Policies

Arrival and Dismissal

The safety of all who attend our school is of great concern to parents and staff. Therefore, we ask your personal cooperation and commitment.

Supervision for students begins at 8:00 a.m. Children MAY NOT arrive at school before 8:00 a.m. Supervision of children ends at 2:45 p.m. on regular days and at 1:00 p.m. on Thursdays. Children MAY NOT be on campus after that time unless they are with their parent, under the direct supervision of a teacher, or involved in a school-approved activity. Should a student arrive after school begins at 8:15 a.m., they should report to the office for a late pass. Research has revealed that students who are late or miss school regularly find it difficult to be successful. Please make every effort to ensure that your child is on time.

The parking lot curb lane may be used as a drop-off/pick-up area. There is no waiting. Out of respect for others, please circle around again if your child has not yet arrived for pick-up. Make sure to pull all the way forward in the pick-up lane. All pedestrians must use the crosswalk. Please do not double park. In addition to be being a safety hazard for students, emergency vehicles and visitors must be able to flow through our parking lot at all times. Eliminating cars driving through the parking lot creates a safer situation for our students and staff.

At the end of the school day, students must go directly home or to their child care provider. Only children accompanied by an adult, under the direct supervision of the teacher, or in an approved school activity may remain on campus.

Parking Lot Safety

We take the safety of our students very seriously. Our parking lot procedures are in place to ensure all students are able to commute to and from school safely. There are designated areas for student drop off and pick up. It is essential for all community members to be aware of and follow our parking lot procedures. We will have adults and signage out front to assist you in this process.

• Use only the marked cross walks at all times
• Keep the marked area in front of the office clear
• Parking spots are reserved for Carolyn Clark Staff Only
• Please keep red curbs and bus loading zone clear
• School dismisses at 2:30 p.m. on regular school days and 12:45 p.m. on minimum days. Check the bell schedule for TK and Kindergarten dismissal times.
• Please stay in your car at all times while waiting in the drop off line
• Turn right out of the parking lot

TK and Kinder families: Please park on the street and walk in to pick up students. If you do not see your child in the loading zone, exit and re-enter the pick-up line.

Attendance

Students are expected to be in school except in cases of emergency, illness, or school approved absences. When your child is absent please follow the procedure below.

1. Parents should call the school by 8:30a.m. (Absence line: 408-223-4590) on the first day and all days the student is absent or send a note to the office. All unverified absences will result in an unexcused absence.
2. A doctor’s statement is required for an extended illness of three (3) days or more.
3. If your child cannot go out for recess, he/she must bring a signed note stating the reason for being excused.
4. Frequent or extended absences from recess or P.E. may require a doctor’s statement.

Campus Visitors

Parents and adult members of the community are always welcome to visit our school. Prior notice is required to visit a classroom. Please come to the office and sign in and get a visitor sticker. Unfortunately, we cannot allow children who are not registered to visit. We do ask that you make arrangements for preschool children to stay at home. If a cousin or friend is visiting in your home, please do not send them to school with your child.

We ask that parents and family members who are dropping off and picking up students in the afternoon wait outside the building and not in the multipurpose room or classroom wings. Our students' safety and security is our highest priority.

Early Release from School

Students may not leave the school without permission. If you must remove your child prior to dismissal, please come to the office, and we will notify your child’s class. Please schedule appointments late in the afternoon to minimize disruptions to your child’s education.

A positive school spirit is evident throughout Carolyn Clark Elementary School. Our school has high academic and behavioral expectations. Students are expected to achieve these standards and are provided the support they need to do so. All classrooms have effective management systems that includes clearly defined rules, appropriate consequences, and recognition for positive behavior. Rules for conduct are fair and reasonable; students are taught how to make wise choices about their behavior; students are taught conflict resolution skills; and adults model and reinforce appropriate behavior. The result is a school that is safe, fosters learning, encourages appropriate behavior, and builds self-esteem. Discipline is administered with sensitivity to the dignity of the child. The rules and policies concerning behavior at Carolyn Clark were adopted with input from staff, students, and parents and are designed to ensure the safety of students as well as promote an atmosphere for learning. Many are based on California state law.

School and classroom rules are based on these general principles of behavior:

• Be respectful -Treat others the way you want to be treated
• Be responsible
• Be Safe

Students will:
Show courtesy and respect to others: Racial slurs, inappropriate touching, sexual harassment, name calling, verbal bullying, physical bullying, vulgar language or vulgar gestures are not appropriate nor allowed.

