Important School Information

• Grades K-3: 9:20am-3:20pm (Dismissal will be begin at 3:20pm for all students, this includes walkers)
• Please note: Information regarding arrival and dismissal protocols can be found below.
  • The main doors of the school are locked at all times. Upon arrival at the school, visitors will be greeted by a Responder.
  • Parents or their designee are required to have a photo ID when they are picking up a child(ren) from school in addition to all outside visitors.
• Any student who arrives at school after 9:20am will be marked tardy and must enter through the Main Lobby Entrance. Please make sure to label all of your child’s belongings. It is recommended that you place your child’s name and their teacher’s name on the inside of their backpack

Please know that great care was taken to place your child appropriately for this school year. All parents are naturally concerned with their child’s grade placement each year. This is a prime concern to all of us at the South Country Central School District. It is our responsibility to see that all of our children are placed appropriately so that they will reach their maximum educational potential. The teachers and I spend many hours composing classes for the coming year to assure proper placement. It is, therefore, not possible to make any class changes at this time. Please do not put us in the position of having to refuse your request. Your understanding and cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Before you begin, locate a copy of your child’s schedule, report card or progress report.

• Click on the eSchool link to create a new account. (https://parentportal.eschooldata.com/southcountry)
• Make sure to delete any extension to the link after .com
• Enter the requested information from your child’s report card, progress report, or schedule.

Wait for verification

Please allow 1-2 business days for the parent portal team to verify your information and validate your account. Once you receive your information you can log in to the parent portal. If you do not receive an email after 3 business days, please contact parentportal@southcountry.org or call (631) 730-1511.

• Please update your contact information via the Parent Portal. It is extremely important for you to contact the school if the information on the Emergency Contact Form changes. (Emergency telephone numbers are vital in the event we need to contact you).
• In order to ensure that all procedures are performing at the highest level, we will be conducting the mandated drills (Lockout, Lockdown, Fire Drills, Evacuation). Having these drills throughout the year will assure us that both students and staff clearly understand the security procedures in the event of an emergency. These practice drills benefit our students as they will automatically follow the procedures set in place. When preparing for a lockdown drill, it is explained to the students that this is a practice drill similar to our fire safety drills, which they routinely participate in throughout the school year. It is emphasized to the students that above everything else, we want our students to be safe, happy and feel protected while attending school.

The South Country Central School District is pleased to be implementing the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the current school year. All students enrolled in the district, regardless of income level, are eligible to receive a healthy school breakfast and lunch at no charge each day. No further action is required of families. Students will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit a meal application! The free and reduced meal applications no longer need to be filled out. While all students are eligible for a free breakfast and lunch, additional a la carte items may be purchased with cash. Breakfast will continue to be eaten in your child (ren)’s classroom.

Effective communication with our families is essential to supporting your child’s school experience. Beginning this year, the district will be using ParentSquare as our primary communication tool with families. For additional details, please visit the district’s ParentSquare webpage. 

It is important for you to contact the school if the information on the Emergency Contact Form changes, especially the emergency phone numbers and email addresses. You can access information regarding your child’s teacher, as well as their bus route, on the parent portal. Kindergarten families will be receiving a separate mailing with their login information. The summer mailing material has been posted on the district website.

• Please make sure to label your child’s belongings. It is recommended that you place your child’s name and their teacher’s name on their backpack.

NYSED requires a physical examination for new entrants and students in Grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11; annually for interscholastic sports; and working papers as needed; or as required by the Committee on Special Education (CSE) or Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE).

Attendance is an important part of your child’s school routine. It is expected that students attend school consistently. If your child is ill, please keep them home and contact the school. The New York State Education Department requires that a written note explaining the reason for the absence signed by the child(ren)’s parent or guardian be sent to the classroom teacher when the child(ren) return(s) to school. Research indicates that students who are chronically absent in grades K-1, are less likely to read proficiently by the end of 3rd grade. By 6th grade, demonstrate early warning signs of dropping out of high school.

