Our Policies
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL POLICY
Grade K to 2 students enter at the exit closest to the park and Grades 3 to 5 enter at JCS main entrance. Students must have completed the Health Screening Survey in order to enter the building each morning. Students also have their temperatures taken at arrival as well. All changes in dismissal arrangements must be submitted in writing to the teacher or via email to Ms. Ford at tford@schools.nyc.gov by 1:00 pm. To ensure student’s safety, verbal requests will NOT be honored. In addition, students will only be released to names listed on the blue emergency cards. If you would like your child to be picked up by someone who is not on the blue card, you must state the person's full name and number in writing with your name and contact information.
Instruction takes place until dismissal unless there is an EMERGENCY. Please keep early pick up of your child to a minimum. YOUR CHILD will thank you.
*REQUEST FOR EARLY PICKUP AFTER 1:45 PM MUST WAIT FOR REGULAR DISMISSAL AT 2:25 PM.*
PLEASE NOTE your child will be called to the office when you ARRIVE in the office for pick up, NOT BEFORE.
Students exit at the same entrance at arrival for parent pick up. Please wait outside for Students being picked up must complete the dismissal form.
*Please Refrain From Using Building Main Entrance*
Students part of our afterschool program will transition to their program sections. Students who take the yellow bus will be transitioned to their busing locations to get on the bus.
LATE PICK UP
Please make sure you or your caregiver picks your child up on time every day. The teachers and staff have professional and personal responsibilities including professional development and meetings with parents. If you know you will regularly be late because you are picking up another child at a different school, you should make plans with another Jamaica Children’s School parent to wait with your child until you arrive. JCS Staff is not available to supervise your child past 2:25 PM.
All late pick-up students will be brought upstairs to the library at 2:30PM. If you are late picking up your child, all families must pick their child up in the Main Office and sign them out in the “Late Pick-Up” book.
See our COVID-19 UPDATES site for up to date information on school procedures due to COVID-19.
Thank you for your consideration.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students are expected to be present in school every day. It is essential to each student’s academic progress that they actively participate in class and submit work on time. Present means that the student is physically present in the classroom/school learning environment for instruction during the scheduled school day. Attendance taken is taken each morning at 8:30 am.
Absences
- If the student will be absent, inform the teacher.
- If the student is absent due to illness, inform the teacher and submit a doctor’s note to Ms. Ford in the main office.
- If the student will have an extended absence due to travel plans, contact Ms. Ford in the main office at 718-526-0160 ext. 4242 or tford@schools.nyc.gov before you travel. You will be asked to submit copies of the travel itinerary (tickets, etc.)
If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances that are causing the student to be absent, inform the teacher and contact Ms. Ford in the main office at 718-526-0160 ext. 4242 or tford@schools.nyc.gov.
If there is a pattern of absences, a member of the Attendance Team or Attendance Teacher will make outreach to you to determine a reason for the child’s absence and to offer support. A lack of cooperation from families will result in the school eliciting support from external agencies.
Punctuality
- It is essential that students are prepared, on time, and ready to learn for all lessons, 1 on 1 sessions, and small group instructions.
- Lateness disrupts the learning process for all students
If you have any questions about attendance, contact the main office or our Social Worker, Ms. Coffin.
Remember…ATTENDANCE MATTERS!!!
UNIFORM POLICY
Uniform is FULLY enforced at Jamaica Children's School. Please make sure that your child is in FULL uniform everyday. Wearing their uniform increases their chances of Dojo points and supports their learning environment. Our uniform consists of the following:
Top:
- School issued royal blue polo shirt with the Jamaica Children’s School logo which is now available with both short and long sleeves.
- During colder months, students can wear a solid-colored blue or white long-sleeved shirt underneath their uniform shirt.
- Students can wear Jamaica Children’s School hoodies, sweatshirts, etc.
Bottom:
- Khaki colored pants with a brown or black belt.
