This information can also be found in the Student Handbook which was handed
out on the first day of the school year.
- Academic Reporting
- Communication
- Educational Field Trips
- Extra-Curricular Activities
- Discipline
- Attendance
- Animals on Campus
- School Release
- Parent Volunteers, Visitors, and Non Laurel School Students
- Change of Address
- Bicycling or Walking to School
- Lost and Found
- Campus Procedures
- Emergency Procedures
- Dress Code
- Health
- Library
- Life Skills
- Playground Expectations
- Discipline
- POSSESSION/USE OF CELLULAR PHONES AND OTHER MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES
- TAPING IN THE CLASSROOM and/or SCHOOL EVENTS
- NOTICE
Academic Reporting
ACADEMIC REPORTING
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
All students are assessed in Reading, Writing, and Math at least
three times a year to determine their progress toward meeting
State Standards and Benchmarks.
STAR
Students in Second through Fifth Grades are tested each spring
with the Stanford Achievement Test (STAR). Results are mailed
to parents in the summer. Tentative dates for testing are
April 23 - 25.
PARENT CONFERENCE
Parent conferences are scheduled early in the school year.
Teachers share the STAR Test data, Individual Assessment and
Report Card information.
PROGRESS REPORTS
In all grades, progress reports will be sent three times a
year at mid-trimester. Every student is issued a progress
report.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards are issued three (3) times a year, once during
each of the trimesters. It is the purpose of the report card
to inform students and parents of the degree and level of work
being done in each content area. For this reason, it is
important that you notice “Key or “Explanation of Marks” on
the report card. Report Cards are sent home the last day of
the trimester. Parents who have questions or concerns
regarding their child’s progress should contact the teacher.
Parent/Teacher conferences can be arranged when necessary.
End of the trimester dates are listed in the calendar.
HOMEWORK
If a child is to realize a full measure of success in his/her
schoolwork, he/she must recognize and exercise the
self-discipline necessary for independent study. Opportunities
for independent study will be provided in the classroom.
However, we know that a student will not have the guidance
and supervision of a teacher throughout life, therefore,
it is equally important that he/she learn to study
independently at home. For this reason, and because some
areas of learning actually require more study time than
is available during the school day, teachers will assign
a reasonable amount of homework throughout the school year.
Skills needed for the completion of homework are thoroughly
taught in the classroom, and directions for all assignments
are clearly given by teachers. Homework expectations are
discussed at Back-To-School-Night. If you need schoolwork
for a child who has been absent, please notify the school
office and/or the teacher. Work requests should be made
at least 24 hours in advance of pick-up.
Communication
Communications to parents and the community are a priority at
Laurel School. Regular communication will be provided. Here are
some of the ways we communicate:
ELECTRONIC MARQUEE
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
CONFERENCES
FRIDAY BULLETIN
MONTHLY MENU
OPEN HOUSE
PTA EVENTS
STUDENT PICTURES AND WORK ON DISPLAY IN OFFICE
SSC
NEWSPAPER COVERAGE
TEACHER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
POSITIVE CALLS AND POSTCARDS
STUDENT WORK SENT HOME ON A REGULAR BASIS
SPANISH TRANSLATION OF NOTICES
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
SCHOOL & TEACHER WEB SITES: http://teacherweb.com/CA/Laurel/SchoolHomePage/
EMAIL UPDATES
Educational Field Trips
Educational field trips may be taken during the school day.
Parents will be notified prior to the trip regarding where the
children will be going, the times of departure, and return, and
the purpose of the trip. Field trips enhance the learning and
understanding of the classroom curriculum. Parents may be asked
to chaperone and attend field trips. All students and chaperones
are expected to ride the bus for field trips. Donations for field
trips are based on all students sharing the cost of the bus.
SIBLING OF STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ATTEND FIELD TRIPS!
Extra-Curricular Activities
At Laurel School we like to offer many opportunities for students
to be recognized and rewarded. Below is a list of just some of
the special programs and activities we have during the school
year. Ask your child about them and watch for the dates on the
monthly calendar.
