Solana Ranch

The Solana Beach School District 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.

Bullying behaviors include the following:

• 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).
• 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. 

Students at Solana Ranch 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 Ranch 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:

Bully behavior, including cyberbullying, will not be tolerated. If cyberbullying occurs outside of school hours, but the repercussions are brought to school and disrupt the school and/or interfere with a student’s emotional/social well being, consequences will be given. Depending on the severity and nature of the incident, Solana Ranch 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 have to serve one or more days of after-school detention, or lose school privileges (e.g., serving on student council, school newspaper, yearbook, etc). 
• Suspension: In cases of severe or repeated bullying, the student will be suspended

  
  

  ASSEMBLIES

  The first Friday of every month (weather permitting), all classes attend a short morning assembly at 8:45. The principal makes announcements, gives awards, recognizes students for leadership, etc. Classes recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing songs together. Parents are always welcome to join to our monthly assemblies.

  
  

  ASSESSMENTS

  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 used district-wide.

  • Smarter Balanced Assessment System: The Smarter Balanced Assessment is a computer adaptive, Common Core aligned assessment done on the computer for all third-12th grade students in the areas of English language arts/literacy and mathematics. Smarter Balanced assessments are designed to measure student progress toward college and career readiness.  Spring of 2015 will be the first year that all students in the State of CA take this tests; which replaces the CST or STAR testing. 
  • MAP Testing:  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 PROCEDURES

    School attendance is required by law (CA Ed Code 48200). Parents/guardians of children between the ages of six and eighteen years-of-age are responsible for sending their children to school every day and on time. When students attend class regularly, opportunities for successful learning increase; consequently, the importance of regular on-time attendance cannot be overemphasized.  You can help your children build this habit so that they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important by implementing the following routines at home:

    • Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.

    • Plan ahead the night before: such as identifying and pre-prepping breakfast, have your child choose their clothes and shoes the night before, and pack their backpacks with completed homework and snacks/water.

    • Don't let your child stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.

    • If your child does not want to go to school, find out why and work with your school and child to address concerns. Let your child know they must attend school.

    • Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up, including calling on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.

    • Try to schedule medical appointments before or after school hours.

    • Plan family vacations during non-school days.

    PARENTS:  You are responsible for your child’s school attendance.  You must let the school know if your child is out of school and give a legitimate reason for the absence.  You must be sure your child attends school regularly and on time every day. 

    STUDENTS:  If you miss school, you miss out on opportunities to learn how to become a good citizen, build lasting friendships and develop the skills and attitudes needed to become a valued employee.

    Solana Beach School District is committed to ensuring that our students get to school daily and on time.  Students who attend school today will succeed tomorrow!

    Excused Absences:

    • Justification for absence is very limited. Absences will be excused only for health reasons, family emergencies and justifiable personal reasons, as permitted by law, Board policy and administrative regulation 5113.

    Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to schedule medical appointments during non-school hours.

    Unexcused Absences:

    • Absences from school for any reason not outlined in Education Code 48205 will be considered unexcused and the student will be considered truant.

    The principal or designee reserves the right to determine whether an absence is excused and/or if there is a pattern of non-attendance. Every teacher and staff member on campus will adhere to this policy. Absences will be logged as they accumulate during the school year.

     

    Excessive excused absences

    • 5 excused absences: 1st Letter to parent/guardian notifying of excessive absences

    • 10 excused absences: 2nd Letter to parent/guardian; SART Conference/Contract

    • 15 excused absences: 3rd Letter to parent/guardian; SART Conference at District Office

     

    Unexcused absences 

    • 3 unexcused absences: 1st truancy Letter to parent/guardian 

    • 6 unexcused absences: 2nd truancy Letter to parent/guardian; SART Conference/Contract

    • 9 unexcused absences: Letter to parent/guardian from Student Services; SARB Conference 

     

    CA Ed Code 60901: Chronic Absenteeism is any student missing ten percent or more of the academic year for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences and suspensions. 

    BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

    Parents are encouraged to attend this special event at the beginning of the year. The purpose of the meeting is to give teachers an opportunity to share with parents the curriculum, class expectancies and learning opportunities being made available for each child. This night is for parent/teacher communication, so parents will need to make child care arrangements. Discussion is intended to be general. Conferences for individual concerns are scheduled for a later time.

    Open House Night 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.

    Specific dates and times for these nights will be posted on the school calendar and the school’s “Weekly Communication.

    
    

    BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

     

    Solana Ranch Expectations - Hawk P.R.I.D.E. 

    • Positive Attitude
    • Respect for All
    • Integrity
    • Do the Right Thing
    • Effort Towards Learning 

    We want our students to be able to apply the Five-Way test as they work with school staff and with one another: 

    Is what I’m saying or doing done with a

    Positive Attitude? 

    Is what I’m saying or doing showing

    Respect for All?

    Is what I’m saying or doing showing 

    Integrity?

    Is what I’m saying or doing an example of 

    Doing the Right Thing

    Is what I’m saying or doing showing 

    Effort Towards Learning

    
    

    BIKES, SCOOTERS AND SKATEBOARD RIDING POLICY

     

    We strongly encourage parents to determine whether their children are competent riders before they are permitted to ride to school unaccompanied, regardless of age.

    Wear a helmet if you bike, skateboard, or scooter to school. Park and lock your equipment in the bicycle racks located by the car drop-off and pick-up area and by the Sunflower entry point by the field (North-East) entrance to the school.

    • Bikes must be walked on school grounds and in crosswalks.
    • Bikes, Scooters, and Skateboards must be parked in the bike racks and should have a lock.
    • All cyclists under 18 are required by California law to wear protective helmets.
    •  
    • Skateboarders and Scooter riders must walk on school grounds and in crosswalks.

      
      

      CELL PHONES
       
      Cell phones may not be used during school hours. They should be turned off and remain in the student’s backpack. 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 as these types of arrangements should be scheduled after school.

      
      

      CLASS PLACEMENT

       

      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 a balance of girls and boys, health concerns, behavior concerns, ethnicity, academic strengths and weaknesses, familiar faces ( e.g. students who have been placed in his or her class previously) etc. It is a lengthy, complicated and painstaking process, but we believe that is essential to create classes that are well balanced, manageable for teachers, and acceptable to the majority of our families. Our process is supported by Board Policy 6152.  If a parent would like to write a letter regarding student placement, the letter should detail learning style preferences only. Parents should not make teacher requests, if they want their letter to be considered.

      
      

      CHANGE OF STUDENT'S ROUTINE

       

      If a child is going to be doing something different from his/her normal routine after school, the teacher or office should have a note from the parent. If the parent has not notified the school or teacher, the child will be expected to follow his/her normal afterschool routine. Students may not use the phone to make arrangements for social activities.

      
      

      CLOSED CAMPUS

       

      The Solana Beach Board of Trustees has established a "closed campus" at Solana Ranch 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 Ranch, we ask that ALL parents sign in at the office when on campus for volunteering purposes.  Volunteering needs to be set up through the teacher or PTO coordinators prior to volunteering.

      
      

      COMMUNICATION

       

      Teachers will inform parents on Back-to-School Night how they would like to communicate between home and school.  If your child is going to be absent, please call into the school to report absences.  The messages are picked up every school day between 10:00 and 11:30 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. Please do not deliver them to the classroom, as this interferes with the continuity of the learning process. Messages and materials will be left for the teacher to be picked up at recess or at the end of the school day.

      COMPUTERS

      Students have access to computers and mobile devices in their classroom, the media center, and the computer lab. Before students use the computer, or any electronic device, 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 POLICY & PROCEDURES

       

      The primary mission of the school's discipline policy is to develop a structure of consistency in discipline using a proactive, preventative approach where students develop a respect for others, themselves, and learning. An important element of this policy is how well the students understand the rules and consequences. All students and parents will be asked to review the rules together at the beginning of each year and to sign a form stating that they understand the rules and consequences. 

      See also Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion

      
      

      DOGS

       

      To support student safety, Solana Ranch will be enforcing a No Dogs on Campus policy unless they are leashed therapy dogs.  Please do not walk dogs too and from school or bring dogs onto campus.

      
      

      DRESS  AND GROOMING CODE

       

      BP 5132 Dress & Grooming

      The Governing Board believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. The Board expects students to wear clothing that is suitable for the school activities in which they participate. Students' clothing must not present a health or safety hazard or cause a substantial disruption to the educational program.

      District and school rules pertaining to student attire shall be included in student handbooks, may be posted in school offices and classrooms, and may periodically be reviewed with all students as necessary.

