Policies
Visitors will receive a Visitor Pass, which is to be worn during the visit and returned to the office at the
conclusion of the visit. This is necessary for the safety and protection of your child. Do not go to your
child’s class without first reporting to the office. Visits to a classroom during the school day must have
prior approval by the School Principal/CAO/CEO.
The ROBERT BENJAMIN WILEY Community Charter School is an exceptional school, but children
must be present to benefit from all that our school has to offer. It is very important that your child
attends school every day. If your child must be absent, please do two things faithfully:
- Call the office as soon as possible on the morning of the absence.
- Send a signed note or excuse on the day of your child's return, stating the reason for the absence
for
- the attendance record.
Regular attendance is not only required by law but it is necessary for success in school.
Tardiness and unnecessary absences are not acceptable. Parents/guardians must notify the school
when a student will be absent or tardy. Charter schools (and all public schools in Pennsylvania) are
required by law to report illegal absences to the District Justice.
- Illness (specify reason and obtain a doctor’s excuse if doctor visit is mandatory)
- Medical or Dental appointment (obtain excuse from medical/dental office)
- Death in the family
- Religious observance or activity
- Court cases
- Unavoidable family emergency
- Suspension
A written excuse must be submitted within three (3) school days after the child’s return to school.
The absence or tardiness will be considered illegal (unexcused) if a written excuse is not submitted.
Any
student who is absent from school will not be permitted to participate in or attend any school
function or activity
for that day. Any student who is excused by the school during the school day due
to illness will not be permitted
to participate in or attend any school function or activity on that day.
Parents may request a simple form for
completion of excuse or may choose to hand write excuse for
child’s absence.
After a third illegal absence, a letter will be sent to the parent/guardian’s home advising them to have
a conference with the appropriate school staff. A fourth illegal absence will result in a truancy report
being filed with the district magistrate.The Office of Children and Youth may be contacted for
intervention.
Please let the school know if there are custody orders concerning your child. We have been advised
that legally in order to deny a parent from picking up their child, there must be a current and signed
court order stating that they should not have access to the child and we must have a copy of that
order in the child’s file.The school cannot become involved in custody disputes; we cannot mediate or
keep track of which parent can pick up on which days.
7:30 a.m. Doors to building are opened
7:40 – 8:10 a.m. Breakfast is served; literacy instruction begin K-8
8:00 a.m Homeroom (tardy slips needed after 7:55)
10:50 a.m. 1st Lunch Grades K, 1, 2
11:35 a.m. 2nd Lunch Grades 6, 7, 8
12:10 p.m. 3rd Lunch Grades 3, 4, 5
2:55 p.m. Dismissal
Emergency Card
The emergency card completed at the beginning of each school year contains the information needed
in the event of an accident or illness. It is required that the parent/guardian notify the office of any
information changes that occur during the school year. If we are unable to reach the parent or
designated person in an emergency, the school will contact the Office of Children and Youth.
For the safety and well being of your child, please be certain that the school always has the name and
working phone number of someone who can pick up your child in the event of an emergency when
you are not available.
Note: We will send phone messages to parents on a variety of topics through our “school messenger
service. ”If you have NOT received a school messenger message for several weeks, this probably
means that the school does not have a working phone number for you.
Weather and other Emergencies
In the event of any emergency, school staff will protect your child’s safety by following our safety plan.
Regular drills are held to insure that all staff and students are aware of how to exit the building for fire
emergencies, or how to be safe inside the building for weather or other emergencies. If a fire or
weather emergency, or safety event occurs on the school campus, a voice message will be sent as
quickly as possible via our school messenger service. This voice message will provide you with direct
information including information on any early dismissals or evacuation of the school.
SAFE SCHOOL PLAN
The ROBERT BENJAMIN WILEY Community Charter School maintains an up to date Safe School Plan,
which covers procedures to be followed during emergency and potentially dangerous situations.
Each staff member has a copy of the plan. The plan will be reviewed with students at the beginning of
the school year. Parents who are interested in being part of our school safety planning committee
should contact our Parent Coordinator.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICIES
School delays, closings, and early dismissals due to inclement weather will be announced on local
radio and television stations. Delayed openings are due to bad weather such as snow and ice.
