George F. Johnson

Elementary School

2016-2017

Family Handbook

This Handbook Belongs To: ______

Teacher Name: ______Grade Level: ______

Our School Promise

I promise to the people of George F. Johnson that I will do my best to work hard, make good choices, and be kind to others every day.

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Mr. Aaron Kaminsky, Principal

Mrs. Heather Pufky, Assistant Principal

George F. Johnson Elementary School

999 Taft Avenue

Endicott, New York 13760

Office Phone: (607) 757-2143

Office Fax: (607) 658-7119

Health Office: (607) 757-2148

Website:

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GFJ Student Handbook Table of Contents

Page(s)
GFJ Staff……………………………………………………………….. / 3-5
GFJ Anti-Bullying Rules……………………………………...... / 6
Telephone Directory……………………………………………...... / 7
Arrival, Dismissal and Appointments……………………………...... / 7-8
Attendance and Tardiness………….………………………………... / 8-9
Busing and Transportation……………………………………...... / 9-10
Cafeteria and Playground… …………………………………………. / 11-12
Change of Address/Phone Numbers………………………………... / 12
Dress Code…………………………………………………………….. / 12
Fire Drills………………………………………………………..……… / 13
Health Office…………………………………………………………… / 13-14
Home School Coordinator……………………………………………. / 14
Homework………………………………………………………...... / 14
Library Media Center………………………………………………….. / 14
Parent Phone Calls…………………………………………….……… / 14
Parties /Celebrations………………………………………………….. / 15-16
Parties/Celebrations – Snacks in Classroom…………………..…… / 16
Personal Property at School………………………………………..... / 16
School Closings………………………………………………………… / 16
Visitors…………………………………………………………………… / 17
Code of Conduct – Dignity Act……………………………………….. / 17-18
Code of Conduct and Consequences………………………..………. / 19-23
2015-2016 Student Instructional Calendar………………………...... / 24

Mission Statement

The Union-Endicott School community will develop students who are responsible, self-directed, life-long learners. With the encouragement of staff, fellow students, parents, and community, U-E students will develop a deeper understanding of self, a respect for others, and an understanding of their place in the world community

2016-2017 GFJ Staff List

PrincipalMr. Aaron Kaminsky

Assistant PrincipalMrs. Heather Pufky

Room Number

Office StaffMrs. Alane WanchisenMain Office

Mrs. Brenda Van PuttenMain Office

Mrs. Patty DaltonMain Office

NurseMrs. Kathleen Nedbalski3

Health Office StaffMrs. Patricia Denmon3

Mrs. Lori Rustine3

School PsychologistMrs. Lauri Diamantakos210

Home School CoordinatorMrs. Sharon Moss212

Kindergarten TeachersMiss Melissa Blakeney219

Ms. Casi Cline119

Mr. Thomas Ferraro214

Mrs. Toni Walker114

First Grade TeachersMs. Adrianne Allen220

Miss Alison Brady125

Mrs. Holly Gabriel222

Mrs. Sonja Lowe216

Mrs. Jennie VanGorder`127

Second Grade TeachersMrs. Rebecca Barker225

Mrs. Amanda Buono120

Mrs. Deborah Hills122

Mrs. Kathy Rose221

Mrs. Amy Walsh227

Third Grade Teachers Mrs. Kristin Bailey203

Mrs. Josephine Ciotoli200

Mrs. Jane Ingrassia202

Ms. Catherine O’Boyle203

Mrs. Colleen Salati201

Fourth Grade Teachers Mrs. Jodi Alapeck100

Mrs. Linda Frisbie102

Ms. Lisa Mack103

Mrs. Lora McAvoy101

Room Number

Fifth Grade Teachers Mr. Phillip DuBrava108

Mrs. Meridith Jackson106

Mr. David Kendall207

Mrs. Laura LaPier107

Mr. Richard Schappert109

BOCES Crossroads OfficeMr. Paul Hoffmann112

Ms. Tammy Eaves112

BOCES CrossroadsMiss Heather Clark (Primary)211

Ms. Laura Karlson (Intermediate)215

Art TeachersMrs. Janice Simone217

Music Mr. Allen Archie5

Mr. Burt Mueller5

Mrs. Lisa Klein 5

Physical Education TeachersMs. Teresa McKinneyGym

Mrs. Sara MorleyGym

Mr. Michael RozborilGym

Special Education TeachersMr. Steve Kotula218

Ms. Kirsten Mangino209

Mrs. Kristine Yacavoni223

AIS TeachersMrs. Shannon Cleveland105

Mrs. Nadine Hoffmann204

Ms. Jennifer King118

Mrs. Debra Martinez104

Mrs. Megan Oven205

Literacy CollaborativeMrs. Suzanne Stephenson111

Mrs. Kristen Wood111

SpeechMrs. Lisa DeVincentis123

LibrariansMrs. Carrie PotterLibrary

Mrs. Sue CareyLibrary

Teaching AssistantJulie HarmonLibrary

Library ClerkMrs. Kathy LavoLibrary

OT/PTMs. Libby Meyer213

Mr. Garrett Wilson213

Ms. Maggie Kiefer213

Teacher AidesMrs. Patricia Baleno

Mrs. Brenda Duffy

Ms. Tara Harrison

Ms. Susan Horowitz

Mrs. Marie McHenry

Mrs. Pascale Minna

Mrs. Sharon Oxx

Ms. Helen Petralowicz

Ms. Joanne Sackett

Mrs. Mary Schmidt

Ms. Adrianne Storti

Mrs. Angela Trapani

Mrs. Mandy VanVorce

Mrs. Shelley Welch

Ms. Donna Williams

Lunch/Recess MonitorsMrs. Danyelle Beilby

Mrs. Caroline Bianco-Snethen

Mr. Matthew Caldwell

Mrs. Patricia Denmon

Mrs. Emily Foti

Mrs. Ruth Harrison

Mrs. Stacy McMahon

Mrs. Lisa Seitz

CafeteriaMrs. Carol Pribulick

Ms. Cristine Andreorio

Mrs. Rosa Pipher

Mrs. Amanda Schaffer

Ms. Debbie Smallacombe

CustodiansMr. Al Williams (Head Custodian)

Mr. James Liberati (Night Shift Supervisor)

Mr. Tim Wilson (1st Shift)

Mr. Cheyenne Remeo

CleanersMr. Mark Ellis (2nd Shift)

Mr. Joseph Monte (2nd Shift)

Mr. Harold Parks (2nd Shift)

GFJ’S ANTI-BULLYING RULES

1)We will not bully others.

2)We will try to help students who are bullied.

3)We will try to include students who are left out.

4)If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.

General School Information

Telephone Directory

Main Office...... 757-2143

Health Office...... 757-2148

Bus Garage...... 757-2125

Cafeteria...... 757-2147

Library...... 757-2825

Psychologist...... 658-7123

Social Worker...... 757-2847

ARRIVAL, DISMISSAL and appointments

For the safety of our children and to prevent confusion, we ask families to use the following procedures if they are driving their child to school and picking them up at dismissal or for an appointment.

ARRIVAL

The doors open for students between 8:40 a.m. and 8:55a.m. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE DROPPED OFF BEFORE THAT TIME. To prevent the children from walking between buses in the front of the school, parents should drop their children off at the rear side entrance near the playground. Cars can enter the driveway off of Buffalo Road and form a line where children can get out of the cars and go into the side door. In an effort to avoid a back-up of cars, all drivers will be asked to pull forward to the first spot along the curb rather than stop in front of the doors. A staff member is inside the doors supervising children until 8:55 a.m. If your child needs assistance into the building (medical reasons, projects, etc.), pull out of the main flow of traffic. Students who arrive after 8:55a.m.will be considered tardy and will need to report to the main office for a pass to their classroom. Parents/guardians must escort their students to the main office after 8:55 a.m.

DISMISSAL

Cars will enter the back parking lot off of (Buffalo Street) and can park in available parking. Cars are NOT to park along the curb as this interferes with the ability of emergency personnel to enter the building if an emergency were to occur. Students who are picked up at the end of the day are to have a note signed by their parent/guardian. The note must be turned in prior to 2:15 p.m., or faxed to (607)658-7119 prior to 2:15 p.m. Please be sure and call the main office 757-2143 if sending a fax. Phone calls and e-mails to the office are not acceptable forms of notification. If you plan on picking up your child every day, one note will suffice. Students who are picked up by an adult will be dismissed at 3:20 p.m. and go directly to the library. These students are to be picked up between 3:20 p.m. and 3:35 p.m. If your schedule cannot accommodate this time frame, please have your children ride the bus.

Parents/Guardians or other designated individuals are to enter through the back doors and go directly to the desk that will be in the main hallway. At the desk, the adult will be asked to show identification and we will have our student database available to verify accuracy. Once verified, your child will be called down and you may exit the building. Once your child has been released please exit immediately to avoid congestion in the building and parking lot.

Prior approval is necessary if a busing change needs to be made. It is the responsibility of the guardian to contact the transportation department. Teachers should be notified of this change by a note with a guardian signature. Students will be instructed to their regular bus home if a note is not received.

APPOINTMENTS

Under certain circumstances, a student may have to leave school during the day. In order to allow this, a written excuse must be brought from home and given to the classroom teacher. The student, upon leaving school, must go the main office and the adult will sign out the student. Upon his or her return, the student must always report to the main office. It is the responsibility of the student to make up the class work that has been missed.

ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS

All students are expected to be in school each school day unless legal causes prevent their attendance. Students report to school by 8:45 a.m. each morning. The late bell is at 8:55 a.m. Dismissal begins at 3:25 p.m. Half-day dismissal is at 11:40 a.m. If a student is absent from school, the guardian or parents assume the responsibility for his/her whereabouts. Excessive (10 or more) unexcused absences will result in addition actions including, but not limited to: Principal letters home, meetings requested, home visits, calls to Child Protective Services. The school district must obtain an excuse from the parent or guardian, signed by them stating the following:

  • The student’s first and last name.
  • Days(s) and date(s) of absence.
  • The reason for the absence – please be specific.
  • The parent’s signature.

SAMPLE EXCUSE

Current Date

Please excuse John Doe from School on Friday, October 3, 2015, as he was ill with the flu.

Mrs. Jane Doe

The parent/guardian is asked to call the health office in the morning as soon as possible before 9:30 a.m. (757-2148). Please be aware that a phone call to the school explaining the absence will not turn an unexcused absence into an excused one. You must always submit a written note as well for an excused absence.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

The law recognizes only a few legitimate excuses for absence from school. One of the keys to success in school is developing responsibility in the area of attendance by reporting to school on time. The following are considered legal excuses for absence from school:

  • Illness
  • Serious family illness or death
  • Medical or dental appointments
  • Religious observance as specified on the BOCES school calendar
  • Impassable roads
  • Attendance in court
  • Quarantine

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

Unexcused absences fall into two categories: unlawful detention and truancy. Students sent to school by their parents are expected to be in school and are considered truant if they are absent for an unlawful reason. Unlawful detentions occur when a pupil is absent from school with the knowledge and consent, stated or implied, by his/her parent. The following are not considered excused absences in accordance with attendance laws.

  • Vacation trips
  • School suspension
  • Babysitting
  • Hunting, fishing, etc.
  • Working, job interviews
  • Shopping
  • Oversleeping
  • Missing the bus

RESPONSIBILITIES

State of New York law regarding compulsory school attendance is very specific. Students are expected to attend school on a regular basis. Students should not be absent or tardy except for reasons of illness, serious family illness or death, or legally acceptable prearranged absences such as medical appointments. In cases of such legal absences, students have the right to make up missed assignments.

TARDINESS

Tardiness to school is not acceptable. It is every student’s responsibility to report on time. If a student is late to school, he/she must report to the main office with his/her parent/guardian to be admitted to class.

busing/transportation

The bus drivers are charged with the responsibility of enforcing these regulations. The cooperation and support of parents to insist that their children observe the rules are absolutely necessary. The following rules have been established to ensure the safety and comfort of all students privileged to ride on a UE Central School bus. Students are expected to observe these rules at all times.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Ensuring that pupils are at their bus stop five minutes early to avoid a delay in loading. A school bus waiting with traffic stopped may create unsafe conditions.
  • Insisting on pupil cooperation with school bus drivers.
  • Complying with school bus drivers’ requests.
  • Instilling habits of punctuality and proper behavior.
  • Reviewing with the child the list of transportation regulations.
  • Accompanying very small children to the bus in the morning and meeting them in the afternoon for the purpose of supervising their conduct and assisting in the establishment of desirable safety practices.
  • Supporting the bus driver and school officials in all rules and regulations.
  • Providing a note of permission to ride a different bus than normal. (Please refer to the change in transportation statement above)
  • Assuring that a child does not come to school with glass containers.

