2024-2025 School Year Policies

Parents and Students please take a moment to read over our PS 59 Handbook & Polices for this academic school year.

Our Handbook includes school policies and procedures, locations, and other helpful details. All students and their parents/guardians should review the student handbook carefully as its contents are binding on all students of the school. Please note, though accurate at time of publication, some information in the student handbook may change as the school year progresses. The school reserves the right to amend the student handbook at any time.

Acknowledgement
Every year the child attending the school and their parents/guardians are required to sign a student handbook acknowledgement form then return the signed form to the school. This action confirms that the child and their parents/guardians understand the policies, rules and regulations of the school and their rights and responsibilities.

PS 59 23-24 SY Handbook Acknowledgement Form

Academic Expectations

At PS 59, we have high expectations for all students and believe that everyone is leader. Students are expected to put in their best effort each day, and to take every moment of educational time seriously. In addition, we are determined to provide all students with the academic and social skills necessary to be successful in middle school, high school, and college. Each school year, students will be asked to set specific academic goals in the areas of literacy and mathematics. Students and teachers will monitor the progress of these goals throughout the year. We believe that establishing a strong foundation in these two subject areas is critical to the future academic success of our students.

Attendance

Attendance is essential to success in school. All children are expected to be in school in-person starting at 8:00am every school day.

In order for your child to be successful in school, it is important that your child be in school regularly. When your child is absent from school, please contact Ms. Monte. You will also receive a call from our School Messenger system alerting you to whether or not your child was late or absent. Families check attendance on report cards, ask the school for attendance records, or view your child's attendance on your My Schools account.

Every absence counts. Excused absences are still absences.

Schools can excuse absences when a student misses school for religious, medical or emergency reasons, but the excused absences is a legal part of the student's record. Excused absences may not count against a student for school awards or participation in school activities.

Homework Policy

Homework is an extension of the learning that takes place in school. Homework provides practice and drill that reinforces classroom learning and can provide opportunities for independent study, research, and creative thinking. Parents can help their children by providing a quiet, comfortable place for children to work and by seeing that the assignments are completed. A specific time should be set aside each day for homework. The final grade on the child’s report card includes homework assignments.

**Suggested Minimum Time Allotments:**
Grade	Reading	Written
Kindergarten	10-15 minutes	15 minutes
First Grade	15-20 minutes	15-20 minutes
Second Grade	20-25 minutes	15-20 minutes
Third Grade	30-40 minutes	15-20 minutes
Fourth Grade	30-40 minutes	35 minutes
Fifth Grade	30-40 minutes	35 minutes

Report Cards

Report cards are distributed three times a year: November, March and June. Please make sure to review your child’s report card. Discuss any concerns you may have with your child’s teacher. You may also contact the school and request a meeting with your child’s Assistant Principal. Equally important are the parent teacher conferences scheduled in the fall and spring. Also you are able to view our child's report card by creating a NYC School Account. For more information or assistance please contact Mr.Robert at RRamirez9@schools.nyc.gov or at 973-963-7481.

NY State and Local Test 2024-2025

Students in elementary grades take various NY State and local tests to support their instruction, to determine eligibility for certain programs, and to provide information on their progress toward mastering grade-level learning standards. The Department of Education explains in details the tests that student take in grades pre-k–5. At PS 59 Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade students are expected to take NY State Math/ELA exams, below is the NYC Testing Schedule for the 2024-2025 School year

New York State Testing Dates: TBA
Test	Grades	Dates
ELA	3, 4, 5	April 29 - May 1
State Math	3, 4, 5	May 7 - 9
NYSELAT (Speaking)	ELL - All grades	April 14 – May 23
NYSELAT (Listening, Reading, Writing)	ELL- All grades	May 12 – May 23
Science Performance	4	TBA
Science Written Exam	4	TBA

Arrival & Dismissal

School Visitors

Due to the strict health measures due to COVID 19 all visits to school must be prearrange and scheduled through the main office. No visitors will be allowed into the building without a prior appointment, health screening, All visitors must show proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination to enter a DOE school building.

For the protection and safety of students and staff members, it is essential that each person entering the building should sign our guest book at the front security desk.

An identification sticker is issued to the visitor and the visitor will be directed to the main office where he/she will explain the purpose of the visit to school. A pass will be issued to permit the visitor to go to the appropriate floor of the building. This pass must be worn in the building and then returned to the security desk when leaving the building. A staff member will escort visitors while they are in the building.

Acceptable proof of vaccination is one of the following:

A CDC Vaccination Card; a photo or photocopy is also acceptable.
A NYC Vaccination Record or other official immunization record from within or outside the US, including from a health care provider. A photo or photocopy of this card is also acceptable.
NYC COVID Safe App on Android or iOS
Excelsior Pass or Excelsior Pass Plus
DOE COVID-19 Vaccine Portal

An acceptable COVID-19 vaccination includes one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine fully authorized or authorized for emergency use by the FDA

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Arrival Procedure: All K-5 students will line up outside and be admitted at 8:00 am through the main entrance. Breakfast will be served to students as they enter buildings. Students arriving late will be offered a bag breakfast which they will be allowed to take up to the classroom with them.

Dismissal Procedure:

Pre-K- Students will dismiss in the Annex front main entrance.
Grades K-2 will use the South Yard exit.
Grades 3-5 will use the North Yard Exit.

Changes in Dismissal

It is important to refrain from frequently changing your child’s dismissal routine. This confuses the child and increases the risk of errors in your child’s dismissal.

Any changes in dismissal MUST be sent in writing to the teacher. This includes:
- if a bus child is going to be a walker or
- if someone other than parent or guardian is picking up the child. This person must be listed on the Blue Card. PHOTO ID MUST BE PRESENTED.
NO EARLY SIGN OUT POLICY
- Dismissal is at 2:00pm. Student are not to be picked up early without prior written notice being sent to the Main Office. Here at P.S. 59 we pride ourselves on providing a fine education for our children. To maintain order and to ensure the safety of all children no child will be dismissed between 1:30p.m. and dismissal (except in cases of emergency). The reason for this is that during this time children are summarizing the day, copying homework and preparing for the following day. Additionally, it is also during this time that bused children are transitioning to the Auditorium/Cafeteria.

Afterschool: The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families

The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families is a state led initiative that is expanding the school day by three hours with Advantage after school organization support and leadership. Each school partners with a community organization. At PS 59, we partner with The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families (CHCF), to expand learning time by at least 35 percent—more than 60 extra days of school each year—at 10 percent of the cost of the school day. The CHCF model builds on research practices that have been shown to noticeably improve students achievement, attendance, their intellectual and creative development, and their motivation to succeed.

The CHCF Site Coordinator, Ms. Patino works closely with our school community to establish and implement the program. Interested parties should contact the CHCF After-School Site coordinator @ 718-584-4598. Parent participation is most welcome in the program.
For more information, please contact Ms. Patino via email at mpatino@chcfinc.org
Ms.Zeno via email at tzeno@chcfinc.org

CHCF Mission Statement:

Our mission at the CHCF afterschool program is to foster and enhance our students' academic success while encouraging active participation in their community. We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment where students can thrive academically and grow as engaged, responsible citizens. Our program includes a variety of extracurricular activities such as STEM, variety of sports, music, and social-emotional learning, ensuring a well-rounded development for each student. Through our comprehensive offerings, we aim to nurture each student's potential, helping them achieve their goals and make a positive impact in their communities.

CHCF Afterschool Program Schedule:

Monday – Thursday (All Grades) 2:20 PM – 5:20 PM
Friday ( All Grades) 2:20 PM - 5:00 PM

Emergency Information

Blue Emergency Card

Each student is required to have a current school year blue emergency card on file in the main office. The following information is essential and must be kept up to date. Please notify the school immediately if any of this information changes. Remember anyone who picks up your child MUST HAVE PHOTO ID and be listed on the BLUE CARD.

