can use with parent coffees, open houses, and • When services are discontinued, the their child. They receive either a copy of an curriculum nights, parent will be notified in writing that activity or directions to make the activity. the services will be ending, and the • communicating with teachers and In addition, there are displays of children’s criteria for ending services. administrators whenever there is a books, games, information about libraries, question or concern, etc., at the school, always in classrooms, • reviewing the child’s daily planner hallways and the library. In addition to (grades 6-8), the above, the following services will be • reviewing and talking with teachers about provided by the district designated Title 1 student progress as reported in five-week school for students receiving services of notices and quarterly report cards, Title 1: • meeting with support staff such as social • Each fall at Curriculum Night, the workers, psychologists, and guidance teacher(s) who is/are paid with Title I counselors as deemed necessary. funds will meet with the parents of his/her • The District’s Academic Intervention students to review with them the Title I plan Services (AIS) program that is mandated and program. by the state and federal government has the additional specific parental • Each September an open house involvement procedures outlined below: is held for the parents. Parents are • The district website and ongoing • The building principal (or designee) invited to the classroom to see and meetings at school including School will be responsible for parental hear about the specific program their Board meetings, Parent Coffees and notification indicating a need for child is taking. The teacher shows a PTA meetings are the forums for AIS. This notification will be made in typical lesson. ongoing explanations of NYS Common writing and will include a summary • Four times a year, a formal report is of services being provided to the sent to the parent of each student Core Standards, student achievement, student, including when the services receiving AIS. The report is divided requirements of the Title I Programs and will be provided. The reason(s) for into sections representing the how to monitor students’ programs. intervention will be reviewed, and the standard or key idea for the subject. • An annual survey of parents of students consequences of not achieving the Parents of students who are being receiving the services of a Title I standards will be stated. monitored also receive a letter employee will be conducted to evaluate • Parents will also be kept apprised that tells them the results of the the content and effectiveness of the of their child’s progress through monitoring and the consequences of Parent Involvement Policy in improving quarterly written reports, parent the child’s performance. the academic policy of the Title I school.
Spackenkill Union Free School Dis conferences, and/or consultations, • At the elementary level, teachers and, when appropriate, will be give ideas and suggestions for ways (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
Parental Notification Regarding Dignity for All Students Testing Information
trict Teacher Qualifications (DASA): Prohibiting Upon parental request and in a timely manner, Discrimination and Parents may request information regarding the district will provide information regarding student participation in any mandated state the professional qualifications of the student’s Harassment of Students or local assessments by contacting Dr. classroom teacher(s), including, at a minimum Lori Mulford, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Pupil Personnel the following: The SUFSD Board of Education is committed at 845-473-7800. Such information shall be • Whether the teacher has met State to providing a safe and productive learning provided within two (2) weeks of the request. qualification and licensing criteria for the environment within its schools. In accordance grade levels and subject areas in which with New York State’s Dignity for All Students Spackenkill District Office, 15 Croft Road, the teacher provides instruction. Ask Act (DASA) the Board is committed to promptly Poughkeepsie, NY 12603; (845) 463-7800 questions. addressing incidents of harassment and/or Spackenkill High School, 112 Spackenkill • Whether the teacher has met State discrimination of students that impede students’ Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603; (845) 463- qualification and licensing criteria for the ability to learn. This includes bullying, taunting, 7810 grade levels and subject areas in which or intimidation in all their myriad forms as Orville A. Todd Middle School, 11 Croft Road, the teacher provides instruction. outlined in the district’s policies, which can be Poughkeepsie, NY 12603; (845) 463-7830 • Whether the teacher is teaching under found on the BoardDocs link off the district emergency or other provisional status website. Hagan Elementary School, 42 Hagan Drive, under which state qualifications or Poughkeepsie, NY 12603; (845) 463-7840 licensing criteria have been waived DASA Coordinators: Nassau Elementary School, 7 Nassau Road, • The baccalaureate degree major of Poughkeepsie, NY 12601; (845) 463-7844 the teacher and any other graduate To report an incident of discrimination, certification or degree held by the harassment or bullying, contact the building’s teacher, and the field of discipline of the Dignity Act Coordinator or fill out the certification or degree. appropriate form found either in each of the school’s main offices and on the district • Whether the child is provided services website. Please return form to your school’s by paraprofessionals and, if so, their Dignity Act Coordinator. qualifications. Spackenkill High School, Tracie Phillips, tracie. Additionally, schools that receive Title I funding [email protected] shall provide each individual parent timely no- tice that the parent’s child has been assigned Orville A. Todd Middle School, Kate Casucci, or has been taught for four or more consecu- [email protected] tive weeks by a teacher who does not meet ap- Hagan Elementary School, Joanne Shaffer, plicable State certification or licensure require- [email protected] ments at the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned. Nassau Elementary School, Jessica Mills, [email protected] Spackenkill Union Free School Dis (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
Opt-out Media Release Notice Child Abuse Hotline Guidelines: The District recognizes an important relationship between class
trict The Spackenkill Union Free School District The Office of Children and Family Services participation and class performance. provides the community with news, photos, and (OCFS) operates the following toll-free tele- Consequently, each teacher may consider videos from our schools, and information about phone number: 1-800-342-3720 to receive classroom participation as well as the student’s events, activities, achievements, etc. We do reports of child abuse or maltreatment. Further performance in homework, tests, papers this each year through a variety of methods, information can be found on the OCFS web- and projects, etc. When a student is absent, including printed publications, newsletters, site: http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cps /. with or without an excuse, he/she misses the calendars, media releases, website stories, opportunity for class participation. Any absence videos, and social media. Número de Teléfono de la from class that is not made up may result Some examples of news we may share include in a loss of points from the student’s class honor roll lists, unique classroom activities and Línea Directa de Abuso participation grade. lessons, artistic awards and performances, and Infantil A.) Absences academic recognitions. Information about your La Oficina Estatal de Servicios para Niños y 1. Absences counted under the attendance/ child, including his or her name, grade, age, Familias del Estado de Nueva York http://ocfs. grading policy include: photograph, and comments, may be published ny.gov/main/cps/ mantiene una línea directa a. All absences (whether excused or if he or she is part of one of these activities. de abuso infantil. El número de teléfono unexcused) not excluded below; In addition, photos/videos of students taken gratuito de Statewide es 1-800-342-3720 throughout the school year may be placed on 2. The following should NOT be counted as the pages of the printed and web versions of Attendance Policy absences under the attendance policy: district publications as well as shared with the media and in yearbooks. Plain Language Summary a. In-School Suspension (“ISS”); The district has an “opt-out” media policy only. It is the goal of the Spackenkill Union Free b. Any period of OSS where student This means that unless your child’s school School District to ensure that each student accepts alternative instruction; has a signed “opt-out” form on file, your child’s attend school the maximum number of days c. Attendance at a special education information and/or photo may be used in any possible, and to afford each student the oppor- program or service offered by a public school of the prior stated media capacities. Should tunity to meet his/her potential. This constitutes or an approved private school or facility when a you wish to “opt-out” and not permit your child’s a summary of the District’s attendance policy. student is homeless, disabled or incarcerated. photo and/or information to be shared or used For the comprehensive policy, please visit (See §175.6 of the regulations of the NYS in yearbooks, please complete the form posted BoardDocs. Commissioner of Education.) on each school’s website in a sidebar to the left Applicability: All students of compulsory B.) Makeup Policy of the screen titled Important Response Forms education age who reside legally within the and return it to the Principal’s Office by District must attend school. Legal school age 1. When a student misses a class or school September 14, 2018. The form is also available and legal residence are determined by the day, he/she is expected upon his/her return in the main office of each school. If you have Board of Education in accordance with state to provide a written explanation from his/her any questions, please call your child’s school. requirements as set forth in New York State parent or guardian. Moreover, the student and/ Education Law §§3202, 3205 to 3208, 3209 to or parent must consult with his/her teachers 3210 and 8 NYCRR §100.2. regarding missed work. If the absence is excused, the student may make up any work missed Spackenkill Union Free School Dis by arranging an assignment with the teacher. (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
