750S.7thStreetElCentro,CA92243OfficeHours:7:30a.m.–4:30p.m.

Phone:(760)352-4791www.hardingeagles.org

Parent Student Handbook

WelcometoHardingElementarySchool

VISIONHardingElementaryoffersapositiveenvironmentwhereeveryindividualwillstrivetomeethighacademicandsocialexpectations.Ourpremierteamwillincludestudents,staff,parentsandcommunitymembers.Asateam,wewillallprovideendlessopportunitiesforourstudentstogrowandflourishasoutstandingcitizens.Studentswillbeledintosuccessbypassionateandopen-mindedteacherswhosupporteachstudentduringeverystageoftheirdevelopment.HardingElementarywillcontinuouslychallengeeachindividualthroughaunitedhighlyqualifiedstaffwhosharesacommonobjectiveforoptimumstudentsuccess.Wewillembraceindividualismwhileemphasizingrespectandprideforallaccomplishments.SCHOOLHOURSRegularSchedule:Monday–FridayKindergarten–3rdgrades………………8:00a.m.–1:50p.m. TK…………….8:00a.m.–11:20a.m.4th–6thgrades………………………………8:00a.m.–2:15p.m.MinimumDays:Parentswillbenotifiedthroughtheschoolcalendarandreminders.Parentsareresponsibleformakingarrangementssostudentscanbepickeduprightafterschool.ATTENDANCEANDABSENCESRegularattendanceiscriticalforyourchildtobesuccessfulatschool.Whenastudentislate,notonlyisimportantinstructionmissed,butalsoclassisdisrupted.Studentsareexpectedtobeatschool“EveryDay,OnTime!”Parentsshouldcalltheschoolat(760)352-4791orsendanotetoreporteachabsenceandtoprovideareasonformissingschoolbecauseattendanceiscloselymonitored.Whentheschooldoesnotreceiveacalloranoteregardingtheabsence,theabsenceisrecordedasunexcused.Thestatewillonlyallowustojustifyabsencesforthefollowingreasons:illness,medicalappointments,deathsinthefamily,orunexpectedcircumstances.Werecommendthatdoctor’sappointmentsbescheduledafterschoolhours.Studentswhoaccumulate3unexcusedormorethan5excusedabsencesareconsideredtruantandmaybereferredtotheStudentAttendanceReviewBoard(SARB).Thisgrouphastheresponsibilitytoverifythereasonwhyyourson/daughterisnotattendingschool.Thiscanleadtoareferraltothedistrictattorney’sofficewhereyoucanbefinedforfailingtosendaminortoschool.ArrivalTimeStudentsareencouragedtoarrivetoschoolnolaterthan7:50a.m.toallowtimetowalktoclassandbeontime.StudentsMAYNOTbedroppedoffearlierthan7:30a.m.forthereisnosupervisionanditisnotsafe.Kindergarten–allstudentsneedtobedroppedoffinthecafeteriatobesupervised.Nostudentshouldbedroppedoffinthekindergartenareabecausethereisnosupervision.Theteacherswillpickupthechildrenfromthecafeteriaat7:55am.ChildrenArrivingLateAllchildrenwhoarrivedlatetoschoolmustreporttotheofficeforalatepass.Pleasesendanoteexplainingwhyyourchildislate.Studentswhoarelatetoschoolwillservedetentionduringrecess.

ReleaseofStudentsDuringSchoolHoursorEmergenciesChildrenwillbereleasetoindividualspreviouslydesignatedontheemergencycardONLY,unlesstheparentorguardiannotifiestheofficethatsomeoneelsewillbepickingupthestudent.Teachersarenotallowedtodismissstudentsdirectlyfromtheclassroom.Theparentorguardianmustpickthemupfromtheoffice.Theparentisresponsiblefornotifyingtheschoolifthereareanychangestotheemergencycard.Itistheparentresponsibilitytokeepallinformationcurrent.Theschoolshouldbeabletocontactparentsincaseofanemergency.Custodyrestrictionsmandatedanddocumentedbyacourtmustbenotifiedtotheofficeimmediately.AllVisitorsReporttotheOfficeParentsarewelcomeandencouragedtovisitandvolunteerinourschool.Werequestthatparentsnotifytheofficeorteachersinadvanced.Allvisitorsarerequiredtosign-inattheofficeandgetavisitor’sbadge.Werequestthatyouwearthebadgewhileonschoolgroundsandreturnitattheendofyourvisit.Forthesafetyofourstudentswewillaskvisitorswithoutpassestogobacktotheoffice.BreakfastIntheClassroomProgramAschoolbreakfastisofferedtoallstudentsfreeofcostintheclassroomfrom8:00–8:15a.m.Breakfastwillnotbeservedafterthedesignatedtime.Makesureyourchildarrivesontime.SnacksStudentsmaybringasnackforrecess.Weencourageyoutosendsomethingsmallandhealthy.Studentsdon’thavemuchtimetoeatandplay.Studentsarenotallowedtosharefoodforsafetyreasons.LunchProgramLunchisserveddaily.Freelunchisprovidedforstudentswhocompleteanapplicationandqualifyaccordingtotheguidelineslistedontheapplication.Thepriceforlunchispostedinthecafeteria.Youmaypaythecafeteriainadvancedsoyourchildhasacredit.Studentswhoowethecafeteriawillbeofferedasacklunch.Anotewillbesenthometoremindyouifyourchildowesmoney.Childrenmaybringlunchfromhome.Wediscourageyoufromsendingitemssuchassodaorchips.Studentsarenotallowedtotradeorsharefood.Pleasenotifytheschoolofficeifyourchildsuffersfromfoodallergies.Westrivetokeepourstudentssafe.Adults–otherthanemployees-areNOTallowedinthecafeteriawhensstudentsareeating.ArticlesfromHomeNotoys,electronics,orpersonalitemsshouldbebroughtfromhome.Theschoolisnotresponsibleforstolen,damaged,orlostitems.CellPhones/OtherElectronicDevicesWediscouragestudentsfrombringingcellphonestoschool.Cellphonesmustbeturnedoffandoutofsightwhileonschoolgrounds.Cellphoneswillbeconfiscatedandreturnedtothestudentthefirsttime.Ifthephoneisconfiscatedoncemore,itwillbeturnedintotheofficetobepickedupbytheparentonly.

BicyclesThesafetyofthechildrenisimportant.Pleasemakesureyourchildwearsahelmetwhileriding.It’sstatelaw.Studentsmustwalktheirbikewhileonschoolground.Thereisarackbehindtheofficewherestudentscanchaintheirbicycles.Theschoolcannotassumeresponsibilityfordamagedorstolenbicycles.LostandFoundAbinforlostitemsislocatedinthecafeteria.Articlesthatgounclaimedforamonthwillbedonatedtocharity.Pleaselabelyourchild’sitemsclearlywithnameandteacherforquickidentification.Pick-upDrop-offZonesTrafficisalwaysanissue,especiallyifwearerunninglate.Itisamatterofsafety.Weunderstandthattherearelimitedareastopark.Foryourconvenience,wehaveadesignateddrop-offzoneonthesouthsideoftheschoolalongthewhitecurb.InaccordancetoCaliforniaVehicleCodeSection21458youmaynotparkordropoffpassengersonanycurbthatispaintedred.TheparkinglotisforOFFICEBUSINESSONLY(examples:appointments,registrations,etc.).DoNOTusetheparkinglottodropoffstudents.Donotblocktheentrancestotheparkinglot.Busesloadandunloadstudentsinthisareaandhaveatightscheduletodeliverthestudentssafelyandontime. DroppingastudentinthemiddleofthestreetisunsafeandagainstCaliforniaVehicleCode.Youwillbecited.Additionally,weencourageyoutomodelsafepracticesbyutilizingthemarkedcrosswalks.Helpuskeepyourchildrensafe.SafetytoandfromSchoolThesafetyofthechildrenisasharedresponsibilitybetweenparentsandtheschool.Theschoolisnotresponsibleforthestudent’sconducttoandfromschool.Thestudentisresponsibleforhis/herconduct.Theschoolisresponsibleforinvestigatingproblemsandtakingappropriateactionstoensuretheirsafety.Studentsmaybedetainedafterschoolifnecessary.Pleasediscusthesesafetyruleswithyourchild:

• Walkwithapartner,notalone,onthepropersideoftheroad,facingoncomingtraffic.• Crossstreetsatpedestriancrosswalks.• Godirectlytotheirdestination,schoolorhome.• Behelpfulandlookoutforyoungerchildren.• Useappropriatelanguage.• Donotthrowobjects,push,shoveothers,fight,orengageinunsafebehavior.• Respectthepropertyofhomesthatarepassedwhilegoingtoandfromschool.• Refusetoenterorapproachunknownautomobilesoracceptridesfromstrangers.

