District Calendar Notifications

Any absence from school requires a note from the parent or guardian as to the reason for the absence on the day the student returns to school. Excused absences, according to the State Education Department, are sickness or death in the family, impassable roads or weather conditions, religious observance, quarantine, court appearances, medical appointments, work/learning internships, approved college visits, and military obligations. Any absence or tardiness for any reason is included in the student’s attendance record. Notification from a parent or guardian is necessary for an early dismissal from school. The parent/guardian or other authorized person must sign the student out at the building attendance office. Appropriate identification may be required.

Please refer to Policy 7110, Comprehensive Student Attendance.

According to NYS Education Law, a student who becomes six (6) years of age on or before December 1st in any school year shall be required to attend full-time instruction. A student who becomes six (6) years of age after the first of December in any school year shall be required to attend full-time instruction from the first day of session in the following September. Except as otherwise provided in Education Law Section 3205(3), a student shall be required to remain in attendance until the last day of session in the school year in which the student becomes sixteen (16) years of age. A child’s residence is determined by the residence of the custodial parent. However, a non-custodial parent who resides in the District may enroll their child in a District school if they share the day-to-day responsibilities for the child and the custodial parent designates the child’s residence with the non-custodial parent.

Please refer to Policy 7120, Age of Entrance, Policy 7130, Entitlement to Attend - Age and Residency.

Overview: Effective August 1, 2025, in accordance with New York State law enacted as part of the 2025-2026 budget and Governor Hochul’s legislation, Lewiston-Porter Central Schools prohibits the use of non-school-issued internet-enabled devices by students during the instructional day while on school grounds. This includes all instructional and non-instructional periods such as homeroom, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time.

Definitions: Internet-enabled devices encompass smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and any other devices that can connect to the internet. The policy does not apply to:

• School-issued devices used for educational purposes.
• Devices not capable of connecting to the internet.

Policy Details

1. Prohibition of Use: Students are prohibited from using personal internet-enabled devices on school grounds during the entire instructional day. 
2. Instructional day: is defined as the time period beginning when students enter the school buildings upon arrival at drop-off and continuing through all scheduled school activities until the bell signaling the end of the school day. This includes all instructional and noninstructional periods such as homeroom, lunch, recess, study halls, passing time, and any other time students are on school grounds during the school day. 
3. Scope: “School grounds” includes all school buildings, athletic fields, playgrounds, and land within school property boundaries. The policy does not apply to school buses.
4. Exceptions: Device use may be authorized under limited circumstances, including but not limited to:

• Specific educational purposes authorized by teachers, principals, or district administration.
• Management of a student’s healthcare needs.
• Emergencies.
• Translation services.
• Students responsible for care of family members.
• Devices included in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.

5. Storage and Contact: The district expects all students to secure their internet enabled devices in an assigned locker during the school day. Parents/Guardians will be provided with clear methods to contact students during school hours. Notification about these methods will be communicated annually at the start of the school year and upon student enrollment. 
6. Loss or Theft: The district, through its normal course of student management practices, will investigate the loss or theft of devices stored correctly in lockers to the best of its ability. However, the district will not be responsible for replacement or reimbursement for the loss or theft of electronic devices.

Reporting and Enforcement: Beginning September 1, 2026, the District will publish an annual report summarizing enforcement, including non-identifiable demographic data and any analysis of disparities in enforcement, along with mitigation plans if necessary. Behavioral Expectations and Consequences: Students’ use of personal electronic devices shall continue to comply with the District’s Student Use of Computerized Information Resources (Acceptable Use) Policy, 7315, and the Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day Policy,7316. Students shall not use devices to invade privacy, harass, intimidate, bully, or violate the Code of Conduct.

Violations of this policy may result in:

• Confiscation of devices.
• Disciplinary actions include detention, restorative practices, suspension, or revocation of device privileges.
• Additional consequences as outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Implementation and Communication

To ensure understanding and consistent enforcement of this policy:

• The policy will be communicated clearly through student and parent orientations, assemblies, parent nights, student handbooks, newsletters, signage throughout school buildings, and prominently on the District website.
• All staff will be trained and expected to consistently reinforce the policy and model appropriate behavior.
• Specific student support will be provided, including educating students on the importance of the policy for reducing cyberbullying, promoting face-to-face social interaction, reducing anxiety and social comparison, and creating a safer, more respectful learning environment.
• Students in all grades are expected to maintain their cell phone or other internet enabled device in their assigned locker. Students, especially at the middle school and high school levels, will receive support and instruction on locker use and securing personal belongings to comply with the policy.
• Recognizing challenges related to anxiety and withdrawal symptoms associated with limiting device use, alternative communication methods such as emailing students will be encouraged.