1. Solve problems through discussion rather than force.
2. Respect school property and the property of others.
3. Any item that distracts from the learning environment should be left at home.
4. This includes but is not limited to toys, radios, skateboards, toy guns, toy knives, poppers, yo-yos, electronic games, sports equipment, wheelies, trading cards, etc.
5. Report injuries or problems to a teacher, supervisor or the office immediately.
6. Bring only the money needed for school. Do not bring extra money to school.
7. Contribute to a safe, healthy environment: Guns, knives, explosives, matches and dangerous objects are not permitted. Smoking or the possession of tobacco is not permitted. (See section “Expulsion Laws”).

The way students dress has a direct impact upon their attitude and performance and the attitude and performance of others. In order to maintain a respectful, positive and productive educational environment, Carolyn A. Clark Elementary School enforces the following dress code.

The Carolyn A. Clark Elementary School Dress Code is based on the California Education Code (35183.6).

"Clothing or appearance that can create a class/school disturbance or distraction that interferes with the learning environment, or represents a danger to student health or welfare is not permitted."

Students should wear comfortable clothing that allows them to move safely and participate easily in a variety of activities such as art projects, sitting on the floor and/or strenuous physical activities.

• Shirts must be long enough that if hands are raised over the head, a bare midriff will not be exposed.
• Shirt straps must be at least one inch wide (no strapless tops).
• Outfits that show, or appear to show, underwear are not permitted.
• No baggy or over sized pants. Pants must be able to stay up and not touch the ground.
• Skirts and shorts must be worn with a hem that reaches the tips of the fingers when arms are extended down the thigh.
• No shoes with open toes and/or open backs (flip flops, sandals, clogs, crocs, etc.)
• No shoes with high heels or skate wheels.
• Sun protective clothing (including hats, caps, sunglasses) are permitted when outdoors.
• Hanging chains, dangling jewelry (earrings, necklaces and/or bracelets) that are safety hazards and/or distractions cannot be worn in school.
• Unnatural hair color and/or makeup is not permitted in school as it is a distraction to the educational environment.

Clothing which depicts any of the following is not permitted:

• offensive or vulgar language
• inappropriate pictures or innuendos relating to sex advertisements for alcohol, cigarettes, or other controlled substances
• breaking the law, violence, racial, ethnic, and/or racial slurs

Consequence for non-compliance with dress code:

Any staff member may refer a student to the office to call their parent for a change of clothing. If a parent cannot be reached, the office will provide a tee shirt or shorts to be worn for the day. The borrowed items must be washed and returned the following day.

Children are expected to follow playground rules to ensure their safety.

General Rules

• During recess children play where there is supervision.We do not play by the classrooms, bathrooms, or behind the yellow boundary lines.
• We do not throw rocks, sand, etc.
• We do not push, wrestle, trip, jump on others, roughhouse, fight or “playfight.”
• We keep our hands and feet to ourselves at all times.
• We run on the grass, not the blacktop or on the play-structure.
• We do not play in or around the bathrooms.
• We do not use improper language or say things that make other people feel bad.
• We eat snacks at the benches only.
• No kicking balls on blacktop.Playground balls may be kicked on the grass area only.
• On the grass – Do not go beyond the cones when they are out.
• If a ball rolls beyond the cones, only one person goes to get it.
• If a ball goes into the bushes, alert an adult…do not try to retrieve it.
• No games involving hitting one another with playground balls.For instance, no dodgeball unless with a teacher at PE or Fun-Visor or supervising adult present.
• Footballs or Frisbees are not permitted.Teachers may use them during supervised PE, or Fun-Visor.
• You may walk the track, but tell a teacher or noon duty first.You must not stop anywhere on the track, you must keep moving at a fast walk, jogging or running rate.

Play Structure

• No crawling, standing, walking, or sitting on the overhead bars.
• No one is to touch anyone who is using the bars – no pulling anyone down!
• We do not push or jump off the equipment.
• We do not play games (i.e. tag, chasing) on or around the play structure.No running on structure.
• We move through the various slides and climbing structures; we do not stop in the middle.
• For the “monkey bars”, we always start by going towards the play structure.

Slide

• We slide down the slide in a sitting forward position only.
• We do not crawl up the slide.
• Wait for the person on the slide to clear out of the way.
• We do not block another student on the slide.Slide down right away – no waiting!
• We do not jump off the slide.
• We make a single file line up to the slide.

Freeze Bell

• The first bell at the end of recess and lunch is a “freeze bell”.
• Everyone stands still and stops talking during the freeze.
• Come down from the play structure if you are on it, and then freeze.
• If in the tetherball circle, step out and do not touch the tetherball.
• If a ball is rolling, let it go until after the teacher’s whistle.
• When the teacher or noon duty blows the whistle, unfreeze and walk to where your class lines up and wait for your teacher.
• After the freeze bell, balls should not be bounced, shot or thrown.Hold them with two hands.

Tetherball Rules

PLAY: One player, who serves first, is selected. After the first game the winner serves first. One player stands in each court. The server starts the game by hitting the ball out of his hand. His /her opponent may strike the ball at any time it passes him/her, they must try to hit the ball. As the ball travels, each player tries to hit it in an effort to wind the ball around the pole. The player who first winds the ball completely around the pole wins the game. During the game each player must remain in his/her own playing zone.

FOULS: The following are fouls:

1. Hitting the ball with any part of the body other than the hands of forearms.
2. Stopping continuous play by holding or catching the ball.
3. Touching the pole with any part of the ball.
4. Interfering with the progress of the game by hitting the rope with forearm or hands.
5. Playing the ball while standing outside of the playing zone.
6. Stepping in opponents play area.
7. Throwing the ball.

SCORING: The game is won by the player who first winds the rope completely around the pole or by forfeit because of a foul committed by his/her opponent.

PENALTY: A player who commits any of the fouls listed above forfeits the game to his/her opponent. Play stops immediately after a foul has been committed.

OTHER

RULES:

• Next person waiting is the "judge" and decides all close plays.
• Maximum --3 games in a row, no exceptions.
• No "manys" games.
• Active play, no playing "easy".

Four Square Rules

PLAY: One player starts the game standing inside the servers square by bouncing the ball once and hitting it into the opposite square. The ball must be hit with both hands at the same time, fingers down and palms up. The ball must bounce once and only once in a square before it is returned. A player who misses the ball, or fouls, must move to the end of the waiting line. Other players move up in rotation--CLOCKWISE the object of the game is to get another out and move up to the servers square.

FOULS:

• Hitting the ball more than once prior to its return.
• Falling to hit the ball with both hands at the same time.
• Failing to hit the ball with open hands, fingers pointed down, with palms up.
• Catching or blocking the ball.
• Bouncing the ball on a line or out of the court.
• Failing to return the ball to another court.
• Being hit by the ball.

PENALTY: A player who commits any foul moves out of the square to the end of the waiting line.

OTHER RULES:

• First person waiting is the judge and decides on close plays, active play, no playing easy.

Carolyn Clark Elementary School’s discipline plan is designed to assist students in making responsible choices concerning appropriate behavior. It is our fundamental belief that students are responsible for their own behavior. Adults, parents, and educators, are responsible for providing children with guidance and practice in choosing appropriate behavior. The effectiveness of the discipline policy is dependent upon the active commitment of all adults, administrators, staff, and parents.

Students who violate the school rules are subject to disciplinary action. In most cases the following procedure is followed by teachers/supervisors:

1. Teacher/supervisor cautions and/or redirects the child as privately as possible.
2. Teacher/supervisor and child discuss the inappropriate behavior and agree upon alternate, appropriate behavior to use in the future.
3. Teacher/ Principal assigns an appropriate consequence as needed. This will be documented on a Citation. A copy will be sent home for signature, one copy is for the teacher, and one copy is for the principal.
4. Teacher/Principal informs parent if situation warrants it.

A trained health clerk is on duty during the day for emergencies. By law, the school staff is allowed to render first aid only. School staff may not diagnose or prescribe in case of illness or accident.

• You, or your emergency designee, will be notified whenever a significant accident or illness occurs. Immediate arrangements must be made to take the child home.
• It is vital that we have accurate, current information on the emergency card.
• Children may take necessary PRESCRIBED medication at school under the supervision of the health clerk or secretary. Parents must have the doctor fill out the proper form and leave any medication (in the original container with the complete instructions) and form in the health office.
• The school cannot administer aspirin or other medication that can be purchased over the counter. NON-PRESCRIBED MEDICATION IS NOT ALLOWED AT SCHOOL FOR STUDENT SAFETY REASONS.
• Students may not bring medication to school without authorization.

Student nutrition and health contribute to an academically successful child. As such, the Evergreen School District has developed the following criteria that follow state, federal and health department guidelines regarding the serving of food to students at Evergreen School District sites.

Guidelines:

• Any baked food items sent to school for celebrations
• Must be purchased from a store.
• Food items may only be served after the classroom’s lunch period.
• Food items provided for the classroom must be peanut free.
• Food items should be individually wrapped.
• No cupcakes or ice cream are allowed.

Looking for an alternative to cupcakes for a birthday celebration? Consider joining our Birthday Book Club! More information about our Birthday Book Club and how to join can be found on the Library page. Information is also sent home to all families at the start of school.

Phones need to be secured in backpacks and turned off during the school day. Students may come to the office to use the phone if they need to place a call. Students may use their phones outside the classroom after school is dismissed. The school is not responsible for phones that are stolen, lost, or damaged. If a student has a phone out during the day it will be confiscated and brought to the office and must be picked up by an adult.

Expulsion from the Evergreen School District removes a child in grades K-8 from enrolling in any Evergreen School for the period of expulsion. Laws that became effective January 1, 1996, require a recommendation for expulsion for possessing a firearm (including pellet or BB guns), brandishing a knife at another person, and selling drugs. Additionally, the Board of Trustees may expel for possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia, damage to property, theft, tobacco, disruption/defiance of authority, imitation firearm possession, sexual harassment, hate violence, and possession of dangerous objects.

Also, please note that if these violations occur when a student is walking to or from school, the student may be referred for expulsion. Parents should seriously review with their child at all ages the consequences of what they carry in their pockets, bags, or backpacks to and from school. Evergreen

School District endorses a Zero Tolerance policy for any action of a student that endangers others.

Although we recognize that birthdays are a very special time for children and they deserve recognition, school district guidelines and board policy (BP5030) prohibit bringing food or drinks to school for birthday celebrations. These guidelines and policies are in place to support the consistent educational message of student wellness and healthy lifestyle whether in the classroom, cafeteria or at home. Additional impacts include:

• Loss of instructional time.
• Logistical constraints placed on teachers.
• Concern for our many students with food allergies.
• Added strain on the office and custodial staff.

If parents choose to provide items to classmates in celebration of birthdays, some alternative items may include pencils, bookmarks, stickers, or perhaps donating a book to the school or classroom library.

Teachers may elect to honor students as they see fit by giving special recognition, singing of songs, special classroom duties, etc.

Also, balloon bouquets can be a distraction and/or disruptive to instruction and therefore parents are reminded of the school policy that balloon bouquets will not be delivered to classrooms during the school day. We want to thank you for your support of the school and district policies. Working together we can maintain our focus on providing a safe and productive environment at Clark School.

The following Evergreen School District policies are provided to you to increase your awareness of what is and is not tolerated at any Evergreen School District campus. Policies in their entirety will be distributed at the beginning of the school year and can be requested from the school office.

Student Use of Technology - B.P. 6163.4

The Governing Board recognizes that technology provides ways to access the most current and extensive sources of information. Technology enables students to practice skills and to develop reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Every effort shall be made to provide equal access to technology throughout the district’s schools and classes. Students are responsible for adhering to Evergreen School District’s Acceptable Use Agreement.

Non-Discrimination - B.P. 5145.3

District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, including harassment, with respect to the actual or perceived ethnic group, religion, gender, color, race, ancestry, national origin, and physical or mental disability, age or sexual orientation. The Governing Board shall ensure equal opportunities for all students in admission and access to the educational program, guidance, and counseling programs, athletic programs, testing procedures, and other activities.

Sexual Harassment - B.P. 5145.7

The Governing Board is committed to maintaining a school environment that is free from harassment. The Board prohibits sexual harassment of any student by another student, an employee or other person, at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against any person who complains, testifies, assists or otherwise participates in the complaint process established in accordance with this policy. Any student who engages in sexual harassment of anyone at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity is in violation of this policy and shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Uniform Complaint Procedure - B.P. 1312.4

The Board recognizes that the district has primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations governing education. The district shall investigate and seek to resolve complaints at the local level. The district shall follow uniform procedures when addressing civil rights guarantees, complaints alleging unlawful discrimination or gender equity issues, or failure to comply with state or federal law in programs for consolidated categorical aid, Indian education, migrant education, child nutrition, special education, adult education, career/vocation education, and child development. The Board prohibits retaliation in any form for the filing of a complaint, the reporting of instances of discrimination, or for participation in complaint procedures. Such participation shall not in any way affect the status, grades, or work assignments of the complainant. The Board acknowledges and respects employee rights to privacy. Discrimination complaints shall be investigated in a manner that protects the confidentiality of the parties and the facts. This includes keeping the identity of the complainant confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the investigation or proceedings, as determined by the Superintendent or designee on a case-by-case basis. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that employees designated to investigate complaints are knowledgeable about the laws and programs for which they are responsible.

Tobacco-Free Environment - B.P. 4016.1 and 5131.62

Documentation and research has demonstrated the health hazards associated with the use of tobacco products and the breathing of second-hand smoke. Further, a legislative mandate requires the district to alleviate the presence and use of tobacco products in the educational environment. The Governing Board intends to maintain tobacco and smoke-free school facilities, grounds, offices, work areas, and district vehicles for all of its students, employees, parents, volunteers, and visitors.

Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures - B.P. 3212.4 W

The Board recognizes that the district has primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations governing education. The district shall investigate and seek to resolve complaints at the local level. The district shall follow uniform procedures when addressing complaints regarding Instructional Materials, Teacher Vacancy/Mis-assignment and Facilities conditions which pose an emergency or urgent threat to the health or safety of students and/or staff.

Protection of Pupil Rights

The district has adopted policies, in consultation with parents, regarding student and parent rights as well as arrangements to protect the privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution purposes. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act gives parents certain rights with respect to their child’s educational records. More information is available in the school office.