PARENT AND STUDENT HANDBOOK
2014-2015
Grovecenter Elementary School
775 N. Lark Ellen Ave.
West Covina, CA 91790
(626) 974-4400
Mrs. Autumn Williams, Principal
Please read and review this handbook, then sign and return the last page. Thank you!
Student Holidays and Important Dates
August 25
First Day of School
August 29
Student Holiday- No School September 1
Labor Day Holiday- No School –
November 10
Veteran’s Day- No School November 20
Parent Conferences- Minimum Day November 21
Parent Conferences- No School November 24-28 Thanksgiving Break- No School December 19
Winter Break- Minimum Day Dec 22-Jan 2
Winter Break- No School January 19
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- No School February 9
Lincoln’s Birthday- No School February 16
President’s Day- No SchoolMarch 30-April 3 Spring Break- No School –
May 21
Open House
May 22
Minimum Day
May 25
Memorial Day- No School –
June 12
Last Day of School- Minimum Day –
Report Card Days: November 30, March 8 and June 12
SCHOOL HOURS
KINDERGARTEN:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Modified Day every Tuesday
8:15 – 1:15
8:15 – 12:30
Grades 1 – 3:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 8:15 – 2:23
Modified Day every Tuesday
8:15 – 12:49
Grades 4-5:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 8:15 – 2:26
Modified Day every Tuesday
8:15 – 12:47
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STUDENT BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS & DISCIPLINE POLICIES:
SCHOOL-WIDE RULES:
 Be a good listener- follow directions

Be prepared- bring homework, materials, parent signatures

Be respectful- no cursing, name calling, gossiping, teasing, or bullying; keep
hands, feet and objects to yourself

Be healthy- no gum, candy or soda at school

Be honest- no cheating or stealing

Be ready to learn- no toys, no personal items from home, no use of cell
phones (texting, or making calls) during class or recess, no outrageous hair
styles or colors, no dangerous weapons or objects

Be on time

Be in school uniform
We at Grovecenter believe that parents and teachers must work together to help
our students become positive, productive members of society. Parents are strongly
encouraged to counsel their children whenever a behavior issue occurs at school.
PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE POLICY: All students who choose not to follow the
school and/or district behavior policies may receive consequences for their
behavior. These consequences may include, but are not limited to the following:
Classroom warnings, notes, and calls home.
Restriction from recess
After school detention
Referral to the Principal
Referral to Saturday School Behavior Program
In-school suspension
Out of school suspension (see Ed.Code 48900, attached)
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ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL TIMES AND POLICIES
ARRIVAL:
Supervision IS NOT provided on our campus prior to 8:00 A.M. Students are not
allowed on campus before 8:00 A.M. unless they are participating in the Breakfast
Program, which runs from 7:40 – 8:10 A.M.
DISMISSAL:
Please be prompt in picking up your children. There is no supervision on our
campus after dismissal time. Students are expected to go directly home after
their dismissal from school, unless special arrangements have been made by the
teacher to detain a child. In this case, the teacher will notify you. Students waiting
for parents or baby-sitters to pick them up must wait at the south crosswalk.
Children are not allowed to play on the school grounds after dismissal.
Travel Rules and tips:
•Students walking to and from school are responsible for respecting
the property of others.
•School rules governing behavior must be upheld to and from school
(fights off campus on route home can lead to suspension).
•Have a pre-set route your child ALWAYS follows when walking to and
from school!
EARLY RELEASE OF STUDENTS DURING SCHOOL HOURS
If you must take your child out of school early, you must check your student out
from the office. Identification may be required. You may NOT go directly to the
classroom to take your child out early! If the person is NOT on the emergency
release card, the student will not be released.
REGISTRATION - EMERGENCY CARDS
All new and returning students must complete a registration form every year. This
form not only serves as proof of your enrollment, but it also serves as our
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION CARD. Be sure to name at least two
people who can be called in an emergency if you cannot be contacted. It is
important that you notify the school immediately of any changes in home and/or
work addresses and telephone numbers as well as your emergency contact numbers,
in case we need to contact you for emergency purposes. We may only release
students to persons listed on your registration form.
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ATTENDANCE
Attendance at school is not only the smart thing to do, it’s the law!
Academically: Being in class every day provides greater academic success.
Legally: The Compulsory Education Law requires all school-age children to attend
school on a consistent and regular basis. It is the parent’s responsibility to make
sure their children are in school. It is the law!
Financially: The state of California only compensates school districts for students
who are actually in attendance at school. Grovecenter receives NO FUNDING
for absences, including those related to illness or medical appointments. If your
student must miss school, it is important that he/she attends school for a portion
of the day.
Saturday School: The Covina-Valley Unified School District is committed to giving
students every opportunity to make up unavoidable excused absences, such as
those due to illness. Saturday School will be made available to all students and is
strongly urged for those students with more than three absences.
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
If your child is absent, please call the office at (626) 974-4400 to report the
absence. If, during your student’s absence, you wish to pick up a homework
assignment, requests need to be made before 10 a.m. and picked up after school.
Parents will be called to pick up sick children if they become ill at school.
School starts promptly at 8:15 a.m. and it is important that your child arrive
to school on time. Children arriving late to school must check into the school
office, sign the tardy book and take a tardy pass to the teacher. Your child will be
asked to make up lost instructional time after school or on Saturday for unexcused
absences or if he/she is consistently late.
Classroom Interruptions/Student Messages
Every classroom interruption disrupts the learning of your child. Please use the
“drop-off” table outside the office to deliver forgotten items. In an effort to
ensure maximum learning time, we cannot interrupt the classroom to deliver
forgotten items or to give students messages. Cell phones are not to be visible
during school hours.
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LUNCH AND RECESS SCHEDULE *
Lunch Schedule
Kindergarten
11:20 - 12:05
Grade 1
11:30 – 12:10
Grade 2
11:40 – 12:20
Grade 3
11:45 – 12:25
Grade 4
12:00 – 12:40
Grade 5
12:05 – 12:45
Recess Schedule
Kindergarten
10:00 – 10:15 AM or
10:15 – 10:30 AM
Grade 1 – 3
10:00 – 10:15 AM
Grade 4 – 5
10:15 – 10:30 AM
Grade 1 – 3
1:00 – 1:15 PM
*These times are subject to change
CAFETERIA – FOOD SERVICE INFORMATION
BREAKFAST PROGRAM
Breakfast is served 7:40 – 8:10 AM. The cost is $1.25. Breakfast will be free or
reduced for those students who qualify. Parents, please remain outside the
cafeteria during breakfast and lunch.
LUNCH
The school lunches cost $2.50 including milk. For convenience, you may pay for
meals in advance by putting money into your students lunch account. You may bring
money (cash or check) to the cafeteria during our breakfast service, you may give
cash to your child to add when he/she buys lunch or you may pay online.
Free or Reduced Lunch
You may apply for free or reduced meal prices. Applications are available in the
office and must be renewed each school year.
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SCHOOL UNIFORM / DRESS CODE POLICIES
All Covina-Valley K-5 schools have a mandatory uniform/standardized dress policy
adopted by the Board of Education. The standard dress policy colors include solid
navy blue or tan pants/shorts/skirts and solid white, red, or navy blue shirts.
Grovecenter t-shirts may also be worn.
Girls Attire:
Jumpers, dresses, skirts, long pants, walking shorts: solid navy blue or tan. Denim
Fridays ONLY!
Blouses, polo shirts, turtlenecks, outerwear: solid navy blue, red, or white.
Boys Attire:
Long pants, walking shorts: solid navy blue or tan. Denim on Fridays ONLY!
Polo shirts, turtlenecks, outerwear: solid navy blue, red, or white.
NOTE: Boy Scout/Girl Scout Uniforms are acceptable on meeting days.
Students who violate the dress code will be directed to call home for a change
of clothing or be loaned a uniform for the day.
Pants must fit properly on waist (no sagging).
Shirts must be a SOLID color (no logos, cartoons, etc.).
Shoes: Closed-toe shoes with straps across the heel. No flip-flops, backless shoes,
or “wheelie” shoes are allowed. Tennis shoes are the preferred shoe for all
students.
Hats: In general, hats/beanies are not permitted except in extreme cases of heat
or cold. All hats/beanies must be a plain, solid color without any team/sports logos,
etc. Hats may be worn OUTSIDE only.
Casual Fridays: DENIM ON FRIDAY ONLY WITH UNIFORM SHIRT!
Denim jeans (neat, clean, no holes) may be worn on FRIDAYS only! Students must
wear a uniform color shirt or a Grovecenter Spirit shirt with jeans.
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MEDICATION
State law prohibits students bringing any form of medication with them to school.
If your child needs to take any medication during school hours, prescription or
non-prescription, written and signed instructions from both the physician and
parent are required. Forms are available in the school office.
LIBRARY BOOKS AND TEXTBOOKS
Please take care of ALL Grovecenter books so many students can read them again
and again! All books must be returned after completion of the school year or
withdrawal from school. If any textbooks or library books are lost, stolen,
damaged, or destroyed, students will be required to pay for them.
INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
Access to the Internet will be available in each classroom. All parents and students
are required to read and sign the Internet Acceptable Use Policy Consent and
Waiver Form before using the Internet one time during their child's attendance at
school.
PETS
Pets are not allowed on school grounds at any time. No exceptions.
Please be involved and join our PTA!! You will meet new people and have fun helping
at school events! PTA Board meetings are scheduled monthly, please join us!
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STUDENT SAFETY AND CAMPUS SECURITY
PARKING LOT SAFETY
Student safety is our top priority!! Students, parents, and caregivers are expected
to follow safe practices at all times!! EVERYONE must use the crosswalks when
crossing the parking lots! A crossing guard is only stationed at the crosswalk on
Lark Ellen at the south exit driveway. Students must follow all traffic rules with
regards to crossing intersections. Please remember, the intersection at Lark Ellen
and Badillo is very busy. We do not have a crossing guard at this intersection.
Please follow these rules to keep our kids safe:
•STOP at the stop signs!
•Cross only at crosswalk (all children AND adults)!
•Speed limit is 5 miles per hour at all times!
•Use only the center drive-through lane to pick up your child.
•You may park and escort your child to the car. Please do not “honk” or yell
for your child to come to you.
•Park only in marked stalls. Do not park or wait in the red bus lane. Do not
park in the handicap parking slots unless you have a placard.
BICYCLES, SCOOTERS AND SKATES/WHEELIE SHOES
Students in grades 3 – 5 may ride bicycles to school. Student bike riders must
wear a helmet. Bicycles must be parked at the bicycle rack and locked. Please
review bike safety rules with your child, including the safest route to and from
school.
Students are not allowed to skate or skateboard to school. Bicycle riding,
scooters, skating, and skateboarding are not allowed on the Grovecenter campus.
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VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS
For student safety, all visitors, including volunteers, guest speakers, etc., must
report to the office, sign in, and obtain a visitor’s badge, before proceeding to any
other part of the campus.
Teachers will receive reasonable advance notice of visits by persons who are note
employees of the District. Visits by parents or guardians of students shall by
arranged by a mutually agreed upon conference between the teacher affected and
the persons scheduling the visit.
CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS/VOLUNTEERS: The staff at Grovecenter
welcomes you to visit your child’s class. The more you know about what your child is
learning, the better equipped you are to help at home! Ask your child’s teacher
about volunteering in the classroom and/or helping out for special events. If you
simply want to observe, please make an appointment, in advance, with your child’s
teacher.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Each month, Grovecenter students and staff conduct an emergency evacuation drill
(fire, earthquake, disaster, lockdown). In case of a real emergency, students will
stay with their teacher in an assigned area until the “all-clear” bell rings. Students
will not be released from the classroom. Students must be checked out from the
office. Identification may be required. Students will be released to person
indicated on the emergency release card ONLY.
Lockdown: If Grovecenter is in a lockdown mode due to a local, potentially violent
situation, every door on campus will remain locked – no outside persons will be
admitted to any room on campus for any reason. If the situation permits, doors will
be affixed with a hot pink note stating we are on lockdown. For your own safety,
stay in your locked vehicle at a safe distance. Do not loiter on campus during a
lockdown. Students will be dismissed only when law enforcement notifies us that it
is safe to do so.
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ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND PROGRAMS
Home-School Connection: At Grovecenter, we believe that parents and caregivers
are essential to our students’ success. All of our teachers provide parents with
regular communication about your child’s academic progress and behavior
standards.
HOMEWORK: All students from Kindergarten through fifth grade are assigned
homework daily. Completing homework at home provides students with independent
practice of skills learned at school. In addition, completing homework on time helps
develop self-discipline and fosters responsibility. It also gives your child a sense of
accomplishment that motivates them to reach higher standards. Your involvement
in your child’s education is key to their success, so please make certain that your
child does their assigned homework every night – no excuses. Your child’s teacher
is always available to help you with homework issues, so please seek their advice
should you have any concerns or questions about homework.
RIGOROUS CURRICULUM: All students will learn the California state standards
for their grade level, using state adopted curriculum. All students are taught in a
manner that encourages them to work their hardest to achieve their personal best.
HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS: All Grovecenter teachers meet the standards
for highly qualified teacher under the No Child Left Behind act. All Grovecenter
teachers have been trained to teach a diverse population of students with varying
academic skills and abilities. All of our teachers are able to meet the needs of ALL
students in the same classroom by differentiating the curriculum and instruction
to meet their students’ distinct needs and unique learning styles. We have an
awesome team of educators at Grovecenter who will see that every child succeeds!
REQUESTS FOR PLACEMENT/TEACHERS: Requests for particular teachers are
not granted since all Grovecenter teachers are highly qualified to teach all
students – from Special Needs students and English Language Learners, to gifted
(GATE) students and all students in-between. If you have a concern about your
child’s placement, please make an appointment with the principal to discuss your
concerns.
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EDUCATION CODE:
The governing board of any school district shall prescribe rules not inconsistent with
law or with the rules prescribed by the State Board of Education, for the government
and discipline of the schools under its jurisdiction. The school discipline rules and
procedures shall be consistent with any applicable policies adopted by the governing
board and state statutes governing school discipline. The Covina-Valley Unified
School District Board of Education recognizes the necessity of safety and order in the
schools as a prerequisite to learning. Students are expected to be considerate of the
rights, property and privileges of others and to cooperate with school staff members.
Education Code Section 48900 states a student shall be suspended from
school or recommended for expulsion when the superintendent or the principal
of the school in which the student is enrolled determines that the student has:
(a) (1) caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person;
(2) or 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.
(c) unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of
any controlled substance.
(d) unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance or any
intoxicant of any kind, and then either sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished another
liquid, substance, or material and represented the substance as a controlled
substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.
(e) committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion.
(f) caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property.
(g) stolen or attempted to steal school property or private property.
(h) possessed or used tobacco, or any products containing tobacco.
(i) committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.
(j) had unlawful possession of, or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug
paraphernalia.
(k) disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors,
teachers, administrators, school officials, or other school officials, or other school
personnel engaged in the performance of their duties.
(l) knowingly received stolen school property or stolen private property.
(m) possessed an imitation firearm.
(n) committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault and/or a sexual battery as defined in
the Penal Code.
(o) harassed, threatened, or intimidated a student who is a complaining witness or witness in
a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that student from
being a witness or retaliating against that student for being a witness, or both.
(p) unlawfully offered, arranged to sell, negotiated to sell, or sold the prescription drug Soma.
(q) engaged in, or attempted to engage in, hazing as defined in Section 32050.
(r) Aided or abetted the infliction or attempted infliction of physical injury to
another person.
In addition to the reasons specified in Education Code Section 48900, a student
may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent,
or the principal of the school in which the student is enrolled, determines that the
student has:
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48900.2 committed sexual harassment. This section shall apply only to
students in grades 4-12, inclusive; For further information you may
contact the Assistant Superintendent, 974-7000, ext. 2006. School
office can provide Board Policy.
48900.3 caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an
act of hate violence. This section shall apply only to students in
grades 4-12, inclusive;
48900.4intentionally engaged in harassment, threats, or intimidation;
48900.7made terrorist threats against school officials or school property or
both.
Suspension shall be imposed only when other means of correction fail to bring
about proper conduct. However, a student, including an individual with
exceptional needs, may be suspended for any of the reasons enumerated above
upon a first offense, if the principal or superintendent determines that the
student violated subdivision (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of Section 48900 or that the
student's presence causes a danger to persons or property or threatens to
disrupt the instructional process.
Suspension or Expulsion Due Process
A student may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion from the District. If a
student does become involved in a situation in which there is a suspension or an expulsion
recommendation, the student and parent(s) will be given information on due process.
Law
enforcement will be notified when incidents involve controlled substances and/or assault with
weapons, or when a principal determines that it is appropriate. Mandatory offenses for which
expulsion must be recommended, and the governing board must expel the student are: possession of,
selling or furnishing a firearm; brandishing a knife at another person; unlawfully selling a controlled
substance, committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault or battery (Section 48900(n), or
possession of an explosive (M-80 or larger).
If you have any questions about this information, please contact your school principal.
Compulsory Full-Time Education
E.C. 48200 Each person between the ages of 6 and 18 years of age is subject to compulsory full-time
education. Each person subject to compulsory 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 in which the residency of either the parent or legal guardian is
located and each parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of the pupil shall send the
pupil to 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 in which the residence of either
the parent or legal guardian is located.
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Uniform Complaint Procedures
The informational pamphlet about appeals, civil law remedies and donations
under which a complaint may be taken directly to the California Department of
Education is available from the Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services
(974-7000, ext. 2070), during normal working hours. The Complaint
Procedures are also posted in the school office.
Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drug Use Prevention Programs (BP 5148)
Drug, alcohol and tobacco use is strictly prohibited at Grovecenter
School.
Because the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs adversely affects a
student’s ability to achieve academically, is physically and emotionally
harmful, and has serious social and legal consequences, the Board intends to
keep District Schools tobacco, alcohol and drug free.
The Board recognizes that there are students who misuse tobacco, alcohol and
other drugs and can benefit from drug intervention programs. The Board
supports intervention programs that include the involvement of students,
parents, and community organizations. Referrals for “Stop Smoking Programs”
are available in the school office.
The Board desires that every effort be made to reduce student use of tobacco,
alcohol and other drugs. The Board of Education authorizes the
Superintendent or designee to suspend, transfer to another regular school,
reassign to continuation high school (provided the student is 16 years of age or
older), or recommend for expulsion a student who has on school premises or at
school-related activities possessed, used, sold, distributed, or been under the
influence of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. Drugs, which have been
prescribed for a student by a licensed physician, are an exception to that
student.
SAFE PLACE TO LEARN ACT
EC234 and 234.1. Grovecenter School is committed to maintaining a learning
environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, violence,
intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived characteristics such as
disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or
ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group
with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. All school
personnel who witness an act of discrimination, harassment, violence,
intimidation, or bullying must take immediate steps to intervene when it is safe
to do so. Any student who engages in acts of discrimination, harassment,
violence, intimidation, or bullying related to school activity or school
attendance occurring within a school of the school district may be subject to
disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. To report an incidence
and/or to receiving a copy of the district's antidiscrimination, anti-harassment,
anti-intimidation, and anti-bullying policies, please contact the school
principal.
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PARENT – STUDENT HANDBOOK CONFIRMATION
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE
My child and I have read the attached Parent and Student handbook. We
understand the rules, Educational Codes and policies. We are committed to helping
our child be successful in school and will make sure our child…
- is dressed in the school uniform each day
- turns in completed homework on time
- attends school on time each day
- follows the school Code of Conduct
Parent Signature: _______________________________________
Student Signature: ______________________________________
Teacher: ______________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________
PADRE – ESTUDIANTE MANUAL DE CONFIRMACIÓN
POR FAVOR FIRME Y REGRESA ESTA PAGINA
Mi hijo y yo hemos leído el manual de Estudiante de la Escuela y en el
Manual para Padres. Somos conscientes de las normas, reglas de
comportamiento, el Código de Educación, y políticas.
Firma del Padre: ____________________________________________
Firma del Estudiante: ________________________________________
Profesor: __________________________________________________
Fecha: ____________________________________________________
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