Family Handbook

We serve the children and families of Long Island City, Queens, within P.S. 78’s zone. Once enrolled in kindergarten, students matriculate to the next grade (up to fifth grade). Siblings of currently enrolled students have priority for kindergarten seats. Kindergarten classes have up to 25 students; grades 1 – 5 may have up to 32 students. All students will move with us to our new location in the 2021-2022 school year. Once we are in our new location, we will be designated our own zone. 

All visitors are required to go to the School Safety Agent, show identification, and sign-in. Then, with a pass, you may proceed to the General Office and sign in. In order to prevent the disruption of our children’s education, please do not go directly to classrooms. Please return the laminated pass to the School Safety Agent upon exiting the building. 

We encourage parents to communicate with staff on a regular basis. If you wish to meet with a teacher, service provider, or the Principal, you can request an appointment in writing or by calling the Main Office. Our school secretary will forward messages to the appropriate staff member to return your message. Please note that it is difficult to see visitors unannounced due to instructional periods and professional development. However, we will work with you to meet during teacher preparation periods, after school during Parental Engagement time, before school, or at another time that works.  

We have a variety of ways to communicate with families and share information. Consistent, clear communication helps everyone to do their best as they know what to expect! We try to communicate mostly electronically to be environmentally conscious. Also, your child’s teacher is usually your best option when you have a specific concern as they spend most of the day with your child and knows him/her best. You can always call the Main Office—we are here to help! 

Our methods of communication include:

• Homework Folder – check your child’s folder daily for flyers and student work. You can also use this folder to send notes and return slips back to your child’s teacher. 
• Weekly Wrap-Up – email sent by Principal Britton, 
• Parent Newsletter – sent by classroom teachers
• Class Dojo – news feed (for reminders and to share school highlights!), as well as parent-to-teacher/Principal messaging – and, it’s translated! 
• Periodic special notices with tear-off slips – please sign and return them promptly
• Electronic Surveys 
• Website: www.ps384q.org
• Facebook: @publicschool384

Regular School Day – 8:10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Main Office Hours – 8:00 a.m. – 3:20 p.m. 

Schedule

Period 1 – 8:10 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast – 8:10 a.m. – 8:20 a.m.

Period 2 – 9:05 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.

Period 3 – 10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

Period 4 – 10:55 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. / Lunch #1

Period 5 – 11:50 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. / Lunch #2

Period 6 – 12:45 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.

Period 7 – 1:40 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Dismissal – 2:30 p.m.

 School begins promptly at 8:10 a.m. 

• All students (walkers and bus children) enter through the Main Entrance on Jackson Avenue. 
• Bus students are met outside by school staff. 
• Students will be escorted into the multipurpose room and organized by class. 
• For safety purposes, parents are not permitted into the school building during arrival, and we request that you do not block the entrance. 
• School staff will remain in the vestibule until 8:20 a.m. Students arriving after this time are considered late. If there is no staff member present, the parent must sign their child in at the Main Office.

• Students will be dismissed at 2:30 p.m. from the Main Entrance on Jackson Avenue. Bus students will be walked to the bus, followed by the dismissal of walkers to their parents or guardians. 
• In order for students to exit the building in a calm, organized manner, we request that parents remain outside the building and do not block the exit.  
• To ensure the safety of all of our students, we can ONLY release children to those adults listed on the Emergency Card (blue card).

• Any student who has not been picked will be taken to the Main Office and parents will be contacted. 
• Because our staff have many commitments (professional development, university coursework, or their own families), we cannot accommodate late pick-ups. Please help us maintain the safety of all our children by picking up your child on time.

Breakfast in the classroom is a FREE initiative to ensure that all students have proper nutrition to function at their best each day. Breakfast will finish by 8:20 a.m., unless there are unforeseen circumstances. If your child is late, they will not be denied breakfast. We do our best to ensure that our students are ready to learn!

School lunch is free for all students. We would love it if more children tried the school food! Students may also bring a lunch from home. For nutritional reason we suggest that parents limit the amount of sweet and salty foods children bring for lunch. Please do not pack glass containers or soda cans. There is no gum chewing, candy, or soda in school. Also, be sure to provide your child with foods that are conducive to school and easy for them to eat independently. For example: nothing that needs to be cut, messy finger foods, etc. There is no microwave or refridgerator for student use.

To view menus, please visit the School Food Website, with menus in multiple languages: http://www.schoolfoodnyc.org/schoolfood/MenusDailyDisplay.aspx  

Click on: 

Breakfast Express Menu & Pre-K – 8 

Express Hot Lunch Menu

Additional information, including the app, can be found here: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/food/menus

Due to severe allergies and dietary restrictions, we ask children not to share their food during lunch. Please speak with your child about eating only his/her own lunch and understand why a child may refuse an offer of food. In the cafeteria, children are seated by class. After students clean their areas and recycle, they have choice time for recess. School staff supervises their lunch and recess time. Proper behavior is expected from every child during the school day, including at lunchtime. We emphasize the following: remain seated, speak with indoor voices, be kind to others, and cleaning up your area. 

Lunch forms allow our food services remain free for all students. Please be sure to submit a meal form each year. We will send them home in September, as well as link to complete the process online. Please be sure to follow up as soon as possible! 

Here is the link:   www.myschoolapps.com 

There are a variety of after school programs for P.S. 384 students. SuperKickers provides an after school service from 2:30 – 6: 00 p.m. each day in our school. The Learning Experience and NY Kids Club can pick up students from P.S. 384 to transport them to their program as an option as well. Please note that these organizations are not run by P.S. 384 and you should reach out to them directly for more information. Always be sure to call the Main Office for a change in your child’s dismissal plan! 

Here are links to their websites:

SuperKickers

NY Kids Club

The Learning Experience  

Half Days will occur for Parent Teacher Conferences and the last day of school. Please note: dismissal is at 11:30 a.m., students will have lunch at school, and buses will run. After School Programs are canceled.  

 Busing is available to students in grades K-2 who live at least a half-mile from the school and children in grades 3-5 who live at least one mile from school. Please note that pupil transportation by yellow bus is provided by the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) and is not a service directly offered or governed by P.S. 384.

If you have concerns about the bus, you can contact the Office of Pupil Transportation:

By phone: 718-392-8855 – Monday – Friday from 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

By email: pupiltransportationteam@schools.nyc.gov

Be sure you know your child’s:

• 9-digit OSIS number
• AM Route & PM Route 
• Stop number and location
• Bus company phone number

Additional information can be found here:  www.optnyc.org/parents.information.htm

Student Transportation Information

Most of our students ride the bus each day. At P.S. 384, safety is a top priority. Steps that we take to ensure student safety include, but are not limited to:

• Color-coded tag system, attached to each child’s bookbag, to differentiate between the stops, which also include the school’s address and phone number.
• Bus safety lessons & drills.
• Direct communication with bus drivers.
• Students are escorted on and off the bus at arrival and dismissal.
• School staff ensures that every child is buckled up before departure.

• When communicating with the bus company, OPT, or the school about your bus service, be sure you know your child’s AM Route & PM Route, stop number and location, and bus company.
• If a bus is late or does not come to your stop, your first step is to contact your bus company. Only the bus company has up-to-date information about problems and delays on a bus route—this information is not communicated to P.S. 384. You will get assistance fastest by phoning your bus company.
• A bus stop that is not used for too many consecutive days will be removed from the bus route in accordance with OPT regulations. If your child is not going to be using your stop for more than three days in a row, you should contact the bus company to ensure that your stop is not removed. Please note that this is especially important if you are the only family assigned to your stop!

• We ask your cooperation in discussing the P.S. 384 Bus Behavior Contract with your child. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in a bus suspension. Repeat offenses may result in permanent loss of bus privileges. 
• Have your child ready on time. The driver is not required to wait more than 1 minute for any child who is not ready at the pick-up point. The bus driver is forbidden to blow the bus horn. 
• If your child normally rides the school bus each day, expect the child to be placed on the bus at dismissal. If you pick your child up in person or make alternate arrangements on a given day, please make sure that the teacher is notified in writing at the beginning on the school day or you call the school before 2:20 p.m. No changes will be allowed to a child’s normal dismissal without having it in writing or a call to the school. Emails and Class Dojo messages can be missed, and are not a reliable method to communicate time-sensitive information.  
• If there is no adult present at the bus stop during drop-off, the child will return on the bus to the school when the route is completed. If there is no one present at the school, the driver will notify the dispatcher and take the child to the police station.
• In the case of inclement weather or a bus strike, parents should listen to their local news outlets starting at 6:00 a.m. for announcements and updates. Parents can also call (718) 392-8855 for weather and strike information.

I agree to the following rules of conduct when riding on the school bus to and from P.S. 384. I understand that failure to follow these rules may result in my being suspended and or expelled from the bus.

I agree to follow P.S. 384’s Bus Behavior Contract to make the bus a safe place for all students.

1. I will sit in my seat with my seatbelt fastened until I reach my stop. I will not stand or jump in my seat or climb over or under the seat.
2. I will use a soft speaking voice on the bus. I will not shout.
3. I will keep all of my belongings in my backpack and keep my hands and feet to myself. I will not throw anything on the bus or out of the bus windows. I will not eat or drink on the bus. (choking hazard)
4. I will be respectful to other students on the bus. I will not hit them or insult them.
5. I will be a good friend to others on the bus by allowing others to sit next to me. I will not dictate to others where they can or cannot sit. 
6. I will ride only on the OPT bus for which I am registered, and no other OPT bus.

Procedures

• As a group, we will walk to the bus and board the bus quickly and quietly without pushing or shoving.
• I will enter and exit the school calmly and safely. I will walk to my designated bus area and follow directions.
• I will sit in my seat, buckle my seatbelt, and remain seated for the entire trip. I will not walk around or get up.
• I can choose any seat that is not taken once I board the bus. If this becomes a safety issue, P.S. 384 will assign a bus seat. 

Parents agree to be at the bus stop on time every day or make arrangements for another adult to do so. Parents understand that their child will be taken back to school in the event there is no one to meet the child; if no one is available at the school to receive the child, OPT regulations require the driver to take the child to the local police precinct.

P.S. 384 is committed to the academic success of all our students and providing our children with opportunities to express their creativity and work collaboratively with others. This type of work cannot be made up at home. Regular attendance is critical to successful achievement in school, and provides structure and socialization that support students’ independence. Our children need to be here each day, on time, and ready to learn! 

Poor attendance if one of the most significant indicators of learning loss and presents the potential for a child to be held over. Please make your travel plans during school breaks so that your child does not miss school. Keep in mind that your child must meet the attendance requirement of 90% set forth by the Chancellor of Schools. After 18 total absences for the school year, and their academics are negatively impacted, your child may be held over. Determination will be made by the Principal on a case-by-case basis. Absences will negatively affect your child’s academic performance, social interactions, and can also pose a safety issue. You may be visited by school personnel, a DOE Attendance Officer, or the Administration of Child Services (ACS). 

Please note excessive absences:

● may be considered educational neglect (All school staff are mandated reporters for NYS)

● negatively impact school funding 

● are a component of the DOE and state’s assessment of a school’s performance 

If there is any support that we can provide (busing, metro card, health services) to improve the attendance of your child, please reach out to us! We are committed to the success of every child and will do everything we can to help your family. 

Please understand that if a medical excuse from the doctor was given to the school, it has been recorded, however, it is still considered an absence, and may still affect promotion. If your child has a medical condition that can be treated by the School Nurse, please contact the Main Office at 718-391-4667. We can walk you through the process of obtaining a 504 form that allows us to treat your child.

Please call the school to report your child’s absence. If we do not hear from you, our staff will make daily phone calls home to check in on student absences. After an absence, please send a note (doctor or parent) stating the date(s) and the reason for the absence within 2 days of the child’s return.

Please fill out the Emergency Card (Blue Card) completely, including multiple emergency contact numbers, and return with your child to the school. These are confidential student records and will not be released to anyone other than staff. List any adult (18 years and older) that may pick up your child. Children will not be released to anyone not on the Emergency Card. Should you have a court order, please submit a copy with the Emergency Card and advise office staff, as well as the Principal, of any changes in custodial rights and ‘do not release’ indicators. Be sure to report any changes as it is very important to keep this information up-to-date for emergency contact purposes. Also, be sure that your child knows his/her home phone number and address.  

We have an experienced Department of Health Nurse on staff every day. Please speak with the Nurse and your child’s teacher regarding any health concerns your child has. The more we know, the better we can protect your child and support his/her good health and well-being.

For the protection of your child and others, please do not send your child to school with any of the following: upset stomach, fever, rash, swollen glands, diarrhea, earache, persistent cough, lice, conjunctivitis (pink-eye), or any other communicable condition.

Students who have medical complaints will be sent to the Nurse’s Office. Students will be evaluated and the determination to be sent home or back to class will be made. Parents will be contacted by the Nurse via phone and written note each time a child visits the Nurse’s Office.

All medications to be administered during the school day must have proper documentation submitted to the Nurse. Students are not permitted to carry medications in school at any time. Medication may be administered in school if it is needed to permit the student to participate in his/her educational program. A health care provider must complete a Medication Administration Form(MAF) for the Nurse to administer medication during the school day. Any changes to the MAF must be in writing and signed by the licensed health care provider and must be supplied at the start of each school year. All medications must be hand-delivered to the school in the original pharmacy container. The Nurse will store the medication in a locked cabinet or refrigerator and maintain a medication log (and other documentation as indicated) for each student approved to receive medication in school.

Our school has Epi-pens available for emergency administration by our staff. All teachers and paraprofessionals assigned to work with students are trained each year to use Epi-pens. 

In accordance with the New York State Public Health Law, all students attending New York City Public Schools must be immunized against the following: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP), polio (IPV/OPV), measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, and varicella (chickenpox). 

In the event that your child has not obtained the required immunization, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has the right to require that your child be excluded from school. If you have any questions, please contact our Nurse.

More information can be found here: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/immunizations

Field trips are planned by teachers as part of the curriculum and expose students to the many institutions and resources available throughout our dynamic city. Trips are not considered ‘rewards’, but rather an extension of our classroom. Our teachers follow clear guidelines to ensure the safety and security of all of our children. Parents will receive notice of field trips via a field trip permission form. Each child will need a signed permission slip prior to the trip date in order to attend the trip. A small amount of money may be requested from each student to defray the cost. All monies should be placed in a sealed envelope with your child’s full name and class. We love having parents join us–please notify the classroom teacher if you are interested in chaperoning. Unfortunately, we cannot permit younger siblings to be part of class trips. 

Our students will participate in walking field trips throughout the school year. Walking field trips are defined as places of educational relevance within walking distance from our school building. Our students will walk to points of interest within our neighborhood with relevance to our curriculum. This may include: the local library, park, or a neighborhood walk to observe wildlife. Teachers will give prior notice of any upcoming walking field trips. By signing a ‘Walking Trip Permission Slip’, you will allow your child to go on these short, local excursions throughout the school year. 

  At P.S 384, we work each day to encourage students to be successful learners and remain safe throughout the school day. Clothing should allow for the urgency of learning at school each day. While we currently do not have a uniform policy, we ask that you please help us by supporting our guidelines for appropriate dress. 

Please send students to school with: 

• Clothing they can manage independently (buttons, zippers, belts, etc.)
• Clothing that is seasonably appropriate 
• Sneakers for gym 
• Sweater or sweatshirt (if needed)

Please do not send students to school with:

• Clothing they cannot manage independently (buttons, zippers, belts, etc.)
• Open toed shoes or flip flops
• High heeled shoes
• Large or expensive accessories or items
• Clothing with inappropriate words or logos 

  We encourage teaching children to be responsible for his/her belongings, including their backpack, coat, lunchbox and supplies. However, we know that sometimes items turn up without their owners! Please label the items your child brings to school, from school supplies, to sweaters, and lunchboxes. Any items found without a label will be placed in the Lost in Found in the Main Office. Please check the Lost and Found periodically for missing items. We will empty the Lost and Found once a month and items will be donated to charity.

  To extend the love of learning outside of school, as well as build responsibility, students will bring books from the classroom library, as well as curriculum materials, home with them. Students should work to ensure that they bring materials to and from school in a responsible way. Classroom library books are most likely one of a kind in that classroom, so please be sure to return books so that others can share in the joy of reading! As for curriculum materials, if an item is lost, we cannot guarantee that we have additional copies to replace it. Let’s help our children develop good habits for treating materials respectfully and responsibly, while continuing to extend learning beyond the school day. 

Birthday celebrations are left to the discretion of the classroom teacher. All celebrations will take place at 2:00 p.m. and last no more than 30 minutes. (You can always drop off snacks in the Main Office earlier.) Please communicate with your child’s teacher in advance so that celebrations do not interfere with instructional and enrichment activities. 

Please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Parents may bring a same small treat and juice boxes for the class during the last period of the day. 
• Please ask your child’s teacher about any food allergy concerns. 
• No goodie bags, please. We do not want parents to feel unnecessary pressure! 
• Birthday celebrations will be limited to the class. We ask that family members not join the class in our small classroom celebrations. 
• If you will be having a party outside of school and would like to invite your child’s classmates, you can obtain a class list from the teacher. Teachers may help as long as ALL students in the class are included!

  Our team is thrilled to accept your thanks and kind words, but they do not expect any gifts. As per the Chancellor’s Regulation, as well as to avoid issues of favoritism and competition, staff members can only accept gifts that are homemade (e.g., a card, a letter, your child’s art, or baked goods). We cannot accept gifts that are store-bought. Teaching children to love learning is the greatest gift of all!