PREFACE FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The purpose of this handbook is to give you and your family direction and guidance toward programs, expectations and responsibilities at Joseph A. Citta Elementary School.
We realize that many of our children cannot yet read and comprehend its contents; therefore, we ask that you spend some time reviewing the handbook with your children.
Each child is special and each child is different. Working together each child can benefit. Our rules are few, simple and basic. We expect children to attend school regularly, to cooperate with teachers and students and to try to do their best at all times. We ask that each student treats others as he or she wants to be treated.
Each parent and staff member wants the best for each child. Please help us to reinforce the concepts stated within this handbook in order that, together, we can help our children grow academically, physically, emotionally and socially.
We at Joseph A. Citta School become the children’s parents/guardians during the school day. Please help us to reinforce the concepts presented in this handbook. A full education is much more than academic subjects; we are concerned with each child’s total growth.
Please feel free to contact the school whenever you feel we may be of service.
Thank you for your interest and cooperation. Together, we will continue to provide an excellent school year for all of our children.
Respectfully,
________________________________
Gary Azzolini Mallory Kennedy
Interim Principal Supervisor of Instruction
PHILOSOPHY
Dear Girls and Boys,
Welcome to Joseph A. Citta Elementary School. We are happy to have you with us and trust that this coming year will be enjoyable and rewarding for you.
It is our belief that an organized, pleasant atmosphere helps promote good teaching and learning. We shall try to create such an atmosphere for students and staff each day.
Our task as an elementary school is a challenging one. We are expected to be many things to many children. In order to meet the challenge, we shall strive to:
1. Teach the basic skills of communication and mathematics.
2. Be concerned with each child as an individual. Help them feel good about themselves by providing them with tasks at the right level of difficulty, so that they may meet with success.
3. Be concerned with the total development of each student. Offer opportunities to grow academically, socially, emotionally and physically.
4. Provide activities which foster self-direction, self-motivation and self-evaluation.
We shall expect our students to:
1. Treat each other with kindness and respect.
2. Benefit from their experiences here at school.
3. Take responsibility for their actions.
4. Accept consequences in an appropriate manner.
5. Always strive to do their best.
6. Experience the joy of learning.
Have a great school year.
Respectfully,
Gary Azzolini Mallory Kennedy
Interim Principal Supervisor of Instruction
ART
Art instruction is provided to all students. Occasionally, students will be asked to bring in something from home, such as: milk cartons, egg cartons, bottles, jars, shoeboxes, aluminum cans, stockings, socks, and pine cones.
ATTENDANCE
A most significant factor in a child's education is his/her attendance on a regular basis. A computerized call will be made to your home phone number to notify you that your child is absent from school.
If illness or other emergency prevents a student from attending school, Board of Education policy states that the CHILD MUST PRESENT A WRITTEN EXCUSE ON THE DAY OF RETURN. An excuse should state the date(s) absent, the reason for absence, and the parent or guardian's signature. All absences are unexcused except those caused by illness of the pupil, quarantine, death in the immediate family, or religious holiday.
If you anticipate your child being absent for more than three days, or if the illness is of a contagious nature, the nurse's office should be notified immediately.
Depending on the amount of time your child will be absent, you may want to make arrangements with the classroom teacher to obtain schoolwork. If you should request daily assignments, please notify the school before 10:00 AM. Work will be available for pick-up at the end of the school day. A good idea is to develop a “Buddy System,” where prearrangements have been made between families for homework pick-up. Please realize that it takes time to put material together. Whether work is requested during an absence or assigned upon the child's return, your child is responsible for making up the missed assignments.
We would hope that vacations (See School Calendar) would not be planned during the school year; however, if you are taking your child on vacation during the school year, please be aware of the following:
1. The absence will be recorded as unexcused.
2. A student who will be absent from school because of vacation plans would make up missed class and homework assignments
upon their return to school. A student will be allowed the same amount of time absent from school to make up the missed work.
For example, if a child is absent for a vacation for one week, that child will be given one week to complete the missed work.
3. Students may receive some general guidelines, supplementary materials or individual workbook pages.
4. If test results and make-up work are inadequate, the grades during the marking period will be affected.
BASIC SKILLS PROGRAM
The Basic Skills Program is a supplement to classroom instruction.
Students may qualify for additional academic support in reading, writing, and/or mathematics through the basic skills program. Eligibility is determined by teacher recommendation, past participation, and standardized test scores when applicable. Parents of children who are eligible will be notified by mail.
BEHAVIOR
Children should always cooperate with their teacher and interact in a respectful manner with everyone. We expect children to practice the courtesy and manners that they are taught at home. A simple rule is to treat everyone the way you would want them to treat you.
Physical contact is to be avoided at all times. A physical confrontation will result in disciplinary action.
*All consequences are on a case by case basis and based on developmental stage of the child.
Children are told to report incidents of physical contact or verbal abuse immediately to an adult who is always nearby. This will prevent escalation of the incident and avoid serious injury.
We want the children to work in a positive and harmonious environment where problems are worked out through discussion.
Resolving Conflicts
Proper social interaction is an important aspect of growing up, and sometimes children, as well as adults, hit a bumpy road on their way through school and life. Teaching children the skills to resolve conflicts is an important part of smoothing over those bumpy roads. Therefore, Joseph A. Citta students are trained in conflict resolution and peer mediation. Using a method endorsed by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, students are being equipped with conflict resolution skills and trained by classmates through role-playing techniques.
Students may use these skills in the cafeteria, playground, classroom, bus, walking to and from school, or even in the neighborhood. Oftentimes, conflicts occur in the neighborhood and become school problems while at school. If given the skills to resolve conflicts, then many neighborhood and school problems can be reduced or eliminated.
The main skills involved are called Win/Win Guidelines. These guidelines help students in dealing with conflict and resolve them in an organized manner. The steps include:
1. Take time for cooling off if needed. Find alternative ways to express anger.
2. Each person states their feelings and the problem as they see it using “I Messages.” No blaming, no name calling, no interrupting.
3. Each person states the problem as the other person sees it.
4. Each person says how they are responsible for the problem.
5. Brainstorm solutions together and choose a solution that satisfies both – a Win/Win solution.
6. Affirm, forgive or thank your partner.
Students are also given guidelines to make the process run smoother:
1. Treat each other with respect.
No blaming or putdowns.
2. Listen with an open mind.
3. No interrupting, negative faces or body language.
4. Attack the problem, not the person.
5. Work together toward a fair solution.
6. Tell the truth.
Students are also taught “I” messages. “I” Messages are a clear, assertive, non-threatening respectful way of telling another person how you feel and what you want. For example:
A. I FEEL…State how you feel.
B. WHEN YOU…State the problem.
C. BECAUSE…State why.
Example:
A. I FEEL…Frustrated
B. WHEN YOU…keep interrupting
C. BECAUSE…I can’t hear what your friend is saying.
These steps are modified and explained differently with each grade level. Even role-playing is modified to gain a better understanding for each age group. However, the message is the same.
Since these guidelines to resolving conflicts are never a “cure all,” they are a step in the right direction by taking a pro-active approach to dealing with conflicts. However, they cannot be confused with bullying. Students are taught the difference between conflicts and outright bullying by one person or people. This always needs adult advice and intervention.
Hopefully, once students are taught skills to overcome conflict they may improve their self-esteem and feel safer at school and the neighborhood and learn to deal with conflicts appropriately through childhood and adult life.
CAFETERIA
We want each child to enjoy the privilege of having lunch in the school cafeteria. General lunchroom rules and procedures are presented by the classroom teachers.
Students are scheduled for a 35 minute lunch period. This will include a recess period before or after lunch. Weather permitting, all children will go outside.
Supervision
The cafeteria is monitored by aides, who maintain order and provide any assistance needed. The children are expected to obey and respect the aide as they would any other school authority.
All pupils are expected to display proper conduct and manners while eating and handling food. Conversation is permitted; however, loud voices, shouting, or poor etiquette will not be tolerated. Each child will be responsible for clearing his/her area of waste materials.
