PS 382: Elementary School for Math, Science & Technology

Welcome to the 2010 - 2011 Academic Year

This is not an exhaustive list of staff responsibilities /requirements.

This handbook is a “Living Document” and will be updated periodically.

Additional requirements/ responsibilities/policies will be articulated in future memoranda.

Please be advised that, as a staff member of PS 382, you are responsible and accountable for ALL the information contained herein as well as any additional memoranda. Upon receipt of an electronic copy, you will sign a master list to indicate accordingly.

______

Recipient’s Name Date

Signature

@ The Creston Campus, 125 East 181 Street, Bronx, New York 10453 Avon Connell-Cowell, PhD – Principal Germaine Ruiz, MS Ed. – School Counselor Page 1 PS 382: Elementary School for Math, Science & Technology

Network Affiliation & Integrated Services Information Superintendent: Sonia Menendez

District: 10

School Support Organization (SSO): Empowerment Organization

Network Number: Children First Network (CFN) 109

Network Leader: Maria Quail

Deputy Network Leader Caterina DiTillio

Structure of the School Day

Day Start Time End Time Monday 8:35 a.m. 3:25 p.m. Tuesday 8:35 a.m. 3:25 p.m. Wednesday 8:35 a.m. 3:25 p.m. Thursday 8:35 a.m. 3:25 p.m. Friday 8:35 a.m. 3:25 p.m.

Period Schedule

Period Start Time End Time Period 1 8:35 a.m. 9:35 a.m. Period 2 9:35 a.m. 10:35 a.m. Period 3 - Lunch 10:35 a.m. 11:25 a.m. Period 4 11:25 a.m. 12:25 a.m. Period 5 11:25 a.m. 12:25 p.m. Period 6 12:25 p.m. 1: 25 p.m. Period 7 1:25 p.m. 2:25 p.m. Period 8 2:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m.

Chancellor’s Regulations Regarding Lateness and Absence

 As per the Chancellor’s Regulations, pedagogical staff members are required to report for duty by 8:35 a.m. Regulation “Reporting for C-601 defines Duty” as the following:

o Normal Workday for Teachers

On a day during which no additional time is required, the school day for teachers is six hours and twenty minutes, including the lunch period. Hence, for a school with a normal schedule and dismissal time of 3:25 p.m., teachers must report for service no later 8:35 a.m., whether or not they have specific class assignment or coverage at the time.

o Reporting for Duty

For the purposes of services, reporting to duty means reporting where assigned duties are to be performed and not merely signing or clocking in. Therefore, a teacher who is assigned to take charge of students at 8:35 a.m. must be at the designated classroom or pick up area no later than 8:35 a.m., regardless of the time the teacher clocked or signed in.

The payroll secretary is responsible for moving time cards not moved to the “in” slot by 8:35 a.m. Any staff member not present by 8:35 a.m. will be recorded as late. Two lateness within one month will require a conference with the principal and the individual will also be required to use the clock to punch in and out daily for a month.

Each staff member is responsible for moving his/her time card IN and OUT daily. Failure to move the time card after three consecutive days will require punching in for an entire month.

Payroll deductions will be made when the aggregate time is greater than 30 minutes during the academic year. Repeated lateness will result in further disciplinary action.

In the event of an emergency and you are delayed, please contact the main office. Regardless of the reason, teachers who arrive late must punch their time cards. Also, if you are late or leave school early for personal business, you are required to punch your time card. A teacher’s preparation coverage will be rescheduled for the first period to accommodate a late arrival. Lateness of more than 5 days and absences of more than 10 days can result in an unsatisfactory rating for the year.

At the end of each month, staff members are required to sign their time card and place it in the box or basket on the counter. Please make sure you check the card prior to signing as your signature is verification that you aware of the notations on your time card.

Arrival Procedures

All classroom teachers are expected to meet their respective classes in the gymnasium. Classes will have designated seating areas, thereby making it easier for teachers to escort the students upstairs.

Lunch Procedures

 It is expected that students arrive on time (10:35 a.m.) to their designated areas. We share a campus with two other schools; it is important that we are mindful that others need to use common areas and that we respect the time allotted to each school.

 Cluster teachers assigned to classes before lunch will take children to the cafeteria.

 Students will either be picked up from play area or the auditorium. Students should be picked up promptly at 11:25 a.m. from the designated areas.

Dismissal Procedures

 Kindergarten, First & Second Grade

o Students will be dismissed from the gym. Teachers are to escort the students to the gym and make sure they are seated quietly in their designated seating areas.

 Third Grade

o Students will be dismissed using the East 181st Exit (the main entrance prior to the new addition to the building).

 Fourth Grade

o Students will be dismissed using the rear exit on Creston Ave.

 Third and fourth grade students are able to walk home unsupervised if the parents have authorized them to do so. Letters have been sent to the parents; a list of all the students who are allowed to walk home unsupervised will be provided by the end of the first full week of school.

 Students participating in the Good Shepherd Afterschool Program will be picked up by a designated staff member or Good Shepherd employee at the end of each school day, once the program begins.

 Children not picked up by 3:35 p.m. should be taken to the gym.

Instructional Expectations

The goal of childhood education is to provide a solid, well rounded foundation that prepares the students for future academic success. All teachers are responsible for student achievement. Hence, differentiated instruction is mandated for all teachers in all grades.

