PS 385 The Performance School

1. PS 385 The Performance School School Policy Manual 2009 - 2010

2. Principal’s Message Dear Teachers, This School Policy manual is an essential information document that must be adhered to at all times. It contains the basic procedural responsibilities that need to be followed in order to maintain an effective instructional program within a safe and orderly environment. Please keep this manual in a safe place and review the contents frequently. Attach any related addenda and memos as they are distributed. Thank You, Lourdes Estrella Executive Principal

3. SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to engage staff, students, families, and community partners to make a difference in the life of each child in our learning community. We will provide all students with an exceptional education to develop their mind and nurture their spirit; empowering them to pursue their dreams and change the world. .

4. School Organization This year our school will be divided into two academies: The Learning to Read Academy which is composed of grades Pre-kindergarten to 2, and The Reading to Learn Academy is composed of grades 3 to 5. The Learning to Read Academy will focus on teaching students to learn to read using a developmental approach. The students will focus on early reading strategies such as phonemic awareness, systematic and explicit phonics instruction, fluency instruction, vocabulary development, and building the foundation for text comprehension. The Reading to Learn Academy will then focus on providing the students experiences which allow the students to apply their reading skills and to critically think about the information they acquire. Students will utilize strategies to delve deeper into their learning experiences. The reading strategies they have learned will support their in-depth study of content areas through debates, the arts, investigations and community service.

5. Time Schedules • This year our school hours will begin at 8:20 am and conclude at 2:40 pm on Mondays and Fridays. Our Extended Day sessions are scheduled from 2:40 pm to 3:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. • PS 385 is organized around a 7- period day. Each period is designed to provide you with a 45 minute time-frame which will help you plan your instructional activities. • Keep in mind that PS 385 follows blocks of time for literacy and mathematics development. These blocks of time range from 90 minutes to two hours, depending on need. • Please adhere to the schedule as closely as possible, since the Specialists’ program is designed around each time period.

6. Preparation Periods • Teachers are entitled to five (5) preparation periods per week. Each preparation period is 45-minutes long. • A preparation period is a dedicated amount of time for you to plan and prepare your lessons for your class. It is also a time for you to meet with your grade supervisor in order to discuss any pertinent issues relating to you and your classroom. • You may also utilize this time to call parents and inform them of their child’s progress. Preparation periods are covered by a cluster teacher.

7. What happens If I Miss a Prep Period? • Every effort will be made to ensure you do not miss a preparation period. However if you miss a preparation period, please notify the payroll secretary in writing. Your missed preparation period will be made up during the week or paid at the rate established by UFT contractual guidelines. • Makeup preparation periods will not be granted under the following circumstances: (1) when the teacher has scheduled a trip during their assigned preparation period; (2) when a make-up preparation period is refused by the teacher. • Please be aware that the unavailability of a teacher to cover a class constitutes an emergency. The principal has the responsibility to assign a teacher in the school to cover the class without regard to the preparation schedule. This may impact on your preparation schedule.

8. Staff Arrival and Attendance • Punctuality and attendance is a high priority for all members of our learning community. Our school hours are from 8:20 am to 2:40 pm Mondays and Fridays and 8:30 am to 3:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. • Our faculty conferences, once a month will be held on the first Monday of every month. On faculty conference days you will remain until 3:20 pm. It is mandatory for all staff to attend. • You are expected to arrive at school prior to your designated time so that you may be with your class by 8:20 am unless you have been specifically notified to report to school at a different time. Please make sure to make arrangements and to be available on the designated days. • All these dates and times have been approved and are contractually agreed upon. Please do not request any special accommodations since they cannot be granted.

9. Time Cards • Supervisors, Teachers, Educational Assistants, School Aides, and all other staff members will indicate they are present for the day by moving their time card from the OUT column to the IN column before reporting to their assignment. • If you arrive after your scheduled time, the payroll secretary will have your time card. You must then punch in to document your time of arrival. • A pattern of excessive absences or lateness can lead to disciplinary action including a conference with the principal, a letter for your file, an unsatisfactory rating at the end of the year and/or termination • Each staff member is responsible for moving their own card. • No one is allowed to move a time card, as a favor, for any other colleague.

