School Policies

Attendance

Regular attendance is most important to your child's education. Please see to it that they arrive on time with their necessary supplies and homework assignments.

If your child will be absent, please call the Main Office at 577-6270 to let us know and follow-up with an absence note when he/she returns to school.

Dropping children off at school

Children will arrive at school at 8:05AM. There is no adult supervision prior to 8:05AM. Children cannot be dropped off before 8:05AM.

If you drop your child off, please pull into a parking space in the Recess Area  (rear lot). Do not park in front of the main entrance. Please do not double park. A staff member will meet the children at the school entrance beginning at 8:05AM in the Recess Area.

Class starts at 8:25AM. Children are considered late after 8:25AM and must sign in at Main Office to avoid being marked absent. 

Dismissal

To pick up your child during the school day, stop in the Main office. We will contact the classroom and your child will come to the office while you are signing him/her out.

Buses begin leaving Hempstead School at 2:45PM. If you need to pick up your child at the end of the day, you may arrive at 2:15PM. Please send the teacher a note so your child will not be put on the bus. Kindergartners must be met at the bus.

Any dismissal changes must be sent to the school in writing. If there is no note and we cannot reach you, your child will go on the bus to your home or to their after school program.

If another adult will pick your child up from school, we must have a note authorizing us to release your child to this person. This adult must have proper identification.

If your child will not be going to his usual after-school program, we must have a note and you must call the program to let them know the child will be absent.

If your child does not arrive home at the expected time, call the transportation office (577-6490) and then call the school (577-6270). Try to have an adult remain at the bus stop in case the bus arrives late. Calling, rather than coming to school, allows us to solve the problem faster.

Parent/Teacher Conference Days

There is no Kindergarten and grades first through sixth dismissed at 11:30 AM. On these days breakfast is available for the children, but there is no lunch program.

Early Dismissal

On one Thursday during the months of: September, October, January, February, March, and May, there will be an early dismissal for staff development. Morning or afternoon kindergarten session will be cancelled on alternate early dismissal days. On those days buses leave at approximately 1:10 PM. Breakfast and lunch are both served on those days. Reminder notices will be sent home with your child. 

Birthdays

Birthdays are very special days and can be celebrated in school. Each classroom teacher has his/her own guidelines for a celebration in school and will notify you of them at the beginning of the school year. We are sorry, but we are not allowed to give out students' addresses or phone numbers for birthday parties or any other reason. 

Transportation

Every child attending Hempstead School rides a bus. Bus passes are mailed to your home by transportation. Students should have their bus passes with them. Transportation must be contacted at 577-6490 to arrange any stop other than your home address. An adult must meet kindergartners at the bus stop.

Bus safety is everyone's job. Please review the following safety rules for walking to the bus and riding the bus with your child: „» Follow all safety rules. „» Walk on the bus one at a time. „» Stay seated on the bus. „» Use quiet voices on the bus. „» Treat the bus driver and passengers with respect. „» Walk where the driver can see you and you can see the driver. „» Look both ways when crossing. „» If something drops under the bus, leave it there. If the students do not follow the rules, parents will get copies of bus referrals and consequences given ranging from a verbal warning to suspension of bus privileges. 

Clothing

All clothing and bookbags should be labeled. Children should be dressed appropriately for outdoor recess, weather permitting. Students in grades first, second, and third must wear sneakers on the days their class has physical education, or they will not be permitted to participate in the gym class.

Lost and Found

There is a lost and found box in the cafeteria for lost items. Small or valuable items, such as eyeglasses or jewelry, would be placed in the main office for safekeeping.

Toys and Other Valuable Items in School

Do not let children bring toys to school. These items will be confiscated and held for parent pick-up. Some examples are hand held games, trading cards, electronic items, and collectibles. The school cannot take responsibility for items that are lost, destroyed or stolen. 

Homework

Homework is an important part of the learning experience. It is an assignment given by the teacher to be completed outside of the regular classroom time. Homework is given to review classwork, reinforce skills, and stimulate new interests and critical thinking. Homework helps your child practice skills. It teaches responsibility and organization. The following are Hempstead¡¦s

Guidelines for homework:

Kindergarten - 4 days per week, 10 minutes per night

Grade 1 - 4 days per week, 15 minutes per night, plus long term projects, book reports

Grade 2 - 4 days per week, 30 minutes per night (ten minutes each for spelling, reading and math), plus long term projects, book reports

Grade 3 - 4 days per week, 45 minutes per night Plus long term projects, book reports All grades - Reading is encouraged on a daily basis

Grade 4 - 4 days per week, 45 minutes per night Plus long term projects, book reports All grades - Reading is encouraged on a daily basis

Grade 5 - 4 days per week, 45 minutes per night Plus long term projects, book reports All grades - Reading is encouraged on a daily basis

Grade 6 - 4 days per week, 45 minutes per night Plus long term projects, book reports All grades - Reading is encouraged on a daily basis

If your child is struggling with homework, contact the classroom teacher.

New work and homework may be given on religious observance days, with the flexibility to assist students who observe these days to make up the work. 

Moving

If you are going to move, you must notify Central Registration, at 105 South Madison Avenue, Spring Valley (577-6065) and supply proof of your new address. They will set up any change in transportation that might be necessary and send the information to Hempstead School. A change in home or work phone numbers may be reported directly to the Hempstead Office at 577-6270.

It is important to change your address even if you remain in the same school zone or change apartments in the same building. Important mail such as bus passes and test reports will not reach you without an up-to-date address.

If you are moving out of the East Ramapo Central School District entirely, please inform the Hempstead office of your child's last day of attendance. 

Visiting School

*UPDATE: Due to covid regulations by the CDC, visitors are not permitted at this time during the schoool day.

Meals at School

Children have the option of eating breakfast in school. This breakfast (in a bag) consists of juice, milk, and a cold main course. The cost is .80 cents. Breakfast is eaten in the classroom. If we have a delayed opening due to bad weather, there is no breakfast program.

Children in grades 1-6 have a one-hour lunch break in the day. The first half-hour is spent having recess, either outdoors or in their classroom, depending on the weather. Children have lunch in the cafeteria during the second half-hour.

Children may bring lunch to school or purchase lunch for $1.35. Menus will be sent home each month. For parents interested in purchasing school lunch for their child on a daily basis, a weekly or monthly payment plan is available. Free or reduced rate (.25 cents) breakfast and lunch are available for those who qualify. If you believe you qualify, please contact the school office for the necessary forms. Families eligible for a reduced price or free lunch must fill out a new application every September. Children will not receive free or reduced meals after September 30th if the current year¡¦s form has not been approved. Only one application per family needs to be filled out listing all children in the family. 

Snacks

Most teachers set aside a time for snack. Snacks should be of good nutritional value. Be sure to limit the snack to one item.