Robla School District
Taylor Street School
Handbook
4350 Taylor Street
Sacramento, CA 95838
916-927-5340
Michelle Crisp, Principal
Elieen Chen, District Superintendent
Robla School District Board of Education
Mr. Craig DeLuz
Mrs.Raynell Hamilton-Starks
Mrs. Nuvia Cardon
Ms.Sharona Devine
Mr. Ken Barnes
Table of Contents
School Introduction 3
List of Staff Members 3-6
School Schedule 8
Taylor Street A to Z 9-20
Attendance, Absences, Bicycles, Breakfast & Lunches 9
Bicycles,Bus Transportation, Cell Phones, Curriculum 9-10
Drug Free Zone,Dress code, Early Dismissal 10-11
Expectations, Emergencies, Extended Day 11-12
Fieldtrips, Grades, Health Issues 13-14
Homework, Interpreters, Library,Lost and Found 14-15 Parent Teacher Conferences, Personal Property, 15
Positive Behavior Expectations 16-17
Programs, Promotion and Retention, Report Cards and Safety 18
Student Study Team,Tardiness,Visiting School, snacks Policy 19-20
and Volunteers
Section Four-District Policy Parent Guardian Legal Rights Parents and Pledges 21-22
It’s Your School, Too!
District/Parent Involvement Policy 23-25
School Introduction
Taylor Street School is a neighborhood K-6 elementary school that puts children at the center of all we do. Our goal is for students to read critically, write effectively, and use math thoughtfully as they become educated citizens. We teach social-emotional skills so our students develop healthy relationships as they grow and learn. We partner with parents to educate the whole child.
Taylor Street School Staff 2023-2024
Taylor Street School Hours
Student Hours Office Hours
Monday through Wednesday, and Friday Monday through Friday
Grades K-3 and 8:13 AM - 2:13 PM 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
SDC
Grades 4-6 and
GATE Classes 8:13 AM - 2:53 PM
Thursday (Early Out)
All Grades and 8:13 AM – 1:48 PM
Classes
Minimum Day (see District Student Calendar for this year’s dates)
All Grades and 8:13 AM – 12:50 PM
Classes
Pick Up and Drop Off Notes: The school gate opens at 8:00 AM. Students should not arrive before this time because there is no supervision. Students should leave school immediately following dismissal unless they are enrolled in an after-school program. There is no general supervision after school.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast is eaten in the classroom, after the bell rings from 8:15-8:25. More students eat breakfast when we serve it in the classroom than when we serve it in the cafeteria before school.
MORNING RECESS
Grades
Kindergarten/SDC/1 9:50 AM 10:05 AM
Grades 2, 3 and GATE 9:50 AM 10:05 AM
Grades 4, 5 and 6 10:05 AM 10:20 AM
LUNCH
Grades Lunch Period
Kindergarten, Grade 1,SDC 10:55 AM - 11:35AM
Grades 2 and 5 11:20 AM - 12:00 PM
GATE classes & 4 11:45 AM - 12:25 PM
Grades 3 &6 12:10 PM - 12:50 PM
Taylor Street School
INFORMATION A to Z
ATTENDANCE
Our attendance goal is 98% school wide. Please help us reach that goal by sending your child to school every day and on time, except when they are ill. Attending school for part of a day is better than not attending at all.
ABSENCES
If your child is absent from school, please call the office and notify the staff of the reason. You can also send a note with your child when they return to school.
Excessive absences will result in a meeting with the principal, teacher, and parent to determine how the school can support increased attendance. Continuing absences will result in letters from the Student Attendance and Review Team, and eventually a hearing before the Student Attendance and Review Board.
BICYCLES and Other Things with Wheels
Students may ride their bicycles to school and lock them on the bike rack outside room 8. Office staff can store skateboards and scooters during the day. State law requires all students to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, scooter, skateboards, or skates. Students must walk their bikes and scooters, or must hold their skateboards or skates while on campus.
BREAKFAST and LUNCH
Breakfast and lunch are free at Taylor Street. Breakfast is served from 8:15-8:25 in the classroom every morning. Hot lunches are served daily in the cafeteria. A well-stocked salad bar is part of every lunch.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Bus transportation may be available to your students. Please contact the front office to ask. Students who ride on the bus must follow the rules or risk losing their riding privileges.
CELL PHONES
Students may bring cellphones to school, but the phones must remain off and put away during the day. Many teachers collect and store phones during the day. Students may use their phones to communicate with parents/guardians only after school. If parents/guardians and students need to communicate during the day, they may use the front office line to talk or leave messages.
If students break cell phone rules:
First time: Phone is kept in the office for the remainder of the day and the student may pick up the phone after school
Second time: Phone is kept in the office for the remainder of the day and a parent may pick up the phone after school
Third time: Phone is kept in the office for the remainder of the day and the principal calls a parent-student meeting to discuss
First time for inappropriate phone use (watching or filming videos, reviewing or posting on social media, using phone in restroom, phones are seen in pockets/hands): Phone is kept in the office for the remainder of the day and the principal calls a parent-student meeting to discuss
Curriculum and Instruction
Our instruction and instructional materials are based on the California Content Standards. The California Content Standards for English/Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, English Language Development, History, and Science set the learning goals for every grade level. Our state approved curricula are:
ELA Wonders published by McGraw Hill Education
Math Envision Math published by Pearson
Science TWIG Science published by TWIG Education
History/ History-Social Science for California published by Scott Foresman
Social Studies
Dress Code
A consistent dress and grooming policy is necessary to provide a positive and safe school environment that is free of disruption for all Taylor Street students. Children should wear clothing and shoes that allow them to participate in playground activities. It is also important that your child dress for weather conditions. We ask that you follow the dress code listed below:
Drop-Off and Pick-up: Traffic Safety for Students
The school gate opens at 8:00AM. Students should not arrive before this time because there is no supervision. Students should leave immediately following dismissal unless they are enrolled in an after-school program. There is no general supervision after school.
School staff work to get students to their parents or guardians as quickly as possible. Please have patience and act safely in our parking lot:
DRUG FREE ZONE
Taylor Street is a Drug-free school zone, which means no drugs can be used or seen within 1,000 feet of the school property, and within or immediately adjacent to school buses.
EARLY DISMISSAL
Please come to the office to sign your student out for an early dismissal. Students cannot be released directly from classrooms. If you are in a hurry, call the office and we’ll collect your student from their classroom before you arrive.
EMERGENCIES
When we need to contact parents, we use the information on the emergency card. Please update the information by calling the office whenever you have a change in circumstance. Every year, we reach disconnected or wrong numbers when trying to contact parents, and it’s very hard for the students. We need your emergency numbers and work numbers. In case of illness or accident, the school makes every effort to contact parents, relatives, baby-sitters and friends. Please let the office know if you have a change of address, phone number, emergency numbers, or names of those allowed to pick up your children. Be sure that copies of any custodial agreements or restraining orders are on file in our office.
If you have a family emergency during school, please contact our office and we will try to help.
EXTENDED DAY
Our extended day program is designed to provide help to students in grades 1-3 who need extra support in reading or math. Teachers use assessments to determine small groups of students who need more learning time in a specific area. These students receive small group instruction for 35 minutes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:18 – 2:53. Parents are notified in advance if their child qualifies for the extended day program and must stay late.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips will be scheduled throughout the school year for students in all grades. Field trips are used to enrich learning and provide students with experiences about which they can read and write. Teachers will send home permission forms with students before each field trip. Please sign the form and provide all emergency information requested. Students cannot attend without a signed permission slip. If you’re interested in chaperoning a field trip, please contact your child’s teacher.
GRADES
Students receive number grades for their academic subjects on their report cards. Report cards are issued three times per year, at the end of every trimester, in November, March and June. Number grades are based on the student’s level of mastery of the California learning goals for their grade level, which are called content standards.
Standard Exceeded 4
Standard Met 3
Standard Nearly Met 2
Standard Not Met 1
Between grading periods, you may contact your child’s teacher to check on your child’s progress. If your student is receiving grades of 1 or 2, ask your child’s teacher how to partner with them to increase your child’s level of mastery.
HEALTH
Medications at School
In order for a child to take medication at school, we must have a copy of a doctor-signed prescription and a permission slip from the parents to administer the medication. Unfortunately, this law includes common over-the-counter remedies like cough drops, aspirin, acetaminophen, Zyrtec, etc. If your student needs medication during the day:
staff.
Injuries Or Illness at School
If your child is injured at school, we will administer first aid. We will notify you if there has been an injury to the head or a serious injury. If your child gets sick at school, we will take his or her temperature, provide care, and notify you if we feel he/she should go home.
Hazel Services School Health Center: A Telehealth Consultation Program
A tele-health center at no cost to you is now available . It is available during school hours to address your child’s healthcare needs. The school can connect to a licensed practitioner through the Hazel Health system. Please complete the Hazel school health consent form available in the first day packets and at your school office
Health Exclusions from School
State law requires that children be excluded from school for the following reasons:
*Immunizations are necessary for polio, measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and hepatitis.
**Children with head lice will be excluded from school until the hair has been treated and all of the eggs or nits have been removed. This process should take no longer than 24 hours. Children returning to school must have their heads checked in the office before they can return to the office. A responsible adult should be with the child until the student is cleared to return to the classroom.
HOMEWORK
Homework can help build self-discipline and study habits, but should
Homework requirements vary by teacher but will adhere to the “no more than 10 minutes per grade” rule.
Kindergarten and First Grades: no more than 10 min of homework nightly
Second grade no more than 20 min
Third Grade no more than 30 min
Fourth Grade no more than 40 min
Fifth Grade no more than 50 min
Sixth Grade no more than 60 min
These are recommended maximum amounts, so teachers may assign less.
Interpreters
There are many languages spoken at our school. If you need a translator, please contact the office and we can arrange it for you.
Hmong: Mr. Vang, Mrs. Xiong, Mrs. Yang
Spanish: Miss Evelyn, Miss Cecilia, Miss Sylvia, Mr. Chavez.
Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Fijian: Mrs. Singh
Russian: Mrs. Polyakova
LIBRARY
The Taylor Street Library is small but mighty! We buy brand new books every year to refresh our collection. Students are encouraged to check out books to take home each week. Students must have their parents’ permission to take books home. A permission slip is sent home at the beginning of the school year. The library will have extended hours to support parents and students with homework and parents will be made aware in the fall of the times.
LOST AND FOUND
The lost and found is located in the cafeteria. It is always full of very nice jackets, sweatshirts and other items. Please put your child’s name on all belongings so that we can return lost items. Please check the Lost and Found regularly. It grows so large that we must donate the clothing before the end of the year.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent teacher conferences are scheduled in November, at the end of the first trimester. Conferences are important for both parents and teachers because they provide an opportunity to partner together to support your child. However, parent conferences are not limited to those scheduled in November, and you may request a parent-teacher conference at any time.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Please put a name label on all personal property--jackets, sweatshirts, lunchboxes, and backpacks. With labels, we can find the owners when they’re lost. Personal electronics, toys, radios, games, and other personal items must stay at home.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
The school-wide expectations for students at Taylor Street are:
We are Safe
We are Responsible
We are Respectful
We are Ready to Learn
Students and teachers review what each of these expectations looks like in different places in the school: the classroom, cafeteria, library, playground, etc.
When students’ behavior meets expectations, they are rewarded with verbal recognition, special classroom privileges and schoolwide rewards, like Golden Paws (to spend at the student store) or Shout Outs, treat parties for students who have demonstrated our monthly character trait.
When students’ behavior does not meet expectations, a series of responses occur:
See the chart below (next page) for examples of our behavior expectations.
Taylor Street’s Positive Behavior Expectations
We act safely, responsibly, and respectfully in all areas of school. Here are some examples.
Safe Responsible Respectful
PROGRAMS AT TAYLOR
PROMOTION AND RETENTION POLICY
Parents must be notified in the fall or winter if their child is at risk of being held back in a grade. A plan to help the child improve will be discussed with the parents during parent conferences, or at a student study team meeting.
REPORT CARDS
Our report cards are issued three times during the year. They are based on the California State Content Standards in all subject areas. Report cards are sent home in November, March and June. Teachers gather assessment data and daily work to review so that the report card is an accurate reflection of each child’s progress. English learners also receive a supplement to the report card that shows student progress in learning English.
SAFETY
It is important that our campus be secure and safe. Classroom doors are kept locked. All but one entrance to school is kept locked during school hours. All visitors must report to the office. There are campus supervisors on the playground during all recesses, and they wear bright orange vests so that children can identify them quickly. All school district employees wear identification badges. Fire drills, lock down drills, and earthquake drills are held regularly. There is a school emergency plan. If we have to evacuate, we will move to Macedonia Baptist Church (behind our school grounds) at 700 Benton Avenue. If you would like a copy, please call the office.
If we have a problem at the school, we will notify the police department and the district office. If necessary, we will have district buses move the students to a safe location. We hope we will never have a problem, but we are prepared if it happens.
SNACK/FOOD POLICY
Taylor Street Elementary is committed to providing a healthy eating environment for all its students. As a reminder to all Robla families, all food and beverages served to students during the school day must meet the USDA Smart Snack Guidelines.
Food and beverage items brought in by families for birthdays, holidays and other celebrations that do not meet the guidelines are not allowed and will be turned away. This includes cupcakes, cookies, pizza, and any other items that do not meet the Smart Snack guidelines. There are district approved birthday baskets that can be purchased through the front office.
This policy does not extend to snacks that you send in for your own child(ren), however we do encourage families to always consider healthy snack options first.
The Robla School District is committed to providing a healthy and safe eating environment for all its students and appreciate your support. A list of Smart Snack approved snacks can be found on the district website or you may ask the front office staff for a copy of this list.
STUDENT STUDY TEAM
When a student has difficulty with schoolwork, the school will have a special meeting to decide how to help. It is important for parents to attend these meetings so that they can work with the school team to develop a plan for success. If you feel such a meeting would be helpful for your child, please contact your child’s teacher.
TARDINESS
Like absences, unexcused tardy arrivals are disruptive to your child’s education. Too many tardies cause students to miss important class instruction. Help your child by making sure that they arrive at school by 8:15 AM. When students arrive late in the morning, they must stop by the Tardy Station for a tardy slip before going to class. If the student is more than 30 minutes late, the Tardy Station will be closed and the student must go to the office for a tardy slip. If your child misses too many minutes of instruction due to tardy arrivals, they may be referred to the School Attendance Review Board.
If your child is late for a medical or dental appointment, please send a note and the tardy will be excused. Try to make appointments on early out days or after school if possible.
VISITING SCHOOL
You are welcome to visit school! at any time. To avoid unexpected disruption of the classroom, please make an appointment with the teacher before visiting. Visitors must stop in the office and sign in before going anywhere on campus. You will receive a visitor's badge to wear while you are on campus. Students are not permitted to bring other children to school as guests to spend the school day.
VOLUNTEERS
We welcome and encourage parent volunteers. Your presence at school will be valued by your child and by your child's teacher. Please call the school office, or speak with your child's teacher if you can volunteer your time.
TAYLOR STREET SCHOOL
Parent/Student/Teacher Compact
The mission of Taylor Street School is to assure that all students are encouraged,
supported, and challenged to develop to their fullest potential academically, socially, physically, and emotionally. All students become successful, lifelong learners and productive citizens. All students develop respect and appreciation for a culturally diverse society. All students assume sibility for their own learning and behavior in a safe and orderly learning environment. All students, parents, and staff members benefit from the high morale and strong school spirit that results from a caring and trusting school climate.
We, the Taylor Street School community, with input from parents, jointly established this compact in order to foster high student achievement and promote positive attitudes toward school and learning.
THE PARENT/GUARDIAN PLEDGE:
I realize that my child's education is very important and I understand that my participation in my child's education will help his/her achievement and attitude. Therefore, I agree to carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:
Parents will acknowledge this contract by signing and returning it to school.
Parent/Guardian Signature: Date:
THE STUDENT PLEDGE:
I realize that my education is important. I know I am the one responsible for my own success, and that I must work hard to achieve it. Therefore, I agree to carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:
Student's Signature: Date: .
THE SCHOOL STAFF PLEDGE:
I understand the importance of the school experience to every student and my role as a teacher and model. Therefore, I agree to carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:
A
Teacher's Signature: Date: .
As principal, I, Michelle Crisp, represent Taylor Street School staff in affirming this contract.
The Robla School District has developed a compact for our elementary schools to use as a formal acknowledgment of the partnership which we have with our families. This compact is presented upon registration, parent conferences and is in our student handbook as well.
Title 1 School-Level Parental Involvement Policy
Street School
With approval from the local governing board, Taylor Street School has jointly developed with, and distributed to, parents of Title I students a written Parental Involvement Policy, agreed upon - by such parents and updated periodically to meet the changing needs of parents and the school. It has distributed the policy to parents of Title I students through the Back to School Parent Packet and at the Annual Title I Parent Meeting. The policy describes the means for carrying out the following Title I parental involvement requirements [20 USC 6318 section 1118 (a)-(f) inclusive].
Involvement of Parents in the Title I Program.
To involve parents in the Title I program at Taylor Street School the following practices have been established:
School-Parent Compact
Taylor Street School distributes to parents of Title I students a school-parent compact. The compact, which has been jointly developed with parents, outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement. It describes specific ways the school and families will partner to help children achieve the State's high academic standards. It addresses the following legally required items, as well as other items suggested by parents of Title/students.
The School Compact is developed and annually reviewed by the School Site Council with input from Title I parents and members of the English Language Advisory Committee. The compact is distributed annually to parents in the school site Back to School Packet and/or parent conferences.
Building Capacity for Involvement
Taylor Street School engages Title! parents in meaningful interactions with the school. It supports a partnership among staff, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement. To help reach these goals, the school has established the following practices.
Accessibility
Taylor Street School provides opportunities for the participation of all Title I parents, including parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory students. Information and school reports are provided in a format and language that parents understand. Community Outreach Assistants, Special Education personnel, and other staff are available to assist parents in understanding school-related communications.
Revised 08/10/2022