Handbook

Mission Statement

The mission of Rancho Vista Elementary School is to provide opportunities for each student to achieve personal excellence while striving to master the state standards. Working as a school community, we will encourage each child to "reach for the stars" as we aim to create respectful citizens and lifelong learners.

Vision Statement

Rancho Vista Elementary is a community for all members to be their very best, every day, for the benefit of every student. Elements of this include:

○ AVID

○ Awards/Incentives for attendance and behavior

○ Boys Town Program  and staff training

○ Bullying prevention policy

○ College and career focused activities

○ Counseling program

○ Guidance lessons school wide

○ Home-school communication using dialer/email messages, website and ParentSquare

          ○ Monthly emergency/safety procedure drills fire/earthquake/lockdown

We have a school wide commitment to three Positive Behavior Expectations:

1. Be Respectful

2. Be Responsible

3. Be Safe

We approach learning with a growth mindset focused on meeting the diverse needs of all learners. Our community emphasizes collaboration between students, staff, parents and our community. Accountability with a clear, concise high expectations for success both academically and behaviorally are in place. Achievement of academic, behavioral, and college & career readiness skills are celebrated.

Rancho Vista    

STARS

Scholarly Work

● RV Rockets are organized and timely

● RV Rockets are quality producers

● RV Rockets attend to precision

Team Work

● RV Rockets are collaborative workers

● RV Rockets are good sports

● RV Rockets are responsible, engaged citizens

Attitude

● RV Rockets make sense of problems and persevere

● RV Rockets are self directed learners

Rigor

● RV Rockets are complex problem solvers

● RV Rockets apply their learning and look for patterns

Success for All

● RV Rockets are resilient

● RV Rockets use appropriate tools for success

Appointments can be made with the principal or teacher by calling or emailing the school and making an appointment, or sending a note with your child to the office or teacher. Classroom observations may be scheduled with the classroom teacher and administration. Drop-in conferences may not be possible due to scheduled events on the campus. Scheduled telephone conferences can also be arranged. 

At Rancho Vista, we believe that strong partnerships between parents and educators are essential for student success. To ensure effective communication and timely support, we ask families to follow these guidelines:

1) Start with Teacher: Your child's teacher is your first and best point of contact. They know your child's daily routine, academic progress, and social development. 

2) Be Clear and Specific: Whether it is a question, concern, compliment, provide details to help the teacher respond effectively. 

3) Allow Time for Response: Teachers are focused on students during the school day. Please allow 24-48 hours for a reply. 

4) Used Preferred Channels: Email, ParentSquare, or scheduled conferences are the most effective and respectful ways to communicate.

5) Be Collaborative: Approach conversations with a shared goal of supporting your child's growth and well-being.  

Chain of Communication

Step 1: Contact the Teacher First- Most questions or concerns can be resolved directly with the classroom teacher. 

Step 2: Contact the School Administrator (Co-Principals)- If further support is needed after speaking with the teacher, reach out to school administration. 

Step 3: Contact District Office (if necessary)- For unresolved issues or district-level concerns, contact the appropriate department at the District Office.

Regular attendance, and arriving at school on time, is essential to a student’s success in school. The state of California does require verification of absences. Legally excused absences include: 1 )illness; 2) medical appointment with a doctor/dental note; 3) court appearances where the child is required to be present; and 4) funeral services of an immediate family member; 1 day in state and 3 days out-of-state. 

If it is necessary for your child to miss school for any reason, please clear the absence.

How to Clear and Absence at Rancho Vista Elementary

Step 1: Activate your ParentSquare account using the email invite that was sent to you. 

Step 2: Access Your ParentSquare Dashboard -Once you activate your account, login using your email and password or download the ParentSquare app to access the main dashboard. 

Step 3: Locate the Attendance Notice in the "Alerts and Notices" section. When your child is absent or tardy, a notice will appear on your ParentSquare dashboard. 

Step 4: Respond to notice within the ParentSquare Dashboard or app. Click the "Send Note to School" link to provide your reason for your student's absence or tardiness. This note will be sent to your school's attendance office. 

Another way to clear an absence is to include the following: your name, your student's name, grade, school, and reason for the absence in your message via 

Let's Talk Chat: westside.k12.ca.us/lets-talk Email: rv.attendance@westside.k12.ca.us or call at (661) 974-8578

ABSENCES MUST BE EXCUSED WITHIN FOUR SCHOOL DAYS 

Attendance-Excessive Absences and Tardies 

Three unexcused absences or tardies in excess of thirty minutes constitute truancy (Ed Code, #484631). Any child having 30 absences in a year, whether excused or not, will automatically be considered for retention. Students with more than 10 absences may not be referred to tutoring or Student Study Team (SST) meetings. We work within the following to monitor attendance: 

A2A-Attention to Attendance Program 

A2A is an attendance program that generates letters based upon a student’s unverified or unexcused absences. Letters are sent home after 3 unverified or unexcused absences and 6 unexcused or unverified absences. An attendance meeting will be scheduled with administration after 6 unverified or unexcused absences. A 3rd letter will be sent home after 10 

Unverified or unexcused absences and if no improvement is seen and a referral to the School Attendance Review Team (SART)  will be sent and a contract is assigned.  A referral to  SARB (Student Attendance Review Board) meeting will be scheduled at the District Office. Chronic absenteeism will be closely monitored including home visits and wellness checks. 

Attendance-Independent Study 

The parent is required to give advance notice to the school office in order to be excused for any type of absence and/or to be placed on the Independent Study Program. Students must be absent 5 days or more to qualify for Independent Study and may not exceed a total of 14 days for the entire school year.  Parents are to notify the office and the teacher a minimum of 5 days before the child is to go out on absence due to Independent Study. This will provide the teacher with adequate time to prepare work. An Independent Study Contract must be signed before it can become effective.  In order for Independent Study to be counted, all work must be completed and returned the day the student returns to school, otherwise all days missed will be counted as unexcused absences and the student will receive no credit for all work. The teacher arranges classwork equivalent to a school day’s work for the student to complete. Independent Study is not for students absent due to illness. Independent Study will be granted at the discretion of the school principal and the classroom teacher. IS during state testing and district benchmarks will NOT be approved. 

Attendance-Tardy Policy 

Students are considered tardy if not in the classroom when school begins. Prompt arrival at school is expected of all students. Late arrival disrupts class and causes loss of instructional time. Any child who arrives at school later than the opening class time is tardy (see Arrival and Dismissal). Every 3 tardies that a student acquires will result in a detention. Three tardies in excess of 30 minutes each are equal to one day of absence. 

Attendance-Reverse Tardy Policy 

If parents need to pick up their child early from school, they can report to the front office for early release. Early release is greatly discouraged as it takes away from a child’s education and the education of the rest of the class as the teacher prepares that child to leave early. Parents are expected and encouraged to make every effort to schedule doctor and dentist appointments outside of school hours. An early release is viewed as a reverse tardy. We DO NOT allow early release after 1:30 pm unless a parent has an appointment card or note from their doctor (or other professional) noting the need for that early release. 

Admission to Kindergarten 

New kindergarten students must be five years old on or before September 1st of the school year in which they are enrolling. Universal Pre- Kindergarten (TK) is available for students who have their fourth birthday on or before September 1st for the upcoming school year. (There are no exceptions) By state law, a physical examination and oral health assessment are required when a student enters kindergarten. Age must be verified by a birth certificate or baptismal certificate, and immunization records must be complete. Utility bills will also be required to prove accurate residency information. 

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

Homework

Homework is important because it is an extension of the learning that takes place in school. At Rancho Vista Elementary Administration and Teachers use Board Policy 6154 as our guideline for homework policy. Teachers will present their homework policy to students and parents at the beginning of the school year. 

Teachers use homework to reinforce classroom learning objectives and grade level standards. Rancho Vista Elementary staff recognizes that students learn at different rates. Age-appropriate instruction is given to help students allocate their time wisely, meet their deadlines and develop good personal study habits. Teachers communicate homework expectations to students and parents/guardians. These communications will include how the homework relates to achievement of academic standards and course content, the impact of homework assignments on student’s grades, and ways in which parents/guardians may appropriately assist their children. Parents/guardians may serve as a resource and are encouraged to ensure that their child’s homework assignments are completed. When a student repeatedly struggles to complete his/her homework, communication between the parent and teacher should take place as soon as possible so that appropriate measures can be taken to ensure the student.

Typically, assignments will be given daily, Monday through Thursday. Generally, homework should fit into the following approximate timeframes (this does not include 20 minutes of reading each night):

Kindergarten- no more than 15 minutes

Grades 1-3- no more than 30 minutes

Grades 4-6 - no more than 50 minutes

Parents can help their children be successful by arranging a quiet, comfortable place for their student to work and by seeing that assignments are completed on time.

Homework/Classwork Request Policy - Grades 3-5

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

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

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

Homework/Classwork request Policy - Grade 6

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

Report Cards

Report cards are issued at the end of the school year. Progress reports are issued each quarter. Report cards will be held if the student owes money for a library book, a textbook, instrument, lunch or a PTA item.

P.E

P.E. is a requirement of  the state of California. Classes attend PE twice per week for 45 minutes with  a credentialed physical education teacher while an additional 10 minutes per day is provided by the classroom teacher to reach the required minutes. If you have questions concerning PE class you can contact our PE Coach by calling the School Office.

Awards

Honors for students are awarded throughout the school year at Rancho Vista  Elementary. Our school recognizes student achievement in the areas of academics, attendance, and citizenship/college/career readiness each semester. Due to the size of our cafeteria, most awards celebrations will be with two classes within a grade level at a time.  Please contact your child’s teacher with any questions about individual student awards during the school year.

4th-6th Grade Award Categories:

• Academic Honors- This award is issued to students who demonstrate mastery of standards in ALL academic content areas. This is demonstrated by achieving 3s and 4s  in all four academic areas (language arts, math, social studies, and science). 

• High Honors- This award is issued to students who demonstrate mastery of standards in ALL academic content areas AND demonstrate exemplary skills in college and career readiness. 

• Perfect Attendance- Rancho Vista  recognizes good attendance by giving perfect attendance awards. A child will earn a perfect attendance award by attending school each day and arriving on time. Also, if a student is picked up early and receives a reverse tardy they will receive a “reverse tardy” on their record. A tardy/reverse tardy can be excused only by a dental/doctor’s note presented to the office. The June Perfect Attendance award is a culmination of the total year present at school. Certificates will be handed out quarterly.

• Attendance Responsibility Participation- Rancho Vista implements a program in which students can do a short term independent study to recover days for absences up to 15 days. We honor the responsibility students demonstrated for making up work.  Students who participate in this program and earn perfect attendance for the year are honored. 

• Westside Scholar- (4th-6th grades only)- This award is issued to students who meet or exceed standards in language arts and/or mathematics as determined by the annual California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP test). This award is given in the fall. 

Additional Recognitions given in class: 

• Content Achievement Award (4th- 6th grade only) This award is issued to students who demonstrate mastery of standards in any one or more content areas including college and career readiness. This is demonstrated by achieving a 3 or 4 in any of the five areas (academic and college and career readiness). 

• College and Career Readiness Awards are issued quarterly for students demonstrating 3’s and 4’s in all areas in the College and Career Readiness standards.

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

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

School Rules are the following: Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe. Rancho Vista uses these rules as our foundation. These include:

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.

2. Stay in assigned zones

3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

4. Use kind words and appropriate actions.

Lunchroom Rules

1. Sit at your assigned table.

2. No sharing food.

3. Use an “inside” voice.

4. Stay seated until dismissed by an adult.

5. Pick up all trash around you.

Playground Rules  At Rancho Vista Elementary, we partner with Playworks, a national non-profit, to ensure that we are doing our best to incorporate healthy, inclusive play into our school day- every day, for every student. Our recess team designed structured games which students have learned in their PE classes. Each month, there is a schedule of activities for students to join in. In order to build fun activities, it is important that your student follows the following rules:

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.

2. Use school equipment properly.

3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

4. Refrain from play fighting, football, and tag.

5. Stay within playground boundaries.

6. Students must show good sportsmanship at all times.

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

Defiance, disrespect for authority, gambling, bullying, threats/harassment, selling items and continued disobedience are serious problems and will be subject to consequences which could include one or more of the following: detention of one or more recesses, after school detention, phone calls home, parent conferences, loss of privileges, suspension, or expulsion.

Board Policy states, “...believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. The Board expects students to wear clothing that is suitable for the school activities in which they participate. Students shall not wear clothing that presents a health or safety hazard or is likely to cause a substantial disruption to the educational program.”

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

School personnel have the jurisdiction to decide if any clothing, hair, earrings/jewelry, etc. are meeting the guidelines outlined above.

These penalties are within the guidelines set by the California Education Code [48900 & 48915], and/or Adopted Board Policies of the Westside Union School District [BP 5131, BP/AR 5132].

Alternative to suspension may include, but are not limited to: detention, after school detention, Saturday school, conflict resolution, and peer mediation.

Your cooperation in discussing the importance of these rules with your child will help to ensure a healthy, happy and productive school setting for all of our school children.

Students are supported in making appropriate behavioral choices through structures and strategies that are proactive and preventative in nature and provide the appropriate level of personalization (school wide, group, and individual). This includes:

● School wide behavioral expectations

● Explicit teaching of expected behaviors and social skills

● Consistent acknowledgement and correction of student behavior

● Data-based decision making

● Active supervision

● Safe and welcoming school culture

● Individual student support for the estimated 3%-7% of students who present the most challenging behaviors

In addition to the reward of acquiring knowledge and a love of learning that will benefit the individual for a lifetime, Rancho Vista students who consistently conduct themselves by our three  school wide expectations may earn positive verbal recognition, positive notes/calls home, incentive tickets (STAR awards), certificates, merit assemblies/trips, special events such as the monthly Principal’s Pride Dance, special lunch with Vice Principal, and enjoy participation in a wide variety of school wide incentives and other special events.

When students engage in unsafe, disrespectful, or disruptive behavior, interventions and consequences are assigned within a system of progressive discipline. We acknowledge that penalties alone will not deter disruptive behavior, however it is extremely important that students understand their role in creating an educational environment that is positive and conducive to allowing all students to learn. The chart on the following page shows the general progression from level one consequences which are experienced by a larger number of students, level three consequences which are necessary for a lesser number of students with repeated severe misconduct. The entry point will depend on the circumstances and severity of the incident.

These consequences are within the guidelines set by the California Education Code (45900-15), and/or Adopted Board Policies of the Westside Union School District (BP 5131).

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

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

(a)(2) Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, except in self-defense. (b) Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object. (LENR if deadly weapon, fixed blade knife, open blade or blade exceeding 2.5”.) (c) Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of any controlled substance, listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with §11053) of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind. (LENR.) (d) Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and then either sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.

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

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

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

(h) Possessed or used tobacco, or any products containing tobacco or nicotine products; does not prohibit use or possession by a pupil of his or her own prescription products. (i) Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity. (j) Unlawfully possessed or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in §11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code. (LENR.) (k) Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied valid authority of school personnel. (l) Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.

(m) Possessed an imitation firearm.

(n) Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault as defined in Penal Code §§261, 266c, 286, 288, 288a, or 289 or committed a sexual battery as defined in Penal Code §243.4.

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

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

(q) Engaged in, or attempted to engage in, hazing as defined in §32050. (r) Engaged in an act of bullying, including, but not limited to, bullying committed by means of an electronic act, as defined in subdivisions (f) and (g) of §32261, directly specifically toward pupil or school personnel.

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

.2 Committed sexual harassment, as defined in §212.5. (Grades 4-12) .3 Caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of hate violence, as defined in §233(e). (Grades 4-12)

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

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

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

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

(1) While on school grounds.

(2) While going to or coming from school.

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

(4) During, or while going to or coming from, a school sponsored activity. (5) Any time where an outside incident impacts the school day.

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

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

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

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

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

Student Council elections are held during the first quarter. A representative is elected from each 4th, 5th, and 6th grade class to serve on the General Council.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No parking or waiting in either parking lot on Peonza Lane before and after school.

Students and parents are to cross Peonza Lane, Bolz Ranch Road and Talento Way in designated crosswalks only.

Parking Enforcement will be monitoring.

Parking

We realize it can be very frustrating to find parking around the school. However, frustration and anger does not give anyone the right to yell or argue with school staff. Everyone deserves respect and everyone wants to keep our students safe. Let’s commit to work together to keep campus safe.

Be sure to adhere to the following rules:

a) Do not block any driveways. This includes school property and private residents’ homes.

b) Do not block other cars from getting in or out.

c) Double or triple parking is NEVER allowed. Be advised that parking enforcement or sheriff’s  do come by the school on occasion and ticket those double-parking.

d) Cars parked in the handicapped spots must display a handicap sticker. e) Never leave your car unattended in the pick up line, on the street or in a red zone

Arrival

Parents dropping off students at school should use the parking lot on Bolz Ranch Road or the parking lot on Peonza Lane in front of the cafeteria. Students should not arrive at school before 7:20 a.m, as there is no playground supervision. Gates open at 7:20 am.

Arrival and Dismissal – TK, Kindergarten

All TK and Kindergarten students must be dropped off in the morning at the Kindergarten playground on Peonza Lane (The Blue Gate). TK is picked up at the classroom gates, located on Peonza Lane, in Rooms 101 and 102. Kindergarten is picked up after school at the kindergarten playground gate on Peonza Lane.

Dismissal

●Students may not leave and re-enter the campus after 2:00 pm. Westside Union School District does not support outside neighborhood vendors.

●Students enrolled in after school programs must report to their predetermined, assigned locations immediately and stay within that program’s boundaries.

●Students leaving campus or wandering campus may be expelled from their program.

Students need to be in school for the entire school day. Parents are encouraged to leave students in school until the completion of the school day. Children who are frequently picked up early miss valuable classroom time. Also, children should know before leaving home in the morning how they are expected to get home. If there is an emergency and a change becomes necessary, office personnel will contact your child. However, messages must be called in to school before 1:15 p.m. A note to the teacher must accompany any change in a student's departure routine. Classrooms will not be disrupted during the last 15 minutes of the day with phone calls.

 We will not early release students after 1:30 p.m. (12:30 on minimum days). For the safety of the students, it is school policy for you to have your photo ID present to have students released.

Students should leave for home no later than 2:10 p.m. Be on time to pick up your student.

Dismissal Procedures – End of the Day

1)      Oldest siblings/relatives will meet youngest sibling/relative at the youngest student’s gate for dismissal,

2)      TK/Kindergarten students are dismissed at the blue gate at the lower parking lot on Peonza Lane.

3)      3rd and 4th graders are dismissed from the gate by the school cafeteria on Peonza Lane.

4)      5th and 6th grade students are dismissed from the gate on Talento Way.

Bicycles and Scooters

Only 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders may ride their bicycles/scooters to school. All bicycles/scooters must be in good repair. When traveling to and from school, students must obey all traffic regulations. The school assumes no responsibility for bicycles/scooters; however, provisions have been made to safeguard bikes by requiring them to be properly parked and locked in the school bike racks.

Students should always lock their bicycles/scooters, as there is no one assigned to supervise the bike rack. Bicycles are never to be ridden on school grounds while school is in session and must be walked to the gate. If bikes/scooters are ridden on school grounds, students will no be permitted to bring the bikes/scooters on to campus. 

The law requires that all students wear helmets when riding their bicycles/scooters. Please be sure that, for safety reasons, your student has and wears a helmet. If a student does not wear a helmet, his/her bike will be kept at school until claimed by an adult, or until a helmet appears.

SKATEBOARDS, AND ROLLER SHOES ARE NOT ALLOWED, AND WILL BE TAKEN AWAY IF BROUGHT TO SCHOOL. ITEMS TAKEN AWAY MUST BE CLAIMED BY A PARENT.

Please note: Bikes must be walked, not ridden, in front of the school. Failure to comply with the direction of adults could also result in bikes being taken away until claimed by an adult.

Classroom Interruptions

Because the learning process and instructional minutes are so valued at Rancho Vista    Elementary, classrooms will not be interrupted for any reason. This includes homework, lunches, instruments, etc. Parents may notify the teacher in the morning and students can retrieve items from the office at their recess only. Parents cannot sign in and take something to their child’s classroom as this creates a disruption in the classroom.  No other drop offs are permitted after recess unless coordinated with the teacher.

We do not allow any deliveries through school gates. These areas are out of bounds.

Also, as a reminder, if your student needs to leave early for a scheduled appointment, please be sure to send a note or email to the teacher in the morning.

Classroom Parties and Birthdays

Birthdays are a special time for each student, and we will continue to celebrate these occasions. Birthdays will be recognized in the classroom by the classroom teacher. Classrooms will not be accepting food items. Parents may bring in a non-food item treat to be handed out at dismissal.

Children enjoy receiving small toys, erasers or other school supplies. (Please see Board Wellness Policy below as it pertains to parties and celebrations).

CLASSROOM PARTIES (Board Policy 5030 Student Wellness) Class celebrations are limited to no more than one per month. These may include:

● Harvest party

● Winter holiday party

● Valentine’s Day Card exchange

● End-of-the-Year (during last day only)

Other observations: student's birthdays- a non-food treat handed out at dismissal. Party Guidelines:

● Food and drink items need to be individually packaged

● No water games without District approval

● Strict observance of District Wellness Policy (see excerpt below)

● School staff shall encourage parents/guardians or other volunteers to support the district's nutrition education program by considering nutritional quality when selecting any snacks which they may donate for occasional class parties. Class parties or celebrations shall be held after the lunch period. The Board recommends that classes hold only one party per month to include birthdays and holidays.

