Author: elizabeth welsh

WELCOME
The staff of the Morris Avenue School welcomes you and your child to the Morris Avenue Early Childhood Learning Center. Since Preschool is often a child’s first experience away from home, the teachers and staff endeavor to make it a pleasant learning experience for your child. Our primary goal is to offer your child a safe and healthy environment designed to promote readiness for kindergarten and beyond. Working together we can set your child on the road to a healthy and happy childhood full of wonder and the joy of learning.
The MORECLC handbook contains information on the program
philosophy, curriculum, goals and objectives, an overview of the
curriculum for children, and statements of the school’s policies and procedures. The handbook contains valuable information that you should know in order for your child to have the most successful learning experience possible. Please take the time to read our
handbook carefully.
The Morris Avenue Early Childhood Learning Center provides support to bilingual students, in-class support for special needs
students, inclusion class, student facilitator, preschool intervention
referral team, a full child study team, speech, language,
occupational and physical therapists, nursing services and a
safe school environment employee.
in-class support for special needs students, student facilitator, and preschool intervention referral team, a full child study team, speech, language, occupational and physical therapists, nursing services and safe school environment employees.

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LONG BRANCH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MISSION STATEMENT
Our Mission is concise:
We, the Long Branch School Community, strive to meet and exceed the standards set forth by the state of New Jersey.

VISION
The Long Branch School District will achieve its mission of
educating all children by providing leadership that promotes and supports safe and healthy learning environments; high quality early childhood programs resulting in students reading on or above grade level by the end of third grade; systematic and aligned
curricula and professional development that result in
effective instruction and continuous achievement of the Core
Curriculum Content Standards at all grades; and a support
system that enables all students to attain the course requirements and skills necessary to graduate and successfully
transition to higher education or the workplace.

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MORRIS AVENUE
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER
318 Morris Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
Preschool 3 9:30-3:30
Preschool 4 9:30-3:30
Kindergarten 8:50-3:30
3-4 Year Old Program

PARENT HANDBOOK
2015-2016
Mr. Matthew E. Johnson
Principal

LONG BRANCH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Long Branch, New Jersey
Where Children Matter Most
2015
BOARD OF EDUCATION
James N. Parnell, President
Mary L. George, Vice President
Lucille M. Perez
Avery W. Grant
Michele Critelli, Ed.D.
Bill Dangler
Armand R. Zambrano, Jr.
Donald C. Covin
Rose M. Widdis
Administration/Educational Center
540 Broadway
(732) 571-2868
Michael Salvatore, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Alvin L. Freeman
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
JanetLynn Dudick
District Administrator for Personnel
Peter E. Genovese III
School Business Administrator/Board Secretary
Nancy L. Valenti
Assistant School Business Administrator/Assistant Board Secretary

Morris Avenue
Early Childhood Learning Center
PARENT HANDBOOK
Table of Contents
Welcome……………………………. 1
Mission Statement………………. 2
Staff Directory……………...………. 6
Student Conduct….. ………………… 7
Attendance………..……………….. 8
District Calendar …….…...……….. 9
Transportation..…………………….. 10
Visitation and Custody……………….. 11
Nursing Services…………………….… 12
Parent-Teacher Organization…………... 13
Frequently Asked Questions……………. 14
District Directory…………….……… 15
Field Trip Policy ……..…….………. 16
Curriculum Corner…………………….. 17
Uniformity of Dress Policy………….. 18-19
School Emergencies………………. 20
Security Procedures..………………. 21

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MORRIS AVENUE EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER
80 Avenel Blvd, Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
Phone (732) 571-4150—Fax (732) 483-0239
Preschool Staff

