Parent Handbook / Policies and Procedures

The Solana Santa Fe School Community is committed to making our school a safe and caring environment for all students. We will treat each other with respect and refuse to tolerate bullying of any kind.

Definition: Bullying is unfair and one-sided. Bullying behavior happens when someone keeps hurting, harassing, intimidating, threatening, or causing substantial emotional distress to a person. Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication media (cell phones, text messages, instant messaging, social networks, etc.) to bully another student in the ways described above. Bullying and cyberbullying interfere with a student’s educational opportunities and can substantially disrupt the orderly operations of the school.

Hurting someone physically by hitting, kicking, tripping, or pushing
Stealing or damaging another person’s things
Ganging up on someone
Teasing someone in a hurtful way
Using put-downs (i.e., insulting or making fun of someone)
Name calling
Spreading rumors or untruths about someone
Leaving someone out on purpose, or trying to get other kids not to play with someone
Using any electronic communication device (texting, cell phones, social networks, etc.) to insult, threaten, or post untrue information or embarrassing photos about another student
Cyber-bullying is subject to the same consequences as traditional bullying. Cyber bullying is defined as using any electronic communication device (texting, cell phones, social networks, etc.) to threaten, insult, harass, or electronically post embarrassing photos or untrue information about another student.

Students at Solana Santa Fe will do the following things to prevent bullying:

Treat everyone with respect and kindness
Refuse to bully others
Refuse to let others be bullied
Refuse to watch, laugh, or join in when someone is being bullied
Try to include everyone in play, especially those who are often left out
Report bullying behavior to an adult

Teachers and staff at Solana Santa School will do the following things to prevent bullying and help children feel safe at school:

Closely supervise students in all areas of the school and playground
Watch for signs of bullying behavior and stop it when it happens
Respond quickly and sensitively to bullying reports using the Four-A-Response Process (Affirm Feelings, Ask Questions, Assess Safety, and Act by coaching the child on what to do in the future)
Look into all reported bullying incidents
Assign consequences for bullying based on the school discipline code
Assign immediate consequences for retaliation against students who report bullying

Consequences for Violation of the Anti-Bullying Policy

Education Code 48900 states that a pupil my be suspended or expelled for acts that are enumerated in this section and related to school activity or attendance that occur at any time, including but not limited to, any of the following: while on school grounds; while going to or coming from school; during, or while going to or coming from, a school sponsored activity. Additionally, if the incident happens off campus but not at a school-sponsored event, but then disrupts school activities, the student is subject to the same consequences as outlined in Ed. Code 48900. Depending on the severity and nature of the incident, Solana Santa Fe School will take one or more of the following steps when bullying occurs.

Intervention, Warning, and Redirection: A teacher, principal, or staff member will ensure that the immediate behavior stops and reinforce to the student who is doing the bullying that bullying will not be tolerated. During this meeting with the student, the staff member will redirect the student and come up with a plan for success should they find themselves in a similar situation in the future.

Notification of Parents: School staff will notify the parents of involved students. The parents might be asked to meet with the principal or other members of the school staff, including the student’s teacher and/or the school guidance counselor.

Resolution with the Target of the Bullying: The student who is bullying may be required to write a letter of apology to the student who was bullied. Depending upon the nature of the incident, the students involved may meet to help resolve the problem and ensure it does not happen again.

Referral to School Support Staff: The student who is bullying may meet with the school guidance counselor to help prevent future violations.

Consequences: The student who is bullying may receive a yellow ticket, serving one or more days of afterschool detention or lose school privileges (i.e., serving on student council, participating in Jubilee and/or other end of year activities).

Suspension: In cases of severe and/or repeated bullying, the student will be suspended.

Assessment

Student assessment is a vital part of the educational process. Teachers and specialists use a variety of methods to regularly assess student progress on an ongoing basis. In addition, the following testing procedures are use district-wide:

STAR Testing: Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) is administered in the spring to all students in grades 2-6. These tests measure how well students are achieving California standards for all subject tests - English/Language Arts and mathematics are tested in grades 2-6 and fifth grade students are also tested in Science. Individual student achievement results are mailed home to parents.

MAP: The MAP test (Measures of Academic Progress) is a computer program that measures and reports student growth in Reading and Math over months and years. A MAP assessment is administered three times each year and informs the instructional decisions of teachers.

OTIS LENNON: The Otis Lennon test is a scholastic aptitude test that is administered to all third graders.

Attendance

Regular Attendance is important for students to be successful learners. When a student is absent, they miss out on the sequence of instruction and must spend extra time catching up with their classmates upon returning to school. In addition, Ed. Code 48200 requires all children ages 6 to 18 to be enrolled in a full-time education program. Absences are monitored closely. Please call the absence hotline, (858) 794-4451 (available 24 hours a day) when your child will be absent.

Checking In and Out: Students must be checked in and out through the school office when coming in late or leaving early. Students may ONLY be released to those persons designated on their emergency cards. We are unable to make any exceptions. Parents must insure they have listed the names of any individual who may pick up their child on the student's emergency card.

Tardies for students grade K through 6: Students are required to attend school and classes on time each day. Punctuality is a measure of responsibility and the Governing Board of Solana Beach School District deems it important that all students learn the value of being punctual.

Students tardy to school must sign in at the school office before going to their class. Students are considered to be tardy if they are not in their seat prepared to work when the bell rings for school to begin.

Justification for tardiness is very limited. Tardies will be excused only for health reasons, family emergencies and justifiable personal reasons, as permitted by law, Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5113, and Education Code 48205. Class participation is an integral part of students’ learning experiences. Parents/guardians and students are strongly encouraged to schedule medical appointments during non-school hours.

Tardies will accumulate during the school year. For each tardy that occurs within a school year, the following consequence(s) will apply.

1-3rd Tardy — Teacher Conference with student
5th Tardy — Principal Conference with student and telephone call to parent
6th Tardy — First Truancy letter and Soft Truancy Booklet sent home
8th Tardy — Second Truancy letter Parent Conference Scheduled
10th Tardy — Referral to school Attendance Review Team (SARB) through the San Diego County Office of Education

School Attendance Review Board (SARB): Attendance and tardies are monitored closely throughout the school year. Truancy letters are sent out to students each time they receive three unexcused absences or three tardies. After nine unexcused absences or nine tardies, a referral may be made to the county Student Attendance Review Board (SARB). SARB is composed of educators and county officials who will review the student's attendance history, interview the parents and student, and make various recommendations to which the parents and student must adhere. If these recommendations are not followed and the student continues to accrue unexcused absences and tardies, SARB can turn the case over to the district attorney's office for legal action. Students may also be referred to SARB for chronic discipline problems.

Prompt Afterschool Pickup: Staff supervision ends at 3:00 pm. Students not picked up by 3:00 pm will be directed to a classroom for supervision. Students will sign their name on a clipboard when they arrive and parents will be required to sign the children out when they are picked up . Repetitive late pick-ups will be reported to the principal. A letter may be sent home reminding you that prompt pick-up is important to ensure your child's safety.

Medical Appointments: We urge parents to schedule medical and dental appointments so they do not conflict with class time. If a student needs to be checked out of class, parents must come to the office to sign them out (and back in when they return). We will call the classroom to have your child come to the office.

Back To School Night and Open House

Back to School Night is scheduled during the first 2 weeks of school and parents are encouraged to attend this special event. The purpose of the evening is to give teachers an opportunity to share with parents the curriculum, class expectations, and learning opportunities available for each child. This night is for parents only, so parents will need to make child care arrangements. Discussion is intended to be general. Conferences for individual concerns should be scheduled for a later time.

Open House is scheduled in the spring. This is an opportunity for students to share with their parents some of the projects and other classroom activities they have worked on throughout the year.

Before School/Morning Arrival

Students are not permitted to be on campus before 8:10 a.m. unless they are enrolled in a before school intervention or enrichment class. After 8:10 a.m. students are to go to the black top area of the playground until the bell rings at 8:30 a.m. Kindergarten students stay on the Kindergarten Playground.

Bike and Skateboard Riding Policy

Students may ride bicycles/skateboards to school if they abide by the following safety rules:
Riders must be in grades 3 - 6.
All riders must wear a helmet.
Bicycles/skateboards are to be walked on school premises. Riding skateboards and scooters on campus is strictly prohibited (both during and after school hours).
Sidewalks must be used in the parking lot areas - no riding in the parking lot.
Bicycles/skateboards must be parked in bike racks and locked.
Only one person per bike/skateboard.
Bicycle/skateboard riders must obey the same rules that apply to cars when using the street.

Cell Phones

Cell phones may not be used during school hours. They should be turned off. If students need to call a parent during school hours, they may ask to use a school phone. The school phone should not be used to schedule after-school play dates.

Change Of Address

If you have a change of address or phone number, please let the office know so that they can maintain accurate, up-to-date information. If you are moving out of the area, notify the office and we will issue a transfer slip to present to your new school. If reasonable amount of notice is given, a curriculum form will be given to teachers to complete to assist the next teacher.

Classroom Assignments

When we assign students to classes for the next school year, we endeavor to meet the needs of the individual child and develop classes whose balance and dynamics contribute to a positive learning environment. To achieve well-balanced classes, we consider academic ability; to help maintain positive class dynamics, we consider which pupils should and should not be placed together. "Sending" and "Receiving" teachers will consider the benefits of possible assignments to each student, as well as the contributions each student and various groupings of students can bring to the dynamics and balance of each class.

Closed Campus

The Solana Beach Board of Trustees has established a "closed campus" at Solana Santa Fe in the interest of student safety and supervision. Once students arrive on the school grounds, they must remain on campus until the end of the school day. Students who need to leave school before the end of the day need to be checked out in the school office.

For the safety of the students at Solana Santa Fe, we ask that ALL parents sign in at the office when on campus for volunteering purposes.

Communication

Teachers will inform parents on Back-to-School Night how they would like to communicate between home and school.

Solana Santa Fe is making every effort to reduce the volume of paper usage by providing the Weekly Communication documents electronically every Wednesday. You can find the flyers and other weekly information in the Weekly Communication link of this website.

To receive a reminder and other school communication via email, please take a moment to sign up for the school listserv at: After subscribing, you will receive a confirming email, please follow the confirmation process. Thank you for helping us to use technology to enhance communication and contributing to our commitment to environmental awareness.

For your convenience, we have provided a message line (858) 794-4751 to report absences and leave messages for teachers. The messages are picked up every school day between 9:00 and 10:30 am. PLEASE CALL EACH DAY YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT.

Student Messages: Parents are requested to call students only in emergencies. Items and messages brought to school for students during school hours are to be brought to the office. Messages will then be delivered to the classroom as soon as possible.Please do not deliver them to the classroom, as this interferes with the continuity of the learning process.

Computers

Students have access to computers in their classroom, the media center, and the computer lab. Before students use the computer, student and parent must sign a contract. The contract states: Improper use of the computer will result in the cancellation of the student's access privileges and revocation of permission to use the computer, as well as disciplinary action by school officials. The contract also gives or takes away the right for the student to log on to the Internet.

Discipline/School Rules

All teachers will follow this Code of Conduct in their classrooms because we believe:

All students have the right to learn.
All teachers have the right to teach.

At Solana Santa Fe our goal is to CRAFT exceptional citizens who are:

C aring
R esponsible
A lways Respectful
F air
T rustworthy

GENERAL SCHOOL RULES

Caring
I will use kind words.
I will be courteous and considerate of others at all times.
I will be compassionate towards others.
I will do good deeds without expecting a reward.

Responsible
I will do what is expected of me.
I will strive to do my best in whatever I do.
I will have good classroom behavior and follow the rules of the school and my classroom.
I will be responsible for my actions and myself.

Always Respectful
I will respect myself and be proud of my accomplishments.
I will be respectful of everyone at Solana Santa Fe and of their property.
I will use polite and courteous greetings.
I will be proud of my school and take care of school property.
I will speak up or work to change things that are unfair.

Fair
I will treat others the way I want to be treated
I will listen to other’s point of view
I will play by the rules
I will speak up or work to change things that are unfair.

Trustworthy
I will be honest, truthful and sincere.
I will be reliable, so others can count on me.
I will do the right thing.

ASSEMBLY RULES

Always enter and leave assemblies quietly.
Be orderly and follow the directions of your teacher.
Quietly sit or stand with your class in the assigned area.
Applause is the only appropriate response, be courteous. It is inappropriate to “boo,” whistle or “hoot.”

GAMES NOT ALLOWED

Pushing and pulling on bodies.
Tackle football.
Handball against building or ball playing near fences or buildings.
Hard baseballs or golf balls, or tennis balls.
Toys from home such as: guns, cars, dolls, game watches, baseball bats, cards (baseball/trading) and sticker albums,radios, tape recorders, and skateboards, and of course DO NOT BRING any weapons including knives or explosives to school!
No gymnastics on the grass or pavement.
No play equipment from home allowed at school.
Any game that endangers another student.

OUTSIDE RULES

You should not arrive at school before 8:10 am.
When the bell rings - ALL play STOPS. Walk to your line quickly.
Recess is a privilege which is earned through making appropriate choices and following safety rules.
Drinks are to be taken during recess - not after the bell rings. Never play or push in line.
Absolutely NO FIGHTING - you will be sent to the office and your parents will be called.
Nutrition Break is to be taken seated at the lunch benches - not on the playground.
Lunch is to be eaten at the lunch benches.Do not sit on the table tops. Always clean-up your paper and food scraps after all food breaks. Absolutely NO GUM.
You may NOT loiter or play in the restrooms.
Follow adult directions the first time.
Play in designated areas only (not past lines, not on the hillsides, not over the fence, or in the ditch).
Use equipment the way it was designed to be used, i.e. jump ropes for jumping only.
Use red rubber balls on the blacktop only.
Bounce balls against backboard walls only, not against classroom walls.
Do Not bring equipment from home.
Play games that are safe (at adults' discretion):

            a) Flag or touch football only;
            b) Tag will be played on the grass;
            c) Physical contact sports are not allowed.

