• Parent Newsletter - Summer 2009

Bus Safety Information

Freeport Public Schools has developed a SCHOOL BUS SAFETY FACT SHEET to help your children travel safely to and from our schools. We suggest you read and print out this information, then review it periodically with your kids.

Our children's safety can never be stressed enough.

Student Registration

New students may be registered at the Central Registration Verification Office (CRVO), located at the west end of Caroline G. Atkinson School on West Seaman Avenue. At the time of registration, the following documents are required:

• child's birth certificate or passport;
  
• proof of guardianship from court or the appropriate foster care papers;
  
• signed physician's certificate of up-to-date immunization records;
  
• three (3) current proofs of Freeport School District address
  
• Deed or current lease plus any three (3) of the most recent items listed below (If the deed or lease is not in your name, notorized affidavits of residency need to be completed by parent/guardian and owner/landlord.):
  
  • Freeport Water Bill
    
  • Freeport Electric Bill
    
  • LIPA Bill
    
  • Telephone Bill
    
  • IRS Correspondence
    
  • Credit Card Statements
    
  • Driver's License
    
  • ID from DMV
    
  • Automobile Registration
    
  • Cablevision or Satellite Bill
    
  • Federal/State Mail with address
    
  • Pay Stub with current address
    
  • Social Security Correspondence
    
  • Mortgage Statement/Payment Booklet
    
  • D.S.S. Correspondence
    
  • Unemployment Correspondence
    
  • Foster Care Agency letter
    
  • Mailed Bank Statement
    
  • Nassau County Tax Bill
    
  • Move's Bill (dated)
    
  • Home/Tenant/Car/Left/Health Insurance Bill
    
  • Stamped Post Office Change of Address form

Note: P.O. Boxes are not acceptable as proof of residency!

In order to receive any service from the District, parents/guardians must present proofs of residency and birth certificate at the Central Registry. For Pre-Kindergarten admissions, a child must have celebrated his or her 4th birthday on or before December 1 of that year and must submit a competed physical exam, including lead testing. For Kindergarten admission in September, a child's 5th birthday must be reached on or before December 1 of that year. Original birth certificate must be placed in the appropriate grade, based on their prior school records and /or the judgment of the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, with the collaboration of the school principal. Parent or guardians may phone the CRVO at 867-5254 for more information about hours for registration and for the specific documents and immunizations required.

Notification of Rights Under FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records. They are:

• The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the District receives a request for access.
  
• The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
  
• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
  
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Equal Education Opportunity

Each student will have equal education opportunities and will not be excluded from participating in or having access to any course offerings, school services or activities on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, religion, age, marital status or disability. Anyone with a complaint concerning sex discrimination or discrimination on the basis of disability should be directed to the Director of Pupil Personnel Services and District Title IV Compliance Officer at 867-5217. All other complaints should be made to the building principal or (if appropriate) to the Superintendent of Schools.

Special Education

Should you suspect your child has a disability and may be in need of special education services, you may refer him/her to the CSE by writing a letter stating your concerns to the school principal or Phyllis Davis, at Central Administration, 235 N. Ocean Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520.

We're proud of our schools and our students!
Closeup: Corey Hanna, Eric Goldin
Class of 2002

Corey Hanna, Valedictorian
Headed to: SUNY Binghamton
Attended Freeport Schools: 14 years

"I am most proud of maintaining the same group of friends that I had when I entered high school."

The two adjectives Corey Hanna uses to describe himself are lively and proud. And this graduate has a long list of accomplishments to be proud of. He was a member of the National Honor Society, the New York State Science Honor Society, the Future Problem Solvers and the school newspaper.

Among the many academic awards he has received are the Spanish Honors Award, the Science Academic Achievement Award, and the Science Symposium Award with Merit. He was also the proud recipient of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Mathematics Award and the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Award.

In sports, he participated in Varsity Tennis and Varsity Bowling, and won sportsmanship awards in both sports. He also played on the PAL roller hockey team and in the adult ice hockey league. On the top of his list of people who have helped and inspired him in his life are his parents, and he also humorously cites a varied list of well known "Mikes": Mike Piazza, Michael Jackson, Mike Myers, Michael Bolton and Michael Keaton! His first goal for next year is to find his niche in college. He'll major in business management, and hopes to someday become a successful New York City businessman.

Eric Goldin, Salutatorian
Headed to: New York University
Attended Freeport Schools: 12 years

"Like everyone, I had roadblocks, but fortunately, none have been significant enough to tear me from music."

Freeport High School's Salutatorian has amassed a long list of accomplishments in academics, leadership and service, and an even longer list of musical achievements. In addition to being the Freeport Exchange Club Student of the Year, he was a member of the National Honor Society and Peer Leadership. Eric played in the Jazz Band, the Marching Band, the Wind Ensemble, the Brass Ensemble and the Select Chorale. He performed in the Freeport High School musical productions, the MENC All-Eastern Mixed Chorus, and the NYSSMA All-State Mixed Chorus, All-County Band and Chorus.

He has been honored with the John Philip Sousa Band Award, the National School Choral Award, the Arion Award, and the Orchestra, Chorus (Select Chorale), Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band Service Awards. He was also the recipient of the University of Rochester's Young Leaders Award and Humanities and Social Sciences Award. From this whole list, says Eric, "I am most proud of my music groups' accomplishments, particularly the Wind Ensemble's performance at Carnegie Hall, and Select Chorale's distinctive community performances and top awards."

Over the years, he has received support and inspiration to pursue his dreams from his parents and family and from many of his music teachers. "There are too many to list," he says.