Harold D



Harold D. Fayette School Parent Guide

2020-2021

Dear Parents:

WELCOME to the start of the 2020-2021 school year. 2020 has been a year like no other! First off, I hope you enjoyed the summer as best as you could. It has been a challenge and much work has gone into readying for the year. Our priority is, and will always be, the welfare of your child. How disheartening it was to have in-person schooling cut short last March. We understand the uncertainty that the re-starting of this school year will bring. We look forward to seeing the children in-person again (for those of you who chose virtual learning, we look forward to seeing your children during live instruction). We value the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with you in providing your child with a well-rounded and purposeful educational experience.

This guide is intended to help you and your child get the year off to a smooth start. It includes pertinent information connected to the running of our school. Other information, including important phone numbers, is listed in the North Merrick school calendar and website.

Our School Mission Statement:

The Harold D. Fayette School promotes a nurturing environment where the health and wellness of each student is interwoven within the framework of a vigorous curriculum tied to the New York State Learning Standards. The Fayette team works collaboratively with parents and the community to foster this dedicated learning environment.

The Fayette staff and I are humbled by the awesome task we are charged with; to ensure the highest quality education for each child. As we start this new year, I am eager to begin and see your children grow and develop. They will be working on a variety of units of study, projects and activities that will help foster success. We are committed to our partnership of working with all constituencies for our collective goal in maximizing the academic and social potential of each child. Along with academics, a priority is the emotional well-being of every child. Much focus will be spent on social-emotional learning and dealing with the feelings that COVID-19 has stirred inside each of us.

Your role as parent is essential to our mission and your positive involvement in the education of your child is crucial. Character education plays such an important role in the day-to-day teaching that is ongoing at school. Your reinforcement of character themes and values, such as loving kindness, tolerance, respecting others, respecting property, sensitivity to diversity and obeying school rules will be of great assistance as we begin this new year. This is important and no doubt a growing challenge as we live in a world of social networking sites and other temptations that influence the world of our children.

Once again, we look forward to another school year filled with excitement and hope that each of you will be involved and supportive of our school, our children, and our PTA and SEPTA organizations.

Our school address is 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, N.Y. 11566. Our phone number is 489-3090 and fax number is 485-6016.

Howard Merims

Principal

Due to the need to social distance, this year we are utilizing the following doors for arrivals and dismissals.

SCHOOL HOURS/ARRIVALS & DISMISSALS

Arrival and Drop-Off Doors

AM (8:15-8:25) PM (2:45-Kgn, 2:50 gr. 1-6)

Kgn. Front North Doors – Facing Merrick Ave Front North Doors – Facing Merrick Ave

1, 2W Main Entrance Doors Main Entrance Doors

3, 2M Front South Doors – Facing Merrick Ave Front South Doors - Facing Merrick Avenue

4. Gym Doors Facing Blacktop Gym Doors Facing Blacktop

5. Middle Doors Facing Blacktop Middle Doors Facing Blacktop

6. Back Doors Facing Blacktop Back Doors Facing Blacktop

Unfortunately, due to the necessary changes, the children will not be entering through the Lenhart Garden area.

Grade 4-6 students may be dropped off closer to Merrick Woods.

LINE-UP AM

Line up for each grade will be outside at the designated door area. Each class will have its own lineup area on the sidewalk/blacktop. There will be staff supervision starting at 8:15am.

Students are expected to arrive by the 8:25am bell. Students will be picked up they their teacher at 8:25am. Any student who plays on school grounds before entering the school building is not under the supervision of the Fayette staff. The late bell rings at 8:30am. After 8:30am, the doors are closed, and all children must enter through the front doors. Any student who enters the building late will be marked “tardy” and must sign in at the front desk where his/her temperature will be taken and then be given a late pass.

For safety and security purposes, once a child enters the school building, he/she will not be permitted to leave until dismissal time unless signed out by a parent or legal guardian.

EARLY ARRIVALS

Only students who are registered for the Bellmore-Merrick Before School Child Care Program will be allowed to enter early (starting at 7:15am). The entrance to enter will be the doors in the Lenhart Garden pathway (Middle side doors).

WALKERS

We must have written confirmation that a child is allowed to walk home. Students in grades K-3 will not be allowed to walk home by themselves.

CROSSING GUARDS

There are 3 crossing guards that service our school. They are located at Merrick Ave. & Meadowbrook Rd., Meadowbrook Rd. & Jerusalem Ave., and Midian St. & Merrick Ave.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

The safety of each and every person at Fayette is paramount. With this in mind, please note the traffic safety protocols for our school.

➢ Due to physical distancing, our arrival procedures have changed. Merrick Avenue may be more crowded due to the additional front doors being used and the elimination of the Lenhart Garden doors for drop-off. It would be preferable if children can be walked to school.