Parent(s) or guardian(s) name(s).
Complete and up-to-date address.
Home phone and parent(s) work phone (connected and working).
Emergency phone numbers or friend (connected and working).
Physician’s name and phone number.
Medical alert information.
Authorized person(s) allowed to pick up student.
If there is anyone that your child CANNOT be released to, the school MUST be notified of this in writing, and accompanied by a copy of court papers.

We are aware that most of our students are currently learning remotely and do not visit the school building, because of this we ask have created a Digital Version of the Emergency Blue Card. Please complete this form and Email to Rramirez9@schools.nyc.gov or Mmontemoino@schools.nyc.gov

Health Information

If students and staff show any symptoms of COVID-19 or other illnesses, they should stay home and get tested for COVID-19. This year, you will not need to complete a Daily Health Screening to enter school buildings.

Isolate if you are COVID-19 positive. Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days and can return to school on day 6 (masked through day 10) if they have no symptoms or if symptoms are improving. Be sure to report a positive case to your child’s school.

If a student becomes ill at school, we will try to reach you by phone and recommend that you come to school and pick up your child. That is why it is so important that we have an updated, working phone number on the emergency contact card. We have some temporary facilities to comfort the sick child while he/she is waiting. However, transportation home cannot be provided for sick children. If your child is ill, please do not send him/her to school. A student who contracts a contagious disease or condition, such as pink eye, chicken pox, ringworm, impetigo, or head lice must remain at home until the disease or condition is corrected. A doctor’s note must certify that the student may return to school.

In addition, if there is any emergency or unusual situation occurring at home that may affect your child’s attendance or performance in school please contact your child’s teacher; the guidance counselor; an assistant principal; and or the principal.

Medical Information

Your child’s health is our priority. Office of School Health nurses and physicians are dedicated to improving the health of New York City students.

Our School nurses help manage the health of students with health issues like asthma, allergies and diabetes. Students with health issues and disabilities can receive prescribed medicine, skilled nursing treatments and 504 Accommodations in school once a Health Services Form is submitted to the school.

School Nurse at the Main Building can be contacted at 718-584-7430 ext. 1012
School Nurse at the Annex Building can be contacted at 718-584-4767.

If a student becomes ill or is involved in an accident during the school day, the school nurse in conjunction with school administrator will determine if the child should be sent home and will contact the parent / guardian. Failure to reach parent/guardian will result in a call to an alternate person listed on the Emergency Contact Card

General Information

Dress Code

The appearance of a student is the responsibility of the parent. The Board of Education adopted a mandatory uniform policy on March 18, 1998. It applies to students in grades pre-K –5. Our school is implementing this uniform policy. The mandatory uniform policy is intended to

promote a more effective learning climate
foster school unity and pride
improve student performance
foster self-esteem
eliminate label competition
simplify dressing and minimize costs to parents
teach children appropriate dress and decorum in their “work” place; and help to improve student conduct and discipline. Information about where to purchase our school uniform can be obtained from the Parent’s Association and/or the Main Office.

At PS 59, the school uniform is a dark blue dress, skirt, or pants paired with a light blue button down or polo top. On the days, a student has gym they are allowed to wear loose, comfortable clothing with sneakers. If any student should want to wear skirts, they may do so, with spandex shorts/ leggings underneath. When the weather gets warmer our dress code still applies.

Please ensure your student is not wearing clothing that is revealing even on Gym days, this means NO spaghetti straps/tank tops and short shorts

Please note: If a child comes to school wearing clothing that is deemed inappropriate a family member will be contacted, to make alternate arrangements.

