Parent Handbook
September 3, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Attached you will find a copy of the P.S. 52 2021-2022 Parent Handbook. The handbook is a compilation of the protocols and policies of our school. Please keep this handbook handy, as the information it contains will answer many questions or concerns you may encounter during the school year.
We are looking forward to an exciting and successful school year for our students, staff, and families. If at any time you have questions or concerns pertaining to your child’s school life, please call me at 718-351-5454 ext. 1141 and I will address them as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lisa Juarez
Parent Coordinator
Parent Handbook 2021-22
Principal’s Message
Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year! I am looking forward to a terrific year working with you as we help our children grow and learn. It is my firm belief that children need to know that they are supported and secure in their educational journey both at school and at home. By working together we can maximize their achievement while nurturing their social and emotional development.
This handbook has been prepared as a resource for you to participate in your child’s daily routines in an informed, prepared manner. It contains a great deal of information about school policies along with numerous resources for your family. We welcome all of our children back to school for in person learning.
We are looking forward to an exciting successful year for our students, staff, and families. If at any time you have questions or concerns pertaining to your child’s school life, please call our Parent Coordinator, Lisa Juarez at 718-351-5454 ext. [1141] or email
[email protected] so that they can be addressed as quickly as possible.
Jane McCord
School Mission
The mission of P.S. 52 is to continue to develop reflective, assessment capable learners who can self-advocate by utilizing learning strategies, including cognitive, metacognitive, and motivational strategies that fuel student progress and give students opportunities to use them. P.S. 52 has the highest expectations and performance standards for all students. With the help of our parents, we are able to strengthen communications between home and school to benefit the educational process. This will empower students to gain the knowledge, skills and mindset needed to successfully contribute to, compete in, and shape a 21st Century global society that values equity, excellence, and empathy.
School Directory
Main Office 718-351-5454 Ext. 0
Nurse 718-351-5454 Ext. 3
Parent Coordinator 718-351-5454 Ext. 1
School Psychologist 718-351-5454 Ext. 4
School Hours
Grades Pre-K through 5th grade:
8:00 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.
Uniform Policy
P.S.52’s School Uniform Policy remains in effect. Pursuant to Chancellor’s Regulation A-665, all of our students will wear a solid navy polo shirt with khaki/tan slacks (or skirts). Sweaters and sweatshirts are to be solid navy. These items may be bought in many, many retail stores. Boys and girls may wear either shoes or sneakers, at your discretion. Our students have the option of wearing P.S.52 Phys Ed sweatpants on the day that their class has Phys Ed. P.S.52 Phys Ed sweatpants, sweatshirts and shorts are available for purchase. When students wear uniforms, there is a greater sense of community and an increased focus on academic performance and we’re looking forward to greeting all of our students in their school uniforms every morning.
New York City Schools Account Portal
The NYC Schools Account Portal, is a web-based application which consolidates several important parent-facing applications in one place and lets you see your child’s academic and biographic information on any computer, phone, or tablet. The application is translated into nine languages other than English. In addition to seeing your child’s attendance, grades, test scores, transportation and enrollment history families will also be able to access Parent University and the Bullying Reporting online form. Parents can also reset the passwords to their student’s DOE email accounts through the Manage Account page. If you have any questions regarding this account, please call the school and speak to Mrs. Lisa Juarez, Parent Coordinator. The Emergency Contact page in NYCSA now allows parents and guardians to update their information on the NYCSA website. We ask that you please sign on to verify and update your information.
Class Dojo
Class Dojo is the best way to communicate with your child’s teacher regarding his/her curriculum, homework, absences, or any issues or concerns you may have. Please join the Class Dojo as soon as possible. If you have any questions regarding the Class Dojo, email [email protected] or send a note to your child’s teacher and Mrs. Juarez will assist you.
Operoo
Operoo is an online platform that makes distribution of forms to our families simplified and digital. Operoo helps collect consents and signatures and safely share data with trusted staff members. It also allows us to send letters and emails to families. Please check Operoo regularly throughout the year and complete all requested forms.
