Community Handbook - Policies and Procedures
Absences
Advisory
Bill of Parent Rights and Responsibilities
Breakfast
Bus Service
Cell Phones
Discipline
Early Dismissal
Electives
Electronic Devices
Elevator
Emergency Procedures
Hats and Dress
High School Admission Process
ID Cards
Illness and Injury
Immunizations
Internet
Late Arrival
Library
Lockers
Lost and Found
Lunch
MetroCards
Parent Teacher Conferences
Progress Reports
School Schedule
School Trips
Testing Schedule
Translation Services
Working Papers
Absences
Any student that misses a day of school must return with a note explaining his or her absence. The student should give this note to his or her advisor.
Students who are absent are expected to complete any work missed and it is their responsibility to obtain the missed assignments from classmates.
Advisory
At BSGE, advisory is a class that meets for 40 minutes each day. Advisory groups are small,
most consist of about 15 students meeting with their advisor. The role of the advisor includes:
1 Academic advising
a. know how advisees are doing in each class
b. confer with other teachers about progress in their class
c. make sure advisees are on track to graduate
d. monitor attendance
2 Advocacy
a. advocate for advisees within the school
b. contact parents regularly for social, academic or ATL (approaches to learning) issues
c. help foster moral and social development of students
d. guide and counsel individual issues
e. problem solve with/for students and families
3 Advisory Curriculum
a. implement the metacognitive literacy program
i. make sure students read independently for 20 minutes in school each day and at home each day
ii. know advisees’ reading habits
b. provide direct instruction around ATL skills
c. Implement the advisory curriculum (see below)
4 Administration
a. Distribute school announcements in a timely fashion
b. distribute and collect school-wide forms
c. evaluate students and write two progress and 2 semester reports for each student
d. maintain an advisory file for each student
In addition to the metacognitive literacy program, the advisory curriculum includes grade specific content, such as the Personal Project for the 10th grade.
Bill of Parent Rights and Responsibilities
The New York City Department of Education recognizes that parents are the primary educators of their children. Each child’s maximum potential can best be achieved through a strong home and school partnership. Parents, legally appointed guardians, and those in parental relationship to students, as partners in education, have certain rights and responsibilities.
ALL PARENTS HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS:
THE RIGHT TO A FREE PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
A free public school education is a basic right guaranteed to all children.
Parents have the right to:
1. have their child, regardless of place of birth, receive a free public school education from kindergarten until age 21, or receipt of a high school diploma, whichever comes first, as provided by law.
2. have a child with a disability evaluated and, if found to be in need of special education, receive a free, appropriate education from age 3 through age 21, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
3. have a child who is an English Language Learner provided with educational services as required by law and regulations.
4. have their child receive his or her full instructional schedule in accordance with the school calendar adopted annually by the Department of Education and related Chancellor’s Regulations.
5. have their child receive educational services in a safe and supportive learning environment, free of discrimination, harassment and bigotry.
6. have their child accorded all the rights set forth in the Department of Education’s Bill of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
THE RIGHT TO BE GIVEN ACCESS TO INFORMATION
The Department of Education and its schools have the responsibility to provide parents with access to available information on educational programs and opportunities and to their child’s education records.
Parents have the right to:
1. be given access to current information regarding services which are provided by the school system, eligibility requirements for these services, and how to apply for them (i.e., transportation, food services, health services, English Language Learner (ELL) instruction, remediation, special education services, etc.).
2. be provided with information concerning expectations for their children with respect to the educational program, attendance and behavior.
3. be provided with information regarding the grading criteria that will be used to evaluate their child’s academic performance.
4. be given access to information concerning their child’s instructional program.
5. be assured of the confidentiality of their child’s records, in accordance with Chancellor’s Regulation A-820.
6. inspect and review their child’s education records, to have them explained by designated school staff if requested, to obtain copies of these records, to request that records be released to an outside agency, in accordance with Chancellor’s Regulation A-820, and to withhold their contact information from institutions of higher learning and military recruiters.
7. be provided with information regarding all policies and regulations which require parent consultation at the school, district and/or regional level.
