2020-2021

 

Falcon

 

Strauch School recognizes that students’ families are their first and most influential teachers and that continued family involvement in the education of children contributes greatly to student achievement and a positive school environment. 

Involvement includes:

 

Specific opportunities for parent involvement include:

Several means of communication (as listed above) are used to invite parents to events and also to participate in conferences and committees.  Families are also encouraged to participate in supporting classrooms, Jog-A Thon, Reading Week, Talent Show, Red Ribbon Week, Fieldtrips, Play Day, fundraisers, Book Fairs, and Family Nights.

Grade level expectations and standards are explained at Back to School Night.  Parents are kept informed throughout the year as to the progress of their child.  Letters are sent home for students at risk academically, behaviorally, or for attendance concerns.  Parent conference days are set aside to explain in depth the progress each student is making.  Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher directly whenever they have any concerns. 

Absences and Attendance - It is important that every student come to school every day and on time.  Regular attendance is essential to successful school performance.  If your child is absent, it is necessary that you call our main office line at (916) 566-2745 and press 2 to report your child’s absence or send in a written note indicating the reason for the absence.  Our voicemail is available 24 hours a day.  Whenever leaving a voicemail please leave your child’s name, the teachers name, your name and the reason for the absence.  Families will receive an automated phone call for uncleared absences and only have 5 days to clear an absence.   

By law, parents are obligated to send their child to school daily. Parents are strongly encouraged to schedule medical appointments during non-school hours. A student’s absence from school shall be excused only for the following reasons: personal illness, medical/dental appointment, court appearance (child’s), quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer, observance of religious holiday or attendance at a funeral service for a member of the immediate family.  Unexcused absences are those due to unreported absences, vacations, non-medical appointments….etc.

School absences are monitored carefully throughout the year. If a student has more than 10 absences in a school year for illness, a physician may be asked to verify further absences for illness.  Excessive excused absences may also require notification to the School Attendance and Review Team (SART) or the district School Attendance Review Board (SARB).

A student absent from school without a valid excuse or tardy in excess of 30 minutes or more on three (3) or more days in one (1) school year is considered truant. Parents will receive written notification in the event their child is truant. Students who continue to have unexcused absences or tardies of 30 minutes or more may also require notification to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB). This is a requirement of the California Education Code. {Education Code: 48200}

Late Arrivals

Early Dismissals - If it is necessary that students leave the school grounds before the regular dismissal time, the parent/guardian may send a written note to the teacher, or call the office indicating their intentions.  Students will be called out of class when the parent/guardian arrives in the office to sign them out of school.  Students are not released to anyone other than their parents/ guardians without authorization, and must be signed out from the office.  Students may be released ONLY to those persons designated on the emergency card. You may be asked to show proof of identification when checking out students.  If a student returns to school following an appointment, they must check in with the office before going to class.

Independent Study Contracts - Students who are going to be out of school for five or more days for reasons other than illness or injury may be eligible for independent study. There is a specific set of district criteria for independent study, which can be picked up from the office.  An Independent Study Contract must be requested three or more days prior to a planned absence so that teachers can prepare materials for the student.  Independent Study Contracts will not be issued after April 1st.  Independent Study Contract forms are available in the school office.  Students who use Independent Study Contracts are not eligible for trimester attendance awards.

Arriving and Departing from School - School begins at 8:30 and is dismissed at 3:12.  Every Wednesday we have early release and school is out at 1:12.  The cafeteria serves breakfast between 7:45 and 8:15 a.m.  The playground is to stay clear until the students are taken out for recess 15 minutes before school starts, and is closed after school.  Families that arrive early are asked to wait in the cafeteria, not on the playground. Playground supervision of students begins 15 minutes before the start of school.  Please have a backup plan with your child if you are running late or are unable to pick them up.  Please call our office by 12:00 p.m. if you need to make last minute alternate arrangements for after school pick up.  Teachers are often doing outside activities with their class towards the end of the day and may not receive these messages before the dismissal bell.       

For your child’s safety and to minimize strangers on campus, our campus is closed from the time school starts until the time school ends. The gates will be opened at the last bell to allow students to walk off campus, and parents to go to classrooms.  Please do not try to step into a classroom at the beginning or end of the day, as it takes the teacher away from teaching their class.  Students are dismissed by their teacher, not the bell, and anyone picking up a child must wait until students come out of their classrooms.  If an older child will be picking up a younger sibling after school, let them know they may be asked what brings them on campus, and they simply need to tell the adult who they are picking up.

