For Students and Parents Kindergarten-8th Grade
New Cuyama, California
Welcome! Whether you are a newcomer to our school or an "old-timer," we hope you find this school year a memorable and exciting one. Cooperation is, of course, the key. And, toward that end we suggest that you read this handbook thoroughly. It will tell you exactly what we expect of you and what services and benefits you may expect from the school.
It is our expectation that this year will be one of the most rewarding in your school career.
The hopes and desires for your son/daughter are the same as that of the school -- the best possible progress toward the realization of his/her highest capabilities. To accomplish this goal, full cooperation between home and school is essential.
The following suggestions are intended to help you to contribute to your child's success in school:
See that your son/daughter is in school every day, unless there is sickness or an emergency. Regular and punctual attendance is the greatest single factor in school success.
Parents are responsible for clearing absences of their children. You must
contact the school within two school days after your child returns to school.
Absences may be cleared with a phone call or a note.
Help your son/daughter to maintain school property. All books, materials, and unexpended supplies issued to students are expected to be returned to the school in good condition. Ordinary wear, of course, is expected. Other than ordinary wear, damage, or loss of school property, however, is the monetary responsibility of students and parents/guardians.
The District Administration has the legal right to conduct inspections if there is reason to believe something illegal or dangerous is contained in lockers, backpacks or purses. These inspections may include the search of any personal belongings left in lockers such as purses and backpacks.
The Cuyama Joint Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, national origin or handicap. The lack of English language skills will not prohibit any student from admission to and participation in any class or program.
All students in the Cuyama Joint Unified School District have the right to:
A free education until the age of 18 or until they graduate from high school.
Equal educational opportunity without being disturbed by the misbehavior of other students or by people who do not belong on campus.
Freedom from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental handicap, age, or medical condition with regard to its educational programs, activities, or admission policies.
Due process with regard to disciplinary action (including suspension or expulsion).
Respect, cooperation, and responsibility are the foundation to a successful program. No one can give you an education, only an opportunity. So, take your responsibilities seriously, for your school -- and for yourself.
Students in the Cuyama Joint Unified School District have the responsibility to:
Protect the rights of others to study and to work
Attend classes daily
Be on time for all classes
Obey school, district, and state rules
Dress appropriately for school
Cooperate with school personnel at all times
Come to classes with necessary books, materials, and otherwise prepared to work
Complete all class work and homework, participate in class, and meet deadlines
Register all visitors at School office. Pre-arrangements should be made whenever feasible.
Respect public and private property.
See that progress reports to parents reach home.
Pay for any lost or damaged books, materials, or equipment.
The Cuyama Valley High School Student Council has adopted the following Code of Ethics. This Code is meant to help students to know what is expected of them while at school, at school activities, going to and from school, and/or while representing the school in any way:
Things You Need to KnowSCHOLARSHIP
Students should make every effort to maintain good scholarship. This is the primary reason for school.
CHARACTER
Students are expected to be dependable, honest, and reliable. Students of good character do not require extensive rules in order to maintain good conduct.
Students are expected to respect the individual differences in other students. This includes differences in appearance, physical ability, race, or creed.
Students are expected to strive to improve mental, moral, and physical fitness.
APPEARANCE
Students are expected to dress neatly and appropriately while at school, at school activities, and/or while representing the school in any way. If a student’s appearance detracts from the teaching-learning environment, creates a disturbance, or otherwise is deemed inappropriate for school, the principal or her/his designees will take steps to correct the problem. Students who are repeatedly dressed inappropriately will be sent home, assigned in-school suspension, or be otherwise subjected to reasonable measures to correct the misbehavior.
COMMUNICATION
Whether speaking or writing, all students are expected to use appropriate English.
LEADERSHIP
Students holding leadership positions are expected to:
Take pride in his/her office and in his/her school
Work hard to fulfill the requirements of his/her office
To formulate and express ideas worthy of merit.
Personal phone calls made from the school office must have prior approval from the student’s teacher, teacher on duty and permission from the office staff.
Your textbooks are issued to you free. If you lose your textbook, you must pay for it before a second one is issued. You also must pay a pro-rated amount for any damages that occur to any textbook or library book, which is checked out to you. Nonpayment for loss or damage will result in a hold on student records.
When you return to school after an illness or absence of any kind, you must have a written excuse from your parent/guardian. The note must be presented to the school secretary on the first day of your return in order to obtain an admission slip for classes. If you return to school without a phone call or written excuse, you will be issued an unexcused absence slip. Absences not cleared within twenty school days will be considered to be unexcused.
P. E. excuses must come from the parent or the doctor. An excuse from the doctor is required if you will not be taking P. E. for more than three days.
You may not carry your own medication except with express consent, and documentation on file, from the principal. The office will only dispense medication to students when there are written directions on file signed by both parent and attending physician. See the school office for forms.
All students are expected to eat a nutritious breakfast and lunch each day. The school serves nutritious meals every school day. Breakfast is served beginning at 8:00 a.m. each morning and each class is assigned a lunch period. Students entitled to free or reduced-price meals should inquire in the school office for further information. Students should conduct themselves properly while in the lunch line and cafeteria.
The district's schools maintain closed campuses throughout the entire school day, including lunch. Parents/Guardians must check a student out from the school office before they may leave campus for any reason. The name of the person checking a student out must be listed on the student’s emergency card or the school must have written or verbal permission to release the student.
The library is for your convenience and pleasure. Please take advantage of it. Books are loaned for a period of two weeks. Fines will be charged on all overdue books. Students/Parents are responsible for the cost of replacement for lost or damaged books. Students with outstanding fines will not be allowed to check out books until these fines are paid.
Above all else, please keep your campus clean. Don't be a litterbug. Please see that all papers and trash are placed in proper containers. It is your school, so take care of it.
ANTI-LITTER PROGRAMThe principal must approve all school activities and place them on the activity calendar.
Progress Reports that indicate whether a student is failing or near failing a specific class are issued on the 5th week of each quarter. This parent/student notification is timed so that the student has a chance to improve his/her grade(s) before permanent quarter grade(s) are issued.
Student safety is always a number one concern. In case of an accident, the teacher in charge will complete an accident report. The teacher will notify the principal and all appropriate measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the students and staff. All appropriate reports will be filed and submitted to district office within the appropriate time restraints.
The goal of this program is to have a clean, neat and orderly campus we can all be proud of. Each class will be responsible for cleaning the campus once a week during each month. The goal is twofold: First, to have a clean campus; and, Second, to give students an opportunity to demonstrate pride in their school. Showing teamwork, spirit, and pride will result in positive benefits to both students, staff and community.
State law requires that students be in school. Parents need to see that their students are in school, on time and with all materials needed for the day’s instruction. If you have any concerns in this area, please let the principal know.
One or more awards events are held each quarter. At these ceremonies students receive deserved recognition for accomplishments. Parents will be notified each quarter of the dates.
BOY - GIRL RELATIONSPublic display of affection is inappropriate behavior at school. Therefore, students are to refrain from displaying excessive personal affection on school property, at school functions, or on school outings.
All students are expected to eat a nutritional breakfast and lunch each day. Cuyama Joint Unified School District provides both a breakfast program (before classes begin and a lunch program). Lunch applications, breakfast and/or lunch tickets need to be purchased through the school office. No breakfast or lunch charges will be allowed.
For your child’ safety and welfare, we must know how to reach a responsible adult at all times. Please see that all changes of residence, mailing address or telephone number are reported to the office immediately.
Various California State Laws and the Education Code state that the school is responsible for each student from the time they leave home to come to school until they arrive home. Therefore, any student leaving campus during the day, for any reason, must be checked out through the office. The parent or guardian will be notified, and the student will be referred to the principal. Any student receiving three (3) cuts within the school year is classified truant. A parent conference will be scheduled, and the student may be subject to suspension and/or the parent or guardian may be requested to accompany the student to school and attend classes with the student. The student may also be reported to the School Attendance Review Board or County Sheriff Department for failure to comply with the County Daytime Curfew Ordinance. (Section 20-2.1)
Students are expected to be neat and clean at all time.
Any student who wears clothing that distracts from the learning process will be required to contact his/her parent/guardian and have them bring suitable attire. Any student in violation of this rule on three (3) separate occasions within the school year will be subject to the consequences listed in Appendix A. (Specific Dress Code requirements are referenced as Appendix A in the back of this book.)
Participation in extra-curricular activities are open to students attending, in good standing, Cuyama Elementary School. Participating in any extra-curricular activity is a privilege. This privilege may be revoked for inappropriate behavior. To be eligible for participation in any extra-curricular activity, the student must be in attendance at school for at least a minimum day (240 minutes) the day of the scheduled activity. Students who are absent from school the day following an activity jeopardize their eligibility for following activities and will be referred to the principal.
Extracurricular Activities - Grade Requirements are as follows:
To participate in extracurricular activities 6-12 grade students in the Cuyama Joint Unified School District must maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) with no "F’s" as part of that average. In addition, a
student may not be eligible to participate if they have earned a "U" in citizenship during that eligibility period.