Enforcement and Student Support

At the start of the year, a phased approach will allow students to place cell phones in lockers as a reminder, with progressive disciplinary enforcement to follow.

The District may explore appropriate times and designated areas where limited device use may be allowed, aligned with the law and educational goals.

Definition of Bullying

At Lewiston-Porter Central Schools, bullying is defined as any intentional behavior, whether physical, verbal, electronic, or social, that harms, intimidates, or coerces another person. Bullying involves a power imbalance, where the aggressor exerts control over the target through aggressive actions such as name-calling, threats, exclusion, spreading rumors, or cyber harassment.

Harassment and bullying shall mean the creation of a hostile environment by conduct or by threats, intimidation, or abuse, including cyberbullying, that:

• Has or would have the effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits, or mental, emotional, or physical wellbeing; or
• Reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause a student to fear for their
• physical safety; or
• Reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause physical injury or emotional harm to a student; or
• Occurs off school property and creates or would foreseeably create a risk of substantial
• disruption within the school environment, where it is foreseeable that the conduct, threats, intimidation, or abuse might reach school property.

Acts of harassment and bullying include, but are not limited to, those acts based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex. For this definition, the term “threats, intimidation, or abuse” includes verbal and non-verbal actions.

Where the term ‘bullying’ is used, even if not explicitly stated, such term includes cyberbullying, meaning harassment or bullying that occurs through any form of electronic communication. Bullying is deliberate behavior that negatively impacts the safety, well-being, and learning environment of students.

Morning pick-up of secondary students starts at approximately 7:05 am, with arrival time at school at 7:40 am. Morning pick-up of elementary students will start at approximately 7:50 am with arrival time at approximately 8:45 am. Please note that times may vary due to weather conditions.

The bus contractor at Lewiston-Porter is Student Transportation of America. Bus stops in the village are usually at street corners. In rural areas, buses stop at previous and customary locations.

Parents will be mailed a transportation card with all the pertinent busing information at the start of the school year.

Secondary students who miss the morning bus will NOT be allowed to ride an elementary bus that passes through their neighborhood. Students are allowed to ride only the bus to which they are assigned.

Please refer to Policy 5710, Transportation Program, Policy 5720, Transportation of Students

The bus driver is the authority on the school bus and must maintain order at all times. In cases of consistent or flagrant student misbehavior on a bus, the driver may recommend suspension of transportation privileges for the student to school authorities. Parents are ultimately responsible for their children’s safe transport to and from school. Unless there is a legal reason for the absence, children must attend school, whether or not their bus privileges have been suspended by school authorities.

Rules of conduct for student behavior on school buses have been developed to promote a safe, efficient and pleasant atmosphere as part of the transportation experience to and from school. Parents are asked to review these rules with their children.

Visitors are welcome during regular school hours. All visitors will be required to report to the Main Office upon arrival at school. All visitors will be asked to present a valid photo ID, such as a valid driver’s license at all school buildings. Where the Raptor system is in place they may be asked to scan their identification into the system.

Please refer to Policy 3210, Visitors to the School

Please use the designated parking areas while on campus. Illegally parked vehicles hinder access to school buses, fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles. Traffic direction and speed restrictions will be enforced. There is no parking permitted on district side roads, service roads, fields, and green spaces.

The following actions are prohibited on school grounds and at school functions;

• Smoking
• Vaping
• Use of Tobacco products
• Using or ingesting any form of cannabis

The District will prominently post signs prohibiting smoking and vaping on school grounds in accordance with applicable law.

Please refer to Policy 5640, Smoking/Tobacco Use/Vaping

The consumption, sharing, selling, and/or possession of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, counterfeit and designer drugs, or paraphernalia for the use of such drugs, shall be prohibited at any school function and on school property at all times. Both students and adults shall abide by this policy at all times. In December of 1993, the Lewiston-Porter Board of Education officially designated the campus a Drug-Free School Zone. Under New York State regulations, the penalty may be doubled for the sale of controlled substances to minors, or anyone caught with drugs in their possession within 1,000 feet of the “Drug-Free” zone. The penalty now may be as much as sixteen years in prison.

