School Policies

Student Illness Policy as of Sept. 2020

Please note that our illness policy will be enforced uniformly throughout the school. For the health, safety and respect of all community members, we will make no exceptions in being cautious about community health.

Community members who have a fever or symptoms of illness may not return to school/work until they have been fever-free and symptom-free for 72 hours without the use of a fever-reducing agent.
Any students who have a fever (currently defined by the CDC as a temperature of 100°F) will not be permitted to attend school or enter the school building.
Any student complaining of or exhibiting signs or symptoms of illness or communicable disease during the school day will be evaluated by school medical personnel and a parent/guardian or designated emergency contact person will be expected to pick the student up within 60 minutes and/or be transported home within 60 minutes.
Per state recommendations, students may undergo daily temperature and/or health screenings.
Students will be required to use cloth face coverings inside the school building, especially when social distancing is not possible.

Students must be free from fever, nausea, and vomiting for a minimum of 72 hours prior to returning to school. This assumes 72 hours without any fever reduction medicines. If a student returns to school the day after being sent home with a fever, they will not be permitted to attend and will be sent home. While we understand that a child’s illness can be extremely inconvenient since many families do not have a stay-at-home parent, every parent must understand that one sick child can cause many other student and faculty illnesses. It is very important that every family have a plan in place for child care in case a student cannot attend school.

Our primary concern is always for the health of our students and we feel that as a community we can decrease the risk to all of our students and staff by following the illness policies. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Stacy Betro in our medical office at 718-833-9090 or via e-mail at sbetro@bayridgeprep.org.

Medical Policies & Forms

We require students to complete a comprehensive medical form which includes clearances for participation in physical education and athletic activities as well as an immunization history. Please note that we only accept the Bay Ridge Prep-issued medical forms. All students must also enclose a copy of their most recent dental screening with their physical exam form. More information is available in your child's Magnus Health account, which can be accessed by logging in to your portal.

**As of June 13, 2019, New York State no longer allows religious exemptions for vaccinations in public, private or parochial schools. The new law does not impact those students with a medical exemption. Please refer to this attachment from the Department of Health for additional information regarding the new law, the catch-up immunization schedule and answers to frequently asked questions about this law.

Seasonal Flu Guide for Parents [PDF]

Dress Code

Bay Ridge Prep students are expected to dress appropriately for school and according to the standards set for each grade level. Unless otherwise specified by a school director or the Head of School, students are expected to be in dress code at all times during the school day.

Bay Ridge Prep-branded clothing can be purchased from Lands' End, however, most dress code items can be purchased from a vendor of choice.

Lower School Dress Code

Tops: Short-sleeve or long-sleeve polo shirts, t-shirts and buttoned down, collared shirts may be worn. All shirts and sweaters must be solid colored and free of any logo. We love school spirit! Bay Ridge Prep shirts such as Tiger Trot shirts, club/team/athletic shirts, etc. are also permitted. Bay Ridge Prep polos and athletic t-shirts, while optional, are available from Lands' End.

Bottoms: Properly fitted dress pants, leggings, corduroy pants or denim pants in khaki, black, navy or gray may be worn. Skirts and Skorts in khaki, black, navy or gray may be worn. These are available from Lands' End.

During warm weather, students may choose to wear shorts in khaki, black, navy or gray. These are available from Lands' End or a vendor of choice. Crop/Capri pants in khaki, black, navy or gray are also permitted.

Footwear: Sneakers and rubber soled shoes are encouraged daily because our students have active days. For safety reasons, we do not allow flip-flops, open-toed shoes or other footwear that is hazardous while walking up and down stairs.

Middle School Dress Code

In lieu of a formal dress code, our intention is that students will come to school dressed ready to learn and be positive representatives of our community. We want to allow room for individual expression while supporting our school values and respecting others within our school. Our expectation is for students to always wear clothing that is neat, respectful to oneself and others, and in good condition.

