Kerhonkson

Elementary School

“Home of the Little Ganders”

Parent / Student Handbook

2025-2026

WELCOME TO KERHONKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

Kerhonkson Elementary School is a member school of the Rondout Valley Central School District in beautiful Ulster County, New York. We invite you to review our Parent / Student Handbook, full of important information about our school community. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Main Office:

kesoffice@rondout.k12.ny.us

(845) 626-2451 X4300

Jackie VanNosdall, Principal

jvannosdall@rondout.k12.ny.us

(845) 626-2451 X4301

DISTRICT VISION AND MISSION

Welcome to Kerhonkson Elementary School! Our district’s vision is for our students to grow into critical thinkers and lifelong learners with integrity, confidence, and compassion. Our district’s mission is to create an inclusive, welcoming educational community where all students can find their purpose and achieve their goals.

OUR NORTH STAR

At Kerhonkson Elementary School, we believe the best way to engage learners is to identify their interests and learning styles.

We promote Universal Design for Learning as a mindset that not only engages students but challenges them to develop strong foundational and critical thinking skills.

Teachers incorporate flexibility and choice as much as possible within assignments, and assignments are differentiated to meet the needs of each learner. Responsive classroom environments incorporate small group learning, movement, sensory supports, and flexible seating.

Students in our classrooms develop personal responsibility and success skills in nurturing spaces that foster a sense of belonging and community.

Title Funding

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 4

• Attendance

Page 5

• Child Custody Agreements
• Code of Conduct
• Communication (Newsletters, Conferences, Contact Information)

Page 6

• Curriculum and Home Learning (Homework)

Page 7

• Dignity for All Students Act
• Drills
• Emergency / Early Closing Information
• Free and Reduced Lunch
• Internet-Enabled Personal Electronic Devices

Page 8

• Menus / My School Bucks
• Nurse/Health Office
• Parent Conferences
• Parking

Page 9

• Positive Behavior Intervention Supports

Page 10

• Pick Up, Drop Off, and Transportation
• Picking Up Students Before 3:15
• Picking Up Students at the End of the School Day
• Picking Up Students from the Nurse’s Office

Page 11

• Pick Up Map Drop Off Map

Page 12

• Pick Up / Drop Off Arrival and Dismissal Times
• PTA
• Recess
• Report Cards

Page 13

• Specials
• Transportation
• Visitors

ATTENDANCE

Visit Attendance Works at www.attendanceworks.org for more information.

CHILD CUSTODY

Children and families with custody orders in place must provide the school with legal documentation.  Copies of court documents will be kept in a confidential file in the Main Office. Families requiring a second mailing of reports and notices must submit a new request in writing each September and update your address with the Main Office.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The complete RVCSD Code of Conduct can be obtained in our Main Office and found on the District’s web site under the “Departments” tab. Select “Policies and Procedures”, then select “Code of Conduct” from the menu on the left side of the screen.

Direct link: https://www.rondout.k12.ny.us/district/plans-policies-procedures/code-of-conduct

Contact Jackie VanNosdall, School Principal, with any questions about the Code of Conduct.

As part of growing up, children will make mistakes. Mistakes provide opportunities for         children to learn and grow. It is important that they be honest and that they take responsibility for their actions. Sometimes there will be consequences for their actions. The consequence should match the action. When possible, we prefer to take a restorative approach to allow students the opportunity to take responsibility and make things right. Possible restorative actions include:

• Student counseled by principal
• Student(s) meet with school counselor
• Mediation
• Parent Contact
• Time away for reset
• Parent / Team Meeting  
• Restorative Conference  

If a restorative approach is not successful, consequences such as loss of privilege or, in an extreme case, suspension from school, may occur in line with the District Code of Conduct. Students as well as faculty and administration are responsible for working together to maintain a safe, respectful environment for learning. Our main purpose is to         provide each child with a quality education, and we take actions by individuals that interfere with, hinder or disrupt the education process very seriously.  Disciplinary action will be taken on the basis of what is in the best interest of both the individual student and the total school community.

Positive Behavior Intervention Supports teach and reward appropriate behavior. Appropriate behavior is defined.

Recess Expectations:

Be Safe: Use equipment and toys appropriately.

Be Respectful:

Be Responsible:

Cafeteria Expectations

Hallway Expectations

Classroom Expectations

School bus expectations

COMMUNICATION: NEWSLETTER

The newsletter is shared digitally (text and email), and contains information about academics, reminders and changes in schedules.  Please take a minute to check for events and programs. Contact Randi Chase rchase@rondout.k12.ny.us if you are not registered to receive school communications.

CURRICULUM AND RESOURCES

• CURRICULUM

Our current curriculum resources include enVision Math, Amplify (English Language Arts), and McGraw Hill Science and Social Studies. Additional resources include Heggerty for phonemic awareness, UFli for supplemental reading instruction, and Number Worlds for supplemental math instruction.

Please contact the principal or your child’s teacher with any questions

about curriculum and instruction.

• HOME LEARNING

Homework provides practice or review of work being taught.  The developmental needs of our students are considered. The teacher assigns homework as an important part of the educational program.

Kerhonkson Elementary School

K-3 Home Learning

Reading home learning can be:

• your child reading from their book packet.  These books should not be hard.  The children read these books to practice their reading strategies, so the reading should sound smooth and fluent.  When you have listened to your child read, please sign or initial the reading log.
• someone else reading a book aloud to the child, maybe a bedtime story.
• looking through a library book, even if it is too difficult for the child to read all the words.

Home Learning is considered practice or review of work being taught in class.  If your child is having any difficulties with homework or you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the teacher immediately

DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT

New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) seeks to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or school function.

The Rondout Valley Central School District has created a Dignity Act Incident Reporting Form through which any individual possessing information suggesting that a student has been subject to such harassment, bullying or discrimination can report such information so that it may be properly investigated and addressed.  Dignity Act Incident Reporting Forms and Instructions can be obtained from our Main Office, on the District’s web site under the “parents & Students” tab https://www.rondout.k12.ny.us/.  We have included a copy in Appendix B.  

DRILLS

In accordance with state regulations, all schools must practice safety drills throughout the school year. We take a nurturing, developmentally appropriate approach to teaching students these routines. Parents will be notified by school messenger text/email about upcoming drills.

EMERGENCY EARLY CLOSING INFORMATION

You will be notified by the School Messenger Service should there be any school emergency closing (delayed opening, school closing or early dismissal). Every student should have a plan in place of where they are to go in case of an emergency closing.  If your child is to go on a different bus, please notify the school in writing and we will keep it on record. Information is also posted on the District website: www.rondout.k12.ny.us

FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH

Applications for Free and Reduced Lunch are available in our Main Office, on our District website at www.rondout.k12.ny.us>FoodService/Menus>Free/Reduced Meal Information. The Food Services Department can be reached at 687-2400 extension 4215 or extension 4233.

INTERNET-ENABLED PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Starting this fall, all New York schools will implement a “bell‑to‑bell” smartphone ban, meaning students will not be allowed to use internet‑enabled personal electronic devices (i.e. smartphones, smart watches, tablets, fitness trackers, smart glasses, wireless headphones, ear buds, e-readers, voice recorders, cameras and music devices) from arrival to dismissal, including during lunch, recess, and in the hallways. The goal is to create a more focused, engaging, and safe learning environment, free from the distractions of constant screen use. We appreciate your support in helping students adjust and thrive under this new policy.

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MENUS / MY SCHOOL BUCKS

Breakfast and lunch menus are sent home monthly. Parents can create a My School Bucks account to pay for meals and ice cream or snacks. To create a My School Bucks account, go to:

myschoolbucks.com

For menus, visit the Food Services page on the Rondout Valley Central School District website under the Departments tab: https://www.rondout.k12.ny.us/departments/food-services

NURSE / HEALTH OFFICE

• ACCIDENTS

All accidents occurring on school grounds or on the school bus must be reported immediately to the person in charge. Parents will be contacted accordingly.

• HEAD LICE

Head lice can be a nuisance but they have not been shown to spread disease. It is important to note that head lice are not a hazard or a sign of poor hygiene. RVCSD supports evidence-based strategies under the guidance of the school nurse for the management of head lice. Interventions shared with families are student centered.

• LOST AND FOUND

There is a table and hooks on the wall near the Nurse’s Office for lost and found items.  If your child has lost something, have them check the lost and found.

• MEDICINE

The school nurse may dispense medicine in school only by a written request from the doctor.  The doctor must indicate the frequency and dosage of the prescribed medicine.  Also, we must have a written request from the parent/guardian. The medicine must be in the original labeled container and delivered to the nurse by the parent or guardian.  Do not send the medication to school with your child. 

PARENT CONFERENCES

Parent-teacher conferences typically occur in October. The specific dates and times will be forthcoming at the beginning of the year. Classroom teachers will be giving parents more information on when and how this will work.  Parent/teacher communication is essential for your child’s academic success. Regular communication is encouraged, and conferences can be scheduled any time you or your child’s teacher have concerns.    

• PHONE NUMBERS

• Kerhonkson Elementary School                                626-2451
• Marbletown Elementary School                                687-0284
• Rondout Valley Central Schools                                 687-2400

(All Main Campus Buildings)        

PARKING

For the safety of everyone, please park in the parent parking lot on the Webster Street side of the school building.  Do not park in front of the yellow parking ropes as it blocks traffic.  Always keep your child(ren) close to you, as there are cars and buses moving around.

                                                                                                9

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION AND SUPPORTS (PBIS)

Rondout Valley has developed a character education program based on the principles of PBIS, or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.  PBIS was established to address the behavioral and discipline systems needed for successful learning and social development of students. The school-wide system includes proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments.  A system of acknowledgements will help motivate students to try their best and to encourage others as well.  One important piece of PBIS is to create a set of simple school rules that are well known to all affiliated with our school.  Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful!

Our acknowledgement system recognizes positive behavior in the cafeteria, hallway, classroom, and during recess.  Displays of good character help students to earn “Gander Tickets” so they can receive their incentives. The following is how your child will be acknowledged for good character and positive behavior this year:

Students will be working on safety, responsibility and respect in the four areas of our school (Classroom, Cafeteria, Hallway, and Recess).  As part of our acknowledgement system, teachers and school staff will distribute Gander tickets to students who exhibit these positive behaviors.  

We celebrate students who consistently demonstrate our expectations with grade level rewards and  during school-wide assemblies.

Students of Kerhonkson Elementary School whether in school or on school grounds, or at school activities, are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which is appropriate and which reflects respect for themselves and others. The main purpose of this elementary school is to provide a quality education in a safe environment. Anyone who interferes with or hinders this process will be subject to disciplinary action. Respect for others is a fundamental responsibility of all persons in the school building. If a student feels that she/he has been treated unfairly, she/he should report such instances to the administration. Every effort will be made to support and respect the student’s rights; however, it must be remembered that:

• No student has the right to refuse to respond to any reasonable directive made by a staff member, (e.g. move when told to do so, report to the office, stop horseplay, refrain from entering a restricted area, etc.).
• No student has the right to use language or engage in behavior that is seriously inappropriate or disruptive.
• No student has the right to refuse to attend school.

10

PICK UP, DROP OFF, TRANSPORTATION

A child will only be allowed to change buses for childcare purposes with written permission from the parent/guardian. Bus change requests for after school transportation may be sent by email to kesoffice@rondout.k12.ny.us, sent as a written note with your child, or by fax at (845) 377-6441.   The school will not accept routine changes over the phone.  In the event of an emergency change, please do not leave a message; be sure to speak directly to an office staff member so we may assist you.  All requests for bus changes must include the following information:

• Current Date AND date(s) of bus change
• The child’s full name
• The teacher’s name
• The name, address, and phone number to where your child is going
• The bus route or symbol
• Your signature

**Please note that the District has the right to deny a change if a bus is at capacity.**

(Please refer to Transportation on page 19 regarding any questions or concerns.)

PICKING UP STUDENTS BEFORE 3:15

Students that are being picked up by a parent or guardian prior to 3:15 need to be signed out in the Main Office.  Please make sure that you bring a photo ID with you, and please remind others authorized to pick up your child to do the same. Please note that we cannot release your child(ren) to anyone other than those individuals you have indicated on the Emergency Contact list. An office staff member will call your child’s classroom and have them sent to you in the Main Office. Advance notice of your intention to pick your child(ren) up early is appreciated and will expedite the process.

PICKING UP STUDENTS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY (3:15)

If you are picking your child up at the end of the school day, please pull into our parent drop-off/pick-up loop off of Webster Street no earlier than 3:15, and remain in your vehicle. Staff will come to you to sign your child out and will escort your child to your vehicle. Please remember to bring photo identification, and please remind others authorized to pick up your child to do the same.  To avoid confusion and delay, please notify the Main Office no later than 2:00 PM of your intention to pick up your child(ren) and their name(s) will be added to the pick-up list. This notification can also be sent in advance via written note, an email (to kesoffice@rondout.k12.ny.us), or a fax to (845) 377-6441.  

PICKING UP STUDENTS FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE

If you need to pick up your child from the Nurse’s Office, please stop into the Main Office to sign them out.  The office staff will then contact the Nurse.

PLEASE REVIEW THE MAP AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR DROP OFF AND PICK UP ON PAGE 11.

11

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PICKING UP OR DROPPING OFF?

• STUDENT ARRIVAL TIME

Our school day begins at 8:40 am.  Students may not be dropped off earlier than 8:30 am, as we do not have supervision at that time. Parents/guardians bringing their child(ren) to school are required to walk them to the main entrance of the building where staff are there to greet them. To ensure instruction begins on time, parents or guardians may not walk their children to their classrooms. If parents have a scheduled conference with the teacher they must report to the Main Office, sign in, receive a Visitor’s Pass and remain in the Office while the office staff contact the teacher. Students arriving after 8:50 am are considered tardy and must check in to the Main Office before going to their classroom. Students arriving after 12pm (noon) are considered absent for the day.

• STUDENT DISMISSAL TIME

Our dismissal time is 3:20 pm, when all the buses have arrived.  If you are picking your child up at the end of the day, you must sign your child out and then wait outside the gymnasium.  At 3:15 pm students will be released to that location.  (Please read the section entitled “PICKING UP STUDENTS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY” on page 13.)  Students picked up before 3:15 pm will be marked as having an early dismissal.

PTA

Our PTA has been a great asset to our school over the years. Their purpose is to support and enrich all the children of the school.  We encourage everyone to join the PTA and become involved. Check the calendar for upcoming meetings and look for their monthly newsletters.  You can find the PTA Membership form on our website.

RECESS

Recess is for students to interact socially and be physically active. Students may bring items to play with for recess but they should check with an adult to make sure it is appropriate. Expensive toys should be left at home. Additionally, children should always be properly dressed. This includes the proper footwear for safety. Sandals, flip flops or shoes with heels are not appropriate for running around. We go outside for recess unless it is raining or the temperature is below 20 degrees (with the wind chill). Children should be appropriately dressed for the weather conditions.  In the winter, coats, hats, and gloves should always be worn.  If a student wants to play in the snow, they must also have boots and snow pants.

REPORT CARDS

The purpose of report cards is to inform students and their parents/guardians of their progress. Report card envelopes must be signed by parents or guardians and returned.

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SPECIALS

• LIBRARY

Students have library special once each week. Students will be allowed to sign out library materials every week providing they have returned their material from the previous week. All library materials are due one week from the date on which it was borrowed.

A student who forgets to return their library book(s) on library day will be given an alternative activity for book selection time.  Those students can bring in their book(s) on another day and arrangements will be made for them to sign out a new book. If a library book is lost or damaged, the school will have to be reimbursed.  All monies collected are refundable if the lost book is ever found. Students are allowed to borrow one book in Kindergarten and 1st grade, two books in 2nd grade and three books in 3rd grade.

• PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Students have Physical Education special twice each week. Students must wear appropriate footwear to physical education class.  This is for the safety of the child as well as the safety of other children. Sneakers are the safest footwear, but soft-soled shoes are acceptable.   Footwear that leaves marks will not be allowed.

• ART and MUSIC

Students have Art Special once each week and Music Special once each week.

Your child’s teacher will let you know the special schedule at the start of the school year.

TRANSPORTATION

The Transportation Department can be reached at (845) 687-2400 extension 4815 if there are any questions or concerns regarding transportation to and from school. (See Bus Change instructions on Page 1). Requests for changes in morning transportation are made through the Transportation Department and not through the Main Office.

VISITORS

All visitors are welcome to our school.  For security reasons, every visitor must show a form of picture identification at the Main Office, sign in, and get either a visitor’s badge or a visitor’s pass.  Any person without proper identification will not be allowed to proceed to their intended destination. This is for the safety of all our students. In order to limit disruption to the instructional process, unannounced classroom visits are discouraged unless absolutely necessary. We do encourage you to make an appointment with your child’s teacher to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Making an appointment will afford you and your child’s teacher the time you need to discuss your child’s needs as well as privacy for your conversation. Your cooperation is appreciated.

To contact a staff member by email please use the following format:

1st initial followed by last name @rondout.k12.ny.us  ex: jvannosdall@rondout.k12.ny.us

Phone extensions