The Midtown West School is a collaboration between Community School District Two and The Bank Street College of Education. It is an educational setting, which focuses on the following components: a school for children that is a working model of the thematic constructivist approach associated with the Bank Street College of Education; a literacy-based, standards-driven curriculum, which encourages individuality, and interactive learning, and supports the implementation of The New Standards. Click here to read more about about MidTown West.
Below you can read the entire Midtown West Handbook. It is also downloadable as a PDF here.
School Philosophy
Through collaborative work, we are able to share leadership, promote excellence, and directly impact the lives of children and families. Everyone is well versed in the mission statement:
Creating conditions in which all children are prepared to learn and succeed in a multicultural community can only be achieved by forming partnerships among school, family, and community. At Midtown West, we seek to carry out this mission by taking individual and collective responsibility for developing and addressing the human potential of our children.
Our dedicated school community makes its vision take shape:
The Midtown West School is a collaboration between Community School District Two and The Bank Street College of Education. It is an educational setting, which focuses on the following components: a school for children that is a working model of the thematic constructivist approach associated with the Bank Street College of Education; a literacy-based, standards-driven curriculum, which encourages individuality, and interactive learning, and supports the implementation of The New Standards. Students are expected to reflect on the quality of their work and to reach their full potential as active learners; a place where diversity is celebrated and collaboration between families and school encouraged; an educational laboratory for research and assessment related to how children learn and how best to prepare teachers to teach them; a professional development institute for the preparation and continuing education of teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators, working in elementary education. As such, it serves as a resource not only for the families in the community within which the school is based, but also for professionals and educational personnel from other school and institutions who would like to avail themselves of the school program.
We are committed to creating an environment where children, parents and staff from different ethnic, cultural, linguistic and economic backgrounds can work together to achieve a truly integrated, nurturing, academically rigorous school community.
Midtown West is proud of our successful collaboration with community partners and our groundbreaking initiatives, all of which help to develop outstanding educational programs.
Creating conditions in which all children are prepared to learn and succeed in a multicultural community can only be achieved by forming partnerships among school, family, and community. At Midtown West, we seek to carry out this mission by taking individual and collective responsibility for developing and addressing the human potential of our children.
Our dedicated school community makes its vision take shape:
- By maintaining a clear and focused sense of purpose
- By our personal commitment to helping all children maximize their abilities and potential
- By maintaining high professional standards for our staff and high expectations for all children
- Through the building of a school community by creating connections and strengthening ties among various partnerships of parents, staff, students and community
- By recognizing and celebrating the great diversity and cultural richness of our students, parents and staff
- through the assessment of children based on a whole child perspective. This may include observations, recordings, narratives, progress reports, family conferences, checklists, performances and presentations.
The Midtown West School is a collaboration between Community School District Two and The Bank Street College of Education. It is an educational setting, which focuses on the following components: a school for children that is a working model of the thematic constructivist approach associated with the Bank Street College of Education; a literacy-based, standards-driven curriculum, which encourages individuality, and interactive learning, and supports the implementation of The New Standards. Students are expected to reflect on the quality of their work and to reach their full potential as active learners; a place where diversity is celebrated and collaboration between families and school encouraged; an educational laboratory for research and assessment related to how children learn and how best to prepare teachers to teach them; a professional development institute for the preparation and continuing education of teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators, working in elementary education. As such, it serves as a resource not only for the families in the community within which the school is based, but also for professionals and educational personnel from other school and institutions who would like to avail themselves of the school program.
We are committed to creating an environment where children, parents and staff from different ethnic, cultural, linguistic and economic backgrounds can work together to achieve a truly integrated, nurturing, academically rigorous school community.
Midtown West is proud of our successful collaboration with community partners and our groundbreaking initiatives, all of which help to develop outstanding educational programs.
My Rights and Responsibilities:
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I have a right to be happy and to be treated with compassion in this school. This means no one will laugh at me
or hurt my feelings in this school. |
I have the responsibility to treat others with compassion in this school. This means I will not laugh at others tease others or hurt the feelings of others in this school.
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I have the right to be myself in this school. This means that no one will treat me unfairly because I am: Black or White, Big or Small, Tall or Short, Boy or Girl, Adult or Child.
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I have the responsibility to respect others as individuals and not to treat others unfairly because they are: Black or White, Big or Small, Tall or Short, Boy or Girl, Adult or Child
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I have the right to be safe in this school. This means that no one will: hit me, push me, kick me, kurt me.
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I have the responsibility to make this school safe by not: Hitting anyone, Kicking anyone, Pushing anyone, Punching anyone, Threatening anyone.
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Curriculum
Literacy
Using balanced literacy and the reading and writing workshop model, students have many "real" age-appropriate literacy experiences - listening to stories, reading good books, and making early attempts to use writing to convey meaning and become life long learners. The teachers provide academic intervention in the early grades to solidify the concepts of written words and a broader knowledge of spoken language (phonemic awareness) to help them become fluent readers and writers while monitoring their comprehension skills.
Math
The children at MTW are involved in their own learning through the use of child-friendly manipulative materials as utilized in the Investigations math curriculum. The handling of age-appropriate manipulatives as applied to every-day problem solving exercises helps cement the basis for developing conceptual understanding of mathematics.
Social Studies
Social Studies is an interdisciplinary study of the human world, past and present. Through social studies teachers and students have the opportunity to:
When teaching social studies as core, teachers can accommodate students' learning styles, teach content through singing, dancing, acting, writing, drawing or debating, foster multicultural and global thinking and promote a flow in the classroom because the day's activities are a cohesive and productive whole. Students are viewed as unique human beings whose individuality is respected and nurtured. Students' needs and interests are observed and become the basis of their classroom experience. Teaching and learning methods emphasize experiential and interactive approaches in which the children derive their own meaning from the world around them through active engagement with materials and field experiences. Students are guided to be independent thinkers, problem solvers and cooperative learners.
Teaching Practices in Social Studies
In each grade, teachers share some common teaching practices that support students' development of skills, strategies and dispositions which develop their understanding of social studies. Class meetings, which occur from three to five times a week, provide students with opportunities for engaging in regular conversations about the topics being studied. Field trips are an important way in which students learn to access information from primary experiences and resources and to develop the ability to ask pertinent questions and record important data. Multiple data sources are used to enable students to become effective researchers. Video, online and text resources, drawings and photographs enable students to gather, organize and share information. Using a variety of maps (e.g., political, geographic and historic), globes, and atlases students locate places in their community and in the world. They also learn to represent places through drawings, maps and recreations. Students read and write in authentic ways that support their work. Group projects are an essential part of each study. Students learn strategies for group planning and how to display what they have learned.
