School Policies & Procedures

Los Altos School District Policies

From the district superintendent: ZERO Tolerance, Civility and Technology Policies (20 August 2008)

Absences

Call the school attendance line at (650) 917-5454 in the morning to report the reason for your child’s absence (or if it is not possible to call, send a note with your child upon return). The office will inform parents by notice of any communicable diseases such as mumps, measles, chicken pox, strep throat, infections etc.

If your child is absent for any reason other than illness, we suggest you pick up an Independent Study Plan from the office. This benefits the student (who can make up missed work) and the school which will otherwise lose about $30 a day in state funding for each day’s unexcused absence. Homework may be requested by calling before noon. The work may be picked up in the office at the end of the school day by the parent or another student.

Appointments

Students are encouraged to have medical, dental, and other appointments outside of the regular school day. If it is necessary to make an appointment during school, please send a note to the teacher explaining that your student must leave at a specific time and why. You must come to the office to check out your student. Please have him/her check in at the office upon return.

Behavior Standards

Almond School has a set of behavior standards that is simple and direct.

1. We expect students to show respect and concern for other students’ feelings, property and person.
2. We expect students to act in a safe and responsible manner.
3. We expect students to show respect for adults and authority.

School Rules

Rule 1: Always try your best to be safe, be fair and kind.

Rule 2: Do not interfere with teaching and learning.

Discipline

Discipline is handled on an individual basis with problems falling into three categories:

1. General Mischief: handled by staff/yard supervisor and, generally, an immediate penalty such as missing an activity, yard pickup, apology, etc., is given.
2. Continued Disturbance or Abuse: teacher/principal, parent involvement — parent notified of behavior; attempt to resolve conflict.
3. Specific Defiance, e.g., fighting, abusive language, slander, defying authority — parent notified immediately.

We expect students to use good judgment in their actions at school and respect themselves, their teachers, and the rights of other students. Good behavior is essential for effective learning. Those who lack self-discipline not only interfere with their own learning, but also prevent others in the class from learning. We want all of our students to be successful at school.

Teachers are asked to handle their own discipline problems by dealing with the students first in a counseling mode, a consequence if the problem continues, and then notifying and working with the parents. Students who do not respond to this are referred to the principal for further action.

The principal then works with the student, the teacher, and the parent, and takes the appropriate action in each case. When various types of disciplinary actions have been used and have not been successful, it will be necessary to send the student home from school for a period of time if his behavior is detrimental to himself or others.

We appreciate your support in working with behavior problems and reinforcing school rules and expectations at home.

Change of Address

Notify the office immediately of any change in your address or telephone number either at work or at home. It is important that Emergency and Disaster cards be up to date in case of injury. Whenever both parents will be out of town, temporary phone numbers and authorizations should be given to the office.

Class Assignment Policy

At Almond School, all classes are heterogeneous groupings. The staff carefully groups students to try to place each student in a situation which we feel will be the most educationally beneficial to him/her. Classes are balanced by staff taking the following factors into consideration: boy-girl ratio, achievement levels, leadership, social factors, special needs and behavior. Parent input about a child’s special needs are taken into consideration, but no promises can be made for specific teachers.

Communications – School to Home

School wide communication with parents is provided through the weekly newsletter The Thursday Word. It is extremely important that you read this publication to keep abreast of the school calendar and special events. Other community notices such as the district Frequent Flyer which gives highlights of each Board of Education meeting, will also be sent home on Thursdays. Classroom teachers also send home regular communications regarding classroom happenings and curriculum topics.

Communications – Parent/Teacher

Close communications between individual parents, teachers, and principal is encouraged. A parent-teacher conference is held in November with all the parents, however, a conference may be requested at any time during the year. Please feel free to contact the school office or your child’s teacher to make an appointment.

Disaster Preparedness

In the event of a disaster (fire, earthquake, or other emergency) a contingency plan is in place. Most staff members have been trained in first aid and CPR. Each classroom has a first aid kit and water. Fire drills are conducted regularly, and earthquake drills are performed three times per year, including one complete earthquake simulation.

Each year parents are asked to fill out an Emergency Preparedness Card. Listed on the card are names of adults to whom children may be released if an emergency should occur.

