James Fallon Elementary School

“Soaring to new heights . . . exceeding expectations”

                             

     Table of Contents:

• School Time Schedule/School Hours
• Before/After School Care
• Visiting the School
• Communications
• Emergency Cards
• School Absences/Tardiness
• Regular Arrival Procedures
• Late Arrival Procedures
• School Closings/Delayed Openings
• Student Dismissal Procedures
• Early Dismissal Days
• Snack Period
• Care of School Property
• Label All Items
• Gym/Art Attire
• Wayne Township Elementary Schools Discipline Policy
• Dress Code Requirements
• Bus Riders
• Transportation
• Parking
• Bicycle Riders
• Homework Policy
• Lunch Program/Schedule
• Rainy Day Bag/Schedule
• Lost and Found

    

2007-2008 SCHOOL TIME SCHEDULE

	Regular		Delayed Opening		Early Dismissal
Grade	Start	Dismissal	Start	Dismissal	Start	Dismissal
1-5	8:55 a.m.	3:20 p.m.	10:25 a.m.	3:20 p.m.	8:55 a.m.	1:15 p.m.
A.M. Kdg.	8:55 a.m.	11:35 a.m.	10:25 a.m.	1:05 p.m.	8:55 a.m.	11:35 a.m.
P.M. Kdg.	12:40 p.m.	3:20 p.m.	12:40 p.m.	3:20 p.m.	Cancelled

School Hours:  The hours for school are 8:55 AM-3:20 PM.  Please do not drop

off your children prior to 8:35 a.m.  All students are to enter the school through

the main entrance at the front of the building. Students are not to arrive at

school prior to 8:35 a.m. since supervision is not provided before that time. 

Only staff, parents with appointments, and students enrolled in the Early Start

program will be allowed to enter the building before 8:35 a.m.  Should you

require supervision prior to 8:35 a.m. please enroll your child in the district's

Before School Care Program.  Students in grades K-2 will report to the cafeteria

where they will be supervised by staff members.  Students will be picked up by

their classroom teachers at 8:50.  Students in grades 3-5 will sit outside their

classroom where they will be supervised by a staff member until 8:50 a.m.  All

students are to have a book to read between 8:35 and 8:50 while waiting for their

teachers. All students entering the building after 8:55 a.m. must report to the

Nurse’s Office for a late pass.

Before/After School Care:  For your information, the Wayne Township Public

School sponsors an extended day program (7:15-8:35 a.m.) and (3:20-6:00 p.m.).

The program is available on a regular basis, and an “Emergency Use Only” basis

to meet your needs.  For further information, please call Mrs. Patricia Kneisel

at 973-633-3124.  Also, the Boys and Girls Club of Wayne sponsors a half day

program for kindergarten children, including transportation to and/or from

school as well as an after school program for students K-5.  They can be

reached at 973-956-0033.  Please be sure to use one of these options

if you need to have your child arrive prior to 8:35 a.m. or remain beyond 3:20 p.m.

Visiting the School:  All visitors to the school, including parents and PTO

volunteers, MUST use the FRONT ENTRANCE.  For security and your

child’s protection, all doors are locked during the school day. We need your

cooperation with reporting to the main office upon entering the building,

signing in and obtaining a visitor’s badge, regardless of the length of your stay.

Upon your exit, please report back to the office, return the badge and sign out.

Once you have completed your volunteer work, we ask your cooperation in that

you wait outside the building for the dismissal bell.  Please do not wait in the

hallway outside of your child’s classroom or in the main hallway.  Staff will ask

visitors not wearing a badge to report to the main office, or will escort them

to the office.  Again, it is important that we provide a safe, secure environment

for our students and appreciate your cooperation.

Appointments with staff members should be made prior to meeting with the

teacher.  Items to be delivered to the children, such as cupcakes or lunches

must be left at the main office and they will be delivered to the classroom.

PLEASE DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE CLASSROOM.  We appreciate your

cooperation, and feel it is in the best interest of the children’s safety and allows

our staff to prepare appropriately for our students’ arrival.  Please ring the

security BELL for entrance into the building after student arrival and during

the school day.

Communications:  We often communicate with parents by sending notices home

with the children.   In order to reduce paper consumption, general notices are only

sent home with your youngest child enrolled at Fallon.  You are encouraged to

establish a routine whereby notices and notes from school are removed from your

child’s bags or backpacks and given directly to you.  This practice will keep you

informed about events, programs and school happenings.  We also post a school

calendar in the Fallon Flier Newsletter and on our website.  You are encouraged

to visit our website at www.fallonschool.com where you can learn about upcoming

events in school and in an individual classroom.   On the first day of school,

your child will be bringing home a James Fallon folder put together by our

PTO.  It will be filled with information.  Please read the material enclosed

and return all completed forms to the school by the due date.

