This “Survival Guide” was developed to help parents understand some of our building routines and make things easier for both the parent and the child.

What are the start and end times for school and contact information?

School starts every morning at 8:15 and ends at 2:45.  We ask parents and students to please be prompt in dropping off or picking up your child.  The school office hours are 7:30 – 3:30 Monday through Friday when school is in session.  Our school phone number is 708-366-7498, and our fax number is 708-771-4232.  E-mail addresses are the school employee’s first letter of their first name and their last name followed by @forestparkschools.org. For example: jdoe@forestparkschools.org.

When can I drop my child off at school?

If your child is eating breakfast at school, the cafeteria opens at 7:45 and closes at 8:10.  There is no supervision provided for your child prior to 7:45, and no breakfasts will be served after 8:10.
If your child does not eat breakfast at school your child should arrive between 8:00 and 8:15.  Supervision will be provided starting at 8:00 and students will enter the building at 8:15.  On nice days students will line up on the playground.  When we have inclement weather students will line up in the gym.

What do I do if my child is going to be absent from school?

If your child is unable to attend school for the day, please call the school (366-7498) and leave the following information: Child’s name, grade, and reason for absence.  The office opens at 7:30 each morning.  If you call prior to 7:30 you may leave a message on our answering machine.
 

What if something happens and I am unable to pick my child up from school? 

Please call the school if you are going to be late picking up your child, or if you are having someone else pick up your child.  Since we cannot provide supervision for more than 30 minutes after dismissal any child left at school after a half hour from the time school is dismissed will be dropped off at the police station.
 
What if I need to pick up my child early from school or my child is late for school?
 
We understand that students sometimes have to leave school early for a variety of reasons, but if not handled properly this could be very disruptive to the entire class.  If you need to pick a child up early from school, please send a note to the teacher in the morning so that everything can be prepared for your child ahead of time.  Students will not be sent down to the office until the parent stops in at the office and signs their child out of school.  If your child arrives for school after 8:20 they will be considered tardy, and the parent must come in to the office and sign their child in for school.  After 5 tardies in a semester, students may be issued a detention.

It’s my child’s birthday, can I bring a treat?

For your child’s birthday, they may share one hand held treat with the class.  However, the teacher should be notified prior to your child bringing a treat to school, and the teacher will determine when the treats will be handed out, Treats like cupcakes, cookies, or snack bars/packets are fine.  Please keep in mind that we are a “Nut Free” school.  Students should not bring in pizzas, ice cream, juice, or items that cannot sit on a counter for a few hours. The treats will be handed out by the child to the class (parents and family members should not be in the room passing out plates, ice cream, taking pictures, bringing in decorations, balloons etc.).  Please keep in mind that school is not a place to have a birthday party.

How do I order hot lunches for my child?

We have to order the school lunches a week at a time and a week in advance.  A menu will be sent home with your child during the week and the order will need to be in handed in to the teacher at the start of school on each Monday.  It is strongly recommended that parents review the order with their child prior to sending in the order.

If I have any other questions who should I talk to?  

Parents can call the school anytime with questions, and Mrs. Macino will direct your questions to the appropriate person in the building.  Parents are also encouraged to talk to the teachers directly with classroom issues. 

Betsy Ross takes great pride in being a neighborhood school that has an open rapport with the parents and neighbors of our school.  Please feel free to call or stop in anytime with questions or concerns