Recognition:
Lightning Bolts
Lunch Monitors
Student Recognition Assemblies
PAW (Principal's Award for Writing)
Special Programs:
Before-School Tutoring Program
Art Show
Academic Olympics
Grade Level Events
Parent Education at PTA Meetings
Caring School Community
Special Events:
Grandparents' Day
Red Ribbon Week
PTA Events
Pumpkin Patch Festival
Book Fairs
Awards Assemblies
California Young Reader Medal Program
100th Day Celebration
Enrichment Assemblies
Book Bonanza
Character Education
Discipline
Our discipline philosophy at Laurel School has two main goals.
First, we want to maintain a safe, fair, and respectful
environment for all students by stopping inappropriate behavior.
Second, we want to help children to learn self-responsibility for
choosing appropriate behavior.
School personnel recognize their responsibility in helping
children learn and grow not only academically, but socially and
emotionally too. Every attempt is made to resolve behavioral
difficulties children may be having by providing guidance for
their acceptance of responsibility for their behavior. The
classroom teacher and Principal (if necessary) will keep you
informed through phone calls, email, notes, weekly reports, etc.
of your child's behavior.
In the event of misbehavior, time is taken to discuss with a
child his/her actions, why they are inappropriate, and what
actions might be taken to correct the behavior. Consequences are
made as appropriate to the misbehavior as possible.
Conflicts between students are handled through Conflict
Resolution strategies: Students work with an adult to listen to
both sides of the story, come to a common agreement as to what
the problems are, and suggest solutions they could use to resolve
the problem. The focus is on the resolution of the problem.
Disciplinary consequences will be made by the adult, if deemed
necessary, after hearing the story of both children.
Progressively intensive consequences are enforced should
misbehavior continue. All students are expected to follow the
campus rules and school behavior standards. Students not
following the rules may be issued a Discipline Referral.
Discipline Referrals may be issued by any employee of
the school district and are processed through the school office.
Discipline Referrals will be sent home to inform parents of the
problem and resulting action.
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school.
Most subjects are taught in sequence, requiring the understanding
of each concept in the order of its presentation. Persistent
absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for students and is
regarded as a very serious problem.
Children are in school 180 days a year, so please schedule
vacations and routine appointments on the other 185 non school
days.
Schools receive no reimbursement from the state when students
are away from school for any reason. Students will no longer be
marked excused for any reason. They will simply be marked absent.
When a student is absent or tardy he/she is required to bring a
note of explanation to the teacher. The note should include the
student’s full name, reason for and dates of the absence, and the
parent or guardian’s signature. A phone call to the school will
take the place of a note. Please call the school at 625-7090 to
clear absences.
Parents who know their child will be missing school due to
vacation or other special plans for five or more days may sign
the child up for Independent Study*. This means work will be
provided for the student while he/she is gone. When it is
completed, the student will be given credit for attending school
for those dates. Please feel free to call the office or contact
your child’s teacher for further information.
*Students on Independent Study are not recognized as having
perfect attendance.
Parents are asked to make sure that their children are not tardy
to school. The teaching of all students is affected when a
student is tardy. If a student is tardy, he/she must sign in at
the attendance office before going to class.
Although everyone may have a time or two where being late cannot
be helped, excessive tardies will be dealt with through the
office. Student, parent, and teacher will work together to
remedy the situation. Students who have excessive tardies or
absences can be sent to the School Attendance Review Board for
further action.
Animals on Campus
Animals are only allowed on campus when scheduled with the
teacher for a classroom visit. In order to protect you from
liability and for student safety, DOGS ON LEASHES AT PARENT
PICK-UP, DROP-OFF, ETC. ARE NOT ALLOWED
School Release
When you come to pick up a student before the end of the school
day, we ask that you come to the school office and sign the
student out of school. If the teacher has not sent the student
to the office by the time you arrive, we will contact the
classroom at that time. No student shall be removed from school
at any time before proper sign-out procedures have been
followed. Students will only be released to persons listed on
the emergency card. Your cooperation in these procedures adds
to your child’s safety. We encourage you to try and make
appointments after school hours so students will not miss
valuable teaching time.
Parent Volunteers, Visitors, and Non Laurel School Students
Laurel School considers its parent volunteers as a very special
resource. Parents are encouraged to help in all classrooms,
programs and extra-curricular activities. Please call the office
if you have time or skills you can donate to make our school a
better place for students to learn and grow. All volunteers and
visitors must sign in at the office. It is very important that
we know who is in the school and visiting classes. Parents who
are volunteering may not bring any child (brother, sister,
daycare, etc.) to the classrooms due to liability and safety
reasons.
NON LAUREL SCHOOL STUDENTS
Children who do not attend Laurel School are not allowed to
use the facilities between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Change of Address
It is very important, for emergency and administrative reasons,
that every student maintains an up-to-date address record at the
school office. Notify the school immediately if you have a change
of address or phone number during the school year.
Bicycling or Walking to School
BIKE RIDERS
1.When traveling to and from school, students must obey
all traffic regulations.
2.In addition, we suggest that students record their
bicycle serial numbers.
3.Bikes must be walked on campus and parked in the bike rack.
4.Students need to wear bicycle safety helmets in
accordance of the law. Law enforcement officers will ticket
any student not wearing a helmet.
5.Bicycles should be properly parked and locked in the
school bike racks. The school assumes no responsibility for
bicycles. Bicycles are never to be ridden on school grounds.
(This includes before and after school hours.)
6.Scooters, skateboards, rollerblades (This includes shoes
with retractable rollers!), and motorized vehicles are strictly
prohibited at Laurel School and are not a transportation option.
WALKING STUDENTS
Students who walk to school should come straight to school,
remain on sidewalks at all times and cross only at designated
crosswalks. Remember the safety rules: walk with a friend and
never accept a ride with a stranger.
Lost and Found
All clothing and lunch boxes found on the campus are placed in
the lost and found. Money, jewelry, or any other articles of
value are turned in to the office. Please label all your child's
belongings. Lost and found items are donated to charity four
times a year.
Campus Procedures
Laurel School is a closed campus. Students are expected to remain
on school grounds until dismissal time. Parents should report to
the office to sign out their child before removing a student from
class.We are proud of our clean campus. Students are expected to
place litter in garbage containers. Each class assumes
responsibility to keep our school neat and clean.
Students are not allowed on school grounds prior to 7:45 a.m. (
There is no supervision of students before this time. Students
who arrive on a regular basis before this time will be given
recess detention as a consequence.
Emergency Procedures
Fire drills, earthquake drills, suspicious person drills and
Shelter in Place drills are conducted regularly. Detailed escape
plans are posted inside the door of each classroom. Disaster
supplies and water are stored in every classroom. Students are
asked to bring a non-perishable snack at the beginning of the
year to be used in the event of an emergency.
IN THE EVENT OF AN EARTHQUAKE...
... the teacher initiates action by directing the students under
their desks facing away from the window. This will minimize
injury from broken glass, falling light fixtures and ceiling
debris.
...after the initial shock, the teacher will guide the students
out of the building in the same manner as a fire drill.
Dress Code
Student clothing should be suitable and comfortable for normal
school activities. It should reflect pride and respect. General
dress standards require:
•Shoes are to be worn at all times. They must have a back
or a strap behind the heel to keep the shoe on. (Bring
appropriate shoes for P.E.)
•No see-through blouses, bare midriffs, halter tops, low
cut tank tops or spaghetti straps.
•Clothing that portrays suggestive, derogatory, or
insulting pictures, writing, or gang associations is not allowed.
Clothing with any reference to drugs, alcohol or tobacco products
is not allowed. Some major sports team clothing may not be
permitted.
•No shorts that expose the buttocks or midriff.
•No baggy style pants that expose undergarments.
•Neatness and cleanliness is expected.
•No hats are allowed inside for either boys or girls.
•Hair products that flake are not allowed. Hairstyles
and hair coloring that cause a disruption in the classroom are
not permitted.
Health
Emergency Information
An Emergency Information Card must be completed and signed by the
parent/guardian for each student at the beginning of each school
year. This form will be kept on file in the office and used to
contact parents / guardians in emergency situations. Any changes
to the information on this card should be reported promptly to
the office staff.
Illness or Injury
For health and safety purposes, students should not be sent to
school if they are showing signs of illness, such as fever,
vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, constant coughing, sore throat or
untreated infected skin patches / rashes. It is advisable that
students with a fever are kept home until he/she is fever free
for 24 hours, without benefit from a fever – reducing agent.
Parents should notify the school office whenever their child is
going to be absent from school due to illness or injury.
During school hours if your child feels ill or is injured, the
office personnel will determine if your child needs to be taken
home by checking the following signs or symptoms:
• Temperature of 99.6°F or above with complaints of moderate to
severe illness or pain
• Difficult or rapid breathing (with no relief from medications
provided by parent)
• Severe coughing
• Eyes that are red, swollen and draining
• Vomiting / diarrhea
• Severe pain
If any of these conditions exist, the office staff will notify
the parents. Parents are responsible to pick up your child or
arrange for a designated person to pick up the child promptly.
The adult picking up the child must sign out the student in the
school office.
If your child has a long-term medical condition (such as asthma,
severe allergies or anaphylaxis, diabetes, seizures, etc.)
please make sure it is noted on the Emergency Information Card
and Health Survey Form. In addition, please check with the
office manager to obtain other forms that may need to be filled
out.
Head Lice
A student who has active, adult live lice will be excluded from
school until treatment is completed. Once treatment has been
completed, the student shall be allowed to return to school the
next day and shall be checked by school staff to ensure that
the student is free of lice before returning to class. According
to Board Policy, once he/she is determined to be free of lice,
the student shall be rechecked weekly for up to 6 weeks.
Medications
The California Education Code has specific guidelines for all
public schools regarding the administration of medications for
both prescription and over the counter medications.
A physician’s statement must be completed each school year for
students receiving either prescription and/or over – the –
counter medications during school and all school sponsored
events / activities. This form must be updated annually.
Additionally, this form must be resubmitted as needed to
reflect any medication/ dosage changes.
All prescription and over – the – counter medications must be
delivered to school in its original labeled container.
Medications not delivered in its original container will not
be accepted by the school. It is also the responsibility of the
parents to check expiration dates on all medications. All
medications must be delivered to the school by an adult.
Physical Exams
Students entering kindergarten or first grade shall submit to
the school a signed physical form completed by the student's
health examiner certifying that the student has completed a
comprehensive health screening within 18 months prior to entry
into first grade or within 90 days thereafter.
Immunization Requirements
The California School Immunization Law requires that children
be up-to-date on their immunizations (shots) to attend school.
Most children need booster shots before starting kindergarten.
Students must present documentation of complete immunizations
before entry into a school. Students shall be excluded from
school or exempted from immunization requirements only as
allowed by law.
Vision / Hearing Screenings
All students shall have their vision and / or hearing screened
each year. This screening shall comply with California
Department of Education standards and shall be performed by
qualified personnel authorized by the District as specified
by law.
For male students, color vision shall be tested one time, after
the student reaches grade one.
The parent/guardian of any student suspected to have visual or
auditory concerns shall receive a notice with a request that
remedial action be taken to further evaluate the findings.
Classroom teachers may refer any student from any other grade
for either screenings as necessary.
Scoliosis Screening (Middle school)
Each female student in grade seven and each male student in
grade eight shall be screened for scoliosis. This screening
shall comply with California Department of Education standards
and shall be performed by a qualified personnel authorized by
the District as specified by law.
The parent/guardian of any student suspected of having scoliosis
shall receive a notice which includes an explanation of
scoliosis and describes the significance of treatment at an
early age.
Classroom teachers may refer any student from any other grade for scoliosis screening s as necessary.
Library
The library is open on a regularly scheduled basis and is
supervised by the librarian. Library classes are held for all
students in K-5. Classes are held for the purpose of library
instruction, as well as for enjoyment of the materials and books.
Students visit the library with their classroom teacher.
The library is also open for students from 7:45 a.m. to 8:05 a.m.
each school day. They may use the library to read, check out
books, return books, do reference work or work on homework at
that time. Damaged or lost library books are the responsibility
of the child and his/her guardian. The library collection is
constantly updated and expanded. Books are chosen for either
educational or recreational value. Parents are welcome to visit
the library before school and check out books. There is a Parent
Corner in the library with books for parents to check out. The
library is not open to students or parents after school.
WEE READ
Monday mornings (except for school holidays) a story time is held
in the library for preschool children ages 3-1/2 to 5 and their
caregivers. The children hear several stories, learn rhymes, and
do a simple art project. The story time is held from 8:15 a.m. to
8:45 a.m. The caregiver must remain with the child during this
time.
Life Skills
A good school experience, which prepares students for life,
encompasses more than just academic subjects. For that reason,
the Oakley Union School District has trained all teachers in
teaching Lifeskills. Laurel will continue to provide a strong
basic academic program, a wide variety of enrichment and activity
based lessons, and continue implementing Lifeskills.
Lifeskills are skills all people need to be successful in life.
In all classes students will get the opportunity to learn what
they entail, see how they fit in with real life, and practice how
they look and feel. Our success will be measured by how students
apply these skills outside the classroom, as well as during class
time. We will be recognizing students monthly at our special
student assemblies for demonstrating Lifeskills.
Below is a list of the Lifeskills:
Caring-Being considerate of others
Common Sense-Making wise decisions and using good judgment
Cooperation-Working together
Courage-To act according to one's set of beliefs
Curiosity-A desire to learn and know about all things
Effort-Working hard and being willing to do my personal best
Flexibility-Willing to change plans when necessary
Friendship-Knowing how to make and keep a good friend
Initiative-Taking the first step
Integrity-To be honest
Organization-To be able to plan in an orderly way
Patience-Taking time to do something
Perseverance-Finishing what you begin
Problem Solving-Finding out what you know and using it
Responsibility-Being dependable and trustworthy
Sense of Humor-To laugh and be playful without hurting others
Respect-To have high regard, esteem
Playground Expectations
PHILOSOPHY
The purpose of these general rules is to provide a safe and
orderly environment for all students and adults who attend or
work at Laurel School. Students are expected to behave in a
manner, which reflects positively on Laurel School. Adults make
every effort to reinforce proper behavior, which will foster a
respect for others, school and private property.
PLAYGROUND RULES
1. Slide – Only one on the slide at a time.
2. Bars – Used to strengthen arm muscles only. Never walk,
stand or crawl on the bars.
3. Swings – Sitting position only. Never bail out of swings.
Stand on curb behind swings while waiting. Count to 100.
4. Kick Balls – Kick balls are to be used only on the grass
area.
5. Sports Equipment - Footballs, baseball bats and hard
balls are not allowed.
6. Classroom Equipment – Room balls and jump ropes are for
all children in the room to play with, not just the one who
brings it out to the yard.
7. Gum – Chewing gum is not permitted on campus.
8. Litter – All pupils should pick up paper, milk cartons
and other litter on the yard. Pupils may be asked to keep the
yard clean and to pick up papers, etc.
9. Play Areas – Children are to play only in the areas
designated as play areas during recess, lunch and before school.
PLAYGROUNDS
1. Fighting, use of inappropriate language, or being
disrespectful will not be allowed.
2. No wrestling, mock fighting or martial art practicing
games of any kind are permitted.
3. No “piggybacking,” carrying or swinging of other pupils
will be permitted.
4. THE BELL STOPS ALL PLAY. Students should “FREEZE” and
drop to one knee, then a yard duty supervisor will blow a whistle
and students WALK to their lines. This has been shown to signal
that recess is over, reduce accidents, calm students down, and
recognize that it is time to return to class.
BALLS
1. No balls may be kicked on the blacktop.
2. Only soccer balls and small brown kickballs may be kicked.
3. Volleyballs, soft red rubber playground balls and
basketballs may not be kicked at any time.