Students who do not satisfy these minimum standards may be granted a "grace period" of one-quarter probation. A student who doesn't make satisfactory educational progress and achieve a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average during the probationary period shall not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities in the subsequent quarter."
Good citizenship is necessary for participating on our athletic teams. Failure to maintain high standards of conduct as determined by the coach, teacher, and/or the administration, will result in suspension or disciplinary measures which can include detention and exclusion from extracurricular activities. Students receiving an accumulation of five (5) tardies during a quarter, (aggregate of all classes) will become ineligible to participate for the following quarter. Being on time is part of the citizenship grade. An unsatisfactory citizenship grade will result in ineligibility for the following quarter. It is the responsibility of the teachers to notify the coach or principal when a student is in danger of becoming ineligible.
We, the students of Cuyama School District, pledge ourselves to do our best to create better sportsmanship by being courteous to everyone at all times, to work and play to the best of our ability, to win or lose gracefully, and to treat other people as we would like them to treat us.
Fire drills are held once a month. The signal for the drill is a series of four short blasts of the bell or fire alarm system. All work must stop immediately and classes are to be evacuated by the route indicated by the teacher, The signal for the return to the classroom is one long ring.
The fire alarm boxes are not to be touched except in case of fire. Anyone who tampers with the alarm boxes will be reported to the fire department.
GRADUATION ON STAGE REQUIREMENTS
Graduation on stage and participation in Graduation activities is an honor and a privilege. To earn this privilege, the student must meet the following criteria:
Student must maintain a GPA of 2.0 during their graduation year.
Student must be in attendance 150 days or 85% of the school year during their graduation year.
Student must not receive an "F," "Incomplete," or "U" during the fourth quarter of their graduation year.
Student has not been suspended from school more than three times in their graduation year. (Three out of class suspensions are equal to one full day of out of school suspension)
Student has not been referred to the Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) during their graduation year.
These standards will be implemented in the third quarter of their graduation year to determine eligibility for trips and graduation activities for eighth graders.
HONOR ROLL (For grades 6th through 8th)
Hard work and progress should be rewarded. Students in grades 6-8th will have this opportunity. A quarterly honor roll will be published at the end of each quarter to show recognition for these students’ accomplishments.
There are three categories:
Honor Roll with Highest Honors 4.00 GPA
Honor Roll with High Honors 3.50 - 3.99 GPA (No D's or F's)
Honor Roll 3.00 0 3.49 GPA (No D’s or F’s)
The Cuyama Joint Unified School District offers Independent Study as a component of the Alternative Education program. Parents of students needing to be absent from the area are asked to contact the School Office in a timely manner for program guidelines.
Books, materials, and supplies belonging to the District and issued to students but found on school grounds will be picked up and delivered to the office where students may claim them. Students demonstrating repeated carelessness in the maintenance and safeguarding of school property will be subjected to disciplinary actions.
Other lost articles found in the buildings or on the grounds are also brought to the office. When you lose an article, check with the office or custodian. These items are kept for one quarter. If they are not claimed, they are donated to a worthy organization.
The Cuyama Elementary School office is open from 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily. All school business should be transacted during these hours. Ms. Carol Hudson is the secretary and the phone number is 766-2642. The FAX number is: 766-2244.
The CJUSD District/Business Offices are also located on the elementary campus and are open from 8:00- 4:30 daily to assist you. The phone number is 766-2482 FAX number is 766-2255.
Various student groups take school sponsored trips throughout the year. Only those students who have demonstrated positive behaviors will be allowed to attend. The principal with input from teachers will make the final determination.
The following regulations apply to all school sponsored events whether these events are on school property or not:
Prior approval by the site administrator must be granted before any trip is scheduled.
All students must go in school arranged transportation.
All students must return by school arranged transportation unless the parents personally pick up the student or have made written arrangements for another adult to pick up the student at the end of the activity. By law, releasing the student requires prior written approval of both the parent/guardian and the school principal/administrator designee.
Students who miss school while on school sponsored trips will not be counted absent.
Students are responsible for the observance of all safety rules while riding in school arranged conveyances.
Students making a school sponsored trip shall be under the supervision of a sponsor and shall be expected to conduct themselves properly.
Students who do not observe the above forfeit their privileges of making school sponsored trips for the remainder of the school year. Other administrative action may also be taken.
SIXTH GRADE SCIENCE CAMP (Santa Barbara County Outdoor School)
Each year, sixth grade students have the opportunity to attend an outdoor science camp at the Santa Barbara County Education Office OUTDOOR SCHOOL CAMP in the Santa Ynez Mountains near Cachuma Lake. Funding for attendance comes from fund raising activities by the 6th grade students organized by their teachers, donations and parental assistance. A parents/student meeting will be scheduled in September to discuss this opportunity and how we will go about securing funding for all students.
