Parent/Student Handbook 2015-2016 “THE SKY IS THE LIMIT” MATHER HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Folsom-Cordova Unified School District Mather Heights Elementary 4370 School Road Mather, CA 95655 Phone: (916) 294-2440 Fax: (916) 294-2486 Visit us at: www.fcusd.org/mhe For any updated information
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The school community, including parents, students and staff, shall not tolerate any comments
or gestures which are vulgar or obscene or which denigrate others on account of sex, race,
religion, ancestry, national origin, handicap or disadvantage.
Students shall be subject to disciplinary procedures for harassing other students or for using
insults, slurs, or fighting words which may disrupt school activities. (District Policy 5130)
Repeated offenses will be cause for suspension.
HOMEWORK PRACTICES
Parental/guardian involvement with the actual homework assignments should be kept to a
minimum; however, parents/guardians are required to review and monitor homework activity
and to maintain an active interest in the academic progress of their child.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to support and facilitate good homework practices by
providing a quiet, well –lighted environment for study and to encourage the development of
regular and consistent patterns of study habits.
Parents/guardians may provide instructional help to students when necessary. Instructional help is assistance that enables students to do their
own work on the homework assignments
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DISCIPLINE POLICY
The discipline plan at Mather Heights Elementary has two goals. One is for a safe and respectful environment
in which teachers are able to teach and students are able to learn. Secondly, our goal is to teach students to be
responsible for their choices and to behave appropriately. We believe that every one is responsible for
achieving these goals and require the cooperation of all students, staff and parents. School rules make learning
possible. It is the teacher’s, principal’s and parent’s responsibility to help students learn appropriate conduct.
We will teach expectations and reinforce them though out the year.
By following these general behavior expectations all through the school, student, staff and parents can enjoy a
healthy school experience. All students are taught to follow out three school rules: Be Safe, Be Respectful and
Be Responsible. These rules are posted through out our school. Students following the behavioral
expectations may be rewarded with Blue Flyer cards. When a student earns 20 or more Blue Flyer cards they
turn them in to receive a prize and special lunch with the principal.
The Three B’s are:
Be Safe
No rough play, fighting, playing with matches, running in classrooms, bathrooms, lunchrooms or hall ways.
Do not behave in a dangerous or harmful manner to yourself or others. Follow the rules in the classroom, on
the playground and on the play structure.
Be Respectful
Respect your self, others and their property. Please be courteous and respond politely, using appropriate
language. There should not be obscene gestures, threatening, bullying, harassing, name calling, disrupting
class, or taking property that does not belong to you. Students need to promptly acknowledge and respond
politely to requests or directions given by an adult.
Be Responsible
Please be prompt and prepared for school. Listen attentively and follow directions. Treat others as you would
like to be treated. Be in supervised areas at all times
It is essential that students follow behavior expectations. When students break the rules, consequences may
range from a warning about behavior all the way to recommendation for expulsion. Factors that determine
which of the possible appropriate consequences may include, but are not limited to, discussing the incident
and understanding why it was inappropriate, a time out, a Detour Ticket, detention, community service on
campus, parent conference or possibly suspension. A Detour Ticket will be served during recess time.
Students will walk along the designated line to allow them time for recess exercise while they have thoughtful
reflection on their behavior. Since students who are not well-behaved impede the learning process for others
in the classroom; our goal is to establish a positive school climate where all can learn.
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GENERAL SCHOOL GUIDELINES
Please observe the following guidelines:
1. Be courteous!
2. Arrive at school no more than 15 minutes before class starts.
3. Walk on sidewalks at all times. Running is not allowed.
4. Obey yard supervisors at all times.
5. Obtain permission from the office to leave school grounds
6. Sticks, knives, toy guns, such as air-soft pistols, BB guns, pointed objects, or objects that could be
considered dangerous are not permitted on school grounds.
7. Personal items or toys are not to be brought to school without the permission of the teacher. Any
playground equipment brought from home must be labeled with student’s name and room number.
These items must be transported in a backpack or paper bag.
8. Fighting, play fighting, tackling or wrestling are not permitted at school or to and from school.
9. Restrooms are to be used during recess and lunch recess rather than class time. Playing in the
restrooms is not permitted.
10. Climbing on fences, backstops, poles, fire hydrants, or planter boxes is not permitted.
11. Skateboards, roller blades, radios, tape players, beepers, IPods, electronic games and other personal
items are not allowed at school. The school is NOT responsible for any items should they be brought
to school.
12. Cell phones may be brought to school, but must be turned off, put in a backpack and left there until the
dismissal bell rings.
13. Gum chewing or possessing gum is not allowed.
14. Buying, selling or trading of any items at school is not allowed unless it is and approved school
fundraiser.
