All pertinent information can be found in the FitzPatrick Student-Parent Handbook —

School Hours

Consistent attendance and punctuality are essential to each child’s maximum learning experience.  Students must be in line by 7:30 a.m. daily.  Pupils who do not arrive in time to enter the building with their class are considered late and must report to the office.  The school day is from 7:30 a.m. to 2:09 p.m.

Safety

To insure the safety of all students, there is to be NO PARKING or DROPPING STUDENTS OFF in front of the school on Knights Road or on the side of the school on Chalfont Drive.

It is essential that faculty and staff members not be distracted from their responsibilities when meeting class lines in the yard.  If you need to speak to your child’s teacher, please write a note or contact the office to schedule an appointment.  Please support our goal to give your children our individual attention.

FitzPatrick School Rules/ Fitz-Focus

1. Be responsible.
2. Be respectful.
3. Be a peaceful problem solver

*Weapon Offense Act 26*

According to state law, possession of a weapon of any kind in school is strictly prohibited.  A weapon is defined as a knife, gun or any object such as sharp scissors that can do harm to another person.

If a child has in his/her possession anything considered to be a weapon, the following actions will immediately take place:

•  The student will be suspended with a serious incident report filed.
•  A recommendation for expulsion from school will be submitted.
•  The police may be contacted and the student may be arrested.

Please avoid this very serious situation by speaking to your child about the seriousness of possessing anything that can bring harm to others.

In light of this law, students are NOT to bring scissors, compasses, or pencil sharpeners to school; those items will be provided by the teachers.

School Closings

Please listen for radio or television reports concerning “All Philadelphia Public Schools” and check the School District of Philadelphia’s Website (www.philasd.org).  DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL!

FitzPatrick will be closed if it is announced that “All Philadelphia Public Schools are closed”.  It is essential that all students know where to go in the event of an emergency early closing of school.  You will be asked to provide your child’s teacher with your current phone number and the name and current phone number of an emergency contact.  It is critical that this information be kept updated in the event of an early closing.  In addition, there should be a plan in place for your child.  It is extremely important that no child arrive at home without a way to enter the house or without a plan for supervision.  Please return “Emergency Contact Forms” promptly with this important information indicated.

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school.  Our goal is to reach 95% attendance. Pupils are expected to attend school every day except when they are ill.  An absence note, written and signed by the parent, explaining the student’s absence is expected on the day the child returns to school.  If a child is absent for 3 or more consecutive days, a doctor’s note is required.  All absences and latenesses are recorded on the School District’s computer system, and monitored as needed.

Services Offered by FitzPatrick School

A comprehensive curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 8 is provided by a highly skilled professional staff.  In addition to outstanding classroom teachers who provide exemplary instruction, our students are also served by an Assistant Principal, a Math Specialist, a Science Specialist, a Computer Technology Specialist, an Art Specialist, a Music Specialist, a Health Specialist, and an excellent Physical Education Program as provided by our Physical Education Specialist.

An array of Special Education services including Speech Therapy, Learning Support classes, Emotional Support classes, Autistic Support classes, Mentally Gifted classes and psychological evaluation services are offered.

FitzPatrick has a fully-equipped, newly renovated library and provides the services of a full-time Nurse, Counselor, and psychiatrist.

Class Trips

Classes often take trips to places of educational interest.  A signed permission slip is required for each trip.  We will sometimes request money to pay for a trip.  If you are unable to afford the cost, please contact the Counselor. No student will be excluded due to cost.

Dress Code

Students generally conduct themselves in a manner similar to the way in which they dress or groom.  FitzPatrick students are expected to keep themselves well-groomed and be neatly dressed at all times.  Any type of dress or grooming which is disruptive will not be permitted.  Clothing that does not sufficiently cover a student will be considered inappropriate; examples would be halter tops, half-shirts, fishnet shirts, short shorts, etc.  T-shirts or other clothing that in anyway advertises or promotes alcohol, drugs or smoking are not permissible at school.  Flip flops and sandals without backstraps will not be permitted.  NO HATS, SCARVES or SWEATBANDS are to be worn inside the building.  Students are to be properly attired on gym days; sneakers are required.
School uniforms are mandatory.
Our uniforms are simple and easily attainable. FitzPatrick students are required to wear:
*Navy blue or black bottoms (slacks, sweatpants, skirt, or jumper) (no jeans, spandex or leggings)
*White or yellow shirt or blouse (‘golf-type’ polo shirts with a collar are permissible; T-shirts are not allowed)
*Sneakers are permissible
*The PE teacher will inform students of appropriate attire for Gym days

