watkins glen elementary school student and family handbook
TRANSCRIPT
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Watkins Glen Elementary School
Student and Family Handbook 2012-13
Dear Students and Parents:
Welcome to Watkins Glen Elementary School! The following handbook was developed to help you stay informed
and answer the many questions you may have throughout the year. Other good informational sources include
the school district’s calendar and our school web-site.
I would like to take this opportunity to discuss some changes for the upcoming school year. Our district will be
consolidating grade levels over the next few years. Please expect 5th grade students to remain at the elementary school for the
2012-13 school year. Our school’s starting and ending times will change to 8:05 AM to 2:40 PM, as we change over to a
single district-wide bus run. The location of the bus pick up and drop off will also change to the north side of the elementary
school, off 15th Street. Parent drop off will change to the south end of the building for all grades. Parking during the day will
be limited to 15 minutes in the bus loop, as this is a fire lane which must remain open. Parents planning to enter and remain in
the building longer than 15 minutes, must park in the lot in front of the new bus garage or in the north lot after all busses are
gone after 8:30 AM. During pick up at the end of the day, the bus loop will only be open for students in grades 4-5 who
will locate their parent’s vehicle and load at the curb. Parents of students in Grades 2 & 3 will park in the new bus garage
parking lot, and sign students out with a staff member in the hallway at the playground entrance. Parents of students in grades
PreK-1 should plan to park in the north lot and sign your child out in Cafeteria 1 as we have done in the past. REMINDER: all
students in grades PreK-3 must be checked out with assigned staff members in designated locations. For families with multiple
children in different grade levels, plan to pick up all your children at the youngest child’s location.
Although we have lost a few teachers due to recent budget cuts, we will continue to provide the best possible
education to our children. New York State has revamped its curriculum to remain competitive in this ever
changing global economy. We now are teaching from national standards called the common core standards, which are
the newly adopted standards for ELA and Math. We are committed to making sure our children are ready to meet
the new standards, so they can be successful in the global economy.
Please know that I am committed to doing what is best for all children. I have expectations for parents, staff,
students, and myself. Many of those expectations are listed in the handbook. However, if you have questions
about anything regarding the education of your child, please do not hesitate to contact me personally. We should
do what we can to help each other and create the best learning environment for your child.
I would like to ask for your help early, by inviting you to become an active member at our school. Please look for
future flyers with PTO meeting dates. Your participation in PTO and other events will help create special
memories for both you and your child. There are other opportunities, also, such as becoming a member of one of
our committees. Our School Decision Making Team, Emergency Planning Team, and Health and Wellness
Committee are a few groups open for parental input. We are also looking for parent volunteers to help in many
areas within our school.
Sincerely,
Rod Weeden, Elementary School Principal
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Table of Contents Letter of Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
2012-13 Calendar Activities......................................... ....... .................................................................................................. 3
School Telephone Numbers, School Hours, Childcare Programs . ...... .................................................................. 4
Attendance-Absences-Dismissal ............................................................ ....... ..................................................................... 5
Food Services............................................................................................ .......... ...................................................................... 6
Transportation – Bus, Walkers, Riders ................................................................................................................... ........... . 6
Student Health Services............................................................................................................................. ................. ........... 7
Supplies - Visitors – Lost and Found .............................................................................................................. ....... ............. 8
Parent/Teacher Conferences .......................................................................................................................... ........... ........ .... 8
Parent Volunteers .......................................................................................................................................................... ....... ... 8
Custodial Parent Concerns /School Celebrations ............................................................................................ ........ ...... 8
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
Common Core State Standards (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies ....................................................... 9
Library/Media Center .................................................................................................................................................... 10
The Arts: Art and Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Cultural Arts ...................................................................................................................................10
Technology ................................................................................................................................................11
Physical education ......................................................................................................................................11
Health and Wellness ..................................................................................................................................11
Testing ...................................................................................................................................................... 11
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Special Education Programs .... ............................................................................................................................. ...........12
AIS (Title I) ........ ............................................................................................................................. ............................................12
Resource Room/Consultant Teacher Programs .................................................................................................... ..... 12
Inclusion Classroom ............................................................................................................................. .......................... ..... 12
8:1:1 Classroom ................................................................................................................................................................ ..... 12
RELATED SERVICES
School Psychologist....................................................................................................................................................... . ..... 13
Speech Department ....................................................................................................................................................... ...... 13
School Counselor ............................................................................................................................. ............................... ..... 13
