Important School Details 2023

Communication

At Dixson, we believe that the education of our students is a collaborative experience. As such, communication is critical. We utilize various tools, including emails, Talking Points (Texts), Parent Portal, newsletters, conferences, telephone calls, and written letters to communicate effectively. We also embrace good old-fashioned face-to-face meetings when they can be scheduled!

Start Time

The Dixson School doors will be open for drop-off at 8:40 AM. Students will enter through the front doors.
- Kindergarten students will enter the main building.
- 1st grade students will enter the Annex.
Students who wish to have breakfast may be dropped off at 8:20 AM at the gym doors.
Please note: There is no supervision for students not having breakfast before 8:40 AM. Parents will be called to pick up their child if dropped off before this time.

First Day Drop-off (September 3, 2024)

Tuesday - Friday Dismissal

Monday Dismissal

On Mondays, teachers are required to participate in professional development, faculty meetings, and other collaborative events designed to provide time to plan for the best possible experiences for your children. As such, dismissal is at 2:55 PM on Mondays. Consequently, all dismissal-related times are also 25 minutes earlier, including both bus stop drop-off and walker pick-ups.

Parking Lot

Attendance

Special Circumstances (early pick up by parents/guardians)

To ensure the safety of all our students, we have the following policies in place regarding dismissal changes:

If you need to make any changes to your child's dismissal plan, please notify the main office in writing. You can do this in one of two ways:

Send a note in your child’s folder
Send a message through TalkingPoints to the SCHOOL ADMIN account named Carl L. Dixson Primary School

For early pickups, please ensure your child is picked up no later than:

2:35 PM on Mondays
3:00 PM on Tuesdays through Fridays

The afternoon is a busy time as we transition students for dismissal, so we kindly ask that you plan accordingly. These procedures are in place to make sure all students are safe.

Please note that all communications regarding dismissal changes must be made in writing by 2:00 PM each day. Changes submitted after 2:00 PM may not be accommodated.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to the main office at 914-592-2092. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us keep our students safe!

In-School Health & Nurse Notes

In-School Health

From time to time, you may get a call from the main office or school nurse asking you to pick up your child for health reasons. While we understand this can be inconvenient, it is critical that you have the ability to have someone pick up your child when asked. Your list of approved people may be updated in the Dixson main office at 914-592-2092.

Nurse Notes

Assessments

Class Assignment

Supply Lists

The Dixson supply lists are developed by grade. The requested supplies are the same for all teachers of the same grade. A copy of the supply lists can be found on the Carl L. Dixson Primary School website under the appropriate grade level. Please remember to bring your supplies with you when you come to Meet the Teacher on August 29th or on the first day of school on September 3rd.

Chromebooks

Bussing

Bussing begins on the first day of school, but only students who have completed their bus registration will be permitted to ride the bus. Please reach out to Mrs. Swansen in the Transportation office if you are expecting bussing but have not yet set it up. During the first week, we ask that parents allow a buffer of time related to pick-up and drop-off times. The initial stop times are estimated and require some time to settle due to changes in traffic patterns, etc.

Note: All students taking the bus home MUST be met by a parent-approved person to assume responsibility for the child. Your list of approved people may be updated in the Dixson main office at 914-592-2092.

Breakfast & Lunch

Breakfast

Breakfast is available daily at no cost. If your child wishes to eat breakfast at school, the earliest they may be dropped off is at 8:20 AM through the gym doors. A staff member is assigned to supervise our children in the gym at that time. Please make sure that the staff member is present before you leave your child.

Lunch

Students will have lunch and recess daily from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. You may send in a lunch from home, or your child may eat lunch provided by the school at no cost. Students have hot and cold lunch choices. A menu is sent home at the beginning of every month listing the daily options.

Water Bottles

Recess Guidelines

Recess – Outdoors, Weather Permitting

Free play is critical in the growth and development of young children. During recess, weather permitting, students will be outside on the playground for 30 minutes. During this time, students are encouraged to run, jump, slide, and play games with their friends. Please ensure that your child wears footwear appropriate for this level of activity. Sandals, flip-flops, etc., are not ideal for school as they present trip hazards during recess and while using stairs.

Dixson Recess Guidelines

There is an abundance of research that points to the importance of recess in schools. See below for reference to 1 such site. Consequently, at Dixson we will attempt to get the students outside for recess if possible.

Whenever applicable, please be sure to send your child to school dressed for outdoor recess. This includes proper footwear, jackets, gloves, scarves, etc.

Dixson Guidelines

Students will go outside if it is above 32 degrees and weather conditions do not otherwise warrant indoor recess.

Students will remain indoors if:

There is too much ice on the playground
The wind chill brings the temperature below 32 degrees
It is above 32 and the wind gusts appear dangerous
The playground is flooded/extremely muddied

At times, there may need to be exceptions. The decision to remain in or go out is determined by a building administrator. In this person's absence, it will be made by the school nurse, followed by the office staff. This decision is always made in the best interests of the children. We will always try to get the students outside if possible.

From the Penn State University ProWellness website:

Academic Benefits: Taking a break from the classroom allows younger children to pause incoming information, making it easier to process. It also allows children to burn off excess energy, increasing their ability to focus on the day’s lessons.
Better Social Skills: During recess, children are allowed to socialize freely, which is the main way for young children to develop their future social skills. When they get home from school, today’s children do not engage in neighborhood play as much as previous generations because of their computers, smartphones and televisions. Recess at school allows them to play without the temptations to use these electronic devices.
Improved Wellness: Outdoor recess is the best place for children to play, which helps them burn calories and stretch their muscles. Research has even shown that a child who is engaged in physical activity has a better chance to be physically active at home. Being outside also triggers the synthesis of Vitamin D and allows them to release stress that builds during classroom instruction time.