➢ Parents of 4th, 5th and 6th graders may drop their children off just north of the Merrick Woods driveway. The gate will be opened where the students can walk to their designated line on the blacktop

➢ Once a child is dropped off from Merrick Avenue, the vehicle must leave the drop-off area so people behind them can drop off their own children. This will help us with the orderly flow of oncoming traffic.

➢ Students are to leave the car from the passenger side only as not to go into the lane of traffic.

➢ For afternoon dismissal, cars may park in the lot if there are available spots.

➢ While in the parking lot, cars must be parked in a designated parking spot. Cars are prohibited to park alongside the building or in handicapped spots without a permit. (Blocking of cars during arrivals or dismissals is a traffic violation.)

➢ Maintain control and order in the school parking lot. (All students must be accompanied by an adult while walking in the parking lot.)

➢ Follow the directions of the crossing guard. Please do not make a right on red into the parking lot.

➢ Pre-school children must not be left unattended in a car while dropping off in the morning or picking up in the afternoon.

➢ Use seat belts at all times as mandated by NYS traffic and safety laws.

➢ Do not park, stop, or stand by the school bus stop. (North Door: Kindergarten side door exit).

➢ State law prohibits drivers from making U-turns within school zones. Double parking is prohibited.

Thank you for your cooperation.

SCHOOL VISITORS

At this point in time, all events with visitors will be put on hold. If and when events can resume, the proper protocols will remain in place.

Once a visitor is granted entrance to the vestibule, their temperature is taken. If they pass, they will enter through the front doors and sign in with the security guard. Masks must be worn at all times. All visitors MUST have photo identification (i.e. Driver’s License) to present. The visitor will have their license scanned and a pass will be created. A visitor is to have the pass on them at all times while in the building. Without the proper identification, a visitor cannot enter the building. The visitor’s pass must be returned to the front desk prior to exiting the building. Exiting is to be done only through the main lobby doors.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

It is vital that all information including home, cell, business telephone numbers and email addresses are kept current. Please include phone numbers for emergency contact people. All changes must be placed in writing to the attention of Mrs. Kenney. Please include the names of every person who will be allowed to pick up your child from school in the event you are unable to do so. If there are any specific issues or concerns (medical, custodial, after school care, etc.) please contact Mrs. Kenney, Nurse Marquez or me.

HEALTH: TEMPERATURE TAKING

Once each child approaches the door to enter, his/her temperature will be taken. The temperature must be under 100° to enter. If it is not, Nurse Marquez will take it again to confirm there is temperature. You were also emailed the link to the form to take your child’s temperature as well. We will have a QR displayed at each entrance door area, too.

HEALTH: SAFETY ROOM

Due to physical distancing protocols, any child who develops a fever or any COVID-19 symptoms, will be brought and examined by the nurse. If there are symptoms, the child will be brought to our Safety Room. The parent will be called to pick up their child immediately.

HEALTH: COMMUNICABLE ILLNESSES

Please call 489-3091 to let Nurse Marquez know if your child is absent with any contagious illness, such as strep, conjunctivitis, chicken pox, or head lice. The nurse is required to send communicable notices to the other parents in the class. This should help limit exposure to others and thusly minimize additional illnesses. An absence note from the doctor is to be sent in when your child is able to return to school.

HEALTH: GOOD HYGIENE

As you do at home, we will continually emphasize all good hygiene practices. This includes washing hands thoroughly, using hand sanitizer in-between hand washing or when hand washing is not possible, coughing into sleeve, sneezing into a tissue.

HEALTH: MEDICATION

If your physician deems it necessary that medication be administered during the school day, you will need to complete an “Administration of Medication in School” form. This form must be completed before you send medication to school. If you need this form, contact Nurse Marquez.

Under no circumstances are students permitted to carry or take medication of any kind on the school premises unless there is specific written authorization from the physician and parent. This includes over the counter medications such as Tylenol, cough syrup, cough drops, etc. All written requests must be on file with Nurse Marquez. Medicines that can be carried with proper documentation include inhaled rescue medications for respiratory symptoms or epinephrine auto-injector to treat allergies or insulin, glucagon, and other diabetes supplies to manage their diabetes.

ABSENCES and LATENESSES

If your child is absent from school, please notify Nurse Marquez before 9:00am at 489-3091. When calling in an absence please provide the following information: child’s first and last name, teacher’s name, date(s) of absence, reason for absence. In addition, your child must bring an absence note upon returning to school. IMPORTANT: An absence is considered illegal if a note is not sent in documenting the cause of absence. Nurse Marquez will call the home of an absentee who did not notify the school of the child’s absence.

