Policies

As a parent, help your child develop a sense of responsibility and good habits by arriving at school on time. Adult supervision does not begin until 8:15 a.m. so students should arrive to school no earlier than 8:15 a.m.  Students need to be either in their classroom line or in their classroom by 8:30 a.m. to be considered on time. Students who arrive beyond 8:30 a.m. are considered tardy and should report to the office to receive a tardy slip.

A student’s absence from school or tardiness must be verified by the parent/guardian. Notify the school the day of the absence. Education Code section 48260 states that any pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or to compulsory continuation who is absent from school without a valid excuse more than three days or tardy in excess of 30 minutes on each of more than three days in one school year is truant and shall be reported to the attendance supervisor.

Valid excuses for absence from school are:

1. illness (a doctor’s note is required after three days)
2. quarantine as directed by a health officer
3. appointments for medical services
4. attendance of funeral services of immediate family member 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 California.

A pupil absent from school under this section shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during the absence that can be reasonably provided and, upon satisfactory completion within
a reasonable period of time, shall be given full credit. The teacher of the class from which a pupil is absent with excuse shall determine which tests and assignments shall be reasonably equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the tests and assignments that the pupil missed during the absence.

All other absences are considered unexcused and therefore truant. Family travel that exceeds 10 days will result in the student being dropped from the attendance rolls. Reinstatement into the class and school is contingent upon available space. Three proofs of residence will be required upon return in order to re-enroll your child. Homework and tests are to be made up at the discretion of the individual teacher. During a reporting period, 7 or more tardies and/or 5 or more absences will be marked as excessive on the report card.

Otis Butler Whaley School is a walking school, which means the majority of the student population lives within walking distance of the school. Students and their families are STRONGLY encouraged participate in our Walk n’ Roll program. Mondays are “Move It Mondays”. Students earn incentives simply by walking to school. Walking school buses operate on Mondays. Permission slips are available in the front office.

If it is necessary for a family to drive their child to school, please follow these safety guidelines:

• Students should be dropped off on the sidewalk surrounding the school.
• The school parking lot is reserved for staff and school buses only. The parking lot gates will be kept closed to the public during peak hours, which are as follows: 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and fifteen minutes before and after dismissal. Vehicles displaying a valid Handicap Sign will be allowed into the parking lot even during peak hours.
• The visitor parking spaces are for volunteers and other visitors to the campus after drop off / pick up times.
• There is absolutely no parking in the Fire lane or double line parking.
• If you would like to walk your child to their classroom (kindergarten only) or to the gate (grades one to six), please park in the neighborhood and walk into the school.
• Do not block neighbor’s driveways when dropping off and picking up children. They will contact traffic abatement. Your car may be towed.
• Do not park in any space specifically reserved for staff (name will be written on the ground in front of the parking space)
• All cars enter our parking lot on Alvin Avenue and exit on Tierra Buena Drive.
• When walking to school, you are STRONGLY encouraged to use the crosswalks.

• In the morning, students are to be dropped off between 8:15 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. There is no adult supervision before 8:15 a.m. Students should be dropped off on the sidewalk surrounding the school.
• During rainy days, students are to report to the Cafeteria in the morning. In the event there is HEAVY rain at dismissal, 1st – 6th grade students will be escorted to the Café for pickup by their parents/guardians. Parents/guardians will enter and exit the Cafe from the Alvin Ave. side of campus. To ensure the safety of our students, make sure your child's teacher acknowledges your presence before leaving the Cafe with your child. TK and Kinder students will be picked up from their regular designated area at their dismissal time.
• Students need to stand outside in front of the office when waiting for their ride after school. Playing or running is not permitted. Walking on the cement strip or through the plants is not allowed.
• Students must be picked up from school on time. Please notify the office if there is an emergency situation, which prevents you from arriving on time to pick up your child. There is a telephone available in the office for students to call for a late pick-up, but students and families should not get in the habit of late pickups. It is very important for students to know a telephone number they can call to get a ride home.

Throughout the school year, your child will have the opportunity to attend field trips. Teachers will be sending home specific information regarding the field trip their class will attend. Siblings are not permitted to accompany chaperons. In order for a child to attend a field trip, they will need to turn in a signed field trip permission slip. If a signed permission slip is not turned in to their teacher, they will not be able to attend the field trip. Verbal permission or e-mail permission will not be accepted.

When it is necessary for a student to leave prior to the end of the school day, the student must be checked out at the office front counter. The person checking out the student must be listed on the student’s emergency card. Please be sure all daycare persons are listed on emergency cards and in Parent Portal. It is critical that the information on emergency cards and in Parent Portal is kept current. If a student is picked up late, the person picking up the child must be an adult and listed in the student’s emergency contact information.

If it is necessary for a student to have a cell phone, it must remain off and in their backpack during school hours. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones. A telephone is available for student use in the office. For the safety and protection of our students, we encourage ALL students to know at least one telephone number of an adult listed on their emergency card and/or in Parent Portal.

To protect the privacy rights of our students, at no time should pictures or video of children, except your own, be taken or posted to any website or social media without the permission from the child's parent or legal guardian.

Food items or balloons WILL NOT be allowed for birthday celebrations in the classroom. No celebrations involving food or drink will be permitted. If parents wish to recognize their child’s birthday at school they may provide decorative pencils, bookmarks, erasers, or stickers. You also have the choice of donating a book directly to the classroom. Talk to your child’s teacher about what book might help the classroom collection. Teachers may elect to honor students as they see fit by giving special recognition, singing of songs, special classroom duties, etc. In addition, birthday party invitations need to be handed out outside of school hours.

We have decided to implement this new policy because of several concerns:

• Conflicts with our local wellness policy regarding childhood obesity
• Conflicts with the guidelines of the district’s Child Nutritional Service
• Concerns over students who have food allergies
• The negative impact these food items have on our office and custodial staff
• Loss of instructional time

Lunch Drop Off Policy

Student lunches from home should either be brought with them to school or dropped off in the office fifteen minutes prior to their lunchtime. Student lunches cannot be handed through the fence/gate next to the café.

Lunchtime Expectations

1. Enter and exit the cafe in an orderly fashion.
2. All students must remain seated during lunch and must request permission toleave their seat.
3. Food should be eaten in a polite and courteous way.
4. Students should speak in a quiet voice.
5. When the whistle is blown, students are expected to be quiet immediately.
6. When finished with your lunch, put trash in the garbage can, pour milk in receptacle, and stack trays.
7. Tables and surrounding area are to be left free of food and trash.
8. Students will be dismissed by the noon duty and should walk to the playground.

To better assist our students in gaining independence and establishing greater peer interactions, students will eat lunch with their peers in grades 1 – 6. Parents will no longer be allowed to eat lunch in the café with their child daily. Instead, special days will be calendared in which parents will be invited to eat lunch with their child(ren). Parents may stop by the office to sign their child out and then back in during their designated lunch period should they desire to eat off campus with their child. Students must return to school on time before the end of their lunch period. Lunches can be dropped off at the office for students prior to their designated lunch period.

* The only exception to this rule is that parents of Kindergarten students may sit with their child at the designated table in the café while their child eats his or her lunch prior to starting school (afternoon Kinder students) or before leaving for the day (morning Kinder students). Parents may not accompany their children through the serving line to select meal items.

School Attire

Students are expected to dress appropriately and to be properly groomed for the school day. The type and style of clothing is individual and personal. Students should be dressed and ready for learning every day.

Examples of inappropriate clothing may include:

• Garments where the torso is exposed, such as tube tops, tank tops, half shirts, and halter tops.

• Clothing that has obscene words or pictures, sexually suggestive language or pictures, drug or alcohol statements or pictures. 

• Hats and caps can be worn outside. They may not be worn inside the classroom, Media Center, or multipurpose room.

• Hoods are to remain off in and outdoors

• All red/blue  clothing and any affiliated slogans.

• Recreational clothing such as bathing suits, pajamas, gym shorts, or cut-offs.

• Flip-flops, crocks, and all sandals. Shoes with roller-wheels (Heelies) are not allowed.

• Shorts and skirts must be appropriate length.

• Pants must be worn at the waist (no sagging). If jeans have holes, they should have leggings underneath. 

• Oversized/baggy t-shirts

Consequence for non-compliance with dress code:

Any staff member may refer a student to the office to call their parents 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.

General Rules

• Treat all students, noon duties, staff and your school with respect.
• Play safely and cooperatively with others.
• Roughhousing is never allowed . This includes rough physical play in soccer, basketball, etc. Should rough housing become problematic during recess and/or lunch recess (soccer, basketball, etc.), the activity will be banned for the balance of the school year.
• Be kind. Do not do anything to hurt the feelings of others, such as name calling, teasing, or using inappropriate language.
• Hurting or bullying others is not allowed.
• Playground equipment must be used safely and appropriately.
• Balls are to be used on the field, basketball courts, and handball court.
• Walk around the games of others.
• Run on the grass. Walk on the blacktop and in the hallways.
• Play in appropriate play areas. Hallways, restrooms and behind buildings are not play areas. Stay on the playground side of the yellow line, except to use the restroom or water fountains.
• Use the restrooms appropriately.
• Throwing rocks, dirt, sticks, etc. is not allowed. Do not dig or play in dirt.
• Unsafe activities are not allowed on the playground. Be careful not to do anything that will harm yourself or others. No fighting, pretend fighting, ball kicking, or chasing games.
• When the bell rings all students must FREEZE on the playground. When all students are quietly in the FREEZE position, teachers will blow a whistle. The whistle is the signal to WALK to your line. Stand in line quietly, with hands and feet to yourself, hold the play equipment still, and wait for the teacher to take you to your room.
• Snacks may only be eaten while sitting in the designated areas. No walking or playing while eating.

Play Structure

• Tag or chasing games are NOT allowed. No running on equipment.
• Slides are one-way, down, in a seated position with feet first. One student allowed on the slide at a time. No climbing upwards.
• Jumping off the playground equipment is prohibited.
• One student at a time on traveling bars.

Consequences for Not Following Playground Rules

• Time Out - amount of time to be determined by playground supervisor.
• Loss of entire recess.
• Loss of playground or sport equipment privilege for a specific length of time.
• Student is sent to the principal for repeated playground violations.

Students in grades 3 – 6 are permitted to ride their bicycle to school with parent permission. A permission slip must be on file in the office before a student is permitted to ride his or her bike to school. In addition to the California Highway Patrol bicycle regulations, we ask that bikes be walked, not ridden, on school grounds. Failure to follow ALL rules will result in a student losing his or her privilege to ride their bike to school. O.B. Whaley Elementary School will not be responsible for any loss or damage to bicycles brought to school.

If you have a question about your child’s class, please contact your child’s teacher first. He/she is most likely to be acquainted with the situation and possible ways of handling it. The teacher may be having the same concerns, and a discussion may help to clear up any questions. If an acceptable solution cannot be reached, the teacher or parent may contact the principal to arrange a time when the situation can be presented and other solutions offered.

We conduct a fire drill once a month. Periodically, students practice evacuating the school building in the event of an earthquake and practice lock down drill procedures. Students cannot be released or checked in during the time of a drill.

O.B. Whaley School students learn to take pride in their environment by helping to maintain the grounds and keeping it free of debris. Students, staff and visitors are asked to help maintain our clean campus by utilizing the trashcans placed throughout the campus. In order to maintain our school property and cleanliness on campus, gum chewing is not allowed.

During school hours, NO student is permitted to leave the school grounds without written permission and checking out with the office. Please come to the office to sign out your child for any appointments during the day. All campus visitors and volunteers are required to sign in and out at the office, and wear a badge while on campus. When volunteering on campus, please be respectful of the teachers’ time in the staff room by not using it as a short cut or being in the staff room during recess and lunch times. Children are not allowed in the staff room at any time. This includes before, during and after school hours. Remember not to use your cell phone when volunteering in the classroom and leave the phone on vibrate so it does not disturb the class.

For the safety of our students, adults are not allowed in any student bathroom. A restroom available for adult use is located in the office. Adults must wear a visitor’s badge in order to enter the café and have lunch with their child. Students may not be taken outside of the café to eat lunch with parents/guardians. If students are having a scheduled outdoor lunch, parents/guardians must sit at the designated table with their child.

As defined in Evergreen School District, homework is an integral part of each student's educational program. Homework is a reasonable extension of classroom assignments and varies according to the individual grade level, ability and need. Homework is reinforcement, not new learning. It supports the classroom activities and broadens the child's exposure to similar information.

Homework is important because it helps students learn better, teaches them to make decisions and exercise their judgment, improves grades, makes them better readers, reinforces topics covered in class, and most importantly, it encourages them to be responsible and self disciplined. Homework allows the parents to stay in touch with what their child is learning in class and it gives an opportunity to keep them informed as to what is going on in their child's class

To do homework successfully, your child must have a quiet place to work and concentrate. Children cannot do homework in a distracting environment. The homework environment needs to be conducive to studying and learning. The area should be comfortable and all of the necessary supplies should be at hand. Homework should also be done at the same time or close to the same time each day.

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 can be accessed online or 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.