Literacy

 Literacy. The AUSSIE Do Your Own (DYO) Assessment Option will be used to determine students’ literacy competencies in early childhood. DYO, Acuity, and state assessments will be used to determine students’ literacy competencies in third & fourth grade. Therefore, students should be able to read and understand grade level books; identify story elements and structure; know the difference between fiction and non-fiction; make connections with the books they are reading to events and experiences in their world; and be able to write for various types of communication following the conventions of the English language. To facilitate students’ development the following instructional program will be implemented: o Literacy instruction must be aligned to the state standards. Please refer to these standards when planning and implementing instruction as these outline knowledge and competencies for each grade. o Implementation of a 90 minute literacy block in kindergarten: 45 minutes for reading and 45 minutes for writing. o Implementation of a 120 minute literacy block in first, second, third and fourth grades: 60 minutes in reading and 60 minutes in writing. The literacy block in all grades will include whole group, small group and independent configurations during the following: . Shared Reading ( no more than 15 minutes) . Independent Reading/Literacy Centers/Conferring (2o minutes) . Sharing (5 minutes)

. Guided Reading (20 minutes sessions) . Read Aloud (Mentor Text for Writing) ( no more than 15 minutes) . Shared or Interactive Writing (15 minutes) . Independent Writing/ Writing Conferences (20 minutes) . Writer’s Share (10 minutes) o Frequent informal assessments: running records, observations and conferring. o Periodic formal assessments: Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessments. Both formal and informal assessments will be use to determine students reading groups. Appropriate notes/records must be kept during conferring and guided reading. . Assessment data must be current (no older than 6 weeks) kept in Data Binders in a conspicuous location for easy reference. o Fifteen to twenty minutes of daily work study. o Interactive word walls. Words should be added to the word wall daily. Initially in kindergarten and first grade the words should be taken from the DYO assessment list word list, gradually moving to the words on the advance sight word list. Words retired from the word wall should be placed in envelopes next to the initial letter so that students will be able to access the words as needed. o Leveling at least 30% of the classroom library, based on Fountas & Pinnell reading levels.

o Daily independent reading or comprehension activities are expected for every child, which include the following expectations: . All students are expected to shop for independent reading books in the classroom library once per week. In order to manage the

time and to ensure all the students get a chance to shop for books, designate specific days for different groups of students. A chart should be posted to make sure students are aware of their designated day to visit the library. . Students are expected to shop for five books; two of which should be non-fiction. . Students are expected to have a reader’s notebook in which they write a response to at least three of their independent reading books. Responses can be in the form of responding to a prompt; characterization; visualization; sequencing of main events; etc. Students, however, must have a focus for independent reading.

o Writing is an important component of the literacy block hence the following expectations are required in ALL classrooms: . Students are expected to write independently every day. . All students must have a writer’s notebook and writing folders beginning in September. . Teachers must create a learning environment where writing is a natural component of the curriculum by having students write in all content areas, including mathematics. . Students need to experience the writing process, both through teacher modeling and independently: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing and sharing. . At least one published piece should be collected each month and included in the students’ portfolios. . Daily teacher-student conferences, providing specific feedback to students to help improve their writing. Therefore, teachers need to keep accurate records of students’ needs and progress. Conference notes should be organized and accessible.

Mathematics

 Mathematics instruction should enable students to develop mathematical literacy. Mathematical literacy allows students to be fluent in basic computations; learn math concepts beyond arithmetic; learn to reason mathematically; become a confident problem solver; communicate using symbols, models, graphs, and language; connect math ideas; and connect math and other content areas. Students’ ability to express their mathematical thinking and reasoning are important aspects of the mission and vision of the school. Thus, students need to spend a significant amount of time each day constructing and engaging in mathematical activities that facilitate these important aspects. Here are the expectations for mathematics: o Teachers are expected to become familiar with the math standards and TERC curriculum. While a hard copy is not necessary to be displayed in the classroom, an electronic copy should be accessible and referred to when planning. o Mathematics must be taught for a minimum of one hour each day in kindergarten through second grade and ninety minutes in third and fourth grade. o Additionally, students must conduct a math investigation centered on real life contexts. During the process of the investigation students should incorporate other aspects of the learning. For example, technology can be used to research; creating charts or graphic organizers for sharing the information; using photographs to show different stages in the process; etc. o Students are expected to keep a math notebook to be used for reflecting upon and explaining their learning. Math notebooks can be used to informally assess students’ conceptual understanding of what is being learnt. o Our math curriculum consists of two components: TERC Investigations and constructivist math. o The daily routines as discussed with the AUSSIE consultant must be implemented daily in ALL classrooms. Please refer to the outline for

math routines in the math folder in your electronic handbook. Also, our AUSSIE consultant will provide additional support in implementing these routines. In event that the math period should be shortened, it is expected that the routines will be maintained. Consistent engagement in, and implementation of, daily routines will ensure that students master the requisite skills in these routines. The grade expectations for the daily math block, including the routines for each grade, are also located in the math folder of the handbook. o Assessments are used for two purposes: . To recognize student achievement (summative assessment) – through tasks and observations from which teachers collect data and monitor student progress, thereby determining whether or not students have learnt the content; . To inform instruction (formative assessment) – to look for evidence of student learning and misconceptions, guide and differentiate instruction. o All students should be assessed using the ECMA (K – 3rd grade) and CMA (4th grade); assessments should be completed by the scheduled deadlines on the math assessment calendar. o All teachers must follow the workshop model during math instruction: whole group, small group and independent or center activities. Small group instruction should be used to provide guided instruction to students struggling with a particular concept or skill. Identifying students’ challenges are based on the formative and summative assessments. Therefore these groups should be flexible and based on students’ learning needs. o Students are expected to solve higher level critically thinking problems. With repeated exposure and practice, students are expected to create their own problems to share with their peers. o Math vocabulary should be introduced daily and, once introduced, should consistently be used in authentic situations in and around the school. Once math vocabulary is introduced it should be placed on the math word wall.

Science

 Science in childhood settings is to help children explore and draw conclusions about the natural world. Therefore, by the end of second grade, students should be able to follow safety procedures in all learning environments; be able to safely use some of the tools required for scientific inquiry –rulers, balance, spring scales, thermometer, etc; select the appropriate standard and non-standard measurements; manipulate materials through teacher direction and free discovery; observe, identify and explain patterns; compare and contrast organisms, events, objects in the living and physical environments; observe, identify and interpret cause and effect relationships; and generate appropriate questions in response to observations, events and other experiences. Because an inquiry based approach, especially in science and social studies, is significant to the mission and vision of the school, it is expected that the following requirements will be fulfilled to ensure instruction is aligned to the city and state standards: o It is expected that all teachers use an inquiry based approach during science instruction. o Students are to receive a minimum of three hours of science weekly. If students receive science instruction from a cluster teacher, the classroom teacher is to provide the additional instruction. Both classroom and science cluster teacher need to collaborate to ensure continuity of instruction. o All instruction must be aligned to the NY state & Core standards. Teachers need to become familiar with these standards and refer to them when planning instruction. o Science reading can, and should be, incorporated into the literacy block, where appropriate. o All classes must participate in our quarterly science exhibits, which will be held in November, February and May. Kindergarten and first grade students should participate in whole group projects; second,

third & fourth grade students should participate in small group investigations. o All classrooms must have a science center, which allows students the opportunities to use science materials, make discoveries and record observations. The science center must provide opportunities for students to use various measuring tools and science vocabulary. o Science vocabulary words should be introduced in context, posted on the Math & Science word wall, and used in authentic situations in the learning environment.

Social Studies

 The Social Studies curriculum for childhood focuses on developing students’ self-awareness in kindergarten, exploring families in first grade, learning about communities in the U.S. in second grade, communities around the world in third grade, and NY State in fourth grade. By the end of second grade, students should be able to define a community; compare and contrast different communities; explain the interdependency of members in a community; understand the importance of location in decision making regarding community resources; know the difference between wants & needs; understand the purpose of laws in our communities; and develop geography skills such as reading maps and globes. Here are the expectations for social studies instruction: o Social studies instruction must be aligned to the State standards. Please refer to these standards when planning and implementing instruction as these standards outline students’ knowledge and competencies for the grade. o Social studies should be taught a minimum of two hours each week. Many of the themes taught in social studies in the early childhood grades can be incorporated into literacy to ensure that social studies themes are taught.

o Like math and science, social studies instruction uses an inquiry based approach to learning. o Lessons should include one or more of the following skills: getting information; using information; presenting information; participating in interpersonal & group relations; and self management. o Geography and map skills should be a primary focus. Whenever reading about a specific city, state, country or location, identify said location and other relevant places – cities, states, countries, oceans, mountains, etc. that are within proximity.

Technology

 Technology will be used in early childhood settings to enhance students’ learning as they use computers, smart boards and digital cameras to organize, write and illustrate stories; play educational games; use programs such as Kidspirations to graphically organize and represent their thinking; and conduct research on various topics of interest. The primary goal of PS 382 is to incorporate technology into all content areas in ways that will efficiently improve students’ learning. It is therefore not appropriate that students spend endless hours playing computer games or other such activities as these will not lead to meaningful learning experiences.  Because PS 382 has math, science and technology foci, it is expected that all teachers will become familiar and comfortable with using technology. Emails will be the primary method of internal communication within the school. Hence, all staff members are expected to activate their DoE email account as soon as possible and to check their email accounts at least once daily.  All documents available on the USB drive will also be available on the wiki, once it is created.

 While we do not expect that all our technology goals will be implemented immediately, it is expected that staff will be open and willing to implement these goals as they are introduced.  The DOE’s website is www.nyc.gov/schools or www.schools.nyc.gov  Please remember that the internet is monitored and should not be for personal usage during school hours.

Art & Music

 Art & Music. As part of the New York City Arts curricula, students will be exposed to the visual arts, dance, music and theater. Students are expected to use observations skills to discuss art, integrating the related vocabulary; produce various types of art and the elements of principle and design; write and read about the various arts to reinforce their literacy skills; identify the cultural significance of the arts; make connections with the arts to other content areas; and extend learning beyond the classroom by participating in community activities and using cultural resources, such as attending museums and dance performances.

Physical Education

 Physical Education: The New York City Dept. of Education uses the Physical Best curriculum, which is aligned to NY state Physical Education standards, to encourage all students to participate in a healthy, physically active life style. Students are not compared with a benchmark; they are expected to perform to their individual best. All students, except for students with a documented medical condition, are expected to participate in the physical education activities, including activities that promote a healthy diet.

360 instructional minutes per day

 50 minutes - prep  50 minutes – lunch  60 –90 minutes math (including math routines)  Approx. 120 minutes – literacy o 40 minutes – Guided Reading/centers (2 x 20 minutes) o Up to 40 minutes – writing workshop (mini-lesson, independent writing, sharing) o Up to 40 minutes – reading workshop (mini-lesson, independent reading, sharing)  20 minutes – word work  45-60 minutes – science and/or social studies

Some of these times are end of year goals – there is still flexibility in the day for extra read alouds, etc Flows of the day should reflect real times and not just periods – these are only necessary for lunch and prep.

Assessments

Student Assessments

In order to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students, student assessment must be frequent and consistent. Periodic assessment information must be kept in a Data Binder with sections for each student. Information on each student should include the following: o All assessments o Conference notes o Running records o Anecdotals and observations Having the student information organized, updated and accessible will ensure quick reference during conferences with individual students, parents and colleagues. A baseline writing sample should be collected for all students by 17th September 2010. Individual teacher–student conferring should be conducted daily in reading, writing and mathematics. Teachers or para-professionals need to take notes identifying content taught, areas student has mastered and areas in which he or she may be struggling. Please remember to teach the students not the book or the writing piece. The following are components of a conference: o Research. Begin the conference by asking open-ended questions to determine strategies being used. For example: How is your reading/writing going today? What are you working on? In what areas are you having difficulties?

o Decide. Complement the reader on what is being done well and select one challenge on which to focus instruction. For example: I really like the way you ______o Teach. Demonstrate the strategy and observe the student while he or she tries it independently. For example: I notice that you are having difficulty with______; today I am going to teach you the strategy ______which will help you to ______. Watch me. Now you try. o Closing: End the conference by asking the student: What did I teach you today? Or write it on a post it for the student to take the strategy with him or her. Keep portfolios for every student as they will be reviewed regularly. Portfolios should include the following: o Checklists o Reading response work o Reading logs o Writing drafts and published pieces o Open ended critical thinking math problems that indicate students’ thinking, evidence of math manipulative work, science experiments, and social studies projects. Teacher comments and standard met must be included on all work. Folders will be supplied for all students so that they will be uniform throughout the school. The portfolio checklist, which includes all the requisite pieces, is included in the forms and templates folder. Please inform parents regularly of students’ performance. Be sure to document all meetings with parents.