PRINCIPAL
MATTHEW JOHNSON INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS
Dawn Armour
Mary Boyce
SECRETARIES Enyee Carter-Neville
Nefeli Coleman
Georgette Gant Patricia Gavilanez
Maria Navarrete Gina Gradone
Patricia Grant
NURSE Christy Hauser
Diane Anthony Nancy Joyce
Bonnie Larson
Sara Ortiz
MASTER TEACHER Donna Perreira
Mary Alice Kurdyla Luz Ramirez
Melinda Damelio
PIRT Sherrie Robinson
Gail Becker Ruth Rodriguez
Doria Thrower STUDENT ADVISOR Frances Tice
Nicole Trainor Altemise Toon
Colleen Vaccaro
TEACHERS Maria Vieira
Joyce Desmond Jasmine Gomez
Kelly Longo Wendy Nicole Bland
Elizabeth Lundberg Lucky Wiggins
Kerin Oliveri Joanna DeFillipo
Janise Stout Christine Vincelli
Catherine Svenda SPEECH
Raina Thompson Jacquie Raccuia
Wanda Vazquez
Catherine Stone CHILD STUDY TEAM
Heather O’Neill Linda Searles Stone
Tracy Cistaro
Elizabeth Gannon SAFE SCHOOL
Danae Little Jorge Mota
Anthony Migliaccio
Shannon Ridilla
Jennifer Rettino CUSTODIANS
Shannon Coyle Julio Vasquez
Jessica Wegelin Rocco Zaffiro
Rachel Datre
Melanie Rovinsky
Columbia DelPizzo
Laura Iandoli
Yolanda Meneses
Arminda Rodrigues
Mary Shelnutt
Tessy Simoes
Sean Kelly
Michael Gatta ICS
Judith Acer ESL

STUDENT CONDUCT
The Long Branch Public Schools have set high expectations for student conduct. While raising children in our schools we must establish a clear set of rules to provide structure for our students. We recognize our responsibilities to maintain proper and appropriate behavior in school, we also urge you as parents to support our efforts by discussing the school rules with your child. In an attempt to align the school with the home we encourage you to communicate with your child’s teacher throughout the year. We will be using 3 rules to teach the children to follow the path to success:
RESPECT YOURSELF
RESPECT OTHERS
BE RESPONSIBLE
Comprehensive Equity Plan
The Long Branch School District conducted a comprehensive needs assessment of its equity and equality needs.
The Comprehensive Equity Plan is designed to meet these assessed needs. The Board of Education has authorized the submission of the Comprehensive Equity Plan to the New
Jersey State Department of Education, and will support full implementation of the plan.
Some highlights of the plan include:
Staff Development & Training
School & Classroom Practices
Equity and Equality in Curriculum
Equity and Equality in Guidance & Service
You may review the plan and respond to it by contacting the office of the Affirmative Action Officer at 732-571-2868

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ATTENDANCE
Reporting an absence
To report that your child will be absent, please call the school office at 732-571-3139 and leave a message for the teacher.
Returning to school
A note stating the reason for an absence is requested upon a child’s return to school. Students absent for more than 5 days and those under a physician’s care must bring in a note from the physician for the school nurse.
Tardiness
When a student arrives late to school, the parent or guardian must accompany the child into the school and sign them in. The child will be escorted to class by school personnel. No children may be left unattended at the front door. When you accompany your child into the school building, please park in front of the school, on Morris Avenue, and enter through the main entrance. Please do not park in the staff parking lots. Students are tardy after 9:35 for Preschool and 8:55 for Kindergarten.
Early Dismissal
If an early dismissal is required for your child, they should be picked up from school only by persons who are listed on the child’s emergency card.
When picking up a child from school, the parent must sign the child out at the front desk. A school representative will get the child from class and bring them to the front desk. If a babysitter or caregiver is designated by a parent to pick up a child, and is listed on the child’s emergency card, the child will be released. The adult picking the child up must provide proper photo identification.
Release of Students
Students will not be released to anyone who is not listed on the child’s emergency card. In cases of emergency, the principal must approve of anyone else sent to pick up a child.
Everyone who picks up a child must provide the school with proper identification, such as a photo ID. Children will not be released to minors.
FIELD TRIP POLICY
Field Trips
Field trips are designed to stimulate children’s interest and curiosity. They provide opportunities for social growth and development and are appropriate extensions of the curriculum. The privilege of participating in a class trip will be denied if a child is without a signed, parental
permission slip.
Trips related to the Curiosity Corner theme are scheduled throughout the year. Your child’s teacher will send home a flyer with any scheduled trips. Trips may need to be cancelled due to conditions beyond our
control: weather, bus availability, or site availability.
Walking Trips
Parents will be asked to fill out permission slips for
walking trips. This permission verifies that the school has
parental permission to take your child on walks around the school block during the entire school year.
*It is particularly important that parents or guardians sign and return permission slips in
order to assure a child’s participation.

