Orchard Park School
Parent/Student Information Booklet 2020/2021
Antioch Unified School District Orchard Park School
5150 Live Oak Avenue Oakley, California 94561
(925) 779-7445 Fax: (925) 779-7446
Ed Dacus, Principal
School Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30AM-4:00PM
The School Office will be closed on holidays and school vacations.
WELCOME TO ORCHARD PARK SCHOOL 2020/2021
Welcome to Orchard Park School, home of the Coyotes! Orchard Park is a neighborhood Kindergarten through 8
thGrade school offering a strong academic program, a firm and positive discipline policy, a desire to have community involvement, and a feeling that education is a home/school partnership. Our curriculum and instructional strategies are Common Core State Standard aligned and follow the California State Frameworks to insure each student a relevant, meaningful educational program. We look forward to a new school year full of opportunities to learn and grow. At Orchard Park School, we’re a howling success!
We have very high expectations of our students. Orchard Park Students are expected to come to school every day on time ready to learn. Students are expected to be prepared for school with supplies, completed homework, and a positive attitude. Our school has caring faculty who are all here to help students be successful in school and prepared for success in the future.
I encourage all parents to take an active role in our school and to participate in the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), School Site Council, and English Language Advisory Council (ELAC); as well as, classroom and school-wide activities. Your ideas, talents, and time are greatly appreciated and will help strengthen Orchard Park’s ability to educate our children.
This handbook is designed to provide parents and students with important information about our school. Not every detail could be included, but we are confident that the included information will assist you in becoming more familiar with Orchard Park School. Please review the handbook and use it as a reference throughout the school year.
Sincerely,
Ed Dacus, Principal
Orchard Park School A.U.S.D. Student Services Building 5150 Live Oak Avenue 510 "G" Street
Oakley, CA 94561 Antioch, CA 94509
(925) 779-7445; FAX (925) 779-7446 (925) 779-7500 School Mission Statement
Orchard Park, in a partnership with home and community, is committed to preparing students to take responsibility for themselves and their own learning. Our mission is to develop the whole child;
shaping respectful citizens with a foundation in good character, communication, problem-solving, and basic skills, while instilling self-esteem and a lifelong love of learning in a diverse world.
A.U.S.D Mission Statement
Our responsibility is to prepare every student for success in college, career, and life.
A.U.S.D. Vision
Antioch Unified School District values the history of our schools and community. We support the personal and intellectual success of each student. Our graduates will be productive and well- informed citizens.
A.U.S.D. Goal
The goal of Antioch Unified School District is to advance student achievement.
2020/2021 Calendar of Events
School Calendar
Special Events September 1 – First Day of School
TBD – Open House, Spring 2021, if back to in-person program
June 17 - Last Day of School (Minimum Day)
School Holidays & Vacations - NO SCHOOL Sept 7: Labor Day
November 11: Veteran’s Day Holiday November 23-27: Thanksgiving Vacation December 21- January 4: Winter Vacation January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday February 8: Lincoln’s Birthday Holiday February 15: President’s Day Holiday
March 29- April 5: Spring Break/ Easter Holiday May 31: Memorial Day Holiday
Minimum Days (if on regular, in-person schedule) November 16-20: Elementary & Middle School
Conferences
December 18: Winter Break
March 1-5 : Elementary Spring Conferences March 4-5: Middle School Spring Conferences TBD: All Grades (Day After Open House) June 7-11 Middle School ONLY min. days June 14-17: Last week of school/all grades
Grade Reporting Dates October 9: Trimester 1 Progress Reports November 20: Trimester 1 Report Cards January 22: Trimester 2 Progress Reports March 5: Trimester 2 Report Cards April 23: Trimester 3 Progress reports June 17: Trimester 3 Report Cards
COVID-19 Conditions
The close of our 2019-2020 school year was unprecedented due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The opening of the 2020/2021 school proves to be just as unprecedented for the same reason. Our nation, state, and county have experienced a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus during the summer 2020 summer break resulting in the delay of our school year opening and implementation of a distance-learning format for our instructional program.
As we progress through the school year, we hope conditions will change so that students can transition back to in-person instruction.
The following schedules are meant to outline the three possibilities of daily instructional schedules our school district will implement based on the health and safety guidelines issued by our State/local governments and health departments.
Our school district has provided published materials and parent webinars discussing school
reopening plans. As we progress through these trying times following state/local guidelines
the following schedules will be use as instructional formats and will be adjusted depending on
health and safety directions and guidelines.
Daily Instructional Times
Regular – In Person – Full Schedule
Bell Schedule
Kindergarten- Extended M, Tu, Th, F 8:00-1:35 Wednesdays 8:00-1:00 Minimum Days 8:00-11:50
1st -3rd Grade M, Tu, Th, F 8:00-2:20 Wednesdays 8:00-1:00 Minimum Days 8:00-11:50
4th – 5th Grade M, Tu, Th, F 8:00 - 2:25 Wednesdays 8:00 - 1:10
Min. Days 8:00 – 12:00
Middle School Grades M, Tu, Th, F 8:00 - 2:30 Wednesdays 8:00 – 1:00 Minimum Days 8:00 – 11:45
Distance Learning – Elementary
All instruction via online instructional platforms – Hard copy instructional packets as needed.
Elementary
Kindergarten 1
st– 5
thGrades
Monday Tuesday-
Friday Notes Monday Tuesday-
Friday Notes
8:00-8:45 Virtual Office
Hour/Advisory
45 minute instructional blocks Virtual Office Hours at beginning and end of each day to allow teacher to check in and check out with students, connect with families, and delivery individualized support as appropriate.
8:00-8:45 Virtual Office
Hour/Advisory
1 hour instructional blocks for core content with 2 virtual recesses and 45 minute lunch break. Virtual Office Hours at beginning and end of each day to allow teacher to check in and check out with students, connect with families, and delivery individualized support as appropriate.