Cafeteria Rules
1. Follow directions given by adults.
2. Show respect to others.
3. Use inside voices and stay seated.
4. Walk at all times….No Running.
5. Clean up your lunch area after eating.
6. Use good manner words—“Please and Thank You.”
7. Raise your hand when you have a question.
8. On rainy days, stay quiet during the movie.
Lunch Boxes
Occasionally, lunch boxes and bag lunches become misplaced, and having them labeled will help ensure their return.
Menu
The school cafeteria offers two or three nutritious lunch choices daily. Your child may purchase, milk, juice or ice cream separately.
Lunch Cost: Breakfast Cost:
Student Lunch: $2.75 Student Breakfast: $1.75
Teacher Lunch: $4.00 Teacher Breakfast: $1.90
Additional food items available for purchase:
All pizza, slice $1.50 Ice Cream/Italian Ice $1.00
Smiley, Onion Rings 5pcs $1.00 Fresh Baked Cookies $ .50
Entrée/Salad $1.75 Snacks/Chips/Pretzels $ .75
Soup 5oz. & Crackers $1.50 Pretzel Nuggets w/cheese 5pc $ .75
Yogurt 4oz. $ .60 Cheese Sticks $ .50
Water 8oz. $ .60 Honey Wheat Bar/Poptart $ .75
As you are well aware, The Citta School has in place a computerized cafeteria payment program. Every child has a photo ID card that is used when payment is rendered. By utilizing “Parent Online”, you may pre-pay lunches – making it possible for your child’s ID lunch card to act as a debit card.
Students may not “charge” at any time. If the balance on your child’s ID lunch card is not enough to purchase a lunch they will
be offered a cheese sandwich with a juice or milk. At this time, their lunch account will be charged $2.50.
Federal Lunch
A Federal program offering free lunch or reduced rates is available. Information concerning this program will be mailed to your home or be brought home by the student upon request. Families must complete the form and return it as soon as possible. Forms may be obtained in the office during the school year if needed.
Breakfast Program
In addition to our lunch program, The Citta School also has a breakfast program. A very simple breakfast (fruit, juice, cereal, milk, egg sandwich) is available upon arrival at school (9:15 AM); however, be aware that only a brief period of time is set aside for your child to eat. Breakfast cost is $1.50.
All advantages, rules and regulations that govern the Federal Free/Reduced lunch program apply to the breakfast program.
CELL PHONES
Cell phones are a distraction and are not permitted during the school day. Students may use the telephone in the Main Office for emergency purposes. If cell phones are in backpacks for emergency purposes, they must be turned off at all times.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Should you change your phone number please notify the main office and the nurse’s office. Should you change your address, notify the main office. You must supply proof of residence. This is important in order to notify parents in case of an emergency.
CHILD STUDY TEAM
Child Study Team services are available to every child in the district. The function of the Child Study Team is guided by state rules and regulations. It is composed of a Learning Disabilities Teacher/Consultant, Social Worker and School Psychologist. One of the Team's main functions is to assist teachers, parents and administrators in providing a suitable program for the educationally handicapped student. The Child Study Team is consulted only after every available resource in the school has been exhausted, e.g. Basic Skills, I. & RS, Guidance and Speech. The referral, classification, and program process are guided by state rules and regulations to protect the interests of all concerned.
CLASS PARTIES
Parties are held at the classroom teacher's discretion. All parties must be planned by the teacher and kept to a minimum. Surprise parties are not permitted. Please adhere to the NJ Administration Code (NJAC 2-36) Nutritional Guideline.
Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value: Soda, Water Ices, Chewing Gum, Hard Candies, Jellies, Marshmallow Candies, Fondant, Licorice, Spun Candy, Candy Coated Popcorn.
***Please see a Joseph A. Citta Administrator about the Nutritional Policy***
Code of Conduct
Please see the Toms River Regional School District Web page. (www.trschools.com)
Drug, Alcohol, Tobacco
If you have any questions, please see a Joseph A. Citta Administrator.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING/DELAYED OPENINGS/EARLY DISMISSAL
When weather conditions or emergency situations make it necessary to close schools, all parents will be notified by a computerized call system. Local radio and TV stations will be contacted to make public announcements regarding the details of the closing. You may tune into radio station WOBM FM (92.7) or AM 1170); WJLK FM (94.3) or AM (1310) or Channel 21 on Comcast. Please do not call the school.