Embedded Files
Including: Hours, Lunch, Dismissal/Arrival, Closing, Attendance, Visitors, Insurance, Absence Responsibility & Policy, Every Student Succeeds Act, Parent/Guardian Concerns, Your Child's Progress
School Hours School Office Hours
BLES: 8:45 am - 3:43 pm 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
BIS: 8:05 am - 3:03 pm 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
School Lunch Program
A hot lunch program is available to all of our students. Students who wish to carry a bag lunch may do so. Milk will be available in either case. All charges must be paid promptly. When an outstanding balance of $25 is reached for delinquencies in payments of student lunch charges the student will be denied the privilege to participate in any school related club, activity, athletic competition, field trip, or similar event until such time as the outstanding charge is paid in full. Please refrain from sending/bringing in fast food as at times this has caused disruptions in the cafeteria.
School Memos
The Byram Township School District is a GREEN district and environmentally conscious. We will not be sending out hard copies of memos. Every Friday, please check the school website under the section “E-BACKPACK” for the latest school memo or community flyer and a EMAIL BLAST will be sent out every Friday. During the school year if there is an emergency notice that needs to go out, we will send it out in hard copy and also place it in the “E-BACKPACK”. During the beginning of the school year several notices will go out in hard copy if forms need to be returned to school.
Delayed Openings / Early Dismissals
In case of a delayed opening, bus pick-up times will be approximately two hours later than regular pick-up time. Both schools will open at 10:40 a.m. and will dismiss starting at 3:35 p.m.
Although the schools may be open, parents/guardians remain the final judge as to whether or not conditions in their immediate locale are hazardous enough to warrant not sending their children to school.
When weather or any other emergency forces an early dismissal, the Intermediate School and the Lakes School will be dismissed at 1:15 p.m. The YMCA after-school day care program will not be available when inclement weather forces an early dismissal. Your child will be placed on their appropriate bus run home.
Each parent/guardian should discuss with their child an emergency plan to be used in the event an early dismissal takes place when the parent/guardian is not at home.
School Closings
Information regarding our Honeywell Alert messaging system which is Internet based and can be deployed for inclement weather, emergency situations, security circumstances, etc., will be sent home by the beginning of October. You will be provided with additional information so that you can input other telephone numbers, or e-mails, allowing multiple contact features.
School closings for weather or other emergencies will be announced over the following radio/TV stations, WSUS 102.3, WABC or can be obtained from our web site:
www.byramschools.org
Attendance
Attendance Regulation #5200 states “An elementary student may be retained at grade level, in accordance with Policy #5410 (Promotion & Retention), when he/she has been absent eighteen or more school days, whatever the reason for the absence, except that absences for the observance of a religious holiday and absences due to student’s suspension will not count towards the total.”
Tardiness
Three instances of unexcused tardiness will equal one unexcused absence for the purpose of calculating unexcused absences for application of Board Policy #5410 on promotion.
Reinstatement of Emergency Closing Days
Inclement weather or emergency closing days taken prior to February 1st will be reinstated during the winter recess starting from the Wednesday of that week and, if necessary at the end of the school year. Notification of these changes in the school calendar will be made as they are approved by the Board of Education.
Parent / Guardian Responsibility and Absent/Missing Child Policy
The Board of Education’s policy on missing children established a procedure that attempts to account for all students each day of the school year. In cooperation with that procedure, parents/guardians are asked to call the attendance office at 973-347-1047 ext. 2150, for the Lakes and Intermediate School, or Pick Up Patrol to report their child’s absence. In addition to this call, a child who has been absent MUST present to his homeroom teacher, a note signed by his/her parents/guardians explaining the absence. Remember that New Jersey statutes place the responsibility for regular attendance with the parents/guardians.
Policy #5200 states: A pupil must be in attendance for 162 or more school days in order to be considered to have successfully completed the instructional program requirements of the grade/course to which he/she is assigned.
Every Student Succeeds Act
Elementary and Secondary Education Act is our country's most important federal education law. In 2001, this law was reauthorized to be No Child Left Behind and is now called Every Student Succeeds Act. ESSA was designed to make changes in teaching and learning that will help increase academic achievement in our schools.
We believe that nothing is more important to your child's education at school than having a well-prepared and highly qualified teacher. The law requires that all teachers who teach in core content areas must meet a specific legal definition of “highly qualified: in order to teach in schools that receive Title I funding. The legal definition of a “highly qualified teacher” has three parts. It states that the teacher must have the following:
A four-year college degree
A regular teaching certificate/license
Proof of their knowledge in the subject they teach
New Jersey has some of the most qualified teachers in the country, and we are extremely proud of the quality of the teaching staff in the Byram School District. All of our regular teachers have college degrees and many have advanced degrees. The state of New Jersey has always required a teaching certificate/license for all teachers. In addition, every teacher continues learning through professional development activities and our teachers are evaluated each year to make sure that their teaching skills remain at the highest possible level. Most teachers already meet this legal definition of highly qualified. Teachers in the state of New Jersey are required to meet this definition.