Progress Report

o We will be receiving a progress report that includes attendance, teacher and parent surveys.

Quality Review o Quality Review is used to determine the following: o the efficacy of the organizational structures for supporting teacher professional development and student learning o how effective data are being used to support student learning

Inquiry Team o The goal of our inquiry team will be to find ways of meeting the educational needs of students who are performing significantly below their grade level expectations. Collectively, the team will focus on a specific area of concern and examine data to determine possible course of action to ensure the students succeed. We will also determine the foci and goals of the team and the roles of the team members.

Supervision/Observations

Observations will be formal and informal, with its primary goal being to improve teacher’s instruction. Formal observations will be scheduled from October to June. You will be notified about formal observations; pre- and post-observation conferences will be conducted. Lesson plans should be submitted before the pre-observation conference.

Administrators, teachers, and consultants will participate in periodic learning walks. Each learning walk will have a specific focus and will be used to collectively assess the teaching and learning needs of students and staff. While learning walks are non-evaluative, it is expected that once an area of growth has been identified and adequate professional development has been provided, teachers will demonstrate said competencies in their classrooms.

Listed below are the classroom conditions that will be observed during an administrator’s visit to the classroom:

o There are various group configurations for learning. o Classrooms are print rich. o Updated bulletin boards and students’ work are displayed. Outside bulletin boards should display work from the most recently completed unit, within a week of starting a new unit. Inside bulletin boards should display work from current units. o Teacher comments on all children’s work. o Standards met and processes followed are identified on every external bulletin board. o All primary classrooms have a meeting area, easel, pocket charts, word walls, and charts. o Students are working at levels that are developmentally appropriate. o Learning centers are organized and there is evidence that they are being used.

o Lessons are well planned and with clear learning goals. o Evidence of accountable talk. o Technology is being used effectively. o Teacher is circulating the room, working with students as needed. o Daily agenda/Flow of the Day is posted and followed. o Classroom libraries are organized in a sensible, orderly manner. 30% of class libraries are to be leveled and labeled. Books should be easily identifiable by genre and subject.

Lesson Planning/Plan Books

o Planning is a critical element in providing appropriate education for our students; effective planning facilitates the instructional process and discipline.

o Planning is expected in all content areas.

o It is essential that lesson plans are complete and available when requested. Failure to plan will result in disciplinary action.

o To facilitate greater consistency of instruction, grade level teams will plan together, using the same format. Each teacher on the grade will focus on a different content area, which will be shared with all teachers on the grade. The plans must be kept in the binder provided by the school.

o Lesson plans for formal observations must include the following components: content area; lesson topic; content standard; key concepts & content; connections to students’ knowledge, skills, experience; learning outcomes; evidence of learning (product assessments); materials; teaching strategies & sequence. A sample lesson plan with these components will be included in the handbook.

o Grade level unit plans should be emailed to the principal before the beginning of each unit.

Classroom Environment

 All classrooms must have a carpeted meeting area.

 Child centered activities should be evident including word walls and learning centers.

 All areas should be clearly labeled.

 Current children’s work (no older than six weeks) should be displayed; commercial works are discouraged.

 Classrooms should be clutter-free, neat and well organized, including the libraries. Materials not being used should be placed in a closet or on a shelf. Boxes should not be stored on top closets or cabinets.

 Materials should be well kept; students should be participating in maintaining the materials and the classroom.

 Closet doors must be closed at all times.

 All chairs should be down even when a student is absent.

Parent/ Home Contact

 Begin the school year with positive communication with parents. Please send a welcome letter to parents by Friday 17th September 2009. The letter may include the following information: your professional information; your plans for the academic year; class rules; educational and homework expectations; procedures for making appointments; rewards and consequences. Letters should be drafted on the grade (to maintain consistency), with each individual teacher including classroom specific information. Please maintain a positive and enthusiastic tone in your letter; collaborate as a grade to prepare this information. Once the letter has been drafted, please submit to the principal to review prior to sending to the parents.

 Prepare a simple and realistic supply list to be sent to the parents. Collaborate as a grade in creating this list. Every student will need at least 5 marble note books and folders. The school will supply pencils, crayons, markers, scissors and some folders to be used in the classroom. Please stress to the parents that everything, except for the notebooks and folders should be kept at home.

 Keep a record of all conferences, phone calls, and letters sent home.

 Parents will be invited to visit classrooms during our Curriculum Afternoon. Discuss expectations, school policies, discipline procedures, rewards and consequences. Be sure to express your interest in a successful school year by forming alliances with families.

 Ms. Nordely (Dely) Ramos is our parent coordinator. She is available to assist you with any concerns regarding parent involvement.

Chancellor’s Regulations

Child Abuse and Suicide (Chancellor’s Regulation A 750)

All staff members are mandated to report child abuse. Please check your students carefully. Actively listen to the stories they share with their friends and with you. Immediately report any concerns to Ms. Germaine Ruiz, our school counselor.

Corporal Punishment (Chancellor’s Regulation A 450)

The Chancellor’s Regulations in the Faculty Handbook clearly outline corporal punishment. Please read these regulations very carefully. Administrators are mandated to file a report on all alleged corporal punishment and/or verbal abuse.

Law Refresher

 No child may ever be used to render personal service for a staff member; for example, a child may not be sent to the store or to the coffee machine in the Teacher’s Lounge.

