P37r Policies and Procedures

P37R POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

P37R POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Florence Gorsky, Principal

Jessica Fitzpatrick, Assistant Principal

Angelo LaGrega, IA Assistant Principal

Lauren Oellerich, Assistant Principal

Donny Swanson, Assistant Principal

2017 – 2018 School Year

VISION

To provide a warm, nurturing, respectful culture where staff and families work collaboratively towards preparing students to be contributing members of the community.

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS

To provide students the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to become independent readers through consistency and repetition overtime utilizing core vocabulary which leads to desired outcomes. We have narrowed our focus to “student engagement”.

MISSION STATEMENT

WE ACHIEVE GREATNESS!

Our mission statement is to foster independent learning for all of our students by recognizing and celebrating their differences. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of our students and their families by providing students every opportunity to maximize their potential by developing skills necessary for independence.

SCHOOL SECURITY

All staff, parents and visitors must enter/exit the building through the main entrance of our main site, 15 Fairfield Street or Great Kills High School (GKHS), 110 Shafter Avenue. Parents and visitors must sign in at the security desk and receive a visitor’s pass. Picture ID is required.

All visitors (including parents) are to report to the Main Office.

Visitors are to be escorted through the building by the Principal, Parent Coordinator, or a Principal designee unless otherwise authorized.

Any unauthorized person in the building is to be immediately reported to Main Office.

Staff members are not to congregate around the main lobby; this is a safety issue.

Every member of the staff is vitally involved in the task of assuring the safety and welfare of our students.

School Safety is essential. Please secure your personal belongings at all times.

THERE IS NO SMOKING ALLOWED ON SCHOOL PROPERTY (INCLUDING SCHOOL PERIMETER).

Designated Areas: Corbin/Fairfield and Greaves/Fairfield (Main) and Katan/Shafter (HS)

Medical Emergencies – In case of a medical emergency requiring immediate attention, please notify the Main Office by intercom. To avoid confusion, the following message should be relayed: “Nurse immediately to room ___”. In other instances, where immediate attention is not necessary, please request an “available” nurse to your room.

Safety Drills – all staff should familiarize themselves with posted signs throughout the building indicating fire drill signals and exit procedure

●Safety is of paramount importance

●Speed and silence are essential

●Discuss, if appropriate, with students why it is important to maintain silence during a fire drill

●All lights should be turned off and doors closed when leaving rooms

MISSING STUDENT PROTOCOL AND RESPONDING TO DOOR ALARMS

ALL EXIT DOORS ARE ALARMED AND MUST BE CLOSED DURING THE DAY.

Every adult in the building has some responsibility when a door alarm is heard. All adults who are NOT supervising students must do the following when they hear an activated door alarm:

●Immediately report to the door where the alarm has been activated to observe conditions and to determine the possible cause of the alarm.

●Immediately call the main office to report the location of the door alarm that was activated and share any observations

For all adults who ARE supervising students when they hear an activated door alarm:

●Immediately call the main office and report the location of the door alarm that was activated.

●Immediately look outside the classroom window and/or look outside the classroom door to observe anything that may provide additional information such as a staff member/student (s) walking away from the door.

●Report observations to the staff members and/or SSAs who respond to the door alarm.

Please refer to Missing Student Protocol for procedures.

BRT TEAM – (BUILDING RESPONSE TEAM)

The BRT is an action management team that exists within our school. The BRT members from the school’s core emergency response group were selected to handle all school or student related emergency incidents and conditions. The BRT members are trained to collect and provide accurate information on an incident. The BRT member are not first responders.

Main Building Response Team / GKHS Building Response Team / IS2 Building Response Team
Jessica Fitzpatrick Donna Cornicelli
Jennifer Pfuhler Pat Garritano
Lisa Anderson Francesca Maresca
Elizabeth Scola Sue Schemtisch
Gina Corio Angelo LaGrega / Donny Swanson Mike Smith
Rene Panzella Christine Honadel
Gianna Annunizata Shirley Ginsberg / Lauren Oellerich
Cynthia Morales
Anthony McCormick
Nancy Pensebene

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES – STAFF

The official school day for the Main Building and GKHS is 8:00 AM to 2:50 PM. Inclusion Sites adhere to same hours as the district 31 schools they are co-located. You are required to be at your assignment no later than 8:00 AM.

All staff initial their names on the sign-in sheet in the morning (prior to assignment) and initial again at the end of the day.

All staff arriving late (any time after 8:00) must indicate time of arrival in place of initials. Excessive lateness will result in a meeting with administration and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. If more than five minutes in lateness is accumulated, time can be deducted from your CAR and disciplinary action can occur. This may include: letter of warning, suspensions without pay, unsatisfactory ratings, termination, and charges under the NYS Education Law. Placement on a time clock will be required if lateness continues. Any staff member on the time clock for thirty days without lateness will revert to the sign-in procedure following an administrative meeting.

Circular 6 Morning assignments begin at 7:45 AM and end at 8:00 AM. A paraprofessional representative from each class is asked to assist with busing beginning at 8:00 AM. Teachers assigned to afternoon busing assist from 2:50 PM to 3:05 PM. Circular 6 paraprofessionals assigned to busing must use time cards and sign in/out in the AM and PM.

All staff must be on time for their assignments. This includes reporting to 8:00 AM assignment, returning from lunch and prep/professional development periods at designated times. Cluster teachers may not leave classes until teachers return from lunch and preps/professional development periods.

All absences must be called into the Main Office as early as possible (718-984-9800). There is someone available as early as 6:30 AM. If necessary, leave a message on the answering machine. Staff must indicate the reason for the absence. Please indicate whether the absence is self-treated or medically certified. Personal days must be requested in advance in writing.

Paraprofessionals who are calling in absent must also call the Sub-Central (718-935-6740) as early as possible. The Registry will not take calls after 7:30 AM.

Teachers should also call Sub-Central at (718) 935-6740 or website/system access subcentral.eschoolsolutions.com. This system is available via telephone or internet 24/7.

TRANSITIONING GUIDELINES

Each student is provided with student identification each morning. Every effort is made for students to wear the

Identification throughout the day.

Student attendance is taken each period of the day.

APPOINTED TEACHERS/SECRETARIES

SICK DAYS AND ABSENCES: Teachers and secretaries earn one sick day each month (Sept.-June) for a

total of 10 days. Three (3) of these days may be used for personal business when the principal is provided with reasonable advanced notice and approves the leave. Of the three (3) days for personal business two (2) may be used (since 2002) for the care of ill family members (for the specifics of who is a family member refer to Article Sixteen of the collective bargaining agreement. Days used for personal business are intended to be used only for personal business which cannot be conducted on other than a school day and other than school hours. (See below in Personal Business Days). Four (4) consecutive days of absence requires medical documentation. A payroll deduction will be made for self-treated absences exceeding 10 regardless of the number of days in your CAR. Staff who has exhausted their CAR may borrow up to 20 additional days.

PARAPROFESSIONALS

SICK DAYS AND ABSENCES: Paraprofessionals earn one day per month. Three (3) of these days may be used for personal business when the head of school is provided with reasonable advanced notice and approves the leave. Of the three (3) days for personal business two (2) may be used (since 2002) for the care of ill family members (for the specifics of who is a family member refer to Article Nineteen of the collective bargaining agreement). Days used for personal business are intended to be used only for personal business which cannot be conducted on other than a school day and other than school hours (See below in Personal Business Days). Four (4) consecutive days of absence requires medical documentation. Employees whose sick leave allowance is exhausted shall have the right to apply to the division of Human Resources to borrow against future sick leave in accordance with applicable administrative regulations. If your CAR results in a negative balance payroll deductions will be made. Unused sick time will be accumulated in your CAR.

Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken for employees who are excessively absent or late. Depending on your position, actions may include a warning letter, letter in file, suspension without pay, termination, or charges under the NYS Education Law seeking a termination of employment.

PERSONAL BUSINESS DAYS

All staff members are entitled to use 3 of their self-treat days for personal business. These 3 days are included in the 10 total for the year. A written request to the principal and a completed OP198 form must be submitted one week prior to request. Prior approval must be granted by the principal barring any

unforeseen emergencies.

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE

As per the Chancellor’s Regulation C-606 accommodations shall be made for employees requesting time off fora full day or part of a day for religious observance. Each request will be assessed individually. Factors which may be considered for approval may include but are not limited to:

✓Ability to provide required level of services in the individual’s absence

✓Ability to maintain proper supervision

✓Disruption to workplace

✓Request for religious observance must be made in writing to the Principal at least one week in advance of the requested day. Once approved an OP 201 must be completed

ABSENCES OTHER THAN SICK DAYS

For absences such as jury duty, death in family, approved professional development (see your school secretary for days allowed) and attendance at conferences an OP201 must be completed, submitted, and approved by the principal.

Days off for Graduations will only be granted if ceremony is prior to 6:00 PM.

RECORD KEEPING

All staff members are encouraged to keep a record of their absences to avoid discrepancies at the end of the school year.

SICK DAYS AND ABSENCES – Chapter 683 Summer Program

Those who work Chapter 683 are allowed two sick days during the entire session regardless of how many

days one has in their Cumulative Absence Reserve (CAR). Absences exceeding two days will result in payroll deductions, an unsatisfactory rating, and the loss of retention rights. Sick days not used during Chapter 683 are credited to your CAR.