4. No balls may be thrown against the buildings. – It
loosens the plaster.
5. Children should not kick or otherwise interfere with
other students’ balls or games.
6. Never leave the playground to retrieve balls; notify
teacher/adult on duty.
7. Footballs are not allowed at school.
Discipline
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our discipline philosophy at Laurel School has two main goals.
First, we want to maintain a safe, fair, and respectful
environment for all students by stopping inappropriate behavior.
Second, we want to help children to learn self-responsibility for
choosing appropriate behavior.
School personnel recognize their responsibility in helping
children learn and grow not only academically, but socially and
emotionally too. Every attempt is made to resolve behavioral
difficulties children may be having by providing guidance for
their acceptance of responsibility for their behavior. The
classroom teacher and Principal (if necessary) will keep you
informed through phone calls, notes, weekly reports, etc. of your
child’s behavior.
In the event of misbehavior, time is taken to discuss with a
child his/her actions, why they are inappropriate, and what
actions might be taken to correct the behavior. Consequences are
made as appropriate to the misbehavior as possible.
Conflicts between students are handled through Conflict Resolution
strategies: Students work with an adult to listen to both sides
of the story, come to a common agreement as to what the problems
are, and suggest solutions they could use to resolve the problem.
The focus is on the resolution of the problem. Disciplinary
consequences will be made by the adult, if deemed necessary,
after hearing the story of both children.
Progressively intensive consequences are enforced should
misbehavior continue. All students are expected to follow the
campus rules and school behavior standards. Students not
following the rules may be issued a Discipline Referral.
Discipline Referrals may be issued by any employee of the s
chool district and are processed through the school office.
Discipline Referrals will be sent home to inform parents of
the problem and resulting action.
POSSESSION/USE OF CELLULAR PHONES AND OTHER MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES
Students are not allowed to use personal mobile communications
devices (i.e. cell phones, pagers, etc) on school grounds. These
devices must be turned off during the entire school day and must
be securely put away. The school and District are not responsible
for any lost or stolen items.
If a student uses a cell phone or pager during the school day it
may be confiscated by the teacher or principal and will be
returned at the end of the school day.
The Oakley Union Elementary School District reserves the right to
search any cell phone brought to school and used anytime during the
school day in violation of District Policy 5131, “Possession/Use
of Cellular Phone and other Mobile Communication Devices.”
Inappropriate verbal or text messages, pictures or other material
found on the phone may be grounds for disciplinary action.
“Inappropriate verbal or text messages, pictures or other
materials” includes but is not limited to harassing statements
or any communication that creates a hostile environment based on
race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin,
religion, or disability; discriminatory statements; sexual
statements or pictures; and messages to organize activities that
may cause harm to any student, involve drugs and/or alcohol, or
that spreads false information about any other student or
employee of the school district.”
TAPING IN THE CLASSROOM and/or SCHOOL EVENTS
Audio or videotaping in a classroom may only be done with
teacher consent. Students or any other visiting adult who
records in a classroom without the teacher’s permission violates
Education Code section 51512. That section states:
The Legislature finds that the use by any person, including a
pupil, of any electronic listening or recording device in any
classroom of the elementary and secondary schools without the
prior consent of the teacher and the principal of the school
given to promote an education purpose disrupts and impairs the
teaching process and discipline in the elementary and secondary
schools, and such use is prohibited. Any person, other than a
pupil, who willfully violates this section shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor. Any pupil violating this section shall be subject
to appropriate disciplinary action.
Audio or videotaping a school event may not be posted on social
media sites without written permission of the principal and/or
district superintendent.
NOTICE
If you have a disability and need this publication in an alternate
format, please contact Heather Partida, Executive Assistant to
the Superintendent at 925-625-5050.
TTY Dedicated Phone Line 925-625-6583
Si usted tiene una inhabilidad y necesita esta publicación en un
formato alterno, por favor entre en contacto con Heather Partida,
Ayudante Administrativo al Superintendente en 925-625-5050.