Parents' Handbook

September 4 (Monday)	Labor Day – Schools Closed
September 5 (Tuesday)	First Day for Staff – Schools Closed
September 6 (Wednesday)	Teacher In-Service – Schools Closed
September 7 (Thursday)	First Day for Students
October 9 (Monday)	County In-Service – Schools Closed
November 7 (Tuesday)	Teacher In-Service – Schools Closed
November 9 & 10 (Thursday/Friday)	NJEA Convention – Schools Closed
November 23 & 24 (Thursday/Friday)	Thanksgiving Recess – Schools Closed
December 22 (Friday)	Winter Recess (Early Dismissal) (ES-12:15pm) / (MS-12:30pm)
December 25-29	Winter Recess – Schools Closed
January 2 (Tuesday)	Schools Re-Open
January 15 (Monday)	Martin Luther King Day – Schools Closed
February 16 & 19 (Friday/Monday)	Presidents' Day Weekend – Schools Closed
April 6 & 9-13 (Friday/Monday-Friday)	Spring Recess – Schools Closed
April 16 (Monday)	Schools Re-Open
April 26 (Thursday)	Teacher In-Service – Schools Closed
May 28 & 29 (Monday & Tuesday)	Memorial Day – Schools Closed
June 21 (Thursday)	Last Day of School for Students & Staff (Early Dismissal - No Lunch)

Three (3) emergency school days are included in this calendar. If any of these three (3) days are not utilized for an emergency, they shall be subtracted from the days remaining on the calendar. In the event of an excess of emergency days exceeding the three (3) allowed, either non-state mandated school holidays will be utilized, or days may be added to the end of the school year in order to fulfill the student minimum required days. Snow days beyond the three (3) allotted will be first deducted on February 16^th and then, if necessary, will be deducted from Spring Recess, beginning with April 13^th, April 12^th, April 11^th, etc.

We will use an INSTANT ALERT SYSTEM to notify all parents with regard to emergency closings and important announcements (make sure you are registered). Additionally, all school closings, delayed openings, and early dismissals will be announced over radio stations: WEST (1400 AM); WODE-FM (99.9 FM); WEEX (1230 AM); WAEB-FM (104.1 FM); WCTO CAT COUNTRY 96 (96.1); and TV Station WFMZ (Channel 69).

In the event of a delayed opening of school due to an emergency, the morning Kindergarten and Preschool will also be delayed, the afternoon sessions will report at their regular times. Lunch will be served on the days of delayed openings. In the event of an emergency early dismissal, if a parent is not at home, we advise you to make arrangements with a neighbor or relative for your child, so they will know where to go when dismissed. Due to the high volume of calls received on these emergency days, it is impossible to deliver every message that comes into the office for the more than 900 students enrolled during an emergency closing. Younger students seem to be less upset when they know well in advance what to do when these emergency days occur.

School Hours: 8:00am–2:35pm -- Students may arrive to the school from 7:40am until 7:50am. Entrance is at the rear of the school by the car rider drop off area (by the Library). All students should be in homeroom to prepare for the start of class at 8:00am. Students arriving after 8:00am will be marked as tardy.

School Hours: 8:15am-3:00pm -- Students should arrive to school no later than 8:15am. Entrances to the school will be located on Stonehenge and Buckeley Hill Drives. Please refer to the “Car Rider” and “Walker” section of the handbook to determine the appropriate entrance. Students arriving after the bell rings at 8:25am will be marked as tardy.

Regular and punctual attendance is mandatory for all students. During school hours, students are expected to be in the classroom or other assigned areas no later than 8:00am at the Elementary School and 8:15am at the Middle School. Students returning to school after an absence must bring a written statement signed by the parents explaining the reason for the absence. When a child is absent for five (5) or more days, a physician’s return-to-school note must be brought into school upon the child’s return to school. Please be sure to keep the school nurse informed about any medical changes that occur during the school year.

Tardiness: Students arriving to school later than 8:00am at the Elementary School and 8:25am at the Middle School will need to sign in at the main office. These students will be admitted to class with a late slip. Disciplinary action will be determined per the “Student Code of Conduct” for excessive unexcused late arrivals. Dental and doctor appointments will be excused. A note from the doctor’s office is requested at the time of the student’s arrival to school.

Absences: The Parent/Guardian of a student who is absent must call the office of their child’s respective school by 8:00am to report a student’s absence. If they are making a homework request, it must be made at the time they call in to report the absence. Attendance is monitored by office personnel daily. Written notice will be forwarded to parents regarding excessive absences and the administration will carefully review cases to determine if further legal action must be pursued. Students who are absent from school during the day may not participate in evening school-wide activities.

