Student Handbook from A to Z

Absences

If a student is absent from school for any reason, we ask that parents report the absence to the school before 9:00AM, and send a note to school upon the student’s return.  The note should state the reason for the absence, the date of the absence, and include the parents’ or guardians’ signature.  School personnel will make an effort to contact the parent if the student is not reported absent.  It is the parent’s responsibility to report absences in a timely manner.  Please call the school at 747-3308 and leave a message.

After-School Care

An after-school care program is sponsored by the Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission and includes care until 6:00 PM.  There is a fee for this service, and details may be obtained by calling 389-3192.

Arrivals

Staff supervision begins at 8:50AM every morning.  Students should not arrive at school earlier than this time.  All students are to enter the building and proceed to homerooms at the appointed time.  The school day begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM.   If a student arrives late for any reason, the child must report to the main office before proceeding to their classroom.

Bicycles

When the weather permits, fourth and fifth grade students may ride their bicycles to school, with parental consent.  All bicycles must be locked to the bike rack that is located at the rear of the school. The school does not assume any responsibility for the safety and/or security of bicycles.  Once students are in school they are not permitted to play near the bike area or leave the building to go to their bikes without permission.  Pursuant to New Jersey state law, all students riding bicycles must wear a helmet.

Board of Education

The Middletown Board of Education meets regularly on a monthly basis.  The public is invited to attend the open sessions.  All meetings are scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM unless otherwise noted.  According to the Sunshine Law, public notifications of the meetings are posted in all schools.

Bus Transportation

Bus transportation is provided by the Board of Education for students who live more than two miles from the school.  Only those students who have valid bus passes are permitted to ride the school bus.  Negative behavior or interfering with the safe operation of the bus may cause a student to be disciplined accordingly, and ultimately result in a loss of bus privileges.

Child Study Team

Members of the Child Study Team include a social worker, psychologist, and learning disability teacher consultant.  Referrals may be made to this group by classroom teachers who are requesting assistance in dealing with individual student educational issues, or by parents who are seeking this same assistance for a child.

Class Trips/Field Trips

The PTO and Board of Education provide funding for various class trips throughout the year.  All students must present a permission slip signed by their parent in order to be permitted to participate on the class trip.  These forms will be sent home prior to the activity and must be on file with the classroom teacher.  All class trips are curriculum related and part of the instructional process.

Clothing

Student attire should be reasonably neat, clean, and appropriate for the scheduled activities of the day.   In the extremely warm weather that we may have during September and at the end of the school year, shorts of a reasonable length are permitted.   Sandals are not permitted for safety reasons.   Sneakers must be worn on days your child is scheduled to have physical education.

Conferences

As part of the student evaluation program in Middletown, parent conferences are scheduled during the school year.  These conferences are not limited to formally scheduled events on the district wide level.  Parents as well as teachers should feel free to request a conference regarding a child’s academic progress or behavior.

Dismissal

At the end of the day students are expected to proceed directly home.   Any student who wishes to use the playground is expected to go home and then return with their parents' knowledge.

Early Sign-Out (Leaving School)

If a student is to be taken out of the building before the end of the school day, the parent must send a note to school and sign the register when picking up the student.  It is permissible to have another person take the student out of school only if a note has been submitted by the parent, granting permission and identifying the alternate caregiver.  Persons listed on the emergency cards are given permission as temporary caregivers in the event the parent is not available.

Emergency School Closing

If weather or some other unforeseen event forces the cancellation of school, the cancellation will be broadcast over radio station 101. 5 FM, and other alternate stations as selected by the Board of Education.   In addition, the district website www.middletownk12.org will post the closing announcement.    If the schools are to be closed after student arrival, every effort will be made to contact parents at the emergency number listed for each child.  The PTO often assists with the emergency call system, and requests assistance from other parents in order to carry out an effective dismissal.

Homework

Homework is designed by the classroom teacher to meet varied student needs, including reinforcement, enrichment, and make-up work.  Parents can support the student by providing a place to work, necessary materials, and academic assistance when their child needs it.   Homework, when assigned, is a requirement and not completing homework assignments may result in grade reduction.

