Parent Handbook

Lafayette Elementary School

950 Moraga Road, Lafayette, CA  94549

(925) 927-3570

Melissa Barclay, Principal

Chloe McArthur, Assistant Principal

Deanna Poulsen, Office Manager

Lafayette Elementary School 

Family Handbook

Policies and Procedures

2024-25

This handbook is provided to all Lafayette Elementary families.  School information published in this handbook is subject to such changes that may be needed to ensure continued compliance with federal, state, or local regulations and are subject to such review and alteration as becomes necessary for the routine operation of the school. Not all rules, regulations, and information can be written and inserted in the handbook.

 

August, 2024

Welcome to Lafayette Elementary School. We hope the following information fills you in on the most important aspects of how we operate at school. Please reach out with any questions that you may have for us. The entire Lafayette Elementary School staff is committed to providing our students with engaging and meaningful experiences. We look forward to a positive and productive school year together.

Additional information about our partnership with the PTA and Lafayette Partners in Education may be found on our school website.

Thank you,

Melissa Barclay

Principal

[email protected]

May we take this opportunity to acquaint you with some policies and procedures of our school.

School Attendance 

Importance of Regular School Attendance 

Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways to prepare your child for success—both in school and in life. Our Lafayette teachers work diligently to plan lessons for each school day that teach students important concepts and skills. When students miss all or part of a school day, they miss important learning opportunities. By prioritizing regular school attendance, you can prepare your children for a lifetime of success. 

Here are some ways you can support your students' positive attendance:

• Plan vacations during non-school days.
• When possible, schedule your child’s medical and dental appointments outside of school hours. 
• Make sure your child attends school every day unless he/she is ill or observing a major religious holiday. 

Thank you for supporting our efforts to maximize student learning through regular school attendance. We aim to work in partnership with you—parents and guardians—to provide our students with every opportunity to participate fully in school!

Absences: 

State law funds districts based on the daily attendance of students. This makes attendance at school important for the consistency of the educational experience of our children as well as for funding purposes. Parents/Guardians must contact the school to report absences. Students who are sick should stay home. 

Excused Absences: 

Students who are sick should stay home. Students with a temperature over 100° F or who have experienced flu-like symptoms, including vomiting, need to be free of symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school. California Education Code section 48205 determines which absences can be considered excused; all other absences are unexcused. Applicable excused absences for students in grades TK-8 are as follows: 

• Illness (Please review CDPH Guidelines for Illnesses: When to Keep Your Child Home from School), including absence to benefit the student's mental or behavioral health. 
• Quarantine under county health officer 
• Medical, dental, or vision appointments 
• Funeral for an immediate family member *Mother, Father, Grandmother, Grandfather, Brother, Sister, and any other relative living in the household (Education Code 45194) 1 day in CA; 3 days out of state
• Appearance in court 
• Religious holiday or retreat (retreat limited to 4 hrs./semester) 
• Spending time with uniformed immediate family members in active duty (deployed to combat zone) 
• Attending a naturalization ceremony to become a United States Citizen

Unexcused Absences and Truancy:

The California Department of Education considers all absences for reasons not listed above unexcused. This includes family vacations during school and other absences that parents may feel are reasonable or even necessary due to family circumstances. 

California Education Code Section 48263.6 defines chronic absenteeism as being absent from school (excused and unexcused) for 10% or more of the school days in one school year. LAFSD students attend school for 180 days; therefore, 10% is equivalent to 18 missed school days. Chronic absenteeism is an indicator used to assess schools and school districts on the California School Dashboard https://www.caschooldashboard.org The Dashboard provides information that schools can use to improve their performance.

Mandatory Parent/Guardian Notifications About Truancy:

Mandatory Parent/Guardian Notifications About Truancy California Education Code Section 48260.5 mandates that schools notify parents/guardians when a student’s unexcused absences meet or exceed the following benchmarks: 

• First Notification: Any combination of three (3) unexcused absences or excessive tardies/late (more than 30 minutes) in one school year. 
• Second Notification: Any combination of six (6) unexcused absences or excessive tardies/late (more than 30 minutes) in one school year. 
• Third Notification: Any additional unexcused absences or excessive tardies/late (more than 30 minutes) in one school year. 

Reporting Absences: 

If your child will be absent from school please call the school attendance line at 925-927-3578 or email [email protected] and leave the following information:

• Say and spell your child’s last name and first name
• Child’s grade
• Your name and your relationship to the child
• Nature of absence, length and date of absence. Communicable diseases must be reported.

You may call the attendance line 24 hours a day, enabling you to leave a message during non-office hours. While it is beneficial for your child’s teacher to be informed of an absence, it is imperative for the office staff to be notified as well.

In the case of a prolonged absence, 3 days or more, we suggest you contact your child’s teacher for assignments. Assignments may be picked up in the office after school.  Independent Studies are available for a planned absence of 4 - 10 days. Please visit the main office to pick up an Independent Study form.

Tardy and Late Arrival: 

Students are expected to be at school ready to work when the bell rings. Tardiness interrupts the flow of classroom instruction, and the student misses out on critical instruction. Excessive tardiness is viewed as a serious attendance matter. If tardiness is a persistent problem, parents will be notified via district attendance letters, and the Student Attendance Review Team will convene to address the issue. 

Tardy = Arrival 30 minutes or less late to school 

Late = More than 30 minutes late to school

Attendance is taken in the classroom immediately after the bell rings. Students arriving late must stop by the office for an admit slip before going to their classroom. It is imperative for all students to check in the office if they are late.

Permission to Leave School: 

We expect students to avoid school-hour appointments whenever possible. If your child needs to leave school during the day for an appointment or other reason, an authorized adult must sign out the student at the office. Do not go to the classroom. Students will only be released to people authorized on the emergency contact list.

After School: No after school supervision is provided. 

Students are to go directly home or to after school daycare. Students who are not supervised, will be escorted to the office so that parents can be called. If you have before or after school daycare needs, there are two independently run programs offered on our campus. Please contact:

1. CATS at (925)283-4500
2. Skyhawks After School Program will return to LES for the 2024-25 school year! Please use this link to learn more about the program and enrollment information.

Short-Term Independent Study Program:

LAFSD Board Policy 6158 and Administrative Regulation 6158: Independent Study authorizes independent study as an alternative instructional strategy to serve students who will miss school for between four and ten school days and who will complete assignments made by the teacher for this period. If you anticipate that your child will be absent four (4) days or more from school for any reason, families may request an Independent Study Contract. The maximum number of Independent Study days for the academic school year is ten (10) school days. The process begins with making a request with the school office manager at least two weeks in advance of the first day of absence. Once approved, the teacher(s) can prepare and provide educational activities for your child during the absence. This provides a continuing program for your child and avoids a financial loss for the school. The signed contract and completed work must be returned within one day of the student's return to school. Credit and absence excusal is only given when the completed form and all work is returned to the front office.  

 

As a packet of work can never completely replace the learning that occurs in the classroom, we strongly encourage students and families to limit independent study requests to one per school year. However, if your family's circumstances necessitate more than one independent study contract within the same school year, you are welcome to request more than one, provided you stay within ten (10) days for the school year. 

 

Short-Term Independent Study for Medical Illness/Absences:  

A parent/caregiver should request an independent study contract:

• If your student has a medical illness requiring your student to be absent for four (4) days or more.  They may be eligible for a short-term independent study contract. Please contact the school office manager or district nurse. 

 

Any student with a temporary, short-term disability that makes attendance in regular school or an alternative education program impossible or inadvisable should reach out to the Student Services Department for Home and Hospital consideration.

Communication

Back to School Night will be held during the first two weeks of school in August. TK/K will be on Wednesday August 14, 2024. First - Fifth Grades will be on Wednesday August 21, 2024

Report cards are issued at the end of fall, winter and spring trimesters. Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for mid - September. This is prior to the first report card to enable parents and teachers to set goals and establish a partnership to support your child.

Parents may communicate with teachers through e-mail and voice mail. Email addresses and telephone numbers can be found on the school website. Classroom teachers have websites and publish weekly, bi-weekly, and/or monthly newsletters. The school’s email messaging system will also be used to communicate important school information to our families.

Every Tuesday the PTA publishes a newsletter called Leopard Spots that includes calendar information, school news and upcoming events. Sign up for email delivery of Leopard Spots on the PTA website.

The Principal’s Weekly Message will be sent out on Friday afternoons through the Parent Square messaging platform.

The PTA also maintains its own website, https://lafayettepta.membershiptoolkit.com/, which provides a wealth of useful information, including information about PTA meetings, the family directory, volunteer information, and the school calendar.

Directory – The PTA creates an online student directory each fall. This is a list of student addresses and phone numbers you may select to be included in. It is provided free to all PTA members.

Messages/Deliveries for Students – Only emergency messages will be delivered to children during school hours. Please leave any communications or items in the school office only. Your child will be sent to the office to receive messages/deliveries. Please do not contact your child on a watch or phone during school hours. These devices should remain at home or in your student’s backpack during school hours.

 

Health 

Immunizations:

Children must be fully immunized in accordance with law in order to be admitted to school. Children shall be excluded from school or exempted from immunization requirements only as allowed by law. For a complete list of the required immunizations, please review LAFSD Board Policy 5141.31AR. 

Hearing and Vision Screening:

The school nurses in the district carry out health screenings throughout the academic year to identify possible obstacles to learning. Those not passing the initial screening will be retested or referred for further evaluation. Based on the screening results, a parent or guardian will be notified and referred for further follow-up. Additionally, a parent or guardian may request an exemption from health screenings by submitting a written request. As per the California State Education Code (§49455, §49456, §49452.5), school nurses conduct the following screenings: 

 

• Vision: Grades K or 1, 2, 5, 8, and first year in the California public school system 
• Color Vision: Males only in Grades K or 1 
• Hearing: Grades K or 1, 2, 5, and 8, and first year in the California public school system

As part of the assessment process for special education services, students undergoing initial and three-year reviews, as well as those referred by a teacher or parent, will be screened for their vision and hearing. The school nurse will notify the parents or guardians if follow-up is needed.

Illnesses: When to Keep Your Child Home from School or Child Care

General Illness Guidelines: To ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for all students, please keep your child at home if they exhibit symptoms such as congestion, cough, upset stomach, fever, or generally feel unwell. If your child becomes ill during the school day, we may need to send them home. Please complete a Medication at School form if your child requires a prescription or over-the-counter medication while at school.

 

Our guidelines align with the recommendations outlined in the CDPH's Considerations for Ill Children in Child Care or Schools. They are intended to support decision-making when an individual child has symptoms of illness in the school setting.

 

Your child must meet the following criteria to be at school. Otherwise, your child should stay home (or go home): 

• The child can participate meaningfully in school activities, AND
• The staff can provide appropriate care without compromising the health and safety of other children. 

 

Under California law, a child may be required to stay home (or go home) from school in specified circumstances where an apparent illness presents a significant risk to other children or school personnel. (Education Code § 49213; Education Code § 49451.)

 

HOW SICK IS TOO SICK FOR SCHOOL? This guidance provides considerations when a child has symptoms of illness. For students with a specific diagnosis, follow the guidance of your child's healthcare provider, local health department, or the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Cough & Cold Sore Throat	Students should remain home when: A cough is frequent, uncontrollable, worsens with physical activity, or a student cannot cover their mouth when coughing.  Nasal congestion is bothersome and will limit students' ability to engage in academic work.  Inability to swallow or breathing difficulties. Fever is present.  Note: Most children with sore throats have viral infections. If a child is diagnosed with strep throat, they should receive antibiotics for at least 12 hours before returning.
Fever	Definition:  An oral (under the tongue), temporal (forehead), or rectal temperature above 100.4°F (38°C).    Return when: The fever went away in the night - without using fever-reducing medications, e.g., Tylenol®, Advil®, Motrin® (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) - and is still gone in the morning; AND Other symptoms are improving The child can participate comfortably in routine school activities. NOTE: If your child has a diagnosed illness with a fever, such as COVID or another infectious disease, please refer to condition-specific guidelines or follow the advice from your medical provider.
Eye Irritation & Pink Eye	Definition: Red or pink appearance to the white part of the eyeball. The child's eyes may also be itchy, have crusted or matted eyelashes, more watering than normal, or yellow/white drainage.  Students should remain home when: Purulent (pink or red conjunctiva (whites of eyes) with white or yellow mucus) and diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis until treated. Problems seeing (vision changes). An injury to the eye involving forceful impact to or penetration of the eye. Pain or discomfort the child cannot tolerate. Depending on the specifics, it might not be necessary for a child to stay home from school or child care. Frequent hand washing should be encouraged. Eye irritation can also result from allergies or chemical exposures (e.g., air pollution, smoke, or swimming in chlorinated pool water). Consult your medical provider for guidance and medication if indicated.
Rash or Itching	Students should remain home when: Oozing, open wound, or infection that cannot be covered and is in an area that might come in contact with others. Skin that looks bruised without a known injury or in an unusual location. Rapidly spreading dark red or purple rash. Tender, red area of skin, rapidly increasing in size or tenderness. Associated symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (rash with throat closing, abdominal pain, vomiting, or wheezing).  Fever (see Fever for return guidance) Note: For diagnosed conditions, follow the advice of your healthcare provider. In general, for conditions such as lice, impetigo, ringworm, scabies, and pinworms, no waiting period is typically necessary after starting treatment and the child may return after the appropriate treatment is started. Depending on your diagnosis, you may need a written clearance from a healthcare provider to return to school.
Vomiting	Definition:  Forceful expelling of stomach contents out of the mouth 2 times or more in 24 hours.  Students should remain home when: Vomiting has occurred 2 or more times in 24 hours. Fever (see "Fever" for return guidance). Concern for a serious allergic reaction, such as hives appearing with vomiting.  Vomit appears green or bloody. Recent head injury. Looks or acts very ill.   A student who vomits at school due to illness is required to go home.   Return when: Vomiting ends at night, and the child can hold down food or liquids in the morning.
Diarrhea	Definition:  Stools that are more frequent (typically two more than normal) or loose and less formed than usual for that child AND not associated with a change in diet.   Students should remain home when: Stool not contained in the diaper or toilet (when toilet-trained). Yellow skin/eyes (jaundice). Diarrhea that occurs during an outbreak and exclusion is recommended by the local health department.

Head lice:

The child's exclusion from school can adversely affect their emotional, social, and academic well-being and often stigmatizes the child unnecessarily. In addition, transmission of head lice in the classroom setting is low. Therefore, CDPH recommends that children should not be excluded from the classroom based on finding head lice or nits. 

 

For additional information on head lice, please refer to the following websites: 

CDPH: Head Lice: What You Need to Know

CDC: Treatment of Head Lice, Providing Care for Individuals with Head Lice

American Academy of Pediatrics

 

For the effective control of head lice in schools and childcare facilities, CDPH recommends a multipronged approach:

• Early detection of head lice infestations through routine screening by parents and caregivers.
• Treatment of children found to have live lice.
• Distribution of educational material on head lice, nit combing, and treatment. CDPH’s head lice flyer and fact sheet. Parents or guardians are directed to visit the CDPH Head Lice webpage for additional information.

Medication Administration:

If your student requires medication to be administered during school hours you must submit an LAFSD  “Administration of Medication and Liability Release Form,” available in the school office, including instructions, parent signature, and physician signature. All medications, including over-the-counter medications, must be accompanied by the permission form and must be in the original packaging with a prescription label attached. Additional forms are required for students with Asthma and/or Severe Allergies. At the end of the school year, medicines must be picked up by parent/guardian or medications will be discarded. New forms for medication administration are required at the start of each new school year.

Chronic Medical Conditions:

Students with life-threatening conditions such as severe bee sting allergies, severe food allergies, severe asthma, diabetes, seizures, etc., who are required to have a medication or treatment order to access school may require an Individualized Health Care Plan in place before they start school each year. Please contact the District Nurse at [email protected] and visit the “Nurse’s Corner” on the district website for additional information. 

Dental Exam:

California’s Education Code §49452.8 mandates that children receive a dental check-up by May 31st of their first year in public school, either in kindergarten or first grade. However, if a dental evaluation has already occurred within 12 months before school entry, it fulfills the requirement. The law states that a licensed dentist or other licensed/registered dental health professional must conduct the assessment.

Change of Address, Phone Number, or Doctor:

Please notify the office whenever there is any change in your address, home or work phone numbers, cell phones and email addresses. It is very important to have accurate information if an emergency should arise and it becomes necessary to contact you quickly.

Safety on Campus

Bicycles – Bicycles may not be ridden through school grounds before, during or after school hours. A student riding a bicycle to school must lock it in the bike cage with their own lock. The school does not assume responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged items. Bicycle riders are required by law to wear helmets.

Scooters, skateboards and rollerblades may not be ridden to school and are not permitted on school grounds at any time.

Dogs – No dogs are allowed on campus, except service dogs (including during non-school hours and during sports events).

Disaster Procedures – The school conducts routine fire, intruder alert, disaster, and earthquake drills. Emergency supplies are kept for all staff and students in case students have to be kept on campus for anywhere from several hours to several days.

In the event that a non-destructive earthquake occurs during school hours, students will remain at school under the supervision of school personnel until the regular dismissal time. Procedures to be followed have been established by the school principal, staff, and PTA. If the severity of an earthquake or other disaster is such that there is damage or destruction to the buildings, communication systems, and/or power, the following procedures will be in effect:

• If it is safe to do so, you are urged to come to school to pick up your child. Please report to the “Student Release Station” to sign out your child.
• Students will remain at school until their dismissal time unless picked up by their parents. If at dismissal time, police/fire officials determine it is safe for students to be sent home, students will be dismissed. If it is determined that it is unsafe for students to be sent home, students will remain at school under the supervision of school personnel until picked up by their parents, or until a safe dismissal determination has been made.

Adults on Campus

At LAFSD, student safety is our top priority. The Board of Education adopted Board Policy 1240 - Volunteer Assistance to ensure a safe learning environment. This policy protects students from any form of misconduct by adults on our campuses while encouraging parents, guardians, and community members to share their knowledge and abilities with our students. The policy is a means to ensure student safety and not a deterrent for parent/guardian and community involvement in our schools. IF you are interested in volunteering at one of our school sites, please review the Volunteer Requirements on our district website. 

School Appearance Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for parents and students for school attire. Students should dress appropriately for freedom of movement and safety on the playground and during physical education. Clothes that are distracting or disrupt the educational process are not allowed. Clothing should be neither too tight, nor too loose. Students need to wear sensible, low-heeled shoes. Close-toed athletic shoes are the safest footwear for all of our students. Hats can be worn outside only. When inside, hats are to be kept in backpacks or desks.

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion

At Lafayette Elementary, we strive to create an inclusive, supportive, and safe space where all families and students are welcome and represented within our school community. We expect all community members to treat each other with kindness and respect and to help in our efforts to challenge racism and exclusion whenever it occurs. We encourage all LES Leopards to be allies and upstanders by looking out for each other, speaking up when they witness injustice, and seeking help from all teachers, staff, and administration.  For more information you may review the School District Board Policies and Equity (BP 0415) and Racial Equity (BP 0415.1). 

We promote this awareness and responsibility through daily conversations, setting expectations, curriculum and books. We encourage parents to be involved with our PTA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Committee. We also have a student lead No Place for Hate group run by 4th and 5th graders.

Instruction

Your child’s teacher is responsible for core subjects such as reading, math and social science. Specialized staff provides supplemental instruction in the following areas:

• Science – Children receive instruction from their classroom teacher along with the science teacher. The site science teachers work collaboratively with the LPIE science instructors at different times throughout the year. 
• Art – We have a credentialed art teacher who will provide weekly instruction to students.
• Music – Our choral teacher meets with each K-3rd grade class once a week for 30 minutes. Each 4th grade class receives choral music and an introduction to various instruments once a week for 45 minutes.
• Band/Strings/Chorus- Grade 5 only – Students choose from band, strings or chorus and meet with their instructor twice a week for 30 minutes.
• Physical Education – Each student has P.E. 200 minutes for every 10 school days provided by the classroom teacher and a P.E. specialist.
• Library – Each class visits the school library once a week. Research, instruction and information gathering is taught. Our librarian also assists children in selecting books that are appropriate to their reading ability and interest. Books must be returned the following week or renewed. There is a charge for lost books - $25 for hardcover and $10 for paperback.
• Math Lab - We provide math intervention for students who may need extra assistance or intervention based on district math benchmark assessments.
• Reading Lab – Lafayette Elementary School has a reading specialist and instructional assistant. The team works to support students who might need extra assistance or intervention.
• English Language Learners – English Language Learners receive specialized instruction and services coordinated by the ELL teacher.
• Special Education - We have two instructional support teachers, a full-time school psychologist, a speech language pathologist, as well as OT and PT services provided to students with disabilities through the IEP process.
• School Counselor - We have a counselor on campus five days a week to provide support to students and families on an as needed basis.

Field Trips

ALL FORMS MUST BE TURNED IN A MINIMUM OF ONE WEEK PRIOR TO DRIVING ON A FIELD TRIP. Only parents who have a “Field Trip Parent-Driver Statement” on file in the office may drive on field trips. Parents who drive on field trips must turn in a T.B. Risk Assessment form prior to driving on the trip.  Parents must also turn in a copy of their driver’s license and a copy of their insurance declaration page indicating the following minimum coverages:  Bodily Injury $100,000/$300,000 Property Damage $50,000 Medical Payments $5000. Please complete this form Field Trip Parent/Driver Statement and return to the school office.

Student Body Leadership

The Student Participation Outreach Team (SPOT) is composed of elected student officers and representatives from fourth and fifth grade classrooms. The team meets at least once monthly to discuss and plan for student body participation in developing a respect for other people and their property, in encouraging good sportsmanship and in making recommendations about school safety and conduct. In addition to that role, the SPOT team promotes and participates in outreach projects in the community such as making blankets for the homeless and a toiletries drive.

School Service is open to students in third through fifth grades. These students contribute much to the success of school life by taking on special assignments, such as Safety Patrol, acting as Talk it Out Partners (to help with recess disagreements), delivering lunch buckets, Recess Facilitation (5th grade only), Green team and our No Place For Hate group.

School Climate and Playground Rules

Lafayette Elementary School students and staff develop school rules so that school will be a safe and fair learning environment for all. We expect that our students will be SAFE, RESPECTFUL, and RESPONSIBLE. Rules are constantly reviewed, updated, and added to as needed to support the expected behaviors. 

Students are instructed in classroom and school rules at the beginning of the year and school staff reviews the rules throughout the year. Occasionally, a student may make an error with their behavior.  The majority of the time, classroom teachers handle any disruptive behavior. If needed, a student may be referred to the office by a teacher or yard duty assistant. When a student is referred to the office, they are expected to fill out a reflection form and they are counseled by the principal or her designee. Consequences range depending on the offense, the age of the student and previous behavior records. 

Our district has adopted the Toolbox Project as our Social Emotional Learning program for students. 

The following is our student pledge: I pledge to be my best self.

I will be curious in my learning, 

determined in my attitude 

and thoughtful in my deeds.

I am a Lafayette Leopard!

General Information

Breakfast and Lunch at School –

The state of California became the first state to implement a statewide Universal Meals Program for school children. This program is designed to build on the foundations of the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). All students enrolled in the Lafayette School District will receive breakfast and lunch free of charge. All food and beverages served meet state and federal requirements. No sign up or registration is needed. Breakfast will be served during snack recess. For more information, visit Lafayette School District Food & Nutrition Services.

We are still encouraging families that currently receive free or reduced priced lunches to continue to fill out the Annual Meal Application. This form is available in the school office or online.

Our breakfast and lunch programs are optional, therefore students may continue bringing lunch and snacks from home. Please send in reusable containers or cartons; glass bottles are not allowed. Also, do not send lunch/snack items that require heating or hot water. For safety reasons, we will not provide hot water for a student’s meal (e.g. for dried soup, hot chocolate, etc.).

Food Policy – Students are not allowed to share or trade any food with each other at any time while at school or while engaged in a school activity (e.g. field trips. etc.). If a child has a food allergy, it is imperative that the parent informs the school of this situation immediately and the student’s medical provider fills out the Medical Statement to Request Special Meals And/or Accommodations form.

Lost and Found – Please place identification on your child’s belongings. We can return clothing to your child’s classroom if it is labeled. Lost and found items are placed in a cart in the Multi-Purpose Room. Students and parents may check there for lost items.

Personal Items – Toys, electronic games, etc. should be left at home unless special permission is given by a classroom teacher for a particular subject being taught or a scheduled classroom sharing/show and tell time.

Cell phone & Smartwatch Policy We have entered new territory in the past few years with our elementary students having and bringing devices to school. This has become one more distraction for many of our students which can impact their focus and learning.  We recognize that parents provide their children with cell phones and/or smartwatches for safety reasons. Therefore, we understand that some students will bring their devices to school.  Students can call/text parents immediately upon arrival or at dismissal. Other than that, cell phones must remain turned off and stowed away during the school day including on the yard during breakfast/before school recess and at lunch. Students cannot be using their smartwatches at all in any capacity during the school day as well. Cell phones and smartwatches that are being used to make calls, text (parents or peers), play games, or take videos/pictures during the day will be confiscated and kept in the main office for parents or a guardian to pick up. If students need to reach a member of their family, they can use one of the phones in the main office.  You can help us enforce this policy by not texting your children and calling or answering their calls during the day. Thank you for your support. Whenever possible, if your child can leave all devices at home, that is most ideal to help set them up for success and be able to focus at school.

Drop Off and Pick Up Information

Before and after school, crossing guards are stationed at Moraga Road and Brook Street, School Street and First Street and First Street and Monroe. Please use caution when driving through these intersections, as pedestrian traffic can be heavy. If your child is exiting a vehicle on any of these streets, please pull over to the curb for your child to exit. Do not stop in the middle of the street to drop your child off.

If you drop off or pick up your child in front of the school, a staff member will assist them with getting into or out of the car. DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF BEFORE 8:15 a.m. There is no adult supervision on campus before 8:15 a.m.

At the end of the day, parents should have a pre-arranged pickup location with their child.  Parents who are walking to pick up their child may meet their child at the gate on School Street or First Street. Parents who are driving to school to pick up their child, will pull up into the main parking lot on Moraga Rd. All of the parking in the school parking lot itself is reserved for school staff. DO NOT DOUBLE PARK in the school parking lot. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL STAFF MEMBER DIRECTIONS IN THE PARKING LOT.