PUPILS’ RESPONSIBILITY

  • To be at the scheduled stop 5 minutes before the bus arrives.
  • To wait 10 or more feet away from the road until the bus comes to a full stop. Use the 10-foot rule if pupil must cross the road to board the bus.
  • To go immediately to a seat and remain seated until the bus comes to a complete halt at the assigned stop or at the school. Some students may have an assigned seat. If this is the case, the student should go immediately to that seat.
  • To leave no books, lunches, or other articles on the bus.
  • To refrain from talking with the driver while the bus is in motion.
  • To remain seated at all times.
  • To refrain from annoying other children; this includes horseplay, fighting, or wrestling.
  • To refrain from profane or obscene talk.
  • To show respect at all times by following the driver’s instructions.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER’S RESPONSIBILITY

  • To maintain the highest degree of safety at all times.
  • To conduct himself/herself properly and to practice good personal habits.
  • To require good conduct and desirable attitudes on the part of the pupils.

BUS REGULATIONS

All students are to follow the rules of conduct posted at the front of each bus. The bus driver has complete control and authority for his/her bus. He/she is authorized to assign seats if necessary and to report any flagrant misconduct to school authorities.

A series of disciplinary steps will be followed in attempting to modify the behavior of students who violate Bus Regulations or who are guilty of unsafe or discourteous conduct:

First Offense - Verbal Reprimand

Second Offense - Written Warning

Third and Subsequent Offenses – Loss of privilege for a length of time to be determined by the principal.

At the discretion of the Principal, any single offense may be deemed serious enough to warrant a loss of transportation privileges for an extended period of time.

CAFETERIA

The district provides a breakfast and lunch program. These meals provide the daily nutritional requirements to meet students’ needs. These meals may be purchased or the student may bring a lunch and have the option of purchasing milk, ice cream, or snacks. A copy of both the breakfast and lunch menus is sent home with each student. Applications for free and reduced lunch are mailed in the District Newsletter and are also available from the Elementary Office. Prices are as follow but subject to change:

  • Breakfast - $1.40
  • Student lunch - $2.35
  • Milk - $.50
  • Reduced price student lunches may be purchased for $.25.
  • Parents may prepay 15 meals for a child and receive one free meal. You may access the site from

HALLWAY RULES

  • Move quietly through the hallways. Please be aware that other classes are going on.
  • Face forward and keep hands and feet to oneself when in line or walking in the halls.
  • Walk at all times – single or double lines (on the right side of the hallway). Do not block doorways that open into the hallway.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Awareness of guidelines in order to support staff when visiting. While parents are invited to have lunch anytime with their children, visitations to classrooms should be previously arranged with the teacher. (Please “sign in.”) The secretaries will announce you to the teacher you have an appointment with.
  • Awareness of guidelines in order to support their children in understanding expectations.
  • Making sure students are dressed appropriately (boots, hats, mittens, and jackets are necessary through the spring thaw.)
  • Please do not purchase food for other students during lunch. Your child’s teacher is happy to share opportunities for you to contribute snacks to your child’s classmates during the school year.

LUNCHROOM PROCEDURES/RULES

  • Talk quietly in the lunch line so cafeteria workers can hear each student’s request.
  • Do NOT budge in front of others.
  • Do NOT let others in front of you.
  • Order your lunch properly – please and thank you. Students who forgot money will not be allowed to return to locked classrooms.
  • Respect the supervisors – listen to their requests.
  • Use “in-school” voices at all times (talk to the person sitting nearest you).
  • Remain seated. If you have a need, raise your hand and wait for permission from a supervisor.
  • Keep track of trays, food, garbage, etc. and pick up the area around where you are sitting before leaving the table.
  • Use proper table manners…don’t play with food; keep your hands to yourself, etc.
  • Students are not to share food, buy items for other students, or take food from the cafeteria without permission.
  • Retrieve your clothing articles upon leaving.

PLAYGROUND

There are three playground areas. The Playground Ball Field Area is for running, tag, playing catch, kickball, softball, etc. The Playground Equipment Area is for equipment use only. Students need to exercise caution when moving from one apparatus to another. Wait until the person in front of you is completely off the slide before starting down. Leave stones/wood chips on the ground. The Playground Blacktop Area is for activities such as basketball, foursquare, jump rope, hopscotch, etc.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

  • Listen to your Monitors and be respectful.
  • Obey hall rules when entering and exiting the building.
  • Assume responsibility for your behavior and choices.
  • Demonstrate good sportsmanship, sharing, and including others in activities.
  • Attempt to resolve your own conflicts. If this is not possible seek a supervisor for assistance.
  • Never leave the playground without permission. If a ball goes into the driveway, please ask an adult for help.
  • Line up immediately when a supervisor blows the whistle. (Last group retrieves equipment.)
  • Students are to hang their coats on the hooks when they enter the cafeteria for lunch.

cHANGE OF ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBERS