District Information Guide - South Brunswick Public Schools

Affirmative ActionIn compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, Section 504 of theRehabilitation Act of 1973 and other Federal, State and local laws, South BrunswickSchool District does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, gender, sexualorientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, or status as a disabled orVietnam-era veteran in its employment process or in any other aspects of its educationalprograms or activities.Complaints or concerns regarding Section 504 should be addressed to RaphaelMorales, Director of Student Services, at (732) 297-7800, Ext. 5101 or John Bruff, Directorof Buildings and Grounds, at (732) 297-7800, Ext. 5109. All other complaints should beaddressed to Richard Chromey, Director of Human Resources, at (732) 297-7800, Ext. 5107or Jennifer Diszler, Director of Professional Development, at (732) 297-7800, Ext. 5122.Student: Bhavna GanesanTeacher: Kristin MallonCambridge School“Building “Success Tomorrow, is a Choice” Today”3AttendancePunctuality and attendance are importanthabits for students to developand maintain. In keeping withthe NJ State Education Code, weexpect that, except in the case ofillness, State-recognized religiousobservances (a list of the State ofNew Jersey Approved ReligiousHolidays is on page 30) emergenciessuch as family illness or death,or special educational opportunities(e.g., a required college visit),children should be in school andarrive on time. To be considered“excused” for the reasons notedabove, there must be parental/guardian notice to the school with the reason for absence/lateness.On a day when an absence is for reasons other than those noted above as “excused,” theday of absence is recorded as “unexcused” and goes into the child’s permanent recordmarked as such. Please note that family vacations and other non-educational activitiesare not included in the list of “excused” absences above. They are considered “unexcused”absences, and should be planned so they do not interfere with school attendance.Parents/guardians must assume full responsibility for all missed academic assignments.Teachers will not provide work in advance of such absences.In the event of four or more cumulative “unexcused” absences or in instances whereparents/guardians permit excessive absenteeism, the District will follow the guidelinesin accordance with NJSA 18A and make contact with law enforcement and other authoritiesand agencies as State and Federal statutes require. Excessive absences at anygrade level could impede a student’s ability to advance to the next grade or participate ingraduation. Please refer to the Student/Parent Handbook where the full attendancepolicy is outlined in the Code of Student Conduct.It is a parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to call the school when a child is going to beabsent. The District’s voicemail system is operative 24 hours a day so you may placea call at any time. It is District policy that any “un-notified absence” will result in a callfrom the school and will be classified as “unexplained” and then recorded into the child’srecord as “unexcused.” Please note that except under previously-approved and specialcircumstances, a student who is absent from school during the day may NOT participatein any after school or evening events.If a student has an absence during the district or state standardized testing periods asadvertised on the District calendar, he/she will only be able to make-up the test during thescheduled retake period that follows the testing period. This includes end-of-year finalexams and math tests at all levels.Board of EducationThe South Brunswick Board of Education holds two regular meetings monthly, typicallyon Monday evenings, in the auditorium of Crossroads North Middle School, 635 GeorgesRoad, Monmouth Junction. Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. TheBoard may take action at either meeting. All meetings are advertised in local newspapersand, unless noted as confi dential, are open to the public.Board meetings are taped and rebroadcast on Viking Television Network, Comcast CableChannel 28 or Verizon FIOS Channel 36. Meetings are replayed regularly throughoutthe week. Check VTN to view the rebroadcast schedule or view the schedule online atwww.sbschools.org.Members of the public are encouraged to attend Board meetings and to express theiropinions on matters that appear on the meeting agenda or other topics. Time is setaside at each Board meeting for public comment. Although not required, the Board requeststhat residents who are interested in speaking at a Board meeting register with theBoard Secretary’s offi ce prior to the meeting by calling (732) 297-7800, Ext. 3110 andspeaking with Marcia Garitano. Residents will be heard during the two portions of themeeting designated for public comment.Annual School ElectionsOn January 17, 2012, Governor Chris Christie signed into law Senate Bill 3148 givingcommunities the option of moving the school elections from their current date, the thirdTuesday in April, to the November general election. The move places school boardcandidates on the November ballot, but it eliminates the annual vote on proposed schoolbudgets that are at or below the state’s 2-percent tax levy cap.On February 6, 2012, the South Brunswick Board of Education approved unanimously aresolution that moves the school elections from April to the general election in November.The date of this year’s general election is Tuesday, November 6. Polls are open from