Policies

As a parent, help your child develop a sense of responsibility and good habits by arriving at school on time.Adult supervision does not begin until 7:55 a.m. so students should arrive to school no earlier than that. Students should arrive to school by 8:10 a.m. in order to be considered on time and not marked tardy.

A student’s absence from school or tardiness must be verified by the parent/guardian with a written note or a telephone call. Call the day of the absence.Education Code section 48260 states that any pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or to compulsory continuation who is absent from school without a valid excuse more than three days or tardy in excess of 30 minutes on each of more than three days in one school year is truant and shall be reported to the attendance supervisor.

Valid excuses for absence from school are:

• illness (a doctor’s note is required after three days)
• quarantine as directed by a health officer
• appointments for medical services
• attendance of funeral services of immediate family member so long as the absence is not more than one day if the service is conducted in California and not more than three days if the service is conducted outside California.

A pupil absent from school under this section shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during the absence that can be reasonably provided, and upon satisfactory completion within a reasonable period of time, shall be given full credit. The teacher of the class from which a pupil is absent with excuse shall determine which tests and assignments shall be reasonably equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the tests and assignments that the pupil missed during the absence.

All other absences are considered unexcused and therefore truant. Family travel that exceeds 10 days will result in the student being dropped from the attendance rolls.Reinstatement into the class and school is contingent upon available space.Three proofs of residence will be required upon return in order to re-enroll your child.Homework and tests are to be made up at the discretion of the individual teacher.

Millbrook is a walking school, which means the majority of the Millbrook student population lives within walking distance of the school.Students and their families are STRONGLY encouraged to walk to school.If it is necessary for a family to drive their child to school, please follow these safety guidelines:

• Students should be dropped off on the sidewalk surrounding the school if possible.
• The school parking lot is reserved for staff only before and after school at arrival and dismissal.The parking lot gates will be kept closed to the public during peak hours, which are as follows: 7:50-8:15 a.m. and 2-2:30 p.m. Vehicles displaying a valid Handicap Sign will be allowed into the parking lot even during peak hours.
• There is absolutely no parking in the fire lane, red zone or double line parking.
• If you would like to walk your child onto campus, please park in the neighborhood and walk into the school.
• Do not park in any space specifically reserved for staff (title will be written on the ground in front of the parking space)
• When walking to school, you are required to use the crosswalks.
• Millbrook participates on the City of San Jose’s Walk and Roll program. More information will be shared in our school newsletter.

• In the morning, students are to be dropped off or arrive at school between 7:55 a.m. and 8:05 a.m.There is no adult supervision before 7:55 a.m. Ideally, students should be dropped off on the sidewalk surrounding the school.
• Since we are considered a walking school, of course students and their parents or family members are strongly encouraged to walk to school.
• During rainy days, students are to report to the multipurpose-room in the morning.
• Students must be picked up from school on time. Please notify the office if there is an emergency situation, which prevents you from arriving on time to pick up your child. There is a telephone available in the office for students to call for a late pick-up, but students and families should not get in the habit of late pickups. It is very important for students to know a telephone number they can call to get a ride home.

When it is necessary for a student to leave prior to the end of the school day, the student must be checked out at the office front counter. The person checking out the student must be listed on the student’s emergency card. Please be sure all daycare persons are listed in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. It is critical that the information is current.If a student is picked up late, the person picking up the child must be an adult and listed on their emergency card.

Throughout the school year, your child will have the opportunity to attend field trips.Teachers will be sending home specific information regarding the field trip their class will attend.Under age minors are not permitted to accompany chaperones. In order for a child to attend a field trip, they will need to turn in a signed field trip permission slip.If a signed permission slip is not turned in to their teacher, they will not be able to attend the field trip. Verbal permission or e-mail permission will not be accepted.

If it is necessary for a student to have a cell phone, it must remain off and in his/her backpack during school hours.The school is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones.A telephone is available for student use in the office.For the safety and protection of our students, we encourage ALL students to know at least one telephone number of an adult listed as an emergency contact.