No closed games, welcome everyone.
No use of put-downs or rude/inappropriate language or actions. Racial slurs will not be tolerated.

PLAY STRUCTURE RULES

Pull-Up Bars/Monkey Bars. No skipping bars, no sitting, no standing, and no flips. No jumping off bars. One direction on the bars; no chasing, tag, jumping, or pushing others. No climbing or crossing on top of the high bridge or monkey bars.
Slide - Sliding down feet first only; no sand throwing, running, or crawling up the slide. One person on the slide at a time.
No throwing sand.
One at a time on the swings.

SCHOOL-WIDE/CLASSROOM REWARDS

Citizenship Awards (held every other month at Friday flag salute): Every 6 weeks the school will emphasize a character attribute and recognize those students who have modeled that value. Students will receive a certificate & a photo with the principal.
Character Counts Cards: Cards are given for behavior that is above and beyond excellent. There are classroom drawings and a school-wide drawing at Flag Salute.
Principal's Handshake: A certificate from the principal (by teacher request) to recognize special outstanding behavior.
Read To The Principal: Children are sent to the Principal's office to read to her & receive an "I've read to the Principal" button.
Super Sport Awards: Given to students that exhibit Outstanding Sportsmanship on the playground. A drawing is held to recognize students at a Friday Flag Salute.
Caught You Being Clean: Once a month at flag salute a primary & an upper class are recognized for keeping their rooms CLEAN!!!

SCHOOL-WIDE/CLASSROOM CONSEQUENCES
Step A: Classroom Behavior Plan is used. Consequences may include written explanations, discussions, time-outs, time-outs in another teacher's classroom, phone calls home, letters to parents, parent conferences, Alert Tickets, and after-school detention.

A set of classroom rules will be sent home by the teacher to augment the school-wide program. This plan will include:

a positive plan for students or the entire class who behave, and
a hierarchy of consequences if a student breaks a rule.

Step B: Student meets with Principal (with Behavior Note):
1st time:

Student and Principal discuss problem.
Student may call parent.
Appropriate consequences are assigned (may include detention or suspension).
Behavior Note is completed and filed.

2nd time (if within two months of the first time):

Student and Principal discuss problem.
Student calls parent.
Principal speaks with parent.
Appropriate consequences are assigned (may include detention or suspension).
Behavior Note is completed and filed.

3rd time (if within two months of the first time):

Principal calls parent to come to school.
Student goes home for the remainder of the day or parent attends class with student.
Parent, student, teacher, and Principal create an individualized behavior plan for the student.

Step C: Immediate detention is the consequence for either habitual behavior (moving through Steps A-B in the classroom) or for one of the following severe disruptions:

Defying authority.
Actions with intent to hurt someone, such as physically fighting, rock throwing, biting, etc.
Verbal abuse; i.e. racial slurs, bullying, etc.

SCHOOL-WIDE CONSEQUENCES FOR OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Staff member who observes a student in an inappropriate behavior issues an ALERT ticket which will be sent to the homeroom teacher. Homeroom teachers will maintain their own records. ALERT tickets will be kept on file in the classroom for two weeks.If a total of 4 ALERT tickets are received within a two week time frame, one day of detention will be given to the student.
AUTOMATIC DETENTION can be assigned by any staff member if the student participates in:

               - defying authority
               - racial or slurs
               - sexual harassment
               - swearing
               - bulllying
               - destruction of property
               - physical assault

DETENTION

Detention will be served the day following parent notification. After detention a parent or guardian must pick up the student in the school office.
If a student does not serve assigned detention, he/she will receive an additional day of detention.
Detention behavior form will be sent to the homeroom at the end of the day. Student will be responsible for taking the detention notice home, obtaining a parent's signature, and returning it to the office by start of school the following day.
If the detention notice is not returned at the start of the school day, the student will be assigned an additional day of
detention and asked to call his/her parent for verbal permission to remain after school.
If a student is sick on the day he/she is to serve detention, it will be served on the day they return to school.
Detention room will be staffed by teachers on a rotating basis. The teacher will be provided with a listing of all students who are assigned detention for that day.
Supervisor does not talk or counsel student serving detention.
Students sit silently after completing detention form.
Bathroom breaks and drinks are not permitted.
If a student talks or disrupts in any manner in the Detention Room, he/she will be assigned extra detention and/or more severe consequences.

