BICYCLES/WALKERS

The office must have on file, in writing, permission from parents or guardians for any student to either ride a bike (prior to the first use of the bicycle) or walk to and from school.  The school is not liable for any damage to or loss of a bicycle.

 

EARLY ARRIVALS

Due to a lack of supervision, students may not arrive before the first bus for any reason.  Parents who choose to drive students to school are to remain with them outside until 8:25 a.m., when our bus duty teacher arrives at the main entrance of the school.

 

REMOVING A STUDENT BEFORE 3:00 P.M.

Students should not be dismissed from school before the end of the school day unless an emergency makes it necessary.  If they must be dismissed early, parents must send a note to school and report to the nurse's office prior to getting their child. Parents/Guardians will be required to sign in at the office before reporting to the nurse’s office to sign out their child.  

 

STUDENT PICK-UP IN CAFETERIA

If you plan to pick up your child from school, rather than have him/her ride the bus, please send in written notice to your child’s teacher on that day. Your child will be dismissed to the cafeteria at 2:55 p.m. where you will be able to sign him/her out. Parents are encouraged to park behind the school for cafeteria pick-up. Your cooperation with this procedure will be helpful in ensuring the success in monitoring student dismissal. Thank you for your support.

 

BUS ROUTE CHANGES

Each year we receive many requests on the first day of school for temporary and permanent bus changes due to baby-sitting arrangements.  It is nearly impossible to act on these requests on the first day of school.  Therefore:

     All students must ride their assigned buses -- no visiting arrangements are permitted for social purposes.

            Permanent changes of bus routes due to baby-sitting services will be arranged prior to the opening of school, if requested in a note before mid-August.  Requests received after that time will be arranged, if possible; however, determinations must be made by the administration.  It is possible that some of our buses are at capacity and such requests may be denied. Babysitting arrangements and bus assignments may be altered as the need arises.

 

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS

All parents are urged to have planned contingencies in place should our school open later or close early for emergency purposes or inclement weather conditions. Immediate and prior announcements can be heard over these local radio stations and call numbers: WNNJ 1360 AM; WSUS 102 FM; POWER 103-103.7 AM; WHCY 106.3 FM. Pre-recorded announcements can be heard by dialing our main school number (973-383-5300). Either follow the prompt for school closings or press code 350 to access the school closings program. Individual requests for personal phone calls to parents or students will not be honored. Again, we urge you to pre-plan your contingency measures and contacts should your child need supervision or assistance on the emergency days. Please instruct your child in procedures he/she is to follow. Emergency closings will cancel all other activities after school. A delayed opening could be changed to a school closing. Stay tuned to the radio station for this type of information.  For information about delayed openings or school closings go to www.cancellations.com enter zip code 07860.

 

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

An emergency contact list will be developed in the Fall of the school year so we may call parents in the event of an unannounced early closing. Parents/guardians will be asked to provide the school with four numbers: home number, mother's work number, father's work number and the first emergency number. Due to time restrictions during an emergency closing, we will only be able to make four (4) calls per student. PLEASE UPDATE THE SCHOOL WHEN AND IF THESE PHONE NUMBERS CHANGE.

 

PUPIL RECORDS

The Board of Education has the primary responsibility for the compilation, maintenance, access to and security of pupil records. Pupil records are used to promote the welfare of the student and are not available to any person or agency outside of the Hampton Township Public School unless parental permission is obtained in writing or access is permitted under NJAC6:3-6.5. Pupil records will contain only such information as is relevant to the education of the pupil. Parents and legal guardians have the right to access pupil records and challenge the accuracy, irrelevancy, impermissible disclosure, the inclusion of improper information, or denial of access to authorized individuals. All appeals and challenges must be made in writing to the Chief School Administrator. Pupil records are forwarded to the new district after the completion of sixth grade and may be reviewed by parents prior to that time.

LUNCH PROGRAM

Lunch is served daily in our cafeteria. Our lunch program offers nutritious meals at minimal costs. Weekly tickets can be purchased on Mondays in the Unit or daily purchases can be made on a cash basis. Free and reduced lunches are provided to eligible families, based upon application forms filed with the School Nurse. Students are encouraged to eat all of their lunch. Soda and glass-bottled drinks may not be brought to school. Eating desserts instead of one's meal is prohibited. Only one dessert may be purchased on any one day. Please review the monthly lunch menu with your child to decide if he/she should purchase the school lunch or bring lunch from home each day.

SCHOOL SNACKS

In our kindergarten classes, school snack time is offered to the students. Parents are encouraged to send in a light, nutritious and ample snack for their child. Safe packaging is urged (no glass, metal cans or sharp tools or cutlery).

RECESS

Recess during the school day is important, as they give both students and teachers a respite from the learning and teaching routine. Requests for a student to stay in at recess will be honored for good reasons. The school reserves the right to send students to the playground, depending on weather conditions and other variables.

HOMEWORK

Students may be given homework, depending on need. These assignments are based on grade level and the ability of each student. Please assist us in being sure assignments are completed. When questions or concerns arise, please contact your child's teacher first. Planners will be distributed to all students in grades 2-6 to promote organizational skills, responsibility and improved communication between home and school.

TELEPHONE

Students will be allowed free use of school phones to call parents, home, or for emergency notifications; however, they must receive prior approval from their teacher and/or school principal.  Telephones in the main office are not to be used by students except in emergencies and only with a pass from the teacher.  If a problem is recurring with a student (forgotten books,  homework, etc.), he/she will have to manage without them. 

 

SCHOOL VISITORS

Upon entering the building, all visitors must stop in the main office, sign in, and receive a visitor's badge.  Teachers are happy to discuss concerns with you, but an advance appointment is necessary.  It is impossible to carry on a meaningful discussion at the doorstep of a room while the teacher is responsible for his/her entire class.  Please call the office for an appointment or access a teacher's voice mail.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

All students' personal belongings should be clearly marked and labeled with permanent ink/marker.  All belongings not necessary for the support of instruction will be the sole responsibility of the student and his/her parents.  Cash, jewelry, extra clothing, games, electronic equipment, personal grooming sprays, cologne, etc. should be seriously screened and approved by parents before students leave the home.  Items containing chemicals which are used or passed to others in school will be considered potentially harmful material.

 

LOST AND FOUND

We have a dedicated area within the school for all found clothing and materials which are unclaimed.  Parents and/or students are free to claim any lost items before or after school or during their recess time. Unclaimed items will be disposed of twice annually: Once at the end of December and again at the end of June.

 

FINES, PAYMENT FOR LOST BOOKS, DAMAGES TO PROPERTY, ETC.

Our school budget is financed solely through public funds and tax dollars.  We must be accountable for safe and proper use of facilities, equipment, books, materials, and items purchased through taxes.  Students, in turn, can be responsible for their good use of such.  Any lost materials or damages beyond normal wear-and-tear may become a student/parent responsibility for replacement.