School Policy

Absence & Illness
As a courtesy to the other children and homeroom teacher if your child is ill please keep them at home until they are well. When your child returns to school please submit an absence note, which explains the reason for their absence. Telephone the school only if your child has contracted a communicable illness such as head lice, chicken pox, strep throat, etc. Periodic head lice checks are conducted in our school. Those who are found with lice eggs or lice will not be permitted back in the school until another inspection is conducted and all lice have been removed.

Arrival
School begins at 8:25 am. The school will be open at 8:05. If you wish to drop your children off between 8:05 and 8:25, please enter at the Third Avenue Entrance. Your child will be greeted at this time by a staff member at the door and then will proceed to the auditorium where he/she will be seated with their class. Children who eat breakfast will be sent to the cafeteria and will be supervised.

Bus/MTA Pass
All New York City children who live a qualified distance from school are entitled to a metro card to use on the MTA system or use the yellow school bus system. Please see Ann Flores in the Main Office for a pass or bus application. Any children who live a qualified distance from school should inquire in the Main Office as to the availability of bus routes to and from our neighborhood. When your child is assigned to a bus route, make a note of the route numbers (usually on the side of bus-a temporary paper sign), and the bus numbers (above the front windshield) of your child's bus. Please note that bus drivers are legally permitted to drop off children whether or not the child's guardian/parent is present at the bus stop. For the most part the drivers will not do that, especially with young children. Most drivers will wait with the children on the bus until a guardian/parent is present, or possibly continue with their route, taking the child with them and either bringing the child back to the bus stop or taking him/her to the depot. In the event that you are unable to get to the bus stop on time, attempt to call the school in advance so that they may apprise the driver; establish a relationship with other parents at your stop so that they will be responsible for your child in the event that you are late to the stop. Review with your child's bus driver the procedure he/she follows should you be late to the stop to claim your child; and most importantly, if possible, review with your child the bus stop neighborhood and discuss possible shops where your child may go and wait or make a telephone call. Please note the bus dispatch telephone number in case it is needed:

ATLANTIC EXPRESS BUS: (718) 585-8592
Baker Buses 1-718-320-2523
1-917-974-0396

Change of Address
As soon as you move, please visit the school office to update the "blue card" with your new contact information. You must bring a new Con Edison bill or rental management lease proving new address.

Class Parents
Every September, class parents volunteer to act as a liaison between parents and grade delegates and provide support services for the classroom teacher. Such services may include assisting in the classrooms, accompanying the class on field trips, mandatory school auction participation and telephone networking. If you are interested in becoming a class parent, please speak with your child's teacher as soon as possible.

Correspondence
Most of the information you will receive concerning school functions will be sent via your child's backpack: class trips, half days, newsletters such as Lab Talk, PTA meetings, etc. You may also backpack notes to teachers, administrators, other parents/guardians, PTA officers and committees, etc. Address the envelope with the receiving person's name and his or her child's name, grade and room number. The Principal's address is "office." Notes to teachers should be addressed to the teacher.

Only in a emergency, if there is a sudden change in a child's pick-up plans please call the Lab School office. Any change in pick up must be backpacked to your teacher with a written note.

Dismissal
All students are dismissed from the Third Avenue doors. All classes are dismissed at 3:15PM during the '07-'08 school year, Monday through Friday.

Teachers should be notified in writing of any scheduled playdates and any other changes in dismissal information (such as change in designated pick up person) which may vary from the usual dismissal procedure. A note should be backpacked to the teacher for this. Parents should not send faxes regarding this to the office.

We encourage parents to pick up their children on time. Children left at school after 3:15 are at a disadvantage. They are receiving the message that they are not important enough to be picked up on time. They are also getting the message that it is okay to be late. Of course emergencies do occur and we understand. However, we will keep track of those children who are left at school on a regular basis.

Parents who must pick up their children early for important appointments must first inform the teacher in writing. When picking up children early, parents or caretakers must go to the office and sign the child out and the child will be sent for.

Field Trips & Permission Forms
All children are required to bring in signed permission forms from parents/guardians that they may go to the scheduled field trips. Each field trip is organized by each teacher and may require sending in money for transportation and/or admission.

Health & Medical Records
New York State requires that all children bring in current health and medical records from their physicians indicating completion of required vaccinations. You may obtain the health and medical record form from the school office.

A nurse in the building tends to minor injuries. The nurse can administer medicine only to children who qualify after filing the appropriate forms approved by the Deparment of Education. The forms can be obtained from the nurse. Teachers are not permitted to administer medicine to students.

Holidays & Special Events
All holidays and special events at Lower Lab are marked on this web site (click Calendar page) Parents will be notified of any additional holidays, half-days and changes by memos from the school; they will also be posted on this web site. Please read and mark this information on your calendar.

Homework
Time Progression Over the Grades
The amount of homework students are expected to complete on a nightly basis increases gradually over their six years at the Lab School.

The following reflects an estimated nightly homework assignment including silent reading:

Kindergarten
10-15 minutes as of February
First Grade
20 minutes
Second Grade
30-45 minutes
Third Grade
45 minutes - 1 hour
Fourth Grade
1 hour & 15 minutes - 1 hour & 30 minutes
Fifth Grade
1 hour & 30 minutes - 2 hours

Teachers assign times for homework based upon the ability of students to complete similar work in the classroom.

Homework Content
Kindergarten to Second Grade
Silent reading (or read with an adult) every night. In the first and second grade, students are given additional homework, Monday through Thursday, which includes some written and math assignments.

Third Grade
Silent reading every night, including weekends. On Monday through Thursday nights, students are given some form of writing assignment as well as math. Long term assignments are completed gradually and are given as part of the 45 minute to 1 hour nightly homework.

Fourth and Fifth Grade
Silent reading is assigned along with regularly scheduled reading responses. Their due dates are established well in advance. Math assignments are given nightly.

When long term assignments are given, children are informed of these due dates also well in advance, and reminded of them frequently. Often, components of these assignments are given instead of other nightly homework. Students are encouraged to gain independence by learning to budget their time in order to avoid excessive work on weekends.

Missed Assignments, Excused and Unexcused
Students are expected to complete homework assigned by the established due dates, both nightly homework and long term assignments. Often, homework becomes the basis for work in class the next day. If homework is not completed parents need to send in a note to the classroom teacher the following day explaining why the homework was not completed. This is considered an excused missed homework. Teachers will individually make arrangements for the make-up of these assignments. Any assignment missed without a parental note is considered an unexcused missed assignment. All unexcused homework will be made up by the student during their lunch recess time. This should not be viewed as a punishment but rather an opportunity for the student to catch up.

Parental Role
Please provide your child with a quiet place to work. Set a regular time for doing homework each day and stick to it. Assist by offering helpful explanations and by seeing that homework is nead and complete. NEVER DO AN ASSIGNMENT FOR YOUR CHILD. Offer encouragement but avoid pressure.

Absentee Policy
Every student needs to have one reliable class friend to call when they are absent. When a child is absent, they are expected to call this classmate- "homework buddy" that evening and get the assignment. Please do not fax or call the school requesting teachers to contact you with homework assignments. We do not have the personnel required to transmit these messages and therefore these requests can not be honored. If the child is too ill to complete the work other arrangements may be made. Contact your teacher directly only if the absence is prolonged.

Lateness
Interruptions and disruptions of late arrivers really hinder our work. In addition, students are at a disadvantage when they are late for school. They need time in the morning to settle in and greet their friends. The school day begins promptly at 8:25AM. Please help us to maintain this sacred early morning time! Children arriving late must stop into the Lower Lab office and get a late pass before proceeding upstairs. Lateness will be recorded on the child's permanent school record. Children who are late should submit a note explaining the reason for their tardiness to their teacher.

Lost & Found
Parents must clearly label all belongings, including lunch boxes, backpacks, hats, gloves, jackets and boots. The Lost & Found bins are located in front of the Lower Lab Main Office and the nurses' office. Please check them regularly, as items will be discarded periodically or donated to charity.

Lunch Clubs
Information on the Lower Lab Lunch Clubs is distributed to all parents in November.

Meals
A meal program provided by school cafeteria staff is available to anyone who wishes to pay nominal fees. You may purchase lunch, milk, or any combination. Breakfast service begins at 8:00 AM and is free for all students -- they just need to complete the appropriate form. If you are interested in the program you must complete an application form. Get the form from the school office. Backpack this application to Attn: Ann Flores in the Lab office and include a check made out to the Lower Lab School Lunch Account. See breakfast and lunch menus at http://www.opt-osfns.org/osfns/

Money
Any monies (for field trips, book purchase, etc.) sent to school via your child must be in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the child's name, class and the intended recipient(s) -- teacher, PTA, class parent, etc.

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice during the school year, one in November and another in March. These conferences are usually ten minutes in duration and both parents/guardians are encouraged to attend to discuss the student's progress. Children of divorced parents must schedule conferences together. Conferences with special class teachers are also available. Parents may schedule additional meetings with teachers if necessary, but please send in written requests. Parents are also urged to advise teachers of matters, which might affect a child's performance, e.g., the birth of a sibling, illness, divorce or death in the family.

Report Cards
All children from K through 5th Grade will receive written report cards two times a year. The report cards must be returned to school after review with parents'/guardians' signatures. At the end of the school year parents are given the report cards to keep at home. The Department of Ed does not keep copies of these documents.

School Closing
Lower Lab follows the NYC Department of Education policy for closing during snowstorms or other citywide emergencies. AM radio stations WCBS (88) and WINS (1010) announce all closings.

School Supplies
At the beginning of the school year, your child's teacher will give a list of required school supplies, which must be provided by parents for use throughout the school year. The teachers may also ask for assistance in purchasing other materials used in the classrooms.

Security
One security guard is assigned to our school. She is posted at the 95th Street entrance. She oversees the security of the school building. All visitors must sign in and out with the guard, and present valid identification. All visitors must enter and leave from the main entrance. The side doors cannot be opened from the street. NO CHILD CAN LEAVE THE BUILDING WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION.

Testing Schedule
All children from 3rd through 5th Grades are scheduled to take the testing required by New York City and New York State. The Department of Education will notify Lower Lab of the testing dates and we will send out special announcements. The dates will also be posted on this web site.