School Policies & Procedures

School Meals

Free breakfast and lunch is available for all students. Meals are provided at no cost. If your child has food allergies, please advise your teacher and school nurse immediately and indicate it on the blue card. 

Immunization Requirements

The New York State Department of Education and the Board of Health requires that documentation be secured proving that all children who come to school are fully immunized. We are required to exclude children that are not immunized and do not have documentation froma physician indicating the reason. 

If your child becomes sick…

Fever 100°C or higher, ear ache, infected skin patches, sore throat, swollen glands, head lice, unusual spots or rashes, persistent cough, upset stomach, “pink eye” (conjunctivitis), vomiting or diarrhea

By keeping your child home, you are not only helping them get well faster, you are also preventing the illness from spreading to other members of the class. Let the school know as soon as possible that your child is ill. When your child returns to school, give them a note for the teacher/nurse explaining the absence.

If your child becomes sick in school the school will contact you immediately. It is your responsibility to come to school and pick up your child. If you are unavailable, the person listed on the emergency blue card will be contacted. 

Emergency Blue Cards

Emergency blue cards are sent home with students during the first week of school. Parents must keep the school informed of any changes to the information on the card. When a child becomes ill or injured, it is very important that the school have the current address and phone numbers in order to contact that parent or guardian. 

Emergency Drills

Fire and shelter drills are held periodically throughout the school year to ensure that our students and staff are familiar with all safety procedures in case of an emergency. We also have lock down drills.

Inclement Weather /Storm Day Procedures

In the event of emergency conditions such as weather emergencies or school wide emergencies please visit the Department of Education website www.schools.nyc.gov.

Parent Communication

In addition to the school website, the P.S. 185 staff utilizes 3 main communication platforms: Remind, DOE Messaging, and backpacked letters (only when urgent). These platforms are a quick and easy way to communicate with families and staff. These communication applications keep families up to date with what is happening in the school community and in the classroom.

Click here to look up your teacher’s remind code: Teacher Contact page

Any change in dismissal plans should be communicated with the main office if the school day has already started. Teachers will not see Remind messages sent during the day as they are teaching.

Family Engagement

P.S. 185 takes great pride in the quality of its teachers and staff and the level of commitment they offer the students of the school. Setting up a good line of communication between parents and teachers helps make a successful school year. Teachers work cooperatively across grade levels and meet regularly to discuss curriculum and share teaching methods and materials and want parents to be aware of their work as well. Teachers have 55 minutes a week dedicated to Family Engagement time which includes the following at a mutually agreed upon time:

  • Meetings with parents or guardians (in person or remote per your request)

  • Telephone conversations with parents or guardians

  • Written correspondence with parents or guardians

Student Sign In-Out Procedures

Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy

PURPOSE

To create an environment conducive to learning by minimizing distractions caused by cell phones and other personal internet-enabled electronic devices, ensure the safety and focus of all students during school the school day, and follow Education Law §2803, effective August 1, 2025, all New York State schools are required to adopt a policy that prohibits the use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day on school grounds. An "internet-enabled electronic device" is defined as an electronic device capable of connecting to the internet and enabling the user to access content on the internet. Examples of such devices include cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, tablets, iPads, and portable music and entertainment systems. 

 

POLICY STATEMENT

Students will not be permitted to use or access their personal internet-enabled electronic devices upon arrival at school until the end of the school day. The school day is defined as the period from the moment students enter the school building until the last class of the day ends, including during lunch. The school day starts at 8:00 am and ends at 2:20 am. The breakfast program starts at 7:15 am; after-school programming starts at 2:20 and continues to program end. This policy applies during school trips as well. Students will be able to use school/NYCPS-issued devices during the school day.

COLLECTION/STORAGE 

  • Upon arrival, students must power off all internet-enabled devices (phones, apple watches, etc.)

  • Students will place all devices in their assigned Faraday Pouch and secure it in front of school staff.

  • Students will store their closed pouches in their school bag stored in the coat closet for the day.

  • At the end of the school day, students will retrieve their device(s) from their pouch and place it in the designated classroom storage slot.

  • Students with approved early dismissal will be able to open and return their pouch in the main office upon meeting their parent. Please place pouch in pouch return basket.

  • In the event that the student’s assigned faraday pouch is lost or damaged, the school will require a $20 fee for replacement.

 

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

  • In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, parents or guardians can call the school emergency line to reach their child.

  • In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, students may access phones in the main office to reach their parents or guardians.

  • In case of emergency or exigent circumstances, the school will use the GAMA school messaging system to communicate information to parents or guardians.

  • To ensure you are receiving messages via the GAMA school messaging system, please confirm your cell phone and email emergency contact information in your NYCSA account right away.

 

EXCEPTIONS

  • Students are allowed to use their device if they have an individualized education program (IEP) or 504 Plan that includes use of an internet-enabled device and do not have a DOE-issued device for such purpose.

  • Parents/guardians must contact Nurse Lisa at (718) 745-6610 (press 4) or LLarsen@schools.nyc.gov if a student requires an exception for reasons such as: medical monitoring/treatments (for example to monitor blood sugar or other similar circumstances), or where otherwise required by law.

  • The principal/designee may authorize use for an educational purpose.

  • Exceptions will be processed within two weeks. 


DISCIPLINE 

  • Any cell phone or personal internet-enabled device observed outside the Faraday pouch at any time during the school day (including school trips, the breakfast program and all after-school programming) will be confiscated. Confiscated phones must be picked up in person by the child’s parent or legal guardian.

  • Students who use electronic devices in violation of the NYCPS Discipline Code, the school's policy, Chancellor's Regulation A-413, and/or the NYCPS Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy ("IAUSP") will be subject to progressive discipline. This means that the disciplinary responses will escalate based on the nature and frequency of the violation. As provided in the State law, a student may not be suspended solely on the grounds that the student accessed a personal internet-enabled device in violation of school policy​.​ ​Repeated incidents of insubordination (i.e. refusal to surrender or store device) may result in a suspension if approved by the Office of Safety and Youth Development.


THEFT/DAMAGE

  • In the unlikely event that an electronic device is stolen or damaged at school, parents can submit a claim to the Comptroller’s Office. More information on submitting a claim is available on the Comptroller’s webpage.

 

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a focused and productive learning environment. If you have any questions or need further clarification regarding these policies, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Kruger, Parent Coordinator) at (718) 745-6610 (press 4) or at jkruger3@schools.nyc.gov.

Door Safety at PS 185

Students arriving after 8:10 AM must be signed in by their parent or guardian. 

Sometimes it is necessary for a family member to pick up a child at school before dismissal. The latest you can pick up your child for early dismissal is 1:45 PM. Please try to let your child’s teacher know in advance if you are planning to pick them up early. Students can only be released to a designated adult, and only with written permission (with signature) from the parent. 

Anyone who picks up a student must be 18 years of age or older and have valid identification.

Non Discrimination letter

It is the policy of the New York City Department of Education (DOE) that, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), no otherwise qualified person with a disability shall, solely by reason of their disability, be excluded from or otherwise denied participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored by the DOE. Confidentiality rights of persons with disabilities will be respected.

Students arriving after 8:10 AM must be signed in by their We are pleased to announce our new front door procedure. Effective February 2024 the main entrance door will be locked. To enter, ring the bell on the panel located to the left of the entrance. Once you identify yourself into the camera, please walk to the door furthest to the right and wait for the School Safety Agent to buzz you in. Be sure to bring photo identification when entering the building.

For more information, view this brief presentation held February 7, 2024: