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CENTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Parent & Student Handbook

2016-17 3101 Markeley Lane Fairfield, CA 94533

707-437-4621 www.travisusd.org/Center

Travis Unified School District 2751 DeRonde Drive

Fairfield, CA 94533-9710 707-437-4604

www.travisusd.org

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Welcome to Center Elementary School!

Center is comprised of competent and dedicated staff, interested and supportive parents, and a wonderful group of students. Center has been recognized as a California Distinguished School and it continues to be an outstanding example of quality teaching and learning. This booklet is designed to provide you with specific information regarding programs, policies and procedures at Center. We hope you will carefully review the contents so that we may enjoy a greater understanding and consistency at school. Our policies and programs are reviewed as needed and remain open to change. We look forward to working with you and to providing an excellent school experience for everyone. Sincerely, Clay McAllester, Principal

School Mission

Center Elementary is committed to providing a comprehensive educational program in a safe learning environment. Our mission is to have all students know, understand, and be able to demonstrate proficiency of the grade level set forth by the state of California and adopted by the Travis Unified School District.

Governing Board John Dickerson, Board President

Angela Weinzinger, Board Vice President Riitta DeAnda, Board Clerk Ivery Hood, Board Member

Jamiliah Whiteside, Board Member Julianna Stewart, Student Board Member 2016-17 School Year

District Administration

Kate Wren Gavlak, Superintendent Sue Brothers, Asst. Superintendent, Ed. Services

Marissa Huitt, Director of Special Education Kimberly Gunn, Coordinator of Curriculum, Inst. & Assessment

Pam Conklin, Director of Human Resources

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School Site Personnel Administration, Office and Support Staff

Clay McAllester – Principal Carissa Cook – Secretary

Lisa Ulery – Clerk Teresa Manalastas – Health Care Specialist

Sharon Cowan – Librarian/Media Technician Luis Lopez & Michael Harrington – Custodial

Emma Madulara – Cafeteria Sabrina Menart – Psychologist (Varying Schedule)

Isabel Ott – School Social Worker (Varying Schedule)

Teachers & Location

Transitional Kindergarten – PM Christina Little K – 2

Kindergarten – AM Cyndi Miles K – 2

Kindergarten – PM Andrea Solomon K – 1

First Grade Christina Parrott A – 6 Laurie Piazza A – 5 Jennifer Wild A – 7

Second Grade Lilli Ede A – 1

Christel LeCount A – 4 Julie Kekoa A – 3

& Jeanette Wylie

Third Grade Stacey Johnston B – 13 Holly Wright B – 15

Fourth Grade Marie Antoinette Elkins C – 21

Erika Fisher C – 22 Ruby Root B – 16

Fifth Grade Brittany Danner B – 10

Jen Ryan C – 20 Kerry Sullivan C – 22

Sixth Grade Cynthia Davis-Bognar C – 24

Linda Lawvey C – 18 Deb Seames C – 17

Learning Center Adrienne Solorio B – 9

Connie Ludwig B – 11 Intervention Teachers Saun Rushford A – 8

& Molly Carlson

County Classes Teresa Walker B – 14 Christopher Mears C – 23

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Class Schedules*

*Common Planning Time: Each Wednesday Grades 1-6 will be dismissed at 1:05 p.m. and TK and Kinder schedules are always the same.

SAFETY NOTICE: STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS BEFORE 8:00 A.M. Students must leave the school grounds within ten minutes of their dismissal. Students still waiting for rides after 3:00 p.m. will be asked to wait in the office. Please park and come inside to pick them up if you arrive after 3:00 PM. NO ONE IS AVAILABLE TO SUPERVISE OR CARE FOR A CHILD IF THEY ARE INJURED BEFORE OR AFTER THESE TIMES.

Special Days Schedule 16-17

Minimum Days, Parent-Teacher Conferences and Bell Schedule* GRADE: START RECESS RELEASE Kindergartens & TK School Schedule does NOT change Grades 1st - 3rd 8:15 AM 10:00 - 10:30 11:55 AM Grades 4th - 6th 8:15 AM 10:30 - 11:00 11:55 AM

Minimum Day* Schedule for Grades 1-6:

November 4th (Teacher's work on report cards) November 15th, 17th - 18th (Conferences)

February 24th (Teacher's work on report cards) March 7th, 9th - 10th (Conferences)

May 19th (Teacher's work on report cards) June 2nd (Last day of school)

Special Day & Holidays Schedule Description Date Description Date

First day of School Wednesday, August 17th M.L. King Birthday Monday, January 16th Labor Day Monday, September 5th Local Holiday Friday, February 17th

Staff Dev't/No students Monday, October 10th President's Day Monday, February 20th

Veteran's Day Friday, November 11th Spring Break April 14th - April 21st Thanksgiving Break November 21st - 25th Memorial Day Monday, May 29th Winter Break December 26th - January 6th Last day of School Friday, June 2nd

GRADE: START RELEASE Kindergarten AM 8:00 AM 11:20 AM Kindergarten PM & TK 11:25 AM 2:45 PM Grade 1st 8:15 AM 2:41 PM Grade 2nd 8:15 AM 2:41 PM Grade 3rd 8:15 AM 2:41 PM Grade 4th 8:15 AM 2:41 PM Grades 5th & 6th 8:15 AM 2:41 PM

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General Information and Guidelines

Attendance

Children cannot learn if they are not in school. California schools no longer receive average daily attendance funding for students who are absent, regardless if the absence is excused or unexcused. It is essential that your child attend school whenever possible, for part of a day after or before appointments. State attendance requirements, however, still rely on excused and unexcused tallies. It is important to remember that parents/guardians have three days to excuse an absence.

1. Notwithstanding E.C. 48200, a pupil shall be excused from school when the absence is:

A. Due to his or her illness B. Due to quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer C. For the purpose of having medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic

services rendered D. For the purpose of attending the funeral services of a member of his or her

immediate family, so long as the absence is not more than one day if the service is conducted in California and not more than three days if the service is conducted out of state.

E. For the purpose of jury duty in the manner provided for by law F. Due to the illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child

of whom the pupil is the custodial parent G. Attendance at an educational conference on the legislative or judicial

process offered by a nonprofit organization H. For justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited to, an

appearance in court, attendance at a funeral service, observance of a holiday or ceremony of his or her religion, attendance at religious retreats, or attendance at an employment conference when the pupil’s absence has been requested in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated representative pursuant to uniform standards established by the governing board

I. For the purpose of serving as a member of a precinct board for an election pursuant to Sec. 12302 of the Elections Code

J. Participation in religious instruction or exercises in accordance with district policy

2. A pupil absent from school under this section shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during the absence that can be reasonably provided and, upon satisfactory completion within a reasonable period of time, shall be given full credit thereof. The teacher of any class from which a pupil is absent shall determine the tests and assignments, which shall be reasonably equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the tests and assignments that the pupil missed during the absence

3. For the purposes of this section, attendance at religious retreats shall not

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exceed four hours per semester 4. Absences pursuant to this section are deemed to be absences in computing

average daily attendance and shall not generate state apportionment payments

5. “Immediate family,” as used in this section, has the same meaning as that set forth in Section 45194, except that references therein to “employee” shall be deemed to be references to “pupil.” [E.C. 46014, 48205]

Absences: Methods of Verification

When students who have been absent return to school, they shall present a satisfactory explanation verifying the reason for the absence within 3 days of returning to school. After 3 days, the absence will be considered unexcused. The following methods may be used to verify student absences: 1. Written note from parent/ guardian 2. Telephone call from parent/guardian - The telephone number for

contacting the attendance clerk is 437-4621 extension 201. 3. Email to Lisa Ulery, Center School Attendance clerk lulery@travisusd.org 4. Visit to the student’s home (District’s discretion) 5. Physician’s verification (Required after 10th day of absence during the

school year) 6. If you receive a call from the school indicating that your child is truant

and was recently absent, please call the school to clear the absence. This call goes out for every unresolved absence. Please do not ignore the message; it means your child does indeed have an unexcused absence in the attendance system. Many times, this is simply because your child forgot to turn in your written note.

Independent Study

Short-term independent study may be an option for students who have unavoidable absences and will be absent for five (5) to fifteen (15) consecutive days. If a student will be absent for more than 15 days, the student must be withdrawn from the Travis Unified School District and enrolled in the destination district. Short-term independent study contracts cannot be used for disciplinary reasons. To be eligible for a short-term independent study contract, a student must have satisfactory academic progress and attendance. According to Board Policy, the following restrictions are in place for Independent Studies:

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Academic Requirements

Elementary Students

Kindergarten through 3rd Grade—no unsatisfactories in core academic subjects.* 4th-6th graders—no interventions in core academic subjects.*

*These are as determined by most recent progress report or trimester report card for general education students. For K-6 students receiving Special Education services, the latest progress report or report card must indicate progress towards meeting educational goals and objectives.

Attendance Requirements

Elementary Students

All students Grades K-6 must have 3 days or less of unexcused absences and/or lates of 30 minutes or more.

If the student does not meet the eligibility requirements for a short-term independent study contract, the absences will be considered “unexcused” and will be added in when considering truancy referrals for the student. Short-term independent study contracts will not be issued during State testing in April/May. Teachers must receive five working days notice to prepare an independent study contract. There can be no more than two (2) short-term independent study contracts granted per student per school year. Parents are requested to contact the office to request an Independent Study Contract. All student work must be submitted to the school on the contracted day of return. If all the work is returned with satisfactory progress, the student will maintain a clear attendance record. If the student’s work is unsatisfactory or incomplete, the school can only grant excused days of absence for the amount of satisfactory work returned. The additional days of absence will be considered unexcused and will count towards truancy limits. If a student had any unexcused absence(s) due to failure to complete work on an initial short-term independent study contract, a second short-term independent study contract will not be granted for that school year. Although a student may satisfactorily complete an independent study contract, the student will not qualify for perfect attendance awards.

