CAZENOVIA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PARENT/GUARDIAN GUIDE 2022-2023 3 SNOW DAYS: DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT: If snow as fallen heavily during the night and you wonder if schools will be open or closed, turn on The Board of Education recognizes that teaching students respect, civility and understanding toward the television and watch one of the following stations: Channel 3, Channel 5, or Channel 9. All local others, as well as the practice and reinforcement of appropriate behavior and values of our society, is an broadcasters have the news by 6 a.m. Local news channel websites and some radio stations are good important function of the Cazenovia Central School District. resources. The District website and social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) will also provide early Cazenovia CSD wishes to foster an environment in which students exhibit behavior that promotes positive updates. A District official will more than likely call your home via a SchoolMessenger alert as well. educational practices, allows students to grow socially and academically, and encourages healthy dialogue ATTENDANCE: in respectful ways. By presenting teachers and staff as positive role models, the District stresses positive All school-age children in New York State in proper physical and mental condition are required to communication and discourages disrespectful treatment. attend school. The following are legal reasons for being absent: personal illness; illness or death The Dignity Act policy is not intended to deprive and/or restrict any student of his/her right to freedom of in the family; required court appearance; remedial health treatment (doctor or dentist); religious expression. Rather, it seeks to maintain, to the extent possible and reasonable, a safe, harassment-free and observance; pre-approved or pre-validated college visit; impassable roads or severe weather; educationally conducive environment for all students and staff. approved cooperative work program; road test for drivers license (but not all day). Furthermore, the District shall ensure that the course of instruction in grades K through 12 includes a It is required by state law that every absence, excused or unexcused, be explained by a written component on civility, citizenship and character education in accordance with Education Law. Character note from home, signed by the parent/guardian, upon the student’s return to school. The note education is the deliberate effort to help students understand, care about and act upon core ethical values. should specifically state the date and cause of absence. Burton Street Elementary, Cazenovia Middle School and Cazenovia High School each have a designated ABSENCES: Dignity Act coordinator. These coordinators have been trained to handle human relations in the areas of 1. For middle and elementary school students, please call the Health Office of your child’s school race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, in the morning if your child is absent. gender (identity or expression) and sex. 2. A written excuse from the parent/guardian giving the child’s name, date of absence, and DIGNITY ACT COORDINATORS: specific reason for the absence is required the day the child returns to school. Elementary: Mrs. Kara May [email protected], (315) 655-1325 3. Please report any communicable diseases to the school nurse immediately Middle School: Ms. Amy Getman-Herringshaw [email protected], (315) 655-1324 (i.e. “strep” throat, COVID-19, chicken pox, head lice, etc.) High School: Mrs. Molly Hagan [email protected], (315) 655-1314 4. A student, absent for five or more days, will be asked to present a doctor’s note to verify CONSENT FOR USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS/VIDEOS: re-admittance and note any restrictions the student might have. Throughout the school year, photographs or videotapes might be taken of students for use in district- 5. Any middle or high school student arriving tardy to school as a result of a health appointment must produced publications and videos or by the news media. If you do not wish your child to be photographed provide a doctor’s note that day to be eligible for extracurricular activities, including athletics. or videotaped, please indicate this, in writing, to your child’s school. STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: Cazenovia Central School District provides programs and services for students who have special needs. Usually these needs are related to learning basic skill areas (e.g. reading, mathematics, writing). Each building has teachers who are trained to help these students and to assist these students’ other teachers. In addition, the District employs specialists (a school psychologist, a speech/language therapist, an occupational therapist, and a physical therapist), who provide services to help students with learning-related differences. The overall objective is to help each student to utilize his or her potential ability and to learn to the maximum extent possible. Parents who would like more information about special services or the Committee on Special Education should contact the principal of the school that their child attends.