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Music
Music and the Brain provides K/1/2 students small group instruction on the keyboard which facilitates spacial reasoning, math and fine motor skills to aid in learning to read.
The Orff program incorporates singing, movement, instrumental ensembles, and improvisational techniques based on the pedagogy of music educator and composer Carl Orff.
MTW has a K/1 lower grade chorus, a 2/3 middle grade chorus and a 4/5 upper grade which perform in concerts throughout the year.
Movement/Physical Education
All classes participate in a Movement/Physical Education class which focuses on physical fitness, building strength, endurance, coordination and self-esteem. Movement classes are designed to facilitate self-expression, explore moving to rhythms, develop teamwork and build specific skills.
Art
The Art program is designed to develop students' creativity and artistic skills: awareness of line, color, texture, form and composition. Children draw, paint, make prints, and construct objects. Students are encouraged to be original and to use their imaginations. The art curriculum is aligned with our Social Studies core.
Library/Media
Library/Media class allows students to develop/expand their love for reading and technology. Students develop age-appropriate research and technology skills necessary to select, utilize and evaluate both digital and print media.
Science
Kindergarten, First and Second grade teachers incorporate Science into the Social Studies core within their classrooms.
Third, Fourth & Fifth Grade students attend out of classroom Science laboratories taught by an experienced Science instructor. Our Science curriculum is aligned with NYS and NYC learning standards.
Using balanced literacy and the reading and writing workshop model, students have many "real" age-appropriate literacy experiences - listening to stories, reading good books, and making early attempts to use writing to convey meaning and become life long learners. The teachers provide academic intervention in the early grades to solidify the concepts of written words and a broader knowledge of spoken language (phonemic awareness) to help them become fluent readers and writers while monitoring their comprehension skills.
Math
The children at MTW are involved in their own learning through the use of child-friendly manipulative materials as utilized in the Investigations math curriculum. The handling of age-appropriate manipulatives as applied to every-day problem solving exercises helps cement the basis for developing conceptual understanding of mathematics.
Social Studies
Social Studies is an interdisciplinary study of the human world, past and present. Through social studies teachers and students have the opportunity to:
- Examine how people shape and are shaped by their environment;
- Study technologies that serve basic human needs and inspire their dreams;
- Explore social systems (family, communities-local and global) that influence people's ways of life;
- Investigate cultures to gain an understanding of how different people make sense of the world; and
- Recognize the ever-changing world and everyone's special place in it.
When teaching social studies as core, teachers can accommodate students' learning styles, teach content through singing, dancing, acting, writing, drawing or debating, foster multicultural and global thinking and promote a flow in the classroom because the day's activities are a cohesive and productive whole. Students are viewed as unique human beings whose individuality is respected and nurtured. Students' needs and interests are observed and become the basis of their classroom experience. Teaching and learning methods emphasize experiential and interactive approaches in which the children derive their own meaning from the world around them through active engagement with materials and field experiences. Students are guided to be independent thinkers, problem solvers and cooperative learners.
Teaching Practices in Social Studies
In each grade, teachers share some common teaching practices that support students' development of skills, strategies and dispositions which develop their understanding of social studies. Class meetings, which occur from three to five times a week, provide students with opportunities for engaging in regular conversations about the topics being studied. Field trips are an important way in which students learn to access information from primary experiences and resources and to develop the ability to ask pertinent questions and record important data. Multiple data sources are used to enable students to become effective researchers. Video, online and text resources, drawings and photographs enable students to gather, organize and share information. Using a variety of maps (e.g., political, geographic and historic), globes, and atlases students locate places in their community and in the world. They also learn to represent places through drawings, maps and recreations. Students read and write in authentic ways that support their work. Group projects are an essential part of each study. Students learn strategies for group planning and how to display what they have learned.
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Music
Music and the Brain provides K/1/2 students small group instruction on the keyboard which facilitates spacial reasoning, math and fine motor skills to aid in learning to read.
The Orff program incorporates singing, movement, instrumental ensembles, and improvisational techniques based on the pedagogy of music educator and composer Carl Orff.
MTW has a K/1 lower grade chorus, a 2/3 middle grade chorus and a 4/5 upper grade which perform in concerts throughout the year.
Movement/Physical Education
All classes participate in a Movement/Physical Education class which focuses on physical fitness, building strength, endurance, coordination and self-esteem. Movement classes are designed to facilitate self-expression, explore moving to rhythms, develop teamwork and build specific skills.
Art
The Art program is designed to develop students' creativity and artistic skills: awareness of line, color, texture, form and composition. Children draw, paint, make prints, and construct objects. Students are encouraged to be original and to use their imaginations. The art curriculum is aligned with our Social Studies core.
Library/Media
Library/Media class allows students to develop/expand their love for reading and technology. Students develop age-appropriate research and technology skills necessary to select, utilize and evaluate both digital and print media.
Science
Kindergarten, First and Second grade teachers incorporate Science into the Social Studies core within their classrooms.
Third, Fourth & Fifth Grade students attend out of classroom Science laboratories taught by an experienced Science instructor. Our Science curriculum is aligned with NYS and NYC learning standards.
General Procedures
1. SCHOOL HOURS
The school day begins at 8:40 AM and end at 2:50pm PM, Monday through Friday.
2. ARRIVAL
Pickup and drop-off is on 47th St between 8th & 9th Aves.
Arrival is at 8:30am-8:45am
Pickup is at 2:50pm-3:00pm
For anything outside of these times, please enter on 48th St. You must sign in with security and if you are entering the building, you must show proof of vaccination.
EARLY PICKUP:
If you are picking up your child early, please pick up PRIOR TO 2:20pm as security is preparing for school wide dismissal past 2:20pm. For early pick up please use the 48th St entrance.
For students arriving after 8:45am, they must get a late slip from the office before entering their class. A record of lateness appears on every child's Board of Education cumulative record. Chronic lateness impacts a child's educational success, the natural flow of the class day and is considered when a child applies to middle school. So please make every effort to be on time every day.
Please use the staircase designated for your child's class - either #3 or #10. Children should not use any other staircase.
Breakfast Schedule
Friday 8:00 - 8:25
All children are eligible to receive breakfast
Community Meetings on Fridays
We have school wide community meetings in the auditorium several times a month, on Friday morning at 9am. Students will meet their teachers, and proceed to the auditorium. Parents/Guardians may observe from the rear section of the auditorium, or may join us on Zoom.
3. PICK UP
Children being picked up by their families or sitters should be picked up promptly at 2:50pm at 47th St between 8th & 9th Aves
Any child who has not been picked up by their parent or sitter by 3:00 should report to the office for late pick-up).
Upper grade children who have written permission to leave the building on their own should exit the building immediately. Please use designated Midtown West staircases: #3 and #10 (refer to floor plan.) Children should never use any other staircase other than #3 and #10.
ADDITIONAL PERSONS PICKING UP YOUR CHILD:
Please add any adults who are authorized to pick up your child to your Emergency Blue Card in Operoo. When there is a new person picking up, please also email Mark along with notifying your child’s teacher to let them know the first time that person picks up. Once they are in rotation, and listed on your child’s Blue Card, you do not need to email us. The DOE has policies in place for children when staff hours are over. Please see the Chancellor's Regulations pertaining to these policies.
4. ABSENCES
Please email the school secretary, Toni, as well as Mark (AP):
Toni - School Secretary: [email protected]\
Mark - [email protected]
Please include the reason for absence; sickness, doctor appointment, traveling etc…
Absences are included as part of a child's Board of Education Cumulative Record, which is sent on to middle school. Please try to avoid unwarranted absences. Because Social Studies is the core of our curriculum students are involved in cumulative studies. When they miss vital lessons the student will have difficulty fully participating in classroom discussions and projects.
Parents are requested to keep children home during the infectious period of an illness or if the child has been running a fever. As per DOE guidance, all children must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to school. When a child becomes ill at school, the parent or others listed on the emergency card will be notified to pick the child up. If someone on the contact card can not be reached, the school will make a decision in consultation with the nurse to call for emergency medical attention. Please be sure the blue emergency card is always updated with any changes. Children returning to school after a contagious illness or an extended illness (3 or more days) or having had a contagious illness must bring a doctor's note with them upon return.
5. TRANSPORTATION
Student Transportation: Children are provided Metro Cards according to grade, distance and other factors. General Education students must meet distance eligibility criteria to receive Metro Cards. According to the Chancellor's Regulations (A-801) yellow bus service is not available to General Education students at MTW.
Children in Temporary Housing: All children grades K-12 (general and special education) who have been placed in temporary housing are exempt from age and distance requirements and will be provided free transportation.
Eligibility for Metro Cards: Grades K-2 living less than 1/2 mile from school: half-fare Metro Card on public transportation. Grades K-2 living more than 1/2 mile from school: free Metro Card on public transportation. Grades 3-6 living between 1/2 and one mile from school: half-fare Metro Card on public transportation. Grades 3-6 living more than one mile from school: free Metro Card on public transportation.
Transportation Variance: Transportation variances (Medical, Hazard, Emergency and Access) are waivers of the existing eligibility requirements for a pupil who would not ordinarily be eligible for transportation under the distance requirements provided for in the regulations, due to special circumstances. Variance forms can be requested from the Office of Pupil Transportation.
All children must live in District Two in order to qualify for Metro Cards. Lost cards must be reported to the MTW office staff. (Tory) Replacements can take two (2) weeks to arrive.
6. MEALS
Every September, all families (regardless of need), are required to complete a free or reduced lunch eligibility forms online. School funding depends on the prompt completion of these forms so every family is required to complete at least Section I. Parents applying for free or reduced lunches must complete the entire form and are notified of eligibility in writing.
NOTE: All children are eligible to receive a free breakfast and lunch (regardless of financial need) and are required to take at least 3 food items on their tray. Children can of course bring their lunch any time.
Breakfast Schedule
8:00 AM – 8:25 AM
7. CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES
Any child requiring the administration of long-term medication during the school day must submit a 504 form, available in the main office. After district approval of the 504 request, a school nurse will administer the medication, when needed. A separate form must be filled out for children who can self-administer medication for asthma. This process takes time, therefore, submit your request A.S.A.P. Please note that teachers cannot legally administer or be responsible for any form of medication. Families must submit a medical note to the school secretary regarding food allergies if applicable.
8. SCHOOL OFFICE
The MTW office is located in room 210. Teachers' mailboxes, lunch payment box and various school forms are located in this room. Please respect the limited work space of our hard working office staff. Phones and office equipment are for staff use only.
9. SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM
School Leadership Teams are advisory committees, mandated by the state, and provide a structure for collaborative school based decision making. The Team represents the key stakeholders in the education of our children - administrators, parents, teachers and school staff. The number of staff members and parents must be balanced. The mandatory core members are the principal, PTA president and the UFT Chapter leader. There are five remaining parent members.At the May PTA meeting, the parent body elects PTA officers and parent members of the School Leadership Team. We also try to insure that the ethnic diversity of the school is reflected.
The SLT facilitates the collaboration between staff and families, supports and advises the principal on the school's mission and policies and writes the Comprehensive Educational Plan for the school.
MTW parents are invited to attend meetings as observers. Minutes and schedules are posted on the PTA bulletin board outside room 210. Parents may submit agenda items to SLT members and/or class reps and PTA officers.
10. FAMILY/TEACHER CONFERENCES and CURRICULUM MEETINGS
Class curriculum meetings are scheduled in the fall semester. This gives families the opportunity to learn about the proposed curriculum and individual classroom procedures. It also provides an opportunity to meet other families.
There are two individual family/teacher conferences during the school year (November and March) All students are required to attend family conferences except for the first kindergarten conference in the fall which is for parents/guardians only. These conferences help to integrate the child's experiences at home and in school as well as provide the framework for setting goals and assessing progress. If an additional conference is needed, please notify the teacher in writing. Please check the school calendars or the Board of Education Website at schools.nyc.gov for specific dates and times.
Workshops for parents are held periodically throughout the year, outside of the classroom setting in the Family Center.
11. COMMUNICATING WITH TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
While teachers encourage dialogue with families, please respect individual classroom meeting and work times. Do not interrupt classes once work has started or if the classroom door is closed. Remember that the morning arrival time is a very difficult time to address important issues with your child's teacher. If you need to speak with him/her about an important issue, please leave a note in the teacher's mailbox located in the main office. The teacher will make every effort to respond as soon as possible.
Please remember that it is very important that issues of concern must always be addressed first with your classroom teacher or specialist. When the teacher or parent requires additional support, the Parent Coordinator and/or Administration are available.
12. COMMUNICATING WITH MTW FAMILIES
All written communication to families must be approved (and initialed) by the Principal before being distributed in mailboxes, posted throughout the school or emailed.
13. CLASS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Plans for birthday celebrations in school must be discussed in advance with your child's teacher. Please keep the celebration as simple as possible with cake or cup cakes, juice, and whatever utensils are needed. It is not appropriate to include decorations, entertainment or party favors.
If you plan to have a birthday party at home, and only a few children will be invited, birthday party invitations are not to be distributed at school. Young children will be hurt when they realize that they have been excluded from a classmate's birthday celebration. Class contact lists are distributed at the beginning of the school year for mailings.
14. HOLIDAYS
It is the policy of Midtown West not to celebrate any holidays. Such celebrations are the province of the family. Holidays may be a part of the curriculum, so that children will learn about holidays, religions, cultures and rituals, but a distinction is made between learning about holidays and actually celebrating them. Family support of these policies is appreciated.
We do hold an annual Concert and pot-luck dinner honoring the values of diversity that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught throughout his life and that we find so integral to the spirit and the philosophy of MTW. We continue to demonstrate our commitment to creating citizens of the world who will have a higher tolerance, sensitivity and respect for ethnic, social and economic differences.
15. GIVING GIFTS TO STAFF MEMBERS
The Chancellor's regulations prohibit giving gifts valued over $5 to any staff member in your child's school. There is a wide diversity in our family body that precludes the ability for every family to give gifts. This can create an uncomfortable atmosphere of competition and inequality. For these reasons, holiday gift giving is discouraged.
16. FIELD TRIPS
Class field trips are important to our core Social Studies curriculum and are viewed as extensions of the classroom. At the beginning of each school year, parents are requested to fill out consent forms allowing their child to go on neighborhood walks. For more extensive trips, parents are informed in writing and individual permission slips are required. Parents may be requested to participate in class trips as volunteers but siblings are not permitted. Teachers will coordinate plans and procedures for trips with parent volunteers. There is also a Volunteer Handbook available and volunteer orientations provided.
Please Note: All children are expected to participate in all class trips as they are a vital part of our core Social Studies curriculum. There are no academic provisions made for children who do not attend a class trip.
17. MTW SCHOOL COMMUNICATION POLICIES & PROCEDURES
All information going out to families via email, website or as hard copy flyers distributed through student mailboxes must always be approved by the Principal before being distributed (even emergency information.) If Ryan is not available, Tisa can provide the necessary approval.
18. FAMILY CENTER
Family Center: The Family Center of Midtown West, located in Room #214, is an integral part of the school community, involving parents, guardians, families, students, teachers and administrators through its vast array of workshops, seminars, breakfasts, cultural events and outreach. The work that goes on in the Family Center breaks down into three basic elements: Educational Workshops, Cultural Connections, and Family Support Services. Its goals are to involve families as informed and active partners in their children's education and to create an environment where children, parents, guardians and staff from different racial, cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds can work together to achieve an integrated school community where each child is valued and fulfills his/her academic potential.
The Parent Coordinator's role is to facilitate these many programs
19. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
The Extended Day Program is a fee-based after school program that provides child care between 3 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. The program offers an extensive variety of enriching developmentally appropriate activities such as dance, art, gymnastics, chess, computer, cooking, free play, sports and more. Extended Day functions with a governing committee of parent volunteers. The goal of the program is to provide quality child care for working parents and a sense of continuity between the school day and the extended day. Many MTW teachers are also on the Extended Day staff. Mini camps are offered on scheduled half days or full days throughout the year during Professional Development training as well as holiday camps on the two week-long vacations (during February and April). Pre-registration is required. Camps are not available to PK. Applications, fee schedules and activity descriptions can be picked up at the Extended Day office in room 108 (immediately upon entering the building), before or after school.
The Extended Day telephone number is: 212-307-5523
Extended Day E-mail: [email protected]
20. CELL PHONE POLICY
Effective March 2nd, 2015
The school day begins at 8:40 AM and end at 2:50pm PM, Monday through Friday.
2. ARRIVAL
Pickup and drop-off is on 47th St between 8th & 9th Aves.
Arrival is at 8:30am-8:45am
Pickup is at 2:50pm-3:00pm
For anything outside of these times, please enter on 48th St. You must sign in with security and if you are entering the building, you must show proof of vaccination.
EARLY PICKUP:
If you are picking up your child early, please pick up PRIOR TO 2:20pm as security is preparing for school wide dismissal past 2:20pm. For early pick up please use the 48th St entrance.
For students arriving after 8:45am, they must get a late slip from the office before entering their class. A record of lateness appears on every child's Board of Education cumulative record. Chronic lateness impacts a child's educational success, the natural flow of the class day and is considered when a child applies to middle school. So please make every effort to be on time every day.
Please use the staircase designated for your child's class - either #3 or #10. Children should not use any other staircase.
Breakfast Schedule
Friday 8:00 - 8:25
All children are eligible to receive breakfast
Community Meetings on Fridays
We have school wide community meetings in the auditorium several times a month, on Friday morning at 9am. Students will meet their teachers, and proceed to the auditorium. Parents/Guardians may observe from the rear section of the auditorium, or may join us on Zoom.
3. PICK UP
Children being picked up by their families or sitters should be picked up promptly at 2:50pm at 47th St between 8th & 9th Aves
Any child who has not been picked up by their parent or sitter by 3:00 should report to the office for late pick-up).
Upper grade children who have written permission to leave the building on their own should exit the building immediately. Please use designated Midtown West staircases: #3 and #10 (refer to floor plan.) Children should never use any other staircase other than #3 and #10.
ADDITIONAL PERSONS PICKING UP YOUR CHILD:
Please add any adults who are authorized to pick up your child to your Emergency Blue Card in Operoo. When there is a new person picking up, please also email Mark along with notifying your child’s teacher to let them know the first time that person picks up. Once they are in rotation, and listed on your child’s Blue Card, you do not need to email us. The DOE has policies in place for children when staff hours are over. Please see the Chancellor's Regulations pertaining to these policies.
4. ABSENCES
Please email the school secretary, Toni, as well as Mark (AP):
Toni - School Secretary: [email protected]\
Mark - [email protected]
Please include the reason for absence; sickness, doctor appointment, traveling etc…
Absences are included as part of a child's Board of Education Cumulative Record, which is sent on to middle school. Please try to avoid unwarranted absences. Because Social Studies is the core of our curriculum students are involved in cumulative studies. When they miss vital lessons the student will have difficulty fully participating in classroom discussions and projects.
Parents are requested to keep children home during the infectious period of an illness or if the child has been running a fever. As per DOE guidance, all children must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to school. When a child becomes ill at school, the parent or others listed on the emergency card will be notified to pick the child up. If someone on the contact card can not be reached, the school will make a decision in consultation with the nurse to call for emergency medical attention. Please be sure the blue emergency card is always updated with any changes. Children returning to school after a contagious illness or an extended illness (3 or more days) or having had a contagious illness must bring a doctor's note with them upon return.
5. TRANSPORTATION
Student Transportation: Children are provided Metro Cards according to grade, distance and other factors. General Education students must meet distance eligibility criteria to receive Metro Cards. According to the Chancellor's Regulations (A-801) yellow bus service is not available to General Education students at MTW.
Children in Temporary Housing: All children grades K-12 (general and special education) who have been placed in temporary housing are exempt from age and distance requirements and will be provided free transportation.
Eligibility for Metro Cards: Grades K-2 living less than 1/2 mile from school: half-fare Metro Card on public transportation. Grades K-2 living more than 1/2 mile from school: free Metro Card on public transportation. Grades 3-6 living between 1/2 and one mile from school: half-fare Metro Card on public transportation. Grades 3-6 living more than one mile from school: free Metro Card on public transportation.
Transportation Variance: Transportation variances (Medical, Hazard, Emergency and Access) are waivers of the existing eligibility requirements for a pupil who would not ordinarily be eligible for transportation under the distance requirements provided for in the regulations, due to special circumstances. Variance forms can be requested from the Office of Pupil Transportation.
All children must live in District Two in order to qualify for Metro Cards. Lost cards must be reported to the MTW office staff. (Tory) Replacements can take two (2) weeks to arrive.
6. MEALS
Every September, all families (regardless of need), are required to complete a free or reduced lunch eligibility forms online. School funding depends on the prompt completion of these forms so every family is required to complete at least Section I. Parents applying for free or reduced lunches must complete the entire form and are notified of eligibility in writing.
NOTE: All children are eligible to receive a free breakfast and lunch (regardless of financial need) and are required to take at least 3 food items on their tray. Children can of course bring their lunch any time.
Breakfast Schedule
8:00 AM – 8:25 AM
7. CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES
Any child requiring the administration of long-term medication during the school day must submit a 504 form, available in the main office. After district approval of the 504 request, a school nurse will administer the medication, when needed. A separate form must be filled out for children who can self-administer medication for asthma. This process takes time, therefore, submit your request A.S.A.P. Please note that teachers cannot legally administer or be responsible for any form of medication. Families must submit a medical note to the school secretary regarding food allergies if applicable.
8. SCHOOL OFFICE
The MTW office is located in room 210. Teachers' mailboxes, lunch payment box and various school forms are located in this room. Please respect the limited work space of our hard working office staff. Phones and office equipment are for staff use only.
9. SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM
School Leadership Teams are advisory committees, mandated by the state, and provide a structure for collaborative school based decision making. The Team represents the key stakeholders in the education of our children - administrators, parents, teachers and school staff. The number of staff members and parents must be balanced. The mandatory core members are the principal, PTA president and the UFT Chapter leader. There are five remaining parent members.At the May PTA meeting, the parent body elects PTA officers and parent members of the School Leadership Team. We also try to insure that the ethnic diversity of the school is reflected.
The SLT facilitates the collaboration between staff and families, supports and advises the principal on the school's mission and policies and writes the Comprehensive Educational Plan for the school.
MTW parents are invited to attend meetings as observers. Minutes and schedules are posted on the PTA bulletin board outside room 210. Parents may submit agenda items to SLT members and/or class reps and PTA officers.
10. FAMILY/TEACHER CONFERENCES and CURRICULUM MEETINGS
Class curriculum meetings are scheduled in the fall semester. This gives families the opportunity to learn about the proposed curriculum and individual classroom procedures. It also provides an opportunity to meet other families.
There are two individual family/teacher conferences during the school year (November and March) All students are required to attend family conferences except for the first kindergarten conference in the fall which is for parents/guardians only. These conferences help to integrate the child's experiences at home and in school as well as provide the framework for setting goals and assessing progress. If an additional conference is needed, please notify the teacher in writing. Please check the school calendars or the Board of Education Website at schools.nyc.gov for specific dates and times.
Workshops for parents are held periodically throughout the year, outside of the classroom setting in the Family Center.
11. COMMUNICATING WITH TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
While teachers encourage dialogue with families, please respect individual classroom meeting and work times. Do not interrupt classes once work has started or if the classroom door is closed. Remember that the morning arrival time is a very difficult time to address important issues with your child's teacher. If you need to speak with him/her about an important issue, please leave a note in the teacher's mailbox located in the main office. The teacher will make every effort to respond as soon as possible.
Please remember that it is very important that issues of concern must always be addressed first with your classroom teacher or specialist. When the teacher or parent requires additional support, the Parent Coordinator and/or Administration are available.
12. COMMUNICATING WITH MTW FAMILIES
All written communication to families must be approved (and initialed) by the Principal before being distributed in mailboxes, posted throughout the school or emailed.
13. CLASS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Plans for birthday celebrations in school must be discussed in advance with your child's teacher. Please keep the celebration as simple as possible with cake or cup cakes, juice, and whatever utensils are needed. It is not appropriate to include decorations, entertainment or party favors.
If you plan to have a birthday party at home, and only a few children will be invited, birthday party invitations are not to be distributed at school. Young children will be hurt when they realize that they have been excluded from a classmate's birthday celebration. Class contact lists are distributed at the beginning of the school year for mailings.
14. HOLIDAYS
It is the policy of Midtown West not to celebrate any holidays. Such celebrations are the province of the family. Holidays may be a part of the curriculum, so that children will learn about holidays, religions, cultures and rituals, but a distinction is made between learning about holidays and actually celebrating them. Family support of these policies is appreciated.
We do hold an annual Concert and pot-luck dinner honoring the values of diversity that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught throughout his life and that we find so integral to the spirit and the philosophy of MTW. We continue to demonstrate our commitment to creating citizens of the world who will have a higher tolerance, sensitivity and respect for ethnic, social and economic differences.
15. GIVING GIFTS TO STAFF MEMBERS
The Chancellor's regulations prohibit giving gifts valued over $5 to any staff member in your child's school. There is a wide diversity in our family body that precludes the ability for every family to give gifts. This can create an uncomfortable atmosphere of competition and inequality. For these reasons, holiday gift giving is discouraged.
16. FIELD TRIPS
Class field trips are important to our core Social Studies curriculum and are viewed as extensions of the classroom. At the beginning of each school year, parents are requested to fill out consent forms allowing their child to go on neighborhood walks. For more extensive trips, parents are informed in writing and individual permission slips are required. Parents may be requested to participate in class trips as volunteers but siblings are not permitted. Teachers will coordinate plans and procedures for trips with parent volunteers. There is also a Volunteer Handbook available and volunteer orientations provided.
Please Note: All children are expected to participate in all class trips as they are a vital part of our core Social Studies curriculum. There are no academic provisions made for children who do not attend a class trip.
17. MTW SCHOOL COMMUNICATION POLICIES & PROCEDURES
All information going out to families via email, website or as hard copy flyers distributed through student mailboxes must always be approved by the Principal before being distributed (even emergency information.) If Ryan is not available, Tisa can provide the necessary approval.
18. FAMILY CENTER
Family Center: The Family Center of Midtown West, located in Room #214, is an integral part of the school community, involving parents, guardians, families, students, teachers and administrators through its vast array of workshops, seminars, breakfasts, cultural events and outreach. The work that goes on in the Family Center breaks down into three basic elements: Educational Workshops, Cultural Connections, and Family Support Services. Its goals are to involve families as informed and active partners in their children's education and to create an environment where children, parents, guardians and staff from different racial, cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds can work together to achieve an integrated school community where each child is valued and fulfills his/her academic potential.
The Parent Coordinator's role is to facilitate these many programs
19. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
The Extended Day Program is a fee-based after school program that provides child care between 3 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. The program offers an extensive variety of enriching developmentally appropriate activities such as dance, art, gymnastics, chess, computer, cooking, free play, sports and more. Extended Day functions with a governing committee of parent volunteers. The goal of the program is to provide quality child care for working parents and a sense of continuity between the school day and the extended day. Many MTW teachers are also on the Extended Day staff. Mini camps are offered on scheduled half days or full days throughout the year during Professional Development training as well as holiday camps on the two week-long vacations (during February and April). Pre-registration is required. Camps are not available to PK. Applications, fee schedules and activity descriptions can be picked up at the Extended Day office in room 108 (immediately upon entering the building), before or after school.
The Extended Day telephone number is: 212-307-5523
Extended Day E-mail: [email protected]
20. CELL PHONE POLICY
Effective March 2nd, 2015
- Students may bring cell phones, computing devices, and portable electronics to school, but they may not be turned on or used during the hours of 8:30 to 3:00;
- All cell phones, computing devices, and portable electronics must remain concealed in students’ own book bags. The devices must be turned off. Failure to comply with this will result in the confiscation of the item by the classroom teacher or administration. Confiscated items will only be returned to the parent or caregiver;
- Parents must provide written consent acknowledging that their child has permission to bring their cell phone, computing device, or other portable electronic to school. This consent will further acknowledge that the loss, damage, or theft of electronics is not the responsibility of MTW;
- Any use of personal electronic devices during the hours of 8:30 and 3:00 must be approved by the principal. Students will only be permitted to use personal electronic devices if there is an explicit educational purpose;
- For students enrolled in MTW Extended Day, the use of any personal electronic device during the hours of 3:00 and 6:00 must be approved by the MTW Extended Day administration;
- Cell phones, computing devices and portable electronics may never be turned on or used during fire drills, emergency preparedness exercises, or field trips;
- Any device that has connectivity to the internet via a cellular network cannot be used to connect to the internet. Any student that is found to be accessing the internet will have their cell phone/electronic device privileges revoked;
- If an MTW child needs to use his/her cell phone it should only be done in the offices with a staff member.
Discipline Code
MTW and Extended Day follow the Citywide Standards of Discipline as detailed on the NYC Board of Education website. For further details view: schools.nyc.gov
Specific classroom rules are developed annually in each student's class. A variety of behavioral management strategies are used throughout the school. The specific expectations, rules and consequences will be communicated to you by your classroom teacher. Each family will receive a copy of the Citywide Standards of Discipline during the beginning of the school year. Remember that consequences and disciplinary action is decided on a case by case basis. Consequences are always designed to be age and developmentally appropriate for each student.
Specific classroom rules are developed annually in each student's class. A variety of behavioral management strategies are used throughout the school. The specific expectations, rules and consequences will be communicated to you by your classroom teacher. Each family will receive a copy of the Citywide Standards of Discipline during the beginning of the school year. Remember that consequences and disciplinary action is decided on a case by case basis. Consequences are always designed to be age and developmentally appropriate for each student.
Community Building and Conflict Resolution
In order to build on the concepts of community and collective responsibility, school wide assemblies will be held throughout the school year (dates and times to be announced.)
The school community has made a strong commitment to resolving conflict in peaceful and creative ways utilizing many strategies and resources.
The school community has made a strong commitment to resolving conflict in peaceful and creative ways utilizing many strategies and resources.
PTA Information
Parents as Volunteers
Parents are encouraged to volunteer in classrooms (especially in the K/1 classes), however, advance planning with teachers must be done.
There are many ways for families to volunteer. Volunteers are always needed.
Class Reps - Class Parent Guidelines
Midtown West is an exciting, innovative, multicultural, learning environment made so by caring and gifted administrators and teachers and by parents who understand that they too must have an active role in their child(ren)’s education. Selecting such an excellent school is only the first step. We, as parents, must make a commitment to actively participate to ensure that the high quality of education that drew us to this school continues.
Serving as a Class Parent (also called the Classroom Representative) is an excellent way to fulfill this commitment. Class Parents serve to connect the parents in each class, the teacher and the PTA with one another by relaying information back and forth. This is a very vital role that each parent should envision fulfilling at some point in his or her child’s Midtown West career.
These guidelines will give you an overall description of the roles and responsibilities. The responsibilities are tailored to allow full-time working parents the opportunity to participate. Many of the tasks can be executed via telephone, fax or email.
What to Expect:
Each class needs two (2) or more parents to serve as Class Parents. The more parents who serve, the lighter the load for everyone!
There are 7 important responsibilities for Class Parents as follows. These can be shared in any way amongst the class parents in whatever way they decide.
Class Parent Responsibilities
Parents are encouraged to volunteer in classrooms (especially in the K/1 classes), however, advance planning with teachers must be done.
There are many ways for families to volunteer. Volunteers are always needed.