In accordance with New Jersey School Law, the Lopatcong Board of Education provides transportation to and from school for students who live more than two (2) miles from school. Exceptions are:

The Board reserves the right to make the final determination in situations where there is an absence of a clearly defined point of demarcation relative to the established distances. Questions concerning transportation should be directed to Mr. Geisel.

Children must board assigned buses only and should be consistently picked up and dropped off at the same location to eliminate any confusion for the child, driver, and school staff. Students who are NOT bus riders will NOT BE ALLOWED to ride the bus home to another student’s house. Students that are bused may ride the bus they are assigned to only. They are not allowed to switch buses for any reason. Bus drivers are responsible for the enforcement of all bus safety rules and regulations. The following guidelines must be followed for all students riding the bus:

If a student’s behavior creates a safety hazard on the bus, the student may be denied bus riding privileges. A warning and detention will be issued for infractions before a suspension is issued. In the case of a severe infraction, a bus suspension may be issued immediately.

Each child is charged with the proper and careful use of textbooks and educational materials. All textbooks must covered. If textbooks or other school properties are defaced, students will be held accountable. Book socks may only be used if they do not damage the book binding or cover.

Students who arrive to school and depart by car are to be dropped off and picked up in the back of the school only. The bus drop off is at the front of the building. Parents who use the front of the building for this purpose will be ticketed by the Lopatcong Police. Parents who transport their children are advised to exercise extreme caution as they enter and leave the school grounds. Traffic signs are posted to facilitate safe and orderly movement on and off school property. Please be aware that you may not access the front of the school from the Strykers Road entrance.

Arrival: Students should be dropped off at the rear entrance of the school, which can be accessed from the Strykers Road driveway. Please use the spaces in front of the fencing for drop off. Usually five to six cars can line up in the drop-off area. Children should not exit into the parking lot, but rather to the right near the sidewalk and school building. Please remember to pull up so all drop-off spaces can be used.

Dismissal: Students will be dismissed from the Library area exit doors. When you arrive, please fill in parking spaces as you enter the parking lot. The supervising staff and crossing guard will determine when all drivers can exit the lot. Please do not exit until the crossing guard signals with the whistle, as we do not want a child to be injured while crossing to a vehicle. Students will not be dismissed to the side parking lot (faculty).

Students who arrive to school and depart by car are to be dropped off and picked up at the Buckeley Hill Drive entrance only. Parents are to drive on Buckeley Hill Drive northbound only, enter the lot and pull up to the closest available space nearest the school. Students are to exit the car on the right side only. Parents will then turn at the circle at the end of the driveway and exit by turning right onto Buckeley Hill Drive. Students dropped off at the Stonehenge Drive entrance interfere with busing and it a serious safety concern. Violations will be addressed by the Board of Education.

One of the greatest problems schools may have during the day is locating parents in the event of an emergency. Please be sure to update your family emergency card when your address, telephone number, or place of employment changes.

The responsibility of providing a well-organized educational program has been delegated to the administration and staff. Concerns should be addressed in the following manner:

Please be sure that you and your child become familiar with the Lopatcong Township Student Code of Conduct. There are two Student Codes of Conduct. There are two separate Codes of Conduct: one for the Lopatcong Township Middle School and one for the Lopatcong Township Elementary School. A copy of the Codes of Conduct will be sent home the first week of school. The codes detail student expectations, student rights, and an explanation of consequences. At the Middle School, demerits may be issued by the classroom teacher for missing homework or minor behavior infractions. Detentions will be issued for an accumulation of demerits depending on the teacher or grade-level policy.

for student behavior and possible consequences for violations of the code. The following is a partial list of actions and subsequent consequences:

Student dismissal is at 2:35pm for the Elementary School and 3:00pm for the Middle School. If for some reason you need to pick your child up earlier than the dismissal time, please send a note to the main office with the request. You will need to come into the office to sign the early dismissal form. We also need written permission from you if someone other than yourself will be picking your child up earlier than the normal dismissal time. Children of estranged parents may be released only upon request of the parent whom the court holds directly responsible for the child and who is the parent/guardian registered on the school record. The schools will not be a party to other arrangements with estranged parents. Due to congestion, dismissal announcements and bus arrivals, students will not be dismissed from the front office after 2:15pm at the Elementary School and 2:45pm at the Middle School. Please review ahead of time with your child the plan for dismissal in the event of heavy rain or early closing of school. It is difficult to handle the volume of calls and messages that are received in the office on such occasions.