Emergency Cards:  Emergency cards will be sent home the first day of school in

the opening day folder.  Please include all cell phone numbers and work numbers. 

Please return these cards to the Health Office as soon as possible.  Be sure to

notify the Health Office and Secretary of any changes to the emergency cards

during the school year.

 

School Absences:  Absence from school should be held to an absolute minimum

in the best educational interest of the student.  The only reasons permitted for

an excused absence are religious holidays, illness of the student, or a death in the

immediate family. 

• K-5 parents should call 973-633-3125-Extension 70 before 8:55 to let the

school know your child will be absent.  Please leave the date, your child’s name, grade, teacher, reason for the absence and the bus your child rides.  There may be times when parents choose to keep children out of school for other reasons, such as for traveling and family vacation trips.

We, of course, discourage this practice, asking that you plan your vacation during scheduled school vacations.

• When a student is absent from school, they are responsible for assignments.
• Teachers are expected to provide pupils with missed assignments and a suitable

amount of time is provided for that purpose upon the student’s return.

• Please do not ask for advance assignments in order to have children complete their work prior to or while on vacation.  Teachers can not project their plans too far in advance, since accomplishments of many given tasks depends on class need for reteaching, review, or other unforeseen interruptions during the school day.  Your cooperation is appreciated.  
• Children may not be excused from participation in any school activity (including Physical Education and recess), with the exception of pupils having medical excuses signed by a physician.

 

Tardiness:  With our new time schedule, it is important that students arrive

At 8:35 a.m. each day.  Students arriving to school prior to 8:35 a.m. will not

be allowed to enter the building unless they are registered with the Before

Care Program or have the permission of the Principal or a teacher.  Bus

students are considered excused in the event of a bus delay.  Students

arriving after 8:55 a.m. must report to the Nurse’s Office for a late pass

before going to their classrooms.

Regular Arrival Procedures:  Enter the driveway and maintain a single file of traffic on the right side along the curb.

• Parents wishing to walk their children to the front door must park in the

          designated parking area only.  Please do not park in the staff parking area. 

• In order to maintain a flow of traffic and prevent delays, we ask all parents to

  follow this  procedure in a quick and orderly fashion.  This is for the safety of our children.

• Kindergarten Parents – Please do not park in the front of the building when picking

          up or dropping off for kindergarten—this space is needed for the buses.

• The P.M. Kindergarten children will line up outside the front doors where they will

          be picked up by their teachers. 

Upon ARRIVAL all students in Grades K-2 will line up in the cafeteria.  Students in Grades 3-5 will sit in line outside their classroom doors.  Walkers will enter the building at 8:35 a.m. through the front doors.  Bus students will enter the school through the main entrance.  Staff members will be on duty from 8:35 a.m. until 8:50 a.m. when they are picked up by their teachers.

 

A Safety Patrol student will be assigned to assist with the arrival of our Kindergarten students.  Since this is not adult supervision, please do not leave your child unattended outside while on line. 

Late Arrival Procedures: Students arriving to school after 8:55 a.m. will be marked late.  They must report to the Nurse’s office in order to get a late pass.  We recognize that from time to time compelling circumstances will require that a child be late to school or dismissed before the end of the school day.

Written notification stating the reason for the tardiness or early dismissal is required.  Justifiable reasons may include:

 

• Medical or dental appointment which cannot be scheduled outside of school time
• A family emergency
• Religious holiday

School Closings/Delayed Openings:  You will receive a phone call regarding school closings and delayed openings through the Connect Ed Notification System.  School closings are also posted on the district wed site - www.wayneschools.com. at 6:00 a.m. 

Student Dismissal:

• All students are dismissed at 3:20 p.m.
• Kindergarten students exit through the main doors.
• First and second grade students exit through the Media Center doors.
• Third, fourth and fifth grade students exit through the main doors.

We want all children to benefit from the lessons we have prepared, therefore, it may be necessary for them to make up work when they are tardy or leaving school prior to dismissal.  Children must be in school for four (4) instructional hours to receive credit for the school day.

Early Dismissal Procedures: You are encouraged to make all doctor and dental appointments after school hours to insure that your child receives a full educational program.  On those occasions when early dismissal is an absolute necessity, a note to the classroom teacher must be provided including the reason and time you will be picking up your child.  In the event of an emergency, please try to call the school before arriving to request your child’s early dismissal.  Please note that your child must be in school for four (4) instructional hours to receive credit for that school day.