10. Absence Policy Reporting Absences or Lateness • In the event you are sick and cannot report to work, you are to call Sub Central by 6:00 am, so that we can make arrangements to cover your program. Money to pay for each substitute has been set aside in case you make an absence request. • As a courtesy, also call the School Secretary so that we may make arrangements to provide coverage for your class.

11. Absence Policy Contractual Obligations • Please be reminded that according to the UFT contract, "...teachers shall be granted absence refunds for illness, on application, without a statement from a physician, for a total of no more than 10 days in any school year." • Three of those days may be used for personal business, two of which may be used for the care of a family member. However, if you expect to be absent for three consecutive days, you must bring in a medical note. • For personal business, you must notify the principal, in writing, one (1) week in advance.

12. Absence Policy • Please keep in mind, that although each teacher has the ability to request 10 absence refunds in one year, it is school policy to consider 5 absences or more in one semester as excessive and can lead to disciplinary action. • Absences the day before and after a holiday will be carefully scrutinized. No permission will be given for extended holidays, the day prior to or following a holiday. All teachers are required to report to work immediately before or following any holiday. • (Extenuating circumstances must be approved by the principal!)

13. Absence Policy Causes for Disciplinary Action • Unauthorized absences constitute grounds for disciplinary action which may include dismissal for that cause alone. • Additionally, while actual absence which has been excused in accordance with regulations does not, of and by itself, constitute grounds for disciplinary action, absences which are so numerous as to limit the effectiveness of service may lead to disciplinary action for incompetent service or unfitness to perform obligations properly to the service.

14. Absence Policy Causes continued… • The fact that excuse or leave was applied for and granted properly does not preclude disciplinary action which may range from an adverse rating to the institution of proceedings for dismissal or termination of service. Such disciplinary action shall not be precluded even when the cause of absence is a medical or physical condition.

15. Absence Policy Snow Days • The Chancellor will announce the citywide decision to close or delay the opening of schools (including the cancellation of after-school activities during citywide emergency conditions or major storm days) after consultation with the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, the Weather Bureau, the City Sanitation Department, and the City Transit Authority. The citywide decision will be made as early as possible prior to 6:00 a.m. on the affected day.

16. Absence Policy Snow Days Continued… • All school staff is responsible and obligated to report to work as early as possible, but not later than the designated starting time on a day with an authorized two hour delayed opening. • Regular attendance reporting standards apply (absences, lateness) based on the later starting time. These regular standards include the principal's discretion in approving or denying extraordinary Transportation Delay Forms for staff (OP201) contingent upon, as applicable, confirmation of delays by the Transit Authority, Department of Transportation or other agencies involved with the specific cause of delay (again, based on the later starting time).

17. Absence Policy Jury Duty • If you are notified for jury duty, you will be expected to bring the "Notice of Jury duty" to school several days in advance of your scheduled date of service. • The school will provide you with a letter to request for you to be excused from jury duty. In some cases the letter will help to support your request for a postponement in other cases it may not support your request.

18. Absence Policy Medical and Dental Appointments • Every effort must be made to schedule medical and dental appointments during after school hours. Most offices remain open to provide after work care except in some cases, for specialized care. In this case it will require for you to take a sick day from your absence reserve fund.

19. Absence Policy Early Departures • Teachers are not to leave the school building during their preparation periods except on official business with the approval of the principal whereupon they are to clock out and clock back in upon return. Teachers may leave the building during their lunch periods only. • If it is necessary for a staff member to leave the building before their scheduled departure time, the staff member must personally notify a supervisor of the need for an early departure. • Other than fractional absence which has been approved at the discretion of the principal as non-attendance (e.g., transportation delay), personal business (e.g., the illness of a teacher’s child), or the personal illness of the employee, all fractional absences occasioned by late arrival or early departure must be recorded for possible payroll deduction.

