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.
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.
Immunization Requirements
If you 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 back packed 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 may not see it on Remind if 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
Door Safety at PS 185
Non Discrimination letter
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.
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:
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.