THE RIGHT TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN
Parents have the right to be given every available opportunity for meaningful participation in their child’s education.
Parents have the right to:
1. be treated with courtesy and respect by all school personnel, and to be accorded all rights without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, ethnicity, alienage, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or economic status.
2. participate in communication with teachers and other school staff and share concerns regarding their child’s academic, social and behavioral progress.
3. visit their child’s school to meet with his or her teacher and principal at mutually agreeable times.
4. participate in meaningful parent-teacher conferences to discuss their child’s progress in school.
5. be informed of their child’s academic and behavioral progress in school.
6. be encouraged to participate and receive assistance in participating effectively in governance and educational decision-making through the School Leadership Team at their child’s school.
7. be accompanied by a friend, advisor, or interpreter at hearings, conferences, interviews and other meetings concerning their child, in accordance with established procedures.
8. be provided, if they are hearing impaired, with an interpreter at any meeting or activity which they attend which is specific to the academic and or disciplinary aspects of their child’s educational program, provided a written request is made prior to the meeting or activity; if an interpreter is unavailable, other reasonable accommodations shall be made.
9. have school staff make every reasonable attempt to ensure that parents receive important notices from the school, such as notices concerning parent-teacher conferences, open school week, parent association notices, etc.
10. be a member of the parent or parent-teacher association of his or her child's school without regard to the payment of dues.
11. be provided with a copy of the “Bill of Parent Rights and Responsibilities,” the “Bill of Student Rights and Responsibilities,” and the Discipline Code upon registering their child for school and, thereafter, upon request.
12. participate on school committees, in accordance with the guidelines which apply to those committees.
13. be represented on parent advisory committees established by the Chancellor and the Department of Education.
14. be a candidate for or, if in the position of President, Secretary, or Treasurer of the Parent Association or Parent-Teacher Association of their child’s school, vote for members of the Community or Citywide Education Councils, if applicable, in accordance with the law.
15. attend all meetings of the Community Education Councils and of the Panel for Educational Policy which are open to the public, in accordance with the provisions of the Open Meetings Law (“ the Sunshine Law”).
16. speak at public meetings of the Community Education Councils and of the Panel for Educational Policy, in accordance with established procedures.
THE RIGHT TO FILE COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS
Parents have the right to follow appropriate procedures to pursue complaints or appeal decisions affecting their child.
Parents have the right to:
1. appeal any entry in their child’s records on the grounds that it is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their child’s privacy rights and request that such records be amended, in accordance with Chancellor’s Regulation A-820.
2. follow applicable procedures for filing complaints or appealing decisions which they believe violate their own or their child’s rights.
ALL PARENTS HAVE THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. send their child to school ready to learn.
2. ensure that their child attends school regularly and arrives on time.
3. be aware of their child’s work, progress, and problems by talking to their child about school, looking at their child’s work and progress reports, and meeting with school staff.
4. maintain contact with their child’s teachers and principal about the progress of their child’s education.
5. respond to communications from their child’s school.
6. attend all meetings and conferences requested by the school that pertain to their child.
7. treat all school staff members with courtesy and respect.
PARENTS SHOULD ALSO:
1. provide a supportive home setting for learning where their child learns that doing his/her best in school is important.
2. reinforce at home the importance of acquiring the knowledge, skills and values needed to function effectively in society.
3. volunteer time, skills or resources when needed and where possible.
4. take part in school and community programs that empower parents to participate in making educational decisions.
5. become active members of the school’s Parent Association or Parent-Teacher Association.
6. hold their child responsible for the work, attendance, and behavior which is expected by the school, and to teach respect for the person, property, safety, and rights of others.
Breakfast
As the first step in the effort to encourage students to eat a healthy breakfast each morning, breakfast for all NYC public school students is free. Too many of students start the day without breakfast, which is widely regarded as the most important meal of the day. Good nutrition is essential to every young person's health and development. Youngsters who eat regular, well-balanced meals are better able to concentrate and learn. By insuring that every student can enjoy a free, nutritious breakfast, the Department is supporting teaching and learning in the classrooms.
Breakfast is served in the cafeteria from 7:20-7:55am.