During school hours, NO student is permitted to leave the school grounds without written permission and checking out with the office. Please come to the office to sign out your child for any appointments during the day. All campus visitors are required to sign in and out at the office, and wear a badge while on campus. When volunteering on campus, please be respectful of the teachers’ time in the staff room by not using it as a short cut or being in the staff room during recess and lunch times. Children are not allowed in the staff room at any time.This includes before, during and after school hours. Remember not to use your cell phone when volunteering in the classroom and leave the phone on vibrate so it does not disturb the class.

For the safety of our students, adults are not allowed in any student bathroom. A restroom available for adult use is located in the office. Adults must wear a visitor’s badge in order to enter the lunch room and have lunch with their child. Students may not be taken outside of the lunchroom to eat lunch with parents/guardians.

To protect the privacy rights of our students, at no time should pictures or video of children, except your own, be taken or posted to any web site or social media without the permission from the child's parent or legal guardian. Our district provides a parent handbook with a page to turn in with information about photos, videos and technology.

At the beginning of the school year, you are invited to our annual Back to School Night. Back to School Night is an opportunity for parents and guardians to meet their child’s teacher and learn what is expected of their child during the upcoming school year. The date of this year’s event is September 15th.

During the spring, you are invited to our annual Open House Night. Students are STRONGLY encouraged to attend.During Open House, we open our doors for you to be amazed by the incredible work your child has done over the school year.

The birthday celebration policy that was first implemented in the 2009-2010 school year will continue for the current school year. Food items or balloons WILL NOT are permitted for birthday celebrations in the classroom. No celebrations involving food or drinks will be permitted. If parents wish to recognize their child’s birthday at school they may provide decorative pencils, bookmarks, erasers, or stickers.You also have the choice of donating a book directly to the classroom. Talk to your child’s teacher about what book might help the classroom collection. Teachers may elect to honor students as they see fit by giving special recognition, singing of songs, special classroom duties, etc.In addition, birthday party invitations need to be handed out outside of school hours.

We have decided to implement this new policy because of several concerns:

• Conflicts with our local wellness policy regarding childhood obesity
• Conflicts with the guidelines of the district’s Child Nutritional Service
• Concerns over students who have food allergies
• The negative impact these food items have on our office and custodial staff
• Loss of instructional time

Student lunches from home should either be brought with them to school. In the rare exception, when a child forgets his/her lunch.

1. Enter and exit the lunch room in an orderly fashion.
2. All students must remain seated during lunch and must request permission to leave their seats.
3. Food should be eaten in a polite and courteous way.
4. Students should speak in a quiet voice.
5. When finished with lunch students should place trash in the garbage can and stack trays.
6. Tables and surrounding areas are to be left free of food and trash.
7. Students will be dismissed by the noon duty supervisors and should walk to the playground.

School Expectations

A positive behavior system can be observed at Millbrook School. Our school has high academic and behavioral expectations based on the belief that all students can and will be successful learners. All classrooms have effective management procedures that include clearly defined rules, appropriate consequences, and recognition for positive behavior. Discipline is handled with sensitivity to the dignity of the child. The rules and policies concerning behavior at Millbrook are intended to ensure the safety of students as well as promote a positive place for learning.

Should a student choose not to follow school expectations, he or she may receive a written reminder for a serious infraction or an office referral form for a major infraction.

Behavior Intervention

Possible consequences for students who choose to disregard school expectations:

• Time out of recess
• Exclusion from special events or activities
• Principal, student, parent, teacher conference
• Detention
• In-school suspension
• Out of school suspension

At Millbrook Elementary School we assume that the business at hand is education, and as such students should be modestly dressed.Listed below are dress or attire guidelines.

