Edson School Handbook 2024-2025

Harry L. Edson Elementary School Handbook2024-2025

Attendance/Health Info.

Where to Find...

Reminders

Forms to Complete

School Volunteers

YMCA Childcare

Contacting School Staff

How to Receive District/School Notifications

Bus Transportation

PM Pick Up Locations

PM Pick Up procedures

AM Drop OffProcedures

Harry L. Edson

PBIS

Other Staff Members

Special Areas and Teachers

Homeroom Teachers

Contacting School

School Schedule

Code of Conduct

Commitments

Mission and Vision

KCSD Board of Education

Principal

Curricula and Assessments

Celebrations (Birthdays)

School Visitors

Edson PTO

Monthly Themes

School spirit Days

Back-to-School Night

Important Dates

Title 1 Funding

Breakfast, Lunch, and Recess

Checking Out Library Books

Dual Language Program

About Harry L. Edson

Harry L. Edson Elementary School was dedicated in 1966 to the memory of “Pop” Edson, a well-known community figure who had lovingly devoted 35 years of his life to children through his service in the Kingston Recreation Department. The school provided an education from Kindergarten through sixth grade for 22 years. Since 2013, children have attended Edson School from Kindergarten through grade four.

I will try my hardest to do my best and be kind and considerate to others. Haré todo lo posible para dar lo mejor de mí y ser amable y considerado con los demás.

Edson Pledge/Compromiso

Greetings, Edson families!I am excited about the new school year! Please find important information about our school in the slides that follow. If you have additional questions, please reach out!-Ms. Kathleen Lowell klowell@kingstoncityschools.org845-943-3913

Email the KCSD Board of Education at boe@kingstoncityschools.org

2023-2024

Board of Education

Your Board of Education is composed of nine residents who have been elected by the qualified voters of the Kingston City School District. The Board is vested with the responsibility of setting education policy and carrying out the mandates of the New York State Education Department. The members serve without remuneration. Board meetings are both live and broadcast via the district YouTube channel. See this link for the schedule, agendas, and minutes.

Edson School represents a unified, diverse, and dynamic community, respectful of diversity that is committed to excellence in scholarship and character development; ensures the worth, dignity, and well-being of students and staff; and promotes lifelong learning of students, staff, and community.

Vision

Working together, the Edson community will create a nurturing and supportive environment that integrates high academic achievement, positive self-esteem, and respect for others in order to motivate students to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens.

Mission

We are committed to sustaining an engaging environment that will create responsible citizens and lifelong learners. Edson teachers will continue to work toward mastery of curriculum initiatives, which promote student success.

Support student academic growth.

We strive for Edson to foster a welcoming, affirming environment for all. Edson staff is focused on student social-emotional well-being. Attention will be given to the skills of developing and sustaining supportive connections with others, self-regulation and problem-solving skills.

Support students’ social and emotional health.

Commitments

KCSD Code of Conduct: Restorative Practices

KCSD Code of Conduct

KCSD Student Code of Conduct

The Kingston City School District is committed to ensuring that our schools are safe and orderly environments in which teaching and learning takes place each day.Each school is expected to promote a positive school climate and culture that provides students with a supportive environment in which to grow both academically and socially. School personnel are responsible for developing and using strategies that promote optimal learning and positive behavior throughout a student’s school experience. Restorative approaches are an integral component of progressive discipline and the direction in which the Kingston City School District is committed to proceed. Restorative approaches originate from common practices that reflect our shared humanity. Used proactively, they build positive vibrant culture. In the context of justice, restorative approaches use the foundations of relationships and interconnectedness to repair harm and reestablishharmony. See KCSD Code of Conuct pp 4-6 for more information.School personnel are also responsible for addressing behaviors which disrupt learning. Administrators, teachers, school counselors, social workers, psychologists and other school staffare expected to engage students, including students with disabilities, in intervention and prevention strategies that address a student’s behavioral issues and discuss these strategies with the student and they/their parent.

KSCD Code of Conduct

Edson's students are "Pawesome!"

PBIS

Our school day begins at 8:45AM.