Establishing positive routines are essential for success in school. This includes arriving to school on time. The late bell rings at 8:30 am. Children who are late to school not only hinder their own smooth beginning to the day but it also causes a distraction to the other children. Excessive lateness will warrant a call or letter home. (Please note: a letter is generated after a child is late 10 times.)

LUNCH TIME

Once again, Aramark will provide a lunch program. There will be a monthly menu online and a notice with additional information concerning the cost and procedures for payment. Prices for the 2020-2021 are also listed online. Please note: The Kitchen will not be accepting cash for this year. Unfortunately, snacks will not be offered (i.e. chips) due to the new framework.

To keep abreast of your lunch account, please register at to create an account.

Please click on this link for access to the Google form:

You are to use this form for each time you want to order lunch for your child. Once a choice has been sent in, a change cannot be made.

As you are aware, children will be eating lunch in their classrooms. On nice weather days, recess will be outside. There will be designated areas for each cohort (class). Cohorts may not intermingle. There will be a rotation for the use of the playground as only one class will be allowed in the playground during a lunch period.

The lunch and recess periods for the 2020-2021 school year are as follows:

10:55am - 11:45am Grades 1 and 5

11:55am - 12:45pm Grades K, 3, and 4

12:55pm – 1:45pm Grades 2 and 6

CURRICULUM

Teaching and learning in a safe and secure environment is our priority. The New York State Learning Standards in ELA and Mathematics is the lynchpin that drives instruction. The work the teachers are preparing for their students is demanding. There are great expectations of the students to work hard, study, and be ready for each day’s lessons.

We will continue with our literacy work with all K-3 classes continuing with the Readers Workshop format in Fountas & Pinnell Classroom. We plan for grades 4-6 to continue their focus on Book Clubs within the Readers Workshop framework, along with Guided Reading. All classes will continue their work with Writers Workshop. Math is given the same vigorous attention as is done with ELA in terms of thinking deeply and being able to explain the mathematical process. Meaningful units of study in Science and Social Studies allow the students to investigate important topics and concepts.

Due to the necessary changes, art, library and music will be push-in for the classes where the teacher will go to the classroom to teach the lesson. PE classes will have more opportunities for outdoor instruction.

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Throughout the school year, there will be many communiques sent to the home. Most will be sent via REMIND. Occasionally, there will be a hard copy notice, but we are planning for that to be few and far between. We hope that these on-going communications will assist you in keeping abreast of all activities that involve the Fayette school community. Please emphasize with your child the importance of keeping the Fayette student folder or school planner neat, orderly, and up-to-date.

2. REMIND or Parentlink MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM- During the year you may be receiving messages through the automated phone system. These messages will be sent to your primary phone number. If there is an emergency, a message will be sent to all numbers which are listed on your contact form (home, work, cell, etc.). Most messages will be sent via email only.

3. DISMISSAL OF STUDENTS – As not to interrupt ongoing instruction and to avoid any potential problems or miscommunication, we ask that if your child will be picked up by another person at dismissal (e.g. a classmate’s parent) a written note to the teacher be sent instead of calling the school.

LEAVING SCHOOL

During the school day- If your child needs to leave school prior to the end of the school day, please send a note to the classroom teacher beforehand. In addition, you will wait in the front vestibule in order to sign him/her out. Children will be called to the office after you have arrived. Your child will then be escorted to you. We cannot have children come to the office and wait to be picked up. If someone other than the parent or legal guardian is picking up your child, we require authorization by the parent or legal guardian. Anyone authorized to pick up your child will be asked to show a photo ID before your child can be signed out. This person should be listed on your Emergency Contact Form.

At Dismissal- If you will not be available to pick up your child, the teacher can only release to an authorized individual with photo ID. If the teacher does not know the person, she/he will not release your child. You will then be called to authorize the pickup.

SCHEDULING of MEETINGS

We encourage on-going communication with parents. Meetings with staff should be made at mutually convenient times. Until we can return to normal procedures, meetings are to be held virtually or by phone.

HOME/SCHOOL CONNECTION

A positive, working relationship between the home and school is essential for student success. Your involvement will help make the most of your child’s experience at Fayette. Certainly, teachers are to provide updates on the ongoing curriculum. Likewise, if you have questions about how your child is progressing, please reach out to your child’s teacher. Additionally, you should be receiving occasional positive calls during the school year, as well as bringing to your attention any academic or behavioral concerns.

To support our partnership, here are just a few suggestions to do at home to help extend school learning.

• Read to or with your child(ren) every day. Discuss, question, and explain what is read.

• Discuss current events; read the newspaper or view the news on television together each day.

• Monitor the amount of time and the type of shows or games your child(ren) watch on TV, or on the computer.

• Supervise your child(ren) when they are on the internet or gaming. Please know, that there are many violent, inappropriate sites or games that elementary-age children are not mature enough to handle.