Car Drop Off/Pick-Up

Walking - Students who walk to school must do so in a safe and orderly fashion. Students must walk directly to school and home and not stop along the way.  Students will be held accountable to the school for their behavior while walking to and from school.

Emergency Cards - Emergency cards are kept on file in the office and in the classroom.  If you have changes with a telephone number or address, please contact the school immediately so that the card can be updated.  IF AN EMERGENCY SHOULD ARISE WITH YOUR CHILD, IT IS VITAL THAT WE HAVE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO PARENTS OR A DESIGNATED ADULT.

Medication - The school recognizes that students may have special medical needs.  The Education Code (49407) outlines conditions for administering medications at school during the time the student is under the supervision of school personnel.  Medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can only be given if there are written instructions from a health care provider and written permission from the parent/guardian.  Written instructions must be renewed at the start of each school year.  Medication must be labeled and in the original container.  Students may not carry any medications with them during the school day.  If your child needs an inhaler, please ask your doctor for an extra one to keep in the school office for emergencies.  Arrangements can be made with the health office for asthma sufferers who need to carry an inhaler with them.  

Illness or Injury - Parents will be promptly notified of any serious injury or illness that occurs on the school grounds.  It is critical to keep up-to-date information on your child’s emergency card, which is on file in the school office. Parents may be asked to pick up their child for their own observation or examination by their family physician.  If the accident or injury warrants, the school will call 911 and notify the parents immediately. The school does not have a full-time nurse.

Classroom and School Visitations - To ensure the safety of our students, all visitors must sign in at the office and get a visitors badge, which must be worn while on campus. Parents/guardians and interested members of the community are encouraged to visit the school and observe the educational program. Visits during school hours should be arranged twenty four hours in advance with the teacher or administrator.  If a conference with the teacher is desired, an appointment should be set with the teacher during non-instructional time.  When school is in session, all visitors must go directly to the school office to register (Penal code 627.6) before going into instructional areas. 

Volunteers - We value the contributions that parents and community members make in our schools. We welcome volunteers in our classrooms and on our campus. Volunteers are special people who are willing to donate their time and energy to the students and staff of our district.  All visitors/volunteers must sign in at the school office and wear a Strauch Elementary visitor badge prior to going onto the campus.  Visitors must sign out and return the badge before leaving the campus.  Classroom volunteers are under the direct supervision of teachers and administrators while on campus.

It is the District policy that cellular phones, pagers, and other personal electronic communication devices not be used in a manner that interrupts or distracts students or staff members in the performance of assigned duties, except for emergency purposes.  Please set phones to “silent” mode while on campus.  Phone calls should be made in areas away from instructional activities. 

If an adult is going to volunteer more than ten hours a week or be alone with children, for example, attend or drive students on a field trip, they need to complete a volunteer application, be fingerprinted and have a cleared TB test verification.  Please call 916-566-1600 to set up an appointment to be fingerprinted.  Volunteer applications need to be turned in at the district office.  Once cleared, the district will issue a district approved volunteer badge. 

There are times when a volunteer may see or hear something in a classroom or on the campus regarding a student’s academic progress, a discipline issue or other matter that must be kept confidential.  Therefore, we ask volunteers to be aware that individual student information should not be discussed with anyone other than the appropriate school officials.

English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) - Our ELAC meets four to five times a year.  This is an advisory committee where parents and guardians can make recommendations for school operations and the School Plan.

School Site Council - Strauch Elementary School receives funding beyond the district general budget through participation in the Title I Program.  The School Site Council develops and improves school programs with these funds. Site Council is made up of parents/guardians, staff and administrators and meets five to six times a year.  All parents may attend site School Site Council meetings.  Meeting dates are listed in the school newsletter.   

Closed Campus - To ensure student safety and supervision, Strauch has established a closed campus policy. When a student arrives on the school grounds, they must remain on campus until the end of the school day. No one is allowed to visit the campus or go into a classroom during school hours without checking in at the office and receiving a badge.

Cell Phone Use - Cell phone use by students is not permitted during school hours as they become a distraction and can lead to disputes or problems on the playground.  If students bring a cell phone to school, they must be turned off and left in their backpack.  If students disregard this policy, the cell phone may be confiscated and will be held until a parent can pick it up.  The school is not liable or responsible for theft, loss, or damaged cell phones.  

Messages and Deliveries - Due to the volume of requests and multiple classroom interruptions, the office staff will not deliver personal messages or items in order to minimize interruptions to classroom instruction.  Messages about change of plans, transportation and other non-emergency matters will not be delivered during instructional time.  Students should be directed by parents to go to the school office after school, if necessary.  The office cannot be held responsible for delivering messages to students unless it is an actual emergency.  Parents are encouraged to let students assume responsibility for remembering lunches, school items, homework, etc.  Items that may be distracting to the learning environment (balloons, flowers, etc.) will not be delivered to the classrooms.

Birthdays - A child’s birthday is a family celebration.  Instructional time cannot be used to celebrate a child’s birthday. If you would like to send a birthday treat for your child’s class, please make arrangements with their teacher prior to bringing it in due to potential food allergies, scheduling, etc.  Treats must be purchased at a store or bakery and may not be homemade.  Children will be provided the treat during a non-instructional time (recess, lunch, dismissal).  Balloons, presents, etc. should be presented to the child at home.  Please refrain from distributing birthday or party invitations at school unless the entire class is invited. This avoids hurt feelings.

Homework - The purpose of homework is to extend and reinforce what has been taught in class.  Students who regularly do homework are more successful in school.  Homework is explained to students before they take it home.  Parents are requested to support the classroom homework program by providing a quiet place and a regular time for your child to do homework and reviewing all work with your child upon completion.  In addition to class work assignments, every child at Strauch School is expected to read or be read to for 20 minutes a day. 

Report Cards - Report cards are sent home at the end of each trimester.  Your child’s first trimester report card will be handed out during parent conferences on November 16 & 17, 2017.  The remaining two report cards will be handed out in March and June.  Trimester schedules are:

                     1st Trimester:   August 8, 2017 – October 30, 2017

                     2nd Trimester:   November 1, 2016 – February 23, 2018

                     3rd Trimester:   February 24, 2018 – June 1, 2018

Concerns/Complaints - The district has adopted a clear set of procedures to address concerns and complaints.  Please use the following steps when you have a concern:

Books and Supplies - Students will be provided with required textbooks and school materials.  Teachers may suggest an additional supply list.  Each child is responsible for providing proper care for these materials.  In the case of lost or damaged text or library books, the student is responsible for replacement costs.  School records will be held in the office until all fines are paid.

Library Checkout - Children are encouraged to take home books from the School Library.  We ask your cooperation in seeing that your child takes care of the books and returns them when due.  Students will be required to pay for lost or damaged materials.  If you do not want your child to check out materials from the library, please send a note stating this with your signature and date to your child’s teacher.     

Lost and Found - Clothing, backpacks and larger items that are found will be held in the bin located in the cafeteria.  Unclaimed items will be donated periodically throughout the year.  Please try to label everything for your child.  Smaller items (e.g. jewelry, glasses) will be held in the office. 

Emergency Procedures - Strauch Elementary has an Emergency Plan that specifies an action for any emergency situation (e.g. fire, earthquake, intruder alert).  Parents are advised that in the event they are picking up students or visiting school in the middle of an emergency drill, they will be asked to wait until the drill is over to pick up their student.  Additionally, any individuals on campus during an emergency drill are subject to participate in the emergency drill.  Students will discuss and practice emergency procedures periodically throughout the year. 

Academic Assessments - Students are assessed each year using different assessment tools to measure progress toward meeting grade level standards.  To monitor student learning, students are given classroom, district and state assessments.  Assessment results are used by teachers to plan classroom instruction, identify the individual needs of students, monitor student progress toward grade-level standards and/or recommend student placement in various school programs. 

State Assessments - In the spring, all students in grades three through five take the California SBAC (Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium).  This assessment contains an English, Math and Writing component.  The entire test is electronic and taken on computers.  To help your child do well on this test, and in their normal school work, please ensure that your child gets plenty of sleep and has a healthy breakfast each day.