Lopatcong School District offers a Family Life Curriculum for students in Grades 5 and 8. This program is offered as part of a student’s regular health program. Units of instruction for each grade-level include lessons on family living, growth and development, interpersonal relationships, and responsible personal behavior. This program was developed with input from administrators, teachers, parents, community organizations, and religious leaders with the intent to help the child better understand him/herself and his/her relationship to his/her family and society.

Teachers make every effort to provide the kind of experiences which are directly related to the areas of the curriculum under study. The Board of Education assumes the costs of the transportation of the field trip. Students cooperatively bear any other costs involved with the trip. Permission slips must be signed and returned to school before a student will be allowed to go on the field trip. If a parent chooses not to include his or her child on the trip, please inform the teacher so other arrangements can be made for the child on the day of the trip.

FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act): There have been new laws enacted to protect the privacy of student health information. To be in compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we must have the parents' permission to share medically related information with appropriate staff members at the school. This medically-related information includes, but is not limited to, information on severe allergies, history of asthma, medication, hearing or vision problems, etc. Be sure to complete and return the FERPA form to the school nurse, if you want your child's medical information shared with staff members that need to know.

Protocol for Illness: A student who becomes ill while in school will be assessed by the school nurse. If the student does not have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, s/he will be allowed to rest in the medical room and then sent back to class. If the child needs to be excused from school, parents will be notified first. If the parent cannot be located, then the individual you designated on the emergency card will be contacted. In the case of an emergency, if the school is unable to reach you or your designated contact, the child will be transported to the nearest emergency facility for further evaluation.

First Aid: The responsibility of the school is to care for accidents that occur during school sessions and not those away from school. If an emergency occurs, the school will provide the student with immediate first-aid care, notify the parent or other designated individual on the emergency card, and transport the student to the nearest hospital for further treatment, if needed. When your child receives treatment in the medical room you will receive a copy of that documentation from the school nurse.

Medication: A “Physician’s Authorization Form” must be completed before any medication, including over the counter medications, is administered during school hours. If medication needs to be dispensed the first day of school, the form must be completed and returned to the nurse’s attention prior to the start of school. Forms will be made available to you through the Summer PTA Newsletter and will also be available in the main office. Medication will not be dispensed without signatures on the authorization form.

Communicable Diseases and the Return to School: Please note the following information for common student related illnesses and when it is permissible to return to school:

Too Sick for School?: When should your child stay home from school? Here are a few guidelines you might wish to follow:

Screenings: Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. It is important to detect scoliosis in its early stages so that appropriate measures can be taken to correct it. During the month of October, a scoliosis screening program is conducted by the school nurse and the physical education staff who are trained to spot early abnormalities. All fifth through eighth grade students are checked. Parents will be notified if there are any results that need to be referred to your family physician. You will be notified about vision and hearing screenings as they are scheduled.

All Staff and Middle School students are required to wear ID badges. The badges must be visible at all times. By enforcing this policy, a more secure environment prevails. Employees are encouraged to question or report anyone in the building not displaying a badge. All Middle School students are issued one ID badge at no cost. Any additional ID badge’s will cost $5.00 per badge.

Parents have the option of purchasing insurance coverage through the school’s insurance company. Forms are sent home in early September for you to review the options and coverage available. The Lopatcong Board of Education does not provide blanket coverage for its students. If a child is injured in school, the parent’s medical insurance, or if applicable, the student accident insurance would be responsible for payment. The Board of Education would only be responsible for payment if it was proven through litigation that it was negligent.

The Elementary School Library is located in the back of the school. The Middle School Library is located between the fifth and eighth grade wings at the top of the main staircase. Since the library is a place for study and research, students will be encouraged to maintain proper discipline at all times. A fee will be charged for lost or damaged books, which is dependent on the age and condition of the book when it is checked out. The Librarian arranges for two Book Fairs during the school year. All students and their parents are welcome to visit and purchase books.

All Middle School students are given a locker with a combination number (the combination should not be shared with anyone else).

Many unclaimed items are left in school until the end of the school year. Please mark your child’s belongings so they can be returned to you if they are found in the building. Unclaimed items are stored in a bin in the back of the All-Purpose Room for the Elementary School and in the Middle School.

It is recommended that students pay for their lunches by purchasing lunch tickets in advance. The tickets may be purchased by the week (five tickets) or the month. Tickets have eliminated many problems that our younger students encounter, such as lost money. Lunch tickets are to be purchased on the first weekday morning of the school week prior to the beginning of homeroom. The tickets have an assigned number and if your child drops or loses the ticket it can be traced to him/her. Lunch tickets are not transferable between students. Snacks are sold after lunch is served. Unfortunately, some students would rather eat the snack food instead of lunch. Students will not be permitted to purchase a snack until after they have eaten their lunch. In the event a student has no lunch, as cheese sandwich is available. This offer is for occasional use and should not be considered a substitute for students/parents being responsible for their own lunch. Students excessively abusing this offer will be referred to the administration. The cost of a student lunch is $2.00, reduced lunch is $0.40, and milk is $0.45. Applications for free and reduced lunch are distributed during the first week of school to all families and then by request from the school nurse throughout the school year. A letter regarding eligibility will be forwarded to families who qualify for the lunch program.

