GENERAL POLICIES & INFORMATION
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance is essential to a student's success in school. Most subjects are taught in sequence, requiring the understanding of each concept in the order of its presentation. Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for students and is regarded as a very serious problem.
Schools do not receive reimbursement from the state when students are away from school for any reason. Students will no longer be marked excused for any reason. They will simply be marked absent.
When a student is absent or tardy he/she is required to bring a note of explanation to the teacher. The note should include the student's full name, specific reason for and dates of the absence, the parent or guardian's signature. A phone call to the school will take the place of a note. Please call the school at 625-7069 to clear absences.
Parents who know their child will be missing school due to vacation or other special plans may be able to sign the child up for Independent Study*. This means work will be provided for the student while he/she is gone. When it is completed, the student will be given credit for attending school for those dates. Please feel free to call the office or contact your child's teacher for further information.
Parents are asked to make sure that their children are not tardy to school. The teaching of all students is affected when a student is tardy. If a student is tardy he/she must sign in at the office before going to class. While everyone can have a time or two where being late cannot be helped, excessive tardies will be dealt with through the office. Student, parent, principal and teacher will work together to remedy the situation. Remember, Oakley School begins at 8:25 each morning. Get here early, avoid the traffic and have a relaxed morning. Supervision on the yard begins at 7:55a.m.
SCHOOL RELEASE
When you come to pick up the student before the end of the school day, we ask that you come to the school office and sign the student out of school. This is to safeguard our students. If the teacher has not sent the student to the office by the time you arrive, we will contact the classroom at that time. No student shall be removed from school at any time before proper sign-out procedures have been followed. Students will only be released to persons listed on the emergency card. Your cooperation in these procedures adds to your child’s safety.
SCHOOL PROCEDURES
Oakley School is a closed campus. Students are expected to remain on school grounds until dismissal time. Parents should report to the office to sign out their child before removing a student from class.
We are proud of our clean campus. Students are expected to place litter in garbage containers. Each class assumes responsibility to keep our school neat and clean.
Students are not allowed on school grounds prior to 7:55 a.m. or not earlier than the first bus.
OBTAINING SCHOOLWORK DURING ABSENCE
If you need schoolwork for a child who has been absent, please notify the school office and/or the teacher. Work requests should be made at least 24 hours in advance of pick-up.
* Students on Independent Study are not recognized as having perfect attendance.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
It is very important, for emergency and administrative reasons, that every student maintain an up-to-date address record at the school office. Notify the school immediately if you have a change of address or phone number during the school year.
BICYCLES
1. When traveling to and from school students must obey all traffic regulations.
2. We suggest that students record their bicycle serial numbers.
3. Bikes must be walked on campus and parked in the bike rack.
4. Students need to wear bicycle safety helmets in accordance to the law. Law enforcement officers will ticket students not wearing a helmet.
5. Shoes with rollers, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters and motorized vehicles are strictly prohibited at Oakley School.
Bicycles should be properly parked and locked in the school bike racks. The school assumes no responsibility for bicycles. Bicycles are never to be ridden on school grounds. (This includes before and after school hours.)
WALKING STUDENTS
Students who walk to school should come straight to school, remain on sidewalks at all times and cross only at designated crosswalks. Remember the safety rules: walk with a friend and never approach a car or accept a ride with a stranger.
LOST AND FOUND
All clothing and lunch boxes found on the campus are placed in the lost and found. Money, jewelry, or any other articles of value are turned in to the office. Please label all your child's belongings. Lost and found items not picked up are donated to chairty twice during the school year.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS
Oakley School considers its parent volunteers to be a very special resource. Parents are encouraged to help in all classrooms, programs and extra-curricular activities. Please call the office if you have time or skills you can donate to make our school a better place for students to learn and grow. All volunteers and visitors must sign in at the office. It is very important that we know who is on the school grounds and visiting classes. Parents who are volunteering may not bring younger brothers or sisters to the classrooms due to liability and safety reasons.
SCHOOL COLORS & SCHOOL MASCOT
The Oakley School Mascot is a Tiger and the school colors are red, white & blue. We encourage students to identify with these symbols as a representation of our school pride and spirit. Spirit Day is held every Thursday. Students wear red and white to show their school spirit. For students in grades K-3 a Student Recognition Assembly is held once a month. See our monthly calendars for exact dates.
BUS SCHEDULES
Information regarding bus schedules is published at the beginning of the year in the local newspapers. Please call the Transportation Department (634-2700), not the school office, for further information.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
* Fire drills, earthquake drills, suspicious person drills and “Shelter in Place” drills are conducted regularly. Detailed escape plans are posted inside the door of each classroom.
* Disaster supplies and water are stored in every classroom. Students are asked to bring a non-perishable snack at the beginning of the year to be used in the event of an emergency.
In the Event of an Earthquake
* Teacher initiates action by directing the students under their desks facing away from windows. This will minimize injury from broken glass, falling light fixtures and ceiling debris.
* After the initial shock, the teacher will guide the students out of the building in the same manner as a fire drill.
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
All students are assessed in reading, writing and math at least three times a year to determine their progress in meeting State Standards and Benchmarks. Students in second through fifth grade are tested each spring with the State Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. Results are mailed home to parents in the summer.
PARENT CONFERENCES
Parent conferences are scheduled near the end of the first trimester. Teachers share progress with State Standards and Benchmarks, STAR test data, and individual student assessments as well as report card information.
PROGRESS REPORTS
In all grades, progress reports will be sent three times a year at mid-trimester. All students will be issued a progress report. The dates are September 15, 2006, January 12, 2007, and April 27, 2007.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards are issued three (3) times a year, once during each of the trimesters. It is the purpose of the report card to inform students and parents of the degree and level of student achievement in each content area. For this reason, it is important that you notice the "Key" or "Explanation of Marks" on the report card. Report Cards are sent home the Wednesday following the last day of the trimester. Parents who have questions or concerns regarding their child's progress should contact the teacher. Parent/Teacher conferences can be arranged when necessary. End of trimester dates are November 9, 2006, Feb. 23, 2007, and June 7, 2007.
HOMEWORK
If a child is to realize a full measure of success in his or her school work, the student must recognize and exercise the self-discipline necessary for studying independently. Opportunities for studying independently will be provided in the classroom. Teachers will assign a reasonable amount of homework throughout the school year. Skills needed for the completion of homework are taught in the classroom prior to being given as homework, and directions for all assignments are clearly given by teachers. Homework expectations are discussed at Back to School Night.
SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT INFORMATION
Scholastic Achievement Awards are granted to fourth and fifth grade students to recognize academic achievement. They are awarded at the end of each report card period.
SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT
A score of 3 or 4 in academic subjects with no minuses, and a check or plus in all other areas. Academic subjects are: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Math, Science and History/Social Studies.
GENERAL RULES
Philosophy
The purpose of these general rules is to provide a safe and orderly environment for all students and adults who attend or work at Oakley School. Students are expected to behave in a manner which reflects positively on Oakley School. Adults make every effort to reinforce proper behavior which will foster a respect for others, school and private property.
Hallways
Hallways are off limits to students during recess and before the beginning of school. Any students in the hallway must have a pass. Any student found playing in the hallway will be reprimanded. Leaving and entering the buildings should be controlled and uniform. Running, playing and excessive noise are not allowed in any of the hallways. Students are to stay out of hallways before school, during recess, and noon. Pupils are not to wait in hallways for other students.
YARD DUTY RULES
Playground Rules
General Guidelines:
1. Children are to play only in the areas that are supervised by school personnel during recess, lunch, and before school
2. Students may not leave the playground without a pass
3. Students may not be in hallways or classrooms without a pass
4. Students must respect the rights of others and should not interfere with the games of other students
5. Students are never allowed to climb fences or leave campus to retrieve equipment
6. Fighting, using inappropriate language, or being disrespectful will not be allowed
7. Students are not to wrestle, mock fight, or practice martial arts
8. Students are not to carry or swing on other students
9. Students are not to bring any toys, balls with points (footballs or torpedo balls), or electronic equipment, including radios, cell phones from home
10. Students may bring approved playground equipment from home but the school is not responsible for it (please label all personal equipment)
11. Chewing gum is not permitted on campus
12. All students should pick up paper, milk cartons, and other litter on the yard. Students may be asked to keep the yard clean and to pick up papers, etc.