8:45-9:30
Instructional Flex Day Independent-Distance Learning iReady, AR/STAR, Independent Practice Staff Meeting/PD
Instructional Block
8:45-9:45
Instructional Flex Day Independent-Distance Learning iReady, AR/STAR, Independent Practice Staff Meetings/PD
Instructional Block
9:30-9:45 Recess 9:45-10:00 Recess
9:45- 10:30 Instructional
Block 10:00- 11:00 Instructional
Block
10:30-10:45 Recess 11:00-11:45 Lunch
10:45-11:30 Instructional
Block 11:45-12:45 Instructional
Block
11:30-12:15 Lunch 12:45-1:00 Recess
12:15-1:00 Instructional
Block-
ELD/Interventi on
1:00-2:00 Instructional
Block-
ELD/Interventi on
1:00-1:30 Virtual Office
Hour/Advisory
2:00-2:30 Virtual Office
Hour/Advisory
Distance Learning – Middle School
All instruction via online instructional platforms – Hard copy instructional packets as needed.
Middle School Grades 6 th – 8th
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:30-9:30 Period 2 Period 5 Period 2 Period 4
9:30-10:00
Instructional Flex Day Independent-Distance Learning iReady, AR/STAR, Independent Practice
Virtual Office Hour
for Period 2 Virtual Office Hour
for Period 5 Virtual Office Hour
for Period 2 Virtual Office Hour for Period 4
10:00-10:10 Break
10:10-11:10 Period 3 Period 6 Period 3 Period 6
11:10-11:40 Virtual Office Hour
for Period 3 Virtual Office Hour
for Period 6 Virtual Office Hour
for Period 3 Virtual Office Hour for Period 6
11:40-12:25 Lunch
12:25-1:25 Period 4 Period 7 Period 4 Period 7
1:25-1:55 Virtual Office Hour
for Period 4
Virtual Office Hour for Period 7
Virtual Office Hour for Period 4
Virtual Office Hour for Period 7
1:55-2:30 Period 1
Homeroom/Advisory Virtual Office Hour
Period 1
Homeroom/Advisory Virtual Office Hour
Period 1
Homeroom/Advisory Virtual Office Hour
Period 1
Homeroom/Advisory Virtual Office Hour
Notes:
Students receive 2 hours of direct instruction / week/ per class virtually.
Students have all Monday to complete assignments that are designed for independent practice.
Students have 30 minutes of office hour access immediately following each class period.
Homeroom/Advisory is built in for information distribution and/ non-class supports.
10 minute break built in for transition time between classes for students and teachers.
Hybrid – Students Assigned Cohort Groups – Attend in-person 2 days – At home distance learning 3 days utilizing Distance Learning instructional platforms.
Kindergarten
Monday Tuesday
Group A Wednesday
Group A Thursday
Group B Friday Group B 8:30-8:45
All Students: Independent Distance Learning iReady, AR/STAR, Independent Practice
Arrival &
Breakfast Arrival &
Breakfast Arrival &
Breakfast Arrival &
Breakfast
8:45-9:30 Instructional
Block 1 Instructional
Block 1 Instructional
Block 1 Instructional Block 1
9:30-9:45 Recess
9:45-10:30 Instructional
Block 2 Instructional
Block 2 Instructional
Block 2 Instructional Block 2
10:30-11:10 Lunch
11:10-12:00 Instructional
Block 3 Instructional
Block 3 Instructional
Block 3 Instructional Block 3
12:00-12:15 Recess
12:15-1:00 Instructional
Block 4
Instructional Block 4
Instructional Block 4
Instructional Block 4
1:00-1:15 Dismissal
1:15- 2:45 Office Hour
For Group B
Office Hour For Group B
Office Hour For Group A
Office Hour
For Group A
Hybrid – Students Assigned Cohort Groups – Attend in-person 2 days – At home distance learning 3 days utilizing Distance Learning instructional platforms.
1
st-3
rdGrades
Monday Tuesday
Group A Wednesday
Group A Thursday
Group B Friday Group B 8:15-8:30
All Students: Independent Distance Learning iReady, AR/STAR, Independent Practice
Arrival &
Breakfast Arrival &
Breakfast Arrival &
Breakfast Arrival &
Breakfast
8:30-9:30 Instructional
Block 1 Instructional
Block 1 Instructional
Block 1 Instructional Block 1
Recess 1st: 9:30 2nd: 9:45 3rd: 10:00
9:30-10:30 Instructional Block 2
Instructional Block 2
Instructional Block 2
Instructional Block 2 10:30-11:30 Instructional
Block 3 Instructional
Block 3 Instructional
Block 3 Instructional Block 3
Lunch 1st: 11:20-11:55 2nd: 11:40-12:15 3rd: 12:00-12:35
11:30-12:30 Instructional
Block 4 Instructional
Block 4 Instructional
Block 4 Instructional Block 4 12:30-1:30 Instructional
Block 5 Instructional
Block 5 Instructional
Block 5 Instructional Block 5
1:30-1:45 Dismissal
1:45-2:45 Office Hour
For Group B Office Hour
For Group B Office Hour
For Group A Office Hour
For Group A
Hybrid – Students Assigned Cohort Groups – Attend in-person 2 days – At home distance learning 3 days utilizing Distance Learning instructional platforms.
4
th-5
thGrades
Monday Tuesday
Group A Wednesday
Group A Thursday
Group B Friday Group B 8:00-8:15
All Students: Independent Distance Learning iReady, AR/STAR, Independent Practice
Arrival &
Breakfast Arrival &
Breakfast Arrival &
Breakfast Arrival &
Breakfast
9:15-9:15 Instructional
Block 1
Instructional Block 1
Instructional Block 1
Instructional Block 1
Recess
4th: 10:15-10:30 5th: 10:30-10:45
9:15-10:15 Instructional
Block 2
Instructional Block 2
Instructional Block 2
Instructional Block 2
10:15-11:15 Instructional
Block 3 Instructional
Block 3 Instructional
Block 3 Instructional Block 3
Lunch
4th: 12:15-12:50 5th: 12:30-1:05
11:15-12:15 Instructional
Block 4 Instructional
Block 4 Instructional
Block 4 Instructional Block 4
12:15-1:15 Instructional
Block 5 Instructional
Block 5 Instructional
Block 5 Instructional Block 5
1:15-1:30 Dismissal
1:45-2:45 Office Hour
For Group B Office Hour
For Group B Office Hour
For Group A Office Hour
For Group A
Hybrid – Students Assigned Cohort Groups – Attend in-person 2 days – At home distance learning 3 days utilizing Distance Learning instructional platforms.
6
th-8
thGrades
Monday Tuesday
Group A Wednesday
Group A Thursday
Group B Friday
Group B Notes 7:45-8:00
All Students: Independent Distance Learning iReady, AR/STAR, Independent Practice
Arrival & Breakfast
8:05-8:30 Period 2:
Homeroom Period 5:
Homeroom Period 2:
Homeroom Period 5:
Homeroom Advisory/Information
& Announcements
8:30-9:45 Period 2 Period 5 Period 2 Period 5
9:45-9:50 Passing Period
9:50-11:05 Period 3 Period 6 Period 3 Period 6
11:05-11:40 Lunch
11:40-11:45 Passing Period
11:45-1:00 Period 4 Period 7 Period 4 Period 7
1:00-1:15 Dismissal
1:15-2:45 Office Hour
For Group B Office Hour
For Group B Office Hour
For Group A Office Hour
For Group A
ORCHARD PARK ATTENDANCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Regular attendance at school is the first step toward academic success. According to California law, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to see that their student attends school regularly. Attendance is taken and reported each day for kindergarten through fifth grades and each class period, each day for grades 6 through 8. Each day a student has an unverified absence, the parent/guardian will receive an automated phone call and if the absences become excessive, the parent/guardian will receive a notification of truancy.
ABSENCES: It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify the school, within 3 days of their student’s absence in the following manner:
Call (preferably by 11:00 a.m.) the Attendance Assistant at 779-7445 ext. 25070 each day of the absence. To leave a message dial ext. 25070.
Written note or email to the Attendance Assistant from parent/guardian or parent representative.
Physician’s verification.
When a student has had 10 absences in the school year for illness, any further absences for illness shall be verified by a physician.
The following are considered EXCUSED ABSENCES:
Personal illness
Medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic appointment. Families are strongly urged to make appointments during non-school hours.
Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family.
Personal reasons including, but not limited to, court appearance, observation of a religious holiday or ceremony, emergency family matters.
The following are examples of absences that are UNEXCUSED:
Oversleeping: (parent or student)
“Traffic”
transportation problems
work at home
traveling / vacation
participating in rehearsals/practice/performances for outside activities Consequences for Unexcused Absences:
By law, after three (3) unexcused absences, a student is considered truant. When a student is truant, parents/guardians will receive a first notification of truancy by letter. If truancy continues, a second notification and request to attend a School Attendance Review Team meeting with school staff will be made. If truancy continues, a third notification and summons to report to our school district’s Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) will be made.
RECEIVING SCHOOL WORK WHILE ABSENT
Students are allowed to make up work from absences.
When a student is ill it is the student’s and/or parent/guardian’s responsibility to contact teachers by e-mail, phone, or antiochschools.net/orchardpark to obtain missed assignments.
Tardiness
Punctuality is an important life skill and one for which students are held responsible. Consequences are imposed for excessive unexcused tardies to class and lateness in completing assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to know the school time schedule and due dates for assignments. Repeated tardies will necessitate joint action on the part of home and school.
Students who arrive at school tardy up to 8:20 am are to report directly to their classrooms rather than coming
to the school office. Students arriving tardy to school after 8:20 am are to report to the main office.
Independent Study
Families are encouraged to not schedule vacation during school days. If your child must miss school for five days or longer, please let office staff know in advance (at least 3 days) to request an independent study program. With this advance knowledge, a teacher can design an independent study program that will support your child’s education during the absence period so he/she is not too far behind when he/she returns to school.
All work assigned as part of the independent study program must be turned in the day the student returns to school. If work is not turned in the child’s absences will be unexcused.
For absences due to vacation where an independent study program is not assigned, these absences are unexcused. It is the parent’s responsibility to specifically request the independent study program. Just informing the school your student will be out does not constitute a request for independent study.
Transfers/Withdrawals
Please inform the school in advance if you anticipate a move to another school. This will ensure that the proper transfer forms and report cards can be completed. Please make sure all library materials and textbooks are returned before the child’s last day of school here. Cafeteria expenses must be cleared as well.
Orchard Park’s School Wide Behavior Management Plan
Except for serious behavior infractions, each student begins each year with a clean slate. Prior class and yard referrals will not be accumulated. We hope this will encourage each student to focus on respectful and responsible behavior at all times.
Classroom positive behavior is recognized by individual teachers.
The following School Expectations for Orchard Park were developed based on what we believe to be universal expectations for our entire school community.
The Coyote Code (School Expectations) Be Safe
Walk at all times
Keep hands, feet, and objects to self Follow directions the first time
Use all equipment and materials safely Get adult help when needed
Be Respectful
Use kind words and actions Use school manners
Follow directions the first time Use quiet voices
Wait for your turn
Be Responsible
Be prepared and on time
Keep our campus clean
Follow directions the first time
Use problem solving skills
Accept consequences
At Orchard Park, we also continue to believe in the essential need for positive character development based on the Six Pillars of Character Counts: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.
Trustworthiness
Students will:
Be Honest
Be loyal – stand by your family, friends, and community
Not deceive, cheat, or steal
Be Reliable – do what you say you’ll do
Have the courage to do the right thing even when you know it is difficult
Build a good reputation
Fairness
Students will:
Play by the rules Take turns and share Be open-minded; listen Not blame carelessly
Not take advantage of people’s mistakes or weaknesses
Respect
Students will:
Treat others with respect Follow the Golden Rule Be tolerant of differences
Use good manners, not bad language Be considerate of other people’s feelings Not threaten, hit, or hurt anyone
Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements
Caring
Students will:
Be kind
Express gratitude Forgive others
Help people in need
Be compassionate and show you care
Responsibility
Students will:
Do what you are supposed to do Persevere; keep on trying!