      Students shall not be prohibited from dressing in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression or with their religious or cultural observances.

      In addition, the dress code shall not discriminate against students based on hair texture and protective hairstyles, including, but not limited to, braids, locks, and twists. (Education Code 212.1)

      The responsibility for the dress and grooming of a student rests primarily with the student and their parent(s)/guardian(s). The principal or designee is authorized to enforce this policy and shall inform parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding a student who does not reasonably conform to the dress code. The dress code shall not be enforced in a manner that discriminates against a particular viewpoint or results in a disproportionate application of the dress code based on students’ gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, household income, or body type or size. When practical, students shall not be directed to correct a dress code violation during instructional time or in front of other students.

      School administrators, teachers, and other staff shall be notified of appropriate and equitable enforcement of the dress code.

      Repeated violations or refusal to comply with the District’s dress code may result in disciplinary action.

      (cf. 4119.22 - Dress and Grooming)

      (cf. 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression)

      Updated page 05/15/23
      

      
      

      EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS

       

      It is one of our goals at Solana Ranch to provide students with a variety of experiences that enhance student learning. Following are some of the activities students may participate in:
      
      Assemblies: During the year, assemblies are scheduled which expose students to various cultural and educational experiences beyond those available in the classroom. In addition, local organizations provide community and environmental awareness programs.
      
      Band Program: Our band program is a district program offered for a fee to 4th - 6th grade students.
      
      Gold Medal Reading: The "Gold Medal Reading" Program has been designed to increase the amount of reading done at home. "Gold Medal Reading" is open to all students, teachers, and parents.
      
      Computer Lab: Students and parents must sign an Acceptable Use Policy Agreement before a student may participate in our computer program. The agreement will be sent home with each child at the beginning of the school year. Solana Ranch has a computer lab with Macintosh computers. Students attend the lab on a weekly basis. Students use a variety of programs in the lab during the school year.
      
      Field Trips: Classes take field trips to various educational and motivational places that supplement the classroom curriculum. At times there are entrance fees charged along with bus transportation costs. Parents may be asked to make a donation to help pay these costs.  No student will be denied the opportunity to participate because of nonpayment of fees, if any, or lack of sufficient funds.
      
      Library/Media Center: We are fortunate to have a library with an excellent collection of books that meet a wide range of interests and investigations. Students in each classroom visit the library once a week and are allowed to check out one book at the kindergarten level and two books for grades 1-6, provided they return previously checked out material. The Media Center teacher, a credentialed teacher, will expose students to different types of genres. Students are responsible for paying the replacement or repair costs for lost or damaged books they have checked out. Report cards will be held until all checked out books are returned or the replacement/repair costs paid. Parents may contact their child's teacher for more specific information regarding library use.
      
      Music Program: Music is offered to K - 6th grade students on a weekly basis. The music teacher is a credentialed teacher who works closely with teachers to integrate daily curriculum and music.
      
      Study Buddies: Local High School students volunteer after school to mentor Solana Highlands students. Students are recommended to this program by teachers.

      
      

      ELECTRONIC WEEKLY COMMUNICATION

       

      To receive the Principal’s Weekly Communication, plus information and reminders other school events via email, click here to access Solana Ranch Email List Sign-Up.

      Thank you for helping us to use technology to enhance communication.

      
      

      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) 350-6651(not available until Aug. 2014), which will be updated with specific information and instructions for parents.
      
      Students participate in various mock emergency drills such as fire, duck-and-cover, lock-down and classroom evacuations. These are conducted periodically throughout the year to insure students and staff are familiar with emergency procedures and can respond safely in an emergency situation.

      
      

      GRADING

       

      Report cards are issued once each trimester to inform parents of their child's performance. Report cards represent only one facet of the communication process and may be used as a starting point for discussion during conferences. Near the end of the first trimester, your child's teacher will send home a notice to make arrangements for a conference. First trimester report cards are distributed to parents during this conference.

      
      

      GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION

       

      California Education Code §48900.

      • 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.
      • Engaged in an act of bullying, including, but not limited to, bullying committed by a means of an electronic act, directed specifically toward a pupil or school personnel.
      • 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:

      Education Code Section 48900 - 48927

      
      

      HEAD LICE

       

      Please look out for symptoms of excessive itching and white nit eggs on hair follicles.  Students with head lice will be sent home for treatment.

      Teach your children to avoid sharing hats, combs and barrettes.

      
      

      HEALTH

       

      Children must have proof of immunization against polio, measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, and tetanus. This requirement may be waived for religious reasons only. Children who do not have proof of immunization (month, day, year) will not be registered in school. We make no exceptions. The proper health forms are available in the school office or at your doctor's office. If your child becomes ill or injured during the school day, parents will first be notified. If we are unable to reach the parent, we will call the people listed on the emergency card. Be sure to keep up-to-date information on your child's emergency card, which is on file in the school office.
      
      School personnel may not administer medication without a prescription from the doctor. This prescription must be issued to the student. The medication must be in the proper bottle displaying the prescription information. This includes aspirin, decongestants, cough drops, or any over-the-counter medication. Please call the Health Clerk for more information.

      
      

      HOMEWORK POLICY

       

      The purpose of assigning homework at Solana Ranch is to strengthen academic skills, reinforce concepts taught by teachers, develop student responsibility and accountability, and promote parent awareness.
      
      Definition: Homework may be an independent activity, or may require parental help, to be accomplished outside of the school day and without benefit of teacher assistance, to reinforce previously learned ideas.
      
      Unfinished class work or work missed due to absences, although accomplished outside of the school day, is not included in the school's definition of homework.
      
      Homework will generally fall into one or more of these different categories and may include, but is not limited to, the following examples:
      
      

      •  Practice - This includes activities to reinforce skills such as studying spelling words and practicing math facts.
      •  Preparation - These are assignments designed to provide background information and focus on future class activities. Studying for tests and reading  supplementary materials are examples of such homework assignments.
      •  Extension/Creative - Activities such as book reports, science projects, and research for social studies reports are examples of such homework.
      •  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 guides as homework schedules for students. These schedules can be used as guidelines for parents and teachers in monitoring student time devoted to homework.
      
      Kinder - 2nd grade - 10 - 30 minutes, up to 4 days per week.
      3rd - 6th grade - 30 - 60 minutes, up to 4 days per week.
      
      Be advised that students may spend more than one hour daily completing school work, as time at home may be spent doing assigned homework and completing unfinished classroom assignments.
      
      Student's Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the student to note and understand the homework assignment, complete it, and return it to school on the required day. Teachers may use homework assignments to help determine a student's grade.
      
      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. If at any time a parent has a concern about the school's homework policy, they are to contact their child's teacher.
      
      Teacher's Responsibility: Teachers will be responsible for assigning homework to students and for providing the necessary explanation and direction required to assure that the students can accomplish the work with reasonable success. The teacher will also monitor, assess, and acknowledge homework results for parents and students.
      
      

      Specific classroom homework practice will be established by each teacher as well as this school policy and may differ from room to room depending upon the needs and abilities of the students. Teachers will share their homework policy with parents at Back-to-School Night.

      
      

      KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

       

      Each year, beginning in April, registration begins for all new kindergarten students entering the following school year. Only those children who will be five by September 1st may be enrolled. Proof of residency must be shown to receive a registration packet. Completed registration packets can be brought into the office during regular office hours.

      
      

      LOST AND FOUND

       

      We make every effort to return lost items if names are on them. The lost and found articles are cleaned out once every three months with all items given to a charitable organization. Please insure that your child's name is on coats, lunch boxes, sweatshirts, and other personal items that may be misplaced.

      
      

      LUNCH PROGRAM

       

      We offer a lunch program for all students. The regular cost for lunch is $4.50 which includes milk. Milk can be purchased separately for 75 cents. In order to obtain a free or reduced lunch, parents must fill out an application available in the school office on a yearly basis. Parents can pay online through Nutri-Kids.com.
      
      Students are encouraged to prepay for their lunches. These 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. When paying by a check, please make the checks out to S.B.S.D. The school does not provide lunch money to students who have forgotten their lunch money.
      
      School lunches are ordered by 9:00 am. If students come to school after 9:00 am, they should bring their own lunch, or make arrangements with their teacher to order their lunch the day before.

      
      

      PICK UP AND DROP OFF

       

      Before School: 8:20-8:40 – Supervision begins at 8:20 AM.  Students may not be left at school before this time without parent supervision.