2. Make-up assignments must be completed by the date specified by the student’s teacher each student. A teacher or district employee that may be relevant to a specific disciplinary situation. The complete Code of Conduct is trict for the particular class. Upon satisfactory and designated by the Board of Education will timely completion of the make-up assignment, make entries into the attendance register. available at all school sites, Central Office, and on the District webpage. Supporting Board of any earned points will be included when The District Attendance Incentives: Education policies are available on BoardDocs. calculating the student’s final grade. will design and implement incentives to 3. Reasonable make-up opportunities will be acknowledge students’ efforts to maintain or The Spackenkill Union Free School District Board given to students with excused absences due improve school attendance. of Education recognizes that students do not surrender their civil rights or in fact any right of to: a) personal illness; b) illness or death in The District Incremental Interventions: citizenship or residence as they enter and pursue the family; c) disability; d) impassable roads or will design and implement a system specific an education in our schools. The district further weather; e) religious observance; f) quarantine; incremental intervention strategies to identify recognizes that students are not entitled to any g) required court appearances; h) attendance and alleviate attendance problems in their early special rights not enjoyed by all citizens or residents at health clinics; i) approved college visits; stages. Any discipline imposed as a result of of a comparable age. Therefore, it is understood that j) approved cooperative work programs; k) unexcused absences, shall be consistent with necessary rules and regulations must be established military obligations; or l) such other reasons the District-wide Code of Conduct. as may be approved by the Commissioner of to ensure the educational welfare of all students. Education. Appeals: Appeals regarding the attendance It is the responsibility of all students to know policy will be made directly to the principal or and abide by all rules and regulations concerning 4. Students who are unable to attend class other designated administrator in according student conduct. It is the responsibility of all staff to period/day due to their participation in a with District policy. make sure that students meet and follow these rules school-sponsored activity (e.g., field trip, and regulations and recognize these responsibilities Returns to District: Students, who leave music lessons, etc.) and who arrange with as reasonable and fair. their teachers to make-up missed work, shall the District and subsequently return, must still be given credit for class participation the class honor the attendance policy. All previous class All Spackenkill students, at all times, are day/period missed. absences will still count for that academic year. representatives of the district. Therefore, students may be held accountable and disciplined for their Responsibilities: Successful implementation C.) Consequences for Exceeding Absences conduct where the conduct bears a nexus to the Without Making Up Classwork of any attendance policy requires cooperation among all members of the educational safety, morals, health, or welfare of others. Students 1. If a student loses credit in a course, he/she community including parents, students, who are violent or disruptive (as those terms are may request a meeting with his/her guidance teachers, guidance counselors, administration defined in the New York Education Law and/ counselor to discuss all remaining options. and support staff. All parties will perform their or Rules and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education) or who engage in conduct that is D.) Summer School Courses responsibilities as outlined in the District policy. disorderly; insubordinate; endangers the safety, Students may complete a course in summer For the full policy, please visit https://tinyurl. morals, health, or welfare of the student or others; school only if they have attended the regular com/SUFSD-attendance-policy or damages property as indicated by, but not limited school-year course for all quarters of the to, the examples in the Code of Conduct, may be course. Code of Conduct subject to detention, removal from the classroom, or suspension from attendance upon instruction, Recordkeeping: Attendance shall be taken in Plain Language Summary transportation, participation in interscholastic accordance with District policy. An attendance This is a plain language summary of the District’s register will be maintained by the district for athletic programs, or school functions, as set forth Spackenkill Union Free School Dis Code of Conduct and does not include all language in the District’s Code of Conduct. (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
Depending upon the nature of the violation and the provided during the period of removal as soon activities subject to the supervision and control of student’s prior record, student discipline shall be as practical. The type of continued educational the district.