The eighth grade trip occurs late in the spring. The trip is to Sacramento and other points of interest and study. Student work during the year to raise all needed funds. All plans for this trip must be completed by the end of the third quarter. In order to attend the activity, the student must be in attendance at the school site at the time of departure and be a citizen in good standing. Students who elect not to go on the senior trip will be provided with an appropriate program for those days at school.
"No student, or other person in attendance at any public, private, parochial, military school, college or other educational institution, shall conspire to engage in hazing, participate in hazing, or commit any act that injures, degrades, or disgraces any fellow student or person attending that institution."
The following guidelines have been developed in order to address those students who accrue multiple tardies. If in one (1) quarter the student receives:
Three (3) tardies (aggregate of all classes): Student receives written notification.
Four (4) tardies (aggregate of all classes): Student and parents receive written notification.
Five (5) or more tardies (aggregate of all classes): Student and parents receive written notification and possible referral to the Santa Barbara County School Attendance Review Board (SARB).
Students with excessive absences may be restricted from non-academic activities during the year. They may also be referred to SARB. The principal will make this determination with input from teachers and staff.
Cuyama Joint Unified School District reserves the right to suspend and/or recommend expulsion of any student that is in violation of statutes contained in the California Education Code Section 48900.
Suspension and expulsion are the responsibility of the principals, superintendent or their designee.
The following are some of the causes for suspension:
Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause, physical injury to another person.
Possessed, sold or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object.
Possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind.
Offered or arranged or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind, and then sold, deliver or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance or material and represented the liquid substance or material as a substance, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant.
Committed robbery or extortion.
Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property, or private.
Stole or attempted to steal school property or private.
Possessed or used tobacco.
Committed an obscene act, or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.
Had unlawful possession of, offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia.
Disrupted school activities, or willfully defied the authority of school personnel.
Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.
Possessed an imitation firearm.
Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault.
Being in the possession of an electronic signaling device, including but not limited to, a pager or cellular telephone.
TEXTBOOKS, CALCULATORS, AND OTHER SCHOOL PROPERTY
The teachers issue textbooks, calculators, and/or other school property to students. Each student is responsible for the care and safekeeping of these items assigned. The condition of each of these items is rated and recorded by the teachers before issuance.
When students are issued textbooks for class use, they should sign their name and the year in the space provided within the school stamp found at the face of the text. Your cooperation in this matter will help to track books and save both the school and your parents’ money.
Books, calculators, and other school property issued to students, who become lost or misused, must be paid for in the amount of repair or replacement.
**
Students who owe fines at the beginning of the year need to see the principal before additional books, calculators or other school property are issued.If you are leaving the area it is important to withdraw your enrollment from school unless you have made arrangements for an independent study. To withdraw the parent must come into the school office or the student must bring a signed note from his/her parent/guardian authorizing the withdrawal. All books, fees and other records must be cleared before a student receives credit for work done.
WORK PERMITS (for middle school and high school students)
All students under 18 years of age are required by law to have a work permit if they are employed. Work permits are free and can be obtained through the front office during the regular school year and from the district office during the summer. Failure to secure a work permit can result in both the student and the employer being cited by the California State Labor Board.
The Associated Student Body is open to all students enrolled in Cuyama Elementary School Grades 6-8. The Student Body President chairs the A.S.B. Student Council. The remainder of the council includes the Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer Historian.
The Student Council shall meet on a day set aside by the Student Council: at least once every two weeks.
The powers and responsibilities of the A.S.B. Student Council are:
To act as a barometer of student opinion
To grant audiences to any club or individual at any time
To promote general social life in the school, including the sponsoring of dances and assemblies
To sponsor assembly programs, including honors assemblies
To authorize special days
To charter clubs. If necessary, to revoke them
To maintain the concessions for the classes
To create, supervise and coordinate committees for special services or activities
To promote respect for the school and private property
To approve the social calendar events sponsored by or involving the ASB
To pass on any necessary legislation to carry out any foregoing powers
To stimulate student interest in activities
To authorize class fund-raising events
To maintain a student store
The teacher is responsible for the conduct of the student in the classroom and the corrective measures to be taken to bring about appropriate behavior. All teachers will have posted in their respective rooms a list of their rules. The following list of rules pertain to all classrooms school wide:
Be prepared for class each day by bringing supplies (pencils, pens, books and paper, etc.).