Please never leave your car unattended while waiting for your child. If you are using the drive-up option, please tell your child to go straight to the pick-up area immediately upon dismissal from class. 

Lafayette School Parking Lot Procedures

Courtesy, common sense, and observation of the following will assure SAFETY and SANITY for all.

Cars may not be left unattended in the drop off AND pick-up areas between 7:45 a.m.-8:30 a.m. and beginning 30 minutes before and after the end of the school day.	When a car pulls out of the drop off or loading lane, all cars must pull forward. Do not cut in front of cars lined up along the curb.
Drivers load and unload only after pulling over to the far right lane.	Drive slowly in and out of the parking lot. Pull up as far as you can along the curb.
Pedestrians must use appropriate crosswalks and walkways only.	Please have children exit the car on the side closest to the curb.
If the spaces along the curb are all filled, please pull into the left lane and circle through the parking lot until you may SAFELY pull up to the curb.	Please let day care providers, and others who may be picking up your child know about the parking lot procedures.

Lafayette Elementary School Anti-Bullying Statement

The Lafayette School District is committed to maintaining a safe and caring environment for everyone. We will treat each other with respect, and we will refuse to tolerate bullying of any kind.

Bullying behavior happens when someone uses his or her power to hurt another person. 

The person who is bullying uses power (size, age, popularity, confidence, verbal ability) to hurt someone physically or emotionally. The power between the bully and victim is not equal. When bullying occurs, there is intent to repeatedly harm, dominate, exclude, or otherwise cause the victim distress.

Depending on the severity and frequency of incidents, consequences may include but are not limited to the following: warning, verbal or written apology, parent contact by student, teacher, and/or principal, restriction from playground at recess or at lunch, restricted participation in special school events, assignment related to bullying, school service requirement, behavior contract, or suspension.

Bullying may include but is not limited to the following behaviors:

• Physically hurting someone by hitting, tripping, pushing, biting, etc.
• Using name calling, put-downs, teasing, mockery, racial slurs, sexual comments, or swearing to insult, intimidate or make fun of someone
• Spreading rumors about someone
• Purposefully excluding someone from a group activity, or trying to get others to not play with someone
• Using cruel gestures or facial expressions
• Taking or damaging someone’s possessions
• Cyber-bullying

Adults will do the following things to prevent bullying and to help students feel safe at school:

• Provide instruction on bullying behavior and appropriate responses
• Watch for signs of bullying in the classroom, on the playground, and elsewhere on campus and stop the behavior when it happens
• Investigate all reported bullying incidents
• Assign consequences for bullying and contact parents
• Assign consequences for retaliation against students who report bullying
• Provide support for students who have been bullied

Students will do the following things to prevent or stop bullying:

• Treat each other respectfully
• Refuse to bully others
• Refuse to let others be bullied

Students will do the following things to prevent or stop bullying:

• Refuse to watch, laugh, or join in when someone is being bullied
• Try to include everyone in play, especially those who are often left out
• Use strategies and firm verbal statements to respond to teasing and bullying behaviors
• Report bullying to an adult

Parents can support our anti-bullying policy:

• Review these listed expectations for student behavior with your child
• Report any bullying incident immediately to the school if your child has not done so
• Refrain from actions that exclude and hurt other children, such as but not limited to, distributing party invitations at school
• Work with staff to provide support for students

Harassment/Cyberbullying

Harassment of students or staff, including bullying, intimidation, cyberbullying, hazing or initiation activity, ridicule, extortion, or any other verbal, written, or physical conduct that causes or threatens to cause bodily or emotional harm is prohibited. (BP 5131, 5144)

Cyberbullying includes posting of harassing messages, direct threats, social cruelty, or other hurtful text or images on the Internet, social networking sites, or other digital technologies, as well as breaking into another person’s account and assuming that person’s identity in order to damage that person’s reputation or friendships. (BP 5131, 5144)

To report an incident: Bullying Complaint Form