Important School Information

Grades K-3: 9:20am-3:20pm

• 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.
• Any student who arrives at school after 9:20am will be marked tardy and must report to the Main Office. Parents should escort children to the security vestibule. Do not drop your children off in the parking lot. We thank you for parking in a designated parking spot and not parking in the aisle, which supports a safe and efficient arrival/dismissal process.

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. Our instructional team has dedicated their time and experience in 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.

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.

Elementary school students in grades K-5 are not permitted to bring internet-enabled devices to school. Internet enabled devices (e.g., cell phones, smartwatches, tablets) are not permitted during the school day on school grounds: including in class, during lunch, recess, and hallway transitions, unless an approved documented exception applies.

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.

• Parents or their designee are required to have a photo ID when they are picking up a child (ren) from 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. Students are not permitted to take a different bus home from their assigned route unless previously arranged with the bus company and a note from a parent/guardian is received by the school. 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 kindergarten and certain special needs students 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 send a note to your child’s teacher that morning indicating who has permission to meet your child.
• 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 631-730-1700.

CAR DROP OFF/WALKERS

• Please arrive at the Student Drop Off Area between 9:05 and 9:15. Responders and staff members will help manage the flow of traffic. We appreciate your assistance in parking in a designated parking spot and not parking in the aisle, which can cause an unsafe situation. We ask for your cooperation in not allowing your vehicle to idle and turning off your vehicle when you are parked.

BUS

• Kindergarten students will be assigned to the front of the bus and the bus will be filled from the last seat to the front seat. Once at school, students will disembark the bus from the front to the back. There are three designated entrances for students arriving on the buses.

When picking up your child, you will need to bring in proper photo identification, such as a driver’s license. We appreciate your assistance in parking in a designated parking spot and not parking in the aisle, which can cause an unsafe situation and thank you for your cooperation in not allowing your vehicle to idle and turning off your vehicle when you are parked.

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.

WALKERS:

All students being picked up by a parent/guardian will be dismissed via the Main Lobby Entrance at approximately 3:10pm. When picking up your child, you will need to bring in proper photo identification, such as a driver’s license.

MINIBUS:

All students boarding a minibus will be escorted to their respective minibus.

The Brookhaven 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 https://brookhaven.memberhub.com/store. We look forward to your participation throughout the year.