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Parent Responsibilities .............................................................................................................................. 14
Student Rights and Responsibilities......................................................................................................................... ...... 14
Character Education ...................................................................................................................................................... ..... 14
PBIS .......................................................................................................................................................... 14
The Planning Room .................................................................................................................................. 14
Suspensions ............................................................................................................................................... 15
Behaviors / Consequences........................................................................................................................................... ..... 15
Student and Personal Electronic Devices .............................................................................................................. . ...... 16
Sexual Harassment Policy............................................................................................................................................ . ..... 16
Anti –Discrimination Policy ................................................................................................................. 17
Animals in School Procedures .................................................................................................................. 18
Extra Food Item Permission Form Procedure ........................................................................................................... 19
Parent / Student Handbook Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................ 19
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Important School Calendar Dates 2012-13
SEPTEMBER
4 Superintendent’s Conference Day
5 Opening Day K-5, UPK Begins, Open House - AM 8- 10, PM 12-2
7 Early Dismissal @ 11:15 p.m. (No PM UPK)
27 ES Open House – AIS Night 5:00 – 6:30 PM
OCTOBER
8 No School – COLUMBUS DAY
10 ES Picture Day
26 Early Dismissal – K-12, ES 11:15 AM
NOVEMBER
2 End of Marking Period
8 Evening Parent Teacher Conferences - 4:30- 7:30 PM
9 No School – Parent Teacher Conferences K-8 Only
12 No School - VETERANS’ DAY
21-23 No School - THANKSGIVING VACATION
27 Picture Retakes, UPK-5
DECEMBER
6 Elementary Holiday Concert & Art Showcase 5 PM
24 – Jan 4 No School - WINTER RECESS
JANUARY
7 School Reopens
21 No School - DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
25 End of Marking Period
28 No School – Superintendent’s Conference Day
FEBRUARY
15 Early Dismissal—K-12, 11:15 AM
18 No School – MID-WINTER RECESS
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
4-7 UPK Applications Accepted
7 ES Spring Pictures
8 Early Dismissal K-12 –ES 11:15
28 Early Dismissal - K-12, ES 11:15 AM
29 - Apr 5 No School - SPRING RECESS
12 Marking Period Ends
16 – 18 NYS ELA Testing Grades 3-8
18 Evening Parent Teacher Conferences – 4:30 - 7 PM
19 No School – Parent-Teacher Conferences K-5 Only
24 – 26 NYS Math Testing Grades 3-8
29 No School – Superintendent’s Conference Day
29 Kindergarten Screening
6 No School – Superintendent’s Conference Day
6-9 Kindergarten Screening
22 - 31 NYS Science Performance Test Grades 4 & 8 Only
27 No School - MEMORIAL DAY
3 NYS Science Written Test Grades 4 & 8 Only
14 Marking Period Ends
19 UPK Graduation, 10 AM
19-21 Early Dismissal K-8 – ES 11:15 AM
20 Awards Day
21 Last Day of School, Moving Up, & Report Cards Issued
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For Your Information
School Phone Numbers: Principal
Mr. Weeden
535-3250 Administrative Assistant
Keyboard Specialist
School Counselor
Nurse
Nurse’s Assistant
Special Education Programs
Special Education Secretary
School Psychologist
Food Services Manager
ES Sr. Food Service Helper
Transportation Director
Volunteer Assistant/
PTO President
School Fax
Mrs. Snyder
Mrs. Brown
Ms. McIntyre
Mrs. Thorsland
Ms. Kingsley
Mrs. Woodworth-Shaw
Mrs. Butler
Mrs. Snow
Mrs. Fusco
Mrs. Loudon
Mrs. Clark
Mrs. Kain
Mrs. Evans
535-3250 ext. 4232
535-3250
535-3250 ext. 4041
535-3252
535-3252
535-3254
535-3254
535-3254
535-3214
535-3250 ext 4430
535-3270
535-3250 ext. 4220
535-7012
School Hours: Doors Open – 7:52 AM
Breakfast Served – 7:40-8:00 AM
Attendance Taken – 8:05 AM
Dismissal – 2:40 PM
Early Dismissal- 11:15AM
Children should not be dropped off earlier than 7:40 AM. Your child’s safety is our concern and students should
not be left unattended without supervision. Know that regular hall supervision is not in place until 7:52 AM each
morning. Students dropped off between 7:40 AM and 7:52 AM should report directly to the cafeteria. Students
dropped off before 7:40 AM must be part of the early morning childcare program.
Morning Childcare Program
Check current application for cost. Doors open 7:00 AM. Please drop off your child at the south p a r k i n g l o t n e a r
the playground entrance. Please make sure your child enters the building before you leave.
UPK Child Care Program
This wrap around program is open to Watkins Glen UPK students only. Hours are 7:50 AM to 2:50 PM. Applications
are available online and at the main office. Please check application for current costs.
Websites Elementary Website www.wgcsd.org/elementary
You will find the school calendar, supply lists, classroom websites, and many other resources.
School Tool https://schooltool.wgcsd.org/
Parents can access their child’s school records.
Pay Schools https://www.payschools.com/user-login.asp?src=custom
After you have registered in PaySchools, you will be able to check the balance in your child's lunch
account and sign up for low-balance e-mail alerts.
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Attendance – Absences – Dismissal Attendance
We believe it is essential for children to attend school if they are to learn to their full potential. This belief is sup-
ported by New York State Education Law 32-5 (a)(A) and the Watkins Glen School District Board of Education.
According to law, school attendance is mandatory for all children from 6 to 17 years of age who are physically and
mentally able to attend full time instruction in a public school or elsewhere. To help us be successful in educating your
child, we need you to read, understand and abide by the following practices:
Legal Absence
The only legal reasons accepted by New York State law for absences are illness, religious observance, quarantine,
required court appearance, sickness or death in the family, impassable roads, hazardous weather conditions, health
treatment or attendance at a health clinic.
Illegal absences include truancy, vacations, oversleeping, missing the bus, shopping, haircuts, personal reasons, etc.
Written Excuses
Since school attendance is mandatory, all absences require a written excuse from a parent or guardian indicating
the date and reason for the absence. If a note is note received within 2 school days then the absence will be recorded
as illegal.
Tardy is defined when a student arrives in their classroom any time after 8:05 AM. A written excuse is required for
tardiness.
Consequences for Legal / Illegal Absences and Tardiness
• When a student accumulates 10 tardies or 10 absences (legal or illegal), a tardy/attendance notice will be sent
to the home of the student.
• If the child continues to accumulate absences or tardiness, a conference request will be sent to the home of
the student. A conference will be scheduled with the parent and appropriate staff members.
• When absences from school appear to form a pattern or become excessive to the point where they interfere with
a child’s ability to learn, the case will be reviewed by the principal to determine appropriate legal attention.
Pupils Excused Before Dismissal
Occasionally, parents may wish to have pupils excused before regular dismissal time.