 No personal business enterprises may be conducted on school property and no unauthorized collections may be made by staff members.

 No person may “clock in” or “clock out” for another staff member. Variations in time schedules must be approved by the principal.

 Physical punishment of children is prohibited. Physical force may be used only to the extent it is absolutely essential for restraint in the face of danger.

 A class may not be unsupervised during the school day. Emergencies can be handled by contacting the offices, the principal or the teacher next door.

 The use of school telephone for other than school business is strictly forbidden.

 Money which has been collected should not be left in the classroom.

 Children may not be excluded from school without the prior approval of the principal, in conforming to the Regulations of the Chancellor.

 No child may be sent home without principal’s authorization and accompanied by a principal authorized adult.

 No child is to be denied lunch as a disciplinary measure.

 No drug or medicine may be administered by a staff member without following the Chancellor’s Regulations.

 No instructional machine or equipment may ever be removed or borrowed from school without permission and receipt from the principal (including laptops, recorders, phones, projectors, musical instruments, etc.)

 No child should be kept for more than ten minutes beyond dismissal without notifying the parent.

 Personal property of pupils may not be taken without providing opportunity for retrieval by parent. Do not destroy an object belonging to a child.

 Funds may not be solicited from children without authorization from the principal.

 A staff member leaving the building from other than the main door may not provide access to any person from outside. Doors must be secured by slamming them behind you. Staff should only leave the premises from authorized exits.

 Pupil or staff member injuries and untoward incidents (fire, for example) should be reported to the office immediately and the appropriate forms completed.

 School cannot be responsible for personal items left unattended.

 Windows without window screens or guards may not be opened more than 8 inches from the bottom.

 Unsafe physical conditions (broken desk, protruding panels, etc.) should be reported to the office in writing (return receipt requested).

 Furniture may not be removed from the room and left in the hallway (after the beginning of school).

 No unregistered child may attend classes without specific written direction from the principal.

 No personal mail may be posted at the school’s expense.

 Personal information regarding a child (address, telephone number, home conditions, etc) is not to be given to any person unless in conforming to “Regulations of the Chancellor”. When in doubt, contact the District Office or the Office of Legal Services.

 No class is to be dismissed before dismissal time unless authorized by principal.

 All visitors to the classroom must show a proper pass from the office.

 Books, staplers, and all other instruction-related supplies are the property of the Dept. of Education.

 All staff members should be aware of information emailed or posted on school bulletin boards, especially with headings “Announcement”, “Daily Update”, “Weekly Update”, and “District Memos”.

 Teachers must become familiar with pupil physical disabilities where they exist (see health card, IEPS, 504s, post –operatives, seizures, etc.).

 Suspected cases of child abuse should immediately and discreetly be reported to the principal or guidance counselor in accordance with the Chancellor’s Regulations.

 Entries on pupil record cards should not be speculative or general and supported by substantiating evidence. Comments should be avoided unless absolutely needed to supplement entries.

 Children expressing suicidal ideation should be reported to supervisor, guidance counselor, etc. They should not be left unsupervised until parent or guardian pickup.

Implementing the Discipline Code

 The DoE of New York City has updated the Citywide Standards of Discipline and Intervention Measures (The New York City Discipline Code) which will be distributed once they are received. All families must receive a copy. Each classroom teacher is responsible for providing at least 2 lessons from the Curriculum Guide for Teaching Citywide Standards of Discipline and Intervention Measures. These lessons should be implemented within 2 weeks after receiving the Standards.

 Here at the Creston Campus, please use your discretion and sound judgment when managing problems. Be mindful of your language and conversations at all times; students are always listening. Also, refrain from touching the children.

 Children should never be made to stand in the halls unsupervised.

 Windows in the doors should be uncovered. When possible, please teach with your door open.

 Dismiss classes promptly. Do not detain children in your classrooms. Never be alone in a closed room with one child.

SAVE Legislation

Removal of Students from Classrooms:

 Students who exhibit significantly disruptive behavior that interferes with the teacher’s authority over the classroom, should be removed from the classroom. (Consult the Discipline Code for behavioral infraction subject to teacher removal.)

 Prior to removing the student, the teacher must provide the student with an explanation for his or her removal; students should be allowed to present their version of the events. If the student’s presence in that classroom poses a continuing danger and presents an ongoing disruption to instruction, he or

she should be removed immediately. Notification to the student and the opportunity to be heard must be provided within one school day of removal.

 All student removals, including the number of days, must be tracked in the ATS system.

 Removed students will be directed to an appropriate site for continuity of instruction during the removal period in accordance with the school’s policies and procedures. Such services must include class and homework, which must be provided by the teacher. Students must be allowed to take or make –up any examinations administered during their removal.

 Parents must be notified (by the principal or guidance counselor) of the removal within 24 hours. The following information must be shared with the parents:

o Reason(s) for the child’s removal o Length of the removal o Their rights to request an informal conference regarding the removal.  If a student is removed three times from any classroom, a principal’s suspension must ensue if the student engages in subsequent misbehaviors that would otherwise result in a fourth removal from the classroom.

 A principal may set aside the removal and the student shall return to class. The teacher may appeal to Chancellor but the student remains in the classroom. If the removal is set aside by the principal, it does not count toward the three instances of removal.

 Discipline Ladder of Referral o Student/Teacher Conference o Home communication (letter, phone call) o Parent/Teacher Conference in school o Parent/Teacher/Administrator/Guidance conference o In school disciplinary action with counseling o Pre-suspension hearing with parent and child

o Parent “travels” with student for day(s)

Administration 2010 -2011

Absences

 Classroom teachers:

o In the event that you will be absent, please contact PS 382 by 7:30 a.m. Please do not call sub-central to schedule substitute teachers as there are no available funds to cover the cost.

 Cluster teachers:

o Please call sub-central to schedule a substitute; additionally, you also need to call PS 382 by 7:30 a.m.

Absences for Religious Observance

 Students who observe the holy days recognized by the New York State Commissioner of Education, or other holy holidays not recognized on the calendar distributed annually by the Department of Education, may be excused for religious observance upon submission by their parents of a written request prior to the day of observance in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Chancellor’s Regulations C-210. Further, schools shall permit students who are fasting to be seated from other students during meals, should the students so desire.

Absentee Notes

 Please write the student’s name and class on all absent notes sent from parents and return to the office in the attendance folders.

Accident Forms

 All accident information is now entered via the internet. Please use the Accident Information Form in the Templates folder of the Faculty Handbook to record the events. The forms must be completed before the close of the

school day. All UFT members must inform the chapter chair, Ms. Person, if they are involved in an accident.

Addresses

Children

 Within the first week of school, please check the addresses and phone numbers of all your students. Keep the information and update it periodically. When children return their Blue Emergency Cards, review cards to make sure the information on the card matches the information you have. Please notify Ms. Krystle if there is any change in student addresses or telephone numbers. Parents or guardians must submit appropriate proof of address to Ms. Krystle to have his/her address change in our databases. Riding the school bus is dependent on a student’s official address.

 All members are required to complete an electronic staff contact information, which is located in the handbook and includes names; address; telephone numbers; emergency contact; etc.; return the contact information to the principal by 17th September 2010. It is also important to update the information whenever there are any changes.

Anecdotal Information

 Anecdotal information should be specific and devoid of judgment. They should not include such information: was acting out; was bothering his/ her classmates. Rather, they should read like this: On 2nd September 2010 at 10:15 a.m., Avon kicked Michael in the stomach. I (teacher) spoke to Avon and she was placed in time out for 5 minutes.

 Announcements should be emailed to the staff, using the DoE email accounts.

Arrests

 In the event you are arrested, for any reason, it is your responsibility as a Dept. of Education employee to notify the Office of Personnel Investigation

in writing, as required by Chancellor’s Regulation C-105. You should also notify your immediate supervisor if you are arrested.

Assemblies

 To be addressed in the future.

Attendance & Lateness

 Students are required to have a minimum of 90% attendance. Students who are not in school by 8:40 a.m. are late. Each teacher is responsible to maintain accurate attendance data. Attendance must be taken daily by 9:00 a.m. on the ATS form, with a # 2 pencil, signed, and be placed in the designated folder to be picked up.

Professional staff members are allotted one sick day on the 16th of every month. Teachers may be excused for absences resulting from personal illness without a doctor’s certification for up to ten (10) days during the school year. Absences exceeding the ten (10) days during the school year are considered excessive, which may lead to disciplinary action, including but not limited to an unsatisfactory rating. Absences are also excessive if they occur in patterns, for example, being absent two consecutive Fridays and Mondays.

It is the school’s policy that teachers limit their lateness to no more than five during the school year. Any more than five is excessive. Excessive lateness may lead to disciplinary action. A staff member who is not at his/her post at the appointed time is considered absent and will be required to clock in.

Consistency in attendance and arrival affect the students’ education, behavior and the smooth operation of the entire school. Excessive lateness and absences jeopardize the quality of instruction we are seeking to provide. Remember that students look to you to as role models.

Attire (Professional)

 Although administrators cannot regulate your professional attire, please be mindful that schools are professional learning communities; we are shaping the minds of future generations; hence, our appearance and attitude must be aligned with our mission and vision. On the days when students are in attendance, please adhere to following code of professional dress:

o Midriff should be covered at all times.

o No flip flops are allowed.

o Excessively tight or short clothing should not be worn.

o Please make every effort to cover your tattoos that are located in suggestive places on the body.

Bio Rosters

 Should be in a red folder clearly marked Fire Drill/Shelter Drill/ Evacuation Drill and must be kept in a location immediately inside the classroom door. The folder must be brought on all drills.

Blue Emergency Cards

 Most students currently have blue emergency cards on file. These cards will be organized by class kept in PS 382’s general office. In case a student in your class is missing an emergency card, the office will supply you with cars to send home. Please encourage the student to return the cards as soon as possible.

Book Bags

 Bags on wheels are not to be pulled inside the school building; they are a safety hazard.

 Children are not allowed to return to school wearing a cast unless they have brought a note specifying they are to be in school. If a child arrives to your class with a cast, please contact the school counselor. Do not send the child to the main office.

Cell Phones

 Students are not permitted to have cell phones in the classroom. If a child does have a cell phone, it must be confiscated.

 Adults are not permitted to use cell phones during the instructional time; they must be set to vibrate and be locked away. Teachers are also not permitted to call parents from their cell phones.

Centers

 All classrooms should be organized to make them accessible for portable learning centers

o Organize class and individual manipulatives for easy access and efficient use of storage space.

o Manipulatives should be packaged in durable plastic bins with labels.

o Center activities should reflect current or recent concepts and skills taught.

Chain of Command

 Dr. Connell-Cowell

 Ms. Germaine Ruiz

 Ms. Rikka Person

Child Abuse & Suicide Threats

 Please notify the guidance counselor or the principal immediately, in person or by telephone, when you suspect child abuse or suicide. Do not leave notes in mailboxes for such urgent matters.

Children out of the Room

 Children should be in the classroom being supervised by teachers at all times. Children who leave the classroom must have a pass. Teachers should have a list posted, which outlines the schedules of all the students who leave the room for related services; bus schedules; or students being picked up by older siblings.

Citizen of the Month

 Beginning 1st October, each teacher must select a student as Citizen of Month. Criteria for this will be discussed and decided upon our PBIS committee.

Class Break –up Sheets

 Each classroom teacher is required to submit an electronic copy of the break-up sheet by Friday 17th September 2009 (see template for break up list in the forms and templates folder). A copy of each class’ breakup sheet will be kept in main office. Please be sure to update the list when there are new admits or discharges to your register.

