2015-2016
Central Avenue Elementary School
Madison Public Schools Mission Statement
“To inspire and challenge all students to be life-long learners, empowered with the knowledge,
skills and character to shape their future, realize their dreams and contribute positively to the
world”
Welcome to Central Avenue Elementary School!
Please take the time to review this handbook with your parents/guardians. We have alphabetized
the areas of general information to make it easy to locate. This information can also be found on
the school website at www.madisonpublicschools.org. We advise you to keep this booklet for
reference throughout the year, as well as for daily classroom assignments.
After reading through the handbook, we ask you to please sign below.
We have reviewed this Student Handbook and Survival Guide.
_______________________
Student Name (Print)
_______________________
Student Signature
_______________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
_______________________
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General Information
*All information is in alphabetical order*
Academic Integrity
The highest standards of honesty must apply to a student’s actions at CAS. Any act of dishonesty reflects
upon a student and affects the entire school community.
Among the most serious academic offenses are copying and plagiarism. Both are forms of cheating. In
copying, a student is taking the work of another, either from homework or from a test/quiz, and claiming
it as his/her own. The term plagiarism usually refers to a higher level of copying in which a person, often
in preparing a research paper, copies from sources without indicating what sources were used. In effect,
by not naming the source, the student is claiming the work as his/her own. The term also applies if a
student copies a project of another and claims that he/she is the author.
Any form of cheating will result in a grade of zero (0) for the test or assignment for which it occurred.
The consequence of plagiarism will depend on the extent of the plagiarized material used in the
assignment. The teacher will contact the parent or guardian if any cheating offense occurs. Repeat
offenders will be referred to the administration. Whether the student is the person who gives or receives
the information, he/she is guilty of a dishonest act.
Attendance/Absence/Tardiness
School doors open at 8:30am, and class begins promptly at 8:30am.
Students arriving after 8:40am are considered tardy. Even though we do accept excuses, only legitimate
excuses will be accepted from the students. Parents must bring students into school to sign in late.
Written, signed and dated excuse notes will only be accepted upon arrival. The school administration
reserves the final right in determining if it is a legitimate excuse. Please note that continued unexcused
tardies will result in disciplinary action and/or a parent conference.
6A:16-7.8 Attendance
(a) Each district board of education shall develop, adopt and implement policies and procedures regarding
the attendance of students, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 through 31 and N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8 and 13.1, at
the public schools of the district or day schools in which students are provided with equivalent
instruction, according to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25, that shall include, at a minimum:
1. The expectations and consequences regarding the timely arrival of students to school and classes;
2. The expectations and consequences regarding attendance at school and classes;
3. A definition of unexcused absence, for the purpose of this section, that, at a minimum, shall be based
on the definition of a school day, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8.3, and the following considerations:
i. Family illness or death;
ii. Educational opportunities;
iii. Written parental permission;
iv. Excused religious observances, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-14 through 16;
v. Where appropriate, Individualized Education Programs pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § § 1400 et seq., the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, accommodation plans under 29 U.S.C. § § 794
and 705(20), and individualized health care plans, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.3(b)2ix; and
4. School staff responses for unexcused absences:
i. For up to four cumulative unexcused absences, the school district shall:
(1) Make a reasonable attempt to notify the student’s parents of each unexcused absence prior to the start
of the following school day;
(2) Conduct an investigation to determine the cause of each unexcused absence, including contact with
the student’s parents;
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(3) Develop an action plan in consultation with the student’s parents designed to address patterns of
unexcused absences, if any, and to have the child return to school and maintain regular attendance;
(4) Proceed in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 9:6-1 et seq. and N.J.A.C 6A:16-11, if a
potential missing or abused child situation is detected; and
(5) Cooperate with law enforcement and other authorities and agencies, as appropriate;
ii. For between five and nine cumulative unexcused absences, the school district shall:
(1) Make a reasonable attempt to notify the student’s parents of each unexcused absence prior to the start
of the following school day;
(2) Conduct a follow-up investigation, including contact with the student’s parents, to determine the cause
of each unexcused absence;
(3) Evaluate the appropriateness of the action plan developed pursuant to (a) 4i (3) above;
(4) Revise the action plan, as needed, to identify patterns of unexcused absences and establish outcomes
based upon the student’s needs and specify the interventions for achieving the outcomes, supporting the
student’s return to school and regular attendance that may include any or all of the following:
(A) Refer or consult with the building’s Intervention and Referral Services team, pursuant to N.J.A.C.
6A:16-8;
(B) Conduct testing, assessments or evaluations of the student’s academic, behavioral and health needs;
(C) Consider an alternate educational placement;
(D) Make a referral to a community-based social and health provider agency or other community
resource;
(E) Refer to the court program designated by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts; and
(F) Proceed in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 9:6-1 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-11, if a
potential missing or abused child situation is detected; and
(5) Cooperate with law enforcement and other authorities and agencies, as appropriate.
iii. For cumulative unexcused absences of 10 or more, the student, between the ages of six and 16, is
truant, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:38-27, and the school district shall:
(1) Make a mandatory referral to the court program required by the New Jersey Administrative Office of
the Courts;
(2) Make a reasonable attempt to notify the student’s parents of the mandatory referral;
(3) Continue to consult with the parent and the involved agencies to support the student’s return to school
and regular attendance;
(4) Cooperate with law enforcement and other authorities and agencies, as appropriate; and
(5) Proceed in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:38-28 through 31, Article 3B, Compelling Attendance at
School, and other applicable State and Federal statutes, as required.
(b) For students with disabilities, the attendance plan and punitive and remedial procedures set forth
therein shall be applied, where applicable, in accordance with the students’ Individualized Education
Programs, pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § § 1400 et seq., the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Improvement Act; the procedural protections set forth in N.J.A.C. 6A:14; accommodation plans under 29
U.S.C. § § 794 and 705(20); and individualized health care plans, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.3(b)2ix.
(c) All receiving schools pursuant to N.J.A.C 6A:14-7.1(a), shall act in accordance with (a) 4i above for
each student with up to four cumulative unexcused absences.
1. For each student attending a receiving school with five or more cumulative unexcused absences, the
absences shall be reported to the sending school district.
i. The sending school district shall proceed in accordance with the district board of education policies and
procedures pursuant to (a) above and the provisions of (a)4ii through iii and (b) above, as appropriate.
(d) The chief school administrator shall submit annually a report to the Commissioner of Education
containing information on student attendance, including, but not limited to, the district board of
education’s implementation of each of the requirements pursuant to this section.
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If extenuating circumstances create the necessity for a student absence due to any other reason, a written
request must be submitted at least one week in advance to the school principal. All work or tests missed
because of such absences become the student’s responsibility. If there is a medical reason for the
absences, please notify the school in order that our records be kept up to date.
If we have not received prior notification from a parent or guardian by phone or note when students are
absent from school, it is our practice to call the home and at times send the police to ascertain the reasons
for absence. If a student is absent for one or two days, he/she should try to secure assignments from
classmates or, after returning to school, from the teachers. Parents/students may also contact the school to
request homework assignments. Such assignments will be provided only for those students who are
absent because of illness. Such requests should be received in the office by 9:00am in order to have the
work and materials ready for after school pickup on the same day. Repeated failure to pick up homework
will result in no further requests being acted upon.
Note: A written excuse stating the cause of absence and date signed by parent or legal guardian is
required from each student upon return to school after an absence. This excuse must be presented to the
main office on the morning of the student’s return to school.
Bicycle Safety
Only 4th and 5th graders are allowed to bike to CAS or students with a parent/guardian. Parents are
responsible for getting their children to school. Bicycles must be walked on school grounds. Pupils
failing to abide by these safety rules will lose the privilege of riding their bicycles to school. Motorized
scooters are not permitted.
Students riding bicycles to school must ride on the roadway and not on the sidewalk. The bicycles must
be locked in the racks at the front of the school. We are not responsible for stolen bicycles. All students
may not use skateboards or roller blades on school grounds. State law requires that bicycle operators and
passengers under the age of seventeen wear helmets.
The Board will not be responsible for bicycles or motor vehicles that are lost, stolen, or
damaged.
Bus Protocol:
At CAS, there are only three buses operating:
 The Kirby Bus
 The LLD Program Bus
 The Pre-School Program Bus
Each bus is controlled by outside parties.
The Kirby bus is organized and controlled by the Kirby Center and the Pre-school/LLD Bus is organized
and controlled by the special services department. If there is a bus issue or concern, please do the
following:
Matters Involving Transportation (other than student discipline)
1. Business Administrator Gary Lane or Mary Lou Yocco, Exec. Secretary to
Business Administrator
2. Superintendent Michael Rossi
Care of School Property
It is the responsibility of each student to do his/her share in caring for school property. Some ways are:
1. Avoid marking or otherwise marring doors, walls, floors, or any other school property.
2. If a person scratches or marks school property they must help pay the expense of refinishing or
fixing the property.