A note should be sent with the child in the morning. This note will be taken to the office. Parents must come into the
school office before the child will be released from school. A parent, who wishes to have another person pick up a child,
must send a note with these instructions before 1:00 PM. Please note students leaving before regular dismissal will be
marked as a leave early on their record and students attending less than a half of their regular school day will be marked
absent on their school report card.
Perfect Attendance
A student attending school every day, all day, unless attending a school-sponsored activity, may receive this yearly
award.
Outstanding Attendance
A student may receive this yearly award if they are absent 3 days or less during the school year. Note that 3 early
dismissals, or 3 tardies or any 3 in combination, will equal an absence.
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Food Services Mrs. Gigi Fusco – Food Services Manager 535-3214
Mrs. Teresa Loudon – ES Senior Food Service Helper 535-3250 ext. 4330
Lunch Time Information: “Feed A Body, Feed A Mind”
Cost for lunch, milk and ice cream will be announced on the first menu in September. Menus are sent home with
students every month. Please remember, free and reduced forms are due in September, but may also be filled out if
your household income changes during the year.
A new year has started and we welcome everyone to the School Lunch Program. We are asking everyone’s help in
keeping our students on the right track when making healthy choices in the food they buy and by using their accounts
in the appropriate manner.
Parents can prepay for student lunches and breakfast. This is a good way for the students not to carry money to
school every day. The best method to prepay is to send a check (payable to Watkins Glen Central School District) for
a given amount of days in an envelope with the student’s name on it. The money is put in an account for the student
and they can purchase their lunch, breakfast, milk, or one ice cream per day. If you want, you may request only lunch or
breakfast to be paid from this account. Please call the Food Service Office, 535-3214, and we will handle that request.
Charging lunches is not an allowed practice; however, charges will occur if a student forgets their money. This
charge should be taken care of the following day. Students with overdrawn accounts will be notified of the amount
due. A limited choice menu (i.e., peanut butter sandwich) will be given to the student until the account is clear again.
Please know students will be charged the regular school lunch price for the limited choice menu.
The lunch monitors are responsible for student safety in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is to be a place where lunch
can be eaten in a quiet, friendly atmosphere. Children will be expected to use their “restaurant manners” (posted on
walls) while enjoying their lunch. Inappropriate behavior will be reported and parents may be informed, if necessary.
Students should not bring toys from home or trading cards to the cafeteria. Paper, markers/crayons, books and
games will be available for them when they have finished eating.
Eating breakfast is a great way to start the day. Please know if you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you also qualify
for free or reduced breakfast for your child.
If you need an application, please call the lunch room and they can send one home with your child. You may also
stop by the main office to pick up lunch forms.
To check your child’s prepaid balance or ordering habits, please call 535-3256 or go online to establish a Payschools
account.
There should be no lunch charges as the school cannot run a deficit program. You will be notified by the cafeteria
staff if your child runs into a negative balance. Please look for slips that will be sent home Thursdays or Fridays
indicating the amount of the negative balance. Expect a phone call from the principal if negative balances are
persistent.
Transportation Michelle Clark, Transportation Director 535-3270
Diana Crane, Secretary to Operations & Maintenance 535-3270
The purpose of the following rules is to help provide a safe bus trip for all students.
Bus safety is a team effort which involves students, teachers, drivers, and parents. Parents need to become familiar
with the expected bus behaviors and discuss them with their children.
Please review these expected bus behaviors with your child:
The rules that apply in the classroom apply on the bus. Respect your driver and fellow riders by being
courteous, using proper language and speaking quietly. Treat the school bus with the same respect as your
classroom.
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Have respect for other students’ property including book bags, musical instruments, backpacks, etc.
Keep hands, feet, head - and your belongings - inside the bus and out of aisles.
Keep the driver’s view clear. Personal items should be placed on the floor under a seat or in the student’s lap.
New York State regulations prohibit eating or drinking on the bus.
Drivers are responsible for the safety of the entire bus. This is an important, difficult job. Disrespect or
disobedience cannot be tolerated.
Stay in a seat until the bus comes to a complete stop.
Students may not carry fragile or large items on the bus. For example, do not bring glass, pets, skateboards,
tools, chemicals or any object that could cause injury. Large musical instruments must fit on the student’s lap or
in the seat area and not obstruct the driver’s view or take up another student’s space.
Bus drivers will write up a Bus Conduct Report if unacceptable behaviors occur. Parents will be notified of each
reported incident and the steps that will be taken to correct the inappropriate behavior. Parents and children must
understand that bus riding privileges may be suspended for inappropriate behavior.
Daycare Regulation
Please make note of the transportation policy requesting a form to be filled out before August 1st of each new
school year for the pickup and drop off at a daycare facility. Parents/guardians of children who will be requiring
childcare and have a different pick up and/or drop off other than their home, need to fill out this request and return the
form to the Transportation Office no later than August 1st of each new school year, per school board Policy 8410-R
Student Transportation Regulation.
Should you need a copy of this form please go to our website at www.wgcsd.org and get onto the transportation
part of the website where you can print off the form. You can request a copy to be sent home or pick one up at any
school office. The form can be faxed, mailed or dropped off at the schools or bus garage. Please do not e-mail the
form as we must have a written signature on file in order to provide this type of transportation.
Student Health Services “Healthy Learners Are Better Learners”
Mrs. Mendy Thorsland, RN
Ms. Magen Kingsley, HOA
535-3252
Your health office staff works with parents and guardians, school staff, and health care providers to remedy or
modify health problems and to help achieve student success!
Who’s Here for Your Child?
To help accomplish student success, we provide annual screenings to check vision, hearing, height, weight, along
with scoliosis screens and physicals for the grades mandated by New York State. We work with a local physician to pro-
vide services as a school physician. Sports and working paper physicals are done by our school physician as well.
We also provide first aid and evaluation of children who become sick or injured during the school day.