SUSPENSION

Grounds for suspension according to the California Education Code §48900 are that a student:
Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person.
Possessed, sold or furnished firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object.
Possessed, used, sold, furnished or been under the influence of drugs, alcohol, a controlled substance or intoxicant.
Offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell look-alike controlled substances, alcohol, or intoxicants.
Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion.
Caused or attempted to cause damage to school or private property.
Stole or attempted to steal school or private property.
Possessed or used tobacco or product containing tobacco or nicotine.
Committed obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.
Possessed, offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia.
Disrupted school activities, willfully defied valid school personnel in the performance of their duties.
Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.
Committed sexual harassment (Ed. Code §48900.2)
Participated in an act of hate violence (Ed. Code §48900.3)
Harassed, threatened, or intimidated another student. (Ed. Code §48900.4)

Further Information, please see the California Education Code Section 48900 – 48927.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT:
The Solana Beach School District prohibits unlawful sexual harassment of any student or employee by any other student or employee. Teachers shall discuss this policy with their students in age-appropriate ways and should assure them that they need not endure any form of sexual harassment. Any student who engages in sexual harassment of anyone in or from the District may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Any employee who permits or engages in sexual harassment of any student may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Students and staff shall immediately report incidents of sexual harassment to the principal/designee or to another District administrator. Any student who feels that he/she is being sexually harassed should immediately contact the principal/designee or another District administrator in order to obtain a copy of AR 1312.2 - Uniform Complaint Procedures. Complaints of sexual harassment can be filed in accordance with these procedures. The District prohibits retaliatory behavior against any complainant or any participant in the process. Each complaint of sexual harassment shall be promptly investigated in a way that respects the privacy of all parties concerned.

Dogs Service dogs are permitted, but otherwise we do not allow dogs on campus.

Dress Code

The purpose of a school-wide DRESS CODE is to establish a school environment that supports a productive academic atmosphere, which supports students’ learning and reflects the educational values of the staff and the parents. These standards are consistent with those established by California Education Code and the Solana Beach School District. Please take the time to review this policy with your children.

The following items of clothing/accessories are considered inappropriate and/or disruptive to the educational process and are unacceptable for school attire:

Spaghetti straps, strapless tops or tube tops worn without a blouse/sweater cover-up
Bare midriffs – no belly button and/or skin showing
Tops that are unbuttoned below the sternum
Short shorts or skirts, un-hemmed shorts, tight athletic shorts, rolled up short shorts or skirts
Undergarments showing (i.e., bra straps showing, baggy pants worn below the waist) or lack of undergarments
Emblems, lettering, or pictures related to drugs, alcohol, sex, or profanity
Chains, jewelry which dangles and could be unsafe, thong-type sandals, flip flops, plastic or slip-on shoes, roller skate type shoes
NO makeup
Any items of clothing or manner of wearing clothing which contributes to the disruption of a productive learning environment and the safe operation of the school
Hats inside the building or classroom

Of great concern due to safety issues is the style of footwear that students wear. Shoes should have hard soles and be strapped or tied. Athletic shoes are always a good choice and allow students to fully participate in outdoor/physical education activities. Students who choose to wear sandals may be asked to bring tennis shoes so they can participate safely in outdoor/PE activities without injury. Hats, caps, or visors may be appropriate on the playground during recess to protect students from the sun. Students should be reminded that wearing these items is a privilege which may be lost if they become a distraction in the classroom or a problem on the playground.

Parents will be notified immediately if school personnel become concerned over a student's clothing. We will discuss the problem and recommend alternatives to the student's attire.

Please know how very much your support and cooperation with our school dress code policy is valued. The positive message that school is a place to work and learn is reinforced when our students come to school dressed appropriately. Thank you for reviewing this policy with your child and helping us to reinforce appropriate school attire.

Emergency Procedures

Emergency procedures are in place to insure the safety of the students during various emergency situations: earthquake, evacuation, bomb threats or intruder on campus. During an emergency, children will be dismissed by the Superintendent to go home only if there is time to return students safely to their homes, and parents can be notified. If a student's parents cannot be contacted and/or the parent is unable to pick up their child, the school will maintain responsibility for the student until the parent or authorized individual can pick up the student. At no time will a student be excused except to the care of a parent or other adult designated on the emergency card.

If evacuation of the school is necessary, students will be transported to a predetermined location. Parents will be advised of the evacuation site by radio announcements and/or information posted at the school site. Evacuation of the school will not be attempted unless there is no alternative.

