District Home

PS#1 Home

PS#2 Home

PS#3 Home

PS#4 Home

PS#5 Home

Harry L. Bain Home

Elementary Schools Handbook

Introduction

PTA/PTO/Parent Teams

back to top

PS#2: PTO:

         Sara Gastanadui, President

         Lucilla Giantomenico, Vice President

         Mohamed Feteha, Treasurer

PS#3: Zoila Correa, Teacher Liason

         Stacey Vasconcelos

         Rae McGinley

         Carlos Flores

PS#4: PTO:

         Ricky Solares, President

         Paola Vidal, Vice-President

         Lidice Solares, Secretary

         Sonya Pimentel, Secretary

         Maria Tejeda, Treasurer

PS#5: Tania Rodriguez, President

HLB:  PTA:

        Michelle Lopez, President

        Marisol Fernandez, Vice President

        Gianna Monne, Vice President

        Mercedes Estevez, Treasurer

        Kelly Renner, Recording Secretary

        Betsy Rivera, Corresponding Secretary

General Information

Registration

back to top

The Central Registration Office is located at PS#3 Annex - 5401 Polk St.  For information, please call (201)553-4108 x 8222 or visit their site here.

Attendance Procedures

back to top

A child who arrives after the scheduled beginning of school will be marked tardy.  The child is expected to bring a note of explanation from his/her parent or guardian to his/her classroom teacher.  All students who arrive late must report to the main office to receive a pass.  No student will be admitted to his/her classroom without this pass.  A child absent from school must present, upon his/her return, a written explanation signed by a parent or guardian stating the reason for the absence.  When an child is absent from school for an extended period of time due to illness, we ask that the parent or guardian call the school nurse.

A parent/guardian must inform the school of a child's absence between the hours of 8:00 and 9:00 A.M.

In the case of an emergency, the parent or guardian must come to the office before the child can leave the school.  A sign-out book is located in either the nurse's office or the main office.

Building Security and Children's Safety

Procedures When Visiting Schools

back to top 

In our continued efforts to ensure the safety and well being of our children, we respectfully request that every parent, guardian, and visitor abide by the following guidelines. Your cooperation and compliance will be greatly appreciated.

• Parents, guardians, and visitors must use the main entrance only when entering the school building.

• Parents, guardians, and visitors must come directly to the Main Office to sign in when entering the school building.  Please bring photo identification.

• Parents, guardians, and visitors may not escort their children to class in the morning or pick up their children at their classrooms at dismissal unless they have secured a visitor’s badge in the Main Office. We respectfully request that all adults remain outside the building before school and at dismissal, even on inclement days.

• Parents and guardians wishing to deliver lunches, books, etc., must report to the Main Office where they will be assisted in locating their child. Please note that teachers cannot be interrupted or called away from their teaching assignments during the school day.

Emergency Procedures

back to top

Each school has in place procedures to ensure the safety and security of our children and building in the event of an emergency including building and playground evacuation, and building lockdown.  Fire drills are practiced monthly to ensure efficiency in leaving the building in case of emergency.  Lockdown procedures may be practiced at any time.

Academic Programs

Report Cards

back to top

Report Cards will be distributed in:

• November

• February

• April

• June

Interim Progress Reports

back to top

Progress Reports will be sent out approximately 30 days prior to the Report Cards.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

back to top

Parents are welcomed and encouraged to come in and see the classroom teacher or administrators during the school year to discuss pupil progress.  Please call for an appointment.

Curriculum and Instruction

back to top

The New Jersey Department of Education has developed and issued Core Curriculum Content Standards and Frameworks for Language Arts; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies; Comprehensive Health and Physical Education; Visual and Performing Arts; Technological Literacy; Career Education and Consumer, Family, and Life Skills; and World Languages.  These documents contain specific benchmark proficiencies for each grade level and are the standards utilized in formulation NJ ASK tests.  The West New York School District has established curriculum guides for each subject area that are aligned with these Core Curriculum Content Standards.  Textbooks for subject areas are selected by teacher committees and approved by the Board of Education.

The elementary school curriculum includes instruction in reading, language, writing, spelling, vocabulary, mathematics, science, social studies, handwriting, health, physical education, art, music, library, and computers.  Emphasis is placed on the development of study skills, independent and critical thinking, creativity, personal responsibility, and doing one's best in every endeavor. 

Student Behavior

Care of School Property and Books

back to top

Students have the responsibility for the proper care and use of school property, school supplies, and equipment.  In accordance with law, students who cause damage to school property shall be subject to disciplinary measures and their parents shall be financially liable for such damage.  Parents/guardians are requested to help cover all hardcover textbooks.

Personal Property

back to top

The Board of Education is not responsible for the loss or damage of any personal property possessed or stored on school property.

Safety to/from School

back to top

Children should follow established routes to and from school as crossing guards are at designated corners.

No snowball fights or body contact sports are permitted on school grounds.

Cafeteria Guidelines

back to top

In order to maintain a pleasant and orderly lunch room, students are expected to cooperate in helping to keep the cafeteria clean at all times and to abide by the following regulations:

• Students are expected to practice proper manners at all times.

• Students are expected to treat all members of the cafeteria staff with respect.

• Students are expected to deposit all refuse from lunch in the proper receptacles.

• Students are expected to wait their turn on lunch lines.  Cutting in line or saving places for other students is discourteous.

• Students are expected to remain in the cafeteria until they are escorted to class.

• Student are expected to leave tables clean.

• Student are free to talk with friends, but shouting, the throwing of objects or food, or physical contact of any kind, will not be tolerated.

Busing

back to top

Transportation is a privilege allowed by the Board of Education. Improper conduct by students that endangers the safety of other students will result in suspension of transportation privileges.  Students not authorized to receive transportation by the Board of Education may not ride the buses to or from school under any circumstances because of insurance liability.

While riding the bus:

• Children are to move quickly to their assigned seats. They may not stand or move from their seats while the bus is in motion.

• Children must use seat belts. It’s the law.

• Children are to keep their hands, arms, and other parts of their body inside the bus at all times.

• Children are to keep their feet, legs, and other objects out of the aisles.

• Book bags must be small enough to be kept on their laps.

Student Services

Child Study Referrals

back to top

The Child Study Team serving each elementary school consists of a learning consultant, social worker, and school psychologist.  Students are referred to the Child Study Team after consultation with parents/guardians to discuss their findings and to provide recommendations for an individual educational plan, if appropriate.

Speech Teachers

back to top

Speech teachers are available in each school to screen and test students, and provide instruction to correct speech problems identified.  The speech specialist will create an individual education plan for each child in need of assistance.

Special Education Teachers

back to top

Special education teachers implement and monitor a child's Individual Education Plan (IEP).  This is completed in coordination with the Child Study Team and the school principal.  Programs may include: modifications of instruction, resource center, in-class support, individual or small group instruction, or self-contained instructional classes.

Co-Curricular Activities

Instrumental Music

back to top

Instrumental Music is offered to all 4-6 grades students upon completion of the 3rd Grade recorder class.  Students will be able to choose a traditional band instrument (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion) with the assistance of the teacher to assure success on a mutually agreed instrument.  Instrumental music lessons are offered weekly on a rotating pullout schedule set-up by the music teacher.  Band is then offered also on a rotating pullout schedule and before and or after school rehearsals.  Students are graded for their participation in the weekly instrumental music lessons. Two concert/assemblies are performed each year as part of the band/instrumental program.

Chorus

back to top

Chorus is offered to all 4-6 grade students who wish to sing in an organized choral setting.  Chorus rehearsals take place before and or after school and are required to sing and participate in the Choral group.  Two concert/assemblies are performed each year as part of the Chorus program.  The Chorus program is an extension of the General Music classes and is volunteer.

Intramural Sports

back to top