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential to the learning process. Once a child arrives at school, he/she is expected to remain and attend each class throughout the day. When your child is absent, please call the school to notify us of the reason for absence. In addition, please send an absence note when your child returns to school. Vacations should be scheduled when school is NOT in session. Attendance is one of our ESSA state accountability measures.
School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Monthly menus are posted in the lobby and at www.PS52si.org . These menus list daily breakfasts and lunches. Everyone must complete an application for school meal benefits online at https://www.myschoolapps.com/. You must complete the meal application for your child(ren) even if you are going to send lunch from home. Please do not send glass containers or soda to school.
Medications
There are citywide regulations to follow when administering medication during the school day. If a pupil is to be given medicines on a daily basis, the doctor and parent must complete a 504 form annually. This form may be obtained in the Nurse’s Office. If there are any changes in medication, a new form must be completed before a new medicine or dosage can be given. School staff are prohibited from providing or administering any medications to students. Students needing occasional medications, such as antibiotics, are to take these medications at home if possible. However, if medication must be given at school, it must be personally delivered by the parent and administered by the parent. In the event your child becomes ill, we will contact you immediately using the emergency information you have provided. Please notify us of any changes to your emergency contact information.
Safety Protocols
Children and staff are required to wear masks at all times except during breakfast and lunch time. Masks may also be removed during designated “mask breaks”, during which students will maintain physical distance from each other. A face covering with an exhalation valve or vent cannot be used on school property as exhalation valves allow unfiltered air to escape to others. Bandanas and Neck gaiters are not permitted. Face shields are not appropriate substitutes for face coverings. Social distancing protocols will be followed throughout the day. Hand washing and sanitizer will be available for all students. Random temperature checks will be in place. We ask that you follow social distancing protocol during drop off and dismissal. All Students, staff and visitors must complete the health screening before entering the building daily. https://healthscreening.schools.nyc/
Visiting the School
At this time there will limited visitors allowed in the building. This procedure is followed to ensure the safety of our children and staff. Upon arrival, all parents and visitors should use the main entrance [Buel Avenue], and show identification to the safety agent. Please state your reason or whom you are here to see and wait in the main lobby. If you need to confer with your child’s teacher, send a Dojo message or note to the teacher who will notify you of a convenient time. This procedure is followed for all visitors to ensure the safety of our children.
Blue Emergency Cards
Blue Cards will be filled out and collected digitally through Operoo. We need to have a minimum of three working telephone numbers on each blue card. Please be sure update the blue card on Operoo with new phone numbers whenever changes occur. Parents should include the names of any adults you would want your child dismissed to in case of an emergency. Please reinforce to your child the importance of not responding or speaking to strangers and the importance of reporting to a responsible adult if a stranger ever approaches them.
Student Dismissal
Dismissal for Pre K students is at 2:20 daily. Kindergarten–Grade 5 dismissal is at 2:20 daily. Any change in dismissal plans should be sent to the teacher in writing (verbal request, emails or texts cannot be honored). Early dismissals disrupt instruction and safe dismissal of students; early dismissal is strongly discouraged. We encourage you to schedule your child’s doctor and dental appointments after school hours. If this is not possible, have your child provide the teacher with a note in the morning and you must come to the Lobby to sign your child out. We will not dismiss students to parents after 1:45 p.m. Reminder: Students will only be released to the people named on the blue emergency card. We ask that you follow social distancing protocol during drop off and dismissal.
Educational Field Trips
Educational field trips are an important part of the instructional program. A signed permission form from a parent or guardian is required for each field trip. Please complete and return these slips as quickly as possible.
Forgotten Items
Parents are requested to bring messages for students and forgotten items, [ex. lunch, homework, projects, etc.] to the Lobby. Please make every effort to send your child to school with whatever is needed. The child’s name and class should be on the forgotten article.