In the event of an emergency, school personnel need to be involved in caring for the students, and telephone lines need to be kept open for communications with proper authorities. As a result, we ask that you call the message hot line, (858) 794-4451, which will be updated with specific information and instructions for parents.

To help prepare for emergency situations, once a month all students and staff perform an Emergency Drill which will consist of one or more of the following:

Fire/Evacuation Drill
The fire alarm sounds. The teacher walks the students to their designated area a safe distance from the building. The teacher then takes attendance and waits for further instructions from the principal.

Earthquake Drill

The teacher has students "Drop and Cover" which is getting to their knees away from dangerous windows or other areas covering their heads. They get under tables, desks, or other sturdy furniture. They remain in this position until the office indicates it is time to evacuate or for the drill to end. If an evacuation is called, all classes walk outside the building to the backfield. Everyone meets at the assembly area where there are supply sheds and emergency equipment in case of an actual emergency.

Lockdown Drill
This drill is in case of an intruder, stray dog, or any other threat on campus. The principal announces the situation on the intercom and rings the bell if students are outside. Teachers lock the doors and close windows. The students move together to a safe spot in the classroom. Teachers take attendance and remain with students. The class waits for further instructions.

Flag Salute

Every Friday at 8:30 a.m. (weather permitting), all classes remain on the blacktop for a short assembly. The principal makes announcements, gives awards, recognizes students, etc. Classes recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing a song together. Parents are always invited to stay for our weekly assemblies.

Health Information

Illnesses

Each year school children have an average of five to seven common infections such as colds and intestinal upset. For the protection of your child and his/her classmates, please keep your child at home when ill. and please notify the school (absence line 858-794-4751). The following symptoms may mean that an illness is contagious:
Fever, diarrhea, vomiting within the last 24 hours. Children need to be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Thick mucous or pus draining from eyes.
Sore throat, especially if combined with fever or swollen neck glands.
Rashes with fever or rashes of unknown origin.
Upper respiratory infection and/or severe cold, especially if accompanied with green or yellow nasal discharge and/or ear pain. Coughs spread germs, and a cough that keeps a child up at night means they will be too tired to learn the next day.
Stiff neck.
Unusual fatigue, paleness, loss of appetite, confusion and irritability.

Immunizations

The California School Immunization law requires that all children entering school receive proper immunizations to protect them from serious illness and to prevent the spread of communicable diseases: polio, measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), diphtheria, tetanus, haemophilus influenza type b (Hib meningitis), and whooping cough.

Guide to Immunizations for School Entry (pdf, 212 kb)

Medication at School
If your child is required to take daily or occasional medication during school hours, state law requires a parent/guardian MUST complete a medical form signed by the doctor before the medication can be administered. ALL medication must be stored in the health office. The nurse and/or health aide will be on duty to administer first aid and medications.

Medical/Student Insurance

This is to inform you that the Solana Beach School District does not provide student and athletic accident insurance coverage for students, however, it does make available several insurance coverage plans through Student Insurance, an independent insurance company. The Solana Beach School District takes appropriate steps to protect your child from injury; however, accidents can and do occur, even in safe environments.

In accordance with Education Code Section 49472, the Solana Beach School District has made available for purchase, voluntary student and athletic accident insurance through the Student Insurance Company. The insurance program offered is optional and complies with the State Education Code. The Student Accident Insurance may be purchased for school-time, 24-hour, and dental coverage. Although you may already have medical insurance for your family, the purchase of this additional coverage could assist you by paying deductibles and balances left after your primary carrier has paid.

To enroll in the insurance program, please have your student pick up an enrollment brochure and application from the school office. (If you would prefer, you may download a brochure and application at www.studentinsuranceusa.com. ) Complete the application and return with your premium to Student Insurance in the envelope provided. All premium checks/money orders should be payable to Student Insurance. Please do not send cash! Please retain the brochure attached to the application for your records.

If you have any questions, please call Student Insurance directly for assistance with this program. They may be reached at 1-800-367-5830.

Homework Policy

Rationale

The purpose of homework is to strengthen academic skills, reinforce concepts taught by teachers, develop student responsibility and accountability, and promote parent awareness. Positive results of homework include better retention of factual knowledge, increased understanding of material, improve critical thinking, concept formation and information processing skills, as well as enrichment of the core curriculum. Our gal is to create assignments that promote one or more of these outcomes. We recognize that homework is not the only circumstance under which after-school learning takes place. Many leisure-time activities teach important academic and life skills. We believe in the importance of balancing leisure, learning and family time.

Amount of Homework
The amount of homework assigned shall be related to the maturity and ability level of the students in a given class. The following chart suggests these homework schedules as guides for students. These schedules can be used as guidelines for parents and teachers in monitoring student time devoted to homework.