We are mandated to keep current records of your child’s immunizations. (As you have them updated, please provide
us with a copy of that immunization.) Note: Should your child need to be exempted from gym class, or have it modified,
a written excuse from your physician is required to keep the child out longer than one day. The doctor’s note should be
given to the health office to issue a physical education release.
Medication Information
Any medications that must be given during school hours are governed by New York State mandates. ANY medi-
cation, including over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol or cold remedies, even cough drops - requires the following in
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order for school health staff to give them. (We do have forms available in the health office.)
1. Separate written doctor’s note/prescription naming the medication, time to be given, possible side effects and any
special instructions for our staff. If the order is changed in any way during the school year, a new note is required.
2. Written consent from the adult responsible for the student is needed for health office staff to give the drug.
3. Medication CANNOT be transported to school by the student. It needs to be brought to school by an adult - in its
original container. Student medication is required to be kept in a locked cabinet in the health office.
4. NOTE: We occasionally have an asthmatic student that may need to carry his or her own inhaler. This requires some
additional conversation between nurse, parents, student and doctor. Please give the health office staff a call to
arrange this.
Supplies Each grade level/teacher has different requirements for student supplies. Please delay your purchases until after your youngsters have received instructions from their teachers. There are, in fact, some supplies like “Trapper Keepers” which are too big to store and are not as useful to an elementary program as one might expect. Please review the supply list for your child’s classroom so you can make appropriate purchases. All students will need sneakers for the days of their physical education instruction.
Visitors We encourage parents to become involved in school programs. One way to do this is to schedule a visit. Parents
who would like to plan such a time are asked to arrange a date with your youngster’s teacher at least a few days in
advance. Lunch time is also available as an opportunity to share some conversation with your youngster and his/her
friends. Please remember all visitations to the school by any parent or volunteer requires a visit to the schools Main
Office first. Visitors will sign in at the office and carry an appropriate pass.
Lost and Found There is a lost and found rack located in Cafeteria 1 for coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, etc. Glasses are located in
the nurse’s office. Other small items such as watches, jewelry, etc. are kept in the Main Office. Be sure to label all your
child’s valuable belongings. If your child has lost or misplaced something, please be sure to check our lost and found.
Parent/Teacher Conferences Parent-teacher conferences will be held the evening of November 8th and during the day November 9th to dis-
cuss your child’s progress for the first part of the school year. The next formal conferences will be the evening of April
18th and during the day April 19th. In June your child will bring home a final report.
In addition to these planned conferences, parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teachers, school
counselor, or principal if they have any concerns. School personnel may also request additional conferences, as
needed.
*Conferences can best be arranged by calling the school office (535-3250). Please allow several days’
notice, as teachers often have professional commitments before and after school hours.
Parent Volunteers We encourage parents to spend time in the school volunteering in classrooms and helping with materials
preparation for teachers in the volunteer/staff workroom. There are many areas where help is needed - and much appreciated. Please contact Volunteer Assistant/Parent Partner, Cindy Kain, to find out where help is most needed at 535-3250, Ext.4220.
Custodial Parent Concerns If a child is NOT to be picked up at school by an (ex)spouse, we require the current legal documentation (i.e., court
orders) to be kept on file in our Main Office. If there are changes, please give the Main Office an updated copy. It is expected that the custodial parent accept responsibility for communicating student progress, activities, etc. to the
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non-custodial parent. The non-custodial parent may make special arrangements with the child’s homeroom teacher as
legal documents indicate.
School Celebrations (Parties) The Watkins Glen Elementary School staff recognizes the value of celebrating national holidays such as Thanksgiving,
Martin Luther King Day, etc. Observance of other holidays that have religious aspects such as Christmas, Easter or Hanukkah are permitted to the extent that they are unbiased, objective in manner and focus on the holiday, its history and the general meaning of the holiday observance.
*Students are always given the option to be excused from participating in any party or program involving a
religious theme which conflicts with those of their own religious beliefs.
Some examples of holiday celebrations at the elementary school are:
In Kindergarten through 5th grade, there are five celebrations: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas-time celebrations
(Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa), Valentine’s Day, Spring time celebrations (renewal of Spring/Easter). During these
celebrations, there may be room or grade level parties or events, school-wide caroling and parties, grade level
breakfasts, egg hunts and classroom activities. Parents are always welcome to help plan and/or participate in these
events.
The special area teachers also enrich these special times of year. The librarian may have special Halloween readings
and folk tales. In December, there is a special Holidays Around the World program in the library, and for other holidays,
i.e., Valentine’s Day, Easter, Saint Patrick’s Day, etc., fairy tales, giant tales and other stories are read.
Art classes do thematic art projects related to the holidays. These include literature, music and cultural awareness.
The music department enriches the lives of the children by providing a wide and diverse selection of music to value all
cultures at holiday time.
Curriculum and Instruction
The Common Core State Standards
All students will receive instruction as dictated by the Common Core Standards. The Common Core State Standards
Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors’ Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center)
and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers,
school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the
workforce.
The standards are informed by the highest, most effective models from states across the country and countries around
the world, and provide teachers and parents with a common understanding of what students are expected to learn. Consistent standards will provide appropriate benchmarks for all students, regardless of where they live.
These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so they will
graduate from high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. The standards:
•Are aligned with college and work expectations;
•Are clear, understandable and consistent;
•Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;
•Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;
•Are informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy
and society; and
•Are evidence-based.
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The New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards were adopted by the New York State Board of Regents in
January 2011 for ELA & Literacy and for Mathematics. These standards are composed of the Common Core State
Standards (CCSS) and a small number of additional standards (15%), reflecting the addition of Pre-K standards and
standards related to diversity, for example. The NYS P-12 CCLS can be viewed here: http://engageny.org/resource/new-
york-state-p-12-common-core-learning-standards
Social Studies and Science have been integrated with the core ELA and Math standards. You will see more ELA
assignments with social studies content and Math assignments with science content.
Library Media Center - Encouraging Children to Read
The elementary school library is open for all children, teachers and staff. It is staffed by a full-time librarian and a
library clerk. The library is open to students every day for book exchange and general use of informational materials.
The book collection has many volumes of current children’s books. The collection is updated every year. Any book we
do not own may be borrowed from another library by the inter-library loan process through the SCT BOCES School
Library System. The library program is designed to excite children about reading and promote a life-long habit and
love of reading, as well as providing instruction in library/media usage skills. Students are encouraged to return books
and magazines on time. Children check out books for one week, and may renew their books. There is a charge for lost
or damaged books. The charge is $4.00 for paperbacks and $8.00 for hardcovers, which is only a partial cost of a “new”
book.
Please help by encouraging your child to take books out each week, by reading with your children, and encour-
aging them as they become readers to take out books they can read. Children are taught basic computer skills, do
computer projects, and work with the computers in a safe and correct manner.
The library has two book fairs each year; one in the fall, the other in the spring. These are sponsored by the PTO.
The Arts: Art and Music The Department of Visual Arts and Music recently revised their curriculum according to the New York State Frame-
works for the Arts. The state frameworks require four standards to be met for grades K-12. They are:
Standard 1 - Creating, performing and participating in the arts. Students will actively engage in the processes that
constitute creating and performing in the arts - dance, music, theater and visual arts. They will participate in various
roles in the arts.
Standard 2 - Knowing and using arts materials and resources. Students will be knowledgeable about and make use of
the materials and resources available for participation in the arts in various roles.
Standard 3 - Responding to and analyzing works of art. Students will respond critically to a variety of works in the arts,
connecting the individual work to other works and to other aspects of human endeavor and thought.
Standard 4 - Understanding the cultural dimensions and contributions of the arts. Students will develop an under-
standing of the personal and cultural forces that shape artistic communication and how the arts in turn shape the
diverse cultures of past and present society.
Cultural Arts
The Cultural Arts Partners Committee is in its 17th year of existence. We have worked as a committee to explore
and promote the benefits of Arts integration. Our belief is that the Arts, including dance, music, visual, and
performance art, help the students to better understand and learn the curriculum. We understand the benefit of
viewing and participating in the Arts in order to better appreciate the Arts, but our real goal is to have the students
become involved in the Arts to help them understand other areas that we are studying.
Technology
As stated in our District’s Technology Plan, our common goal as a school district is to promote a climate of learning in
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which all students, staff and community will be able to effectively and appropriately use technology to meet today’s
needs and those of the 21st Century. We call this becoming Self-Directed Learners/Producers. Our students will need to
use appropriate technology to create, express, capture, record, experience, explore, communicate, collaborate, manage
and organize ideas, data and information. New York State’s Math Science and Technology Standard 2 requires this type
use of technology. Putting it simply, we are all about integrating technology into our daily curriculums.
Physical Education
Grades K-5 attend physical education class three times a week for a total of 120 minutes. Students also have
structured play available on the playground for 20 minutes each day.
Each child is required to wear appropriate attire each day they have class. Appropriate attire consists of clothing
that does not restrict movement - pants, shorts, sweatpants, sweatshirts, tee shirts. Please keep in mind students may
be doing activities that require them to get down on the floor (roll, crawl) so dress clothes should be avoided.
Sneakers must be worn in order to participate in physical education classes. We encourage students to wear
sneakers that are either Velcro or tie-up. Please make sure students have laces in their sneakers. We discourage stu-
dents from wearing slip-on type shoes, hiking-style boots, platform sneaker/shoes, lug-soled sneaker/shoes and winter
sneaker/boots, even if they do have rubber soles. Soft covered, crepe-soled sneakers with a flat bottom and no heel are
acceptable.
A written note from the doctor is required if a child cannot participate in physical education class. This note will go
to the school nurse and the physical education teacher.
Progress reports will be used at appropriate intervals depending upon the grade level.
The curriculum is child-centered with emphasis on social, academic, and language development, with nurturing
hands-on approach to learning.
Health and Wellness
Our district has adopted a program called the Great Body Shop as a comprehensive health and wellness program
PreK-6. This is a theme based program where everyone district wide is expected to play a part. Each month a new
theme is introduced and a flyer is sent home.
Elementary Standardized Testing Program
Watkins Glen Elementary School will take the following state and local tests: The New York State English Language Arts and Mathematics and Science Tests
Third through fifth graders will take New York State tests in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Fourth grade
will also be required to take a state science test. The tests’ results will provide an objective report of individual strengths
and weaknesses in a variety of skill areas. The results also help the school evaluate their educational programs. The New
York Education Department uses these results in developing the School Report Card. Individual students results will be
supplied to parents as they become available by the state.
Dial 3
Future kindergarten children are screened using the Dial 3. This screening tool assesses self-help, social skills, mo-
tor, concepts, and language development. Parents will be notified when kindergarten screening occurs.
STAR Reading & Math Programs
These are computer based assessments. Quarterly benchmark tests will be given. The immediate feedback will be
used as a tool in order to make adjustments in an individual student’s program.
STAR Early Literacy Program
This computer based assessment is meant for children who are not able to read. It tests reading readiness skills
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and is a very quick computer test. The immediate feedback will be used as a tool in order to make adjustments in an
individual student’s program.
Student Support Services
The Watkins Glen Elementary School offers a variety of support services to meet the various needs of its students.
We are required by law to provide these services in the least restrictive environment.
Academic Intervention Services (AIS)/ Response to Intervention (RTI)
The Watkins Glen Elementary School provides early intervention/preventative and remedial reading and math
services for identified students in grades K-5. Providers include reading teachers, teaching assistants, and teacher aides,
along with regular education teachers.
Eligible students will receive reading/language arts and math support within a general education setting. Students
will receive extra instruction using the latest researched based strategies. We also use Reponses to Intervention (RTI)
strategies in order to direct individualized curriculums. Individual student progress is tracked in a variety of ways. Data
is collected use running records. Products from Fountas and Pinnell, DIBELS (Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy
Skills), DRA’s (Diagnostic Reading Assesment), GMADE (Group Mathematics Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation)
and GRADE (Group Reading Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation) are used frequently to assess student progress in
addition to the standardized tests list above.
The focus of the Title I/AIS programs is to channel the support to identified students to help them achieve grade
level proficiency in reading/language arts and math skills and to help them remain successful in a general education
setting. With the primary focus on an in-class delivery service model, the Watkins Glen Elementary School is commit-
ted to assisting all students in meeting the state’s challenging high standards.
Special Education Programs Students whose learning needs require a smaller class setting or reduced student/teacher ratio, are provided
instruction as determined by the Committee on Special Education. These services are provided both by BOCES and
district school personnel and include:
Resource Room and Consultant Teacher Programs
Supplemental support services of Resource Room instruction and/or Consultant Teacher services are available to
students. Resource Room instruction occurs as available in a group setting of no more than five students per
instructional period and can occur in the extended school day programs, and/or push-in or pull-out of the regular
classroom setting. The Consultant Teacher Model occurs within the regular classroom setting with direct instruction or
indirect service to the regular education teacher. Teacher aides and teacher assistants also provide additional support
to these programs.
Inclusion Classroom
This program will be provided in a co-teaching environment where students are included with their peers for a
majority of the instructional day. Students are mainstreamed into a regular class for specials, i.e., art, music, etc., lunch,
recess and dismissal. Teachers will work together in an environment where the ratio of teachers to students is never
more than 15:1.
8:1:1 Classroom
This program provides a smaller classroom setting with a maximum of 8 students with a full-time special education
teacher and a full-time teacher aide. Related services are provided based on the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Students are mainstreamed when appropriate for homeroom, special classes, i.e., art, music, etc, lunch, recess and
dismissal. Students may also be mainstreamed into regular classrooms for academics at their grade level in which they
have the skills to maintain passing grades. These services may be offered through a program at BOCES as staffing needs
warrant.
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Related Services Related services of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, counseling, hearing, and
vision itinerant services are available to identified students. These services can occur within or outside the classrooms
as appropriate. The related service providers align the provision of their therapies with the classroom curriculum so that
classroom and therapy activities compliment and reinforce each other.
School Psychologist
The primary function of a school psychologist is involvement with students who appear to be at risk with their
academic progress. The school psychologist uses various measures and procedures to identify specific difficulties.
When the difficulty has been determined, the school psychologist works with parents and staff to effect appropriate
intervention.
School Psychologist: Mrs. Melissa Snow - Phone: 535-3219, Ext. 7051
Speech Department
The Speech Department is responsible for evaluating and remediating speech/language development delays. As a
part of kindergarten screening, some children are identified as having communication difficulties even before entering
school. All pupils are screened as recommended by the child study team. Parents are then notified of any significant
issues. Subsequently, more in-depth evaluations will determine the necessity of therapy. Students with identified needs
will receive speech/language therapy during the school day.
Speech classes help children to produce specific sounds correctly. Language classes help children to develop
vocabulary, basic concepts and critical thinking skills. Therapists send home progress reports quarterly, or contact
parents and/or teachers for support, as needed.
In addition to group or individual therapy, a therapist may instruct language development class in the
kindergarten rooms as needed. These lessons focus on developing basic communication skills necessary to all
children. This provides support to the classroom teacher and acts as preventive intervention.
School Counselor A counselor will be available to work with students who are in need of counseling and/or guidance services. Some
of the services provided to students are individual and/or group counseling, crisis intervention, developing and
monitoring of behavior modification plans, developing appropriate peer relationships, anger control and “Banana Splits”
support groups.
The counselor will work closely with staff and parents and assist in referrals to outside agencies as appropriate.
The counselor is available to help students, parents, and staff with concerns. This person chairs the Child Study
Team, helps with PBIS planning, Character Education, Kindergarten and Pre- Kindergarten screening. The person also
helps new students enter school by gathering academic records, providing tours of the school, and addressing any
family to school concerns. The counselor is also responsible to help with the administration of all state and local tests.
School Counselor: Ms. Laurel McIntyre – Phone: 535-3250, Ext. 4041
Rights and Responsibilities Goal: All students will achieve the 21st Century Student Standards and Goals
It is the principal’s responsibility to maintain a safe and orderly environment for all aspects of the school. The goal
is to provide a quality education for all students. This is a shared responsibility for all staff members to fulfill.
It is a staff responsibility to work with students by setting rules/expectations and maintaining
school/classroom/discipline.
It is a staff responsibility to create an educational environment which responds to all students’ needs. The staff will
assist students to become independent life-long learners. The staff will work to help students develop positive behavioral
choices at school, at home, and in the community.
Respect, Responsibility and Safety are the key words in setting up rules for our schools. These rules and their
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consequences are set up at the beginning of school and followed through the school year. The staff is responsible for
consistently following the discipline steps outlined in this handbook in order to maintain a safe learning environment.
Our goals are: • To help students grow cognitively and emotionally
• To help students understand their choices and make healthy decisions
• To help students become more responsible for themselves and their actions
• To help students achieve our district’s 21st Century outcomes
Parent Responsibilities
It is the parents’ responsibility to become partners with the school in supporting their child’s education.
1. Encourage your child to be respectful, be responsible, be safe and be healthy.
2. Take an interest in your child’s school work. Attend parent/teacher conferences, read memos that are sent home,
support and attend PTO meetings, check through your child’s daily work and homework.
3. Have your child attend school on a daily basis.
4. Give your child a good start to his or her day with proper nutrition, rest, hygiene and proper attire.
5. Take time with your child to review and reinforce the procedures in this handbook and the Code of Conduct. A
condensed version of the code of conduct can be found in the district calendar.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
You have the right to be treated with respect. You have the responsibility to be respectful and courteous to others,
and to follow the rules at all times in school, on school grounds and on the bus.
The four expectations are: 1. Be respectful
2. Be responsible
3. Be safe
4. Be healthy
Character Education In an effort to create a more positive and safe environment, the Watkins Glen Elementary School has developed a
Character Education Program along with PBIS.
What is PBIS?
PBIS is Our School Wide Behavior Program. PBIS stands for positive behavioral interventions and supports. In PBIS,
school-wide behavioral expectations or rules are taught and reinforced by the staff in the school environment. All staff
has been trained in the PBIS model and will be able to reinforce the school rules. Students will be expected to follow all
school rules in all school settings, i.e. art, music, library, bus, cafeteria, playground, hallways, bathrooms, auditorium,
during fire drills and on field trips.
Our goal is to foster a positive school climate in which all students will be able to learn. Goals will also be to reduce
discipline referrals and enable all students to stay focused on learning in our school.
Teachers will have access to activities and lessons they can integrate in their class and curriculum to teach
students about each theme.
The Planning Room
The purpose of the Planning Room is to provide an environment for students who need to evaluate their behavior
and plan for positive change in order to return to the classroom / special classes / activities. The Planning Room is to
be used in accordance with procedures outlined in this handbook.
After all efforts to change unsatisfactory behaviors have been made in the classroom, students not complying will
be sent to the Planning Room with a discipline referral. Students will make a plan including natural consequences
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before returning to class. The staff member making the referral will communicate with the parent/guardian during the
process.
If the child repeatedly does not follow the plan (after parent notification), or involves a severe violation, i.e.,
physical aggression, violent threats, bullying, etc., a parent conference will be held with the principal. Further action
may be taken involving suspensions and community agency involvement, if necessary.
Suspensions
In-school suspension will be used as a consequence when a child has been referred to an administrator several
times for the same type of incident or when an individual incident is a serious one.
When a child is assigned to I.S.S., they are given all daily assignments and are required to do the work while they
are in the room. They are not allowed to take part in activities or special area classes for that day. Mandated services are
provided for special education students.
Out of school suspensions may be assigned for up to 5 days at a time by the principal in severe cases. Many times
this consequence is used to protect the safety and learning environment of the other students.
Behaviors/Consequences INFRACTION 1
st OFFENSE 2
nd OFFENSE 3
rd OFFENSE
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
*Refer to code of conduct and or
Save Legislature
INSUBORDINATE BEHAVIOR
FAILURE TO COMPLY
SAFETY VIOLATIONS
Severe cases will be treated at the
discretion of the school
administrator.
Consequences are progressive and
are subject to change upon severity
of incident.
Student sent to the
Planning room
Referral sent home
Temporary removal
from class or group
Lunch/recess detention
Student sent to the
Planning room
Referral sent home
Half day In-School
Suspension
Student sent to the Planning room
Referral sent home
Full day In-School suspension
Any further incidents may
result in long term removal
from class
VANDALISM/PROPERTY
NEGLECT
Severe cases will be treated at the
discretion of the school
administrator.
Consequences are progressive and
are subject to change upon severity
of incident
Student sent to the
Planning room
Referral sent home
Lunch/recess detention
Financial restitution
and or work equivalent
Student sent to the
Planning room
Referral sent home
Parent Contact
Half day In-School
Suspension
Financial restitution
and or work
equivalent
Student sent to the Planning room
Parent Contact
Removal from class or group
temporarily
Full day In-School suspension
Possible involvement of law
enforcement agency
Refer to other social agencies
Any further incidents may
warrant Out of School
Suspension
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INTIMIDATION/HARRASSMENT
THREATS/BULLYING
RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT
Severe cases will be treated at the
discretion of the school
administrator.
Consequences are progressive and
are subject to change upon severity
of incident.
Student sent to the
Planning room
Referral sent home
Lunch & recess
detention
Student sent to the
Planning room
Referral sent home
Parent Contact
Half day In-School
Suspension
Student sent to the Planning room
Parent/ Administrator conference
Full day In-school suspension
Conference with student and
school resource officer
Any further incidents may
warrant Out of School
Suspension
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIVIDUAL OFFENSES CAN BE FOUND IN THE SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT.
A summary of the school district’s code of conduct can be found in the district calendar. The full code of conduct document can
be found in school policy located on the district website at www.wgcsd.org.
Students and Personal Electronic Devices The Board of Education recognizes that there are personal electronic devices that have educational applications
such as calculators, voice recorders, digital cameras, music listening devices, MLD’s and Net books. These devices shall
be allowed as part of a lesson under the direction of a teacher. However, the display and or use of such devices can
cause disruption to the educational process.
Therefore, to prevent such disruption, the display and or use by students of cellular phones, pagers, I-pods, DS
games and or other electronic devices shall be prohibited at the discretion of the teacher or administrator. In most
case the devices must be turned off and stored out of sight during the class period. The school is not responsible for
stolen, lost or damaged personal electronic devices.
Misuse of any of these devices will result in its confiscation. It may also lead to discipline as outlined in the code of
conduct for any inappropriate use of such devices.
