Skip To Main Content

Health

Building Safety and Security

Locked Doors:

For security and safety reasons, the doors to our school remain locked during normal school hours. Approved visitors will enter through the front doors and report to the Main Office.

Guests and Visitors:

Guests and visitors are welcome at our school, however, please prearrange classroom visits with the classroom teacher for mutual convenience. When arriving at school, you must park in the parking lot to the right of the building and enter through the Main Entrance. Please report directly to the Main Office when entering the building. All visitors are required to show photo identification and obtain a “visitor” sticker. 

Cafeteria/Food Services

General Information:

Recess/Lunch for Kindergarten through Grade 5 is staggered between the hours of 10:35 A.M. and 1:25 P.M.  The recess/lunch period is 45 minutes for each grade and students enjoy recess before lunch. Children have approximately 20 minutes to eat their lunch. Students in each grade level will work with Mr. Foote to create the rules/expectations for recess and lunch on the first day of school.

Parents do not join students for lunch, however, they are welcome to arrange a time to visit the classroom for special occasions and instructional activities at any time. 

 

Menus:

Parents of younger children may want to review the menu selections with their children before school each day from the school menu. This menu is available on the district web site at https://www.pittsfordschools.org/Page/454.  Help your child be aware of what choices he/she can make. Alternate Lunches are listed on the menu. These items are always available to your child instead of the daily-featured entree.

 

Prepaid Lunch:

Parents are encouraged to use the prepaid lunch program for their children. The use of prepaid lunch makes lunchtime a better experience for everyone as lines move more efficiently.  You may print an order form from the school or district website.

 

Food Service Website:

You can access the PCSD Food Service Department web page by clicking on this link, https://www.pittsfordschools.org/Domain/75.This website contains important information about the cafeteria including how to add money to your child's account and monitor it.  You can also place limits on the amount of money your child can spend and what he or she can purchase. 

 

Tips for Packing Lunches and Snacks:

  • Consider sending one-half sandwich rather than a whole sandwich for younger children.
  • Consider sending fruit slices rather than a large, whole piece of fruit.
  • Stress the importance of eating the most nutritious items first.
  • Please discuss food-related likes and dislikes with your child. Some students will routinely discard food that is disliked.
  • Keep morning snacks light and nutritious; that is, small portions of fruit, crackers, cheese, raw vegetables, etc.

Communications with Thornell Road Elementary School

District and School Websites:

To link to the PCSD and/or Thornell Road website go to https://www.pittsfordschools.org/ and click on the menu icon to select “Schools”.

 

Communication Office Web Page:

You can link to the PCSD Communication Office web page by going to the following link, https://www.pittsfordschools.org/Domain/73.There are a number of ways to stay connected to our district and our school.

 

Infinite Campus Messenger:

By providing your e-mail address on the student information form, you will automatically receive information via our Infinite Campus message system.

 

PTSA E-news:

Subscribe and receive a monthly electronic newsletter by going to the PTSA website at http://www.pittsfordptsa.net/. Click on “eNEWS” in the top banner and then “eNews Sign Up”. Type your information and subscribe to Thornell Road Elementary and other information as you wish. Click “Subscribe to List” when complete.

 

Twitter:

Follow Thornell Road on Twitter @PCSDThornellRd

 

Via Your Child:

Check your child’s backpack daily as most classroom/school notices come home via your child. Other important information will also be mailed directly to your home.

Emergency Preparedness

The Pittsford Central School District has adopted a uniform Emergency Management Plan. All school personnel have been trained in the execution of these plans. In case of an emergency, students have been trained to remain calm and follow specific instructions.

Health Services Information

School Nurses/School Nurse Teacher:

Our school nurses provide first aid care, dispense medications, and conduct health screenings (height, weight, vision, and hearing) on each student every year. Our school nurse teacher also spends time in each classroom instructing students on the health curriculum. Accommodations in the school environment and health care counseling are other services provided to ensure all children are learning in a safe and healthy setting.

Allergies:

Parents should notify a school nurse if their child has any health concerns/issues, particularly if there is a food, bee sting, latex, or other serious allergy. Appropriate measures will then be taken.

 

Contagious Diseases:

Please report when a child has tested positive for COVID-19, been diagnosed with strep or chickenpox or has head lice.

·       COVID-19 – The school district, in collaboration with the Monroe County Department of Public Health will communicate current COVID-19 guidelines as they become available. Additional information can be found by following this link - School & Safety Protocols / COVID -19 Information (pittsfordschools.org)

·       Strep - Students diagnosed with strep may return to school after they have been on medication for 24 hours and no longer have a fever.

·       Chickenpox - Students with chickenpox may return to school after they have crusted over, usually 7-10 days from onset.

·       Head Lice - Call the child's physician for recommendations on what product to use for lice. Remove all nits (eggs) and contact a school nurse so thorough care can be discussed, and all children in the classroom are checked. The student will need to be seen by the nurse before returning to class. Careful attention in the following weeks is necessary.

