Agenda
| Welcome | School Hours | Early Dismissal |
| Attendance | Conduct | Bus Regulations |
| Playground | Cafeteria | Drug-Free |
| Homework | Activities | Calendar |
| Physical Ed | Student Appearance | Kids Corner |
| Books | School Visitation |
Welcome to the George L. Hess Educational Complex! A student’s education
is the most important goal of our school. To achieve our goal of providing
an outstanding educational environment with excellent programs, certain
guidelines need to be followed. The policies and procedures contained in
this agenda are a result of a concerted effort on the part of the teachers, the
administrators and Board of Education members. This informational Agenda
has been designed to inform children of their responsibilities as students.
Students are encouraged to share this information with their parents/guardians
so everyone involved will be aware of what is expected of each student, each and
everyday.
We hope all of your experiences in our school are
both enjoyable and meaningful.
The regularly scheduled arrival and departure times for the Hess School are as follows:
Ø Grades 2 – 5 9:15 & 3:35
Parents/Guardians should send a note to their children's homeroom teachers requesting an early dismissal for their child. The note should include the student's name, parent's signature, date and time of the early dismissal. All Parents are to come to the Security Receptionist's desk located in the main lobby, to sign out their children. For the safety of all students, no students will be permitted to leave the school building with another adult without written permission from the child's parent.
Regular attendance is encouraged in order for all students to receive the maximum benefit from daily lessons. A copy of the District Attendance Policy has been given to both students and parents/guardians. Please note the following highlights of the policy:
1. Parents of absent pupils are required to call school (625-6600) to report their child absent.
Ø Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5 by 9:30 AM
2. Parents must follow-up the next day with a note to the school explaining the student’s absence.
3. Unexcused absences over 18 days will result in retention regardless of grades.
The school does realize that students cannot attend school when they are ill, but there are few other reasons for non-attendance. It is always better for a student to be late to school than to miss the entire day. If a student is late to school he/she is to report to the Security Receptionist’s desk to sign in before going to class.
Each month all students will receive a monthly calendar with all important dates and reminders listed on the calendar. Some examples would include: holidays, interim progress reports, end of marking period, after school activities, PTA and Board of Education meetings, report card day, etc.
Proper conduct in school is essential to maintain the proper instructional environment. Good conduct is the key to proper consideration for other people. The school has established guidelines for appropriate behavior that all students should follow to maintain a safe and effective instructional climate. They are as follows:
1. Listen and respect all teachers.
2. Treat our school with kindness and care.
3. Keep your hands, feet, objects and unkind words to yourself.
4. Be prepared for class, listen carefully and follow directions.
5. Raise your hand to speak or leave your seat.
6. Walk and speak quietly in class and hallways.
7. Treat others the way you’d like to be treated: be kind and polite.
Disciplinary action will occur to those students who behave inappropriately. Consequences may include but are not limited to:
Ø Lunch/Recess Detention
Ø After School Detention
Ø Time Out
Ø External Suspension
Ø Discipline Review Committee Hearing
All students attending the Hess Educational Complex will come to school on the school bus and return home on the bus. Parents/Guardians must provide transportation for those students who miss the school bus. Students who make periodic arrangements to visit a friend’s home after school and will be transported by another school bus or get off their bus at a different bus stop must have a written request from the parents/guardians involved with the change. A Transportation Request Form must be completed for making a permanent change in a student’s transportation assignment.
The bus driver is in complete charge of the bus and its occupants at all times. Students riding the bus must comply with the request and directives of the driver. Students are required to follow four simple rules when riding the bus so as not to endanger others:
1. Listen to and respect the bus driver.
2. Stay in their seats.
3. Talk quietly.
4. No food or gum chewing permitted.
**According to the Hamilton Township Board of Education and New Jersey School Law: Any student who rides the school bus and endangers the safety of others through misconduct will be restricted from riding the bus by the school principal.
Students must demonstrate good sportsmanship while on the playground. The playground
should be a fun and safe place to visit. Students should remember:
1. No rough play.
2. Always listen to the duty teacher.
3. Stay in assigned areas.
4. Line up quickly and quietly.
The Hess School provides equipment, such as balls and jump ropes for the students to use on the playground. The school cannot be held responsible for any item a student brings from home. The discipline policy will be enforced for those students who have difficulty following the playground/school rules.