Class Rules

 Class rules (few, simple, specific and positive) should be created with students and be posted for all to see.

Classroom Closet

 Classroom closets should, where possible, be closed except when in use at arrival or dismissal times. Upon entering the classroom, students should go directly to their seats, unpack their bags and be sent to the closets by calling individual tables. Students should hang their book bags first and then their jackets over the bags. Please show the students the proper way of hanging their coats in the closet. All outer clothing, book bags and purses should be put in the closet.

Cluster Teachers

 Please make sure that cluster teachers are aware of any special needs or concerns that your students may have.

 A substitute folder, in the event that you are absent, must be submitted to the main office by Friday 17th September 2010.

Coffee Breaks

 Unfortunately our profession does not allow for coffee breaks; your total attention must be focused on the students with the exception of during your lunch period.

Copies

 Please submit requests to be copied to the office for approval. The turn around time for copies is 24 hours; be mindful of the time when requesting copies. No letters or notices are to go home without your supervisor’s approval.

Cumulative Records

 Cumulative Records are kept in the main office. You may sign out the any of the student records whenever is necessary.

 If a child in your class is absent for at least 10 days, it must be indicated on the cumulative card.

 Cumulative cards must be completed when a student is dismissed from your class or at the end of the year.

 On the front of the card, check the last name, first name, gender, DoB, birthplace, proof of age, etc. If a parent informs you, you can add younger siblings.

 Please DO NOT CHANGE THE ADDRESS. Addresses can only be changed after proof has been provided to pupil accounting personnel.

 Complete the column with the school, borough and class; HO if the child was retained; note the date the child entered the class (month, day, year; print your name; note the days present, days absent and times late; note the new class or new school; Date (month, day, year); reason (promoted or discharged).

 On the back of the card complete the parent teacher conferences (PTC): 11/09 & 3/10

 Regarding special reports: please check with the counselor to see if you are permitted to record the information you would like to write.

 There must be no indication of special education noted in the cumulative record.

 The following information should also be included in the cumulative folder:

o Ethnic Identification Form (PSE) white

o ATS form – yellow

o Language Identification Survey (HLIS) – white

o Test Scores & Assessment Scores

o Report cards must agree with the grade written on the cumulative record

Custodial Needs

 All custodial needs must be emailed to the principal who will then provide a list of concerns to the custodians.

Deliveries

 If you order lunch or have a food delivery, you must notify the place from which you ordered your name and room number. You will have to pick up all deliveries from the security desk.

Dereliction of Duty

 Leaving the building at anytime except during your lunch period is a dereliction of duty. If you need to leave the building during your preparation period, you must receive permission from your supervisor.

Displays

 Please use fun tack or blue tape only. The tape should be placed on the back in the four corners of the display so it is not visible. The residue from masking and Scotch tape is very difficult to remove and destroys varnish.

Drills and /or Evacuations

 All schools in the Department of Education must complete fire drills, shelter drills, and have evacuation procedures. All classrooms will receive updated fire drill cards to be posted near the doors in their rooms. The evacuation plan for 2010 -2011 will be updated and distributed, to be posted in the classrooms. A copy of the school’s safety plan will be available in the main officeDrinks

 Please do not drink any coffee, tea, hot or cold beverages near the students.

Emails

 DoE email accounts daily should be checked twice daily. It is the primary source of written communication in our school. You will be responsible for all updates and memoranda sent to your DoE email account.

Emergency Sheet (Staff)

 Please complete an electronic staff emergency contact sheet (see forms and templates section) and email to the principal as soon as possible.

Empty Room

 When you leave your room, please close the windows, turn off the lights and lock the doors.

 Students are not allowed to chew gum in school.

 Please adhere to the gym schedule precisely; your lateness affects everyone.

Heading

 The following heading is required to be posted in second, third & fourth grade classrooms:

o PS 382 Date:

o Class

 Students are expected to write the date on all work, including their math journals. Assignments completed in notebooks do not need the students’ name, only the date and the title or topic. Only work completed on loose sheets of paper are required to have students’ name and date.

Interruptions

 The office staff has been instructed that NO CALLS are to be forwarded to classrooms. If there is a medical emergency, an exception is made.

Intruder Alert

 If there is an intruder in the building the following phrase will be said over the PA system: the safety report is being collected in the main office. At

such time, please make sure all your students are accounted for and your doors are locked.

Lateness

 The Auditor General’s Office has instructed secretaries to deduct any and all lateness in the computer system. When 3 hours and 2o minutes have accumulated, the system will automatically deduct one half day from your CAR.

Letters to Parents

 All memos sent to parents by the principal should also be read by the staff. You are responsible for collecting all tear –offs, which sh0uld be sent to the main office as a class set, if possible. Please follow up with parents if tear- offs are not returned promptly. Document and save your attempts to contact parents; in the event you are accused of negligence, we will have documentation to dispute such allegations.

Location of Staff

 All staff members are to be in their assigned locations except at lunch

 Children are not allowed to bring the following items to the cafeteria:

o Stickers, sticker books, baseball cards, Pokemon cards

o School library books; candy bars for snack; pens

Please assess the children during the first week of school to make sure they understand these expectations.

 Children are allowed to bring books, cross word puzzles, word searches, a pencil, etc. Encourage the children to secure their items in a zip lock bag.

Lunchtime Behaviors

 Please encourage the students to exhibit the following behaviors in the cafeteria:

o Walk o Whisper o Eat what’s on your tray. Don’t ask anyone for food and don’t give your food to anyone. o Keep your feet to the floor and your legs under the table. o Speak only to the children sitting next to you. o Keep your hands to yourself. o Empty garbage in the appropriate containers; follow recycle rules. o Pick up whatever items fall to the floor. o Immediately stop talking when the whistle blows, or the hand signal is given. o Listen to the teachers, aides and the monitors. Lunch Period

 Our lunch period is from 10: 35 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.