Grades K-2 10 – 30 minutes up to 4 days per week
Grades 3-6 30 – 60 minutes up to 4 days per week

Be advised that students on occasion may spend more than one hour and/or more than four days a week completing schoolwork, as time at home may be spent doing assigned homework, long-term projects, and completing unfinished classroom assignments. Students have varying abilities to use class time efficiently, and the amount of time spent on homework varies from one child to another.

Student’s Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the student to record and understand the homework assignment, complete it, and return it to school on the required day.

Parent’s Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the parent to set a specific time and place for doing homework and to monitor the student’s homework. Parents who have concerns about homework should contact their child’s teacher. Parents should provide guidance to students, not answers.

Homework Requests
Requests for homework should be called in on the Absence Line (858-794-4751) before 10:00 a.m., and can be picked up between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. that day.

Lost and Found

Found items are kept on the coat rack by the FAB; small or valuable items are kept in a drawer in the school office. After a period of time, items are donated to charity, so please encourage your children to check the lost and found periodically. We make every effort to return items if names are on them so be sure to label all personal belongings.

Lunch Information

The Solana Beach School District takes part in the National Lunch Program. Meals are served every school day. Students may buy lunch for $3.25. A student lunch includes an entrée, choice of 1% low-fat milk or fat free chocolate milk, 100% fruit juice and assortment of fresh and canned fruits and vegetables from our salad bar. In order to receive a free or reduced lunch, parents must complete an application (available in the school office) on a yearly basis. Parents can pay for lunch online through Nutri-Kids.com.

Parents are encouraged to prepay for their children's lunches. Prepaid students will be issued an electronic card which keeps track of the balance in the student's lunch account. When a student's account drops below a predetermined amount, the student will be given a note to take home and/or the parent will receive an email from Food Service. We cannot guarantee that all students will be assured their lunch selections o the menu. When in doubt, pack your child's lunch.

Lunch Rules: Eat first; Clean up your area; Talk quietly; Be polite and remember your manners; Raise your hand to use the restroom and get a drink.

Pets/Animals on Campus

Children are asked not to bring pets from home. In special cases, pets may be brought only with the prior permission of the teacher and should be in a cage or under some other form of restraint.

Pick-up and Drop off

OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE, EFFICIENT METHOD OF DROPPING OFF AND PICKING UP YOUR/OUR CHILDREN AT SOLANA SANTA FE - With that in mind, PLEASE remember these rules:

Drop off/Pick up in front of school

The parking lot is a NO CELL PHONE ZONE!
Enter the parking lot - DO NOT turn left towards the front of the school!
Follow the single-file lane along the side parking lot. Cars will be parked in the center of the lot – you will drive along the right side of the parking lot towards the back of the school.
When you get to the end, continue around and up the left side of the parking lot to the front of the school. Do NOT stop and drop off while in the side parking lot, but continue moving forward to the front of the school.
When you have reached the front of the school and have pulled as far forward as you can (without hitting the car in front of you) stop and let your children exit/enter your car FROM THE CURB SIDE ONLY. Please adhere to signs that indicate where the pick-up/drop-off zone begins.
You cannot park and leave your car in any red zones. You must stay in your car at all times.
Be careful, cooperative and patient! Watch out for kids and other vehicles (and please watch your language – there are young children present).
Remember that it is extremely dangerous to cross El Apajo. If you need to park and walk your child to school – do not park in the business park and always use the crosswalk.
Pick up is from 2:38 – 3:00 pm. The traffic is VERY congested at 2:38 pm! A good suggestion is to either arrive early (2:15 pm) or preferably, arrive after 2:45 pm. The traffic flow is much better at this time and it is easier to access the parking lot.
We will supervise the children until 3:00 pm. At 3:00 pm, we will bring the children into the school.

FOR SAFETY REASONS, the “left over” children will be escorted to a supervised classroom to wait for their parents. If you arrive after 3:00 pm and the children are not waiting out front, you will need to get out of your car, check in at the office and then go to the supervised classroom where your child will be waiting. We are sorry for the inconvenience, but we have no other way to supervise the students after 3:00 pm, and waiting in the lobby is not a safe option.

Drop off/Pick up at Circa del Norte (Fairbanks residents only)

The pick up/drop off line is a NO CELL PHONE ZONE!
Pick up/drop off is only on the West side of Circa del Norte.
Pull up as far forward as possible.
Children need to exit/enter the car from the passenger side.
Parents then continue along in the pick up/drop off zone, merging onto Circa del Norte and exiting through Gate 1.
Please stay in your cars – congregating in groups adds to the congestion and creates a safety concern.
DO NOT make a U-turn on Circa del Norte prior to or after picking up or dropping off your child. This is extremely unsafe!!
The back gates are only open from 8:10 - 8:27 a.m. and from 2:38 – 2:55 p.m.. At all other times, you must access the school from El Apajo. Please note – the gate is not open when it’s raining.
Students will not be allowed to wait at the horse stables after gates close at 2:55 pm.