Birthday Celebrations

Travis Unified School district has a Wellness Policy as required by the Federal government. This policy requires us to reduce the amount of unhealthy foods

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that students consume during the school day. We request that the students, who want to celebrate their birthdays with other students, first check with their teacher. We are also requesting healthy snacks in lieu of processed cookies and cakes. Alternative choices include water, 100% fruit juices, milk, cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit and vegetables, vegetables and dip, vegetable salads, fruit salads, whole grain breads, bagels, trail mix, granola bars, and air-popped popcorn.

Travis Unified School District Cafeteria (Food Services)

Breakfast is available to our students. All are invited to participate from 8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Students arriving after 8:15 a.m. will not be served. Student price breakfast is $1.50, and adult price breakfast is $2.50. Breakfast and lunch are paid in the same way and through the same account.

Lunches

Hot Lunches:

Lunch: Students may bring lunch to school or purchase a school lunch. Lunch is $2.75. Money should be placed in an envelope with the students’ name, grade and teacher and should be turned in at the multipurpose room at the beginning of the school day. Money is collected by 9:00 AM.

Meal Accounts: Students are not to leave the campus at lunch unless they are checked out through the office by a parent or guardian. Families are encouraged to pay in advance for lunch and breakfast. You may send in any amount and it will be credited to your child’s account (no change is given) OR you may utilize MealTime Online at www.mymealtime.com to add funds to your child’s account. Each time your child gets a meal service, the amount is deducted from the account. Checks should be made payable to Travis Unified School District. Free lunches are available for families who qualify. It is necessary to reapply each year for the free meal program. Notification will be made of lunch application approval or denial. You are welcome to eat lunch with your child. A separate area will be available for you and your child. Please refrain from inviting other students to eat at that table as it can cause hurt feelings. Please call the school before 9:00 a.m. to arrange for your lunch. Adult lunches are $3.50. Students are only allowed three charges on their accounts before being served an emergency lunch.

Home Lunches - Forgotten:

If you bring your child’s lunch to school, please drop it off in the office. We will contact the teacher and have your child pick it up from the office. Please do not go directly to the classroom and deliver the lunch to your child. This disrupts the educational process. Because of the limited time available for student to eat their lunch, students who discover they have forgotten their lunch and come to the office during that scheduled time will be sent to the cafeteria to obtain an “emergency” lunch which will be

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charged to the students lunch account at above posted rates.

Bus Transportation

The Travis Unified School District runs a “fee based” school bus transportation service for all schools. Possession of a valid bus pass for the current year entitles students to ride to and/or from their designated school and bus stop on an assigned bus. Bus passes issued are non-transferable. Students boarding a school bus must present their bus pass to the bus driver every day, every time they board a school bus. Please contact the Transportation Department at (707) 437-8232 for more information regarding bus fees and schedules.

Cell Phones – Student Use

While students are now permitted to have cell phones on the school campus, we highly discourage elementary students bringing cell phones to school. In case of any emergency, all students have access to the school phones. If a student does bring a cell phone or other electronic device to school he/she must abide by the cell phone board policy. Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off during school hours. They must be off at recess as well as at lunch. Phones may be turned on once students are dismissed. Cell phones will be confiscated from students in violation of the above rule. Parents/Guardians will be required to pick up the device. Center Elementary School is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Class Assignments

The staff works diligently to make each class assignment the best possible learning situation for each child. If your child has special placement needs, be sure to submit these in writing to the principal so that these needs can be kept in mind for class assignments. Students will not be moved upon request. (Please do not request a particular teacher. Staffing varies year to year.)

Communication

We are committed to keeping an open line of communication. It is also posted on our school website if you need to check any information. Check it out to know what is going on and what activities are coming up at school.

Basic School Rules

We have three general rules:

1. Be Responsible 2. Be Respectful

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3. Be Safe

How can we be responsible? 1. Think before acting. 2. Always do your best. 3. Tell an adult if someone is being unsafe or if there is something dangerous

that needs to be taken care of. How can we be respectful? 1. Respect others and respect their property. 2. Respect school property. 3. Dress appropriately. 4. Respect and obey authorized adults. Always ask permission before

leaving an area.

How can we be safe? 1. Obey authorized adults. 2. Keep personal property and toys at home 3. Never bring dangerous objects or weapons to school. 4. Follow the rules even when adults aren’t present. 5. Use playground equipment appropriately. 6. Do NOT play in or enter empty classrooms or hallways.

How Can We

Be Safe, Respectful & Responsible In the MPR During Lunch?

