Parent Engagement
Attendance
Good teachers and the best curriculum are of little consequence if students do not attend school on a regular basis. Time lost from the classroom is essentially irretrievable; the experiences, discussions and the uniqueness of the classroom learning process require student attendance. Establishing good attendance habits early will better equip young people toward being productive members of society. Classroom attendance is considered to be an integral part of the students’ course of study. The NYC DOE mandates student attendance yearly at 95%. Students who are ill should provide medical notification to Ms. Peggy.
Lateness & Tardy Policy
The responsibility of getting to school and class on time is an integral part of our standard of excellence, which prepares students for success. At M.S.126, instructional time is viewed as a precious resource; consequently, we view chronic tardiness as a serious problem. Thank you for your support in ensuring students make maximum use of class time and learn to be punctual. School begins at promptly at 8:30 a.m. Beginning the day promptly is important and demonstrates commitment to success. Even when students are escorted to school by parents, arrival after 8:30 a.m is still considered as lateness as per D.O.E policy.
Uniform Policy
It is our policy that all students should wear a school uniform when attending school, or when participating in a school-organized event outside normal school hours, unless exempted from doing so by the Principal on designated days. We provide a complete list of the items needed for school uniform in our school prospectus and on our website. Effective teaching and learning requires organization, and this starts with a smart and tidy appearance which helps to instill discipline and pride in students’ appearance and reduces the risk of distraction in lessons.
Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones have become a way of life, a technological convenience that has impacted all of our lives in one way or another. However, in the school environment, cell phones have become a distraction, interruption, and a method of illegal exchange of information. The ringing of a cell phone during class or the text-messaging takes away from the valuable time needed for instruction and most importantly, student learning. We do recognize that cell phones can be a safety/security tool; however, they can be a detriment in the event of a building emergency and our protocol to manage such emergencies in a safe and effective manner. Parents are urged to utilize the school phone to relay any messages that may be urgent in nature to their child. We will do our best to relay any urgent information to your child. No student will be allowed to possess or use a cell phone during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. Of course, the best security for the cell phone is to leave it home. If a student is found to be in possession or using a cell phone, the phone will be confiscated, placed in a labeled envelope, and delivered to the office. The phone will be returned to the student at the end of the day.