Local radio and television stations will provide information about the Robert Benjamin Wiley
Community Charter School. This information is broadcast in early morning, but please continue to
listen and watch in case there is a change. Our school messenger service will also send voice
messages regarding any delays or cancellations. Please note this change for this school year.
Due to the fact that most of our students are bussed to school there may be some days when Erie
Schools are open and we decide that for student safety to cancel school. It is important that we have a
working contact number in our school messenger service so that you will not miss this important
message.
LOST AND FOUND
Students’ personal property should be marked with the child’s name. All children should have other
possessions such as coats, lunch boxes, bag lunches, etc., marked. Students may check the lost and
found box, which will be placed in a designated area within the school building.
At the end of the school year, unclaimed articles will be donated to charity.
Medication/Chronic Health Issues
Only the school nurse, principal or designated person may dispense medication to students.
No school personnel are permitted to give medicine to students unless the medication is prescribed by
a licensed physician. The medication must be in the prescription bottle with the doctor’s instructions
concerning time and dosage. Our school nurse can advise parents on the paperwork required for the
nurse to administer medication. All medication must be kept in the office. It is against Pennsylvania
school law for students to have prescription or “over the counter” medications in their possession
(i.e. aspirin, cough drops, etc.) If your child is ill and requires over the counter medication, please
contact our school nurse.
If your child has a chronic health condition (asthma, diabetes, heart problems, severe allergies,
attention deficit disorder), please be contact our school nurse to insure that we make any needed
plans for your child’s health and success in school.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Federal Center for Disease Control have issued
recommendations for the prevention of the spread of the H1N1 virus/flu for the 2009/2010 school
year. Please encourage your children to wash their hands, cover their mouths when they cough.
If your child has a fever or flu systems, please keep them home from school.
Mandatory Dress Code
Boys shall wear the following:
- Slacks in colors of solid navy blue, black, or khaki, which must be worn or belted at the waist.
Sagging is not permitted.
- Shirts in solid white, navy blue, black or khaki. Shirts must be oxford, polo or turtleneck style
with sleeves (short or long) and collared. A change to our dress code for the 2009-2010 school year
allows both boys and girls to either tuck in shirts or leave them out. Shirt length may not extend
beyond “fingertips when arms are extended.
- Sweaters or jackets worn over shirts must be in colors of solid white, navy blue, black or khaki.
Girls shall wear the following:
- Slacks, jumpers, skirts in colors of solid navy blue, black or khaki, which must be worn or belted
at the waist. The hem of the skirts and jumpers must be at or lower than the children’s fingertips when
their arms are straight at their sides.
- Shirts in solid white, navy blue, khaki, or black. Shirts must be oxford, polo or turtleneck style
with sleeves (short or long) and collared. T-Shirts are not permitted.
- Sweaters or jackets worn over shirts must be in colors of solid white, navy blue, black or khaki.
Boys and Girls in grades 7 and 8 on special occasions shall wear the following:
- Oxford shirts in solid white.
- Blazers – school provides use of blazers.
- Uniform shorts may be worn until September 30th and after May 3rd.
- No hooded jackets or hooded sweatshirts are permitted.
- No patterns, logos, or screen prints.
- Safe and appropriate footwear.
- Large jewelry, chains, etc are not allowed.
Though an individuals dress and adornment/appearance is a matter of personal preference and
choice, certain styles of dress/appearance are not appropriate in school for the health, safety,
welfare, morals and rights of students and staff. Students will be required to change inappropriate
clothing or appearance or be sent home to do so and return.
DRESS DOWN DAYS: On special occasions, the school administration may schedule “dress down”
(or dress up) days.Parents will be notified via school messenger, written note or both regarding
the occasion, grade level students involved and specifics. If you have not received notification, please
insure that your student comes to school in uniform. If you are unsure, please call the office.
Families who need assistance purchasing uniforms should contact the school to request assistance.
The school has a limited number of vouchers from the Caring Closet. Parents must bring the referral
card to The Caring Closet, which is located at: 913 Payne Ave. Erie, Pa 16503.
The telephone number to The Caring Closet is 449-2387. The hours of operation are Tuesdays from
10:00 am– 12:00 pm. Please see one of the School Family Coordinators for other agencies.