- PTA Committees
- SLT - School Leadership Team
- Fundraising
- Tour guide
- Class rep
- Class Chaperone
- Recess: yard or lunch assistant
- Library: Committee
- Diversity Committee
Class Reps - Class Parent Guidelines
Midtown West is an exciting, innovative, multicultural, learning environment made so by caring and gifted administrators and teachers and by parents who understand that they too must have an active role in their child(ren)’s education. Selecting such an excellent school is only the first step. We, as parents, must make a commitment to actively participate to ensure that the high quality of education that drew us to this school continues.
Serving as a Class Parent (also called the Classroom Representative) is an excellent way to fulfill this commitment. Class Parents serve to connect the parents in each class, the teacher and the PTA with one another by relaying information back and forth. This is a very vital role that each parent should envision fulfilling at some point in his or her child’s Midtown West career.
These guidelines will give you an overall description of the roles and responsibilities. The responsibilities are tailored to allow full-time working parents the opportunity to participate. Many of the tasks can be executed via telephone, fax or email.
What to Expect:
Each class needs two (2) or more parents to serve as Class Parents. The more parents who serve, the lighter the load for everyone!
There are 7 important responsibilities for Class Parents as follows. These can be shared in any way amongst the class parents in whatever way they decide.
Class Parent Responsibilities
- Class Rep Notes Communicator – A class rep should send out regular emails to the class parents communicating important information pertaining to their specific class, grade and school life issues. The class-specific notes will consist of item notifications such as: deadlines for important forms, field trip chaperones, snack providers, fundraising events and classroom events.
- Fundraising Liaison – The fundraising activities implemented throughout the year are of vital importance to the school. Several fundraising events are scheduled throughout the year. The money raised at these sales goes into the PTA accounts and are used to defray the per-family cost of class trips and school supplies, among other things. Therefore the class reps who serve as the fundraising liaison will be vitally important to the PTA’s fundraising efforts. They are asked to maintain close communications with the Fundraising Committee to ensure that volunteer sign up sheets are posted and filled. In addition to sustaining volunteerism, the reps will also help bolster awareness of and enthusiasm for each event among the other parents.
- Maintain the Class Contacts List - A class contact list will be provided early in the school year. A class rep must make sure that the list is posted as soon as possible on the classroom board and corrected with up-to-date email, phone and address information. All updated information must then be relayed to the PTA member responsible for the directory.
- Field Trips – Curriculum-related class trips throughout and beyond the city are an important learning tool at MTW. The safety and manageability of escorting 28+ children makes chaperones a necessity and a mandate of the Board of Education. The class rep should be in contact with the teacher about trip dates, length of time and number of chaperones needed. Sign up sheets for these trips should be maintained and posted on the classroom boards.
- Snack List - Each week, parents are asked to bring in snack that the children will have during the day. Typically the teacher will post a sign up sheet on the classroom board but sometimes they may prefer to assign each parent a particular week. Either way, a class rep should make sure parents are notified and reminded as to when snacks are needed.
- Classroom Events – The class reps are responsible for helping teachers organize or facilitate classroom events such as publishing parties, poetry readings, musicals and/or plays etc. These events will typically require volunteers to help set up, clean up and bring particular food items. The class rep should be in contact with the teacher as to specific needs for each event and make sure sign up sheets are posted on the class board outlining these needs.
- Class Rep Meetings – There will be brief 8:40am Class Rep meetings held throughout the year by the elected Class Rep Co-chairs. Class reps can take turns attending. The Co-chairs will advise the class reps of the information that they in turn will be relaying to the parents in their class. These meetings also serve as a venue for the reps to voice ideas and concerns of parents in their classes.
- Scholastic Books Coordinator – Scholastic Book orders are an easy way for each classroom to expand its library – every online order garners a free book for the classroom. Often (but not necessarily) one of the class reps will take on the responsibility of disseminating Scholastic Books catalogues to the parents, making sure parents are aware of order form due dates and distributing orders to each family.
Volunteer Handbook
The protocol for volunteering at Midtown West is: Always think of every child in this school building as your child. Remember that you are volunteering in the school to provide help and support to the staff so that they can be more successful in creating a safe and nurturing academic environment. The many volunteers that are welcomed into the MTW family come to help all the children at Midtown West. Think of the old maxim, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Having volunteers in the building allows us all to give a lot of love and attention to particularly needy children.
10 Steps to being a successful volunteer at MTW
Cafeteria Rules for Children
Further guidelines for volunteering in the cafeteria:
Playground Rules for Children
Further guidelines for volunteering at recess:
Being a Chaperone on Field Trips and Overnights
There are a few things to consider before deciding whether or not to be a chaperone on a field trip or an overnight. First, the purpose of you being on the trip is to help facilitate a group’s curriculum study as well as their safety. Second, please consider how active a participant your child will be if you are on the trip. Lastly, your role will be a supportive one. You must take directions from the organizational staff as well as the MTW teachers.
Help Children to Follow the Bus Rules
Children should:
Trip Prep for Parents – What every parent should consider before sending their child on the class trip
10 Steps to being a successful volunteer at MTW
- Your purpose as a volunteer at MTW is to assist the staff.
- Encourage children to share and play cooperatively and speak to each other respectfully.
- Try to use the same child friendly vocabulary that is used throughout the school, i.e., talk about making good or bad choices, refer to the “behavior choice” rather than being negative about the child…
- Be pro-active in helping children avoid unnecessary or aggressive conflict by remaining vigilant in watching the children and assessing their “play.” Help them to refocus their energy on another type of activity if you notice games getting aggressive or out of control.
- Keep moving around the cafeteria watching over and offering help to all the children. (Please do not sit at the table and eat lunch with your child or get so engrossed in conversation with children or adults that you are unaware of what is going on around you.)
- Utilize a staff member to invoke all disciplinary actions. Parents can be placed in an uncomfortable & awkward position if they are placed in the role of the disciplinarian. You can stop inappropriate behavior, guide and encourage more appropriate behavior but allow the staff member to enforce the disciplinary action that is taken.
- If you witness a child doing something inappropriate … such as playing on the staircase, running in the building…and you don’t feel comfortable talking to them your self – speak to a staff member and ask for help. Don’t ignore it. Be a pro-active member of our “village.”
- No personal toys are allowed in the school. Personal toys tend to cause too much dissention between children. This tension can most easily be avoided by banning them. You can tell children to put their toys away (they know that toys are not allowed) but if a toy needs to be taken way from a child – ask a staff member to take care of removing and holding a toy.