20. Absence Policy Early Departures continued… • When the total of fractional absences charged to the C.A.R. is six hours or more, one day must be deducted from the C.A.R. for each six hours of fractional absence recorded during the same school year. • When the total (or the remainder after deduction of each such six hours) is less than six hours but more than 3 hours 20 minutes at the close of the school year or upon cessation of service, one day must be deducted from the C.A.R.

21. Absence Policy Early Departures continued… • When the sick leave balance in the C.A.R. is not sufficient to cover the time, fractional absences resulting from personal illness must be reported for deduction from pay of the amount which corresponds to the actual time lost. Fractional absence at the start of the day which is excused on account of the illness of the employee is reported and compensated for either by a charge to the sick leave balance or by a payroll deduction. • Any member of the teaching or non-teaching staff who ceases to perform duty before the scheduled time of departure at the end of the day must inform the principal or equivalent organizational unit head as soon as the need becomes apparent and before leaving the school premises.

22. Absence Policy Emergencies • Please remember that students must be supervised at all times by a licensed teacher. If an emergency should arise and you must leave your class, another licensed teacher must be called to take over the supervision of your students. • You must adhere to this procedure to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. Please make sure that any emergency calls you receive are directed to the school secretaries so that they may quickly act accordingly.

23. Absence Policy Leaving for the Day • After dismissing your students at the assigned locations, teachers are to report to the main office to move their time cards from the IN column to the OUT column. Each staff member is responsible for moving their own card. • Any deviation from this policy may necessitate punching in and out via the time clock after discussion with the principal.

24. Staff Communication/Conferences Open Door Policy • Each staff member has access to me for any type of communication. You may find me around the building or you may visit me in my office. If the matter is to take time, request my secretary to schedule an appointment to see me after school. I am readily available to clarify any matters.

25. Staff Communication/Conferences School Circulars • A school circular will be the method of formal communication between my office and you. You are required to respond to all school circulars by the due date. This is an official communication. • Please make sure you have access to an e-mail account with the Department of Education. Once your account is established you may log on at home or in school. Be sure to log on every day to check for school circulars and any other pertinent information. A hard copy will be made available in the main office.

26. Staff Communication/Conferences Common Planning Time • Our school has been designed to support our vision of becoming a strong community of learners. Each grade has been assigned a common planning time every day. This will give you an opportunity to communicate, plan, look at student data with other teachers on your grade. • This common planning time may also be used for professional development as well as to clarify both administrative and instructional standards and expectations.

27. Staff Communication/Conferences Faculty Conferences • Once monthly there will be a Faculty Conference. At the faculty conference administrative matters pertaining to the school will be discussed. The faculty conference, lasting 40 minutes at the end of the day, will be held on the first Monday of every month. Attendance is mandatory.

28. Staff Communication/Conferences Grade Conferences • Grade conferences will be scheduled once monthly during your common planning time. However, in order to address the needs of new teachers and new programs, professional development activities may take place during this time. Teachers will be notified of conference dates and times. Conference may be conducted by the Principal and/or the Grade Supervisor. Attendance is mandatory.

29. Staff Communication/Conferences School Notices/Parent Notices • Teachers are required to give out at the end of the day any school notices sent by my office, the Region or by the Chancellor's Office. Teachers will be required to collect tear-off sections, when required, and given to your grade supervisor. • Please note: • All parent communications that you would like to send to your students’ parents, should be reviewed by, and have your grade supervisor’s approval.

30. Administrative Matters Registers • Teachers are responsible to maintain accurate records for the students in their class. Children who are seated in your class on the first day, but are not listed on your register, should not be sent to the general office. Instead notify the Pupil Accounting Secretary, in writing. If the matter is unresolved by the second day, contact your grade supervisor. • All official changes will be made by the office through ATS. No child is to be added or removed without an admission or discharge slip from the Pupil Accounting Secretary. All students must appear on the ATS roster. See the Pupil Accounting Secretary if you have any discrepancies.