The Hess Educational Complex utilizes a Café Terminal Point of Sale System in the cafeteria. All students are given a Personal Pin Number that they memorize and use daily for purchasing their lunch. Students will be provided with Lunch Money Envelopes for deposits. Please be sure to ALWAYS include the student’s name, as well as the teacher’s name on the check or envelope. After initial deposits are made in the students’ accounts at the start of the school year, please send in account lunch money on the following days:
5th grade Tuesday
4th grade Wednesday
3rd grade Thursday
2nd grade Friday
Students must demonstrate proper manners when in the cafeteria. The cafeteria should be a courteous and clean place to visit. All food and drinks must remain in the cafeteria. Students should refrain from bringing cans and glass bottles into the cafeteria. Students should remember to:
1. Always listen to the duty teachers.
2. Talk softly to other students at the table.
3. Follow proper table manners and safety rules.
The discipline policy will be enforced for those students who have difficulty following the cafeteria/school rules.
The Hess Educational Complex is a Drug-Free Zone. The possession of drugs and alcohol on school property is not permitted. Anyone discovered in possession of drugs, alcohol or imitation drugs will be penalized to the fullest extent of the law. School grounds are by law, a drug-free area.
Textbooks are a valued part of the instructional program. Books are on loan to students from the school and should be treated properly. Students are required to have each book covered all year. When issuing books to students, teachers will write the student’s name and room number in the front.
Students should take proper care of books that are assigned to them. They should be free from being torn or damaged in any way. Fines for damages to books are assessed by the teacher or office and are payable to the main office.
Homework is an important part of a student’s educational program. Homework is an activity that provides additional practice on important skills presented in the classroom. Students will be given an assignment book to assist them in becoming organized. Parents should check and sign the assignment book nightly. Students should also set aside a certain time each day to study and do their homework to make their educational experience a positive one.
The Hess Educational Complex offers a wide variety of school activities for students. Students should listen to daily announcements for the activities that will be offered during the year.
Students are encouraged to dress appropriately for school; therefore, promoting a positive attitude about learning and about one’s self image, as well as, to eliminate distractions to the educational process. Students who wear clothing that can be deemed objectionable will call their parents to request a change of clothes prior to returning to class. Students should not wear clothing that distracts from the educational environment of the school.
1. Outerwear such as coats, hats, or bandanas are not to be worn in class. Students should store their outerwear in the cloak closets in their homerooms. Coats should not be stored on the back of chairs.
2. Midriffs, cut-off shirts, and tank tops are not permitted to be worn at any time.
3. Shirts advertising alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or those with obscene or questionable printing on them are not permitted.
4. Shorts are permitted as school attire from May 1st to September 30th. The length of the shorts should be below the fingertips.
Socks or stockings should be worn with open-toed shoes.
Physical
Education Dress Requirements
Students in grades 2-5 will have swimming as part of their Physical Education program. During the first and second marking periods, grades 4 and 5 will have swimming and during the third and fourth marking periods grades 2 and 3 will have swimming.
Proper dress is required for this program. Students are to wear a regulation swim suit and bring a towel. Locker rooms are provided and students are encouraged to change in and out of their swimming suits in the locker room. Students should not wear their swimming suits to school under their clothing. It is requested that the students bring their swimming suits and towels in plastic bags to assist in keeping other items from getting wet.
During the regular Physical Education program students are required to wear light-soled sneakers which are non-marking and unrestrictive clothing that allow them to move freely. It is suggested that no jewelry (i.e. earrings, necklaces, and rings) be worn on the day the student has gym class or swimming class.
Parents/Guardians or visitors must report directly to the Security Receptionist’s desk located in the main lobby. They will be required to sign in upon arrival and sign out upon departure. They will also be required to wear a visitor’s badge while on school grounds. Prior arrangements should be made to visit the school facilities or see a staff member.
Kids Corner services are available before and after school at a reasonable cost. For more information about Kids Corner, please contact Mr. Cliff Melder at 625-5091.