• Students choosing to eat breakfast may enter at 8:30AM.
• After 8:55AM, students must be signed in by an adult at the front door.

Dismissal is at 3:10PM.

• Walkers and car students are dismissed from the cafeteria after buses leave at approximately 3:00PM.
• Buses depart at 3:10PM.

Due to dismissal procedures, no student can be picked up between 2:40 and walker dismissal at 3:00PM

School Schedule

TBD, Bilingual Family Worker

Ms. Paula Bugbee, School Social Workerpbugbee@kingstoncityschools.org845-943-3371

Mrs. Alix Cutrone, School Psychologistacutrone@kingstoncityschools.org845-943-3372

Mrs. Jessica Decker, School Nursejdecker@kingstoncityschools.org845-943-3364

Mrs. Mary Johnston, Office Managermjohnston@kingstoncityschools.org845-943-3370

Ms. Kathleen Lowell, Principalklowell@kingstoncityschools.org845-943-3913

School Phone Number:845-943-3913

Have a question? Please contact us!

Key Contacts

Grade 4: Mrs. Rosemary Greiner/Mrs. Taylor RodmanMrs. Sara Zmiyarch/Mrs. Taylor RodmanMrs. Julie VanRoy/Mrs. Taylor RodmanMrs. Kayla Kessler

Grade 3: Mrs. Sue EltingMrs. Meg DiDonna/Mrs. Louisa FoxMrs. Jeniffer MastroeniMs. Yamilet Ruiz (Dual language)

Grade 2: Mrs. Toni CookMs. Jaslyne Garcia (Dual language)Mrs. Mindy Quinn/Mr. Tyler ByrnesMrs. Darla Roman-GreenMs. Alison Uhl

Grade 1: Mrs. Cheryl FinneganMrs. Jessica Gardner/Mrs. Stephany CarpenterMs. Gabriella PuglieseMrs. Avery VanBuren (Dual language)

Kindergarten:K/1: Mrs. Sam WardMs. Jasmine Barrow (Dual language)Ms. Sam CorioMs. Danielle LukaszewskiMrs. Meghan Williams/

Edson's "Pawesome" Homeroom Teachers

Title 1

Computer Teaching Assistant:Ms. Meghan Brandt

School Library Media Specialist:Mrs. Elizabeth Stegmayer

Vocal Music Teacher: Mr. Evan Mason

Art Teacher: Ms. Isabella Canino

PE Coaches:Coach CowburnCoach Dwyer

Students in grade 4 have the option to participate in chorus and to may take string or band instrument lessons.Chorus: Mr. Evan MasonStrings: Mrs. Melissa MurphyBand: Mr. BrandonCarroll

Students have a special everyday! Every 6-day cycle, students will have one class each of art, vocal music, library and computer. Within a 6-day cycle, students have three PE classes.

Special Area Teachers

Main Entrance Door Monitor: Ms. Jen Rolon

Kitchen Staff: Manager: Mrs. Krystle GibbsMrs. Dinorah RodriguezMrs. Mirian Ruiz

Custodian: Mr. Marvin CampbellCleaners: Mr. Richard Conklin Mr. Niko GjokaMs. Rebecca Jones

Recess/Lunch Monitors: Mrs. Charlotte Brown Ms. Destiny GaydosMrs. Shanna KnappMrs. Dawn PoskittMrs. Candice ScismTBDTBD

Teaching Assistants: Ms. Carrie BonoMs. Meghan BrandtMrs. Sue BundschuhMs. Peggy CahillMrs. Eden Cruz-KaydenMs. Jaid HarrellMrs. Jodi LerczakMrs. Megan LyonsMrs. Pam McFarlandMrs. Fritzi McGowanMs. Emma RoseMrs. Suzie Schupp Mrs. Karen Zanos

Speech Therapist: Ms. Bridget BurkeSpeech Improvement: Ms. Sandra KrolOT: Mrs. Meghan ShethPT: Mrs. Christine WolfTeacher of the Deaf: Mrs. Serena WunderlichASL Interpreter: Miss Kelsey Beers