3. Everyone takes pride in a clean and tidy building. Therefore:
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a. Place all waste paper in the trash cans that are provided.
b. Pick up scraps as you see them in the halls.
4. Textbooks are the property of the school and are in your care and loan for the school year.
Therefore:
a. Mistreatment resulting in damage to the book, as well as loss of the book, will result in a
fine.
b. The amount of the fine will be determined by the condition of the book at the time of
issue.
c. Report Cards at the end of the year are not issued until all obligations are met.
d. Keep all books covered and kept free of paper, pads, etc.
e. The student’ name should be written on the front book cover and should be filled out
completely in case it is lost.
f. If a book is damaged or lost the students will have to pay a fine for the cost of the book.
Code of Conduct
The goal of the CAS is to provide an atmosphere where the students will feel safe, secure, and happy, and
where they are provided every opportunity to learn.
In an effort to achieve this goal, we have developed a conduct plan which provides students with rules,
incentives for following the rules, and consequences for breaking them. Individual teachers may also
have additional classroom rules which should be followed at all times.
*Below are items that relate to “Conduct Guidelines”*
School-Wide Rules
Any behavior or possibility of behavior that will result in physical, psychological, social or emotional
harm to another is unacceptable. Below are some specific examples of behaviors that should be avoided:
 Hitting, pushing, kicking, tripping, spitting
 Initiating or spreading rumors/gossiping/sharing unnecessary information about others
 Bullying
 Bullying identified as:
(N.J.S.A.18A:37-14) “Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” may include “any gesture or written, verbal
or physical act, or any electronic communication, reasonably perceived as being motivated either by any
actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, or mental, physical or sensory handicap, or by any other
distinguished characteristic, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, or on a
school bus that:
o A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of
harming a student or damaging the student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable
fear of harm to his person or damage to his property; or
o Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students in such a way
as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation
of the school.
 Electronic Communication (Cyber Bullying):
New Jersey case law specifies that school districts have a duty to address conduct away from school
grounds under certain conditions-see statute above or see R.R. v. Board of Educ. Of Shore Reg. High
School Dist., 109 N.J. Super.337 (1970); L.W. v. Toms River School Dist., 189 NJ 381 (2007)
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Instigating a fight
Stealing or blackmail
Use of a weapon
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
Use verbal or written words like: kill, shoot, pop, sniper, or anything that resembles these words
Students should also:
 Follow directions of any staff member the first time they are given.
 Keep hands, feet, and objects to themselves, even when playing around. No roughhousing.
 Carry a pass when out of the classroom during a class period. They also must sign in and out.
 Not chew gum at anytime.
 Walk quietly in the hallways and stairways. Students should also remain to the right and utilize
the door to the right when walking in the hallways and stairways for safety reasons.
 Not bring any objects to school which could potentially be used as weapons or which resemble
weapons.
Note: This list is not all inclusive; it is merely a sampling of some examples of inappropriate
behavior.
Consequences
Administration reserves the right to administer ranging consequences based on various behaviors. Types
of consequences include: Loss of privileges (recess, assemblies, field trips, socials, etc.), lunch detention,
after school detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension.
If a letter is sent home, the letter must be signed and returned the next school day. If the letter is not
returned, the parent is contacted and the student will receive a warning followed by a lunch detention.
If a student is suspended, a conference is required upon return to school. A parent/guardian will be
contacted by phone when any suspension occurs. Repeated school suspension may result in further action
as determined by the Superintendent of Schools.
All disciplinary actions will be placed in students’ cumulative files and recorded in STI for all bullying
incidents, detentions, suspensions and school resource officer (SRO) referrals.
Note: Both civil and educational authorities mandate some of these consequences.
Electronic Devices
 Cell phones are to be off and kept in backpack/cubby at all times.
 Expensive electronic devices, such as IPAD, IPOD, Nintendo DS, Playstation Portable, Kindle,
etc. are prohibited in school unless parents agree to consent form.
 The school is not responsible for lost or stolen electronic devices.
 If any device is visible, the teachers are authorized to confiscate these items.
 Depending on the frequency of the offense, they will be returned to either the student at the end
of the day or to the parent.
 No videos, pictures, or recordings should be taken while on school property or at a school event
without permission from school personnel.
 Students may not possess or use paging devices on school property as per state law.
 Distribution of pictures, videos, recordings among students without permission from school
personnel will be referred to the School Resource Officer (SRO).
