Mojave Unified School District

ROBERTP.ULRICHELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK

2013/2014

RobertP.UlrichElementary School

9124 Catalpa Ave.

California City, CA93505

(760) 373-4824

Cheryl Bailey, Principal

August 15, 2013

Dear RPU Families,

Welcome to the 2013/2014 school year. I am excited to be joining the Cougars. This Parent/Student Handbook was designed to serve as a resource to explain the different policies, procedures, and programs that are in place at Robert P. UlrichElementary School. I highly encourage you to read through this handbook with your child so that everyone has a clear understanding of the school expectations and principles which help facilitate the educational process.

After you have read the handbook, please sign and return the acknowledgement form which is attached. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

As principal it is my obligationto make sure every child, adult, and staff member feels safe and welcome at Robert P. UlrichElementary School.I encourage active participation in our parent committees designed to strengthen safety and student achievement. Our school mission is that “All Children Are Proficient Readers.” The educational process is a shared responsibility. Together we will challenge children to think at high levels, encourage collaboration, and read every day.Have a wonderful year!

Sincerely,

Cheryl Bailey,

Principal

SCHOOL MISSION

Our mission at RobertP.UlrichElementary School is that all children are proficient readers.

SCHOOL VISION

Students at Robert P. Ulrich Elementary will become proficient readers by developing:

Phonics/Phonemic Awareness (Blends, Decoding, Segmenting)

Sight Words, Fluency, and Vocabulary

Reading Comprehension.

A rigorous curriculum driven by common core standards

Common formative assessments and summative assessments

Utilization of data to guide the instructional program

Walk-to-Read time (RTI)

Relevant professional development activities

Collaborative partnerships with parents, staff, community, and partner schools

Regular School Day Schedule

Grade / Start Time / End Time
Kindergarten / 8:50 a.m. / 12:15 p.m.
1st, 2nd, 3rd / 8:50 a.m. / 3:20 p.m.

Minimum Day Schedule

Grade / Start Time / End Time
Kindergarten / 8:50 a.m. / 12:15 p.m.
1st, 2nd, 3rd / 8:50 a.m. / 1:30 p.m.

Inclement Weather School Day Schedule

*Teleparent Alert and will inform parents of the delay

Grade / Start Time / End Time
Kindergarten / 10:50 a.m. / 12:15 p.m.
1st, 2nd, 3rd / 10:50 a.m. / 3:20 p.m.

Calendar of Events

September 2013 – Responsibility

September 9thPTO Kick off K/1 9:30 2/3 10:15

September 24th– Kindergarten to Knaus Apple Farm

September 25th – Kindergarten to Knaus Apple Farm

September 26th – Family Game Night 5:30 – 7:00

October 2013 - Trustworthiness

October 3rd– First Grade Fitness Day – Mrs. Barr

October 11th – First Grade Awards – Aug/Sept. @ 9:45

October 16th– ELAC Meeting

October 18th–Assembly

October 21st – 25th Red Ribbon Week

Monday “Stomp out Drugs” – wear mismatched shoes

Tuesday“Sock it to Drugs” – wear crazy socks

Wednesday “One School, One Goal: Bully & Drug Free” – wear school colors blue and gold

Thursday “Smarties Don’t Do Drugs” – Smartie candy giveaway

Friday“Team Up Against Drugs” – wear team jerseys

October 24th – Picture Re-Takes –in rooms 38 & 39

October 29th - KCSOS Hearing Screening Grades K, 2, and Mrs. Barker’s class

November 2013 - Citizenship

November 8th – First Grade Awards – 9:45

November 25th – 29th Thanksgiving break, no school

December 2013 – Caring

December 2 – 13th – Santa’s Secret Shop – Room 38

December 4 – 11th – 5:00 – 7:00 pm After Hours with Santa

December 11th – ELAC Meeting

December 11th– First Grade Holiday Program – CCMS 6:00 – 8:00 pm

December 13th – First Grade Awards 9:45

January 2014 – Fairness

Jan 10th - First Grade Awards – 9:45

February 2014 – Respect

February 5th- ELAC

Feb 14th – First Grade Awards – 9:45

March 2014 – Respect

March 5th – Jump Rope for Heart Assembly

Mar 14th– FirstGrade Awards – 9:45

March 26th – Jump Rope For Heart Event

April 2014 – Trustworthiness

April 2, 2014 - ELAC

April 10 – First Grade Awards – 9:45

April 11th – First Grade Field Trip to CALM

May 2014 – Caring

May 9 – First Grade Awards – 9:45

May 30th – FirstGrade Awards – 9:45

June 2014 – Fairness

June 2nd – 1st Grade Fun Day

SCHOOL PROCEDURES

ATTENDANCE

According to California law, all persons between the age of 6 and 18 years of age must attend school on a regular basis. It is the desire of RPU that attendance is a priority for all of its students. Research shows that students learn and retain what they have learned, when they are at school regularly. In addition to being at school regularly, it is important that students are at school on-time and stay the whole day. The academic day starts with the morning bell. When students are late to class or they leave early, they miss out on valuable learning.

If your student is unable to come to school, it is important that you contact the school as soon as possible. There are two types of absences, excused or unexcused. Each type of absence is explained below. Please note: with the change in California school funding laws, schools are only funded when students are at school.

Excused Absences

Absences must be verified within three (3) days. Absences will be considered excused, per California Education Code 48205, for the following reasons only:

Due to the student’s illness
Due to the student being quarantined under direction of county or city health officials
For the purpose of the student having a medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic services rendered.
For the purpose of attending the funeral services of a member of his or her immediate family, so long as the absence is not more than one day if the service is conducted in California and not more than three days if the service is conducted outside of California
For the purpose of jury duty in the manner provided for by law
Due to the illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child whom the pupil is the custodial parent
For justifiable personal reasons including, but not limited to, an appearance in court, attendance at a funeral service, observance of a holiday or ceremony of his or her religion, attendance at religious retreats or attendance at an employment conference when the pupil’s absence has been requested in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated representative pursuant to uniform standards established by the governing board (for purposes of this section, attendance at religious retreats shall not exceed four hours per semester)

Unexcused Absences

Absences remaining unverified for more than three (3) days will be considered unexcused. If a student misses school without an excuse and does not turn in homework, take a test, or fulfill other class requirements which he/she missed, the teacher may lower the student’s grade for nonperformance. Students with six 6) or more unexcused absences in a grading period may be given a failing grade.

Truancy

Any student absent and/or tardy 30 minutes or more without a valid excuse for three (3) days in a school year is considered truant. Any student found to be truant may be subject to the following actions:

First Truancy—student may be given a written warning by a peace officer
Second Truancy—Student will need to meet with the principal.
Third Truancy—Student may be referred to and required to attend, a school attendance review board, a truancy mediation program established by the District Attorney or probation officer, or other comparable program.
Fourth Truancy—Student shall be classified as a habitual truant and may be referred to a school attendance review board or to the probation department.

Attendance Incentives

Throughout the school year, students will be afforded the opportunity to earn attendance incentives. These incentives are offered weekly, monthly, and at the trimester. In order to participate in the attendance incentive program, students must be at school each day, on time, and remain for the full instructional day.

Short Term Independent Study

If you know in advance that your student will be absent from school no less than five days and no more than 30 days, please contact the Central Attendance office to set up a short term independent study contract. A minimum of 48 hours is needed to gather the assignments for the contract. All assignment work is due the day the student returns to school. If assignments are not completed, all absences covered by the contract will be considered unexcused.

Attendance Awards

RPU students are given the opportunity to receive awards for their good attendance at various points in the school year. The following criteria are used to determine attendance awards eligibility:

Monthly:A Excellent Attendance is given to students who have had no absences and no more than one tardy or leave early for the month, Perfect Attendance is given to students who have had no absences and no tardies or leave earlies for the month.