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

FMLA is a Federal law that was enacted in 1993. It requires covered employers to grant up to 12 work weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons. It also requires employers to maintain health insurance coverage for the employee on leave on the same terms as if the employee had continued to work.

There are four types of FMLA leave: maternity, child care, care of qualified sick family members and health restoration. Documentation is required for approval of FMLA.

COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

E-mail – all teachers have NYCDOE e-mail addresses. PLEASE UPDATE NYCDOE PASSWORDS AND REGULARLY CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR CORRESPONDENCE FROM P37 ADMINISTRATION.

Mailboxes – every teacher/provider is assigned a mailbox. All staff should check their mailboxes at least twice a day.

Telephone use – all telephones and fax machines are to be used only for school business. All parental phone calls should be logged into a notebook designated specifically for this purpose. All information must be logged with the date, time of day, name of caller and number. Messages for staff members receiving incoming calls will be placed in the staff member’s mailbox. Except in emergencies, staff members will not be interrupted during instructional time. Personal cell phones may not be used during instructional time. Text messaging is prohibited. Camera phones may be used for educational purposes only.

Please refrain from using the intra-classroom telephone unless it is an emergency.

Intercom – announcements will be made only in the AM and then again in the PM.

Main Office Bulletin Boards – school notices, schedules and calendars are posted on the bulletin board outside the Main Office. PLEASE READ DAILY.

Correspondence with parents – letters of introduction will be sent to parents at the beginning of the school year. Your letter of introduction should include the names of teachers and related service providers who service their children. A communication notebook/folder for daily communication between school and home needs to be established. Staff should be professional and use appropriate language when writing to parents. Should you need assistance, speak with an administrator.

All phone calls made to parents must be logged as well and an event in SESIS is recommended. INTERCOM PHONE CALLS FROM PARENTS WILL NOT BE FORWARDED TO CLASSROOMS – CONVERSATIONS WITH PARENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL. PLEASE CHECK MAILBOXES FOR MESSAGES FROM PARENTS AND RETURN PHONE CALLS DURING PREPS.

While at times you may have to contact parents of a child who is ill or having a difficult day, it is equally important to contact parents when their child is having a great day! If a parent calls a message will be placed in your mailbox. DO NOT USE CELL PHONES TO SPEAK WITH PARENTS. This policy includes teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers and all other staff members.

Internet – all classrooms are wired for Internet use. Staff members are required to adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy set forth by the Department of Education.

37R Website: Curriculum Maps, Forms and Documents can be found on the school website.

PS37.altervista.org

Google Drive

SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

It is the responsibility of the staff to ensure that classrooms provide a safe environment for all students. Maintenance or safety problems are to be reported directly to the principal, assistant principals, or custodian. As per OSHA regulations all cleaning agents/toxic chemicals should not be stored in the classroom unless they are stored in a secure area and listed on your chemical inventory.

Hot/cold liquids are not to be brought into the classroom when students are in attendance.

Food is not to be left in the building unless it is well wrapped and in a closed container.

Staff is not permitted to eat breakfast or lunch in the classroom when instruction is taking place.

NO COOKING REQUIRING ANY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES SUCH AS TOASTERS, PORTABLE BURNERS, OR MICROWAVES, UNLESS IT IS PART OF AN INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITY.

STUDENT BATHROOMS

It is highly inappropriate for staff members and/or adults to use the children’s bathrooms. Therefore, be sure you are using the staff bathrooms. We must respect teacher/student boundaries.

Gloves, wipes, changing pads, paper towels, are readily available in student bathrooms. Always use these items when changing students. Please call the main office when these items need to be replenished so that the custodian can be notified. Soiled Diapers mustbe placed in plastic bags. These protocols are for the safety of students and staff.

SMARTBOARDS

Smartboards are used as an instructional tool. Programs selected should be aligned to instruction, age appropriate and reflective of thematic unit of study.

CELL PHONES

Cell phones are not to be used for personal use during instructional periods. Please be sure that your cell phones are turned off. They may not be used in the hallways or Main Lobby. There is no texting during

instructional periods and in the hallways.Be mindful when using your phone to take pictures or videos of the students for instructional purposes. Be sure to delete the pictures and never use social media.

BULLETIN BOARDS

Bulletin boards should reflect up-to-date student work. No commercially produced materials are to be displayed. Solid backgrounds with solid or no border is preferred. Remember, your bulletin boards should reflect student work and information that is relevant to assist students in learning. Materials posted should be a resource for the student that will help the students with current topics covered. Comments aligned with the rubric should be posted on student work.