Dress Code
Students are expected to dress in a manner that is appropriate for school and school-sponsored events; in
accordance with standards of good taste.
Below is a list of examples of inappropriate dress:
 Any attire that references alcohol, drugs, violence or profanity or contains phrases and/or symbols
capable of misinterpretation of multiple meanings.
 Mini skirts or short shorts (4 inch rule)
 Halter tops and Tube tops
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Spaghetti straps (4 finger rule)
Revealing low-cut tops
Bare midriffs
Sleeveless tops, including muscle shirts, for boys
Visible undergarments, including bra straps and underwear.
Shear Shirts
Culottes, shorts, skirts and dresses are acceptable if they are not extreme; a guideline should be no more
than 4 inches above the knee
State law requires that shoes be worn at all times. All shoes must have a back. All sandals must be
sturdy and slide flip flops (i.e.-Adidas sandals) are not allowed. Thong flip flops are not allowed.
The dress code applies to any school related function. If there is a question in a student’s mind as to what
is acceptable and what is not, it is best to err on the side of conservatism.
Students must remove outside jackets, sunglasses and hats upon entering the buildings.
Students wearing prohibitive attire will be told to change to appropriate attire prior to returning to class.
If necessary, a parent will be contacted.
It is the students and parents responsibility to ensure that the student follows the school dress code. The
school has a responsibility for the orderly process of school life and safety of all students without
distraction or disruption.
The administration reserves the right to determine proper and non-distracting attire.
Lunchroom Guidelines/Expectations
Lunch may be purchased daily. Each student has an individual account with a personally assigned
student number. Students should memorize this number. When a child purchases lunch, they say their
name to the lunch attendant and the account is debited for that day. Please see the Pomptonian Summer
Memo regarding online account details and the lunch program.
There are 3 periods for lunch and recess:
Lunch 1-11:20-11:45
Grades 1 and 2
Lunch 2-11:45-12:10
Grades 3 and 4
Lunch 3-12:10-12:35
Grade 5
Recess 1-11:45-12:10
Recess 2-12:10-12:35
Grades 1,2, and 5
Grades 3 and 4
The cafeteria should be maintained and rules should be followed to make your dining experience
enjoyable. Therefore:
1. Entering Cafeteria:
a. Walk quietly while entering the cafeteria.
b. All students arriving late must have a pass with them.
c. Lines – no holding places for your friends on line and absolutely no cutting.
d. Once at your table, you may not have more than 16 students at a table (4 on each bench).
Younger grades may have 5 to a bench and 20 to a table.
2. Eating and Socializing:
a. Conversation during lunch must be quiet and appropriate.
b. Conversations should be restricted to those sitting at your table.
c. Students should remain at their table for the duration of lunch.
3. Proper table manners are expected:
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a. No denying anyone a seat or saving a seat.
b. Proper manners, such as please, thank you, etc. should be adhered.
c. Clean up your mess on the table as well as below. Everyone is responsible for the
condition of the table area.
d. Place (not throw) your lunch tray and other garbage in the trash cans and recycle all
bottles and cans.
e. You must get permission from a teacher to go to the bathroom as well as take a pass.
4. Exiting the Cafeteria:
a. With five minutes remaining in the period, the teachers will raise their hands to get the
students’ attention and to get them to be quiet. Any announcements will be made at that
time.
b. The snack line will be shut down at this time.
c. Students will clean up their tables and each table will be dismissed by the teacher after it
has been checked for cleanliness.
d. Once you have been dismissed, you must get into your class line for recess or to go back
to class.
e. Food may not be removed from the cafeteria.
5. Pizza Thursdays
a. There are two lines established on these days.
i. Line 1-Express line-Student ID card holders that are purchasing one slice,
including drink, sides, etc.
ii. Line 2-Buying line and students that do not have a Student ID Card. This line
also can purchase one or more slices.
iii. No snacks can be brought on Pizza Days until the lunch supervisor gives
permission. This is due to the long lines.
Recess is supervised by teaching staff, and at times, parent volunteers. Recess activities may be limited
depending on the weather or grounds. Recess is held outdoors everyday unless it is precipitating. This
includes cold days of winter. Playing in the snow is prohibited unless they have the proper gear
mandated by the school. Please make sure your child comes to school dressed properly for the weather.
Some Recess Activities Include: Playground Equipment, Four-Square, Jump Rope, Soccer, Supervised
Two-Hand Touch Football, Swing set, basketball, hop scotch, wall ball, and Nerf baseball.