School Notices

Our only way to contact all of our parents is through notices, calendars and newsletters sent home with our students.  These notices may be from the School District of Philadelphia, the school, teacher or Home & School Association.  Please impress upon your child the importance of taking all notices home and sharing them with you.  We encourage you to frequently check your child’s book bag for such notices.

Safety

To insure the safety of our boys and girls, ALL VISITORS MUST REGISTER UPON ENTERING THE BUILDING and PROCEED TO THE OFFICE FOR PERMISSION TO GO TO ANY PART OF THE BUILDING.

Personal Property

Any item which disrupts normal school activities, such as radios, cell phones, beepers, electronic games, toys, or cards, will be confiscated until a parent comes to the office to pick up the item.

Cell phones are to be kept off during the school day.  If students have a phone, they will be collected at the beginning of each day and distributed again at dismissal.

School Bus/Safety Procedures

Many of our students ride school buses to and from school.  To insure the safety of ALL students, please review the following and discuss with your child:
1.  Pupils must be at the bus stop on time.
2.  Pupils must remain seated at all times during the ride.
3.  No loud voices or noises are permitted on the bus.  Students may talk quietly.
4.  Students must ask permission to open bus windows.
5.  Pupils must keep all parts of their bodies inside the bus.
6.  Students are not to call or shout out of the bus.
7.  Pupils may not eat, drink or throw objects in or out of the bus.
8.  No radios, cell phones, beepers, electronic games, toys, or cards are allowed.
9.  ALL STUDENTS MUST OBEY THE DRIVER AT ALL TIMES.

Any student who violates these rules, so as to endanger the health and safety of those riding the bus, will be prohibited from riding the bus for a period of time or permanently.  In the event that a student is removed from the bus, it will be the responsibility of the parents to make provisions for transportation to and from school.

Parents who drive their children to and from school are reminded that there is NO PARKING IN THE BUS AREA ON KNIGHTS ROAD in front of the school; similarly, there is NO PARKING ON CHALFONT DRIVE on the side of the school.  Caution your children NOT to cross any street by walking between the buses.  All students are to cross AT THE CORNER WITH THE CROSSING GUARD.

You are welcome to use our school parking lot; however, we need your assistance and cooperation in observing the following rules to assure the safety of all children:
1.  Observe the posted speed limits.
2.  Do NOT park, drop off or pick up your child in the entrance to the
parking lot.  ENTER the lot and PARK in a space.
3.  The entire front and side of the school need to remain clear of
ALL cars, with no exceptions.
4. Be respectful of “Handicapped Only” parking spots.

Please follow these guidelines to protect the safety of our students. Your cooperation is appreciated

Medication

Whenever possible, students should received medications at home.  For short term illnesses, such as a cold, ask your child’s doctor to setup a dosage schedule that permits the administration of medication before and after school.

For the administration of long term medication, parents must contact NChristine Lynch, the School Nurse, at 215-400-3060, who will explain the correct procedure.  Appropriate forms must be signed by the parent.

Parent Volunteer Organization

This organization is a vital link between the home and school, and contributes time and services to our school community.  The primary goal of our Parent Volunteer Organization is to enhance educational opportunities for our students.  One essential way of getting to know your school is to attendParent Volunteer meetings and become involved in Parent Volunteer activities.  Your interest and help are needed to support Home & School  programs and activities which directly benefit our boys and girls.  Please contact the school office.

Lunch Program

Lunch should be brought to school in paper bags with your child’s name and room number written on the outside.  DO NOT SEND glass bottles, metal cans or metal lunch boxes.  All pose a potential hazard to children.

Applications for free or reduced breakfast and lunch will be available at the beginning of the school year.  Approved applications from last year are valid until the new applications are processed.

Lost and Found

The lost and found is located in the lunchroom.  Students may come to this area after eating.  To make identification easier, label all items with your child’s name.