More "Pawesome" Edson Staff Members

Teachers of Students Learning English:Ms. Colleen ConnorsMs. Sam LeeMrs. Mozhdeh Zahedi-North

Reading Specialists: Mrs. Syndie HaalandMrs. Mary SlatteryMrs. Dianne TomczykMs. Heather UrbanowskiMath Specialist: Mrs. Claire VanValkenburgh

Email: Most staff members' email is their first initial last name @kingstoncityschools.org example: klowell@kingstoncityschools.orgMain office phone number: 845-943-3913You may leave a message. Please note that teachers are not able to take a call from a parent/guardian when they are teaching,Teams: You can contact your child's teacher through their Teams account.Teachers will communicate their preferred method of communication with families at Back-to-School night.

How to reach Edson's teachers/staff

Three drop off locations:1. Lower level door facing Bailey MS2. Health Office Door 3. Main entrance after buses pull away.

Walker/Pickup dismissal at 3:00PM - see next slide for student dismissal locations, which vary by grade and teacher.Bus Dismissal begins at 3:10PM; some of our buses are arriving later and students will be dismissed promptly as these buses arrive. Due to dismissal procedures, no student can be picked up between 2:40 and walker dismissal at 3:00PMPlease inform the school of any changes in dismissal plans as early as possible. Call 945-943-3913.

Walker/Pickup Dismissal

Bike riders welcome! We have a bike rack. Please bring your own lock.

• Mrs. Mastroeni

• Mrs. VanRoy
• Mrs. Zmiyarch
• Mrs. Kessler

• Ms. Elting
• Mrs. DiDonna
• Mrs. Greiner
• Ms. Ruiz

• Ms. Barrow
• Ms. Corio
• All Gr 1
• All gr 2

• Mrs. Ward
• Ms. Lukaszewski
• Mrs. Williams

Sorry, pets are not allowed.

Edson Walker/Pickup Dismissal 3:00PM

Older siblings will go to the class of their youngest sibling. Teachers will bring students outside to the adult picking students up.

The adults picking students up must present identification. Only adults on the student's list of pick ups can retrieve the student.

Bus Transportation

Students who live within 1/2 mile of the school are provided with bus transportation. Safety is the number one factor for bus transportation. Problems or injuries should be reported to the driver. The driver may report misbehavior in a referral to the principal. Serious or habitual misbehavior may result in a student's suspension from the bus.

Please click the bus below for route and stop times.

Elementary Social Worker for Attendance: Mrs. Campbellacampbell@kingstoncityschools.org

If your child is sick with a fever, they should stay home until 24hr after symptoms have resolved. A student with other illness symptoms may need rest.Inform the nurse of any particular health problem, such as asthma, an allergic reaction to bee stings, or any other condition. In order for medication to be administered at school, the nurse needs a written doctor order and written parental/guardian permission.Student immunizations must be up-to-date. Students in kindergarten, grade 2, and grade 4 are required to have physical examinations. These may be performed by your family physician or by the school doctor. Contact the nurse for more information.

Student Health

Edson's School Nurse: Mrs. Decker 845-943-3364jdecker@kingstoncityschools.org

Attendance Procedures

• Consistent attendance at school is vital to a student's learning.
• An absent rate of 10% or more is considered by NYS to be chronic.
• If your child is absent for any reason (illness, Dr. appt, etc.), please send them in with a note when they return to school.

• If your child needs to be picked up early, please send him or her in with a note so that we are prepared to dismiss them.
• Early pickups must be done BEFORE 2:45PM. Early pickups will not be permitted between 2:45 and 3:10PM.

Supporting StudentsWhen a student is struggling academically or behaviorally, or may need other supports, our Multi-tiered Support System (MTSS) team meets to discuss how we can support the student. We talk about what has been tried and develop a plan of support and monitoring. We meet again to reevaluate and plan next steps. Classroom teachers contact the student's adults to inform them of the referrals and outcomes.Students not meeting expectations for reading, math, or speech may require addtional support in school. We have reading, math, and speech/language specialists, as well as occupational and physical therapists that support students.Additionally, we have a full-time school social worker and a school psychologist. We share an attendance social worker with the other elementary schools.