• Talk about school every day; let your child(ren) share the school day with you.

• Review your child(ren)’s notebooks, planners, and assignments every day. If you have a question or concern, contact the teacher without delay. Remember, a teacher cannot address a problem if he/she is unaware that one exists.

The Parent-School Partnership Poem shares the sentiment of our core philosophy of the importance of the home-school relationship. Please take time to read this poem that is included in this guide.

AFTER-SCHOOL INFORMATION

1. ACTIVITIES- Those children who attend the Bellmore-Merrick Child Care Program (2:45pm-6:00pm) will follow specific health protocols as well.

2. RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER HOURS- Children will not be allowed to come back to school in the afternoon for any forgotten items

FORGOTTEN ITEMS from HOME

Items such as lunch are to be dropped off on the cart outside the front doors. The security guard will collect the item and your child will be called down to the front desk. If you drop off lunch in the morning, please label it clearly with your child’s name and class. It will be given to your child prior to their lunch period. As not to interrupt classrooms, we ask that forgotten items be brought to school by 9:00am.

DRESS CODE

Please review the dress code with your child. Key points are also printed in the school calendar and on the website.

This Student Dress Code is designed as a guideline for acceptable student dress and appearance.

➢ Extremely brief garments such as tube tops, net tops, tank tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, plunging necklines (both front and/or back) and see-through garments are not appropriate for school. Tops should be an appropriate length and should cover your child’s midriff.

➢ Any articles of clothing that would be deemed a distraction (including clothing with unacceptable words, pictures and short shorts) are inappropriate for the school setting.

➢ Any pants that are allowed to fall to a point of exposing undergarments are not permitted.

➢ Flip-flops are considered to be a safety hazard and students are not permitted to wear them in school.

➢ Hats are not to be worn in school except for religious reasons.

Additionally, be mindful that skateboards, and sneakers or shoes with wheels are not allowed to be worn in school.

CODE of CONDUCT

At the beginning of each year, the North Merrick School Code of Conduct is distributed. The Code of Conduct includes the protocols involving DASA (Dignity for All Students Act). We are here together to assist our children in developing a strong sense of self-respect and responsibility. The Code of Conduct also applies to behavior during virtual learning. I ask for your continued assistance and cooperation regarding the issues outlined in this document. Please carefully read and review it with your child(ren).

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

More than ever before, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) will play an important part at Fayette as we educate the whole child. Our staff led by our mental health team of Mrs. Gingrich and Mrs. Woods, are ready to support your children in dealing with the emotions they may have in returning (or starting school) during the age of COVID. We will continue with our mindfulness work, focus on growth mindset strategies, emphasizing leadership skills in each student, along with class discussions on loving-kindness, tolerance and respect for all. We will also start having each class begin the day with a “Morning Meeting” and to wrap up each day with a reflection of how the day went. These activities will help in bringing the class together and develop relationship building skills. We are looking to help each child be part of a community where there is respect and dignity towards each other. It is important to support each child where good decision making becomes innate.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

The North Merrick School District announces school closings via our mass communication system. Closings will also be noted on News 12 Long Island, as well as other stations.

PTA

As a national, state and local organization, the PTA has always served the interests of children and schools. The Fayette PTA has always been a supportive organization, working hand-in-hand with the school so that children will reap strong benefits. I encourage you to become involved in the PTA and the activities that can be planned for the upcoming year. We also encourage you to support SEPTA (Special Education PTA). SEPTA meets once a month at Fayette, presenting worthwhile topics and motivating speakers. All meetings will be held virtually, until further notice.

IMPORTANT SEPTEMBER DATES

September 8 Board of Education Meeting, 7:00pm

September 11 Patriot Day- Wear Red, White & Blue

September 15* Meet the Teacher Night (virtual) - September 15 (more information to follow)

September 16 SEPTA Meeting- 7:00pm (virtual)

September 17 Constitution Day- Wear Red, White, & Blue

September 23 First PTA meeting of the year- 7:00pm (virtual)

September 29 Picture Day (more information to follow)

*tentative

SOCIAL MEDIA and PHOTOGRAPHY

If and when in school events occur in school, student pictures may be taken and posted on the school website or on the bulletin board in the school halls or classrooms. We also have a Fayette Twitter account to post occasional highlights and information during the school year.

I once again extend a hearty thank you to the Board of Education, the PTA and SEPTA, and the many individual Fayette volunteers for their tireless efforts and support of the children and staff of our school. I look forward to working with you during the school year. To you and yours, a healthy, happy and successful 2020-2021 school year!

Sincerely,

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Howard Merims

HAROLD D. FAYETTE

2020-2021

PARENT GUIDE

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