As we are an academic institution, we expect that students’ clothing will always be appropriate to the setting, tasteful, and free of any offensive imagery and/or language. Clothing should also be non-revealing and private areas of the body must be covered at all times. We expect under-garments to be covered, shirts to have straps and/or sleeves, and all attire to be free of intentional rips and tears. For safety reasons, we do not allow flip-flops, open-toed shoes or other footwear that is hazardous while walking up and down stairs.

Finally, items with our school logos are encouraged and always welcome! We are happy to share school pride. Bay Ridge Prep shirts such as Tiger Trot shirts, club/team/athletic shirts, etc. are always permitted. Bay Ridge Prep polos and athletic t-shirts, while optional, are available from Lands' End.

We hope this clarifies our goal to support an environment that is focused, productive, supportive, welcoming, and safe.

Upper School Boys Dress Code

This is the Upper School Boys Dress Code, effective Sept. 2018. Note that special 'dress up' days/events will be announced periodically throughout the school year.

SHIRTS

Solid colored long sleeve or short sleeve collared shirts are to be worn during the standard dress code period. No t-shirts, tank tops or sleeveless shirts.

During the spring dress code period, students may wear solid colored polo shirts. Bay Ridge Prep polos, while optional, are available from Lands' End. No t-shirts, tank tops or sleeveless shirts.

PANTS
Dress pants or dress jeans in khaki, black, brown, navy blue, or gray may be worn. No regular blue jeans, sweats, or ripped jeans.

SHORTS
During the spring dress code period only, boys may wear knee-length shorts in khaki, black, navy blue, gray, or other earth tones.

SWEATERS
For cold months, sweaters or cardigans in solid colors (without designs or big words) can be worn. No sweatshirts or hoodies.

SHOES

Dress or smart casual footwear in black, brown, or other earth tones are to be worn with standard dress code. Avoid bright colors.
Warm footwear can be worn during the colder months.
For safety, sandals and open-toed shoes are not permitted at any time.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students participate in physical education once a week in the afternoon and change into athletic gear prior to the class. Physical Education attire may be purchased from a vendor of choice and is also available at Lands' End. Students may not participate in gym without sneakers. It is recommended that students keep a pair of sneakers in their locker.

Upper School Girls Dress Code

This is the Upper School Girls Dress Code, effective Sept. 2018. Note that special 'dress up' days/events will be announced periodically throughout the school year.

SHIRTS
Girls are expected to wear professional attire. No t-shirts, tank tops, low cut, or midriff tops. Girls may wear long sleeve solid colored polo shirts or button down collared dress shirts. Bay Ridge Prep polos, while optional, are available from Lands' End.

PANTS OR SKIRTS
Dress pants, dress jeans, or skirts in khaki, black, brown, navy blue, or gray. No regular blue jeans, sweats, or ripped jeans. Leggings can be worn with skirts.

SHORTS
During the spring dress code period only, girls may wear knee-length shorts in khaki, black, navy blue, or other earth tones.

SWEATERS
For cold months, sweaters and cardigans in solid colors (without designs or big words) can be worn. No sweatshirts or hoodies.

SHOES

Dress or smart casual footwear in black, brown, or other earth tones are to be worn with standard dress code.
Warm footwear can be worn during the colder months.

For safety, high heels, platform shoes, sandals, and open-toed shoes are not permitted at any time.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students participate in physical education once a week in the afternoon and change into athletic gear prior to the class. Physical Education attire is available at Lands' End or may be purchased from a vendor of choice. Students may not participate in gym without sneakers. It is recommended that students keep a pair of sneakers in their locker.

Physical Education Attire

Weather and Emergency Closings Policy

If school is closed or delayed due to weather or a city-wide emergency, a note is posted on bayridgeprep.org and the school's social media pages. The information is also sent via text message and e-mail to the school community and WABC-TV/Ch. 7 carries the announcement on television. Weather-related notifications are sent out by 6 a.m. on the day in question.

Bay Ridge Prep will always close school if the NYC Dept. of Education closes public schools. On some occasions, Bay Ridge Prep will close school before the DOE comes to a decision or even if the DOE keeps public schools open. This usually occurs if it is determined that an impending weather event or another emergency will make conditions inside or near the school unsafe.