Handbook
Absences
If your child is absent, you are urged to notify the school by telephone between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. If we do not hear from you, the nurse or other school representative will call you to find out the nature of your child’s absence. Upon your child’s return to school, a note must be sent explaining the reason for the absence.
Children who contract an illness or injury that requires absence for an extended period of time (minimum of two weeks) may be eligible for home instruction. Parents are requested to contact the principal or the Department of Student Personnel Services as soon as they are aware of the need.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Children are permitted to go to their classrooms at 8:45 a.m. They should not arrive earlier since there is no supervision provided before that time.
If you are driving your child to school, please follow what has become a safe and efficient procedure at that building.
If your child is late, send a note to the teacher explaining the reason for the tardiness. Your child should bring this note to the office upon arrival.
Staff members supervise all dismissals. If a bus arrives at school later than 3:30 p.m., the school office will make every effort to contact you. Please do not call the office unless your child’s bus is more than one-half hour later than usual.
Parents are requested to notify the school in writing of any change in dismissal for their youngsters. This would include such occurrences as an early dismissal, going to a friend’s house, or not going home on the bus. It is the parents’ responsibility to provide transportation for activities or play dates after school. In those instances when a parent is detained past the three o’clock dismissal time, please call the office so that your youngster can be supervised within the building.
Attendance
Paramus Public Schools have an attendance policy. An excess of twenty absences in one school year can lead to student retention. It is strongly advised that students not be removed from school for vacations or other inappropriate reasons.
Care of School Property
School buildings, grounds, equipment and supplies are a public trust, supported and maintained by public funds. Money used to replace carelessly treated property is money not available for worthwhile projects. All children are expected to exercise care in the use of books, supplies, equipment and other school property.
Classroom Parents
Classroom parents are volunteers from each class who assist the teacher in a variety of ways. Their responsibilities, depending on the needs of each teacher, include helping with class parties, collecting class dues, contacting parents for emergency school closings, and assisting with trips and special class events. Each class generally has two representatives.
Educational Field Trips
Educational field trips are a valuable part of our school program and are encouraged. Teachers acting in accordance with a planned outline carefully schedule trips so as to gain maximum educational opportunities for their students. Permission slips are sent home including all information relative to the trip. These must be signed and sent back to school before the youngster is permitted to participate in the trip.
Emergency Cards
Emergency cards are an invaluable resource when a youngster becomes ill or injured during the school day. The listing of home and business phone numbers as well as the name and number of a relative, friend or neighbor must be completed early in the school year. Please notify the school whenever a change of information should occur.
Health Program
There is a certified school nurse assigned full time to the school to oversee the health program. During the school year, each child is weighed and measured and given screening tests for vision and hearing. All children age 10 and older are screened for scoliosis. If any further examination is necessary, parents will be notified. Students new to Paramus Schools and all third grade students are required to have a complete physical examination. It is recommended, whenever possible, that this examination be performed by the family physician who is familiar with the child’s health record. A school physician is available, however, to administer this physical.
Only the school nurse will administer medicine to pupils during school time. In cases where daily medication is necessary, a written statement from the parent and physician must accompany the medication in a pharmacy container.
Please notify the school immediately if your child develops a contagious disease or any change in health patterns. The school nurse will contact you if your child is too ill to remain in school or is injured and needs additional medical attention.
Lost Articles
Students are advised that valuables should not be brought to school. Parents are encouraged to place their child’s name in all belongings brought to school. Clothing that is lost may usually be found on the clothes line outside the main office. Articles that have not been claimed will be displayed during a PTA meeting or at the end of the year.
In the event that your child has lost an article on a school bus, please contact the bus contractor directly.
Lunchtime
The elementary lunchtime is from 12:00 noon until 12:45 p.m. Children leaving for lunch must be signed out and back in at the main office.
Weather permitting, children are always sent outdoors during lunch recess. Please dress your children appropriately. Parents may request that a child remain indoors at lunchtime when returning from an illness. However, an extra day or two at home, insuring full recovery, would most likely serve the best interests of the child and permit full participation in all classroom activities.
Milk Program
Milk is available to all students. We encourage you to take advantage of this program to avoid the problems associated with sending drinks to school.
Milk money is collected twice yearly, once in September and again in January. If your child is absent we cannot refund the money. However, parents have the option of picking up the milk at the school if they notify the school, in the morning, of their intent to do so.
Pupil Accident Insurance
Accident insurance is provided by the Board of Education. It is noted that while the Board of Education provides insurance, you must first file a claim with your own insurance. The school insurance will cover the remaining balance.
Registration of New Students
Registration of all early childhood and kindergarten children takes place in the spring of each year. Board of Education policy specifies that a child must attain the age of five by October 1 st of the school year in which he or she enters kindergarten. At the time of registration, parents must furnish evidence of the date of birth and completed immunization and physical examination reports.
Report Cards
Progress reports are sent home four times a year. Generally, they are issued in November, January, April, and on the last day of school. The teacher will arrange for a conference with each parent after the first report card is sent home.
School Time Schedule
The elementary school day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. Supervision of children begins at 8:45 a.m. They should not arrive before this time. Lunch is from 12 noon until 12:45 p.m.
Transfers
Parents are requested to contact the school office if they plan to move out of the school district. A release of information form must be signed and transfer card for the new school completed prior to the last anticipated date of enrollment. We will provide academic and health information to the new school upon their written request.
Visiting the School
Parents are cordially invited to visit classrooms on “Back to School” night, during American Education Week in November, for prearranged conferences and for special events.
When visiting the school, PLEASE STOP AT THE OFFICE FIRST. Do not go to any classroom during school hours without the permission of the principal.
Individual conferences with the teachers will be scheduled after the first report card. Additional conferences can be arranged through the teacher or principal.
Invitations will be distributed to all special school events such as parades, concerts, plays and other performances. Check your monthly calendars.
Lunches, projects, or other items can be brought to the main office for your child. Make sure they are labeled with your child’s and teacher’s names. They will be called to the office to pick them up.
| 
print
