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- Are
there specific codes of conduct for the 3 schools?
- How
do I find out about the code of conduct for my child’s
school?
- If
I do not agree with the code for my child’s school,
what do I do?
- My
child received punishment for doing the same thing
another child did, yet they did not receive a punishment?
- I
work and my child really has to go home by the school
bus. He/she cannot serve afternoon detention.
- My
child is sick at home. Who do I call to report his
or her absence?
- My
child has never been absent from school yet his report
card shows that he was.
- My
child needs to underline when she reads so that she
knows the facts to study.
- Can
all of the supplies the school provides be brought
home for at home use?
- What
happens if a child is involved in defacing school
property or damaging school bus seats?
- Are
my child’s school records considered confidential?
- I
want to keep a copy of my child’s records at home
for security sake. How do I get a copy to do that?
- My
child dislikes Physical Education. He’s healthy, why
does he have to take it?
- My
child was hurt in gym class, but no one ever called
me.
- I
would like to give my son’s teacher a gift during
the holidays. Can I do that?
- I
cannot afford to give money for a teacher’s gift from
the class. Will my child be eliminated from being
involved in the gift giving?
- If
there is a real fire, how do I know if my child is
safe?
- What
about standardized tests and how do I interpret results?
- Does
the school use standardized tests for placements?
- How
do our district scores compare to others? Is my child
being taught the correct subject matter?
- Is
the MAT test an IQ test?
- What
are the school hours?
- What
if a child is late to school?
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1. Are there specific codes of conduct
for the 3 schools?
Yes,
each principal has developed a code, with the help of
other staff. The codes are geared to the age group of
the children involved. There are some elements which are
standard.
Also
there is a district wide program, Respect and Responsibility,
which is an attempt to utilize the context of the school
day and adult example as a means of having students
gain an understanding as to positive interaction with
others.
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2.
How do I find out about the code of conduct for my child’s
school?
At
the beginning of each school year a copy of the codes
will be sent home with each student. Depending on the
circumstance, it may be necessary for the child and parent
to sign an acknowledgment and return it to the school.
This ensures that all involved parties understand the
code. |
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3.
If I do not agree with the code for my child’s school,
what do I do?
There
are several things one can do. First confirm that you
understand the code as it was intended. This should be
reviewed with the principal. You can validate your concerns
with other parents. If your concerns still stand after
all of this, then formally express your concerns in writing
to the principal. Based upon the results of this, you
may want to meet with or write to the Superintendent.
Again
depending upon the result, you can express your concern
to the Board of Education at a meeting.
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4.
My child received punishment for doing the same thing
another child did, yet they did not receive a punishment?
On
occasion, this may be true. There are a number of factors
which might lead to such circumstance. Principals will
treat each situation on an individual basis. The codes
do not put forth an approach which automatically punishes
a child for each and every deviation from expected behavior.
Additionally, discipline should be an act which teaches
a lesson in hope that negative behavior will not be repeated.
Finally, you may not be privy to all of the facts and
the principal may not be at liberty to openly discuss
them with you. The teacher or principal who administered
the discipline most probably investigated the actions
of both students and acted on that information.
One
final note. Federal law specifies that a child with
a handicapping condition must have discipline addressed
in the IEP. Some classified students are not subject
to the same regulations as their peers.
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5.
I work and my child really has to go home by the school
bus. He/she cannot serve afternoon detention.
There
is always a way to work the logistics. The important thing
is that the child does receive the consequences of detention
for an act which warrants it. |
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6. My child is sick at home. Who
do I call to report his or her absence?
You
should call the school office before the start of the
school day. In fact, if your child is out more than 1
day, you should call each day and let the school know
they will not be attending classes. If it turns out to
be a prolonged absence, it may be necessary for you to
get your child’s homework assignments during their absence.
Also it is possible that home tutoring may be necessary
if the absence is excessive for a health or special reason.
When
your child returns to school after an illness you are
expected to send a note of explanation. It may be necessary
for you to also have a doctor’s release depending upon
the illness.
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7.
My child has never been absent from school yet his report
card shows that he was.
It
may be an error which can be corrected; however, it may
also be that your child was late in getting to class and
attendance was taken. It should be corrected to show a
lateness instead of an absence. |
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8.
My child needs to underline when she reads so that she
knows the facts to study.
At
this point there are selected workbooks which are "consumable".
However, by and large, the texts the students use are
not. For studying purposes, the child can copy the facts
on cards or paper, you can purchase a book for them to
use at home which they can mark or you can possibly make
copies of the pertinent pages and keep them for studying
purposes. In the near future, texts will be computerized
on CD ROM. |
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9.
Can all of the supplies the school provides be brought
home for at home use?
Unfortunately
not. Calculators are an example; they stay in school.
Also crayons generally stay. There are exceptions when
special circumstances arise. |
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10.
What happens if a child is involved in defacing school
property or damaging school bus seats?
Fortunately
this is not a common situation, but on occasion children
do get involved in such activities. When this takes place
the child may be asked to clean up whatever was done,
or if necessary, the family will be billed for replacement
property. This is an item that can be discussed between
parents and children. |
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11.
Are my child’s school records considered confidential?