Be Responsible Raise your hand and wait to be excused. Clean up your area. Be Respectful Allow anyone to sit next to you. Use quiet voices. Use positive helpful words. Be Safe Keep all food to self. Sit with feet on floor, bottom on bench and facing table. Keep hands and feet to self.

Emergency Contacts

All students are expected to have an emergency card on file listing phone numbers where the school can reach the parents or someone with authority in

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case they are injured and need a doctor’s care. Please be sure to update this information throughout the school year, if you move, add a phone number (cell phone), your day care provider changes, or you need to add or delete emergency contacts.

For our military families with both parents as active duty first responders, please be sure we have a name for the emergency guardian on your Emergency card. Emergency Procedures for Disaster

Fire Drill: The alarm will automatically be activated in each classroom with

corresponding strobe lights. All students and staff will exit outside classroom doors and quickly walk to designated spots on the playground. The teachers will immediately count all students to confirm attendance and location of each student. Teachers will hold up cards to designate that all students are accounted for. “Need Help” cards will be held up indicating missing students.

Earthquake: Duck and cover exercise will be conducted in the classrooms. After the shaking has discontinued, students will follow fire drill procedures. Emergency cards will be used to exit students from the campus.

Lockdown: In the event that the school needs to go in to a “Lockdown” mode, the principal or designee will make that announcement. Teachers will ensure that the inside and outside classroom doors are locked and blinds are closed. Students and teachers will take cover under their desks and stay away from doors and windows. Teachers will place a green sign in the hallway door if students are all accounted for and a red sign if a student is unaccounted for. Teachers will e-mail the office with an “Okay” or “Need Help” in the message line.

Tornado: Students will move to an inside hallway away from glass windows.

Getting to School Safely

Bicycles: All students except kindergarten students may ride bicycles to school. The following bicycle safety rules must be followed: • Students are NOT to ride in the middle of the street. • Bicycles must be locked. • Students are not to play around the bicycle racks. • Students must walk across in the crosswalk in the parking lot. • Bicycles must be walked on the school grounds and past the bus zone. • All students must wear a helmet, as required by law. Students who do not follow these rules will lose the privilege of riding their bikes to school.

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Scooters, Skateboards, and Heelys (shoes with wheels): • Students are prohibited from riding skates, skateboards, scooters, and

other similar devices on campus. These items must be walked or carried on campus.

• Since safety is of a primary concern, high heels and shoes with wheels are not permitted at school. Students will be asked to remove the wheels. The first time they may put them in their back packs and take them home. The second time, parents will be required to pick up the wheels from the office. If students wear the wheels to school and are unable to remove them, parents will be contacted to bring another pair of shoes for their child.

Driving your children to school:

Safety is a primary Concern. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to use the Travis Unified School District bus system this year to decrease the traffic congestion on Peabody Road. If you drive to school, drop off and pickup children along the designated loop. There are disabled spaces and limited parking in the school parking lots.

Double parking is a vehicular violation, against the law, and is unsafe for children. Therefore double parking, or stopping in the middle of Markeley to drop off or pick up your children is not permitted. Use the blue lane of the drop-off pick up area. It is designed to drop off your students and keep right on going. The yellow lane is for busses only.

Health and Medical Services

If your child has been home ill, they should not return to school until they have been symptom free for 24 hours. This would include fever, vomiting, lice, and numerous other medical conditions. Please contact the school office for questions or additional information. If a child becomes ill or injured in school, it is essential that he or she proceed

BUS ONLY

BUS ONLY

PASSING ONLY

DROP OFF

BUS ONLY

PARKING ONLY

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immediately to the health office. No one who has been injured or has become ill during the school day should ever leave school without going to the office for an official sign-out. If it becomes necessary for a child to be sent home, the parent or guardian will be contacted and informed of this fact. No child is ever sent home unless there is an authorized adult to care for him or her. An emergency telephone number is absolutely necessary in such situations. In fact, state law requires that the school have this emergency telephone number on file. Shot records are required as are certain immunizations at Kindergarten and 1st grade. These records and proof of vaccinations must be provided to the school in order for your child to be able to attend. If there are personal reasons regarding required immunizations, please see the health clerk or attendance clerk in the main office. Notices may be sent home periodically should a child be exposed to anything contagious. Please read this information carefully.

Medication

WITHOUT EXCEPTION, children will not be allowed to self-administer medication at school. This includes over-the-counter medications such as cough drops, cough syrup, antacids, etc. All medication must be taken to the office and must be accompanied by a medication form filled out by the doctor with full instructions. The school nurse, health tech, clerk, secretary, or principal will then administer the medication at the prescribed time and in the prescribed dosage. All over-the-counter medication must be in the original container. Prescription medication must have the prescription label on the actual container. Parents who wish for their child to carry an EpiPen or asthma inhaler must make prior arrangements with the office and meet the qualifications. Please check with the office for the necessary forms. If a student knowingly gives medication to another student, he/ she will be subject to disciplinary measures up to and including suspension and/or expulsion. If your student loses his/her medication or has had someone take it from them, they must report this to the office immediately or the student may be subject to disciplinary measures up to and including suspension. Parents must use the Authorization for Medication Administration form available at the school office if they would like their child to have medications administered at the school site. These forms MUST be renewed each year.