Bus Service
In the past some BSGE parents have arranged for private bus service. This year not enough parents signed contracts to meet the minimum established by the bus company. In previous years, the bus provided service to and from school. Parents are currently working to secure another company.
The Parent Coordinator acts as a liaison between BSGE and the bus company. For contact information for the bus company, please call Amy Reichel, Parent Coordinator at 347/563-6974.
Cell Phones
Students may not use cell phones during the course of the day unless authorized to do so by School Administration. Student’s cell phones must be out of sight. If a students is observed using his or her cell phone or the phone rings it will be confiscated. The cell phone will be secured and the student’s parent or guardian will be required to come to school to retrieve it.
There are no exceptions to this rule.
Discipline
Discipline in any school is dependent upon the establishment of norms, consistency, cooperation and the acceptance of one’s professional and community responsibility. The establishment of high standards and the modeling of appropriate behavior enhances school climate and reinforces the norms. All members of the BSGE family play an integral role in maintaining a school climate where all are respected, heard and safe.
The behavioral norms at BSGE are stated in the “Habits of Conduct” and should guide our actions.
Habits of Conduct
- Participate Fully
- Be Safe
- Be Kind
- Take Care of our Space
For information from the Department of Education on the Citywide Standards of Discipline and Intervention Measures (The Discipline Code) go to http://schools.nyc.gov/parents/PDFs/DisciplineCode.pdf.
Early Dismissal
If a student needs to leave school early, they cannot leave before dismissal without a parent or guardian escort. A parent who needs to pick up their child early should report to the Main Office.
Electives
In addition to their subject classes, MYP students have an elective period once a week. This year, 7th graders are taking Keyboarding as their elective and 9th graders are taking Health.
Our 8th and 10th graders receive a list of offered electives. This year's offerings include Human Rights & Empowerment, Meteorology, Creative Writing and Chess.
Students may indicate a preference but are not guaranteed that they will receive their first or second choice.
Electronic Devices
Electronic devices such as iPods, Game Boys and personal CD players are not permitted in school. If such an item is brought to school and lost or stolen, BSGE is not responsible.
Elevator
Students are not permitted to use the elevator without permission from a staff person. If your child is injured and requires use of the elevator, please send him or her in with a note.
Emergency Procedures
Blue Cards
Each student is required to fill out an Emergency Home Contact Card, also known as a Blue Card. If any of the information changes over the course of the school year BSGE must be notified in writing. Any change in address, phone number or who is to be called in an emergency must be brought to the attention of Ms. Noboa in the Main Office.
Evacuation Locations
In case of an emergency that would require evacuation, locations have been designated in the school safety plan. The primary and secondary locations are in close proximity to BSGE. It is possible however, in an emergency that affects not only our school, but also our neighborhood that these locations would be rendered unusable. Therefore a third location has been identified.
1. PS 166
33-09 35th Avenue
718/786-6703
2. IS 204
36-41 28th Street
718/937-7964
3. Robert F Wagner Jr
47-07 30th Place
718/472-5671
Hats and Dress
Students may not wear hats or head gear in the building. (Religious observance and health-related head wear is exempted, with appropriate documentation submitted to your guidance counselor.)
In addition, a student may not attend classes dressed in a manner which:
- Is distracting or offensive to other members of the BSGE community
- Degrades religion, race, or sexuality
- Promotes drug use or offensive language
High School Admission Process
BSGE Students are accepted for the 7th grade and expected to continue through the 12th grade. In the past the Department of Education has made all of our students reapply during 8th grade for High School. We are hoping to eliminate this step.
The Guidance Office will provide information as it is available to 8th graders and their parents.
For more information regarding High School admissions, visit: http://www.nycenet.edu/Offices/StudentEnroll/HSAdmissions/default.htm.
ID Cards
Student identification cards are issued in the beginning of the school year. Virge Ramos is in charge of the production and distribution of these cards. Mr. Ramos can be found in Room 105, extension 1051. If an ID card is lost, there may be a replacement fee.
Please be advised that students must have their ID cards at all times. The cards are scanned for attendance, for checking out laptops and library books and are required for the upper grade students to leave the building during lunch.
Illness and Injury
If a student is injured or sick during the school day, he or she should go to the Main Office and speak to Ms. Noboa, the Health Aide. The student’s parent or guardian will be contacted. If appropriate, the student may be given the option of resting in the Medical Room for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes the student must return to class or call for their parent to pick them up.
In order to release the student early, a parent or authorized adult must pick up the student from school.
In the case of serious illness or injury the school will contact 911 and the student's parent.
Immunizations
Immunization is required by New York State law for students to attend school.
Students must be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, hepatitis B and diphtheria. If the student's immunization record is not complete and up-to-date, he or she will be excluded from school by state law until the requirements of the law are met.
Internet
The New York City Department of Education has established rules and guidelines for student access to the Internet in order to help ensure that schools provide a safe online environment.
Students accessing the Internet through school must agree to observe these and any other policy and/or guidelines set forth by the D.O.E. and our school. The D.O.E. and B.S.G.E. reserves the right to restrict, supervise and review each student's use of the Internet to make sure that it is in compliance with these rules of safety.
In an effort to promote responsible use of the Internet at school, The Board requires that students and their parents or guardians sign this Internet Access Permission and Release in order to gain access to the Internet through school.
Students must sign off that they will NOT:
- Give out home phone numbers, addresses or other personal information
- Send or receive personal messages for other than educational purposes.
- Access pornographic or obscene materials.
- Vandalize data, software or equipment, remove, move, or re-plug devices.
- Use the Internet for advertising or commercial purposes.
- Send or receive material that is racist, sexist, inflammatory, hateful or obscene.
- Use copyright or trademark protected materials without permission.
- Share my username and password or log on with my password for another user
They must also state that they have read the New York City Board of “Internet Acceptable Use Policy,” agree to use the Internet and all school computers in a responsible and safe manner and to comply with such rules and policies and understand that failure to comply will result in suspension of Internet and/or computer privileges.
Restoration of privileges may require parental involvement.
Late Arrival
Students are expected to be at school by 7:50 am. Those who arrive after 8:00 am will be marked late and must sit quietly in the Cafeteria so as to not disrupt a class in session. Students who are habitually late for their first period class are in danger of failing that class.
Library
The library is open daily during lunch and advisory periods. It is also open after school from 3 to 5pm. Students are welcome to come to the library for quiet study or research. Textbooks for many classes are kept on reserve for student to use in the library.
Students need their ID card to take books out of the library and can keep them for up to three weeks. A fine of 5 cents per day is levied for overdue materials.
Computers are available for student use. They are welcome to use the library computers for research, typing their assignments and personal e-mail. Computers are not to be used for games, gambling, or e-commerce (sites like eBay.)
To search our library's holdings, go to the following URL and click on BSGE under Region 4.
http://library.nycenet.edu/district/servlet/listsitesform.do
Lockers
Students will be assigned lockers by Advisory. At BSGE, lockers are located within classrooms, therefore there are times during the school day when students do not have access to there lockers and must plan accordingly. Students are required to provide their own combination lock.
All locks must be removed by the last day of school. Over the summer, the locks will be clipped and the contents will be removed.
Lost & Found
Lost and found clothing and books are placed in a large container in the staircase off the Main Lobby. Students are encouraged to look there for missing items.
If found, items such as wallets, glasses, keys and jewelry are to be brought to the Main Office where an attempt will be made to determine the owner of the item. If you have lost this type of item, please inform the Main Office.
Periodically during the year, any clothing that is not claimed will be donated to a charitable organization.
Lunch
All students must complete a lunch form even if they are not eligible or do not eat lunch in school. Completed forms not only enable students to receive free and reduced price meals, but they are also the basis for determining and distributing additional educational funding from the state and federal governments. Questions regarding the lunch forms should be directed to Ms. Noboa in the Main Office or the Parent Coordinator, Amy Reichel.
Lunch tickets are issued to all students. All students must use their tickets when purchasing lunch, regardless of their cost. Lost lunch tickets should be reported to Mildred Velez.
The cost of reduced lunch is $0.25 and full price is $1.50.
To download an application for free and reduced price school meals or to view Frequently Asked Questions, please click on the following link:
http://www.opt-osfns.org/osfns/meals/default.aspx
11th and 12th graders are permitted to go out for lunch daily. 10th graders will be allowed to go out for lunch on Fridays. Any student who is unable to return to the school on time will lose the privilege of going out.
MetroCards
MetroCards are issued to all eligible students as determined by the DOE’s Office of Pupil Transportation and distributed by Ms. Noboa in the Main Office.
If your child resides between ½ and 1½ miles from school, he or she is eligible for a half-fare MetroCard.
If your child resides more than 1½ miles from school, he or she is eligible for a free MetroCard.
MetroCards are good between 5:30 AM and 8:30 PM; Good only on days when your school is in session; Only for use by person to whom it was issued, and whose name is on the card; Half-fare Student MetroCard good on buses only. If a police officer, bus operator, or station agent ask, you must show them your card.
Damaged or lost MetroCards must be reported to Ms. Noboa in the Main Office. It can take up to one week to receive a replacement. For more information contact the Office of Pupil Transportation, 718/392-8855.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher conferences are scheduled twice per school year. They are a valuable resource in the education of your child. During conferences, the teacher and parent/guardian have the opportunity to communicate valuable information that will help the student throughout their education. Parents, your active participation is essential! Working with your child’s teacher is one of the first steps in helping your child achieve academic success. Communication between home and school is one of the best ways to ensure that your child’s school experience is a successful one.
At the middle school and high school levels, time with each teacher will be brief, but parent participation is an important way you can show support and schedule an individual conference if needed.
Progress Reports
There are two semesters (or terms) in a year; fall and spring. The fall semester runs from September to January and the spring semester runs from February to June.
[to be updated]
Progress reports are given to students in school. Copies are also mailed home.
Final progress reports will be held until all books and musical instruments are returned to the school. If books or instruments are lost, the student must pay a replacement fee before receiving their report card.
School Schedule
| Period | Start Time |
End Time |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:00 am |
9:10am |
|
| 2 | 9:15am |
10:25am |
|
| 3a | 8gr lunch |
10:30am |
11:05am |
| 3b | 7/12gr lunch |
11:05am |
11:40am |
| 4a | 9gr lunch |
11:45am |
12:20pm |
| 4b | 10/11gr lunch |
12:20pm |
12:55pm |
| 5 | 1:00pm |
2:10pm |
|
| 6 | T, W & F |
2:15pm |
3:05pm |
School Trips
Parents must be notified in writing in advance of the planned trip, and a parental consent form is required for each school trip. No student will be allowed to participate in a school trip unless his or her parent, guardian, or person in parental relation has signed a consent form allowing the student to participate.
Permission given over the phone will not be accepted.
Testing Schedule
At BSGE some Regents exams are taken at an accelerated pace. Students are also considered individually as to their readiness, therefore this testing schedule should only be looked at as a general guide.
7th
- State Math exam
- State ELA exam
8th
- State Math exam
- State ELA exam
- Other State exams
- Living Environment Regents
- Math A Regents
9th
- ELA Regents
10th
- Global History
- Chemistry
- Foreign Language Regents
11th
- US History
- Math B
- IB Exams
12th
- Physics Regents
- IB Exams
Translation Services
The Department of Education translates many of their documents for parents. If you would like to receive notices in one of the following languages, please contact Amy Reichel, the Parent Coordinator.
- Arabic
- Bengali
- Chinese
- Haitian-Creole
- Korean
- Russian
- Spanish
- Urdu
American Sign Language interpretation is also available for any BSGE events. These include parent teacher conferences, concerts and PTA meetings. There is no charge but arrangements do need to be made well in advance. If you are interested in receiving interpretive services, contact Amy Reichel.
Working Papers
To obtain Working Papers you must get an application form from Ms. Rivera in the Guidance Office. The following are required to complete the application:
- The signature of your parent or guardian,
- Your Social Security card,
- Your birth or baptismal record for proof of age, and
- A doctor's certificate showing that you are physically fit to work. (This certificate is not required for newspaper carrier permits if the applicant is qualified to participate in the school's physical education program.)