To ensure that every child in every classroom has a highly qualified teacher, the state of New Jersey and our school district are working together to help teachers meet the requirements of the federal law by providing several options. Teachers may take a content Praxis test, or they can demonstrate their expertise through a college major in the content. A highly qualified teacher knows what to teach, how to teach, and has a full understanding of the subject matter being taught. We believe that every teacher in our school is fully qualified and dedicated to teaching your child, and we will do everything possible to help our teachers who may not yet meet the legal definition required by the federal government.
You are encouraged to support your child's education and communicate with your child's teacher(s) on a regular basis. For more information on ESSA, please visit the United States Department of Education web site at www.ed.gov/essa. By partnering, families and educators can provide your child with the best education possible.
Visitors
All visitors are requested to report to the main office where they will be asked to produce a valid driver’s license in order to receive a visitor’s pass. Individuals visiting the district who require such aids as wheelchairs or braces are encouraged to call in advance so that we can anticipate their needs and provide for a comfortable visit.
Early Release of Student Procedure
Occasionally, it may be necessary for a parent/guardian to ask for a child to be excused from school on a particular day after the child has reported to school. These occasions should be few in number and relate to only the most serious of reasons. From time to time, it may be necessary for a parent/guardian to transport a child home at the end of a school day.
In an attempt to ensure the safety of students attending the Byram Township Schools, the following procedures have been established:
A student who will be signed out of school during school hours must present a note from home signed by the parent/guardian stating the time and reason for leaving school before the end of the scheduled school day.
Any parent/guardian signing out their child before the end of the school day or who is transporting their child home after the end of the school day must report to the school office and complete the Release of a Child From School form, giving reasons.
No student will be allowed to leave school with anyone other than the authorized parent/guardian or adult who has been authorized by the parent/guardian in writing.
An individual signing out a student will be requested to provide proper identification to satisfy school personnel that he/she is the person authorized to sign out the child. Failure to provide appropriate certification will result in a denial of the request to sign out the student.
Late Arrival of Student Procedure
Students who arrive late for school should be signed in by their parent/guardian in the main office. Students must receive a late pass for class from the Main Office.
Student Group Accident Insurance
The Byram Township Board of Education provides for all students and athletes, student ACCIDENT coverage on an excess basis over and above any insurance the parents or guardians have in place. This accident policy provides coverage during school hours or during school sponsored and supervised events. The coverage is NOT HEALTH INSURANCE. The benefit period is up to two years with no deductible.
All accidents must be reported to the carrier no later than 90 days from the incident. In the event your child has an accident, please make sure you get a claim form filled out by the School District. In addition to the school sponsored coverage, parents or guardians are offered the ability to purchase Voluntary student coverage excluding athletics, for 24 hour accident coverage. The annual cost for the 24 hour coverage is $185.00 per year and is administrated by Bollinger Insurance. Bollinger coverage may be purchased on line @ www.bollingerschools.com.
Parent / Guardian Concerns
Parents/guardians who have concerns about their child’s instructional program are asked to make their concerns known first, to their child’s classroom teacher. If the concern remains after discussion with the classroom teacher, the parent/guardian is then asked to next contact the building Principal. If a discussion with the building Principal does not resolve the concern, then contact the Superintendent. If the matter remains unresolved after a discussion with the Superintendent, the parent/guardian is then asked to contact the Board of Education in an attempt to resolve the concern.
Your Child's Progress
The home and the school must work together to ensure the best educational progress. There are many ways in which the home can help. Here are a few suggestions:
Demonstrate to your children a genuine interest in their school and school activities. Show a positive interest in their accomplishments and continually encourage them.
A growing body needs plenty of rest, make sure your son or daughter has a daily schedule that provides for sufficient sleep.
Children need to feel secure. Avoid friction and other emotional tensions in the home. Your children need the confidence and understanding that only a nurturing home can give.
Your children’s school day is a working day. Be sure that you do not overload it. Although piano lessons, clubs, meetings, etc. are important, these activities should be balanced to afford your children the opportunity for adequate relaxation and play.
When your children have school work to do at home, see that they have the proper equipment and place that is free from distracting influences, such as a radio, television, or little brother or sister.
Growing children must have plenty of food to supply energy for work and play. Their health and school progress are influenced by the food they eat. Send them to school ready for the work of the day after a wholesome and adequate breakfast. Be sure they have an adequate lunch whether they buy it or carry it to school.
Good attendance is necessary to maintain the continuity of your children’s educational program. Students who are often absent are sometimes overwhelmed by the work that must be made up. Poor attendance can lead to failure in school. Good attendance is a characteristic of a successful student.
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