Hmads.org Faculty

We are pleased to present to you this handbook of compiled notes of our school's policies and expectations. Families and schools have the mutual responsibility for children's learning, therefore, an open communication between home and school is essential.

When parents are involved in the children's education at home, and keep close contact with the school by working together and exchanging information then expectations meet and students learn and benefit more. Together we can reinforce positive self-esteem that is essential to personal growth.

HMADS is a special place where children receive a bilingual education to prepare them to become productive members of the Armenian and American communities. We give our students an understanding of their heritage and culture and a sense of belonging to the Armenian Community.

We encourage our parents to be active and cooperative partners in keeping the school's goals alive. I believe that by working together we will ensure the smooth functioning of the educational process and the success of our mission.

Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School is fully accredited by the New York State Department of Education. From its modest nursery beginning of eight students in 1967, the school has become an elementary school of approximately one hundred students in nursery to sixth.

The HMADS Board, Principal, Mrs. Zarminé Boghosian and a staff of fifteen strive to fulfill the challenge of the educational process to provide proper curriculum opportunities and to teach traditional values within small classes.

The basic curriculum includes language arts, math, science, social studies, health, art, music, physical education and computer technology through which academic excellence, intellectual stimulation and creative skills are developed. The Armenian Studies program provides knowledge and appreciation of our Armenian language and culture. A sense of well-being is promoted through learning about who we are and setting goals for the future. The students participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, which expand the school borders to community experiences.

We are proud of our alumni many of whom have been honored by their high schools and have received scholarships to colleges and universities. Our earliest graduates have settled into careers. It has been exciting to see the beginning stages of an Alumni Association.

As an independent education institution, HMADS must continually seek methods outside tuition to enhance its fiscal stability. The school is partially supported by various philanthropic organizations and individual benefactors. An endowment fund has been established to encourage contributions from the community. In addition, Friends of HMADS has ongoing fundraising programs.

As we begin a new school year, we are pleased to provide you with this manual containing essential information about our rules, policies and expectations. Parents are kindly requested to carefully read and explain these rules and regulations to their children. The school administration reserves the right to make necessary changes in the school rules at any time.

The Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School provides an educational environment in which students are educated through a bilingual curriculum to become responsible individuals, confident in their languages, appreciative of their cultures and well-prepared as members of American society.

The HMADS believes in the uniqueness of each individual. Thus, the educational effort focuses on the process of "learning to learn" by fostering the love of learning.

The school believes in developing the whole person and therefore, encouraging its students to develop as well-rounded individuals with a wide variety of extracurricular interests and achievements that help them exercise leadership, cooperation, and caring.

The students of this school also acquire a strong sense of Armenian ancestry and traditional values. These values permeate their lives not only while they are at this school but also long after they have left it.

The Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School does not in any way, manner or form discriminate as to race, color, creed, or national origin of any individual.

The school includes Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and grades 1 through 6. Children entering Pre-K may be placed in one of two groups:

Nursery Group - must be at least 3 years and 3 months old by September of the year entering.

Kindergarten - must be 5 years old by December of the year entering. However, an assessment will be necessary for the admission of a child into our program.

The school day for students is 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All students are expected to be in their classrooms by 8: 45 a.m.
Dismissal

All other children (grades K-6) are to be met by their parents promptly at 3:30 p.m. and are to leave school right away except for after-school programs or emergencies.
A written note is a must to inform the teacher and the office for a change of arrangements to pick up the students. The school office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office has an answering device to receive your calls at other hours.

Registration for the new school year begins in May of the previous school year. The registration deadline is the last day of the preceding school year. Students who have not registered by that day will have to register during the last week of August prior to the first day of school.

The State of New York regulations require that all children entering school for the first time must have been immunized against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, mumps, and rubella, and tested for tuberculosis before the first day of school.

Parents must submit proof of the child's immunization record and a report of complete physical examination signed by a physician. They must also provide a copy of their child's birth certificate. Non-refundable registration fee is due with registration application.

Tuition Payment Schedule

Tuition for Nursery is higher than the tuition for the grades K through grade 6. Tuition is subject to a change annually. Refer to a tuition schedule at the registration. There are three options for making tuition payments:

· Advance payment - a discount is offered if paid by the first day of school year, ONLY IF REGISTRATION IS PAID IN MAY.

Please note: If tuition has not been paid by the time report cards are to be issued, parent-teacher conferences will be postponed and report cards will be withheld.

A limited amount of funds is available for financial aid. Interested parents may obtain an Application for Financial Aid from the Principal by a written request.

Applications should be completed and returned by May 31 for consideration by the Principal and selected committee of the Board of Trustees. A copy of the parents' income tax return should accompany any request for financial aid.

Students entering HMADS from other schools: Students are asked to bring in their report cards. The school office follows up by getting in touch directly with the previous school for cumulative files.
HMADS students entering other schools: HMADS office sends copies of transcripts of a student's grades and test results by mail directly to the new school upon a written request from the school office.

A round robin system informs both faculty and parents of school closings. Class lists are used for this relay of information. Radio reports aired on 1010 AM will keep you updated on conditions.

Illness and Medication Policy

If a student becomes sick at school, parents will be notified and asked to pick up their child. It is essential that the school office have alternate emergency phone numbers, including the parents' work numbers as well as cell phone numbers. It is the parents' responsibility to keep this information current.

Parents are urged to keep their children home from school when they exhibit any of the following: chills, coughing, earache, sore throat, headache, enlarged glands, fever, rash or skin eruptions, vomiting, red or discharging eyes, head lice.

If a child develops a communicable disease other than the common cold, the school should be notified immediately. Children returning to school after contracting such a disease must present to the office a physician's note of clearance before being admitted back to school.

School personnel are not permitted by law to dispense medication.

Annual Vision and Audio Screening

An annual vision and audio screening is administered by one of the school's doctors. In the event of a special concern a letter by the physician will be sent to the parent to be followed up by the child's pediatrician.

The school will send home notes on various occasions regarding special programs or announcements. Notes are sent home with each student via a large clear envelope designed solely for the purpose of home-school communication. Parents are responsible for checking children's school bags daily. Any correspondence requiring a response is to be completed and returned to school by the due date.

The office will make every effort to deliver emergency messages to students or teachers. All other messages will be placed in the teachers' mailboxes.

Under no circumstances will a class be disturbed to deliver routine messages to students or teachers.

Parents are welcome to visit the school and encouraged to attend school programs and holiday celebrations. All visitors must check in at the school office.

Parents who wish to visit a classroom must make an appointment with the classroom teacher at least one day in advance.

Parents must refrain from engaging teachers in conversation in the halls or during class. Our staff is tightly scheduled and an unscheduled visit or conference will interfere with their day's program. Parents who bring their children's lunch or gym clothes to school must leave them at the office.

The school secretary is well qualified to handle the communications. She will give the messages at the appropriate time.

Field trips are arranged at the discretion of the homeroom and subject area teachers as they pertain to topics studied in class. They are considered an extension of learning and a necessary enrichment to the curriculum. As such, full class participation is encouraged. Parents will receive sufficient notice to grant permission for their child(ren) to participate.

Homework

Homework is assigned to elementary school students to reinforce skills or concepts taught during the day. A regular study time should be set aside for elementary school students daily to read independently and/or complete assigned homework. Good work habits begin in early years.

Guide your children in doing their homework but do not do it for them. The teacher needs to know when the children need review and special help. Homework should take a "reasonable" amount of time. If too much time is spent on assignments, speak to the teacher about possible problems.

Homework is to be complete, neat, and ready on the due date. Incomplete assignments are to be done during recess. Continuous problems will be brought to the attention of the parents.

Curriculum Night: This important evening in September provides parents with the opportunity to meet with the teachers and to hear about our school's curriculum and program. Please see the calendar for dates.

Parent-Teacher Conferences: These have been scheduled in November and March (as per calendar). School is dismissed at 12:00 p.m noon. on conference days and children must leave school promptly.

Report Cards: Report cards will be given to parents at the parent-teacher conferences in November & March and will be sent home on the last day of school year. Please review report cards with your children, sign and return them promptly. Please note that report cards will not be issued if tuition payments are not up to date.

Lunch - Nutrition
Children are to bring lunch from home daily, except on Hot Lunch days (for participating students). Hot lunch is provided by volunteer parents several times a year at a nominal charge. In addition, children enjoy Pizza Fridays every week. Hot lunch and pizza payments are to be made as indicated on the flyers. Please follow the monthly calendar and flyers sent home with your child for details.

Lunches must be packed in clean lunch-boxes or durable bags and should include: two napkins, and an ice pack. Beverages are to be in non-breakable containers. All such items must be clearly marked with the child's name.

Student lunches are expected to be nutritious, well balanced, appropriately portioned meals and should include food and drink the child likes. Candy, chips, soda, and gum are not acceptable lunch items.

An orderly atmosphere in the lunchroom is absolutely necessary so that students may eat in a clean and safe setting.

Students are to eat politely and have a quiet conversation in their designated grade level area; and maintain a reasonable noise level. They are to remain seated until finished eating and the supervisor has dismissed the group. Running is not permitted in the lunch room.

Trash is to be placed in trash- cans. The eating area is to be left clean and neat. Students must follow the lunch attendants’ directions.

Failure to follow these simple rules will result in a student eating his/her lunch under careful supervision in another setting and/or having no recess.

Policy of the Playground and Other Parts of the School Building

Students are to follow school rules for safety, kindness, and respect. Kicking, pushing or fighting will not be tolerated.

Students will be sent directly to the Principal office for fighting or other totally inappropriate behavior. Parents will be notified. Refer to Disciplinary Infractions for details.

In order to start each day right, school preparation such as gathering of books, sharpened pencils, collecting money, notices, and choosing clothes should be taken care of the night before. This way, mornings can be calm and children will be ready on time. This is a wonderful way to start each day.

Good reading habits begin in the early years and are one of the most important tools in an individual's life. Reading to your child is as necessary as having him read to you. Twenty minutes a night is the minimum time. Take your child to the local library. The librarian can assist you in selecting books.

Sleep
Just like an adult, a child needs a good restful sleep in order to function well. These are important learning years. Children must be awake to be alert. Bedtime should be between 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. according to age.

Choose television programs with discretion and not for baby-sitting. We have already "lost" a generation to the disturbing influences of the wasteland of television. Let us not allow this to happen to our children.

The best policy is no television during school nights except for specials. On weekends select suitable programs with your children. If at all possible, watch and discuss with your child. If the children are in bed on time, most unsuitable programs will not be seen.

Birthdays

· ONLY CUPCAKES, refreshments and napkins are to be delivered to the school office.

Students are expected to be properly groomed and neatly dressed in complete uniform.

For Boys K through 6: white shirt, gray pants (trousers), plaid tie, navy cardigan sweater (V Neck), gray or black socks and black shoes.

For Girls K through 6: white "Peter Pan" collar shirt, plaid jumper and tie, navy cardigan sweater, white socks (navy blue panty hose in winter days), and black shoes. The gray uniform slacks are an option on cold winter days.

Uniform for special occasions and outings: Boys and girls will be asked to wear long-sleeved shirt/blouses and black shoes. Girls must wear white stockings, even in the winter months.

This dress code is not a requirement for nursery children.
Gym Uniforms: gray sweat pant and sweat shirts, red T-shirt (with silk-screened school's logo on all three pieces) are available by the PTO.

Forms for gym uniforms may be obtained by calling the school office and writing the check payable to: HMADS/PTO to the amount indicated on the form. Adult sizes are available for interested parents.
N- through 6 students must wear full gym uniforms and sneakers on gym days.

Students are not to wear make-up, cologne, nail polish, dangling earrings and/or jewelry, except for simple watches.

Report Cards are means of informing you of how your child is doing in school. These reports contain information on grades, attitude, lateness, and attendance.

Grades 1 -6
E - Excellent
G - Good
S - Satisfactory
NI- Needs Improvement
U- Unsatisfactory

Grades 4 -6 ONLY
A+ - 95 -100	C+ - 75 - 79
A - 90 - 94	C - 74 - 70
B+ - 85 - 89	D - 65 - 69
B - 80 - 84	F - Below 65

The school administers the New York State "standardized tests". The dates are designated by the State Education Department, and are indicated on the annual and monthly calendars.

Stanford Achievement Test (SAT): Administered in the third week of May. This test administered to students in grades K-6 each school year.

The SAT measures achievement in reading, spelling, language and mathematics. As one of many assessment tools, the results on these tests may help the teachers identify areas of strengths and weaknesses but do not determine a child's promotion to the next academic level.

Starting September 2005, all students in Grades 1-6 will have midterm exams in addition to the finals exams. Your child’s teacher will send home information about these exams in advance so that you will be able to review with your child.

Setrag Baghdoyan Armenian Award
Highest performance in Armenian Studies for the graduating class. Sponsored by Mrs. Hasmig Hovnanian in memory of her father.

Armenian Coin Award
An antique coin is presented for the second highest performance in Armenian Studies of
the graduating class at the graduation. Sponsored by ANEC.

Dr. Stephen Svajian Armenian History Award
The winner of this award is the 4, 5 or 6 grade student who receives the highest grade in the Armenian History Contest held at HMADS. Sponsored by the family of the late Dr. Pergruhi Svajian in Memory of her historian husband.

Missak Vayejian Armenian Spelling Bee Award
The winner of this award is the 4th, 5th, or 6th grade student who receives the highest grade in the Armenian Spelling Bee Contest held at HMADS . This award is sponsored by Mrs. Sonig Vayejian-Kradjian in memory of her father.

Knights of Vartan Armenian Scholar Award
Guidelines for this award for 6th grade:

1.Speak, read and write Armenian.
2.To have Armenian parents (at least one parent).
3.Participate in extracurricular activities - church, theatrical group, scouts, organized sports, other Armenian activity groups.
4.Show above average interest in Armenian arts and culture.
5.Participate in school organized outings and function.

The winner need not necessarily be the best student in academics but the most "Armenian".

The Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School considers appropriate discipline an opportunity to train a child in socially desirable behavior patterns. The policy of the school is to cooperate with the home in promoting the child's development in this area.

Discipline in Pre-school is administered through love and guidance, as an extension of the home. Children learn rules of behavior and have an opportunity to apply them as they relate to other children.

Discipline for Grades K through 6: Each teacher is encouraged to use personal disciplinary techniques. In cases where reinforcement is necessary, the following measures may be used:

3. Hold a conference with the participation of the teacher, the principal, the parent, and/or the student.

· Students are expected to be respectful of the school building, private property, and each other. A successful school community is based upon trust, respect, and responsibility by all members.

· Students are NOT allowed to leave the building. The school is considered legally responsible for students during the hours in school.

· Students staying in school during and after regular hours must be in a class or at an activity in the presence of a faculty member. Safety is the primary concern and no student is allowed to be in an empty building or classroom late and must report to the office for a late pass.

· Food and drinks are not allowed any place in school, except in the lunchroom or with special arrangements by the homeroom teacher.

· Walkmans and CD players may not be played in the school building; toys, baseball cards, comics or any kind of magazines –unless otherwise asked by the teacher- are not allowed.

· The school strongly discourages students from bringing money, jewelry or other valuables to school.

· Students may not use the telephones located in office, a payphone for student and teacher use is located on the first floor near the Nursery-Hye-Bardez room . The HMADS Office is unable to take and deliver messages to students and teachers unless there is an urgent or immediate need.

· Students must respect the property of entire Holy Martyrs building and the neighboring houses and may not sit upon their stoops or walk over their front and back yards.

· As a responsible individual, students must remember that they are representing themselves, their family and their school.

The success of the school -as a community- is based upon respect and responsibility by all members.

Students are expected to act in a courteous and respectful manner, showing consideration for each other, school and personal property, and the common rules of this community. The Honor Code provides a framework for students to understand the expectations for their personal behavior and a system for review of any breaches of trust.

