Bradford School

Policies & Procedures 

Attendance 

Please carefully review all of the important Bradford Daily Attendance Guidelines (2026-2027 School Year) outlined in this document.

Arrival & Dismissal 

Please carefully review all of the important Bradford Daily Attendance Guidelines (2026-2027 School Year) outlined in this document.

Birthdays & Other Individual Student Celebrations 

Please contact your child’s teacher to make arrangements to celebrate their birthday. Per Regulation 8505, no food is allowed for birthday parties, other individual student celebrations or to be used as student rewards. Alternate items, such as a birthday pencil/a sticker for each student, a book donation to the classroom library, or a board game donation for the class to enjoy, as well as activities such as reading a favorite story or planning a craft may be considered. Additionally, outside birthday party invitations are not permitted to be distributed at school.  

 

Dress Code  

In accordance with Policy 5511: Dress and Grooming, students are expected to be dressed appropriately for school. Comfortable play clothes and sneakers or other rubber-soled shoes are recommended for playground participation. Boots, gloves, scarves, hats and warm outerwear are necessary during the cold and snowy season (children will play outdoors during the winter and their extremities need protection). Flip-flops are not allowed. Sneakers and loose-fitting pants or shorts are requested for Physical Education classes. Shorts should be the appropriate length and shirts should cover the midriff area. 

 

Emergency Contact Information 

Please be sure to complete (and update as necessary) your correct contact information on the Genesis Parent Access Portal. 

It is critical that you provide us with a working phone number so that we may reach you in the event of an emergency. 

 

Food 

Please carefully review all of the important Bradford Daily Attendance Guidelines (2026-2027 School Year) outlined in this document.

Field Trips 

Field trips are an integral part of the school program. Permission slips are sent home prior to a trip. Permission slips and fees must be returned to the school at least a day before the 

trip. No student is allowed to leave school without this signed slip.  

 

Fire and Security Drills 

At least twice a month, students will review and practice fire and security drills. Fire and security drills are always to be taken seriously. Teachers will review the following guidelines with the children:  

 

Follow the assigned evacuation route out of the building in an orderly manner. Evacuation routes are posted next to the door in each room. The last person leaving the classroom will close the door. We emphasize the importance of being safe, quick, and quiet during our drills. 

 

If a student is out of the classroom when the fire bell sounds, he/she/they should proceed to the nearest exit and find the nearest adult. Any teacher outside the building will assist a child who does not know where his/her/their class is assembled. 

 

A security drill is defined as an exercise, other than a fire drill, to practice procedures that respond to emergency situations. Security drills include lockdowns and evacuations.

Homework  

Homework is given to reinforce skills taught in school as well as to teach students responsibility for their learning. As per the district Homework/Make-Up Work Policy, Policy 2330: Homework, the Board of Education believes that homework “provides an opportunity to broaden, deepen and reinforce the pupil’s knowledge.” The amount and type of homework will vary and increase as students progress through grade levels. We also strongly encourage that every child reads at home daily. Children can enjoy listening to you read aloud; they can read to you and they should read independently.  

 

Homework will usually be assigned an average of four nights per week. Meaningful homework is assigned to help students become more self-reliant, learn to work independently, and develop good study habits in addition to reinforcing material learned in the classroom. It is the students' responsibility to keep an accurate record of assignments, to apply and practice skills learned in class, to strive for the best quality of work, and to complete all assignments. The district's policy on homework recommends one assigned activity, Monday through Thursday night for Kindergarten, a minimum of thirty minutes, Monday through Thursday for Grades 1-2, and a minimum of one hour for Grades 3-5. Contact your child’s teacher if homework is taking too long to complete, as accommodations can be made. 

 

Why do teachers give homework? 

1.) To reinforce what is taught in school. 

2.) To exercise your brain. 

3.) To review concepts and skills to keep your learning fresh. 

4.) To teach responsibility for one’s own learning. 

 

Tips for doing homework: 

1.) Have a healthy snack. 

2.) Take a short break after school before beginning your work. 

3.) Gather everything you need before beginning (paper, pencils, books, erasers). 

4.) Set a study pattern that works for you. 

5.) Find a comfortable place to study. 

6.) Stay in one place until all your homework is done. 

7.) Make sure the TV is off while you are working. 

8.) Make sure there is enough light so you can read easily. 

 

Teachers will review their expectations for homework at the annual Back to School Night. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s homework. 

 

Lost and Found 

All found articles are placed in the Lost and Found area located at the front entrance by the Gymnasium (Door Q). Students and parents/guardians/caregivers are urged to check there for lost articles. All articles not claimed within a reasonable amount of time are donated to charitable organizations. To prevent such losses, all personal items should be labeled with the student's first and last name. You and your child(ren) are welcome to check the containers/table for lost items after school until 3:30 pm. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Montclair Board of Education will not be responsible for cell phones/electronic devices or other valuable items that are brought to school and are lost or stolen. 

 

Lunch & Recess  

All students have a twenty-five minute daily lunch period with their respective grade level. Students eat lunch in the All Purpose room, as well outside in the Courtyard on exceptionally beautiful days. The lunch period either immediately precedes or follows the recess period. For additional information regarding food services and regulations, please see the Food Services & Regulations section of this handbook. 

 

All students also have a scheduled twenty-five minute daily recess period with their respective grade level.  The recess period either immediately precedes or follows the lunch period. The children will go outside even during the winter months, so please send your child dressed for winter weather.  

  

The times that we will have inside recess are under the following conditions: 

 

 

  

Even during indoor recess days, recess supervisors facilitate movement activities in combination with student directed activities. Recess is not taken away as a response for behavior decisions.  A child may have a “quiet lunch (eating time)” as per our Code of Conduct, but will be included in the recess/movement time listed above. 

 

Grade level lunch and recess times are as follows: 

11:00 am – 11:50 am   Lunch / Recess for Kindergarten 

11:00 am – 11:50 am   Recess/ Lunch for Grade 1 

11:50 am – 12:40 pm  Lunch / Recess for Grade 2 

11:50 am – 12:40 pm   Recess / Lunch for Grade 3 

12:40 pm – 1:30 pm  Lunch/Recess for Grade 4 

12:40  pm – 1:30 pm   Recess / Lunch for Grade 5 

 

We believe in the importance of movement for child development and learning. As such, there are multiple opportunities for children to move throughout the learning day in addition to the designated lunch and recess period. Teachers facilitate different exercises or movement activities for periods of time, including some fun movement breaks and games! 

 

Pets 

Pets (i.e. dogs, birds, reptiles, etc.) are NOT allowed on school property. Prior approval is needed if an animal will be on the property for instructional purposes. 

 

Photo Consent/Web Consent  

Please be sure to complete the information regarding parental consent for use of students’ photos for media and web use on the Genesis Parent Access Portal. 

 

Registration 

Any eligible child shall be admitted to the Kindergarten provided: 

1.) The child will have attained the age of five years on or before October 1st of that school year; 

 

2.)  Proof shall be furnished of immunization against the communicable diseases at the time of enrollment or such immunization shall be completed within 30 days from entry into the school, or the pupil is exempted from immunization in accordance with policy.   

 

3.)  The child shall have been examined by either the school or a private physician, and the results shall be furnished to the school on the form provided. 

 

4.)  Pupils transferring into the district are expected to present copies of records from the previously attended school (or district) to aid in placement. Also required are proof of immunization and proof of identity. 

 

5.)  Initial placement shall be made on the basis of the records, but adjustments may be made at the discretion of the administration when assessment indicates that such adjustments would be beneficial to the child. Caregivers shall be informed of this policy on registration. 

 

Additional registration information may be found on the district’s Registration webpage. 

 

Student Use of Privately-Owned Technology (Cell Phones & Other Electronic Devices)  

Per Policy 2363: Student Use of Privately-Owned Technology all privately owned hardware and devices that are brought on school grounds must be stored in a school designated “off and away” location during the instructional day. “Off” means that all devices must be completely powered down, inaudible and in the “off” position, rather than just placed into “silent” or “vibrate” mode. “Away” means that all privately owned hardware and devices must be stored out of sight, and in a location designated by each school which is somewhere other than on any student’s person or in any student’s backpack.   

 

Any violations of this policy that do not relate to unauthorized photo, video or audio recordings will be handled as follows:  

  

 

Visitors 

It is the policy of the Montclair Public School district (Policy 9150: School Visitors) that all visitors must first report to the Main Office before going anywhere in the building. From 8:00 am-3:30 pm all visitors must have a pre-approved appointment, with the exception of large school events and PTA/SATp meetings. Visitors will arrange with classroom teachers and staff members in advance of the date of all visits in order for them to be able to obtain approval. This will also enable the staff member to inform the Main Office of the visit in advance. Please note that we are not able to accommodate unannounced visits in order to maintain a safe school environment. 

 

All items dropped off by parents, guardians, and caregivers during school hours must be left in the bin located outside of the Main Entrance (Door A). Please clearly label all items with your child’s name and homeroom teacher/number. We will check the bin regularly and deliver the items to your child. 

 

Doors are locked throughout the school day. All visitors must ring the front doorbell to gain access. All visitors and staff must adhere to the following protocols for the safety of the children and staff. 

 

1.) A secretary will greet you over the intercom when you ring the doorbell. Please look  

directly into the camera and clearly state your name, your child’s name, and your 

intended purpose in the building.  

2.) Upon entering the building, immediately report to the Main Office (located to the  

left of the Main Entrance). Do not proceed anywhere else in the building. 

3.) In the Main Office, you will sign in, as well as fill out and put on a visitor's pass. 

a.) The visitor’s pass must be worn in a visible spot on your clothing for the entire duration of your visit.  

b.) Please be prepared to present your photo identification. 

c.) Await further instructions from the Main Office staff before going anywhere else in the building. The Main Office staff will contact the teacher/staff member that you are visiting to ensure that they are prepared to receive you.  

d.) If the classroom teacher/staff member is not yet ready to receive a visitor, the guest must wait in the visitor seating area located in the Main Office. 

4.) Only proceed to the location of the visit. Please refrain from making additional stops. 

5.) Sign out in the Main Office before leaving the building through the Main Entrance. 

6.) Should you need to use the restroom while in the building, please only use those designated for staff. These restrooms are located in the Staff Lounge and next to the Library. Both of these locations are on the first floor. Do not use the student restrooms. 

7.) Do not prop doors open under any circumstance. 

8.) Do not hold open the door for anyone behind you when entering or exiting the building. 

9.) Please PULL the door when you close it to ensure that it is fully closed/locked. 

10.) Please do not park in the staff parking lot as spaces are limited and needed for staff to park. 

 

*The following online visitor recognition form must be completed prior to the arrival of a visitor. This visitor recognition form must be completed by all visitors or the staff member(s) whom they are visiting at Bradford School prior to each scheduled visit. The Main Office staff will reach out to the appropriate staff member(s) to confirm that the visit has been approved. 

 

Bradford Visitor Recognition Form (2026-2027 School Year) – Please fill out form here 

 

Walking Trips  

At the beginning of each school year, we may ask you to give permission for your child to take walking trips. Walking trips include visits to the Montclair State University Campus, Mountainside Park, the Iris Gardens, and other neighborhood attractions. Field Trip permission slips must be completed and returned for all trips off of school property.