Student/Parent Handbook

Dear Parents/Guardians:

WELCOME to Ramon Garza Elementary School and another exciting school year!

This handbook has been assembled to provide you with important information regarding our staff, programs, procedures, and regulations that govern our school's daily operation. Please take the time to read the handbook carefully and keep it as a reference.

This is an exciting and important year for you and your child, especially as we implement our new Reading and Language Arts Program. We encourage your participation in your child's education by becoming involved in our Parent Teacher Organization (PTA), School Site Council, or by being a parent volunteer. I look forward to meeting and working with you at Ramon Garza School.

Please feel free to visit or call the school office at 631-5290 if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Mario Castro
Principal

TELEPHONE

Children are allowed use of the office phone for emergencies. If there are changes for your child in after-school arrangements, it is desirable to send the teacher a written note. To avoid excessive interruptions to the classroom, parent telephone messages will be relayed to the classroom during instructional breaks.

TOYS

Please DO NOT allow your child to bring toys or athletic equipment, except baseball gloves, to school. Radios, tape recorders, beepers, electronic games, cards, skateboards, or scooters ARE NOT allowed.

LABELS

Please mark your child's possessions with his/her name in permanent ink.

ABSENCE PROCEDURES

When your child is absent from school, please notify the school as soon as possible to assist us in our required state attendance procedures. Please call our absence line at 324-01 69, or send a written excuse when your child returns to school. If you notify us on the first day of the absence, you do not have to call on any of the following consecutive days.

It is important that students avoid missing school, but please keep your child at home when he/she is ill, both for his/her comfort and the protection of other children.

For extended absences, an Independent Study Agreement can be arranged. If the absence is for an out-of-town trip, the agreement must be made prior to the absence. The teacher will need 3 days to prepare the work. Contact the District office at 631-4627 to make all the arrangements.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards will be sent home four times a year for grades First through Fifth and twice a year for Kindergarten.

RELEASE OF STUDENTS DURING THE DAY

Parents or guardians who wish to remove their child before dismissal time must come to the school office to sign for the release of their child. Students will only be released to those parties listed by the parents/guardians on the student's Emergency Contact Card. Proper identification will be required before the student is released.

ALL students are to be picked up and dropped off before and after school at the gate on the East side of the school. However, during school hours, students and/or parents must check in through the school office located at the front of the school on Center Street.

TEACHER CONFERENCES

If you would like to conference with your child's teacher, please contact the office 24 hours in advance of the desired time, to set up an appointment.

BICYCLES

Bicycles on campus are limited to students in Grades 4 and 5 ONLY. Bicycles must be locked to the bike rack. Safety rules will be discussed with those students who choose to ride their bicycles to school.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

ALL students at Ramon Garza School will be active participants in our school program. An important aspect of our curriculum is Physical Education. Students need to attend school dressed prepared to fully participate in all activities planned by our staff. Our program for physical education includes social skills, a wide range of basic team and individual skills, and a fitness program.

MEDICAL ALERT

Please inform us in writing if your child has ANY physical or medical limitations. This would include ANY conditions of which we should be aware of to protect the well-being of your child; i.e. physical limitations, potentially dangerous allergies (insect bites, medications, etc.) We will endeavor to inform your child's teacher/s of this information.

Students are not allowed to bring any type of medication with them to school, whether prescribed or over-the-counter. All medications are administered by the office, but ONLY if there is a Physician's Authorization on file, giving the school permission to dispense the medication.

RAMON GARZA SCHOOL HOMEWORK POLICY

In implementing the homework policy, the Principal shall monitor assigned homework within the parameters set forth below. Teachers shall explain the purpose of homework to the pupils. Basic textbooks, supplementary books, and/or other necessary materials may be used in making homework assignments.

Homework is that work assigned to the students by the teacher to be completed in other than class time. The parent can also request homework. Class make-up work is not to be considered a homework assignment.

In as much as maximum student achievement is being emphasized, teachers are encouraged to provide reasonable amounts of homework.

Purposes for homework should be:

  1. To extend and reinforce classroom learning
  2. To develop sound study habits
  3. To acquaint parents/guardians with their child's curriculum
  4. To contribute to student's cognitive development through self discipline, skills, creativity and satisfaction in learning

Recommended Minutes of Assigned Homework

K-3: At least 25 minutes per day four days a week
4: At least 40 minutes per day four days a week
5: At least 50 minutes per day four days a week

Students will:

  • seek the assistance of teachers as needed to complete the assignment
  • complete all homework assignments to the best of their ability
  • have a discussion with parents/guardians about homework assignments
  • turn in all homework assignments to teachers on time

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to make every effort to:

  • provide an appropriate time and place for students to complete homework
  • provide support and encouragement for children to complete and turn in homework
  • monitor the completion and follow through of their children's homework assignments
  • communicate to children the importance of homework on school achievement.

