CAZENOVIA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PARENT/GUARDIAN GUIDE 2023-2024 3 SNOW DAYS: DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT: If snow has 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 will send out an alert via ParentSquare. The district website and social media Cazenovia CSD wishes to foster an environment in which students exhibit behavior that promotes positive platforms (Facebook and Twitter) will also provide early updates. 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 communication and discourages disrespectful treatment. All school-age children in New York State in proper physical and mental condition are required to attend school. The following are legal reasons for being absent: personal illness; illness The Dignity Act policy is not intended to deprive and/or restrict any student of his/her right to freedom of or death in the family; required court appearance; remedial health treatment (doctor or dentist); expression. Rather, it seeks to maintain, to the extent possible and reasonable, a safe, harassment-free and religious observance; pre-approved or pre-validated college visit; impassable roads or severe educationally conducive environment for all students and staff. weather; 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 component on civility, citizenship and character education in accordance with Education Law. Character written note from home, signed by the parent, 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 speci昀椀cally 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 Of昀椀ce of your child’s school in race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, 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 speci昀椀c DIGNITY ACT COORDINATORS: reason for the absence is required the day the child returns to school. Elementary: Mrs. Cristina Knapp [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 昀椀ve or more days, will be asked to present a doctor’s note to verify re-admittance and note any restrictions the student might have. CONSENT FOR USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS/VIDEOS: 5. Any middle or high school student arriving tardy to school as a result of a health appointment must Throughout the school year, photographs or video might be taken of students for use in district-produced provide a doctor’s note that day to be eligible for extracurricular activities, including athletics. publications and videos or by the news media. If you do not wish your child to be photographed or STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: Cazenovia Central School District provides programs and services for students who have videotaped, please indicate this, in writing, to your child’s school. 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.