PTO

The Solana Santa Fe Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is an integral part of the school. the PTO is dedicated to supporting the children and community of Solana Santa Fe School. To reach these goals, our PTO members volunteer many hours and raise funds to support classrooms, encourage communication, and develop community spirit. PTO donations support our science, art, PE, media center, and computer specialists, as well as various enrichment and cultural projects throughout the year. Please refer to our PTO webpage for additional details and information.

Registration

We welcome all new families to Solana Santa Fe School. Please come in to the school office to get a registration packet or download one online from the District website: www.sbsd.k12.ca.us. Requirements for new students include:

Completed Registration Form
Birth certificate or passportCurrent immunization verification
Proof of residency

Report Cards

Students are issued Report Cards three times a year. Report cards are reviewed with parents during the fall and spring parent-teacher conferences. A final report card is sent home with the students on the last day of school. The school will hold report cards if students have not paid for a lost book.

School Photos

School photos are taken in the early fall and the finished photos come home in early December. Class group photos will be taken. Individual photos are optional. You will be notified beforehand of the various options for the purchase of prints. You are not required to purchase photographs.

School Site Council

In the 1970's, the State of California passed a law that set up the School Improvement Program (SIP), which enabled schools to receive supplemental funding from the state. The new law also required that schools establish School Site Councils (SSC) in order to receive and spend the extra funding provided by SIP (if and when any monies are made available by the State). Our Site Council is made up of five parents, five teachers/staff, and the principal. The Site Council assists in long-range planning and monitoring of the site strategic school plan and if funds are available, the overseeing of the expenditure of SIP funds. Meetings are held three to four times a year and are open to the public.

Sexual Harrassment

Solana Beach School District has adopted board policy and administrative regulation (BP/AR) 5145.7 containing rules and procedures for reporting sexual harassment. “The Board prohibits sexual harassment of students by other students, employees or other persons, at school or at school-sponsored or school-related activities. Prohibited sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, unwanted requests for sexual favors or other unwanted verbal, visual or physical conduct of sexual nature made against another person of the same or opposite gender, in the education setting.”

Student Council

Learning the skills necessary for self-government is a major goal of public education. Student Council offers students opportunities to participate in and observe the election and governing process. In addition to student body officers, classes elect representative to the student council which gives the students an opportunity to offer input about the operation of the school. This program is designed to develop student leadership skills.

Tobacco Free Site

Solana Santa Fe School and the Solana Beach School District is a tobacco-free site. Use of all tobacco products shall be prohibited within any district building, facility, or vehicle. In addition, the use of all tobacco products is prohibited on school grounds or premises. This prohibition shall also apply to all individuals attending or representing the school district at school-sponsored activities held off district property.

Toys and Personal Items

Students may not use toys, pagers, cell phones, or other personal electronic equipment during school hours. If students need to call a parent during school hours, they may use a school phone. The school phone should not be used to schedule after-school play dates. These dates should be arranged in advance.

Visitors

All persons visiting our campus must follow these rules:

Please sign in at the office first and get a visitor's badge which must be visibly worn.
Visitors may observe classroom instruction, but will need to schedule an appointment with the office. In order to not disrupt the learning process and to ensure minimum interruption of the instructional program, visitors will be escorted through classrooms. If a conference is desired, please make an appointment with the teacher during non-instructional time. (BP 1250)
Visitors are asked to check back in with the office before leaving campus to sign out and return their badge.

The following resources are available to any parent who wishes to know how his/her child is doing i school: parent/teacher conferences, Back to School Night, meetings with the guidance counselor, meetings with the principal, report cards, progress reports, homework samples, work samples and standardized test data.

Volunteers

Volunteers are asked to follow these procedures before reporting to a classroom to volunteer:

Please check in with the office first and sign-in in the Volunteer Book.
Wear a volunteer badge whenever you are volunteering on campus so you can be easily identified by staff.
In order to volunteer on campus, all volunteers must have signed the "Volunteer Code of Conduct," have a current negative TB test verification on file in the office and not be a Registered Sex Offender.

It is important for all volunteers to remember the following: Students and staff have a right to privacy, so please respect confidentiality. If something comes up and you can’t volunteer, please do your best to find a replacement and be sure to let the office know. Be on time. If you can’t make it, please notify the office.

We so appreciate all that you do for our school!