13. Kindergarten, first, and second grade students may only use the Wing 1 bathroom at recess
14. Third, fourth, and fifth grade students may only use the Wing 2 bathroom at recess
Freeze Bell:
1. The bell stops all play
2. When the bell rings, students should get off of equipment and freeze
3. Students must hold on to all play equipment at the freeze bell and when walking to line-no bouncing or throwing balls
4. The freeze bell is a signal that recess is over and is to help students calm down for class
5. When the teacher blows the whistle, students should walk to their lines
6. There is no use of the playground drinking fountains and bathrooms after the freeze bell
Snack Area:
1. Only students completing work and eating snack may be in this area
2. Students are expected to clean up their area before going to the playground
3. There is no playing with playground equipment in this area
4. All food must be put away before leaving the snack area
5. Students must walk to and from this area
6. Snack time is the first ten minutes of recess
Blacktop:
1. Students are not to loiter or play in bathrooms or hallways
2. Students are not to play or run on the sidewalks
3. Students must be on the main blacktop area, not in breezeways, not by the main building, and not on the grassy area or the area behind the portables (40, 41, 42)
4. Teachers need to put ball baskets on line numbers so students stay on the playground
5. There is no kicking of balls on the blacktop
6. Balls must never be thrown or kicked against a building
7. Jump ropes must be used for jumping rope and must stay on the blacktop
Equipment:
Slide- Only one person at a time; Sitting down, feet first; No climbing up the slide
Bars- Use to strengthen arm muscles only; Never sit on top of bars; Never walk, stand, or crawl on bars; Do not hang by knees from bars; Never bail off the bars; Bars and rings must be used in one direction; No tag or chase on the equipment
Swings- Swing straight without twisting or turning to avoid hitting others; stop the swing before you get off; no jumping. If there is a line, the students may count to 100 and then give the next person a turn.
Field:
1. Students must not go past the wall of Wing 3 and may not go back farther than the dirt on the softball field, and must stay away from all fences
2. Students may never play near the fence or climb on the fence
3. No football is allowed unless a planned game is supervised by a yard duty or teacher
4. Balls are to be kicked only on the field
HOT LUNCHES
Hot lunches are available to all students. Lunches should be purchased in the cafeteria before school or during snack recess. Free and reduced lunches are available to those students who qualify (the forms for this are in the office).
Hot lunches - $2.25, Milk - $.35. Breakfast is also available from 7:55-8:20 every day. Breakfast is $1.50.
CAFETERIA
Teachers walk their students to the cafeteria. Students enter the cafeteria in a quiet manner and use inside voices. Once seated, students DO NOT get up until they are finished and have raised their hand to be dismissed. When permission to leave has been given, students are to put their trash in the garbage cans, their lunch box in the class basket, and WALK DIRECTLY to the playground. These same rules will be in effect when eating outside at our picnic area.
MONITORS
Each week your child’s teacher will choose two lunchroom monitors. If your child is a monitor he/she will be in charge of helping to keep the lunch table clean for one week.
Monitors' Responsibilities
Lead the line to the cafeteria
Bring the lunch basket and place it at the end of the table.
After lunch, use a dustpan and broom to sweep under the table and a wet dish towel to wipe off the table top and benches.
When finished cleaning the table, sit at the end of your table and wait for an adult to check your work.
The monitor will get a certificate to take to your teacher each day to let her know how your class did in the cafeteria.
At the end of lunch recess, come back to the cafeteria to pick up the class lunch baskets.
LUNCH BOXES: Please label your child's lunch box with first and last name, teacher's name, room number and grade.
After School Pick-Up Procedures
Please help us keep Oakley School a safe place for our children.
1. Walkers:
· The Duarte exit at the back of the school is for walkers only
· If your child walks home after school, please make sure that they are leaving campus when the bell rings
· Children are not to play on the playground or wait around for older students in an unattended area
2. Students waiting:
· If your child needs to wait for other 4th/5th grade siblings, they need to be enrolled in our after school homework club.
· Students not picked up or enrolled in homework club, will be walked back to the office to call home.
3. Parents picking up their students:
· The front of the school is for Kinder pick up only.
· Unless you are physically walking up to pick up your child, all 1st-5th students must go to the tennis courts
· Parents pulling up to the tennis courts must come to a complete stop before the students are allowed to get in the car at the curb only.
· Parents that pull up across the street must park their car legally and get out to pick up their child from the tennis court (no double parking). Students will not be allowed to walk through parked cars to get into a vehicle.
· We will only be allowing day care vans and buses to pick up children by the basketball courts
· There is no parking in the bus zone
· No students will be allowed to go to the front of the school to wait for an adult
· There is no parking in the red zone in the front of the school
· No dogs are allowed on campus unless previously arranged with a teacher or because of a disability
· The Duarte exit at the back of the school is not a parent pick-up area. This is for walkers only. Cars parked in front of the homes may be ticketed by the Oakley Police.
Rainy Day Procedures
· All students being picked up will wait under the overhang in the quad area
· Parents are to drive through the parking lot and wait in their cars for a staff member to radio for the student
· Please make sure that buses can get through when they arrive
LIBRARY
The library is open on a regularly scheduled basis and is supervised by Mrs. Northrop. Library classes are held for all students in K-5. Each student may check out books for a period of one week. There is no fine for overdue books, but lost or damaged books must be paid for. Report cards will be held in the office for any damaged, missing or lost library books that have not been paid for. The library collection is constantly updated and expanded. Parents are welcome to visit the library and check out books.
EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS
Educational field trips may be taken during the school day. Parents will be notified prior to the trip regarding where the children will be going, the times of departure and return, and the purpose of the trip. Field trips enhance the learning and understanding of the classroom curriculum. Parents are encouraged to chaperon and attend field trips. All students are expected to ride the bus for field trips. Donations for field trips are based on all students sharing the cost of the bus. Siblings of students are not permitted to attend field trips. Parents driving on field trip are only allowed to drive home their own children.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
I. S.I.P. - School Improvement Program
1. An advisory committee made up of parents and staff called the "School Site Council" assists in making suggestions and recommendations for program improvement.
2. The money to fund this program comes from the state and is to be used for improving student achievements.
II. Title I Program
1. Parents and staff representing Title I students are part of the "School Site Council." They assist in making suggestions and recommendations for program improvement.
2. The money to fund this program comes from the federal government and is to be used for programs for students who qualify for services.
III. G.A.T.E. - Gifted and Talented Education
Students are screened in the fall of each year. There are several test scores taken into consideration when determining which students qualify for GATE.
IV. SPECIAL EDUCATION (Following are descriptions of the types of programs and services available)
1. Designated Instruction and Services. Assessments must indicate the need and the services must be specified in the Individual Education Plan. Types of services include, but are not limited to: Language and Speech Development, Psychological Counseling, Audiological services, instruction in the home or hospital, physical and occupational therapy, vision services and therapy.
2. Resource Student. Students who receive resource services are enrolled in the general education classroom. The student receives services for a portion of the day between 1-5 days a week in a small group setting. Instruction is designed around the student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP). A Resource Specialist provides consultation, instruction, resource information, and materials to parents and general education teachers.
3. Learning Center. Students who receive services in the Learning Center Model (LCM) are enrolled in a general education classroom. Students work in a small group during CORE Language Arts and/or Mathematics instructional sessions. Sessions vary in minutes but are designed to provide a more intense program for the acadmic needs of the students. Extra support and modifications are provided the students in the regular classroom.
4. Special Day Classes. SDC students are enrolled in a separate class for instruction and are mainstreamed into general education classes as determined by their IEP.
V. Student Success Team. Each school site has organized a Student Success Team composed of regular classroom teachers and support staff for the purpose of discussing student needs and developing and suggesting program modifications appropriate to individual students.
HEALTH
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
An Emergency information card must be completed and signed by the parent or guardian for each student at the beginning of each school year. Any changes in address, phone numbers, physician, etc., should be reported promptly to the office. Students cannot be released prior to the end of the day unless a parent, guardian or other person listed on the card can be reached by phone.
MEDICATIONS
The law does not allow the dispensing of aspirins, cough remedies, etc., unless those medications are provided for a particular student. Students are not allowed to have any medications with them at school. This includes cough drops, vitamins, aspirin, etc. The law requires the parents or guardians of any student who needs to take medication (prescription or over-the-counter) during school hours to complete a school form. (E.C. 49423).
The following policy will be in effect at Oakley School so that the student who needs medication during school hours may have it:
1. Students are not permitted to bring narcotics and other strong analgesic (pain relieving) medication to school. A student who needs to take this type of medication should stay home.
2. A student who has a reaction to any medication, such that he/she cannot function normally, should stay home.
3. If a student must take medications (prescription or over-the-counter) during school hours, the parent or guardian must pick-up a Medication Permission Form. The medication(s) will be kept in the attendance/health office and administered according to the doctor's orders. This form must be signed by the parent/guardian and the doctor All medications must be in their original containers and transported to/from school by an adult.
ILLNESS OR INJURY AT SCHOOL
When an injury occurs at school, the student should report the injury immediately to his/her teacher or yard duty supervisor. The student will be sent to the office if first aid treatment is necessary. If a student becomes ill, he/she should report it to the teacher and get a pass to go to the office. He/she will be sent home with parent/guardian permission if he/she is too ill to remain at school.
HEAD LICE
Invariably during the year, some children get lice in their hair. Please tell the school office or teacher immediately if you suspect your child has contracted head lice. If lice are detected on your child, you will be contacted right away and asked to take your child home. A summary of effective treatment is given to parents. All other parents with students in the class are notified of a current case. Students are not allowed to return to school until a school official has determined that all lice as well as nits are removed.