SPECIAL ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE

  1. Teachers are available on an appointment basis before and after school to provide students with individual assistance. A child may also be requested to stay after school by his/her teacher for academic assistance. Parent permission and home transportation must be arranged beforehand by the teacher.
  2. For students who are working below their ability or who are receiving a "D" or "F" after mid-term, a deficiency notice will be sent home. The deficiency notice must be signed by the parent or guardian and returned to the school.

PRINCIPAL'S LIST AND HONOR ROLL

  • To qualify for the Principal's List, students must receive all A's and have their teacher's recommendation.
  • To qualify for the Honor Roll, students must receive A's and B's or all B's and have their teacher's recommendation.
  • Teachers will submit names of students who meet this criteria quarterly. These students will be honored at the Awards Assembly held at the end of each quarter.

DRESS CODE

The responsibility for fostering desirable standards of conduct in the Bakersfield City Schools is shared by the Board of Education, parents and students alike. The Board of Education has adopted uniform policies and procedures for student conduct and discipline with the goal of promoting a school atmosphere that is conducive to learning and to the safety and welfare of students and school staff.

Schools will not allow any clothing, hair cuts, jewelry, etc., that is likely to lead to disciplinary problems at school or at school-related activities because it:

1. Is unsafe OR
2. Prohibits full participation OR
3. Is distracting and keeps students from learning OR
4. Indicates gang membership association OR
5. Advocates illegal drug use or paraphernalia associated with illegal drugs

The wearing of uniforms at Ramon Garza School is not mandatory.

STUDENT MANAGEMENT

In order to have an environment that is conducive to learning, it is important that students behave in an orderly manner. Student management and discipline are utilized to guide our students to demonstrate proper behavior at school. Both positive rewards and consequences may be used to encourage appropriate behavior in school. We elicit parental support and understanding as we strive to work together to create a safe and productive environment where all students learn successfully and powerfully.

At Ramon Garza School we teach the three R's of good behavior and attitude:

  1. Be responsible
  2. Be respectful
  3. Be reasonable

School wide rules for all students are:

  1. Do the right thing
  2. Keep your body to yourself
  3. Sit at your assigned desk
  4. Listen to all adults at school
  5. Do what all adults at school tell you to do

In addition, all students are encouraged to:

  1. Be regular and punctual in attendance
  2. Be prepared for class each day
  3. Complete assigned work on time
  4. Work toward constant self-improvement
  5. Respect the property of others, including the school's, at all times
  6. Respect the feelings of others

PLAYGROUND RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. Students are to go directly to the playground or the cafeteria upon arriving at school.
    • Students may place their backpacks by their classrooms then go directly to the playground after 8:30 a.m.
    • No games or bouncing balls in the corridors
    • Always walk on the right side of the corridors
  2. Hand Ladder:
    • No sitting or walking on top of ladder. One student at a time
    • No pulling students off the ladder
  3. Chinning Bars:
    • No sitting on top
  4. Out of Bounds Area:
    • Building and walkways during recesses
    • Bus area – except when entering or leaving the bus
    • Out side of fenced areas
    • Bike rack area – except when arriving or leaving on a bike
    • Top of hills on lower field (East, West, and South sides)
  5. Tether balls:
    • No swinging on or kicking the ball.
    • Stop play at the bell.
  6. NO wrestling, shoving, or ganging-up.
  7. NO playing in restrooms or standing in front of the restroom doors.
  8. When playgrounds are muddy, students are restricted to the blacktop areas.
  9. Students should help keep the grounds clean at all times.
  10. Normally, students should only come to the office when sent by a teacher and they should have a hall pass.
  11. Balls and equipment should be used properly and for the purpose designed. No equipment is to be brought from home. Baseball mitts and tennis balls are permitted during baseball season. No bats or any other type of ball will be permitted on campus. No toys are to be brought from home.
  12. Students are to be in the classroom only when supervised by the classroom teacher. Teacher pod areas are ALWAYS off limits to the students.
  13. Gum and candy will NOT be allowed at school.
  14. Students should not climb on or put their fingers through the backstops.
  15. NO tackle football or tackle soccer.
  16. When the bell rings - Line Up!
    • No drinking water after the bell rings.
    • No using the bathroom after the bell rings.
    • No playing after the bell rings.

CAFETERIA PROCEDURES

  1. Students are to enter the cafeteria quietly.
  2. Students are to eat quietly.
  3. Students are to keep their body and objects to themselves.
  4. Students are to remain seated until dismissed.
  5. When one of the adults supervising in the cafeteria counts to three, everyone is to be quiet.

No food or other cafeteria items are to be taken outside .

Following are the costs of cafeteria breakfast and lunch:

Adults:
Breakfast $1.00
Lunch $2.00

Child:
Breakfast $0.50
Lunch $1.15

Unless parents/guardians purchase a lunch to eat with their child, we request that parents wait for their child outside the cafeteria door.

GARZA SCHOOL COMPUTER LAB

Technology is an integral part of the educational system. The computer lab is utilized to enhance the curriculum in reading, writing, math, and science at Garza School.

Objectives:

1. To broaden and enhance student's knowledge and awareness
2. To provide students with computer skills

Procedures:

Students grades third through fifth will have scheduled times in the computer lab. Third grade classes come to the lab twice a week and fourth and fifth grades come three times a week. Each child is assigned a permanent seat with his/her lessons for the time allotted. Time frame is 30 minutes per session. Improper behavior in the computer lab may result in the loss of computer privileges. We have classes offered to adults after school. Please contact the office or the computer lab at 322-3754 for more information. The computer lab clerk is Laura Downum.

Software:

Reading has been a major focus at Garza School. We have many programs to offer our students. Reading, math, literature-based writing, encyclopedia, and keyboarding are some of the programs available. Our software is by Jostens Learning Center who updates them periodically. We also have Macintosh computers located in the classrooms. Reading programs per grade level have been installed on these computers.

GARZA SCHOOL LIBRARY

Policy:

School Libraries, according to District Policy, are to provide reading materials to be checked out by the students. Classes are allotted times in the afternoon to come to the library and work on research projects. The library is open after school for 40 minutes for students wishing to spend additional time to utilize resource materials. There will be NO parties or eating allowed in the Library at anytime!

Objectives:

1. To support and reinforce classroom instruction by providing books for students to check out
2. To enhance students' knowledge and awareness of a variety of books
3. To make students aware of library skills

In order to fulfill the three main objectives, the following experiences may occur when classes visit the library once a week for thirty minutes. The Library will:

  • Share books through:
  • Reading aloud to the class, storytelling, book popularity polls, role-playing, puppet shows, book fairs, book talks, by student or teacher, displays and bulletin boards
  • Introduce Newberry and Caldecott, CYRM (California Young Reader Medal) Award Books
  • Share opinions of a variety of books, authors, and genres
  • Provide Oral Language activities
  • Instruct in library skills:
    • Teach use of card catalog
    • Explain difference between fiction/non-fiction
    • How to locate each kind of book
    • Proper care of a book

Procedures:

Students will be allowed to check out one book for one week at a time. Late books may be returned at anytime and a new one checked out if time permits. Improper behavior in the library may result in the loss of library privileges.

BOOKS FOR PARENTS:

We have a shelf located in the library just for parents. It includes books such as:

  1. Homework Without Tears
  2. You and Your Adolescent
  3. Basic Car Care
  4. The Working Parent Help Book

Parents are welcome to check out books anytime. Parents are responsible for their child's library book if it should become lost or damaged beyond repair. The average cost is $16.00

BELL SCHEDULE

Arrival Times:

Classes for grades 1 – 5 begin promptly at 8:59 a.m. Children are requested to arrive at school between 8:30 a.m. and 8:59 a.m. and go directly to the playground or to the Cafeteria for breakfast. Children are not allowed on the playground or in the hallways before 8:30 a.m. Children are to wait outside the East gate until 8:30 a.m.

Office Staff on Duty 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

In case of a "Rainy Day" schedule, children will go directly to the cafeteria. After 8:30 a.m., children will go directly to their classrooms or go to the cafeteria to eat breakfast first , then to their classrooms.

Daily Schedule:

Kindergarten AM 8:15 AM – 11:35 PM
Kindergarten PM 11:40 AM – 3:00 PM
Grades 1 – 3 8:59 AM – 2:55 PM
Grades 4 – 5 8:59 AM – 3:00 PM

Lunch Periods:

Kindergarten AM 11:35 AM – 11:55 AM
Kindergarten PM 11:20 AM – 11:40 AM
Grade 1 11:45 AM – 12:35 PM
Grades 2 – 3 12:10 PM – 1:00 PM
Grades 4 – 5 12:35 PM – 1:20 PM

Dismissals:

Grades 1, 2, 3 2:55 PM
Grades 4 & 5 3:00 PM
PM Kindergarten 3:00 PM
All Teachers released 3:15 PM
School buses depart from gate 3:15 PM
School office closes 4:00 PM

STUDENT HOURS

AM Kindergarten 8:15 AM – 11:35 PM 200 minutes
PM Kindergarten 11:40 AM – 3:00 PM 200 minutes
Grades 1 – 3 8:59 AM – 2:55 PM 281 minutes
Grades 4 – 5 8:59 AM – 3:00 PM 301 minutes

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