All students are scheduled for a general music class. In addition to the general music program, students have the opportunity to participate in vocal and instrumental evening programs. The district offers a Fifth/Sixth Grade Chorus, Seventh/Eighth Grade Chorus, Ensemble, Stage Band, and Concert Band.

Physical Education is provided for students in grades 1 through 8. Students are encouraged to participate in a wide area of activities, including physical fitness. Students in grades 1 through 4 are required to wear sneakers on the days they are scheduled for physical education. Students in grades 5 through 8 must wear school approved gym uniforms consisting of sneakers, shorts, shirts, or sweats for gym class. Sneakers should be scuff free and appropriate for gym safety.

It is the policy of Lopatcong Township School District to admit to the Kindergarten class children who will have reached five years (5) of age on or before October 1st. Registration for kindergarten and grades 1 through 8 should be initiated as soon as you move into the district. Transfer papers, health cards, and a birth certificate must be presented at time of registration.

Modest, comfortable and clean attire is expected. Parents should exercise discretion so that the child’s attire is appropriate and in good taste. Attire shall not constitute a health or safety hazard to the wearer, not be potentially destructive to school property, not constitute a disruptive influence upon the educative process, and be appropriate to the age of the student. Examples of unacceptable attire include: clothing, pins, stickers, banners with inappropriate or suggestive language; jewelry that is distractive and potentially a safety issue; see-through blouses; and shirts that do not cover the midriff, half shirts, tank tops, or shirts with thin straps. Shorts may be worn but need to be at a modest length or at least to the finger tips when standing. Skirt length should follow the same rule of thumb. The school reserves the right to question any inappropriate or undesirable school dress that is excessively short or revealing. Cleated shoes, rubber-soled baseball shoes, flip-flops, or any other open-backed sandal are inappropriate for school. Students may wear closed-toe open-back shoes (e.g., clogs). Some of these shoes present a health and safety hazard for children who need to exit the building in emergencies.

All Middle School students are issued a Student Planner Book at no cost. Any additional Student Planner Books will cost $2.50 per book.

Reports of student progress are made through parent/teacher conferences and report cards. The parent/teacher conference is held in the fall for grades 1 through 8 and after the second marking period for Kindergarten. Marking periods are scheduled in 45-day cycles. At mid-marking period, some students may receive progress reports if there is evidence that a child is failing or in danger of failing a class. Students may also receive notices of commendation.

Kindergarten report cards are distributed mid-year and the last day of school.

Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) for Student in General Education: This team of individuals includes a parent, administrator, teacher, nurse, and Guidance Counselor. The purpose of the I&RS Team is to brainstorm interventions that are appropriate, family-supported, and individualized for specific student needs. The interventions in the general education program should effect the necessary change for successful student participation in the mainstream. The recommendations for interventions are coordinated with the classroom staff and monitored through follow-up meetings. Requests for this service may be made by the classroom teacher or parent.

Child Study Team Services: Members of the Child Study Team include a psychologist, Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant, school Social Worker, and Speech Therapist. If a parent suspects that their child may have developmental delays, a request to determine the eligibility for services can be made to the Director of Special Education. The district provides a continuum of programs and services to meet the needs of children with special needs.

The Lopatcong Township School District is Internet accessible. There is a computer located in every classroom and computer labs are available for class lessons or instructional activities. All students must sign the district Internet User Agreement in order to use the classroom computer(s), computer labs, or technology labs.

Occasionally, it may be necessary for you to relay a message to your child or a teacher. It is felt you will use your good judgment in being selective in the type and frequency of the messages. If you call school during the school day to speak to teachers, they will be unable to take your call while teaching. You may leave a message on the teacher's voice mail, and the teacher will return your call during his/her preparation period or after school.

Students will not be permitted to use the office telephone to call home about forgotten homework. If a parent needs to be contacted during the day regarding an emergency, the teacher or office personnel will make a call from the office.

Vacations should not be scheduled during the school year. Valuable instructional time may be lost when vacations are scheduled during school time. Parents are asked to avoid scheduling vacations at this time.