Mailboxes

 Each staff member is assigned a mailbox in the General Office. Mailboxes are located above the individual’s name. Please empty your mailbox twice daily.

 Children are not permitted to remove anything from mailboxes; please remove your own mail.

Malfeasance

 Malfeasance, by definition, is the performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful or contrary to the law: using cell phones during work hours, interrupting colleagues who are working, etc, are examples of such.

Toilet Use

 All classroom teachers must escort their entire class to the toilet. If a child needs the toilet at other times please make appropriate decisions regarding toilet usage. These decisions should be based on your knowledge of your students and their individual needs. There should be no trips to the toilet before 10:00 a.m. or after 2:30 p.m. No student should ever be in the hallway without a pass.

School Mission Statement

 To provide a developmentally appropriate, academically rigorous education that will prepare our students to be successful in the 21st century.

Monitors

 Students must have a note or a pass if they are to be sent on errands. Under no circumstances should a child be sent on an errand during mini-lessons.

 If a child leaves your class without permission, please notify the general office immediately.

Morning Routines

 Children begin to work immediately upon entering the room.

 All chairs must be removed from the desks immediately.

 All jackets and coats should be hung in the closet and the doors closed. No clothing should be on the back of chairs.

Nonfeasance

 Is omission to act or do something, especially when it should be done.

Notes Home

 All n0tes should be approved by your supervisor prior to being sent home.

OSHA Rule

 Avoid using sprays, cleaners, disinfectants, etc when students are in your rooms. Some children have asthma and allergic reactions.

Pencil Sharpening

 Please designate one or two individuals to sharpen pencils at specific times during the day, preferably in the morning or before dismissal. Children are not permitted to have individual sharpeners.

Per Session Postings

 When possible, all per session postings will be emailed to you.

Phone Calls

 Never give a parent your colleague’s phone number without permission.

 Do not use cell phones to make and receive calls, except on your lunch or prep.

 Do not give parents your personal home or mobile phone number.

Plan Books

 Should be current and available at all times; it needs to be in school daily.

Plan for the Day/Flow of the Day

 The flow should include the subject and time in chronological order; it should be clearly visible in the room, on the board or in a schedule pocket chart.

Privacy

 Please respect information shared with you in confidence. Both students and adults are entitled to their privacy.

Procedures/Routines

 Please consistently implement and adhere to the rules established within your class and in the school so they can become routines. Unless all the students are adhering to these rules, they are not yet routines.

Readiness

 Begin the school day in a good order.

o Windows should be opened from the top and only a few inches from the bottom, if necessary. Children may not open windows. o Flow of the day/daily plan updated o All chairs are down; all clothing put away Report Cards/Parent Teacher Conferences  All grades on a report card should be justifiable  Report cards must be completed and submitted to your immediate supervisor at the scheduled times.  When conferring with parents, highlight the students’ strengths as well as their challenges.  Have your academic intervention plan ready to explain to the parents the steps you are taking to help their child succeed. Listen to parents’ ideas and suggestions. Read their comments on the back of the returned report card. Have anecdotal records available.  Keep notations of all invitations to afterschool or before school programs that a parent accepts or rejects, as they are part of your academic intervention plan and illustrates parents’ willingness or lack thereof to receive services that will help their children.

 Invite parents of all students who may be retained in the grade to give them updates on the child’s progress, or lack thereof.  Speak with Ms. Germaine Ruiz, our school counselor, regarding all students who are not progressing adequately, despite all interventions that have been implemented.  Both the grades on the report card and the cumulative card must agree.

PBIS  Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS) is the structure we use at PS 382 to maintain a respectable and responsible environment. All charts related to and that are in support of the program must be displaced prominently in the classrooms. Students must be taught the expected respectful and responsible behaviors in order to be accountable for them. Respect  All staff members must exhibit daily decency and respect for all individuals within our school and campus community. Safety  Children must be taught the importance of having a safety agent and crossing guard in our school. They are expected to respect all individuals in said capacities. Salary Inquiries  Under no circumstances are employees granted time during their regular work day to make inquiries about salary. Matters of personal business must be done on your own time such as during lunch or before and afterschool. Save Harmless  When acting within the parameters of your position, the Dept of Education will provide lawyers and you are held harmless. When you act outside of the rules and policies of the school and DoE, you suffer the consequences.

School Rules/Class Rules  Remember to set positive rules with your students. These rules should be no more than five or six and they should be posted in a prominent area in your room. Please explain the rules to the students, demonstrating what they look like. Remember, rules must consistently be implemented in order to become a learned behavior. Smoking  Smoking is strictly prohibited on the Creston Campus. If you choose to smoke during your lunch period, smoking can occur 150 feet away from the edge of the school property. Spare Time  There should be a chart with spare time activities suitable for the grade and related to the standards. Teacher Professional Resources  Room 312 is professional resource library. All materials must be signed in and out during a timely fashion. In the event that materials are missing, please inform the office. Telephone Calls  Telephone calls will not be forward to your rooms unless it is a special circumstance. Please call your parents on your prep if you need to speak with them. Theft of Service  Please do not check your payroll status, write personal notes, visit a colleague or conduct personal business during instructional time. Time Cards  Must be moved by their owner; if any administrator asks you to do so, kindly remind him or her of the rules.

Visitors  Do not bring visitors to the school without prior consent of the principal. Cases will be handled individually. Visitor’s Pass  All visitors will be issued a red/burgundy pass by the school safety agent. They will be allowed to visit or main office (room 313) where they will receive the requisite service they need or receive another pass to enter the classroom. Please do not release a student to a parent/guardian without a visitor’s pass or a call from the main office. Weapons  Which include knives, guns, lasers, chukka sticks, etc, are not permitted in the building. Window Shades  Only adults are allowed to open them.

@ The Creston Campus, 125 East 181 Street, Bronx, New York 10453 Avon Connell-Cowell, PhD – Principal Germaine Ruiz, MS Ed. – School Counselor Page 52