31. Administrative Matters • Student Attendance • Our attendance is monitored by the Chancellor’s office. Chancellor's Regulation requires that students maintain a minimum 93% attendance rate. It is an important element of the school’s Progress Report. Therefore all classroom teachers are responsible for taking attendance every day. • (1) Each day you will receive scan sheets for attendance. These scan sheets must be submitted to the main office by 10:00 am every day. If a child comes in after 10:00 am, please inform the attendance office immediately so that corrections can be made. • Attendance will be scanned and any child marked absent is to receive a phone call at home informing parents of the child's absence. Scan sheets must have correct information. It is our legal responsibility to ensure accuracy. Students are expected to attend school every day. • All teachers must inform students as to the importance of attending school every day. If a child is absent for three days, all teachers must follow-up by contacting the parent by phone. Any parent contact should be recorded on the back of your attendance roll book card. If you cannot make contact, please inform the main office for continued follow-up.

32. Administrative Matters Marking Book • All teachers, including: clusters, ESL, Resource Room are required to maintain a marking book for their students. This book is to be used to record quizzes, unit test scores, class work, homework, reports, parent contacts, etc. All students on register are to be listed in your marking book. Marking books will be used to support your grades on the report cards. They will be reviewed by your grade supervisors.

33. Administrative Matters Marking Periods • There are three formal marking periods per school year. A marking period calendar and memorandum will be issued prior to the distribution of report cards. All teachers are required to meet all deadlines established in these calendars. All report cards will be reviewed by supervisors prior to distribution. In instances where two teachers are responsible for providing instruction in the same subject, the grade arrived at on the report card MUST be reflective of the ongoing articulation and collaboration process between the two teachers involved. In addition, all specialists will be required to attach an Academic Intervention Service Progress Report to Parents.

34. Administrative Matters Report Cards • Our school utilizes report cards as designed by the Chancellor’s Office. The school report cards have been aligned to the NYS performance standards. The ratings are as follows: • 4 meet the standard with distinction • 3 meet the standard for the grade • 2 partially meeting the standard for the grade • 1 Far below the standard for the grade • The grading policy for any teacher made test is as follows: • 4 excellent (90 - 100) • 3 satisfactory (85 - 90) • 2 approaching (75 - 84) • 1 unsatisfactory (below 75)

35. Administrative Matters Recording Reading and Mathematics Scores • Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 should be given a satisfactory rating if he or she received a three (3) or an excellent rating if a four (4)on the ELA. Students who received a (1) should be given and unsatisfactory rating and students who received a 2 should be given a partially meeting the standard rating • Students in all grades may receive a satisfactory or an excellent only if they are reading on or above grade level as verified by classroom work/ performance, guided reading levels • In grades K-3 performance is determined by TC scores.

36. Administrative Matters Specialists Grades • Specialists will also be responsible for transmitting grades by the due date as posted in the grade reporting school circular. Please do not add any grade notations which have not been selected for the report card. Use only the grading key noted above. • The Specialists grade is an important component of the child’s total educational experience at PS 385. In addition, all Specialists will be required to submit a separate Academic Intervention Service Progress Report to be distributed to parents.

37. Administrative Matters Teacher Comments • Comments should be tailored for each child's needs. They should be positive in tone, specific and helpful to the parent. Circle in red all U ratings, all absences of 5 or more in one marking period, and all lateness of 3 or more. • Comments should reinforce and not contradict the rating given in the earlier section of the report card.

38. Administrative Matters Equipment Care and Inventory • Each teacher is responsible for all equipment assigned to the room. This includes computers, software, peripherals and any audio-visual equipment. You must sign an inventory card for the use of equipment. • Please ensure that the students are taught to handle the delicate computers with care. They must be dusted on a regular basis and covered at the end of the day. • If you need audiovisual equipment, please see your grade supervisor. All AV equipment, cameras, VCRs, and TVs must be locked up by the end of the day. • An extensive equipment inventory will be conducted every year.