Always do your best
Use self-control. Be self-disciplined Be accountable for your choices
Citizenship
Students will:
Cooperate
Stay informed; vote Be a good neighbor Obey laws and rules Respect authority
Protect the environment
Make your school and community better
Expectations of our Orchard Park School Community Uphold and live the Six Pillars of Character by following all school rules and codes of conduct on the way to school, while at school, on the way home from school, and at all school events.
Do the right thing – even when no one is looking.
Come to school ready and prepared to learn.
Be on time to school and to each class.
Complete all work assigned to you.
Use class time wisely and let others do so also.
Take home planner, school notes, and bulletins to review with parent and/or guardian.
Follow the directions of all school personnel.
Gracefully accept the consequences of your actions.
Be a positive role model for your peers and the younger students on campus.
CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL CLIMATE
Orchard Park School believes every student has a right and responsibility to learn, every teacher has a right and responsibility to teach, and every parent has a right and responsibility to support a home/school partnership for student learning.
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO
Arrive to class on time every day prepared with appropriate materials and books.
Maintain all necessary school supplies during the course of the year.
Speak to everyone in an appropriate and respectful manner.
Show courtesy and respect to peers and classmates.
Show courtesy and respect to any adult on school campus.
Keeps hands, feet, and objects to oneself at all times.
Use school equipment properly and safely.
Respect school materials and maintain texts in a good condition.
Comply with adult requests even when there is disagreement. Share disagreements in a respectful manner.
Help keep the campus litter free.
Keep chewing gum at home.
Leave at home all belongings with no reasonable use for school.
Turn off and put away all electronic devices while at school (cellphones, headphones/ear- buds, MP3 players, games).
Listen to and follow directions the first time they are given.
Plan ahead to provide necessary materials and equipment needed for school success.
Complete their own work on homework, projects, tests, etc.
PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO
Be sure students arrive at school on time for every school day.
Arrange medical appointments before or after school when possible.
Provide your student with the necessary educational tools to be successful.
Remind your student daily of the importance of respecting each other.
Discuss with your students how to converse with adults.
Practice situations at home that your student might encounter at school.
Reinforce the importance of proper care of school and personal property.
Assist the school by making sure all belongings with no reasonable use at school remain at home.
Help your child understand the safety and monetary issues involved with bringing valuables to school.
Discuss appropriate behavior with your student and set an appropriate example.
SCHOOL PERSONNEL ARE RESPONSIBLE TO
Encourage daily attendance at school.
Enforce and be consistent with policies.
Keep parents informed of dates students are tardy after the first occurrence.
Be on time and prepared for class every day.
Model respect for students through actions and words.
Discuss with students how to converse with adults.
Hold students accountable for their actions and words.
Demonstrate proper usage of school and classroom equipment.
Keep classrooms clean and organized and help keep the campus litter free.
Set appropriate examples, discuss and support appropriate behavior.
DISCIPLINE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
It is expected that all students behave in an appropriate manner. When students fail to do this, they will be held accountable for their behavior while on campus, going to and from campus and at all school-related activities.
School Wide Progressive Discipline Steps:
1. Verbal Warning
2. Time out / Individual Student-Teacher Conference
Possibilities: conference after class, at lunch, at a location in the classroom removed from other students; request for support from counselor and/or administrator.
3. Time out / Send to Buddy Room / Phone Call Home
A student is sent to an assigned buddy room for 10 minutes. While in the buddy room the student completes a “Student Reflection” sheet to be signed by parent/guardian. The student returns to class after 10 minutes. The teacher calls home and documents the conversation.
4. Detention / Teacher assigned On Campus Suspension 5. Referral to Administrator
When a student receives three referrals from the same adult, a restorative conference will be held to support the teacher and student in building or
repairing a positive relationship. A restorative conference can be called by any party at any time.
*School personnel may deem it necessary to skip steps when pervasive and/or severe behavior occurs.
* Major/Serious Infraction = Red offenses outlined in the AUSD Student & Parent/Guardian Handbook include fighting, vandalism, possession/use of drugs, weapons, or injurious objects, truancy and cutting school.
Administrative Referral Process:
When a student is referred to the office the following steps take place:
1. Conference between administrator and student.
2. Conference between administrator and the teacher on an as needed basis.
3. Assign consequences according to AUSD Discipline Matrix found in the AUSD Student and Parent/Guardian Handbook.
CHRONICALLY REFERRED STUDENT CONSEQUENCES:
Consequences for chronically referred students may include but are not limited to the following:
*Student Study Team (parents, teachers, student, administrators)
*Restorative Practices/Conference
*Behavior Contract
*School Detention
*Schedule Change
*Suspension
BULLYING: Bullying occurs when a student or group of students attempts to take power over another student. The main ways in which bullying may happen are:
Physical bullying, when a student uses physical force to hurt another student by hitting, punching, pushing, shoving, kicking, spitting, pinching, getting in their way, or holding them down. It is also bullying to interfere with another student’s belongings, to take or break their possessions, and to demand or steal money.
Verbal bullying, when a student directs words at another student with the intention of putting them down or humiliating them. This includes threatening, taunting, intimidating, shouting, insulting, sarcasm, name-calling, teasing, put-downs and ridiculing. It is also verbal bullying when a student uses hostile gestures towards another student.
Relational bullying is when a student influences another student’s friendships and relationships by deliberately leaving them out, spreading gossip and rumors about them, whispering, giving them the silent treatment, ostracizing or scapegoating. This also includes writing words or creating cartoons, posters or drawings about another student designed to hurt or humiliate that student.
Cyber bullying refers to the use of cell phones, text messages, emails, instant messaging, chat rooms, web blogs and social media sites to bully another student in any of the ways
described above. Examples of cyber bullying are sending threatening or insulting messages by phone and e-mail, posting untrue information or embarrassing pictures about another student on message boards, blogs or social media sites such as Instagram or Facebook, using another student’s email address or IM name to send messages that make the student look bad, creating a web page devoted to putting down another student, forwarding a text message or email that was meant for your eyes only.
Bullying in any form is not allowed and will not be tolerated at OPS. Students can report incidents of conflict and/or bullying by speaking directly to any adult staff member (a teacher, the school counselor, or administrator) or completing an Incident Statement in the office. Parents are
encouraged to contact any school personnel to report concerns about bullying or student conflicts including the school administrators and counselor.
Is It Bullying?
When someone does or says something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s RUDE.
When someone does or says something intentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s MEAN.
When someone does or says something intentionally hurtful and they keep doing it even when you tell them to stop or show them that you are upset, that’s BULLYING.
UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT: Orchard Park School maintains a strict policy prohibiting harassment
because of race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability,
gender identity, blindness or severely impaired vision or any other bias protected by federal, state,
or local law ordinance or regulation. All such harassment is unlawful and OPS believes that such
harassment is offensive. Violation of this policy by a student will result in discipline according to our
school district’s discipline matrix found in the AUSD Parent/Guardian/Student Handbook, which
may include suspension or expulsion, depending on the pervasiveness and severity of the
violation. Unlawful harassment includes, but is not limited to, verbal contact, inappropriate
pictures or drawings, physical conduct/contact, and retaliation for taking action.
SELF-DEFENSE and FIGHTING: Unfortunately, from time to time, students may have disagreements which result in physical altercations (fighting). Any student involved in an exchange of
blows/punches WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR FIGHTING regardless of who/what precipitated the exchange of blows. When blows are exchanged, this is a fight. Self-defense is the act of pushing away, holding off the aggressor, or otherwise avoiding the physical altercation. Parents and students need to understand that if you encourage your student to “hit back” and he/she does, he/she WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR FIGHTING. Hitting back is not self-defense, it is mutual
combat/fighting. Encourage your student to resolve conflict peacefully, find an adult to help, or talk to an adult for assistance.
WEAPONS / INJUROUS OBJECTS / ITEMS OF NO REASONABLE USE: Students shall not bring or carry weapons, dangerous items or objects of no reasonable use to school or school sponsored
activities. It is a crime to bring any weapon on school grounds. This includes clubs, toy guns, chains of any kind, knives of any type or size, pipes, stun/ TASER guns/pepper spray, or any object that can be construed to be a weapon. Failure to comply with this rule will result in consequences aligned with Red Offenses outlined in the AUSD Discipline Matrix found in the AUSD Student and Parent/Guardian Handbook and may include police involvement, suspension, and/or expulsion.
GANGS: Gang related conduct/activity on school campuses and/or adjacent to the campus during all school sponsored events is a threat to the safety of others and is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Students wearing, carrying, or displaying gang paraphernalia, or making gestures which symbolize gang membership, or causing an incident affecting the school program shall be subject to
disciplinary action.
AUSD/Orchard Park School Student Dress Code (BP/AR 5132)
Students will be required to conform to our school district’s dress code. Orchard Park’s school wide dress code is aligned with school district board policy 5132. Students are expected to attend school dressed appropriately. Student dress is not to create a disruption or distraction to teaching and learning, is not to interfere or distract from a positive learning environment, and is not to promote or encourage offensive or violent behavior.
For all students, examples of inappropriate clothing include:
Garments where the torso is exposed (i.e., tube tops, see-through fabrics, half shirts, halters, spaghetti/noodle strap tops, tank tops, off the shoulder or low-cut tops).
Clothing should not be provocative and/or revealing (i.e., tube tops, see-through fabrics, half shirts, halters, spaghetti/noodle strap tops, tank tops, off the shoulder or low-cut tops, shorts that expose the buttocks, pants/shorts/shirts with rips and holes that expose the hips and/or buttocks).
Undergarments including, but not limited to, bra, underwear, such as boxer and underpants, are to be covered at all times.
Baggy pants that continually need to be pulled up or where undergarments are exposed.
Clothing or buttons that show obscene words or pictures, or sexually suggestive statements.
Hats, hair covering, hoods, hair curlers, or sunglasses worn in the classroom.
Garments displaying vulgar, obscene or libelous statements or that denigrate others on account of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability are prohibited.
Clothing and/or other personal belongings may not promote, depict, and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs or encourage other illegal or violent activities.
Footwear must be worn at all times. Footwear must cover the toes and heel. Strapless sandals such as flip-flop or slides not allowed.
Gang-related clothing or accessories including, but not limited to, bandannas; other symbols,
emblems, or insignia; and gang-related web belts with or without punched-out metal buckles. School officials shall consider student history and information obtained from community agencies and resources when making these judgments. Dangerous clothing accessories are prohibited (i.e., spiked jewelry, studded collars, studded belts). School administrators have the right to restrict the color of clothing worn by any student involved in a documented gang offense.
Bandanas and du rags are not appropriate for school.
Pajamas or other types of sleepwear.
Dress Code Violation Consequences - Students who appear at school wearing inappropriate clothing
may not be allowed to attend class until they make the changes necessary to meet the school dress requirements. Changes could entail removing objectionable clothing items, putting on laundered loaner clothing provided by the school or contacting parents to obtain appropriate clothing/footwear.
Standard Dress Code Policy Enforcement Plan
Violation 1 Violation recorded on the dress code referral. Violation corrected. Item in violation confiscated for remainder of day. Parent notified.
Violation 2 Violation recorded on the dress code referral. Violation corrected. Item in violation confiscated for remainder of day. Parent notified.
Violation 3+ Referral to school administration. Violation corrected. Item in violation confiscated for remainder of day. Parent notified. Student receives disciplinary consequences as per Minor Infractions in AUSD Handbook.
General School Rules, Expectations, Programs, & Procedures
The interior of the school from the playground to the parking lot is a quiet zone at all times. Students must keep their hands to themselves at all times. Students are expected to walk quietly in single file lines when walking together as a class.
Middle schoolers are not allowed on the play structures at any time.
Except when on the playground, students are to always walk.