Curricula and AssessmentsNew York State Standards drive instruction in all curricular areas. You can access detailed curricula information on the district website. Assessment is integral to instruction. Students participate in local assessments in all grades across curricula areas. Students in grade 3 and 4 participate in state ELA and math tests. Teachers will share additional information during back to school night. Report Cards are distributed quarterly.English as a New Language (ENL)Students who speak languages other than English outside of school who have not yet reached a "commanding" level of English (as per NYS assessments) are supported with instruction to develop their communication skills and academic language in English.

Reach out to klowell@kingstoncityschools.org for more information.

Who may participate in the Dual Language Kindergarten program?

• Students entering kindergarten who are zoned for Edson.
• Students whose home language is English, Spanish, or both, or other!
• Students who are English Language Learners from Crosby, Graves, and Myer.

Benefits of Bilingualism

• Increases vocabulary
• Enhances thinking skills and logic
• Impacts reading comprehension
• Promotes cultural awareness and appreciation
• Expands job opportunities

• Edson hosts the KCSD Dual Language K-4 program. It begins in the dual language PreK at Meagher School (optional for enrollment in Edson program).
• The Dual Language cohort will be together all 5 years at Edson, from kindergarten through grade 4.
• Students will understand, speak, read, and write in English and in Spanish.
• Students will develop literacy skills and content knowledge in both English and Spanish across the content areas (math, science, social studies.)
• Instruction flows across languages from day to day.

Dual Language Program

A student may check out a book every cycle during regularly scheduled library class. It is the responsibility of the student to care for and return the book in a timely manner, (usually every scheduled library class, once per cycle). Students in: Kindergarten – 1 book to bring home each cycle (beginning in October) Grade 1 - 1 book to bring home each cycle Grades 2, 3, and 4 – 2 books to bring home each cycle Please return library books on time. When books are not returned, they will be renewed and an overdue notice will be given to the student as a reminder. A student with overdue books still can check out a book to keep in the classroom or take a book from the free book cart.

Checking out library books

Students may bring a snack and a water bottle to school daily. Students may refill water bottles at our bottle filling station.

Students will have recess first and then lunch (in the cafeteria.)Recess is outdoors except when the weather is inclement (too cold, too wet or snowy, or icy.) Students should be prepared with jackets, gloves, and hats in the colder months.

Students will be provided (if they so choose) with a breakfast each morning when they arrive at school.Students are NOT REQUIRED to eat breakfast at school.Students eat breakfast in the cafeteria.

Breakfast and Lunch are FREE for all Students!

Recess and Lunch Plan

Breakfast Plan

Title 1

Schools with a with high percentage of students eligible for Free/Reduced lunch receive grant funding provided under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

The additional funding helps fund:

• 4 full-time reading teachers and 1 RtI TA
• Full time dedicated Math teacher
• 1.5 Speech/Language Improvement teacher
• Professional Development workshops and conferences to enhance quality of instruction for teachers and teaching assistants
• Enrichment Opportunities

Edson is a Title 1 School

On days with the 2-hr delay schedule, staff memebers are pariticpating in professinal learning.

Important Dates

6:00 – 7:30PM

• Meet the teachers
• See the school
• Learn about routines, curriculum, and opportunities for involvement

6-6:15

• Principal’s address to families in Spanish in cafeteria
• Visitations to special area teachers, support providers, tables in lobby

6:20 – 6:45 Teachers’ presentations in classrooms 6:45 – 7:00 Principal’s address to all families via Teams (parents/guardians remain in classroom) 7:05 – 7:30

• Teachers’ presentations in classroom of second child (if applicable)
• Visitations to special area teachers, support providers, tables in lobby

Back-to-School Night September 19, 2024

Dates are listed. Each class gets to pick a theme. While students and staff are invited to participate, no one is obligated to.On non-themed Fridays, students and staff are invited to wear Edson attire or school colors (red, black, white).

School Spirit Days!

