Policies

Arrival and Dismissal

Student safety and courtesy for others are matters of considerable importance at James F. Smith School. Since traffic in and out of our parking lot can be significant, we request that all families respect the following procedures:

• Follow the arrows for entrance and exit in the parking lot.
• School staff begins supervision at 7:45 a.m. Students should not be dropped off before that time.
• Do not walk through the parking lot.
• Do not leave your car parked or unattended at the curb.
• Parents are responsible for making arrangements for their children’s timely pick-up from school.

Early Release from School

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

Any visitors must report directly to the office rather than the classroom where such interruptions can be disruptive to instruction. Parent volunteers are also required to go to the office to sign the visitors log and pick up a visitor’s badge before going to the classroom. Parents wishing to visit their child’s classroom should email the teacher in advance for an appointment

• Please do not block driveways adjacent to the school.
• Be a ‘good neighbor’ and find appropriate parking or use the back loop to pick up your child.
• Your child should ONLY cross the street where there is a crosswalk. Do not allow your child to cross in the middle of the street, it is a dangerous maneuver. Some accidents are preventable, and using the crosswalk will help ensure your child’s safety. Encourage and model for your child the use of the crosswalk and respect for our crossing guards.

View the PowerSchool Parent Portal instructions or call our office if you need assistance.

Regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school. Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for a student and is regarded as a very serious problem. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that their children arrive at school every day on time.

Please telephone school at 408-532-2150 before 8:30 a.m. on the day your child is absent. You may receive a phone call at work or home verifying an absence if we do not hear from you.

Tardiness to class is harmful to the individual student and disruptive to the classroom. Students are marked “tardy” if they arrive at school after 8:05 a.m. Tardy students must acquire a tardy slip from the office prior to going to class. Parents of students who have frequent absences will be contacted by the classroom teacher and/or the principal to discuss interventions to improve the child’s attendance pattern. Students with excessive absences or tardies may be referred to the Student Study Team or District SARB Committee.

California Ed. Code section 48260 states that any pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or to compulsory continuation education 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 a truant and shall be reported to the attendance supervisor.

Valid excuses for absence from school are:

1. Illness
2. Quarantine as directed by health officer
3. Appointments for medical services
4. Attendance of funeral services of immediate family members

All other absences are considered unexcused and therefore truant. Family travel that exceeds ten days will result in the student being dropped from the attendance rolls. Reinstatement into the class and school is contingent upon available space.

• Parents may request homework by noon via e-mail to the classroom teacher.
• Please do not call and request homework from the school office.
• The teacher will leave missed classwork or homework in the front office by 2:30 p.m., if requested.
• If homework is not requested, the child may pick up missed assignments upon returning to school.
• If a student leaves school before the end of the day, check with the teacher regarding his/her policy.

For an unexcused absence (vacation/travel)

• Homework is not provided in advance for students missing school for unexcused absences.
• Missed work will not be provided for unexcused absences.
• Vacation and travel are unexcused absences.

There is a No Rescue/Responsibility policy before, during, and after school for items that are left at home or school (homework, projects, backpacks, instruments, etc.) except: Students Projects that are too large or heavy to carry

Kindergarten: Homework is minimal and based on teacher judgment of student’s need. However, reading is mandatory.

Primary grades (1-3): Some homework will be assigned to familiarize the students with the need for accuracy, time management and organizational skills, which are the foundation for the required homework that is a part of the intermediate grades educational program. Homework is assigned at the discretion of the teacher with an emphasis on language arts and math.

Intermediate Grades (4-6): Homework emphasis is on language arts and math. Additional assignments are given which, in the judgement of the teacher, will assist the student to learn and develop initiative and responsibility. Long-term reports and projects will be assigned.

Students in grades 1-6 may bring a lunch or purchase a hot lunch at school.

• Lunch may be purchased weekly or monthly. Free and reduced-price lunch applications are available online or in the office.
• If your child is eating lunch from home, your child should bring his/her lunch with them to school.
• Dropping off lunches is discouraged.
  • Please help your child be responsible to bring their own lunch with them or purchase a hot lunch.
  • Students without lunches walk to the office at their designated lunch time to check if a lunch was dropped off for them. No classrooms will be called or emailed for forgotten items. With 750 students on campus, time spent in communication for forgotten items is not possible.
  • If no lunch was dropped off, students will receive an emergency hot lunch that is to be paid the next day unless the child has a CNS account with funds available.
  • Office staff will not be calling or emailing teachers to inform teachers of dropped of lunches.

• If you must bring lunch or lunch money for your child, it is the responsibility of the parents to inform their child’s teacher by e-mail.
• There will be NO SHARING OF FOOD ALLOWED; some students may have food allergies.
• Kindergarten is a peanut free zone: no peanut products allowed whatsoever.
• Students may bring a nutritious snack to be eaten during the morning recess in designated areas.
• Lunch recesses are supervised by paid supervisors.

Field Trips

Field trips are planned by grade level teams to extend and enrich the curriculum. Parents are invited to participate as chaperones. Due to liability issues, only JFS students may attend field trips and all students must ride on the bus and not with a parent.

Bus Rules and Regulations (mainly field trips)

Behavior while on the bus and waiting for the bus is subject to the school rules.

• Obey the driver’s instructions.
• Remain seated until the bus driver arrives at the stop and the bus door is opened.
• Talk quietly so you don’t disturb the concentration of the driver.
• Keep head, arms, hands, and legs in the bus while on board.
• Eating or drinking is not permitted on the bus.
• Animals, glass containers, large articles, and radios are not allowed on the bus.
• Respect property and help keep the bus clean.

The Evergreen School District Board of Trustees adopted Discipline with Dignity in 1992. This philosophy is based upon several principles:

• Long-term behavior changes vs. short-term quick fixes. Dealing with student behavior is part of the job. We will invest whatever time is needed to produce a change in behavior.
• Being fair means treating students individually, based on what will work for them. While the rules are uniform for all, specific consequences are assigned on an individual basis, based upon the needs, offense, and history of the student.
• Always treat students with dignity. We use discipline techniques to help student maintain or enhance their self-esteem. We use privacy, eye contact, and proximity when correcting student behavior.

To ensure student safety, pets are not allowed in areas where children are likely to be present.

• Garments where the torso and/or bare shoulders are exposed, such as tube tops, tank tops, half shirts, spaghetti straps, and halter-tops.
• Clothing, caps, or buttons that show obscene words or pictures, sexually suggestive statements, drug or alcohol references.
• Caps are not to be worn in class.
• Recreational clothing, such as bathing suits, or spandex shorts,
• Sandals, opened-toe shoes, and platform shoes.

Partnership with parents gives children strong messages for success in school. Parents who review their children’s weekly papers, work folders, and notebooks will be aware of their children’s strengths and needs. Parent and teacher communication is essential and encouraged via email or before and after school phone calls. The principal’s newsletter will be uploaded to the website every Friday to communicate upcoming events.

Our teachers care about children, and they are dedicated to making your child successful in school and providing a quality education for every student. To maintain an effective home/school partnership, we suggest the following:

• Ensure that your child comes to school on time every day.
• Reply promptly to all letters, notes, e-mails, and phone calls from school.
• Ask your child every day about something that he/she learned.
• Encourage your child to respect himself/herself, to respect the rights and property of others, and to obey all school rules.
• Set aside some quiet time and a place every day for homework and be prepared to give some help with assignments.
• Become informed about school programs and speak with your child’s teacher whenever necessary.
• Attend as many school-related activities as possible.

Children’s names and room numbers should be on clothing and lunch boxes. The only time students should bring toys, games, balls, or other items to school is when the teacher instructs them to do so. Electronic toys and expensive jewelry are not allowed at school. Cell phones are to be turned off and remain in your child’s backpack until the end of the school day. Any student found using a cell phone during school hours will have the phone confiscated and sent to the office for the PARENT to pick up.

• Report Cards are sent home three times a year. Envelopes are to be signed by the parent and returned to school.
• Progress Reports are sent mid-trimester in grades 1-6.
• Families are invited to attend Back-to-School night in the fall, parent-teacher conferences in November, and Open House in the spring.
• November parent-teacher conferences are essential to the overall education program. Please plan on attending. If parents have a special concern, they are encouraged to schedule a conference with the teacher at any time during the school year.

Students are expected to be prepared to learn and have the following responsibilities:

• Arrive at school every day on time.
• Be prepared every day with completed homework assignments.
• Take home all letters, messages, and notes.
• Discuss with parents what they have learned in school; ask parents and teachers for help when needed.
• Respect themselves and the rights and property of others; obey all school rules.

James F. Smith holds bi-weekly meetings regarding the progress of identified students. The referring teacher, resource specialist, psychologist, speech and language specialist, English Language Development specialist, and the principal review the student’s progress with the parents to develop a plan that will lead to the success of each child referred.

Student Use of Technology Policy

The district recognizes technology as support for the instructional programs and it shall be used to further student learning. Regulations prohibit access to harmful matter on the internet (obscene or pornographic or other misuses of the system). No expectation of privacy should exist, as district staff may monitor the system activity to ensure proper use of the system. Student and parent must sign an Acceptable Use Agreement, outlining a student’s responsibilities and obligations, before using the district’s online resources.

Social Media with Students

Students must use Social Media responsibly. Social media used at home must not disrupt the learning environment at school. Students must respect each other and not engage in any inappropriate behavior to prevent disciplinary consequences at school.

Standards of Behavior

The staff of James F. Smith is committed to the process of educating the whole child – academically, socially, physically, and emotionally. We value the individual and cultural differences that each child brings to the learning environment. Students are taught how to behave responsibly, make good decisions, and resolve problems in an appropriate manner. All school rules apply during the instructional day including arrival and departure to and from school.

School-wide Rules

1. Come prepared and ready to learn.
2. Arrive at school on time daily.
3. Treat others with courtesy and respect. Be responsible.
4. Complete and return homework on time.
5. Keep our school clean and safe.

Behavior Citations

At J. F. Smith School, we conduct ourselves in ways that will support a positive learning environment. We believe in safety, respect, and responsibility. If your child receives a citation, please discuss the noted behavior with your child, sign the citation with any comments and return to your child’s teacher the following morning.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Consequences are related to the severity and frequency of the offenses: warning/reminder of the rule, timeout, loss of recess, exclusion from special activity, phone call to parent, parent conference, request for parent involvement, referral to administration, behavior contract, escort to or from school, modified school day, systematic exclusion, suspension, and expulsion from school.

Severe Misconduct/Zero Tolerance

Continued misbehavior or serious misbehavior, fighting or threatening to cause injury, showing defiance of authority, obscenity or profanity, sexual harassment, and possession and/or use of a dangerous instrument or substance will result in immediate referral to the principal or assistant principal and the proper authorities. We have Zero Tolerance for weapons, potential weapons, and drugs.

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.

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.