Dear Parents & Guardians:
Welcome to the 2009 – 2010 school year! All of us at PS #81 are very excited about the new school year.
The administration, teachers, teacher assistants, and teacher aides have been very busy preparing for the upcoming school year for the past several weeks. We are looking forward to the best year ever at PS #81. We welcome your input at any time and invite you to visit the school and become acquainted with your child’s teachers. If you have any questions about school matters, feel free to call the school at 816-4060.
Please review all of the following information with your child. It is important that all parents and students have a clear understanding of the following:
1. SCHOOL HOURS: 8:55 AM – 3:30 PM
2. ATTENDANCE: State law mandates School attendance and state aide to our school is based on daily attendance. Please help your child and us by sending your child to school and on time each day. If your child is ill (or must be out of school for any other legal reason) call the school between 8:30 - 8:55 a.m. (816-4060) and tell us your child’s name, his/her grade, room and the approximate length of his/her absence. When your child returns to school after an absence, he/she must have a written excuse that includes the students name, date, reason for absence, date(s) of absence, and parent signature. If your child gets up late, please send him/her to school when he/she gets up.
3. DRESS CODE: We are insisting that the children maintain a high standard in conduct and dress. All students are required to follow the dress code policy adopted by the Board of Education, which is:
1. Be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the educational process.
2. Not include revealing garments such as tube tops, net tops, halter-tops, spaghetti straps, plunging necklines (front and/or back) excessively short skirts or shorts and see-through garments.
3. Cover all underwear with appropriate outer garments.
4. Include safe and appropriate footwear. Inappropriate footwear includes, but is not limited to backless shoes (i.e. flip-flops, bedroom slippers). Exceptions will only apply to documented medical conditions.
5. Not include headgear of any kind (including, but not limited to hats, caps, and hoods) except when required by medical or religious reasons.
6. Not be lewd, vulgar, obscene, and libelous or denigrate others.
7. Not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs and/or encourage other illegal or violent activities.
8. Must not include coats, jackets & other outerwear; sweat shirts with hoods or “hoodies”, inside of buildings
9. Not include jewelry that may be deemed a weapon. This includes, but is not limited to, a single ring or piece of jewelry covering multiple fingers, spiked necklaces or belts, belts with large removable buckles, chain-like neckwear, ninja-type stars, etc. Belt must be buckled.
10. Not include clothing that is associated with or identifiable as a symbol of a gang or street club.
The school with the approval of the Board of Education may determine additional restrictions. If clothing is deemed unacceptable for school; the Principal or Assistant Principal will authorize parents to be called to bring in a change of clothing for the day. If we are unable to reach a parent a change of clean clothes will be provided. No exceptions will be made to the established dress code.
4. CODE OF CONDUCT: You will find the BPS Code of Conduct online, go to: www.buffaloschools.org, once you’re at the BPS website look in the left hand column, click on district documents, and then click on BPS Code of Conduct.
5. CELL PHONE USAGE: Students must place cell phones in the off mode upon entering school. It must be placed in their cubby until the end of the day. If the cell phone is confiscated, it will remain in the school office for 10 days. NO EXCEPTIONS.
As always, your cooperation in all of these matters is greatly appreciated. This is going to be the best year ever! Thank you for your assistance and cooperation!
Sincerely yours,
Faye Walton
Assistant Principal