No child will be allowed to leave with another person, even a relative or baby-sitter, unless we have written permission to that effect, or that particular person is listed on the white Emergency Preparedness card. If a serious earthquake does occur, please come to school as soon as possible to pick up your child and any others for whom you are the emergency card designee. In case you or your designee cannot pick up your child by the end of regular school hours, your child will remain at school in our care until you arrive.

Parents should instruct their children: If an earthquake occurs while he/she is walking or riding a bike to school, he/she should continue on to school. If the earthquake occurs while he/she is walking or riding a bike home from school he/she should continue on home. Children should be instructed to walk quickly, but in as safe a manner as possible, away from concrete walls and buildings.

In a severe earthquake, we would appreciate having any parents who are able to do so, report to the school to help.

We encourage each family to have a plan should an earthquake occur when children are not in school.

Dress Code

We believe that appropriate school clothing helps to maintain a focus on our academic mission. Therefore, safety, good taste, common sense, and appropriateness should determine the choice of clothing worn by Almond School students. During the school day, students engage in physical education and recess activities. Clothing and shoes must be safe for these activities. Appropriate attire is defined as clothing which allows the student to work and function in group settings without being a distraction or safety hazard to himself/herself or to others. With the changing styles, it seems timely to be more specific about a few clothing guidelines:

• All underwear must be covered by outer clothing.
• Shorts, skirts and dresses should be of an appropriate length; “short shorts” are not acceptable.
• “Spaghetti straps” halter tops, strapless blouses/dresses (girls) or tank tops (boys) are not recommended; if you wear them, you must wear another piece of clothing which covers your shoulders and upper arms.
• Bare midriffs are unacceptable.
• Clothing with offensive language or pictures is unacceptable.
• Flip-flops, thong sandals and platform shoes are not recommended for safety reasons.
• Hats and headdresses are not to be worn indoors.

When necessary, the principal and/or teacher will make the determination as to the safety and or appropriateness of the student’s attire. Children not meeting the dress code guidelines will be asked to call home for a change of clothing.

This dress code was adopted and unanimously approved by the Almond School Site Council on October 23, 2001.

Drop-off and Parking

For the safety of children, the drive-through curb lane is a drop-off and loading lane only. Cars are to move continuously unless children are actually entering or exiting the car. Parents are asked to park in designated slots whenever they must wait for older children, visit with other parents, or stop by the office. The cooperation of all parents in observing these procedures is needed.

Emergency Cards (pink)

The pink cards are kept on file in the office in the event of emergency, illness, injury or other problems. Please be sure to complete the pink card on both sides. We also ask that you list only people who are readily available to assist your child, if we can not reach you. You should be aware that only parents can authorize medical treatment should your child require it. We appreciate being informed should you plan to be out of town or have made arrangements for someone else to care for your child. Please notify the office of any change in your address or telephone number (home and place of employment.)

Field Trips

Fields trips are taken at the discretion of the classroom teacher in conjunction with the curriculum. Parents are usually asked to donate the students share of the trip plus bus expenses. Scholarships are available through the PTA for families unable to donate. Students must have signed permission slips in order to go on field trips, including walking trips. Only parents who have had their insurance verified by the district will be allowed to transport students when cars are used for short trips.

Health Services

Almond School provides health-related services to students in school. Among these services, vision and hearing testing are probably best known. Vision checks for farsightedness, tracking, and convergence are given to all kindergarten, first and fourth graders and to all referred students. Initial hearing test screening is done by the county audiologist in a soundproof van, and tests are given yearly to Kindergarten, second and fifth graders and to all referred students. All problems noted are recorded, followed up, and referred. Referrals for testing are done whenever requested by a teacher, parent, or student.

Library

The school library is staffed by paid aides and parent volunteers. Each class has an opportunity to visit the library on a weekly basis. Research skills are part of the curriculum in grades 3-6. Books checked out must be returned before a new book may be borrowed. Each classroom also has books for student use.

Lost and Found

All removable articles of clothing should be labeled with your child’s name. Unclaimed articles will be donated to local charities at the end of each year. Valuables such as keys, money, watches, etc. are turned in to the office.