Sexual Harassment Policy It is the policy of the District that all employees and students have a right to work or study in an environment free of
discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual orientation, which encompasses freedom from sexual harassment. The District
strongly disapproves of sexual harassment of its employees or students in any form, and states that all employees, as well
as students, at all levels of the District must avoid offensive or inappropriate sexual or sexually harassing behavior at
school, on school grounds, at school functions, and on school transportation and will be held responsible for ensuring that
such workplace is free from sexual harassment. Specifically, the District prohibits the following:
Sex-based harassment can be comprised of two types of behavior: sexual harassment and/or gender-based harassment.
Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, which can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for
sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Gender-based harassment includes
verbal, nonverbal or physical aggression, intimidation or hostility that is based on actual or perceived gender and sexual
stereotypes. Sexual or gender-based harassment of a student can deny or limit the student’s ability to participate in or to
receive benefits, services, or opportunities from the school’s program. Such conduct may result in disciplinary action up to
and including dismissal or suspension upon instruction.
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Other sexually harassing conduct in the workplace, whether physical or verbal, committed by supervisors or non-
supervisory personnel or students is also prohibited. This behavior includes but is not limited to commentary about an
individual’s body, sexually degrading words to describe an individual, offensive comments, off-color language or jokes,
innuendos, and sexually suggestive objects, books, magazines, photographs, cartoons or pictures.
Employees or students who have complaints of sexual harassment by anyone in the school environment, including any
supervisors, co-employees, students, or visitors are urged to report such conduct to the compliance officer so that the
District may investigate and resolve the problem. If the complaint involves the compliance officer, or if the person for any
reason is uncomfortable in dealing with the compliance officer, the employee or student may go to the Superintendent or a
person appointed by the Superintendent to handle the complaint.
The District will endeavor to investigate all complaints as expeditiously and as professionally as possible. Where
investigations confirm the allegations, appropriate corrective action will be taken.
The District will endeavor to maintain the information provided to it in the complaint and investigation process as
confidentially as possible, consistent with the laws of the State and, if applicable, the collective bargaining agreement.
There will be no retaliation against employees or students for reporting sexual harassment or assisting the District in
the investigation or a complaint. The procedure to investigate any complaint shall be consistent with the Anti-
Discrimination Policy.
Anti-Discrimination Policy The school district does not discriminate in employment or in the education programs and activities which it oper-
ates on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, religion, race or disability in violation of Title IX of the Educa-
tion Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and New
York State Human Rights Law.
Grievance Procedure
If any person believes that the School District or any of the District’s staff has failed to apply or has inadequately
applied the principles or regulations of (1) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (2) Title IX of the Education
Amend- ment Act of 1972, or (3) § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, that person may bring forward a complaint,
which shall be referred to as a grievance, to the District’s compliance officer.
The compliance officer, on request, will provide a copy of the District’s grievance procedure to any employee or
student of the District.
A copy of each of the Acts and Regulations upon which this notice is based will be made available upon written
request directed to the district’s compliance officer.
Inquiries concerning the nondiscriminatory policy may be made to Director, Office for Civil Rights, Department of
Education, Washington, D.C. 20201.
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Procedures for Animals in School
Animals may be brought into the classroom for educational purposes that are incorporated
into lesson plans. However, they must be appropriately and humanely cared for, and properly
handled. Any person who wishes to bring an animal into the classroom must receive prior
permission from the principal. The following guidelines shall apply to animals in the schools:
• Prior to granting permission, teachers should check with the school nurse regarding any
known allergies among students and other staff members who may work in the class
room. If allergies exist, parents and/or staff members must be contacted for further
direction.
• There should be a clear educational purpose to have an animal in a public school setting.
• Animals should not be kept in the classroom beyond the intended lesson.
• Animals shall not be transported on school buses.
• Wash hands after contact with animals, animal products, or their environment.
• Teachers must assume primary responsibility for the humane and proper treatment of any
animals in the classroom.
• Only the teacher o r designated students may handle the animals.
• Animals should not be allowed to roam or fly free. They should be displayed in an
enclosed cage or under appropriate restraint.
• Do not allow animals in areas where food and drink are consumed.
• All visiting animals should obtain a certificate of veterinary inspection prior to a visit.
• Keep animals clean and free of intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks, mites and lice.
• Staff members or students who have been bitten by an animal shall report such incident to
the principal and the nurse immediately. The principal should notify the public health
authorities if the injury merits medical follow-up. Public health authorities should
determine the appropriate action and period of confinement for an animal if an injury
results. Any animal involved in a serious injury must be impounded until authorization for
release is granted by health authorities.
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Extra Food Item Permission Form Procedure
In order to communicate better with the lunch room on your child’s lunch preference, we
created a form that has helped us to expedite this process. We have had situations where
parents believed they sent in enough money for the week and their children used their bal-
ance to purchase double lunches or extra items such as ice cream. Please fill out this form
and return it to the school. All the information is entered into your child’s own electronic
account and creates a built-in reminder each time the account is brought up on what you
approve or disapprove for your child’s lunch.
Extra Food Item Permission Form
My child is in grade in ’s classroom and
has permission to purchase the following extra food items using their prepaid account.
Please check all that apply:
□ My child can purchase any items they wish from their prepaid account.
□ My child can only purchase items from their prepaid account when I send in a note.
□ My child can purchase double lunches on any day of the week.
□ My child can purchase double lunches on only (specify day(s)).
□ My child can purchase ice cream on any day of the week.
□ My child can purchase ice cream on only (specify day(s)).
□ My child is not to purchase ice cream at all unless I send him/her with extra cash.
Other instructions:
Parent/Guardian Signature: Date
Parent/Student Acknowledgement
My child and I have read, discussed and understand the rules and possible consequences
included in the Student Handbook.
Parent/Guardian Signature: Date
Please return this page to your child’s teacher.
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Notes