Please refer to Policy 6151, Drug-Free Workplace, Policy 7320, Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and Other Substances (Students)

A bomb threat, even if later determined to be a hoax, is a criminal act. No bomb threat should be treated as a hoax when it is first received. Upon receiving any bomb threat, the school has an obligation and responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of the students and other occupants of the school. This obligation takes precedence over a search for a suspect object. Prudent action is dependent upon known information about the bomb threat-location if any; time of detonation; etc.

Specific procedures as to appropriate responses as a result of a bomb threat can be located in the building-level emergency response plan, as required by relevant law and regulation. Appropriate law enforcement agencies must be notified by the building administrator or designee of any bomb threat as soon as possible after receiving the threat. Law enforcement officials will contact, as the situation requires, fire and/or county emergency coordinators according to the county emergency plan.

Please refer to Policy 5683, Evacuation, Lockdown, and Emergency Dismissal Drills

As of 2026-2027 New York State now provides free meals to all students K-12. With the announcement from NYS about universal meals for all students there comes an important challenge for our district. Lewiston-Porter is categorized under NYS Child Nutrition as Provision 2, which requires us to process meal applications from every family this year. This is critical not only to determine the amount of federal funding we will receive but also-most importantly- to establish the reimbursement rate for each meal served over the next (3) years. Now more than ever before we need every family to complete and return a meal application, even if you believe you won’t qualify under income guidelines. Why? Without a high return rate, and the maximum possible reimbursement rate from the state, any shortfall in the cafeteria fund would have to be covered by the district’s general fund. This would directly impact resources available for instruction, operations, and programs for all students. Your participation matters! By submitting your application, you help protect funding for Lewiston-Porter CSD and ensure our students continue to receive the support they need.

All students in the Lewiston-Porter School District, whether in a public or private school, a reserved by a New York State Registered Nurse. These nurses provide immediate first aid and medical care, administer prescribed medications, and maintain student health records including the following New York State requirements.

School Physical: Any student new to the Lewiston-Porter School District and all students entering Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 are required to present a satisfactory health examination certificate on the NYS required form and an immunization record at the beginning of the school year. A 30 day grace period can be applied only for those students transferring from outside New York State.

Please refer to Policy 7512, Student Physicals

Dental Certificates: Dental certificates are requested for each year that a health examination is required. (New entrants, Pre-K, K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11)

Screenings: Per NYS guidelines students in Pre-K or Kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11 are screened for distance acuity and near vision. New entrants, regardless of grade, are also screened for color perception. Students in Pre-K or Kindergarten, new entrants, and in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11 are screened for pure tone hearing. Girls in grades 5 and 7 and boys in grades 9 are screened for scoliosis.

Kindergarten Registration: Kindergarten registration is held in March. Children who turn five years of age on or before December 1 are eligible to attend school beginning the preceding September. Children who turn 6 years of age on or before December 1 must attend school from the start of classes in September of that school year. Children who turn 6 years of age after December 1 must attend school the following September.

Immunization Requirements: The New York State Health Department requires that all students entering school must be immunized according to the most current NYS Immunization Requirements for School Attendance schedule. (Policy 7511) These immunizations include DTaP, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hib, PCV, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap at age 11, and Meningitis for those entering grades 7 and 12. Please refer to the detailed list of requirements which can be found on our Lew-Port website under the Health Services tab.

Please refer to Policy 7511, Immunization of Students

Parents and guardians should be aware of the strict guidelines established by the State of New York regarding the administration and use of medication in schools. The State cautions school districts regarding over-medication in our society but also recognizes that in certain circumstances, medication for individual students must be made available under certain conditions.

Prescription Medication

The medication must be in the container prepared by the pharmacist or in the original container (in cases of prescribed over the counter medications), and the label must include the name of the student, the name and strength of the medication, and the dosage instructions.

The nurse must have on file:

1. A written request from the family physician indicating the frequency and dosage of prescribed medication. The condition being treated should also be outlined by the physician.
2. A written order from the parent to administer the medication as specified by the family physician. A verbal request from the parent or physician is not acceptable.
3. The prescribed medication is required to be delivered to the health office by the parent. No prescription medication should be sent to the school with the child. The prescribed medication will be kept in a locked and secure location in the health office.
4. The child will be given the correct dosage at the proper time.

Please ensure to complete the medication in school permission form. The form must be completed by both the physician and parent or guardian in order for the medication to be dispensed at school. Please visit the health services page on the website for the form.

If you have any questions concerning medication in school, please contact the nurse in your child’s school building.

Please refer to Policy 7513, Medication and Personal Care Items

The District purchases a Student Accident Insurance policy.  The policy helps pay for medical treatments and out-of-pocket expenses resulting from accidental injuries sustained during school-sponsored activities.  It is secondary to family medical insurance.

In order to try out all student-athletes must have a current physical on file. While most students see their own physician, there are opportunities throughout the year for a student to obtain a health examination at school, free of charge by the school physician. Physicals are good for one year and NYS required physical and athletic physicals are interchangeable. In order for a student/athlete (Grades 7-12) to participate in a Lewiston-Porter offered sport, they must first register at Familyid.com. Please remember to submit all physical examination certificates and immunization records to the school nurse to be added to the student’s permanent record (make sure to keep a copy). Please feel free to contact the school nurse at any time. All current athletics-related information can be found on our website, www.lew-port.com.

Please refer to Policy 7420, Sports and the Athletic Program

Lewiston-Porter Central School District maintains a 1:1 (one device per student) technology initiative. This provides digital equity to all students and enables regular access to the internet with all its resources. It also provides access to various software programs & applications, learning management systems, video conferencing, and research databases. Lewiston-Porter actively monitors and filters internet activity and usage for the safety of our students and our schools’ network security.

Each student and his/her parent/guardian are required to sign district documentation acknowledging that they will abide by the rules, responsibilities, and expectations associated with acceptable use of our technology resources and network access. These policies include:

• Student Use of Computerized Information Resources (The Acceptable Use Policy)
• Student Use of Personal Devices
• 1:1 Device Policy and User Agreement
• Shared Devices Agreements (Parents only)
• Video Conference Expectations and Consent
• G-Suite Policy

These policies can be found on the District website under Technology Services.

Students will follow all established policies listed above as well as abide by the District Code of Conduct. Violations will be dealt with seriously. Violators will lose computer privileges and face significant disciplinary action.

Please refer to Policy 7315, Use of Computerized Information Resources (Acceptable Use), Policy 7316, Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day

Lewiston-Porter Schools may publish photos, videos, live streams, or other forms of media without express consent from parents for any purpose deemed by the school or district administrators to be carrying out the educational goals of the District. Media Release Forms are distributed to families each year providing options for media consent. This form is available on the District website under Technology Services.

Please be sure that your child’s school office has the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of the individuals who should be contacted in the event of an emergency. All information should be updated by parents through PowerSchool.

In the majority of circumstances, the decision to close or delay school is made by the evening prior to a weather/emergency close or delay and no later than 6:00 am. This information is provided to media outlets.

Please note that when a school closing is announced all students shall be prepared to adjust to online remote/virtual learning. Remote learning schedules and expectations will be posted on the website. At all times students shall be prepared with materials and technology to learn Remotely.

This notice is being published pursuant in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Lewiston-Porter Central School District (“the District”) does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities it operates, including employment and admissions, and it is required by Title IX and its attendant regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. All forms of sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, are strictly prohibited by the District. Inquiries regarding Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, or both. For further information, please refer to our Policy Section on our website, www.lew-port.com.

The Superintendent shall have overall responsibility for implementing this Policy, and shall annually appoint at least one Title IX Coordinator as that position is described in Section II.B below. District contact information is as follows:

Lewiston-Porter Central School District is committed to identifying, locating, evaluating, and providing appropriate educational programs and services to students suspected of having disabilities. Parents/guardians who suspect that their child may have a disability are encouraged to contact the District to discuss the referral and evaluation process. Preschool children ages 3–5 are referred to and considered by the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE), while school-age students are referred to and considered by the Committee on Special Education (CSE), in accordance with New York State Education Law and Part 200 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. Eligible students with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).

For questions regarding special education programs and services or the referral process, please contact Mrs. Breanna Burke, Director of Special Education, at bburke@lew-port.com or 716-286-7249.

Please refer to District Policy 7611, Children with Disabilities.

Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and New York State Education Law §3209, students and families experiencing homelessness or temporary housing are entitled to specific educational rights and protections. A student in temporary housing is generally a student who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This may include students living in emergency or transitional shelters; hotels, motels, trailer parks, or campgrounds when adequate alternative housing is unavailable; cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, or similar locations; or students temporarily sharing housing with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason. Unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness are also protected.

