Edson School Handbook 2025-2026

Harry L. Edson Elementary School Handbook 2025-2026

In progress - check back frequently for updates!

Where to Find...

Curricula and Assessments

Contacting School Staff

Code of Conduct/PBIS

Back-to-School Night

Celebrations (Birthdays)

Harry L. Edson

What to Leave at Home

Principal

AM Drop OffProcedures

School Schedule

School Spirit Days

YMCA Childcare

Dual Language Program

KCSD Board of Education

PM Pick Up procedures

How to Receive District/School Notifications

Contacting School

Monthly Themes

Checking Out Library Books

Mission and Vision

Forms to Complete

PM Pick Up Locations

Homeroom Teachers

Edson PTO

Breakfast, Lunch, and Recess

Commitments

Bus Transportation

Special Areas and Teachers

School Visitors

Reminders

Code of Conduct

Title 1 Funding

Attendance/Health Info.

School Volunteers

Other Staff Members

School Supplies

Important Dates

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.

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.org 845-943-3913

Edson Pledge/Compromiso

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.

Marie Anderson President

Cathy Collins Vice President

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.

Erika Bernabei Middleton

MaryStephanie Corsones

Anthony Fitzpatrick

Herb Lamb

Board of Education

Marc Rider

Steven Spicer

Stephanie Kearns

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

2024-2025

Vision

Mission

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.

Working together, the Edson community will establish 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.

2025-2026 Key Strategies

1. Teachers will use evidence-based instructional strategies—such as visuals, modeling, and connecting to prior knowledge—to make learning comprehensible and accessible for English Language Learners, supporting their growth in language development, engagement, and academic achievement across all content areas. 2. Strengthen a positive and inclusive school community by implementing consistent, schoolwide behavioral expectations through a fully integrated PBIS framework, including explicit instruction, studentrecognition, and staff collaboration.

Edson 2025-2026 Supply Lists Listas de SUMINISTROS escolares Edson 2025-2026

Click here to go to supply list site

KSCD 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 reestablish harmony. 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 staff are 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.

KCSD Student Code of Conduct

KCSD Code of Conduct

KCSD Code of Conduct: Restorative Practices

Edson's students are "Pawesome!"

PBIS

Remember to read the handbook and to sign and return the last page.

Distraction-Free School:

Please see the infographic to the right regarding leaving personal electroinic items at home. In addition, leave teh following items at home:

• Toys, stuffed animals, and games should not be brought to school unless specifically requested by a teacher (such as for a class reward day or school spirit day)
• Trading cards (e.g. Pokémon cards)

Baseball caps, sunglasses, gloves, and the hoods on shirts/jackets/sweatshirts can be worn at recess but not in the building). Sweatshirts, coats, hats, lunch boxes, water bottles etc. should be labeled to ensure that the item can be returned in a timely fashion if left behind.

Edson's students are "Pawesome!"

Students who go above and beyond to meet our PAWS characteristics can be nominated to earn a Cougar Paw brag tag. Recipients' names are announced on the daily announcements. Students find out why they earned a brag tag and take a sticker and their brag tag. When a class is nominated for a Cougar Paw, Edson, our cougar mascot, spends the day with the class.

PBIS

School Schedule

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 3:05PM.

• Walkers and car students are dismissed from the cafeteria after buses leave at approximately 3:05PM.
• Buses depart at 3:10PM.

Due to dismissal procedures, no student can be picked up between 2:40 and walker dismissal at 3:05PM

Key Contacts

Mrs. Jessica Decker, School Nurse jdecker@kingstoncityschools.org 845-943-3364

Have a question? Please contact us!

Ms. Paula Bugbee, School Social Worker pbugbee@kingstoncityschools.org 845-943-3371

School Phone Number:845-943-3913

Mrs. Alix Cutrone, School Psychologist acutrone@kingstoncityschools.org 845-943-3372

Ms. Kathleen Lowell, Principal* klowell@kingstoncityschools.org 845-943-3913

Mrs. Mary Johnston, Office Manager mjohnston@kingstoncityschools.org 845-943-3370

Mauricio Castellanos*, Bilingual Family Worker 845-943-3366

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Edson's "Pawesome" Homeroom Teachers

Kindergarten: K/1/2: Ms. Meghan Brandt Miss Jasmine Barrow* (Dual language) Miss Sam Corio Miss Danielle Lukaszewski Mrs. Meghan Williams/Mrs. Stephany Carpenter

Grade 3: Mrs. Meg DiDonna/Mrs. Louisa Fox Miss Maya Leslie* Mrs. Jeniffer Mastroeni Miss Yamilet Ruiz* (Dual language)

Grade 1: Miss Ashley Anzalone/Mrs. Stephany Carpenter Mrs. Jessica Gardner Miss Gabriella Pugliese Mrs. Avery VanBuren* (Dual language)

Grade 4: Miss Briana Camacho* (Dual language) Mrs. Rosemary Greiner Mrs. Sara Zmiyarch Mrs. Julie VanRoy/Mrs. Taylor Rodman

Grade 2: Mrs. Toni Cook Ms. Jaslyne Garcia (Dual language) Mrs. Mindy Quinn/Mr. Tyler Byrnes Mrs. Darla Roman-Green Mrs. Kessler (2/3)

* Se habla español

Special Area Teachers

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.

Computer Teaching Assistant:

Vocal Music Teachers: Miss Abigail Mitchell MIss Elissa Hansen

PE Coaches: Coach Cowburn Coach Dwyer

School Library Media Specialist: Mrs. Elizabeth Stegmayer

Art Teacher: Miss Isabella Canino *ASL

Students in grade 4 have the option to participate in chorus and to may take string or band instrument lessons. Chorus: Miss Abigail Mitchell Strings: Mrs. Melissa Murphy Band: Mr. BrandonCarroll

More "Pawesome" Edson Staff Members

Main Entrance Door Monitor: Ms. Ausan Hayes

Teachers of Students Learning English: Ms. Colleen Connors* Ms. Sam Lee* Mrs. Mozhdeh Zahedi-North

Recess/Lunch Monitors: Mrs. Charlotte Brown Mrs. Ruby Long Mrs. Candice Scism Mrs. LaShawn Spencer TBD x3

Teaching Assistants: Mrs. Sue Bundschuh Ms. Peggy Cahill Mrs. Eden Cruz-Kayden* Mrs. Jodi Lerczak Mrs. Pam McFarland Mrs. Fritzi McGowan Mr. Jeremy Melenciano Ms. Kelly Moon Ms. Emma Rose Mrs. Suzie Schupp Mrs. Hollie Walsh

Reading Specialists: Mrs. Syndie Haaland Mrs. Mary Slattery Mrs. Dianne Tomczyk Ms. Heather Urbanowski Math Specialist: Ms. Jennifer Carpino

Custodian: Mr. Marvin Campbell Cleaners: Mr. Richard Conklin Mr. Niko GjokaMs. Rebecca Jones

Speech Therapist: Ms. Bridget Burke* Ms. Sandra Krol OT: Mrs. Meghan Sheth PT: Mrs. Christine Wolf Teacher of the Deaf: Ms. Rabab Khan ASL Interpreter: TBD

Kitchen Staff: Manager: Mrs. Krystle Gibbs Mrs. Dinorah Rodriguez* Mrs. Mirian Ruiz*

* Se habla español

How to reach Edson's teachers/staff

Email: Most staff members' email is their first initial last name @kingstoncityschools.org example: klowell@kingstoncityschools.org Main office phone number: 845-943-3913 You 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.

Three drop off locations: 1. Lower level door facing Bailey MS 2. Health Office Door 3. Main entrance after buses pull away.

1.

Please be patient and respectful on and around school property. Our parking lots are shared with staff from Bailey. There are many moving students, adults, cars, and buses at arrival and dismissal. Be aware of our families that walk to and from school. Be respectful of neighboring hoses, lawns, and driveways, Let's all work together to keep everyone safe.

3.

2.

Walker/Pickup Dismissal

Walker/Pickup dismissal at 3:05PM - see next slide for student dismissal locations, which vary by grade and teacher. Bus Dismissal begins at 3:10PM. Due to dismissal procedures, no student can be picked up between 2:40 and walker dismissal at 3:05M Please inform the school of any changes in dismissal plans as early as possible. Call 945-943-3913.

Edson Walker/Pickup Dismissal 3:05PM

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

All Gr 3

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

All Gr 4

Sorry, pets are not allowed.

• Miss. Barrow
• Miss. Corio
• All Gr 1
• All Gr 2

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

• Ms. Brandt
• Ms. Lukaszewski
• Mrs. Williams

Bus Transportation

Students who live beyond 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.

Student Health

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 2:40PM. Early pickups will not be permitted between 2:40 and 3:05PM.

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. Physical exams are due in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, and all students new to the district. These exams are due in the nurse's office by October 1st. All students who do not have an exam on file or a written notice of an upcoming scheduled exam by October 1st will be scheduled to see the school physician.

Please reach out to our social worker, Ms. Bugbee with any questions about chonic absenteeism.

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

Curricula and Assessments New 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.

Supporting Students When 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.

Dual Language Program

• 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 cohorts are 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.

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 Edson, Graves, or Myer schools.

Benefits of Bilingualism

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

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

Checking out library books

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.

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Recess and Lunch Plan

Breakfast Plan

Breakfast and Lunch are FREE for all Students!

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.

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

Edson is a Title 1 School

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 AIS reading teachers and 1 RtI TA
• Part time AIS 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

Important Dates

Tee KCSD calendar is located in the resources tab on the main page. To view Edson's calendar, go to schools and open the Edson site. Our calendar is under the resources tab on our page.

Check the KCSD and Edson School calendars regularly. Monthly newsletters will provide additional calendar information. First day of school: September 3, 2025!

Did you know that you can change the language that you view our website in by clicking the flag icon in the botom right corner?

Back-to-School Night September 17, 2025

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

School Spirit Days!

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).

Coming soon! Each class picks a theme.

Monthly Themes

February: Friendship and Kindness March: Courage April: Hope May: Empathy June: Safety

September: Community October: Belonging November: Gratitude December: Curiosity January: Confidence

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Edson School PTO

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.

PTO Trunk or Treat fun!

2025-2026 Edson PTO Board: President: Rose Woodworth Vice President: Melissa Gromacki Treasurer: Eleni Dedovich Secretary: Liz Belardo

Contact the PTO: ptoedson@gmail.com

Visiting the School

Student safety is our primary concern. We use the Raptor system to screen the IDs of visitors and when students are picked up early. Visitors should have an appointment. All visitors to the school must come to the front door and ring the bell. A staff member will respond. If the visitor has an appointment, they must show identification before being allowed in the building. 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.

Volunteering

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. QR code below is linked to volunteer page.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 activities (upon the request of teacher)
• Volunteering for PTO events that happened during the school day
• school pictures
• school book fair

Celebrations

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.

YMCA Before and After School Program

You can write a introduction here

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

Click clip for YMCA Kingston

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Text and Email Notifications

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.

Add numbers to receive texts/emails

Change Info Form

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.

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.

Beginning of year forms to be completed

Red = Read and sign: Edson's PBIS Handbook for Students and Families page 17 KCSD Handbook page 2 (3 for Spanish) Optional: pp. 88-90 Media/photo opt out pp. 140-141 Pesticide application notification Emergency Dismissal Plan

Chromebook use agreement (link coming soon!)

As needed: Change of Information Form

Optional: Volunteer Form Also pages 55-56 in KSCD Handbook

FYI: KCSD Code of Conduct

Emergency Dismissals

Emergency closures may happen as a result of:

• Inclement weather or predicted dangerous weather.
• Power or water outages.
• Gas leaks.
• Communication outages,
• Other situations in which building occupants are safer in other locations.

If we do need to close early, the district will send out a notification via text to families. (Please update the district with any changes in contact numbers!) AN EMERGENCY DISMISSAL PLAN MUST BE IN PLACE FOR ALL STUDENTS. IN CASES OF EMERGENCY DISMISSALS, PHONE CALLS CAN NOT BE MADE TO PARENTS.

On the rare occasion that school is in session and needs to close early, we need to know in advance what the plan is for each student.

DURING AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE KEEP THE PHONE LINES OPEN. USE YOUR EMERGENCY DISMISSAL PLAN!

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Reminders:

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

Thank you!