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QUARTZ HILL ELEMENTARY

MISSION STATEMENT

Quartz Hill Elementary assists in developing a community of life long learners that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and values required to be productive global citizens.  

VISION STATEMENT

The vision of the Quartz Hill Elementary community is for all members to be their best everyday, for the benefit of every student. 

ATTENDANCE

 

According to the California Penal Code and Education Code:

“. . . Each person between the ages of 6 and 18 years not exempted is subject to compulsory full-time education. Each person subject to compulsory full-time education . . . shall attend the public full-time day school or continuation school or classes for the full time designated as the length of the school day by the governing board of the school district.”

ATTENDANCE ACCOUNTING (ENFORCING COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW)

Pupils aged 6-18 are required to attend school full-time, with regular and punctual attendance, and schools are required to enforce this compulsory attendance law. When children do not attend school punctually or are absent the entire school day, the reason must be identified and recorded as either excused or unexcused. Excused absences are compliant with compulsory attendance law; unexcused absences are non-compliant and are subject to truancy law after three incidents.

Parent Explanation of Absence

The district requires satisfactory explanation from the parent or guardian of a pupil, either in person or by written note, whenever the pupil is absent a part or all of a school day. The explanation shall not be required until the day following (5 CCR Section 306). However, absences must be reported within four (4) days of the absence. For your convenience, our school has an attendance phone number to call to report an absence. This number is (661) 974-8574. Please include the following in your message: your child’s first and last name, your child’s teacher’s name, the date(s) of the absence, the reason for the absence, and your relationship to the student. Unexcused absences may result in zeroes for all missed work.

 

 

 

DOCTOR AND DENTIST APPOINTMENTS

 

Parents are expected to make every effort to schedule doctor and dentist appointments outside of school hours. However, when this is not possible, students will be excused for these medical appointments. Please provide documentation from the dentist or doctor of your child’s appointment. Please be aware that excused absences no longer figure into Average Daily Attendance (ADA) accounting for funds.

 

 

TRUANCY – LEGAL EXPLANATION

Definition of a Truant

The California Legislature defined a truant in very precise language. In summary, it states that a student missing more than 30 minutes of instruction (tardy or absent part or all of the school day) without an excuse three times during the school year must be classified as a truant and reported to the proper school authority. This classification and referral helps emphasize the importance of school attendance and is intended to help minimize interference with instruction. Education Code Section 48260(a) defines a truant as “any pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or compulsory continuation education who is absent from school without a valid excuse three full days or tardy or absent more than any 30-minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or any combination thereof, is a truant and shall be reported to the attendance supervisor or the superintendent of the school district.”

First Notification Mandate

In addition to the reporting requirement, the law states that the school district must notify the parent or guardian of the truant by first-class mail or other reasonable means, and that the notification must include specific information related to the student’s unexcused absences (Education Code Section 48260.5).

 

Habitual Truant Mandate

In addition to the reporting requirement, the law states that the school district must notify the parent or guardian of the truant by first-class mail or other reasonable means, and that the notification must include specific information related to the student’s unexcused absences (Education Code Section 48260.5).

 

DISTRICT ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

Regular attendance is essential to a student's success in school. Most subjects are taught in sequence, requiring the understanding of each concept in the order of its presentation. Persistent absenteeism creates a serious problem for student's learning. Legal action may be taken if absenteeism is not corrected (referral to School Attendance and Review Board.) Also, district policy requires that students missing 30 days or more per year be considered for retention. Again, please be aware that excused absences no longer figure into Average Daily Attendance (ADA) accounting for funds.

Once a child has been identified as having excessive absences, the following procedures will be put into place:

Step 1: Parents will receive letters indicating absences and reminding them of attendance guidelines and concerns.

Step 2: School staff will conference with parents regarding attendance.

Step 3: School team will meet with parents and put student on a Student Attendance Review Team (SART) contract. More than likely, the contract will state that if a student is absent, he or she will have to either have a doctor’s note when they return to school or be excused through the school health office prior to the start of the school day. If the SART contract is violated, the next step will take place.

Step 4: SART contract has been violated and student will be referred to School Attendance Review Board (SARB). At SARB, it will be decided if the student is put on a SARB contract or issued a ticket.

Step 5: If student is put on SARB contract and violates the contract, they will go back to SARB where they may be issued a ticket or be given a referral to the District Attorney.