Students in temporary housing have the right to:

• Immediate enrollment in school, even when normally required records or documentation are unavailable;

• Continue attending their school of origin or attend the local school, as provided by law;

• Transportation to and from the school of origin when required;

• Participate in school programs, activities, and services on the same basis as other students;

• Access to free meals and Title I services, as applicable;

• Access to public preschool education, as applicable; and

• Prompt resolution of disputes concerning enrollment, school selection, or other McKinney-Vento rights.

If your child or family is experiencing temporary housing or homelessness, or if you know of a student who may be experiencing temporary housing, please contact the Lewiston-Porter McKinney-Vento Liaison, Mrs. Breanna Burke, at bburke@lew-port.com.

Please refer to District Policy 7131, Education of Students in Temporary Housing.

The Primary Education Center’s reading program is funded by Title 1 Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Act. The Plan outlines how parents, school staff, and students share responsibility for improved student academic achievement. For more information regarding the Family Engage Plan, please contact the Special Education Department, at 716-286-7248.

The Lewiston-Porter PTSA serves all four schools on campus and supports all students, PreK-12th grade. Strengthening the relationship between school, home, and the community is integral to our mission. The PTSA is run by volunteers and 100% of all fundraising goes directly back to the students. The PTSA works to provide unique and enriching experiences to students of all grade levels. Anyone is welcome to attend our monthly meetings and become more involved in our schools. Membership is open to parents, grandparents, students, and anyone interested in having a positive impact at the Lewiston Porter schools. PTSA officer contact information can be found on the Lewiston- Porter webpage. Come join us!

Lewiston-Porter offers a community education program. This program is a way to offer lifelong learning to the entire community. We continue to develop programming that will spark interest for all members of the Lewiston-Porter educational community. We are always looking for individuals that wish to teach a hobby or talent. If you have that passion for teaching and a topic that you feel might spark the interest of others, let us know by contacting our Director, Rhonda Shiah, rshiah@lew-port.com; Coordinator Marisa I. Barile, mbarile@lew-port.com.

Family support programs with school-linked services provide parents with the information and support families need to raise emotionally and physically healthy children who arrive at school prepared to learn. The primary focus is to increase school attendance, improve academic achievement, increase graduation rates, decrease delinquency, promote personal and social development, and encourage emotional and physical health and life-long coping skills. To request services, contact your child’s school counselor, social worker, or principal.

On the Lewiston-Porter Campus, you will find WEAR n SHARE, a free community clothing closet. Located in the Community Resource Center, Hours to browse, shop or drop off are Mondays: 11am - 1pm and Wednesdays: 11am - 1pm and 5pm - 7pm, Sunday 11am - 1pm. Contact 716-327-2272 for more information.

The Lewiston-Porter Central School District, complying with the Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law, effective July 1, 2001, offers the opportunity to district residents to register for a written 48-hour notification prior to any pesticide application.

The Lewiston-Porter School District practices Integrated Pest Management and only applies small quantities of pesticides/herbicides to control insect manifestations and control weeds on the athletic fields.

Those requesting 48-hour notice will be informed of pending applications at Lewiston-Porter. Information about the product(s) being applied, including any warnings that appear on the label of the pesticide(s) that are pertinent to the protection of humans, animals, or the environment, can be obtained by calling the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network Information Line at 1-800-858-7378 or the New York State Department of Health Center for Environmental Health Information line at 1-800-458-1158.

Individuals on the 48-Hour Registry will receive the following not less than 48 hours prior to a pesticide application:

1. The specific date and location of the application (outdoor applications may include an alternate date due to potential weather conditions).
2. The name of the product, including the EPA pesticide registration number.
3. The name and phone number of a school representative to contact for additional information.
4. If you wish to register for this notification, contact the Buildings and Grounds Department at 716-286-7290.

Please refer to Policy 5632, Pest Management and Pesticide Use

Community groups that wish to use any school facility, meeting rooms, cafeterias, stage, pool, gymnasium or outside athletic fields, should submit a completed Building Use Form, available in the District Office Building or on the District’s website under the Community tab. Charges for using Lewiston-Porter facilities will be commensurate with actual costs. Admission fees can only be charged if the proceeds are to be expended for an educational or charitable purpose. Please contact the Building and Grounds office at 716-286-7290 for more information.

Please refer to Policy 3280, Use of School Facilities, Materials and Equipment

The District’s School Code is 341; this code is required when filing New York State income tax forms IT200 and IT201.