Emergency Drills

Fire and earthquake drills are conducted monthly. For fire drills, each class has an escape route to an outside area a safe distance from the building. Children are directed to these designated areas in less than 75 seconds in a safe, quiet, and orderly manner. During earthquake drills, all children kneel under their desks with their heads covered before exiting the building.

Emergency Information

In case of emergency, each student is required to have on file at the school office the following information:

1. Parent(s) or guardian(s) name(s).

2. Complete and up-to-date address.

3. Home phone and parent(s) work phone.

4. Emergency phone number of friend or relative. (Must be a local number) 5. Physician's name and phone.

6. Medical alert information.

It is essential that your child's emergency information shows telephone numbers for local people. Emergency numbers for people in Los Angeles are of very little value. These updates cannot be completed through the PowerSchool app, you must use a web browser and complete ALL updates through the Parent Portal on the PowerSchool website. These updates must be made annually.

Breakfast items and hot lunches and milk are available every day in our school cafeteria and students are encouraged to take advantage of this service. Please remember that food from  the cafeteria must be eaten on campus--students are not allowed to carry cafeteria meals off campus. 

Students may purchase lunches for a week, month, or more at the cafeteria. If paying by check, the check needs to be made payable to Child Nutrition Services. If paying by cash or paying for breakfasts or lunches on a day-to-day basis, please send exact change. 
Breakfast/Lunch menus will be distributed to students the first of each month and are also available with nutritional information on the District website under the Child Nutrition Quick Link. 

Applications for the Federally Funded Meal program are available online. From the District website, click on the Child Nutrition Quick Link. 

NOTE: Milk is included in a student lunch. 

*During the 2026-2027 school year ALL students are provided free breakfast and lunch. It is anticipated this program will continue in the 26-27 school year. 

BREAKFAST PERIOD 
7:20 – 7:45

2nd Chance Breakfast for those students that did not eat breakfast before school.
TK        9:05-9:25
Grades 4-6    9:30-9:50
Grades K-3    9:55-10:15

LUNCH PERIODS 
TK                  10:40-11:25
 6th grade     11:05-11:50 
 5th grade     11:15-12:00 
 4th grade     11:25-12:10 
 3rd grade     11:35-12:20
 2nd grade     11:45-12:30 
 1st grade     11:55-12:40 
Kindergarten     12:05-12:50  

Breakfast and Lunch is provided at no cost to families. Students need to inform their teachers at the beginning of school if they will be needing a school provided lunch. Menus will be provided monthly and can be viewed at https://wusdnutrition.com/. 
 

Notice to Parents/Guardians: CA Local Education Agency Program

Westside Union School District, in cooperation with the California Departments of Health Services and Education, participates in a program to allow the district to be reimbursed with federal Medicaid dollars for selected health services (such as hearing and vision screenings, health assessments) provided to eligible students at school. In accordance with Local Education Agency rules and guidelines, we are notifying you that eligible student records may be forwarded to the district’s billing agency. These records will be forwarded in a confidential manner. Our vendor holds a contract with the district that contains a specific confidentiality clause to ensure information is not disclosed inappropriately; further, our vendor is HIPAA compliant (Federal Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act).

School health services currently provided to all students will not be changed by this program. Students will not be denied services they require to attend school, and parents will never be billed for services by the school district.

Illness or Injury

School personnel will render first aid treatment only. If emergency medical treatment is necessary, the parents will be contacted. If parents are not available, the child will be taken to the emergency room at the hospital. Remember, an emergency telephone number where parents can be reached, and the name and telephone number of the student's family doctor must be on file at the school. All numbers must be local. Parents are also responsible for calling the office or sending a note in case of illness.

Medications

If your child must bring medication (this includes over-the-counter medication) to school, the following requirements must be met:

1. A Request for Medication form must be completed and signed by the doctor. This form is available in the school office.

2. Medication must be in the original container which has the prescription label. 3. Medication will be given by school personnel.

4. Medication must be brought to the office by the parent or guardian.

Do not send cough drops or throat lozenges to school, as they are considered over-the-counter medication. There will be no exceptions to the policy regarding medications.

P.E. Excuse

If a student is injured, a parent’s note may excuse the student no more than three days. The note must include: 1) date of note, 2) student’s first and last name, 3) nature of injury, 4) number of days (not to exceed three) student is to be excused, 5) parent’s signature. Any injury which requires more than three days to heal should be examined by a physician. The doctor will then

issue the school a note if it is felt that additional time off from P.E. is necessary. A physician’s note is also required for any other medical reason the student is to be excused from P.E.

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, primarily snow, school may be closed. Please listen to local radio (FM 106.3 and FM 105.5) or television (channel 3) for the announcement of school closures.

District emails and dialers will be sent out. Evening events canceled due to inclement weather will not be rescheduled.

Insurance

School insurance will be offered at the beginning of each school year. The cost is small compared to the potential cost of medical care, and parents are encouraged to take advantage

of this service. The District does not carry insurance for students! This coverage remains the responsibility of the parents/guardians.

Leaving Campus

Students are not allowed to leave the school campus during school hours for any reason without their teacher’s knowledge and consent. Students may leave campus during school hours only following checkout by parent or guardian from the office.

Withdrawal

The school office should be notified by the parents of any student who is transferring to another school so that staff can prepare the student's file for forwarding to their next school of enrollment. Please return chromebooks, chargers for chromebook, other technology, library books, and outstanding fees.

Liability of Personal Property

Westside Union School District cannot be responsible for, nor can it ensure against, damages or losses to personal property arising from being on school property and/or at school-sponsored activities and trips. Students may not bring personal items from home for this very reason.

Locked Campus

Our campus is a “locked” campus. Only students registered to Rancho Vista Elementary will be allowed on campus. Parent(s), visitor(s), and volunteers will need to sign in through the office to gain access to the campus. All visitors must be fingerprinted and have a TB questionnaire on file through the district office.  Visitors/volunteers will not be allowed to enter our campus after 1:30 p.m.

During morning drop-off, students will need to enter through one of our unlocked gates. During arrival and dismissal, adults will not be allowed on campus. Students will be released to their ride at one of the three pickup locations, or they will be released to walk home.

Lost and Found

All items found on the campus, regardless of value, are placed in the box in the Lost & Found area. Unclaimed articles are donated to local charities throughout the year.

Parking

We realize it can be very frustrating to find parking around the school. Be sure to adhere to the following rules:

a) Do not block any driveways. This includes school property and private residents’ homes.

b) Do not block other cars from getting in or out.

c) Double or triple parking is NEVER allowed. Be advised that the police do come by the school on occasion and ticket those double-parking. There is no parking in school parking lots on Peonza Lane.

d) Cars parked in the handicapped spots must display a handicap sticker.

e) Never leave your car unattended in the pickup line, on the street or in a red zone

Photos/Videos

Due to strict media release guidelines parents/adults are NOT permitted to take photographs or videos on campus or in the parking lots of students, staff or adults. This includes our parking lot. PTA yearbook staff and staff members are permitted to take photos and video for school use.

Playground Supervision

School staff will supervise the playground beginning at 7:20 am. The playground is not supervised after dismissal, and students are expected to leave for home immediately following dismissal. Gates will be locked shortly following the opening of the school day.

Preschool Information

Children of preschool age who have delays in speech, language, or other areas may be eligible for public school services. These services may include speech/language therapy and/or special preschool classes. For more information, you may call Cathy Eichner at Educational Services at 722-0716.

Smoking /Vaping

Smoking/Vaping is strictly forbidden at school. Students are to neither carry nor use tobacco products of any kind. The possession or use of tobacco or any controlled substance will result in suspension.

Rancho Vista School is a tobacco-free facility. No adult employee, parent, or community member may use tobacco on the campus. This includes the baseball fields east of the school as well as all pick-up and drop-off areas.

Telephones

The office telephone is for emergency use only. A student will not be allowed to use it to request homework, library books, musical instruments, or to make social arrangements.

Title IX Sexual Harassment Notification of Policy

It is the district’s policy to comply with Title IX regulations.

In the event discrimination, as defined under Title IX regulations, is alleged, the offended party shall first attempt to resolve the problem with the person or persons responsible for the alleged violation.

If the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved by the preceding step, the party against whom the alleged discrimination has occurred may refer the matter to the school district’s Title IX compliance officer for investigation and resolution.

This step must be taken no later than 30 days following the alleged act of discrimination and in writing on forms which may be obtained from the Title IX compliance officer.