- Khaki colored skirt (with shorts or tights underneath)
- Khaki colored jumper with a round, crew neck (with shorts or tights underneath)
Shoes:
- Students can wear black or white sneakers. We ask that you select sneakers without lights, wheels, or any other distractions.
- If you send your child to school in boots during inclement weather, please be sure to send sneakers in their backpack. We will have them change into sneakers at school and back into boots at the end of the day. This ensures that your child will be able to participate in all activities.
- Students can wear plain white or black socks and tights.
On PE Days, students are to wear their JCS T-Shirt with Black or Navy Sweatpants.
NO SHORTS ARE PERMITTED TO BE WORN IN SCHOOL
NO RIPPED JEANS
NO OPEN-TOED SHOES OR CROCS
** YOU WILL RECEIVE A PHONE CALL TO BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHING FOR YOUR CHILD IF HE/SHE DOES NOT ADHERE TO THIS POLICY**
Please purchase uniform shirts at our Uniform Store.
CELL PHONE POLICY
In response to Chancellor’s regulation A-413, which governs the use of cell phones, computing devices and portable music and entertainment systems on school property, Jamaica Children's School has opted for a school-based policy for the use of such devices on school property. A-413 provides as follows: Students are permitted to bring the following electronic items to school: cell phones, laptops, tablets, iPads and other similar computing devices, portable music and entertainment systems.
Jamaica Children's School's policy will be as follows:
The use of cell phones, computing devices, portable music and entertainment systems, and other electronic devices is PROHIBITED IN SCHOOL unless a teacher requires their use during classroom instruction. Students are allowed to bring these devices to school as long as they are turned off and out of sight. Please be advised that students are REQUIRED to bring their DOE-issued i-Pads EACH day.
- Cell phones, computing devices, portable music and entertainment systems, and other electronic devices may not be turned on, seen or used at any time in school: including the bathrooms, locker rooms, stairwells, during dismissal until students have exited the building, or during any fire drills or other emergency preparedness drills or actual emergencies. If this rule is violated, items will be confiscated and returned to the Parent/Guardian ONLY.
- Cell phones, computing devices, portable music and entertainment systems, and other electronic devices may not be turned on, seen or used during the administration of any school examination, except where such use has been explicitly authorized by the school or is contained in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Accommodation Plan. If this rule is violated, items will be confiscated and returned to the Parent/Guardian ONLY.
- The cell phone policy is in effect during lunch time and after-school programs as well. If this rule is violated, items will be confiscated and returned to the Parent/Guardian ONLY.
- Students who use cell phones, computing devices, portable music and entertainment systems and/or any other electronic device in violation of any provision of the DOE’s Discipline Code, The School Cell Phone Policy, Chancellor’s Regulation A-413 and/or the DOE’s Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy will be subject to discipline in accordance with the guidance interventions and disciplinary responses set forth in the Discipline Code.
- Students should NOT use personal cell phones to contact their parents during the school day. If the student is sick they should go to the nurse's office where she will contact a parent in the event that the student is to be sent home; or the student may ask to use the telephone in the main office to contact a parent.
- If a student chooses to bring cell phones, computing devices, portable music and entertainment systems and/or other electronic devices to school they do so at their own risk. The school will not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items.
Confiscation and return of cell phones, computing devices, portable music and entertainment systems and/or other electronic devices:
If items are confiscated we will notify the parent or guardian by phone as soon as possible to make an appointment to return the confiscated item to the parent or guardian ONLY.
Thank you for your cooperation in these matters.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH POLICY
Breakfast and lunch are is served daily for all students. Students will eat breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria.
BREAKFAST
Students are able to enter the cafeteria through the K to 2 entrance beginning at 7:40 am. Breakfast is Grab and Go. Students may have their own breakfast to eat in the cafeteria as well. To ensure that your child has enough time to eat their breakfast please send them to school at 7:40 am. Students start transitioning to classes at 8:00 am. To not disrupt the learning process, please avoid sending your child to school after this time with breakfast in hand. No eating is allowed in the classrooms.