Uniform Store Locations: School Uniforms can be purchased at the following locations: Kid City and/or Cookie's Department Stores

Respect For All

It is the policy of the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) to maintain a safe and supportive learning and educational environment that is free from harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying committed by students against other students, and free from discrimination committed by students against other students on account of actual or perceived race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, or weight.

Discrimination, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying is prohibited in school, during school hours before or after school, while traveling in vehicles funded by the DOE and on other than school property when such behavior disrupts or would foreseeably disrupt the educational process or endangers or would foreseeably endanger the health, safety, morality, or welfare of the school community.

The following NYC DOE policies further define and prohibit bullying behavior in our school communities, and establish protocols for responding to incidents:

Chancellor’s Regulation A-832 outlines conduct that constitutes student-to-student discrimination, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying, and describes the procedure for reporting, investigating, and resolving complaints of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying.
Chancellor’s Regulation A-831 outlines conduct and communication that constitutes student-to-student sexual harassment, and describes the procedure for reporting, investigating, and resolving complaints of peer sexual harassment at the school level.

The Citywide Standards of Intervention and Discipline Measures includes the Discipline Code as well as the Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, which promotes responsible student behavior and an atmosphere of dignity and respect by establishing guidelines to help students as they strive to become productive citizens in a diverse society.

The Respect for All Liaison is Ms. Lugo. Please contact her at 718-584-4730 ext. 0 or email her at llugo3@schools.nyc.gov for more information.

Cell Phone Policy

As of March 2, 2015, the cell phone ban was lifted in all NYC Public Schools. Mayor DiBlasio and Chancellor Farina came to a joint decision that all schools could come up with their own cell phone policy based on what made sense for their own school community. In consultation with our School Leadership Team and the Parent Association, P.S. 59 decided to adopt the following policy:

Students who bring cell phones to school are expected to turn them off and store them in their backpacks upon entering the building.
Cell phones are not to be used during the school day, not even during lunch. Cell phones can be turned back on at 2:00 PM.
Any student needing to call home, once in school, is expected to come to the main office to do so.
School staffs are not to be asked to store phones for students or to take responsibility for student cell phones.
If students are seen using a cell phone at lunch or any other unauthorized time, their phone will be confiscated and a family member will be called before the phone is returned.
If a student is seen using a cell phone for any purpose other than making or receiving a call during the authorized times (i.e. videotaping, playing games, etc.), the phone will be confiscated and student can retrieve their phone before they leave the building.
Parents are not to call students on their cell phones during the school day. Please contact the main office (718-584-4730) if you need to speak to your child or leave them a message.

P.S.59 Ladder of Discipline

If a student fails to follow the rules in the P.S. 59 Student Handbook these are the consequences.

P.S.59 LADDER OF DISCIPLINE

First infraction: The teacher speaks to the student.
Second infraction: Teacher contacts the Dean and interventions are implemented.
Third infraction: Dean contacts the parent, or (depending on behavior) a written report to Assistant Principal(s)

Continuous Misbehavior:

The teacher will report in writing to the Dean and /or Guidance Counselor a description of the problem with the student and the disposition of phone conversation with parent. Dean and /or Guidance Counselor will meet with the student and contact the parent. The Dean and/or Guidance Counselor will notify the assistant principal of continuous problem with the student.
The assistant principal will call a meeting of the Instructional Support/RTI Team with the teacher and the parent, to determine strategies to assist the student.
As a last resort, the principal will be notified based on the severity of the behaviors, the child may be suspended for a short period.

DEAN OF STUDENTS – Ms. Walsh: 718-584-4730

The dean of students plays a variety of roles within the school community. It is the dean's job to ensure that students have all of the necessary tools for academic and personal growth. The dean also serves as liaison between students, parents and faculty members. In our school, the dean of students takes on a mentorship role with the students. It is the dean's job to make sure the school policies are upheld and to implement the school's discipline policies if they are breached. The dean must then oversee all student disciplinary matters and make sure to communicate all concerns with parents.