• No halter tops, backless tops, spaghetti straps or tops that expose the belly.
• No slippers such as corduroy, house slippers, or flip-flops.Shoes must be closed-toe.
• Hats are allowed outdoors if worn correctly.
• No inappropriate logos are allowed.
• Shorts and skirts must be appropriate length (fingertip.
• Pants must be worn at the waist.
• The administration, working together with the staff, reserves the right to use discretion to deem other items inappropriate or disruptive to the learning process since fashion trends change with such regularity.
• Students inappropriately dressed for school will be asked to telephone a parent/guardian to bring a change of clothes.If parent/guardian contact cannot be made, the student will stay in the office during recess times.Please label clothes with your child’s name.

General Rules

• Treat all students, noon duties, staff and your school with respect.
• Play safely and cooperatively with others.
• Be kind.Do not do anything to hurt the feelings of others, such as name calling, teasing, or using inappropriate language.
• Hurting or bullying others is not allowed.
• Playground equipment must be used safely and appropriately.
• Balls are to be used on the field, basketball courts, and handball court.
• Walk around the games of others.
• Run on the grass.Walk on the blacktop and in the hallways.
• Play in appropriate play areas.Hallways, restrooms and behind buildings are not play areas.Stay on the playground side of the yellow line, except to use the restroom or water fountains.
• Use the restrooms appropriately.
• Throwing rocks, dirt, sticks, etc. is not allowed.Do not dig or play in dirt.
• Unsafe activities are not allowed on the playground.Be careful not to do anything that will harm yourself or others.No fighting, pretend fighting, ball kicking, or chasing games.
• When the bell rings all students must safely exit the playground and report directly to their classroom line.
• Snacks may only be eaten while sitting in the designated areas.No walking or playing while eating.

Play Structure

• Tag or chasing games are NOT allowed.No running on equipment.
• Slides are one-way, down, in a seated position with feet first.One student allowed on the slide at a time.No climbing upwards.
• Jumping off the playground equipment is prohibited.
• One student at a time on traveling bars.
• Swing in one direction. Count to 25 to wait for a turn. Do on jump off swings.

Consequences for Not Following Playground Rules

• Time Out - amount of time to be determined by playground supervisor.
• Loss of playtime.
• Loss of playground or sport equipment privilege for a specific length of time.
• Student is sent to the principal for repeated playground violations.

Millbrook School students learn to take pride in their environment by helping to maintain the grounds and keeping it free of debris. Students, staff and visitors are asked to help maintain our clean campus by utilizing the trashcans placed throughout the campus.In order to maintain our school property and cleanliness on campus, gum chewing is not allowed.

If you have a question about your child’s class, please contact your child’s teacher first.He/she is most likely to be acquainted with the situation and possible ways of handling it.The teacher may be having the same concerns, and a discussion may help to clear up any questions.

If an acceptable solution cannot be reached, the teacher or parent may contact the principal to arrange a time when the situation can be presented and other solutions offered.

We conduct fire drills regularly. Periodically, students practice evacuating the school building in the event of an earthquake and practice lock down drill procedures. Students cannot be released or checked out during the time of a drill.

Since our focus is on learning, video games, toys or other items that are distracting are not allowed at school or at school-sponsored functions.These items will be confiscated and must be picked up by the student, or parent, from the office.

Students are not allowed to sell any unauthorized items on campus. This includes fundraisers for other schools and organizations.

Since certain items pose obvious safety hazards and aid in vandalism: matches, lighters, fireworks, laser pointers, permanent markers, glass containers, spray bottle and spray cans are not allowed at school.Items will be confiscated and returned only to parents. Consequences will be enforced.

All forms of fighting (including "play fighting") or conspiracies to fight are strictly prohibited and consequences will be enforced.

Bullying behavior which includes, but is not limited to physical, written, verbal, electronic, or other means, with the intent to harass, threaten, intimidate, cyberbully, cause bodily or psychological harm is not allowed. If you are a student, parent/guardian, close relative, teacher or other staff member and wish to report an incident of alleged bullying, complete the Bullying Report Form located on the district website or obtain a hard copy in the front office.