Be courteous to the teacher and to fellow class members.
No eating or drinking in the classrooms.
Sunglasses will not be worn inside school buildings.
Hats will not be worn inside school buildings.
Gum chewing is not allowed on school campus.
Note: The individual teacher may add to this list, since each teacher has his/her own expectations for student behavior. Teachers are responsible for documenting and tracking (1) the misbehavior, (2) the date it occurred, (3) what action was taken by the teacher to bring about behavior change and (4) the date action was taken.
The California Education Code Chapter 6, Article 1, Section 48910, allows the teacher to suspend a student from the teacher’s class for the day of the suspension and the following day for any of the reasons outlined under Ed. Code 48900 above. At that time the student will be removed from the classroom and a student/teacher/parent conference will be held. (see Ed Code 498010 for guidelines).
If a student is referred for disciplinary reasons, the on-sight administrator will use the California Education Code, in determining the consequences of infractions.
Grades K, 1, 2, 3 Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
1. Name on board 1. Warning
2. Check by name 2. Benched
3. Benched 3. Discipline Notice
4. Discipline Notice 4. Parent/Teacher Conference
5. Parent/Teacher Conference 5. Parent/Teacher/PrincipalConf.
6. Parent/Teacher/Principal Conference 6. Referral to Principal, Suspension
APPENDIX A
CUYAMA JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
DRESS CODE
(Based on Board Policy 5132 and Adm. Reg. 5132 a.)
To ensure that students attending our schools have a safe and secure environment focused on learning, keeping in mind good taste and appearance, the following dress code will be maintained at all campuses. This dress code is designed to allow students to:
Focus on the educational process;
Create a positive school image;
Reflect self-respect, pride and good judgment;
Development an awareness of appropriate dress to place and action.
Therefore, clothing and/or accessories shall be neat, clean and shall not detract from or disrupt the educational process of the school.
The following are not allowed on any clothing which includes, but is not limited to dresses/skirts, hats, shirts/blouses, pants/trousers/shorts/slacks, shoes/boots, jackets/coats/sweaters, bandannas/scarves, and gloves:
Advertisement or representations of controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs.
Pictures, words, or messages pertaining to sex or profanity, lewdness.
Pictures, words, or messages pertaining to gang membership.
Pictures, words or messages pertaining to violence against any living thing, a portrayal of death or torture.
Pictures, words, or messages pertaining to racism or cultural prejudice.
Accessories dealing with or portraying drug use of paraphernalia are not acceptable.
Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times, except for specific classroom activities such as swimming.
Dresses or skirts must be fingertip length of the wearer. Shorts/skorts must also fit this length with at least a 3-inch visible inseam.
Shirts:
Tank tops: must have at least a 2-inch shoulder band and may not have a deep underarm scoop. Shirts with 2 inch or wider shoulders will be judged to be a sleeveless blouse and are acceptable.
All shirts must reach the waist of the wearer at all times.
No halter tops, spaghetti straps, strapless tops, or sheer tops. Necklines shall be high enough to avoid cleavage.
No torn shirts or shirts that has holes.
Pants/Trousers/Slacks, etc.:
Shall not be so tight as to constrict movement or call attention to the wearer’ anatomy.
Not be shredded or cut where there are holes that show skin or underwear.
Bike shorts or Speedoes, due to the skintight nature of the material are not acceptable for school.
Pants are to fit and be worn at the student’s natural waist. Pants that are considered baggy at the waist or inseam are not to be worn.
Wallet chains must be attached to a belt loop and wallet.
Belts must be in belt loops at all times and not hanging down.
Undergarments must not be visible at any time.
Hats:
Shall be clean and not contain holes.
Shall not depict any inappropriate messages (see #1 for specifics).
Shall not be worn inside the classroom, other school buildings or cafeteria (outside P.E., athletics or Ag activities are acceptable under the directive of staff).
Sunglasses:
Shall not be worn in the classroom, other school buildings or cafeteria. Any exception must be cleared with the site principal.
May be worn during outside activities and/or P.E.
Shoes/Boots:
Shoes/boots will be worn while on school campuses and to all classes.
Shoes should have backs or secure straps on the back of the shoe for safety during activities, especially at the elementary school.
Middle/High School P.E.: Gym shoes are required for activities.
Consequences:
First Offense:
Call home and have appropriate attire brought to school
Be required to put on coat, jacket, sweatshirt or shirt provided by school
Second Offense:
Be isolated from the rest of the students for the day until parent or guardian can be reached and meet with site principal.
Third Offense:
1. Student/Parent/Principal conference and suspension.