Frequent early dismissals interrupts the flow of instruction in the classroom and causes unnecessary activity in the main office. 

 

NO child will be released to anyone other than those listed on the EMERGENCY

CARD unless prior written parental permission is sent to the teacher/office.

If your child is a bus student, please send a dated note informing the teacher and

main office as to whether or not they will be taking the bus.  Be sure to include the

date and name of the bus in your note.

We strongly discourage removal of your child between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and

3:20 p.m. for dismissal.

Inclement Weather/Emergency Dismissal: In the event of an early dismissal due

to inclement weather or an emergency, parents will be notified through the ED

Connect System which went into effect on January 2, 2008.

Early dismissal is at 1:15 p.m.  Should a parent wish to have someone other than themselves pick up their child earlier on these days, the parent picking up must be

on the Emergency Card or a note must be sent in giving permission for the child to be picked up by another person.

Once again, please note:

NO child will be released to anyone other than those listed on the EMERGENCY

CARD unless prior written parental permission is sent to the teacher/office.

Snack Period:  Milk will be available to children in the kindergarten

at a cost of 20 cents.  Milk must be ordered on Mondays on a weekly basis.

An appropriate “healthy” snack may be sent from home if you wish.  On early

dismissal days, all students are encouraged to bring a “healthy” snack to school.

Care of School Property: The Board of Education supplies textbooks.  Pupils are 

expected to exercise care in the handling of all materials.  All textbooks are to be

covered and carefully treated.  If texts or equipment are lost or damaged, a fine

will be assigned.

 

Label ALL Items:  Please put your CHILD’S NAME on their lunch bags, sweaters,

jackets, books, etc.  Write their name and class inside the item with a permanent

tag.  We will then be able to return any item if it is lost.

Gym Attire:  Children involved in the Physical Education Program must have sneakers

on gym days in order to take part in the program.  Girls may wear slacks or shorts to 

school on days they are to have Physical Education.  It is imperative that children

not wear jewelry to school on gym days.

Art Attire:  It would be helpful if children kept a smock (old shirt) in school for art

projects.

Wayne Township Elementary Schools Discipline Policy:  A copy of the elementary

school discipline policy is handed out annually at Back to School Night.  The policy lists infractions and three levels of consequences for inappropriate behavior.

Dress Code Requirements:  Proper attire is essential in creating a positive self image

and goes a long way in teaching people to respect themselves as well as others.  We ask

for your assistance in ensuring your children adhere to dress code guidelines to avoid

any disciplinary action:

• All attire must be neat, clean, reflect modesty and be appropriate for a safe

          environment.

• Clothes shall not be shear, brief, low cut or revealing so as to be embarrassing,

          distracting or indecent.  Pants which expose the stomach are not acceptable.

• Bare midriffs are unacceptable; short shirts that do not cover the stomach

          or are of an inappropriate length are unacceptable.

• Also, halter tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps or strapless tops are not

          permitted.

• Footwear is required at all times.  Flip-flops or slip-flop type sandals are not

          permitted at any time.  No “wheeled” sneakers/shoes are permitted to be worn

          to school.

• Any garment that has graphics that are suggestive, obscene, have a double

          meaning, refer to gang affiliation, or promote/depict an illegal substance is

          prohibited. 

• Shorts are acceptable when the weather is hot but they must be neat and

          modest.

• Shorts that expose undergarments or shorts with distracting/suggestive

          images on them are unacceptable.  Lycra and spandex shorts and tank tops

          should be reserved for appropriate athletic activities and are unacceptable

          dress attire during the school day.

• Hats and caps shall not be worn inside the school building.

Bus Riders: Good behavior is necessary for safety.  Children should remain in

their seats. Arms and heads must stay inside the bus and not hang out of the

windows.  Excessive misbehavior will result in a report sent home and appropriate

consequences.  Continued misbehavior will result in revoking a child’s bus privilege.

If your child will not be taking the bus on a particular day of the week (example:

School, Brownies, Cub Scouts, etc.), please provide the school with a note. 

The note should state the date, teacher’s name and the reason.  The child will

be dismissed with the walkers through the appropriate exit.  Please do not wait

in the school lobby.  Bus attendance is taken and this would disrupt the process.    

Transportation: The transportation supervisor is Kathie MacDonald and the

Secretary is Sue Sikorski.  They can be reached at 973-633-3120 or 973-633-3139.

Students eligible for bus transportation are expected to use the bus unless there

is written notice from a parent indicating a change.  The note should be sent to

your child's teacher and include the particular date or dates and the specific

change of transportation as well as which bus your child usually rides.  Emergencies

do arise and sometimes notification in advance is not possible.  PLEASE CALL THE

OFFICE and we will get the message to your child.

