Emergency Contacts
At the beginning of each school year an emergency notification card (the Blue Card) is sent home for parents/guardians to complete. This card provides the school with information in case of an emergency involving your child during the school day. Please return this card promptly, and update the card during the year if there are changes. It is the only way the school can notify you, a designated relative, or a friend if it should become necessary.
Prohibited Items: Toys, Cell Phones, Heelies, etc.
Toys, games and cards should be left at home. These items are not permitted in school—not even at lunchtime. It is a Department of Education policy that children do not have cell phones in school. If a teacher or staff person sees a child with a cell phone or hears one ring during class, he or she will retrieve it from the child and return it to the child’s parent/caregiver as soon as possible. Scooters and skateboards should also be left at home, but if a child does arrive to school on either of these, parents/caregivers should take it home with them as soon as the child enters school grounds. If a scooter or skateboard is left behind, it will be stored in the PTA room.
Lost and Found
Boxes for found items are located on the ground floor in the outer cafeteria. Please check this area for your child’s belongings. Unclaimed items are donated twice a year – December and June – to the Salvation Army.
School Emergency Evacuation Plan
In the event of an emergency requiring evacuation of P.S. 29, all students, teachers and staff will relocate to M.S. 293, located on Court Street between Baltic and Butler Streets. Classes that meet on the Kane Street side of P.S. 29 will exit on Henry Street, walk one block south to Degraw Street, then go east to Court Street and north two blocks to M.S. 293. Classes that meet on the Baltic Street side of P.S. 29 will exit on Henry Street, walk north to Warren Street then take Warren Street east to Court Street. At Court Street, they will walk two blocks south to M.S. 293. Staff will bring the blue emergency cards with them so they can contact students’ families. Note also that P.S. 29 regularly holds fire drills and in-house safety drills in accordance with Department of Education and New York City guidelines.
PS 29 Guidelines for Outdoor Play in Cold Weather
Many years ago, schools were advised to keep children inside when the temperature is below 32 degrees. In 2004, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reviewed this policy and recommended that a combination of factors should be used to determine whether outdoor play is advisable.
Children benefit from vigorous exercise and should be given the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. You should use your judgment in determining whether conditions are satisfactory for outside play in cold weather, based on the temperature, wind speed, precipitation, and other factors. For example, outside play on a sunny, windless day when the temperature is below 32 degrees can be suitable as long as children are appropriately dressed. Note that occasionally, children with asthma may experience increased symptoms when playing in cold weather (however, exercise-related asthma may occur at any temperature and can usually be prevented by pre-treatment).
Storm Closings
The Schools Chancellor, in consultation with other City officials, decides whether to close schools or delay their opening. The decision will be broadcast by 6:00 a.m. on most major local TV and radio stations.