Absolutely.
Outside of the school staff, any other person would need
the parent/guardian’s permission to view a child’s school
record. Special education records require any person who
utilizes the file to sign a statement which records that
review. |
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12.
I want to keep a copy of my child’s records at home for
security sake. How do I get a copy to do that?
You
can request that a copy be made for you. There is a copying
charge, but it is minimal and really does only cover the
cost of the paper. |
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13.
My child dislikes Physical Education. He’s healthy, why
does he have to take it?
There
are state requirements which demand that children have
a certain number of physical education hours per week.
If your child does not have a medical reason for not taking
part in the classes, he or she will be expected to attend
those classes. Physical Education is a vital class because
children learn activities which have life-long carryover.
They will also learn the rudiments of healthy life related
to nutrition and life style. It must be remembered that
there are children who are fine students who dislike Art
or Mathematics. They still must complete those requirements. |
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14.
My child was hurt in gym class, but no one ever called
me.
The
teachers are very vigilant about the safety of the children
during Physical Education classes, but of course things
can happen. If the teacher didn’t see the incident it
would be hard for them to know that something happened
unless the child told them. Unfortunately as children
get older they don’t like to share that sort of thing
because they feel others may think they are weak. Please
encourage your child to tell the teacher whenever they
are hurt during physical education classes or any class
or anywhere on the school property. Each school has a
nurse who is very proficient at diagnosing and treating
injuries. If necessary, parents will be called in an emergency.
As a rule, you will be called if your child is injured,
regardless of how slight that injury may be. |
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15.
I would like to give my son’s teacher a gift during the
holidays. Can I do that?
Yes
you can. The key here is that it is not expected and no
one should feel that they have to give a present to a
teacher or secretary or nurse. |
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16. I cannot afford to give money
for a teacher’s gift from the class. Will my child be
eliminated from being involved in the gift giving?
Absolutely
not. Again no one is obligated to give any staff member
a gift. Instances such as those mentioned are not uncommon
and totally understood. No child will be denied the enjoyment
of participating in any class activity because he or she
did not contribute money. |
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17.
If there is a real fire, how do I know if my child is
safe?
Each
school has strict guidelines that are followed to ensure
that all children and staff are safely removed from a
building. The teachers have direct responsibility for
their class and are assisted by other staff and maintenance
personnel. We know on any given day who is in attendance
at school and a strict accounting is made once a building
is vacated. This procedure is practiced with each fire
drill. The district enjoys a positive relationship with
Mr. Lou Aroneo, the Fire Marshal. Inspections are made
and recommendations are carried out to the letter.
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18.
What about standardized tests and how do I interpret results?
Across
our country, standardized testing has become more important
as each state sets new standards for children in school.
In addition to nationally normed, commercial standardized
tests such as the MAT, New Jersey also tests children
at grades four (ESPA) and eight (GEPA). All of this is
very controversial because the testing procedures are
not necessarily child friendly. Please note the following:
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- Standardized
tests are not the only measurement of a child’s progress.
- Standardized
tests do not always match the specific grade curriculum.
- Some
children will be nervous for standardized tests so
the scores are skewed.
- The
district is currently studying standardized test options.
- Scores
are usually reported in national percentiles. Thus
a child receiving a score of 87 in Total Math on the
MATS has done better than eighty seven percent of
the children who took the test when it was normed.
Normed means that a sample of children across the
country took the test when it was developed and expectations,
by age, evolved out of that process. A national percentile
score of 50 indicates grade level achievement.
- If
your child’s test scores are not satisfactory or if
there are specific questions, the school principal
is a resource that should be utilized.
- Poor
standardized test scores may mean that your child
is eligible for small group Basic Skills instruction.
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19. Does the school use standardized
tests for placements?
It
is true that the scores do affect placements. The scores
are one of multiple measures utilized when children begin
to receive more advanced instruction in grade five. |
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20.
How do our district scores compare to others? Is my child
being taught the correct subject matter?
The
state test given at grade eight is one measurement that
can be used to properly compare districts because the
test is given to every student at that grade in the entire
state. Our scores are very positive on this assessment.
There is some difficulty in comparing standardized test
scores because different districts use different tests.
However these tests can provide national comparisons.
The district issues an annual report called the QAAR.
These are housed in each building and you can review the
scores of our students. The latest version will be completed
in November. |
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21.
Is the MAT test an IQ test?
No,
the MAT’s are achievement tests. There are other tests
specifically designed to test for a person’s IQ (Intelligence
quotient) Otis Lennon and COGAT tests are used in the
district. |
TOP |
22.
What are the school hours?
Gillette
- 9a.m. to 3:15p.m.
Millington
- 9a.m. to 3:15p.m.
Central
- 8:15a.m. to 2:45p.m.
AM
Kindergarten - 9a.m. to 12:05p.m.
PM
Kindergarten - 12:10p.m. to 3:15p.m.
SKIP
(Pre-School Special Needs) AM - 9a.m. to 11:30a.m.
SKIP
PM - 12:45p.m. to 3:15p.m. |
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23.
What if a child is late to school?
A
parent or guardian should accompany the child into the
building and sign them in at the school office.
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