School Policies

Attendance Policy

Being present for class is one of the most important factors for a student’s academic success, and we want every student to have at least 90% attendance in their classes. Therefore, absences will only be excused on Jumprope for specific circumstances with proper documentation (parent notification to advisor or Agustina via email or phone). 

  • Doctor’s visits, hospital/clinic visits for the student or a family member (Requires note from doctor’s office or clinic)
  • Quarantining after close contact with Covid-positive case
  • Illness
  • Bereavement
  • Appointments with courts, lawyers, etc. – things that directly affect the safety or the wellbeing of the child and/or family (Requires a note from the lawyer or law office/court, etc.)
  • College placement tests/interviews  (Student must bring written proof of the test or interview)
  • School related functions such as field trips (teacher in charge will notify staff)

Students should bring the advisor written proof in advance if possible. Any notices or written excuses  must be brought in within one week of the absence. Please note that despite absences being marked excused on Jumprope, they may not be marked excused in ATS, the DOE attendance system. 

What does not count as an excused absence on Jumprope or ATS (the DOE system): 

  • Job interviews
  • Driver’s tests
  • Leaving for work (jobs that start before the end of the school day)
  • Family vacations
  • Babysitting for siblings and relatives
  • Errands for parents
  • Train delays (however this form may be used to prove train delays)

Electronics Policy

This policy applies to all internet-enabled electronic devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth headphones, tablets, laptops, portable music/entertainment systems, and any other device capable of connecting to the internet. 

Students will place their phones, smartwatches and bluetooth headphones in Yondr pouches before entering the school building each morning. The pouches will be unlocked at dismissal each day. Devices that do not fit in the Yondr pouch will not be allowed and should be left at home.

The above policy applies from the moment students enter the school building until dismissal — bell-to-bell for the entire instructional day, including lunch and passing periods.

This will be disseminated to all families and students before the first day of school.

Parents/guardians who need to reach their child during the school day may call the main office at (212) 475-4773 and ask for Agustina, School Secretary or Audra, Parent Coordinator at (929) 204-5851.  Staff will ensure the message is relayed and, if necessary, connect the student to return the call from a school phone.

Students who need to contact home during the school day may use the phone in the Main Office (Room 134) or in the Parent Coordinators office (Room 215)

In emergencies, the school will notify families using the DOE’s GAMA messenger system. Families can access GAMA by setting up a NYCSA account. Instructions for creating a NYCSA account are available on the DOE website or at the main office

Exceptions may be granted for students with IEPs or 504s that require device use, for medical monitoring (e.g., glucose checks), caregiver responsibilities, language/translation needs, or as required by law. Families requesting an exception should contact Audra, Parent Coordinator, at (212) 475-4773 or at (929) 204-5851. Requests will be reviewed and families notified within 5 school days.

If a personal device is reported stolen or damaged at school, the student must notify the main office immediately. Families may also submit a claim through the NYC Comptroller’s Office; information and forms are available on the Comptroller’s website

Substance Abuse Policy

In order to provide your children with the education they deserve, we must ensure that Essex Street Academy is a space with the highest possible standards. In order to uphold this culture of excellence, we take any instances of student engagement with drugs and alcohol extremely seriously. Students who engage with illegal substances (i.e., students who bring drugs or alcohol into the building, consume drugs or alcohol during school hours, attend school while appearing intoxicated, and students who smell of drugs or alcohol) will receive severe consequences.

If a student appears to have engaged with drugs or alcohol, the following consequences will occur:

  • Immediate removal from classes
  • Parent notification and immediate suspension from school pending an in-person parent-meeting
  • Immediate revocation of out-lunch privileges
  • Student referral for counselling services with a school social worker
  • Forfeiture of access to extra curricular events: sporting events, dances, clubs, field trips overnight trips, etc.
  • For repeated infractions, students will receive extended suspension from school for up to 90 days via Superintendent’s Suspension

Social Media Policy

As members of the ESA community using the internet and social media, students are expected to:

  • Follow the same guidelines for respectful, responsible behavior online that they are expected to follow offline.
  • Be upstanders and alert staff if they see threatening/bullying, inappropriate, or harmful content (images, messages, posts) online.
  • Encourage positive, constructive use of social media.
  • Be responsible for their own behavior when using social media and held accountable for the content of their social media use.

No member of the ESA community should ever:

  • Use social media in a way that could be personally or physically harmful to oneself or others.
  • Engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or disrespectful conduct toward others – staff or students.

Cyberbullying will not be tolerated. Harassing, dissing, insulting, name calling, impersonating, outing, embarrassing, tricking, “throwing subs” and cyberstalking are all examples of cyberbullying. Sending emails or posting comments with the intent of scaring, hurting, shaming, threatening or intimidating someone else is cyberbullying.

Engaging in these behaviors, or any online activities intended to harm (physically or emotionally) another person or group, will result in disciplinary action. This may include losing school privileges, removal from class, meeting with parents and administration, and suspension.