• Information regarding your child’s bus number and routes including times can be found in the parent portal. It is important for your child to know the bus number he/she will be taking to and from school.
• Also, at no time during the year are students permitted to take a different bus home without a note from a parent/guardian. It is recommended that students go home on their regular bus on a routine basis to foster a smooth departure from school and the safest arrival home.
• In addition, it is important to note that all students that take a mini-bus to/from school will NOT be let off the bus at their afternoon stop unless a parent or guardian is present at the bus stop. If you will not be available to meet your child’s bus on a particular day, please contact the bus company. If you are questioning a change in bus stop or pick-up time, we kindly ask that you contact Towne Bus directly at 631-345-9600.
• For all other safety concerns regarding your child riding the bus, feel free to contact us at 631-730-1675.

CAR DROP OFF/WALKERS

• Please arrive at the Student Drop Off Area between 9:05am and 9:15am. Safety Officers and staff members will help manage the flow of traffic. Students are asked to exit the door on the right hand side of the car and proceed to the labeled outside entrance of Dunton Avenue.
  • Entrance “A” (Dunton Avenue closest to Head of the Neck Road): Mrs. Connell, Mrs. Fels, Ms. Fitzgerald, Ms. Klouse, Mrs. Sagistano, Mrs. Cimino, Mrs. DeRosa, Mrs. McMahon and Mrs. Satterley.
  • Entrance “B” (Dunton Avenue Library Entrance): Mrs. Kelly, Mr. Melfi, Mrs. Nolan, Ms. Huber, Ms. Campbell (Ms. Walter), Ms. Dunn, Ms. Ward, Mrs. Sackman.
• Any student arriving after 9:20am will proceed to the Main Lobby Entrance.

BUS

• Bus routes and stops will be posted in the Parent Portal. You will receive a separate mailing from Towne Bus. Once at school, students will disembark the bus from the front to the back as per the designated areas listed below.
  • Kindergarten and First Grade - will enter through the orange hallway back parking lot entrance.
  • Second and Third Grade - will enter through the entrance closest to Head of the Neck in the back parking lot.

CAR PICK-UP/WALKERS:

• Students being picked up by a parent/guardian will be dismissed via the following assigned areas no earlier than 3:20pm. When picking up your child, you will need to bring in proper photo identification, such as a driver’s license.
  • Entrance “A” (Dunton Avenue closest to Head of the Neck Road): Mrs. Connell, Mrs. Fels, Ms. Fitzgerald, Ms. Klouse, Mrs. Sagistano, Mrs. Cimino, Mrs. DeRosa, Mrs. McMahon and Mrs. Satterley.
  • Entrance “B” (Dunton Avenue Library Entrance): Mrs. Kelly, Mr. Melfi, Mrs. Nolan, Ms. Huber, Ms. Campbell (Ms. Walter), Ms. Dunn, Ms. Ward, Mrs. Sackman.

BUS:

• Busses leave Verne W. Critz Elementary School at approximately 3:30pm from the Bus Parking lot.
• We understand that emergencies may arise and a change may need to be made in regards to how your child(ren) will be dismissed. Kindly, inform the main office prior to 2:00 PM if a change is necessary.
• When picking up your child, you will need to bring in proper photo identification, such as a driver’s license.
• We appreciate your support and cooperation in our efforts to keep your children safe. Please understand that during the first few days of school, there may be delays as everyone becomes accustomed to the procedures.

• The Verne W. Critz PTA is an enormous asset to our school throughout the school year. Volunteers are always welcome to help support activities at the school and everyone is encouraged to become a member of our PTA. Become a member today. We look forward to your participation throughout the year.
• We expect to have a fabulous year of fun and grand achievements for our students and our district. We encourage you to be involved in your child’s education. Your contributions to your child’s education at home and at school are sincerely welcome, valued and appreciated. All PTA/school activities are listed on the district calendar, please take a moment to review our schedule. It is a great idea to highlight these activities for easy visibility throughout the year.
• Click here to learn more about our PTA