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News from the Superintendent Dear Parent/Guardians: As the cold weather swiftly approaches, I would like to remind you of some basic facts regarding the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the “Swine Flu”. H1N1 FLU FACTS • The H1N1 virus continues to circulate in the United States and more than 120 other countries where the flu season is under way. • The H1N1 virus is not an airborne virus except in droplet form. • Transmission is through direct contact and most likely passed via hands. • According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), young people have no immunity to this virus. To date, the most affected groups are 5-24 year olds. • The swine flu is transferred when an individual contacts the virus and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth before washing their hands. • An individual is considered contagious from 1 day before they exhibit symptoms to 7 days after they become ill (CDC). • The CDC recommends individuals stay in isolation for 7 days after onset of illness or 24 hours after symptoms are gone. STEPS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INFECTION • Frequent hand washing is a key. • Use hand sanitizer when hand washing with soap and water is not available. • Avoid crowds by staying at least 3-6 feet away from others • Get plenty of sleep to keep your immune system strong. • Get plenty of exercise and eat well balanced meals to keep immune system strong. • Sick individuals should stay home until they are completely recovered to prevent the spread of infection. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF THEY ARE SICK …. IF YOUR CHILD IS PRESENT IN SCHOOL AND IS SHOWING SYMTOMS OF ILLNESS YOU WILL BE CONTACTED AND ASKED TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD … All Lavallette Children are being asked to utilize our hand sanitizer located in the cafeteria prior to lunch Please continue to practice good hand washing techniques and remember to keep your children home if they do not feel well. We must all work together to stay healthy during the flu season. Any question, please do not hesitate to contact me. Respectfully, Dr. Morris
DR. Peter S. Morris: Complying with NJASA's Full Disclosure Initiative Lavallette Borough – 2010 / 2011 - New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) Executive Director Richard G. Bozza, Ed.D announces that Dr. Peter S. Morris is complying with the NJASA's full disclosure initiative to provide communities with the educational background of school superintendents and school administrators. The NJASA, which represents approximately 1,000 state superintendents and school administrators, initiated the campaign to assure the residents of (Lavallette Borough/Lavallette School District) that their educational leader is qualified to serve as the district's Chief Education Officer. Dr. Peter S. Morris earned an Undergraduate Degree from American International College, a Master's in Education/Guidance/Supervision from Georgian Court College, a second Master’s in School Administration from Georgian Court College, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Rowan University. The combination of Dr. Peter S. Morris's education and experience makes him well suited to move education forward in the Lavallette School District. As the Chief Education Officer, Dr. Morris is responsible for the overall direction of the school district, including the instruction and safety of school children, the upkeep and expansion of facilities, and the recruitment and retention of the best teachers and staff. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Parents, Our school now has access to a great resource for preparing our students for the state standardized tests. We have purchased a building license for a web-based program called Study Island, which is accessible to students from school or home. If you have Internet access, your child can access Study Island from home as well as school to prepare for the state assessments. We are excited about the potential benefits this program can bring to our students, and we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity by using Study Island. Please feel free to contact Study Island at 800-419-3191 or support@studyisland.com if you have any questions. We are reminding you that the Technology Lab and Media Center are open after school every day until 3:45. Students may use the Technology Lab at that time if they need to work on Study Island, or on any report or special class assignment. Sincerely, Dr. Peter S. Morris +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ =========================================================================== STOPBULLYINGNOW Dear Parents: A lot of young people have a good idea of what bullying is because they see it every day! Bullying happens when someone hurts or scares another person on purpose and the person being bullied has a hard time defending himself or herself. Usually, bullying happens over and over. • Punching, shoving and other acts that hurt people physically. • Spreading bad rumors about people. • Keeping certain people out of a "group". • Teasing people in a mean way. • Getting certain people to "gang up" on others. Bullying also can happen on-line or electronically. Cyber bullying is when children or teens bully each other using the Internet, mobile phones or other cyber technology. This can include: • Sending mean text, e-mail, or instant messages; • Posting nasty pictures or messages about others in blogs or on Web sites; • Using someone else's user name to spread rumors or lies about someone. There are all kinds of reasons why young people bully others, either occasionally or often. Do any of these sound familiar to you? • Because I see others doing it. • Because it's what you do if you want to hang out with the right crowd. • Because it makes me feel, stronger, smarter, or better than the person I'm bullying. • Because it's one of the best ways to keep others from bullying me. Whatever the reason, bullying is something we all need to think about. Whether we've done it ourselves ... or whether friends or other people we know are doing it ... we all need to recognize that bullying has a terrible effect on the lives of young people. It may not be happening to your child today, but it could tomorrow. Working together, we can make the lives of young people better. The Lavallette Board of Education takes the issue of bullying and harassment very serious. Our Guidance Department works with all grade levels to help children better understand the cause, effects, and ramifications of behaviors associated with bullying and harassment. In addition, all staff are afforded professional development to foster deeper cognition of the latest research and educational pedagogy in regard to bullying and harassment. Moreover, the Lavallette School Administration and Board of Education are committed to facilitating a learning organization where all children are afforded a safe and comfortable learning environment. Throughout the year The Lavallette School Guidance Department and Staff facilitate numerous programs designed to educate your children about the cause, effect, and negative aspects related to the issue of harassment and bullying. Please visit US Department of Health and Human Services offers flash movies, games, and information about bullying and how to prevent it. http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp Dr. Peter S. Morris
>>>The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords patents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are: 1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education within 45 days of the day the School receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the district Superintendent a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The School official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. 2. The rights to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate. Parents or eligible students may ask the School to amend a record that they believe in inaccurate. They should write the district Superintendent, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the School will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing. 3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes discloses without consent. One exception, which permits disclose without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the School as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the School has contracted to perform a special task ( such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the School discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. 4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-5901
TEN INTERNET SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS 1. Never give out personal information, such as your name, home address, telephone number, school name or mascot in a public message (for example: chat rooms or bulletin boards). Also, never send a person a picture of yourself without first checking with parents or guardian. 2. Do not set up a “User Profile” on any Internet provider. People you do not know will be able to obtain personal information simply by looking up your profile. If you already have a profile, you should consider deleting it. 3. Be sure you are dealing with someone who you and your parents know and trust before giving out any personal information via E-mail or Instant Messages. Also, be aware that by calling “800” number or calling collect, strangers can get your phone number. 4. Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are: Suggestive, Obscene, Hostile, Threatening or Make you feel uncomfortable. 5. If you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable, tell your parent or guardian right away. 6. Be careful when someone offers you something for nothing, such as gifts or money. Be especially careful about any offers that involve meeting someone or having someone come to your house. 7. Never arrange a face to face meeting without telling your parents or guardian. If your parent or guardian agrees to the meeting, make sure you meet in a public place, and have that parent or guardian with you. 8. Don’t tell other kids your password or user I.D. If other kids have your password, they could pretend to be you on-line. 9. Remember that people on-line may not be who they seem. Someone indicating that “she” is a “12-year-old girl” could actually be older, and of the opposite sex. 10. If you receive any messages that make you feel uncomfortable, or view information that appears to be criminal, tell your parent or guardian right away, and please contact your local police department or the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732 929 2027. If you prefer, you can provide information on-line at: www.oceancountyprosector.com. Remember: Sites are not supposed to collect more information about you than they need for the activity you want to participate in. You should be able to participate in many activities online without having to give any information about yourself. These safety tips are based on part on the FBI’s “Safety Tips for Kids on the Internet” located at www.fbi.gov +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Parents/Guardians: Educators need to focus on ways to ensure schools are safe places for teaching and learning. With this said, I wish to assure you that the Lavallette School district has the highest concern for our students’ safety. Therefore, we have developed a thorough emergency response plan. If you wish to discuss specific concerns or to ask questions, please call me at 732-793-7722. As parents, you play an essential role in keeping students safe during an emergency. Please consider the following guidelines that are of particular importance to parents in emergencies so that you may help our staff respond effectively to an emergency. 1. Be prepared for early dismissals. In some emergencies, such as in a snowstorm, school officials will deem it prudent to send students home early. The school staff will contact you if there will be an early dismissal. Please make sure you provide the school office with up-to-date contact information so that we can easily reach you if there is an early dismissal. 2. If no early dismissal, please do not rush to pick up children in school or area emergency. If you do not learn about an early dismissal, but learn of a school or an area emergency, please do not rush to school to pick up your child. Traffic will block any needed emergency vehicles, and your presence in the school building during, say, an evacuation, may delay the process. Keep in mind that police will bar parents from school grounds in some emergencies. The safety of our students is paramount to us, and we will reunite students and parents as soon as possible. 3. Community Safe: an interactive communication system that is now in operation in our school district. The system will promote communication between the school district and home. This system allows us to contact every home within a matter of minutes. We will be using the system to inform you of upcoming events, weather emergencies, and crisis situations should they arise. Accurate emergency contact information is vital to the success of this program, so should your contact information change, please call the main office of your child's school immediately so that we may update your file. In addition, our school web site will be updated with pertinent information as soon as possible. Thank you for your for cooperation. Please remember that you play an essential role in our efforts to keep students safe. Please do not hesitate to call my office with any questions. Sincerely, Dr. Peter S. Morris Superintendent =============================================================================== *IMPORTANT SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT* Please be reminded … double parking and parking on the yellow curb is strictly prohibited. When double parking and yellow parking occurs, a safety risk is created as children may dart out between cars located within the Drop off/ Pick up zone. Please be reminded that double parking is illegal, and it forces students to walk out into traffic pattern virtually hidden from oncoming vehicles. I have spoken with Chief Grant of the Lavallette Police Department, and I have requested that he inform his officers to diligently enforce the law that prohibits double parking and parking in the yellow curb area in order to better protect our children. Chief Grant has informed me that he intends on meeting with both of his shift sergeants and will instruct them to direct their perspective shifts to strictly enforce the law prohibiting double parking and parking in the yellow curb area. Please understand that we are doing so in order to better protect the children and to limit the possibility of a child being injured at drop off and dismissal. In addition, I have discussed the enforcement of the bicycle helmet law with Chief Grant. Please remind your children that wearing a bicycle helmet is mandatory and will be enforced. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Sincerely, Dr. Peter S. Morris Superintendent
Dear Parents: I am writing to request that each of you take a moment to talk with your child about appropriate use of cell phones during the school day. We do appreciate and understand the reason for allowing children to bring their cell phones to school; however, we do require that the students stow the phones in their lockers, and we do not allow students to carry the phones on their person during the day. Many of today’s phones have digital cameras built right into the phone. Please be reminded that Lavallette Board of Education policy #5145.5 prohibits photography in school unless authorized by the superintendent. Thus any student caught taking unauthorized photos during the school day will be disciplined appropriately. Please take a moment to speak with your child and support our efforts to maintain an orderly and uninterrupted educational program for your child. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation. Sincerely, Dr. Peter S. Morris Superintendent
I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of a few security issues related to arrival and dismissal. In particular, please keep in mind the following: ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL Please be reminded children should not arrive on the playground before 8:20AM. The duty teacher is not assigned to supervise students until that time. At dismissal, please be reminded that there is no afternoon playground supervision. Students after exiting the building should leave the playground/field area. Those who remain behind must be supervised by their parent or guardian. Those children in the primary grades that do not have a designated adult present to be released to will be brought to the main office. All other children should clear the playground area. All walking pupils must cross Route 35 North and South at Washington Avenue where the crossing guards are stationed. No one is to walk at any time on Southbound 35. There are lined crossings on Baltimore Avenue and Bay Boulevard which should be used at all times. Please take special care and walk on the west side of Baltimore Avenue to avoid the heavy equipment and large trucks that enter and leave the Borough Yard on the east side of Baltimore. Instruct your children who participate in sports and walk to and from school for sports practice to walk as a group if possible. It is much safer to walk together rather than alone. Bicycle riders may ride to the crossing guards on Washington Avenue but then must get off their bicycles at these points and walk their bicycles on the sidewalk to the bike rack. HELMETS MUST BE WORN by ALL Lavallette students. No double or unsafe riding is permitted. As always skateboards, rollerblades, etc. are not permitted due to student safety, school storage, and community concerns. By reinforcing these good safety habits we not only ensure safe travel to and from school but we also help guide our children to practice safety whenever they travel. Thank you for your cooperation. Very truly yours, Dr. Peter S. Morris Superintendent | ||||||||||
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