Medical Excuses from Physical Education

Physical Education, an integral part of the school curriculum, is concerned not only with the pupils’ physical development, but also with their mental,

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emotional, and social development. Physical Education minutes are also mandated by the state of California. Excuses from participation in physical education for medical reasons will be granted upon a physician’s request, according to the amount and type of activity in which they can engage, and duration of the excuse. The following categories may be used: 1. Unlimited activity. 2. Slightly modified program (with explanation). 3. Restricted program. 4. Individual activity as prescribed by a physician. 5. Rest in place of activity.

Homework

Homework is an essential part of our instructional program. It helps a student learn responsibility and reinforces and enriches the students’ learning through an extension of class activities. The determination of specific homework assignments shall be made by the teacher. Generally, the minimum length of time for homework at each grade level will be as follows: Kindergarten: 10 minutes a day Grade 1: 10 minutes a day Grade 2: 20 minutes a day Grade 3: 30 minutes a day Grade 4: 40 minutes a day Grade 5: 50 minutes a day Grade 6: 60 minutes a day

Certain homework assignments may exceed the suggested time allotments.

Homework Requests

Requests for homework assignments (due to absences) may be made through the office staff. If the request is received before 11:30 a.m., the teacher will be able to have the homework assignments ready after school on the day of the request. If the request is received after 11:30 a.m., the teacher will have the homework assignments ready the next school day. Parents may pick up their child’s homework assignments in the school office.

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Grading Policy

The Standards Based Progress Report is used throughout the Travis Unified School District in grades K-6. The progress report marks indicate a student’s proficiency on the academic content standards taught so far, based on the reporting period expectations. These numerical levels are individualized and intended to give parents an awareness of how their child is progressing in meeting the standards. It is our goal that all children reach proficiency by the end of the school year – in all standards.

Students in grades K – 3 also receive O (Outstanding), S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory) in all subjects. These grades reflect the overall progress for that trimester. Students in grades 4 – 6 will also receive a letter grade of A, B, or C in all subject areas. Again, these grades reflect how well the child is progressing on work presented during that trimester. A child that is not at a Satisfactory level of achievement will receive an “I” (Intervention). These areas will require interventions by the school, the parents, and the students in order for the child to be more successful. These interventions will be discussed with you during parent/teacher conferences.

Inclement Weather

If it is raining in the morning before school, students are to enter the building through the double doors at the end of each wing. Students will stand or sit in line outside their classroom door. A supervising teacher will monitor the hall. While inside on rainy days, students may read, draw, play board games or other quiet activities. To ensure the safety of all students, children will NOT play running games or other outdoor games. We try to let the children outside as much as possible, and during the winter months we ask that you be sure to have your children dress appropriately for the weather. If a child becomes too wet to work properly for the rest of the school day, we may call for a change of clothes.

Lost and Found

Please use a permanent marker or sew name tags into sweaters, jackets, gloves, hats, and so forth. In addition, book bags, back packs, notebooks, binders, and lunch boxes should be clearly marked with your child’s name. Clothing and other articles found on the playground are kept on a rolling rack in the hallway by the Multipurpose Room. Please have your children check for lost articles regularly whenever your child is missing a personal item. All articles remaining at the end of the year are donated.

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Meeting with Your Child’s Teacher

Parents are always welcome in the classroom; however, some times may be better to visit than others. In order to not interfere with the educational process, we ask that parents do NOT just drop by for a minute. If you would like to visit your child’s classroom, please complete a Parent Visitation Form – available in the front office - to arrange a visit. This form will be given to the teacher and the principal to ensure that the requested time will not interfere with the educational process. Please remember that all classroom visits are somewhat distracting to students trying to focus on learning. Once or twice a week for 15 minutes or so would be appropriate. Please do not drop by unannounced to meet with a teacher. Please DO NOT try and meet with the teacher – even for just a minute - when teachers are supervising on the playground. Their responsibility is to the safety of the children. If they are paying attention to you, they are not paying attention to the children. This also applies to the first few minutes of the school day as children are entering and getting themselves ready for the day. These 5 minutes may seem unimportant but they are literally the most critical for the teacher to immediately gain control of 20 to 30 children and begin their education. You will not have the teacher’s full attention to your needs, since their attention must be divided between their students and you, the parent/guardian.

If you have a question or need to meet with your child’s teacher, please use one of the following:

1. Write a quick note in your child’s planner or put it in their homework folder.

2. Use email. It’s quick and efficient. (You can also let the teacher know you sent them a note if you think the note may not make it to the teacher!