Trimester:A Certificate of Excellent Attendance is awarded to students who have been enrolled in the MojaveUnifiedSchool District for 54 days or more of the trimester. Excellent attendance is defined as no absences and no more than four tardiesor leave earliesa trimester. (AR 5110 #1)

A Certificate of Perfect Attendance is awarded to students who have been enrolled at least 54 days of the trimesters

with no absences, no tardies, and no leave earlies of any kind for any reason (AR 5110 #2)

Year End:A plaque for a full year of perfect attendance will be awarded to students who have been enrolled for at least 160 days of the school year with no absences, no leave earlies,and no tardies of any kind for any reason. The students must have been in attendance for no less than the legally required minimum minutes for each individual school day as defined by the California Education Code. (AR 5119 #3)

The required instructional minutes per regular school day is as follows:

Kindergarten205 minutes

Grades 1-3325 minutes

(California Education Code 46114)

BEHAVIOR

At Robert P. Ulrich Elementary School we believe it necessary for children to learn to develop self-discipline in order to further their learning. We believe in the importance of good behavior and self-control. In light of these beliefs, the following seven guidelines have been adopted.

Students are to report to class regularly and on time. They are expected to bring textbooks and other materials to class each day as needed.
Teachers, students, and staff should be courteous to each other.
No one should disturb another class member or make it difficult to study or listen in class.
Students should respect the rights and property of other students and the property, equipment, and furniture of the school.
Students should learn the procedure to follow in each classroom for fire drills, earthquakes, and disaster alerts.
Students are to be attentive to the teacher during instruction.
Students should follow the rules in each of their assigned classes and area.

These seven guidelines are incorporated into the RPU Area Behavior Matrix and the Playground rules of safe play, both of which follow. Staff members will be teaching and reinforcing the three “Be”s in the Behavior Matrix: Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible, throughout the year.

RPU Behavior Matrix

Area / Be Safe / Be Respectful / Be Responsible
Cafeteria / Keep all food to self.
Sit with feet on the floor, facing the table.
Enter and exit appropriately.
Keep hands and feet to yourself in line. / Allow anyone to sit next to you.
Use quiet voices.
Follow adult directions. / Raise your hands and wait to be excused.
Leave no trace.
Playground / Walk to and from the playground.
Stay within boundaries.
Be aware of activities around you. / Play fairly.
Include everyone.
Use kind words and actions. / Take care of all playground and school equipment.
Remind others to follow rules.
Bathroom / Keep feet on floor.
Keep water in sink.
Wash hands after use.
Put trash in the garbage can. / Knock on stall door.
Give people privacy.
Use quiet voices. / Flush toilet after use.
Return to classroom promptly.
Use bathroom pass.
Leave no trace.
Hallway / Walk at all times facing forward.
Stay out of the red zones. / Be silent.
Follow adult directions. / Use kind words and actions.
Go directly to your destination.
Arrival/Dismissal
Area / Wait quietly in the designated area.
Use sidewalks and crosswalks.
Walk bikes and skateboards on school property.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to self. / Use kind words and actions.
Follow adult directions. / Arrive and leave on time.
Take proper care of all personal belongings and school equipment.
Office / Enter and exit appropriately.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to self.
Wait quietly in the designated area. / Follow adult directions.
Use kind words and actions.
Wait for your turn. / Get permission to use the phone.
Use a pass to enter.
Follow school rules.
Special Events/Assemblies / Keep hands and feet to self.
Enter and exit appropriately. / Use audience manners.
Follow adult directions.
Sit and be silent. / Follow school rules.
Focus on presentation.
Classroom / Keep hands, feet, and objects to self.
Use all equipment and materials appropriately.
Always walk. / Follow adult directions.
Use kind words and actions.
Wait for your turn. / Leave no trace.
Take proper care of all personal belongings and school equipment.
Be prepared to learn.
Buses / Stay within boundaries.
Back against the seat, feet on floor, and face forward.
Do not get up until the bus stops. / Use kind words and actions.
Follow adult directions.
Wait for your turn. / Keep belongings in backpacks.
Do not leave anything on the bus.