LUNCH
If your child brings their own lunch to school, please be reminded that students have different food allergies, so speak to your child about not sharing their lunch or snacks with other children. Please send your child with food that does not need to be heated and that your child can eat independently.
GRADING POLICY AND HOMEWORK POLICY
GRADING POLICY
A more detailed description of the grading policy includes the promotion criteria for each grade and student supports.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Students will receive homework each day. All homework will be posted on Google Classroom. The purpose of homework is to extend and reinforce learned skills and concepts. It is also to develop the sense of self-discipline, personal responsibility, and independent thinking. Homework are for the students and students should complete their homework independently. This helps the teacher diagnose where the student misconception lies.
Independent reading will be assigned daily. Below is a chart of the suggested reading time for students by grade each night. Students will have to submit a reading log each Monday.
|
Kindergarten- Grade 1 |
Grades 2-3 |
Grades 4-5 |
|
|
September- December |
15-20 minutes |
30-40 minutes |
40-50 minutes |
|
January-March |
20-25 minutes |
40-50 minutes |
50-70 minutes |
|
April-June |
25-30 minutes |
50-60 minutes |
70-90 minutes |
Students will receive math and science homework as well. This homework may be in the form of a project task, computation task, or a written task.
COMMUNICATION POLICY
ClassDojo is our main communication tool with families. On this platform, you are able to receive schoolwide announcements, communicate with your child’s teacher directly, and monitor your child’s engagement in school. We hope to have a celebration at the end of the school year, and students who have 75% positivity points will be invited to the event. Also, Dojo points will allow students to purchase various items from our School Store.
We post many of our event flyers, student activities and important notices on Instagram. Follow us to celebrate your child and be informed.
SCHOOL WEBSITE
We post monthly events, parent newsletters, resources, and more on this website. Here you can find out all about the school, its policies, and resources to support your child.
BIRTHDAY POLICY
Students in grades K to 3 are allowed to have in class parties. Each month, there will be one day where all students who have a birthday that month can celebrate their birthday. Since birthday celebrations are held on the same day, items will be shared with the class. For example, Parent A will bring the juice boxes; Parent B will bring the chips. This will help reduce the amount of money parents spend on items for the celebration. Pre-register at least one month in advance in order for plans to be made. At this time, family members are not allowed at the celebration. Please leave the items at the Security Desk. Be sure to clearly label the bag(s) with your child’s name, class and teacher.
Celebrations are ½ hour only from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm.
Please be mindful of the following:
- Theme based party hats/paper goods and age appropriate music are allowed.
- Packaged foods such as cupcakes, donuts/munchkins, individual juice boxes, individual chips are allowed.
- Food items such as pizza, chicken, sandwiches, etc. are not allowed
- Ice cream/ice cream cakes, nut products, decorations, & clowns/magicians are NOT permitted
- Video taping and photographing of students without parental permission is NOT permitted
- Students, parents and teachers are not allowed to distribute private birthday invitations to students. Parents must network and distribute private invitations among themselves.
- Party bags or goodie bags are not allowed.
- Parents must bring: plastic food preparation gloves, napkins, forks, and plates.
- All forms must be submitted ONE MONTH prior to child’s birthday (except in September). Submit during first full week of school in September.
- Late requests, late parent arrivals, or missed dates will NOT be accommodated.
- Complete the Birthday Celebration Request Form to schedule a birthday celebration
- For any specific questions please contact:
- Grades K and 1: Ms. Cruz-Chica
- Grades 2 and 3: TBD
If you do not want your child to participate in birthday celebration due to religious reasons or any other reasons, please let your child's teacher know.
CELEBRATION DATES:
September 24, 2021
October 22, 2021
November 19, 2021
December 17, 2021
January 21, 2022
February 18, 2022
March 25, 2022
April 29, 2022
May 20, 2022
June 17, 2022