39. Administrative Matters Duplication • A duplicating machine will be available to all staff members in the staff resource room located in room 215. All materials duplicated must have prior approval from the grade supervisor. There are no exceptions to this policy. • The copy machine is not to be used for copies relating to personal business. You must bring your own paper to use this machine. • To utilize the school’s duplicating services you must submit your request three-days in advance so that it may be returned to you, on time, for your lesson. The school provides paper for all request made through school services. Please keep this in mind as you plan your lessons for the week.

40. Administrative Matters Repairs/Request for Custodian • In case of an emergency inform a supervisor immediately. In other cases, repair request forms are available from the payroll secretary. • Completed forms are to be submitted to the principal for approval which will then be forwarded to the custodian.

41. Administrative Matters • Fire Drills/Shelter Drills • Your room must have a fire drill sign. All classes have been assigned an exit route. Read the route carefully then walk it first before practicing it with your class. As you practice, please remind students that there is no talking during a fire drill, they must all kept heir eyes on you, they must walk quickly but carefully, they must exit the building as quickly as possible. The class moves in a double line. Also know an alternate exit route in case your route is blocked. The fire signal is a continuous sound which will inform you to prepare and exit. Bells may ring unannounced. • Teachers must take their red emergency folders on all fire drills in case you have to account for each child. This is the case in the event of an actual emergency. Specialists and support teachers will have a fire drill assignment. In the event of a fire, Specialists with a class in their charge will escort the students out of the building via the established route. • When a warning signal is given, the classroom teacher who is on prep will return to the room and escort the class down upon hearing the signal. Be prepared to use alternate routes in a fire drill. • Upon returning from a fire drill, DO NOT SEND students back to pull out programs. The pull-out teacher will pick them up from your room. ALL SCHOOL PERSONNEL MUST LEAVE THE BUILDING DURING A FIRE DRILL. Fire Drills will be conducted at least 12 times a year; 8 of which will be conducted by December. Shelter drills will be conducted at least three times a year. Carefully review the fire and shelter drill procedures.

42. Administrative Matters Visitors • A desk is placed in front of the main entrance to the building and situated so that all persons entering are in full view of our security personnel. All visitors must stop at this desk for identification and interview. All visitors will sign the visitor's Log Book and shall be requested to provide one item of valid identification. The visitor will be directed to the main office. The main office will issue the appropriate visitor's pass and direct the visitor to the proper location. • If you want to see a parent, schedule parents to come during your preparation time or in the morning or in the afternoon if you so choose. Otherwise, they will not be allowed to interrupt instructional time.

43. Administrative Matters Medication • Teachers are never permitted to administer medication to a student. If a student is in need of medication, a 504 Form must be completed by the parent and the student's physician. • After the 504 paperwork has been processed, our school nurse will administer medication as needed. Please report any emergencies to your grade supervisor.

44. Administrative Matters Sick or Injured Students • When a student is sick or injured, NO medication (aspirin, cough syrup, etc.) may be administered. All students who are sick or injured must be sent to the nurse or to the grade supervisors’ office accompanied by another student with a pass or with an available adult. This includes students injured during lunchtime. • The nurse or grade supervisor will arrange to notify the student's parent, teacher, and main office and determine if it is necessary for the child to be sent home. If the child is well enough to remain in school the nurse/grade supervisor will give the child a note describing the observation and/or first aid administered. • If a child comes to school with medication to be taken during the school day, it must be accompanied by a note from home from the parent or guardian and to have a 504 on file. The student must take the medication himself/herself. • Under no circumstances can a student be sent home during the school day unless called for by a responsible adult (name must appear on the emergency card). This includes lunch hour. Do not release students without notification/approval from the main office.