If the complaint is not resolved at the Title IX compliance officer’s level, it may be appealed to the superintendent of schools who will investigate it and render a decision. The superintendent’s decision may be appealed to the Board of Education in writing.

After following these procedures, the Board’s decision shall be final as far as local district action is concerned.

Information

Periodically, communication to students and parents will be posted on our website, www.westside.k12.ca.us. Parents will also receive recorded information via School Messenger and Class Dojo.

Conferences (Parent-Teacher) and Other Communication

In the fall, formal conferences will be scheduled as needed in order for teachers and parents to discuss a student’s progress. Students then have another quarter to earn marks that will provide information about student progress towards mastery. These make up the first semester report card grades. Some parents may be hesitant about participating in parent-teacher conferences, but our teachers can do a much better job with students if they can share their understanding of the student directly with the parent. These conference times, if spent wisely, can be very valuable to the overall education program.

PowerSchool

Westside Union School District is pleased to offer online access to current attendance, grades and announcements through the Parent Portal of our student information system, PowerSchool Premier. PowerSchool Parent Portal is available anywhere that you can connect to the Internet. To access the Parent Portal from the WUSD web page, log on to: www.westside.k12.ca.us

➢ Click the “Parent’s” link at the top of the page

➢ Click on the “PowerSchool” link on the left margin

➢ Enter your username

➢ Enter your password

➢ Click “Enter”

The username and password to access the Parent Portal will be given to your son or daughter at the start of school. For security reasons, please keep your username and password in a safe place.

Parents, please call the school office if you wish to speak with your child's teacher. Phone calls to teachers will not be transferred to the classrooms during instructional time. Please allow up to 48 hours for staff members to return phone calls.

Visitors

All visitors are required to report to the school office upon entering the building. There is a sign-in sheet available and visitor tags to wear while on campus. All visitors must be escorted to and from the office. Parents are welcome and are encouraged to visit the school.

Parent Volunteers

Rancho Vista Elementary considers its parent volunteers a very special resource. Parents are encouraged to help in all classrooms, programs, and extracurricular activities. Volunteers must be fingerprinted with the District, have a current TB questionnaire on file, wear a badge for identification, and have completed a Volunteer Information form.

Please arrange your volunteer time with your child’s teacher to determine which day and time each week is best. Allow 6-8 weeks into the school year before volunteering begins. This gives your child ample time to adjust to his/her new classroom. Parents cannot bring younger siblings to school when they help in the classrooms (even for parties) as this is a liability and supervision problem. Please call if you have time or skills you can donate to make our school a better place for students to learn and grow.

PTA

The Rancho Vista  PTA has been highly involved in improving our school. All parents are urged to become members and to actively participate. Meetings are scheduled during the year and are announced several weeks in advance. Each year the PTA sponsors several money-making projects. With the help of all parents, these projects can be very successful. They allow the PTA to fund many important activities at the school.

School Site Council

The purpose of the School Site Council is to help coordinate the Local Control Accountability Plan. New members are elected each year. Please contact the school office if you are interested in being a candidate.

SCHOOL COUNSELORS 

Elementary and middle school counselors support student growth in the areas of academics, career and personal/social development. These services may address a variety of topics such as: friendship problems, goal setting, academic progress, study skills, bullying, self-esteem, working with others, decision making, managing/understanding feelings, peer relationships, career exploration, social skills, etc. 

It is important to establish respect and trust with students; therefore, student confidentiality will be respected, with possible exceptions to high-risk behaviors, harm to self or others, or neglect requiring immediate outside services and/or law enforcement. 

Counseling services can be delivered in a variety of formats, such as one-on-one, small group, classroom sessions, and/or large settings. School counseling services are provided on an as-needed basis throughout the school year; however, these services are not intended as clinical therapy. 

School counselors can assist parents with understanding the developmental changes of childhood, facilitating collaboration between parents and teachers, and providing community resources. 

Please contact the school if you would like to refer your student for counseling services. 

Introducing the Rocket Reset

New to our campus, the Rocket Reset is a dedicated wellness center designed to support students when they need a moment to regulate, pause, and refocus.

The Rocket Reset serves as a vital tool for restorative practice and acts as an alternative to traditional discipline. When students experience behavioral or emotional challenges, this supportive space allows them to work directly with staff to learn healthy coping skills, reflect on their choices, and de-escalate safely. Our goal is to keep students engaged in their learning environment by teaching them the emotional tools they need to succeed.