School Policies

We are all guided by our code of conduct, which is posted in our classrooms and in our hallways on bulletin boards. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. permeates our school as a positive reminder of ways we contribute to our school community every day. We promote it throughout the year through special programs, activities and events such as Student of the Month.

Responsibility, Excellence, Service, Persistence, Exemplify, Collaboration, Trust.

Lateness: The day officially begins at 8:00 a.m. Lateness can negatively affect academic achievement and leads to lost instructional time (arriving ten minutes late to school for a week is fifty minutes of lost instruction). When students are late four or more times in a month without a valid reason, they serve late detention the same day after school from 2:20 to 2:50. Each month all students start with zero lateness. Let us know if there are circumstances that make getting to school on time difficult so we can be supportive.

Absence: Department of Education policy stipulates that students must have an attendance rate of 90% or better. Teachers take attendance throughout the school day beginning with homeroom at 8:00 a.m. Illness, observation of a religious holiday, and the death of a family member are considered explained absences. A digital or physical note from a parent and/or doctor must be provided to your child's homeroom teacher or grade dean. To recover incomplete work, contact your child's teachers or guidance counselor by email.

In consultation with our School Leadership Team (SLT), student cell phones, smartwatches, air pods, and other portable electronic devices must be off and out of sight in the building during school hours unless otherwise indicated by a school official. Every student is assigned a personal Yondr Pouch, which is school property. Students bring their pouch every day; cell phones, smartwatches, and earbuds are locked in the pouch upon entry and unlocked at dismissal. Our policy is in alignment with Chancellor's Regulation A-413.

If there is an emergency, contact the main office at (718) 821-4882. For questions about this policy, contact Martha Bayona, Parent Coordinator, at (718) 821-4882 ext. 2183 or mbayona2@schools.nyc.gov.

Our School Leadership Team adopted our uniform policy in 2007, in alignment with Chancellor's Regulation A-665. We are proud to be a uniform school with a variety of uniform options. Uniform colors: Burgundy (grade 6), Navy Blue (grade 7), Royal Blue (grade 8).

Uniforms can be purchased from Needleheads (88-01 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385, (718) 850-4252) or Sebastian Printing (5607 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385, (718) 724-3888). You may purchase from any vendor of your choice, and parents have the right to secure an exemption. Contact the principal, designee, or family advocate if you cannot afford a uniform.

Prohibited dress includes hats or caps (except religious headwear or approved spirit days); clothing with references to drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, racism, or gangs; clothing that does not cover the torso and undergarments; flip-flops; sunglasses indoors; and grills, over-sized hoop earrings, or multi-finger rings.

We follow the NYC Department of Education Discipline Code, which includes a Bill of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Everyone's safety is our number one priority. Our school is monitored by surveillance cameras, our exterior doors are alarmed, and we are supported by NYPD School Safety Agents. We have an assistant principal, a dean, and a guidance counselor for each grade, and we practice evacuation, shelter-in, and lockdown drills.

Our school's Safety Committee meets monthly and meetings are open to parents. Check the school calendar for dates and times.