3. Call the office and leave a message.

We want to make every opportunity to meet with parents as part of the educational team. However, our responsibility is to the education and safety of children during school hours. Therefore, all meetings with teachers MUST be appropriately scheduled.

Messages for Students

Although we will do our best, we cannot guarantee or take full responsibility for the delivery of messages to students during the day. Please make all the necessary arrangements with your student before sending them to school.

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Opportunities and Services Rendered

Our school and district offer a wide range of activities and services both in and out of class to broaden the horizons of our pupils. Examples include:

• Bear Day • Community Service Projects • Field Day • Occupational Therapy for students that qualify • Resource Room support • Speech services for students that qualify • Talent Shows

Parent Involvement

We hope that parent involvement will be very high at Center Elementary School. There are many ways that parents may be involved in their child’s education. With consent from the teacher, parents may volunteer directly in the classroom, serve on school-wide committees, such as the School Site Council, be a room parent or a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) member, or volunteer in the office. The PTA is very active at Center Elementary. All parents are welcome and encouraged to join the PTA. The Center PTA is involved in many activities and is committed to strong support of all of our programs, curricular and extra-curricular.

School Site Council

School Site Council (SSC) is a mandatory council and follows the Brown Act. Members for this council are elected each October by ballot. Nominations are accepted in August and September. (You may nominate yourself!) The SSC is comprised of four parents, four teachers, one classified employee and one administrator. This council works with the school and is responsible for approving the budget, the school safety plan, the School Plan for Student Achievement, reviewing student achievement data and more. The council meets between 4 and 6 times per year.

Parking: School Lot/ Passes/ Handicapped Assistance

Our school staff parking lot is for staff and disabled visitors (with placard or a license plate) only, not for dropping off and picking up students. During the school day, parents may park in the parking lot next to the drop off zone at the north end of the school. Please see “Getting to School Safely” for appropriate pick up and drop off of students. Parents/guardians dropping off students with disabilities are entitled to park in the handicapped parking spaces in the front of the school. You must have the appropriate handicapped placard or decals to enter the parking lot and use these spaces. Please use

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these parking spaces to assist your children in and out of school. If you will be staying to volunteer in the classroom, please assist your children to their room and then move your car to an unmarked space. Please be sensitive to the needs of our students.

Parent - Teacher Conferences

There are two scheduled parent-teacher conferences during the school year. However, when a parent feels it is necessary to schedule a conference, it may be accomplished by calling the school and making an appointment. Report cards will be issued in November, March and June. Travis Unified District is on a trimester system for elementary schools. Teachers will conference with all parents/students the first trimester. For the second trimester, teachers will conference with parents if a student is not being successful. However, you still have the right to conference second trimester. If you would like to conference but did not receive a conference slip, please be sure to contact the teacher.

Here are a few suggestions which might be helpful in preparing for a conference with your child’s teacher. Some questions you may wish to ask the teacher are:

• What is my child’s progress in basic skills such as reading, math, spelling, etc?

• Is my child developing desirable citizenship habits? • How does my child get along with other children and with adults

working in the school?

Teachers would like you to share information with them about your child’s health, hobbies, interests, home duties and their ability to get along with playmates and members of the family.

PTA Officers for 2015 - 2016

We will hold elections for new PTA officers at the end of the school year. Officer positions are president, vice president-membership, vice president, ways & means, treasurer, secretary, historian, auditor, and parliamentarian. We look forward to your support this year.

Student Rules: General Conduct

1. School buildings and playgrounds are not open for students until 8:00 a.m. Students should not arrive before that time. The school grounds will not be supervised.

2. Students arriving at school shall go directly to the designated area for their wing. During bad weather, students will go directly to their classrooms at 8:00 a.m. where they will be supervised by their classroom teacher. Students should not be in school halls before or after school unless they are attending a before/after school program.

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3. Students must obtain permission to go to the office at all times. Permission should be obtained from the classroom teacher, yard duty supervisor or noon duty aide. Emergency or medical situations are exempt from this rule.

4. Students will be allowed to use the telephone only in emergency or urgent situations.

5. Cell phones must be turned off and left in the student’s backpack. 6. Students are not to chew gum at school. 7. Students are to go directly home from school.

Students should not bring such items as radios, I-pods, I-pads, toy guns, water guns, toys, MP-3 devices, etc. to school. (This is an issue of insurance. If an accident occurs with equipment that is brought from home, we may not be covered by insurance.)

Dress for School

Center Elementary has recommendations for dress that in our experience improves the safety of children on the playground. 1. School attire should be appropriate, modest, and in good taste. No offensive

logos, i.e. alcohol, tobacco, guns, are allowed. 2. Short-shorts, bare midriffs, tank tops (may be worn under another shirt), and

halter tops are not considered proper dress for school. Shirts must have at least a 1” or wider strap. Shorts and skirts must be fingertip length.

3. Sandals/flip-flops, high heels, and platform shoes are prohibited because they present a safety hazard on the playground and during physical education activities; rubber soled shoes are recommended. Heelys are also not allowed.

4. Head coverings of any kind are not to be worn inside the building unless for medical or religious reasons.

5. Over-sized earrings are prohibited due to safety reasons. 6. Proper-sized clothing is recommended. Pants must fit at the waist and not sag

down past the hips. 7. Fridays are School Spirit Day. All students are encouraged to wear their Spirit

wear which can be purchased through our PTA, or wear the school colors.

Playground Rules

Each teacher will go over the rules with his/her class. Consistency by all staff members will help in increasing student safety. 1. Students are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect one

another and school personnel at all times. 2. If difficulties or arguments arise on the playground and students are unable

to resolve the situation, students should contact the yard duty supervisor. 3. Before school, students can engage in controlled activities (milling around

and visiting) as long as they are in their designated area. 4. All equipment is to be used in a safe and proper manner and for which it was

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intended. (Do not sit or swing on the tetherballs; jump ropes are for jumping, etc.). When using all playground equipment, common sense will be the deciding factor regarding student safety.

5. Students are expected to participate in an organized playground game at recesses. These include: Four Square; Tetherball; Basketball; Hoola Hoops; Jump Rope; Switch; Wall Ball; and other games introduced this year.

6. Kicking any type of ball is not allowed on the lower deck. These rules will be reinforced during the P.E. classes.

7. Climbing will be restricted to the playground climbing equipment. 8. Rough games and rough housing are not allowed. 9. The school provides play equipment. Students will bring no other equipment

from home. (This is an issue of insurance. If an accident occurs with equipment that is brought from home, we may not be covered by insurance.)

10. Students are not allowed outside the play area to retrieve balls. A staff member will get any equipment that goes over the surrounding fences of the playground.

11. Cuts or saving places in line are not allowed. 12. Students are not to eat or drink on the playground. If snacks are allowed,

students must eat their snacks in the designated eating areas near trash cans. 13. The areas between or outside the classrooms are off limits until the bell rings. 14. At recess, students are to stop playing immediately, “freeze” and drop when

the bell rings and walk to line up when directed by yard duty personnel. If students have playground balls, they are to carry the balls to the ball rack. If necessary, teachers should “role play” with their students so that there is a common understanding regarding the “freeze” and drop.

15. Students are not allowed to play the “chase game” or any other game that results in chasing after and tagging or pushing students. This almost always results in injuries or hurt feelings. Parent contact will be made if a student is not able to follow this expectation. Top Deck Only.

16. Kickball allowed on Top Deck.

Playground Violations:

If students violate the playground rules i.e., not freezing, running to line up, etc., students can miss a portion of the next recess.

Cafeteria: Rules

Students are expected to: • Conduct themselves in a proper manner while arriving and entering the

cafeteria and eating lunch. • Keep their hands and feet to themselves. • Not touch other’s food. • Not share food. • Speak with quiet indoor voices. • Sit appropriately at the lunch tables. • Clean up after themselves. • Wait to be dismissed.

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Restroom: Rules

Students are expected to use the restrooms for their specific purpose. Therefore, playing in or around the restrooms is not allowed. Restrooms are school property and should be treated as such.

Student Attendance Review Board (SARB)

Students with continuing discipline and/or attendance problems may be referred to the Student Attendance Review Board (SARB). Students may be referred to SARB when he/she has been suspended three times in one year, four times in two years, received three truancy letters, or has had other disciplinary problems. Parents will receive written notification of the SARB hearing and are required to attend with their student. SARB reviews each student’s case and may recommend a student contract, require a parent to attend school with the child for a specific period of time, and/or other means of intervention.

School Records

Please feel free to contact the office to review your child’s academic records. Give our school secretary a call to arrange a mutually agreeable time to come in to review the records. Your questions will be addressed, and she’ll walk you through the contents of your child’s cumulative folder.

Sexual Harassment - TUSD Sexual Harassment Policy

The Travis USD is committed to providing an educational environment free of unlawful harassment. The District maintains a strict policy prohibiting harassment of students because of sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability, blindness or severely impaired vision or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law ordinance, or regulations.

All such harassment is unlawful.

Irrespective of law, the District believes that all such harassment is offensive. Unlawful harassment in any form, including verbal, physical and visual conduct, threats, demands, and retaliation, is prohibited. Violation of this policy by an employee may result in discipline, which may include discharge, depending on the seriousness of the violation. Violation of this policy by students may result in discipline, which may include suspension or expulsion, depending on the nature and seriousness of the violation. (See Education Code Sections 48900 and 48900.2)

For a complete copy of the Travis USD Harassment Policy (BP 5145.7 and AR 5145.7) contact the office of the Superintendent.

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Snacks

Because learning about nutritious food is part of our curriculum, we urge you to think about snacks very seriously. As a district, we have recently adopted a Health and Wellness policy. Candy, foods with a lot of sugar, and so forth are often poor health choices. As you already know, some children prefer junk food over a nutritious lunch or snack. Many teachers permit their students to eat snacks just before or just after recess. These snack breaks must contain healthy snacks. Please do not send soda or energy drinks with your children for snack time (or lunch). Children may have juice packs or water bottles. We often have a difficult time with ants; therefore open bottles of juice are not permitted.

Standardized Testing

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is used by all schools and teachers to determine student progress toward the California Standards Tests (CST), the California Modified Assessment (CMA) or California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA). These assessments are given every spring typically in April and May. Please be sure to check the test dates at the beginning of the school year and mark them on your calendars. All students in grades 3 – 6 are required to take the Smarter Balanced Assessments. Independent studies are not granted during testing weeks and students taking vacations during these two weeks are considered truant. Parents receive student reports in the fall. These reports are automatically mailed to your home. Teachers will be happy to go over these reports with you if you have questions. Please contact your child’s teacher for an appointment.

Suspension – Parent/Student Rights

Our intention is that our school environment be a positive and successful one. At some times and under some circumstances, it may become necessary to suspend a student from school. According to Travis USD Board Policy, AR 5144.1, and California Education Code, 48900, students may be suspended from school for any of the following reasons.

1. Caused/attempted to cause physical injury to another person. 2. Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another. 3. Possessed, sold or furnished any firearm, knife, or other dangerous

object. 4. Possessed, used, sold, furnished or under the influence of an alcoholic

beverage or intoxicant. 5. Offered or arranged/negotiated to sell a controlled sub-stance, then

sold/delivered/furnished a substance in lieu of a controlled substance. 6. Committed robbery or extortion.

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7. Caused or attempted to cause damage to private or school property. 8. Stole or attempted to steal private or school property. 9. Possessed or used tobacco or nicotine products. 10. Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity/vulgarity. 11. Offered, arranged or negotiated to sell, or possessed any drug or drug

paraphernalia. 12. Disrupted school activities/willfully defied school personnel in

performance of their duties. 13. Knowingly received stolen school property or private property. 14. Possessed an imitation firearm. 15. Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault. 16. Harassed, threatened, intimidated or retaliated against a witness. 17. Engaged in the act of bullying, including, but not to limited to, bullying

by means of an electronic act, directed toward a student or school personnel.

18. Committed sexual harassment. 19. Caused, attempted to cause, and threatened to cause an act of hate

violence. 20. Engaged in disruption of class work, invaded rights of pupil or groups

of pupils by creating an intimidating or hostile environment. 21. Made terrorist threats against school officials, property or both. In the event of suspension, parents and pupils have the right to due process. (Education Code 48911, 8914, 48915) and to review student’s records. In the event of suspension, a parent conference with the principal may occur before the student is readmitted to school.

Telephones: Student Use

The school office has only two telephone lines; therefore, students will be allowed use of the phone ONLY in emergencies. Please try to make all arrangements for after school, lunch, etc. with your children prior to their coming to school.

Visitor’s Passes/ Name Tags

When visiting your school, helping out in a class, or attending a meeting with a teacher, you are required to come to the main office first to sign in with the office. Once school is in session, ALL visitors must sign in at the office and get a visitor’s name tag. Please cooperate with this policy as it is for the safety of your child and our students. You must wear the name tag at all times while on school grounds – the name tag indicates that you have signed in with the office. Without the name tag, you may be stopped in the halls and asked to sign in at the office – this is often difficult for both staff and parents. Please be sure to sign out when you leave.

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How Parents Can Make the Difference

Parents can help their children reach their full potential in school. The home environment and the quality and quantity of time spent with your children can make the difference. Here are some ideas: • Provide a suitable space for study and work. • Praise your child for the work shown to you. • Help your child organize his or her work. • Help your child to be responsible for coming to school prepared. • Set reasonable standards of behavior, and help your child meet them. • Communicate your problems or concerns to the teacher. If there are still

problems, meet with the principal. • Participate in school-sponsored activities with your child. • Make sure you child get healthy meals, enough sleep, and good exercise. • Avoid comparing your child to brothers, sisters, and friends. • Limit and monitor the television programs watched by your children. • Encourage reading! Help your child find worthwhile reading materials. • If your child is home ill, his or her homework should be to get well. Teachers

will take care of makeup work, if necessary, upon your child’s return to school.

Discrimination, Protections, Complaints & Procedures

All pupils have the right to participate fully in the educational process, free from discrimination and harassment. Schools have an obligation to combat racism, sexism, and other forms of bias, and a responsibility to provide equal education opportunity and ensure safe school sites. Remember that children will frequently remember things differently than adults. If you child comes home and shares something that happened at school that just doesn’t make sense to you, please ask the teacher what happened! Send a note or an email asking for an appointment to discuss the situation.