CODE OF CONDUCT

SchoolRulesandDisciplineProgramWemakeanefforttoimplementadisciplinepracticethatisclear,fair,andconsistent.Teachers,parents,andtheadministrationshouldworkcooperativelytogethertohelpchildrenlearnresponsibilityfortheirowndecisionsandbehaviorstoachievepositiveresults.Thepurposeofourdisciplineplanistoensureasafeandorderlyenvironmentforall.ClassroomExpectations PlaygroundExpectations

1. Come prepared and on time 1. Play safely 2. Follow directions 2. Use equipment properly 3. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself 3. Follow instructions 4. No teasing, bullying, or put-downs 4. Freeze and walk to designated areas 5. Use appropriate language 5. Do not play in the restrooms

ZeroToleranceforBullyingTheElCentroElementarySchoolDistrictiscommittedtoprovidingequalopportunityforallindividualsinourschoolsandinpromotingmutualrespect,tolerance,andacceptance.Webelievethatstudentshavetherighttobeeducatedinasafeandhealthylearningenvironmentfreefromunreasonabledisruptions.Itisthatcommitmentandbeliefthathasledtotheadoptionofthe“Discrimination,Harassment,IntimidationandBullyingPreventionandResponse:BoardPolicy5037.”Thispolicyspecificallyprohibitsdiscrimination,harassment,intimidationandbullyingbasedondisability,gender,nationality,raceorethnicity,religion,sexualorientation,orassociationwithperson(s)withtheseactualorperceivedcharacteristics.Thisappliestoallactsrelatedtoschoolactivitiesorattendance,andincludesbullyingandcyberbullyingthattakesplaceonhomecomputers,mobilephonesorotherdevices.AsofJuly1,2012,AssemblyBill1156(2011)definesbullyingas:Anysevereorpervasivephysicalorverbalactorconduct,includingcommunicationsinwritingorbymeansofanelectronicact,andincludingoneormoreactscommittedbyapupilorgroupofpupils,directedtowardoneormorepupilsthathasaneffectinoneormoreofthefollowing:

• Fearofharmtothepupilorpupil’sproperty;• Substantialdetrimentaleffectonapupil’sphysicalormentalhealth;• Substantialinterferencewithapupil’sacademicperformance;• Substantialinterferencewithapupil’sabilitytoparticipateinorbenefitfromtheservices,

activitiesorprivilegesprovidedbytheschool.

Studentswhoengageinbullyingmaybesubjecttodisciplinaryactionuptoandincludingsuspensionsandexpulsion.Stepstoreportandinvestigateincidentsofbullyingbystudents,staffandparentsareinplace.

• Reporttheincidenttotheprincipalordesigneeimmediately• Investigationwillbeconductedassoonaspossible(within5daysofreceivingcomplaint)• Ifyouarenotsatisfiedwiththeresolution,anappealmaybesubmittedtotheassociate

superintendentwithin5days

• Adecisionwillbemadewithin5businessdays

Consequencesfortheseincidentsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:counseling,parentconference,detention,involuntarytransfer,aformalsuspensionand/orexpulsion.Staffwillmakereasonableeffortstokeepareportofbullyingandtheresultsofanyinvestigationconfidential,asappropriate.Thedistrictprohibitsretaliationagainstanypersonwhohasbroughtforthacomplaintchargingunlawfuldiscriminationorharassmentoranyonewhohasbeeninvolvedintheinvestigation.SuspensionfromSchoolActivitiesStudentswhoarereferredtotheofficetwicewithintwentydaysduringthequarterwillnotbeallowedtoparticipateinanyactivitiesduringthatgivenquarterortwoweeksafterifclosertotheendofthequarter.UniformandDressCodeHardingElementarySchoolrequiresadherencetothedistrictuniformpolicy.Requirementsare:

White/NavyShirts,Blouses,PoloShirts,Turtlenecks• Withsleevesandcollars• Shirtsandblousestuckedin• Oversizedorbaggynotallowed• Schoolshirts-schoolcolorsallowed

NavyLongPants,Shorts,Capris• Mustbeofasolidcolorandfitatwaist.Oversizedorbaggynotallowed• Beltsecuredbypantloopsandlengthshouldnotexceedsecondbeltloop• Shortshortsandshortskirtsarenotallowed.Nolongerthanthefingertipswhenhandsare

placedonthesidestandingtall.• Oversizedorbaggyskirtsorjumpersarenotallowed

Hats/Caps/Visors(wornforsun-protectivepurpose)

• Nologosallowed• Mustbewornwithbillforward• Maynotbewornindoors

OtherGarments Jackets-anycolorbutwithnowritingorlogos,oversizedorbaggynotallowed Sweatersandvests-solidcolor-navyorwhiteINVOLVEMENTOPPORTUNITIESHardingElementarydependsfromyourcooperationandsupportfromhometohelpmakeanidealenvironmentforlearning.Students,parents,andstaffallhavearesponsibilitytomakeithappen.ParentTeacherOrganization(PTO)

WeareveryfortunatetohaveasupportivePTO.AllparentsareinvitedtoattendthemeetingsandgetinvolvedwithPTO.ThemainpurposeofthisgroupsiftofundraiseandcarryouteventsandactivitiesthatbenefitthestudentsandHardingSchool.SchoolSiteCouncil(SSC)andEnglishLanguageAdvisoryCommittee(ELAC)Youareallinvitedtoattendthepublicmeetings.Thesetwogroupsandmeetingsgiveparentsanopportunitytoparticipateintheschooldecision-makingprocessandalsogiveaforumforparentstolearnandproposeideastoimproveourschool.Meetingswillbepublishedontheschoolcalendar.AcceleratedReader(AR)TheARProgramisacomputer-basedprogramthatallowsstudentstotaketestsbasedonbookstheyread.Thestudentsreceivepointsforeverytesttheytake.StudentswillreceiveincentivesforcompletingandmeetingtheirARgoals.Studentsareencouragedtoread20-30minutesathome.EmergencySchoolClosureIntheeventofanemergencyweaskthatyoucooperateandfollowtheinstructionsofschoolofficialsandotheremergencyrespondents.Wewillmakeourbesteffortstoreleasestudentsaspromptlyaspossibleandkeepyouinformed.Pleasedonotblockanyroadsthatmaypreventemergencyrespondentfromhavingaccesstotheschool.Weaskthatyoumaintainallyourcontactinformationcurrentontheemergencycard.HygieneItistheparentresponsibilitytoensurethehygieneofthechildren.Bathingdailyandcleanclothesarehighlyencouraged.Thehotweathermakesourbodiessweatandcausebadodors.Asstudentsgrowolder,itmaybenecessarytouseantiperspirant/deodorant,astheirchangingbodiesneedit.Licehappen.Evenstudentswithgoodhygienemaybeexposedtolice.Studentswithlicewillbesenthome.Theywillneedtoreportbacktotheofficeforreadmissionaftertheyhavebeentreated.Theschoolwilltakeprecautionarystepstopreventtheproblemfromspreading.CalendarTheschoolwillbesendinghomeamonthlycalendarwiththelistofeventsscheduledforthegivenmonth.Circumstancessometimesrequirethatcertaineventsbeadded,rescheduled,orcanceled.Wewillmakeourbestefforttonotifyyouofanychanges.HomeworkHomeworkisanextensionoftheskillsandactivitiesthatwerelearnedandpracticedduringclass.Itgivesstudentsandopportunitytopracticeandimproveabilitiesthatarerequiredtoachieveacademicexpectations.Thetimeanddifficultywillvarybygradelevel.Itisalsoexpectedthatstudentsreadathomeatleast20to30minutes.MedicationStudentsarenotallowedtohaveintheirpossessionanykindofmedication,includinginhalersorcoughdrops.Weaskthatyoureporttotheofficeifyouchildwillbetakinganykindofmedication,evenifitisonlytemporarily.Inordertoaccommodateyourstudent’sneeds,theECESD

HealthOfficecanassistincreatingamedicalplanforyourchildfollowingwrittendoctor’sinstructions.IllegalItemsDrugs–possessionofanytypeofdrugordrugparaphernaliawillresultinimmediatesuspensionandpossibleexpulsion.Thisincludesalcoholandtobacco.Weapons–giventheincidentsthathaveplaguedschoolswithtragicviolence,noweaponsofanyformareallowed.Thisincludestoysthatresembleaweaponsuchastoyknivesortoyguns.Theadministrationwillinvestigateanddealwiththeseincidentsindividually.Wereservetherighttoinvolvelawenforcementifweseeitnecessary.Wewillnothesitatetotakethemostsevereandnecessarystepstodeteroreliminatetheproblemofillegalitemsatourschool.VisitourWebsiteForthemostcurrentinformationvisitourschoolwebsite:www.hardingeagles.org