- Always model appropriate behavior. Violent, aggressive or bullying behavior either verbal or physical will never be tolerated at MTW.
- Learn the cafeteria & playground rules and help children to follow them.
Cafeteria Rules for Children
- Children must remain in their seats throughout the lunch period.
- They must raise their hand to ask permission when they need to get up from their seat, i.e., getting water, a spork, more food, to wash their hands or to use the bathroom. Children are not allowed to get up to go talk to another child.
- If a child gets up without asking permission -- tell a staff member.
- Children should respect you, each other and their environment. They should not speak disrespectfully or trash the cafeteria by throwing food or dumping food on the floor.
- Children should use their “indoor voices.”
- Children should clean up after themselves at the end of their lunch period when the whistle blows.
Further guidelines for volunteering in the cafeteria:
- Help children get their lunch boxes and sit down at their designated class table.
- All children must be given a tray of food if they did not bring lunch from home – even if it is thrown away full/not eaten.
- Open milk containers, lunch boxes and packaged food, if needed.
- Direct children who receive school lunches to walk to the line when their class is called to line up…. (no running in the cafeteria)
- If needed, help hand out milk cartons to children who receive school lunch, help guide children to the different food sections at the cafeteria windows
- Children should always be encouraged to take food from each section -- entrée (meat/fish/pizza), fruit and milk.
- Make sure you keep circulating around the tables monitoring the children and offering support as needed. Try not to become so involved in a conversation with children or adults that you stop monitoring the children’s behavior and needs.
- They should raise their hand for permission if they need help and/or if they need to go to the bathroom, wash their hands, get something….They should not visit friends at different tables.
- Some kindergartners need to be accompanied to the bathroom so they do not linger.
- Always speak respectfully to the cafeteria staff. They are required to follow strictly enforced and monitored regulations from the Board of Education, Department of Health and NYS and Federal government agencies. If a seemingly simple request is refused – assume that they are limited by the many regulations. If any problem arises, seek immediate help from an MTW staff member supervising lunch.
Playground Rules for Children
- Children should only drop kick balls across the playground if they are in an organized kickball game.
- Kicking wild balls or other “unsafe” play should be reported directly to a staff member.
- Soccer play must stay inside boundaries.
- No dodge ball or ball tag.
- Ball play should stay in the open yard area, not the enclosed area.
- Ropes are for jumping only -- no tug-of-war or tying around anyone or anything.
- Slide down the slide only. No climbing up the slide.
- Children only cross the monkey bars in one direction from south to north, towards the building.
- Children must ask permission to go inside to get a drink of water or to use the bathroom.
Further guidelines for volunteering at recess:
- Supervise all children and keep your eyes moving around the playground to observe all that is taking place. Pro-active intervention before an activity gets out of control is often the most successful.
- Please accompany any child that needs to go to the nurse or send one partner you think is dependable.
- You are encouraged to organize and monitor games with the kids. The kickball games can always use a referee.
- Adults should be stationed around the playground monitoring the play going on, i.e., in both fenced off sections, in the open school yard and by the steps leading down to the 47th Street sidewalk. (The gates to this sidewalk must remain open as a fire exit so it is vital that they are vigilantly monitored for egress & access to the school yard.
Being a Chaperone on Field Trips and Overnights
There are a few things to consider before deciding whether or not to be a chaperone on a field trip or an overnight. First, the purpose of you being on the trip is to help facilitate a group’s curriculum study as well as their safety. Second, please consider how active a participant your child will be if you are on the trip. Lastly, your role will be a supportive one. You must take directions from the organizational staff as well as the MTW teachers.
- Your purpose for being on the trip is to support the teacher and the curriculum study and to help keep the children safe.
- Always be available to join your group at the start of each activity and stay with your group through the entire period.
- Try to wear a name tag so that the children, staff members and other volunteers can identify you easily.
- Remind children that they are representing Midtown West. That carries some responsibility. They should always be polite and respectful to each other, the chaperones and the new people they encounter. Model and encourage this appropriate behavior.
- Children should be actively engaged in the learning experience. Encourage participation and enthusiasm by being a positive role model. Students will pick-up on any negative behavior or attitudes.
- Adhere to and help enforce any rules, guidelines or safety measures set down by the teachers or organizational staff.
- Allow the instructor to be in charge. If you disagree with the instructor about something bring your concern to your classroom teacher. Please do not contradict the instructors in front of the children.
- Assist children in making their trip a positive experience. It may be the first experience some children have in the country environment or an overnight without a family member. Try to be nurturing, supportive and sensitive to their needs.
- Always check with the teacher and defer to the teacher’s decision in making promises about souvenirs and special food choices. Avoid taking a small group or just your child to the gift shop or McDonald’s.
- Check in with your teacher regularly for updates and directions on how to support their curriculum work and the safety of the children.
- Even during “down time” the chaperone is still on duty monitoring appropriate behavior. Supervision during free time is one of your most important roles and often the task in which you receive the least assistance or direction. Be aware of your group at all times.
- If you need to leave your group for any reason, make certain the children are being appropriately supervised. Communicate with the other chaperones and teachers. Accidents are most likely to occur during unstructured time, so it is very important to make sure the students are adequately supervised at all times.
- Please refrain from smoking, talking on cell phones or having personal conversations during “class activities.”
- Keep an “eye out” for allergic reactions. (First time allergies have sometimes developed in country environments. Err on the side of caution. Report anything to the teacher that looks or feels unusual, i.e., wheezing, persistent coughing, red-watery-itchy eyes, sneezing.)
- Encourage thorough hand washing to prevent the spread of germs and environmental allergens.
- It’s a good idea to have a traveling First Aid Kit and sunscreen.
Help Children to Follow the Bus Rules
Children should:
- stay in their seats at all times
- always wear seat belts
- use indoor voices
- clean up after themselves
- never throw anything on the bus
Trip Prep for Parents – What every parent should consider before sending their child on the class trip
- If your child is sick (throwing-up, running a fever either the morning of or the night before, experiencing severe asthma or allergies.) Do not send them on the trip. A child should be fever free for 24 hours before going on an overnight trip. Teachers have often been pulled away from the entire class for hours or even entire days to tend to the needs of a sick child.
- If your child is prone to car sickness, warn the teacher and the other chaperones. Provide bags, wipes, paper towels and saltine crackers.
- If your child has known allergies, provide your teacher with specific, detailed instructions and information concerning the medical issues, including, names and directions for medications along with the pediatricians contact information.