Prohibited Items - The following items are not allowed at Strauch Elementary School at any time:

Balloons                                Electronic Games/Music devices           Toys/Trading cards

Cameras                                Fireworks/Poppers                                Rolling Shoes/Heelies

Gum/Sunflower seeds            Perfume                                               Skateboards

Drugs/Paraphernalia              Matches/Lighters                                  Weapons/Replicas

Laser pens                             Footballs

Personal Possessions - Only items necessary for school should be brought to school (backpacks, folders, pencils, etc).  The school will not be responsible for the theft or damage to personal possessions that students bring to school.  Personal basketballs or playground balls may come to school to be used for recess games only.  Students may not exclude other students from games with their personal balls. 

Mandatory School Uniform Policy - The Staff at Strauch Elementary School believes that every student should be allowed to learn free of distraction and should be safe going to and from school, as well as throughout the school day.  An environment that is safe and caring will only increase our students’ ability to be as successful as we know they can be.   Students in uniform help staff to see immediately who should or should not be on campus.  The uniform policy has the support of staff, parents and the Twin Rivers Unified School District.  Students play in the bark boxes, on the blacktop and on the field regularly.  They need to have clothes that are comfortable and appropriate for active play.

CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE - We work with students and families to make sure that everyone follows the School Uniform Policy.  We have an open uniform closet. If a student comes to school out of uniform, the school staff may:

 

EXEMPTIONS - If you choose not to have your child comply with the Student Uniform Policy adopted at Strauch School, you must apply for a waiver from the uniform requirements for the school year. This can be done by speaking with Strauch administration and writing a letter.  If the waiver is approved, your child must continue to follow the Twin Rivers Unified School District Administration Regulation #5560(a) regarding district wide Dress Code.

All students are expected to be safe, respectful and responsible.  This includes on the way to school, at school and on the way home from school. 

Climate for Learning - The school staff is committed to providing a safe, orderly and caring learning environment where students feel comfortable, share responsibility for maintaining a positive school climate and take pride in their school and their achievements.  As a school, we encourage attitudes and behaviors that promote mutual respect and harmonious relations.  Students are not allowed to bully other students or provoke conflicts.  Behavior or statements that degrade an individual on the basis of his/her race, ethnicity, culture, heritage, gender, sexual orientation, physical/mental attributes, religious beliefs or practices shall not be tolerated.  All school personnel are mutually responsible for managing student conduct, safety and the enforcement of school policies and regulations. 

School Rules    

Consequences - Misbehavior will be corrected as a means to provide a healthy learning environment, ensure safety for your child and maintain an orderly campus.  For students who choose not to follow the rules and expectations, they can expect any of the following consequences: 

Citations - Citations are issued by school staff and sent home for parent signature.  Citations are used to report any classroom, cafeteria or playground problems to the teacher/parent.  Students receiving citations may be excluded from activities and lose other privileges. 

Office Referrals - Students are sent to the office on referral for serious infractions.  Students meet with the administrator or designee to discuss the incident that caused the referral.  Office referrals are documented in the Student Discipline database.  Students receiving office referrals may be excluded from participating in activities/assemblies and may lose recess and other privileges. 

General Playground Rules:

Strauch School believes that all students have a right to a safe and healthy learning environment.  Our school is committed to promoting mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance.  We will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety of any student or staff member. 

A student shall not intimidate or harass another student through words or actions.  Such behavior includes patterns of direct physical contact such as hitting or shoving, verbal assaults such as teasing or name calling (in person, in text messages or online) and social isolation or manipulation.

Incidents of bullying are expected to be reported immediately to a school administrator or designee.  Staff is expected to immediately intervene when they see a bullying incident occur.  Each complaint of bullying should be promptly investigated. 

Teachers will discuss the bullying policy with their students in age-appropriate ways and will assure students that they need not endure any form of bullying.   Students who bully are in violation of this policy and are subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.  School rules are to be followed by every student while on school grounds, or when traveling to and from a school-sponsored activity.

Our policy includes the following:

The procedures for intervening in bullying behavior include, but are not limited to the following:

Area	Be Safe	Be Respectful	Be Responsible
Arrival & Dismissal Areas __ Bus Riders __ Car Riders __ Walkers __ Bicycles __ Skateboards __ Scooters	Use sidewalks and cross walks    Wait in designated areas Walk safely with a friend or        family member Walk bicycles, skateboards     & scooters while on campus Wear helmets Secure bicycles, skateboards       & scooters Obey crossing guards &       staff members	Walk quietly to your      designated place Be present in supervised      areas Students stay on campus        until dismissed	Arrive and leave on time Always go directly home or     to your after school location Make arrangements for     after school plans before     coming to school
Classroom	Keep hands, feet & objects    to self Sit in chair safely Use furniture & supplies          appropriately	Practice active listening Raise a quiet hand to speak Use quiet, kind words and     actions Ask to use other’s property	Follow directions Be on time and be prepared Stay on task Clean up after yourselves
Cafeteria	Keep hands, feet and objects     to self Hold tray with two hands Report spills immediately Walk to line up & out to       playground	Wait patiently & use good     manners Raise hand for help Listen & obey when staff is    speaking Use polite language and     appropriate level of talking Allow anyone to sit next to     you	Follow directions Be on time and be prepared Stay on task Clean up after yourselves
Playground	Walk to and from     playground Stay within boundaries Be aware of activities/games     around you No play fighting	Play fairly Include everyone No teasing or bullying Listen and obey all staff    members Ask for equipment politely	When whistle blows, stop     playing and freeze Walk quietly to your     classroom line when 2nd     whistle blows
Hallways	Walk in single file	Hold the door open for    others Be silent in the hallway	Keep hands, feet, and object     to yourself Must have a pass
Bathrooms	Keep feet on floor Keep water in the sink Wash hands with soap &     water Put paper towels in garbage	Give people privacy No playing Leave lights on Doors unlocked when not in     use	Flush toilet after use Return to room or     playground promptly
Office & Health Office	Stay where told	Wait your turn & follow     directions Sit quietly	Must have office pass Get permission to use phone
Media / Library	Use books and equipment     Appropriately Walk while in the library	Use whisper voices Food and drink with     permission only Get permission to use     printer	Return books when due Stay in your space Listen & follow directions Use internet appropriately
Special Events & Assemblies	Enter cafeteria quietly and     sit in assigned area Use quiet signal Keep hands, feet & objects     to yourself	Use manners Show appreciation by    applauding appropriately	Be quiet so others can hear Stay seated so others can see Sit on bottom with legs     crossed

Dear Parents and Families,

In order to provide the best education for your children, it is essential that we work closely with you.  You are a very important part of our team.  We encourage you to take an active role in your children’s education.  Teachers, parents, and students share responsibilities that we as partners carry out to achieve student success in school and in life.  Teachers have reviewed these responsibilities with students in class, please review them again at home.  Thank you!

TEACHER PLEDGE

The school plays a very important role in developing learning skills for life.  To enhance your child’s education and success in school, I will make every effort to:

Teacher’s Signature______________________________________Date______________

STUDENT PLEDGE

I realize that my education is important.  I know I am the one responsible for my own success.  Therefore, I will make every effort to:

Student’s Signature______________________________________Date_______________

PARENT PLEDGE

Parents and family are a child’s first and most important teachers.  To encourage my child’s learning and success in school, I will make every effort to:

Parent’s Signature ______________________________________Date_______________

Queridos Padres y familias,

Con el fin de proporcionar la mejor educación para sus hijos, es esencial que trabajamos estrechamente con usted. Usted es una parte muy importante de nuestro equipo. Le animamos a tomar un papel activo en la educación de sus hijos. Los maestros, los padres y los estudiantes comparten las responsabilidades que nosotros como socios llevamos a cabo para lograr el éxito estudiantil en la escuela y en la vida. Los maestros han revisado estas responsabilidades con los estudiantes en clase.  Pedimos que los repasen de nuevo en casa. ¡Gracias!

PROMESA DE MAESTRO(A)

La escuela juega un papel muy importante en el desarrollo de habilidades de aprendizaje para toda la vida. Para mejorar la educación y el éxito escolar de su hijo, voy a hacer cada esfuerzo para:

Firma de Maestro(a)______________________________________Fecha______________

PROMESA DE ESTUDIANTE

Me doy cuenta de que mi educación es importante. Yo sé que soy el responsable de mi propio éxito. Por lo tanto, voy a hacer todo lo posible para:

Firma de estudiante______________________________________Fecha_______________

PROMESA DE PADRE/GUARDIAN

Los padres y la familia son los primeros y más importantes maestros de un niño. Para fomentar el aprendizaje y el éxito en la escuela de mi hijo(a), voy a hacer todo lo posible para:

Firma de Padre/Guardian______________________________________Fecha_______________