31R052 John C. Thompson School Grading Policy
School Discipline
The City-Wide School Conduct and Discipline Code will be reviewed with our children in school. You will receive a Parent Student Contract to be signed and returned. The contract is available on the Dept. of Education website. Your signature states that you have read and reviewed the School Conduct and Discipline Code with your child.
Parent Teacher Association
This year, our PTA President is Katie Tan. The Parent Teacher Association is a vital part of our school program. PTA meetings are held monthly and for now will be held remotely. Attendance at these meetings provide an excellent opportunity for parents to learn about school life and to establish improved communication. PTA can be reached through email: [email protected]
NIA-Community Based Organization
This is a DYCD Program that provides afterschool support to our families with students in K-5th grade from 2:20p.m.-5:20p.m daily. NIA is a comprehensive after school program that enriches participants with new skills that help them grow. Creating a seamless day between our traditional school hours and after school program provides support in academics, enhances learning, and develops social and emotional growth in our students. Selection for this program is lottery-based.
Bus Conduct
Student behavior expectations are established for the safe and efficient operation of Pupil Transportation in accordance with state law and regulations. Transportation is considered an extension of the regular school program and students who violate behavior expectations while riding a bus are subject to suspension from riding the bus and/or all other penalties established for misbehavior while students are on the premises.
Bus Rules
- Bus riders wait at bus stops and board the bus in an orderly manner, taking seats promptly.
- Bus riders must remain seated and use seat belts, at all times. [when available]
- Seats will be assigned by the bus driver.
- Bus riders keep hands away from windows and do not touch other students.
- If a child does not see a parent/guardian at the bus stop they are to notify the bus driver and remain on the bus.
All parents should enforce the importance of good behavior while riding the school bus whether it be daily or on a school trip.
Procedures for Safe Arrival
- Nugent Avenue will be closed to all cars between 7:40 and 8:00 each morning. Only buses will be allowed access to drop off students.
- Parents can stop and drop their child off on Buel Avenue only, in a single curbside lane.
- Do not leave your car unattended in the Stop and Drop lane.
- There will be no double parking. If you double park you will be asked to circle the block again.
- Please cross the street only at the corners.
- The Crossing Guards will help with traffic flow and street closure.
Procedures for Safe Dismissal
- Double parked cars may be ticketed by the NYPD.
- Please refrain from beeping your horn or calling out to your child as this can cause a dangerous situation.
- The children will notbe dismissed to parents waiting in cars. Please greet your child at the dismissal doors.
- Unescorted children must cross at the corner with the Crossing Guard.
- We urge all parents within walking distance to please walk to the school as this alleviates many of the safety issues at the school.
Helpful Website
PS 52 Web Page: www.PS52online.org
Operoo: https://app.operoo.com/
Class DoJo: https://classdojo.com/
NYCSA (My Student): https://mystudent.nyc/
Brief Calendar for 2021-2022
SEPTEMBER:
13- School Opens
16- Yom Kippur [Schools Closed]
23- Family Conference Night Remote [4:30 to 7:30pm]
OCTOBER:
11- Italian Heritage Day/ Indigenous Peoples’ Day [Schools Closed]
NOVEMBER:
2 – Election Day [remote instructional day]
4 – Parent Teacher Conferences Remote [1/2 Day for Students]
11- Veteran’s Day [Schools Closed]
25&26, Thanksgiving Recess [School Closed]
DECEMBER:
24 through 31- Winter Recess [Schools Closed]
JANUARY 2020:
3- School is back in session
17– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, [School Closed]
FEBRUARY:
21 through 25-Midwinter Recess [School Closed]
MARCH:
3- Parent Teacher Conferences Remote [1/2 Day for Students]
APRIL:
15 through 22–Spring Recess [Students return on 25th]
MAY:
2- Eid al-Fitr [School Closed]
18- Family Conference Night Remote [4:30-7:30pm]
30 – Memorial Day [School Closed]
JUNE:
7– Staff Clerical Day [School Closed for Students]
9- Chancellor’s Conference Day [School Closed for Students]
20-Juneteenth [Schools Closed]
27– Last Day of School for Student