TARDY POLICY

Prompt arrival at school is expected of all students. Late arrival disrupts class and causes loss of instruction time. Any child who arrives at school later than the opening class time is tardy (see Arrival and Dismissal). Continued tardiness to school may result in disciplinary action. Three tardies in excess of 30 minutes each are equal to one day of absence. Students are considered tardy if not in the classroom when school begins.

The following circumstances are the only recognized excuses for school absences:

1) personal illness, 2) medical or dental appointment (with a “return-to-school” note from the doctor, and 3) death in the immediate family. A written note or telephone call to the school must accompany every absence. The absence phone line is (661) 974-8574.

INDEPENDENT STUDY

The parent is required to give advance notice to the school in order to be excused for any other type of absence and/or to be placed on the Independent Study Program. Students must be absent for 5 days or more to qualify for Independent Study. Parents are to notify the teacher a minimum of 5 days before the child is to go out on Independent Study so the teacher has adequate time to prepare work. AN INDEPENDENT STUDY CONTRACT MUST BE SIGNED BEFORE IT CAN BECOME EFFECTIVE.

In order for Independent Study to be counted, all work must be completed and returned the day the student returns to school, otherwise all days missed will be counted as unexcused absences and the student will receive zeros for all work. The teacher arranges class work equivalent to a school day’s work for the student to complete. Independent Study is not for children who are absent due to illness.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Each semester, students will be honored for perfect attendance. In order to receive a perfect attendance award, students must be present each and every day without being tardy. In order to qualify for perfect attendance, students need to be enrolled at least 60 days at Quartz Hill elementary. To encourage good attendance, additional rewards and recognition will be offered throughout the school year.

ADMISSION TO KINDERGARTEN

New kindergarten students must be five years old on or before September 1^st of the school year in which they are enrolling. Transitional Kindergarten is available for students who turn 5 between September 2^nd and December 2^nd. By state law, a physical examination and oral health assessment are required when a student enters kindergarten. Age must be verified by a birth certificate or baptismal certificate, and immunization records must be complete. Utility bills will also be required to prove accurate residency information.

 

 

ACADEMICS

 

 

HOMEWORK

Homework is important because it is an extension of the learning that takes place in school. Typically, assignments will be given daily, Monday through Thursday. Generally, homework should fit into the following approximate time frame:

Kindergarten - no more than 15 minutes

Grades 1-3 - no more than 30 minutes

Grades 4-6 - no more than 50 minutes

Enrichment/Honors classes such as band or GATE may exceed the above-mentioned limits. Students and their parents should be aware of this expectation prior to enrolling in these classes. Parents can help their children by arranging a quiet, comfortable place for the students to work and by seeing that assignments are completed on time.

HOMEWORK/CLASSWORK REQUEST POLICY – GRADES 3-5

1.If student is absent for one day only, no homework request will be accepted. The makeup class work and homework will be given out upon the student’s return, and the student will be given a due date by which all makeup work is to be completed.

2.Generally, for each day absent, the student will be allowed one day to make up the work missed in his/her absence.

3.If a student becomes ill, and it is apparent that he/she will be out for a few days, the parent may request class work and/or homework that has been assigned by calling the office before 9:00 am.

HOMEWORK/CLASSWORK REQUEST POLICY – GRADE 6

For all assignments missed during an absence, students are allowed one week from the day of their return to turn in missed work. Teachers will not remind students to get or turn in make-up work. In lieu of parents requesting missed work, 6^th grade students are encouraged to have the phone numbers of two responsible classmates from their homeroom that they could call and ask to pick up absent work. Or, students can get the appropriate materials from each 6^th grade teacher’s classroom upon the first day they return to school. If a student is absent the day an assignment is due, he/she is expected to turn it in to the appropriate 6^th grade teacher the first day back to class. It is the student’s responsibility to turn in any missing work due to an absence.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards are issued each semester. Progress reports are issued each quarter. Report cards will be held if the student owes money for a library book, a textbook, lunch, or a PTA item.

 

AWARDS

 

Honors for students are awarded throughout the school year at Quartz Hill Elementary.

 

Student of the Month is awarded by each teacher in grades 1-6 according to standards developed at each grade level. This award is given each full month of school, and each student receives certificates and a treat, courtesy of the PTA.