February: Friendship and KindnessMarch: CourageApril: HopeMay: EmpathyJune: Safety

September: CommunityOctober: BelongingNovember: GratitudeDecember: CuriosityJanuary: Confidence

Monthly Themes

2024-2025 Edson PTO Board: President: Rose Woodworth Vice President: Melissa Gromacki Treasurer: Eleni Dedovich Secretary: Liz Belardo

Contact the PTO: ptoedson@gmail.com

PTO Trunk or Treat fun!

The PTO at the Edson School actively supports the school’s efforts to provide the best educational experience for our children. Funds raised by the PTO each year make possible the assembly programs that enrich our children’s experience. They provide a significant subsidy to the cost of field trips enjoyed by all the students. Proceeds of the PTO sponsored book fair benefit the school library. The PTO coordinates school pictures, field day, and other special events throughout the year and provides financial and volunteer support for the many school-wide activities. You are warmly welcomed and encouraged to become involved in your child’s school through membership (no cost!) and active participation in the PTO. Meetings are scheduled for the third Tuesdays of each month, September-June, at 6:30 pm in the Edson school library. Meetings are hybrid - they are in person and shared live via Zoom. Scheduled meeting dates are posted on the school website, on the PTO Facebook page, and in Monthly Newsletters.

Edson School PTO

Title 1

All visitors to the school must come to the front door and buzz. A staff member will respond. If the visitor has an appointment, they must show identification before entering the builidng. Only visitors with appointments will be allowed to enter. Visitors with appointments will sign in and will be given a visitor sticker. When leaving, visitors will sign out and will return the sticker.

Visiting the School

We welcome the support of adult family and community members. All volunteers must be pre-approved by our Board of Education. Prospective volunteers must submit a completed volunteer form. It is suggested that if you plan to volunteer during the school year that you complete and submit the volunteer form in the beginning of the year. Volunteers approved within the last two years must let the school know that they plan to volunteer again each year, and must come in to school to sign the volunteer form. Volunteers need to resubmit volunteer forms every three years, (but sign them annually for each year that they want to volunteer.)Some Edson volunteering opportunities:

• chaperoning field trips (Please note that for trips, only a certain amount of adult volunteers are needed.)
• supporting field day
• supporting classroom activites (upon the request of teacher)
• volunteering for PTO events that happened during the school day
• school pictures
• school book fair

Volunteering

Teachers will explain their practices for classroom celebrations.Adults sending in classroom snacks or birthday treats to share must confirm with the classroom teacher ahead of time. Teachers will let you know the number of students in the room. Healthy snack options are always welcomed. Ask about our blender bike!Please do not send in balloons or drop off take-out lunches for students.Please note that we are an allergy-aware school.

• Some classrooms need to be nut free (teachers will let you know if that applies in their room.) Lunches with nuts are allowed in the cafeteria except at the designated nut free table.
• No latex balloons are allowed in the building.

Celebrations

Click clip for YMCA Kingston

Begins at 7AM Ends at 6PMAvailable for students gr K - 4Registration information

YMCA Before and After School Program

You can write a introduction here

Please complete and submit the change information form if there are any changes in phone numbers, addresses, or emergency contacts. It is critical that we have up-to-date information in the event of an emergency.

All Parents and Guardians are automatically signed up to receive text messages and emails from the KCSD and Edson School. KCSD will send notifications about emergencies, such as closures and delays, and about important and noteworthy events. Edson will share information about school events.

Add numbers to receive texts/emails

Change Info Form

If you are not receiving these messages, please make sure your information on file is correct. You can fill out the Change Info form linked below or sign up additional numbers by following the Add numbers link.

Text and Email Notifications

Title 1

As needed: Change of Information Form

Optional: Volunteer Form

Technology Agreement (Student signs): link coming soon

Optional: Opt out of photos for media/social media: link coming soon

KCSD Code of Conduct

Beginning of year forms to be completed

Read and sign:

Read the monthly newsletter for updates about what is happening at Edson.Check out the Harry L. Edson Faceboook page:

Reminders:

Thank you!

Title 1