Portledge in the Now.

Message from the Director of Upper School

Dear Parents and Students,
I hope you have had a relaxing and enjoyable summer.  As we approach the beginning of the school year I wanted to highlight some programs, some changes, and some people.

ON YOUR MARK…
The beginning of each school year is critical to establishing not only the essential agreements between teachers and students but outlining the expectations that will lead students to academic success. Each school year brings new student leadership, changes in teaching and assessments, as well as new opportunities for forging friendships. All students new to the Portledge Upper School, including students who were here in Middle School, will participate in an orientation on Tuesday, September 3rd during which there will be opportunities to get information and ask questions about the Upper School.  Students will gather together under the tent for some general information, meet with student leaders, the assistant head of school and head of the upper school, tour classrooms, learn how to access their schedules, and find their lockers. Parents and students will learn procedures and how to access the Portledge digital portal.  We look forward to seeing all of you then.
MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY FORMS
If medical and emergency forms have not already been submitted, please send them with your child on the first day of school. It is imperative that we receive these forms as soon as possible. 

OTHER PAPERWORK
If your child has a 504 plan or IEP please be sure you have been in contact with Dr. Alison Brush (abrush@portledge.org).  You are reminded that all plans require updated paperwork and formal renewal each year; services do not simply roll over without proper application and follow up. 

GET SET…
  • Soccer begins Monday, August 19th.
  • Girls’ tennis begins Monday, August 26th.  
  • Senior college counseling activities and essay writing workshops begin Tuesday, August 20th. 
  • New student orientation (see above) Tuesday, September 3rd at 9:00.
  • School begins Wednesday, September 4th at 8:15.
  • School ID and class photos for grades 9-12 on Wednesday, September 4th.  (Senior formal portraits are scheduled for Monday, September 23rd). 
  • Senior College Night  is Tuesday, September 10th at 7:00 pm.
SUPPLIES
LAPTOPS - It is mandatory that all Upper School students have a laptop computer with them on the first day of school
As you prepare for the new school year remember that we do not issue supply lists for upper school students. Having a calculator, a laptop, some notepaper, and pencils and pens are sufficient to get started. If you are signed up for in-school PE, you need to purchase a PE uniform from the school store. Also, please review with your child the following rules about attendance, dress code, social media, and cell phone usage.

ATTENDANCE
All parents, please read the updated attendance section in the Parent/Student Handbook
  • Classes begin at 8:15. Students must be in their seats, ready to work by 8:15.
  • A student who arrives after 8:15 must immediately sign in at the Upper School office and then proceed to class.  
  • All appointments (doctor, tutor, SAT prep, etc.) should be scheduled for outside of the school day. In the event a student must leave early, a note, phone call, or email must be submitted to Susan Simon in order for the student to be allowed to leave. Any student who leaves school early without permission from a parent AND Mrs. Simon will be in danger of being marked as truant. 
  • If a child is sick and needs to leave school, permission to be dismissed early can only come from the school nurse, Harry Grzelewski, Susan Simon, or Jon Sandos (Dean of Students). One of these individuals will communicate with the students’ parents prior to the child leaving early. 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Portledge has developed a fair usage policy that defines appropriate behavior and use of social media. The internet is a powerful and practical tool; it plays a significant role in academic research and education in general. The internet in general - social media in particular - has not only become an essential part of education, it is a part of most individuals’ private and personal lives. Nevertheless, one’s social media profile and presence is not without rules, regulations, and consequences. Portledge does not tolerate cyber bullying, misuse or abuse of social media, and encourages responsible and ethical practices.

DRESS CODE
  • Students are expected to dress in attire that does not distract from the academic pursuits of the school day. 
  • Students must be dressed in accordance with the school’s dress code when they enter school. They must remain in dress code until they enter their mode of transportation home at the end of the school day. 
  • Please refer to the details of the Portledge School Dress Code, in the handbook, when purchasing clothing and when seeing your student off to school each morning.
CELL PHONE USAGE
  • Mobile phones and digital devices are an integral part of our students’ way of life and can have considerable value, particularly in relation to individual safety. We also believe that these technological tools will play a significant part in the educational practices of the 21st century. We encourage the use of laptops in class, but cell phones can never be used as calculators, they are not allowed during testing, and are to be used only at the discretion of the teacher for class work. The College Board bans them from all testing areas and their presence will result in a cancellation of scores.
  • Please limit cell phone contact with your child during the school day to only essential or emergency calls or emergency text messages.
  • If there is a message you need your child to get that is not of an emergency nature, please feel free to contact Jon Sandos at 516-750-3165 or Susan Simon at 516-750-3204 and we will make sure your child is aware of the message. Students usually will not have access to their phones during class so if you have an urgent message, please call the office and someone will notify the student promptly.
GO, GO, GO …
Enjoy the remaining days of summer. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely, 
Harry Grzelewski
Director of Upper School
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