· Plagiarism - the appropriation of the words and/or the ideas of another as one's own

The penalty for violation of a major school rule may be probation, suspension, or expulsion. The decision as to the penalty will be made by the School Board after a principal/teacher consultation.

Violation of minor school rules will result in a student's being placed on work detention by a faculty member or having his/her privileges revoked for a period of time.

The following offenses are considered minor school rules and are grounds for detention or the loss of privileges:

The Honor Code, School Rules, and Expectations of Conduct described above apply with equal force to the use of the computer network.

When using the network and E-Mail system, students must follow these guidelines:

3. Stealing a password(s) or otherwise violating the trust of the community will be considered a major violation of school rules.

4. If you suspect that your password has been compromised, immediately contact the computer teacher, teacher or the principal to receive a new password.

· Students are expected to be in school between 8:30 and 8:45A.M, at the latest. If a student arrives late, he/she must obtain a late pass at the office and go directly to class. Any student who is late to school more than three times in a month will be assigned to work detention and his/her parents may be called to discuss the reasons for her lateness.

· Six latenesses will be counted as an unexcused absence on student’s record. If a student is absent for twenty days during one semester, the faculty will vote to determine if she will receive credit for that semester's courses.

· If a student is absent or late for any reason, HIS/HER PARENT OR GUARDIAN must call the School Office or leave a message on the school’s answering device BY 8:30 A.M. (718-225-4826). This is a safety precaution and will facilitate the school's effort to keep accurate attendance records.

· Tests missed because of absences will be rescheduled within a week of a student's return to school.

· It is understood that it is the responsibility of the student/parent to keep abreast of his/her work, as best they can, during the absence. (Ask for homework, test schedule, etc.)

· If a student is absent on the day of a test only, and not on previous days, he/she will be expected to take the test on the day student returns to school.

· If a student is absent, he/she may not participate in any after-school extracurricular activities that day.

· Permission to be absent for reasons other than illness, including religious holidays and Middle School visits, must be requested in advance in a note from a parent to the Principal who will bring to the teacher’s attention. This will allow the student and his/her teachers time to discuss work that will be missed and to get assignments ahead, for which he/she will be responsible.

· Absences on days before and after vacations are not permitted or excused. Such absences are considered a serious infraction of school rules and are dealt with accordingly.

· Students are expected to make every effort to schedule doctor's appointments, etc. after school hours, or if absolutely necessary, during free periods in the school day.

Our school promotes parental involvement through the Parent Teacher Organization, which works closely with the School Board and The HMADS Friends committee to organize social events and raise funds for the school. The spirit of cooperation and respect among parents, the administration, and the faculty is a key factor in the life of the school. Participation in the PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) is an excellent way to become acquainted with HMADS and other parents within the community. Informed parents can be the best ambassadors for the school.

The Objectives of the PTO
To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, church and community.
To bring the home and the school relation closer to each other, so that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth. To involve the members in committees of the PTO body. The PTO consists of various committees which meet frequently as needed such as:

Class Mothers
At the beginning of each school year, Class Mothers are selected by the school Principal to represent each class in the school. The Principal appoints a "Class Mother Coordinator" who serves as liaison between the Principal, the School Staff, and the Class Mothers. The major responsibility of a Class Mother is to build friendly relations with parents; work with school staff to bring parents into closer contact with the school; and assist in promoting attendance of school functions and programs.

Hot Lunch/Pizza Friday Committees
Serve lunch for all children on designated days. Volunteer parents are encouraged to help. Please follow the monthly calendar for the dates.

Hospitality Committee
Consists of a group of parents who are available to help the school during various functions such as Curriculum Night, class mothers meetings and when the school welcomes special guests

Public Relation Committee
Advertises PTO and school functions within the school community at large. The PR is extremely important for the well being of our fine educational institution.

Gym Uniforms: Ordering, inventory, and, collecting money are sponsored by the PTO and carried out by the Class Mother Coordinator.

Parents Handbook