Examples of unacceptable behavior at school include:

Unsportsmanlike conduct

Inappropriate school attire or makeup

Foul language

In an “off-limits” area

In office without a pass or valid reason

Failure to line up at appropriate time and place

Calling names

Uncooperative behavior

Littering

Running in the hallways

Disrupting an activity of another group

Misuse of equipment

Throwing or kicking sand

Examples of major offenses against school rules include:

Fighting

Bullying (See Bullying section below)

Obscene language and/or body gestures

Possession and/or use of cigarettes or other controlled substances

Severe defiant behavior

Deliberate destructive behavior causing injury such as rock throwing, biting, etc.

Possession of a weapon or object that can be used as a weapon

Threatening the well being of another student

Destruction of property including personal property of a student, school, or staff member

Behavior Incentives

Good behavior is encouraged and rewarded at RPU. A school-wide behavior incentive program entitled “ROARS” has been implemented. ROARS stands for:

Respect

On time

Appropriate

Responsible

Safe

Students are given ROARS tickets when they are observed doing one or all of the five behaviors. These tickets go into a drawing for: Lunch at the Party Table, Lunch with the Principal, recite the ROARS Pledge or recite the Flag Salute over the school intercom.The containers are located in the office. Students also have classroom incentives with ROARS tickets.

In addition to the school-wide program, students have the opportunity to be honored at assemblies during the school year. The following awards are given to deserving students:

Student of the Month—based on criteria each teacher sets forth
Chamber of Commerce—Based upon one or a combination of student progress, behavior, or attendance
Character Counts
Attendance Awards
Reward Parties

The following awards are given once a month in the classroom:

Accelerated Reader—based upon AR goals set by each grade level
Reward parties
Shawn Riley Book Award—based upon reading logs completed

Behavior Consequences

The staff at Robert P. Ulrich Elementary uses the following consequences when students are unable or unwilling to follow school behavioral expectations:

Warning concerning inappropriate behavior and reminder of correct behavior
Contact with parent
Behavior statement written by student, and signed by parent
Campus beautification
Loss of recess
Suspension
Expulsion

Threats to cause physical harm with a weapon are taken seriously. Regardless of the age of the student involved, suspension will be leveled against the offender with a report to law enforcement.

Students may be subject to suspension or expulsion for committing any of the acts listed below and shall be suspended and/or expelled when so required by law:

Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person, or willfully used force or violence upon the person of another except in self-defense. ED48900 (a)
Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object unless, in the case of possession of any object of this type, the student had obtained written permission to possess the item from a certificated school employee, with the principal, or designee’s concurrence ED48900 (b)
Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or was under the influence of, any controlled substance as defined in the Health and Safety Code 11053-11058, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind. ED48900 (c)
Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance as defined in Health and Safety Code 11053-11058, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant of any kind, and then sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented same as controlled substance, alcohol beverage or intoxicant. ED48900 (d)
Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion. ED48900 (e)
Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property. ED48900 (f)
Stole or attempted to steal school property or private property. 48900 (g)
Possessed or used tobacco or any products containing tobacco or nicotine products, including but not limited to cigars, cigarettes, miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets and betel. This restriction shall not prohibit a student from using or possessing his/her own prescription products. ED48900 (h)
Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity. ED48900 (i)
Unlawfully possessed or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Health and Safety Code 11014.5. ED48900 (j)
Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, administrators, other school officials, or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties. ED48900 (k)
Knowingly received stolen school property or private property. ED48900 (l)
Possess an imitation firearm, i.e. a replica of a firearm that is as substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as t leads a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm. ED48900 (m)
Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault as defined in Penal code 261, 266c, 286, 288, 288a, or 289, or committed a sexual battery as defined in Penal Code 243.4. ED48900 (n)
Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a student who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that student from being a witness or retaliating against that student for being a witness, or both. ED48900 (o)

Student in grades 4 through 12 are also subject to suspension or recommendation for expulsion for any of the acts listed below: