SCHOOL HANDBOOK

Main Street Elementary School

3400 N. Main Street Main Street, CA 95073

(831) 464-5650 http://www.mainstreet.santacruz.k12.ca.us/ http://www.soqueldo.santacruz.k12.ca.us/

Table of Contents

From the Principal’s Desk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1School Policies and Procedures ........................................................ 2

Enrollment and Residency Policy ......................................................................... 2Kindergarten Registration ................................................................................. 2Transfers ..................................................................................................... 2Classroom Assignments and Reorganization ............................................................ 2Student Registration Card/Emergency Information ................................................... 2Attendance .................................................................................................. 3Absences ..................................................................................................... 3Health Concerns ............................................................................................ 3Medications .................................................................................................. 4Planned Absences ........................................................................................... 3Tardiness ..................................................................................................... 3Arrival ........................................................................................................ 4Dismissal ..................................................................................................... 4Leaving Campus During School Hours .................................................................... 5Parent Volunteers .......................................................................................... 5Bicycle/Skateboard/Scooter/Roller Skates Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Drop-Off, Pick Up, and Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Before and Aftr School Childcare Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Positive Learning Environment for All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Student Bullying, Cyber Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation ..................................... 6

Student Dress Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Playground Rules ............................................................................................ 7Pets ........................................................................................................... 8Toys, Equipment, and Miscellaneous Items from Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Lbeling Supplies/Lost and Found. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Office Telephone Use ...................................................................................... 8Student Cell Phone Use .................................................................................... 9Supplies ...................................................................................................... 9Snack Policy ................................................................................................. 9Child Nutrition Program ................................................................................... 9

Educational and Special Programs/Events .......................................... 10Electives and Special Offerings .......................................................................... 10Local Assessments/Multiple Measures .................................................................. 10Green School and No-Waste Picnic ...................................................................... 10Buddy Rooms ............................................................................................... 10Authors' Fair ................................................................................................ 10Spelling Bee ................................................................................................ 11Science Fair ................................................................................................. 11Math Competition .......................................................................................... 11Halloween Parade ......................................................................................... 11Field Day .................................................................................................... 11School Spirit Days .......................................................................................... 11

Conflict Resolution Managers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 School Service Students .................................................................................. 11

Special Education and Supportive Services ........................................ 12Intervention Program ..................................................................................... 12English Learner Support .................................................................................. 12Resource Specialist Program ............................................................................. 12School Psychologist ........................................................................................ 12Counselor ................................................................................................... 12Speech and Language Therapist ......................................................................... 12

Staying Informed ........................................................................ 13News, Notes, and Flyers .................................................................................. 13Website ...................................................................................................... 13Marquee ..................................................................................................... 13Back-to-School Night ...................................................................................... 13Parent Conference Days .................................................................................. 13Open House ................................................................................................. 13

Parent Involvement ..................................................................... 14School Site Council (SSC) ................................................................................. 14English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC) ............................................................... 14Friends of Main Street (FOMS) ........................................................................... 14

1

Welcome to Back to School!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

On behalf of our faculty and staff, welcome to Main Street School, home of the Great Blue Herons! I believe education is the bridge to a better life, and Main Street’s outstanding staff is ready to provide a supportive, nurturing, and academically challenging environment for all of our students. We consider our mission--Main Street School teaches students to be creative, critical thinkers who will become responsible citizens—to be vital and look forward to working with you as partners during the 2016-2017 school year. Main Street School is very fortunate. Not only do we have a devoted staff that promotes academic achievement and productive citizenship through quality instruction, we have a community that is unsurpassed in its pride, support, and involvement. I invite each of you to get involved in your child’s education through the numerous opportunities that await you, whether it is volunteering in the classroom or on a field trip, helping with a special activity or event, or more formally, by serving on School Site Council, Friends of Main Street Board, or English Lerner Advisory Council. There are myriad opportunities to show your support and be an active participant at Main Street School! Please read through this handbook, which should help you understand how our programs and community of learners works. We know that students succeed when education is a cooperative effort between both home and school. Help us forge and strengthen that link by discussing all policy information with your child, as appropriate to his or her age. I welcome your cooperation and support along with your questions, concerns and suggestions. I’m looking forward to a tremendous school year! Annette Bitter Principal

2

School Policies and Procedures

Enrollment and Residency Policy To be eligible to register as a student at Main Street School, you must reside within our school's attendance boundaries. To register a child for kindergarten through 5th grade you must provide:

2 Proofs of residence Two current documents showing parent/guardian/caregiver name and address. PO Box numbers are not accepted as a residence address. (Partial List of examples: one utility bill, escrow papers, lease agreement/rental contract and current rent receipts) Proof of age

A certified copy of the student's birth certificate Proof of Immunizations

An immunization card (or equivalent) from your physician. Students, who reside outside of Main Street’s attendance area but wish to attend Main Street School, must first be registered with the school that serves the attendance area where they live. Parents may then request a transfer from the current school and district to Main Street. Both schools an districts must accept the transfer before the child may begin attending Main Street. Questions about this process may be directed to the District Office, Linda Jacobs, 464-5639.

Kindergarten Registration Any child who will be five years old on or before September 1st of the current school year, and is physically residing within the Main Street School attendance boundaries, is eligible to attend kindergarten in the fall. Parents may register their child at our school in the spring, prior to the start of kindergarten by picking up a Registration Packet. Our district also offers a Transitional Kindergarten program for children turning five years old from September 2-December 2 and for those kindergarten-eligible children who might benefit from a 2 year kindergarten program. Please let the office know if you are interested.

Transfers If you are moving outside the attendance boundaries for Main Street Elementary, please notify the school office as soon as possible. If you wish to remain enrolled at Main Street, you must register at your new school and request a transfer to continue here.

Classroom Assignments and Reorganization Tentative teacher assignments for all grades are posted in the office window on the Friday before school starts. During the first weeks of school, as the enrollment stabilizes, it is sometimes necessary to reorganize classes. Every effort is made to reorganize the classes as early as possible to cause the least amount of disruption. Parents of students involved in any changes will be notified prior to the changes being made. We ask that parents are supportive throughout any reorganization and that they keep in mind that it is not done arbitrarily, but out of necessity. These are the only changes in classroom assignments allowed for the first two weeks of class as per district policy.

Student Registration Card/Emergency Information The student registration card is an important source of information for the school office. It provides the child’s address, phone number and emergency contact numbers. Teachers, the principal, and other office and health personnel in daily contact with your child need updated information. It is imperative that a new card is completed for each child at the beginning of each school year.

3

Please inform the office of any changes in student information throughout the year, most importantly work and emergency phone numbers.

Attendance Regular attendance is vital to your child’s academic progress. Missed hands-on experiences and group discussions cannot be made up, making regular attendance imperative to a successful school experience for your child. It is also important because school funding is mainly based on average daily attendance (ADA). We strongly encourage you to schedule medical and dental appointments during school vacations or after school hours. School-wide incentive programs reward students with Perfect Attendance by semester and school year. Perfect attendance is when a student is in class, on time, all day, everyday school is in session.

Absences If your child is going to be absent from school, please complete the online attendance form at http://www.mainstreet.santacruz.k12.ca.us/ or call the office at 464-5650, ext. 102 before 9:00 am. The law requires us to document the reason for every student’s absence. If your child sees a physician, please obtain a medical excuse for the absence or tardy. Phone calls will be made to the homes of those students whose parents/guardians have not called regarding their child’s absence. A child is legally truant if he/she is absent three or more times during the school year for unexcused absences, as defined by the state of California. Our School Attendance Review Board (SARB) will monitor students with excessive absences and tardies.

Health Concerns A child should not be sent to school with the following symptoms: sore throat, runny nose, cough, stomachache, fever, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. If any of these conditions arise at school, a child may be sent home. Basic first aid is provided for minor injuries. If a serious injury occurs, parents will be contacted and appropriate emergency procedures will be followed. Infectious diseases such as chicken pox, measles, mumps, and lice will be handled according to District policy. Please note that students are to remain at home

for a minimum of 24 hours after having a fever of 100+ or vomiting. Please make sure that your child’s emergency card is up-to-date with current contact information. Also, please be sure to inform the office staff of any special medical considerations (such as allergies & medications) that would help us better care for your child(ren).

Medications In order to protect your child and other students, no medicines (including seemingly benign over-the-counter medicines and remedies) may be brought to school unless your child’s doctor has filled out a form provided by the school and you have returned it to the office. All approved medications must be brought to school in their original containers and must be properly labeled with the student’s name, the medication’s name, the dosage and times given, and the doctor’s and pharmacy’s contact information. The medication is to be kept in the office and administered by the office staff. Parents may bring and administer medications themselves without forms being on file. A child may not keep his/her own medicine, nor administer it him/herself without prior approval.

Planned Absences (Independent Study Contracts) Parents are asked to request an independent study contract from the school office for their students for anticipated absences of five or more consecutive days. All requests need to be made with the office at least two weeks prior to absence. Independent study contracts require that the assigned work be completed and sent in upon the child’s return to school. Upon receiving the required work on time and teacher determination of credited amount of work, absences codes are changed from “incomplete” to “complete” status.

4

Tardiness Teachers plan for the instructional day to begin on time. While we all experience occasional times when we run late, being tardy is very disruptive to your child’s morning routine as well as those of his/her classmates. Teachers cannot be expected to make special accommodations for those who are not on time. Please assist us in meeting your child’s educational needs by making sure your child is at school on time. If arriving late, the student must come to the office to sign in. Habitual tardiness constitutes truancy under state education code and will be addressed by the principal. Students who arrive late are not eligible for Perfect Attendance awards, whether the tardiness is excused or unexcused.

Arrival Supervision of students begins daily at 7:50 am in the main playground area. If your child arrives at school prior 7:50 am, parents should remain with them until 7:50 am when yard supervisors begin duty. Your cooperation will help us maintain the safest possible environment for your child. A before school/after school childcare program is available to parents for a fee if such care is needed

(see next page). During inclement weather, children should report to the Multi-Use (MU) Room.

Dismissal Your child should be picked up from school at dismissal time, as no supervision is available after classes end. No student is to be unsupervised after school. A before school/after school childcare program is available if after school care is needed (see next page). Children are not allowed to play on the playground, unless it is their recess or PE time and they are supervised by an employee, until after 3:05 pm.

Leaving Campus During School Hours No student may leave school grounds during school hours without permission from the office. If you wish to take your child out of school before dismissal time, you must first sign them out at the office. Please do not try to find your child prior to going to the office, as teachers and staff will not allow students to leave without having been notified by the office. Be prepared to show identification so that we may prevent unauthorized persons from attempting to make contact with your children. The office must be notified in advance if someone whose name does not appear on the emergency card is to pick up your child. We appreciate your cooperation with these safety measures. Parent Volunteers Main Street is blessed with a community that gets involved and helps the school in myriad ways. While we welcome volunteering in the classroom and will happily grant requests to observe in your child’s classroom, arrangements must be done in advance. Unexpected classroom visitors are disruptive to the teacher and the learning environment. Please respect this rule. And, remember, if you have made arrangements for volunteering or observing, please make sure you check in at the office and obtain a visitor badge.

Bicycle/Skateboard/Scooter/Roller Skates Policy Students who follow the safety rules may ride bicycles, skateboards, and scooters to school. We suggest that only students in 3rd –5th grades be allowed by their parents to use this mode of transportation. Helmets are strongly encouraged by the school and are required by state law for juvenile bicyclists. Bicycles may not be ridden on campus and must be walked to the

bike racks. Bikes and scooters should be locked, as school personnel do not monitor the bike rack. All removable parts, such as pads, should not be left on the bikes or scooters. Skateboards should be turned in to either the office or the student’s teacher before school starts and picked up after school.

5

Drop-off, Pick-Up, and Parking Improving student safety is a top priority at Main Street School. It is important that everyone dropping off and picking up students follow the same procedures. PLEASE, observe the following rules:

• Please treat our campus supervisors courteously and follow their directions! Their number one priority is your child’s safety.

• The most important thing to remember is to be courteous, cautious, and constantly aware (always looking all around you) as you are driving through the parking lot.

• Drivers should not form two lines on Main Street while waiting to enter the school parking lot. This blocks traffic on Main Street and could lead to an accident.

• When you are driving north on Main Street, please pull to the right, and wait in a single line as you approach the school parking lot.

• Please note the No Parking Signs from Bridge Street to the driveway from 2:00 to 3:30 each school day. We need you to observe this no parking zone on early release days from 11:00 to 12:15 as well, as it really helps the flow of traffic.

• Once in the school parking lot, maintain one line on the far right. A second lane on the far left may be formed once you are past the lower left entrance to the parking area.

• A great deal of congestion would be alleviated if everyone would stay in their vehicle and pull all the way forward before stopping, and then continue to move forward, closing the gaps, until you have exited the parking lot.

• Please do not leave your car unattended unless it is parked in one of the stalls. • Please do not park in the bus zone. • If you are picking up multiple children at different times, please consider parking in

a space and walking up to pick up your children. A reminder: Children are not allowed to play on the playground, unless it is their recess or PE time and they are supervised by an employee, until after 3:05 pm.

• Please use the marked crosswalk when crossing the street. An important note, the gates on Via Gatos are for pedestrians and bike riders only. Please do not park or drop off students in this area. The area is patrolled periodically by CHP, and you may receive a traffic violation. Please set a good example for your children by obeying the posted traffic signs and being respectful of our Sevilla neighborhood. The gates are to be used only for neighborhood students going to and from schools and for emergencies.

Before and After School Childcare Program Campus Kids Connection is a non-profit agency, independent of the district, providing services to our community on our campus for childcare. The day care center is open before and after school. Space is limited and pre-enrollment is required. At the end of a school day, registered students may go directly to Campus Kids Connection. For an application and fee schedule, please contact Campus Kid Connection’s main office at (831) 462-9822.

Positive Learning Environment for All Main Street School has a commitment to a positive learning environment through the use of a nationally recognized program, Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS), which supports all students. Our entire

staff works closely together to ensure that all children feel safe and welcome. Students are taught the school’s behavioral expectations, which are reinforced regularly, and take an active role in promoting positive behavior throughout the school. We encourage open communication with parents and students

regarding any behavior issues and support students in learning to solve conflicts with good communication. When a student is struggling with behavior, staff and principal work with both student and family to remediate the situation. We are fortunate to have a variety of strategies, methods and programs to help our students navigate through behavioral and social challenges.

6

The Main Street Way character traits—Respectful, Responsible, Honest, Caring—are part of our PBIS program. Each month we feature a specific trait and recognize two students from each classroom who best represent the trait. Those students have their names announced on weekly announcements; receive a certificate, Main Street Way pencil, and mascot sticker; and have their picture taken in a group photo for the bulletin board in the office. In May of each year, we recognize students who have exhibited The Main Street Way throughout the school year. In addition to monthly student recognition, staff members give out “purple slips” to students who are “caught” exhibiting one of the traits. Staff regularly reviews behavior expectations set forth in our PBIS matrix, which is available upon request in the office. We’ve also implemented a program known as Simon’s Hook, based on a story about teases and put-downs, by local author Karen Gedig Burnett, also known as Grandma Rose. Grandma Rose teaches students how not to “bite the hook” when someone is teasing or using put-downs. In keeping track of behavior issues at Main Street, we have determined that while there is very little actual bullying, we do have incidents of inappropriate behavior like name-calling, put-downs, and exclusion. What this program teaches students is not to engage when someone is looking to get a reaction. There are five responses: Do Little, Agree, Distract, Laugh or Make a Joke, or Walk Away. Yard duty staff, counselors, and teachers remind students to use the appropriate response, which puts the control back in the hands of the students. Yard duty staff wear a lanyard with the five responses listed and each class has a book and poster to refer to. Obviously there are still times when students need an adult’s help; we are not advocating letting a student be harassed and bothered without recourse. For more information, you may view the book in our library or review: http://www.grandmarose.com/books/simons-hook/. Several of our staff members have been trained by the Solution Team® workshop to learn strategies to help students who feel picked on and/or victims of inappropriate behavior in a non-punitive way by resolving entrenched negative behavior dynamics. Under this response, an adult facilitator pulls together a group of students to solve the mistreatment of one of their peers. Solution Team® is an Opportunity for students to develop empathy, responsibility, and to speak up, becoming “upstanders” instead of bystanders. Teachers also use MindUp, a research-based curriculum, featuring lessons that use the latest information about the brain to improve behavior and learning for all students. Each lesson offers easy Mindfulness strategies for helping students focus their attention, improve their self-regulation skills, build resilience to stress, and develop a positive mind-set in both school and life. Student Bullying, Cyber Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Bullying, cyber bullying, harassment, and intimidation are strictly prohibited by federal law and will not be tolerated in Soquel Union Elementary Schools (Board of Education Policy 5131.1). Bullying is defined as a pattern of behavior when a person repeatedly uses power in an intentional manner, including verbal, physical, or written conduct or intentional electronic communication against one or more students. Harassment includes actual or perceived negative actions that offend, ridicule, or demean another individual with regard to race, national origin, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, familial status, physical or mental ability, or disability. Intimidation is subjecting an individual to intentional action that seriously threatens and induces a sense of fear and/or inferiority. Students who engage in behaviors that constitute bullying, cyber bullying, harassment, or intimidation will be disciplined according to the procedures set forth in Soquel Union Elementary School District’s Board of Education Policy. Students, parents and close relatives, and/ or staff are encouraged to report any acts of the above to the school administration or designee.

7

Student Dress Code Our staff holds the highest aspirations for our students. To this end, we look to distinguishing the academic environment from other social arenas. We believe that it is the responsibility of the school to stress decency, cleanliness and appropriateness of dress for school, and the school district reserves the right to establish guidelines for dress and grooming. In cases of questionable attire, the school administration will make the final determination as to whether or not certain attire is permitted. We encourage parents to support appropriate attire for their students. Fashions and fads that constitute a health or safety hazard to one’s self or others are not allowed. A student’s personal appearance should not disrupt the educational process, call undue attention to the individual, violate federal, state or local health or obscenity laws, or affect the health, safety and/or welfare of the student and his/her classmates or the school staff. Any emerging trend not addressed in this dress code will be evaluated by the administration and that decision will be final. Please read the following dress code carefully to avoid confusion.

v Shorts/skirts must be longer than fingertips v No tube tops or spaghetti straps v Make-up and perfume are not appropriate v No bare midriffs - All upper body apparel must be long enough to cover the chest and

waist areas so that bare skin is not visible at any time. v Sagging pants/shorts are not permitted, all pants/shorts must stay up securely on the

hips v Undergarments may not be showing v Clothing exhibiting gang affiliation is strictly prohibited v Clothing and jewelry with writing or designs that depict prejudice, unlawful acts, tobacco,

drugs or alcohol are prohibited v Chains, large rings, jewelry or shoes that may be used as weapons are not allowed on

campus v Closed toed shoes are strongly encouraged as some PE activities will require them. If

your child wears sandals, they should have a strap around the ankle and fit snuggly so they don’t come off while running. “Flip flops" are not permitted.

v No hats, hoods inside buildings Students whose clothing is found to be inappropriate for school will be asked to change into appropriate attire issued by the school office or delivered from home. All inappropriate items will be held in the office and returned to a parent/guardian.

Playground Rules Parents, please help us keep our playground safe for all students by reviewing these important playground rules with your child. General

• No play fighting or rough housing • No pretend guns or weapons • No picking each other up, everyone on their own feet • No hanging out or playing on classroom ramps or railings • No playing with sticks/throwing wood chips; sticks stay on the ground • Food and drink at tables only; no food on blacktop, ramps, or playground at anytime • No excluding, everyone is allowed to join a game • Hands to yourself, no pushing, hitting, grabbing, pulling on clothing • No toys of any kind from home allowed • Tag is two fingers only (never shoving)

8

Structure • No running in wood chips • One person at a time down slide, feet first • No climbing up slide • No hanging off side of slide or jumping off the slides • No tag in wood chips • No climbing on top of structures • No jumping off structures • No grabbing or pushing on balance bar • No chicken on any structure • No “Birdie in the Cage”

Bars

• Must have at least one hand on bars at all times • No swinging

Ball Walls

• Only bouncy balls on ball walls • Only two players per game • No kicking the wall • No running up to and jumping off the wall

Blacktop

• No kickball or soccer on blacktop • No kicking or throwing other students’ balls • Balls are held still after the whistle

Tetherball

• No kicking or using anything but hands to hit the ball • Line must stand back from players in game • Two players in a game • Can stay in for two games if winning then return to line • First person at game will be the first server, then winner is server • No Ropies

Pets Due to the unpredictability of animals and potential allergic reactions, we do not allow family pets on campus, even when picking up or dropping off. If your child is the featured student of the week/month and wants to share his/her pet, prior approval must be obtained and the animal must be crated. Please contact the office for more information.

Toys, Equipment, and Miscellaneous Items from Home In order to maximize learning, it is imperative that the teacher be able to focus on teaching and the students on learning. When toys or other personal items are brought to school, the teacher usually ends up spending valuable time settling disputes, comforting kids distraught over broken toys, or finding lost treasures. To minimize these distractions, toys, sports equipment, electronic items, personal belongings and extra cash should be left at home except with prior permission from the teacher. That said, sharing and special activities will sometimes mean that items are brought to school. Older students are sometimes allowed to bring special school supplies. Please check with your child's teacher prior to sending special items.

Labeling Supplies/Lost and Found

9

Please label all clothing items, book bags, lunch boxes, and supplies with your child’s name. By doing so, most “lost” items can be returned to their owners promptly. If an item has been misplaced, students and/or parents are encouraged to check the Lost and Found clothing rack or the office for small items. Unclaimed items are donated to charities periodically throughout the year.

Office Telephone Use Students may use the office telephone only to call home (or their care-provider) in cases of illness, emergency, or to stay after school. We will also, on occasion, permit calls about lunch money, library books, and similar situations when warranted and if the office staff isn’t too busy. An adult will supervise the calls. Students may not use the phone for social reasons, such as to receive permission to go to a friend’s house after school. Such arrangements should be made prior to coming to school.

Student Cell Phones Use Cellular phones are much more distracting than necessary for elementary school students. They have the potential to interrupt the entire class and cause problems on the playground. If your child has one, please have them leave it at home unless you require them to have one. If a cell phone is required, it must be turned off during school hours, left in their backpack, and may only be used after school hours.

Supplies The school purchases general supplies and textbooks for the educational program. Textbooks are lent to the students for the duration of the school year. The student responsible for the book must pay for any text or library book that is lost or damaged beyond a normal year’s wear. Textbooks that are taken home regularly should be protected. Students may cover the books with paper bags or purchase commercial covers.

Snack Policy At recess each day, students are given the opportunity to eat a nutritious snack they’ve brought from home. This provides them with an energy boost for the remainder of their morning. Students should not eat candy or drink soda at school with their snack or lunch. They will be asked to bring these items home with them if they are brought to school.

Child Nutrition Program All students have an account that is accessed by a laminated student card kept in the MU room. Snack, lunch and milk may be purchased daily, weekly or as advanced as you prefer. Students may also bring a snack and lunch to school. To pay for snack, lunch, and/or milk, you may prepay online at www.mySchoolBucks.com or deposit money in the office in our designated basket on the front desk. Snack is $2.00. Lunch is $3.00 and includes milk. Milk is $.50 if purchased separately. Applications for free or reduced meals are available. A new application must be completed each year. Reduced lunches are $.40. If a child forgets or loses his/her money or is out of pre-paid lunches, he/shewill be given permission to call home for money or a lunch. Candy and gum do not belong at school. Please help us with this rule by not packing these items in your child’s lunch box.

10

Educational and Special Programs/Events Main Street Elementary has an expert and talented teaching staff, that receives continuing education through professional development opportunities on a regular basis. As we continue to implement the California Common Core Standards, our focus is on the 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking--the “four Cs”. Our students are consistently exposed to extensions of this curriculum and enrichment experiences on a daily basis. Our goal at Main Street is for each student to experience at least one year of academic growth every year they are at Main Street. Electives and Special Offerings In addition to our core curriculum, we also offer library, music, and computer lab electives on a weekly basis. Students are also exposed to art, digital citizenship, and coding lessons; special dance classes, experiential academic field trips, guest science teachers, and special assemblies on a regular basis. Students also have the opportunity to use Chrome Books and hand-held electronic devices, depending on the grade level. We want to make sure that all of our students are computer literate when they leave Main Street School.

Local Assessments/Multiple Measures All students are assessed on a regular basis, in several curricular areas, using a variety of measurement tools. This year we continue to implement a district-wide state-of-the-art computer-based assessment program, MAP, which allows teachers to monitor your child’s progress in math and language arts. Students are assessed in reading using Fountas and Pinnell (F & P), as well as other methods. For writing, our school is focused on Writers Workshop provided and supported by New Yorks Teachers College. K-5 students will be given the MAP assessment two times per year. Each spring, students in third through fifth grade take the state online assessment, CAASSP, to measure achievement and growth in language arts and math; fifth graders are also assessed by the state in science and physical fitness. Other tests are given as a regular part of the curricular cycle of instruction and assessment.

Green School and No-Waste Picnic We are proud to be a part of the Green School program, which was established to promote environmental stewardship education and solid-waste reduction in Santa Cruz County schools. Students are actively involved in the sorting of paper, plastic and food scraps. Students also help with the collection and sorting of recycling from their classrooms and help monitor and educate other students in the school when they see ways to recycle or re-use. Our annual No-Waste Picnic is a celebration of Earth Day each spring and helps educate our students on recycling. We generally have two assemblies a year focusing on how to reduce, reuse and

recycle and conserve water.

Buddy Rooms All intermediate and primary classrooms are matched as buddy rooms. They engage in a variety of activities to encourage both academic and social growth. We believe this strengthens our school family by allowing older students to be mentors and younger students to have positive role models. Buddy classes usually meet once a week and often go on the annual trip to the pumpkin patch together.

Authors’ Fair Several classes at Main Street School participate in the Student Authors’ Fair, a joint venture of the Santa Cruz County Reading Association and the County Office of Education. The purpose is to encourage students to write and illustrate their own books and to recognize these students by sharing their books with the community. The fair is usually held at Capitola Mall in spring.

11

Spelling Bee Main Street Elementary participates in an annual spelling bee each winter. First, the top spellers in each 4th and 5th grade class compete against each other to determine which students are the top two spellers in the school. Our school-wide winners then compete against the winners from other participating schools in the county. Four winners at the county competition then compete at the state level. The winners of the state competition have the opportunity to vie for the national title.

Science Fair Second and Third grade classrooms hold a science fair each year, which is always an exciting event. Students get to think like young scientists and design an experiment using the scientific method. The project also develops skills in writing, oral presentation, creative thinking, and problem solving. In addition, fourth grade students may participate in a fourth grade science fair, in which the top winners go on to compete at the county level in the spring. Math Competition Interested fifth grade students are given the opportunity to work with the fifth grade math teacher to prepare and compete in the county math competition in the spring.

Halloween Parade Main Street’s annual Halloween Parade is one of our school’s most anticipated events. Students and staff are encouraged to dress-up in full costume and parade in front of parents and other family members in a fun-filled day of celebration.

Field Day Field Day has been a longstanding tradition at Main Street Elementary that is held the last week of school. This school wide event features several field events, in which the buddy classes participate. Our parent volunteers make the Field Day events possible.

School Spirit Days We encourage all members of the Main Street Elementary community to show school support by wearing school spirit wear or a specially-themed outfit on Spirit Days, usually the last Wednesday of the month. Students in School Service select the Spirit Day themes. The class with the most participants wins a special School Spirit Trophy to be on display in their class for the month. Spirit Wear may be purchased from Friends of Main Street at various events or inquire in the office. Conflict Resolution Managers Fourth and fifth grade students have the opportunity to be trained and serve as conflict resolution managers to help facilitate problem solving and conflict resolution on the playground. Students are chosen based on interest and staff recommendation, as we look for students who have good citizenship, positive role models and have a desire to help others. Student conflict managers rotate during recesses, grades 1-5. This program is led by one of the school’s counseling interns and the Yard Duty supervisors. School Service Students (formerly Leadership) Fourth and fifth grade students may apply for School Service twice a year, which is under the direction of the school principal. Students who are eligible must be positive role models, have no office referrals, complete their class and home work, and commit to attending and participating in all activities. This group of students helps out at various activities and events, plans and promotes

12

spirit days, provides support to other students, and organizes school and community service projects.

Special Education and Other Supportive Services

Intervention Main Street Elementary has an outstanding intervention program open to all qualifying Kindergarten through 5th grade students who struggle in reading and/or mathematics. Because early intervention is important for success – especially in the core subjects of language arts and math -- resources focus on providing small group and individual tutoring during the school day. Credentialed teachers provide short term, small group or one-on-one tutoring sessions for both language arts and mathematics throughout the school year. A student may receive services in math and/or reading at different times throughout the year, depending on their grade level and individual needs.

English Learner Support Students who are learning English as a second language are supported in a number of ways, according to individual and group needs. English Learners receive English as a Second Language instruction and Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) from their classroom teacher. Our English Language Development teacher provides additional small group support to help students develop English language skills. Our English learner students are also provided with computer lab time before and after school to help boost English language acquisition.

Resource Specialist Program The Resource Specialist is a teacher who is trained in assessing and instructing students with learning disabilities. He/she serves as both a consultant to the teaching staff and a member of the Student Study Team (SST), which assesses the academic needs of students. If students qualify for services, a program is designed to meet the needs of students who have learning difficulties. The Resource Specialist and her Instructional Aide provide these programs to students in the Learning Center on site.

School Psychologist The school Psychologist also serves as consultant to the teaching staff, supporting the academic and emotional/behavioral needs of students. She supports students in a number of ways, both directly and indirectly: administers assessments in order to determine the existence, extent and/or nature of learning disabilities, creates behavior plans, and advises staff and parents on how best to meet the needs of individual students.

Counselor The school Counselor assists students in dealing with emotional and behavioral issues. She may see students in a small group setting or individually on a short-term basis. If needed, referrals to outside services may be made.

Speech and Language Therapist The Speech and Language Therapist helps to identify and assess children who require additional support in developing communication skills appropriate to their ability/age level. If the student qualifies, the speech and language therapist creates an individualized program for the student and provides the needed support so that they may reach their academic potential.

13

Staying Informed There are a number of ways to stay informed about what is happening at school. Here are a few:

News, Notes, and Flyers Main Street Messenger is a newsletter produced several times a year, via email and printed for those whom request it. Messenger is published in English and Spanish to keep everyone informed of all events and encourage involvement and participation of parents in our school. In addition to news and information, an up-to-date calendar of events appears in it. Teachers also regularly send school flyers and newsletters home with students. Please try to make a habit of checking your child’s folder or backpack weekly for notes, forms, and flyers.

Website The Main Street Elementary website, located at http://www.mainstreet.santacruz.k12.ca.us/ is regularly updated and contains a wide variety of information for students, parents and staff including: this handbook in its entirety, the Principal’s message, teacher and staff contact information, current curriculum, pictures, information from the district office, information about parent involvement and upcoming events, and our school newsletter, “Main Street Messenger”. We ask that this be your main source of information, as it is updated frequently. Marquee We have two marquees at Main Street, one near the street and one on the outside of the MU. Both are updated regularly with up-to-the minute information. Please check them regularly!

Back-to-School Night Back-to-School Night is a time to meet your child’s teacher, hear about the curricular objectives for the year at your child’s grade level, and to learn about how you can assist your child to make it a successful learning year. Please, no children at this event, if possible.

Parent Conference Days Each of these days will have early dismissal. This is an excellent time for you to meet with the teacher and review your child’s progress. There are conference days scheduled in October, January and March. Please schedule additional conferences with your child’s teacher any time you feel they are needed.

Open House Open House is held near the end of the school year to show parents and families the classroom activities and student work that has occurred over the school year. Parents and student are welcome to attend this informal event.

14

Parent Involvement The following committees and organizations represent several important groups that make up the decision-making, fund-raising, and community support bodies at Main Street Elementary.

School Site Council (SSC) SSC makes budgetary decisions on specific funding areas within the school budget. SSC consists of parents, teachers, and other school staff. It serves as an advisory and decision-making body for the school. Meetings are open to all parents and are held approximately five times a year. However, only elected officers may vote on decisions.

English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC) ELAC’s purpose is to focus on the needs of students who are learning English as second language and raise funds for programs that benefit these students. One of the representatives of this site group also attends the District English Learner Advisory Council (DELAC). Main Street’s ELAC will meet approximately five times a year.

Friends of Main Street (FOMS) Main Street Elementary is very fortunate to have an active home and school club, which is called Friends of Main Street or FOMS. Please plan on joining fellow parents in their activities that help support our students! Several of the special aspects of our school are a direct result of their valuable fund-raising efforts. Throughout the year FOMS supports numerous community building events including the Back-to-School BBQ, Poker Night, Book Fair, Spring Dance, Auction, Jog-a-thon, and Field Day, just to name a few. Participating in FOMS events allows you to make new acquaintances, visit with friends, and gather information about programs and classes, as well as build a larger school community outside the classroom. Funds raised by FOMS help support school programs such as Life Lab, music, dance, art, after school programs, computer lab teacher, Bike-to-School days, teacher appreciation events, classroom enrichment supplies, playground equipment, and much more! For the latest information, check out the FOMS web site at: friendsofmainstreet.com

15

16