CHESTNUT HILL SCHOOL PARENT - STUDENT HANDBOOK CHESTNUT HILL MISSION STATEMENT HARACTER EALTHY NVIRONMENT ELF-ESTEEM RAITS UTURING NDERSTANDING OLERANT ONEST NQUISTIVE EARNERS EADERS The ongoing mission of the Chestnut Hill Elementary School is to provide a safe environment which nurtures life long learners who have an inquisitive nature and a strong character. Through the celebration of our differences and the recognition of the leadership capacity of every individual, we will raise contributing members of society who have a positive sense of self and community. SCHOOL BASED MANAGEMENT TEAM 2 In order to meet the requirements of the new State Compact for learning, the Half Hollow Hills Board of Education adopted a plan in February, 1993 for the participation by parents and teachers with administrators in school-based planning and shared decision making. Composed of four parents, four teachers, one support staff member, one community member, and the building principal, the team has as its goal the improvement of the educational performance of all students in the school. At its monthly meetings, the School Based Management Team discusses issues which address the needs of Chestnut Hill students and the Chestnut Hill community. PTA STATEMENT The Chestnut Hill PTA is a partnership between the school and the community promoting the social, emotional and academic growth of the Chestnut Hill children. With this fundamental goal in mind, the Chestnut Hill PTA welcomes all parents, educators and community members to participate and become active members. Our children’s education is a responsibility shared by the school and the family. Children achieve best when their parents play a dynamic role in the education process. The Chestnut Hill PTA is committed to providing programs that enhance curriculum, student learning and family life in the community by utilizing the talents and skills of our members. Chestnut Hill PTA is proud to celebrate the diversity of its members and share in its commitment to the educational success of our children. Parents and teachers working cooperatively toward the goal of maximizing each child’s potential is what Chestnut Hill is all about. TITLE 45 3 Unless objection to any of the specific items of information following is submitted in writing by parents or legal guardians or by those students themselves who are over the age of 18 years, the Half Hollow Hills School District herewith gives notice of intention to provide, release or publish in the newsletters, school or student newspapers, athletic programs, news releases any or all of the following information pertaining to students as may be appropriate under the circumstances: name of student, names of parents, address, age, height, weight, grade, major field of study, participation in recognized school activities, extracurricular activities and sports programs, academic honors, achievements, awards, scholarships, and similar information under Title 45. Parents who do not desire release of any of the above directory information must make specific requests to the superintendent of schools on or before October 1 of each school year. Failure to make such a request shall be deemed consent to release, provide, or publish the directory information. BULLYING Chestnut Hill takes all instances of bullying and teasing very seriously. An intervention program has been put into place where all students are given instructions on how to deal with the varying degrees of this behavior. Every year the students are inserviced about issues surrounding bullying and teasing. In addition to the Assistant Principal, some teachers have received extensive training and pass this information along to our students through videos, literature, and role playing. All students are asked to sign a pledge that shows that they will stand up for themselves and each other. All students who feel that they have been bullied are encouraged to report it to a trusted adult, either at home or at school. Beginning this year “Responsible Reporting Boxes” will be located in various parts of the building so that children can maintain anonymity when reporting instances of bullying and teasing. SCHOOL HOURS 4 The academic day schedule is 9:10 AM - 3:20 PM. Students should not arrive before 9:10 AM unless he/she is requested by a teacher for extra help, participating in the REACH/CYA or involved in a before school activity. This is for your child’s safety, as there is no supervision prior to 9:10 AM. VISITORS TO SCHOOLS All people: staff, visitors, students may enter only through the Main Entrance. All visitors to the school must report to the Sign-In desk in the Main Lobby. There they will be required to sign the visitor’s register and obtain a visitor’s identification badge, which must be worn at all times while in the school or on school grounds. The visitor must return the identification badge to the Sign-In desk before leaving the building. TELEPHONE NUMBERS TO REMEMBER Main Office 592-3500 Nurse 592-3501 Attendance 592-3514 Psychologist 592-3512 School Fax 592-3911 Transportation 592-3855 Central Office 592-3000 Parent Class Lists It is school policy never to release students’ names, addresses, and telephone numbers unless parental permission has been obtained. Class mothers, PTA Committee members, and parents planning children’s parties (invitations may not be given out in school) 5 frequently request this information. When a child registers, the parents are asked to fill out a form indicating which information they give permission to release. This form remains on file while the child is enrolled at Chestnut Hill. If a parent wishes to change this form, they are to put their request in writing and forward it to the main office prior to the start of the school year. SCHOOL DELAYS/CLOSINGS Inclement weather may affect the opening of schools. Under severe weather conditions, it may be necessary to close schools. Information regarding delayed openings will be broadcast to the Half Hollow Hills community by local radio stations. The announcement will indicate that the opening of all schools in the Half Hollow Hills Central School District will be delayed one or two hours. A delayed opening will be employed when, in the administrators’ judgment, additional time is needed to permit children to be transported under safe conditions. The operation of the delayed opening plan entails the following: • Each school will open one or two hours later than the regular opening time • Buses will pick up students one or two hours later than their regular time • Dismissal times will not be affected by delayed openings Whether schools are closed or openings are delayed due to inclement weather, the announcements will be made through a Connect Ed message, email notification, NEWS12 (cable TV) and the following radio stations: WLIX/AM 540 WHLI/AM 1100 WGLI/AM 1290 WGSM/AM 740 WBAB/FM 102.3 WALK/AM 1370 WCTO/FM 94.3 WGBB/AM 1240 The sequence for early dismissal will be as follows: 1. High schools 2. Middle schools 3. Elementary schools EMERGENCY SITUATION PARENT INFORMATION 6 * Parents are urged to have a plan in place for a child’s care in the event of an emergency closing or when a parent is not home to receive their child. • Parents should be advised to not call the school during an emergency situation. This will leave the telephones open for important emergency information. No child will be permitted to leave until they can be accounted for a release signed during an emergency. • Parents should be advised to not call their children and to not give them directions to leave the school. During an emergency/crisis parents should not pick their children up from school. This will avoid unneeded traffic in the school area and will allow response from emergency vehicles. • The district may transport students to a safe location as soon as it is safe to do so. • For information and instructions on how to retrieve your children in the event of emergency situations, school closings, delayed openings, early dismissal and student relocations, the district will be communicating through its website www.hhh.k12.ny.us.edu and its telephone communication system (Connect Ed). • Whenever some emergency necessitates the closing of school, radio and television stations that service our community will make such announcements during their regular programs. The radio an television stations that will carry news regarding emergency closings are as follows: WALK/AM 1370 WCBA/AM 880 WALKF/FM 97.5 ABC/ Channel 7 WBZO/FM 103 FOX 5/Channel 5 WBAB/FM 102.5 NEWS 12 Long Island HALF HOLLOW HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY NO. 5425R FOOD ALLERGIES 7 KEY FACTS INFORMING OTHERS/LETTERS • All families will receive a letter seeking voluntary support for limiting nut products brought in from home when a food-allergic/anaphylactic child has been identified to the school. • Classmates of food allergic children will be sent a letter explaining cafeteria and classroom rules and also ask for their help in making the classroom safer. • The classroom teacher will inform the class about the rules and explain the seriousness in an age appropriate way. • The identity of the food-allergic child will only be given with the permission of the parent. LUNCH • The food-allergic child will eat only food brought from home or approved by the parent if buying lunch. • In the cafeteria, attempts will be made so that the food-allergic child will eat or touch only the foods sent in by their parent. • If the food allergic child is going to buy lunch, the parent must notify the teacher, nurse, and food service worker and send in a written permission slip indicating the date and specific lunch to be purchased. CAFETERIA When parents and their physician inform the District of a nut-allergic/anaphylactic child and request lunchroom accommodations, the District will institute lunchroom procedures to help protect the nut-allergic child.