Each Kindergarten student will receive an opportunity to be Top Banana for a week.

In the third through sixth grades, Honor Roll and Principal’s List awards are given at the end of each semester. These are based on Grade Point Averages (GPA) of 3.50-3.74 for Honor Roll and 3.75 or higher for Principal’s List.

 

President’s Education Awards

President’s Award for EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT

Eligible students must meet the following criteria:

- Achieved at least a 3.5 GPA or higher for each semester of Grades 4 and 5 and the first semester of Grade 6

OR

- Earned at least a “3” met standards in all subjects and also earned a “4” exceeded standard in at least two subjects in each semester of Grades 4 and 5 as well as the first semester of Grade 6

AND

·         Met standard in either ELA or Math on SBAC testing in 4^th and 5^th grades

AND

·         Exceeded standard in either ELA or Math on SBAC testing in 4^th and 5^th grades

 

 

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT/TITLE I

Quartz Hill currently is involved in state and federal compensatory education projects designed to provide your child with a wide range of educational opportunities. These programs involve parents in phases of the projects, and your participation is encouraged.

Title I is a federal program designed to provide additional assistance to students who score below the 50th percentile on a standardized test. School Improvement funding is a state program used to improve instruction for all students.

 

 

 

 

CITIZENSHIP

 

 

SCHOOL RULES

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Stay in assigned areas.
3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
4. Use kind words and appropriate actions.

LUNCHROOM RULES

1. Sit at your assigned table.
2. No sharing food.
3. Use an “inside” voice.
4. Stay seated until dismissed by an adult.
5. Pick up all trash around you.

 

PLAYGROUND RULES

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Use equipment properly.
3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
4. Refrain from play fighting, football, and tag.
5. Stay within playground boundaries.
6. Freeze when the bell or whistle sounds.
7. Students must show good sportsmanship at all times.

DISCIPLINE

Students are expected to obey all school rules and to behave in the classroom and on the playground in a manner that reflects respect for all people and for school and personal property. Teachers maintain discipline in the classrooms by making the rules clear to students, encouraging appropriate behavior, and applying consistent consequences when needed. Playground supervisors maintain discipline during lunch and recesses, along with support from the teachers and administrative staff. Some typical consequences assigned in an effort to affect change in behavior are time out in the classroom, a neighbor classroom, or on the playground; loss of free time including recess and lunch detentions; and contacting parents. Satisfactory behavior is required to participate in school activities such as field trips, after school programs, enrichment classes, etc.

Defiance, disrespect for authority, gambling, bullying, threats/harassment, and continued disobedience are serious problems and will be subject to consequences which could include one or more of the following: detention of one or more recesses, After School Detention, phone calls home, parent conferences, loss of privileges, suspension, or expulsion. Students found to be lying may receive double the punishment.

 

SPECIFIC SCHOOL RULES

 

Cell Phones	Students are allowed to have cell phones at school; however, cell phone must remain off and be stored in student’s backpack. Cell phones MAY NOT be seen or turned on until either the student is off campus or until all cars have gone through the pick-up areas and no ride has shown up. Per Board Policy, students may only use their cell phones with permission from and in the presence of a school staff member. School and district take no responsibility in lost, broken, or stolen cell phones. Cell phones used inappropriately will be confiscated and must be retrieved by a parent, per Board policy.
Computers and Electronic Devices	Social media websites are prohibited at school. Students trying to access these sites at school will be suspended. Problems brought to school due to these websites will be disciplined according to our school discipline plan.
Water Bottles	Students are allowed to bring water bottles to school year round. Water bottles can only hold water, no other beverages. Students who abuse this policy or use their water bottles inappropriately will lose this privilege.
Vandalism	Our school and equipment is public property. Willfully damaging or destroying this property is cause for immediate suspension and possible expulsion. The school may require that vandals pay for damages caused.
Prohibited Items	ΟGum, candy, or sodas ΟTrading cards ΟToys from home ΟFootballs, hard balls ΟDangerous objects such as laser pointers, matches lighters, weapons or lookalike weapons. Note: School is not responsible for lost or damaged balls.

 

DRESS CODE

Board Policy states, “Pupils are required to be neat and clean. Pupils coming to school without proper attention having been given to personal cleanliness, neatness, and suitability of dress may be sent home to be properly prepared for school. Administrators, along with staff, will use judgment in enforcing this directive to enforce reasonable neatness and cleanliness.”

Hair	Any type of hair style that is disruptive or distracting will not be allowed. Students may be sent home until the situation is remedied. This includes but is not limited to: *Unnatural hair colors *Unusual hair designs such as Mohawks, fauxhawks, shaved designs
Hats/Beanies/Hoods	*Must be removed indoors, including classrooms, office, and cafeteria. *Must be worn correctly at all times. Front bills must face directly forward. Students who violate this rule will have their hats/beanies taken, and these must be retrieved by a parent. Three violations of this policy will remove total privilege for wearing a hat/beanie for the remainder of the school year.
Shirts and dresses	*Inappropriate slogans are not permitted. *No crop tops, tube tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, midriff tops (If a child lifts up his/her arms and skin shows, it is considered a midriff shirt. *Tank tops or other straps need to be an inch wide * No large arm holes * No visible spaghetti or bra straps may be showing.
Shoes	*Shoes must have a back. *No flip flops *Laces need to be tied.
Nails and make-up	*Make up is not allowed. Students will be asked to remove it if it is worn at school. *Plastic nails or press-on nails are unacceptable and students will be asked to remove them if they are a danger to anyone. *Acrylic nails are discouraged.
Shorts	*Cut off shorts are not allowed *Shorts need to hang as long as the child’s longest finger when standing straight and arms are hanging down. *Shorts must be an appropriate length even when worn over leggings.
Pants	*Need to be worn no lower than hip area. *No baggy pants. *No underwear showing. *No holes in inappropriate places.
Gang related attire	Since gang-related attire changes frequently, it will be the school’s decision if clothing is inappropriate.

School personnel have the jurisdiction to decide if any clothing, hair color/style, earrings, etc. are appropriate or inappropriate.

 

 

STUDENT SUSPENSIONS

 

A pupil may not be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion unless the superintendent or the principal or principal's designee of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has:

(a)(1) Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person. (Law enforcement notification required (“LENR”) if serious injury results.)

(a)(2) Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, except in self-defense.

(b) Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object. (LENR if deadly weapon, fixed blade knife, open blade or blade exceeding 2.5”.)

(c) Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of any controlled substance, listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with §11053) of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind. (LENR.)

(d) Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and then either sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.

(e) Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion. (LENR.)

(f) Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property. (LENR, if damage exceeds $100.)

(g) Stole or attempted to steal school property or private property. (LENR, if value of property exceeds $50.)

(h) Possessed or used tobacco, or any products containing tobacco or nicotine products; does not prohibit use or possession by a pupil of his or her own prescription products.

(i) Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.

(j) Unlawfully possessed or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in §11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code. (LENR.)

(k) Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied valid authority of school personnel.

(l) Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.

(m) Possessed an imitation firearm.

(n) 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.

(o) Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil from being a witness or retaliating against that pupil for being a witness, or both.

(p) Unlawfully offered, arranged to sell, negotiated to sell, or sold the prescription drug SOMA. (LENR.)

(q) Engaged in, or attempted to engage in, hazing as defined in §32050.

(r) Engaged in an act of bullying, including, but not limited to, bullying committed by means of an electronic act, as defined in subdivisions (f) and (g) of §32261, directly specifically toward a pupil or school personnel.

(s) A pupil who aids or abets, as defined in §31 of the Penal Code, the infliction or attempted infliction of physical injury to another.

.2 Committed sexual harassment, as defined in §212.5. (Grades 4-12)

.3 Caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of hate violence, as defined in §233(e). (Grades 4-12)

.4 Intentionally engaged in harassment, threats, or intimidation directed against school personnel or pupils. (Grades 4-12)

.7 Made terroristic threats, written or oral, against school officials or school property, or both.

A pupil may not be suspended or expelled for any of the acts enumerated unless that act is related to school activity or school attendance under the jurisdiction of the superintendent or principal or occurring within any other school district.

A pupil may be suspended or expelled for acts that are enumerated in this section and related to school activity or attendance that occur at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(1) While on school grounds.

(2) While going to or coming from school.

(3) During the lunch period whether on or off the campus.

(4) During, or while going to or coming from, a school sponsored activity.

(5) Any time where an outside incident impacts the school day.

It is the intent of the Legislature that alternatives to suspensions or expulsion be imposed against any pupil who is truant, tardy, or otherwise absent from school activities.

Your assistance in backing our decisions will reaffirm the desire for your student to act and react correctly to any situation.

The following is a summary of the most pertinent provision of this Senate Bill 1998 (Chapter 1256 Stats. of 1993). It changes the procedure regarding suspension or expulsion of a student found in possession of a firearm at school or a school activity. It requires that any such student be immediately suspended and recommended for expulsion. The governing board must expel the student or refer him or her to a county school or court school if a school employee verifies the pupil was in knowing possession of the firearm. This bill eliminates the former discretion of the vice-principal, principal, superintendent and governing board to not expel a student in possession of a gun. Students in possession of "toy" weapons may also face suspension.

 

SIXTH GRADE INFORMATION

 

6th grade students who display poor behavior and/or poor academics will not be allowed to participate in 6th grade end-of-the-year activities. This includes the celebration activities which take place on the last day of school.

STUDENT COUNCIL

Quartz Hill Elementary has a Student Council. The purpose of the council is to provide firsthand experience of the methods and procedures of democratic government. In addition, the Student Council sponsors special activities in the areas of academics, sports, and school spirit.

Student Council elections are held in August or September. A representative is elected from each 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade class to serve on the General Council.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION EDUCATION

Throughout the school year, students will be provided with educational opportunities that will encourage them to adopt a healthy life style. One of the main components will be programs that emphasize a "SAY NO!" approach to drugs, alcohol and tobacco by encouraging a strong healthy self-concept.

In conjunction with classroom instruction, nurse, teachers, and other staff members may be available to provide guidance to students and their parents as necessary.

Parents should remind their students that possession or use of any alcohol, tobacco products or illegal drugs will not be tolerated at school or school functions. Suspension or possible expulsion from school and/or referral to an outside agency may result from such inappropriate student action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BULLYING PREVENTION POLICY

 

Quartz Hill Elementary School believes that all students have a right to a safe and healthy school environment and have an obligation to promote mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance. Quartz Hill Elementary School will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety of any student.

Bullying and hazing are serious matters. Bullying is any mean or disrespectful behavior that is done on purpose to hurt someone physically or emotionally. Hazing is any initiation into a team or group that may cause humiliation, physical or emotional harm. A student shall not intimidate or harass another student through words or actions. Such behavior includes: direct physical contact, such as hitting or shoving; verbal assaults, such as teasing or name-calling; and social isolation or manipulation. Students who bully are in violation of this policy and are subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

There are different types of bullying and misconduct including, but not limited to:

Physical Bullying: hitting, kicking, pushing or other unwelcome physical contact. Serious physical bullying may be regarded as a criminal act, such as battery or assault.

Cyberbullying: using electronic devices to embarrass, spread rumors, threaten or intimidate. This includes posting or sending inappropriate messages or images by text, cell phone or on social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Sending nude or sexual images may be considered distribution or possession of child pornography, which is a crime.

Social Bullying: leaving people out, rejecting, manipulating relationships, rating or ranking people, or trying to ruin the reputation of another.

Verbal Bullying: name calling, teasing, spreading hurtful rumors or gossip, making threats or rude noises. All threats are taken seriously and may be reported to law enforcement.

Non-verbal Bullying: posturing, dirty looks, stalking, damaging property, graffiti, making gang signs or other efforts to intimidate or pressure someone.

Indirect Bullying: getting someone to do something mean or hurtful to someone else on your behalf.

Sexual Harassment: any unwanted or demeaning behavior about someone’s sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity or gender expression. Sexual harassment may require additional investigation. (Even if I like the person I must be respectful at all times.)

Discrimination: targeting someone based on their real or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, disability or medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender expression may be considered an act of hate and may be a crime.

Quartz Hill Elementary School expects students, parents and/or staff to immediately report incidents of bullying to the principal or designee. Each complaint of bullying shall be promptly investigated. This policy applies to students on school grounds, while traveling to and from school or a school-sponsored activity, during the lunch period, whether on or off campus and during a school-sponsored activity.

To help ensure bullying does not occur on our school campus, Quartz Hill Elementary School will provide staff development training in bullying prevention. Students will participate in campus-wide bully prevention lessons which will take place during designated class times.