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Long Branch Public Schools Calendar
2015 -2016 School Year
2015
Thursday September 3 Schools Open
Monday September 7 Labor Day - Schools Closed
Monday October 12 Columbus Day - Schools Closed for students- Professional Day for Staff
Thursday-Friday November 5-6 NJEA Convention - Schools Closed
Thursday-Friday November 26-27 Thanksgiving Recess - Schools Closed
Monday- Friday December 21-January 1 Winter Recess - Schools Closed
2016
Monday January 4 Schools Re-open
Monday January 18 Martin Luther King Day/Schools Closed
Friday January 29 Professional Day for Staff & ½ Day for Students
Monday-Tuesday February 15-16 President’s Day Weekend - Schools Closed
Friday February 26 Professional Day for Staff & ½ Day for Students
Friday-Friday March 25-April 1 Spring Recess - Schools Closed
Monday April 4 Schools Re-open
Friday April 29 Professional Day for Staff & ½ Day for Students
Friday May 20 Professional Day for Staff & ½ Day for Students
Friday-Monday May 27-30 Memorial Day Weekend - Schools Closed
Wednesday-Friday June 15-17 Professional Day for Staff & ½ Day for Students
June 17, 2015: Last Day for Students and Staff
Back-To-School Night
Tuesday, Ocober 6, 6:00-7:30 pm
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
FALL
Preschool
November 16-20, 2015
November 16, 18, 19, 20, Day 1:40-3:40, pm
November 17th Evening 5:00-8:00 pm
Kindergarten
November 16-20, 2015
November 16, 18, 20, Day 1:40-3:40 pm
November 17, 19, Evening 6:00-7:30 pm
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Spring
Preschool
April 11-15, 2016, Day 1:40-3:40, pm
Kindergarten
April 11-15, 2016,
April 12, 13, 15 Day 1:40-3:40, pm
April 11, 14 Evening 6:00-7:30 pm

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TRANSPORTATION
Bussing
It is imperative that parents and guardians bring children to designated bus stops each morning and receive the
children at the end of the day.
An adult must escort children to the bus. Once on the bus your child must take a seat, buckle the seatbelt, and remain in that seat until arrival at the school. Bus aides ride on each bus to supervise the children.
You MUST receive your child at the end of the day. If no one is at the bus stop, children will be returned to MORECLC. It then becomes your responsibility to pick up your child at the school. The school cannot watch children for you, therefore if your child is left at school chronically we must report it as neglect. We will make every effort to work with families to make other arrangements. Leaving the child to ride the bus and wait at school for pick-up is not an alternative to aftercare.
Transportation changes must be reported to the school. If you move, please bring a new proof of residence to the school. A ‘Change of Transportation’ form MUST be completed at the school office. You will be notified of the new transportation start date.

Walkers
Children who are driven and picked up daily, in a private vehicle are considered ‘walkers‘. Please see your classroom teacher for the specific dismissal door for your child.
In the morning, outside the All Purpose Room door (by the ramp) we have a valet service that will help get your child out of the car. This service is offered to Preschool families from 9:25-9:30 am. Please enter the parking lot on Willow Avenue for the valet service.
Kindergartners may be dropped off from 8:30 to 8:50 am at the All Purpose Room door.

Thank you for your cooperation in assuring safe and efficient traffic flow. Please remember that these measures are taken
to assure the safety of your child.

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VISITATIONS
The Morris Avenue Early Childhood Center encourages and
welcomes parent participation. The staff provides many opportunities to visit. During the school year there are many parent workshops, class
activities and children performances.
In order to assure your child the best transition into preschool and
kindergarten a designated visitation schedule is provided. We ask your full cooperation in adhering to this schedule in order not to disrupt learning.

CUSTODY
It is the parent’s responsibility to report to the building principal in writing and to provide legal documentation of any situations
affecting their child.
If you advise the school that you have been granted full custody of your child and that your spouse is no longer permitted to pick up your child from school, you must furnish the school with a copy of the court order regarding custody. Without the court order, we
cannot prohibit a parent from contact with your child in the event he or she comes to the school.
If you have any other legal documentation, such as a restraining order or visitation schedule, you must furnish the school with a copy of the order.
* These policies are designed to provide the utmost safety for your child. Thank you for your cooperation.

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NURSING SERVICES
Mrs. Anthony, the school nurses (RN) can be reached by dialing 732-571-3139 and selecting extenstion 45050. She is available daily to treat school accidents and sick children.
related injuries and/or illness.

Every effort is made to prevent accidents. However, each year a few do occur. In these instances, an accident report is completed by the school nurse, for any injury, which
occurs to a student on school property or under school
supervision.
Please make sure the school has your updated telephone and emergency numbers so that immediate contact can be made.

Nurse’s requests:
Please do not send sick children to school.
Children must be kept home 24 hours after a fever subsides.
Contagious illnesses or other conditions must be reported to the nurse immediately (i.e. chicken pox, lice, strep throat).
Medications:
Some children with chronic illness and specific disabilities often require medication during school hours. Parent/guardians are asked to bring the medication to the nurse with written directions from the doctor. Please do not send medication to school in your child’s book bag.

Allergies:
All allergies or special dietary concerns must be reported to the nurse’s office

The school nurse conducts screening for vision and hearing, and measures height and weight for all students at the
preschool.

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PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is an organization the Morris Avenue Early Childhood Learning Center that helps provide assemblies, trips and other fun activities at the Morris Avenue ECLC. Please plan to attend these meetings and become an integral part of your child’s education. Flyers will be sent home prior to the meetings. The building principals from both schools will act as the advisors for the PTO.

PTO EXECUTIVE BOARD
President
Gina Gradone
Vice President
Tessy Simoes
Recording Secretary
Mary Alice Kurdyla
Treasurer
Nicole Trainor
Advisor
Matthew Johnson
The Morris Avenue Early Childhood Learning Center has established a school safety committee whose members will make on-going recommendations to further improve the security of the preschool. The procedure for preschool visitors is listed below. Please be aware for the safety of students and staff members these procedures will be strictly adhered to.
No visitors are to enter the building with students during arrival and dismissal.
All visitors to our schools will need to enter the building through the front door. At the buzzer, it is expected that all visitors will state the purpose of their visit and/or specify with whom they have an appointment.
If the appointment is verified, the visitor will be buzzed in and must present themselves to the main office immediately upon entry.
Visitors will be required to show photo identification, and sign in to obtain a visitor’s pass.
It is imperative that visitors do no hold the door open for others behind them. Each visitor must be acknowledged individually through the buzzer system.
If you will be picking your child up early, you must notify the teacher in writing prior to dismissal. If it is an emergency, 1st call the office to notify the school.
Front office secretaries will be required to call 911 and notify school administrators if a visitor is uncooperative, does not
adhere to the procedures, or becomes threatening. Failure to follow these procedures may result in a lockdown.
The safety of your child is our number one responsibility. If you should require clarification regarding these procedures please contact the building Principal. . Thank you for your cooperation and help in making the preschool more secure.
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Parent volunteers are greatly appreciated. Please contact your
child’s teacher to volunteer.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What happens if my child needs to be changed?
Young children have toileting accidents, food spills, and generally get messy. That is why the school requires all children to have a fresh change of uniform in their cubbies. Please send these in a bag with the child’s name: pants, shirt, underclothes, and socks.
It is embarrassing for your child if an accident occurs and there are no clean uniforms. If soiled uniforms are sent home, please be sure to send in a fresh change of clothing.
What should I send for snack?
Children should bring a small, healthy snack and drink in their backpack each day. We suggest crackers, pretzels, sliced fruit, and juice (Please see attached suggestion letter for healthy snacks). Please do not send glass containers.
What else does my child need?
Please send your child with a backpack every day. Be sure to check your child’s backpack every day for important messages. Send in a blanket with your child’s name on it for nap-time.
Identification Tags
A plastic colored MORECLC tag will be placed on your child’s backpack. The tag is used to designate the dismissal location. Please do not
remove the tag.

Thank you for your cooperation!!

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LONG BRANCH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DISTRICT DIRECTORY

Long Branch Board of Education
540 Broadway
732-571-2868

Joseph M Ferraina ECLC / PreK 3-4 Year Old Program / Kindergarten / 80 Avenel Blvd / 732-571-4150	Lenna W. Conrow / PreK 3-4 Year Old Program / Kindergarten / 335 Long Branch Avenue / 732-222-4539
Amerigo A. Anastasia / 1-5th Grade / 92 Seventh Avenue / 732-571-3396	Morris Avenue ECLC / PreK 3-4 Year Old Program / Kindergarten / 318 Morris Avenue / 732-571-3139
Gregory School / 1-5th Grade / 201 Monmouth Ave / 732-222-7048	George L. Catrambone / K-5 / 250 Park Avenue / 732-222-3215
Audrey W. Clark / 192 Garfield Avenue / 732-571-4677	Champions / Before/After Care/ Wrap-Around Program / 732-222-5656
Long Branch Middle School / 6th-8th Grade / 364 Indiana Avenue / 732-229-5533	Long Branch High School / 9th-12th Grade / 404 Indiana Ave / 732-229-7300