      If your child is not walking, riding their bike, scooter or skateboard, please use our Pick-up and Drop-off area on Blazing Star Lane.  This area is supervised, safe, fast, and efficient for families to use, plus it helps alleviate the parked cars that are on Sunflower Crest on the North East side of our Campus. 

      If you are using the drop-off/pick-up zone, we ask that you:

      ◦   Enter the parking lot from Blazing Star Lane (After-school program vehicles, special needs bussing, handicapped parking, or 15 minute visitor parking can enter the staff parking lot and park along the yellow curbs, handicapped spots, and three visitor spots respectively).

      ◦   Children need to exit the vehicle in the unloading area only. Please pull all the way forward before exiting. 

      ◦   Children should exit the vehicle on the passenger side. Please have your child ready to go with their backpack in the car and not in the trunk so that they can exit quickly.  Parents should not have to get out of the car during this process.  Once the car door is closed, please leave promptly.

      ◦   Remain in one lane, single-file at the curb when unloading in the drop-off areas.

      ◦   To help with the Sunflower Crest Area, cones will be placed to signal a cross-walk.  If walking, please use this area.

      ◦   If not using the designated drop-off zone, be sure to park in an area that does not require students to walk across the street where a cross walk does not exist. 

      ◦   Follow all the rules and laws of the road e.g. only park in legal areas (no handicapped spots, bike lanes), no talking on cell phones, speeding, parking on the wrong side of the street, stopping in the middle of the street to let your child out, etc.

      Helmets are Required:

      ◦     Students who ride a bike, scooter, or skateboard must wear a helmet.  If they do not, the child will not be allowed to ride home until they have a helmet. 

      ◦   Independent bicycle riding to school is supported for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students at Solana Ranch. Younger students should ride with their parent both to and from school.

      ◦  All riders must walk their bicycle, skateboard or scooter on school grounds to the bicycle/skateboard/scooter/racks.

            *Anything that is motorized (e.g. electric or gas powered scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, or bicycles) are not permitted.

      AFTERNOON PICK-UP PROCEDURES

      2:48-3:00 – Pick-up for students is from 2:48-3:00.  Students not picked up by 3:00 PM will be sent to the office to be picked up and to wait for their parents. 

      At the end of the school day, Kindergarten students must be picked up from their classroom, 1st-3rd grade students who walk or ride their bikes, must wait for a parent to pick them up from their numbered lines on the black-top and 4-6th grade students are excused to go home.  Staff will supervise the drop-off/pick-up parking lot as well as the numbered area on the playground. Students who are being picked up from the car-drop off will meet in the lunch area and staff will call out names of parents arriving. 

      If you are picking up your child from the pick-up area: 

      ◦   Drive-in:     Pull as far forward as you are able.

      ◦   Pick-up:      Your child will be waiting for you and will be called upon your arrival.

      ◦   Depart:        Once the car door is closed, please leave promptly.  Thank you for remembering to drive slowly and carefully when exiting the school parking lot. Please, no use of cell phones.

      Students who ride their bicycle or walk home from school should leave the campus immediately after dismissal unless an adult accompanies them.  Students are not allowed to play on campus without having adult supervision. 

      Before the first day of school, please be sure your child knows where you intend to meet.  If you would like to volunteer to help with morning or afternoon supervision, please let Mr. Jones, the principal, know. It is always a good idea to talk to your children about biking and pedestrian safety: using cross walks, looking before crossing, not riding bikes or walking in the middle of the street, making eye contact with drivers before crossing, etc. 

      Thank you for keeping drop-off and dismissal safe and efficient and modeling proper behavior for our children; they are learning from us. If we all take our time, be proactive, and follow the law, our Solana Ranch students will have a safe drop-off and pick-up routine. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

      
      

      PHYSICAL EDUCATION

       

      California Education Code 51210(g) requires that students in grades 1 through 6 receive not less than 200 minutes of physical education every 10 school days, excluding lunch and recess. Teachers in Solana Beach School District post schedules for P.E. in their classrooms. The schedules are also available in the school’s office.

      
      

      SCHOOL HOURS

       

      The school campus is open to students from 8:20 am to 3:00 pm. The first bell rings at 8:35 and the tardy bell 8:40.  School ends at 2:48.  Students are not to arrive prior to 8:20 am, as there is no supervision provided on the playgrounds. Please be on time to pick up students. Students not picked up by 3:00 pm are brought to the office to call home. Parents will need to come into the office to pick up students after 3:00 pm.
      
      The school office is open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm on all days when students are in attendance.

      
      
      

      SPECIAL PROGRAMS

       

      If the Student Success Team and parents determine that a student is performing significantly below grade level due to a possible handicapping condition, a referral to special education will be made. Once this referral has been made and parent approval is granted, the school special education staff assesses the student's current level of performance and the level at which the student is capable of performing. In order to qualify for special education services, there must be a large discrepancy between these two areas and an identified learning disability. If this discrepancy exists, an IEP (individual education plan) meeting will be conducted with the parents to share results and set up specific learning goals for the student.

      Learning Specialist: Once a student qualifies for special education, the Learning Specialist Team can provide assistance to the students in special education to help meet goals and objectives. Students are given strategies they can utilize in collaboration with the regular education teacher to compensate for their learning disability.
      
      Speech & Language Program: The speech & language program at Solana Ranch serves students from Kindergarten through sixth grade. A pre-school program is also available through the Solana Beach School District to serve children from three years of age who demonstrate speech or language delays or who are at high risk for developing speech or language delays.
      
      ELD (English Language Development): Students who have been identified as English Language Development (ELD) will receive support through a specially designed language acquisition program. This is a pullout program in which identified students work with a credentialed teacher on a variety of language acquisition skills. The language survey, included in students' registration packet, is used to identify those students who may qualify.

      
      

      SPECIAL RESOURCES

       

      It is the desire of the Solana Ranch staff to insure that all students, regardless of their unique needs and abilities, are able to achieve and learn the school curriculum. In order to do this, we provide a variety of special resources for students which help those with difficulties improve and challenge those with exceptional abilities. In order to qualify for these services, students must be referred through the Student Success Team.

      
      

      STUDENT SUCCESS TEAM

       

      The teacher and/or parent may refer a student to the Student Success Team. This team of teachers, school Psychologist, Principal, and parents meet to discuss the strengths and concerns of the student and the team will make several recommendations to the teacher and parents in regards to classroom/home modifications and interventions.

       

      SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS

      The Board of Education believes that reasonable use of surveillance cameras will help the District support its goals for campus security. Cameras are not placed in areas where students, staff, or community members have a reasonable expectation for privacy. The District’s audio capability on the surveillance equipment is disabled so sounds are not recorded.
      

      THE LEADER IN ME

       

      The Leader in Me is an approach to developing a culture of leadership in our school and is based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® by Stephen Covey. Founded on internationally recognized and universal principles, The Leader in Me model emphasizes skills that students need in order to be successful in an ever changing society. Developing a culture of leadership in our school is about helping students be the leaders of their own lives. The Leader in Me helps them identify their own unique talents and abilities and encourages them to make a positive difference in the world. 

      Solana Ranch School is committed to help all of our students become leaders.

      
      

      TOBACCO FREE SCHOOL SITE

       

      Solana Ranch 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.

      
      

      VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

       

      Solana Ranch values its Parent Volunteers immensely. Volunteer assistance enriches the educational program, increases supervision of students, and contributes to school safety while strengthening the schools' relationships with the community. Parents/guardians and other members of the community are encouraged to share their time, knowledge, and abilities with students.

      Please contact your principal for volunteer opportunities.  Prior to volunteering the attached Parent Volunteer form should be completed.  Click here for the parent volunteer forms.

      
      

      WELLNESS POLICY

       

      When it is time to celebrate a birthday or a special occasion, many of us love to make special treats for our children.  When sending in treats please be mindful and respectful of our district’s wellness policy which includes offering students the healthiest foods while at school.  So, If you’re planning to send in birthday treats for your child, the treat MUST be HEALTHY.  Some ideas for your children include:  fruit kabobs, blueberry muffins, frozen yogurt with fresh fruit, low fat pudding cups, fresh fruit (cut apples, peaches, melons or strawberries), cereal bars, oatmeal cookies, or fruit popsicles.  Be creative! 

      
      Research documents that a student's health affects their attendance and ability to learn.  Healthy children:

      • Do better in school
      • Miss fewer days of school
      • Pay attention in class
      • Have improved classroom behavior
      • Are more likely to graduate from high school and go to college