Parent-Student Handbook
The OES School Song
I want to be an Oakhurst Eagle,
I want to soar above the crowd.
I’ll do my best while I’m at school,
And I’ll make my parents proud!
I want to fly above the mountains,
And see our valley far below.
I’ll dive on down to OES,
The best school that I know!
GOOOOOOOO EAGLES!
INTRODUCTION: Welcome to Oakhurst Elementary School, home of the Eagles. This handbook is an important guide to assist you in the procedures used at OES. Please take the time to read and become familiar with this handbook. Many of your questions may be easily answered by referring to the appropriate section. We are looking forward to having a successful and enjoyable year with all OES families.
SCHOOL HISTORY: Oakhurst Elementary School was built in 1950, serving students from Kindergarten through eighth grade in five classrooms. By 1971, OES had grown to over 450 students. Oak Creek Intermediate was built that year and the sixth through eighth grade students moved to the new campus. Due to OES student enrollment expanding, the fifth grade moved to OCI a few years later and then moved back to OES in the1993-94 school year.
OAKHURST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT: Oakhurst Elementary School exists for the purpose of assisting all children to work toward the realization of their fullest potential socially, emotionally, and intellectually in a climate that fosters and encourages civic and ethical responsibility. In order to accomplish this goal, it is imperative that we offer a standards-based instructional program utilizing curriculum that is research-based and developmentally appropriate to children of all learning styles. Learning will occur through inquiry, exploration, and discovery in a highly positive, nurturing, and professional environment.
We believe that dignity, mutual respect, trust, and the highest expectations must be modeled by staff, parents/guardians, and students. It is our mission as significant adult role models to work in concert with our community to help every child realize their full potential.
BASS LAKE JOINT UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT GOALS:
To fulfill its commitment to the children and parents, the board has established this Mission Statement:
We will provide an education that emphasizes reading, mathematics, communication skills, and a broad based exposure to many academic disciplines.
This education will be achieved in an environment which enhances integrity, respect, responsibility, and compassion for others. We recognize that these values are best learned when modeled by all adults and children.
GENERAL SCHEDULES
Kindergarten students attend school from 7:50 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
Lunch time for kindergarten - 11:15– 11:40
First through fifth grade students attend school from 7:50 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Monday -Friday:
Lunch time for first grade: 11:35 – 12:20
Lunch time for second grade: 11:45 - 12:30
Lunch time for third grade: 12:00 - 12:45
Lunch time for fourth grade: 12:15 – 1:00
Lunch time for fifth grade 12:30 - 1:15
ARRIVAL TIME ON CAMPUS: Students who walk, ride bikes, or are driven to school are allowed to arrive on campus NO EARLIER THAN 7:40 a.m. Campus supervision is only available starting at 7:30 AM in the cafeteria.
AFTER SCHOOL REGULATIONS: Students must walk, ride the bus or have a ride waiting for them after school. Students are not allowed to wait after school for outside sponsored activities, (i.e. soccer, baseball, etc.). Parents will be called to pick them up if left unattended.
CLOSED CAMPUS: OES is a closed campus. This means that after a student arrives at school, he/she will not be allowed to leave until school is out, unless the student has been cleared through the front office for leaving school early.
LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY: Students who must leave campus early need to follow the procedures listed below.
The student should bring a note to school, in the morning from home indicating the reason for leaving, the time they need to leave, and who will be picking them up. The adult picking up the student must be listed on the Emergency Procedure Card.
The adult picking up the child must check in at the office before taking their child.
The adult must sign the student out with the secretary before leaving campus.
BAD WEATHER/POWER FAILURE NOTICE: We make every effort to hold school unless conditions create an unsafe environment for our students (i.e. heavy snow, ice, loss of power or water, etc.). We have delay schedules for busses in the event of such days. The voice mail (683-1144) will be updated by 7:00 a.m. on these days to provide the necessary information for parents.
We also utilize the following radio and television stations to disseminate this information:
KTNS AM 1060
KMJ AM 580
Channel 24 Fresno TV Station
Channel 30 Fresno TV station
Channel 47 Fresno TV Station
Often times so many people are trying to call the school that the lines are constantly busy. The radio and TV stations receive the same information and broadcast it quite frequently. Please use these sources during poor weather conditions or emergencies.
ATTENDANCE
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES:
Oakhurst Elementary School has an attendance and tardy policy insuring that a child will secure a quality education. We maintain the philosophy that regular attendance has an effect on the continuity of a student’s school experience. When children are either tardy or absent from school, they begin to fall behind in their class work and struggle to catch up with the rest of the class. Continual absences and tardies establish the message that school is not important. And we know you believe school is very important!
It is expected that your child be at school, in his/her classroom, everyday by 7:50 a.m.
Good attendance directly affects your child’s academic performance in the classroom. Per the state attendance education code, a child is considered truant when he/she has 3 or more unexcused absences and 9 or more tardies. District policy dictates such cases be monitored for referral to the Eastern Madera County School Attendance Review Board (EMCO SABB).
Tardy Policy…
After three (3) tardies in a semester, a letter is sent home to the parent.
After six (6) tardies in a semester, a second letter is sent to the parent. The parent must then accompany student to the office and give a valid reason to office personnel and/or principal for tardiness.
After nine (9) tardies in a semester, a third letter is sent to the parent requesting a parent meeting with the school principal. The principal will then review and explain the SARB referral process. An actual referral to SARB will follow.
*School Attendance Review Board (SARB), consists of school administrators, judges and law enforcement personnel who review the attendance records of students and make recommendations to correct truancy problems. Parents are required to meet with the SARB committee after the school initiates the referral.
However, when a student is absent from school a telephone call from the parent or guardian by 9:00 a.m. that day is required with the following information:
A. Parent's or guardian's name
B. Student's name
C. Reason for absence
D. Estimated date of return
E. Whether or not assignments are needed
If a student has been absent and no call has been made, then the student must bring a written note to the front office with the following information when he/she returns back to school.
A. Date of note and date(s) of absence
B. Reason
C. Signature of parent or guardian
Students who arrive after the school day starts must check in through the front office.
***If your child is absent in the morning, but will be on campus before lunch, and will be eating in the Cafeteria, please call the school office before 8:30 a.m. so we can order your child a lunch for that day.
INDEPENDENT STUDY CONTRACTS:
If a situation of a personal nature occurs and you must take your children out of school, for five days or more, please contact one of the secretaries or your child’s teacher for an Independent Study Contract at least one week in advance.
If there is an emergency of a personal nature, please contact the school office; and we will assist you on what procedures to take.
***Independent Study Contracts do not count toward a perfect attendance certificate.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR
PHILOSOPHY: Discipline is a learning process in which students grow in becoming self-directed and self-disciplined. In order to achieve this independence, it is important for children to be guided, as early and consistently as possible, in practicing desired behaviors.
In school, students need to demonstrate behavior that encourages learning at all times. This means that traveling to and from school, at school and all school event students should be courteous, respectful, and polite. Examples of expected behavior include being a good listener, following directions, working cooperatively with others, moving about school by walking quietly, and eager willingness to obey parents and school staff, and showing pride in a clean school environment.
It is expected that all staff, volunteers, and student helpers associated with the school need to model these behaviors at all times.
When discipline of a student is necessary it will be handled in one or more of the following ways:
Teachers will handle discipline in class.
When necessary, students will be sent to the Principal.
Both teachers and Principal will contact parents as necessary for discipline concerns.
THE STANDARDS OF EXPECTED BEHAVIOR are:
1. To be respectful to myself and everyone.
2. To be respectful to school property and individuals’ property.
3. To be respectful at school and on the school bus
4. To be respectful when visiting other places.
To be respectful means being polite to others, to care for and show consideration for people, places and things.
THE EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR CHILD AS A LEARNER are:
Listen and follow all directions given by the classroom teacher and/or assistant.
Complete all class assignments.
Be a good citizenship both in the classroom and outside on the playground.
Complete all homework assigned.
THE EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR CHILD OUT ON THE PLAYGROUND are:
Use all school equipment, restrooms and drinking fountains properly and safely.
Keep hands and other body parts to themselves.
Eat in designated areas only.
Keep ALL toys at home. (They will be confiscated and kept until the end of the year).
Always be seen by a yard supervisor while out on the playground.
Follow the rules of the game being played and be a good sport.
Always show respect for adults and other students while out on the playground.
When the first whistle is blown, immediately get off the equipment or stop playing and FREEZE. When the second whistle is blown, WALK back to the classroom line.
CAFETERIA
HOT LUNCHES are served daily. The procedure for purchasing lunches is as follows:
Lunch money will be collected on the first school day of the week.
We will take money for one week or one month.
Please send exact amount of cash or check with child's name somewhere on the check or envelope.
Lunch cost: Regular $2.25; Reduced - $.40; Milk - $.25
NO CHARGES - You will be notified if he/she must charge for the day. Money will be due the next day.
FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE LUNCHES are available to students who qualify based on family size and income. An application will be sent home the first day of school and to each new student thereafter. If your family size becomes larger or your monthly income decreases during the school year, a new application may be submitted to the school office.
MILK ALLERGIES: The State of California requires a doctor's certificate stating your child is allergic to milk in order to receive a juice for lunch.
QUIET VOICES AND GOOD MANNERS are expected to be used while eating in the Cafeteria. Your child needs to follow the cafeteria rules posted in the café:
Walk in and out of the cafeteria at all times.
Use whisper voices when talking with friends.
Clean-up above and below the table before being dismissed to the playground.
Keep all food and drink to yourself – no sharing!
Do not take food form other students’ trays and/or lunch bags.
LUNCH WORK PROGRAM: Students in the 4th & 5th grades who wish to work in the Cafeteria during the lunch period may do so by asking their teacher. Students must be in good academic and behavior standing to qualify for this program. Each student who completes their cafeteria assignment is paid by receiving a lunch either that day or within the month.
THE OAKHURST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLINE: Voice Mail updates the lunch menu weekly. - 683-1144
STUDENT DRESS CODE
Students should dress properly and come to school in a neat and clean condition. This not only helps with their own self-esteem, but also provides a safe, clean environment for students and staff.
Our dress code is designed to be respectful to all people, therefore, please dress accordingly as the following outlines what is prohibited for students to wear:
Drug or alcohol advertising on T-shirts, jackets, hats and other objects.
Any clothing with inappropriate comments, such as profanity, inference to sexual conduct, alcohol, etc.
Shirts, shorts, pants or skirts that are dirty, or have holes, are too tight, have slide slits above the knee, too short, or cut-offs not hemmed.
Tank tops and/or muscle shirts with low cut arms and neckline, as well as "spaghetti" strap tops.
Any shirt and/or top that expose the midriff.
Clothes that show any undergarments.
Gang related attire, accessories, or chains used as belts or otherwise
Hats are not to be worn inside building and must be worn appropriately.
Pants must fit appropriately at the waistline without a belt to secure them. No sagging allowed!
Shoes that are secured by Velcro, shoelaces, or buckles are appropriate shoes. Slip on shoes that cover the entire foot are permitted, however, open-toed sandals or shoes that do not have backs are not allowed. Please adhere to the shoe rule due to our daily CAPET (physical education) program.
Body and/or face "painting", glitter on face or hair, and/or dying hair un-natural hair colors are all a distraction and are prohibited.
TEXTBOOKS
All textbooks are provided by the school district and will be issued to students by their classroom teacher. Textbooks are numbered and given a "condition" prior to being issued to the student. Textbooks are to be covered in order to prevent excessive wear and tear.
Students and parents will be responsible for the cost of replacement or repair to books that are lost or stolen or for books showing excessive wear and tear (i.e. torn pages, writing inside or on the cover, water damaged, etc.)
Students must return the book that was issued to them at the beginning of the school year. Students who have obligations for lost or damaged books and materials, or damage of school property will not receive their report card at the end of the school year.
HEALTH INFORMATION
FIRST AID AND ILLNESS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR: First aid is administered in case of minor injuries. If illness or a serious accident occurs during the school day, an attempt is made to notify the home at once. For this reason the school requires an emergency number to call when parents are not at home. If the parent cannot be reached, the school will send the child to the hospital when necessary. It is important that the school be notified immediately of any changes in phone numbers for the benefit and welfare of the child.
MEDICATION: California State Law states that MEDICATION, over the counter and prescription, may not be dispensed by school personnel without a physician's order and written permission from the parent. Occasionally a child under medical care may continue to attend school. In these special cases, school personnel may administer medication when parents provide a PHYSICIAN'S ORDER which includes name(s) of the medication, dosage, time(s), and duration that the medication is to be given to the child. The medication MUST be sent to school in the original container from the pharmacy.
At the beginning of each school year, or upon entry to school, a "Medication at School" form must be completely renewed including a new physician's order.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES: If your child complains of stomach ache, earache, sore throat, cold symptoms, or has not been free of fever for at least 24 hours, he/she should be kept at home for observation. If your child is absent because of one of the following diseases, please notify the school office: strep throat, scarlet fever, chicken pox, mumps, red measles (rubella), German measles (Rubella), impetigo, pink eye, ringworm, scabies, and lice. Any child with a temperature of 99.4 or over (orally) should be sent home.
A WORD ABOUT LICE: People in all walks of life may be bothered with lice. Having head lice does not mean a person is "dirty". Transmission can occur quite easily from one infested individual to another. Children should be instructed not to share combs, brushes, hats, scarves, coats, and sweaters. It is recommended that all members of the family be treated. All bed linens should be washed in hot soapy water (60c or 140F) and dried in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes. Clothing, combs, and brushes should be cleaned. Carpets, upholstery, and mattresses should be vacuumed thoroughly.
ACADEMIC/CITIZENSHIP
REPORTING PERIODS:
In an effort to keep communication open about your child's academic progress we have two scheduled parent-teacher conferences each year. The first is within the first eight weeks of school to give you information as to your student's progress to that point. The second is mid-way through the second semester. Teachers will have a written Progress Report to give to the parents at the two scheduled conferences. Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher to request an appointment for a conference at any time during the year, if they feel the need. Teachers will contact parents to schedule a conference or have a phone conference when they feel it necessary.
Written report cards are sent home twice a year, at the end of the First Semester and the second at the end of school. These grades are put into the student's cumulative record. In the case of eligibility for extra-curricular activities, etc., (4th & 5th grades) these are the grades to be used.
REPORTING DATES: Please check your current year calendar for the reporting dates.
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Oakhurst Elementary School provides many opportunities for your child to participate outside the regular classroom. Our program includes sports and field trips for both boys and girls. Our sports program is in coordination with Yosemite High School.
ELIGIBILITY FOR CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (4TH & 5TH GRADE): Students who wish to participate in co-curricular activities must maintain eligibility status. Eligibility is determined by letter grades on a quarterly basis (every nine weeks). If a student becomes ineligible, they are not allowed to participate until the next report card period, provided they improve to the standard during that next nine-week period.
1. Students must average a C- grade from each of the following subjects: English, Reading, Math, Science, Social Science, and Physical Education.
2. Students must not have any grades of "D"or"F".
3. Students must maintain a C- average in citizenship grades.
4. Students may lose their participation privileges based on their conduct and disciplinary reasons. They may be "ineligible" for a period of time based on the seriousness of the act (usually a minimum of one week is imposed). Parents will be notified in such cases.
SKI PROGRAM: The ski program is offered to fourth and fifth grade students on a pay to participate basis. Instruction is provided for beginners through advanced levels and is open during the ski season at Badger Pass. Students must maintain eligibility in order to attend the ski session. More information is available on this program by calling the school.
OTHER
SNACK BREAK: A Snack Break is given to students at the morning recess. The recess is staggered by grades from 9:50 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Children are encouraged to bring a nutritious snack to eat at this time. Juice, pretzels, popcorn, jerky, and fruit are some of the items we encourage students to bring.
TELEPHONE USE BY STUDENTS: The school phone is for business only. Students will be allowed to use the office phone only if they have been given permission by their teacher. Teachers will give permission based upon established need. The phone will not be used for personal business.
LOST AND FOUND: Throughout the year students may loose or misplace items either on the playground or elsewhere. Usually, articles are brought to the office. Students can check the front office for their missing items. Items collected will be kept until the end of each semester (January and June), at which time they will be donated to a good will organization.
Oakhurst Elementary School Parent/Teacher Club meets the second Thursday of the month. We encourage all interested parents to come to the meetings and help our school grow. OES Parent/Teacher Club can be more than fund-raising but we need your help! So, please call the school office at 642-1580 for more information.
Parent Volunteers are always needed. We want you in the classrooms to help children grow academically and behaviorally. To be a parent volunteer, we ask you to do the following:
Complete a SPICE form, which will register you as a volunteer and SPICE will provide you an official volunteer tag to be worn each time you are on campus.
Each day you visit as a volunteer, prior to proceeding to the classroom, you must sign-in at the office and wear your volunteer badge. When leaving campus, return badge to office and sign-out.
As a courtesy to your child’s teacher, please coordinate an agreed upon time for you to work in the classroom. It’s a challenge for teachers to create work when the volunteer comes to the classroom unannounced or at an unscheduled time.
All volunteers must adhere to the District’s student dress code. |