Only those students entitled to transportation may ride the bus home.  Students

must take their assigned bus unless other arrangements have been made.  They

cannot go on any other bus, nor can they have a friend, who is not a bus student,

go home with them on the bus.

Parking: Parking is limited at dismissal.  Parking will be allowed in the rear of the school (as long as the children are not having gym classes outside) and on the right hand side from Clifford Drive up to the driveway entrance to the upper parking lot.  Vehicles will not be permitted to enter the driveway when all areas are full.  The crossing guard will close off the entrance to the school when the lot is full.  Please do not park in the coned off areas.

• The circle must remain open for buses and emergency vehicles only.  Parking or

stopping in the circle area is prohibited.

• An ordinance limits parking to one side of Clifford Drive.

Bicycle Riders:  Children in grades 3, 4 and 5 may ride their bikes to

school.  Bikes are to be in good working order and equipped with a basket or

rack of some sort.  A lock is essential for your bicycle.  We cannot accept

 responsibility for stolen or damaged bikes.  WALK bicycles on all school walks,

and WALK bicycles across all crossing areas and heavily traveled areas. 

Do Not Forget A Helmet!  

Homework Policy:

Kindergarten:

A minimum of three activities per week.

A maximum of five activities per week.

Grades One and Two:

A minimum of 20 minutes daily not to exceed 80 minutes per week.

A maximum of 30 minutes daily not to exceed 120 minutes per week.

           Grade Three:

A minimum of 30 minutes daily not to exceed 120 minutes per week.

A maximum of 45 minutes daily not to exceed 180 minutes per week.

 

Grade Four:

A minimum of 45 minutes daily not to exceed 180 minutes per week.

A maximum of 60 minutes daily not to exceed 240 minutes per week.

 

          Grade Five:  

A minimum of 60 minutes daily not to exceed 240 minutes per week.

A maximum of 90 minutes daily not to exceed 360 minutes per week.

If your child has forgotten an assignment at home and you wish to bring it to school,

we ask that you not bring it to the classroom but to the main office.  Mrs. Occhiuzzi

will be sure that your child receives the assignment.

 

If you wish assignments sent home on a day that your child is absent, please request

the homework when you report the absence or call the office by 11:00 a.m.  We

cannot honor requests for homework that are made after 11:00 a.m.  This will

enable the teacher to organize and gather the material in time for the afternoon

pick-up by you or a designated child (i.e. sibling, neighbor’s child).  Please keep in mind

that your child may not perform optimally with homework if he/she is not feeling well.

There will be sufficient time for your child to make up missed assignments and homework

upon his/her return.

Yes, your child may re-enter the school after dismissal with an adult until 4:00 p.m.

if necessary.  The custodians will not open the classroom doors after 4:00 p.m.

 

Lunch Program/Schedule:

 Grade                                 Lunch Schedule                   Recess Schedule

 GRADE 5                                12:10-12:40                                    11:40-12:10

 GRADE 4 & GRADE 3              11:40-12:10                                    12:10-12:40

 GRADE 2                                12:45-1:15                                         1:15-1:45

 GRADE 1                                 1:15-1:45                                         12:45-1:15  

Lunch may be purchased on a daily or weekly basis for $2.00 per day or children

may bring lunch from home.  A monthly lunch menu will be sent home with your child. 

If lunch is forgotten at home and you wish to bring it to school, please label it with

your child’s name, grade, and teacher and bring it to the main office.  Please do

not go to the classroom, lunchroom or playground.  Mrs. Occhiuzzi will make sure that

your child gets his/her lunch. 

If you would like to take your child to lunch, please send a note to your child’s teacher 

or notify the office.  Parents must sign children out and in at the office.  Children often 

enjoy the treat of going to lunch with parents.  If you are taking another child to lunch

with your child, a note from that child’s parent/guardian must also be sent to the

teacher/main office.  NO child will be released without the parent/guardian’s 

permission. 

Rainy Day Bag/Packet:  Each parent is asked to organize a RAINY DAY BAG/PACKET. 

The contents of this can consist of crayons, paper, coloring book,

word puzzles, favorite reading book(s), cards, board games, etc.  These bags

are to be labeled with your child’s name and will be kept at school for use during

indoor recess.  Electronics are not permitted in school.

Lost and Found:  The Lost and Found is located in the cafeteria.  Each year we

have many articles of clothing and personal possessions that are simply not

claimed by our students.  Please label everything that your child owns,

including every article of clothing, especially outerwear, so that we can

return these items to your child when they are not retrieved.