Parent Support

                                     Parent Involvement

Parent Involvement is a crucial component in improving students' academic skills.  When parents are involved in their children's education, there is evidence of improved academic performance.  We are appreciative of the parents who are ensuring that their children are maintaining excellent attendance, punctuality, and completing classroom assignments.  We truly believe that all children can learn and achieve grade level standards.  However, we require the assistance of our parents to work collaboratively with the school staff to improve student achievement.  Parents are encouraged to support Parent Association activities.  Our newly elected P.A. officers are:

• Ms. Antoinette Hargrove, President
• Ms. Tania Baez, Secretary
• Mr. William Hargraves, Treasurer

Failure is not an option at P.S. 123.  Parents can make a difference in improving students' academic performance.  Remember: "It takes a village to educate our youngsters."

Procedures 
It is important that parents adhere to the following schoolwide procedures as outlined below:

School Entry Reminders

All individuals entering the school must sign the visitors’ book and present a picture I.D. A pass will be issued by the Safety Officer to go directly to the Main Office. Parents should indicate the purpose of their visit in the Main Office. Parents are not to go directly to their children’s classrooms. Parents who refuse to adhere to the school’s rules and regulations will be formally addressed. 

Morning Procedures

Students who are not achieving grade level standards will receive morning tutoring on Mondays to Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:37.5 a.m. During the first two weeks of the school year, students will be tested and the assessment data will be reviewed. Students in need of academic support will participate in the morning tutorial program. Parents will be notified if their children were selected and the starting date of the program.

Students participating in the morning tutoring program will eat breakfast in the cafeteria beginning at 7:30 a.m. The tutoring program will begin at 8:00 a.m. Students not participating in the Morning Tutoring Program should report to school promptly at 8:30 a.m. or at 8:00 a.m., if they are eating breakfast in school.

Under no circumstances are students to report to school prior to 7:30 a.m. Adult supervision is provided beginning at 7:30 a.m. for students registered in the Morning Tutoring Program.

For Safety Reasons: Parents are not permitted in the cafeteria due to the large number of students eating in the cafeteria. Parents are also not permitted to escort students to their classrooms.

Students not participating in the morning tutoring program should line up with their classes on the school yard and will be escorted to their classrooms by the staff. Faculty members and certified parent volunteers will escort late students to their classes. During inclement weather conditions, all students are to report to the cafeteria.  K-3 students are to remain in the cafeteria. Grades 4-6 should also report to the cafeteria, eat breakfast, and then proceed to the auditorium.

The Morning Tutorial Programs will not be in session on Fridays. All Students are to Report to School at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast is served beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Late Procedures

After 8:45 a.m., students are designated as late. Students are to enter the school building through the front main entrance and sign the lateness book. Staff members and certified volunteers will escort late students to their classrooms. Please note that parents are not permitted to escort children to their classrooms. Please understand that excessive latenesses and absences will prevent your child from making academic progress and may lead to your child being heldover. Students who attend school daily must arrive on time to receive the maximum benefits from consistent instruction.

Dismissal Procedures

The school’s official dismissal is 3:00 p.m. We are concerned about your children’s safety after the 3:00 p.m. dismissal. Students must go directly home after they have been dismissed from school. Please stress to your child the importance of not becoming involved in fights, disagreements and disputes with peers after school. Ensure that your child understands that he/she should go directly home after they are dismissed from school. In addition, please pick up your children on time from the after school programs. Students will be dismissed as outlined:

• Pre-K and Kindergarten students are dismissed from the auditorium
• Grades 1, 2 and 3 are dismissed from the Exit on Eighth Avenue and 141st Street.
• Grades 4 – 6 are dismissed through the school yard exit.

Parents will be informed shortly regarding our after school programs.