Prohibited Activities include: Tag, Cops and Robbers, Dodge Ball, and any activity that involves physical
altercations. In order to keep the playground safe, we are asking students to select another activity from
the aforementioned list. No outside equipment should be brought to school unless the student has
permission from the principal.
***Students should utilize the playground equipment provided by the school in the manner that they were
built for***
Lunch Cost
Lunch - $2.50
Milk - $0.60
General Information Continued
Class Coordinators/School Volunteer
If you are a class coordinator or a volunteer that has more than ten hours of student contact throughout the
year you must attend Mr. Liss’s Volunteer Training. You only have to attend this workshop once every
three years.
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Communication: Recommended Process to Discuss Student Issues With School Staff and Officials
The District realizes that times may arise where a parent or guardian wishes to discuss a concern or issue
regarding a student. The District also realizes that sometimes it is difficult to determine exactly to whom
the parent or guardian should raise such concern.
Listed below is the recommended communication process for a parent or guardian to
follow. In general, the most effective way to solve an issue is to communicate directly with
the educator in charge of the class or program where the issue or concern has arisen. If a resolution cannot
be reached at that level, the parent/guardian should contact the next person in the chain of command. The
most efficient way to communicate with School Staff and Officials is by email, telephone or personal
conference. Contact information for all school employees can be found on the various schools’ websites.
If after following the process listed below, a satisfactory resolution of the issue or concern is still not
reached, then the parent should contact the Board of Education.
A. Matters Involving Instruction
1. Classroom Teacher and/or Case Manager
2. Department Supervisor
3. Principal
4. Superintendent Michael Rossi
B. Matters Involving Student Discipline
1. Classroom Teacher
2. Principal
3. Superintendent Michael Rossi
C. Matters Involving Athletics or Extracurricular Activity
1. Club Advisor or Coach
2a. Athletics — Athletic Director Sean Dowling
2b. Extra-Curricular —Principal
3. Superintendent Michael Rossi
D. Matters Involving Facilities and Buildings and Grounds*
1. Principal Gregory Robertson
2. Business Administrator Gary Lane
*Use of Facilities Requests are processed via the on-line application process
E. Matters Involving Transportation (other than student discipline)
1. Business Administrator Gary Lane or Mary Lou Yocco, Exec. Secretary to
Business Administrator
2. Superintendent Michael Rossi
Conflict Resolution/WIN WIN
CAS supports a WIN/WIN proactive program for conflict resolution. Six steps to resolve conflicts are:
1. Take time to cool off.
2. Use “I Messages” to state feelings. No blaming. No name calling. No interrupting.
3. Each person states the problem as the other person sees it.
4. Each person says how he/she is responsible for the problem.
5. Brainstorm solutions together-choose a solution that satisfies both.
6. Affirm, forgive, or thank each other.
Emergency Drills
State law mandates that we have two drills each month, which will include a fire drill and an emergency
drill. An orderly, quiet exit is important if the building is to be evacuated in a minimum amount of time.
During lock downs or shelter in place, quiet is required and will make communication clear and will help
keep everyone safe.
During a fire drill and evacuation, students should move quickly, but not run or push. Students should
form lines and follow emergency exit maps, which are posted in every classroom.
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In case of a lockdown, an announcement will come over the PA System. Students are to congregate in
the assigned location in the classroom and remain silent until the end of lockdown. Parents will not be
admitted into the school during a drill.
All drills and procedures should be review by each classroom teacher at the start of the school year.
Emergency School Closing/Early Dismissal/Delayed Opening
Schools may be closed because of inclement weather, power failure, or emergencies beyond our control.
Parents will be notified by the Honeywell Instant Alert System. Please ensure the phone number and
email on file and in the Honeywell system is accurate. In addition, it is advisable to sign-up for E-Alerts
and always check the district web-site: www.madisonpublicschools.org
Emergency School Closing/Early Dismissal/Delayed Opening
Schools may be closed because of inclement weather, power failure, or emergencies beyond our control.
Parents will be notified by the Honeywell Instant Alert System. Please ensure the phone number and
email on file and in the Honeywell system is accurate. In addition, it is advisable to sign-up for E-Alerts
and always check the district web-site: www.madisonpublicschools.org
On days of a regular scheduled early dismissal CAS will be dismissed at 12:45pm.