Any item published on social media having negative affects on our school climate will be handled by school administrators and outside agencies if necessary.

To ensure the safety of students and minimize interruption of the instructional program, visits during school hours must be prearranged with the principal.

Volunteering in your child’s classroom is encouraged and welcomed. Please be sure to prearrange these opportunities with your child’s teacher. The office staff will contact the teacher to verify he or she is expecting you. When visiting or volunteering, please remember to:

• Stop by the front office and register in the Volunteer/Visitor’s binder
• Obtain and wear your visitor’s badge
• Remember to stop by the office to sign out before leaving campus.

The following Evergreen School District policies are provided to you to increase your awareness of what is and is not tolerated at any Evergreen School District campus. Policies in their entirety will be distributed at the beginning of the school year and can be requested from the school office.

Student Use of Technology - B.P. 6163.4

The Governing Board recognizes that technology provides ways to access the most current and extensive sources of information. Technology enables students to practice skills and to develop reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Every effort shall be made to provide equal access to technology throughout the district’s schools and classes. Students are responsible for adhering to Evergreen School District’s Acceptable Use Agreement.

Non-Discrimination - B.P. 5145.3

District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, including harassment, with respect to the actual or perceived ethnic group, religion, gender, color, race, ancestry, national origin, and physical or mental disability, age or sexual orientation. The Governing Board shall ensure equal opportunities for all students in admission and access to the educational program, guidance, and counseling programs, athletic programs, testing procedures, and other activities.

Sexual Harassment - B.P. 5145.7

The Governing Board is committed to maintaining a school environment that is free from harassment. The Board prohibits sexual harassment of any student by another student, an employee or other person, at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against any person who complains, testifies, assists or otherwise participates in the complaint process established in accordance with this policy. Any student who engages in sexual harassment of anyone at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity is in violation of this policy and shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Uniform Complaint Procedure - B.P. 1312.4

The Board recognizes that the district has primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations governing education. The district shall investigate and seek to resolve complaints at the local level. The district shall follow uniform procedures when addressing civil rights guarantees, complaints alleging unlawful discrimination or gender equity issues, or failure to comply with state or federal law in programs for consolidated categorical aid, Indian education, migrant education, child nutrition, special education, adult education, career/vocation education, and child development. The Board prohibits retaliation in any form for the filing of a complaint, the reporting of instances of discrimination, or for participation in complaint procedures. Such participation shall not in any way affect the status, grades, or work assignments of the complainant. The Board acknowledges and respects employee rights to privacy. Discrimination complaints shall be investigated in a manner that protects the confidentiality of the parties and the facts. This includes keeping the identity of the complainant confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the investigation or proceedings, as determined by the Superintendent or designee on a case-by-case basis. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that employees designated to investigate complaints are knowledgeable about the laws and programs for which they are responsible.

Tobacco-Free Environment - B.P. 4016.1 and 5131.62

Documentation and research has demonstrated the health hazards associated with the use of tobacco products and the breathing of second-hand smoke. Further, a legislative mandate requires the district to alleviate the presence and use of tobacco products in the educational environment. The Governing Board intends to maintain tobacco and smoke-free school facilities, grounds, offices, work areas, and district vehicles for all of its students, employees, parents, volunteers, and visitors.

Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures - B.P. 3212.4 W

The Board recognizes that the district has primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations governing education. The district shall investigate and seek to resolve complaints at the local level. The district shall follow uniform procedures when addressing complaints regarding Instructional Materials, Teacher Vacancy/Mis-assignment and Facilities conditions which pose an emergency or urgent threat to the health or safety of students and/or staff.

Protection of Pupil Rights

The district has adopted policies, in consultation with parents, regarding student and parent rights as well as arrangements to protect the privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution purposes. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act gives parents certain rights with respect to their child’s educational records. More information is available in the school office.