Dear Parents/Guardians:
On behalf of our entire staff at Washington School, welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! I trust that you have had a relaxing and enjoyable summer with your respective families. I am excited to welcome all of our students and staff back to our building for in-person learning. While much information is being provided to you through my summer letter, there is still more to share. Please take the time to read on so that you will be well informed with regard to other school policies and procedures.
Student Parent Handbook and Code of Conduct
Our Student/Parent Handbook is an important reference tool for parents and guardians. An updated version is now available on our Washington School website. Please visit our website at www.rutherfordschools.org, click on Washington School and then on Washington Quick Links. The Rutherford Public Schools Code of Conduct for K-3 can also be accessed via Quick Links.
Important Dates
September 9 First Day of School for all students
September 16 School Pictures
September 22 Back to School Night
Attendance and Tardiness
Regular and prompt attendance at school is crucial to student learning and efficiency in our classrooms. Students should report to school between 8:20 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and enter the building through the door designated for their grade level. Students arriving after 8:35 a.m. will be considered tardy. If you are in danger of being late, do not drop your child off and leave the area. Please do not put your child in this predicament. Students arriving after 8:35 a.m. must report to the main office and be signed in by a parent.
Notification of Absences
Parents/guardians are to notify the school secretary prior to 8:30 a.m. if their child is going to be absent. This is an essential safety measure, which allows us to readily account for each of our students. Upon returning to school, the student must deliver a note written by a parent or guardian explaining each day of absence as per Rutherford Board of Education policy. Medical excuses from doctors should be submitted immediately upon a child’s return to school. These medical notes become part of a student’s attendance record and are necessary should a student exceed the limit of allowable absences and the parents need to make an appeal. The school district will not honor retroactive medical excuses from doctors.
Parent Visitation
Our school will remain closed to visitors for the foreseeable future. Parent/guardian visits to drop off forgotten items will be limited. Acceptable items for drop off are glasses, forgotten lunches, and sneakers. This should not occur, however, on a regular basis. Parents should not come to school to drop off non-essential items such as water bottles, pencils, and other items that the school already has.
Student Dress Code
Students are expected to be dressed appropriately for a school setting. Frayed jeans and frayed or cutoff shorts are not permitted. Shorts should be long enough to provide adequate coverage. All students should wear shirts and tops that cover their shoulders and chests sufficiently. Tank tops and basketball style jerseys with open sleeves are not permitted. For safety, no open backed footwear (flip-flops, etc.) is permissible. For our complete dress code, please consult the handbook.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
Bill Mulcahy