 

Fever:

Students who have a fever of 100° or more should be kept home until they are without a fever for a full 24 hours. If students are sent home with a fever, they should not be in school the next day.

 

Emergency Cards:

At the beginning of each school year, families complete a new emergency phone card for each student to be kept on file. These cards should be updated as soon as there are any changes in the student's medical condition, emergency phone numbers, etc. Also, be sure to notify teachers, coordinators of after-school activities, and daycare providers of any changes.

 

Injuries:

Please call the Health Office if a child will be coming to school with stitches, a cast, crutches, ace bandage, etc. A note from their physician that describes the injury and the gym/recess activities that are restricted is required. This can either be faxed to the Health Office at 218-1741 or brought to school.

 

Medications:

According to New York State law, any medications administered at school, including non-prescription medications such as Advil, Tylenol, Benadryl, Hydrocortisone cream and even cough drops, require written permission from the physician and the parent or guardian. The medications must be in the original container and brought to school by an adult. Contact a school nurse for guidelines in administering medications at school.

 

Physicals and Immunizations:

Physical exams by the child's physician are required for all students in kindergarten, first and third grades. They are also required for all students new to the Pittsford Schools. Check with the physician for required immunizations.

Snacks:

Classroom teachers and parent volunteers will provide guidelines for snacks for school functions and classroom parties. If cider is served, it must be pasteurized.

For all after-school activities, children should bring their own snacks. Food should not be shared with other students due to allergies or religious, ethnic, or parental preference.

Recess/Outside Play

Please make sure your children are properly dressed for winter weather. They will need coats, mittens, hats, and snow pants.  Boots and snow pants are required for kindergarten through third grade when there is snow cover on the playground.

Consider sending a plastic bag in your child's backpack in case the outside clothes and boots get wet.  This will help keep other backpack contents (e.g., papers, books, folders) dry.

Check the radio or TV weather forecast to determine how to dress your child for the day’s weather. Children will play outdoors except when it is raining or on days when the temperature with the wind-chill factor is below 10 degrees.

Playground Rules:

  • Respect and follow the directions of the adults on duty
  • Play safely
  • Be kind to others - Take turns, include everyone, and keep hands and feet to yourself
  • Take care of the equipment – Be responsible for returning balls, jump ropes, etc.
  • Stay in the assigned area
  • Ask for assistance or permission when needed

School Closings

When it is necessary to close or dismiss schools for any emergency, including inclement weather, announcements are made on local radio and television broadcasts by 6:30 a.m. on the radio stations and television affiliates listed below:

AM                             FM                              TV

WHAM – 1180           WBEE – 92.5              WROC – TV 8            WHAM – TV 13

WXXI – 1370             WARM – 101.3          WHEC – TV 10              YNN – Cable TV 9

The District will also post a notice on the District website, send an e-Message email/text message, and update the switchboard line.

When the decision has been made to close schools or dismiss early, all evening school activities will be cancelled, including athletic practices and contests, club meetings, and any other student after-school activities. The only exception would be a major district-wide event, such as a concert involving hundreds of students, which could be held if the weather clears sufficiently.

Guidelines and details about early dismissal provisions can be found in the back of the District calendar. Please familiarize yourself with these procedures.

It is the responsibility of parents or guardians to make the final decision regarding school attendance. If parents feel the weather is too severe, they have the right to keep their child(ren) home. In this instance, it is essential that the parent contact the school to alert them of their child(ren)’s absence and to make arrangements for missed work.

 

Early Dismissals due to Emergencies or Inclement Weather

School Messenger:

For emergency situations and inclement weather, PCSD utilizes School Messenger to quickly communicate important notifications to parents and staff.

PCSD families are automatically included in the School Messenger email system; however:

  • Remember to update your contact information with your school registrar whenever there is a change
  • To receive text message notifications, an opt-in is required. Simply text the word "Subscribe" to 68453.

 

We urge you to follow these guidelines if an early dismissal is called:

  • Do not call the schools.  Phone lines must remain open for emergency calls and to notify the media.
  • Do not drive to the school during inclement weather or during a school-closing emergency.  School driveways must be clear to allow access by school buses.
  • Students normally using school bus transportation will be released to their parents only after being properly signed out at the school office. Only children with a written release from their own parent(s) will be allowed to leave with another person.
  • Be sure your child knows where to go in your neighborhood if you are not at home.

 

Provisions made by the school district during early dismissal due to an emergency include the following:

  • The decision to release students to walk home or intermediate level students to walk with primary students will be made by the school principal.
  • The schools will be supervised by staff until all students have departed the grounds.
  • The district is equipped to provide for students in the event it is necessary to keep them in school for several hours or overnight.


Information will be reported on the local radio and television stations as well as the Pittsford Schools web site. 

Click on this link https://www.pittsfordschools.org/Page/17942  to reference the Notice of School Closings section of our district website for additional information.