Entrance to both the Lopatcong Township Elementary and Middle Schools must be made through the front doors of the school only. You must stop in the main office and sign in the visitor’s log before entering the hallway, even if preliminary arrangements have been made. All visitors are required to wear visitor badges while they are in the building. Before leaving the building, visitors must report to the office, return their visitor badge, and sign out in the visitor’s log.

Volunteers are always needed and welcome to assist in the library. If you are interested in helping out during the school day, please complete the volunteer form that is included in the PTA Summer Newsletter or pick up a form in the office.

Students who live less than 2.0 miles away from the school are issued guidelines on safety measures they should follow on their way to and from school. The Lopatcong Township Police Department provides crossing guards at strategic intersections. Report any incidents that happen walking to and from school to the Lopatcong Township Police and to an administrator at the Lopatcong Township Elementary or Middle Schools. Due to the large number of students walking to and from school, bicycling has become a safety issue. At this time, students are not permitted to ride bikes to and from school. In addition, rollerblading and skate boarding to and from school are not permitted.

Elementary School students walking to school may enter the building at 7:40am at the rear of the building by the Library.

For Middle School students crossing guards will be located at the intersections of Belvidere Road and Roseberry Street, Belvidere Road and Brakeley Avenue, Red School Lane and Lynda Road, Red School Lane and Charles Road, Red School Lane and Baltimore Street, Buckeley Hill Drive and Canterbury Road, and Buckeley Hill Drive and Stonehenge Drive. Students from Delaware Park, Morris Park, Rose Hill Heights, Brakeley Park and the Strykers Road area will enter the building at the Buckeley Hill Drive entrance. Students from Country Hills, Belvidere Road, and Belview Road will enter the building at the Stonehenge Drive entrance. A map of suggested walking routes to the Middle School is available at the Lopatcong Township Middle School. Doors will open at 8:15am for student arrival.

Elementary School students are dismissed from the exits near the back courtyard at 2:35pm. They are to follow the school path to the crossing guard at the intersection of Strykers Road and Powder Horn Drive. Students walking to the firehouse must use the walkway as well and not cross through the ball fields. Students are not permitted to cross the street from the firehouse parking lot. Children walking down Powder Horn Drive may only cross where the crossing guards are stationed due to the large volume of vehicular traffic on this road at dismissal time. Students may not use any of the neighboring fields to take short cuts. This is trespassing on private property and may cause damage to crops.

Middle School students will be dismissed at 3:00pm from either the Stonehenge Drive or Buckeley Hill Drive entrances depending on their walking route. Students must cross streets only by a crossing guard and may not use vacant fields or private property as a shortcut. Doing so may warrant trespassing charges.

Arrangements should be made in advance when a child will be transferring to another school. At least one-day’s notice is necessary to allow all the records to be gathered and transfer cards completed. Parents may call the school or send the needed information in a note to the main office. The information should include the new address, name of the new school, and the date of departure.

The Lopatcong Board of Education declares it to be the policy of this district to provide an equal opportunity for all children to achieve their maximum potential through the programs offered in school regardless of race, color, religion, gender, ability, ancestry, national origin, place of residence, or social or economic background. In keeping with this policy and state and federal affirmative action guidelines, all staff members are reminded that aspects of these requirements will be monitored for compliance and documented as part of our record keeping and accountability to these state and federal agencies.

Accordingly, teachers shall analyze any new instructional materials or materials currently in use to detect any bias based upon color, race, religion, gender, national origin, etc., and report any noteworthy violations. They shall ensure that all students have equal access to programs and activities and are not segregated on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or national origin in any duty, work, play, study or athletics. For information, contact Mrs. Rosemary Kowalchuk, the Affirmative Action Officer.

The Lopatcong Township School District has been inspected for asbestos, and although some building materials containing asbestos are present in the Lopatcong Elementary School, they have been determined not to be of danger to the occupants. A management plan, approved by the New Jersey Department of Health is on file in the district office and available for review by the public. The district makes semi-annual inspections.

The Lopatcong Township School District has an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM) which serves as a tool to prevent and control pests using non-chemical products. The goal of the plan is to limit the use of chemical-based products and to provide a safe environment. For more information, contact Teresa Barna, the IPM Coordinator.

This survey is updated yearly and on file in the district office. The Department of Health and Senior Services has conducted its most recent on-site visit in April 2001. The Lopatcong Township School District has been found to be in compliance.

Section 504 is an Act which prohibits discriminations against persons with a disability in any program receiving federal financial assistance. The Act defines a person with a disability as anyone who:

To fulfill its obligation under Section 504, the Lopatcong Township School District recognizes a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and students. No discrimination against any person with a disability will knowingly be permitted in any of the programs and practices in the school system.

2006-2007 Parents' Handbook