Student's Pick Up Policy

During the School Day Pick Up Policy

Please make every effort to make doctor's appointments or any other appointments after the 3:00 p.m. dismissal.  If your child will be picked up early by an individual other than the guardian you must send a note, with your signature, in advance, indicating the time of the pick up.  In addition, the individual must be indicated on the blue emergency card.  The teacher will submit the request for early pick up to the principal for approval.  At the designated time the parent or guardian should report directly to the main office to pick up the child.  The individual will be asked to sign the student out in the log book.  Once the sign out procedures are completed the child will be released to the office for dismissal.

After School Pick Up Policy

Parents must pick up their children promptly at 3:00 p.m.  Please understand that the school does not have the available personnel to provide babysitting services.  Students not picked up on time unfortunately will have to be taken to the 32 PCT, located at 135th Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues.  Parents must make an effort to pick up students on time to avoid this unpleasant situation for our youngsters.  Parents who demonstrate a pattern on a continuous basis of not picking up students on time will be addressed formally.

Code of Behavior

Please disucss appropriate school behavior with your child.  When a student is disruptive in class, the teacher is unable to teach.  In addition, please discuss appropriate cafeteria and recess behavior with your child.  It is crucial that students understand the importance of exhibiting respectful behaviors at all times.  We must remember to model our school's motto at all times, "Living and Learning with Respect, Pride and Dignity."

Blue Emergency Cards

For your child's safety and protection, a blue emergency card must be on file for each student in the Main Office,  Please be sure to indicate your current work and home phone numbers and a back-up person we can contact in case of an emergency.  In case your child is involved in an emergency, we need to know the important contacts and how you wish P.S. 123 to proceed in case of a medical emergency.  It is important that you indicate the names of the individuals you have designated to address your child's needs in case of an emergency.  Please understand that your child will not be released to an individual unless they are indicated on the Blue Emergency Card.

Parent Appointments

Parents are requested to schedule appointments to meet with their child's teacher.  Unscheduled visits to confer with the teachers cause disruptions to the instructional process, since the teacher is unable to hold a conference and teach at the same time.  Parents may complete an appointment form to meet with the teacher and submit it to Ms. Cadlett.  Ms. Cadlett will confer with the teacher to schedule the meeting,  Ms. Cadlett will also inform the parent of the scheduled meeting.  This procedure will ensure that parents obtain appointments with the teachers in a timely and organized manner.

Homework Assignment

Homework is assigned daily by the teacher. Please ensure that your child completes his or her homework. All homework weekly sheets are reviewed by the principal maintained in the office. Students who complete homework assignments tend to perform better on State Examinations.

Monthly Progress Reports

The purpose of the monthly progress report is to ensure that parents are informed about their children’s academic progress. Parents will receive monthly progress during the months October, December, January, February, April and May. Report Cards will be distributed to parents during the months November and March. Parents who do not receive monthly progress reports or weekly homework sheets are to inform Dr. Lewis or Ms. Taylor.

Attendance

The New York State legislature mandates that students attend school regularly.  Students are to attend school daily to receive the maximum benefits from daily sequential instruction.  Poor attendance interrupts the instructional process which impacts student achievement.  If your child is absent for any reason, including illness please inform your child's teacher or Ms. Cadlett, Parent Coordinator.  Upon return to school, your child should bring a note explaining the absence.  Please note that students must achieve a 90% attendance rate to be promoted to the next grade.

Dress Code

The Department of Education mandates that students wear uniforms in all public schools.  Research shows that students who wear uniforms to school perform better academically.  Students do not have to worry about wearing expensive or fad clothing at school.  Therefore, students can concentrate on learning the school's curriculum.  We have a school-wide uniform policy.  Please ensure that your child wears his/her uniform to school daily.  Boys are to wear yellow shirts and navy pants; girls are to wear yellow blouses, navy skirts or jumpers, sweaters or jackets.  Patches and navy ties can also be worn. 

Trip Procedures

Class trips are an outgrowth of the instructional program.  Students who are well behaved and adhere to the rules will be permitted to go on trips.  Students must have a trip consent slip signed by a parent or guardian to attend the trip.  No verbal consents by phone will be accepted.  Please stress to your child the importance of obeying rules and listening to teachers on class trips.