The Kindergarten sessions are as follow:
Planned Early Dismissal: (i.e-Teacher Conferences, Thanksgiving, last day)
•
Students will have am and pm kindergarten
Morning Session-8:30am-10:30am
Afternoon Session-10:45am-12:45pm
On emergency days, such as Weather, early dismissal will be 12:45pm:
***No Lunch Will Be Served***
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There will be No PM Kindergarten
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Dismissal will be at 11:25am
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Students that go to KWrap will go until 12:45pm
***No After care on these days***
On days of a delayed opening CAS will begin at 10:30am (Doors open at 10:25am) and a 10:40am late
bell, which is a 2-hour delayed opening.
Kindergarten hours for a 2-hour delayed opening:
Morning Session: 10:30 - 12:25
Afternoon Session: 1:30 - 3:15
To notify parents of the emergency closing of schools and the early dismissal of pupils after school is in
session for the day, announcements will be made through our School Website E-Alerts and our
Honeywell Instant Alert System.
Individual parents and CAS students should develop a “standing plan”, so that an early closing decision
dictated by weather or emergency conditions will result in a predictable action by CAS students.
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Entering and Exiting the Building
All students should leave at 3:15pm unless scheduled for after-school activities or make-up/extra help
work with a teacher. Detention students must be picked up by a parent/guardian. Only the parent/legal
guardian may sign a student out of school during the school day. A written note must be provided in
order to release a student to someone other than a parent/legal guardian.
Here are the following doors that students should enter and exit each day this school year.
Kindergarten Door (Door #7) by Mrs. Corea’s Classroom-Kindergarten Classes ONLY (students should
line-up by class outside the door)
Main Entrance (Door #1)-1st grade, 2nd grade, Mrs. Manley’s Class, and Mrs. Manchester’s Class (students
should line-up by class on the blacktop area)
Door (Door #4) to the old building off of the Teacher’s Parking Lot-Mrs. LaMonica, Mrs. O’Donnell,
Mrs. O’Brien, Mrs. Duffy, and Mr. Cyrana
Door (Door #5) to the old building on Walnut Street-Mrs. Delli Paoli, Mrs. Doran, Mrs. Tu, Ms. Jackson,
and Ms. Bulzacchelli
We will not be using all of the doors to the building and all doors will remain locked throughout the morning
and day with exception to the main entrance, which will be open from 7:30am-8:30am.
If students have a morning event, such as chorus or band, they should ALWAYS enter through the main
entrance.
Pre-School Students will be escorted through the main entrance.
Food Guidelines
The following are prohibited in accordance to Board of Education Policy #8505:
1) All food and beverage items listing sugar, in any form, as the first ingredient; and
2) All forms of candy
3) No more than eight grams of total fat per serving.
4) No more than two grams of saturated fat per serving.
5) All beverages shall not exceed 12 ounces with the following exceptions:
a. Water
b. Milk containing 2% or less fat.
6) Whole milk shall not exceed 8 ounces.
In addition, CAS has outlined the following:
1) We strongly discourage any sharing of food.
2) All snack items for class or student only events should be pre-packaged with ingredients listed
that meet the guidelines listed above in BOE Policy #8505.
3) The only times that baked items are allowed is when students are accompanied to an event by a
parent/guardian (i.e.-Family Fun Night).
4) All pre-packaged items or baked items (at parent events) should be nut-free.
5) No treats can be brought in for birthdays.
Health Services
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A registered nurse is available at CAS to administer first aid for injuries or illnesses that arise during the
school day. All follow-up treatment for injuries and illnesses becomes the responsibility of the student’s
parent/guardian. When it becomes necessary to send a student home due to illness, his/her
parent/guardian or designee on the emergency card will be notified. In the rare event of an emergency the
student will be transported by ambulance to the hospital and the parent/guardian will be notified.
Students with life-threatening allergies will be closely observed by the nurse and the Nurse/designee will
administer the Epi-pen if necessary, and all staff will be trained in recognizing the signs/symptoms of an
allergic reaction.
All medication, prescription and/or over the counter medication requiring administration during the
school day requires written authorization by the parent/guardian and as well as by the physician indicating
the medication to be given, dosage, and schedule to be followed. Medications must be brought to the
nurse in a pharmacy container which is properly labeled with the student’s name, medication name and
dosage, and dosing schedule. Students with hyperactive airway disease/asthma may carry their inhalers
as long as the nurse administration of medication protocol has been met. Bi-annual screenings for vision,
hearing, and scoliosis, as well as yearly height, weight, and blood pressure will be conducted by the
school nurse. Immunizations are required of students as prescribed by New Jersey State Law. If a
student requires updated immunizations or Mantoux tuberculin testing, you will be notified by the school
nurse. Please contact the school nurse for additional information by visiting her website or by calling
(973) 593-3176
Homework Guidelines
Grade
K
No assigned written homework. Students may be asked to practice skills learned in class and/or
to collect materials to bring into class.