Lunch

Students are expected to eat lunch on campus unless a note specifies they may eat at home. We do not permit students to leave campus for a restaurant lunch unless accompanied by an authorized adult; the adult must sign in at the front desk in the office. Lunch time is from 12:00-12:40 and is supervised.

Medication

No medication, including aspirin, can be administered at school by any staff member unless a medical form has been completed by the child’s doctor and is on file in the office. If your child has serious allergies, such as to bee stings or food allergies, notify the school and discuss contingency plans. Please be aware that the District nurse is only at Almond School half day a week, however, our office staff has been trained in first aid procedures.

Personal Information Requests

The school is unable to provide class lists or private information, including the telephone numbers of teachers. The PTA publishes a directory in October with names, addresses and phone numbers for each class for use by other Almond families. The directory is available to any parent who joins the PTA. For the safety of children, please consider this directory confidential information and keep it in a safe place at home.

Safety and Transportation

We hope you will discuss safe routes to and from school with your child and perhaps accompany him/her on a "trial run" if he/she is new to the area or will be coming to school alone for the first time this year.

We have a limited number of bike racks and prefer that children living near the school walk instead of ride their bikes. If children do ride bikes to school, they must have a lock and bikes should be locked to the racks. Bikes should never be left at school overnight. Almond School cannot assume responsibility for any damage or loss that may occur to bikes. Please have bikes licensed and equipped with a strong lock and chain. A bike helmet is a must. Bikes are to be walked on the school grounds at all times — before, during, and after school. "Walking" the bike means the owner will walk along side the vehicle, not sit on it and push with his/her feet.

Skates, roller blades, and skateboards are not to be used on the school grounds during the school day and should be removed immediately upon entering the school campus.

Safety After School

If it is necessary for your child to stay after school for any reason, you will receive a phone call from us if the stay will be longer than 15 minutes.

Student Progress

Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled in November for all students. Teachers are available for additional conferences at any time during the year. Call the office or send a note requesting an appointment. We encourage parents to contact us at any time if there are concerns or questions rather than waiting for a small problem to become a larger one. Report cards are distributed three times during the school year in grades 1-6. No report cards are issued for Kindergarten.

Student Dismissal Time

Students are to report to their homes, baby-sitters, etc., at the close of the school day before returning to play on the school grounds, and they should not return until after 3:15 pm.

Supervision

Almond provides full adult supervision before school, at recess, and noon. We do not provide supervision before 8:15am or after school as teachers have scheduled meetings and conferences at those times. Please do not allow your student to arrive on campus before 8:15 am or stay after dismissal time unless special arrangements are made with the classroom teacher or school office.

Tardies

Tardies interfere with the student learning: thus, promptness to school in the morning and following recess and lunch is encouraged. Tardy students are often required to make up time they are late either at recess or after school. Parents will be contacted if a pattern of lateness develops. Habitually tardy students will be referred to the School Attendance Review Board.

Telephone

Our telephone costs have risen significantly and excess costs are deducted from our instructional supply budget. Students are to use the telephone only for emergency situations. Students are not allowed to use the telephone to make after school plans. These and rainy day plans should be made before arriving at school.

Toys, Money and Gum

We encourage children at Almond to use equipment and supplies available at school. Toys and money should not be brought to school except for specific occasions when they might be requested. Hazardous items such as jack knives, cap guns, matches or firecrackers are prohibited at school. Chewing gum is also prohibited.

Transfers

When a student is moving from the Almond attendance area, the parent is asked to notify the office a week in advance. Please provide the following information:

• Student Name
• Name of new school
• New address
• Address of new school.

Visitors and Visiting Parents

All visitors must check in through the office regardless of the purpose of the visit. This is for the protection of the students and to avoid interruptions in the classroom. Volunteers are asked to sign their names in the Volunteer Sign-In Book in the office upon arrival and sign out upon leaving so that we will know who is present in case of an emergency at school or at your home while you are volunteering. We welcome visits to classrooms. To minimize disruption of the instruction, we ask that visits be scheduled in advance and be limited to thirty minutes. Please call the school secretary to make an appointment. Visits are limited to adults. We are not able to accommodate visiting children unless they are staying long enough to be enrolled in the school.