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FIELD TRIP POLICY
Field Trips
Field trips are designed to stimulate children’s interest and curiosity. They provide opportunities for social growth and development and are appropriate extensions of the curriculum. The privilege of participating in a class trip will be denied if a child is without a signed, parental permission slip.
Trips related to the curriculum themes are scheduled throughout the year. Your child’s teacher will send home a flyer with any scheduled trips. Trips may need to be cancelled due to conditions beyond our
control: weather, bus availability, or site availability.
Walking Trips
Parents will be asked to fill out permission slips for
walking trips. This permission verifies that the school has
parental permission to take your child on walks around the school block during the entire school year.
*It is particularly important that parents or guardians sign and return permission slips in
order to assure a child’s participation.

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CURRICULUM CORNER

Preschool 3 & 4 Year olds
The Morris Avenue Early Childhood Learning Center is specifically designed to provide an enriched learning environment for preschool and kindergarten children.
The Tools of the Mind curriculum:
Offers a literacy focus and problem solving activities.
Aligns with state and national early learning standards.
Comes with lessons and thematic materials.
Provides teachers with a complete preschool program.
Supports teachers with workshops and in-class coaching.
Enhances the development of the whole child.
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten curriculum follows the New Jersey Implementation
Guidelines to effectively implement the components of a high quality
Kindergarten program.
A daily schedule consists of:
Mystery Question
Calendar Math
Opening Group
Social studies/Science: ELA Components integrated
Exploration Stations
Writing & Grammar
Mathematics
Snack/ Gross Motor Movement
Daily specials on a rotating basis

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UNIFORMITY OF DRESS
The Morris Avenue Early Childhood Learning Center will follow an enforced “Uniformity of Dress” plan. Uniformity means you may purchase your child’s uniforms at any store that provides the following:
Pants, shorts, jumpers and skorts in khaki color. CARGO pants or shorts are not an approved uniformity of dress. Golf shirts, short or long-sleeved, in dark green, white or gray.
Turtleneck shirts in dark green, white or gray. Cardigan
sweaters in dark green, white or gray.
All shirts, turtlenecks and sweaters are to have the Long Branch Public School patch (emblem) attached, on the left side, as part of your child’s daily attire. The district will provide these emblems. Inappropriate dress is defined as clothing or other styles and color, which deviate from the “Uniformity of Dress” policy. Shorts are not to be worn between November 1st and March 31st
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UNIFORMITY OF DRESS (continues)
Sneakers are the desirable choice of footwear to be worn daily at the preschool. If sandals are worn, they must have a back. Plastic beach shoes and/or plastic shoes are not to be worn to school. Hats, scarves and bandanas are not to be worn in school. “Hats” and head coverings of a religious significance will be allowed.
Classroom teachers will note enforcement of preschool “Uniformity of Dress” during daily attendance. Procedures for students inappropriately dressed will be the following:
1st offense - Teacher will call home and request a change of clothes be brought to school. A copy of the dress code
reminder slip will be sent home.
2nd offense - The school will contact parent/guardian to
act-find the reason why the student was inappropriately dressed. Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed.
3rd offense - Principal or designee will meet with the parent/guardian regarding their not conforming to the dress code regulation. If parent/guardian does not wish to participate, then the alternative of not continuing in the District preschool will be reviewed.

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SCHOOL EMERGENCIES
Emergency School Closings:
When school closing is made necessary by weather conditions such as snow, sleet, hurricane, or if other reasons should require the closing of schools, you will receive a phone call from the district’s automated phone notification system. Please update revised phone numbers in the Main Office.

Delayed Opening:
Delayed opening of schools will be one and one-half (1½) hours
later than the regular opening time. The schedule is:
Preschool 3 & 4 11:00
Kindergarten 10:20
Contacting Home:
It is very important that we have current telephone numbers and emergency contact names and telephone numbers for your
children. A minimum of two contacts, other than parents must be on file at the school. These must be individuals who can be reached if a parent is unavailable to pick up their child.
Please make sure that you fill out two emergency cards. Any time you change residence and/or telephone number, you must inform the school immediately. A new proof of residence will be
required.
If custody information changes for any reason, you will be asked to fill out new emergency cards. Periodically, we will ask you to update the information that we have on file.
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