45. Administrative Matters Infection Control, Policies and Procedures • While HIV and/or STD’s is transmitted only through direct contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions, the following guidelines for universal infection control and hygienic practices should be followed to prevent the possible transmission of any infectious disease. Our custodial staff has been trained to follow up on any incident involving blood. In the event that you must act the following guidelines must be followed: • (1) all staff should use disposable gloves and should employ good hand washing practices after coming in contact with any blood or bodily wastes (e.g. Bloody nose). Gloves must be readily available, and first aid is not to be delayed. • (2) all staff should handle all material or equipment that may have been exposed to blood or bodily waste in a precautionary manner. This material or equipment should be disinfected and wiped clean as soon as possible with soap and water, and the general area should also be disinfected using bleach or other disinfectant. After the cleaning process is complete, discard debris and gloves in a plastic bag and tie securely for disposal. Remember, all debris must be discarded before removing gloves. Wash hands thoroughly. A new pair of gloves should be used with each episode. As required by the New York City Department of Health, strict environmental hygiene must be observed. Everyone involved with children is expected to participate in the infection control policies and procedures.

46. Administrative Matters Court Orders and Orders of Protection • As a result of domestic disputes, you may have a child in your class who under no circumstances should be released or visited by one or both of the natural parents. If you are unsure, check with the General Office. In most cases, they are kept on file. Such court papers usually have an expiration date.

47. Administrative Matters Student Lunch • Teachers are to escort students directly to the cafeteria and they are to sit down at their assigned tables. Students will have 25 minutes for lunch and then have 25 minutes to recreate. If the teacher wants to tutor students they may pick them up and take them to the classroom, however the teacher must give them time to eat in the lunchroom. No food will be allowed to be taken out of the lunchroom. Doing so creates a health hazard in our building • All teachers must complete the Lunch Roster Form before taking the students to lunch. Teachers will take attendance on the Lunch Roster Form and give it to the school aide. Before the teacher leaves the School Aide-In Charge must be on duty. Classes may not be left unattended. Teachers are to pick-up their classes from the designated lunch tables at the end of the lunch period. Teachers are expected to be punctual. Lunch periods are scheduled as follows: • Lunch Schedules: • Lunch 1 Grade 2 & 5 Period 4 11:15 - 12:05 • Lunch 2 Grades 1 & 3 Period 5 12:05 - 12:50 • Lunch 3 Grades K & 4 Period 5 12:55 - 1:40 • Please note that there is a very short travel time in between each lunch period. You must be in front of your class at the time your lunch period ends. This way the incoming class may be seated as soon as they come down.

48. Administrative Matters Record Cards • Each child has a cumulative folder. It is the responsibility of the teacher to keep cumulative records updated and secured. In September, and as new students enter our school check to see that you have a folder for each child on your register and that the folders contain all the necessary forms. If any records are missing, notify the Pupil Accounting Secretary in writing. • Periodically check for changes in address, telephone number, etc. Alert the Pupil Accounting Secretary once the change has been verified. Update other school records. Make changes on necessary records: roll book, record cards, emergency cards, etc. • You should not change a student's name on the record because a parent says so. All changes of this nature are to come officially from the Pupil Accounting Secretary. Remember that parent's have a right to review their child's record. If you receive a request from a parent to see his or her child's record, direct the parent to your grade supervisor.

49. Administrative Matters Anecdotal Records • It is imperative that you maintain an anecdotal record for each child in your class! Entries should be made a minimum of once a week. Develop a template and include the following information: Name, DOB, OSIS #, Parent's Name, and telephone numbers. Underneath the biographical information you should log a listing of positive or negative information and any noteworthy activities. Please remember to list both good and bad deeds. • Anecdotal records will be reviewed periodically by supervising staff. They will be used as evidence to collaborate ongoing behavioral activity. They are necessary documentation required for meetings, guidance conferences, academic interventions, least restrictive environment considerations and promotional evidence. Entries in the anecdotal record should be short and to the point. They should not reflect your personal opinion or suggestions as to why the event occurred. They must be descriptive and as objective as possible. No judgments on your behalf.

50. Administrative Matters School Supplies • A teacher's start-up kit will be supplied to each teacher in September. If additional supplies are needed a list of available supplies will be provided along with the kit. • Requested supplies will be distributed on the third Thursday of each month. Please see to your grade supervisor for approvals. • Each teacher should use their teacher's choice money to order your own copy paper by the carton for your personal classroom use.