15. Use of cafeteria and buses are privileges, not rights.
16. The Folsom Cordova USD and Mather Heights Elementary accept no responsibility for musical
instrument, bicycles, or other expensive items brought to school.
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PLAYGROUND GUIDELINES
1. Yard supervisors must be obeyed at all times.
2. Use playground equipment appropriately and take turns. When demand is high, waiting students count
to 15 and then take turns.
3. Playing and running in walkways, breezeways and grass areas between buildings is not allowed.
Students are not allowed to enter the park other than on an approved field trip with class.
4. Interfering with other’s games is not allowed.
5. Balls are to be used properly. Soccer balls may be kicked only in designated areas. Balls are to be used
away from buildings.
6. Tackling, tackle football, martial arts and wrestling are not allowed. Flag football is permitted with
special supervision.
7. Kickball, football and soccer must be played on the grass.
8. Games that are a safety hazard are not permitted.
9. Jump ropes are for jumping only.
10. Throwing bark or any other object, playing around plant areas, digging, climbing fences, backstops or
trees are prohibited.
11. Running games, i.e. tag, etc., or chasing is not allowed in the playground equipment area.
12. Sitting or swinging on tetherballs or other playground balls is not allowed.
13. Items should not be kicked or thrown over the fence, onto the roof or against the buildings.
14. Softball will only be played with teacher supervision
15. Always get permission from the yard supervisor to leave the playground area to go to the office during
recess.
16. All students will play games (tether ball, four square, basketball, kickball, etc..) according to the
school game rules. No game lockouts.
17. If a ball or other equipment is left on playground, return it to the ball container.
18. Gymnastic movements, flips, etc., are not permitted.
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SCHOOL RIDER RULES
When riding or walking to school it is your responsibility to go straight to school and straight home after school.
You must check in with someone when you arrive home.
Never talk to strangers.
You must never ride your bike/scooter/skateboard while on school grounds
You will always therefore transport your bike/scooter/skateboard around school by walking it carefully.
Skateboards may be brought to the classroom; however scooters that do not fold up and bikes must be kept in the fenced bike rack area.
You will always be considerate of the safety of yourself and all other children within the school grounds.
You will always wear a helmet when riding your bike/scooter/skateboard, in or out of school
You will look after your bike/scooter/skateboard and make sure it is safe to ride.
You will never ride or touch another child’s bike/scooter/skateboard while at school.
You will always be considerate of the safety of pedestrians on our sidewalks. The school understands that:
We will take every effort to protect and ensure the safety of your child’s bicycle/scooter/skateboard while on school grounds through the installation of our bicycle racks. However all bikes/scooters are left at the owner’s risk.
It is a privilege to ride to school and any student not following the rules may have their privileges taken away.
Thank you for helping your child stay safe while riding and walking to school!
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Mather Heights Elementary School
Bicycle and Scooter Contract
Bicycle and scooters are permitted on campus only when used as a transportation device to and from school.
Please note the following important factors:
The privilege of bike/scooter riding is permitted as long as the rider exercises reasonable safety.
At Mather Heights Elementary School, independent (on their own) bicycle/scooter riding is limited to students in
grades 2-5. Students in grades K - 1 may ride their bike or scooter when accompanied by a parent or guardian to and from school.
Provisions are made to safeguard bikes and scooters, but the school assumes no responsibility if a bicycle or
scooter is damaged or stolen. Students are expected to keep their bicycle or scooter locked at all times.
Teachers and school staff have the authority to confiscate a bicycle or scooter, and the school principal/designee has
the authority to not allow students to ride their bicycle or scooter to school for a specified period of time. Repeated violations will mean students cannot ride their bicycle or scooter to school.
The following rules are designed with student safety in mind, and documented violations can be cause for the loss of riding privileges:
Students riding bicycles/scooters must wear bicycle helmets.
Obey all traffic laws. Ride defensively – watch out for all traffic and people.
When arriving at, or leaving the school, cross at the intersections with crosswalks, only.
Upon arrival on school grounds, dismount and walk your bike/scooter directly to the bike racks.
Never ride your bike/scooter on the sidewalks at school or in the parking lot.
Each bike/scooter must have its own lock and chain. Do not lock bikes or scooters together. All bikes/scooters
are to be locked in the bike rack, in a slot. Do not lock bikes or scooters on the ends of the rack.
Bicycles/scooters are not allowed in the classroom.
Skateboards and roller blades are not allowed at Mather Heights Elementary School. PLEASE SIGN AND SUBMIT TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE
I,_________________________________________ pledge to follow the rules outlined above.
(Student Name) I also understand that should I violate the rules or behave irresponsibly, I will have my bicycle privileges
I am aware of the traffic conditions from this location to Mather Heights Elementary School, and I assume responsibility for my student’s actions to and from school. The student will ride (circle, as appropriate):