Student Absence Procedures

Student Absence Procedures

January 11, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As in the past, please send in a student absence note to your child's teacher when your child is absent from school. The note should include: the date, the date(s) of the absence, the purpose of the absence, and a parent/guardian signature. We have noticed an increased number of emails to teachers regarding absences. Please be advised that teachers or other school staff cannot accept email messages as absence notes because absence notes require a parent/guardian signature and are filed via hard copy in the office. In an effort to conserve paper in our school, we will not print out emailed absence notes. Additionally, please send in an absence note in advance if your child will be absent because of a vacation.
If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Stoll, Attendance Coordinator, or Parent Coordinator, Phyllis Corley.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

---------------------------------------------

High School Admission Process

For questions regarding the High School Admission Process, please speak to Guidance Counselors Cristina Peters or Jerry Feigelson.

You may also visit: http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/High/default.htm

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Admissions for the 2010-11 School Year

From the NYCDOE Website:

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Admissions for the 2010-11 School Year


Pre-Kindergarten Admissions Timeline
Activity
Date (2010)
Pre-Kindergarten Application Period Begins; Directories and Applications Available
March 1
Pre-Kindergarten Information Sessions
March
Pre-Kindergarten Application Period Ends
April 9
Pre-Kindergarten Offer Letters Distributed to Families
May 31
Families Pre-Register at Schools
June 7 - June 18
Kindergarten Admissions Timeline
Activity
Date (2010)
Kindergarten Admissions Period Begins
February 1
Kindergarten Admissions Period Ends
March 12
Schools Notify Families of Kindergarten Offers
March 22
Families Pre-register at Schools
April 12 - April 23For a calendar on the Elementary School Gifted & Talented Admissions process, please visit: Gifted & Talented timeline.

School Phase Outs

Please view the NYCDOE website for updates regarding School Phase Outs:

http://schools.nyc.gov/AboutUs/leadership/PEP/publicnotice/Proposals+1-26-10.htm

As you are aware, Jamaica HS is in the process of a phase out.

Grades 2-3 Recorder Program

Dear Parents/Guardians of Second and Third Grade Students,

Please be advised that the recorder program with 144 Music and Arts has concluded its 6-week cycle. Our music teacher, Mr. Castillo, will be continuing the recorder program in each classroom beginning this Monday, 1/11. The dates will be 1/11, 2/1, 2/8, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22. The students will prepare for the 2nd Annual Arts Benefit, tentatively scheduled for March 24th.

Family Basketball Night

Please join us on January 7, 2010 for our Second Annual Family Basketball Night. Students will participate in drills from 6:00-6:45 PM. A Parent/Family versus Faculty Game will follow.

Please enter through Avon Road.

**Refreshments and Prizes are available**

Upcoming Testing and Parent/Guardian Letter Regarding Medications in School

Please be advised of the following upcoming periodic assessments:

• The E-PAL Assessment will be administered to second grade students on January 20th to 21st. Third Grade will not take this exam in light of the Acuity Exam.
• The Acuity Predictive Assessment in Grades 3-8 will be administered to students on January 25th and 26th.
• The ECLAS-2 Assessment Window (throughout the month of January) has commenced for Kindergarten students.

For more information regarding these assessments, please visit http://schools.nyc.gov/Accountability/ResourcesforEducators/PeriodicAssessments/default.htm or contact our Testing Coordinator/Asst. Principal Mr. Klocek at the school.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Medications in School

January 5, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Winter has arrived and along with it comes the cold and flu season. We would like to remind you of the Chancellor’s Regulations regarding taking medication in school.

Please read the following excerpt from Chancellor’s Regulation A-701.

“ Medication may be administered in school if it is needed to permit the student to
participate in his/her educational program. A health care provider (physician, nurse
practitioner, or physician assistant with physician signoff) licensed to prescribe in
New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut must complete a Medication Administration
Form (“MAF”), prescribing the medication to be administered during the school day.
This form may be obtained by parents at their child’s school or on the DOE website.
Any changes to the MAF must be in writing and signed by a licensed health care
provider. A new MAF must be supplied at the start of the school year. All medication must be hand-delivered to the school in the original pharmacy container. The school nurse will store the medication in a locked cabinet or refrigerator. The nurse will maintain a medication log (and other documentation as indicated) for each student approved to receive medication in school. Junior High School and High School students may self-medicate where there is physician and parent approval documented on the MAF.”

To view the complete Chancellor’s Regulation A-701 or other regulations, please visit www.nyc.gov/schools.

If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse, Ms. Warren. Thank you for your cooperation.