1
No more than 15 minutes per day - not including reading.
2
10-20 minutes per day-not including reading.
3
30 – 40 minutes per day - not including reading.
4-6
45-60 minutes per day - not including reading.
If a student is absent for two days or more, he/she should try to secure assignments from classmates or,
after returning to school, from the teachers. If a student is absent for more than two days, parents/students
may contact the school to request homework assignments. Such assignments will be provided only for
those students who are absent because of illness or a family emergency. Parents may pick up work at
3:15pm on the school counter. No provision is made for students who are taking unauthorized vacations.
Students may be lent books to be read as “free reading” during their unexcused absences during
family vacations.
Homework is an effective reinforcement of classroom instruction and a reflection of what was learned in
class. Homework assignments should be displayed in the classroom in a consistent location. It provides
time for practice and application of knowledge and can aid in the development of student responsibility,
self-discipline and intellectual independence. Teachers should be prompt in reviewing the homework and
giving appropriate feedback to the student. A copy of the homework guidelines is included in this
publication and a copy should be distributed to parents at Back to School Night. All teachers are
expected to follow the district guideline: not too much and not too little.
Lost and Found Articles
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Articles found in the school or on the school grounds should be turned in to the main office. Displays of
all lost and found articles will be made in the corridor outside the cafeteria/Gym. Students, who have lost
jewelry, should check with the main office. Lost and found will be cleared monthly and anything not
claimed will be turned over to a charitable organization or thrown out. Lost books will be returned to the
classroom/teacher. All items should be labeled with your child’s name so that they can be returned in a
timely manner.
Parking
Each staff member is assigned a designated spot in our teacher parking lot. Please do not park in the lot
and take a teacher’s numbered spot.
Pedestrian Safety
From 7:00-9:00 am and 2:00-4:00 pm, parents are requested to use the drop-off/pick-up area on Walnut
Street and Central Avenue. The drop-off/pick-up on Walnut Street begins from the corner of DeHart
Place and Walnut Street and extends approximately eight car lengths. Never park or stop your car in
the schoolbus zone. Enter from Ridgedale Avenue, pull into the drop-off area by DeHart Place, directly
after the crosswalk and drive forward to fill all the available space. The drop off/pickup area on Central
Avenue is directly in front of the school on the school side of the road. It also extends for eight car
lengths. Please be patient and wait for cars to continue forward in the drop-off line. Once stopped,
students should exit the car on the curbside only. Parents should not double park or exit their cars
while dropping off or picking up children. There is also an area on Central Avenue to drop-off and pickup.
The Madison Police Department has instituted the parking rules near the school. Parking is permitted on
one side of Walnut Street (the same side as the school) from the crossing guard at DeHart Place and up to
Ridgedale Avenue. Parking on the other side of Walnut Street is not permitted during the following
hours: 7:00-9:00am, 11:00am-1:00pm, and 2:00-4:00pm. Parking is permitted on one side of DeHart
Place and Cedar Street.
Unless students have a doctor’s note, parents should not enter the school parking lot during the
aforementioned times to drop-off/pick-up. In addition to this, no parents/students should be
walking through the parking lot area. All pedestrians should utilize the pathways ONLY.
Students must cross the street where the crossing guard is located, which will keep them safe and out of
harms way. When being dropped off and picked up, students must enter or exit the car from the curbside.
This will keep the students safe and the flow of traffic will move smoothly and efficiently.
Crossing Guards:
The police department provides crossing guards at the locations and times listed below. Schedules may
change. Call the Madison Police Department if you have any questions.
Brittin Street/Alexander Road 7:30-8:30 2:45-3:30 Brittin Street (Junior School) 7:15-8:00 2:15-3:00 Central Avenue/Fairview Avenue 7:45-8:45 2:45-3:45 Central Avenue/Brittin Street 7:15-8:45 11:30-12:30
2:30-3:45
Central Avenue/Walnut Street 7:45-8:45 2:30-3:45 13
Central Avenue/Cook Avenue 8:00-8:45 2:30-3:45 Central Avenue/Ridgedale Avenue 7:15-7:45 2:30-3:00 Cook Avenue/Ridgedale Avenue 7:45-8:45 3:00-3:45 Green Avenue/Wilmer Street 7:30-8:30 2:30-3:30 Green Avenue/Woodland Road 7:45-8:45 2:45-3:45 Glenwild Circle 7:30-8:45 2:45-3:45 Green Village Road/Glenwild Road 7:30-8:45 2:45-3:45 Green Village Road/Wilmer Street 7:30-8:30
2:30-3:30
Green Village Road/Woodland Road 8:00-8:45 3:00-3:45 Greenwood Avenue/Brittin Street 7:15-8:45 11:30-12:00
2:30-3:45
Kings Road School 7:45-8:45
2:45-3:45 Kings Road/Seaman Street 8:00-8:45 3:00-3:45 Kings Road/Bruns Street 8:00-8:45 3:00-3:45 Kings Road/Samson Avenue 8:00-8:45 2:45-3:45 Lathrop Avenue/Orchard Street 8:00-8:45 3:00-3:45 Main Street/Seaman Street 8:00-8:45 3:00-3:45 Main – Madison Junior School 7:15-8:00 2:15-3:45 Park Avenue/Ridgedale Avenue 7:30-8:45 2:45-3:45 Ridgedale Avenue/Walnut Street 7:30-8:45 2:45-3:45 Ridgedale Avenue/Fairview Avenue 7:15-8:00 2:30-3:00 Rosedale Avenue/Brittin Street 7:30-8:45 2:30-3:45 Woodland Road/Orchard Street 7:30-8:45 2:45-3:45 Walnut Street/Dehart Street 7:30-8:45 2:30-3:45 14
Woodland Road/Union Hill Road 8:00-8:45 3:00-3:45 Progress Reports/Report Cards
The academic year is divided into four marking periods. At the end of each marking period, a report card
will be sent home via backpack.
Roll Call
The roll call number is (973)593-3173 ext. 1.
Please note the following:
1. Absentee messages are only honored from the student’s parent/guardian.
2. If your child is going to be absent or late arriving to school, please give the following
information:
a. Child’s name
b. Brief reason for absence or tardiness
3. A call must be placed each day the student is absent.
4. If you know ahead if time that your child will be absent due to illness, please notify the school.
5. By 8:40am, all names recorded on the answering machine will be taken off the machine by the
attendance clerk and compared to the class attendance rosters.
6. If an absent child is not accounted for on the tape, the parent will be notified; if he/she cannot be
reached, emergency numbers which you have provided to the school will be called. If the school
is unable to locate your child, the Madison Police Department will be notified.
S.E.T.
Students should show that they are S.E.T. by:
Sitting-up straight
Engaged-be engaged by listening, nodding, and asking or answering questions
Tracking the speaker-follow the person speaking (student or adult) by always making eye contact
School Activities
We have many fun school activities planned throughout the year.
 Participation in school activities such as family nights, field trips, assemblies, and other school
sponsored events are privileges, not rights.
 Improper student conduct may result in students being denied the ability to participate in such
events.
 Students must be in school the day of an event to participate in the event. This means that
students must report before 12:00 pm in order to qualify as full-day according “school activity”
guidelines.
 Excessive absences/tardies may result in a student being denied the privilege to attend such
events.
School Supplies
The CAS PTO provides a service to parents at the end of each school year. School supplies identified by
the grades (Grades 1-5 ONLY) can be purchased during the spring and are then available to students on
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the first day of school. All students in grades 2-5 will receive an agenda/assignment pad. For specific
class and grade supply lists please visit the teacher’s website.
School-time Accident Insurance
An opportunity to purchase school-time accident insurance is made available to all students at the
beginning of the school year.
Toys
Teachers design many important and engaging learning activities for their students. In the interest of
maintaining a harmonious, productive and positive learning environment, children are not to bring toys to
school from home. The only exceptions are if the teacher has specifically asked the children to do so
because it related to an instructional activity. Handheld video games, Ipods, and other electronic devices
are prohibited in school, on the playground, and on the bus.
Visitors
Visitors are welcome at CAS. As a matter of safety and precaution for our students and staff,
visitors/parents must first report to the main office and sign-in. A Visitor sticker is issued and MUST be
worn at all times. Upon departure, all visitors/parents must sign-out. During school hours, the doors are
locked. To gain entry, all visitors must use the main entrance off the blacktop and ring the bell to be
“buzzed-in”. In order to gain access to classrooms upon entering the building and signing-in,
visitors/parents should have an appointment or the teacher should be expecting your arrival. No
parents/visitors will be allowed to gain access to any classroom without first gaining approval from the
classroom teacher. Visitors should park on the street. No “drop-ins” are allowed for safety reasons.
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