Intervention and Referral Services

A student who is experiencing academic difficulties in school can be referred to the building I&RS committee for diagnostic assistance.  The committee will meet with parents to review the child’s progress and prescribe remediation strategies, which may include referral to the child study team.

Lost and Found

All unclaimed items, such as clothing, lunch boxes, and books, are placed in the lost and found box in the custodians’ room. Parents are urged to label clothing and other articles brought to school in an effort to avoid losses.

Lunches

Students eat their lunches in the classroom under the supervision of the building staff.  Lunches served in the school are Class A, federally subsidized meals and contain specific nutritional amounts of each basic food group.   Monthly menus are sent home with all students each month.  Lunch and milk prices are printed on each menu.  Students are not allowed to charge lunches.   For those who qualify, free and/or reduced lunches are available.  Application forms are distributed to all students in September and are available later in the year if requested.  The school will make every effort to ensure that each child eats a balanced lunch.

Make-up

Probably the only time during the school year when face decorations are permissible is at Halloween.   Parents are asked to monitor their child's use of the above since their use may prove to be a classroom distraction.

Nurse/Health Information

The school nurse may dispense medication to a child only upon the written orders of a physician and permission from the parent.  Students are not to carry medication of any kind in school, including aspirin, cough drops or syrup.

Parties

We request that students not hand out invitations for out-of-school parties.  We feel that students who are not invited may experience difficulty with this practice.

Physical Education Excuse

In order for a student to be excused from Physical Education for any extended period of time, the student must present a written note from the family physician.  The reason and length of time the student is to be excused must be stated.  A medical release signed by the physician is required before a student will be permitted to resume participation.

Pickup/Drop-off Students and Pedestrian Safety.

All students walking through the cemetery should cross with the assistance of the crossing guard.  In the morning, we suggest that parents drop-off in front of the building and continue to proceed down Cooper Road. Do not drop your child on the opposite side of the street from the school. A turn around is available on the side of the building so that your child can be left off in front of the school. The parking lot is closed from 8:45 AM until 9:00 AM for arrival and at dismissal from 2:45 PM until 3:05 PM.

PTO

The official parent organization for the school is the Parent Teacher Organization.  The Executive Board of this group meets monthly and there are bi-monthly general meetings.  The PTO meets on the third Thursday of every other month. The purpose of the PTO is to support and assist the school and community.  The PTO has funded all class trips over the years.  A list of PTO functions and programs is sent home with each student and includes a list of officers.

Report Cards

The district employs three basic report cards; a Kindergarten assessment, a grades 1 and 2 assessment, and a grades 3, 4, and 5 assessment.  Report cards are issued four times a year, and an evaluation key is included with each.  Student progress may also be communicated by progress reports.

Student Behavior

Students are expected to maintain acceptable behavior at Fairview School, including walking to and from school.  Unacceptable behavior may result in lost playtime, detention, or suspension.  In the event of a suspension, a parent conference may be required for readmission to school.

Substitute Teachers

Substitute teachers are county approved teaching personnel who are employed by the Board of Education for the purpose and ultimate responsibility of delivering the instructional program during the absence of the regular teacher.  The substitute teacher is required to carry out the plans prepared by the regular teacher.

Tardiness

If a student comes late to school for any reason, the child must report to the office before going to class.  Since excessive lateness is considered a problem by the district, a record of student lateness will be kept by the teacher and main office, and will be entered into the student’s record.  If a pattern of lateness is established, a letter will be sent home and a remediation plan suggested.

Telephone Use by Students

Use of school telephones is restricted for official business.  In the event of an emergency or other such event, students may be allowed to use the phone.

Textbooks

Students are responsible for all textbooks and instructional materials issued by staff.   Students will be fined for damaged or lost books.

Threats

Any verbal threat made against a child at school is taken very seriously.   Please explain to your child that any threatening comment to another child may result in disciplinary action.

Transfer of Students

If you plan to move, notify the school office in writing at least one week prior to the moving date.  The school will need to know the exact address of the new school so that a transfer card may be prepared and forwarded to the new district.  Academic records will be forwarded upon the new school’s request accompanied by the written consent of the parents.

Visitors

All visitors are required to report to the main office upon arrival, sign the visitor’s book and receive a pass.  A visitor’s pass must be worn at all times.