All play stops on the playground at the bell. This includes bouncing and throwing of equipment, hitting the tether balls, shooting a basket or playing on slides and swings. Freeze, drop, and listen for the whistle or verbal direction, and then walk quietly to your classroom.
No running in the tan bark areas at any time. Playing tag or chasing games is not allowed at any time.
No body contact. Games involving tag, tackling, wrestling, self-defense, play-fighting, general rough housing, and horseplay are not allowed.
Students are to make proper use of restrooms during recess. Vandalism of restrooms will result in an office referral to the vice principal or principal.
All students will arrive at the cafeteria, supervised by teachers, in an orderly way.
Food and drinks are not to be taken out to the playground, and gum is never permitted at school.
Toys/games/cards (Pokemon, baseball) are not to be brought to school.
Jump ropes are to be used only for jumping rope.
All students out of the classroom during class time must have a hall pass.
Students are expected to complete and turn in all assigned work on time. Students are expected to do their personal best on all assigned work.
Before School:
Students should not arrive at school before 7:50 AM. Since supervision does not begin until 7:50 AM, any elementary student who must arrive earlier is to wait in the main courtyard area only on the yellow line. Students are not to be on the playground before 7:50 AM.
All elementary students arriving between 7:50 and 8:00 AM should go directly to the playground.
All bikes, scooters, skateboards are to be walked at all times on campus. Heelie shoes are not appropriate footwear for school and are not to be worn on campus, even if the wheels are not in place.
After School:
All bikes are to be walked at all times on campus. All bikes are to be walked to the crosswalks.
Student pickup areas are located in the main parking lot. Students need to wait quietly behind the yellow line and watch for their rides to pull up. Students need to allow the car to come to a complete stop before stepping off the curb to get into a vehicle.
Students are to wait patiently for their ride at their designated area. Students are not to be running around playing while waiting for their ride.
Walking between trucks and/or cars is extremely dangerous and prohibited at any time. Students must be picked up from the loading zone along the curb. Students will not be allowed to cross traffic to get into a car.
This is for their safety.
Students are to leave school at dismissal time unless they are enrolled in an afterschool program. Since there is no adult supervision after school, students should not use the school as a play area.
Academic Achievement Awards
4th – 8th Grade students who demonstrate high academic achievement and exceptional behavior during each trimester are recognized with Honor Roll.
For 4th and 5th Grades, in the core content areas (English language arts, math, science, social studies) students must receive the following composite marks and have no minus signs in Life Long Learning Skills, Effort, Physical Education, and Music.
Circle of Excellence
At least two 5’s and the remainder 4’s Silver Award
At least one 5 and the remainder 4’s Bronze Award
All 4’s
Certificates will be awarded to students with a seal to signify the award.
Middle School Honor Roll will be determined at each trimester. In the core content areas (English, math, science, history and P.E.) students must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 in order to earn Honor Roll. This level of achievement is aligned with School Board Policy & Administrative Regulation 5126.
AUSD BP 5126 Honors and Awards
Students with 3.5 or above weighted grade point average (GPA) will be recognized in the Honor Roll.
Honor Rolls in grades in 6-12 recognize excellence in academic achievement.
Graduating seniors with Honor Roll status shall be given proper recognition.
Adopt-A-Class
Our ADOPT-A-CLASSROOM program addresses the needs of individual classrooms. To adopt a classroom of children, for the school year, you or your business agrees to provide that classroom with a $150 tax deductible donation. These funds allow the teacher to creatively enhance his/her curriculum while promoting the connection between our
business world and our student's education.
Various forms of acknowledgment will be utilized during the year to commend the companies that help our students.
You may contact our office anytime if you need further information about this wonderful program.
Announcements
Students are responsible for information presented during the announcement time in homeroom. Announcements are made daily during the first fifteen minutes of the school day.
Bicycles/Skateboards/Scooters
Parking racks are available for students who ride bicycles/skateboards/scooters to school. To prevent thefts, parents should make sure children have and use locks. Students are to follow all safety rules, including walking their bicycles on and off the school grounds, wearing helmets, and following the correct rules of the road.
Skateboards, skates, scooters, heelies, and roller blades may not be ridden on school grounds at any time, including after school hours and weekends.
Books
Students will be provided with all necessary textbooks. Each child is responsible to give proper care to books in his/her charge. In the case of lost or damaged books, the child is responsible and fees will be charged to parents for repair or replacement of the damaged/lost textbooks or library books.
From time to time, books turn up at home. If you have any school books from previous grades that are not discards please send them back to school.
FOOD
:GUM CHEWING IS NOT ALLOWED ON CAMPUS AT ANY TIME!
LITTER
: It is the responsibility of everyone to keep our campus clean. All trash, including lunch garbage, must be put in the garbage containers provided. If students litter, they will be asked to pick up trash.CAFETERIA and LUNCH TIME
We have an excellent school lunch program for all students. Lunches may be purchased on a daily basis or in blocks of five or twenty meals. Students may also bring lunch from home. If needed, students may purchase milk or juice separately. Applications for free and reduced lunches are available in the school office. Lunches that are delivered after school starts should be brought to the office. The student’s name should be written on the bag lunches.
Cafeteria and Lunch Expectations are:
Students are to walk into the cafeteria, purchase necessary items, find their seat and remain seated until dismissed by the student monitors.
Students should exercise appropriate self-control and use good manners. A student causing a disturbance by not following the school expectations and cooperating with the cafeteria staff will receive appropriate consequences.
Each student is responsible for cleaning up his/her litter at his/her table. This includes litter which may have dropped on the floor.
Food may NOT be taken from the designated lunch area.
Food may NOT be taken or eaten on the playground and playfield.
Students who do not follow the lunch and/or student conduct rules may receive disciplinary consequences.
Change of Information
Be sure to inform the office, in writing, if you change your address, telephone number, place of employment or day care provider.
Communicable Diseases
Children with communicable diseases, such as head lice, must remain at home until all live lice are gone and/or a doctor’s statement is presented to the school office.
Emergency Information
The school office must have on file an up-to-date emergency card for each student which provides information on parents’ home and work addresses and phone numbers. In addition, we must have names and phone numbers of others to contact when parents are not available. Please help us keep this information current and pertinent by notifying the office of any changes. You never know when it will be needed.
Emergency Procedures Affecting Entire School
Knowing the responsibility we have to insure the safety of all Orchard Park students we plan ahead as much as possible to prevent incidents we may be able to control. We practice fire, earthquake, and shelter in place drills so that individual actions in a real emergency become automatic and systematic. A copy of the school’s comprehensive safety plan and disaster preparedness plan are available for viewing in the school office.
Since one never knows the kind or extent of any emergency we cannot say up front exactly what procedures will be followed in each specific situation. The following, however, are some general guidelines.
Staff personnel will take responsibility for all students in an emergency until they are picked up by authorized adults.
If there is a problem outside, students will be kept inside school buildings and not dismissed until it is presumed safe. This includes after school dismissal.
If there is a problem inside a school building students will be kept on the play yard or other safe location in classroom groupings.
Appropriate public agencies (e.g. fire, police, radio/TV, district office, etc.) will be notified.
If feasible, we will get the word out to parents. However, with a school population of over 750 students, it would be difficult to contact everyone individually.
If there is no safe area on the school campus, everyone will be moved to another safe location. School personnel will be responsible for overseeing the children. Information will be dispersed to parents regarding their children’s whereabouts.
Special Assistance will be provided to students with disabilities aligned with current individualized education plans, Section 504 plan, and Health Plans.
•We ask that parents not panic when they hear about a problem situation. Calmness and clear thinking usually bring about the best solution.
During an emergency, parent access will be limited to insure student safety. A centralized location will be established depending on the nature of the emergency for picking up and signing out students. Parents will be required to follow staff directions to insure the safety of all. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
As part of our School Site Disaster Plan, each classroom will have a limited supply of emergency provisions (food and water) in the event of an evacuation or shelter in place. Your child’s teacher will inform you how these supplies will be gathered and stored. Supplies may be acquired through donations or individual emergency supplies may be requested.
Please check with your child’s teacher for specific information.
We are very appreciative of the support we receive from parents to help make our school a safer place for children.
English Language Development
Upon enrolling at the school site, parents are requested to complete a home language survey. If another language besides English is spoken, the student is administered the English language Proficiency Assessment of California (ELPAC) to determine English language fluency. If it is determined that English language proficiency may interfere with the student’s academic progress, the child may be placed in the English Language Learner Program. Students with limited English proficiency are provided a period of specialized instruction each day in English language development.
Bilingual Instructional Aide
The bilingual instructional aide provides language support to limited English proficient students in Kindergarten with specially designed teacher prepared lessons and curriculum. The aide helps pupils individually, or in small groups, with reading, writing, and oral language development. She/he also talks with parents to encourage their involvement in the program and translates newsletters, notices, letters and other material, and serves as an interpreter as necessary.
Bilingual Office Assistant
Orchard Park is fortunate to have a Bilingual Office assistant available to our Spanish Speaking parents every day from 8:30AM to 12:30 PM. This staff is available to help translate communications and encourage parent involvement in school programs.
Field Trips
A field trip is considered to be a trip designed to provide or enhance students’ learning opportunities not otherwise available at the school. The purpose includes stimulation of interest, culmination of a unit of study, gathering data, and providing an additional/supplemental learning activity. As an enrichment of the curriculum experience and an extended opportunity for factual and ethical learning and interpersonal skills, these trips must be appropriate to the students and class subject.
Students will not be allowed to go on a field trip without written permission from a parent or guardian. It is necessary to fill out all emergency information on each permission slip. These permission slips accompany students on the field trip. Depending on the trip and specific activities, a voluntary participation form may also be required. Some field trips may include GPA and/or behavior requirements for eligibility.
Siblings or non-students are not permitted on field trips.
Students may be excluded from a field trip due to severe discipline issues.
Please speak privately with your child’s teacher if financial hardship prohibits your child from attending a field trip.
Parent Chaperones
On most field trips, teachers will ask parents to volunteer as chaperones. It is important for chaperones to follow specific guidelines while on a field trip. Listed below are the most important of these, while recognizing the procedures may vary according to the class, grade level, and outing.
A chaperone is a responsible adult who models appropriate behavior. Orchard Park students represent their school and community. We want them to have a safe, rewarding trip. Therefore we require that chaperones:
Make arrangements for siblings (younger and older) to remain at home or with daycare. School Board policy prohibits siblings from accompanying parents on field trips.
Stay with your assigned group of students throughout the field trip as assigned by the teacher.
Inform the teacher immediately of any potential problems.
Insist on courteous behavior.
Refrain from smoking or consuming alcoholic beverages. Both of these actions are strictly prohibited at school or any school event.
Overnight field trips require current A.U.S.D. fingerprint “clearance” on file.
HEALTH/MEDICATIONS/FIRST AID
Since there are no school nurses, the school office staff handles any medical problems as efficiently as possible. If your child has a temperature or other problem requiring attention, the school office will notify you or other persons listed on the emergency card immediately. We appreciate you not sending a sick child to school and picking up a child who gets sick at school as soon as possible. Our facilities are very limited in handling medical problems. If it is necessary for your child to take medication during school hours, the following steps must be followed:
A. (This is State Law) Medication may only be dispensed with written permission of parents/guardians and a physician. A note with the child’s name, purpose of medication, dosage, length of time to be given and parent’s and physician’s signature are necessary.
B. All medication will be dispensed at the office. Aside from inhalers, students are not to bring medicines to take otherwise.
Students should not come to school when they are ill. If a student becomes ill while at school, he/she should ask for a pass from their teacher and report directly to the First Aid office. For the safety of our students, we require that they never leave the school grounds to go home because of illness without checking out through the office first. ALL CALLS HOME SHOULD BE PLACED FROM FIRST AID – NOT FROM STUDENT’S CELL PHONES OR FROM A CLASSROOM PHONE.
Homework
•Homework is to be considered an extension of the work done at school during the day. It is not a way of introducing new material, but a way to reinforce learning in the classroom and provide parents insight into classroom lessons. It should be meaningful, and the purpose should be made clear to the student. Assignments should not be so lengthy that they infringe on social development and time for family living.
•Homework may come in many different shapes and forms. It may include any of the following: completion of an assignment; research project; an activity; an interview; an observation; a review; a drill; or reading a book.
•Feedback from teacher to student should be timely, specific, and appropriate to the assignment.
•The time it takes students to do their homework depends on the efficiency of their study habits, the particular assignment, and their skill level. Students’ grades can be affected if homework is not taken seriously and consistently completed.
•District guidelines:
Kindergarten - Teachers will assign homework when appropriate. Parents are expected to assist their children with concepts and skills introduced in the classroom.
Grades 1-3 - Teachers will assign regular homework that reinforces skills and concepts introduced in the classroom.
These assignments should average 15 to 30 minutes per days assigned.
Grades 4-8 - Teachers will assign regular homework that reinforces skills and concepts introduced in the classroom.
These assignments should average 30 to 90 minutes per days assigned. Parents may regularly consult the Parent Portal to check individual student progress and achievement.
Late Pick-ups
Supervision for students is provided for 15 minutes after students are dismissed. It is essential that students be picked up from school immediately after dismissal. School staff is not available to babysit students after school. It is a parent’s responsibility to arrange for their children to be picked-up from school at dismissal. If students are continually picked up late from school, staff has no choice but to involve the police department and child protective services. We appreciate parents’ attention to this issue to insure their children are picked up on time after school.
Library
Classrooms will be scheduled on a regular basis for students to check out library books and utilize library resources. A lost or damaged book is the responsibility of the child who checked the book out. Parents will receive a bill for any lost books.
Parents are given the opportunity to commemorate birthdays by purchasing a book in their child’s honor to put in the library. This is a wonderful opportunity to share with your child the joy of giving and a love of books. Please see the librarian for suggestions.
Lost and Found
Lost or forgotten items will be turned in to our Lost and Found. At the end of each grading period, unclaimed items will be donated to a charity.
To help items from becoming lost, we suggest the following:
•Clearly label all items with the student’s first and last names.
•Check the Lost and Found as soon as possible after the item is lost.
Office Telephones 779-7445
School phones are for school business and are not available to students on a regular basis for personal business. Please make personal arrangements before school. In emergencies or for school related purposes, a student must get permission from school personnel before using an office phone. Unless an emergency arises classrooms will not be interrupted to relay messages to students.
Phone Calls to School Personnel
To talk with your child’s teacher during the day, please telephone either prior to school starting or after school is out.
Teachers cannot leave their classrooms unattended, so it is extremely difficult for them to come to the phone during class time. All other school personnel are available between 7:30AM– 3:45PM. Please do not hesitate to call the school during these hours. If you leave a message with the office personnel or staff voicemail, your child’s teacher will try to return your call the same day or as soon as possible. Staff is also available by email: staff member’s [email protected].
Parent Communication
We wholeheartedly believe that on-going, open, and honest parent/teacher communication is imperative to successfully educating students. If parents want to talk with a teacher regarding their child, they are asked to write a note, email, or leave a voicemail message for the teacher requesting that they be contacted. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR TEACHERS TO HAVE CONFERENCES OR PHONE CALLS DURING CLASS TIME AS TEACHERS ARE TEACHING. You may also access information through our website: http://antiochschools.net/orchardpark where parents/guardians may track assignments, and grades.
Parent Portal
The parent Portal allows you to communicate with staff, view class information, assignments, and grades. We encourage parents/guardians to use this valuable tool as a means of maintaining home/school communications.
Information on set up and log on to the parent portal will be provided to parents at the beginning of the school year. This information will also be on our web site.
Remind
Our school has implemented a new communications application called REMIND. This has taken the place of our former BlackBoard Connect System. Parents and students have accounts set up through our student information system that has rostered students into their classes for direct connection to teachers. The REMIND application can be used on any device. For mobile devices, the Remind app can be downloaded from your provider’s app store.
Telephone
All staff members may be reached through the main school number (779-7445) and their extension. You are encouraged to leave a voicemail message, as the classroom phone will not ring during instructional time. Staff members will return your call within 24 hours.
Written Communication
Parents may also write a note either in the student’s planner or directly to the teacher. Please indicate the best means of reply for the teacher whether it is to phone, email or send a note back.
Physical Education
Our program is based upon the CA Physical Education Framework. We believe that every student can achieve excellence regardless of size, maturity, coordination, or body type. We, as a department, are concerned with developing a child’s positive attitude toward physical activity that will carry over into adulthood. The activities and games chosen also focus on building good character and sportsmanship. Please talk to your student about the importance of PE and recognize that it is a class that matters, with the same importance as other subjects at school.
With the dangers of sedentary lifestyles becoming more apparent, it’s no wonder that exercise is being championed for all school-age students. Multiple scientific studies prove that there is more to academic performance than just book learning. The amount of exercise pupils receive in school can create positive habits that serve to compliment academic achievement. Promoting physical health in childhood can only serve to benefit our youth with the outcome of healthier bodies accompanied by brighter minds.
PE Dress Policy:
Athletic shoes must be worn to PE each day. They must be shoes that can be worn for running and playing games in the field. Please advise your child not to wear shoes s/he will worry about creasing or getting dirty. Uggs, flats, sandals, shoes with a heel, etc. are not acceptable footwear. Elementary students need to make sure they are wearing
appropriate footwear on their PE days. The classroom teacher can provide you with their schedule.
Reporting to Parents
Progress reports, weekly and/or monthly newsletters and report card conferences are all ways that the school communicates students’ progress. You will be notified in writing regarding individual progress and concerns. We are committed to frequent and timely communication. Report cards will be sent home 3 times a year for all grades.
The information on the report card for 1st-5th grade students will reflect student mastery of the standards for their