trict progressive from lighter to more severe punishment. programming will vary depending upon the Students with Disabilities: Discipline of students This does not mean that students with different student’s individual needs, but may consist of, for classified as having, or suspected of having, a discipline histories or students involved in different example, study hall, in-school suspension support, disability will occur in accordance with the IDEA violations cannot receive the same penalty. With or other instruction as determined by the principal. and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of regard to students with a disability, no penalty Maintenance of Public Order: These rules 1973, as applicable, as well as the District’s Code of may result in a change of placement without a and procedures hereby adopted by the Board of Conduct. manifestation determination meeting. Education shall govern the conduct of students, Referrals to Outside Agencies: Appropriate Repeatedly disruptive students and violent students teachers and other school personnel, licensees, referrals to outside agencies will be made when a will be subject to an out-of-school suspension no invitees, and other authorized visitors while student who is at least fourteen (14) years of age is less than three (3) days, subject to modification on school property or at school functions. The suspended for possession on school property of a on a case-by-case basis based on the particular Superintendent, building principal, or his/her gun, knife, explosive or incendiary device, or other circumstances present. designee shall inform any licensee or invitee who dangerous instrument capable of causing physical violates any provisions of these rules that his/ In accordance with the Family Educational Rights injury or death, the Superintendent of Schools her license or invitation is withdrawn and shall and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents/legal guardians will refer such student to the appropriate local law direct him/her to leave the school grounds or do not have the right to know the names of other enforcement officials. other property of the district. In the event of his/ students involved in disciplinary incidents or to her failure or refusal to do so, or in the case of When a student who is suspended for knowingly know disciplinary action taken against any students a trespasser or other unauthorized visitor, such possessing an illegal drug on school property, other than their own children designee shall cause his/her ejection from such or does not attend school in accordance with the Initiation of a Student Disciplinary Proceeding: school grounds or property. Students, teachers, other provisions of part one of Article 65 of the Education Any teacher, administrator, student, or school school personnel may also be subject to discipline Law, or is otherwise incorrigible, ungovernable, district personnel must report a violation of the for failure to abide by the Code of Conduct. or habitually disobedient, and beyond the lawful Code of Conduct to the building principal. The control of school officials, he/she may be subject Enforcement Program: The Superintendent, principal or his or her designee shall investigate the to the filing of a person in need of supervision building principal, or a designee shall be responsible charges as he/she deems appropriate and institute an proceeding consistent with the provisions of Article for the enforcement of these rules. informal or formal hearing. Suspension in excess 7 of the Family Court Act. of five (5) days shall require a Superintendent’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment in the Reporting Incidents of Harassment, Hearing in accordance with due process procedures School District: The Board of Education recognizes Discrimination, and Bullying: The Board prescribed by Education Law. its responsibility to provide an environment that is of Education will not tolerate harassment, free of harassment and discriminatory conduct as Process for Removal: If the student does present discrimination, and/or bullying. To report required by federal and state law. a danger or an ongoing threat of disruption to the discrimination and harassment: contact the district’s academic process, he/she may be removed from The Board prohibits all forms of discrimination Civil Rights Compliance Officers, Lori Mulford class in accordance with the Education Law and the and harassment on the basis of the protected classes (845-463-7800) and Steven Malkischer (845-463- District’s Code of Conduct. described below by employees, school volunteers, 7810). To report an incident of bullying, contact students, and non-employees, such as contractors the building’s Dignity Act Coordinator or fill out In the event of teacher removal of a disruptive and vendors, as well as any third parties who are the appropriate form found either in each of the student in accordance with this Code of Conduct, participating in, observing, or otherwise engaging in school’s main offices or on the homepage of the
Spackenkill Union Free School Dis continued educational programming will be (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
district’s website. That form will be forwarded to early identification and resolution of disciplinary Child Nutrition Notification the appropriate people for action. problems. This may include, but not be limited trict • Spackenkill High School: 463-7810 to, referral to appropriate, outside human service Free & Reduced Price Meal Tracie Phillips, [email protected] agencies. Their sound professional understanding Please visit http:// • Todd Middle School: 463-7830 of child and adolescent behavior and development Program Kate Casucci, [email protected] is a key to effective resolutions of behavioral www.spackenkillschools.org/departments/ • Hagan Elementary School: 463-7840 problems. food_services Joanne Shaffer, [email protected] Alternative Educational Programs Appropriate In fulfilling its responsibilities under the National School • Nassau Elementary School: 463-7843 to Individual Student Needs: The Spackenkill Lunch and Breakfast Programs, the Spackenkill Union Jessica Mills, [email protected] Union Free School District Board of Education Free School District agrees to: recognizes that students have special needs Roles of Stakeholders Implementing Appropriate that must be met. The district offers alternative • Serve meals free to any student who is a Conduct on School Property: All stakeholders educational programs that can promote student member of a family that has an annual income should assist students in maintaining a safe, accomplishment in ways other than the traditional below the applicable family-size income level supportive school environment, a climate of mutual classroom. Contact the district for more information adopted by the school district, as prescribed by respect and dignity for all students regardless of or review the District’s Code of Conduct. the New York State Education Department. actual or perceived race, color, weight, national Guidelines and Programs for In-Service origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practices, • Prohibit the physical segregation of, or any Educational Program to Ensure Effective creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation (which other discrimination against, any student Implementation of School District Policy on is defined as heterosexuality, homosexuality, because of his/ her inability to pay the full School Conduct and Discipline: The District will bisexuality, or asexuality, whether actual or price of meals. perceived), and/or gender (which includes a distribute the Code of Conduct in accordance with person’s actual or perceived sex, gender identity the law and Commissioner’s regulations. Follow the hearing procedure outlined in district and expression, as well as a person’s failure to For the full policy go to https://tinyurl.com/sufsd- regulations for the appeal of decisions regarding conform to stereotypical notions or masculinity and code-of-conduct eligibility. The Spackenkill Union Free School femininity), which will strengthen students’ self- District assures the New York State Education concept and promote confidence to learn. Department Child Nutrition Program Administration Procedures for Early Identification and that the school district will uniformly implement the Resolution of Disciplinary Problems: Procedure following regulation with respect to determining the shall be employed to ensure that reasonable eligibility of students for free meals in all National efforts are applied to early intervention in cases School Lunch and Breakfast Program–participating involving disciplinary problems, including new schools under its jurisdiction. entrant screening, responsive to intervention, and appropriate referrals to the Committee on Special Designated Official Education. The title of the official(s) who has been designated to determine which students are eligible for free Classroom and Building Instructional Personnel: meals under the regulations is the School Lunch Nothing in the foregoing procedure shall prevent the Director. classroom teacher(s) or building principal(s) from
Spackenkill Union Free School Dis taking whatever other steps they deem necessary, Criteria for Determining Eligibility which lies within their responsibilities, for the The Spackenkill Union Free School District will (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
use the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for The intent of this policy is to establish procedures to training program. determining eligibility for free and/or reduced price address unpaid meal charges throughout the Spackenkill • Staff training includes ongoing eligibility certifica-
trict meals. The only specific criteria to be used will be Union Free School District in a way that does not stig- tion for free or reduced price meals. gross family income and the number of individuals matize, distress or embarrass students. The provisions of in the family and will be uniformly applied by all this policy pertain to regular priced reimbursable school PARENT NOTIFICATION: National School Lunch and Breakfast Program– breakfast, lunch and snack meals only. The Spackenkill • Parents/guardians will be notified that a student’s participating schools under the jurisdiction of the Union Free School District provides this policy as a cour- meal card or account balance is exhausted and has school district. The scale based on the above criteria tesy to those students in the event that they forget or lose accrued meal charges within 5 days of the charge and may be changed from year to year by the New York their money. Charging of items outside of the reimburs- then every 5 days thereafter. State Education Department in accordance with able meals (a la carte items, adult meals, etc.) is expressly the annual United States Secretary of Agriculture’s prohibited. PARENT OUTREACH: guidelines. Any change in the scales will be submit- • Staff will communicate with parents/guardians with ted to each school district by the New York State II. POLICY five or more meal charges to determine eligibility for Education Department for their adoption. Free Meal Benefit - Free eligible students will be allowed free or reduced price meals. to receive a free breakfast and lunch meal of their choice • School staff will make two documented attempts to each day. A la carte items or other similar items must be reach out to parents/guardians to complete a meal paid/prepaid. application in addition to the application and instruc- tions provided in the school enrollment packet. Reduced Meal Benefit - Reduced eligible students will • School staff will contact the parent/guardian to offer be allowed to receive a breakfast of their choice for $.25 assistance with completion of meal application to de- and lunch of their choice for each day. The charge meals termine if there are other issues within the household offered to students will be reimbursable meals available causing the child to have insufficient funds, offering to all students, unless the student’s parent or guardian has any other assistance that is appropriate. specifically provided written permission to the school to Meal Charge Policy withhold a meal. Please contact Lisa French, School MINIMIZING STUDENT DISTRESS: I. PURPOSE Lunch Director at (845) 463-7836 to provide such • School will not publicly identify or stigmatize any The goal of the Spackenkill Union Free School District permission. A la carte items or other similar items must student on the line or discuss any outstanding meal is to provide student access to nutritious no- or low-cost be paid/prepaid. debt in the presence of any other students. meals each school day and to ensure that a pupil whose • Students who incur meal charges will not be required parent/guardian has unpaid school meal fees is not Full Pay Students - Students will pay for meals at the to wear a wristband or handstamp, or to do chores or shamed or treated differently than a pupil whose parent/ school’s published paid meal rate each day. The charge work to pay for meals. guardian does not have unpaid meal fees. meals offered to students will be reimbursable meals • Schools will not throw away a meal after it has been available to all students, unless the student’s parent or served because of the student’s inability to pay for Unpaid charges place a large financial burden on our guardian has specifically provided written permission to the meal or because of previous meal charges. school. The purpose of this policy is to insure compliance the school to withhold a meal. A la carte items or other • Schools will not take any action directed at a pupil with federal requirements for the USDA Child Nutrition similar items must be paid/prepaid. to collect unpaid school meal fees. Program, and to provide oversight and accountability for • Schools will deal directly with parents/guardians the collection of outstanding student meal balances to ONGOING STAFF TRAINING: regarding unpaid school meal fees. ensure that the student is not stigmatized, distressed or • Staff will be trained annually and throughout the
Spackenkill Union Free School Dis embarrassed. year as needed on the procedures for managing meal ONGOING ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION: charges using the NYSED Webinar or the school’s • School staff will conduct direct certification with (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
NYSSIS or using NYSED Roster Upload to max- year. Unclaimed funds will then become the property of their child(ren). Parents should ensure that students imize free eligibility. NYSED provides updated the Spackenkill Union Free School District Food Service are properly dressed for the temperature and wind trict direct certification data monthly. Program. Read the policy online at https://tinyurl.com/ chill. • School staff will provide parents/guardians with free sufsdmeals and reduced price application and instructions at the Behavioral Expectations beginning of each school year in school enrollment Board Policies packet. To read all Board policies in full, go to https:// The bus driver is in charge of the bus and is • Schools using electronic meal application will tinyurl.com/sufsdpolicies and click on the Policies responsible for the safety of students en route and provide an explanation of the process in the school tab. while they are crossing the roads. Behavior that enrollment packet and instructions on how to request distracts the driver, and thus endangers the safety of a paper application at no cost. Bus Routes and Safety the students on the bus, is prohibited. Students on school buses must obey the requests and directions • Schools will provide at least two additional free and Transportation Requests of the bus driver. Please review the following bus reduced price applications throughout the school safety rules with your child in order to ensure a safe, year to families identified as owing meal charges Transportation Requests for Private/Parochial comfortable ride for all. Students who choose not • Schools will use administrative prerogative judi- schools are due in the Transportation Office before April 1st for the following school year. to follow these rules will be subject to disciplinary ciously, only after using exhaustive efforts to obtain action, including bus suspension. Parents/guardians a completed application from the parent/guardian For information, call Doreen Wright in the Transportation Office at (845) 463-7800. will be contacted regarding inappropriate behavior only with available information on family size and on the bus. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. income that falls within approvable guidelines. Bus Routes Bus Safety Rules • Schools will coordinate with the foster, homeless, Routes are mailed to families in mid-to-late August migrant, runaway coordinators at least monthly to of each year. Please be aware that buses can • No student may attempt to enter or leave the bus while it is in motion. certify eligible students. sometimes vary by 10 minutes early or late. If the district is aware of a longer delay, automated phone • After boarding, students are to take their seats Students/Parents/Guardians may pay for meals in advance quickly and remain seated until they leave the bus. via http://www.myschoolbucks.com/ or with a check calls will go out to families informing them of the estimated time frame. • If students live on the side of the road opposite payable to Spackenkill Union Free School District School that on which the bus stops, they must remain there Lunch Fund. Further details are available on our webpage until the bus stops and the bus driver directs them to at http://www.spackenkillschools.org/depart- Bus Safety Communication cross. Students should cross 10 feet in front of the bus. ments/food_services. Funds should be maintained in All buses are equipped with two-way radio systems • Students may not eat on the bus. accounts to minimize the possibility that a child may be that provide instant and constant communication without meal money on any given day. Any remaining between bus drivers and the Transportation • Students may not yell, fight, push, shove, Office supervisory staff. This communication wrestle, tease, or engage in name-calling or funds for a particular student may/will be carried over to bullying. the next school year. system ensures that all questions and concerns are addressed as quickly as possible. If you have • Nothing may be thrown about on the bus or Refunds for withdrawn, and graduating students; a written thrown out the window. a question or concern that needs to be addressed, or e-mailed request for a refund of any money remaining contact the Transportation Office at (845) 463-7800. • Students are expected to care for the bus and not in their account must be submitted. Students who are litter or damage the bus in any way. graduating at the end of the year will be given the option Parents’ Responsibilities • Students are to keep hands, arms, and feet inside to transfer to a sibling’s account with a written request. Parents have the right to choose not to put their the bus at all times. Spackenkill Union Free School Dis child(ren) on the bus if they would like to transport Unclaimed Funds must be requested within one school (845) 463-7800 • www.spackenkillschools.org
What Can Be Brought on the Bus? • Students require a bus pass in order to ride bus in approved Preschool Special Education programs to a different location other than their stop. established under Section 4410 of the Education Law. The New York State Department of Transportation trict and federal regulations PROHIBIT bringing large • Students must have a bus pass in order to ride Residence criteria states that all persons dwelling items and large musical instruments on school late buses. within the district who are between the ages of five (5) buses. All of the items that the student will be • Students should be ready to board bus when and twenty-one (21) years and who have not received bringing to school should be packed into a carrying bus arrives. a high school diploma shall be entitled to enroll in the district. case, such as a tote bag or backpack, which must • Aisle of the bus must remain clear at all times. be small enough to be held on the student’s lap. Students who present themselves for enrollment will Large items and food for class parties may not be • Students in elementary will be brought back to be immediately enrolled and begin attending school transported by school bus. school if NO ADULT is present at the bus stop, the next day, or as soon as practicable, pending a final unless accompanied by a note from the parent determination of residency within in three days of The following is a partial list of what is allowed on and/or guardian to the district. enrollment. Proof of residency will be required along the bus if held on lap: piccolo, oboe, flute, soprano STOP! IT’S THE LAW! NEVER PASS A with a completed and notarized registration packet and clarinet, bassoon, snare drum, alto saxophone, STOPPED SCHOOL BUS WHILE ITS RED other designated documentation. trumpet, violin, viola, and golf clubs. Service LIGHTS ARE FLASHING! animals are allowed when accompanying a student. Graduation Ceremonies Large items are not allowed on the bus. These Age and Residency Requirements: Students who have earned a Career Development and include, but are not limited to: alto clarinet, bass Ages of Attendance/Compulsory Occupational Studies Commencement Credential clarinet, contra bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, Attendance Age (CDOS) or Skills and Achievement Commencement cello, guitar, French horn, tenor saxophone, tuba, According to Education Law, a student who Credential (SACC) by the time his/her ninth grade baritone horn, string bass, trombone, large school becomes (6) years of age on or before the first of cohort reaches graduation may, but are not required to, participate in that graduation ceremony and projects, skateboards, lacrosse sticks, baseball bats, December in any school year shall be required to related activities. If a student who participates in the and skis and poles. attend full-time instruction from the first day that the district schools are in session in September graduation ceremony by earning a CDOS or SACC Other items not allowed on the bus include but of such school year, and a student who becomes only subsequently meets the requirements for either are not limited to, any weapons, pets or any live six (6) years of age after the first of December in a Regents or local high school diploma, he/she animals other than service animals, glass containers, any school year shall be required to attend full- may participate in the graduation ceremony of that and aerosol cans. time instruction from the first day of session in graduating class as well. For more information on the the following September. It is the policy of the District’s policy and regulations regarding graduation Spackenkill Board of Education that children must participation, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ Preliminary Transportation Bus be five (5) years of age to attend kindergarten, sufsdgrads Routes & Safety following the formula as stated above. • Students from other districts are not allowed to In accordance with Education Law Section 3205(3), ride our buses without the Superintendent’s or the Board of Education shall require minors from designee’s permission. sixteen (16) to seventeen (17) years of age who are • Students are to be at bus stop 5 minutes before not employed to attend full-time instruction until scheduled pick-up time. the end of the school year in which the student turns seventeen (17) year of age. • Instruments/projects that cannot be placed on a student’s lap will require parents to transport to It is also the policy of the Board of Education
Spackenkill Union Free School Dis and from school. to provide an opportunity to resident preschool educationally handicapped children to participate Spackenkill Union Free School District Non-Profit Org. District Office U.S. Postage 15 Croft Road PAID Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 Permit No. 1500 Newburgh, NY
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